Legislative Assembly 3717 24 August 1993

TUESDAY, 24 AUGUST 1993 PAPERS PRINTED OR CIRCULATED DURING RECESS Mr SPEAKER: I advise the House that Under the provisions of the motion for papers were tabled during the recess in special adjournment agreed to by the House accordance with the list circulated to members on 16 July 1993, the House met at 10 a.m. in the Chamber. Mr SPEAKER (Hon. J. Fouras, Ashgrove) Mr Speaker— read prayers and took the chair at 10 a.m. Electoral and Administrative Review Commission—Report on Review of Independence of the Attorney-General. ASSENT TO BILLS Ordered to be printed. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I inform honourable members that I have received from Her Excellency the Governor a letter in respect of PETITIONS assent to certain Bills, the contents of which The Clerk announced the receipt of the will be incorporated in the record of following petitions— Parliament. 27th July, 1993 Kindergarten Funding Dear Mr Speaker, From Mr Campbell (21 signatories) I hereby acquaint the Legislative praying that sufficient funds be provided in the Assembly that the following Bill, having been 1993-94 Budget to enable State Eduction passed by the Legislative Assembly and having Department Subsidies (SEDS) to continue to been presented for the Royal Assent, was provide adequate funding for community assented to by me in the name of Her Majesty kindergartens and that extra funding be also on 15th July, 1993: provided for the Creche and Kindergarten “A Bill for an Act authorising amounts to Association. be issued and applied for services in the financial year that started 1 July 1993”. Similar petitions were received from Mr I further acquaint the Legislative Assembly Nunn (26 signatories), Mr J. H. Sullivan (63 that the following Bills, having been passed by signatories), Mr Fenlon (68 signatories), Mr the Legislative Assembly and having been Lingard (68 signatories), Mr Turner (70 presented for the Royal Assent, were assented signatories), Dr Watson (75 signatories), Mr to by the Deputy Governor in the name of Her Vaughan (86 signatories), Mrs Woodgate (47 Majesty on 23rd July, 1993: signatories), Ms Spence (64 signatories), Mr “A Bill for an Act to amend the Bail Act Foley (46 signatories), Mr De Lacy (55 1980” signatories) and Mrs Bird (113 signatories) “A Bill for an Act to amend the Petroleum respectively. Act 1923 ” “A Bill for an Act to amend certain Acts in Movie, Salo relation to penalties and sentences”. From Mr Szczerbanik (143 signatories) I hereby transmit the Bills to the praying for urgent action to ban the movie Legislative Assembly, to be numbered and forwarded to the proper Officer for enrolment, Salo from Queensland. in the manner required by law. Yours sincerely, Crown Lease Rental Fees Leneen Forde (Sgd) From Mr Mitchell (1 280 signatories) Governor praying that the Parliament of Queensland will change the rates under the Land Act so that rentals on leasehold pastoral lands are SERGEANT-AT-ARMS reduced and in future linked to income. Mr SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members, I have to inform the House that with the completion of the job redesign process in Crown Lease Rental Fees the Table Office, Ian Thompson will now From Mr Hobbs (5 746 signatories) combine the duties of the Sergeant-at-Arms praying for action to be taken to alleviate with his other duties and his new designation financial hardship caused by the proposed will be Clerk Assistant (Table) and Sergeant-at- increase in Crown lease rentals fees Arms. implemented on 1 July 1993. 24 August 1993 3718 Legislative Assembly

Railway Services Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Act— From Mr J. N. Goss (17 signatories) Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road praying that the Parliament of Queensland will Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1993, No. 280 enact legislation which secures the services provided by 29 railway branch lines which are Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road to be closed. Amendment Act— Proclamation—remaining provisions of the Act not in force commence 2 August Dryander National Park 1993, No. 266 From Mrs Bird (783 signatories) praying Childrens Court Act— that the Parliament of Queensland will reject Proclamation—remaining provisions of the any motion to revoke the dedication of the Act not in force commence 1 September area of Dryander National Park adjacent to the 1993, No. 312 eastern arm of Double Bay. City of Brisbane Act— City of Brisbane Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1993, No. 276 Nursing; Health Services City of Brisbane Amendment Regulation From Mr Pitt (833 signatories) praying (No. 2) 1993, No. 306 that the Parliament of Queensland will reject attempts in the 1993-94 Budget to tamper Credit Act— with the nursing career structure and ensure Credit (Continuing Credit Contracts— that prioritisation of health by the Fees and Charges) Order 1993, No. 284 Commonwealth Government is not hindered Credit (Credit Society Exemption) Order by the actions of the Queensland 1993, No. 319 Government. Criminal Justice Act— A similar petition was received from Mr Criminal Justice (Misconduct Tribunal) De Lacy (1 261 signatories). Order (No. 1) 1993 Petitions received. Dairy Industry Act— Dairy Industry (Milk Prices) Order 1993, No. 300 STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS Dairy Industry Regulation 1993, No. 282 In accordance with the schedule Dairy Industry (Scheme for Restructuring circulated by the Clerk to members in the Distribution) Amendment Order 1993, Chamber, the following documents were No. 290 tabled— Evidence Act— Acquisition of Land Act— Evidence Amendment Regulation (No. 1) Acquisition of Land Regulation 1993, 1993, No. 310 No. 298 Fishing Industry Organisation and Marketing Ambulance Service Act— Act— Ambulance Service Amendment Fishing Industry Organisation and Regulation (No. 1) 1993, No. 283 Marketing Amendment Regulation (No. 4) 1993, No. 318 Architects Act— Foreign Ownership of Land Register Act— Architects Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1993, No. 292 Lands Legislation (Variation of Fees) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1993, Brisbane Cricket Ground Act— No. 299 Brisbane Cricket Ground Amendment By- Freedom of Information Act— law (No. 1) 1993, No. 293 Freedom of Information Amendment Building Units and Group Titles Act— Regulation (No. 1) 1993, No. 309 Lands Legislation (Variation of Fees) Fruit and Vegetables Act— Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1993, No. 299 Fruit and Vegetable (Grading and Packing) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) Business Licence Deregulation (Milksellers and 1993, No. 270 Fish Buyers) Amendment Act— Fruit Marketing Organisation Act— Proclamation—Part 3 of the Act Fruit Marketing Organisation Amendment commences 20 August 1993, No. 317 Regulation (No. 2) 1993, No. 273 Legislative Assembly 3719 24 August 1993

Grain Industry (Restructuring) Act— Lands Legislation (Variation of Fees) Grain Industry Regulation 1993, No. 274 Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1993, No. 299 Grammar Schools Act— Mining Titles Freeholding Act— Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Lands Legislation (Variation of Fees) (Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School) Order Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1993, (No. 1) 1993 No. 299 Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements National Parks and Wildlife Act— (Ipswich Grammar School) Order (No. 1) 1993 National Parks Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1993, No. 321 Harbours Act— Petroleum Act— Harbours (Abbot Point) Amendment By- Petroleum Amendment Regulation (No. 3) law (No. 3) 1993, No. 265 1993, No. 287 Harbours (Mackay Port Authority) Primary Producers’ Organisation and Marketing Amendment By-law (No. 1) 1993, No. 264 Act— Health Act— Primary Producers’ Organisation and Poisons (Adoption of Standard) Notice Marketing (Rice Marketing Board) (No. 3) 1993, No. 289 Regulation (No. 3) 1993, No. 295 Health Services Act— Property Law Act— Health Services (Public Hospitals Fees Property Law Regulation 1993, No. 308 and Charges) Amendment Regulation Public Service Management and Employment (No. 1) 1993, No. 286 Act— Hen Quotas Act— Public Service Management and Employment Amendment Regulation Hen Quotas Amendment Regulation (No. 3) 1993, No. 301 (No. 1) 1993, No. 271 Queensland Marine Act— Industrial Relations Amendment Act— Queensland Coast and Torres Strait Pilot Proclamation—section 37 of the Act Service Repeal Regulation 1993, No. 278 commences 2 August 1993, No. 288 Queensland Marine Amendment Justices Act— Regulation (No. 1) 1993, No. 279 Justices (Offence Notices) Amendment Queensland Marine (Motor Boat and Regulation (No. 1) 1993, No. 311 Motor Vessel) Amendment Regulation Juvenile Justice Act— (No. 1) 1993, No. 302 Real Property Act— Juvenile Justice Regulation 1993, No. 314 Lands Legislation (Variation of Fees) Proclamation—remaining provisions of the Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1993, Act not in force commence 1 September No. 299 1993, No. 313 Retirement Villages Act— Land Act— Retirement Villages Amendment Lands Legislation (Variation of Fees) Regulation (No. 1) 1993, No. 285 Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1993, No. 299 State Transport Act— State Transport Amendment Regulation Local Government Act— (No. 1) 1993, No. 269 Local Government (Nicholas Street Mall) Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act— Regulation 1993, No. 297 Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Local Government Superannuation Act— (Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School) Order Local Government Superannuation (No. 1) 1993 (Relevant Persons Scheme) Regulation Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements 1993, No. 275 (Ipswich Grammar School) Order (No. 1) Mineral Resources Act— 1993 Mineral Resources Amendment Regulation Statutory Instruments Act— (No. 9) 1993, No. 277 Statutory Instruments Amendment Mineral Resources Amendment Regulation Regulation (No. 7) 1993, No. 291 (No. 10) 1993, No. 320 Stock Act— Miners’ Homestead Leases Act— Stock Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1993, No. 272 24 August 1993 3720 Legislative Assembly

Superannuation (Government and Other Queensland Dairy Farmers’ Employees) Act— Organisation—Report for year ended Superannuation (Definition of 31 March 1993 Employee—Raine Island Corporation) Rice Marketing Board—Report for Order 1993, No. 315 the period 1 April 1992 to 28 April Superannuation (State Public Sector) Act— 1993. Superannuation (State Public Sector— Membership) Amendment Regulation MINISTERIAL STATEMENT (No. 2) 1993, No. 316 Workplace Health and Safety Supreme Court Act— Hon. M. J. FOLEY (Yeronga—Minister for Supreme Court Rules Amendment Order (No. 5) 1993, No. 307 Employment, Training and Industrial Relations) (10.07 a.m.), by leave: Workplace Tow-truck Act— accidents and illness cost Queensland around Tow Truck Amendment Regulation (No. 1) $1.1 billion a year. Seventy-nine thousand 1993, No. 267 Queenslanders are injured at work annually, Townsville City Council (Douglas Land meaning—more than ten times more Development) Act— Queenslanders than are hurt in road accidents Townsville City Council (Douglas Land each year. These figures do not include the Development) Regulation 1993, No. 296 uncompensated—and often neglected— Traffic Act— injuries and diseases among self-employed people, who make up 20 per cent of the work Traffic Amendment Regulation (No. 4) force and members of the public injured in our 1993, No. 294 workplaces. They also do not include the Transport Infrastructure (Roads) Act— human cost in pain and suffering to the Transport Infrastructure (Roads) victims and their families. Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1993, No. 268 Although the accident rate for employees has been improving steadily over the past few Transport Infrastructure (Roads) years, from around 83 per 1 000 workers in Amendment Regulation (No. 3) 1993, 1988-89 to 73 per 1 000 in 1991-92, it is No. 281 simply not good enough. In a bid to deal with Transport Infrastructure (Roads) this major economic and social problem, an Amendment Regulation (No. 4) 1993, Issues Paper on workplace health and safety No. 303 legislation and administration has been Valuation of Land Act— developed. Submissions will be taken on the Lands Legislation (Variation of Fees) Issues Paper until 10 September, after which I Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1993, will report back to Cabinet on potential No. 299 changes to the existing system. Water Resources Act— One of the issues which will be addressed Water Resources (Bones Knob) is more effective financial incentives for Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1993, employers to improve workplace health and No. 304 safety, on the basis that the most direct route Water Resources (Shire of Beaudesert) to obtaining results may be via the hip pocket. Regulation 1993, No. 305 The most effective way to bring down workers’ Workplace Health and Safety Act— compensation costs to employers is to limit Workplace Health and Safety (A-C the unacceptably high level of injuries and Sheeting) Code of Practice Revision illness to their employees. If an employer Notice 1993, No. 322. could count the dollar difference between having responsible workplace health and PAPERS safety practices and not bothering, then The following papers were laid on the everyone would benefit. The employer who table— does the right thing would be better off, the (a) Treasurer (Mr De Lacy)— employees are better off and the Queensland economy benefits overall through less Brisbane Cricket Ground Trust— workplace disruption and greater productivity. Report for year ended 31 March The existing merit bonus system seeks to 1993 achieve this, but its scope and effectiveness is (b) Minister for Primary Industries (Mr being examined as part of the review. Casey)— I encourage all interested parties, including honourable members, to obtain a Legislative Assembly 3721 24 August 1993 copy of the paper and contribute to the Mr BORBIDGE: In directing a question to shaping of a policy which affects the Minister for Health, I refer him to the fact Queensland’s 93 000 workplaces. that the Queensland Health budget has I lay upon the table of the House the increased by $517m since 1990-91, and I ask: Issues Paper from the review of the workplace why has this massive increase in funding only health and safety legislation. resulted in closed wards, cutbacks in elective surgery, a freeze on staff levels, a downgrading of the QE II Hospital, a shortage QUESTION UPON NOTICE of specialists and growing waiting lists? Will the Minister now tell the House where more Mr N. Gillard than half a billion dollars of Queensland’s Mr COOPER asked the Minister for Police taxpayers’ money has gone? and Emergency Services— Mr HAYWARD: I thank the honourable “As one of the reasons he sacked member for the question. Unfortunately, it is the former Queensland Ambulance based on a false premise. It makes some Service Commissioner, Mr Noel Gillard, reference to an amount of over half a billion was his supposedly unauthorised creation dollars. Quite simply, the amount of the of jobs, when did Mr Gillard officially budgeted increase over that period is in fact commence his duties?” $393m, or an increase from $1.695 billion to Mr BRADDY: I seek leave to table my $2.088 billion. answer to the honourable member’s question Mr Borbidge: Your Budget papers. and have it incorporated in Hansard. Mr HAYWARD: Obviously, the Leave granted. honourable member cannot read. Mr Gillard was appointed to the position of Mr Borbidge interjected. Commissioner, Queensland Ambulance Service Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the on 22 August, 1991 and commenced duties on Opposition! 12 September, 1991. Mr HAYWARD: Nevertheless, $393m is a The decision to create the 40 District substantial amount of money, and it is an Operational Co-ordinator offices positions was taken by Mr Gillard without reference to the amount of money that I do not run away from. then Minister. I think it is very important. What we have to do in Queensland is to address the horrendous These positions were created as a result of the neglect of the past. The McKay report, which recommendations of a meeting of the Regional Assistant Commissioners which occurred on 17 is the hospital planning study in south-east February, 1992. Queensland, and which is a report that is generally accepted by, I would think, The 40 DOCO positions were advertised 19 everybody in this House as being an March 1992 in Gazette No. 36 (closing date 13 authoritative document, makes the point that April 1992). the quality of capital stock of some of the On 21 May 1992, the notification of older hospitals in the study area—and I am appointments to the position of DOCO was talking only about south-east Queensland—is made. particularly poor, including the Royal Brisbane The first time the then Minister was notified of Hospital, the Princess Alexandra Hospital, the the creation of these positions was on 23 Royal Women’s Hospital and part of the Mater March 1992, 4 days after the positions had Children’s Hospital. The report then goes on to been advertised in the Gazette. state that that has led to below-standard However, no mention was made to the then accommodation for patients, inefficiencies and Minister of the fact that these 40 positions outdated theatre and clinical support services were being created. facilities, and that it is a disincentive to Mr Cooper asserted that the Ambulance attracting the highest quality clinicians. Commissioner Noel Gillard was sacked only Then McKay goes on to state that three because of his unauthorised creation of 40 District Operational Coordinator positions. factors have contributed to the current situation: firstly, poor service planning; This is no so. Mr Gillard's contract was secondly, inadequate funding; and, thirdly, a terminated because of a range of financial and reluctance to replenish existing capital stock. administrative decisions he made during his term, without appropriate Ministerial approval. What has this Government done about it? Firstly, very clearly, we have recognised, as QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE McKay has done, that hospitals should be Health Funding built where people actually live. To that extent, 24 August 1993 3722 Legislative Assembly we have moved to extend the Logan Hospital; cite, if I could only find my papers. Let me we will soon be opening the Caboolture refer to the Leader of the Opposition’s Hospital; and we will soon be opening the electorate. In 1989, schools in his electorate extensions to the Nambour Hospital—all of received $174,000 for their school grant. In this in south-east Queensland where people 1993, they will receive $316,000—which is an actually live. 80 per cent increase in four years. Let me look If one refers to services such as cardiac at the Leader of the Liberal Party’s electorate. surgery and angioplasties, which are Mr Veivers interjected. performed, for example, at Prince Charles Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Hospital, one finds that this year there has Southport! been a 17.1 per cent increase over the previous year and a 23 per cent increase over Mr COMBEN: In 1989, $232,000 in the year before that. Very clearly, we have school grants was provided to Mrs Sheldon’s been able to provide services in those electorate but, in 1993, those schools will specialist areas and we are working very hard receive $498,000. That is where half a billion to do that, recognising the historical base from dollars has gone, and the end result is that which we came—a situation of poor capital our students are benefiting. There will be a stock, inadequate planning and, of course, better overall budget and a better education lack of money. We are using the money to budget. drive the system harder. This year, there will be an increase of 10 per cent in the number Government Spending Levels of procedures carried out in the Queensland public hospital system, and we are dealing Mr PITT: I ask the Premier: is he aware of with those issues in the context of an ageing criticisms about the level of Government population and a growing population, the spending in Queensland? Can be explain the continuously increasing cost of technology, reasons behind current spending levels and and an environment of rising expectations. what the Government’s response is to calls for We are dealing with that, and we are providing reduced spending? those services. Mr W. K. GOSS: Let me assure members of the House that in the forthcoming Budget there will be further increases in Education Budget spending in areas such as education, health Mr BORBIDGE: In directing a question to and police because, as far as this Minister for Education, I refer to the fact that Government is concerned, if we are to deliver the Queensland education budget has not just an appropriate level of services but increased by $427m since 1990-91. I ask: why also social justice to the people of has this massive increase in funding resulted Queensland, then we must, and we will, only in 580 fewer secondary school teachers, continue to increase spending in those vital the redeployment of other staff, the merging areas. I notice that the main debate that has and clustering of schools, and restrictions on occurred in recent days and, I think, the the relocation rights of country teachers? Will debate that will be on the streets later today, he now tell the House where almost half a relate to education spending. There has been billion dollars of Queensland taxpayers’ money some pretty blatant and cynical politicking by has gone? some of the Government’s opponents in that Mr COMBEN: I take great pleasure in regard. Let me say that we are more than telling the House where almost half a billion happy to take them on any time this week. Let dollars of extra funding from this Government us have a detailed debate about education in four years has gone—the provision of 2 700 spending! Let us have a detailed debate additional teachers across-the-board; more about education reforms that this Government than 40 new schools; across-the-board, new is pursuing! Let us have a detailed debate home economics blocks; across-the-board, about the Opposition parties’ appalling record new manual arts blocks; in-service training in education! across-the-board; a downsized bureaucracy in Mr Borbidge: What about the memo? real terms; a new curriculum being developed Mr W. K. GOSS: The Leader of the by Ken Wiltshire; and, across-the-board, better Opposition would take students back to writing education. Now there are more computers in with burnt sticks and slate pencils if he could. schools, and funding to P & C associations While he might be comfortable with a burnt has gone up from less than $99 a student to stick or a slate pencil, we want something about $144 per student across-the-board. better for the kids of Queensland. I thank the These are the sort of statistics that I would Leader of the Opposition—— Legislative Assembly 3723 24 August 1993

Mr Littleproud interjected. Sunday Telegraph of 27 June that the Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Queensland Government had recorded the Western Downs! highest increase in spending in recent years— and that is right; all in education, health, police Mr W. K. GOSS: I thank the Leader of and the environment. The article stated— the Opposition for his two Dorothy Dix “He said unless the Government’s questions to the Ministers for Education and spending on health and education was Health this morning, pointing out in the first slowed, the State could end up flat words of his questions how much extra we broke.” have spent on education and health to redress the problems of the past. That is what he is on about—the old National Party/Country Party routine of starving the Mr Stephan interjected. public education system but having education Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for for the privileged, which is okay, and starving Gympie! the health system, but if people can go to a private hospital then that is okay. As far as we Mr W. K. GOSS: Let me just mention are concerned, we are going to look after the education. What has this Government done? whole community and that is why there have We have increased education spending by been those massive increases in health and $380m in a year—I repeat “a year”. In the education spending. I will not go through them context of a $380m-a-year increase, we have all, but I have numerous quotes from the asked for approximately $15m worth of Leader of the Opposition and his cohorts administrative savings and belt-tightening. A which all criticise spending and call for very good deal! reductions in spending. We reject that and The main suggestion that has been reject it absolutely. raised in the community over recent weeks to address these minor belt-tightening measures is a fuel tax. As far as this Government is Education concerned, in the current climate, a fuel tax Mr PITT: In directing a question to the will impact most on low income earners and Minister for Education, I refer to the recent on people who live in rural and regional strike action by the Queensland Teachers Queensland. They were slugged enough last Union following announcements by the State week when it came to the fuel tax, and we are Government that it will make adjustments to not going to add to that burden. Members of its budget as a result of the $115m shortfall the Opposition have gone silent. What do from the Federal Government to the State’s they want? Do they want a fuel tax, or do they funding, and I ask: can the Minister confirm to want controlled spending? Do they want a fuel the House that this action was taken despite tax? assurances from him that the Education budget would again set a record level of Mr SPEAKER: Order! I prefer it that way, funding for education, including an increase in Mr Premier, but I suggest that we go back to real terms? the question. Mr COMBEN: I thank the honourable Mr W. K. GOSS: I think their answer, member for the question. Yes, I can confirm although they were not very clear, is that they that the budget on 2 September for Education do not want a fuel tax; they want reductions in will increase in real terms. spending. They support massive cuts in spending and they support, in particular, Mr Littleproud: No leaks! massive cuts in spending on education and Mr COMBEN: No leaks. It is on the public health. That is what the people of Queensland record. The Government has been saying that need to understand. The people of constantly to the Queensland Teachers Union Queensland and the people outside need to for the past six weeks, yet I still read and I still understand that the Leader of the Opposition hear from Mary Kelly that there will be supports cuts in spending on education and education cuts, that the Education budget will health and, indeed, across-the-board. We will be cut. It will not be cut. There will be real never support cuts in education. As I said, we increases. However, the Government needs to are increasing spending by $380m a year. make so me m ino r i nte rnal adjustments—“minor adjustments” is the term Mr Borbidge: You are increasing the used by the Premier—because, as I have bureaucracy. already told the Leader of the Opposition, an Mr W. K. GOSS: Let me quote from a extra half a billion dollars has been spent. Now claim by the Leader of the Opposition in the the Government is saying that it needs to 24 August 1993 3724 Legislative Assembly make some internal adjustments, perhaps to memo from Dr Bob Stable of the Prince the tune of $25m to $30m, and, in those Charles Hospital cited by Dr Hodge ordering a terms, they are minor adjustments. They will reduction in the number of angioplasties have no impact whatsoever on students in performed at the hospital. Budget Paper No. classrooms. 3, which is the Minister’s own paper, reveals The Government will look at how it can do an extra $516.8m in health funding—and the things smarter. If we are to become the clever Minister ought to look to his own figure, which country, the first thing that we must do is run was $393m, I understand—over the past our education system more cleverly. There will three years. Queensland already has the be no general budget cuts for education; lowest number of heart operations per capita there will be increases in real terms. I wish that in the country due to lack of funding. In view the Queensland Teachers Union could of that, I ask: how can the Minister justify understand straight English and not allow itself reducing the number of those life-saving heart to be led by a music teacher. procedures from 438 last year to less than 400 this year? Mr HAYWARD: I happen to have a copy Education of that memo. What the memo says, and Mrs SHELDON: I direct a question to the what Dr Hodge did not say—— Minister for Education. Federal Budget Mr Borbidge: You don’t even know what documents reveal that grants to the your own budget is. Queensland Government for recurrent expenditure in State schools for the 1993-94 Mr HAYWARD: The honourable member financial year total $183m, only $2m less than should look at the Budget papers. The Deputy last year. I ask: in light of the fact that the Leader of the Coalition is talking about Federally allocated funding for Queensland angioplasties. The final number of education remains virtually static, how can the angioplasties for this year compared with last Minister explain—or can he explain—why his year represents an increase of 17.1 per cent, Government continues to blame Canberra for and that compares with an increase over the the $34.6m cut in State allocated education previous year of 23.4 per cent. The estimated funding? cost of one of those procedures is in excess of $3,000. If the procedure gets complicated, Mr COMBEN: I have no difficulty at all in which inevitably it does, it can exceed $5,000. putting some facts on the table. The Federal allocation may well be static. The internal Let us go to what the memo said. The costs of education are not static; they rise. final point is— This year, the incremental increases of “Therefore, the number of individual teachers will rise on average by angioplasties to be performed at The $1,000, with 27 000 teachers each receiving, Prince Charles Hospital during the on average, $1,000 extra. That is $27m 1993/94 financial year is not to exceed before we start. One adds to that the $5m, 400.” plus or minus, bill for legal costs incurred last The honourable member must understand year in legal settlements. One adds to that that that is an increase of 26 over the also the unforeseen expenditure on matters previously funded target of 374 for the 1992- such as workers’ compensation and on some 93 year. The point is that the budgeted changes that we experienced in terms of number this year was 374. The number that is cleaning costs. Those are internal costs that to be budgeted for next year is 400. In the Government must bear. It is a straight anyone’s language—even the honourable budgetary process. The Government’s member’s—that is very clearly an increase. allocations are, as the honourable member We are looking at what was budgeted for this says, static; the internal costs are increasing. year. What the memo is about and what the We therefore have a budget which, over the honourable member fails to understand, or years, has expanded from a size 10 to a size what she will not understand, is that there is 14. This year, the Government is asking for an increase from 374 to 400 on the budgeted the belt to be pulled in by a notch. figures. We operate on the budgeted figures for the purpose of most rational arguments. Cardiac Surgery I turn to where the Government is Mrs SHELDON: In directing a question to heading with cardiac surgery. Yesterday, Dr the Minister for Health, I refer to statements by Hodge acknowledged very clearly the the AMA president elect, Dr Robert Hodge, on condition of the State that this Government ABC radio yesterday afternoon and to a did inherit and the increase that has occurred Legislative Assembly 3725 24 August 1993 in the number of angioplasty procedures. He Mr De LACY: The only way to come to a acknowledged the increase of 17.1 per cent. conclusion like that is that you would have to He acknowledged the increase over the be the Leader of the Opposition in previous year of 23.4 per cent. Because of the Queensland desperate to put Queensland signing of the Medicare agreement, the down, desperate to sing the praises of Victoria Government obtained $8.67m. The purpose and have an advanced degree in convoluted of that money was to deal directly with waiting logic. I might say that this is the same person lists. Those waiting lists and those waiting who a couple of years ago said that the times are certainly extensive and need to be taxpayers should not have to pay for the addressed, particularly in those very important Sunshine Coast road but that the Government areas of cardiac surgery. should pay for it. The Government specifically put an Mrs Sheldon: Quality of input. amount of $2.8m into the Prince Charles Hospital to deal with that and to attack those Mr De LACY: Honourable members will units and those waiting times. There is no know that, last week, the ABS released its argument about that. That happened. As a figures for State growth. It showed that in the Government, we have proceeded to establish year ending 30 June, Queensland grew by 6.6 a cardiac unit in north Queensland to be per cent. I do make the point that these are based in Townsville. One thing that comes unadjusted figures. They are not adjusted for through in the McKay report—and it is a public inflation. In reality, they are not as high as document, so honourable members can read that. Surprisingly, Victoria grew by 4.4 per it—is that, to the extent that cardiac surgery cent. Last year, the figures that were released did occur, it was focused in south-east showed that Queensland grew by 6 per cent Queensland. People in north Queensland but Victoria had a negative growth of 1.3 per were neglected in general terms with regard to cent. They actually went backwards last year. most hospital procedures, but particularly with In order to make Victoria look better, what the regard to cardiac surgery. Very clearly, a unit Leader of the Liberal Party has done is add will be established in Townsville. That will, of last year’s reduction of 1.3 per cent to this course, address some of the issues of waiting year’s growth of 4.4 per cent and come up times in north Queensland. with a figure of 5.7 per cent. Victoria actually grew by 5.7 per cent. That is the honourable Let me talk also about major heart member’s figure. procedures. Although it is rough data, the 1990 data shows that, nationally, 660 major Mrs Sheldon: Tell us about your 4.6 per heart procedures were carried out per million cent. people. Queensland is now ahead of the Mr De LACY: I am coming to that. When national rate at 800 per million people. Let me it came to Queensland, the State in which the say also that the private sector—— honourable member happens to live, what Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Minister is she did was take off this year’s growth of 6.6 starting to debate the question. I call the per cent; instead of adding on last year’s member for Ipswich West. growth of 6.6 per cent, she took it off. Mr W. K. Goss: Isn’t it a shame that they Economic Growth don’t have somebody qualified in economics on their front bench? Mr LIVINGSTONE: I ask the Treasurer: can he explain how Victoria’s economic growth Mr De LACY: It is indeed. Our real growth of 4.4 per cent in the last financial year can be is 0.6 per cent. judged superior to Queensland’s growth of 6.6 Mr Hamill: Physiotherapists are good at per cent, as claimed by the Deputy Leader of manipulating. the Coalition? Mr De LACY: The Honourable Minister for Mr De LACY: I thank the honourable Transport says that physiotherapists are good member for the question. The only way that at manipulating. Our real growth rate is 0.6 per one could come to a conclusion like that—— cent, even though the ABS said it was 6.6 per Mr Cooper interjected. cent. With that convoluted logic, one could Mr SPEAKER: Order! I ask the member come up with anything. One might even say for Crows Nest to withdraw those comments. that the Liberals have the numbers in the They are unparliamentary. House, or that Mrs Sheldon is the most popular leader in Queensland! Mr COOPER: I withdraw. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the Treasurer. 24 August 1993 3726 Legislative Assembly

In conclusion—the question does draw Mr COMBEN: I will debate the attention to this flawed economic analysis. honourable member in this Chamber at any The members opposite pretend to be an time. alternative Government. One can imagine Mr Borbidge: You wuss. what would happen if, by some quirk of fate, they ever got into Government and brought Mr COMBEN: Let us go out there. Let that kind of economic expertise and analysis the honourable member’s opening statement to the important job of being Treasurer! be that there should not be a rise in Government expenditure on education to the national level. Let him go and tell that to the Education Queensland Teachers Union and to the Mr LIVINGSTONE: My second question Queensland Council of Parents and Citizens is to the Minister for Education. Can the Associations. Let us have a proper debate in Minister inform the House whether the which real arguments are put forward, instead Government remains committed to ensuring of engaging in cheap political point-scoring. that education funding be maintained at or about the national average? What would be Education the impact if that strategy were abandoned, as has been suggested in some quarters? Mr LINGARD: My first question is to the Minister for Education. I refer to the fact that Mr COMBEN: I assume that the the reduction by the Government in the honourable member is referring to certain number of secondary teachers will impact comments attributed to the Leader of the hardest in small high schools, particularly Opposition in the weekend papers wherein the those in community and provincial Leader of the Opposition is quoted as saying, Queensland where subject choices are “Then there is the Government’s obsession already limited. I ask: how does his with taking spending levels up to the national Government justify any further discrimination average, ignoring the fact that this is what got against students who already face educational States like Victoria, South Australia and disadvantage? Western Australia into dire financial trouble.” Earlier this morning, the Premier said quite Mr COMBEN: The premise on which the clearly that the Leader of the Opposition does honourable member bases his question—that not support increased spending in education any changes will impact hardest on small high and health services. On the one hand, the schools in rural areas—is incorrect. The Leader of the Opposition is saying, “Let us Government will look at implementing a reduce our spending”, but, on the other hand, formula right across the system. A formula he is enjoying the luxury of Opposition and would mean that there would be less impact being able to say that the Government ought on small high schools in total. If a school is to be doing more. going to suffer an impact that is unwarranted, unjustified and unable to be sustained, it will Mr Hamill: He looks very comfortable go to the regional director and it will be over there. rectified. We appreciate the great work that is Mr COMBEN: He looks very comfortable done in rural schools, in small one-teacher straddling a barbed-wire fence. As to the schools, in high tops—— Leader of the Opposition wanting to debate Mr Cooper: Why close them? education and whether or not Queensland should be heading towards the national Mr COMBEN: We are not closing any average—this State is probably on the school anywhere. national average at present. There is a lot of Mr Cooper: Why cluster them? distortion about the average spending on Mr COMBEN: We are not clustering. education around Australia. If the Leader of the Opposition wants to debate those sorts of Mr Lingard: Thanks for the information issues, I will take him on any time. If this Mr COMBEN: I thank the member for Government allows spending to fall below Crows Nest for his acknowledgment that the what we have already provided in record Government is not clustering. time—— Mr Cooper: It’s on the record; that’s all I Opposition members interjected. want. Mr COMBEN: I will debate the Opposition Mr COMBEN: It was put on the record anywhere, any time. last night at Stanthorpe, and it was put on the Mr Borbidge: Five o’clock this afternoon record across the Darling Downs after the outside the front gate—with the Premier. member who represents Pittsworth, Mr Elliott, Legislative Assembly 3727 24 August 1993 came to me last week with a delegation. The and horticultural courses for fruit and small members opposite have been reading too crop industry as well as similar opportunities to much of the material put out by the the commercial fishing industry of courses in Queensland Teachers Union. There will be no marine radar, coxswain skills, coastal changed policy, no closures, no clusterings navigation and nautical skills. For example, and no mergings unless a local school the campus is introducing a rural office community says, “Let’s have a look at it.” That practice program to assist property owners run is on the public record. We will be looking at the business side of their ventures more rural small high schools individually. We will be effectively. This is practical evidence of the minimising any impact so that the students way in which this Government’s training are not disrupted. programs are targeted to assist local communities and local industries. Mr P. Coyne Mr LINGARD: My second question is to Tobacco Quotas the Minister for Family Services and Aboriginal Mrs BIRD: I ask the Minister for Primary and Islander Affairs. I refer once again to the Industries: can he comment on recent media payment of $27,000 which the Minister made reports that tobacco quotas could be cut by to Peter Coyne in 1990. The Auditor-General 35 per cent for next season? How will the has now said that that payment was a Queensland Government react to that technical breach of the Audit Act. The CJC reduction? has now stated in writing that the payment Mr CASEY: It is correct that, at a recent was unauthorised. The CJC report says that meeting of the manufacturers and producers the Minister is now going to write the payment of tobacco called the Australian Tobacco off as a loss to her department. Is that Marketing Advisory Committee, the growing correct? industry negotiated with the manufacturers a Ms WARNER: The honourable member reduction of 35 per cent in tobacco quotas. opposite, when he talks about the technical That will have a serious impact on production, difficulties of the situation, fails to note the particularly in the Mareeba/Dimbulah area, substantive findings of the CJC, which states which is the major tobacco-growing area in that there is not a problem in this case at Australia. It is disappointing that this was all—no problem at all. The processes by which negotiated within the industry. The that has been achieved have been totally Government does not have a major role to above board and totally within the law. I refer play in those matters. However, it is well the honourable member to my previous known within the region that the Goss answers in regard to this matter. Government has already taken the necessary steps to revitalise the Atherton Tableland area. It is well known that last year we Fishing and Horticultural Industries established a committee to look at some of Mrs BIRD: My first question is to the the problems of the industry and the need for Minister for Employment, Training and future restructuring. That is well under way. A Industrial Relations. I point out that the Bowen month ago, a Cabinet decision was made on community is heavily dependent on the fishing the matter. and horticultural industries, and I ask: can the The Primary Industry Development Minister tell the House what contribution this Council is to be set up in the area, comprised Goss Government has made to the future of people from the Department of Primary training of people involved in those industries Industries, from DBIRD and from other areas. in the Bowen area? We are in the process of appointing an Mr FOLEY: On 3 August, I officially additional officer from our AGTRADE group to opened the Bowen campus of the be based in Mareeba to help look at Whitsunday TAFE College, which came about alternatives to tobacco and to assist the as a result of Commonwealth funding to the extension of the mango and avocado tune of $6m. I was very pleased to see that industries, which are already flourishing in the the honourable member for Whitsunday was region. A DPI feasibility study of further crop present, in view of her long-standing production in the region will be undertaken. At commitment to vocational education and present, crop production is about 45 per cent training. That TAFE campus has been under capacity. designed to deliver training programs after close consultation with local industry. In All of those actions demonstrate that we particular, the Bowen campus now offers rural are expanding industry in that area to meet 24 August 1993 3728 Legislative Assembly those challenges. At long last, even the I ask the Minister: why has the Government Atherton Tableland Maize Marketing Board ceased this practice this year, therefore has accepted that it has been restricting denying graduating teachers any chance of further growth and development in the area. It even applying for teaching positions that is now seeking to become cooperative and to might be available in the State and non-State throw off the old handicaps. Things are going system? well. The people of that wonderful part of Mr COMBEN: We have not denied Queensland can be assured that the Goss students that opportunity. We are certainly Government will help to look after their future. changing the system to save about $2m. Students will effectively still apply for jobs and students will get interviews. Some 20 per cent Class Sizes or 30 per cent—we do not know exactly—will Mr QUINN: I direct a question to the receive interviews. They are the ones who will Minister for Education. The Government came legitimately—— to power with a promise to reduce the number Mr Littleproud interjected. of oversize classes in Queensland. The Mr COMBEN: No-one has set a Queensland Teachers Union estimates that percentage yet, because we do not know how the Government’s proposal to cut 500 to 600 many the Catholic system, taking 20 per cent secondary teaching positions will in fact of the students—— double the percentage of oversize classes to 22 per cent. I ask the Minister: how does he Mr Borbidge: You just did. justify breaking this election promise to the Mr COMBEN: With my hands wide apart, parents and teachers of Queensland? I was saying “20 per cent or 30 per cent”. Mr COMBEN: The premise of the Mr Borbidge: Do you know what you’re question is wrong. We are breaking no doing? election promise. My statistics do not come Mr COMBEN: Yes. This is again the from the Queensland Teachers Union. That luxury of opposition. When we get two figures, may well be from where the Opposition gets the first one being the approximate its “facts”, but they are incorrect. Any changes enrolments for next year so that we know which we are making will have a minimum roughly how many teachers we will need, and impact on maximum class sizes. Mary Kelly the second—— may talk about 11 per cent of classes being An Opposition member interjected. oversize. I challenge that figure, but I accept 11 per cent for the purposes of this argument. Mr COMBEN: No, we are just getting Let us look at the other end of the spectrum. them at the present time. Secondly, when we Let us look at the 30 per cent of classes that have some indication from the independent are below 14—the classes in which four or five schools about how many teachers they might students are doing a similar subject to want, we add them to the ones that we think somewhere else or are doing subjects where we will want and then we have a figure. We do Years 11 and 12 can be combined and, as a that with very careful mathematics. We are not result, achieve greater efficiency within our sloppy managers. I could have stood up and schools. They are the areas that we are said, “We will take 33 and a third per cent of looking at—that 30 per cent of small classes. the graduates”, and made it finite. We are saying to principals, “You make the Mr Veivers: Why? decision. If you want to have one teacher to Mr COMBEN: Why? To save some one student for physics in a rural area money. We have an absolute commitment to because it is essential, that is fine. But you these young people and we will do everything work out how your staffing will be done.” we can to make every possible vacancy There will be no doubling of maximum available. If he wants to discuss these matters class sizes or oversize classes. There will be a in detail, I again challenge the Opposition very small impact on maximum class sizes, spokesperson on Education to have a debate because we are well within what we aim to about them. achieve—one to 25 and one to 30. Legal Aid Commission Graduate Teachers Mrs WOODGATE: Mr Speaker—— Mr QUINN: I direct a question to the Mr Mackenroth interjected. Minister for Education. At the end of each Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the semester, the Department of Education House! I am on my feet. I would like to hear normally interviews graduate teachers to the member for Kurwongbah. assign them ratings for employment purposes. Legislative Assembly 3729 24 August 1993

Mrs WOODGATE: In directing a question “To spend such money on a trip for to the Attorney-General, I refer him to the the Director, when a long time now he proposed overseas trip by the Director of the has been saying that legal aid needs Legal Aid Commission which the commission more money, sends entirely the wrong proposes to fund out of moneys allocated to signal to the poor litigants of Queensland, legal assistance, and I ask: what action has in whose name an extra $2m was the Attorney taken to secure the integrity of sought, and delivered by the Queensland Legal Aid funds? Government. Those poor litigants are Mr WELLS: I noted that the honourable entitled to expect that the extra money member for Indooroopilly suggested on radio will be spent on their otherwise unfunded that I should direct the head of the Legal Aid cases.” Commission to cancel the trip. He said that I I am now confident, having discussed this should exert my authority over my matter with the Federal Minister for Justice department. I advise the honourable member and the President of the Legal Aid for Indooroopilly that the Legal Aid Commission, that that solution to the problem Commission is not part of the Department of will be adhered to and the integrity of the the Attorney-General. It is an independent Legal Aid dollar will be preserved. statutory authority which reports to two levels of Government via the Commonwealth Minister for Justice and me. We are not able Education to instruct the Legal Aid Commission to do Mrs WOODGATE: I ask the Minister for anything. Education: has education improved over the However, there are, fortunately, other last three years under this Labor ways of solving the problem. The problem has Government? now been solved. I wrote to the President of Mr FITZGERALD: I rise to a point of the Legal Aid Commission in these terms order. I submit that the question is asking for today—and I will table the letter— an opinion. “ . . . it remains my view that to spend Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of legal aid dollars on such a trip is order. unsustainable. I do not think that any of Mr COMBEN: The question seeks my the money which is allocated in the Legal opinion, and it is a question asked under the Aid Commission budget should go, in Standing Orders. It is a wide-ranging question these times, to destinations other than on which I could wax lyrical for some time. the needy poor litigants of Queensland. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I hope not. I take on board your statement to the effect that the trip has merit, in that it Mr COMBEN: However, in view of the fact would enable him to obtain information that the honourable member for Lockyer has which would assist the Commission to taken a point of order and that the Leader of deliver better and more cost effective Opposition Business in this House has assistance. Even if this is the case, then it challenged the Leader of the House to debate still remains my view that funding for such education today, I will be here at 12 o’clock to a trip should not come out of a purse that participate in an education debate. would otherwise be spent on providing legal assistance for the needy poor. Health Funding Cutbacks Therefore, I would suggest that you instead ask Mr Hodgins to write to me Mr HORAN: In directing a question to the requesting a grant from the Justice Minister for Health, I refer him to the Department specifically for the trip. Treasurer’s Interim Budget Statement and an article in the Courier-Mail on 14 July indicating The Legal Aid Commission is a body that $25m worth of cuts would be made by which first and foremost exists to disburse Queensland Health, including a $10m funds to those in need. Government downgrade of the QE II Hospital, $10m in cuts departments are however bodies with to regional health authority functions and complex functions including research and rationalisation of the nurses’ career structure, policy development.” and a $5m cutback to hospital cleaning, The Justice Department is the appropriate laundry and catering services. I ask: what is department to look at that. Further on, I the timetable for these cuts? Have they stated— already commenced? 24 August 1993 3730 Legislative Assembly

Mr HAYWARD: The honourable member Mr HAYWARD: We are doing that to should understand that they are savings. It is attack waiting times in the orthopaedic area. important that cuts be directed into the non- We are looking also at developing a clinical areas. By doing that, the money that is rehabilitation and geriatric medicine saved is able to be retained within specialisation at the QE II Hospital. We will Queensland Health in general terms and be also be using the QE II Hospital on a directed very clearly into clinical areas. That is temporary basis when the redevelopment what the focus of those savings is about. occurs at the Princess Alexandra Hospital so Mr Horan: The question was, “When do that we can keep facilities operating within the they start?” Brisbane South region. What is more, we are Mr HAYWARD: I have set up a group establishing a community health service at the which I chair and supervise. That group has QE II Hospital to provide a 24-hour medical commenced to work to find those savings. I centre with an occupational health and safety am determined to find savings in the system. I facility. am determined to direct savings from the non- The other issue raised by the honourable clinical areas into clinical areas in Queensland member related to resignations from the Health so that we can drive the system better, Princess Alexandra Hospital. make it work better and address the needs of Mr Horan interjected. Queenslanders and the issues relating to Mr HAYWARD: I am trying to answer the waiting times. four questions, if I can. I believe that the honourable member is referring to a number Health Funding Cutbacks of resignations that have occurred over the past two years. As to the Director of Mr HORAN: I ask the Minister for Health: Rheumatology, to whom the honourable given that Queensland received record member could refer if it was mentioned in the Commonwealth net payments of Courier-Mail—he resigned 18 months ago. $5,533.766m, including a record specific The honourable member could hardly call that purpose health payment of $874.4m, which a recent resignation. The Director of Clinical does not include capital payments, why is the Pharmacology resigned 15 months ago. The downgrade of the QE II Hospital necessary? Director of Accident Emergency is leaving this Why must he attack the nurses’ career week to go to the United States, on structure? Why must hospital domestic promotion. If he had a complaint with the workers lose their jobs? Why are experienced Queensland public hospital system—which he medical specialists resigning in frustration from has not—— Queensland hospitals? Mr Borbidge: It’s all a coincidence they’re Mr HAYWARD: That question contains all leaving. about six questions. I will answer the first one which related to the QE II Hospital. There is no Mr HAYWARD: I am talking about people downgrade of the QE II Hospital. The decision leaving 18 months ago, 15 months ago and not to relocate the Mater Children’s last week. If the director had a complaint with Hospital—— the Queensland public hospital system, surely Mr Horan: It’s lost accident, emergency, he would not do something as drastic as go to it’s lost half of its theatres—you don’t call that the United States; he would work in a public a downgrade? hospital in Australia. He is going to the United States because he sees it as being a Mr HAYWARD: If the honourable promotion. member will listen, he will receive an answer. The decision that the Mater Children’s Hospital The Director of Cardiology, Dr Stan not relocate to QE II caused people to think Woodhouse, whose resignation has received about some of the issues about getting the media coverage, stated in his resignation hospital up and running. A number of floors at letter— the QE II Hospital have never been used “I hereby give notice of my since the hospital opened. I am trying to utilise resignation as director of cardiology to be that hospital to its full capacity. We will expand effective as of November 1993.” elective hospital services, particularly in the He went on to say that he looked forward to orthopaedic area, by attempting to use cold discussions with the hospital about his orthopaedics to cut down the waiting times. superannuation, long service leave, trust Mr Horan: You’re moving the staff down funds and research trials. He made no to Logan. comment about any problem with the public hospital system in Queensland or the Princess Alexandra Hospital. Legislative Assembly 3731 24 August 1993

The other issue related to a staff members who contribute to union-based radiologist named Jane Reasbeck, who has superannuation funds have a reasonable indicated her intention to leave at the end of expectation that those funds will be managed the year to enter private practice. In her letter, in accordance with the law and in accordance she stated— with proper prudent financial practices. “I have really enjoyed the eight years Mr SPEAKER: Order! Members will I have worked at the PA and I would like resume their seats or leave the Chamber. to continue my association with the There is too much audible conversation in the hospital as a visiting medical officer.” Chamber. How could anyone say that she is not happy Mr SANTORO: It is quite clear that the with the system? Professional Officers Association As to the nurses’ career structure—the Superannuation Fund has not been managed Opposition always talks about the bureaucracy in such a prudent manner. What makes this of in Queensland Health. I receive many particular concern is the insistence of many complaints about nurses not dealing with members of union hierarchies that patients. I have moved to attack that superannuation funds should, indeed, be bureaucracy by some finetuning of the nurses’ compelled to be union managed. In the case career structure so that we have nurses of the fund managed by the POA during the dealing with patients. 1980s, it is quite clear that the fund has been managed improperly and that that improper Mr Horan interjected. management has cost financially the Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the members of that union tens of thousands of honourable member for Toowoomba South. dollars Mr HAYWARD: We are consulting with So let us look firstly at what did occur. the Queensland Nurses Union about changes The POA’s executive met in 1982 to award that will make the system sharper and ensure the incoming general secretary of the that nurses are dealing with patients. I am association, Mr Don Martindale—now a senior determined that those changes will come public servant appointed by the Labor about. If the honourable member talks to Government—continuity of service, meaning rank-and-file nurses, he will find out that that is that even though he had only gone into his what they want. new position in 1982, his previous service from Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time allotted 1971 to 1981 would be taken into account for for questions has expired. the determination of his superannuation. At this point, I will quote from page two of the Towers Perren report into the Queensland MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST Professional Officers Association Professional Officers Association Superannuation Fund. This is the final Towers Superannuation Fund Perren report on the issue dated April 1993. Mr SANTORO (Clayfield—Deputy Leader On page two of that report, Towers Perren of the Liberal Party) (11 a.m.): In this place conclude— last year, I detailed for the benefit of “On 9th December 1992, the honourable members a possible abuse of executive of the QPOA agreed that the funds which had occurred in the Queensland past service of Mr Dean Martindale Professional Officers Association should count for superannuation Superannuation Fund. The issues which I purposes. The executive did not specify raised at that time have now been the subject the length of that service that should of two further independent reports. Today, I count. Then, on 16 December 1986, the wish to detail the findings of those reports, executive of the QPOA considered and because they raise grave concerns about the agreed to a proposal for the transfer of administration of some superannuation funds the accrued benefits of Mr D. Martindale, in Queensland and, in particular, the Ms R. Kinder, now also a senior State administration of the POA’s fund. These Government employee, Mr G. Rutherford consequences have resulted in additional and Mr K. Daley, to their personal financial imposts being placed on the superannuation funds.” members of that fund because of improper Here the major problem arises, because the and irregular practices in the management of trust deed of that superannuation scheme, that union fund. which was actually operated by National Mr Speaker, as I am sure you and all Mutual, provided that the benefits from that honourable members will agree, union scheme were payable only on a member’s 24 August 1993 3732 Legislative Assembly retirement, termination of service with the know where that money came from. It came union or his or her death or disablement. from POA members’ funds. There was no authority in the deed for the So the upshot of the Towers Perren trustees to depart from those provisions. So, report was that not only had the POA on 31 January 1987, those full benefits for members of that superannuation fund lost the Daley, $11,419, Kinder, $42,472, Martindale, potential income that they should have $31,846, and Rutherford, $34,809, were received, but they also had to kick in the extra transferred out of the POA fund into other money to make up that funding. So they superannuation funds. However, none of were, in fact, paying twice for the improper those four members terminated service with actions of the POA trustees. Now, as if this the union, retired, died or were disabled. In was not enough on its own, there was another other words, those funds were transferred in very unusual payment made. direct contravention of the provisions of the superannuation trust deed. They were On 10 March 1987, a Mr N. Buchanan, removed illegally, and not in accordance with who had left the POA after working there for the trust deed of that fund. five years and nine months, was paid $21,872.14. To quote from the Towers Perren On 9 November 1992, the trustees at the report, page four— QPOA were advised by Towers Perren that the transfers made on 31 January 1987 were “. . . later in 1987 or early 1988, National contrary to the provisions of the deed and that Mutual discovered it had overpaid Mr the remaining members of the fund, the POA Buchanan. On 26th June 1988, it members who were also contributing to that reimbursed the fund the difference.” fund, had been detrimentally affected by the Even so, page 11 of the Towers Perren report transfer of the benefits. In other words, the finds that the fund had suffered a detriment money had been transferred improperly out of because of this overpayment. Some of the the POA fund to those four members, detriment had been repaid by National according to the trust deed at the time, and Mutual, but even so, $12,134 or—after because that money—well over $100,000— allowing for tax—$14,275 still had to be had been removed from the fund, the other contributed to the fund to make good that ordinary members of the fund had been detriment. Further, it goes on to say— financially disadvantaged because the fund “. . . there appears to be similarities was not making as much money, largely from between the Buchanan payout and the interest, as it should have been. One hundred transfer of the benefits from Martindale, thousand dollars was gone, so there was no Daley, Rutherford and Kinder, because interest on that $100,000 coming into the the payouts were contrary to the terms of fund. Therefore, the other members who were the Deed and the payouts were not ultimately to be the beneficiaries of those supported by the proper and adequate investments were cheated of their rightful documentation.” return. National Mutual had an established Just prior to this, on 23 August 1990, the procedure whereby the trustees had to sign a trust deed was amended by the POA to allow, National Mutual form called the Benefit at the request of a member, the transfer of an Payment Request before any benefit was amount to another superannuation fund. paid. The Benefit Payment Request had to Furthermore, this was backdated to take effect specify the amount of the benefit to be paid as from 1 July 1986. So what the POA and the reason for the payment, namely, that trustees were doing was retrospectively the member had ceased service—in this case, ratifying what they had done. They were with the POA—or had died or become retrospectively legalising what they had done. disabled. National Mutual advised Towers This, though, really was an attempt to shut the Perren that the benefits should not have been gate after the horse had bolted because, as paid unless those documents had been Towers Perren found, the transfer of funds in completed. However, in this instance, National 1987 was in direct contravention of the trust Mutual was not able to locate any Benefit deed. Payment Request forms for any of these On 1 December 1992, the POA resolved transfers. National Mutual’s files, in fact, when that a new trust fund, separate from the checked on 30 November 1992, showed that superannuation fund, be established to make no reasons were listed at all for the payouts to up the money that the normal superannuation Martindale, Rutherford, Daley and Kinder and fund—the National Mutual fund—had lost that those were the only cases in which no because of that improper transfer. And we all such records were held. Legislative Assembly 3733 24 August 1993

This issue, however, has not been laid to body and its Trustee representatives, in rest by the Towers Perren report. Two further other words, the POA. The bodies have become embroiled in this issue. maladministration, sloppiness of record On 10 February 1993, the Insurance and keeping and the propensity of certain Superannuation Commission advised Towers persons to become involved in conflicts of Perren and the POA that it had found that the interests were inexcusable. From the POA’s fund had breached Occupational vantage point of two years of experience Superannuation Standard Regulation 17 (a) in scrutinising the superannuation and that an amendment to the deed was industry, the Committee believes that the going to be required to make it comply with QPOA Superannuation Fund was not the law. There were also possible breaches of alone in this regard, the problems Regulations 11 and 3.1. So the Insurance and exposed in this inquiry yet again confirm Superannuation Commission—a Federal the Committee’s view that there is a need body—had found that the POA for far reaching legislation to ensure that Superannuation Fund had not complied with trustees properly discharge their duties.” the legal requirements. The committee also recommended that Another Federal body, the Senate Select the Queensland Attorney-General conduct an Committee on Superannuation, then delved inquiry into how the relevant documents went into these murky waters. In November 1992, missing and why particular people were the Senate committee received a submission protected. The Senate committee report is from a Mr Des O’Neill, who requested the further evidence of the need to implement the committee to carry out an investigation into recommendations of the Cooke inquiry report, the POA Superannuation Fund. Mr O’Neill is including the recommendation that the CJC an executive member of the new State Public be responsible for overseeing and Services Federation of Queensland, and at investigating allegations of union malpractice the time he was an executive member of the and maladministration. That the Cooke inquiry Queensland State Service Union, which recommendation has not been implemented formally merged with the POA in January this is again testimony to the intent of the Goss year. Labor Government to protect certain people, On page 57 of the Senate committee’s including the people whom I have named in report, the committee notes that the cost to this speech, against accusations of corruption members of this whole process—this whole and malpractice. messy process—has been substantial. It says Time expired. that the QPOA has incurred substantial costs in the hiring of Towers Perren as consultants in having to top up the fund to compensate LOTE Program; Australia’s Economic Links for the effects of the 1987 transfers, as well as to Asia expense in other direct and indirect ways. Ms POWER (Mansfield) (11.10 a.m.): Witnesses have employed legal counsel, The LOTE program in schools is exceeding suffered disruption to their lives, and generally expectations. A report released in July tells the much time has been taken up with wrestling story, and I commend its reading to all over problems within the POA Superannuation members. This report shows that by the year Fund. 2000, over 20 per cent of Year 12 students On page 59, in the conclusions, the will study a foreign language. Also, the report committee finds it strange that given all the has found that up to 64 per cent of foreign documents produced and examined in the language students want to learn a foreign course of this inquiry, it is the crucial Benefit language until Year 10, with more than 45 per Payment Request forms which are missing. cent wanting to continue to Year 12. More The possibility of the intentional removal of the exciting is that some 84 per cent who documents by a person or persons unknown presently do not study a language want to cannot be ignored, because it is possible that learn a foreign language up to Year 10. The these documents may have contained report shows community acceptance and evidence of conduct intended to mislead the demand for foreign languages in schools is fund administrator, National Mutual. exceeding all expectations. This Government is committed to education reform in the area Finally, it is stated on page 63 of the of LOTE. It has spent more than $30m, and it report— is committed to spending some $100m. The “The Committee concludes that what LOTE program is opening Queenslanders’ occurred in the POA Superannuation eyes to the world, and equipping young Fund reflected poorly on the employer people to operate successfully in it. It is 24 August 1993 3734 Legislative Assembly shifting the old cultural norms in Australia, and while to others it is a blessing. Closer adding a new dimension to our students’ economic links between Australia and Asian learning and understanding. This generation nations is both a curse and a blessing. Some of students will have a better understanding of industries will come under increased pressure, Australia’s place in the world, its current and while others will find more opportunity to sell future social and economic relations in the their goods and services. Asia/Pacific region, and the multicultural Today, in Australia, the debate over composition of Australia’s society as a result of Australia’s relationship with its Asian this innovative program. neighbours has concluded. Our political The success of LOTE has been parties, policy advisers and commentators all appreciated by the community. The University agree that our changing relationship with Asia of Central Queensland, in partnership with the is currently a challenge to us, and that it will be Department of Education, has developed and in the future. But it is a challenge that we must implemented a unique Japanese immersion meet if we are to be the recipients of the program for future primary schoolteachers. rewards that will come with increased The University of Central Queensland course, economic growth of the Asia/Pacific region, Language and Cultural Initial Teacher and I believe that the LOTE program in Education: Primary program has been offered schools goes some way towards doing that, at through the Faculty of Education at the UCQ, least for our younger people. Rockhampton since the beginning of this year. It would not be an exaggeration to liken In addition to its Japanese studies our position to that faced by the United component, the course sees at least 50 per Kingdom in the late 1960s and early 1970s. cent of all knowledge-based subjects taught in Last year, the Department of Foreign Affairs Japanese. Course participants also spend up and Trade created a second division to deal to two months in Japan. In addition, as of next with Asia. This move reflects the emphasis the semester, prospective secondary current Australian Government places on schoolteachers will have the opportunity to Australia’s integration with Asia. There is now participate in a Japanese immersion program a division for North Asia and another division offered for the first time at Griffith University. for South and South East Asia. Both divisions Future secondary schoolteachers studying at are responsible for regional and bilateral links. Griffith will begin their immersion in a course A glance at our international trading figures called Contemporary Japanese Society from gives us an indication as to how we, as a next year. However, they will study two nation, are being drawn progressively towards courses in Japanese per semester. Asia. Also, heads of Government agencies At the beginning of the 1960s, in dollar have recognised the importance of language terms Australia’s trade with Asian countries study in trade. At a recent meeting to accounted for approximately 24 per cent of establish Team Australia, involving Federal, total trade at that time. By 1975, this figure State and Territory Governments, their had risen to 35 per cent, and currently it agencies, business and industry associations, represents 45 per cent of our total trade. union and industry groups, agreed to ensure Included in those figures is the increased that education systems equipped graduates trade with the Association of South East Asian with international perceptions and skills. This is Nations, or ASEAN, represented by Brunei, so important if we are to develop closer links Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, between Australia and the South East Asian Singapore and Thailand. Australian trade with community. these countries, as a percentage of total This Government should be Asian trade, remained fairly constant between congratulated on playing its part in recognising 1961 and 1975 at the level of 15 per cent or the value of language. Certainly, my travels in 16 per cent. However, since 1975, this figure South East Asia last year as part of a trade has moved upwards to 23 per cent. Total mission certainly brought home to me the trade with the members of ASEAN has risen a importance of language and the staggering 74 per cent since 1961. understanding of culture if we are to further My recent visit to Sydney for a meeting of our trade links with that area. the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association “May you live in interesting times”—that is and my meetings with parliamentarians from an old Chinese saying that when used in its some of these countries assures me that they original context is viewed as a curse. To some, are even keener than before to continue that the emergence of the Asian economies in the trade and any other cultural links that we latter half of this century is just that, a curse; might want to forge with them. These figures Legislative Assembly 3735 24 August 1993 can only awaken us to the fact that, Another way in which Australia has come notwithstanding the cultural differences to play a part in forging links with South East between ourselves and Asia, our economic Asia has been through the international paths are closely linked. Even in a cultural student program. The international student sense, we are affected by our Asian program is part of a commitment to deepen neighbours. A concern with multicultural our understanding of Asia by promoting policies is a direct result of our changing knowledge of both language and culture. demographic make-up. Studying with international students widens Just as there has been a swing towards the experience and perspectives of Australian Asian trade, there has been a swing towards students while education and training links can increased immigration from that region. Two of develop into collaboration, research and the six ASEAN nations, that is Malaysia and applied technology. the Philippines, are strong growth areas in this Since Asia has grown as a tourist regard. In 1990, migrants from Singapore, the destination for Australians wishing to travel Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia made up overseas, it can also be seen as a positive 5.3 per cent of the Australian population sign. Hopefully, what this indicates is a compared with 2.4 per cent in 1981. willingness to learn and understand. Countries Whilst there are only six official members from the region with which we deal have much of ASEAN, there are six dialogue members. to offer us and we have much to offer them. These are Australia, the USA, Japan, the On both sides of the fence, the strengthening Republic of Korea, and Canada. Australian relationships must be approached with maintains wide-ranging relations with many sincerity. If this is done, then the cultural Asian countries, including the ASEAN group heritage of individual nations will have the best members. These relationships are at a chance of survival. political, economic and cultural level, and it is In conclusion, I reiterate that the forums such as ASEAN that are a major part importance of the LOTE program in of the process. At the political level, ministerial Queensland’s schools is doing its part to make visits take place in both directions. As I have sure that young Queenslanders will be ready indicated previously, the economic and trade to continue these links with Asia for years to relations are growing steadily. come. Part of the economic ties that I have not yet mentioned is the aspect of foreign aid. Queensland Treasury Corporation Bilateral aid to these countries has continued to grow over time. In Thailand, Australia is Mrs McCAULEY (Callide) (11.20 a.m.): currently involved in financing the construction There is no doubt that the State of the bridge across the Mekong River linking Government’s relationship with local Thailand with Laos. Australia has long been a authorities in Queensland has been dealt a member of the Colombo Plan Council. body blow by the actions and attitude of the Bilateral aid consists of grants and Treasurer, Mr De Lacy. I am referring, of concessional loans for national projects as well course, to the Treasurer’s insistence that a as a technical cooperation program. Australia, Queensland Treasury Corporation Japan, New Zealand and the USA are the performance dividend be imposed on local donor nations, with some 20 Asian and Pacific authorities’ borrowings, even though he had countries generally being the recipients. The assured local government earlier this year that aim of the Colombo Plan is to facilitate such a suggested tax—then to be known as a economic and social development in Asia and credit enhancement fee—was “consigned to the Pacific. the dust bin”. Not only did the Treasurer lie—a trait which is becoming rather obvious in Labor Australia’s effort to forge cooperative links politicians, particularly Federal ones—but I with its Asian neighbours has been bearing believe he did so deliberately. I believe that he fruit. The private sector has also played an never took the suggested fund-raiser out of important part in creating and fostering the Budget calculations. I believe it was left international links. Australia also formally takes there because it was simply too easy a way for part in the annual Pacific Economic the State Government to collect some money Cooperation Conference. This conference is from local authorities—too good to pass up, attended by business representatives, particularly for a man such as Mr De Lacy. academics and Government officials to discuss regional economic matters. Australia is It was unfortunate that Minister on the standing committee, along with 16 Mackenroth and his Local Government other Asian and Pacific countries. departmental officers were rolled on this issue because they will be the ones to cop the flak 24 August 1993 3736 Legislative Assembly from local government as it becomes obvious The Treasurer also stated— that ratepayers will be charged more to pay “The QTC performance dividend is this performance dividend. The Premier does estimated to generate approximately $25 not seem to understand the problem at all. He million in total in 1993-94 which is was quoted in the Courier-Mail on 15 July this significantly less than the revenue year as saying that costs will be placed not on anticipated from a credit enhancement local government but on the QTC, which fee. In total, Local Authorities share of shows that he does not have a clue. this amount is some $7.5 million, The whole matter of councils being estimated for this year to be some 0.25 financed through the QTC began some years per cent of debt outstanding. back when the QTC was formed. Many . . . councils were cautious and had detailed assessments done, which showed that for In addition, it should be noted that many there was simply not enough benefit to the introduction of the QTC performance switch over from their local bank to the QTC. dividend will not require Councils that Presently, there are still some 73 local participate in QTC to increase their debt authorities out of 134—or 55 per cent of total servicing costs—current debt servicing Queensland local authorities—which are not payments will remain unchanged . . .” QTC participants because they are getting a The Treasurer is attempting to mislead better deal from their own banks. The decision the public with that statement. Councils will be to make borrowing through the QTC required to increase their debt servicing mandatory obviously caused a storm of payments because they will have to pay the protest, because now the Treasurer has debt over a longer term. They will be the same written to all local authorities seemingly waving repayments, but they will be for an additional the flag of truce but, in reality, not giving one 12 months or so. And what is that, if it is not inch. In his letter, he states— more money out of ratepayers’ pockets? This “In light of the reaction this proposal is the reasoning of the man who is running has generated, and frankly the this State, and God help us! It is no wonder misunderstanding and misinformation that we in Queensland are in financial distress. surrounding it, I would like to take this Now let me come back to the mandatory opportunity to detail the mechanism and part. Because of the protests, the Treasurer operation of the dividend arrangements.” now says that it is not mandatory to borrow He went on to talk about economies of scale, through the QTC any more but—and this is a etc. ,and then there is the part which obviously very big “but”—he has imposed some terms galls our Treasurer, and which states— and conditions, such as: the QTC must be given the opportunity to tender for the “. . . the accumulated financial benefit to borrowing, and the Treasurer has to be Local Authorities of participation in QTC satisfied that the alternative arrangements are since its establishment in July 1988 . . . better than those that the QTC can offer; and has been estimated by QTC at some then—wait for it!—the councils will still have to $111.5 million. To date, Local Authorities pay the QTC performance dividend, anyway. participating in the QTC have retained all They will still have to pay it, even though they of that benefit.” do not borrow through the QTC! How is that How shocking that local authorities have for Big Brother watching over local authorities! retained all that benefit! How is that for giving local government I would like to ask the Treasurer: why autonomy, allowing councils to make their own should they not retain all that benefit? Why on decisions and run their own affairs! earth should not ratepayers have their burden The Treasurer’s simple decision has gone eased, if at all possible? We are not talking further towards relegating local government to about money in hand but simply a lower rate the role of an unacknowledged and unwanted of interest. That was the contract between the tier of government than has any other QTC and the local authority, but now the decision ever made in this State. And, of Treasurer is saying, “Let’s change the rules, course, local authorities realise that. Here is because we can see an opportunity to get what some of them have to say about this some more money out of local government matter. Firstly, let me refer to large provincial without any difficulties at all.” In other words, to cities. It is interesting to note that “Father” hell with the ratepayer, and the Treasurer Soorley has not replied to my letter, although says, “After all, we are not imposing a cost. the big-borrowing Brisbane City Council will We are only taking away a benefit.” And that suffer immensely from this levy as its makes it all right! borrowings have gone up from $800m to $1.2 Legislative Assembly 3737 24 August 1993 billion under “Father” Jim. One of the large total additional cost of $20,000 over the 8 provincial councils stated— years. On Council’s existing expected “This Council’s debt has been borrowings of $15M the additional managed by QTC since 1989. It appears increase in debt resulting from such a this change would add .2% to .4% to the charge in a full year would be $75,000 in rate charged which would amount to an 1994. This would total some $300,000 extension of the remaining term of the extra to be repaid in 8 years time as such debt of approximately 3.5 to 7 months, charges are simply to be added to that is, $1.2M to $2.4M in additional Council’s total debt pool thus extending payments would need to be made at the the term of the debt. end of the term of debt.” Additional Rates and Charges Another stated— amounting to the $75,000 would need to be raised and paid to the QTC in 1994 in “Currently, all of our borrowing is order to achieve the extinguishment of through the QTC and totals some the debt within existing time frames $120M. This would mean an additional sought by Council. This amounts to $1.80 annual expense of $600,000. We find per rateable property per annum.” this tax unacceptable and are totally opposed to its introduction.” The worst case scenario would be if the performance dividend is applied to existing Another large provincial council stated— borrowings, and the letter goes on to state— “The Director of Financial Services “With total debt as at the 30th of estimates that the total annual cost of the June being some $138.5M the additional Performance Dividend on our borrowing increase of debt in a full year would be will be in the order of $390,000.” $692,500 in 1994. This would total some Another large provincial council, talking of the $2,770,000 extra to be repaid in 8 years way in which De Lacy is forcing local time as such charges are simply to be authorities to borrow from the QTC, stated— added to Council’s total debt pool thus “This, it seems to me, is a basic extending the term of the debt. denial of the democratic rights of local In addition to this existing new authorities to seek the best deal for their borrowing requirements would still add ratepayers. It is draconian and heavy- $75,000 to the debt in 1994. handed and is seen by local government Additional Rates and Charges as a tax by stealth with no benefit to the amounting to the $767,500 would need ratepayer.” to be raised and paid to the QTC in 1994 Another estimated the cost to it at an extra in order to achieve the extinguishment of $100,000, and yet another stated— the debt within existing time frames “. . . there is every indication that it has sought by Council. This amounts to the potential to add a considerable $18.75 per rateable property per annum.” impost onto my council at a time when it That is certainly not a very happy worst case is experiencing difficulty in providing scenario at all. Other local authorities in essential services to the citizens of the Queensland have stated— City whilst retaining rating levels at “Whilst we don’t have a detailed acceptable levels.” account of the charges, we understand Might I add that most of those provincial cities that the new dividend charge will be have one thing in common—they are run by approximately .65% of the total Labor councils and they are copping it in the borrowings, which in our case would neck from the Labor Government. amount to $150,000 and over the lifetime One local authority has outlined a worst of the debt accumulate to approximately case scenario and a best case scenario. In its $1.29M by extending the term of our loan best case scenario, it stated— borrowings. “Applying this to Council’s new Like all Councils in Qld, this council borrowings and assuming that a has been approached by the Treasury reduction of 1% is achieved of which Corp to transfer their loans to the 0.5% therefore becomes the Corporation. At the last evaluation of this ‘Performance Dividend’ the cost per $1M process it was not in Council’s interest to of borrowing would be some $2,500 per accept the offer. For this reason the year on average over the remaining 8 Council feels that it would be detrimental years of Council’s existing debt pool, a 24 August 1993 3738 Legislative Assembly

to require Local Government to only However, I wish to share with the House a borrow from the Treasury Corporation.” number of observations that I have made They went on to make the point that there is since entering this House nearly 12 months no known case where the State Government ago. In particular, they are observations which has had to meet the debt of a local authority have been made whilst representing the as guarantor of a loan, which is a good and residents concerned by the possible outcomes valid point. Another council has stated— of the Southern Brisbane Bypass Environmental Impact Assessment. I found it “The estimated cost to Council from interesting that only a couple of kilometres the introduction of this impost is from the possible southern bypass corridor, a $50,000/annum over the life of current group of residents are mounting a vocal borrowings.” protest over the construction of a town house Councillor Noel Playford of the Noosa Shire development which they claim will affect not has been quoted in the local paper as saying only the residential amenity of their that the levy will cost his council an average of neighbourhood but will also result in a $200,000 a year and lead to an average significant increase in traffic. These are, of increase in rates of 1 per cent. That figure of 1 course, concerns echoed by groups of per cent was also verified by another local residents throughout the City of Brisbane. I will authority. Finally, I wish to quote some words deliberately avoid judging whether the claims of wisdom from some small local authorities— of these residents are valid or not. “We are particularly concerned if However, as a member of Parliament, I State Government insists on taking over am nevertheless aware that the apparent loans”—— contradiction between the aspirations of Time expired. residents in suburbs within and surrounding my electorate is highlighted by those local protests. Reduced to the basics, the protest SEQ 2001 Report against the town house development is a Mr ROBERTSON (Sunnybank) protest to maintain a popular style of estate (11.30 a.m.): The recent SEQ 2001 report development that is characteristic of urban highlights the challenges that lie ahead for development in the outer suburbs of Brisbane policy makers at all levels of Government with in the 1970s and 1980s. As we all know, interests in this region. The recommendations these estates are promoted as manifestations arising out of the SEQ 2001 report provide us of the great Australian dream—to own our with strategies to meet the significant own quarter-acre block. However, the challenges of both today and tomorrow— sprawling nature of such estates has also challenges which I know the students from the contributed to the demands for investment in Sunnybank Hills State School will be more additional transport infrastructure, which than interested in when they reach their adult results in studies such as the Southern years. These are challenges such as future Brisbane Bypass Environmental Impact urban development, maintenance of open Assessment. space and environmentally significant areas On the one hand, we have one group of and the construction of major roads to residents struggling to protect their current respond to the anticipated population growth lifestyle by opposing the construction of and resultant transport demands. comparatively dense urban development but, As honourable members would be aware, on the other, only a couple of kilometres down the State Government is currently undertaking the road, another group of residents struggle an independent environmental impact to maintain their lifestyle by opposing the assessment on a southern bypass road linking possible construction of a major subarterial the Gateway Arterial Road with the Logan road brought about in part by decades of Motorway. The fact that this environmental unabated urban sprawl. It is clear from these impact assessment has been deemed examples of local concerns that the challenge necessary highlights just some of the for policy makers at all levels of Government is important issues that must be addressed if immense and, in many respects, south-east Queensland is to remain a great irreconcilable. That, of course, does not mean place to live. I do not intend to canvass all of that, as the elected policy makers in this the issues which arise out of the SEQ 2001 State, we do not try to reconcile these report. To mention all of the issues would be contradictions. nigh on impossible, given time constraints. That is why the SEQ 2001 initiative is such an important, if not essential, project and deserves recognition and support by the Legislative Assembly 3739 24 August 1993 community. If the outcomes of this project go Sunnybank Hills State School, who are in the just some of the way to resolving the inherent gallery today, will thank us for accepting. contradictions arising from opposing yet legitimate concerns and aspirations of constituents within our respective electorates, Hunting in National Parks then it will have been a worthwhile endeavour. Mr SLACK (Burnett) (11.37 a.m): I wish to We are all aware that the expectations that raise the matter of the intention of the ordinary electors have of their elected Government to allow indigenous people to representatives and Government are hunt in national parks. As honourable extraordinarily high. Unfortunately, residents members will appreciate, there is considerable sometimes leave our offices disappointed that controversy surrounding that issue. The their particular problem or issue was unable to position of the Opposition is quite clear. We be resolved to their satisfaction. do not support the move. That position was However, the recommendations arising expressed by both the Liberal and National out of the SEQ 2001 report can empower Parties’ Environment and Heritage Governments at all levels to address many of spokespersons at the time of the passing of the contradictions relating to the pace and the Nature Conservation Act in May 1992. We appearance of future urban development do not believe that anyone should have which, until recently, could not have been hunting rights within national parks, that is, if achieved. I remain optimistic regarding the we are serious about preserving our natural future of south-east Queensland. As I witness heritage, which we in the National and Liberal the construction of projects such as the Parties are. special transit lane for buses, taxis and cars One of the main reasons for creating carrying two or more passengers from national parks is to preserve the gene pool, to Sunnybank to the South East Freeway, it protect and preserve the species, not to gives me confidence that the issues provide a hunting and gathering ground for highlighted in SEQ 2001 will in fact be indigenous people. National parks should be addressed. I am confident because, to a sanctuaries, a refuge where native animals significant extent, the contradictions and need not fear people hunting them. If they are competing concerns and aspirations of our to be used for Aboriginal hunting, they are no constituents mentioned earlier received due longer national parks. I ask the question: if we recognition in the SEQ 2001 report. are going to allow one group of people to hunt To conclude, I offer this quote from the and gather, and not allow another group of SEQ 2001 report on livability— people to do the same, surely that is discriminatory? There is also the question of “It is important that people the use of modern weapons, which are hardly understand the competing and traditional but which give the native animals contradictory livability goals which might little chance of survival. exist across a community and that they participate in and understand the Having once again clearly stated our resolution of these contradictions.” position, I return to the debate in May 1992. As honourable members will recall, one of the Participation brings understanding. I believe provisions of the Bill was to provide for the that our role as elected representatives is to development of a management plan for the ensure that we set in place the means by species and also a management plan for which participation by the community can national parks. We are now 15 months down occur. the track and neither appears to be in sight. At As the Minister for Local Government the time, the Opposition raised the very valid mentioned in his SEQ 2001 publication question of the policing and control of what launch, “There is no handbook on how to would be illegal hunting of both protected develop a growth management strategy.” native wildlife and wildlife within national parks. However, that is a challenge that we must We were assured by the then Minister, the face, and that, to its credit, is a challenge that Honourable Pat Comben, that this would not this State Labor Government has be allowed to happen. accepted—to develop a strategy to address Since then, we have seen the episode in the challenges faced by south-east Roma where charges under the Fauna Queensland now and in the future and, Protection Act and charges of cruelty under importantly, to make sure that strategy works. the Animals Protection Act against a man of It is a responsibility that, in the years to come, Aboriginal descent have been withdrawn. young people such as the students from Allegations have also been made of indiscriminate hunting within national parks in 24 August 1993 3740 Legislative Assembly north Queensland, particularly Iron Range departmental officers did not tell her. Again, National Park. They include: hunting of this is an unlikely scenario. Surely, though, the protected species by Aboriginal people, onus is on the Minister to ensure that she is hunting by white people in association with well informed on issues relating to the Aboriginal people and hunting with high- formulation of policy within her department, powered rifles, pump-action shotguns and with particularly one as sensitive as this. In fact, the assistance of dogs. she has a ministerial responsibility to be well As honourable members are aware, I informed. issued a press release referring to the Obviously, from the number of claims allegations. I would not have taken such made, the press reports and the copies of action had I not been aware of the correspondence I have received, it is hard to allegations—allegations which I consider to be imagine that the Minister was not aware of the quite serious. The allegations have been allegations. One is therefore entitled to made in telephone conversations that I have conclude that the Minister is either on another had with several northern people whom I planet or did not speak the truth. My consider to be genuine. I have also received explanation is that the Minister has copies of correspondence sent to the Minister deliberately chosen to class claims made by with respect to objections to provisions within people contacting her officers as submissions the Nature Conservation Act to allow for or comments relative to the Government’s indigenous people to hunt within national intention under the Act rather than to parks. The correspondence made passing acknowledge the allegations made within reference to shooting within national parks. I those so-called submissions. A short response had also received a copy of a letter to the to a letter dated 19 January 1993 to the editor of the Cairns Post which made a similar Minister, of which I have a copy, in which reference, the writer of which has since allegations were made, thanked the writer for informed me that he had rung the Minister’s the comments—no mention of the allegations office on several occasions about the matter. or claims. For the benefit of the members As far as I can recall, all of the people to opposite, I will read the relevant paragraph whom I have spoken—and there have been from that letter— several—have either been witness to or “To observe the sad depletion of claimed to have been reliably informed of many species, such as the Dugong and shooting, particularly in relation to the Iron Turtle, has made many people including Range National Park. There have been myself, quite depressed. For example, allegations of extreme cruelty to native the Dugong and Turtle have been animals by Aboriginal people. A senior official targeted and hunted by the indigenous of the Wildlife Preservation Society informed people under the guise and protective me of complaints to him of indiscriminate legislation called ‘traditional hunting’. shooting, again mainly in relation to the Iron High-powered rifles, Toyota trucks, high Range National Park. I naturally assumed that speed boats and shotguns do not the Minister and/or her department had constitute traditional hunting. The received similar complaints and allegations. I continuing barbaric slaughter of these therefore found it utterly amazing that the endangered species in this way must Minister denied that there had been any stop. The majority of Australians are complaints and disclaimed any knowledge of sickened by this practice, and outraged to such allegations when interviewed on the ABC think that this is also happening in our Peter Gooch program on Monday, 2 August National and Marine National Parks.” 1993. I might add that many of the people The reply to that letter was simply— whom I have since contacted, or who have since contacted me, were equally “The Honourable Molly Robson, dumbfounded by the Minister’s statement. A MLA, Minister for Environment and typical response has been that they cannot Heritage, has asked me to thank you for believe that the Minister denied having your letter of 19 January 1993 regarding received complaints, because there have the traditional use of native wildlife. been so many. Your comments on this matter will be I table a list of some of the people to taken into consideration.” whom I have spoken. Perhaps there was a Why? Because the Minister and this memory lapse on the part of the Minister, but Government are unwilling to face reality and to that is hardly likely over as sensitive a question take the necessary positive action where as Aboriginal hunting rights within national Aborigines are concerned! The Minister and parks. Perhaps her ministerial staff or her Government prefer to turn a blind eye to Legislative Assembly 3741 24 August 1993 the allegations for fear of upsetting Aboriginal gangs of shooters, the area in which they work activists. It does not matter about the threat to is notorious for bird smuggling and drug- endangered species or that the law is being related activities. Often alcohol is involved. broken; it is all subjugated to Aboriginal Given that they attempt to do their job politics. The Minister has done nothing. No properly, they have the added problem of wonder there are expressions of no determining who is an Aborigine and who is confidence in the Minister. not; hence the problem in dealing with mixed In effect, the Minister has been caught groups. At the end of the day, if they do try to out; hence a letter to me, which I received on apprehend offenders, charges will not proceed 16 August, virtually demanding to know the or will be withdrawn further down the line. The source and nature of the complaints. I rather current sorry situation is a sad joke, yet this suspect that the letter is a belated attempt to Government is preparing to exacerbate it. protect the Minister rather than a general People in the north, who are familiar with request for information in order that the claims what is happening, are horrified by the may be addressed. Government’s intentions. Over 3 500 people I have tabled a list of the people who are in the Port Douglas area alone have signed a prepared to talk to the Minister or her officers. petition against this move. Working people Some claim that they have already done so. who have little money have put together There are others, who are concerned for their $2,500 just to advertise in the Courier-Mail positions, who do not wish to be named. that they have a petition for people to sign. There are others I have been unable to They feel so strongly about the issue because contact. In essence, there is no doubt there of what many have seen and experienced. I have been incidences of illegal hunting by have spoken to scientists and naturalists and Aboriginal people, as well as incidences of many other worried people who work in the what we consider to be extreme cruelty area. They claim that they are not racist, but perpetrated by Aboriginal people. Anyone who the prospect of what will happen with what is believes otherwise is living in fairyland. They being proposed by this Government is actually are also living in fairyland if they believe that causing them so much stress that it is these incidents will not increase if national interfering with their work. The situation is parks are thrown open to indigenous people serious. The Opposition implores the for hunting and gathering purposes. Government to abandon its plans to allow indigenous people hunting and gathering From the discussions I have had, it is rights within our national parks. obvious that there has been little, if any, attempt to police the present law. Considering that statement, then not in her wildest dreams Cairns, Casino and Convention Centre should the Minister think that the extension of Mr PITT (Mulgrave) (11.47 a.m.): Today, I the rights of Aboriginal people to hunt and want to address two related issues in respect gather within national parks can be controlled. of the Cairns region. The first is the naming of It is easy to talk of a controlled situation from the Reef Casino Consortium as the preferred an ivory tower in George Street, but by whom applicant for the casino in Cairns. The second and how would it be controlled? In simple issue, of course, is the decision to construct in terms, it would be open slather without any Cairns an international standard convention control. That is the reality. We need to face up centre. Both of these are good decisions. to the fact that we are currently dealing with a They are particularly good decisions for far- vast and largely uncontrolled area. This north Queensland. The casino in Cairns will no Government is not prepared to commit the doubt be a boost to the Cairns region itself. resources to adequately manage the area More importantly, it is a means to an end. It now without the added burden of an will provide the wherewithal, the potential, to extension of the hunting and gathering rights actually put in place in Cairns a much needed of the Aboriginal people. The $50,000 present convention centre. budget commitment to Iron Range is nothing but a joke as it is a drop in the ocean in Let us look at what benefits the casino respect to what would be considered sufficient will bring to far-north Queensland. There is no to provide adequate control of the park, and doubt that unemployment is the most that is just one of the many problems. important issue facing this nation today. The jobs created in the construction stage will be Another aspect of the problem is the considerable, but there will also be ongoing untenable position in which park rangers and jobs in Cairns until that casino begins their families are currently being placed. No operations. The revenue from the casino itself, doubt many fear for their safety. Apart from besides that which will go back into the 24 August 1993 3742 Legislative Assembly pockets of those who take a punt on it, will I was born in Cairns and, throughout my benefit the Government of Queensland and life, I have never seen Anzac Park—even enable expenditure elsewhere. It will also though it is so named—used for a ceremony benefit the local community because, as we remotely attached to or connected with Anzac know, under the legislation set up to cover Day. Apparently, it is the name to which these casinos in this State the operators are people object. I do not know how they can required to put money back into the draw that link. However, my current community. In addition, it will provide a market discussions with members of the RSL indicate for quality entertainment. Cairns is becoming that, as a result of the casino consortium increasingly more sophisticated and more being announced, there will actually be an cosmopolitan and will be able to provide a improvement to Anzac Park. Its size will be market for that sort of entertainment. extended two and a half times. I have every The most important aspect is the expectation that, at some stage, the RSL in construction of a convention centre. The Cairns will move towards using the Anzac Park tourist market in far-north Queensland so far site for some ceremonies. has exploited the area’s wonderful reef and I believe that the people of Cairns wanted rainforest. I understand that in the future there two things principally—development of the will be a move towards exploiting the inland as railway site and preservation of the amenity of well. There is a huge market there for Anzac Park and the historic area, including the conventions, whether they be international or Customs House. Both of those requirements national conventions. The construction of such will be met. The Government has already a centre in Cairns will enable us to tap into commenced action to place the railway site on that market. the market for a major redevelopment. It Much has been said of the so-called lack became clear during the evaluation process of consultation or the ignoring of the wishes of that several parties have an interest in that the people of Cairns about the casino. I site without a casino. The Administrative should just focus on who in the region actually Services Department has already commenced has been protesting and what they have been discussions with the Cairns City Council and protesting about. The first point is, of course, interested parties to develop a process to the controversy surrounding the Customs dispose of that site. In addition, the Treasurer House site. The charge against anything has announced that the ugly eyesore that is being developed on or around the Customs now the Cairns railway site will be landscaped House site is led by a Miss Petrina Ferari. It is in keeping with the beauty of Cairns. no coincidence that Miss Ferari is a long time I want to make a quick point on what supporter of the National Party and has been those who assessed the proposal said about a wonderful fundraiser for that organisation. I the Cairns railway site. In the report that they guess that we can understand where she is handed down, they stated that the railway site coming from. I am a little concerned that she was— and her group were not very much interested “ . . . a shopping centre with a in the future of the Customs House site before casino/hotel/convention centre attached the casino option was mentioned. As a matter rather than the superior quality pre- of fact, there was never any fundraising effort eminent casino/hotel outcome sought to in the Cairns region to bring the site up to be achieved.” what they considered to be an acceptable level. Without the construction of a casino and I guess it gets back to what sort of casino is the revenue spin-off from it, the future of the sought—a barn or something that will stand Customs House site would have been glum on its own two feet internationally and attract indeed. people to Cairns. The other aspect that drew criticism was The Reef proposal will preserve and the so-called threat to Anzac Park. That was refurbish the presently derelict Customs House led by a gentleman by the name of Kel Ryan to internationally accepted standards. It will who—incidentally and coincidentally—was a virtually double the area of parkland available Liberal Party candidate in the last State in Anzac Park and on the adjacent port election. He stood against the Treasurer. One authority site and will see the construction of a also wonders about his motives in respect of low-rise, low-impact and architecturally very that. Mr Ryan has a connection with the RSL appropriate hotel/casino complex. This area of in Cairns. Perhaps that is a tenuous Cairns will be significantly enhanced by the connection that could be exploited for his own project, for the benefit of both the local political ends. community and the tourist industry. Legislative Assembly 3743 24 August 1993

In addition, the central purpose for the about traffic issues for the overall issue of a casino licence should never be development proposed by the railway site forgotten. The premium paid for the existed. It had actually provided for 2 000 car licence—some $36m in net present value parks. terms—will provide Cairns with a much-needed The successful proposal involves a international standard convention centre. relatively low-rise, low-impact building that will Discussions with local bodies including the enhance the character of Cairns. As well as Cairns City Council, the Mulgrave Shire the initial 45 gaming tables, it will assist with Council, the Cairns Port Authority and the Far- the accommodation shortage presently being north Queensland Tourism Promotion Bureau experienced in the area. Incidentally, the Reef regarding the location of and the precise consortium includes the international group requirements for the centre are currently under Casinos Austria, a hotel group Country way, and a call for expressions of interest for Comfort Trust, the Australian Olympic this project is expected in the near future. Committee and Touraust Management Pty The Government offered two casino sites. Ltd. The evaluation committee carefully and fully It is worth placing on record the considered each proposal against detailed consultative process which has been followed criteria which related to design and with regard to the convention centre. The construction factors, corporate structures and initial work on the requirement for a strength and, of course, the financial offer. convention centre for Cairns was jointly done The final recommendation was based on the by the State Government and the Cairns City best proposal taking all of those factors into Council prior to the decision to fund such a consideration. Over the past few weeks since centre from the issue of a casino licence. This the announcement was made the people of work resulted in a detailed consultants’ report Cairns have had the chance to evaluate the on the prospects for a convention centre and successful proposal. It has become clear to the desirable size, etc., of such a centre. That me that the majority now support the decision. report formed the basis for the brief made They are keen for the project to proceed as available to all applicants as part of the casino quickly as possible. It is also worth noting that process, as construction of such a convention the project will see a further 130 five-star hotel centre was a requirement for any casino rooms added to the Cairns tourism proposed for the railway site. infrastructure, at a time when they are badly needed. The editorial of today’s Cairns Post In accepting a proposal for the Customs calls for the construction of more hotel House site, the Government also accepted a accommodation. cash offer, with the premium to be used for the construction of a convention centre. A The project will also create 700 jobs committee has been put in place, including all during construction and 600 permanent jobs. of those local authorities, the FNQ Tourist It will provide an international-standard casino Promotions Bureau and the port authority. with 45 gaming tables and 540 gaming The committee is charged with determining machines. The project, through its tropical the site for the convention centre and, based observatory, will give to the people of far-north on the brief prepared for the council and the Queensland an important additional attraction. Government, finalising the requirements for It will be of great interest to tourists to Cairns the convention centre and overseeing the who enjoy that type of facility. The project will procurement process for that convention provide a much-needed transit lounge facility centre. At the end of the day, decisions about available to all tourists in Cairns. It will resolve the location, style and standard of the a number of traffic difficulties already existing convention centre will be made by a group in the area. with an overwhelming majority of people Many of the objections by certain groups representing local interests. regarding the casino site related to parking. Time expired. The complex itself will provide on-site parking for 375 vehicles, including 100 to replace the existing on-street parking, and set-down areas Water Licences for 8 buses, 16 taxis and 10 cars. A traffic Mr LINGARD (Beaudesert—Deputy study has found that the peak CBD traffic Leader of the Opposition) (11.57 a.m.): I wish times would not coincide with the peak casino to bring to the notice of the House a very poor times and that a large proportion of patrons step taken in south-east Queensland by the would be tourists walking from nearby hotels. Department of Primary Industries, especially That was one big advantage that the current involving those people around the Logan site had over the railway site. More concern 24 August 1993 3744 Legislative Assembly

River who have been applying for water not hold us responsible for any Mabo licences. The people who have applied to the decisions.” Department of Primary Industries for an extra We also know that the clerks and the water quota have been issued with a letter bureaucracy are also concerned that, if they from the department, which states— sign something or give something out, they “Because of the uncertainty may be held liable in the future. However, they regarding the impact of the Mabo believe that, if they get someone to sign decision on the issue of Waterworks something like this, in the future, if a Mabo Licences and Controlled Quarry Material decision is made relating to the Logan River, Permits in boundary watercourses, we they may not be culpable for it. But not only is request that you sign the following it an individual situation—what about Davis undertaking and return it to the Brisbane Gelatine? District Office at your earliest Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time allotted convenience. for the Matters of Public Interest debate has Once this undertaking is received at expired. this office”— and I emphasise those words— EDUCATION “Once this undertaking is received at Hon. P. COMBEN (Kedron—Minister for this office, your Waterworks Licence will Education) (12 noon): I move— be issued and forwarded to you under separate cover. “That this House acknowledges the significant improvements undertaken by We apologise for any inconvenience the Goss Government in education caused by this delay.” represented by— In other words, “Until you sign this undertaking a 28 per cent increase in the giving the DPI indemnity against any future Education budget injecting an Mabo decision, you will not get your licence additional $357m since 1989; from us.” Those people are dependent on the DPI for a decision on an extension of their the employment of more than 2 000 water licence. Let me read the indemnity that additional teachers; those farmers have to sign before they receive increases in teachers’ salaries by up their waterworks licence. It states— to 34 per cent; “This is to advise that”— more than $600m being allocated to at that point, the name of the person is set capital works; out— massively expanding school grants “has been made aware by DPI of the and textbook allowances and uncertainty that presently exists in relation relieving parents of the burden of to native titles as a result of the Mabo buying educational basics; decision with respect to our Waterworks providing in excess of $15m for Licence application number”— literacy and numeracy programs; and the application number is then set out— implementing Australia’s most “We/I are willing to accept the comprehensive Languages Other Licence in advance of native title issues Than English program; and being clarified and undertake not to hold a range of other initiatives.” DPI responsible for any future limitations I have great pleasure in rising in this that may be placed on the Licensee as a House today to debate with the Opposition result of resolution of native title issues.” the significant improvements that have been The Federal Government has the ability to achieved in education since the election of bring in legislation to extinguish native title. this Government. Despite an offer from the We all know that. The trouble is that it is not Premier and several offers from me to the part of the Federal Government’s social justice Leader of the Opposition and members and social equity programs. It does not want opposite to have a full debate on education to bring in legislation extinguishing native title. matters in this House, they refused to take up This letter is saying indirectly, “We are also not the offer. They dingoed—— going to take it as a Government. We want Mr BORBIDGE: I rise to a point of order. you, as the individual, to sign an indemnity so The comments made by the Minister for that, when you receive your licence, you will Education are offensive and a reflection on Legislative Assembly 3745 24 August 1993 me. I ask that they be withdrawn. No formal opposite and every Queenslander how things proposal was put to me. were under previous conservative Mr COMBEN: I withdraw. Governments and how they have changed— and changed for the better. Let us turn the Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of clock back three and a half years and see order. what the conservatives did—or, more Mr BORBIDGE: I ask that those precisely, did not do—for Queensland comments be withdrawn. They are offensive. education and our students. In contrast to this Mr COMBEN: I withdraw. Let us move to Government’s record, theirs is not a very the debate. Their unwillingness to have a full proud one. It is one that I defy any member debate on education, however, is hardly opposite to stand in this place or at any local surprising. parents and citizens association meeting and defend. Mr FitzGerald: Can we get a copy of that? Past conservative Governments in this State have the most appalling record in the Mr COMBEN: I make available a copy of area of education of any Government in the motion. This vacuous Opposition cannot Australia, and they have not changed. Only and will not have a debate on education for six months ago, members opposite were two very simple reasons. Firstly, members defending—no, promoting—in this place a opposite are—or, at least, should coalition policy that would have ripped $189m be—embarrassed by their record in the area from the Queensland Education Department’s of education. Secondly, they have no positive Budget. They publicly supported and or constructive contributions to make. They promoted a policy that would have seen the have no policies, no programs, and no priority abolition of up to four and a half thousand for our students. They take the easy teacher positions, seen class sizes explode to Opposition line. It is easy to say, “Reduce more than 40 and closed many small schools. spending but do not increase taxes.” However, if they sit on a barbed-wire fence, one day Mr Littleproud: Where are you getting all they will come to grief. Opposition members this from? are bereft of ideas, vision and ambition for our Mr COMBEN: From Fightback. The youth. It is a sad indictment of the Opposition introduction of that package would have in this place that the Government has had to meant the most savage cuts to the quantity bring on this debate, despite several and quality of educational services provided invitations from the Premier and me. We must by the State Government. It would have ask, “Where has the Opposition been in returned Queensland education to the worst recent times?” Have we seen a robust days of the Bjelke-Petersen era. Their record Opposition joining the debate in public? I have is all too easy for members opposite to forget. seen one press release from the Opposition Well, let me remind them. spokesman on Education. This Government came to office with a I could not miss the opportunity to set the strong commitment to make education a top record straight in relation to this Government’s priority and reverse the decades of neglect by record on education. Equally, I could not miss previous National Party and National/Liberal the opportunity to turn the spotlight on the Party Governments. Their neglect left crippling record of those opposite and the Queensland schools with not enough policy vacuum that still dominates what comes teachers, too few resources, inadequate from the conservative parties in this State. buildings and too much that was second rate. This Government’s record in education is They systematically starved our schools of the unequalled by any previous Government in funds they needed, and Queensland’s this State, or by any other present children are paying the price. Government in Australia. Over the past three Let us look at the figures. Since 1975-76, and a half years, there has been more reform, the proportion of the State Budget spent on more improvement and more advancement in education had fallen steadily from over 22 per education than was ever achieved under 32 cent to only 19.3 per cent. For decades, years of conservative rule in this State. conservative Governments in this State spent Members opposite and, dare I say it, less—much less—on education than that some members of the wider community seem spent by other Governments in Australia. On a to have forgotten what it used to be like in per capita basis, Queensland’s recurrent schools throughout this State just three and a education spending had been the lowest of all half short years ago. I welcome the States in every year since 1975-76, except for opportunity today to remind members 1986-87 when it was second lowest. 24 August 1993 3746 Legislative Assembly

We all know the horror stories about them better pay, improved working conditions schools not being provided with essential and a better career structure, with the equipment; about parents and citizens introduction, for example, of advanced skill associations having to buy basic school items teachers. In the past, Queensland teachers such as toilet paper and stationery; and about were among the lowest paid in Australia. Their how schools had to wait years to get much- salaries have been increased by as much as needed classrooms and other capital works 34 per cent, so that they are now among the undertaken. We all know of the deceitful and highest paid in the nation. After years of corrupt way that they managed their capital conservative party neglect, for the first time a works projects so that only schools in National Remote Area Incentive Scheme was Party electorates received funding for introduced to provide an incentive to teachers essential school capital works projects. It was to serve in the most remote parts of the State. deceitful and it was corrupt. I have evidence to Our students are, therefore, receiving prove that, and I will table it shortly. The data instruction from a better paid, better motivated shows clearly that of 265 projects for schools and more numerous teacher work force than throughout Queensland, costing more than ever before. $20m, only one project was in a Labor In the area of capital works—this electorate. One out of 265! The rorting of the Government has abandoned the previous way funds were distributed by previous practice of rorting the Capital Works Program conservative Governments to the benefit of for political gain. I table for the benefit of conservative electorates and not on the basis members the Special Electorate Works of need is well known. Members opposite Program 1989-90, showing 265 projects for should hang their heads in shame, because the betterment of schools, and only one of they were part of this deliberate and them is in a Labor electorate. That special disgraceful process. electorate program has been abolished, and In the National Party’s last Budget, only school capital works requirements are now $1.7 billion was spent on education. By provided on the strict basis of needs, contrast, this Government’s 1992-93 Budget irrespective of colour of electorate. There is no saw more than $2.2 billion allocated to pork-barrelling, there are no political favours, education, representing a 28 per cent and there is no more neglect of the basic increase in just three years. Prior to our needs of schools. The level of funding for new election in 1989, we promised to increase schools, new classrooms, new libraries and education funding by $250m in our first term. other school facilities has increased The record shows that we exceeded that by dramatically. providing an additional $357m. The proportion Mr Livingstone: You only have to look at of the State Budget spent on education has what happened in Ipswich in days gone by. It risen from 19.3 per cent to more than 25 per was disgraceful! cent in just three years—one of the biggest increases to be found anywhere in Australia. Mr COMBEN: That is right. Today, one of The Budget to be brought down next week will the best-funded regions in this State is again, for the fourth year in a row, see a represented by members opposite, that is, the record level of funding for education and yet member for Crows Nest and the member for another increase in real terms. Western Downs. Let us look at what this unprecedented Mr Littleproud: What happened to my level of funding increase has meant for TAFE college? education, for our schools and, most Mr COMBEN: TAFE colleges are not importantly, for our students. More than 2 000 represented by the Department of Education. additional teachers have been appointed, Last year, a record $150m was provided for thus relieving the growing pressure on class capital works, bringing the total funding for sizes that built up under the conservatives’ capital works to more than $600m over the rule. As a direct result of these additional past three years. One can see evidence of teachers, the student/teacher ratio has that in almost any school in this State. This continued to reduce over the past three years. has allowed for the construction of almost 40 Schools are no longer understaffed. All new schools and 1 500 new classrooms, more schools are now staffed so that they can meet than 30 libraries/resource centres and dozens the class size targets of 25 students for Years of multipurpose shelters and school facilities. 11 and 12, and 30 students in classes for For the first time in decades, we can be proud students in earlier years. of our schools. Not only has the Government employed As to school grants—for decades, more teachers in Queensland, it has given schools and parents and citizens associations Legislative Assembly 3747 24 August 1993 did not receive enough funding to undertake The introduction of the new Basics Program at the most basic of tasks, let alone provide the a cost of $52m will help P & C associations. quality of education that our children needed This level of funding will again significantly and deserved. This Government, through its increase over the next few years and provide massive expansion of the Education budget, valuable assistance for schools, students and is providing schools directly with significantly Queensland’s parents. increased funding to enable them to provide The textbook allowance has also been an education that is second to none. In increased. The per capita rate of assistance addition, we are significantly relieving parents has increased dramatically over the past three of the burden of buying basic items for their years. For example, the textbook allowance children’s education. for Years 11 and 12 has increased from $170 Since the election of this Government, in 1990 to $316 in 1993. An extra $4.6m has funding by way of the school grant for the been provided for parents. This is the money general expenses of schools has increased that the Opposition says is going into dramatically. That means that the $60m bureaucracies. raised by P & C associations will now be spent The improvement in funding directly for in areas where the P & C associations think schools does not stop just with the school there is a local need. The P & C associations grant. This Government, unlike the previous will not have to buy toilet paper or conservative Governments, recognises that photocopying paper. In 1988-89, when the children need a solid grounding in the basics. Opposition was in Government, the total This Government has provided more than school grants amounted to a mere $18m. In $15m specifically to improve the standards of our last Budget—three years on—that figure literacy and numeracy. This funding increase was $44.5m, and it will increase in the next is going directly into schools and being used Budget. Announcements have already been for the benefit of students. Again, let us look made about increasing the school grant to specifically at some individual examples. primary schools. In 1989, no funding was specifically What has this meant for the average allocated for literacy and numeracy to schools school in Queensland? Let us consider a few in the electorates of Mr Borbidge, Mrs examples. Let us look again at the examples Sheldon or Mr Quinn. Since the election of that I gave this morning during question time. this Government, schools in Mr Borbidge’s Let us look at the electorate of the Leader of electorate have received $43,000, schools in the Opposition, who says that nothing has Mrs Sheldon’s electorate have received been spent on schools in his electorate. In $88,000, and schools in Mr Quinn’s electorate 1989, schools in his electorate received have received $43,000. Prior to the change of $174,000 as their school grant. In 1993, they Government, they received nothing. Most will receive approximately $316,000, which importantly, this funding is having a positive represents an 80 per cent increase. In 1989, and measurable effect. A major report in the electorate of the Liberal Party’s leader, prepared by the Department of Education has schools received $232,000. In 1993, they will found that the literacy skills of Queensland’s receive more than $498,000, which is close to school students have improved over the past a 114 per cent increase. two years. I am sure that the member for Merrimac Mr Littleproud: Where is this? and shadow Education spokesperson would be pleased to know that the school grants Mr COMBEN: The 1992 Assessment of allocated to schools in his electorate have Performance Report, which I have already increased from $157,000 in 1989 to released and of which I can get a copy for the $389,000, representing an increase of more honourable member, found that the 1992 than 147 per cent. Yet he has the hide to say performance in reading and writing was that it is only bureaucracies that we are significantly higher than in 1990. Our funding funding. Those increases are real. But they injection is having a positive impact and would be taken away by an Opposition in this producing results. place that would say, “We want to diminish I could go on to many other topics. I Government spending.” These figures do not could speak further about other initiatives, the even include the additional funding for lack of funding during 32 years of administrative assistance, teacher aides, National/Liberal Party rule, and the 1993 literacy and numeracy programs or other Interim Budget Statement. But in conclusion, special programs. The inclusion of these funds as I have said on numerous occasions, the would expand even further the level of criticism, public comments and industrial increases that these schools have received. action being pursued by some is unfortunate 24 August 1993 3748 Legislative Assembly for a number of reasons. Firstly, they are time that teachers have been on strike in 10 premature, unnecessary and not in the best years. Further, the Education Minister has interests of students. Importantly, they are not been informed by the QTU that more industrial in the interests of public education. action in the form of work bans and possibly Additionally, public criticism and industrial 48-hour stoppages are likely after the Budget action have significantly detracted from the is brought down on 2 September. valuable and important work of the individual Today, the Opposition is wishing to classroom teacher. support gleefully any organisation that The average classroom teacher just appears capable of getting some media wants to do his or her job of teaching attention, so it can share that attention with students. That job is being impacted upon by them—strange bedfellows, indeed! It is the present unrest. The vast majority of interesting that, yesterday, the President of teachers are committed and hardworking. the Queensland Teachers Union, Mary Kelly, Sadly, the wider community’s image of when asked about the Budget protest march teachers and teaching has not been planned for this afternoon, stated categorically enhanced by some of these recent actions that the union was not in any way involved in and debates. To see and hear people active that activity. It appears that the so-called in, and usually supportive of, public education united protest against broken promises is embarking upon a campaign of criticising the wrong on both counts. It is not united, and Department of Education and the there are no broken promises—at least not by arrangements to be put in place for 1994 this side of the House. However, what is of without having had the opportunity to see the more concern is that so many usually very full Budget is extremely disappointing. well-meaning, moderate and caring parents To the average parent and community and citizens groups have taken up the current member, it can only send a very poor cause with varying levels of zeal. message about the worth and standard of Unfortunately, they are acting on false public education—highly undeserved and information. They are basing their actions and unwarranted. It is hardly surprising that the their feelings on the belief that there will be a members of the Opposition did not want to cut in education funding in the State Budget, debate education in this House today and that the quality of education in because, fundamentally, as its more than 30- Queensland is going to suffer. Some of this year record shows, they did not have, and feeling and belief is as a result of a basic never have had, a true interest in public problem of consultation, which needs urgent education or the students of Queensland. attention. I understand that the Minister for They readily and at every opportunity Education has given the Queensland Council neglected education and the needs of of Parents and Citizens Associations an students. They have held back the undertaking that the problem will be advancement of improvements in public addressed, and he has informed his education. Today is yet another testament to department of that undertaking. In fact, that their record of sorry neglect. consultation is happening already, with the As I said at the outset, members of the Minister having met a number of P & C groups Opposition have no positive or constructive over the past week, including one group of contribution to make. They have no policies, executive members yesterday after Cabinet, no programs and no priorities for students. and a local group at Stanthorpe last night. They are bereft of ideas, vision and ambition As to the Budget—it needs to be stated for our youth. quite clearly, so that there is no possible I commend the motion to the House, mistake, that the Budget to be brought down because the only way forward is to see the on 2 September will show that a record continuation of the sorts of advances that we amount of money in real terms will go to have seen—additional teachers in a range of education. In a monetary sense, there will be areas, 40 new schools, professional in-service no cuts; there will be no reduction. Extra training being undertaken, and school grants. money for education will be provided, despite Queensland receiving $115m less than Time expired. anticipated from the Commonwealth. Mr PITT (Mulgrave) (12.12 p.m.): I rise to Nevertheless, the growth in funds in this second the motion moved by the Honourable Budget will not equal the 28 per cent increase the Minister for Education. Over the last few provided to education by the Goss weeks, we have seen considerable industrial Government over the last three years. It is unrest in Queensland. The media has taken quite obvious that with pay increases of up to great delight in stressing that this is the first 34 per cent and annual increments to be Legislative Assembly 3749 24 August 1993 covered, the cost of teacher salaries is a key know that there are some people who, for factor. Each teacher now costs the reasons known only to themselves, do not Queensland Government, on average, $1,000 want to hear that message, and they do not more than a year ago—a net increase of want other Queenslanders to hear it, either. around $25m. While these increments are However, that is the truth, and it is time that escalating, annual resignation rates are down some of that commodity was spread in this from 2 500 to 700, and the average age of dispute for a change. teachers is rising. The low resignation rate The current industrial campaign that is means that transfers of teachers from the being waged by the Queensland Teachers bush will be harder this year than ever before. Union stems more from internal union politics The low resignation rate means that graduate than it does from a concern for the conditions employment prospects are diminished, of its membership or the delivery of quality particularly in the secondary area. education to Queensland students. Prior to However, it is fair to say that teachers are the last two State Budgets, the QTU engaged better off now under the Goss Government in a form of industrial blackmail, but this year’s than they have ever been in Queensland. effort has seen it up the ante, given that union They enjoy a rate of salary and conditions that elections are to be held soon. It is unfortunate are envied by many others in the work force. It that the students and parents of Queensland is certainly true that one must wonder and, indeed, the majority of teachers, have seriously whether the Queensland Teachers been fed a steady diet of misinformation and Union is truly placing the best interests of its are to be used as pawns in the union power members in the Queensland education play because the QTU hierarchy is hell-bent system at the forefront. Certainly, the Goss on having a brawl with the State Government. Government has placed the interests of This whole campaign has been sold to Queensland students at the forefront. None of teachers and the general public on two false the changes resulting from the cut in Federal precepts: one being that there was no $115m funding will reduce the standard of education shortfall arising from the recent Premiers in Queensland. Great care has been taken to Conference; the other being the notion that ensure that the changes are those that can the measures taken under the Interim Budget be managed, absorbed and developed Statement would cause serious damage to without any harm to students. the quality of education and, in the process, While the Liberal Party Government in jeopardise the future or our students. On both Victoria has already closed 55 State schools, counts, the QTU is dead wrong, and it knows and has announced plans to axe 100 more as very well that the facts do not support its self- a remedy for its budget woes, the Queensland serving aims. Government will not close any school and will A deliberate scare campaign has been not sack one teacher. What the Government conducted to convince everyone that there will do is shift education advisers back into the would be a massive loss across the curriculum classroom, discontinue the practice of of core subjects, somehow diminishing interviewing every single teacher graduate, students’ tertiary opportunities. Suggestions ask teachers to limit their non-contact time to that physics and chemistry, along with maths the award level, and review smaller classes 1, would be dropped in some schools and less essential subjects. The Government because of small class sizes, are patently will not deprive students of necessary false. Most people would be interested to subjects, but it may allow schools to know that the oft-quoted mathematics 2 is not discontinue small classes in subjects such as a significant tertiary prerequisite, as was the rap dancing or aerobics. The changes can case years ago. As a matter of fact, it is my and will be made without hurting our most understanding that it is a prerequisite at only valuable resources—our students. one institution and for only one course, I commend the actions taken by the namely engineering at QUT. Suggestions that Minister for Education and his department having a school choose between ancient and over the past few weeks. Against incredible modern history would cause problems are also odds, including a media that has been incorrect. There is no university course that I bombarding the public with unsubstantiated am aware of that has both subjects as a dual claims about alleged savage budget cuts, the prerequisite. Principals have already been Education Minister has been patiently issued with instructions regarding the repeating the message that most students, preservation of core board subjects as well as most teachers and most parents want to the need to maintain maximum class sizes at hear—“Don’t worry, the quality of education in or below 30 for Years 8 to 10 and at or below Queensland is not going anywhere but up.” I 25 for Years 11 and 12. 24 August 1993 3750 Legislative Assembly

The QTU is aware of this, and of the fact be able to apply for a transfer after two that departmental officials are not to make years of service.” any adjustment which would affect negatively The article also stated that “continued educational outcomes. If the union and some commitment to the favourable placement of principals choose not to make teachers aware teachers who have served in rural locations” of these points, but are more prepared to will be guaranteed. Teachers will retain engage in a deliberate process of transfer points built up from rural service in misinformation, the motives of those people cases where it was not possible to initially must be brought to the attention of the public. place them in their first locality preference. I pause to welcome into the Chamber the Again indicating that the policy is actually students from Downlands College at being monitored, the article states that Toowoomba. It is very important that we have Cunnamulla and Woorabinda have had their such people in this forum at this stage rating increased from level 6 to 7, while listening to this important debate. Herberton has also jumped from level 2 to level 3. We all understand that that is School-based subjects are under close something that has to be finetuned. scrutiny, and rightly so. With a larger number of students staying on past the compulsory Some teachers in Cairns have already schooling age, it is important that non- approached principals indicating a willingness academic subjects, yet meaningful school- to go to a remote school, conditional upon a based subjects, are provided. However, it is return to a preferred location. There could be not possible to cater for every taste and, quite a significant improvement in the experience frankly, some of these subjects are of severely level of remote school teachers as a result of limited educational value and serve merely as that. The new policy, in my view, is rational, time fillers. Unfortunately, they use up fair, transparent and objective, and replaces valuable resources, both material and teacher, one which was limited in each of these and detract from the real business at hand. respects. The department can no longer Those resources could be put into the continue the practice of returning teachers to students themselves. preferred locations, given the rapidly declining resignation and retirement rates. The Non-contact time has also been an overstaffing of schools in preferred locations interesting, silent sideline of this debate. The has been the net result, and this does not QTU has been strangely silent on the directive constitute a satisfactory utilisation of human that non-contact time in secondary schools be resources. In the Brisbane region alone, more limited to 210 minutes per week, as stipulated than 150 teachers have returned from remote by industrial agreement. The widespread areas, even though no vacancies existed for practice of padding this out to 240 minutes them. Therefore, they are not engaged per week is costing the taxpayer of meaningfully in the teaching process. The cost Queensland dearly. Across the State, this of continuing such practices is just far too added time represents approximately 176 high. teacher positions, with a budgetary value in excess of $5m. Surely, it would not be too The decision to conduct in-service training much to ask people to work to their award. I outside normal school hours will be welcomed understand that primary schoolteachers who by parents who frequently complain that their have taken part in the recent industrial unrest child has had an interrupted education are feeling severely let down by their because the regular teacher was away at in- secondary counterparts, who did not offer service training. Teachers who are honest will them the same courtesy when they were admit that those undertaking relief duties battling for non-contact time a few months cannot possibly implement a class’ program at ago. such short notice and that, in effect, the absent teacher must catch up on the work Despite the QTU rhetoric, the points and basically cover the same territory at a later system and the vacancy-driven transfer point. If the union is serious about the quality scheme are being positively received in the of educational outcomes, it will support this remote areas of this State. I understand that move. the system needs finetuning, but I wish to quote from an article which appeared in Claims that returning head office and Education Views. It states— advisory teachers back to the “chalk face” would somehow be detrimental are hard to “. . . teachers serving in locations fathom. For many years, teachers have been designated as ‘two-year schools’ prior to critical of the educational benefits of snap the development of the policy would still visitations by education officers who are Legislative Assembly 3751 24 August 1993 fulfilling a curriculum advisory role. In Debate interrupted. particular, primary school teachers will be the major beneficiaries of a process that is designed to establish curriculum coordinators DISTINGUISHED VISITOR being put back into the schools where they Hon. G. H. Cox, MP are accessible to teachers on a day-to-day Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Briskey): basis. Order! I draw the attention of the House to the In an economic climate which has forced presence in the gallery of the Honourable some States to slash their Education budgets George Cox, member of the Legislative and sack thousands of teachers, Queensland, Council of Victoria. under the Goss Government, has achieved Honourable members: Hear, hear! the opposite. The Education budget, which now stands at $3.2 billion, has risen 28 per cent in the last three years and now EDUCATION represents one-quarter of the entire State Debate resumed. budget. It would be ridiculous, therefore, to Mr BORBIDGE (Surfers Paradise— suggest that cost-saving measures be taken Leader of the Opposition) (12.35 p.m.): I without impacting on a department which move— received more funding than any other. Much of the increase has gone towards improving “That all words after ‘That’ be deleted the salaries of teachers who, admittedly, were and the following words inserted— chronically underpaid under the previous ‘this House condemns the Government. Millions more dollars have gone Government for their unjustified towards improving programs and resourcing cutbacks in education and other classrooms. Government services to the people A saving of $26m or thereabouts through of Queensland.’ ” the measures that have been announced Never before has a Queensland represents approximately 1 per cent and will Government spent so much and delivered so not damage the integrity of the budget. As a little. At present in the State of Queensland, matter of fact, the 1993-94 commitment to what we see is that nearly $1 billion of education, as I said earlier, will rise again as a additional taxpayers’ revenue has reflection of the value that this Government disappeared into a bureaucratic black hole. No places on the future of young people in this number of pitiful excuses made by members State. By no stretch of the imagination will opposite can disguise that fact. these measures bring an end to civilisation as I want to take the Minister for Education we know it. to task about the so-called refusal of the Teachers in this State have been well Opposition to debate this matter today. For served by the Labor Government. In spite of the benefit of the Minister—and I thought he the scurrilous activities of the QTU, there will knew better than this—the Government be no lessening of this Government’s Deputy Whip advised the Opposition Whip five commitment to providing a quality education minutes prior to the commencement of the to this State’s student population and debate that the Government intended to bring ensuring that education practitioners receive the matter on at a time, as honourable salaries and conditions that are members would be aware, when the House is commensurate with the important role they discussing Government business. The play. The measures taken are moderate and Opposition cannot bring on a debate when rational. They will not be reversed. Instead of the House is discussing Government waging this ill-founded campaign, the QTU business. If the Minister wants a debate, then would better serve the interests of its we on the Opposition side are more than members and Queensland students by happy to participate in it. accepting the Minister’s call to involve itself in Mr Ardill: Then what are you complaining the implementation process, to minimise any about? dislocation to students’ learning. It will be interesting to see whether the union, which Mr BORBIDGE: If members of the has overreacted and which has been hasty to Government want a debate, they will get it. I criticise, will be just as quick to apologise when just want to ask the jackals opposite: where is it comes to grips with the limited effect that the Premier? Where is the Treasurer? Where outlined measures actually have had, and are the people who are driving these Budget place this in the context of another excellent cutbacks? They will not even come into the Labor Education budget. House today to debate them. 24 August 1993 3752 Legislative Assembly

Mr Johnson: They’re doing a Keating! Mr Johnson: It is driven by Treasury Mr BORBIDGE: They are doing a Keating bumble-heads. and, as sure as anything, they will not be Mr BORBIDGE: It is driven by people who prepared to be outside the gates of this have completely lost the plot. Queenslanders Parliament at 5 o’clock this afternoon where should be very, very angry. In health, we have the real action is and where the real world over half a billion dollars more in outlays than exists. Later today, a wide coalition of diverse in the State Budget in 1992-93 as compared community groups will protest outside this to the figure for 1990-91. This is an increase place. The irony is that many of those people of almost one-third in just three short years. worked tirelessly to install and re-elect a Labor And what have we got for that extra half a Government in Queensland, but they have billion dollars? We have a health system in now been forced to accept the reality of an crisis, a teetering, top-heavy bureaucratic inept and politically bankrupt administration nightmare, hospitals being closed at Easter that has betrayed the spirit of the true and operating theatres in mothballs, and believers. Never before has a Government medical specialists bailing out of the system promised so much and betrayed so many, as that they can no longer bail out. has the Goss Labor Government here in We have equal opportunity officers. We Queensland. have PR staff. We have administrators by the Slowly, the public relations veneer is office block full, but in major centres such as being peeled back to reveal a Government Rockhampton, not even a director of intensive without substance, which is driven by blatant care. Patients are waiting two years for heart and cheap political opportunism. This is a surgery and patients are up-ended from Labor Government which, behind the facade operating tables minutes prior to surgery of a user-friendly Premier, is the same as because surgeons and hospitals have filled every other Labor Government in the recent their quotas. and tragic economic history of Australia. This An honourable member: What about is a Government that received a record education? allocation at the Premiers Conference, which was confirmed by a record allocation in Mr BORBIDGE: I am coming to Commonwealth grants in the Federal Budget. education, and honourable members will like Yet this Government now seeks to mislead that, too. There is half a billion dollars more in the people of Queensland and blame the budget, but the Government must impose everyone else for the cutbacks that it is even sharper cuts because of some alleged, imposing. mythical shortfall at the Premiers Conference. There is half a billion dollars more in the Mr Johnson: They’re taking it out on the Health budget, but we are losing day by day kids. some of the most highly qualified and Mr BORBIDGE: As the member for respected health professionals in the country Gregory says, they have taken it out on the because they will not cop it any longer. kids. The claim has been made by this Every Queenslander should be asking, Government that it is $115m short as a result “Where has the money gone?” The of the Premiers Conference, but the reality is Government has a record Health budget and that record Commonwealth assistance has a record health crisis. Only a Labor been given. General assistance through Government could pick the double. Only a FAGS is just $1m less this year. It is $2.776 Labor Government could do it. billion for 1993-94 and it was $2.777 billion in 1992-93. In specific purpose funding, there A Government member interjected. was a growth of $211m from $2.134 billion Mr BORBIDGE: I have amended the compared to $2.345 billion, so the increase in motion, you great dill. I have amended the recurrent areas of spending of $210m or 4.2 motion and I am going to talk about a whole per cent is well ahead of inflation. The truth is lot of things that Government members do not that the only area in which the Government want raised here today. In education, the sorry received less was capital spending, not in state of public administration in Queensland recurrent spending and not in the areas that continues. Mr Deputy Speaker, I do not think employ teachers and nurses, keep railway that Government members are aware that I tracks open or find jobs for teacher graduates am moving an amendment. They might like to in Queensland. We have a Government which participate in the debate and tell the people of has received a record allocation of funds at Winton how the Government treated them the Premiers Conference and which is now not with respect to the railway line, why there are prepared to accept responsibility. not enough police in the suburbs or why there Legislative Assembly 3753 24 August 1993 is a crisis in the health system. If Government Parliament his philosophy about where the members had relatives who were in hospital buck stops when the bucks stop. The Leader today, they would be worried about it, too. of the Opposition at that time, now the However, that does not seem to enter the Premier, said that the buck stops with the minds or the empty vessels of members on Premier. He cannot have one rule when he is the Government side. in Opposition and another rule when he is in Let us continue to talk about the sorry Government. state of public administration in the education Every Queenslander has every right to be system today. An extra $430m to achieve angry at the absent Premier—the man who, what? An extra $430m to achieve a crisis—a just like Keating, will not even front for the crisis that was averted, that simply did not debate—for his double standards, his exist when the previous Government in duplicity, his arrogance and his lack of Queensland was spending $430m less, yet performance. More than anything else, the previous Government reduced class sizes, Queenslanders should be angry at his pitiful employed the teacher graduates and kept the attempts to blame everyone other than schools open. The Government cannot himself. It has been his massive spending manage to do any of it, and it will reduce increases, his raids on hollow logs, his blatant teacher numbers by 580. The situation is so and irresponsible financial mismanagement pitiful, so pathetic, in Queensland today that and his squandering of the legacy of a the Government cannot even afford to keep generation of responsible financial all of the staff on at the parliamentary administration that have resulted in the crisis canteen, let alone run the education system. of public confidence in basic and essential The same sorry pattern applies right Government services that now confronts us. across every area of Government. We have I want to deal with the campaign of lies had an $80m, or 22 per cent, increase in being propelled by certain people in the police spending but a 180 per cent increase in community, some of them even in this House, police bureaucracy. The facts are simple. They about how bad things were under the previous are irrefutable. This Government’s misguided Government back in 1989. I have with me response to winning office has been to spend, today background paper No. 7, titled spend, spend; to take Queensland’s Background Papers on the Public Sector, expenditure up to the levels pioneered by which is a study that was prepared for the Labor Governments in Victoria, in South Office of the Economic Planning Advisory Australia, in Western Australia and in New Council for the Federal Labor Government South Wales—the levels of spending that and which is dated December 1990. I refer propelled those States to the verge of specifically to that chapter headed “Efficiency bankruptcy; to create the biggest spending of States Spending”. It states— State Government in Australia while fathering “. . . a State that is spending more per massive waste, mismanagement and head than its standardised amount is not incompetence that has resulted in a rapid necessarily providing a better than decline in the standard of service provided to average quality service. The above- the taxpayer and massive increases in the standard expenditure may simply reflect size of the bureaucracy; and to increase the inefficiency in service delivery. Equally, public sector wages bill by over $1 billion. lower expenditure per head than the Those Queenslanders outside Parliament standardised amount does not today—the P & Cs throughout the State, the necessarily mean that a lower than nurses, the railway workers, the public average quality service is being provided.” servants, the parents, the students, the That quote is from a document prepared unemployed teacher graduates and the police by the Federal Labor Government’s EPAC for officers—need only ask themselves one very the Federal Labor Government. Let us have a simple question, “Are we any better off now look at what that document said about than we were four years ago?” What has a education. Honourable members wanted me 20.6 per cent increase in Government outlays to talk about education. This is what EPAC over three Goss Labor Budgets achieved? It reported to the Commonwealth Government— has achieved a rate of increase in Government expenditure more than six times “In the area of education, our main the rate of increase in New South Wales. Not conclusions are as follows: so long ago, when the present leader of the As already noted, there is a wide Government was Leader of the Opposition, he difference between the highest spending made a very telling statement. He told the State (Victoria)”— 24 August 1993 3754 Legislative Assembly which we are now modelling— Western Australia undertakes the “and the two lowest spending States highest per capita expenditures on health (Queensland and W.A.). services, followed by Victoria, and with Queensland the lowest spending. Both in its primary and secondary schools, Victoria displays teacher/student After Grants Commission ratios which are clearly much higher than Adjustments for relative disabilities in the in N.S.W., Queensland or W.A.; and delivery of services (which are obviously which are also higher than in the other higher in sparsely populated States such two ‘big spending’ . . . States, South as W.A. and Queensland than in Australia and Tasmania. Victoria), the State spending most ‘above standard’ is Victoria, with Queensland, on In addition to its high teacher/student this basis, by far the lowest. ratios, Victoria also recorded average salary levels for its primary school Contrary to what one might expect teachers which were well above those for on the basis of such comparisons, all other States, and for its secondary Queensland has a higher supply of ‘acute school teachers which were only beds’ relative to population than any exceeded by those for South Australia.” other State. The report continues— There appear to be no suggestions at the professional level that Queensland “Resistance by teachers’ unions and provides a lower quality of other, generally self-interested groups, to medical/hospital competence than other State-wide testing or gathering other States. empirical evidence of student performance makes interstate comparisons of the In terms of access, availability and quality of educational output difficult. technical quality of service, therefore, Government health services in Nevertheless, such evidence as is Queensland appear to be (at least) no available appears to provide no basis for worse than other States. On this basis, concluding that such quality is higher in there could even be scope for those States (e.g. Victoria) displaying Queensland to reduce its already very low high levels of spending on education level of costs even further by bringing its than in those States (e.g. Queensland) utilisation and capacity rates closer to displaying low levels. those of other States. . . . This appears to result not (or not The higher levels of spending in such insignificantly) from differences in average States as Victoria and Tasmania appear salary levels . . .” to have more to do with the ‘capture’ of What the EPAC report says is that we governments in those States by teachers’ were getting it right, and by definition, unions, than with a genuine policy to lift because the Government is now doing what educational standards. South Australia, Western Australia, New South Accordingly, there seem to be large Wales, Victoria and Tasmania were doing savings to be made (without any during the 1980s—the Government is doing it necessary diminution of educational wrong; it is doing it massively wrong because it quality) in the education portfolios in is chasing Federal levels of expenditure in the several of the States—most notably mistaken belief that somehow it will get it Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.” somewhere. A report to Labor’s own Federal I will leave Government members with a Government said that, in terms of what the parting present, some comments from Dr former Government was spending on David Shand, one of the original—— education in 1989-90, our delivery of services Government members interjected. to the kids and to the taxpayers of Queensland was equal to the best to be Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Briskey): found anywhere in Australia. Order! The House will come to order. Let us have a look at health. The report Mr BORBIDGE: I will leave Government stated— members with the parting words of Dr David Shand, one of the original Public Sector “In the case of health, there emerge Management Commissioners for the State of not entirely dissimilar conclusions, Queensland. What he said at a seminar at namely: Griffith University analysing the successes and Legislative Assembly 3755 24 August 1993 failures of the Labor Government here in “this House condemns the Queensland is, I believe, very relevant in this Government for their unjustified cutbacks debate. He said— in education and other Government “ . . . we found that they were desperate services to the people of Queensland.” to get their expenditure up to national That, by definition, widens the debate to levels, particularly in health and include health services, transport services, and education. They weren’t necessarily clear any other area of Government policy that is what they wanted to spend the money affected by the recently announced on. The important thing was spending up Government cutbacks. What we have seen to the national level.” from the Minister and the Government to date They are not my words, not the words of a with regard to education has been a very member of the Opposition, not even the deliberate, very deceptive and a very cynical words of a political commentator, but the attempt to shift the blame for their own words of one of the original PSMC financial incompetence and administrative commissioners that the Government failures onto the Commonwealth’s shoulders. appointed to reform the public service in At the Cairns Cabinet meeting, it was said that Queensland. So not even the Government’s the Government was $115m short and that friends believed it. Of course, Dr Shand went education would have to share in the down to Melbourne and performed a bit of cutbacks. On the one hand, we have the work there. I understand that he has now State Government saying that it needs to gone to Paris. He said further— save some $34m in the education budget; then, on the other hand, some weeks later it “At the rate we are going in Victoria says that we are going to have record in terms of reducing our expenditure, and education spending in the next Budget. The dragging down the national levels, before Government cannot have it both ways. What you know where you are you will be much is it? Are we going to have a cutback, or are too far above the national levels, you’ll we going to have a record budget? That is have to pull yourselves back very quickly.” part of the problem. That is why people are So we have the falsehoods put forward by this confused. The Government has given them deceitful Government revealed here today: two stories. They do not know which way is up; firstly, the so-called raw deal at the Premiers the same as the Government does not. The Conference which resulted in an increase, a Government cannot have it both ways; it is record in terms of Commonwealth grants, to either a cutback or an increase. the State of Queensland; secondly, the myth So far, in the Commonwealth Budget that under the previous National Party papers we have seen, with regard to recurrent Government services in Queensland were not grants the Commonwealth was going to give being delivered at an acceptable level, a myth the State Government $182m this year, just that is totally demolished by the Economic $2m short of last year’s amount. So what is Planning Advisory Council report of happening is that the State Government is December—— cutting back its own contribution to education Government members interjected. in Queensland. It cannot blame the Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The Commonwealth. It is a deliberate policy House will come to order. decision made by this Government. This morning, when I asked the Minister a question Mr BORBIDGE: I can understand their about the number of oversize classes, he was sensitivity; not even their friends believe them very quick to say that Opposition members any more. Thirdly, the myth that services have were relying upon Queensland Teachers improved in Queensland through extra Union figures and implied that they were not expenditure was demolished by Dr David necessarily accurate; that indeed they were Shand, one of the original PSMC false. I note that in the run-up to the 1989 commissioners appointed by this Labor State election, the Labor Party was saying, Government. “We are using Queensland Teachers Union Mr QUINN (Merrimac) (12.55 p.m.): I figures; they are very accurate. second the amendment moved by the Leader The Government has a large number of of the Opposition. For the benefit of those oversize classes; we are going to remedy that Government backbenchers who were not here situation; you will not see that under a Labor when it was moved, or are not aware of it, the Government.” Well, what do we have today? amendment seeks to insert after “that” the We have almost 600 secondary teachers words — disappearing and class sizes are rising to the extent that the percentage has almost 24 August 1993 3756 Legislative Assembly doubled. In 1989, on the QTU estimates, 12 already occurred. Naturally, some cuts will per cent of classes were oversize. When this occur through natural attrition, but the vast measure goes through, that percentage will majority of the positions lost will be those of increase to 22 per cent. Is it any wonder there permanent employees. Their future is under a are people demonstrating outside. They were cloud. Although the Minister may like to under the impression that when this dismiss that very lightly, those teachers are Government came to power, class sizes were concerned about their future. Will they be going to be reduced. With one stroke of the transferred to other parts of the department, pen, this Government has gone in the other such as primary schools? Will they be going to direction. The Government cannot have it other areas in the department? It is that both ways; it is either one or the other. uncertainty which is causing a great deal of The Minister assured the House this concern for teachers. morning during question time that smaller No doubt exists that the Government has country high schools would not be affected by increased teacher numbers over the past four the cutback in secondary school teachers. years. The Minister is very forward in this place There is a real concern that some subjects will about saying, “We have increased teacher disappear completely when these cutbacks numbers by some 2 000.” What he does not occur. Is it any wonder, when the Minister rose say is that a large percentage of those 2 000 this morning and gave an assurance to the teaching positions are necessary because of House that that indeed would not happen, natural growth in enrolments. What he does that the range of subjects will still be available not say is that a large percentage of those for country children, that there is a level of teaching positions are needed for the new scepticism on this side of the House? We well LOTE initiatives within schools. If one takes remember the Minister for Transport going away those two factors, the real increase has around the countryside spreading assurances been something like 500 teaching positions. like confetti; saying that this railway line would The latest proposition by the Minister—taking not close, that one would not close, and three away 500 secondary school teaching months later when there is a cutback, he positions—will take the position back to where stands up in the House and says, “I did not it was when the change of Government give those assurances.” occurred. We are back to square one. With Dr Watson: They were not worth the one stroke of the pen, all of the gains that the paper they were written on. Minister boasts about having occurred over the past three or four years are wiped out Mr QUINN: Too true—they were not worth completely. No gain for all that pain. the paper they were written on. One wonders whether the words of this Minister this morning Another example of the betrayal that this that the cutbacks of secondary school Minister has visited upon parents and teachers will not affect smaller country schools teachers is the approach to school mergers. If will be worth anything in the future, either. ever there was a Minister who jumped from one foot to the other and who changed policy Sitting suspended from 1 to 2.30 p.m. almost on a daily basis, it is the Minister for Mr QUINN: Before the luncheon Education. On 12 November last year, by way adjournment, I was reminding the House of of ministerial statement, the Minister said — how this Government had selectively used “I wish to confirm to the House that Queensland Teachers Union figures for its under my Ministry there will be no forced own advantage during the election campaign; school closures or mergers.” yet when it had those figures quoted back to it today, the Government sought to denigrate Later, he stated that— their validity. This two-faced approach by the “ . . . there is no policy to merge or close Government has betrayed parents and schools, and I will not be making any teachers to such an extent that this afternoon changes in that direction unless a P & C they will be out the front of this Parliament association, or a community, or the demonstrating their anger. Queensland Teachers Union itself One of the areas that is of real concern to approaches me or the department . . . ” teachers, particularly secondary school However, what happened? After the Budget teachers, is the very vague nature in which the session in Cairns, out came a list of schools to Minister has been describing the 500 positions be merged—straight off, no consultation, no- which are due to disappear from the one asking, no teachers, no parents, no union secondary school system. I understand that representatives coming to the Minister and some cuts will be made through the putting up a proposition. Instead, the Minister cancellation of teacher contracts. That has dictated unilaterally that certain schools were Legislative Assembly 3757 24 August 1993 to merge. A change of policy at the stroke of a Government back bench has not been saying pen! is that, along with those larger cheques, more Mr Littleproud: A good match for David responsibilities have been devolved to Hamill. schools. Previously, schools never paid their Mr QUINN: Yes, another one. When it telephone accounts. They do it now. Schools got too hot in the kitchen, when the Labor never paid their electricity bills. They do it now. backbenchers started to complain and when They never paid their TRS days. They do it the community started to voice its concern now. They never paid for some of the very about what was going on, all of a sudden the basic supplies such as soap and toilet paper. tune changed. “Cost savings cannot be made They do it now. It is all very well to say, “We with these mergers. We will reverse the have increased the cheques”, but the decision. Mabel Park, you stay as you are. responsibilities of schools have increased as Camp Hill, you stay as you are. Humpybong, well. you stay as you are. We will have a look at Today, P & C associations are further some of the others.” The heat got too hot in behind the eight ball than they were when the South Brisbane. West End has also been put Labor Party came into Government. I on the backburner. Another change of policy! challenge Government members to name one Is it any wonder that people are confused P & C association in Queensland that is when, on a daily basis, policy is changed by raising less money today than it did four years fax machine. There is a regular saying within ago. There is not one! Today, P & C the department now: the first thing that senior associations are raising more money than officers at regional level do when they come ever before. Government members are a into work in the morning is go to the fax bunch of frauds. They say that this machine to find out what the Minister’s policy Government is giving schools more money, for the day is. Every day, a new policy but they have more responsibilities and more emerges. Is it any wonder that people are expenses. concerned! There is no certainty and no future in the Minister’s policy. He is changing it on a Another issue of concern is the teacher daily basis by fax. transfer system. Quite rightly, teachers are concerned about that. Why? Because Labor Another example is the clustering promised that, when it changed the teacher concept. This was not mentioned before but transfer system, a very large scheme of was brought out as a cost-saving measure for the Government in its budgetary cutbacks. incentives would be built into the system. The Plenty of concern is being expressed by rural teachers’ union was well aware that there communities about that concept. In this would be a change to the points system. The House today, the Minister said, “Clustering is Labor policy states— no longer on the agenda.” Another change of “The scheme will have as its policy! Government members have been essential elements the following: saying long and loud that grants to P & Cs (a) a voluntary transfer system, to have been increased over the life of this replace the existing compulsory Government. That is a fact. The cheques system.” have been arriving regularly—as Government members well know, because they hand them How many teachers sitting in the coastal areas out to P & C associations. of Queensland under the Government’s scheme will volunteer to go out west under the A Government member: Personal new scheme? Not one! That was the first lie. service. The policy continues— Mr QUINN: Personal service—no doubt. “ . . . in order to differentiate amongst The trouble is that it is not a personal service schools, there will be a points system.” from the Opposition side of the House. It is a one-sided personal service. Government That is in the policy. However, the policy members do it; Opposition members do not. further states— Where is the Government’s social justice “(c) a wide range of incentives and policy now? Where is its equity policy? It is compensatory conditions to redress only great rhetoric; that is all. When it comes the financial and other to action, the Government falls down every disadvantages experienced by time. It is found wanting. teachers will be included.” No doubt exists that P & Cs have been A range of conditions are listed. Were they receiving larger cheques in the form of school brought in when the transfer system was grants. But what the Minister has not been changed? No! That is why teachers are upset. saying and what every other member on the 24 August 1993 3758 Legislative Assembly

Again, a two-faced approach was adopted by Mr Davies: What rot! the Labor Party. Mr QUINN: Well, let us look at another I mentioned earlier today the fact that document. I refer to the 13 August issue of graduating teachers are no longer being given the official Education Review. The centre page the opportunity to receive a rating from the of that paper sets out 12 committees in the Education Department in order to improve social justice area, each one of them with a their employment prospects. A young project officer, a research officer and two or graduating teacher wrote to me about that three committee members. There are issue. Again, the unfairness of the Labor Party committees everywhere. Honourable members becomes clear. That young person, who is a should listen to this little gem. Action 10 of the student at the QUT, stated— strategy requires the committee to— “On March 3, 1993, I and other “Identify social justice issues which members of the post-graduate course require further inter-governmental and spoke to a senior officer in the departmental cooperation.” Department of Education.” It goes through a whole list of things. I will I have left out a few names. The letter further read some of the outcomes— states— “Achievements: representation by “At this meeting, we were informed departmental officers on the Disability that towards the end of this year, all Directions Committee and Disability teaching graduates will be entitled to an Directions Sub-Committee.” application for employment within a This is a subcommittee of a committee. It Region of the Department. Included in goes on and on and refers to issues arising, this application would be the opportunity mentioning the following— to be interviewed in order to receive a teacher rating . . . Considering this “Issues for ongoing inter- information that was given to us, it seems departmental collaboration through the unfair to now change the rules for Disability Directions Committee; early employment applications by saying that intervention services; post-school options; only one in ten graduates will be granted institutional reform; transport; physical an interview. I understand the funding access to departmental facilities; therapy problems that the department has, but services; and speciality nursing services.” we were advised that this would be the It continues. If one wanted to find 12 procedure for employment for 1993/94. committees within a department that are Since we were given this information, running around chasing their tails, one would surely it would seem a fairer alternative to not have to look much further than that article. make these proposed changes when At the same time as that is occurring with they do not affect any present students highly paid officers, what is happening to enrolled in teaching courses.” students with disabilities? There are not The Government has outlined one set of enough services at the coalface. conditions to prospective employees, who I have a letter under the Minister for have taken those four-year courses, spent Education’s own signature in which he has money on HECS fees and graduated. Then, tried to hide the truth. He sent the letter out all of a sudden, employment conditions have and, unbeknown to himself, he has crossed a changed and nine out of ten of them find section out and written “please rephrase”. This themselves with no prospects of employment letter was written to the Aspley Special School because of the change in employment because of its concern at the lack of speech conditions. therapists at the coalface for its kids. Opposition members acknowledge that Mr Grice: This is not a leak, is it? the Government has increased education Mr QUINN: No. This letter is going around funding by $350m over the past three years. to every teacher in Queensland at present. It However, as the Leader of the Opposition is a little gem. We have all these committees rightly stated, the main concern is how the dealing with social justice, yet at the coalface Government has spent that money. Much of it there is a lack of services for kids. What is has been squandered on restructuring, socially just about that? In that letter endless committees and poor management. addressed to the Aspley Special School, the Mr Davies: Rubbish! Minister stated— Mr QUINN: These days, we have the “While all areas in Metropolitan East lowest teacher morale ever. Region are underserviced, as is the case Legislative Assembly 3759 24 August 1993

statewide, all efforts have been made by justice basis or an equitable basis. Honourable the Regional Management Team to members might remember the Laurinel ensure that all students have equal school, which was a small school opened access to speech therapy services.” opposite the Ten Mile property owned by Joh The Minister is saying that he will waste Bjelke-Petersen to allow the workers to send money on social justice issues, yet, when it their children to school and ensure that Bjelke- comes to the coalface, he will divide up the Petersen had a good work force. An amount meagre services equitably. Is that fair? Is that of $131,800 was spent establishing that just? I do not think so. school. Because there were no children, it operated for only two years. If honourable Every parent in Queensland has the right members opposite want to talk about our to be concerned by the ad hoc approach of record, let us talk about what they did at the the Government, the bumbling ineptitude by Laurinel school. the Minister who is changing policy at whim by facsimile, the betrayal of election promises A Government member: Where is it which has been amply demonstrated by now? teachers today, and the constant changes Mr CAMPBELL: It has been moved. The leading to uncertainty that this Minister is Leader of the Opposition made the shameful foisting upon an education system. It is quite statement that the Education Department was clear that, when it comes to education, the a bureaucratic black hole. What an insult to all Minister is spending the money in the wrong those professional educators and teachers places and the Government has totally lost its who have worked there for decades! The direction. Leader of the Opposition will make those Mr CAMPBELL (Bundaberg) (2.45 p.m.): statements in this place, yet he will go back to What deceit and hypocrisy Opposition them and say that he supports everything members have displayed! They talk about this they do. Does he support everything they do? Government’s record on education, yet we The honourable member for Beaudesert said have all seen what was happening under that it was great to see the strike taking place former National Party and National/Liberal and the member for Callide said that the Party Governments. We now have the good teachers should not be striking. What is the record of the Goss Government in providing Opposition’s stance on this matter? They do record Budgets not only on a Statewide basis not know where they are going. but also on a per capita basis. I was interested Although the Government has increased to hear the Leader of the Opposition put spending on education from 19 per cent to 25 forward an argument that the Government per cent, Opposition members still complain should spend less. He stated that, if the and claim that the Government should spend Government had been budgeting properly, it less, not more. In these matters, it seems that should be able to spend less. It is hypocritical the Government will be damned if it does and to say that we can achieve a better education damned if it does not. Opposition members system by spending less. The Leader of the say whatever suits people in this place and Opposition then asked us to keep the schools then say exactly the opposite outside of this open, as his party had done when in Chamber. Even though the Government is Government. Let the record show that the introducing record Budgets, Opposition former Government closed 781 schools. In members are saying that it is not the way to one year, 88 were closed. This Government measure education. has not closed those schools; the National Opposition spokesmen are economically Party closed them when it was in power. illiterate. They have stated that the State is The Leader of the Opposition invited us bankrupt and we have a bureaucratic black to ask teachers whether any of them are hole. This State’s economy is the best better off now. Under the previous managed economy of any State in Australia. Government, they were the lowest paid Over the last three years, State debt has been teachers in Australia, but under this reduced by $1.6 billion. While every other Government they are amongst the highest State has been increasing its State debt, paid teachers. The former Government had a Queensland’s is being reduced. How can poor record when it comes to the honourable members opposite say that we underpayment of teachers. Such a record are going into bankruptcy when that situation cannot be attributed to this Government. exists? Not only does Queensland have the What is even more hypocritical is that, lowest per capita debt of any State in when the former Government opened schools Australia, it also has the lowest taxes, which and spent money, it was not spent on a social 24 August 1993 3760 Legislative Assembly are about 30 per cent lower than those of As to computers in schools—the Goss other States. Government has a five-year program of It is interesting to hear Opposition spending $40m to provide computers in members say that, because of adjustments education. It would have been easy to save that have been made since the Premiers money by making adjustments to that Conference, 600 teachers are disappearing all program and say that schools are not getting of a sudden, but they are disappearing from a any computers, but the requests for changes forecast. In any Budget, there is a forecast of and adjustments relate to management. what the Government will do, and if it has to Opposition members have spoken about a trim the numbers, it will. That is simply good supposed bureaucratic black hole, but when management, upon which we depend. changes are made to make management more efficient and more effective, they The member for Merrimac spoke about complain. That is a problem. Lots of people transfers and said that very few teacher do not like change, but it happens. When graduates will be employed this year. In the change is for better management, we must last year of the National Party Government, allow for it. The computer program will provide about 2 700 teachers took leave from the one computer for every 10 upper-primary and Education Department. That figure is now secondary students within the next five years. about 700. How can we find places for those That will reduce the necessity for P & C 2 000 teachers and still employ new teachers? associations to raise money for computers. If things are so bad within the Education Department, why are only 700 taking leave Changes which the previous Government when, under the National Party, 2 700 took could not undertake have been requested leave? and carried out by this Government. The new Student Education Profile, which replaced the The Opposition spokesman criticised the discredited TE score, was fully utilised in 1992. social justice committees of the Education As well, I believe that this Government will be Department. Unless a department such as the remembered for taking universities to Education Department is dynamic and comes provincial cities. We have created an to grips with change, it will be dragged along additional 2 300 university places, which have by technology. That is not the basis of a good provided additional education to students. In education system. We must lead, and that is addition, university campuses are being what this Government is doing through its developed at Bundaberg, Gladstone, Mackay policies. and Cairns. I am proud of that great initiative. Opposition members concede that even We have now added that extra brick to those though more funding has been provided for provincial cities, and helped families in those P & C associations, they have taken on more regions by enabling their sons and daughters responsibility. That is right. They wanted more to stay in their own communities. responsibility, and now they have it, but P & C Mr Bennett: And well accepted by the associations are not buying photocopying community. paper or fax machines. No fax machines were provided by the previous National Party Mr CAMPBELL: Yes, they are very well Government. Big changes are being made, accepted. When we want community support, and more is being done all the time. and if it has anything to do with education or a university, people provide those funds This Government can stand on its record. because they know how important this issue is The number of teachers in Queensland is for the youth of those cities. In relation to increasing. When one considers the additional social justice—this will make a difference to 2 000 teachers—taking account of increased those families who do not have to go to the student numbers and LOTE—there is still a great expense of sending their children to real increase in the number of teachers. universities in Townsville or Brisbane. Positive changes have been made, such as the numeracy and literacy programs, for which Most importantly, this Government is the sum of $15.4m has been allocated during helping families by increasing book allowances this financial year and the past two years. This and school grants. For example, in 1989, the represents a 300 per cent increase on the textbook allowance for Year 8 students was funding provided for these programs under $56. That sum has been increased to $69, the previous Government. Everyone talks while the textbook allowance for Year 12 about wanting their children to read and write. students has increased from $47 to $158. This Government is providing the funding That money really helps the struggling and where it counts and helping children to read battling families of Queensland to provide and write. school books to their sons and daughters. Legislative Assembly 3761 24 August 1993

As to the increase in grants to P & C was good to see that their administration associations in schools—those associations centre was being developed as a prototype for have taken on more responsibility. For other high tops. That is a beautiful centre. example, in 1989, the school grant to North However, it was good to see how that school Bundaberg High School was $59,640. Last is now a credit to Rosedale. It has been year, the school received $135,334. That buys painted, it is clean and it has the facilities for a lot of toilet paper and a lot of soap. It also those students. The other thing that has buys additional requirements such as happened under this Government that is so photocopiers, photocopying paper and fax important is that one can go to a school now machines, which were denied under the and it looks green. Most schools in the past National Party. were on a bare hill, but under the programs There has also been a significant that this Government has implemented, the P improvement in school capital works programs & Cs in those communities have taken pride in and school refurbishments. Under the them, and they have been very good in previous Government, some facilities that making a great environment for the students were denied to Labor Party electorates were and teachers. wasted by the National Party. We have had to It is interesting to note that one really fulfil promises that the National Party would does not know where the Opposition stands in not discharge to P & C associations. For regard to the Queensland Teachers Union. example, in 1965, at Bundaberg State High One of the Opposition members supports the School, two tennis courts were built over. It Teachers Union strike; the others are against was not until 1991 that those two tennis it. However, when the Opposition goes out to courts, which were provided by the P & C support them, does it also support what the association, were replaced. The former union wants—increased taxes? The union is Government never provided those tennis saying, “Let us have an increase in petrol tax courts. I gave a pledge to that P & C that this for those people on the Gold Coast and for Government would work on that. In 1992, those people in the metropolitan areas.” Talk those tennis courts were provided to the P & C about the social justice! Talk about knocking by a Labor Government, because we support the poor in the city! Where is the Opposition the people who support schools. leader? He will be out there talking to Schools do not get old overnight. We had members of the Queensland Teachers Union to replace the pool at the West Bundaberg saying, “We are behind you all the way.” Is he school, which was 40 years old and needed also behind that union’s suggestion of a petrol replacing about 10 years ago, but would the tax to be paid by his constituents? No! National Party replace it for the P & C? No! A The other matter that really concerns me Labor Government replaced it, and that new is that the only other way the Opposition is pool will be opened in October. Those are going to do anything for the public sector is to some of the things that this Government has attack the private schools. Students from one done to support P & C associations. private school—and it is a very good private Mr Pearce: Are you going to open it? school—were in the gallery today. I cannot see how taking money away from private Mr CAMPBELL: Yes, I am going to open schools would do anything to help education it. as a whole. Mr Bennett: Do you remember the Mr Davies interjected. promises that were made to the new East Bundaberg school if they voted National Mr CAMPBELL: Yes. I have to say that Party? Shalom Catholic College came second in the rock eisteddfod, and Kepnock came fourth. Mr CAMPBELL: Yes, there were always So the Shalom Catholic College will be promises of new schools. That was an representing Queensland as one of the example of the pork-barrelling done under the finalists. I congratulate it on that. National Party, but that has been done away with. The other thing that does concern me is the role that some teachers have played in Mr Lingard: How is your mobile phone inciting students to strike. That concerned me going? because it is all right for teachers; they have Mr CAMPBELL: It is coming along. I had that right to strike. I will always respect the the pleasure of opening the administration right of people to withdraw their labour. We block at the Rosedale high top school. I thank have fought for 100 years for that right, and I the Minister for giving me the privilege of will always respect that right. However, I did doing that. It was good to go to that school. It not agree with teachers inciting students to do 24 August 1993 3762 Legislative Assembly that. That is to defy authority. When one talks 1989-90 is spoken about and outlined. Mr to teachers on a one-to-one basis, one finds Collins stated— that the real problem they have is with “. . . this document is in a very real sense discipline and behaviour. They say that that is what the National government was a problem that takes up a great deal of their promising to the people of Queensland time, and it is something that they have to . . . It reads very much like the Goss come to grips with. schooling paper and one might well A Year 7 teacher told me that she spent speculate whether the author of the up to 70 per cent of her time with one problem budgetary paper had the Goss education child. The teachers’ hypocrisy is demonstrated paper for perusal, or perhaps vice versa.” by the fact that they say that they have a He stated further— problem with discipline and getting the students to accept authority, yet they turn “It should also be mentioned that the around and ask students—actually goad B.I. paper does not add up all its them—to defy authority and take part in a promises.” strike. That concerns me. I think there are However, as it said in that paper, the some things that should be done and some Education Department was promised an things that should not be done, and I do not increase of 13 per cent on its previous think it is the place of politicians or teachers to budget—a total of $1,433m. That did not incite that kind of behaviour in school children. include award restructuring. Of course, that I think it is something that we should be really was the fault of the ALP Government, which ashamed of. promised $250m in its first year in Members on the Government side of the Government. Suddenly, it found out that it House are proud of the record of the Goss had to pay $357m in its first three years in Government in education. It is a record of Government because it had forgotten—and I which this Government can be rightly proud. I will say “forgotten”—award restructuring. For know that history will show that this the first two years it pranced along talking Government presided over a dynamic about $84m for each of the first two years in education system. It will be remembered in Government, and suddenly it remembered particular for providing universities in the award restructuring. It then said, “Now we provincial cities of this State. suddenly realise that we have a $357m increase in those first three years.” Mr LINGARD (Beaudesert—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (3.15 p.m.): It gives As Collins says in the document me pleasure to support the amendment published by the Centre for Australian Public moved by the Leader of the Opposition and to Sector Management— speak against the motion moved by the “It also represents the government in Minister. In my speech today, I will confine power, it highlights some of the more most of my remarks to the motion moved by progressive trends in education in the Education Minister. Queensland such as the P-10 syllabus, The one thing that the ALP Government the Human Relations Education syllabus, will never be able to do to the National Party is the review of the career paths of discredit what it intended to do in 1989, which teachers, the teaching of foreign was outlined in the September edition of the languages and the introduction of School EOG, or the Education Office Gazette. In that Development Plans for all schools. The gazette, under the heading “Budget B.I. document is also costed.” Initiatives”, the platform of the National Party He states further— was set out. In any review of its policies at that “. . . all of the other promises made in the time, the National Party is always credited with Goss document are present in the B.I. intending to put more money into education document of September 1989.” than did the ALP during its first year in office in 1991. Government members may laugh at I repeat that. All of those promises were in that. However, in a review by Dan Collins for existence at that time, and that is one thing the Centre for Australian Public Sector that this ALP Government will never be able to Management, this was spoken about. He say about the National Party Government of talked about the fact that just three months 1989, and what it intended to do in 1990-91. before the election in 1989, the Education As that document states— Department issued an annual budget “It remained for the Goss team to document. That is not just a policy document; pick up this document and make the it is an EOG in which all of the funding for running with it, which they did!” Legislative Assembly 3763 24 August 1993

We heard a whole lot of what I would call Consequently . . . our schools have in no educational “distruths” from Minister Braddy way benefited through any real increase when this Government took charge of in the level of their purchasing power.” education. First of all, it was the school text I say to the Minister and to any backbencher book allowance. Today, I believe that the that when they talk about massive increases, Minister also tried to indicate in a subtle way they must be honest. When this Government that there was an additional payment in the gives money to the schools grants system and text book allowance. In 1989-90, the Minister then imposes upon it more items for which the tried to say that there was an additional schools have to pay, it is dishonest to call it increase of $300 in Year 11 and Year 12. “increases”. As the school principal to whom I That was never, ever true, because in 1989- referred earlier says— 90 the Year 11 students received $120, which went to $150—an increase of only $30. In “Consider the enormous expenditure Year 12 it went from $50 to $150. So there involved in the provision of staff in-service was an increase of $130 in that regard, but it training programs; school-based was not an additional $300. That payment curriculum development; pest control; had always been made. carpet cleaning; purchase, repair and maintenance of technology; swimming Similarly, in regard to the Capital Works pool maintenance; machinery registration Program, I say that it is incorrect of the ALP fees to name a few of the newly acquired Government to talk continually about the financial responsibilities to be borne by increase in capital works programs and the our schools.” money that has been spent by the ALP, simply because it never, ever allowed for the He says that the payment of telephone money that went from the old State Works electricity bills will be next, and Labor Department, or the Department of backbenchers know that as well as I do. The Administrative Services, across to the Minister cannot claim to be giving increases to Education Department. In the first three years the schools grants system when the money of this Government—1989-1992—Minister that is paid for a telephone service is put into Braddy was continually dishonest in trying to the school grants, and he cannot then say to indicate that there was an additional amount the school, “Pay your school telephone costs.” of capital finance being made available. There This was a practice followed continually by the was an increase, but that money had been previous Minister. Another practice was the brought from the former Department of State distribution of school cheques for grants. Works, now known as the Department of Members of the ALP are still demanding that Administrative Services, to the Education they be allowed to go out to the schools, as Department. It was money that had always the former Minister Mr Braddy said, to “deliver been spent, yet Mr Braddy tried to indicate our cheques to the schools”. Members of the that there had been a massive increase in Opposition were never allowed to take the funding. cheques out to the schools. How petty, how stupid and how discredited was the former One should look at the massive increase Minister when he tried to impose that that Labor backbenchers always talk about in restriction! relation to school grants. They referred to it again today. They have been trying to talk Mr Randell: They’ve got Mr Schwarten about the increase in funds allocated to a doing that up in central Queensland. school grants system, but they will not believe Mr LINGARD: That is right. The what I am saying. Therefore, let me read from Government has a special person running what has been written in a school paper by a around central Queensland trying to do the school principal. He stated— same thing. With the extra $84m a “It cannot be denied that under year—which was more, and we all agree on Labor, there have been substantial that—this Government started to restructure increases in school grant payments, but the Education Department. I refer to the there are two sides to every ledger. speeches made by Opposition members four years ago. We all said, “Don’t undertake a Every additional dollar granted has been accompanied by the imposition of a massive restructuring because you will do set of new school-based expenditure exactly what happened in Victoria.” One only demands. Services and resources has to read about what happened in Victoria previously supplied freely to schools by to realise that what is happening in central and regional authorities now have Queensland is a case of deja vu in terms of to be funded by the schools themselves. school waste. Since the restructuring, we have 24 August 1993 3764 Legislative Assembly seen what has happened under the officials . . . have been prepared to sway Queensland ALP Government. in the prevailing political breeze in order From 1980 onwards, we saw emerge in to enhance their own career prospects.” Victoria a system which is exactly what the Yet members of the Labor Government present education system is achieving in reckon that that is not happening in the Queensland, that is, mediocre outcomes. As present Education Department! It happened has been said, regardless of the models put in to Pamela Bornhorst as recently as last night place, the outcomes in Victoria have been the on the ABC simply because she made one of very same. Needless expenditure of scarce the Ministers cry and simply because she did funds and loss of valuable programs, projects not like the Premier. Last night, she was and services, as well as loss of productivity sacked from the ABC, and this is exactly what and morale, are all the same outcomes that happens in the Police Department and to we now see in Queensland. teachers. As soon as people buck the system, out they go. Government members interjected. Government members interjected. Mr LINGARD: Members of the Labor Party should listen to this, because what I am Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The referring to was written four years ago. They House will come to order. should have a look at the people outside and Mr LINGARD: The article to which I refer then tell me that there has not been a loss in goes on to state— morale with teachers in the Education “Bills and The Cutthroat Department. There has been an inevitable loss of talented and conscientious staff. Out of With every ‘spill’ there has been the a total of 133 school inspectors, 118 were lost. accompanying application preparation, Do Labor members recall how the Director- rumour mongering, loss of trust, hostility General of Education was placed in the and recriminations.” correspondence school? Do they remember That is exactly the same as has occurred in all those people who were transferred to the Queensland. The article goes on to state— correspondence school and who were all “Selection panels eventually paid out at the rate of $520,000 each? Certainly, some of that money was Selection panels have been superannuation, but most of it was payment assembled of which the members have had no prior experience in the area in at the rate of one and one-third weeks’ pay for question, nor any responsibility after the every year of service which was given to them selections have been made.” as a free gift. Out they went, and most of them went straight into the private school What is happening with the PSMC? Fellows system. are sitting on the board and they appoint their own wives. The article goes on to state— Mr Littleproud: They sacked Mr Botsman and now he’s vice-chancellor of an “Merit in Queensland is not based on international university. how well you produce but how well you interview.” Mr LINGARD: That is right, and there were many others. This Labor Government All honourable members would know about claims that it does not waste money on the discontent in the Education Department education, but what about all the people who with the job application system. sat up at the correspondence school and Previously, I heard a member referring to played marbles and cards for month after a curriculum review which supposedly is to month—and this was the top echelon of the take place at the service level with a view to public service? This Government went straight making improvements. In 1988, the previous through the top echelon, and in came all their Government realised that a curriculum review little Labor mates. A couple came from was necessary. Since then, the Hughes report Victoria and a couple came from was produced, which obviously favoured Rockhampton on massive salaries. Let me private education. The present Government now refer to another thing that was said about did not like that, so what happened? Out went Victoria in 1980— that report, and it was replaced by the Wiltshire report. “Crawlers Prosper Since 1988—a period of five years—there . . . Insecure senior officers, ambitious has been a massive restructuring of the junior officers, teachers and public service Education Department, but still there has Legislative Assembly 3765 24 August 1993 been no change effected at the service level looked at his own ratio he would see that it where the kids are. The curriculum reviews are was not too far off that figure. I will cite the a classic example of that, because since 1988 figures, which show the waste in the to the present, curriculum revision has not Education Department. In primary school, the been put in place. This Government disagreed present ratio is one teacher for every 19.1 with the findings of the Hughes report. students. In secondary school, the ratio is one Professor Hughes came from Victoria. The teacher for every 13.2 students. That is how Government did not like his report or the much the Government wastes in statutory boards that he was thinking of administration. The ratios are there, but still setting up, because he favoured private the Government cannot get the class size education. Now Professor Wiltshire has been issue correct. The Treasurer started to protest, brought in to do this Government’s own and someone said, “Hold on. The ratios of the curriculum review, but still nothing has been Government are not far from that.” Still, the implemented at the service level. Government cannot get the whole issue right. Where are we now? Let me refer to the The Queensland Teachers Union says Queensland Teachers Union, to which that in 1990 in primary schools the percentage members referred earlier. Let me examine the of oversize classes was 11. union’s budget submission, which states— Mr Dollin: Are you saying the school “As we have noted before, the classes are too small? Is that what you’re Government’s first-term target to bring telling us? spending to the national average by Mr LINGARD: I am saying that in 1990 injecting $250m was met and exceeded.” primary school classes were 11 per cent Everyone would agree with that. The oversize; and in 1993 they were 12 per cent submission goes on to state— oversize. That is the record of the Labor “However, due to the effect of salary Government. In 1990, classes in secondary increases, the expected improvements to schools were 8 per cent oversize; at present, teaching and learning conditions were not they are 11 per cent oversize. Clearly, since fully realised.” 1991, the Government’s percentage of oversize classes has increased. The This is exactly what the Opposition has been Government cannot go against that document saying, namely, that restructuring can be unless it wants to go against what the undertaken on a massive scale, but it must be Queensland Teachers Union is saying. The brought to bear on the service level. This release from the Queensland Teachers Union Government has not brought restructuring to says that in 1991 there were 37 900 students the service level at all. The Queensland in oversize classes, but that last year the Teachers Union’s submission also states— figure was 43 900. “The Labor Party in its Education After four years of this Government, Blueprint released in the lead up to the 6 000 extra kids are now in oversize classes. 1989 State election claimed that The Queensland Teachers Union stated— ‘Decades of neglect under National Party and National/Liberal Governments have “The concern is that in the past two left Queensland schools with not enough years this initial progress”— teachers, too few resources, inadequate on the class size issue— buildings and too much that is second “has begun to be reversed. There is no rate.’ disputing the fact that the State In the same document the Labor Government has increased the number Party claimed that it would act of teachers employed.” immediately to provide more teachers so The Opposition agrees with that. The union that the pupil/teacher ratio in primary stated further— schools in Queensland was adequate for the students’ needs.” “The problem is that these numbers have largely been consumed by the Last year, the National Party promised the growth in population generated in part by Queensland Teachers Union and the teachers the constant migration from other states, of Queensland one teacher for every 19 and the new initiatives such as LOTE. students in primary schools and one teacher They have not greatly impacted on the for every 13 students at the secondary level, class size problem.” and the Treasurer had a heart attack. He said, “How can you ever do that?” and away he I say to the Minister that when he talks went. Suddenly, someone told him that if he about the number of additional teachers, he 24 August 1993 3766 Legislative Assembly must talk about the actual “additional” industrial action in the form of one-day strikes teachers, not the 2 700 who have been and other protests. Today, I do not intend to employed, because teachers have resigned discuss the merits of the Teachers Union as well. We must talk about the additional actions, although I will say that, as a supporter teachers. Clearly, the Government has not of trade unionism, I support the teachers’ right been able to use the additional teachers to fix to strike and to protest. up the class size issue. It is not possible. I would, though, like to begin by I have always said that the National commenting on a trend that seems to be Party, and now the coalition, will provide that strengthening in our schools, and that is to 13 per cent increase in funding. This year, the use young students in protest actions. The coalition had promised to provide an member for Bundaberg mentioned that additional—“additional”, I say—850 school earlier. I would like to elaborate on that issue. teachers. Members of the Opposition must sit It disturbs him and it disturbs me to see school here knowing full well, as the Minister said this students caught up in the industrial actions of morning, that the chances of those kids who their teachers. In particular, I refer to the have had four years’ training as teachers protest march of high school students on the getting a job are virtually nil. The Opposition thirteenth of this month. When they should will continue the award restructuring. We have have been in class, a couple of hundred always agreed to do that and we have always students were marching in the Queen Street agreed to provide a package of incentives for Mall. remote areas. That was a program that the But an even worse incident occurred. I Opposition promised to put in place after the learned that on the same day at one Logan 1989 election, something which the City high school, the whole school staged a Government reneged on for one year. sit-in during school hours. The deputy principal The Opposition has always agreed to organised the students onto the oval—and provide payments for teachers to attend in- remember here that we are talking about 12 service programs out of school hours to to 18 year olds—then handed the microphone ensure that students are not affected by over to the senior students, who proceeded to teacher absences. We have always supported whip the students into a frenzy with slogans and will continue to support the program of and chanting. Elsewhere in the State, we employment of administrative officers in large have seen school students pronouncing their primary and secondary schools. I ask the opinions and their perceptions of the Budget Minister whether it is true that, under the cuts and the protest actions that they would PSMC report on administrative officers and take, and I have seen newspapers registrars, there will be a spill of all registrars in sensationalising and even praising the actions high schools and once again we will go of these children. through that massive program of selection of Just this morning, 60 or so young children new people for those positions. The PSMC aged from about 4 years old to 10 years old report has been held up and subtly put away, were standing in front of Parliament House but there is no doubt that it recommends that chanting, “Save our school”. They were waving a continual spill occur among all registrars and placards. I ask: what do these little children all administrators within our school system. understand about the positive or negative The Opposition has always agreed that effects of amalgamating an infants school with we will establish a satisfactory school/industry a primary school? Very little. They do links program. We have always agreed that understand, though, that, with TV cameras we will restore the school inspectorial system. hovering over them, it is fun to stand next to That is just starting to gain favour again their parents and shout. I support their among the teachers. They realise that the parents’ right to be there. In fact, I was happy present system is not good enough. to accept the petitions from those people and table them in Parliament this morning. I Time expired. support their right to be there, but I do not Ms SPENCE (Mount Gravatt) (3.25 p.m.): support their right to use their children like that I am pleased to speak in support of the and take their children out of school during Education Minister’s motion. Much has been school hours for that issue. said about the subject of education in the past four weeks, particularly in relation to the Mr Livingstone: When the National Party Government’s budget cuts aimed at were in Government, they threw them in gaol. rationalising expenditure in the Education Ms SPENCE: They would have, yes. It Department. As we have all seen, teachers and their union have protested against the Government’s decision and have even taken Legislative Assembly 3767 24 August 1993 will be interesting to see how many of those Holy Land of the infidel. Hitler used children in members are out there this afternoon talking the Hitler Youth to indoctrinate the Germanic to the members of the unions. people in the superiority of their race. Mao As a parent and a former teacher, it Zedong formed the Red Guards, his army of disturbs me to see students being used in this young people who were to be the vanguard of way. I know how easy it is to manipulate the his Cultural Revolution of the 1970s which was thoughts and feelings of young people. Our designed to overturn Chinese society. young are ever-ready to participate in Mr Bennett: And the Young National something as exciting as a sit-in or a protest Party. march or a strike. They have a great capacity Ms SPENCE: I use these extreme to latch onto an exciting cause, believe one examples, not to liken them to the recent use side of an argument that is presented to of students in the Budget protests, but to them, and accept with fervour that the cause remind teachers and parents of the ease with they are protesting is right. which we can manipulate the minds of our In this instance, the one-sided argument youth for our own purposes. History is littered is being presented by their teachers—people with examples of good intentioned people who have been placed in a position of who have done so. responsibility to instruct and nurture our youth, Lest I be accused of overreacting to not to use them for political or industrial ends. some isolated events of recent weeks, I would I am not saying that students should not be like to spend a couple of minutes relating a interested in something as important as their couple of incidents that have occurred at a education; they should be. They should also high school in my electorate over the past few be interested in their future and the type of years in order to expose this dangerous society that we are shaping for them. I would phenomenon. In 1991, the entire school body hope that our school system is encouraging at a school in my electorate, at the healthy debate on all manner of subjects and encouragement of a number of staff issues that will confront our young people members, withdrew themselves from classes when their generation is given the opportunity and held a protest rally aimed at voicing their to govern. concerns over the Government's decision to In the meantime, I think that we would do have school principals apply for Band 8 well to remember that they are children and principal positions in large high schools. They do not comprehend the complexities of the understood little of the fairness in offering problems that confront us. What do these these newly created award positions to any children understand about the difficulties of qualified contender in the State because they allocating scarce resources to ensure that could not see beyond their own school gate everyone is cared for? What do they and their desire to retain their existing understand of the budgetary strains caused principal. Their motives were good, but their by increasing retention rates in high schools, a understanding of the justice in the process higher quality education system and a that was set in place was flawed. shrinking tax base? At the same school in the same year, I think that we would all agree that this placard-laden children protested outside their country faces difficult economic problems. school gates. They felt that their whole school Governments everywhere have to grapple with had been disadvantaged by the TE score the difficulties of making tough decisions. process because they have a high migrant Having taught teenagers for over a decade, I population. Extensive scrutiny of the system can tell members that they have little revealed they had not. Then again this year at understanding of these issues. The teachers the same high school, students took to to whom I talked who were in charge of the protesting because their new principal had his students who went on the protest march in the promotion appealed against by another Queen Street Mall, told me that, as the contender for the position. Again, teachers students left their schools at morning tea for and parents threatened to use the students to their afternoon’s activities in the mall, the keep their existing principal. teachers questioned the students about their I reiterate that I would be the first person actions, and the students showed little to acknowledge that adults have a legitimate understanding of the issues involved. The right to protest against a Government's lessons of history serve to illustrate how easily decisions, either at the poll or through lawful children can be exploited by adults bent on a protest. We live in a democracy, and we have good cause. Children from all over Europe that freedom. As a parent, I intend to ensure participated in a children's crusade to rid the that my children obtain an education that 24 August 1993 3768 Legislative Assembly does not allow them to be used in this way. I the debate is a healthy one and it must begin. do not intend to allow my children to be used I congratulate the Education Minister for by any lobby group, whether that be a union, setting that debate in motion. or a parent group, for their own ends. It is not There is no doubt that education has what I send them to school for. We do not improved in this State in the last three and a send our children out to work. We do not allow half years under a Labor Government. I am them to vote. We do not let them sit on juries. proud of the money that has been spent by We respect the innocence of youth. We this Government in schools and on teachers’ should not be using our kids to fight our own wages. I believe that we have established a political or industrial battles for us. better education system today than that which The dominant feature of education in the we inherited. early 1990s is the way in which economic One of the very strong planks of the forces have influenced the debate. Today, Government in the last couple of years has education is more strongly linked to the been its capital works program. Other people economic imperative. As economics have have talked about this matter today. As a tightened, schools have been asked to do member of the Public Works Committee of the more—to be more accountable for what they Parliament over the last three and a half do and, particularly in secondary education, to years, I have had the privilege of inspecting re-examine their role. I feel that a lot of the the facilities that have been built by this debate we are now entering into, such as the Government in new schools throughout the number, variety and usefulness of subjects State. I can assure honourable members that offered in our high schools, is healthy. we are providing a very high quality facility in The decade of the 1980s saw the our capital works program. This stands in stark proliferation of subjects in the high schools. At contrast to the capital works program that was inner-city high schools, we have seen subjects undertaken during the National Party days. such as marine studies exist with classes of 10 Whereas under this Government capital or 11 students. We have seen puppetry works money is provided without regard to studies, tourism studies and every other type electorate—whether it be Labor, Liberal or of study exist in the high schools with very National, and I have observed new schools in small class sizes. I think it is healthy that we electorates throughout the entire State—the face up to the fact that we cannot go on same could not be said of the National Party adding subjects to the curriculum in our high Government. A piece of paper that was given schools without having any regard to the to me previously explains the Opposition’s numbers in those classes. attitude to capital works expenditure. I have I think that the debate over the sizes of here the electorate capital works program for schools is something that we had to have. We schools in 1989. It is an interesting document. have to face up to economies of scale in It reveals that $27.4m was spent on capital education, as in industry. We have to talk works on some 178 projects. It meant that about what is the optimum size for a high 292 jobs were provided under this capital school and a primary school. As infrastructure works project. A close examination of which in schools becomes more expensive—and we schools got what throughout the State reveals all know that it is now the norm in high schools that every single school except one—the to have an assembly hall, a performing arts Cooktown State High School—just happened complex, wonderful sporting equipment, to fall in a National Party electorate. computers, musical instruments, and so on— Mr Bennett: How many did the Liberals we have to assess the optimum sizes of get? schools. In my own electorate I have two high schools. At one time each of them had over Ms SPENCE: They got nothing. Of the 1 000 students. They now both have about 292 jobs, 291 went to National Party 400-odd students. They are a couple of electorates out of the $27.4m spent that was kilometres apart. These days, they are spent. I am very pleased that my own disadvantaged in many ways by having such electorate fared very well that year. The Mount small student numbers, because they can Gravatt High School had 23 jobs done in that offer a very limited range of subjects. year. Other schools in my electorate fared very well, too. I am sure that they are very grateful. I think it is time that we were smart and That shows how much the National Party thought about rationalising some of the cared about the re-election of Ian Henderson, schools. I know it is a very emotive subject for but it did not do much good. That is an people to deal with. These sorts of issues will interesting document. It shows the difference happen very slowly over time. However, I think Legislative Assembly 3769 24 August 1993 in attitude between the former Government Harristown State High School and the and this Government. Centenary Heights State High School will lose This Government cares about equity and four to five teachers due to this 5 per cent social justice. When we are talking about reduction. As a result, will those schools lose spending education dollars, we are talking their capacity to provide year masters, who are about spending them in a fair manner. We are so important in the secondary school system? talking about spending that money on the School discipline has changed. It is important needy across the whole State without fear or to have year masters who provide pastoral favour and no matter in whose electorate it care, discipline and guidance to students. happens to be spent. I am happy to support What will happen to those year masters? Both the motion moved by the Education Minister. I of those schools fear that those year masters am happy also to speak to the QTU will be lost. Will students at those high schools representatives who might be protesting be denied access to some of the prerequisite outside Parliament House this afternoon. courses for university entrance which are now available at most non-Government schools? Mr HORAN (Toowoomba South) Again, we can see the standards of service at (3.41 p.m.): I am pleased to join the debate Government schools slipping. on the amended motion, which reads— Will students in core subjects such as “this House condemns the maths and English at the Harristown and Government for their unjustified cutbacks Centenary Heights schools now be in larger in education and other Government classes? Will fewer able students at those services to the people of Queensland.” schools be denied courses that they now have This is a very serious debate. People that assist them in their personal development throughout Queensland are beginning to and employment opportunities? Is it planned realise what is happening to them. In effect, to transfer unwanted secondary school they are paying more and more in taxation teachers at those schools to the primary and receiving less and less in the way of basic system, or will they simply be made redundant services. This debate has been brought on by through the cancellation of their contracts? the savage cutbacks that have been How many staff at the school support centre in announced in education, rail and health. Hume Street, Toowoomba will be transferred I have written to the Minister for out? I believe that in the vicinity of 12 of the Education. I am very concerned about the 14 support staff will be transferred. fate of education services in my own How will teachers be supported and electorate and in Toowoomba. Recently, a advised in areas such as likely curriculum large meeting of parents and teachers was changes, implementation of the student held at the Toowoomba State High School. performance standards and the Statewide The people present at that meeting expressed technology program? How are teachers to be outrage at these reductions. They expressed supported in all of those new programs if there outrage that 580 secondary school teachers are virtually no support staff at the support were to lose their positions and that there centres and the system of having inspectors would be a loss of school support staff. They has been totally wiped out? I think that those expressed outrage at the new teacher transfer are the important issues. We have heard system; the hub or cluster proposal which much today about what the Government may would remove principals from small schools or may not have done, but those are the and doom those schools to closure; and the important issues about which parents and appalling employment prospects that were teachers are concerned. During the recent facing teacher graduates as a result of the strike action by teachers and parents, I was cuts. I have been informed that this year the struck by the fact that they were not striking Darling Downs regional education authority will about better wages or award conditions. They not even conduct interviews of graduates from were striking about the quality of education of the University of Southern Queensland their students, which they see being gradually because there is just absolutely no chance of ripped away. positions for any of them. That is absolutely I turn now to the proposed ripping up of outrageous. some Queensland rail services. Almost one- In my letter to the Minister, I asked some third of the 9 000 kilometres of rail line questions to which I would like him to respond. throughout Queensland—much of it main line, He will have the chance to do so today. For such as the Quilpie to Charleville line and the example, I have asked him whether the Longreach to Hughenden line—is under threat 24 August 1993 3770 Legislative Assembly of being ripped up. In the case of Quilpie, Perhaps nowhere have we seen more more than 40 000 bullocks a year—— savage proposals for cutbacks than in the Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Bredhauer): area of health. Hundreds of millions of dollars Order! This is a debate about education, not are going into the areas of education, rail and about rail services. health every Budget, yet all we seem to see are cutbacks and reductions in staff and Mr HORAN: Mr Deputy Speaker, I was services. Queenslanders are asking more and talking to the amendment, which mentions more, “Where is the money going?” Since “other services”. 1989-90, there has been a $662m increase in Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The the Health budget. If one likes to take it from amendment is about education—— the 1991 budget, the increase has been $517m—over half a billion dollars. Where has Mr Springborg: And “other Government it all gone? Despite this increase, we are faced services”. with a proposal for $25m in further cutbacks in Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I will allow this Budget. the member to continue for a while, but the The QE II Hospital is to be downgraded. motion is principally about education. Some people would say that a good Mr HORAN: Mr Deputy Speaker, I said at community general hospital is going to be the outset that I was speaking to the destroyed. The accident and emergency amendment, which appeared to me to be section, the operating theatres, the general accepted in good spirit. The amendment wards and the obstetrics and paediatrics refers to the “unjustified cutbacks in education sections will all be gone. It will be reduced to and other Government services”. what? It will be reduced to a storage shed for Each year, 40 000 bullocks are the PA Hospital. As the PA Hospital is transported by train from Quilpie to the Oakey refurbished, the patients are simply going to meatworks, through Toowoomba to the be shipped over to the QE II and the wards Dinmore meatworks and the Beaudesert will be used in a storage-shed capacity. The meatworks. What will happen if the railway line QE II will be reduced to a first-aid post. It is to is pulled up? The only way in which they could lose the accident and emergency centre, be transported would be by road train. Road which has been shifted to the Logan Hospital. trains cannot go through Toowoomba. They That centre will be replaced with some form of are stopped in the western suburbs. They community health centre. An absolute have to leave the back part of their trailer in downgrade of the hospital will occur. the saleyards while they take the front part Resources and staff will be gone, shifted to down—— the Logan Hospital. Mr Bennett: Make a submission to the When it purchased land for the Logan inquiry. Hospital, the National Party Government never intended that purchase to be at the expense Mr HORAN: I am putting a submission to of another good community hospital. An the inquiry right now. It just demonstrates how additional hospital was always meant to be stupid that whole suggestion was. It constructed for the burgeoning suburbs to the demonstrates the jobs that could have been south of Brisbane. Instead, a good community in jeopardy at Oakey, Dinmore and general hospital—the QE II—is to be destroyed, Beaudesert when those cattle go the other downgraded and replaced by the second way down to Dubbo or through to South stage of the Logan Hospital, simply because Australia. the Government does not have the money to I have had the opportunity to meet with fund the resources and staff at the Logan representatives of the rail unions at Hospital. That is just one of the cutbacks that Toowoomba. They are putting a submission to will occur in this financial year. The the review, particularly in the area of traffic Government will achieve a $10m saving by control. Honourable members will probably downgrading the QE II Hospital. The people in find it hard to believe that, over the past two the suburbs of Mansfield, Mount Gravatt, years, just on 300 permanent jobs have been Archerfield and Sunnybank will lose their good lost from the Toowoomba railway. They are hospital, which serviced all the highways in the good family people who have been lost area, the airport and the industrial areas. forever from the town and from the schooling What else will we see? There is to be a system because of the ridiculous cutbacks rationalisation of regional health, but we do that are occurring surreptitiously year after not know what is happening there. There has year. Now, with the proposed cutbacks of all of been a review by the PSMC, and not even the those lines, more and more jobs will be lost. Minister knows what is happening. There has Legislative Assembly 3771 24 August 1993 been a secret review by the PSMC, the $700,000. Hospitals in Maryborough and Treasury and the Office of the Cabinet but, Bundaberg had to make cuts to find because they cannot be trusted, no-one from $300,000. The Blood Bank had to make cuts Queensland Health was involved. Treasury is to find $1m. The Wolston Park Psychiatric running Queensland Health. No-one has any Hospital had to find $1m. The Nambour idea what will happen as a result of that Hospital was short $1m. The Redcliffe Hospital review. Will they cut the number of regions or was short $300,000. the senior executive staff? Will they rationalise In every case, they had to make solid the information, finance and personnel cutbacks. They had to reduce wages, reduce services? No-one in Queensland Health has disposables and cut back on refurbishment any idea what is happening. It is a great projects. We saw a significant and concrete dilemma of decision making. cutback in services at hospitals. We saw six As to the nurses’ career structure—the wards at the major Brisbane hospital close Minister has forecast a $5m cutback. down. For the first time ever, elective surgery However, he says that there will be no staff was closed down for three weeks after Easter losses. How can he save $5m and not cut at the Royal Brisbane, Princess Alexandra and back in staff? Again, he pre-empted the Mater Hospitals. We saw a shortage of blood review of Queensland Health and the nurses, supplies, with the Blood Bank having to make which was due to be finished in September, urgent requests for blood. We saw the by saying that he would just rip apart the restriction in the testing of bone marrow, one nurses’ career structure, which brought on of the most callous restrictions of all, because work bans and stop work meetings which were the Blood Bank did not have the staff owing to a great waste of time and money to budget cutbacks. Because of the cutbacks, it Queensland hospitals. Then the Minister could lost the capacity to make 9 000 collections a not even negotiate with the Queensland year. Nurses Union. The Government had to bring If the Government had half a billion in the Minister for Employment, Training and dollars more money than it had two or three Industrial Relations. They had two meetings years ago, why would it require cutbacks? If because, at the first meeting, the Minister had the Government had that much money, all no information and did not have a clue as to members of Parliament would want to be the where the cuts would be and which nurses Minister for Health. Could he not do were to go. Finally, after two or three something for the system by providing an meetings, it was agreed that they would go additional $10m a week? Could he not into some expeditious consultation, whatever improve the bedside service? Could he not cut that means. Everything has been put on hold. back the waiting lists for elective surgery? The other threatened cut is in services Could he not appoint some doctors and such as catering, cleaning and laundry. In the medical superintendents? Could he not Courier-Mail in mid-July, the Minister stated appoint some nurses? No. All we have is that there would be cuts of $5m. Again, we will cutbacks. What has happened to the money? see good working class people lose their jobs, Where has the half a billion dollars gone? It just like the 35 people who lost their jobs at has gone in massive costs for the bureaucracy Parliament House—people who have served and administration. All we have seen in this place well for many years. What will Queensland Health has been review after happen with the $5m cutbacks? Who will lose review and meeting after meeting. We have jobs? Will it be domestics, people working in cutbacks in elective surgery and, in return, we the laundry, or people working in cleaning see the bureaucracy increase. services? The Minister again says that no-one Honourable members should visit some will lose his or her job. How will he save $5m if of the regional cities and inspect the three- he does not sack people? storey buildings that have beautiful, palatial I suppose that, in the forthcoming year, offices in pink and grey decor. They should we will see more cutbacks to the hospital inspect the paintings and meet the myriad of system, such as the ones we saw last year staff on $55,000 to $115,000 a year. That when an unfunded wage rise of $52m was was what regionalisation was never meant to imposed on Queensland hospitals. Every be. It was meant to be a devolution of power, hospital in the State had to make cutbacks a devolution of decision making. It was meant because it was not funded for legitimate wage to be lean and mean, with about four or five rises imposed by the Government. The Royal people at each region. It was meant to ensure Brisbane Hospital had to find $3m in six that decision making would go right down into months. The hospitals at Toowoomba and the hospital system. It was meant to provide Townsville had to find over $500,000 and over proper cost efficiency. Instead, we have 24 August 1993 3772 Legislative Assembly ended up with 13 bloated departments. We the QE II Hospital. We have had the great have seen hundreds and hundreds of working fiasco of trying to move the Mater Children’s people sacked from the hospital system and Hospital to QE II, but which was a total failure. replaced by highly paid bureaucrats. But that Now we have a new report under way looking is only part of the system. at the lack of specialists. Let us see what has happened in I will tell honourable members why there nursing. With all the bureaucratic bungles that is a lack of specialists: they are simply trying to have occurred, one might think that the “demedicalise” the Queensland Department of Government was doing it on purpose to give Health and they have wasted the half a billion the Opposition a free kick. I turn first to the 38- dollars of extra money they have received on hour week for nurses. In its election policy, the all sorts of fancy schemes and reviews. All Government promised a policy of cost employees were supposed to give three days minimisation; in other words, the cost of the of their precious work time to an efficiency 38-hour week was in the order of about $38m review. There is an equal opportunity audit and it would be prepared to meet under way—again, another day for staff to fill approximately half of it. A trial undertaken at a out the audit. number of hospitals showed that the nursing Finally, we have the pathology review of profession could save around $17m or $18m 30 hospitals in Queensland looking at whether and that the Government would be faced with they will be privatised, corporatised or told to a cost of $20m. be more efficient. No-one knows where they What did the Minister come up with? He stand. They want to be more efficient but they came up with a new term: maximum cost do not have any guidelines from the minimisation or cost neutrality. In other words, Government. But the most important thing they can have the 38-hour week but it is to coming from the pathology review was the cost the Government nothing. The cost would admission by the Minister last weekend that be more closed wards, fewer nurses on duty, he was considering corporatisation. Here a lower standard of care and an absolutely again we see the potential for a great big terrible environment in which nurses would money grab by this Queensland work. They will not cop it. At the same time, he Government—corporatise the pathology suggested increasing board and lodging for services in the hospitals; get them to charge nurses from $47 to $187 a week, and their own accident and emergency centre, threatened to rip apart the career structure in their own obstetrics centre, and their own the interim Budget proposals announced by theatres; make a profit; pay tax; pay indirect the Treasurer. tax, and pay a dividend to the State There has been a total lack of Government. In other words, a portion of the consultation with nurses, as has occurred with precious dollars going to Queensland Health education. The Minister has gone ahead and will be ripped away to George Street, to go to done things or been told to do things by the whatever fancy schemes the Government Treasurer or by the Premier’s Department. It may have. has led to confusion and stems from the total We have seen buildings erected around lack of knowledge that he had of what was the State but no-one to staff them. It took happening. It has led to stop work meetings almost 12 months to get the Kirwan and a great waste of money. Psychiatric Centre and the Gold Coast Earlier, I mentioned that probably the Psychiatric Centre up and running. In only growth that has occurred within the Toowoomba, a beautiful double day surgery Department of Health is in the area of has been sitting unused for over 12 months, investigations. Two years ago, we had the and is unlikely to be used for another 15 to 18 PSMC investigation. This year, we have had months. The Logan and Caboolture hospitals PSMC, Treasury and the Office of the Cabinet were completed, but there was no staff for conduct a secret review of the Health them. Worst of all, because of these cutbacks, Department, but no-one knows the result of we are witnessing the deterioration in the the review because they will not tell the quality of care. Reports are coming in of department. We have had a complete audit of people having cold baths and old ladies being all Health Department staff. Since the nurses sat on cold chairs without decent dressing work bans, we have had a ministerial task gowns around them. That is not the quality of force for administrative efficiency, whatever care that is available when there are adequate that is going to look into; we have had the staff numbers. McKay report; and we have had the terrible There have been resignations from the Solomon report which led to the ruination of cardiac surgery area at the PA Hospital, which Legislative Assembly 3773 24 August 1993 has one of the worst staffing levels for any bad old days of low salaries, schools falling accident emergency centre in Australia. It has down and a lack of facilities, or do they want only one specialist and one advanced trainee. to stay with us and the extra $357m that we Of 70 anaesthetist positions throughout have provided in the past three years? Do Queensland, 20 of them are unfilled. There they want the 2 000 extra teachers that we have also been resignations at Maryborough have provided in the past three years? and Bundaberg. There are no ENT specialists, Unfortunately, we cannot give Mary Kelly and ophthalmologists or orthopaedic specialists in the QTU everything that they want. north Queensland hospitals. Members would At the moment, they want something like be aware of the resignation of a surgeon from an extra $172.5m in the 1993-94 Budget. This the Bundaberg Hospital and the escalating morning, the Education Minister and the waiting lists at that hospital. The sum of Premier said that there will be increases in the $15,000 has been taken away from the work Education budget. I look forward to that. But it experience system for medical students, so is unrealistic for Ms Kelly to expect an increase that they cannot obtain work experience in of $172.5m and an extra 1 615 teachers. We rural areas. I also refer to quotas on cardiac would like to be able to provide those sorts of life-saving surgery. things, but times are tough. In reality, this Time expired. Government is faced with a difficult situation. Mr DAVIES (Mundingburra) (4.01 p.m.): I The mild cuts of some $14.3m that we are rise to support the Minister’s motion. In doing delivering this year across a range of sectors so, I should like to make the comment that I are very small when one considers the size of thought that members were debating the the Education budget, that is, $2.3 billion; in subject of education. However, the previous other words, $14.3m out of $2.3 billion. speaker spoke for about 15 minutes on health Across the State, as a result of the and spent about five minutes talking about Premiers Conference on 5 July, we have had education. to find something like $115m. Let us not Mr FitzGerald: No, there has been an forget that that $115m increases to $220m in amendment moved. 1994-95. It has been no easy task. To use the words of the Education Minister—in common Mr DAVIES: The previous speaker spoke with everyone else, we have to pull in our for about five minutes on education and 15 belts. We have had to do that in Education, minutes on health. Before that, Mr Borbidge Treasury and other portfolios. We must also did a cut-and-paste job on a number of press do it in Health and Transport. It has not been releases and spoke for a while on education. easy to find that $115m. In doing so, we have But the cruncher for Mr Borbidge—and what I rejected options such as school closures. believe that the QTU would like to hear—is Regardless of what the Queensland Teachers that Mr Borbidge is arguing for a return to the Union says, there are no school closures. The bad old days. local QTU representative in Townsville has Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Bredhauer): said on television that this Government is Order! The honourable member should refer closing the Hermit Park Infant School. It to other members by their electorates. disappoints me to say that that was an Mr DAVIES: The Leader of the outright lie. We are not closing the Hermit Park Opposition is arguing for a return to the bad Infant School. There is a merger; but “close” old days. He wants to see teachers with low means that we pull out the kids. salaries—not the average 28 per cent Mr FitzGerald: The Minister said “no increase that they have received under this mergers”. Government. He also wants to see students in Mr DAVIES: To correct the member, I schools that are falling down. He wants to see believe that the Minister was referring to P & C associations without the resources that clusters. Getting back to Warwick Jull’s we have given to them. He does not want to comments—he said on television that there see computers going into schools. That is was to be a closure of the Hermit Park Infant where the increase in expenditure of $357m School. That was never going to happen. has gone to under this Government. Other options that we rejected included an Mr Borbidge argues against that increase in the primary school teacher/student increase. He claims that we are spending too ratios, reduction in access to school transport much money because we are getting close to assistance and the contracting out of cleaning the national average. Mr Borbidge stands services. The options that we adopted were condemned. The choice for Mary Kelly and departmental changes focusing on the QTU is stark. Do they want a return to the restructuring of senior departmental positions, 24 August 1993 3774 Legislative Assembly the delegation of some head office functions program. We have had record funding of to regions and schools, reforms for the $10m for literacy and numeracy programs. We teacher transfer system and in-service training, have implemented the $60m school and minor changes to the teacher/student refurbishment program. If one went ratios in secondary schools, but not in primary throughout Queensland, one would have schools. seen all of those old timber schools that had Our election commitments from the last paint peeling off them. They had not been election still stand. They are the $40m painted for between seven and 10 years. computers in schools program, the $60m Mr Ardill: That was the National Party schools refurbishment program, and the $52m Government. plan to help P & C associations acquire basic Mr DAVIES: That occurred under a resources. Those commitments are still there. National Party Government; and those These are all the extra things that this schools were primarily in Labor electorates. Government has delivered and which the However, this Government has fixed all that. previous Government never thought to do. These are all the things that Mr Borbidge Mr Bennett: South Gladstone has wants to get out of the system. He said that received its first coat of paint in 20 years. we are spending too much, because we are Mr DAVIES: I will take the honourable heading for the national average. As I said, member’s interjection. The South Gladstone the choice for Mary Kelly is stark—return to the school has had its first coat of paint in 20 bad old days, when teachers would not have years. That is an absolute disgrace! It is no been game to strike and take a day off, as coincidence that that school has been in a they did a couple of weeks ago, because Labor electorate for all of that time. I do not under old Joh they would have been know what happened in Townsville, because victimised. Townsville missed out. It was represented by a Opposition members interjected. National Party member, yet nothing happened in that electorate. Fortunately, it has been Mr DAVIES: I will bear with members of happening under this Government. During the the Opposition for a second. The member for last election campaign, it was a pleasure for Western Downs asked: what about Pamela the Premier to launch the $60m school Bornhorst? I am not aware that she ever refurbishment program at the Pimlico school, worked for the Government. I might stand which is one of the schools in my electorate. I corrected, but I think that she works for the can say that the people of Townsville and the ABC. electorate of Mundingburra appreciate what I turn now to this Government’s record in this Government has been doing for them. Education—unlike the member for They did not appreciate what the last Toowoomba South, who spoke about health Government did not do for them. for about 15 minutes of his 20 minutes. This As I said before, the choice for Mary Kelly has been a reforming Government in so far as is stark. Is that what she wants to go back to? Education is concerned. It has given genuine I think not. Eventually, the QTU will equality of opportunity to all Queensland understand that this has been a good children. As I said, we have provided a record Government in terms of education. It has increase in funding of $357m to $2.2 billion. been a good Government in lots of other We have given teachers pay rises of between areas, but I am concentrating on the area of 18 per cent and 34 per cent, representing an education. The people of Townsville average increase of 28 per cent. We have appreciate what has been happening in also employed in excess of 2 000 extra education. As I said before, they appreciate teachers, whereas in the other States there the $52m that the Government is spending have been mass sackings. In Victoria, 4 000 throughout Queensland helping P & Cs with teachers have been sacked. Stacks and the basics. They appreciate the introduction of stacks of schools in Victoria have been closed. a five-year, $40m computers in schools None of that has happened in Queensland. In program to make available one computer to fact, we have gone the other way. every 10 upper-primary and secondary We have also introduced the first remote students in the next five years. They area incentive scheme into Queensland. We appreciate the abolition of the unfair TE score. have provided for up to three extra pupil-free Unlike the people who are making days for teachers. We had a record capital unrealistic demands on the Government, the works budget of $150m for 1992-93. We have people of Townsville also understand that introduced a comprehensive program for times are tough. They understand that there is languages other than English, the LOTE around one million people in Australia who are Legislative Assembly 3775 24 August 1993 unemployed—people who do not have a job. think that he has listened to what the They understand that. They understand that teachers, the principals and the parents have Governments cannot give them the world, but to say. I think that there would be some in the tight economic climate that we have positive initiatives to come out of that found ourselves in as a Government—and it consultation. would be nice to think that we could come into None of us are immune to criticism. We office when times were better—in the three are the first to acknowledge that. If we have and a half years that we have been in made mistakes, let us fix them. However, we Government, we have gone about delivering cannot do the types of things that the reform in education that people would expect Queensland Teachers Union wants us to do. from a Labor Party. By and large, given that On top of the $357m that we have given over tight economic climate, teachers have done the last three and a half years, we cannot well. We have delivered those large increases then come up with another $172.5m. To put in salaries. We have not acted like Father that into perspective, one would be talking Christmas in doing that, because we believe about increasing education funding by that the future of this country lies in our kids. $500m, or half a billion dollars, in four years. We believe that kids need good teachers, and Teachers need to give us a break. The to get good teachers Governments have to National Party was bad for education. It is pay good money. When members opposite going to take this Government a long time to were in Government—with few exceptions— catch up with the backlog. However, in reality, they did not believe in a good education the Government is trying, and it is doing the system. They did not believe that the future of best it can in the difficult economic Australia was in education. circumstances in which we find ourselves The proof of the pudding is in the eating. today. Since 1988, the number of people leaving the Approximately a month ago, there was a teaching profession has decreased. In 1988, discussion about a fuel tax being the answer. 2 196 teachers left the profession. Two years Clearly, a fuel tax is not the answer. If one later, in 1990, that figure was reduced to thought that the announced initiatives in the 1 293. Another two years later, in 1992, that railways were going to be difficult for country figure was down to 771. Whilst times are people, one would have to say that the fuel tough, this Government has been increasing tax would be even more difficult. If one takes teachers’ salaries so that it can guarantee into account what has happened over the last good quality teachers and, therefore, good couple of weeks with the Federal Budget and quality education for our kids. The teachers the reaction to the additional fuel tax that has are responding to the measures that this been announced, and then add to that Government has introduced, because they another State fuel tax for Queensland, one are staying. Whilst we have some could be imposing on the people of problems—and I am the first to acknowledge Queensland, in rural and regional areas in that there are some problems—teachers are particular, an additional 7c, 8c or 9c a litre to staying because they realise that the the price of fuel. It is easy for those people Government is trying to do the right thing by who live in Brisbane to drive to the Gold Coast them. I am the first to say that there are some for a holiday, and it does not cost them much problems in education. for fuel. However, those people who live in In Townsville over the last few weeks, Longreach, which is where I came from Ken McElligott, Geoff Smith and I have been originally, have to drive down to the coast for going around talking to teachers to try to find their holidays, and the extra cost for them out what those problems are. The feedback would be exorbitant. That is why Cabinet said, has been very informative for us. This “No” to a fuel tax. The impost of that would reforming Labor Government has introduced a have been astronomical. lot of change over the last three and a half The Government is aware of the need to years. Some members of the profession are look after its revenue base, and it has done just simply saying to us, “Look, slow down for that over the last few years. It is aware that a while. It is just too much. Give us a bit of a everyone needs to pay his or her fair share to break. Let us catch up with all of the changes try to make sure that services are provided for that you have brought in before you bring in the education sector. One of the misnomers another lot.” I have to say that the Minister that I would like to try to correct, if I can, is this has been exceptionally receptive to that. He idea that the Government is sacking 540 has come to Townsville on a couple of teachers. No-one has been sacked—not one occasions in recent times. He has been single teacher in Queensland. prepared to come up and negotiate, and I 24 August 1993 3776 Legislative Assembly

Mr Cooper: No redundancy? I turn now to the various debates on Mr DAVIES: If people retire, that is education that have been engaged in during natural attrition. the last 10 years in this Parliament. It is interesting that when I was first elected to Mr Cooper: Yes—on your bike! Parliament, the Education Minister was Lin Mr DAVIES: If people retire, that is Powell, who, I believe, did some tremendous natural attrition, and there is a big difference, things for education. He came from the as the member for Crows Nest should know. profession and made great improvements in In conclusion, I state once again that the the system. However, he suffered badly Government acknowledges the problems that because of a situation in which the present are being encountered in the education Minister currently finds himself, namely, the sector. We will work with the people involved Prime Minister—at that time, Mr Bob to try to overcome those problems. In the Hawke—cutting back funding to Queensland words of the Minister, the QTU’s action has to at the Premiers Conference. At that time, Joh be seen as a gross overreaction. Bjelke-Petersen had to cut the education Mr LITTLEPROUD (Western Downs) budget and Lin Powell just had to wear it, in (4.21 p.m.): In joining this debate today, I rise much the same way as the present Minister is to support the amendment moved by the wearing it now. They were not very nice times. Leader of the Opposition. I note the content Mr Comben: Hear, hear! of the amendment, but I wish to confine my Mr LITTLEPROUD: Subsequently, I took remarks to education for the specific reason over and became the responsible Minister, that my interest in education would be pretty and I sat in the chair in which the current obvious to most members. I have the benefit Minister presently sits. We went through of having been a member of this Parliament debates that are similar to this one and I can for 10 years. Over that period, I could not help remember what was being said by members but notice what has happened during the of the backbench and frontbench of the various debates on education. I also draw Opposition at that time. How I grin now as I upon my own experience as an employee of witness a reverse of the situation. I have seen the Education Department for 24 years and two Ministers succeed me as Minister for recognise that all but two years of my entire Education and I have seen all sorts of education occurred during the period of a criticisms of what was, promises of what will Labor Government. be, and I am now aware of what is. I am Mr Pitt: You turned out very well indeed. reminded of what was said in Federal Mr LITTLEPROUD: It is a surprise, in Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition spite of Labor Governments. I can draw on all when he summed up his response to the of those experiences to which I have referred, Budget by quoting from the movie Witness for but first of all I wish to concentrate on what the Prosecution, as follows— attending school was like prior to 1956-57. “Were you lying then or are you lying Mrs Bird: Terrible. now, or are you not a chronic and habitual liar?” Mr LITTLEPROUD: The honourable member is right. There were very few high There are some occurrences in the schools throughout Queensland. I can recall debates that are conducted in this House that living in the area of my electorate where two or are over the top and beyond the pale. People three children out of a class of 30 would be speak in hyperbole and all sorts of examples given a secondary education. Let us give can be cited of where things are wrong and some credit to previous Governments’ where facilities were put in one electorate and recognition of the need for education and the not in another, but I wish to again place on way in which that need was catered for by the record a matter that I have once previously Department of Education under previous placed on record, namely, what this coalition Governments. Wherever there was a Government inherited as an Education need to take secondary education in Department. I have listed some of the things Queensland, those involved have taken it. I that this Government inherited. It inherited the give credit to this Minister also, because when highest retention rate of students of all the it looked as though secondary education States in Australia, and this State was beaten would be taken away from Injune, which is a only by the ACT. This Government inherited a small town, the Minister agreed to keep it system that was the biggest and best user of there, and I appreciate that. However, over a computers in education in Australia. In fact, period of 30-odd years, less than 10 per cent the Education Department of Queensland was of most children in the bush had the chance the fifth biggest user of computers in Australia, to obtain secondary education. businesses included. Legislative Assembly 3777 24 August 1993

Mr Bennett: Now it is better. after promotion, they would get some place in Mr LITTLEPROUD: That may be the promotion, but it is not the same system these case. A lot of money was invested and I hope days. In fact, we now have a system where it is better, but I wish to place on the record approximately 50 or 60 schools do not have that that is what this Government inherited. It permanent principals for five or six months of also inherited a situation where the standards the year, every year. This Government in the basic subjects which were measured by inherited a system where it was all well ACER across Australia were equal to, if not understood. Teachers knew that if they went the best of, all States in Australia. Earlier, I to a place that was not well liked, after two listened to the Minister when he gave an years they would be taken out of it. assurance that there had been a slight In the 1989 Budget, $25m was put aside improvement in literacy, which I welcome, but for incentives in remote areas because there members of this Labor Government should had been a long campaign undertaken by the remember that they inherited a system in Queensland Teachers Union, with justification, which there were very few unemployed to convince the Government that something teachers. I can remember members of the needed to be done about looking after people former Opposition saying, “Oh, you have got who were professionally isolated in remote 1 500 teachers unemployed. What are you areas and who were living in an area which going to do about it?” Now that there are had a much higher cost of living than the 8 000 teachers unemployed, those same areas in which most of their colleagues lived. members in Government are saying nothing. Within 12 months of this Government being After Mike Ahern’s report was adopted, elected, a report was presented to the then the class sizes came back to exactly what they Minister, Mr Braddy, and he said, “This is far are now. Mary Kelly, the former music teacher too expensive and we cannot implement that.” whom the Minister does not like these days, Yet what has happened? The Minister has not was pointing out that there are just as many spent $25m. He is flat out spending $15m, so oversized classes now. I could have used the he should not talk to me about the way this very same figures to show that there are a lot Government cares for teachers who are in of classes that have fewer than 14 or so in remote areas. The funding has been watered them, because it is the very same situation. down. The amount of $25m was handed to That is what this Government has inherited, the Minister in the Budget. and it has not improved matters very much at I also wish to let the Minister know that he all. inherited a system that benefited from the A good deal of noise has been made committee chaired by Craig Sherrin, which about all the money that has gone out. The looked into the possibility of delivering member for Beaudesert expressed it secondary and tertiary education through beautifully. I can remember the 1989 Budget communication technology. when it came out in the EOG that we doubled Mr Pitt: A good idea. the increase in school grants. Mr LITTLEPROUD: It was an excellent Mr Bredhauer: What came out in the idea. I can well recall launching the idea of the EOG? open learning centres which would make it Mr LITTLEPROUD: The announcement possible to take secondary and tertiary of the Budget came out. The member for education to people who live in various parts Cook interjects. I point out that, in those days, of Queensland. I understand the system has when I was a member of this Parliament and progressed to 40 open learning centres he was still running around telling tales for the throughout the State which are helping to QTU on the tablelands, he often had spurious overcome the shortages of university places arguments published in the paper. We and assisting with in-service training for introduced the school development plans teachers and other professional people. In where the P & C worked in consultation with 1989, that is what this Government inherited. the schools. We had parental input and there Mr Livingstone: I inherited schools that is no new development in that regard. This had not been looked after for years. Government inherited that in the system. Mr LITTLEPROUD: The honourable This Government also inherited the member inherited a lot of things, but a lot of it system where there was a transfer practice in is in his genes. However, as a member of a place. People who were transferred to remote Government, he also inherited the best areas of Queensland knew that after two distance education system in Australia—a fact years of good service, they would be able to that has been acknowledged worldwide. go to a place of their own choice. If they were 24 August 1993 3778 Legislative Assembly

Mr Livingstone interjected. University of Central Queensland and the Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): University of Southern Queensland. Order! The member for Ipswich West! Subsequently, they have come on stream. Comment was made by the member for Mr LITTLEPROUD: This Government also Bundaberg that this Government has taken inherited something that it threw away, university education to the small provincial namely, an inspectorial system that had been towns of Queensland. doubled by my predecessor, Lin Powell. The inspectors were out in the schools every week, Mr Campbell: Hear, hear! and were assessing the teachers and Mr LITTLEPROUD: What rot! It was assessing the quality of the work, the system already there. We already had a university of education being used, and the curriculum. centre in Bundaberg. Mr Pitt: That’s debatable. Mr Campbell: Come off it! Mr LITTLEPROUD: It may be debatable, Mr LITTLEPROUD: We already had one but I can tell the honourable member that that in Cairns. Sure, they have been improved on, system was a long way better than the but those university centres were there. The situation that operates at present. Now, there Government also inherited a system under are no inspectors and a lot of schools in which the Board of Teacher Registration had remote areas of Queensland are suffering. A been set up. It was the first ever self- school principal said to me, “Brian, it’s governing professional body for the teaching leaderless. I can’t even ring the regional office profession in Queensland. The Government to get any sort of description of what I should inherited that in 1989. It also inherited human do.” I believe that the biggest mistake made relationships education, which was introduced by this Government in education was getting by the previous Government. Thankfully, it is rid of the inspectors. still in place. I hope that the parents are still Mr Bredhauer: Why do we pay principals driving it in the way that it should be driven, $40,000 to ring the regional office and find out although from time to time I hear comments what they should do? that some people are unhappy. However, it has the support of the local parents, and the Mr LITTLEPROUD: Because they have to Minister acknowledges that. implement the department’s policy which is changed about three or four times a week by Much has been made about the fax. Because this Government has all the introduction of foreign language programs. I principals confused, it should be paying them want the House to know that the Government $70,000 a year. This Government also inherited a system in which there were more inherited an administration team made up of children learning Japanese in Queensland people who had a great wealth of experience. than there were in the rest of Australia This Government had a director-general who combined. The former Government was was not only an academic but also an already going down the track—on which I educator. I will not say any more than that acknowledge the Government has improved— because it is a complete statement. He was of teaching foreign languages, especially backed up by a group of people who had Asian languages. The former Government been into all aspects of education and who introduced telelearning, which was a had been all over the State. They knew the recommendation of the Sherrin report and personnel in the system, they knew the job through which it was possible to improve the backwards, and the system was working well. subject offerings in secondary schools in those However, a couple of people in the know who remote parts of Queensland. had been advising the first Education Minister In Proserpine, I saw a Japanese lesson of this Government were automatically put into being delivered from one of the high schools positions of great power, and they put aside in Townsville. I went to the Gold Coast and and ruined the lives of a number of prominent saw the same thing happening. A Japanese people in education in Queensland, lesson was being delivered across the city, I unfortunately to the detriment of the children think from Merrimac High School to one of the of Queensland. other high schools. The Government inherited The Government also inherited an a department that gave more money to the Education Act that had recently been non-Government sector than the Government rewritten, making it all the more easy to read currently does. Government members would and all the more easy to amend. The be aware of the debate last year when the Government inherited legislation that set up Budget was coming up. The people feel that two new universities in Queensland—the they have been cheated and denied some of the money. Legislative Assembly 3779 24 August 1993

Mr Pitt: What sections of the non- outcomes. When I talk to regional staff in the Government sector? The ones who really two regions that overlap with the Western need it? Downs, I get a bit confused. I form the opinion Mr LITTLEPROUD: That is interesting, that it is not too much eyeballing; it is because another Bill is coming before the generally people reading reports and House, which I will not speak about now. An spending valuable time writing reports. interest subsidy rate was very popular. Now The Government has developed a the Government has a needs-based program. staffing system under which people are I do not like that idea of giving funding based unwilling to apply for positions as principals at on needs. Sporting grants in this State are remote schools to the extent that, for up to six now decided on a needs basis. That is just months of the year, places such as Tambo, allowing more pork-barrelling, because Condamine and Yuleba have acting principals certainly none of the sports funding money is because the principals know that, if they get going out to my electorate. outside the mainstream, away from the notice So much for what the Government of people, they will be left there and nobody inherited. Let me comment on what I have else will apply for positions at their schools. observed in the past four years. What has the They are worried about it. Now that approach Goss Government achieved in education? I is coming into the transfer system, in which acknowledge that there has been a further there is no longer a guarantee that those increase in funding. Congratulations! There young people who are in remote areas will be has been a natural increase in the student transferred out. The lack of confidence in the population and an increase in the technology system is compounding. needed in education, and all those things People in the P & Cs are aware that the have an impact. There has been increased promise that no longer will they have to raise funding in education, although some people money for all those essentials in schools was ask: is that increase in funding being delivered a bit of pie in the sky stuff. When I was across the school desk? Is it being reflected in listening to the radio yesterday afternoon, the quality of education? That is a question David Lloyd, who is a press commentator on that this Government should ask itself very behalf of the QCPCA, said that $60m is raised carefully. Or is it the case, as has been annually. The member for Beaudesert very suggested so often, that extra money is being ably pointed out that for all those sorts of spent on middle administration, on moving things on which schools are still spending papers and personnel around, but not enough money, they are raising more money than is being spent at the coalface with the chalk ever before. Deputations from the schools in and talk? Dalby have told me that they had to raise The Government is now faced with the $20,000 last year and that next year they will situation—which is evidenced by the have to raise $30,000 just to keep pace with microphones that are being set up outside—in what is needed. which the teachers’ confidence in the Then they started to detail the sorts of department is at an all-time low. That is sad. It things that they have to buy. Things have not all comes back to the sort of administration changed whatsoever, but all the promises that the Government has in place—an were made while Government members were administration that is so unsure of itself that it in Opposition. Those members still stand up at countermands its own directives by fax and Budget time and say what they have done. sends another one two or three times a week. However, when the detail comes out, they say People say openly that they are confused and that more money has gone into school grants, that they never bank on Government policy but electricity accounts, telephone accounts remaining the same for too long. and other sorts of accounts must be paid, and Mr Quinn, the member for Merrimac, tells when it all balances out there is not too big an me that we have lost over 100 inspectors. increase at all, only more devolution of That impacted on the Government’s Budget responsibility out to the schools. I applaud to the tune of $60m. Each one left with that. The former Government introduced it. $500,000. That is a lot of money to The good principals applaud it, as well. They outlay—something that the Government could hated being restricted by all the guidelines have done without. It lost not only expertise that were binding them down. but also valuable dollars. Now, the system I return to my original thoughts of what lacks meaningful accountability. I understand has happened in this House in 10 years. It is a that the term that is now used is “auditing” the place where there is always lots of hyperbole. schools for educational and financial Lots of untruths have been told about what 24 August 1993 3780 Legislative Assembly was. The previous speaker in the debate, the lowest education funding in Australia was not member for Mundingburra, spoke about a sign of education’s low priority under the education still not being perfect. I National Party but a sign of efficiency and acknowledge that it was not perfect when I good government. He argued all over the was a Minister. It has improved a lot from what place for a reduction in education spending. it had been in years gone by. I would hope Yes, I guess it is a sign of efficiency if one can that, in my time, the former Government pay teachers the lowest pay in Australia and improved it a lot. People still try to talk down still teach children. We also had the highest the fact that the 1989 Budget funded all of turnover rates of teachers and the lowest TE those increased salaries for teachers. The acceptances for teachers. Teaching was former Government put the $25m in the regarded by members opposite as a Budget for the Remote Area Incentive necessary evil, fit only for women and Scheme. People still try to deny it. therefore lowly paid with poor career structure. For goodness’ sake, let us get a bit of The Goss Government brought a very honesty back into the debate. This swift and long-term end to that drought of Government inherited a system that was education resources. In just three years since pretty good compared with all the other that historic election in 1989, we have already systems in Australia. In fact, it is a good injected an additional $367m into education. system, and the Minister still says that it is a This figure is not disputed by the teachers good system. However, unfortunately, all of union or members opposite. That is 28 per the things that the Government got hyped up cent more money than what the National about, trying to denigrate the efforts of the Party Government allocated for the education people in the Education Department under of our children in its last year in power. It was previous Governments, are not totally true. literally starving our schools and our students We can all come up with all sorts of incidental of educational resources while pumping examples—— money into really important projects such as Mr Ardill: It was a disaster when we took sealing the road to the Ten Mile and building it over. a school there that no-one needed. Mr LITTLEPROUD: In the honourable Teachers’ salaries have been lifted from member’s case, I can see that it was a the lowest in the country to equal highest, an disaster. He is a great example of what we are average increase of 20 per cent—a talking about. Things have improved since recognition of their skills and professionalism— then. It was not a disaster then; it is not a that the Leader of the Opposition says is disaster now. I want to emphasise this point in wasteful and inefficient. At a time when every closing: the Government inherited a good other State is cutting back on teachers, we system and it has not delivered what it said have seen real increases over the last few that it would deliver. There is a lot of years. While other States are sacking teachers hyperbole. When it comes down to the facts, by the thousand, we are committed to loss the Government is not doing as much as it only by natural attrition for this year. Natural said it would. That is why the people outside attrition is at an all-time low of less than 2 per are disappointed and that is why they are cent. But these are areas where members demonstrating. opposite say there is waste. I repeat that a 28 per cent increase overall was achieved by the Mrs EDMOND (Mount Coot-tha) Goss Government when the 1992-93 budget (4.39 p.m.): This Government has a proud for Education reached $2.27 billion. As I said, record in education. No matter what the this Government has a very proud record in Opposition member says, we inherited in 1989 education and one which will certainly a tired education system that had been continue during this term. starved of adequate funding by successive National and coalition Governments. Those I have been involved actively as a P & C Governments had a strong interest in fanciful member of various city and country schools for schemes like selling islands to mates and over 14 years. I remember those years. They helping the rich get richer, but an interest in were the years when, unless the P & C bought Queensland students and improving the it, there was no photocopier, let alone a quality of education in the Sunshine State was computer in the school. This year this sadly lacking. This was clearly demonstrated Government is spending $40m to boost the at Budget time when education received far numbers of computers in schools to give less money than what was needed to bring it ready access to all children in this important, up to a respectable standard year in, year out. modern skill. We heard earlier in today’s debate the This year has also seen the introduction Leader of the Opposition claim that having the of a new scheme aimed to assist parents who Legislative Assembly 3781 24 August 1993 want to improve their schools’ resources, with P & Cs are encouraged to discuss the entire $52m allocated to helping P & Cs with the budget, directions and priorities with the basics. Again, only a few years ago, we knew school principal and the staff. While devolution the funding we would get from the National has given more responsibility to the school Party for basic items. It was 50c per child per principal and the community, it has also given year for sporting equipment and 50c per child more flexibility. The competent principals have per year for art. Most P & Cs worked on half a welcomed the initiatives it allows. I agree with tennis ball per child and half a paintbrush per the member for Western Downs when he says child. According to members opposite, that that those competent principals have was efficiency! Well, it was! Sure it was welcomed devolution and the flexibility it has efficiency! If a school did not have any given them. sporting equipment, it did not wear out the The schools in Mount Coot-tha were grounds or need the equipment to care for the poorly maintained. It was not a Labor Party grounds, so it saved money, I guess. electorate; it was a Liberal Party electorate. I Likewise, what a saving on paints and have to say that Liberal Party electorates were paper if only half a paintbrush per year per just as poorly handled as were Labor Party child was provided. The mind boggles at the electorates. They were sad schools. overwhelming logic of it all. But, yes, yes, Mr Borbidge, it was efficiency. What we did Mr Livingstone: They did not complain. receive from the National Party Mrs EDMOND: No, they did not Government—what we did receive ad complain. They just took it like lackeys. The nauseam—were beautiful, expensive, glossy schools were sad schools with paint peeling booklets. Where Your Education Dollar Goes, from the ceilings and dropping on the children I think one was called—beautiful, full gloss, as they sat there. There were no fans in the with a full-page picture of Lin Powell—just very hot rooms that faced west. There were what every P & C wanted. The Education leaky roofs, poor drainage, antique amenities Minister was there—a full-page photo of him. blocks—a picture of sad neglect that sapped It probably cost a fortune to get it looking that the morale of teachers, students and parents. glamorous, too. There was page after glossy There was such an overwhelming list of page telling P & Cs why there was no money maintenance projects and needs, it was too for the P & Cs, sports, teachers’ pays, difficult to prioritise them. Following the 1989 computers, etc., and, “Don’t you worry about election, I asked Ron McLean, the Minister for all that.” Administrative Services, to inspect my schools. The member for Merrimac has attempted I am pleased to say he was so appalled at the to score political points over the fact that this disgraceful neglect that he set about trying to Government has included money for soap rectify many of those problems over the and loo paper in school grants. Can I say that, following three years. A similar visit was made as a parent with children at school, I am by the present Minister, Mr Tom Burns. The delighted that they are now getting money for much-needed $60m school refurbishment loo paper and soap in their school grant, program has been an enormous boon to because we did not jolly well get it in the past. schools which were in such a sad state. If the P & C did not raise the money for the Schools have been painted in attractive loo paper and the soap for the washrooms, it heritage colours to fit in with their local did not happen. There was no money for surroundings. Unsafe playground equipment luxuries like that under the previous has been replaced. Adequate toilets have Government. been provided. In many schools, painting for Mr Lingard: We gave you that nice, shiny the first time in 20 years has been provided. paper. At Milton, though, I have to admit that during the centenary a little narrow strip of the school Mrs EDMOND: “We gave you that nice, was painted so that the Governor could stand shiny paper”—which was useless for hanging in front of it. These schools are now looking up in the loo. The Producers Review was proud and well kept, and they are desirable much better, from my memory. It was made places to send one’s children to. Of course, very clear to P & Cs prior to 1989 that their there is more work to be done and it will take role was to raise money and not to ask years to catch up from the so-called efficiency questions. They were to raise money but not of those vandals opposite. to try to participate in education or to be involved. Involvement and participation was Just prior to the 1989 election, there was actively discouraged. In today’s educational a sudden burst of educational zeal as community, input from parents is welcomed. members opposite realised that the people of Queensland did not share their contempt for 24 August 1993 3782 Legislative Assembly education degrees and all that nonsense. sneered at. Somehow, they are arguing that Suddenly, we had members opposite running the increase in teachers and funding in the around the State promising any educational LOTE program should not count in the overall prize one wanted to name: remote area—any funding of education. For heaven’s sake, why price; salary increases—name your dollar; new not? Currently, 110 000 students in wing for a school—sure thing. How Queensland are learning a foreign language. embarrassing it was when we were elected to My colleague the member for Bundaberg find the things that had been promised to has already commented on the number of schools in an electorate were not funded. No country schools that were closed by the funds were allocated; nothing was put on Opposition over the years. I comment on the paper. In fact, it was a giant fraud. Schools in pleasure I felt when he also commented on our electorates were sadly misled. We were my old school of West Bundaberg having a left to explain to the schools that the previous refurbished swimming pool, because I have Government had deliberately and fraudulently memories of learning to swim in my earliest misled them. As a parent of children at a small schooling there. The closure of small schools school, I know how these children were as needs change should not be a political disadvantaged. Prior to 1989, these schools issue but should be decided on the needs of which had enrolments that were mostly under the community in consultation with that 300 children, had no specialist teachers, no community. I experienced a one-teacher access to teacher librarians, no physical school with less than 20 children, and I know education specialist teachers, no music the enormous disadvantages of such a teacher. Children from these schools were system for the children. In our case, we disadvantaged when they went to high school actually fought to have the school closed so as they lacked experience in these areas that we were able to go to a larger school compared with children from larger schools. nearby. When there are fewer than 20 I know that members will understand the children of varying ages in a school, they frustration as a parent when their children go cannot even play netball or sporting events. It to high school and have not had the is very difficult, because there are people of advantages that other children in nearby different sizes. In fact, the only sporting activity schools have had. I am delighted that smaller we ever had was rounders in which one schools now have pro-rata access to these person batted, one person pitched and specialist teachers and are no longer everybody else fielded. As somebody who disadvantaged arbitrarily at the 300 student enjoys their sport, I have to say that I really level. This artificial cut-off led to poaching found that was a disadvantage, as I did the between schools of students for those schools educational standard there. A teacher in a that were near the cut-off because of the one-teacher school has to be three or four unfair system of winner-take-all and any times the teacher in an ordinary classroom to school less than 300 missing out on get the benefits across to all of the children in everything. that school. During the last few years, there has been The member for Mount Gravatt spoke a clear recognition that this country needs to movingly of the misuse of students in the be part of the world community and not political debate, and I share her concerns. I isolated in an English-speaking vacuum. was appalled to hear students speaking on Queensland has led Australia in addressing ABC radio and TV, making misinformed this issue by embarking on a comprehensive statements, deliberately misled by teachers. and futuristic language program in State One student, almost sobbing, said on the schools. It is universally recognised that the afternoon program that five of his subjects earlier a language is started, the better it is; had class sizes of fewer than 20 students, and the easier it will be to learn other languages therefore they were going to be cut and he also. LOTE—the Languages Other Than would be unable to pursue his career options. English program—gives our children the What rubbish! What nonsense! This child and opportunity to study not only the language of many others were being terrorised by another country but also its culture. This will members opposite and by some teachers for increase students’ tolerance and their own political gain. I believe that is a understanding and eventually will also see shameful act. Queensland students well placed on the I have spoken to Queensland Teachers international job market. I welcome this Union members and to P & C associations at initiative. So far, $31m has been put into this regular intervals. To those who claim that program and extra teachers to facilitate things have not improved, I say: they have it—something members opposite have very short memories, and I have not. The QTU Legislative Assembly 3783 24 August 1993 has urged this Government to cut back on throughout the rest of the State could be funding to private schools. In Mount Coot-tha, forgiven for thinking that rail services such as we have four primary private schools or non- Pinkenba would remain open, as they have Government schools and three high schools. for decades. But unfortunately for While the high schools are fairly well Queensland, all of those cuts to services and established, the primary schools are all small taxes and charges are a harsh reality—and Catholic schools that are not well endowed. I “harsh” certainly is the operative word. place on record that I will oppose cuts to those Labor—the party which prides itself on small schools. being a party for the working class—has The Opposition has had to widen this betrayed every Queenslander both federally debate to any gripe against the Government and on a State level. One wonders who the to try to pad out its arguments, filibustering Premier’s true believers were. I feel that many about to curry favour with the unions. But the of them are changing their faith—including unions and workers see through this sudden many on the backbench, it would seem— transparent empathy. This Government can because they are sick of being misled by be proud of its initiatives in education; proud Labor. Despite the pompous grandstanding of increasing teacher salaries from the from the Premier, the Treasurer and others contemptuous levels at which the National from the Queensland Labor Government, the Party held them; and proud of the lift in truth is starting to come out. maintenance in the schools. I support the Let us look at the Education Department, motion of the Minister and oppose the in which many of those protesting outside this amendment of the Opposition. afternoon are extremely interested. We have Mrs SHELDON (Caloundra—Leader of already heard from the Education Minister the Liberal Party) (4.55 p.m.): Having listened how cuts of 580 will be carried out in teacher to some of the speakers opposite, the people numbers this year. According to Mr Comben— of Queensland could be forgiven for thinking whose lips are moving but no-one really that everything is just great in the Sunshine believes what he says—this cut of almost 600 State when it comes to the State teachers will have virtually no effect on Government’s forthcoming Budget. Listening education standards for Queensland students. to those opposite, they could be forgiven for The Education Minister would have to agree thinking that cuts in teacher numbers of 580, that that is a load of rubbish. Teachers know attacks on the Health budget and the that it is not true; parents know that it is not transport cuts, backflips and general true. We on this side know that it is not true. If mismanagement were nothing but a long- Government members were honest with running nightmare. Of course, they are. Local themselves and the rest of the State, they authorities could be forgiven for thinking that would admit that it is not true. they had only dreamt the latest cash grab One of the earlier speakers from the from the State Government through the Labor Party pointed out some very interesting Queensland Treasury Corporation, and large facts about how education in Queensland will community clubs could be forgiven for thinking be carried out in the second term of this State that the Treasurer’s decision to whack another Labor Government. It seems that the cuts to pokie tax on their takings was nothing but a education are nothing more than the mirage. Smokers, of course, could be forgiven elimination of some smaller classes and the for thinking that the $1 hike in a packet of scrapping of some unnecessary subjects. That cigarettes after the last State election had is an extremely subjective use of the word gone up in smoke. Builders would have just “unnecessary”. I wonder whether the Minister imagined—— supports it. What we are hearing—and I could Mr T. B. Sullivan: Give us something really hardly believe my ears—is that because exciting! only one university in Queensland requires Mrs SHELDON: I wonder what builders both Maths I and Maths II for entrance into think about the member for Chermside. engineering, there is no requirement to offer Builders would have just imagined the hikes in both of those courses. It really is quite charges and fees which the member for unbelievable. Chermside supported through the creation of These are not just small, insignificant the Building Services Authority. Businesses subjects we are talking about here. What we would not have to worry about the ever are talking about are core mathematics increasing burden of land tax and payroll tax, subjects, which really are a basic need and a and the world would be a wonderful place. basic right for any high school student who The commuters right here in Brisbane and wants to study mathematics seriously. 24 August 1993 3784 Legislative Assembly

Whatever happened to Labor’s clever Mrs SHELDON: In the last two weeks, country? Here, the Labor Government is teachers by the hundreds and parents by the cutting down the education options faster than hundreds and students—— Paul Keating can whack on a fuel tax. But it is Mr Comben: Forty-seven, I am told. okay, says Labor; we are going to allow the individual schools to decide which one of their Mrs SHELDON: I do not have the vital subjects they will cut. So, whether a child remotest idea how many of them are outside wants to study both modern and ancient now. That is of no interest. The Minister has history or not, that child’s school might just had to face those people in the last two have to scrap all learning about the ancient weeks. Honourable members have witnessed world because it does not have the money to it on television. However, today we hear from keep the subject open. Really, our education the Minister that schools will not close or be levels are going to drop, are they not, and so forced into clusters. As he has said that, I are our levels of knowledge. assume that all the regional areas know that there will be no clustering of schools. Well, I Mr Comben: No. have news for those opposite. The Minister Mrs SHELDON: I would have thought would appear to be doing just that. that someone such as the Minister for I will refer to the parents of a school in my Education would appreciate the importance of own electorate, the Currimundi Special ancient and modern history. School. They are still waiting to hear about the Mr Comben: Go and talk to the people of future of their school. There are 30 Caloundra that we talked to the other day and disadvantaged children at that school, ranging they will tell you about it. from 5 years of age to 18 years of age and Mrs SHELDON: I inform the Minister that from moderately handicapped to severely his own Labor backbenchers have suggested mentally handicapped. The families of those that the cuts in these subjects are going to children have high praise for the Currimundi occur. I take it that they are wrong. This is Special School and its teachers and are hurt incredible rubbish from the Labor Party. Those and angry that Government cost-cutting is subjects, history and maths, have been basic now making life so much more difficult. Yet, staples of the Queensland education diet for under this Government which inherited such decades. Yet Labor has decided that it can do an economically sound Treasury, the school away with them without causing too much of a faces closure or merger because of a lack of fuss. To reject subjects just because they are funds. That is right; it is closure or merger, not necessary for university education is despite what the Minister for Education said blatantly irresponsible. today about schools not closing or merging. Mr Comben: You had better change The Minister will not, and has not, met speech writers again. with the parents of the disadvantaged students at this school, nor has the Regional Mrs SHELDON: I suggest that the Director of Education. All the people at that Minister should change his policy advisers, school wanted to know was what the Minister’s because they are not doing him much good. intentions were, and they wanted to question What about the tens of thousands of him on the matter. Obviously, because it is a Queenslanders who do not want to go on to small group of 30 parents and because their university? What about the thousands more children are severely disadvantaged, it is of no who want to but cannot because there are not interest to the Minister. Once more, the enough positions available under Labor? Minister’s lips were moving and words were Obviously, they are just not counted by this coming out, but they were meaningless. They State Labor Government. Whatever were either untrue or would be contradicted happened to sending Queensland school the next day when he woke up and decided children out into the world with a broad-based on what issues he would do a backflip. It is no education? Is the Education Minister soon wonder that the people of Queensland are going to decide that spelling is an disillusioned with these cuts, backflips and unnecessary evil that Queensland school extra taxes and charges under the State children could well do without? One wonders Labor Government. where this attack on the basics of education I turn now to the cuts to the Health will end. It is no wonder that the people of budget which are, to put it bluntly, putting Queensland are taking to the streets to people’s lives at risk. Mr Hayward has protest these cuts to the Education budget. squandered a $516.8m increase in the Health Mr Comben: Forty-seven of them? budget over the last three years at the expense of nursing care and cardiac patients. Legislative Assembly 3785 24 August 1993

He is reducing the number of Queenslanders I note that the Minister for Health is not in who can have angioplasties from 438 last year the Chamber. No doubt he is praying that the to 400 this year. This means that a further 38 scene will change in his portfolio. The fact that Queensland patients may die of heart any urology patient—— problems due to maladministration of funds by A Government member: Neurology? this incompetent Minister. Angioplasties, which are dilatations of a blocked artery, prevent the Mrs SHELDON: Urology, as in urinary patient from having to have complicated and tract infections, prostates and all those sorts of expensive cardiac surgery. What Mr Hayward things. I know that Government members does not understand is that any money spent have trouble with diction and understanding on angioplasties is only a fraction of what what words mean. Obviously, a little more would be needed to be spent on subsequent education would have gone a long way. heart surgery. Only 600 people per million per Anyone with a urology problem that is non- year receive cardiac surgery under urgent now has to wait until 1994 to be Queensland’s public health system compared examined. The Regional Director of Health with a national average of 1 200 per million has suggested that those people come to per year—that is, half. Brisbane for treatment. So much for the Mr Comben: Maybe we are healthier. Government’s regionalisation policy! It is not working in health, in education or anywhere Mrs SHELDON: No. In point of fact, else. Regionalisation is supposed to provide statistics reveal that people whose names are services to people within a specific region. on cardiac waiting lists are dying. Here we have a regional director saying, “Go Mr Livingstone: Obviously, that has to Brisbane for the treatment because you nothing to do with education. cannot have it here. We cannot provide it here. We do not have the funds to provide it Mr FitzGerald: No. It is an amendment we moved. Why don’t you wake up? here.” Mrs SHELDON: Members opposite have A Government member interjected. not woken up. They do not know the practices Mrs SHELDON: Regionalisation was the of this House. The Prince Charles Hospital in Government’s failed policy. I will read from a Brisbane has the capacity to carry out 25 letter from a woman with a four-year-old child. operations a week, yet it is carrying out only I know that Government members are not eight per week. Because this State interested in four-year-old children. This child Government is so incompetent, people are has been receiving speech therapy at dying or being forced into major cardiac Nambour Hospital since last September and surgery which should have been unnecessary. has now had her speech therapy At the same time, Mr Hayward talks about discontinued. The letter states— 2 000 extra nurses for Queensland. But it “Because of a lack of speech would seem that most of these nurses are therapists at the Nambour Hospital, pen-pushers, part of the Government’s priority has been given to in-patients at growing clipboard cavalry, instead of workers Nambour Hospital and patients attending in the wards and the surgical theatres of paediatric development clinics.” Queensland. Mrs Bird: Ask them to give you the A Government member: Is that it? names. Mrs SHELDON: No, not at all. I will now share with honourable members a few letters Mrs SHELDON: I am quoting from the from constituents of mine about lack of health actual letter. It continues— care and education care on the Sunshine “Unfortunately, your boy does not Coast. These are from genuine constituents. qualify under the criteria for access to Government members interjected. services provided by this clinic. A number of out-patients are still being seen by the Mrs SHELDON: Government members speech therapist, but such is the demand would not be very interested. They are that there is at least a two-year waiting list welcome to have a look. These letters were for an appointment.” written by real people. Government members are not interested in them. They are interested Mrs Bird: Ask them to give you the in rhetoric and hiding behind desks. When it names. comes to speaking to people in the Mrs SHELDON: They are all here. The community about the basic services they need honourable member is most welcome to read in health and education, where are they? these documents. They are a mob of wimps. Mr Cooper: She probably can’t read. 24 August 1993 3786 Legislative Assembly

Mrs SHELDON: That is correct. She They have got no answers from the Minister probably cannot read. I have another letter on this point. They say— about a patient requiring treatment at the “We feel Caboolture area is sucking Caloundra Dental Clinic. The letter states— in the mental health funds which rightly “The waiting list has risen to 50 should be allocated to the Sunshine weeks now because there is an Coast. We feel there should be adequate increasing number of eligible patients in integrated services, which means better the area, an increasing number of people communication and liaison between seeking emergency treatment, the non- levels of administration, giving far better availability of locum dentists to replace support and help to those at the end of staff dentists on annual leave, and the the line, that is, the patients.” implementation”— They ask— I am not sure what this has to do with waiting “Why is it necessary for acutely lists of 50 weeks— psychotic patients who have finally been “of new infection control procedures to persuaded by their carers that minimise the risk of viral and bacterial hospitalisation is needed to have to wait infection.” in accident and emergency for three or The bottom line from the regional director is— more hours according to how many are waiting for treatment to see a doctor?” “Treatment for the current waiting time is approximately 18 months for These people are at a crisis point, akin to a conservative treatment for any form of heart attack in their head, which means they dental care.” need immediate attention. In this situation, psychiatrically disturbed patients are quite That is a good history, is it not! likely to refuse to wait, causing further trauma Mr Livingstone: Who wrote this for you? for care givers and upsetting other waiting Mrs SHELDON: These are patients’ patients. These are genuine people’s letters. letters and replies by the regional director. I They feel that the conditions for staff and thought honourable members opposite might patients at both the hospital and community like some real facts. health services have recently been chaotic I have a letter from another woman who following the death of one psychiatrist and the has been told that she has to wait 24 months resignation of another. Staff at the Community for an appointment at the dental clinic. She Health Service, Maroochydore have been states— stretched to breaking point, having to turn patients away and forcing them into the “Twelve months ago I rang for an private sector with a wait of anything from six appointment, couldn’t get it, and was to ten weeks for an appointment. These are therefore told to wait another 12 months.” people who cannot afford the private sector. When she rang again, the waiting list was 24 They are the people for whom we have a months. public health service. I will now share with honourable members Mr Budd: Have you worked in the public something from the relatives and friends of health service? the mentally ill, the people whom Government Mrs SHELDON: I have worked in the members have again forgotten. They say that public health service, yes. I worked there for they would like to know when the new quite a number of years. psychiatric unit at Nambour General Hospital is to open, because care deliverers and Mr Johnson: At least you worked. Half of consumers are extremely unhappy at the that mob never worked. delay. And so they should be. I think it has Mrs SHELDON: The honourable member been going on for three years. They say— is dead right. This is Queensland that I am “Why aren’t psychiatric services talking about—not Victoria, under the Labor adequately funded to attract and keep Party’s friend Kirner, or South Australia under staff to the Sunshine Coast?” Bannon. I am talking about Queensland, the State with everything going for it—as we are They also ask— told by the Treasurer. This is the State which, “Are any further mental health funds in 1989, had a Government free of financial coming to the Sunshine Coast, problems and was well placed to take considering the rapid rate of growth of Queenslanders into the next century with population?” confidence and prosperity. Legislative Assembly 3787 24 August 1993

One could well ask: where has the money election promise that class sizes would gone? How has this State Labor Government, decrease—class sizes have not decreased. under the financial mismanagement of Mr Time expired. Goss and Mr De Lacy, managed to squander such a healthy financial position? Upon Mr T. B. SULLIVAN (Chermside) looking at the Budgets of this Queensland (5.15 p.m.): I rise to support the motion before Labor Government since 1989, one thing is the House. I do so from a background of blatantly clear. This Government has done almost 20 years’ teaching, mainly in the lower- what Labor Governments across the country secondary classes, specialising in the Year 8 have done. It has spent and spent, but has sector. It is an interesting area in which to not provided the services to match. teach, because it is the interface between primary and secondary schooling. During the An analysis of spending on wages for past 13 years, I had the pleasure of teaching public servants from 1989-90 to 1992-93 at Nudgee College, which is the largest shows just what has happened to all the boarding school in Queensland. We had money which this Labor Government drags students from local north-side schools—both out through taxes and charges. The wages bill State and independent—from rural for the Queensland public service has Queensland and from remote Queensland, increased by $1 billion under this State Labor and on a couple of occasions we had Government. There has certainly been no students who had never been to school increase in services in Education, Health or before. They were from the most remote Transport. That is certainly an incredible sum. areas, and they had been educated by the This State Government now spends $5.3 School of the Air. Also, I have a background billion a year just on public service wages and of almost 15 years with QATIS, the associated costs. Perhaps a few of the independent teachers union. I have seen the Government’s backbenchers should look to conditions of teachers and worked closely with the people in their constituencies who are QTU colleagues during that time. complaining to them that they are not getting basic services and explain where all the The context of the educational changes money is going. No doubt it is going into a is very important, because it lets us see bloated bureaucracy of policy advisers. changes in the broad picture. The member for Western Downs said that, a few years ago, That $1 billion represents a 23 per cent there were not many unemployed teachers. I increase in the Queensland Government’s remember that. I remember the eighties, wages bill in just three years. When their when we were losing people from the constituents ask where the money has gone— profession in droves. They were getting out of it is certainly not being spent on hospitals, a profession that was the lowest paid in any roads or railways. Although the amount of State in Australia. They were getting out of the money being put into departments such as profession because it was more beneficial to Health and Education has increased, it seems them to go to a less skilled private enterprise to be going down bureaucratic black holes, job. The regard in which the Governments of which soak up the money that should be the time held the teaching profession was not spent on teachers in classrooms, classroom very high, and morale in the profession was numbers, nurses in wards, and train services, extremely low. I taught in those schools. I saw which people need and which are a basic life good people leave the teaching profession. I source in rural communities in Queensland. saw class after class being taught by Let us have a look at the Treasurer’s someone for whom teaching was the third, Interim Budget Statement, which contains fourth or fifth choice because the Government some very interesting misinformation. This so- of the day was paying teachers equal to the called statement is little more than a tissue of lowest salary of teachers anywhere else in untruths and motherhood statements. Under Australia. Of course there were not a lot of Education, we see the quaint little unemployed teachers, because they had statement— gone to other jobs. Education was not “This will include a redeployment of recognised by previous National and Liberal staff . . . back to the classroom and other Governments as being of the same degree of service delivery functions.” importance as it has been regarded by the Labor Government. Where a Government Back to the classroom? Surely, this is the puts its money and where it puts its effort Government which should at the very shows its priorities. That last fact is beginning have had those people in the indisputable. classroom, certainly not sitting behind desks. Under this Government—although it was an 24 August 1993 3788 Legislative Assembly

There was also the problem of unequal was something like 13th on the promotion list resourcing. I forget the exact date, but I before he took part in industrial action in believe that it was in the early to mid-eighties Toowoomba, and then found himself about when the QTU asked its shop stewards or 130th on the promotion list. I remember that union representatives all around the State to sort of disgraceful behaviour within the do an audit of the facilities in schools. They department, which was strictly political then grouped them into electorates. As some interference. Political patronage and political of my colleagues have said—although it has favouritism occurred. been disputed by the Opposition—what came Mrs Edmond: They wouldn’t have had out was very, very clear. There was a distinct demonstrations like this—no-one was game and noticeable difference between the to. resourcing of schools in Government electorates compared with schools in Labor Mr T. B. SULLIVAN: No, people were not electorates. One of my colleagues who taught game to demonstrate in those days and, if in the area around Kingaroy said that there they did, public servants certainly did not join were more SRA reading laboratories and more them because they knew that it would count sets of Cuisenaire rods than they could shake against them. Today, we have judicial reviews, a stick at. Yet, when he was transferred to the PSMC guidelines, the CJC and freedom of Wynnum, the school had nothing like that information legislation. We are up-front, open standard of material. That is the sort of and accountable with our decisions, and the unequal treatment that was constantly meted contrast between ourselves and members of out. the former Governments is outstanding. In terms of maintenance and upgrading Mr Randell: Are we any better? of facilities—I forget whether it was Yvonne Mr T. B. SULLIVAN: My colleague the Chapman or Beryce Nelson who was the member for Mirani says, “Are we any better?” I relevant Minister at the time—a school in the suggest that with those changes that the Aspley area needed some repairs to the toilet Goss Government has brought in, we certainly block. Something like $20,000 was spent on are. We, as a Government, can no longer the repairs. The Minister at the time said, “Not hide behind a decision. That decision can be good enough. Knock it down and start again.” brought out into the open, and that decision Yet, just two or three kilometres away at can be investigated. I believe that we are another school, repairs that were needed better off. equally as badly were not even begun. That Mr Randell: What about jobs for our school is still waiting for its resourcing, and I kids? am fighting to get resources for that school. It was all right for that Minister from the National Mr T. B. SULLIVAN: The member asks, Party to knock down $20,000-worth of repairs “What about jobs for our kids?” Yes, I would because she did not like the look of it, but it certainly agree with the 2 000 extra teachers was not all right to give equal funding to a who have been put on just to try to reduce school in another area. class numbers; I agree with the extra police who have been put on; and I agree with the The current Government is putting $60m extra nurses who have been put on. But, if the into the school refurbishment program to try to honourable member does not agree with that, catch up. I am sad to say that that is not I cannot support him. going to solve the problem, because the audit shows that we were somewhere around On the day of the strike, I met with local $120m behind when we took over from the branch members of the QTU who were also previous Government. In fact, Wavell Heights members of the executive. I found that I was State High School has just recently had its first able to agree with those two gentlemen on a major repaint in 13 years, and at Stafford number of issues, but I did have, and Heights State School a stairway cover which continue to have, some disagreements with was burnt down about eight years ago has the QTU on its tactics and its information only just been replaced, even though the campaign over recent weeks. Let me make it principal and the P & C association had been clear. I support the basic work of the QTU; I asking for that replacement for a number of support unions. As someone who was heavily years. involved in industrial action for more than a decade, I worked cooperatively with QTU In terms of staffing—yes, I remember the delegates to get some sort of wage justice good old days of staffing. I have spoken to and improvements to conditions. But I believe people who have said, “We knew what we had that the strike last week was premature, and to do to get the position we wanted.” I know was not called for. However, I believe that the principal of a Darling Downs school who some people in the QTU and the QCPCA Legislative Assembly 3789 24 August 1993 have too readily forgotten the past. They have teaching is a good profession. Yet, five years forgotten the disregard that the National and ago, people were still leaving the profession. Liberal Parties had for formal learning, and the Today, they are returning in droves. disregard they had for academic pursuits I believe that we have a problem—that under Joh. Remember how he scorned problem being that the expectations that anyone who had academic qualifications and people had of the Goss Government were background? immense. However, I believe also that the Joh had a disregard for education, other Goss Government has, in fact, delivered more than what we call “job fodder”, that is, than what it promised. Here we have a slower education related directly to jobs—and only to rate of growth, and we are adopting means to jobs—for which a person was trained. The consider more efficient ways of doing the notion of education for change and education same good job of educating our youth. to cope was not even brought in. It was not In terms of our P & Cs—much has been even considered by Joh and his former said about the support that P & Cs have for Governments, coalition or National. However, I the Opposition’s stand, and for the QTU’s will say that Mike Ahern was one of the few move. I will relate a couple of stories on the Nationals for whom I have respect in the local scene that certainly have not convinced education area. I think that he made an me of that. I went to all schools and most honest attempt to make some changes. It is P & Cs in my electorate in the last month. I interesting to note that he was the only raised the education issues, and only one of member of his Cabinet at the time who had a the schools was critical in its comments about tertiary qualification, and I believe that he is the Government. In fact, one president of a someone who at least set the tone for P & C said to me, “I hope they are not going constructive changes. He gave education to raise the strike issue because I cannot something of the recognition that I think it support it, and I know that other members of deserves. Members on the Opposition side of my executive cannot support it”. At the end of the House who want to say “We did this” and the meeting, the person said to me, “I am “We did that” should look at their own leaders. glad that it was not raised.” At another school, They should compare their Johs with their I saw that there was QTU material in the Mike Aherns. They are chalk and cheese. correspondence file. I had to leave early to go Some of my teaching and ALP to another function and I said, “Could we colleagues also need to refresh their discuss the education issues now?” They said, memories a little bit more on recent “Sure.” I said, “Do you want to discuss those Queensland history. There is absolutely no things from the QTU?” They said, “No, do not comparison between the Joh days and the worry about that, that is just routine material.” Goss days. The Goss Government recognises At the end of the discussion I said, “But there the value of teachers and pays them are specific things that the QTU and the accordingly. Joh and the Nationals did not. QCPCA have raised. You might want to raise The Goss Government’s decisions are open to those issues with me.” That president of the scrutiny and appeal; the coalition’s decisions P & C said again, “No, we have had the were not. The Goss Government recognises discussion about it, that is it.” the importance of P & Cs; the Joh There certainly was not an intensity of Government did not fund them anywhere near response at the schools that I went to. I met that level. The Goss Government recognises with principals, teachers and parents, and that principals and parents should have more there was certainly not the overwhelming say in local decision making. The National and support that members of the Opposition and coalition Governments of former years made the QTU would have us believe. In fact, I will no provision for the delegation of authority in contrast that with the response that I received schools at a local level. on some other issues. I will be very frank and Teachers are returning in droves to the say that the response I received to the rail profession, and I would put it to the House closures was intense, widespread and that they would not be coming back to the persistent. Nothing like that response was profession if it was worse than what it was received in my office over the education when they left it. I am realistic enough to know changes. I received four responses—two pro that there are some other factors in our formas put out by the QTU, one telephone call society. Things are pretty tight in the job field from a teacher and one from a teacher’s wife. and teaching is seen as a secure job. It is Mr Comben: Mr Sullivan, was your office seen by many as a job that gives satisfaction. picketed? It also fits in with family needs and that is why, especially for women or for single parents, Mr T. B. SULLIVAN: No, not at all. 24 August 1993 3790 Legislative Assembly

Mr Comben: Mine was today, and I have just not part of their thinking? Perhaps it just just been informed that only five slipped their minds for today. teachers—who stayed for only 20 minutes, I turn now to discuss what members of which was just long enough to pose for the Opposition could have said. They could photographers—turned up. have offered alternatives with respect to Mr T. B. SULLIVAN: I guess that we in spending and with respect to revenue raising, the political field are used to the photo but they did not. Not one constructive or opportunity, and the QTU was looking for that positive alternative was advanced. They are photo opportunity. It should be made clear saying to us, “Spend more on every service. that it was a political stunt, so it would get on Don’t raise more revenue.” Therefore, there the 6 o’clock news. But that does not tell the are two alternatives: they want us to borrow or full story. If we are going to be critical of their they want us to have a great budget deficit. stand, then that reflects on us, too. The members of the Liberal Party and the Unlike the proposed changes in the National Party are saying, “Let’s borrow. Let’s railways, the education cuts did not generate go into great deficit budgets.” That is the the same intensity or breadth or response message they are giving to the people of within the electorate that I represent. I refer to Queensland. some comments made by the Leader of the Mr Cooper: Who said that? Opposition. He said, “This big black hole of Mr T. B. SULLIVAN: The honourable spending—what is it?” I am proud to say that member has said that. He said, “More the extra millions of dollars have gone into spending! No changes to the revenue!” He teachers’ salaries, nurses’ salaries, schools’ wants us to go into deficit budgets. In maintenance, support programs such as conclusion, let me say that this ALP LOTE and, of course, increased funding for Government will be financially and socially P & C associations. However, I have not heard responsible. I support the motion. any alternative and constructive policies from the Opposition. Any Government will have Mrs McCAULEY (Callide) (5.33 p.m.): I difficulty in funding the four main service think the Minister drew the short straw when areas, namely, education, health, police and the portfolio allocations were made after the family services. It will always be possible to go last State election. I know he thought that he one step further in each of those service drew the short straw. He was perfectly happy areas. with Environment and Heritage and with talking to the wallabies and echidnas, and As an aside, I mention something that then he was popped into Education. Now he intrigues me about the political forces that is into damage control. claim to be the defenders of the family, namely, the Liberal Party and the National Mr Cooper: And talking to little furry Party. In this broad-ranging debate, although animals. they indicated that they would discuss every Mrs McCAULEY: Yes. He really did that matter of concern across the State, I did not well, and now he has big furry animals and hear one word from Opposition members they are all burred up. They are not very about family services. They have not happy with him at all. During the teachers’ mentioned family services once, and these so- strike, I was asked to go to Monto to address called defenders of the family ignore the a rally of teachers, parents and students. I did family when they choose to have a wide- so, although I made it quite clear to them that ranging debate. Labor members know that I was not in favour of the strike. However, I they left us with the worst-funded Family said that I was very supportive of teachers, Services Department, which provided $19 per particularly those in rural areas, especially the head in Queensland compared with $93 per teachers in my electorate. As I looked round head in South Australia. the gathering, I saw familiar faces of the Mr Cooper: It is a disgrace. teachers whom I know and appreciate—those who work in the schools in my electorate. Most Mr T. B. SULLIVAN: The member for of them are married to farmers. They are Crows Nest is perfectly correct; it was a struggling and they do a jolly good job. They disgrace. He had to sit next to former Ministers are very, very dedicated. They are out in the for Family Services, so I can understand why country and they are holding the line for us, if he is slumped in his chair with his head bowed you like. They were all at the rally and it is low. Why did not any members of the probable that none of them had ever been on Opposition raise this matter? Was it because strike before. They said that they were not there are no votes in family services, or is it doing it for themselves but for the kids, and that is exactly what it was all about. Legislative Assembly 3791 24 August 1993

I also went to a P & C meeting and spoke the problems of rural-based teachers. I felt to another equally concerned group who were that the QTU should have sat down at the worried about the proposals and how they bargaining table with the Minister and really would affect people who live in rural areas, tried to represent those teachers in rural- particularly taking into account other cutbacks based areas. It seems to me that those in services that had been mooted by this teachers who are already located in the south- Government such as in railways and health east corner do not give a damn about rural services. They seemed to be saying, “What teachers because they are happy, thank you else can they do to us? It just seems to go on very much. They seem to forget about and on and we are a fair target.” It occurred to teachers in the rural areas who are doing it a me, however, that the Queensland Teachers bit tough, and that is most unfair. Union was really electioneering and was not I guess the Minister would find it very representing the interests of country-based difficult and rather galling that after all the teachers in this whole matter. extra money this Government says it is putting In the last two months, I have visited a lot into education, we are having this debate and of schools. At one school, the principal said to the big rally outside, because I guess it shows me that young teachers—and most of the very clearly that money does not equal teachers at that high school would have been excellence, particularly in terms of education. young—are absolutely devastated by the To know the truth of that, we do not have to changes that have been made and they do look any further than the Victorian model not see any future for themselves if they where education in that State was totally cannot get back to the south-east corner after ruined over a long period by a socialist Labor a few years in this particular town. I will not Government. It will take an awfully long time name the town but will simply say that it is a for Victoria to bring education back on track. small town and that it would not be an easy Because there have been no sittings of place in which to live. Parliament and I have had weeks at a stretch, I feel very strongly that if teachers are I have been able to get around and visit a lot prepared to go to these places and serve for a of my schools. I have between 45 and 60 period of three or four years, they should feel schools in my electorate. I have not counted certain that at the end of that period they can them all, but I have somewhere in that vicinity be transferred to a place to which they would in the Callide electorate, and I like to visit all of prefer to go. Women teachers in particular them at least once each year. I was visiting who go to those remote areas often marry the the schools in a certain area of the electorate, local boys and stay there for the rest of their and at every small school I went to, people lives, and that is great. But I believe that the wanted to talk about the clustering concept. I Queensland Teachers Union was playing was pleased to hear the Minister say today politics in relation to this issue. I could not help that clustering is not on, and I hope he sticks noticing that every time the Minister was to that. It seems to me that the clustering debating someone, it was not Mary Kelly but, concept would be the death knell of the rather, Shane Groth. parent/teacher relationships in those small Mr Comben: Hear, hear! schools and small communities. We saw what the Goss Government did when it destroyed Mrs McCAULEY: That is right. I am sure the community rapport between ambulance that it was just coincidence that he is standing officers and the people they served. The for Mary Kelly’s job. Another person, Ian Government did it unwittingly, but it was done Mackie, who comes from my area, is also nevertheless, and it will now do the same to standing for Mary Kelly’s job. He was writing the principals of small schools if it persists with letters to the paper and huffing and puffing, the proposal of clustering. and I know that he is a stalwart Labor member who hands out how-to-vote cards at Labor Mr Comben: We are not clustering. Party election booths. Mrs McCAULEY: I am pleased to hear Mr FitzGerald: There was no candidate that because, quite simply, a teacher in a standing against you, so what are you talking small school is the person who makes the about? decisions. Therefore, the parents can have a close working relationship with the teacher, Mrs McCAULEY: He did not have and that is the strength of small country anything to do this year, and that suited him schools. fine. It seems to me that the forthcoming election of the president of the QTU was more Mr Quinn interjected. of a motivating force for strike action by the Mrs McCAULEY: The Minister is getting QTU members than was any concern about 24 August 1993 3792 Legislative Assembly as good as Vince Lester at walking backwards. was the concept or the rationale that brought Mr Comben: I just listen to the up the clustering concept in the first place. We Opposition. have loaded the teachers down with red tape. They are drowning. They cannot cope. So we Mrs McCAULEY: In this case, we are will make a clustering concept and have one pleased that he does. I feel that clustering is person whose job it is to handle all that red the first step in closing those small schools. It tape. Why on earth cannot the Government is interesting that in lots of areas around the forget the red tape and get on with the job? small towns of my electorate there are small Unfortunately, that is a hallmark of Labor schools located about 6, 10 or 15 kilometres Governments. They cannot get past the red out of town. Those schools have grown. One tape. school is located very close to where I live. Approximately seven years ago when I The other problem with those changes, became the member of Parliament for the and a problem that I see as probably the area, it had 10 students, but it now has 51. A biggest single one now that clustering is not a lot of the kids are coming out of town to threat any longer, is the vacancy-driven attend those schools. Their parents are happy transfer system, which I spoke about before, to drive them out there each day because which will not guarantee transfers from remote they say that the small schools provide quality areas after a certain period back to more education. They are going past the big desirable locations. We will see that young schools in town and are taking their kids to the people will not come into teaching for a start small schools, and I say that that is fair and, if they are transferred out to those areas, enough. It is their choice and it is not costing they will leave teaching. They will find the Government anything as far as themselves something else to do because transporting the children goes, so why not they do not want to go out to Ulladulla and be allow it to happen? I did the same thing when left there forever, which is exactly what will my three children were going to school. I took happen. That is unfortunate, and the rural them with me to the Thangool school because areas will suffer. I believed that that was quality education and I know that the Opposition Education that they would be actual people who would spokesman talked about the various be important in the 120 kids who were at that documents which the Minister has not school rather than the 600-odd who were in released but which obviously had a large the town. influence on his thought processes. Those The other matter that was raised with me documents, called Management Structures for by teaching principals at the small schools that Schools, School Staffing, etc., are still around I visited is the enormous workload that they and, I assume, are still a threat. Some of the have beyond their teaching duties. It is quite recommendations in those documents are simply very difficult for them to keep up with all matters such as the rationalisation of cleaning that is expected of them. I saw a page listing and grounds staff, the changed formula for their involvement in and reporting on school grants, reduction in middle-level programs such as workplace health and banded schools, the closure and safety, equal employment opportunities, amalgamation of schools within clusters, human relationship education, gender equity particularly medium-sized urban primary programs and all of that sort of thing. They schools, and the closure of special schools. All also have to set school goals and of those things constitute a threat and another philosophies, etc., and put all of that down on change. paper. It is rather interesting to see that what One principal in my electorate has been a the doctor who resigned from the Princess principal in my electorate ever since I became Alexandra Hospital was complaining about in the member for that electorate. As my today’s paper was the fact that there were too electorate has changed, he has been many meetings, and that is exactly what the transferred around and he has always been in teachers are complaining about. my electorate. He is not a supporter of the The teachers say that they have too National Party. He is a Labor voter. I was many meetings and that the meetings are not rather amused to hear him say the other day a means to an end any more; they have that the advice that his school received from become an end in themselves. That is taking the representative of the QTU when he or she them away from the valuable time that they called at his school for a meeting was to vote need to spend not only with their kids but also the buggers out. I said, “I have been following in preparing for their teaching duties. The you around for so long that you have to vote teachers simply cannot cope. That, I believe, for me some time.” Maybe next time around, Legislative Assembly 3793 24 August 1993 he will, because he is certainly most Mr Comben: They are not my advisers. disillusioned. Mrs McCAULEY: I found that out from I might add also that he is a very talking to the QTU. competent man, aside from his poor political judgment. He does an excellent job and he is Mr FitzGerald: He should change his saying, “Let’s vote the buggers out.” That to advisers now and again and send another fax me is the nitty-gritty of this. The Government is out. hurting its own people, which is what teachers Mrs McCAULEY: It is a bit hard to keep primarily are. It must be rather galling to know up. Only 200 of the proposed 400 extra that the $350m increase in education funding teachers were employed last year, and has not been received with gratification by the prospects for this year’s 3 000 graduates are masses. It is probably because most of that equally grim. Although I sympathise with $350m increase has been soaked up by them, I must point out that prospects are restructuring, endless committees and poor equally grim in other areas, as well. I have a management. I simply say to the Government son who graduated at the end of last year that it should get its act together, cut the who cannot get a job in his chosen profession. bloated bureaucracy and streamline things in If I had more children going through university a way that the National Party used to do when education—and thank goodness I do not—I it governed. certainly would not advise them to do Mr Comben: You’re not saying we should teaching, because the jobs simply are not all go back to those good old days, are you? there. However, further down the track we will have a shortfall. That is when the problems will Mrs McCAULEY: No. I am not saying start and that is when the Minister needs to that at all. I am saying that members of the have more planning under way. Opposition are better managers. We stand on our record in that. We always have been Nothing could highlight better the better money managers than members of the Government’s poor record of mismanagement Labor Party could ever possibly be, even if than what is happening around here at the they stay in Government for the next 20 years. moment with regard to the Parliamentary Service Commission and the cutbacks that are Another concern that I must raise—and it being proposed to be imposed on the staff has been raised with me—is that the reduction and services of this whole parliamentary of secondary staff numbers by 500 will mean complex. Because I am on the Parliamentary that some subjects will not be available in Service Commission, I must say that I get very smaller provincial country secondary schools. angry when I read in the newspaper without When I spoke to the Minister’s office about knowing anything about it, even though I am that, the officers were helpful and they a member of the Parliamentary Service explained that, if six students were in an Commission, that there will be cuts to the ancient history class and six students were in catering staff, cuts in Hansard, etc., etc. Any a modern history class, those classes would cuts that will be imposed in this place should be looked at with a view to amalgamating be done only in consultation with the them into one history class. I have no Parliamentary Service Commission after a lot problems with that, but I do have a problem of discussion to arrive at a mutual agreement, when I hear that comment with respect to, if you like. perhaps, Maths II. I understood that it was a core subject and it is a prerequisite for some Certainly, I will make a lot more noise degree courses at university. about this. I have never seen such unhappy people as I have seen around this place this Mr Comben: One course at university, week. It is unfair to the staff that they should, and Maths II, if it is to be offered—we see it as in common with me, read in the newspaper a core subject—will be offered. There’s no that perhaps they will lose their jobs simply doubt about it. because it has been a leak from the Mrs McCAULEY: Good. That is exactly Speaker’s office. I object to it most what the Minister’s office told me. I wanted to strenuously, and I will continue to object when verify that because I was asked about that by the Parliamentary Service Commission meets one of my high schools and I said that I would this week, and during the Budget debate. find out for them. Mr FITZGERALD (Lockyer) (5.49 p.m.): I Mr Comben: It is contrary to what the join in this debate on the motion that was QTU has said. moved by the Minister for Education and the Mrs McCAULEY: Yes. I realise that the subsequent amendment that was moved by QTU is not saying what the Minister is saying. the Leader of the Opposition. I ask myself why 24 August 1993 3794 Legislative Assembly we are having this debate today. I know that The Minister says there will be no forced education is a pressing issue in the closures or mergers. What are the facts? A community. The debate is a recognition by the few days after that statement, we saw two Minister for Education and the Leader of the schools closed, one of which was at Tarome in House that this was a very important issue my electorate, and the other at Tallegalla, and that, instead of debating legislation, some which is in the electorate of the honourable of the time of this Chamber should be taken member for Ipswich West. up in debating the motion. It is most Mr Livingstone interjected. unfortunate that the motion was not listed for debate. No consultation or cooperation was Mr Comben: How many students, seven? shown. The standard of the debate, if one Mr FITZGERALD: The honourable reads some of the speeches, particularly from member said there were seven students this side of the House, is an indication that there. I have no argument with the closing of members were well prepared for it. The issues the school, but I just wondered how the are well known by members, and members of Minister could explain to the parents who did Parliament can get to their feet at any time object at the time that there would be no and express the issues that are of concern to forced school closures unless the P & C or the their constituents. community asked for it. I am not aware that This is the reason why the debate is they did ask. Did the Minister have a letter taking place. The Government decided to do it from the P & C? His policy is, “I wish to confirm because it wanted to try to defuse the issue. to the House that under my Ministry there will This morning, the Minister made a statement be no forced school closures or mergers.” I in which he indicated that the Government think that is a stupid policy, but he said it. The had changed its policy again on clustering of Tarome school had to close. It had only a schools. I say “changed” the policy, because it couple of students. There is quite a story definitely was Government policy. The attached to its closure. The department’s Government is now being put under pressure regional officers are now going to Coulson and by the Queensland Teachers Union and by to Maroon in my electorate. There has been many of the people who are aspiring for office no request from the local community, to my in that union. Education has become a knowledge, that those schools should close; debating point throughout the country. I would nor has there been a request from the P & C. like to remind the House that the Minister for Mr Comben: How many students? Education did make a ministerial statement on Mr FITZGERALD: I think there are about 12 November. As the honourable members 10 children at Coulson and there are seven will recall, 12 November is an easy date to children at Maroon. The departmental officers remember because it is the day after 11 are saying that they want to discuss with the November, which was the date they hung Ned Minister the future of the schools. I do not Kelly. There are other important national know how on earth the Minister is going to events which happened on 11 November. He overcome his problem. He will have to do a said, and I quote part of his ministerial backflip because of his statement that, “I wish statement— to confirm that under my Ministry there will be “I wish to confirm to the House that no forced school closures.” I can tell the under my Ministry there will be no forced Minister that the people at Maroon will not school closures or mergers.” accept the closure of their school. They say, Further on he said— “No.” I asked them what distance it is to the next school. They said that it is about 30 “In response to Ms Kelly—the kilometres. I know if a school is to be closed situation is there is no policy to merge or that an excellent direct bus service must be close schools and I will not be making provided so that the children do not have to any changes in that direction unless a p. leave home at 7 o’clock in the morning and and c. association or a community or the not get home until quarter past five in the Queensland Teachers Union itself afternoon. Why does the Minister not offer a approaches me or the department and bit of bait? Why does he not say what he can says ‘We would like to talk about changes do for these people? The Minister will have to within the system which we believe would amend his ministerial statement. He will have be of benefit to the students.’ In those to make another statement to the House, and circumstances I would have an obligation send a fax to all the regional offices saying, to listen but not necessarily make a “We have changed our policy again.” The change.” Minister has a problem because he has Legislative Assembly 3795 24 August 1993 bound himself to a policy with which I do not clustering?” I said, “I don’t know what on earth agree. they intend to do with clustering; I don’t know Mr Comben: Let us debate it. What do what they mean by clustering. I have some you want to debate me on? ideas, but I prefer to wait and see.” He said to Mr FITZGERALD: I am not going to say me, “Well, I’ll tell you what they mean by what should be debated. I know that there are clustering. I’ve been along to a meeting a number of schools such as Coulson which organised with the teachers in this region, are very close—six minutes by car—to Metropolitan West, where we were given an Boonah. Some of the children do travel from outline of what the policy of clustering would Boonah to Coulson, but if the parents at be and we were asked did we have any Coulson do not want that school to close, how improvements or any other suggestions we will the Minister overcome it? wanted to make and that they would look at any other alternatives.” Mr Livingstone: What do you think is in the best interests of the students? Mr Comben: And did he tell you what happened after that meeting? When we Mr FITZGERALD: I think the Minister found that that meeting had been held, we should change his mind. He has a policy he said, “There is no such policy.” cannot live with. Mr FITZGERALD: Who suggested I turn to the issue of the Cairns Central clustering? I heard it out of the Minister’s State School, about which a big campaign mouth. He lights fires around the place and was conducted by the parents. They were not then runs around with a petrol rag trying to put very happy about their school being closed. them out. He tears around with a petrol rag The Minister obviously thought he had very trying to put out fires that he has lit. He has no good reasons for closing it. How does that sit credibility. That is the problem. He says one with his policy that he would not force them to thing one day, and then when the department close? The department canvassed all the tries to implement the policy, he says, “No, small schools throughout Queensland and there will be no clustering.” I can tell people had every little school nervously sending me a that the Minister made a statement in the letter saying, “This happened in Cairns; please House today. Just as the Minister for do not let this happen to us.” Why did the Transport was asked, “Will you put it in writing Minister not change this policy? He is caught for us?” the Minister made a ministerial by his own policy. I understand, on good statement in the House about no forced authority, that at the Cairns Cabinet meeting closures. He cannot live by that one. Now he the Minister sent out to the regional offices a has made another ministerial statement list of schools that were going to be merged saying that there will be no clustering. There and closed. are closures still going on and there have to Mr Comben: No, they sent the list to us. be closures planned for the future. Mr FITZGERALD: It was an option at the The Carpendale school in my electorate, Cairns Cabinet meeting whether to close at which two children were enrolled for the schools or pull up railway lines. next year, was closed down. This Government Mr Livingstone: Who said this? claimed that as one of the schools that the Mr FITZGERALD: The Minister did. The National Party Government closed down. It is Minister for Education had, on 12 November, on that list that the Minister read out. Last given assurances to this House in a ministerial time he tried to defuse the debate by saying statement, not as a flippant or casual answer that the Nationals had closed down hundreds to a question. He said there would be no of schools since 1957. He listed Carpendale forced closures of schools. He presented to as one of them. There were nine children at Cabinet a submission with a list of names of Carpendale in the previous year. Seven of the schools that could be closed. No wonder them were in Year 7, and they left, which left the people have no confidence in the Minister two to come back next year. They have turned for Education when policies are changing off the lights and shut the door. That was one constantly on the run. of the schools the National Party closed! We were not stupid enough to say that there will Let me refer to clustering. The Minister be no forced closures. What would have made a statement some time ago saying happened if the parents of those two children there would be no forced clusterings. had said, “No, we want the school to stay However, today he made the statement that there”? I admit that one could nearly fire a there would be no clustering. Recently, I was shanghai from that school to the next school talking to a P & C meeting in my electorate. at Helidon. It was the sensible thing to do. The The principal said, “What do you know about 24 August 1993 3796 Legislative Assembly

Minister is in a quandary. He does not know However, since the installation of poker how to get himself out of this one. machines at that hotel, the hotelier is making The other subject which was raised in the such a small profit margin from the poker motion before the House is the massively machines after contributing to the Queensland expanded school grants. I will tell members Government’s coffers that that club has been what is happening to school grants. It has disbanded. In future, no money will be been pointed out in the debate that there is available to those four schools. The some honesty coming from this side of the Queensland Government is getting the rake- House. The school grant covers more than it off. Because of poker machines, money is did before; yes, there have been some pouring into its coffers. Poker machines are a increases. It is very hard to compare electricity good revenue base. The Budget to be consumption, telephone bills and so on from delivered next week will reveal a large increase one year to the next. There is a problem in the amount of money that is collected from looming. I will deal with it after dinner. the community. That money should go back to those who have been disadvantaged by Sitting suspended from 6 to 7.30 p.m. the Government’s policy. Mr FITZGERALD: Before the dinner Four schools in my area are adjournment, I referred to the motion before disadvantaged. A large percentage of the the House, to which an amendment has children at those schools do not have a wage subsequently been moved. The motion refers earner in their household. Those schools are to the Government “massively expanding expanding extremely quickly. One of those school grants”. I draw to the attention of this schools is the Glenore Grove State School. House the problems that some schools are The enrolments at the beginning of this year having with regard to their grants and the were 204. I believe that the number is a lot need for those grants to be increased in some higher now. The projected increases indicate of the more disadvantaged areas. This that, by 1997, the enrolment level at that Government’s other policies have impacted school will be up to 310. The upper grades upon education in that respect. For instance, have 17 students, but the preschool has 50 honourable members might be surprised to students, and Years 1, 2 and 3 have around learn that the poker machine policy of this 30 children. There is no doubt that, in the Government has impacted upon P & C future, the enrolment level at that school will associations. P & C associations are trying to increase. That is a fairly disadvantaged school raise funds to supply the many extras that which needs the extra income provided by the schools need. That is necessary. social and sporting association. The $4,000 Mr Nunn: Would you take an interjection? that has been siphoned from that local Mr FITZGERALD: Yes, if it is intelligent. community into the State Government’s coffers has to be returned. That is all there is Mr Nunn interjected. to it. Mr FITZGERALD: The interjection is I will not go through a Cook’s tour of my getting too long; it is a speech. Each year, the electorate. I have written to the Minister about Plainland Hotel Social and Sporting that school, and no doubt the Minister will Association supplied money to local P & C receive advice from his department. The associations and other organisations in the Glenore Grove State School has what is called area of Plainland. I have a certified copy of an a preschool, which is actually an EEC. Fifty audited statement from that association which children are enrolled at that EEC. They cannot shows that, by way of raffles and lucky seat 25 students at once. The preschool envelopes plus a donation and interest from students have to take turns at having seats. the bank, it raised the sum of $114,651.01. The unit does not have any toilets. It has to That funding was raised by one hotel on the use the main school’s toilets, which are a fair Warrego Highway. After expenses were paid way away. There are no covered walkways. and prizes were awarded, that association There is not even a fence separating the distributed funds to some social clubs in the preschool from the main school grounds. It is area and four schools—the Lockrose State right beside an entrance that is used by Q- School, the Hatton Vale State School, the Build to access the grounds. Four years ago, Glenore Grove State School and the Lake the school had 54 students enrolled. Now it Clarendon State School. To each of those has more than 200. Most of the growth has schools, the association distributed $4,000. taken place during the past couple of years. Mr Bennett: Well done! Mr Livingstone interjected. Mr FITZGERALD: That is excellent. The member for Gladstone says, “Well done!” Legislative Assembly 3797 24 August 1993

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): I wish to mention also the Hatton Vale Order! The member for Ipswich West! School. I understand that the department has Mr FITZGERALD: I do not give the purchased some more land in the area to shift honourable member for Ipswich West any that school away from the highway. At credit for that, and I do not make any present, it is in a most unsatisfactory location. comment on it. I wonder whether any consideration has been given to putting the Hatton Vale State School Mr Livingstone interjected. and the Glenore Grove State School together. Mr FITZGERALD: Fair enough. But the Both of them will have an enrolment of about school has grown very rapidly, and it will 300 students by 1997. The new site for the continue to grow rapidly. I believe that we Hatton Vale State School will not be that far have to consider the options for those schools away from the Glenore Grove State School. that are growing rapidly. The majority of the community at one school The Minister for Education makes policy could go to the other school, because one on the run and changes his mind all the time. long rural residential estate has been Recently, a memo was sent to the principals developed. I wonder whether there is a benefit of schools from the Assistant Executive to the total community if it has one school Director, Resource Administration. The topic of instead of two. I am not saying that I am in that memo was “Helping P & Cs with the favour of that. I would like to listen to the basics”. The memo stated that an audit of parents in the area. I am sensitive enough to equipment in all State schools was to be the political whims of the area. I just ask: has undertaken to determine the basic kit of the Minister seriously considered that? equipment appropriate to the needs of all The other schools in my area all have schools. One of the points made in that problems. I have 40 schools in my electorate, memo is as follows— which is a fair number. It takes some time to “The survey document has been visit all of them. The majority of them are small trialled in two schools and is currently schools. No doubt they will be heartened to undergoing further modification. The hear that the Minister has abandoned the current plan is to have the document in concept of clustering schools, which he floated schools in the first term 1993 with a return previously. date of 19 March 1993.” Time expired. That document was sent out on 21 January Mr COOPER (Crows Nest) (7.39 p.m.): I 1993. Schools often receive memos and think that this debate has been worth while. forms to fill in. They send them all back, but We have heard the words “low morale”, they want to know what happens to them. “stagnant career structures” and “ill-prepared Such documents obviously just add to the programs” mentioned on both sides of the paper pile. The Minister must have lots of House. It is positive that members on both people sorting through the great pile of paper sides of the House have been able to express that keeps coming into the offices. Those their concerns. When one is considering cuts hard-working P & C associations really want to of any type—rail cuts, education cuts, health know what on earth happens to it all. They just cuts, police cuts or ambulance cuts—and the want to receive some feedback. The only effect that those cuts have, one thing is clear: thing that seems to be achieved is the we all rear up when those cuts start to affect generation of a larger and larger workload. this State’s young students. All of us share Tremendous demands are placed on that concern. P & C associations, particularly in schools that The Minister has been present in the have expanded rapidly. I cited the example of Chamber during the debate. I sincerely hope Glenore Grove State School, which has grown that he not only has listened to the comments from 54 students four years ago to more than but also will act on the advice that he has 200 at present and which is projected to be been receiving from honourable members. well over 300 by 1997. Those schools appear This process has been healthy for the to me to be disadvantaged. If a new school is Minister. He now knows beyond any shadow constructed, it has covered walkways, a of doubt that he is Minister for Education. It tuckshop and administration buildings. A new has been well and truly driven home to him. school has the best of everything, and that That is what politics is all about. After all, we always has been the way. But if a small school are all representatives of the people and of that was not closed down expands very our students. quickly, it always seems to suffer. Later, I will talk more about education cuts. Firstly, I mention the cuts of all sorts of 24 August 1993 3798 Legislative Assembly descriptions in the Queensland Ambulance to by the Minister in his reply to this House Service. Some of those cuts have been today was simply an implementation meeting difficult for the officers in the service to bear, for that budget which was approved in August and for the public patients who have become 1991. The facts are that, despite ministerial quite disconcerted. One of the most unkind approval by Mr Mackenroth for 55 such cuts of all has involved former Commissioner positions, that meeting determined that only Noel Gillard, who obviously has been used in 42 positions were necessary, and the process this budgetary fiasco in the Ambulance of advertising those positions began. Far from Service. He has been used as a sacrificial attracting criticism, the hierarchy of the offering—as a scapegoat. He is a fine person. Queensland Ambulance Service, including He is an intelligent, dedicated, professional, former Commissioner Noel Gillard, should apolitical ambulance officer. For him to have have been commended for devising a been treated in this way due to shocking structure that could operate with substantially financial mismanagement over the past two fewer DOCO officers than had been approved years is nothing short of disgraceful. by the former Minister. Today in this House, the Minister for I challenge the Minister for Police and Police and Emergency Services, in answer to Emergency Services to produce to the House my question on notice, gave misleading that memorandum dated 30 August 1991 information with respect to the former from the then Director of the Bureau of Queensland Ambulance Commissioner, Noel Emergency Services to the then Acting Gillard. Of course, that charge of misleading Commissioner of the Queensland Ambulance the House is one that I do not make lightly. Service so that all honourable members will Given that one of the reasons why have the opportunity to make their own Commissioner Noel Gillard was sacked was his decisions about when those DOCO positions alleged unauthorised creation of some 40 were created and on whose authority. I district operational coordinator positions, believe that the memo of 30 August 1991 will known generally as DOCOs, today the Minister confirm that ministerial approval was given for advised— 55 station officer positions about a fortnight “These positions were created as a before—I emphasise “a fortnight before”—Mr result of the recommendations of a Gillard began his duties as commissioner. He meeting of the regional assistant was not even there. How on earth can he be commissioners which occurred on 17 blamed for sacking people whom they said he February 1992.” appointed when he did not appoint them? It is my contention that that statement is I submit that there are only two options misleading. for this House to consider. Either the Minister has been badly advised or he has chosen to The facts are that the 1991-92 put his own misleading interpretation on Queensland Ambulance Service budget information supplied to him by his officers in a submitted to the then Director of the Bureau desperate attempt to protect his two of Emergency Services by the then Acting ministerial predecessors. If the Minister fails to Commissioner of the Queensland Ambulance table that memo of 30 August 1991, it will be Service on 15 August 1991 proposed the obvious that an intent existed to mislead this establishment and funding of 55 new and House on the alleged involvement of former additional station officer positions. Further, this Commissioner Noel Gillard in the DOCO proposed budget was approved by the then appointments. Either way, the Minister must director of the bureau and the Minister at the carry the responsibility for it and take the time, who was Mr Mackenroth. In a appropriate action to clarify the issue. memorandum dated 30 August 1991, the director at that time formally authorised the I return now to education. We have heard then acting commissioner to proceed with its talk of low morale, stagnant career structures, implementation. Honourable members should ill-prepared school programs, lack of support remember the date of that memo. It should systems and lack of disciplinary measures be noted that Mr Gillard, whose dismissal was available to teachers—all factors which have prompted in part by his alleged creation of had a devastating effect on teachers in the these unauthorised positions, did not take up Crows Nest electorate and throughout the duty until 12 September 1991—a fact that State. Those statements have been made was acknowledged by the Minister in his reply voluntarily by teachers who have been to me today. devastated by all the distortions and untruths that have been spread around in the last few The meeting of regional assistant months. It is not unreasonable to say that the commissioners on 17 February 1992 referred education system is in disarray. When Legislative Assembly 3799 24 August 1993 honourable members see, hear and feel the that, there will be a deterioration in the subject low morale of teachers, it is enough to cause level of some of the smaller schools. That them despair. Not only do teachers have means that those students will not be given grave misgivings, but also parents and citizens the same opportunities as those provided in are completely bewildered by the dreadful other schools. If that happens, their parents distortions and untruths that have been told will say, “We are not going to have a second- about the education of their children. I do not rate education for our children”, and they will know where these crazy academic, be forced to take those students out of those intellectually minded misfits get their ideas schools and enrol them in larger schools. As a from, but they are using our children as result of the pressure on smaller schools, they guinea pigs. We will not tolerate it. The will cease to exist. suggested changes and cuts must be rejected The people who have been scheming in their entirety—not merely watered down or and dreaming up these disgraceful ideas have modified. one thing in mind. The final analysis is to get Earlier, the Minister referred to clustering. rid of as many smaller schools as possible. I was pleased to hear his comment, but the Without doubt, that will be to the detriment of point must be driven home so that not only do education in this State. I wonder who those we get these assurances now from the mindless minders of the Minister are. I know Minister that clustering will not occur; we want the Minister reasonably well. In the past, he to ensure that that word never raises its head has always listened to sensible people. He again. We never want to hear such a should get away from those mindless suggestion. I will outline the effect of clustering advisers. I am not referring to anyone in on schools in my electorate and the smaller particular. The Minister knows who they are. I schools around the State. If districts have one would bet that he wishes he could get rid of principal in a central location surrounded by them. Some of them come from God knows five, six or seven other schools which lose their where—the southern States, or wherever. We principals and one principal has to service the are not interested in them. We do not want other schools, that will detract from the them. We want sound, practical, sensible education of students, which we do not want people giving sound, practical, sensible to see. We do not want to see students advice. The Minister could not do better than receive second-class education. to listen to parents and citizens and the It is not fair that students in some schools dedicated teachers. Most teachers would should be penalised and those in other prefer to devote themselves to their jobs schools should receive an elite education. The rather than indulge in politics. Under this sort concept does not affect only the principals. of regime, which we do not want to see, The idea of having principals in schools is students anywhere west of Ipswich will good. They are needed for all the reasons become second-class students. They are that principals are needed in schools. As well, entitled to an education equivalent to that teachers need to gain and glean experience received by their city cousins. Unfortunately, throughout the career structure so that, when they will travel to those so-called better they are appointed to larger schools, they will schools if they are forced to do so. That simply have a wealth of experience. must not happen. Clustering will also affect P & C Parents and citizens associations have associations. Members of P & C associations always played a major role in education in this of smaller schools will not travel to the larger State. They are part and parcel of it. Thank centralised schools for meetings. Their interest heavens for that! They must be encouraged will wither and dry up. The proposed school and nurtured to do that. As members would advisory council would not take into account be aware, many of the responsibilities of the problems, desires and aspirations of the P & C associations lie in the provision of smaller schools, which would suffer as a result. equipment, and so on. I am told that P & C associations in this State raise in the order of We have heard also of the so-called cuts $50m to $60m, which is a massive of 500 to 580 secondary school teachers. We contribution to the education system. I worry have been assured that there will not be any that, if these cuts proceed, those associations cuts. However, if they accept redundancy, will be forced to raise even more funds to there will be fewer teachers, which is not provide for teacher aides and so on, which acceptable. In a State such as Queensland they should not really have to provide. The whose population is increasing continually, emphasis will be placed on them at a time secondary school teachers have an extremely when they simply cannot afford it. They must important role to play. As well, as a result of be given assurances that that sort of 24 August 1993 3800 Legislative Assembly thing—the extra increase in their fundraising We need their expertise. We must get through activities—is not on. this devastating period that has badly affected Teachers around the State have told me teachers, parents and students. that the Criminal Justice Commission has There is no incentive for teachers to go been making inroads into education matters west, as they say. There is no remote area and that various teachers have been hauled incentive scheme that is worth while. The last across the coals for matters as minor as National Party Government had a $25m pinching pencils, soap or detergent from some incentive scheme, but that was scrapped. As of the schools. If time is to be devoted to that a result, we will see two classes of teachers. I sort of issue, then I believe that it is do not know what sort of methods this misdirected and that the Government’s Government will use to induce people to go priorities are wrong. This has had a out and do the job across the State, but I devastating effect on teachers’ morale. They believe that there must be opportunities for all should not have to go through that. teachers. All teachers must be eligible for Some schools in my electorate are in some western service. Once they have done areas of low socioeconomic activity. They are that, the opportunity to apply to teach in the in low-rental and rental assistance areas. area of their choice should be available to Many de facto relationships and children are them. There is nothing wrong with that. involved. In one case, the male person had Teachers want that, and I believe that they about five kids and the female had about six are entitled to it. kids. They were getting about $1,000 per The many changes that are being made fortnight. They had no love or time for their are often telegraphed to teachers, principals kids, nor any interest in them. They put them and P & C associations either in the into the school to use the teachers as child newspapers or on the radio. They are not minders and social workers. That is not what given the decency or the courtesy of being teachers are there for. Teachers end up informed of pending changes so that they can having to feed them breakfast and lunch. I do consider them. They have complained to me not believe that teachers should have to go that they wake up in the morning and listen to through that sort of stress. the radio or read in the papers about the sorts Ms Power: Come on! of changes that are being made and the sorts of changes with which they will have to Mr COOPER: It is happening. The contend. I do not believe that that is a fair, member is gasping and carrying on. She right or proper way to inform them about these should ask some of the teachers about this. matters. In this regard, I believe that they are All I am doing is listening to them and coming all being treated with contempt. back into this place to express their concerns. Members have seen the effect of Ms Power interjected. bureaucratic paperwork in the so-called social Mr COOPER: I do not believe that the justice programs, which are clogging the honourable member would give a hoot about system and stultifying teachers’ programs. those people, anyway. They are stultifying the effect of getting an Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): education through to the students, which is Order! The honourable member for Mansfield what it is all about. The pupil should be most will cease interjecting. important. As I said, we are all representatives of the people. If we cannot put the pupil first in Mr COOPER: There should be far better the education system, then there is something discipline in schools. Teachers must be given wrong with us. In the ambulance system and the wherewithal—the tools—to be able to do the health system, if we cannot put the patient the job. Quite a number of teachers are first, then there is something wrong with us, stressed completely, almost to the point of and we are not being the representatives giving up. They are not being given the tools whom we are supposed to be. Never has it to be able to discipline unruly students who will become more obvious that we need a return not give the rest of the class a chance. As to to the basics to get this situation right, to put career structures—teachers have told me that the emphasis back onto the students and to there is nowhere for them to go now, and that make sure that we get education through to their careers are tending to stagnate. There is the kids, without allowing those mindless idiots a feeling amongst them of hopelessness and to indulge themselves in their whims. despair. I have said to them that, for heaven’s sake, and in the interests of all of us—whether Meetings have been held at schools in it be the students, the parents or the my electorate. I brought to the attention of the community in general—they must not give up. Minister one meeting of 14 schools that was Legislative Assembly 3801 24 August 1993 held recently in Jondaryan. Those people nothing but heartache and trauma. It is about called on the meeting themselves. They were time Government members realised that what not politically motivated or inspired. I we are about is giving everybody a fair and commend Mrs Nan Cook in the Jondaryan equal go. Whatever their policies are and area, who organised a very strong meeting. whatever our policies are, we are about Those people were very sensible in their people first and foremost, and it is absolutely approach. There was no wild slanging match. paramount that we never forget or lose sight They simply dealt with the issues, such as the of that issue. Unfortunately, some loss of 580 teachers, the 300 advisory Government members are losing sight of that teachers and the bloated bureaucracy that issue. should be cut so that savings can be made As to this teacher transfer scheme that there. I believe that they have made their the Government is proposing—young point very sensibly. I invited the Minister to visit teachers could go to some of our isolated and Oakey and listen to those people so that he remote schools and stay there for three, four could tell them about this himself. I believe or five years and wonder whether they will ever that in situations such as this, a Minister has get transferred out. Under this Government, to be a hands-on operator to ensure that the we will never see the teacher incentive changes that he intends to make are scheme for which the former Government telegraphed and explained properly well earmarked $25m, because the present before he starts to implement these things. Government is too busy looking after—— Changes can have a devastating effect on a community, and that is exactly what we have Mr Bredhauer: Just remember your seen in the education system in this State. blood pressure. Mr JOHNSON (Gregory) (7.59 p.m.): I rise Mr JOHNSON: The member for Cook can this evening to speak to the amendment to talk. I heard him speak about the railways the original motion, which condemns this issue. I will talk about that in a minute, and I Government for cutbacks in education and hope that he interjects. However, the people other Government-run enterprises and in some of those isolated and remote centres services to the people of Queensland. Firstly, I are suffering because they are not getting the shall speak about education, which is the representation that this Government should issue on which we started this debate. I be directing to them. Some 76 per cent of the believe that equality of education is something population of this State supported those rallies to which everybody in this State is entitled. which took place throughout the State a The proposals coming from this Government couple of weeks ago when the teachers went involve cutbacks to education. In the area of on strike for one day. I am not one to support the State that I represent, that is, the far west, strikes, but the teachers got 76 per cent there are many remote areas that suffer support that day, and I condone what they difficulties of isolation and remoteness. At the did, because they did that for the kids of this same time, the people in those areas suffer State. That is what we are all about. As from the lack of interschool competition, and Russell Cooper said, our kids are the most so on. These kids are deprived of the same important national resources that we have. education as that which can be offered in Mr Bredhauer interjected. Brisbane, in towns along the coast and in Mr JOHNSON: The member for Cook is towns such as Toowoomba, Rockhampton laughing. He has a little child of his own. What and Emerald—in fact, anywhere else that has future is she going to have? He is here bigger schools. laughing about a situation such as this. I will The point that I want to make is that give the honourable member for Cook the people in the west cannot sustain any mail: come the next State election, I will be cutbacks whatsoever. Just last week, I telling the people in Cook exactly what he witnessed a rally in Blackall, which some 300 thinks of education in the isolated and remote people attended, to object to cutbacks in areas in his electorate. The member for Cook Government departments, such as Education, pays only lip-service to many of those Railways and Health. The list goes on and on. communities that he represents. He does not As the honourable member for Crows Nest understand how those people work, because said, the morale in the Police Service and the he lives in Cairns. He does not worry about Ambulance Service is low, and it is all as a them; he cares only about his popularity which result of the endeavours of this Government. I can assure him after tonight will be waning. Since it introduced Dr Peter Coaldrake and his The other point that I want to make is Public Sector Management Commission, that those teachers in schools in western public servants throughout the State have had towns such as Winton, Longreach, Blackall, 24 August 1993 3802 Legislative Assembly

Barcaldine and Emerald are concerned for the We do not need first-year or second-year welfare of the kids whom they are teaching teachers going into those places all the time. because they want them to have opportunities We need to see the incentive scheme for that are equal to those offered to kids in the teachers upgraded so that we can attract bigger metropolitan or regional schools. Those quality teachers to those areas. teachers want for the kids in the west the I pay tribute to all of the teachers who same type of education as that received by work in those areas, because they do a damn the kids in these other bigger centres. As I good job. At the same time, I would like to pay say, it is absolutely paramount that we have tribute to the great work that the Catholic equality of education, because if we do not schools have done in the west of this State, have that equality of education, once again, namely, in Winton, Longreach, Blackall, we will find that the isolated children will Barcaldine and Emerald. They provide a great receive a substandard education, and this service in educating 27 per cent of the kids Government will be responsible for it. Mark my throughout the State. No doubt, without their words: come the next election, I will be contribution, we would see some horrible reminding the people of those areas that if State Budgets coming from this Government. they have cutbacks, and the kids in the high schools in those areas are put back to base It looks certain that there will be cutbacks subjects and are offered no extra subjects, it in the PCAP funding. It is absolutely ludicrous will be this Government’s responsibility. I will to think that any Government could cut back make sure of that. that PCAP funding. Over many years, a great enterprise such as PCAP has provided to 92 I want to make a point about schools in per cent of the area of Queensland and to towns such as Birdsville, Bedourie, Windorah some 7 per cent of the school population, a and Jundah. At this point, I am make mention great service in extra-curricular activities for of Jundah. We have seen a wonderful little kids who live in those remote and isolated program called the Coles computer areas. It has provided extra competition, competition conducted in that town. The transport and other things throughout the Jundah school won a trip to Disneyland, and I State. I urge Government members to support congratulate Steven Rafter, the principal of that concept and make sure that it does not that school, the P & C committee, the children die. It is absolutely paramount that they urge of the town and the surrounding district and the Federal Government also to make sure other people throughout the State for their that this concept is kept alive and well. great support of this concept. Twenty-two kids from Jundah school, plus their parents, are I would also like to pay tribute to the going to Disneyland. What a great opportunity North-western Regional Office, and the great for those people! It was achieved by sheer work that it has done in education. hard work and determination. I can assure Unfortunately, since this Government has honourable members that those people out been in power, for political reasons, it has there have guts. They are full of determination been moved from Longreach to Mount Isa. and grit, and they will not ever give in. I will That is very unfortunate, but I thank Mr Frank make sure that while I am representing those Rocket and his staff at the Longreach people, they will have the representation that Resource Centre for the great work that they they deserve, and I will keep that do. No doubt, they will keep education alive determination going for them. I wish them well and well in the central west. in Disneyland. The next matter to which I wish to refer is The other schools to which I refer are the railways, which is an issue that is high on the schools in places such as Stonehenge, agenda of everybody in this State. This Isisford and Ilfracombe. There are two schools Government is operating its own agenda by in Longreach. I refer also to the schools in way of stealth. A few weeks ago, Winton, Aramac, Muttaburra and Barcaldine— approximately one-third of this State’s railway the high school and the primary school. I also network was going to be lost because of the refer to the Blackall high and primary schools bureaucrats who drive Treasury in this State. and the Jericho, Alpha, Emerald and North The Cabinet does not drive what happens in Emerald schools; the Emerald primary school, this State; rather, it is the bureaucrats in the Springsure primary school, and the Treasury who do so. It is about time schools at Tresswell, Lockington, Comet and backbench Labor members and Cabinet Gindie. All of those little schools, and the Ministers showed a bit of guts and bigger schools in the Gregory electorate, determination by making some decisions. deserve the same quality of teachers as the Mr Gibbs: We have made decisions. schools everywhere else in the State have. Legislative Assembly 3803 24 August 1993

Mr JOHNSON: I trust that the Minister will government, unions or rail personnel in take my remarks back to his Cabinet relation to the proposed cutbacks in colleagues. In this State since the Labor Queensland Rail. A couple of weeks ago, I Government came to power in 1989, the was in Townsville and I spoke with railway people of Queensland have witnessed the workers at that centre who have had no absolute demise of freight distribution centres consultation. Even the union representatives as a result of the total shambles and dismal are complaining that they are not receiving failure of the Q-Link concept. It has not any consultation or any briefings from the worked. Labor Government to which they had been Mr Campbell interjected. loyal. I can assure members opposite that the loyalty of those people is running out. Mr JOHNSON: The member knows that it has not worked, so he might as well admit it. Mr DAVIES: I rise to a point of order. I Freight has been lost from Queensland Rail to would like to be able to table a letter, but I do private enterprise organisations. We now see not have it with me. There has been a wide trucks that are owned and operated by QR process of consultation with railways workers in travelling parallel to railway lines. Townsville. Mr Cooper: Do they pay registration? Mr JOHNSON: Sit down! I have hit a nerve. Mr JOHNSON: I can assure the honourable member that they do not pay Mr SPEAKER: Order! I would like the anywhere near the charges paid by the member for Mundingburra to read that later normal private enterprise operations. on. Tomorrow, if the Parliament debates the Mr JOHNSON: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I Motor Vehicles Safety Amendment Bill, which must have been cutting a little bit close to the has laid on the table for a long time, I will nerve because there is only one member from discuss these matters in more detail. I feel Townsville who is showing any guts at all. that something must be haunting this Mr SPEAKER: Order! Can I suggest, first Government in relation to that legislation. of all, that the member for Gregory address The other matter I wish to mention is the his remarks through the Chair? cutback in maintenance to QR right Mr JOHNSON: Yes, Mr Speaker. I remind throughout this State. The cutback of these you, Mr Speaker, that there is only one services has been on this Government’s member from Townsville who has any guts at agenda for a long time. There can be no all and that is the honourable Ken McElligott, doubt about that because, over the last three the member for Thuringowa. The other and a half years, we have seen no members do not even know that Townsville is maintenance work being carried out. the area they represent. Mr McElligott should Mr Bennett: Eight years ago. be in Cabinet, but he is not. Why not? The Mr JOHNSON: I can give the honourable answer is that he is too good, that is why. member a classic example. When a train load However, life goes on. of Napco bullocks ran off the rails about 12 The other matter I raise is: what will months ago at the Drummond Range, the happen when the cutbacks in Queensland company lost approximately $120,000 in fat Rail occur? There will be a total erosion of the bullocks and there was probably $500,000 in assets owned by railways personnel. If they damage to Queensland Rail rolling stock, plus presently own a house in a place such as the cost of repairing the line. If maintenance Winton or Quilpie that is worth, say, $50,000 crews at Bogantungan, Alpha and Pine Hill and they have a $30,000 mortgage, they will had been allowed to remain, I do not think be broke, thank you very much, Mr Speaker. that disaster would have occurred. This They will not even get a fire sale value for that Government is hell-bent on cuts, so people asset to enable them to relocate somewhere have no alternative but to witness disasters else. I would like some Government members occurring. I point out to members opposite with city-based electorates to travel out west that if a passenger, an engine-driver or a and speak to these people to find out what guard loses his or her life because of a lack of their problems are. These people have wives maintenance of Queensland’s rail lines, Labor and kids just as I and other honourable members will have blood on their hands, and I members do, and they have a right to live a will remind them of it. fair and uninterrupted life. If they want to live There has been no consultation at Winton, Quilpie or Birdsville, they should be whatsoever with rural producer organisations, left alone. I am waiting anxiously for the businesses, local communities, local outcome of the inquiry into rail cuts. I can 24 August 1993 3804 Legislative Assembly assure members opposite that if there are any Mr SANTORO (Clayfield—Deputy Leader stupid rail cuts to be made in this State, again of the Liberal Party) (8.19 p.m.): It will please I will lead the charge. I know that the member members opposite to know that I was not for Archerfield is on my side and that a lot of actually going to participate in this debate. people on the Government’s back bench are, Unfortunately, after listening to them all too, in relation to these cutbacks. Mr Speaker, afternoon, I was inspired to put some truth I can assure you that the people of into this debate. I believe that members Queensland will know exactly where I am opposite have well and truly lost the plot. I coming from when I begin. cannot believe that I represent the same sort Mr Bennett: What about a per capita of people as those whom members opposite basis? claim to represent. While listening to this debate, I kept hearing constant references to Mr JOHNSON: It is all very well cutting how happy are the people whom Labor back in the bush, but what about Brisbane’s members represent. Labor members spoke urban railway system that is subsidised to the about teachers, parents, police and ordinary tune of approximately $300,000 a day so that Queensland citizens. They come into this the people of Brisbane can travel to and from Parliament and they tell the Parliament that work and wherever else they wish to go? This the people whom they represent are happy system costs the Government $108m a year, with the service delivery that they are getting but Government members do not want to from this Government. know the truth of that issue. However, because it is true, they will simply have to grin It was at that point in time that I decided and bear it. The reality is that it is only the to enter the debate, because the people in profits that are made from the coalmines and my electorate and the people in the the mineral lines that are helping Queensland electorates of many Government members Rail. I point out that Queensland’s railways ring me and tell me that they are not happy system was laid down 126 years ago as an with what the Government is doing. Those essential service in this State and it was not people have woken up to what the intended to be a profit-making organisation. In Government is all about, and they know that March 1989, during debate on the transport the Government is no good. They know that, amendment legislation, the Honourable despite the very best gloss that the Premier Minister for Transport said that in this tries to put on all of the things that the Parliament, and it is recorded in Hansard. Government is supposed to be doing for the people, the gloss is fading. The members of In conclusion, I wish to refer to the the Goss Labor Government—and there was hospital and medical services provided in the a time when they wanted us to say the “Goss west. One of the greatest slaps in the face Labor Government”—— that any professional person could receive is what has happened to the nurses throughout Mr Bennett: Still do. this State. Difficulty is experienced in attracting Mr SANTORO: No, Government nurses to those far-flung centres in the west members do not. Those Government that experience a hot climate. On top of that, members who have a bit of courage have under this Government, accommodation costs stood up in caucus and spilt a bit of blood. I for nurses’ quarters will be increased from $47 appreciate the courage of people such as the to $187 in rent, which is absolutely honourable member for Thuringowa and the scandalous, if not criminal. I point out that if honourable member for Brisbane Central, an enrolled nurse takes home $220 a week because it does not matter how much one but has to pay $187 for rent, he or she would disagrees with their policies or their not have very much money left on which to initiatives—whether it is a fuel tax or a system survive. of health management such as that practised Mr Speaker, I can assure you that a lot of by the former Health Minister—and it does not people are not happy with the policies of this matter how much one disagrees with what Government in the areas of health, education, they believe, at least they are targets. At least transport, ambulance services, police, etc. those honourable members stand for Unfortunately, my time is running short on this something, and, unlike most of the insipid, occasion. However, I will continue to expose gutless individuals on the Government side, the exploits of this Government and the idiotic they are prepared to get up and stand for a policies that it is trying to sell to the people of principle. Queensland who are not as gullible as this I was absolutely incensed when I heard Government seems to think they are. speaker after speaker on the Government side of the House telling the Parliament that Legislative Assembly 3805 24 August 1993 people were happy with their performance. coming across like all the other Labor Not one teacher in my electorate or one Premiers. Let us have a look at what has teacher outside my electorate has phoned me happened. From the past financial year, the to say that he or she is happy with the Government will take $1 billion more in tax Government’s performance. If the revenue. Of that, $700 billion will come Government wants to take it out on the through increases in taxes and charges, which teachers, it will have to sack the whole lot of are State based, and more than $300m came them, because out of all the teachers to back from the Premiers Conference. There is whom I have spoken—and I reckon that is all absolutely no doubt that, in real terms, $1 of them—not one solitary teacher—— billion more is available to the Government to Mr Davies: Take an interjection. provide services. Mr SANTORO: I will take the interjection The Government also has been raiding from the honourable member, and in a hollow log after hollow log. That is the reason moment I will talk about what happened at the why tomorrow or the day after, we will debate front of Parliament House today. Not one the Workers’ Compensation Act Amendment solitary principal or teacher is satisfied with the Bill, which will seek to validate, to legalise, the Government’s performance. As educated transfer of $27.5m over the past three years people, they are able to read budgets. They by the Government from the workers’ readily acknowledge and they are able to see compensation fund for other Government the increase of $400m plus to the Education uses. The Government is awash with funds, budget. We on this side of the House and it could allocate them wisely. acknowledge that. To that extent, we give That is another point that is absolutely credit where credit is due. Government important in this debate: the Government has members have missed the most important not been allocating the funds wisely. It has point, which people on the Opposition side been putting funds into massive redundancy have been driving down their throats. packages. It has forced out people, including Government members seem unable to 120 teaching inspectors, which I think was the comprehend the reality that the funding is not figure mentioned by the honourable member reaching the people whom it is supposed to for Fassifern and other speakers before me. be benefiting, that is, the kids. The kids are The Government has had to pay out not any better off and the parents, who have enormous amounts of funds through either to raise money—— early retirement packages or redundancy Honourable members interjected. packages to terminate the contracts. It has built up a bureaucracy that clearly is not Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for delivering service but is basically there to look Crows Nest will cease interjecting. The after the Government’s imports, its mates and member for Gladstone will cease interjecting. its cronies. The Government has totally and We will listen to the debate. clearly miscalculated in terms of Mr SANTORO: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I regionalisation and decentralisation. am a little bit off colour tonight, otherwise I The concepts are good but the would be—— Government has totally stuffed it. It has not Mr SPEAKER: Order! Can I suggest that delivered services in those areas. All of the the honourable member address his Government’s big-spending experiments to comments through the Chair. bring up expenditure to the rate of that in Mr SANTORO: All of my comments will other States have failed. Although the be addressed through you, Mr Speaker. It is Government can legitimately point to just that they are such a provocative mob on increases in budgets within various the Government side of the House. I want to departments, the service delivery is not get back to the most substantive point that I occurring. It does not matter how often have made so far in this debate. It does not Government members say that the people tell matter how much money the Government them that they are happy with the allocates to any point of service delivery; Government, that is simply not on. unless it reaches the people whom the The Government was awash with money Government is trying to serve, it will not be any but it is running out of it because it clearly is good to anybody. not using the money efficiently and it is scared The major point that I want to make in to do one or both of two things—either run a this debate is: what is the plot by Government deficit or introduce new taxes. That is where members? I will start with the Premier. The we come to the spending cuts, because the Premier wants to totally move away from Government knows—and the Premier in 24 August 1993 3806 Legislative Assembly particular knows—that, as soon as the members. These days, I am the person who is Government introduces a new tax or goes into seeking—— deficit, the Premier and the Labor Mr SPEAKER: Order! I ask the Government become as any other previous honourable member to come back to the Labor Government has been. The Kirners, the debate. Bannons, the Wrans and all of those people did what the Queensland Government has not Mr SANTORO: They interject and make yet done, that is, introduce new taxes—petrol all sorts of suggestions about unions. I just taxes, perhaps— and run deficits. wanted to enlighten them. They certainly do not like it when I talk about unions in the If the Government will not do that—if it constructive manner that I always do. If the still cannot efficiently use the $1 billion plus Premier does not want to introduce new taxes, that it has—what will it do? The Government if he does not want to run a deficit, what does will still hang itself. It will reduce services. As a he do? result of that, to fund the Government’s experiments, to fund its failed decentralisation Mr J. H. Sullivan: What do you suggest? and regionalisation policies, to fund all of its What would you do? social engineering programs, to look after its Mr SANTORO: I will take the interjection. cronies and to build up the ineffective and no- We would manage as well as we have always service-delivery, middle-order bureaucracy, the done when we have been in Government. Government will cut back services. I can tell That is what we would do. The Labor Party are the Government that the people will not cop it, not money managers. If people cannot and the Government knows it. The unions manage money, they either introduce new know it. taxes, run a deficit or cut back on services. Mr Livingstone: First time in your life you That is precisely what this Government is have supported them. doing. Mr SANTORO: I take the interjection. I do Getting back to the subject of services, support those unions. I wrote to the what is happening in my electorate is what is Queensland railway union and asked for its happening in every other electorate in this support, because I am fair and I am not a State. Police stations are being closed down. union basher. Whenever unions pursue the What we have are shells of police stations best interests of the State of Queensland and operating as shop fronts. There is this you- my constituents, I will support them. beaut cluster system that is meant to be operating. I know what I am talking about Mr Pitt interjected. because one of them is in my electorate. Mr SANTORO: No, it is not my interests. What has been happening is that violent The honourable member is welcome to crime is on the increase, break and enters are remind me, and I know that it galls on the increase—— Government members to hear me talk like A Government member interjected. that. Earlier today, I raised in this Parliament—— Mr SANTORO: If the honourable member wants to interject, I will simply refer him to the Mr Gibbs: You are an old NCC man. figures released about two weeks ago, and to Mr SANTORO: I take the interjection two editorials expressing alarm at that trend. about the NCC because I want it to go on the The whole concept of community policing is record. I will say something else about the being diluted and is deteriorating further. NCC in a moment. Let me simply say that If one looks at the rail issue, which again members of one union contacted me over the has a fundamental impact in my electorate, weekend, and have been contacting me over this Government is closing down all passenger the last year or so, and they were members of rail services on the Eagle Junction to the old POA. I represented their interests, the Pinkenba line with no consultation and no real interests of the Minister’s union mates, who warnings. A total of 250 people have turned your Government so gutlessly refuses to look out twice at public meetings at which the after, after illegal transfers of superannuation Minister and the chief executives of funds occurred to the detriment of the rank Queensland Transport and Queensland Rail and file union members who he should be have sought to explain the insanity of their representing. The Minister for Justice and decision. If the honourable member thinks Attorney-General refused to come on radio that there were only 120 people—and I will this afternoon and debate me defending the come back to the interjection from the interests of the rank and file. I am the person honourable member—protesting outside the who is defending the rank and file union Parliament today, I inform him that there were Legislative Assembly 3807 24 August 1993

250 people at two meetings three weeks apart As I said, I was not going to speak during in my electorate. At a public meeting I am this debate, but I was absolutely sickened by organising for 4 September at 1 p.m. outside other members saying that the people of the Ascot Railway Station, there will be 500 Queensland were happy with what this people plus. So if Government members really Government is doing. Out there in the wish to defend their actions, through you, Mr community, irrespective of whether it is in the Speaker, I invite the Minister for Education, teaching profession, the health profession, the Minister for Tourism, Sport and within the Ambulance Service, or in the legal Recreation, the Premier, and the Minister for community, the Government is a joke. Transport to participate in this debate outside Mr Gibbs: What about the NCC? the Ascot Railway Station on 4 September. There will be 500 people plus who will tell Mr SANTORO: Just to keep the them that they are not happy. honourable member opposite happy—the NCC has many policies which I support. They I turn now to the Ambulance Service. The are policies which concern themselves with the Government raided its trust funds to the tune family, and with national security. The Minister of $45m. It squandered and wasted the funds talked about donations. The NCC has done a in those hollow logs just as it has squandered very good job in ferreting out the Minister’s and wasted the funds in all of the other hollow mates in the liquor union. On another logs. What else did the Government do? For occasion, I will talk about the NCC, the Cooke non-subscribers, the transport fee was inquiry, and the Minister’s mates in the liquor increased from $116 to $250; for families, the union who were exposed by the NCC. subscription was increased from $66 to $78 a Perhaps I might talk a little bit about the year. In addition, the Government dispensed Minister’s role also. with all the services that the oldies, the incapacitated and the disabled used to enjoy. Mr STONEMAN (Burdekin) (8.39 p.m.): I, Some members will say that such people too, had originally not planned to speak, but I should not be using ambulances to go to the was so incensed at the arrogance of this doctor or to be taken to hospitals, but the Government and the way in which it brought point they miss is that when the Government forward this debate today to stop the work of came into power those people were paying a this House, because it cannot manage the lower level of subscription; they were enjoying operations of the House. So no legislation, no an efficient Ambulance Service; and they were operation. That is what this debate is all still being taken to hospital by ambulance. I about. am actually quite prepared to buy the This Government is about centralised argument that they should be transported by power and decision making; it is about cab, but if the Government believes that that centralised expenditure; it is about centralised is the case, then it should fund the service for services and, of course, that means a subscribers because they were receiving it centralised focus on the administration of this efficiently and at no cost before this State. Those Government members who live Government came to power. There was in the far-flung areas of this State are starting service and there was value. to appreciate what that really means. They are Referring to the health system, I can starting to appreciate what I call the “Goss inform the House that constituents of mine arrogance base”. The map that I have in my have rung me complaining about people who hand demonstrates this Government’s had suffered strokes on Easter Friday and had arrogance, as perpetrated in this Parliament to enter hospital. However, they were not able by the Executive. It means that there are 30 to receive the treatment that was necessary to or 40 important seats in the centre of cities properly diagnose the seriousness of their and along the coast but, on the fringe, there complaint. They had only basic tests are seats such as Thuringowa, Barron River performed. While I was visiting one of them, and Mundingburra that are almost throw- the nurses said to me, “Mr Santoro, you aways in terms of decision making. The perhaps can have some influence if you want members who represent those areas are to see a particular person looked at much starting to understand what that arrogance is sooner. That is the only way you are going to all about. Mr Speaker, I will table this get that particular person seen to.” That is document in a moment, because I know that what was said. I did not do that because I was you will be very interested in it. It is a well- considerate towards the other people who researched and finite document. It explains were being looked at by the very few staff on what it is all about. duty. Mr Lingard: Who got rid of Pamela? 24 August 1993 3808 Legislative Assembly

Mr STONEMAN: One has to ask: why people who are caring for members of their would Pamela go and why did Quentin not go family and those in the community who are earlier? Of course, Quentin attacked the less well off in terms of their health and their National Party. Pamela has exposed the truth capacity to look after themselves. I have here of the incompetence of this Government. a letter which states in its conclusion— I turn to the basic services provided to the “Since the implementation of new community, of which education is first and legislation for Queensland”— foremost. Without education, little else counts. and that legislation is in respect of carers and Along with education are welfare and security those with disabilities— services such as the Police Service, the Ambulance Service, the Fire Service and the “is imminent, it is hoped that the ideas State Emergency Service, which is utilised in expressed in these minutes will receive the event of a natural disaster. The cuts that your consideration.” are the subject of this debate—which are The member for Thuringowa and I have a concerning people across this State and which personal interest in this matter, because it cuts for the first time are bringing people out of across both of our areas. The minutes of the their homes with their children to support Townsville/Thuringowa Forum state— teachers and those who previously perhaps “The Townsville/Thuringowa Forum would not have been supported strongly— on Disability held at Heatley Community have been recognised for what they are. Centre on 6 June 1993 focused on these Those cuts, first and foremost, will occur at the areas: fringe of this map of Queensland. They will not occur in the middle of Rockhampton, Mackay, (1) Education Townsville or Cairns, or the middle of the State (2) Accommodation itself. They will occur at the fringe of this State. (3) Daily living The fringe is usually in rural areas, about which the Goss Government does not really (4) Health care. It has been exhibiting that lack of care (5) Respite care.” by closing courthouses and wiping out Under the heading “Education”, the minutes ambulance services, hospitals and many other go on to state—and this is important in the services. context of this debate— I must compliment some Government “Teachers are being told by the members, and I single out the member for Education Department to be creative with Thuringowa, who has recognised at long the resources they already have. This is last—— not good enough when some specialist Mr Cooper interjected. teachers dealing with special needs Mr STONEMAN: I must say that I am not children in mainstream schools have too sure whether his aspirations to be the future many children under their care over too Mayor of Townsville will come to fruition yet. I many schools. More special needs units am sure that he will run and he will get are required in Townsville/Thuringowa.” reasonable support, but he will not win. That is, of course, why the member for The second component of that fringe Thuringowa is distancing himself almost daily process will be regional communities such as from this Government, and I commend him for the Thuringowa electorate—as the honourable that. The punchline in that section of the member for Thuringowa well knows—the minutes states— Mundingburra electorate, the Barron River “There is no continuity in leadership electorate, the Whitsunday electorate and the in some schools e.g. Townsville West has Mulgrave electorate. Goodbye, Mulgrave! On had 5 principals in 4 years.” the Goss map of arrogance, those seats are The lack of continuity that that school and expendable. That is what this is all about. The those students have had to cope with is an problem is that the fringe then starts to spread absolute disgrace. to the regional cities. I will not go through the whole of that I want to give the House an overview of submission, which is excellent and is written some of the concerns existing in the from the heart by the people from the community—and not necessarily those of the Townsville/Thuringowa Forum. I will turn to people in my electorate. I could have exposed some of the other topics dealt with in the all of those concerns, but I will not. I have submission. It states— selected a few at random. One example is the concerns held by people with disabilities, Legislative Assembly 3809 24 August 1993

“It would seem it has been a cost- Brisbane. He was then told, “Get on the bus cutting initiative of the Queensland and go home.” His mother said, “Enough is Government to withdraw services from so enough. You will kill this child.” To their credit, many over the last year. This forum the departmental officials said, “Okay, you can requests the Government to rethink its go back on an aeroplane.” That is the policy in this regard. situation at which we have arrived. That is The Forum questions the worth of what the cuts are doing. the present format of the Rehabilitation Mr J. H. Sullivan: Do you want to talk Centre in Townsville. People in North about Wiley Fancher? Queensland who once were serviced Mr STONEMAN: The honourable adequately by the Rehabilitation Centre member talks about Wiley Fancher. I in Townsville, now must travel to Brisbane challenge the honourable member who or Sydney for services. They often have interjects to go and look that mother in the to haggle over funding for these eye and tell her and her son, who is necessary trips. This in itself is undergoing chemotherapy treatment, that demeaning. Other families are leaving they must continue to travel on the bus. the North because necessary services are not here.” Let me inform the House about a person from Townsville who rang me two days ago. I hear this type of complaint, and members on The gentleman is not a constituent of mine, both sides would be hearing this type of but he had a stroke. After several hours, he complaint daily. Yet it does not seem to be got himself to the telephone and called the filtering through. Over three, four and five ambulance. The ambulance officer said, “If years, the services extended to people in rural you are able to get to the phone, you are able and regional Queensland have effectively to call a cab.” He had to say that because ceased to exist. The minutes conclude with a they are the rules. If honourable members heart-rending plea— were to go to the Home for the Aged at Ayr, “As the State Disability Program for they would be able to hear from the patients Queensland is presently being drawn up and the directors of that wonderful home that we would hope that the views of ambulance officers visited that home and told members of Townsville/Thuringowa them about the new rules, which were that, if Forum on Disability, namely: people with people can walk to a telephone, even if they a disability, parents, carers, members of are using crutches, they should call a cab. The organisations in disability—also receive a ambulance officers will not pick them up hearing.” because they are not allowed to do so. That is If that is not a plea from the heart, I know not what is happening to services in this State. what is. That is happening everywhere. For the benefit of the member from I must inform the House of a tragic Caboolture who interjected about services and situation. For a number of years, a 13-year-old talked about Wiley Fancher—a good man who chap has been flying regularly from Ayr to served this State well but who has gone to his Brisbane accompanied by his mother to have reward—I will present documentation to show chemotherapy. He has lost all his hair. I am how young people are now suffering because sure that many members would understand of these poor services. I know that some how traumatic that must be. Recently, members opposite who are listening to me because of health cutbacks, that lad and his know that what I am saying is true. mother were told that they would have to Mr J. H. Sullivan interjected. travel from Ayr to Brisbane by bus. They Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for fought against travelling by bus, but the doctor Caboolture! said, “No, that is it. You go by bus.” Apparently, because of cutbacks, the only way Mr STONEMAN: I will table the letter from that a patient can travel in an aeroplane is if the parents of one of those young people. If he or she is diagnosed as dying. That is tragic, the only way that the Government can rebut but it is the absolute truth. this sort of accusation is to go back in history, Lord help this State. So that lad and his mother travelled to Brisbane by bus. The bus had to stop over in I will now touch on a couple of other Rockhampton because it had to be cleaned matters. Unfortunately, I could go on and on. I and there had to be a driver change. The trip have learned that there is no way that one from Townsville to Brisbane ended up taking can put a case before anyone unless one has 23 hours. Then he had to face the trauma of documentation. I have that documentation. the chemotherapy when he arrived in Recently, the member for Thuringowa and I 24 August 1993 3810 Legislative Assembly have been involved with a problem faced by a in this sort of a situation any more.” The letter teacher. Although I have not spoken to him continued— about it, I know that he feels concern. “. . . as they would relegate country However, I will leave that aside. children to second class status in This afternoon, I received a letter about education as well as virtually everything education. It is a copy of a letter to the else. Parents wishing to give their children Treasurer from people at Home Hill relating to any sort of a decent education would be services at Home Hill. Those people know that forced seriously to consider boarding they are on the extreme fringe because they schools in the city, at huge expense, or are from a rural community and will be the first else drive them many kilometres every to be cut off, as occurred with services day to the nearest large school. provided by the ambulance, courthouses, So much for the Labor Party’s police and so on. The letter stated— platform of equity in education.” “We wish to protest in the strongest I rest my case on the matter. terms about the following proposed cuts to education spending in Queensland: I received a letter from the Home Hill Community Kindergarten Inc, a group which 500 fewer teachers in secondary has sustained its kindergarten in a small schools and the subsequent community at huge personal and community reduction in subjects available”— cost over the years. That letter stated— those people know what the impact is going to “I am writing to you on behalf of the be— committee and Parents of the Home Hill “The redeployment of Education Community Kindergarten to seek support Advisers and Education Officers, for an increase in our funding from the Special Duties; State Government in the next State The merging and clustering of small Budget.” schools without community Honourable members might well say that consultation . . .” everyone does that, which is fair enough. The Today, the member for Crows Nest outlined letter continued— very clearly the problem. He knows well what “I have enclosed a copy of our total will happen. It will probably have even more of budget for the 1993 year and you will an impact in his area. The letter continued— note that of our total budget of “Restrictions on the relocation rights $70180.00, Government funding will be of country teachers.” $40000.00.” This is important— I commend that. The letter went on further— “If this nation is at all to become a “This means that we will have to raise significant force in world economic affairs, $30180.00 from fees and fundraising in we must put every possible resource into 1993.” education, and provide our children with That is a small kindergarten. Although the decent, world standard, education and Government thunders that it is doing training. The proposed cutbacks will marvellous things, that community has to seriously erode the educational provide $3 out of every $7 to keep that opportunities for country children, and we kindergarten going. The letter stated further— urge you to reverse this proposal.” “While the Government funding we In common with the mother who had to bring currently receive covers 80% of the award her child down on a bus and virtually place his wages and salaries, the 17.5% loading, life at risk because of some bureaucratic edict, superannuation, country locality these parents know what the effects will be. In allowance of our staff, we have to find the a covering letter to me, these people stated— balance of our staff costs and all the “I know you and your party will do all other costs of running our Kindergarten.” in your power to reverse these iniquitous As you would well know, Mr Speaker, the and frightening proposals . . .” running of any business does not depend That is the problem: they are frightening merely on the big line items. All the little line people. People who would normally invest in items add up to a huge amount. those areas and sustain their lives in those The Burdekin Community Association is a areas are saying, “We cannot risk our children Legislative Assembly 3811 24 August 1993 marvellous group which will shortly hold its some of those resource centres is first rate, annual meeting. That association stated in a particularly as it relates to students with letter to me— learning disabilities. The staff at the Dalby “This Association has had to struggle resource centre are tremendously dedicated to have at least some Community to their work and do a fantastic job. Medicine personnel stationed in the Unfortunately, they are taking it upon Burdekin to provide some services to themselves to try to push around principals in clients, and has a real appreciation of the area. They are telling them where to jump, what that Service means to the when to jump and how high to jump. That community.” does not assist other agendas within the Education Department. At every level, the letters that are coming in are recognising that services that were Those principals are burdened with previously balanced and were provided paperwork. I guess that this whole exercise equitably across the community have stemmed from the CJC and the PSMC to disappeared because of this map of some extent. Many principals have had their arrogance which I will table at the conclusion jobs readvertised, and they have had to of my speech. Because it is a document that reapply for their own jobs. If members of this every Queenslander should see, you, Mr Government believe that that is good for Speaker, will probably want to have it morale, they have another think coming. incorporated in Hansard. The document sets People who have been doing a good job have out clearly why we are seeing services been told that they have virtually got the sack contracting into the south-east corner at the and must reapply for their own jobs. If expense of the economy, at the expense of Government members believe that this is the the people who serve this State well and at way to keep staff on side and keep them the expense of the honest, decent, dedicated and working towards what is going hardworking people of this community such as on, then they certainly do not understand how those at the Home Hill Kindergarten and the people think. others of whom I have spoken. I table the Principals have two different document. organisations, one of which is their own Time expired. organisation. The principals association, which is a voluntary organisation, holds meetings of Mr SPEAKER: Order! The map will not be its own. But its members are being interfered incorporated in Hansard. with in respect of where they should meet and Mr ELLIOTT (Cunningham) (8.59 p.m.): what they should do. They are being told to In rising to speak in this debate, I would like to go to a particular locality, where they will hold touch on a number of matters relating to the meetings and be told how to run their schools. education of our children in this State. That is certainly going over like a lead balloon. Ms Power interjected. The principals are not against using their own cars and coughing up from their own pockets Mr ELLIOTT: Yes. It would not do some to get to some of those meetings. However, Government members any harm if they were very definitely they are bucking. Even though to learn a few manners, either. All honourable they attend those meetings at their own members are concerned about principals in expense, because of the way in which they schools throughout the State. are being treated they are now saying, “If you I feel very strongly that what is happening want us to go to these meetings, you can here today is that the morale of all our send a car for us to pick us up, just like the principals is being shot to pieces, basically people on high salaries who run around in because they have lost their autonomy. I have Government cars and expect us to do this in spoken to many of the principals of high our own time, at our own expense and in our schools in my electorate. Quite frankly, they own cars.” It is not realistic to think that if you are so despondent about the way in which the treat people like that they will respond to that Education Department is being run that they sort of treatment. are considering going back into the classroom Ms Spence: What are you talking about? and saying to the Education Department, “If you want to run your schools, you go and run Mr ELLIOTT: I am talking about teachers. them.” In some instances, the autonomy of As to computer programs in schools—the the principals is being undermined by resource Government says that we must save some centres. money. I will tell the Government how it can save some money. It should leave in place Let us look objectively at resource the computer programs which are already in centres. In some instances, the work done by 24 August 1993 3812 Legislative Assembly our schools and which have cost high schools it does not, obviously it is not too switched on a great deal of money. I am talking about the about what is happening around the place. formula program with which the schools do I turn to the suggested clustering of their accounts, school reports and that type of schools. I was glad to hear the Minister say to thing. That program was put together by the deputation that I led from the Pittsworth people in the computer section of the area—which he mentioned this morning Education Department. They set up that during question time—that those areas that specific program, which has cost our schools, do not want clustering will not be involved in it, particularly the P & C associations, anything and that only those areas that wish to use a up to $20,000 from their own resources to clustering system or something akin to it will install. This Government is about to use it. I will be interested to see what goes on. undermine that whole process by asking them People in my electorate are obsessed with the to update and change this program. It will cost principle that someone might try to run eight another $20,000-odd to set up another or 10 schools from a central point with one program. Does the Government honestly headmaster in charge of all those schools. believe that that is the way to go about this? Like any other management program, A large percentage of schools use their regardless of whether it is an apprenticeship own programs in the management of their scheme, a management training scheme, a libraries. There is now a suggestion that that jackeroo scheme in the bush, or whatever, if will also be changed and that a new system we do not first of all give principals the will be put in place. Those schools would lose opportunity to manage smaller schools, how the money that they have spent on the the hell does this Government think that those software for those programs. If the principals will get any management Government wants to save some money, it experience and be capable of managing a should consider those two sectors straight decent-sized school unless they have had away. some experience in a smaller school? What about some of the wasteful Mr Nunn: We don’t know. seminars that are being run? I am not against Mr ELLIOTT: That is right. The running useful seminars where people gain honourable member does not know; something from them. Quite frankly, the unfortunately, nor does anyone else who is feedback that I am getting from north involved in trying to change all these things for Queensland is that a lot of money has been change’s sake. wasted on some seminars that have been run. The Government should consider those, Mr Bredhauer interjected. as well. Mr ELLIOTT: I listened to the Minister. I In 12 months’ time, Wiltshire’s committee had a deputation with him. In the past, I have is going to introduce another new curriculum. not found him to be a liar, so I see no reason People are fed up to the back teeth with why he should change his spots at this stage. constant change. They have had enough of it I hope that what he told us is true. I assume and want no more of it. This Government is that it is. I trust that that will be the case. totally demoralising the entire staff of the Obviously, the other matter that would Education Department. In my 19 years as a concern us is if teachers in country areas, in member in this place, I have never seen P & the interests of so-called efficiency, are going C associations, teachers and others taking this to be changed or swapped around. That is sort of action. Whether they come from the very different from the position in some areas Right or the Left spectrum of politics, they are of the city where perhaps parents have the basically a very conservative bunch. As a opportunity to move their children from one general rule, they do not go on strike, march school to another quite easily. If children are in or hold protest meetings. This Government remote, or even reasonably remote should ask itself why those conservative communities, it is very difficult in many people are suddenly out on the streets circumstances to move them from one school marching, holding meetings and carrying on. If to another. That applies particularly to children members think that these activities were who go to high schools, because they are few organised by me or some other member in and far between. For example, if people in that area, they are wrong. I was invited to go Pittsworth are not satisfied—which they are at along, but it was their meeting. It came the moment; they are very satisfied with their spontaneously from the community. Surely, high school—then if they can afford it, they when those sorts of communities start can take their children away from the behaving in this way, the Government must Pittsworth High School and send them to the ask itself whether something is going wrong. If Legislative Assembly 3813 24 August 1993

Glennie Memorial School, the Fairholme Question—That the motion be agreed school, the Concordia school or wherever else. to—put; and the House divided— Alternatively, they will send them to one AYES, 51—Ardill, Barton, Beattie, Bennett, Bird, of the other high schools in the area. They will Braddy, Bredhauer, Briskey, Budd, Burns, Campbell, set up their own bus run, using a minibus. Clark, Comben, Davies, De Lacy, Dollin, Edmond, They will do all sorts of innovative things to get Elder, Fenlon, Foley, Gibbs, Goss W. K., Hamill, Hayward, Hollis, Mackenroth, McElligott, McGrady, their children to a school that they consider will Milliner, Nunn, Nuttall, Palaszczuk, Pearce, Power, provide the best possible educational Purcell, Pyke, Robertson, Robson, Rose, Smith, opportunities for their children. Of course, Spence, Sullivan J. H., Sullivan T. B., Szczerbanik, once that happened, the people who could Vaughan, Warner, Welford, Wells, Woodgate not afford to send their children to a school in Tellers:, Pitt, Livingstone Toowoomba, or to a boarding school or a NOES, 33—Beanland, Borbidge, Connor, Cooper, private school, would be disadvantaged Davidson, Elliott, FitzGerald, Gamin, Gilmore, Goss immediately, because it would be much J. N., Grice, Hobbs, Horan, Johnson, Lester, harder to provide a full-scale curriculum if, in Lingard, Littleproud, McCauley, Mitchell, Perrett, fact, 100 children were suddenly taken out of Quinn, Randell, Rowell, Santoro, Simpson, Slack, a high school that is attended by Stephan, Stoneman, Turner, Veivers, Watson approximately 400 children. If the number of Tellers:, Springborg, Laming children attending a school drops suddenly, it Resolved in the affirmative. is going to be very difficult to maintain the viability of that school. I am most concerned that we could lose teachers, because in turn GOLDEN CASKET ART UNION AMENDMENT that would mean that we would be unable to BILL maintain a complete curriculum. Those are the Hon. K. E. De LACY (Cairns— Treasurer) main points that I wish to raise tonight, and I (9.23 p.m.), by leave, without notice: I move— thank the House for the opportunity to do so. “That leave be granted to bring in a Hon. P. COMBEN (Kedron—Minister for Bill for an Act to amend the Golden Education) (9.12 p.m.), in reply: I thank all Casket Art Union Act 1978.” honourable members for their contributions. Motion agreed to. We have certainly had some useful and knowledgeable debate—and then we also had the contribution from the Opposition. First Reading Mr Cooper: You started off pretty well. Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and Mr COMBEN: I am going to end fairly well Bill, on motion of Mr De Lacy, read a first time. also. I will sum up by saying that the Government rejects the Opposition’s Second Reading amendment, and I commend the original motion to the House. Hon. K. E. De LACY (Cairns— Treasurer) (9.24 p.m.): I move— Question—That the words proposed to be omitted stand part of the motion—put; and “That the Bill be now read a second the House divided— time.” AYES, 50—Barton, Beattie, Bennett, Bird, Braddy, This Bill will amend the Golden Casket Art Bredhauer, Briskey, Budd, Burns, Campbell, Clark, Union Act 1978. Comben, Davies, De Lacy, Dollin, Edmond, Elder, The Bill is required to enhance the Fenlon, Foley, Gibbs, Goss W. K., Hamill, Hayward, Hollis, Mackenroth, McElligott, McGrady, Milliner, Golden Casket Art Union Act 1978 by Nunn, Nuttall, Palaszczuk, Pearce, Power, Purcell, clarifying the method for determining whether Pyke, Robertson, Robson, Rose, Smith, Spence, an instant casket ticket is a winning ticket. The Sullivan J. H., Sullivan T. B., Szczerbanik, Vaughan, intention of the Bill is to prevent any Warner, Welford, Wells, Woodgate Tellers:, Pitt, unintended windfall through a Livingstone misunderstanding of instructions to players of NOES, 33—Beanland, Borbidge, Connor, Cooper, instant casket games. Since 1984, the Davidson, Elliott, FitzGerald, Gamin, Gilmore, Goss general understanding in the lottery playing J. N., Grice, Hobbs, Horan, Johnson, Lester, community has been that the instruction to Lingard, Littleproud, McCauley, Mitchell, Perrett, players “match 3 numbers” means to “match Quinn, Randell, Rowell, Santoro, Simpson, Slack, the same number 3 times”. Recently, the New Stephan, Stoneman, Turner, Veivers, Watson, South Wales court of appeal has determined Tellers:, Springborg, Laming that the instruction “match 3 numbers” could Resolved in the affirmative. mean “match 3 pairs of numbers”. 24 August 1993 3814 Legislative Assembly

This Bill demonstrates by the use of agreement has been a part of the process for example that the instruction “match 3 the Broadbeach, Breakwater Island and numbers (symbols)” has always been intended Brisbane casinos. to mean “match the same number (symbol) 3 The first key purpose of this Bill is then to times. This Bill will further clarify the intention authorise the entering into of such an of the game by indicating that a caption or agreement between the Treasurer and the label to a number or symbol is part of that preferred applicant, subject to prior approval of number or symbol and not a separate number the agreement by the Governor in Council. or symbol. I commend the Bill to the House. Negotiations on the detail of the agreement Debate, on motion of Mr FitzGerald, are proceeding with Reef. However, an adjourned. important part of any agreement will be, as was the case in Brisbane, finalisation of the heritage protection arrangements to apply to CAIRNS CASINO AGREEMENT BILL the Customs House site, which is a listed Hon. K. E. De LACY (Cairns— Treasurer) place under the provisions of the Queensland (9.26 p.m.), by leave, without notice: I move— Heritage Act. This cannot be completed until “That leave be granted to bring in a the proposal for the site has been assessed Bill for an Act to authorise the entering by the Heritage Council. As was the case with into of an agreement for the the Brisbane Casino Agreement Act, the development and operation of the Cairns second purpose of this Bill is to deem the Casino, and for related purposes.” project a Crown project for the purposes of the Queensland Heritage Act with the Treasurer Motion agreed to. nominated as the responsible Minister under that Act. First Reading While this will undoubtedly be Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and characterised by some as a means of Bill, on motion of Mr De Lacy, read a first time. avoiding the provisions of the Queensland Heritage Act, the reality is quite different. Let me briefly remind honourable members of the Second Reading process which is involved in the consideration Hon. K. E. De LACY (Cairns— Treasurer) by the Heritage Council of the development as (9.27 p.m.): I move— a Crown project. “That the Bill be now read a second The Administrative Services Department, time.” on behalf of the Crown, will provide a full and This Bill is a short, but nonetheless comprehensive report on the proposed project essential, prerequisite to the finalisation of to the Heritage Council. The Heritage Council arrangements with the preferred applicant for will then process the application by— the Cairns hotel/casino project. As honourable public notification of the details of the members would be aware, on 26 July Cabinet proposed development; endorsed the recommendation of the seeking objections within 21 days; interdepartmental evaluation committee that the Reef consortium be awarded preferred consideration of any objections lodged; applicant status for a hotel/casino project on and the Customs House site in Cairns. I am presentation of a recommendation to the pleased to report that, despite widespread Treasurer, as Minister responsible. conviction on behalf of the Cairns population that the casino would be better located on the It is then up to the Treasurer to make a railway site, opposition to the successful determination—which will be publicly proposal evaporated virtually overnight. This notified—as to his acceptance or otherwise of was due not only to the superb quality of the the council's recommendation. Reef proposal, but the fact that concerns Anyone who took the trouble to inspect relating to the future of the Customs House the material which was prepared for the site and Anzac Park proved to be ill founded. Brisbane submission, as I did, could not in any The Government's approval was subject way underestimate the quantity and quality of to finalisation of an agreement between the the work required to be undertaken as part of Government and the preferred applicant with this process, and the very considerable and regard to a wide range of matters regarding often costly efforts made to ensure that the the construction and operation of that heritage values of the site are preserved. The hotel/casino complex. Completion of such an agreement signed with Jupiters was Legislative Assembly 3815 24 August 1993 significantly enhanced by the heritage process out in the Bill. Legislation of the type of the and by the expert working group formed to Cairns Casino Agreement Bill is inevitably a provide advice to me on the best means of balance between the need to provide ensuring the preservation of the heritage adequate assurances of the Government's values of the site while allowing the project to commitment to seeing the project proceed proceed. I am confident that, given that the and the need to preserve the heritage value proposed development does nothing to the of listed sites. Cairns Customs House other than renovate it The project is an important one for Cairns and use it for compatible purposes, the and for Queensland tourism generally. It heritage process will run more smoothly on provides an important attraction in its own this occasion. right, both through the casino and quality The third purpose of this Bill is to confine hotel facility, and through features such as the the attention of the Heritage Council review of virtual doubling of Anzac Park and the green the project to that part of the site which is space in the Cairns central business district. listed under the Queensland Heritage Act. The The benefits do not stop there, however, as Government has made the site available the premium paid for the casino will allow the subject to certain conditions and has accepted construction of an international standard Reef as preferred applicant based on certain convention centre which will be a key criteria. It is up to the Government to honour infrastructure element in moving tourism in far- its part of the process. It would be quite unfair north Queensland to a new plane. In all, the to the preferred applicant to allow the two projects will involve capital expenditure of goalposts to be moved after the decision has over $200m and provide around 700 been made. This does not, however, mean permanent jobs directly. These benefits, plus that the remainder of the site will be ignored in the tax stream which will flow to Government the process. The preferred applicant has when the casino commences operations, commenced the task of documenting the have all been achieved by provision of a heritage values of the remainder of the site casino licence and hence without cost to the and the outcome of this work will form a key taxpayer. part of the finalisation of plans for the project A decision has been made that this as a whole. project will proceed and this legislation will The fourth purpose of the Bill is to ensure that it does. However, it must proceed exclude the decision-making process from the on a basis that ensures the preservation and provisions of the Judicial Review Act or any enhancement of the Cairns Customs House. I other type of review. The provisions here are make no apology for this balanced and careful exactly as they were for the Brisbane Casino approach to this issue. I commend the Bill to and the reasons the same. the House. As Minister responsible for the Casino Debate, on motion of Mr FitzGerald, Control Act, I have an obligation to take adjourned. whatever steps are necessary to ensure that the casino provides the highest standard of probity in its gaming facilities. This, regrettably QUEENSLAND TOURIST AND TRAVEL but necessarily, involves the curtailment of the CORPORATION AMENDMENT BILL rights of the individual in some circumstances. Hon. R. J. GIBBS (Bundamba— Minister I would remind honourable members that this for Tourism, Sport and Racing) (9.35 p.m.), by approach is already ingrained in the provisions leave, without notice: I move— of the Casino Control Act, a number of which “That leave be granted to bring in a are already exempt from judicial review. Bill for an Act to amend the Queensland The fifth and final function of the Bill is to Tourist and Travel Corporation Act 1979.” modify the effects of a number of other pieces Motion agreed to. of legislation where they would impact on the construction and/or operation of the hotel/casino complex. This provision is First Reading consistent with the arrangements which have Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and applied with regard to previous casinos in this Bill, on motion of Mr Gibbs, read a first time. State and will ensure that appropriate town planning, zoning, liquor licensing and leasing conditions can be put into place. The detail of Second Reading these changes will be incorporated in the Hon. R. J. GIBBS (Bundamba— Minister agreement rather than being exhaustively set 24 August 1993 3816 Legislative Assembly for Tourism, Sport and Racing) (9.36 p.m.): I “That leave be granted to bring in a move— Bill for an Act to provide for a major sports “That the Bill be now read a second and recreation complex in north time.” Queensland, and related purposes.” This Bill amends provisions relating to the Motion agreed to. readmission of QTTC employees who were former officers of the public service. First Reading Specifically, it clarifies that an employee of the QTTC, who was an officer of the public service Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and before the corporation was established, is not Bill, on motion of Mr Gibbs, read a first time. entitled to automatic readmission to the public service if dismissed for disciplinary reasons. Second Reading The provisions of the QTTC Act with respect to employees who were former public servants Hon. R. J. GIBBS (Bundamba— Minister are to some extent contradictory. for Tourism, Sport and Racing) (9.39 p.m.): I move— A 1981 amendment to the Act gave former public servants—under 65—an “That the Bill be now read a second automatic right of re-entry to the public service time.” if their employment was terminated by the The Willows Paceway is owned by the QTTC. It also provided that a person Racing Development Corporation. The Racing readmitted to the public service under section and Betting Act requires any land held by the 17A would be subject to the provisions of the Racing Development Corporation to be used Public Service Act concerning discipline in principally as a racing venue. There has been respect to anything that occurred prior to no harness racing at the Willows for readmission as if the person were an officer of approximately two years. This Bill overrides the the public service at the time, that is, they may Racing and Betting Act and will allow the be charged, suspended, punished or venue to be used for sport and recreation otherwise dealt with under those provisions. purposes. It is important that such a valuable However, the same section also provided asset not lie idle. that a person readmitted to the public service It is the Government’s intention that this was not to be taken to be guilty of an offence facility be utilised for sport and recreation for anything that occurred while the person purposes by the community. One way of was employed at the Queensland Tourist and achieving this would be by leasing the facility Travel Corporation. These provisions are to a local authority or a joint local authority contradictory. This Bill provides that where a board. The Bill provides that where a local person is dismissed by the QTTC for authority or joint local authority board leases disciplinary reasons, they will not have the the venue from the Racing Development protection of automatic readmission to the Corporation, the provisions of the Local public service. Such persons will, however, Government Act with respect to the need to have the same right—under the Industrial invite public tenders will not apply to the extent Relations Act—as any other employee of the prescribed. corporation in the same circumstances. This will allow any redevelopment work The Bill also repeals provisions of the necessary to be completed quickly and could QTTC Act which duplicate certain provisions of include work where the full cost is not charged. the Financial Administration and Audit Act. The use of the Willows for sport and recreation The Bill repeals obsolete provisions such as will ensure that maximum use is achieved and transitional arrangements applying when the duplication of similar facilities is minimised, corporation was established in 1979. The thus reducing the financial burden to the wording of the Act has been reviewed and community to develop new facilities. I modernised where appropriate. I commend commend the legislation to the House. the legislation to the House. Debate, on motion of Mr Veivers, Debate, on motion of Mr Veivers, adjourned. adjourned. JUSTICE AND ATTORNEY-GENERAL WILLOWS SPORTS COMPLEX BILL LEGISLATION (MISCELLANEOUS Hon. R. J. GIBBS (Bundamba— Minister PROVISIONS) BILL for Tourism, Sport and Racing) (9.39 p.m.), by Hon. D. M. WELLS (Murrumba— Minister leave, without notice: I move— for Justice and Attorney-General and Minister Legislative Assembly 3817 24 August 1993 for the Arts) (9.41 p.m.), by leave, without certificate of incorporation or registration notice: I move— signed by the Australian Securities “That leave be granted to bring in a Commission or authorised officer of the Bill for an Act to amend various Acts commission. Similarly, this amendment allows administered by the Minister for Justice copies of or extracts from documents and Attorney-General and the Minister for registered in the Queensland office of the the Arts.” ASC to be admissible in evidence. Motion agreed to. Part 4 of the Bill inserts a declaratory provision in the Justices Act 1886 which confirms the effect of provisions of that Act First Reading consequential to the enactment of the Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and Penalties and Sentences Act 1992. Part 5 of Bill, on motion of Mr Wells, read a first time. the Bill amends the Partnership (Limited Liability) Act 1988 to allow for the recognition of limited partnerships formed in other Second Reading jurisdictions. Part 6 of the Bill effects minor Hon. D. M. WELLS (Murrumba— Minister technical amendments to various Acts in the for Justice and Attorney-General and Minister Schedule to the Bill. These Acts are the Bail for the Arts) (9.41 p.m.): I move— Act 1980, the Commercial Arbitration Act 1990, the Justices Act 1886, and the “That the Bill be now read a second Partnership (Limited Liability) Act 1988. I time.” commend the Bill to the House. This Bill contains minor amendments to Debate, on motion of Mr Beanland, six different pieces of legislation. They are the adjourned. Bail Act 1980, the Commercial Arbitration Act 1990, the District Courts Act 1967, the Evidence Act 1977, the Justices Act 1886, ADJOURNMENT and the Partnership (Limited Liability) Act Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH 1988. The amendments have two elements in (Chatsworth—Leader of the House) common: they relate to statutes administered (9.44 p.m.): I move— by me and they do not modify the underlying philosophy or direction of the statutes that are “That the House do now adjourn.” being amended. The Department of Justice and Attorney- Dinghy Speeds General is responsible for the administration of Mr LAMING (Mooloolah) (9.45 p.m.): On 174 statutes and, as a result, there is a 2 March this year, I brought to the attention of necessity for a large number of technical this House the problem of speeding dinghies amendments to be regularly made to various on our waterways. I said at that time that it legislative provisions to ensure that the was not just a matter of speed. Many of these statutes continue to operate in the manner dinghies are being operated by children at intended. To facilitate this, a regular night without lights or safety equipment. I departmental miscellaneous provisions Bill is predicted that there was a very good chance prepared so that the technical amendments that a serious accident would occur. Since needed can be effected by means of one then there has been an horrific accident on statute. This ensures that much-needed the Gold Coast waterways, and although that statutory reform is not delayed and that the accident did not involve teenagers, there was time of the Parliament is not unnecessarily just such an incident on the Sunshine Coast expended on dealing with a number of last Saturday night. disparate pieces of legislation, each of which could be more appropriately combined in the An article in yesterday’s Sunshine Coast form of legislation we are now considering. Daily stated— Part 2 of the Bill amends the District “A weekend camping trip almost Courts Act 1967 to provide that the Governor ended in tragedy on Saturday night when in Council may grant leave of absence to a a 16-year-old youth was seriously injured District Court judge. A similar provision exists in in a terrifying boating accident on the the Supreme Court of Queensland Act 1991. Mooloolah River. Part 3 of the Bill amends the Evidence Act The youth suffered massive nerve 1977 to provide that evidence of the damage to his left arm, a left cheek incorporation of a company incorporated or fracture, and an eye injury when the registered in Queensland may be given by a aluminium dinghy he was travelling in 24 August 1993 3818 Legislative Assembly

collided with another vessel at 11.30 p.m. them to operate these potentially dangerous He was knocked unconscious in the crash boats on our waterways. and almost drowned. The third Minister I have contacted is the . . . Minister for Police. We can have all these A spokesman from the regulations regarding licences, lights and Maroochydore CIB said a lack of lights safety equipment, but if we do not have may have contributed to the accident.” officers such as water police available to enforce these provisions, it will all come to It is tempting to say that accidents will always nought. On 6 January, I wrote to the Minister happen. Only this morning we heard the making a request for a water police depot at Minister for Employment and Training citing Mooloolaba. He has responded that a request statistics on workplace accidents, saying that for funds for this purpose has been included in we must improve the situation. I applaud such the north coast region’s 1993-94 Budget sentiments. submission. I can only hope that this request Cyclists are now required to wear will not fall on deaf ears. helmets. This has been generally well To summarise, I again ask the Minister received. Drivers are required to wear seat for Primary Industries to give the authority to belts. Who would drive without one now? That boating and fisheries officers to issue on-the- leads me to ask: why do we allow young spot fines and give them the power to people to put their own lives and the lives of impound the vessels of offending drivers. I ask others in danger on our waterways every day the Minister for Transport to reconsider and, more specifically, at night? The problems reducing the horsepower rating of motors that are several. Firstly, the horsepower rating for require a driver to have a speed boat driver’s outboard motors requiring a speedboat licence. I ask the Minister for Police to ensure driver’s licence is too high at 6 horsepower. that the Sunshine Coast is provided with a Secondly, boating and fisheries officers do not water police depot. have the power to issue on-the-spot fines, nor can they impound a boat or motor following an offence. Thirdly, there is no water police Australian Defamation Laws presence on the Sunshine Coast. These Mr J. H. SULLIVAN (Caboolture) matters have been brought to the attention of (9.48 p.m.): I wish to speak abut defamation the relevant Ministers already. laws in Australia. They are laws with which I On January 6 this year, I wrote to the have had some experience during all of my Minister for Primary Industries and requested career in public life, except for the last couple that on-the-spot fines be implemented for of months. repeat offenders. This could be introduced Mr Veivers interjected. quickly. The Minister has indicated an intention to proceed. Might I suggest that the Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: I will take the provisions for impounding vessels or perhaps interjection from Mr Veivers. This is not the just outboard motors might also be member for Merrimac who, just a little over a appropriate. Officers can confiscate a boat if year ago, stood up in this House and the owner is apprehended with female crabs claimed—quite disgracefully—that the then but not if the person was speeding at night member for Cooroora, Mr Barber, was taking with no licence. This is obviously ridiculous. paper bags full of money. A more honest person one would never meet. Mr Barber has On 23 March, I wrote to the Minister for been cleared by the CJC. Transport suggesting that the horsepower rating for motors requiring a licence for the Miss Simpson: He has defamed people operator be reduced from 6 horsepower to 5 under parliamentary privilege. horsepower. This would have a significant Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: The member for impact on hull speeds. The current 6 Merrimac’s involvement in that disgraceful horsepower limit allows too high a speed for episode was probably responsible for a unlicensed operators. The Minister responded reasonable-size donation to the Liberal Party. that his preferred option was to rely on juvenile I remember, as other members will remember, boating safety awareness workshops. I do not that the member for Merrimac was not given criticise such workshops but, at the end of the any seat in the redistribution initially. As for the day or night, a teenager with a boat that will member for Maroochydore, Miss Simpson do 25 knots will travel at that speed. It is our makes less sense in this place than did her duty to protect our young people from father before her. I suggest also that she themselves. We do not let them have cars or keeps quiet. firearms without a licence but we do allow Legislative Assembly 3819 24 August 1993

During my period in public life, except for continue to have precedence in Australia, the past couple of months, I have had what I each member of this House can be defamed hesitate to describe as the privilege of having at will by any person by virtue of the fact that my actions overseen by, first, the Havermont we are public figures dealing with public Publishing Company and then the Caboolture issues. Newspaper Group. I am a bit of an expert on In 1990, the Attorney-General, Mr Wells, being on the receiving end of defamation. But was a leader in trying to introduce uniform it is not those defamations about which I wish defamation laws into Australian jurisdictions. to speak, although I could probably be That attempt was throttled earlier this year brought around to the subject if the member when the Kennett Government came to power for Southport wishes to interject again. It is in Victoria. Its Attorney-General, Jan Wade, about a case to which my eye was drawn in withdrew Victoria from that proposition. I use the newspaper at the end of July, in which the this time this evening to urge our Attorney- Liberal Party President of this State, Mr General, Mr Wells, to please try again. Everingham, was declared to have won a defamation battle over Uluru against Phillip Time expired. Toyne, the conservationist. I want to run through some of the details of that judgment Mr and Mrs A. Mura by Justice David Angel of the Northern Territory Supreme Court. The Courier-Mail of Mr VEIVERS (Southport) (9.54 p.m.): Mr 30 July stated— Speaker, I want to talk about—— “Justice David Angel of the Northern A Government member: Firearms. Territory Supreme Court yesterday ruled Mr VEIVERS: I could give the honourable that comments made by Mr Everingham member a very good run-down on that, but I in March 1985 had defamed Mr Toyne will do that at a later date. I want to talk about and another Aboriginal adviser Ross Mr Geoff Smith, the Minister for Lands. Johnstone but the comments were A Government member: A fine protected by qualified privilege.” gentleman. A Melbourne defamation barrister, Mr Sexton, Mr VEIVERS: He is a fine gentleman. said— Today, at the Cattlemen’s Union conference in “ . . . the defence of qualified privilege Townsville, a vote of no-confidence was had previously been held as unavailable passed in the Minister, but he did not even to those using the mass media to turn up. He hunted poor old Ed Casey up defame, as Mr Everingham had done.” there, who has nervous twitches with his Mr Sexton’s comments were included in the hands, and it is no wonder! Australian of 31 July. The article quoted I want to talk about the Minister for Justice Angel as saying— Lands. He has increased rents for pastoral “ ‘I am of the view that as a matter of leases by up to 400 per cent. Not only has he fact the publications were defamatory of attacked those poor people in drought-stricken each plaintiff’, but he also found ‘as a areas—and they are downtrodden enough as matter of law, and in the absence of it is—he is now also attacking small malice, the defamatory matters were businesses in Queensland with an impost that published on occasions of qualified will destroy most people on special leases in privilege’.” industrialised areas. This has a fairly heavy implication for each of I bring to the attention of the House a us. Justice Angel’s view was that Mr letter sent to Mr Smith on behalf of Mr A. J. Everingham’s right to free speech was greater and Mrs A. Mura. They have a business in than Mr Toyne’s right to a reputation. I remind Ernest Junction on the Gold Coast. The letter the House of the saying of Mr Jerome states— Kopfstra in his publication Upscaling Your “I act on behalf of Mr & Mrs Mura Mode of Existence— and have been requested to bring to your “Take care of your reputation. It’s attention their difficulties with a special your most valuable asset.” lease under your jurisdiction and to seek a reasonable resolution of the matter. At present, the member for Southport would be well aware of reputation and assets. Approximately six (6) years ago, our clients desired to set up a small As politicians, we are always open to the production work shop and acquire the things that can be said in the heat of debate. abovementioned lease with a small If this Northern Territory judgment were to 24 August 1993 3820 Legislative Assembly

factory thereon. They borrowed the cost Mr Mackenroth: How long? of construction of the factory”— Mr VEIVERS: It was ongoing forever; which most people do. The letter continues— those were the terms of reference. “In each year they have paid their I have taken many people from that rental”— industrial area to see this goose, Mr Smith. I this is the peppercorn rental that has been withdraw that comment. I do not think that he charged— is a bad bloke, but he is just totally incompetent. Many business people in my “of $171.00 per annum.” area are facing that sort of impost during this, That was to institute industries, and it has the recession that we “had to have”, but the been very successful. The Government carried Minister will not listen. He dismisses them out it on, but now this Minister has decided to cut of hand. It just cannot go on. Approximately it off, during the worst recession ever 22 people in industrial areas on the Gold experienced. The letter continued— Coast are facing this type of impost and this “In June of this year they received an type of retrospectivity. account as attached for $5,904.00 which Time expired. purported to be a reassessment of rental from $171.00 to $6,075.00 for the period from the 1st February, 1992 to the 31st Funeral Transportation December, 1993, in other words it was Mrs BIRD (Whitsunday) (9.59 p.m.): I both retrospective and in advance. They draw the attention of members to a possible queried the account with your office in oversight by State legislators, past and Southport but were told to go away and present. This oversight led to a situation that pay it as it was correct and were not given eventuated in a rather traumatic few days for any further explanation. Mr Mura does a member of the Whitsunday community. not speak perfect English and may have Although not an every day event, it is a matter had difficulty explaining himself but he felt that could have serious implications for other that he was treated in a very dismissive communities. attitude unreasonably. In late July, Mr & I received representation from a very Mrs Mura received a further account as distressed funeral director who had some attached for the billing period from the 1st serious concerns as a result of the private July, 1993 to the 30th June, 1994, transport of a deceased person. It seemed showing a total sum of $13,273.20. that the family desired to fulfil the dying wishes It appears now that the first account of their grandfather to be cremated. After was incorrect. It also appears that Mr & inquiring as to the cost of the three-hour Mrs Mura have lost their entitlement to journey to the crematorium by the mortuary’s object through a passage of time”— transport service, the family decided that it which is most unfair. The letter concludes— would prefer to transport grandfather privately. The deceased, in coffin, was released to the “The operation on the site is a small family. The family then proceeded to place the business which turns over $400,000.00 deceased in the rear of a panel van which worth of box trailer manufacturing. Less clearly had seen better days. than half of the site is required for the business and it does not appear that Problems occurred when the rear door there will be a need for a future refused to close because the coffin was just a expansion for some time.” little bit too long for the van. At that stage, the funeral director expressed a real sense of I can assure the House that the business will nervousness about the logistics of what was not need much expansion if it keeps receiving happening. Unperturbed, the family produced retrospective bills for $6,075, when the rent a rope and tied the rear door closed by the which was agreed to under the old rules was door handles. By this time, the director was $171 per annum. No business can take that distinctly distraught. The family then wished sort of impost and that sort of retrospectivity. It that the car be clearly identified as carrying a is unfair. On a number of occasions, this deceased person and proceeded to place Minister—— huge black bows on the door handles and Mr Mackenroth: How long was it agreed front bonnet of the vehicle. The family then that they would get a concession for? happily transported the coffin on the three- Mr VEIVERS: It was agreed that they hour journey in the panel van, back door would get concessions from six years ago, slightly ajar, to the crematorium. and it was ongoing. Legislative Assembly 3821 24 August 1993

What dreadful consequences could have Social Justice Programs; Pacific Paradise eventuated in the event of a breakdown or an School accident. The director was now clearly worried Miss SIMPSON (Maroochydore) about the logistics of the entire process. She (10.04 p.m.): Social justice is about doing the exclaimed, “Surely there is some legislation to right thing by people, treating people equally prevent this?” The answer, of course, is, “No.” and honestly, with integrity and with Research by my office indicates that the compassion. However, social justice under this Health Department’s only objection to the Government has more to do with bureaucrats private transportation of bodies would be by and Labor pollies talkfesting about how to way of concern about potential incompatible cover their backsides and then issuing use, that is, it would look askance at the use guidelines and red tape instead of a bit of of, say, a milk van, a pizza delivery vehicle, a compassion and common sense. I would love pie cart or any other vehicle that transported to know the monetary cost of so-called social food for the transport of deceased persons. justice programs to the Queensland taxpayer, The Transport Department then advised not to mention the cost of other committees that the only regulation that applied in this set up by people to implement some of their case was if the coffin projected more than 1.2 anti-discrimination and anti-sexual harassment metres outside the vehicle. The department programs in the public service. It must have would then have to insist on a red rag being cost millions. fastened to the end of the protrusion. Who I have reason to be cynical about the true said that bureaucracy does not have its strong fruits of all this talking at Government points! expense. Just the other day I received a letter In his maiden speech on the from the Transport Department telling me why, Crematorium Amendment Bill on 6 April 1978, under its road reform program, a potentially the Minister for Local Government, Mr lethal access route to the Pacific Paradise Mackenroth, said— school would not be fixed. The department wrote that it had done its evaluation and, “All honourable members should be under its road reform program, which, it wrote, aware of the advantage taken by funeral included social justice provisions, the directors of widows and close relations of intersection would not be fixed. Social justice! deceased persons at a time of deep It is a dangerous intersection. Cannot the emotional stress.” department just fix it when it is dangerous? It Mr Mackenroth: It was a good speech, is not a social experiment. too, wasn’t it? The intersection of Menzies Drive, David Mrs BIRD: Excellent. He went on— Low Way and Mudjimba Beach Road is a “. . . Queensland funeral directors had conflict zone of children on bikes, parents been sending human ashes through the ferrying children to and fro, and through traffic post—truly a macabre practice. What we on the David Low Way. Since last year, should be doing in amending the approximately 100 extra children have Cremation Act is looking at ways in which enrolled at that school, which makes a total of the law can be strengthened to give approximately 460 children attending the proper protection to people and to stop school. The area’s population is going through funeral directors taking advantage of the roof, and the school’s enrolment reflects them.” that growth. The intersection does not have a body count yet. There will be blood on the That brings me to just one other point: are we Government’s hands, though, if it does not about to see a new strain of consumerism? seek to fix the problem. Because the school For instance, will we see people shopping has only been open since last year, the around for the best price for the transport of a Government does not have the necessary coffin? body count that would fit its road reform I conclude with the words of Mr program or its tidy little ideas of social justice, Mackenroth— which are to get bureaucrats to put their noses “I consider that it is the responsibility to the grindstone to work out guidelines, yet of the Queensland Parliament to legislate they are not spitting out the fruits of the to protect people at the most traumatic labours at the other end. moment of their lives.” Talk is very cheap, but I am talking about Grandfather and I concur. an intersection at which there are conflict zones. There is through traffic, and traffic bypassing other traffic turning right into 24 August 1993 3822 Legislative Assembly

Mudjimba Beach Road, and yet in that very residents would prefer to keep it that way; bypass lane there is other traffic waiting to get and access at right angles to David Low Way. The the beaches and foreshore are quite intersection is extremely dangerous. However, unique and subject to different pressures because the school is new, it does not have from others on the Gold Coast. the accident history that would allow it to fit into the Government’s program. Does the The southern Gold Coast is also Government want children to be killed before it characterised by two magnificent and fragile will do something about the problem? waterways—the Currumbin and Tallebudgera Creeks. In the next few months, the Government will initiate ongoing water quality Southern Gold Coast monitoring in Currumbin Creek. Stopping sand Mrs ROSE (Currumbin) (10.07 p.m.): The loss on the beaches and maintaining water southern part of the Gold Coast is a quality in the creeks have become important community in its own right. Many people from concerns for our local community—concerns Brisbane, and others from northern and which have been recognised by the Goss western parts of Queensland see the Gold Government. Coast as one region stretching from Southport Demographically, the southern Gold to Coolangatta. The tourist strip does extend Coast has the second highest concentration unbroken from Coolangatta north to where the of residents over the age of 60 in Queensland wide surf beaches fade away, but it must be behind Hervey Bay. The elderly population on remembered that the Gold Coast consists of the southern Gold Coast is concentrated in different communities, of which one is the Coolangatta and Palm Beach. An influx of distinct and unique southern Gold Coast. It is young families to Elanora and Currumbin not for parochial reasons that I have asserted Waters makes them two of the fastest-growing on more than one occasion that ours is a areas in the whole State. community with interests distinct from those of The Currumbin electorate is one of seven other parts of the Gold Coast strip. Queensland State seats that border New It is easy for the bean counters to throw South Wales. The existence of the border the southern Gold Coast into the same places unusual pressures on the community statistical region as the rest of the Gold Coast, of the southern Gold Coast, as I am sure it but there are a lot of very important reasons does for the residents of the Tweed district of why it should be seen as a community with its northern New South Wales. Confusion is not own specific needs quite different from those unusual when it comes to coordinating the of other Gold Coast communities. Today, I provision of services for residents of the want to explain why the southern Gold Coast Tweed/lower Gold Coast region. merits separate and special consideration and Recently, a study instigated by the why this consideration is vital to the proper Federal Government concluded that both management of our part of the Gold Coast States should work towards achieving a sound region. system for resolving border anomalies. I The legacy of the last Government is a understand that, in line with this, the concentration of administrative attention and Queensland Premier has requested the services on the northern part of the Gold current joint working group which considers Coast. Under this Government, there has Queensland/New South Wales cross-border been a recognition that the southern Gold issues to review the most appropriate method Coast has distinct and unique problems which for effectively addressing problems associated require distinct solutions. The pressures to with the border and to report back to the which I allude are the following— Queensland and New South Wales the southern Gold Coast differs from Governments. I would like to congratulate the other parts of the Gold Coast both Premier on this, as it represents his physically and demographically; constructive recognition of one of the southern Gold Coast’s special problems. thankfully, development has been a little less intense in comparison to other parts One of the most important initiatives that of the Gold Coast; the Queensland Government can offer the southern Gold Coast is a recognition that it is unlike Surfers Paradise, suburbs such as a distinct community with needs not always Palm Beach, Currumbin, Tugun, Bilinga, synonymous with the rest of the coastal strip. I Kirra and Coolangatta are not noted for a am pleased to say that my Cabinet colleagues high concentration of high-rise are well aware of this. Their numerous visits to, buildings—and I am sure that most local and focus on, the southern Gold Coast are Legislative Assembly 3823 24 August 1993 undeniable evidence of this. But I would like the House to remember—and certainly have put on the public record—my desire to have the southern end of the Gold Coast recognised as a community quite different in its requirements from the rest of the tourist strip. In fact, in many ways, the only community of interest that exists involves the tourism industry and the long, golden beach upon which it relies. For such a large area with a rapidly growing population, the community of the southern Gold Coast is cohesive and communicative. Time expired. Motion agreed to. The House adjourned at 10.13 p.m.