Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

THURSDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 1985

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

Ministerial Statements 26 September 1985 1387

THURSDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 1985

Mr SPEAKER (Hon. J. H. Waraer, Toowoomba South) read prayers and took the chair at 11 a.m.

PETITIONS The Clerk announced the receipt of the following petitions— Amalgamation of Nursing Boards From Mr Austin (24 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland wiU intervene in the proposed amalgamation of the Board of Nursing Studies and Nurses Registration Board of Queensland.

Enforcement of Fraser Island Access Act From Mr Buras (66 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland will reconsider the enforcement of the Fraser Island Access Bill. Petitions received.

PAPERS The foUowing papers were laid on the table, and ordered to be printed— Reports— BuUders Registration Board of Queensland for the year ended 30 June 1985 Department of Forestry for the year ended 30 June 1985 Department of Welfare Services for the year ended 30 June 1985. The foUowing papers were laid on the table— Reports— Queensland Milk Board for the year ended 30 June 1985 Central Queensland Grain Sorghum Marketing Board for the year ended 31 December 1984 Ginger Marketing Board and the Buderim Ginger Growers Co-operative Association Limited for the year ended 31 December 1984.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Mr J. C. Needham; Allegations by Member for Ashgrove Hon. R. J. HINZE (South Coast—Minister for Local Goverament, Main Roads and Racing) (11.3 a.m.), by leave: Mr Speaker An Opposition Member: Make it short. Mr HINZE: When there are clowois opposite who make stupid statements, they have to be replied to. The speech by the honourable member for Ashgrove (Mr Veivers) in the Matters of Public Interest debate yesterday was noteworthy from two points of view. From the point of view of what the honourable member said, certain key elements were quite inaccurate. The other point of view is, of course, what the honourable member omitted to teU the ParUament. The facts from the first viewpoint are: first, I have not, as stated by the honourable member, been involved with Mr Needham in relation to property formerly ovmed by him at Samsonvale. The facts are that in 1979 Mr Needham's solicitors made an inquiry 1388 26 September 1985 Ministerial Statements of the Main Roads Department as to its future intentions with respect to a property at the comer of Mount Samson Road and Winn Road. Such inquiries are not uncommon, there being something of the order of 1 500 per week to the Brisbane metropoUtan division of the department. As a result of that inquiry, Mr Needham began negotiations with departmental officers to see whether the preliminary alignment—I emphasise "preUminary", a word which appeared in the letter the honourable member tabled but which he has chosen to ignore—could be varied in a way that would not affect his planned development of the property. The honourable member is probably unaware that many property-owners in the metropoUtan area do precisely the same thing each week, and that departmental officers are only too wiUing to negotiate so that the use of the land for both road and private development is optimised. As a result of the negotiations and of the investigations into altemative alignments, it became quite clear that the total cost of a road on the preUminary aUgnment, including the compensation that would be payable to Mr Needham under the terms of the Acquisition of Land Act, would exceed those of the road curtently under constmction. Secondly, there was no original route favoured by the Main Roads Department. A preUminary route was dravm on a contour plan which required further investigation. That route essentiaUy followed the old railway Une for some distance. However, it never did foUow the old railway line in the vicinity of the properties formerly owned by Mr Needham. Thirdly, the decision to alter the preliminary alignment to that on which the road is curtently being constmcted was not against the better judgment of the Main Roads Department. Departmental officers concemed at the time had concluded that the total cost of the road on the new alignment would be less than that on the old. Fourthly, a more expensive, longer and more dangerous route was not chosen. As I have said previously, departmental officers assessed the total cost of the original preUminary route as being higher than the cost of that on which constmction is cmrently proceeding. The road curtently under constmction has been designed to the same standards applied to the preUminary route. It is not a dangerous design. Next, it is not unusual for the boundaries of a proposed road to be pegged by departmental surveyors. It is a courtesy extended to many with whom the department has deaUngs to enable property-ovmers to assess the effects of proposed resumptions. It was done for Mr Needham; it was done for Mr Cochrane; and it is was done for Mrs ColUns. Finally, from the first point of view, the department's purpose in roughly pegging the boundaries of the amended route was to ensure that no further improvements were carried out on the area required for road, that is, that no improvements were carried out on land to be retained by Mr Needham. From the point of view of what the honourable member has not said, no mention is made of the fact that the area acquired from Mr Needham was of the order of 6 ha, and that the areas required from small property-ovmers who would not otherwise have been affected varied from 0.5 ha to 0.06 ha. Nor was any mention made of the fact that on 5 March 1985,1 advised the honourable member for Everton, interaUa, that the cost difference between the two altematives would have been reduced to the difference in property costs. A value of $800,000 was placed on improvements carried out by Mr Needham. These costs are far in excess of property costs on the altemative routes. I feel sure the honourable member for Ashgrove was aware of that advice to his colleague. The honourable member has also omitted to state that it is quite normal for property-owners to seek to have the effects of public works on their property ameUorated. In fact, under the provisions of the Acquisition of Land Act, it is a property-ovmer's Ministerial Statements 26 September 1985 1389

right to object to the resumption of property, to state his objections and to have them fully considered. That, where possible, a simUar process is foUowed within the Main Roads Department as plans are being developed, would seem to me a matter for congratulation rather than the reverse, as it seeks to sort out the problems before they reaUy arise. Not long before his death, the former member for Archerfield joined in a deputation to me seeking to have the Main Roads Department change the planning layouts for the Oxley Road interchange. There were some advantages in such a course of action, just as there were disadvantages, including some to property-owners who were not affected by the original proposal. I agreed with the case put by the deputation and instmcted that a revised layout be investigated. On the basis of the honourable member's argument put forward in the case under debate, I should not have agreed with the case put by the former member for Archerfield. 1 totaUy reject the concept, just as I reject the concept that any person who claims to be a friend of mine should on that account forfeit any rights he may have under the legislation in force in this State. When I was speaking last night to Mick Veivers, a former interaational footballer and a cousin of the member for Ashgrove, he said to me, "Russell, 1 think I wiU have to change my name by deed poU. I just cannot carry on with the name of Veivers with a clown like that in Parliament." Regional Mortality in Queensland Hon. B. D. AUSTIN (Wavell—Minister for Health) (11.9 a.m.), by leave: I present, for the information of all honourable members, a report entitled Regional Mortality in Queensland, which has been produced by the Cancer Prevention Unit of my department. The report covers mortality for different types of cancer and selected other causes of death for the period 1970 to 1982. The report looks at mortaUty from two main axes, the geographical regions within the State; the other, different levels of urbanisation. The geographic divisions are Brisbane, Gold and Sunshine Coasts, other coastal regions, northera, westera and eastera interior. Four levels of urbanisation have been examined, ranging from major urban, which essentiaUy covers Brisbane and the Gold Coast, down to mral, which has been defined as areas in which none of the population Uves in a centre with more than 1 000 people. The purpose of the report is to add to our understanding of the distribution of disease patteras in Queensland and to help target health services to particular health problems in different parts of the State. The findings need to be interpreted with some caution, as differences in mortality may be due to a number of different factors. They may, for example, reflect the effects of migration, varying degrees of exposure to factors which influence health and/or the effects of health services. Therefore, differences highlighted in the report need to be investigated so that specific treatment or health promotion programs can be directed to those problems, where necessary, as a further measure in improving the health of the community as a whole. In May last year, I announced a major cancer prevention program. Initiatives in this program included the establishment of a ministerial advisory committee on cancer prevention, the creation of a Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Unit and a series of other initiatives for specific aspects of cancer prevention. These initiatives included a chUdren's anti-smoking campaign, a screening cUnic for women at high risk of breast cancer, the establishment of expert committees to examine the questions of diet and cancer, and recommendations about the role that hospitals and health centres can play in cancer prevention. These aU form part of an overaU strategy to stop the rise in cancer mortality and ultimately cause it to decUne. 1390 26 September 1985 Ministerial Statements Our anti-cancer campaign has attracted a great deal of interest, and we wiU shortly be holding discussions with the World Health Organization about the prospect of Queensland's becoming a demonstration project for cancer prevention with the WHO. It is now proposed to extend the sort of approach that has been applied successfully to cancer to a wider range of diseases and problems. Just as in the case for cancer, the responsibility for prevention of many of the major problems, such as accidents and heart disease, encompasses community organisations, medical practitioners, goverament and the community at large. An effective approach to these problems requires a drawing together of the resources of the whole community to tackle them. Doctors, nurses, hospitals and community organisations in different parts of the State must be encouraged to look at the particular health problems in their area and to work together to try to prevent them. For many of the major causes of ill health, one of the most important factors is a person's individual Ufe-style, and there is much that people can do to improve their ovm standard of health. One of the most striking examples of this throughout this report is the marked difference between mortality patteras for males and those for females. Those differences, where they exist, are, without exception, characterised by a higher mortality for males. There is no condition common to both males and females from which females suffer a significantly raised mortality rate. The reasons for this are complex, but one of the most important factors is the variation between life-styles of males and females. OveraU, the age standardised death rate for males is 70 per cent higher than that for females. Mortality from cancers is over 60 per cent higher in males and the mortaUty from heart disease is twice as high in males as it is in females. The highest differences relate to preventable causes of death. Cancer of the oral cavity, for which the major risk factors are tobacco and alcohol, is three times higher in males. Cancer of the larynx, which is also related to these factors, is 10 times higher in males. Lung cancer is six times higher in males. Mortality from alcoholism is five times higher in males, and from cirthosis and motor vehicle accidents, three times higher. Death from chronic respiratory disease is over four times higher in males. These findings have very considerable implications for public health, and a very significant reduction in male mortality could be achieved if males were to moderate their consumption of alcohol and tobacco. Equally, it is important that females maintain their relatively favourable position by not adopting male patteras of consumption for these major risk factors. The three major causes of lost years of life are cancer, accidents and heart disease, in that order. Our approach to cancer prevention is weU under way. We wiU now be paying particular attention to accidents and heart disease. In addition to concentrating on those major causes of death, we will be paying attention to other problems where a combination of treatment and prevention services is required. Diabetes and hypertension are examples of such diseases. The department has a wide range of prevention programs already, covering many diverse areas including immunisation for infectious diseases; materaal and child health care; Aboriginal health programs; dmg and alcohol programs; programs for people with physical and emotional handicaps, or other coping problems; and so on. More recentiy, of course, a whole new set of programs for AIDS has been developed and implemented. These programs will be continued and further developed as required, as part of this department's overall aim of helping the community achieve the highest possible standard of health. Ten years ago, the level of mortality from heart disease in Australia was the third highest in the world. There has been a spectacular reduction in heart disease mortality Personal Explanation 26 September 1985 1391

since then, so that Australia now ranks around tenth. However, this level is stiU very high and remains about three times the level of heart disease mortality in France and five times the level of heart disease mortality in Japan. These comparisons show that there is still considerable room for improvement. Goveraments and community bodies can help to improve health standards, but ultimately the most important factors for a wide range of conditions are the way people Uve, what they do, what they drink, whether they smoke or not, their sexual behaviour, their exercise patteras, how they deal with stress, and their relationships with their famiUes and others. This new publication will help the Health Department and the people of Queensland in understanding the patteras of health within the State and in taking further steps to improve our health in the future. I table the report Regional Mortality in Queensland. Whereupon the honourable gentleman laid the report on the table.

PERSONAL EXPLANATION Mr De LACY (Cairas) (11.15 a.m.), by leave: In yesterday's Daily Sun, I was cast in a bad light by jouraalist Paul Bird in an article on the sugar industry. The article stated that 1 asked a question of the Premier. Further, the jouraaUst quoted the Premier as saying that the Federal Goverament took $700m from the sugar industry in tax. What the article does not say is that my question to the Premier sought justification of his preposterous claim. Hansard shows that he was unable to answer the question and justify the ridiculous figure. However, the Daily Sun continues to take this figure at face value. That is an indictment Mr CAHILL: I rise to a point of order. The honourable member for Cairas is debating Mr R. J. Gibbs: Are you sober? Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Wolston will withdraw that remark. 1 call the member for Aspley. Mr CAHILL: Contrary to the provisions of Standing Order No. 110, the member for Cairas is debating the point and not making a personal explanation. Mr SPEAKER: Order! 1 remind the honourable member for Aspley that I will make those decisions. The honourable member for Cairas will proceed with his personal explanation. Mr De LACY: That article is an indictment of the entire jouraalistic profession and in particular of the Daily Sun, whose journalists continue to report without quaUfication figures that have been totally discredited. In other words, they are purveying the Premier's lies. It is about time that the media demonstrated some editorial respon­ sibiUty and recognised that the Premier is a liar. Sir JOH BJELKE-PETERSEN: The honourable member is new to the House and I can understand that he is beside himself However, I ask him to withdraw his remark. Mr SPEAKER: Order! Did the Premier take a point of order? Sir JOH BJELKE-PETERSEN: Yes. The member for Cairas said that I told lies, or that the statement was a lie, and I ask him to withdraw that remark. It is as simple as that. Mr Warburton: Is this a point of order? Mr SPEAKER: Order! Did the Premier take a point of order? 1392 26 September 1985 Personal Explanation Sir JOH BJELKE-PETERSEN: Yes. Mr SPEAKER: Orderi The honourable member for Cairas has made his point, but he has strayed from a personal explanation. Unless he can finish his statement immedi­ ately, I wiU not aUow him to continue. Mr De LACY: Mr Speaker, I have finished my personal explanation. I have made my point.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Taxation Revenue from Sugar Industry Hon. Sir JOH BJELKE-PETERSEN (Barambah—Premier and Treasurer) (11.18 a.m.), by leave: The honourable member for Cairas has demonstrated how simple and how unwise he is. I will not say that he is stupid or foolish, but he is certaiiUy unwise. I wiU give him the information that he wants. The figure of $700m was determined by Professor Percy Harris, who is Professor of Economics at the James Cook University in TownsviUe. He has communicated with me and told me that I can use his name at any time because the figure is cortect. In fact, the figure of $700m, which I used in my statement, is a conservative one. The figure produced by Professor Harris was actually $800m, and includes taxation revenue derived from the sugar industry itself and from aU other industries and economic activities that occur as a result of the sugar industry. Put that in your pipe and smoke it! Mr De LACY: I seek leave to make another personal explanation. Honourable Members interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Orderi I caU the member for Stafford. Mr GYGAR: I seek leave to make a personal explanation. Mr SPEAKER: Orderi Is leave granted? Honourable Members: Aye! Mr De LACY: Mr Speaker, who has the caU? Is it the honourable member for Stafford or I? Mr SPEAKER: Orderi I caU the member for Stafford.

PERSONAL EXPLANATION Mr GYGAR (Stafford) (11.19 a.m.), by leave: Last night, in the AustraUan Broadcasting Corporation program The National, I was misrepresented by the Minister for Health, the Honourable B. D. Austin, MLA. The Minister said tiiat I had been critical of and had cast doubt on the standard of care provided by professional staff in the State's pubUc hospitals. This is not the case. My criticism of the State's pubUc health system has been directed solely to the way in which the department has been managed by the Minister. I have not been, and wiU not be, critical of the dedication, competence and professionaUsm of doctors, nurses, health professionals and public servants. I will quote to the House from Hansard on page 683, where I am recorded as saying— "There is nothing wrong with the staff. This State has the best doctors, nurses and administrators that could be found anywhere in the world." Ministerial Statement 26 September 1985 1393

My criticism of the fauUs in the State's health system is dfrected solely at the Minister's administration. Mr AUSTIN: I seek leave to make a ministerial statement. Mr De LACY: Mr Speaker, I was on my feet before the Minister. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I caU the Mmister. Mr De LACY: I would just like to respond because my actions have been cast in a bad Ught by the Premier Mr SPEAKER: Order! Mr De LACY: I seek leave to make a personal explanation. Mr SPEAKER: Orderi Mr De LACY: In defence, I would like to say Mr SPEAKER: Orderi

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

Queensland Health System Hon. B. D. AUSTIN (WaveU—Minister for Health) (11.21 a.m.), by leave: I refer to the presentation on last night's ABC television news program The National, which was referted to by the honourable member for Stafford (Mr Gygar). I faU to see how one can mn with the hares and hunt with the hounds and have two bob each way. Honourable Members interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I ask the House to come to order. I remind the Minister that I do not want this to tum into a debate. Mr AUSTIN: No, Mr Speaker, it wiU not. As I was saying, the honourable member for Stafford seems to prefer to mn with the hares and hunt with the hounds. As he has done for many years in this House and in his usual tradition, he is very good at having two bob each way on most things and not making a decision. It is impossible to attack one individual without attacking the organisation as weU, because one individual does not make every decision in any organisation, whether it be the top financial decision or merely a decision by someone as to which way he sweeps the floor. Criticism of me is criticism of the senior officers of my department. Honoiu-able Members interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! Mr Minister Mr AUSTIN: I am not debating it. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I have asked the Minister not to debate the matter. He is debating it, and I cannot allow him to continue. Mr AUSTIN: Mr Speaker, if I could just conclude by saying that the issues cannot be separated and the honourable member for Stafford cannot have two bob each way. 1394 26 September 1985 Personal Explanation

PERSONAL EXPLANATION Mr De LACY (Cairas) (11.23 a.m.), by leave: The total value of the sugar crop to farmers last year was less than $600m.

Mr WHARTON: I rise to a point of order.

Mr De LACY: If the Premier can stand and say that the Federal Goverament can get $700m from a $600m crop

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I remind honourable members that when I am on my feet, they shaU resume their seats or I will take the appropriate action.

Mr WHARTON: I rise to a point of order. The honourable member sought leave of the House to make a personal explanation, and we said, "No."

Mr SPEAKER: Order! 1 am not aware of anyone on the Goverament side of the House calling, "No." If that had been the case, I would have put the question.

Mr De LACY: I would just like to

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I point out to the honourable member for Cairas again that unless he feels that he has been personaUy misrepresented, I cannot aUow him to continue, and I mean it.

Sir JOH BJELKE-PETERSEN: I rise to a point of order. I am not certain whether the honourable member for Caims withdrew that statement about a Ue.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! It was clear to me that the honourable member withdrew that statement, and it will be recorded as such.

Mr De LACY: Mr Speaker, I did not withdraw that statement.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member's present conduct is quite improper. I said I thought that the honourable member had withdrawn the statement, and I mled that it be recorded as such. If the honourable member wishes to make a statement, he can make it now.

Mr De LACY: Mr Speaker, I am in a difficult situation. I did not say that I withdrew it. You did not ask me to withdraw it. I have not yet withdravm it. If the Premier has lied, I would be lying to the House by saying that he did not Ue.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! If the honourable member has not withdravm the statement, I ask him to withdraw it now. If he does not withdraw it, I will take the appropriate action.

Mr De LACY: I would like to replace the word "liar" with the words "a person of deceit".

Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member withdraws it, or I wam him under Standing Order No. 123A.

Mr De LACY: Mr Speaker, out of deference to you, I withdraw.

Mr SPEAKER: I thank the honourable member. Questions Without Notice 26 September 1985 1395

QUESTION UPON NOTICE A question submitted on notice was answered as follows—

State School Janitor/Groundsmen Mr LICKISS asked the Minister for Education— With reference to the conditions under which a school qualifies for the services of a janitor/groundsman, which conditions appear to relate to Umitations imposed by the availability of funds— (1) In 1985-86, will he revise the condition under which the student population at the school, namely, 200, is the prerequisite and take into consideration as weU the actual area of schoolgrounds to be maintained when approving the eUgibiUty of a school for the appointment of a janitor/groundsman? (2) If not, will he give further consideration to the sharing of a janitor/groundsman between schools when suitable artangements can be made, and indeed have been made, when the numbers in the present individual schools do not meet the prescribed levels? (3) Which schools in the State share janitor/groundsmen and what are the respective pupil numbers at those schools? Answer— (1 & 2) My department has no plans for amending the curtent grounds care scheme relative to the appointment of groundsmen to State schools. A system of sharing janitor/ groundsmen among smaller State schools was operated more than a decade ago. However, it was aU but discontinued in favour of a system of cash grants, which was considered more efficient. That system, known as the Administration Allowance Scheme, provides smaller State schools with funding both for grounds maintenance and administrative support, the amount allotted to each school being a matter for local determination. AdditionaUy, as a special initiative, for this year only, my department has directed funds, totaUing $333,000, including some Commonwealth money, to those smaller State schools that do not curtently have access to a fiiU-time janitor/groundsman. It wiU enable further grounds maintenance and beautification programs to be undertaken. The funds have been distributed across 569 such State schools at the rate of $247 per hectare of schoolgrounds, up to a maximum of $2,000 per school. That is for grounds maintenance only, and does not include the administration grant. (3) Only two State schools in Queensland still share the services of a janitor/ groundsman. They are Taringa State School (enrolment 109) and Bardon State School (enrolment 190).

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Rezoning Application, West Burleigh Mr WARBURTON: In dfrecting a question to the Premier and Treasurer, I refer to the controversial rezoning application for a major shopping complex at West Burleigh. In Tuesday's Gold Coast Bulletin, he was reported as saying that the GroUo Brothers had nothing to do with the Burleigh Heads shopping complex development, and he chaUenged me to repeat my aUegations outside this House. As my check with the Gold Coast City CouncU last Tuesday showed that the appUcation was in fact made by the GroUo Group company. Oasis Holdings Pty Ltd, I ask: Is the Premier and Treasurer saying that the Gold Coast Council was wrong in the information it supplied to me? Why is he how jumping to that company's defence? Secondly, regarding the appeals lodged against that particular development, one being by the Waltons-Bond group as developers of an adjoining major shopping complex, is it correct that the Premier and Treasurer personaUy telephoned a Mr Peter Beckwith, 1396 26 September 1985 Questions Without Notice

chief executive of the Bond Corporation in Westera Australia, and advised the Bond Corporation to withdraw its appeal against the Oasis Holdings rezoning application? Sir JOH BJELKE-PETERSEN: The Leader of the Opposition is on the wrong track. The Bill is not for the benefit of one particular organisation. Today, many organisations in this State would employ many thousands of people if the Act were changed. Mr Warburton: You are a long way away from the question. Sir JOH BJELKE-PETERSEN: The Leader of the Opposition is wrong. I am answering his question in an overall sense. Mr Warburton: What about the phone call? Sir JOH BJELKE-PETERSEN: I believe that on occasions I have even telephoned the Leader of the Opposition, and that is a fairly major crime. I have also telephoned a few of his mates. I quite often have to telephone them regarding different matters and to check up on certain things. The Local Goverament Association has asked for the Bill as a matter of urgency. This moraing. Sir Albert Abbott again said to me, "We want it as a matter of urgency." The Leader of the Opposition can quote me any time he chooses. This moraing. Sir Albert Abbott also made representations to the Minister by telex. The present Act is holding up local authorities aU over the State. The Goverament wants to get rid of red tape; no other State has it. The system that the Goverament wiU introduce will be the best in Australia. Mr Warburton: What about the phone caU? Sir JOH BJELKE-PETERSEN: I receive many telephone calls. The Leader of the Opposition is implying that certain things will occur as a result of the introduction of this legislation. As I understand it, that is not so. The Minister for Local Goverament, Main Roads and Racing and I have had the matter investigated. It will be discussed again today. Every precaution has been taken. I repeat: the Local Goverament Association wants the BiU introduced as a matter of urgency. I find it very interesting that members of the Liberal Party, who say that they do not beUeve in red tape, seem to be supporting the need for red tape and gumming everything up as much as possible. I am amazed at their attitude. Mr Borbidge: It is job security for the legal profession. Sir JOH BJELKE-PETERSEN: Yes. Undoubtedly, the lawyers want a good job. Mr Warburton interjected. Sir JOH BJELKE-PETERSEN: As I have said, the Leader of the Opposition is on the wrong track. As I understand it, it will have nothing to do with them. It was checked a few weeks ago, it was checked yesterday and it wiU be checked again today foUowing the question asked by the Leader of the Opposition. I am sure that he wiU be proven wrong. They will not have anything to do with it. The question asked by the Leader of the Opposition demonstrates how the Labor Party is trying to destroy jobs in order to score a few political points. It wiU faU, as it always does. Mr WARBURTON: My second question without notice is directed to the Minister for Justice and Attoraey-General. The Minister was in the Chamber. It is a very important question, and I seek leave to ask it when the Minister returas to the Chamber. Questions Without Notice 26 September 1985 1397

Leave granted. Free Issue of Australian Flag Mr NEAL: I ask the Premier and Treasurer: Has his attention been dravm to an article titied "Goverament accuses NP of flag grab", in today's Courier-Mail, wherein the Federal ALP Goverament blames a shortage of AustraUan flagso n greedy Queensland National Party poUticians? As those politicians, in requesting flags, would only be acting on behalf of organisations such as schools in their electorates—and they are entitled to receive flags—is that statement a reflection on those organisations that so obviously support the retention of our flag and wish to fly it? As reported in that article, the Federal ALP Goverament is rationing the free issue of flags. Does the Queensland Goverament have any intention of similarly restricting the issue of the State flag? Sir JOH BJELKE-PETERSEN: The restriction of the issue of flagst o schools and other bodies that want them is the result of representations by Opposition members to thefr coUeagues in Canberta. In my opinion, it is despicable. I would like the Opposition to say fafrly and squarely that it supports the free issue of flags by the Commonwealth Goverament. The Queensland Goverament is proud of the fact that it is the only State Goverament that appears to be giving out large numbers of flags. I would bet that Opposition members have made representations to Canberta for the cessation of the issue of flags to schools; certainly, somebody has. Disclosure of Electoral Roll Information Mr WARBURTON: In directing a question to the Minister for Justice and Attoraey- General, I refer to the availability to members of this House of electoral enrolment information that conceras thefr electorates and is contained on magnetic tapes or discettes. The Minister may recall that, last year, he made certain commitments to the House when I questioned him about access to the computer centre's information by the Minister for Health (Mr Austin) and the Minister for Transport (Mr Lane). I also refer to the electorate of Redlands, as the seat has now been declared vacant. The Minister would no doubt be aware that a discette containing information about the Redlands electorate is being mn off this moming at the State Goverament Computer Centre, and that the State Electoral Office has been advised that the discette wiU be avaUable today. Bearing in mind that at present there is no member for Redlands, I ask: For whom is the discette that relates to the Redlands electorate being prepared and what is the fuU extent of the information that can be extracted from it when it is mn off by the State Goverament Computer Centre this very moraing? Mr HARPER: In answer to the Leader of the Opposition—yes, I have previously indicated to the House the availability of the magnetic tapes that record information that is available from the printed roll. The magnetic tape information about the Redlands electorate is being processed for a member whose electorate adjoins the electorate of Redlands. That action conceras a matter of policy and a decision that has been taken by me. The magnetic tape information wiU be available also to a member of the Opposition whose electorate adjoins Redlands and who could be affected by the redis­ tribution or by the electorate itself I have indicated to the House previously that the same facility would be afforded to all members of this Parliament. I have said that quite clearly, and I must say that members of the Opposition have been tardy in taking advantage of the offer that was made to them in this House. Mr Mackenroth: You keep it quiet and for use by your party's members. Mr HARPER: Members of the Opposition obviously have not the facilities, or the interest or the ability to do so. But I say again to the Leader of the Opposition that the same facUity wiU be afforded to the Opposition for a member whose electorate adjoins Redlands. 1398 26 September 1985 Questions Without Notice

Mr Warburton: The same information? Mr HARPER: The same information. The information that is being provided is the information that is recorded in the printed roll. Members of the Liberal Party have made the point previously Mr Mackenroth: Only if it is convenient. Mr HARPER: It is convenient for some members to have this information in other than the printed form that can be obtained at the State Electoral Office or bought at the Office of the Goverament Printer. It is more convenient to have the information recorded in electronic tape form. That is the information that is avaUable, and it is the only information that will be made available. Contract Linesmen Employed by South East Queensland Electricity Board Mr BAILEY: I ask the Minister for Mines and Energy: Is he aware of a publication titled ETU NSW '85, which is produced by the Electrical Trades Union and alleges that at least six deaths have been caused by the ignorance of contract labour employed by the South East Queensland Electricity Board? Is the Minister aware that the same publication quotes a former SEQEB worker, Mr Brian Saunders, as admitting that some cases of violence have occurred in the industry during the course of the dispute? Can the Minister give the House any further information on these matters? Mr I. J. GIBBS: I thank the honourable member for that question. It is tme. I have a copy of ETU NSW '85 in my possession, and anyone who would Uke a copy of it would be welcome to mine. As honourable members wiU be aware, yesterday I gave a brief outUne of this matter and refuted completely the aUegations that six contract linesmen have been kiUed as a result of their ignorance about working on power-supply lines. That is the type of smear and fear campaign to which the ETU is now reverting in its attempt to keep the strike issue alive. Several months ago, in this House, I said that the ALP was flogging a dead horse in its attempts to force the Govemment to re-employ its union mates. The issue is stiU a dead horse. Its remains have been buried and its bones are beginning to whiten. The union and the ALP can do and say what they Uke. They can try all the fear tactics they like, but the Goverament, SEQEB and the board workers will continue to ensure that the people of Queensland get an assured and reliable supply of electricity. I am glad that, at long last, one of the dismissed ETU employees has admitted that there have been acts of violence committed against SEQEB workers. Perhaps that wiU result in members opposite not trying to deny such events, which they have done on several occasions in the past. They should also wake up to the fact that even the ACTU has washed its hands of the issue so, if they want to continue, they will be out on thefr own. I would really look forward to the ALP's making this an election issue in about 12 months' time. I assure them that, if they do not, I wiU. Let me refer to a document produced by the ETU in New South Wales. It states— "Brian Saunders said there have been dozens of cases of reported injuries." That shows only that he is rather careless with the tmth. The document also states— "The deaths are said to have included one young man who put a hacksaw through an 11,000 volt cable and another who climbed into 150,000 volt area on a pole and had his feet blown off. Questions Without Notice 26 September 1985 1399

'In the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane beds numbers 14 and 15 in ward 6A are constantly reserved for injured electrical workers. Those two beds have been full since the dispute started and contract labour was engaged.'

'Even if it takes another six months to achieve our purpose, we will stay out and stay united because of the treatment we have received.' Brian stated that the unemployed workers were harassing the 180-odd 'scabs' who had retumed to work. 'But SEQEB started the harassment. They started by ringing up wives and trying to persuade them to press husbands into going back to work.'" That scurrilous document issued by the ETU in New South Wales will hang round the neck of the ETU and the Opposition for many months to come. I tum now to the lead news story on Channel 0 last night. I congratulate Mr Ryan for showing to the public the stupidity of the act and the fact that the strike issue is all over. As I said, it is a dead horse, its remains have been buried and its bones are starting to whiten. Unfortunately, Opposition members and the ETU are stiU mnning round like chooks with their heads cut off.

Road Toll Mr D'ARCY: After listening to the question placed on notice by the member for Toowong about the mounting road toll, I dfrect a question to the acting Minister for Transport. I ask: Is he aware of a magazine article in which the Royal Australian CoUege of Surgeons and the Life Insurance Federation of Australia state that in Queensland, in 1983, the road toU dropped by 128 or 20 per cent after the 1982 reduction in the permissible blood alcohol level from .08 to .05? I point out that the article also states that there is no logical reason why the Queensland Goverament should neglect to take additional road safety measures. WiU the Minister take the necessary action to save Uves on the roads in Queensland by introducing some of the measures suggested in that magazine article and by responsible citizens, in the form of random breath-testing, effective police controls, more efficient licensing, making sure that the checking of roadworthiness of vehicles is effective, and better marking of dangerous sections of the road? Mr TENNI: I am aware of that document. As late as yesterday moraing, I was brought up to date with its contents. The road toU is caused by many factors other than the consumption of alcohol, and I instance speed, the smoking of marijuana, which honourable members opposite support, and lack of care and attention on the road. The introduction of random breath-testing would be a very easy way out. Queensland has sufficient laws governing travel on roads. There is no reason to beUeve that the introduction of further regulations would be any more effective. There is no proof that random breath-testing is any more effective than the selective method used in Queensland. It is not a matter of what the police should be doing, but a matter of what the people should be doing. They should be obeying the traffic regulations, taking care on the roads and protecting their feUow men. The Goverament is reviewing the situation constantly. Considerable work is being done by the Transport Department, the poUce and the Road Safety Council. Random breath-testing is in force in New South Wales, South AustraUa, Victoria and Tasmania. In Queensland, 60 per cent of road deaths occur in decentraUsed areas. An initial lessening of the road toU in other States foUowed the introduction of random breath-testing. The road toU in Queensland dropped foUowing the introduction of the .05 per cent alcohol level. Members of this House and the pubUc should be made aware of the steady downward trend in road casualty numbers in Queensland since 1975. Mr D'Arcy: That is not tme. 1400 26 September 1985 Questions Without Notice

Mr TENNI: It is tme, and I will quote some figures taken out as late as yesterday moraing, to prove it. Casualties decUned from 11 654 in 1975 to 9 691 in 1984, a decrease of 16.8 per cent. FataUties decreased from 635 in 1975 to 505 in 1984, a decrease of 20.5 per cent. The influence of the reduced maximum permissible blood alcohol level from .08 per cent and the compulsory wearing of seat belts began to have a greater effect during that period. A number of other legislative initiatives were introduced, including the child-restraint legislation from 1979, the restricting of first-year motor-cycUsts to the riding of motor bikes with a maximum engine capacity of 250 cc from AprU 1982, and the lowering of the maximum permissible blood alcohol level whUe driving to .05 per cent in November 1982. There has also been an intensive media and pubUc awareness campaign. I am sure that all members of ParUament and aU people in Queensland agree that the death and accident rates need to be greatly reduced. But there is no way in the world that all drivers on the road can be penaUsed because a few siUy people go off at the wrong time after having a few beers. I ask honourable members to play an important role in getting the message across to the media that drivers should be careful on the road and that a Ucence is granted not to kUl, but to be very careful. Attitude of ALP and Liberal Parliamentarians to Sugar Industry Mr STONEMAN: I ask the Minister for Primary Industries: In the light of the extreme criticism emanating from the Labor and Liberal Parties in the Opposition relative to the Queensland Goverament's continuing support for and on behalf of the Queensland sugar industry, can he advise the House what practical suggestions and support have been coming from these two groups of urban cowboys? Mr TURNER: I thank the honourable member for the question. Even the honourable member for Ashgrove, who is a cricketer of some repute, wiU understand the terminology that I will use. I go so far as saying that the Queensland Goverament has the mns on the board in relation to the sugar industry while other political parties have been posturing in the grandstand. In this morning's newspaper, I read an article in which Mr Moore, the Federal Liberal Party spokesman on northem development, said that the Queensland Goverament should recognise the benefits of the Federal Goverament's efforts to save the sugar industry. I understand that Mr Moore was a Minister in a former Federal Goverament and that recently he stood for the position of deputy leader of the Liberal Party in Canberta. As to what the Queensland Goverament has done and what the Federal Goverament is doing, I refer to a statement made by Mr Kerin prior to the 1983 State election and reported in The Cairns Post on Monday, 28 Febmary 1983. He gave an assurance that the Labor Party stood ready to extend the assistance measures already outUned in the party's sugar policy. He added that Labor would consider sympathetically any request for an industry loan and/or an underwriting scheme, to include the 1982 crop. He pledged that a Labor Govemment would give the sugar industry first priority. The Queensland Goverament is being asked by the Federal Goverament to con­ tribute towards the price support scheme relative to assistance to the sugar industry. That is a Federal Goverament responsibility. It is a responsibility which that Goverament and other Federal Goveraments have accepted in the past. In recent times, the Federal Goverament has accepted a responsibility in relation to the steel industry, into which it put $350m, and the car industry, into which it put $150m. Mr Casey interjected. Questions Without Notice 26 September 1985 1401 Mr SPEAKER: Order! I wara the honourable member for Mackay under Standing Order No. 123A. Mr TURNER: It is all right, Mr Speaker. The honourable member's shoes are pinching, so let him sing out. He has not much to sing out about in relation to the sugar industry. Mr Vaughan: Did you tell Mr Kerin this yesterday? Mr TURNER: A lot of sugar is grown in the honourable member's electorate! He has a fafr knowledge of the sugar industry! He has never been off the concrete footpath. At least the member for Mackay lives in a tovm that is near cane-growing areas. In the recent Federal Budget, $307m was provided in bounties, subsidies and direct payments for secondary industries. Not one cent of State Goverament money was involved in any of that assistance. In the past. Federal Goveraments have picked up the tab for underwriting or price support schemes for the beef industry, the dairy industry, the wheat industry, the wool industry and, might I add, the sugar industry. The Federal Goverament has a dfrect responsibUity to the sugar industry. The Queensland Goverament is prepared to help in relation to adjustment assistance but not in relation to price support for the sugar industry. To those people who indicate that the Queensland Goverament is doing nothing, or very Uttle, for the sugar industry, I point out that, in the last two to three years, it has put $61.5m into the industry, and another $20m in the Budget that was just introduced. Mr Kruger interjected. Mr TURNER: If the honourable member for Murmmba writes down the figures and adds them up, he will find that the total is significant. That does not take into account what the Queensland Goverament is spending on irrigation schemes and dams— the Burdekin Irrigation Scheme, the Eton Irrigation Scheme, the Bundaberg Irrigation Scheme and other schemes. It is spending about $75m there. Opposition members should go and ask their Federal counterparts how much money they have cut out in that area. Also, that does not take into account the contribution that the Queensland Gov­ erament is making to a pilot study on ethanol or kenaf, or the money that has been provided to the Sugar Experiment Stations Board, which amounts to more than $2m over a two-year period. I could go on and on and say what the Goverament has spent in so many areas and what it will continue to do for the sugar industry. In reply to the honourable member's question—the Queensland Goverament has the mns on the board. The Federal Goverament has the responsibiUty of picking up the tab for price support. Having said that, I point out that I went to Sydney yesterday for talks with the Federal Minister for Primary Industry (Mr Kerin). Contrary to what the media reported this moraing, the talks did not break down; we had four hours of meaningful discussions. On Monday, I will take a submission to Cabinet based on the result of those talks. Mr Kerin will also take a submission to Federal Cabinet. We hope to have meetings in the not-too-distant future to work out a solution to help the ailing sugar industry. It is incortect to say that the Queensland Goverament has not weighed up.

Kenaf Industry Mr STONEMAN: I ask the Minister for Industry, SmaU Business and Technology: Can he outUne the significance of Cabinet's decision this week to support trials into the growing of kenaf as a means of broadening the income base of cane-growers?

68706—48 1402 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

Mr AHERN: At the outset, I acknowledge the contribution of the honourable member for Burdekin in this matter. For some months he has been strong in his advocacy of kenaf as a reasonable crop for the Burdekin. The State Goverament has now made $400,000 avaUable to the company that will carry out these trials, and that significant contribution is further evidence of the Goverament's commitment to the sugar industry. Kenaf represents an exciting prospect for Australia. It is part of a program of diversification for mral industry generaUy, which is important, not only in the growing of the crop but also in the processing and utUisation of the crop. Kenaf is now being developed in this country and in the United States of America. I am anxious to promote coUaboration on the AustraUan experience and the United States' experience with this crop. Honourable members may not be aware that Dr Ron Sampson is chairman of the United States task force on agriculture, which is reporting to the President of the United States at this time. He is curtently the director of the Queensland Innovation Centre. He wiU present his final report to the President in January next year but, curtently, he is in an office in Charlotte Street, Brisbane, advising the Queensland Goverament on this matter. He has informed me that kenaf represents an exciting possibility and has very significant possibiUties for the sugar industry. Kenaf can utilise the same machinery as sugar and can be grown on cane land. It can be processed to a certain extent in sugar- miUs and uses the same bins and tramlines. The Queensland Goverament is very eager to support kenaf, and wiU continue to do so. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time allotted for questions has now expired.

SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES, 1984-85 Mr SPEAKER read a message from His Excellency the Goveraor transmitting the Supplementary Estimates for the year 1984-85. Estimates ordered to be printed, and referted to Committee of Supply. At 12 noon. In accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 307, the House went into Committee of Supply.

SUPPLY Resumption of Committee—Estimates—First and Second Allotted Days Estimates-in-Chief, 1985-86 Works and Housing Chief Office, Department of Works Hon. C. A. WHARTON (Buraett—Minister for Works and Housing) (12.1 p.m.): I move— "That $32,242,100 be granted for 'Department of Works—Chief Office'." The total amount to be appropriated for Chief Office is $5,380,436 more than that expended in 1984-85 and the increase is due mainly to the necessity to provide for increased expenditure occasioned by basic wage increases, a full year's provision for the Protective Security Scheme, which commenced during 1984-85, the creation of a further 15 protective security positions and also for interest assistance grants to non-State schools owing to increases in the number of applications for assistance. The CHAIRMAN: Order! There is far too much audible conversation and far too much movement in the Chamber. If the Chamber does not come to order, I will continue to intermpt the debate. Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1403

Mr WHARTON: Provision has been made for increased expenditure in the Con­ tingencies (Sub-division) over the amount expended in 1984-85 for subsidy payments for interest grants to non-State schools, subsidy payments to parents and citizens associations under the School Improvement Subsidy Scheme, increases for computer purchases and a general escalation in costs. My Estimates were last debated in September 1982, and it is appropriate to review activities since then. In initiating the debate, let me say that honourable members wiU note that, in both areas within the Estimates—the Department of Works and the Queensland Housing Commission—there has been a marked increase in the scope of work undertaken since the Estimates were last debated. For instance, spending on buUdings by the Works Department in 1984-85 has increased by more than 28 per cent compared with the spending in the financial year 1982-83. This is a reflection of the fact that the department, during 1984-85, initiated work under the $203m Special Major Capital Works Program to continue to the end of next year as weU as undertaking its own regular Capital Works Program. It has meant an unprecedented period of activity for the Works Department. The CHAIRMAN: Order! 1 point out to the member for Windsor and other members that, a moment ago, 1 asked for silence in the Chamber. There has been absolutely no co-operation. If it continues, I wiU definitely put someone out of the Chamber. The Chamber wiU please come to order. Mr WHARTON: The Housing Commission has also seen increased spending under both the rental and home-ovmership programs, and it has seen the introduction of a number of new and innovative schemes to help people into housing. I wiU now provide details of the activities in the Works Department and the Housing Commission over the period that has elapsed since the Estimates for my portfoUo were last debated. The amount expended by my Department of Works on pubUc buUdings during the three years 1982-83, 1983-84 and 1984-85 increased by $65,584,563, from $229,901,348 in 1982-83 to $295,485,911 in 1984-85. Included in this figure was an amount of $45,241,877 that the Commonwealth Govemment made available in 1984-85 for projects at primary schools, special education units, high schools and coUeges of technical and further education. As in previous years, the major portion of the funds available continues to be spent on education establishments. In the three financial years under review, $412,620,502 was expended, representing 52.6 per cent of the total buildings expenditure. Significant amounts continued to be spent for the provision of new social welfare faciUties and the upgrading of existing premises throughout the State. Expenditure totaUed $29,134,806 on Govemment hospitals and institutions, $14,939,459 on prisons, $7,974,967 on children's services, and $13,014,259 on Aboriginal establishments. Expenditure on police stations was $38,495,856. A pemsal of the annual report of my Director-General of Works wiU show the diversity of functions of the Department of Works. Its activities range from the maintenance and preservation of State Govemment buUdings, including schools, to the planning, constmction, furaishing and equipping of new Goverament buUdings, payment for rented accommodation for Goverament departments, where required, providing services such as cleaning and security, payment of local authority charges, electricity and gas, where appUcable, grants towards local authority swimming-pools used by schoolchUdren, interest grants to non-State schools, and payment of subsidies to State school organisations and showground societies for improvements to schools and showgrounds. It is the overall responsibility of my department to provide the maximum economic building accommodation possible with the available financean d to maintain and preserve the Govemment's capital assets, which are increasing year by year with the constmction of new buildings required to meet the continuing expansion taking place in this State. 1404 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates) Education During the past 12 months, the department has continued its review of the curtent range of standard designs for school buildings, with particular emphasis on the upgrading and refinement of standard high school buildings to meet changing educational needs and advancing technology. With the continued growth of the State and the development of new areas, my department is continuing its concentration of effort to ensure that adequate class-room accommodation is available at the commencement of each school year. Owing to time limitations and fund restrictions, it is not always possible to provide permanent accommodation, and it is necessary to provide prefabricated modular buildings to meet the needs throughout the State. Since my department's Estimates were last debated, 27 new primary and replacement primary schools have been erected. An additional four primary schools, at Beachmere, ColUngwood Park, Kelso and Macleay Island, are being constmcted for the commencement of the 1986 school year. During the same period, nine new high schools were provided, and Stage 1 of new high schools at Maleny, Alexandra HUls and Marsden have been included in my department's 1985-86 Capital Works Program. The expansion of pre-school faciUties throughout the State has continued. In the three years under review, a total of 87 pre-school units have been provided. In addition, 19 pre-school units and eight early education centres were included in the department's 1984-85 pre-school program. A further four pre-school units and seven early education centres are included on my department's 1985-86 pre-school program. The early education centres are provided in areas in which the expected enrolment does not wartant the establishment of a pre-school faciUty. New special schools at Calamvale, Chelmer, Currimundi, Glenmore, Beenleigh, the Mater Hospital, New Farm and Roma have been completed in the period under review. In addition, new special education faciUties wiU be constmcted at Mount Gravatt West and Mundingburta South. Extension of technical and further education facilities has continued in provincial areas throughout the State. These new provincial colleges are designed to meet the needs of each individual provincial area. These coUeges offer a wide range of courses in the fields of industry, agriculture and commerce and enrichment courses pertaining to the local economy. Major expansion is continuing to existing coUeges at Bundaberg, Ipswich, Mackay, Rockhampton, South Brisbane and TovmsviUe. Court houses During the period under review, a new court house at Southport was completed and occupied replacing the old Magistrates Court building. The new court house provides District Court facilities not previously avaUable on the Gold Coast. New court house accommodation has also been constmcted at Yeppoon and Toogoolawah, which incorporates public service accommodation. Curtentiy under constmction for completion in 1986 is a new court house/Govemment office building at Beenleigh. PoUce stations Continuing expansion in the Police Department's program has led to increased effort being directed into providing five district poUce headquarters at TovmsviUe, Beenleigh, Redcliffe, Gold Coast and Ipswich. A new district headquarters is under constmction at Dalby. At the Oxley Police Academy, a new five-level dormitory block is being provided. New facilities are also to be provided for police serving in the Cape York area, with new complexes at both Edward River and Lockhart River. An additional 19 police stations have been completed throughout the State, and constmction is under way to provide new stations at Caboolture, Daisy HUl, Goodna, Kuranda and Bribie Island. Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1405

Govemment hospitals and institutions The third and final stage of the Sandgate Eventide redevelopment program has been completed, and includes resident amenities such as theatre, canteens, clubhouse, post office, artisan workshop, library and chapel. Also included in the redevelopment are two 64-bed residential units to specifically cater for the confused and fraU aged. Stage 2 of the redevelopment at the North Rockhampton Nursing Home has been completed, providing 10 four-bed wards for confused aged patients Avith nurses' stations, treatment room, office, utility area, patients' laundry and toilets. A dining/recreation- room for 80 persons, with servery and ancUlary rooms, was also included in this stage of redevelopment. Curtently under constmction is Stage 3 of the redevelopment, which wiU provide a total of 40 beds in 10 and four-bed wards for the fraU aged. In addition, faciUties including entertainment, canteen/games areas, offices and patients' toilets wiU be provided. At Baillie Henderson Hospital, Toowoomba a new two-storey indoor recreational buUding, including a heated swimming-pool, was completed in August 1984. Community health facilities Community health facilities have been completed at Gladstone, Middlemount and Tieri, and at Miami on the Gold Coast a medical centre, which wiU house officers of the Mr Prest: You are talking about the past again. What about talking about the fiiture? Mr WHARTON: In my speech, 1 am covering the activities of my departments since the Estimates of this portfolio were last debated. I thought it would be of interest to honourable members to know what has occurted. For instance, I could refer the honourable member for Port Curtis to the $21m that has been spent in Gladstone. He does not appreciate it or deserve it, but the people of Gladstone deserve it. As I was saying, community health facilities have been completed at Gladstone, Middlemount and Tieri, and at Miami on the Gold Coast a medical centre, which will house officers of the Divisions of Psychiatric Services, Community Medicine and Youth Welfare and Guidance, is under constmction for the Department of Health. Youth welfare and guidance The John Oxley Youth Centre, Wacol, which is due for completion in early 1986, is presently under constmction, at an estimated cost of $4,133,545. The centre, a secure detention faciUty, will accommodate 30 juvenUes, males and females, 10 to 17 years of age, in three self-contained Uving/sleeping accommodation units. Care has been taken to provide an environment which, whUst being secure, wiU reduce the "institutional" feel and complement rehabiUtation programs. My department has also completed constmction of the new Brisbane ChUdren's Court as weU as the new Birtalee Hostel at Rockhampton. Day-care centres Nine day-care centres designed to cater for 40 chUdren—eight babies, 12 two to three-year-olds and 20 three to five-year-olds—are being built in "high need" areas at Goodna, Kingston, Cairas, Toowoomba, Maryborough, KaUangur, Brovms Plains, Towns­ viUe and Ashmore for the Department of Children's Services, with financial assistance from the Commonwealth Goverament. Prisons Stage 3 of the new Women's Prison, Boggo Road, comprising gymnasium, interview rooms, chapel and a 16-ceU additional cell block, has been completed. A new detention block at Rockhampton has also been completed. 1406 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

The new prison staff coUege under constmction at Wacol is expected to be completed in late 1985, thereby providing services for the induction and training of recmits and officers in service training. Tenders are being invited for a minimum security prison farm at TownsviUe, housing 60 low-security prisoners in self-contained units. The project also includes administration area, services faciUties and farm buUdings which wiU incorporate a piggery, dairy and workshop. Recreation and fitness camps Accommodation for 120 people was completed at Currimundi. Facilities include kitchen, dining, recreation and ablution blocks. SimUar accommodation expected for completion in late 1985 is being erected at Perserverance Dam fitness camp. Primary industries The provision of new office and research faciUties to meet the needs of the Department of Primary Industries in centres throughout the State is continuing. The office/laboratory complex at the Maroochy Horticultural Research Station, providing faciUties for research into south-east Queensland subtropical fhiit, has been completed, as has a poultry research unit at Redlands. Planning for regional veterinary laboratories for research into animal diseases at Toowoomba and Rockhampton is weU advanced. In addition to speciaUsed laboratories, adnunisfration areas and computer-rooms are included in the project. Govemment accommodation Accommodation changes to meet present-day needs continue throughout the State. Erection of the new Govemment office buUding block 1, as part of the Goverament Precinct Development, Stage 1, is nearing completion. The plan form of this six-storey biulding has been carefuUy designed and configured to maintain the human scale of the older buUdings in the area. Work is also weU under way on the exteraal works for the extensive landscaping around and between the new and the existing historical buUdings, The Mansions and Harris Terrace. Work on the refurbishing and afr-conditioning of the Anzac Square complex is continuing, and is now reaching its final stages with refurnishing of lift cars, toUets and the shopping arcade to the Edward Street aUgnment. Other major accommodation projects undertaken were the planning and relocation of the Health Department to a new office buUding in Charlotte Street, extensive replanning of the Executive BuUding for the Premier's, Treasiuy and PubUc Service Board Depart­ ments, and reorganisation of the Transport Department in the Transport House buUding. This program involves four stages, of which Stage I has been successfully completed. The new Gladstone Goverament office building has been completed, and houses many of the State Goverament's departments previously located in rented premises. A number of alterations to Goverament office accommodation at Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay and TovmsvUle were completed, including the expansion and relocation of the office of the Regional Director of Education, Rockhampton, and the Department of ChUdren's Services at TovmsviUe. Historical buildings My department is continuing with the ongoing program of restoration and renovation of Govemment buildings. Renovation and restoration of The Mansions has been completed and the buUding is curtently being leased on a commercial basis. The ground floor has been aUocated for retaU use, thereby guaranteeing continued public access to the buUding, and the two upper floors are being used as professional office suites. Restoration of Harris Tertace, featuring reconstmcted omate verandahs, is nearing completion, with future occupancy of the buUding curtently under consideration. Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1407 Stonework repair is continuing on the old Treasury BuUding and the General Post Office, Queen Street, on behalf of the Commonwealth Govemment. Other buUdings The new Govemment Printing Office at WooUoongabba was officiaUy opened on 17 October 1983, and provides accommodation for a total of 380 employees charged with the responsibility of providing a printing service for the Govemment. Currently under constmction for the Forestry Department is a new five-storey technical services building at IndooroopiUy. The Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service continues to expand the potential for tourism of the State's main scenic attractions. At Cardwell, a new information centre, replacing temporary faciUties, is under constmction. A new ranger's residence was completed at EungeUa National Park, and staff barracks have been provided at the Jourama FaUs National Park. A new south-west district office was completed at CharleviUe. The southera regional centre at MoggiU is being expanded with the constmction of Stage 2, the Administration BuUding. The new North Queensland regional office at Ayr has been completed for the Queensland Water Resources Commission. Other projects completed for the commission include a new stores building at Emerald and an office/stores/garage complex at Eton. Community services Several projects, including medical aid posts in the Tortes Strait area, a 38-bed hostel at Thursday Island, a community haU at Palm Island, administration buUdings at Palm Island and Kowanyama, and a shopping complex at Yarrabah, have been completed for the Department of Community Services. Queensland Cultural Centre The Performing Arts Complex within the Queensland Cultural Centre has been completed and was handed over to the Queensland Cultural Centre Tmst in November 1984. The complex has afready proved itself to be a very valuable addition to Brisbane's social and cultural venues. Stage 3 of the Cultural Centre, the museum, is now structuraUy complete, and work is weU advanced on the intemal finishes, with completion expected in November 1985. Planning and programming the fit out of the buUding and the huge task of moving the museum to the new premises are weU under way. Work has also commenced on site for the new Library, Stage 4 of the Cultural Centre. Tenders are now being caUed for the constmction of the Ubrary buUding, which, when completed, wiU have four major levels, with the reading rooms having wide- stepped tertaces overlooking a landscaped courtyard and the Brisbane River. Public service housing and teacher accommodation The erection of residences for public servemts under the PubUc Service Housing Scheme and the provision of accommodation for teachers is continuing throughout the various centres in Queensland. The Special (Employment Creation) Housing Program of 1983 provided 131 residences, costing in excess of $8,500,000, for Departments of Education, PoUce and PubUc Service Board. A further 77 residences were included in the 1984-85 housing program, 12 of which were constmcted on behalf of the Queensland Water Resources Commission—a new cUent as far as housing is concemed. During the past year, further revision and refinement of the 1983 standard Government residences took place, with increased standardisation of buUding components and materials throughout all designs. 1408 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

Special Major Capital Works Program This is a new major initiative being undertaken by my department foUowing the Goverament's commitment to boost the Capital Works Program over a two-and-a-half- year period. This decision has resulted in an amount of $203m being allocated to my department for this special program, which is to be expended by 31 December 1986. Of that amount, $100m has been allocated for education facUities to provide for 10 new high schools and major works at five others, 17 new or replacement primary schools, new pre-school facilities at 79 centres, and major works to special education faciUties at 22 centres. Included in the above aUocations are new high schools at Pioneer, Condon, CoUinsvUle, Coombabah, Nerang, Pine Park and Kawana Waters. Some of the new primary or new replacement schools to be provided will be at North View (Mount Pleasant), Merinda, Middle Park, Oxenford, Yugumbfr, Kurwongbah and Rainbow Beach. Tenders have recently been accepted for the erection of Schools of Distance Education at Longreach and Charters Towers. The centres of distance education being constmcted at Longreach and Charters Towers are designed to allow for decentraUsation of many of the services presently provided by cortespondence schools in Brisbane, and to relieve pressures on the present Schools of the Afr. Those centres wiU cater particularly for home-based leamers throughout thefr pre-school, primary and early secondary school years. Teachers based at those centres wiU be able to communicate dfrectiy with famUies via two-way radio, telephone, and, eventually, sateUite communications networks, as weU as via more traditional correspondence methods. Decentralisation will make teachers more accessible to famiUes involved in distance education and, in tura, help them identify even more closely with the life-styles and educational needs of families in isolated parts of the State. Also included in the Special Major Capital Works Program are the constmction of a Govemment office block at 30 Mary Street, Brisbane, consisting of 27 storeys with three basement levels, a Goverament office block of 10 storeys with two basement levels at the coraer of Mary and George Streets, and a general office building for the Department of Mapping and Surveying at WooUoongabba. Goverament office buUdings will also be provided at Bundaberg, Cairas and TownsviUe to meet urgent accommodation needs. To achieve completion of the program by the required date, my department has utilised delivery systems alteraative to the traditional methods of constmction. Design and constmction managerial systems were used for major projects such as the office buUdings and new high schools. Under this program $20m has also been allocated to provide residential accommodation throughout the State for police, teachers and public servants generally, including $6m for the housing of railway employees. This program is in addition to the normal Crown Employee Housing Program. Let me now tum to housing, the other part of my portfoUo. Although I must address my remarks to the financial management of the Queensland Housing Commission's Vote for the financial year, I take the opportunity of reminding honourable members of the role the commission plays in providing housing throughout the State for those on low to moderate incomes. Since the Estimates of my portfolio were last debated—in 1982-83—there have been significant changes in the rental and home-ownership areas. The result has been increases in rental stock and number of home loans and reduced wait-Usts. As honourable members would be aware, weekly rent is now calculated on household income. This ensures that all tenants are treated equitably and encourages those no longer in need to move to private rental accommodation or home-ownership. At 30 June, over 76 per cent of households were paying rent of less than $50 a week with 37 Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1409 per cent paying less than $30 a week. At 30 June 1985, the commission has a general letting stock of 21 743. The number wiU be increased by up to 2 000 during 1985-86. The number of applicants waiting for accommodation is now less than it was in June 1982. There has been a 15 per cent drop over the last 12 months. At 30 June 1985, there were 7 729 family and 1 065 pensioner appUcations. The continuing trend towards smaUer famUy units and the fact that approximately 60 per cent of applicants are single parents has increased the need to provide apartments and attached housing. Home-ownership is stiU considered every AustraUan's dream There is no doubt that the 4 138 famUies who received or were offered home loans during 1984-85 would not have been able to afford home-ovmership without the commission's innovative schemes. The commission now has three home-ownership schemes. Under the Interest Subsidy Scheme, a bortower is required to pay a monthly instalment of 25 per cent of gross famUy income. An interest subsidy is given when this amount is less than the monthly interest raised. The interest rate is tied to the savings bank home-ovmership interest, which was 12 per cent at 30 June. Repayments of the loan occur when the monthly instalment exceeds the monthly interest. The maximum loan avaUable is curtently $37,500. To fiirther assist the low-income home-buyer, a Second Loan Scheme was introduced in October 1984. Those receiving an interest subsidy loan may also receive a second loan to assist with the deposit gap. The amount of this loan depends on the bortower's capacity to repay both loans. Over 1 000 second loans were approved during 1984-85. The Commercial Scheme provides loan finance at commercial interest rates for those who do not qualify under the Interest Subsidy Scheme and who have difficulty obtaining finance from other sources. Of the total value of home loans approved in Queensland during 1984-85, the commission provided over 5 per cent. I expect that that percentage will increase during 1985-86, as $130m—an increase of $24m—has been earmarked for advances to borrowers under the Queensland Housing Commission Fund and the Home Purchase Assistance Account. That should illustrate to honourable members the extent to which this Goverament, through the Housing Commission, is helping low to moderate income-earaers to achieve their dream of home-ownership. I now tura to the commission's land acquisition and constmction program. It is a pubUc housing organisation, so the changing trends in society must be monitored and considered when it is planning future projects to ensure that the services provided match those that are required. I am sure that honourable members wiU appreciate that this is a most difficult task to achieve quickly where the constmction of housing is conceraed. To overcome the general pubUc's opposition to Housing Commission estates, the commission is endeavouring to purchase scattered blocks of land. Towards this objective, an amount of $ 18.2m is being allocated during 1985-86 for land acquisition and development. As I have afready mentioned, the smaller family units can be better housed in apartments and attached houses that are close to aU necessary services. Constmction of this type of dweUing provides more rental accommodation on available land and increases the cost-effectiveness of land purchases. The commission is also active in purchasing suitable rental properties throughout the State. During 1984-85, 315 living units were purchased and the 1985-86 Budget provides for spending of over $10m on purchases. During 1984-85, the commission completed 1 407 dwelUngs, and a further 579 were under constmction at 30 June. An amount of $67m has been provided for the erection 1410 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

of houses during 1985-86. This amount does not include the cost of land used for constmction. The constmction of rental housing continues to provide a stimulus to the building and associated industries. The commission's house/land package scheme, whereby tenders are caUed for buUders to constmct detached houses of their own design on their own land, proved successful, and 424 such contracts were let during the year. However, Uke the commission, contractors are finding it difficult to find suitable reasonably priced land in the desfred locations. Therefore, in 1985-86, the commission from its ovm resources, is providing the land and will seek tenders from contractors either using their own or commission designs. A joint venture scheme to supply more affordable housing should be completed during 1985-86. This project wiU provide 37 detached houses on smaUer-than-average blocks of land in the Wynnum area. Queensland will be the first State to complete such a scheme, which is aimed at demonstrating that suitable, attractive and desirable housing is possible on such sites. One of the most successful schemes introduced by the commission during 1984-85 is the Apprenticeship Training Scheme. In co-operation with the Master BuUders Association of Queensland, the commission supplies land, plans and materials for apprentices to receive their initial training instmction in actually constmcting houses from start to finish. They are readily accepted by contractors, who acquire apprentices already weU skilled in their trade. The houses supplied through this scheme are weU constmcted and are being completed in less-than-average time. Over the last 18 months, the commission has introduced the use of paving and heavy planting of shmbs and trees in bark-mulch gardens for multi-unit projects. This has reduced site maintenance, enhanced the aesthetic appearance, and encouraged tenants to take greater pride in caring for these properties. I hope honourable members will note that Queensland is the only State with reaUstic wait-times for both rental accommodation and home-ownership finance. In some areas, rental applicants wait only a period of weeks for accommodation. Queensland is the only State with falling wait-Usts for rental accommodation, and this, I beUeve, adequately demonstrates the success of my Goverament's housing policies. Home finance approvals are being processed at the rate of approximately 350 per month. These results have been achieved despite the fact that Queensland, since 1973-74, has always received less per capita funding under the Commonwealth/State Housing Agreements. A new agreement was negotiated in 1984 and among other things, there is a continued commitment to progress towards per capita funding. Unfortunately, Queensland will have to wait untU 1991 before it receives its full entitlement. I now take the opportunity to advise honourable members of the funds allocated to Queensland for 1985-86 under the 1984 Commonwealth/State Housing Agreement. The allocations are as follows— $m United grants 65.189 Crisis Accommodation Progam 2.160 Mortgage and Rent Relief Scheme 3.724 Local Goverament and Community Housing Program 1.640 Rental assistance for pensioners 6.842 Rental assistance for Aborigines 12.220 $91,775 1985-86 will be the first year in which the capital spending program of the commission wiU exceed $200m. The State's contribution to the $219m program is $103m. Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1411 I tum now to the Crisis Accommodation Program, which is administered in conjunction with the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program. Funds allocated under this program are used to purchase, renovate and improve properties used for crisis accommodtion which are leased to community organisations to provide accommodation and support to those suffering a crisis situation. There will be no difficulty in spending the $2.16m aUocated for 1985-86. Another program is the Mortgage and Rent Relief Scheme, which was introduced by the Commonwealth Goverament in 1982-83. Queensland has participated and experience has shown greater benefit to the needy has been achieved by applying 50 per cent of allocated funds to the purchase of property to further supplement crisis housing. To date, 172 such houses have been provided throughout the State under the Crisis Accommodation Program and the Mortgage and Rent Relief Scheme. The Mortgage and Rent Relief Scheme requfres State matching on a doUar-for- doUar basis. Its operation in some other States has resulted in providing an income supplement scheme through rent subsidy, which honourable members must agree is a Commonwealth responsibility. At 30 June 1985, Queensland had spent and/or committed $7.4m. Spending of $7.5m is budeted for 1985-86. Funds will go to mortgage reUef, bond guarantees and rental subsidies for youths, adults and families of Queensland to estabUsh tenancies in the private market. In addition, 50 per cent of the funds wiU be spent on the purchase of crisis accommodation. Honourable members may like to note that bond guarantees and rent subsidies are also available for community organisations and local authorities wishing to lease private accommodation for use as crisis housing. The Local Goverament and Community Housing Program was introduced in 1984- 85. Its aim is to involve local authorities and community organisations in the provision of long-term rental accommodation to low-income-earaers and to promote greater tenant participation. The scheme has proved successful and worth while. Of the 1984-85 ftinds, $720,000 was committed to local authorities and $383,000 to community organisations. The 1985- 86 funds have also been allocated, $844,500 going to local authorities and $840,000 to community organisations. Funds provided for pensioner units under the Commonwealth/State Housing Agreement will be supplemented from other sources, and approximately $9.6m wiU be devoted to constmction of 264 units throughout Queensland. When completed, over 3 000 units wiU be available. In addition to the Pensioner Units Program, the commission wiU build, from home- ownership funds, aged pensioner units for sale. These units are being provided for those persons who do not quaUfy for commission rental units and do not have sufficient money to meet the high cost of accommodation avaUable in the private sector. The units are estimated to cost between $30,000 and $35,000. The first units will be constmcted at Mount Gravatt and should be completed early in 1986. The commission is also using Commonwealth Employment Program fiinds to redevelop the Inala Civic Centre. Other projects will be submitted in 1985-86. Assistance for Aboriginal housing has increased by $ 1.92m to $ 12.22m this year. As honourable members would be aware, provision of this housing is the responsibility of the Department of Community Services. The commission, while extending its services in various directions, has been vigorously pursuing economies of operation. Fixed firmly in its sights at aU times is maximisation of service for the least possible cost. I am sure that there is nothing new or unusual in this objective, particularly in today's economic climate. However, let me 1412 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

stress that, in the public housing situation, any unnecessary dollars spent result in less to spend on the provision of housing. Finally, on the Housing section of my portfolio, let me assure honourable members that the commission will continue to provide housing services to Queenslanders who are on low to moderate incomes and in need of assistance. In concluding my review, I would also Uke to take this opportunity to express my appreciation and thanks to my Director-General of Works (Mr Ivan Harrison) and my Commissioner of Housing (Mr Stewart Hall) and thefr staff and employees for thefr efficiency, enthusiasm and loyalty. Both the State Works Department and the Queensland Housing Commission are experiencing an unprecedented program of development and assistance to the people of Queensland. The Works Department is handling two capital works programs, its regular program and its work under the Special Major Capital Works Program, which has provided a boost of $203m for projects for the period ending 1986. Its efforts are seen in a whole artay of new Govemment building projects that are benefiting the people in all comers of the State. The Queensland Housing Commission has a record that is the envy of aU other States. It is handling an expanding program of assistance to those seeking housing through both rental and home-ownership. Its innovative policies in both of these areas have made it the most successful housing authority in Australia today. I would also like to pay tribute to the outstanding career of Mr Roman Pavlyshyn, my director of the Division of Building, who retired on 4 July 1985. Roman's service to the Works Department spanned about 25 years and he played a key role in the department during its busiest years. No matter which part of the State one might visit, one wiU see Roman's mark, but perhaps the most noteworthy is our Cultural Centre. His contribution to the department and to the people of Queensland will long be remembered, and I wish him and his wife, Alexandra, a long, happy and healthy retirement. My congratulations to Roman's successor, Mr Bmce Woolnough, whom, I beUeve, many members would know. I am sure that Bmce wiU continue to display the dedication, courtesy and loyalty that he has shovm in his previous position. I would like to welcome Pam Murtay and Alan Hutchinson, who have been appointed directors of the Queensland Housing Commission. I am sure that we can, with their assistance, ensure that the Queensland Housing Commission continues to provide Queenslanders with the high service to which they are accustomed. The CHAIRMAN: Order! I inform honourable members that, on the Vote proposed, I will aUow a fuU discussion on all of the Minister's departmental Estimates (Consolidated Revenue, Tmst and Special Funds, and Loan Fund Account). For the information of honourable members, I point out that the administrative acts of the department are open to debate, but the necessity for legislation and matters involving legislation cannot be discussed in Committee of Supply. Mr YEWDALE (Rockhampton North) (12.35 p.m.): I rise to speak to what I consider to be the most important Estimates presented to the Parliament. At the outset, 1 draw attention to the attitude of the Minister for Works and Housing (Mr Wharton) and his department when, in my capacity as Opposition spokesman, I endeavoured to ascertain the number of applications before the Housing Commission. By way of a question in the House, I gave the Minister almost a month to provide me with those statistics but, in his answer, he informed me that the figures were not avaUable for the categories that I requested. Because the Minister treated me and the ParUament with contempt in this matter, I took the trouble to check out the usual procedure. I spoke to my colleague the member for Chatsworth who, when he was Opposition spokesman, had asked the Minister for Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1413

similar figures. On that occasion, the member for Chatsworth was given a complete mn- down of the figures pertaining to the State. I have a copy of those figureswit h me today. The only interpretation that I can place on the Minister's attitude is that the Goverament has something to hide. Because the Housing Commission cannot cater for all the people who have lodged applications for accommodation, the Goverament did not want me to be able to indicate to the Committee today the number of people who are on the waiting- Ust. Mr Wharton: You were asked to say where your interests were, and you didn't. Mr YEWDALE: My interpretation of the Minister's attitude is that he has something to hide and does not want the facts ventilated in the Committee. Mr Mackenroth: He didn't want you to compare the new list with the old Ust. Mr YEWDALE: I will compare the figureswhe n I get the chance but, unfortunately, I could only get the information from the member for Chatsworth today. In Queensland, for the June quarter 1985, there were 7 900 building approvals— down 5 per cent on the figure for the same period in the previous year. Actual commencements in the March quarter 1985 were 6 430—dovm 15.3 per cent on the figure for the previous year. By comparison, buUding approvals in AusfraUa for the June quarter actually increased 0.4 per cent on the figure for the previous year and com­ mencements in the March quarter increased 3.3 per cent. Queensland is certainly lagging behind the national trend in housing development. Having studied the Budget papers, I can only describe the funding for housing as a holding proposition, because demand is accelerating throughout the State on a day-to­ day basis. Approximately $3 50m, of which $120m is Commonwealth funds, has been aUocated to welfare housing for pensioners and for the local goverament programs of crisis accommodation and mortgage relief Several major projects throughout the State have been included in the Capital Works Program but, in many cases, these projects are already under way and do not represent additional facilities. I use as an example the new wing at the Rockhampton Base Hospital and the extensions to assist the intellectuaUy handicapped in Rockhampton. Although I am gratefiil that those facUities have been made avaUable, I should point out that because they have reappeared in the State Budget does not mean that new projects have been planned for this financial year. In recent months, I have visited Mount Isa, Toowoomba, TownsviUe, Maryborough and Bundaberg. I have also obtained information about Mackay, Rockhampton and Gladstone. My reason for making those visits was that 1 wanted to ascertain first-hand the position regarding accommodation needs and Housing Commission figures where possible. As I have said, I could not obtain those figures from the Minister. The Goverament's figures reveal that at least 9 000 appUcations, in aU those categories, are before the Queensland Housing Commission. Those applications are from famiUes, single parents, pensioners, singles and couples. The Minister has stated that only 32 per cent have priorities and the remainder are satisfactorily housed. I have some grave doubts about the Queensland Housing Commission's definition of "satisfactorily housed". The cold, hard facts are that the Bjelke-Petersen Government has a Ust of priorities, but, regrettably, the housing of thousands of middle-to-low-income-earaers is well dovm the Ust. Capital works programs are very important, particularly in regard to schools, hospitals and necessary public facilities, but one wonders when the Goverament will stop building monuments dedicated to Ministers of the Crown. I instance examples of some of the capital works curtently being undertaken. 1414 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

I would like to raise the matter of mortgage and rent relief, bond guarantees and rent subsidies. As most members wiU be aware, one of the disadvantages associated with the obtaiiung of accommodation by low and middle-income famiUes, including unemployed, is the requirement by almost all real estate agents and landlords of fairly substantial bonds. Such bonds range from $150 to $400. I beUeve those are conservative figures. Obviously, many people cannot afford bond charges and are not aware of any assistance from Goverament instmmentalities. Those people are not being aware of bond guarantees, because the Housing Commission does not go out of its way to make this information avaUable to the pubUc; consequently, many families are deprived of accommodation. I also believe that the Real Estate Institute of Queensland, on a State basis, has recommended to its members that they accept written guarantees from the Housing Commission, but, unfortunately, many of their members are not prepared to accept that procedure. I beUeve that the REIQ made that decision, but my feedback from the provincial cities is that real estate agents want cash in hand, they do not want pieces of paper from the State Govemment. The Goverament, of course, is closing its eyes to this accelerating problem and wiU not consider the estabUshment of a bond board, which could handle the bond moneys and adjudicate on any disagreements between the parties. A survey taken in Brisbane last year showed that bonds were based on the equivalent of between two and four weeks' rent, but usuaUy on a four-week basis. This system of imposing bonds resulted in bonds ranging from $200 to $400. As a result of fiirther investigation, the Office of the Registrar of Auctioneers and Agents indicated that, if problems of bureaucratic delay could be overcome, a bond board should be welcomed by agents and tenants. Overall, it was resolved that a procedure should be set up whereby an independent body holds bond moneys. Other features of a rental bond board would provide— compulsory lodgment of a bond; representatives from landlord and tenants groups and a wide range of service agencies; prompt bond returas; sanctions for non-retura of bonds; clear definition of what "bond" covers; and standardised bonds and rents. Interest on bond money could be used in low-cost housing emergency rent and bond support. Tenant education should also be fostered to provide a wider understanding of tenants' rights. I tura to the Capital Works Programs, which I referted to earUer in my contribution. I refer to a school building in the Hervey Bay area. The Works Department gave the contract to build a special school at the bay to a company caUed E. J. Developments, which has now gone down the drain. My contacts there say that the company had UabiUties of $ 1.1m, and assets of about $400,000. It owes about $200,000 to local businesses. When the company ceased trading, all work on the school stopped. Surely, the Minister should have asked what efforts were made, before the company was given the contract, to ascertain whether it was able to carry out the work. He could also be asked how much the collapse of E. J. Developments has cost the Goverament, and how much it will delay completion of the project. I am further advised that the Minister for Education (Mr PoweU) warned the Cabinet about the contractor, but to no avail. Even though the Minister waraed the Goverament, for some unknown reason—one would have to use one's ovm imagination—that contractor was given the job. Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1415

My latest information is that constmction on the special school has now recommenced. The subcontractors engaged by the previous builder have been paid. I ask the Minister Does that mean that the State Govemment has actuaUy paid for the work twice, because it paid the initial contracting company and the Works Department paid the subcontractors as weU? A similar situation existed in Rockhampton with the new technical and further education college. The department's contract is with BAR Constmctions Pty Ltd. My coUeague the honourable member for Rockhampton (Mr Braddy) raised that matter with the Minister and the department because the technical and further education coUege is sited in the Rockhampton electorate. I have been advised that, although the department is sympathetic to matters raised, payment to aU subcontractors is a matter for such company in accordance Avith agreements freely entered into between the parties. The department is not privy to such subcontracts and has no right to make any inquiry thereon. In the case of nominated subcontracts, the department may withhold payment to the contractor untU the matter is resolved between the parties, and such action takes place as required. However, such action does not necessarily ensure payment unless funds are available from a future certificate. Accordingly, in all cases of non-payment, it is a matter for the party concemed to take advice from his soUcitor as to legal avenues open, including action under the Subcontractors' Charges Act. At present, BAR Constmctions Pty Ltd is responsible for job progress, and the superintendent has drawn attention to that company's obligations under clauses 34.1 and 35.5 of the general conditions of contract. The matter of job progress is continuaUy under review, with special regard being given to the contractor's legal rights that may be exercised if the department breaches its obligations under the contract. The Goverament tends to involve itself with companies that do not meet thefr commitments. It would seem that the company at Hervey Bay has caused some problems for the Goverament. I will be interested to hear from the Minister just what moneys were paid, and to whom. Was the Minister for Works and Housing aware that the Minister for Education (Mr Powell) strongly opposed the use of the Hervey Bay contractor? 1 refer now to the voluntary organisations that I have visited throughout the State, which are attempting to assist people in the community. 1 will not cite them individuaUy. The Minister and his officers would be aware of the voluntary organisations in most provincial towns and cities that are attempting to assist people. Having called on those organisations and spoken to their representatives, 1 have found that a number of people are conceraed about the Goverament's procedure to be foUowed with bond guarantees. I am sure that this matter has been raised previously with the Minister. I support the attitude of the persons to whom I have spoken. The procedures that they must follow are harsh and, in many instances, the problem is being perpetuated. Firstly, I refer to the 28-day waiting period to qualify for assistance. Most people who apply for rent relief have experienced accommodation problems. When they apply to the Queensland Housing Commission for assistance, they must wait for 28 days to quaUfy. It would seem that matters are being made worse for those persons. A voluntary organisation recommended that approved relief centres be given the authority to determine the period that elapses before people are eUgible for a bond guarantee and rent reUef payments. It was felt that the organisers of those centres would be able to judge the requirements of the people who apply for assistance and that they should be able to use their own discretion rather than be bogged down by the 28-day qualifying period. The voluntary organisation also suggested that estabUshed welfare organisations in isolated areas be given the status of approved reUef centres; that the Rent Relief Scheme 1416 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

be extended to include single people; that the income threshold for famUies seeking bond guarantees and rent relief be lifted and that the income from children of the family be excluded from this calculation; and that a system of inspection be initiated so that both the tenant and the Queensland Housing Commission are protected from exploitation in regard to claims made by landlords or their agents against bond guarantees. It suggested also that the existing guide-Unes for the Bond Guarantee and Rent ReUef Scheme be reviewed in consultation with the Queensland Housing Commission approved relief centres and the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program Advisory Committee to ensure that the guide-Unes are consistent with the aims of the scheme; that the Queensland Housing Commission be instmmental in conducting a State-wide campaign to publicise the Bond Guarantee and Rent Relief Scheme; and that the existing pamphlet No. RP-21, published on 14 November 1984, be replaced by a booklet outUning in simple terms the range of schemes available. It is quite clear that many members of the community are not aware of the assistance avaUable. I have a copy of a document outlining the assistance that is avaUable, and I have given advice to people who have told me about a crisis they are facing. However, I do not believe that the general community are aware of the assistance avaUable. In my opinion, it has not been given enough publicity. If the assistance avaUable were more widely pubUcised in the community, the Goverament could very weU be embarrassed. The general public should be made more aware of the assistance avaUable, because many people, who are not aware of it and face a crisis situation, wiU not be able to resolve it. It is fiirther proposed that the regional office of the Queensland Housing Commission be involved in discussions with local branches of the Real Estate Institute of Queensland to clarify the aims and objectives and the operations of the schemes. Over a long period I have been involved with people who have been confronted with housing problems. The Goverament does not place a high enough priority on the housing needs of many people in this State. I have pointed out to the public, the Minister and his department the attitude of the Goverament in respect to housing a few of the Goverament's departments. I cite the example of the Rockhampton office of the Education Department being moved from a buUding in Fitzroy Street to the National Party building in Quay Street. The coffers of the National Party then received the lease moneys from the Govemment. Mr Vaughan: That is not allowed. Mr YEWDALE: It is aUowed. It was done. The Rockhampton office of the Workers Compensation Board, which had only been housed where it was a short time before, was moved to new private premises further up Quay Street near Victoria Parade. I am reUably informed—and I do not think that any honourable member wiU argue—that the SGIO building in Quay Sfreet has a vacant floor, except perhaps for a senator's office. That floor has been vacant for a couple of years or more, yet the people of Queensland, through the Queensland Housing Com­ mission, which is part of the Minister's department, are expected to pay to rent private premises. I would be the last person to argue against the provision of reasonable working conditions for employees, either public servants or private employees. Anybody who is working for a living for somebody else should at least have reasonable working conditions. However, the Govemment should be taken to task for playing poUtics by moving departmental offices to satisfy the rental requirements of private enterprise and leaving vacant in the heart of a city Goverament buildings which could well be utilised. Another important matter 1 raise is that, while moving round the State, I spoke to many people who were conceraed about the attitude of public servants designated to receive applications for accommodation. I refer more particularly to officers in Magistrates Courts and other smaller Goverament establishments as opposed to Housing Commission Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1417 officers. It would seem, from the number of complaints that are being received in provincial cities, that the public servants to whom I refer have no feelings for those people. 1 have been provided with that information and I accept it as being valid. Members of the community seeking accommodation assistance are not being treated very kindly by officers behind the counter. The stock-in-trade answer is, "Give me your appUcation. I do not know anything about it. I am orUy here to receive it. I do not handle it. I do not know the procedure." The person walks away not knowing what will happen. The Minister should instigate action to ensure that officers of his department will move round the State and advise officers in other centres of the way to deal over the counter with people who are looking for accommodation. Civility and concem should be shown when officers advise people of what the procedure is, that is, that the form wiU be placed in a file and assessed on the basis of priorities, and slotted into a groove that wiU indicate where those people stand in respect of their applications for accom­ modation. At present, people do not get that information. Something should be done urgently about the matter. Time expired. Mr BORBIDGE (Surfers Paradise) (12.55 p.m.): I rise to commend the Estimates that are before the Committee and the work of the Minister for Works and Housing (Mr Wharton) and his departmental officers. The Minister and his staff are to be com.mended for their achievements over recent years and for the work that is either presently under way or about to be commenced throughout the State of Queensland. I refer firstly to the area of housing assistance, and remind honourable members that, according to the latest available Treasury figures,thi s year, as a result of premeditated and deliberate Federal Govemment decisions, Queensland will receive only $34 per capita for housing assistance compared with the average of all other States of $40 per capita. Mr FitzGerald: Shame on them! What's new? Mr BORBIDGE: That is dreadful, and it is typical of the actions of the Labor Govemment in Canberra. It is worth noting that, if Queensland received the same per capita amount as the other States, an additional 1 200 people each year could be housed. In other words, if Queensland was getting a fair deal from the Commonwealth Govemment, 1 200 fewer Queenslanders would appear on the Housing Commission wait-list. SimUarly, with respect to Aboriginal housing, the 1981 census shows that Queensland, with 34 per cent of the total Aboriginal and Islander population, wiU receive only 27 per cent of total Commonwealth funding this year. Queensland wiU receive $273 per head of Aboriginal population compared with the other States' average of $381. Despite this, the performance of the Queensland Housing Commission has been impressive. Queensland's wait-list continues to decUne, whereas in States governed by the AustraUan Labor Party, the wait-list continues to increase. For example, on 30 June 1985, New South Wales had 58 501 people waiting for Housing Commission accom­ modation; Victoria had 23 433; Westera Australia had 8 543; and South Australia had 35 000. In contrast, Queensland's wait-list stands at 8 794. Moreover, for the period between Febmary last year and the end of June this year, the number of people waiting for Housing Commission accommodation has actuaUy decUned by some 18 per cent and is less than it was three years ago. Contrary to some criticism from time to time, the income-geared rental scheme continues to be a success. I have consistently supported this scheme, and do so today. It assures that welfare housing goes to those most in need. I note that about 76 per cent of Housing Commission house-holders pay less than $50 per week rent, 37 per cent pay less than $30, 80 per cent less than $60, and 98.6 per cent pay less than $100 per week. In addition, the Home-ownership Assistance Scheme has consoUdated the principle 1418 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

of home-ownership in Queensland. Approximately 4 138 families were either assisted or offered assistance in 1984-85. Unlike the AustraUan Labor Party, the Queensland Govemment is firmly committed to the principle of home-ownership and is proud that, under it, Queenslanders have one of the highest home-ownership rates to be found anywhere in the world. That is something that Goverament members are very pleased with. It is appropriate in a debate such as this to express the gravest possible concera about the Federal Goverament's decision to implement a capital gains tax. I ask honourable members opposite to have the decency, the honesty and the courage to teU the people of this State where they stand. Sitting suspended from 1 to 2.15 p.m. Mr BORBIDGE: As I was indicating prior to the luncheon recess, those who suggest that a capital gains tax will disadvantage only the wealthy are fools. It has afready been estimated that the cost of rental accommodation will increase by 30 per cent. I refer to an article in The Australian of Thursday, 19 September 1985, which states— "The property industry and private investment market is heading for a major shake-out after the announcement of the new capital gains tax.

The off-loading of investment units will tighten the already-sparse rental market and make rents rise faster. The average weekly rent for a house in Sydney has already increased 23 per cent in the past year. A recent survey revealed that only 12 per cent of Sydney agents had been able to meet demand in the past year, compared with the 35 per cent in 1983-84. The taxpayer could end up being confronted with an enormous bill for welfare housing.

The general manager of L. J. Hooker's general projects division Mr Max Ryan, said the private investment market would be devastated." I submit to the Committee that the action of the Federal Labor Goverament will put increasing and renewed pressure on welfare housing across Australia. This situation has occurred despite the assurances—the promises—given to the people of Australia by the Prime Minister (Mr Hawke) that his Goverament would never—or, would not— implement such a tax. Mr Mackenroth: You changed it from "never" to "would not". Mr BORBIDGE: I will give the honourable member all the figures he wants. He wiU not be able to worm his way out of it, because I will show him the tmth. I refer the honourable member to The Australian of 7 Febmary 1983, in which this appears— "The Labor Party leader, Mr Bob Hawke, has backed down on his support for a capital gains tax. In Melboume yesterday he said he had been persuaded by 'a range of people' to change his mind. Instead, a Labor goverament would increase revenue by using existing laws to 'smash the tax avoidance industry'. Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1419

On changing his mind over capital gains, he said, '1 had doubts before and thought it may be desirable to pursue a different course of action.'

'But a range of people have spoken to me during that debate, and subsequently I'm inclined to think, on the basis of what they've put, that the existing provisions will be able to bring about the result we want.' 'When you take into account the overall approach we will be taking to smash the tax avoidance industry, I believe that this approach to capital gains tax wiU be effective.' Mr Hawke's acceptance of the poUcy of no new legislation is a significant reversal from his active promotion of the controversial capital gains tax which cost Labor votes in the 1980 election." Mr Alison: That is nothing to what it is going to cost him in the next one. Mr BORBIDGE: As my friend from Maryborough says, that is nothing to what it wiU cost him and honourable members opposite in the days, months and years ahead. 1 tum now to a report of the Prime Minister's policy speech in The Courier-Mail of 17 Febmary 1983. It says that the Govemment would— "... not introduce a new capital-gains tax, but uphold existing laws to tax speculative gains and prevent tax evasion and avoidance." If Opposition members want any more proof that the Prime Minister has lied to the people of Australia, I draw their attention to the poUcy speech for the Federal election campaign launched at the Sydney Opera House opera theatre on 16 Febmary 1983. The Prime Minister said Mr Campbell interjected. Mr BORBIDGE: If the honourable member for Bundaberg had been in the Chamber earUer, he would have heard me referring to the fact that it has already been estimated that the cost of rental accommodation will increase by 30 per cent and that increased pressure will be placed on welfare housing following the introduction of this tax that the honourable member's party said it would not introduce. The Prime Minister said— "And here let me make one point so that even our opponents can understand it; and let me make it beyond all their powers of misrepresentation and distortion. There wiU be no new capital gains tax." That statement was recorded. It is a fact. It is a matter of history that the Prime Minister lied to this country. The Housing Commission presently has 21 743 letting units, and this is expected to increase by 2 000 in the financial year 1985-86. The introduction of a capital gains tax will mean that each and every one of them will be needed, and that the tax-payers of this State are likely to be confronted with a considerable increase in the requirements of welfare housing, as indeed will be their counterparts in the other States. When honourable members opposite stand in this Chamber and talk about waiting- lists, they should talk about Federal funding. When they talk about the price of rental accommodation, they need to shoulder a considerable amount of the blame, owing to the poUcies implemented by their colleagues in the Govemment in Canberta. The Department of Works has been particularly active under the Goverament's $600m Capital Works Program announced in last year's Budget. 1 note that in excess of $22m has been approved, in less than three months, for the constmction of new and replacement schools throughout Queensland. 1420 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates) Under this program, $100m will be allocated for major school buUding projects by the end of next year. I know of the considerable advances that have been made in my own electorate in recent times in providing school facilities equal to the best of any in Australia. An incredible Capital Works Program has been under way in the Gold Coast area to upgrade school and police facilities and build new schools and the very fine new court house in Southport, which is playing a very vital role in the life of the Gold Coast. Although some work remains to be done, the accommodation situation is probably better than it has ever been. I take this opportunity to commend the Minister on the ambitious restoration program of historic buildings in Brisbane and throughout the State. As has been said, everyone in the State can be proud of Parliament House. The Mansions and Harris Court are prime examples of restoration work undertaken by the Govemment. I read with interest that Harris Court predates Parliament House. It was completed in 1867. The restoration work undertaken is positive proof of the Govemment's commitment to preserve the heritage of Queensland. I look forward to the restoration program for the Old Govemment Printery. I know what that will involve. I note that about 17 major historic buildings are being restored in Brisbane alone. Surely that proves something to the people who claim that the Govemment is not interested in the preservation of the State's heritage. From time to time we hear the rantings of so-called experts about preserving our heritage. In this context I make particular reference to Professor Wiltshire and some of his colleagues. I suggest that anyone who is not in the least politically motivated will give credit where credit is due. Indeed, the Govemment Precinct, from the Old Govemment Printery dovm to Parliament House, is probably one of the finest examples of restoration work to be seen in AustraUa, and is excelled in only a few places in the world. Mr Mackenroth: The way the old Bellevue stands out impresses me. Mr BORBIDGE: The honourable member's comment about the old BeUevue shows his hypocrisy. Outside the Chamber, Labor Party members make the most derogatory remarks about the old BeUevue and how they hated staying there when it was used to accommodate members of Parliament yet, in this Assembly, they make pious comments. Honourable members opposite should at least have the decency and courtesy to commend the Goverament's restoration of buildings which deserve to be restored because of their tme historical worth to the people of Queensland. The continuing surge in building activity throughout Queensland is to be welcomed. It is directiy attributable to the policies pursued by the Goverament. During July, Queensland recorded its best housing approval figures for almost 12 months, and accounted for close to one-quarter of the total Australian housing approvals in that month. According to Commonwealth Goverament figuresrelease d on 9 September, 3 021 new dweUings were approved in Queensland in July, an increase of 6 per cent on the approvals for the same month last year and an increase of 11 per cent on the June 1985 figures in spite of a slight decline in building approvals on a national basis. The State of Queensland, with 16 per cent of Australia's population, is accounting for 22 per cent of new dwelling approvals throughout Australia. It is significant that there has been a general build-up of housing approval figures in Queensland over the six months to the end of July this year. The figures in five out of six months showed increases, and the July figures were 33 per cent higher than those recorded in January. I know the major constmction projects under way in my own area. What is happening in the city of Brisbane is clear for all who want to see to observe. The programs being carried out by the Govemment, through the Minister's department, have been, and will continue to be, of considerable assistance in boosting employment opportunities throughout the State. Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1421 I refer to an article that appeared in the "Property-Mail" section of The Courier- Mail of 6 September 1985. It stated— "Bureaucratic red tape adds at least $5000 to the cost of building the average AustraUan home, according to the chief executive of the Housing Industry Association, Mr Scott Johnson. Bureaucracy—particularly local govemment—needed to recognise and respond to the community's changing needs and co-operate with cluster housing developments, he said." Of all the political parties represented in this Parliament, only the National Party—the Goverament—has any genuine commitment to reviewing the red tape and tackUng it where it presents problems. The Committee of Review of Business Regulations will be reporting to the Goverament later this year. 1 believe that it will bring forward very positive results. The Local Goverament Association is represented on the committee. I certainly look forward to the committee's report tackling the sorts of problems to which Mr Johnson referred in that article. I commend the Minister and his personal staff for their considerable co-operation and assistance. 1 particularly commend the Director-General of Works (Mr Ivan Harrison) and the Commissioner of Housing (Mr Stewart Hall). If we look at the major developments that have occurted over recent months in the area covered by the Minister's portfoUo, we see that the highlight would have to be the official opening of the flagship of this Goverament's building program. I refer to the magnificent Performing Arts Complex on the south bank of the Brisbane River. That project is already being acclaimed, not only in Queensland and Australia but also throughout the world, as a building of intemational significance of which we can be proud. It has come about because of the innovation, drive and enthusiasm of this Govemment and the support that the Minister and his departmental officers have been prepared to give it. I am confident that such projects will continue in the future. I look forward to the next stage of that development, which is the constmction of the museum. That will be of enormous benefit to the people of this State. I enthusiastically support the Estimates before the Committee. I hope that, as the debate proceeds this aftemoon and this evening, we wiU see a degree of faimess in debating these Estimates and that some Opposition members will not simply take the opjportunity to criticise, as they constantly tend to do. The Goverament has much to be proud of The achievements have been considerable, and probably in few areas are the achievements as good as they are in the departments administered by the Minister whose Estimates are before the Committee today. Mr MACKENROTH (Chatsworth) (2.29 p.m.): I wiU take up the challenge of the member for Surfers Paradise (Mr Borbidge), and congratulate the Goverament on the renovations that it has carried out on the buUdings in the George Street precinct. I have been through The Mansions and I think that the work done on it is very good. The tradesmen who carried out that work need to be congratulated. To save a little bit of history before the Govemment wrecks it all is certainly worth whUe. So much for the praise! The member for Surfers Paradise has got it in less than 30 seconds. 1 wish to comment on a couple of matters raised by the honourable member during his 20-minute speech. He said that the Prime Minister of AustraUa was a liar. The honourable member quoted from the 1983 policy speech of Bob Hawke, in which he stated that a Labor Govemment would not introduce a capital gains tax. I point out to the honourable member that he was quoting from a policy speech of 1983. The election was held in December 1984. Mr Borbidge: Your promises do not last more than a couple of years? Is that what you are saying? 1422 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

Mr MACKENROTH: The honourable member knows as weU as I do that, at election-time, every political party goes to the people and puts forward its policy. What it says in that poUcy should go for the next term. If the honourable member for Surfers Paradise knew that, he would have quoted what was said in 1984. Mr Borbidge: It is not even three years old. Mr MACKENROTH: I know. During that term of the Parliament, the Labor Goverament did not implement a capital gains tax, and the honourable member knows that as weU as I do. It kept the promise that it had made to the people of Australia in March 1983. The honourable member cannot say the same thing for his Goverament, because it does not keep its promises. Its attitude is that, because it discovers later that it cannot keep its promises, it does not matter that it breaks the promises that it made at election-time. In response to the challenge by the honourable member for Surfers Paradise to members of the Labor Party to state their position, I make it plain that I support a capital gains tax. The people who are mnning round Australia at the moment stating that a capital gains tax will kill the rental market do not know what they are taUdng about. Mr Borbidge: Come down to my electorate. Mr MACKENROTH: The honourable member for Surfers Paradise is talking about people who have not really looked at the new tax. The capital gains tax that is being implemented is nothing like the tax that people such as the member for Surfers Paradise are saying that it is. The tax will apply to capital gains that are made after aUowing for inflation. If the honourable member knew anything about the property market in Queensland and Australia, he would know that the majority of properties will not attract the capital gains tax because, when inflation is taken into account, no capital gain wiU be made. I am not talking about a few isolated properties but about the majority of properties, which are rented to people on low incomes—to whom the honourable member referted— and which will not be affected by the capital gains tax. I am not talking about the $200,000 penthouses in the honourable member's electorate. I chaUenge him to show me one worker who is renting such a property. I am talking about the average house, which will not be affected by the capital gains tax. It was fafrly obvious from the honourable member's speech that he does not know what he is talking about. For example, he referted to per capita funding under the Commonwealth/States Housing Agreement. When he mentioned that, I challenged him to state to the Committee why Queensland does not get full per capita funding. I agree with the honourable member that that is tme and, as the Minister for Works and Housing stated, Queensland will not get full per capita funding until 1991. The honourable member for Surfers Paradise should also have told the people of Queensland why that is the case. This issue goes back to 1974 when the Whitiam Labor Govemment was in power. That Goverament offered the Queensland Goverament money to spend on welfare housing. The State Govemment would not Mr Borbidge: Under what conditions? Mr MACKENROTH: On a dollar-for-doUar basis and at an interest rate of ^V* per cent. Those were the conditions. The State Govemment had to match each dollar that the Federal Govemment contributed with a dollar of its ovm. Unfortunately, the Queensland Goverament was too mean and too stingy to do that. The Fraser Goverament, which was elected in 1975, drew up a new Commonwealth/ States Housing Agreement. Under that agreement, funding was based on the amount of money granted to the States in the 1974 agreement, and that is where Queensland lost Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1423

out. Later, the State argued successfully for per capita funding and the Minister, who had criticised the Whitlam Labor Goverament, declared how great it was that he had been able to argue with Fraser to get per capita funding brought back into the Com­ monwealth/States Housing Agreement and to apply after 1991. Mr Hawke has acknowl­ edged that Queensland should have per capita funding, and he has agreed to carry out the agreement. However, the Minister, who was happy about the agreement reached with Mr Fraser, has now changed his argument. Mr Borbidge: Do you support it or not? Mr MACKENROTH: I do support per capita funding, and I have said that in the past. Mr Borbidge: That is the first time that anyone on your side has supported a fafr deal from Canberta. Mr MACKENROTH: That is not correct. I supported that sort of funding back in 1974. It is a shame that this Goverament did not go along with it. The main thmst of my speech today wiU be on Govemment funding for primary and secondary schools through the Capital Works Program. After the most recent State election, I raised in this Assembly the fact that this Govemment was pork-barreUing its ovm electorates and not spending anywhere near the same amount of money in Labor electorates. Mr Borbidge: It might have a bit to do with the standard of representation. Mr MACKENROTH: Is the honourable member for Surfers Paradise agreeing that more money was spent in National Party electorates than in Labor electorates? Mr Borbidge: I am suggesting that some members make more effective represen­ tations than others on behalf of their constituents. Mr MACKENROTH: The honourable member knows as well as I do that that is mbbish. The principal representations to the Works Department are made by the Education Department, which puts its draft program forward to the Works Department. Once that program gets to the Works Department, the poUtical decisions are made— and they are made by Mr Wharton. He is the one who makes the decisions on where the money is spent. It has nothing to do with representation. After my speech in late 1983, the Minister criticised me for raising the subject. He claimed that aU of the figures I had quoted were wrong and that he would be able to prove them wrong. I have been waiting for approximately 20 months for the Minister for Works and Housing to prove me wrong. In that period he has done absolutely nothing to try to disprove the figures that I gave to the Assembly on that occasion. So that members will be aware of what I am speaking about, 1 wiU give the Chamber some of those figures. In 1980-81, $60.64 per child was spent in Labor electorates. In non-Labor electorates, the figure was $139.68. In 1981-82, $55.92 was spent in Labor electorates and $140.03 in non-Labor electorates. In 1982-83, $60 per chUd was spent in Labor electorates and $184.97 in non-Labor electorates. Of course, that was at the time of the coaUtion Goverament. The Minister stated that those figures were wrong. He has had 20 months to prove me wrong. He has done absolutely nothing about it. Today I shall go further and talk about the two financial years since I made that speech. If the Minister wants to teU the Chamber tonight or on the next sitting day that what I am quoting is incortect, I chaUenge him to produce the figures of the enrolments at every State school in this State so that the Chamber can see whether I am right or wrong. I chaUenge the Minister, if I am wrong, as he stated 20 months ago, to prove me wrong. He did not prove me wrong then. After I have quoted these figures today, I would like him to try to prove 1424 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates) me wrong now. I am alarmed at the fact that the Goverament is pork-bartelUng its members' electorates at the expense of children who live in my electorate. After 1 made that speech in 1983, the Minister held back the annual report of the Works Department for about eight months before tabling it in the Assembly. The report for the 1983-84 financial year was tabled in this House only in April of this year. At least the Minister had the decency yesterday to table the 1984-85 annual report of the Works Department, which has enabled me to do some work on it. In 1983-84, capital works spending on major projects for primary and secondary schools in Labor electorates was $11,501,352; in National Party electorates, $84,267,251; and in Liberal and independent electorates, $1,643,756, making a total of $97,412,359. For that same year, the spending per child in Labor electorates was $45.04; in National Party electorates, a disgraceful $279.16; and in Liberal Party and independent electorates, $30.60. The average for aU electorates is $159.45. For the year 1984-85, the total capital works spending on primary and secondary schools in Labor electorates was $17,918,148; National Party electorates, $78,927,170; and Liberal and independent electorates, $1,412,848, making a total of $98,258,166. Capital works spending per child in Labor electorates is $70.17; in National Party electorates, $261.46; in Liberal and Independent electorates, $26.30. The average for aU electorates is $160.84. Those figures and the figures I have already quoted relate to five successive financial years. They show that the Queensland Goverament is in no way looking after the interests of children in Queensland. The figuressho w that the Queensland Goverament is pork-barteUing National Party electorates at the expense of chUdren who live in Labor Party electorates. The ratio of spending for 1980-81 is 2.3 for National Party electorates to 1. In 1981-82, the ratio, in favour of the National Party, was 2.5 to 1; in 1982-83, 3.08 to 1; in 1983-84, an election year, a disgraceful 6.19 to 1; and in 1984-85, 3.72 to 1. There is no equality for children in Queensland. I stated that 20 months ago, and 1 wiU state it again. If the Minister wants to try and prove me wrong, he should not come back tonight or tomortow, long after I have finished speaking, and try to tip a bucket over me. He should come forward with the figures on the enrolments at State schools in this State. The Minister knows that he cannot prove my figures are incortect. Mr Borbidge: How many schools do you have in your electorate? Mr MACKENROTH: It has nothing to do with schools; it relates to the number of children who go to school. If the honourable member listens to what I say, he wiU leara something. The honourable member referted to the wonderful facilities at the schools in his electorate. The majority of schools in my electorate do not have lights in the class-rooms. The chUdren cannot see. In overcast weather the children must stop learaing, because the Queensland Goverament is too mean and too stingy to provide electricity. Every time I see the Minister for Mines and Energy (Mr I. J. Gibbs) on television saying how good it is in Queensland that everyone has power, I laugh. The Govemment cannot provide electric lights in the schools. We are Uving in the Dark Ages. Twenty months ago I referted to overdue works in Labor electorates. In the annual reports for 1983, 1984 and 1985, one can find that a second art space is needed at tiie Acacia Ridge school. A home economics development is still required at the Bundaberg school; as are change-room and showers at Glenmore; art space at Nashville; art space at Trinity Bay; and a library at Wynnum North. An examination of the amounts that have been expended shows one surprising point. In the 1983-84 financial year, a covered games area was built at the Gayndah High School. That was set down by the Education Department in the program for 1985- 86. It was completed three years early. In whose electorate is Gayndah? All honourable members know that it is in the electorate of the Minister for Works and Housing. Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1425 In Nanango, which is in the Premier and Treasurer's electorate, a general studies block, a games area and tuck-shop have been buUt. It is not even listed in the draft program. They were buUt in the 1983-84 financial year. In the 1984-85 financial year, extensions to the manual arts block in Gin Gin were set for 1986-87. That work has been completed. All honourable members know in whose electorate the tovm of Kingaroy is located. A manual arts/double machine shop, which was set for 1987-88, has afready been built. The conversion of the home economics block set for 1986-87 was completed last financial year. In Nanango, the manual arts block and an amenities block, one of which was set for 1985-86 and one for 1986-87, have been completed. In Rosewood, which is located in the electorate of the Deputy Premier and Minister Assisting the Treasurer (Mr Gunn), a manual arts block has been completed. It was not even listed on the draft program of work that needed to be carried out. However, that has been built. It can been seen that the Minister for Works and Housing has looked after his ovm electorate. The Premier and Treasurer (Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen) and the Deputy Premier and Minister Assisting the Treasurer (Mr Gunn) have looked after thefr ovm electorates. They have placed jobs in their electorate ahead of jobs that should have been carried out in Labor electorates. I do not think that I can be any more clear than I have been. The Govemment has looked after its own electorates at the expense of chUdren who live in electorates represented by the Australian Labor Party. No children should have to suffer because they live in electorates represented by Opposition members. Many people like to mn away from that matter; I do not. The whole matter should be exposed. The Queensland Govemment should begin to spend money based on the needs of children, not on the electorates that its members represent. Mr Wharton: Could you give me a copy of your speech? Mr MACKENROTH: I made my speech off the cuff. I do not have notes. My comments were made off the top of my head, except for the figures that I quoted. Will the Minister undertake to provide me tomorrow with the enrolments of every State school in Queensland? Will he make that commitment? If he wants to try to prove me wrong, will he provide me with those figures tomortow? Mr Wharton: I haven't got them here today. Mr MACKENROTH: I am not asking the Minister whether he has the figures. I am asking whether he will obtain the figures and make them avaUable. If the Minister wants to try to prove me wrong, wiU he obtain those figures and make them avaUable? Mr Wharton interjected. Mr MACKENROTH: Twenty months ago the Minister said that he could prove me wrong, and he did not do it. If the Minister wants to try to prove me wrong, will he obtain the figures and make them available to me? Mr Wharton: You haven't proved yourself right, yet. Mr MACKENROTH: The Minister wiU not answer that question. That proves that what I am saying is cortect. Undoubtedly, the matters that I raised 20 months ago and again today prove that this Govemment should be condemned for its cormpt practices, as exemplified by the Works Department. I am waiting for a change. Mr LITTLEPROUD (Condamine) (2.46 p.m.): I congratulate the Minister on the prompt and efficient manner in which he carries out his responsibUities. I congratulate 1426 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates) his departmental officers also. I have always found the officers in Toowoomba and Dalby to be very courteous and very helpful. The Minister detailed many of the achievements of his department over the last 12 months. I wiU not go into those in great detail. However, I wiU comment on a few matters that are of particular importance to the electorate of Condamine. During the last 12 months, the Housing Commission built 4 529 new dweUing units, and 61.9 per cent of those dwelling units are for private ownership. Application for a first home ownership grant involves dealing with both the Queensland Housing Com­ mission and its Federal counterpart. Mr Borbidge: The Labor Party members don't talk about home-ovmership much, do they? Mr LITTLEPROUD: That is cortect. Quite often, because of the Federal department's delay in the processing of appli­ cations, real estate agents have difficulty in finalising contracts. Many contracts are 30- day contracts. Quite often, a real estate agent wiU telephone me in a panic and say, "I have only got four or five days left before the contract is null and void, and the money has StiU not come through." I have suggested to the real estate agents in my electorate that 60-day contracts be used if possible, to make allowance for such delays. I realise that this matter is outside the control of the Minister; nevertheless, I point out that the delays are causing concera. Thanks to the policies of this Goverament, many people are making use of the grant to purchase their first home. 1 congratulate the Works Department on the policy of income-geared rentals. It is certainly beneficial to many people, in particular pensioners, who are now being provided with top-class accommodation, be it pensioner units or duplexes, round the State. I wiU comment further on that aspect later. 1 congratulate the Works Department on its achievements in the last 12 months. 1 refer particularly to the Queensland Cultural Centre. The honourable member for Surfers Paradise (Mr Borbidge) also commented on it. The museum will be opened late next year. Previous speakers have mentioned the restoration of The Mansions, Harris Tertace and the Old Goverament Printery. The Builders Registration Board is due for review. Yesterday, the Master BuUders Association of Queensland pubUshed a press article stating that the regulations pertaining to the Builders Registration Board should be reviewed. The Dalby branch is particularly conceraed about the regulations. Most of the soU in the Dalby region is very deep, black soU and has the characteristic of shrinking and swelling—depending on the water content of the soil—making it extremely difficult to stabUise buildings. A deputation has waited on the Minister, with some success, pointing out that the regulations covering the movement of houses and the responsibilities of builders are just too onerous. I understand the intention of the board, which is to make sure that people who are buying houses are protected. Notwithstanding that, for the Dalby area in particular, because it is virtuaUy impossible to constmct a building that wiU not move, the rules are too stringent and cannot be complied with. As an example, I point out that, during the course of constmction of a garage, concrete piers were put dovm, and a concrete slab was placed on them and tied to them. The garage was constmcted about five or six years ago and the slab has bowed upwards by nine or ten inches. One would think that it was sloped deliberately to drain water off, but I was assured by the ovmer that, although it vyas built to take loads of 30 to 40 tonnes, mostiy because of vehicles being parked on it, the pressure of the ground sweUing undemeath it has warped the slab permanently. I was taken to see a brand new restaurant. When I looked along the line of the bricks on the side wall of the restaurant, I noticed that there was a warp in the waU to the extent of three or four inches from front to back. I was assured that the recentiy Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1427 constmcted buUding had been built according to specifications laid down by the local authority and according to the regulations set down by the BuUders Registration Board. Despite the fact that a reputable builder complied with the regulations and by-laws, the waU has warped and, in time, the bricks wiU crack. I cite the case of a buUder whom I know very weU. He is also a person of high repute. He was told by the Builders Registration Board that he was deemed to be responsible for the movement of a house that he had constmcted. I understand that, when the house was constmcted, the builder told the owners not to put any gardens next to the house because, when the ground was watered, it would swell and the house would move. The owners took note of the buUder's advice, but they eventuaUy sold the house. The next owners moved in and did not know the characteristics of the local soil. They dug a garden bed next to the house and regularly watered the plants. In no time at aU the house moved, and, knowing the regulations laid dovm by the Builders Registration Board, the ovmers sued the builder. The builder had the matter resolved eventually, but not before he had incurted considerable expense to arrange for his legal defence. I made this known to the Minister for Works and Housing (Mr Wharton), and he assured me that the Builders Registration Board would look into the matter. No doubt, the announcement of a review which was made yesterday by the Master Builders Association, will be welcomed by this Dalby builder who is out of pocket to the extent of $20,000 because of preparation for his defence. Whilst I am on the subject of the Builders Regisfration Board, I wish to raise the issue of the compulsory insurance policy that must be taken out at a cost of $90 to cover the buUder and the owner. That insurance sometimes does not work in the way people would wish. It has been pointed out to me that, if a person buys a kit home, the insurance policy covers only the workmanship of the builder, and that it does not cover the quality of the materials used in the constmction of the house. Perhaps the Builders Registration Board should examine that matter to see whether something can be done about it. I tum my attention to some of the projects undertaken in my electorate by the Department of Works and Housing. I refer to the constmction of the new police headquarters in Dalby at a cost of $1.2m. It was obvious that the former poUce headquarters were completely inadequate and somewhat dilapidated at the base. Because that building was the police headquarters for the district, it was necessary to upgrade the faciUties and make the headquarters much larger. It is expected that the new buUding wiU be completed by the end of this year, and the local police officers wiU obviously be very pleased about that. I also mention that the facade of the major part of the old poUce station will be restored. The building has been listed as a building worth keeping, and it will be refurbished and used by the Lands Department. However, another problem has arisen because, by buUding the new poUce station next door to the building used by the Department of Primary Industries, some of the existing car-parking space has been taken up. Honourable members can imagine the difficulty in attempting to fit 14 vehicles into a space provided for eight. I have taken this matter up with the Minister for Primary Industries (Mr Tumer) and the Minister for Works and Housing (Mr Wharton). Recently, the Dalby South State School was given a new pre-school section as part of the initiative announced last year under the $600m Special Major Capital Works Program. By providing the pre-school, the Govemment has been able to cater for the pre-school needs of people in Dalby, which were previously met by private pre-schools and kindergartens. The constmction of that pre-school has been very much appreciated by the people in my electorate. It will be officiaUy opened early next month. The Dalby High School has been fortunate in that, at long last, it has acquired a new school library, which was opened earlier this year by the Minister. He pointed out 1428 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates) just how much money had been spent in Dalby in the past 12 months. Certainly the amount spent on the library was quite substantial. The maintenance of schools in the Dalby area is well up to scratch. The Minister is always approachable. I do not think, as Mr Mackenroth suggested, that my electorate receives any better treatment than the electorates represented by members opposite. Mr Borbidge: You probably have a few more schools, to begin with. Mr LITTLEPROUD: Yes, there are 14 schools in my electorate. Although I make a great many requests of the department, they are not always granted. I get in touch with the department; in due course, something is done. However, very often people have to wait three or four years before their request is granted. A number of schools in my electorate have demountable buildings, but people reaUse that they are only a temporary inconvenience and that if they wait long enough permanent buildings will be constmcted. Almost $300,000 worth of Housing Commission houses have been constmcted in Dalby in the past two years, and 13 houses were buiU last year. Dalby now has 334 Housing Commission houses. Earlier this year, Pratten Place, containing 10 pensioner units, was opened. I was impressed by the quality and layout of the buUding, and particularly by the landscaping. Dalby is situated in black-soil country, and it is pretty difficult for old people, in particular, to move round out of doors after rain. The grounds surtounding the units have been paved, and the area between the building and the road can now be traversed in all weather. That is very much appreciated by the residents. The Special Major Capital Works Program announced in last year's Budget has meant that, at last. Chinchilla has been fortunate enough to be given a special education unit. Mr Davis: Are we going through the whole travel tour of the electorate? Mr LITTLEPROUD: No, just two of the towns in my electorate. However, I know that the honourable member likes the bush, so I will teU him all about it. All too often, country areas miss out on some of the specialised services provided by the Govemment. In ChinchUla's case it was special education for chUdren who are not quite normal. The school just had to make do as best it could. Some parents sent their children to Toowoomba, or even further afield, where such services are provided. Because of that capital works initiative in the Budget last year, a special education unit has been provided in Chinchilla. About 15 or 16 children have been identified by the education authorities as being in need of that facility, and it was very much welcomed by the parents. It was opened only a few weeks ago and is already proving its worth. I also give credit to the department for the accommodation it now provides for teachers. When I was first starting off as a teacher, it was always difficult to find accommodation. Over the years, the Department of Works and Housing, in co-operation with the Education Department, has constmcted houses in many towns. Duplexes and flats are also now provided. Because of that program, there is now not much hassle about accommodation in Chinchilla at the beginning of the school year. Young people being transferted know that they can arrive in Chinchilla and move straight into a flat, which makes life a great deal easier than it was in the old days. It must be said that married teachers transferted to country tovms find difficulty in obtaining accommodation, because the Govemment has tended to put more money into single-teacher accommodation than into housing. The department is now trying to provide more Housing Commission houses to be earmarked especially for married couples. Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1429

Yesterday, I was informed by departmental officers that the ChinchiUa Committee on the Ageing has been given a $100,000 grant from the Local Govemment Community Housing Program to constmct four pensioner units in the grounds of its aged people's home. The committee is very pleased with the success of its application. It has 34 motel- type units set in five acres of ground, providing care for those people who can no longer Uve independently. The inclusion of the four pensioner units will mean that people now Uving in rented accommodation that is not up to the standard they would like will be able to move into the complex and share the comforts enjoyed by the residents. As they get older and cannot continue with their independent style of life, they will be able to transfer into the home itself The committee has plans to build a nursing home as another step in caring for aged people in the district. The latest $100,000 granted under the Local Govemment and Community Housing Program is certainly helping the overaU plan for looking after the aged people of the area. ChinchiUa needs some type of duplex accommodation for single-parent families. It has very few Housing Commission homes. 1 understand that, under the system of allocation, houses are buUt only when appUcations are submitted. However, it is a catch- 22 situation because the people wiU not submit an application in the knowledge that the Housing Commission does not build houses in the district. If applications are not submitted, the houses will not be built. By way of a few articles in the local press, I have done my best to educate the public. I have urged them to put thefr names dovm if they want better accommodation than their rented premises. Perhaps my efforts wiU meet with some success. The Minister recently advised me that a duplex will be built in ChinchiUa next year. A couple of people are looking forward to Uving in it. I recently spoke to the Minister about the need for new Govemment offices in ChinchiUa. He referted me to the PubUc Service Board. The Goverament is now renting office space for the Forestry Department and the Queensland Electricity Commission in ChinchiUa. The space occupied by the Department of Primary Industries is insufficient and, very shortly, a DPI soU-conservation officer is to be stationed there. I suggest that provision for all departmental people should be provided in one Goverament office block. Overall, the electorate is pleased with the services, housing and office space provided by the Minister's department. A new pre-school is being provided at Warta, the Jandowae PoUce Station is getting a new house for the police sergeant, and other Goverament buildings in the electorate are being continually upgraded. I congratulate the Minister on the way in which he administers his department. Mr GYGAR (Stafford) (3.2 p.m.): I intend to cover a number of aspects of the Works Department that are excellent and some which, perhaps, should be re-examined. First, I will speak in general about the public rental housing and the curtent poUcies of the Federal Goverament. It is obvious that that Goverament is adopting a new trend in housing poUcies. It used to talk about welfare housing, but it now talks about public housing. The Queensland Minister for Works and Housing, his department and the people of Queensland, should be aware of the reason for the change. It is not merely a change in name. It is a change in emphasis and is another part of the socialist social- engineering that that Goverament is so good at. At one time, Goveraments used to say that they should be involved in housing and the provision of rental accommodation because people could not handle it themselves, that the free market was not capable of providing rental accommodation for them and that, therefore, the Goverament had a role to play. That was an appropriate and cortect course to follow. The Federal Goverament now has a totally new attitude. It does not want welfare housing. It wants public housing. It wants to be in charge of the methods 1430 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates) by which ordinary people—those who used to be home-ovmers and home-buyers—will be housed in the future. I have noted some of the most incredible proposals coming forward, not to provide housing for people in distress but to provide housing for people who just think that they want a house and that the Goverament should provide it. The classic example was provided by the former Federal Minister (Dr Jim Cairas) and his commune projects. They were not for people in need or in distress but for people who thought they should have a house and that the Goverament should pay for it. Sfr William Knox: It is the alteraative Ufe-style. Mr GYGAR: They are alteraative Ufe-style projects. I understand that the disease is creeping into Queensland. The Federal member for Lilley (Mrs Darling) is promoting her own little commune project for this State. The pressures that are building up in the Federal Goverament clearly lead in one direction; it does not want people to own thefr own homes; it wants them to be renting homes from the State. Mr Davis: Ha, ha! Mr GYGAR: The honourable member for Brisbane Central finds it laughable. Perhaps he will take the opportunity to explain why it is that the Federal Goverament prohibits the State Goverament from selling houses that are built with Federal Govera­ ment money. If the Federal Goverament was dedicated to the great Australian dream of home-ownership, which it is not game to publicly deny because it knows how deep it is in the Australian ethos, it would come straight out and say it. Instead of the Federal Goverament providing a system under which people who are temporarUy in need get subsidised rental accommodation and who, when that need is no longer there, are encouraged and promoted in their objective of home-ownership, a new emphasis is coming into housing. The Federal Goverament says, "Get into it, rent it from the Goverament and keep renting it forever." It has absolutely no interest in promoting home-ownership amongst Australians. Despite the protests from the member for Brisbane Central, the reasons for that are quite clear. The Federal Goverament does not want people to own their own homes because it turas them into little capitaUsts. If one goes and listens to the members of the Labor Party behind closed doors, when they think people are not listening, one finds that they do not want people to ovm their ovm homes because mortgages make them antisocialist voters. People with mortgages do not like the Labor Party. That is the sole reason behind the Federal Goverament's poUcy. The Minister knows better than anybody in this State the change in emphasis in the poUcies coming from the Federal Goverament. It is introducing schemes with tied grants and saying, "They must only be for rental properties. You can't sell them." That has caused a drastic change in the way in which this State, over the last decade, has been able to manage its housing resources. What used to happen is what should happen. People were given assistance when they needed rental subsidies under a welfare-oriented scheme. When they no longer needed that assistance, they were encouraged to purchase the home. Certainly that led to some administrative difficulties. There were turaovers in the housing pool. All honourable members in this Chamber who have Housing Commission areas in their electorate, as I have, would know that the great blocks of what used to be Housing Commission homes now contain only scattered rental homes. The other homes have been purchased by people who initiaUy rented them. That is how it ought to be. I urge the Minister to resist to the utmost these new schemes and new pressures to try to prevent Queenslanders from ovming their own homes. I commend the Minister on the creative way in which he has approached home- ownership financing through the department. In recent years, he has instituted a number Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1431

of schemes to do aU he can to encourage home-ovmership. All that I can say to him is, "Congratulations, Mr Wharton, and keep doing it." At the same time, he should not allow people in this State to be dragged into the position where once they are a welfare recipient and home-renter, they are a home-renter for life. Our poUcies must be designed to provide home-ownership for everyone, and to give every encouragement towards that end. There is room for improvement in the administration of the rental scheme as it presently mns in this State. My opinion in this matter wiU come as no secret to the Minister. I have been expressing it to him for some years. I refer to the ceiling on rentals under the new family-income-aggregating scheme. I do not think that we can possibly justify having a situation in which a famUy is being charged $145 or more a week in rental for homes that on the open market would not bring more than $95 a week. This poUcy is anti-family. Why does it occur? It occurs because of the transient nature of developing famUies. The make-up of families changes. FamiUes are not stable through thefr whole course. It is a fact of Ufe that families have chUdren who grow up, leave school and take jobs, be they for six months or for several years. During that time, the children may want to live with their family. At some time those children may get married, shift somewhere else for employment or simply choose to move out to other accommodation. It is during that transient period that famiUes are penaUsed by the present rental calculation scheme. I agree with the Minister for Works and Housing that those who do not need rental subsidy should not get rental subsidy. However, it is quite a different thing to put that proposition and then to go one step further and say that people who do not need rental subsidy should be driven out of their houses. In effect, that is what is happening. The chUdren have a choice. Either they get out of the house or the whole famUy has to shift. Neither of those choices is acceptable for a Goverament that says that it is pro-family and wants to encourage the family unit to stay together. Queensland wants stable famUies and stable communities, and people have a commitment to the areas in which they grow up. In the past, the Minister has sought to deflect these criticisms by saying that the Goverament wants these people to shift out. The Minister must carefully rethink that proposition. It might be a glib, short-term answer for the Housing Commission, but is it an appropriate answer for the State of Queensland? The strength of the community is the stability of the famUies in it and their input for the common good. The community will not have that stabiUty or input from families if the Goverament's policy is to teU parents that, if thefr kids want to remain at home once they go to work, the parents will be thrown out of their house. That is the alteraative that the Goverament offers. It is suggesting that, if parents do not Uke the situation, they can get out of their house. The peripheral costs of such a policy must be examined. What does the poUcy do to those families who, say, grew up in Inala? Everyone uses Inala as an example, and quite unjustly at times. I will use the community example. The community needs the strength and the stabUity of stable families giving their input into that community. If there is one area that needs it, surely it is Inala. Yet, this Goverament, as a matter of poUcy, is moving out the most valuable community resources—the people whose children grew up in the area and have contacts in the schools, the churches and the clubs. Those people make a great contribution to the unpaid social infrastmcture of an area. Those people are needed there more than anywhere else. However, they are bearing the bmnt of this Ul-conceived policy. They are being shifted out of the areas in which they are most needed. For the saving of $30 or $40 a week, the Govemment is attacking the fabric of society at its weakest point. It is not just a matter of doUars and cents. The Housing Commission, as an arm of a Govemment that says that it is pro-famUy, is in favour of 1432 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

voluntarism and wants to build community spirit, cannot take this blinkered and short­ sighted view in the policy that it is implementing. It is not good enough. If a house is worth $95 a week on the open market, by all means people should pay $95 a week for it. Maybe they should chip in an additional $5 a week to make up a little for the time when they paid less than $95 a week. To demand $145 a week for a house for which nobody in his right mind would pay more than $95 is sheer lunacy. I can understand why the Housing Commission does it and I reaUse why the Minister introduced the policy, but I suggest to him that he has to take a wider view. He has to look outside the specialised interests of the Housing Commission rental section, which undoubtedly likes this policy, and look to his ovm responsibiUty as Minister for Housing and the responsibiUty of the Goverament at large. He should change the policy now. It has been tried, and it has failed. It is time to try something else. The provision of pensioner units is one area in which I have unstinting praise for the Minister's departments. They are needed more than ever. Honourable members hear aU about an ageing community, of how the average age of society will rise higher and higher as the years go on. At the same time, in this case, one has to bear in mind the social realities. In my electorate I have been delighted to see two local projects that benefit pensioners who can no longer look after their own homes and cannot face the responsibility of the necessary maintenance of the houses and the yards. They are being given accommodation in their own communities. That has enabled them to stay where their churches are, where the shops with which they are familiar are located, where thefr friends are and where the infrastmcture of their society is. That is the way it has to stay. Two units have already been constmcted in my electorate, and 1 notice that land is reserved for another. After hearing some of the earUer speeches in this debate, I wonder when that project will commence, if ever; but the sooner the better. My electorate has a desperate need for pensioner units. It is economical to provide them, because the people who move into pensioner homes will be vacating family homes, which also are needed in the area. So the balance in the community will be maintained. Mr Palaszczuk interjected. Mr GYGAR: The honourable member will have his chance to speak about the whole picture. I want to speak about what is happening in my zone, and I want to say that it is good. I look forward to more of this—to the purchase by the Minister's department of blocks of land or old houses that can be economicaUy purchased and demolished to make way for the erection of community-based small housing clusters for pensioners. That is economical; it is appropriate; it should be continued and, in fact, speeded up if we are to keep pace with the ever-increasing number of aged in the community. The present rate of increase will continue until the end of this century. In the few minutes that remain, I wish to deal with the way in which money is allocated through the Works Department for capital works and maintenance. I suggest that the Minister needs to consider the allocation of funds and shift a Uttie more towards maintenance. It is a false economy to let buildings, plant and equipment become so mn down through lack of regular painting and regular repair that, when the maintenance is eventually carried out, it costs twice as much. Some schools in my electorate were let go for far too long before they were repainted. Even now, two desperately need repainting. If they were to be repainted before the onset of the heat of the coming summer, the paint would not peel off them. They would not need to be bumt back to bare wood. They would not need to be sanded down. The wood would not be allowed to deteriorate and rot. If buildings were painted and maintained in a timely way, the Minister would find, when the figures are finally added up, it is far more economical to undertake timely maintenance programs than to wait Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1433 untU something is faUing to bits, when a massive input of funds wiU be needed to bring it up to standard. That is particularly tme of houses and schools. I suggest that the Minister look very closely at the amount of money devoted to maintenance and the amount that is devoted to capital works. More maintenance funds are needed because, in the long mn, the Goverament wiU find that it is far more economical if the fiinds—which, after aU, are provided by the tax-payers of this State— are directed more towards maintenance. Nearly aU people in this State pay taxes, and they deserve to have their money spent wisely and efficiently. In conclusion, I would Uke to remark upon the personaUties in the Minister's office and in his department. Undoubtedly, the co-operation extended by the Minister's office staff, his departmental officers, local supervisors, foremen and tradesmen is nothing short of outstanding. I do not know what the experience of other members has been, but although I have certain political differences with the Minister's party, that has never interfered with or derogated from the courtesy and consideration that has been shown to me and my constituents by the Minister, members of his staff and his departmental officers. When things such as that happen, it is a healthy sign of democracy. I congratulate the Minister on maintaining that system and express the hope that it continues in the future. I wish that a few more people could leara from him. Mr BOOTH (Warwick) (3.21 p.m.): I will begin where the honourable member for Stafford (Mr Gygar) concluded. I express my personal thanks to the Minister and his staff. From the highest echelon down, members of the Minister's staff are able to talk without becoming mffled. Like the honourable member for Stafford, I also think that the Minister must some have special quality, because he has the abUity to encourage people to act in that way. That does not surprise me. Before I entered this Chamber, I knew the Minister. In fact, I knew him before he entered this Chamber. Mr Davis: Would you have liked to enter this place earUer? Mr BOOTH: Yes. I would have liked to enter this Chamber earUer. The Minister for Works and Housing was more successful than I was. However, I do not take that away from him. Mr Palaszczuk: Are you going to say something about the TAFE coUege in Warwick? Mr BOOTH: I will say something about that coUege. I am glad that the honourable member reminded me of it. It is about two years since I implored the Minister to provide Warwick with land for a TAFE college. He was very successful in doing that. It was necessary to obtain a commitment from the State Goveraement to fund the staffing and recurtent expenses once the college was completed. I have been successful in doing that. 1 do not know exactly how much was needed for the acquisition of the land, but it was about $300,000. I will be very surprised if, when the coUege comes on stream, staffing and recurrent expenses can be funded for very much under one and a-half million dollars a year. That is a conservative estimate; it might be more. A great deal of State Govemment input will be needed. I was very surprised and disappointed that State Govemment co-operation was not mentioned at the meeting that I attended last night. Co-operation has existed between State and Federal Govemments. I was surprised and bitterly disappointed that the Prime Minister did not see fit to acknowledge that fact. However, that is another story. The honourable member's interjection has allowed me to express my views. Mr MiUiner: You ought to go to some of the openings where the Premier is involved with TAFE colleges. I had the misfortune of going to one, and he did not acknowledge that the Federal Govemment played any role.

68706—49 1434 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

Mr BOOTH: The honourable member has raised an interesting point. Having Ustened to what was said last night, I would be incUned, at any future meetings, to do as the Premier has done. The Premier and Treasurer would have been annoyed long before last night, and I think that I would have reacted in a simUar way. Despite those disappointments, work on the TAFE college is under way. That wiU be good for the people of Queensland, in particular the people in my electorate. I tura now to some outstanding matters in the Estimates. From time to time, honourable members say that no money is available for educational buildings. In presenting the Estimates, the Minister for Works and Housing stated that the amount expended on educational buUdings represented 52.6 per cent of the total expenditure on buUdings. That certainly gives the lie to those people who say that there is no money for education. In addition, there has been good placement of money in other areas. Mr Milliner: What's that document? Mr BOOTH: The honourable member should have a copy of the Minister's speech. Although he may not be able to read it, I am sure that he has a copy of it. I would hope that the honourable member could read it. It is not just in the sphere of education that money has been weU spent. The Govemment has given the Ue to suggestions that it has no eye to the past and that it does not want to preserve old buildings. The Mansions has been restored. An effort has been made not only to restore buildings but also to make them usable. I have always beUeved—and I still beUeve—that the best can be done to restore and retain buUdings but, unless the buUdings are usable, it is not a viable exercise to spend money on them. Mr Davis: The old Bellevue came crashing down at 2.30 in the moming. Mr BOOTH: Opposition members seem to have an obsession with the old BeUevue. The only buUding that Opposition members can talk about is the old BeUevue. Unfortunately, for a time I Uved in the Bellevue, as did a few other honourable members. There was the constant worry of a fire breaking out. In fact, I was worried that the buUding might coUapse without the outbreak of a fire. It was not in anyone's best interests to try to restore that buUding. At least the honourable member for Brisbane Central remembers the old BeUevue. I did not think that his memory was so good. I tum now to housing. Unfortunately, the Federal member for my area mns around attacking the State Goverament. That is aU he does. He never does anything for the area, but he finds many things to complain about to the State Goverament. One of his pet complaints is the lack of housing. He says that Queensland is not as good as some of the other States and that the waiting period for housing is far too long. I wiU draw some comparisons on waiting periods. I reaUy should not have to do that because he should be able to look them up for himself However, I will jog his memory. A comparison of rental waiting-Usts for the various State housing authorities, as at 30 June 1985, reveals that the waiting-lists are: New South Wales, 58 501; Victoria, 23 433; Queensland, 8 794; Westera AustraUa, 8 543; South AustraUa—a frontmnner— 35 000; Tasmania, 4 046; and Northem Territory, 3 690. The waiting-Ust for rental housing in Queensland has been significantly reduced and has continued to drop since it reached a peak in Febmary 1984. Between then and the end of June this year, the waiting-Ust for people seeking rental housing through the Queensland Housing Commission dropped by almost 18 per cent. Queensland, in fact, has the lowest per capita wait-Ust of any State in the nation. Labor States, such as New South Wales and South AustraUa, are accounting for the largest proportions of the total national waiting-Ust for Housing Commission rental. New South Wales, with double Queensland's population, has a wait-Ust close to seven times that of this State. Mr Stephan: Do you ever hear Mr Davis make a comment about that aspect? Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1435

Mr BOOTH: No. I do not think the honourable member for Brisbane Central worries much about these things. All he does is carry on. However, Govemment members have become accustomed to him, and it does not worry them. South Australia, with just over half Queensland's population, has a waiting-Ust four times that of Queensland's. These two States—New South Wales and South Australia- together account for 66 per cent of the total national waiting-Ust. New South Wales, which has 34.8 per cent of the nation's population, accounts for 41.2 per cent of the total national waiting-list. South AustraUa has 8.7 per cent of the AustraUan population, yet it accounts for 24.6 per cent of the total national wait-Ust for rental housing provided through the State Housing Tmst. By comparison, Queensland, with 16.1 per cent of the nation's population, accounts for just 6.2 per cent of the overaU national waiting-Ust. By comparison, with 16.1 per cent of the nation's population, Queensland accounts for only 6.2 per cent of the overaU national wait-list. Although the wait-list is important, the most important figures are those that relate to the building of houses in this State, no matter how the money is raised. One of the greatest capital outlays that any famUy or any person will ever make is the expenditure involved in building a home. For that reason, the finance obtained for that purpose, irrespective of the type of home, is the real barometer of the housing constmction industry. The figures for Queensland in respect of housing constmction are rising, and I quote from a statement attributed to the Minister for Works and Housing (Mr Wharton), as foUows— "Queensland recorded its best housing approval figures for almost a year during July and accounted for close to a quarter of the total national housing approvals for that month. State Works and Housing Minister, Mr Claude Wharton, said this today when commenting on Commonwealth Govemment housing figures released today. The figures showed that in July this year a total of 3 021 new dwelUngs were approved for Queensland... an increase of 6 per cent on the same month last year and up by 11 per cent on June 1985 figures. Mr Wharton said the Commonwealth figures showed that whUe approvals in Queensland had risen in July compared with the same month last year, on a national basis there had been a slight decline in dweUing approvals for that period. 'The State's performance in July this year was strong compared with the nation as a whole.' Mr Wharton said, 'With 16 per cent of the national population, Queensland accounted for 22 per cent of new dwelling approvals throughout Australia.' Mr Wharton said the July 1985 approval figures were the best for the State since August last year. Mr Wharton said there had been a general buUd up of Housing approval figures in Queensland over the six months to the end of July this year. Figures in five out of those six months had shovm increases with July's figures being 33 per cent higher than those recorded in January this year." I tura my attention now to interest rates and, in doing so, wiU be very critical of the Federal Goverament. Although the Queensland Government has been able to help people avoid paying high interest, many people have to go out into the open market to raise the finance for the constmction of a home. In the last few days, one of the staggering events that came to my attention is the further increase in interest rates. According to information provided by the Organisation of Economic Co-Operation and Develoment, Australia is poised for a great economic revival. Mr Davis: Hear, hear! Mr BOOTH: That is not reflected in the interest rates, which have continued to rise. 1436 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates) Mr Davis: They fluctuate. Mr BOOTH: I will tell the honourable member for Brisbane Central something— he would not know this, because he is probably not interested: the Australian Development Bank makes finance avaUable at interest rates in excess of a staggering 18.5 per cent for amounts over $100,000. The people who are unable to raise finance from banks and who must tura to finance companies are being asked to pay 22.5 per cent interest on simUar amounts. I cannot believe that business can survive in such an atmosphere. However, although it is bad enough for business, it is tragic news for a person who wishes to build a home. I must say that if the gentlemen on the Opposition benches were fair dinkum, they would go to the Prime Minister and Australian Labor Party leaders and ask them to do something that will bring interest rates down. I will tell the honourable members for Archerfield and Brisbane Central why the interest rates are rising. They are rising because of the bad economic performance of this country, due to low primary industry production. Australia is unable to compete in world markets as it once did. Because of the detrimental effect of escalating costs, it cannot compete, and that is a great tragedy. I now tura my attention to the imposition by the Federal Govemment of a capital gains tax. It has said that, provided that property investors do not exceed the rate of inflation on retums from their investments, a capital gains tax will not hurt them. However, it was not very long ago that the Prime Minister said that he would not have a bar of a capital gains tax. The honourable member for Surfers Paradise (Mr Borbidge), who is not present in the Chamber, read an extract from the Prime Minister's policy speech of 1983. In response, the honourable member for Chatsworth (Mr Mackenroth) said, "Oh, that was two years ago. We never keep promises for anything like two years." It must be said that, if confidence is to be put back into political idealism and democracy in Australia, Goveraments must start to keep promises. The people of Australia do not want a Federal Goverament that beUeves promises are made only to be broken; Australians want a Goverament that makes promises which will be kept. In short, the ALP should be fair dinkum. Mr Davis: You want us to take the 13.5 per cent off the interest rate on housing? Mr BOOTH: What I want is an economic performance that will bring interest rates down. As long as the Australian dollar remains in its present tragic position, interest rates will rise. Three years ago, no-one would have believed that the Australian dollar would be in its present shocking mess. Opposition members should not kid themselves that the low Australian dollar is doing them any good. The Australian dollar is low because the rest of the world lacks confidence in it. Mr Prest: Get on to something you know about. Mr BOOTH: I know a Uttie more about what I am talking about than the honourable member for Port Curtis does. If he knew what he was talking about, he could have fooled me without the least bit of trouble. Mr Prest: You are easily fooled. Mr BOOTH: The honourable member could have fooled me right from the time I first entered this place. I do not want to waste time; I want to talk a Uttie more about the Estimates. I believe that the Minister has achieved a great deal. The member for Chatsworth (Mr Mackenroth) referted to this Goverament's pork-bartelUng. I do not believe that such a thing exists. The Minister has distributed the wherewithal of this State fairly and has kept the building program on course right throughout Queensland. It is very easy for Opposition members to come into the Chamber and pick on some little point that does not suit them. However, if they drive through this State they will find that the schools Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1437

are in good condition and that the pubUc buUdings are generaUy in good condition. AU towns receive their fair share of State funds, and surely that is ample proof that the Minister and his department have deUvered the goods. I now want to say a little about pensioner accommodation. Mr Palaszczuk: How many pensioner units wiU be buUt in Queensland this year? Mr BOOTH: I do not have that figure. Mr Palaszczuk: 264. Mr BOOTH: I am glad that the honourable member brought up the subject of pensioner units, because the constmction of pensioner units in any town depends on the number of people who put thefr names on the waiting-Ust. That is good management. I would like a few more pensioner units to be constmcted in Warwick, and I have set out to achieve that goal. A couple of pensioner units in Warwick have been vacant, one for a short time and one for a few weeks. Naturally, if the system is managed properly, people expect the units to be occupied. However, the Opposition's idea of buUding pensioner units, even though people do not require them, is not right. Pensioner units should be buUt when the waiting-Usts show that they are requfred. That is why, earlier, I cited figureso n waiting-Usts. Most people who heard those figures would say that it is good thinking to build the units where they have been buUt. However, Opposition members seem to think that pensioner units should be built even though there is no- one waiting to occupy them. That should never happen. Even if, in the next 100 years, the ALP has the good fortune to become the Govemment in this State, I hope that the man who becomes Minister for Works and Housing has the good sense to buUd pensioner units only where they are requfred. However, I do not think that the ALP will ever occupy the Treasury benches, because insufficient independent comment comes from that side of the Chamber. Mr Palaszczuk: Why is the waiting-time for pensioner units in Queensland four years? Mr BOOTH: The waiting-time is not four years in my area, and that is what I am talking about. I would be interested to know whether the honourable member has contacted the Minister to let him know about the number of people in his electorate who are waiting. It is very easy to enter this Chamber and whinge. It is slightly more difficult to put figures on paper and then argue with the Minister. The former member for Archerfield (Mr K. J. Hooper) represented the area very well, and I think that the present member (Mr Palaszczuk) probably finds it a Uttle difficult to keep up with Mr K. J. Hooper's good work. I feel a little sorry for him, and do not want to be too harsh on him. It is in our interests to represent our areas to the best of our ability. If the Minister is to become aware of what we want, we have to put submissions to him. It has been a pleasure to put to the Minister the wishes of the people of Warwick. I have done that to the letter, and make no apologies to anyone for doing so. I am sorfy for people who are unable to represent thefr areas properly, such as the honourable member for Archerfield. I thank the Minister once again for the time and effort that he has devoted to his portfoUo, and for the way in which his officers have carried out their duties. Mr CAMPBELL (Bundaberg) (3.21 p.m.): I will deUberately speak first about the Queensland Housing Commission and its annual report, and second about the Department of Works. Emphasis should be placed on housing. In most other States, the housing section of a Minister's portfoUo comes first. The Queensland Housing Commission discriminates against migrants and ethnic groups. When I say "migrants", I include British, Greek, Italian and Asian migrants, aU of whom are discriminated against by the Housing Commission. The Housing Com­ mission can place a severe financial burden on disadvantaged migrants. In one instance. 1438 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates) because a grandmother is visiting her grandchildren, the department is imposing an excess rental charge. A letter that this disadvantaged person received is in these terms— "You are advised that the Commission has no objection to your mother residing with you during her stay. However, for rent assessment purposes, the Commission considers a person should be assessed on at least the minimum rate of pension or benefit appUcable to an AustraUan citizen. Your rent payable wiU therefore be increased by $22 per week during your mother's stay, even though she may not be receiving any income whUst in AusfraUa. You should advise this Office immediately your mother occupies the premises. Based on curtent household cfrcumstances, your rent payable wiU increase to $47 per week from date of her occupation." The visiting grandmother is a poor person, but the Housing Commission is imposing an extra charge on the chUdren's mother. That is very uncaring, uncompassionate, heartless and insincere freatment of that person. The department's approach disadvantages more nugrants than our ovm people. The Minister should take steps to make the poUcy more flexibles o that the extra charge, the severe financial burden, wiU not be placed on this person. Because of the action taken by the department, what should have been a great hoUday, a once in a Ufetime visit to see the grandchUdren probably for the first time, has been severely dimmed. On page 5, under the heading, "Mortgage and Rent ReUef, the Housing Commission report contains the words, "Demand for mortgage reUef remained low." It remained low not because Queensland has the highest rate of unemployment in AustraUa but because no-one is told about it. This is one instance in which I would not mind seeing a photograph of the Minister in the press next to an article letting unemployed people and others who get into frouble know that money is avaUable to help them stay in thefr own homes. More effort should be devoted to letting the people know about this form of reUef In many towns, and even in Bundaberg, the banks wiU not help. They do not want to know about the people in frouble. It is about time that the Minister let them know that help is avaUable. Again on page 5 of the report, reference is made to bond guarantees being given. The department has taken a heartless attitude to bond guarantees. The Commission's poUcy is not to comment on, referee or judge any dispute between the landlord and a person. That is terrible. However, when a landlord makes a claim, the Govemment demands that the person pay up straight away. In other words, it acts as judge and jury and says, "You, the Uttle person, wiU pay because the landlord demands." No rights are given to tenants. Welfare officers were told by departmental officers that recipients of bond guarantees would not be considered Uable for reimbursement of the bond. Yet a charge is made under the bond guarantee, and the department demands that the money be paid immediately by the tenants. Mr Wharton: TeU us the whole story. The person you were speaking about stayed in the house for six months. Mr CAMPBELL: The Minister can teU the story later. I am demoUshing the whole report of the Queensland Housing Commission. The figures on page 8 of the report indicate that the Govemment is really putting money into pubUc housing! The diagram on that page shows that 25 per cent of the money comes from Commonwealth grants, 32 per cent comes from loan instalments, 22.75 per cent comes from rents and 3.68 per cent comes from the benevolent State Govemment. That is how much money the State Goverament puts directly into housing. The Queensland Housing Commission is profit-orientated, not welfare-based. Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1439

Page 12 of the report of the Queensland Housing Commission deals with land rents. It gives an indication of the way in which the Goverament is looking after the people and providing reduced land rents because of hardship and shows the hypocritical attitude of the Goverament. Ordinary Queenslanders who freehold leasehold land from the Housing Commission are charged the ordinary rate of interest of 12 per cent. People who freehold leasehold land from the Lands Department pay no interest. If a pensioner or house-holder wants to freehold his ovm block of land that is worth $12,0(X), the Housing Commission wiU charge him $19,680. For the landed gentry, the charge for freeholding a rural block of land worth $12,000 is $12,000. Do honourable members know who benefits from that arrangement? The president of the National Party benefited most from the attitude that the Lands Department adopts towards the freeholding of leasehold land. The cost is changed to the ordinary Queen­ slander. The other point is that the value of land leased by the Lands Department is frozen. Because of annual valuations, the value of Housing Commission blocks increases every year. The other great claim that is made is that the waiting-Ust for rental homes has been reduced. I will give some of the reasons why it has been reduced. It has been reduced because of the hard, hungry-landlord attitude that the Housing Comnussion adopts. Firstly, it imposes very severe conditions on who can come and go in the houses. Secondly, in many areas, there is a waiting-Ust of up to two years. Because people are told that there is a long waiting-Ust, they do not even bother putting thefr name on it. Thfrdly, Queensland imposes the most severe income restrictions on people to even get on the waiting-Ust. Queensland is the only State that says that aged pensioners have to receive Social Security rent supplements before they can even get on the waiting-list In every other State, as long as people receive an age pension, they can go on the waiting- Ust. Fourthly, there is always the landlord attitude of the threat of eviction if people do anything wrong. Fifthly, there is uncontestable field-officer behaviour. In fact, the officers can come into a home without any notice. Sixthly, in Queensland, single people, other than aged pensioners, are not eUgible to go onto the waiting-Ust. FinaUy, I tura to page 14 of the report of the Housing Commission. It shows that the income and expen^ture account had a surplus of $23,573,555, which was transferred to accumulated funds. I lay the charge that the Housing Commission is profit-orientated; it is not welfare-based. The staff of the Housing Comnussion do a good job. In many ways, they have a difficult job to do. In country areas, they are rotated. Often, a girl is given a job for six months and then she is transferted. Some people would like to make a career in the Housing Commission, but they are not given the opportunity to do so. I would like to see the department decentraUse its operations and give people permanent positions in the country. 1 tura now to the annual report of the Department of Works. Page 2 of the report indicates that, of a total expenditure of $295m, only $28m was spent under the Special Major Capital Works Program. In other words, there has been a lot of advertising for very Uttie expenditure on that program. Page 6 of the report deals with major works undertaken by the department, and when glancing through the Ust of police stations, I notice that Bundaberg is not to receive 1440 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates) a new police station. If the Minister for Works and Housing has the chance to come to Bundaberg, he should look at the shocking facUities at the present poUce station. On page 7, in a Ust of projects under the Special Major Capital Works Program, I notice that mention is made of the new high school or senior college to be erected at Hervey Bay. With reference to that, I ask the Minister whether tenders were caUed, if so, on what date they were called, and whether the usual tendering procedures were followed for that undertaking. On page 26 of the annual report, it is stated that the Department of Works is actively involved in the training of apprentices and that, presently, 36 building trades apprentices are employed. I ask the Minister to provide a comparison of the number of apprentices to be taken on this year with the number recmited by the department in 1982, 1983 and 1984. I am concemed that the number of apprentices being taken on has declined in the last couple of years. If the Govemment is reaUy interested in youth employment, it should consider making more apprenticeships avaUable. One thing lacking in the annual report was mention of the pain, distress and anguish suffered by Queensland subcontractors and suppUers who, in good faith, have worked unpaid for defaulting contractors on State Govemment works. Because of the cost to smaU businesses of the tendering process, subcontractors. Cabinet Ministers, master buUders and Opposition members are requesting changes to the process. In that regard, I refer to a project at Hervey Bay involving E. J. Developments Pty Ltd, to which the Opposition spokesman has also referted. The Chronicle of 26 July 1985 stated— "The State Education Minister, Mr Lin PoweU, wants Cabinet to investigate the Works Department tender system. This foUows the failure by a Brisbane company, which won the Scamess special school project, to pay its subcontractors and labourers. The project came to a halt in June when workmen walked off the job. He said he wanted to know how the Works Department investigated companies before awarding tenders and he would raise this matter in Cabinet on Monday. 'I wiU also see if I can get a reference for local tenders included in legislation.' Mr PoweU said he would like to see legislation enacted to ensure that money paid to companies was passed on to subcontractors but he did not know how this could be achieved." Later in the article, under the heading "PoweU wamed Cabinet", it was revealed— "The Education Minister, Lin PoweU, claimed yesterday that he had told Cabinet he had some reservations about the company which had been awarded the Scaraess special school tender. 'It's a case of I told you so,' he said." If subcontractors and suppliers were not paid despite the fact that Cabinet was waraed about the problem, it is a very serious matter. On 30 July 1985, the Master BuUders Association wrote to the Minister and asked the foUowing questions— "1. After the non-payment of many of the sub-contractors during and after the buUding of Jack the Slashers in Maryborough, how was it E. J. Holdings obtained Tenders for the Hervey Bay Special School Project and the Housing Commission in Maryborough? 2. With each Tender submitted is there a check on the viability of the Company who receives the Tender? 3. There is a strong mmour in the area that THIS company or it's dfrectors, have simUar problems before. Is this tme? If so, then the answer to question 2 must raise a level of doubt. Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1441

4. A member raised the question that, whUe this Company was erecting a Goverament project and was receiving payments but not paying his sub-contractors, is this misuse of PubUc Monies?" In Bundaberg, BAR Constmctions went into Uquidation owing money in Bundaberg, Rockhampton and Goondiwindi. Three compaiues in Bundaberg alone are owed $43,0(X). That is not the first time that has occurted. Some suppUers in Queensland accept that a large amount of thefr bad debts wiU be written off on Queensland Goverament contracts. I wrote to one of the largest Queensland suppUers, and it responded by giving me a Ust of its bad debts over the years. From 1978-79, it is owed an amount of $23,888 by Nema Constmctions Pty Ltd, which was working on various State Goverament projects. That accounted for 24 per cent of that year's total bad debts. In 1979-80, the bad debts on Goverament projects amounted to $25,203. In 1981-82, the figure was $62,000 in bad debts on Goverament contracts, which accounted for 25 per cent of its total bad debts. In 1982-83, the bad debts on Goverament contracts amounted to $105,000, which was 30 per cent of the bad debts for the year. In 1983-84, the total of bad debts was $38,000, which is 21 per cent of the total bad debts. In 1984-85, it suffered more than $120,000 in bad debts because of the actions of BAR Constmctions Pty Ltd. That accounted for 24 per cent of that year's bad debts. In other words, between 20 and 30 per cent of businesses that are going broke are doing so because of supplying materials for State Goverament works. The Goverament has a moral obligation to ensure that subcontractors on Goverament works are paid. I wiU lay as the foundation for my argument that things should be changed on an impeccable source—the statements made by the member for Buraett (Mr Wharton) on 12 December 1973, in the Matters of PubUc Interest debate, when he said— "I am conceraed particularly about people who are not paid when a contractor goes bankmpt whUe on a Govemment contract. When Goverament contracts are let, the abiUty of tenderers to perform the necessary work should be closely scmtinised. I am now urging that closer attention be paid to the financial stabiUty of contractors who tender for Goverament main roads work, irrigation projects, and so on." That was said in 1973. Does the member for Buraett, now as Minister, stiU beUeve that something should be done for these suppliers? In that case it was a contractor named Kenitic who went broke out at Gayndah and sent many smaU-businessmen broke. At that time the Minister agreed with what Mr Jensen said was happening with Peak Constmctions. Now that the member for Buraett is the Minister responsible for these matters, he should do something about it. He should change the tendering system to ensure that subcontractors and suppUers are not left carrying the bag for the big contractors. In 1973, the member for Buraett went on to say— "I shaU not name aU the people who suppUed goods and materials, but it appears that they, too, wiU not be paid. This is wrong. Obviously the contractor was not investigated sufficiently.

Many Goverament departments are involved in these contracts, and somebody has faUed to closely scmtinise the contractor. I am very conceraed about this matter and advocate that the departments conceraed, through thefr officers, closely scmtinise all contractors so that people are not victimised by non-payment for services, and also for goods and materials." I hope that now, 12 years after the Minister said those words, there wiU be a change in the tendering system to protect the smaU subcontractors and suppliers. The present tendering system protects companies such as BAR Constmctions Pty Ltd, which has as its directors Brian Arthur Read, Derek Sidney Read and Barbara AUce Read. On 16 April 1985, just before that company went broke, it gave a debenture charge of $129,000 to Jusson Pty Ltd. Jusson Pty Ltd is the private investment company 1442 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates) of Brian and Barbara Read. The Reads have involvement in the foUowing companies: Read Holdings Pty Ltd, Jusson Pty Ltd, B and B Realty Pty Ltd, Readwood Joinery and Jenderley Nominees Pty Ltd. Although those people owe hundreds of thousands of doUars to subcontractors and suppliers all over the State, Jusson Pty Ltd is the ovmer of 11.5 acres of unemcumbered land on which recently Mr Brian Read's private residence was constmcted. The market value of the land only is about $350,000. Jusson Pty Ltd— the private investment company of the Reads—also owns a factory at Latter Street valued at approximately $600,000, three blocks of units at Moorooka and a property at Noosa. Jusson Pty Ltd reportedly has assets valued at $2.7m plus $2.5m on fixed deposit. AU of that is whoUy ovmed by Brian, Barbara and Derek Read, who now owe hundreds of thousands of dollars to smaU subcontractors and suppliers throughout Queensland, who wiU not get paid. Those people wiU now have to work their guts out for years and years to make up for not being paid for work done and materials suppUed. Some action should be taken to ensure that those kind of people—the Reads—are not given more work by the State Goverament. I hope that the Minister can recall what he said in December 1973, and will change the tendering system to protect not only the workers in Bundaberg, Hervey Bay and Rockhampton but also the workers in Gayndah. I plead with the Minister to change the law so that if a subcontractor goes to the waU because he has not been paid for work that he has done, it will not be as a result of work done on State Goverament constmction works. Mr CAHILL (Aspley) (4.1 p.m.): I have great pleasure in supporting the Estimates for the State Capital Works Programs 1985-86. From time to time. Opposition members have been less than pleasant and less than fafr towards the Goverament and certain members of it. I am prepared to forgive and forget. I recognise that aU honourable members in this Chamber are elected to do a job for the people of Queensland. I am also keen to believe that every member of this Assembly wants, instinctively, to do the right thing. I invite aU honourable members to set aside personal jealousies and petty rivalries, and to end the saga of personal attacks that thave undermined the standing and effectiveness of this ParUament. Mr Prest: Consider your health. Mr CAHILL: The honourable member should not begin, because I will give him such a serve that he wiU never forget it. Let us have no more unfounded slurs against the Premier and Treasurer (Sfr Joh Bjelke-Petersen); let us have no more personal invective against the Ministers. For my part, I will forget the reasons I have to complain about the attitudes of some Opposition members—some of them honourable, some of them less than honourable. Mr Wharton has been one of the best Ministers in the history of Queensland to occupy the Works and Housing portfolio. The capital works of this State are proceeding apace, as is exhibited in the departmental services and programs perspective. Mr Prest interjected. Mr CAHILL: The member for Port Curtis is thought to be a fool. Every now and again he opens his mouth and proves it. Page 4 of The State Capital Works Programs 1985-86 details expenditure during 1984-85 and planned expenditure for next financial year. Listen, if you have ears to hear. Mr Comben: Get on with it. Mr Prest: Keep going. Mr CAHILL: I am glad that they did hear. Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1443 Comparing 1984-85 with 1985-86—Usten, if you have ears to hear. Listen! Mr Comben: You have already said that bit. Mr CAHILL: I said it because the honourable member for Windsor did not hear it the first time. Mr COMBEN: I rise to a point of order. The CHAIRMAN: Order! I consider the honourable member's point of order to be rather frivolous, and I wiU not accept it. Mr CAHILL: Expenditure on education buildings in 1984-85 was $ 17.2m; planned expenditure in 1985-86 is $64.6m. Expenditure on water resources in 1984-85 was $ 12.6m; planned expenditure in 1985-86 is $42.2m. Expenditure on Crown employee housing in 1984-85 was $3.5m; planned expenditure in 1985-86 is $14.8m. Expenditure on hospitals in 1984-85 was $43.2m; planned expenditure in 1985-86 is $47.Im. Expend­ iture on roads in 1984-85 was $9.8m; in 1985-86, expenditure of $68.2m is planned. Expenditure on public buildings in 1984-85 was $7.7m; planned expenditure for 1985- 86 is $69.9m. Total expenditure on those items last year was $94m; planned total expenditure for 1985-86 is $306.8m. I think it is well knovm that one of my specific interests is education. I draw the attention of honourable members once more to the figures for education buUdings. Mr Milliner: This is Works and Housing we are on now. Mr CAHILL: The honourable member's father was in Federal poUtics. As a member of this Assembly, the honourable member ought to know that the Works portfoUo covers about 98 per cent of everything that happens. I tura again to buUdings for the purpose of education. Before an Opposition member says to me—and one of them is likely to if he has wit and humour, which I doubt— that bricks and mortar make buUdings and do not make schools Mr Prest interjected. Mr CAHILL: I said "wit and humour". The honourable member for Port Curtis has neither. I state now—and I will go into much more detaU later—that there are teachers to staff the brick-and-mortar buUdings that the Works Department is erecting. Mr Davis interjected. Mr CAHILL: I ask the honourable member for Brisbane Central not to gargle at me. I remind honourable members that expenditure on new or replacement primary schools has risen in one year from $1.36m to a planned $17.16m. Last financial year, the Goverament spent $ 12.7m on secondary schools. A further $35.9m is expected to be expended this financial year. As I have said, I wiU go into more detsul in the debate on the Education Estimates. That is when the stomach of the honourable member for Port Curtis, closely foUowed by the rest of him, wiU walk into the Chamber. When AustraUa is in the grips of a severe economic recession and the Queensland Goverament receives, at best, parsimonious hand-outs from Canberra, it is weU for the pubUc of Queensland and the ALP to observe that this Government wUl be buUding six new schools and undertaking major works at four other educational institutions. The financial plans of this National Party Goverament are far too involved and comprehensive to outUne in the short time avaUable. However, I commend to honourable members who really want to know what the Goverament is about, a reading of the 1444 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates) Budget documents. I invite, sincerely, honourable members opposite to consider carefuUy what this Goverament has accomplished and what it plans to accomplish for the benefit of Queenslanders. The effort by the Minister and the officers of his department in my electorate from 1983-84 to 1984-85 was substantial; and, reaUy, that is something of an understatement. I table a document showing the varying nature of the work undertaken by the Works Department in my electorate, and seek leave to have it incorporated in Hansard. Whereupon the honourable member laid the document on the table. The CHAIRMAN: Order! I remind the honourable member for Aspley that it is customary for documents to be incorporated in Hansard to be first sighted by the Chafr. Before asking the Committee whether leave is granted for the document to be incor­ porated, I will have the attendant show it to me. Leave granted. State of Expenditure 1983/84 to 1984/85 Aspley Electorate

Place Building 1983/84 1984/85 Total $ $ i Aspley MLA Office 4,887.11 54.14 4,941.25 Pre-school centre 1,896.88 3,220.84 5,117.72 Special pre-school centre 920.92 1,735.62 2,656.54 Special school 26,413.41 103,297.53 129,710.94 St Dympna's Convent school 5,387.50 4,035.57 9,423.07 State high school 122,033.10 125,315.40 247,348.50 State school 20,285.48 91,266.33 111,551.81

Aspley East State School 30,407.45 142,947.87 173,355.32

Chermside Institutional gardens 12,682.47 29,700.31 42,382.78 Main Roads Department 2,496.35 2,496.35 Matemal & child health 251.82 1,453.96 1,705.78 Pre-school centre 2,461.16 394.67 2,855.83 Prince Charles Hospital 19,659.94 19,659.94 S.G.I.O 118.00 118.00 State school 20,155.08 45,221.96 65,377.04

Craigslea Pre-school centre 11,055.00 7,302.55 18,357.55 State high school 36,369.56 34,497.41 70,866.97 State school 62,045.02 55,496.82 117,541.84

North Regional education office 2,185.06 7,655.86 9,840.92 Brisbane

Zillmere Drivers Licence Issuing Centre 2,116.41 1,185.75 3,302.16 Govemment Garage 91,679.82 30,795.13 122,474.95 Govemment Services Centre 7,377.74 71,779.31 79,157.05 Mines Department 45,542.41 5,973.61 51,516.02 Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre 2,496.73 320.35 2,817.08 Police Station 3,624.04 8,348.87 11,972.90 St Flannan's School 767.21 767.21 State Stores Board 9,429.88 14,369.48 23,799.36 Stores complex 28,574.01 11,113.82 39,687.83 Works Department 380.96 1,427.60 1,808.56 Youth Employment Scheme 278.64 278.64

Total 551,544.22 821,345.69 1,372,889.91 Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1445

Mr CAHILL: That document by no means presents the whole picture. The Queensland Housing Commission has also provided 12 pensioner units at Rode Road, Chermside, at a cost of more than $300,000. I have not even begun to detaU what the Goverament plans to do for the electorate of Aspley in 1985-86. However, I point out that a new railway station wiU be built in my electorate at a cost of $1.3m, and that has not upset anybody. The Department of Main Roads has expended $1,225,000 in 23 months in my electorate. That is the envy of the rest of Brisbane. I notice that suddenly there is dead sUence on the Opposition side. Members of the Opposition do not like to hear about Goverament expenditure of $1,225,000 in the electorate of Aspley and, if the honourable member for Brisbane Central (Mr Davis), wants to gargle at me, he can go for his Ufe. I remind honourable members that that is the figure for the period up to 30 June 1985.

Mr Davis interjected.

Mr CAHILL: If the honourable member for Brisbane Central wants to have things done without even trying, good luck to him. I have worked for two years to have buUt a new raUway station in my electorate. I finally achieved it, and it was because of a heU of a lot of trying.

Mr Comben: Is that because you are trying—very trying?

Mr CAHILL: No. I am endeavouring; the honourable member is simply trying.

The CHAIRMAN: Order! The Chafr is endeavouring to foUow these conversations, but honourable members in the Chamber are reminded of the need for order.

Mr CAHILL: The Department of Works has seen fit to spend $1,372,889.91 in a single electorate. Honoiu-able Members interjected.

Mr CAHILL: Let us have an end to all of this so-caUed humour. Honourable members could be under the misapprehension that such expenditure has been provided in electorates of Goverament members only. Some members of the Opposition are honest in their thinking and, because of that, they wiU admit that a great deal of tax-payer's money has been spent in other electorates. In my view, and in the view of some who have been members of this Assembly for only a short time, the Minister for Works and Housing (Mr Wharton) is one of the most respected honourable members because he is dedicated to the advancement of the electorates of Queensland. The longer he is here, the better.

Mr Casey: Are you referring to the Minister?

Mr CAHILL: Because the honourable member for Mackay has come into the act, I repeat that the longer the Minister is a member of Parliament, the better. I congratulate the Goverament of which I have the honour to be a member. I thank the Minister for Works and Housing and his departmental officers for their courtesy and generosity—especially generosity—to the people who live in the electorate of Aspley. I have no qualms in supporting the Budget presented by the Premier and Treasurer (Sir 1446 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

Joh Bjelke-Petersen). I have every confidence that the pattern set by the Minister for Works and Housing wiU be continued in the future, especially after this Goverament is returaed to office in its own right in 1986. I tabled a document showing the expenditure on works in my electorate. I draw attention to a couple of matters for which the Goverament is especiaUy deserving of praise. In 1984-85, there was a fourfold increase in expenditure on pubUc works at the Aspley Special School. No-one should interject because I am talking now about a special school, and everyone ought to know what that means. A total of $130,000 was spent over two years. At the Chermside State School, expenditure on works has more than doubled. The honourable member for Brisbane Central can interject now if he wishes. He wiU not make any sense, but he can interject in any case.

Mr Davis: Where does Beryce Nelson stand, now that she has resigned from the Liberal Party?

Mr CAHILL: I do not know where Mrs Nelson stands now. I know where she stood in 1983, and she lost by 1 498 first past the post. Works expenditure at the Chermside State School has more than doubled. Check the figures! During the past two years, a quarter of a million doUars has been invested in the faciUties at the Aspley State High School. Expenditure on my electorate office averages $1.05 a week. I want to bring some figures to the attention of those members opposite who can read. Mind you, they have only 10 fingers and 10 toes, so I suggest that after 20 they use a calculator, or an abacus. I inform the Committee that, in one year alone, expenditure on the special school increased from about $26,000 to $103,000. In the same period, expenditure on the Chermside State School increased from $20,000 to $45,000.

Mr Casey: Have you got Aspley West there? I am just interested in that school.

Mr CAHILL: There is no such place as Aspley West. The honourable member for Mackay has probably had his head battered too often in the front row of a scmm. Mr Scott: What is your problem?

Mr CAHILL: To answer that interjection—my problem is dealing with fools of honourable members on that side of the Chamber.

Mr KRUGER (Murmmba) (4.17 p.m.): This is a very serious debate, but I am afraid that the honourable member for Aspley (Mr CahUl) did not always treat it as such. I thought he reacted a Uttie over-emotionally to some of the comments made to him, and I wiU try not to react in the same manner. For some time I was a councillor on the Pine Rivers Shire Council. I think most members would know about my activities and the great role that I played in that area. As a councUlor, I was confronted with a number of very significant problems, and, because they were not confined to the Pine Rivers shire, I want to raise them in this debate. InitiaUy, I deal with the necessity for parking areas for school buses so that they can pick up and let down children safely. Such an area could also be used by parents who drive their children to and from school. Considerable debate has occurted over such areas since 1 first raised the subject, and I have seen quite a few media articles about them not only in the Pine Rivers area but in other areas of the State as well. In Pine Rivers, the two schools that most obviously required such areas were the Bray Park State School and the Graham Road Pre-school. The council found that, no matter what it did relative to the provision of "No Standing" areas or whatever, there Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1447 was stUl a problem with unloading children from school buses. Because children were involved, there was always the problem of their not reaUsing the danger of aUghting from a bus and immediately moving round the back or front of the bus to cross the road. The only real answer to that problem lies in the provision of a parking area right off the road. In an endeavour to overcome the problem, the councU made many approaches to the Education Department and the Works Department. Some improve­ ments have been effected. I understand that the Education Department has accepted the need to make land available in schoolgrounds. That is a big step forward towards solving the problem. However, the problem of who will pay then rears its ugly head. The Works Department has always claimed that that is a local authority responsibility. Local authorities have always tried to overcome the problem, and when they have not succeeded, they discussed the matter with the Works Department in an endeavour to overcome it. The solution really comes back to planning, and 1 beUeve that a big improvement has been made in that area, too. I understand that the Education Department and the Works Department now try to plan ahead so that local authorities have some idea of the siting of new schools and can plan roadworks accordingly. Some problems stiU arise where that is not done. The problem is State-wide, and much media coverage is devoted to the sealing of roads and bicycle tracks past schools. The problem can best be described by some recent correspondence I received from the Pine Rivers Shfre Council, which is in these terms— "I forward herewith copy of a report on Future sites for schools which was considered by council at its meeting held on 5th August, 1985 and have by direction to express Council's concem of the cost to ratepayers of the State Goverament practice of establishing schools without proper regard to the safety aspects of the road system to service the school and the extensions or otherwise of other services. In Ught of this. Council would be pleased if you, as member for Murmmba, would use your best endeavours to highlight the problem to the relevant Minister and to the State Govemment as a whole." Because of that last statement, I am raising it today with the State Goverament as a whole. The first matter for concera is Francis Road, and the cortespondence with reference to it reads— "This site fronts Francis and Todds Road—both of which are presently constmcted to a gravel standard. As a result of possible development in this area, sections of these roads will be constmcted in time, however, CouncU could also have to fiind road constmction to service the site. Because of the poor horizontal alignment of Todds Road adjacent to the school site, land wiU probably be requfred to improve curvature. Vehicle parking bays will also be required and careful consideration will have to be given to the preferted major access to the school with Todds Road proposed as a CoUector Standard and Francis Road as a Subarterial." The next site is on Lawnton Pocket Road. The member for Aspley referred to the special school there. I am very pleased that the Minister has seen his way clear to make the money available for that special school, which has been on the works program for some time. The submission reads— "This site has also been discussed with the Works Committee and various sketch plans produced showing parking/access layouts. The site is adjacent to Gympie Road and Lawnton Pocket Road, with the main access planned from Lavmton Pocket Road, which may carry high volumes of traffic in the future depending on the findings of the 'Northem Link FeasibiUty Study'. Bus and car parking layouts to suit possible fiiture conditions have been discussed with the State Works Department and a request made for a road widening in Lavmton Pocket Road." 1448 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

The main road there is very busy, and the Minister may realise that it could be a four-lane highway in the near future. Lavmton Pocket Road is reasonably narrow. On the other side of the road is the swimming pool, with its access point. That is where the point of ingress and egress is to be for the special school at Lavmton. Apart from all that, the road could quite easily be the northera Unk between Lavmton and the freeway at Bald HiUs and/or Dohles Rocks Road. Although traffic wiU be increased, neither the Minister's department nor the Department of Education has made any plans with the Pine Rivers Shire Council to overcome the problem of off-loading kids. When I use that term "kids", I am not being derogatory in any way. The children who get off buses wiU face certain risks unless suitable bays are provided. Although the matters I am raising may be parochial, they are common throughout the State. Problems also arise on French's Road. A new primary school is being buUt there. The submission on that reads— "Access and parking associated with this school has been considered by the Works Committee on Minute Page 52978. As mentioned in previous reports the site fronts two roads (Frenchs Road and Eacham Sfreet) both of which have substandard geometry for this situation and traffic management at this site wiU be less than ideal." Whether the Minister's department or the Education Department is responsible, those matters should be planned as far ahead as possible. I admit that the situation has improved, but much remains to be done to ensure that the Works Department, the Education Department and the Goverament are not embartassed. Somewhere along the line a proper program must be devised to ensure that the best and safest facilities are available for chUdren. The Minister wiU probably recaU his visit to the Petrie Primary School just before the last State election. The National Party candidate had asked him to look into some problems. I was able to go there and discuss the matters with the Minister as weU. The councU has written to the Minister for Local Goverament, Main Roads and Racing about a set-down area in Dayboro Road, which is a main road. An area suitable for use as a set-down area is avaUable at the back of the school, where the pre-school is situated. The Pine Rivers Shire CouncU has provided a set-down area for the children at the pre-school. As I said, the Petrie Primary School is located on Dayboro Road. In 1977, the school had an enrolment of about 200 children. Today, it is about 530 children. Because the school is located on a main road, there is a problem. On several occasions a request has been made for the installation of traffic lights at the school, but the traffic count is not sufficient to wartant it. The obvious alteraative is to provide a let-down area. Of course, that would be the responsibility of the Main Roads Department. However, because it is an old school, the Minister's department and the Education Department wiU need to look at the matter. I give credit to the Goverament for building a couple of new schools in my electorate this financial year—one at French's Road and the special education school. They are needed in the area. They were overdue, but I recognise that the Minister does not always have money available lo build schools where they are needed. I understand that the Education Department will be looking at the introduction of an agricultural course at the Dakabin Hi^ School in the near future. During this debate, I ask the Minister's department to look at the cost of providing the buUdings. I do not know whether he is aware that Dakabin High School is very progressive. It is one of the best-laid-out high schools in the State. Because it is located in a semi-mral area, an agricultural course is needed at the school. It wiU require the acquisition of land and the provision of buildings and equipment. Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1449 It seems to me that Dakabin High School is possibly the only high school to the north of Brisbane that could provide a course in horticulture and other primary industries. If such a course were provided at that school, it would be a great asset to the area and to education generaUy. The teachers, the students and the members of the p. and c. organisation agree that such a course is needed. When the matter is officiaUy brought to the Minister's notice, I hope that he will consider providing money for the work that the Works Department wiU have to carry out to provide such a course. Although work is proceeding on the newer schools in the area, there is a lack of maintenance on some of the older schools. I do not think that I have to bring to the Minister's notice the problems that were experienced at the KaUangur State School. Action to overcome painting problems and other problems has been delayed. General maintenance on schools should be carried out on a different basis. It seems to me that principals of schools and p. and c. organisations have to jump up and down to get certain work done. If somebody inspected the schools on a regular basis, some of these maintenance jobs would be done more quickly. Lack of money is not the problem. The need for maintenance to be carried out is not always noticed in time and the requests from principals and p. and c. associations are not always considered on their merits. It is just a matter of somebody inspecting the schools on a regular basis. The paint on a school in one area might last for four years, and the paint on a school in another area might last for seven years. I have seen maintenance work carried out on some schools in my area when I think that it would have been better to carry it out on other schools. It is not an electorate matter; it is a matter of getting the priorities right within an electorate. In May 1983, the Minister for Education inspected the Petrie State School. It is an old school. It was constmcted before the tum of the century. As the Minister is aware, there are a few problems at that school. A new school is being built not too far away from the present school. The ladies' auxiliary at that school spoke to me about the need for a tuck-shop. When the Minister for Education visited the school in 1983, he said he beUeved that a tuck-shop should be built at that school. The people at the school have been very understanding, but they want a promise or a guarantee from the Minister for Works and Housing that constmction of a new canteen or tuck-shop wiU be started or completed by a set date. It is not fair to ask these people to work under the present conditions, especially when their enthusiasm is so strong. Given the demand for an improvement in tuck-shop food, it makes good sense to undertake this reasonably small job. Obviously, the Minister must consider the order of priority of aU jobs that need to be done. At the Petrie State School, the parents and citizen association has been kept in the dark. Departmental officials refer to the exciting future plan, but what they really mean is that, when the new special school at Lawnton is completed, the Petrie State School wiU get the old special school buildings. The facilities at the special school at Petrie are not satisfactory for the teaching that the community wants their children to have. It is not the type of establishment that one would consider to be in the best interests of a good education. For example, it has no library. The one-term buUding that was buUt in 1874 is grossly inadequate. When the redevelopment of the school is planned, a Ubrary should be given top priority. I am aware that a conflict arises between the Education Department and the Works Department. When the amenities block at Petrie was built, the p. and c. association carried out a good deal of landscaping, using logs that were stood on end and concreted into the ground. Unfortunately, the logs were not treated and rot has set in. As a result, there are two-inch or three-inch grooves round the bottom of each post. When the Works Department was asked to consider restoring the landscaping, it said that, although it accepts responsibiUty for the buUding, it does not accept responsibility for the landscaping. Landscaping ought to be part of the building and under the control of the Department of Works. WhUst it admits that something needs to be done, the 1450 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

Brisbane North regional office of the Education Department does not consider that the landscaping is its responsibility. It claims that it has only taken over the administration building. If that is the case, the department with the most money—probably the Works Department—should be responsible for the whole area. Those sorts of jobs could be straightened up. When one considers the size of the Vote for the Department of Works—about which the member for Aspley spoke at length—such a small job would not involve a very significant amount of the department's money. Given the enthusiasm of the p. and c. associations, it is disappointing that such small projects are not undertaken by the Works Department. Although I have been parochial, these sorts of things occur State-wide, and I want the Minister to understand that I am speaking on behalf of all schools, not just those in my own electorate. I tum now to housing. As the Minister is aware, quite a bit is being done in my electorate by his department. The northera suburbs of Brisbane have particular problems, because every time a Housing Commission house is needed, none is available. Invariably a house will be available in Inala or Woodridge. Whilst I am aware that the Housing Commission cannot overcome every problem, houses should be set aside for people in particular circumstances. Recently a lady rang me about a housing problem faced by her sister, who has been offered a Housing Commission house in Inala. Neither of the women has a car and one of them is not on the telephone. Although the lady reaUses that Inala is quite a good place to Uve, that she will be weU represented by the member for Archerfield (Mr Palaszczuk) and that she wiU lose contact with me, she does not want to leave her family. Although I have pointed out that not many houses are available on the north side of the city, times do arise when it would be good if the Goverament had up to a dozen houses available to cater for the kind of family circumstances that I have outlined. I know that, when many people have to be housed, the problem is not easy to solve. It is a matter of welfare housing and the financial circumstances of the people involved. So far, the woman about whom I have been speaking has been accommodated in the system and she has been both happy and grateful for that. However, she does not feel that, with a couple of young kids and without a car, she should have to go to Inala and leave all those people whom she could rely on, particularly at times of sickness. If the Goverament could overcome that problem, it would be seen to be a very humane action; but I am not sure how it can be overcome. Possibly the biggest complaint I have received for some time about the allocation of funds for various projects is about the need for a TAFE coUege at Kippa-Ring. A long time ago, when I entered this place, I spoke about that project, which was put on the works program and then removed from it. I would like to think that in the not-too- distant fiiture the needs of that area will be catered for. The Redcliffe Peninsula is a fast-growing area, as are KaUangur, Petrie, Lavmton and Strathpine. The residents of Strathpine can travel quite easily to the TAFE coUege at Brackenridge, but in the not-too-distant future, people will be travelling to that college from Burpengary, Woodford and Caboolture, which are fast-growing areas farther away. The constmction of a TAFE coUege in the Kippa-Ring area would provide a facility within reasonable proximity to transport that serves the areas I have afready mentioned. That college could fulfil the needs for further education of the people in those areas. The land is available and the college has been designed. I ask the Minister, when compiUng his works program, to take into consideration the future role that would be played by a college at Kippa-Ring to satisfy the very important needs of the people in those areas north of Brisbane. The project has not come to fmition as quickly as I would have liked. I am not jumping up and dovm about this. In fact, I have been quite reasonable and have taken note of the needs of the State generally, but I would not like to think Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1451 that the Minister has completely discarded the project. I hope that, as soon as is possible, the Minister wiU be able to meet the requfrements of that district and constmct a TAFE coUege on the Kippa-Ring site. I note that a considerable number of beds will be avaUable in the RedcUffe Nursing Home annexe, which is part of the RedcUffe Hospital. The provision of nursing home beds for aged people is becoming quite a problem on the Peninsula. I am very pleased that that has been undertaken. As the Minister knows, I do not often pay him compUments; however, with a bit of foresight, the Minister has fulfiUed that need. Possibly the annexe will not meet requirements for too much longer, but certainly it is a step in the right direction. I am sure that in the near fiiture the Minister wiU have to consider the facUities at the Redcliffe Hospital, which, although it is not in my electorate, does serve my constituents, who probably consider the hospital as part of the Murmmba electorate. Hon. N. E. LEE (Yeronga) (4.38 p.m.): I have great pleasure in joining other members in this debate on the Works and Housing Estimates. I congratulate the Minister and, particularly, his staff, both in the Works Department and the Housing Commission, on what they have done for the good of this State. UntU now, I have refrained from talking to these Estimates and those of the other portfoUos that 1 held when I was a Minister. I did not, and stiU do not, beUeve that it would be right for me to do that. I appointed many of the officers of those departments to positions from which they have worked their way to the top. I do not think it would be right for me to criticise the Minister, who is probably advised by some of the officers I appointed. I am not necessarUy offering criticisms of thefr work, but 1 am very concemed about the position that the Housing Commission has been placed in by the removal of negative gearing and the introduction of a capital gains tax, which is a vicious and disastrous tax that the honourable member for Windsor (Mr Comben) just loves. I can see the happy look on his face. I suggest to him that he go and buy some razor blades and have another look at his face. He would probably stiU love it. He does not have the abiUty to see on the other side of the fence. The capital gains tax will kiU the Australian way of Ufe, for the simple reason that the ALP is too stupid to see that fewer houses wiU be buUt. Rents wiU increase. People in rented houses wiU be forced to pay higher rents. That wiU mean that they wiU not be able to save as much as they would otherwise have saved to purchase thefr own home. Home-ownership is an Australian way of life. If rents are increased, in the long term people wiU be prevented from purchasing their own homes. If that happens, a greater demand will be placed on the resources of the Queensland Housing Commission. Private enterprise wiU not be able to take up the slack. Because of rising costs, the absence of negative gearing and the imposition of a capital gains tax, private enterprise wiU not be interested in building houses. Because of the shortage of rental houses, rents wiU sky-rocket. People will be crying out to the Housing Commission for accommodation. That wiU certainly place a heavy demand on its resources. The foUowing article on negative gearing appeared in The Australian Financial Review— ". . . real estate agents claim many tenants who curtently rent property but are saving to buy thefr own homes wiU be held back from achieving this aim because rents wiU spiral." That is exactly what I have said. The article continues— "According to Raine and Home's NSW agency manager, Mr Peter Halyard, the Govemment's tax reforms—" they are the Commonwealth Goverament's tax reforms— "announced last week, wiU force landlords to increase rents drasticaUy or to sell thefr properties. 1452 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

This would fiirther aggravate the current severe shortage of rental accommodation and help push up rents to unprecedented heights, other agents said. Mr Halyard said negatively-geared investors provided a large amount of rental accommodation. 'Such investors can provide rental property only because they can offset other income against losses and so increase their low yield, which is usuaUy only 5 to 6 per cent on residential property,' he said. 'We think that property investors who are negatively geared, and these are the majority, when faced with refinancing their properties, wiU have to decide whether to raise rents, lose money or sell their properties and invest by more profitable means.' This would further reduce the availabUity of residential leasing properties.

'There will be fewer properties to rent and rents will be higher.'

'In a tight rental market that already exists it is madness to introduce the negative gearing measure.'" That is what the people outside are saying, and that is what I am saying now. It is complete madness for the Federal ALP to knock the very thing that it needs. The Federal Goverament says that it looks after the little people. It does not. A person who works for me recently married. She had a home and her husband also had a home, so they had two houses. They decided to live in one house and rent the other to pay the instalments on their house. They were not out to make a great deal of money. They were providing a house at a reasonable rent to other persons. When the negative gearing measure and capital gains tax were introduced, they said, "Why should we be taxed on the money that we are saving?" They sold one of their houses. Mr Comben: What are they receiving? Mr LEE: They have been fhigal and prepared to do something, instead of being like somebody from the honourable member's mob who wants to be given something from the Goverament year in and year out. The Labor Party knocks anybody who has a bit of get up and go. It tries to destroy him, and that is what it has done with the removal of negative gearing. As I said, this couple are not out to make a big profit. They are making ends meet, using the rent to pay interest payments, in the hope that one day the property can be sold, as investment, attracting no capital gains tax. That is every Australian's right. Mr Comben: No tax at all. Mr LEE: The honourable member for Windsor would not have enough brains to buy a house. That is why he supports a capital gains tax. He criticises everybody who has a bit of get up and go. I bet the honourable member for Windsor does not own his own house. Mr Comben interjected. Mr LEE: That is because the honourable member for Windsor's wife has a few brains. She did not show much sense in marrying him, but evidently she has more brains than I thought she had. Investors would like to be able to offer a house to people for a reasonable rent. What happens? The investor is forced to sell the house because he can no longer make a capital gain which is non-taxable. The ALP Goverament killed that very quickly. It claims to look after the little person. Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1453

Mr Comben: We are; not you. Mr LEE: I do not want help from the ALP. That is something I do not want. All my life, any doUar that 1 have got I have had to eam, and 1 was quite happy to do that. I have paid my taxes. Mr Casey interjected. Mr LEE: The honourable member for Mackay should be careful about what he says. I know a good deal about his background. In aU my life I have never received more than I was entitled to receive from either the Commonwealth Govemment or the State Govemment. Accordingly, I am quite happy to see an investigation conducted at any time. The Federal Labor Goverament has killed the incentive of the Uttle person, who it claims to be looking after. The ALP believes that it will get at the big investor. Mr Comben: People like you. Mr LEE: I am not a big investor. Mr Comben: You are on Saturday afteraoon at the races; I have seen you. Mr LEE: The honourable member for Windsor is not aUowed into the races. He should tell the tmth. He is barred from the races. As soon as race officials saw the honourable member for Windsor, they asked, "Who is that fellow?" I said, "He is not a bad feUow, but do not let him in." Mr Lickiss: Didn't they look at the rogues' gallery as soon as he put his head in there? Mr LEE: That is correct. They recognised him from an identikit picture. I wiU retura to the subject-matter under debate. I do not want to embartass you, Mr Row; it would be wrong of me to do that. I congratulate the officers of the Queensland Housing Commission and, in particular, Stewart HaU. He has mn the Housing Commission Uke a business. The Housing Commission has put a stop to people on very high wages receiving low-rental housing. Since 1 was the Minister responsible for it, it has employed a very high.proportion of contract labour. The Housing Commission realised that the day-labour system was more expensive. Mr Lickiss: And inefficient. Mr LEE: And inefficient, as my colleague the honourable member for Mount Gravatt says—Mount Coot-tha, I should say. He could represent both electorates. Mr Lickiss: I would prefer Mount Coot-tha. Mr LEE: The honourable member for Mount Coot-tha is capable of representing many electorates, but at the moment he represents Mount Coot-tha—and he will be the member for Mount Coot-tha after the next State election. As I said, day labour is very costly, and the Housing Commission is aware of that. That is why it has stuck to the contract system. It is pleasing that the Minister for Works and Housing recently announced a new homes deal for the aged. 1 quote from an article under the title "New homes deal for the aged", which reads as follows— "The State Housing Commission yesterday unveiled a new plan to sell homes to old age pensioners. Housing Minister Mr Wharton said work would start on a number of self contained units before the end of the year. 1454 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

Prices would be reduced to less than $35,000 as part of the commission's home ownership assistance program. Mr Wharton said the scheme was the first of its kind in Australia and would help hundreds of pensioners. He said the scheme was for people not eUgible to rent commission units and unable to afford other accommodation. Finance would be avaUable through the commission's interest subsidy scheme, which ties mortgage repayments to income." I congratulate the Minister and officers of the Housing Commission on taking such a fine initiative. That measure follows on from the plan that I introduced when I was Minister for Housing, which allowed people to obtain a house from the Housing Commission on a deposit of $200. If people could not afford the deposit of $200, the Housing Commission allowed them to build up the deposit by paying additional money with their regular payments each week for rent. That was then recorded as a deposit. The new scheme for homes for the aged operates in a similar way, and the scheme that I introduced meant that people could take the first steps towards owning thefr own home. Of course, people have every right to own their own home, and Uterally hundreds of people took the opportunity to build up a deposit on a home as they paid rent. Schemes such as those that I have mentioned have been extended from housing to the occupancy of units. I congratulate the Minister and his departmental officers on thefr efforts to assist people in the grey area of finance—those who cannot obtain bank finance or do not quaUfy for a subsidy or for an ordinary pensioner unit. The proposed scheme will be of great benefit in enabling such people to obtain their own home, and it is similar to a scheme that operated in relation to the purchase of homes when I was the Minister for Housing. To iUustrate the point I am making, I will outUne what the scheme involved. As to the purchase of a house and land—if people had already purchased land, the Housing Commission would constmct a house by the use of contract labour. A land and home scheme also operated. I believe that in the slump during the Whitlam era, when people lost confidence—and they wiU lose confidence again in the slump during the Hawke era—the Queensland Housing Commission saved the housing industry. Row after row of houses were offered for sale by builders who were unable to seU them. The Queensland Housing Commission bought many of those houses because the builders were in dfre straights. By doing so, the Housing Commission was able not only to provide houses at cheaper rents but also to save the housing constmction industry. I can assure all honourable members that that scheme was widely accepted. The Minister and his staff should also be congratulated on the Apprenticeship Training Scheme that is being conducted by the Housing Commission in co-operation with the Master Builders Association of Queensland. The arrangement is that the Housing Commission supplies the land and house-plans, and also supplies all the materials for use by apprentices in constmcting a house from start to finish. The apprentices receive training in the constmction of houses under the direction of the training officers employed by the Master Builders Association, and are expected to undertake all facets of constmction, including the calculation of quantities and ordering of materials. The apprentices are able to obtain an excellent grounding in housing constmction skills. Constmction by four apprentices usually takes about six to eight weeks. Mr Newton: It's a beauty. Mr LEE: It is a very good scheme indeed. I beUeve that praise should be given when it is due. The apprentices are placed with contractors, who train them in aU the basic building skills. They are immediately productive, which is a major advantage to the contractor. Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1455

One of the major problems of the apprenticeship scheme is that apprentices receive no in-service training before they go out into the field. The scheme will be extended to other areas of the State when suitable training officers can be found. I congratulate the officers of the Works Department on doing a very good job. They certainly do not deserve the condemnation that they have received from a number of Opposition members. They do an exceUent job, and there is no reason why they should be condemned. 1 suggest to Opposition members that if they make reasonable requests of the Works Department, those requests will be granted. On the other hand, if an unreasonable request is made, on most occasions it will be knocked back, and deservedly so. Hon. C. A. WHARTON (Buraett—Minister for Works and Housing) (4.57 p.m.): I enter the debate merely to reply to aUegations made by the member for Chatsworth (Mr Mackenroth). He brandished a Ust of figures that he claimed show that there is pork-barteUing in school-building projects in this State. As is usually the case with figures cited by the member for Chatsworth, they were bald figures. He gave no explanation of how they were arrived at. He made even balder claims about the Goverament. Let me say here and now that I regard the whole exercise carried out by the honourable member as futile. His whole case was based on the assumption that because there are, for example, 100 children in one area and 100 children in another area, an equal amount of money should by spent on school buildings in each area at the same time. That is a lot of rot. It overlooks the basis for such spending, which is to cater for the needs of all schools. For example, in recent years, there may have been tremendous development in one area and it may no longer need further development, while another area might be part of a growing district that has new demands to be met. Development in nearby areas must also be considered. It should be remembered that there is no compulsion for a child to attend a particular school. Therefore, the honourable member's thinking is fuzzy when he claims that there should be equal spending in all areas, irrespective of the political party to which the State member belongs. Members might wonder just how the honourable member's figures stack up against the reality of spending in different electorates, particularly in Labor electorates in which there is growth and in which this Govemment is spending a considerable amount of money to meet the demands of that growth. For the information of the honourable member, I will cite some figures. They show that there is considerable spending to meet the needs of Labor electorates. The following figures show spending on education, including TAFE colleges, in the following electorates— _, , « 1984-85 Electorate * Aubum 376,205 Buraett 808,982 Barambah 4,423,478 Somerset 5,557,666 Cook 6,017,044 Cairas 3,545,033 Townville 1,435,962 TownsviUe West 4,059,996 Woodridge 2,643,992

I do not think I have to say much about the electorate of Port Curtis and the mUUons that have been spent on schools there. The local member knows aU about that; I understand that it is a Labor electorate. I am quite confident that thinking members of the Committee will see through the outiandish claims of the member for Chatsworth. 1456 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

Mr McELLIGOTT (TovmsviUe) (4.59 p.m.): I begin my contribution to the debate on the Estimates of the Department of Works and Housing by acknowledging the new works that have been provided by the Goverament in my electorate, although I note from the Minister's figures that my electorate does not compare very weU with Barambah. I am not sure whether the difference in representation had anything to do with it. Since my election in October 1983, I have succeeded in having had constmcted in my electorate a police station and poUce bartacks, a hospital and a firebrigad e substation. At the tender stage for constmction during this financial year are a high school at Condon and a primary and pre-school at Kelso. Presently under constmction is a major State Govemment office building. The capital works are welcome for the improved services that will be provided and for the jobs provided during constmction. In recent days I read a newspaper article suggesting that the National Party Goverament is pork-bartelUng so-caUed sand-belt electorates in and around provincial cities, including TovmsviUe, with the aim of improving the Goverament's chances at the next election. Quite frankly, I do not beUeve that for a moment. The capital works undertaken in my electorate result from representations that I have made. The National Party is wise enough to understand that I am not likely to be defeated in the next election. One unsatisfactory aspect of the works program, which I wish to comment on constmctively, conceras the Goverament's failure to consult the local community properly about the design and planning of schools. Wide pubUc comment has been made about the siting of the proposed Condon High School. There are those who argued that it should have been located at Rasmussen and, in fact, the Goverament papers initiaUy referted to it as the Rasmussen High School. The name was later changed to Condon, and it is to be located in the suburb of Condon. Increasing residential development in Division 4 of the Thuringowa shfre which, from Monday, wiU be Thuringowa city, foUows the course of the Ross River. It forms a long but nartow corridor of housing, including the suburbs of Condon, Rasmussen and Kelso. A casual observation would lead to the conclusion that the high school should have been constmcted at Rasmussen, which is the central point of that development. However, Goverament experts have determined that locating the school at Rasmussen would lessen the effect on overcrowding at the existing Kirwan High School. They ai^ued that, within the space of 10 years, it would be necessary to build another high school at Kelso, at the other extremity of the corridor. I accept that point of view, but I raise the matter today in a plea for increased consultation with the community. In my opinion, it is unsatisfactory to have public concera about these matters resolving into a pubUc slanging match between the community and the department, as happened in this instance. To take the point fiirther, I refer to a public meeting held in TovmsviUe last week to obtain consultation with the community about the new Kelso State School. The concept of the meeting artanged by the Acting Regional Director of Education was exceUent, and the meeting was well attended. However, it soon became obvious that the departmental officers present, including one from Brisbane, were totally inflexible. They painted a very rosy picture of the new school. I was pleased to note that it was overdesigned, if I may use the term. We were assured that there wiU be no shortage of space when the school is opened and, hopefully, there will be no demountable class­ rooms. The officers were quick to point out that there will be substantial landscaping adjacent to the main buildings. Whilst on the subject of demountables, I should be interested to hear from the Minister, in his summing up, whether any demountable class-rooms in Queensland have in fact been shifted. I understand the problem in providing schools in developing areas in the knowledge that, at some stage during the expansion of the region, they wiU have excessive class-room accommodation but, despite the unsatisfactory appearance and practicality of rows and rows of demountable class-rooms, I have yet to hear of an Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1457

example of these so-called temporary class-rooms being removed. I do not reaUy beUeve it is impossible to provide better faciUties than they offer. I was referring to the inflexibiUty of the departmental officers. That became obvious when a parent at the meeting pointed out that, because of the present severe water restrictions in TownsvUle, landscaping would be impossible and the sporting fieldsshow n on the plan would simply be dust-bowls. It was pointed out that there is ample underground water on the site, and that a bore and pump would solve the problem. Although the officers conceded the point, they were emphatic that the plans dravm by the expert in Brisbane were final, and that any extras would be up to the p. and c. The parents offered to do without the landscaping in exchange for a guaranteed water supply to ensure a green environment instead of dust, which will be the reaUty at Kelso. Because the plans showed landscaping and sportsgrounds, the officers were very emphatic that that was the way it would be. The Minister should understand that, until we get a guaranteed water supply in TownsviUe, sports grounds wiU require water and that is not provided in the plans for Kelso. In Victoria, community participation has been developed to the extent that community representatives participate in the actual design of the school and its faciUties, the caUing offenders and the letting of contracts, the appointment of staff and the actual development of the curriculum. Because of the problems associated with the purchase of land and the need for confidentiality, it is not possible to consult widely about the site for a school. However, I appeal to the Minister to encourage his officers to be a bit more receptive to local knowledge and opinion and, in particular, to provide a bore and pump for Kelso State School. In order that my appeal might receive favourable consideration, 1 hasten now to compliment the Minister on the design and constmction of the police bartacks and vehicle-maintenance centre at the Kirwan Police Station. I understand that the bartacks are the first of their type in Queensland, and I hope that they might be the foremnner of better accommodation, especiaUy for police and nurses in the more isolated areas of the State. I am sure that aU honourable members wiU agree that those who serve the people in the outback areas of the State deserve more comfort than that which is presently avaUable to them. We are all aware of the stories of nurses who have to move into a motel on their rostered day off to get away from the clinic, and even of instances of nursing sisters having to sleep in a bed in a hospital ward. 1 now tum to the Capital Works Program as it relates to health, for which I have shadow ministerial responsibiUty. The public health care system, which struggles to survive in Queensland today, has resulted from years of poor treatment and neglect by the National Party Govemment. Health professionals will say that the haphazard application of bandaids every time a problem arises is no cure for an underlying aUment. They will say that prevention is better than cure. They will also say that underlying problems and their causes must be removed before a system is fit enough to cope with present demands. They will confirm that the strains that might be imposed on the system in the fiiture must be planned for before they arise, in order to prevent new and more damaging crises. The National Party has ignored that advice. It has treated our public health system in the manner of a real quack. It hopes that the system will hold together between elections, without giving it the necessary staffing, equipment and other resources, and without thought to planning for future needs and priorities. The health poUcy appears to be made on the mn and in response to crises. There is no strategy for the future. In short, the National Party Govemment is simply marking time with our health system when it should be clearly indicating the future direction of public health care in this State. Only in that way can Queenslanders have what they deserve: the confidence that when they need care it will be there. The National Party Goverament has no 1458 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

thought for such planning. Indeed, the haphazard spending that is a feature of the Goverament's health budget reveals that it has not even addressed present shortages. For example, if the staffing proportions used were applied to the new 270 staff allowed for in the Budget, it would mean that the Budget allowed for only 100 new nursing positions at the most. That is in the face of capital works spending to the tune of at least $67m on new and continuing projects this year, which wiU put about 1 200 new hospital beds into our hospital system. I have to ask: Who is going to work those beds when already there is a clear shortage of nursing staff? That, plus a continuing nursing staff shortage in other States, can only aggravate what is afready a serious situation in Queensland. The Health Department continued to demonstrate extraordinary financial mismanagement in terms of the co-ordination of funding for capital works and funding for staff to operate the new facilities when they are completed. In 1984-85, capital works costing $3 9m were completed at Cairas and TownsviUe; yet the faciUties Ue idle waiting for the staff to operate them. In 1980, wages and salaries represented 67 per cent of total operating costs. In 1985, they represent 61 per cent. At the same time, interest and repayment costs on capital works have escalated from 6 per cent to 10 per cent. This is an important point: had wages and salaries been maintained at the 1980 level, a further $53m would have been available for additional staff. It should be noted that the 1 000 additional registered nurses, which is the figure being bandied about as the requirement for the health system at present, would cost about $20m. I am not sure of the extent to which the Minister for Works and Housing is involved in the Capital Works Program as it relates, in this instance, to health services. I wish to raise a number of matters with the Minister today, because it is his responsibiUty ultimately to fund, design and constmct these new facilities. The new hospitals and extensions that have been built over the last few years under the Capital Works Program are obviously welcomed. However, the proper staffing of those hospitals is critical to their future value. In recent weeks, I have spoken about the new facilities that have been constmcted but are not in use. In particular, I have referted to the coronary care unit at Caims, the Kirwan Women's Hospital, the private ward accommodation at Ayr Hospital and the intensive care section within the matemity block at Bundaberg. Although these facilities have been constmcted, they are not properly staffed or equipped. The point that I am making is that, although the faciUties are important and welcome, they must be accompanied by appropriate recurtent funding to ensure that they are properly staffed and can be utilised immediately. My comments relate also to the projects that have been budgeted for this financial year. Psychiatric services and facUities also need attention. Mosman HaU in Charters Towers is indicative of the problem. As with health care generally, there is a move within psychiatric services to deinstitutionalise, that is, to take patients out of institutions and place them in the general community. Unfortunately, in Queensland, it appears that this policy is being used as a cost-cutting exercise more than anything else. If anything, this policy costs more because the standard of care, supervision and support given to patients living out of institutions and in the community is substantiaUy higher than it is for those who are in the locked-up situation of an institution. In an attempt to cut costs, the patient numbers at Mosman Hall have been halved, and I am informed that a number of these psychiatric patients are living in hotels in Charters Towers and that another 80 patients are housed at the nursing section of Eventide in that town. This has caused tremendous problems, particularly at Eventide, because the psychiatric patients do not have the Uving skills that are part of the make­ up of the other residents at the home, and they are impinging on the privacy and the dignity of those residents. Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1459

FaciUties at Mosman HaU have deteriorated, and I suggest to the Minister for Works and Housing that he ought to take a more active role in planning the future of the State's institutions because, in health care generaUy, it has been recognised that more and more patients should be treated out of institutions. It is felt that too many people occupying hospital beds could easUy be treated at home. In my opinion, there is a real risk that the major hospitals that are being built and expanded wiU be excess to requirements in the future if that new policy filters throughout Queensland. I tum now to discuss what I consider to be the festering sore in the provision of aged care facUities, and that is Eventide at Charters Towers, to which I have already referted. It has been in existence for over 50 years and, on inspection, that is not hard to beUeve. The standard of the buildings that are stiU being used by the elderly people of northera and westera Queensland is disgraceful. Most of the older buildings are fiill of dry rot and are fire risks. The design of the buUdings is such that, in the event of a serious fire, they would virtually explode. I am informed that they would be gutted within about five minutes of catching fire so, in the event of fire, the chance of getting aged and invaUd people out of those buildings would be almost nil. The fife authorities say that they are providing the requfred facUities. They can tell me the number of fire-extinguishers installed in each of those buildings but clearly an increase in the number of fire-extinguisherswoul d be of no help when, in some cases, 24 or 30 people would have to be removed from a ward which is likely to become a blazing inferno within five minutes. The design of the establishment also includes a number of cottages in which aged people Uve. Those cottages have no bathing faciUties. Until very recently, they had no toilet faciUties. The residents are stUl required to go to a communal batlu-oom for their bath, whether that be in the moraing or in the evening. Those honourable members who have spent any time in Charters Towers would understand the extremes of cUmate there in summer and winter. The residents' concera in that regard is a very real one. The buUdings include some very old wards that are referted to in health areas as "Florence Nightingale" wards. In them, up to 24 beds are lined up one beside the other along the waU of the ward. Because of the fire risk that I mentioned earlier, a decision was made that partitions would be an added hindrance to removing the patients in a time of fire, so there are no partitions. That means that the individual residents have no privacy. As I have already mentioned, some of the patients are former residents of Mosman HaU. WhUst I agree with their removal from that institution, certainly, in its present condition, Eventide is not geared to cope with those sorts of residents and they are creating real difficulties for the other residents who are trying to Uve out thefr decUning years in peace. Some time ago, I raised the matter locaUy and was assured by the Minister for Northem Development and Aboriginal and Island Affairs (Mr Katter) that the Govemment had given it a high priority. I am very disappointed indeed that it has not provided funds in this current Budget to do something about that blot on our society. It really is a disgrace. I hope that the Minister and the Cabinet wiU accept the need that exists at Eventide at Charters Towers and try to do something about it. Previously, I referted to the number of hospital facilities throughout Queensland that are not being used to their fiiU capacity because of the shortage of staff and equipment. The Queensland branch of the Australian Medical Association recently claimed that, because equipment is not available in hospitals, specialist surgeons are using their own private equipment. That association, the nurses union and others are saying that, because of staff shortages, Queensland's health care system is at crisis point. 1 implore the Minister for Works and Housing to take an active interest in the need for the proper planning of the State's hospital services. Some sort of pubUc demand to build monuments is not a sufficient enough reason to build new hospitals and do nothing more. If they are built, they need to be properly staffed and equipped to ensure that they can provide the services for which they are intended. 1460 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

I appeal to the Minister to consider my earlier point about community participation in the planning of schools. I note that the Minister for Education (Mr PoweU) has entered the Chamber. In the cases that I have mentioned, some access to local knowledge would have resulted in better design and better facUities for the kids of the area. Mr ELLIOTT (Cunningham) (5.19 p.m.): I am delighted to take part in this debate. I think it is very, very important that members realise that, in this place, some Ministers could be termed high flyersan d others could be more appropriately described as looking after the nuts and boUs—the practical side—of goverament. In this portfoUo, it is very important to have someone with the practical and down-to-earth approach adopted by this Minister. Members on both sides of the Chamber appreciate the work done by the Minister for Works and Housing (Claude Wharton) and his approach to it. I take this opportunity to raise a few smaU problems with works and housing in my electorate. I have spoked previously to the Minister and to the Minister for Education (Mr Powell) about those problems. For some time, enrolments at the MiUmertan State School declined. However, enrolments are increasing again. The tuck-shop at that school has caused some problems. The local health inspector has examined the buUding in which the tuck-shop is housed. He indicated that it is not up to scratch and that something should be done about it. As I have said, I have spoken to the Minister about the problem. I reaUse that ftinds are urgentiy needed in other schools throughout the State. I believe that something wiU be done in the near future to overcome the problem at the MiUmerran State School. It will not be necessary to constmct a new building. I understand that a suitable building is avaUable. The alteraative building is higher. The old building was substandard because of its lack of height and because of its failure to comply with the Health Act. The floor coverings were not satisfactory. If the alteraative building is utilised, a reasonable tuck- shop could be built without incurring astronomical costs. Pre-school facilities are needed at the Bongeen State School, which is a relatively smaU school. This very good area has a large number of chUdren. Mr Milliner: It might be the water supply. Mr ELLIOTT: It might be the water supply or the climate. The number of children in the area is increasing. It is obvious that there will be a need for pre-school facilities at the Bongeen State School. I plead with the Minister to provide pre-school facilities at that school. Some children must travel long distances to school by bus. Young mothers with young children are very conceraed. They might be a Uttie over-protective, but that is far better than the circumstances about which honourable members recently read in the newspaper, in which a child was locked in a room and left to starve. Surely the Goverament would want to look after those persons who are over-protective of their children rather than those who do not show any regard for them. Young children should not be forced to travel by bus early in the moraing. Mr Davis interjected. Mr ELLIOTT: 1 am working the parish pump. I am not looking after the honourable member today. He can make his own speech. Earlier, one of my colleagues suggested that the honourable member for Brisbane Central ought to make his own speech instead of interjecting constantly. The Oakey High School has expanded, as has the town. The Oakey army Aviation Centre has attracted a large number of people to Oakey. Small business in the tovm is expanding and people are getting together. Mr Davis: What does this have to do with works and housing? Mr ELLIOTT: It has everything to do with works and housing. Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1461

The Aviation Centre is attracting an increasing number of people to Oakey. Therefore, there is a consequent need for additional school facUities. During the short time that I have been a member of this Assembly, the number of children at the Oakey High School has increased from 400 to 500. Soon it will be more than 600. Honourable members would have heard about hand-me-down clothes. The Oakey High School has a hand- me-down administration block. It was supplied by a former Minister, Mr Vic Sullivan. Originally, it was part of the Dalby Court House. At the time that it was suppUed, it was most usefiil. It has outUved its usefiilness and it is now unsuitable for a school the size of the Oakey High School. I thank the staff of the Works Deprtment for ensuring that that building is at least able to be utiUsed. Quite frankly, in my opinion, when it first arrived there, the building was not fit to be used. Asbestos from the Uning of the ceiling was faUing down. It looked Uke dandmff or confetti on people's heads and shoulders. It was disgraceful. The Works Department has solved that problem, and I thank its officers for that. In my opinion, the building has mn its course. In a high school of that size there is a need for the headmaster to counsel students, parents and other teachers. My colleague the honourable member for Fassifera (Mr Lingard), who was the headmaster of a large high school, would know only too well. It is most important that confidentiality be maintained in the administration block, but the walls are very thin. It is not good enough that when a headmaster is carpeting a teacher or a student, other persons, even though they do not wish to listen, can hear what is being said through a thin wall. Mr Davis: Not good enough. Mr ELLIOTT: That is right; it is not good enough. It is time that a new administration block was built. It is absolutely essential that a sick-room be provided in the new administration block. At present, the Oakey State High School has a sick-room, but it is located right at the end of a block. The room is isolated. It does not have a door connecting it to another teaching block. A teacher who does not have a class might be able to keep an eye on a sick child. Most schools, particularly those that are situated in areas such as the Darling Downs where grain, pollens and so on are in the air, have a number of students who are asthmatic. An element of risk is involved in leaving sick children unattended. If the administration block or a building adjacent to it contains a sick-room, the secretary, staff and teachers can keep an eye on a sick chUd at all times. The problem at Oakey High School is a serious one, and I look forward to something being done to overcome it. Mr Davis: What street is that on? Mr ELLIOTT: It is on the main highway, the Warrego Highway. Of course, that is another problem. However, I hope that a bypass will be built round Oakey in the not-too-distant future and that that problem, too, wiU be overcome. As a result of the rise in the number of students attending the Oakey High School, another science-room is needed. The school has quite a good science block. However, it is more aesthetically pleasing than practical. Because of the way in which the science block has been constmcted, it is not fiiUy utiUsed. The building was designed so that it would be quite easy to add to it, so it does not create a problem Mr Vaughan: Those are all problems with the Oakey High School? Mr ELLIOTT: Because of the growth in my area, it probably has more problems than any other school. In the last few years, four buildings have been added to the Oakey High School. My constituents appreciate those buildings. One building was recently opened by the Minister for Education (Mr Powell). However, with the growth that is taking place, it is very important that the science block be extended. 1462 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

The library of the Oakey High School is now inadequate because of the increased number of students. I think that that situation could be remedied quite cheaply by utilising part of an unused veranda. Mr Yewdale: Why don't you make representations to the Minister? Mr ELLIOTT: I have done that. I merely raise these matters because I believe that they are important. I look forward to the Minister taking appropriate action. I have stated my main worries. A couple of minor matters are of concera to me, but perhaps they would be more properly raised in a letter to the Minister. The matters that I have raised are of importance to my constituents and I know that they would want me to raise them in Parliament. When the Estimates are being debated is the appropriate time to raise these matters, because the department needs to cater for the problems that exist. I commend the Minister on his stewardship of the Works and Housing portfoUo. He has proven himself to be a very competent administrator. He looks after people, irtespective of the political party to which they belong and I support the Estimates he has presented. Mr PALASZCZUK (Archerfield) (5.31 p.m.): Before I commence my remarks on the Estimates, for the benefit of the honourable member for Fassifera (Mr Lingard) I should Uke to mention that the Prime Minister (Mr Hawke) visited my electorate yesterday. I should also like to mention that the honourable member for Fassifera was a member of the welcoming committee for Mr Hawke when he arrived at the Kingston High School. Yesterday wiU be remembered for years to come by my constituents, who turaed out in their thousands to give the Prime Minister a tumultuous welcome. Mr FitzGerald: Did he promise them anything? Mr PALASZCZUK: As a matter of fact, for the information of the honourable member for Lockyer, I say that I was delighted to listen to the Prime Minister not merely making promises; he announced a grant of $80,000 to the Inala community house, which will assist in the provision of emergency and crisis accommodation. Mr AUson: Did you get that in writing? Mr PALASZCZUK: I do not need it in writing, because, unlike the Premier and Treasurer and his Ministers, the Prime Minister is a very honest man. Mr Davis: Mr Hawke is a mighty Prime Minister. Mr PALASZCZUK: Mr Hawke is the best Prime Minister AusfraUa has had since federation. I am sure that other honourable members are burdened with a lack of emergency crisis accommodation. Although I understand that, in endeavouring to provide accom­ modation for large numbers of people on its wait-Ust, the Queensland Housing Com­ mission has its hands fuU, the Housing Commission must also tura its attention towards the provision of emergency crisis accommodation. All honourable members are aware of the problems that are created by unemployment and associated strains placed upon ever-increasing numbers of families. They often necessitate the provision of crisis accommodation for families until their problems are resolved. I do not think it is fair that the burden of providing that kind of accommodation should be shouldered by private organisations because it is a problem that should be shouldered entirely by the Queensland Housing Commission. On Tuesday night, during the debate on the Budget, I pointed to the urgent need for the provision of more pensioner units. The Goverament proposes to build 264 pensioner units in Queensland this financial year—the honourable member for Warwick Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1463

68706—50 1466 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates) Mr AUson: It is a good scheme. Why are they holding up finance? Mr PALASZCZUK: It is a good scheme. Housing commencements rose from 105 000 in 1982-83 to 151 000 in 1984-85. I am sure that many honourable members have had the same experience as I have had when explaining to tenants of Queensland Housing Commission homes that it is possible to ovm a house instead of renting one. Most people express disbeUef Recentiy, a constituent of mine who is a welfare recipient, was granted a first home owner's grant and financialassistanc e through the Queensland Housing Commission. She had a retarded child and wanted to ensure that she had a roof over the chUd's head. After she was advised of the grants and had signed the contracts, she won $50,000 in the casket. Instead of socking away the money from her win, she paid out her loan. The reason she did that was that she wanted some other deserving famUy to have the opportunity to reap the benefits of this most successfiil scheme. That is the type of camaraderie that makes the residents of my electorate stand out. They have pride and the worthy sociaUst attitude of providing help to one's feUow person. Mrs HARVEY (Greenslopes) (5.48 p.m.): It is with pleasure that I enter the debate on these Estimates. Mr Mackenroth: I read in the paper today that you are doing weU. Mrs HARVEY: I thank the honourable member for that compUment and I appreciate it. It is my contention that the officers of the Works Department are the unsung protectors and preservers of Queensland's most vital public buUdings and faciUties and the custodians of Queensland's heritage. They are probably the unsung heroes of Queensland's development. Perhaps more time should be spent in praising what they do than in moaning about what they have not done, which is what Opposition members have done today. We aU have to work very hard to get the faciUties that we want for our areas. Nothing comes easily. It is a matter of working very hard to get something for the schools, the citizens, the policemen and the other very deserving people in the electorate. Over the last two years, I guess that I have been somewhat of a pest to the Minister for Works and Housing and his officers. On a couple of occasions, I have noticed the Minister cringe when I have approached him. I assure him that I make requests for my electorate with the best of intentions. I appreciate the hearing that he gives me. I know that sometimes, because of my constant pestering, his ears get sUghtly red, but his heart is in the right place. He was very quick to come round my electorate with me after I was elected, and the electorate is showing the results of his early visits with his departmental officers. It was certainly a useful exercise, because often the person who gets the most done is the person who makes the most noise. When I was elected, I went through the electorate with a big broom and swept away aU of the cobwebs, and now Greenslopes is bright, shiny and new, and I give thanks to the Minister for that. Mr MilUner: The previous member probably spent too much time in the toilet. Mrs HARVEY: That is an unkind remark, and I wiU not comment. I was pleased to note that the Works Department's spending on buildings in 1984- 85 increased by more than 28 per cent over the 1982-83 figure. That is a reflection of the $203m Special Major Capital Works Program that was initiated in 1984-85. That program will continue to the end of next year and is in addition to the regular Capital Works Program. This has meant an unprecedented period of activity for the Works Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1467

Department and of growth for Queensland, despite Federal Goverament cut-backs in money that it owes this State. Spending has been increased in the rental and home-ovmership programs of the Housing Commission. A number of new and innovative schemes have been introduced that will help people get accommodation. In my electorate, a number of pensioner units have been built in Coorparoo and Camp HUl Mr Mackenroth interjected. The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr RandeU): Orderi The honourable member for Chatsworth may not interject from other than his usual place. Mrs HARVEY: The residents in these pensioner units are very happy. Not only are the units weU designed, but also they have made life a Uttle easier financiaUy for many pensioners. I am pleased that these units have only two floors, because many of the units that are being buUt by private developers are of the three-floor, walk-up type. Although they are very attractive units, they are quite expensive, with most of them starting at about $80,000. Most of them offer nice city views, but elderly people who buy a unit on the top floor to enjoy those views find it very difficult to manage the stairs. As arthritis sets in or when they are recuperating after a heart attack, they find that it is more convenient to come down out of thefr unit only once a month. They telephone for thefr groceries, watch television and wait for people to telephone, which is a pretty sad state of affafrs. When I was door-knocking at election-time, I found that many elderly people left their units only once a month, and tied up that day with a visit to the speciaUst in tovm and a quick mn round to get their dentures adjusted, thefr glasses fixed, or attend to a few other things. They do as much as possible in that one day and stay home for the rest of the time simply because they find it difficult to walk up and down the stairs in their unit block. It pleases me greatly that the Housing Commission pensioner units in my electorate have only two floors because they are less taxing for the elderly. Despite that, I know that people who have had a hip or kneecap replacement request a ground floor unit when one becomes available. Such people have received a sympathetic hearing from the Housing Commission. I compliment the Housing Commission on the landscaping at those units. A central courtyard is a feature and that enables the folk Uving in the units to communicate with each other and, if they choose, to have a barbecue. When thefr grandchUdren visit at Christmas-time, there is a Uttle space in which they can mn round. The old folk can even sit on the stairs and look at each other across the courtyard or sing out and have a conversation with the other residents. It is a very pleasant envfronment. They take great pride in watering the trees and the shmbs round the place and watching things grow and develop. The work of the Housing Commission in my electorate has been of an exceUent standard. Its new units compare with any built by private enterprise in the electorate. The whole community is extremely proud of them. The folk in those units tend to pop into my office at regular intervals just to say a quick "heUo". I pass on thefr congratulations and their gratitude to the Minister and his department. It is good to be in a position where people are happy. The Housing Commission has been aUocated increased funds for both the rental and home-ownership programs. A number of new and innovative schemes to help people into housing have been introduced. The Greenslopes electorate is a very well-settied area and has very little vacant land. However, the community is extremely happy about the work that the Housing Commission has done in the area. I congratulate the Minister on the 27 replacement primary schools that have been erected. The building at the HoUand Park State School, which is 70 years old, is a 1468 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates) magnificent example of the architecture of the time. The buUding is very well maintained and the school takes miich pride in looking after its lawns and gardens. In a few weeks' time the Minister wiU officiate at the opening of the new administration block. The people of Holland Park and I are delighted that the new administration block has been built in sympathy with the architecture of the era. Instead of having a Besser- block box sitting in front of a lovely, old weatherboard building, the Minister's department constmcted a wooden buUding as the administration block. As a matter of fact, most people do not realise it is a brand-new building. Last week, when I was discussing with the principal the artangements for the official opening of the buUding, an old-boy from the school tumed up and was confused because he could not remember that building ever being there. He did not pick it as being a brand-new building. As a matter of fact, the only way that one could pick it as a brand- new building is by looking at it close enough to notice that the windows and doors are aluminium. Apart from that, the building is of a design that is sympathetic to the existing buildings and is attached in such a way that it flows naturally with the existing buildings. For the people who have nice homes in the area, it is a pleasure to be able to look at this building and marvel at the fact that buUdings can still be constmcted in a manner similar to those built 70 years ago. I take much pleasure from telling people that the administration block is a new building. When the Minister officiates at the opening, he wiU receive the personal congratulations of the p. and c. association and the children themselves. That the Goverament can provide things that the people are really proud of is good. The Minister for Works and Housing has overseen the provision of nine new high schools and the expansion of pre-school facilities throughout the State. I notice that the Prime Minister (Bob Hawke) has been very active in visiting high schools in Queensland but he hais not offered to visit any of the pre-schools. I wonder why? Could it have something to do with the Federal Goverament's cut-backs? The expansion of pre-school faciUties throughout the State has been appreciated by parents. Sitting suspended from 6 to 7.15 p.m. Mrs HARVEY: The pre-schools in my electorate appreciate greatly the genuine concera of the Queensland Goverament in its provision of the best start to education that is possible. I note that that concera is not shared by the Federal Goverament. As to historical buildings—I congratulate the Minister and his department for continuing the ongoing program of restoration and renovation of Goverament buildings. That is an area in which they particularly shine. The Mansions building is an absolute delight. I walk past that buUding frequentiy on my way from Parliament House to the offices of various Ministers. The Mansions and Harris Tertace, which is located next door, are already becoming part of an environment that is obviously a heritage walk. 1 look forward to the day when the entire area becomes a heritage walk for the people of Queensland. When the Old Goverament Printery is restored, people will be delighted to see a number of buildings in a heritage area. This moraing, plans for the Old Goverament Printery were released by the Minister. Considerable interest was shovm in that project by the media. The Minister pointed out that the Queensland Goverament will retain three buildings. The old printery complex comprises a building in George Street, a building in William Street, and a building in Stephens Lane, which will be retained for future use as a museum, an office block and a car-parking area. In announcing the plans, the Minister pointed out that the Goverament had received representations from the committee made up of a number of city members, including me. Mr Davis: Who else? Mrs HARVEY: That committee included Mr CahiU, Mrs Chapman, Mr Earle Bailey, Mr Ian Henderson, Mr Bill Kaus, and Mr Kev Lingard. It is assisting the Minister Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1469

to ensure that the best possible solution can be found for the preservation and renovation of that unique building in the city area. The historic Old Goverament Printery in WilUam Street, which was erected in 1874, will be a great credit to the department when the work, which was commenced this moraing, is completed. Men have already commenced chipping away at the masonry. A considerable amount of work must be carried out on that huge complex. In time, everyone will be extremely proud of it. The decision on the fiiture use of the site will mean that the State Goverament will be preserving the elements that will maintain the nature of the historic precinct area whilst aUowing for ongoing, effective use of an important area within the Goverament Precinct. The pubUcation Preserving Our Queensland Heritage was recently released by the Minister. 1 recommend that members of the Opposition hand it round among their constituents. It is a beautifiil pubUcation that details our heritage and its preservation in Queensland. It shows Old Goverament House, which is a beautifiil building; the carefiiUy restored Parliament House; The Mansions; Harris Tertace; the Commissariat Stores; the Old Goverament Printery, which is about to be restored; the State Library; the Lands Administration building; the beautiful old Treasury Building; the Adminis­ tration Building; the Queensland Museum; the old South Brisbane Town Hall Mr Yewdale: Are you short of material? Mrs HARVEY: 1 point out these matters because Opposition members do not mention such buildings. The pubUcation also shows Central Station and the very beautiful and historic Yungaba. It is located on the river at Kangaroo Point and is used by the Department of Ethnic Affairs. The publication shows Goverament House and Newstead House. I am sure that the people of Queensland would be very pleased if this booklet and the information contained in it were made widely available through their members of Parliament. I very hastily sent this out to as many of my constituents as 1 thought could use the information. Alexandra House in the Greenslopes electorate is another matter that I have discussed with the Minister. It is listed by the National Tmst, representing the heritage of Queensland and, in particular, the heritage of Coorparoo. I have set up a special committee in Coorparoo to investigate its heritage, because it is the home of the grandfather of Sir Francis Nicklin. It was also the Methodist Orphanage and more recently has become the TAFE coUege. The building has an interesting history, and I look forward to making artangements with the Minister for Works and Housing in regard to Alexandra House as a continuation of the fine work already carried out in the inner-city area for the other beautiful buidings that I have mentioned. 1 wish I had the time to go into more detail about a few of these buildings. I believe that I would make an exceUent guide for the heritage tour of Brisbane, and 1 would very much enjoy it. I suppose it will have to be left to Opposition members to inform their constituents' as best they can of the way in which the Department of Works is looking after Brisbane's heritage. 1 take this opportunity to personally thank and express my appreciation to the Director-General of Works (Mr Ivan Harrison) and the Commissioner of Housing (Mr Stewart Hall) for the important role that they played in helping the Minister assist me in making the Greenslopes electorate a better place to live for the residents of that area. I realise that many honourable members spend a good deal of time in the debate on the Estimates talking about amounts of money spent and rattling off many statistics. I have chosen not to do that, because I consider the Minister's department to be very much a people's department. It is associated with housing people, meeting their needs and solving their problems. I have preferted in this debate to talk about one-to-one 1470 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

people situations. I do not think honourable members wiU mind if I do not go into the many statistics that it is usual to go into. I look forward to working very closely with the Works Department in the coming years to ensure that the constituents of my electorate and the surtounding areas are very much looked after in terms of heritage and the ordinary needs of the people. I congratulate the honourable member for Mount Gravatt (Mr Henderson) on getting a special school for his electorate, because it will look after the residents not only of Mount Gravatt but also of the surtounding areas, including Greenslopes. Mr PREST (Port Curtis) (7.23 p.m.): I have pleasure in joining in the debate. I thank the officers of the Queensland Housing Commision for their assistance during the past year. I always find those officers very helpfiil, in particular Mr Stewart HaU. He is a very fine gentieman and a wonderfiil pubUc servant. The employees of the Works Department at Bundaberg are also very helpfiil. The Minister's secretary is always courteous and very helpfiil, as is Mr CampbeU of the Housing Commission inspectorate in Gladstone and the staff of the Gladstone Court House who handle Housing Commission matters. I am very pleased to be able to say that, in this year's Budget, my electorate is receiving a couple more early education centres or pre-schools at Bajool and Mount Larcom. In addition, the TAFE college at Gladstone is getting another building, which is something that has been promised. The people of Gladstone do not have a good deal to complain about, as in past years. However, more welfare houses and pensioner units are needed in the area. As aU honourable members are aware, the increase in interest rates on home loans wiU mean that people wiU have a much better chance of owning thefr own home through the Housing Commission in this State. Greater emphasis wiU be placed on the need for people to purchase houses and obtain accommodation through the Housing Commission, and also to take advantage of the first home ownership scheme by using the fiinds provided for that scheme by the Federal Labor Govemment. Although the Port Curtis electorate is pretty weU set up in terms of public buUdings, as the Minister for Works and Housing (Mr Wharton) stated in reply to a question by the honourable member for Mackay (Mr Casey) a short time ago, the school at Boyne Island StiU does not have a tuck-shop. The p. and c. association has been working under very trying conditions for many years and, for the last three or four years, members of that association have been promised that, if money became avaUable, a tuck-shop would be provided. It is to be hoped that the promises made by the Minister over the years wiU be fulfilled by the provision of funds in the 1985-86 Budget. I have taken up with the Minister the issue of further subsidies on improvements. The sports oval that was provided for the school at Tannum Sands involved an unforeseen, additional cost because an ertor was made in the evaluation and calculation of the amount of spoU that constmction of the oval would produce. The p. and c. has asked the department to give consideration to meeting the percentage of the overaU cost that is attributable to the ertor. I should point out that it is not that the spoU has been wasted; it has been placed in an area in the new schoolground where it will be helpfiU and where it wiU be needed for the next stage of the constmction of the sporting amenities to be provided at the school. AU honourable members would realise the amount of work that is often done by parents and citizens associations when a new school is opened, especiaUy a school such as Tannum Sands, which has been built on a stony ridge and on an awftU site. Despite the difficulties, with the help of dedicated workers and by hard work, in years to come that school wiU be a show-place. On that basis, I ask the Minister to give serious consideration to requests that come from the p. and c. association of the Tannum Sands school. I am sure that the Minister for Works and Housing will do his very best to provide assistance. Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1471

In July, it was reported that the parents and citizens associations in Queensland, by thefr efforts, raised $ 16m last year to assist State school students by providing faciUties at State schools. That figure indicates that the parents and citizens of this State are playing a very important role in education in the provision of faciUties not only in the schools of my electorate but also in schools throughout Queensland. This aftemoon, the Minister said that crisis accommodation has been utUised and, in the Gladstone area, the Housing Comnussion has purchased a couple of older houses for use as a crisis accommodation centre. I believe that one of the houses has been taken up by the Salvation Army and the other house is yet to be assigned to an approved organisation to be used for that purpose. A minimal amount of money would be requfred to be paid by an organisation each year to meet charges for rates, etc., imposed by a local authority. In developing areas, such as the Gladstone district, a great need has arisen for the provision of crisis accommodation. It is to be hoped that the work that has been started by the Housing Commission wiU continue and spread fiirther afield. It should be noted that the Federal Department of Social Security has provided fiinds for the assistance of homeless youths, and a centre wiU be estabUshed in Gladstone to meet that need. I understand that a house in WilUamson Street had been purchased by that department. Unfortunately, the location of the house that was purchased for the purpose of providing a half-way home was objected to by the local residents. In fact, it was situated next door to the home of the Mayor of Gladstone. That idea was soon nipped in the bud. The vendor lost the sale foUowing the lodging of objections by certain people in the area—one in particular—who did not want homeless youth Uving in the street. It was thought, I suppose rightly, that that might have caused a diminution of the value of other houses in the street. Nevertheless, people of that sort should not be looked down upon. Homeless youth and people in need should be helped, and obstacles should not be placed in the way of the introduction of programs of that sort. EarUer in the debate, the honourable member for Chatsworth (Mr Mackenroth) said that there had been discrimination in the spending of money in certain electorates. That suggestion was refiited by the Minister for Works and Housing. I must agree with him, because the Minister for Education (Mr PoweU) and other Ministers said that increased spending in certain electorates had resulted from good representation. That certainly appUes in my electorate. As I have said previously, when I entered this place in 1976, the electorate of Port Curtis—and, in particular, the city of Gladstone—was one of the fastest-growing areas of Queensland. However, it had been sadly neglected for the previous 13 years. Education had been neglected. There were insufficient schools, and only one chUd in 10 was able to attend a pre-school. Medical and hospital services had been neglected to the extent that the hospital was inadequate. PubUc housing was inadequate. I could go on and on about the neglect of the area. However, when I entered this place in 1976, I made it my business to bring to the attention of various Ministers the pUght of the people in my area. I was very pleased that in 1981 the Govemment—after I had pushed it for years— acknowledged that it had neglected the area for a long time. In the foUowing two to three years, the Govemment spent $24,968,700 in the area. A total of $701,000 was spent on pre-schools; $2,189,000 on the Toolooa High School; $2,689,000 on the first stage of the TAFE coUege; $6,779,600 on the constmction of a new hospital; $572,000 on new poUce stations at Boyne Island and Tannum Sands and extensions to the Gladstone Police Station; about $960,000 on the constmction of new Goverament offices; $1,290,000 on a community health unit; $1,779,0(X) on Crown employee housing; and $436,900 on residential housing. That makes a total of $24,968,7(X). It was not easy to get that sort of money out of the Government; it was achieved only through good representation. That was acknowledged earUer today by the Minister for Education and other Goverament members. 1472 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

Mr Stephan: Would you say Mr PREST: Because good representation is necessary, the honourable member for Gympie will get nothing for his electorate. Mr Stephan: Would you say you get more than your fair share? Mr PREST: No, only the money to which the area was entitled. The area had been neglected from about 1963 when Queensland Alumina Ltd began development. It was not until 1981 that the Goverament really acknowledged the problems in the area and gave it the money to which it had been entitled. The Goverament constmcted new buildings and spent money on other projects in the area over a period of two to three years, for which I am most grateful. In October 1984, the Premier wrote me and informed me that about $24.9m had been spent. It was untme for him to say that I put up a $50m infrastmcture package for Gladstone and achieved it. It was $29.4m, not $50m. That money was not spent on special infrastmcture; it was spent on capital works that had been needed for years but had not been provided. Today, Gladstone virtually has everything to which it is entitied and everything that it needs. However, I hope the Goverament will acknowledge that, should any of the phantom industries we hear about so often, come to our city, more money will have to be spent because there is very little freeboard. I am very concemed about the hospital. About eight or nine years ago, matemity wing extensions were carried out by George Young and Sons. On 31 January 1973, a newspaper article, which carried the headline "New matemity annexe for Gladstone hospital", read— "Gladstone Hospital is to have a 20-bed maternity annexe, following representations by Mr Hanson MLA, and the Hospital Board, over the 'gross inadequacies' of the present bed unit." About nine years ago, a further small extension was added, yet I have been told that the building is to be demoUshed. That wilful destmction should not be allowed. Gladstone urgently needs a geriatric ward. When people who look after aged relatives need a hoUday or become iU, special hospital beds known as respite beds should be avaUable on a temporary basis for the elderly people. Such beds are available in institutions in Brisbane. They are mn by church groups and subsidised by the Federal Goverament. Each of them must keep two or three such beds available at all times for elderly people who need care on a short-term basis. I understand that as many as 62 respite beds are available at institutions in Brisbane. If they are available in Brisbane they should be avaUable in the provincial cities. In my submissions to the Health Department and other Goverament departments to get the old materaity hospital converted into a geriatric ward, I am supported to the hih by the Blue Nursing Service and the Association of CiviUan Widows in Gladstone. I ask the Minister for Works and Housing to do everything possible to prevent the demolition of the hospital wing. If he is able to do that, the people of Gladstone wiU be for ever grateful, and he wiU have provided a wonderful service for the elderly people of Gladstone. Over the past three or four years, Gladstone has been well treated. However, it has a number of unemployed people and others on low wages. Those in need of accommodation have to approach the Housing Commission, but Gladstone is short of welfare housing. Although Gladstone had a short wait-list a couple of months ago, I was told only weeks ago that the list is growing. I ask the Minister to continue with his program of building Housing Commission houses and units in Gladstone. In a previous debate, 1 pointed out that instead of buying existing houses and units, the commission should be building them. In that way it would create employment and spread money throughout the community. By buying existing houses and units, the commission is moving out one tenant and putting in a welfare tenant. It is not housing Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1473

people; it is merely shifting them around. The commission should build houses and make them avaUable to welfare people. Some years ago, Housing Commission homes in three areas of the State—Gladstone, Ipswich and certain parts of Brisbane—were not available for purchase. Although from time to time honourable members were told that the position would be reviewed, it is StiU difficult for people who have Uved in the homes in those areas for 20 or 30 years to purchase them. It is not a matter of the commission's seUing the homes cheaply. The price of those homes is similar to the price of homes on the open market. The people want to remain in those homes because they have raised their famiUes in them, they have landscaped the grounds and they have carried out other improvements. They would like to continue to Uve in those homes during the rest of thefr working lives and, eventually, during their retfrement. I ask the Minister to put the tenants of Housing Commission homes in Gladstone in a position similar to that of the tenants of Housing Commission homes in other areas. It is the aim of every person to own his own home. The people in the Housing Commission homes in Gladstone have been good tenants, and they should be given the same opportunity to purchase the homes. Mr RANDELL (Mirani) (7.43 p.m.): It gives me great pleasure to speak on the Estimates of the Minister for Works and Housing (Mr Wharton). Firstly, I congratulate him for the magnificent job that he does. I am sure that Opposition members would join me in extending congratulations to him. He has given sterling service not only to the Parliament but also to the people of Queensland. He is certainly the most popular Minister in the House, and he is hard-working. Even Opposition members would not deny that it is easy to approach the Minister about any problem and that he wiU always give an answer. In his own quiet way, he achieves a lot. I was surprised to hear an Opposition member say that he could not get a reply from the Minister about a certain matter. I have always received replies from him, and I am sure that that is the experience of aU other members. I also commend the co-operation that the members of the Minister's personal staff extend to me. The Minister is very well backed-up by them. They are always very courteous and wilUng to help. My electorate secretary has a great rapport with them. Certainly, Mr Ivan Harrison and his staff deserve commendations. They are dedicated people. Although sometimes they are criticised, they always try to do the right thing, and that is good to see. Mr R. J. Gibbs interjected. Mr RANDELL: That can keep for a later date. Honourable members should be serious about this matter because it is important. The Minister for Works and Housing must be very proud when he looks back on his achievements during his term as Minister. Within reach of Parliament House is the magnificent Cultural Centre. The superb restoration of this building is a credit to him. The Parliamentary Annexe was constmcted under his control, and my only criticism of that buUding is that it should have four Ufts, not two. Probably, that is the fault of the architect, not of the Minister. The restoration of The Mansions and Harris Tertace and the constmction of the Goverament Precinct Block 1 are only a small part of his achievements, and all are within sight of Parliament House. All round Queensland, buUdings stand as monuments to his leadership, and I know that he is very proud of that. Mr HamiU: How is Mr Turaer going? Mr RANDELL: If another subject was being debated, I would deal with the honourable member for Ipswich. 1474 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates) Spending on buildings by the Works Department for 1984-85 increased by more than 28 per cent over 1982-83. That is a reflection of the fact that, during 1984-85, the department initiated a $203m Special Major Capital Works Program, which is to continue to the end of next year, as weU as undertaking its regular Capital Works Program. The Capital Works Program, which the Opposition has criticised so much, has proved its worth. Hundreds of jobs have been created and, in the housing sector, accommodation for many people has been provided. I note that the amount expended by the Department of Works on public buUdings during the three years 1982-83, 1983-84 and 1984-85 increased from over $229m in 1982-83 to over $295m in 1984-85, which is an increase of $69m. That proves that the Goverament is making progress. As in previous years, the major portion of the fiinds available continues to be spent on educational establishments. In the three financial years that I mentioned, $412,620,502 was expended, which represents 52.6 per cent of total buUding expenditure. That gives the Ue to claims by the Labor Party that not enough is spent. The Goverament is spending aU that it can. Although it would like to spend more, it has expended a considerable sum. Significant amounts have been spent on the provision of social welfare faciUties. Expenditure on Goverament hospitals and institutions exceeds $29m, prisons over $14m, children's services in excess of $7m, and over $13m on Aboriginal estabUshments. Opposition Members interjected. The CHAIRMAN: Order! There is too much audible conversation in the Chamber, particularly from Opposition members. Mr RANDELL: Thank you, Mr Row. Because I am used to the rabble on the Opposition benches, I do not take much notice. Expenditure on poUce stations was over $38m. In that sector, more could be invested. Queensland's magnificent poUce force is doing a wonderfiil job, but the Goverament must keep pace with the increasing demands being made on the poUce force. In my electorate, the police need more office space and accommodation. At this point, I make mention of the magnificent police complex at Glendon, which, I hope, will be a blueprint for fiiture development in Queensland. For a long time, I have made representations about the Sarina poUce station because it is overcrowded. The seven police officers there, who are doing a wonderfiil job, just do not have enough space. The Justice Department shares the buUding, and when that department is relocated in a few years' time, the situation will be better. However, the faciUties certainly could be upgraded in the meantime, and I ask for the Minister's support so that that can be done. The Special Major Capital Works Program is a major initiative and foUows the Goverament's commitment to boost the Capital Works Program over a two and a-half year period. It has resulted in $203m being aUocated to be expended by the Department of Works on that special program by 31 December 1986. Approximately $100m has been aUocated for education facilities to provide 10 new high schools and major work on five others, 17 new or replacement primary schools and new pre-school facilities at 79 centres. Opposition members do not like me talking about pre-schools because they know what the Federal Goverament has done, and, once more, the Queensland Goverament has picked up the slack. I am pleased that the Special Major Capital Works Program has continued. Mr R. J. Gibbs: I move that your speech be incorporated in Hansard. Mr RANDELL: The honourable member can make his speech in his way, and I wiU make mine in my way. Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1475 That program has aUocated $20m to provide residential accommodation throughout the State for poUce, teachers and pubUc servants, and $6m for housing for raUway employees. I am pleased about that. I can remember that, when I was a young feUow in the days of a State Labor Goverament, raUway employees used to Uve in shocking conditions. Mr R. J. Gibbs: That was 30 years ago. Mr RANDELL: I know that was years ago, but a Labor Government could not look after raUway employees. Now those employees are getting decent accommodation. This Goverament is treating them decently by providing modern housing, but the Opposition stiU criticises. I can remember the days when they lived in tents and without refinigerators. They had the old food safes, cooked on open camp-fires and Uved in substandard conditions. I am pleased that the Goverament is doing something for the workers and citizens of this State. I know Opposition members do not Uke to hear that, but they will have to cop it, because that is what is happening. I know every member of the Chamber wiU join with me in supporting the provision of pensioner units. Even members of the Opposition spoke about pensioners; it is great to hear that they, too, care about them. The Estimates provide for $9.6m for pensioner units. That wiU provide for the constmction of 264 units throughout Queensland. When those units are completed, more than 3 000 wiU be avaUable. In addition to the pensioner units program, from home-ownership fiinds the commission wiU buUd age pensioner units for sale to persons who do not quaUfy for commission rental units and do not have sufficient money to meet the high cost of accommodation avaUable in the private sector. The cost of those units is estimated at between $30,0(X) and $35,000. The first units will be constmcted at Mount Gravatt and should be completed early in 1986.1 hope that the Minister wiU give this type of program the highest of priorities and extend the buUding of those types of units to other parts of the State. The aged in our community are the ones who helped to build this great nation, and it is our duty to constmct adequate and comfortable accommodation to ensure their happiness in the later years of their Uves. I wish to say a Uttle about my electorate and thank the Minister for the work that he has undertaken there. Even though a great deal of Housing Commission accommo­ dation has been provided, Sarina has a real need for more Housing Commission houses, units and, in particular, duplexes. Sarina is a growth area with good shopping and a wonderfiil cUmate. Golf bowls and other sporting facUities make it an exceUent retfrement area. More units and duplexes are needed for the older people. At present, Sarina has 29 appUcants for Housing Commission houses, but no houses are vacant. I know that two are presently under constmction. In the past I have made representations for more houses. I hope the Minister takes heed of what I say tonight and does everything he can to constmct more houses, as there is a great need for them. The Housing Commission is presently buUding four more pensioner units. I reaUse that only two appUcations have been lodged. Notwithstanding that, a great need exists for more pensioner accommodation. The probable reason for very few appUcations for these units is that older people find the forms hard to complete. Although the average member of the community would have no trouble with those forms, elderly people, some of whom have faUing eyesight, find those forms quite confiising and will not fiU them in. I know that my electorate secretary helps many of the older people to complete those forms. One of the pubUc servants at the court house is also very helpfiil. The older people are a Uttle afraid of the forms and do not want to complete them. A great need exists for a very simple and easily understood form, which would lead to more appUcations for pensioner units. A problem has been created by the Housing Commission's buying vacant land and holding it for fiiture use. Because that land becomes overgrown, it presents a hazard by 1476 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

harbouring snakes and other vermin. The owners of neighbouring properties have complained that the land is not mown. In my electorate the Works Department does a very good job, but more has to be done along those lines. While I am on that subject, I congratulate Neil Cuneen, who is the officer in charge up there, Bert Jenner, Ken Orton, and Ray MiUer on the great job they do. The new towns of Dysart and Middlemount have a need for more accommodation, particularly for young mothers who have separated from their husbands. Even though people tend to think that those new towns have all the necessary facilities, needs stiU exist. The Country Women's Association has its own house, which provides some short- term accommodation. Those mining towns have a real need for more accommodation. 1 have outUned many of the problems that have occurted in my electorate. I wish to refer to some of the accomplishments in my electorate and congratulate the Minister on what he has done. The contractor who began work on the Middlemount High School encountered some problems. I can recall the Minister visiting the area and a meeting with the townspeople taking place. He did everything possible to ensure that the school was built. That was greatly appreciated by the people. A complete upgrading is taking place at the Sarina State School at a cost of $ 1.5m. Recently I was informed that $340,000 is being spent on a two-storey teaching block. The program is ongoing. When it is completed, it will be the pride of the area. It is undoubtedly needed in that developing region. The Mirani High School, under Col Murphy, is a great school with great people. In 1984, a major block was completely burat out. Having heard about that, I returaed from Brisbane to that school. The parents had cleaned up the site with tractors and done a magnificent job. I congratulate them. The teachers co-operated magnificently. The assembly haU was used for teaching purposes and the school was kept going. The Minister visited the area and it was not very long before a newly equipped block was constmcted and ready to use. 1 know that everyone appreciated that. I can recaU how very weU the Minister was received when he opened that school. The Minister wiU recall what I called the Blue Hills story. I refer to the Dundula pre-school."T-do-iiot recall how many times representations were made on behalf of that pre-school for more than two or three years. Ffrstiy, there was insufficient room for the toilets; drainage was a problem; there was insufficient space for a driveway; and there seemed to be every problem in the world. I know that the Minister kept doing what he could and that the school has now been erected. I hope that, at some time, the Minister will visit the area and open that school. I know that the mothers appreciate the job that has been done by the Minister. Work such as painting, general repairs and provision of accommodation for teachers, has been carried out on many schools in my electorate. Everything is going very well, and 1 congratulate the Minister for that. On Saturday, I will officially open the Oakenden jubilee celebrations. I compliment the Minister's staff in Mackay on the work they have done to tidy up the school, paint it and make sure that it is ready for those celebrations. 1 know that everyone in the area appreciates what has been done, and I will pass on the Minister's congratulations and best wishes. I congratulate the Minister on his general success in his portfolio. He has done a magnificent job and he must certainly be proud. His staff are doing a wonderful job. It has been a great pleasure to support the Minister in this debate. Mr UNDERWOOD (Ipswich West) (7.58 p.m.): In speaking to the Works and Housing Estimates, I would like to spend some time referring to the Queensland Housing Commission. Mr Milliner: Before you start, what do you think about the cane-growers in Caims? Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1477

Mr UNDERWOOD: I do not know that very much cane is grown in Caims, but I do know that the people there have a very good representative. Mr Davis: They have moved a vote of no confidence in the Premier and the Govemment. Mr UNDERWOOD: It does not surprise me that the cane-growers in Cairas moved a vote of no confidence in the Premier and the Goverament. Frankly, despite the support they have been given, they have sold out the cane-farmers of this State. One matter of serious concera in the Ipswich City CouncU area and the Brisbane City Council area is that tenants moving into Housing Commission houses are no longer able to purchase them, whereas that can be done in every other part of the State. I am not aware of the reasons for that policy, which has been in vogue for a number of years. It is strange that tenants who move into those Housing Commission areas do not have the same rights of purchase as people in all other parts of the State. That is not good enough. In Ipswich and in Brisbane, and particularly in my electorate, social problems are being created unnecessarily. Under the scheme, a homogeneous society rather than a heterogenous society is being created in the Housing Commission area. In other words, famiUes of a simUar socio-economic background are being grouped together, and that is not good for any community. In any healthy community there needs to be a mixture of various classes of people. People who move into a rental house in Ipswich or Brisbane and then wish to move out of it and purchase their own house are doing so because, as I pointed out, they are not able to purchase the Housing Commission rental house, they are not able to make it their own, treat it as their own home or improve the property and the gardens. It is difficult not to sound disparaging about people who Uve in rental accommodation. If the Minister and the Committee will bear with me, I will try to press home to the Minister and the officers of the commission that it is time that the poUcy was changed. Increasing numbers of people who live in rental accommodation areas are not able physicaUy, sociaUy or economically to move out of their curtent situation, so they remain at the bottom of the heap. That is becoming more and more frequent. It does not help those people or their neighbours, and social problems are increasing. The tendency of communities to become homogeneous places increasing demands on various welfare services, both Goverament and non-Govemment. As all honourable members are aware. Housing Commission rental accommodation is designed as welfare housing. If people were able to purchase these houses, they would stay on with their families, work, and make their community more stable. However, because of the rental of approximately 25 per cent of income, people who rent Housing Commission accommodation and who gain employment, or whose family members gain employment, find it economically impracticable to stay on in a Housing Commission area. Those people obtain a loan and move to a non-Housing Commission area. The people in lower socio-economic circumstances are left behind in increasing numbers. It is a very serious problem. Honourable members who do not represent such suburbs do not understand the problem. The Minister may not be aware of the problem. I plead with him and his officers to reconsider the policy and allow people in the Brisbane and Ipswich areas to purchase as their own homes the Housing Commission homes that they rent. To put it in-hard, cold English—ghettos are being created in our modem society, and unnecessarily so. Suburbs will have streets fuU of people who are out of work. Problems arise with the children. The children start fighting amongst themselves, then the parents start fighting, and after a while they all change sides. Every community service organisation, whether it be Govemment or non-Goverament, is called out to try to solve these insoluble problems. Something needs to be done about them. One way of solving the problems is by enabling people who wish to purchase a Housing Commission house to do so. 1478 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates) I wiU raise a couple of other matters in regard to Housing Commission houses. I refer firstly to the pmning of trees growing in the yards of these houses. I know that the argument put forward by the Housing Commission is that the roots of trees enter sewerage and other water-piping systems in a yard. However, most of the pmnings are rather drastic and totally min the environment. As honourable members would appreciate, if people Uve in a nice leafy environment, their quality of Ufe is improved and they take pride in the property that they are renting. People who have been tending their gardens—growing trees and bushes—suddenly find that officers of the Housing Commission or contractors come onto the property and literally tear out the trees and bushes and sometimes remove shmbs, etc., from the yard. That has a catastrophic effect on the pride and self-esteem of the people who occupy the property and have made the home into a nice place in which to Uve. I urge the Minister and his departmental officers to reconsider the drastic pmning and the rooting out of shmbs and trees. Apparently that type of action is taken not only when a house is occupied but also when one is vacated. Prior to the introduction of the new scheme, the people who live in the older Housing Commission areas in Inala and Acacia Ridge were able to purchase the house, and have developed lovely gardens. They are more able to cope with the pmning and rooting out done by the department. Mr Palaszczuk: Two of the homes in Inala won The Courier-Mail Garden Competition. Mr UNDERWOOD: As the honourable member for Archerfield said, two of the homes to which I refer won prizes in a gardening competition. That reflects the pride taken by some people in the care of Housing Commission property. The Govemment ought to encourage that pride instead of moving in with chain saws and other implements to remove trees and bushes from the yard. By taking away plants and trees, Housing Commission officers are destroying the pride and taking away the incentive of the people to upgrade the community in which they Uve. I suggest to the Minister that the simple device that is commonly used for extracting roots from pipes would be a better way of handling the problem. Even replacing the pipes from time to time would be preferable to destroying the environment in which these people take an interest. The subject-matter may sound simple, but it is an important issue. In areas in which a heavy tumover of tenants is a feature, one cannot help but notice that the yards are less spic and span. In contrast, people who Uve nearby and have been able to purchase their houses, or have occupied them on a long-term basis, invariably have lovely gardens and yards that are weU cared for. Such people, because they have been able to purchase the house, have been able to overcome the problems caused by the lack of incentive which beset people who pay rent for their accommodation. I wish to raise a house-keeping matter that is of particular importance—the safety procedures that should be adopted when servicing or replacing gas stoves. I have received a number of complaints through my office about this matter, and I take this opportunity to thank officers of the Housing Commission for thefr help. I ask aU honourable members to note that a number of fires have occurted in the Ipswich area and, although I am not suggesting that the fires were started because of fauUs in gas stoves, I point out that, in the majority of cases, the stoves are in a poor state of repair. I have heard some hair- raising stories about gas stoves, and the servicing of them is a matter that I should like the Minister to attend to. In the Ipswich area, a fire recently occurted in a Housing Commission house that was let to Royal Australian Air Force personnel under the Commonwealth/State agree­ ment. Unfortunately, some of the children of the family died in the fire despite the fact that the house compUed with all of the building standards and regulations. I have no complaints to make in that respect, but I do point out that that house was sealed on the inside with Hardiboard. Hardiboard, particularly when it is painted, is highly combustible. In this particular house, Hardiboard was also used for exterior waUs. Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1479 Although the house was smaU and should therefore have been evacuated quickly, the fire was so fierce and spread so quickly that people were not able to g;et out safely. I reaUse that it was not Housing Commission policy to remove the fire-extinguishers from those homes. Apparently, some of the tenants were using the fire-extinguishersirtespon ­ sibly, so the RAAF had them removed. I have taken this matter up, and the RAAF is reconsidering the provision of fire-extinguishers.However , tonight I caU on the RAAF and the Housing Commission to replace fire-extinguishers in Housing Commission houses. Ffres are often started by leaking gas stoves or by heaters touching curtains. The fire could be tackled quickly and more effectively if an extinguisher was available. It is almost impossible for a single parent with several chUdren to vacate the premises, let alone try to fight a fire. All too often, when people are confronted with a fire in a pan on the stove, they grab the red-hot handle, get bumt, drop the pan and so spread the fire.Th e provision of fire-extinguisherswoul d not solve the problem completely, but it would certaiiUy help. Some people might use them irtesponsibly and empty them, but the majority of people would be responsible and would thus gain extra protection, particularly in those houses with Hardiboard interiors. As I said, that material buras extremely quickly and fiercely. In recent months, too many children have been burat in house fires,an d the cost involved in the provision of fire-extinguishers would be nothing compared with the cost of Uves lost and the destmction of Housing Commission property. I now want to raise the problem of elderly people Uving in pensioner units. I recently heard of a problem of three elderly tenants dying in the units at Siemion Street and their bodies not being discovered for quite some time. An attempt was made to tackle the problem through the use of expensive electronic contact units that have been on the market for some time. They have been provided to elderly people by service clubs. I wonder whether a similar system could be instaUed in pensioner units so that people suffering heart attacks or other Ulnesses could contact help. I know that the commission has been contacted about the problem in Siemion Street, but I am sure that it occurs throughout the State, with people suffering sudden iUnesses and not being able to raise the alarm. I hope that that problem receives some attention from the commission. I know that these are only trivial matters compared with the great matters of state, but they are important to the tenants of the Queensland Housing Commission. There is nothing more important than people's individual problems, particularly when it comes to iUness. That is why I have raised the issues of the drastic pmning and cutting down of trees in the yards of commission houses, the lack of servicing and replacement of gas stoves, and fires, particularly in houses with Hardiboard interiors. I beUeve that the commission should consider placing fire-extinguishers in aU its houses, just as the RAAF intends to do in its houses. I also ask the Minister to buUd more pensioner units on the westera side of Ipswich. He knows that the demand is there. I thank him for those that have been built very recently, particulariy the block in Omar Street. I agree with the commission's poUcy of spreading pensioner units throughout the community, and I take my hat off to the Minister and the department for adopting it. Pensioner units are also needed on the north side of the riveri n North Ipswich. Some suitable land is stiU avaUable. I acknowledge that there is a problem with acquiring suitable land close to transport corridors and shopping facUities. Over the years, the commission has obviously accepted the argument that pensioner units should be spotted throughout the community so that when people feel that they cannot look after thefr home any longer, they can move into a unit just down the road and StiU maintain their friendly relations with the neighbours, friends and local store­ keepers rather than packing their bags and moving to another part of the city, or even another city; in other words, being sent to Siberia, far removed from thefr relatives and where they have to make friendships all over again. I ask the Minister to have more pensioner units buUt in the Ipswich area, particularly on the westera side of the city. Some Ipswich people who apply for Housing Commission 1480 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates) units or houses believe that the westera suburbs are very desirable areas, and land is available there for the commission. Commission houses are available in the eastera suburbs of Riverview and Goodna. They have a quick tura-over and a short Ust. I ask the Minister to consider the people who prefer to live in the westera suburbs. I am sure that they would make excellent tenants. Growth in Ipswich is towards the west. When the mains water supply is connected to the Walloon area, massive growth wiU take place in the Ipswich/West Moreton area. Now is the time for the Housing Commission to secure suitable land in that area. 1 urge the Minister to provide a regional office of the Housing Commission in Ipswich to service the Ipswich/West Moreton area and the westera suburbs of Brisbane. Every other provincial city has a regional office. As yet, neither the Minister nor the Goverament has given a good reason why Ipswich should not have one, but I wiU give the Minister sound reasons for providing one. Firstiy, most Housing Commission tenants cannot afford to trip in and out of Brisbane to do business with the commission. Secondly, many of them have young families, and they have to spend most of a day at the Housing Commission in Brisbane and in travelUng to and from Brisbane. Anyone who has done something like that knows that it can be a dramatic hassle and quite upsetting to the normal family routine. If a regional office were to be provided, people could conduct thefr business at less expense and with less drama in the famUy situation. With the computers and terminal Unks available today, there is no reason why a regional office could not function efficiently, in co-operation with the Brisbane office, in assimilating and retrieving the data necessary for discussions and negotiations with clients. If a regional office were established, it would also create jobs. Mr STEPHAN (Gympie) (8.18 p.m.): I have much pleasure in supporting the Minister's Estimates. I congratulate the Minister on the very fiiendly and approachable attitude adopted by him whenever I ask him for advice and assistance. He has always answered my queries very quickly. That is very important to back-benchers when they make representations on behalf of their constituents. I congratulate and sincerely thank Sandra, Bob and the other members of the Minister's staff for their assistance. I extend simUar thanks to Ivan Harrison and Stewart HaU, and to their departmental officers right dovm the line. All of them have been very co-operative. Turaing to my ovm area, I acknowledge with thanks the assistance given by Mr Lex Cowell of the Housing Commission and Mr Ian Houston of the Works Department. Both of them have made my life very much easier by giving me such prompt assistance. I notice that the member for Port Curtis (Mr Prest) is present in the Chamber. I was pleased to hear him say that his electorate is receiving its share of the projects being undertaken by the Department of Works and the Queensland Housing Commission. Opposition members do not often admit that their electorates are receiving as much as, if not more than, the electorates of Goverament members. The Minister is even-handed in his approach. He does not give preferential treatment to Goverament members. In their representations, they have to work as hard as anyone else. It is good that the honourable member for Port Curtis acknowledged that the stories emanating from the Labor Party of bias being shown towards seats held by the National Party are incorrect. The member for Archerfield (Mr Palaszczuk) referred to emergency or crisis accommodation. Over a period, I have noted that the amount of emergency accommodation has been increased. There has been a proliferation of emergency accommodation throughout the State, particularly in my own electorate. In most instances, the emergency accommodation that is being provided is keeping up with the demand. The demand will not be met completely, but the steps that are being taken are sufficient to meet most of the needs. The Minister's portfolio covers a wide range of activities that affect all of us in our every-day Uves. He is responsible for the constmction of buildings for the Education Department, including teacher accommodation, court houses, poUce stations, Goverament Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1481 hospitals, community health faciUties, prisons, recreation and fitness camps, and so on, and for the restoration and maintenance of historical buUdings. The Minister is also responsible for the increase in the level of rental housing, the faU in the wait-Ust, the greater number of home loans that have been approved and the introduction of the Second Loan Scheme. The functions of the Queensland Housing Commission are many and varied. They include assisting appUcants to have houses constmcted on thefr land or to purchase land/house packages. The commission acquires and develops land for house constmction. It constmcts or otherwise acqufres houses and multiple dwelUngs for rental and units for letting to pensioners. Reference has been made to pensioner units, and I shall say more about them later. The commission encourages home-ownership by the sale of State rental houses to quaUfied tenants. It is doing its utmost to encourage home-ownership. It lets, maintains and relets, as vacancies occur. State rental houses and units. That would probably be the most important function of aU. The commission assists eUgible famUies to establish a tenancy in the private sector. It purchases accommodation for community organisations to operate as crisis centres, refiiges and so on. That is greatly appreciated. The number of i>ensioner units owned by the commission is growing. As the Minister pointed out in his speech, under the Commonwealth/State Housing Agreement, $9.6m is being provided for pensioner units. That money will be used to constmct 264 units throughout Queensland. When they are completed, more than 3 000 units wiU be available. One scheme that is in place encourages pensioners to buy units that have been provided for people who do not have enough money to meet the high cost of accommodation that is avaUable in the private sector, but who, it is found, do not qualify for Housing Commission rental units. I compliment the Minister on that measure. However, the average cost of the units at $35,000 may be a Uttle high. Mr Davis: The biggest problem is the high interest rates. Mr STEPHAN: High interest rates are causing problems for aU bortowers, whether they are buying a Housing Commission pensioner unit or a property on the open market. They are, indeed, a big problem. The Housing Commission offers loans at subsidised interest rates, and that is of great assistance to pensioners and others seeking accommodation. Taking up a point made by the honourable member for Port Curtis (Mr Prest)— many pensioner units are being constmcted in Labor electorates. In Cairas, 91 such units are avaUable and, in TovmsviUe, 124 have been provided. In my electorate of Gympie, 24 pensioner units have been constmcted. Mr Davis: That's like comparing it with Brisbane. Mr STEPHAN: No, it is not. Sure, there are more people in Caims than in Gympie but, proportionately, there are also more pensioner units in Cairas. Mr Davis: You have only 10 000 electors. Mr STEPHAN: No, I have 15 000 electors. The honourable member for Brisbane Central has not done his homework and, as I have said on-many occasions, he should get his feet out of the inner Brisbane area and see what is going on in the rest of Queensland. Mr Davis: There is no comparison. Mr STEPHAN: I take the honourable member's point, but a comparison can be drawn on a percentage basis if the numbers in both cities are added. 1482 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates) Mr Davis: Plus the adjoining areas. Mr STEPHAN: Of course there are adjoining areas. For 1984-85, another net gain in welfare rental stock was recorded. The gain of 1 656 comprised, in part, 1 407 dweUings that were constmcted and 315 dwellings that were purchased. Over 100 dwellings were sold and 17 were demolished so, overaU, the number of rental houses available increased by more than 1 600. As the honourable member for Warwick mentioned, Queensland's wait-list for Housing Commission rental accommodation is dropping significantly while the Usts in southem Labor States are continuing to increase. Between Febmary last year and the end of June this year, the Queensland Housing Commission's wait-Ust for rental accommodation dropped by almost 18 per cent, so the Ust is shorter than it was three years ago. The Queensland Govemment, through the Housing Commission, has intro­ duced a series of innovative housing policies in recent years to help low and moderate income families into rental housing or into houses of thefr ovm. Just over 58 500 people are on the wait-Ust in New South Wales. In Victoria, more than 23 000 are on the wait-Ust and, in South AustraUa, 35 000 are waiting. Queensland's figure is only 8 000. In percentage terms. New South Wales, which has 34.8 per cent of the nation's population, accounts for 41.2 per cent of the total national wait-Ust. South Australia, with 8.7 per cent of the population, accounts for 24.6 per cent of the total national wait-list. In other words, those two States account for 65 per cent of the total national wait-list. Mr Kaus: Doesn't South AustraUa get more money than we do for housing? Mr STEPHAN: As well as that, in many other respects South AustraUa gets a great deal more assistance than Queensland. It receives a great deal of the assistance that goes to the steel industry. South Australia is not managed nearly as well as Queensland. With 16.1 per cent of the nation's population, Queensland has only 2 per cent of those wait-listed for accommodation. Credit must be given to the Queensland Goverament and the Housing Commission for the work that they have done. This year, significant changes have been made in rental and home-ovmership schemes. As honourable members would be aware, weekly rentals are now calculated on the basis of household income, which ensures that aU tenants are treated equitably and encourages those who are no longer in need to move either to private rental accommodation or to home-ownership, which is very important. Once a couple's income reaches approximately $500 a week, it is cheaper for them to move into private rental accommodation. That is as it should be, because the Commission is designed to help those most in need. The economic indicators from the housing industry show that Queensland compares very favourably with other States. Queensland's share of national dwelling-unit approvals was 3.7 per cent more than the State's 16.1 per cent share of the national population. On the same basis, the New South Wales share of approvals was minus 8.4 per cent and Victoria's was minus 4.6 per cent. Once again, on the same basis, Queensland's share of total dwelling-unit commencements was 3.8 per cent; New South Wales, minus 9.5 per cent; and Victoria, 0.1 per cent. Again on the same basis, Queensland's share of the national value of other building approvals was 4.2 per cent; New South Wales, minus 5.4 per cent; and Victoria, minus 4.2 per cent. The State can be proud of those figures, which show that it leads the way in the housing industry. The Estimates allocate more than $2m for crisis accommodation. Whether that assistance goes to young people or deserted wives, it is important. At times I wonder why every year shows an increase in the number of people looking for emergency accommodation. The increasing need for women's refuges does not speak well of the community in general. Perhaps the moral of that is that members of the community should look after one another instead of expecting the Goverament to step in. Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1483 I should mention the increase in the number of pre-schools and early education centres that are on the drawing-board. The member for Port Curtis (Mr Prest) spoke of the number of pre-schools that were avaUable in his electorate in the early 1970s. Of course, there were not many available at that time. At that stage, not many were available in any other part of the State. The increasing availabiUty of pre-schools has been very much appreciated in the community. While I am on the subject of education, I should mention the curtent trend towards the constmction of coUeges of technical and further education. The community is looking for that type of education and I point out the need for a TAFE coUege in Gympie. At the moment, a great demand exists for that type of education program. Although a technical and further education centre is located in the area, it does not have the facilities of a TAFE college. Because there is a population of between 25 000 and 28 000 in close proximity to Gympie, the constmction of a coUege of that nature and size is warranted. There is a move towards providing this type of education in the community as there is a cortesponding demand for it. I thank the Minister for providing the subsidies for showground capital works programs. A few years ago, show committees were finding it difficult to keep their heads above water in supplying fiinds for capital works. If subsidies were not provided by the department, many show societies would find it difficult to continue. In many instances, buUdings at showgrounds are not used for a major part of the year. In 1985-86, $1.3m has been aUocated for showground, capital works programs. In 1984-85, the aUocation was $l.lm. The aUocation this year represents a slight increase. An appUcation for funds must be submitted one year prior to the year in which the aUocation is required. That does not pose any problems if some forward planning is used. The money that is aUocated is very much needed and appreciated by everyone. Again I thank the Minister for his support throughout the length and breadth of Queensland. Mr Davis: Is that what it says in that brief? Mr STEPHAN: What I have in my hand are brief notes. Govemment members think for themselves. They know what is going on in this State, particularly in their own electorates. That is more than can be said for Opposition members. They think that Goverament members receive briefs in the same way as Opposition members receive briefs from Trades Hall. Mr FitzGerald: They are orders, not briefs. Mr STEPHAN: I am not sure what one should caU them. Every time a Goverament member rises to his feet. Opposition members think that he has been given a brief Time expired. Mr McLEAN (BuUmba) (8.39 p.m.): Mr Menzel, I have just been told that there has been a vote of no confidence in the Premier on a matter about which you have been so vocal in this Chamber. I wish to deal with the obvious housing problem. I refer to the substandard rental accommodation that is evident in Brisbane and in other parts of the State. The older houses and accommodation, such as flats and boarding-houses, are in need of repafr and maintenance. In many instances, that is the only type of accommodation avaUable to pensioners, the unemployed, supporting mothers and the disadvantaged in our community. That type of housing is offered by unscmpulous real estate agents and landlords. I include real estate agents because in most instances they do the dirty work. They can make a comparison of the various standards of accommodation that are avaUable. They can report on the shortcomings in the rental market and the type of accommodation that is available to the persons 1 have mentioned. In many cases the 1484 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

houses or establishments to which I have referred could be described only as death­ traps, fire-traps or degrading hovels. Many people are forced to live in inadequate and overcrowded boarding-houses. Accident after accident and many unnecessary deaths have occurted because of a lack of attention by some landlords to basic safety precautions. Safety precautions that should be taken for granted in this day and age are not being taken in much of the rental accommodation in this State. What control does the Goverament have over unsafe buUdings? There is almost no policing of the overcrowded houses and fire-traps that I have referted to. Very few prosecutions take place of the people who are responsible. I believe that much more stringent measures must be implemented by the Government to control these unscmpulous—I emphasise that word because it is important—ovmers and agents. The public must have some protection. In most instances, the people who are affected are the people who need every possible assistance. Strong penalties should be imposed to stop this criminal neglect—I do not think I can describe it in any other way—of these money-grabbing owners and agents. I cannot understand how any Goverament can sit back and allow blatant disregard for human life to occur. Incident after incident is made pubUc, and those are only the incidents that the community hears about. If accidents, misuse of the powers of landlords and inadequate housing were investigated, a real need for Goverament intervention would be revealed. I bring to the attention of the Minister the case of a fire this week at Albion in which there was the tragic loss of three children. The story behind that fire should be told because the circumstances surrounding it are an example of exactly what I have been saying is occurring more and more frequently in this city. The family in question rented the Albion house from a Mr Conomos through a real estate agent, Ron Symes, of Toowong, a branch of The Professionals. From what I have been told, the family had Uved in that house for approximately eight years. The story of the attendance of the fire brigade to that fire has been detailed in the Chamber by the honourable member for Windsor (Mr Comben). Honourable members have heard that if the fire brigade had been manned adequately, if the proper equipment had been available, or if the water supply had been closer, the tragedy might not have occurted. If the cortect equipment had been available, there would have been a two-pump response instead of one in addition to the seven lengths of hose that were there, and perhaps the tragedy would have been averted. These matters are debatable and may or may not have contributed to the tragedy. However, no-one will ever know whether a combination of mistakes had any bearing on the outcome. Mr FitzGerald interjected. Mr McLEAN: I will not enter the debate, because I do not know, just as the the honourable member for Lockyer does not know. I am not saying that mistakes contributed to the tragedy. However, it is a possibility that a combination of any two or more of those things did affect the outcome. One thing is certain: if the real estate agent or the owner had been responsible and decent, and had maintained that house in a safe and good state of repair, the fire may not have occurted at all. That is my point. I will not comment on the events that occurted once the fire broke out, because I am not an expert on fires. I have been told that three lights in that house had not operated since the big haUstorm that flattened Brisbane approximately six months ago. I was told that the reason those lights did not operate is that if a bulb was put in and the light was switched on the bulb would automatically blow or the fuses would go. It is quite obvious that urgent and necessary electrical work should have been done on that house. Those lights were in the bathroom, laundry and outside the house. I was Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1485 told that the floor of the house was rotten and that a pile of old timber was stacked beside the house. That was an irtesponsible act in anyone's language. I was also told that the lady who lived there had asked for the lights to be fixed. She was told that she would have to do any repairs herself or get out. That is the kind of response people get from unscmpulous and money-grabbing landlords and agents. People have to live under such conditions through no fault of their own because they do not have the money to obtain decent accommodation. I repeat that that accident may not have occurted in the first place if the agent to whom I refer or the owner of the house had done the decent thing and made the necessary repairs, which would have prevented chUdren walking round in the middle of the night with candles. I beUeve that the real estate agent or the owner should, at the very least, be charged with manslaughter. Real estate agents and owners who knowingly collect rent for unsafe properties should be held responsible for the accidents that will inevitably occur, and have occurred, day in and day out, in Brisbane and throughout the State. For too long, the Queensland Govemment has sat back and accepted the exploitation and disregard for human dignity and safety that is widespread in the market for rental accommodation. For too long wealthy investors have exploited the system by buying old houses for investment and being unprepared to spend money on the repairs and maintenance that are required to achieve a reasonable standard of comfort and safety for tenants. Mr FitzGerald: What about the capital gains tax? How will that affect the rental accommodation market? Mr McLEAN: If the honourable member for Lockyer had the brains to check it out, he would know how it will operate. The people who invest in old houses and keep them as an investment, with the intention of building units on the land at some time in the future, spend the barest minimum on maintenance and repair. It must be remembered that thousands of desparate people are in need of rental accommodation, and they have no option but to rent. Such people find it necessary because they do not have a deposit or security for the purchase of a house. In many cases, the people are unemployed and, in many cases, they have famUy responsibilities, the same as everyone else. They deserve the decency and respect associated with having a home of a reasonable standard and a safe place in which to Uve, out of the reach of exploitative landlords. 1 feel sure that every honourable member would be aware of the type of old house to which I have referted. It can be identified because the steps are falling down; the guttering is falling off; the stumps are not touching the floorboards in places and are either falling over or dangerously tilted; floors have been patched up and roofs leak. There are other features I could describe, although that is probably unnecessary. I have seen that kind of accommodation in my electorate time after time. It is unfortunate that people who rent those kind of houses have no say. If they speak up, they will be kicked out. It is often the case that such people are unable to obtain Housing Commission accommodation because of the two-year waiting period, so they have to accept that standard of Uving. The Minister for Works and Housing should take the responsibUity of ensuring that the kind of exploitation I have described comes to an end. The Minister has the responsibility of prosecuting landlords and enforcing regulations that wiU ensure that a fair go is given to those who are disadvantaged. The Minister is also responsible for bringing in legislation that will aUeviate the neglect. The Goverament is virtually placed in the position of landlord, and that is a matter to which I wish to give some attention. The Queensland Goverament should not escape blame in any way. It has been pointed out to me that the Main Roads Department's rental housing section provides more rental accommodation than the Housing Commission. In my electorate, quite a 1486 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates) few Main Roads Department houses could be described as unsafe and substandard accommodation. I have seen Main Roads Department houses with rotting stumps, unsafe stairs, rotted guttering and other signs of disrepair. It must be remembered that these Goverament-owned houses are rented to the general public, and the rents have recentiy been increased, in some cases, by a considerable amount. The rental charges for that kind of accommodation are very close to the highest private charge that is made in my electorate. The worst aspect of this issue is that the increases in rent have been appUed in varying degrees. The people who have looked after their homes and kept them tidy and neat are being forced to pay the highest rents. I ask the Minister to explain how he can sit back and see the Goverament of which he is a member play the game of investing in housing with no regard for the living conditions of tenants. The Department of Main Roads bought hundreds of houses at Norman Park to provide access for the proposed bridge and freeway. I think there were 400, although I do not have the exact figure.The y were bought many years ago for what were low prices by today's standards. They wiU now be sold at today's prices, with a very large profit going to the Goverament. Mr Mackenroth: They should give those houses to the Housing Commission.

Mr McLEAN: Of course they should. That is the point I was leading up to. I am told that the former owners will have the first option on purchase; but, by now, not many of them will be able to afford to purchase the house that they once owned. I have been informed that former owners who were forced to get out have now been told that they can buy back their old properties. Of course, they do not have anywhere near the amount required. As I said, since many of those houses were purchased by the Department of Main Roads, they have received only the bare minimum of maintenance. In my opinion, that puts this Goverament in the same category as the private racketeers I have mentioned. It is nothing short of scandalous that that type of exploitation by private investors, and, even more unacceptably, by the Goverament itself, is allowed to continue. The Minister owes the people of Queensland a very detailed explanation as to where he stands on those accusations. I will be interested to hear what his attitude is and, of course, what he plans for the fiiture. I am very strongly of the view that the Department of Main Roads should buUd roads and not participate in the investment housing and rental market. As I said, it is scandalous that the department now owns more rental houses than the Housing Com­ mission. No doubt that surprises many members. It certainly surprised me. It is disgracefiil that such a situation has arisen. The Minister should take immediate steps to purchase those 400 houses, because the amount required to repair them would be a lot less than the amount required to buy 400 blocks of land and erect 400 houses on them, particularly in such close proximity to the city. If the Goverament does not act quickly, the houses will be sold. One's imagination does not have to work very hard to work out how they will be sold and who will make the profit. I am sure of one thing: that the people who really need low- cost rental accommodation wiU be set back even further in their attempts to obtain it. With its latest rent increases, the Main Roads Department is pricing its houses out of the reach of the needy people for whom it should be responsible, and that is aU the more reason why the Housing Commission should take the houses over. At least there would then be some regulation of the way in which they were rented or who purchased them. They would be available to people already on the waiting-list—something that does not occur under the present owners. 1 ask the Minister, if he is interested enough to listen to me, to reply to at least some of my queries. Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1487 Mr HENDERSON (Mount Gravatt) (8.55 p.m.): I was very interested in the speech made by the member for Chatsworth. My interest stemmed mainly from my amazement at the ingenuity of people in taking information of various sorts and converting it into what might appear to be a statistical figure of some kind. The honourable member for Chatsworth tried to estabUsh the proposition that the National Party is using Goverament fiinds, through the Works Department, to pork-bartel Goverament electorates. Mr Borbidge: He was trying to justify his lack of performance in his own electorate. Mr HENDERSON: That may well be so. At the same time, he sought to estabUsh that ALP electorates are discriminated against. That is, indeed, an interesting argument to advance. The problem, of course, is to estabUsh the tmth of the argument on the basis of real data available from Govemment reports. The member for Chatsworth sought to estabUsh his argument on the basis of a simple exercise. He took the total amount of money spent in Govemment electorates, divided that by the total number of children attending schools in Govemment electorates, and arrived at a per capita spending figure.H e repeated that exercise for ALP electorates, and yet again for Liberal/Independent electorates. He then compared the three per capita figures and argued as foUows: because the per capita figure is greater for National Party electorates than it is for ALP electorates, it is safe to conclude that the National Party is favouring its electorates in a very blatant way. As a statistical exercise, that is sheer nonsense. It is so naive that one would have to be totally irtational to believe it. It is an attempt to convince the Committee on several premises. 1 shall discuss each of those. Premise No. 1 is that spending is dfrectiy proportional to enrolments. In other words, it is an attempt to argue that a school of 300 students demands an expenditure of the order of three when compared with a school of 100 students. That, of course, patently is nonsense. Schools of 300 are quite common in ALP electorates; schools of 100 are rare. On the other hand, schools of 100 are quite common in many mral, National Party electorates, but schools of 300 may be quite rare. Regardless of how small or how big schools are, certain basics are built into them all. There are libraries, staff-rooms, offices, class-rooms, toilets, tuckshops, drainage, store­ rooms, laboratories, ovals, and so on. When schools of 300 are compared with schools of 100, it is found that they do not have three libraries, three offices, three staff-rooms, three toilets, three tuckshops, three store-rooms, three ovals, three laboratories, and so on. How silly that would be! I suspect that the cost of buUding and maintaining a school for 300 chUdren compared with that of a school for 100 is nowhere near the order of 3:1. Rather, it is only marginaUy more expensive, because the only real difference would be that whereas a school of 100 may have four class-rooms plus one office, one staff-room, two toUet blocks and one oval, a school of 300 may have 11 class-rooms but only one office, two toUet blocks, one oval, and so on. Thus the additional cost wiU reside only in the area of additional class-rooms; the basics for the school are still the same. I am, therefore, forced to conclude that the first premise on which the honourable member for Chatsworth buUt his argument is complete nonsense. The second premise is that all schools of 300 chUdren must have equal funds spent on them. Once again, that premise is sheer nonsense. Schools are not compared in terms of equality of size. The money spent on schools of 300, 400, 60 or 1 500 pupUs depends on the age of the school, the general state of the school, damage through fire, cyclone, white ants or whatever. 1488 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

The fact of the matter is that many schools in city electorates held by the ALP are old, solid schools not in need of major repair. Repairs are usually in the form of repainting, plumbing, windows and fumiture. Many schools are made of brick. I ask honourable members to compare the Brisbane State High School, in the ALP electorate of South Brisbane, with the Macgregor State High School, in my electorate of Mount Gravatt. Those schools, which may have somewhat equal enrolments, have totaUy different needs because they are of different ages and have been built of different materials. To argue that each needs the same amount of money spent on it is nonsense. The third premise that the honourable member for Chatsworth must establish is that the growth needs of all electorates are equal. The greatest cost is the cost of a new school. The new Runcora High School in the ALP electorate of Salisbury will cost $6.5m. Where, then, are the new schools being built? The vast majority of growth electorates are National Party electorates. They include Redlands, Albert, Southport, Surfers Paradise, Fassifera, Caboolture, Barton River, Cooroora, Landsborough and Somerset. ALP growth electorates include Woodridge, SaUsbury, Murmmba and Ashgrove. They are few and far between when compared with National Party electorates. The fact of the matter is that the majority of new schools are being constmcted in National Party electorates, not because they are National Party electorates but because they are in the major growth areas of Queensland. Hence, one would expect that the vast majority of funds for new schools would be spent in National Party electorates. I am forced to conclude, therefore, that the honourable member for Chatsworth is talking nonsense if he believes that aU new schools are built in equivalent numbers across electorates, whether they be ALP, National Party or Liberal-held electorates. Let me yet again remind this Chamber of some relevant statistics. A review of the Queensland Parliamentary Handbook of 1983 reveals some interesting statistics. Let me now look at the actual number of schools in electorates. Regrettably, I do not have access to the most recent handbook of this ParUament; hence, I am forced to review the 1983 handbook. If we examine that handbook, we find some startling statistics. In electorates that are held by the ALP, there are 93 State primary schools and 42 State high schools. In National Party electorates, there are 143 State secondary schools and 799 State primary schools. In case honourable members did not grasp the significance of those figures, I shaU repeat them: in ALP electorates, there are 42 State secondary schools and 93 State primary schools; in National Party electorates, there are 143 State secondary schools and 799 State primary schools. Mr Mackenroth: How many primary schools in Labor electorates? Mr HENDERSON: There are 42 secondary schools and 93 primary schools. Mr Mackenroth: Ninety-three primary schools? Mr HENDERSON: Yes. Mr Mackenroth: That is a Ue. Mr HENDERSON: The honourable member should look at the handbook. Mr Campbell: How many primary schools have been built in National Party electorates for fewer than 10 children? How many have been buUt in Labor electorates for fewer than 10 children? Not one! Mr Borbidge: Mr Mackenroth says that the Queensland Parliamentary Handbook is fill! of lies. Mr HENDERSON: The honourable member for Chatsworth can conclude what he likes. Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1489

Obviously the member for Bundaberg is not aware of the fact that very few schools in Queensland today have fewer than 10 students. They have been consolidated. I have already pointed out that the cost of a school is not related to the number of enrolments. As expenditure on schools depends on a complex interplay of variables, such as the age of the school, the building materials used, the size of the school, the location of schools in growth areas, the siting of schools and associated groundworks, unless one compares all those variables one cannot gain any real comparison of costs, electorate by electorate. OveraU, I regret that I cannot accept the reasoning of the honourable member for Chatsworth. I have concluded that his arguments, if one could call them that, are patent nonsense. Mr MILLINER (Everton) (9.5 p.m.): The Department of Works and the Queensland Housing Commission are very important for both the Govemment and the people. Unfortunately, an uncaring attitude has developed in the Goverament. In my speech on the Budget, I spoke about transport costs for young unemployed people. As usual, Queensland is the only State in Australia that does not provide some form of reUef for young unemployed people seeking employment. The Minister for Transport has said that it is a Federal responsibility. A similar uncaring attitude can be found in the Housing Commission. Recently, electricity tariff artangements were altered. To get a cheaper rate for hot water, electricity- consumers had to apply for an H56 tariff. However, Housing Commission tenants in older houses were advised that because of the cost of putting in a relay—about $30— the cheaper tariff would not be available to them. If they wanted the cheaper tariff, they had to pay for the cost of altering the meter box because the Housing Commission would not pay for it. Many people who live in the older Housing Commission houses are pensioners and low-income-earners, and to them, $30 is a fair amount of money. That highlights the uncaring attitude of the State Govemment to disadvantaged people. Mr Davis: How do you think these Estimates will affect the sugar industry? Mr MILLINER: I am very pleased that the honourable member for Brisbane Central has raised that matter. That industry is going through a difficult time and the Savage report of the 100-day committee The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr Menzel): Order! I remind the honourable member that the Committee is discussing the Estimates of the Minister for Works and Housing. 1 do not know what the sugar industry has to do with them. Mr MILLINER: Thank you, Mr Menzel, for raising that point. Because of the plight of the sugar industry, the Works Department and the Housing Commission will have to provide facilities in the depressed sugar areas. They will become the areas of greatest need. The attitude of the Goverament, following the recommendations of the 100-day committee The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! I remind the honourable member for Everton that the sugar industry is not under debate, and he will confine his remarks to the Works and Housing Estimates. The honourable member is trying to talk about the Savage report and other related matters affecting the sugar industry, but the Chair will not allow him to do so. Mr Davis interjected. Mr MILLINER: That is right, there has been a vote of no-confidence. In the light of your mUng, Mr Menzel, I will table a telex from the Caims District Cane Growers Executive. Because of the problems in the sugar industry and the effect that will be felt in the sugar towns, the Department of Works and the Housing Commission will have to 1490 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

provide more facilities in those towns, and I hope that the Minister for Works and Housing is aware of those needs. The departments under his control will have to adopt a caring attitude to those people. Mr Prest: It is very obvious that those members who represent sugar areas do not want to talk about it in this place. Mr MILLINER: That is quite obvious. National Party members are not interested in the mral sector. We on this side of the Chamber wiU be caUed the farmers' firiends after this debacle. Getting back to the Estimates—I am conceraed, as is my friend and coUeague the member for Bulimba (Mr McLean), about the houses that were resumed by the Main Roads Department. Some years ago, that department put forward proposals for freeways and arterial roads throughout the metropolitan area to ease the traffic flow. To provide for those roads, obviously the department had to resume a number of properties. As many of those projects did not go ahead, the Main Roads Department has been left with those properties and is responsible for thefr maintenance. Mr Davis: Houses rented by the Main Roads Department should be handed over to the Housing Commission. Mr MILLINER: I was just coming to that. Quite obviously the Main Roads Department finds those houses simply an extra burden. I suggest that the Goverament give serious consideration to the Main Roads Department handing those houses over to the Housing Commission, which cares for its properties. If that transfer were to occur, those houses would be maintained in a much better condition. Many honourable members have mentioned the provision of pensioner units. I am pleased that a number of them have been constmcted in my electorate. The Minister and the Govemment should site pensioner units in areas in which those who wiU take advantage of them have previously lived. Many of today's aged people moved into houses in the '50s, raised their families in them and now find that their children have married and moved away. In many cases one partner of the marriage has died, which leaves a single pensioner living in a three-bedroom house. On a number of occasions, I have spoken to pensioners in these circumstances. They have indicated quite clearly that they would be only too happy to move into pensioner units if they were constmcted in the area in which they have always lived, that is, the area that contains their doctor, chemist and familiar shopping facilities. Older people do not want to move away from the area in which they have always lived. The Housing Commission should do everything possible to ensure that, when it is making provision for future rental accommodation, it takes note of the need for pensioner units. Mr Davis: When Mr Wharton retires, who do you think will be the new Minister? Mr MILLINER: There has been some talk about the imminent retirement of the Minister for Works and Housing. Mr Wharton: That is wishful thinking on the part of those people. Mr MILLINER: I do not think it is wishful thinking. Two weeks ago I predicted that the new Cabinet Minister would be the member for Pine Rivers. The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! The honourable member wiU keep to the Works and Housing Estimates and desist from speculation on other matters. Mr MILLINER: Quite obviously, the member for Pine Rivers wiU be the new Cabinet Minister. After I made that prediction two weeks ago, I received quite a number of telephone calls, one of which was from a fellow who called himself Mr Chapman. He was concemed about my prediction. I asked him what the problem was. He said, Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1491

"As soon as you made that prediction, my wife raced out to the ABC and bought aU the back copies of Yes Minister. Now she mns round the house and insists on calling me 'Sir Humphrey'." Some time ago, in co-operation with the Queensland Housing Commission, the Federal Department of Housing and Constmction displayed, in the grounds of the Queensland Institute of Technology, a prefabricated house that was produced in a factory. Goveraments at both State and Federal level should be doing everything possible to supply as much housing as possible at the cheapest possible cost. My colleagues and I were fairly impressed with the standard of that prefabricated house. I am disappointed that no more has been seen of that project. Perhaps, in his reply, the Minister may be able to enlighten the Chamber as to what has happened to it and whether further developments have been made. The Housing Commission should involve itself in the provision of land at a reasonable cost to those who wish to build their own house. One of the great problems faced by young Australians who wish to fiilfil the great Australian dream of home- ownership is the cost of buying a block of land. Mr Lee: You mob knock that. Mr MILLINER: No, that is not tme. In fact, the Labor Party promotes it. One of the great problems is the cost of buying land. Land-developers are developing only a sufficient number of blocks to satisfy buyer demand, which maintains prices at an artificiaUy high level. The Housing Commission could play a very significant role by providing cheap land to prospective home-builders. That would substantially reduce the land cost component of the house and land package. I hope that the Goverament, as an alteraative to supplying housing and housing finance, can provide cheap land on which to buUd houses. One of the other responsibilities of the Minister for Works and Housing is the Builders Registration Board. I do not know whether many members have raised in this debate the issue of the Builders Registration Board. Complaints about jerry-built houses and lack of action by the Builders Registration Board are frequently made. One has only to watch the television curtent affairs program State Affair, which reports regularly on houses exhibiting major defects. That program has been very critical of the Builders Registration Board. 1 was interested to note that in the Builders Registration Board annual report which was tabled recently in this House, the board examined the reason why many buUders have gone broke. The following appears in the annual report under the heading "Business FaUure by Builders"— "The most common cause of financial failure by builders has been found to be insufficient attention to financial management. A lack of understanding of the actual financial position of a business can lead to insufficient cash flow, over commitment, underquoting and eventual faUure. The practice by some suppliers of extending credit beyond the point of recovery can also be a contributing factor. The Board has conducted a survey of 137 Bankmpt BuUders and the foUowing profile has been drawn from that survey:— Age—30-40 Years; Industry Experience—10 Years as either a subcontractor or builder; (Trade) QuaUfications—No management or financial training; Finance—Little capital—only realisable asset, a house—mortgaged; Period of Registration—Maximum 10 years—normally 4-5 years; Work History—Commenced building— 1st year—2-4 Houses; 4th year—Between 10-20 Houses; Consistent under-quoting to maintain cash flow. 1492 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

It is a consistent picture and reveals the attitude that often is the foremnner to the demise of the builder, THAT IS, TOO BIG TOO FAST outstripping the financial capacity." I am pleased that the BuUders Registration Board has undertaken a survey of the reasons why builders fail. I hope that the board takes the next step and provides some form of business training for people who apply for licences. It is obvious from the findings of that survey that the buUders are good tradesmen and that they can buUd good-quaUty houses. However, it is also obvious from the survey that builders know very Uttie, if anything, about financial aspects of mnning a business. It stands to reason that if one is to have a successfiil building industry, one needs builders who are capable of mnning their own business. They must be able to build good buUdings as well as look after the financial aspects of their business. I sincerely hope that the Govemment undertakes some form of training whereby the BuUders Registration Board, a TAFE college or some other body provides training in financial matters for those persons wishing to enter the building industry. I tura now to schools and their maintenance, which is another aspect of the Minister's portfolio. Recently I wrote to the Minister about the painting of the Grovely State School. It is obvious that, when the Works Department erects buUdings of timber constmction, those buildings will need maintenance, such as painting. It is crazy that buildings are allowed to deteriorate to such extent that painting becomes a major job. When buildings are constmcted, the Govemment should at least provide estimates of maintenance costs so that the buildings do not reach the stage at which major maintenance must be undertaken. The honourable member for Stafford (Mr Gygar) said that some schools in his electorate required sanding back and the job recommenced from the beginning. Mr Lee: You will admit that the Works Department adequately maintains its buildings all over the State? Mr MILLINER: It does not. The honourable member for Yeronga must have found, when he was the responsible Minister, that buildings that should have been adequately painted were not. The Goverament should ensure that sufficient funds are set aside for basic maintenance such as painting. As I have said, if a wooden building is erected, it is well known that it will require painting again in about four or five years' time. Mr Innes: I disagree with my colleague the honourable member for Yeronga. The painting of schools is grossly inadequate. Mr MILLINER: I thank the honourable member for Sherwood. Obviously there is a split in the Liberal Party, but its members will have to sort that out later. I apologise to the Chair for being distracted. 1 tura to schoolgrounds. In regard to my area, I have been very pleased to see the co-operation between the TAFE coUege at Grovely and the Grovely State School. At the TAFE college, a course has been introduced to assist unemployed people who worked at the General Motors factory at Acacia Ridge. They have been instmcted in landscaping. Part of their training was to landscape the schoolgrounds of the Grovely State School. The parents and citizens association of the Grovely State School made a contribution towards the cost of materials. As part of the training project, the school was quite extensively landscaped. Many p. and c. associations conduct adult education courses, which include landscaping courses. In this way the surtounds of schools can be improved. I am concemed about the amount of money that school p. and c. associations are being forced to raise and contribute to basic educational needs. My good friend and colleague the honourable member for Archerfield (Mr Palaszczuk) mentioned the problems that certain areas have in conducting successful school fetes to raise necessary funds. Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1493 The honourable member for Archerfield gave the instance of schools in his area raising about $3,000 to $6,000, whereas schools in other areas were raising as much as $20,000. I believe that the Govemment can assist school p. and c. associations by providing facilities such as tennis courts. The tennis courts could be let after hours and the rental used by the p. and c. associations to provide many facilities. It would serve a twofold purpose. It would provide sporting facilities for the students of the school and also give the p. and c. association a method of fund-raising other than school fetes. I believe that schoolgrounds should be utUised more by the public for sporting activities. The honourable member for Mount Gravatt (Mr Henderson) referred to the number of schools in electorates, a matter raised by the honourable member for Chatsworth (Mr Mackenroth). The honourable member for Mount Gravatt said that the 1983 handbook disclosed that Labor electorates had 93 primary schools. There are, in fact, 232 primary schools in Labor electorates. It is obvious that the honourable member for Mount Gravatt cannot count. Finally, I sincerely hope that the Minister for Works and Housing does take on board my comments regarding the Housing Commission, in particular the H56 tariff, and my call for assistance for young people in attaining the goal of ovming their own home by the provision of land at a significantly reduced value. Whereupon the honourable member laid on the table the document referred to. Mr HARTWIG (CalUde) (9.24 p.m.): I have pleasure in speaking to the Estimates for Works and Housing for 1985-86. My friendship with the Minister for Works and Housing has extended over a number of years. I have always valued his excursions into my electorate at various times to open projects such as the recent new class-room at Biloela. One occasion I remember occurted a few years ago at a beautifiil place named Mount Chalmers. The Minister for Works and Housing (Mr Wharton) travelled a long way to attend a function there. I express my appreciation and gratitude not only because of that but also because for over 14 years that I have been a parliamentary representative, the Department of Works and Housing has played its part in the development of the electorate of Callide. 1 now tum my attention to the town of Biloela, in which 560 Housing Commission homes have been built. Biloela is an area of rapid growth and development. It is important to mention that the Queensland Electricity Commission employs 770 people who are associated with the development of the CalUde B Power Station. The Queensland Electricity Commission is presently engaged in the constmction of approximately 300 new homes in Biloela. A continuing demand is being made for new houses, and I might add that, following discussions I had with the Minister some years ago, units for single mothers were provided. I am pleased to say that eight units were built at Biloela, and mothers with one or two children have been able to obtain suitable accommodation. Despite the fact that some trouble occurted with male invaders, that problem seems to have been overcome and 1 appreciate the assistance that that accommodation has provided for single mothers in my electorate. Many of the homes in Biloela that are part of the subsidised rental system are occupied by miners, Queensland Electricity Commission workers and employees of the Capricomia Electricity Board. I am saddened by the destmctive effect that the action taken by the Federal Govemment to tax people who receive subsidised accommodation wiU have. The Federal Govemment would be weU advised to stay clear of a system that has been developed by private enterprise. By "developed", I mean that private enterprise has encouraged workers to live in decentralised areas by providing subsidised rental accommodation. As a result, remote cities and towns in Queensland may have started off as mere possibilities, but today they are flourishing. 1494 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

The effect that the tax on subsidised accommodation will have remains to be seen, but there is no doubt that heartache will be caused, if not to the occupiers then to the companies or organisations that make that housing available. In my electorate, certain public works have been carried out, and I instance the 38 schools in my electorate and the assistance that has been provided to the schools, particularly those located at Biloela and Yeppoon. Those areas are very fortunate to have very good high schools, primary schools and pre-schools. A recently constmcted pre-school at Thangool will be opened by the Minister for Employment and Industrial Affairs (Mr Lester) in the near fiiture. The parents of Thangool are most appreciative of the Govemment's providing that pre-school education unit. Latterly, the constmction of pre-schools is appreciated by the people who live in surrounding areas, and a pre­ school was recently constmcted at Emu Park. For argument's sake, I mention Byfield, which in recent years had seven children attending the pre-school but now has in excess of 40. A house was recently constmcted in the Byfield region at a cost of in excess of $90,000 and it will be used to accommodate a schoolteacher. That is a very valuable asset. Other members have said that schools generaUy are in a poor condition, and certainly the paintwork of a number of schools in my area should be looked at. Perhaps the Minister could ask his officers to report on the condition of the paintwork of those schools, because if it deteriorates too much it becomes very expensive to repair. The new court house at Yeppoon has proved to be a great boon. However, I do not know why somebody has not come to Yeppoon to open it. It was constmcted at a cost of half a mUlion dollars, but no-one of any importance has appeared to open it. Perhaps the Goverament is afraid of the Independent. It does seem a pity, though, that it has not been officially opened. For that matter, neither has the nice new railway station at Biloela. It is a pity that the Goverament has not capitalised by way of an official opening on the expenditure of that sort of money. It took me 15 years to get the new railway station at Biloela, and the people there are now very happy with it. The officers of the Housing Commission, and in particular the Commissioner of Housing, have always listened very sympatheticaUy to my requests and been of great assistance to me. The field officers at Yeppoon and Biloela are always very helpfiU in trying to provide the Housing Commission houses needed in the area. I appreciate the recent aUocation of funds to provide additional Housing Commission houses and pensioner units in Yeppoon. They wiU supplement the 20 pensioner units that have already been constmcted. I was very pleased to see those much-needed units provided. I wish the Minister well. I know that he is in the twilight of his career. All members appreciate the tremendous job he has done for this State in recent years. Hon. C. A. WHARTON (Buraett—Minister for Works and Housing) (9.33 p.m.): I thank all honourable members for their contributions to this important debate. I have taken on board all that they said. I wiU refer now to individual members. The honourable member for Rockhampton North (Mr Yewdale) was conceraed that I had not answered his recent question in the form requested. If he had Ustened to my repy, he would have noted that I promised to give any special information he required on any area. I would also suggest that the honourable member ask intelligible questions that can be understood. Perhaps the honourable member for Chatsworth (Mr Mackenroth) could assist him. Contrary to the honourable member's belief, the Mortgage and Rent ReUef Scheme has been advertised widely throughout Queensland. The REIQ Journal has also advertised the scheme. I have also artanged to advertise again in papers circulating throughout Queensland. The Real Estate Institute of Queensland is also advising its members again. In addition, the income levels of the scheme are being reconsidered and new information forms are being prepared. Bond guarantees have been accepted widely. Over 1 800 were issued Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1495 during 1984-85 and the numbers issued monthly are increasing. Approximately 17 per cent are faiUng, and the commission reimburses landlords promptly. There is no difference between a cash bond and a bond guarantee when the settlement of claims is so prompt. The bond board issue has been around for many years. It is a matter for the Minister for Justice and Attoraey-General (Mr Harper). However, it is part of Labor's poUtical phUosophy to set up bureaucratic empfres, and that is aU a bond board would be. There is no evidence to show there would be real benefits to individuals that are not avaUable through systems afready operating in Queensland. Finally, on the subject of housing, I would be pleased to explain to the honourable member for Rockhampton North how the priority system works insofar as commission wait-Usts are conceraed. The only centre in Queensland with an increase in its wait-Usts over the last 12 months was Cairas. The wait-Usts in aU other cities feU. The number of applicants on wait-lists as at 31 August totalled 8 715. Queensland is the only State in AustraUa recording falls in numbers on wait-Usts. The honourable member for Rockhampton North spoke about building figures in Queensland and, in typical fashion for the Opposition, all he said was how bad the Queensland performance is—another instance of the ALP again knocking this State. During the financialyea r just completed, Queensland has continued to account for more than its share of the national buUding activity. With 16 per cent of the nation's population, Queensland, in that 12-month period accounted for 19.8 per cent of the total number of new dwelUngs approved throughout AustraUa; 20.2 per cent of the total national value of all non-residential building approvals for projects such as shops and offices; and 18.49 per cent of the total national value of aU residential and non-residential building projects. Only the two States of Queensland and Westera AustraUa managed this great treble. New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia failed to do so. Queensland's performace in the non-residential sector was particularly noteworthy during 1984-85. For a quarter of that year, Queensland outstripped aU other States for approvals for such projects. For another three months, Queensland was second only to New South Wales, having outstripped Victoria. The honourable member for Rockhampton North, as weU as the honourable member for Bundaberg, raised the matter of the constmction of a special school at Hervey Bay and the subsequent liquidation of the contractor, E. J. Developments. Prior to awarding the tender, my department, as is the usual practice, made extensive inquiries into the financial and constmction ability of the contractor to carry out this work. Those inquiries revealed that the contractor had 15 projects under constmction, ranging in value from $40,000 to $875,000, with a total value in excess of $3,000,000. Assets over liabilities amounted to $723,000 and a private sector confidential report did not disclose any problems. Company bank inquiries also indicated that there were no problems, and the Queensland Housing Commission had no problems with the work valued at $500,000 that the contractor had carried out for it. On this basis, my department had no reason for not awarding the contract to E. J. Developments. I cannot be held responsible for this particular builder losing Uquidity as the result of a dispute on another private project in the area. The honourable member commented on the Govemment office accommodation in Rockhampton. The Education Department was relocated from accommodation described by the Public Service Board as being highly congested. That, in tum, allowed the Probation and Parole Office to expand, because it also was overcrowded. The decision to rent office space in National House was taken after investigations were carried out in conjunction with local real estate agents, and it was considered to be the most suitable space available. For the information of the honourable member, I point out that my department is not responsible for accommodation for the Workers Compensation Board. 1496 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates)

The Goverament already has a number of departments accommodated in the SGIO building. I thank the honourable member for Surfers Paradise for his comments. He is very well informed and raised many pertinent points. He appreciates what the commission is doing in both the rental and home-ownership area. The honourable member for Condamine raised the matter of subsidence in his electorate and surtounding electorates. The board is will aware of the problem. I wiU be having discussions with the board next week on this issue. I can only stress the need for soU tests to be carried out. It may weU prove that these tests wiU indicate that more extensive and costly footings are required for the type of houses being built in this area. Whilst I recognise the desirability of keeping building costs as low as possible, home­ owners wiU have to be prepared to pay for these more extensive footings or accept the cracks and defects and, at times, total failures, caused by soil movement. Unfortunately there is no alteraative. The honourable member expressed concera about parking problems at the Dalby Police Station. I do realise that there is some incovenience at present whilst constmction is being carried out, but I have been assured that the police station, when completed, will have adequate parking facilities. The honourable member for Stafford brought to the attention of the House the current push by State and Commonwealth Labor Govemments to give all who wish it the opportunity to rent public housing. That practice, as the honourable member pointed out, only makes worse the plight of those genuinely in need by facing excessive wait- times. This is demonstrated in the wait-list of other States. Our home-ownership schemes have been designed to supplement the rental programs and to help into home-ownership many families who would otherwise be renting. The member for Stafford spoke about the Housing Commission's income-geared housing scheme. He seems to have fallen into the trap that has caught a number of other people in recent times in assuming that the scheme is resulting in high rents that are breaking up families. In fact, the reverse is the tmth, and I will give an analysis of figures on the rents charged under this system. Of all Housing Commission households, 76 per cent pay less than $50 a week rent. In fact 37 per cent pay less than $30 a week. No child—and by "child" 1 am referring to children of a tenant who, in fact, may be adults—is required to pay any more than 10 per cent of income as a contribution to the rent. The honourable member should be aware that only 1.4 per cent of all households, in fact, pay more than $100 a week in rent. I thank the honourable member for Warwick (Mr Booth) for his remarks. He raised the matter of the constmction of a TAFE college at Warwick. I am pleased to say that planning is proceeding and should be completed early next year. I am hopeful that, subject to funding, tenders will be able to be invited for this work shortly thereafter. The honourable member for Bundaberg (Mr CampbeU) raised the matter of Mrs Santos and her mother, who is visiting from the Philippines. Let me make it clear that the commission does not record what race, creed or religion an appUcant is. The commission's policy and practices allow for short-term visitors to tenants' residences. However, we are not talking about a short-term visit in this case. It is a pity that the honourable member did not mention that that visitor indicated that she would be staying at least six months. The rental policy does not allow long-term visitors to remain in rental housing without making a payment towards the rent. When the visitor has no income, a notional income is determined and added to other household income, and a new rent is determined. This policy is applied to all such cases and was applied in the case of Mrs Santos. I believe that this method is fair and equitable. If two people came from overseas and had no income, the honourable member would not charge them any rent at all for a house. The honourable member also displayed his lack of knowledge of accounting. Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1497 Mr Campbell: That is good! Mr WHARTON: It is tme. The amount transferted to accumulated funds was $23.6m. This money was spent. It was invested in home loans, rental housing, land, etc. The amount of actual cash available at the close of business—the only thing that will finance anything—was only $24,186. I would be pleased to instmct the honourable member on the basics of accounting. Land rents and freeholding were also mentioned. The commission is a business undertaking and, like any business, should get a retura on its investments, and that is the philosophy behind rents and the freeholding of land. Mr Campbell: You are there to provide accommodation for underprivileged people, not to make money. Mr WHARTON: Previously, 1 said that anyone who does not cut square will go broke. We are trying to do a job for everybody in this State. Previously, I answered the comments of the honourable member for Bundaberg on E. J. Developments, but I must once again stress that, prior to awarding a contract, my department does a comprehensive check on tenderers. Contractors do not go broke as a result of non-payment by my department. We pay promptly for work completed satisfactorily and we expect the buUder to pay his subcontractors. I thank the honourable member for Bundaberg for raising the matter of the Special Major Capital Works Program and the efforts of my department in spending $28m last financial year. This amount is what was forecast would be spent. The honourable member is obviously not aware that before one can constmct a building one must plan for it. Because of the efforts of my officers, the bulk of the work under this major program has now been let to contract and $ 130m is expected to be spent this financial year. Because of time constraints, the contract for the constmction of the TAFE college at Hervey Bay was let on the design and constmct basis, and I am pleased to say that the building will be ready for the commencement of the 1986 school year. I also thank the honourable member for drawing attention to the magnificent job that my department is doing in training apprentices. For his information, I point out that my department commenced 87 apprentices in 1982, 98 in 1983, 97 in 1984 and 103 in 1985. My department and the Goverament are proud of thefr record in the training of apprentices in this State. Mr Campbell: I congratulate you on that. Mr WHARTON: The honourable member likes to put it the other way if he can. I thank the honourable member for Aspley (Mr CahUl) for his remarks and for his continued representation on behalf of his constituents. I have noted the comments of the honourable member for Archerfield (Mr Palaszczuk) about the constmction of pensioner units. It should be noted that the commission has a poUcy of endeavouring to encourage aged pensioners without depen­ dants to move to units. It is also policy to build units in areas where there are congregations of aged persons. It is also interesting to note that aged persons are generally most reluctant to leave their home of many years. I will advise the honourable member conceming the land that he mentioned. The honourable member for TownsviUe (Mr McEUigott) raised the matter of modular buildings. There are dual reasons for providing these buildings. They are provided to meet the immediate accommodation needs of schools where, in fiiture years, enrolments can be expected to decline. These buildings can then be relocated, and 30 such buildings were transferted for the 1985 school year. They are provided also because there are

68706—5! 1498 26 September 1985 Supply (Estimates) insufficient fiinds to constmct all needed accommodation in permanent constmction. He also raised the siting of the Condon High School. This site was fuUy investigated foUowing representations, and the demographic survey confirmed the original decision. The redevelopment of Eventide at Charters Towers will be carried out on a staged basis, and planning is presently proceeding for Stage 1. I might mention that the honourable member for Flinders (Mr Katter) has played a strong and active part in this redevelopment proposal. The honourable member for Cunningham (Mr EUiott) raised various matters conceraing several schools in his electorate, and I thank him for his concera. I can assure him that I will give careful consideration to all the matters that he raised. I am pleased to say that in regard to one of his major conceras, the administration block at the Oakey High School, planning is nearing completion and tenders wiU be caUed in the not-too-distant future. A sick-bay will be included in the building. It was refreshing to hear the comments of the honourable member for Yeronga conceraing the capital gains tax and negative gearing. There is no doubt that he was quite correct when he said that rents wiU go up, investment in rental housing wiU all but cease, and wait-Usts for public housing will increase. The only possible result for the conceraed tax-payers of Australia is increased taxes to pay for more public housing. The tax initiatives also do nothing to encourage the home-owner. They are forcing our society fiirther dovm the road to socialism and destroying the initiative and self-help that is part of our heritage. The honourable member for Murmmba asked about access to certain new schools in his electorate and referted, in particular, to the planning needed for set-dovm areas. I emphasise that my Department of Works always co-operates with local authorities in the provision of set-down bays. Wherever such areas are deemed necessary, the Crovm land is transferted to the local authority free of cost. I have mentioned already the maintenance program undertaken by the Works Department. At this point, approximately $38,000 worth of work has been approved and is in progress at KaUangur State School. Further maintenance work has been programmed to be carried out at that school this financial year. With regard to the tuck-shop at the Petrie State School—planning is presently being undertaken. I thank the honourable member for Greenslopes for her contribution and, in particular, for her acknowledgement of the work undertaken by the Department of Works in preserving our Queensland heritage. It goes without saying that my department does a particularly fine job. I also thank the honourable member for Mirani for his valuable contribution to the debate. I refer once again to the remarks of the member for Chatsworth and his figures relating to pork-bartelUng. I said earUer that I was sceptical about his figures because no explanation had been given as to how they were derived, and the honourable member has not suppUed any explanation since then. The honourable member can cortect me if I am wrong, but I understand that he did his analysis on the figures provided in the Works Department annual report. It is obvious tiiat he has taken figuresfro m appendix 3 in the report, which lists the particulars of more important—larger—works completed, or in progress, during the financial year. I repeat—and it is shovm clearly at the top of the tables—appendix 3 contains particulars of the more important works completed, or in progress, during the financial year. In other words, it is not a complete list of spending. The honourable member is basing his case on incomplete figures. I would not have needed to answer the outburst of the honourable member for Chatsworth if I had waited for the contribution of the honourable member for Port Supply (Estimates) 26 September 1985 1499

Curtis, because he clearly outlined and supported the Goverament's poUcy of spending money where the need exists. The honourable member for Port Curtis will be pleased to know that the commission has on the 1985-86 program two four-bedroom houses, ten two-bedroom apartments and eight pensioner units. I suggest that any persons wanting to purchase their home in Gladstone should apply. In fact, through the honourable member, one current application is being approved. Although the restriction on sale has not been removed, it has certainly been eased. I have noted the comments of the honourable member for Ipswich West regarding housing, and the matters he raised will be considered. The honourable member should note that the commission is very conscious of the need for gardens and landscaping, and all new projects are provided with low-maintenance gardens. The pmning of trees is performed only when it is considered that drainage or sewerage lines may be damaged. I thank the honourable member for Gympie for his contribution and compliment him on his grasp of various aspects of my portfolio. If the honourable member for BuUmba believes that the Main Roads Department, with 400 houses, has more tenants than the Queensland Housing Commission, which has some 22 500 residences, he shows a lamentable lack of knowledge on a subject about which he professes to know a lot. He also displayed his lack of knowledge further by demanding that the standard of private rental housing be controlled by my portfolio. For his information, I inform him that it is to the Brisbane City Council and the Department of Health that those matters should be reported, and appropriate action will follow an examination of the properties. The analysis by the member for Mount Gravatt of the claims made by the member for Chatsworth illustrates quite clearly what I have said about the statements made by Mr Mackenroth in this Chamber today. The member for Chatsworth too often tries the "quickie" approach to these matters, with the intention of grabbing a fast headUne. The honourable member for Everton inquired about the fabricated house that was on display at the Queensland Institute of Technology grounds. The commission had one of those homes constmcted at Acacia Ridge, and it has been tenanted for a number of years. The factory that suppUed the house was to come to Queensland and begin manufacture, but that has not eventuated. In the commission's experience, it can provide an attractive, more durable home for much the same cost as prefabricated housing of the type that was on display, and the longevity of the standard-type housing is a better economic proposition. Mr Underwood: What about the purchase of rental homes in Ipswich? Are you going to change that? Mr WHARTON: I said that my department wiU consider aU of those aspects. Indeed, they are given consideration on a day-to-day basis. The honourable member for Everton raised also the matter of training of buUders in financial matters. The board is now conducting a course in financial management, and it will be a requirement for builders to complete that course prior to registration. I thank the honourable member for CaUide for his remarks. Certainly, the Housing Commission has been active in the provision of pensioner units and welfare accommodation. At 9.51 p.m.. The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr Menzel): Order! By agreement, under the provisions of the Sessional Order agreed to by the House on 25 September, I shaU now put the questions for the Vote under consideration and the balance remaining unvoted for Works and Housing. 1500 26 September 1985 Australia Acts (Request) Bill

The questions for the foUowing Votes were put, and agreed to—- Works and Housing— $ Chief Office, Department of Works 32,242,100 Balance of Vote, ConsoUdated Revenue, Tmst and Special Funds, and Loan Fund Account 722,329,280 Progress reported.

AUSTRALIA ACTS (REQUEST) BILL Hon. Sfr JOH BJELKE-PETERSEN (Barambah—Premier and Treasurer), by leave, without notice: I move— "That leave be given to bring in a BiU to enable the constitutional arrangements affecting the Commonwealth and the States to be brought into conformity with the status of the Commonwealth of AustraUa as a sovereign, independent and federal nation." Motion agreed to. Ffrst Reading BiU presented and, on motion of Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, read a first time. Second Reading Hon. Sfr JOH BJELKE-PETERSEN (Barambah—Premier and Treasurer) (9.54 p.m.): I move— "That the Bill be now read a second time." This Bill is the first stage in the implementation of the agreement reached between all State Govemments and the Commonwealth Goverament to remove the constitutional Unks which remain between Australia and the United Kingdom Parliament, Government and judicial system, and to substitute new constitutional provisions and procedural arrangements. Her Majesty and the United Kingdom Goverament have concurted in the agreement. In particular, the implementation of the agreement will bring the constitutional artangements affecting the States into conformity with the status of Australia as a sovereign, independent and federal nation, whose States are sovereign within their constitutional sphere. The specific details of this agreement have been reached following extensive consultations that have taken place over a number of years between the Commonwealth, State and United Kingdom Goveraments and Her Majesty The Queen. In those discussions, the Queensland Goverament has at all times played a leading role, in order to secure and enhance the constitutional position of the State, its relationship to the Crown, and the role of the Goveraor and Parliament of this State as free from interference by any other Goverament. The agreement that has been reached has many elements. One or two are elements that Queensland would have preferted not to see, but most are elements that strengthen the position of this State and which, it is no secret, some of those involved in these consultations in Australia have been very reluctant to concede. That is why the agreement has to be taken as a whole, and why I commend the package, as a whole, to this House. At the outset, I emphasise that nothing in the legislation will impair the constitutional position of Her Majesty in the Goverament of each State and the Commonwealth of Australia. On the contrary, the effect of the legislation will be to bring the Crovm closer to the people and Goverament of this State, since the Queen, instead of being formally advised on State matters by United Kingdom Ministers, will be advised by the State Premier. Australia Acts (Request) Bill 26 September 1985 1501

Putting the agreement into effect involves the State, Commowealth and United Kingdom Parliaments. The form of the relevant legislation has been agreed by aU Goveraments. Ultimately, the key elements will be an Act of the Federal Parliament and, more significantly, in our view, an Act of the United Kingdom Parliament, each to be known as the Australia Act, and each identical in all material respects. The two AustraUa Acts will be proclaimed to come into operation simultaneously. By this unique legislative means, it has been possible to resolve the legal and political difficulties inherent in the historic step we are taking. In accordance with the agreed procedure and to satisfy constitutional requirements, before the Australia Acts can be enacted, the Pariiament and Goverament of every State will— (1) request the Commonwealth Parliament, pursuant to section 51(38) of the Commonwealth Constitution, to enact its Australia Act; (2) request and consent, in accordance with constitutional convention, to the United Kingdom Pariiament enacting its Australia Act; and (3) request and consent to the Commonwealth Parliament in tura requesting and consenting to the United Kingdom Parliament enacting its Australia Act. The request and consent of the Commonwealth Parliament to the Australia Act of the United Kingdom is required by section 4 of the Statute of Westminster. Clauses 2, 3 and 4 respectively of the Bill now before the House achieve each of these three prerequisites. The First Schedule contains the proposed Australia Act of the Commonwealth Parliament. The Second Schedule contains the proposed Australia (Request and Consent) Act by which the Commonwealth Parliament and Goverament, pursuant to section 4 of the Statute of Westminster, will request and consent to the enactment of the Australia Act of the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom Parliament's Australia Act appears in the present Bill as a schedule to the Australia (Request and Consent) Act. It is identical in all material respects to the Australia Act of the Commonwealth Pariiament. There are very minor differences, especially in the interpretation clause (clause 16), but these differences are necessary because they are Acts of different Parliaments. It is hoped that all State Parliaments will pass this legislation in time for the Commonwealth Parliament to pass its Australia Bill and the AustraUa (Request and Consent) Bill during its current session. In this event, the United Kingdom Goverament has agreed to set aside time early in 1986 for the passage of its Australia Act. It is the United Kingdom Parliament's Australia Act that, in the view of the Queensland Goverament, is the decisive measure in the whole set of enactments. In brief, the Australia Acts will terminate aU power that remains in the United Kingdom Pariiament,to make laws having effect as part of the law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory of Australia. The Australia Acts will make important changes by removing existing fetters and limitations on the legislative powers of the Parliaments of the Australian States that stem, by and large, from their origins as English colonies. The residual powers of the United Kingdom Parliament to make laws for the peace, order and good goverament of a State will be expressly vested in the Parliament of the State. Any existing uncertainty as to the capacity of State Parliaments to make laws that have an extra-territorial operation will be removed, but not so as to confer any additional capacity to engage in relations with countries outside Australia. The Colonial Laws Validity Act will not apply to State laws made after the commencement of the AustraUa Acts; nor will the common law doctrine of repugnancy. 1502 26 September 1985 Australia Acts (Request) Bill

An effect of these changes will be that, in fiiture,Stat e Pariiaments will have full legislative power to repeal or alter any United Kingdom law that presently applies in the State. The changes in the legislative powers of State Parliaments are subject to the Commonwealth Constitution and the Commonwealth Constitution Act and do not enable State Parliaments to alter the Commonwealth Constitution, the Commonwealth Constitution Act, the Statute of Westminster or the Australia Acts. But the changes deUberately preserve the entrenchment of various provisions of our State Constitution. As weU, residual executive powers of the United Kingdom Goverament with respect to the States will be terminated. The legislation wiU also remove the remaining avenues of appeal from Australian courts to the Privy CouncU, making the High Court of Australia the final court of appeal for aU AustraUan courts. This will end the anomalous situation, in the area of legal precedent, in which a State Supreme Court could find itself faced with two binding, yet conflicting, authorities. Though some would have preferted to retain the jurisdiction of the Privy Council in matters of State law, the ending of its jurisdiction has been a necessary part of the overall agreement, an agreement which, as I have said, is highly advantageous to the State and its institutional relationship to the Crovm. It must not be forgotten that constitutional changes initiated outside Queensland have meant that for more than 15 years the Privy CouncU has been unable to play any role in protecting the constitutional position of the State. Over the years, the Privy Council itself has increasingly indicated that it regards its role in relation to AustraUa as of decreasing legal significance, because of its remoteness from Australian conditions. A major change to be effected by the Australia Acts conceras State Goveraors. Except for the power of appointment and dismissal of State Goveraors, Goveraors will be vested with aU of the Queen's powers and fiinctions in respect of the States. Her Majesty will, however, be able to exercise any of those powers and functions when she is personaUy present in the State. In the appointment and dismissal of State Goveraors, and in the exercise of her powers and fiinctions when she is personally present in a State, Her Majesty will be directly advised by the Premier of the State conceraed. The Australia Acts thus estabUsh the constitutional role of the Premiers in directly advising the Queen. Her Majesty has already expressed her concurrence in this development, by which the role of the Crown wiU be adjusted to suit the needs of the Australian Federation. Clause 7 of the Australia Acts specifically provides that Her Majesty's representative in each State shall be the Goveraor. This provision, which fiiUy secures the office of Goveraor, will render the establishment of a republic in AusfraUa a very difficult exercise. Whilst Her Majesty will be able to exercise any of her powers and functions normally performed by the Goveraor when she is personally present in the State, all State Premiers have expressly concurted in an undertaking that Her Majesty will be only formally advised to exercise those powers and functions, when in a State, where there has been mutual and prior agreement between the Queen and the Premier. It is expected that this will become accepted as a convention goveraing the circumstances in which the Queen wiU exercise such powers. The Goveraor of a State in future will be able to assent to all laws enacted by the ParUament of a State. The Goveraor will no longer be required to withhold assent from certain types of BiUs, nor will any Bill be reserved for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure. In future, Her Majesty will not be able to disallow an Act to which the Govemor has assented (a royal power for the govemment of colonies that has not been exercised in Australia for generations), nor shall any State Act be suspended pending the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure. The AustraUa Acts themselves and the Statute of Westminster in its application to Australia wiU be able to be repealed or amended in the future, but only by an Act of Australia Acts (Request) Bill 26 September 1985 1503 the Commonwealth Parliament passed at the request or with the concurrence of the ParUaments of all the States. The Australia Acts also make necessary consequential changes to the Constitution of this State, and to simUar constitutional provisions in Westera AustraUa. Before 1 tura to the detailed provisions of the AustraUa Acts, I shoiUd mention one other important element in the overall agreement about new constitutional arrangements. It has been agreed that State Goveraments will continue to be able to use the imperial honours system if they wish. In fiiture, recommendations for honours at the instigation of State Govemments will be tendered by the Premier of the State dfrect to Her Majesty and wiU no longer involve the provision of advice from United Kingdom Ministers. Her Majesty has agreed to this new arrangement, and the United Kingdom is curtently drafting amendments to the statutes and wartants goveming the various honours to provide for this change. The existing arrangements for the Commonwealth Govemment to use the imperial honours system will continue, and the existing quota system wiU continue to apply to State and Commonwealth awards. I tum now to the detaUed provisions of the proposed AustraUa Acts. Clause 1 is designed to terminate the power of the United Kingdom ParUament to enact legislation having effect as part of AustraUan law, whether as law of the Commonwealth, of a State or of a Territory. It thereby achieves complete legislative independence of Australia from the United Kingdom. Clause 2, which must be read subject to clauses 5 and 6, declares and enacts in subclause (1) that each State ParUament has fiiU power to legislate extra-territoriaUy, provided that the laws are for the peace, order and good govemment of the State. This subclause corresponds to section 3 of the Statute of Westminster, which provides that the Commonwealth Parliament has fiiU power to make laws having extra-territorial operation. Subclause (2) will remove, from the otherwise plenary legislative powers of the States, any other limitations attributable to their former colonial status. The States are not, by this subclause, given additional power to estabUsh diplomatic relations with other countries, or relations in the nature of diplomatic relations. Clause 3 is modelled on section 2 of the Statute of Westminster, which appUes to Commonwealth legislation. Clause 3(1) will remove the fetters imposed upon the States by the Imperial Colonial Laws Validity Act 1865. State ParUaments will thereby be freed from section 2 of that Act, which prevented States from legislating inconsistently with United Kingdom Acts extending to the State. This provision, however, is prospective and wiU not vaUdate any past State legislation already void for repugnancy; nor will the removal of the Colonial Laws Validity Act limitations remove the bases on which certain State constitutional provisions have been entrenched, since section 5 of the Colonial Laws VaUdity Act, which hitherto provided that basis, is replaced by the virtuaUy identical provisions of clause 6. Mr SPEAKER: Order! Far too many committee meetings are taking place in the Chamber. I ask honourable members to tura thefr attention to the legislation that is presentiy before the House. Sfr JOH BJELKE-PETERSEN: It must be too compUcated for them and they are having difficulty foUowing it. Clause 3 (2), which AviU operate subject to clauses 5 and 6, wiU exclude the common law repugnancy doctrine and make it clear that State ParUaments wiU be able to enact legislation repugnant to the laws of England or to existing or fiiture United Kingdom Acts, and that those Acts may be repealed or amended by a State ParUament insofar as they form part of the law of the State. 1504 26 September 1985 Australia Acts (Request) Bill

Clause 4 expressly repeals sections 735 and 736 of the Imperial Merchant Shipping Act 1894 insofar as they form part of the laws of a State. This clause makes it unnecessary for the States to enact special legislation, pursuant to section 2 (2) and section 3 of the Australia Acts, to free themselves from the restrictions imposed by sections 735 and 736 of the Merchant Shipping Act, under which certain State laws on merchant shipping require the confirmation of the Queen acting on the advice of United Kingdom Ministers, or must be reserved for the signification of the Queen's pleasure. Clause 4 cortesponds to section 5 of the Statute of Westminister 1931 in relation to Commonwealth Acts. Clause 5 qualifies clause 2 and clause 3 (2) by making their grant or declaration of State legislative power subject to the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act and the Commonwealth Constitution. Clause 5 goes on to provide that those clauses do not operate so as to give effect to any provision of a State Act which would repeal, amend or be repugnant to the Australia Acts, the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, the Commonwealth Constitution or the Statute of Westminster, as amended and in force from time to time. Clause 6 preserves the entrenched provisions of State Constitutions by providing that a law of a State respecting the constitution, powers or procedure of the Parliament of that State shall be of no force or effect unless made in the manner and form, if any, required by a law made by that Parliament, whether before or after the commencement of the AustraUa Acts. This provision is included because of the repeal of the Colonial Laws Validity Act (section 5) by the Australia Acts, which hitherto has supported the entrenching provisions in the constitutional law of the State. Clause 7 deals with the powers and functions of Her Majesty and the Goveraor in respect of the States. By subclause (2), and subject to later subclauses, the Goveraor of a State, as Her Majesty's representative, is invested with all of Her Majesty's powers and functions in respect of the State, and, in future, the Goveraor, not Her Majesty (save when she is personally present in the State), will exercise those powers. The word "only" is included in subclause (2), after informal consideration of the proposal by Her Majesty, to avoid the possibility of Her Majesty being advised to override a decision reached by a Goveraor, or of Her Majesty being advised to act in a matter which has not been placed before the Goveraor. By subclause (3), Her Majesty will continue to appoint and to terminate the appointment of the Goveraor of a State. By subclause (4), when Her Majesty is present in a State, she may exercise any of her powers and functions normally exercised by the Goveraor. Sublause (5) provides for the Premier to advise Her Majesty in relation to the exercise by Her Majesty of her powers and functions in respect of the State. Her Majesty has formally indicated her concurtence in this major constitutional development, which is unique. The phrase "The advice" precludes formal advice from any other source and wiU, inter aUa, preclude conflicting formal advice from United Kingdom or Commonwealth Ministers, or from Premiers of other States. With respect to subclauses (4) and (5), as I previously indicated, all Premiers have formally agreed that the exercise by Her Majesty of her powers and functions when in a State will only occur where there has been mutual and prior agreement between the respective Premier and Her Majesty. It is also agreed that clause 7 has no operation with respect to imperial honours. Clauses 8 and 9 are designed to put an end to the mechanisms dating from colonial days whereby supervision of the legislation enacted by State Parliaments was achieved. Clause 8 will put an end in existing powers of the Queen to disallow a State Act to which the Goveraor has assented and will prevent any requirement for the operation of State laws to be suspended pending signification of the Queen's pleasure. Australia Acts (Request) Bill 26 September 1985 1505 Cause 9 is aimed at discontinuing the role of Her Majesty in assenting to BiUs of State Parliaments, a role which has long since been a pure formality, a residue of former methods of imperial control over colonies. Clause 9(1) provides that any law or instmment requiring a Goveraor to withhold assent from any Bill passed by a State Parliament in accordance with any applicable manner and form requirement, is to.be of no effect. An example of such a requirement is clause VII of the curtent Instmctions to the Govemor. Clause 9 (2) will preclude the operation of any law or instmment which requires the reservation of any State Bill for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure. Examples of such requirements may be found in the Order in Council of 1859 establishing the first Goverament of Queensland, in section 1 of the Australian States Constitution Act 1907, and in section 3 of the Constitution Act Amendment Act of 1934. Clause 10 cortesponds to sections in various United Kingdom Independence Acts and provides that, after the commencement of the Acts, the United Kingdom Goverament is to have no responsibility for the goverament of any State. Clause 11 will terminate appeals to the Privy Council from Australian courts. I have already commented on this element of the agreement. The only point to be made here is that clause 11 (4) ensures that where an appeal has been instituted or special leave to appeal been granted before the commencement of the Australia Acts, such appeals may proceed. Clause 12, which supplements clause 1, expressly repeals section 4, sections 9 (2) and (3), and section 10 (2) of the Statute of Westminster insofar as they form part of Australian law. Section 4 of the Statute of Westminster provides that no United Kingdom Act passed after the commencement of the Statute shall extend, or be deemed to extend, to a Dominion as a part of the law of the Dominion, unless it is expressly declared in that Act that that Dominion has requested, and consented to, the enactment thereof (and section 9 (3) of the Statute of Westminster provides that, in the case of Australia, the relevant request and consent is that of the Commonwealth Parliament and Goverament). Section 9 (2) of the Statute of Westminster preserves the State's power to request the United Kingdom Parliament to legislate for the State in respect of certain matters, namely, matters within the authority of the State and not of the Commonwealth Pariiament or Goverament. Sections 4 and 9 (2) of the Statute of Westminster will be superseded by clause 1 of the Australia Acts, which, as I have already said, will abolish completely any power of the United Kingdom ParUament to legislate for AustraUa. Mr Scott: What clause number is that? Sfr JOH BJELKE-PETERSEN: Is the honourable member memorising aU the provisions from the beginning? Mr Scott: No. We will take it as read, if you like. Sfr JOH BJELKE-PETERSEN: I would not mind doing that, either. The remaining provison of the Statute of Westminster which has needed to be dealt with by the Australia Acts is section 10 (2). That subsection provides that a Dominion Parliament may at any time revoke its adoption of the statute. That provision is clearly inappropriate in the new constitutional stmcture which the Australia Acts embody. Clause 13 amends certain provisions of the Queensland Constitution Acts. These provisions, like the similar provisions in Westera Australia which are amended by clause 14, were introduced in 1977 to protect the office of Goveraor. Now that the position of the Goveraor is to be fiilly secured by clause 7 of these BiUs, and the functions formerly exercised by British Ministers are to be fiilly transferred to the Queensland Goverament by clauses 7 (9) and 10, it is necessary to remove from our Constitution Acts the reference to United Kingdom instmmentaUties and persons. 1506 26 September 1985 Australia Acts (Request) Bill

Subclause (2) of clause 13 removes from section llA of the Constitution Acts (Queensland) the references to the signet (a seal held by the Secretary of State in the United Kingdom), and to the Great Seal of the United Kingdom. The office of Goveraor is now sufficiently constituted by section 1 lA itself Subclause (2) also removes a part of the definition of Administrator of the Goverament of the State, a part which is now redundant and can better be provided for by the new statutory or prerogative measures which wiU be needed to replace the existing letters patent and Royal Instmctions to the Govemor. These new measures wiU be introduced in time to come into force at the same time as, or immediately before, the AustraUa Acts. Subclause (5) removes from section IIB of the Constitution Acts (Queensland) its references to instmctions to the Goveraor from the Privy Council or a Secretary of State in the United Kingdom. The instmctions that were contemplated by section IIB concemed the reservation of BiUs, and clause 9 of these Australia Acts ensures that there wiU in future be no need for, or possibility of, reservation. The other provisions of subclause (3) remove fiirther references to the signet. Subclause (4) makes a purely consequential amendment to section 14 of the Constitution Acts, in view of the amendment of section IIB. What this ParUament sought to achieve in 1977 is now fully achieved by the provisions of these Australia Acts, which secure the position of the Goveraor, and the relationship of Queensland Ministers to the Crown and to the Queen herself, in a way never before achieved. Clause 15 is designed to secure the Australia Acts and the Statute of Westminster as it operates in Australia, against any amendment or repeal which does not have support throu^out Australia. A unique system has been divised by which such amendment or repeal may only be made if all State Parliaments and the Commonwealth Pariiament agree. Subclause (3) leaves open the possibility that a future amendment to the Common­ wealth Constitution using the section 128 referendum procedure might give the Com­ monwealth Parliament power to effect some alteration to the Australia Acts or the Statute of Westminster. Clauses 16 and 17 will provide for matters of interpretation, short title and commencement. There are minor differences in clauses 16 and 17 between the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth Australia Acts because they will be Acts of different Parliaments, brought into force simultaneoulsy by different methods of proclamation. An example of these minor differences is that the Statute of Westminster does not need defining in the United Kingdom Act. The Commonwealth Australia BiU bears the date "1986", since it is proposed that it should commence operation at the same time as the United Kingdom Australia Act. Mr Speaker, implementation of these changes will represent the completion of a unique project of major significance which has received the support of aU Goveraments in Australia, regardless of their political composition. These changes wiU complete the process of Australia's constitutional development commenced at the beginning of this century. Laws and procedures which are anachronistic will be eliminated and new arrangements which reflect Australia's status as an independent and sovereign nation wiU be substituted. The capacity of the State to exercise fully the powers and functions appropriate to its constitutional position in the Federation will be brought to full maturity, and the control of the constitutional instmmentalities of the State will be secured to the State's own Parliament and Govemment and to them alone. I commend the Bill to the House. Debate, on motion of Mr Warburton, adjouraed. Local Govemment Act Amendment Bill (No. 2) 26 September 1985 1507

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) Second Reading—Resumption of Debate Debate resumed from 19 September (see p. 1144) on Mr Hinze's motion— "That the Bill be now read a second time." Mr SHAW (Wynnum) (10.22 p.m.): I must begin by protesting at the contempt that the Minister for Local Goverament, Main Roads and Racing (Mr Hinze) has shown for this House in the way in which he released to the media a statement in which he said that the debate on this Bill would not be concluded tonight. That was in contrast to the last statement that he made to the House, which was to the effect that not only would the Bill pass all stages tonight, but also he would give honourable members a thorough and satisfactory explanation of why it was necessary for the amendments to be made. In his statement to the media, the Minister announced that he would delay the passage of the Bill to allow people outside this Chamber to express their opinion on what should happen with the Bill. At the same time, he has indicated that, irtespective of what anybody might say, there will be no changes. It seems to me that it is a repetition of the farce in relation to the rezoning of land at Teneriffe. In that instance, the Goverament called for objections and invited people to give their views on which zoning should obtain. At the same time, it has proceeded with the rezoning and ignored whatever might be said. What the Minister is saying is that people have the right to present their views but that nobody will listen to them. In relation to the rezoning of the land at Teneriffe—as has been confirmed by the acting Minister for Water Resources, the work is already under way. The Goverament has given permission for the work to be undertaken, which is in conflict with the laws of this State. The work that has been authorised by the Goverament is in fact prohibited under the town plan. We have witnessed the complete farce of advertisements being placed in the press inviting people to lodge objections, yet the Goverament has indicated quite clearly, because it has given authority for the work to proceed, that whatever people might say will not be considered. Tonight, this Chamber is being treated in a similar way. We have been told that, irtespective of what anybody might say, the Bill will be passed in its present form. The statements made this evening on television by the Minister for Local Govemment were amazing. He said that the reason that there would be an adjourament

Mr SPEAKER: Order! Does the honourable member intend speaking to the BUl?

Mr SHAW: I am speaking to the Bill, Mr Speaker. The Minister for Local Govemment said that the BiU would not be debated tonight in order that members of the legal profession would have the opportunity to express a view as to what the Bill should contain. At the same time, he indicated that those views would have to be treated with some suspicion because the legal profession has a vested interest. For goodness' sake! What about the developers who have approached the Minister and the Govemment seeking these amendments? If they do not have a vested interest, I do not know who does. Councillors who are parties to appeals also have vested interests. I submit that the legal profession probably has the. least interest in this whole affair.

Mr Hamill: The developers have the big interests.

Mr SHAW: The developers, who have the most notable vested interests, are given the highest priority by this Goverament. The Minister for Industry, Small Business and Technology (Mr Ahem) indicated that, in his opinion, the Local Goverament Court is no longer the appropriate body to 1508 26 September 1985 Local Government Act Amendment Bill (No. 2) hear appeals. However, tonight, the House is debating a BiU that continues to provide for appeals for some people through the Local Goverament Court. It is obvious that the Goverament is not conceraed about the rights of small business. If honourable members have any doubt about the lack of respect that the Goverament has for the rights of objectors, they have only to examine the rezonings that have been carried out over the last two years on the initiative of the Minister for Local Goverament. When the Minister undertakes rezonings, objectors have no right of appeal, and that is what this Bill sets out to achieve. Over the last two years, the Minister's rezonings have, on average, been carried out once a fortnight. That is a matter about which the general community should express grave concera. The Goverament claims that this BUl has the aim of reducing delays that are unnecessary and are hindering development in this State whenever developers apply for approval of projects. For many years, this Goverament has expressed concera over the time taken to obtain rezoning approvals. In fact, over the last seven years, several amendments have been made to the Local Goverament Act and the City of Brisbane Town Planning Act, amendments which, it was claimed, would reduce or eUminate delays in tovm-planning approvals. In almost every case, the amendments were hastUy contrived, poorly researched, and, as a result, made the situation worse. In the present instance, the Opposition believes that the amendments proposed not only wiU eUminate unnecessarily the rights of the ordinary citizen but also will not result in a commensurate reduction in time lost in gaining approvals. My immediate reaction on hearing the proposal was that it would not be acceptable and that it was undesirable. When 1 heard the Minister's press release that he intended to introduce the Bill into the House, I informed the media that the Opposition would have no option but to oppose it. That is not to say that the Opposition does not recognise that problems exist in the present legislation. There have been occasions when objectors misuse their rights under the Act to fmstrate unnecessarily the aims of developers, sometimes to their own financial advantage. These occasions are not as common as the Minister would have us beUeve. However, they loom large in the minds of developers and of some councillors, who see their role on the council as being representatives of developers, speculators and others. These councillors continue speculative activities while serving on the council. That should be illegal, and the Minister should address that issue. It cannot be denied that a few people misuse the system; nor can it be denied that there is not justification for eliminating people's rights because some people misuse the system. People misuse telephones, but nobody seriously suggests that telephones should be eliminated, because there is obviously a greater good to be obtained by their existence. In our view, this is the situation with the rights of people to object to amendments to town plans. It is difficult to understand why the Goverament committee, which was referted to by the Minister when introducing the Bill, has accepted the elimination of objectors' rights as the only avenue open to solve the problem. It would appear that Goverament members have accepted the view of developers, and apparently the Premier, without question. Recent statements by the Premier indicated he is the driving force behind this amendment, offering his total support to his powerful friends at the expense of the ordinary small-businessman and citizen, as is the Premier's custom. It must be disappointing for those smaU business organisations that supported National Party candidates in the belief that the National Party policy of support for small business would be implemented and now find, on contacting their local members, that their rights are to be eliminated without question. Small business lobbying of Govemment back-benchers is falling on deaf ears. Small businessmen must be disappointed to receive no sympathy. As one businessman told me, when he endeavoured to discuss Local Govemment Act Amendment Bill (No. 2) 26 September 1985 1509 the BiU with his National Party member he was met with a recitation of the official Une. There is almost universal opposition to what the Govemment intends, and with good reason. Opposition has come from the Small Business Association, the Law Society, the Bar Association, the Queensland Retail Traders Association, the Queensland Council for Civil Liberties, conservation groups and private citizens. Mr Hinze: You forgot the ALP. Mr SHAW: And the ALP. That goes without saying. I have already mentioned that. Even the non-voting associate members of this House from the Liberal Party recognise that this issue is one on which they must take a stand. The Govemment is grossly over-reacting. It is a matter of the patient having a sore toe, and the Goverament amputating a leg. The Opposition firmly beUeves that the amendments must be given further consideration. IdeaUy this could be done by a joint committee of the House. I urge the Minister to take this course. At the same time, I recognise that, given the Goverament's unwillingness to accept such democratic proce­ dures, this course is unlikely. Mr Hinze: How about you, Warbie and me? That would be all right, wouldn't it? Mr SHAW: I reckon the Leader of the Opposition and I would be able to contribute quite a deal. Obviously our contributions are sorely needed. A committee, even of Goverament members, surely would be capable of seeking advice from all sections who object to the proposal and researching thoroughly what councils, town-planners and developers might suggest as other options of improving the system without dismantling important parts of it. It would appear that only the National Party does not beUeve that the rights of ordinary citizens who pay rates, and of smaU- businessmen, are as important as those of developers who seek to use the system for their ovm purpose. Remember, applications for rezonings come about because developers and specu­ lators desfre to change the law to suit their own needs. Town plans exist to guide the proper development of an area in the best interests of its citizens now and in the future. TheoreticaUy, amendments should not be necessary. Because anticipated developments do not occur or perhaps occur in different areas, and because of the need for rectification of planning mistakes, they are necessary. Another reason for amendments is that, quite often, developers find they can make increased profits by using land which is more cheaply avaUable or more convenient than land that has been planned and zoned for the purpose that they require. That is the most common reason why people apply for rezonings. So they are applying to alter the law for their own convenience and profit— to suit their own needs. There is some doubt in some people's minds that developers should have this right at all, but the Opposition is not arguing that view here today. What it is arguing is that the community as a whole has an equal right to put its views on the proposed amendment to a plan which, theoretically at least, was made with the involvment of citizens. If the opinions of the citizens, and the overall effect on the citizens by these amendments to the town plan, are not to be considered to the fiiUest, the question must arise as to whether there is any point in having town plans at all. The need for this amendment has not been clearly established. Only recently, amendments to the Local Goverament Act were introduced to provide for pre-hearing discussions to eliminate unnecessary delays with appeals. To date, the Minister has not indicated whether or not the expected improvement has taken place. My understanding is that, as a result of this amendment and for other reasons, the position has improved. 1510 26 September 1985 Local Govemment Act Amendment Bill (No. 2)

The Goverament could and should look at the total picture to eliminate delay. Some delays result from understaffing in the Local Goverament Department, and, I understand, delays in the Tities Office of one month are quite common. The question that needs to be addressed is whether or not the Local Goverament Court is still the most appropriate body to consider objections, and whether it would reduce the costs involved and also save time if a tribunal was appointed to arbitrate. The amendment proposed suggests that the Local Goverament Court is failing to act as efficientiy as it might, and poses questions as to whether the court is stiU the most appropriate body. If these other options have been considered by the Goverament's committee, the Opposition has been given no indication to that effect in this House. Rather, it seems that the big developers have complained to the Premier and Treasurer (Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen), and he has come out swinging wildly. I repeat that it would be entirely appropriate to delay the Bill and allow a joint party committee or some other committee to investigate other options. The only comments in favour of the Goverament's proposal have come from those inconvenienced by the present situation. My use of the word "inconvenienced" is deliberate. CounciUors who object to what they regard as uninformed people disagreeing with their decisions apparently have made recommendations on the Bill. The Minister said that the Local Goverament Association has not objected. Although it might not have objected to it, it will not be disadvantaged. The Opposition has considered moving amendments to the Bill to set up more efficient means of dealing with appeals without eliminating citizen's rights. I have been forced to the conclusion that this is not feasible. As I have already outlined, other options would, I have no doubt, improve the situation. If more time were available, other options could be discussed. The matter requires full consideration and research into all likely effects. To do otherwise would repeat the mistakes inherent in the Goverament's proposition. The problems are further complicated by the unbelieveably convoluted condition of section 33 of the Local Goverament Act. This section, because of the constant and recurtent amendments, defies all but the most expert and familiar to make sense of it. Section 33 is 66 pages long, section 33A having been repealed. It has been numbered, renumbered, indexed with letters from the alphabet, which then had to be added to by the use of lower case letters of the alphabet, and then again by Roman numerals. When searching for a particular provision, say, covering approvals on recommendation by the Minister, one has to find section 33, clause 6, capital "B" in brackets, paragraph Uttle "a" in brackets, Roman numeral "i", or clause 18, small capital "E" in brackets, small "a" in brackets, whereafter commencement of "ii" small "a" in brackets, an application referted to in "18" in brackets, small "a" in brackets, Roman numeral "i", comma, "18" in brackets, small "a" in brackets, Roman numeral "ii" or "18" in brackets, small "a" in brackets, Roman numeral "iii". At that point I gave up trying to use that example, because it was too complicated and I was becoming confused. With that in mind, I think that it would be extremely dangerous to attempt to amend the Bill from the floor of the Chamber. It is impossible to amend the Bill without eliminating the rights of objectors to appeal. People either do or do not have the right to appeal. That cannot be qualified. If I could plagiarise Thomas Jefferson, our liberty cannot be Umited without being lost. However, he was referring to the freedom of the press. In this instance, that statement is appropriate to the rights of objectors. The state of section 33 also highlights the difficulty of ordinary citizens in trying to cope with the problems of town-planning and endeavouring to understand what future is planned for their environment. Local Govemment Act Amendment Bill (No. 2) 26 September 1985 1511 The Government should take action immediately to simplify this legislation. Unnecessary delays have been mentioned and it should be obvious to anyone that confiision results in delays. It would be difficult to make section 33 of the Local Goverament Act more confusing. It has been my experience that not only are private citizens uncertain of what the planning legislation says; so are architects, engineers and developers. When architects— the people who are submitting these appUcations—do not understand the legislation, it is inevitable that there will be delays. That results in incomplete applications, wTong information and consequent hold-ups and fmstrations in rezoning and site applications with everyone blaming everyone else. Even members of the Bar Association are uncertain as to the effects of the BiU on site applications. I ask the Minister to qualify what is intended with site applications. Is the right of objectors to appeal in case of site applications also to be removed, as it is for rezoning? That question has been asked by members of the Bar. If the history of site appUcations is examined, it is found the success rate of objectors in the third-party appeals is much higher. In fact, in very recent times, for both rezoning and site applications appeals, the success rate of third-party objectors has declined. It appears that that has been the result of improved negotiations and, consequently, solutions being found before the appeal reaches the court, rather than because third-party appeUants did not have soundly based claims. 1 would like the Minister to give the House details of the four instances he cites in which third-party appeals have been successful. How many of those were instances of small-business people protecting their rights against large corporations? In considering this Bill honourable members and the public have the right to know whose rightswil l be forfeited, and the right to take into consideration what developments may have taken place unhindered if this legislation had been in place at that time. It is known that an appeal by the small business community against a large development for Woolworths at Cleveland, a similar one for Hersfield Development Corporation at Bald Hills, one at Bracken Ridge for Bexsby Corporation and another at The Gap for Coles would not have proceeded successfiilly if the people whom this Goverament claims to protect had not had the right of appeal, and they will not under this BUl. It is inevitable that people inside and outside of this House will wonder what pressure people from those large corporations have placed on the Premier and the Minister for Local Goverament, Main Roads and Racing. Is there cause for concem about what will happen if the Bill is adopted? WiU goodwill prevail and the rights of ordinary citizens be protected? Unfortunately, the answer to the last question is, "Probably not." No comfort is to be found when one looks at what is occurring under ministerial zonings that have conditions similar to those proposed in the Bill. At present, the Minister is proposing to rezone land at Commercial Road, Teneriffe to enable the Moreton Tug and Barge Company Pty Ltd to relocate there. Objections have been called for, but permission has already been given by the Govemment for the company to move onto the site, and work is under way. The signs are up, but it is only a pretence. The people who wish to express their objections and views feel that they are wasting thefr time. Those people have expressed the view to me, "What is the point of saying anything to the Minister? He has already made up his mind. Nothing we say will change it." Unfortunately, I believe that they are cortect. The deal is done. Small business has been treated with artogant disdain. The acting Minister for Water Resources and Maritime Services (Mr Gunn) confirmed yesterday in the House that permission had been given by the Govemment for a use prohibited under the town plan. Clearly, that was in the knowledge that the plan would be altered to suit the company's purpose. 1512 26 September 1985 Local Govemment Act Amendment Bill (No. 2)

It is obvious that the rights of citizens must be enshrined in legislation, otherwise those rights will be lost. It is also very likely that that can be done at the same time as improvements are made in the process of handling tovm-planning applications. In one of the first speeches I made in this Chamber, I pointed out the unnecessary delays that were occurring in town-planning as the result of faulty legislation, and the need to eUminate those faults. I stiU believe that that can be done if sensible consideration is given to the problem. The best way to achieve that would be to set up a committee that would consist of local goverament representatives, legal advisers, members of Pariiament and others who have expertise, and it should report back to the Minister within, say, three months to recommend legislative changes. Alteraatively, as I have said, an all-party committee of this House should be appointed and it should report back to the House within a very short time. I urge the Minister to take the course I have suggested. Accordingly, I move the foUowing amendment to the motion moved by the Minister for Local Goverament, Main Roads and Racing (Mr Hinze)— "Omit the word— 'now' and add the words— 'at a fiiture date after full consideration has been given to aU other avenues of eUminating unnecessary delays in rezoning approvals'." Mr WARBURTON (Sandgate—Leader of the Opposition) (10.46 p.m.): In seconding the amendment moved by the honourable member for Wynnum, can I say how remarkable it is that the Minister for Local Goverament, Main Roads and Racing (Mr Hinze) continues to be involved in matters of controversy and scandal? " I can well recall when the Minister opened Bartlett's shopping centre at Nerang. Mr Hinze: Were you there? Mr WARBURTON: No, but I heard all about it. The complex was owned by Mr Eddie Komhauser, and the Minister said—believe it or not—that he would be pursuing the matter of deregulation of trading hours. That announcement was made prior to the 24-hour trading fiasco that involved the Minister for "unemployment", Mr Lester, who tumed more somersaults at that time than Clarence the clown. Of course, some of his compatriots on the Gold Coast were also very much involved in that particular episode. The Minister for Local Govemment, Main Roads and Racing and his Cabinet comrades continued to offer a sop to big business and big developers that are coming into the State. That is all done, despite the fact that some small business and community organisations are curtently in open revolt over the National Party's Cabinet decision to deny people the opportunity to appeal to the Local Goverament Court of Queensland against the rezoning of land as third-party objectors. It seems to me to be more than a coincidence that amendments to the Local Goverament Act are stiU being pursued vigorously by the Minister and his National Party coUeagues although political backlash against the National Party is an absolute certainty. One has to wonder what the reason for that action is. I ask: Why is it that so many people associated with the National Party, as pointed out by my colleague the honourable member for Wynnum, are saying that they were completely unaware of what the Minister and his Cabinet aUies were up to? In the face of an open revolt by outraged National Party Gold Coast members, why would the National Party Goverament Mr Hinze: One. Local Govemment Act Amendment Bill (No. 2) 26 September 1985 1513 Mr WARBURTON: He will be a very important cog in the wheel, even if he is only one person. Mr Hinze: That is a revolt by one member. Mr WARBURTON: That remains to be seen. Why is the Minister obstinately proceeding with this BiU, which is a Bill for big business? Mr Hinze: There are nine new members down there, and one in revolt. Mr WARBURTON: Perhaps it is tme that the almighty doUar opens the last door. Let me tura now to the mmours that started filtering through the Gold Coast business community approximately four or five weeks ago. The first one is that the GroUo brothers, principals of Oasis Holdings, have the support of National Party poUticians, including the Minister for Local Govemment, Main Roads and Racing, for a $35m shopping complex in the heart of the Minister's electorate. An Honourable Member interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! 1 remind all honourable members that if they wish to make comments, they should do so from their cortect place. Mr WARBURTON: The most recent revelation by the Minister—that he is pursuing the Bill at the behest of the Premier and Treasurer—reinforces my thinking as to why these discriminatory provisions are being proceeded with. Mr HINZE: I rise to take two points of order. One is that I object very strongly to a statement that I am taking action because of the GroUo brothers. I point out that I do not know them, I do not want to know them, and I have not ever known them. The Leader of the Opposition said that there was some sort of a mmour. Let me put that allegation where it should be put. The Leader of the Opposition also said that I am doing something at the behest of the Premier. At all times the Premier says to his Ministers, "It is about time you brought certain legislation into the House." That is the clear position here. Mr Warburton: Your skin's too thin. Mr HINZE: Yes, of course it is. Mr SPEAKER: Order! On the first point of order, is the Minister asking for a withdrawal? Mr HINZE: No. Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order. Mr WARBURTON: The application by Oasis Holdings for rezoning of the West Burleigh land was lodged in November 1984, and was approved in principle by the Gold Coast City Council at its meeting of 24 May 1985. Last Tuesday I estabUshed that the application being held now by the Gold Coast City Council remains in the name of Oasis Holdings. The Gold Coast Bulletin of 24 September quotes the Premier as saying that the GroUo brothers had nothing to do with the Burleigh Heads shopping complex development. So somebody knows the GroUo brothers. It must be the Premier and not the Minister. The Premier has already chaUenged me to repeat my allegations outside the Pariiament. At least it has now been firmly established that the Premier knows the GroUo brothers. He knows about the project. However, why he tries to protect them is another story altogether. Whether the GroUos own the land, or part of the land, or whether they recently sold the land or transferted their interest—as is being said—is irtelevant. If they have 1514 26 September 1985 Local Govemment Act Amendment Bill (No. 2)

artanged for front men, as a number of developers do, no doubt members wiU find out about that eventually. As 1 said, the application that was given approval in principle by the council is in the name of the GroUo group company. Oasis Holdings. In most instances, options are taken out on the land by a developer. Those options are exercised if and when the rezoning application is successful. As an example of that, a developer named Tricon Industries—this is very relevant to the amendments to the Act proposed by the Minister—is involved in a possible development of a Coles Super K mart shopping complex in the Bundaberg area. The overall site includes 38 private residences, each of which is under a $500 option to purchase subject to the rezoning of the land. Mr Hinze: Do you hate developers? Mr WARBURTON: The Minister hates my reveaUng the things in which he is involved. The option is in force until 30 November this year. At this stage, there have been no official objections, because to date no official application has been lodged. I have no doubt that one will be lodged after the National Party Govemment, at some time in the future, forces these amendments through the Assembly thereby removing any chance of objection against the proposed development. At its meeting of 1 August this year, the Bundaberg City CouncU indicated that it would give favourable consideration to an application for rezoning; in other words, it gave agreement in principle. The mayor, Mr Allan Stewart, who does not hide his National Party leanings, owns approximately two-thirds of the property which is the subject of the Tricon Industries venture. To be fair, I must say that the mayor has publicly declared his interest in the land; but, in the circumstances, would anybody be prepared to wager that the rezoning application will not go ahead? Of course not! That is despite the fact that it is said from a town-planning point of view that the project should not be proceeded with. The proposed amendments make rezoning of land, whether it be for high-rise shopping complexes or holes in the ground, plain sailing for mates of the National Party, while ordinary, decent citizens will be denied any right to object on town-planning grounds or for any other legitimate reason. Let me retura to the West Burleigh project. 1 have already mentioned that Bmno and Rino GroUo featured prominently in the royal commission of inquiry into the Builders Labourers Federation. Both men were charged with and convicted of 124 counts of giving secret commissions and placed on $5,000 good-behaviour bonds. And the Queensland Goverament wants those people to develop the State. An article in The Courier-Mail of 21 December 1984 indicated that the GroUo group of companies had lodged applications for a $50m interaational hotel at Surfers Paradise and a $35m shopping complex at West Burleigh. The article also referted to comments made by the project-manager for both proposals, namely, Mr John Minuzzo. On my understanding, John Minuzzo previously went by the name of Enzo Minuzzo. To say the least, he has had some difficult times before Melbourae courts in recent years. On 23 Febmary 1982, The Age reported that eight men appeared in the Melbourae Magistrate Court on charges of conspiracy to defraud operators in the sale of land, including the Mount Ridley estate at Craigiebum. It was alleged that the offences occurted between 1973 and 1977. Believe it or not, Mr Speaker, none other than Enzo Minuzzo, developer and real estate agent of Toorak, was before the magistrate. In The Herald of 22 October 1982, under the headline "Fraud Charge Six for Trial", it was reported that six businessmen were committed for trial on bribery and fraud charges. Again Enzo Minuzzo pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud Local Govemment Act Amendment Bill (No. 2) 26 September 1985 1515 and one count of conspiracy to breach the Criminal Act. The magistrate said that he was satisfied that the Crown had established its case to the required degree. The saga goes on. In The Age of 12 May 1983, it was reported that three men were convicted of conspiracy to defraud the T and G Society of $568,000 in a land transation at South Merang, and were gaoled for two years. In the Criminal Court, Mr Justice Gray said that each man was a party to the scheme to pay a large bribe to a T and G real estate manager as a reward for his inducing T and G to buy the land. The magistrate said that the three men were motivated by naked greed when they went into the scheme. BeUeve it or not, one of those men was none other than Enzo Minuzzo, a company director of Kooyong Road, Toorak. Mr Borbidge: TeU us about Clyde Holding's involvement in the deal. Mr WARBURTON: Is it not remarkable, Mr Speaker, how members from the Gold Coast are reacting? To be fair to Mr Minuzzo, 1 must state that the Full Court of Criminal Appeal later quashed the conviction on the grounds that the trial judge had misdirected the jury on a point of law and failed to give the jury an adequate summary of the facts. On 3 May 1984, The Herald reported that an estate agent had been acquitted on two charges of having aided and abetted the giving of secret commissions to four employees of a finance company in late 1974 and 1975. Enzo Minuzzo, land-developer and real estate agent of Toorak, pleaded not guilty to those two charges. He is the man who acted for the GroUo brothers in these two developments. 1 do not think I need say a great deal more about the sort of people who are being attracted to the State of Queensland by the National Party Goverament. It wiU certainly be of tremendous interest to many people to see whether the National Party Goverament finally gives the green light to the West Burleigh development by Oasis Holdings, having already gone to extreme measures to ensure the project's success. One does not have to be a Nostradamus to work out why this friendly connection exists. I repeat that, if the GroUo brothers have disposed of their interest in the project, we need to look closely at where the interest now lies. As 1 have said, the application for rezoning, given approval in principle by the Gold Coast council, is in the name of the GroUo group company. Oasis Holdings. There are numerous cases in which developers have put up front men. In this case, the names of Minuzzo and Mr Herthog have been mentioned. I am not suggesting that they are the gentlemen conceraed, but those names have been mentioned. No doubt it will all come out in the wash. When I talk about disposing of an interest or shares in a company involved in a development application, I am sure that the Minister is well aware of the application by Jaldale Pty Ltd for a joint shopping complex at Ashmore Road, Bundall, which is inland from Surfers Paradise. It will be remembered that Sir Justin Hickey was a prominent part of Jaldale Pty Ltd. Mr Hinze: Do you really hate developers? Mr WARBURTON: I will answer that interjection. I hate developers who are crooks. Sir Justin Hickey was a prominent part of Jaldale Pty Ltd. There was much publicity in the Gold Coast newspapers about the fact that, to ensure Gold Coast City CouncU approval of the application. Sir Justin Hickey, before the last local goverament elections, offered contributions to certain prospective councillors. The Minister wiU recall that his game was made public when Alderman Betty Diamond blew the gaff. Sir Justin Hickey has evidently disposed of his shares in the company but many people, including the 1516 26 September 1985 Local Govemment Act Amendment BiU (No. 2)

Minister, have no doubt that he stUl has a vested interest in that project. This situation is somewhat different, in that the Gold Coast City Council rejected the application by Jaldale. Mr Jennings: They didn't even consider it. You are wrong again. Mr WARBURTON: I am advised that Jaldale has appealed to the Local Goverament Court against the council's decision. That is the advice that I have received. Mr Borbidge: It did not make a decision on it. Mr WARBURTON: It is nice to know that the members from the Gold Coast are fully aware of these projects. Their very close association with these types of people is the point that I have been trying to make all night. The point I make is that, if these amendments are pushed through the Pariiament in the present form, and if the Local Goverament Court upholds the Gold Coast City Council's rejection of the Jaldale development, I will bet my bottom dollar that there wiU be a new application under the new artangements that the Minister has in mind. Again, it will be my bet that the National Party Cabinet wiU approve the Jaldale project. The Goverament has stumbled from one disaster to another in its bUnd, belUgerent eageraess to appease big-money-spending developers, irtespective of who they are or what escapades they may have been previously involved in. When I first raised the West Burleigh shopping complex matter in this House, I referred to certain builders and developers with increased activity in Queensland. 1 mentioned that the GroUo brothers, Bmno and Rino, and George Herscu of Hersfield Development Corporation, were charged and convicted on 124 counts of giving secret commissions in relation to the GaUagher affair. Sfr Joh Bjelke-Petersen: They must be your mates. Mr WARBURTON: The Premier and Treasurer has interjected. He can cortect me if I am wrong, but I understand that he has been very prominent in opening a number of the projects of the Hersfield Development Corporation throughout the State. There are quite a few of them. It is interesting to note that 10 companies will be excluded from Federal Goverament contracts or leases in the immediate future. That exclusion will apply until such time as the firms have demonstrated their commitment to the Goverament's industrial relations policy and are prepared to accept and adhere to a code of conduct. Two of the 10 companies listed for attention were L. GroUo and Co. Pty Ltd and Hersfield Developments Pty Ltd. I am attempting to establish the connection between the Goverament and those companies. Thereby hangs a tale. These are the people and the companies that the Premier and the Minister for Local Goverament respond to, for what 1 regard as obvious reasons. There is no doubt that, if the Bill finally gets raUroaded through this ParUament, it will not be long before the City of Brisbane Town Planning Act gets the same treatment, and that that will occur despite any grandstanding by the Lord Mayor. Any person with common sense would know that it would be impossible for this Goverament to live with one set of laws for Brisbane and another set of laws for the rest of Queensland. I will be interested to hear the Minister's response to that. I notice that he is nodding in agreement. Some honourable members are well aware that Cabinet, in the guise of Executive Council, has the final say on all rezoning matters. However, even the National Party Cabinet would think twice about overturaing a decision by the Local Goverament Court. Yesterday, the Queensland Law Society and the Bar Association slammed these National Party proposals, and irrespective of the comments made by the Minister today as to Local Govemment Act Amendment Bill (No. 2) 26 September 1985 1517 why those two august bodies made those comments, they made some very pertinent points. They stated— "Judicial determination is to be replaced by Ministerial review. There will always be public disquiet if the power of judging and the exercise of discretion is not separate from Legislative and Executive Powers. The Bill is discriminatory in its application in abrogating the right of appeal of objectors while not interfering with the right of appeal of applicants. It is clearly not in the public interest that one party to an adminstrative decision should have access to judicial review while another party should be denied that right." Those comments alone should be sufficient to make any Goverament rethink its position. Yet, tonight, the Minister for Industry, Small Business and Technology (Mr Ahera), who is not present, gave his full support to the proposal to do away with the right of appeal. Mr Ahera was foUowed on the television screen by the Minister for Local Goverament, who, tonight, has led a massive back-down on the pretext that he is cognisant of the need to hear the voice of the people. Quite frankly, it is enough to make most people belch forth. Unfortunately, it must be said that, in many cases, councillors and aldermen have used their positions in local goverament to feather their own nests. Although it is tme that the electors ultimately remove many of them from office, the fact remains that the damage is done, and unwanted and unwarranted developments stand as memorials to the misuse of public office. I shudder at the thought of placing rezoning applications and development proposals in the hands of the combination of some local authorities and the National Party Cabinet. Under this proposal, councils and, in particular, the Minister for Local Govemment will be able to decide rezonings of land for development purposes. The real problem is that, in some cases, those decisions will be politically motivated. They wiU not be made on town-planning grounds, which are the very essence of proper, sensible development in the overall interests of the community. I urge, and I will continue to urge, all interested parties to continue, with all the vigour that they can muster, their opposition to the National Party's retrograde and discriminatory amendments. I now move— "That the amendment moved by the member for Wynnum be put." Motion agreed to. Sfr WILLIAM KNOX: I rise to a point of order. The motion of the Leader of the Opposition was that the amendment be now put. We object to that. Mr SPEAKER: Order! Question—That the word proposed to be omitted (Mr Shaw's amendment) stand part of the question—put; and the House divided— AYES, 42 NOES, 34 Ahem Lester Braddy Scott Alison Lingard Campbell Shaw Austin Littleproud Casey Smith Bailey McKechnie Comben Underwood Bjelke-Petersen McPhie D'Arcy Vaughan Booth Menzel De Lacy Veivers Borbidge Miller Eaton Warburton Cahill Muntz Gibbs, R. J. Wamer, A. M Chapman Newton Goss White Cooper Powell Gygar Yewdale Elliott Randell Hamill FitzGerald Row Innes Gibbs, I. J. Simpson Knox Glasson Stephan Kruger Gunn Stoneman Lee Harper Tenni Lickiss Hartwig Tumer Mackenroth Harvey Wharton McEUigott Henderson McLean Hinze Tellers: Milliner Tellers: Jennings Neal Palaszczuk Davis Katter Kaus Price Prest Resolved in the affirmative. 1518 26 September 1985 Local Govemment Act Amendment Bill (No. 2)

Mr JENNINGS (Southport) (11.22 p.m.): The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Warburton) has tried to discredit everyone who does anything in this State. He should apologise for misleading the House. The Leader of the Opposition said that the Gold Coast City Council rejected an application by Jaldale to build a shopping centre at Ashmore Road, Bundall, in my electorate. The fact is that the Gold Coast City Council did not even consider the application. It sat on it. The council did not face up to its responsibility and make a decision. The Leader of the Opposition said that the council considered the application, rejected it and that it went to the Local Goverament Court.

Mr Borbidge: He's not even listening.

Mr JENNINGS: Of course he is not listening. What I have said is the tmth. The Leader of the Opposition started his speech by deliberately misleading the House. He should apologise and retract what he said. The Leader of Her Majesty's Opposition in this State completely distorted the tmth in order to misrepresent the situation. That is the sort of people Opposition members are. The Leader of the Opposition also tried to discredit every local authority in this State. His leadership of the Opposition is an absolute shambles. Is it any wonder that the Leader of the Opposition is worried about his position, when he cannot even tell the tmth? He should rise on a point of order and apologise to the House. That is what he should do. He told complete and utter untmths and distorted the tmth. The Leader of the Opposition said that he hates crooked developers. He also accused councillors of feathering their own nest. The Leader of the Opposition has impugned every councillor in this State by saying that they are all feathering their own nest. What is he up to? Many of those councillors give their services to this State free of charge and in their own time. The Leader of the Opposition accuses them of feathering their own nest. He has maligned every councillor in this State and he should apologise to them also. It is absolutely disgraceful. It is all very well for the Leader of the Opposition to say that the rights of the individual should be protected. He said that he hates crooked developers. He has tried to impugn everyone who does anything in this State. I ask the Leader of the Opposition: Are there any good developers? Of course, he will not answer. The Leader of the Opposition talks about 24-hour trading. He has no idea of what is happening on the Gold Coast. He said that the legislation is being offered as a sop to big developers. Tonight he got into the act. Someone fed him a load of mbbish. He talked about the backlash from the people on the Gold Coast. He would not know what is happening on the Gold Coast. The Leader of the Opposition also talked about an open revolt of National Party members. I have never heard such mbbish. On the Gold Coast, the National Party has never been stronger than it is now. One character appeared on television, and he was so nervous that he left the electorate office very quickly. Before he left, the lady who mns the office had to make him a cup of coffee because he was shaking so much. He shot past the television cameras very fast and he said that he had been pushed into making his statement. He said, "Rob Curtis pushed me into this", and all honourable members would know who Rob Curtis is. Rob Curtis was at one time involved with the SmaU Business Development Corporation, and suffice it to say that he is no longer with that organisation. Similar types of people walked round Scarborough Fair all day yesterday, trying to persuade people from Scarborough Fair to take part in a demonstration outside the office of the National Party. 1 received three phone calls about the Bill, and I asked the callers whether they knew what the Bill would give them. I told them that it would give Local Govemment Act Amendment Bill (No. 2) 26 September 1985 1519 them a right that they did not enjoy now because we, as members of Parliament, will be armed with a better right to protect the people in Parliament. That is the exact tmth and, of course, members of the Opposition do not like to acknowledge that. The Leader of the Opposition has said that ordinary citizens would lose the right to object. However, I point out that ordinary citizens, under the provisions of this Bill, will not only have the right to object but they will also have the right to object without incurring legal fees. Opposition Members interjected. Mr JENNINGS: Members of the Opposition can argue, but that is the tmth. Opposition members do not like it, nor do many other people. However, that point has not been drawn to the attention of the pubUc at all to date. Mr Braddy: Why are you backing down? Mr JENNINGS: The Goverament is not backing dovm at aU. It so happens that the Goverament has a magnanimous Minister in the Minister for Local Goverament, Main Roads and Racing (Mr Hinze). He is prepared to accept and tolerate the expression of opinion. The Minister said tonight that the Bill would lie on the table, and that is the proper procedure because he knows that it takes members of the Opposition quite a while to understand the contents of the Bill. The difference between Goverament members and members of the Opposition is that we understand quickly, and Opposition members do not. It is fascinating that the Leader of the Opposition should bring up projects such as Mount Ridley and the Victorian land dealings. The Opposition has mentioned the work of the Australian Labor Party and Norm Gallagher, and it has mentioned other members of that party in the south. But what the Opposition has not mentioned is that, in the 1970s, a certain Leader of the Opposition in Victoria by the name of Clyde Holding had a vital part to play in a land deal scandal. The details 1 wish to outline describe the worst example of graft and cormption that this country has ever witnessed until recently—and I say "until recently" because it has only been bettered by Wran and his coUeagues in New South Wales. In 1974, in an article in The Age in Melbourae centred on planning, Mr Ben Hills alleged that approximately $2,500,000 had been made in a period of 10 days on a crooked land deal at Melton and Sunbury. In June 1974, Parliament was in recess, so all of the people sat back and waited for the spring session in September. Everyone was waiting for Clyde Holding, the Leader of the Opposition at the time, to raise the issue with his usual fireworks and expose the whole deal. Mr Borbidge: Is this the same Mr Holding who is a Federal Government Minister? Mr JENNINGS: I think so. When the Parliament met, the land deal had gone through under the Hamer Goverament's administration—and all honourable members would know what I think about that administration! The point that has to be made is that Clyde Holding did not ask one question in Parliament about those crooked land deals and no other Australian Labor Party member asked any questions about those crooked land deals. No questions were asked about those crooked land deals until I was elected to the ParUament in 1976. Clyde Holding has never been able to state the reason he did not raise the matter, but the reason can be found in my personal explanation made to the Parliament. A Cabinet Minister said that Clyde Holding had 30 000 reasons to say nothing. The members of the Opposition are talking about cormption and they are impugning every council and councillor throughout this State. The incident that I have related should be remembered, and I should also say that, when Labor was in Opposition in Victoria, many more things happened. 1520 26 September 1985 Local Govemment Act Amendment Bill (No. 2)

The purpose of an Opposition is to expose the tmth, if it is known. Members of the Opposition in Victoria in the 1970s knew the tmth, but they covered it up. That incident was the greatest cover-up in the history of this country, and can be compared with the Albury/Wodonga episode. Of course, Wran, Askin and many other people were involved in the Albury/Wodonga episode, but the whole thing was crooked from start to finish. Mount Ridley was the greatest con of aU. Back in 1974, the Victorian Minister responsible for planning said in the Pariiament, "This land wiU be mral land untU well after the tura of the century." The Victorian Premier said the same thing. He said it again in 1976. And what happened? On 23 December 1976, after the Parliament had risen and all the members had gone home, it was announced that the whole area had been rezoned. A total of $9.5m in cash was handed out to various recipients. Some of them ended up in goal. I have described some of the deals that went on, and the Labor Party covered everything up. 1 just mentioned that because it is important. The point is that this Assembly has before it tonight a BUl that will give the individual, the smallest person in this country, the right to appeal. To say that the Goverament is taking away his rights is absolute and utter bunkum. The Goverament is giving individuals something they have never had before, the right to appeal to us as members of Parliament free of charge. Opposition Members interjected. Mr JENNINGS: Opposition members can shout and laugh, but that is what the Goverament is doing. The member for Wynnum said that the Minister showed contempt for this House by appearing on the media and saying that the BiU would be discussed tonight and that it would then lie on the table. Contempt for this House! The Minister appeared at a press conference at which many people were asking him questions. As I said, he is magnanimous; aU he did was teU the press what the Goverament intends to do. Opposition members do not know that, but Goverament members do. The legal profession has been mentioned. However, it must be remembered that it has a vested interest in matters of this sort. I do not criticise it for that. However, I know, and everybody else here knows, that the cost of appeals to the court is enormous. Mr Hinze: $250,000. Mr JENNINGS: As the Minister said, costs can mn as high as $250,000. The other misrepresentation by the Opposition was that small business is getting nothing and that any rezoning will be now carried out on the Minister's ovm initiative. Rubbish! Rezonings are based on a number of factors. The member for Wynnum at least said that he recognised the problems with the present legislation. He said that some objectors were deliberately holding up and misusing the system. He acknowledged that people misuse the system. He said that the Govemment had eliminated the rights of objectors. That is not cortect. It is all very well to say something is not right, but the honourable member did not say how the problem should be fixed. At least the Govemment is trying to resolve the problems. The honourable member also said that there was universal opposition to the BiU. That is not correct. There have been a few newspaper articles on the subject, a couple of which I will mention in a moment. The honourable member also mentioned the setting up of a joint committee, but he did not say what it would do. Mr Borbidge: Since the legislation has been introduced into the Parliament there has been one resignation but there have been nine new members on the Gold Coast. Mr JENNINGS: That is right. As the honourable member for Surfers Paradise said, publicity of this sort means a lot more members for the National Party. Local Govemment Act Amendment Bill (No. 2) 26 September 1985 1521 The member for Wynnum said that the Govemment should look at delays. He also said that there is only one way to speed things up and that is to employ more staff in the Local Govemment Department and the Titles Office—typical Labor philosophy. That would only create a bigger and bigger bureaucracy. The Goverament is trying to cut costs and lessen bureaucratic interference, which is exactly what this Bill will do. Not only Avill the legislation cut costs but it will also give greater rights to the man in the street. The legislation relates to councils—grassroots democracy. The honourable member also said that the Goverament should take action to simplify the processes of development applications. That is exactly what the Goverament is doing through this legislation. On three major counts, the Opposition spokesman has supported the Goverament. I compliment him for supporting the legislation. Opposition Members interjected. Mr JENNINGS: The Opposition let the honourable member mn on the leash and then drew him back. However, he said that new legislation was necessary. I compliment him for his good sense, and thank him for supporting the legislation. This is an important Bill. Opposition members have talked about smaU business. The Local Govemment Court mled in favour of BP on the convenience stores issue. Many people forget that the Local Govemment Court takes into consideration only planning matters, not poUtical matters. But planning, basically, is political. It is easy to dmm up opposition to something like this. An article in today's Courier-Mail is headed "Third party appeals: it's not as simple as it seems". The latter part of the article deals with comments made by Mr Phil Day, the senior lecturer in regional and town-planning at the Queensland University. In part, the article reads— "Mr Day rightly thinks it will open the door for local councils to go ahead with aU kinds of rezoning. A lot of elected members of local authorities are people with property interests— real estate agents, property developers or friends of developers." He is canning the lot of them. The article continues— "Politically, the National Party is losing interest in Brisbane and is looking to outside the capital. This proposal is pretty obviously designed to help declared friends of the National Party in local authority areas outside Brisbane, particularly on the Gold Coast." An Opposition Member interjected. Mr JENNINGS: Yes, all the little people. They are our friends, because they vote for us. The article continues— "He summed up the legislation: 'It smells, smeUs from a number of different directions. The total smell is very strong indeed.'" What absolute and utter mbbish! When a professional planner talks Uke that, it proves how panicky planners can be. Planners have been trying to set themselves up as the kings of our way of life. I had a lot to do with planners in the south. I have seen conservation plans and many other plans. Under one conservation plan in the south, people were not allowed to paint their houses white. That was the decision of the Westem Port Regional Planning Authority. Yet after the big Hobart fires, it was found that fires swept through brick houses and that the few houses that were left were the white weatherboard houses. 1522 26 September 1985 Local Govemment Act Amendment Bill (No. 2)

Opposition Members interjected. Mr JENNINGS: That is a fact. That happened in the big Hobart fires in the 1970s. Members of Parliament have to shoulder a bigger responsibUity. The Queensland Conservation Council has made many statements. In a letter to me, it wrote— "Thus all objectors, whether they be individuals, community or conservation organisations, will be denied the opportunity to pursue their objections fiirther should the local authority in question approve the rezoning. Their abiUty to participate in planning decisions that will affect their local environment, lifestyle and livelihood will thereby be severely diminished." Probably aU honourable members received a copy of that letter. The Conservation Council has forgotten that we, as local members, are taking a greater interest in planning. Planning is always contentious. Mr Prest: Can you teU us why white houses do not bura down? Mr JENNINGS: I suppose I should explain that matter. I cannot help it if 1 am dealing with bricks. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Row): Order! Mr JENNINGS: Anyone can argue that this legislation is bad. Opposition members have been mouthing off. The press has taken their comments and said that we are taking away rights, when we are doing exactly the opposite. Every one of us is accepting responsibility. Mr Braddy: The president of the court of appeal, Mr Jennings! Mr JENNINGS: I will tell the honourable member about a few brawls I have had in my electorate. One was with the Gold Coast Waterways Authority. Every member is supposed to represent his electorate. People come to members to save legal costs—not that we are lawyers, thank heavens! I say that with due respect to my colleague the member for Sherwood, who wiU be speaking next. Planning is poUtical. The important principle in planning is to underpin the value of people's property. The other important principle is that when people buy a property in an area it is their responsibUity to check the council tovm plan, to see what is in it. Under the Gold Coast City Council tovm plan, the council has wide discretionary powers. It can do virtually anything. For example, it tried to build a high rise on the golf course. What happened? People came to me, and I belted the proposal. The high rise on the golf course did not go ahead. The Gold Coast City Council wanted to put a couple of 33-storey buUdings alongside a residential A property at BundaU. What happened? People came to me, and I belted that proposal! It did not go ahead. Those are the sorts of things about which I am speaking. This is planning at the grass-roots level. That is exactly what the Bill is all about. Under the Local Goverament Act as it presentiy stands, when an application is submitted to a local authority for the rezoning of land, the appUcation is required to be advertised to give interested persons the righto f objection to the proposal. That advertising takes the form of a notice in a newspaper circulating in the area, a notice on the land and a notice to adjoining land-owners. A period of 30 days is allowed in which persons may object to a rezoning proposal. If no objections are lodged, the local authority has to decide the application within 40 days of receipt. That is what the Gold Coast City Council should have done about Jaldale. The Leader of the Opposition got it wrong. The council did not approve it. It sat there and did not face up to its responsibilities. The Leader of the Opposition told the House an untmth in saying that the councU approved the application. Local Govemment Act Amendment Bill (No. 2) 26 September 1985 1523

If the local authority approves the application, it has to forward the matter to the Department of Local Govemment. The rezoning has no force and effect unless and until it is approved by the Govemor in Council. If the local authority rejects the application, or approves it subject to conditions that the applicant considers to be onerous, he has a right of appeal to the Local Govemment Court. Where an objection or objections are lodged, the local authority is required to consider the application in the light of the objections. If it proposes to grant the application, it is required to notify the objectors accordingly. Within a period of 30 days of being notified of the local authority's proposal to grant a rezoning application, an objector may appeal to the Local Goverament Court, and the local authority is precluded from deciding the application until the time for lodgment of appeals has expired, or, if an appeal is lodged, until the appeal is determined. If the appeal is dismissed, the application is forwarded to the Minister, together with all objections received and details of the court decision, for submission to the Govemor in Council, who makes the final decision in the matter. If the Bill becomes law, objections may still be lodged against a rezoning proposal, and those objections will have to be considered by the local authority, in the first instance, and then by the Goveraor in Council when the application is submitted to the Department of Local Goverament. As previously stated, every rezoning is subject to prior approval by the Goveraor in Council, and this provision is not to be disturbed by the amendments before the House. Research of copies of Local Goverament Court decisions held by the Department of Local Goverament shows that, during the last five financial years, 111 rezoning appeals were heard and determined by the court outside the city of Brisbane. Of those, only 23 were objector appeals—eight being upheld by the court—and the balance were appeals lodged by applicants. Of the eight upheld, four were upheld on the ground that there had been non-compliance with the notice provisions of the Act, and not on town- planning grounds. That is important. Thus, although over that five-year period 1 065 rezoning applications made to the department were the subject of objections, only 23 objector appeals were heard and determined by the court. No doubt a number of other appeals were lodged by objectors against rezonings, but those have not been brought on for hearing and determination by the court. Mr Innes: What are you reading from? Mr JENNINGS: 1 am reading from a piece of paper. The above statistics show that the right of objectors to have their objections tested by the court is used to only a very limited extent and support the view that, in many instances, appeals are lodged as a holding tactic to fmstrate a developer from proceeding with his proposal. That is what the honourable member for Wynnum said. The grounds for the amendments proposed in this Bill are as follows— (a) The Local Govemment Act in Queensland gives a developer a right to apply to a local authority for a rezoning of his land. (b) There is evidence that developments are being frustrated by objector appeals— often lodged by business competitors—which can delay implementation of a proposal for a long period, thereby causing severe economic loss. Appeals are often withdrawn just before they are brought on for hearing in the court, indicating that they were not lodged on bona fide grounds. (c) There is some evidence to suggest that in some instances objectors are using the appeal powers to extract payments from developers in retura for with­ drawal of an objection. 1524 26 September 1985 Local Govemment Act Amendment Bill (No. 2) The amendments contained in the Bill deal only with circumstances in which a local authority proposes to grant a rezoning application in the face of objections. The amendment does not affect the right of an applicant for rezoning to appeal to the Local Goverament Court against the decision of the local authority to refiise the application or to approve it only on conditions that the appUcant considers to be onerous, or where the local authority fails to decide the application within the prescribed time. Where an appUcant appeals in the above circumstances, he has to notify objectors of his intention in that behalf and, under the existing provisions of the law, objectors have a right to become a respondent to the appeal by filing a notice in the court. These provisions are not disturbed by the amendments contained in the BiU. There has been a good deal of misrepresentation of this Bill in the press. The Goverament is not trying to ram anything down anyone's throat. As honourable members know, the Bill will lie on the table. Mr Shaw: How long will it lie on the table? We haven't been told. Mr JENNINGS: The honourable member said earlier that he had heard it all on television, and the Leader of the Opposition got stuck into the Minister. I did not hear U. When a council decides to grant an application by a company, despite objections, it will send full details of the application and all objections to the Local Goverament Department. The appUcation will be considered by the town-planners, the Minister and Cabinet. What is more democratic than that? The Gold Coast has a very good town-planning process. I do not know what honourable members opposite do in their electorates, but I keep my ear to the ground. Obviously, poUtical decisions are made on some applications, particiUarly in a growing area such as the Gold Coast. 1 have always said that town-planning should be far enough ahead so that everyone knows what is to happen. Tovm-planning is a blend of what everyone in the community wants. Most importantly, people must be sure that their property will be not be devalued by independent bureaucratic acts. That is only logical and right. As my legal friends know, people have a right of appeal to the Local Goverament Court to seek damages if their land is rezoned against their wishes. That right is not available in some of the other States. Mr Price: What about nuclear-free zones? Mr JENNINGS: Opposition members know all about nuclear-free zones and other fringe operations. Queensland probably leads Australia with its tovm-planning laws and rights. This Bill will give individual citizens rights that are not available to citizens in any other State in Australia. It is my belief that, once a person has successfully sought a rezoning, he should perform; that is, he should develop the land according to the rezoning. I am against the idea of people flogging off their permit after the land has been rezoned. Mr Price: Would Jennings do that? Mr JENNINGS: Although I have not been with them for years, they are performers. I compliment the Government on bringing in this BiU, because it is well worth while. It will protect the smaU man and will give him, at no cost, a right that he has never had. His only cost will be that of a telephone call to his local member if he has a grievance. The National Party represents the man in the street. In this country, there are written laws and there are unwritten laws. This legislation is part of the unwritten law about the rights of the man in the street to be represented by his member of Parliament. Local Govemment Act Amendment Bill (No. 2) 26 September 1985 1525 I compliment the Minister on this BiU and commend him for his magnanimity in permitting the Bill to lie on the table of the House. Mr INNES (Sherwood) (11.49 p.m.): I congratulate the Minister on his selection of the first Goverament member to support him in this debate. The member for Southport has put the matter in its cortect perspective. He made the arguments in favour of the proposals a laughing-stock and a farce. He has correctly said on many occasions that the purpose of this legislation is to make tovm-planning a political process, and nothing more accurate could be said about it. That is the intent of the legislation; the member knows it, he recognises it, and he wishes the process to be political. 1 am sure that he will forgive me for saying that. I like the member for Southport, as I am sure all honourable members do. However, he would have to accept that some of us would be less than impressed by the thought that the security of our property and property rights lay in his tender hands. Maybe 11 years ago, in his prime in Victoria, that might have been a different kettle of fish. Tonight, however, I say to the member for Southport, if it is between him and the Local Goverament Court, I will take the Local Goverament Court any day, as would those people in this State who so regularly appear before that court. Mr Borbidge: What about the convenience stores issue? The Local Goverament Court wiU Mr INNES: The Local Govemment Court will have to apply the provisions of the City of Brisbane Town Planning Act, with the limitations that it imposes. The court has to act on established town-planning principles until this Assembly further alters them. I remember very vividly that the member for Surfers Paradise entered this House at a time when the debate about the shocking problems of small businesses had been mnning for some time. I remember that he very warmly embraced the principles of the defence put into the Local Govemment Act on behalf of the small-businessmen against the spread of major shopping centres and hypermarkets. He very warmly claimed that that was a National Party initiative to protect the small-business person, who would be armed with the necessary protection to be able to take his objection not only to the council but also to the Local Goverament Court of Queensland. It is precisely that right that, with this legislation, the Govemment is proposing to remove, together with the rights of all the other people who before now have been able to take their proper town- planning conceras to the Local Goverament Court. 1 refer to the Minister's second-reading speech. With respect, I say that the arguments and the case that he presented are less than compelling. They certainly support the underlying Freudian recognition of the real argument put forward by the member for Southport that, in fact, the purpose is to make town-planning political and remove it from legalities and the pursuit of people's rights. That is what is being talked about— people's rights. The member for Southport said very rightly that people buy property after looking at a town plan to decide what can happen on that land and what can happen around it. They know that the plan wiU be reviewed every five years. The law recognises that society is dynamic and that some occasions for review will happen between those major, five-yearly reviews. They can happen only by rezoning, which is a very major procedure. It means an alteration to the town plan. As the member for Southport and somebody else have rightiy said, the Queensland law has been better than the law in many other States. We in Queensland are very jealous of our property rights. We talk about property. Until now, we have always talked about development—mushrooming development. Until the Minister's second-reading speech, I had not reaUsed that the pains of devel­ opment were so constricting. We are very jealous of property rights. In fact, if a local authority changes the zoning of a person's land in a way that reduces its value, that person has a claim for injurious affection. If those rights are recognised, how much more 1526 26 September 1985 Local Government Act Amendment Bill (No. 2) important is it that the law recognises these privately motivated changes in the town plan that detrimentally affect people's rights and interests in their property. That is the whole basis of this. I remind the House that, if the frills are cut out, three basic types of zoning remain. The first is the as-of-right zoning. Every urban dweller and most dwellers in all parts of Queensland nowadays buy land under a town-planning or shire-planning scheme. The second are the uses that are, shall I say, a little more abnormal but not totally exceptional. They are the consent uses. The third category contains the uses that are totaUy alien— the prohibitions. That is when a rezoning application needs to be lodged—when a land use is to be converted to overcome the problems of the prohibition. Not only does this fascinating legislation distinguish between Brisbane and the rest of Queensland but also all the consent-use objector appeals remain. For the less exceptional things that town-planning schemes recognise as smaller intmsions or less problematical in the zone, the objector appeals remain the same but, for the massive intmsions that are prohibited, the rights of appeal are being taken away. Mr Ahern: No. You have misunderstood. Mr INNES: 1 have not misunderstood it; the Minister has misunderstood it. The people who conceived this legislation have misunderstood it. Mr Ahern: Under the consent use, there is no appeal to the Govemor in Council. The Goveraor in Council does not have a right to arbitrate on that, but he does with a rezoning, and there is the difference. Mr INNES: The Minister will forgive me, as he would forgive many other people in Queensland, for saying that we are not at all warmed or comforted or given a secure feeling if town-planning matters are left to the Goveraor in Council. Let us get rid of the reference to the Governor in Council. This has nothing to do with Sir Walter Campbell; I am talking about the Cabinet that advises him. If it is a toss-up between the Local Goverament Court of Queensland and the Cabinet of Queensland, I will take the Local Goverament Court any day. So will the majority of the people of Queensland. It is not just a reflection on the individual members, who might have nothing to do with my block of land, my electorate or my neighbourhood; it is to do with the people pursuing what they see to be their rights as property-ovmers. They might, as they often do, ignore the council. The council might say, "We look after 2 million people and a sewage treatment plant will be installed there." However, the person says, "Like hell! Not next to my house. You can place it somewhere else. It can go in the creek area, the future urban area or the noxious and hazardous industries area. I will pursue in the Local Govemment Court my right to object to its being placed next to my piece of residential A land." It is a safety valve. It is stupid for politicians, such as the honourable member for Southport (Mr Jennings) or Cabinet Ministers, to be subjecting themselves to more flak and putting themselves at the risk of more political outbursts and suggestions of cormption, graft, misunderstanding or half-heartedness. The Goverament has a great safety valve that has worked very well. It is tme that, occasionally, some people will try to exploit the system, as they will exploit any system. As somebody rightly pointed out, one does not throw out the baby with the bathwater. Although one person rorts the system, if 99 people benefit from it one keeps it. Mr FitzGerald: Put the other way round—99 people rorting the system and one benefiting; what would you do then? Mr INNES: If the statistics or the facts were available in a comprehensive form or if, on the statistics available, the honourable member for Lockyer was prepared to Local Govemment Act Amendment Bill (No. 2) 26 & 27 September 1985 1527 subject them to any basic or superficial examination, he would reaUse that in no way would his proposition be borne out. I am not sure why there is a difference between some facts read out by the honourable member for Southport and those referted to by the Minister. The statistics read out by the honourable member for Southport were different from those contained in the Minister's second-reading speech. The Minister referted to research in the Local Goverament Department and said that, from 1980 to June 1985, 106 appeals deaUng with the area outside the city of Brisbane were determined by the court and that, of them, 15 were lodged by objectors, and that only four objector appeals were upheld by the court. The Minister made that statement after reference, over one and a-half pages, to the objection process generally. The Minister went very close to saying that, if we want to speed up the process, we get rid of aU objections and do not worry about them. Let us examine the appeal situation. For the area outside the city of Brisbane 106 appeals were heard. The honourable member for Southport referred to 123 appeals. That means that fewer than 20 appeals were heard over a period of five and a-half yeeirs. There were fewer than three appeals by objectors each year. Fewer than 16 per cent were objector appeals. According to the statistics, only three appeals each year went to court. That surely cannot be considered to be a major hold-up in developing Queensland. One or two developments may have been held up, and those one or two developments might have been of very great concera to one or two people. Sfr WiUiam Knox: Isn't it tme that some of the people who objected to the developments were other developers? Mr INNES: The honourable member for Nundah has referted to other developers objecting to developments.

Friday, 27 September 1985 Assuming that my information is cortect, I will take as an example one of the developments at the Gold Coast that has been mentioned—the Oasis development. I believe that it will be found that one of the objectors to the Oasis development was Carrick Bush Pty Ltd, which bought the land that had already been subject to approval for a shopping centre. Carrick Bush bought out Zeta Pty Ltd, which was Alan Bond's company. Besser Queensland is one of the objectors. Robina Land Corporation is another. They are the pygmies, the trouble-makers, the development-obstmctors An Honourable Member interjected. Mr INNES: Yes, I suppose those people can be dismissed. It might be a commercial objection that is being pursued. I have been involved in cases in which there have been commercial objectors. Why not? A regional shopping centre was supposed to serve a quarter of a city. Over the last 10 years in this State, regional shopping centres have appeared on every coraer of certain intersections. I cite the example of an intersection at Sunnybank. The shopping facilities there were supposed to service a catchment of up to 15 km. It now has simUar facUities on all four comers. Town-planning schemes aUocate a certain level of retaU space according to a certain hierarchy of order, neighbourhood, district and regional in size. Why should not a major developer say, "Look, we developed our regional shopping centre on the basis of this town plan and the provision of this type of shopping. We have an investment. We have made a decision. We want to protect our zoning."? In such an instance, one usually finds that the big boys are fighting the big boys, that it is not the little people who are losing their money. Mental gymnastics are engaged in by influences from the Gold Coast. How often has the Gold Coast been up to its ears in legislative distortions in this House? I can 1528 26 & 27 September 1985 Local Govemment Act Amendment Bill (No. 2) recaU the former members for Surfers Paradise and Southport fighting battles for small- business people on the Gold Coast in relation to major shopping-centre developments. Then the two members who followed them fought battles for small-business people on the Gold Coast. This marvellous legislation, this great change to the Local Goverament Act, assured small-businessmen on the Gold Coast that there was no need to be concemed about the danger of overshopping. Now who is supporting it, and why are they supporting it? Mr Casey: They haven't fought much of a battle tonight. Mr INNES: No battie at all. Of course, there is a ministerial vacancy. Mr Borbidge interjected. Mr INNES: Of course, I do not mean that at aU. I have obtained figures for the city of Brisbane. I know that defective statistics are avaUable in the Local Govemment Department, because no-one has ever asked for them before. As I understand it, the Local Govemment Department knows how many rezoning applications are referred to it each year. It is probably of the order of 1 000 a year. No doubt the department knows that many of those were attended by objections. That is, and has always been, the right of every Queenslander. What is not known to the Local Goverament Department, because the statistics have not been kept in the Local Goverament Court, is how many of those rezonings have actually been converted to the filing of an appeal. By looking at the judgments, the department knows how many were determined by the courts. So the generaUsed statement is made, "We know how many were determined but many others were withdrawn." Because the Brisbane City Council has to be served with notices of appeal, and because there is one central authority in Brisbane for all appeals, it is known exactly how many appeals were filed against the Brisbane City Council. From December 1982 to date, 106 appeals were lodged—I repeat, 106—which is precisely the same number that was used by the Minister for Local Govemment, Main Roads and Racing. Perhaps there is a statistical anomaly somewhere. Fifteen of those—exactly the same number there are supposed to be outside the whole of Brisbane—were objections to rezonings. Those are accurate figures. The total number of applications was 106 for half the period that I have mentioned. Of them 15 were rezonings brought about by objector appUcations. In other words, the number of objector appeals, even taking into account that a number came to court above and beyond that figure of 106 and are unable to be traced, remains the same, that is, less than 16 per cent. It is also known that 91 were unsuccessfiU applicants in both cases. I draw the attention of all honourable members to the fact that 85 per cent of the appeals lodged in the Local Goverament Court are by developers and not ordinary people. It is also tme that, of the total number of developer rezoning applications, 29 were withdrawn, and that represents almost a third of the total. In the category of objector rezonings, five of the 15 were withdravm. The figures cleariy show that the performance and action of objectors is no different from that of unsuccessful applicants, except that far more appeals are lodged by unsuccessful applicants. The developers are the ones who lodged the majority of appeals with the Local Govemment Court, and no proposal has been presented by the Minister to change that. The rights of the developers have been left intact, whereas the rights that will be taken away are the rights of that miserable 16 per cent or so—the Uttle guys, the third-party objectors. It may be tme that some of the objectors are big guys, Local Govemment Act Amendment Bill (No. 2) 26 & 27 September 1985 1529

but some are little guys. Moreover, some of them are people such as those who live in the residential A zone and might wish to object to a building being used as a massage parlour next door to their property, the constmction of a sewerage treatment works next door, a warehouse, or whatever. The point that must be made is that that is the right of such people, and it should remain their right. The statistics—neither those presented by the Minister nor, on a comparative basis, the statistics available from the Brisbane City CouncU^^o not vaUdate the case presented by the Minister. The demonstration proves that the BiU affects an absolute minority, so what is at the heart of this issue? The heart of the issue is that there are two or three big, glamorous projects the owners of which feel fmstrated at present, and perhaps they should. After aU, if someone proposes to build a brand-new shopping centre in an area with many shopping centres, should not that developer have a damed good case? If the proposed development is a multimillion-dollar development, the developer might have to undertake a multithousand- dollar preparation. 1 am not arguing a case for the payment of lawyers' costs. No lawyers wiU be necessary unless a little guy or a small business—or even big business for that matter— beUeves his or its rights ought to be pursued. If no rights are being interfered with, no lawyers are needed. The proposition is as simple as that. The presence of lawyers and the incurring of fees is a reflection of the belief of someone that his rights are being trampled on, or that he has rights to pursue. The point I make is that I am not trying to protect lawyers; I am conceraed to ensure that people who wish to object can continue to do so, even in cases in which the objection has been withdrawn. The Minister and his departmental officers would know that, so often, whUe the objections might lead to defeat or withdrawal, they only do so after the conditions imposed on the rezoning have been altered to accommodate the objections. The process of lodging an objection is part of the whole process, and it is an important factor. It is part of poUtics because it is a way of saying, "Your development is going to envelop some of my rights; it wiU cause too much noise; it wiU cause too much traffic." I understand that the Brisbane City Council has modified its appeal procedure and is now turaing its attention to compromise, that is, the matching together of people's objections with proper conditions of development before the appeal stage is reached. It is invalid, therefore, to talk about withdrawals, and it is invaUd to talk about defeat, because so often withdrawal or defeat comes about as a result of reasonable concessions being made. Nothing has been presented that demonstrates that the processes do not work. If a few interstate carpet-baggers feel frustrated because their developments are not proceeding smoothly in this State owing to Queenslanders wishing to exercise thefr rights, and I am speaking of present residents of Queensland, such as smaU-business people or big-business people, tough; that is too bad; that is part of the world in which we live, and that is part of the free enterprise system. It is not a characteristic of the free enterprise system to leave only one party with rights of appeal. The system is conceraed with working out genuine confficts. Third parties and other people who may be affected are entitled to pursue their rights as weU. Mr HARTWIG (CaUide) (12.10 a.m.): I support the proposed amendments to the Local Goverament Act and compliment the Minister for Local Goverament, Main Roads and Racing (Mr Hinze) on his introduction of the legislation. It is rather alarming that the debate has descended to cesspit level. Tonight I have heard personal attack after personal attack. That was not tolerated when I entered this place 14 years ago. The member for Wynnum (Mr Shaw) painted developers with a tarnished bmsh; he said that they have a vested interest. I ask him straight out: Where would this country be if it were not for developers? One has to be connected with local goverament to understand the problems with the Local Goverament Act as it appUes today. In its

69061—52 1530 26 & 27 September 1985 Local Govemment Act Amendment Bill (No. 2) present form, it is a bonanza for the legal eagles and the newspapers of this great State. Last year, the cost to my shire of advertising rezoning applications was in excess of $30,000. The present problems relative to rezoning have been brought about by the provisions of the Local Goverament Act. One factor has been overlooked. The member for Sherwood (Mr Innes) said that withdrawal was not a valid point. I will tell him of an incident that occurted in my own town. An existing shopping centre objected to a proposed $6m development which was to be built a good mile away from the existing centre. The hearing has been deferted and will not proceed until December at the earliest and perhaps not until next year. While the objection to the appUcation is being heard, the objecting firm has submitted plans to the council in an attempt to get a rails mn. I said to it, "We appreciate the development, but you spiked that development up the road by lodging an objection which the court has deferted until later this year or early next year. Remember that you are now submitting plans for your benefit." I commend the Minister for his introduction of this legislation. He is a wake-up. He is one man who knows what is happening in local govemment. The trouble with many members who have spoken tonight is that they are not associated with local goverament. Delays cost money. Developers bortow money to buy land. If they wish to subdivide the land, that is their business. However, all too often today, developers are the last people to have a say about what they can do with their land. Opposition Members interjected. Mr HARTWIG: Yes, because they borrow. What do developers have to do before they can sell a block? They have to comply with rezoning regulations and subdivisional requirements. They have to constmct interaal sealed roads with kerbing and channelling and they have to make provision for water, sewerage and, now, electricity. They have to survey the area into blocks, and then register those blocks. They have to expend all that money before they can sell a block. That is a fair delay Mr Casey: WUl you change the by-laws to suit them? Mr HARTWIG: The council is not changing the by-laws at aU. Mr Casey: You old hypocrite. Mr HARTWIG: Talk about a hypocrite! Look who is talking! Don't push me, son. There is nothing in the legislation that takes away the right of objectors, because a genuine objector will make sure that an objection is lodged. The Minister saw the folly in what was happening. That is obvious from the foUowing paragraph in the Minister's speech, which is in these terms— "There is also evidence that some appeals are being lodged by business competitors of a proposed developer and that the appeUant then uses every legal facility available to him to delay the processing of the appeal, only to withdraw at the last moment, having held up the developer for a considerable period." In many instances that is exactiy what happens. Speed is of the essence of any contract. In one instance in my area, a lady was delayed for 12 months in the building of a block of units. She eventually built them, but the delay cost her $45,000 in hard cash. Has not the Goverament a responsibility to those people? When tovm-planning was introduced, it was not envisaged that lengthy delays would occur. It is fair enough to allow 30 days for advertising and listing objections. However, on one occasion, a man's project at Yeppoon was delayed for IVi years. He bought the property but could not get approval. In my area we have to deal with objectors and with the Beach Protection Authority, which wants to make its presence felt. Special Adjoumment 26 & 27 September 1985 1531 I am amazed that, in Queensland, where tremendous development is taking place, this should be happening. I give fiiU marks to the people who are game to outiay tens of thousands of doUars— and, in some instances, millions of doUars—to fiirther develop the State. It is time that we as members of ParUament reaUsed the contribution that private enterprise is making to the State. It has been said that objectors have a right to protect thefr property. What right have they? I had a beautiful view across the street from where I Uve at Yeppoon. A man came and bought the vacant block across the road and erected a two-storey house, which blocked my view. I did not object, because I knew it was useless. The man had the right to do what he did; it was his land. Why should he not buUd the house that he wanted? I had no right to teU him what sort of house he should buUd. The Lord Mayor of Brisbane appealed to the Minister to form a committee, headed by Sfr Alby Abbott, president of the Local Goverament Association, to look into ways and means of obviating delays. Delays cost jobs. Opposition members should be interested in jobs. Delays of 12 months cost many jobs. Objectors have caused delays on many occasions. I commend the Minister and the Goverament for doing what was requested. New development must be encouraged, but in many shfres new development is not being encouraged. If the Goverament wiU not encourage development, who wiU do so? If a developer wants to come to my shfre, I say to him, "You are welcome. We wiU tie you to the nearest tree and let you spend your money. We wiU help you." Developers become frustrated when approval of thefr projects is delayed for 12 months or two years. The Minister said that the Goverament had therefore decided to amend the Local Goverament Act to remove those rights of appeal. He then said— "This action will stiU leave in the hands of the Goveraor in CouncU the power to finally decide each rezoning appUcation, and, in making such decision, the Goveraor in Council wiU give full consideration to aU objections received and the local authority's representations thereon." Every shire worth its salt employs a top tovm-planner for $40,000 or $50,000 a year to guide the planning in its area. CouncUs are playing an important role, and it is up to the Goverament to assist them to bring development into thefr areas. That will create job opportunities and aUow this progressive State to continue along its present path. 1 have much pleasure in supporting the Bill. I hope that the House passes it unanimously. Debate, on motion of Mr Wharton, adjouraed.

SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT Hon. C. A. WHARTON (Buraett—Leader of the House): I move— "That the House, at its rising, do adjoura untU Tuesday, 8 October 1985." Motion agreed to. The House adjouraed at 12.22 a.m. (Friday).