Hansard 16 MARCH 1993
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Legislative Assembly 16 March 1993 2207 TUESDAY, 16 MARCH 1993 Mr SPEAKER (Hon. J. Fouras, Ashgrove) read prayers and took the chair at 10 a.m. PAPERS TABLED DURING RECESS Mr SPEAKER: I advise the House that papers were tabled during the recess in accordance with the list circulated to members in the Chamber. The Clerk of the Parliament— In accordance with sections 46J and 46N of the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1977— 8 March 1993— Annual Report for 1991-92— Grain Research Foundation Explanation for the extension of time for the tabling of an annual report for 1991-92— Grain Research Foundation 10 March 1993— Explanation for the extension of time for the tabling of annual reports for 1991— Barley Marketing Board Central Queensland Grain Sorghum Marketing Board Central Queensland Producers' Co-Operative Association Limited Queensland Barley Growers' Co-Operative Association Limited State Wheat Board Explanation for the extension of time for the tabling of an annual report for the year ended 31 March 1992— Queensland Dairyfarmers' Organisation Explanation for the extension of time for the tabling of an annual report for the year ended 31 May 1992— Atherton Tableland Maize Marketing Board. ADDRESS IN REPLY Presentation Mr SPEAKER: I have to remind honourable members that I propose to present to Her Excellency the Governor at Government House on Wednesday, 17 March, at 12 noon, the Address in Reply to Her Excellency’s Opening Speech agreed to on Thursday, 4 March, and I shall be glad to be accompanied by the mover and the seconder and such other honourable members as care to be present. Members wishing to accompany me to Government House are advised that cars will leave from the front entrance of Parliament House at 11.40 a.m. sharp on Wednesday, 17 March. PETITION The Clerk announced the receipt of the following petition— 2208 16 March 1993 Legislative Assembly Child Molesters From Mr Campbell (2 386 signatories) praying that the parole period be removed when sentencing child molesters, that offenders are given and serve maximum sentences and that their names be released for publication. Petition received. STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS In accordance with the schedule circulated by the Clerk to members in the Chamber, the following documents were tabled— Auctioneers and Agents Act— Auctioneers and Agents (Declaration of Banks) Order 1993, No. 63 Education (General Provisions) Act— Education (General Provisions) (Approval of Enrolment) Order (No. 1) 1993, No. 56 Education (General Provisions-Overseas Curriculum) Order 1993, No. 60 Education (Teacher Registration) Act— Education (Teacher Registration) Amendment By-law (No. 1) 1993, No. 61 Fruit Marketing Organisation Act— Fruit Marketing Organisation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1993, No. 58 Gas Act— Gas (Extension of Franchise) Order 1993, No. 52 Harbours Act— Harbours (Mackay Port Authority Contribution) Regulation 1993, No. 50 Health Act— Poisons (Adoption of Standard) Notice (No. 1) 1993, No. 55 Health Services Act— Health Services (Transfer of Officers) Regulation (No. 1) 1993, No. 65 Indy Car Grand Prix Act— Indy Car Grand Prix Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1993, No. 49 Justice Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act— Proclamation—certain sections of the Act commence on 12 March 1993, No. 62 National Parks and Wildlife Act— National Park 10 Counties of Banks, Hann, Mosman and Warner (Extension) Order 1993, No. 53 Rural Lands Protection Act— Rural Lands Protection (Declaration of Plants) Order 1993, No. 64 Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2)— Proclamation—amendment 20 of the Transport Infrastructure (Railways) Act 1991 commences 5 March 1993, No. 51 Statutory Instruments Act— Statutory Instruments Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1993, No. 57 Legislative Assembly 16 March 1993 2209 Water Resources Act— Water Resources (Merlwood Water Board Extension) Order 1993, No. 54 Water Resources (Pioneer Water Supply Agreement) Regulation 1993, No. 59. LEAVE TO MOVE MOTION WITHOUT NOTICE Mr BORBIDGE (Surfers Paradise—Leader of the Opposition) (10.05 a.m.): I seek leave to move a motion of no confidence in the Attorney-General. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I suggest that we do this the proper way. In future, the Leader of the Opposition should seek leave to move a motion without notice. Question—That leave be granted—put; and the House divided— AYES, 33 NOES, 52 Beanland Stoneman Ardill McElligott Borbidge Turner Barton McGrady Cooper Veivers Beattie Milliner Davidson Watson Bennett Nunn Elliott Bird Nuttall FitzGerald Braddy Palaszczuk Gamin Bredhauer Pearce Gilmore Briskey Power Goss J. N. Budd Purcell Grice Campbell Pyke Healy Casey Robertson Hobbs Clark Robson Horan Comben Rose Lester D’Arcy Smith Lingard Davies Spence Littleproud De Lacy Sullivan J. H. McCauley Dollin Sullivan T. B. Mitchell Edmond Szczerbanik Perrett Elder Vaughan Quinn Fenlon Warner Randell Foley Welford Rowell Gibbs Wells Santoro Goss W. K. Woodgate Sheldon Hamill Simpson Tellers: Hayward Tellers: Slack Springborg Hollis Pitt Stephan Laming Mackenroth Livingstone Resolved in the negative. Mr STONEMAN proceeding to give notice of motion— Government members interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn honourable members that the next member who interjects will be warned under Standing Order 123A. Mr STONEMAN further proceeding to give notice of motion— Mr Hamill interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the Minister for Transport under Standing Order 123A. GOODS AND SERVICES TAX Mr STONEMAN (Burdekin) (10.13 a.m.) I move— “That this House (1) acknowledges the positive impact the election of a Hewson Fischer Government will have on the economy of the Nation; and 2210 16 March 1993 Legislative Assembly (2) notes the comments in the Economic Strategy produced by Michael Knox of Morgans, Brisbane, dated 1 March 1993, which outlines the substantial increase in new jobs in Queensland if the payroll tax is removed under the GST— ‘In sum, we see that the impact upon Queensland employment from the removal of payroll tax under GST should add not less than 34,000 new jobs. We see that the export subsidy role of GST should add another 53,400 jobs. The net addition to Queensland employment from GST should therefore be a total 87,000 jobs. We assume this impact would occur over a three year period. If the total impact on Australian employment is 257,000, then it is absolutely the case that the provision of a GST will have far greater benefits for Queensland than for any other state. The Prime Minister is fond of saying that the introduction of GST means a major lifestyle change for all Australians. He is at least part correct. On the evidence, the introduction of GST in Queensland means a markedly better lifestyle for Queenslanders.’ ” Motion negatived. QUESTION UPON NOTICE University Campus, Cairns Dr CLARK asked the Minister for Education— “With reference to the Government’s plans to fund the construction of a new university campus at Cairns and the associated decision to dispose of the Cairns Central School site— Will he assure the Cairns community and members of this House that these plans will result in a net educational benefit for the Cairns region?” Mr COMBEN: I seek leave to table my answer and have it incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. Cabinet's decision to approve $6 million to top up Commonwealth funding will mean that there will be $15.5 million available to construct a Cairns' campus of the James Cook University of North Queensland. Construction is planned to begin by the end of next year to allow for a student intake in 1996. The number of Cairns university places should increase by 1,000. The present accommodation at the Cairns College of TAFE will then be released to provide TAFE with more facilities. The $6 million addition funding will flow from the sale of Cairns Central State school which is located in the Cairns' Central Business District. The remaining funds will be directed straight back into new buildings and facilities at other schools to accommodate students currently at Cairns Central. The facilities at Cairns North and Parramatta State schools will be enhanced. A new Special Education Unit will be built and the Cairns School Support Centre is likely to be relocated to Parramatta. I assure the Honourable Member, the Cairns community and members of the House that there will be a substantial net educational benefit for the Cairns community. There will be— * 1,000 more university places; * greater capacity at TAFE; and * new accommodation at surrounding schools. QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Legislative Assembly 16 March 1993 2211 Appointment of Ms B. Mason as CJC Commissioner Mr BORBIDGE: In directing a question to the Attorney-General, I refer to claims by the Premier that the Attorney-General’s appointee as part-time commissioner to the CJC, Barbara Mason, had references from the former Governor, Sir Walter Campbell, the former Police Commissioner, Mr Newnham, and former Expo boss, Sir Llew Edwards. I ask: was he aware that these eminent people had not provided references and that, in Ms Mason’s opinion, they were just “supporting information”? Did he advise the Premier of this fact? If not, why not? Mr WELLS: Although I was recorded as saying that Ms Mason had a reference from the Governor, the phrase that I always used was “letter of commendation”. I used the same phrase in respect of the other letters to which the honourable member referred. Sir Walter has since informed me that he would have preferred another phrase to “letter of commendation” because, although his letter did commend her, it was not written in the context of addressing a job application. What the letter actually said was that he thanked “you and your organisation” for the “excellent work that you do”. The reason the letter was relevant was that it was evidence that Ms Mason fitted the statutory criterion for the job—the criterion of “involvement in community affairs”.