5 Sep 2002 Legislative Assembly 3391 THURSDAY, 5 SEPTEMBER 2002 Mr SPEAKER (Hon. R. K. Hollis, Redcliffe) read prayers and took the chair at 9.30 a.m. PRIVILEGE National Party Support for Townsville Parliamentary Sitting Mr MICKEL (Logan—ALP) (9.31 a.m.): I rise on a matter of privilege. Last night in this House, the Leader of the Opposition in a point of order claimed that the National Party 'has supported this parliament'. I refer to the Channel 10 news of Friday, 30 August 2002 where the Leader of the Opposition said of the Townsville sitting— It could have been far better spent in providing something of substance. Mr Speaker, for your further consideration, I table other evidence of the honourable gentleman's lack of support. I ask that you consider referring this mendacity to the privileges committee. Mr Seeney interjected. Mr Johnson interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Gregory and the member for Callide! The House will come to order! SCHOOLS ATTENDING PARLIAMENT Mr SPEAKER: As raised with honourable members on Tuesday, I will acknowledge the schools attending the special sitting at the beginning of each day. I therefore warmly welcome students, parents and teachers from Hermit Park State School—and I mention that the Hon. Mike Reynolds was a pupil at that school for eight years and also his children were pupils there—Townsville State High School, Garbutt State School, Townsville Grammar School and James Cook University in the electorate of Townsville; the Cathedral School, Annandale Christian College, Annandale State School, Heatley Secondary School, Pimlico State High School and Currajong State School in the electorate of Mundingburra; St Peter's School (Halifax), Rollingstone State School, Hinchinbrook Christian College and Mission Beach State School in the electorate of Hinchinbrook; Edge Hill State School in the electorate of Barron River; Home Hill State High School, Airville State School, Wulguru State School, Maidavale State School and Claire State School in the electorate of Burdekin; St Anthony's School and Kirwan State High School in the electorate of Thuringowa; St Mary's School (Bowen) in the electorate of Whitsunday; and a very important one, Yam Island State School in the electorate of Cook. Welcome to you all. Honourable members: Hear, hear! PAPER MINISTERIAL RESPONSE TO A PETITION The Clerk tabled the following response to a petition— Response from the Minister for Health and Minister Assisting the Premier on Women's Policy (Mrs Edmond) to a petition presented by Ms Barry from 135 petitioners, regarding medical indemnity— Mr R Doyle The Clerk of the Parliament Parliament House Alice and George Streets BRISBANE Q 4000 Dear Mr Doyle Thank you for your letter dated 1 August 2002, enclosing a petition regarding the medical indemnity. The tort law reform issues raised in your petition are strictly speaking a matter for the Attorney General and Minister for Justice being legislation that would be administered by the Attorney's portfolio. However, as the subject matter has a direct impact upon the medical profession in Queensland it is appropriate that I clarify a number of issues in relation to steps that have already been taken. 3392 Ministerial Statement 5 Sep 2002 The State Government has implemented comprehensive new laws that deal specifically with the concerns about insurance raised by doctors and others in our community. The laws were fast-tracked through Parliament, in order to take effect before 1 July. These laws were drafted in consultation with groups including the Heads of Treasury from each State and the Australian Medical Association Queensland (AMAQ). The Premier, Attorney General and I have met with representatives of the AMAQ, relevant medical associations (including the Queensland Divisions of General Practice Association) and other stakeholders to seek their views and to ensure that the issues raised by them and their members are being made known to the relevant parties. The impact of these laws includes limiting compensation pay-outs by the courts, abolishing jury hearings for personal injuries cases, eliminating awards of legal costs for smaller claims, and banning lawyers 'no win-no fee' advertising which attracted many frivolous claims. The laws also make mediation and settlement conferences compulsory. These actions will reduce the number of claims going to court, and also prevent huge court settlements in Queensland. Separate to the new laws, the State Government also fully covers all doctors treating public patients in public hospitals. The Government has recently added further protection for doctors, guaranteeing additional indemnities for visiting medical officers for their consent process and for private rural doctors doing certain specialist work. While the State Government is working to give future certainty to doctors, addressing the situation surrounding the financial collapse of United Medical Protection (UMP) is a Federal Government responsibility. The Federal Government gave a guarantee it would cover doctors insured through UMP until 31 December 2002, which means there is no immediate 'crisis', and gives them time to work out a solution with UMP liquidators. While doctors, like many sections of our society, have genuine concerns about insurance, the State Government is urging them to continue providing an uninterrupted service to patients. We have asked the Federal Government to support our changes to the law by giving the pricing watchdog, the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC), sufficient powers to act against any insurer that raises premiums by unfair and unjustified amounts. We are also working with the Federal Government and other State and Territory Governments on the complex issues involved in the legal rights of children which allows children to reach adulthood before the Statute of Limitations of three years applies. These are complex issues that need to be considered carefully and implemented consistently at a national level as they directly impact on individuals legal rights. There are a number of other issues still to be considered prior to further legislative change later this year, including consideration of caps and thresholds for general damages. Of course, doctors are not the only ones worried about insurance. Not-for-profit community based groups have been particularly impacted by increases in public liability insurance premiums. To help these groups, the State Government is establishing a group insurance scheme open to all not-for-profit groups. This will be in place by September 2002. Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention and I trust this information is of assistance. Yours sincerely (sgd) Wendy Edmond MP Minister for Health and Minister Assisting the Premier on Women's Policy 3 SEP 2002 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT School Students' Breakfast; Premier's Schedule; September 11 Anniversary Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.36 a.m.), by leave: Along with a number of members representing all sides of this House, including the Independents, this morning I had the pleasure of meeting bright young people at Pimlico TAFE where they gathered for a school students' breakfast hosted by the Commission for Children and Young People. I want to put on record my appreciation to the Children's Commissioner, Robin Sullivan, for organising that function. I seek to incorporate in Hansard a short statement setting out the details, which I think should be on the record of this parliament. Leave granted. This morning, I had the pleasure of attending the "Kids Speak Out" breakfast hosted by the Commission for Children and Young People at Pimlico TAFE. The breakfast was attended by over 100 north Queensland school students and over 30 members of this Parliament. The breakfast provided an opportunity for Members of the House to listen to the concerns and suggestions of our young people on a range of issues, including education, employment, the law, the environment and sporting and recreational facilities. I wish to extend my thanks to the students who assisted in the organisation of the breakfast, in particular: 5 Sep 2002 Ministerial Statement 3393 the Pimlico TAFE students for preparing the hearty buffet. I'm sure all Members who attended would like to start every sitting day with such a fine feast; Townsville Grammar School and Pimlico State High School for the music; and all the north Queensland students who raised their issues and suggestions with us. I suggest to all my colleagues in the House today, that we provide opportunities for our younger constituents to take part in the democratic process by sharing their views and wishes with us. As elected Members, we have a particular responsibility to be aware of the issues facing young people today. I'm sure the Members present at the Commission's breakfast will note the issues raised, and will take every opportunity to ensure the views of young people are reflected in the work in their electorates. In addition to the breakfast, the Commission for Children and Young People has been engaging with young people from across north Queensland during each day of the Parliamentary sittings by balloting students on issues of importance to them. The results of the ballot will be provided to Members when the results have been analysed. Mr BEATTIE: As part of my normal process while parliament has been sitting in Townsville, I will spell out the program for today involving myself as Premier. At 11.45 the Governor will hold an executive council meeting. The Minister for Emergency Services and I will be with the Governor for this historic meeting of the executive council. At 12.15 I will join the Families Minister, Judy Spence, to launch Foster Care Week. At 1.15 I will present awards to young poster designers, debaters and teacher volunteers. At 3 o'clock I will open the Townsville premises of Foodbank. At 4.30 I will join the Deputy Premier and Treasurer, Terry Mackenroth, in meeting directors of Townsville Enterprise, along with the Minister for State Development.