Legislative Assembly 19 7 September 1995

THURSDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 1995 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Appointment of Ministry Hon. W. K. GOSS (Logan—Premier Mr SPEAKER (Hon. J. Fouras, Ashgrove) and Minister for Economic and Trade read prayers and took the chair at 10 a.m. Development) (10.03 a.m.): I desire to inform the House that on 31 July 1995, Her Excellency the Governor— COMMISSION TO ADMINISTER OATH (a) Accepted the resignations of— Mr SPEAKER: I have to inform the Edmund Denis Casey, House that Her Excellency the Governor has Dean MacMillan Wells, been pleased to issue a Commission under Anne Marie Warner, the public seal of the State empowering me to Geoffrey Norman Smith, administer the oath or affirmation of allegiance Molly Jess Robson, to such members as might hereafter present Frederick Warren Pitt, themselves to be sworn. I now ask the Clerk to as members of the Executive Council of read the Commission to the House. Queensland and as Ministers of the The Clerk read the Commission. Crown; (b) Accepted the resignations of— Thomas James Burns, GOVERNOR'S OPENING SPEECH Robert James Gibbs, Mr SPEAKER: I have to report that Her Edmund Denis Casey, Excellency the Governor on Wednesday, 6 Terence Michael Mackenroth, September 1995, delivered a Speech to James Peter Elder, Parliament of which, for greater accuracy, I Dean MacMillan Wells, have obtained a copy. I presume honourable Anne Marie Warner, members will take the Speech as read? Geoffrey Norman Smith, Kenneth William Hayward, Honourable members: Hear, hear! Matthew Joseph Foley, Molly Jess Robson, Frederick Warren Pitt, PETITION as Ministers of the Crown; The Clerk announced the receipt of the following petition— (c) Appointed— Wayne Keith Goss, to be Premier and Minister for Economic and Trade Gold Coast, Police Numbers; Palm Development; Beach Police Station Thomas James Burns, to be Deputy From Mrs Gamin (1,459 signatories) Premier and Minister for Tourism, praying that action be taken to boost police Sport and Youth; numbers in southern areas of the Gold Coast Keith Ernest De Lacy, to be and that a police station be built at Palm Treasurer; Beach. Robert James Gibbs, to be Minister Petition received. for Primary Industries and Minister for Racing; CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES Terence Michael Mackenroth, to be Minister for Housing, Local Appointment of Mr H. Palaszczuk Government and Planning, Minister Hon. W. K. GOSS (Logan—Premier for Rural Communities and Minister and Minister for Economic and Trade for Provision of Infrastructure for Development) (10.03 a.m.), by leave, without Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander notice: I move— Communities; "That Heinrich Palaszczuk be David John Hamill, to be Minister for appointed Chairman of Committees of the Education; Whole House." James Peter Elder, to be Minister for Motion agreed to. Transport and Minister Assisting the 7 September 1995 20 Legislative Assembly

Premier on Economic and Trade I lay upon the table of the House a copy Development; of the Queensland Government Gazette Paul Joseph Braddy, to be Minister Extraordinary of 31 July 1995 containing the for Police and Minister for Corrective relevant notifications. Services; Peter Douglas Beattie, to be Minister GOVERNMENT WHIP AND for Health; GOVERNMENT DEPUTY WHIP Matthew Joseph Foley, to be Minister Hon. W. K. GOSS (Logan—Premier for Justice and Attorney-General, and Minister for Economic and Trade Minister for Industrial Relations and Development) (10.06 a.m.): I have to inform Minister for the Arts; the House that Donald Wallace Livingstone, member for Ipswich West, has been elected Glen Richard Milliner, to be Minister Government Whip, and that Terence Boland for Administrative Services; Sullivan, member for Chermside, has been Kenneth William Hayward, to be elected Government Deputy Whip. Minister for Business, Industry and Regional Development; LEADER OF THE HOUSE Anthony McGrady, to be Minister for Minerals and Energy; Hon. W. K. GOSS (Logan—Premier and Minister for Economic and Trade Thomas Alfred Barton, to be Minister Development) (10.06 a.m.): I have to inform for Environment and Heritage; the House that arrangements have been Wendy Marjorie Edmond, to be made, and yourself as the Honourable the Minister for Employment and Training Speaker informed accordingly, for the and Minister Assisting the Premier on Honourable Terence Michael Mackenroth, Public Service Matters; Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning, Minister for Rural Communities and Kenneth Victor McElligott, to be Minister for Lands; Minister for Provision of Infrastructure for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Margaret Rosemary Woodgate, to be Communities to be Leader of the House. Minister for Family and Community Services and Minister Assisting the Premier on the Status of Women; OPPOSITION APPOINTMENTS Kenneth Henry Davies, to be Minister Mr BORBIDGE (Surfers Paradise— for Emergency Services and Minister Leader of the Opposition) (10.07 a.m.): I wish for Consumer Affairs; and the advise the House of the following Opposition appointments— (d) Appointed— Leader of the Opposition—Robert Edward Wayne Keith Goss, Borbidge, member for Surfers Paradise; Thomas James Burns, Keith Ernest De Lacy, Deputy Leader of the Coalition and Robert James Gibbs, Leader of the Liberal Party—Joan Mary Terence Michael Mackenroth, Sheldon, member for Caloundra; David John Hamill, Deputy Leader of the Opposition—Kevin James Peter Elder, Rowson Lingard, member for Beaudesert; Paul Joseph Braddy, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, Peter Douglas Beattie, Denver Edward Beanland, member for Matthew Joseph Foley, Indooroopilly; Glen Richard Milliner, Kenneth William Hayward, Leader of Opposition Business in the Anthony McGrady, House—Andrew Anthony FitzGerald, Thomas Alfred Barton, member for Lockyer; Wendy Marjorie Edmond, Opposition Whip—Lawrence James Kenneth Victor McElligott, Springborg, member for Warwick; Margaret Rosemary Woodgate, Opposition Deputy Whip and Liberal Kenneth Henry Davies, Whip—Francis Edward Carroll; to be Members of the Executive Council National Party Secretary—Diane Elizabeth of Queensland. McCauley, member for Callide; Legislative Assembly 21 7 September 1995

Liberal Party Secretary—Lynette Robyn of Queensland in the loss they have Warwick, member for Barron River; sustained." Joint Coalition Parties Secretary—David Arthur Crawford was born on 22 John Hopetoun Watson, member for September 1923 at Caboolture, the son of Moggill. Andrew Crawford, a doctor, and his wife, PAPERS Lillian. He was educated at Eagle Junction State School, the Church of England The following papers were laid on the Grammar School and the University of table— Queensland, where he studied medicine. (a) Minister for Health (Mr Beattie)— Arthur Crawford's commitment to the practice Annual Reports for 1994-95— of medicine and to public health was The Queensland Institute of Medical manifested in numerous ways. He practised Research medicine in a wide variety of settings—within the public hospital system, as a general The Queensland Institute of Medical Research Trust practitioner, and as a surgeon on Wickham Terrace. He demonstrated a commitment to (b) Minister for Administrative Services the growth of the medical profession through (Mr Milliner)— his lecturing at the University of Queensland Government responses to Reports of the Medical School and through the publication of Parliamentary Committee of Public Works various articles within professional journals. on— Through his service as a medical The Development of the Hervey Bay Courthouse consultant with the Army in Vietnam and in various positions within charities and The Development of the Bundaberg associations within Queensland, he Police Station and Watchhouse demonstrated an overarching desire to secure (c) Minister for Minerals and Energy the health and wellbeing of society at large. (Mr McGrady)— He was also the national president of the Right Queensland Electricity Commission— to Life Association from 1971 to 1977. Report—July-December 1994 In 1969 he was elected as the Liberal (d) Minister for Lands (Mr McElligott)— member for Wavell. He represented Wavell in Annual Reports for 1994-95— this House until his resignation in 1977. While Foreign Ownership of Land Register in this place, he was a keen advocate for reform of the Queensland health system, Operations of the Land Tribunal established under the Aboriginal motivated by a genuine concern for the Land Act wellbeing not only of patients but also for those doctors and nurses working within the Operations of the Land Tribunal system. established under the Torres Strait Islander Land Act. Arthur Crawford is survived by his wife Louise, his two daughters Anne and Elizabeth, his son Alex and their families. On behalf of MOTION OF CONDOLENCE the Parliament, I extend my sympathy and Death of Dr A. P. Crawford that of this House to them. Hon. W. K. GOSS (Logan—Premier Mr BORBIDGE (Surfers Paradise— and Minister for Economic and Trade Leader of the Opposition) (10.11 a.m.): On Development) (10.09 a.m.), by leave, without behalf of the Opposition, I join with the notice, I move— Honourable the Premier in expressing sincere condolences to the family of the late Dr Arthur "1. That this House desires to place Pinkerton Crawford, a former Liberal member on record its appreciation of the services for the Brisbane seat of Wavell. Dr Crawford, rendered to this State by the late Dr who served in this Parliament from 17 May Arthur Pinkerton Crawford, a former 1969 till his sudden retirement on 12 member of the Parliament of November 1977, died in June at the age of 71 Queensland. years. A man of strong principles and 2. That Mr Speaker be requested determination, he dedicated a lifetime to the to convey to the family of the deceased service of his fellow beings as a very gentleman the above resolution, together successful surgeon, community leader and with an expression of the sympathy and politician. He was also regarded as a very sorrow of the members of the Parliament staunch member of the Liberal Party and was 7 September 1995 22 Legislative Assembly highly regarded by constituents throughout his On another occasion, he referred to a friend of electorate. his saying that the only difference between a Dr Crawford was born on 22 September rut and a grave was the depth of the cut and 1923 at Caboolture. As the Premier indicated, that, if one was in a rut, it was time one began he was the son of a medical practitioner and to think constructively and move oneself from Lillian Mary Donnelly. He was educated at it. It was often said that this was the reason Eagle Junction State School and Brisbane that he decided to leave the Parliament. Grammar before completing his medical On behalf of the Opposition, I extend my degree at the University of Queensland. Dr deepest sympathy and that of my colleagues Crawford was resident medical officer at the to Dr Crawford's family and close friends. I Royal Brisbane Hospital and served as a GP endorse the remarks made by the Premier. at Northgate before becoming a Wickham Mrs SHELDON (Caloundra—Leader of Terrace specialist surgeon. In December 1947, the Liberal Party) (10.15 a.m.): I also rise to he married Marion Chalk and they had a son offer my heartfelt condolences to the friends and two daughters. Dr Crawford was a major in and the family of Arthur Pinkerton Crawford, the Australian forces 8th Field Ambulance, who was the Liberal member for Wavell from serving at Vung Tau in Vietnam in 1967 and 1969 till his retirement in 1977. Arthur 1968. He later became senior visiting surgeon Crawford was an extremely active member of at the military hospital in Yeronga. the community and a proud Australian, even But Dr Crawford's interests extended far before he entered State Parliament. He beyond surgery and military service. He was a served as a surgeon with the rank of major in member of the council of the Presbyterian and the Australian forces in Vietnam from 1967 to Methodist Schools Association from 1966; 1968 and became a prominent and well- president of the Right to Life Association published surgeon in Brisbane upon his return. (Queensland) from 1970; a councillor of the He was a member of the council of the Family Planning Association; and a committee Presbyterian and Methodist Schools member of the Autistic Children's Association Association, chairman of the medical advisory of Queensland. He was also trustee and committee at St Helen's Methodist Hospital deputy chairman of the medical and and a committee member of the Autistic associated professions superannuation plan. Children's Association of Queensland. Dr He was also chairman of the medical advisory Crawford was also an active and prominent committee and a board member of the St campaigner against abortion. Helen's Methodist Hospital Board from 1965 to During his service as the member for 1976. Wavell, Dr Crawford fought for better Dr Crawford produced a number of conditions for State hospitals and in particular publications dealing with his surgical for the staff who worked in those hospitals. He experiences both in peace and war theatres. believed that it was just as important to On 17 May 1969, he followed Mr A. T. Dewar develop high morale amongst State health as the Liberal member for Wavell—a seat workers as it was to build new hospitals. He which was eventually dropped in the 1986 worked within the coalition Government of his redistribution when the area was split among time to improve the Queensland health adjoining electorates. He served with system and to provide better working distinction in Parliament and was a member of conditions for nurses and doctors. Government party committees, including Despite his retirement from Parliament, Dr health, education and cultural activities. Crawford continued to be an active member of Dr Crawford also earned a reputation the Liberal Party, obtaining positions within the towards the end of his political career as an executive of the party. Dr Crawford was well outspoken member of the Liberal Party. He regarded not just for his work in the Parliament made many valuable contributions to and his work in the medical field but also for parliamentary debate, and it is interesting to his extremely hard work as a local member for dwell on a couple that he made. In an his constituents in Wavell. His drive to better Address in Reply debate, Dr Crawford was his local community, along with the wider dealing with some critical health issues at the communities of Queensland and Australia, time, and he referred to Churchill defining could be best summed up by this quote from criticism in the following terms— a speech he made in this House in 1969 in "Criticism may not be agreeable but it which he stated— is necessary. It fulfils the same function as "To do nothing—complacency—in pain in the human body. It calls attention any aspect of human endeavour is to my to an unhealthy state of things." mind the worst possible mistake, and I Legislative Assembly 23 7 September 1995

think this applies to efforts in this House education and adult life. This concern is also." reflected in the fact that the Arthur Crawford I offer my condolences to the family and Foundation is being established by his widow friends of Dr Arthur Crawford on my own behalf and his family and friends to raise funds to and on behalf of the Queensland Liberal assist the physically handicapped. Party, which he served so well. Lest it be said that Arthur Crawford Mr BEANLAND (Indooroopilly—Deputy abandoned the Liberal Party or the Liberal Leader of the Liberal Party) (10.18 a.m.): The cause, despite his frustration with Government late Dr Arthur Crawford was a rare policy when he was here I would like to place parliamentarian in today's political world. In his on the record a comment he gave in the nine years in this Parliament, he always spoke Courier-Mail when he announced his his mind—even though that was often to the retirement in March 1977. He said— detriment of possible ministerial appointment, "I will continue to support the Liberal which his vast experience and qualifications no Party in principle and have no intention of doubt merited. His abiding cause was health aligning myself with any other party. I care, though he also expressed strong views believe emphatically that Liberal policies on matters such as family life, Government are second to none when compared with accountability and less Government red tape those of other political parties in and regulation. Australia." I recall that when Dr Crawford was Significantly, Dr Crawford continued to endorsed by our party to stand for the safe attend fundraising functions for our party, and Liberal seat of Wavell, there was great surprise that was particularly the case just prior to the in both the party and the community. At the calling of the recent State election. Arthur time, Dr Crawford was one of Brisbane's Crawford was a very dedicated, forthright leading medical specialists, with a large Liberal who never surrendered his principles practice on Wickham Terrace. Although a nor allowed ambition to get in the way of number of general practitioners had served in expressing those principles and his concerns the Parliament, Dr Crawford was one of the about vital public issues. few, if not the only, leading specialist to be To his widow, Louise, and his family and elected to this Chamber. When he was legions of friends, I extend my sympathy at his chosen, there was an expectation that he sudden passing. would at the very least achieve ministerial Mr T. B. SULLIVAN (Chermside) office. The fact that he did not do so was (10.21 a.m.) Dr Crawford represented the old almost certainly due to his forthrightness on electorate of Wavell, which comprised the issues of concern to him and his frequent eastern half of the current electorate of criticism of the Health Minister and the Chermside. A number of long-term residents department in particular. His run-ins with the of the Wavell Heights area have spoken highly then Health Minister, Doug Tooth, at Liberal of Dr Crawford's work as their local member. Dr Party conventions and in debates in this place Crawford had a special interest in providing were among the toughest and most intense I support to those with a physical and/or mental have ever witnessed. disability and his work in this field is fondly Dr Crawford had a passionate concern remembered by many families, both within about health care and health care standards. and outside the old electorate of Wavell. Dr In expressing that concern, he was able to Crawford is also warmly remembered by the draw on his experience as a surgeon— hundreds of local families whom he helped in probably one of the top five surgeons in the a personal way. State—and his active involvement in the On behalf of the local community, Australian Medical Association. Arthur especially from the Wavell Heights area, I offer Crawford more than just spoke about health condolences to his wife, family and friends. and community issues. He was very actively involved in community organisations before he Mr SANTORO (Clayfield) (10.22 a.m.) I came to this place, during his parliamentary wish to associate myself with this condolence career and after he left this place in 1977. He motion, for I knew Dr Arthur Crawford well. As served as president of the Right to Life the member for the former electorate of Association for many years and on the council Wavell, he also represented important of the Family Planning Association. In more sections of my electorate of Clayfield, including recent times, he had a special concern for the the suburbs of Kalinga and Wooloowin. physically handicapped and a desire to ensure In his maiden speech, Brian Austin, who that they had maximum opportunities in succeeded Dr Crawford after his resignation 7 September 1995 24 Legislative Assembly from Parliament, had this to say about his Again, members need only read the predecessor— maiden speech of Dr Crawford delivered in this "During my calls on the electors of place on 7 August 1969 to appreciate his very Wavell in the recent State election real love for one of the noblest professions campaign I was pleased to note the high into which a person can go. Within that esteem in which my predecessor, Dr speech, honourable members will note that Dr Arthur Crawford, is held by the Crawford covered in great detail and style the community. It became very clear during issues of vital concern to the key section of his the campaign that Dr Crawford had given profession, including the state of a significant portion of his life to that Queensland's free hospital system, the needs electorate." of the nursing profession, patient maltreatment and medical malpractice, This was a very genuine tribute which found its remuneration levels within the medical public substance in the very dedicated work that Dr service, the funding of the public hospital Crawford performed on the north side of system and specialist medical units within the Brisbane, not only as a conscientious system. parliamentarian between May 1969 and November 1977 but also as a highly respected If there were sacred cows within the medical practitioner and surgical specialist who system which needed to be protected, Dr looked after the medical needs of many of his Crawford certainly gave no hint in his maiden constituents prior to, during and after his long speech of knowing about them or, indeed, and distinguished service in this Parliament. wanting to protect them. He was clearly a man of action and a man of vision and he intended Twenty-two years after his retirement from to display plenty of both of these qualities in Parliament in somewhat controversial this place. In fact, he set the parameters of his circumstances, Arthur Crawford is still referred modus operandi right from the outset when he to with great affection by many of the people said in his maiden speech— whom he served and represented. In the normal course of electoral business, many of "I do not believe in platitudinous my constituents, particularly those in their conversation; I do not believe in wasting senior years and within the medical profession, time. I therefore feel that my ideas on raise with me their memories and appreciation certain aspects of health legislation might of the good friend, adviser and helper Dr well be aired by me at this time." Crawford was to them. Some have particularly That is something that he proceeded to do in asked me to appreciatively remember many a speech for many a year after that. It Dr Crawford in this place. was an attitude and commitment that Dr Crawford carried through to his political Dr Crawford need not have come to this involvement, often much to the discomfort of place to gain recognition, fame or financial his then political colleagues and friends. But security, for prior to being elected he was as he also said in his maiden speech, it was already regarded as someone who had given not an attitude based on malice but one much to his country, community and based on a commitment to the welfare and profession. Even a casual perusal of his advancement of the Liberal Party—his party. biographical literature will clearly outline to honourable members how well qualified and Some members will recall that Dr Crawford well published Dr Crawford was. He pursued retired from this Parliament in controversial his professional research interests even while circumstances on Thursday, 1 September he was in this place and published research 1977. He did so because he thought that pieces which drew on his medical experience certain things in which he believed deeply not only in peacetime Australia but also during could not and would not be achieved at the his distinguished service as a major in the time. So rather than vegetate—rather than just Australian 8th Field Ambulance in Vietnam. In sit and do out his time in this place—he took fact, honourable members would be interested the courageous step that few others in this to know that, in 1971, only five of the then 78 place would be prepared to do and got members within this place had qualifications at out—after over a decade of distinguished a tertiary level, and Dr Crawford was one of service, it should be remembered. But he did these—a fact which the late Don Lane not spit the dummy or, as the honourable especially noted within his autobiography Trial member for Indooroopilly said, damage his & Error. His dogged pursuit of his medical party in the process. Again, in his maiden ideals and ethics was one among many of the speech, Brian Austin said— most distinguished and defining of his "It is a rare occurrence when a man representative duties in this place. leaves the political arena for him to seek Legislative Assembly 25 7 September 1995

office—that is, executive office—in the community suffering from disabilities. He was party which he represented in this House. particularly involved in sheltered workshops Usually it happens the other way round. and he was a continual advocate for sheltered Arthur Crawford is such a man, and his workshops. He was a major contributor to the strength and determination to stand up National Association for Disabled Office and fight for the principles in which he Workers and he was actually working on a believed were obvious from his actions." system for blind office workers to assist them Right up to the day of his untimely in gaining employment. passing, Dr Crawford remained an active and I know the high regard in which Dr interested member of the Queensland Liberal Crawford is held by people involved in surgery, Party. He continued to play a most general practice, nursing and in his own local constructive role in the greater debates of the community of the northern suburbs of party and was a source of much wisdom and Brisbane, particularly amongst those disabled advice to many members of the Liberal Party people whom he helped so much. I would like organisation and many members who took to join with the members of this Parliament in their seats in this place as new Liberal extending my condolences and sympathies to members. At the same time, he maintained his wife, Louise, and his three children. and developed his considerable community Motion agreed to, honourable members involvements and, of course, he renewed standing in silence. vigorously his very practical and practising commitment to his profession. To his family and in particular to his wife Louise, I extend CONDEMNATION OF FRENCH my most sincere condolences on their most GOVERNMENT'S NUCLEAR TESTING sad and recent loss. IN THE PACIFIC Mr HORAN (Toowoomba South) Hon. W. K. GOSS (Logan—Premier (10.27 a.m.): I would like to join in this and Minister for Economic and Trade condolence motion for Dr Arthur Crawford, Development) (10.30 a.m.), by leave, without whom I had known for only some three years. notice: I move— He joined the coalition health committee "That this House condemns and approximately three years ago and the abhors the explosion at Mururoa Atoll of a contribution that he made was immense. Not nuclear device by the French Government only was he a man of great stature and of yesterday; and great experience but he was also a very humble man. It was only at his funeral that I further, that this House calls on the really came to understand the breadth of French Government to halt the current experience and contributions to the series of nuclear tests and abandon the community that Dr Arthur Crawford had made. remaining scheduled tests." What particularly impressed me was the I welcome this opportunity to invite fact that Dr Crawford was a person who had members to join in the growing Australiawide grown up in the northern suburbs of Brisbane and indeed worldwide condemnation of the and he continued to make most of his French Government over its nuclear testing contributions to that particular part of Brisbane. program in the Pacific. As members would He was one of the first doctors to start a group know, French testing in the Pacific began practice in the northern suburbs of Brisbane. many years ago. There have been something Dr Crawford was highly regarded for his skills like 176 tests. There have been 44 as a surgeon throughout the city and he also atmospheric tests and 132 tests beneath the gave a great deal of time to the military, atoll. Combined, these tests have had particularly during service in Vietnam. People radioactive power 200 times that of the bomb who served with him in Vietnam have spoken that was dropped on Hiroshima. Before highly of the amount of work that he did and yesterday's test, there had been a four-year the development of surgery that he carried out moratorium on testing in the Pacific. in the field in Vietnam. I remember him greatly Today, we should register the disgust and for his contributions to our coalition health the disappointment of a Pacific State committee, particularly regarding general community of 3 million people towards the practice, hospitals and nursing. resumption of testing. In doing so, it is a I would also like to speak about the work significant expression of opinion in this part of that Dr Crawford did for the community. the world, in this part of the Asia/Pacific region. Despite such a long and distinguished career, We should call on the French Government to he gave much time to people in the abandon the remaining scheduled tests. 7 September 1995 26 Legislative Assembly

I think we all welcome—and I certainly do that is readily available, and the Americans welcome—the growing momentum of protests are very willing to give this technology to around the Pacific, not just from one end of France. Nevertheless, President Chirac does the Pacific to the other, not just from Australia not want it; he wants to be able to test and to Japan and from all countries in the South develop this bomb by himself. Congressman Pacific, but also as it spreads to North America Eni Faleomavaega and Oscar Temaru, the and to European countries. I think it is leader of the Tavini Party in Papeete, were particularly important that we see growing recently taken into custody by French police evidence of protest, growing evidence of while in the area of Mururoa Atoll. anger, within Europe, and it is heartening to I think we should emphasise as a see public opinion polls in France itself Parliament that we are not opposed to the expressing opposition to the testing program. French people; we are opposed to a single It is clear that this pressure to which we decision of the French President. Last week I seek to contribute today is having some effect, took part in a demonstration in Papeete which with the suggestion coming from the French was organised by the majority protestant Government earlier this week that the number churches in that city. Nine thousand people of tests may be reduced. So I would appeal to walked through the streets of Papeete. Of all members to join in supporting this motion. those people, the majority were wearing The Queensland Government will certainly do stickers which said that 62 percent of French what is reasonably within its power to people oppose the atomic testing. We are not cooperate in protests. We have been in attacking the French people; rather, we should contact with the Federal Government and call on French men and French women who have given an undertaking to cooperate in any are opposed to the bomb to continue their appropriate protests that Australia may mount. struggle against this decision of their I think it is only appropriate that this President, who was elected on a policy of not motion be seconded by Mr Wells, the member doing what he has just now done. for Murrumba, who has spent a week in the The people who are occupying the airport South Pacific helping to organise protests at Faa, near Papeete, are the very people while he was there and activities that are who a week or so ago thronged through the continuing now. As many members know, he streets of Papeete and then sat down for would be still there today were it not for this hours in the sun to pray for the soul of parliamentary sitting. Jacques Chirac in the hope that he would not Mr WELLS (Murrumba) (10.33 a.m.) I fall into the ultimate sin of nuking paradise. invite all honourable members to join in Unfortunately, their prayers were not supporting the Premier's motion. While the answered. It takes a lot to drive such people to rocks beneath the atoll turn molten and while anger, to the anger which is being displayed in Papeete burns, the President of France, Papeete at the moment. Radiation can have Jacques Chirac, is saying how he intends to that effect. sign the nuclear test ban treaty next year. The people I spoke to in Papeete What he is doing is promising—while he is included a man whose brother died at the age exploding bombs—that he will subsequently of 32 after a career as a diver and a specialist promise that he will not explode bombs. I do dealing with the nuclear testing sites at not know whether it is more appropriate to Mururoa. I saw people there who had a sense compare him with the gangster who says, "I of grief not for themselves or for their just want to do one more job", or whether it generation but for their children and their would be appropriate to compare him with St children's children. I saw a map of Mururoa, Augustine who said, "Give me poverty and one that the French officials deny exists, a chastity, Lord, but not yet." What he is doing is map which is used by the French military and postponing the day when he does the right which divides the island of Mururoa into those thing. areas which are not contaminated, those The question is: why is he doing this? areas which are lightly contaminated and According to United States Congressman, Eni those areas marked in bright red which are Faleomavaega, who is a member of the highly contaminated and are entirely no-go House Foreign Relations Committee and the areas. United States Congressman for Samoa, the Yesterday, there was a hastily convened reason that the President is doing this is that demonstration in King George Square by France wants to test, and obtain the capability people who were opposed to the French to use, a smaller bomb, one that will fit nuclear testing. There is going to be such a practically into a satchel. But the technology to demonstration in King George Square at Legislative Assembly 27 7 September 1995

5 p.m. every day President Chirac explodes misrepresent the position of the coalition in one of his bombs. It is important that respect of this issue, which should be and honourable members here take part in these must be on a bipartisan political basis. We on kinds of protests. The international role of this side of the House share the Premier's members of Parliament who have been to outrage. I respect his views and expect him to Tahiti has been a major fillip for those who are respect mine, without the sort of dishonesty opposed to French nuclear testing locally. that was reported last night and this morning There are now Australian members of on the airwaves. It goes without saying that Parliament in the vicinity of Mururoa. There are the French tests are an act—— members of Parliament in Papeete. All these A Government member interjected. things put pressure on President Chirac to cease his nuclear testing program. Mr BORBIDGE: I do not set the sitting dates. The important issue today is that all 89 There is a role for everybody. Not only members of this Parliament are meeting to members of Parliament can travel to Tahiti at condemn the French Government. That is our their own expense to do what they do. There responsibility; that is our duty. The French are other groups in the community—for tests—— example, artists and scientists—who could do the same thing. There are people in Tahiti who Government members interjected. are trying to organise a peace concert to put Mr BORBIDGE: The Government sets further pressure on the French Government to the sitting dates; that is not our responsibility. cease its testing. The French tests represent an act of In conclusion, I return to the question of international vandalism, an act against why President Chirac is doing this. Why, in the humanity and an act of desecration of both light of all the world opinion which has been the environment and accepted international harnessed against the French nuclear tests, is standards of behaviour. I express great President Chirac doing it? I believe it is simply disappointment that a country that has to save his own face. Fifty years after contributed so much to European civilisation Hiroshima there is no place in the new world and a country that has given so much to the order for those who would test atomic bombs. world should be indulging in such behaviour. A We do not need any new atomic explosions. country that itself has been the victim of Nobody is threatening to use these weapons, tyranny now seeks to impose unacceptable so President Chirac does not need his force standards of behaviour on an outraged world de frappe. He does, however, need to save community. The simple fact is that, by his his face. By the time he has finished saving it, actions, President Chirac has become—and it will be the ugliest face in the history of the deservedly so—an international pariah. South Pacific. I endorse the comments of the member Mr BORBIDGE (Surfers Paradise— who preceded me, namely, that there are Leader of the Opposition) (10.39 p.m.): The many good French nationals in France, Opposition supports the motion moved by the Australia and, indeed, right around the world Honourable the Premier and seconded by the who oppose this lunacy. I note that today a member for Murrumba. Obviously this is an group of senior members of the Federal issue that should cross political boundaries Parliament from all political parties is in Paris to and I am sure that the unanimous support for start lobbying French decision makers to try to this motion today will be another signal to the negotiate a reversal of this decision. I am sure French Government and its representatives in that all members of the Queensland Australia that its behaviour at Mururoa has Parliament wish them well. been totally and absolutely unacceptable. I also express concern about the reports I express some disappointment and, with overnight of the attitude of the French to those words, temper my remarks about what protesters in the South Pacific. The treatment was reported last night and this morning on that has been meted out to them is more akin ABC radio. The Premier indicated that, in the to that of a Stalinist police state than a previous session of Parliament, the Opposition western democracy. I urge the Queensland had not supported a resolution condemning Government and the Premier to consider all the French. I place on record the facts. The the options. I believe that we can do a lot Honourable the Premier made a statement to more than pass a motion in this Parliament. the House, I sought leave to support his For example, I urge the Government to statement, and leave was not granted. I examine and review all contracts and repeat: leave was not granted. They are the tenders—if any have been let or are in the facts. I express disappointment that the process of being let—involving French member for Logan would so blatantly companies. I believe that it is important that 7 September 1995 28 Legislative Assembly we signal the total unacceptability of the a danger to our families and our country. It is decision of the French Government, which unfortunate that some people in our country must not be allowed to believe that the anger have seen fit to take out their understandable will subside when the tests stop. The French anger against French citizens, Australians of Government must realise that it has done itself French descent and French businesses. That irreparable damage in the Pacific. is not fair. Many of those people feel just as I note also that concern is growing about strongly as we do about the testing. In fact, the plans by the Government of the People's most are being victimised by it. Republic of China in regard to atmospheric Mr W. K. Goss interjected. nuclear testing. We, this Parliament and the Mrs SHELDON: I said "in this country". I Governments of Australia should insist that the was referring to French people in this very same standards must also apply to the country—Australians of French descent and Chinese nuclear testing program. French businesses. Mrs SHELDON (Caloundra—Leader of A Government member interjected. the Liberal Party) (10.45 a.m.): I rise to support the motion. The emphatic worldwide protest Mrs SHELDON: Yes, businesses that has accompanied the French nuclear owned by French people in this country. I am tests is not merely a reflection of world anger not talking about multinationals. If about the senseless promotion and further Government members had listened they development of nuclear weaponry; it is also a would realise that. In common with their leader very clear and clearly stated repudiation of the in Canberra, they have to politicise everything, outdated and arrogant exploitation of foreign including a debate on nuclear testing, in people and their land by paternalistic colonist which, I would have thought, both sides of the Governments such as the French. This House were trying to be—— arrogant, offhand, careless and exploitative Mr De Lacy interjected. treatment of the Polynesian people and their Mrs SHELDON: No, I have not been homeland and seas by the French caught out—unlike the Treasurer, who is Government is a throwback to the nineteenth caught out constantly. Does he not mind century. Now, thanks to Jacques Chirac and businesspeople in this nation being his predecessors, Pacific islanders are victimised? My own hairdresser is a doomed to live for hundreds of years under an Frenchman. atomic cloud. Of course, generations of Polynesians and Pacific islanders will be Government members interjected. affected by that. The condescending military Mrs SHELDON: They are victimising leaders who named their latest atomic bomb him because he is French. What a mob of the “sea goddess” have created a nightmarish hypocrites they really are! legacy for those islanders which will continue to worsen long after the French have finally Furthermore, this hypocrisy is fairly packed their bags and moved out of the indicative of the hypocrisy of Mr Keating, who Pacific for good. It is a legacy that is even beats his breast about what should be done worse than the time bomb that was left behind about the French. Yet as a nation we are still when those other great colonialists, the selling them yellowcake. What a joke! If we Portuguese, packed their bags and really meant to stop nuclear testing, we would abandoned the agony that has become East stop selling the French the stuff of which they Timor. are making their bombs. Let us have a bit of truth and honesty in this debate. Once testing draws to a close, Mururoa will become a desert island in every sense of I support the motion. I believe that the word. Having deposited its toxic nuclear nuclear testing should never have occurred time bomb, France will leave the people of the and must cease forthwith. Let us turn our Pacific to wait for the consequences. President anger to those who deserve it, that is, Mr Chirac may have some tame scientists who Chirac and his Government. cannot find evidence of radiation leakage from Mr D'ARCY (Woodridge) (10.50 a.m.): I Mururoa but, even if that is true, for how many have long opposed French nuclear testing in hundreds or thousands of years will it remain the Pacific. I believe that the tests are totally so? We well know that what scientists in all immoral for many reasons. The first is the faith say today often proves to be incorrect environmental vandalism that is caused. The some years down the track. Although we in second is the pursuit of the nuclear weapon Australia do not face the immediate and dire when the Cold War is well and truly dead. The consequences of a Mururoa leak, I believe deterrent argument is no longer a sustainable that the French legacy at Mururoa certainly is or acceptable argument and no scientific Legislative Assembly 29 7 September 1995 benefit can be gained from the testing. The The proposed tests go against the third reason is that this testing is taking place international moratorium on nuclear testing half a world away from where the decision to which was established in 1992. They also go conduct the tests was made. For those three against previous commitments given by the reasons, the French Government and Chirac French Government. Quite clearly, France is are acting immorally. defying the world, and also quite clearly the The protest against nuclear testing by this French President is defying the French people, Parliament, by the Australian Parliament and 64 per cent of whom are evidently against the by Australian citizens in the form of signing nuclear testing program. The testing program petitions and attending rallies would be has quite rightly been vilified by the Australian supported by almost all Australians. people. The ground swell against nuclear Previously, I have been instrumental in testing is enormous. Environmental groups, organising petitions. When the resumption of union groups and parties across the political testing was announced, members of this spectrum have joined in this universal Parliament signed a petition that I personally condemnation. sent to Jacques Chirac in Paris and also to the France claims that the underground tests French embassy in Canberra. are safe, yet it backs away when challenged to It should be pointed out that, according to carry out those so-called safe tests in the polls, the French people are not metropolitan France. That shows that France supporting these tests. I think we should considers nuclear testing in its own backyard recognise that the resumption of nuclear to be both politically and environmentally testing is a political decision by the unpalatable. It will not do it, yet it expects Government of France and give support to Australians, New Zealanders and members of those people in France who are opposing this other South Pacific nations to lie down and immoral and political move by a Government accept the very real risk of nuclear that has really lost the plot. I might add that contamination. The hypocrisy of the French Lois and I have received a lot of letters— Government is staggering. The French something like 40 or 50—from friends in Government has been shown to have a purely France and not one of those friends has colonial mentality and a complete disregard for supported the tests. In their letters to us, they the natural sovereignty of all Pacific nations. have all said that they oppose the tests. If contamination from underground testing In moving this motion today, this represents a considerable risk, then equally Parliament is telling the world that this immoral under-ocean testing is madness. The risks that act cannot be allowed to continue. nuclear pollution will be carried by ocean Mr LINGARD (Beaudesert—Deputy currents to neighbouring countries, including Leader of the Opposition) (10.52 a.m.): In Australia, is unacceptable. France denies that rising to speak to this motion, I join the House any risk exists. Greenpeace has stated that in condemning the actions of France in there is sufficient independent scientific recommencing nuclear testing at Mururoa evidence to suggest that a major radiation Atoll. I ask members to support my proposal problem on the test site already exists. that the Hansard copies of the members' Greenpeace makes no bones about the risk. It speeches in this debate be sent to the French says that if Mururoa were to fracture or break embassy in Canberra to register Queensland's up, the radioactivity from more than 100 disgust and opposition at this shameful nuclear tests would spill into the Pacific, decision. As parliamentary representatives of causing incalculable harm to the marine the people and the State of Queensland, this environment and local people's health. Clearly, is an appropriate forum in which to censure this is a risk that is unacceptable. the French Government. The recommencing of nuclear testing is a The French Government also deserves disgraceful action on the part of a Government strident criticism for the manner in which it has that is a signatory to the nuclear test ban handled its critics. The heavy-handed dispersal treaty. Obviously, the time has come to carry of protesters in Papeete by French riot police out the tests before that treaty comes into is a case in point. Similarly, the boarding of effect at the end of next year. The planned Greenpeace vessels by French commandos— eight nuclear tests fly in the face of the spirit of not once, but twice—is another indication of that treaty and show that France's the belligerent and unreasonable attitude of commitment to banning nuclear testing is the French Government. I support the motion based solely on convenience and not on a wholeheartedly and join the House in genuine commitment to nuclear non- condemning the actions of the French proliferation. Government. 7 September 1995 30 Legislative Assembly

Hon. N. J. TURNER (Nicklin) to move a motion of this nature today—and I (10.56 a.m.): I rise to support the motion support the proposal by the member for moved by the Premier, Mr Goss, and Beaudesert to forward the Hansard record of seconded by the member for Murrumba, Mr these speeches to the French embassy—I am Wells. I can understand the reasons for disappointed that this motion is the extent of nuclear testing in the world after the Second the ability of the Queensland Parliament to World War and during and since the Cold War. protest. I would have far preferred members of However, we should not forget that many this Parliament to be in Papeete today. That mistakes in nuclear testing have been made would have been possible had we been given throughout the world, even here in Australia. a pair by the Leader of the Opposition. I do The world has a sad record in relation to not accept the excuse given today by the nuclear tests. As a result of the problems that member opposite that the reason that were experienced at Chernobyl, hundreds of members could not be in Papeete today is the school children who have come here from sitting dates. If this Parliament were not so Russia and other European countries are finely balanced, there would have been no dying of cancer. objection. We all feel deeply about this issue. Nothing can justify French testing in the If this Parliament had not been so finely Pacific or anywhere else in the world. I balanced, I am sure that members on both recommend as compulsory viewing the recent sides of this House would have been in television series on the Marshall Islands which Papeete today making this State's protest. I outlined the testing that took place in that acknowledge the fact that it is a Labor region and the effect that it had on those councillor, Paul Tully, who carries this State's islander people. It is still having and will have flag in Papeete today. If this Parliament were effects in that region for hundreds or not so finely balanced, we would not have had thousands of years. If we wish to leave the political games that brought about this anything on this planet for future generations, position. all nuclear tests by all countries throughout the One thing that disappoints me about the world should be stopped. French action has not been mentioned here In asking the French to take particular today. In the year that we remember the note of our concerns about their testing in the sacrifices of Australian soldiers in particular, I Pacific, I remind them that hundreds of point out that Australian soldiers have fought thousands of Australian soldiers fought and and died in large numbers on French soil to suffered and died on French soil to secure protect the families of France. In the rural freedom for them. I call upon the French areas of France, in particular around the area Government to listen to our concerns. I say of Boulzicourt, Australians are lionised. Today, again that if we wish to leave anything for Australian tourists visiting rural France are well future generations, all countries throughout regarded by the local population. To drop a the world should stop nuclear testing. I support bomb on our doorstep, or to test nuclear the motion. devices on our doorstep, is not an appropriate reward for the past sacrifices of Australian Mr J. H. SULLIVAN (Caboolture) soldiers. (10.58 a.m.): I rise briefly to support the motion moved today by the Premier and I am happy to stand here and condemn seconded so ably by my colleague the the actions of the French Government. I find member for Murrumba, Mr Wells. I think that retribution against French companies and the French nuclear testing in the South Pacific individuals of French descent to be regrettable has done more in recent times to unite the but inevitable in spite of Australia's long history Australian community from all sides than of multicultural tolerance. I support the motion anything else—probably since Australia won and condemn the actions of the French the America's Cup in 1983. I was pleased to Government. join with concerned citizens in my own Mr ROBERTSON (Sunnybank) community of Caboolture in a march on the (11.02 a.m.): We live in a world of strange streets of Caboolture—something that has not priorities. Today, I notice there are some been seen in our community before. This young people in the gallery. They, too, must issue brought us together, and our wonder what strange priorities this world has. condemnation of the testing received The French Government's decision to resume unanimous support, not only from the people nuclear testing in the Pacific highlights just who marched but also from every motorist who how strange, disappointing and misguided our passed that march. priorities can be at times. It is a strange However, I am disappointed. While it is priority: that at a time when many countries in important and appropriate for this Parliament the world are faced with an environmental Legislative Assembly 31 7 September 1995 crisis as a result of the deterioration of nuclear contaminated land right throughout Europe, power stations, a wealthy nation would waste France quite arrogantly has decided to resume its financial, scientific and intellectual resources its nuclear testing program. As I said, it is on exploding a nuclear device in the South wasting millions of francs and its substantial Pacific. intellectual resources on a nuclear weapons While Europe deals with the devastating program rather than using it more productively environmental and health impacts of the for the whole of mankind to clean up the Chernobyl disaster, millions of francs have mistakes of the past. been wasted senselessly on the resumption of As I said, we live in a world of strange the French nuclear testing program. We live in priorities. I can only hope that the expressions a world where the fallout of the Chernobyl of outrage around the world against the disaster of 1986 continues to contaminate and French will result in a rearrangement of the pollute the rivers, lands, lakes and food cycle world's priorities to ensure that the future of in many areas of Europe. We live in a world this small planet and our fragile environment where other decommissioned nuclear power will be secure. I hope that this will be the last stations are also in danger of causing grave time that this Parliament has to debate a environmental problems as were created by motion such as this. I support the motion. Chernobyl, polluting the rivers, lakes and Hon. V. P. LESTER (Keppel) fauna and our fellow human beings. (11.06 a.m.): On behalf of my constituents of Mr Speaker, just to give you some Keppel, I voice their views on the floor of this indication of the impact that the disaster in Parliament. They are opposed to what is Chernobyl has had on Russia, I point out that happening and obviously support this motion my research reveals some interesting facts. An today. I have received representations from article in my possession states— people in the fishing industry, from the "The devastation inflicted on the University of Central Queensland and people environment can no longer be hidden. in general. The issue is brought home very The Soviet Union has lost more pasture clearly to people in my electorate for the and agricultural land to radioactive simple reason that, in conjunction with other contamination than the total acreage of clubs in central Queensland, the Emu Park cultivated land in Switzerland. Lions Club continually hosts children from the Chernobyl area. When we see the way in . . . which those children have been affected, it Between 1987 and 1989, a further really does bring the message home that 150,000 people were evacuated from nuclear testing and generation is always prone contaminated areas"— to accidents. We must always remember that. in Russia— I make a call from this Parliament today to "because they had accumulated high somehow find some other way of generation doses of radiation through continued of energy. Nuclear power is not in anybody's exposure to the fall-out from the accident. interests. I believe that the Premier could well One hundred thousand more local people pump up a blast for Senator Evans, whose can expect to be evacuated between efforts have been pathetic, particularly in the 1990-1992, when they approach the early days when he played ping-pong instead emergency permissible limit of of doing the job properly. He did not stand up accumulated radiation. At least 60,000 for us as Australians as well as he should people, mainly young people and have. The Premier might tell Senator Evans in professionals, left the contaminated areas no uncertain terms that he should lift his act; without waiting for compensation or official his effort has been pathetic. resettlement. More than 220 villages rural Mr SCHWARTEN (Rockhampton) settlements have already been (11.07 a.m.): In common with the previous abandoned and more than 600 villages speaker, whose electorate adjoins mine, I and towns were included in a program of support what he had to say on behalf of the systematic decontamination." people of Rockhampton. Unlike the rest of the That is the type of world we live in. It is a State—— type of world that obviously needs some very Mr Johnson: He spoke for you. Sit close attention and the expenditure of millions down. of dollars to repair the serious damage that we have already caused through the use of Mr SCHWARTEN: And I refer to some nuclear fuel. Yet, in spite of the disasters that of the honourable members opposite, who are have occurred and the ongoing problems with making the most noise. 7 September 1995 32 Legislative Assembly

The honourable member for Keppel and I French goods in Australia until such time as probably represent a very large group of Chirac can be brought to heel. I endorse that people who are very concerned about this proposal. issue. Let me outline the fallout patterns over I reiterate that, on behalf of the electors of time, which people from the University of Rockhampton, I join this House in condemning Central Queensland have studied. I am sure the actions of the French Government in this that my honourable colleague the member for instance. Keppel will verify my point. The weather patterns over the years when these tests have Mr SANTORO (Clayfield) (11.11 a.m.): I been carried out indicate that some of that want to underline a couple of the points made fallout could have fallen over areas of central by the previous two speakers. They stated that Queensland. Therefore, this issue is of great when we stand up in this place we do so as concern to the people in the fishing industry of representatives of the people who put us here. that region and, of course, the people whom I From time to time, members of Parliament are represent. the receivers of expressions of public opinion and interest. I want to say a few words on The member for Murrumba asked: why is behalf of the 20 to 30 people who have President Chirac doing this? When 62 per cent contacted me via my electorate office on the of French people oppose nuclear testing and issue of French nuclear testing. Most when there is no good scientific reason for it, members would agree that, if they receive one why does Chirac continue to take this attitude? or two phone calls, it is indicative of movement There is no military reason for the testing. on the part of some of their constituents. France is a continental country. If it set off a However, when members receive anything in nuclear bomb to defend its borders, no French excess of 10 and as many as 20 phone calls, people would remain. We have to ask: why that indicates a real underlying feeling within are they doing it? Recently, an interesting the community that something is amiss. television program examined this question. The reason that Chirac is doing this is simply The honourable member for Chermside that he is a captive of the nuclear industry in said by way of interjection that sending our Europe. It put up the money to get him speeches to Chirac and other people in elected, and it is time to pay the piper. It is as authority in France and in this country will simple as that. The pawns in this game are probably not stop the French Government. I our Pacific cousins. Generally, that shows the say respectfully to the honourable member arrogance with which French President Chirac that already the wave of protest has had some is treating us. effect on the psychology that dominates the French President, because he is already I do not believe we could have summed it backtracking and suggesting that there is not up better than Glenn Schloss did this morning a necessity for as many nuclear tests as were in the Courier-Mail when he said— announced initially. "It was a picture of arrogance amid the palm trees and blue waters of a All members of Parliament represent Pacific paradise which momentarily boiled public opinion. I am pleased to join the two and foamed." honourable members who preceded me and who made very specific mention of the Those are very critical words, and I do not constituents who have made contact with believe that anybody here could put it any them. I want to send a couple of other better than that. The French colonialism, which messages on behalf of my constituents, quite has already been spoken about here this a number of whom have made mention of the morning, is still alive and well. It appears to me courageous action by the honourable member that the French Government has not learned for Murrumba. I wish to congratulate Dean anything over the past three centuries and is Wells, the member for Murrumba, on going to going to continue to do this. I do not honestly the South Pacific and practically representing know what one can do to control a madman his hard-held and sincere views. A few of my like Chirac. Various suggestions have been constituents have indicated their support for made here this morning, and I endorse every the member's actions. They do not necessarily single one of them, including sending these agree with some of the more political speeches to Chirac. statements made by that member and by On an economic front—we must consider other members that the coalition should have all the measures available to us. I am aware offered pairs to the Government. Our that the young people from Rockhampton responsibility as members of Parliament is to High School who visited my electorate office attend this Parliament when it sits in order to last Friday believe that we ought to ban all represent the views of our constituents, as we Legislative Assembly 33 7 September 1995 are doing today. Nevertheless, many of my that had been killed in those regions. They constituents have mentioned favourably the claimed that little fish eat the coral and big fish contribution by the member for Murrumba to eat the little fish, resulting in a multiplier effect. the debate. Those who have ever fished in Hervey Bay Many of my constituents also support the and other places up around Wathumba Creek actions of the Lord Mayor, Jim Soorley, who would know that, if one catches a very big says that Brisbane should be a nuclear-free mackerel, one has a pretty good chance of zone and who has been very active in the contracting ciguatera poisoning if one eats organisation of protests against testing in the that fish and is not careful. The old idea is to South Pacific. Those very constituents tell me feed the fish to the cat first. I hasten to add to remind the Lord Mayor that, although he is that I am not trying to kill the cat. What against contamination that may be brought happens is that the cat will not eat the fish. about by the fallout and possible leakage of The cat seems to somehow or other know that contaminated water from the South Pacific as the fish is contaminated. If the cat will not eat a result of the French testing, my constituents the fish, people also should not eat it. are against the Lord Mayor's contamination of Mr T. B. Sullivan interjected. parts of my electorate by the location of a toxic Mr BURNS: The member suggests that waste dump at Pinkenba. My constituents this is a new way of doing a CAT scan! The cannot reconcile the hypocrisy of the Lord point I am making is that no-one really knows Mayor when on the one hand he organises how much of the coral that has been killed by protests against French nuclear testing and on contamination has been eaten by fish and the other hand he advocates the location of a thereby moved up the food chain. The fact is toxic waste dump in Pinkenba. I have been that fish move right across our oceans. specifically asked to make that comment. It was not so very long ago that members Finally, I want to draw to the attention of of this place were worried about contamination the House a technical point that has not been to milk at Malanda and elsewhere on the raised. The technological reasons that are Atherton Tableland. Those members who being advanced by the French President for have been here for some time would recall the conducting nuclear testing in the Pacific is that concerns about fallout that was supposed to the French Government needs to advance the have occurred from testing in the Pacific. We technological know-how which will enable it to can pass all the resolutions we like and we can computer simulate the tests. I wish to highlight send off the speeches we make today, but the fact that that technological know-how has Chirac will not change. Instead, we should been offered to the French by the United mount a massive campaign against States and by other countries which already colonialism. People in Europe or anywhere possess that information. I join with all other else should not control someone else's nation members in supporting this motion. and the region in which they live. We should Hon. T. J. BURNS (Lytton—Deputy argue that it is time to get France out of the Premier and Minister for Tourism, Sport and Pacific Ocean. It is our ocean; it is where we Youth) (11.15 a.m.): I support the Premier and live. It is where the people of those islands the honourable member for Murrumba in the live. People from somewhere else in the world motion that has been moved. I am 63 years of should not be able to say, "I am going to drop age. I have three daughters and four a bomb in your backyard and thumb my nose grandchildren. When I look at the protests at each and every person affected by it." The around the world, I see women—mothers United Nations and our Government should especially—who are concerned for their kids. use the actions of the French Government to Each and every one of us should be similarly demand the end of this type of arrogant concerned for our grandchildren and their colonialism and arrogant control of someone children. We do not know what this madman is else's property, someone else's home, and doing. We do not know what we are doing to the end of these types of attacks on other our world by dropping atomic bombs around people's lives. I am proud and pleased that we the world. have done something about it, but resolutions Some years ago when I was in New are not enough. We have to pursue them Guinea I met some commercial fishermen further. from Germany and from America who were There are other measures that we can worried about Western Samoa and take. I hope that I do not smell any more surrounding regions. They referred to the French aftershave as I move through this problem of ciguatera. Those fishermen place. We should start to drink some good old attributed much of that problem to the coral Australian wine. We should start to drink 7 September 1995 34 Legislative Assembly

Yellowglen champagne. We can start now, in world, including, as the Deputy Premier said, fact! The point that I am trying to make is that French champagne and other wines that are we should stop drinking French champagne obviously consumed by those on the Deputy and wearing French aftershave. We can also Premier's side of the Chamber, not the stop going on tours to Paris and instead see Opposition side—— Queensland first. We can take a whole range Mr FitzGerald: Not even French clocks. of actions. May I suggest that Australian champagne be on the menu the next time a Mr BEANLAND: Not even French celebration is held and that we drop the clocks. It is ironic that a country that has Bollinger and other French champagnes from contributed so much culture to the world, the list. including French clocks, has now resorted to this. It can only be the pride of one; it is not Mr BEANLAND (Indooroopilly—Deputy the pride of the French nation. One cannot be Leader of the Liberal Party) (11.19 a.m.): proud of what is occurring in the South Pacific. Members on this side of the Chamber have no I support the motion. problem with the proposition of the Deputy Premier. It is obviously only members on the Mr BREDHAUER (Cook) (11.22 a.m.): I other side of the Chamber who drink Bollinger will speak briefly in joining this motion of and Moet. Coalition members drink only protest against French nuclear testing in the Australian champagne and Australian wines— Pacific. Recently, I took the opportunity to and very good wines they are indeed! make available to the people of my electorate a petition opposing French nuclear testing in Mr Borbidge: We pay for it ourselves. the Pacific. Throughout the constituency of Mr BEANLAND: We pay for it Cook there is great opposition to the program ourselves, as the Leader of the Opposition of nuclear testing in the Pacific. reminds me. I had a very interesting experience in Port I support the motion moved by the Douglas. Most honourable members would Premier. I want to emphasise one particular know that Port Douglas is one of point. I believe that this motion should be Queensland's premier tourist destinations for conveyed not only to the French President inbound tourists. I spent a couple of hours at and the French people but particularly to the the Sunday markets in Port Douglas and, French Parliament, to the Chamber of during the two hours that I was there, almost Deputies, which in the arrangement of the 700 signatures were added to that petition. French Constitution has a significant role to Interestingly, many of the people who wanted play in this matter. Even though members of to sign the petition opposing nuclear testing in the French Parliament might not have a direct the Pacific were international visitors to our say in these tests being carried out in the country. I guess for me it was like a microcosm South Pacific, we ought to be appealing to the of the international protest that has been French Parliament very strongly indeed. I evident around the world. would hope that this motion and the speeches A significant number of French visitors in support of it are brought home to all who were staying in Port Douglas at that time members of the French Parliament, because also wanted to add their signatures to the we know that some hundreds of members petition to express their opposition to the from all parties constitute the French proposed French testing in the Pacific. It was Parliament. also interesting to note the number of parents The question has to be asked: what is the who brought their children along to sign the point of these tests? Clearly, the answer is the petition. The Deputy Premier said that we pride of French President Chirac. The French should be thinking about our children and the people are not at fault in this matter; many generations who will inherit these problems in members have already mentioned that the the future. Many parents brought young majority of French people are opposed to children, many barely able to scratch their these tests. Today, the Cold War is over; name on the paper, to sign the petition. In democracy and freedom has won. A depletion spite of the fact that those people were not of of nuclear stockpiles is taking place; there is a voting age, I allowed them the opportunity to decommissioning of nuclear weapons. Nuclear express their sentiment because I thought it fission is one of the growth industries of the was important that those people and their world. People do not want more nuclear tests. children be able to express their opposition. These tests are being carried out only There are two groups in my electorate because of the pride of the French President. that have a genuine concern about French It is ironic that a country that has testing in the Pacific, that is, my Aboriginal contributed so much to the culture of the constituents and especially my Torres Strait Legislative Assembly 35 7 September 1995

Islander constituents, who feel great empathy This is an important issue. I am pleased with the South Pacific Islanders who are that the Queensland Parliament has acted currently still under French colonial regime and decisively on it. I would like to congratulate the who feel a great deal of empathy with those member for Murrumba for his actions and the island countries directly affected or threatened actions of other politicians who have actually by the nuclear testing program. I have spoken travelled to the site. I would also like to to many Torres Strait Islander people who congratulate the actions of the union have told me not only of their outrage at the movement in this country that has decisively continuing colonial oppression in the Pacific by boycotted French goods and that is also the French but also of their concern for the contemplating immediate bans on French Pacific Islanders who have expressed their imports. I think by their real actions Australia outrage at the testing. Particularly, I would like should have some hope. to convey the concerns of my Aboriginal and Hon. W. K. GOSS (Logan—Premier Torres Strait Islander constituents. and Minister for Economic and Trade If these speeches are to go to the French Development) (11.29 a.m.), in reply: I would President and the French Parliament, I want like to thank all members who have made a them to know that the constituents of Cook— contribution to this debate—and indeed all bear in mind, my constituents live 3,000 members—for what is clearly a unanimous kilometres closer to the centre of these tests view on the part of members, both those who than we who are sitting here today—regard have spoken and those who have not. I think these tests as a very real threat. the debate has been appropriate; it has Ms SPENCE (Mount Gravatt) covered a wide range of issues from colonial (11.26 a.m.): I would like to join in support of arrogance to the environment. It has also the motion moved by the Premier and been pointed out by members such as the seconded by the member for Murrumba. This member for Murrumba that the technology is an important day in the life of the argument advanced by the French Queensland Parliament. This motion deserves Government is one that is flawed. the bipartisan support of this Parliament In relation to noted criticism of Senator because it is an important motion about Evans and the Federal Government, I would international peace. It was not so long ago in simply note for the record that, while there has this State that people like myself and other been no criticism, it must also be members of the Labor Party marched for acknowledged that it takes some considerable peace in the streets of this city and were time, planning and coordination to mount an arrested or called communists for doing so. effective international protest. I think we all Today, people can demonstrate, can talk realise that a protest merely from a State such about this issue and can get support on the as Queensland, a protest merely from floor of this Chamber. I believe that that Australia, while it will have some impact, will indicates that we have come a long way in not have enough impact. However, by playing Queensland politics. a role in terms of helping to coordinate and I would like to reflect on the reason the stimulate protests from other countries from French feel the need to drop this bomb. My Japan to Europe, the Australian Government, 10-year-old son this morning came to me with with bipartisan support, is certainly contributing the Courier-Mail and said, "Why did they do it, to mounting pressure on the French mum?" It is very difficult to explain to him that Government. As I said in my opening remarks, they believe that they need this technical data there is evidence that that is clearly starting to to analyse their nuclear stockpile when we have some effect. know that that is not the truth, that they can In relation to the notice of motion that was get that technical information from other moved in the last Parliament, I will not take countries. So what do we tell our children— any further action, other than to note for the that Governments lie? Do we tell them that record that there was no speech or statement when we tested nuclear bombs at Maralinga in made by me. There was a notice of motion the 1950s our Government lied when it said placed on the Notice Paper which could have there was no risk and that now the French been passed by this Parliament but for the Government is lying when it says there is no fact that it was called not formal. risk, when the world knows that there is A range of issues was raised, as I said, definitely a risk to the environment and a risk but for me and for many people, the issue to the health of the Pacific people? There identified by the Deputy Premier and by other certainly is great risk to the whole cause of speakers as well, that is, the concern of young nuclear non-proliferation and world peace. people in particular, is one that is most 7 September 1995 36 Legislative Assembly important and one which we should regard as serve as fund raisers for the Crime Stoppers our greatest responsibility to the community. program. Its success here, as in other States I saw a television program in the last of Australia and overseas, can surely be couple of days that talked about the possible measured by the number of calls received, consequences of leaking from this test. It property confiscated and recovered, drugs talked about a best-case scenario where there seized and the number of arrests made. would be no leaking for something like 750 In its six years of operation almost $2.5m years. It talked about a worst case scenario of stolen property has been recovered, 1,601 where there could be leaking within a much people arrested on 5,126 charges, and nearly shorter period, although that period was half a billion dollars worth of drugs unspecified. Clearly, that is not something that seized—over $400m in the past 12 months should reassure us. That is not in any sense alone. an excuse or justification for the potential The theme of this year's Crime Stoppers damage that may be done and the fact that it week is "Crime Stoppers and the will be delayed for a long time, long after Community . . . the Link: the Telephone". To people in this place are gone. make contact with the Queensland Crime The fact is that we have a responsibility to Stoppers unit a little easier for interstate the next generation and to future generations. callers, Crime Stoppers Week marks the The fact is that we have a responsibility to the commencement of a national 1 800 phone planet. We have a responsibility to this world number. which has given each and every one of us so The statistics show clearly that much. Today, we seek to register our Queenslanders are increasingly picking up condemnation of the French Government, our their phones and calling Crime Stoppers to concern for the value of life and the report crime or circumstances which they environment on this world, and the need to believe are suspicious. Since its inception take appropriate steps to protest against and there has been a steady increase in the ultimately to stop this kind of international number of calls taken. This year is no vandalism, this kind of international and exception, with 20 per cent more people outdated colonial arrogance. ringing Crime Stoppers this year than last. Motion agreed to. The message from Crime Stoppers is that no crime is unsolvable. Every crime could be MINISTERIAL STATEMENT solved if the right person were to come forward with the right information. Crime Stoppers is Crime Stoppers just another example of a new direction for Hon. P. J. BRADDY (Kedron—Minister policing in Queensland which will take us into for Police and Minister for Corrective Services) the twenty first century. (11.33 a.m.), by leave: I have great pleasure In conclusion, with Crime Stoppers, as in informing the House of the significant with programs such as Neighbourhood Watch, achievements of the important crime-fighting police shopfronts and community safety action unit, Crime Stoppers, in this Crime Stoppers projects, we are harnessing the eyes and ears Week. Crime Stoppers represents a unique of our Queensland communities in the fight partnership between the community, the against crime. Queensland Police Service and the media in the fight against crime. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT The establishment of Crime Stoppers in this State over six years ago provided Workers Compensation Board opportunities for Queenslanders to report Hon. W. M. EDMOND (Mount criminal activity or suspicious circumstances Coot-tha—Minister for Employment and whilst remaining anonymous, as well as Training and Minister Assisting the Premier on providing rewards for those who would Public Service Matters) (11.36 a.m.), by leave: otherwise be reluctant to pick up the phone. I wish to inform the House of the estimated The promise of absolute anonymity allows financial position of the Workers members of our community to participate in Compensation Fund as at 30 June 1995 and the fight against crime without fear of the action I have taken to address this issue. retribution. On 17 August, the Workers In partnership with the Queensland Police Compensation Board received advice Service, Crime Stoppers is administered by a indicating that the fund had an unfunded board of directors made up of a cross-section liability of around $118m at the close of the of community-minded individuals who also financial year. The actuarial advice regarding Legislative Assembly 37 7 September 1995 the outstanding claims liabilities as at 30 June to a sustained growth in common law claims 1995 indicates a need to make provision for numbers and payments. The then Minister, an unprecedented additional $280m in the Honourable Ken Vaughan, MLA, outstanding claims liabilities. established a tripartite working group of union, An obvious factor is that common law Government and employer representatives to claims numbers have increased by almost half investigate. It reported to my predecessor, over the previous year. Such increases in now the Attorney-General, in 1993. common law claims numbers and frequency In light of an increase in common law could not have been anticipated and, claims and a drop in the level of premium consequently, provisioning by the actuaries for income resulting from the recession, the previous injury years has been insufficient to Government decided that common law rights cover the liabilities. ought to be preserved, but that rights of It is against this background that I am access to common law actions be reviewed if working to develop a reform package which the financial basis of the Workers delivers fair and just compensation to injured Compensation Fund, including the level of workers and their families and provides a reserves, was not returned to stability by the sustainable solution to the fund's problems. adoption of a package of measures. Shortly after becoming Minister, I wrote to all Changes were made to reduce legal fees stakeholders and advised them of the issue and outlays in common law actions and the and my plans to tackle it. board was required to report to the The Workers Compensation Board met Government every six months on the financial on Saturday, 26 August to consider the final stability of the fund. The average premium figures and potential policy options. Briefings rate for 1993-94 was increased by 13.5 per have commenced for all major stakeholders, cent from 1.41 per cent to 1.6 per cent. A both peak groups in the metropolitan area and range of measures to improve controls in both throughout regional Queensland. These statutory and common law claims numbers briefings outline the fund's financial position and costs as well as improved revenue and the options to be considered, which compliance has been undertaken. These include: increasing weekly statutory benefits to include improvements to the merit bonus be closer to a worker's real take-home wage; system, including the introduction of a demerit increasing death benefits to dependent system; a continuing review of the spouses and children; allowing only workers management of common law damages claims with serious injuries to take common law action by the board and its lawyers with a view to for negligence; increasing premiums; requiring reducing legal costs and outlays; and employers to pay up to the first five days' legislative changes to improve the wages for workers on compensation; management of statutory claims. increasing workplace accident penalties for Actuarial advice received in relation to the deaths and serious injury and introducing on- 1993-94 financial year indicated that the the-spot fines; requiring Government contracts frequency of common-law claims appeared to to include workplace health and safety have stabilised. However, with the passage of requirements; and increasing workplace health time this has proved not to be the case. The and safety inspections. Government is now faced with a difficult task, It is my intention to receive submissions but one which has to be dealt with swiftly and through September and, after extensive effectively. Although the increase in common- review and consultation, to return to this law claims numbers and costs have been House in November with a reform package. identified as a major contributing factor, any effective reform must tackle all aspects of I should like to put on the public record workplace health and safety and workers' action taken by previous Ministers on this compensation management. Queensland has issue. The fund has experienced favourable enjoyed the lowest average premium rate of premium and investment income returns over any State system. Today, my commitment to a long period, apart from premium income in employers is that Queensland's premiums will the 1990 to 1992 recessionary period, and remain within the competitive range. I relatively stable statutory claims costs when emphasis again that my goal is a joint one: to compared to the growth in the labour market. provide the fair and just compensation that In 1991, the first full external actuarial sick and injured workers and their families review of the outstanding claims liabilities of deserve and to return the Queensland the Queensland Workers Compensation Workers Compensation Fund to a stable, fully Scheme was undertaken. This review pointed funded position over three years. 7 September 1995 38 Legislative Assembly

I have a substantial package of (ii) Adjournment to Close the Sitting: information that is being provided to Standing Order 34 be amended— stakeholders and interested parties around the (a) in line one, paragraph one, after State. I seek leave to table this material. the word 'Tuesday' by inserting Leave granted. the words, 'and Wednesday'; and (b) by omitting all words in lines one SITTING DAYS AND HOURS, and two, paragraph two and in MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST, line three omitting the words, SPECIAL PUBLIC IMPORTANCE 'Minister to close the business of DEBATE AND ADJOURNMENT the day and no' and inserting DEBATE the word 'No'. Sessional Order (iii) All other provisions of Standing Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH Orders shall mutatis mutandis (Chatsworth—Leader of the House) continue to apply." (11.41 a.m.), by leave, without notice: I Motion agreed to. move— "That for this Session, unless NOTICES OF MOTION otherwise ordered and notwithstanding anything contained in the Standing Sessional Order Orders: Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH (Chatsworth—Leader of the House) (i) Sitting Days and Hours; Matters of (11.42 a.m.), by leave, without notice: I Public Interest; Special Public move— Importance Debate: "That notwithstanding anything The House shall sit on Tuesday at contained in the Standing Orders, for the 10.00 o'clock am, Wednesday, 2.30 remainder of this Session, all General o'clock pm and Thursday at 10.00 Business—Notices of Motion (called 'Not o'clock am and Government Formal') appearing on the Business Business shall take precedence of all Paper, shall be deleted from the Business other business except for— Paper after the expiration of one month (a) that period set aside for from the day on which they are called 'Not Discussion of Matters of Public Formal'." Interest on Tuesday which shall Motion agreed to. take place between 11.00 o'clock am and 12.00 noon; and DEBATE ON ADDRESS IN REPLY (b) that period set aside for a Sessional Order Special Public Importance Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH Debate to follow Question Time (Chatsworth—Leader of the House) on each Wednesday, such (11.43 a.m.), by leave, without notice: I Debate on a subject which is not move— formulated as a motion in "That for this Session— express terms; the debate may commence at the conclusion of (1) On days allotted for Address in Reply Question Time and six Members a day shall comprise that period from may speak for a period not one hour after the commencement exceeding 10 minutes each on of the sitting day or, if on a Tuesday the matter which has been after a discussion on Matters of proposed to the Speaker by Public Interest and Wednesday after 6.00 o'clock pm on the Tuesday a Special Public Importance debate immediately preceding the until not more than four hours of debate; if more than one matter debate have elapsed. is proposed to Mr Speaker he (2) For the purpose of this debate all shall select the matter for Members' speeches will be of 30 debate and inform Members minutes duration. concerned by 10.00 o'clock am (3) The provisions of Standing Order on the day of debate. No. 305 be suspended in relation to Legislative Assembly 39 7 September 1995

Committees of Supply and Ways and 67C No Debate on Asking Questions Means. In asking a Question, no argument or (4) All other provisions of the Standing opinion shall be offered, or any fact Orders shall mutatis mutandis stated, except so far as is necessary to continue to apply." explain the Question. Motion agreed to. 67D Number of Questions Allowed each Sitting Day QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS The number of Questions which may be Sessional Order asked by any Member without Notice, shall not exceed one on any sitting day Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH except for the Leader of the Opposition (Chatsworth—Leader of the House) who may ask two questions without (11.44 a.m.), by leave, without notice: I notice. move— 67E Notice of Questions "That the following sessional orders be agreed to by the House— A Question on Notice from a Member is to Omit Standing Orders 67A to 70 and be delivered to the Clerks at the Table. insert new Standing Orders. A Question on Notice shall be typed or 67A Questions to Ministers fairly written, signed by the Member, and answered and supplied to the Table Questions may be asked orally without Office within 30 calendar days with a copy notice or on notice for written reply. supplied to the Member and Hansard. Immediately prior to the time appointed 68 Rules for Questions for the House to proceed to the Orders of the Day, Questions may be put to a The following general rules shall apply to Minister without notice relating to public Questions. affairs with which he or she is officially (a) Questions shall be brief and relate to connected, to proceedings pending in the one issue Legislative Assembly, but discussion must not be anticipated, or to any matter of (b) Questions shall not contain administration for which he or she is (i) arguments responsible. (ii) inferences The total period allowed each day for the asking of Questions without Notice shall (iii) imputations or not exceed one hour. Every Member is (iv) hypothetical matters entitled to ask one Question on notice each sitting day, which should be lodged (c) Questions shall not ask with the Clerks at the Table within two (i) for an expression of opinion hours from the commencement of the (ii) for a legal opinion day's sitting. 67B Questions to Members (d) Questions shall not be asked which reflect on or are critical of the A Member may put a Question of which character or conduct of those Notice has been given, in lieu of a persons whose conduct may only be Question to a Minister challenged on a substantive motion. (a) to any other Member of the House (e) Questions shall not contain relating to any Bill or Motion, statements of fact or names of connected with the Business of the persons unless they are strictly House on the Business Paper of necessary to render the question which the Member has charge; and intelligible. (b) to the chairman of a committee relating to the activities of that (f) The Speaker may direct that the committee, however such question language of a Question be changed, shall not attempt to interfere with the if, in the opinion of the Speaker, it is committee's work or anticipate its unbecoming or does not conform report or refer to any evidence taken with the Standing Orders. or documents presented to such (g) Questions shall not be unduly committee. lengthy. 7 September 1995 40 Legislative Assembly

69 General Rules for Answers QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE The following general rules shall apply to Workers Compensation Fund answers: Mr BORBIDGE (11.45 a.m.): I refer the (i) In answering a Question a Minister or Premier to the fact that on 1 June, less than Member shall not debate the subject one month before the end of financial year to which it refers. and just six weeks before the State election, (ii) An Answer shall be relevant to the his then Minister produced documents before question. Estimates Committee C purporting to show (iii) If, in the opinion of the Speaker, the that the Workers Compensation Fund would Answer is too long, he may direct the end the year with a $100m-plus surplus. As it Minister or the Member to cease has now been revealed that there is an speaking. unfunded liability of $118m, which represents a turnaround of some $200m in the status of 70 Questions not put to Speaker the fund in just a few weeks, I ask: when was Questions may not be put to the Speaker. the Premier made aware of the disastrous Standing Order 219A is omitted and the mismanagement of that fund by his following Standing Order is inserted. Government and why did he allow false 219A Form of Petition information to be provided by his then Minister to a parliamentary Estimates Committee in an A Petition shall be in the following form— attempt to deliberately mislead this Parliament 'PETITION' and to cover up this financial scandal in the TO: The Honourable the Speaker and lead-up to the State election? Members of the Legislative Assembly Mr W. K. GOSS: I reject categorically of Queensland. any suggestion of mismanagement and any The Petition of (a) citizens of Queensland suggestion of the Minister misleading the draws to the attention Parliament or the public. In relation to workers' of the House compensation, there is no issue of or mismanagement whatsoever. What is occurring is what was pointed out by the (b) residents of the State Minister this morning in her ministerial of Queensland statement, namely, there has been a dramatic or surge in common-law claims. (c) electors of the Division Mr Borbidge: Six weeks. of . . . Mr W. K. GOSS: I did not say that. I (State Grievance) said, "There has been a dramatic surge in Your petitioners therefore request the common-law claims." The pay outs and, House to importantly, the potential pay outs in relation (State action required) to claims yet to be settled or determined by the courts, both in respect of claims for (Here follows the Signatures) damages and for legal and administrative Standing Order 238A is omitted and the costs, have surged by approximately 40 per following standing orders are inserted. cent. That is something that no Government 238A Copy of petition to responsible could have foreseen. That will have a number Minister of consequences. I will turn to the Workers A copy of every petition received by Compensation Fund in a moment. the House is to be referred by the In our community today, we see too many Clerk to the appropriate responsible lawyers who have too little to do. Minister who may forward a response Opposition members interjected. to the Clerk for presentation to the House. A copy of this response shall Mr SPEAKER: Order! Honourable be printed in Hansard and be members, interjections en masse are not in supplied to the Member who order. presented the petition. Mr W. K. GOSS: In that regard, I have 238B Name of principal petitioner made my contribution to solving the problem Every petition must indicate the by doing something else. However, I make the name and address of the principal point seriously that the legal profession has petitioner on the front page." become a lot more competitive. They now chase work much more aggressively than they Motion agreed to. did in the past. They are now allowed to Legislative Assembly 41 7 September 1995 advertise freely. I do not agree with some of contribution in relation to the appropriate those changes, but I note for the record that package of measures necessary to solve the they have occurred. We now see problem. advertisements from legal practitioners which Mr Santoro: Why didn't you do that state, "Convert your injury into cash." The before the election? consequence of those changes has been a surge in legal claims. It is not at the same level Mr W. K. GOSS: Because we did not as is seen in places such as the United States, have the Actuary's report. As I said before, we but it is a similar symptom and it has been could tell that if we had a 40 per cent surge in getting worse. common-law claims and the attendant legal and administrative costs, then clearly the fund Mr Foley, the then Minister, brought was going to be under pressure. But that is issues in relation to the Workers not mismanagement; that is the marketplace Compensation Fund to Cabinet on a regular of claims driving the fund into a negative basis—I think twice yearly. Each and every position and one that each and every year we year, when we receive the Actuary's report, the will correct whenever it occurs. Government acts appropriately on that report. Over the years, there have been a number of I will conclude on the note that this major considerations of the fund by Cabinet Government is open to any suggestions. If and major packages have been implemented Opposition members have any easy and to respond to that situation. On some constructive solutions, let me assure them that occasions, the state of the fund has allowed we are more than happy to entertain them. the Government to reduce premiums and Obviously, the package will have to examine increase payments to workers. the potential increase in weekly statutory benefits to be closer to a worker's real take- On other occasions, more particularly in home pay. That is a positive boost and an recent years, the Government has had to increase for workers in terms of what they increase premiums and make amendments in obtain from the scheme. We will also be relation to the merit bonus scheme and other looking at increasing death benefits to aspects of administration to bring in some dependent spouses and children. However, degree of incentive and deterrent to we will have to look at only those workers with employers in terms of standards of safety in more serious injuries having full access to the workplace to try to make sure that the fund common law; increasing premiums, requiring continues to be self-funding. employers to pay some of the first five days or In the course of the Estimates Committee some period of time for workers on processes earlier this year, Mr Foley was compensation; increasing workplace accident asked by Mr Santoro in relation to premiums. I penalties for deaths and serious injuries; will not read out all the questions and answers. requiring Government contracts to include On that occasion, Mr Foley made it plain—as I workplace health and safety requirements, understand he has made it plain on other and increasing inspections. occasions and I have been very open about it There will have to be a balanced package with anybody who has raised it with me—and that gives employers an incentive to adopt said that, certainly, the issue of increased higher safety standards and, on the other side claims costs has been of real concern for a of the coin, restrains the surging costs of number of years. He went on to refer to a common-law claims and the administration of number of measures that have been taken. those claims. It has been of concern. We were fully anticipating—and we made no secret of it; we were quite open about it—that when we Workers Compensation Fund received the Actuary's report, and obviously Mr BORBIDGE: I refer the Premier to we cannot receive the Actuary's report until his Employment Minister's Cabinet submission after the end of the financial year, 30 June, as on his workers' compensation scandal, which with every other year when we receive the is now in the hands of the Opposition, and in Actuary's report, we would act on it. The particular to the proposal that access to Minister, Mrs Edmond, has been quite open in common law be removed from all injured providing full information and comprehensive workers and be restricted to those who suffer consultation to all stakeholders—employers, whole-of-body impairment of at least 20 per unions, lawyers and all the other people who cent, and I ask: as full and open access by are interested. Today, the Minister has tabled Queensland workers to common law has been the information that has been made available described by the former Minister and current to all stakeholders so everybody can see what Attorney-General as "one of the three great the issues are and everybody can make their principles of Labor's workers' compensation 7 September 1995 42 Legislative Assembly scheme", and by both the Minister for Health advocating a dramatic and record increase for and the Minister for Environment as "of central employers. importance to the scheme", will he now reject This Government has put its position on his Minister's proposal for restrictions on the table, namely, that it will look at the full common-law access? range of options and try to strike a package Mr W. K. GOSS: I do not think the that balances fairly the interests of all the Leader of the Opposition was listening to the parties. If the Leader of the Opposition is answer to the last question, because I saying, "No, employers should not have an indicated clearly that the Government is increase in premiums", and if at the same time considering all options and that it is prepared he is saying that there should be no changes to consider all options. to common law, then he is a hypocrite and a In relation to common law access, in fraud. But that would not be the first time. some places it has been abolished. There is an argument that it should be abolished here and that the corresponding benefit that should Productivity Dividend be afforded to workers, if such a course of Mr LIVINGSTONE: I refer the action was adopted, would be a substantial Treasurer to criticism by the Opposition to the increase in statutory benefits so that no longer State Government's productivity dividend do we say to a worker, "You were somehow to applying to the administrative functions of blame for this injury so you get no common- Government departments, and I ask: can the law claim, you get a statutory benefit", which is Treasurer inform the House how the substantially less than another worker would productivity dividend works and what are its receive in terms of that worker's total benefits benefits? whether they be common law and/or statutory benefits. Instead, that might be replaced with Mr De LACY: I thank the honourable a scheme whereby all workers would receive member for the question because it is an substantially increased statutory benefits. important one. Indeed, over the past six years the Goss Government has imposed a Fairly early in the term of this productivity dividend, or an efficiency dividend, Government, one of the things that we did on all departments. The objective of this was to increase statutory benefits from the dividend is to encourage departments to miserly level that the Opposition provided reduce their administrative costs and to when it was in Government. In terms of increase efficiency. That dividend has been increasing those statutory benefits, we would imposed on only the administration part of like to take them even further, but it has departments; it has never been imposed on always been a principle of the operations of the service delivery component—on the this fund that it be fully funded. We continue wages, as it were. Normally, it is imposed on to hold to that commitment. However, when approximately 15 per cent to 20 per cent of the fund is under pressure from a 40 per cent departmental budgets, and in the last Budget increase in common-law claims, there have to round, it generated approximately $20m. Of be adjustments, as there have been in course, that $20m is applied immediately to previous years by this Government and other service delivery components. previous Governments, to the scheme to ensure that that fully-funded position remains The Opposition has consistently opposed in place. the efficiency dividend. From time to time, honourable member opposite stand up in this In terms of the changes to common law House and say, "There are too many to which the Leader of the Opposition referred, administration costs in Government", yet every they are quite comparable with changes that time we take an initiative to reduce have been introduced already in most, if not administration costs, members opposite cry all, other jurisdictions. So there is nothing new foul. The shadow Minister for Health, the about them. It is simply a fact of life that one honourable member for Toowoomba South, in cannot put one's head in the sand and say, a question to the Premier on 19 October last "The only solution is this response, namely, an year, said— increase in premiums", because if the Opposition is advocating that—and typically "I refer to the dishonest tax imposed the Leader of the Opposition does not by his Government on Queensland public advance a position; he simply makes a hospitals, called the productivity dividend, complaint—if he is suggesting that there be no which is levied at 1 per cent of the changes to common law, which could be non-labour component of all hospital implied from his question, then he is budgets." Legislative Assembly 43 7 September 1995

He went on to say— compensation funds? Was this just another "Will the Premier stop this iniquitous Labor lie? and dishonest removal of funds from Mr De LACY: Mr Speaker, I reject the hospital budgets?" word "lie". I believe it is unparliamentary and I Does the honourable member opposite still ask that it be withdrawn. agree with and believe that proposition? Do Mrs SHELDON: I withdraw. any members opposite believe that Mr De LACY: At the outset, let me say proposition? The point to which I am leading is that we will always fully fund all of our future that somebody must have taken the road to liabilities in Queensland. That is a principle Damascus. I have a copy of a document which is written in concrete in Queensland. A which stated how the Opposition intended to question has been asked by the Leader of the fund its election promises. And this is its own Opposition about the surplus and about the document, not ours. This is the IPA's unfunded position of the common law claims. assessment of how the Opposition would fund Those are two different issues. I would not its promises. The documents refers to a expect the Leader of the Opposition to "Management Efficiency Dividend of understand that when we talk about a surplus 1%"—wait for it; that is not all, there is that simply means that for the last 12 months more—"deducted from total Consolidated there has been a surplus of income over Fund Outlays, representing the outlays. That is the situation in respect of the across-the-board savings". And that dividend Workers Compensation Fund. would have applied not just to the administration but to the whole of the As to an unfunded liability—what the Consolidated Fund. Do honourable members Actuary does is try to assess the claims which know how much in savings the Opposition will accrue over time. Of course, the fund is in proposed in a year? One hundred and sixteen surplus at the end of the year by $100m, or million dollars! That is $116m that the whatever the figure is. However, the Actuary Opposition was going to take out of the has to try to assess the claims that will come in budget of every department. And that was not over time. In respect of workers' to be applied to just administration costs but compensation, they are long-tail claims. In also to wages, the funds allocated to purchase other words, they could be coming in in 10 the drugs that the hospitals have to supply, years' time. Injuries take a long time to and the grants that departments make. That is manifest themselves and affect people for $116m compared with our productivity long periods. dividend deduction of $20m. Because of the rapid increase—the Talk about a change! About our spike—in common law claims in this year, the productivity dividend, which was about a fifth Actuary has been required to reassess the or a sixth of that which the coalition was provisions that need to be put aside for future proposing, Mr Horan said— claims over time. And he has done that. However, as the Premier said, this was not "The productivity dividend is nothing available to us, and could not be available to more than highway robbery of us, until the end of the financial year. It is true Queensland hospitals, and the coalition that throughout the year we were getting will get rid of that unjust financial penalty some advice about this very rapid increase in on regional authority." common law claims, and it was causing us I have to say: the honourable member for concern. This whole business is something Toowoomba South cannot have too much say that must cause us concern. But I can say about what happens on his side of the House. this: every year there is a full independent actuarial assessment of the Workers Compensation Fund. Workers Compensation Fund Mrs Sheldon interjected. Mrs SHELDON: I refer the Treasurer to his repeated public comments over the past Mr De LACY: I know that the year, and in particular the past three months, honourable member does not want to listen, in which he stated that all Government because she does not want to know. She liabilities were fully funded, and I ask: why, wants to go on believing the lie. The prior to and during the election campaign, did honourable member never wants to face up to he continue to claim that all Government the facts. I am telling her the facts. liabilities, including workers' compensation, Mr SPEAKER: Order! In order to be were fully funded when he knew that there consistent, I think that the Treasurer has used would be an $118m shortfall in workers' a word that is unparliamentary. 7 September 1995 44 Legislative Assembly

Mr De LACY: It had a good roll on the through massive staff cuts or a curbing on tongue. spending on medical technology. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I ask the Mr Elder: Fewer heart transplants. Treasurer to withdraw it. Mr BEATTIE: That is right; fewer heart Mr De LACY: I will withdraw it. transplants. It would mean the closing of a Honourable members opposite want to keep ward for at least six months or perhaps even believing what they want to believe, even if it is longer. It would mean that the number of not related to the facts. heart procedures would need to be halved. We have always taken the Actuary's Mr Santoro interjected. advice. We took the Actuary's advice last year, Mr Elder interjected. as we have every year. We will always take appropriate action to ensure that we retain all Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Minister for of our funds on a fully funded basis. I can give Transport and the member for Clayfield will honourable members the assurance, as the stop talking to each other. They can go Minister already has this morning, that the outside if they want to talk. Workers Compensation Fund will be restored Mr BEATTIE: This cut of $27m in to a fully funded position as quickly as possible Health would mean a loss of 148 nurses from and that those principles upon which this Queensland Health or it would mean, in Government is run will be maintained. practical terms, the closure of a hospital such as the one in Bundaberg. Did the coalition tell the people of Bundaberg about that? Prince Charles Hospital Mr Campbell: No. They left it as the Mr T. B. SULLIVAN: I ask the Minister oldest hospital. for Health: is he aware of the Opposition's Mr BEATTIE: That is right. The coalition intention during the recent election campaign did not tell the people of Bundaberg about to introduce an across-the-board 1 per cent that. Did the coalition tell the people of efficiency dividend? Can the Minister inform Gladstone that it could mean the closure of a the House of what effect this would have on hospital such as the one in Gladstone? Did the Prince Charles Hospital, which is in my they tell you that, Liz? One only has to see the electorate of Chermside, and what effect it colour of coalition members' eyes! The would have on health services generally in coalition tried to hide the fact that Queensland Queensland? would lose 148 nurses. Mr BEATTIE: I thank the honourable Mr Horan interjected. member for his question. As we all know, the member for Chermside has a keen interest in Mr BEATTIE: Did you tell the people in the Prince Charles Hospital, and he has raised Toowoomba what it would mean for their a number of issues with me in relation to that hospital? You are at me about Barcaldine—— hospital. This 1 per cent efficiency dividend Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Minister would be absolutely devastating to should direct his comments through the Chair. Queensland Health. As we heard the He is starting to debate the issue. Treasurer indicate before, the Opposition's Mr JOHNSON: I rise to a point of order. policy would apply across-the-board and would I remind the Honourable the Minister that the affect the whole area of Health, not just the Barcaldine Hospital has been on budget for administration, which was what our productivity four years. When is he going to deliver? dividend was all about. It would apply across the whole of the Health Department. It would Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point mean a total cut in all Government areas of of order. $116m. In Health, it would mean a cut of Mr BEATTIE: In answer to the question $27m. That is what it would mean. asked by the honourable member for Mr Elder: No wonder you didn't have Chermside—it needs to be clearly understood any other policies when you were running that the measure proposed by the Opposition through there. was never explained prior to the election. It needs to be clearly understood that the Mr BEATTIE: No wonder members people of Toowoomba did not know that they opposite wanted to hide! would lose their nurses, and neither did the As to the Prince Charles Hospital—the people of Barcaldine, Emerald, Gladstone or proposed policy would mean a cut of about Bundaberg—none of them knew! $1.3m from the budget of the Prince Charles I want to return to the particular details of Hospital. That money would have to be raised the question. It is enlightening to refer to what Legislative Assembly 45 7 September 1995

Mr Horan said about this issue in this House any surge in common law claims such as that on 20 October 1994. The Honourable the would put the fund under pressure. Treasurer referred to this. On the Throughout the period that we have been Government's productivity dividend proposal, in Government, the factors that have been which deals only with administration, Mr Horan operating on the fund have been many and stated— varied. It is not just common law claims and "It is the most dishonest of all, this attendant costs that affect the fund; there is a productivity dividend—a levy of 1 per cent whole range of factors. It is quite a complex on the non-labour components of situation. One has to look at premium income, hospitals." the level of premiums, the level of common He stated further—— law claims, the level of statutory claims and the income that is earned through investments Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Minister is by the scheme. All of those things will fluctuate debating the question. I ask him to conclude from year to year. Because of the fluctuations his answer. in those several factors that impact on the Mr BEATTIE: Let me conclude in this fund, each and every year the previous manner: Mr Horan alleged that the Government and this Government have Government's productivity dividend proposal obtained an Actuary's report, and each and was dishonest. Our proposal would raise every year we act on that Actuary's report. $4.5m. The proposal of the coalition would There have been years during our term in have raised $27m. If our proposal is Government when the Actuary's report has dishonest, the coalition's proposal is six times enabled us to reduce premiums and increase more dishonest! benefits; but there have been other occasions on which it has been necessary to increase Workers Compensation Fund premiums and bring in a range of other measures in relation to claims management. Mr LINGARD: I refer the Premier to the The factors that have operated in the last fact that within two and a half years of taking financial year to put pressure on the fund are over the State's workers' compensation the very factors that are there each and every system, the Government turned a surplus on year—save for one, that is, a much higher rate underwriting of nearly $60m in 1989-90 into a of common law claims than has occurred in $12.5m deficit in 1991-92. This was followed previous years. Because of that factor the by a $60m-plus deficit in 1992-93. As the Actuary has to assess those future liabilities Treasurer has explained, the Government and produce a figure in terms of what he achieved only a small surplus in 1993-94, believes may be unfunded as a consequence despite the fact that it took a massive $100m- of that dramatic surge of 40 per cent or so. plus increase—that is, a 25 per cent The Government will respond to that in a increase—in business contributions in that responsible way, as we respond to it every year. I ask the Premier: how can the year, and, as I recall—although I never paid Government claim that the problems now much attention to it—in the same way as the being experienced by the Workers coalition, when in Government, had to Compensation Fund simply relate entirely to a respond each and every year to the cost surge in common law claims when it is clear pressures on the fund on receipt of the that the Government has mismanaged the Actuary's report. fund from the outset? Mr W. K. GOSS: I do not believe that that confused jumble of figures helps the Effect of Efficiency Dividend on Police debate very much. As the Minister, the Mr WELFORD: I direct a question to the Treasurer and I have said, the dominant factor Minister for Police and Minister for Corrective in the last financial year in terms of putting Services. I refer to the Opposition's proposal pressure on the fund has been the dramatic during the State election campaign to surge in common law claims and the introduce a 1 per cent efficiency dividend attendant costs. With an average payout of across-the-board, and I ask: can the Minister $20,000 or so, sometimes there are attendant inform the House what effect the Opposition's costs—administrative, legal, medical and so promised efficiency dividend would have on on—of an equivalent amount. That surge in the Queensland Police Service? costs is clearly the dominant factor at the Mr BRADDY: The proposed efficiency present time in terms of putting the fund under dividend is remarkable indeed, because it is pressure. Surely even the Opposition would one of the very few measures that the have the integrity or the honesty to admit that Opposition actually spelt out in any detail as a 7 September 1995 46 Legislative Assembly policy. It would be an absolute disaster for the Queensland public. I ask: is it not a fact that Queensland Government and the whole the veracity of any of the Attorney-General's Queensland community. statements must now be called into question? Mr Cooper: No-one is going to believe a Is it not a fact that he is willing to conceal word you say. adverse information on Government performance, even if it is in the public interest Mr BRADDY: I remind the member for for such disclosures to take place? Crows Nest that this is the coalition's policy, and I point out that he has not denied that. It Mr FOLEY: The answer to both is the coalition's policy to have an efficiency questions is "No". Let me go back to the dividend imposed across-the-board. The mischievous misleading of the House upon differences between the Government's which this question—— proposal and that of the coalition are Mr SPEAKER: Order! A question to a enormous. As the Treasurer explained so ably, Minister should be related to the Minister's we applied it only to administration costs. portfolio. I am not sure that I am going to allow Were the dividend to be applied across the the Minister to debate his actions in his entire Police budget, it would cost that budget previous Ministry. The question relates to close to $5.5m—the equivalent of sacking 63 veracity rather than to the facts of the matter. police officers, closing two 24-hour city police stations the size of the one at Capalaba, or Mr FOLEY: I accept Mr Speaker's ruling, the closure of around 10 country police of course, and I will confine my remarks to that stations. That was one of the few policies that issue of veracity. The honourable member's the coalition managed to enunciate during the question is based upon a premise that there entire election campaign; but, of course, it got was some incorrect statement made by me or it wrong. Isn't that remarkable! in the submission I made to Estimates Committee C. That is completely untrue. I It is vital that the importance of this matter stand firmly by my submission. It was a be understood. In the last two years of the submission, I might add—this is relevant to the National Party Government, it reached only 81 issue of veracity—prepared by the department per cent and 82 per cent of the national and the Workers Compensation Board and average spending on police services. So in the signed by the chairman of the board, the head last two years of the National Party of department and by myself. I accept full Government, Queensland spent only 81 per ministerial responsibility. cent and 82 per cent of the national average per head of population. In the last two years of However, the point is—and this is the our Budget spending, we have reached 92 per point that was explained by the Treasurer— cent and 95 per cent of the Australian that honourable members opposite are average. comparing apples with oranges. They are seeking to compare a surplus, which is the Under its efficiency dividend policy, the difference between income and revenue, with coalition claimed that, if it got back into power, the assessment of net assets. it would recommence its old trick of ripping the money off the Police Service—one of the Mr SPEAKER: Order! I am starting to essential services in this State. The coalition have trouble with the Minister's answer. has been exposed, and its policy would have Mr FOLEY: The simple position is this— been an absolute disaster for the Queensland the honourable member's attack upon my community. veracity is based upon a false statement as to the nature of the submission to that Workers Compensation Fund committee and the falsity of the statement bears upon the failure to draw a distinction Mr BEANLAND: I direct a question to between the question of a surplus, which is the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General. the difference between income and revenue, As the first law officer of the State, great on the one hand and the assessment of net weight is usually placed on the advice and assets on the other. opinion of the Attorney-General. Given the information now before the House on the Indeed, on that very question of veracity, financial position of the workers' compensation far from concealing that this was a problem, as scheme, it is obvious that the Attorney- was the suggestion by the honourable General deliberately concealed vital financial member, I informed that Estimates Committee information regarding the performance of the that the issue of increased claims costs has fund when he presented the departmental been of real concern for a number of years, estimates for 1995-96, and he willingly that is to say, in my answer to the question concealed vital financial information from the from the honourable member for Clayfield, I Legislative Assembly 47 7 September 1995 drew attention to it and indeed went on to deal improve the staff/student ratios in primary and with a number of other matters. secondary schools. What the honourable member does not Let us put that into perspective. The wish to acknowledge in his question is the Opposition's policy is to remove the total spectacular rise in common law claims—a 48 staffing complement from some 18 primary per cent increase in the last year. I table the schools around the State. Alternatively, the document to which I have been referring which Opposition's policy is to remove the staffing demonstrates the basis of what I have said. I from some 15 of the first stage new secondary reject utterly the basis of the honourable schools. I do not know what that would mean member's question and I welcome the action for the new schools that are proposed at and initiatives being taken by the Minister for Victoria Point, Kuranda, Tannum Sands or Employment and Training. Deeragun, but I suggest it would be pretty devastating. Maybe they got the inspiration from watching Yes, Minister on television. Effect of Efficiency Dividend on Maybe they saw the episode about the Education hospital. Did honourable members see the Mrs ROSE: I refer the Minister for episode about the hospital with no patients? Education to the proposal by the Opposition The hospital with no patients was the best during the State election campaign to hospital because there were no complaints. introduce a 1 per cent across-the-board However, once again, they got it wrong. They efficiency dividend, and I ask: can the Minister think that the hospital or the school with no inform the House what effect the Opposition's staff is the hospital or school that causes no promised efficiency dividend would have on complaints. the delivery of education services in The Education policy of the Opposition is Queensland? an absolute farce and, contrary to the Mr HAMILL: Certainly, the Opposition's Opposition's approach of slashing budgets policy to slash the Education budget by 1 per and slashing staffing, I want to assure cent would be a very savage assault upon teachers and the community that this schools. I suggest that it would be even more Government is committed to putting 1,500 devastating in its effect on the credibility of the additional teachers in the classrooms around Opposition and, indeed, the Opposition's the State in this term of office and is also Education policy. I know that some people in committed to a massive capital works program this place take themselves very seriously, but I to provide new schools—staffed schools—to try to lighten the place up by carrying around a meet the needs of the growing State of few joke books. I have one of those books Queensland. here—it is actually the Opposition's Education policy. Workers Compensation Fund I am sure the House would be delighted to learn some of the elements of the Mr SANTORO: I ask the Premier: in Opposition's Education policy. Page 3 of that view of his claims this morning that he and policy states— Ministers of his Government did not know the precise financial detail of the Workers "The Coalition considers that schools Compensation Fund prior to election day, will require enhanced funding and support to he table in this Parliament all communications ensure that standards are raised and to him and his Minister from the manager of maintained." the Workers Compensation Board and the The authors of the policy seem to be Workers Compensation Board for the six discomfited by hearing their words in the months prior to election day so as to prove House today. The other statement on page 3 what he has said? which I am sure will give them even greater discomfiture is the statement— Mr W. K. GOSS: I do not have any communications from the Workers "The Coalition will reverse the current Compensation Board. It is not the practice of trend of rising pupil teacher ratios in both any Government to table all internal primary and secondary schools." correspondence in the Parliament. I have said I have seen some interesting tricks done with quite openly—and we said prior to the smoke and mirrors, but I fail to see how election—that we were aware of the increase slashing $26m from the Education budget can in common law claims and that it was achieve increased resources in schools, nor do dramatic. I think I used the figure of 40 per I see how sacking 280 teachers—removing cent before, but I have been corrected; it was 280 teachers from the payroll of the State—will in fact 48 per cent. It is a matter of 7 September 1995 48 Legislative Assembly commonsense of which even the member and that this created tension in the community should be aware—not that he pursued the and inhibited young people from approaching matter in the Estimates Committee, despite authority figures and getting involved in having been told by the Minister that the level community activities. They felt overall that if of claims was causing real concern. So we they did voice their opinions no-one would knew it would have an impact on the listen to them, and that young people were unfunded liability of the fund as opposed to apathetic because they felt that they could not the surplus, with which the member was make a difference. confusing the unfunded liability before. The question of boredom was raised in The figures would not be known until the just about every centre throughout the State. Actuary's report was received after 30 June— The young people mentioned the issue of the end of the financial year—which is the safe places for them to go and the need for a same as what happens every year. Each and sense of security—security from violence, every year, when we receive it, we then take security from people trying to peddle drugs to action in exactly the same way as did previous them—and they expressed the need for National and Liberal Party Governments. young workers or people in the area to talk to them. Government Consultation with Young I note that members of the Liberal Party Queenslanders in Canberra are going to get on a bus and head north. They are going to get rid of their Mr ROBERTSON: I refer the Deputy spats and their monocles and they are going Premier and Minister for Tourism, Sport and to visit backpackers' places in order to meet Youth to the fact that young people often some young people. I think that this problem complain that adults do not listen to them—a needs to be handled in a different way. I do fact of which I am sure the Minister is aware. I not think that doing that sort of thing just ask: can the Minister outline what the Goss before an election is going to work. Young Government has achieved in moves to consult people are critical of the older community, they with young Queenslanders and to ensure that are critical of Parliament and they are critical of their voice is heard by the Government? authority because of our criticism of them. Mr BURNS: I thank the honourable They get the blame for everything. It is always member for the question. Obtaining young people who are to blame. information about young people's views and Society never thinks that maybe it created the views held by older people about young the situation. No-one mentions the problems people is a problem. In 1993, Mr Gibbs faced by young people who have no money commenced a campaign to hold youth forums and who cannot find a job. These young throughout the State. Last year, I think we had people continue to be hounded from one 48 local forums, 11 regional forums and a place to another as they look for a job. The State forum which were attended by 1,500 future is fairly bleak for them. We have to people. I think the local members would be know their views to do something about this aware that the forums were held in their towns problem. and surrounding areas. A lot of young people The issues raised in the youth forums went along to those forums and local groups held throughout the State included mental were consulted. health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander I found that the best way to deal with the culture, access to services, youth sport and problem was to appoint to my staff a young recreation centres and youth workers. These man—a 24-year-old young achiever—to go young people said that not everybody wants round the areas and spend time talking to to play sport and that not everybody wants to youth groups. Those young people said that go to those sorts of places. The issues raised society's views on young people were also included vocational training and completely wrong. The forum material is now employment, including training and becoming available to us. Young Peter employment in the arts. There are many areas Johnstone—who, in the five years between in the arts and in other cultural pursuits in the ages of 19 and 24, has made a mark in which young people seek help from the the business area—has now been appointed Government and from older people in the to my staff to do something about this community. Police relations with people, problem. sexuality and sexual health, violence and For example, in Redcliffe, the young substance abuse were other issues that were people said that they felt that older members raised. The issue of transport came up in of the community regarded them as hooligans many areas. Legislative Assembly 49 7 September 1995

The Youth Bureau held a State forum, that package before such time as full which was attended by 49 young people, and consultation has taken place with all the produced a report. We are taking the report stakeholders. round to departments to talk with the staff about it. With the assistance of that young person in my office—he will work with young Child Abuse people—this system of asking young people Mrs BIRD: I ask question the Minister for should work. I thank him and all the young Family and Community Services: as this is people who contributed to these forums. Child Protection Week, can the Minister outline the steps that the Goss Government is taking to address the issue of child abuse in Workers Compensation Fund Queensland? Mr FITZGERALD: In directing a Mrs WOODGATE: I thank the question to the Minister for Employment and honourable member for that question. As all Training, I refer to the Cabinet submission members of this House would know, the issue proposing increases in workers' compensation of child abuse is certainly a most serious one premiums of up to 40 per cent to cover the for our community. The abuse of a child in any massive shortfall in the scheme's ability to form—be it physical, sexual, emotional, or provide for the massive unfunded liabilities even just neglect—will not be tolerated by this brought about directly by the Government's Government. As far as I am concerned, one incompetent and neglectful custodianship, case of child abuse is one case too many. and I ask: how does the Minister justify to This year, my department has noted a employers and to the would-be workers who significant increase in the reporting of child will never be employed an increase of even a abuse cases. There were over 8,000 reports of fraction of that proposed level when the cause more than 13,000 individual cases of abuse— of the unfunded liability is so unequivocally a rise of 25 per cent. I must emphasise that due to the Government's inaction and these figures are reported cases and do not managerial incompetence? necessarily reflect any increase in the level of Mrs EDMOND: I thank the honourable child abuse. Obviously, I am very concerned member for his question. I take some about the rise in the number of reported exception to the comments at the end of his cases. However, I consider that the increase in question that it was due to Government the number of reports shows an increase in incompetence. I think we have tried to make it people's willingness to make these reports and very, very clear that, even though concerns the community's resolve to take action on have been expressed in regard to this matter such an important issue. for several years, we have acted on full Events such as Child Protection Week actuarial advice. I draw the attention of the allow this Government to focus on how we can member opposite to the fact that the Premier better deal with such a tragic issue. More expressed some concern about where importantly, Child Protection Week provides common law action was going as long ago as the community at large with an opportunity to 1993. become more aware and work with the Mr Borbidge: You kept raiding the fund, Government to address the high incidence of didn't you? child abuse. Mrs EDMOND: How many questions Honourable members will recall that in the does the Opposition want to ask—one, two, May State Budget this Government three, four? announced a three-point Child Protection Strategy which has been backed up by a To return to the rate of premium funding allocation of $24m to be spent over increase—what I have tabled today is a range the next three years. The Child Protection of options, and I have stated clearly in words Strategy involves prevention measures to of one syllable that anybody should be able to combat child abuse and neglect, legislative understand that we are now in a process of reform, and services to counteract the effects consultation and review. That consultation has of abuse and neglect on our children. New been going on around this State with major child protection legislation is currently being stakeholders. Anyone is welcome to put in a drafted and we will develop new services to submission. If members opposite have any help all those children who have been abused. practical suggestions to make, they should put These measures should be in place by 1996. them in a submission. We will be bringing a package of options before this Parliament in To sum up, the comprehensive Child November. I am not going to pre-empt any of Protection Strategy is critical in responding to 7 September 1995 50 Legislative Assembly the increasing number of reports of suspected clarifies the status of SES personnel under the child abuse and neglect, and I want to assure Act. That regulation, which was recently all honourable members that this Government gazetted—on 17 August, if my memory serves is doing everything possible to overcome child me correctly—allows SES members to be abuse and help any child who has granted exemptions from the Act's operations. experienced such abuse. SES members can continue to perform those valuable community services. It was never intended that they would be unable to do so. Workers Compensation Fund One member of the Opposition wrote to me Mr CONNOR: In directing a question to about the Carnival of Flowers in Toowoomba. the Minister for Employment and Training, I SES personnel will be able to continue refer to statements made by Peter Morley in operating at those types of events. the Courier-Mail on 26 August this year in The Act does not target SES members, which he maintained that $150m had been and it never has. Rather, it is directed at the siphoned out of the Workers Compensation unlawful and unlicensed security operators Fund over the last five years. In light of the and crowd controllers such as nightclub announced $118m shortfall in workers' bouncers, whom the Act requires to undergo compensation funding, I ask: does the appropriate training and obtain a licence Minister intend to cease siphoning millions of before they start dealing with the public. I do dollars out of the Workers Compensation not think any person would disagree that that Fund? What would be the budgetary effect of is a well-intentioned legislative amendment. doing so? Would this result in an increase in business taxes and charges? The new regulation does not alter the licensing requirements for the private security Mrs EDMOND: I sincerely thank the industry, but it means that SES members can honourable member for his question. It is of obtain exemptions from the need to be trained concern to me that members opposite are and obtain a licence. This means that they will advocating that we stop making payments for be able to continue to provide crowd control services rendered by the Royal Flying Doctor activities at community and charity events, Service, the Mines Rescue Brigade, the such as the Carnival of Flowers in National Safety Council, the Division of Toowoomba. With an exemption granted by Workplace Health and Safety, the Chair of the Director-General of Emergency Services, Orthopaedics at the University of Queensland the SES can still be involved in activities such and the State public hospital service. I think as car parking and crowd control services at that is an outrageous suggestion. Those sporting events, Anzac Day marches and payments have been made for many years to other charity and community-based activities. systems that continue to support the injured The regulation also ensures that SES units worker in this State. I find it an horrendous can retain fundraising operations. That is suggestion that we should even consider important, because it will enable them to reducing those payments. The payments better support their local communities without come to considerably less than the funds being drawn into direct competition with private available. I do not have the figure with me, but enterprise groups. I believe it is approximately $67m over five I thank the honourable member for the years. question and hope that my answer clarifies the issue for the benefit of the House. Use of SES members as Crowd Controllers Police Service Residences Mr PURCELL: I refer the Minister for Mr COOPER: I ask the Minister for Emergency Services and Minister for Police: can he explain why he was too busy to Consumer Affairs to the 15 August edition of meet representatives of the Police Officers the Western Star, in which the member for Union in the month following the election to Western Downs raised concerns about SES discuss the deep concerns of senior officers members being prevented from acting as about the planned sale of Police Service crowd controllers at community and charity residences in country towns and provincial events. I ask: were those concerns justified? cities? Will the Minister give a categorical Mr DAVIES: As usual, no, the member assurance that those sales will now cease? for Western Downs’ concerns were not Mr BRADDY: Unlike members of the warranted. The security providers legislation, Opposition, and particularly the Opposition which was introduced by my predecessor, the spokesman, I make sure that I have all the Deputy Premier, contains a regulation that information available before I meet with Legislative Assembly 51 7 September 1995 people. In fact, I met with three delegates of thanks for the speech with which you the Police Officers Union this week, and we opened the First Session. The had a very productive discussion. They raised various measures to which your their concerns, and I explained the Excellency referred and all other Government's policy to them. That policy will matters that may be brought before lead to the provision of more housing in those us will receive our careful regional, rural and country areas of this State consideration and we shall strive to that are west of the Great Dividing Range. The deal with them so that our policy is designed to maximise the provision of endeavours may contribute to the housing. advancement and the prosperity of Those delegates pointed out some the people of this State.' " individual instances in which they believed the In the seven short weeks since the 1995 policy might be causing some hardship or State election, our Government has moved cutting across the opportunity for future good quickly to implement our new agenda of leadership in the Queensland Police Service. I reform spelt out so comprehensively by Her met with them, as did the Commissioner of Excellency and in our election campaign. The Police and two senior officers from the challenge for any incumbent Government is to administration of the Queensland Police demonstrate to the electorate a capacity to Service. As I said, it was a very productive respond to the responsibilities of Government meeting. I undertook to obtain more with innovative and effective measures. It is information and meet with them again. They the strong tradition of progressive reform of left with a full understanding of the situation, the Australian Labor Party which has informed namely, that at this time none of their the new agenda of this Government. It is also members is being moved out of his or her this tradition which separates us from our house. They are looking to the future, and we opponents and which I believe has seen us are looking to the future. I will meet with them returned to Government in 1995. again. The occasions when we do meet are I take this opportunity to say how proud very productive, as was shown earlier this and honoured I feel to be chosen by the week. I have had a very good relationship with people of South Brisbane to represent their the commissioned Police Officers Union. That interests in this Parliament. The South relationship bore fruit the other day and will Brisbane area has a long history of very strong continue to bear fruit. Labor advocates. I want to assure the electors Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time for of South Brisbane that their faith in me is well questions has expired. placed and that I will continue the legacy of strong and effective advocacy on their behalf. ADDRESS IN REPLY It is important to recognise that I would Mr SPEAKER: Order! Before calling the not have the honour to be standing here member for South Brisbane, I remind without the hard work and support of a great honourable members that this will be the many people. My special thanks go to my member's first speech in the House. I ask all campaign director, Jackie Trad, who has members to give the usual courtesies to the worked tirelessly with me throughout this year. member's inaugural speech. I also thank Christine Cosgrove, Cath Rafferty, Tim Quinn, Stephan Greder, Leonides Ms BLIGH (South Brisbane) Naoumis, Di Fingleton and Kathy Munro, all of (12.46 p.m.), who was received with whom contributed to the success of my Government "Hear, hears!", said: It is an campaign. honour and a pleasure that I be given the opportunity to move— In common with many other members of this House, the real backbone of my electoral "That the following address be success and my political life, not only this year presented to the Governor in reply to the but over the past decade, has been my family. Speech delivered by Her Excellency in I pay tribute to them today for their work and opening this, the Forty-eight Parliament of support and, most importantly, the sacrifices Queensland— they have made so willingly on my behalf. I 'We, the members of the say a special "thank you" to my partner, Legislative Assembly of Queensland, Greg Withers, whose faith in me is a constant wish to assure your Excellency of our source of strength and whose enthusiasm for continued respect for the Crown and my entry to parliamentary politics is an loyalty to the system of government inspiration. To my children, Joseph and in this State, and to tender our Oliver—Joseph is in the gallery today—I say: 7 September 1995 52 Legislative Assembly thank you for your love and patience, and I planning, brought forward by this Government, hope that my contribution to this Parliament that can provide the incentive, the will make for a better and fairer world for your demonstration of and standard for a new future. vision for our cities. Everywhere cannot have I also owe a deep debt of gratitude to my the scale and diversity of such important public mother, Frances Tancred. It is through her places. However, the planning of these inner- self-sacrifice throughout my childhood that I city suburbs as communities in the centre of a have achieved anything in my life. This was rapidly expanding and demanding metropolis especially true during my adolescence, when can be equally carefully crafted. It is my aim to she brought up four teenagers on the then ensure that the people of the electorate of supporting mothers pension—an initiative of South Brisbane benefit from the careful and, the Whitlam Government which provided a where possible, inclusive approach to planning real safety net for families such as ours. She is our communities, which this Government has a woman of great strength and integrity, and I brought to it in the past. thank her for both the opportunities she has Clearly, the excellent facilities that I have given me and the example she has set for just highlighted are only one outcome of living me. near the centre of the city. The South As the member for South Brisbane, I draw Brisbane electorate has more than its share of to the attention of this House many interesting congestion, industry, freeways, noise and features of the electorate. In doing so, I other pressures of redevelopment. As always, acknowledge the first citizens of the area, the with the privilege of central location comes the Jagera people. I pay tribute to the Jagera and responsibility of major essential and public their ancestors who, from the beginning, have facilities such as hospitals. This is an been the custodians of this land. Throughout enormous challenge for a city such as much of my electorate—perhaps more so than Brisbane in the 1990s. However, Labor in in other parts of metropolitan Brisbane—it is Government has shown that innovative and impossible not to recognise that we walk on progressive solutions and projects can be Aboriginal land. Many indigenous people, their undertaken to deal with the pressures and families and the organisations that provide demands of the urban environment. services and advocacy on their behalf, have As outlined by Her Excellency yesterday, made their home in South Brisbane, and that the Government's commitment to doubling the has enriched the lives of all of us who live number of public transport consumers over the there. next 25 years is a visionary and practical A significant feature of the South demonstration of an urban planning policy that Brisbane electorate is that it reflects the will affect significantly the lives of people living pressures and opportunities of inner-city life. in my electorate. Likewise, the creation of bus The suburbs to the south of the river have and multiple occupancy transit lanes will evolved to contain a remarkable mix of land reduce pollution and increase safety. uses and a fabric of development that Of course, alongside and in between the provides a rich setting within which to live. major public facilities in my electorate live the Within its borders, the South Brisbane people: the long-term and often short-term electorate contains a number of attractions residents of the southern inner suburbs. My that have an appeal far beyond the local area, electorate is subject to continual the City of Brisbane, the State and even redevelopment, sometimes on a massive and nationally. I speak, of course, of the wonderful disruptive scale. The ability to live in secure, community recreation facilities offered by the affordable and good-quality housing is always South Bank parklands, the international threatened by this tide of change. I am proud standard Brisbane Convention Centre and, of to say that this Government has made an course, the famous Gabba. Those facilities important commitment to the provision of have been developed alongside the existing quality public housing right across this State. Performing Arts Complex, the State Library, However, in my electorate this commitment the art gallery and the museum. Together they has special significance to a dominantly low- exhibit an extraordinary range of recreational income population with a high reliance on and cultural resources for all Queenslanders. private rental accommodation. Those public facilities have been Public housing has been invigorated constructed with an innovative and balanced through new and better designs, fairer tenancy strategy designed for accessibility with visual arrangements that treat lessees as equal and practical appeal. They complement each partners and by locating dwellings across the other. It is this example of public urban inner suburbs and not just in outlying areas Legislative Assembly 53 7 September 1995 where people become stigmatised. Inner-city I am fortunate to be making my inaugural communities such as those in my electorate speech in this House on a Thursday, as it benefit from the security and stability that gives me a unique opportunity to highlight the these reforms provide. This helps to keep Thursdays in Black campaign—and today I them together and gives them a stake in their wear its badge with pleasure—and draw neighbourhood. Public housing is one attention to the issue of violence against example, albeit a very important example, of women. Every Thursday, people around the the importance of a Labor Government to the world are invited by the World Council of people of an electorate such as South Churches to wear black as a protest against Brisbane. Of course, other examples are rape and violence. The choice of Thursday transport, health, education and social was inspired by the mothers who gather in services. The communities of the South silence every Thursday in the Plaza De Mayo Brisbane electorate are vulnerable to the in Argentina, holding placards of missing loved pressures of urban change. I have a ones and demanding that justice be done. In responsibility to ensure that the State Queensland, it is being promoted by an Government works cooperatively with other ecumenical network called With Women. levels of government to manage this change Although the campaign condemns all for the benefit of the people who live there. forms of rape and violence, especially those Who are the people who live in South that arise from war and other conflicts, many Brisbane? There is no easy or short answer to Australians have used the campaign to bring this question. The electorate, although attention to the violence that continues to be geographically compact, is incredibly diverse in experienced by women in the private spheres character. It has a long and spectacular border of their lives, often at the hands of those to with the Brisbane River from Dutton Park to whom they are closest. I have long held a Norman Park. There are long-established commitment to working towards a society residential suburbs and older ones still that are where domestic and sexual violence are a the subject of significant gentrification. The thing of the past. My first full-time paid area is especially vibrant with large Greek, employment was with the Women's House Italian, Vietnamese and Chinese communities. Refuge and Rape Crisis Centre. That It is a very active community with hundreds of organisation was one of the first in organisations representing a great variety of Queensland to provide services to women and causes, issues and endeavours. It is also an children escaping domestic violence. More extremely tolerant community that appreciates importantly, it played a leading role in breaking its diversity, character and vitality. the silence that had long surrounded this issue by speaking out, conducting research and It has been only Labor Governments that actively lobbying Governments to accept some have recognised and supported the responsibility by providing adequate services aspirations of people in communities such as and seeking solutions. in my electorate through important reforms and initiatives such as anti-discrimination The time I spent working with Women's legislation, inclusive and innovative school House gave me a real insight into the curriculums and financial support for a range complexities of violence against women. Later, of community festivals and related activities I drew on this experience when I became a that celebrate the varied cultures of the founding member of the Women's Policy Unit, community. New policies and programs such established by this Government to coordinate as the community recreation centres will the development and implementation of further assist the aspirations of the people of strategies to improve the status of the South Brisbane area. As a local member, I Queensland women. In 1992, I worked am aware of the expectations of that alongside others to draft the Queensland community for me to take up the issues of the Government policy on violence against day and often beyond the borders of the women. The launch of this policy and its electorate. There is a keen sense of social subsequent implementation over the past justice among the people of my electorate and three years is an achievement for which this an ability to speak up and take forward issues Government deserves full credit and from of interest and concern. The community which many Queensland women and their articulates its feelings well and, as many families have benefited. people in this House would know, while Queensland is the only State in Australia accepting and assimilating many of the that has a comprehensive, whole-of- changes that are thrust upon it, when Government policy on violence against necessary it can come together decisively. women. The fundamental thrusts of this policy 7 September 1995 54 Legislative Assembly are a commitment to providing high-quality, Queensland State schools. This policy was effective services to women experiencing adopted for a range of reasons, among them violence and a commitment to eradicating the recognition of the message that we were such violence by attacking its root causes. sending to our young men. It must be That is a complex and difficult problem, and it recognised that it was male children who were requires both sensitive and strategic policy caned in Queensland schools and the caning responses. To give a sense of how effectively was predominantly done by male teachers. this Government has taken up this challenge, I This situation did little or nothing to teach our would like to outline some examples of sons about the appropriate ways for men in services and programs developed and funded our community to deal with conflict. In fact, it in the implementation of this policy, sent the unequivocal message to those boys including— that men hit out. This relatively small change significant increases to basic services in Government policy challenges our school such as emergency accommodation, system to find alternative methods of refuges and counselling services. This disciplining our children and this, over time, increased funding has been targeted to has the potential to bring about real change in ensure the provision of services, often for the way we all think about the place of the first time, in regional areas outside the violence in our lives. south-east corner; I have been appalled to hear members of innovative improvements through the this Parliament calling for a return of the cane, Office of the Deputy Public Prosecutor to the use of which has never been anything services and support for women and girls other than ritualised brutality. I applaud the in criminal proceedings; Government's firm stand on this issue, as did the Queensland Council of Parents and funding for counselling programs for Citizens Association in its August 1994 children who witness domestic violence as newsletter, which stated in part— part of their daily lives. This program, in particular, is aimed at breaking the cycle "Schools and parents have a role to of violence; play in stopping the cycle of violence, not in perpetuating it. Let's accept the provision for the expansion of the challenge of moving into new territory and Neighbourhood Safety Program and the not cling to the old idea of saying, 'Well, it introduction of a safe and confident living didn't do me any harm.' " program for older women, which addresses both fears and risks; As I and my campaign workers moved around the electorate over the past six funding for staff training and development months, we met many aged and frail programs for a range of professionals, members of our community. A notable such as police and TAFE teachers, who characteristic of these people is that, although have varying responsibilities and they proudly continue to live independent lives experience in this field; and in the face of the problems that age, sickness the expansion of the Community Rent and disability will no doubt bring to us all, Scheme to target the immediate housing many of them live in fear. In their own homes, needs of women and children escaping they live in fear of crime and violence. A violence in their homes. striking majority of these people are elderly I believe that those examples are the women. There is no doubt that living with hallmarks of a Government that is making a these fears absolutely diminishes the quality of sincere and sustained effort to grapple with their lives. this issue, the continued existence of which Although crimes of violence are a sad restricts the rights and freedom of all women in reality, and we as a Government are our community. committed to addressing the issue However, when we are struggling with constructively, we must all be careful not to something of this size, in the end it is not inflate this reality. Successive victims of crimes always large funding programs that make the surveys conducted by the Australian Bureau of difference. When we are reaching out for a Statistics demonstrate that the fear of violent world which is free of the attitudes and power crime in our community far exceeds the imbalances that underpin these appalling incidence of these crimes. There is no doubt crimes, it can be the relatively inexpensive that the media must bear some responsibility policy changes that help to turn the tide. As an for the fuelling of these fears through the often illustration of this point, I cite the decision of sensationalist coverage it provides of criminal this Government to ban the use of the cane in activity. However, politicians must also bear Legislative Assembly 55 7 September 1995 the responsibility that we, as community development and to pay a tribute to the leaders, have to conduct debates about law contribution she made to this House and the and order in a manner which is not calculated Labor caucus, both in Opposition and in to maximise political point scoring. This Government. Anne came to this country as a approach is irresponsible and serves only to British immigrant with a young family in the maximise community fears. During my time in early seventies. She settled in Queensland this House, I will not be indulging in and very quickly threw herself into politics. As sensational and histrionic debates on law and many members of the House know, Anne is a order which ultimately serve only one person with a passionate sense of social purpose—to limit unnecessarily the freedom justice and highly developed political skills. and opportunities of many vulnerable people She ably used this passion and these skills to in our community. play a leadership role among the many people In addition to my work in women's in this State, both inside and outside the organisations, I have worked in a number of Labor Party, who stood up against the tyranny white collar trade unions. I am proud to bring of the Bjelke-Petersen regime. She made her to this Parliament a respect for the legitimate mark on Queensland politics long before and valuable place of trade unions in our entering this Parliament by fighting for civil community and an acknowledgment of the liberties, Aboriginal land rights, abortion law value of collective action which these reform and industrial justice. organisations foster. Immediately prior to my Upon her election to State Parliament in election, I worked in the Department of 1983, Anne faced a difficult challenge as the Employment, Vocational Education, Training only female member of the Labor caucus. She and Industrial Relations where I was involved concluded her inaugural speech in this House in the negotiations leading to the enterprise by saying, on behalf of all those bargaining agreement between this Queenslanders determined to resist the abuse Government and the public sector unions. of democracy perpetrated by the National Like many sectors of our economy, the Party Government, "We will not be silent. We public sector is confronting the challenges will not go away." They were fighting words posed by the globalisation of our economy. and she lived up to them in her resistance to Significant workplace reforms are required if the excesses of that Government. Her ability the public sector is to be able to meet the and tenacity were rewarded in 1989 when she expectations of Government and the had the honour of being the first woman to increasing expectations of the community. hold a Cabinet post in a Labor Government in Although all change is difficult, these reforms this State. As Minister for Family Services and can either be managed constructively and Aboriginal and Islander Affairs, she negotiated in a spirit of mutual respect or they established herself as a strong advocate for can be dragged through in a climate of some of the most disadvantaged groups in industrial disharmony and chaos. It is fair our community. comment to observe that the public sector Her time as Minister saw the overhauling enterprise bargaining negotiations in the past and modernisation of almost every piece of 18 months were not without some legislation administered by her portfolio. In disappointments and frustration for all parties. addition to the exemplary contribution she This is not an unexpected outcome when made to this Parliament and this Government, trying out a new process. However, I have no Anne has played a pivotal role in the doubt that the shift from centralised wage Queensland branch of the Australian Labor fixing would have been used by our Party. During the late 1970s and early eighties opponents as an excuse to strip away working she, along with others such as Denis Murphy, conditions and create an industrial nightmare, Joy Ardill, Norma and Lindsay Jones and as their colleagues have done in Victoria and Peter Beattie, worked hard to bring about the Western Australia. This process highlights the necessary changes in the party which have ability of this Government to optimise the made us an effective political force in this relationship it has with the labour movement State. so that both parties use the relationship as a In the face of all these achievements, it is tool to manage and bring about constructive difficult to nominate the most outstanding. change and meet the increasing imperatives However, the legacy for which I most admire of micro-economic reform. Anne is her willingness to promote and Today also presents an opportunity for encourage other women to play a role in me to place on record the significant influence political life. Within the ALP, Anne has always that my predecessor in this House, Ms been willing to impart her extensive political Anne Warner, had on my political knowledge and skills to another generation of 7 September 1995 56 Legislative Assembly women. She has been that rare thing in the pledge my loyalty to the people of often self-interested world of party politics—an Queensland. I acknowledge that I am able and inspiring mentor. It is in large part accountable to those who have elected me due to her support and encouragement that I and that I have a duty to take proper account stand here today and I thank her for that, as of their views in the exercise of my duties as a no doubt do the many able women in the ALP member of this Assembly. whom I believe will join me in this House over Mr Speaker, I congratulate you on your my time here. election to your high office. I also congratulate Since my earliest involvement in politics, I the Deputy Speaker and members on both have held the view that to be a part of the sides of this House on their election to this passion and action of one's times is the mark place, especially those who have been of a life well spent. I look forward to applying selected by their respective parties to hold this attitude to the activities and responsibilities Cabinet and shadow Cabinet positions. of a parliamentary representative. In this spirit, I sincerely thank electors in the Nudgee I would like to conclude by saying that, similar electorate for giving me their support. I give to to other members of this House, I am both them a commitment that I will do my best to saddened and outraged by the fact that on give effective representation to their collective the day this Parliament opened the French and individual interests during the course of Government resumed nuclear testing at this Parliament. My sincere thanks are also Mururoa Atoll. I was born on 14 July and extended to those many Labor Party therefore share a birthday with the anniversary members, supporters, family and personal of the storming of the Bastille—the dawn of a friends who worked so hard to assist me in my new era in French politics based on the high election campaign. No candidate for political ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity. The office achieves the great privilege of being a contempt with which the French colonial member of Parliament by his or her own Government has treated the concerns of the efforts. I particularly pay tribute to my people of this region makes a travesty of campaign director, the former member for these ideals. The action fundamentally attacks Nudgee, Ken Vaughan. As a mentor and a the liberty of the people of the Pacific region, mate, Ken Vaughan taught me much about and indeed all the peoples of the world, to live the business of politics. I am eternally grateful free from the threat of nuclear warfare. to him for teaching me the discipline and The choice of Mururoa as the site for regimen required for conducting successful these tests clearly indicates that, when the political campaigns and also for teaching me French speak of equality, they believe that the the importance of providing personal, prompt people of France are more equal than the and efficient service to my constituents. people of Mururoa. As the member for Lytton I know that Ken Vaughan was much noted, this is the fundamental premise of admired and respected by members on both colonialism and it has no place in the modern sides of this House. Ken Vaughan's term in world. As for fraternity, there is nothing in the this Assembly commenced on 12 November actions of the French Government which 1977. During his parliamentary career, he indicates the principles of friendship and occupied the offices of Minister for Resource cooperative effort embodied in either the word Industries, Minister for Employment, Training "fraternity" or indeed the word "sorority". I and Industrial Relations, Opposition conclude by saying that I look forward to spokesman on Mines and Energy, making a contribution in this House on behalf Employment and Industrial Affairs and Police. my electors of South Brisbane. His charm, his wit and his energy will be Sitting suspended from 1.09 to 2.30 p.m. affectionately remembered in this place for Mr SPEAKER: Order! Before calling the many years to come. I wish Ken and his wife honourable member for Nudgee, I wish to Lesley a long and happy retirement together. advise members that it will be the member's I also extend my gratitude to the trade first speech in this House. I ask members to union movement for giving me opportunities to display the due courtesy reserved for such fulfil my desire to work in the interests of occasions. ordinary workers across our great State. In my Mr ROBERTS (Nudgee) (2.30 p.m.): It is role as an occupational health and safety with great pleasure that I second the motion trainer for the ACTU Queensland branch and for the adoption of the Address in Reply during my eight years as an industrial moved by my colleague the honourable officer—one year with the Vehicle Builders member for South Brisbane, Ms Bligh. I thank Union and seven years with the Electrical Her Excellency the Governor for her Speech. I Trades Union—I was fortunate to work with Legislative Assembly 57 7 September 1995 many people whose sole motivation was to initiatives include student performance improve the lot of ordinary workers and their standards, the Year 2 diagnostic net and the families. I am proud to have worked with such Year 6 test for literacy and numeracy. I people and to have been given the applaud the objectives underpinning these opportunity to have contributed to that noble initiatives. Proper emphasis on the basic cause. learning areas of literacy and numeracy should In many respects, I have led a fortunate be the cornerstone of any education system. It life. I am particularly grateful to my parents, is important, however, not to forget that the Roger and Louise, for their love and support principal role of teachers is to teach. We must and for giving me opportunities in life which be careful that the implementation of new many go without. I also acknowledge the love processes does not unnecessarily divert and support given to me by my own family: my energies away from this task. wife, Jenny, and two children, Bridget and Two areas in which I encourage the Fiona. Over my many years of campaigning Government to continue to focus attention are and community involvement, Jenny has the reduction of class sizes and increasing the provided unwavering support and number of support teachers for children with encouragement. I sincerely thank her for her learning difficulties. In these two areas alone, I efforts and sacrifices during that time. believe that significant, tangible and During the past year, I have come into immediate improvements can be made on the contact with many thousands of people in my quality of education provided to our children. electorate: the young, our senior citizens, In this regard, I welcome the Government's families, single parents and single persons election announcement that it will introduce a making a life for themselves. Whereas many reading recovery program under which more had views—both supportive and critical—of than 550 specialist tutors and teachers are to particular Government initiatives, a common be employed across the State. theme amongst them was an expectation that A range of other initiatives is benefiting Governments should focus attention on school children in my electorate. The school delivering the basic services and infrastructure computer program is an excellent example. required to maintain and improve their Computer literacy is an essential skill required day-to-day quality of life. It is always true for by our children. The Government's objective is any Government that some things could have to provide access to a computer for every 10 been done better. However, I believe that this upper primary and secondary school students. Government's record on quality-of-life issues is Significant emphasis has also been placed on worthy of recognition. Improvements and increasing opportunities for parents to have a reforms in basic community services such as greater say in the running of their local education, health, policing and crime schools. Moneys from the School prevention, public housing, transport and Improvement Subsidy Scheme have meant industrial relations have benefited electors in that several schools have been able to my electorate, and I am proud to highlight purchase items such as shade structures and some of those achievements today. playground equipment. The $50 per child per I have six Government and five year school uniform allowance will provide non-Government schools in my electorate. welcome relief to families by helping to pay for One of my intentions as a local member is to uniforms, shoes or schoolbags. work closely with my school communities to School security has also been improved assist them in acquiring the necessary by the installation of electronic movement resources and infrastructure needed to provide detectors and better lighting. The School quality education to our children. Over the past Watch Program, which seeks to reduce crime few months, I have spoken with teachers, directed at schools and to foster a greater principals and parents about the particular degree of community involvement in school needs of many of our local schools. Whether it security, is a welcome initiative of the be a desire for the upgrading of music or Government. I give due credit to the Banyo manual arts facilities at Banyo High School, Neighbourhood Watch group for its efforts to the sealing of the car park entrance at initiate this program in conjunction with the Boondall State School or requests for extra Nudgee State School. classroom space or teachers, I will do my best Banyo High School, the only State high to ensure that my schools receive their fair school in my electorate, has recently benefited share of the allocations made by the from both State and Federal moneys to Government. provide a modern and well-equipped resource Significant reforms are being centre. Banyo High has also recently received implemented in our education system. Key an allocation for a much-needed upgrade of 7 September 1995 58 Legislative Assembly its arts teaching facilities. However, much more Crime prevention, however, is more than can be done at Banyo High School to improve just police presence on public transport and at its attraction to local families. Only one of the shoppingtowns and the upgrading of facilities. Government schools in my electorate, namely, Local community organisations in the Nudgee Geebung State School, has an assembly hall. electorate have been the recipients of youth Recently, the Nudgee State School had to crime prevention grants from the Department hold its pantomime in the assembly hall at of Tourism, Sport and Racing. These grants Sandgate High School. I will be making it a have generated positive results by involving priority of mine to continue to lobby the some local youth in planning and Government to ensure that such facilities are implementing affordable, accessible and safe more readily accessible to schools in my recreation activities in the district. It is electorate. The Government's Community important to not lose the impetus of crime Recreation Centre Program will provide some prevention programs of this nature, and in that local communities with facilities of that nature. respect I am particularly grateful to the North Local public halls in Banyo and Nudgee East Community Support Group at Zillmere were built prior to 1920 and are not capable of and the Banyo branch of the Nundah and meeting the community and recreational Districts Youth Club for their assistance in needs of the district. The Zillmere area has no continuing with youth work in the Banyo genuine public facility in which local district. organisations can meet or conduct community The overwhelming majority of young activities. I will be working closely with my local Queenslanders are constructive and communities to prepare our claim for responsible members of our communities. community recreation centre funding. I Young people often have energies and talents commend the Government for the introduction which are underutilised and unrecognised in of this worthy program. our communities. Last year, students at Banyo Every citizen has a right to expect that he High School won their final in the Queensland or she will be safe in the comfort of his or her Debating Union State championships. This home and the local community. No year, an enterprising group of students are Government can legislate or provide all the producing a community-based magazine for resources necessary to rid our communities of distribution to local residents. At a local football the scourge of senseless crime and antisocial club, young artists, with the assistance of the behaviour. We all share some responsibility in Federal Government and the Brisbane City tackling this blight on our society. Council, have produced an exciting and Governments, however, can provide significant vibrant mural to cover one entire side of the resources and programs to tackle the problem. clubhouse. Since 1989, the police district of which Nudgee There is always a minority, however, who is a part has seen a threefold increase in its engage in antisocial forms of behaviour, budget. Police numbers in the district have including vandalism and gang activities. Such increased by over 60 per cent in that period. behaviour is often disruptive to the functioning Our police district is better equipped to fight of local communities, making life unpleasant crime with significant budget allocations for for those who seek to be good citizens. Such modern computer systems and equipment behaviour should not be tolerated lightly. needs in areas such as forensic science and Offenders and potential offenders must be communications. given clear messages about the community's The Police Beat Shopfront at Toombul expectations in relation to these matters. In Shoppingtown and regular patrols of the local that respect, I welcome initiatives outlined in rail network have increased the level of safety the Government's plan to deal with the graffiti of local residents. These initiatives need to be problem. This plan deals not only with penalty maintained and extended to new areas. I provisions for offenders, including cleaning up particularly encourage the continuance of the mess they have made, but also with security patrols on our public transport positive measures to tackle the problem at its networks. We have a good public transport source. Programs such as the Youth and infrastructure servicing the Nudgee electorate. Community Combined Action Program and Public usage of this facility will be enhanced if the Youth in Public Spaces Program seek to travel is safe, comfortable and relevant to the give young people a sense of involvement needs of commuters. Safety for rail travellers is and ownership of their local communities and also being enhanced by the installation of thus reduce the propensity to vandalise their surveillance cameras, emergency telephones surroundings. and better lighting on stations on the The Government places a high priority on Shorncliffe and north coast lines. the provision of affordable and appropriate Legislative Assembly 59 7 September 1995 public housing and assistance for those who us from the coalition is our commitment to a are unable, for whatever reason, to afford it proper award safety net and a continued role through the private market. Since the election for a strong and independent Industrial of the Labor Government, there has been Relations Commission. Under Labor, awards almost a 50 per cent increase in the levels of have received periodic adjustments to public housing stock across the State. In the maintain their relevance as a genuine safety Nudgee electorate alone, just under $4m has net. been spent on upgrading and maintaining the Workers are also protected by provisions existing stock of public housing. One of the in the Industrial Relations Act which require the important initiatives of the Government has commission to be satisfied that any been to dramatically improve the design and agreement that is registered does not amenity of its homes and units. In the Nudgee disadvantage employees when compared with electorate, units and townhouses at Ewing the basic award conditions applicable to their and Kolberg Streets, Zillmere, have recently employment. Workers have also benefited by been refurbished with modern kitchens and provisions which protect against harsh, unjust attractive landscaping; grassed areas and or unreasonable dismissals. The enterprise gardens have replaced the harsh concrete bargaining system has delivered many presence of excess car parking spaces. benefits to workers, industries and enterprises Since Labor was elected, tenants also in Queensland. It is important, however, that have access to improved security on their we seek new ways of extending these benefits homes by the provision of security screens to as wide a range of employers and and doors. Since my endorsement, I have had employees as is possible. the opportunity to talk with many public housing tenants in my electorate. Amongst During my period as industrial advocate the older tenants, one of the key concerns is for the Electrical Trades Union, I had many security of tenure. I have raised this matter discussions with employers and union with the Minister and have been advised that, members about our wages system. Many of in the case of long-term residents, where their them expressed a desire that the wages circumstances have changed—for instance, system be opened up to facilitate the children may have grown up and left registration of industry level agreements, home—departmental policy is that whereas specifically in cases where representative they may be offered smaller accommodation, bodies such as employer associations and they will not be forced to leave their homes. unions agree. I sympathise with these desires Decisions such as this have been well received and accordingly, in due course, will bring to the and have given elderly tenants in my attention of the Minister some suggestions as electorate that peace of mind they deserve in to how such agreements could be handled in their later years of life. the context of our current wages system. Given my background, it would be remiss The Industrial Relations Act has also of me not to mention some of the facilitated the amalgamation and Government's achievements in industrial rationalisation of unions across the State. With relations—an area in which I intend to respect to rationalisation of unions—I have maintain a strong interest during my term in had personal experience with the Act's this place. Soon after its election in 1989, the provisions in lengthy cases relating to Mount Government repealed all of the draconian Isa Mines Limited and the sugar industry. industrial legislation enacted in the period Those experiences have confirmed my long- subsequent to the 1985 SEQEB dispute. held belief that issues relating to union Significantly, the Government also passed coverage and amalgamations should primarily legislation which reinstated the be left for unions and their members to superannuation entitlements of hundreds of decide, and not employers or tribunals. ex-SEQEB workers. I take this opportunity of It is important to record some of the expressing once again the gratitude of those history of my electorate in my first speech. I people who benefited from that welcome am particularly indebted to local historians, initiative. Mary Zalewski, known by her Aboriginal name Another key initiative was the introduction of Karbeethon Brisbannu, and Kath Ballard for of portable long service leave in the sharing with me their knowledge on local construction industry. Access to fair wages and history. One of the significant features in the conditions and a fair system which enables electorate is the Boondall Wetlands reserve, a improvements to be made to those wages reserve which stands not only as a landmark and conditions is a crucial element of Labor's for future generations but also as a reminder policy. A key area of policy which distinguishes of the natural beauty of our land and of those 7 September 1995 60 Legislative Assembly who inhabited the district well before the which spills over into the neighbouring coming of white Australians. electorates of Aspley and Chermside— The original inhabitants of the land within became the focal point for military activity in the electorate of Nudgee were the the district during the First and Second World Oooundumbi clan of the Turrubul people. Wars. Around the time of the Boer War, the Generations of Oooundumbi people cared for new art of trench warfare was practised in and took sustenance from the district, up until Rutenburg's paddock, then situated at the the events of 1887, when the Government- corner of Ellison and Geebung—now appointed "protector of Aboriginals" organised Newman—Roads. During World War II, the for members of the clan to be rounded up and area in the vicinity of Marchants Park was transported across to Fraser Island. once again used as a major military camp. The campsite area actually extended from The district provided the clan with a rich Ellison Road in the north to Hamilton Road in source of food and shelter. Several camp sites the south and from Gympie Road in the west are still able to be identified within the to Newman Road in the east. An Army electorate, the Nudgee waterholes being one hospital was also housed in the area, second of the more significant. Located nearby is a in size only to the Greenslopes Hospital. bora ground, used principally as a place where young men were educated in the rites and Today the electorate has been knowledge required for initiation to manhood. transformed from essentially farming The Oooundumbi clan made use of the communities to a major residential part of the abundant food sources of the wetlands and City of Brisbane. Nudgee electorate contains surrounding district. Wild strawberries, all or part of the suburbs and locations of raspberries, passionfruit and figs featured Toombul, Nundah, Northgate, Virginia, Banyo, prominently in their diet, as did fish, tortoises, Nudgee, Nudgee Beach, Geebung, Zillmere snakes, kangaroos, wallabies and wild ducks. and Boondall. Principally a residential area, it does however contain significant areas of The richness of local soils was also commercial and industrial activity. Some of the recognised by the early white inhabitants of better known business icons in the electorate the district. The first white inhabitants were include the Golden Circle Cannery and the mainly farmers, many of whom were German. Arnotts biscuit factory. It is a great district, a The suburb of Nundah was the site of the great place to live in, and I am proud to stand earliest German settlement in Queensland. It here as its representative in this place. was established around 1838. From the early 1860s, the area now known as Banyo and One of the most important issues facing Nudgee was redeveloped for fruit farms, the citizens of Australia is the debate on the vineyards and dairies. Farming was still a future of our Federation. It is important that significant feature of the district right up to the this debate is not marginalised or trivialised by late 1970s. They were still flourishing when the mass media. To date, much of the Jack Melloy won the seat of Nudgee in 1960. commentary has focused on the simplistic question: should the States continue to exist? In his first speech, Mr Melloy registered It is imperative that the public debate local farmers' complaints that the Brisbane encompasses far wider parameters than that. Markets had been relocated to their current site at Rocklea. Nudgee wines and Our founders established a democratic champagnes were not of your average garden federation with appropriate checks and variety. Over the years, they won gold, silver balances between the powers of the States and bronze medals in wine exhibitions at and the Commonwealth. The events of history Franco-British and Earl's Court exhibitions. now seriously question the effectiveness of some of those checks and balances. The The first white inhabitants of the Geebung Senate, originally constituted as the principal area were brickmakers; they arrived in the defender of the interests of the States, now district around 1865. The Zillman's waterholes rarely, if ever, performs that role. area, now Zillmere, was first developed by Commonwealth powers, once able to be farmers. The first white inhabitant of the scrutinised and checked by the Senate in the Geebung area was John Luke Ward, and interests of the States, are now exercised in some of his bricks were used to build St some cases almost with impunity. It is now Joseph's College at Boondall. time for us to critically examine the structure of The Geebung area soon took on a our Federation and to make the changes military significance, and in this year of necessary to carry us into the new millennium. "Australia Remembers" it is fitting to record I support a full review of the powers of the some of the military presence of the district. Commonwealth, the States and local Murphy's paddock—a large expanse of land authorities in order to implement a new Legislative Assembly 61 7 September 1995 federation which maintains the strong and should, however, provide assistance to democratic traditions inherent in our current voluntary organisations to enable them to fulfil structure and enables the services and their roles. In that respect, I am pleased to functions of Government to be delivered in the give my support to Government initiatives best interests of all Australians. In doing so, let which provide direct assistance to us simply not tear down that which has served organisations at the local community level, us well. examples being, the volunteer involvement The Australian Federation has provided program to assist with the training and us with almost 200 years of political stability coordination of volunteers and the direct and a nation where democratic freedoms have funding available through programs such as flourished. However, if we are going to create the Gaming Machine Community Benefit a new federation, let us tackle head-on the Fund. issues that need to be tackled. One of the I also wish to give credit to the work of the major issues to be confronted is the vertical Lodge Youth Support Service located in my fiscal imbalance that exists between the electorate at Northgate. This worthwhile Commonwealth and the States. Because of service provides secure, medium to long-term the narrow revenue base of the States, accommodation and support for homeless Queensland is able to raise only about 57c in and at-risk young people aged between 15 every dollar needed to deliver our basic and 17 years. It is sad that such services are services. The other 43c is provided by required. However, it is also gratifying to Canberra, increasingly by way of Section 96 witness the positive results achieved through tied grants. It is simply not just nor reasonable the efforts of the young people themselves to continue with such imbalances. A truly and their youth workers. democratic federation is one based on shared I have been an active member of the responsibilities and a capacity for each level of Labor Party for almost 15 years. I joined the government to finance those responsibilities. party because I believed in its fundamental The creeping centralism arising out of the tied traditions of social justice and the equitable grants approach is strangling the autonomy of distribution of wealth and power. My faith in the States. Slowly but surely, powers and this party remains as strong as it was on the functions which the Constitution properly day I joined. One of the telling features which allocated to the States are being reined in distinguishes our party from the conservative under the control of the Commonwealth. coalition is our support for appropriate The future of the Australian Federation is Government interventions in the economy. far too important to allow changes to be made Labor rejects the political philosophies of those by stealth. We must act now to restate the who place their total faith in free market rules of our Federation. In that regard, I economics. support calls by the Premier for a national There are many examples of Labor's program of action to address issues such as willingness to intervene: the maintenance of vertical fiscal imbalance, the future role of the an adequate award safety net; an expanding Senate and the delineation of powers public housing sector; record budgets in public between the three levels of government. health and education; the provision of Failure to act soon will result in a Federation generous financial assistance to community- comprising an all-powerful central Government based organisations; land rights legislation; and weak and dependant client States. freedom of information legislation; the Home It is appropriate at this point to and Community Care Program; and job skills acknowledge the work of the many voluntary and training programs for the unemployed. community organisations in my electorate. For I am proud to stand here as a member of some time now, I have had the opportunity to this Labor Government—a Government which work with and observe the tremendous is not afraid to intervene in the interests of contributions that volunteers make to the those in the community who are in need of quality of life in our communities. School P & C help. I look forward to giving further support to associations, RSL sub-branches, Meals on this fine tradition in the coming term of this Wheels, Rotary, Lions, local community Parliament. associations, pensioner groups and sporting In conclusion, I place on record my and recreational clubs all play an important commitment to the electors of Nudgee to role in strengthening the fabric of our properly acquit myself to my duties as a communities. No Government can provide all member of this Assembly. In doing so, I am that is needed in the way of support and reminded of a quote from a Courier-Mail article services to a community. Governments can dated 19 November 1994. The article stated— 7 September 1995 62 Legislative Assembly

“No assessment of a politician is When I first introduced this Bill, I mentioned more damning than the claim that they the enormous progress made by the did nothing. Government in modernising and improving the Failure to act properly when in machinery of public administration in possession of immense power must be Queensland. I noted that significant, the cardinal sin of politics and the resting worthwhile reforms had been made to all three place of the inept and the timid.” arms of Government—the Executive and public service, the courts, and the Parliament. I look forward to participating in the parliamentary work and debates which shape The Bill before the House focuses our State's future. May the work of this particular attention on the Parliament. Six Parliament be fruitful and in the best interests years after the Fitzgerald inquiry, this House of the citizens of Queensland and Australia. has undergone many changes. The most significant procedural change has been the Debate, on motion of Mr FitzGerald, introduction of a system of standing adjourned. committees designed to scrutinise various aspects of Government policy and administration. Experienced observers of the PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES BILL Queensland parliamentary process would Hon. W. K. GOSS (Logan—Premier agree that, since 1989, the introduction of and Minister for Economic and Trade committees has had a distinct and beneficial Development) (2.58 p.m.), by leave, without impact on the Parliament and on the process notice: I move— of government. "That leave be granted to bring in a The Public Accounts Committee has Bill for an Act to provide for certain enabled members to focus on the quality and committees of the Legislative Assembly, probity of Government financial management. and for other purposes." In the course of its inquiries, the PAC has Motion agreed to. made many recommendations for improvements to departmental and systemwide practices, many of which have First Reading been adopted by the Government. The work of the PAC has substantially complemented Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and the activities of the sessional Estimates Bill, on motion of Mr W. K. Goss, read a first committees, which my Government introduced time. for the first time in 1994. Another standing committee, the Public Second Reading Works Committee, has enabled members to Hon. W. K. GOSS (Logan—Premier focus on the value and performance of major and Minister for Economic and Trade works constructed by the Government. Works Development) (2.59 p.m.): I move— examined by the committee have included new schools, courthouses, TAFE colleges and "That the Bill be now read a second hospitals as well as major projects like the new time." Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. I am pleased to re-introduce the Two other standing committees Parliamentary Committees Bill 1995, which established five years ago have also played a makes significant reforms to the Queensland prominent role in the Parliament. I refer to the Parliament. These reforms are twofold. First, Parliamentary Committee for Electoral and the Bill establishes a new and effective system Administrative Review and to the of standing committees for this House. Parliamentary Criminal Justice Committee. Second, at the request of the Speaker, the Bill These committees have had the job of introduces amendments to the Parliamentary monitoring the operations, reports and Service Act to improve the management and recommendations of the two Fitzgerald- administration of the Parliament and the inspired commissions—the Electoral and Parliamentary Service. Administrative Review Commission, whose The Government is committed to an work was completed in 1993, and the Criminal effective parliamentary committee system in Justice Commission. Both committees have this new Parliament, the Forty-eighth actively undertaken their role. They have Parliament of Queensland. The Bill will enable provided a forum for the work of the two the new committees to be appointed, and to commissions to be tested and evaluated, commence operations, as soon as practicable. enabling a substantial degree of parliamentary Legislative Assembly 63 7 September 1995 scrutiny to be exercised over these unique The PCEAR was able to examine only those bodies. legal issues considered by EARC. Most of The lesser known Committee of these were confined to a fairly narrow area of Subordinate Legislation has also played its administrative law and public administration. part in the committee system. This committee The new committee will be able to range is the oldest of the major standing broadly across the whole field of law reform, committees. For 20 years, it has examined including matters impacting upon civil and Government regulations to ensure that they criminal law and the operation of the justice do not infringe rights or liberties without good system. cause. On a number of occasions, the The new committee will also be able to Government has agreed to amend regulations review any legal issues raised by the Law which the committee considered did not pay Reform Commission in its reports to sufficient regard to individual rights, or required Parliament. The committee will also be able to redrafting to express those rights more clearly. examine issues arising from Aboriginal and While the standing committee system Torres Strait Islander customary law, a has, on the whole, performed well since 1989, responsibility that the Bill assigns specifically to there is room for improvement. The present the committee. system was reviewed extensively by EARC, The LCARC will have authority to examine and by the PCEAR, during the last Parliament. constitutional issues affecting the State. Both bodies made recommendations for Again, the committee will be free to choose change. These recommendations were the issues it wishes to pursue. However, the considered by the Government. We agree that Bill requires that all Bills introduced into the substantial restructuring of the standing House which seek to repeal a constitutional committee system is required, in particular to law must first be examined by the committee. expand the areas of scrutiny undertaken by This will ensure that the Parliament has committees, to rationalise their functions, and opportunity to scrutinise Bills that seek to to clarify their powers and operating principles. amend the Queensland Constitution in any The Bill before the House abolishes all significant way. existing standing committees. In their place, The LCARC will also monitor the the following standing committees are operations of the Ombudsman. The established: Ombudsman has the important job of a Legal, Constitutional and Administrative examining public complaints about unlawful or Review Committee, unjust decisions of Government agencies. Like the Auditor-General, the Ombudsman is a Members' Ethics and Parliamentary directly accountable to the Parliament. Privileges Committee, Two years ago, the Government a Scrutiny of Legislation Committee, introduced new laws to give the Parliament, a Public Accounts Committee, through the Public Accounts Committee, a Public Works Committee, and greater powers to oversee the work of the Auditor-General. The Public Accounts a Standing Orders Committee. Committee was given a role in the selection of The functions of the committees are the Auditor-General, in developing the Auditor- outlined in detail in the Bill and the General's annual budget, and in overseeing Explanatory Notes. The Legal, Constitutional periodic strategic reviews of the Audit Office. and Administrative Review Committee However, while the Parliament now has a effectively replaces the PCEAR. However, its mechanism to review and support the work of functions are much broader than those of the its Auditor-General, it has no similar former committee. In addition to undertaking mechanism to review and, where appropriate, reviews on administrative law issues, the new support the Ombudsman. The Bill deals with committee will have a specific function to this anomaly by giving the LCARC the same review the conduct of State elections, and the powers in relation to the Ombudsman that the capacity of the Electoral Commission to PAC has with respect to the Auditor-General. undertake its responsibilities. For the first time, The LCARC will have one further and the Parliament will have a mechanism to most important function. The committee will examine specific issues arising from particular undertake the responsibility for monitoring the elections, and to monitor the activities of the Criminal Justice Commission. In its review of independent Electoral Commission. the parliamentary committee system, EARC The committee will also be able to recommended that the new committee should consider any legal reform issue of its choosing. subsume the functions of the PCJC. After 7 September 1995 64 Legislative Assembly further and careful consideration of this committee will have exclusive jurisdiction to recommendation from EARC, the Government investigate breaches of the code, except considers that this recommendation has merit, where it is alleged or suspected that criminal and has agreed to implement the proposal. activity is involved. The CJC will continue to Combining the functions of the PCJC with investigate these cases. those of the LCARC will have several A third new committee established by the advantages. Above all, it will avoid the Bill is the Scrutiny of Legislation Committee. duplication that would have occurred in having This committee will take over the current two separate committees dealing with issues responsibilities of the Committee of affecting the criminal justice system. Subordinate Legislation. The new committee, Amalgamation will enable all matters affecting however, will have much wider powers. In criminal law and the criminal justice system to addition to examining regulations, the be dealt with by the one specialist legal committee will be able to scrutinise all Bills committee. introduced into Parliament. The present I want to stress that the transfer of the committee can only examine subordinate PCJC's functions to the LCARC is not legislation—in effect, regulations. As Bills can designed to diminish the Parliament's capacity have equal, if not greater, implications for to oversee the CJC. The LCARC will exercise rights, it is fundamental that this scrutiny all the statutory functions and responsibilities committee have the capacity to examine Bills of the PCJC under the Criminal Justice Act. as well as regulations. This committee will be a The Bill makes no change to these major safeguard of Queenslanders' rights and responsibilities. Further, the committee will be liberties against Governments that want to assigned substantial staff resources to equip themselves with unwarranted and undertake its various functions, including those excessive powers. The committee will alert connected with the CJC. Indeed, the LCARC Ministers and the House to breaches of civil will have the largest research capacity of all and legal rights in proposed legislation which it the standing committees. considers to be ill conceived or dangerous. Governments will then have to convince the The Bill makes a technical amendment to House that there is a greater public interest in the Criminal Justice Act to enable the the action they propose than in the individual members of the LCARC to be appointed freedom it may limit. under the Parliamentary Committees Act and Standing Orders. Presently the Criminal The Scrutiny of Legislation Committee will Justice Act prescribes the membership of the also have a community watchdog role in the PCJC. These provisions are no longer area of regulatory impact statements. Under necessary as the Standing Orders will new legislation which came into effect on 1 prescribe procedures for appointment of July this year, all new Government regulations members to all standing committees. that impose a significant economic, social or environmental cost must be accompanied by The second new committee is the a regulatory impact statement. This statement Members' Ethics and Parliamentary Privileges must clearly identify the costs and the benefits Committee. This committee marks a significant of the proposed regulation and demonstrate advance in the accountability of members to how the regulation will achieve its objectives. this House and to the Queensland community. Departments are required to make the impact In addition to having responsibility for the statement available for public consultation registration of members' interests and before the regulation is finalised. The aim is to considering questions of privilege, the ensure that departments undertake full committee will develop a code of conduct for consultation on regulatory proposals and are members. The proposed code of conduct fully informed of the impacts of the proposal provides an excellent opportunity to define the on the community. standards expected of members, not only in the area of propriety but also in the area of One of the functions of the Scrutiny of service to the member's electorate and to the Legislation Committee will be to examine broader community. Once the members' code whether impact statement requirements are of conduct has been approved by the being undertaken properly by departments. If Parliament, the committee will be able to the committee considers that a particular consider any alleged or suspected breaches of decision-making process was deficient, it can the code. The committee will be able to draw this to the attention of the Minister or recommend to the House whether action report the concern to the House. should be taken against a member and what The new Public Accounts Committee will the appropriate action should be. The continue the central role of the existing Legislative Assembly 65 7 September 1995

Parliamentary Committee of Public Accounts. to summons persons, documents and other The committee will retain all the functions of things relevant to an inquiry. The Legal, the former committee. However, it is no longer Constitutional and Administrative Review necessary for the PAC to have its own Committee will also have compulsive powers legislation as, together with other standing when undertaking its CJC review functions committees, the PAC will be established under under the Criminal Justice Act. Previously, the Parliamentary Committees Act. these powers were detailed by parliamentary Accordingly, the Bill repeals the Public resolution. However, the Bill amends the Accounts Committee Act. Criminal Justice Act to make it quite clear in Likewise, the Bill retains the Public Works the Act that the new committee has the same Committee as a major standing committee of powers of the PCJC to— the House, but repeals the Public Works call for persons, papers and records; and Committee Act. The new committee will to examine witnesses on oath or continue to have power to examine proposed affirmation. public works in terms of— The Bill enables the House to give other the appropriateness of the work; standing committees compulsive powers by the value for money; resolution, should the House consider that the committees' functions warrant these powers the likely effect of the work on the being conferred. The Bill clarifies the rights of community, economy or the environment; witnesses before parliamentary committees and where committees seek to use compulsive the performance of the constructing powers to obtain evidence. A fundamental authority. legal principle is that witnesses giving evidence The Bill abolishes the previous restriction before a court need not answer a question that prevented the committee from examining that would be self-incriminating. This principle projects worth less than $2m. There is no is recognised in the Legislative Standards Act. reason why the committee should not be able Privilege against self-incrimination does to examine works worth less than this amount not automatically apply to proceedings before if there is a public need to do so. a parliamentary committee. It only applies The remaining committee established by where a parliamentary committee decides to the Bill is the Standing Orders Committee. The respect the privilege or where the committee is committee will continue the traditional and required to do so by legislation or Standing important task of reviewing and considering Orders. In Queensland, statutory privilege has Standing Orders for the conduct, practices and been available to witnesses appearing before procedures of the House and committees. The the Public Accounts and Public Works House should note that the Bill does not Committees since these committees were prevent the House from establishing other established in 1988 and 1989. In modern committees, including select committees, to times, it is appropriate that parliamentary examine particular issues. committees have regard for the rights of witnesses. The Government agrees that The Bill sets out a number of powers and privilege against self-incrimination should procedures that will apply to all of the normally be available to all witnesses before committees established by the Bill. The Bill parliamentary committees. The Bill provides for requires Ministers to respond formally to this. However, the privilege cannot be absolute reports of committees that recommend action in a parliamentary setting. It must be balanced to be taken by Government on an issue. This against the fundamental right of Parliament to will ensure that Government considers pursue legitimate lines of inquiry. committees' reports quickly and appropriately, and promotes the accountability of Ministers to This Bill establishes a mechanism through the House. which, in appropriate circumstances, the Legislative Assembly can decide to compel a When presenting a response to the witness to answer a question, notwithstanding House, a Minister will have to state which of that the witness would otherwise be entitled to the committee's recommendations have been a claim of privilege. The Bill provides that when accepted and which have been rejected. Also, a witness refuses to answer a question on the the Minister will have to explain the grounds of self-incrimination, a committee may arrangements for implementing any refer the matter to the Assembly for recommendations, and the reasons for the consideration. The Assembly may order the rejection of any recommendations. witness to comply with the committee's The Bill provides that the Public Accounts demand. However, in doing so the Assembly and Public Works Committees have the power must have regard both to— 7 September 1995 66 Legislative Assembly

the public interest in having the questions Debate, on motion of Mr Borbidge, answered; and adjourned. the public interest in providing appropriate protection against self-incrimination. SPORTS DRUG TESTING BILL This Bill makes substantial reforms to the Hon. T. J. BURNS (Lytton—Deputy workings of this Parliament. The Bill commits Premier and Minister for Tourism, Sport and the House to a strong system of committees Youth) (3.20 p.m.), by leave, without notice: I that promises a high standard of parliamentary move— review. However, the Bill alone will not guarantee that committees work effectively on "That leave be granted to bring in a behalf of the Queensland public. Nor will the Bill for an Act to enable the Australian presence of a skilled and dedicated research Sports Drug Agency to carry out sports staff. At the end of the day, the success of the drug testing on State competitors and for new committees will depend on the related purposes." commitment of all sides of the House to make Motion agreed to. the system work. Most of all, it will require continued commitment to developing a spirit of political bipartisanship without which no First Reading parliamentary committee system can flourish. Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and It is my hope that the new committees will help Bill, on motion of Mr Burns, read a first time. to raise not only the standards of parliamentary accountability but also the capacity of all members to deal constructively Second Reading with issues of substance affecting the people Hon. T. J. BURNS (Lytton—Deputy of this State and the administration of their Premier and Minister for Tourism, Sport and Government. Youth) (3.21 p.m.): I move— As I mentioned in my introduction, the Bill, "That the Bill be now read a second in addition to dealing with committees, also time." addresses the management of the Honourable members are no doubt aware Parliamentary Service Commission. Under that Australia is at the leading edge in the fight arrangements established by the former against drugs in sport. The use of National Party Government, control of the performance enhancing drugs in sport is totally administration of Parliament has been vested against the values that we have in Australia; in the Parliamentary Service Commission. This the values of fair play, the values of reward for commission comprises seven members of excellence and dedication. We have a proud Parliament, four from the Government and sporting record that has been built on the three from the Opposition. As many members notion of fair play, of the best athlete wining, would know, in practice the arrangements not the athlete with the best chemist. have not been very successful. At the request of the Speaker, the Government has agreed ASDA was established by the to support amendments to the Parliamentary Commonwealth Government with the primary Service Act to transfer the responsibilities of objectives of educating the sporting and the Parliamentary Service Commission to the general communities on health and fair play Speaker. issues related to drug use in sport, and to carry out an independent drug sampling and The Bill makes no changes to the testing program on athletes at sporting events, parliamentary service itself, but allows for during training sessions and out of management of the service to be streamlined competition. However, at present its testing and vested in the independent office of the powers can only be carried out on athletes Speaker. The Bill will permit the Speaker to who represent Australia or who are receiving establish an advisory committee of members Commonwealth assistance. State and Territory to assist the Speaker discharge his or her sports Ministers agreed that the drug problem, management responsibilities. This will enable while not widespread in Australia, was still of the Government and the Opposition to have sufficient importance that ASDA should be effective input into the management of the able to test at the next level, that is, athletes Parliament while also ensuring that the competing at the State level. Most State and Speaker retains the appropriate authority to Territory Governments have agreed to develop make decisions in the interests of the legislation complementary to the Parliament. Commonwealth legislation to allow this to I commend the Bill to the House. occur. Legislative Assembly 67 7 September 1995

The Sports Drug Testing Bill 1995 will fulfil It is proposed that the actual drug testing the Queensland Government's commitment to of athletes will be gradually introduced to allow enable ASDA to test relevant athletes in competitors, coaches and administrators to Queensland. Under the definition of familiarise themselves with their rights and competitor, this will include athletes who are responsibilities. As a first step the department, chosen to represent Queensland in sport or in conjunction with ASDA, has established a who receive financial assistance from the Sports Drug Education Unit. The testing State, such as the Queensland Academy of program combined with a concerted education Sport program. In some sports, the best program will hopefully minimise the incidence performers are under 18 years. They, too, are of using drugs to gain unfair sporting subject to the pressures of competition and advantages. The role of the Sports Drug are not immune to inducements to take Education Unit will be to work closely with key performance-enhancing drugs. To ensure personnel in the sporting community to help children's rights are not violated, the legislation them determine ways to deal with drugs in will require that parents or guardians be sport issues that are relevant to their particular informed of impending testing by letter and sports needs. written consent obtained from them before We have consulted widely during the their child can be tested. In addition, a parent, preparation of this Bill and it has received guardian or their nominee must be present widespread support. This legislation is further during the testing procedure. evidence of the Government's commitment to Provisions have been made for the sport and its willingness to take positive steps testing of competitors both in and out of to assist Queensland sportsmen and competition. The actual sampling and testing sportswomen achieve their true potential by of State competitors will be undertaken by competing on an equal basis. ASDA in accordance with the strict procedures The elimination of drugs in sports remains provided for in the Commonwealth Act and one of the key objectives of this Government. I regulations. If competitors refuse to be tested, am sure honourable members on both sides or in the case of competitors testing positive, of this House want to ensure that the long- they will be nominated in the Register of held Australian traditions of honesty and fair Notifiable Events maintained by ASDA. go in sport are preserved for our children. This The Government has also been legislation is an integral step in that process. I concerned to protect the rights of athletes and commend this Bill to the House. has built into this legislation certain rights to Debate, on motion of Mr Veivers, ensure athletes are protected. The legislation adjourned. places strict limits on which individuals and organisations ASDA is required to notify of results in order to protect the privacy of STATUS OF CHILDREN AMENDMENT competitors. The legislation will provide further BILL protection to any athlete who records a Hon. M. J. FOLEY (Yeronga—Minister positive test result or refuses to provide a for Justice and Attorney-General, Minister for sample. Before it can give this information to Industrial Relations and Minister for the Arts) anyone else, ASDA will be required to give the (3.25 p.m.), by leave, without notice: I move— athlete the opportunity to make a submission presenting his or her case. ASDA must "That leave be granted to bring in a consider any submission that has been made Bill for an Act to amend the Status of before it determines whether or not a test Children Act 1978 and for another result is positive or whether a competitor has matter." failed to comply without reasonable cause. Motion agreed to. Under the legislation, an athlete will be able to seek a review of ASDA's decision by First Reading the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. As a Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and condition of assistance under the Bill, on motion of Mr Foley, read a first time. Government's sports assistance programs, State sporting organisations will be required to impose the relevant sanctions of the Second Reading international and national associations on any Hon. M. J. FOLEY (Yeronga—Minister athletes who have tested positive to drug for Justice and Attorney-General, Minister for testing, or who have failed to comply with drug Industrial Relations and Minister for the Arts) testing requests. (3.26 p.m.): I move— 7 September 1995 68 Legislative Assembly

"That the Bill be now read a second ¥ applications for a declaration of time." parentage; and Since the days of Solomon courts have ¥ succession to property and the wrestled with the problem of determining the construction of wills. parentage of children. This Bill aims to assist Presumptions of parentage currently arise courts in that task. There are three purposes from: to this Bill. The first purpose is to provide a more rational set of presumptions of ¥ marriage parentage than currently exist in the Status of ¥ registrations of birth Children Act 1978. The second purpose is to ¥ findings of courts achieve national uniformity as agreed to by the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General ¥ acknowledgments from the parent. in October 1992. The third purpose is to repeal These presumptions are being modified section 30 of the Maintenance Act 1965. slightly. The question at issue is usually one of In addition, there is a new presumption establishing paternity—which male is the arising from de facto cohabitation. The de biological father of a particular child. facto rule presumes that a man who cohabited Presumptions are rules of evidence for the with the mother of the child between 44 and courts. They facilitate proof by allowing certain 20 weeks prior to the birth is the father of the facts to be inferred when other secondary child. It is desirable to have such a facts are established. All the presumptions presumption as many children are born of de (except for presumptions based on the facto relationships. The growth in the number findings of a court that are made while the of couples living together in de facto parent is alive) are not conclusive—they can relationships has been one of the significant be rebutted by other more direct evidence. recent changes in the structure of Australian Increasingly, genetic or blood testing is family life. Should they continue at the growth used, and can conclusively disprove rate indicated by comparison of the last two parentage. With the advent of this blood and census years (0.8 per cent per annum), the genetic testing, much of the uncertainty in current percentage of Queensland couples proving paternity has been removed. However, living as de facto partners will by now have there remain cases where such testing is reached 12 per cent (74,700 couples unavailable, for example, if the putative father approximately—almost 150,000 of the State's or child is dead or where one of the parties will adult population). not consent to the testing. In those cases the The presumption based on de facto presumptions remain important. cohabitation is also in keeping with the spirit of Parentage presumptions need to be the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991. While the uniform to avoid forum shopping and to presumption based on de facto cohabitation is minimise the possibility of different courts new for Queensland, it currently exists in the making different findings of parentage. In Commonwealth, Tasmania, New South Wales, addition, the Family Court is becoming the the Northern Territory and the ACT. Once the predominant court in this area, so it is uniform presumptions are enacted nationwide, especially desirable that the presumptions in all other States will also have this presumption. States and Territories match those used by There is a modification to the presumption the Family Court. Tasmania has recently arising from registration of the birth. The Bill passed a Bill enacting the uniform provides that the man and woman named as presumptions. The Commonwealth and the parents in the birth register of any Australian Northern Territory will introduce Bills shortly. In State or prescribed overseas jurisdiction will be all other jurisdictions the matter is under presumed to be the parents of that child. This consideration. is an extension of the current presumption in Whilst most family matters are now the section 8(1) of the Status of Children Act 1978 province of the Family Court, Queensland in two ways. Firstly, the presumption in section courts may have to consider issues of 8(1) only applies where the name of the father parentage in a variety of circumstances, is entered in the register. The new including: presumption of paternity will apply when either the name of the father or the mother is ¥ intestacy distributions and family provision registered as a parent of the child. This means applications where there is doubt as to that when the name of the mother is who are the biological children of the registered, she is presumed to be the child's deceased; parent. Legislative Assembly 69 7 September 1995

Secondly, the current presumption only "That leave be granted to bring in a applies to births registered in Queensland. Bill for an Act about limitation periods for However, the new presumption will extend to choice of law purposes." birth registers in any Australian State or Motion agreed to. prescribed overseas jurisdictions. The definition of "prescribed overseas jurisdiction" will be tied to the Commonwealth Family Law First Reading Act 1975 definition. The Commonwealth has Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and currently prescribed 49 jurisdictions—New Bill, on motion of Mr Foley, read a first time. Zealand, Austria, Papua New Guinea and Switzerland plus 45 States of the United States of America. This change recognises the Second Reading increasing mobility of Australian society and Hon. M. J. FOLEY (Yeronga—Minister the multicultural nature of the Australian for Justice and Attorney-General, Minister for population. The changes to the presumptions Industrial Relations and Minister for the Arts) as to paternity will allow the courts to (3.34 p.m.): I move— determine more readily who are the parents of a child. This Bill is an important initiative in "That the Bill be now read a second achieving uniformity across all States and time." Territories in the recognition of the rights of The objective of this Bill is to ensure that children that derive from their parentage. limitation laws are treated as matters of This Bill also repeals section 30 of the substantive law for the purposes of choice of Maintenance Act which currently provides that law and therefore governed by the law of the a maintenance order for a child shall not be cause and not that of the forum. Accordingly, made "if the court is satisfied that, at about when the law of another State or a Territory is the time the child was conceived, the mother applied by a Queensland court as the law (or as the case may be, woman) was a governing the proceedings, the limitation laws common prostitute or had intercourse with of that place will also be applied. The result will men other than the defendant". This is an be to curtail forum shopping. odious and archaic evidentiary provision that Choice of law rules are the legal rules discriminates against women and their which determine what law should be applied children. It also has little practical application when a factual situation is linked to more than any longer. one legal system. Honourable members will Since the referral of power to the appreciate that each State and Territory has Commonwealth in June 1990, all applications its own system of laws to deal with many for maintenance of ex-nuptial children covered contingencies in everyday life. Those systems by the reference are handled by the Family of law might compete with each other in Court; however, applications may still be different ways. For instance, a contract may be brought under the Maintenance Act for those made in Queensland but is to be performed in ex-nuptial children not covered by the New South Wales; a motor accident may reference, that is, those under the care and happen in South Australia but a car and/or a control of the State. While consideration is driver come from a different State; or a tax being given to a substantial or complete may be imposed by Queensland but the repeal of the Maintenance Act, this review will taxpayer may be situated in another State. not be completed for at least six months. In On 19 December 1992, the Full Bench of the interim, there is no need to retain this the High Court of Australia delivered offensive provision. For these reasons, the judgement in W. T. McKain v. R. W. Miller and Government moves this Bill. I commend the Co. (South Australia) Pty Ltd. One of the Bill to the House. questions raised by those proceedings was Debate, on motion of Mr Beanland, the appropriate characterisation within an adjourned. Australian or Australasian context of limitation provisions for choice of law purposes. If limitation statutes are characterised as CHOICE OF LAW (LIMITATION procedural then the court in which the case is PERIODS) BILL prosecuted will not apply the limitation provisions of another place but will impose its Hon. M. J. FOLEY (Yeronga—Minister own limitation provisions regardless of whether for Justice and Attorney-General, Minister for its own law governs the substantive issues Industrial Relations and Minister for the Arts) between the parties. This obviously (3.33 p.m.), by leave, without notice: I move— encourages forum shopping, for example by 7 September 1995 70 Legislative Assembly plaintiffs whose actions are out of time in one different limitation periods. If limitation periods jurisdiction in favour of forums offering more are regarded as procedural, they are generous limitation periods, as was the case in necessarily brought within the law of the McKain v. Miller. jurisdiction in which the action is pursued. If In McKain v. Miller the High Court, by a 4- that forum allows a litigant a longer time in 3 majority joint judgment, held that limitation which to bring an action there will be significant statutes should be characterised as advantage in bringing the action in that forum procedural. The effect of the decision was that with the effect that the object and purpose of no single law would apply to a particular set of the law of the jurisdiction in which the cause of circumstances. The principles on which it was action arises is defeated. Not surprisingly, the based were strongly criticised by the Australian commission recommended that limitation Law Reform Commission in its discussion periods should be treated as matters of paper number 44 of July 1990 titled "Choice of substance. Law Rules". That paper stated, at page 53, At the July 1992 meeting of the Standing that the rule that limitation periods be treated Committee of Attorneys-General, Ministers as procedural for choice of law purposes has asked the special committee of Solicitors- proved to be a source of dispute and General to report on what action should be uncertainty among judges and commentators. taken to resolve the difficulties created by the The commission rejected the rule and High Court's decision in McKain v. Miller. In canvassed alternatives. that report, the special committee unanimously recommended adoption of the The Australian Law Reform Commission Australian Law Reform Commission's released its final report on choice of recommendations. Standing committee law—number 58—in March 1992 and in Ministers adopted that recommendation, and chapter 10 of that report elaborated upon model legislation was prepared. The Bill some of the disadvantages of the current law. currently before the House conforms to those First, on a policy level, the commission model provisions. Amendment of the considered the major objection to the Limitation of Actions Act 1974 provides that classification of limitation periods as procedural Queensland laws relating to Queensland to be that the purpose of the law of the place limitation periods form part of the substantive establishing the cause of action may be law of this State, thus complementing the thwarted. So, for example, the rule could measures in the Choice of Law (Limitation operate to bar a claim that could still be Periods) Bill. I commend the Bill to the House. actionable in the place in which it arose. Conversely, the commission noted, it can Debate, on motion of Mr Beanland, frustrate the purpose of the jurisdiction adjourned. establishing the cause of action by keeping alive claims that its legislature would wish to be REGISTRATION OF BIRTHS, DEATHS treated as stale. AND MARRIAGES REGULATION The commission considered that both (SUBORDINATE LEGISLATION 1995, parties to an action should be able to act on No. 152) the assumption that a particular incident is Disallowance of Statutory Instrument determined by the law which governs its substance. Otherwise, of course, both parties Mr ROWELL (Hinchinbrook) (3.40 p.m.): must keep track of the laws of any other I move— places which might be able to assume "That the Registration of Births, jurisdiction over a claim because of some Deaths and Marriages Regulation connection with it. The commission proposed (Subordinate Legislation 1995, No. 152) that, if the legislature of one of those other tabled in the Parliament on 6 June 1995 places has prescribed a particular limit, the be disallowed." principle of comity requires that it should be This regulation is the means by which the applied in preference to the law of the place in Labor Government intends to implement which the matter is prosecuted. excessive fee increases for access to essential Again on a policy level, the commission information. This regulation will bring the noted that it had become clear from a number Government something like $600,000 in a of recent High Court decisions that the practice windfall profit this year. of forum shopping is to be discouraged. It Birth, death and marriage certificates— proceeded to note in that connection that and extracts from them—are essential there can be no more fertile field for a forum information. Without them, citizens face great shopper than States and Territories with difficulties in accessing a range of services Legislative Assembly 71 7 September 1995 from both the public and private sectors. I is why the Opposition is moving this accept that, from time to time, cost pressures disallowance motion. mean that an increase in the price for a In just about every instance of the need service becomes necessary. I am also aware to access records of births, deaths and that these proposed increases are blatantly marriages, the purpose is to proceed with excessive—well beyond the CPI figure that the some form of application—generally to Labor Government claims is the limit for rises Government. In other words, there is no in State taxes and charges. choice. A citizen either pays the fees Mr Santoro: The people of Queensland demanded by the Government or he cannot saw through them, didn't they? make the other application which demands Mr ROWELL: The member is dead the certificate or extract. We are talking about right; at the last election the people of this absolute extortion. State saw through them clearly. Let us consider the list in detail. To marry, The greatest rise in fees in this regulation each partner needs a certified copy of his or is for obtaining a certified extract from an entry her birth certificate. The cost of that certified in a register or book. The rise is from $11 to copy rises from $17.50 to $20.50. That $20.50—almost doubling the price. I doubt certified copy is also needed to obtain a that anyone on the Government side will claim passport. An extract of the birth certificate is that the inflation rate is that high. needed for such things as opening a bank account, obtaining a Seniors Card, and It would be hard to disagree with those proving identity to claim unemployment who might claim that the cash-hungry benefits or a pension. That extract—one which Government has simply hit on one of the most the applicant has no option but to seek—has commonly used services and milked it for all it risen from $11 to $20.50. It has almost is worth. It is tempting to think that citizens doubled! who need certified copies and extracts are simply being forced to pay for the Labor Mr FitzGerald interjected. Government's extravagant election promises. I Mr ROWELL: That is right; it has almost think that that is very valid. The Government doubled. Let us move to death certificates. will have to get the cash from Mr Santoro interjected. somewhere—and this is one of the means that it will use to get it. Instead of attempting Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr to live within its means, this minority Labor Palaszczuk): Order! The honourable member Government is still determined to pick the for Clayfield has interjected three times from a pockets of Queenslanders. place other than his own. I would suggest that the honourable member sit in his own place. Government members: Ha, ha! Mr ROWELL: I was discussing death Mr ROWELL: I think the Government certificates. They are needed for such things has about 46.7 per cent. as making a claim on an insurance policy and Mr Santoro: You've hit a raw nerve. allowing an estate to be administered. The Keep going. cost of a death certificate has risen from $17.50 to $20.50. A marriage certificate is Mr ROWELL: I think that is correct. The needed for a range of purposes. It, too, has increases do not apply just to the extracts I risen from $17.50 to $20.50. There can be no referred to a moment ago. They are to be doubt that the Registry of Births, Deaths and applied across-the-board. Marriages is used by the Labor Government A certified copy from an entry in a register as a milch cow. or book rises under this regulation from $17.50 In the year 1994-95, in the Brisbane office to $20.50. Continuation of a search at the alone, the registry handled requests for same time for each event under one name for 108,124 certified copies and 10,418 certified each additional five years or part of five years extracts. The cost rises applying to certified goes up from $7 to $12.50. copies will net the Labor Government better Mr Santoro: That's incredible. than $324,000 in additional fees this financial Mr ROWELL: It certainly is. That move year. The almost doubling of the cost of an to make additional charges while a computer extract will net the Labor Government at least file is open is proof that the Government is an additional $99,000 this financial year. determined to milk the system. Since the last If applications run at only the same rate rises under the regulation—only a year as last year, the increase to the Government's ago—the increases have been well above the revenue this year will be $423,000 out of the CPI figure. We are entitled to know why. That Brisbane office alone. Two-thirds of 7 September 1995 72 Legislative Assembly applications are lodged with the Brisbane condemned. The charges are forced on office, so regional centres will account for a students and on our senior citizens—those profit increase of about $212,000. The total who generally cannot afford to waste a cent. windfall to the State will thus top $600,000 They are forced on young couples who want each year. to marry and have children. There is nothing The Government continues the cash grab optional about these services. The Labor by a $3.50 increase in the surcharge for an Government is simply preying on helpless urgent search. That surcharge has risen from citizens. I believe that the only honest thing for $11 to $14.50. I find the increased charges the Government to do is to withdraw these contained in this regulation very hard to extortionate increases and take another shot accept, given the cost savings which should at producing fair and equitable charges for have flowed from computerisation of these services. Government records. We should be looking at The Opposition is extremely concerned amendments to regulations that in fact reduce about the direction that the Government is charges for services which simply require a few now taking. Although these charges may taps on a computer keyboard. seem to be minor charges to the average I am also very concerned at the impact of person, when people of relatively meagre the fees—and especially the rises—on the means are forced to pay these charges, they ordinary citizens of this State. I am talking will find it extremely difficult to balance their about the battlers—the people whom the budgets. So it is important that the members opposite are supposed to Government takes cognisance of the represent—— Opposition's argument and that it withdraws these charges and puts them back on a Mr T. B. Sullivan: And do so in a very relative, even keel in line with CPI rises. That good way. will ensure that, in the long run, people are not Mr ROWELL: I will take that interjection. disadvantaged by the Government's action. The Government is now increasing fees at a Mr DAVIDSON (Noosa) (3.50 p.m.): I considerable rate—well beyond the CPI figure. am very happy to be able to second the If Government members are concerned about motion moved by my colleague the member their constituents—those people whom they for Hinchinbrook and to raise the coalition's have traditionally represented—they should be concerns regarding the increase in charges. taking notice of what I am saying. The Registration of Births, Deaths and Mr Santoro: The battlers of Marriages Act of 1962, as its name implies, is Chermside—they're not getting a good deal a system of registrations of births, deaths and from him. marriages in Queensland. Section 6 provides— Mr ROWELL: The honourable member is right. The battlers of Chermside are not "There shall be at Brisbane a getting a fair deal. General Registry for Queensland for the general registration of all births, deaths Mr T. B. Sullivan: Have a look at the and marriages in Queensland." whole social wage we're providing—the whole gamut. The Governor in Council could also appoint a Deputy Registrar-General. Section 22 provides Mr ROWELL: I am talking about the that any person shall, upon application in battlers who are trying to survive Paul writing and upon payment of the prescribed Keating's recession and high taxes, and this fees, be entitled to cause a search of the Government's cash grab through user-pays register to be made and to obtain a copy of fees. These charges hit everyone. any entry in the register kept by the registrar There are increased costs for a parent and certified under the hand of the Registrar- registering a birth, or anyone seeking a driver's General. That means that any person can licence, a pension, unemployment benefits or obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate, a a Seniors Card. There are increased costs for death certificate or a marriage certificate. The people who have to obtain a passport, to enrol Act provides for certain personal particulars to a child at school, and even to open a bank be provided in each certificate, such as dates, account. It will now even cost more to get names, places, etc. married or to make an application before the What really concerns me is the increase in Family Court. costs for obtaining these certificates. Just These are charges—and increased recently the newly appointed Minister for charges—on services which the Government Consumer Affairs was reported in the Courier- forces citizens to use. They should be Mail carrying on like an absolute imbecile—— Legislative Assembly 73 7 September 1995

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr through his endeavours, hard work and Palaszczuk): Order! I suggest that the commitment to his portfolio as a shadow honourable member withdraw that term. Minister. He has been able to prove beyond all Mr DAVIDSON: Absolutely, yes. doubt that the increase has been about 90 per cent. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! "Absolutely" is not "I withdraw". Mr Rowell: Yes, something of that nature. Mr DAVIDSON: I withdraw. He was carrying on in a manner that I believe would Mr DAVIDSON: One of these is from have made most people think, "He is as $11 to $20. The coalition is totally opposed to arrogant as his statements." In a fit of abuse this form of revenue grab. The new Minister he accused the Bank of Queensland of both should realise that Queenslanders are battling introducing and increasing charges of, I think, to make their way under the pressures of 13 20-odd cents for an EFTPOS transaction. A years of Federal Labor Governments and day or two later he went into another fit of rage 6-odd years of State Labor Governments. and attacked the Commonwealth Bank. Times are pretty tough. Jobs are hard to find and people are really battling along—— Mr Johnson: Which bank? Mr Santoro: They know all about jobs Mr DAVIDSON: Which bank? Yet in this being hard to find—particularly the member for case he is here as the responsible Minister Mundingburra. presiding over a fee increase from $11 to $20.50 for a certified extract of an entry. That Mr DAVIDSON: The Minister is is about a 95 per cent increase. One of the presiding over this increase of 95 per cent. I real problems is that a certified copy of an am happy to join with my colleague the entry is a full page and it gives all the details of member for Hinchinbrook, Mr Rowell, and all a birth. For example, it gives the name, the other coalition members in totally opposing parents, the hospital, the place, the date—it these new increases in charges. gives all the details. Originally that would have Mrs ROSE (Currumbin) (3.58 p.m.): I rise cost $17.50. The new charge for that is now today to speak against the motion of $20-odd. A certified extract, which quite simply disallowance moved by the member for has only the name, the place of birth, the Hinchinbrook of the registration of births, date—it is a very simple quarter page of detail deaths and marriages regulation tabled in of a person's identity—is sufficient for a Parliament on 6 June. I wonder what he had number of transactions and purposes. for breakfast on that morning of 6 June because we are puzzled by his disallowance We should all realise that to open a bank motion. The recording of information of births, account people may have to produce a birth deaths and marriages in this State is a vital certificate. Obviously, to get married people service to the people of Queensland. It is have to produce a birth certificate. In some important that the operations of the Registry of cases people might get married three or four Births, Deaths and Marriages be modernised times and it becomes quite costly over a to ensure that it can continue to provide period of years—— Queenslanders with a quality service. Mr Littleproud interjected. The recording of births, deaths and Mr FitzGerald interjected. marriages is accepted by the community as a Mr DAVIDSON: People might lose necessary function of the maintenance of them. The point we have to realise is that peace, order and good government. It is when wives leave they often take all that sort important, therefore, that the registry's of stuff with them. People are then forced to operations be modernised with updated apply for another one. A birth certificate has to technology to ensure that we do provide be produced to obtain a passport, a driver's Queenslanders with a quality service. licence and, in lots of cases, when applying for The births, deaths and marriages a job. For so long both in this House and all certificates are accepted as positive proof of over Queensland the Goss Government has the happening of those events and are been claiming that this is a low-tax necessary to establish ones's identity for such State—"new no taxes; we won't tax the purposes as applying for credit, a licence, a people", and so on. During the six years that tax file number, a passport or opening a bank this Government has been in office it has account. Births, deaths and marriages data continually introduced and increased charges also provide the basis of demographic and on Queenslanders. It hides them in statistical information used by all sections of regulations. This was uncovered by my society, especially Governments, for planning colleague the member for Hinchinbrook and the allocation of resources. 7 September 1995 74 Legislative Assembly

The compulsory registration of births, the project, it had to be abandoned when that deaths and marriages commenced in State's Auditor-General's Office found the Queensland on 1 March 1856. The system to be unworkable. As to fees—even Registration of the Births, Deaths and with the increase in fees, Queensland still Marriages Act 1962 applies to all births, charges the second-cheapest fees in deaths and marriages regardless of when the Australia; New South Wales is slightly cheaper, birth or death happened or when the marriage charging 50c less. was solemnised. Among other things, it The original births, deaths and marriages imposes obligations on parents to register the system in Queensland took the equivalent of births of their children and it imposes 16 person-years to develop in the 1970s. In obligations on certain parties like medical the early 1990s, it was estimated that the practitioners to notify the Registrar-General of development of a similar system on an IBM peri-natal deaths, that is children who were would incur a capital cost of $1m and a born not alive or who died within 28 days of recurrent cost of $450,000. The Office of their birth. It also imposes obligations on Consumer Affairs has recommended to the certain parties, for example, relatives and Government that Lifedata be purchased and persons present to notify the Registrar-General installed in the Births, Deaths and Marriages of death. Registry. Before recommending the Lifedata One of the main reasons for the increase system, the office examined the Victorian in fees is the upgrading of the registry's system, the South Australian system, other computer system. The births, deaths and combinations of Lifedata applications and an marriages registry's existing computer system in-house-developed system. Lifedata, which was designed in the late 1970s and was was the best fit at the best value, is commissioned on 1 January 1980. While considered to be a very effective product for Queensland was the first State to births, deaths and marriages registries. computerise, the system was not designed with the future in mind. While this Government Lifedata was developed by the Victorian has made a commitment to collect data on Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages on Aboriginality and Torres Strait Islander people software called Titan, which is owned by for planning purposes, when approaches were Knowledge Engineering, an Australian made to modify the existing system to add just company, which is based in Melbourne. No one field it was estimated that it would cost local equivalent systems for births, deaths and $187,000 to modify. It is very expensive to marriages exist in Queensland, and Lifedata is update the existing system in any way. currently operating successfully in New South Wales and Victoria. During the evaluation Given the demand for greater system process, the Information Management Branch flexibility to collect additional statistical data of Queensland Emergency Services advised and address contemporary issues such as the that no equivalent system was available in capture of a mother's occupation on birth Queensland and that Victoria's system was, certificates, the time to replace the existing therefore, the next viable option. The total cost system has arrived. On Labour Day, the to implement Lifedata is estimated at member for Cleveland, Mr Briskey, and his $521,000. The system is less expensive to wife, Kathy, had a baby boy, and Mrs Briskey operate than the current system, and savings was very keen to be able to register on the in the order of $70,000 are therefore birth certificate her occupation as well the expected. father's occupation. In addition to such data being collected about the father, it is very Mr FitzGerald interjected. important that data be collected about the Mrs ROSE: It does not cost any less to mother. produce an extract than it does to produce a The options were to develop a system full copy of a certificate. from scratch or to adopt a system similar to Mr FitzGerald: Do away with the that already in use in another State. The first extracts. option was examined and rejected on a number of grounds, including: the delay in Mrs ROSE: Some people do not want developing a new system, which would take in the additional information that is provided on a excess of two years to implement; the risk of full certificate to appear on an extract. They data not performing as designed; and the may want to present the extract for a number experience of New South Wales, which has of reasons, and they may not want the other embarked on an ambitious project to build a information to appear on it. People should new system based on optical imaging at a have the option of obtaining an extract, if that cost of $14m. After spending some $12m on is what they want. Legislative Assembly 75 7 September 1995

One of the primary benefits of this system Mr Nuttall: Name 10. is its flexibility both in terms of database Dr WATSON: I will name more than 10. modification and production of reports, both I will explain a few of them, and the structured and ad hoc. Such flexibility will honourable member will regret making that enable the registry to capitalise on the market interjection. I do not have time to mention all for compiled data for research purposes as 3,000 charges. The honourable member will well as being able to readily respond to live to regret that comment. He may be the contemporary community demands and chairman of the caucus, but when he opens Government planning needs. Queensland has his mouth he ought to know what he is saying. 36 registry districts. Since the introduction of a computer-based registry system on 1 January The members of a typical family in 1990, all registrations are effected in Brisbane. Queensland are paying more to the Government—whether they are coming or Time expired. going. They will be paying more for birth Dr WATSON (Moggill) (4.06 p.m.): Mr certificates and registration of births. At the Deputy Speaker, allow me to congratulate you other end, the Government gets them when on your re-election to the exalted position of they die, too. Death certificates cost more, and Deputy Speaker. I am sure that you will have the costs of funerals have also risen. It does the support of the House in that position. not matter whether people are coming or It was interesting to listen to the member going; this particular Government will get for Currumbin talk about the cost of the them. In some respects, one can probably be introduction of new technology. As Mr Briskey a lot more optimistic about the charges for and some of my colleagues have informed birth certificates and the registration of births me, the argument for the introduction of new than about the charges at the other end of the technology is to reduce costs and, therefore, scale. Under this Government in Queensland, in a user-pays system, reduce the charges if people are fortunate enough to have being paid by the end user. In relation to children, and if they want a certified copy of efficiency, one of the arguments in favour of their child's birth certificate, they have to pay the introduction of new technology—whether it 17.1 per cent more this year than they did last be computers or any other kind of year. Compared with the cost of obtaining a technology—is the reduction in the marginal certified copy of a birth certificate in 1989, they and average costs of doing business. I am have to pay 32.2 per cent more. I am sure that, with his financial background, the fortunate because my children were born new Minister understands that concept. As the under a conservative Liberal/National Party new Minister, he is probably a little concerned Government. In those days, there were a lot about being lumbered with these charges more opportunities, and it cost a lot less to when he knows that, from a business and bring children into the world. economic perspective, this sort of technology Mr Nuttall interjected. ought to be introduced to reduce the marginal Dr WATSON: A certified extract from an and average costs of running that system in entry—and I hope the member is listening order to pass on those reductions to the because I am going to refer to 14 or 15 right consumer through the prices charged in a now—— user-pays system. Those charges are simply a group within a litany of charges that have Mr Nuttall: I'm listening. Away you go. been increased by the Labor Government Dr WATSON: Since 1989, the cost of a since it came to power in 1989. certified extract from an entry has risen by a Mr Briskey interjected. whopping 127 per cent. I think that is somewhat greater than the rate of inflation. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr However, one must admit that, when one talks Palaszczuk): Order! The honourable member about the rate of inflation under Labor for Cleveland will come to order. The Governments and if one goes back to the time honourable member for Cleveland will cease when Mr Hawke was the Prime Minister and interjecting on the honourable member for Mr Keating was the Treasurer of this country, Moggill. one would have to wonder whether 127 per Dr WATSON: As I was saying, those cent is below the rate of inflation—but not charges are only a few of the litany of charges since 1989. Since that time, the country has that have been increased since 1989. I recall been more in a recession than in a major a study that was conducted a couple of years growth period. Even in that period, the cost ago in which 3,000 charges were examined has gone up by 127 per cent. In fact, last year and significantly adjusted upward by this Labor the cost went up by something like 80 per Government. cent. 7 September 1995 76 Legislative Assembly

If one looks at the cost of a certified business names. The same degree of photocopy—and a member referred to the increases have occurred. In regard to such introduction of new technology and increases, this department stands out. For photocopying—even in that regard over the example, over the past five years the cost of last five or six years one sees that the cost has issuing a certificate under section 7(5) of the risen by 24 per cent. The cost for searches on amendment to business names has gone up indices for every event under one name of by something like 83 per cent. However, the less than five years' duration has gone up by argument that the Government put forward 56 per cent. The cost of the continuation of when it instituted the user-pays principle was searching for every event beyond one name that it was efficient. The Government was has increased by another 127 per cent. Those going to ensure that the user-pays charges increases have occurred since 1989. were reasonable and that they would rise only Mr Nuttall: One hundred and to reflect the cost impacting upon the twenty-seven per cent. How much in real dollar Government through increases such as the terms? It's $6 to $12.50. rate of inflation. Dr WATSON: The argument that the When one looks at the facts that I have member's Treasurer put up in this House and outlined—and I do not care what the dollar in every other place is that the rate of increase figures are—one sees that the rate of increase in charges would not be greater than the rate in the charges has been substantially greater of inflation. He did not say, "That is okay. Even than the rate of inflation. The fact is that, if the charge is $1 and there is a 100 per cent irrespective of the dollar figure, when this increase, I am going to put it up to $2." He did Government says something about the way in not say that the price was going to go up by which it taxes and charges Queenslanders, only 10c, or something like that. The Treasurer one simply cannot believe it. It does not said that the commitment of the Labor matter what the Government says. If it says Government was that those charges were not that it is going to decrease charges, one has going to go up by more than the rate of to say, "No, they are not going to decrease. inflation. Irrespective of the basic cost, an They are probably going to stay the same." If increase of 120 per cent is significantly greater the Government says that it is going to levy than the rate of inflation since 1989. the lowest tax in Australia, one has to look not The list goes on. The cost for the only at the tax to which the Government refers registration of a birth under section 26(1)(a) but also at the other taxes, because they are has increased by 20 per cent. going up. Under this Government, it does not matter which area one looks at; year after Mr Nuttall: It has gone up to $3. year, the costs go up substantially. Dr WATSON: That is 20 per cent. I refer Each and every year, Queenslanders pay to section 26(1)(b). more to live under Labor. That is why in the Mr Nuttall interjected. last election the majority of Queenslanders— Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The 53 per cent; remember that number—wanted honourable member for Sandgate will cease to get rid of the Government. Even today, that interjecting. is why they are upset; they did not get rid of the Government. If the Government continues Dr WATSON: Under section 26(2), the the upturn in rates and charges, it will find that, cost for the registration of a birth has gone up after the next election, the result is not going by 23.53 per cent. The cost for the registration to be 53 per cent; it is going to be a lot more. of a birth under section 27 has gone up by 22.73 per cent. The cost for the change of Mr SCHWARTEN (Rockhampton) surname of a child has gone up by 31.25 per (4.16 p.m.): Mr Deputy Speaker, I take this cent. The cost for the registration of a name opportunity to congratulate you on your after the registration of a birth has gone up by appointment to such an esteemed position. I 23.5 per cent. The cost for noting a change of also take this opportunity to acknowledge the name under section 28(4) for each entry has presence of my wife, Judy, and my two gone up by 25.81 per cent. The cost for noting children, Christopher and Evan, in the gallery a change of name under section 28(2) has today. gone up by 25 per cent. Firstly, I could not rise to my feet in this The member asked for examples and I debate without urging the Opposition have given him examples. I can give him more spokesperson to take a little bit more interest examples relating not only to this area but also in such an important debate. I notice that he to other areas in the Minister's department has left the Chamber. I hope that he will show such as costs related to the amendment of a lot more interest in this area of his shadow Legislative Assembly 77 7 September 1995 portfolio in the future. I acknowledge the fact department to private enterprise—to their that he has recently taken—— white-shoe brigade mates—and the workers Dr WATSON: I rise to a point of order. concerned would be out the door. The member for Noosa had people to see. He The interesting feature of the contribution actually came into the Chamber for this from the member for Noosa was that he, in debate. He did not have any opportunity to attacking our Minister, in some convoluted way determine the timing of the debate. made a very supportive speech of the banks Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! There and their outrageous charges. I can assure is no point of order. the honourable member that members on this side of the House are united against the Mr SCHWARTEN: I note the feeble banks and their outrageous charges, because explanation from the member for Moggill. It is we are in the business of providing a service to equally as feeble as his previous explanation. people, a service that people will find more It is no wonder he gave up lecturing in meaningful and accessible. economics at the university. The simple fact of life is that our present The grim reality is that back in 1979-80 system could not have been maintained when that lot opposite were in Government, without an injection of capital. There seems to they decided to cobble together some tin-pot be some either wilful or deliberate scheme to computerise this department. misunderstanding on the other side of the Guess what they did? To pay for it, they put House that every time a child is born its up the charges by 16 per cent, 30 per cent, 14 parents will be up for this expense. This fee is per cent, 19 per cent, and so the list goes on. not charged on that basis; a fee is charged They know as well as other honourable when people want the information, which is members in this place know that if one is not something that everyone does on a daily going to make something more efficient, if one basis. I do not know of anybody who goes to is going to improve on technology, it is very, the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages to very expensive. get information about his children. However, it During his contribution, the member for may be done once, for example, to obtain a Hinchinbrook, Mr Rowell, used words such as passport, a driver's licence or some such item. "robbing", "extortion" and all manner of other Once people have the information, they do emotive phrases. However, the fact is that this not need to apply for it again. money is not going to be squirreled away into Honourable members interjected. some dubious part of the public purse. As my honourable colleague the member for Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Currumbin pointed out, it is going to enhance Palaszczuk): Order! The House will come to the service to the public. It is going to do order. I think all honourable members have another important thing that Labor had a fair go. The honourable member for Governments do and do well, and that is to Rockhampton shall continue. enhance the working conditions of the people Mr SCHWARTEN: Thank you very down in Herschel Street. I invite honourable much, Mr Deputy Speaker. And continue I members opposite to have a look at the shall. shambles in which they left that place, with I noted an interjection from the member books nearly as big as this bench that people for Lockyer, who spoke about extracts versus with bad backs and goodness knows what had copies. He made a valid point; that is, why to use. Honourable members opposite should have extracts? In time to come, we will have a look at the compensation claims that find—and this is probably reflected in the were the result of such practices. The shabby records now—that fewer people will obtain an state in which honourable members opposite extract as opposed to a copy, because the left that place is an indictment of their information that is contained on the copy is far treatment of the workers in this State. This more meaningful. So the area where the Government is seeking to do something about charge has gone up the most, I think, will that. probably affect the least number of people. I can assure honourable members The increase from $17.50 to $20.50 is a opposite that, at this point, nobody likes to be reasonable increase for the full copy. increasing costs. However, it is a fact of life. The other point that needs to be kept in We have to either get better, get smarter and mind is that this particular organ of the improve technology, or we have to get out of Queensland Government is not about raising the business. I honestly believe that if this lot money for it. That mischievous imputation was opposite were to return to Government, they made by the member for Hinchinbrook. The would get out of the business and give the reality is that the registry is there to serve the 7 September 1995 78 Legislative Assembly people of Queensland. It does not contribute Along with the members for Rockhampton and to the revenue of this State and the revenue Currumbin, by the time I am finished today I does not go back to the Treasury. think we will have explained the position in Mr FitzGerald: Oh, that's rubbish. sufficient detail for honourable members opposite to change their mind. Mr SCHWARTEN: If the honourable member wants to have a look at the figures, I The criticisms that have been levelled at will give them to him later on. I know the the regulation are very weak. We can assume honourable member is interested in such only that notice of this disallowance motion matters. I am prepared to show the figures to was given in the lead-up to the election just as him. I have always found him to be a fair man. part of the Opposition's overall grand plan to I am sure that once he sees the figures that I knock every initiative which the Government have before me, namely, that $2.5m was implemented. As we have come to expect required to get this up and running, he will see over the last six years, the Opposition has that this is a simple fact of life. become a past master at applying its scatter- gun, mud-slinging, whingeing and carping It is a shame that the member for Noosa approach to initiatives introduced by this is not here, because he has been in business Government. on the north coast. I will bet honourable members any money they like that every year This regulation must be retained in its he had to put up his costs to cope with entirety by the Registry of Births, Deaths and improved technology. Marriages if it is to operate efficiently and effectively into the future. The regulation is a Mr Santoro: But not by this amount. small one. It does only two things: firstly, it Mr SCHWARTEN: I do not know the allows the chief executive of the department to amount, but I will bet honourable members approve forms for use under the Registration opposite any money they like that the of Births, Deaths and Marriages Act 1962; honourable member for Noosa had to put up and, secondly, it prescribes the fees payable his prices. Any person in business will tell us under the Registration of Births, Deaths and that if he does not increase his costs to keep Marriages Act of 1962. In relation to the up with the cost increases around him he will approval of forms—that is, the first component go broke. I make the observation that, given that I have just mentioned—from what we the contributions that were made to this have heard here today, it appears that the debate by the members opposite today, it is Opposition does not take any issue with no wonder that the title of that well-known Parliamentary Counsel's relatively new practice book Wake in Fright could have applied to of drafting legislation to allow forms to be every member sitting opposite the day after approved by chief executives rather than be the election when they thought they might win. prescribed by regulation. It is pleasing to see Mr Deputy Speaker, I oppose the motion that that even on some rare occasions the has been moved by the member for Opposition does possess some Hinchinbrook, and I urge all other members to commonsense—not a lot, but some—and that do likewise. commonsense can prevail sometimes, Hon. K. H. DAVIES (Mundingburra— because the Opposition has not criticised the Minister for Emergency Services and Minister aspects in relation to the approval of forms. for Consumer Affairs) (4.24 p.m.), in reply: The This change in practice recognises that the Births, Deaths and Marriages Regulation 1995 format of forms used under legislation is really was tabled in Parliament on 6 June 1995 and an administrative matter which should be able commenced operation on 1 July 1995. The to be simply and expeditiously handled by motion of disallowance that we are debating departments. here today was tabled in Parliament by the In relation to the fees, there has been honourable member for Hinchinbrook on 8 some criticism—and I seem to recall the June 1995. member for Hinchinbrook raising the issue I would like to the thank the honourable first—of the Government for using a CPI index members for Currumbin and Rockhampton for of 4.5 per cent when determining the level of speaking in support of the regulation. They fee increases for Government services. It has identified the effect of the Opposition's motion been said that a CPI index of 3.9 per cent which, simply put, reflects the Opposition's should have been used instead. The preference to retain a system which is Government did not just pluck that figure of exorbitantly expensive to update. The member 4.5 per cent out of the sky; it was the CPI for for Hinchinbrook said that he was entitled to Brisbane for March 1994 to March 1995. know why these changes were being brought There is no official Queensland consumer in and that that is why he moved the motion. price index. The consumer price index of Legislative Assembly 79 7 September 1995

3.9 per cent which has been quoted was the each year during 1992-93 and 1993-94. In weighted average of all eight capital cities. It is 1994-95, demand dropped by 900, with a total a policy of this Government that the CPI index of 10,400 extracts issued. While we could for Brisbane be used when determining therefore have done away with certified increases in Government services. There is no extracts—and that has been done in New mystery. It is very simple. The CPI index for Zealand and the Irish Republic, where extracts Brisbane is used. This is because the are no longer issued—the Government is Government provides its services within the sensitive to the wishes of those people in the boundaries of Queensland—and that might be community who do not want their full birth a bit of a surprise to the Opposition—and details shown on an extract. The Government because the Brisbane consumer price index is respects their right to privacy and the right to considered the best indicator of the costs of make decisions of a personal nature. providing those services. If the CPI for In relation to the special increases above Brisbane for the relevant period had been the level of the CPI—this regulation increased lower than the CPI index for all capital cities, some fees above that CPI level. There is no fees for Government services would still have secret about that. Apart from the increase in been increased by reference to the Brisbane the cost of certified extracts, which I have figure. already dealt with, four fees were increased by In relation to the increase for certified more than the CPI level: certified copies were extracts, the Opposition has criticised the increased by $3; searches of indexes for the increase in the fee for certified extracts from first five-year period were increased by $3.50; $11 in 1994-95 to $20.50 in 1995-96. searches of indexes for the next five-year Mr Santoro interjected. period were increased by $5.50; and priority fees were increased by $3.50. In the two Mr DAVIES: The good news is to come. months since the higher fees came into The Government decided to increase the operation, over 15,000 people have applied fee for certified extracts to exactly the same for certificates, and almost 20,000 certificates level as the fee for certified copies. Surprise, have been issued. With the exception of a few surprise! We did this for a very simple reason. genealogists, there have been no Mr FitzGerald: Why? complaints—for the benefit of members of the Opposition, I repeat: no complaints—either Mr DAVIES: I point out for the benefit of written or verbal made to Consumer Affairs the honourable member for Lockyer that it about the fee increases. Although the public is costs us virtually the same amount of money happy with the fee increases, the Opposition is and it takes just as much time, as the member not; but that is no surprise when one considers for Currumbin said, to issue a certified extract what I said earlier about its carping, moaning as it does to issue a certified copy of and whingeing. We all have to remember that registration. This is particularly so for ordinary consumers do not—and I repeat: do registrations of births and deaths before 1980, not—keep buying certified copies or extracts. and for all marriage registrations, the records They buy them once, and provided that they of which have not been computerised. do not lose or damage them, they use those Notwithstanding, until the fee for certified copies or extracts for the rest of their lives. In extracts was increased this year, consumers other words, the fee is generally a once-in-a- who purchased certified extracts paid $6.50 lifetime fee. less than consumers who purchased certified The member for Moggill discussed various copies. The rectification of this anomaly brings increases, as did the member for Queensland into line with all but one Hinchinbrook. The Opposition either failed to jurisdiction in Australia. Western Australia is research or preferred not to mention—and the now the only Australian State or Territory which latter is probably more the case—that this charges a lower fee for certified extracts than Government did not increase the fee for for certified copies. Even Scotland charges the certified copies in 1992 or 1993. Similarly, we same fee for both services! Further to this did not increase the fee for certified extracts in issue, consumers can just as easily obtain 1994. One would have to form the conclusion certified copies as extracts and, if they do, that we are still cheap, because even with the they will find that they can use those copies for fee increases imposed under this regulation it many more purposes than certified extracts. is still cheaper to obtain a certified copy or a The demand for certified extracts is certified extract in Queensland than in any definitely declining, particularly as extracts are other State or Territory except New South no longer required every time passports are Wales. The cost in New South Wales, which renewed. Demand dropped at a rate of 3,000 until recently had a conservative Government, 7 September 1995 80 Legislative Assembly is a mere 50c cheaper than in Queensland. computerised and consolidated birth index for Victoria, where a Liberal Government is in the period; and it would provide greater data power, is the most expensive State or security against potential fire or water damage. Territory; it charges consumers a whopping Queensland's registry has a considerable $11.50 more than we do. Queensland also investment in its physical registers and charges a lower priority fee than does any indexes. That essential information asset other State or Territory. needs to be maintained and preserved for the Several times, the honourable member benefit of all Queenslanders. With the for Hinchinbrook referred to this regulation passage of time, the registry's computer resulting in consumers having to pay more to system has become outdated. It is therefore marry. He has got it wrong. It costs difficult and expensive to maintain and Queensland consumers nothing to have their enhance. It is letting us down in a number of births, deaths and marriages registered. important ways. For instance, we cannot However, the Government incurs substantial record information on Aboriginal or Torres costs in recording the events, storing the Strait Islander origin or record mothers' information in perpetuity, providing access to occupations and other valuable statistical the public, including professional and amateur information. The House has already been told genealogists, performing searches, providing that the insertion of a new field into the system certified copies on certified extracts from to collect information about Aboriginal or registered data and producing microfiche Torres Strait Islander origin would have cost indexes. $187,000 for what should be a relatively simple modification to the database. The Births, deaths and marriages information system that was installed some years ago just is fundamental to the recording of life's crucial does not allow for those simple modifications. events on both an individual and a collective The current system is what one would basis. Birth, death and marriage certificates, affectionately call a dinosaur, and it needs to which are accepted as positive proof of the be updated; therefore, it is time to act. happening of those events, are often Although restructured work practices have necessary to establish one's identity for achieved maximum efficiencies within the purposes such as applying for credit, a driver’s registry, enhanced technological capacity is licence, a tax file number, a passport or now required to take it forward into the next opening a bank account. Birth, death and century. I know that the Opposition has a bit of marriage data also provides the basis of difficulty with the notion of going forward into demographic and statistical information used the next century, but we on this side of the by all sections of society—especially Chamber do not have a difficulty with it. Governments—for planning and research and as the basis for the allocation of resources. The registry's computer system must be upgraded. For the benefit of the honourable All marriage and pre-1980 birth and death member for Hinchinbrook and the honourable information is still stored in paper form and member for Moggill, I point out that it is must be accessed in a slow, painstaking proposed that the additional revenue manual process. Certificates required for pre- generated from the fee increases imposed 1980 births or deaths and all marriages have under this regulation will be used to fund, to be produced from hard-copy registers by firstly, the upgrading of the registry's computer photocopying or typing, which is similarly time system; secondly, the back capture of certain consuming, labour intensive and expensive. birth data currently in paper form to the We did not hear the criticisms that have been upgraded computer system; and, thirdly, the levelled today when the former Government capture of all index information onto computer computerised the system some years ago. for microfiche production. The demand for birth certificates between As mentioned by the member for 1970 and 1979 was the highest for any 10- Currumbin, Consumer Affairs has year period. It would therefore be desirable for recommended to the Government that we all birth records dating back to at least purchase and install the Lifedata computer 1974—the year in which the child's surname system, which was developed in Victoria— was first recorded—to be placed on computer. where a coalition Government is in power—by The following benefits would become the Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and apparent: it would allow faster and more Marriages in conjunction with the Australian accurate issuing of high-quality certified copies company Knowledge Engineering. The total and extracts; it would facilitate the extraction of installation cost of the Lifedata system is information from the database for statistical expected to be approximately $521,000. and other purposes; it would provide a Further, it is estimated that the introduction of Legislative Assembly 81 7 September 1995

Lifedata would produce some savings in Mr ROWELL: I rise to a point of order. I operating costs of around $70,000 per did not mention Aboriginality at all. annum. Lifedata has been successfully Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point implemented in both Victoria and New South of order. Can I suggest that the member does Wales and could be implemented in not take a point of order just to make a Queensland in less than six months. It could political point. That is not a proper point of be run on the Queensland registry's current order. Honourable members, I think that that is computer system. A successful trial has a very common ploy. I suggest that we already been conducted. actually do things properly in this House. The With some modification, Lifedata would member rose to take a point of order. That meet the needs of the Queensland registry was not a point of order. and its clients. In particular, Lifedata would Mr DAVIES: I remind the member for enable the registry to gather the additional Hinchinbrook that he did say they were entitled statistical information sought by the to know why there were these increases and Government Statistician's Office, Queensland that is why he was moving the motion. One- Health and other Government agencies. The by-one I am going through the various additional statistical information which could be increases. collected using Lifedata would include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin Further, he said that the lack of information. The identification of ATSI origin is identification has meant that the monitoring essential for a national system of ATSI health and evaluation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait statistics and intercensal population estimates Islander health for Queensland is extremely for the ATSI population. Queensland Health difficult and that this has led to inferences has requested that the registry collect being drawn about Queensland Aboriginal indigenous identifiers as a matter of urgency. health based on selective data. It is not practical for this to be done until the Mr ROWELL: I rise to a point of order. I registry's computer system is upgraded. The find the remarks made by the Minister to be former Commonwealth Minister for Health has absolutely incorrect. I did not mention anything also requested that the registry be updated to about Aboriginals or Torres Strait Islanders. I allow for the collection of Aboriginality ask for those remarks to be withdrawn. identifiers through the registration system. He Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Minister is pointed out—— suggesting why the prices have to go up. It Mr FitzGerald: That's the reason. has nothing to do with what the member said Mr DAVIES: The member for in his speech. Hinchinbrook wanted to know the reasons for Mr DAVIES: Apart from reasons of the increases. I am deliberately going through gender equity, the inclusion of information on them one by one. This is one of them. mothers' occupations prior to their giving birth The former Commonwealth Minister for will enable occupational health and safety Health pointed out that Queensland is the only assessments about whether there are any State in Australia which does not identify connections between birth defects or other Aboriginality in its births and deaths birth problems and occupations. collections. He stated that this—— The member for Currumbin cited a Mr ROWELL: I rise to a point of order. I particular problem that the wife of the member never said anything about Aboriginality at all. I for Cleveland had relating to her son's birth ask the Minister to withdraw. information. The occupations of mothers and fathers also provide indicators of the relative Mr DAVIES:—presented a significant socioeconomic situation of the family and problem when attempting to compile national allow the effect of this on fertility patterns to be vital statistics databases—— assessed. Mr ROWELL: I rise to a point of order. I The name and address of the midwife never said anything about Aboriginality at all. present at birth is also important. It will assist Mr SPEAKER: Order! I will take the with monitoring of infant and peri-natal deaths point of order. up to two years of age as good birth data is Mr ROWELL: I never mentioned essential to identify the population at risk. anything about Aboriginality at all. Information about the condition of mothers during pregnancy and labour can also be Mr SPEAKER: Order! I suggest that the matched with the details of their children's member actually stand up and take the point deaths to examine links between risk factors of order. and causes of peri-natal and infant deaths. 7 September 1995 82 Legislative Assembly

Birth weight is another important indicator of that is, death in the first 28 days of life. The the health status of newborn children and the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry currently female population of child bearing age. provides statistical information to numerous The period of residence will assist Government agencies—the Australian Bureau research into the study of assimilation patterns of Statistics, Queensland Cancer Registry, of parents born outside Australia and whether National Death Index, Australian Electoral they adopt similar fertility characteristics to Office, Queensland Police, and Queensland Australian-born mothers. Information on Health, etc. previous children will be expanded to include Time expired. all of the mother's children, even those who have died or who are from a different Question—That the motion be agreed relationship. Birth interval information based to—put; and the House divided. on previous children of mothers provides AYES, 44—Baumann, Beanland, Borbidge, Connor, important risk factor indicators in health Cooper, Cunningham, Davidson, Elliott, FitzGerald, planning. Gamin, Gilmore, Goss J. N., Grice, Harper, Healy, Hegarty, Hobbs, Horan, Johnson, Laming, Lester, Health agencies seek detailed information Lingard, Littleproud, McCauley, Malone, Mitchell, on birth outcomes classified by characteristics Perrett, Quinn, Radke, Rowell, Santoro, Sheldon, of mothers—such as age and previous Simpson, Slack, Stephan, Stoneman, Turner, children—to identify at-risk categories of births Veivers, Warwick, Watson, Wilson, Woolmer Tellers: for the planning and delivery of antenatal and Springborg, Carroll postnatal care services. NOES, 44—Ardill, Barton, Beattie, Bird, Bligh, The inclusion of occupation on death Braddy, Bredhauer, Briskey, Burns, Campbell, registrations is the most cost-effective way of D'Arcy, Davies, De Lacy, Dollin, Edmond, Elder, constructing a national system for monitoring Foley, Gibbs, Goss W. K., Hamill, Hayward, Hollis, McElligott, McGrady, Mackenroth, Milliner, Mulherin, occupational mortality and morbidity. This will Nunn, Nuttall, Palaszczuk, Pearce, Purcell, Roberts, provide a more accurate and systematic base Robertson, Rose, Schwarten, Smith, Spence, for identifying potential links with occupational Sullivan J. H., Welford, Wells, Woodgate Tellers: factors which affect the cause of death. Livingstone, Sullivan T. B. I refer now to the number of previous The numbers being equal, Mr Speaker cast pregnancies resulting in neonatal deaths. It is his vote with the Noes. important, when analysing infant mortality, to know whether the mother's previous Resolved in the negative. pregnancies have resulted in neonatal deaths, The House adjourned at 4.52 p.m.

LES CLARENCE, ACTING GOVERNMENT PRINTER, QUEENSLAND—1995