31 Jul 2001 Legislative Assembly 1941

TUESDAY, 31 JULY 2001

Mr SPEAKER (Hon. R. K. Hollis, Redcliffe) read prayers and took the chair at 9.30 a.m.

ASSENT TO BILLS Assent to the following bills reported by Mr Speaker— GOVERNMENT HOUSE QUEENSLAND 21 June 2001 The Honourable R. K. Hollis, MP Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Parliament House George Street BRISBANE QLD 4000 Dear Mr Speaker I hereby acquaint the Legislative Assembly that the following Bill, having been passed by the Legislative Assembly and having been presented for the royal Assent, was assented to in the name of Her Majesty The Queen on 21 June 2001: 'A Bill for an Act to refer certain matters relating to corporations and financial products and services to the Parliament of the Commonwealth for the purposes of section 51(xxxvii) of the Constitution of the Commonwealth' The Bill is hereby transmitted to the Legislative Assembly, to be numbered and forwarded to the proper Officer for enrolment, in the manner required by law. Yours sincerely (sgd) Peter Arnison Governor

GOVERNMENT HOUSE QUEENSLAND 28 June 2001 The Honourable R. K. Hollis, MP Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Parliament House George Street BRISBANE QLD 4000 Dear Mr Speaker I hereby acquaint the Legislative Assembly that the following Bills, having been passed by the Legislative Assembly and having been presented for the Royal Assent, were assented to in the name of Her Majesty The Queen on 28 June 2001: 'A Bill for an Act to amend the Community Services (Aborigines) Act 1984 and Community Services (Torres Strait) Act 1984' 'A Bill for an Act to amend the Electricity Act 1994' 'A Bill for an Act relating to administrative actions taken by Commonwealth authorities or officers of the Commonwealth under certain State laws relating to corporations' 'A Bill for an Act to provide for the money standing to the credit of the Legacy Trust Fund and related accounts and funds of the department' 'A Bill for an Act to amend the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971, and for other purposes' 'A Bill for an Act to enact ancillary provisions relating to the enactment by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of new corporations legislation and new ASIC legislation and for other purposes'. The Bills are hereby transmitted to the Legislative Assembly, to be numbered and forwarded to the proper Officer for enrolment, in the manner required by law. Yours sincerely (sgd) Peter Arnison Governor 1942 Papers 31 Jul 2001

ELECTION OF SENATE CANDIDATE Mr SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members, I have to report that His Excellency the Governor has been informed by the President of the Senate of the resignation of Senator John Woodley as follows— Dear Margaret It is with regret that I resign my place as a Senator for the state of Queensland, pursuant to s. 19 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia. I have enjoyed immensely my time in the Senate and regard it as a privilege and an honour to have been elected to serve the people of Queensland and Australia in this way. One of the most positive features of my time in the Senate is to have served during your Presidency. You have presided over sittings of the Senate with great dignity and good humour and I congratulate you. Yours sincerely John Woodley Australian Democrats Senator for Queensland Hon. A. M. BLIGH (South Brisbane—ALP) (Leader of the House) (9.33 a.m.): by leave, without notice: I move— That so much of standing order 331 be suspended to enable a meeting for the purpose of electing a senator to be brought on this evening at 8.30 p.m. Motion agreed to.

MEMBERS' DINING ROOM Mr SPEAKER: Order! I wish to advise all honourable members that, due to unforeseen construction delays, the reopening of the level 4 Members' Dining Room after refurbishment will now be Monday, 20 August. However, to ensure services will be available for honourable members, I have arranged for the refurbished level 5 Strangers Bar to be now known as the Belle Vue Room to be used as the members' temporary dining room.

PETITIONS The Clerk announced the receipt of the following petitions—

Queensland Museum, Mineralogist Mr Mackenroth from 351 petitioners, requesting the House to appoint a mineralogist of Ph.D status to the Queensland Museum, with sufficient funding to (a) provide a suitable annual salary for such mineralogist and (b) cover running costs of this position at least matching the above annual salary.

St Stephen's Private Hospital Miss Simpson from 100 petitioners, requesting the House to ensure that specialists are able to practise in the private system as well as in the public hospitals on the Fraser Coast to ensure the viability of St Stephen’s Private Hospital and the service and jobs which that facility provides to the Fraser Coast region.

PAPERS PAPERS TABLED DURING THE RECESS The Clerk informed the House that the following papers, received during the recess, were tabled on the dates indicated— 28 June 2001— Central Queensland University—Annual Report 2000 Late tabling statement by the Minister for Education (Ms Bligh) regarding the Central Queensland University Annual Report 2000 University of the Sunshine Coast—Annual Report 2000 Late tabling statement by the Minister for Education (Ms Bligh) regarding the University of the Sunshine Coast Annual Report 2000 29 June 2001— Auditor-General of Queensland Report No. 3 2000-2001—Results of Audits Performed for 1999-2000 generally completed as at 31 May 2001 31 Jul 2001 Papers 1943

20 July 2001— Electoral Commission of Queensland—Queensland Election 2001, details of polling at Queensland General Election held on Saturday 17 February 2001 30 July 2001— Estimates Committee A—Report No. 1, 2001 Estimates Committee A—Report No. 2, 2001 Estimates Committee A—Additional Information volume Estimates Committee B—Report, 2001 Estimates Committee B—Additional Information volume Estimates Committee C—Report, 2001 Estimates Committee C—Additional Information volume Estimates Committee D—Report, 2001 Estimates Committee D—Additional Information volume STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS The following statutory instruments, received during the recess, were tabled by The Clerk— Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000— Explanatory Notes and Regulatory Impact Statement for the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Regulation 2001, No. 55 Financial Administration and Audit Act 1977— Financial Administration and Audit Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2001, No. 76 Transport Infrastructure Act 1994— Transport Infrastructure (Gold Coast Waterways) Amendment Management Plan (No. 1) 2001, No. 77 Transport Infrastructure and Another Act Amendment Act 2001— Proclamation commencing certain provisions, No. 78 State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999, Transport Infrastructure Act 1994— Transport Infrastructure (State-controlled Roads) and Another Regulation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2001, No. 79 WorkCover Queensland and Other Acts Amendment Act 2000— Proclamation commencing remaining provisions, No. 80 Fisheries Act 1994— Fisheries (East Coast Trawl) Amendment Management Plan (No. 1) 2001, No. 81 and Explanatory Notes and Regulatory Impact Statement for No. 81 Petroleum Act 1923— Petroleum (Entry Permission—Epic Energy (Victoria) Investments) Notice 2001, No. 82 Petroleum Act 1923— Petroleum (Entry Permission—RLMS Pty Ltd) Notice 2001, No. 83 Queensland Law Society Act 1952— Queensland Law Society (Indemnity) Amendment Rule (No. 1) 2001, No. 84 Statutory Instruments Act 1992— Statutory Instruments Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2001, No. 85 Health Services Act 1991— Health Services Amendment Regulation (No. 4) 2001, No. 86 Weapons Act 1990— Weapons Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2001, No. 87 Corrective Services Act 2000— Proclamation commencing remaining provisions, No. 88 Corrective Services Act 2000— Corrective Services Regulation 2001, No. 89 Transport Infrastructure Act 1994— Transport Infrastructure (Public Marine Facilities) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2001, No. 90 Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994— Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Amendment Regulation (No. 3) 2001, No. 91 Transport Infrastructure and Another Act Amendment Act 2001— Proclamation commencing remaining provisions, No. 92 Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994— Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2001, No. 93 Queensland Building Services Authority Act 1991— Queensland Building Services Authority Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2001, No. 94 Wine Industry Act 1994— Wine Industry Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2001, No. 95 1944 Papers 31 Jul 2001

Liquor Act 1992— Liquor Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2001, No. 96 Wine Industry Amendment Act 2001— Proclamation commencing remaining provisions, No. 97 Liquor Amendment Act 2001— Proclamation commencing remaining provisions, No. 98 Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000— Property Agents and Motor Dealers (Motor Dealing Practice Code of Conduct) Regulation 2001, No. 99 Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995— Workplace Health and Safety Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2001, No. 100 State Development and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2001— Proclamation commencing remaining provisions, No. 101 Building Act 1975, Fire and Rescue Authority Act 1990— Building Fire Safety Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2001, No. 102 Ambulance Service Act 1991— Ambulance Service Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2001, No. 103 Superannuation (State Public Sector) Act 1990— Superannuation (State Public Sector) Amendment Notice (No. 1) 2001, No. 104 Superannuation (State Public Sector) Act 1990— Superannuation (State Public Sector) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2001, No. 105 Child Protection Act 1999— Child Protection Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2001, No. 106 Supreme Court of Queensland Act 1991— Uniform Civil Procedure Amendment Rule (No. 1) 2001, No. 107 Industrial Relations Act 1999— Industrial Relations (Tribunals) Amendment Rule (No. 1) 2001, No. 108 Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995— Transport Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 3) 2001, No. 109 Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995— Traffic Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2001, No. 110 Appeal Costs Fund Act 1973, Coroners Act 1958, Justices Act 1886, Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages Act 1962, Small Claims Tribunals Act 1973, Supreme Court of Queensland Act 1991— Justice Legislation (Variation of Fees and Costs) Regulation 2001, No. 111 Nature Conservation Act 1992— Nature Conservation Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2001, No. 112 Nature Conservation Act 1992— Nature Conservation (Protected Plants) Amendment Conservation Plan (No. 1) 2001, No. 113 Traveller Accommodation Providers (Liability) Act 2001— Proclamation commencing remaining provisions, No. 114 City of Brisbane Act 1924— Local Government and Other legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2001, No. 115 Revenue Laws (Reciprocal Powers) Act 1988— Revenue Laws (Reciprocal Powers) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2001, No. 116 Public Trustee Act 1978— Public Trustee Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2001, No. 117 Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000— Property Agents and Motor Dealers (Auctioneering Practice Code of Conduct) Regulation 2001, No. 118 Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000— Property Agents and Motor Dealers (Commercial Agency Practice Code of Conduct) Regulation 2001, No. 119 Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000— Property Agents and Motor Dealers (Motor Dealing Practice Code of Conduct) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2001, No. 120 Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000— Property Agents and Motor Dealers (Property Developer Practice Code of Conduct) Regulation 2001, No. 121 Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000— Property Agents and Motor Dealers (Real Estate Agency Practice Code of Conduct) Regulation 2001, No. 122 31 Jul 2001 Papers 1945

Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000— Property Agents and Motor Dealers (Restricted Letting Agency Practice Code of Conduct) Regulation 2001, No. 123 Water Act 2000— Water Resources (Areas and Boards) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2001, No. 124 Public Trustee Act 1978— Public Trustee (Fees and Charges Notice) (No. 1) 2001 WorkCover Queensland Act 1996— Governor in Council approval of expenditure by WorkCover Queensland to the Department of Industrial Relations for the prevention of injury to workers, notified in the Industrial Gazette on 20 July 2001 MINISTERIAL RESPONSES TO PETITIONS The following responses to petitions, received during the recess, were tabled by The Clerk— Response from the Premier and Minister for Trade (Mr Beattie) to a petition presented by Mr Horan from 37 petitioners, regarding a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate retail fuel prices— 6 Jul 2001 Mr R Doyle The Clerk of the Parliament Parliament House Alice and George Streets BRISBANE QLD 4000 Dear Robert, Thank you for your letter of 5 April 2001 regarding the petition received by the Parliament from the Honourable R E Borbidge on behalf of those citizens of Queensland calling for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate retail fuel prices, which was lodged by Mr Horan MP, Leader of the Opposition, Member for Toowoomba South. I have attached a copy of my response to the Honourable R E Borbidge. I would appreciate it if you would arrange for this response to be tabled in Parliament on my behalf. Yours sincerely (sgd) P Beattie Peter Beattie MP Premier and Minister for Trade 6 Jul 2001 The Honourable R E Borbidge 2 Montebello Court ROBINA QLD 4226 Dear Rob I refer to your petition lodged with the Clerk of the Parliament on 4 April 2001 by Mr Mike Horan MP, Leader of the Opposition, Member for Toowoomba South, seeking the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Queensland retail fuel prices. The Government has received numerous submissions from the public about the recent volatility of fuel prices and has decided to investigate the issue of petrol price volatility, and in particular: ¥ Terminal Gate Pricing (which could increase transparency of fuel prices and provide access to product at the terminal at competitive wholesale prices for all distributors and retailers); ¥ 24 hour fixed daily prices; and ¥ petrol buyer cooperatives. However, while the State Government is looking at a number of schemes to minimise petrol price fluctuations, there is only so much we can do about petrol prices, as this is a nationwide problem and it is the Commonwealth Government that levies the largest excise on fuel and has responsibility for the Trade Practices Act 1974. It is clearly preferable for the Commonwealth to implement national petrol pricing reforms. This Government is keenly awaiting the results of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission inquiry into petrol price volatility and the proposed Commonwealth Government response. I can assure you this Government is determined that Queenslanders will continue to have the lowest fuel prices in Australia. We remain committed to the Queensland Fuel Subsidy Scheme that provides an 8.4 cents per litre fuel subsidy and delivers the lowest fuel prices in Australia. The Queensland Government has provided well in excess of $400 million in funding in 2000-2001 to the Scheme. In addition, we have recently announced improvements to the Fuel Subsidy Scheme, requiring only an annual return for bulk end users claiming less than $500 a year. My Government is committed to delivering fairer, more stable petrol prices for Queenslanders. Thank you for raising these concerns with me. Yours sincerely (sgd) P Beattie Peter Beattie MP Premier and Minister for Trade 1946 Papers 31 Jul 2001

Response from the Minister for Health and Minister Assisting the Premier on Women's Policy (Mrs Edmond) to a petition presented by Mr Rodgers from 1,336 petitioners, regarding the provision of acute spinal injuries care in Northern Queensland— 3 Jul 2001 Mr R D Doyle The Clerk of the Parliament Parliament House Alice and George Streets BRISBANE Q 4000 Dear Mr Doyle Thank you for your letter dated 6 April 2001 forwarding a copy of a petition tabled in the Parliament on 5 April 2001, regarding the provision of acute spinal injuries care in Northern Queensland. The need for an acute spinal unit in North Queensland was fully investigated in the mid 1990s and was considered to be not clinically viable at that stage. However, the Beattie Government has given a commitment to review the situation in 2001. The new Townsville Hospital to be commissioned at Douglas later this year will provide an enhanced rehabilitation service. As part of the preparation for this service, a geriatric/rehabilitation specialist has recently been appointed to the Townsville General Hospital. Dr Goldstraw is due to commence work in mid July. One of Dr Goldstraw's priorities will be to conduct a review of current rehabilitation services requirements of the area serviced by the Hospital. Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention and I trust this information is of assistance. Yours sincerely (sgd) W Edmond Wendy Edmond Minister for Health and Minister Assisting the Premier on Women's Policy Response from the Minister for Environment (Mr Wells) to a petition presented by Mrs Pratt from 1,600 petitioners, regarding the Somerset Dam camping and picnic ground— 14 May 2001 Mr R Doyle The Clerk of the Parliament Legislative Assembly of Queensland Dear Mr Doyle I refer to your letter of 9 May 2001 forwarding a copy of a petition tabled in the Parliament on 2 May 2001 regarding the proposed closure of the Somerset Dam camping and picnic ground after the Easter 2001 by the South East Queensland Water Corporation. The South East Queensland Water Corporation is an independent corporation, which is administered by a board. Neither the Environmental Protection Agency nor Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service have a role on that board. The Minister for Environment has no jurisdiction over the South East Queensland Water Corporation. Matters pertaining to decisions made by the board of South East Queensland Water Corporation should be directed to the Corporation. I trust this information is helpful. Yours sincerely (sgd) Dean Wells DEAN WELLS Minister for Environment Response from the Minister for Environment (Mr Wells) to a petition presented by Mrs Sheldon from 60 petitioners, regarding jetskis (personal water craft), houseboat waste disposal and the policing of these matters in the Pumicestone Passage area— 20 Jun 2001 Mr R D Doyle The Clerk of the Parliament Legislative Assembly of Queensland Parliament House Alice and George Streets BRISBANE QLD 4000 Dear Mr Doyle I refer to your letter of 18 May 2001 forwarding a copy of a petition tabled in the Parliament on 18 May 2001 regarding jetskis (personal water craft), houseboat waste disposal and the policing of these matters in the Pumicestone Passage area. Personal water craft (PWC) have the potential to adversely impact on shorebirds and other values of the Moreton Bay Marine Park, including public amenity. This has been recognised through the provisions of the Marine Parks (Moreton Bay) Zoning Plan 1997, which prohibits the use of PWC in Protection Zones and outside navigation channels in Conservation Zones. The majority of Pumicestone Passage is either zoned as 'Conservation' or 'Protection'. Queensland Transport's Transport Infrastructure (Sunshine Coast Waterways) Management Plan 2000, which came into force on 19 January 2001, further restricts the use of PWC in Pumicestone Passage. The 31 Jul 2001 Papers 1947

Management Plan essentially prohibits freestyling, surfing and wave jumping of all watercraft within 60 metres off a person in the water and/or 30 metres of other watercraft. Additionally, it prohibits freestyling, surfing and wave jumping north of Bells Creek in Northern Pumicestone Passage and within 100 metres of the shore on both sides of southern Pumicestone Passage. The Management Plan defines freestyling as 'using a watercraft in a way that its course or speed is insufficiently predictable to allow masters of other watercraft to readily decide what course and speed to take to avoid a collision with the watercraft'. The restrictions on PWC prescribed by the Zoning Plan and the restrictions on the behaviour of watercraft prescribed by the Management Plan, whilst not totally banning their use in Pumicestone Passage, restrict the areas of use of PWC and their activities, thus minimising the opportunities for PWC to cause nuisance to other users of Pumicestone Passage. The use of a vessel, vehicle, structure or aircraft as a dwelling without permission, is prohibited under the Marine Parks Regulation 1990 and the Zoning Plan sets time limits for mooring and anchoring vessels or aircraft in the Marine Park. The Management Plan prohibits living on watercraft in Pumicestone Passage for more than 48 hours, unless part of a coastal or international voyage or without specific approval for living on board. Additionally, it requires that in Sunshine Coast Waters, including Pumicestone Passage, all watercraft used for living on board are to have waste holding systems. Enforcement of the provisions of the Management Plan is a matter for Queensland Transport, through the Queensland Police (Water Police) and Department of Primary Industries (Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol). Consequently, this matter has also been referred to the offices of the Honourable Steve Bredhauer MP, Minister for Transport and Minister for Main Roads, the Honourable Henry Palaszczuk MP, Minister for Primary Industries and Rural Communities and the Honourable Tony McGrady MP, Minister for Police and Corrective Services. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service conducts regular patrols of the Pumicestone Passage which, as well as being part of its public awareness program to inform the community of the existence and values of the Marine Park, are for surveillance and enforcement purposes. I trust this information is helpful. Yours sincerely (sgd) Dean Wells DEAN WELLS Minister for Environment Response from the Minister for Environment (Mr Wells) to a petition presented by Mrs Smith from 23 petitioners, regarding a request to create more national parks in Queensland— 25 Jul 2001 Mr R D Doyle The Clerk of the Parliament Legislative Assembly of Queensland Parliament House Alice and George Streets BRISBANE QLD 4000 Dear Mr Doyle I refer to your letter of 20 June 2001 forwarding a copy of a petition tabled in the Parliament on 19 June 2001 regarding a request to create more national parks in Queensland. The Queensland Government remains committed to a target of having 5% of the State protected as National Park. The current focus of this target is the conversion of State forests with significant conservation values in the south-east Queensland and Wet Tropics biogeographic regions to protected area. The first stage of this process has resulted in over 400 000 hectares being gazetted as forest reserves, allowing for a tenure allocation process to be undertaken over the next two years. A further 500 000 hectares will be involved in this process once the Wet Tropics State forests are also converted to forest reserves. The other focus is acquisitions in the Cape York Peninsula, where negotiations are currently under way for a number of properties, which in total amount to over 500 000 hectares. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) will also continue to seek to acquire other land containing significant conservation values throughout the State, and at present several properties in the Brigalow Belt and Desert Uplands biogeographic regions are subject to acquisition negotiations. It can be seen that the QPWS is continuing to protect the significant conservation values of the State. I trust this information is helpful. Yours sincerely (sgd) Dean Wells DEAN WELLS Minister for Environment MINISTERIAL PAPERS The following ministerial papers, received during the recess, were tabled by The Clerk— Minister for Health and Minister Assisting the Premier on Women's Policy (Mrs Edmond)— Report under section 56A(4) of the Statutory Instruments Act 1992 1948 Ministerial Statement 31 Jul 2001

Minister for State Development (Mr Barton)— Report about Minister's decision on the call in of a development application under the Integrated Planning Act 1997—development application lodged by the Lang Park Trust Minister for Environment (Mr Wells)— Report under section 56A(4) of the Statutory Instruments Act 1992 Minister for Primary Industries and Rural Communities (Mr Palaszczuk)— Report under section 56A(4) of the Statutory Instruments Act 1992.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Bio 2001; Australian Magnesium Corporation Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.35 a.m.), by leave: I table a detailed report on my visit to the United States and Mexico between 22 and 29 June 2001. Accompanying that detailed report is a box of materials for completeness because I do not want anyone to say that I have not fully reported to this House, which I always do. The trade mission to Bio 2001, the world's largest biotechnology conference and exhibition, held in San Diego and Mexico resulted in major trade opportunities being identified. The Mexican Mining Chamber of Commerce, the major mining conglomerate Industrias Penoles, the Minister for Trade, the CEO of the Federal Electricity Commission and the bipartisan parliamentary Agricultural and Livestock Commission all indicated that they would visit Queensland to explore trade opportunities. While I was there, on behalf of Queensland I pushed to reopen the Mexican market to live beef exports from Queensland and Australia, as well as explore coal opportunities. I led a record Queensland delegation of 90 on the trade mission to Bio 2001, which broke all records for attendance and involvement by scientists, academic researchers, company executives, patent advocates, government officials and investment experts. It attracted more than 14,000 delegates, a 30 per cent increase over last year's convention, with almost 5,000 international participants—more than double the number last year—representing 44 countries. The value of biotechnology to a community is demonstrated by what has been achieved in San Diego, a city with about the same population as Brisbane. More than 60 biomedical and biotechnology firms have been established in San Diego as a result of research at the university. There has also been the creation of about 5,500 jobs and the generation of annual revenue totalling more than US$397 million. At the opening of the Australian pavilion I underlined the Queensland government's commitment to supporting biotechnology and pointed out that this was the third annual Bio conference I had attended as Premier on behalf of Queensland. I welcomed the fact that the Victorian government had now recognised the potential that exists in biotechnology and was attending a Bio conference for the first time. I said that it was about time the federal government recognised the potential offered by biotechnology and hoped it would be represented by a leading minister at next year's conference. I seek leave to have the rest of my statement incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. BI02001 offered the perfect platform for me to demonstrate that Queensland is Australia's Smart State by announcing three major biotechnology initiatives. They were: ¥ A $15 million Queensland Biodiscovery Fund to help unlock the hidden treasures in our natural environment and generate the maximum possible return for Queenslanders. ¥ A $60 million Institute in Nano Applications and Biomaterials ¥ A $40 million Centre of Excellence in Food Science and Technology to bring together the work carried out on plant and livestock genomics, and food sciences which focus on health and lifestyle. I announced a $6 million Smart State program to encourage and support new Queensland biotechnology start-up companies, to which the Government has committed $3 million. Matching funding will be provided by a private sector partner, Sydney-based company Start-Up Australia. And I announced we were considering using the Boggo Road Jail site to create a research-intensive technology village which could house the $60 million Institute in Nano Applications and Biomaterials and our $40 million Centre of Excellence in Food Science and Technology. Letters of intent were signed with a high-tech Californian company to explore its mix of real and virtual lecture rooms for the Smart State and with a progressive new 'high tech' high school in San Diego with the aim of developing educational links and learn from its methods. High Tech High was created to provide students with the specialised academic and workplace skills to enter high technology industries such as telecommunications, biomedical, biotechnology and computer software. 31 Jul 2001 Ministerial Statement 1949

In Mexico I signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mexico's Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to promote co-operation on the protection and conservation of coastal and reef areas. This landmark agreement formally recognises the priority that our governments place on coastal and reef care. I invited the Mexican Mining Chamber of Commerce to send a delegation to Queensland where we would host them. I invited senior executives of major mining conglomerate Industrias Penoles to visit Queensland. They said they would come with the Mining Chamber. I met with Mexico's Minister for Agriculture to push for the re-opening of live cattle exports from Queensland to Mexico. The talks were positive and I am hopeful that a new market for Queensland cattle will be created. The Minister for Trade told me the Mexican Government would probably scrap the three per cent temporary tariff imposed in 1998 on a range of capital and intermediate imports such as live cattle, sheep and some auto parts. I advised the Minister that I understood the Ministry was planning a trade delegation to Queensland in 2001, with a focus on mining and encouraged him to make Queensland a major part of the delegation's itinerary in Australia. He accepted. I told Mr Ayub, CEO of the Federal Electricity Commission, of Queensland's reputation as a source of thermal coal and of Queensland's expertise in coal-fired power generation. Mr Ayub said it is expected that gas-fired generation of electricity will increase from 15 per cent to 60 per cent in the next decade. Mexico would be seeking to import liquid natural gas, with private electricity companies able to negotiate long-term contracts with suppliers. He expected it to be a major market. Mr Ayub said he would be very happy to visit Queensland to see for himself what we had to offer. The bipartisan Parliamentary Agricultural and Livestock Commission said it would come to Queensland and hoped that the visit would benefit both Queensland and Mexico. I will welcome the Commission to Queensland on August 13 in Brisbane. I was honoured to represent Australia at the launch of the 2001 Cervantino Festival along with the Australian Ambassador, and to deliver the opening speech on behalf of Australia. Australia is the main overseas country featured in the Festival. All of these contacts and visits have the potential to open major new trade prospects for Queensland. And the more trade we can create, the more jobs we create. Mr BEATTIE: While we are talking about major projects, the AMC magnesium smelter project is immensely valuable to Queensland because it will see the birth of a vast new industry with thousands of new jobs for this state. A study by Deloittes estimates that over the next 15 years the $1.3 billion Australian Magnesium Corporation plant would stimulate investment which would produce at least 2,000 permanent jobs in central Queensland. It would be a Smart State industry—a smart industry for a Smart State. In addition, the study forecasts that this massive investment will lead to the creation of a further 5,000 jobs in supporting industries across central Queensland. All Queenslanders and indeed all Australians would have been disappointed to learn that the initial equity raising fell just short of the mark. The company received great backing from Queensland investors but fell foul of a lack of faith from international and some domestic institutional investors. When it became clear that the necessary funding would not be achieved in the market, Treasurer Terry Mackenroth and I as shareholding ministers committed $50 million to the project through Stanwell Corporation Ltd, and the Minister for State Development and I did everything we could to help bring about the facilitation of this project. The $50 million approved by the Treasurer and me was in addition to the state government's commitment of a $50 million contribution to common user infrastructure for Stanwell Industrial Park that had been put forward by the Department of State Development. There are some in politics who stubbornly cling to the belief that major projects should be left to market forces. Well, markets can fail. When markets fail to deliver public benefit, government must consider whether it should act or not, and we did. In the AMC case, the financial markets have failed spectacularly to support a sound long-term investment of smart technology for a smart new industry. Hugh Morgan of Western Mining recently stated that the short-term focus of financial markets made it extremely difficult for any major resource project to raise capital on the open market. Only days later, AMC proved Mr Morgan's point. Why should the market support a new wealth-creating, job-creating industry when existing assets provide a more immediate return? The answer is because without new wealth-creating, job-creating industries, particularly smart new industries such as this, the stock of existing assets will gradually dwindle. We need to constantly renew our economic structure or we will fall into a hole. I am pleased that AMC has not given up. It immediately announced that it would work to revise the funding package to develop the project and to realise the value of the sustainable assets that remain in place. I call on the investment community to think about the future and make strategic investments in the industries that meet the emerging demands of the new 1950 Ministerial Statement 31 Jul 2001 century. If we take that approach we cannot look past AMC, because AMC is all about using research outcomes to add value to Australian minerals to make new metals to make cars lighter to reduce global fuel consumption to cut greenhouse gas emissions. So it is good for jobs, it is good for the environment and it is good for Queensland. There can be little doubt that a low-cost, world-class magnesium plant will be able to find a market for its product. Indeed, Ford has agreed to purchase 50 per cent already. The Queensland government is working closely with AMC to keep this dream alive. We are also working with the Commonwealth government, and another plan is on the table which is being considered. Hopefully we will have more to say about that later in the week. I have exchanged some positive correspondence with Nick Minchin. We will continue to do everything we can to help Australian Magnesium Corporation establish the world's largest magnesium metal plant in Queensland. The infrastructure package remains on the table to be part of any future project. The AMC project deserves the support of all members of this parliament. We should fight to take all reasonable steps to bring this project to fruition. That is exactly what we are doing.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Mr P. Wellington, MP; Archbishop Rush Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central— ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.42 a.m.), by leave: I will be writing to Peter Wellington, the member for Nicklin, expressing the support of all members of the House for him as he recovers from an accident on his Sunshine Coast property on Sunday, 22 July. Peter Wellington is currently recovering in the Wesley Hospital following a number of operations on his legs after a bulldozer accident on his property. He is in a stable condition and in amazingly good spirits, as I found when I visited him in the Nambour Hospital on Saturday night. Typically, Mr Wellington's concern was for other people, particularly his constituents. While I was there he took the time to lobby me on behalf of a particular constituent with a problem—a problem, I might say, that is being pursued by my staff today. As all honourable members know, Mr Wellington is a hardworking Independent member of this House. I have given an undertaking on behalf of the government to provide all reasonable assistance to Mr Wellington and his electorate staff to ensure that the people of Nicklin continue to have top-rate service from their local member as he recovers from these serious injuries. On Saturday night I passed on to Mr Wellington and his family the best wishes of all members of this House. I know that everyone in this House will wish Mr Wellington a speedy and full recovery. Also, on behalf of all Queenslanders, I extend my sympathies to Archbishop John Bathersby and all of Queensland's Catholic community on the passing of friend and confrere Archbishop Francis Rush. Archbishop Rush was a man known to me personally and one I greatly respected. He was obviously a magnificent contributor to the Catholic community and indeed to all of the state—especially to the diocese of Townsville, where he served as priest from 1939 to 1961, the diocese of Rockhampton, where he served as bishop from 1961 to 1973, and indeed the archdiocese of Brisbane, where he served as archbishop until his retirement in 1991. The values he set, especially when dealing with the sick and with youth, are worthy of us all aspiring to. Many people in their lives have been influenced by this humble man, and I am sure that all in this chamber join me in reflecting on and honouring a most worthy life and a distinguished Queenslander.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Tree Clearing Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central— ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.44 a.m.), by leave: Yesterday I received a long-awaited letter from the Prime Minister outlining a fresh federal government proposal to cap and reduce tree-clearing rates in Queensland. The letter details the latest Howard-Hill plan and asks the Queensland government to negotiate a deal with farmers on behalf of the federal government. I think it is time the federal government showed some real leadership on this issue. Here we have a Prime Minister who wants us to talk to the farmers and get agreement on an issue when he cannot even get unity from his own coalition colleagues on the matter, including the Nationals. 31 Jul 2001 Ministerial Statement 1951

It is time to end the nonsense, so I have issued this simple challenge to the Prime Minister. Why don't he and I and our respective ministers—in my case Stephen Robertson and in his case John Anderson and Senator Robert Hill—head out west, share a stage and talk this through with farmers in places such as Winton and Roma? Dr Watson interjected. Mr BEATTIE: I would not have a lot to say if I were him. Last time he voted against this; now he is going to vote for it. He should make up his mind. Dr Watson interjected. Mr BEATTIE: I find it extraordinary that the member for Moggill is interjecting. Last time this matter was debated in this House he voted against what John Howard is now putting to us. Dr Watson interjected. Mr BEATTIE: He did! He voted against what John Howard is now putting. Why doesn't the member ring up the Prime Minister and explain why he has had a change of heart? All this requires is a bipartisan approach from the federal coalition and the Queensland National Party. That is all I ask for. In this latest letter from the Prime Minister he calls for a sustained reduction in remnant vegetation clearing over the next five years to achieve a significant certain and cost-effective reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Well, the Prime Minister has a $400 million treasure chest set aside to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. If he put 25 per cent of that money— $100 million—into a tree-clearing scheme to compensate farmers, he would achieve 50 per cent of the reduction in greenhouse gases in Australia thereafter. That is all he has to do. That is cost- effective, it is good for the environment and it is good for farmers. So let us stop the nonsense and fix the problem. At the moment Queensland is investing $111 million to manage the present scheme for tree clearing in Queensland. By contrast, the Commonwealth government is paying nothing—zero. That is the contrast in our approaches. What do we have? We have the Queensland government contributing $111 million and the federal government contributing zilch—not a cent. The latest offer from the Commonwealth is not acceptable to Queensland in its present form, but it is a positive step because it is the first time the Commonwealth has detailed its compensation offer to Queensland farmers, and it has linked compensation to an outcome. It is seeking to have people achieve an outcome and then get compensation. What have we been saying for the last three years? We have been saying that we should link compensation to an outcome. I have given a strong commitment to ensure that the rights of Queensland farmers are protected in this process by ensuring that compensation levels are adequate and appropriate. Queensland is ready to resolve this issue in the national interest. I am happy to go out west with John Howard, talk to the farmers who are affected by this tree-clearing issue and fix the problem once and for all. I am ready to work with the federal government. All I ask for is a fair deal for Queensland, particularly Queensland farmers. I seek leave to incorporate two letters. One is a letter which arrived yesterday from John Howard to me and the other is a letter from John Howard to Ian Donges, the president of the National Farmers Federation. I think all Queenslanders should see the detail of all these letters, and I seek leave to have them incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. Prime Minister Canberra 24 Jul 2001 The Hon Peter Beattie MLA Premier of Queensland PO Box 185 BRISBANE ALBERT STREET QLD 4002 My dear Premier Further to my letter of 18 November 2000, and your response of 5 December 2000, I am writing in relation to Queensland land clearing. I am aware that since late last year, discussions at officials' level and discussions with farming organisations have helped clarify respective positions, particularly in relation to possible options to significantly further reduce 1952 Ministerial Statement 31 Jul 2001

Queensland land clearing. I also understand that Queensland officials have undertaken additional work on how such options might be implemented. I consider that at this stage it would be helpful for my government to detail further its policy and funding positions on this matter. I see regulation of vegetation management as essentially a state responsibility and that responsibility for the design and implementation of land clearing arrangements remains a matter for your government. However, I recognise that it is in the national interest to reduce the very high rates of land clearing in Queensland to achieve a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions beyond the reduction likely to be achieved through the implementation of Queensland's existing legislation. Accordingly, I reiterate that the Commonwealth would be prepared to provide a financial contribution commensurate with the land clearing reduction negotiated and implemented by your government, and on the basis that it is over and above the combined outcomes of Queensland's existing vegetation management regime and the National Action Plan on Salinity and Water Quality. Should you wish to take up this offer of assistance, I invite your government to provide a detailed proposal and cost estimates, consistent with the following objectives and parameters. The Commonwealth would be prepared to provide assistance if Queensland negotiates and implements further land clearing restrictions that would: ¥ achieve by 2006 and be at least sustained thereafter, a significant, certain and cost-effective reduction in greenhouse gas emissions beyond the reduction likely to be achieved from the full implementation of Queensland's existing vegetation management regime and its commitments under the National Action Plan on Salinity and Water Quality; ¥ compensate landholders if and where property rights are lost as a result of achieving further Queensland land clearing reductions; ¥ have support from farming organisations and landholders; and ¥ be subject to review in 2005 to assess their economic, social and environmental effects and to identify possible amendments to arrangements in the light of outcomes to that date. The Commonwealth would, of course, need to satisfy itself that these parameters have been met before determining its financial contribution. I would expect that arrangements would be implemented to link any payments to abatement outcomes achieved by the actual reduction in clearing. The total costs of any new overall arrangements would need to be funded equally by the Commonwealth and Queensland governments, with any Commonwealth contribution being matched by a contribution of new state government funding which is additional to your current commitments. It is anticipated that joint funding could apply over a period of approximately 10 years. As noted, details of any arrangements to secure additional and significant land clearing reductions, including necessary negotiations with farming organisations and landholders, would be a matter for your government. We do not wish to be prescriptive about how the further significant reduction in land clearing, and consequently in greenhouse gas emissions, might be achieved. In terms of what might constitute a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from further reduced land clearing, we would be happy to consider a case from your government as part of any proposal. As an indication, and against the background of Australia's international obligations, the Commonwealth would be looking for a sizeable and sustained reduction in the 'business as usual' remnant clearing rate that has averaged around 200,000 to 250,000 hectares per annum over the past decade, beyond the reduction in 'business as usual' clearing flowing from the existing vegetation management regime and National Action Plan commitments. I hope that your government will take up our offer to help address this important issue. In the first instance, I would welcome a positive response to this offer, and thereafter await your detailed proposals following your negotiations with Queensland stakeholders. Yours sincerely (sgd) John Howard (John Howard)

Prime Minister Canberra 24 Jul 2001 Mr Ian Donges President National Farmers' Federation PO Box E10 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Dear Mr Donges I am writing to advise you about the Commonwealth position in relation to Queensland land clearing, and to inform you about my recent letter to the Queensland Premier on this matter. My letter to the Premier noted that the regulation of vegetation management is essentially a state responsibility and therefore, that responsibility for the design and implementation of land clearing arrangements remains a matter for the Queensland Government. I also noted the importance of reducing Queensland land clearing rates to achieve a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions beyond the reduction likely to be achieved through the implementation of Queensland's existing legislation. 31 Jul 2001 Ministerial Statement 1953

In this context, I reiterated Commonwealth preparedness to provide a financial contribution towards land clearing reductions that are negotiated and implemented by the Queensland Government and which are over and above the combined outcomes of the state's existing vegetation management regime and the National Action Plan on Salinity and Water Quality. Any Commonwealth contribution would have to be matched by new state funding additional to current state commitments. I invited the Premier to provide a detailed Queensland Government proposal and cost estimates consistent with the following Commonwealth parameters: ¥ achieve by 2006 a sustained, significant, certain and cost-effective reduction in greenhouse gas emissions beyond the reduction likely to be achieved from the full implementation of Queensland's existing vegetation management regime and its commitments under the National Action Plan on Salinity and Water Quality; ¥ compensate land-holders if and where property rights are lost as a result of achieving further Queensland land clearing reductions; ¥ have support from farming organisations and land-holders; and ¥ be subject to review in 2005 to assess their economic, social and environmental effects and to identify possible amendments to arrangements in the light of outcomes. I indicated to the Premier that the Queensland Government would need to be responsible for developing and implementing any arrangements to secure additional and significant land clearing reductions, including negotiations with farming organisations and landholders. I see such negotiations as the essential next step, should the Queensland Government wish to proceed with this matter. I can also assure you that the extent of landholder support will be a critical factor in future Commonwealth funding decisions on this issue. The Commonwealth does not wish to be prescriptive about how any further significant reduction in land clearing, and consequently in greenhouse gas emissions, might be achieved. However, I would expect that any such measures would be directed towards remnant clearing, rather than clearing of regrowth. As a guide, and against the background of Australia's international obligations, a substantial and sustained reduction in the 'business as usual' remnant clearing rate (averaging around 200,000 to 250,000 hectares per annum over the past decade) would be desirable—beyond the clearing rate reduction flowing from Queensland's existing vegetation management regime and National Action Plan commitments. I trust this letter has clarified the Commonwealth's approach to this important issue and illustrates our recognition of its central importance to farmers and landholders. I am copying this letter to the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the Minister for Forestry and Conservation. Yours sincerely (sgd) John Howard (John Howard) Mr BEATTIE: We can resolve this issue. All we need is some commonsense from the Commonwealth and some unity from the coalition. That is all we need in order to finally resolve this issue.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Census at Schools Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH (Chatsworth—ALP) (Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Sport) (9.50 a.m.), by leave: A recent initiative undertaken by the state government has provided a revealing insight into the lives of Queensland Students. Census at Schools was an Australia-first statewide school survey undertaken by the state government to help promote the importance of the upcoming national census. More than 14,000 students from grades 5 to 10 took part in the Internet-based Census at School by filling out a one-page questionnaire. It asked students a range of topics as varied as sport, computers, favourite school subjects, travel routines and other personal traits. The statistics, collated by the Office of the Government Statistician, revealed some interesting facts. For example, most Queensland students in the Smart State have embraced technology by regularly tapping into the Internet at home. Eighty-four per cent of children have access to a home computer and 61 per cent logged onto the Internet from home. The Census at School also found that 46 per cent of students either had access to or own their own mobile phone, while 98 per cent had a television at home. A third of the girls indicated art is their favourite subject, while physical education or sport emerged as a clear favourite (34 per cent) with boys. A dog also proved to be a student's best friend, with 73 per cent of pet-owning primary school children having a canine. In contrast, only 3 per cent of students had a pet rat. The most common responses to each question also produced an interesting representation of the 'average' student. The average Queensland pupil is 150 centimetres tall and lives in a 1954 Ministerial Statement 31 Jul 2001 house with three other people, travels for five minutes by car to school and drinks a soft drink each day. And how times have changed. The survey found 46 per cent of students travelled to school by car and only 16 per cent walked. The survey also found the National Rugby League was about four times more popular than the next closest sport, and of all the NRL supporters across Queensland schools, 70 per cent are Brisbane Broncos fans. They are very intelligent young children. Later this morning on the Speaker's Green I will make a presentation to students from around the state who won prizes in the poster competition which was used to promote the Census at Schools. However, I would also like to take this opportunity now to congratulate all the winners of the poster competition including: Elizabeth Menary and Rachel Morton from Kuluin State School, Joel Mann, Christine Hollingworth and Louise Flamingo from Osborne State School, Kristy Sutton from Gooburrum State School, Sar Hawkins and Krista Van Op Stal from Babinda State School, and Aaron Drummond from Jondaryan State School. Those kids will all be here at 11.45, if any of the members from those areas would like to come down onto the green. I would also like to congratulate the school winners from around the state including: Kuluin State School, Mount Kilcoy State School, Osborne State School, Mundingburra State School, Coningsby State School, Rockhampton Girls Grammar, Eton North State School, Bundaberg State School, Gooburrum State School, Babinda State School, Jondaryan State School, Mount Warren Park State School and Redcliffe State High School. The standard of entry in the poster competition reflected a key Census at School finding that one of the favourite subjects of primary students across Queensland was art. In a very real sense, this initiative raises awareness of how a census is conducted and the need for everyone in Queensland to be represented when the national census is held. And Queensland is leading Australia in this international project. Census at School has been a great project for the Queensland government to be involved with and enables students to compare notes with kids in the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who are also participating in their own census. For example, students in the United Kingdom walk on average one kilometre to school and are avid Manchester United fans. Census at School demonstrates the importance of a census for collecting information on our community to enable governments to plan services and infrastructure. All survey data and tables from the census at school is available at www.statistics.qld.gov.au on the results page. This educational project gave a fascinating insight into the lives of children today and I am sure it will provide a great talking point for families in the lead-up to the national census on Tuesday, 7 August.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Literacy and Numeracy Hon. A. M. BLIGH (South Brisbane—ALP) (Minister for Education) (9.54 a.m.), by leave: I wish to table the Queensland School Curriculum Council report 2000: 'Queensland Years 3, 5 and 7 Testing Program: Statewide student performance in aspects of literacy and numeracy.' This report is prepared annually and provides the most recent results of Queensland students. The tests cover reading, writing, spelling and viewing in the literacy area, and number, measurement and data and space in the numeracy area. The main purposes of the testing program are to provide a systemic overview of student performance in aspects of literacy and numeracy and to provide students, teachers and parents with information about these aspects for the individual student involved. In examining the statewide literacy results it is evident that year 3 students performed particularly strongly in spelling and in writing, whereas year 5 students' strength was in viewing and year 7 students were strongest in spelling. Within each of the year levels, overall performance standards were similar for the three numeracy aspects tested. In general, the average performance levels realised in 2000 were similar to the good standards achieved in 1999. The overall results for year 3 viewing, year 5 space and year 7 writing and spelling in 2000 were marginally better than those in 1999, whereas 2000 performance in year 5 writing and spelling was marginally down in comparison with 1999. The patterns of mean performance for 2000 are also broadly similar to those of previous years. Results include the fact that girls still tend to perform at higher levels than boys in all year 3, 5 and 7 literacy areas whereas boys and girls perform at similar levels in numeracy except that 31 Jul 2001 Ministerial Statement 1955 boys are slightly ahead of girls in year 5 number and year 7 measurement and data; at year 3, students with English speaking backgrounds and language backgrounds other than English have similar mean scores in all curriculum areas tested; however, students from English speaking backgrounds have superior mean scores in all of the year 5 and 7 curriculum areas tested except for spelling where students from language backgrounds other than English perform marginally better; and the mean scores of indigenous students are significantly below those of non- indigenous students at all year levels and all curriculum areas tested. These data are useful and important. They provide insights into complex and multifaceted matters and need to be looked at closely in order to understand the range and combinations of factors that impact on student educational outcomes. In contrast to the wide range of performance information emanating from the testing program, some limited reporting of results is required for the national reporting regime. To date, national benchmark reporting protocols have been established for year 3 and 5 reading, and Queensland's performance against these benchmarks for both 1999 and 2000 have been reported for the first time in the Queensland School Curriculum Council report. In 2000, approximately 92.6 per cent of year 3 students exceeded the national reading benchmark. The national benchmark results in year 5 reading for 2000 were comparable to those of 1999 with approximately 78.5 per cent and approximately 80 per cent of students exceeding the benchmark respectively. The 1999 national benchmark results for year 3 and year 5 reading for all states and territories have recently been published in the National Report on Schooling in Australia 1999. These must not be judged superficially without due consideration of the different contexts and populations being taken into account. Queensland students are on average about six months younger and have had about 10 months less formal schooling than their interstate counterparts when these tests are undertaken. Education Queensland and our government is committed to continuing to ensure that Queensland students receive quality literacy and numeracy education that prepares them for the future. As part of our focus on these areas, the Beattie Government has committed $148 million in 2001-02 to ensure Queensland students have solid literacy skills through the Reading Recovery program, the development of a framework for whole of school literacy planning and a reading framework in partnership with 20 new school-based Learning and Development Centres for Literacy. Students with difficulties in literacy and numeracy continue to receive support through measures including classroom teacher devised remediation programs, teaching by specialised staff such as learning support teachers and reading recovery teachers, as well as the involvement of parents, volunteers and para-professionals in Support-a-Reader and Support-a-Maths Learner programs. Other programs aimed at students from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds being developed and implemented include 'Which boys? Which girls?—Literacy and Disadvantage' Project, the Literacy and Numeracy Action Research Project—for students whose main language at home is not English and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students—and the Bandscales for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students Project, which developed monitoring devices for reading and writing development of indigenous students in years 1 to 3 for whom English is a second language. The Board of Teacher Registration is also developing new standards in Literacy in Teacher Education Standards for Pre-Service Programs. There is much being done. I look forward to not only maintaining these good standards but showing further improvement on these results in future years.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Education and Training Hon. M. J. FOLEY (Yeerongpilly—ALP) (Minister for Employment, Training and Youth and Minister for the Arts) (10.00 a.m.), by leave: There are few more difficult times faced by young people in our community than when they walk that critically important path from school to work or to further education. Many young people fall into the yawning gap between school and the workplace—not by choice, but because yesterday's education and training institutions sometimes fail to cope with the challenges of today and tomorrow. On this crucial subject, I would like to inform the House of a landmark decision made last week at the national meeting of the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and 1956 Ministerial Statement 31 Jul 2001

Youth Affairs. Each of the states and territories and the Commonwealth has been doing its bit by catering well for some young people. But in general, these have been young people from middle- class Australia who, in the majority of cases, have family support. Those who are disconnected from society or who are at risk of becoming disconnected need our help. On speaking with young people in my own electorate at the Southside Education Centre at Tarragindi, I have been made painfully aware of the need for alternative approaches to reach out to these young people who have become estranged from the school system. There are more than 135,000 Australians aged 15 to 24 who have not completed school and who are not working or undertaking further education and training. A further 75,000 young Australians have completed the highest level of school but are not working or undertaking further education or training. That means there are more than 210,000 young people who risk being failed by Australia's education and training system—a system that should be providing them with the foundations for informed citizenship and quality of life. That is not good enough. So I have called on all levels of government in Australia to put aside their political differences and work together to find some serious solutions to the problems facing our young people. I suggested to the ministers that we establish a subcommittee of the ministerial council to develop practical options for young people to move through school into work and adult life. I am pleased to announce that the state and Commonwealth Education, Training and Youth Ministers have unanimously agreed to establish this subcommittee, which I will chair. Ministers from New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and the Commonwealth will be involved, helping to establish links across education sectors, between education and community services, and among state, territory and Commonwealth governments. I will keep the House informed of the subcommittee's progress on developing a high-level national policy that crosses portfolios and jurisdictions. Our young people deserve no less.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Orafti; Chicory Project, Childers Hon. T. A. BARTON (Waterford—ALP) (Minister for State Development) (10.02 a.m.), by leave: The decision by Belgian-based Orafti to establish a $250 million chicory-inulin manufacturing project in Childers will bring a new industry to the region which will have a far- reaching positive impact not only on Childers but also on Bundaberg and Maryborough. Orafti is a world leader in the production and marketing of chicory-based food ingredients inulin, oligofructose and fructose and the attraction of this company will open the way for other industries to follow. The attraction of Orafti was a team effort with the state government, the federal government and the local Isis shire involved in securing Orafti to Australia. The Beattie government offered support in the order of $9 million, while the federal government has offered an incentive package of $10 million. In short, inulin is a relatively new product that is produced only in Europe at present. Inulin is a natural food additive that improves the flavour and texture of foods. It is currently in great demand in Europe and the United States and is used in chocolate, cheeses, yoghurts, ice-cream, baby foods, drinks, bakery products and a number of other food products. This plant will generate 200 direct new jobs and 300 to 600 indirect jobs and involve between 300 and 500 Queensland farmers who would be involved in supplying the chicory rootstock. The company plans to grow chicory from September 2002, commencing processing operations by the first quarter of 2003 with full production by 2011. In addition to the direct employment at the plant, the project will have significant benefits to the region, including a diversified source of income for cane farmers, and work for farming and transport contractors. The Wide Bay region was one of about 20 areas in the world examined by Orafti and its decision to base its fourth plant there—with others already in Belgium and Holland—is a major plus for the region and for Queensland. It is also pleasing to note that recent reports indicate that regional business activity is on the upswing. Commerce Queensland's latest quarterly survey of Queensland business indicates that Queensland business conditions have improved in the June quarter 2001 following three consecutive quarters of poor business activity, with all Queensland regions improving upon their March quarter general business conditions. This is positive news and is a trend that we as a government want to continue to encourage. This all falls in line with the government's plan of building up Queensland's regions and combines 31 Jul 2001 Ministerial Statement 1957 with other recent major regional announcements, including the Hail Creek coalmine go-ahead and the establishment by Suncorp Metway of a call centre at Toowoomba. The government continues to work with the Australian Magnesium Corporation to finalise its capital raising for the establishment of the world's largest magnesium metal plant at Stanwell. The Beattie government will continue to do what it can to help attract major business to Queensland's regions, such as Orafti, which will undoubtedly contribute to creating significant economic spin-offs throughout the state well into the future.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT State Penalties Enforcement Registry Hon. R. J. WELFORD (Everton—ALP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) (10.06 a.m.), by leave: I am pleased to inform the House that our government's initiative to change the approach to fine defaulters has been an outstanding success. The introduction of the State Penalties Enforcement Registry in February last year has changed the culture that resulted in so many fine defaulters going to jail—many of them ordinary Queenslanders suffering financial difficulties. SPER's proactive approach to the collection of unpaid fines has resulted in the collection of $24 million since February last year. More importantly, our jails are no longer clogged with fine defaulters and that means prison cells are available for those who commit serious crimes. SPER has certainly achieved our aim of keeping fine defaulters out of jail while making it tougher for them to dodge their debt to the community. In November last year, as part of the SPER process, we introduced an amnesty for defaulters. Four hundred and sixty thousand outstanding warrants of commitment for unpaid fines, representing $93 million owing to the state, were recalled and cancelled. This large backlog of warrants developed because previous governments treated fine defaulters as criminals and issued warrants for their arrest. When our government came to office in 1998, 25 per cent of all prison admissions were fine defaulters, many of them Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders. In December 1999 there were 397 fine defaulters in our jails and the number was escalating. Locking up people for fine defaulting was not working. It did not recoup money owed to the state, it was crowding our jails with minor offenders and costing taxpayers thousands of dollars a week in prison costs. Our government introduced the innovative SPER system to place more emphasis on the proactive collection of money and less on custodial action. Today I am pleased to say that there is not one single fine defaulter in a Queensland prison. More than 30,000 Queenslanders took advantage of the seven-month amnesty, which has cleaned up warrants valued at $10 million. The return to taxpayers is actually much higher because some $24 million, including the amnesty moneys, has been collected since we began SPER in February 2000. Call centre operators have made around 180,000 calls and taken another 260,000 calls from all parts of Queensland in the past 17 months about outstanding fines. Now the amnesty has ended, SPER is using wide-ranging measures to enforce the collection of unpaid fines. To counter those people who deliberately avoid payment, SPER has strong powers, including the ability to seize assets and suspend drivers licences. Custodial sentences are still an option, but will be a last resort for only the most difficult defaulters. These new laws are fair on people who genuinely cannot afford to pay but will stamp out delaying tactics and soft options.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Apprenticeships and Traineeships Hon. R. E. SCHWARTEN (Rockhampton—ALP) (Minister for Public Works and Minister for Housing) (10.10 a.m.), by leave: I refer to yesterday's article in the Courier-Mail reporting the effectiveness of the job creation programs of this Labor government. Direct employment of apprentices and trainees across Queensland through Q-Build is making an effective contribution to the government's jobs creation initiatives and will be continued in 2002. Over the last three years, 335 apprentices and 93 administrative trainees have been recruited through Q-Build. This compares to 180 apprentices and no trainees in the term of the previous government. Engaging apprentices within Q-Build is highly effective, both because of the quality of training received and because of the low drop-out rate. For example, over the last six 1958 Ministerial Statement 31 Jul 2001 years the apprentice drop out rate has been around seven per cent. Ninety-one per cent of Q- Build trainees have successfully completed, or are completing, their traineeship. This highly effective training arrangement has recently been used to broaden the range of opportunities offered. This year, six construction worker trainees were employed to participate in a pilot program that specifically targets long-term mature-age unemployed people. Two horticulture trainees were also employed in a pilot program and are now currently working within the Roma Street Parkland. In 1999 this government introduced a pilot program where Q-Build employed five school- based apprentices. Since the implementation and success of this program, Q-Build has increased the intake of school-based apprentices each year. It now has 22 active school-based apprentices statewide. The first five school-based apprentices engaged in 1999 have progressed to become full-time apprentices with Q-Build. We have also been able to provide opportunities to a number of indigenous apprentices who are able to be trained while they live and work within their own communities. This program was initially piloted in the Woorabinda community. Since the pilot, Q-Build has established working partnerships with seven indigenous communities. Twenty-one apprentices are currently funded through the Department of Employment and Training's Breaking the Unemployment Cycle in Palm Island, Bamaga, New Mapoon, Umagico, Injinoo, Kowanyama and Woorabinda. Mr Foley: Hear, hear! Mr SCHWARTEN: I thank the Honourable Minister for his support in that regard. In addition, Q-Build has employed 10 indigenous apprentices as part of its regular intake of apprentices. The Department of Housing also has a long-term commitment to providing apprenticeships through its capital works programs for public rental and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing. The Housing Industry Trade Training scheme, HITT, was established in September 1992 to provide apprentice training and employment opportunities in the public sector housing industry. Through the HITT scheme, public sector housing projects are allocated to participating group training companies for construction or upgrade. Each year 150 dwellings and $3 million in training funds are allocated to participating group training companies. It is estimated that the HITT scheme maintains the equivalent of 190 first-year apprentices each year. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Program, ATSIHP, first commenced directly employing apprentices in 1987 and the number of apprentices employed is linked to capital works being delivered by the program. The apprentices are directly employed by the Department of Housing and include a range of construction trades. Since 1987, 177 apprentices have been employed, of whom 135 have successfully completed their training and been indentured as qualified tradespeople. That is a 76 per cent success rate. Furthermore, the Department of Housing supports Deed of Grant in Trust communities and, as at 30 June 2001, 143 apprentices and 96 trainees are employed in the delivery of housing outcomes on these communities. In October 1998, the Beattie government launched the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative. The Department of Employment and Training facilitates and funds this initiative across the sector and the Department of Housing continues to support the implementation of those apprenticeship and traineeship initiatives. The HITT scheme was specifically expanded under this Beattie government initiative to provide 600 new apprenticeship positions over four years. With the second term of government, this has now been extended to 1,000 new apprenticeship positions over six years. The department has established and/or supports other employment initiatives through its own or other mechanisms and funds, including: public sector apprenticeships and traineeships; a 10 per cent policy on building and construction projects for apprentices, trainees or cadets; participation on the Jobs Policy Council; funding for 10 apprentices through the Youth Suicide Prevention Program; 330 Community Renewal Program jobs; and 21 Urban Renewal apprenticeships and traineeships.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Queensland Tourism Awards 2001 Hon. M. ROSE (Currumbin—ALP) (Minister for Tourism and Racing and Minister for Fair Trading) (10.14 a.m.), by leave: It gave me great pleasure on 21 July to join Premier Peter Beattie at the Queensland Tourism Awards 2001 on Hamilton Island. The prestigious awards recognise 31 Jul 2001 Ministerial Statement 1959 the businesses and operators that make Queensland the best tourist state in the nation. We have the best tourism product in the world and the best operators. This is a vibrant, progressive industry made up of talented people. The future is very bright for our tourism industry. Our product is remarkably diverse. We have reefs and rainforest, the vastness of the outback and ancient fossil fields, tropical islands and magnificent sandy beaches, the largest sand island in the world and five World Heritage listed areas. It is no wonder that so many overseas visitors come here and that so many Australians want to spend their holidays in Queensland. This year Brisbane won eight of the official awards categories, with tropical north Queensland taking seven and the Gold Coast close behind with six. Sea World took out the night's major award, winning the Major Tourist Attraction category. Sea World is one of Queensland's, and indeed Australia's, most loved and well-known theme parks and has always maintained a commitment to customer service. Whitsundays operator Hayman can add yet another award to its mantelpiece after taking out the top award for hotels and resorts in the Accommodation 5 Star category for the second year in a row. Honda Indy was in the spotlight again, winning the Major Festivals and Special Events category for the third year in a row, making it eligible for the Hall of Fame next year. Mount Cotton Estate Winery was awarded the Tourist Development Projects Category, recognising a high standard of development reflecting the Australian lifestyle. Tropical north Queensland operator Quicksilver Connections won the Tour and Transport Operator—Major category for the third year in a row, making it eligible for the Hall of Fame next year. The awards are an important night for the tourism industry to recognise achievements and also for the general public to realise the important contribution tourism makes to the Queensland economy. All regions that entered the awards received some recognition, either winning an award, being a finalist or receiving a Yellow Pages Direction Award. Our industry generates around $14 billion a year. It is the second largest export earner for this state. It employs nine per cent of Queenslanders, which is around 150,000 people. It is an industry that deserves recognition. I congratulate all Queensland operators on their achievements in this year's awards. The standard of this year's nominations was higher than ever and I know the judges had a difficult job. This year's awards attracted 212 nominations from across the state. Category winners will be automatically entered into the Australian Tourism Awards held in Hobart in November. I have no doubt that Queensland will again dominate the awards.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Condamine-Balonne WAMP Hon. S. ROBERTSON (Stretton—ALP) (Minister for Natural Resources and Minister for Mines) (10.17 a.m.), by leave: I rise today to reaffirm Queensland's commitment to finalising water resource planning for the Condamine-Balonne River system. It has been claimed that because some data behind the water resource planning process was recently challenged in the Land Court, the entire process is now 'fatally flawed' and cannot be relied upon. This is incorrect, selective and misleading. To those holding this view I say: firstly, the Beattie government remains committed to the finalisation of water resource planning for the Condamine-Balonne in order to then finalise our cap arrangements in accordance with the Murray-Darling Basin agreement. Secondly, the existing moratorium on water development in the system will continue. I am committed to finalising these plans consistent with our legislative framework so that they provide a sound balance between the ecological, social and economic values of these Queensland catchments. In regard to the recent water licence appeal in the Land Court, I would highlight that this case is another example of the difficulties with the old Water Resources Act in making incremental decisions on water diversion applications. It highlights the uncertainty that the old legislation created for water users and the environment, and reinforces the benefits of the Beattie government's Water Act 2000 which provides the longer-term planning framework to deliver greater water entitlement certainty, as sought by water users. As a result of the Land Court case, up to an additional 8,000 megalitres of water can be diverted from the Condamine-Balonne system in an average year by one cotton grower. One 1960 Estimates Committee F 31 Jul 2001 megalitre equals one million litres. As I said, all of that water will go to one private enterprise, increasing diversions by three per cent. While some interests have claimed that the Land Court settlement shows the WAMP process is fatally flawed, this interpretation is itself a flawed and selective representation of the evidence and proceedings in this case. A full and objective examination of the evidence and proceedings shows that: firstly, there were no adverse findings by the Land Court in respect of the science behind the Condamine-Balonne WAMP. Secondly, there was no concession by either party or finding by the court with respect to the merits of the case. In fact, court transcripts of the case reveal that scientific experts appearing for the appellants, that is, a cotton grower from the Lower Balonne, conceded that the Lower Balonne was overcommitted with water harvesting licences and required remedial action. They conceded that the existing hydrology modelling and impact data relied on by the department was still the best evidence available. They also conceded that if the amount of water being diverted from the system was in the order of 50 per cent on average, then a real connection between flow and ecological degradation— Mr Seeney interjected. Mr Hobbs: You have been caught out and you know that. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Warrego will come to order. Mr ROBERTSON: For the benefit of members opposite, I repeat: the appellants conceded that if the amount of water being diverted from the system was in the order of 50 per cent on average, then a real connection between flow and ecological degradation would be expected, particularly when the lag effect is taken into account. It was also conceded that the application of the precautionary principle would be appropriate in such circumstances. In conclusion, whilst some issues were identified in regard to the technical aspects of one small part of the ecological science, fundamentally the hydrology and ecological science available does provide a sound basis for progressing the Condamine-Balonne water resource planning process. Further analysis is now being undertaken to verify the results arising from earlier sampling. The government rejects the notion that the science underpinning this planning process is fatally flawed. I repeat that the Beattie government is committed to the proper preparation and finalisation of the Condamine-Balonne plan, in order to then finalise our cap arrangements in accordance with the Murray-Darling Basin agreement. Until then, because of our commitment to the sustainable management of our natural resources, the existing moratorium will remain in place.

SCRUTINY OF LEGISLATION COMMITTEE Report Mr PITT (Mulgrave—ALP) (10.22 a.m.): I lay upon the table of the House the Scrutiny of Legislation Committee's Alert Digest No. 4 of 2001 and move that it be printed. Ordered to be printed.

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE G Report Mrs ATTWOOD (Mount Ommaney—ALP) (10.22 a.m.): I table the report of Estimates Committee G relating to estimates of expenditure referred to it and contained in the Appropriation Bill, together with additional information provided to the committee.

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE F Report Ms STRUTHERS (Algester—ALP) (10.23 a.m.): I table the report of Estimates Committee F relating to estimates of expenditure referred to it and contained in the Appropriation Bill, together with additional information provided to the committee. 31 Jul 2001 Private Members' Statements 1961

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE E Report Mr PEARCE (Fitzroy—ALP) (10.23 a.m.): I table the report of Estimates Committee E relating to estimates of expenditure referred to it and contained in the Appropriation Bill, together with additional information provided to the committee.

PRIVATE MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Performance of Beattie Government Mr HORAN (Toowoomba South—NPA) (Leader of the Opposition) (10.23 a.m.): Once upon a time in Queensland we judged good government by looking at the cranes in the sky. Today we judge the poor performance of the Beattie government by the cranes in the river. The hallmarks of this government are incompetence, non-delivery and arrogance. Let us start with the Brisbane River footbridge fiasco—$20 million of wasted taxpayers' money and it is not even up yet. What about the people around the rest of Queensland who would like some decent fire trucks, seatbelts in school buses, some weirs to provide jobs and employment, airconditioning in schools, roads or youth facilities? All they see as the signature—the brand—of this Beattie Labor government is the footbridge fiasco. They see $20 million down the river. This government has an absolute litany of failures and non-performance. There has been the Brisbane River footbridge, which I have just mentioned. Not a single project has been delivered. Look at the way it lost Expo 2002, the light rail for Brisbane, and the synchrotron to Victoria. The Papua New Guinea pipeline was the signature project of this government's last term. Where is that project now? Look at the native title hold-ups. About 1,700 mining and exploration leases have not been processed that would deliver good jobs to people all around the state, particularly in the north. Look at the lack of professionalism and timely involvement in the AMC project. This government should have been monitoring that equity raising on a 24-hour-a-day basis and been able to move in while there was still time. Look at the last ministerial statement by the Minister for Natural Resources, which highlighted the flaws in the scientific investigation of its water project. There is a litany of failures from start to finish. Time expired.

National Australia Bank, Aspley Ms BARRY (Aspley—ALP) (10.25 a.m.): The people of the Aspley electorate are back on the streets protesting again. Honourable members will know that I spoke recently about the public rallies and petitions protesting the closure of the Strathpine Post Office—actions that have staved off the closure for the time being. So close to the threat to those services comes the news that the National Australia Bank intends to close its Aspley branch. The National Australia Bank branch in Aspley is situated in a major shopping centre only 100 metres from two of the largest retirement villages in this state, accommodating over 650 residents, many of whom rely on scooters, walking frames, friends and family to get them to the bank. The National Australia Bank branch is also within walking distance of over 300 small businesses. In all fairness, the bank has advised that it has transferred many of its electronic services to a business in the same shopping centre. Yes, to an Australia Post office. Why would Australia's most profitable bank decide to close a branch in the middle of a large metropolitan community? The answer is that it was because of reduced over-the-counter customer use. How could that be? This branch was, until three years ago, the largest over-the- counter transaction bank in the state. It had eight tellers at the time. The reason: because it had large numbers of older customers using the counter. The answer to the National Australia Bank's problem with extensive over-the-counter transactions was to reduce its tellers to five. There were still too many customers so they reduced it to two tellers. The wait for the National Australia Bank's counter service in Aspley is so long that I suspect the bank will be compelled to post signs advising customers of the risk of deep vein thrombosis caused by standing still for so long in bank queues. On a serious note, this imminent closure is a disgrace and it will cause, and has caused, hardship to many Aspley residents and businesses. In addition to our weekly protest and rally, Rosemary Hume, the Labor candidate in Petrie, is conducting face-to-face interviews with the people in Aspley who believe that the federal 1962 Questions Without Notice 31 Jul 2001 government has a responsibility to legislate for a social charter for banks that compels them to service communities. Time expired. Mr SPEAKER: Order! Before calling the member for Tablelands, could I acknowledge in the public gallery students and staff of the Acacia Ridge State School in the electorate of Algester.

Tableland Trail Horse Riders Association Ms LEE LONG (Tablelands—ONP) (10.28 a.m.): I mention an enterprise in my Tablelands electorate that highlights the kind of get up and go attitude that still exists in rural areas. It involves a group called the Tableland Trail Horse Riders Association. Last year, members of the association rode the first 400 kilometres of the National Trail as part of an epic ride that started in Cooktown and ended in Canberra nine months later. This year they are staging a month-long packhorse mail run as part of local celebrations for federation. They will carry the mail by packhorse from Mareeba to Chillagoe, following in the footsteps of the pioneers. Australia Post is issuing a special federation stamp that should become a valuable collector's item. It depicts the Chillagoe smelters and will be retained as that post office's official franking. A limited edition of 3,000 first-day covers will be issued. These will be on sale in post offices in Cairns, Atherton, Herberton, Irvinebank, Mareeba and Chillagoe and at the council offices of Mareeba and Atherton and at the local Advertiser newspaper offices in those centres. The riders will pick up mail from each township as they pass through and deliver it for franking at Chillagoe on the final day. Mail will be carried on packhorses for nearly eight weeks along old roads, bush tracks and horse trails linking scattered towns and settlements. Heading off from Mareeba on 25 August, the riders will pass through Mutchilba, Dimbulah, Walkamin and Tolga, arriving in Atherton on 2 September for a parade and other federation festivities. From Atherton the riders will head up into the ranges to Herberton, where they will take part in a Tin Festival before carrying on to the historic mining township of Irvinebank in time to attend a ball in a restored century-old hall. From there the riders will pass through Emuford, Petford and Almaden before arriving in style in Chillagoe to become part of festivities to celebrate 100 years since the opening of the smelters in the once mineral rich area. The riders will be escorted into town by a Cobb & Co. coach before ceremoniously handing over the mail to Australia Post for on-forwarding by more conventional carriers. The organisers of the event would like to swell the number of riders taking part, and anyone young or old or not so young is being urged to think about joining what should prove to be the ride of a lifetime. I am sure that if any of the members present has a horse and a spare few weeks the organisers would welcome them with open arms. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time for private members' statements has expired.

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Australian Magnesium Corporation Mr HORAN (10.30 a.m.): I will just take a moment to join with the Premier on behalf of the opposition in wishing the honourable member for Nicklin all the best. I refer the Honourable the Premier to his last minute $50 million cash equity offer from the Queensland government to the first AMC float in the final hours of that equity raising process, and I ask: why in the space of 10 days has he withdrawn this offer from the proposed new float, and was his original offer just another unfunded hollow stunt to shift blame to the Commonwealth government for his own failure to professionally assist this vital project? Mr BEATTIE: As I indicated in my ministerial statement this morning, discussions are continuing with AMC and the federal government. Who says it is not on the table? Mr Horan: You have changed your mind. Mr BEATTIE: I did not change my mind. I am just saying to the member opposite: who says it is not on the table? He goes out there and makes up all these things. From the beginning of this all he has done is try to undermine this project. None of the comments that the Leader of the Opposition or the Leader of the Liberal Party have made have been anything other than self- serving political statements that undermined the project. Let the people of Queensland and in 31 Jul 2001 Questions Without Notice 1963 particular the people of central Queensland know that this government stands by this project. We will do everything we can to make it a reality. In the two-minute babble we heard from the Leader of the Opposition this morning I was interested to hear him say that we should have been following the project on a day-to-day basis. We were, but who was not? John Anderson was not. John Howard was not. Nick Minchin was not. None of them were following it. They were missing in action, just like the negative rabble opposite who try to undermine. They try to undermine every major project that we put up. As I have said at another time and in another place—and it applies again now—we work; they whinge. That is exactly the way it will be. They will continue to whinge while we work. That is fine. Let me be really serious for a moment. Opposition members interjected. Mr BEATTIE: The rabble over there should give it a break. They should have some respect for the institution of parliament even if they have none for themselves. The Queensland government, through the Department of State Development, put on the table a $50 million infrastructure project to support the Stanwell Industrial Park to make this a reality. That is step 1. This is step 2: last week when the Treasurer, Terry Mackenroth, Tom Barton and I met over this proposal prior to the closure of the equity issue, we agreed to do everything we possibly could to make it a reality. Terry Mackenroth, the Treasurer, and I are the two shareholding ministers in Stanwell. Our representatives from the departments had discussions with Stanwell and we signed off on a $50 million equity proposal. What did we do? We had $100 million—$50 million in infrastructure and $50 million in equity—and, of course, do not forget the electricity deal done between Stanwell, a government owned corporation, and AMC. We were in there at every level. We had $50 million in infrastructure and $50 million in equity, plus the electricity deal done between Stanwell and AMC. So we put all our proposals on the table. We responded quickly and effectively before the close of the equity issue. But where was the Commonwealth? Missing in action! Having said that, we will be working with them this week. Hopefully things will be brought to a positive outcome.

Brisbane River Pedestrian Bridge Mr HORAN: I refer the Minister for State Development to the collapsed crane in the Brisbane River at the site of his government's footbridge fiasco, and I ask: as the huge centre span still has to be floated up river and lifted into place with cranes, what guarantee can he give that this process can be successfully and safely undertaken, or will it be a further demonstration of his government's incompetence? Mr BARTON: Let's have a look at the bridge. Of course, last week an accident occurred involving a crane on a barge that was lifting a component needed to lift the span into place. The preliminary advice that we have—and I stress that it is preliminary advice at this point, because the Division of Workplace Health and Safety is conducting an investigation into why that accident occurred—is that all of the methods being used to put it in place were correct and that it was an unfortunate set of circumstances. A vessel had passed, leaving a wake and causing some waves right at the time—and people will recall there were high winds in Brisbane on Friday—when there was a high gust of wind and the load on the crane was at its extremity. The harmonics of the wake and the wind caused the crane to topple. That is preliminary advice, because the department is still conducting its investigation into how that accident did occur. The members opposite know that I appeared before the budget estimates committee a few weeks ago prepared to answer everything they wanted to know about the bridge to date, and they ran out of puff after five measly questions. They did not have the capacity to ask the questions to get the information that they claimed to want. Notwithstanding that, we gave an enormous amount of information on the bridge. If the members opposite want to keep asking specific questions, I am perfectly happy to tell them every specific detail about the contract arrangements and about the costs as we have predicted them up to now. We still believe that the bridge should be completed during October—within the parameters of the time frame—and, as I have pointed out to the member, we still expect the bridge to come in within that range of $21 million to $22 million but certainly not outside of $23 million. There will be some delays in relation to the span which we cannot determine as yet because the barge that was involved in the accident last week is one of those that will be involved in bringing the span down the river. We still anticipate bringing the span down the river some time 1964 Questions Without Notice 31 Jul 2001 next week. The cable stressing operations at the pavilion out in the river are occurring now. The cable stressing operations on the span itself are complete. It is just a matter of turning those barges around and getting the report on that accident. I am very confident that we are going to have that span up and in place. Completion will take place in October. Mr Speaker, if members opposite have any more questions, they should feel free to ask them.

Liberal Party Mr TERRY SULLIVAN: I remind the Premier that it is the usual practice in a state coalition government for the Liberal Party to supply the Treasurer, and I ask: is the Premier aware of any sign within the Liberal Party that they are regrouping and showing financial expertise in the management of their affairs? Mr BEATTIE: Sadly, I have to report to the parliament that the answer is no. A letter from Senator John Herron, the President of the Liberal Party of Australia, Queensland Division, dated 4 July 2001 has come into my possession. Mr Foley: Very incisive. Mr BEATTIE: It is a very important date. This letter basically confirms that the Liberal Party cannot even run a chook raffle. The letter, which is from the President of the Liberal Party, states— Dear Supporter I would like to thank you for your willingness to assist the Party by participating in the Art Union that we ran earlier this year. Unfortunately, due to reasons beyond our control, the Art Union had to be cancelled. Mr Foley: They couldn't run a raffle. Mr BEATTIE: They couldn't even run a raffle. They want to run Queensland and they cannot even run a raffle. You have to really look at this. Hang on, it gets better— We apologise for any inconvenience that this may have caused you. You can rest assured that your effort to assist is very much appreciated. They never give up the bid to seek money. Remember there was one member, who was the Treasurer at one stage, who said that Queenslanders should not pay for this; that the government should pay for this. Do honourable members recall that? Mr Foley: Who said that? Mr BEATTIE: A former Liberal Treasurer. But John Herron goes on. He says— The Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Act 1999 (S.82) requires us to refund all proceeds from this cancelled Art Union. However, we have been told that there is nothing to stop contributors from donating the value of their original ticket/s purchased. In accordance with the regulations, you will find attached a cheque for the original amount contributed for the purchase of your ticket/s. ... Should you decide to make this donation, the only thing you would have to do is to place the attached cheque in the enclosed pre-paid envelope and drop it into a mailbox. Your donation would be very much appreciated. You know the Party needs all the help it can get— Ms Bligh: He's an honest man. Mr BEATTIE: He is a very honest man. I want to read the full sentence in case it gets misconstrued. It states— You know the Party needs all the help it can get in order to offer a credible opposition and eventually an alternative State Government. I just hope that we all live to see that. I think that is very, very doubtful.

Queensland Rail, Job Losses Mr JOHNSON: I refer the Minister for Transport to the future of the Beattie government's job creation program and ask the minister to confirm that Queensland Rail is axing the six district based resurfacing gangs in Mackay, Rockhampton, Charters Towers, Barcaldine, Dalby and Charleville. I ask: has the minister received complaints from the Rail, Tram and Bus Union objecting to the job losses, insecurity and lack of consultation? Mr BREDHAUER: I thank the honourable member for the question. The answer to the member's question is no. No decision has been taken in relation to the resurfacing gangs he referred to. I have received a briefing note from QR outlining that there is some question over the 31 Jul 2001 Questions Without Notice 1965 need in the future for those resurfacing gangs. We are not talking about any job losses, though; we are talking about the possible relocation of those staff into other areas, but it has not occurred yet. I have a meeting with the chief executive of Queensland Rail this afternoon when we will discuss it.

Smart State Mr PURCELL: I refer the Premier to his Smart State initiative and ask: what recent initiatives is he aware of that demonstrate Queensland's growing commitment to being Australia's Smart State? Mr BEATTIE: There are many initiatives but today I mention three, because they illustrate the diverse application of the Smart State. Today at lunchtime I will officially open the St Luke's Nursing Service corporate headquarters at Greenslopes. St Luke's has a staff of 250 and a fleet of 100 vehicles travelling around 1.7 million kilometres a year. The service provides nursing, physiotherapy, personal care and administrative services and uses new technologies, communication tools and the information superhighway to deliver its services. The nursing service has developed its own client management software, called Lukeman, and educational products developed in conjunction with the Queensland University of Technology. It is going to the smart end to deliver its services. In a caring industry, it is using technology to achieve it. It is smart thinking in the Smart State. The Department of State Development is now helping St Luke's market Lukeman and its educational products overseas. That is how good it is. It is going overseas, going international. St Luke's has signed a memorandum of understanding with Hong Kong's biggest community service provider and is also looking at partnerships in Saitama, our Japanese sister-state. Members would be aware that one of the great issues facing Japan is its ageing population. We have a problem here, too, but Japan's problem is much more extended than our problem and hence there is this opportunity. Five years ago St Luke's had a budget of about $3.5 million, with the state and federal governments providing about $2 million. Now its budget has increased to $10.5 million, with $5.5 million of this amount jointly contributed by my government and the federal government. So we are right behind St Luke's. Tonight—and this is another Smart State initiative—I will be officially launching the Queensland University of Technology's Creative Industries Initiative. Creative industries are part of the new knowledge economy. Creative industries will provide the jobs of the future, those that are at the very heart of our Smart State vision. As we all know, we have to be innovative. We have to be creative to find new ways to generate wealth and prosperity for Queenslanders. My government is investing $15 million in the creative industries precinct at Kelvin Grove, which the Minister for Public Works has been involved in and is supporting. Budding entrepreneurs will have the research and development facilities they need to take their creative industry ideas through to development and marketing. So we are helping. The development of this exciting precinct highlights our commitment to the Smart State. It also represents enormous potential for growth and diversification of the Queensland economy. The QUT's Faculty of Creative Industries is an important component of our drive to develop creative industries. The faculty will allow QUT to bring together its programs in design, visual and performing arts, professional writing and multimedia and place them squarely in the new economy. Already we have made significant investments in this area through the biosciences and innovative agreements such as the memorandum of understanding with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. And the Smart State efforts do not rest there. On Friday, I will be on hand to open the Griffith University Centre of Biomolecular Science and Drug Discovery. Again, the hectic Smart State pace continues. We are leading in Smart State initiatives.

Dental Services Ms LEE LONG: My question was to be directed to the Minister for Health, but as she is not here I will direct it to the Premier. I ask: with reference to our white elephant public dental clinic at the Mareeba Hospital, why is it that the dental clinic staff are being paid while they are non- operational in that clinic instead of being transferred to other clinics in the area to help alleviate their long waiting lists until a dentist can be found for the Mareeba clinic? Mr BEATTIE: I thank the honourable member for Tablelands for her question. The Minister for Health is attending a ministerial council meeting. As members know, that is the only reason 1966 Questions Without Notice 31 Jul 2001 apart from ill health that ministers miss question time. It is appropriate for her to be at that ministerial council meeting. In terms of dental services, I am happy to ensure that the minister's office provides a detailed explanation to the member in relation to the facts, which, as she would appreciate, I do not have a detailed knowledge of. However, I do want to make the point that in the last election campaign we gave a commitment—and this has been funded in the budget that was brought down by the Treasurer recently—to reduce public health waiting lists, particularly for pensioners. As members would know, the public waiting list for dental services—because of a lack of federal government funding—was quite extensive. The federal government has refused to fund dental services in this state to the extent it should. We have been required to pick up the slack. A program has been put in place to address this issue, because we believe that dental waiting lists have got to a stage where they are simply too long. We are investing a significant amount of money to ensure that senior citizens, pensioners, low-income earners and those others who benefit from public dental health services have reduced waiting lists. When those services are provided statewide, which is what we do, there are significant demands on them. I assume that those demands apply in the electorate of the member who asked the question. However, it is important for the honourable member opposite to pursue these matters with the federal Minister for Health, as well as continue to pursue it with us at state government level. When it comes to these services, too often the federal government ignores the decentralised nature of this state. We as a government have a commitment to provide services to people regardless of where they live or how they vote. That does put financial pressure on the government. We have to remember that there are 3.5 million people in this state spread across considerable distances. The area that the member opposite represents—where I grew up—is a long way away in terms of the provision of services from Canberra. We need to ensure that Canberra funds them appropriately. We will be doing what we can to pressure for extra funding for dental services. We would be grateful for the member's support. In terms of the question the member asked, I will ensure that the minister's office contacts the member in the next two days.

Queensland Biennial Festival of Music Ms PHILLIPS: I refer the Minister for the Arts to the Queensland Biennial Festival of Music, which ended on Sunday and included some excellent events which I attended in Townsville. I ask: can the minister inform the House whether the festival achieved the goals set for it by the Queensland government? Mr FOLEY: It certainly did. The government gave a clear mission to the Queensland Biennial Festival of Music to deliver a music festival of international excellence accessible to Queenslanders from every walk of life. I am pleased to say that from Barcaldine to Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Logan City, Cooroy, Esk, Brisbane and right around the state what we saw was Queenslanders making music in a festival with a major difference—one that does not relate just to the big end of town but seeks to put its roots— Mr Schwarten interjected. Mr FOLEY: I thank the honourable member for his strong support for the festival, because this festival was all about putting strong roots into the soil of Queensland culture and blossoming towards the sun, like the Tree of Knowledge at Barcaldine. One hundred and ten years ago around that tree shearers gathered to set out a better order—a newer order—for working people and their families. The Friday before last I gathered with several hundred people around that Tree of Knowledge, waiting for the songmen of Mornington Island to sing the sun up. Hundreds of people from Barcaldine were there—kids, their parents, their grandparents—playing in the Big Marimba Band of Barcaldine, playing there with some of the best musicians in the world from the Anamadutchi Group. As the sun rose there, what we saw was a celebration of music making by ordinary people for ordinary people at a level of excellence equal to any in the world. I comment also on the important involvement of children. For example, 90,000 children and adults attended the Big Foonki at the Forbidden Forest at South Bank. I also mention the Rockhampton Garden Symphony. I pay tribute to the involvement of churches. Not only did we have the gospel music festival at Logan, and not only did we have those in the Mackay Anglican parish hall celebrating the involvement of the church in music; we also had a spectacular and profoundly moving critical mass at St Mary's at South Brisbane in honour of the homeless and marginalised people, many 31 Jul 2001 Questions Without Notice 1967 of whom actually attended. That was all about returning music to the community. The church as a powerful institution within the community embraced it strongly and I salute it for that.

Traineeships Mr LINGARD: I refer the Minister for Employment, Training and Youth to the training organisations which are in place to develop traineeships in the work force. How often does the minister believe a training organisation should be visiting trainees? What program does the government have in place to monitor the performance of RTOs? Mr FOLEY: I thank the member for the question. The supervision and regulation of registered training organisations has been streamlined as a result of the Training and Employment Act 2000, introduced by my illustrious predecessor, the Honourable Paul Braddy. That legislative framework sets up a body called the Training Recognition Council, which has responsibility in that area. In addition to those general regulatory measures, we have also seen the establishment of a training ombudsman in order to nip in the bud problems that can arise between registered training organisations or employers and apprentices and trainees. I recently convened a forum to engage young people and get feedback from them as to the sorts of problems that can arise in getting a fair deal from the registered training organisations and from their trainers. It became apparent that there was a need for a lot more up-front information. We have now introduced a mandatory requirement for registered training organisations to provide induction information for employers and prospective apprentices or trainees on their rights and responsibilities under a training contract. We have also introduced a mandatory requirement that registered training organisations check that an employer has the capacity to train an apprentice or trainee in a chosen qualification and that the qualification suits an apprentice's or trainee's needs. In this area it is important that, in addition to the mere supervisory and regulatory roles that are carried out by the Training Recognition Council, it is there not only to police the system but also to help both the registered training organisations and students. For example, the other day I met Barry Nutter, the chair of the Training Recognition Council, and he outlined some of the council's important work. The honourable member's question reflects a correct need to ensure that these bodies are supervised and monitored on a regular basis. In addition to that, we need to be proactive. We need to help them. We need to assist them to develop world's best practice in order to ensure that they communicate properly with the industry training advisory bodies and with industry, who, at the end of the day, have to employ the trainees and apprentices. I am pleased with the direction that the Training Recognition Council has taken in that regard, because we do need to do better. We need to be continually vigilant to improve the quality of training and to improve the completion rates. Even though Queensland compares favourably with other states in that regard, we need to put all measures in place to ensure a good result.

Racism in Schools Mr CHOI: Could the Minister for Education please inform the House what strategies are in place to combat racism and promote tolerance in Queensland schools? Ms BLIGH: I thank the honourable member for Capalaba for his question. I am delighted to inform the House that two weeks ago I launched a new resource for Queensland schools called Moving forward: Students and teachers against racism. This report highlights the positive work being done in schools across the state to combat racism successfully. It provides practical examples and suggestions from schools that have experienced racist incidents and practical examples of programs and alternatives that have worked and have shown results. The report was undertaken by the Anti-Discrimination Commission, at the suggestion of the commissioner. I take this opportunity to congratulate the commission for being so willing to be involved in a project that involved people at the very earliest stages of developing their values and understandings of the increasingly multicultural world in which they live in Queensland. The need for such a document could not have been brought home more than at the ceremony for its launch. I launched this document at the Milperra State High School. As people will know, Milperra State High School provides intensive English language training for newly 1968 Questions Without Notice 31 Jul 2001 arrived immigrants and has a very multicultural school community. A young man who had recently been a student at Milperra State High School told his story to the people gathered for the launch. This young man is a teenager—an unaccompanied minor who came from Afghanistan. He was sent from Afghanistan by his family in a boat to escape religious persecution at home. This young man had dreamt of Australia as a haven of safety and freedom. When he arrived he was put in a detention centre, where he stayed for months, and was then given a temporary visa. He, like many others, is now awaiting advice on his fate. Will he be returned or will he be able to stay? This young man, a young teenage boy, wept publicly at this event with homesickness and fear. He pleaded with me as the minister and with other guests at the event for understanding. He said that he had already lost so much in order to gain freedom in Australia. He had lost his entire family. As I said, this teenage boy is here on his own, with no support. He said that he had felt welcome at Milperra State High School but that now he was in another high school, enrolled in senior secondary subjects, he had to be very careful not to inform people that he was a refugee and that he had arrived in a boat. He found that other students, when he told them he had arrived in a boat, believed a number of things about him that were not true. They believed that he might be a criminal or that he might be carrying diseases. These young people did not get these ideas on their own. We often say that we live in the greatest state in the greatest country on earth. In my view it is a blot on all of us that this young man should feel fear and isolation in Queensland because of his race. Unfortunately, we know that this is just one story and that there are many more, even if the likes of Phillip Ruddock choose to close their minds and their hearts to such stories. In Queensland our determination to create a Smart State means that we understand that every learning environment for every child must be free of racism and free of harassment of any kind.

Department of Natural Resources Mrs PRATT: My question is directed to the Minister for Natural Resources. How confident is the minister in the advice given by DNR staff that it is legally correct in its definition as to what is deemed crown land and private land? If this advice is followed by the property owner and he is subsequently taken to court, would the minister stand by the property owner? In the case of being found in the wrong, would the minister's department reimburse the said property owner for losses incurred because of DNR's wrongful advice? Mr ROBERTSON: Because of the nature of the question I am unable to provide an answer here today. If the honourable member wishes to make representations on behalf of a constituent, she is more than welcome to contact me at any time with the full details that would allow me to provide an explanation.

Mining Industry Mrs CHRISTINE SCOTT: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for State Development. Queensland is renowned for its expertise in mining. Could the minister please advise the House what the government is doing to help boost this sector? Mr BARTON: I want to indicate that this member takes a very big interest, of course, in all mining activities, representing as she does some of the largest mining areas in the state and also representing an area with some of the proudest mining history in the state, particularly Charters Towers. I want to talk about several of the initiatives that my department is taking at this point in time to boost the state's mining sector. Only last week I announced the appointment of three representatives from Chile, Peru and Argentina who will spearhead Queensland's foray into one of the world's most lucrative mining markets, that is, Latin America. The appointment of those three gentlemen, Mr Guillermo Villegas of Chile, Mr Julio Orihuela of Peru and Mr Miguel Di Nanno of Argentina are an integral part of my department's and this government's strategy to make sure that we take advantage of all of the infrastructure and expertise that comes with mining in this state by selling into the markets in South America. The strategy was officially launched by the Premier several weeks ago while he was in the United States and Mexico, and the three South Americans that I announced had been appointed as part of this overall strategy are currently in Queensland for several weeks. They are doing that to have a good look at our world-class mining supply capabilities, maintenance capabilities and 31 Jul 2001 Questions Without Notice 1969 design capabilities, because Queensland is one of the world's great mining areas. We want to build on the state's profile in South America to establish these export opportunities. This is a strategy that will take place over two and a half years at a cost of some $630,000. But being the strong mining state that we are, already with traditional markets in New Guinea, Indonesia and the Pacific generally, we are going to expand that further into South America. We have 70 companies already identified that are playing a leading role both within Queensland and internationally—70 Queensland companies—because the market for mining infrastructure and mines maintenance, et cetera, in Chile is expected to be some US$20 billion over the next six years. If we can tap only a small fraction of that market in South America, then in fact we will create many jobs for Queenslanders. Only last week, I officially opened this year's industrial and mining exhibition held in Townsville on 25 and 26 July, because it also is building on our mining capability. There were some 230 companies at that exhibition. At the same time, I also introduced the three South Americans—or the three amigos as we have come to know them—to the mining industry in Townsville, and they are already working very coherently with the mining industry to develop those markets. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I welcome to the public gallery parents, students and teachers from the Shorncliffe State School in the electorate of Sandgate.

Condamine-Balonne WAMP Mr SEENEY: I refer the Minister for Natural Resources and Minister for Mines to the recent Land Court case regarding water licences at St George, where his department's defence was based in large part on the draft WAMP for the Condamine-Balonne. I also refer to his media release—which he confirmed in his statement to the House this morning—in which he said that 'there is no legal or scientific basis to support any contention that the WAMP process is flawed', and I ask: if the minister's contention is correct, why did he surrender the case? Mr ROBERTSON: Mr Speaker, whilst I would like to be able to assist the honourable member in detail about this matter, as you would appreciate the settlement reached before the Land Court was an agreed settlement and the provisions of that settlement are confidential. Nevertheless, it was a view adopted by the department that the way that the court case was proceeding and the evidence that was being adduced may not have been in the long-term interests of maintaining the integrity of the moratorium. From time to time during such complex court cases it is a matter of strategy that one withdraws or reaches a settlement in order to maintain the integrity of long-term goals. And that is, in fact, what we have done. Mr Beattie: They wouldn't know anything about long-term goals. Mr ROBERTSON: That is right. We are trying to do something that members opposite squibbed on. When they had the opportunity when they were in government, they squibbed on this because they knew how difficult this process is—a process to which we remain committed. As I said during my ministerial statement this morning, the science behind the water resource planning has not been determined to be fatally flawed. Mr Seeney interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Callide has asked the question. Mr ROBERTSON: I quoted from the transcript of that case, and I am happy to repeat it again for the benefit of members opposite, lest they go back out west and peddle the nonsense they have been peddling that the whole process is flawed. The evidence adduced from the experts by the appellants in relation to this matter went along these lines—and I am quoting from the transcript. First of all, the appellants conceded that— ... the Lower Balonne was over-committed with water harvesting licences and required remedial action ... Secondly, they conceded that— ... the existing hydrology modelling and impact data relied on by the department was still the best evidence available ... And thirdly, they conceded that— 1970 Questions Without Notice 31 Jul 2001

... if the amount of water being diverted from the system was in the order of 50% on average, then a real connection between flow and ecological degradation would be expected particularly when the lag effect is taken into account ... It was also conceded that— ... the application of the precautionary principle— and that is what we have adopted and that is what we are committed to— would be appropriate in some circumstances. I heard one comment made in relation to this court case that land clearing around the Balonne was, in fact, a good thing, because as a result of clearing all the trees more water than ever before is actually making it into the river. That is the claim that was made, and that is the kind of school members opposite come from. Time expired.

San Mateo Caravan Park Mr REEVES: I refer the Minister for Public Works and Minister for Housing to the closure of the San Mateo Caravan Park at Eight Mile Plains, which he became aware of in September last year at the community cabinet meeting at Mount Gravatt, and I ask: what was the government's response to this closure and the subsequent impact on its residents? Mr SCHWARTEN: I thank the honourable old married man for the question. I also thank him for his support in the resolution of this tragedy, and I thank my colleague the member for Mount Gravatt, the Minister for Families, for her support as well. The reality is that it is a tragedy when you see 118 people and 56 kids who are about to be chucked onto the street because of the closure of a caravan park. Accordingly, when I became aware of this, we were able to put together a team of people, which included the Families Department—and again I thank the Minister for Families for her support in that regard—and local organisations to try to place all of those people to ensure that homelessness was not a result of this tragedy. I am pleased to advise the House that that, in fact, was the outcome and that not one person is homeless as a result of this. The reality is that it shows that, when a government takes a whole-of-government approach to these sorts of issues, often there is a good resolution at the end of it. And when there is cooperation at a local level between local members it is even more satisfying to see that sort of result. However, what it highlights is the brink of homelessness that exists in this state for many people. About 24,000 people in this state live in caravan parks. That is about the size of Maryborough. And with the GST, of course, hammering on the doors of caravan parks and putting more and more of them out of business the land becomes more valuable than the enterprise on it, and we cannot blame people for walking away from an investment in that regard. Mr Johnson: What is Kim going to do about it? Mr SCHWARTEN: What he has announced is that they are going to take away the GST on caravan parks, which is something that the mob opposite refused to do. I would have thought that people from that side of parliament who had any sort of conscience at all would be behind what Beazley is trying to do in that regard, because believe me we are going to see more and more and more of this. The sort of response that we were able to make was a unified team, going in with the Department of Families and making assessments, Department of Housing officers making placements, and working with community housing groups and all the rest of it. All that is good and fine. But at the end of the day the capital response of our government is limited by the money that comes from Canberra; and that continues to be the case. And this situation will worsen as more and more caravan parks in this state go to the wall because they simply become non-viable as a result of the GST. The point of the matter is that we need a solution to this problem in terms of a capital response from the federal government. That has not been forthcoming. There is a double whammy effect of the GST on caravan parks, pushing people out onto the street—people who have no means to provide accommodation for themselves. The private sector cannot provide an outcome for these people, either. Remember there are 56 kids involved in this. This is the bare face of homelessness staring us in the eye. There are a lot of kids who live in caravan parks who will be out on the street if Howard's GST continues. 31 Jul 2001 Questions Without Notice 1971

Crime Prevention Partnership Program Mrs SHELDON: My question is to the Premier in the absence of the Minister for Police. I refer the Premier to the very worthwhile community policing partnership programs that have been operating in communities throughout Queensland, including the Sunshine Coast, for at least the past four years and which have been funded to identify and pursue specific crime prevention initiatives. I ask: given that the Premier, as recently as September, said, 'The Crime Prevention Partnership Program is an integral component of the government's crime prevention strategy,' why were partnership programs across the state advised on 20 June that no funding had been made available for their continuance as a result of the state budget? Mr Mackenroth: As a former Treasurer, she should know that she should not ask a question about the budget. Mr BEATTIE: I know. Mr Speaker, as you would appreciate, a former Treasurer would know that, technically, under the standing orders questions relating to the budget should not be asked until the estimates committees have reported and until the budget has been finally ticked off. Notwithstanding that, I realise that it takes time for some members to learn the standing orders, and in this case 10 years is not long enough. I want to make the point— Mr Mackenroth: 11 years—ready to retire. Mr BEATTIE: It is 11 years. It is probably appropriate at this point that I congratulate Tom Barton and Wendy Edmond, who is not present. Six years ago today we went into the ministry. That just occurred to me. There were a couple of others—one of whom we will not mention and one we will. I refer to Margaret Woodgate, who has since retired. Mr Welford: Some we won't. Mr BEATTIE: There is one who will remain nameless on this occasion. Members will work it out. I should make the point that Tony McGrady and Wendy Edmond are attending a ministerial council meeting relating to drugs. One of the important things that we are trying to do is to work with the federal government to ensure that there is a national strategy on tackling drugs. The member talked about crime. The link between crime and drugs is well established. Some of the things that we have funded—and have funded extensively—are the drug courts, positive parenting programs and nurses in schools. We have a comprehensive strategy of tackling crime and we have a comprehensive strategy of dealing with the issue of drugs. What we have to do is break the drugs cycle. Some members will recall that recently I joined the Prime Minister at the Mater Hospital. That occasion saw us launch a joint funding arrangement for rehabilitation. In a recent document produced by my colleague here, we have increased funding for additional beds for rehabilitation. We will continue to do that, but we need to have a partnership between the Commonwealth and the state. In relation to the— Mrs Sheldon: Are you going to answer the question? Mr BEATTIE: Yes. In relation to the community programs that the member referred to, we have sought to support them over a period of time. We have supported them over a period to ensure that they establish links in the community and that the community works for and with the police and other organisations to get sound outcomes. I am aware that in recent times a number of letters have been written in relation to these organisations. We needed to support the programs and to have the community's ongoing involvement.

Self-Funded Retirees Mrs SMITH: My question is to the Minister for Families. Is she aware of the announcement by the Howard government to give self-funded retirees similar concessions to pensioners? Can the minister outline what this means to Queensland? Ms SPENCE: I thank the member for Burleigh for her question. It was with great interest that I read media reports on the weekend outlining suggestions by the federal Minister for Families and Community Services that she is interested in talking to the states about extending concessions that are currently available to people who hold pensioner concession cards and also to people who are holders of Commonwealth seniors health benefits cards. 1972 Questions Without Notice 31 Jul 2001

This was billed in the media as one of the major planks for John Howard's re-election. I would like to be able to inform the House of precisely what the federal government has in mind. I think Queensland's seniors would be asking themselves that question. Precisely which concessions are they going to extend to non-pensioners? How much is this going to cost the federal government? I would like to give members more detail, but unfortunately I cannot. I received a letter from Senator Vanstone a couple of weeks ago, but unfortunately the letter is very short on detail. Ms Bligh: No surprise. Ms SPENCE: No surprise. Senator Vanstone's letter states— ... the Commonwealth's intention to open discussions with the States and Territories to extend some or all of the concessions currently available to pensioners to holders of the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. It says little more than that. I will table that letter for the benefit of the House, lest members think that I am keeping something important from them with Senator Vanstone's announcement. I think that this letter could mean anything. Mr Bredhauer: Or nothing. Ms SPENCE: Or nothing. Ms Bligh: It probably doesn't mean dollars, I wouldn't think. Ms SPENCE: I do not think so. It could mean a blow-out of millions of dollars to the state because the number of eligible Queenslanders will double under the proposal that the Commonwealth puts forward. I am very concerned about Senator Vanstone's throwaway line in the media that the states could use the GST to fund an expansion of the scheme. That is not a bad trick—the federal government to use the states to fund its re-election strategy. I have to say, though, that I am happy to wait and hear what initiatives the federal government is suggesting and what funding the federal government is offering to help the states pay for this new initiative. But I was also very heartened to hear Senator Vanstone say on the weekend that the seniors in Australia are doing it tough because of the GST. I think Senator Vanstone's honesty is to be applauded, and even encouraged, because the truth is that self-funded retirees, pensioners and all families on low incomes are doing it tough because of the GST. We know that ordinary men and women in Australia are finding it an uphill battle to exist every day because of the GST. So we can imagine what effect this is having on our seniors. But I have to say that Queensland has a good record in terms of its Seniors Card benefits and we are happy to talk to Senator Vanstone about the federal government's funding proposals.

Alcohol and Drug Foundation Miss SIMPSON: In the absence of the Minister for Health, my question is to the Premier. I refer to the recent announcement by Queensland Health that the state government has cut funding, one year into a three-year program, to the Queensland Alcohol and Drug Foundation for an education program that it has been running throughout the state, and I ask: where is the $168,000 per annum that was provided for this program now going to be spent? Could the Premier please specify what this funding has been replaced with? Mr BEATTIE: I am happy to answer the question, because I saw some media in relation to that. While I do not have all the details in front of me—and I need to double-check this; I will ensure that the minister's office provides the member with a specific response to her question—as I understand it, the Alcohol and Drug Foundation has been funded for some time to act, if you like, as a representative of all organisations in this particular area. As I understand what the Department of Health has done—and I could stand corrected on this—it is basically opening up this process to other people. There is no guarantee that any foundation would be guaranteed funding for this amount forever. Indeed, I believe that the foundation—and we have received criticism—has not consulted member groups when it has taken a position either to government or publicly. If you pay an organisation to represent organisations in that particular area, then the first thing is that it has to consult; it has to talk to people. Otherwise, clearly it is accepting the funds and not using them in the way that they should be used. That is what I understand to be the particular program. If that is the case, there is nothing wrong with no longer providing those funds. That is appropriate. If one pays an organisation to represent peers in an area, that organisation should consult with those people in that area. People have raised criticisms directly with me about the 31 Jul 2001 Questions Without Notice 1973

Alcohol and Drug Foundation for not providing that service adequately. If that is the service that we are talking about, I do not think it is inappropriate that the Health Department should consider the reallocation of those funds. If I have misunderstood the nature of this funding, I am happy for the Health Minister's office to ensure that the member is briefed properly on it and that she is given an appropriate reply. In terms of the organisation, I know that it is funded specifically by the federal government as part of the drug rehabilitation programs that we signed off on with the Commonwealth. I mentioned before the joint announcement that Prime Minister John Howard and I made at the Mater Hospital. Bob Aldred was there and I spoke to him about it. I know his organisation is funded additional amounts of money out of that program, which I applaud. I have no problem with that. However, it was funded specifically out of this joint arrangement between the Commonwealth and the state. It has received additional funding. If I am correct in my assumption here and the question relates to an amount paid to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation to act as a mouthpiece for groups, I believe that it is appropriate that from time to time we should reconsider who gets it and that that be done in an open process. No-one is given money for life. That is the way that the system works.

Environmental Defenders Office Ms BOYLE: I refer the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice to concerns expressed to me recently by the Environmental Defenders Office in north Queensland about its future funding, and I ask: what steps have been taken to assist our community legal centres such as the EDO in north Queensland? Mr WELFORD: I thank the honourable member for her question and for her interest in the important work of community legal centres. Our government is giving a high priority to making justice more accessible to all Queenslanders. An indicator of this is the additional $10 million that has been allocated over the next four years for Legal Aid Queensland, which was announced in this year's state budget. Of this funding, an additional $2 million is being provided to Queensland's 32 community legal centres—CLCs. This guaranteed funding has enabled a landmark funding formula to be agreed between Legal Aid Queensland and the Queensland Association of Independent Legal Services. This formula means centres such as the Environmental Defenders Office in north Queensland have funding certainty for the first time in their history. In fact, of all the state's community legal centres, the EDO North Queensland has received one of the biggest funding increases under this formula, which applies equally to all community legal centres. Last financial year, the centre received one- off project funding from the state of $27,500. Under the new funding formula, EDO North Queensland is receiving base funding this financial year of $49,661. As well as this increase, EDO North Queensland will have an opportunity to tender for a share of an additional $360,000 being made available for new initiatives. There is no question about the difference that our government's funding commitment is making. In a letter to my office dated 26 July, the coordinator of EDO North Queensland, Joanna Cull, says The EDO NQ Management Committee and staff would like to express thanks for the granting of this recurrent funding. This certainty of funding has created a more stable office environment, with staff now feeling a greater sense of job security and renewed motivation. It will enable EDO NQ to maintain, and in the future, improve the level and quality of service provided to the north Queensland community. Our government's funding support recognises the important work of community legal centres like EDO North Queensland. Like all our community legal centres, it is at the coalface of our legal system with a commitment to free and accessible legal services, and promoting legal education. Centres such as the Environmental Defenders Office, the Caxton Street Legal Service in Brisbane and the Townsville Community Legal Centre ensure that all sectors of society have greater access to justice.

Condamine-Balonne WAMP Mr HOPPER: I refer the Minister for Natural Resources and Mines to my electorate of Darling Downs where approximately 40 dams are being built. As the minister is aware from my correspondence to him in the past, most of those dams cannot possibly be finished construction by the cut-off date in September due to a lack of contractors and, sometimes, weather conditions. Can the minister give an undertaking that those dams will be allowed to be finished? 1974 Questions Without Notice 31 Jul 2001

Mr ROBERTSON: I am not in a position to provide the member with such a commitment. The reason we brought in a revised moratorium just a couple of months ago was to bring to a close new works in the Condamine-Balonne and Border Rivers areas. That was done for quite specific purposes, largely because this matter had been going on for quite a period. The original moratorium was brought in in September last year. The advice that I received from my department was that plenty of time had been made available to those who were to construct new dams under the original moratorium and that bringing in a revised date to complete new works would actually create a situation whereby new works would be brought to a close in the catchment. I suggest that the member for Darling Downs takes heed of the ministerial statement that I made this morning about the impact of the settlement that was reached in a court case in the Land Court only a few weeks ago and what that may mean for his constituents. As a result of the action taken in the Land Court, I am concerned that one irrigator—one water harvester—in the Lower Balonne has access to another eight gigalitres of water. That has increased extractions from the Lower Balonne by some three per cent, and that is going to one irrigator. The problem that we face is that if other water harvesters or irrigators decide to take similar action and succeed, should additional water be made available our ability to distribute that equitably throughout the whole catchment, including to the people whom the member is concerned about, will be taken away from us. That will happen because of legal action resulting from private interests securing additional water. That is why we are taking such a considered approach to this process. It is difficult but I am emboldened by comments made by the Queensland Irrigators Council. Honourable members should believe that I would be more interested in its view than that of members from the National Party opposite. When I announced that the moratorium would continue as a result of action taken in the Land Court, in a broadcast on 4QS Radio News in Toowoomba, the Queensland Irrigators Council said that it is prepared to wait for the Queensland government to get water resource planning for the Condamine-Balonne system right. Les Crop of the Queensland Irrigator Councils said— We'd rather see it done correctly even if it takes a little bit longer. That is what we are committed to.

Firefighter Safety Ms BARRY: I direct a question to the Minister for Emergency Services. Firefighters play a key and respected role in our community, often putting their lives on the line to protect life and property. Can the Minister advise the House of any recent steps taken by the government to improve the safety for our firefighters? Mr REYNOLDS: I recently had the pleasure of announcing the roll-out of $830,000 worth of new uniforms for Queensland's 4,000 firefighters. I am pleased to be able to say that this announcement delivers on a very important Beattie government election commitment to improve firefighter clothing. In fact, we are leading Australia in that regard. The new flame retardant and sun-safe station uniform is the final stage of a $2.5 million program that has also provided firefighters with new structural firefighting coats and brush-fire jackets. The new clothing is the first change in firefighter station wear in about 15 years. It means that Queensland is leading Australia in contemporary personal protection for our firefighters. Indeed, that underlines our commitment. As I have said, it is part of the Beattie government's commitment to providing our emergency services with the best possible equipment to help them protect people and property across Queensland. As part of the roll-out, all permanent urban firefighters will receive five shirts and four pairs of pants. Each auxiliary firefighter will receive one shirt and one pair of pants. One of the most impressive features of the new gear is that it is woven with fire retardant material. During the official launch of the gear at the Chermside Fire Station, our officers conducted a test burn of the old shirt compared to the new one. Many honourable members would have seen that on television. All of those present were very impressed with how much protection the new shirts offered. The new uniform will enable our firefighters to wear several layers of protective clothing when fighting, say, grassfires rather than having to wear the hot and heavy turnout clothing, which is more suitable for fighting fires in structures. Our crews have also been issued with brush fire jackets for use in bigger grass and brush fires if required. The uniforms are yet another example 31 Jul 2001 Matters of Public Interest 1975 of the Beattie government's commitment to providing safer communities, and we will keep on doing that job. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time for questions has expired.

MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST National Party Tour of Queensland Mr HORAN (Toowoomba South—NPA) (Leader of the Opposition) (11.30 a.m.): In recent weeks I have had the opportunity to visit several parts of Queensland along with my colleagues in the National Party—places such as the Gold Coast, Cairns, Innisfail, the Atherton Tableland and the Emerald and Cloncurry districts. During these visits we had the opportunity to meet with enormous numbers of people—community leaders, businesspeople, local farmers, manufacturers, small business operators and, particularly, residents. Firstly, I thank all of those communities for the hospitality they showed to my parliamentary colleagues and me during our visit. On our trip to the Gold Coast I was accompanied by one of my shadow ministers, the member for Maroochydore. Interestingly, the people in the area want an acknowledgment of the fact that theirs is the sixth biggest city in Australia. They want recognition of the desperate need in the area for a properly integrated local transport system that connects with the magnificent freeway put in place by the former Borbidge coalition government. They would like to see the local transport system linked up with that freeway and the rail line. On our trip to far-north Queensland I was joined by my deputy, the shadow minister for state development and small business, transport and main roads, aboriginal and islander policy, Vaughan Johnson, and the shadow minister for primary industries and forestry and northern development, Mr Marc Rowell. This was a particularly interesting trip. It was very much a listening trip. We met with representatives from the sugar industry and canegrowers. They raised issues relating to the closure and opening of the South Johnstone mill, the low prices in the previous season, the seasonal effects—that is, the wet season—experienced there, the cane grub problem, which really needs to be addressed, and also the need to establish a mill suppliers committee to look out for the best interests of the area's growers. We also had the chance to meet with a number of trawlermen. We were highly impressed by the commitment of those trawler operators—hardworking people that they are—to the environment and how they are trying to work through any issues they face. These are the sorts of people we want to stand up for. They are doing their level best through their work to take into consideration the protection of the environment and the Great Barrier Reef. It is important that they are recognised for doing so and that the officials and bureaucrats take notice of that and do not trample over these people in their efforts to work closely with the environment. We heard the serious concerns of banana growers about the outbreak of black sigatoka and the lack of funding given by the DPI to help farmers cope with this very serious problem. We also heard about general issues affecting the whole region, particularly the Atherton Tableland, where people are looking to the National Party for support. We heard from dairy farmers and small business owners, primary producers, transport industry representatives, mining workers, irrigators and tobacco farmers. We spoke to ship builders in the Cairns area who have the potential to win a tender for a new fleet of ships for the Navy—something that would provide many jobs in the Cairns area. We spoke to rural action groups, tourism heads and particularly to young people looking to their future. We were highly impressed by the young people we spoke to and the ideas they had for their area. General frustration was expressed about government processes and about people in rural and regional areas being overlooked. Tourism is a potentially huge income earner for Cairns, but the feeling is that the government is failing them on so many fronts in promoting the industry and particularly in helping to attract scheduled and charter airline flights into Cairns. Farmers are particularly frustrated with the continued cutbacks in DPI staffing and the subsequent effect on the running of their business. Some 550 positions have been lost over the past three years. However, in the face of bureaucratic bungling and constant setbacks the people of these areas work tirelessly to ensure that their region remains viable through sustainable businesses such as tourism and other growth industries. They are fighting to protect and improve on all of those things that make their region so great. The National Party is out there listening and learning from the issues and concerns raised by these people at the grassroots level. More importantly, we are representing and acting on behalf 1976 Matters of Public Interest 31 Jul 2001 of these people in bringing forward these issues to the parliament so that some action can be taken to improve these problems. I wish to acknowledge the organisers of the Aggrow field days in Emerald, which I officially opened as part of our most recent listening tour. It was a wonderful display of industry, manufacturing and equipment from across the state, as well as stud cattle from around the regions. The Deputy Leader and shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Vaughan Johnson, also attended and presented Emerald Agricultural College student Adam McLaughlin with a $500 bursary for his efforts in studying agricultural beef production at the college. I congratulate my colleague on his generosity and commitment to young people. It was marvellous to see a young fellow with such a desire to get into primary industries. He comes from the hinterland of the Gold Coast and is a typical example of the young Queenslanders we should be helping. I also had discussions with local industry representatives. We had a number of deputations whilst at the field days. I was joined by my shadow Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Police and Corrective Services, Mr Jeff Seeney, and my shadow Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Fair Trading, Innovation, Information Technology and Rural Technology, Mr Lawrence Springborg. The innovation and enterprise we saw in the Emerald and Cloncurry districts could best be described as impressive, and I wish to give credit to those communities for the work they are doing and for their excellent contribution to making this state great. There are some very exciting projects in the area. The Emerald area now boasts the largest irrigated citrus orchard in the southern hemisphere and is looking towards a rich future in developing horticultural industries and the export potential that goes with those. It was fantastic to see the incredible impact on growth that the development of the Fairbairn Dam has had on this region, which boasts industries ranging from cotton, dryland grain, beef, live cattle exports, table grape production as well as a large portion of Australia's exports in domestic coal, methane and natural gas. If ever there was an example of what a major dam and associated irrigation system can do to provide jobs for Queenslanders—whether they be for skilled, semiskilled, unskilled or professional people; jobs for young Queenslanders; export income for this state; and, more importantly, the flexibility of opportunity in these areas—it is what is happening in Emerald today as a result of the Fairbairn Dam that the previous National Party-led government and coalition had the foresight to see as being so important to the area. Importantly, the region's irrigators have expressed major concerns about the government- owned corporation SunWater and the way it is currently being run. They spoke to us about the concern that the board of SunWater does not have a single irrigator on its membership. We think it would be essential to have an experienced irrigator on the board of SunWater. No wonder it does not understand the problems in so many of these irrigation areas. They spoke about the security of tenure of their water system and its effect on their future. They spoke about the accountability of SunWater's pricing system and the new pricing regimes that SunWater is endeavouring to put in place around the state, about the expense of the operation, and generally about the way it is being run as a government-owned corporation. We have struck this all across the state. In the Bundaberg city area there is concern about the new pricing regimes. In the Mareeba, the Bundaberg, the Burdekin, and now the Emerald and the central Queensland irrigation areas concern is being expressed by irrigators about the operations of SunWater, about the lack of consultation with the local advisory water boards where there is significant knowledge and expertise, and about the way in which the new pricing regime is being jacked up so that our exports and products will lose their competitive edge because of increased costs in the basic operations of these irrigation farms. I share their concerns, as I am hearing similar frustration expressed by people all around the state. The National Party has pledged to continue pursuing this issue in the parliament on their behalf.I share their concerns, as I am hearing similar frustration from people all around the state. The National Party has pledged to continue pursuing this issue here in the parliament on their behalf. In far-north Queensland again we heard the extreme concern about the prospect of losing the 24-hour, seven-day-a-week service of DPI inspectors in the Cloncurry region, particularly at saleyards. It is absolutely essential to maintain that export industry, particularly of live cattle. It is a desperate need for those services to be available. As with so many areas of Queensland, the region is staring down the barrel of a number of major water issues. The town water supply is in dire straits. They need particular assistance for increased town water supply. 31 Jul 2001 Matters of Public Interest 1977

On the subject of funding allocations for bore capping in Queensland, people from Stanbroke Pastoral Company talked to us about the lack of government commitment to that wonderful scheme and the lack of government commitment to the control of weeds. There is a need in Cloncurry for some funding to help them establish an exciting project, the discovery centre in Cloncurry. It is wonderful to see that people in that area are endeavouring to put that project into place. These are some of the issues that matter to Queenslanders. They want jobs, development, service delivery, health, education, adequate policing and sufficient funding for government services, particularly the DPI. They are frustrated when they see projects like the $24 million footbridge in Brisbane. I am talking about small amounts of money that would mean so much in their particular town. The Queensland Nationals will keep fighting for these people across Queensland. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr McNamara): Order! Before calling the honourable member for Nudgee, I would like to take this opportunity to recognise in the public gallery students, parents and teachers from the Manly West State School in the electorate of Lytton.

Youth Initiatives Mr NEIL ROBERTS (Nudgee—ALP) (11.41 a.m.): Not all young people in high school are going to easily make the transition from school to work or from school to further education and training. A number of our secondary school students require assistance with this transition. The Beattie government has developed a comprehensive strategy—including a program that aims to keep students, who are at risk of leaving school early, in school, and employment and training programs for those who have left school early, to prevent them joining the queues of the long- term unemployed. Research has shown that those who leave school early have the greatest difficulty in securing employment and are more likely to become long-term unemployed. Due to previous negative experiences with education, they are also unlikely to access further education and training. The ABS Transition From Education to Work Survey showed that persons under the age of 22 in the year 2000 who did not complete the highest level of schooling had an unemployment rate of 21.4 per cent compared with 7.7 per cent for those who had completed their schooling. The same survey also reveals that persons who did not complete the highest level of schooling made up only 28.2 per cent of the labour force but 50.1 per cent of the long-term unemployed. As has been said many times before in this place, our youth are our future. At the recent state election the Beattie government promised $7 million over three years for the Youth Access Program. This program will provide 1,750 students with crucial work readiness skills. This program targets secondary school students who are at risk of leaving school early. These students may have difficulty in securing employment or an apprenticeship or traineeship because of inadequate learning skills and lack of employment opportunities for early school leavers. The program also provides prevocational training or work readiness skills and leads into a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship for successful students. We need practical solutions to helping young people in the transition from school to further education and training and sustainable employment. The Beattie government has already been successful, with almost 54 per cent of Queensland's year 11 and 12 students in 2000 enrolled in a vocational education and training in schools program. Ninety-five per cent of Queensland's secondary schools now provide vocational education and training opportunities for their students. Last year Queensland continued to lead the nation, with 55 per cent of the total number of students commencing school-based apprenticeships and traineeships. An evaluation of the program undertaken last year confirms the positive influence this program has on students remaining at school. The 2001-02 budget saw a further commitment to this highly successful program, providing for 10,500 commencements over the next three years at a cost of $5 million. From 1 January this year to mid-July, over 1,800 students have commenced a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship in Queensland, and this puts us well on track to meet our target of 10,500 by the year 2003-04. In subsequent years the Youth Access Program and the school-based apprenticeship and traineeship program will have reduced the number of early school leavers, but in the meantime we need to provide assistance to those who have already left school and are having difficulties 1978 Matters of Public Interest 31 Jul 2001 finding employment. That is why in the last election we promised two new labour market programs for youth: the Get Set for Work Program and the Youth for the Environment and Local Communities Program. The Get Set for Work Program aims to assist 500 unemployed early school leavers. Participants will receive intensive employment and training assistance and will be assisted in their search for a job with a $4,000 wage subsidy. The Youth for the Environment and Local Communities Program will create 600 additional traineeships for 15 to 24 year olds. Through this program they can gain nationally accredited qualifications through work in their local communities in areas of environmental protection, horticulture and waste management. The Beattie government is committed to providing the best possible opportunities for our youth in their transition from school to further employment and training or to finding employment.

Refugees Mr BRISKEY (Cleveland—ALP) (11.45 a.m.): What do Albert Einstein, Madeleine Albright, Karl Marx, Gloria Estefan and Victor Hugo have in common? They were all refugees. According to the 1951 convention relating to the status of refugees, a refugee is a person who, owing to a well- founded fear of being persecuted or reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country. There are over 21 million refugees and displaced people in the world today, 80 per cent of whom are women and children. Africa Refugee Day has been celebrated by the Organisation of African Unity every 20 June since 1975. Due to the success of Africa Refugee Day, the United Nations General Assembly designated 20 June this year as the first World Refugee Day. On this day people all over the world joined together to express their support for and empathy with the world's refugees. I had the pleasure of being invited to express, on behalf of the Beattie Labor government, support for the world's refugees on this day. With the Assistance of the Multicultural Development Association, AUSTCARE and Reverend Moore from St Andrew's Anglican Church I gathered with members of the committee to acknowledge refugees and their plight. Refugees have undergone extreme hardship, have lost the protection of their own country and cannot return for fear of persecution. After experiencing myriad dangers and traumas they have had to make the heartbreaking decision to leave their homes. They have often endured risky flights to safety and some have also spent time in refugee camps. Indeed the path on which refugees have travelled to arrive in countries such as Australia has been anything but safe. Australia accepts approximately 12,000 refugees each year as part of the humanitarian program. This number is only a few when one looks at the number large of refugees in the world today. Australia accepts the moral and social obligations to provide assistance and settlement services to refugees and, indeed, recognises that it is in fact in Australia's best interests to do so. Refugees bring with them enormous hopes, aspirations, ambitions, skills and knowledge. They are an asset to our country. It is important that we give refugees the opportunity to participate in the work force, to enhance their resettlement and to assist them to participate in society in a positive way. When it comes to work, refugees are no different from anyone else I know. They, too, want to work and build a better life for themselves and their families. The Beattie Labor government acknowledges that refugees are important to our society. Their contribution is extremely valuable. Policies and practices which do not recognise and do not support the potential contribution of refugees to Australian society are damaging to the principles of multiculturalism and do not promote an inclusive, harmonious society. The federal government continues to provide less than adequate settlement services for legitimate refugees in Australia through its treatment of those refugees who hold temporary protection visas. The Beattie Labor government has demonstrated its commitment to refugees through its position on these temporary protection visa holders. This enables all TPV holders to have the same access to all Queensland government services as permanent protection visa holders. On humanitarian grounds, the Queensland Beattie Labor government has decided that it will provide assistance to these refugees—assistance that should be provided by the federal government. Some of the assistance that is provided includes English language tuition through TAFE, full fee vocational courses subject to availability, rental bond loans, access to public housing, access 31 Jul 2001 Matters of Public Interest 1979 to a 38-bed boarding house provided for accommodation on arrival, continued support to access the private rental market and children of TPV holders having access to state schools at no cost and English as second language tuition in school. Refugees can and do offer exceptional contributions to our society. Their knowledge and the many skills that they bring with them bring added value to the country that welcomes them and offers them safety.

Health Services Mrs SHELDON (Caloundra—Lib) (11.50 a.m.): On a number of occasions in this House I have raised the poverty of funding going into health care in Queensland from the state Labor government. Today I will reiterate a number of issues that are growing across the state, particularly in my electorate of Caloundra. I will briefly touch on the issue of dental clinics. I have previously raised the problems of our huge waiting lists, the lack of dentists, the lack of funding, and the people in genuine pain. I have received another letter from a pensioner who was first seen on 26 July 1999 for dental services. This person needs to see a dentist. When I rang this morning they told me that they were told it would be at least another four to five months before they would get an appointment. It is ridiculous nonsense when the Health Minister says that everyone who needs to be treated is being treated. Another lady in my electorate has been on the dental waiting list for five years and still has not heard when her appointment will be. This is a regular nonsense. Mr Lucas: The federal government took the money out. Mrs SHELDON: It is a load of nonsense to blame the federal government and I will tell the House the history of that. The federal government contributes money towards the health system. The previous coalition government increased the amount contributed by the state by $20 million. This government has done no such thing. This year it gave an extra $5 million. Every other year there has been no money from this state government whatsoever. That extra $5 million is a drop in the bucket compared to the problem. Those opposite should tell the truth instead of blaming the federal government for all their inadequacies, which is what they do. They should not think the people of Queensland believe them, because they do not. The Queensland public knows that the state government has to provide services. Telling people waiting outside a dental clinic in Caloundra at six o'clock on a cold morning that it is the federal government's fault does not impress them when they have a major toothache and they want it fixed. If those opposite put money where their mouths are, they might be able to help some of these people. Physiotherapy services are also not being provided. According to those opposite that is probably a federal government problem, too, instead of a state government problem. There are now no physiotherapy outpatient services provided in Caloundra Hospital. No matter how old or ill a person is, they cannot get any treatment. This has happened twice in the last two weeks. A gentleman who has painful hips came to see me. It was recommended that he have physio. This man can hardly walk. He was told that the hospital could not give him any physio treatment and it did not know where he could get any treatment. This man has a very sick wife in a wheelchair who is on oxygen. He has to stay mobile to look after her. He and his doctors are very concerned that he will not be able to. Another woman with a very serious and painful neck injury was given a letter from her doctor to get treatment at the physio clinic. However, when she got there she was told that the clinic could not see her for 12 months, if at all. She was more or less told, 'We'll call you. Don't call us.' Is this a government helping and providing for pensioners and others with health care cards? I do not think so. There is also the case of an elderly 84 year old lady who needs hip surgery urgently. A letter from her doctor states— ... that this elderly lady has been on a priority waiting list for a hip replacement since January of this year ... she first sought help with her right hip in June of last year and was referred to the Caloundra General Hospital. She was reviewed in OPD in October and advised of the need for a total hip replacement. At the original appointment the Specialist noted 'The pain is significantly interfering with her lifestyle.' In December I wrote another letter to the hospital detailing significant decline and she was reviewed again and told that she would be placed on a priority list to have the operation as soon as possible due to the severe pain and disability ... she has had no further contact other than reassurances on the phone that she remains a priority. I am sure that helps her greatly. The letter continues— At this time she is in constant agony and crawls on the floor at times due to her poor mobility and inability to bear weight on her right hip. This is from her own doctor. It continues— 1980 Matters of Public Interest 31 Jul 2001

This poor lady remains in constant pain and her treatment has been totally inadequate after establishing her needs. The implementation of her treatment and surgery has been non existent due solely to the financial and resource problems at the Nambour General Hospital. I take it that this is a federal government problem, too, considering that Mr Lucas seems to feel that all problems regarding lack of health funding in this state come from the feds instead of this government and the Minister for Health. Another major issue is the Medical Aid Subsidy Scheme, which is grossly underfunded. I have received a letter from a lady with a disabled son—and this is just one of many—saying that the wheelchair sent to her was a positive disgrace. When one looks at it, it really was. It was filthy and took two days to clean. She had been waiting for over a year for this chair. It leaked a thick grey gooey substance when a person sat on the seat. It was chipped. It was all different colours. The tyres were flat. In fact, when she complained about this, they were pumped up and went flat again. She was then given two hard tyres for the chair, which the child could not manoeuvre anyhow. The community has been trying to help this lad. I will continue to raise this issue because it is an absolute state disgrace.

Mrs M. Statham Mr ENGLISH (Redlands—ALP) (11.56 a.m.): I rise today to inform the House of a recent loss to the state of Queensland. On Thursday, 12 July 2001, Margaret Statham passed away. Few members of this House knew Margaret, but let me say that Queensland is worse off by her passing. Margaret was born in 1937 in England. Being raised and educated during World War II certainly presented difficulties. However, Margaret preferred to see them as challenges. Margaret moved to a residential Catholic school when she was 12 and stayed there until she was 15. Margaret left school at the age of 15 and got a job as a nanny in a children's nursery. Part of this job involved washing out terry towelling nappies by the dozen and hanging them on the clothesline to dry. They then had to be ironed with old coal-heated flat irons. There were no electric irons in those days. This nursery was strictly administered by a short-tempered Welsh matron appropriately called the 'Welsh Dragon'. When she was upset with one of the staff, which was quite frequently, she would harangue them until she ran out of steam, after which she always stormed out the back door. Margaret decided to leave the clothesline unpropped so that the line hung a bit lower—just a girlish prank. This time after the matron's burst of temper and her normal exit through the back door, she walked straight into the clothesline, leaving part of her apparel on the line—namely, her matron's wig and cap. After this, it occurred frequently—quite by accident of course! At the age of 17, Margaret went into nursing, starting with post-operative nursing and, after a time, geriatric nursing. At the still tender age of 20, Margaret changed her name when she entered into a job she had wanted forever since starting school—she married her husband, Barrie, on 19 October 1957. Margaret carried on with part-time nursing until she took on another job—motherhood. First there was Susan, then Barbara followed by Jane and finally little Andrew. In 1974 the Statham family migrated to Australia, living first at Windsor in Sydney. They stayed there until July 1986, at which time they had the good sense to move to Macleay Island. Upon settling on Macleay Island, they built their own home from the ground up. Barrie took on the job as groundsman at the local bowls club where, for the next three years, Margaret was not only on the committee but was one of the cooks in the club kitchen with Dawn Schneid. In 1988 Barrie and Margaret joined the island fire fighting unit, with Barrie in charge helped by Margaret who did the office work and telephones. This was shortly followed by them joining the ambulance service where Margaret played a very active role in the local ambulance committee for seven years; that is, she was the telephone link and coordinator for the island emergency services. When the old fire station was being dismantled, islanders turned up and mucked in. Of course, Margaret was there with the inevitable sandwiches and cold drinks. The new Macleay Island emergency services building frame was erected by Q-Build. Upon completion of the building frame, a local resident, Dick Pearce, received a call from Margaret requesting help to place 'a little bit of concrete'. Seven truckloads later, Dick was still there on his knees finishing off the edges when Margaret turned up with the daily sandwiches and cold drinks. Dick Pearce started to get up when Margaret said, 'Oh, no. Not you, Dick. At least not until you have finished that last little bit.' Needless to say, her dedication to the volunteers was paramount. Her humour was always there. She was just one of the boys. 31 Jul 2001 Matters of Public Interest 1981

The Macleay Island combined emergency services are the envy of many rural and regional centres. The success of the Macleay Island combined emergency services is a credit to all the volunteers who have donated their time, energy, sweat and money over the years. However, a special mention must go to the three musketeers: Barrie Statham, Ron Whelan and, of course, Margaret. The enthusiasm and openness of Barrie, Ron and Margaret created an atmosphere that attracted volunteers to the emergency services team. As well as fulfilling the office-keeping roles of secretary and treasurer of the rural fire brigade and undertaking her local ambulance committee work, Margaret coordinated the deployment of members to major incidents and took care of logistical support for the volunteers in the field. I use the term 'logistical support', but Margaret saw it as keeping her people, her family, fed and watered. Margaret loved Macleay Island and participated in all aspects of island life. Margaret was a very compassionate person. She had a heart as big as Macleay Island. In this International Year of the Volunteer, when all levels of government are acknowledging the contribution to our society provided by the hundreds of thousands of volunteers, I have spoken to the Minister for Emergency Services, the Honourable Mike Reynolds, regarding naming the Macleay Island combined emergency services centre the Margaret Statham Centre. The minister has indicated that he will consider this matter positively. I am sure that the thoughts of all members of this House go to Margaret's husband, Barrie. Margaret, we will miss you but we will not forget you.

Youth in Far-north Queensland Mr ROWELL (Hinchinbrook—NPA) (12.01 p.m.): During the visit of the Leader of the Opposition and Deputy Leader of the Opposition to far-north Queensland a number of very important issues were raised. Their visit was a good opportunity to gain an understanding of some of the issues that are important to the region. On our travels through the Malanda area a deputation came to us from a group of young people who had come from Herberton, Ravenshoe and Millaa Millaa. These young people, who live in very isolated communities, were particularly concerned about their future. They set out a number of concerns. The local economies are in a depressed state. There is little disposable income available. Boredom is another big issue. There are no full-time job opportunities and very few part-time job opportunities. There are few apprenticeships. There are not enough entertainment facilities such as swimming pools, movie theatres and so on. Most facilities that do exist are focused on the older generation. And of course, drugs are becoming a problem. The ABS statistics do not clearly indicate the situation in those regions. The statistics for June 2001 show that in far-north Queensland 21 per cent of people aged between 15 and 24 are unemployed. When we look at the statistics for Queensland electoral districts we see that the local area unemployment rate for the Herberton region is around 15 per cent. I believe that is representative of what is happening in the Ravenshoe and Millaa Millaa areas. If we extrapolate that figure across other areas, we can assume that there will be a very significant increase in unemployment in far-north Queensland. All of this is of great concern to the young people we saw in that region, who are trying hard to do something for themselves. There is a determination to improve the future of the youth in the towns. They have identified buildings that could be renovated and used as youth facilities, but of course there is no funding available for the purchase of buildings. Certainly if they were to renovate some of the older buildings—they were looking at that—funding could be provided through sport and recreation. There was a prospect of buying a squash court in Herberton, but of course there was no government money. It was quite interesting to hear the member for Nudgee talking about youth being our future. Certainly in that part of far-north Queensland there is not a great deal of future for youth. While there may be youth-focused funding programs in this part of the state, there are not many opportunities in the far north. It is no good providing training opportunities because there are no jobs. Of course, those young people are doing it extremely tough. They are very concerned and they are trying to do something for themselves. They were very interested in renovating an old council building in Ravenshoe. They were seeking to turn it into a tourist destination by providing park seats, barbecues and so on. 1982 Matters of Public Interest 31 Jul 2001

The situation is the same for the young people in Herberton. They were looking at a facility from which they could promote tourism for the area. The area offers diverse opportunities for tourism. There are old mines and a whole range of other things that people would find extremely interesting. In the hinterland of some of those towns we can see where mining took place. Those sites have deteriorated to a great extent, but they certainly hold a lot of interest in terms of the history of Queensland. These young people are looking at activities such as discos, bingo, movies and cultural nights. Of course, the employment opportunities from promoting tourism would be of immense benefit to that area. It is extremely disappointing that we see the south-east getting something like $229 million for an arts centre when if $2 million were provided to each shire throughout Queensland and part of that money were designated to young people there would be immense benefits to people such as those I have been speaking about.

Anzac Ataturk Commemorative Plaque; Vietnam Veterans Mr LAWLOR (Southport—ALP) (12.06 p.m.): I wish to draw to the attention of the House two very significant events which occurred in Southport recently. The first, on 14 July, was the unveiling of a plaque known as the Anzac Ataturk Commemorative Plaque at the Southport RSL club. I was privileged to represent the Premier at this event, which was a joint project between the Southport RSL and the Turkish Youth Association. It was an opportunity to again commemorate the dedication, courage and sacrifice of our Anzacs and also of the Turks. The gift of this plaque by the Turkish Youth Association to the Southport RSL sub-branch provided an opportunity to strengthen the friendship between the Australian and Turkish communities. The Premier was at Anzac Cove earlier this year to take part in the commemorative services and described it as an extremely moving experience, not only because of the number of Australians who had made the pilgrimage but also because of the number of Turks who had paid their respects to Australian and New Zealand fallen soldiers. Two of my own children have made that pilgrimage and they speak of the event as awe-inspiring. One thing that struck them was the age of the soldiers who are buried there. My children at that time were only in their early 20s, but so many of the Anzacs were younger than they were at the time they made that ultimate sacrifice. A generation of Australians, New Zealanders and Turks lost an ill-conceived, ill-planned and ultimately ill-fated campaign. It is significant that this contribution to the memory of our Anzacs should come from a youth group, for it is Australia's youth that will ensure that the Anzac spirit lives on. Particular thanks must go to Mehmit Evin, the president of the Turkish Youth Association, Turgut Allahmanli, the honorary consul for the Republic of Turkey, and Niyazi Adali, the consul general of the Republic of Turkey. Peta-Kaye Croft, the member for Broadwater, and Gold Coast mayor Gary Baildon also attended, as did Andrea Stolarchuk, the 2001 Simpson Prize essay winner. As the commander of the Turkish forces at Gallipoli so aptly put it, 'Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. Having lost their lives on this land, they have become our sons as well.' Certainly the sons and daughters of Turkey are well represented in Australia by the Turkish Youth Association. It was a time to reflect on the adversity the Anzacs faced more than 86 years ago when they landed on the fatal shores at Gallipoli. The spirit of the Anzacs is a legend so proud and steeped in history that it encompasses all Australians, regardless of their cultural background. The second matter I wish to draw to the attention of the House also has a military flavour. It occurred at Southport last Sunday. That was the parade of national servicemen from all over Australia and from overseas. This parade was part of the celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the introduction of national service. I was honoured to again represent the Premier, and at the parade the salute was taken by Lieutenant-General Peter Cosgrove, the chief of the Australian Army. A total of 287,000 men were conscripted between 1951 and 1959 and between 1962 and 1972. Despite eventual acceptance of the Vietnam veterans march in 1987, the contribution of national servicemen to Australia's defence effort remained largely unrecognised both by the community and the Commonwealth government. I remember the ballot in 1966, and I prayed hard that my birth date would not be pulled out. Fortunately, it was not. But many of my friends were not so lucky. Many national servicemen were not properly advised of their entitlements on discharge from the services, and in 1987 the National Servicemens Association was formed in Toowoomba by 31 Jul 2001 Matters of Public Interest 1983

Barry Vicary to try to address these injustices. Unfortunately, after starting the organisation and tirelessly working to get it running efficiently, Barry's untimely death in 1991 prevented him from seeing his hopes for the organisation fully realised. He would have been proud of the parade, which completed a week of celebration and comradeship on the Gold Coast. Credit for the day must go to the president of the National Servicemens Association, Earl Jennings, and his committee for organising this wonderful reunion. There were approximately 3,700 nashos who took part in the reunion Time expired.

Detention Centres Mrs PRATT (Nanango—Ind) (12.11 p.m.): With the current consideration of locating a detention centre in Queensland, I seek leave to table a document from the Western Australian hearings which contains recommendations for councils to consider when applying for such a centre into their communities. Leave granted. Mrs PRATT: In 1994 the government of the day incorporated the UN charter on refugees into the Migration Act 1958. From that date illegal immigrants would be termed asylum seekers and non-citizen detainees when admitted to the detention centres. At that time these asylum seekers had rights to medical and legal services and other benefits which were often not shared by tax-paying Australian citizens. Though many asylum seekers were genuine refugees seeking asylum in Australia, it is significant that adjacent countries affiliated with their culture and religion did not accept them. The move for asylum in Australia has become a commercial transaction. Following the introduction of economic rationalist policies by the government, the Australian Protective Service was relieved of its functions in management of detention centres. The contract was given to the Australasian Correctional Management corporation, a subsidiary of the transnational Wackenhut International Security. ACM had already entered the privatised prison arena with Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre in Queensland, Junee in New South Wales and Fulham in Victoria. On assuming management of the detention centres, there were new waves of asylum seekers, and they continue to come. The Middle East and the Far East became the sources of refugees, including Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Syria and Egypt, in addition to numbers of European visa overstayers. Extra detention centre venues were established and included Villawood, Marybinong, Woomera, Port Hedland, Perth and Curtin. These venues were established already and not purpose built as detention centres. ACM's aim is profit. Thus basic training for detention centres was primarily correctional custodial with a demanded recognition by officers that detainees were asylum seekers or non- citizen detainees and not criminals. The company therefore had to follow this position in its liaison with the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs. At this time there were three groups of stakeholders involved: governments and their agents ACM; non-citizen detainees; and line staff employed as detention officers subject to legislation and company directors under government policy. While the government was carrying out investigations on each asylum seeker to evaluate their status of acceptability as genuine refugees, the numbers were increasing and delays in processing inevitable. The huge costs of the legal appeal services of the detainees often exceeded $1 million per person. The serious riots at Woomera, the break-outs into the town areas and the last-option use of chemical agents, water cannon and similar break-outs, riots, arson and assaults have reached the point where a new, fair, firm and controlled regime is necessary to ensure the safety of the officers, the safety of the detainees and good harmony and order. To date, officer safety has been disregarded by failure to supply adequate defensive use-of-force policies and procedures and inadequate disturbance control unit training for line staff, team leaders and unit commanders. In addition, the failure to supply adequate protective equipment—now the subject of litigation—is a breach of the Workplace Health and Safety Act. The lack of direction and support for officers at times of crisis can be and is being tabulated and shows up clearly in videos of various riots and disturbances. No-one would deny genuine refugee access to all that Australia has to offer, including hospitality, health services and a very warm welcome. However, councils do need to be aware of the concerns about established detention centres in order to ensure that they fully understand 1984 Matters of Public Interest 31 Jul 2001 and can implement necessary measures to meet all possible problems. There are more people involved in this contentious issue than just the detainees. There are the people who work there and run the centres. They, too, deserve to be considered in any new detention centres in Queensland.

Bank Branch Closures Hon. K. W. HAYWARD (Kallangur—ALP) (12.16 p.m.): Recently in my electorate of Kallangur there have been a number of bank closures. The Westpac bank at Kallangur has closed, as will the Commonwealth Bank. The National Australia Bank has closed at Burpengary and also will close its branch at Kallangur. Other branches are rumoured to be closing, and bank branches have closed in adjoining areas over a period, such as at Petrie and Deception Bay. When bank branches close in any area, such as Kallangur, this creates an inconvenience for local residents and businesspeople. Basically, there is a set pattern that takes place, and instructions are sent out to existing customers telling them that, should they require branch services, they are available at Burpengary, Morayfield or Strathpine. And in the case of an electorate such as Kallangur, many of those services are only a few minutes away. Meanwhile, ATM services remain where they were originally installed at the branch or are then placed at a convenient place somewhere within that local area. My point is that even in a fast-growing area like Kallangur, bank branch closures are occurring and local residents are inconvenienced in many ways. To be fair, of course—if one can be to the banks—new branches are also opening as new shopping centres are developed. For example, I am informed and I understand that the Commonwealth Bank has something like 28 branches between the city and Kallangur, Suncorp Metway and the ANZ have something like 21, and the National Australia Bank has 14. But if banks are closing in fast-growing areas, what a tragedy occurs when banks close in remote or rural parts of Queensland where the population growth is not occurring and there is no possibility of a branch replacing it. I am sure that many of my colleagues in this parliament have experienced the sense of frustration and, I think, helplessness which occurs when a bank branch closes. I think that as a parliament, however, we need to look at and examine in some detail these issues of bank closures and the effects such closures have on a local community, particularly local shopping. What concerns me is that the unintended effects of government policy may be contributing to bank closures, particularly in rural and remote areas of Queensland; and I have taken the opportunity to speak briefly to the Treasurer, Terry Mackenroth, about the issue. The facts are that 63 per cent of bank closures have occurred in towns of less than 1,000 population, while towns with populations of less than 1,500 have a further 17 per cent of total closures. As the situation now stands, it is a costly and financially expensive exercise for many customers to change banks, and I think this contributes substantially to making it easier for the bank hierarchy to close a bank in a rural or remote area; it is just too hard for an individual, once the bank leaves, to then change to another bank. For example, any business or rural property that has borrowed money and has that property—and in most cases everything else they own—secured by a mortgage, even when the branch closes it is too difficult for those businesses to change banks. It is expensive and time consuming and part of those costs are various government-imposed stamp duties on a mortgagable property, which arise because of the change. I think that if those government transfer costs were not imposed when a customer changed banks to a local branch in a rural or remote community, it may result in a strengthening of banking activities in those rural and remote areas. My proposal may even have the effect of slowing closures in those areas as banks realise that customers—even business or farming customers; usually their larger and more profitable customers—would not be penalised by having to pay stamp duty for changing to a local branch after their existing branch left town or the district. We have seen the rise of community banking in Australia as the banks have closed in rural and remote communities. I understand that this movement has been spearheaded by the Bendigo Bank in partnership with capital raised in local communities. There are certainly other successful examples. I am certain that there would be implementation difficulties with my suggestion to relieve local customers of stamp duty on property transfers should they wish to continue to bank locally. The problems, of course, are obvious. What should be the distance allowed between a closed bank branch and another branch? If the major banks know that it is more financially attractive to change banks, it may be more difficult to get a loan for a customer in 31 Jul 2001 Matters of Public Interest 1985 a rural area in the first place. How much government revenue would be forgone by exempting certain mortgage transfers? Where would that money be found? Should a scheme apply only to the transfer of existing businesses, not to the establishment of new accounts? Should the exemption apply only if a customer transfers to a community bank from a closed bank branch? Time expired. Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms Liddy Clark): Order! Before I call the honourable member for Beaudesert, I would like to acknowledge in the gallery teachers and students from the Manly West State School.

Apprenticeships and Traineeships Hon. K. R. LINGARD (Beaudesert—NPA) (12.21 p.m.): The public of Queensland are being deceived by the Beattie ALP government's call of jobs, jobs, jobs. The Queensland public was deceived in the 1998 election by the call for a five per cent unemployment rate, because it is quite obvious that that rate is unachievable, has been unachievable and certainly is not being aimed at by the ALP government. A search of documents shows that the Premier has already admitted that the five per cent unemployment target is not achievable and certainly is not achievable in his term. In the Treasurer's documents we see that the Treasurer is working on an unemployment rate of between eight and nine per cent. The Minister for Employment has already admitted that a five per cent unemployment target is not achievable in this term. The unfortunate thing is that the rate of unemployment is now nearly nine per cent and the unemployment rate of young people is over 30 per cent and that the programs that are being put in place by the ministers of the ALP government are not working. Figures supplied by DETIR show that 52 per cent of apprentices are not completing their apprenticeships. For a kid to get an apprenticeship, he has to go through a program of finding that particular apprenticeship and he has to go through a program of selection. The 52 per cent of kids who are not completing their apprenticeships are good kids who have achieved an apprenticeship. Yet it is under the programs of the ALP Beattie government that we find that 52 per cent do not complete their apprenticeships. The DETIR figures show that these kids are not kids who obtain an apprenticeship and then in the first few months of that apprenticeship say, 'That is not something that I want to do.' These kids are cancelling out much later in their programs. Three hundred and fifty kids cancelled out in the last year of their apprenticeship. The government has to look at why this is happening. Why is the government finding apprenticeships for these kids who go through their apprenticeships so far and then do not complete them? The documents state that 10,500 traineeships were approved by this government under the programs that we hear talked about continually by the Minister for Employment. Yet 5,250 of those kids did not get to the end of the first year of those traineeships. For those 10,500 kids to be placed in a traineeship program, they have to be selected, they have to go to employers, they have to sign up with their parents' consent—they have to go through all of those processes. Yet of those 10,500 kids, 5,250 did not complete their programs. Surely we as parliamentarians have to say to the government, 'Look at all the money that you are putting into these programs—access for youth, working for the dole; all of those sorts of things—yet they are failing. As I have said, I believe that it is necessary for a summit to be held where employers, the government and employees sit down and ask, 'What is going wrong?'. I am not necessarily blaming the employers, but there is no doubt that some employers are benefiting from these programs. Some of the employers are taking on young people, getting a year's work out of them and then cancelling their employment. If that is happening too often, we need to stop it. One of the other difficulties is clearly the type of employees who are involved. I say to the Minister for Education that some of these young people are not job ready. Some of these kids go through school wearing apparel, earrings—all sorts of things—yet when they go out to see an employer, the employer says, 'I do not want that and I will not cop it.' So there is obviously an argument between the employee and the employer. Something is going wrong, and if it is, as I have said this morning, that the training organisations are not being monitored correctly and if it is that these training organisations are putting young people into jobs and just taking the initial payments and not worrying about going through the training program for a year—which must be difficult for the training organisations—then we need to look at that. Quite honestly, I say to the minister that the role of the Ombudsman has failed. Time expired. 1986 Matters of Public Interest 31 Jul 2001

Mrs A. Wood; Russell Mineral Equipment Mr SHINE (Toowoomba North—ALP) (12.26 p.m.): In the time allotted to me, I wish to speak to two matters. The first relates to my recent sad duty of representing the Premier on the occasion of the funeral service of the late Anne Wood, who died on 18 May this year at Toowoomba aged 94 years. Mrs Wood was the widow of the late Mr Les Wood, a former MLA, and mother of Peter and Bill, twins, who were both members of this House at the same time. The death of Anne Wood recalls a turbulent and tragic time for the cause of Labor in Queensland's political history. It was when the Labor Party split and the Gair government broke into warring groups leading to the defeat of the government and the election of the Nicklin government in August 1957. At that time Les Wood was the member for Toowoomba North. He retained his seat, but the other Labor member in Toowoomba, Jack Duggan—then the leader of the ALP—lost his seat. Jack Duggan, the only cabinet minister not to align himself with Vince Gair, had been elected parliamentary leader of the ALP at the time of the split and his electoral defeat left the party leadership vacant. Les Wood was then elected leader unanimously. Anne Wood worked with her husband supporting the cause of Labor in the 1930s. Les was absent on active service during the war. On his return, he was elected to state parliament at a by- election in 1946. However, at the subsequent general election of 1947, the conservative seat in Toowoomba was lost to the government. Les Wood was elected to the seat of Toowoomba North at the 1950 election and held it until his death in 1958. He was Labor leader and Opposition Leader from August 1957 to March 1958 when he died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 51 years. Anne Wood was her husband's greatest supporter and advocate, toiling with enormous energy. During the election campaign following the split—a time of great drama and bitterness—she is recalled supporting her husband at a Toowoomba City Hall election meeting. The hall was crowded and Les spoke quietly and calmly, as always, to argue his case. Some in the audience were hostile and burly men near Anne sought to shout Les down. Anne Wood was what one might call pint sized, but that night she had her umbrella and she wielded it to such great effect and created such consternation that for a time it had a quietening effect. Mrs Wood always felt that the great stresses of the Labor split contributed to Les' early death. Nevertheless, she continued to campaign for Labor, supporting her sons Peter and Bill in their election campaigns. Peter was elected to the seat of Toowoomba East in 1966 and Bill to the seat of Barron River in 1969. They both lost their seats in 1974. Peter is currently Toowoomba's Deputy Mayor. Mrs Wood was a vigorous advocate for Labor. Had she been of a later generation, she would more likely than not have been one of the women members of the parliament today. I conclude by quoting part of her obituary in the Toowoomba Chronicle, which stated— It is often said that behind every great man there is a great woman and Anne Wood is a testimony to the truth of this statement. She was the strength and support that enabled three men in her family to pursue and achieve success in a demanding environment, while facing her own personal challenges. More importantly perhaps, she epitomised the ideal of a dedicated, vibrant woman for whose contributions in life her family and community can be grateful. The second matter that I raise relates to the South Queensland—Exporting to the World Award, which was won by a Toowoomba firm, Russell Mineral Equipment. The company is a fully integrated solution provider to the world's mining and mineral processing industry, where the solutions involve mechanical, electrical and hydraulic devices. RME has designed and supplied many products for mine sites worldwide, including in North America, Argentina, Chile, Africa and the Australasian/Pacific region, including the Century Zinc project in Queensland. RME is based in Toowoomba. It commenced operating in 1987 as a specialist mining equipment designer. It has combined the skills and ethics of high-powered mechanical engineering design consultancy with the additional step of manufacturing those designs. The company has successfully grown a strong reputation around the world as a designer of equipment that delivers effective solutions to everyday processing problems. The Australian mining market quickly adopted the solution developed during the growth of the mining industry in the early 1990s and consumed 70 per cent of RME's production. However, since 1996, the company has effectively developed the export market to a point where almost 90 per cent of current production is heading offshore. 31 Jul 2001 Animal Care and Protection Bill 1987

RME is fast becoming a significant employer in Toowoomba, particularly with respect to highly qualified engineers. The company is a generous benefactor to the Chair of Engineering in the University of Southern Queensland. It is a corporation with a heart and a sincere sense of community responsibility. Russell Mineral Equipment of Toowoomba is a company recognised worldwide as a quality provider of mineral grinding mill relining technologies. Having won the recent South Queensland—Exporting to the World Award, it now looks forward to competing in the Australiawide award later this year.

ANIMAL CARE AND PROTECTION BILL Hon. H. PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) (Minister for Primary Industries and Rural Communities) (12.30 p.m.), by leave, without notice: I move— That leave be granted to bring in a bill for an act to promote the responsible care and use of animals and to protect animals from cruelty, and for other purposes. Motion agreed to.

First Reading Bill and explanatory notes presented and bill, on motion of Mr Palaszczuk, read a first time.

Second Reading Hon. H. PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) (Minister for Primary Industries and Rural Communities) (12.31 p.m.): I move— That the bill be now read a second time. It gives me great pleasure to introduce this landmark piece of animal welfare legislation. The Animal Care and Protection Bill 2001 is an important piece of legislation that replaces the current Animals Protection Act 1925. The need to replace the current legislation has been recognised by governments over the last 15 years, but it was not done. This government is doing it. This government is committed to animal welfare. The Department of Primary Industries and my office have done quite a deal of hard work to develop the most forward looking piece of legislation in this field in Australia. I believe it will provide an example that the other states and territories can follow. The Animals Protection Act 1925 may have been good legislation in the first quarter of the last century of the previous millennium, but that is where it should stay. It has no place in the first century of the new millennium. It has served its purpose. It is tired. It is outdated. It deals with antiquated issues such as dog attacks on people riding that marvellous 1920s invention, the velocipede. It is called a 'protection' act, but in reality it does very little to protect animals. It only deals with punishing people for cruelty after the event. The penalty levels for that punishment are not adequate, both for the offender and as a deterrent to others. The current act was written long before more educated and aware communities started to think about how we should treat our animals. It certainly did not anticipate that consumers and trading partners would demand that food and agri-products be derived from ethical production systems based on good animal welfare standards. The act was written long before the notion of fundamental legislative principles became established in our law making. In contrast, the Animal Care and Protection Bill 2001 deals with today's animal welfare issues in an innovative way. The bill recognises that there is now a wealth of knowledge and science on the welfare needs of animals. It recognises that good animal welfare is far removed from the simplistic absence of cruelty or suffering. The bill aims to address all aspects of animal welfare from the need to care for animals to the provision of strong penalties for cruelty. The bill also acknowledges the needs and interests of those people whose livelihoods depend on the legitimate use of animals. It strikes a good balance between those interests and the welfare needs of the animals. There are increasing community demands that people should treat animals humanely whether those animals are used for companionship, sport, entertainment, profit or science. Animal welfare is also a growing issue for market acceptability and market access for livestock products. People increasingly want assurances that the animal products they buy are free from 1988 Animal Care and Protection Bill 31 Jul 2001 contaminants, environmentally friendly and produced in a way that safeguards the welfare of the animals. Governments must respond to these issues and can no longer play a passive role. Modern and strong animal welfare legislation is a tangible means of demonstrating to the community and to trading partners that Queensland meets these community and market expectations in animal welfare. As part of the contemporary approach, the bill acknowledges that real improvements in animal welfare will be made through community and industry awareness and education, that is, through the promotion of the responsible care and use of animals, and through defining and promoting acceptable standards. The bill retains some important conventional wisdoms that the general community holds that deliberate cruelty to animals is abhorrent and unacceptable, and expects that, in other than exceptional circumstances, the perpetrator must be punished severely, and severely enough to deter others. I will now explain to the House how the bill will achieve its dual objectives of, firstly, promoting the responsible care and use of animals and, secondly, of protecting animals from cruelty. These objectives will be achieved through a range of core provisions in the Bill. ¥ All people in charge of animals will have an enforceable duty of care to properly provide for the welfare needs of the animals. The bill provides guidance on how to fulfil this duty of care. It is not only about saying that one cannot mistreat animals. It is also about saying that one must take positive but reasonable steps to provide for the actual welfare needs of the animals one owns or handles. These basic welfare needs are based on current scientific principles and give due regard to the circumstances of the animals and their use. The educational focus of this legislation is very important. In addition, the Queensland government has announced that it will assist the RSPCA to educate people about the importance of caring for and protecting animals with a $90,000 commitment toward a mobile education unit to tour the state. The RSPCA brought the proposal to government to promote responsible animal care and welfare to the community, and I am pleased to confirm the Queensland government's support. The bill will adopt approved codes of practice for the welfare of animals in different situations. These codes are developed in consultation with all stakeholders including industry, veterinarians and animal welfare groups. The codes will benchmark acceptable welfare standards. The community and industries that use animals will know what is expected of them. And animal industries will have more certainty in their business planning. ¥ The bill is able, through regulations, to mandate certain codes or parts of codes covering high-risk areas. Industry sectors will continue to work with government in deciding which welfare standards for their industries are so important that they be made compulsory. It will also send signals to the wider community and to our trading partners that Queensland is fair dinkum about animal welfare. ¥ There is a basic offence of cruelty in the bill and a range of examples of what constitutes cruelty. The maximum penalties are deliberately severe. The maximum penalty for cruelty is $75,000 or two years' jail for an individual. Such high penalties are necessary where cruelty offences occur in high-value commercial animal enterprises, where smaller penalties may be considered an acceptable business risk. These high penalties will send a signal to the community that the government is not prepared to tolerate animal cruelty. ¥ Practices the Queensland community finds particularly repulsive will be banned outright as absolute offences. These include organised dog fighting, cock fighting and blooding of greyhounds. ¥ A major focus of the bill is to control the use of animals for scientific purposes. The community has always expressed particular concern that government regulates this activity to minimise any misuse of animals. The bill provides strict control measures based on compulsory registration for organisations and private individuals involved in the use of animals for scientific purposes, and compulsory compliance with the national code of practice in this area. ¥ There will be special monitoring programs for those higher risk areas covered by compulsory codes of practice, such as circuses. ¥ The inspectors who enforce the bill will be DPI stock inspectors and veterinary officers. 31 Jul 2001 Animal Care and Protection Bill 1989

The RSPCA will also continue its important enforcement role in animal welfare. The RSPCA has borne the burden of being the main enforcer of this legislation for many years and they have done a marvellous job. The sheer size and complexity of this task now requires that governments also play a key role. The Department of Primary Industries and the RSPCA are developing a memorandum of understanding which sets out how they will work together to safeguard the welfare of animals across the whole state. There is provision for other agencies to potentially supply inspectors. And let me emphasise, for the benefit of all honourable members, that all inspectors, government or private, will have to meet training standards set by the Director-General of the Department of Primary Industries. ¥ Another key feature of the bill and one which makes Queensland a leader in this area, is that inspectors will be able to issue Animal Welfare Directions. These will be used to improve a situation where an animal is not being properly cared for. Examples might be directions to provide proper shelter or to take a sick animal to a vet for treatment. It will be an offence in itself not to comply with a written direction. ¥ There are special accountability mechanisms for inspectors from non-government agencies, such as the RSPCA. These inspectors provide a valuable service but they are in a unique and sensitive situation. They are non-government people enforcing government legislation without the usual accountabilities that bind government officers. Under the current 1925 Act, I am accountable to this parliament for administration of the act, but those inspectors administering the act—the RSPCA inspectors—have no accountability at all to the minister nor to the parliament. The RSPCA has been criticised—rightly or wrongly—in this House before for the way they enforce the 1925 act without accountability. In all fairness, the 1925 act does not require them to be accountable. Nor does it have any safeguards over the use of inspectorial powers. This bill changes all that. It has strict but reasonable accountability requirements and mechanisms for non-government inspectors. And all inspectors, government or non-government, must also comply with strict but reasonable safeguards over the use of powers. These safeguards provide for due process and natural justice in all dealings with affected parties. The RSPCA accepts the need for these accountability requirements and safeguards on the use of powers. ¥ By its very nature, the investigation of animal welfare situations can be inherently difficult. Usually, the inspector also has to resolve the predicament the animals are in. Trying to achieve the best outcome for the animals can be even more difficult. The bill therefore has to have broad powers specially tailored to enable inspectors to effectively investigate and resolve adverse animal welfare situations. I can assure the House that the enforcement powers in this bill have been developed with great caution. These powers make the bill enforceable and workable but have strict limitations on their application. Inspectors will have to be closely trained in these powers and use them judiciously. The bill provides adequate redress to aggrieved parties if it is thought that a power is misused. ¥ Animals are used for a diverse range of reasons. There are many special interest groups associated with animals. Their members show dogs, care for injured wildlife, ride in rodeos, race pigeons, export live cattle or breed and sell tropical fish. There are also many complex, contentious and emotive animal welfare issues that governments have to deal with. In the year 2000, I received over 7,000 items of correspondence from members of the community on animal welfare issues. The bill will help governments act wisely and in tune with the community on animal welfare issues in contentious areas. This will be through a provision to establish an Animal Welfare Advisory Committee to advise me on animal welfare matters. The committee will have a very challenging role indeed if it is going to provide objective and informed advice. The bill provides for flexibility in the make-up of the committee and I envisage it will be expertise based with the necessary checks and balances in its composition. ¥ Finally, some points of clarification. This bill is about promoting the welfare of animals and preventing cruelty to animals. It covers all areas in which animals are used in the state, 1990 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 31 Jul 2001

including pets and companion animals, circuses, rodeos, zoos, animals in farming, transport and so on. Animal welfare measures should not be confused with animal control. Local governments are responsible for animal control, whether it is registration of dogs, desexing of dogs and cats, controls over stray dogs and cats, barking dogs and dangerous dogs. No fair-minded person has anything at all to fear from this bill. The policies in this bill have been developed over several years in consultation with animal welfare groups, livestock industries and other animal user groups. All of these have supported the policy principles enshrined in this bill and all support the need for modern legislation. Relevant stakeholder groups have scrutinised the bill and given it their thumbs up. This is a sensible, workable, well-thought out piece of legislation. It deserves the full support of all honourable members in this House and I believe the people of Queensland will be very disappointed if that is not the case. I commend this Bill to the House. Debate, on motion of Mr Horan, adjourned.

DISTINGUISHED VISITORS Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms Jarratt): Order! We have in the gallery a delegation from Kuki City in the Saitama Prefecture in the Tokyo area of Japan. They are led by Mr Takashi Kaneko, and have been hosted by Toogoolawah School and the Esk Shire Council. Honourable members: Hear, hear!

GAMING MACHINE AMENDMENT BILL Second Reading Resumed from 20 June (see p. 1573). Mr HORAN (Toowoomba South—NPA) (Leader of the Opposition) (12.50 p.m.): This is a very important bill because it brings about some changes to the gaming legislation after a substantial period of this state having had the poker machines first of all in the club industry and then with a growing number in the hotel industry. At the outset I would like to go through some of the history of the introduction of the machines, and I use as reference for this the very good article that has been put out by the Queensland Parliamentary Library. Prior to 1992 the only Australian jurisdictions that allowed such machines were New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. By 1997-98 Western Australia was the only state that did not have gaming machines in clubs, hotels, taverns and bars. Nationally, state government revenue from gaming activities is now heavily supported by revenue from taxation struck on gaming machine profits and levies applied to gaming machines across the nation. In 1997-98 poker or gaming machines of some type were the source of some $1.7 billion, or 46 per cent of gambling taxes and levies for state and territory governments. The Gaming Machine Act of 1991—and again I am referring to this article by the library—introduced gaming machines into Queensland after a long period of unsuccessful lobbying of successive governments on the part of organisations such as the Licensed Clubs Association, which declared in 1981 that many of its member clubs were in dire straits and would need interest-free government loans to remain solvent. A Morgan Gallup poll in 1981 suggested that over 60 per cent of adult Queenslanders were in favour of the introduction of gaming machines in the state. A striking feature of the pro-machine lobby in Queensland was the estimated $100 million in taxation that would be paid to the New South Wales government between 1980 and 1990 through Queensland residents playing machines in seven licensed clubs in the Tweed Heads area. That was the basis of a lot of the argument and debate that went on at the time. On the one hand, there were those people in our community who were genuinely concerned about the introduction of poker machines. People could see the benefits of having a venue where people could go to enjoy family lifestyle and involvement in a good, safe and secure environment. On the other hand, there was also very serious concern about the effects of increased gambling and the effects an additional form of gambling would have on the community. Many people had seen what had happened in New South Wales—the deleterious effects as well as the beneficial effects. There were very genuine concerns about the effects of poker machines on our 31 Jul 2001 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 1991 communities socially and also economically. Depending upon how much of the profits return to a community, gaming machines take a certain amount of money out of a community. That goes to the government of the day, and the concern is about how much of that is actually returned to the government of the day. I often hear shopkeepers say that there is just not the money around to be spent in the shops these days because of probably two things: firstly, the proportion of people's weekly disposable income that they are actually spending on the poker machines or in the venue where those machines are located. That transaction money is being transferred from perhaps the purchase of clothes, food, furniture or other things for the household to spending on leisure. A portion of that spending on leisure—the part that is taken off in gambling taxes—goes back to government. Then the people have to hope that they get their fair and equal share of that coming back to the community in the form of government services, infrastructure or particular grants. That has always been a concern. I know that at the moment many communities are struggling with a lesser amount of money being spent in their areas because of the increased cost of petrol. People say that a certain amount of money used to be spent in their community two years ago, but with increased petrol prices that money is now going to Saudi Arabia, Indonesia or wherever the petrol is sourced from. Those are two of the effects on a community. There is also the effect on a community of the transfer of money. When poker machines were introduced no new money was printed. There was still the same amount of money to go round in the community, but the money that was fed into machines was diverted from a number of other areas of spending. Some of the clubs have a wonderful environment. I would be the first to say that having poker machines has helped some of the clubs in my area. In other cases, clubs are really struggling. We can see it in town after town. Since the implementation of poker machines some clubs have been successful. A regional city will end up with one big megaclub and the other clubs a little bit below it fold or are forced into all sorts of circumstances to try to survive. Sometimes we see reasonably successful medium to smaller clubs that have been careful, that have not expanded their premises, that have understood their clientele and what their market niche is, and that have been able to use the poker machines prudently to improve their facility and to provide additional opportunity. Of course, most clubs have had to introduce poker machines because if they did not, then someone else down the road—say a competing bowls club—would introduce them and people would go there and not patronise their particular bowls club. The introduction of poker machines has had its pluses and minuses. The benefits for some clubs have included the opportunity for people to be able to go and have a meal on a Friday evening at a nice family club facility. Very often the meals are at a reasonable price, but we have to consider how much price discounting has gone into funding large facilities and how much actually goes back to the community to help, for example, junior clubs, sports clubs and various other community groups that need some assistance. When the poker machines were brought onto the club scene, we certainly saw a large proliferation of poker machines and, as I said, some clubs moved fairly dramatically to build larger facilities. Some have been successful and, sadly, some have not been successful. It is quite sad to go to some towns and see that sporting clubs have not been able to continue to exist—they have been forced into liquidation—either as a result of expanding too quickly or because another major club has taken the bulk of the business. With the introduction of poker machines we saw hotels going through a stage of uncertainty and financial downturn which was probably somewhat akin to the downturn that they suffered after the introduction of drink-driving laws. I think we all agree that drink-driving laws had to be introduced. The majority of hotels in Queensland are family-owned businesses. We must always remember and respect that these are people who have bought businesses on the basis of existing rules and existing risk. They are people who have had to put in a lot of hard work and long hours and days in order to, firstly, make the business profitable so that they can repay their loans and, secondly, to provide convenience and friendship to their customers. Like clubs, a hotel can provide a very important community benefit. A hotel is somewhere people can go to meet and talk to their friends and have an evening meal. Generally, clubs are an important part of the social infrastructure of our communities. As the arrangements were put in place for hotels to be able to have more poker machines and poker machines of different coin denominations, we eventually saw that hotels were able to do something about refurbishment and about improving their actual structure. I do not think there would be a member of parliament who has not noticed that in the last two or three years, 1992 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 31 Jul 2001 particularly in some of the CBD areas, hotels were becoming derelict and were in need of modernisation and improvement. They were not able to achieve that strictly on the basis of the sale of food and beverage. The increase in the number of machines that they could introduce and the denominations of coins that those machines could take enabled a large number of hotels to bring about improvements. It has been good to see that as a result many of our towns have been able to provide good, modern, first-class and, in many cases, world-class facilities. The difference between hotels and clubs—and maybe the advantage that hotels have over clubs—is that people do not have to pay a membership fee to go into a hotel. People can walk into any hotel off the street without having to be a member or be signed in by a member, as is the case with clubs, and we all understand that that is part of the proper purpose of clubs. That is where we are at the moment. It is probably fair to say—and I have some figures here that I will go through shortly—that in recent years there has been a relatively large increase in the percentage of poker machines in hotels compared with clubs. This legislation is really putting a cap on the number of machines in hotels and it is not doing the same in the club area. If people genuinely believe that there is a social problem, they would have to argue that there are enough machines in Queensland, that there needs to be some rationalisation. After virtually 10 years of the usage and implementation of poker machines, it is time to take a breath and say, 'How big is the gambling problem? How much of people's family incomes is being used in this area?' Then it is time to look across-the-board at both hotels and clubs. Sitting suspended from 1 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. Mr HORAN: Prior to lunch I gave the House the history of the introduction of poker machines and their effect upon communities, which is the basis of this bill, that is, applying a reasonable handbrake on the number of poker machines so that gambling addiction, excessive use of poker machines and the community feeling that there are too many poker machines can be addressed. We need to ensure that we do not have a never-ending increase of poker machines. However, that issue is one of the fundamental flaws in this bill, because it provides that capping process on only one section of the industry, that is, hotels. If there was genuine concern that there are too many poker machines, then surely the capping process should apply across the industry. When summing-up the debate I ask the minister to explain why the capping is applied only to hotels and not other segments of the poker machine industry. If there is genuine community concern that there needs to be a handbrake applied to the number of machines, the growth of machines and the viability of both sides of the industry, we have to question why this measure applies to only one side of the industry. In 1992 clubs had 3,730 poker machines, or 83 per cent, and hotels had 743, or 16.6 per cent. Earlier I spoke about how hotels were doing it tough in trying to compete against clubs with that percentage of machines. Over the last nine years it has now got to the stage where clubs have 18,536 machines, or 58 per cent of the total, and hotels have 13,360 machines, or 41.89 per cent of the total. There has been very substantial growth in poker machine numbers, but there has also been growth in the percentage of machines located in hotels as compared to clubs. Clubs still have the bulk of poker machines at 58 per cent. Now that hotels have 41 per cent or 42 per cent of machines, it is a lot more balanced than it was in 1992. That is the point I am making to the minister about the capping process. If we are genuine, it is about the total number of poker machines available throughout the state. There needs to be a balance between clubs and hotels so that each can have a fair go. Over the past 10 years poker machines have been located in both facilities. It was thought that not having machines in sufficient numbers or sufficient coinage denominations in hotels was detrimental to that industry. However, it has moved closer to a system of balance. I look forward to hearing the minister's comments in relation to that. This bill gives force to the objective of the Gaming Machine Act 1991, which ensures that the state and community as a whole benefit from gaming machines. It establishes the Major Facilities Fund, which has been created to finance major sporting and cultural developments of statewide significance and associated infrastructure. That all sounds very nice until we move to the next part. The Lang Park redevelopment is the major public sporting development to benefit from the Major Facilities Fund. This is the facility that the community has been concerned about. This is the facility that has created this new tax, the major facilities levy. We were told at the last election that there would be no new taxes. However, this is a completely new and separate tax. There is the gaming machine tax— Mr Mackenroth: It's not a tax; it's a levy. 31 Jul 2001 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 1993

Mr HORAN: Just the word has been changed. If people have to put their hands in their pockets to pay this levy to the government, what does the member think it is? Just because the word has changed from 'tax' to 'levy' the government thinks it can get away from saying it is not a new tax. Of course it is a new tax. It is a new tax altogether created for the purpose of the Major Facilities Fund. Mr Mackenroth interjected. Mr HORAN: This money will go to Lang Park. About $110 million was spent in 1993 to build a magnificent grandstand on one side of the ground, yet the government wants to spend another $280 million. Wherever one travels around Queensland people are asking why so much public money has to go into a facility in Brisbane that many people will not be able to utilise. Many people believe that that money should be shared around the state so that people are able to get decent facilities in their towns. Mr Mackenroth: You were going to build one at Hamilton. Mr HORAN: There was only a proposal. It was not going to cost any money, and we did not build it. So there you go. Wherever you travel people have concerns about the redevelopment of Lang Park. At a time when so many other things are needed which would provide jobs and ongoing work for people, particularly young people, this money will be spent on this major facility right in the centre of Brisbane. Communities that need roads, communities that would like to see their police have more cars and equipment, communities that want weirs or dams built which would provide real jobs in the area, communities that want to see improvements to schools or hotels, and communities that want decent facilities in their regional and suburban areas are asking why all of this money has to be spent on one facility when so many other things could be done with the money. The amount of money being spent on the Lang Park redevelopment would probably put in place about 50 decent indoor facilities for young Queenslanders right around the state in suburbs, towns and districts and provide something that would be of lasting benefit to everybody around the state. The Major Facilities Fund will be financed by the new levy introduced on the profits to category 1 licensed premises, that is, hotels whose profits on poker machines are above a certain amount. Amendments in this bill will also place a cap on gaming machines in category 1 hotels by removing the scope to accept applications for gaming machines. There are also amendments to decrease the number of approved gaming machines at premises where they have not been operating the approved number for a determined period. The minister's second reading speech revealed that the bill was to address community concerns about the recent rapid growth of gaming machines in Queensland. It also revealed that continued growth of gaming machine numbers and profits which occurred in hotels was contrary to community wishes. That is the point I made earlier. This legislation is discriminatory. It is discriminatory because it puts a handbrake on hotels. It virtually says that the community concern about poker machines is restricted just to hotels. It is not restricted to hotels; it goes to the availability and total number of poker machines. It seems so discriminatory to be doing this to the hotel industry alone, while the government does not seek to have the club industry take any responsibility for this social concern. The National Party acknowledges that gambling has had a place in the Australian way of life. It is an enjoyed form of entertainment that most players undertake responsibly and within their means. The expansion of the tourism and hospitality industries has provided thousands of employment opportunities for young Australians and has generated considerable wealth for the benefit of the whole community. The government has been able to increase the supply of goods and services because of the revenue flowing from charges and taxes on all forms of gambling activities. A large percentage of the adult population actively enjoys participating in one or more forms of gambling, and some do so on a regular basis. The fact that many people take part in gambling and do so in a responsible and enjoyable manner is a positive aspect of this important social issue. But there is another feature of the gambling practice that has been substantially ignored in Queensland by the Beattie Labor government. From 1 July 1998 to 30 June 2000 the Labor government increased revenue from gambling machines by a huge 67 per cent or $124 million. It was happy enough to cream off the substantial revenues generated from gambling, but was and is guilty of neglecting the casualties of the industry. The Beattie government's response was to allocate a mere $1.8 million for issues associated with gambling, while the Productivity Commission estimated that 2.3 per cent of the 1994 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 31 Jul 2001 adult population in Queensland had a gambling problem. Therefore, National Party policy reflected a commitment to a positive program to ensure responsible gambling in Queensland, to support family life and to strengthen personal relationships. That is why our policy also provided a commitment to allocate an additional $14 million over four years to address this major social issue. I will give some statistics on gaming machines in Queensland. In May of this year, 623 clubs had a total of 19,072 gaming machines, while 725 hotels had a total of 15,882 gaming machines. Those figures update some figures I gave earlier for 30 June 2000. Honourable members can see that there has been an increase in the number of gaming machines in Queensland at the end of June last year. In 1999-2000, gross machine gaming revenue from clubs was $516 million, in comparison with $355 million for hotels. In 2000-01, the estimated actual gaming machine tax revenue totalled $281.7 million. That is anticipated to rise next year to $322 million. On the basis that 8.5 per cent of taxation goes to the community benefit fund, an estimated $24 million was collected in 2000-01 for this fund. In addition, clubs with more than 50 machines must submit a community benefit statement. The first of these is due by October of this year. I guess many members have a lot to do with the community benefit fund because of the support letters we receive and the various organisations that come to us for some supporting brief to assist them with their application. I think one of the successes of the fund has been that each grant is limited, which has resulted in money being made available to a larger number of organisations. The cap used to be $15,000. Recently the cap was raised to $30,000. Applications can be made for grants over $30,000, but each grant being limited has enabled a lot of organisations to apply successfully. Very often, for the average club or organisation that small amount of money—it might provide for a computer and some printing equipment, a course or a small asset—can make all the difference in the world, without making the club totally reliant on government money and enabling the club to keep its own particular ethos. I think it has been a great benefit indeed. The Gambling Community Benefit Fund is expected to receive about $30.5 million in 2000-01. Between the first round of grants in June 1994 and June 2000 the fund has been used to partially finance 14,426 projects, at a total cost of more than $111 million. On top of the funds that come via the government through the community benefit fund there have been a lot of direct community contributions. I think particularly of the clubs association. It has given funds to major projects. The brief from the Parliamentary Library talks about funds given to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service and so forth. Likewise, the QHA has run particular fundraising programs for the Princess Alexandra Hospital Foundation. I mention those hotels that have provided over the years for many sporting clubs. I think we all know of examples from our own electorates. They support the local cricket club, touch footy, netball, junior soccer or whatever. That has been a very important contribution to the community. When people talk about hotels being owned privately or by a company, they often forget what that facility puts into the community—those owners who are working to pay off their hotels but at the same time supporting their local communities. I raise a couple of issues regarding the caps that will be applied to hotels. I refer to developing areas. One such example is Highfields, to the north of Toowoomba. It is a growth area. A new tavern has gone in there. In a greenfield site, where totally new suburbs are being developed, it will be necessary in many cases, as part of that community social infrastructure, for a tavern or like facility to be able to apply to have gaming machines so that it can provide the range of entertainment and hospitality that hotels in the nearby town or suburbs would have. The issue relating to high-growth areas needs to be addressed. While numbers may be capped, if an area changes dramatically—it may suddenly change to a high-density growth area which changes the population structure of the area; it may be a new subdivision or a greenfield area—these places will need to be able to apply for a gaming machine licence. I am quite sure things can be controlled and restricted. Completely capping numbers for hotels means that facilities will not be able to provide for a new growth area and their community amenity will be lost. I refer to the comments of some of the people in the hotel industry which adequately describe the dismay of the hotel industry at discovering how the Lang Park redevelopment was to be funded—through this new levy, this new tax to be introduced on hotels that had a winning turnover of a certain amount. In the Courier-Mail of 9 May the general manager of the Hedley 31 Jul 2001 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 1995

Liquor Group, which runs nine hotels in Townsville, Cairns and Innisfail, said that he would not be as angry if there was some benefit for north Queenslanders. He said that the irony was that the government seemed to be slugging hotels which were in some cases 2,000 kilometres away but leaving the sporting clubs alone, when they are the ones that will benefit from Lang Park most of all. That is the feeling of people in the north. Jan Dooley, who runs Dooleys in Fortitude Valley—they are great sponsors of everything Irish—said that they do sponsor practically everything that is Irish and put a lot back into the community. She said that it would be interesting to see, in light of what Dooleys earns and what some of the clubs earn, which is putting more back into the community. They are examples of the way this tax has been levied on one part of the poker machine community and the way in which the capping process has been applied to one part of the poker machine community. Look at the growth that has occurred over the past nine years. I read out those figures in relation to the percentage of machines at hotels—an increase from 16 per cent to just on 42 per cent by the end of June 2000. If there was a graduated way in which the restriction or the handbrake on the growth of poker machines could be applied to both—even if it was applied to one more than the other—that would be fair. It would be fair if the levy that will go towards Lang Park was contributed to by both sides of the poker machine industry, not just levied on the one. What has, in effect, happened is that the levy has been added to the tax that is already paid. So the full contribution to the Major Facilities Fund is being made by one section only of the poker machine community, namely the poker machine businesses. Mr Mackenroth: Why don't you move an amendment? Mr HORAN: Those are the facts. That is what is happening. The minister interjects, but he cannot run away from the fact that there is discrimination in these two areas. The one thing about Lang Park and the one thing about the levy there is that this money is being used totally to fund the loan that is being taken out by the Lang Park Trust. The funding of $280 million is being split into two amounts. One is $45 million, for which the Lang Park Trust will be responsible and which it will repay from the proceeds or profits it makes from running the facility. That may be from sponsorship, food and beverages, gate takings, rentals and so forth. The other $235 million, which will also be a loan taken out by the Lang Park Trust, will be repaid purely and simply from this new tax—the pub tax, the levy on the hotels. So this is being levied on one particular segment of the community; it is public money that will be going purely and simply to Lang Park. How many years we would have to wait to see that go to any other facilities nobody knows. But if in the order of $14 million is raised each year, at best that will pay only the interest on the $235 million that has to be raised. So this could go on for decades before any funds are made available to any other organisation or any other major facility within the state. It used to be that, in Queensland, we were able to build major facilities without a new tax. We were able to develop facilities like the Gabba. We have been able to raise funds, like the $110 million that went into Lang Park during the 1990s. That was all able to be done from within the capital works funding of this state and within the existing taxation levels of this state. But here we have a government— Mr Mackenroth: You're the mob that went around the state whingeing— Mr HORAN: The minister will get his turn later. Here we have a government that cannot do it. It is already reducing capital expenditure in the state. Last year, $286 million did not get spent. This year, the capital works budget of the state has been reduced in order to build this facility. Previous governments have been able to build facilities such as art galleries, lyric theatres, roads, railways and other important facilities around the state. Whether it was the foreshore of Townsville or any other facilities around the state, previous governments were able to fund them without a new additional tax. But here we have a tax-and-spend government, and it does not have the money to do it. Mr Reynolds: The foreshore of Townsville was funded by this government. The Strand was actually done by this government—$15 million worth. Mr HORAN: The people who put in the money for the foreshore at Townsville were the coalition government. We put that into the 1998 budget. It is probably one of the greatest things that Townsville has ever seen—thanks to the foresight of the coalition government to put that in the budget in 1998. Mr Cummins interjected. 1996 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 31 Jul 2001

Mr HORAN: I hear members saying that they want capital infrastructure taxed more. My point is that we have been able to have capital infrastructure without more tax. This government is spending and spending and spending without being careful enough to leave in the right compartment enough money for capital works spending. Every other previous government has been able to build all the necessary facilities time after time without new taxes. But suddenly, with this tax-and-spend government, the money is not there; so it just whacks on another new tax. So I guess that every time someone comes up with another idea there will be another new tax whacked on something else. Mr Cummins: Because we're not taking it out of hospitals and schools, are we? Mr HORAN: We were able to build hospitals. We were able to double the amount available for hospitals. We doubled it from $1.2 billion to $2.4 billion, because the money provided previously was not adequate. But we did not have to impose a tax like this. This is an issue that I believe everyone wants to address, namely the issue of social responsibility regarding the number of poker machines. How do we get that balance whereby we can provide for adequate entertainment and hospitality? How do we get that balance whereby there are enough machines so that clubs can run in a satisfactory way and provide the necessary amenities and facilities for their members? How do we provide enough machines so that hotels can maintain their facilities with refurbishment or rebuilding so that they are of the type acceptable to their communities? It is important to be able to do that while maintaining a handbrake on the growth in number of machines so that we do not see a proliferation of machines and a proliferation of spending on poker machines at the expense of things on which people should be spending their family budget. So that is one aspect of this issue. And it is happening in a discriminatory way, because only one segment of the industry is being affected by the capping, that is, the hotel industry. And any particular pain is not being shared around. Even if it had to be shared around on a relative basis, that would be fair. Bear in mind, of course, that hotels are restricted to a maximum of 40 machines, and the restriction on clubs is 280 machines. The final aspect of this issue is the new tax—the pub tax—that will provide for the reconstruction of Lang Park. I doubt that this tax would ever have been introduced except for the fact that the government came up with the idea of the redevelopment of Lang Park. It had no idea how to fund it, and there was no money available to fund it. It had made the decision to redevelop it, but it did not have the cash or the wherewithal to go ahead with it. It even made stupid statements such as that it was not going to cost the public one cent. Of course it is. This is taxing a segment of the Queensland industry. So it whacked on this new tax to tax the publicans. It is a discriminatory tax, without the burden being shared around by all those involved in the industry. There are some components of this bill that we support. We do think it is time to look very responsibly at the social issue of the number of poker machines. I doubt that there is one member of parliament who would not want to look at that issue in a careful way to try to ensure that people in our community are spending money where they should spend it and that they are spending it responsibly. But the way in which this bill addresses some of those issues in a discriminatory way is completely wrong. That is one of the very important aspects of this particular bill. But the thing that we really object to is the levying of the new pub tax—the new levy—just to pay for the redevelopment of Lang Park when any other government would have been able to put in place proper capital works funding mechanisms that would have seen that particular project—or better still, projects all around the state—go ahead. So this is a tax-and-spend government that has no idea where the money is coming from. So it is going to whack on a new tax. That is our major objection to this bill. Ms BOYLE (Cairns—ALP) (2.58 p.m.): I am pleased to support the Gaming Machine Amendment Bill. I was pleased in 1999 to be asked by the then Treasurer, the Honourable David Hamill, to join a team of parliamentarians reviewing gaming machines and gaming in Queensland. As part of that review, I was pleased to consult with clubs, pubs and casinos, with concerned community groups and with others—those who use gaming machines and who enjoy them in a modest way across state from Brisbane to Cairns and places in between—about the downsides of gambling. In our recommendations arising out of that review, we were very careful to make sure that we took account of all of the players in the hotel and club industry. Through the actions of the short- 31 Jul 2001 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 1997 lived Borbidge government, of which Mr Horan was a part, the balance between pubs and clubs was changed as the roll-out of gaming machines beyond the original intention of the Goss government at the time of the introduction of gaming machines to Queensland was allowed. I recall well those days, because at that time I was an alderman on the Cairns City Council. The general view in Cairns was that gaming machines, if properly controlled, were a part of modern life and that as long as they returned a benefit to the people of Queensland, as long as they were controlled properly in terms of offering any potential for crime or lack of safety and as long as their numbers were controlled and remained of benefit to small clubs in regional Queensland—in places such as Cairns—they would be okay. Of course, some other people opposed the introduction of gaming machines. Those people were small in number; nonetheless, their voices were heard. I recall their concern about a potential proliferation of gambling-related problems in Queensland. What has happened in the city of Cairns is that a proliferation of gaming machines has indeed occurred, particularly since 1996. I am sorry to say that it is my view that we now have an excessive number of gaming machines for a city the size of Cairns, particularly in the CBD area. At last count, within a three- kilometre radius of the Cairns CBD, we have over 750 gaming machines. That does not include those available at the Cairns Reef Casino, which is also located within the Cairns CBD. That means that gaming machines are distributed widely between large and small venues, between clubs and pubs and, of course, in casinos. It means that people in Cairns—residents as well as the many visitors who increase our population in the city on any given night—have easy access to gaming machines. It is the view of the many people in Cairns whom I have consulted over the past several years that enough is enough. Another issue of concern in Cairns is the number of small clubs, particularly suburban clubs, that have gone broke or are in financial difficulty. Some of the recommendations in our report have addressed this issue. I know that, through the Department of State Development, various programs will be developed to assist these small clubs. Nonetheless, the bottom line for these clubs is that as long as they are competing with hotels that, through their size and through the financial backing of their owners or their sponsors have tremendous marketing and promotions capabilities—way in excess of the ability of a small, individual club in a regional centre—they will continue to face an uphill battle to survive. Many of those clubs have a quite modest number of gaming machines. They host very many fine functions for suburban areas. They certainly provide meals at a reasonable cost. They provide a social venue not only for members but also for community and other groups in the area who may wish to meet there. Many of those clubs have a connection with a particular sport and assist that sport, particularly the sport's juniors. These are all fine community endeavours and ones that would be sorely missed were these small clubs to founder financially and close. In the Cairns area, the several clubs that have fallen into serious financial difficulty are—and this is surely not coincidental—located in suburbs where they are sorely needed, because the income-earning capacity of the population of those suburbs may not be as high as it is in other suburbs. Often, for those families who face socioeconomic difficulties, the club is their place and the assistance that the club provides to their organisations and to their sporting activities is not just an extra help; it is indeed essential. Therefore, when the Treasurer announced that the big pubs that are making a whacking profit out of gaming machines would contribute more to Queensland, particularly through major sporting facilities, it was recognised as an appropriate move in the circumstances. I admit that in Cairns some people made comments about looking forward in the fullness of time to sharing in those major facilities, particularly seeing that Cairns has the ambition of becoming a destination for sports tourism. We are doing well in that department already, and that is to a significant degree because of the sports and recreation funding that we have received, again as a consequence of the benefits that have accrued to Queenslanders through gaming taxes. I would like to give recognition in particular to two significant sporting facilities in Cairns that in part have been funded by this government. One is the Cairns roller sports facility, which hosted the national championships several months ago and is in the running to host the international championships two years from now. Indeed, people from the big cities of Australia who attended those championships commented that the facilities were as good or better than those in the capital cities around this country. Mr Mackenroth: They invited us to have a roll around, didn't they? We didn't mind. 1998 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 31 Jul 2001

Ms BOYLE: We all did roll around that facility. I am pleased to say that the Treasurer and Minister for Sport was there for the official opening, and so he should have been as he considered and approved, on the recommendation of his department, funding for that facility. Of course, I also give recognition to the members of the Cairns Roller Sports Association, who worked hard over many years to provide the other half of the funding for the facility. More recently, we have received a commitment of nearly $1.9 million from the Sports and Recreation Fund for the upgrade of Barlow Park to install a synthetic athletics track and associated facilities that will put Cairns on the international track— Mr Mackenroth: If you listen to the Leader of the Opposition, you would think that I spend no money outside of Brisbane. Ms BOYLE: Of course, Cairns cannot complain about the contribution that this government has made to sporting facilities and other facilities in Cairns. I must say that it is still commented that that was not so between 1996 and 1998. The Borbidge government, of which Mr Horan was a part, seemed to forget that we existed. So wherever they spent the money that the opposition leader now claims was so widely spent, it certainly was not spent in Cairns. Of course, when this announcement was made some pubs were not keen and resented paying more, although this was barely a flurry. It is, in fact, an appropriate increase in taxation because in areas such as Cairns the number of gaming machines is getting away from us. Unfortunately, people involved in our Break Even programs say that too many people are getting themselves into financial difficulties as a consequence of their poor control over their ability to enjoy putting a few dollars into gaming machines. Consequently their families and sometimes their employment suffer. As I have said, in Cairns the general view is that enough is enough. In fact, at this time there is before the Gaming Commission a last-minute application by a new development in Cairns for more gaming machines. It is already known in Cairns, as well as by the developers, that I am opposing that application on the basis of a lack of community need—in fact, quite the contrary. Of course, one of the recommendations that the Treasurer has chosen to forward from the gaming review is to give me as a member of parliament or as an individual, as well as others in the community, the opportunity to comment when an application is made to change the number of gaming machines, particularly on the basis of community need. In fact, this development is an example of the kind of roll-out of gaming machines that we as a government are determined to stop. Although I welcome the development of the Gilligan's Backpackers Hostel, it is my view that the associated hotel development appears to be an excuse for gaming machines to be located, as it were, at the backpacker's bedroom door, which is not appropriate. We will see over these next months whether I am alone in my view and what in the end is the determination of the gaming commission. A particular point, however, that businesses in Cairns wish to make is that the impact of gaming has been considerable in terms of the amount of money people have had available to spend on other entertainment and retail activities. While it may be very difficult to prove the link between those who spend on gaming machines and those who spend in restaurants or other small businesses on shopping and entertainment, nonetheless there are those in Cairns who are convinced that that link is there. Of course, they quite properly want the tourists to wander the streets of Cairns in the balmy evenings, having spent a magnificent day on the reef or in the rainforest, looking not only for an interesting restaurant but also for worthwhile gifts and mementoes for themselves or their families and friends. Having gaming machines in backpacker hostels, positioned to be seen as one leaves one's bedroom and moves towards the door, is not at all appropriate. To approve such a venue having gaming machines would, of course, put other backpacker hostels in the invidious position of needing to compete. Before we know it, those kinds of venues would want gaming machines as well. Surely not only people in Cairns are of the view that it is time to call a halt and that it is essential that the profits made by pubs are reasonably limited. It is time that gaming machines are treated as the very special product that they are, and not as any other product that any retail or other kind of business can sell or use. However, it is important that the benefits do come back to Queensland. Whether one refers to them as taxes or by any other name, it is appropriate that money that is spent so painlessly, as it were, accrues to communities like Cairns through the Reef Hotel Casino Community Benefit Fund or the Gaming Machine Community Benefit Fund and benefits sporting and other facilities. I remind honourable members of the sorts of worthy community organisations in Cairns that benefit 31 Jul 2001 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 1999 from such funds. I am sure that similar organisations in members' own electorates also receive such benefits. The Kick Arts Collective was recently funded with $1,300 for a printer and fax machine. This fledgling arts collective organisation, which organises art exhibitions, is not run by professional artists and, because it does not have yet have the necessary credentials, it does not receive major corporate sponsorship. Therefore, that little bit of help allows the organisation to become more professional, thus lifting its ability to pursue other funding and establish available arts functions. The Cairns Potters Club similarly benefited from the purchase of a digital camera. The Cairns and District Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Women received $5,000 for office equipment. That, indeed, is essential. That worthy organisation attends to issues for Aboriginal and islander women not just in Cairns but throughout Cape York. It deals with many issues as indigenous women elders are ready to take their place in their communities to provide leadership and comment on social and government issues as they arise. At the other end of spectrum, the Cairns and District Child Care Development Association had premises in need of some help. The provision of $5,000 to assist with refurbishment was well appreciated. The Cairns Showband is made up of young people in high school and some who have recently left high school. It is not a rich organisation. Nonetheless, it is rich in musical skills. Cairns was proud indeed when a number of members of the Cairns Showband marched in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Sydney last year. The show band is planning a trip to Japan next year. Therefore, the several thousand dollars that have been contributed towards 50 music stands will make that goal a little easier. The Cairns Touch Association received $10,000 for upgrading playing fields. This was needed and has already paid off. Only last week the Peninsula Education Department hosted the statewide secondary schools touch championships. We had the pleasure of having young people from all over the state of Queensland, their parents, coaches and teachers in Cairns for those championships. The grant that was received through the community benefit fund was a significant means of making that possible. Through the Gaming Machine Community Benefit Fund, Cairns has received its share over the years. In summary, since its inception $3,585,344 has been given to organisations in the Cairns and Port Douglas area. In the year 1999-2000, the amount was $867,818. That is right and appropriate. It is the kind of balance that the community expects. The community expects that there will be an opportunity for those who wish to engage in what can be harmless fun to do so. However, that activity should not take over a community and become excessive. It is not something that hotel chains should become preoccupied with or profit from to excess. Instead, the profits should be fairly shared with all Queenslanders. That is what this amendment bill will seek to do. We recognise the tremendous community benefits provided by smaller venues such as the clubs and smaller pubs in Cairns, as well as those provided by the additional taxes paid by the larger pubs. We can all make sure that this money is returned to the people of Cairns and of Queensland via arts, sporting, cultural and community benefit organisations. Mr HOBBS (Warrego—NPA) (3.16 p.m.): I am pleased to speak on the Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2000. This bill deals principally with gaming machines, that is, poker machines. It is not about gaming in totality, as some people may presume. As the previous two speakers have mentioned, there are serious social problems associated with gambling which, as parliamentarians, we have to ensure we address. Every member would have dealt with some of those issues. People ring up to talk to us about the problems that they have and we agonise over some of the applications that we receive from people within the gaming industry, requesting further machines and things like that. This issue is before us all. No doubt everyone welcomes the 8.5 per cent in funding that flows back to the community. I understand that last year the figure from gaming machines was about $24 million and that will probably increase to nearly $30 million in the next financial year. That is quite a large increase and it is certainly very welcome in the community as small clubs and groups really do require assistance. It really helps them as money can be very hard to raise in their areas. By the same token, communities are no doubt losing a lot more than they get back. It is a little like taking away a truck load and bringing back a shovelful, but it is certainly a benefit. However, there are serious problems associated with gaming. It is an issue that is difficult to deal with and, to a certain degree, this bill does try to deal with some of those things. 2000 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 31 Jul 2001

Of course, Treasury is laughing all the way to the bank. In 2000-01 the gaming machine tax alone is worth something like $281 million and the figure for next year is forecast to be $322 million. There is no doubt that quite a lot of money comes to Treasury from gaming. Obviously, that is the reason why gambling was approved in the first place. New South Wales, Victoria and other states certainly have much higher figures than we have; they have much better returns from their poker machines. However, they also have a higher input from the community. In other words, those communities lose more on gambling. By the same token, we have to try to run our own show and make sure that we look after our community. One of the problems we have is that the bill changes some of the guidelines. Whenever guidelines are changed in relation to business activities and how people manage their lives, we need to manage that change well. For example, someone might have had an option to buy a hotel and was not aware that this legislation was pending. They might have been caught out and lost their deposit if they decided not to proceed. There is a financial implication for somebody who might have purchased a hotel or perhaps for a club owner who decided to revamp and bring in some poker machines to try to improve the standard. They might have gone to the banks or might be in the process of raising finance for an upgrade. We have to take those things into consideration. The ALP is never good at this, as we have seen in debates on water and other property rights in the past. It has a long way to go in relation to recognising property rights, whether it be for hoteliers, home owners or even water users. There needs to be an appropriate transition period. In relation to the applications already being processed, two people in my electorate told me that they were in the process of making applications and had employed consultants. One told me that the department said that he had to undertake a social study of the region. He employed a consultant at a cost of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000. He was collecting all of that data because he was told not to put in the application until the study had been completed. He virtually had the application in the envelope ready to go and then the opportunity was closed. The way it stands at present, he has missed out. I do not think that is fair. A process needs to be in place whereby people who have genuinely made a financial commitment can be recognised in the system. I noted that the minister stated he was concerned about there being a rush of applications. There might be, but we have to sift through those and take into consideration the fact that there might be a few more. Even if two or three get through the net, it is far better to at least recognise the rights of those who have already spent money on their applications. The bill also controls the growth in machine numbers in category 1 hotels and decreases the number of machines in premises that are not operating at the approved number of machines. Has the government spoken to the bankers? One club in my area has reduced the number of poker machines it has because it is going through a rough patch. All of us have clubs and hotels in our electorates that have ups and downs. But a pub might change owners and things might improve. So although a hotel or club might be in the dumps for a while it is possible that that situation can be turned around. The banks are prepared to accept that risk. So there is an issue about clubs and hotels in a downturn. A watering hole with a good publican might have high patronage, but after a while the owner might change. The process is cyclical. We all have clubs in our towns. I know of one club that has reduced the number of poker machines it has. The bank is happy for it to do that. But it would anticipate increasing that number down the track, for example, when a new committee comes in. One of the problems is the transition period for allowing people— Mr Mackenroth: It doesn't affect clubs. Mr HOBBS: Hotels— Mr Mackenroth: The act and the speeches that I made allow for a system to be developed where they will be able to sell the rights to those machines into a pool that somebody else can buy. And if they want to get them back, they would have to buy them back. But they also can sell them, which increases the value of their hotel. Mr HOBBS: That might solve the problem. I am pleased that I raised it. Mr Cummins: So are you going to support it now? Mr HOBBS: That is one part of it. I have not got to the other part, which is the most important bit. Mr Cummins: Oh, there is another part? 31 Jul 2001 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2001

Mr HOBBS: Yes, there is. The member probably knows about it; it is called Lang Park. Mr Cummins: Queensland supports it; 66 members support it. Mr HOBBS: I will come to that soon. That might resolve some of those problems. At the end of the day it really depends on what the value is; it could be higher or lower. Mr Mackenroth interjected. Mr HOBBS: The minister thinks it would be high. So that is an issue. I note from the Alert Digest that the Scrutiny of Legislation Committee has raised a few points. I presume the minister is going to respond to those questions? Is he not sure? Mr Mackenroth: I only got it this morning. Mr HOBBS: In that case, I had better read a couple of points to the minister. Mr Mackenroth: I haven't even had a chance to read it. I've been too busy here in the chamber. Mr HOBBS: It states that the Scrutiny of Legislation Committee is concerned whether the retrospective application is adverse to persons other than the government and whether individuals have relied on the legislation and had legitimate expectations under the legislation prior to the retrospective clause commencing. It states— The committee seeks information from the Treasurer as to the number of relevant applications (if any) which have been received since midday on 8 May 2001. While the minister was out of the chamber I noted that a couple of people in my electorate have gone through that process. Mr Mackenroth: They were invited to make an application. Mr HOBBS: In this case the fellow rang up the department and was told that he had to undertake a social study. He employed a consultant to do that study, which cost him a considerable amount—probably $5,000 to $10,000 or $15,000. He was told that once he had done that he could submit his application. Having spent that money, he was about to put in the application. However, he missed the deadline. It would be good if the minister could look at cases where people have made a genuine effort. I know of another case where a person bought a hotel and had planned to do some work. Mr Mackenroth: You would be surprised at how many people I have seen in the last month who just had a plan for a few more poker machines. We would have had 50,000— Mr HOBBS: The minister has to wear that. Mr Mackenroth interjected. Mr HOBBS: What about where someone has spent money on a plan for that purpose? Would the minister be prepared to look at a case where— Mr Mackenroth: We have had a look at it in terms of the way that we allow people who made application for a liquor licence—to apply it from 9 June. Outside of that, it is finished other than the development of a trading system for poker machines, which will be worked out with the QHA over the next six months. All of that work that he has done won't have gone astray because he will be able to buy them. Mr HOBBS: Except for the fact that he hasn't got a licence. He does not have the poker machines. Mr Mackenroth interjected. Mr HOBBS: But he has not actually put the application in. He has done the work with the social studies, but he did not actually put the application in on time. That is the problem we have. Mr Mackenroth: When the tradeable system is developed, which will be within the cap, he will be able to make an application. Mr HOBBS: He can do that, I suppose, depending on what the price is, of course. I want to move on. Mr Mackenroth: I will tell you what: they will only pay for them if they make money. Mr HOBBS: Time is running out. Another part of this legislation is the set-up of the Major Facilities Fund. As was said before, it is the old Lang Park tax. I know that the government has to raise $280 million, as the Leader of the Opposition said, and it is looking at $235 million which it has to try to pay back. It is a significant amount. 2002 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 31 Jul 2001

We can see how the government wants to try to fund this project, but the reality is that it is collecting taxes for a project that does not even meet the Brisbane City Council town plan. It is really trying to push it a bit far. The government has already had to offer the Brisbane City Council in excess of $100 million in incentives to do other sorts of work as well. It is costing a lot of money. While we have no problem with having a good stadium—and I do not think anyone is opposed to that—it is just that it is at the wrong site. The government is talking about jobs, jobs, jobs, but I understand that this project will result in the creation of only an extra 15 long-term jobs. It is not as if it is going to be something really fantastic in that respect. I think there are some serious concerns here. We believe that in the general thrust of the bill the government is trying to work its way through a serious social problem, and we accept that. But we certainly have some problems in relation to the transition period. I understand from what the Treasurer has said that he is working his way through some of those. If he can further refine those to help those people who have missed out or may be in the process, that may be of some help. At this stage I would not support that part of the bill which relates to the Lang Park proposal or the set-up of the Major Facilities Fund. Mr CUMMINS (Kawana—ALP) (3.32 p.m.): I proudly rise in support of the Gaming Machine Amendment Bill. History will show that those who oppose this are of the same political ilk as those who opposed the introduction of pokies to this great state many years ago. Why did they oppose the introduction of poker machines in Queensland then? It is simple—pure corruption. Do honourable members remember the days of the brown paper bags, in-line gaming machines, illegal brothels and casinos in the Valley? The previous speaker said that the Labor Party was not good at a few things. There is one thing we are not good at, and that is corruption—something which members opposite had down to an art form. History will not judge this leaderless lot well. In my opinion there is more talent in the England cricket team than in this opposition. The Premier was wrong this morning when he said that there was no goal or ambition amongst them. It is obvious that the member for Southern Downs, Lawrence Springborg, has some ambition. I fully support a new stadium being built on the old Lang Park site. The opposition says we should not build it but that we should build more public infrastructure; we should spend more on hospitals and schools, but no, in a budget we should withdraw money to build more public infrastructure. They cannot have it both ways. Mr Mickel interjected. Mr CUMMINS: That is right, 'We'll raise the taxes, but we won't spend it here. We will go to an election with unfunded unavailable promises.' They lost the election, they got decimated and they still do not realise that Queensland has supported us and Queenslanders want this. Lang Park, or Suncorp Metway Stadium, is Queensland's home for football. In coming years Rugby League, union and soccer, I hope, will call this stadium home. The previous speaker said that he does not think it will be fantastic. I do. I think it will be marvellous and I think Queenslanders deserve it. Mr Mickel: They were going to put it at the airport. That would have been a hoot. Mr CUMMINS: Yes. Queenslanders deserve the best sporting facilities, a new state-of-the-art stadium to witness our greatest sportsmen and sportswomen achieve their lifetime goals or ambitions. History will be made in this new stadium. Over the years what pub or club was not well patronised on any State of Origin night? State of Origin is now a Queensland-wide and worldwide Rugby League followers' tradition. Even my Sydney-based mother-in-law—bless her soul—leaves me in peace on those few nights each year. I trust that any member who opposes this bill will never set foot in this world-class facility once it is completed. If they do, they will be hypocrites. No doubt I will see them there. If they oppose this, they are saying that Queenslanders do not deserve the best—plain and simple! We on the government side know Queenslanders do deserve the very best, and we will deliver it for them. It was another election commitment that many thought would cost our side dearly, but much to the embarrassment of Martin Bella and other dud National Party candidates and conservative candidates, this state Labor government will deliver the best outcomes for Queenslanders following the election at which we plainly enunciated our commitments. Following the Lang Park redevelopment there will be another and then another major facility, whether it be sporting or cultural, but we will continue to properly plan and deliver and, most importantly, properly govern in a positive way, a can-do way. The Labor government will provide the best for Queenslanders because we know that Queenslanders deserve it. 31 Jul 2001 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2003

Many in the community thought that the conservatives have now hit rock bottom. I believe that history will show that they are still not out of their downward tail spin. While they continue on their negative ways of continuing to oppose everything positive, many can see no future for them. Just ask Bob Katter and De—what's her name—up north. Legalised gambling through poker machines needs careful monitoring and scrutiny, and this legislation continues to provide just that. I know that if this becomes long-term or short-term capping of the number of the poker machines within our community through the hotels, it will be applauded. It does not seem that long ago that many of us would journey by bus to the Tweed for a pull on a poke, that is, a pull of the handle of the old type of poker machines. Millions of dollars were lost to neighbouring New South Wales and, again, it took a Labor state government to address and correct it. Within my electorate of Kawana I have numerous clubs that I would like to mention. Buderim Bowls Club is a popular neighbourhood-type club that caters for both young and old bowlers and non-bowlers. Buderim Bowls Club is a well-appreciated community facility that combines both a sporting backdrop and the social side of comradeship that one finds in a popular sporting facility. On Friday, 27 April I was privileged to present the Queensland flag to the club and spoke to patrons and bowlers alike. I appreciated their warm hospitality and their warm welcome. I have given an open commitment to this club to assist them and work in my role as their state member whenever I can. Another successful club within my electorate is the Kawana Waters Surf Club at Buddina Beach. It performs a very valuable community service as do all surf clubs. Recently the Kawana Waters Surf Lifesaving Club celebrated its 21st anniversary. Although this surf club was not one of the Sunshine Coast's leading clubs in some competitions in the past, I am happy to inform the House that times have changed. Under the current president, Steve Langton, much of the previous work of earlier well-respected presidents has come to fruition. I believe that Steve Langton is in his second year of president of this great club. Previously we had John Thorpe, who I believe also served for two years, and Jeff Willis, who served for eight years before that. Much of the money raised through the pokies and the Kawana Waters Supporters Club is utilised on our youth through a very active Nippers. I believe around 100 nippers are active participants at Kawana Waters surf club. A couple of years ago they were in the top 10 at state carnivals, but last season they finished fourth, just two points behind another Sunshine Coast surf club, Alexandra Headlands. These are the two leading clubs within the Nippers fraternity on the Sunshine Coast. With the great work and dedication of many members, they will climb further up the ladder. As I mentioned earlier, much of the pokie revenue from the Kawana Waters club is utilised for purchasing surf patrol equipment, oxygen cylinders and other surf-lifesaving needs. Coincidentally, money is also utilised for the coaching of our up-and-coming nippers. I fully support the club and its present constitution that ensures that funds raised through the supporters club are spent firstly and foremost on lifesaving. Younger members in the community often look up to good role models—even heroes—and ironmen and ironwomen set a very fine example. The Sunshine Coast is home to the majority of these champion competitors. Kawana Waters Surf Life Saving Club has been fortunate enough to attain the services of well-known champion ironmen and ironwomen, including Brad and Denby Stokes and Kirsty and Zane Holmes, locals who are not only competing very successfully for the Kawana Waters Surf Life Saving Club in numerous events but also coaching the nippers. The chairman of the Nippers, Greg Ingram, has continuously given his all to this proud club. In the past I was lucky enough to be able to assist Greg and the club source other much-needed funds that enabled the club to offer an improved community service. Whether it be a rescue board or a trailer, I was happy to help. I will continue to support and assist this great club when and where I can. Kawana Waters Surf Life Saving Club is a proud, well-established organisation that I again give a public commitment to in supporting its formation of yet another surf club within my electorate in coming years at Bokarina Beach. This will be part of the ongoing development of Kawana Waters under the present development control plan. I believe the Kawana Waters surf club is the ideal and most suited surf club to oversee the formation, construction and eventual running of this new surf lifesaving club that will be established at Bokarina in coming years. Kawana Waters bowls club at Wurtulla is another club I take the opportunity to mention. Although it is just outside my electorate boundaries and in fact within the electorate of the member for Caloundra, many members of the Kawana Waters community utilise the Kawana Waters bowls club. It is a well patronised and well run bowls club that will see a growth, along with 2004 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 31 Jul 2001

Kawana Waters, under the development control plan. Kawana Waters Sports Club Inc. unfortunately has a sorry tale of failure. Originally established early in the 1990s by numerous Liberal Party members in the area, it was a sad indictment of their efforts. It did not last a decade. Then councillors Andrew Champion and John McCaw, both local Liberals, wasted tens of thousands of dollars in establishing what never had a chance of running well due to a poor structure. I support the bill before the House and realise that the community greatly supports this government in both delivering on its Lang Park commitments and limiting the number of poker machines within hotel establishments. I commend the bill to the House. Hon. V. P. LESTER (Keppel—NPA) (3.44 p.m.): I rise to speak on the Gaming Machine Amendment Bill. I have to say at the outset that I do not believe that the pub tax included in the bill is in the best interests of our state. I want to state quickly my reservations concerning this bill. Firstly, while I strongly support the returning of a proportion of the takings from poker machines to the community through such programs as the community benefit fund, I have serious reservations regarding the nature of the Major Facilities Fund. Unlike the community benefit fund, which returns money to projects located throughout the state in the communities from which the money was collected, the Major Facilities Fund directs this money to whatever projects the Labor Party might perceive to be vote winners. In relation to the cap on the number of poker machines in hotels, I honestly do not believe it is fair. We need to consider the fact that, since poker machines were first placed in hotels, hotels have gone to a lot of trouble to improve their facilities and to give a much better service to the community. In doing so, they certainly provided competition for the clubs throughout Queensland. That is a pretty healthy state of affairs. Each and every one of us is in competition. If we run for election, we are in competition. As members in our own parties, there is competition; some want to be ministers, some cannot be, and so on. If we are in business, we are in competition. As Australians selling produce throughout the world, we are in competition. It would seem that some of the better organised pubs got themselves motivated and started to build up a trade, a trade that affected some of the clubs. I do not believe it is fair that the government has now said, 'We'll leave the clubs alone but we'll get into the pubs and put a cap on them.' There are some great hotels in Yeppoon and around my electorate. There is the Railway Hotel, the Club Hotel, the Strand Hotel and the Pacific Hotel. There is also the Pine Beach Hotel at Emu Park, the Keppel Sands Hotel, which is running very well, the Town and Country Hotel in Lakes Creek and so it goes on. The Caves Hotel is doing a very good job, as is the Parkhurst Tavern. All of these places offer a very good service to the community and have improved their capacity to give that service. That has meant that they have put on extra staff and extra counter meals. They are better places to go to. It is as simple as that. I can understand that some people think that the number of poker machines is getting out of hand and that a cap should be applied, but that cap should apply across-the-board. It should be the same for everybody. Mr Mickel: So the pubs should have 280 machines? Mr LESTER: I am saying that there should be a fair deal for both and that both should have the same competition. If a hotel is sufficiently good enough and increases its clientele to a degree that would require additional machines, that is fine. That is what competition is about. This legislation tries to limit competition, and that is very wrong. As a state we are in competition with the rest of Australia. Our whole life is about competition. Just because one particular group has got itself off its tail and worked a bit, competition is brought into the equation. The more successful hotels in Queensland will attract a higher levy to fund the Lang Park redevelopment. That in my view is not fair. If it is the decision of the government that that redevelopment has to be carried out, everybody should contribute to the Lang Park redevelopment. It should be done with a tax right across-the-board. If the government decides the redevelopment should be done and if certain measures have to be taken to fund it, they should not be focused on those few hotels that have been successful. The reason they are successful is that people patronise them. The reason people patronise them is that they obviously have pretty good management and are pretty good places to go. If they were not any good, nobody would go there. It is as simple as that. I just do not believe that anything we are doing via this particular bill is very fair. I have heard government ministers and some members make the comment that the publicans pocket the profits while the clubs give them to the community. I think that is a very unfair statement. Certainly, small amounts of money are given to the community by the clubs. The clubs have contributed very strongly to sailing. The Keppel Bay Sailing Club has done a 31 Jul 2001 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2005 particularly good job in Yeppoon. Nobody denies that. I support that particular club quite strongly. I am quite sure that it is happy to fight its own battles in ordinary, fair competition. It seems to be forgotten that the pubs are the places people go to raise money, whether by chook raffles or whatever. Some pubs run raffles for up to 14 different organisations. In addition, hotels and their proprietors have to put their hands in their pockets to sponsor so many sports—not as it was years ago when they sponsored the rugby league team and perhaps a cricket team. They also fund educational facilities—whatever is going on in the community. If members saw the chequebooks of some of the publicans even in Yeppoon—they have had their hands in their pockets contributing to the community—they would be very surprised at the percentage of their revenue that is actually put back into the community. So it is not fair to say that publicans put their money in their pockets while clubs give money to the community. Both organisations give to the community. If a publican is smart enough to make a few dollars, that is good. If they do make some money, what will they do? They will go out and purchase another business or perhaps refurbish their hotel. They might add motel units or go and buy some real estate. All of this generates jobs. They might go and buy a bigger and better motor car. A government member interjected. Mr LESTER: There is nothing wrong with that. Somebody makes some money out of it. A mechanic might have a bit of work to do. He might not be able to drive the thing properly and a bit of panel beating might be needed. Mr Cummins interjected. Mr LESTER: Profit is not a dirty word. This is what astounds me about some members opposite. People are allowed to make a profit. If people make a profit, they will spend it. That is how the world gets on. We should not be putting a cap on people and stopping them from making a profit. If we do make changes in relation to poker machines, they have to be fair right across the board. We should have the same rules for everybody—clubs and hotels. Then we will have a fair situation and competition will flourish. Competition is what our state is about. I would like to see some of the money going to the Lang Park redevelopment come to some of our football clubs in Yeppoon. That would go very well. I would be very happy with that. Now that the Labor Party is attacking me for standing up for Yeppoon, I will leave it in its misery. Ms STRUTHERS (Algester—ALP) (3.53 p.m.): As we have heard from other members this afternoon, gaming is pleasurable for many Queenslanders yet extremely painful for some. Since coming to office in 1998, the Beattie Labor government has taken responsible, swift action to strengthen responsible gaming practices in Queensland and to curb the proliferation of gaming machines. This bill is a further decisive step towards responsible gaming practice. I therefore support its introduction. There is no doubt that the club and hotel industry in Queensland is a vibrant, invaluable industry—one that generates a lot of jobs and one that contributes significantly to the economy of Queensland. In fact, from a woman's perspective, one of the gains I have seen over the past 10 years is the way in which women are welcome into clubs these days. A decade ago, a woman on her own down at the Gold Coast or wherever would not have walked into a club on her own and certainly would not have walked into a hotel on her own. Now, a lot of these pubs and clubs are very much family venues. It has certainly been a great gain that the recreation offered through clubs has been opened to women. As I said, our emphasis as a government has been on responsible gaming. We do not hear that phrase a lot from the opposition members. The member for Keppel talked a lot about opening the flood gates by not capping machine numbers. That is not what the community wants. That is not responsible gaming practice. The actions of the previous Borbidge-Sheldon government contrast sharply with the steps taken from 1998 onwards when the Beattie Labor government came to power in Queensland. For instance, if we look at the namesake of this bill, the Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 1997, introduced by the then Treasurer, Joan Sheldon, we see a very different context and a very different promotion of gaming compared with the responsible gaming practices that are being fostered by this government. For instance, in neither the bill nor the second reading speech of the then Treasurer is there any significant reference to social impact statements or to statements about responsible codes of conduct and those sorts of responsible practices. In fact, I will read some of the reasons given for 2006 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 31 Jul 2001 the legislation in 1997 under the then Treasurer, Joan Sheldon. The explanatory notes to that bill state— The introduction of this Bill will allow for the licensing of commercial gaming machine monitoring operators and approved financiers to provide flexibility and responsiveness to the gaming industry... The focus is on the needs of the industry, not the needs of the Queensland public. The notes continue— The legislation will also provide for the government to withdraw from the ownership of gaming machines... That government was opening the floodgates to pubs owning significant numbers of machines and was stepping right back from a direct role. Certainly the then government sought to maintain a strong regulatory role. I accept that. The then Treasurer was not compromising in probity, but certainly there was no real emphasis on responsibility. The then Treasurer talked about the changes in this 1997 legislation providing for a progressive taxation system based on metered win. The explanatory notes state— This system will reduce the taxation burden on hotels and most clubs. That is in stark contrast to what we as a Labor government have been trying to do and what this specific bill does; that is, tax those over a certain threshold who can afford to pay, particularly those category 1 hotels that are making a significant amount of money—in some cases, money from people who can least afford to pay. So the work we and the Treasurer are doing now is very commendable in terms of the responsible foundation we are providing for what is a very important industry in Queensland. I am not knocking the gaming industry. As I said, I value the jobs and the economic and recreational benefits the industry provides to Queenslanders—but it certainly has to be in balance. I think this bill is another step towards achieving that balance. At the time of introducing that bill Mrs Sheldon spoke of the overwhelming acceptance of introducing gaming machines into Queensland. She did not at all acknowledge the overwhelming community concern about gaming machines. Not a lot has changed, so there is no excuse for not making reference to that in 1997. There has been more research into public attitudes, but certainly the concern has been around for a long time. It is this government that has been responding to those community concerns. I think boasting about tax reductions, again, is irresponsible. We have to make sure that the revenue raised from those activities goes back into important community activities. The Major Facilities Fund that this legislation sets up—the contribution from the category 1 hotels—is essential in Queensland. We need a way of providing those facilities not only in the urban centres but also in the regional centres of Queensland. I think this bill makes a very important contribution to the direction set through David Hamill's policy directions for gaming—that very important review that was conducted under him that I had the pleasure of being involved in. That was a significant step along the road to setting up more responsible practices and placing a greater emphasis on social impact statements on venues. All this is a further step in that right direction. I commend the bill to the House. Dr WATSON (Moggill—Lib) (4.00 p.m.): It gives me pleasure to enter the debate on the Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2001. There are two elements of this bill, each of which are worth commenting on. The first element, of course, relates to clause 11 of the bill, which basically brings in a new tax. I will talk about that in a moment. The second element of the bill is basically the regulation or control of the increase in the number of gaming machines, in particular by placing a moratorium on any further machines going into hotels. I will talk briefly about that aspect, although somewhat differently from the contributions other members have made in the past. Let me talk about the first part of the bill, which deals with the introduction of a new levy—a new taxation. It is interesting that the current government went to the last state election suggesting that there were to be no new taxes and no new charges being imposed upon the people of Queensland. It went to the election saying that, and yet it must have known that it was going to do something different if it got re-elected. It must have known that it had a problem with the funding of Lang Park, because it came up as part of the election campaign. And the then newly appointed Treasurer, the Honourable Terry Mackenroth, failed to disclose during the election campaign how he was going to fund Lang Park, despite the numerous challenges and opportunities he had available to him. The government must have known that it was going to impose a levy to try to fund that particular piece of infrastructure. 31 Jul 2001 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2007

So the first problem we have with this particular piece of legislation is simply this: the government went to the election on the basis that there would be no new taxes, no new levies and no new charges. And the first thing it did after the election was to actually impose a new tax or a new levy. And it does not matter what we call it; a levy is a tax and a tax is a levy. They are one in the same creature. But the second thing about which I have major concerns in relation to this particular piece of legislation with respect to the new tax is that this is now becoming a hallmark of the Labor government. What we find time and time again is that the Labor government imposes new taxes or it reduces the return on investment after the investments have been made. There is one thing that is going to destroy business confidence in this state. There is one thing that will lead to businesses going elsewhere. And that is this: the government changes the rules on returns on investment after people have made the commitment for investment. And it has done that on a number of occasions. It did it with payroll tax by expanding the payroll tax base. Any business will tell you that today, on exactly the same number of employees, it is paying more payroll tax than it was two years ago before the expansion of the payroll tax base took place. The government did the same thing with workers compensation. It increased the rates of workers compensation substantially before it started the reduction. It changed the rules with respect to workers compensation. In this recent budget it changed the rules with respect to royalties. The Treasurer and the government talk about going out and negotiating with the coal industry about what kind of royalty regime will be put in place for the current financial year years after the coal companies have made the investments. Companies make investments based upon the expected returns after taxes, and they expect the taxation regime on which they have gone into an investment to be there at the end of the investment. If you want to introduce uncertainty into business investment, then keep changing the rules on them. I will tell members what the result is. If we change the rules often enough, no-one is going to believe we will not change them again. Mr Fouras interjected. Dr WATSON: That is what the government is doing with coal. That is what it has done with payroll tax. That is what it has done with workers compensation. And that is what it is doing now with investments in the gaming industry. I am not here to defend investments in the gaming industry by clubs or hotels. That involves individual commercial decisions—the decisions made by members in clubs who get together and decide that they can get a return for their members by investing in poker machines and offering whatever services they like to the community. The same thing applies to hoteliers. Some hoteliers do not have poker machines; some do. The ones that do made a commercial decision. They risked investment in order to get a return. And the member is right; some have been extremely successful—just like people have been extremely successful in other walks of life, such as information technology, biotechnology or anything else. Part of the return to people, and part of the reason people invest, is because they have chances at significant returns. And there is a well-known relationship in finance: the greater the risk, the greater the expected return. It is the expected return. Businesses make investments not guaranteed with a return but based upon their expectations that they will get a return. And their expectations are, very importantly, influenced by the taxation structure that exists when they make the investment. So what this government is doing, one time after another, is changing the rules on investment after the investments are made. One wonders why people such as AMC do not have confidence to invest in what ought to be a gilt-edged return in Gladstone. But what this government is doing is increasing the sovereign risk of Queensland. When governments change the rules of investment, what they are doing is changing the sovereign risk of the state. We all laugh when we talk about what happens in South-East Asia or places like Indonesia when governments get rolled by revolutions or whatever and it increases the sovereign risk. We worry about what is happening in Papua New Guinea with the gas pipeline and the sovereign risk associated with investments in Papua New Guinea. If the government keeps changing the rules after businesses invest, we will have exactly the same problem here in this state. Mr Cummins interjected. Dr WATSON: I am talking about investment. If the member had any idea whatsoever, he would know that investment votes by moving capital to any place where it gets a better return. 2008 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 31 Jul 2001

And it does not look only at Queensland; it goes right around the world. And that is the kind of competition we are in for. Mr Mackenroth interjected. Dr WATSON: They have made a decision. Mr Mackenroth interjected. Dr WATSON: They made an individual decision. I am just talking in general. If you keep changing the rules you will eventually drive investment out. Mr Mackenroth interjected. Dr WATSON: I will tell the Treasurer one thing: if he keeps changing the rules enough, I will guarantee that overall investment in Queensland relative to other places will fall. There is no way he can get around that. If he asks anyone in the Treasury, they will tell him precisely the same thing. He ought to take their advice on that particular issue, because there is no doubt about it. He cannot keep increasing uncertainty with respect to returns and hope to have the same investment. It goes against every individual principle in economics and finance. And I do not believe that the Treasurer, however politically cunning and smart he is—and I have a great deal of respect for his political acumen—when it comes down to investments, if he increases the uncertainty he will drive away investment. The Liberal Party has other concerns about this fund. It has concerns about the investment of any public funds in Lang Park. On many occasions that has been canvassed. I take the point that the Treasurer has made on a couple of occasions that, irrespective of what one thinks, people voted for the government and that was part of its election campaign. In that sense, he is right. Clearly, it was part of the government's election campaign and one about which we had a number of discussions. Mr Mackenroth: We actually went out there a few times. Dr WATSON: I went out there a few times—and they let me in—and I found that it was an issue. The Liberal Party maintains that, in this particular case, it does not believe that it is the best use of publicly available resources. Mr Mackenroth: Particularly in Brisbane, overwhelmingly the people supported it. Dr WATSON: We do not believe that it is the best use of public resources. In addition, we do not particularly care for the way in which this government has bypassed due process. But those are issues that are somewhat separate from the issues before us in this bill. I also have an issue with respect to the mechanisms being set up. I raised this last year when we discussed the Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2000. In a particular clause in that bill, the government introduced what it called a statewide Major Facilities Fund. In that bill, the government changed the Gaming Machine Community Benefit Fund and introduced an overall investment fund. As part of that, the government established these programs of statewide significance. The problem that we had with that particular fund and the problem that I have here is the potential lack of transparency in the fund. I think that, once this fund is set up, the questions that are going to be asked in the future are, 'Is it going to be part of the normal budgetary process?' and, 'Is it going to be subject to the same kind of accountability and scrutiny as other parts of the funding process are subjected to?' I believe that those issues are important in terms of public accountability and they are yet to be addressed. The second major element of this bill is the introduction of a mechanism for restricting the growth in the number of gaming machines. All of us in this place certainly understand the rising community concern about the amount of money that is spent on gaming and the negative social impacts that that spending has. It is quite reasonable for governments to react to that concern. Certainly, just recently in my own electorate there was overwhelming negative sentiment with respect to a proposed tavern. There were some 1,300 objections to that proposed tavern with gaming facilities. That is by far the largest number of objections ever to have been made to a proposal for a tavern with gaming facilities. So there is community reaction out there to gaming machines. But one of the things that concerns me about the mechanism the Treasurer has chosen is that, through that mechanism, the mere fact of holding a gaming machine licence gives a benefit to the holder. Through this bill, the Treasurer caps the number of gaming machines at the current level. Therefore, all of those hotels that have gaming machines will have a capital gain and, once the trading system is put in place, those hotels will be able to realise on that capital investment. 31 Jul 2001 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2009

The problem that creates is similar to the problems created by taxi licences. Over time taxi licences had an increasing value for one reason and one reason only: the restriction on the number of licences that are available. Over time that becomes a social problem and, in terms of providing a service, an issue with which governments have to grapple. The same kind of problem will arise over time with this mechanism. By this mechanism, the government has established a value to holding a licence—not because of any investment that has been made and not because of any entrepreneurial activity the individual hotelier has undertaken, but a capital gain simply because of a decision made by the government. I think that if the Treasurer wanted to do something about reducing the people's reliance on gaming machines as a form of recreational activity, it would have been better to use a mechanism that did not provide a capital gain to one group of people that was not earned. Of course, I know that the Treasurer and Treasury perhaps had not thought about this particular issue, because the Treasurer failed to answer a question on notice that I put to him in the middle of May this year in that regard. The Liberal Party has concerns about this bill. It will definitely oppose clause 11, which establishes the new taxation system. It does not believe that is an appropriate mechanism. The Liberal Party does not believe that it is conducive to investment in Queensland when one takes a broader picture of the reasons for investment in various kinds of industries. We think that is to the long-term detriment of this state and to Queenslanders. Mr SHINE (Toowoomba North—ALP) (4.15 p.m.): I am pleased to be able to take part in the debate on the Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2001. I would like to discuss in some detail the pros and cons of the gaming machine industry generally as it applies both to clubs and hotels, to comment on the division between the interests of clubs and the interests of hotels, and to make some comments with respect to the Suncorp Metway Stadium, the financing of which forms part of the purpose of this bill. Before doing that, I wish to outline the background to the legislation that we have before us today, which amends legislation that we have had in Queensland since 1992 that allowed for gaming machines to be introduced to Queensland by the then Goss government. At that stage gaming machines in Australia were not a novelty. For many, many years a lot of Queenslanders, particularly those residing in the south-east corner of the state and those who holidayed regularly on the Gold Coast, would go over the border to Tweed Heads to have a punt on the poker machines. Poker machines were introduced in New South Wales as early as 1956—nearly some 40 years before they were legalised for introduction in Queensland. The Goss government brought gaming machines into Queensland after a considerable amount of public pressure to do so. That government introduced gaming machines to Queensland for a number of reasons. Firstly, the gaming machines were to provide direct funding for sport, recreation and welfare programs. Many members of this parliament have in the past, if not currently, taken a great deal of interest and have been involved actively in sporting clubs. I certainly have played a part in some clubs in my home town, particularly in the sport of cricket. We all know how difficult it has been to raise funds over the years through chook raffles. Mr Mackenroth: Don't ask the Liberal Party. Mr SHINE: I am no expert, but as has been said, the Liberal Party has some expertise in these matters currently. We all know how difficult it has been to raise money via raffles in hotels and so on, particularly nowadays as the hotel trade itself is not what it used to be half a generation ago. The primary reason and justification for the Goss government bringing in poker machines to Queensland was to fund sporting, recreational and welfare programs. A part of the reasoning was also to provide an avenue through which participating clubs and hotels could increase their financial support in order to improve recreational facilities and services, both within their establishments and with respect to facilities under their control. Another reason put forward at the time was to encourage the growth of tourism, particularly bearing in mind, as I mentioned before, the effect of poker machines as demonstrated in Tweed Heads and Coolangatta at the time. It was felt that the growth of tourism would be aided by the improvement of clubs and hotel facilities brought on by the injection of the funds derived from poker machines. As well as this, it was argued that poker machines would provide additional employment opportunities to people in the state, no doubt over and above any loss of employment that might occur in other entertainment areas. It was also designed to create extra revenue for the state. 2010 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 31 Jul 2001

There was no attempt to disguise that. The facts indicate how significant the income from poker machines has been in terms of the ability of the state to fund its very necessary programs. The last reason for the introduction of poker machines into Queensland by the Goss government was to meet the legitimate wish of those who are attracted to playing gaming machines. In other words, a lot of people like playing them regularly and a lot of people, like myself, enjoy playing them from time to time. It is a natural and often innocent pastime. The introduction of gaming machines into Queensland was not done lightly but followed quite a deal of investigation and consultation. In fact, in 1990 a criminal justice report was undertaken which preceded the 1992 introduction of the legislation for the operation of the machines in Queensland. That report was undertaken soon after the Fitzgerald inquiry hearings and the topic of corruption or possible corruption, particularly as it might relate to the police force and other official persons employed by the state, was very much at the forefront of thinking. It occurred in an atmosphere where a great deal of caution not only should have applied but did apply in terms of what was responsible action by the government of the day. The CJC report into the matter concentrated heavily on any connection between gaming machines and criminal activity. By and large, the report was favourable to the introduction of the machines into Queensland provided that certain restrictions applied, particularly as to the ownership, supply and control of those machines. In the ensuing years, the machines were relatively successful. In November 1996 a government review into the regulation of the machines in Queensland was undertaken. That review stated that from February 1992 to June 1996 the Queensland clubs and hotels had benefited to the extent of $780 million. That resulted in major capital works and increased employment, estimated at about 2,000 extra jobs directly generated by the industry and a further 2,000 generated indirectly between 1992 and 1994. That 1996 review suggested three proposals for change. Firstly, it suggested the introduction of a progressive taxation system based on metered win rather than turnover, with a sliding scale that would tax smaller clubs and hotels at a lower tax level while taxing higher profit sites at a higher marginal rate. Secondly, it suggested increasing the number of gaming machines available to both clubs and hotels, with clubs still entitled to have a significantly higher number than hotels. Thirdly, it suggested changing from government ownership of gaming machines to ownership by either sites, licensed operators and/or financiers. To a large extent, my reading of the amending bill suggests that it takes on board at least the first two recommendations of the 1996 report. The section of the bill dealing with gaming machines and the new regime of tax that is proposed contains nothing to greatly shock the House. What concerns a lot of people in the community are the problems associated with people who have an addiction associated with gambling. I was interested to read the report of the Productivity Commission into Australia's gambling industries, which was published in November 1999. There were some key messages from that learned study into the problems that are associated with gambling. Firstly, the report established a link between the accessibility of gambling and problem gambling. It stated that that was a central concern for policy and that there was a need for caution in liberalising access to gambling. Simply, it stated that the greater the accessibility, the greater the gambling problems. The study also found that accessibility is not just about proximity; it is also about mass appeal and ease of use of gambling. It found that gambling machines and lotteries are the most accessible, followed by the TAB and, lastly, casino gambling. Of those, greater accessibility to gaming machines has increased the risks of problem gaming the most. Problem gambling prevalence rates tend to be highest in areas where accessibility to non-lottery gambling is highest. Help seeking by problem gamblers is also strongly associated with accessibility, although the direction of causality may vary. There have been some changing patterns in problem gambling, with an increase in women suffering from addiction. Again, there is a strong link between their accessibility to this form of gambling and the overall problem gambling rates. The report also indicates that overseas evidence echoes the findings in Australia. In other words, what we have is not unique. We are following a world trend, unfortunately. Finally, I turn to the key messages delivered by the Productivity Commission inquiry report. It found that while causation is hard to prove beyond all doubt, there is sufficient evidence from many different sources to suggest a significant connection between greater accessibility, particularly to gaming machines, and the greater prevalence of problem gambling. 31 Jul 2001 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2011

These issues were raised in Queensland. Mr Deputy Speaker, you will recall that a green paper on gambling in Queensland was presented by then Treasurer David Hamill. The green paper asked why a review of gaming was necessary. The answer was stated as— This review was prompted by the Queensland Government's concern about the continuing rapid growth of the gaming industry and the effect this is having on individuals, families, the industry, the State's economy and the community generally. Gaming has grown at an average compounding rate of 16% for the past seven years. It stated further that there are signs that it could become markedly detrimental to Queensland and have a negative effect on the wellbeing of some Queenslanders. The green paper's mission was stated as— The Queensland Government recognises that there needs to be better balance between the benefits and costs of gaming in our Queensland communities. The Queensland Parliament recently approved legislative amendments to provide the Gaming Commission with the ability to take into account social and community issues when considering applications for gaming machine licences. Nevertheless, there is more to be done. The proposals contained in this Green Paper are being put forward to generate further community discussion. The proposals contain wide-ranging reforms to ensure that the original objectives of introducing gaming machines in Queensland to improve community-based facilities and return broader benefits to our communities are achieved. At this stage they do not represent government policy. The Government will be seeking public submissions in response to the Green Paper by 31 January 2000. That was followed by a policy direction document in April 2000. The key points of that direction document covering this subject matter were, in relation to machine numbers, that clubs be limited to a maximum of 280 per site and hotels be limited to a maximum of 40 per site. With respect to licensing, it stated that the Queensland Gaming Commission would seek public comment on the location or proposed location of gaming machines, consider proximity to schools, shopping centres, ask for public comment when there is an application to increase gaming machine licences, insist on a community impact statement, and where there were 50 machines or more there was to be an annual community benefit statement, and certain considerations would apply concerning the location of ATMs. In addition, there was to be provision for responsible gambling strategies. That was set out in the policy direction document, which I commend to honourable members. As recently as last week, the Sydney Morning Herald contained an article on changes to the New South Wales position. I commend the article in that publication of 27 July to honourable members, as it sets out significant changes restricting and controlling further the availability of poker machines in New South Wales. Having said all of that, overall there is a general trend throughout Australia, followed by this bill, as I understand it, to be conscious of the adverse social effects of unregulated access to gaming machines. I therefore commend those aspects of the bill to the House. In my remaining couple of minutes I wish to reflect on my experience with poker machines in clubs in Toowoomba. I had the pleasure of being the president of the cricket association in that city at a time when we desired to buy a clubhouse and land. This was in about 1991 or 1992. The only way we could finance it, in our minds, was through the acquisition of poker machines. We felt it prudent to go ahead; that poker machines would solve all of our problems, pay off our building and provide the sport of cricket free to all comers, particularly to the youth of Toowoomba. At the end of the day, five years later, we were able to sell that asset, pay back our debts and relieve our guarantors, including me, of all obligation, fortunately, because the property was on a valuable site. The moral of the story was that poker machines did not solve the problems that we had and they were not appropriate. The member for Toowoomba South made reference in general terms to similar situations recently in our city concerning other types of clubs. It is very sad to see clubs that initially felt the same as we did, and with a reasonable belief, that is, that poker machines would be the be-all and end-all. Unfortunately, that has not been the case. Mr JOHNSON (Gregory—NPA) (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (4.35 p.m.): The Gaming Machine Amendment Bill is a typical example of the duplicity of this government as it strives to camouflage the creation of its new tax machine, the major facilities levy, on the sanctimonious pretext that this is all about implementing the laudable aim of putting the brakes on the poker machine industry—an industry created by the former Goss government. This afternoon I have heard many of the bleeding hearts opposite make reference to social impacts. However, I do not think the government has taken into account the social impacts of the gambling industry in this state. The former Treasurer identified some of the anomalies in the 2012 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 31 Jul 2001 industry before he retired from the parliament at the last election. As I have said on a lot of occasions— Mr Purcell: Throw that bloody speech away. Mr JOHNSON: No, I will get back to it in a minute. I have said it before and I will say it again: for too long there has been too much emphasis on gambling and what it means to the coffers of the state. It means a lot to the coffers of the state when it comes to an ALP government. We all know that the purpose of the major facilities levy is to divert funds from the existing Sport and Recreation Benefit Fund and the Community Investment Fund into the building of yet another Labor icon—Lang Park. I support the redevelopment of Lang Park, as I have said in this place before. But most importantly, the people of this state should be told how it is going to be financed and who will pay for it. Again, it is going to be those people who put their two bobs through the poker machines in the major hotels throughout the state. This afternoon we heard from the member for Moggill, who is very astute when it comes to financial issues and the operations of the hotel industry. I was very pleased to hear him speaking about the responsibility put on to the major hotels in this state. Again, it all comes back to tearing the heart and soul out of one section of the industry. The hotel industry in this state needs to have an inquiry into it, anyway. Members opposite who were here during the days of the Goss government when Bob Gibbs was the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Racing would remember the fun going on with the buyback whereby a percentage of licence money was paid into consolidated revenue for the buying back of hotels in certain areas. I think about $11 million was in that fund at one stage to buy back hotels in the areas where they needed to be bought back because they were not viable. I refer to towns such as Barcaldine, in my electorate, where there are six hotels and a couple of clubs. The same applies in places such as Mitchell, Cunnamulla and Winton, just a mention a few—right throughout country Queensland. If those hotels had been bought out, the ones remaining would have been more viable and we would not now be penalising the major hotels of this state. Attempts have been made by members of this House to paint the opposition's concerns about the Lang Park project as being anti-sport and anti-football. I have to say we are not anti- sport and we are not anti-football. The Leader of the Opposition is a former Parramatta player himself and his son is probably one of the greatest Rugby players that the world has ever seen. There are other members on both sides of this House who have been very good sporting people in their time. One of the most important things to remember is that people on both sides of the House enjoy their sport, enjoy their recreation, but at the same time we want to know how the dollars are going to be found and why can the questions not be answered? I asked questions of the Minister for State Development in the estimates committees about the funding for some of the road infrastructure interfacing with Lang Park and he said, 'You ask the Minister for Transport.' The Minister for Transport is not interested, either. That is another part of this project redevelopment that has not been taken into account here. The government talks about the project costing $280 million. Going back a few years ago the former Goss government spent about $100 million on a partial redevelopment of Lang Park. We see now a further redevelopment costing another $280 million. So that is getting close to $400 million. We have to have road and rail infrastructure interfacing with this project. We are talking about the built-up areas around Brisbane. Mr Deputy Speaker, I think you would agree that that is not going to be able to be done for $5 million or $10 million. It is probably going to be more like $30 million, $40 million, $50 million or maybe $100 million to get the project absolutely right. Let me make it clear that the opposition is questioning the government's priority in terms of this project. That is why we are questioning it. The opposition questions the tax on pubs and the result that that is likely to have on the support of regional and rural sports charities. Whilst this program has been in place for the last few years, money has dribbled back into those sporting communities throughout the state and I know a lot of places have been advantaged by it. But at the same time I am greatly concerned about the social implications of this. The opposition believes that the government has been less than forthcoming in the real deal behind the Lang Park project and the deals that have apparently been done with the Lord Mayor in relation to it. This is another factor that needs to be highlighted. Our concern is that the public purse is going to be used to provide the infrastructure to support this stadium when there are far 31 Jul 2001 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2013 greater needs in the community, including health, education, increased protection for law abiding citizens—and the list goes on. Whilst any area has to be developed, we have to get our priorities right, and that is what is not happening here. I note that in his second reading speech the Treasurer gave an assurance that the Lang Park facility will not have an impact on normal state revenue. Who is he kidding? It is going to have an impact all right; somebody has to go without. I bet it will be the roads, education, health, the police and all the other important facilities throughout the state that will suffer because of the social benefits program of this Labor socialist government. That is exactly it. Mr Purcell: Ha, ha! Mr JOHNSON: The member for Bulimba can laugh, but he half agrees, doesn't he? Mr Purcell: I do not agree with you at all. Mr JOHNSON: He does half agree. I can tell. Mr Welford: You mob are socialists. Mr JOHNSON: I am not a socialist, but you are. I call on the Treasurer in his reply to specifically address the issue of supporting infrastructure that I have addressed in relation to the roads and other associated infrastructure in relation to this Lang Park upgrade. The opposition did not support the use of the call-in power for the project in this Lang Park development. The opposition does not believe that it is appropriate for the main beneficiary of Lang Park stadium to be a privately owned sports franchise without knowing the details of how the use of this facility is to be hired and the details of the real deal. That is what we want to know: what are the details of the real deal? Whose face is the government pulling the hood over here? I do not know where the Treasurer is; he has disappeared again. I would also like the Treasurer to know that we are carefully watching to ensure that the Lang Park Police Citizens Youth Club is fully provided for in this new complex. If it is not going to be fully provided for in the new complex, where is it going to be fully provided for? We will also be watching to see that none of the government's friends are suddenly appointed to manage the facility, but I bet you a quid they are. The member for Bulimba put his hand up. Mr Purcell: Would you put your hand up for it? Mr JOHNSON: No, I would not. To the member's credit, I know him to be an honest man. It is probably an honest man like him that they need in charge, anyway. Mrs Sheldon: He is a nice fellow, too. Mr JOHNSON: He is a nice bloke. The honourable Leader of the Opposition and I drove through his electorate yesterday. Mr Purcell interjected. Mr JOHNSON: I can assure him that at every red light we pulled up we had a bit of a look around. It is not a bad electorate, but I think it is closing in on him. Mr Purcell: Every election we have increased the vote, brother. Mr JOHNSON: He is going further east; that is why the vote is improving. Look at mine; the government stretched its boundaries into country where it thought I would not go too well, but I am still here, old mate, and I will be here for a good time yet. Mr Purcell: We hope so! We hope and pray! Mr JOHNSON: I know what the member is saying. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr McNamara): Order! I can feel a reminder of standing order 141 coming on—relevance. Mr JOHNSON: It is relevant. Haven't you got a sense of humour either, Mr Deputy Speaker? As I said earlier, the other major provision of the bill is to place a cap on the number of gambling machines in hotels. This bill closed the door on poker machines for pubs on 8 May. That has meant that some pubs were anticipating approval for additional machines and made provisions for them, including expansion of their premises. I would like the Treasurer to advise if any consideration can be made to genuine cases in this respect. I am well aware of the banking issue in that some applicants were obtaining approvals and then sitting on them. I note that this bill actually addresses this issue in clause 9 in which reductions for unused machines are provided for. Where a hotel is not travelling well and the inspection service has come around—and I note this with interest because in some of the western areas, northern areas, rural areas and in some 2014 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 31 Jul 2001 of the areas in your own electorate, Mr Deputy Speaker, in some of the coastal areas, hotels are not travelling well—poker machines certainly can be removed, handed back or whatever. The real issue that I am concerned about is that it is another scourge on that industry in Queensland. They have poker machines for the sake of having them, whether or not it is to get an extra dollar. But it has to come from somewhere and there is only one place it can come from and that is the people in that community. This is what I mean here. As I said before, it has meant that some pubs were anticipating approval for additional machines and made provisions when they were making the application. Therefore, I trust that they will be recognised here rather than thrown to the wolves. By far the greatest concern that the opposition has had from the outset has been the social impact, as I said before, of poker machines introduced by the Labor government in 1991. Rather than seeing the benefits of improved sports and social facilities and infrastructure in regional and rural communities, it seems to be evolving that many of the community sporting and social clubs have been sent to the wall because of their investment in gaming machines. As a result, there seems to be a concentration on one club that just goes from strength to strength and dominates the community—or one hotel as it now will be. One of the larger hotels will go from strength to strength and dominate the community. The smaller hotels in the community that do not have poker machines will be a thing of the past. There is no doubt about that. Their revenue base will certainly be eroded. In some of these instances, their capability to be a viable operation is certainly going to be eroded, and that concerns me greatly. Members can see that it has a big impact on the revenues of state governments. Another concern is the impact of gambling on our community. As many members would be aware, local community support groups have always been impacted on in two ways. Firstly, dollars disappear down the slots of poker machines rather than supporting charities. Secondly, because of the very real problems of gambling addiction, the incidence of financial difficulties in communities has increased. As a consequence, they face the double jeopardy of having to help more people with less money. I do not say this lightly, because this is the social impact of gambling on our communities, but in communities that have had a downturn in their economies, especially in rural areas, many people turn to gambling hoping that they will be able to put food on the table or resolve some of their problems. But that is not the way. As a consequence and as I have said, local community support groups face the double jeopardy of helping more people with less money. The opposition will be opposing the provisions relating to the major facilities levy in clause 11, because this government continues to avoid scrutiny and accountability relating to the Lang Park project. I have already made mention of the project in question. There is a hidden agenda. If the Premier and members of the government are going to be fair dinkum about accountability and open, accountable and honest government, they should get the Treasurer or the Minister for State Development—the Treasurer is the man in the driving seat with regard to this legislation—to come clean on exactly what the costs are, how it is going to be costed and the costs relating to both the surrounding infrastructure and the sporting stadium. It is important to remember that it is not only football stadiums in Brisbane but other major government capital works that need to be overseen so we do not see cost blow-outs. Accusations were made against me in relation to the Pacific Highway when I was Minister for Transport, but the government laid claim to the Pacific Highway project with all the fanfare at the opening. That is all very well, but infrastructure such as this has a real impact on the viability, future growth and development of this state. During budget estimates I asked the Minister for Transport if there is going to be a section within the Department of Transport—although I believe it should be in the area of State Development—to oversee major capital works programs to ensure that the feasibility studies, the costings and the contractual and tender arrangements are done properly so that when those tenders are awarded they go to the right companies, not companies that have had a shonky record in the past and that are not able to do the job and whose performance may result in further cost blow-outs. To give the House an example, a major contract was awarded for major roadworks in my electorate and the contractor went broke. That happened because at that time Main Roads was not able to investigate him to find out whether he had the credentials to do the job or not. As a result, he brought the debt of the last job with him to the new job and did not pay his subcontractors for the first three months. He has now gone into liquidation and the subcontractors are left swinging in the air. This is why we need to have that monitoring system put in place. That is why we have to be perfectly honest and perfectly clear with the people of Queensland, whether 31 Jul 2001 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2015 it is the Lang Park redevelopment, whether it is the footbridge across the Brisbane River, whether it is the arts centre or whether it is any other major capital works program that the government envisages embarking on. I wish the government well with this project. I hope that this project will be an icon for the future of not only Rugby League but other Rugby games or sporting events that may be played at Lang Park. The important factor is that we are the ones who are responsible to the people of Queensland. We have to make absolutely certain that we do it in a professional and accountable way and that the project contractors, whoever they are, are accountable to the government and the taxpayers of Queensland. Mr PURCELL (Bulimba—ALP) (4.54 p.m.): I want to recap to the House the reason poker machines were introduced in Queensland. Like most people in this place, I remember how we used to raise funds for our local clubs, football clubs, P&Cs, P&Fs, community organisations and church organisations. We used to raise funds with chook raffles for the sporting clubs in the pub of an afternoon. Friday night was the best night because people got paid on Fridays and would come to the pub and have a few beers. They would fight you to get raffle tickets. With the meatworks up the road, the meat trays at Cannon Hill were the best meat trays in Queensland. They were great value. Many times the tickets were pre-sold before the workers came in to have a beer. They went to have a beer on Friday nights because everybody was there. Another way of raising funds was to have bus trips to Tweed Heads. In those days there was not too much scrutiny on the buses. We used to put a couple of cartons in the middle of the bus and have a few drinks on the way down. We would go to one of the six or seven clubs at Tweed Heads and take the missus out for a meal. Mr McGrady: The wife. Mr PURCELL: We would take our wives out for a meal and they would play the pokies while the blokes got together to have a few beers. We would then get in the bus and come back again. Just to give the House a few figures, the Parliamentary Library has released a report entitled Community benefits associated with the gaming machine industry: the Gaming Machine Amendment Bill. It states— A striking feature of the pro-machine lobby in Queensland was the estimated $100 million taxation that would be paid to the New South Wales government between 1980-1990 through Queensland residents playing machines in seven licensed clubs operating over 1,300 machines in the Tweed Heads area. That would be quite true. The report continues— These seven clubs were among the largest in New South Wales with an estimated combined membership of 98,000, of whom over 80,000 were estimated to be Queensland residents. Some 80,000 of those people came from Queensland and were resident in Queensland. Members can see why we introduced poker machines. We introduced poker machines to stop the bleed, if you like, of taxation going across the border to New South Wales. We are all in the one country and we get on well with New South Wales, but I do not think we need to donate money to the coffers of New South Wales to see that it gets on well. That situation was addressed by poker machines being introduced in Queensland. The Gambling Community Benefit Fund was set up when poker machines were put in place. It is administered by Di Campbell. She and the other staff do a marvellous job, because many people in my area have benefited. The Gambling Community Benefit Fund supports clubs and small organisations that do not have the option of raising the funds needed for kids to participate in sport, for the pony club to get its equestrian ring or get grounds top dressed and sheds and toilets built and so forth—those things those clubs cannot operate without. Community organisations, church organisations, P&Cs and P&Fs have also benefited from that fund. I thank the staff of the fund for the help they have given in my area and the funds that have come from that community fund for people in my area. It has really been a boon to the area. I want to give the House some figures in relation to taxation revenue to the states through gambling, even though these figures do not relate just to poker machines, and I know that that is what the bill is about. From 1990 to 2000, 10.3 per cent of total tax revenue in New South Wales came from gambling. In Victoria it was 15.7 per cent. It did not take long to catch up, as it was one of the last states to introduce poker machines. In Queensland it was 12.9 per cent and in South Australia it was 12.6 per cent. The national average was 11.7 per cent. I support the Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2001. To not do so would be just about un- Queenslander, as the first moneys from the levy are to be used to give Brisbane and Australia a first-class, purpose-built stadium for Rugby League, Rugby Union and soccer. When people go to 2016 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 31 Jul 2001 watch the game they will be on the sidelines. One of the greatest grounds anywhere in Australia is Lang Park. Some people know it as the Cauldron from the State of Origin, Suncorp Stadium and the ground the Blues hate to play on, because we have buried them there on so many occasions. People can call it what they like, but it will be a world-class stadium for football and purpose-built for it. Everybody will get a great seat and be right there on the sidelines. Anybody who does not agree with where those funds are going really does not realise the benefits of the redevelopment. The upgrade of Suncorp Stadium will come about by a levy placed on the gaming machines of the top 20 per cent of hotels to form the Major Facilities Fund. I know that when this was first announced by the Premier and the Treasurer, Terry Mackenroth, it was not welcomed by the hotel industry. Anybody who did not know that would have to have been dead at the time. I know that Tom Maguire, on behalf of the Queensland Hotels Association, negotiated long and hard with the Treasurer and Treasury officials in relation to the rates to be imposed. Those negotiations went on over a long period of time. I think the hotel industry knew that the government would reinstate the tax on their pokies which was taken off some years previous. I think they would have known that was coming back. The speed and the rate have now been bedded down for the hotel industry. Nobody likes to have to part with large sums of money, but for most hotel proprietors in that 20 per cent that is now behind them. They have moved on. The sporting industry is a large employer not only in Queensland but also throughout Australia. This bill seeks to set up the Major Facilities Fund. Sportsmen and women—our children and hopefully our children's children—will benefit from the facilities that will be available for them in the future from this fund. I have mentioned Rugby League, Rugby Union and soccer. Other sports to benefit are hockey, cricket, swimming, athletics, equestrian, cycling, gymnastics—you name it. They are all there. We see our sportsmen and women competing at the Olympics, but they need training facilities in order to reach world-class standards. This fund will give those facilities to them so that they can compete anywhere in the world, as they do now. For our population, this country would be probably the most sporting nation in the world. We would win more medals at the Olympics per head of population than any other country. I think people would know that. The Treasurer, through this fund, will give Queenslanders the opportunity to train at an elite level in the best facilities possible. I think that is the least we can do. People talk about unemployment being a problem. There are a lot of people employed in sport. If members sit down and think about it, they will realise how many. Another proposal in the bill is a cap on the number of poker machines in hotels in Queensland. I think that is a good thing. If we are fair dinkum about restricting the opportunity to gamble on pokies then that is the way to go. The Treasurer's second reading speech states— This Bill is a strong, decisive initiative by the Government to address community concerns about the recent rapid growth of gaming machines in Queensland. I refer to the present inquiries into poker machines. A press release relating to the recent inquiry into poker machines in New South Wales stated that there would be a cap on poker machines in New South Wales in all clubs and all pubs. New South Wales is addressing the issue by capping both hotels and clubs. I suppose what happens in one state will happen in another and we will follow that to a certain extent. I refer to the growth in the number of poker machines in New South Wales, which has had poker machines for a lot longer than Queensland, of course. There are 104,000 poker machines in New South Wales clubs and pubs. That is an enormous number of machines. They will cap the number of machines in each club at 450, whether they are new or existing, where the number of machines is currently less than 450. Every club venue with more than 450 machines must shed 10 per cent of their machines over a five-year period. So they are going to claw back some of those machines. They will maintain a limit in hotels of 30 machines each. The press release goes on to talk about how they can transfer machines from club to club and so on. It is very important: they are going to claw back those machines. I have here a list of the top 18 clubs in New South Wales and how many machines each has. It would not be a secret that Penrith Rugby League Club, at the foot of the mountains, has 1,167 machines. It is the club in New South Wales with the largest number of machines. Not far behind is Bankstown District Sports Club, with 739 machines. Twin Towns, which is a club most of us would have been in at some time in our lives, has 551 machines. Seagulls Rugby League Football Club—I do not know how it could have ever got in trouble—has 534 machines. Those top 18 clubs have a total of 10,587 machines. 31 Jul 2001 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2017

New South Wales is going to spend $2 billion to claw back machines. I think we need to be looking at where we are going, not only with hotels but also with clubs, so that we do not put ourselves in a position whereby we have too many poker machines in this state. As I said before, I think the number of machines we have now certainly has worked well for the people of Queensland, with the tax revenues we get out of them. They certainly work well for the community organisations that get grants from them. I mention the clubs and pubs in my area. My clubs are all small clubs, and they all battle. The member for Toowoomba North earlier spoke about his cricket club and how poker machines were not the saviour of his clubs. I probably have too many clubs in my area—not that I want to see any of them disappear. Mine is an inner-city suburb, and a lot of clubs have grown up there because of the population in the area. I have five bowls clubs, a sailing club, an 18-footers club, a little golf club and many others. I have 14-odd clubs, and they battle because of their size. They will not grow any bigger because of the restrictions in and around the suburb. They find it a bit tough. The Treasurer probably has heard me speak about this before, but we should consider not taxing the smaller clubs on their poker machine levy. I think that if we could strike a balance there, we would do a lot to assist the smaller clubs to be viable. I assure members that they offer a lot of community benefits and a lot of sport. Mr Mackenroth: We don't tax the little ones now. Mr PURCELL: I know that some of the ones in my electorate get taxed. So we need to raise that level a bit higher. It is no secret that those little clubs have been in trouble from time to time. Mr Mackenroth: It starts from nothing and then it increases as their revenue increases. Mr PURCELL: Yes. Mr Mackenroth: The ones that are earning a little more pay more. Mr PURCELL: We need to lift that revenue cap a bit higher and come up with a balance whereby we can make it more viable for them. They do battle. And one of the things that concerns me about the ones that are battling is that satellite clubs are being introduced into Queensland. That is a bad thing. Other clubs will take over a smaller club because they are in financial difficulty. We should not let that happen in Queensland. It happens in New South Wales. And once the numbers of poker machines are capped, it will happen more often; they will take over the running of another club and put in more pokies. Urgent action needs to be taken to ensure that this does not happen in Queensland. Also, private management in certain clubs in Queensland does get the benefit of the reduced taxation. They are private clubs that operate the same as hotels do, or the same as any private organisation does. So they should be really looked at. The top 20 per cent of hotels and the top 20 per cent of the clubs could also put up their hands for the major facilities levy. Obviously that would be done in consultation with the clubs. I believe an inquiry is being conducted at the moment, and I am sure that that inquiry will look at those sorts of things. If we are going to cap the number of poker machines in one area, we should look at capping them in another. Traditionally, hotels in country areas—and I know this from when I played football—are the ones that support all the small clubs. When I played footy, those were the places where we raised our funds, where we had our showers and where we had a feed. We sometimes even had a beer there from time to time. They continue to support the smaller clubs in the country, and I believe we should encourage them to continue to do so. Mr Copeland interjected. Mr PURCELL: Big hotels. The hotels in my area are the ones that put up their hands from time to time when I need some funds for organisations. As everybody in this place would know, people come to us looking for assistance to send overseas someone who has been picked from a school or a club and there is a need to raise some funds. In my electorate, Bunnings at Cannon Hill have been very good. I get a wheelbarrow from Bunnings, I take it down to Maguire's pub and say, 'Fill it up.' They fill it up with beer, and then I give it to the organisation. They take it to somewhere like a shopping centre or somewhere else where there are a lot of people on a Saturday, and they sell tickets there for a few weeks and can raise $1,000, which is very handy. The hotels in my electorate continue to support sport and organisations in my electorate but, sadly, the clubs in my electorate are just too small. I know that the Treasurer has heard what I 2018 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 31 Jul 2001 have said and will try to make those clubs more viable by lifting that level a bit higher so that those clubs will be able to continue to operate and look after people in their communities. Mr WILSON (Ferny Grove—ALP) (5.14 p.m.): It is my great pleasure to speak in support of the Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2001. This is major legislation which is continuing what I believe has been a very careful monitoring by the government since June 1998 of its regulation of the gaming industry to ensure that there is an appropriate balance between the economic and the social impacts of the gaming industry. There have been a range of adjustments. The most recent initiative that is particularly notable in the Gaming Machine Amendment Bill is the institution of the Major Facilities Fund, which will acquire a large amount of funds over a short period that can be devoted to major facilities, not just the Suncorp Metway Stadium but many other sporting and cultural facilities beyond that time. The second most significant part of this amendment bill is the cap that is being placed upon poker machines in hotels. In my community there are a range of clubs and several hotels. All in their own way contribute to the community benefit fund, as do similar institutions throughout Queensland. The community benefit fund is one of the most significant and effective vehicles for providing small amounts of funding to struggling community organisations of any description. $10,000 might not sound very much in a budget of $20 billion—which is the budget the Queensland government recently brought down—but $10,000 is an absolute fortune for clubs, many of which have to spend many, many hours trying to raise funds through the proverbial chook raffle or any other raffle that they can think of. I believe that this community benefit fund, which has received continuing support in development by this government, is very, very well received in the community and is acknowledged as one of the most significant community building initiatives that was instituted originally by the Goss Labor government and has been continued by this government. In my electorate there are a number of hotels, including the Ferny Grove Tavern—strangely enough at Ferny Grove—and the Samford Hotel. The Ferny Grove Tavern has 35 poker machines. The Samford Hotel has only a small number, as I recollect. There are a number of clubs in my electorate. The Samford Bowls Club has four, maybe six, poker machines. The Gaythorne Bowls Club, which is just outside my electorate but services a large part of the elderly community in the Mitchelton and Enoggera area of my electorate, has up to eight, I think. The Ferny Grove Bowls Club has 30 poker machines. There are approximately 125 machines at the Arana Leagues Club. There are approximately 80 machines at the Gaythorne RSL club. I think there are a couple of machines at the Keperra golf club, and there are eight at the Pine Hills Sports Club, which is just on the border of my electorate but servicing a wide part of my constituency. I know that this approach that our government has had since 1998 in trying to have a careful monitoring of the way in which the gaming machine industry is operating is well received in my community. Aside perhaps from the public controversy last year about the excise on fuel, there has been no more significant issue in my local community than the question of how we approach gaming machines in our community and how we deal with the social problems associated with them. I know that from both ends of the spectrum. On the one hand there has been one significant club that has been struggling with its own continued financial viability, notwithstanding the poker machines that it has. It has been confronted with the difficulties of raising funds to upgrade its machines to compete more effectively in the marketplace of people who spend their leisure time using gaming machines. That is one extreme. In the other extreme we had an application by a new developer for a tavern to be built in a major $45 million shopping centre. That applicant wanted 35 gaming machines to be located in that tavern, which is a salad roll's throw away from a supermarket. In that case, the public consultation that was entered into by the Office of Gaming Regulation was commendable. With the assistance of the local Quest newspaper, the North-West News, there was wide publicity about that application. As a result, there was a great deal of community feedback that was overwhelmingly against any increase in gaming machines in the north-western part of Brisbane and particularly against any machines being located, as I said, in such close proximity to a major newly developed shopping centre. So both ends of the spectrum of the gaming machine issue have had to be dealt with—the continued viability of a local club that is well established and well regarded and the significant income stream that it gets from poker machines, and the community attitude to the prospect of an additional site with 35 new machines in such an inappropriate location. 31 Jul 2001 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2019

I believe that it is well recognised in my community that there are significant direct and indirect employment benefits to clubs and hotels arising from legal gaming machines being placed in those establishments. Additionally, as illustrated by previous speakers in this debate, those clubs in countless ways have continued to contribute both financially and in kind to local community initiatives and community organisations. Those clubs and hotels provide services not only to their members but also to the general public—services that are able to be provided at the level at which they are only because the clubs and hotels have an income stream generated by gaming machines. Of course, we should not forget that a significant number of small businesses in my area and in the other suburbs of north-west Brisbane do business through those local clubs and hotels. The background to the introduction of gaming machines into Queensland has been set out very well in a document produced by the Parliamentary Library in its most recent research brief prepared in relation to this amendment bill. I want to restate some of the key points that they draw attention to in that research brief. Prior to 1992 the only Australian jurisdictions that allowed gaming machines were New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. By 1997-98, Western Australia was the only state that did not have gaming machines in clubs, hotels, taverns and bars. So in the space of five or six years there was a significant shift right across Australia towards poker machines. In 1997-98, poker machines and gaming machines were the source of $1.7 billion or 46 per cent of gambling taxes and levies for state and territory governments. As some previous speakers have referred to, in 1981 a Morgan Gallup poll suggested that over 60 per cent of adult Queenslanders were in favour of the introduction of gaming machines into the state. As my good friend and colleague the member for Bulimba pointed out just a moment ago, prior to the introduction of gaming machines to Queensland, seven clubs in New South Wales had an estimated combined membership of 98,000, of whom 80,000 were estimated to be Queensland residents. Of course, those seven clubs were located just on the New South Wales side of the New South Wales-Queensland border. In June 1993, 848 licensed premises existed throughout the state operating 8,813 gaming machines. But by June 2000, 1,313 licensed venues in Queensland were operating a total of 31,896 gaming machines. In that time, the average number of machines per licensed site had risen from 10 to 24. That is a very, very significant shift in the space of a few years. As I said at the outset, since June 1998 the government has wanted to keep a close eye on the way in which the industry has been developing to maintain that balance between the economic and social impacts of the gaming machine industry. I refer to some other data that I think is helpful to illustrate the sorts of issues that we are trying to deal with in this industry. In 1998-99 the adult per capita figure for expenditure on gaming machines in Queensland was $286, whilst in New South Wales and Victoria it was $720 and $578 respectively. In 1998-99 the figure for Queensland was $25,000 for average revenue per gaming machine, whilst in New South Wales and Victoria the figures were $36,000 and $72,000 respectively. As the research brief notes and as we know from our own anecdotal experience within our electorates, in recent times the strongest growth of gaming machines has occurred in hotel sites and also the number of machines located in those hotels has grown. Between June 1997 and June 2000 the number of licensed clubs operating gaming machines fell by a small number—from 642 to 635; a decline of one per cent—whilst the number of hotel venues operating machines rose by 471 to 678, an increase of 44 per cent over the same period. Correspondingly, the number of machines being operated in licensed clubs rose from 16,079 to 18,536—an increase of 15 per cent—whilst the number of hotel venues rose from 4,963 to 13,360, an increase of 169 per cent. In terms of turnover, licensed clubs were responsible for $419 million in metered wins in 1996-97 and $516 million in 1999-2000—an increase of 23 per cent. On the other hand, the hotel sites recorded rises in metered wins from $100 million in 1996- 97 to $355 million in 1999-2000—an increase of 255 per cent. I think those figures illustrate well the shift inside the gaming machine industry that has taken place over the past few years. I refer now to a number of key occasions upon which initiatives have been taken by the government to redress the imbalance in the gaming machine industry. As others have said, prior to April 2000 a review was initiated by the government of the state of the gaming machine industry. Out of that came a green paper for continued public comment and contribution. Arising from that, we produced a policy direction document to set a new direction for the gaming machine industry. Some of the key points of that included that there be a maximum limit of 280 machines 2020 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 31 Jul 2001 per site for licensed clubs and a maximum limit of 40 per site for licensed hotels; public comment is now sought by the Gaming Commission on any application for an increase of 20 machines or more at a club site or 10 machines or more at a hotel site; and the proximity of schools and shopping centres and other venues, which the public frequent in relation to sites that are the subject of gaming machine licence applications, is now to be considered by the Gaming Commission. Further, the approval of new gaming sites will be influenced by issues raised in a community impact statement, which must now accompany an application, as well as the applicant's commitment to a policy of responsible gaming to be implemented on that proposed site. Additionally, annual financial statements to the Gaming Commission must be provided by clubs operating more than 50 gaming machines. This is to be accompanied by a community benefit statement. Finally, the Gaming Machine Commission will examine the internal layout of proposed sites in relation to the location of ATMs, so that the location of machines, signage and ATMs is given appropriate consideration. These socially responsible gambling policy initiatives are to be developed over time in consultation with the industry, particular clubs and the Office of Gaming Regulation. An industry-wide responsible gaming code of practice and an advertising code of practice is also being developed and will be implemented. One of the most important initiatives and a precursor to what is being undertaken in this amendment legislation is the legislation that was introduced at the end of last year. It contained a new object to be added to the act which provided that, on balance, the state and the community as a whole must benefit from gaming machine gambling. The provisions of the act as amended late last year and the way in which the Office of Gaming Regulation administers that act must now take that object into account. I have spoken about the Gambling Community Benefit Fund and its value to my community. The ability of the fund to support struggling community organisations has been further strengthened by the fact that we have lifted the grant application sum from $15,000 to $30,000. The fund will also receive an expected $30.5 million in the 2000-01 financial year, based upon 8.5 per cent of the total taxation collected. In addition, the fund will consider applications for funds in excess of the $30,000 on a case-by-case basis. Additionally any GST impact, which is about 10 per cent in each case, is offset from the point of view of the club by additional funding being provided with the principal sum that is being granted by the fund. As I have said, the community benefit statements that were foreshadowed in the new policy direction and implemented in the amendments late last year now require that clubs with over 50 machines lodge a document with the Office of Gaming Regulation on an annual basis that sets out information on financial and other support given to charitable, sporting, recreational and other community associations during that financial year. As I foreshadowed at the beginning of my contribution to the debate, the key points in this current amendment to the legislation are the introduction of the Major Facilities Fund and, secondly, the imposition of a major facilities levy on the profits of machine gaming only in hotels—not in clubs—that have a gross monthly revenue in excess of $100,000, on a sliding scale. Additionally, the legislation removes the scope for any increase in gaming machines at hotel sites. It also provides a mechanism, in some circumstances, for gradually reducing the number of gaming machines actually in operation pursuant to current approvals. I believe that this legislation will go a long way to meeting the demands of the community, because there is strong widespread disquiet about the social impacts of gambling within our local communities. I believe that the cap on the hotel sites is an appropriate step to take and it may be that other steps need to be taken in the future. We look forward to the successful operation of this amendment. Time expired. Mr COPELAND (Cunningham—NPA) (5.34 p.m.): It gives me great pleasure to rise to speak to the Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2001. I am sure that if we had the time over again, we would probably have to think very seriously about how the introduction of poker machines was conducted in Queensland. Certainly there have been some benefits for the industry from the introduction of gaming machines. The hospitality industry in particular has experienced increased employment and activity. However, some adverse effects on the community have also resulted. Many people enjoy gambling on poker machines, and they do it quite safely and enjoyably. They can spend a nice afternoon or evening engaged in that activity. However, many people are addicted to gambling. Often, they are people who can least afford it. Certainly, if they can afford it 31 Jul 2001 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2021 at the start of their problem, it is not long before they cannot afford to maintain their addiction. Also, money is spent on gambling that would normally have been spent in other areas of our community. That is another problem that is encountered. Certainly some benefits have come from the gaming industry through the community benefit fund. Many members have talked about that today. We all have organisations within our communities that have been able to develop their own particular activities, whether they be sporting groups, cultural groups or charity organisations. Whatever the organisation, the ability to access such sums of money has certainly been worth while and has been a great help to them. We must also remember that that sum was only $29 million in the 1999-2000 year. That might seem a fair amount of money, but when one considers that in 2001-02 the government is expecting to get $322.3 million in revenue from taxes and levies on gaming, $30 million seems a fairly small amount. A sum of $322 million is being taken out of the communities and only $30 million is being put back in. Even though we recognise the benefits that that $30 million has generated, we must not forget that $322 million has been taken out of communities across the state. That is $322 million that would ordinarily have been spent in other ways. Ordinarily, it would have been spent in the communities. Ordinarily, it would not have been spent on gambling but would have been spent on other pursuits. The total amount of gambling taxes and levies received by the government is $581.9 million. That is a huge amount of money. That is a lot of money going into consolidated revenue. It certainly makes it difficult for any government to look impartially at gaming and its effects. If one is so reliant on getting so much money into one's coffers, it makes it very difficult to look clearly at where the problems may be, the social problems that may exist and the overall benefit—if it in fact exists—of the gaming industry. We must be careful that the huge amounts of money involved do not inhibit the ability of our governments to actively address the problems that are caused by the industry itself. Some organisations, clubs and hotels have been able to upgrade their facilities as a result of the cash flows generated by gaming machines and they provide an enjoyable experience in largely pleasant surroundings. However, many have struggled and even closed down as a result of the introduction of poker machines. The member for Toowoomba North spoke of the cricket club in Toowoomba, which is not an isolated case. I am sure that we are all aware of such cases. As the member said, poker machines are not the be-all and end-all to cash flow problems. That is certainly true of hotels as well as clubs. It is one of the issues that we have to keep in mind when we look at the pub tax that is also introduced in this legislation. The revenue that is involved certainly is not the be-all and end-all. The impost of a new tax on those operators will certainly make it a lot more difficult for them to conduct their businesses when they have made business decisions based on previous legislation. The introduction of poker machines has had side effects that I am sure a lot of us would not have considered when they were first introduced in the early 1990s. The promotion of live music in clubs and pubs is one such issue. The focus of many people operating those outlets is now very clearly on the promotion of gambling, as opposed to other ways of enticing people into their facilities. In days gone by, quite often that would have been done by live music and other live acts. By and large, we have lost an outlet for the development of those particular skills. I think that is a great shame. There are certainly other side effects. The very good briefing paper that the Parliamentary Library put together for us highlighted the Peterborough case study in South Australia, which I wish to quote from because I think it is particularly relevant given the comments of a lot of honourable members this afternoon. The study at Peterborough found that the introduction of gaming machines— Worsened the plight of local businesses that were already suffering from declining economic fortunes; Created a strong competitor for charitable organisations and sporting clubs for the disposable income that was present in the town; Resulted in the four hotels recording increased profitability levels that allowed renovations to their premises; Threatened the viability of other entertainment and meal venues; Resulted in a decline at sporting and charitable fundraising events; Did not contribute to increased employment at the licensed venues to any significant extent; Contributed to a decline in employment opportunities in other town businesses; Did not lead to a trickle down effect to the other sectors of the town's economy; 2022 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 31 Jul 2001

Was responsible for a shift in the expenditure patterns of the declining disposable income in the town's community; and Had created new problems and exacerbated old ones but brought little in the way of benefits to the town. The study suggested that there is a threshold and when it is reached the ability of new gambling facilities to attract economic benefits diminish and in so doing escalates the costs associated with the proliferation of gambling opportunities within the community. I think that is a very telling list. It is something that we would all have seen anecdotally in our electorates and it is something that we always have to consider when talking about gaming machines and gambling. Given some of the very real threats to our communities and their social fabric, as I said earlier, the government should be careful about becoming overly reliant on gaming revenue and allowing its treatment of the issues to be clouded by the income stream available. That is certainly highlighted by the major facilities levy in this bill. It is a tax on the profits of machine gaming in category 1 licensed premises. It is a pub tax. That is all it is. It is another way of getting some more revenue to build a facility that the government deems necessary. Mr Fouras: How else do you build things? How else do you get the money—out of thin air? Mr COPELAND: It is not the project that I am questioning now. The Labor government obviously wants to build it and so be it. But we are questioning how it is funded. In the lead-up to the election it was stated clearly over and over again that there would not be one cent of public money spent on the construction of Lang Park. A new pub tax, the major facilities levy—whatever you want to call it—is a new tax. Public money is being spent on Lang Park. It was hidden during the election campaign. There is a very real question about the best use of public money. I have spoken about it in this House before. What I said then—and it is still true—is that it is unfairly ripping money out of the regions to spend in Brisbane. The effect of that is twofold. It is money being taken from regions all over the state, whether it is in my home town of Toowoomba, whether it is in Cairns, Mount Isa or wherever it is, and being put in to building a facility in Brisbane. The other effect it has is that of taking away the ability of those hotels to give support to their local community. It is dramatically reduced. The member for Bulimba gave a classic example of it earlier. He said that if a kid has been chosen for a sporting group and needs to travel away, he goes to Bunnings, buys a wheelbarrow and takes it down to one of Maguires hotels and asks people for support. That happens in hotels right across the state. It certainly happens in my electorate. However, this levy is going to reduce the ability of hotels to provide that support in their own communities. That is a very real problem. Mr Fouras: Only 20 per cent of hotels will be paying the levy. I wonder how many of your pubs will be paying the levy? Mr COPELAND: There are about five hotels in Toowoomba that are going to pay the levy and it is going to affect them to the tune of $60,000 to $70,000 a year. I will detail what one pub in my electorate gives every year. In providing $70,000 to the community every year it gives $28,000 to local cricket, $20,000 to the support and development of Rugby League, and $17,000 for local touch football, as well as giving money to bull riding, car racing, the local school and its fete day and the swimming clubs. It does that now. Once this levy is introduced, that will reduce its ability to put that money into Toowoomba. Mr Mackenroth: Which pub is that? Mr COPELAND: The pub does not want to be named in Hansard. I will tell the Treasurer after. Mr Mackenroth: You said that last time I said that. You told me, 'I'll tell you later,' and you never did. Mr COPELAND: The Treasurer never asked me to do that other than through the media. Communities are the poorer for the introduction of this levy—schools, sporting groups, swimming clubs and school fetes. The Major Facilities Fund—and that is where the money will go—will go towards paying off Lang Park. But Lang Park is a $284 million project. It will take a very long time for that debt to be paid off and it will certainly be a very long time before anyone else in the rest of the state will be able to access any money raised through this levy. The Scrutiny of Legislation Committee has reiterated some of the concerns that I have concerning the retrospectivity of the legislation. I will quote from points 17 and 18 in the notes, which state— 31 Jul 2001 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2023

The committee notes that cls. 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 of the bill give retrospective effect to the prohibition upon licensees of category 1 licensed premises applying for additional gaming machines, and that this amendment is self-evidently adverse to such licensees. The second point states— The committee also notes that departmental officers have presumably been required to administer the gaming machine legislation in a manner inconsistent with its current terms, a practice of which the committee generally disapproves. That highlights a couple of the problems in terms of the retrospectivity of the legislation. The hoteliers must be treated fairly. This is certainly targeting the large hotels. This is true of the cap as well. But it should be targeting and treating all people involved in the gaming industry fairly. The member for Algester implied earlier that the member for Keppel was trying to open the floodgates on gaming machines. That is absolutely not what the member for Keppel was trying to do. There should be a cap on all gaming machines, not just on the hotels but also the clubs, and the whole industry must be treated in total without isolating one particular segment of that industry. As I said, the fairness of the bill must be examined. Like so many actions of this government, there appear to be real concerns with some aspects. Once those applications have been made, no recourse is available to those licensed premises. The government has a track record of bulldozing over the rights of anyone affected by its legislation, whether it be this legislation or the Water Bill or whether it is, as the member for Moggill quite rightly put before, in terms of payroll tax. Whatever it is, people make a decision based on the circumstances at the time. When legislation is introduced that adversely affects their ability to do business, there must be some recourse for those people affected. The explanatory notes state that all applications on hand at 8 May 2001 and those subsequently received by 5 p.m. on 29 June 2001 from applicants for general liquor licences will continue to be dealt with by the Queensland Gaming Commission until 31 December 2001. However, it appears to me—and I would appreciate it if the Treasurer could perhaps correct me on this later on—that there is absolutely no onus on the commission to deal with any of those applications and in fact it is required by the bill to have those applications lapse if it has not dealt with them by 31 December 2001. It appears that if a relevant application has been made there is no requirement on the commission to consider it and it will lapse if it is not considered. I see the Treasurer shaking his head; I would appreciate his clarifying that later on. I would have thought that if that application had been made properly and in good faith, notwithstanding the retrospectivity of the legislation, the commission should examine it and, if it does not, it should not lapse until it has had the ability to examine it. There are some very real concerns in terms of the gaming industry, as I have outlined. It is an admirable aim to try to cap it. I certainly support any moves to take into consideration the concerns that the wider community has with the gaming industry. But as I said, it is very unfair to simply apply it to one segment of the industry and not others. I think the government should be moving towards the point at which the whole of the industry is examined, not just the large hotels. Mrs LAVARCH (Kurwongbah—ALP) (5.50 p.m.): Last night I had a rare opportunity to tune in to my favourite social commentators, those well renowned sociologists The Simpsons. Coincidentally, last night's episode was the one where Marge ends up with a gambling problem. The hapless Homer dubs her the 'slot jockey' and he has to rescue her from the neon clutches of the gambling monster whom Homer happens to name 'Gamblor'. Mr Mackenroth: Do you actually watch this? Mrs LAVARCH: Yes. I have children. The Simpsons is a great show; it is a comment on social issues. Government members interjected. Mrs LAVARCH: The member for Cunningham agrees. The member for Hervey Bay agrees. The member for Albert agrees. I can highly recommend it. It is second only to Northern Exposure, which unfortunately is no longer shown, and a few episodes of South Park. So here is the hapless Homer who, for the first time, can look down his nose at Marge. He forgives her. As Simpson aficionados would appreciate, Marge is the commonsense partner of the duo. She is the Rock of Gibraltar for the family. She is the sensible one. She is the community minded one. In fact, this episode starts with Marge leading the charge for the protest against a casino being built in Springfield. But the townsfolk override the protest because they can see jobs 2024 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 31 Jul 2001 and economic benefits from having their own casino. Marge relents and visits the casino and therein discovers the power of the poker machines and her own weakness of being attracted to the neon monsters. The Treasurer has wondered what relevance this has to the bill before the House. As it is a social comment, I think it captures the positives and the negatives of having a gaming industry. In this case, the negatives are the social effects it had on the Simpson family where even a person of strong character in a family can succumb to the lure of the poker machines. The positives spelt out, as can be the case in any community, are that there are some economic benefits, there are jobs, there are improved facilities and there are community flow-ons from having another industry in the community. The bill we are now debating also recognises the social consequences and community concern over the growth of poker machines in Queensland. This bill adds to the measures and reforms that have been implemented already which have addressed those community concerns. It recognised those community concerns. The main element of this bill is the creation of the Major Facilities Fund. This fund will receive a percentage of the monthly profit from gaming machines operated within category 1 licensed hotels which record a monthly metered win of $100,001 and over. The major facilities levy that is being introduced in the bill will be paid into the Major Facilities Fund. The first major project to receive funding in this way will be the Suncorp Metway Stadium at Milton, but funding of the levy will continue. Hopefully, it will be seeing large, world-class cultural and sporting facilities in the future and those of statewide significance that are placed not necessarily in Brisbane or the south-east region, although we certainly would not complain about having major sporting and cultural facilities here. I have heard other speakers speak only about the negatives of gambling and of gaming machines or poker machines. I think it is very naive of us to deny that it is part and parcel of the Australian psyche or the Australian culture to have gambling. I also believe that it has been only in the last five to seven years or so that we as a community and as a society have given recognition to the negative impacts of gambling, that we have been up-front and honest enough to address it, that we have conducted research projects or we have addressed our mind to those negative aspects of gambling. Someone said to me, 'Why does it happen with poker machines? If there were no poker machines in Queensland, then there would be other forms of gambling.' I think we have recognised and we have come far enough to know that it is the ease of access to forms of gambling and probably for many people the comfort of, say, going to a club and having a cheap meal. For women in particular, clubs are a very safe and secure environment. If you are a woman on your own and you want to go out, I think you have a choice of going to the movies or perhaps going to a club. It is a place that is acceptable, where you can feel safe and secure enjoying a leisure activity or enjoying entertainment. It is not a venue where you would feel conspicuous. I think we have to give recognition to that. Tonight I want to also take the opportunity to publicly—and I have not been able to do this publicly before—commend all those who worked on the government's gaming policy. In the last parliament I had the privilege of sitting with the member for Algester, who was then the member for Archerfield, the member for Cairns and the member for Cleveland, who were all on the Treasurer's gaming policy review committee. From the number of meetings that I was aware they were attending and from the discussions that they had in my presence, I knew the depth, the commitment and the time and energy spent in putting this policy together. I believe I am correct in saying that, when we came to power in 1998, as a government we were faced with an open slather policy in relation to poker machines. This was the legacy of the previous coalition government and the previous Treasurer, Joan Sheldon. I think the member for Moggill was then her Parliamentary Secretary and he had responsibility for gaming. Certainly in the last parliament we had to address a number of problems that resulted from oversight in relation to the drafting of legislation during the term of the coalition government. I think it is probably fitting in this debate to recap on our policy, because it is an excellent document. It underpins and gives good direction as to where we are going in relation to gaming machines and gambling in this state. The document is called Policy Direction for Gaming in Queensland. For the purposes of tonight's debate I am going to use the excellent library research document put together by Wayne Jarred. I will list the points that he has set out in that document. 31 Jul 2001 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2025

The first is that there is a maximum limit of 280 machines per site for licensed clubs and a maximum limit of 40 per site for licensed hotels. The policy direction also sets out that public comment is to be sought by the Gaming Commission on any application for an increase of 20 machines or more at a club site or 10 machines or more at hotel sites. The proximity of schools, shopping centres and other venues which the public frequent in relation to sites that are the subject of gaming machine licence applications is to be considered by the Gaming Commission. The approval of new gaming machine sites will be influenced by issues raised in a community impact statement, which must accompany the application, as well as the applicant's commitment to a policy of responsible gambling to be implemented on the proposed site. Annual financial statements to the Gaming Commission from clubs operating more than 50 gaming machines must be accompanied by a community benefit statement. The Gaming Commission will continue to monitor the internal layout of proposed sites in relation to the location of ATMs, if any, and the location of machines and signage when considering applications. There are also a number of initiatives concerning socially responsible gambling, and they are worth noting as well. A responsible gambling strategy is to be developed that will focus on the prevention of socially damaging gambling, the protection of the community from overexposure to socially damaging gambling and the rehabilitation of individuals suffering gambling problems. There is also the establishment of a responsible gaming fund from which funds will be allocated for strategic research and programs containing responsible gambling initiatives based on the findings of the research. The research is to be coordinated by the Gaming Directorate located within Treasury. Lastly, there will be the development and implementation of an industry-wide responsible gambling code of practice and an advertising code of practice. This policy was published in April 2000 after much public consultation. It had a review and a green paper. A lot of research has also been undertaken through the Victorian Casino and Gaming Authority into gaming, particularly poker machines, in that state. The Victorian government web site refers to quite a number of these research papers. For those who are interested in the ongoing longitudinal studies and studies into the impact on the hotel and club industry as opposed to gaming venues in contrast with non-gaming venues, I highly recommend those research papers. One particular study undertaken by the Victorian Casino and Gaming Authority is worth noting tonight. It was done in 1996. I think it is probably fair to say that it is as true today as it was five years ago. The authority undertook a community-wide survey into the positive and negative perceptions of gambling. There are some very interesting findings in this research. It found that 69 per cent of respondents felt that the introduction of gaming machines had created more jobs. It also found that 65 per cent agreed with the statement that gambling does not create any new economic activity and that it just redistributes income from one sector to another. The study also found that 53 per cent felt that bingo centres had been adversely affected and 49 per cent felt that the racing industry had also been adversely affected. Some 63 per cent agreed that revenue from poker machines and the casino had helped the state government balance the books. I do not think anyone shies away from the fact that government has a role in regulation, but it is also an income avenue for state governments. In relation to their perceptions or their attitudes of restrictions placed on gambling activities, the respondents overall were most concerned with the need to tighten up the restrictions concerning electronic gaming machines and the casino. Some 73 per cent of respondents believed that automatic teller machines or EFTPOS facilities should not be provided at gaming venues. Some 95 per cent believed that there should not be any more casinos. Some 86 per cent disagreed with the statement that there are not enough hotels and clubs with poker machines. Some 57 per cent agreed with the statement that the number of poker machines operating—and bear in mind this study was done in Victoria—should be reduced. There were also some very interesting results in relation to the questions on gambling participation. All respondents were questioned to establish their predisposition towards gambling. The result was that 37 per cent indicated that they enjoyed having a bet or a flutter. What I found quite surprising was that as high as 30 per cent responded that they did not like to gamble at all. Some 18 per cent gambled for social reasons, 10 per cent gambled only the amount that they could afford and one per cent—or five persons asked in the survey, and they were all males—indicated that they were either addicted or had trouble controlling their level of gambling. In relation to problem gamblers, 80 per cent of respondents believed that the onus is on the individual to know how much they can afford to gamble and 95 per cent believe that no matter 2026 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 31 Jul 2001 the amount of gambling allowed there would always be people who get into trouble with gambling. Some 57 per cent of respondents believe that the community needs to do more for the families of problem gamblers and 58 per cent did not believe that welfare groups were coping with the social impact of gambling. Some 70 per cent of the respondents indicated that they believed additional steps were necessary to avoid the adverse consequences of gambling. Such responses included the establishment of better or more support services for those with problems and their families, less opportunities to gamble and fewer facilities and venues. The other reason this survey caught my eye is that, even though it was done in 1996 in Victoria, I also found it to be the case in my own electorate that most people are unaware of the government's use of funds for community support or the community benefit fund which comes from taxes on gaming. This is one of the benefits that has flowed from having a gaming industry in Queensland. Since June 1998 I have been keeping a list of all organisations that receive funds or support through the Gambling Community Benefit Fund in the Kurwongbah electorate. To the end of June this year, over 70 separate organisations in the electorate of Kurwongbah— Ms Keech: Congratulations. That is fantastic. Mrs LAVARCH: I thank the member for Albert. I am sure that if she keeps the same records she will find that her community groups will receive equal benefit and support from the gaming fund. From June 1998 to June 2001 those 70 groups received over $1 million. That is a huge contribution to our local community. To give the House some idea of the diversity of the groups and the facilities that are funded through the Gambling Community Benefit Fund, I want to list those organisations that received funding between January and June of this year in the Kurwongbah electorate. St Andrew's men's hockey and Pine Rivers women's hockey received funding of $4,000 for office equipment. The Bray Park State High School P&C Association received funding of $15,000 for musical instruments. It is commendable that there has been an amendment to the fund which now enables school groups to apply for funding. They have greatly benefited from it. The North and South Pine Rivers Integrated Catchment Association received $18,000 for equipment for a river rehabilitation project. The Bunya Community Association received $13,000 for materials for a rainforest walk. The YMCA's Camp Warrawee, which the Treasurer visited last week, received $22,000 for bunks and mattresses. The Lakeside Bowmen received $6,000 for a storage shed. The Scout Association of Queensland at the Murrenbong campsite received $25,000 to purchase a tractor. The Endeavour Foundation received $2,000 to repair its roof. The Aspergers Syndrome Support Network at Lawnton received $8,000 towards producing an enrolment booklet. The Kurwongbah State School received $5,000 to paint its hall. Finally, the Dayboro and District Soccer Club received $15,000 for sport equipment. Ms NOLAN (Ipswich—ALP) (6.10 p.m.): I rise to speak in support of the Treasurer's amendments to the Gaming Machine Act. There are two major aspects of the bill. The first is that it will place a levy on those publicans who are making a lot of money out of gaming machines. The second ends the growth of gaming machines in hotels. While I want to focus on the second aspect, I do want to touch on the first, only to say how astounded I am by the National Party's hypocrisy on this matter. Most of us accept that Brisbane needs a major stadium. There are economic benefits that derive from having a stadium, and football is, simply, quite central to our culture. I find the hypocrisy of opposition members on the matter quite amazing. On one hand they want the stadium to be built elsewhere. They have talked about the exhibition grounds, and when they were in government they talked about building a stadium at Hamilton. Either of those options would cost at least $90 million more than the Lang Park decision that the government has proceeded with. On the other hand, the National Party members oppose the Major Facilities Fund, which will pay for the development. No sensible person could argue for a more expensive option and then argue against any revenue raising measure. But, just as they did in the election campaign, National Party members want to have it all. They take no financial responsibility, and that is why they are not relevant. I turn now to the growth in the number of gaming machines. Gaming machines have changed the nature of entertainment in regional centres such as Ipswich, and they have changed the character of our pubs. The introduction of gaming has brought significant benefits to the Ipswich community. The obvious winner has been the Brothers Leagues Club, which invested wisely in gaming machines in the beginning and has grown significantly as a result. Brothers is now a substantial facility with thousands of members—I think about 11,000. It has high-quality sports facilities and a club with a major function centre, bistro, gaming room and facilities for kids. 31 Jul 2001 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2027

Brothers supports a range of sports clubs, including the original Rugby League as well as netball and hockey. Brothers is a major supporter of my old hockey club, Hancock's, and it is making a major contribution to the community of Ipswich. Along with Brothers, Ipswich has also benefited substantially from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund. In the last short time alone, community groups such as Envirocare, which will employ someone to develop links between its environmental network and the local business community, has received a grant. The Ipswich Mountain Bike Club, of which I am a member, has received some money to teach mountain biking skills to young kids. The Ipswich Bowling Club has received some infrastructure funding, and so has the Ipswich Triathlon Club. These are just a few of the many clubs that have gained decent amounts of money with which they can do real community work in Ipswich, as a direct result of gaming machines being in our pubs and clubs. There are now 1,223 gaming machines in the Ipswich City Council area. That figure of 140 machines per 10,000 people makes us pretty much average for a centre of our size. Ipswich is by no means a pokie capital. In the last five years the number of gaming machines has grown substantially, with the bulk of growth coming in pubs. This growth happened because the coalition government's white paper, which was put together primarily by the member for Moggill, drove substantial growth. As a result of the white paper, the number of pokies in Queensland exploded. Since 1997 three-quarters of the total growth in gaming machines has been new machines in pubs. In 1997 there were 4,700 gaming machines in pubs. Now there are 15,700. This explosion came directly as a result of the significant change of policy that came with the coalition government's white paper. It is no wonder that today, while they are talking about a lot of aspects of this bill, opposition members are not talking much about the growth that we are having in gaming. This proliferation of gaming has opened up a hole for some people in the community to fall into. While the extent of the problems has sometimes been hysterically covered by the media, particularly following the 1999 Productivity Commission report, there is no doubt that for a small number of people in the community gaming is a big problem. The question I believe when it comes to regulation of gaming machines is: how much responsibility must government take to stop people hurting themselves? While some might want to debate this philosophical issue forever, I believe the answer is simple. Government must take substantial responsibility. Government should not do what the coalition government did with the growth of gaming: make way for a gaping and ever-growing hole for people to fall into. I support this legislation because it stops the growth of gaming in pubs and, hence, seriously stems the tide of gaming in the broader community. I do not want to be a wowser about gaming. While I myself cannot see the fun in playing the pokies, I have no problem with there being some pokies available for people who want to play. But the growth has to stop. By stopping the growth and returning the focus of gaming to clubs, an area where there is community benefit, this bill improves the nature and focus of gaming in Queensland, and I fully support it. Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone—Ind) (6.15 p.m.): I rise to speak to the Gaming Machine Amendment Bill and express some concerns—concerns that are reflected in my community and the comments they make. I think there is an acknowledgment on all sides of politics that poker machines introduced not only a new form of entertainment and a new form of gambling but also a new social problem. The impact of poker machine gambling has been documented by quite a diverse number of groups, not just those who are outspokenly opposed to gambling. The impact on small communities in terms of economic downturn for other businesses is also well documented. I reiterate those concerns. While governments introduced poker machines predominantly as a revenue raising opportunity, or as an opportunity to stop bleeding across the state border into New South Wales some years ago, we also have to acknowledge and accept responsibility for those negative impacts. Placing some form of ceiling on the number of poker machines is a beneficial step. I will touch on that matter later. Much has been said about the growth of gaming machines, particularly during the coalition's period in office in 1996. I know a little of the background to that issue. I had quite a number of conversations with the then parliamentary secretary to the Treasurer, the member for Moggill. The information I took to him came from not only the local hoteliers in my electorate but also the hoteliers association in Queensland, and they had the empirical information to support those concerns. With the growth of gaming machines in clubs and the policy that dictated the number of gaming machines clubs could have versus the number of gaming machines hotels could have 2028 Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 31 Jul 2001 and the divergent tax structure that hotels operated under, many hotel establishments in the state were facing potential bankruptcy. Page 5 of the Parliamentary Library document—as I said, I am referring to 1996 onwards—shows the huge disparity between the number of club poker machines and the number of hotel poker machines. Originally the policy was put up to acknowledge that clubs were community-based entities while hotels were commercially based entities. That may have been true initially, but I think many of us would have to recognise that over time there are some clubs—not all—who have developed very much a commercial focus. The really big clubs, such as the leagues clubs and one or two of the RSL clubs, are more commercially focused than community based, as was originally anticipated. I had quite a number of discussions with the then parliamentary secretary to the Treasurer to discuss the contents of the white paper and the impacts that white paper would have on the hotel industry. Ultimately, the recommendations that were implemented gave many hotels at least some light at the end of the tunnel for their survival. I know that within the hotel industry there was a great deal of gratitude—not that they would be championing a significant increase in the number of gaming machines, but at least they were given some recognition as providing an opportunity for competition with the clubs. It was not just a coalition's whim to increase the number of gaming machines in hotels. It was not a whim to increase revenue from hotel gaming. It was the opportunity to recognise the hotel industry's concern that, with continuing disparity between the number of machines available to clubs and hotels and the disparity between the taxation regimes for both, if it continued under that administration some hotels in particular would end up going to the wall. So in 1996 it was a matter of gaining some form of equity, although many would argue that it certainly was not full equity. That, too, explains the exponential growth in hotel poker machine numbers. But it still must be remembered that when comparing the total number of gaming machines between clubs and hotels, clubs still hold the greatest number of gaming machines across the state. I am not saying that gaming machine licences should be open slather. I do not hold that view at all. But I do believe that the statistics that have been shown about the impact of poker machines clearly indicate a need for constraint in issuing new licences. However, my argument in relation to that constraint is that it be equitable across-the-board. I do have some questions for the minister that I am sure have already been put to him, but I will reiterate them. I query why, in this bill, the minister is targeting big hotels only and not including in those constraints, or in that levy group, the big clubs, particularly those which, as I said, show a very commercial focus. If there is a threshold of eligibility to pay that levy of the gaming machine revenue per month, my question is: why were clubs that also pass that threshold not included in the requirement to contribute to the levy? I say that not to disadvantage clubs but to query equity across-the-board with those larger establishments. I support the restriction on the new places. As I said, there is a requirement—an obligation—on government to restrict the number of gaming machines. But again, I would query why those restrictions have not been placed on the larger clubs, as well. I am sure that the minister would recognise that some clubs are huge. Most of them are small community clubs that provide a great deal of benefit to their local communities. But there is a small handful of clubs that are significant entities, and I am sure that they would contribute to that levy on an equal basis with the hotels. My other question for the minister relates to the retrospectivity of the control over the number of gaming machines for hotels. It is going to be backdated to 8 May. I wonder whether there are applicants who will be caught in that retrospective backdating. I query who they might be, how many there might be and who will be disaffected in that way. With regard to the levy for the Suncorp Metway Stadium—I do not reside in Brisbane. I do recognise that there is a split argument about whether the upgrade should be made to the Suncorp Metway Stadium or whether it should be done elsewhere. I do not have a problem with developing a major stadium in Brisbane. It needs to be in an appropriate place with appropriate transport corridors, pedestrian corridors and access to services so that people who live or work in areas adjoining the new stadium are not disadvantaged by the masses of people who will have to be transported to and from the stadium. So it is open to question whether the Suncorp Metway Stadium actually is the appropriate place. But that is perhaps a decision for people who live in this region to make. I do, however, have a problem with the process that was adopted to establish the 31 Jul 2001 Adjournment 2029 larger facility at Suncorp Metway Stadium and how those objectors to the process continue to feel aggrieved by the process that was adopted. Like many members, I have exceptional clubs and hotels in my electorate—probably too many to list. They provide a great opportunity for family members, groups and organisations to get together in a relaxed atmosphere, to enjoy a meal and perhaps a few drinks. For those to whom gambling is not a problem, they provide an opportunity for some entertainment. I believe that for every community across Australia we need venues where those get-togethers can occur. However, for a very small number of people gambling is a problem, and they need special consideration by governments irrespective of a government's political philosophy. I look forward to the time when effective constraints are put in place for people who have a demonstrated problem. We have that spectre of Internet gambling whereby a person's problem cannot even be monitored by external visual means, that is, the licensees of premises seeing people coming in day by day, spending a lot of time at the poker machines and leaving perhaps without winning back any major money. That must be an indicator of a problem with Internet gambling, and that is much more difficult to constrain. The other issue that I want to raise with the minister is the freeing up of raffles, and particularly bingo, and the impact that has on small clubs without pokies. I do not know whether this has been raised with the minister in his new capacity, but a lot of small clubs that do not have poker machines used to rely on bingo in particular for their weekly and monthly revenue. What they have found is that many of the larger clubs that run poker machines and have a significant bank of poker machines now use bingo to entice a lot of people into their premises. They have the wherewithal to provide bigger jackpots, more attractive jackpots and more of them. Meteors, a smaller club in my electorate, has almost lost entirely the opportunity to gain revenue from bingo—albeit in a modest sense. The RSL club in my electorate actually cancelled its bingo because it could not compete with one of the big clubs that established bingo on the same day and in competition with it. One of the solutions to consider perhaps is that the holding of bingo be subject to a lower threshold, that is, that some benefit be given to clubs that do not have poker machines but use bingo for their revenue raising on a weekly or monthly basis. They are hurting. I do not think that any of the clubs that have been to see me actually have poker machines. But they have always been able to gain reasonable revenue from bingo games. They do not want pokies. They want to be a family friendly club. But they are losing the ability to raise any revenue because the bigger clubs are taking over bingo—not so that they raise revenue but so that they get bodies on seats and then later direct them into the poker machine area and get new clientele. I do have problems with this legislation. I do believe that there are a number of aspects about which the community would have concerns. I commend the government and the minister for introducing some constraints on gaming machine numbers, but I would like to see some changes to the legislation to ensure equity across both hotels and clubs to ensure that impartiality is retained. Debate, on motion of Mr Reeves, adjourned.

ADJOURNMENT Hon. A. M. BLIGH (South Brisbane—ALP) (Leader of the House) (6.28 p.m.): I move— That the House do now adjourn.

Rail Wagons Mr JOHNSON (Gregory—NPA) (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (6.28 p.m.): I rise to speak about a matter that is of interest to the cattle industry of western Queensland, northern Queensland and regional Queensland in general. Over the past couple of months there has been much debate about the ongoing problems in relation to the availability of railway cattle wagons, whether they be K wagons, KLs or KOJXs, for the transportation of cattle from centres such as Quilpie, Winton, Cloncurry, Charters Towers, Clermont, Emerald and all places in between to markets along the coast. I want to highlight the seriousness of the situation that exists currently owing to the unavailability of wagons. At the moment there are big lifts of cattle out of the Channel Country and 60-header trains coming out of places such as Quilpie and Winton are certainly taxing the availability of wagons. 2030 Adjournment 31 Jul 2001

I call on the minister to meet once again with his executive of the livestock section of Queensland Rail to address some of these problems. At the end of the day, the unavailability of wagons results in revenue lost to Queensland Rail, revenue lost to the pastoral companies and to the cattle industry as a whole, revenue lost to the saleyards and revenue lost to everybody else in between. If 60 wagons are ordered and only 40 arrive, those cattle waiting to be transported cannot be stood over. I believe that a game plan has to be put in place to address the current anomalies. The minister and his personnel have to work out how many wagons should be allotted to the southern line, the central line and the northern line. It should be borne in mind that places such as Cloncurry and Mount Isa are service areas to the gulf, from where a lot of cattle are exported, and also to the port of Darwin. Whilst for the majority of the time that live cattle export business is carried by road, we need to coordinate the allocation of these wagons so that we can alleviate this heartache that has been caused in the industry because of—I not saying mismanagement—a lack of coordination, or whatever. I know that this is a very difficult program to address. At the same time I know that when the coalition was in government it put in place the order for those 300 KOJX wagons to be manufactured in Townsville. I know that only about 150 of those have been built. But it is absolutely paramount, with the boom in the beef industry at the moment, that every possible wagon be used and that they be made available at the appropriate places to take full advantage of the carriage of that livestock. I call on the minister, Mr Steve Bredhauer, to treat this issue as a matter of urgency and work in conjunction with agents, livestock and pastoral producers and transport operators to get the most viable operation out of QR. Time expired.

Archbishop Rush Mrs ATTWOOD (Mount Ommaney—ALP) (6.31 p.m.): Saturday, 21 July 2001 was a sad day for members of the Catholic Church across Queensland. It was the day that the former Archbishop of Brisbane, Francis Robert Rush, passed away and left this earth for a better place. Last Friday, over 1,000 people gathered at St Stephen's Cathedral in Brisbane to celebrate the life and mourn the death of this great Catholic leader. Included in the gathering was Deputy Premier, Terry Mackenroth; Opposition Leader, Mike Horan; the Governor; and Lord Mayor, Jim Soorley. Archbishop Bathersby officiated at the solemn mass and bishops and priests from all over Queensland gathered around the altar. About 10 years ago Archbishop Rush retired to Verona Villa in the Canossa complex. For the past three years I had the great honour of being his local member, and often spent time with him talking through issues. It felt good being in the presence of such a wise, intelligent and very spiritual human being. He would talk freely and openly on any subject and everything mattered to him. What emerged from our conversations was a great sense of compassion that he had for every living being. Up until about 12 months ago, Archbishop Rush continued to preach in the Canossa chapel. Following a stroke, he was unable to continue with this aspect of his ministry. Archbishop Rush would read the message for the day in Italian for the benefit of residents in the complex and then proceed in articulating stories of the past relevant to current living. Everyone in the chapel took away something that they did not have before. Archbishop Rush had a thirst for knowledge and was widely read. He is remembered for his brilliant mind, his remarkable memory, and his affection for his family, his archdiocese, his church and his faith in Jesus Christ. His episcopal motto sums up his life and his faith: mihi vivere Christus—life for me is Christ. During his whole life he enacted that motto. Archbishop Rush was born in Townsville on 11 September 1916. He was educated at St Joseph's School and the Christian Brothers School in Townsville; St Joseph's, Gregory Terrace; and Mount Carmel, Charters Towers. His seminary formation began at St Columba's, Springwood, New South Wales and was completed in Rome. After many years serving as parish priest, then bishop, he was installed as Archbishop of Brisbane on 29 May 1973, where he remained until his retirement on 3 December 1991. I know that Archbishop Rush will be sadly missed, especially by Sister Concetta and her Canossan sisters at Oxley. People from all walks of life who have had the privilege of meeting him will fondly remember him as a great Queenslander. His kindness, wisdom and compassion for 31 Jul 2001 Adjournment 2031 others was what made him a great human being and leader in the church. May his memory inspire us all to give a little bit of ourselves in the pursuit of greater compassion towards others.

Minister for Transport; Gladstone Area Water Board Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone—Ind) (6.34 p.m.): I rise to commend the Minister for Transport for his support over the past few weeks to members of the Boyne Valley community and the Monto Shire Council. Time does not allow me to go into the issue in any detail. However, the Gladstone Area Water Board has over many years recognised its obligation to relocate infrastructure that is affected by the inundation of Awoonga Dam in its current form or in an enlarged form. When I was a member of the Calliope Shire Council, on several occasions we encouraged the Gladstone Area Water Board to contribute to the upgrading of the Boyne Valley road near Portentia Creek, because when the dam was full and we received additional rain, Portentia Creek used to flood and remain up because the dam was full. When that happened the milk truck could not get through. The water board always responded by saying, 'No, our obligation to relocate infrastructure will occur when the dam is enlarged.' That obligation was recognised both in document and in word. For about two and a half years now, the raising of the Awoonga Dam has been discussed by members of the Boyne Valley, members of the Monto shire and the Monto Shire Council, and the two councils in my electorate, the Calliope Shire Council and the Gladstone City Council, always with the view of retaining the obligation of the Gladstone Area Water Board. Only recently was any comment made about the legitimacy of relocating the Monto railway line. It was done in a very emotive way through a statement by the Gladstone Area Water Board that residents and industry should not have to bear the cost of relocating this line that is used so little. All members who have railway lines in their electorates, particularly those who represent electorates in regional Queensland, know that the use of that infrastructure increases and decreases with weather conditions. In relation to the Monto railway line, its use also decreased with the decision of the government not to have trains stop in the valley to pick up commodities but that QRX and other trucking ventures would take over that responsibility. It is recognised that the line is not utilised to its full potential, but it is a strategic and important piece of infrastructure. Originally, the minister supported and continued to support the community in their calls for the water board to fulfil its obligations to relocate that railway line. I again commend the minister for that. He has not only ensured that infrastructure that is necessary to the Boyne Valley and the Monto Shire Council residents is retained but also he has ensured that the moral obligations of the Gladstone Area Water Board, acknowledged over many years, will be required to be honoured. I commend him for his support. Members of that community have valued the fact that he has stood by what has been an historical agreement, and I thank him for that.

One.Tel Mr FENLON (Greenslopes—ALP) (6.37 p.m.): I rise to speak about the debacle of One.Tel and the roll-out of the telecommunications network in Australia. Indeed, the recent collapse of One.Tel proves that universal karma really happens: if people in big organisations start kicking around the small people in this country, they have to learn that something will come back and bite them. I am referring to the way in which One.Tel has treated constituents in my electorate and in other electorates throughout Queensland and Australia through its roll-out process. Previously I have spoken in this House about One.Tel's flippant regard for the welfare and amenity of local citizens in the way in which it positioned its towers—for example, as happened in my electorate, only metres from the bedroom of an elderly citizen. So it is little wonder that things have come undone for One.Tel. It is little wonder that it has really come unstuck because it really has not had a very sensible relationship with the world around it. I refer to the reaction of people such as Hazel Smith, a resident of my electorate who was affected. She said, 'I told my friends about One.Tel,' and certainly she did. It is no wonder that in those circumstances we had people in their eighties on a picket line standing in front of a truck to try to stop it. They were simply protecting the amenity of their lives against a big organisation that was going to interfere in the quality of their lives. I do not wish to be flippant about the collapse of a major company in Australia. Such a collapse results inevitably in widespread suffering and impacts on customers, creditors and, most 2032 Adjournment 31 Jul 2001 importantly, on staff. It creates uncertainty in the lives of many people. However, what more could we expect within a system of regulation where even the term 'regulation' is practically an oxymoron. The roll-out has created anarchy in the marketplace. There has not been proper regulation from the start and there certainly has not been proper protection for our residents. I commend Jim Soorley, Brisbane's Lord Mayor, for standing up with local residents against this big organisation. There are uncertainties in the future. I call upon the federal government to start unpicking this mess and to create greater certainty in the future for our residents by providing clarity about the way that the roll-out will continue. I spoke to the liquidators last week and they are having major headaches trying to work out the value of the assets and where they are going. There is long way to go in unpicking that mess and seeing what the final form of the roll-out will take. We need a review of this area and some better regulation. Time expired.

West Indian Drywood Termites, Maryborough Mr ROWELL (Hinchinbrook—NPA) (6.41 p.m.): The residents of Maryborough want to know why the government will not fix the problem of the West Indian termites in their town. The Fraser Coast Chronicle, a local newspaper in the Maryborough region, has published many articles on the problem of termites and the dissatisfaction of Maryborough's building owners with the Beattie government's solution to fix it. The residents want to know why only $500,000 was allocated to the fumigation process and why the termite has been allowed to reinfest some of the buildings that have already been fumigated. Methyl bromide, the gas used to fumigate the termite, has a 100 per cent kill rate and leaves no residual effects on the treated timber. This can allow the termite to return to previously fumigated timber at a later date without any effect, although this is not usually a problem if the affected buildings are done all at the same time. However, due to the state government's lack of commitment to the problem, only half the buildings to be fumigated in Maryborough were done before November, the last peak flying time of the termite, allowing their numbers to be maintained. Of course, this defeats the purpose of the fumigation, having no positive effects on the West Indian dry wood termite situation that the Maryborough people have to contend with and resulting in a complete waste of money by the Labor government. How much research went into the problem? Obviously none! Maryborough is situated in the middle of an important sector of Queensland's timber industry. It is just not good enough that the town suffers from serious problems with termites. The West Indian drywood termite has a strong preference for pine timber, a commodity widely used throughout Maryborough's building and furniture industry. There is a fear in Maryborough's community that the Beattie government is waiting to shift the onus of the responsibility for the termites back onto the shoulders of the local building owners by changing legislation. Instead of the state government wanting to wipe out the termites in Maryborough, it has put the problem in the too-hard basket. Obviously, the Beattie government was not committed to the problem of termites in Maryborough in the first place, or it would have fixed the problem in one go by allowing enough money to fumigate the affected buildings at once. The whole drama has cost the people of Queensland $500,000 and has still left the residents of Maryborough with a termite problem. I think this is an absolute disgrace. The government should have addressed the problem in a more positive way to ensure that the termites were eradicated in Maryborough.

Paronella Park Mr PITT (Mulgrave—ALP) (6.44 p.m.): I rise to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of Mark and Judy Evans and their staff at Paronella Park, Innisfail. Paronella Park was formally opened to the public in 1935 by its creator, Jose Paronella, a Spanish migrant who had a dream to establish a medieval castle in the rainforests of far-north Queensland. Immensely popular with locals and visitors alike, the park has suffered flood, cyclone and fire damage over the intervening years. In 1946 it was nearly swept away. In 1979 a fire gutted the main buildings and in 1986 Cyclone Winifred laid the area waste. The park is a great credit to the current owners, Mark and Judy Evans, who purchased it in 1993 and have turned its fortunes 31 Jul 2001 Adjournment 2033 around to the extent that over 800,000 visitors availed themselves of the opportunity to enjoy its offerings last year. Accessibility will be enhanced even further in the future when the new $10 million high-level bridge over the South Johnstone River is constructed in the next couple of years. Last year alone, flooding cut traffic access on no fewer than 27 days. Paronella Park gained National Trust listing in 1998. No doubt a contributing factor was the decision by Mark and Judy Evans to maintain and preserve the current facilities rather than engage in rebuilding. To quote from their pamphlet— Small restoration projects have been undertaken, pathways uncovered and improved, and the museum, an ongoing project, is continuously being enhanced. The tourism industry has recognised the contribution made by Paronella Park. At the 2001 Tropical North Queensland Tourism Awards held at the Cairns Convention Centre, Paronella Park took out the Heritage and Cultural Tourism and the Tourism Marketing and Promotional Campaign awards for the fourth consecutive year. Indicative of the emphasis placed on teamwork, 20 of their staff were on hand to receive this recognition. Mark Evans was effusive in his praise for the staff, saying, 'Basically, we have just the most talented, professional and intelligent staff.' Having recently visited Paronella Park, I can attest to the quality of presentation and service. It is no wonder that it has become a must-see destination for Australian and overseas tourists. Success did not stop with the Tropical North Queensland Awards. Paronella Park went on to win at the Queensland Tourism Awards held recently at Hamilton Island. The facility had made it to the finals in the past four years and this year secured the State Heritage and Cultural Tourism Award. In addition, Paronella Park took out the best overall entry from over 300 other nominations from across the state. It would not surprise anyone who has had the pleasure of visiting Paronella Park to see further recognition at the Australian Tourism Awards to be held in Hobart in November. Success only comes through foresight, commitment and sheer hard work. Mark and Judy Evans and their staff have those qualities in abundance.

Beijing Olympic Games Dr WATSON (Moggill—Lib) (6.47 p.m.): On the weekend of 14 July, at 2 a.m. Australian eastern standard time, Beijing was awarded the 2008 Olympic Games. This represents a great opportunity not only for China but also for Australia, particularly in terms of potential export earnings. Where was the supposed can-do Beattie government? Nowhere to be seen! It was not until the member for Merrimac, Bob Quinn, raised the issue on 15 July, some 36 hours after Beijing had been awarded the Olympic Games, that we heard a belated response from the Beattie government. It was too little too late. Let us look at what was happening down south. Canberra businessman Peter Phillips summed up quite succinctly what other states were doing in relation to the Beijing announcement. He pointed to the establishment of the Beijing- Canberra sister city relationship as one of the key achievements in the recent dialogues that will help Australian businesses on the road to Beijing in 2008. He said that the involvement of the ACT and the New South Wales governments before the vote also helped. If we look at the list of people involved in the bid, we see that it is dominated by those connected with the Sydney Olympics. They include the former head of SOCOG, Sandy Hollway, former SOCOG Communications Director, Milton Cockburn, former Sydney Olympic Village Mayor—someone well-known to the ALP—Graham Richardson, and the former Sydney Para- Olympics Village Mayor, Tim Fischer, who also pitched in to get Beijing over the line. Most importantly, Bob Carr, the Labor Premier of New South Wales, was reported as saying before the vote on the Friday morning that Beijing should host the 2008 Olympic Games, despite concerns over issues of human rights. He understands the importance of the Olympic Games and the flow-on effects of having the Olympic Games in Sydney. Already New South Wales is looking at some $6 billion over the period from 1993 to 2004 in terms of wealth generated from the Sydney Olympic Games. It is expected that in 2008 about $30 billion will be available and that Australia can comfortably expect to get $3 billion. The state that will benefit substantially from that is New South Wales. Premier Carr and his representatives have made it quite clear that Beijing's winning the games is good for New South Wales. Where was Queensland? Time expired. 2034 Adjournment 31 Jul 2001

Lower Beechmont Mrs REILLY (Mudgeeraba—ALP) (6.50 p.m.): Within my electorate nestled in the Gold Coast hinterland is a small isolated rural community known as Lower Beechmont. Lower Beechmont is some 20 minutes from the closest town centre of Nerang. It is almost at the top of the Beechmont Lamington Plateau and is accessed by a long winding road hugging the side of the mountain and dropping to steep escarpment on one side. It is the gateway to one of the hinterland's tourism meccas—Binna Burra and the glorious Lamington Plateau. Lower Beechmont has a small population of approximately 350 residents, but what they lack in numbers they make up for in community spirit. Services which larger communities take for granted are not readily available to small rural communities such as Lower Beechmont. The residents of Lower Beechmont may be able to see the Gold Coast by day but the benefits it provides are as distant and intangible as the starry lights of the high-rise buildings visible in the night sky. Even arranging for tradesmen such as a plumber or electrician to come to your home to effect repairs can be an impossible task if you live in an area accessible only by driving for up to an hour along winding mountain roads. Even if a tradesman does agree to do the job, a hefty call-out fee, which the pensioners and low income earners of the area can ill afford, is charged. An enthusiastic and dedicated group of local people, however, has banded together to address this problem. By canvassing their community the group, known as Beechmountain Trades and Community Care Services, has developed a list of tradespeople who live on the mountain and are willing to service the area. In fact, when they advertised through the local school newspaper they found two tradesmen for every conceivable trade actually lived on the mountain. It is simply that no-one knew they were there. Not satisfied with this achievement, the group has also developed a list of locals who are willing to provide services such as babysitting, hairdressing and tutoring in the area. Finally, the group has developed a growing list of volunteers to help support the senior citizens in the community who need support and care. The volunteers undergo training and liaise with community organisations located in the main coastal strip to ensure the best possible service is provided. Such community spirit is rare these days. In this the International Year of the Volunteer it is important that we recognise and commend the enormous contribution which volunteers such as those at Lower Beechmont make to our community. I am proud to be the member of parliament representing the enthusiastic and caring people of Lower Beechmont.

Croc Festival Mr COPELAND (Cunningham—NPA) (6.53 p.m.): It is my great pleasure to report that last week the member for Gregory and shadow Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy, Vaughan Johnson, and I represented the opposition at the 2001 Croc Festival held on Thursday Island. The Croc Festival is the indigenous version of the Rock Eisteddfod, which I am sure many members present are aware of and, I hope, are actively supporting. The Croc Fest was begun in Weipa in 1998 largely due to the support of then Health Minister and now Leader of the Opposition Mike Horan. It has grown significantly over those years both in Queensland and nationwide and this year will be held in five locations—Kununurra, Tom Price, Port Augusta, Moree and Thursday Island. The festival on Thursday Island involved approximately 1,000 students from schools right across the Torres Strait, the northern peninsula area, other Queensland regions and one school from Papua New Guinea. A recent independent study of the impact of the Croc Fest undertaken by four researchers at the University of South Australia reported that the Croc Festival promotes a sense of togetherness within individual communities as well as between different communities. There is also evidence that the festivals have also led directly to increased school attendance from participating students, raised self-esteem and increased awareness of healthy lifestyle messages. Of course, 100% In Control was a key message of all activities during the festival: that you can have fun totally alcohol and drug free. There were numerous activities associated with the Croc Festival. The major highlight was the public performances by the schools. There was a huge range of performances, including traditional and modern dance and song, with many different interpretations and messages. There were many workshops throughout the day for students to participate in. I was extremely impressed with the enthusiasm of both the facilitators and workshop participants and I was able to get to nearly all of the workshops held on the island. Workshops included the 100% In Control health expo, a huge careers market, sports including AFL, netball, outrigging, hockey, basketball, 31 Jul 2001 Adjournment 2035 kanga cricket, contemporary dance, traditional dance and music, environmental awareness and goal setting. I particularly wish to mention the goal setting workshop, because it was one that I spent quite a bit of time at. It was run by Danny Morseau, former Olympic basketballer, music legend Jimmy Little, Gavin Jones, editor and publisher of an indigenous magazine, and Dr Ngiare Brown. All of them are indigenous Australians who are extremely high achievers in their own fields. Their message was simple and clear: you can make something of your life if you set goals, work hard and stay drug and alcohol free—a valuable message for everyone. I would like to pay tribute to Peter Sjoquist and his dedicated and talented team for the work that they do both with the Croc Festival and the Rock Eisteddfod. They are making a very valuable and, perhaps more importantly, a very tangible difference to the lives of both indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. Tribute must also go to the students and schools who took part and, more importantly, the people of Thursday Island who so warmly welcomed us to their community.

Community Cabinet Meeting, Burdekin Electorate Mr RODGERS (Burdekin—ALP) (6.56 p.m.): I rise to speak on a recent visit by the community cabinet—on 15 and 16 July—to the Burdekin electorate. A government member interjected. Mr RODGERS: They were all there. It was a pleasure to host this community cabinet meeting in the Burdekin. It is something that the Burdekin branch of the party, the mayor and council and I had been after for a number of months. It was great to see them making time available to visit the Burdekin. The community cabinet meeting was held on the Sunday at the memorial hall, which is in Home Hill. The forum was opened by the Premier, who introduced the Ayr State High School orchestra and Megan Harris, who sang Advance Australia Fair. The Premier and all present agreed it was a superb performance. Different community groups and people throughout the community who had expressed concerns to me during the time that I have been the member came forward and expressed their concerns to the relevant ministers at that function. It proved worth while for all those who attended and the reports back from those people and others in the community were that it was a truly worthwhile visit and that they believed these community cabinet meetings should continue. I hope that I will be able to get another one in a few years' time. Organisations in the area also had visits from the relevant ministers for their departments—for example, schools in the area and emergency services—and even a few of the hotels had visits from a few of the members on the Sunday night. Mrs Miller: And the Burdekin Special School. Mr RODGERS: And the Burdekin Special School. We also visited local law firms. The Minister for Innovation and Information Technology, Paul Lucas, attended and launched the IT program for One Stop Legal Advice. We also had the launch of the joint Home Hill facility for fire and ambulance services, which was opened by the Minister for Emergency Services, Mike Reynolds, which I attended. The people in the community are very happy with that facility. It has been long awaited and much needed in the community. On the Monday we also had the official cabinet meeting at the council chambers in Ayr, which was hosted by the Mayor, John Woods, and the local council, which was a very good function. I am reminded that on the Sunday night there were three birthdays. The Minister for Education, Anna Bligh, had hers on the Saturday night; Terry Mackenroth's was on the Monday; and Lindy Nelson-Carr's was on the Sunday night. Sunday night was a party night in the Burdekin. Mr Reeves interjected. Mr RODGERS: The party carried on fairly well into the Sunday night. Motion agreed to. Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms Male): Order! I wish to advise the House that there is a meeting at 8.30 p.m. to elect a senator. The House adjourned at 6.58 p.m.