PROOF ISSN 1322-0330

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

Hansard Home Page: http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/hansard E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (07) 3406 7314 Fax: (07) 3210 0182

Subject FIRST SESSION OF THE FIFTY-FOURTH PARLIAMENT Page Tuesday, 11 September 2012

ASSENT TO BILLS ...... 1767 Tabled paper: Letter, dated 29 August 2012, from Her Excellency the Governor advising of assent to bills...... 1767 PRIVILEGE ...... 1767 Alleged Contempt of Parliament by the Premier ...... 1767 SPEAKER’S STATEMENTS ...... 1768 Evacuation and Emergency Procedures ...... 1768 Matters of Privilege ...... 1768 PRIVILEGE ...... 1768 Speaker’s Ruling, Alleged Deliberate Misleading of the House by a Member ...... 1768 Tabled paper: Letter, dated 23 August 2012, from the member for Hervey Bay, Mr Ted Sorensen MP, to the Speaker referring to a matter of privilege regarding the member of Bundamba...... 1768 Tabled paper: Letter, dated 23 August 2012, from the member for Hervey Bay, Mr Ted Sorensen MP, to the Speaker referring to a matter of privilege regarding the Leader of the Opposition...... 1768 PRIVILEGE ...... 1769 Speaker’s Ruling, Alleged Deliberate Misleading of the House by a Minister ...... 1769 Tabled paper: Letter, dated 21 August 2012, from the Manager of Opposition Business, Mr Curtis Pitt MP, regarding a matter of privilege relating to the Minister for Police and Community Safety...... 1769 PRIVILEGE ...... 1769 Speaker’s Ruling, Alleged Intimidation of a Member ...... 1769 Tabled paper: Letter, dated 1 August 2012, from the Minister for Health, Hon. Lawrence Springborg, to the Leader of the Opposition, Ms Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, regarding a motion of the Queensland Parliament passed on 12 July 2012, and attaching letter, dated 30 July 2012, from the Leader of the Opposition to the Minister for Health, Hon. Lawrence Springborg...... 1769 Tabled paper: Letter, dated 13 August 2012, from the Leader of the Opposition, Ms Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, to the Speaker relating to a matter of privilege regarding the Minister for Health, Hon. Lawrence Springborg...... 1769 MOTION OF CONDOLENCE ...... 1770 Stephan, Mr LW ...... 1770 PETITIONS ...... 1773 TABLED PAPERS ...... 1774

FS SIMPSON N J LAURIE L J OSMOND SPEAKER CLERK OF THE PARLIAMENT CHIEF HANSARD REPORTER Table of Contents — Tuesday, 11 September 2012

MINISTERIAL PAPERS ...... 1776 Tabled paper: Charter of Fiscal Responsibility...... 1776 Tabled paper: Queensland Government—Consolidated Fund Financial Report 2011-12...... 1776 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS ...... 1777 Death of Soldiers in Afghanistan, Motion to Take Note ...... 1777 Deeral, Mr E ...... 1778 Queensland Budget 2012 ...... 1778 Coal Industry ...... 1779 Queensland Health, Budget ...... 1779 Teacher Aides; School Chaplains ...... 1780 Disability Action Week ...... 1781 MOTION ...... 1781 Amendments to Standing Orders ...... 1781 LEGAL AFFAIRS AND COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMITTEE ...... 1783 Office of the Information Commissioner, Report ...... 1783 Tabled paper: Office of the Information Commissioner: Report No. 3 of 2012-13 to the Qld Legislative Assembly—Results of Desktop Audits 2011-12: Review of Publication Schemes, Disclosure Logs and Information Privacy Awareness in Departments, Local Governments, Statutory Authorities and Universities...... 1783 ETHICS COMMITTEE ...... 1783 Reports ...... 1783 Tabled paper: Ethics Committee Report No. 123: Matter of privilege referred by the Speaker on 7 June 2012 regarding the failure to pay a fine for contempt of parliament...... 1783 Tabled paper: Ethics Committee Report No. 124: 2011-12 Annual Report...... 1783 QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE ...... 1783 Public Service, Jobs ...... 1783 Tabled paper: Document titled ‘LNP Cando Action: A Public Service to Serve Queensland: part of our plan to get Queensland back on track’...... 1783 Public Service, Jobs ...... 1784 Queensland Economy ...... 1785 Townsville Hospital, Jobs ...... 1786 Queensland Economy ...... 1786 Tabled paper: Transcript of ABC interview dated 31 August 2012 ‘Labor denies previous government to blame for jobs cuts’...... 1787 Government Borrowings ...... 1787 Commission of Audit, Walker and Walker Report ...... 1787 Hospitals, Staffing ...... 1788 Queensland Health, Budget ...... 1789 Princess Alexandra Hospital, Tuberculosis Control Centre ...... 1789 Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing, Budget ...... 1790 North-West Minerals Province ...... 1790 Department of Energy and Water Supply, Budget ...... 1791 Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services ...... 1792 Department of Transport and Main Roads, Budget ...... 1792 Health Services ...... 1793 Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts, Budget ...... 1793 SPEAKER’S STATEMENT ...... 1794 School Group Tours ...... 1794 MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST ...... 1794 LNP Government Budget ...... 1794 Tabled paper: Queensland Health Organisational Structure, July 2012...... 1795 North Stradbroke Island, Sandmining ...... 1796 Beattie-Bligh Labor Governments ...... 1796 Agricultural Colleges ...... 1797 Type 2 Diabetes ...... 1798 Public Service, Jobs ...... 1799 QR National ...... 1800 Queensland Health, Jobs ...... 1801 Tabled paper: Media release, dated 7 September 2012, by the Australian Medical Association Queensland Branch titled ‘Doctors, health workers unite to battle Qld health cuts’...... 1801 September 11 Memorial Rugby League Game; Bridge to Brisbane ...... 1801 Mount Emerald Wind Farm ...... 1802 Tabled paper: Report by Rehbein Airport Consulting dated 26 September 2011, titled ‘Mount Emerald Wind farm Aeronautical Assessment for Transfield Services (Australia) Pty Ltd’...... 1803 Tabled paper: Bundle of documents relating to wind farm objections and concerns...... 1803 Queensland Teachers Union, McNamara, Ms F ...... 1803 Tabled paper: Letter, dated 7 August 2012, from Mr Trevor Ruthenberg MP, member for Kallangur, to Ms Fiona McNamara, Queensland Teachers Union, regarding the concerns of union members in the Kallangur electorate...... 1804 Table of Contents — Tuesday, 11 September 2012

GUARDIANSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL ...... 1804 Introduction ...... 1804 Tabled paper: Guardianship and Administration and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012...... 1804 Tabled paper: Guardianship and Administration and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012, explanatory notes...... 1804 First Reading ...... 1806 Referral to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee ...... 1806 TRANSPORT OPERATIONS (PASSENGER TRANSPORT) AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL ...... 1806 Introduction ...... 1806 Tabled paper: Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012...... 1806 Tabled paper: Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012, explanatory notes...... 1806 First Reading ...... 1807 Referral to the Transport, Housing and Local Government Committee ...... 1807 DISABILITY SERVICES (YOUR LIFE YOUR CHOICE) AMENDMENT BILL ...... 1808 Introduction ...... 1808 Tabled paper: Disability Services (Your Life Your Choice) Amendment Bill 2012...... 1808 Tabled paper: Disability Services (Your Life Your Choice) Amendment Bill 2012, explanatory notes...... 1808 First Reading ...... 1808 Referral to the Health and Community Services Committee ...... 1809 FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES COMMISSION AMENDMENT BILL ...... 1809 Introduction ...... 1809 Tabled paper: Family Responsibilities Commission Amendment Bill 2012...... 1809 Tabled paper: Family Responsibilities Commission Amendment Bill 2012, explanatory notes...... 1809 APPROPRIATION (PARLIAMENT) BILL ...... 1809 Message from Governor ...... 1809 Tabled paper: Message, dated 10 September 2012, recommending the Appropriation (Parliament) Bill 2012..... 1809 Introduction ...... 1809 Tabled paper: Appropriation (Parliament) Bill 2012...... 1809 Tabled paper: Appropriation (Parliament) Bill 2012, explanatory notes...... 1809 First Reading ...... 1810 BUDGET PAPERS ...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Budget Speech—Budget Paper No. 1...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Appropriation Bills...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Budget Strategy and Outlook—Budget Paper No. 2...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Capital Statement—Budget Paper No. 3...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Budget Measures—Budget Paper No. 4...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Queensland State Budget 2012-13—At a glance...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Highlights...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Office of the Governor, Public Service Commission, Queensland Audit Office...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Queensland Treasury and Trade...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Legislative Assembly of Queensland...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Community Safety...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Education, Training and Employment...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Energy and Water Supply...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Environment and Heritage Protection...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Housing and Public Works...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Electoral Commission of Queensland, Office of the Ombudsman, Public Trust Office...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Local Government...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Natural Resources and Mines...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Queensland Health...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Queensland Police Service...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts...... 1810 Table of Contents — Tuesday, 11 September 2012

Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Transport and Main Roads. 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Regional Budget Statement—Brisbane...... 1810 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Regional Budget Statement—Cairns...... 1811 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Regional Budget Statement—Darling Downs...... 1811 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Regional Budget Statement—Fitzroy...... 1811 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Regional Budget Statement—Gold Coast...... 1811 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Regional Budget Statement—Ipswich...... 1811 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Regional Budget Statement—Mackay...... 1811 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Regional Budget Statement—Outback...... 1811 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Regional Budget Statement—Sunshine Coast...... 1811 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Regional Budget Statement—Townsville...... 1811 Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Regional Budget Statement—Wide Bay...... 1811 APPROPRIATION BILL ...... 1811 Message from Governor ...... 1811 Tabled paper: Message, dated 10 September 2012, recommending the Appropriation Bill 2012...... 1811 Introduction ...... 1811 Tabled paper: Appropriation Bill 2012...... 1811 Tabled paper: Appropriation Bill 2012, explanatory notes...... 1811 First Reading ...... 1822 FISCAL REPAIR AMENDMENT BILL ...... 1822 Introduction ...... 1822 Tabled paper: Fiscal Repair Amendment Bill 2012...... 1822 Tabled paper: Fiscal Repair Amendment Bill 2012, explanatory notes...... 1822 First Reading ...... 1824 APPROPRIATION (PARLIAMENT) BILL APPROPRIATION BILL FISCAL REPAIR AMENDMENT BILL ...... 1824 Declared Urgent; Cognate Debate ...... 1824 ADJOURNMENT ...... 1824 ATTENDANCE ...... 1824 11 Sep 2012 Legislative Assembly 1767 TUESDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER 2012

Legislative Assembly The Legislative Assembly met at 9.30 am. Madam Speaker (Hon. Fiona Simpson, Maroochydore) read prayers and took the chair. For the sitting week, Madam Speaker acknowledged the traditional custodians of the land upon which this parliament is assembled.

ASSENT TO BILLS

Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have to report that I have received from Her Excellency the Governor a letter in respect of assent to certain bills, the contents of which will be incorporated in the Record of Proceedings. I table the letter for the information of members. The Honourable F. Simpson, MP Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Parliament House George Street BRISBANE QLD 4000 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 the date shown: Date of Assent: 29 August 2012 “A Bill for an Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Corrective Services Act 2006, the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1945, the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 and the Youth Justice Act 1992 for particular purposes” “A Bill for an Act to amend the Acquisition of Land Act 1967, the Environmental Protection Act 1994, the Geothermal Energy Act 2010, the Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2009, the Land Act 1994, the Mineral Resources Act 1989, the Petroleum Act 1923, the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004 and the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 for particular purposes, and to make consequential amendments of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003, the City of Brisbane Act 2010, the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999, the Land Court Act 2000, the Local Government Act 2009, the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971, the Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003 and the Wild Rivers Act 2005” “A Bill for an Act providing for the adoption of a national law regulating the use of heavy vehicles” “A Bill for an Act to amend the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2010, the Public Sector Ethics Act 1994, the Public Service Act 2008, the Industrial Relations Act 1999 and the Industrial Relations (Tribunals) Rules 2011 for particular purposes” These 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 Governor 29 August 2012 Tabled paper: Letter, dated 29 August 2012, from Her Excellency the Governor advising of assent to bills [884].

PRIVILEGE

Alleged Contempt of Parliament by the Premier Mr MULHERIN (Mackay—ALP) (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (9.31 am): On Thursday, 23 August 2012 the Premier made a series of interjections during consideration in detail of the Public Service and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012. From these interjections, the Manager of Opposition Business sought the withdrawal of unparliamentary comments by the Premier. On three occasions the Premier directly refused to accept the ruling of the Deputy Speaker to withdraw his unparliamentary comments. He was openly defiant towards the chair in his refusal to comply with the request of the Deputy Speaker. Madam SPEAKER: Deputy Leader of the Opposition, I ask you to write to me about this as a matter of privilege. Mr MULHERIN: I will, Madam Speaker. 1768 Privilege 11 Sep 2012

SPEAKER’S STATEMENTS

Evacuation and Emergency Procedures Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, security briefings relating to evacuation and emergency procedures have been made available to all members over recent weeks. Following on from this, I wish to advise that the House will have an emergency evacuation drill during this parliamentary sitting week. During this drill, members and all others present in the building are requested to follow the directions of attendants at all times.

Matters of Privilege Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, in recent weeks I have received a large number of complaints of matters of privilege or contempt. I have come to the conclusion that I need to remind all honourable members that the privileges of this Assembly are very important and the processes set in place by standing orders and the Code of Ethical Standards should not be misused for base political reasons or trivialised by making tenuous, trivial or unsubstantiated complaints. Standing orders and the practice of the Assembly require me to determine if matters of privilege or contempt that are raised with me are worthy of further consideration by the Ethics Committee. I make it very clear that I need to be assured of a number of matters from the information forwarded by a complainant before I will refer a matter to the Ethics Committee. Firstly, I need to be assured that the complaint relates to a matter of privilege or contempt; that is, it is not something esoteric or unrelated to the proceedings of the Assembly. It must be clearly demonstrated to be a breach of the powers, rights or immunities of the Assembly, its members or committees. Conduct, including words, is not contempt of the Assembly unless it amounts or is intended or is likely to amount to an improper interference with the function or authority of the Assembly or a committee or the free performance by a member of the member’s duties. I refer to section 37 of the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001. Secondly, I need to be assured that there has been no unreasonable delay in forwarding the matter. I refer to standing order 269(2). Thirdly, where a known contempt such as deliberately misleading the House is alleged, the complaint must provide evidence of each element required for a breach of privilege or contempt. For example, it is not sufficient to say that the statement is misleading; there needs to be evidence that it was deliberately misleading. Fourthly, I must be convinced that the matter has a degree of importance and is not technical or trivial and is deserving of further consideration by the committee and the House. I refer to standing order 269(4). Lastly, I can take into account whether or not there has been an adequate apology, explanation or correction made in respect of the matter. I refer to standing order 269(4). It is important to note that it is up to the complainant to justify the referral in their complaint. It would be rare for me to write back to the complainant seeking further information, even though I am entitled to by standing orders. I refer to standing order 269(5). I am entitled to write to the person the subject of the complaint to seek their explanation or views on a matter of privilege or contempt raised with me; however, I will generally only do this if there appears to be some evidence of a breach of privilege or contempt on the face of the complaint. I will generally not write to the person against whom a complaint has been made where I am not satisfied by the material before me of the matters above. With all of the above in mind, I now wish to deal with a number of complaints that have been forwarded to me in recent times.

PRIVILEGE

Speaker’s Ruling, Alleged Deliberate Misleading of the House by a Member Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have received two letters of complaint from the member for Hervey Bay alleging that the member for Bundamba misled the House in questions without notice that the member had asked of the Minister for Housing and Public Works regarding the sale of caravan parks. I table the correspondence.

Tabled paper: Letter, dated 23 August 2012, from the member for Hervey Bay, Mr Ted Sorensen MP, to the Speaker referring to a matter of privilege regarding the member of Bundamba [885]. Tabled paper: Letter, dated 23 August 2012, from the member for Hervey Bay, Mr Ted Sorensen MP, to the Speaker referring to a matter of privilege regarding the Leader of the Opposition [886]. 11 Sep 2012 Privilege 1769

The member for Hervey Bay’s complaint is essentially that the member for Bundamba was wrongly claiming in her questions that the Minister for Housing and Public Works was intending to sell the parks and send 100 residents into the streets. I refer to my statement earlier today. Where a known contempt such as deliberately misleading the House is alleged, the complaint must provide evidence of each element required for a breach of privilege or contempt. For example, it is not sufficient to say that the statement is misleading; there needs to be evidence provided that it was deliberately misleading. The member for Bundamba may have said something incorrect or engaged in hyperbole; however, the comments were contained in questions to the minister which were answered. There is no evidence that the member was deliberately attempting to mislead the House. I will not be referring the matter to the Ethics Committee.

PRIVILEGE

Speaker’s Ruling, Alleged Deliberate Misleading of the House by a Minister

Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have received a letter from the Manager of Opposition Business alleging that the Minister for Police misled the House in answering a question without notice on 10 July 2012. I table the correspondence.

Tabled paper: Letter, dated 21 August 2012, from the Manager of Opposition Business, Mr Curtis Pitt MP, regarding a matter of privilege relating to the Minister for Police and Community Safety [887]. I note that the matter complained of occurred on 10 July 2012 but the complaint was forwarded on 21 August 2012, a delay of 43 days. As I stated earlier today, I need to be assured that there has been no unreasonable delay in forwarding a matter. I refer to standing order 269(2). In this case the delay appears to be unreasonable. I will not be referring the matter to the Ethics Committee.

PRIVILEGE

Speaker’s Ruling, Alleged Intimidation of a Member

Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have received a letter from the Leader of the Opposition alleging that the Minister for Health has threatened or intimidated her in correspondence. The correspondence related to a motion passed in the Assembly on 12 July 2012 calling for the Leader of the Opposition to release certain cabinet documents of the previous government. I table the correspondence I have received.

Tabled paper: Letter, dated 1 August 2012, from the Minister for Health, Hon. Lawrence Springborg, to the Leader of the Opposition, Ms Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, regarding a motion of the Queensland Parliament passed on 12 July 2012, and attaching letter, dated 30 July 2012, from the Leader of the Opposition to the Minister for Health, Hon. Lawrence Springborg [889]. Tabled paper: Letter, dated 13 August 2012, from the Leader of the Opposition, Ms Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, to the Speaker relating to a matter of privilege regarding the Minister for Health, Hon. Lawrence Springborg [888]. Threatening or intimidating a member in the exercise of their duty is clearly an established contempt, recognised by standing order 266(9). This is because to threaten or intimidate a member in the exercise of their duty is an interference with the free performance by a member of the member’s duties. I refer to section 37 of the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001. The contempt of threatening or intimidating a member has been the subject of consideration in at least two reports by the former Select Committee of Privileges. In November 1993 the committee tabled the report titled Report on a matter of privilege—alleged intimidation of a member. In November 1994 the committee tabled the report titled Report on alleged matter of contempt by the Chairman of the Crime and Misconduct Commission. I appreciate that whether or not a member feels threatened or intimidated is purely subjective. One member can feel threatened or intimidated in circumstances where another would not feel that way at all. However, the abovementioned reports by the Select Committee of Privileges make it clear that to amount to a contempt the subjective feelings of the member are insufficient; there must objectively be evidence of an improper intention to threaten or intimidate the member. To quote the second report referred to above at part 3.28—

The mere fact that the Member to whom such comments are directed may react sensitively or feel unduly pressured is not conclusive of the intention with which the comments are made. I have read the correspondence by the Minister for Health very carefully and I am not convinced that objectively the correspondence was threatening or intimidating. I will not be referring the matter to the Ethics Committee. 1770 Motion of Condolence 11 Sep 2012

MOTION OF CONDOLENCE

Stephan, Mr LW Hon. CKT NEWMAN (Ashgrove—LNP) (Premier) (9.40 am): I move— (1) That this House desires to place on record its appreciation of the services rendered to this state by the late Leonard William Stephan, a former member of the Parliament of Queensland; and (2) That Madam Speaker be requested to convey to the family of the deceased gentleman the above resolution, together with an expression of the sympathy and sorrow of the members of the Parliament of Queensland, in the loss they have sustained. I acknowledge the presence in the House of Mr Stephan’s daughters, Gayle and Helen, and their immediate families. Leonard William Stephan, better known to all who knew him as Len, was born in Brisbane on 25 July 1935. Mr Stephan was educated at the Goomboorian State School and St Peter’s Lutheran College in Indooroopilly. After leaving school, Len began farming and became actively involved in various agricultural associations in the Gympie region. He served as Director of the Gympie Fruitgrowers Association and was President of the Gympie Agricultural, Mining and Pastoral Society. In 1959 he was an international farm exchange student to America for the Junior Farmers Organisation. Mr Stephan also became active in the National Party in the Gympie region. He was treasurer of the Gympie Electorate Council from 1968 to 1973 and the chairman from 1973 to 1979. He was also chairman of the party’s Goomboorian branch from 1972 to 1979. In March 1979 Mr Stephan was elected as a councillor on the Widgee Shire Council, which was a shire that basically surrounded the then separate municipality of Gympie. Mr Stephan’s time in local government was not to last too long, however. In August 1979 the longstanding member for Gympie and National Party representative, Max Hodges, decided to retire from politics. Mr Stephan was selected by the National Party to contest the Gympie by-election and on 1 September 1979 he was elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly. He resigned from the Widgee Shire Council and went on to serve as the member for Gympie for almost 22 years. Len fought off One Nation, winning his closest re-election in many years in 1998 against a One Nation candidate. He retired at the 2001 state election. During his time in the parliament, Mr Stephan served in many parliamentary positions. He was a member of a number of parliamentary committees and served as Chairman of the Subordinate Legislation Committee from 1987 to 1989 and Chairman of the Public Works Committee from 1996 to 1998. Mr Stephan was Deputy Government Whip from 1987 to September 1989 and was then Government Whip until December 1989 during the premiership of Russell Cooper. Len was a member of a parliamentary delegation to Asia and the Pacific regions in 1981 and a member of a parliamentary trade delegation to Malaysia, Singapore, China and Hong Kong in 1996. He also served as opposition spokesman on regional development and forestry from 1990 to 1991 and opposition spokesman on forestry and administrative services from 1991 to 1992. I am also advised that Mr Stephan was a member of the Queensland Parliamentary Bowls Club and was a key member of the Queensland team at many of the annual interstate parliamentary bowling carnivals held across Australia, where he played with his parliamentary colleagues and bowling mates of the time such as Graham Healy, John Hegarty and Pat Purcell. Mr Stephan and his wife, Ruth, were often attendees at these bowling carnivals, where I am told they were both very fondly regarded. Leonard William Stephan passed away peacefully on 2 September 2012 and a private funeral service was conducted for him on 5 September 2012. I place on record the government’s thanks for the years of service that Mr Stephan gave to the institutions of our democracy and to the Queensland community. On behalf of the government, I take this opportunity to extend my sympathy and that of this House to Mr Stephan’s family and friends. Ms PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) (Leader of the Opposition) (9.45 am): I rise today to offer the condolences of the Queensland opposition to the family of Len Stephan, former member for Gympie. Len was born in Brisbane in 1935 and spent much of his life working as a farmer before entering parliament at a by-election in 1979. As a farmer, Len logically took a great interest in primary industries during his 22 years in this place. Many of his speeches drilled down to technical issues facing farmers, which only someone with firsthand experience and a deep interest in the industry would have the expertise to contribute. It is in some ways fitting that this condolence motion occurs on the same day as the 2012 budget will be released, as Len’s maiden speech to this place occurred during debate on the 1979 budget. There is a touching symmetry that this chamber both welcomed and farewelled Len during budget sittings. In his maiden speech Len focused on the importance of education, saying— When I think of faith in the future, I realise that we have no better asset than that possessed by our children—youth itself. There is no better way of showing confidence in our youth than by training them and educating them to take their places in the workforce and in the society in which they will soon find themselves. Len was first elected in a 1979 by-election and was then re-elected at seven subsequent elections. That should be proof enough that he was doing something right and working very hard for his constituents. Len’s last re-election to this place was pretty close run. The 1998 Queensland election took place at the height of One Nation’s popularity, but Len managed to hang on with Labor preferences. 11 Sep 2012 Motion of Condolence 1771

I am told by former members of his time here that Len was hard working, a true gentleman and cared passionately about his electorate. I understand that he was particularly passionate about the dairy industry and was a very vocal advocate for agriculture. Len is survived by his much loved wife, Ruth, his three daughters, Helen, Gayle and Lynette, and four grandchildren. I am pleased to place on record the opposition’s appreciation for Len’s service to not only the Gympie electorate but also the people of Queensland. I extend my deepest sympathies to his family and to his friends. Mr GIBSON (Gympie—LNP) (9.47 am): I join with the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition in paying tribute to the former member for Gympie, Len Stephan—a man whose life could be measured in not what he gained but in what he gave. Indeed, the opening lines to the poem The Measure of a Man apply succinctly to the life of Len Stephan. They read— Not ‘How did he die?’ but ‘How did he live?’ Not ‘What did he gain?’ but ‘What did he give?’

... These are the units to measure the worth Of a man as a man, regardless of birth. Len Stephan’s life can be summed up in a saying he shared often, ‘There is no limit to our achievement if we don’t care who gets the credit.’ Upon hearing the news of Len’s passing this week, the measure of his life and his impact upon the people and the community of Gympie became apparent. People posted on my Facebook page comments sharing their thoughts of Len. Some of them include— Our loving thoughts are with your family. That’s sad to hear. Len has been a part of this town for a long time. Lovely man, lovely family, worked very hard to build a better Gympie community. A life well lived, but a very valuable member of our community is gone. Very sorry to hear that, he was a gentleman. References were also made to his warmth, honesty and genuine concern for his fellow citizens. People spoke of how Len always gave his time freely. Len’s former electorate secretary, Penny, shared with us this comment— During the thirteen years that I was Len’s electorate secretary, I found him to be a gentleman, conscientious, very loyal to his electorate and to the National Party. As we have heard, Len was born in Brisbane on 25 July 1935, the youngest child of three brothers and two sisters, to Frederick William and Hilda Franziska Stephan. He was baptised on 18 August 1935 at Nudgee Road Lutheran Church and he began life on the family dairy farm at Eagle Farm and then, when the construction of Brisbane’s airport began in 1938, which would take part of the farm, the family moved to Gympie and bought a property at Goomboorian. It was at that Goomboorian school that Len began his love of education, where he would walk a mile to school each day and then home again. At the age 13, Len attended St Peter’s Lutheran College at Indooroopilly as a boarding student, but, being a shy country boy, he was quite homesick for the farm and for the family. Len left school at the age of 15 and returned to help the family on the farm and Stephan and Sons was established. As we have heard from the Premier, Len joined the Goomboorian Junior Farmers and was later elected to be chairman of this organisation. He admitted at the time that he was scared stiff on taking on this role. In 1959, Len was selected as a junior farmer to represent his area in Utah and Michigan in the United States and also in England on the international farm youth exchange program. He flew to America, spending six months living on various farms and studying their methods and working with families who treated him as one of their own children. He then travelled by ship to England where he stayed in rural areas for a couple of weeks. We gain an insight into the young man when in his report he described the international farm youth exchange program in the following words— It is not a glorious sightseeing holiday. Neither is it, on the other extreme, an exchange primarily to gain technical knowledge of, in this case, farming in the country in which we visit. Rather it is a cultural exchange, aimed first and foremost at International understanding. It is not so much that we have difference of opinion that creates tension, both internationally and at home, but rather that we fail to realize and appreciate the other fellows point of view. This world does not consist of a single group of people or countries fighting a long and lonely battle for survival, but rather a collection of people and countries working and striving with one main aim in view. Peace. This insightful learning experience was the beginning of Len’s life filled with serving the community. Len met Ruth after his return from the overseas exchange because Ruth wanted to find out who this Len Stephan was who had beaten her cousin for the exchange program. She was impressed and they married on 1 September 1962 and had three daughters, Helen, Gayle and Lynette. On Saturday, 1 September this year, Len and Ruth reached the milestone of 50 years of married life before he passed away the next day, Father’s Day. As we have heard, Len was an active member of the Gympie community, but it was in 1979 over his concerns on the suggestion to relocate the Widgee Shire Council chambers to the Gympie showgrounds that Len decided to get involved in public life and stood for the local government election 1772 Motion of Condolence 11 Sep 2012 and was subsequently elected to the Widgee shire council in March of that year. However, as we have heard, Len did not stay a councillor for long. He was elected the member for Gympie in September 1979 owing to a by-election as a result of the retirement of Max Hodges and he held that position for just over 21 years. As the years rolled by Len dedicated more and more time to public life. Travelling from Goomboorian to town took its toll and caused the family farm to be sold and they moved into a property in town. We have heard of Len’s service on various parliamentary committees and his role as Deputy Government Whip and Government Whip and his various positions as opposition spokesman on regional development and forestry issues—issues that would impact directly upon the electorate of Gympie. Len was also a patron of a long list of community groups within the Gympie electorate. He ensured that his commitment was more than just being the name on the letterhead but a genuine involvement in those organisations. His electorate office always had an open door policy and the Gympie community knew that Len was sensitive to the very real problems that individuals faced. No matter how small or seemingly insignificant they might be, Len would always take the time to hear the concerns of anyone who came for help. This selfless attitude was a reflection of Len’s caring Christian outlook on life. It was a manner that saw him able to rise above what is sometimes the shallow world of politics and forge friendships on both sides of the political spectrum. Len served our community well. He won eight elections and was a quiet, consistent worker, never complaining of the demands placed on him. Upon his retirement from politics in 2001, Len had the time to enjoy his garden, lawn bowls, to travel and to spend time with his grandchildren. In 2008, his health deteriorated and he was placed in care at Grevillea Gardens in Gympie later that year. He was lovingly and respectfully cared by the staff for over four years at Grevillea Gardens, who have been described as wonderful angels. On Sunday, 2 September, Len lost his hard-fought battle and passed away. May I conclude by passing on my condolences to Ruth and to Helen, Gayle and Lynette and their families and offer the condolences of the people of Gympie in their gratitude for Len’s selfless service. Our community is like all others: it is the sum total of the parts. No one person really defines it, but we achieve greatness when individual members make significant contributions over years and years. Len Stephan was one of those people and Gympie is a better place because of his service to his community and to Queensland. Today, we honour him for those years of quiet, selfless service. Mr HOBBS (Warrego—LNP) (9.55 am): Today, we offer our sincere condolences to Ruth Stephan and her family on the passing of Len. I recognise Gayle and Helen in the gallery today. Len was one of nature’s gentlemen. He was a great friend to many people. He served in this parliament for 21 years. He took a great interest in subordinate legislation and was for a time chairman of the Subordinate Legislation Committee. He could get up and talk indefinitely on complicated subordinate legislation. Many of us would find the legislation difficult to follow, but not Len. He would sail into it and give a good 20 minutes on the finer details of that complicated subordinate legislation. I do not ever recall anybody challenging him on the detail. On some occasions, there was a need to keep debate going in the House for various reasons. Len was in his element and he could get up and pull his weight and talk on anything. Mr Johnson: He always did his time. Mr HOBBS: As the member for Gregory said, he always did his time. He was such a lovely man. He was part of a team. He was one of those people who was just a wonderful treasure to have around. Len was a very reliable and respected member of parliament and will be missed by many, including those who served with him in this House. Mrs CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone—Ind) (9.56 am): I want to speak for a couple of moments about Len Stephan who was, as everybody has said, a man who was greatly respected. The member for Warrego touched on a matter that I wished to raise. As other speakers have said, Len was a gentleman. He was quietly spoken. He was a friend to anybody who wanted to be his friend. He was very proud of his wife and family. But I think Len also leaves a legacy that we would have to acknowledge in this place, especially those of us who sat in the chamber with Len. As the member for Warrego said, Len could speak on any topic for any length of time. I spent only one term with Len in the parliament, but he also leaves a legacy of the tenacity of Hansard. Those heartfelt contributions that Len made were replicated in writing. When one read them, one would read them with awe and admiration and would think, ‘I missed that in the contribution.’ It was either that Len was quietly spoken or he spoke indistinctly, but I would have to say that Hansard always managed to replicate his contributions and I congratulate them on that. In 1996, it was said that Len went on a trade delegation. I had the privilege of accompanying Len with an eclectic mix of people, if that is the way to put it, to Asia. Marc Rowell was the leader, there was Patty Purcell, Gordon Nuttall, Len and me, among others. It was quite an interesting mix of people. We were very careful, because even at that stage Len was more senior in the party and we made sure that we were all present and correct as we left the bus for the next appointment. 11 Sep 2012 Petitions 1773

This occurred regularly and well until we got to Hong Kong where we had another accompanying person from the parliament there to keep us all in line—they would not say that, but that is what she was for. She was a wee bit less patient than the previous accompanying person and we were hustled onto the bus to get to our luncheon appointment which, as it turned out, was at the Hong Kong Jockey Club. We arrived there and we piled out of the bus, but Len did not pile out with us. He had been left behind at the little market. We had been given an hour at a market somewhere in Hong Kong to get whatever we wanted and then we had to be back on the bus and off to the Hong Kong Jockey Club. We all got there except for Len. I refer back to my earlier comments: he was quietly spoken, sometimes indistinct. We wondered how he would manage to find his way. Indeed, we wondered whether he even knew where the next appointment was. But true to form Len turned up there before us and was waiting with a big smile and a quiet welcome. He had done his duty, he had bought his market stuff, and he had beaten us to the next appointment all on his own. He was a wonderful man to come into this parliament to meet and be friends with. He was intensely proud of his wife, Ruth, and his children and I am sure an absolute model grandad to his grandchildren and he will be greatly missed. Rest in peace, Len. Mr JOHNSON (Gregory—LNP) (10.00 am): I rise today to speak with sadness to this condolence motion moved by the Premier and seconded by the Leader of the Opposition on the passing of Leonard William Stephan. As the member for Warrego said, he was always a test for the Hansard reporters and we all had many laughs. Len Stephan epitomised absolute decency. He was a man who came from the college of gentlemen. We could all learn a lot from Len Stephan. He absolutely loved his family. He idolised his dear wife, Ruth, and his daughters Gayle, Helen and Lynette. In the eyes of Len Stephan they were the most treasured women in Queensland. As the member for Gympie for 21 years, Len Stephan was the absolute ideal local member. Len Stephan was one of those local members who cared about people. He loved the people he represented and his electorate. As members have said here in the chamber this morning, Len had a passion for the dairy industry and the forestry industry. He spoke on anything relevant to legislation in relation to those two areas of industry with passion and knowledge. The member for Gympie identified very accurately the goodness of Len Stephan. The tributes that have fallen from people’s mouths, across computers, letters and in other ways have indicated the decency of the people who do come through this chamber over a period of years. It has been an absolute honour to work and to have been a member of parliament with Len Stephan. As the member for Gympie for 21 years Len Stephan set a high standard. He set great heights as a man that many people will never reach, as a member and as a great Queenslander but, more importantly, he was a great husband, a great dad and a really fantastic grandfather. He was a man who idolised his family, idolised his electorate and idolised Queensland. May he rest in peace. Madam SPEAKER: Will honourable members indicate their agreement by standing in silence for one minute. Whereupon honourable members stood in silence. Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, members. Question time will begin at 10.35 am.

PETITIONS

The Clerk presented the following paper and e-petition, lodged and sponsored by the honourable member indicated—

Moreton Bay Rail Link Mr Ruthenberg, a paper and an e-petition, from 1,530 petitioners, requesting the House to ensure the Moreton Bay Rail Link project team work in partnership with local wildlife rescue organisations, research institutions and other relevant government bodies to minimise the impact to local wildlife populations during construction of the rail link [890, [891]. The Clerk presented the following paper petition, sponsored by the Clerk in accordance with Standing Order 119(3)—

National Disability Insurance Scheme 128 petitioners, requesting the House to review the position of the National Disability Insurance Scheme trials and enable Queenslander’s affected, greater access to life [892]. The Clerk presented the following e-petitions, sponsored by the honourable members indicated—

Stanthorpe Shire, Deamalgamation Mr Springborg, from 40 petitioners, requesting the House to ask the Minister for Local Government to refer our request to de- amalgamate Stanthorpe Shire to the Queensland Boundaries Commissioner for review and analysis [893].

Warwick Shire, Deamalgamation Mr Springborg, from 6 petitioners, requesting the House to ask the Minister for Local Government to refer our request to de- amalgamate Warwick Shire to the Queensland Boundaries Commissioner for review and analysis [894].

LA Showgirls, Licensing Mr Watts, 1,751 petitioners, requesting the House to refuse the LA Showgirls Application for a liquor licence, approved extended trading hours and an annual adult entertainment permit at Ground Floor, 368 Ruthven Street (Cnr Russell Street), Toowoomba [895]. 1774 Tabled Papers 11 Sep 2012

Caravan Parks Mrs Miller, 191 petitioners, requesting the House to stop the sale of the Monte Carlo Caravan Park, Woombye Gardens Caravan Park and Lazy Acres Caravan Park [896].

Tallebudgera Active Recreation Centre Mr Hart, 282 petitioners, requesting the House to cancel the current tender for the catering at Tallebudgera Active Recreation Centre [897]. Petitions received.

TABLED 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— 24 August 2012— 853 Overseas travel report—Report on an overseas visit by the Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games (Ms Stuckey) to the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong—Overseas travel report—Official Mission to the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong, 18 July to 26 July 2012 28 August 2012— 854 Response from the Minister Health (Mr Springborg) to an epetition (1845-12) sponsored by Mrs Miller from 672 petitioners, requesting the House to reconsider the Government Growth Strategy for the eastern suburbs of Ipswich, particularly the provision of adequate health, hospital and medical services to meet current and future growth in the area 855 Response from the Minister for Education, Training and Employment (Mr Langbroek) to a paper petition (1938-12) presented by Mr Byrne, from 3,003 petitioners, requesting the House to establish a state secondary school in Gracemere 856 Response from the Minister for Education, Training and Employment (Mr Langbroek) to a paper petition (1938-12) presented by Mr Byrne, from 3,003 petitioners, requesting the House to establish a state secondary school in Gracemere: Erratum 30 August 2012— 857 Response from the Minister Health (Mr Springborg) to an epetition (1846-12) sponsored by the former member for Waterford, Mr Moorhead, from 255 petitioners, requesting the House to provide genuine harm reduction strategies by establishing medically-supervised injection facilities in Queensland 858 Response from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads (Mr Emerson) to an epetition (1881-12) sponsored by the Clerk of the Parliament in accordance with Standing Order 119(4), from 1,614 petitioners, requesting the House to support the introduction of Jetstar and Virgin Blue air services to Bundaberg 31 August 2012— 859 Response from the Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (Mr Seeney) to a paper petition (1941-12) presented by Mr Wellington, from 65 petitioners, requesting the House to place a 12 month moratorium on coal seam gas projects while further scientific tests are carried out to ensure that the coal seam gas industry techniques pose no threat to prime agricultural land, drinking water and human health 860 Response from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads (Mr Emerson) to a paper petition (1939-12) presented by Mr Dowling, from 21 petitioners, requesting the House to remove Carissa Street, Mt Cotton from translink bus route 282 861 Response from the Minister for Education, Training and Employment (Mr Langbroek) to an epetition (1853-12) sponsored by the Clerk of the Parliament in accordance with Standing Order 119(4), from 736 petitioners, requesting the House to prevent the establishment of Confucius Classrooms in Queensland schools and ensure the Chinese syllabus for Queensland schools does not support the Chinese Communist Party’s ‘propaganda by omission’ by ignoring topics censored by the CCP or by teaching only the CCP Perspective 3 September 2012— 862 Response from the Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (Mr Seeney) to a paper petition (1956-12) and an epetition (1883-12) presented by Mr Wellington, from 14 and 2,686 petitioners respectively, requesting the House to place a 12 month moratorium on coal seam gas projects while further scientific tests are carried out to ensure that industry techniques pose no threat to prime agricultural land, drinking water and human health 863 Overseas travel report—Report on an overseas visit by the Treasurer and Minister for Trade (Mr Nicholls)—Overseas travel report—Official Mission to Japan, China and the United States of America, 15 July to 29 July 2012 864 Response from the Minister for Housing and Public Works (Dr Flegg) to a paper petition (1942-12) and an epetition (1917- 12) sponsored by Mrs Miller, from 2,766 petitioners, requesting the House to guarantee that no tenants will be disadvantaged by the changes to public housing; rent rises will not place further pressure on families and individuals already struggling to pay bills; individuals and families living in the dwellings identified as under-occupied be allocated a suitable roof over their heads in the same community where they choose to live now; and that the changes will not result in the use of private-sector management of public housing 865 Report to the Legislative Assembly from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads (Mr Emerson), pursuant to section 56A of the Statutory Instruments Act 1992, regarding the Transport Infrastructure (Gold Coast Waterways) Management Plan 2000, Transport Infrastructure (Sunshine Coast Waterways) Management Plan 2000 and the Transport Infrastructure (Yeppoon Waterways) Management Plan 2000 4 September 2012— 866 Response from the Minister Health (Mr Springborg) to a paper petition (1957-12) and an epetition (1884-12) presented by Mr Wellington, from 457 and 18 petitioners respectively, requesting the House to build a multi-storey car parking facility at Nambour Hospital 867 Report to the Legislative Assembly from the Treasurer and Minister for Trade (Mr Nicholls), pursuant to section 56A of the Statutory Instruments Act 1992, regarding the State Penalties Enforcement Regulation 2000 11 Sep 2012 Tabled Papers 1775

868 Report to the Legislative Assembly from the Treasurer and Minister for Trade (Mr Nicholls), pursuant to section 56A of the Statutory Instruments Act 1992, regarding the Statistical Returns Regulation 2001 5 September 2012— 869 Education and Innovation Committee: Report No. 2—Queensland Art Gallery Amendment Bill 2012: Government response 6 September 2012— 870 Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee: Report No. 9—Holidays and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 871 Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee: Report No. 9—Holidays and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012: Submissions received in relation to the inquiry 872 Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee: Report No. 9—Holidays and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012: Advice provided by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, dated 24 August 2012, in relation to the inquiry 873 Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee: Report No. 9—Holidays and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012: Advice provided by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, dated 29 August 2012, in relation to the inquiry 874 Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee: Report No. 9—Holidays and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012: Advice provided by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, dated 31 August 2012, in relation to the inquiry 875 SPARQ Solutions Pty Ltd (subsidiary of Ergon Energy Corporation Limited): Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2012 876 Report by the Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (Mr Seeney), pursuant to s 424 of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009, in relation to a Call In of a development application by Ridong (Gold Coast) Development Pty Ltd at 36-44 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise (the Jewel development) [Folder 1 of 6] [NB: available on CD only] 877 Report by the Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (Mr Seeney), pursuant to s 424 of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009, in relation to a Call In of a development application by Ridong (Gold Coast) Development Pty Ltd at 36-44 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise (the Jewel development) [Folder 2 of 6] [NB: available on CD only] 878 Report by the Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (Mr Seeney), pursuant to s 424 of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009, in relation to a Call In of a development application by Ridong (Gold Coast) Development Pty Ltd at 36-44 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise (the Jewel development) [Folder 3 of 6] [NB: available on CD only] 879 Report by the Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (Mr Seeney), pursuant to s 424 of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009, in relation to a Call In of a development application by Ridong (Gold Coast) Development Pty Ltd at 36-44 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise (the Jewel development) [Folder 4 of 6] [NB: available on CD only] 880 Report by the Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (Mr Seeney), pursuant to s 424 of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009, in relation to a Call In of a development application by Ridong (Gold Coast) Development Pty Ltd at 36-44 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise (the Jewel development) [Folder 5 of 6] [NB: available on CD only] 881 Report by the Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (Mr Seeney), pursuant to s 424 of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009, in relation to a Call In of a development application by Ridong (Gold Coast) Development Pty Ltd at 36-44 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise (the Jewel development) [Folder 6 of 6] [NB: available on CD only] 882 Report by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection titled ‘State of the Environment Queensland 2011’ 883 Q-Comp: Workers’ Compensation Regulatory Authority—Annual Report 2011-12 STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS The following statutory instruments were tabled by the Clerk— Sustainable Planning Act 2009— 898 Sustainable Planning Amendment Regulation (No. 6) 2012, No. 133 899 Sustainable Planning Amendment Regulation (No. 6) 2012, No. 133, Explanatory Notes Taxation Administration Act 2001— 900 Taxation Administration Regulation 2012, No. 134 901 Taxation Administration Regulation 2012, No. 134, Explanatory Notes Status of Children Act 1978— 902 Status of Children Regulation 2012, No. 135 903 Status of Children Regulation 2012, No. 135, Explanatory Notes Guardianship and Administration Act 2000— 904 Guardianship and Administration Regulation 2012, No. 136 905 Guardianship and Administration Regulation 2012, No. 136, Explanatory Notes Supreme Court of Queensland Act 1991— 906 Uniform Civil Procedure Amendment Rule (No. 2) 2012, No. 137 907 Uniform Civil Procedure Amendment Rule (No. 2) 2012, No. 137, Explanatory Notes Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995— 908 Transport Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2012, No. 138 909 Transport Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2012, No. 138, Explanatory Notes Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994— 1776 Ministerial Papers 11 Sep 2012

910 Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Amendment Standard (No. 1) 2012, No. 139 911 Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Amendment Standard (No. 1) 2012, No. 139, Explanatory Notes Transport (Rail Safety) Act 2010— 912 Transport (Rail Safety) Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2012, No. 140 913 Transport (Rail Safety) Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2012, No. 140, Explanatory Notes Animal Care and Protection Act 2001— 914 Animal Care and Protection Regulation 2012, No. 141 915 Animal Care and Protection Regulation 2012, No. 141, Explanatory Notes Parliament of Queensland Act 2001— 916 Parliament of Queensland Regulation 2012, No. 142 917 Parliament of Queensland Regulation 2012, No. 142, Explanatory Notes Statutory Instruments Act 1992— 918 Statutory Instruments Regulation 2012, No. 143 919 Statutory Instruments Regulation 2012, No. 143, Explanatory Notes Education (General Provisions) Act 2006, Education (Overseas Students) Act 1996, Education (Queensland College of Teachers) Act 2005, Education (Queensland Studies Authority) Act 2002, Higher Education (General Provisions) Act 2008, Vocational Education, Training and Employment Act 2000— 920 Education and Training Legislation (Fees) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2012, No. 144 921 Education and Training Legislation (Fees) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2012, No. 144, Explanatory Notes Public Trustee Act 1978— 922 Public Trustee Regulation 2012, No. 145 923 Public Trustee Regulation 2012, No. 145, Explanatory Notes Civil Proceedings Act 2011— 924 Proclamation commencing certain provisions, No. 146 925 Proclamation commencing certain provisions, No. 146, Explanatory Notes Civil Proceedings Act 2011— 926 Civil Proceedings (Transitional) Regulation 2012, No. 147 927 Civil Proceedings (Transitional) Regulation 2012, No. 147, Explanatory Notes Court Funds Act 1973, Jury Act 1995, Mineral Resources Act 1989— 928 Jury and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2012, No. 148 929 Jury and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2012, No. 148, Explanatory Notes Supreme Court of Queensland Act 1991— 930 Supreme Court of Queensland Regulation 2012, No. 149 931 Supreme Court of Queensland Regulation 2012, No. 149, Explanatory Notes Supreme Court of Queensland Act 1991— 932 Uniform Civil Procedure and Another Rule Amendment Rule (No. 1) 2012, No. 150 933 Uniform Civil Procedure and Another Rule Amendment Rule (No. 1) 2012, No. 150, Explanatory Notes Building Act 1975— 934 Building Amendment Regulation (No. 3) 2012, No. 151 935 Building Amendment Regulation (No. 3) 2012, No. 151, Explanatory Notes Food Act 2006, Health Act 1937, Pest Management Act 2001, Private Health Facilities Act 1999, Radiation Safety Act 1999— 936 Health Legislation (Fees) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2012, No. 152 937 Health Legislation (Fees) Amendment Regulation (No. ) 2012, No. 152, Explanatory Notes Nature Conservation Act 1992— 938 Nature Conservation (Wildlife Management) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2012, No. 153 939 Nature Conservation (Wildlife Management) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2012, No. 153, Explanatory Notes Local Government Act 2009— 940 Local Government (Operations) Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2012, No. 154 941 Local Government (Operations) Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2012, No. 154, Explanatory Notes Motor Racing Events Act 1990— 942 Motor Racing Events Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2012, No. 155 943 Motor Racing Events Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2012, No. 155, Explanatory Notes

MINISTERIAL PAPERS

Tabled paper: Charter of Fiscal Responsibility [944]. Tabled paper: Queensland Government—Consolidated Fund Financial Report 2011-12 [945]. 11 Sep 2012 Ministerial Statements 1777

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Death of Soldiers in Afghanistan, Motion to Take Note Hon. CKT NEWMAN (Ashgrove—LNP) (Premier) (10.07am): It is with deep regret that I rise to acknowledge in this House the recent death on active service in Afghanistan of five highly professional and dedicated Australian solders: Lance Corporal Stjepan Milosevic; Sapper James Thomas Martin; Private Robert Hugh Frederick Poate; Lance Corporal Mervyn John McDonald; and Private Nathanael John Aubrey Galagher. Lance Corporal Stjepan Milosevic, Sapper James Martin and Private Robert Poate from the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment Task Group, were killed following an insider attack at Patrol Base Wahab in the Baluchi Valley region of Uruzgan Province on the evening of 29 August 2012. In a separate and unrelated incident, Lance Corporal Mervyn McDonald and Private Nathanael Galagher from the Special Operations Task Group died when an International Security Assistance Force helicopter crashed in Helmand Province in the early hours of 30 August 2012. Lance Corporal Milosevic, or Milo to his mates, deployed to Afghanistan with the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment Task Group, and was from the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment, (Queensland Mounted Infantry), based here in Brisbane. Lance Corporal Milosevic was born in Penrith, New South Wales in 1972 and he joined the Army in 2008. Private Robert Poate was a member of the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment Task Group and was from the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Task Group based in Brisbane. Private Poate was born in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, in 1988 and he joined the Army in 2009. Sapper James Martin was born in Perth, Western Australia in 1991 and he joined the Army in 2011. Sapper Martin was on his first operational deployment as part of the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment Task Group. He was a sapper from the Brisbane based 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment. These three men were all from Enoggera Barracks, which is in my electorate of Ashgrove. As a former member of the Army and particularly the 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment, I mourn these brave men with a great sense of comradeship and grief for their families. Lance Corporal Mervyn McDonald was serving with the Special Operations Task Group and was on his sixth tour to Afghanistan—six tours. Lance Corporal McDonald was born in Carnarvon, Western Australia, in 1982 and he joined the Army in 1999. Private Nathanael Galagher was serving with the Special Operations Task Group and was on his second tour to Afghanistan. Private Galagher was born in Wee Waa, New South Wales, in 1989 and he joined the Army in 2007. Following the deaths of these fine Australians, tragically 38 members of the Australian Defence Force have lost their lives in Afghanistan since 2002. On behalf of the House, I place on record our deepest regret for the deaths of Lance Corporal Milosevic, Sapper Martin, Private Poate, Lance Corporal McDonald and Private Galagher and I thank them for their service to our nation. I also take this opportunity to extend my sympathy and that of this House to their respective families and friends. I move— That the House takes note of this statement and that the House acknowledges agreement by observing one minute’s silence as a mark of respect. Ms PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) (Leader of the Opposition) (10.11 am): Of all the sad sights perhaps there is none sadder than the bodies of fallen soldiers making the long and lonely journey home. Last Wednesday in Brisbane, we witnessed this threefold when three coffins, draped in the Australian flag, came home to the RAAF base at Amberley, also bringing home the true horror and devastation of the worst day for our troops since the Vietnam War. It is images such as these that remind us not only of the tragic loss that comes with any war but also that the sad procession of Australian men continues as to we strive to stand with our allies and help Afghanistan forge a new and free country. While it will be cold comfort to the families, partners and friends of those tragically killed two weeks ago, every war has a terrible human cost. I rise to pay my respects and offer my condolences to the families of Lance Corporal Rick Milosevic, Sapper James Martin and Private Robert Poate. I tell their families and their friends and, indeed, their Army colleagues that these three fine young men gave their lives for our country and for freedom and democracy the world over. They are heroes to everyone who knew them and to their country. Sapper Martin was on his first operational deployment, but it is a sign of his dedication to service and his commitment to his tour of duty that, in his first letter to his family, he said— I would not give up this opportunity for anything ... I will be an Australian soldier. I offer my sympathies to his mother, Suzanne, brother, Angus, and sister, Holly, and to his grandparents, Lucille and Ralph Thomas. Lance Corporal Milosevic was on his second operational deployment. This devoted family man leaves behind his partner, Kelly, and two young daughters, eight-year-old Sarah and six-year-old Kate. I offer them my condolences. 1778 Ministerial Statements 11 Sep 2012

I also offer my sympathies to Private Poate’s parents, Hugh and Janny, and his sister, Nicola. Private Poate had been in the Army since 2009. He is described by Defence personnel as having ‘outstanding leadership potential’ and is remembered as an incredibly professional soldier. On 29 August we suffered one of our darkest days as a country involved in an international conflict. It was on the same day that these three young men from the Enoggera Barracks lost their lives that two other Australian soldiers died in Afghanistan. I offer my deepest sympathies to the families of Lance Corporal Mervyn McDonald and Private Nathanael ‘Nate’ Galagher who were killed in a helicopter crash. I make special mention of Private Galagher’s partner, Jessie, who must face this difficult time while awaiting the impending birth of their child. I pay tribute to each of these fine soldiers and to each of the others who have gone before them. May their families take comfort in the fact that they died serving their country and may they rest in peace. Madam SPEAKER: It has been moved that the statement be noted and that the House express its agreement with the motion by observing one minute’s silence. I ask that honourable members indicate their agreement. Whereupon honourable members stood in silence. Deeral, Mr E Hon. CKT NEWMAN (Ashgrove—LNP) (Premier) (10.15 am): Last week honourable members would have noted with sadness the passing of Mr Eric Deeral, the first Indigenous person ever elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly. Mr Deeral was the member for Cook from 1974 to 1977. He made a huge contribution to the advancement of Indigenous causes and was an early leader who had a positive influence on many of today’s Indigenous leaders. His passing is a sad occasion that will be felt well beyond his immediate family and community of Hope Vale. Mr Deeral’s funeral is to be held at 10 am this Thursday, 13 September in Hope Vale. I can confirm that Minister Elmes and Assistant Minister Kempton will be representing the government at the funeral. In keeping with the longstanding practice of this parliament, I advise honourable members that the condolence motion for Mr Deeral will not be moved until after his funeral and it will, therefore, take place during the next sitting period. I will save my remarks for that occasion, but I do take this opportunity to extend my sympathy and that of all Queenslanders to Mr Deeral’s family and friends. He will be sadly missed and the contribution he made to his people and the Queensland parliament will be long remembered. Queensland Budget 2012 Hon. CKT NEWMAN (Ashgrove—LNP) (Premier) (10.17 am): This afternoon the Treasurer will deliver the most important Queensland budget in a generation. It is a budget that lays out a new and positive pathway to a better deal for Queenslanders. It represents a U-turn from the direction the previous government had been taking, a direction characterised by waste and the mismanagement of this state’s finances. We are going to turn away from the inefficiency, the debt, the deficit and the decline that Labor has left us. The budget will lay out the road to better and more efficient services, real financial responsibility and security, and new opportunities for businesses and jobs in this state. It will lead us back towards our AAA credit rating, which will importantly save Queensland taxpayers money and give us more capacity to improve services and grow the Queensland economy. The budget that the Treasurer hands down will set Queensland’s finances on the road to recovery so that we can deliver on improving infrastructure, cost-of-living savings and support for better front-line services, just as we promised Queenslanders at the recent election. The bottom line is that if Queensland does not have a budget that is in the black, we cannot invest money in things like a National Disability Insurance Scheme, we cannot increase funding for schools to teach our kids or for police to keep our streets safe. It is time to start paying back the money we owe and getting back on a solid footing, so that Queenslanders can get the things they want and, most importantly, need. That does not mean to say that throwing money at issues will be a solution in itself. For years Labor threw good money after bad into areas like health, but forgot all about proper management to deliver the best and most effective services possible at a cost that represents value for money. This budget will target spending to ensure the right services are able to be delivered at the right time and in the right place to the people who need them, not just in health but right across-the-board. This budget will lay out clearly the hard decisions that have been taken to get Queensland back on track. Those hard decisions include spending cuts in many areas of government, but we have worked hard to do this without compromising service delivery at the front line. We have done the hard 11 Sep 2012 Ministerial Statements 1779 yards and found the efficiencies to save as many jobs as possible in the Queensland Public Service. The budget will set a baseline for us to begin to properly manage growth in the Public Service into the future, with an improved focus on delivering front-line services and value for money. This will be a budget to begin the work needed, as outlined in the Commission of Audit interim report, to stabilise the growth in debt and balance Queensland’s budget. If we get this right now, we will have more money to spend on delivering the services that Queenslanders deserve: the schools, the roads, the hospitals and the police, teachers and nurses. This budget will set Queensland’s finances on the road to recovery. It will stabilise the growth in debt and return the budget to a fiscal balance by 2014- 15. It will lay the foundation to restore our AAA credit rating. This budget will ensure that Queensland’s economy is strong and it will ensure that Queenslanders’ cost of living is kept low. We have a once in a generation opportunity to get the Queensland budget back in the black, and we will be taking that opportunity this afternoon in this chamber.

Coal Industry Hon. JW SEENEY (Callide—LNP) (Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning) (10.20 am): Coalmining is crucial to the Queensland economy and it is crucial to every Queenslander’s future. In Queensland we are the world’s largest exporter, with 56 major open-cut mines. The most recent figures show that more than 160 million tonnes of coal was shipped from Queensland to 29 countries around the world last year. Coal is Queensland’s lucrative mining commodity. Its earnings account for around 90 per cent of Queensland’s mining exports—more than $30 billion in the last financial year. But its real worth is much more than that. Coalmining activities generate some 40,000 direct jobs in this state—many of them in my electorate—but the flow-on effect from spending by miners is estimated at several hundred thousand jobs. Coalmining and its flow-on effects account for around 11 per cent of gross state product and around $280 billion in the last financial year. So a strong and efficient coalmining industry is vital to this state. It is vital to the future of every Queenslander, and I have said that many, many times in this House over a long time. This government understands and supports this vital industry and we intend to ensure that it is sustainable and that it grows significantly into the future. Our aim is to ensure that more coal is mined in Queensland and that more coal is exported next year than last. And we want to see that growth year on year into the future in the interests of every Queenslander. That is in stark contrast to the attitude of the previous government. There is a mix of issues at the moment causing some problems for the industry but the future is in fact bright. The long-term outlook for Queensland’s coal industry is very positive. The Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics is forecasting that Queensland’s thermal coal exports could more than double over a little more than the next decade, while metallurgical coal exports could increase even further. Our government will act vigorously and we will act aggressively to do everything possible to ensure that those forecasts become a reality. There has been some speculation this morning about coal industry royalties, but royalties are only a very small part of the cost structure that affects the viability of the Queensland coal industry. In fact, royalties are only a part of the cost structure which is imposed by governments on the coal industry. Some company annual reports indicate that royalties are in fact less than 10 per cent of that cost structure that the industry carries. The industry has been subject for many years to ever-increasing regulation from previous Labor governments that I would contend has added much more to that cost structure than any changes to royalties have. Our government will work with the industry to ensure that we address this cost structure and that the Queensland industry is the most efficient coal industry in the world. I know that the coal industry understands that it has an ally in this government. Everyone in our government supports and values the coal industry. I personally have had a long association with the coal industry and I have championed the cause of the coal industry in this parliament. My support for the industry will continue to ensure that the future of the industry and the communities it supports across Queensland is assured. We know that Queensland competes with resource regions around the globe for future investment, and we want Queensland to be the destination of choice for future coalmining investment.

Queensland Health, Budget Hon. LJ SPRINGBORG (Southern Downs—LNP) (Minister for Health) (10.24 am): The LNP government is rebuilding Queensland Health after two all but concurrent decades of Labor mismanagement. Last year the state-wide Health budget was $11.05 billion. On 24 March the looming Health deficit was $130 million, but in three months the new government turned that around into an actual surplus of $22.4 million. That turnaround bodes well for our health system. 1780 Ministerial Statements 11 Sep 2012

Across Queensland local hospital and health services know best how to eliminate the inefficiencies of the past. That is why we have created hospital boards to drive our part in national health reform. Under that agreement we must deliver an 11 per cent improvement in hospital efficiency in this state by July 2014. Today all regional boards will receive an increased budget, but they continue to battle the entrenched Labor tradition of overexpenditure and they carry the can for Labor’s ignominious Health payroll fiasco. In 2012-13, there is a $150 million unfunded hole in the cost of payroll operations left by our predecessors. Over five years that shortfall is $537 million—equal to about 1,500 full-time equivalent jobs left without a budget because of Labor mismanagement. Taken together, the payroll burden and the necessary corporate restructure will reduce the size of the Queensland Health workforce by 2,754 full- time equivalent staff to 66,100. Unions know that their failure to help bring the Labor Party to account for the payroll disaster damages their members’ interests. Without the prospect of recovering lost funds there is less chance of recovering lost jobs. In the meantime a much smaller amount of $11.9 million is expected to be recovered from assets of the so-called fake Tahitian prince. Once returned, the money will be redirected to health outcomes including $1.7 million to provide the human papillomavirus vaccine to boys; $1 million to go to BreastScreen Queensland; in addition, $2.5 million to operating room management information systems; $1.1 million to enhance outbreak response programs; $1.37 million to the Stroke Foundation; $1.9 million to the Quitline telephone service; and $1.7 million to new health research. In another decision, the LNP has honoured a key election commitment to double the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme from 1 January next year—$106 million will be provided to ensure Queenslanders in regional and remote areas have greater access to medical care. This is a matter of social justice for people in isolated areas. For the first time since 1987 the accommodation subsidy will increase, doubling from $30 to $60 a night per person. The mileage subsidy will also double from 15c to 30c a kilometre. It is news that has been welcomed across the state. In closing I want to make it clear that cooperation between the private and public sectors will deliver improved health outcomes across Queensland. This is a key strategy for local hospital and health boards but with wider implications. Private-public partnerships for clinical services are well known in Australian health care. Examples such as the Mater Health Services model in Queensland will be assessed as possible options for the new Sunshine Coast University Hospital. This new facility will generate 2,500 new jobs, growing to 5,000 by 2020-21.

Teacher Aides; School Chaplains

Hon. JH LANGBROEK (Surfers Paradise—LNP) (Minister for Education, Training and Employment) (10.28 am): Last Friday, 7 September, was Teacher Aide Day. I was pleased to celebrate Teacher Aide Day at Townsville Central State School with the local member, John Hathaway, the honourable member for Townsville, in recognition of the hard work and invaluable support provided by Queensland’s teacher aides, who number nearly 15,000. As the House will be aware, the Newman government made a strong commitment to teacher aides before the election by committing to an additional 600 prep teacher aides over the next four years. The first 150 were rolled out as promised within our first 100 days of government. The first tranche of teacher aide hours were rolled out to those schools most in need and the additional support in those schools has been welcomed. When I was in Townsville on Friday for Teacher Aide Day, I was able to reassure the teacher aides whom I met there that the unfounded rumours being spread by their union, United Voice, were untrue. Under this government’s commitment to front-line services, we are committed to supporting teacher aides as they support our teachers and enhance the education of Queensland students. Unlike those opposite, when the Newman government gives a commitment we deliver on that commitment. So on Thursday last week I was pleased to visit Glenala State High School and announce a funding boost for chaplains in schools. At the last sitting I informed the House of the need to address bullying in schools and the steps that we are taking to do so. One of the key planks in helping Queensland students handle the sometimes difficult journey through their school life is support and guidance. The $1 million funding boost will provide 128 state schools with larger grants this financial year and will see a further 22 state schools receive grants from October 2012. School chaplains and pastoral care workers have helped countless students since they started working in Queensland state schools in 1990. By providing a range of support options, chaplains and pastoral care workers complement existing school support staff such as guidance officers, school based youth health nurses and youth support coordinators. Fulfilling this election commitment is a strong signal that we are serious about the holistic development of young Queenslanders. 11 Sep 2012 Motion 1781

Disability Action Week Hon. TE DAVIS (Aspley—LNP) (Minister for Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services) (10.31 am): September 9 marked the start of Disability Action Week, an exciting opportunity for people right across Queensland to acknowledge the diverse contribution people with a disability make to our community. Organisations throughout the state will host a range of activities to highlight this year’s theme ‘Empower, Enable, Everybody’. The week aims to highlight the importance of building inclusive communities where everyone, regardless of ability, has the promise of a fair go. A fair go means having the freedom to choose our path in life and realise our aspirations. The Newman government has provided more than $129,000 to 35 community groups to support disability awareness events throughout the year, and many groups are staging events during Disability Action Week. Last Friday I officially opened Texpo—a two-day event showcasing the latest products and demonstrations from Vision Australia’s equipment solutions and key technology suppliers. It is pretty amazing stuff including everything from magnifiers, electronic readers and braillers to mobile phones and computer access tools. Vision Australia’s staff are on hand to answer questions and talk to clients, families and carers about the wide range of services available to them. A seeing-eye-dog meet and greet was to take place on Saturday in addition to the display, and I understand these little assistants were very popular on Saturday. I will also be heading out to Bald Hills to participate alongside the local community at Guide Dogs Queensland’s Mobility Expo. It is always a treat to see firsthand the outstanding work Guide Dogs Queensland does to empower people with low vision and vision impairment to live individually. There is a range of fun events available for everyone to participate in, and details are available on the department’s website. In addition to the many innovative community events happening across the state this week, the Newman government has embarked on our own strategy to strengthen Queensland disability services. Further to the announcement made last week by the Premier and me, I am delighted to be introducing a bill that will be the first big step in rolling out Your Life Your Choice, a landmark change in the way we deliver disability services in this state. Your Life Your Choice will enable people to self-direct the funding they receive from Disability Services. This is a central feature of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and means as a state we will now have the three principles being tested during the NDIS trials—that is, a systematic, equitable assessment tool, local area coordinators and finally self-directed support. The Newman government is committed to helping people with a disability, their family and their carers. As Queensland celebrates Disability Action Week, this government will be doing its part to empower and enable everybody.

MOTION

Amendments to Standing Orders Mr STEVENS (Mermaid Beach—LNP) (Manager of Government Business) (10.34 am), by leave, without notice: I move— That the Standing Rules and Orders of the Legislative Assembly be amended in accordance with the amendments circulated in my name. •Schedule 7 (CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS)— Omit, Insert— ’SCHEDULE 7—CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS In accordance with Standing Order 181(c), the following table lists entities to which direct questioning of Chief Executive at Estimates is to apply.

Entities to which direct questioning of

Chief Executives at Estimates is to apply Australian Agricultural College Corporation Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service Cape York Hospital and Health Service Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service Central West Hospital and Health Service Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Coordinator-General Crime and Misconduct Commission 1782 Motion 11 Sep 2012

CS Energy Limited Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service Electoral Commission of Queensland ENERGEX Limited Energy and Water Ombudsman Ergon Energy Corporation Limited Events Queensland Pty Ltd Family Responsibilities Commission Far North Queensland Ports Corporation Limited GasFields Commission Gladstone Ports Corporation Limited Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service Gold Coast Institute of TAFE Health Quality and Complaints Commission Legal Aid Queensland Library Board of Queensland Mackay Hospital and Health Service Metro North Hospital and Health Service Metro South Hospital and Health Service Motor Accident Insurance Commission / Nominal Defendant North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Limited North West Hospital and Health Service Office of the Governor Office of the Information Commissioner Office of the Integrity Commissioner Office of the Public Trustee Office of the Queensland Ombudsman Port of Townsville Limited Prostitution Licensing Authority Public Service Commission QIC Limited QRAA Queensland Art Gallery Queensland Audit Office Queensland Building Services Authority Queensland Electricity Transmission Corporation Limited (Powerlink) Queensland Future Growth Corporation Queensland Institute of Medical Research Queensland Museum Queensland Performing Arts Trust Queensland Rail Limited Queensland Reconstruction Authority Queensland Studies Authority Queensland Theatre Company Queensland Water Commission Residential Tenancies Authority Screen Queensland Pty Ltd Skills Queensland South Bank Corporation Southbank Institute of Technology South West Hospital and Health Service Stadiums Queensland Stanwell Corporation Limited Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service 11 Sep 2012 Questions Without Notice 1783

SunWater Limited Torres Strait—Northern Peninsula Hospital and Health Service Townsville Hospital and Health Service West Moreton Hospital and Health Service Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Tourism Queensland TransLink Transit Authority Urban Land Development Authority’. Question put—That the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to.

LEGAL AFFAIRS AND COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMITTEE

Office of the Information Commissioner, Report Mr HOPPER (Condamine—LNP) (10.34 am): I lay upon the table of the House report No. 3 of 2012-13 to the Legislative Assembly by the Office of the Information Commissioner titled Results of desktop audits 2011-12. Tabled paper: Office of the Information Commissioner: Report No. 3 of 2012-13 to the Qld Legislative Assembly—Results of Desktop Audits 2011-12: Review of Publication Schemes, Disclosure Logs and Information Privacy Awareness in Departments, Local Governments, Statutory Authorities and Universities [946]. The report details the findings of a review by the Information Commissioner of publication schemes, disclosure logs and information privacy awareness in departments, local government, statutory authorities and universities. The audits were conducted from the perspective of a member of the public looking at information available online. The report is not a report of the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee. However, under the Right to Information Act 2009, I am required to table the report on the commissioner’s behalf. Overall, the Office of the Information Commissioner found the agencies had made encouraging progress in developing online publication schemes and disclosure logs, and in managing the collection of and access to personal information through the internet and email. Key areas for improvement identified by the Office of the Information Commissioner included the extent to which publication schemes and disclosure logs are populated with information and the incorporation of the privacy principles into websites. I commend the report to the House.

ETHICS COMMITTEE

Reports Dr DOUGLAS (Gaven—LNP) (10.35 am): I lay upon the table of the House report No. 123 of the Ethics Committee titled Matter of privilege referred by the Speaker on 7 June 2012 regarding the failure to pay a fine for contempt of parliament. Tabled paper: Ethics Committee Report No. 123: Matter of privilege referred by the Speaker on 7 June 2012 regarding the failure to pay a fine for contempt of parliament [947]. I also lay upon the table of the House report No. 124 of the Ethics Committee titled 2011-12 annual report. Tabled paper: Ethics Committee Report No. 124: 2011-12 Annual Report [948]. I commend the reports and the committee’s recommendations to the House.

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Public Service, Jobs Ms PALASZCZUK (10.36 am): My question is to the Premier. I refer to an LNP election brochure which states, ‘We will always find a job within the public sector for hardworking public servants to contribute to a better Queensland. That’s why an LNP government will protect and revitalise front-line service roles.’ A government member: Where’s the brochure? Ms PALASZCZUK: I table the brochure. Tabled paper: Document titled ‘LNP Cando Action: A Public Service to Serve Queensland: part of our plan to get Queensland back on track’ [949]. 1784 Questions Without Notice 11 Sep 2012

Will the Premier advise the House of the difference between front-line service roles and front-line jobs? Mr NEWMAN: I am delighted to answer such a question today. I make the point that we have to remember how you spell hypocrisy, and honourable members know that it is spelt A-L-P. I am sorry if the school students in the gallery do not understand the background to this, but I acknowledge their presence today. The previous Labor government had the Voluntary Separation Program that saw 5,000 public servants going out the door, but guess what? As fast as they went out the door, they kept on employing people. So the financial position of the state government did not get any better at all. What are we about? We are about making sure that the people who are directly on the front line who deliver vital services to Queenslanders are supported. Indeed, that is why this budget will employ more police officers. That is why this budget will provide $800,000 in additional funding for the hospital system—a seven per cent increase. I do not know why the Labor Party cannot understand the premise that there are too many people in Health. Let us go back and look at the history. Was it the former Premier who stood up at a press conference and told all Queenslanders that Queensland Health was not efficient— A government member: It was broken. Mr NEWMAN:—and it was broken? A government member: She was going to take a wrecking ball to it. Mr NEWMAN: She was going to take a wrecking ball to it. Did she say that it was efficient? No, she did not. Last year when Curtis Pitt, the member for Mulgrave, Annastacia Palaszczuk, the Leader of the Opposition, and Tim Mulherin, the member for Mackay, were in cabinet, Queensland Health was a disaster supposedly, because that is what their leader said at the time. Now it is totally efficient! Now if there is one change in the employment arrangements, that is an outrage. Let me talk about a couple of things to demonstrate that you can differentiate between a front-line service and the people employed. Look at the garbage collection in the City of Brisbane. Thirty or 40 years ago we had three people—a driver and two people—picking up the bins. Today one driver and one truck does the job. The front-line service occurs and the garbage is collected. Once upon a time in the nation’s newspaper industry there were hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people slaving over metal typesetters—over hot metal as it was called—and there were copywriters and subeditors. Today it is done by computers. They still manage to get the newspapers out. How does it happen? It is called reform. It is called efficiency. It is called doing more with less. It is about value for money, and that is what this government is all about. Public Service, Jobs Ms PALASZCZUK: My question is to the Premier. The Premier told government workers before the election that they had nothing to fear from the LNP. What does the Premier now say to those thousands of government workers and their families who are finding out today that they are being sacked by this Premier? Mr NEWMAN: What do I say? I say this. The former government told us that the debt would go to $85 billion and that it would then start to come down. However, we have found that without these changes it will not. The former government told us that we would get more GST revenue, but we found out that that has not been the case. If I recall correctly, the former government said that we would have five per cent economic growth during the financial year just finished; it did not happen. The former government said they would not sell assets; they did. The former government said that they would keep the fuel subsidy; they did not. How long do I have to go on? How many examples do we want of the deceit and the deception? I note with some interest the recent interview on 31 August 2012 of the Leader of the Opposition by Jess van Vonderen from the ABC. How many times did that very able reporter actually ask the Leader of the Opposition what the Labor Party’s plan was to sort out the finances? How many times? Five times! Jess van Vonderen asked the Leader of the Opposition what their plan was five times and the Leader of the Opposition could not answer. Honourable members interjected. Madam SPEAKER: There are too many interjections from both sides of the chamber. I call the Premier. Mr NEWMAN: It was interesting because when Jess asked the Leader of the Opposition if there was a problem, the Leader of the Opposition actually acknowledged there was a problem; losing the AAA credit rating was a big problem. That was acknowledged in the transcript. It is interesting to reflect on the performance of the Leader of the Opposition because we saw an article in the colour supplement Qweekend on the weekend. Mr Stevens: ‘Jihad Jackie’! 11 Sep 2012 Questions Without Notice 1785

Mr NEWMAN: I say that Jackie is coming to get the current Leader of the Opposition. Ms TRAD: I rise to a point of order. I find the remarks made by the member for Mermaid Waters that I was ‘Jihad Jackie’ offensive and I ask that they be withdrawn. Madam SPEAKER: Leader of Government Business, you have been asked to— Mr STEVENS: I rise to a point of order on the point of order. The member for South Brisbane took the interjection. There is no point of order. Madam SPEAKER: Order! Take your seat. There has been a point of order raised that the member has found the comments offensive. I ask that the Leader of Government Business withdraw those comments. Mr STEVENS: I withdraw. Honourable members interjected. Madam SPEAKER: The interjections across the chamber will cease. Mr NEWMAN: It is interesting that the member for South Brisbane is so precious. Week after week when we come in here the member for South Brisbane shows the biggest glass jaw that I have— Ms Palaszczuk interjected. Madam SPEAKER: Premier, resume your seat. I warn the Leader of the Opposition for her constant interjections. I also ask the Premier to remain relevant to the question. I would ask him not to provoke the responses that we are currently seeing across the chamber and to return to the question. A government member: How about Jackie apologises to Newman? Madam SPEAKER: Order! I call the Premier. Mr NEWMAN: I must reflect on the point of order from the future Leader of the Opposition. Week after week the member for South Brisbane has shown a tendency to object to things in this chamber. She is so precious considering she was involved in one of the nastiest and meanest political campaigns in Australia’s history and she is yet to come into this place and apologise. If we add it up, there have now been 12 to 15 points of order saying, ‘I am offended.’ If she wants to be the Leader of the Opposition, she is going to have to harden up.

Queensland Economy Mr WATTS: My question without notice is to the Premier. How is the government delivering on its plan to get Queensland’s finances back on track? Are others trying to follow Queensland’s lead? Mr NEWMAN: We were elected just over five months ago to get Queensland back on track. We have been making some very important inroads and laying the foundations for a better Queensland, and the budget will concrete in those foundations. As I have said already, it will be the most important budget in a generation. It makes a policy U-turn away from Labor’s inefficiency, debt, deficit and decline. It will be moving away from expensive rock eggs in national parks located where no-one can see them, water- saving garden gnomes and government workers with nothing to do, which we have sadly heard about in the health area. The budget takes a new direction towards efficient services, financial security and new opportunities for businesses and jobs; not expensive payroll systems, desalination plants that do not work or money wasted on dams that do not get built. The budget will set Queensland’s finances on the road to recovery so we can deliver improved infrastructure, cost-of-living savings and better front-line services. We are making savings on travel, advertising, consultancies and in other areas like winding up redundant green schemes as promised. We have been open about our plans and actions and we are going to keep Queenslanders informed on the progress we are making. The member asked whether other governments are also having to deal with similar problems. I hold here the Australian newspaper. The banner headline states ‘Razor gang targets federal grants’. That would be ‘Swannie’—‘Swannie’, who was out the other day criticising our budget. What about this one, ‘Labor’s $120bn buyout’ and ‘Our budget doesn’t add up any more’? Every budget from Wayne Swan, Kevin Rudd and, sadly, Julia Gillard have not added up, either. Here we have ‘Bureaucracy hit by $100m cut’, and it is about the Minister for Finance, Penny Wong, saying that she is going to impose across-the-board spending cuts on the bureaucracy that will hit spending on travel, advertising and consultancies. What a surprise! I reflect on Kevin Rudd, who has been very vocal recently. What did he say about the public sector? In November 2007 ‘Comeback Kevin’ said he would take a meat cleaver— Government members: Meat axe. Mr NEWMAN:—or a meat axe to the federal Public Service, and he sure did. In the 1990s he was called ‘Dr Death’ when he established the gulag, when he sent public servants off to do nothing in offices without even phones. He was pretty big on staff cuts back in those days. 1786 Questions Without Notice 11 Sep 2012

This government is doing the right thing. It is doing it in an upfront manner, unlike the Labor Party who, when in office, go off and do these things because they are a budget necessity but do not admit to them or fess up.

Townsville Hospital, Jobs Mr MULHERIN: My question is directed to the Premier. Will the Premier explain whether the 45 nursing jobs that have been cut at Townsville Hospital deliver front-line services or are front-line jobs? Mr NEWMAN: That might be a great question for the Minister for Health. Again I need to talk to the whole issue of health. Perhaps if members opposite had listened, this question would have been redundant and they could have asked a more penetrating, incisive question than we have seen today, a few weeks ago and a few months ago. We can live in hope. Again, what did Anna Bligh say last year? She told us that the 65,000 to 68,000— Opposition members interjected. Madam SPEAKER: Premier, I would like the interjections on my left to cease. I ask members to show courtesy to the person answering the question by letting him do so. Mr NEWMAN: I refer them to what the former Premier said about Queensland Health, which has between 65,000 and 68,000 employees. She said last year that it was a fundamentally flawed organisation. She said that it was dysfunctional. She said that it had to be reformed. We have appointed 17 local hospital and health boards with people from local communities who now are looking closely at the way money is being spent. We have to back those people because they live in those communities. They are not bureaucrats from Brisbane; they are local people with clinical backgrounds as well as laypeople and businesspeople. They have been given the authority to actually make these sorts of decisions. Opposition members interjected. Mr NEWMAN: I hear opposition members objecting. Again, this is why you spell hypocrisy A-L-P. We know that the federal Labor government has a similar policy: to devolve the authority of decision making across the nation. That is what it wants to see. We also know under federal health reforms that Queensland is not efficient. We know that the cost of procedures in Queensland is far higher than the national average—the national efficient price—but, even more disturbingly, higher than the cost in Victoria. Something has to be done about it. We know that in Queensland Health there are a lot of people who are professionally trained as nurses who are not actually treating patients. That is why these decisions have to be made. Just because someone is trained as a nurse does not mean they are treating sick people. Just because somebody is a doctor does not mean they are looking after patients. Ultimately, the idea is to make sure that our hospitals work better. Throwing more money at the problem is not the answer. If that were the case, the explosion in health funding in the last four or five years would have fixed the problems. It has not. The Health budget has gone up $800 million this year—an increase of seven per cent—but the money will be spent wisely in the areas that will make a difference to patient care and healing people who are sick.

Queensland Economy Mr WOODFORTH: My question is to the Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning. Is the Deputy Premier aware of any alternative plans to recover Queensland’s financial situation and grow the Queensland economy? Mr SEENEY: I thank the member for Nudgee for the question because it is a very pertinent question today for everybody to ask, not just in this parliament but also in the Queensland community generally. Today the Treasurer will bring down the first budget of the LNP government that is all about bringing to a culmination the plan that we took to the people of Queensland. We took to the people of Queensland a very clear plan to grow the Queensland economy—to grow the business of Queensland, to grow the four pillars of our economy—and to get Queensland back on track. We enunciated that plan both before the election and since the election. The budget that the Treasurer brings down today will set the course for the delivery of that plan in the future. It is important to ask what alternatives are out there. Those who criticise should ask themselves that question. The budget that is brought down today will undoubtedly draw criticism from those who sit opposite. They should answer the question: what is the alternative? There has been no indication since the election that there was any alternative from the Labor Party except more of the same. The only plan the Labor Party had for Queensland was to continue on the path they had set. That would have resulted in $100 billion worth of debt in the forward projections—and who knows where the Queensland economy would have gone after that? 11 Sep 2012 Questions Without Notice 1787

The only alternative the Labor Party had to offer was more of the same. No matter how many times they are asked, there is no indication that there is any other alternative from the Labor Party. The Premier referred to but one instance in which they were asked for their alternative. The Leader of the Opposition was asked five times by Jessica van Vonderen on 7.30. I table the transcript. Tabled paper: Transcript of ABC interview dated 31 August 2012 ‘Labor denies previous government to blame for jobs cuts’ [950]. The first time Jessica asked— What would Labor be doing differently right now ... No answer. Question No. 2— So how would you be going about paying those wages and doing all of the other things that governments have to do? No answer. Question No. 3— So what would Labor be doing ... Again, no answer. Question No. 4 to the opposition leader— What is the alternative? No answer. Question No. 5— Do you have an alternative ... plan? Finally, Jessica gave up and said thank you to the Leader of the Opposition and went and talked about something sensible. There were five direct questions to which the opposition leader had no response at all. There is no alternative from those who sit opposite. There is no alternative to the budget the Treasurer will bring down today. It is the budget that will guarantee Queensland’s future. (Time expired) Government Borrowings Mr PITT: My question is to the Premier. Last sitting the Premier was asked to detail the purpose of the government’s latest borrowings of $1.65 billion. Given the Premier has now had three weeks to make inquiries about a question asked at the last sitting, I ask again: will the Premier now detail the purpose of the $1.65 billion borrowed by his government on 2 August? Mr NEWMAN: This afternoon at 2.30 the Treasurer will hand down the budget. I have to say that the borrowing program will be more than $1.65 billion, so I am a little puzzled by the shadow Treasurer’s question. It is a bizarre question. The reason the borrowings will be as significant as they are, as I have said before, is the trajectory set by those opposite. Let us look at who was in the cabinet of the previous government. Was the member for Mackay in the Bligh cabinet? Yes. Was the junior woodchuck from the seat of Mulgrave—the shadow Treasurer—in the cabinet? Yes. Was the current Leader of the Opposition in the cabinet? Yes. Were they people who lost the AAA credit rating? Yes. Why did that happen? Well, I have previously waved around the Moody’s report. Those opposite do not like Peter Costello’s report and they have tried to have a bit of a go at that. They have amnesia like Kevin Rudd: they forget the Mid Year Fiscal and Economic Review, handed down by Andrew Fraser, that said debt would go to $85 billion in two years time. That is what it said. They have forgotten all about that. Let us look at the ratings agencies. These were the folk who gave us that Moody’s report that I waved around the other day that said our debt-to-revenue ratio at the moment was at least 140 per cent. What was the ratio of the other states? Around 80 per cent to 90 per cent. While we are at it, what was the ratio of the Brisbane City Council? Kevin Rudd is having a bit of a play in that space. I actually rang the council and found out. The ratio is about 106 per cent. That is the peak and it will come down because they have a plan to bring it down. They have borrowed for infrastructure, but the people opposite borrowed to keep the lights on. How do we know that? Because everybody is saying that they were borrowing to keep the lights on, to put fuel in the tanks of police cars, to pay public servants’ wages. Everybody says it except the debt and deficit deniers in front of me. Opposition members interjected. Mr NEWMAN: And there they are! I am happy to grab the transcript of the interview by Jessica van Vonderen. Unfortunately, it has been tabled. In that interview Jessica van Vonderen asked the questions, and what did the Leader of the Opposition do? She acknowledged that they made a mistake by losing the AAA credit rating. That was wrong. It was bad. How do you lose a AAA credit rating? By borrowing too much. I say to those opposite today: listen closely to the budget presentation by the Treasurer. It is a great budget. It is an exciting budget. It gets Queensland back on track and it will get our economy going again. Commission of Audit, Walker and Walker Report Mr CAVALLUCCI: My question without notice is to the Treasurer. Is the Treasurer aware of the so-called Walker and Walker report into the independent Commission of Audit report prepared for the Queensland Council of Unions? Is he aware of its contents? 1788 Questions Without Notice 11 Sep 2012

Mr NICHOLLS: I thank the honourable member for Brisbane Central for his question. The honourable member for Brisbane Central certainly understands finances more than the so-called specialists, the honorary professor Bob Walker and his wife from Sydney University, from the groves of academia. I think it is always important that we look at the qualifications, the experience and the history of people like Walker and Walker. I am sorry to my friend the member for Mansfield; I of course do not include him. He may wish to change his name! It is also instructive to look at this report because it was a report that was commissioned by that unbiased and impartial organisation, the Queensland Council of Unions, which has no axe to grind, which has no self-interest, which never had any sway over the former Labor government and could not just pick up the phone and say, ‘Pick up the bill. Pay us more. Give us more jobs.’ So the impartial Queensland Council of Unions has employed Mr Walker and his wife. But what did the former Treasurer of Queensland say? What did he say about Messrs Walker and Walker? Andrew Fraser said— Professor Bob Walker who the QCU have hired to provide this advice provides low rent, rented advice that suggests that there is an endless ability for any government anywhere in the world to continue to go into more and more and more debt. He has views which are not in accord with reality and professor Bob Walker isn’t a credible part of the debate. Mr Seeney: First time I agree with him. One of the first times I agree with him! Mr NICHOLLS: That was one of the very rare occasions I did agree with the former Treasurer, and have we heard one word from the debt and deficit deniers opposite that anything Andrew Fraser said about the Walkers is not right? They have done the dog whistle. They have let the Queensland Council of Unions do the heavy lifting for them. They could not come up with their own critique that would stand up, so they paid these clowns from Sydney to come up with a spurious report. And what do they talk about, because we have had the shadow Treasurer talk about net financial liabilities? He said, ‘Why don’t you include the assets of the superannuation fund in your calculation?’ Because those funds are not available under the LNP government to pay off the debt that they incurred! What the shadow Treasurer is saying to the public servants of Queensland is that the $26 billion we hold in trust for their future—for their superannuation—is available under Labor to pay down the debt. That is what they want to do. They want to raid the piggy bank to pay down the debt. Let me finish with what the former member for Greenslopes said. What did he say? We started with Andrew Fraser; let us finish with Cameron Dick. He said— I think Labor fell into error— well, more than one— of seriously miscalculating and underestimating the desire for Queenslanders to hold on to the AAA credit rating and I think— (Time expired) Hospitals, Staffing Mrs MILLER: My question is to the Premier. Will the Premier please explain whether an on-site hospital nurse educator’s position is a front-line job or provides a front-line service? Mr NEWMAN: Those opposite should have been listening to some of the other questions that have been asked today, and again I suggest that they might want to talk to the health minister about some of these things. Let us look at national health reform. The federal Labor government—starting with Kevin Rudd and continued by Julia Gillard—has said that it wants to see devolution of authority and responsibility for running hospital services to the local communities. The LNP wholeheartedly supports that. Indeed we believe that one should go further by truly empowering those hospital boards, so we have set up 17 local hospital boards. People from those communities—clinical people, lay people, people from the business community, people with a proud track record in serving their communities— will oversee the hospitals in that particular area and all hospital health boards are looking at the way that they deliver services. They are the ones that are making the assessment of whether the hospitals are run efficiently and about where they put their priorities. The bleating from those opposite today and the tone of questions suggests that you can never change anything, you can never do anything better, you can never put someone there or move them over there. They would like to set everything in concrete because you can never change anything. I again refer them to their own former leader’s comments. Three of them were in the cabinet and the three of them never said boo when Anna Bligh said that there were fundamental problems with Queensland Health. That is what their former leader said to the people of Queensland. She said that there needed to be reform, and they were all quiet. They never said a word. They all agreed that Queensland Health was fundamentally flawed, that it was a broken organisation, that it needed to be sorted out. That is what the former Premier said. Guess what? That is what the health boards are doing. That is what the minister and the director-general are doing: they are making sure that front-line services— Mr PITT: I rise to a point of order. Madam Speaker, I ask for your ruling on relevance under standing order 118(b). There was a specific question as to whether or not on-site nurse educator positions were frontline. I ask for you to rule on relevance. 11 Sep 2012 Questions Without Notice 1789

Madam SPEAKER: Take your seat. I call the Premier to finish answering the question. Mr NEWMAN: They have their own track record in letting people go from nursing positions in Queensland Health themselves, but I know that they hate to be reminded of their history. They all think, including Kevin Rudd, that we have amnesia or that we do not actually know, because that is the cynical Labor way of doing business. I reflect on that somewhat sadly. We are determined to ensure that front- line services are enhanced and built up, and that will be the result of these reforms. We need to have confidence in those local hospital boards and get behind them to do the job. As I have said before, they are all in the local communities. They have to talk to people in the local communities. They have to go to the local store. They have to walk down the main street. I am very confident that these people will ensure that the extra money—the $800 million extra we are giving them, the seven per cent increase— will be wisely spent.

Queensland Health, Budget Mrs OSTAPOVITCH: My question is to the Minister for Health. Can the minister provide an example of the previous government’s waste and inefficiency uncovered in his department and how this has impacted on the state’s finances? Mr SPRINGBORG: I thank the honourable member for the question. Queensland Health under the former administration was an absolute plethora of waste and mismanagement. If you look at the fake Tahitian prince, if you look at the Health payroll and if you look at the $130 million budget black hole that I inherited on day one at the start of April this year, they are just some of the examples of waste and mismanagement under the former Labor government. What about the report that was just sitting there conducted by the Labor Party two years previously into the state of rural and remote hospitals around Queensland indicating that almost $600 million over a period of time had to be set aside to bring those hospitals up to a standard where they would be ultimately acceptable? We have to find $51 million this year just to bring them up to a bare-bones standard until we actually work through that. What about the 390 workers within Queensland Health without substantive positions—the ones known as ghost workers—costing Queensland Health $28.5 million per annum? That is another example of waste and mismanagement under the Labor Party. What about the $230 million cost of running the payroll this year of which only $79 million had been budgeted for by the previous Labor government, leaving a whopping hole of $150 million and costing 1,537 jobs this year? When we talk about the Health payroll in Queensland, it is very instructive, because on the weekend my attention was drawn to the Qweekend magazine because on the front it had the inside story of the Queensland Health payroll scandal. I started to actually flick through to that story. Lo and behold, on my way through to that article I came across another story about an aspirational Leader of the Opposition—the ‘Mouth of the south’ who has been going around the Labor branches saying that when she is leader she will release the secret legal advice on the payroll. That is what she is going around saying, while on the outside we have Cameron Dick, who also wants to be leader, running around saying that if he was leader he would sack Paul Lucas and possibly even Robert Schwarten. The problem is that, by and large, they are already gone! With the value of hindsight the people over there have the wisdom of Solomon. The other thing which is very instructive in this article is that, unlike the Labor Party in Queensland, when the Los Angeles school authority had a similar problem with SAP rolled out by Deloittes, what did it do? It sued and it got money back, but in Queensland we cannot do that because the Leader of the Opposition will not release documents relating to the payroll. (Time expired)

Princess Alexandra Hospital, Tuberculosis Control Centre Ms TRAD: My question is to the Premier. Will the Premier explain to Queenslanders what public health risks they face now that the Newman government has abolished the Tuberculosis Control Centre at the PA Hospital? Mr NEWMAN: They face no health risk at all. It will be run in the regions. It is a front-line service. That is the answer. Having answered that question, I will just talk around it a bit more. I hope they do not mind that I do that over the next 2½ minutes. I want to reflect on what the health minister said. Think about all the problems in Health. Think about all the issues that that mob opposite left us. We have the Leader of the Opposition, we have the member for Mackay and we have the member for Mulgrave as the members of that cabinet. What did they do? What did they say about the Health payroll system when it came to cabinet? Alas, we will never know. I again urge them to make a decision, lance the boil that they have, and release the very important legal advice that they continue to hang on to so that we will not continue to have this veil of secrecy down on their—you can only assume—dud decisions made during that period. What about the fantastic front-line health services provided by the alleged Tahitian prince? Was that not a great expenditure of public money! What about the $1.2 billion wasted on the Health payroll system? 1790 Questions Without Notice 11 Sep 2012

What about the ghost workers who we have heard about right across this state? Why did they have industrial relations policies that meant that you could not move people around? Why did they have industrial relations policies that meant that, once a person left a position, it had to be filled automatically? What sort of IR policy is that? Previously, when a person in Queensland Health left a job, that job had to be filled straightaway. Whether or not the person was required, whether it was a front-line service or not, the position had to be filled. Why? Because they all owed their preselections to the unions. They were all massively conflicted. That is why they could not make the tough decisions. Ms Palaszczuk: You are misleading the House. Mr NEWMAN: I hear the Leader of the Opposition interjecting, but not the member for South Brisbane, because the member for South Brisbane used to be a senior official in the union movement and in the Labor Party and knows the truth of it—that if you are a Labor Party member you rely on union support for your preselection. That is why we have the problems—the featherbedding, the industrial problems not just in Queensland Health but right across the spectrum of the public sector. That is why important decisions are being made to save Queenslanders’ money, to stop saying that they have to put their hands in their pockets and pay for waste and inefficiency. That is what this government is about— sorting out Health, making sure that front-line services are enhanced. This year there will be $800 million extra—a seven per cent increase—going into Queensland Health in this budget, because we are determined to put the money where it matters for Queenslanders. Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing, Budget Mr MINNIKIN: My question without notice is to the Minister for National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing. Can the minister provide an example of the previous government’s waste and inefficiency uncovered in his department and how that has impacted on the state’s finances? Mr DICKSON: I thank the member very much for the question. I know how much he cares about the finances of this great state. We will never shy away from reminding the people of just how wasteful Labor was. Labor had no concept of how to structure and deliver a coherent plan. There was this multimillion-dollar plan to turn Brisbane into the winter sports capital of Australia by building a world- class winter ski jump, 10 storeys high, seven lanes wide, costing $6.1 million with no credible business case to speak of and no tangible usage agreement. The state government was going to be lugged with 100 per cent of the maintenance costs of running this debacle. But that is not all. Just when you think it could not get any more wasteful, along comes the egg— a cracked attempt by the former Labor government to lay public art in an isolated part of a national park. Dubbed the Strangler Cairn, this 30-tonne collection of rocks beaten together in an egg shape cost more than $680,000, which included the cost of a helicopter to cart the rocks in. Unbelievably, a fig tree was planted on top of this rock so that it would completely cover the rock at a later date. As with so many of these fried schemes that we saw from Labor, there was no serious business plan in place to ensure any sort of value for money. There was just a lack of common sense and no regard for how taxpayers’ money was spent. It is a bird-brained thing never seen since the people of Queensland unequivocally rejected the policies and approach of the Labor Party on 24 March. Only some of the flock opposite have taken any notice and learned anything whilst the ‘rooster’ from Rockhampton has flown the coop from Labor’s clucky decision, telling Channel 7 Sunshine Coast news program on 28 August, ‘I know nothing about why we would have an egg of such nature put out there. It seems “egg-straordinary” to me, yes.’ Meanwhile, the ‘spring chicken’ from South Brisbane is out there scrambling to defend the project, describing us as ‘philistines’ who do not want people in regional areas to have art. I would say to the member for South Brisbane, all puns aside— Madam SPEAKER: Order! I would ask the minister to refer to members by their appropriate titles. Mr DICKSON: I say to the member for South Brisbane, all puns aside, that we on this side of the chamber are making hard boiled decisions. In all seriousness, though, the Treasurer will today deliver the LNP’s first budget. This is the most important budget in a generation. It is a budget for Queensland’s future. It makes the hard decisions now and gets the government debt under control so that Queenslanders can look forward to a prosperous future. (Time expired) North-West Minerals Province Mr KATTER: My question is to the Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning. Will the minister outline specific significant infrastructure and future development projects planned in the north-west minerals province to alleviate the adverse impact that the state government’s proposed new mining tax will have on this sector? 11 Sep 2012 Questions Without Notice 1791

Mr SEENEY: I confess that I do not fully understand the question that the member asked. I suspect the member is asking me for details of the budget that the Treasurer is going to bring down this afternoon. I think the best advice that I can give to the member for Mount Isa is to be here at 2.30 and he will have a chance to see what this government is doing not just for the minerals province of north-west Queensland but for the resources industry generally and for Queenslanders generally, no matter where they live. As I said, the budget that the Treasurer will bring down will be a watershed for Queensland. It will be the road map that will take our government and our state forward after the years of debt and decay that were presided over by those members opposite. It will outline how our plan for Queensland is going to be delivered—the plan that we took to the people of Queensland based on those four pillars of the Queensland economy of agriculture, tourism, construction and the one that the member for Mount Isa at least referred to in his question, resources. The resources industry is a critical part of the Queensland economy. It is a vital part of the Queensland economy for generations of Queenslanders to come. I have talked about the importance of the resources industry in this parliament for every one of the 14 years that I have been here. But for a lot of that time the former government saw the resources industry as something it was ashamed of, something it did not want to know about. It used to call it the dirty coal industry. It did not talk about it. It tried to pretend it was not there. It tried to pretend that it would somehow go away and be replaced by something warm and cuddly and acceptable to the Socialist Left and the philosophy that the member for South Brisbane brings to this place. The resources industry will always be a pillar of the Queensland economy. It will always be essential to every Queensland budget that every Queensland Treasurer brings into this parliament. It will always be an important part of regional Queensland—the types of places that I, the member for Gregory, the member for Mount Isa, the member for Mirani, the member for Warrego and the member for Condamine represent. We all understand the importance of the resources industry and we will ensure that the royalties that this industry generate are returned, to some extent at least, to the areas where the wealth is generated. I say to the member for Mount Isa and every other member in this House to watch the budget this afternoon to see that we understand those issues and that we will deliver on the promises we gave to the people of Queensland. (Time expired)

Department of Energy and Water Supply, Budget

Miss BARTON: My question without notice is to the Minister for Energy and Water Supply. Can the minister please provide an example of the previous government’s waste and inefficiency uncovered in his department and how this has impacted on the state’s finances? Mr McARDLE: I thank the member for Broadwater for the question. She is a member who is keen to tackle the big issues regarding the budget, her electorate and the issues those in her seat face with regard to cost-of-living measures. We know that over the past four to five years there has been an enormous debt burden dumped on the people of this state in relation to the implementation of the water grid. When we go through the list of those items we find $2.5 billion on the recycled water pipeline; $1.2 billion on the desal plant; $500 million on a dam that was fought so hard against by the member for Gympie that went nowhere—the money went down the gurgler, $265 million was nonrecoverable; plus $350 million on the Wyaralong Dam—a massive hole in the ground and water going nowhere. It was $350-odd million to dig a hole that goes absolutely nowhere. I ask the members of the Labor opposition exactly how that money could have been better used with regard to paying down debt or paying wages in times to come. That money could have been well used by a properly informed government caring for the people of Queensland to ensure that we do not have to face the massive cuts we have had to face in this state because of their financial incompetence. In 2009 there was a program hatched by the Labor government to produce 1.3 million fridge magnets in relation to water conservation. That was just part of a $1.2 million advertising spree outlined by the Labor government. There might not be too many members here who actually understand the fridge magnet scenario, and the reason is simply this: 76 boxes of those fridge magnets sat in a warehouse doing nothing. It cost the state $71,000, or $365 per week, to house 1.3 million magnets in 76 boxes. I think the best scenario is when the former government produced six little gnomes about three inches tall at a cost of $19,440. Two of those rascals got away, but we have got them back. We have got those two little rascals back in the coven and we are going to raffle or auction those so that we can get some money into charity. Back in August last year the Courier-Mail produced an article with Anna Bligh dressed as Snow White and incorporating Shwarto, Robertson, Fraser, Lucas and also Cameron Dick as part of the gnomes. They have all gone. I wonder why! (Time expired) 1792 Questions Without Notice 11 Sep 2012

Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services Mrs SCOTT: My question without notice is to the Premier. Will the Premier explain whether a child safety officer is considered a front-line job or provides a front-line service? Mr NEWMAN: I will have to go back to taws—I will have to start again—because the Labor Party seems to think that the headcount equates to the service. There is a difference. You can have a service being delivered and have fewer people doing it. That is the important outcome. This government will protect children. That is why this government is undertaking a commission of inquiry into the whole child protection system, something that those opposite said was working fine. We are not going to be complacent about this. We are going to actually deal with this issue. That is why we are undertaking that commission of inquiry at the moment. Let me go back to some of the examples I have already used today. If we go back 30 or 40 years, in this city or other Australian cities there would have been three people picking up the garbage bins. Ms Palaszczuk: We heard it. Mr NEWMAN: I hear the Leader of the Opposition saying, ‘We heard it.’ Did the Leader of the Opposition understand? Clearly not. Once upon a time three people did an important front-line service. Today only one person with a truck is doing the job. How was it achieved? What amazing magic was employed? It is called technology. It is called workplace reform. It is called doing things more efficiently; saving money but still achieving the outcome. That is what this government is going to do. Just looking at the headcount is totally misleading. ‘Misleading’ is another name for the ALP, by the way. The test of the whole reform program is this: will we be looking after hospitals and the patients in the hospital; will we be seeing Queensland police; will we be protecting children? Absolutely. That is what this government is all about. It is not about pandering to the unions who those opposite owe their preselections to. That is what it is not about. I see them looking back. I see the hatred in their faces because they know that I have called them for it. They are union members. Because they owe their preselection to the unions they have to always listen to the unions. And what empowers unions? What drives unions on? The union membership—the numbers in the unions. Fewer members, a weaker union and less funds for the Labor Party in its campaigns. It is all connected. The relationship—the dysfunctional and quite unsatisfactory relationship between the unions and the Australian Labor Party— is the biggest conflict of interest in Australian politics. I will give those opposite a bit of gratuitous political advice: until you actually sever that relationship and put yourself on a separate independent course you will continue to be tied back to the past in the way that you are. This government is funding front-line services. This government is putting money into looking after kids. Department of Transport and Main Roads, Budget Mr WALKER: My question without notice is to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads. Can the minister provide an example of the previous government’s waste and inefficiency uncovered in his department and how this has impacted on the state’s finances? Mr EMERSON: I thank the member for Mansfield. Where should I begin? There is so much. Let me just talk about two examples in the short time I have. Both occurred while the Leader of the Opposition was transport minister. To discuss the first example, all many Queenslanders have to do is look in their wallets or purses and get out their new Queensland driver’s licence. That is all they need to do. Let us go back to the history of that project. It was started in 2006. How many millions of dollars was it supposed to be? It was supposed to be $47 million. What happened after that in terms of the capital cost? Where did it go to? It went up to $84 million. Where did it end up? It ended up at $112 million under the Leader of the Opposition when she was transport minister. No wonder there was such a damning report by the Auditor-General. The worst thing about this is how they were paying for it. Much of that capital cost was from loans. What was the repayment schedule? The repayment schedule for those loans meant it would not be repaid until 2036—almost 25 years from now. The member for Lytton, Neil Symes, might be a grandfather by the time they repay the debt on the new Queensland driver’s licence. That is how long it will take. That is the kind of abysmal management by Labor when it was in government. Let me just touch on one other issue which I have mentioned previously in this chamber, and that is the 818 voluntary redundancies that occurred in the Department of Transport and Main Roads. What happened at the end? There were 100 more people than when we started. Opposition members interjected. Madam SPEAKER: I now warn members on my left. There are too many interjections. Mr EMERSON: I must correct the record. Previously I said that the Labor government paid out $76 million for these 818 redundancies, even though there were 100 more people at the end of that process than when it began. With the end of the financial year I can correct the record. In fact, the cost was $90 million for those 818 voluntary redundancies which at the end of there were 100 more people in the department than when it began. That is why we need the budget to be delivered today by the Treasurer: to end the waste, financial mismanagement and blunder by Labor. 11 Sep 2012 Questions Without Notice 1793

Health Services Mr BYRNE: My question is to the Premier. Will the Premier explain whether a phlebotomist provides a front-line service or is a front-line job? Honourable members interjected. Madam SPEAKER: Order! I now warn the member for Bundamba under standing order 253A. Any more breaches and you will be out. I also warn members on my right who were not paying attention to the chair. Would the member for Rockhampton like to repeat the question? Mr BYRNE: With great pleasure, Madam Speaker. My question is to the Premier. Will the Premier explain whether a phlebotomist provides a front-line service or is a front-line job? Mr NEWMAN: It is a delight to answer the question. I am quite happy to say that I had to seek a bit of support, but I have ascertained that it is about drawing blood, if I am correct. Mr Springborg: That is right, vis-a-vis a phlebologist. Mr NEWMAN: That is good. I might again suggest that if members opposite want to ask detailed health questions the health minister is happy to oblige as well. Today we have heard a whole theme. Labor members have asked question after question, when the trajectory of debt that they have left us takes us to $100 billion. They have been asking all these questions, but they have no plan to actually do anything about it. On 31 August on 7.30, five times Jess van Vonderen asked the current Leader of the Opposition what their plan was, but they have no plan. They have no plan to deal with the debt that they incurred. They have no plan to actually balance the books. They have no plan to revitalise front-line services. They have no plan whatsoever to get the economy of Queensland going. Yet we know that Cameron Dick has been good enough, brave enough and honest enough to admit that the financial wreckage they left us was as a result of their decisions. He has acknowledged that; why can’t they? I will say this: drawing blood is a pathology service and, sadly, pathology services are not delivered efficiently in the public health system in Queensland. In fact, I am sure we could find any amount of data, perhaps productivity commission reports, et cetera—I am sure there are reports out there—that show that the private sector delivers pathology services that meet the needs of patients and are delivered faster and more efficiently. But, no! The people opposite depend on Labor affiliated unions for their preselections. Therefore, job numbers equate always to something important to them, which is their own preselection. It is nothing more than that. That is the evil little secret there. The member for Rockhampton seems like a decent sort of guy. I do not know how he fell in with this mob. Did he get off the wrong bus? Was he looking for the LNP meeting and got off the wrong bus or went in the wrong door and ended up with this mob? I suggest he looks at their history and understands the bad things that they have done for Queensland, because they will never improve until they acknowledge the past.

Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts, Budget Mr BERRY: My question without notice is to the Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts. Can the minister provide an example of the previous government’s waste and inefficiency uncovered in her department and how this has impacted on the state’s finances? Madam SPEAKER: The minister has one minute. Ms BATES: I thank the member for his question. I advise the House that the interim findings of the Newman government’s ICT audits are in. The news is far from good. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the Labor legacy that we have been left with is nothing short of a dog’s breakfast. Thanks to the complete ignorance and mismanagement of those opposite, Queenslanders are now left with problems so big that they could cost as much as $6 billion to fix. Almost 1,000 systems used to deliver services across government have not been replaced by their use-by date. Many of those systems have already reached the end of their functional lifespan, yet Labor did not have a single plan in place to upgrade them. This is an incredibly serious problem and it leaves us open to major system failures and meltdowns, a situation that no government should ever have to face. My department has engaged a team of specialists to work alongside the auditors to provide and identify cost-effective solutions. The overall picture is bleak and presents a huge challenge as we work towards our reform agenda and bring the state’s finances back under control. (Time expired) Madam SPEAKER: The time for questions has now expired. 1794 Matters of Public Interest 11 Sep 2012

SPEAKER’S STATEMENT

School Group Tours Madam SPEAKER: I acknowledge the schools visiting today: St Helens State School, represented by the member for Maryborough; Kenilworth State Community College, represented by the member for Nicklin; and Springsure State School, represented by the member for Gregory.

MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST

LNP Government Budget Ms PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) (Leader of the Opposition) (11.36 am): Today is a turning point in Queensland’s history. Today is the day when, after just six months, the LNP government reveals its true colours. Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, we will stop the clock. Will members please leave the chamber in an orderly and quiet way and others cease their conversations or else go outside. Ms PALASZCZUK: Historically, state budgets are about creating jobs, they are about building a workforce, they are about investing in infrastructure and they are about investing in our state’s future. Today the LNP has shown it has not a clue by doing the polar opposite: by slashing and burning, and by axing jobs and front-line services. We only need look back at previous Labor government budgets to see the difference and to see how this government, after just six months in office, has got it so completely and utterly wrong. If we look back, we will see state budgets delivered by the former government that built Queensland with a $17 billion infrastructure program that resulted in the creation of thousands and thousands of jobs through projects such as the Gateway Bridge duplication. The Gold Coast Rapid Transit project will create 6,300 jobs. I note that today the tracks are going down for the Gold Coast Rapid Transit project. Who signed off on the documents to create those projects and jobs? It was a Labor government! Other projects include the Ted Smout Bridge to Redcliffe. Who will forget hearing in this chamber today the health minister saying that Labor did not invest in infrastructure in Queensland hospitals? How much is the Gold Coast Hospital worth? Over $1.7 billion! We created projects on the Gold Coast. Unlike this government, we value capital infrastructure and we value jobs. Those projects are the former government’s job-building legacy, a legacy that the LNP government has totally and utterly failed to live up to. As the LNP’s first state budget is handed down today, what do we get? Do we see any remorse at the massive damage done to job security, at the slash of the axe against front-line jobs and front-line services? Do we see any hint of regret that they have cold-heartedly placed Queensland and Queenslanders on a backward slope, transporting us back to a time when we were looked upon as the nation’s backwater? Do we hear a single voice of compassion? Do we see anyone prepared to stand up for Queensland jobs, services and families as they take a sword to its heart? No, we see quite the opposite! We see 78 LNP members of parliament who have betrayed Queensland. We see that not one member of this government is prepared to do the decent thing and stand up for jobs in their local communities. We understand that around 14,000 jobs could go today. There should be no mistake made. There should be no misinterpretation of where we find ourselves in Queensland in 2012—and that is a lonely place where 14,000 promises have been cynically and deliberately broken and 14,000 families will by tonight find themselves— A government member interjected. Ms PALASZCZUK: This is no laughing matter. Government members interjected. Ms PALASZCZUK: So you are heckling now about the jobs that are going. Do you have any concept of what people are going through? Madam SPEAKER: Order! I will ask members to cease their interjections across the chamber. I call the Leader of the Opposition. Ms PALASZCZUK: Today thousands of people have turned up at work and they are going to either receive an email or maybe a phone call to tell them that they no longer have a job with this government. How are they going to pay the bills? How are they going to make ends meet? They have mortgages to pay. They have to send their kids to school. What do we hear from all of the 78 members opposite? We hear total and utter silence about what is going to happen to those families throughout the state. 11 Sep 2012 Matters of Public Interest 1795

Among those people who are going today are some 1,500 front-line health workers who will disappear over the next three months. That is more than 1,500 doctors, nurses and allied health workers, pathologists, social workers, health educators and many, many others who have been cast to the wind. This brutal axing of these workers amounts to one of the most appalling examples of a broken promise that I can remember in any state in any era from any government. The question I ask the Premier today could not have been clearer because here in their election document—here it is in black and white—is exactly what they said. Let me read it into the Hansard for the information of the House. They said— We will always find a job within the public sector for hardworking public servants to contribute to a better Queensland. That’s why an LNP Government will protect and revitalise front line service roles ... That is what they said. It is clear. Did we see any compassion from the Premier here today in question time? Did we see any compassion whatsoever from any of the ministers about the jobs that are going to go from their respective departments? Did we hear anything? No, nothing at all. Mr Springborg: What about the compassion from you for the 1,500 lost because of your payroll debacle? Ms PALASZCZUK: I am glad the health minister is here because he said that he wants to shirk responsibility to the health boards. That is what he said: ‘Let the health boards take responsibility.’ I found an organisational chart and guess what? Who is responsible for the management of the health boards? Who is responsible? The health minister. I table that for the health minister so he can be reassured of his role. If the health minister does not want to accept that role, I am quite sure that the member for Stafford can gladly step into his role. Tabled paper: Queensland Health Organisational Structure, July 2012 [951]. Over the last week I have travelled around this state. I went to Townsville when they heard that some 45 nursing jobs were going, and they were shattered. They were absolutely shattered. What we see from this government is a changing of the goalposts. One minute it is a front-line job; then it is a front-line service. We see changing of the definitions. But what we do know is that this government should take full responsibility for the jobs that are going from the Public Service today. It was this Premier who said that the Public Service had nothing to fear. Now they have everything to fear because thousands of people will find out their fate today. Imagine what it is going to be like for them to go home, sit down with their families and tell their families that they no longer have a job. Jillian Flower came to see me yesterday. Jillian is in a wheelchair. She has been working for the department of education for 18 years in the diversity unit. She told me that the whole area has been axed. She said to me, ‘Can you please ask the Premier whether he can find me another job?’ She has been working there for 18 years and now she is terrified that her husband could lose his job today. If that is the situation, they will have to sell their house and they will have to move somewhere where they can find a job. These are real people. I was also up in Cairns recently and I was talking to the health professionals there. A nurse educator came up to me and she said to me, ‘Can you please ask the Premier whether a nurse educator is a front-line role or not?’ This is a vital service in our hospitals and today they will find out whether or not they have a job. Make no mistake: every single member of the LNP today will feel the hurt and the anger that is going to happen right across the Queensland community—and we know that it is not just going to be contained to the south-east. We know that this hurt is going to be felt in the regional communities—in Rockhampton, in Mackay, in Cairns, and out at Longreach and Emerald. I was out at Emerald and Longreach, and I saw the member for Gregory out there. People out there were concerned about their jobs—RoadTek jobs. Government members interjected. Madam SPEAKER: Order! Members, there are too many interjections. I call the Leader of the Opposition. Ms PALASZCZUK: This is a heartless government. As I travel across the state people are coming up to me time and time again asking, ‘Why do our jobs have to go?’ I am hearing in Emerald that RoadTek jobs are going. After the floods who were the first people out there reconstructing our roads to make sure that the goods and services could travel around regional Queensland? It was our transport men and women out there doing that job. What you are saying to them is, ‘You are no longer valued.’ There is dignity in work and there is nothing more important for a family than to have a job. You are ripping that dignity out of them today. Every single one of you should share the blame and share the responsibility and take full responsibility for your actions. (Time expired) 1796 Matters of Public Interest 11 Sep 2012

North Stradbroke Island, Sandmining Mr DAVIES (Capalaba—LNP) (11.47 am): I rise today to talk about a recent trip I had over to North Stradbroke Island. While North Stradbroke Island is not in my electorate, Capalaba is the gateway to the Redlands and obviously the gateway to North Stradbroke Island. I went there at the invitation of Sibelco—the longest continuous sandmining company in Queensland. We went over there with the federal member for Bowman, Andrew Laming, to have a look at the whole process of sandmining with Sibelco. We suited up in hard hats, fluoros and protective goggles. We went from north to south, all over North Stradbroke Island, looking at the whole mining enterprise that Sibelco is involved in. It was a great trip. It was very informative. It was an absolute pleasure to see. What impressed me was that it was a very tight and well-run enterprise. As a business, it runs well. It has great economic benefits for the people of Stradbroke and the wider Redlands and also Queensland as a whole. Sibelco employs 270 staff. Fifty per cent of those staff are Stradbroke locals. Of that 50 per cent of Stradbroke locals, 30 per cent are Indigenous people who live on Stradbroke Island who are employed by the mine in sandmining services. Of the other 50 per cent, 14 people from my electorate, the electorate of Capalaba, are employed at the sandmine. On top of that, there is wider employment in the electorate of Capalaba in support services to the mine. There would probably be many hundreds of people involved in supporting the mine and its services. One of the other things the mine provides is $5 million worth of royalties to the state of Queensland. $5 million, particularly in these times, is very important. Over the last 10 years the mine has contributed over $1 million to community projects on Stradbroke Island. While the economics are very important, one of the things that really impressed me about the mine was the environmental outcomes of mining. I am not from the mining industry, but if you listen to many of the commentators, particularly those who are against sandmining on Stradbroke Island, you would think that sandminers were ogres driving around in four-wheel drives with a 30/30 shooting koalas from the trees and that they did not have any environmental credentials at all, but nothing could be further from the truth. Travelling with Sibelco and seeing the work it does, I was very impressed with the environmental commitment that Sibelco has in rehabilitating the land it sandmines. We had the absolute privilege of looking at many of Sibelco’s rehabilitated leases. Every year Sibelco is involved in rehabilitating over 75 hectares. It is looking at increasing that rehabilitation to over 150 hectares per year. Sibelco plants over 140,000 trees. Sibelco has one of the largest Indigenous native flora nurseries in Australia on Stradbroke Island. Literally thousands and thousands of native tree seeds are collected and planted onto old sandmining leases to rehabilitate the property. So successful is this sandmining rehabilitation venture that during the last election campaign former Premier Anna Bligh went over to Stradbroke Island—to garner some green support, I imagine—and stood in the middle of what she thought was a pristine piece of forestry and said, ‘What a wonderful piece of pristine forest that is untouched by sandmining. This is what we want to protect.’ In fact, 30 years prior that was a sandmine. It was land which Sibelco had reforested. In another tragedy from the green ideology, the local school asked for some sand for their sandpit. Sibelco could not provide it; it was not allowed to. It had to import one tonne of sand from Byron Bay and bring it across in the barge so the kiddies could have a place to play because the green ideology would not allow them to put less than a yard of sand into a sandpit for kids. I want to commend the great work of Sibelco in providing jobs with an environmental outcome. I think it is a great example of how mining and the environment can work together. Beattie-Bligh Labor Governments Mr PUCCI (Logan—LNP) (11.52 am): Semper fidelis—always faithful. In my Marine Corps days, that meant faithfulness to those you are serving. It was trust between you and the people who count on you. Today I rise in the House to talk about the lack of trust and the lack of faith the previous Labor government had in the people of Queensland. The opposition in the House today would have us believe that every problem the Queensland state has is a problem caused by a former conservative government. As the Premier said, they seem to have collective amnesia. There has never been any government that could compare to the 20 years of the bad ole Labor government. Thank goodness the voters of Queensland saw this lack of faith given to them by previous Labor governments and have now given the Newman team the opportunity to repair the waste, the ineptitude, the scandals and the arrogance of the bad ole Labor government. Let us talk about these bad ole days which have seen the cost of living spiral out of control. Where should I start? How about the 31 per cent increase in tolls on the Gateway and Logan motorways? Then there are the three compounded 15 per cent increases that saw public transport fares increase by 50 per cent. Let us not forget the 24 per cent increase in vehicle registration or the doubling of driver’s licence fees. And everyone felt it when the bad ole Labor government scrapped the fuel subsidy, adding an extra 9.2c per litre to the price of fuel for already struggling families. 11 Sep 2012 Matters of Public Interest 1797

Let us talk about the bad ole days where trust was breached time and time again. In the bad ole days of the Labor government, how many promises to the public were broken? We had the promise that privatisation of electricity would not cause electricity prices to rise. Instead, under the bad ole days of the Labor government they increased by $700 per year for the average family. How about the fact that $15 billion of assets were sold and yet in the bad ole days under Beattie and Bligh Labor racked up four times as much in debt—$65 billion and rising, leaving nothing to show for it except an increase in the cost of living. Another broken promise was about not removing the fuel subsidy which I mentioned earlier. Let us not forget the promised cyclone shelters after Cyclone Larry in 2006. I have talked with my far northern brothers and they have told me how the people in their areas suffered in 2011 when they were hit by Cyclone Yasi and no shelters had still been built. In the bad ole days of the Bligh-Beattie government, how many cost blow-outs and bungled inept decisions were made? They spent $600 million on a dam that had not even been approved. They spent $2 billion to build a desalination plant only for it to sit unused. They spent $450 million on the Northern Pipeline Interconnector, otherwise known as the pipeline to nowhere. Do not forget the decision to buy a train without seats. If we talk about bungles, look at the decision to run a new health payroll system before it was ready, leaving a cost of over $1.2 billion to fix and maintain, causing ongoing financial and emotional distress to thousands of health workers. Then there is the lack of accountability. There were no checks and balances in place, thus allowing a fake Tahitian prince to embezzle $16 million in taxpayers’ funds from the health department. The bad ole days of the Bligh Labor government included forced amalgamations of councils. The lack of consultation highlighted the arrogance of a tired, bad ole government. It had no plan to tackle debt and this led to the loss of our AAA credit rating. Over the past 20 years of the bad ole Labor government what has it given us? It has given us a train without seats, dams without pipes, pipes without dams, nurses without pay and a Tahitian prince that took $16 million from the Queensland people. Next time you hear one of the opposition members talk about the bad ole days, I urge Queenslanders to remember the bad ole days—the 20 years of the Beattie-Bligh government, the real bad ole days for Queensland. But now there is a new dawn and a new sheriff in town. The Newman government has a plan and is already giving Queenslanders help with cost-of-living issues. We have increased the payroll tax exemption threshold. We froze tariff 11 electricity prices. We are providing free rides on buses after nine trips, and that was all in the first six months. Unlike the previous Labor government, the Newman government is delivering cost-of-living relief and red-tape reduction for thousands of families and businesses across Queensland. We are growing a strong four-pillar economy, righting the ship and sailing it into the fair winds and following seas for all future Queenslanders, and I say we remain semper fidelis. Agricultural Colleges Mr MULHERIN (Mackay—ALP) (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (11.57 am): Agricultural Minister McVeigh’s humiliating backdown on threats to close agricultural colleges last week shows the shallowness of his claims about the viability of the Australian Agricultural College Corporation campuses. It is pleasing that the minister has finally seen the light and has acknowledged how important the colleges are to regional Queensland and the future of the agricultural sector in Queensland. I am also pleased the minister has recognised the depth of community opposition to the closure the minister planned and that the reform started when I was agricultural minister has been working. There was never any logic to the minister’s plans to abandon the bush by closing the colleges—just an ideological determination by the dries in the LNP to slash and burn front-line jobs, services and facilities. The Ernst & Young report which Minister McVeigh originally used as the reason to close agricultural college campuses actually showed the reforms process started by the former government was working. The report clearly stated the reform process was working and needed more time for the reforms to effectively roll out across the state. In particular, the report acknowledged the expansion of delivery sites from five to 14 which we introduced as part of our reform process was an effective way to deliver relevant agricultural training to more young Queenslanders in a modern setting where the majority of young people attending ag colleges no longer require on-campus training. As industry recognised when we began the reform process, the way in which agricultural training should be delivered and the needs of the industry have changed immensely over the last 50 years. The report also acknowledged that the new delivery sites of Mareeba and Mackay are working and that more time should be allowed to let our reform processes roll out over the rest of Queensland. It is obvious that Minister McVeigh has crumbled under community opposition to the closure of the Emerald and Longreach campuses. Travelling through Western Queensland last week, I found that local councils were horrified that the LNP government was even considering closing one of the agricultural college campuses. I think the member for Gregory, Vaughan Johnson, would have been particularly vocal in explaining to Minister 1798 Matters of Public Interest 11 Sep 2012

McVeigh just how unpopular closing an agricultural college campus in the bush would be. In stark contrast to all other LNP members who do not stand up for their local communities, I am sure the member for Gregory would have made his views known in his usual forthright manner, helping the minister eventually see the sense of keeping both the Longreach and Emerald colleges open. The idea to move the responsibility for the agricultural colleges under the Department of Education, Training and Employment is also a crazy idea by the LNP. Historically, TAFE training has focused on civil, mechanical and electrical trades. The responsibility for the agricultural colleges should be left with the agricultural department, which has the industry knowledge and understanding. Minister McVeigh’s plans to introduce local boards for each agricultural college was part of the reform process— Honourable members interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Berry): Order! There are far too many interjections. Mr MULHERIN: Minister McVeigh’s plans to introduce local boards for each agricultural college campus was part of the reform process we started, with local advisory boards being established at Emerald and Longreach campuses under the previous government. Today’s state budget must include funding to a level that unequivocally guarantees the long-term future of all of the AACC campuses. Unless such funding is provided in the budget, our rural sector and those who want to make their future in it simply cannot believe the LNP’s claims that it views agriculture as one of the pillars of the Queensland economy. The fact that the closure of campuses was even being considered by the Newman government shows how little regard this government has for rural and regional Queensland. The Premier continues to fuss over plans for a new executive building in the Brisbane CBD for himself and his ministers but does not think twice about withdrawing jobs, services and facilities from rural and regional Queensland. The Brisbane-centric Newman government simply does not care about the bush and the future of rural and regional centres. Agriculture is worth $14 billion to the Queensland economy. The agricultural sector creates one in eight jobs in regional Queensland. Regional Queensland is built on agriculture and there is a real need to upskill the sector. Government needs to work with the industry to develop future workforce plans for the long term of the agriculture sector. Industry needs to embrace the models of the colleges and what they have to offer to the future of the agricultural sector in Queensland. Type 2 Diabetes Mr HOLSWICH (Pine Rivers—LNP) (12.02 pm): Recently, over 12 weeks I had the opportunity to participate in the 612 ABC Brisbane Swap It challenge. The Swap It challenge is an initiative of Diabetes Queensland, the Heart Foundation, Cancer Council of Queensland and Nutrition Australia. It encourages people to trim their waistlines, not necessarily by rigorous exercise and fitness regimes but, rather, through swapping everyday activities for something a bit healthier. I undertook the challenge because I was acutely aware that my waistline measurements put me well into the overweight category and significantly increased my risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. For men, a waistline over 94 centimetres puts them at increased risk and, for women, a waistline over 80 centimetres increases their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Statistics show that a waistline over these measurements means that a person is three times more likely to develop diabetes. An inactive lifestyle also increases the risk, and then the older you get, the more at risk people become. For those like myself who are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, lifestyle changes to decrease their risk are relatively simple. Swapping large meal portions for smaller portions, resisting the sometimes overwhelming urge to eat seconds, getting off the bus one stop earlier and walking the extra distance and taking the stairs instead of the lift are all small steps that can easily be implemented into even the busiest life to decrease the risks. I took up a number of those swaps as well as others, and I am pleased to say that, at the end of the 12-week challenge, I had lost seven centimetres off my waist. Honourable members: Well done! Mr HOLSWICH: I was quite pleased. I have got a fair way to go, though, to be out of the high-risk category, but it is certainly a good start. The reality of diabetes became even more real for me in the middle of the 12-week challenge when my then pregnant wife was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Throughout her pregnancy she had to undertake the regimen of multiple daily injections of insulin, multiple daily blood tests and a complete overhaul of her diet and lifestyle. Whilst gestational diabetes generally goes away once the baby is born, it now means that my wife has up to a 50 per cent chance of developing type 2 diabetes in the 15 years after her pregnancy. It also means that our newborn son, Samuel, is at a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes during his lifetime. Type 2 diabetes is a serious, but preventable, disease and once you have it, there is no cure. Whilst diabetes itself may be a manageable condition, if undiagnosed or poorly managed, it can also lead to other serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, blindness or kidney failure. The statistics around type 2 diabetes are absolutely staggering. It is a preventable condition, however more 11 Sep 2012 Matters of Public Interest 1799 people in Queensland die from diabetes and its complications each year than from breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. More than 300,000 Queenslanders have diabetes and it is estimated another 300,000 could have it and not be aware of it. Aborigines or Torres Strait Islanders are three times more likely to have type 2 diabetes than non-Indigenous Australians. Type 2 diabetes is also increasingly being diagnosed in children. Diabetes Queensland estimates that the total cost of the disease in Queensland in 2008 was $6.9 billion. This is obviously a significant drain on our health system and it is anticipated that this annual cost will continue to rise in coming years as type 2 diabetes becomes more prevalent in our community. A $6.9 billion price tag for a preventable disease is something that needs to be addressed, and I applaud Diabetes Queensland for the Swap It campaign and for their efforts to raise awareness of the diabetes problem. Having now had the reality of this disease brought very close to home during my wife’s pregnancy and realising the increased risks my family and I have of developing type 2 diabetes into the future, I have committed myself to continuing the habits I formed during the 12-week challenge and to spreading the message that this disease and its complications are preventable with early intervention. I would encourage everyone in this parliament and everyone in my electorate of Pine Rivers who fall into one of the high-risk categories to, firstly, assess their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by using the risk assessment tool on the Diabetes Queensland website, which is www.diabetesqld.org.au, and then to take action to reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by watching their weight, eating healthy food and maintaining a physically active lifestyle. This disease, and its impacts on individuals’ lives and our health system, is avoidable if we all take the appropriate steps. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Berry): Order! Before I call the Manager of Opposition Business, I wish to acknowledge the Kenilworth State Community College who have as their member Peter Wellington. Welcome, students. Public Service, Jobs Mr PITT (Mulgrave—ALP) (12.07 pm): At 2.30 pm we will hear the Treasurer hand down a budget that breaks thousands of promises. If the Treasurer confirms the sacking of 14,000 government workers, this budget will start with the breaking of 14,000 promises. The LNP’s now almost entirely discredited election policy called ‘A Public Service to Serve Queensland’ states— ... an LNP government will protect and revitalise front line service roles ... When asked why this government has sacked 45 nurses in the Townsville Health District, the Premier tried to pretend that he never made this commitment, saying, ‘We promised not to cut frontline services, and we’re not cutting frontline services.’ Whether they call them ‘roles’ or ‘services’, the clear reality is that this government has sacked front-line staff. If nurses are not considered front line by this Premier, then quite frankly I do not know who is. If this is his idea of revitalising front-line services, heaven help us if he decides to go on the attack. This leads to the question of why this government has broken their promise to protect front-line staff, a question on which this government has been very evasive as they continue to make up their slash and burn political narrative as they go. In two separate Questions on Notice numbered 431 and 476—one to the Premier and the other to the Treasurer—we put the question to this government of whether their cuts to front-line services were to fund election promises. Both the Premier and the Treasurer failed to deny that cuts to front-line services are funding election commitments. This is because the LNP’s three per cent employee expense cap was never going to work without either cuts to front-line staff or cuts to wages for government workers. The Premier and Treasurer knew this before the election, but they hid this from Queenslanders. If the Treasurer reveals that debt has reached anywhere near that projected by Treasury for the previous government, it will be further proof that the LNP’s cuts are to fund election promises, not to pay down debt. We have already heard the Premier tell ABC Radio on 16 August— ... the overall debt position that we’re presenting is no different to the government that’s just left. He went further to say— ... these are the Labor Party’s figures—that the debt would go to $85 billion by the 2014-15 financial year. And guess what? It will. Even though we’re making these cuts, it will. Last week we heard the Premier laugh on radio when speculating about the number of jobs he would cut, and yesterday he said that he is ‘excited’ about the budget. These are statements from the same Premier who said that the budget was finished two weeks ago. And detail provided to the opposition in a separate answer to a question on notice outlines how the Premier has known since 11 July that he would not need to cut 20,000 jobs. But he continued to cruelly string Queenslanders along. This political campaign of avoiding responsibility for job cuts has permanently damaged Queensland’s economy and destroyed lives. Galaxy polling has shown that 49 per cent of people in small to medium sized businesses are worried about their jobs over the next 12 months. Queensland has also recorded the largest fall in consumer sentiment, directly attributed to today’s budget, as measured by the Westpac Melbourne Institute. 1800 Matters of Public Interest 11 Sep 2012

Last week we saw the release of the ABS national accounts, which detailed that Queensland has maintained a state final demand well ahead of the nation in the year to June. This is economic growth that has been locked in by Labor. So why are so many people fearful for their jobs in Queensland when our economy is still outpacing the country? The reason is this LNP government and its ideological obsession with talking down Queensland and making reckless cuts. Thanks to this government we now have a trend unemployment rate just 0.1 per cent below the peak it hit during the global financial crisis. There are now 7,340 more Queenslanders unemployed than in March, as measured by the ABS. The restoration of the AAA credit rating is something Labor had a managed and sustainable plan to achieve by allowing LNG royalties to flow through to the bottom line following generational infrastructure investment—not a plan like this LNP government, which has already cost the budget more in forgone tax revenue through cuts to Skilling Queenslanders for Work than it would save in interest costs through having a AAA credit rating. This is the same LNP government that promised relief on the cost of living but underfunded its promise on electricity prices by $160 million per year. The mean and tricky actions of this government to date indicate that this budget will be historical, as outlined by the Premier, but it will be historical for all the wrong reasons.

QR National

Mr JOHNSON (Gregory—LNP) (12.12 pm): I rise to speak about a document that was brought to my attention this morning in relation to QR National’s rate review for 2012-13. The rates for the northern corridor—from Brisbane to Gladstone, Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns—will be increased by 2.71 per cent. For the interstate corridors—between Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth—the increase will be 2.86 per cent. And listen to this one: the rates for the remaining Queensland locations will increase by 4.25 per cent. That is all the western lines: Townsville to Mount Isa, Rockhampton to Winton and Brisbane to Quilpie-Cunnamulla. This is another slap in the face by QR National. It is part of the ongoing fallout from the former Labor regime that sold out QR. QR National has now taken over and, as a corporate entity, is running this operation which still has a fair shareholding by the Queensland government. Mr Pitt interjected. Mr JOHNSON: The member for Mulgrave can interject all he likes, but he knows the situation. The situation is that the Queensland government is currently paying QR National $140 million a year to maintain those services and meet the community service obligations relating to the routes in question. Mr Pitt interjected. Mr JOHNSON: The member can laugh all he likes, but I will stand here for a week and tell him where he is wrong. The situation is that those lines—from the north-west minerals province to Mount Isa, through Longreach into Winton and also to Quilpie and Cunnamulla in the south-west—are carrying the bulk of our resources on a daily basis. It is the value-adding benefits of those resources that are creating jobs on the eastern seaboard. The reason we have 10,200 kilometres of railway track in Queensland is that they were laid in the early part of the last century for the conveyance of goods to the coast. The letter from QR National goes on to state— Please note that the new rate schedule is exclusive of GST, fuel and carbon surcharges. Fuel charges will continue to be reviewed and emailed each month. This is another slap in the face to the bush. We have not seen cattle trains run out of Winton for most of this year. They have just recently got going. They would not have been running but for the fact that an LNP government came to power and rectified the problem with the Darr River bridge. On a daily basis we see QR National paying lip-service to the people of rural and regional inland Queensland. Every beast that is carried out of the south-west, central west and north-west is creating three jobs in the south-east every day. When you consider that about 6,000 head of cattle are processed at JBS Swift at Dinmore, Teys Bros at Beenleigh and other operations, that represents the guts of probably 20,000 jobs a day. QR National, which is subsidised by this government, should be providing that service. What are we doing? We are adding a bit more tax to people who are already doing it tough in the bush. Mr Choat: They are cutting their first-aid programs as well. Mr JOHNSON: I take the interjection from the member for Ipswich West. I call on the management of QR National to show some leadership, compassion and understanding to the people who generate the real dollars in this state—that is, the people of the inland. People should get a hold of the Chaney report from Western Australia to see precisely how regional and remote areas are suffering because what is going on in those areas and the dollars that are being generated there are not recognised. QR National should take heed. 11 Sep 2012 Matters of Public Interest 1801

Queensland Health, Jobs Mrs MILLER (Bundamba—ALP) (12.17 pm): The people of Queensland are very angry and confused by the contradictory statements of the Minister for Health, also known as ‘Foghorn Leghorn’, regarding the direction of this LNP government in relation to our health system. Health workers are fearful of losing their jobs. The definitions of who is a front-line worker and what is a front-line service seem to change from week to week and day to day. The promise of additional funding is a blatant untruth, as regional and metropolitan hospital and health service boards are now planning further staff cuts. The minister needs to make clear who is going to lose their jobs and when. He needs to be honest about which health services he says we can no longer afford. It is not good enough for him to say that he takes ‘full responsibility’ for job cuts but then hide behind the local boards he has created when it comes to service cuts. You cannot remove 2,754 full-time equivalent positions from our health system without adversely impacting services and patient care. It is impossible. Dr Alex Markwell, president of the AMA, states— There is no way that patient service ... will not be affected— as a result of these cuts. These job cuts are on top of the sackings in June of 3,000 health workers in rolling temporary and casual positions. With the cuts to grant funded community health projects and programs, it is clear that more than 7,000 individual health workers will lose their jobs in the first year of this Newman LNP government. These are real people losing real health jobs. I would like to remind the minister that the LNP said as part of its election mantra— An LNP Government will also commit to no forced redundancies. Restructuring will be managed through natural attrition, career advancement and training opportunities. Well, the pigs are flying all over Queensland today! No-one believes the LNP anymore and no- one trusts the LNP anymore. Whilst this government has promised more resources for front-line services, in Health this appears to be very narrowly focused on sensitive indicators like emergency department waiting times and elective surgery waiting lists. All other Queensland services, even in hospitals, appear now to be no longer front line, and we heard that this morning because the Premier did not have a clue what the difference is between front-line jobs and front-line services. He did not know what he was talking about because he did not know that the tuberculosis service is a front-line service. Because what have they done? They have dismantled it! Of course the minister needs to understand that front-line services are very important, and he obviously did not listen when he was younger to the saying that prevention is better than cure. I also table for the benefit of the House the media release from the AMAQ in relation to what is happening in Queensland today. Tabled paper: Media release, dated 7 September 2012, by the Australian Medical Association Queensland Branch titled ‘Doctors, health workers unite to battle Qld health cuts’ [952]. The health minister claims that he is increasing the Health budget by $800 million. Oh, yeah? The people of Queensland do not believe it, because he is sacking thousands of health workers. He claims that the forecast growth for this year in the Health budget is new money. No-one believes the minister, no-one believes the LNP government anymore and no-one trusts this LNP government. As I said, in Queensland Health many of the health workers are now calling those opposite the ‘DLNP government’. Do members know what that stands for? The ‘decapitation LNP government’, because they have decapitated public servants, they are decapitating jobs, they are decapitating services and they are decapitating lifestyles. For every LNP member of parliament known as ‘MP’, from this day onwards you will be known as ‘MA’. Why? Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Berry): Member for Bundamba, could you please direct your comments through the chair. Mrs MILLER: Thank you very much for your advice, Mr Deputy Speaker. So every LNP MP will now be known as ‘MAs’. They will be known as ‘morgue attendants’ because they have got rid of so many services. This will be a one-term ‘DLNP government’. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: The member’s time has expired. Mrs Miller: Make them one term only— Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I call the member for Everton. September 11 Memorial Rugby League Game; Bridge to Brisbane Mr MANDER (Everton—LNP) (12.22 pm): Thanks, Mr Deputy Speaker— Mrs Miller:—because that is all they need and all they deserve. Mr MANDER: It is always great to follow the member— Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Berry): Sorry, member for Everton, but can you sit down for a minute? Mr MANDER: Sure. 1802 Matters of Public Interest 11 Sep 2012

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Bundamba, I had indicated that the time had expired. You cannot keep talking after the Deputy Speaker has said that the time has expired. You are on a warning, as you know. I call the member for Everton. Mr MANDER: Today is the 11th anniversary of one of the most horrendous terrorist acts ever perpetrated against a nation. Of course, I refer to the September 11 attacks in 2001 against the United States of America. Although it was an attack against America, it was an attack against humanity in general. Everyone remembers that fateful day. Who can forget watching the television screens that night and morning and watching live aeroplanes flying into buildings? It is a moment that will stay in my memory for the rest of my life, as it will for many others right across the world. Many lives were lost as a direct result of that plane attack. Around 2,500 people in the buildings were killed or missing. Of course September 11 is also synonymous with remembering those who lost their lives in the attempted rescue. Who can forget the bravery and the courage of the New York police department and the New York firefighters? In fact, 343 firefighters lost their lives that day and over the next couple of days and 23 members of the New York police department lost their lives. There is a great amount of camaraderie enjoyed by police and firefighters right around the world, and that was probably made even stronger by the events that occurred 11 years ago. That brings us to our own city and our own state, because the Queensland police and the Queensland fire service have decided to commemorate that horrific event by staging an annual rugby league challenge to raise funds for charities that are very close to their hearts and also as an act of camaraderie with their colleagues who were lost 11 years ago. Of course this annual football game is a rugby league game—the toughest game of all, a game so close to the hearts of many Queenslanders. For the last two years I have had the privilege of refereeing this football game, and this game was again played on Sunday between the Queensland Police Service and the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service at Kougari Oval at Wynnum Manly. Members may think that there is a lot of passion involved with State of Origin football, but I tell you what: these two teams fighting against each other—playing against each other; maybe fighting occasionally—really match that State of Origin passion and ferocity. The game last year was won by the firies, and I must admit that they caught me by surprise last year because I thought I was going to a nice social game and after about five minutes I realised that these two sides were very serious and played the game with great passion and ferocity. This year the police got their revenge and won the game. Again, it was a great game in front of a couple of thousand people at Kougari Oval. The local member, Mr Symes, was there. It was great to see him there, as it was the commissioners from both the police department and the fire service. I want to thank Cameron Mackenzie, the firefighter who has organised this event and will continue to organise it into the future. It is a great event and it is a great part of the calendar for both the Queensland Police Service and the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service. It was funny how Mr Mackenzie approached me: he saw me during the election campaign running along the main roads of Everton in my ‘Mander for Everton’ singlet and realised that I was still fit and active and rang me up to see if I would be interested in refereeing the game, and of course I was. I just digress for a moment to mention that it was also a privilege to run in the Bridge to Brisbane last weekend with the Premier and the Minister for Local Government, Mr Crisafulli. I am embarrassed to say that they smacked me well and truly, with the Premier and the minister running sub 45 minutes, and I was just a little bit behind them. Our team was 35th out of 570 teams that competed last weekend. So thank you again to firefighter Cameron Mackenzie. Thank you to members of the Queensland Police Service and Queensland Fire and Rescue Service who put their lives on the line every week. I also want to thank the police and firefighters in my electorate—the police stations at Albany Creek, Ferny Grove and Stafford and the firies at Eatons Hill and Arana Hills. We will be forever grateful for the fact that you risk your lives every day for the protection and benefit of the citizens of this great state.

Mount Emerald Wind Farm Mr KNUTH (Dalrymple—KAP) (12.27 pm): I want to raise the growing sense of frustration surrounding the development of the Mount Emerald wind farm on the Atherton Tablelands. Since it was announced the developers, Port Bajool and Thai based RATCH-Australia Corporation, have been dismissive of concerns raised by neighbouring residents of the negative health, environmental, economic and social impacts of such a large scale development in the middle of lifestyle properties and prime agricultural land. Proponents of the development, which include the member for Cook, have called the growing mountain of evidence into the health impacts of low-frequency noise pollution and infrasound unsubstantiated. This is despite the fact that infrasound and low-frequency noise pollution formed the basis of the 2011 Senate inquiry into wind farms and recommendations for greater controls of the wind industry and have also motivated other states such as Victoria to introduce a buffer zone for wind farms. The member for Cook has been quoted as saying that ‘these health claims have no evidential backing at all’ and indicated that the developers should not have to accommodate ‘unsubstantiated health claims’. The member for Cook also said that $500 million will be injected back into the tablelands 11 Sep 2012 Matters of Public Interest 1803 economy. However, this is rubbish, as significant contributions to this development come from federal government grants for clean energy which will not stay with the local economy but will be taken offshore by a large multinational company and all turbines will be shipped from overseas while taxpayers subsidise this development year in, year out. The member for Cook needs to stand up for his electorate against his government’s jobs cutting and the removal of the $8 million in funding for the upgrade of the Mareeba Airport, which is vitally important for the sustainability of the region, rather than express opinions in my electorate while avoiding affected wind farm residents like the plague. The proponents of the wind farm brag that over 100 local jobs will be created for the community. However, apart from construction, the only long-term employment opportunities will be possibly five jobs required for the maintenance of these turbines while up to 600 farming jobs remain in jeopardy. As part of its application, RATCH was required to include an aeronautical assessment of the impact of wind farm turbines. The report advised that low-flying operations such as aerial spreading and spraying operations will be affected on the downward side of the turbines over adjoining properties that are sited downwind from the turbines. The proprietor of Tableland Air Services, Mark McDonald, concluded from the report that he will have to risk flying in dangerous conditions to keep his business open. I table the report, titled Mount Emerald Wind Farm aeronautical assessment for Transfield Services, dated September 2011. Tabled paper: Report by Rehbein Airport Consulting dated 26 September 2011, titled ‘Mount Emerald Wind farm Aeronautical Assessment for Transfield Services (Australia) Pty Ltd’ [953]. Considering that agricultural production within the reported zone makes up 60 per cent of Tableland Air Services customers who use aerial spraying and up to $80 million in production from farming, which includes one of the largest banana farms in North Queensland, the potential economic impact far outweighs the real economic benefits of this wind farm. In June this year, the Tablelands Regional Council submitted an altered temporary planning instrument, requesting greater control over the development. This temporary planning instrument replaces the 2004 Mareeba shire TPI. It has been sitting on the desk of the Deputy Premier and without a response for over two months. If there is no response by 8 October, residents will be given no protection from the adverse economic, social, health and environmental effects of this wind farm. Residents are not against clean energy. In fact, many tablelanders, not just affected residents, have asked why this development is going ahead over the Tully-Millstream hydro-electric power plant, which would produce eight times the amount of electricity, provide long-term real employment, revitalise the town of Ravenshoe and have limited environmental impacts when compared with the Mount Emerald wind farm. The proponents attempt to distort the truth by claiming that there is no opposition to the project. I table 32 media documents issued over the past 14 months relating to this issue. One states, ‘Walkamin wind farm protesters warned just to keep your distance.’ Another says, ‘Council to shut down turbines on Windy Hill because of problems.’ Another says, ‘Government funding of $560 million going overseas.’ Another says, ‘Farmers furious about wind farm restrictions on spraying.’ Another says, ‘Tableland wind farm plan generates ire of farmers.’ Another says, ‘Opposition to wind farm debate whips up.’ And another says, ‘Atherton Tableland wind farm meeting blows hot.’ Tabled paper: Bundle of documents relating to wind farm objections and concerns [954]. I call on the minister to sign off on this temporary planning instrument and I also ask that the Tully- Millstream hydro-electric project be investigated as a viable alternative for clean energy on the tablelands.

Queensland Teachers Union, McNamara, Ms F Mr RUTHENBERG (Kallangur—LNP) (12.32 pm): On Thursday afternoon, 30 August, at around 3.30 pm teachers from schools in and around the electorate of Kallangur gathered in a demonstration near my electorate office. It is my understanding that these teachers were demonstrating against me personally for my apparent unwillingness to meet with teachers in my electorate. The teachers, led by the Queensland Teachers Union organiser for Brisbane north, at times chanted, ‘Rev Trev, he’s a disgrace.’ I am informed that they were telling people passing by that they were demonstrating because I refused to meet with teachers. That is a load of codswallop. It is absolute hogwash. It is not only untrue but it is quite disingenuous, misleading and untruthful of the union, and in particular this union official, to tell its members that I refused to meet with teachers and QTU members. However, I should not be surprised, as this particular union official has runs on the board when it comes to disregarding the truth. This display of dishonesty and disregard for the truth is simply more of the same from her. On 1 August in this place I gave a speech regarding false evidence before parliament. In that speech I said— But there is one thing that we all truly own that when you give it you can never get it back—and it is called your word. When you speak your word you can never take it back. When you speak your word it comes from you and no-one else can give it. But if your word is not given with integrity, how can people trust you? 1804 Guardianship and Administration and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 11 Sep 2012

This union official’s word cannot be trusted as her word has no integrity. This union official knew that I had met with teachers and represented their concerns to the minister. She knew that, because I told her that in a letter dated 7 August 2012. I table that letter now for the benefit of the House. Tabled paper: Letter, dated 7 August 2012, from Mr Trevor Ruthenberg MP, member for Kallangur, to Ms Fiona McNamara, Queensland Teachers Union, regarding the concerns of union members in the Kallangur electorate [955]. This union official then proceeded to inform teachers and QTU representatives in schools—and I quote from an email that I received from one of these officials— ... despite a recent request for a meeting regarding EB7—Trevor Ruthenberg the LNP member for Kallangur has declined to meet with a small group of teachers to discuss the current negotiation. He appears to believe he does not need to meet with teachers who are his local constituents. This is an extremely disappointing decision. In my letter to this union official I stated— Since my election as an MP, I have met with principles and many of the staff of all of the schools in the electorate. I have met with some teachers as a group. One union representative and two other teachers have requested that I voice their concerns about the EB7 negotiations to the Premier and Hon Minister John Paul Langbroek. I have written to both of these people for them. There have been numerous emails from teachers in the electorate—which have all been forwarded to Ministers or answered directly. I can inform the House that even after I wrote the letters to the minister I took many phone calls from teachers and spoke with them all if they lived in my electorate, even if I had to return their calls. I also spoke with the nearest principal representative for the QTU. For this union official to then suggest that I was unwilling to meet with teachers is simply wrong. To suggest I think I do not need to meet with teachers is wrong. This union official lacks integrity and she has shown that her word cannot be trusted. She took advantage of the good faith placed in her by the union members, who trusted her but who were deceived by her. For the record, my wife is a teacher. In a letter to the Minister for Education, dated 28 June 2012, I expressed to the minister the concerns of the teachers and QTU teacher representatives as best I could without bias, fear or favour, as I had explained to the union official. The QTU needs to offer a public apology to the teachers in north Brisbane for deceiving their membership. Further, the QTU needs to discipline this union official for her blatant disregard for the truth, just like a teacher would discipline a child who caused serious mischief. I said this union official had runs on the board when it came to twisting the truth to suit her own purposes. This union official was a campaign manager for the Labor Party in Ashgrove during the last state election and oversaw the disgusting display of untruths brought against the Premier and his wife. I understand that this person is now the endorsed candidate for the Labor Party for the federal seat of Brisbane. This person is Fiona McNamara and after twice contesting the seat of Dickson and losing, thankfully, she now has her eyes set on the federal seat of Brisbane. I warn the people living in that electorate to think very carefully before they consider this candidate. This person has shown over a period of time and in several different settings, first during the state election and now as a QTU official, that truth is a casualty in her naked political ambition and that she cannot be trusted to act with any sort of integrity.

GUARDIANSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL

Introduction Hon. JP BLEIJIE (Kawana—LNP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) (12.37 pm): I present a bill for an act to amend the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000, the Electoral Act 1992, the Electrical Safety Act 2002, the Legal Profession Act 2007, the Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994, the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2009, the Trustee Companies Act 1968 and the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 for particular purposes, and to make minor and consequential amendments of the acts mentioned in the schedule. I table the bill and the explanatory notes. Tabled paper: Guardianship and Administration and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 [956]. Tabled paper: Guardianship and Administration and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012, explanatory notes [957]. I am pleased to introduce the Guardianship and Administration and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012. The bill amends the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000, the Electoral Act 1992, the Electrical Safety Act 2002, the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2009, the Trustee Companies Act 1968 as well as making consequential amendments to the Legal Profession Act 2007, the Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994 and the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. The amendments in this bill contribute towards this government’s pledge to the people of Queensland to implement cost savings measures and improve efficiency and accountability in the systems and practices in government. The amendments to the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000—the guardianship act—will deliver on the government’s election commitment regarding the 11 Sep 2012 Guardianship and Administration and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 1805 independence of the Public Advocate. Strengthening the independence of the Public Advocate will lead to an improvement in the way government and non-government services are being delivered to vulnerable Queenslanders. The Public Advocate’s key role is to make recommendations to government about improving systems, policy and programs to better meet the needs of adults with impaired capacity and to ensure their voices are heard. The Public Advocate’s role and independence will be strengthened by providing the Public Advocate with two additional powers so that the Public Advocate is able to more effectively perform the systems advocacy functions. Amendments included in the bill will allow the Public Advocate to access information or documents that the Public Advocate currently does not have access to so that the Public Advocate may be better informed when undertaking the systems advocacy function. The Public Advocate will be given a right to access information or documents from persons, such as policies or procedures of a service or agency; statistical information kept by an agency; or personal information about an adult with impaired capacity. The bill includes provisions that protect the confidentiality of any personal information obtained by the Public Advocate under this new power. Also, if a person does not comply with the Public Advocate’s request for information, the person may be liable to a maximum penalty of $10,000. In addition, the bill also allows the Public Advocate to report at any time on systems issues and requires the Attorney-General, as the responsible minister, to table the report in parliament. This will ensure the Public Advocate can publicly raise at any time systemic issues which they have significant concerns about. People with impaired decision-making ability are among the most vulnerable members of our community and having a strong guardianship system with effective safeguard for adults who have impaired decision-making capacity is important. The bill improves on the current protections in the act by giving the Public Advocate the necessary powers to effectively carry out its systems advocacy functions. I am pleased that in Queensland we now have a full-time permanent Public Advocate in Jodie Cook, along with a permanent Adult Guardian in the appointment of Kevin Martin. It has been a long time since we have had permanency in these roles rather than acting arrangements. I am pleased that in the first five months of an LNP government we have appointed a full-time permanent Adult Guardian and a full-time permanent Public Advocate. We are getting on with the job of getting Queensland back on track. The amendments to the Electoral Act 1992 remove administrative funding for political parties and independent members which was introduced by the previous government in the Electoral Reform and Accountability Amendment Act 2011. As members on this side know, although the bill at the time had the word ‘accountability’ in it, there was no such accountability in that legislation. This change is estimated to save the government and all Queenslanders $3 million per annum. In order to ensure Queensland has a contemporary electoral system meeting the needs of the 21st century I will be releasing a green paper canvassing options for change. I will be encouraging Queenslanders to respond to the suggestions contained in the paper to ensure that our electoral laws serve the interests of a dynamic, democratic society. The bill also makes two amendments to the Electrical Safety Act 2002. Firstly, it will replace the Commissioner for Electrical Safety position with a chairperson role which is based on the model contained in the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. Secondly, the bill removes the nominated standing committee status of the Electrical Safety Education Committee and the Electrical Equipment Committee. The statutory role of Commissioner for Electrical Safety was created in 2002 to manage the transition into new electrical safety arrangements created under the Electrical Safety Act. The role also facilitated the work of the Electrical Safety Board and committees and acted in an advisory capacity to the minister. In the decade since the commencement of the Electrical Safety Act, the role and functions of the board and committees has been well integrated and the commissioner has overseen any necessary finetuning of the legislation resulting in a diminishing workload for the statutory commissioner position. The proposed amendment will see the duties of the commissioner continue to be undertaken by the new chairperson role on an as required basis. For example, management of board and committee activities would be undertaken on a per meeting basis. Similarly, the activities of the Electrical Safety Education Committee and the Electrical Equipment Committee may be continued under existing advisory committee provisions. Advisory committees may be established by the minister as and when required, providing flexibility regarding committee composition and meeting schedules to better meet variable workload requirements. These amendments will achieve substantial ongoing savings to government while not compromising safety outcomes. Further, the bill amends the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 to clarify the operation of earlier amendments to the act. Section 179C of the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 provides for the imposition of the offender levy. The offender levy is not intended to apply where the only offence committed involves a breach of bail. Section 179C(6) provides that the section does not apply to an offence under the Bail Act 1980 section 29. Consistent with this policy, the bill amends section 179C of the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 to exclude an offence for a breach of bail under section 33 of the Bail Act 1980 from the offender levy. 1806 Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) and Other Leg. A’ment Bill 11 Sep 2012

Other amendments in the bill, previously included in the lapsed Law Reform Bill 2011, will improve the operation of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal by allowing former judges who are senior or ordinary members to sit as judicial members on a broader range of matters and removing some restrictions on the exercise of stated powers. Finally, the bill includes amendments to the Trustee Companies Act 1968 in relation to the transfer of trustee company business to another trustee company and to the Public Trustee. These amendments contained in this bill further demonstrate the government’s commitment to getting Queensland back on track. On that note I commend the bill to the House. First Reading Hon. JP BLEIJIE (Kawana—LNP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) (12.45 pm): I move— That the bill be now read a first time. Question put—That the bill be now read a first time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a first time. Referral to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Berry): Order! In accordance with standing order 131, the bill is now referred to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee.

TRANSPORT OPERATIONS (PASSENGER TRANSPORT) AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL

Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) and Other Leg. A’ment Bill

Introduction Hon. SA EMERSON (Indooroopilly—LNP) (Minister for Transport and Main Roads) (12.46 pm): I present a bill for an act to repeal the Transport Operations (TransLink Transit Authority) Act 2008, to amend the Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994 and to make consequential or minor amendments of other acts mentioned in the schedule, for particular purposes. I table the bill and explanatory notes. I nominate the Transport, Housing and Local Government Committee to consider the bill. Tabled paper: Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 [958]. Tabled paper: Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012, explanatory notes [959]. I am pleased to present this bill which will dissolve TransLink as a statutory authority by repealing the TransLink act and allowing for the formal transfer of TransLink’s functions to the Department of Transport and Main Roads. This is a very important bill as it forms part of this government’s reform program aimed at returning prosperity, accountability and opportunity to Queensland. We need to lower the cost-of-living pressures on families by cutting waste, delivering better infrastructure and planning, revitalising front-line services and restoring accountability. This bill is aimed directly at achieving these actions and is about getting Queensland, its finances and its public transport back on track. Public transport service delivery across Queensland has been operating under two separate government bodies since 2008, doing essentially the same task but for different areas of the state. Dissolving TransLink as a statutory authority and making one division within the department, TransLink Division, accountable for passenger transport service delivery state-wide removes this wasteful duplication. It is a leap forward in restoring public confidence in public transport which was so heavily eroded under the previous Labor government. Under this approach, the department will be fully responsible for service delivery across various modes including urban buses, long-distance coaches, passenger rail, taxis, limousines, ferry and regional air services. Passenger transport users and the general community right across Queensland will benefit from this new delivery model aimed at eliminating duplication and waste and cutting red tape. Our operators across the state have also been impacted by this role duplication and inefficiency. For example, some operators provide services both inside and outside the South-East Queensland region and currently have to deal with two government bodies on different contracts. I can understand how this interface with multiple areas has led to frustration for these operators. The bill will benefit those operators by providing a single interface for any operator regardless of where they are in the state. Finding efficiencies in the state’s public transport network is imperative if we want to maintain the viability, affordability and sustainability of public transport services across 11 Sep 2012 Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) and Other Leg. A’ment Bill 1807

Queensland. This will also be critical if we want to improve the efficiency of networks regionally, particularly in key regional urban centres such as Townsville, Cairns and Mackay where the population is growing rapidly. All Queensland government transport services will be integrated for the first time under the TransLink banner. TransLink is a widely recognised brand here in South-East Queensland and is known for delivering high-quality services. While TransLink will no longer be a statutory authority as a result of this bill, its brand will continue and be expanded state-wide. All Queenslanders will benefit from having a single organisation for public transport related issues and this will be housed and transitioned under the TransLink brand. Integrating TransLink into the Department of Transport and Main Roads will improve service outcomes for public transport users and providers. Whether it is a regional bus operator dealing with the department, a taxidriver renewing their driver authorisation or a member of the public inquiring about an everyday service important to them, there will be one entity and that entity, again, will be accountable to Queenslanders. So what is my vision for the TransLink Division in the Department of Transport and Main Roads? It is simple: a real focus on service delivery with a five-year planning horizon, a strong customer focus and continual improvement in all aspects of public transport service delivery. I want to build on the positive initiatives delivered by the TransLink Transit Authority over the past few years to expand and improve service delivery state-wide. This bill includes amendments that will provide that level of accountability in government that Queenslanders expect and deserve. TransLink was tasked with investigating commercial opportunities to generate revenue and reduce the overall level of government subsidy required to deliver public transport. Every dollar counts, so it is important these commercial aspects continue to offset public transport costs wherever possible. Under the new centralised structure, the department will continue these activities and continue to seek out opportunities for generating revenue from the network. This approach will help to minimise the burden on the Queensland taxpayer and help achieve one of this government’s key objectives, addressing public transport affordability. The bill includes safeguards to provide certainty for operators, contracted parties and TransLink employees. These safeguards ensure that any rights or entitlements owed by TransLink are preserved on its dissolution and transferred to the state. The bill also makes minor administrative amendments to the Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994 to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of public passenger transport. Some key minor amendments include enhancing administrative processes for civil banning order applications and allowing transit officers to enforce offences at bus stops. The other amendments are administrative in nature. Civil banning orders were introduced in 2011 as a civil court based mechanism to deter troublemakers on the public transport network. I think I am safe to say that the original legislation was rushed and as a consequence we have seen some administrative issues emerge that impact on the deterrence value of those orders. Further amendments in the bill will assist our transit officers to deal with offenders at bus stops by broadening the meaning of public transport infrastructure to include bus stops. In conclusion, the Newman government is committed to the delivery of affordable, reliable and frequent public transport. This bill will help achieve that by eliminating duplication and restoring accountability for public transport. This can only be a positive step for the state’s public transport network. I commend the bill to the House.

First Reading

Hon. SA EMERSON (Indooroopilly—LNP) (Minister for Transport and Main Roads) (12.53 pm): I move—

That the bill be now read a first time. Question put—That the bill be now read a first time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a first time.

Referral to the Transport, Housing and Local Government Committee

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Berry): Order! In accordance with standing order 131, the bill is now referred to the Transport, Housing and Local Government Committee. 1808 Disability Services (Your Life Your Choice) Amendment Bill 11 Sep 2012

DISABILITY SERVICES (YOUR LIFE YOUR CHOICE) AMENDMENT BILL

Introduction Hon. TE DAVIS (Aspley—LNP) (Minister for Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services) (12.54 pm): I present a bill for an act to amend the Disability Services Act 2006 to enable people with a disability to receive funding to obtain disability services. I table the bill and explanatory notes and I nominate the Health and Community Services Committee to consider the bill. Tabled paper: Disability Services (Your Life Your Choice) Amendment Bill 2012 [960]. Tabled paper: Disability Services (Your Life Your Choice) Amendment Bill 2012, explanatory notes [961]. I am pleased to introduce the Disability Services (Your Life Your Choice) Amendment Bill 2012. This government is committed to providing Queenslanders with a disability and their families with a quality disability service system that meets their needs and helps them to live the lives they want. We strongly believe that people with a disability should have the freedom to make choices about how they live, including the supports they receive. Our disability service system needs to reflect this. The government has developed a strategy to strengthen Queensland’s disability front-line services that focuses on: streamlining and improving service access; increasing choice and control; promoting early intervention and prevention; providing better value for money; and reducing red tape for service providers so they can get on with the job of providing services to people with a disability. The strategy aligns Queensland with reforms nationally and in other jurisdictions, and ensures we are well positioned for any future National Disability Insurance Scheme. A key aspect of the strategy is to provide people with a disability with more choice and control over their funding for disability services and supports. It has been shown that disability service systems that promote the exercise of choice and control by clients deliver better quality of life for clients and more efficient services. The framework for self-directed funding, Your Life Your Choice, will enable people with a disability and their families to take control of the planning, purchase and review of their specialist disability support. There are two ways a person will be able to have control over their funding: either by working with a host service provider to plan and purchase their services and supports or by receiving their funding directly. At this stage, self-directed funding through a host provider will be rolled out in a phased approach commencing by the end of the year. The Disability Services Act 2006 regulates the funding of disability service providers. This bill is necessary to amend the act to allow the government to provide funding directly to a person with a disability or their families. Currently, there are some clients who do receive funding directly. However, to do this they had to fit within a legislative funding model that is designed for the funding of disability service providers. With these amendments, a person seeking to manage their own funding will no longer need to form an incorporated association or a company and meet many of the requirements of a service provider. The bill provides a head of power for the minister to approve funding to a person with a disability or another person on their behalf. This could be someone nominated by the person with a disability or, alternatively, a guardian, attorney or member of the person’s support network. In the case of a child with a disability, a parent can receive funding to obtain services on the child’s behalf. There must be a funding agreement to ensure there is a written agreement that clarifies each party’s responsibilities and obligations. The agreement will be set out in plain English, and will outline the types of services and supports that can be purchased and other terms and conditions that ensure funding is used for its intended purpose. For example, there will be terms in the contract that allow the department to cease funding and recover any unspent funds as a debt where funds are not being used in accordance with the agreement. These amendments will reduce red tape for people who want to manage their funding directly. It will bring Queensland into line with disability funding practices in other states and help the government deliver a disability service system that provides people with a disability with genuine choice and control over their disability supports and funding. I commend the bill to the House.

First Reading Hon. TE DAVIS (Aspley—LNP) (Minister for Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services) (12.58 pm): I move—

That the bill be now read a first time. Question put—That the bill be now read a first time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a first time. 11 Sep 2012 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill 1809

Referral to the Health and Community Services Committee Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Berry): Order! In accordance with standing order 131, the bill is now referred to the Health and Community Services Committee.

FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES COMMISSION AMENDMENT BILL

Introduction Hon. GW ELMES (Noosa—LNP) (Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting the Premier) (12.58 pm): I present a bill for an act to amend the Family Responsibilities Commission Act 2008 for particular purposes. I table the bill and the explanatory notes. I nominate the Health and Community Services Committee to consider the bill. Tabled paper: Family Responsibilities Commission Amendment Bill 2012 [962]. Tabled paper: Family Responsibilities Commission Amendment Bill 2012, explanatory notes [963]. I am pleased to introduce a bill for an act to amend the Family Responsibilities Commission Act 2008 to ensure that the Cape York Welfare Reform Trial and the operations of the Family Responsibilities Commission are extended by a further 12 months. The trial commenced in 2008 in the four communities of Aurukun, Hope Vale, Coen and Mossman Gorge. The objectives of the trial are to: restore social norms and local authority; and change behaviours in response to chronic levels of welfare dependency, social dysfunction and economic exclusion in the four trial communities. An essential component of the trial is the Families Responsibilities Commission established under the act. Debate, on motion of Mr Elmes, adjourned. Sitting suspended from 12.59 pm to 2.30 pm.

APPROPRIATION (PARLIAMENT) BILL

Message from Governor Hon. TJ NICHOLLS (Clayfield—LNP) (Treasurer and Minister for Trade) (2.30 pm): I present a message from Her Excellency the Governor. The Speaker read the following message— MESSAGE APPROPRIATION (PARLIAMENT) BILL 2012 Constitution of Queensland 2001, section 68 I, PENELOPE ANNE WENSLEY, Governor, recommend to the Legislative Assembly a Bill intituled— A Bill for an Act authorising the Treasurer to pay amounts from the consolidated fund for the Legislative Assembly and parliamentary service for the financial years starting 1 July 2010, 1 July 2011, 1 July 2012 and 1 July 2013. (sgd) GOVERNOR Date: 10 SEP 2012 Tabled paper: Message, dated 10 September 2012, recommending the Appropriation (Parliament) Bill 2012 [964]. Introduction Hon. TJ NICHOLLS (Clayfield—LNP) (Treasurer and Minister for Trade) (2.31 pm): I present a bill for an act authorising the Treasurer to pay amounts from the Consolidated Fund for the Legislative Assembly and Parliamentary Service for the financial years starting 1 July 2010, 1 July 2011, 1 July 2012 and 1 July 2013. I table the bill and the explanatory notes. I nominate the Committee of the Legislative Assembly to consider the bill. Tabled paper: Appropriation (Parliament) Bill 2012 [965]. Tabled paper: Appropriation (Parliament) Bill 2012, explanatory notes [966]. I introduce the Appropriation Bill for the Legislative Assembly and the Parliamentary Service, which provides appropriation for the 2012-13 budget. The bill combines both the appropriation for the 2012-13 budget and supplementary appropriation for 2010-11 and 2011-12. The government remains committed to the independence of the Legislative Assembly and this extends to the means by which public moneys are appropriated to ensure its continued functioning. We are therefore adhering to the recent convention that the Legislative Assembly’s appropriation be contained in a bill separate from the Appropriation Bill for the other activities of government. 1810 Budget Papers 11 Sep 2012

The Appropriation (Parliament) Bill will provide the necessary funds to ensure the continued operations of the Legislative Assembly and Parliamentary Service. These include advisory and information services to assist the parliament, its committees and members to fulfil their constitutional and parliamentary responsibilities, the services provided by the Parliamentary Library, Committee Office, Parliamentary Reporting Service, Chamber and Procedural Services, and Security and Attendant Services as well as the provision of accommodation, hospitality and members’ entitlements. Madam Speaker, as well as a change in government this year, 2012-13 sees the first full year of operation of the new committee system. Both these milestones have entailed additional expenditure. This bill makes allowances for these changes while still addressing the government’s fiscal repair and reform agenda. First Reading Hon. TJ NICHOLLS (Clayfield—LNP) (Treasurer and Minister for Trade) (2.33 pm): I move— That the bill be now read a first time. Question put—That the bill be now read a first time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a first time. Debate, on motion of Ms Palaszczuk, adjourned.

BUDGET PAPERS Hon. TJ NICHOLLS (Clayfield—LNP) (Treasurer and Minister for Trade) (2.34 pm): I lay upon the table of the House the following documents: Budget Speech; Appropriation Bills Booklet; Budget Strategy and Outlook; Capital Statement; Budget Measures; Queensland State Budget 2012-13 at a Glance; Budget Highlights brochure; Service Delivery Statements, including statements for the Legislative Assembly of Queensland; and Regional Budget Statements. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Budget Speech—Budget Paper No. 1 [967]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Appropriation Bills [968]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Budget Strategy and Outlook—Budget Paper No. 2 [969]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Capital Statement—Budget Paper No. 3 [970]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Budget Measures—Budget Paper No. 4 [971]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Queensland State Budget 2012-13—At a glance [972]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Highlights [973]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Office of the Governor, Public Service Commission, Queensland Audit Office [974]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Queensland Treasury and Trade [975]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Legislative Assembly of Queensland [976]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs [977]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry [978]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services [979]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Community Safety [980]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Education, Training and Employment [981]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Energy and Water Supply [982]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Environment and Heritage Protection [983]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Housing and Public Works [984]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Electoral Commission of Queensland, Office of the Ombudsman, Public Trust Office [985]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Local Government [986]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing [987]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Natural Resources and Mines [988]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Queensland Health [989]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Queensland Police Service [990]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts [991]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning [992]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games [993]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Service Delivery Statements—Department of Transport and Main Roads [994]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Regional Budget Statement—Brisbane [995]. 11 Sep 2012 Appropriation Bill 1811

Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Regional Budget Statement—Cairns [996]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Regional Budget Statement—Darling Downs [997]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Regional Budget Statement—Fitzroy [998]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Regional Budget Statement—Gold Coast [999]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Regional Budget Statement—Ipswich [1000]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Regional Budget Statement—Mackay [1001]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Regional Budget Statement—Outback [1002]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Regional Budget Statement—Sunshine Coast [1003]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Regional Budget Statement—Townsville [1004]. Tabled paper: State Budget 2012-13: Regional Budget Statement—Wide Bay [1005].

APPROPRIATION BILL

Message from Governor Hon. TJ NICHOLLS (Clayfield—LNP) (Treasurer and Minister for Trade) (2.34 pm): I present a message from Her Excellency the Governor. The Speaker read the following message— MESSAGE APPROPRIATION BILL 2012 Constitution of Queensland 2001, section 68 I, PENELOPE ANNE WENSLEY, Governor, recommend to the Legislative Assembly a Bill intituled— A Bill for an Act authorising the Treasurer to pay amounts from the consolidated fund for departments for the financial years starting 1 July 2010, 1 July 2011, 1 July 2012 and 1 July 2013. (sgd) GOVERNOR Date: 10 SEP 2012 Tabled paper: Message, dated 10 September 2012, recommending the Appropriation Bill 2012 [1006]. Introduction Hon. TJ NICHOLLS (Clayfield—LNP) (Treasurer and Minister for Trade) (2.35 pm): I present a bill for an act authorising the Treasurer to pay amounts from the Consolidated Fund for departments for the financial years starting 1 July 2010, 1 July 2011, 1 July 2012 and 1 July 2013. Tabled paper: Appropriation Bill 2012 [1007]. Tabled paper: Appropriation Bill 2012, explanatory notes [1008]. Madam Speaker, it is an honour to be delivering the first Budget of the Newman LNP Government and the first conservative Budget in 15 years. This State Budget is the most important Budget in a generation. At the last election Queenslanders spoke. And their message was loud and clear. The old ways were no longer good enough. Queenslanders wanted a Government that was up front with them, that would deliver outcomes for them, a Government for the 21st Century, and the best Government in the nation. Madam Speaker, this first Newman Budget starts Queensland on the path to delivering those hopes and aspirations for all Queenslanders. In order to deliver that Government for the 21st Century we have had to make the hard decisions necessary to get the great state of Queensland’s finances back on track and back in the black. This afternoon we reset the clock and we break free from the addiction to debt and deficit that Queensland’s finances were characterised by under Labor. This afternoon I will be outlining a programme • for Queensland families • for Queensland businesses and • for regional Queensland A programme • to keep the cost of living down • to reinvest in our schools • for better health services and • for people with disabilities and, critically, a plan to stabilise Queensland’s debt and chart the path to regaining our AAA credit rating. 1812 Appropriation Bill 11 Sep 2012

Madam Speaker, this budget delivers in full on our election commitments; commitments that Queenslanders so resoundingly supported on the 24th of March this year. Commitments that we fully costed and that have been delivered without significant impact on the Budget bottom line as we said they would be. It also fulfils our pledge to Queenslanders to • grow a four pillar economy • lower the cost of living for families • deliver better infrastructure and planning • revitalise frontline services; and • restore accountability in government and it targets a 4% unemployment rate over 6 years. Madam Speaker, it is for Queensland the most important Budget in a generation. Fixing our Finances Madam Speaker, last year I stood on the other side of this House—after Labor had lost Queensland’s AAA credit rating, carelessly casting it aside in its efforts to buy favour with the electorate, after Labor had a fire sale of assets, abolished the fuel subsidy and made buying the family home up to $7000 more expensive—and I said: “I am concerned that cost of living is out of control: concerned that Queensland’s debt is soaring to record levels, that the government has sold our assets to simply keep the lights on and that they have neglected infrastructure, like roads and trains, hospitals, schools and dams”. Sadly, Madam Speaker, that concern was justified when I received the Queensland Treasury Government brief, which read: “Queensland’s fiscal position and outlook is unsustainable and restoration must be an urgent priority for this term of government”. This was reinforced by Queensland Treasury Corporation advice, which told us: “The State’s debt has reached unprecedented levels. Together with its published forward estimates showing an even greater volume of debt required, Queensland is now in uncharted waters with respect to the volume of debt on issue and the resultant interest bill”. Madam Speaker, the more we learned the more our worst fears for Queensland’s finances seemed to be coming true. Because of those fears, and as we promised in our “Economic Blueprint for Queensland” released on the first day of the election campaign, the Premier and I established the Independent Commission of Audit and appointed The Hon. Peter Costello AC, Dr Doug McTaggart and Professor Sandra Harding to undertake a review of the Government’s finances. The Interim Report, which I released immediately on receiving it, confirmed the parlous state the previous Government had left Queensland’s finances in. The Independent Commissioners reported: “It is disturbing to report that, in recent years, the Government of Queensland embarked on an unsustainable level of spending which has jeopardised the financial position of the State.” and “Urgent fiscal repair is necessary just to stabilise debt which will continue growing in the absence of corrective measures. After that the State will need a very large amount of debt repayment to recover its AAA rating”. Importantly, the Commissioners noted: “The magnitude of the task is substantially larger than previously recognised because the former Government has built in unrealistically optimistic Budget assumptions that have masked the magnitude of the underlying structural problems”. Because some of the action this Government is taking is “strong medicine” it is important to clearly state some of the most critical findings of the Commission. They are: • Without corrective action gross debt is expected to be $92 billion in 2015-16 and $100 billion by 2018-19 • General Government sector gross debt had increased more than tenfold in the past five years • Queensland’s ratio of debt to revenue has increased from below 20% in 2005-06 to more than 100% in 2011-12, and was expected to peak at 132% by 2013-14 11 Sep 2012 Appropriation Bill 1813

• Interest has been the fastest growing expense of the Queensland Government over the last decade. The cost to service the total government sector debt is $3.5 billion and in 2015-16 costs would be $5.3 billion or 9% of revenue • Since 2005-06 the State had been “living beyond its means”. Expenses grew at an average of 10.5% while revenue grew at an average rate of 6.9% per annum • From 2005-06 to 2007-08 alone employee expenses jumped 40% and over the last decade the average increase in employee expenses was 8.7% per annum • Public service numbers increased on an FTE basis by 40% from 146,323 in June 2000 to 206,802 in June 2011 • In 2005-06 just 34% of capital expenditure was funded through borrowing, by 2010-11, 96% of all capital investment was funded from borrowings and • The previous Government placed overly optimistic assumptions in their final election eve budget and critically, Madam Speaker, the Audit also found that despite Labor’s asset fire sales, the Government had exhausted its fiscal capacity and it began borrowing heavily to support the Budget. The need to fix the State’s finances is not just the Government’s or Commission’s view. It is a view shared by Treasury, by Queensland Treasury Corporation, by ratings agencies and by financial markets, who charge Queensland higher interest rates than other states. Madam Speaker, there are those for whom reality is too strong a measure. Those critics and commentators who believe the world should be ordered to their way of thinking or conform to their ideologies, no matter what. To them I simply say: we live in the real world where what ratings agencies say does matter; where the loss of the AAA credit rating does cost us more; where higher interest rates mean Queenslanders are paying an extra $100 million a year and in certain circumstances, where Queensland has had to seek a Commonwealth guarantee on its borrowings. That, Madam Speaker, is reality. These numbers and facts are all very well for economists and public finance specialists, but what does it all really mean for Queenslanders? Our resilient, ambitious, hardworking tribe north of the Tweed. It means that if we had allowed the debt and deficit policies of the past to continue taxes would have to rise more; services would have to be cut and Queensland would stop being a powerhouse state and instead become a beggar state. Madam Speaker, that is not the Queensland the Newman Government will bequeath to future generations. Madam Speaker, by fixing Queensland’s finances now we secure Queensland a brighter future. While we didn’t create this financial mess, the Newman LNP Government will fix it. This Budget will start that process. That is why this is the most important Budget in a generation. The Outcomes Madam Speaker, this year I committed the Government to report the Budget headline position on a fiscal balance. This is a more transparent and open report on the management of the State’s finances, as it not only reports on the operating outcome but also includes the net financing requirement, showing in total how much more the State earns than it spends or vice versa. It covers both recurrent and capital expenditure and is closely aligned with the Australian Government’s preferred Budget headline measure of “underlying cash balance”. As a result of the measures taken in this Budget, I can announce that the Newman Government is projected to deliver a fiscal surplus of $652 million in 2014-15. That’s why this is the most important Budget in a generation. This will be the first time in 9 years that the State will have a genuine Budget surplus and live within its means. The Newman Government will reduce the debt legacy left to Queenslanders by Labor by $4.6 billion by 2014-15 and debt will then progressively fall as a proportion of the economy. What this means is that by the end of this term of Government Queensland will once again be paying its own way and Government will once again have the capacity to deliver the outcomes Queenslanders deserve, while keeping the cost of living down. The path to this surplus will not be easy. The fiscal deficit for 2012-13 is projected to be $10.768 billion. This figure includes the outcomes of decisions largely locked in by the previous Government. It also includes a one-off allowance of $800 million for redundancy payments. It is also impacted upon by the timing of NDRRA payments from the Commonwealth and consequent expense obligations for flood and cyclone recovery. 1814 Appropriation Bill 11 Sep 2012

This means Queensland will still need to borrow in 2012-13. In 2013-14, the fiscal deficit is projected to be reduced to $3.752 billion. This represents a $7.016 billion turn around in just one year from 2012-13 to 2013-14. This is when the benefits of this Government’s decisions start to take effect. The Budget will also have a small $17 million operating surplus in 2013-14, a year earlier than we predicted in our election costings. Achieving a fiscal balance in 2014-15 has been an enormous task. I want to thank all my ministerial colleagues and their staff for their hard work in reaching what at first seemed an overwhelming challenge. Maintaining that balance, in the absence of extraordinary events, will complete the first stage in repairing Queensland’s finances. Reducing the stock of debt is the next stage to lock in the long term future prosperity of Queensland. The Budget repair task over the next three years totals $5.5 billion. As a percentage of GSP, this represents 1.75% and as a percentage of annual expenditure it represents 10%. Madam Speaker, the Budget repair represents the largest turnaround in Queensland’s finances in living memory. The Budget repair is comprised of $3.5 billion in expenditure revisions and $600 million in revenue measures and $1.4 billion in capital measures. The Public Service The previous Government, aided and abetted by some in the union movement, perpetrated a myth on not only the public service but also the people of Queensland. That myth was that the public sector could continue to grow at record levels and that there was no cost to doing so. That employing more in the public sector was some form of economic stimulus when, in fact, it simply served to increase the deficit and make the landing, when it happened, that much harder. Madam Speaker, if we had not acted now to have a right-sized public service the outcome would have been much higher taxes and charges on everyone. In fact, more increases to the cost of living. And even more job losses when the crunch finally came. There have and will be job losses in the public sector as we go about the job of fixing the Budget. We wish this wasn’t the case. But with employee expenses making up nearly half of all Government expenditure it would be disingenuous to suggest otherwise. Anyone who thinks this Government wanted to take this path is grievously mistaken. They don’t really know me—they certainly don’t know the Premier—and they don’t know this Government. Ministers considered carefully the decisions to cease programs, restructure departments, outsource functions and reduce the size of the public service. These decisions were not made lightly. Madam Speaker, I wish to give the people of Queensland an insight into the Government’s approach to resizing the public service. This journey began when the Government accepted the need to repair the Budget after considering the Independent Commission of Audit Report, not before. As employee expenses represent almost half of all Government expenditure, we needed to address the size of the public service before we reorganised the capital program or reduced grant funding. The Government established the Cabinet Budget Review Committee to assist Ministers and Directors-General in making the hard decisions. The Committee challenged Departments and Ministers to come up with savings. Advice was received that nearly 20,000 full time equivalent positions from the general Government sector would need to be removed to assist in the fiscal repair task, implement the 3% employee expenses cap and achieve the previous Government’s voluntary separation programme. Over the last few months the Government has been working hard to save as many jobs as possible. The sad reality that some people have lost their jobs should not be seen as a reflection on them or their performance. The fault lies squarely with the cowardice of the former Labor government. But as a result of our determination to find savings the Government will spend $600 million over the forward estimates to save 6,000 jobs. Madam Speaker, while the Government could have saved that $600 million and lowered the State’s debt, we were determined to preserve as many jobs as possible. Today I can confirm the total number of FTEs to be lost in 2012-13 will be 14,000. The total number of people receiving a redundancy from the public service under our fiscal repair program is 10,600. The difference is explained by not filling currently vacant positions and the removal of temporary and contract staff whose contracts are coming to an end. 11 Sep 2012 Appropriation Bill 1815

To give Queensland public servants greater certainty, the Government has decided to bring all FTE losses into 2012-13. This includes the impact of the 3% employee expenses cap and the previous Government’s voluntary separation programme. Net of redundancies, the impact of these measures will be $3.7 billion over the forward estimates. Madam Speaker, the figures I present today are the extent of the Government’s fiscal repair task. While the public sector will remain dynamic and while this government has a reform agenda to be the best State Government in Australia we trust and hope neither this government, nor any other government will need to undertake such a difficult task of such magnitude again. Debt Madam Speaker, when Queensland is paying a higher interest rate on its debt than Tasmania, you have a problem, a big problem. As the Independent Commission of Audit identified, gross debt was expected to be $92 billion in 2015-16 and $100 billion by 2018-19 in the absence of any policy changes. Because of the work this Government has done, debt over the forward estimates will be $6.6 billion less than the Independent Commission of Audit found would have occurred under Labor. This means in 2014-15, when Labor’s debt was scheduled to reach $86.3 billion, debt will now be $81.7 billion. The State’s debt to revenue ratio will peak at 125% and not the 132% as Labor would have had it. While our position will improve under this Government, we will still need to regain our AAA credit rating, which will only occur if we reduce the stock of debt Labor ran up over the last half decade. The good news is that with a $652 million fiscal surplus in 2014-15, Queensland will no longer have to go cap in hand asking, like Oliver Twist, “Please sir can I have some more?” Queensland will once again be living within, not beyond, its means. Importantly, Madam Speaker, this has been achieved while delivering on our election commitments in full and without any new taxes on families. Instead of wasting money on ever increasing interest payments, by undertaking the fiscal repair task we will save taxpayers over $1.3 billion in interest payments over the forward estimates. That represents: • 1300 beds in hospitals or • 250 km of dual carriageway Bruce Highway or • 16,250 additional teachers or • 26 brand new, top shelf, primary schools The cost of interest payments in 2012-13 will be $174 million less under this Government, rising to $500 million less in 2015-16. Madam Speaker, the previous Government failed to save when the times were good. As a result, there was no gas in the tank when times got tough. Make no mistake, had Labor saved in the boom, we wouldn’t have suffered financially as much from the GFC, the cyclones and the floods. A Newman LNP Government is determined to make sure Queensland has the financial resilience to absorb and bounce back from whatever the harsh winds of reality throw at us. Like Queenslanders themselves, our government and our finances need to be able to get back up and toe the line after adversity strikes. That’s why we need to pay off the debt and get the AAA credit rating back. That’s why this is the most important budget in a generation. Fiscal Principles Madam Speaker, this Budget outcome can only be achieved with solid fiscal principles and discipline. In our interim response to the Independent Commission of Audit we outlined the Newman Government’s fiscal principles which are to: • Stabilise then significantly reduce debt • Achieve and maintain a general government sector fiscal balance by 2014-15 • Maintain a competitive tax environment for business • Target full funding of long term liabilities such as superannuation. The Government remains committed to these principles. To ensure the hard work and sacrifice of the Budget measures we announce today are not lost, I have instructed the Under Treasurer to create a fiscal discipline unit, from existing resources, within Treasury, to monitor and ensure we reach the fiscal surplus in 2014-15. This unit will return to the traditional Treasury outreach service model to ensure we identify issues quickly if they arise and work with Ministers and their Departments to fix them. 1816 Appropriation Bill 11 Sep 2012

Reform The measures I announce today start us on the path to fixing Queensland’s finances. In doing so, we follow a long line of reforming Liberal National Governments, which have to fix the mistakes of our political opponents. Reform rarely comes from those opposite. We are a government determined to ensure Queenslanders are provided with a government for the 21st century. And the best state government in Australia. As I said at the outset, this is the most important Budget in a generation. We are resetting the clock to deliver a brighter future. Make no mistake, we are a reforming Government. Reform can be unpopular in some parts of our community. It challenges the elites, the unions, the Industrial Relations clubs and the commentariat. It challenges those for whom the old ways were the most lucrative, the most comfortable, and that entrenched their own feelings of self-importance. But in the 21st century reform of government is a “must do” task. And we are the “CAN-DO” government determined to achieve it. Our Government’s vision is to deliver smarter, simpler and better outcomes that respond to the needs of Queenslanders, from Brisbane to Bedourie and from Currumbin to the Cape. This Budget starts delivering on that vision. It does it by moving spending from the public sector to the private sector. This Budget will see $500 million of spending shift. This will provide new and exciting opportunities to all businesses, large and small, to increase their exposure to Government contracts and services. To show what they can deliver and how well they can deliver it. We will also be looking to the communities sector to help us achieve the reform that is so necessary in the delivery of social and community services to support those who need the help and assistance of a caring society. By working together we can make our funds go further and help many more in need. In coming months this Government will lay out the pathway for the better delivery of services, based on the principle that Government does not always know best, that bigger is not always better and that real choice and power about what is best for any Queenslander is a decision best made by that person—not by Government. One of the many differences between this Government and the previous Government is that this Government understands that spending taxpayers’ money is not the answer to every problem. When it comes to the economy, Government programs are only sometimes the solution. Often the best thing Government can do is get out of the way and let people with ideas and initiative flourish. That is why we are aggressively tackling overregulation. That is why we are clearing project approval backlogs. That is about getting off the back of Queensland businesses. The changes we are making in some areas of public sector procurement and service delivery in areas such as information technology, building services and infrastructure delivery will also provide opportunities, including for former public sector employees. We need a public sector that works with, not competes against, the private sector. Projects Queensland has been established and is running the ruler over a range of projects, as diverse as the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing, the Government precinct redevelopment and the Government Wireless Network. We will aggressively seek greater private sector involvement in delivering Government infrastructure, utilising the skills and abilities of the private sector to deliver results for Queensland. Unlike our predecessors we want to work with the private sector, not against them. Madam Speaker, the economy works best; jobs creation is best; people are at their best; when government is best. The Newman Government unashamedly wants to be the best State Government in Australia, to secure a bright and prosperous future for all Queenslanders. Election Commitments Madam Speaker, this Budget delivers on the Government’s election commitments. Our key commitment was and is to ease the cost-of-living pressures on Queenslanders. Under this Government Queenslanders will find savings when they turn on their lights; turn on their taps; register their family car or buy a new home. In fact, our savings measures will save families up to $260 this year alone. The Principal Place of Residence Stamp Duty Concession, abolished by Labor, was reinstated from 1 July 2012, saving Queenslanders up to $7,175 when they purchase their family home. 11 Sep 2012 Appropriation Bill 1817

The previous Government’s scheduled increases in South East Queensland public transport fares for 2013 and 2014 have been halved. Family car registration fees have been frozen for three years from 1 July, 2012. The Government has also frozen the standard electricity tariff for 12 months. And today I announce water price relief will be provided to South East Queensland households in 2012-13 via a one-off $80 rebate, while the Government disentangles the mess that is the multi-billion dollar water grid. Queensland businesses are already benefitting from the increase in the payroll tax threshold and we have abolished the previous Government’s job destroying waste levy. This Budget also funds a range of carefully targeted expenditure programs we promised during the election. The Budget provides additional funding of $26 million over four years for extra respite for people with high needs disabilities aged between 16 and 25 and their carers, and to establish “Parent Connect” to provide assistance to parents of newborns with a disability. The Government will provide $115 million over four years to provide better infrastructure and planning for Queensland non-state schools and for the community. We will also provide $13.5 million from 2012-13 to 2014-15 and $7.5 million ongoing from 2015- 16 to support the transition and ongoing operation of 120 state schools that will become Independent Public Schools. An amount of $53.6 million over four years will be provided to rollout the equivalent of a full-time teacher aide to an additional 150 Prep classes each year in areas of greatest need. This funding will ultimately support up to 9,000 extra teacher aide hours per week. Funding of $6.5 million per annum is also provided to enable principals to select tailored literacy and numeracy programs that are matched to the needs of their students. Increased funding of $12 million in 2012-13 will provide up to 40,000 extra public specialist outpatient services. Funding is provided to deliver an additional 1,100 new police officers by 2015-16. The Regions Under the Newman Government, Queensland’s regional communities will get the recognition they deserve for the role they play in generating Queensland’s prosperity under our $495 million “Royalties for the Regions” program. The funding provided will benefit communities that support resource projects. Funding will be contestable and directed to projects that build capacity and sustainability in regional areas. The Budget allocates $97.7 million over four years for a much needed boost to the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme for rural and regional Queenslanders. The first significant increase in over a decade. The Government’s additional funding of $1 billion over 10 years to upgrade the Bruce Highway is locked and loaded. We look forward to the day when the Australian Government accepts its responsibilities. We are ready for a discussion anywhere, anytime. Ongoing reconstruction of road infrastructure damaged by natural disasters, in partnership with the Australian Government will be $2 billion in 2012-13. In 2012-13, over 75% of the Government’s capital expenditure will take place outside of Brisbane. Ongoing Expenditure Madam Speaker, as a resident of the Sunshine Coast, I know that you will be pleased to hear that the Government will spend $31.7 million this year to start construction of the Sunshine Coast University Hospital. This hospital was long promised by those opposite but never delivered. The Newman Government will deliver the $1.9 billion hospital. And we will do it more economically than those opposite could ever have done. This investment in health infrastructure is matched by a 7.4% increase in the health Budget to over $11.8 billion. This Budget will provide $1.3 billion to construct, expand and redevelop hospitals across Queensland in particular Gold Coast, Cairns, Brisbane, Mackay, Ipswich, Townsville, Rockhampton, and Mount Isa. This investment includes $51.6 million to be spent upgrading Health facilities in regional and remote Queensland. $456.5 million will be spent to expand and improve social housing across the state including $230 million in indigenous communities. Funding for specialist disability services will increase by 3% from $931 million to $959 million. A record spend on disability services. 1818 Appropriation Bill 11 Sep 2012

The Government will continue to fund the development of the Gold Coast Rapid Transit Project as well as the Moreton Bay Rail Link. The State capital program will be $15.5 billion in 2012-13, an increase of $1.6 billion on 2011-12. The reconstruction effort remains the prime focus of the capital program, accounting for $4 billion of expenditure in 2012-13, including $2 billion in grants to Local Government. Capital spending is expected to reduce over the forward estimates, largely due to the completion of reconstruction works and major hospital projects. The capital program needs to return to more manageable levels. It also needs to be seen in the context of record levels of business investment—in effect, the public sector needs to make room for the private sector. Rewards of Fiscal Repair The rewards of strong economic management and prudent spending should be shared by all Queenslanders. Today I announce five new initiatives, all funded through cutting waste and driving efficiencies: 1. Advancing Our Schools Madam Speaker, despite spruiking their education credentials, the previous Government failed to deliver the basics like maintaining our schools. The Commission of Audit highlighted the $300 million maintenance backlog in our State schools that Labor had neither the wit nor wisdom to address. Madam Speaker, that is simply not good enough. Today I announce a new “Advancing Our Schools” maintenance fund. This is a $200 million commitment over two years for state schools—to boost the existing level of funding. Queensland state schools parents and citizens organisations can apply for up to $160,000 to help fix existing priority maintenance issues at their school. This approach reflects our belief that a Government bureaucracy, no matter how well intentioned, does not always know best. It is a fundamental shift from previous approaches, and it is aimed at empowering and leveraging off the strength of local school communities. 2. Elderly Parent Carer Innovation Trial Madam Speaker, as every parent knows, and no matter what we might sometimes say, we all want to ensure our children’s future is secure, especially when we can no longer be there for them. This is especially so for parents who care for adult children with disabilities. So today I also announce that the Newman LNP Government will establish an “Elderly Parent Carer Innovation Trial”. The Newman Government recognises there is unmet need from elderly parent carers of people with a disability to have certainty and security about who will care for a loved one with a disability after they no longer can, and where they will live. The dividend from our strong economic management, focussed on cutting waste and delivering efficiencies, is that the Government is able to invest $15 million for the “Elderly Parent Carer Innovation Trial”. This one-off flexible trial will invest in or contribute to projects that provide new community living places, mixed disability and aged care developments, home modifications, as well grants to elderly carers to assist in transition to new care arrangements. The fund will also encourage partnerships and contributions from families, trusts and philanthropic and private organisations. The trial will commence in the first half of 2013. 3. Tourism Boost Tourism is an iconic industry for Queensland. Unfortunately, the last government failed to nurture and support the tourism industry when it was doing it tough and Queenslanders paid the price in lost jobs and opportunities. The Newman Government knows how important tourism is to Queensland and we want to see a doubling of overnight visitor stays by 2020. So today I announce the government will allocate $20 million for tourism attraction. Working with industry, these funds will be used to bring more visitors to Queensland’s tourist destinations throughout 2012-13. This will build on our successful $8 million “Attracting Aviation” investment which has already seen new flights from China Eastern Airways and China Southern landing in Cairns and Brisbane, with more to come. 4. Tropical research Asia is our nearest and largest trading region. As an outwardly focused trading economy, Queensland engages more with Asia than any other part of the world. And there are great opportunities for Queensland in Asia. So today I announce a $4.8 million partnership between the Queensland Government and the Queensland University of Technology for research into tropical pulses. The growing economies of Asia and India, and the rising incomes of their populations, represent an historic opportunity for Queensland primary industries. The funds will be used to undertake research, commercialisation and technology transfer to help position Queensland as a leading exporter of pulses to Asia. 11 Sep 2012 Appropriation Bill 1819

5. First Home Owner Construction Grant Madam Speaker, the old first home owners grant had well and truly outlived its usefulness. It was simply adding $7,000 to the price of a home. Many economists and many in the construction industry had called for it to be removed and replaced. We have listened and acted. Having first home owners compete against each other for a limited number of affordable existing homes is not the answer. It just means higher prices. From tomorrow the Government will replace the current first home owners grant with a new, bigger “First Home Owner Construction Grant” of $15,000. The new bigger grant will be available to first home buyers who sign up to buy a newly constructed or off the plan house or apartment. Together with the current stamp duty exemption, this means a new home buyer buying a newly built or off the plan home worth up to $500,000 will be $15,000 better off. We need to address the supply side and do so in a sustained way that gives buyers, and importantly the construction and development industry, certainty over the longer term to borrow, build and invest in new housing products. This new, bigger grant, together with the Principal Place of Residence Concession, we reintroduced from 1 July, 2012, means Queensland is the best State to buy your own home. Our grant is now the most generous in Australia. These new initiatives invest in Queensland’s bright future and show the benefits of strong economic management and prudent spending. Skills for Economic Development The Newman Government is committed to developing a robust and resilient economy and to do this we need a skilled workforce to remain competitive both domestically and internationally. I am pleased to announce that Trade and Investment Queensland, in consultation with the Department of Education, Training and Employment, will be undertaking an immediate comprehensive competitive analysis of the Queensland Government’s criteria for both state-sponsored skilled migration visas and business migration visas. Under Labor, Queensland has fallen behind other Australian states and today has some of the most onerous criteria for state-sponsored visas. These onerous criteria are restricting Queensland businesses from hiring employees with critical skills. They also act as a handbrake on the flow of capital and investment into our state. This is happening at a time when the current shortage of skills is driving wages to unsustainable levels, especially in the resource industry. This issue must be addressed if Queensland is to remain a competitive place to do business. As an example a mining or petroleum engineer seeking a state-sponsored permanent settlement visa in Queensland currently requires 7 years work experience. In Western Australia, the Government will sponsor a petroleum or mining engineer if they have a job offer with a term greater than 12 months. The same example can be found in other critical occupations, such as surveyors, mechanical engineers, and geotechnical engineers. The former Government’s abject failure on state sponsored skilled migration visas is evident by the statistics. In 2011-12 Queensland sponsored only 212 visas whilst 22,247 state sponsored places were filled nationally. Queensland’s share was less than 1% of the national total and its allocation from the Commonwealth Government was undersubscribed by 93%. The Newman Government will ensure our visa allocation is not wasted, but used to increase the skilled workforce available for Queensland business. Consistent with our Government’s position of ensuring Queensland is open for business, we will ensure as part of the review that our business investment criteria are competitive. We will review the investment thresholds for both 188 Business Investment Visas and the 132 Business Talent Visa, including consideration of a tiered regime to encourage business migration into key regional areas. We will also engage with the Commonwealth Government to increase our business visa allocation places for 2012-13, which at 98 places is less than 14% of the business visas sponsored in 2011-12. Recent economic modelling by the Commonwealth Government shows that 220,000 more jobs will be created in Queensland over the next 5 years, more than any other State. We need business investment to help deliver those jobs. The Queensland economy is a driving force behind the economic growth of this nation, and the Newman Government will ensure Queensland has the skilled labour and business investment to fuel the economy, building a brighter future for all Queenslanders. Revenue Madam Speaker, this Budget sees revenue revisions of $2.1 billion over the forward estimates. This includes lower royalty payments of $1 billion and tax revenue declines of $1.1 billion. 1820 Appropriation Bill 11 Sep 2012

Madam Speaker, in net terms expense measures equate to 68% of the fiscal repair task, capital measures equate to 22% and revenue measures account for 10% of the task. I have consistently said that as most of Labor’s damage to the Budget was on the expenditure side, so too must most of the repair work be around expenditure. But not all of the repair can be achieved by savings. We must call on all sectors of the community to make a contribution to the task at hand as all will benefit from it. Royalties With a narrow tax base States have limited opportunities to grow their revenue. One area identified in the Commission of Audit Report is around royalties. We all know of the huge endowment of resources Queensland has in coal, in gas and in bauxite, as well as other minerals. And we all know of the importance of resources to the Queensland economy. In its attempts to fix its own Budget the Federal Government has sought to claim a share of Queensland’s royalties through the Mineral Resources Rent Tax. Having held on to his ‘root and branch’ review of the Australian tax system for months on end, Mr Swan phoned the states at two minutes to midnight on the day of the announcement to tell States their royalties are no longer theirs. He could have consulted with the States on a better system, but instead he chose to threaten them. The then Queensland Government, despite its knowledge of the parlous state of Queensland’s finances, could not possibly disagree with their federal Labor colleagues even if it meant selling Queensland out. The former Labor Government was Labor first and Queensland second. The Newman Government believes that Queenslanders should receive the benefits of the resources they own, not the Commonwealth. As the value of State royalties paid is netted off against MRRT liabilities, the incidence of taxation ought not to increase. Accordingly, from 1 October the rates for coal royalties will be increased to 12.5% on the value per tonne between $100 and $150 and to 15% thereafter. These changes are expected to raise some $1.6 billion over the next four years. Importantly, the rate for coal below $100 a tonne is not changing. It is only when prices start climbing that the new higher rates will progressively apply, ensuring Queenslanders share in the upside of the value of their resources. To give certainty to industry the Government will guarantee no change to the royalty rates for coal for 10 years from 1 October, 2012. We will also establish a Cabinet Committee comprising the Deputy Premier, myself, the Minister for Natural Resources and Mines and the Minister for Environment to report back within 100 days on proposals to reduce approval times, red tape and regulatory burden and to help speed up the mining approvals process. This will reduce costs and help ensure projects are up and running, employing Queenslanders and contributing to our economy as quickly as possible. And as part of the Government’s commitment to assist junior explorers, arrangements known as “farm-ins” will be exempt from transfer duty. This is anticipated to cost Government $5 million per annum. Transfer Duty We will also be changing the transfer duty threshold and rate. From passage of the amending legislation the threshold for the highest marginal rate of transfer duty will increase from $980,000 to $1 million. At the same time the rate applicable to the new higher threshold will increase to 5.75%. The part year impact is expected to be $55 million and the full year impact $92 million. Importantly, Queensland remains amongst the most competitive and is the best place to buy a family home in Australia. Gambling and Casinos Madam Speaker, we will be introducing an additional tier into the gaming machine tax rate structure that will increase the gaming machine tax payable by clubs where the monthly metered win is more than $850,000. We will also be rescinding the previous Government’s decision to lower the rate of the Health Services Levy, where the monthly metered win is higher than $100,000 per month. We are also working with the Casino industry to increase its contribution to the Budget by $8 million per annum. These measures are estimated to result in an extra $16.5 million in revenue in 2012-13. 11 Sep 2012 Appropriation Bill 1821

Low Tax State Importantly, Queensland improves its competitive tax status as a result of the measures we have announced today. Taxation per capita in Queensland is $2,347, some $495 below the average of all states and significantly lower than NSW, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia. Our taxation effort as a share of GSP at 3.74% is also well below the average of 4.24%. Federal Challenges Madam Speaker, while we are trying to keep the cost of living down the Federal Government is adding more pressure to family incomes. The new Carbon Tax has already been felt on Queenslanders power bills with more to come. Labor’s Carbon Tax could hit our bottom line by up to $1.6 billion over 4 years while also causing a $1.7 billion write down in the value of State owned generators. While promises of infrastructure funding to flow from the MRRT were made, Queensland received no new funding this year despite being one of the resource states from whom the larger contributions are expected. Where is the Federal Government when it comes to the Bruce Highway upgrades we so urgently need? Our money is on the table. Where is theirs? The Federal Government continues to impose more obligations on the States without even the pretence of consultation. At the same time, it provides no certainty of funding for existing programs. I give this commitment to Queenslanders, we will always stand up and fight for their best interests, no matter who holds the Treasury benches in Canberra. Economic Outlook Madam Speaker, it should come as a surprise to no one that global sentiment continues to weigh heavily on the economy. The ongoing European sovereign debt crisis has dented global confidence, while the outlook has softened somewhat for the two key engines of global growth—the US and emerging Asia. Madam Speaker, at budget time last year our predecessors predicted growth of 5% in 2011-12 to be followed by 5.25% in 2012-13. We were told the housing market was about to turn the corner. At the time I questioned these prognostications. Unfortunately, my scepticism has shown to be well founded. In 2011-12 Queensland’s economic growth is estimated to come in at 4%. This growth was almost entirely driven by a record surge in business investment of 42.3%. Good growing conditions also contributed by boosting rural exports higher. The rise in investment largely reflects a ramp-up and bring forward in LNG and mining activity, with consumption spending boosted in the retail sector due to heavy price discounting and a fall in food prices following the floods. As a result, the recovery in 2011-12 has not been as big or as broad-based as we would like or indeed need. Dwelling investment has not improved relative to 2010-11, weighed down by cautious households, slower population and employment growth and tighter credit conditions. Despite greater risk aversion, lower commodity prices and domestic interest rates, the Australian dollar has remained stubbornly high, in effect denying the broader economy the economic safety valve normally afforded in such circumstances. The high Australian dollar has dampened services exports in Queensland. Interstate tourist visitor nights in Queensland fell as the high Australian dollar made overseas travel cheaper for Australians, although greater interest from emerging Asia prevented a fall in overseas visitor nights in the same period. The labour market in 2011-12 reflected the broader economic trends, with employment only marginally higher over the year. Mining, the public sector, finance and agriculture were the only industries to record significant jobs growth over the year to June quarter, 2012. Madam Speaker, unlike our predecessors we will be realistic with our forecasts. Economic growth in Queensland in 2012-13 is expected to remain at a solid 4%. Growth in 2012- 13 is expected to be largely driven by a recovery in coal exports and further resource and mining related business investment. The recovery in employment growth in 2012-13 is now expected to be softer than previously forecast, reflecting greater employer caution, fiscal consolidation at both State and national levels, and a slightly weaker outlook for sectors such as housing, construction and tourism. As a result, the year average unemployment rate is expected to remain steady at a rate of around 6%. The weaker outlook for the labour market is also expected to result in more subdued inflation and wage outcomes. Madam Speaker, Queensland’s current economic performance is respectable in absolute terms and strong in relative terms, but still far from our best. 1822 Fiscal Repair Amendment Bill 11 Sep 2012

While the aggregates show growth, we know that this growth depends heavily on a critical but narrow part of the economy—investment in the resource sector, and particularly the CSG to LNG processing and export industry. We said during the election, and I will say it again today, that strong and vibrant agriculture, construction and tourism sectors are also essential to widespread recovery and wealth generation. That’s why we are working so hard to grow those parts of our economy so long neglected by Labor. Conclusion Madam Speaker, confidence is everything. As I travel and talk to people, the one word that crops up time and again is “confidence”. Confidence to invest; confidence to expand; confidence to buy; confidence to learn; confidence in Queensland and confidence in its Government. Madam Speaker, this Budget is about rebuilding confidence. It does so by setting about the task of repairing Queensland’s finances. It delivers a genuine surplus and gets our finances back on track and back in the black. It provides confidence for Queensland families and businesses and invests in regional Queensland. It will help keep the cost of living down, reinvest in our schools, deliver better health services and provide more for people with disabilities. It delivers on all of our election commitments. It outlines our vision to be the best Government in the nation; to be able to deliver smarter, simpler outcomes responsive to the needs of Queenslanders. It outlines our reform agenda based around the choices an individual makes about their future, not what Government thinks is best. It shows how we can work with the private sector to deliver better outcomes and make our funds go further. The Newman LNP Government believes in Queensland’s future. I have an unshakeable confidence in our ability to meet the challenges of the 21st century and to reap the rewards of hard work, learning and endeavour. This Budget starts to deliver a brighter future for all Queenslanders. This is the most important Budget in a generation. I commend the bills to the House. First Reading Hon. TJ NICHOLLS (Clayfield—LNP) (Treasurer and Minister for Trade) (3.25 pm): I move— That the bill be now read a first time. Question put—That the bill be now read a first time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a first time. Debate, on motion of Ms Palaszczuk, adjourned.

FISCAL REPAIR AMENDMENT BILL

Introduction Hon. TJ NICHOLLS (Clayfield—LNP) (Treasurer and Minister for Trade) (3.26 pm): I present a bill for an act to amend the Duties Act 2001, the First Home Owner Grant Act 2000, the Gaming Machine Act 1991, the Liquor Act 1992, the Mineral Resources Act 1989, the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004, the Queensland Competition Authority Act 1997, the State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999, the Statutory Instruments Act 1992, the Taxation Administration Act 2001 and the Vocational Education, Training and Employment Act 2000 for particular purposes, and to make consequential or minor amendments of other acts as stated in the schedule. I table the bill and the explanatory notes. Tabled paper: Fiscal Repair Amendment Bill 2012 [1009]. Tabled paper: Fiscal Repair Amendment Bill 2012, explanatory notes [1010]. Madam Speaker, the bill I have presented amends a series of acts that are consequential upon the announcements that I have made in the budget. Details in relation to the changes and the reasons for those changes are contained in a speech which has been presented to your office, and I seek leave to incorporate the remainder of the speech in Hansard. Leave granted. 11 Sep 2012 Fiscal Repair Amendment Bill 1823

Following the Commission of Audit’s Interim Report, a number of revenue measures are to be implemented to improve the overall fiscal position of the State. I have already announced these in the 2012-13 State Budget. This Bill will give effect to several of these changes. This Bill increases the maximum rate from 5.25% to 5.75% for the part of the value above $1,000,000. Also, the 4.5% rate will now apply up to $1,000,000. As the Brisbane median house price is $380,000 for first homes and $433,500 for subsequent homes most transactions affected by the changes are expected to relate to non-residential properties such as shopping centres or office blocks. With the reintroduction of the transfer duty home concession from 1 July 2012, home buyers will still be better off under the new rates for homes up to around $2,465,000. Under the First Home Owner Grant Act 2000, first home buyers may be eligible for a grant of $7,000 when buying or building their home. This Bill increases the grant for new homes to $15,000 from 12 September 2012. It also discontinues the grant for existing homes from 11 October 2012. The First Home Owner Grant originally compensated first home buyers for the increase in housing costs due to the goods and services tax, The current consensus is that the grant is a relatively inefficient mechanism for improving home affordability. However, an increased grant for first home buyers purchasing a new home will benefit first home buyers and boost the housing construction sector. The grant for existing homes will remain for a month so as not to disadvantage buyers now engaged in buying an existing home. This Bill also makes a number of amendments to legislation to give effect to Budget savings measures, reduce red tape and enhance revenue administration. Transfer duty is also being extended to direct and indirect transfers of exploration permits or authorities to prospect from 10.30 am on 13 January 2012, the date of original announcement of this measure in the 2011-12 Mid Year Fiscal and Economic Review. Amendments will also ensure that grants of mining and petroleum rights including exploration permits and authorities will be exempt. An issue has arisen in relation to indirect transfers of mining and petroleum rights to which landholder duty should apply. Landholder duty applies to the acquisition of an interest of 50 per cent or more in an unlisted corporation or 90 per cent or more in a listed corporation or listed unit trust with at least $2 million of land in Queensland. Uncertainty about whether mining and petroleum rights constitute land for landholder duty will be addressed by ensuring consistent duty treatment of indirect and direct transfers of these rights. There is also an issue following a recent Western Australian Supreme Court decision as to the application of landholder duty to items fixed to land that may be separately owned from the land. The Duties Act 2001 is to be amended to ensure that landholder duty continues to apply to these items as intended. Since taking over responsibility for royalties in July last year, the Office of State Revenue has been identifying improvement opportunities. A key reform is the development of a royalties module in OSR’s Revenue Management System which will improve royalty management and facilitate ebusiness. Related to the RMS development, the Mineral Resources Act 1989, the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004 and the regulations are being amended to introduce penalty arrangements to support the new monthly royalty payment system. A robust and consistent interest model for unpaid royalties will also be introduced that, to the extent possible, mirrors interest applying under the Taxation Administration Act 2001. This will ensure the continued integrity of the monthly payment arrangements and ensure that interest applies similarly for unpaid royalties and the State’s other major own source revenues. There will also be an ability to remit the return late lodgement fee where appropriate. OSR has also taken over responsibility for the State Penalties Enforcement Registry. Initial review has highlighted the importance of access to quality information about debtors for identification and enforcement action. Changes to the State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999 and the Taxation Administration Act 2001 will enable the Registrar to access information from public and private sector entities. This will enhance recovery, particularly facilitating data matching, and enabling more effective enforcement. A consequential amendment will strengthen existing safeguards of confidentiality of information obtained by the Registrar. The State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999 is therefore being amended to include a general confidentiality obligation for information acquired under that Act, with disclosure permitted in limited circumstances. One such circumstance will be where confidential information acquired by the Registrar may be provided to the Office of State Revenue for administration of its revenue laws, and vice versa. Existing confidentiality obligations and disclosure provisions for particular enforcement processes will remain. The Bill contains provisions to abolish the statutory position of the Training Ombudsman on 1 November 2012. This will reduce duplication of services and save government approximately $393,000 per annum. Complaints by apprentices, trainees and their employers can be made instead to the Department of Education, Training and Employment, the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal or the industrial commission depending on the matter. This Bill will also introduce two amendments to the Gaming Machine Act 1991 and the Liquor Act 1992: the creation of the Liquor and Gaming Commissioner and the removal of the requirement for employees of clubs and hotels who carry out gaming to be licensed. Currently, the Queensland Liquor and Gaming Commission and the Chief Executive make decisions under the Gaming Machine Act and the Liquor Act. In practice, the Commission meets monthly to consider gaming machine and liquor licence applications of significant community impact such as new club and hotel licences and extended trading hours. The process of referral from the chief executive to the Commissioner can make for a lengthy application process which can result in competitive disadvantages and serve as a disincentive to broaden business opportunities. These amendments will amalgamate the roles and decision-making powers of the Commission and the Chief Executive into a new Liquor and Gaming Commissioner. It is not intended that these amendments will detract from established licensing processes under the Liquor Act and the Gaming Machine Act, but will rather streamline the decision-making process and remove unnecessary delays associated with the referral of applications to the Commission. There will be no change to the rights of affected parties to appeal the decisions of the Commissioner to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Madam Speaker, this Bill will also repeal the requirement for employees who carry out gaming duties in a club or hotel to be licensed under the Gaming Machine Act. The amendment is an acknowledgement that the technology associated with modern gaming machines is effective in protecting the integrity of the game and there is a minimal risk of an employee affecting the 1824 Attendance 11 Sep 2012 outcome. In these circumstances, the imposition of a licensing regime on employees of clubs and hotels who carry out gaming duties can no longer be justified. However, employees who carry out gaming duties will continue to be required to undertake responsible service of gambling training. Madam Speaker, in line with the Government’s election commitment to reduce red tape and regulation by 20 per cent, the Government established the Office of Best Practice Regulation, within the Queensland Competition Authority, on 2 July 2012. The OBPR will provide a rigorous and independent process for cutting red tape. Its roles include assessing the adequacy of Regulatory Impact Statements submitted by departments, and, from November 2012, determining whether a Regulatory Impact Statement is required in relation to any regulatory proposal. Therefore, this Bill includes several minor amendments to the Queensland Competition Authority Act 1997 to enable the OBPR to more effectively undertake its range of functions and to provide adequate protection to agencies and public sector employees in disclosing information to the OBPR as part of these important processes. The Bill will also include the Repeal of Part 5 of the Statutory Instruments Act 1992, to avoid potential conflicts with requirements under the revised RIS System Guidelines, which will be amended to reflect the role of the OBPR and to facilitate the Government’s improvements to the RIS System. These amendments are an important step in the Government’s commitment to improving regulatory outcomes for the community and business and reducing the burden of red tape on all Queenslanders. First Reading Hon. TJ NICHOLLS (Clayfield—LNP) (Treasurer and Minister for Trade) (3.27 pm): I move— That the bill be now read a first time. Question put—That the bill be now read a first time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a first time. Debate, on motion of Ms Palaszczuk, adjourned.

APPROPRIATION (PARLIAMENT) BILL APPROPRIATION BILL FISCAL REPAIR AMENDMENT BILL

Appropriation Bills; Fiscal Repair Amendment Bill

Declared Urgent; Cognate Debate Hon. TJ NICHOLLS (Clayfield—LNP) (Treasurer and Minister for Trade) (3.28 pm), by leave, without notice: I move— (1) That under the provisions of standing order 137 the Fiscal Repair Amendment Bill be declared an urgent bill to enable the bill to be passed through all remaining stages at this week’s sitting; and (2) That in accordance with standing 172 the Appropriation (Parliament) Bill and the Appropriation Bill, having already been treated as cognate bills under the provisions of standing order 176, be also treated as cognate with the Fiscal Repair Amendment Bill for the second reading debate but with separate questions being put with regard to the second reading of (a) the Appropriation (Parliament) Bill and the Appropriation Bill; and (b) the Fiscal Repair Amendment Bill. Question put—That the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to.

ADJOURNMENT Mr STEVENS (Mermaid Beach—LNP) (Manager of Government Business) (3.29 pm): I move— That the House do now adjourn. Question put—That the House do now adjourn. Motion agreed to. The House adjourned at 3.29 pm.

ATTENDANCE Barton, Bates, Bennett, Berry, Bleijie, Boothman, Byrne, Cavallucci, Choat, Costigan, Cox, Crandon, Cripps, Crisafulli, Cunningham, Davies, C. Davis, T. Davis, Dempsey, Dickson, Dillaway, Douglas, Dowling, Driscoll, Elmes, Emerson, Flegg, France, Frecklington, Gibson, Grant, Grimwade, Gulley, Hart, Hathaway, Hobbs, Holswich, Hopper, Johnson, Judge, Katter, Kaye, Kempton, King, Knuth, Krause, Langbroek, Latter, Maddern, Malone, Mander, McArdle, McVeigh, Menkens, Millard, Miller, Minnikin, Molhoek, Mulherin, Newman, Nicholls, Ostapovitch, Palaszczuk, Pitt, Powell, Pucci, Rice, Rickuss, Ruthenberg, Scott, Seeney, Shorten, Shuttleworth, Simpson, Smith, Springborg, Stevens, Stewart, Stuckey, Symes, Trad, Trout, Walker, Watts, Wellington, Woodforth, Young