28 Nov 1996 Ministerial Statement 4525

THURSDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 1996 Suncorp/QIDC/Metway merger. Capital investment in all sectors remains strong, despite what the Opposition may say. A $4 billion capital works program is under way. In Mr SPEAKER (Hon. N. J. Turner, Nicklin) short, we have been in the business of actively read prayers and took the chair at 9.30 a.m. governing the State and have presided over major development activities in all regions from north to south and east to west. PROCEDURE FOR QUESTIONS ON NOTICE In the area of electricity, the Government moved swiftly to ensure that the lights will not Mr SPEAKER: Order! I wish to draw to go out in Queensland. We initiated the recent the attention of honourable members the open megawatt electricity bidding process, Standing and Sessional Orders relating to the with the result that new power generation asking of questions on notice. Sessional Order plants will be built by the private sector at 68 states that questions should be brief and Mount Stuart and Yabulu, both near relate to an issue. While almost all questions Townsville, and another at Oakey, on the being asked do conform with the Sessional Darling Downs. Construction of the new Mount Order, on occasions questions have been Stuart gas turbine plant will cost in excess of asked which have been unduly lengthy. I ask $90m and will employ approximately 30 all members to keep questions on notice as contract personnel. The project will provide brief as possible and to relate them to one 288 megawatts to the electricity grid. issue only. I shall be closely monitoring Meanwhile, at Yabulu, 15 kilometres north questions in future and will enforce the west of Townsville, a 134 megawatt gas Standing and Sessional Orders where turbine power plant will be constructed at a necessary. cost of approximately $60m, employing 20 An Opposition member interjected. people during construction. Power is expected Mr SPEAKER: Order! That was my from both plants by 1 January 1999. statement. It was not prepared by anyone Mr McGRADY: I rise to a point of order. else. I ask the Treasurer to rephrase the word she has just used. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Mr SPEAKER: Order! I refer the member to my statement yesterday. I have Queensland Development Activity asked members not to rise on frivolous points Hon. J. M. SHELDON (Caloundra— of order. I warn the member under Standing Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Order 123A. The member will not rise on other The Arts) (9.32 a.m.), by leave: The frivolous points of order today. Opposition would have the people of Mrs SHELDON: Interestingly, that point Queensland believe that development activity of order was raised by the failed Minister for under way in Queensland is subdued. Mr Minerals and Energy, under whose great Speaker, I assure you that that could not be stewardship this State was plunged into further from the truth, and today I will place on darkness. record details of some of the major projects currently under way or at an advanced stage Four kilometres west of Oakey, a 318 of consideration in Queensland. megawatt power plant, fired primarily by natural gas, will be constructed at a cost in I will refer in more detail to specific excess of $140m. Power from this plant for the projects shortly, but I can summarise by Queensland electricity grid is expected by mentioning that the National/Liberal January 2000. Government has actively managed the development of new power generating plants I turn now to the Government's $1 billion in Townsville and on the Darling Downs, made Water Infrastructure Package. We are decisions regarding the upgrading of the committed to responsible planning for this Pacific Highway in the south, and has major investment. Consequently, an facilitated the development of major new independent task force has been established mining projects and gas pipelines across the and has reported both to the Minister for State. Mines and Energy and me. Meanwhile, the Government has not sat on its hands. We have a $1 billion Water Infrastructure Package, including the construction of dams Opposition members interjected. and pipelines. We have also committed to the Mrs SHELDON: The Opposition really national electricity grid and the does not wish to hear all of this good news 4526 Ministerial Statement 28 Nov 1996 about Queensland and what we, as a coalition The Queensland gas industry is booming, Government, are doing in this State. with some important major projects under way. The impact assessment study for the After the successful sale of the State gas Dawson River dam will be finalised early next Pipeline, some people may have thought that year. Demand surveys for the Dawson and the Government would sit back and relax. Comet River dams have also been completed Certainly, that is not what this Government is and show demand in excess of 1 million doing. We set about putting in place megalitres per annum by the year 2005. A arrangements for the construction of an 800 working group has been established in kilometre gas pipeline from the Rolleston to oversee the relocation of the Cooper/Eromanga Basin in south-west town. Aboriginal cultural and heritage studies Queensland to Mount Isa. A preliminary route in relation to the Dawson River dam will be for the pipeline has already been identified, finished by December. In relation to the Comet and agreement reached in July this year with River dam, terms of reference for the cultural MIM to supply Mica Creek power station with and heritage studies are soon to be finalised gas following its conversion and expansion and tenders are out for consultants to perform from coal. The pipeline will also supply MIM's the impact assessment studies. smelting operations and other mine sites in the Mount Isa area with natural gas. Mr Hamill interjected. Other gas pipeline projects are under Mrs SHELDON: The Opposition really active consideration, including Gladstone to does not wish to hear good news about south-east Queensland, central Queensland Queensland, whether it is about jobs, to Townsville and Townsville to Papua New development or even the sporting Guinea. These pipelines, should they go achievements of our great nation and State. ahead, will provide significant investment Members opposite are a group of whingers, opportunities and provide great stimulus to the whiners and knockers. Queensland economy. Indeed, Queensland Expansion of the capacity of the Bedford now leads Australia in gas infrastructure Weir is currently under way and investigations development, current and planned. I also are under way in relation to other weirs. In mention that the new owner of the State gas addition, the Minister for Natural Resources pipeline has secured new customers in has recently announced the construction of a Gladstone and anticipates increasing weir on Warril Creek. Work on the 113 throughput by some 25 per cent in the first kilometre north-west Queensland water year of ownership. That is certainly a pipeline is under way and continuing on magnificent performance. schedule. The pipeline will take water from There is much to be excited about in the Lake Julius, north of Mount Isa, and supply Queensland mining industry, as numerous the Ernest Henry mine, north east of major projects are currently under way Cloncurry. In addition, the construction throughout the State. These projects provide contract for the $60m Eungella pipeline in Queensland with great opportunities for job central Queensland was recently awarded to creation, export growth and an improvement Leighton Contractors. All of these to Australia's balance of trade. Near Moranbah developments mean more jobs for in central Queensland, Shell Coal is currently Queenslanders. developing the Moranbah North coalmine at a The Government recognises also the cost of $500m. The mine is located in an area enormous potential of the Surat Basin/Dawson containing vast reserves of high-quality coking Valley region in agriculture, mining and value coal and will supply the export market with coal adding. On 5 October 1996, we initiated an through the Dalrymple Bay coal terminal. Mr expressions of interest process for the Speaker, as you would know, over the provision of necessary infrastructure which will weekend the Premier and I launched the facilitate further development in the region. extension to the Dalrymple Bay coal terminal. The response has been overwhelming and Development work is continuing 50 there was the biggest ever meeting in Dalby of kilometres north east of Emerald in financiers and others in the private sector preparation for the installation of what will be interested in cooperating with the Australia's longest longwall machine in the development of the Surat Basin/Dawson near future. The 2.5 million tonnes of coal Valley. As I said, this represents an exciting produced per year from this mine will be opportunity for the private sector to participate processed and railed to Gladstone and Hay in the opening up of the Surat/Dawson area. Point for export to overseas power stations This will create an economic boost to and jobs and steel mills. At Mount Isa, construction is for our State. under way on a mine which will take over as 28 Nov 1996 Ministerial Statement 4527

Mount Isa's main copper-producing area. The Censorship is a matter that affects all mine will exploit the vast reserves of copper Queenslanders through what they see, hear ore located deep below the surface and bring and read every day. It is vital that as informed a new lease of life to the city. The mine parents and concerned citizens we development is in conjunction with the $210m understand, appreciate and apply these upgrade and expansion of the existing Mount guidelines to our media habits. I also Isa copper smelter and the $50m upgrade of encourage all honourable members to be the existing Townsville copper refinery. aware of Queensland's censorship regime and In a massive boost for Queensland, the the classification guidelines and ratings that $160m Stage 3 expansion of the Dalrymple form the basis of this system. It is with much Bay coal export terminal is proceeding well. care and concern for the people of Nearby, at Hay Point, a $53m expansion of Queensland that I table the classification of the facility is also ready to proceed to films, publications and computer games construction. Currently under active guidelines and associated amendments consideration is a $600m fertiliser plant today. complex proposed for construction south of Mount Isa. The raw materials for the plant will MINISTERIAL STATEMENT include phosphate rock from Phosphate Hill Live Cattle Exports to Indonesia and natural gas piped from the south-west Queensland gas fields. Fertiliser produced will Hon. D. J. SLACK (Burnett—Minister be railed to Townsville for shipment to for Economic Development and Trade and domestic and overseas markets. This project Minister Assisting the Premier) (9.44 a.m.), by will be a huge boost for the northern area of leave: Indonesia is Queensland's biggest live the State, with up to 400 direct jobs created. cattle market. It is estimated that by the end of this year Australia would have sold 380,000 In conclusion—all of the projects that I head with a f.o.b value of more than $180m to have mentioned today mean jobs for this market. Queensland supplies the majority Queenslanders, economic growth and higher of Australia's live cattle exports. In the middle export earnings. This Government has worked, of this year, the Primary Industries Minister, and will continue to work, tirelessly to ensure Trevor Perrett, and I led a business delegation that Queensland's economic strength is to Indonesia, a major aim of which was to enhanced. The projects I have outlined today expand live cattle and beef exports. will go a long way to ensuring that this goal is achieved. I am pleased to report to the House that the Queensland Government is succeeding in achieving that goal. The Indonesian MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Government has consolidated the strong growth in exports from 234,000 head in 1995 Censorship Guidelines to 380,000 head for 1996, with a further Hon. D. E. BEANLAND (Indooroopilly— substantial increase in export permit Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) allocations for 1997. The 1997 allocation is (9.42 a.m.), by leave: The people of tentatively set at 407,000 head. This means Queensland have a particular interest in that an additional 27,000 head of cattle will be censorship matters, as can be evidenced from exported to Indonesia, a majority of those the many and varied letters I receive from from Queensland. However, experience citizens across the State. It is important, indicates that the total exports for the year therefore, that all Queenslanders are kept up may well surpass that number. Indeed, the to date and informed about censorship Indonesian Directorate-General of Livestock guidelines and their application. The former Services, which has set the feed-cattle import Labor Government has shown just how allocation increase, has said it will monitor the interested it was in educating the people of allocation with a view to possibly increasing Queensland about censorship matters. Not imports. once since the inception of the cooperative These additional cattle mean an censorship scheme, a system put in place enormous amount to our cattle producers, both Federally and locally by Labor, did it who have had it tough for too many years. In bother to keep the people of Queensland up fact, those cattle amount to an additional to date and informed. Today, by tabling these $13m in the first instance and much more as guidelines, the National/Liberal Government is the Queensland/Indonesia trade link further continuing its commitment to informing and develops. And there is more good news. educating Queenslanders about matters that Indonesia has also announced a 33 per cent affect us as a community. increase to 30,000 tonnes in imports of 4528 Ministerial Statement 28 Nov 1996

Australian chilled and frozen beef for 1997. the Indonesian business people I met This will significantly increase last year's export throughout the trip are now continuing earnings of $60m and provide opportunities discussions and negotiations with officers of for our very depressed meat industry. my department. I also addressed a breakfast Live cattle exports to Indonesia provide meeting of the Indonesian/Australian Business Queensland with increasing export Council. I alerted the meeting to the enormous opportunities and are helping to ease some of diversity of destinations available to the financial pressures on Queensland Indonesian tourists in Queensland, and to the cattlemen. Indonesians are eating more beef. opportunities for partnerships between Their own domestic herd cannot supply the Queensland and Indonesian businesses. The demand. In essence, they are eating more investment potential in Queensland for than they are breeding. Indonesia is looking to Indonesian companies was also a major Queensland to fill the gap and to supply the emphasis of discussion. The best possible breeding stock. We are Indonesian/Australian Business Council supplying quality stock for Indonesian feedlots meeting also provided delegation at a world beating price. Cattle trade with representatives with an opportunity to network Indonesia will be further enhanced with the with a number of Indonesian business people. Government-initiated development and On this trip I met with the Director-General dredging of the port of Karumba. of the Indonesian Department of Tourism, Mr There are 27 companies currently Andi Mappi Sammeng. During this meeting, I importing cattle into Indonesian feedlots and discussed the enormous growth rate of another 10 are awaiting approval. Even more Indonesian visitors into Queensland, as well as are planned. As the Indonesian feedlot the massive growth of international tourism in industry expands, it is vital that Queensland is Indonesia. In 1995, the number of regarded as the premier supplier for further Indonesians visiting Queensland grew by expansion. To that end, this morning I met about 64 per cent to around 25,000. However, with a prominent Queensland feedlot operator anecdotal evidence suggests that we could be based in Indonesia. He is very optimistic about looking at between 35,000 to 40,000 the live cattle trade and the opportunities that Indonesian visitors in 1996. Indonesia's will open up, especially for our northern growing middle class now represents about 20 graziers. He is one of what I expect will be a per cent of the population, creating a potential large number of Indonesian feedlot operators tourism market of around 40 million people. who will look to buy from Queensland because In our discussion I highlighted Australia's of our quality, cost efficiencies, consistency position as the No. 1 destination for and world best product and practice. Indonesian students studying overseas. I also outlined the many advantages Queensland offers to Indonesian students. Of the 10,000 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Indonesian students currently studying in Trade Delegation to Jakarta Australia, 700 are studying in Queensland, Hon. B. W. DAVIDSON (Noosa— which is a figure this Government plans to Minister for Tourism, Small Business and build upon. The presence of these students in Industry) (9.47 a.m.), by leave: On Saturday, Queensland also generates additional travel 16 November I led a trade delegation of 14 from visiting relatives and friends. senior tourism and business representatives to Following this meeting, I then met with Jakarta, Indonesia. The trip marked the Indonesia's top 14 tourism agents. This inaugural Qantas flight from Brisbane to provided me and other members of the Jakarta and was hosted by the Queensland delegation with a great opportunity to sell the regional manager of Qantas, Mr Ian Mitchell. various tourist regions of Queensland and to Qantas now has two non-stop return flights receive feedback on the needs and from Brisbane to Jakarta each week. The aspirations of the Indonesian tourist. Boeing 767-300 services, operating each Indonesian visitors stay an average of 9.9 Wednesday and Saturday, have the potential days in Queensland and their average to open up new export and trade opportunities expenditure is $3,409, which is higher than the for Queensland business and further increase figures for both Japanese and American Indonesian tourist numbers into our State. visitors. While their favourite destinations in During my trip, I attended a dinner at the Queensland are currently the Gold Coast and home of the Senior Trade Commissioner, Mr Brisbane, I believe there is potential for Bruce Wallace, where I met and spoke with a regions like Cairns and the Whitsundays in number of potential investors. In fact, many of particular to attract more Indonesian tourists. 28 Nov 1996 Ministerial Statement 4529

Following this trip I will be having Research priorities in Queensland will discussions with my colleague the Minister for include the determination of the distribution Economic Development and Trade, the and prevalence of the lyssavirus infection in Honourable Doug Slack, regarding the bats, serological testing of bat carers and possibility of a share arrangement for a QTTC other at-risk people, and the susceptibility of representative to be stationed in the new terrestrial animals such as dogs, cats and Queensland office to be opened in Jakarta possums to bat lyssavirus. next year. Overall, the trade mission to Jakarta It is important that this research work in was a great success, and I would like to thank Queensland is consistent with and integrated Qantas and in particular Mr Ian Mitchell for into the national research plan, which will hosting the trip and providing a further involve other States and the Northern Territory, opportunity for increased business and tourism the Federal Government and the CSIRO with our closest Asian neighbour, Indonesia. I Australian Animal Health Laboratory. Studies would now like to table my report on my trade undertaken in Queensland will depend on mission to Jakarta. AAHL support in the areas of method development, technology transfer and MINISTERIAL STATEMENT confirmatory tests. Lyssavirus The critical need for additional research resources and the enormous pressure Hon. T. J. PERRETT (Barambah— research staff have been working under in my Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and department is reflected in the detection of a Forestry) (9.51 a.m.), by leave: I wish to inform single recording error in a temporary laboratory the House that the coalition has recognised database established to register information the need for urgent research into the on flying fox test results. lyssavirus infection of bats. After discussions between my department and the Department It has now been confirmed that the flying of Health, we have contributed funds together fox that recently injured two people in the to initiate pressing research needs. Additional Currumbin Valley was not infected with funds will be negotiated with the lyssavirus. Investigations have revealed that a Commonwealth and from other sources as flying fox from the Currumbin Valley was research needs are clarified. positive to lyssavirus, but this was not the I have supported the provision of flying fox involved in the scratching incident. approximately $300,000 over two years to There is no evidence that this infected bat has fund additional Queensland research into bat scratched or bitten anyone. I am certainly lyssavirus. The joint task force between the relieved that the two people involved in the Department of Primary Industries and the Currumbin Valley incident no longer have to Department of Health will be determining the worry about their health. As a precaution, both research priorities. This will include a study of these people were vaccinated against the virus in accordance with national health human and animal encephalitides; laboratory recommendations. examination of sick bats, and bats with a history of biting or scratching people; and the A complete review of the data recording susceptibility of terrestrial animals such as system has been initiated, but no further dogs, cats and possums to infection with inconsistencies have been found. All lyssavirus lyssavirus. It will also involve a study into the data is now being recorded on the laboratory's prevalence of lyssavirus in wild bat main data recording system which has proven populations, and the development of a so accurate in past emergencies. The first method of large-scale testing of animals, and report of lyssavirus followed the diagnosis of the transfer of technology between State and the virus in a flying fox that died at Ballina in Federal authorities. northern New South Wales in May this year. An assessment will also be made of Since then the infection has been confirmed in vaccination reactions in people, surveys of at- six other flying foxes from Currumbin, risk people and studies of human Rockhampton and Townsville. Infection of a encephalitides. The issue of additional bat carer at Rockhampton resulted in the research funds has also been raised with the death of that person this month. The first five Commonwealth Government. A national virus isolates from flying foxes have been meeting on bat lyssavirus infections was held shown to be identical by genetic analysis and in Canberra on 11 November when a task to be the same as the virus affecting the bat force was set up to develop a national carer. research plan, including costings, to be I wish to inform the House of another considered next Tuesday. development—lyssavirus has been detected in 4530 Ministerial Statement 28 Nov 1996 an insect-eating bat from the Toowoomba establishment of another hospitality training area. It is the first known lyssavirus case centre south of Kuala Lumpur. involving the insectivorous bats. The only TAFE Queensland currently has a human case of lyssavirus infection was also significant opportunity to develop market known to have handled this same species of credibility through provision of training in the yellow-bellied sheath-tail bat. hospitality industry in China. A team is going to The detection of this virus in an the Sheraton Great Wall Hotel in Beijing to insectivorous bat, consistent with overseas conduct a skills audit and training needs experiences, could emerge as an important analysis for the 1,200 staff of the hotel. Areas part of the puzzle in determining the history of to be covered include front office and the virus. There have now been eight cases of accommodation, food and beverage service, lyssavirus diagnosed in two species of flying cookery and engineering. This will be the first fox—black and little red—and an insectivorous step in developing a training plan and a formal bat. These latest detections only reinforce the proposal for the delivery of training for fact that people should exercise caution when Sheraton in China. handling these animals and should seek immediate medical attention if bitten or TAFE Queensland also has been involved scratched. in a teacher exchange program with the Shanghai Pudong New Area Social The Department of Primary Industries will Development. Progress has been made in the continue to test bats showing signs of sickness development of markets in Taiwan. The or exhibiting signs of abnormal behaviour to Wholesale, Retail and Personal Services determine the spread of lyssavirus in flying Curriculum Consortium at the Gold Coast foxes and other bats throughout the State. Institute of TAFE is working with the Vong Tung Vocational High School in Taipei to MINISTERIAL STATEMENT conduct a skills audit, a training needs analysis and curriculum review to develop a customised International Developments in TAFE Diploma in Hairdressing. Hon. S. SANTORO (Clayfield—Minister Visiting dignitaries from the National for Training and Industrial Relations) Economics University in Hanoi, Vietnam, have (9.56 a.m.), by leave: The future prosperity of toured TAFE institutes to assess the value of this State relies on the capacity of Queensland our training programs to their country's needs. business and industry to develop export Two staff currently are in Vietnam to attend markets, particularly in neighbouring Asian the centenary celebrations of the National countries. I would like to outline how TAFE Economics University and to explore options Queensland, one of the divisions of the Department of Training and Industrial for formal links and twinning arrangements. Relations, is working to strengthen links with One of TAFE Queensland's most Asia and promote the economic development successful projects in Asia is the development of Queensland. and delivery of pre-opening training for Strategic relationships and alliances Sheraton properties throughout the established by TAFE Queensland will provide Asia/Pacific region. TAFE acts as the networks and pathways for other Queensland managing agent for this project on behalf of businesses as they seek to expand into Asia. Australia TAFE International. Teams of TAFE Currently, projects are in progress in Malaysia, teachers work with Sheraton management Indonesia and China; opportunities are being over eight to ten weeks to develop standard explored in Taiwan and Vietnam; and students operating procedures for the property, and to are being recruited from Korea, Hong Kong, conduct initial skills development training in Thailand and Japan. front office and accommodation, and food and beverage service. Of particular interest are the negotiations between TAFE Queensland and the Low Yat The project to date has generated Group, a major Malaysian property developer, revenue in excess of $1.5m and has involved for the establishment in Kuala Lumpur of a teams of teachers participating in pre-opening tourism and hospitality school, the Asia Pacific training throughout Malaysia and Indonesia. Academy of Further Education, APAFE. Other The growth in interest in TAFE International is exciting initiatives are under way through reflected in the gross revenue earned through individual TAFE institutes. For example, the the International Students Program. In 1994- Southbank Institute has provided consultancy 95, TAFE Queensland grossed $8.3m from services to Country Heights Holdings, Berhard, international students. Gross revenue in 1995- to conduct a feasibility study into the 96 rose to $10.2m. 28 Nov 1996 Ministerial Statement 4531

During 1996, more than 1,500 Asian establishment of a water industry students, mainly from China, Japan, Korea development fund to provide annual and Hong Kong, attended TAFE Queensland funding for research, innovation, courses. Already 350 paid enrolments from education and awareness grants to Asian students are confirmed for 1997, with enhance the performance of the main enrolment period still to come. Queensland's water industry; TAFE Queensland is developing its allocation of funds for the exploration and reputation as a quality provider of development of potential areas of ground- internationally-competitive vocational water supplies aimed at reducing the education and training in Asia. Achievements demand and reliance on surface water. to date have established a foundation for The Government is prepared to shorten the future growth. I undertake to keep the House processes to get projects going and create informed of developments in this important jobs. area of TAFE Queensland activity. But I must stress that because the projects to be chosen will be on existing MINISTERIAL STATEMENT regulated systems we believe they will have minimal environmental impacts. We will ensure Water Supply Infrastructure that no major issues are overlooked, because Hon. H. W. T. HOBBS (Warrego— in most instances the environmental scoping Minister for Natural Resources) (10 a.m.), by studies and management plans will be leave: As my department's contribution completed during the design phase. Some of towards getting Queensland moving, I wish to the projects will better manage environmental announce today an accelerated development flows and some funding will go to improving and improvement program of water supply existing fishways, while other important infrastructure. It is designed as an interim benefits will be in improving the efficiency of measure pending the longer term agenda to existing schemes and minimising losses of be recommended by the Water Infrastructure water. Task Force, the WITF. We will develop the program in the The accelerated program will be for coming months, with each project referred smaller works that are adjuncts to existing back to Cabinet for individual approval. The dams and weirs that can be completed in one size of the water industry development fund, or two years with minimal environmental which will come out of the capital allocations, is impacts. The program will be developed in the yet to be determined. Investigations of coming months, the funding coming from the ground-water supplies will be in areas where 1996-97 Budget Infrastructure Rejuvenation such water is known to exist and interest has Program which provided an extra capital works been shown in its development, but where no allocation of $14m. An extra $20m has been data is available on which to base rational provided for 1997-98 and $36m more in 1998- resource management decisions. 99. The problem we face is that because of MINISTERIAL STATEMENT the overwhelming response to the Water Firefighters Infrastructure Task Force, its workload has become enormous and its final report and Hon. M. D. VEIVERS (Southport— recommendations are not due now until Minister for Emergency Services and Minister February next year. Then there will be a long for Sport) (10.03 a.m.), by leave: I would like to lead-up time to the development of the larger inform honourable members that today is a projects that it will undoubtedly lay out in its significant day for Queensland's 2,000-plus 15-year program. In the meantime we have to full-time firefighters. During the parliamentary get on with the job. lunch recess I will be attending the signing of an agreement which will deliver some The State badly needs a start on water significant pay increases to our firefighters. infrastructure to meet community This certified agreement will be signed by the expectations. We will take a three-part Commissioner, Geoff Skerritt, and approach to the accelerated program representatives from the relevant firefighter involving— unions, namely, the United Firefighters Union a streamlining of the approval process by and the Senior Officers Association. running the economic investigations and The signing of this agreement is the environmental assessments in parallel culmination of nine months of tough with design studies; negotiations between the Fire Service, unions 4532 Personal Explanation 28 Nov 1996 and staff regarding the workplace reforms. As I (a) 9.30 am to 10.30 am— said, this agreement will deliver some Prayers significant pay increases—and they are significant, as some of the State's firefighters Messages from the Governor will receive more than $60 a week extra under Matters of Privilege this agreement. The average firefighter's pay increases by about $30 a week. Once signed, Speakers Statements the agreement will be forwarded to the Motions of Condolence Industrial Relations Commission and should be ratified in the coming week or so. Included Petitions in the agreement is a clause which backdates Statutory Instruments the increases to 1 October, so when this Ministerial Statements increase comes through the pay process firefighters will get a decent lump sum as well. Ministerial Notices of Motion With Christmas less than a month away, the Any other Government Business timing of this increase could not be more significant. Personal Explanations May I just say in closing that under the Reports previous Labor administration, firefighters in Question Time Queensland saw their level of pay slide alarmingly until they were the worst paid of (b) 10.30 am to Adjournment of the their profession of any State or Territory in this House— country. Government Business." Opposition members: That's not true. Motion agreed to. Mr VEIVERS: It is true. It was not surprising that we had firefighters marching on PERSONAL EXPLANATION Parliament in protest at a lack of staff and poor conditions. Only last week a record 55 Members' Speeches firefighter recruits graduated into the Fire Mr CAMPBELL (Bundaberg) Service, taking to 142 the number of recruits (10.06 a.m.): I wish to advise the House that who have joined the service since the change yesterday I wrote to the Speaker expressing of Government. my concern that an identical speech has been Today's pay increase will be the second presented twice in this Parliament. I have this year for our firefighters. Under the previous asked the Speaker to furnish guidelines administration they did not get a realistic pay regarding this incident and whether it should increase for six years. Already negotiations be allowed to happen again. between the Fire Service and unions have commenced regarding enterprise bargaining and it is hoped that further increases will be PERSONAL EXPLANATION delivered under that process early in the new Comments by Minister for Transport year. I am determined, as is this Government, and Main Roads that this upward trend will continue as much as possible and our deserving emergency service Mr ROBERTSON (Sunnybank) workers get the pay and conditions that they (10.06 a.m.): This morning the Courier-Mail deserve and the public expects. reported that I was the subject of a colourful but harsh attack by the Minister for Transport and Main Roads in this House yesterday. This ADDITIONAL SITTING DAY inaccurate and outrageous report by the Courier-Mail has caused me great personal Mr FITZGERALD (Lockyer—Leader of hurt and no doubt has caused great hurt to Government Business) (10.05 a.m.): I move— my father who, as we speak, is undergoing a "That pursuant to Standing Order major heart operation. As Hansard accurately No. 26, the House will meet for the records, it was not me who was the subject of despatch of business, in addition to the the Minister's colourful comments. I look days agreed to pursuant to the Sessional forward to the apology and the correction in Order of 2 April 1996, at 9.30am on tomorrow's edition of the Courier-Mail. May I Friday, 29 November 1996 on which day take this opportunity to wish my father a very the routine of business shall be as speedy recovery and assure him, "It wasn't follows— me, Dad." 28 Nov 1996 Private Members' Statements 4533

NOTICES OF MOTION Revenue from Oil and Tyre Taxes Censure of Minister for Police and Mr WELFORD (Everton) (10.09 a.m.): I Corrective Services and Minister for give notice that I shall move— Public Works and Housing "That this House condemns the Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—Leader Minister for Environment for misleading of the Opposition) (10.07 a.m.): I move— this House, agricultural, grazing and other rural industries and the people of "That this House censures the Queensland with his repeated false claims Minister for Police and Corrective Services that the revenue from new oil and tyre and the Minister for Public Works for their taxes will be allocated to the part in arranging yet another secret deal management and recycling of oil and by fixing jobs for National Party cronies in waste tyres when the truth is that the what has become known as the Patrick anticipated $25m in revenue will go into O'Connor consultancy scandal and calls consolidated revenue or subsidies to on the Premier to honour his contract with industry with no direct benefit to recycling Queensland by restoring integrity and or waste production." public faith in the processes of his Government." PRIVATE MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Comalco Kaolin Operations; Hospital Protection of Dugongs Waiting Lists Mr WELFORD (Everton) (10.08 a.m.): I Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—Leader give notice that I shall move— of the Opposition) (10.10 a.m.): Two indicators "That this House notes— show that this Government is not up to the task. We heard a long statement from the (1) that the Federal Minister for Deputy Premier this morning about finances. Environment told a Townsville In today's paper we find an announcement meeting of the Dugong Review that Comalco has shut down its kaolin Group on 4 October this year that he operations in Weipa after losses of more than would like the Commonwealth and $80m and 93 workers at the kaolin operation Queensland Ministers for have been made redundant. That is the Environment to be able to consider a Premier's economic legacy. That is his impact package of emergency measures at on the loss of jobs in this State. the Great Barrier Reef Ministerial The other sector in which there is no Council to be held at the end of his service delivery is hospital waiting lists. Let us week; look at what this Government's record is really (2) that the State Government has not about. This Minister is trying to move people given any undertaking to support from Category 1 to Category 2 to try to hide such measures; the seriousness of the waiting list. Let us consider what the figures say. Here is the (3) that the Federal Minister, blow-out in the waiting list: Gold Coast emphasising the need for urgent Hospital—in July 1996 the waiting list was 711; contributions to dugong protection, in October 1996 the waiting list was 837; the stated that if the parties cannot PA Hospital—in July the Category 2 waiting list voluntarily and cooperatively take the was 131; October 1996, 384; the Royal necessary action to protect the Brisbane Hospital—in July, 531; October 1996, dugong the Commonwealth will be 1,106; Toowoomba Hospital—in July, 154; in left with no option but to take further October, 206; Townsville Hospital—in July, action itself; 1,012; in October, 1,044. That is the Minister's and calls on the Minister for Environment, record. Mr Littleproud, and the Government to Under this Government, the waiting list at support the immediate implementation of the Royal Brisbane Hospital has almost the package of emergency measures doubled in three months. What does the including, at the minimum, the immediate Minister say? His advisers say that it is not the termination of gill-netting operations number of people on the waiting list that is throughout the dugongs' habitat and important but rather the time they wait. The range within the Great Barrier Reef World Minister does not care about people on the Heritage area." waiting list. What a joke he is! 4534 Private Members' Statements 28 Nov 1996

Dr Brian Senewiratne, whom the Minister a single School Curriculum Authority for used conveniently when he was in Opposition, preschool to Year 10; now agrees that the Minister is a waste of time corrected the previous Government's and a failure as Minister. When in Opposition, bungle over the $50 school uniform he was happy to use that doctor, but now, allowance; when he attacks the Minister, the Minister attacks him. Dr Brain Senewiratne is right confirmation of the Meadowbank site for about him: he is not up to the job. Logan university; Time expired. Eastlink project dropped and other options considered; Tully/Millstream proposal dropped; Borbidge/Sheldon Government Initiatives one-stop shop for business licences to help cut Government red tape; Mr TANTI (Mundingburra) (10.12 a.m.): I do not wish to disappoint the negative Labor State wetlands strategy; members, so I will continue with chapter 3 of new improved structure for Brisbane River my serial on the Borbidge/Sheldon Management Group; Government's many positive initiatives. To get re-assessment of State's valuation Labor members' blood on the boil, I wish to system; quote two statements on diplomacy that they will clearly understand— new amendments to land legislation; "Diplomacy is to do and say the primary industry goes back to the bush; nastiest things in the nicest way." major drought measures—— And— Time expired. "A smile is the magic language of diplomacy that even a baby Roads Program understands." Hon. J. P. ELDER (Capalaba—Deputy Now the positives— Leader of the Opposition) (10.14 a.m.): The creation of a range of new Ministries and Government's grand announcement of its transfer of responsibilities in various roads program for Queensland for the next portfolios, including the Bureau of Ethnic five years made in Townsville on Monday Affairs and the Office of Indigenous deserves some close examination. When the Affairs, under the Premier; Premier claims hundreds of millions of dollars more parliamentary reforms including of extra money, thousands of extra jobs and revamped sitting hours of Parliament and economic prosperity for all of Queensland, the more opportunities for backbenchers; sun will shine tomorrow, the world as we know it will change—it is little more than political more resources to the State Opposition grandstanding. However, the Mayor of and more help for larger electorates; Thuringowa, Les Tyrell—a very close friend of stamp duty relief for home buyers; the Minister for Transport; he knows Les and moves to improve trade ties with the never criticises him—came close to an People's Republic of China, Papua/New accurate description when he described it as Guinea, Korea, Japan and the USA; "a rehash of documentation that had been put out last year". In other words, it is the road Queensland joins other States and the implementation program put out by the Labor Federal government on gun law reforms; Party. major prison changes; The Budget amount for this year shows changes in the courts system to clear an increase of $58m over last year's Budget; backlog of cases; in other words, it has increased from $880m to major reforms in education including $938m. That is not quite the extra $150m a removing teachers from a mountain of red year, but seemingly, according to the Premier, tape and paperwork; not too bad. However, last year, total expenditure on the Pacific Highway between review of the Student Performance Brisbane and the Gold Coast was budgeted at Standards; $40m. This year, the Government will spend more disciplinary power to principals; $60m on that road. The budget has increased disruptive students to be dealt with; police by $58m; however, $60m will be spent on the presence in schools; Pacific Highway. That extra $100m that it 28 Nov 1996 Private Members' Statements 4535 spoke about was in fact $58m; $60m will be Buildings Protective Security Amendment spent on the Pacific Highway, so there is no Regulation (No. 2) tabled on Tuesday adds road program for the rest of the State. The the MLC Centre, corner of George and Government does not have the money. Adelaide Streets, Brisbane, to the list of Not only did the Government mislead the buildings covered by special State people of Queensland but also, to top it off, Government security laws. That is apparently on Monday the Premier stated that the intended to provide security for the Connolly transport infrastructure levy, that is, $7m was commission now ensconced in the MLC gone. It reappeared on Tuesday in the RIP. It Centre. The Law Courts and State Buildings is in this document. How incompetent are Protective Security Act 1983 gives broad they? On Monday, that $7m was abolished powers to senior protective security officers, from the road program, but it was included in including the power of search under section the road program for the State in a document 21, the power to demand name and address tabled in the House on Tuesday. How under section 20 and the power under section incompetent is the Minister for Transport? He 23 to refuse entry to or to eject any person announces it. It is in his document. He has who fails to satisfy the officer that the person $60m more and he has lost it all on the Pacific has a good and lawful reason to be in the Highway. building. Those powers may be exercised on any person visiting the building or its precincts, including the clients of the Criterion Tavern or Gympie Pack House Cooperative the coffee shop or of the many barristers in Mr STEPHAN (Gympie) (10.16 a.m.): In the building. This illustrates the absurdities in common with the member for Mundingburra, I placing private commercial premises under the do have a good news story about umbrella of special State Government security development, particularly in relation to my laws more applicable to law courts. electorate and the work, interest and support The security zone could have been limited of the fruit and vegetable industry. The Gympie Pack House cooperative is starting to to the floor or floors occupied by the Connolly take shape. I congratulate the Gympie commission. The definition of "building" in Fruitgrowers Cooperative Association on its section 4 of the Act can entail part of the work and initiative to put together a package building only and precincts of the building can for a new pack house capable of being graded be limited under section 4 by a regulation to ISO 9002 export quality—— prescribing boundaries. The regulation in this case, however, prescribes the whole of Lot 28 Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is too on registered plan 170279, County of Stanley, much noise on both sides of the Chamber. Parish of North Brisbane. I table a copy of the Mr STEPHAN: —and providing an plan for that lot, showing the whole of the MLC opportunity for its members to purchase Centre, bounded by Adelaide Street, George shares in that operation. Street and Burnett Lane. This seems Mr Gibbs interjected. excessive and unnecessary. Mr STEPHAN: That is all right; we will Perhaps any public concerns over this take those shares from the member. We were matter will be allayed by the comforting looking for a bit of support. knowledge that the Minister responsible for Stage 1 of the project will include large this inspired regulation is none other than the cold room storage facilities. To cater for that Minister for Public Works and Housing, the expansion, the Gympie Fruitgrowers redoubtable Ray Connor. However, one Cooperative Association is modernising its wonders what the Bar Association thinks about rules for members to have share capital. There having those special security laws apply to is great support for and enthusiasm about clients attending for a confidential conference catering for the export industry by those who with their barrister. One also wonders at the are preparing to look after our neighbours in wisdom of the Connolly commission—— the near north to give them a better chance of Time expired. survival and ensuring that the whole State benefits. Dalrymple Bay Coal Loading Terminal Time expired. Mr MALONE (Mirani) (10.20 a.m.): On 24 November, I joined Premier Rob Borbidge, Connolly Commission; Security Deputy Premier Joan Sheldon and the Arrangements member for Burdekin, Mark Stoneman, the Hon. M. J. FOLEY (Yeronga) Premier's representative in north Queensland, (10.18 a.m.): The Law Courts and State at the Dalrymple Bay coal loading terminal. 4536 Private Members' Statements 28 Nov 1996

The reason for the visit was to announce we heard the word "choice" coming from a further $163m expansion, which comes on Minister Lingard's office. However, with the top of a recent $160m expansion. The funding passing of time, those people who had first will put in place a second coal loader, believed the Minister when he claimed that complete with a 3.5 kilometre duplication of with this you-beaut policy of choice their loved the jetty conveyor, plus further upgrading ones could be relocated into the community if which will double the coal-loading capacity they so chose have come to realise that they from 7,000 tonnes per hour to 14,000 tonnes have been badly deceived. per hour. That increase will give the port Even as recently as 14 November on A further capacity plus flexibility to load more Current Affair, in relation to the residents of the ships with a quicker turnaround. Basil Stafford and Challinor Centres, Mr Last year, 67 million tonnes of coal was Lingard stated— exported, earning Queensland $4.5 billion. "These people are moving and The planned expansion of the Dalrymple Bay probably will be moving out in the next coal port terminal will give the facility an few days. There are 28 to move out increased capacity of more than 25 per cent, virtually immediately and they will be pushing earnings well past $5 billion. The followed by another group of people and expansion is as a result of increased production and further development of new I'm saying they're moving immediately." mines within the Mackay hinterland. How do those assurances, now some weeks The development of new mines is a major old—and may I add that the 28 people did not investment in mining infrastructure. New mines move out immediately—sit with the fact that in the electorate of Mirani alone are soaking only this week the Deputy Director-General, Dr up development funds well in excess of $1 Peter Botsman, advised Mrs Betty Marshall, billion. South Walker and Burton Downs have among others, that her son David will now not just begun production with Hail Creek to make be leaving Basil Stafford because, in his a decision early in December to move into full words, "The funds are just not there" because development. Hail Creek has some of the of a hiccup in the sale of the Challinor Centre. biggest reserves of coal in the area with more That is despite the fact that the Minister gave than 1,000 million tonnes available through a personal face-to-face guarantee to Mrs open-cut access. Marshall that David would be moving from Basil Stafford to a near-completed house and There is an increased demand for coal for despite the fact that Unicare as care providers Japan, which is to double its power-generating have everything in place for David's move to capacity over the next decade. Korea is community living. increasing its steel-making capacity by 30 per cent by the turn of the century. The This week, the Deputy Director-General, extraordinary economic growth rate throughout Dr Botsman, has advised people that the sale Asia means the capacity of both the coal- of Challinor is still being negotiated. The loading facilities—— Commonwealth and State Governments needed to raise more funds for the sale to go Time expired. through. However, what is important to remember is that the funds for people to move Institutional Reform from institutions were promised before the sale of Challinor to the university was proposed. Mrs WOODGATE (Kurwongbah) Does the Minister realise the distress and (10.22 a.m.): The matter of institutional reform despair that his apparent deceit on the matter is one that has been debated and will of institutional reform is causing to the parents continue to be debated in our community for and relatives of people in the institutions to quite some time. whom the Minister promised a choice? The Goss Labor Government had a policy of institutional reform which had as its objective the moving of people living in QE II Hospital institutions into community living. The funds Mr CARROLL (Mansfield) (10.24 a.m.): were in place and many people looked forward Good district hospitals are essential to the life to the reforms with hope that their loved ones and proper care of local communities. The would at last be given the chance to take their former Labor Government severely pruned the place as members of the community at large. service and facilities at the QE II Hospital with With the advent of the Borbidge/Sheldon all sorts of cutbacks and then set out to graft it Government attaining power in February this onto the Princess Alexandra Hospital as a year, there was a change in policy. Suddenly minor subsidiary. That was a direct attack on 28 Nov 1996 Private Members' Statements 4537 the community of the south side of Brisbane Queensland artists contributed to the and it was one of the most important election preparation of that calendar. It was a project of issues in the Mansfield electorate last year. which the Ethnic Communities Council was The QE II Hospital was downgraded to very proud and it looked forward to a such an extent that, during one weekend in successful launch of that calendar. How wrong 1995, there were only nine patients in that it was. The Minister for Health became the hospital. Those who stood by the hospital chief censor and decided to ban the during those hard years deserve credit. One of distribution of the calendar to any Government those was the late president of the QE II medical centre, as well as refusing to launch it. Hospital auxiliary, Mr Clem O'Keefe. He fought It was a last-minute decision, even though a resolutely against the reduction of services copy of the calendar was available to the that occurred at the QE II Hospital. He took Minister for two weeks prior to the launch. the hospital's fight to the media. During the This is an insult to the Ethnic 1994-95 financial year, Mr O'Keefe said that Communities Council of Queensland. I urge the auxiliary would stop donating equipment the Premier, if he has not done so, to examine unless intensive care, accident and the calendar objectively and reverse his emergency and the medical wards were fully Minister's decision. Of the many people to restored. whom I have shown the calendar, not one Mr O'Keefe was president of the auxiliary person has objected. Instead, they are from 1981 to his death in May this year. fulsome in their praise of how the calendar Recently, the Health Minister, with Clem's promotes fidelity, self-examination for cancer, widow, Mrs Marj O'Keefe, unveiled a plaque at encourages parents to set moral examples for the hospital in memory of Clem. The Minister living, warns of the risks of unsafe sex and also accepted from the auxiliary on behalf of promotes the importance of family support the hospital an equipment donation of over during birthing. $64,000. As Labor found, no Government can Honourable members, what could anyone take auxiliary equipment donations for in this House find objectionable about this granted. Although the QE II Hospital auxiliary calendar? had donated $914,000 since 1981, that was Honourable members: Turn it over. the first donation since the 1994-95 financial year. It is a recognition from the community on Mr PALASZCZUK: Turn it over? This the south side of Brisbane that this one is headed, "Fidelity—Practising fidelity". Government is headed in the right direction. Shall I keep going? "The risk is always there. Whatever your reason for having sex, have The recent announcements of substantial sex without regret. Use a condom. Promoting capital works and increases to operating funds safe sex again." have been well received by the people of Mansfield. Work is well under way and the Mr SPEAKER: Order! This will read well coalition Government is on track to restore the in Hansard. QE II Hospital to a fully operational, 161-bed hospital. That redevelopment will include the Mobile Fire Training Centre establishment of a 30-bed acute medical ward and increased staffing for the emergency Mr MITCHELL (Charters Towers) department. (10.29 a.m.): I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate the north Queensland firefighters on their efforts in Multicultural Sexual Health Calendar building Queensland's and Australia's first Mr PALASZCZUK (Inala) (10.26 a.m.): mobile fire training centre. The centre, which is Communicating through art encourages non- based at the Townsville Fire Station but will English speaking people and indigenous travel widely throughout north Queensland, communities to take an active and responsible was officially commissioned to the Fire Service role in maintaining sexual health by raising fleet by the Minister for Emergency Services, awareness and enhancing people's Mick Veivers, last Sunday. knowledge of health issues and the availability The $190,000 semitrailer is a splendid of sexual health services. vehicle and it is a credit to everyone involved That is what the Multicultural Sexual in its construction. The unit will be used to Health Calendar 1997 is all about. It is a major provide training in breathing apparatus use, project of the Ethnic Communities Council of fire simulation and live fire situations for north Queensland, funded by the Commonwealth Queensland's full-time auxiliary and rural and State Governments. Eight individual firefighters. That unit will offer vital training for 4538 Questions Without Notice 28 Nov 1996 all of the State's emergency services me on behalf of their constituents or members personnel. of staff. This vehicle has already been to a couple Firstly, representations were made by the of the remote stations at which the local former Deputy Premier—the former member firefighters have had the opportunity to use it. for Lytton, Mr Burns—in respect of a member The reaction to this initiative was fantastic, and of his staff who was seeking a voluntary I know that the vehicle will get plenty of use in redundancy. That is fine. That is the business north Queensland over the coming weeks, of members of Parliament. months and years. There is no question that Then, the member for Yeronga,a former the technology now available in north chief law office of the State, made Queensland will prove highly effective. representations to me in support of a Mr SPEAKER: Order! Time has expired. constituent who was a former staff member in the office of a Goss Government Minister who had failed to sign a contract of employment, QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE requesting that, on the grounds of natural Minister for Police and Corrective justice, I override advice from Crown law. Then Services and Minister for Racing the Leader of the Opposition himself—— Mr BEATTIE: (10.30 a.m.): In directing Mr FOLEY: I rise to a point of order. The my first question to the Premier, I remind him clear implication of the Premier's statement is of his so-called contract with Queensland in that I had acted dishonourably and I find that which he said— offensive and untrue. "It is my personal commitment as Mr SPEAKER: There is no imputation. leader of the coalition to restore integrity Mr FOLEY: Quite properly, I made and public faith in processes of representations on behalf of a constituent who Government." had a dispute over severance pay and the I refer the Premier to his Police and Corrective Premier acceded to the wisdom of my Services Minister having once again submissions. deliberately misled the Parliament, and I ask: Mr SPEAKER: There is no point of how long are decent Queenslanders expected order. to tolerate the Premier's Police Minister and Mr BORBIDGE: That is precisely my his sleazy, secret deals before the Premier point, and that is exactly what the Minister for sacks him to create some semblance of Police did. Then the Leader of the Opposition integrity and public faith in his Government? wrote to me in respect of a member of his staff Mr BORBIDGE: I welcome the who was seeking voluntary redundancy and opportunity to reply to the Leader of the the maximisation of his payout. If the Minister Opposition. Yesterday, I detailed in the House for Police has acted improperly, the former a number of quite dubious arrangements that Deputy Premier acted improperly, the member had been entered into by the Government of for Yeronga acted improperly and the Leader which he was a member, and more particularly of the Opposition acted improperly, and that is when he was a Minister. I think that it is quite clearly nonsense. appropriate that I inform the House that a Mr BEATTIE: I rise to a point of order. I number of members of the Opposition—— find the remarks of the Premier not only Mr Fouras interjected. dishonest but also a gross distortion of the facts and offensive. The Premier tried to sack Mr BORBIDGE: The honourable a member of my staff and I sought to protect member should stick around; have I got him. I ask that that comment be withdrawn. something for him. This has been a glorious None of those people had an adverse CJC place since we had someone else sitting in the finding against them for being dishonest. I Speaker's chair rather than the member who is seek a withdrawal. It was dishonest and the interjecting. Premier knows it. The duplicity and the hypocrisy of the Mr BORBIDGE: What does the Leader of the Opposition simply know no honourable member want withdrawn? bounds. I will cite three examples of members of the Opposition who have done precisely Mr BEATTIE: The Premier knows what the Opposition is condemning the exactly what I am asking to be withdrawn. He Minister for Police for doing. I remind suggested that there was something improper. honourable members opposite of a couple of Mr BORBIDGE: No, I did not. instances when they made representations to Mr BEATTIE: Yes, he did. 28 Nov 1996 Questions Without Notice 4539

Mr SPEAKER: Order! This is not a Mr BORBIDGE: If the honourable debate. member finds them offensive, I withdraw Mr BORBIDGE: This shows the them. sensitivities of honourable members opposite, Mr Mackenroth interjected. because the Leader of the Opposition, the Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Premier has former Deputy Premier and the member for withdrawn. Yeronga did precisely what the Minister for Police and Corrective Services did. Mr BORBIDGE: I think it is interesting that honourable members opposite are Mr BEATTIE: I rise to a point of order. alleging that someone who has never been None of the people referred to are crooks. The convicted of anything, to the best of my issues we are raising are about crooks. There knowledge, is a crook. In the absolutely is a big difference. mischievous debate that has been under way Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the Premier. in this place over the past couple of days, Mr BORBIDGE: I am not aware that the honourable members opposite have been gentleman that the Minister for Police was saying that they can quite properly make making representations about had ever been representations on behalf of their constituents, convicted of anything. The CJC found against staff or associates and that that is okay, but Mr Mackenroth too. people on this side of the House cannot. That is the selective morality of honourable Mr FOLEY: I rise to a point of order. The members opposite. It is a blatant double Premier's suggestion that I had acted standard. improperly is offensive and untrue. It is grossly offensive and, moreover, it is hypocritical, Mr FitzGerald: Did they fix it or not? Did because the Premier acceded to my they only make representations? representations on behalf of the constituent. Mr BORBIDGE: My colleague the Accordingly, I ask that the Premier withdraw Leader of Government Business asks, "Did his suggestion of impropriety on my part. they fix it?" In common with the Minister for Mr SPEAKER: I did not hear the Police and Corrective Services, they simply Premier state that the honourable member made representations. had acted improperly or with impropriety, but if In response to the sensitivity of the he believes that he did, I ask the Premier to honourable member for Yeronga, at no time withdraw the remark—if he stated that the did I suggest that he had acted improperly or honourable member acted with impropriety. that the Leader of the Opposition or the Mr BORBIDGE: I did not make that former Deputy Premier had acted improperly, particular imputation against the honourable because the honourable member for Yeronga, gentleman. I was merely making the point that the former Deputy Premier and the Leader of the conduct of the Minister—— the Opposition had acted in precisely the same manner as the Minister for Police and Mr MACKENROTH: I rise to a point of Corrective Services. order, now that the point of order of the honourable member for Yeronga has been completed. The Premier said that the CJC had Aboriginal Gaol, Feasibility Report made a finding against me. That is untrue and Mr BEATTIE: I refer the Minister for I ask for it to be withdrawn. I also draw the Police and Corrective Services to his 12 March House's attention to the fact that I did not letter to the Minister for Public Works and spend a week on Hamilton Island. Housing, requesting a feasibility report on a Mr SPEAKER: I do not know where the purpose-designed and built correctional facility honourable member has had holidays. for male Aboriginal inmates. Since 25 March, Mr BORBIDGE: I am surprised at the when the Minister announced that Cabinet new-found political morality on the other side had supported a $16m pilot project at Lotus of the House this morning. Glen prison to test his idea for an Aboriginal gaol, did not Cabinet's decision clearly make Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable his request to Mr Connor for a feasibility report member for Chatsworth has asked for a redundant—— withdrawal. Mr Connor: It was an in-principle report. Mr BORBIDGE: If the honourable member finds those comments offensive, I Mr BEATTIE: The honourable member withdraw them. will get his chance. Did not Cabinet's decision clearly make the Minister's request to Mr Mr Mackenroth: Untrue. Connor for a feasibility report redundant and 4540 Questions Without Notice 28 Nov 1996 was not the decision to proceed with the report Mr BORBIDGE: This morning, I wish to a scandalous waste of taxpayers' money? draw to the attention of the House a very Mr COOPER: That did not make the serious matter arising from comments made report redundant and it was not a scandalous yesterday by the honourable member for waste of money. I thought the report was Logan. If we look at the Hansard record, I excellent. It dealt with the matters that I suggest that we would see a very strong case believe are important. The issue of Aboriginal- that the honourable member for Logan has style accommodation had to be investigated. misled the Parliament. We are seeing an We had to get further ideas. We are still ongoing campaign by members opposite over getting further ideas on that most important a consultancy that, I think, came to something issue. That is the sort of issue in which I like to over $7,000— be involved, that is, trying to do things of a Mr Beattie: No, $10,000. constructive nature. That is exactly what we Mr BORBIDGE:—okay, $10,000 all- are about, and that will continue to be the up—in respect of a major report which, as the case. We have been directing our attention to Minister indicated, will assist substantially the seeing constructive improvements in those planning for prisons in this State. It is about people's way of life, be they in the prison time that the Labor Party came clean. We system or anywhere else. We will continue to heard the Leader of the Opposition yelling, do that. You and your chief sewer rat can "Scandal!" and this morning saying that the keep playing in the sewer. That is exactly what Minister for Police should resign. I wonder you love to do with your various mates and the what the future of the member for Logan will member for—— be after this little exercise is revealed. I do not Mr ELDER: I rise to a point of order. I really want to embarrass the member for find those remarks personally offensive. I ask Logan, because I know that the Leader of the that they be withdrawn. Parliament is a little Opposition would be rather happy if I did that. better than that. I wish to tell the House the story of the Mr SPEAKER: Order! I did hear the Distributed Systems Technology Centre and Minister make what I consider to be an the amount of taxpayers' money that has unparliamentary remark, but I did not believe been used to mollycoddle a political operative. that he directed it at anyone in particular. I did I am advised that, as principal private not hear him refer to anyone in particular. I ask secretary to the then Premier and chief adviser the Minister to withdraw that unparliamentary to the Premier on information technology remark. matters, Mr Barbagallo was involved in Mr COOPER: I withdraw in deference to arranging grant funding not of $10,000 but of you, Mr Speaker. Quite obviously, if the cap $1.125m over three years by the Queensland fits, you will wear it. You are the one who leapt Government to the Distributed Systems to his feet as soon as the word was Technology Centre at the University of mentioned. Queensland. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Minister will An Opposition member: So what? refer to members by their electorate and will Mr BORBIDGE: The member asked, not use the words "you" or "he" across the "So what?" That is fair enough. I will tell Chamber. That applies to both sides. honourable members a bit more. Did Wayne Mr COOPER: I withdraw that comment. not fill in members opposite about this? Mr Elder interjected. Mr D. Barbagallo Mr BORBIDGE: One of the outcomes Mr SPRINGBORG: In directing a required—— question to the Premier, I refer to claims made Mr SPEAKER: I find the remark of the by the member for Logan that his former honourable member for Capalaba to be private secretary, Mr David Barbagallo, had unparliamentary and I ask him to withdraw it. not been the beneficiary of substantial Mr ELDER: Mr Speaker, I withdraw. Government funding, and I ask: in view of claims made by the Leader of the Opposition Mr BORBIDGE: One of the outcomes in regard to Government consultancies, can required of the DSTC to receive funding in the Premier advise the House of the details of year 2 was the appointment of a full-time chief Mr Barbagallo's involvement with the executive officer, for which $95,000 would be Distributed Systems Technology Centre at the provided by the Government. Surprise, University of Queensland and associated surprise, the man who set up the deal got the Government funding? job. Mr Barbagallo was subsequently 28 Nov 1996 Questions Without Notice 4541 appointed to the position of chief executive beneficiary of some payment from the officer, Distributed Systems Technology Premier's Department and/or the Office of the Centre, University of Queensland. So what we Cabinet, was untrue. It was untrue. That is have—— what I said yesterday. I did not deliberately Mr W. K. GOSS: I rise to a point of mislead the House. This is a desperate and order. It is untrue and offensive to imply, as pathetic defence of a Minister whom the the Premier did, that there was something Premier should have the courage to sack. improper in this arrangement. Mr Barbagallo is Mr SPEAKER: Order! I do not have the an employee of this company and receives no Hansard from yesterday here. There is ample personal benefit from any consultancies which opportunity for the member to raise this matter the company has managed to obtain not just in a debate or to make a personal from the State Government but also from the explanation. I cannot quote what was in Federal Government and a range of national Hansard from yesterday. and international information technology Mr BORBIDGE: Is it not interesting how companies. they protect their own Labor mates? We see Mr SPEAKER: Order! This is not a the duplicity and hypocrisy of honourable debate. The member will state his point of members opposite. order. Once again, let us go through the facts as Mr W. K. GOSS: The point is that it is I am advised. We had a situation in which Mr entirely proper and open, unlike the laundered Barbagallo, the then principal private secretary pay-off that the Premier is defending. to the member for Logan, was involved in the Mr BORBIDGE: The honourable arranging of grant funding of $1.125m. A member might like to tell the House why he condition of that funding was that in year 2 lied to Parliament yesterday when he said that there would be a full-time chief executive Mr Barbagallo had not been appointed—— officer, for which $95,000 would be provided by the Government. What an amazing Mr W. K. GOSS: I rise to a point of coincidence that the man who set it up got the order. job! Members opposite talk about due process Mr SPEAKER: Order! I believe that and integrity—— remark to be unparliamentary and I ask the Mr W. K. GOSS: I rise to a point of Premier to withdraw it. order. There is a clear imputation of Mr BORBIDGE: The member for Logan impropriety in relation to the way in which my might like to explain why he deliberately misled private secretary got that job. It is untrue and the Parliament yesterday. offensive and I seek its withdrawal on that Opposition members: Withdraw. basis and further on the basis that the selection committee was a private sector Mr BORBIDGE: I withdraw the word selection committee. The position was openly "lie" and substitute with its full meaning advertised. It was selected not by a "deliberately misled the House yesterday" by Government but by a private sector saying that Mr Barbagallo had not been the beneficiary of taxpayers' funds. committee. The Premier should see who was on the committee. Mr W. K. GOSS: I rise to a point of order. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member has found those remarks offensive, Mr SPEAKER: Order! I have asked the and I ask the Premier to withdraw. Premier to withdraw the remark that he made. Mr BORBIDGE: Mr Speaker, out of Government members: He did. respect for your position, I will withdraw. But I Mr SPEAKER: Did the Premier would say that the facts speak for themselves. withdraw? Isn't it a great system—— Mr BORBIDGE: Yes. Mr FitzGerald: You didn't refer to the Mr W. K. GOSS: On a point of honourable member personally. order—Mr Speaker, in addition to that Mr BORBIDGE: I did not refer to the withdrawal I seek a withdrawal of the further honourable member's personally selecting him untrue and offensive remark by the Premier in for the job. We on this side of the House can relation to what I said yesterday. If he say, "Gee, what an amazing set of examines Hansard, as I have, he will find that I circumstances—just an incredible said quite clearly that his untrue, dishonest coincidence—that you set up something, you and malicious imputation of yesterday, are involved in meetings, you get the funding namely, that Mr Barbagallo was the out of the Premier's Department, you apply for 4542 Questions Without Notice 28 Nov 1996 the job and you get it." I accept the stewardship and direction of the former assurances of the then Premier that it was all Government, we saw the marine industry and an amazing coincidence; that it was all the boat-building industry in this State fall into fortuitous. The honourable member for Logan disarray. Some boat builders in this State even and the Leader of the Opposition must believe contemplated moving offshore because of the in the tooth fairy! restrictions imposed on them by the legislation introduced by the former Government, which was in place until last evening. This industry is Mr P. O'Connor; Mr I. Prentice worth $300m. I know that the honourable Mr ELDER: I ask the Minister for Public member for Mansfield and many others are Works and Housing: did he arrange an keenly interested in the industry. On numerous introduction for Patrick O'Connor with Ian occasions the member for Hinchinbrook has Prentice? Was this introduction on the basis raised concerns about the industry in north that O'Connor already had the job with the Queensland. Prentice consultancy team before they had Queensland provides 64 per cent of the even met? total leisure vessels built in Australia. That is a Mr CONNOR: The last part of the significant number. Under the stewardship of question was rather convoluted, but the former Minister, the member for Ipswich, anyway—— that industry virtually closed down. The new Mr ELDER: I rise to a point of order. For legislation will make the Queensland boat- the benefit of the Minister, I can repeat the building industry more competitive, more second part of the question: was the productive and more profitable. Not only will introduction on the basis that O'Connor this $300m industry be rejuvenated, but already had that job before they had even benefits will also flow on to other sectors of the met? marine industry. In his second-reading speech Mr CONNOR: I gave the Opposition in February 1994, the honourable member for every document that it had called for, plus Ipswich stated— more. I tabled it at the earliest possible "The Marine Safety Bill aims to opportunity that I had after question time. The dispense with cumbersome and report was required as a result of an in- unnecessary regulation, improve principle Cabinet decision. It was an excellent administrative efficiency and put report. It is currently being used, as I Queensland at the forefront of maritime understand it, in the consultancy process. It safety reform in Australia." was undertaken by an eminently qualified It did exactly the opposite—it put it into lawyer, and that is the person with whom the reverse. Last night this Government put the department dealt. This is the most crucial point industry back into drive. We have given the of the lot: the report was in last year's financial industry one of the best possible Christmas statements. It was detailed in a question on presents. People within the industry have notice in the Estimates. It was subject to any welcomed our legislation with open arms. The amount of scrutiny that the Opposition cared boating industry has welcomed the decision. to give it during the Estimates debate, but at This is how operators in that industry described that time the Opposition did not consider it in the previous system— any way to be a problem. Then all of a sudden it is different. As a result of it being in last "It was an unrealistic and outdated year's financial statements, it was also subject administrative nightmare." to the Auditor-General's report. In his second-reading speech the former Minister, the member for Ipswich, stated Transport Operations (Marine Safety) further— Act "The vast majority of those involved Mr CARROLL: I ask the Minister for in the consultation process demonstrated Transport and Main Roads to summarise the full support for the direction which this benefits of the changes to the Transport legislation takes and over 90 per cent Operations (Marine Safety) Act and why these appreciated the opportunity this legislation changes were necessary. will give to them to free up their industry Mr JOHNSON: I thank the honourable and reduce Government intervention." member for his question. This is about getting That legislation achieved exactly the opposite. another very important industry back on the It threw the industry into a hellhole. We have water, I suppose one could say. Under the pulled it out of that hellhole. As I said earlier, 28 Nov 1996 Questions Without Notice 4543 this Government has put the boat-building and done to provide help for communities and maritime industries back on the water. families and workers in this State? The member for Hinchinbrook, the Mr LINGARD: I am pleased to member for Broadwater and many other announce to all members of the House that people on the Gold Coast and in north an extra 15 rural workers will be appointed to Queensland have made representations to positions throughout Queensland in addition me on numerous occasions about speedboat to the 42 who are already in positions, 17 of events. Nearly every Thursday I have been whom are in rural areas. This morning I sent all taking Executive Council minutes to the honourable members details of the Youth Governor to ask her to free up this ludicrous Homeless Program. The Federal Government piece of legislation so that these events can has provided $18.6m in funding to address be conducted. After last night, that will no youth homelessness throughout the whole of longer be necessary. This industry now has the nation, and Queensland will receive $1.8m the autonomy that it deserves. of that. There is also a Youth Suicide In addition, the Marine Board is being put Program. back in place. The honourable member for All of these programs are in addition to Capalaba, the Deputy Leader of the the 11 special workers who will be put into high Opposition and Transport spokesman, claimed schools to deal with young people who are that this will lead to more of the bad old days. I experiencing difficulties. Those positions are in was disappointed to hear him say that. The addition to the family support workers that I new Marine Board is not going back to "the have announced in this House many times. bad old days", as he likes to put it. The board There are 22 of them in position and another will have a vision, it will be productive and it will six will be appointed straightaway, with another be beneficial to the industry. The amended 22 coming after that. That will make 50 special legislation will allow the boat-building and family support workers. marine industries in this State to prosper, as should be the case. The special program to which the member refers is the Rural Resettlement Program. Most members would realise that there have Mr P. O'Connor been 13 rural support workers in place since Ms BLIGH: I refer the Minister for Public Tom Burns appointed them back in 1991-92. I Works and Housing to the consultancy work have given an assurance that those 13 undertaken by Patrick O'Connor, which he was positions will stay. However, the roles will told would commence on 11 March. Can the change slightly in that they will not be just rural Minister explain how he was able to inform Mr support workers but rural family support O'Connor that this work would commence on workers, which fits in with the concept of family 11 March when he did not receive the request support. to undertake the work from the Police Minister This Rural Resettlement Program will be until 13 March? based in Toowoomba. Special workers will Mr CONNOR: Again, I do not know what deal with those people who unfortunately have the member is talking about. The present to move off the land and back into urban extension is being built. I understand that the areas. These special workers will deal with the tenders have closed. The funding was in the problems that those unfortunate people face. Budget. The department dealt with Prentice Lawyers. Importantly, this has been through Budget scrutiny, Estimates committee scrutiny Mr P. O'Connor and also Auditor-General scrutiny. Mr BRADDY: I ask the Minister for Public Works and Housing: as Pat O'Connor Rural Assistance received over 70 per cent of consultancy fees Mr HEGARTY: I refer the Minister for in excess of $10,000 paid by the Minister's Families, Youth and Community Care to the department for a report which O'Connor says fact that the drought is continuing in many he has never even seen, who was the author areas of the State and a number of regions of the report and were the Minister's are still drought declared, causing ongoing departmental officers involved in writing the problems for rural communities, and I ask: can report? the Minister advise the House what is being Mr CONNOR: My records quite clearly show that Mr Prentice wrote the report. 4544 Questions Without Notice 28 Nov 1996

Trauma Cases, Rural and Remote providing this trauma course in rural and Queensland remote Queensland; we are also putting in Mr MALONE: I ask the Minister for place in Mount Isa a rural public health unit Health to inform the House of any recent which will provide undergraduate and post- Queensland Health initiatives to improve the graduate training in the north west of the handling of trauma cases in rural and remote State. areas of Queensland. We have shifted the Office of Rural Health Mr HORAN: I thank the honourable from Brisbane out to Roma, to where it should member for his question and I would like to be—out in the bush. We have put in place an inform the House of the interest that the extra $1m for allied health services in rural honourable member for Mirani has shown in Queensland. We have put in place a dental rural health issues. Recently he travelled with funding scheme. About $470,000 will be spent me through north-western Queensland, to provide financial incentives for dentists to go through Charters Towers, Hughenden, to rural and remote areas of Queensland. We Cloncurry, Julia Creek, Mount Isa and have also doubled the scholarship scheme so Richmond, and I compliment him on his that we can start training young people in interest. medicine, nursing and allied health under a bonded scheme so that they can go back to Previously, there has been no proper the bush. trauma training support program for Queensland Health staff in rural and remote In addition, this week in Parliament we areas. In many of these places, patients saw the passage of the Health Legislation suffering from trauma have to wait some three Amendment Bill (No. 2), which will mean that to four hours before the retrieval service is able by the end of this year the 38 district health to access their remote areas. I am pleased to councils around this State will have been announce that, with the support and announced. That means that some 320 particularly the ideas and concepts of staff at community leaders and people with clinical the Mount Isa Hospital, we have been able to backgrounds will have genuine community put in place a trauma support training scheme. input into the way health services are delivered It involves staff of the Mount Isa Hospital throughout rural and regional Queensland and travelling to the United States of America to also the capital city. undertake a special course in conjunction with An indication of the interest in those the American College of Surgeons. When they councils is the number of applications we return, they will conduct a trauma support received. There were over 1,300 applicants for course at the Mount Isa Hospital. This involves 320 positions. In the district based around the training of 16 other emergency staff in Longreach, there were 27 applicants for 10 rural and remote areas of Queensland who will positions. In the south west there were 22 act as instructors. Another four trauma support applicants for eight positions, and in the courses will be conducted in rural areas of Toowoomba area there were 59 applicants for Queensland throughout the next year. 10 positions. It was the same story right across I would like to compliment the staff of the State. That is an indication of how people Mount Isa Hospital. This concept has come were sick and tired of the system under Labor from the staff at the emergency section at the and how people wanted to get back to having Mount Isa Hospital. I will give an example of some say in the delivery of health services in the sorts of trauma they have to treat. Another this State. hospital in the same district, the Doomadgee In conclusion, I congratulate the staff of Hospital, has some 152 retrievals per year. the accident and emergency unit at Mount Isa That is about three per week. This means that Hospital on this very important concept. It was staff in hospitals in remote areas such as their idea. Queensland Health has been able Doomadgee can be trained so that in those to support them by sending them to the US for critical times—in the three to four hours it can their training. I hope that their efforts and the take before retrieval teams arrive—patients trauma course that they put in place will be of can receive the life-supporting services that great assistance to emergency staff in they need. hospitals and community health systems right This scheme also has the support of the throughout rural and remote Queensland. Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and we anticipate that it will provide the basic Prentice Lawyers Account training and support of the hospital staff. That is part of the coalition's policy promise of Mr MACKENROTH: I refer the Minister getting back to basics. Not only are we for Public Works and Housing to the account 28 Nov 1996 Questions Without Notice 4545 from Prentice Lawyers dated 30 April 1996 for are used in Olympic Games, Commonwealth $10,113 and the undated report into the Games and so on. review of correctional facilities for Aboriginal The 11 resolutions of 10 May placed a and Torres Strait Islander inmates which the ban on semiautomatic shotguns and pump- Minister tabled yesterday, and I ask: as action shotguns for clay target shooting at meetings were held to compile this report as national and international competitions—at late as 7 June 1996, will the Minister inform Commonwealth Games and so on. This was the House when he received the final report brought to the attention of the Prime Minister and also whether he received any further by the Premier of this State. He was informed accounts for payment from Prentice Lawyers that people would be disqualified from for this report? competing in international competitions. Of Mr CONNOR: I am not aware of course, that was not at all fair. The main receiving any further accounts. people who use semiautomatic shotguns for Mr Schwarten: Look at that pakapoo clay target shooting are usually young people, ticket you've got in your hand. or they are female, or they are physically handicapped. The reason is that such firearms Mr CONNOR: This is what was tabled have limited recoil. Those weapons should not yesterday. have been involved in the ban because they Mr Mackenroth: What about the date are used in international competitions. We of the report? kept constantly raising that matter at the Mr CONNOR: I will get back to the APMC. Finally, after discussion, the Prime member. I do not know. Minister recognised the need for people to be able to use those firearms. As a result, a resolution was passed and a statement was Gun Laws issued stating that their use for national and Mr ELLIOTT: My question is directed to international competition would be recognised. the Minister for Police and Corrective Services. The problem that we now have is that Following the national consideration of even though the new rules make their use for firearms control within the forum of the clay target shooting legitimate, we still have Australian Police Ministers Council, I members of sporting shooters clubs who take understand that representation was made for part in world championships. These people exemptions to be given to clay target shooting have been left out. That is a worry. There are competitions. I ask: would the Minister please thousands of shooters who use these honest- confirm the status of requests made on behalf to-goodness disciplines and we want to ensure of clay target shooting associations? What did that we cater for them. The latest brief that I the APMC decide in order to accommodate have indicates that sporting shooters clubs the special requirements of target shooters? which shoot at world championships—and Opposition members interjected. these are obviously international pursuits—will Mr COOPER: I do not know if this is not be included. I intend to pursue this matter. typed or handwritten, but I do know precisely We have to recognise that we have had a what the honourable member is talking about. win as far as the clay target associations are Mr Mackenroth interjected. concerned. That was and always will be of great benefit and great value. However, it is a Mr COOPER: I know he does, because little silly if we allow those people to use those he raises a very serious issue as far as the firearms but refuse permission to the sporting gun laws are concerned. shooters to do the same. Sporting shooters Mr Braddy interjected. compete in world championships. We have to Mr COOPER: The honourable member take up this issue. should try to listen, because this is an The Government has dealt closely with important matter. We are talking about clay the honourable member for Waterford on this target shooting. This matter concerns the particular subject. The honourable member recent Weapons Amendment Bill and the recognises the problem. I know that other discussions that the APMC has had over a jurisdictions also recognise the problem. I think period. One of the major issues that is always all reasonable and fair-minded people would of concern is semiautomatic shotguns and recognise that people who use semiautomatic pump-action shotguns for clay target shooting shotguns and pump-action shotguns limited to purposes. Most people will know that two shots should be permitted to use these semiautomatic shotguns are used in national firearms. I intend to continue to pursue the and international competitions. In fact, they matter. 4546 Questions Without Notice 28 Nov 1996

Minister for Police and Corrective Nevertheless, let us not detract from the Services comment; it was a good one. As far as I am Mr BARTON: My question is to the concerned, the Minister for Transport did not Minister for Police and Corrective Services. I tip me in on anything. ask: after the way the Transport Minister Opposition members interjected. tipped you in yesterday by unmasking your Mr COOPER: The point that those attempts to fix jobs for your National Party opposite, the media and others miss is that Mr cronies, does this reinforce the opinion you O'Connor tried to get me to subvert the normal expressed in your 6 July Courier-Mail interview and proper processes and he tried to make when you said of prison inmates— me appoint him to a position. I would not do it. "Some of them are pretty genuine He became angry and he threatened that he people. A bloody sight more genuine than would do exactly what those opposite are some of my colleagues"? saying. He said he would blackmail me and he would go to the Opposition and do all the Mr COOPER: A great game, politics! sleazy things that he possibly could. That is You fellows know all about it because that is exactly what you are playing here. exactly what those opposite are doing, and they love it because they love being down in Mr Barton interjected. the sewer. Mr COOPER: Oh, yes, you are. I am Opposition members interjected. fully aware of it. Those opposite have had a Mr COOPER: To answer the question, ball as far as I am concerned all through this that is the nub of it. This fellow did try to year. But I am still here. blackmail me, in a sense. He tried to insist that Opposition members interjected. I give him a job. I said, "I will not". I said, "I will Mr COOPER: Yes, you have loved it. I ring around". That is exactly what I did. That is have managed to take the heat off the exactly what all members opposite would have Opposition. I am still here and I am staying. I done in their jobs as parliamentarians. People am sticking around. I will be here for a mighty in the outside world ask for jobs. One rings long time yet. Those opposite use all their around and asks, "Hey, can you help Labor cronies, such as their pedantic Labor someone?" Why should parliamentarians not lawyers, who go through every nook and do that? That is what we are there for. If we cranny to try to unearth something. They are have any compassion or caring in us at all that used to being down in the gutter and they is what we should be doing. Those opposite cannot get themselves out of it. That is where have done it countless times. those opposite belong. During those 10 However, when people become angry months I have focused on the positives. We and turn on us because we have not, and will have done an enormous amount for the public not, and would not subvert proper process, good. We have done an enormous amount this is what happens. These people become right through the police system, the prison very angry and vengeful. That is the point that system and in the racing area. We have not people conveniently miss because it would stopped in all of those portfolio areas. We ruin a very good story. If it is recognised that have not let those opposite stop us. We have this person has no credibility it would ruin a not let the Opposition divert us from doing the good story. It would ruin a good story if it was job that we were elected to do. We are going printed. There is no way in the world that to continue to do that job on a positive basis. anyone wants to print that because it is the Those opposite can stay in the gutter, truth. digging up all the sleaze if they want to, because they are not big enough to handle Barramundi Stocks; Tinaroo Falls Dam the real issues. They never ask questions on policy. They never ask questions in the Mr ROWELL: I ask the Minister for portfolio area. Yesterday I was referred to as Primary Industries, Fisheries and Forestry: will Mother Theresa of Crows Nest. he please inform the House what measures have been taken by his department to ensure Mr Foley: Mother Theresa would never the safety of barramundi stocks in the Tinaroo speak like this. Falls Dam? Mr COOPER: I think she is a lovely lady. Mr PERRETT: The coalition I thought the Minister for Transport went Government is the first Queensland extremely well yesterday. He described this Government ever to give real recognition to fellow very well. I reckon he looks more like a freshwater fisheries. We have established an galah than the Minister was indicating. Inland Fisheries Division in the DPI. We have 28 Nov 1996 Questions Without Notice 4547 also recently released a discussion paper on if Treasury agreed to reimburse his the future management of freshwater fisheries department's budget with $3.5m in forgone in Queensland. I am pleased to announce, in revenue? Is it not also a fact that this response to the question from the member for submission never made it to Cabinet, because Hinchinbrook, that the Tinaroo Falls Dam is a it was rejected out of hand in advance and very successful model of the growing of returned to his department for more palatable barramundi and other fish and is proving to be revenue options. a popular recreational fishery. We want to Mr LITTLEPROUD: As is often the ensure that we create many of those popular case, the information that has come to the fishing spots in the inland. member opposite—probably from sources I was recently advised by the member for within my department—is not entirely accurate. Tablelands on behalf of the fish stocking There is some truth in what he is saying, but society and the Atherton and Eacham local what he is saying is not entirely accurate. authorities that there existed a difficulty with the keeping of barramundi in the Tinaroo Falls Dam—some of those fish are in the range of Wulguru State School Fire 30 kilograms—in the event of the dam Mr MITCHELL: I ask the Minister for overflowing. The barramundi were originally Education: could he please advise the House stocked in the Tinaroo Falls Dam as very small what action has been taken to rectify damage fish, produced in fish hatcheries in north caused by last Sunday's fire at the Wulguru Queensland. With the onset of the wet State School to help students and teachers season, there was a great concern among return to a normal routine? those groups that many of those fish would try Mr QUINN: As most members would to migrate downstream only to be killed if they realise from recent media reports, there was a went over the spillway in the event of its devastating fire at Wulguru State School on overflowing. The loss could have resulted in the weekend. I compliment the Minister for hundreds of tonnes of dead fish. Public Works and Housing, because the Q- I have since approved the allocation of Build section of his department were Johnny- funds to purchase a fish barrier net for the on-the-spot and were there immediately after Tinaroo Falls Dam, which will significantly the fire. They put a safety fence around the minimise the possible loss of thousands of building. They were on site quite quickly to large barramundi the next time the dam oversee the clean-up of the site. I praise also overflows the spillway. The net will be placed in the work of the Fire Service. When I was there the dam, about 800 metres from the wall. It on Monday morning, they were still on site will be operated by the fish stocking group. It overseeing the damping down and the safety will be installed only in the wet season when aspects of the site. there is a likelihood of water going over the As I said before, I was there on Monday spillway. I am also very mindful that boating morning with regional officers of the and bather safety will be of paramount Department of Education and the principal of importance in the use of the net. Stringent the school—— guidelines have been implemented in that regard. The Government has supported that Mr Stoneman: And the local member. initiative as it also preserves and promotes a Mr QUINN: I am sorry—and the local valuable community and tourist asset on the member—to ascertain the extent of the tableland, while reinforcing the ongoing damage and what needed to be done. The contributions of the Tablelands Fish Stocking principal had done a magnificent job in Society in restocking Tinaroo with barramundi ensuring that alternative arrangements were and other angling fish. I wish to thank the local available for his students. In fact, no student fish stocking group, the Atherton and Eacham missed out on school that Monday. Students Shire Councils and my departmental officers were bused to nearby schools and school for ensuring that Tinaroo maintains it continued as per usual, so there was no reputation as a recreational fishing paradise. disruption to their educational program. The regional office of the Department of Education in Townsville has fast-tracked the ParkPass reconstruction of the building. I can inform the Mr WELFORD: I ask the Minister for House that the clean-up work will start at 3.30 Environment: is it not a fact that his national on Friday afternoon. The contractors will be on park pass tax has become such a public site first thing Monday morning. All going well, liability that he prepared a submission for provided that there are no unforeseen Cabinet offering to abandon the $20 ParkPass disruptions over the Christmas period, we 4548 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 hope to have a new, four-classroom teaching great importance. Can the Minister advise the block for those students in place ready for the House as to what has been done to achieve beginning of the 1997 school year. A further this? contract will be let in respect of additional Mr LINGARD: I wish to advise the classrooms. Two new classrooms and a new House that there will be a complete review of tuckshop will be built in the early part of the the overview committee. We will revise what is year. happening to the deaths in custody I inform the House that all those new committees. All members are aware that buildings will be airconditioned under the $0.6m has been allocated for both the ICC coalition's Cool Schools program. At the end and ACC. Coopers and Lybrand are dealing of the day, we will have at least a six-space with the ACC, in which we will now have two teaching block available for the students. If the very special training areas. One will be enrolments increase during the year, more Yarrabah and the other will be Pormpuraaw. accommodation will be provided. We will examine the financial accountability of As most people would understand, those councils. We will also examine the nothing can replace the many personal management skills of those councils. I belongings and the student work that has promised to go in after the election, but not been destroyed in that fire. A lot of time and before March. I will be dealing with that matter. effort of the principal, teachers and the Price Waterhouse is dealing with the ICC area, general school community go into providing all that is, the islands area, on which we have the resources that are necessary for a modern spent $600,000. school today. The personal memories can Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time for never be replaced. As far as possible, the questions has expired. department will ensure that modern accommodation is on site as early as possible so that the educational programs for those EDUCATION (GENERAL PROVISIONS) students will not be disrupted in any way, AMENDMENT BILL shape or form. Second Reading Debate resumed from 13 November (see Ambulance Service; Increase in p. 3998). Charges Mr BREDHAUER (Cook) (11.30 a.m.): Mr SCHWARTEN: In directing a This Bill deals with an issue that is very high question to the Minister for Emergency among the priorities of many teachers and Services, I refer to his claim last week that he parents throughout Queensland schools. As I had no knowledge of a proposal by his travel around schools, I know that there is no department to increase ambulance call-out doubt that the issues associated with charges to non-subscribers from $278 to $495 behaviour management are regarded as one as of January 1997. I ask: has he now of the top priorities for most teachers in most, acquainted himself with that proposal? Will he if not all, schools. Parents, teachers and even now rule out that or any increases to many students are crying out for some ambulance charges or subscriptions in line meaningful response to the problems being with the coalition's election promise not to experienced by the actions of a minority of increase taxes and charges? students which manifest themselves as Mr VEIVERS: As the shadow Minister unacceptable classroom or in-school rightly knows, it was his Government that behaviour. instituted an investigation by the Queensland Unfortunately, there is a high degree of University into those charges. That is still cynicism in the general education community ongoing. When I receive the results of that and among teachers in particular about the investigation, I will be only too happy to let him capacity for this legislation to impact in any know what is really going on. meaningful way on behaviour management in schools. That is for a variety of reasons. Firstly, the coalition in Opposition promised to Aboriginal and Island Community address the issue of behaviour management Councils in schools as a very high priority. In July 1995, Miss SIMPSON: In directing a question and prior to the Mundingburra by-election, it to the Minister for Families, Youth and made a raft of election promises designed to Community Care, I point out that the need for grab votes on this important issue. As one of greater administrative skills and accountability the few areas on which the coalition had any in Aboriginal and island councils is an issue of detailed policy, the Government should have 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4549 been able to move quickly to implement that particularly the principals, to make the policy and attempt to make some meaningful arrangements for alternative programs should reforms in the education system. the suspension exceed five days. Instead, we have seen the Minister and The amendments before the House today the Government continuing to prevaricate and also expose yet again the Government's procrastinate to the point at which the propensity for continually breaking its election legislation has not been ready for Parliament promises. How well we all remember the until the dying days of this year's sittings. I Premier's boast about his contract with the suspect that the Minister and others know that people of Queensland and his invitation to the this legislation will not really address the issues people of Queensland to throw him out of of behaviour management, and that is why we office if he broke that contract. In the case of have not seen this Bill until this time. In fact, the Education (General Provisions) on 9 March this year, the Minister announced Amendment Bill, the Government has given that the Government would move to more good reasons why the people of implement many of the proposals embodied in Queensland should accept its offer to throw it this legislation. So this Bill has had a very long out of office. gestation period. However, the key reason for cynicism in Given the extraordinary haste with which the education community about the impact of the Government has cobbled together policy legislation such as this is that most people and decisions in other areas of education and recognise that this legislation is attacking the in other areas of Government, one can only symptoms and not the causes of problems wonder why this coalition has allowed this which manifest themselves as behaviour important issue to languish. The Minister's management issues in schools. Despite the preoccupation with other issues, such as fact that on 4 June State Cabinet announced attacking the QTU and its membership on that it had agreed to a $23m package over curriculum boards and sacking cleaners, has three years to attack issues related to diverted his attention from the more important behaviour management in schools, the vast and positive issues, and the education majority of teachers and other members of the community knows that. school communities will say that up to this Another reason why there is a high point little, if anything, has impacted on degree of cynicism in the community about behaviour management in schools. Nothing the proposals contained in this legislation is tangible has effectively happened in schools, that few, if any, people believe that this Bill will even though it has been over five months do anything to address the real causes of since the Minister announced that Cabinet behaviour management difficulties being had agreed to the $23m three-year package. experienced within the classroom and within The Bill does little to engender confidence the school environment. In many respects, the in the priorities of this Government as most best that can be expected from the changes teachers and parents see the capacity to contained in this legislation is that they will suspend, exclude or cancel the enrolments of provide a measure of relief for varying lengths students as being the first concrete move the of time from the disruption to classes. I do not Government has made on the issue of want to underestimate the importance of that behaviour management in the last 10 months. in itself. The relief from the disruption is what Given that the vast majority of principals will many teachers and many principals see as a use suspensions or exclusions only as a last positive in this Bill. However, I do not believe resort, this Government has offered very little that those people think that there is much in terms of practical assistance or support to more than that in the Bill for them. classroom teachers and principals in schools The extent to which this relief is welcomed to deal with issues related to behaviour is tempered by a wide range of concerns management. about the potential implications on a student's It would be true to say that the Opposition education of suspensions, exclusions and and many people in the education community cancellations of enrolment and the onus on would feel much more comfortable about the schools to provide the alternative programs for amendments if the $2.98m, which has the longer-term suspensions. There is also a allegedly been allocated to the substantial feeling among many principals and implementation of alternative programs for teachers that the Minister and the students who are under suspension, was at Government, having decided that suspensions least matched by the establishment of of up to 20 days are allowable, have then programs that could intervene at an early flicked the issue to the individual schools, and stage to deal with students who may be 4550 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 identified as being at risk, and perhaps to the principals, teachers and other staff at positively influence these students to adopt a those schools for the hospitality and different approach thereby preventing assistance that they extended to me. At each antisocial behaviour in classrooms or in school, principals and administrators identified schools. behaviour management—as did teachers—as Obviously, early intervention is a key to a key issue in their education community. managing student behaviour. The former They said that students as young as those in Labor Government recognised that one issue Year 1 were manifesting antisocial behaviour which contributed to student behaviour that was potentially disrupting the learning problems was where students experienced environment in classrooms or, in fact, was difficulty with basic issues such as literacy and disrupting the learning environment in many numeracy. The implementation of the Year 2 classrooms. Those students, their parents and Net and the Year 6 Test have the capacity, in teachers need support and intervention with time, to help a significant number of students appropriate strategies for dealing with not just to improve their literacy and numeracy behaviour management issues so that those skills but also to make their classroom and students are not destined to a life of school experiences more positive and experiencing continuing problems, both at productive and to help eliminate one of the home and at school, as well as the parents major causes of behaviour management and teachers experiencing continuing problems. Many students who have behaviour problems. management problems are students who are It is clear that whilst the school not succeeding at school. Often, they are environment can contribute to resolving or students who have low self-esteem and improving certain behaviour management perceptions of failure. That is exacerbated by problems, the issue goes far beyond the the fact that they perceive themselves as not school gate. Schools cannot nor should not be being up to speed with the other students in expected to be solely responsible for finding the class. There is also the added problem of solutions to behaviour management issues sheer boredom: if students do not understand wherever they manifest themselves. There is a what the teacher is teaching in the classroom wider community responsibility that must be because they do not have the basic literacy accepted, not only by Governments but also and numeracy skills and other skills, they get by the community and particularly by parents bored and get into mischief. So this is one way themselves. in which we can address that issue. In my visits to schools, many teachers, The Bill legislates to make the principal parents and principals have identified positive responsible for behaviour management plans. outcomes flowing already from the The behaviour management plans are already implementation of the Year 2 Net and the prepared in most schools as part of the subsequent intervention for students who are managing behaviour in a supportive school identified as being in need of assistance in environment policy. The important aspect of relation to literacy and numeracy. I think that is the development of the behaviour an important message for the Minister. Year 2 management plans is that the principal must teachers still have some concern about the consult with the community and students in workload that is involved in implementing the putting those behaviour management plans tests, particularly in the mapping that is together. I think that that is something that required. A lot of one-to-one work is required in needs to be reinforced when we talk about this the Year 2 Net and a lot of Year 2 teachers legislation. It is not the responsibility only of are experiencing difficulty with the workload. the schools to establish what are acceptable However, most of the Year 2 teachers to standards of behaviour in schools; it is a wider whom I speak and other teachers in schools responsibility in which parents and students are very positive about the Year 2 Net and the must also participate. intervention process. I think that it has a good The legislation goes on to discuss the future and, as I say, the potential to impact suspension of students. In the first instance, I positively on behaviour management should point out that this is an area where the problems for a significant number of students coalition has clearly broken its election in the future. promise. The Opposition does not advocate That is not the only area where early even longer suspensions than those intervention is essential. Last week, I visited incorporated in this amendment Bill. However, the Merinda State School, Bowen State I point out that the coalition's policy prior to the School, Queen's Beach State School and the last election, and in statements subsequently, Bowen State High School. I would like to thank was to give principals the authority to suspend 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4551 students for up to 30 days. An article in the a submission, and no right to present a case Courier-Mail of 31 January 1995 stated— to the principal or the principal's supervisor to " 'We are proposing a number of argue against the suspension. The measures to deal with unruly students to Queensland Council of Parents and Citizens ensure they do not disrupt the vast Association, the Queensland Parents of majority of students who just want to get People with a Disability, the Youth Advocacy on with acquiring an education.' Mr Quinn Centre and the Youth Affairs Network of said the policy agreed on by the Queensland have all written expressing strong Opposition was to: Give principals the reservations about these provisions. authority to suspend students for up to 30 I understand that in most cases there will days." have been a program of supporting the Another article in the Courier-Mail of 9 March student through behaviour management 1996 states— problems before this occurs. However, my concern is heightened by the possibility that "The discipline policy will also allow there could be a case in which a principal principals to have the power to suspend suspends a student, the suspension is students for up to 30 days . . ." unjustified and the student then has no An article titled "School heads get power to recourse to either return to the school or to suspend" on 16 March states— have the record cleared through some sort of "Education Minister Bob Quinn said an appeal heard against the suspension. The departmental staff were investigating legal Opposition understands that the and legislative steps necessary to Government's reason for moving in this way is empower principals to suspend students to avoid unnecessary delays and to make procedures less bureaucratic. However, there for up to 30 days without seeking is a genuine concern, from these approval from head office." organisations in particular, that there is An article in the Sunday Mail of 5 May recognition of the fact that some principals states— may be tempted to use the provision against "Education Minister Bob Quinn told certain students or that it may disadvantage The Sunday Mail yesterday legislation certain students. The guidelines which the permitting school principals to suspend department is currently drafting as the basis students for up to 30 days . . . " for the implementation of this policy need to contain sufficient safeguards to ensure that On 3 June an article in the Courier-Mail dealt the system is not abused. with the issue. In a feature article of 4 June, the same information appears. An article of 24 I am particularly sensitive to the June once again gives information about the suggestion that students with ascertained coalition's promise to give principals the power disabilities, Aborigines, Islanders and students to suspend students for up to 30 days. from non-English speaking backgrounds may find themselves vulnerable to the provisions of I am not advocating that there should be this legislation. To further demonstrate my longer suspensions, but in Opposition and in point, I draw the Minister's attention to the Government the Minister gave a clear current draft of Procedures and Guidelines for undertaking that the coalition's position was for the Good Order and Management of State the suspension of students for up to 30 days. Educational Institutions. I was kindly provided It is interesting to note that the Bill again with a copy of this at the briefing last week. demonstrates that the word of the Under the heading "Fair and equitable Government cannot be trusted. practices/special considerations" it states— There is considerable disquiet amongst a "The use of suspension and range of organisations representing people in exclusion has a differential and the education community about the proposal sometimes unintended impact on relating to suspensions for students of up to particular student groups." five days' duration. The legislation allows a principal to suspend a student for up to five It actually acknowledges that there is the days and provides no recourse or review for potential for certain students to be the student or the student's parents. Under disadvantaged. Paragraph 4.3 states— current legislation, any suspension initiated by "In circumstances where a student a principal requires the approval of the and/or a parent of the student would be regional executive director. Under this substantially disadvantaged if not assisted legislation, a student suspended for up to five or supported by a friend or an interpreter, days has no right of appeal, no right to make the principal may approve that the 4552 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996

student and/or parent be accompanied by A student who is suspended for more such a person to discuss a suspension, than five days must have an alternative and recommended exclusion, or program organised by the principal. In my cancellation of enrolment." discussions with the departmental officers who However, if it has been identified that either a provided the briefing last week, I was advised student or a parent will be substantially that the principal would be expected to put the disadvantaged—and the guidelines provide for alternative program in place as soon as the those who will be substantially disadvantaged suspension was determined. Therefore, a if they are not supported or assisted by an student who is suspended for between six and interpreter or a friend—it should be mandatory 20 days has to have an alternative program in that they are supported by an interpreter or a place as soon as is practicable, whereas the knowledgeable friend. I do not think that student who is suspended for one to five days should be optional. I do not think that is left to fend for themselves. Once again, it principals would deprive people of the seems through the legislation that the opportunity deliberately, but I think the suspension for a potentially lesser offence is guidelines need to be clearer and firmer. If it harsher on the student. has been identified that people might be That point raises another major area of disadvantaged or substantially disadvantaged concern with the legislation. In respect of any by not having that sort of support, then that student who is suspended for up to five days, support should be provided. It should not be it is the responsibility of the parent or optional. appropriate guardian to arrange alternative I ask the Minister in his summing-up to supervision. The reality is that many parents indicate clearly to the Parliament how the who work or have other commitments will not department will monitor the implementation of be able to guarantee that a student is directly aspects of this legislation to ensure that the or appropriately supervised during the underlying philosophies behind these changes suspension. Under the current suspension are being fairly administered by all schools and procedures which allow for suspensions of up that no students are being disadvantaged or to five days, I read in a briefing document that discriminated against. anywhere between 200 and 1,000 students I also express my concern about the per month are suspended from Queensland educational implications of suspending a schools. That is the figure for students who are student from school for up to five days. In suspended for up to five days. Potentially, certain circumstances, this could have the during the course of the school year capacity to be detrimental to the overall somewhere in the range of 7,000 or 8,000 education of the student, particularly were it to students are under suspension from school. I occur at a critical time in the school year. For am not suggesting that these legislative example, the latter stage of Year 12 is a changes will increase the number of critical time of year. I recognise that the vast suspensions. I am just trying to quantify the majority of students who are under suspension number of students affected. will have been the source of concern in Potentially, we could have significant schools for some time and will have been the numbers of students suspended from schools subject of measures by the principal and other who may, in many cases, be unsupervised. I appropriate support staff in the school to do not think that parents or other members of redress their behaviour management problem. the community will be impressed by the fact However, a five-day suspension without any that, although we are bringing in changes to alternative program or schooling being the legislation, this issue will not be addressed provided could potentially seriously impact on and the Government is prepared to condone a a student's overall education. situation in some cases where students are To some extent it seems that students free to roam the streets for a week while under who are suspended for the shorter period are suspension from schools. I know that that is more harshly dealt with than students who are the current situation. However, we are trying to suspended for more than five days. For make improvements. example, a student who is suspended for I also draw the attention of the House to a more than five days has the right to make a speech which the Minister made in the submission to the principal's supervisor in Parliament—these things have a habit of respect of the suspension. A student who coming back to haunt him—on 24 May 1995 presumably has not been as recalcitrant and is in a Special Public Importance debate. The suspended for a shorter period does not have Minister said— that right. 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4553

"Unfortunately, because there is a program is in place. I say that because the shortage of Juvenile Aid Bureau Minister has identified the need to provide an officers"— alternative education program for some and I am not sure how they got into the students under suspension, but he is not frame— providing one for others. Under the current system, there is only one category of students "and officers from the Family Services under suspension and no programs are Department, it is quite often the case that provided. But the Minister has created two suspended students have been going classes of people who are under suspension. home to no-one or, if someone is at It is worth considering whether there are any home, those parents or guardians have legal or other implications in that the Minister not been paying due attention to the has identified that there is a need to provide problems that those children are the program for one group of students but not experiencing at school. More often than for the other. That is something that needs to not, when those children do go home, be looked at fairly closely. because parents are either working or do not take notice of what is going on with I also note that nowhere in the guidelines their children, those children end up back in relation to student suspensions is there a provision seeking to limit or provide advice on out on the road. For a long time, some the frequency of suspensions of up to five students have come to regard that short- days' duration. If we read the guidelines which term suspension as more of a holiday. I mentioned earlier in my speech, we see When they go back to school after their nothing about the frequency of five-day suspension, they again treat the school suspensions. Clearly, a suspension of up to system with contempt by even daring five days' duration is administratively easier for principals to suspend them again. principals and schools, as it carries no It is quite obvious that we need a requirement for the principal to arrange an review of the suspension procedures alternative program and there is no appealing within schools to try to toughen up those against the decision. There will be concern in suspension procedures to make sure that, that some schools may repeatedly suspend when principals take the very serious step students for periods of up to five days rather of suspending students, students and than use the longer term suspension. The families recognise that that is a step that procedures and guidelines need to provide a the school has taken because it cannot clear statement to principals on what is accommodate a student's behaviour or regarded as acceptable in terms of the cannot modify that behaviour at the frequency of short-term suspensions so that school level." the entire school community understands what The Minister has said, "We have the problem to expect in that regard. under the current legislation where a student I am not a betting man, but if I were I who is suspended for up to five days is would be prepared to wager that we will not running around the streets." There is now see too many of the 6 to 20-day suspensions legislation in the House for which the when this legislation comes in; there will be a Education Minister is responsible, but he is continuation of the current situation in which reinforcing that situation by—— there are a lot of suspensions of up to five Mr Quinn interjected. days. It may tempt some principals to suspend for up to five days students who are causing Mr BREDHAUER: The legislation is problems repeatedly rather than to go for the changing, but that area is not changing. When slightly harder option. I can understand why in the Labor Party introduced its policy prior to some circumstances they may be tempted. the last election—and I am quite up front about saying that we were also advocating a I now turn more specifically to the issue of move to a system of longer suspensions—it the longer suspensions. Although the former was our intention at that time to resource Government took a policy to the last State alternative programs to the extent that they election which advocated that students could potentially be suspended from schools for up could operate from the first day of suspension, to a month, there was a clear focus in our whether it was a short-term suspension or a policy for problems to be dealt with as far as long-term suspension. possible within the existing school I also ask the Minister to clarify whether environment. Many of the factors which the department or the school has any contribute to a student manifesting behaviour responsibility for a student under suspension management problems in schools are likely to in these circumstances where no alternative be exacerbated by removing the student from 4554 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 the school environment for up to 20 days. In morning tea and lunch breaks at different my view, a break in the education of some times and they finish earlier. Those students students for up to 20 days will contribute to a are deprived of the reinforcement of the peer worsening of the problems which they are group. One of the conditions of getting out of experiencing at schools and which are that class and back into the normal classroom manifesting as behaviour management situation is that their behaviour improves. problems. There is a contract arrangement whereby they When in Government, the Labor Party agree to better behaviour. Such an option placed much greater emphasis on properly would be encouraged by Labor as another resourcing the use of in-school withdrawal way in which schools could more effectively facilities and other mechanisms to provide deal with behaviour management issues within relief for teachers and other class members the school environment. There are a lot of from the disruption caused by the minority of people who regard the Government's policy as students. Facilities for short-term withdrawals it is manifested in this legislation as "out of already operate in many schools but would sight, out of mind"—get them out of the have had more resourcing support under a schools and we do not have to worry about Labor Government. The important point in them for 5 days or 20 days, whatever the relation to resources for those facilities is their duration of the suspension is. staffing. On the matter of alternative programs—I As an alternative program, the Minister refer again to the current draft of the has suggested setting up an in-house "Procedures and guidelines to the good order arrangement for students who are under and management of State educational suspension or providing a relief mechanism institutions" at page 6, No. 5.31, which within the school for students who are not canvasses alternative programs. I say again under suspension. Such programs would need that there is a high degree of cynicism in the to be properly resourced, particularly in primary education community about the effectiveness schools. Whilst secondary schools have some of the Government's commitment to capacity to staff those programs by using alternative education programs for students teachers who may have additional preparation under long suspension. There is a long list of or correction time and so on, in primary suggested alternatives. They include schools those options are extremely limited. attendance at an in-school alternative program. That is what I was just referring to. I I am aware of a primary school which has know there are a lot of principals in schools established a program such as the one who believe that basically that is what the mentioned which is operating very effectively whole thing will boil down to: they will be and has impacted dramatically on the number expected to look after the kids in their own of suspensions from that school over the past school. The second alternative is attendance year it has been running. Essentially, when it at a neighbouring State school. That is fine, approached the department to seek additional but go and talk to the principal of the resources, especially by way of staffing, to neighbouring State school and see how he or cover that contingency, it was left to its own she feels about the possibility of having a devices and it had to be worked out internally. student suspended for behaviour In Government, we were also committed management problems—— to giving principals and teachers greater Mr Pearce: Some of them are already powers to detain students, including the saying that they are not going to take them. authority to require disruptive students to take recess periods at different times from those Mr BREDHAUER: Yes. I understand applying to the rest of the school. I am aware that it happens now. I actually have in my of schools currently operating programs for speech notes somewhere—and I will come to students who manifest behaviour it in a minute—that it does happen now, but it management problems whereby the timetable usually happens only in the case of for that group is out of sync with that for the exclusions; it does not happen in the case of rest of the school. In that way, students are suspensions. The Minister is providing this deprived of certain peer group reinforcements category for 6 to 20-day suspensions. Bearing for their unacceptable behaviour. in mind what I said before about the propensity of principals to use the 6 to 20-day For example, I understand that there are suspensions—it is likely to happen more schools that run an entire timetable for often—there is a lot of concern about that effectively a class of students who are among principals and parents. I take the identified as having behaviour management interjection of the member for Fitzroy. I am problems. The students start earlier, take their aware of clusters of schools where the 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4555 principals are saying, "Well, sorry, we are not Mr BREDHAUER: I understand that, taking them." That is an issue that will have to but what I said was "of sufficient educational be worked through. I do not know whether the merit that any parent would be prepared to principal at the school down the road is going have their child attend that facility or undertake to have the authority to decline to enrol a that program". Just because the child has student who has been suspended from been identified as being a behaviour another school. I think that needs to be made management problem and is under a very clear—whether a student who is on a 6 to suspension, we should not think that we can 20-day suspension has a right to be enrolled send them somewhere that would be at a neighbouring school, whether it is just an regarded as physically unacceptable or option, whether it is something that has to be unacceptable in terms of its educational worked out in the cluster or whether, as I say, program. The comment I made was "that any the school which may be the alternative while parent would be prepared to have their child the student is on suspension actually has the attend that facility or undertake that program". right to decline to enrol that student, It might not be specifically suitable for all particularly if they are of compulsory school children or necessary for all students, but it age. I think that needs to be made clear. should be acceptable to any parent. The third alternative on the list is shared There would need to be substantial placement among a number of programs checks and balances to make sure that the and/or facilities. The fourth is the use of private providers had an appropriate existing off-campus facilities. I do not think too educational background and the capacity to many of the existing off-campus facilities like deliver an appropriate program, and that is the Nicklin Centre have much slack in them, to what the Minister is referring to. There would be quite honest. Most of those facilities I also need to be an effective—and I repeat: would anticipate would be essentially fully "effective"—system of monitoring and review utilised now, and I do not think there would be to ensure that the programs were being much capacity in those existing off-campus properly implemented and that the standards facilities to absorb an increase in the number were being maintained. I think that is a really of students that might be expected from these important issue in terms of private providers. It 6 to 20-day suspensions. The next alternative is also my view that most members of the is that retired mentors support and supervise community would not accept the fact that students. I do not know whether the Minister private providers were setting themselves up means ex-teachers who cannot get it out of simply to profit from the provision of programs their system coming back—and I cannot to students who were under suspension from imagine why they would. But I do know that school. I think that is an important issue. there are teachers out there even now who Another alternative is the use of school perform services on some of the properties, support community or neighbourhood centres. acting as governors for students and schools, I am aware of some school support centres and teachers who go back into schools. I am that are already currently offering programs not sure how serious the Minister is in such as this. This is an idea that we had in suggesting that retired people are going to mind 12 months ago, and I know that that is a want to act as mentors for recalcitrant possibility in some places. As to community or students. neighbourhood centres—I do not know of any The next alternative is the use of an community or neighbourhood centre, to be approved private provider's alternative quite honest, that would have the capacity or program. I made some comments here the inclination to offer alternative programs for somewhere about private providers. This is an students who are under suspension. It seems area in which the Opposition has quite a lot of to me that someone has sat down and concerns. Firstly, we would be most concerned thought, "Can I think of 20 places where we to ensure that any private provider was might send the kids?" and has written them all offering a program of sufficient educational down. merit that any parent would be prepared to Mr Quinn: No, it's not. have their child attend that facility or undertake Mr BREDHAUER: I am sure that that is that program. I do not think the measure of not what happened. the private provider should be, "This kid is a bit of a ratbag and we are just getting him off Another alternative is the use of case down the road". management project officers. Once again, the sorts of agencies that provide case Mr Quinn: An alternative program must management project officers are already have an educational focus. overworked and underresourced. I just do not 4556 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 think it is realistic to suggest that there is going Prior to the last State election, we had to be some additional capacity among those considered some issues to deal with students sorts of agencies to deal with students who of post-compulsory age, but the Government's are dealt with under this legislation. There is approach is significantly different from that also the use of any other appropriate program, which we were contemplating and in my view facility or arrangement. I say with all genuine is potentially seriously flawed. The concern that the issue of the alternative Government has sought to provide principals programs is the big concern out there in the with greater powers over students of post- school communities. They see the capacity of compulsory school-age than those which exist this legislation to operate effectively as being over students of compulsory school-age. The highly dependent on the effectiveness of the exclusion provisions apply equally to alternative programs. There are a lot of compulsory and post-compulsory age principals and a lot of other people out there in students. However, the exclusion of a student schools who feel that it has basically been is not a decision that can be taken by the dumped in their lap and that it will not work principal alone. because they are sceptical about the capacity A suspension with a recommendation to of the alternative programs to be put in place. exclude needs to be referred to the principal's There must also be a substantial and supervisor. When that goes to the principal's positive effort for the duration of the alternative supervisor there is a submission from the education program to ensure that the student or the parent which goes to the recalcitrant behaviour which led to the supervisor. If a decision is made by the suspension is addressed and constructive principal's supervisor to exclude, then the measures are taken to improve that behaviour person has the right to make a submission so that when the student returns to the normal against the decision to the chief executive. classroom situation they are less likely to In an attempt to circumvent or short cut continue to offend, to be a behaviour this process, the Government, through this management problem. I said before that I legislation, has allowed for the principal to think there are a lot of people out there who, cancel the enrolment of a student of post- under a 6 to 20-day suspension, could come compulsory age. A submission against back worse in many respects. The alternative cancellation is made to the principal's education program has to have a very strong supervisor. So they are significantly different. focus on trying to help students and perhaps My major concern in respect of this provision is others such as their parents to address those that it may be unlawful by being in breach of behaviours that are regarded as offensive and the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991. I refer the lead to their suspension. Every alternative Minister to section 39 of the Anti-Discrimination program will need to have a mechanism of Act, which deals specifically with discrimination monitor and review of their compliance with by educational authorities in the student area. the guidelines which are laid down for the It says that an educational authority must not operation of such programs—especially, as I discriminate in any variation of the terms of a say, if they are not within State educational student's enrolment. institutions. My interpretation—and I think it is backed The next issue I wish to raise is the up by the comments that appear in the difference between an exclusion and a Scrutiny of Legislation Committee's Alert cancellation of enrolment. The Opposition Digest in respect of this Bill—is that by saying recognises that students who are beyond the that different enrolment procedures apply to age of compulsory schooling have a students of compulsory age as opposed to responsibility to accept the standards and students of post-compulsory school-age is norms which apply to behaviour in schools. discriminatory. I know that the Education Once again the Opposition would argue that (General Provisions) Act actually says that the the Government needs to pay more attention student has to attend school up until 15 years to the issues that lead students of post- of age, but I still believe it can be argued that compulsory school age to manifest behaviour by having a different set of rules for people management problems, including the under 15 years of age from those over 15 relevance of the school curriculum. But we years of age, and specifically by allowing the also recognise that there is a small number of principal to cancel the enrolment of a student students who attend school but are not over 15 years, that the Act may in fact be prepared to cooperate with the school rules discriminating against those students. and disrupt the learning environment of other students as well as the working environment of During the briefing last week I raised this teachers. issue with departmental officers and they said 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4557 that they were aware of that concern and that That is not achieving the objective in any they had had advice about the matter but they sense. could not divulge that advice. I predict that it This morning, I spoke to a high school will not be long before the department is once principal on the phone. She was dressing again before the Anti-Discrimination down some kids as I spoke to her. I Commission, in whatever form that exists after understand the concerns that there are some the Attorney-General has finished with it, students of 15, 16 and 17 years of age who defending charges of discrimination if a come back to school and treat it as a bit of a principal seeks to cancel the enrolment of a social outing. The Minister needs to look at student of post-compulsory school-age. whether or not he is actually achieving his The reason I think the department needs objectives and whether he is in breach of the to think very seriously about this issue is Anti-Discrimination Act and, if he is, whether it because it is not only the student who is going is worth breaching the Anti-Discrimination Act to be affected—although that is a very and jeopardising the rights of students and important point; we should not be their parents in order to achieve that objective. discriminating against people on the basis of age—but it will also affect principals. If a While I believe it is reasonable to expect principal makes the decision to cancel the students of post-compulsory school-age to enrolment of a student, the principal is the one accept the behaviour standards that apply in who will end up in the Anti-Discrimination the school community, if a decision is being Commission. Once again, I fear that unless we taken to permanently affect that student's are clear about whether or not this is in fact in capacity to continue at school, then the added breach of the Anti-Discrimination Act, then the safeguard of having the matter referred to the Minister will put it in the legislation and principal's supervisor in most cases would be principals will not use it for fear of finishing up reasonable, unless I can be convinced in the Anti-Discrimination Commission the first otherwise. time they cancel the enrolment of a student. If Earlier in the debate I referred to the need people feel they are being discriminated for the Government to devote greater against, I do not blame them for going to the resources and to concentrate its focus on Anti-Discrimination Commission; that is their policy areas which will help to prevent right. The Minister and the Government should behaviour management problems from pause and reflect on what they are trying to manifesting themselves in schools. I also achieve and whether short-circuiting the referred to the Government's broken election process is worth breaching the Anti- promises. I want to draw the attention of the Discrimination Act. House to what I regard as one of this A student of post-compulsory school age Government's most serious breaches of can be excluded from the school on the election promises. Prior to the State election in recommendation of the principal to the July last year, the coalition made a significant principal's supervisor. As I have said, that is policy statement in relation to education. One reviewable by the chief executive. When of the key planks of that policy statement was permanently terminating the enrolment of a the promise to double the number of guidance student, even one of post-compulsory school- officers in Queensland schools. At the time, age, it is not unreasonable that the matter be we were in Government and we pointed out referred to a principal's supervisor rather than the fact that there was an insufficient pool of the principal having sole responsibility for that guidance officers for the coalition to have any termination. prospect of honouring its election commitment and also that the coalition's promise was Another interesting point is that the uncosted and likely to be prohibitive in the principal can only cancel the enrolment of the budgetary context. student at the educational institution. As I understand it, a principal can only cancel an Notwithstanding the reasoned and enrolment at his or her own school, whereas rational approach adopted by the Labor Party an exclusion can be extended not only to a in Government in explaining to the coalition school but also to any or all educational the outlandishness of their election promise, institutions. I question whether that means a the member, who is now the Minister, student of post-compulsory school-age, having persevered and travelled the length and had his or her enrolment cancelled, can then breadth of Queensland promising parents, go to the next school down the road and seek teachers and anyone else who would listen to enrol there. If that is possible, the Minister that on coming to Government the coalition has just shunted the problem down the road. would double the number of guidance officers That is not the way to address the issue at all. in its first term and that it would address the 4558 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 problems of behaviour management that were important point to mention in this debate being identified out in the community. because the advice which the Minister gave to There are numerous examples of press the department directly contradicts advice releases, policy statements and transcripts of given by the Director-General of Education, Mr radio interviews to which I could point where, in Frank Peach, to Estimates Committee C. In spite of cautions being sounded by the then answer to a question from the member for Minister, David Hamill, about the capacity of Mount Gravatt about guidance officers, Mr the coalition Government to implement such a Peach said— policy commitment, the member for Merrimac, "The issue for us is not a budgetary who is now the Minister, was determined to one; if we thought we could get more dupe everybody with his promise to double the guidance officers then the issue of putting number of guidance officers in schools. them into schools would be dealt with At the time of the change of Government, fairly easily." there were 349 guidance officers employed in Further over he said— Queensland. Therefore, if the coalition were to "If we could get more guidance honour its election promise, it would have to officers, the Budget issue is such that we appoint an additional 349 guidance officers in would find the money to put them on." its first term. The Minister now recants from his We have the director-general saying that election promise and says that when they money is not the problem and we have the came into Government the people said, "We Minister saying, "We are training another 20 don't just want guidance officers, we also want but none of those are going to be employed people with a range of skills and attributes." unless they can be employed within the This may well be the case, however the current staff complement for guidance Minister clearly enunciated an election policy officers." This is in the context of the broken that would employ an additional 349 guidance election promise in which the Government was officers in Queensland schools. In fact, what going to double the number of guidance the Government has done this year is employ officers. Now we find that the Government is an additional 18 guidance officers, and it has going to employ an extra 18 officers. There is also said that it will employ an additional 200 a crying need for guidance officers. I guess guidance officers, support staff, councillors, what I am saying is that if we have 20 in teacher aides, etc., over the next three years. It has said an additional 200 in this Budget. training we should get them into the classroom That is 70 for this year, 18 of which are as quickly as possible so that they are out guidance officers. there doing what they can. There is no shortage of places where During the debate in this Parliament on additional guidance officers could be Estimates Committee C, Report No. 1, the employed. The fact that only 18 additional Minister advised that there were only 18 guidance officers will be employed this year, additional guidance officers to be employed in when the Government promised to double the Queensland this year but that there were an number of guidance officers in three years, is additional 20 in training. I want to refer to his a scandalous breach of the election comments because he was correcting some commitment. If the Minister has 20 officers in information that he gave to the Estimates training I call on him to give an undertaking to committee. I have put it in that context. He the Parliament that the Government will said— employ all of those guidance officers as soon "On the first occasion I provided the as they are trained and available to work in correct information that there were 18 Queensland schools. If the director-general officers to be employed for behaviour can indicate that this is possible, rather than management and that we are training making Queensland school students suffer approximately 20 others." because of this Government's lack of real Further on, he says— commitment to addressing the front end of behaviour management problems, the "Twenty officers will be trained, but Minister should give a commitment in this they will take up employment only if there debate to employ those 20 guidance officers are vacancies within the current guidance who are currently in training. officer numbers." I do not believe that guidance officers So we have 18 extra guidance officers, 20 in carry the whole solution to behaviour training, but the Government is not going to management problems in our schools. I do employ any of them unless some of the believe, however, that if this Minister and the existing complement goes. I think that is an Government had any honesty or integrity they 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4559 would not have told such untruths in their Party also promised a range of other initiatives election promises when they knew they could to try to help parents, teachers and schools. I not deliver. Not content with breaking the refer in particular to our program which would election promise to double the number of have provided home-school liaison officers. guidance officers in schools, the Minister has The Labor Party promised to spend $4m fallen well short of even the modest target of for the employment of home-school liaison doubling the number of people in schools who officers to be appointed on a needs basis to can assist with behaviour management support schools and school communities. I problems. particularly make the point that they were to If we accept that it is impossible for the be appointed on a needs basis because some Government to employ an additional 349 schools need these resources more than guidance officers in its first term, the least we others. The home-school liaison officers were should expect is that the Government would to be charged with the responsibility of employ an additional 349 people who could performing such roles as following up act as guidance officers, counsellors, school disruptive students at home and helping support workers and the like. But no, the best parents to manage them, assisting the this Government can do is 200 over three transition of students in out-of-school years, including 70 in the current Budget, education programs to school work or training, which amounts to about six people per and supporting the return of young people education region to deal with the issue of from detention centres to mainstream behaviour management. education. This important role does not Time and time again this Minister and the feature in the coalition's behaviour Government have proven themselves not management strategy. worthy of the trust that was placed in them by The Labor Party was also committed to the people who voted for the coalition at the providing more professional development for last election. I reiterate the Premier's contract both principals and teachers to help them deal with the people of Queensland wherein he with the issue of behaviour management and said, "If the contract is broken you should discipline in schools. An important initiative of throw us out of office". Here we have yet the Labor Government, which this another example of a clear breach of that Government has totally ignored, was the contract. concept of the parent support programs. The I said earlier in this speech that the Labor Party promised $13.5m for a positive coalition's policy on student behaviour as parenting program and extra funds for a manifested by this legislation is essentially one positive parenting media series. As I have said of out of sight, out of mind. It is the view of the earlier, many problems which manifest Opposition and of many other people in the themselves in schools do not in fact arise in education community that the Government schools, and many students who display has placed far too much emphasis on this behaviour management problems in schools issue of suspensions, exclusions and are also a cause of concern for their parents. cancellation of enrolments and not sufficient Sometimes the home environment emphasis on helping to work through directly contributes to behaviour management behaviour management problems, either by problems and it is the view of the Opposition intervening at an early stage or providing that some parents should take more support for students, and particularly for responsibility for their children's behaviour. teachers and principals of students who However, there are many cases in which experience behaviour management problems. parents, like teachers and others, struggle with By way of contrast, and in addition to children who display disruptive or anti-social those matters I mentioned earlier in my behaviour. The Labor Party advocated the speech, I draw the attention of the House to a establishment of parent support programs for number of initiatives which were foreshadowed parents in local school communities to advise by the Labor Party when it was in them on how to deal with behaviour problems Government. These were initiatives that we at home. The programs were to be set up in would take to try to address behaviour consultation with local P & Cs and the home- management problems in schools. I school liaison officer according to the needs of mentioned previously that we were attempting the particular school communities. to maximise the range of in-school options We suggested that those programs could and to properly resource those in-school include parent support networks, courses run options which were available to deal with on established programs such as parent behaviour management problems. The Labor effectiveness training, guest lectures, and 4560 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 hints and advice to parents on what to do to hyperactivity disorder—ADHD—and other manage bad behaviour. The Labor Party neurological problems which affect the recognises that schools are not solely capacity to learn. responsible for, and nor should they be held For the purpose of my contribution to this solely accountable for, disruptive behaviour. debate, I shall place these under the heading We strongly believe that schools have an of learning disabilities. As I said, some important role to play but that a variety of members in this place will not accept that such other mechanisms should be exploited to learning disabilities exist. They would prefer to address this issue. Helping parents to deal say that those children are just spoilt, or have with young people who exhibit disruptive some other reason for their attitude in the behaviour in the home and supporting those school environment. Contributing to the parents who are experiencing similar difficulties problem is the lack of community awareness to those experienced by teachers at school and acceptance of those learning disabilities would have been an important mechanism in by those who advise politicians, bureaucrats helping to develop a community response to and, to a lesser extent, medical practitioners behaviour management issues. Making some and the education system. Many say that the parents face up to the reality of their child's issue is too hard to deal with. It is not black behaviour and the parents' responsibilities in respect of that is also important. and white. They say, "There is no physical or intellectual impairment, so how can we say The Opposition notes that the coalition is that the child has a learning disability? They proceeding with its school-based police trial are just some of those students who do not and would seek an assurance from the have the ability or the right attitude." Minister that it is the Government's intention to continue to review instances of disruptive A learning disability can cause all sorts of behaviour in schools to make sure that school- problems for a child and those in the based police are placed in schools where they classroom. Even in the mildest form, a are likely to be most effective. learning disability can interfere significantly with learning, work habits and social behaviour. In relation to the other aspects of the Bill, The legislation before the House today is, I the Opposition basically has no difficulties with believe, dangerous, because it offers no provisions in the Bill relating to offences under protection for those students who, through no the Education (General Provisions) Act, nor fault of their own, misbehave and cause with the amendments to the dispensation from problems for themselves and for those around compliance with compulsory enrolment and them. attendance provisions and those sorts of things. I have already made comments I ask members to think about this: the suggesting that the legislation focuses on the common characteristics of ADD or ADHD wrong end of the behaviour management children include inattentiveness, issue and I have mentioned a range of other impulsiveness, aggression, the inability to issues. I refer specifically to the cancellation of organise themselves, low self-concept and school enrolments. In his summing-up I ask poor social interaction. There are a lot of those the Minister to specifically provide the House children in the classrooms. Of course, there with advice about the issue of the Anti- are varying levels of those characteristics, and Discrimination Act and whether this legislation we must accept that. Considering what I have is in breach of that Act. If so, in view of the said, I ask: are we being fair putting those other issues that I have raised, I ask what the unfortunate children under a classification that Minister and the Government intend to do will see them being suspended or excluded about the fact that they may be in breach of from school? This Bill allows for the student to the Anti-Discrimination Act. Bearing in mind make a submission to the principal's those reservations which I have already supervisor against a suspension of more than expressed during the debate, it is not the five school days. This provision contains an Opposition's intention to oppose the Bill before element of unfairness, because in country the House. Queensland it can take months for parents to obtain the medical evidence that they need to Mr PEARCE (Fitzroy) (12.29 p.m.): In support an argument for a probable learning joining in the debate on the Education disability in their submission against (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 1996, I suspension. wish to focus on the issues of student behavioural problems which many members in Currently, when children with a learning this place refuse to accept exist. I refer to disability are suspended or excluded from those children who suffer from attention deficit school, they are cared for at home and their disorder—ADD—or attention deficit education ceases until they are able to return 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4561 to mainstream schooling. That means that doing nothing until enough places are their school work suffers more because they provided in programs. are behind their peers. Their self-esteem also In the lead-up to the last election, Labor suffers, and they often develop a fear of policy in respect of out-of-school education returning to school. They are afraid that they programs was that all schools within a region will never catch up and they suffer much peer would have access to a local facility or facilities group pressure, often leading to more serious where they can send students who have been problems, for example, depression and, suspended to take part in out-of-school unfortunately, suicide. education programs. Those programs would Under the proposed legislation, the be running community facilities in classrooms principal of a school must ensure that a within the grounds of identified schools or in process is put in place for developing a other properties that are centrally located. behaviour management plan. Division 1, to Before that happens, I believe that we should which I have just referred, contains flowery follow a procedure along these lines—a test words, but it is not clear what standards will be should be given to all students entering the set for such management plans. I wonder alternative programs to ascertain what level of what consideration has been given by the schooling they are actually at, as the subjects department to ensuring that principals have that some children are trying to manage are funds to access appropriate resources. way above their actual level. One parent in my Children do not need a Clayton's behaviour electorate has a child in Year 11 who has only management plan. I feel confident that Year 2 level maths and Year 2 level English. It teaching staff and parents do not want their is impossible for him to understand or children participating in a management plan complete Year 11 subjects, but he is not given that is not capable of achieving the right any assistance in normal mainstream outcomes. schooling. Students who are below the average for If the first stage of behaviour their year will often experience frustration and management in schools fails, children will aggression because they cannot cope without simply slip through the safety net into the area extensive help, and that causes disruption to of suspension where a student can be classes and they slip further behind. At the suspended for disobedience, misconduct or School of Today, which has been set up in other conduct prejudicial to the good order or Rockhampton—and I will talk about that management of the school. A student can be school a little later—that child has progressed suspended for not more than five school days or for up to 20 days if the principal is satisfied so well that in the last six months his maths that the behaviour was so serious that the level has risen to Year 4/Year 5 and his suspension should be longer than five school English to Year 4/Year 5 level as well. Another Year 8 student coming from normal days. mainstream classes was assessed with a Year In commenting on that, I wish to place on 5/Year 6 level of education, but after six record the work being done in Rockhampton months at the School of Today, he was able by a group of people who have children to bring himself up to Year 8 level and return diagnosed with having learning disabilities— to the normal school. He is performing very ADD and ADHD. The Rockhampton Hidden well in the classroom. He has gained Handicap Action Group has more than 100 confidence and is now able to do the work at members and is one of 40 such groups the same level as his peers. throughout Queensland. They represent some Suspending students interrupts the 24,000 children currently enrolled in program of education set down for students at Queensland State schools. Members of the school. For those already experiencing Rockhampton group have requested that I ask academic difficulties, suspension will not the Minister what alternative programs are to necessarily address the reasons. I believe that be put in place to deal with, firstly, those a student may be hardened by suspension students suspended for up to five days and, because it means institutional rejection, secondly, those students suspended for more causing anger and frustration. I can also see than five school days. I agree with those students adopting a "who cares" attitude: a people when they say that programs must be few days' holiday is good stuff, and we should in place, adequately staffed and resourced be doing it more often. This is not a simple and regularly reviewed. They must also be in issue with which to deal. Parents know that, place before the new legislation becomes and so do school principals. This has to be operative within schools; otherwise students dealt with carefully and with compassion. The will be out on the streets or sitting at home practice of suspension and expulsion from 4562 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 schools was recognised in the 1989 Burdekin program, which is similar to distance report on homeless children. In his report, education, whereby students learn at their own Burdekin stated— pace. If those students miss time at school, "Both the evidence presented to the they return and commence exactly where they Inquiry and recent studies have revealed left off. The school opened with 10 students a number of ways in which schools can and now has 24 enrolled with more and more contribute to child and youth parents considering it as an alternative homelessness. They include irrelevant program. The school is in desperate need of curricula, poor teacher/student funding. It has received only a $7,900 grant, relationships, inflexible and alienating and I challenge the Minister to adopt the institutional structures, rejection or neglect School of Today as a pilot alternative program. of under-achievers and, more directly, The school is proving to be successful suspension and expulsion of students. and the Minister would gain significant It was recently reported, for example, recognition if he were to use this already that the structure and organisation of established school as a trial for implementing schools may contribute to early school a program that gives those students with leaving and subsequent departure from obvious learning disabilities the opportunity to home." be assessed and to be taught at a level at which they can cope. Burdekin went on to report— I am saying to the department and to the "The Inquiry was also told that, far Minister that, if they are genuinely committed from catering for students at risk of to putting in place alternative programs, they becoming homeless, schools often cope should consider this school, give it the funds with difficult students by suspending and and give it a chance to prove that it can work expelling them, propelling them into and be of benefit to those children who are homelessness." finding it difficult in school. Burdekin's comments strengthen the In closing, I say that no-one disagrees arguments put forward by the Rockhampton that there is a need to deal with deliberate and Hidden Handicap Action Group. They also disruptive behaviour in school classrooms. highlight the need for school principals to get it Parents, students and staff want the problem right when they decide what type of action to child dealt with. All I am saying is that take against a student. principals and the system must be prepared to A purposefully driven, disobedient and accept that not all troublesome students are in disruptive child is different from a child who control of their behaviour patterns. It would be causes problems because of a neurological an injustice to treat those students the same disorder that is responsible for his or her as those whose behaviour patterns are based learning disability. In its draft submission of 22 on disobedience and deliberately disruptive March 1995, the Queensland Teachers Union practices. was supportive of alternative programs. The I do not oppose the legislation. I think that union recognises that there are students for it contains a lot of good things that the whom education in the mainstream school community would accept. The parents to setting is not a viable option and the inclusion whom I have spoken while getting around my of that child in alternative programs would be electorate believe that something has to be useful in the short term as well as for more done, and I think that we are moving in the extended periods. right direction. The shadow Minister raised The Rockhampton Hidden Handicap many of the issues that have been raised with Action Group and I both agree with the QTU in me. He has put those issues to the Minister in that those alternative programs should not be a very professional way. If the Minister takes seen as punishment camps. Rather, they on board some of the shadow Minister's should allow students for whom mainstream comments and some of mine, I think that at programs have failed access to education and the end of the day we can come up with a should provide support to enable those system that is going to be acceptable to not students to reintegrate into the mainstream only the education system and the parents but education system. also be of benefit to those children who I wish again to talk about the School of obviously have behaviour problems in the Today, which was established to assist school environment. children who are having problems within Ms SPENCE (Mount Gravatt) mainstream schooling. The School of Today (12.44 p.m.): It is not often that in this House uses the accelerated Christian education we have the opportunity to have a good 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4563 debate about the education system or class who has Tourette's syndrome, where the behaviour management in our schools student involuntarily swears frequently and because, in fact, so much of what happens in badly in the classroom. education goes on without the benefit of Mr Grice: You have a lot of colleagues legislation. So I think that this debate is very like that. important. It is a good opportunity for us to talk about schools, behaviour management and Ms SPENCE: I acknowledge that we the future that we see for the State school are adults. However, the point is that this is system. occurring in a Year 6 class in a primary school. The rest of the students in this class have to In saying that, I have to express my tolerate that child. Today, students are quite disappointment that none of the Government used to such aberrant behaviour in the members consider this topic as sufficiently classrooms and teachers have to become important to warrant their participation in the accustomed to experiencing those types of debate. In the wider scheme of things, nothing behaviour patterns. I suspect that, for that is much more important than the education of reason, behaviour management is a more our young children and our young people. So difficult issue for teachers than it was in the this is a vital debate. past. School discipline and behaviour As a society, it would be wrong to look management is an issue that concerns us all. generally at our young people and say, There tends to be a belief in the community "Behaviour standards are declining in our that discipline standards in our schools are schools." I believe that the behaviour of most getting worse. Unfortunately, from time to time students—the middle of the range, the good I think that politicians of all political students; our children—is very similar to our persuasions play to that belief and use the behaviour when we were at school. The whole issue of behaviour management in difference is the range of students. schools as a bit of a political football. Too often people tend to focus on the negatives of Mr Elliott: Speak for yourself. the behaviour of our students in schools. Ms SPENCE: I was very well behaved I bring to this debate 10 years of at school. The member will have to speak for experience in teaching in Queensland's high himself later on. The range of behaviour in our schools, and most of that experience was schools is far, far broader than we have ever gained in high schools in Logan City. As I visit seen in the past. Obviously, this whole issue is schools now as a member of Parliament and very important. as I talk to students, I do not see a great In supporting this Bill, I have to express difference between the behaviour of students some reservations about particular policy today and what I saw when I was teaching in aspects. The first aspect about which I would the 1970s. However, I must acknowledge that like to express reservations is the fact that the my teacher friends tell me that today it is Minister is giving principals the right to tougher in high schools and that the behaviour suspend a student for up to five days without range of students whom those teachers are review. Previously, when principals wanted to expected to teach is broader than it was in the suspend students for five days, they had to past. Therefore, because we have such a get approval from regional office. Recently, I broad range of students in our schools today, read some figures which stated that in 1994 there are associated behaviour problems. there were between 200 and 1,000 I think that is what people in the suspensions per month in State schools in community tend to overlook. Twenty years ago Queensland. That was just two years ago, and when they were at school—or 30 years that occurred with the principals having to get ago—we did not have that broad range of permission or approval from regional office. My abilities and disabilities in the classroom that great concern is that, by making it easier for we have today. I know that my own children principals to suspend students, there will be a who attend primary school come home and far greater number of suspensions. tell stories about the children who are in their I believe that between 200 and 400 class. In a Year 1 class, a young girl suspensions per month is already a very high consistently swears, wets her pants and does figure. It frightens me to think that we are extraordinary things. I think that she is of low going to increase that figure by giving intellectual ability. Twenty years ago we would principals the power to suspend at will. In not have seen such a student in our schools. doing this, I think that the Government is Now, teachers are having to deal with such going to change the culture of our schools. students. My other son has a student in his We are going to have principals suspending 4564 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 more students. In fact, principals are going to suspend a student in any given year. Although be under pressure from teachers to suspend the majority of principals will not do this, I students because teachers find suspensions believe that some principals will suspend an easy way to get rid of their problem in the students constantly on a five day basis, classroom. Let us face it, usually the problem because that is an easy alternative. When is not the principal's; the problem is the things are made easy, a lot of people tend to teacher's. Teachers will be pressuring their jump on the bandwagon, as we have seen principals to suspend students. I believe that, recently with, for example, stress claims and in many cases, principals will do that. The RSI claims. We might find that this is just a numbers will be increased and there will be a short-term bandwagon for teachers and culture change in our schools if it becomes an principals. easy and an early option to suspend students. I agree that longer suspensions are At present, schools go to great lengths to necessary. However, if students are going to avoid suspensions and I would hate to see be suspended for long periods, and even for that change. short periods, alternative programs must be From my own experience I know that provided for them. A number of very good when students are suspended from school, alternative programs are already in existence particularly from high school, they are really in the State school system. For a while, I just being thrown onto the streets. Instead of taught in an ALFA program, where we took spending their days at home, they will be the very worst behaviour-problem students out spending their days in suburban shopping of the high schools and placed them in a centres and on the streets. There is probably separate school environment for a month or a no-one at home as their parents work and couple of months at a time and gave them they will have basically no supervision at all. alternative programs. Those were very The legislation merely removes the problem successful programs and the Minister must from the school to the shopping centres and look at increasing the number of ALFA into the suburbs. I believe that is encouraging programs available, because some of these children into a life of idleness which will no guidelines are very unrealistic. doubt lead to a life of crime, drugs or The type of students we are talking about whatever. I do not think that the suspension cannot be sent to community or idea will achieve the sort of social cohesion neighbourhood centres, which are mostly run that we are looking for. by women with no educational qualifications When I taught at Woodridge high, we who would not have the skills or the desire to rarely suspended students. In fact, on a daily look after these young people. I do not see basis the deputy principal would go around the any benefit at all in giving the care of those shopping centres and the streets and he young people to private providers. A group in would round up all the students and bring my electorate has taken a number of students them back to school. We wanted them in the from a high school to provide them with an school grounds. He knew where to find them alternative program. None of the people who and every day he would bring them in. provide that alternative program have any An Opposition member: A brave educational qualifications or training at all. I man. am very worried that that kind of thing is already happening and that the Government Ms SPENCE: He was a brave man. He will encourage it to happen more in the future. was a World War II fighter pilot and none of those students frightened him. Mr Quinn: There will be accountability. Mr Stephan: Did he do any teaching? Ms SPENCE: I think accountability is very important. I do not know that a program Ms SPENCE: He was the deputy of getting retired mentors to come into schools principal, so he did not teach. We wanted the will be successful. I have not talked to many students at school because we believed that former teachers who want to undertake further that was the place for them and that was work by looking after the most troublesome where they would receive education. I am students. From the list provided, I have no concerned that, in making it easier for confidence yet that the Minister has in place principals to suspend students, we will see the alternative programs for students who will be number of suspensions increased, which will suspended for such a long time. I implore the not do anything to solve the problem of Minister to look at increasing the number of educating our young people. alternative programs, because many good I am concerned that the guidelines do not programs are in existence and we need lots limit the number of times that a principal can more of them. 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4565

On the issue of exclusions and such a promise at the time, because I believe expulsions, obviously at the end of the day that he is not without knowledge of the school there will always be a number of students who system or the difficulties entailed in educating get expelled from school. In my seven years in and training guidance officers. Parliament, we have gone from having to Mr Bredhauer: If he wasn't aware, we have a Minister sign the expulsion papers for a certainly told him. student, then the Labor Government gave that responsibility to the director-general, and Ms SPENCE: We certainly did tell him now the Government is giving it to the regional that this ludicrous promise could never be director. Once the Minister was the arbiter, achieved, but he went ahead and made it then it was the director-general and now it is a anyway. The Government has had nearly one regional director. Basically, it seems that every year to deliver on the promise, and what is the year we are making it easier for the education Queensland State school system getting next system to expel students, and that is a very year? Perhaps one-third of the 349 guidance serious thing. officers? Perhaps 100 extra guidance officers next year? Certainly not! We are getting a My experience in high schools teaches mere 18 additional guidance officers next me that the longer those students are kept at year. school, even though they do not seem to be performing very well and perhaps they have I can tell the Minister that a lot of the serious behaviour problems, the more those school communities which have been following students can be turned around. I have seen the Minister's progress are very disappointed really troublesome students of 14 or 15 years because they feel that they have been duped. of age who, by the end of Year 12, have really They were expecting guidance officers at their turned around. Perhaps they are not high schools next year and they now know that achievers or even good achievers, but they they are unlikely to see any more guidance have matured in the school system and we officers spending time in their schools at all. can send them into society with skills and The Minister might like to squirm out of that by maturity which they would not have received trying to say that he is employing support staff had they not stayed in the school system. I instead of guidance officers, but I can tell him have a real concern that suspensions and that teacher aides are not seen as a substitute expulsions will not achieve the desired end for guidance officers. They are not seen by which, I hope, is producing young people who teachers, they are not seen by me and they have some skills, educational qualifications are not seen by parents as a substitute for and maturity. guidance officers. This promise which the Minister has so callously and recklessly made, I have reservations regarding the and now broken, is going to come back to cancelling of the enrolments of students of haunt him. I implore the Minister to start post-compulsory age. I understand that, if a training some guidance officers straightaway. I student's enrolment is cancelled at a State understand that 20 people will be training next school, the Minister is going to allow those year. The Minister needs to hurry up on the students to be accepted in another State program of training guidance officers. school. Therefore, I ask: why does this relate only to students of post-compulsory age? If Mr Campbell: That's 20 for next year? the Minister wants to give principals the power Ms SPENCE: Eighteen officers will be to cancel the enrolment of students, why starting next year and they are only training 20 should that not also relate to a 13-year-old next year. I hope that the whole 20 remain in student who has had his or her enrolment the program, so that the best we can have for cancelled? Why is it only for students of post- the following year will be 20 additional compulsory age? I would appreciate some guidance officers. explanation of that in the Minister's summing- up. Mr Campbell: I thought we were going to get 300. Finally, I know that many people in my electorate were quite impressed prior to the Ms SPENCE: We are not going to get last State election by the Minister's promise anything like 300, not ever. I implore the that a coalition Government would double the Minister to start immediately training more number of guidance officers in its first term in guidance officers for the benefit of our office. There are currently 349 guidance schools, because I do not believe that people officers in the State system in Queensland, so are going to be satisfied with teacher aides in the Minister's promise was, in effect, to provide lieu of guidance officers. another 349 guidance officers within three There is much that should be praised in years. I was surprised that the Minister made this Bill, and the Opposition supports it. 4566 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996

However, as we said, we do have reservations believe that most high schools are large about a number of aspects of the Bill. We do enough to overcome a lot of the problems that not believe that giving these powers to the occur with discipline in classes taught by schools will necessarily solve the behaviour supply teachers. The problems could be management problems in our schools. The overcome by having permanent relief teachers Minister needs to provide realistic and on staff. The cost of doing that should be workable alternative programs. The Minister looked into. Especially in high schools with also needs to concentrate on policies for between 80 and 100 teachers, a couple of teachers and parents that provide guidance experienced teachers who are perhaps looking and advice with regard to behaviour at retiring could be kept permanently on staff management. to teach classes when necessary. In that way, In my final two minutes, I must express class discipline could be maintained. my disappointment at the fact that the Minister I have seen these problems again and has got rid of the gender equity and the again. One supply teacher on a two-week cultural equity units in the Education contract resigned after the first day. In effect, Department. That sends a very serious that teacher could not even keep the kids in message to the education community that the classroom for the whole period. When I equity issues, such as gender equity and raise this issue with other teachers, they tell cultural equity, are no longer important in our me that this is happening quite often in many schools in Queensland. In a year such as this areas, especially with respect to supply one, when the race issue has been so teachers. I think we have created a problem significant and important, to get rid of a unit for ourselves in this area. The problems are such as cultural equity sends a very poor the result of cost-cutting measures. The bean message from this Government to the counters say, "Let's introduce a change in the teachers, students and parents in Queensland system. We will have supply teachers on call." schools. I am not sure how the Minister will Relief teachers do not have time to build up address that in future, but we will be student/teacher relationships. That takes time. monitoring the Minister's advances in equity We should look at the issue of class discipline issues very closely. and supply teachers. Sitting suspended from 1.03 to 2.30 p.m. I have had several representations from Mr BREDHAUER: Mr Deputy Speaker, I parents from an organisation call Tough Love. draw your attention to the state of the House. Those parents of problem kids have found that they are unable to control them. We know Quorum formed. that these children are the ones who are Mr CAMPBELL (Bundaberg) having problems at school. Those parents (2.30 p.m.): I am glad that some members are raised the issue of longer school suspensions. in the House listening to the debate on the They said that, when the kids are suspended Education (General Provisions) Amendment from school, sometimes the parents found out Bill. When we speak about education, two about it only after the kids told them, "I am major areas of discussion arise. Firstly, people now suspended from school for five days." In discuss how literacy and numeracy skills are many cases, the people who raised those lacking and how action is needed. The other concerns are solo parents. issue is the lack of student discipline. This Bill A kid who causes a problem at school will looks at the problem of student discipline and be sent home. However, when the kid is behaviour. suspended for five days or so, the parent is One important point raised with me which not at home but at work. Instead of staying at has not been touched on yet relates to high home, the kid ends up in the CBD. We cannot schools. Most of the points that I am making have unruly kids disrupting school. However, relate to high schools. I refer to the problem whenever the suspension option is used, we that supply teachers have maintaining student have to be able to strike a balance. We should discipline. When supply teachers are called in not just take the problem out of the schools to teach classes they are not used to, and put it onto the streets. These parents students will test teachers' ability to maintain have said that they are getting next to no help class discipline. That is when the problems for their kids—kids whom they acknowledge occur. they are having problems with. Serious problems have been raised with Quite a few options proposed as me about discipline in classes taught by alternatives were outlined by our spokesman. supply teachers. I am concerned that we are However, I point out by way of example that, creating problems for ourselves in this area. I even though assistance was available from 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4567 teachers from the North Wide Bay Support because some of the other teachers were Centre in Bundaberg, because of the number concerned that it seemed as though the of kids they were not able to provide sufficient problem kids were being rewarded for their help for the problem children on suspension. bad behaviour and that everyone wanted to For example, in one case children were given get onto that program. When I asked how it distance education subjects to complete. The went in reality, I was told that it did work fairly support teacher/guidance officer would check well. I am sorry that that program was not on the kid once a week to see how he or she continued, as I believe it should have been. was going. Can members imagine what Another alternative is attendance at a happened? A teacher would spend 40 neighbouring State school. That works pretty minutes to half an hour with each kid to see well in Bundaberg. Most of the principals work how he or she was going. If that kid could not closely together and are prepared to take be made to behave in class, how can we other students and see whether they will fit expect that child to do anything at home into their school community a little bit better. At without supervision? We have to look carefully one school in particular, the principal really at the option of suspending students. tries to make this work. The problem is that Another point raised earlier was that most of the kids with behavioural problems students will be suspended when perhaps end up at that school because the principal is they should not be. In my experience, prepared to really try to help them. principals have always used their powers Another alternative is the use of existing judiciously. In other words, suspension has off-campus facilities. The Wide Bay Support usually been used as a last resort. I Centre is able to provide this alternative, but in acknowledge that, when some kids had real reality there is a need for more of those types problems, it was marvellous to see the way in of facilities. In addition, there are not enough which the principals and the school community staff to help. If this option is employed, kids tried to do everything other than suspend a must be made to go to these facilities from 9 student. Overall, I have no problems with o'clock till 3 o'clock. It is not a case of their those powers being given to the principals. As attending for an hour a day and then the rest I said, from my experience they have always of the time being on the streets. That is a used them very judiciously. concern I have. It is happening now. Another The member for Fitzroy raised the issue of alternative is retired mentors supporting and bad student behaviour. Some students are supervising students. I believe that if we put just disobedient. However, in other cases bad some of the teachers who have taken early behaviour is illness related—in other words, retirement back on to permanent relief at a ADD and ADHD. We should recognise that school, they could overcome a lot of these that is the case. At present, the education problems. Some of them have gone back. I system does not do that. Behavioural know of one class that has had five different problems are not addressed through the teachers already this year. We are really provision of extra special education services or getting nowhere with that group. resources for kids with those problems. They Another alternative is the use of school are not counted. Importantly, we have to support, community or neighbourhood make certain that those conditions are centres. I would love to see some of these recognised as problems in the same way that kids go down to the neighbourhood centre! I physical and mental disabilities are. reckon they would wreck it within two or three Alternatives for dealing with kids with days. I believe that this type of placement may behavioural problems have been looked at. A be inappropriate. One centre that I am aware lot of those ideas do not stand a chance of of tries to teach parenting skills to the parents working in places such as Bundaberg. They of broken families or families in which abuse have been tried already. One alternative is occurs. It also runs support groups for people attendance at an in-school alternative who have different illnesses. Parenting support program. That was attempted at Bundaberg is provided at this neighbourhood centre, but it State High School. I have great respect for the is on a one-to-one basis in a small group. I principal there. He is probably one of the best cannot see how this would work. Another principals in Queensland. At that school, an alternative is case management project American basketballer, Levi Cobb, officers supporting students in the home, commenced one of those programs. He did a school, support centre or neighbourhood great job. He spent time with problem kids. He centre. If the Government appointed another taught them how to play basketball and to do 300 such officers—in other words, another four other things. Then I found out that it was or five in Bundaberg—this might work. But decided not to continue with that program given that the Government is training only 18 4568 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 or 20 such officers per year, there is no way in that a bit around the State. I know that he the world that they will have a real impact. does that to some extent, but I would like to One of my concerns is that we do not see a bit more of it. I think it is high time that have enough money for education now, and we told people out there that our schools are when times get tough these types of programs not dens of bad behaviour, that we are talking will be the first to go. This has occurred in the about a minority of kids. There are probably Health portfolio. Budgets are very tight, and 4,000-odd kids who go to school in the first thing to go is the support for early Rockhampton. In the context of this sort of release programs in the primary health care legislation, we are talking about 80 or 90 kids sector. We have introduced day surgery maximum. I think we need to put this into programs under which patients are whipped some perspective throughout the State. straight out of hospital and left to recuperate Having said that, I must also remark that at home. The support that was supposed to the initiatives that the shadow Minister has be provided to such patients, which has been indicated that the Opposition will support are built up over time, is the first thing to be cut. very much part of the initiatives that the Goss This concerns me. We are setting up all of Government took to the people of these programs. I predict that they will last for Queensland at the last election. The well- a year or perhaps two years, and then there publicised and well-circulated document that will be a push for more teachers in the went around the State titled "Maintaining classroom. We hear this type of thing all the school discipline—A plan to keep schools free time: instead of working on curriculums, equity from disruption" was very well balanced. I am groups or other projects, we want teachers to delighted that the Minister has chosen to get back into the classroom. When that push implement at least a couple of the policies put comes, all of these extra facilities that we are forward in that document. going to provide will just be ripped up. If the However, I am somewhat disappointed Government is going to institute alternative that the Minister has not seen fit to implement education programs for kids with behavioural parenting programs in local school problems, it must ensure that they are communities to advise parents on how to cope meaningful and permanent. with behavioural problems at home, which is In the 13 years that I have been involved the last dot point in the policy of the Labor with education problems as a member, Government. It is all very well to talk about behavioural problems have been the major suspensions, and I understand the need for concern expressed by all parties. I those, but if we are going to send kids home acknowledge that it is a step in the right then we have to understand that many direction to give principals the power to parents do not have the necessary skills to suspend more, but it concerns me that the cope with kids who are just as badly behaved alternative education programs are not going at home as they are at school. If the to be implemented fully. Unless that occurs, suspension was to be backed up with some this legislation will not achieve what we hope it sort of home support, then it would be far will achieve. We support this policy, but it is more meaningful and would probably get over imperative that the facilities be made a lot of the problems that people have in available. supporting the five-day exclusion, because the Mr SCHWARTEN (Rockhampton) five-day exclusion may in many cases mean (2.46 p.m.): I join this debate for a variety of that kids who are badly behaved at school are reasons, not the least of which is my overriding out in shopping centres terrorising people or concern that in Queensland we tend in a lot of breaking into people's homes and things of ways to downgrade our State schools in the that nature simply because—— eyes of the general public by publicising the Mr Palaszczuk: Invading other schools. fact that we have discipline problems in them. I would like to see the Minister embark on a Mr SCHWARTEN: Invading other program of some sort which tells people that schools is yet another problem. We have to our State schools are great schools. There are acknowledge that there needs to be a closer some wonderful things happening in our link between the home and the school in this schools. I believe they leave the private sector regard. I believe the policy that we in for dead. I get around the schools in my Government had of appointing liaison officers electorate a lot, and I believe that the quality to work in that area was a very good one. of the education being provided in our State I have always been a fan of alternative schools is as good as, if not better than, that placements or alternative settings for kids in being offered by private sector schools. I these types of circumstances. This morning, would like to see the Minister start to trumpet the honourable member for Fitzroy raised the 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4569 issue of a school that has been set up that plague society. People are more adjacent to our electorates. I think it is in the frequently turning to schools to find the electorate of the honourable member for solutions. Time and time again I have said Keppel. That school has some hardworking that the smorgasbord of education in our parents and professionals working for it. We schools is becoming more and more laden need to do all we can to support that type of and we will have to in some shape or form school. They are working with kids with ADD. address how we get around that problem. We need to be creative in how we provide One issue the member for Mount Gravatt those settings. There is a list of ideas that is mentioned which was of particular interest to currently being kicked around in the me was the notion that the Minister had Department of Education as to where abolished the social justice units and so on alternative education may be provided. within the department. That was a mistake. My idea of an alternative school, rather Mr Quinn: They have all been pushed than have kids in warehouses or whatever the together. case may be, is to actually have a school where kids can be quarantined, I guess, for a Mr SCHWARTEN: My information is while, where they can have access to proper different from that. I draw the Minister's attention to a statement he made when in professional assistance and small class sizes Opposition, and I will not hold him to it, of with very experienced teachers who can keep course. In April 1995, the Gold Coast Bulletin them on track. As those kids perform well reported the Minister as saying— there, they can go back into mainstream education. If they reoffend, they come back "Too much time is being wasted by into that school situation. Basically, we need a teachers and principals serving as sexual home to own these problems. The more these harassment officers, workplace health and kids are fractionalised out into the community, safety officers or as committee workers the less control and the less accountability involved in social justice and gender there will be. equity issues." I am particularly worried about the I hope that the Minister does not still hold fast suggestion of the use of an approved private to those views. I hope that, in the time I have providers alternative program. I do not want to left, I can convince him of the need for a knock that, but I have some concerns in that broader approach. Those things are very easy regard. I do not know that providing private to say. I do not know whether the Minister has providers is necessarily the right way to go, but had an opportunity to look at the program I am quite prepared to see how that manifests titled "Enough's enough!" that was produced itself. by the Gender Equity Unit in his department under our Government. It is in every school. I There is a significant number of kids who urge the Minister to have a good look at it have problems and who simply do not belong because it is a very good resource document in mainstream education. Having said that, we for schools. Unfortunately, as the Minister and have an obligation to provide them with an I both know, these types of documents tend to education that is relevant to their needs. That get put on the shelf to collect dust unless is a path we need to go down. We need to there is somebody in a region driving them. find out what will assist these kids so that they will value education. I am cognisant of the fact Some of the statistics produced by this that a number of organisations throughout the unit are terrifying, especially to me as a father State who represent kids who have particular of two sons. The likelihood of some of these difficulties are basically opposed to this things happening to my family had I had two legislation; but in defence of the legislation, daughters rather than two sons would be a lot there comes a time when the behaviour of less. For example, in 1990-91, 93.3 per cent kids is such that they should not be in the of prisoners in gaol were males. Of 19 mainstream education system. Having said convictions for murder in the same year, 15 that, we do not just wash our hands of them were recorded against men. Men were and send them on their way to do as they convicted of 431 of the 479 major assaults in please in society. Society owns the problem, that period and 168 of the 192 minor assaults. and as a society we must grapple with it. The As a father of two sons, the statistic that school is but one link in that chain of solutions worries me is that, of the 49 convictions for to the problems of bad behaviour. dangerous driving, only two were recorded against women. Studies of murders committed Schools are microcosms of our by women show that in almost every case the community and as such they have in them victim was a husband or partner who had people who display all the behaviour problems physically, emotionally or sexually abused the 4570 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 woman over a period of years. Approximately issue. If we can overcome those problems we 13,000 charges were laid against boys and are some way down the track towards doing 1,300 charges against girls. something about this matter. The point I make is that, as a father of I want to talk about guidance officers. I two sons, I have a greater chance of my boys note that the coalition promised that it would being involved in a dangerous driving incident, double the number of guidance officers in for example, and most likely being killed than if schools in the forthcoming three years. The I had two girls. Where else do we look in Minister has not made much progress in society to try to change those statistics? If the honouring that promise. Minister is looking for a good statistic that is relevant to schools, the figures for the years Mr Bredhauer: He has thrown in the 1990 and 1991 show that a total of 2,811 towel. boys were suspended or excluded from Mr SCHWARTEN: The Minister has Queensland schools compared with 860 girls. thrown in the towel, has he? I urge the That is a ratio of approximately 3 to 1. If we Minister to go and get the towel back. We are are talking about behaviour and trying to do dealing with very complex problems. As I said, something about it, we have to address why it these issues are minority issues within the is that boys are more likely to get into trouble schools. It would be a great tragedy if people than girls. left this Chamber today after this debate and This document here is a great classroom threw their hands in the air with joy and said, resource. It outlines some practical methods "We have solved the problems in our schools." which teachers can employ, for example to I see this as a starting point. It is not going to encourage students to support each other and be without its problems. Everyone needs to solve conflict situations as they occur in non- acknowledge that it is not going to be the violent ways and to ensure that any response answer to a maiden's prayer to simply exclude to violent behaviour first requires the offender children from schools willy-nilly. My experience to accept responsibility for his or her is that kids are being excluded from schools behaviour. This is a crucial document that the only when their behaviour has got to the stage Minister has at his fingertips. It is in every at which it is totally unacceptable. school in this State. It may be playing to the Having said that, I understand that grandstand, because most people believe that teachers have a right to go about the business gender equity and so on is all about being of education in an unchallenged way. The politically correct. However, there is a real whole business of education has to continue agenda in that document which needs to be uninterrupted and unchallenged so that the considered. We cannot overlook those majority of students are better served. It is a damning statistics. We have to ask why it is disgrace that one or two kids can ruin a whole that boys are more likely to fit into that class and ruin a teacher's ability to get the behaviour pattern than girls. message across. I believe that the exclusion I will not read through this document now, rules will help in that regard. But let us not kid but I urge the Minister to go through the ourselves that we are solving the problem. We anecdotal evidence in detail because the are solving the immediate problem in the sexual harassment of students is damning. It classroom but we are not solving the overall is really frightening to see that and I am sure societal problem of what those young people that the Minister, as a responsible Minister, are going to do when they take their place would want to do everything he could to see outside the school situation. that stamped out. I would support him in I believe that the alternative setting is the anything he did in that regard. We need to way to go. We have to look at ways of doing it. abandon grandstanding politics and saying We have to make sure that the whole issue is that gender equity is a warm, fuzzy idea of the front-loaded with cash so that we can be fairly nineties. We need to look at what gender creative. I would like to see those decisions equity is all about and look at the issues that made at a regional level. I am particularly have been so excellently produced in this concerned that in rural Queensland we do not document. have the options that are mentioned in that I would like the Minister to give some paper. In the coalfields and such places we do thought to getting this sort of material back on not see a lot of options but there tend to be a the road. By bringing this group together we lot of behavioural problems. When the find that there is less focus on these problems. Minister's colleague was at Bamaga he found If we are talking about behavioural problems in that there are not so many options outside the our schools we surely cannot overlook this school situation. I think that the Minister will 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4571 have to be a little creative in dealing with this which was introduced under June McQueen issue. and subsequently carried on under the There is probably a need to have a look present caring administration. at the overall in-servicing of teachers. The Some very encouraging success stories world has changed dramatically. The sorts of can be told of the graduating students from things that teachers used to be able to do this very good school. I would mention that when I was teaching are no longer accepted 32.3 per cent of the people who responded to by parents. At that time it was a lot easier to my survey of the Acacia Ridge State High discipline kids than it is now. Those options are School said that they expected problems of no longer available. I am pleased to see that truancy and early cessation of schooling to the Minister does not want to bring back the occur if students were forced to leave Acacia cane because as far as I am concerned the Ridge and travel to a school in another cane did not solve anything. I have seen community. It should be pointed out that all plenty of kids caned. If one looks at the other high schools are at least two suburbs corporal punishment register at the Allenstown away from Acacia Ridge and are certainly State School one will see the same kid's name beyond walking distance. day after day after day. If corporal punishment We all know the sorts of problems that worked one would have to ask oneself why the occur on school transport in the Brisbane area kids kept lining up for it. One of the individuals and probably throughout the State. Recently mentioned in that register is now a guest of we had an example of this at Goodna where Her Majesty at the Rockhampton Correctional students misbehaved in a bus. The behaviour Centre. I used to teach him. When he was in of children on some school transport around Year 5 I could see that that boy was going to Brisbane is absolutely appalling. There is no run off the rails. He went right through the way of controlling that behaviour. I constantly system and he went to the place where I receive complaints about this matter. I have thought he would go. These young people also seen examples of this behaviour myself become a responsibility of the Department of when I have travelled in the early afternoons Family Services and on it goes. on public transport. I do not want to see that Mr ARDILL (Archerfield) (3.06 p.m.): The situation occurring. A number of the parents at Education (General Provisions) Amendment Acacia Ridge have drawn my attention to what Bill 1996 has the support of the Opposition but will happen if the Acacia Ridge State High there are a number of issues that leave us School closes. These students will be put on with some misgivings. I believe it is quite ironic buses. The buses will take twice as long as the that the Minister is putting this Bill forward at rest of the transport in the area to reach a the same time as he has made a decision to given point once the unruly students get on close one of Brisbane's best high schools. board. This Bill is principally aimed at improving Acacia Ridge is a suburb of low incomes behaviour management practices and and considerable unemployment since the outcomes in schools and it is ironic that at this major industries such as GMH, Edco and point in time the Minister proposes to close a Comeng closed down many years ago. The school which is one of the very few in the work experience program is crucial to the metropolitan area without any behaviour suburb and means the difference between problems. I refer to Acacia Ridge State High having a job and long-term unemployment to School. This school overcame the severe the students of Acacia Ridge State High behaviour problems which affected and School. The program has an Australiawide afflicted all local high schools in the 1970s and reputation as the best in Queensland and the the 1980s. This was a time when other high only one in a Queensland State school that schools had problems with vandalism, meets the AFT criteria. The proposal to merge personal abuse, drug taking, even slashing of Acacia Ridge High and Salisbury High does tyres on the principal's car in one school, not have the support of the people of Acacia truancy and student strikes. Ridge. Perhaps all of them are wrong and the Minister is right. I do not think so. In fact, they However, Acacia Ridge State High School vocally and vociferously oppose the proposal has been a haven of good morale in recent for very good reasons. I invite the Minister to times since the school adopted an appropriate explain to those people his reasons for curriculum, actually providing more subjects insisting on that closure. The Minister's than some other schools which have a higher justification for the closure of that school is that number of students and which will remain higher numbers will provide a climate where a open. Acacia Ridge State High School has a better standard of education can be provided. superb work experience program and network Yet many private schools have very small 4572 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 numbers and are considered very good Mr Palaszczuk interjected. schools. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Laming): In Queensland, 21 schools have fewer Order! The member for Inala cannot interject than 300 students. For a variety of reasons, from a chair other than his own. most of those will continue to operate. The Mr ARDILL: I wonder what the member only other schools to close have fewer than had to say. He certainly knows the area, 100 students, whereas Acacia Ridge High has because he was the previous member for that 260 students. Yesterday, in reply to a dorothy area. dixer arranged question in this Parliament, the Minister gave an untrue answer that stated If the majority of students leaving the two that I had made misleading statements about primary schools in Acacia Ridge can be the enrolment at Acacia Ridge. In fact, I persuaded to transfer to Acacia Ridge State quoted the departmental figures and did not High School, the present numbers will be claim that there were 300 students at the maintained and supplemented until such time school. The figure of 300 was chosen as a rule as the new residents raise children to swell the of thumb for a small school. His own list shows numbers. For those reasons, I oppose the five schools with more students than Acacia closure of the high school. The proposed strategy of the Education Minister is the Ridge and 13 with fewer than Acacia Ridge second-best option to keeping the school that will continue to operate for a number of open. Certainly, it is preferable to any other reasons. His answer to the arranged question strategy that involves closure. A move to was totally wrong. Salisbury would transfer the essential work Students need the stimulus of a number experience program but it would destroy the of others in each subject area and that can be community's ownership of its own school and provided by providing a taxi service to another its pride in that school. It is a second-best school for small numbers in some subjects. option and a very poor second to keeping That is a standard practice now. Admittedly, open a very important institution in a suburb that would be a cost to the Education that is entitled to every consideration. Department, but it would eliminate the huge It all comes back to money as that is what subsidy that would be required to transfer the is needed to keep the school working and entire school population to another school in operating successfully. Money is something the morning peak hours, which is a totally that does not come easily to Acacia Ridge. It uneconomic proposition for any transport has been severely neglected by both levels of provider concerned, but of course not for the Government for the past 40 years. The very Education Department. The ratepayers of best option would be to give a guarantee that Brisbane will provide a massive subsidy to this excellent school will remain open. That transfer between 250 and 300 students from would return the confidence destroyed by talk Acacia Ridge to another school. That is totally of closure. A guarantee that the school will uneconomic because buses that have to remain open for five years before any further provide that sort of service are taken out of the consideration is given to its ultimate future peak-hour services from the outer suburbs to would restore confidence to the existing the city and are dedicated solely to moving students and any students entering the school school children. Three services are already next year. The residents are solidly against doing that from Algester to Runcorn, which is a closure. great distance. That is a brilliant example of the penny wise and pound foolish economics The answers to my survey showed that 87 of economic rationalism. It should not be per cent of the respondents opposed closure; forgotten that, in a school of between 250 and 37 per cent said that their children would have 260 students, over 50 students are in each trouble fitting into a new school; 54 per cent year of the junior school. Generally, that would would require free transport in this low income provide sufficient students to make up a class area; and 29 per cent would expect some in the various subjects. assistance with fares. I must support my constituents and their needs and wishes. I Acacia Ridge is undergoing an upswing of have drawn those matters to the Minister's housing development and a renewal of attention by every means available to me. I will existing housing stock. There are 360 housing continue to do so. sites ready or nearly ready for building, and 36 units are already built but not yet occupied. Mr Palaszczuk: The Acacia Ridge Apparently that has escaped the notice of the school is steeped in pride. It has a wonderful Education Department or at least the history of achievement and this Government, Education Minister. in its own callous way, is intending to close it down. 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4573

Mr ARDILL: I totally agree with the suspensions, and on many occasions for long member for Inala. That school has turned out periods, it is an indication that the school is not some very good citizens and some providing a suitable curriculum or suitable exceptional citizens in the area of business, environment for many of its students or the sport and the entertainment world. Some principal is unfit to exercise proper control and exceptional students have come out of that that the Education Department must monitor school. It does concentrate on community what goes on at that school. development. Those comments should not be taken as I draw attention to some shortcomings in a criticism of the vast majority of principals who the Bill before the House. Of course, many of will operate not only in the spirit of the the methods that are being put forward to deal legislation but also to the letter of the with behaviour problems are a sop to people legislation. It is absolutely essential that who are complaining instead of implementing principals have this right to suspend students. the procedures and proposals that were put Now that there is no corporal punishment in before the public by the then Opposition schools, there is little opportunity for principals during the middle of last year. I believe that a to do anything other than counsel the massive swelling of the numbers of guidance students. There must be provision made for officers was a great idea. But what has students who have to be excluded from the happened to those guidance officers? The school. I am yet to see exactly what form that Minister is failing to deliver on the promises provision will take. Certainly, it is a matter that that were made. There is no way that he has concerns me. I believe that the Minister and sufficient funding to provide even the people his officers will have to be very careful in whom he says he will put into the system. In setting that system. many cases, they are not the type of people who would be expected to fill the role of Another matter which I believe is not guidance officers for which they are being covered adequately in this Bill is the problem substituted. of school invasions. All school invasions do not involve violence, but they certainly—— The provisions of the Bill which relate to a principal suspending students are necessary. Mr Palaszczuk: Didn't the Minister Something has to be done to solve the make a ministerial statement saying school problem of the lack of discipline in schools and invasions don't exist? the problems that a small minority of students can cause their fellow students. I agree that Mr ARDILL: That is absolute nonsense. principals should have the right to suspend I find it hard to believe that the Minister would students who are unruly and disruptive in their make such a statement. Every school suffers classes. However, I believe that if a principal is school invasions. It is an issue that has to be seen to be using this provision repeatedly tackled. Principally, the invasions are there should be a check made by the committed by children who have been department on that principal. The department excluded from the school or from another should operate on the basis that, if nearby school under the de facto suspensions at a school occur on numerous arrangements which exist until this legislation occasions and the suspension provisions takes effect. Something has to be done to appear to be overused, there is either solve this problem. Those people come in to something wrong with the school or the schools and create problems. In some cases, principal. they fight the students at the schools. Certainly, they harass those students and they I am lucky enough to have excellent even harass the teachers or the teacher aides principals in the schools in my area. However, I who are on playground duty. It is a great have seen many principals when they were at problem in every school in Brisbane and it is schools in my electorate who were an absolute time that it was tackled. disaster. They were either unfit for the job or they were too strict. During the 1970s and the Certainly, there is some good in this Bill, 1980s, they caused all sorts of problems. I but its success will depend on how it is have been associated with schools for about managed. I have every confidence in the 31 years and I have seen some terrible senior departmental officers and I have every principals in charge of schools. They confidence in the people who are currently developed the sorts of problems that I looking after these matters in the regions. mentioned earlier in my speech. So it should Unfortunately, I must say that I think one of not be a matter of the department ignoring the greatest disasters that I have seen in what such principals are doing; they should be Education is to remove the regional structure checked. If those principals have to resort to and to water down the current school support 4574 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 structure. It is a magnificent structure, and that In relation to the Bill, I recognise that is particularly the case in my area. behavioural problems and the need for Mr J. H. SULLIVAN (Caboolture) discipline seems to be widespread in our (3.26 p.m.): In common with my colleague the school system. I know that the provisions that member for Archerfield, I have some concerns have been inserted into the legislation by this about a number of provisions in this amendment Bill will generally be welcomed by legislation. I will come to those in a moment. principals and by the Queensland Teachers However, before I do so I want to use the Union. Nevertheless, I have some concerns. I opportunity afforded to me to thank publicly would like to take just a brief moment of the two retiring principals and one transferring House's time to express those concerns. I principal from my electorate. I place on the have a concern about the lack of review for a public record my appreciation and the five-day suspension. I understand that that appreciation of the community to Peter could be time consuming. However, it leaves a Kidston, who has for a number of years been student, who is suspended on erroneous the principal of the Bribie Island State School grounds for a period not exceeding five days, and who is retiring, Northa Burnett, who is also without any recourse to having that corrected. retiring and who has for the entire time that I I appreciate that we could never have a review have been a member of this Parliament been undertaken within the period of the the principal of the Caboolture State High suspension and I believe that the majority of School, and John Cutler, the principal of the the kids who will cop these suspensions will Caboolture Primary School, who is transferring cop them sweet because they will know that to another school because of a loss of student they deserve them. However, there are those numbers at Caboolture State High School. cases where people are going to be unfairly dealt with in this way. I believe that they Each of those principals has done an should have some recourse to having the excellent job in providing quality schooling for slate wiped clean, even if that were to occur the children in my electorate. I know that they some considerable time after event. will be sorely missed. To Peter and Northa, I wish them a happy and long retirement. To For example, I have the sort of John Cutler, I hope that he is as happy in his relationship with my daughter where she will new posting as he has obviously been at always tell me the truth. If she said, "Dad, I Caboolture. didn't do it", I would be particularly angry if she was to be suspended and we were not able to I would also like to pay tribute to the have the matter put right. Of course, some of school communities of Tullawong State the cruellest people can be students. Kids can Primary School, Tullawong State High School be set up at school, just as politicians get set and St Paul's Lutheran College, which are all up sometimes. A kid could be suspended for located in my electorate. They share a something that he or she has not done, but particular safety problem with Smiths Road in will have no means of appeal. In the interests Caboolture. In recent, times—and in all of fairness, it would be profitable for the modesty I guess I must say that it was after Minister and his advisers to see if there is some urging by me—the three schools got some way that that can be remedied. together and formed a Schoolsafe committee. The Caboolture Shire Council and the I am quite concerned about the Department of Transport have been very cancellation of enrolments for students supportive of this Schoolsafe committee beyond compulsory school age. I am not because there is a significant safety problem completely across all of the arguments, but I in that area owing to the traffic problems that do regard this as blatantly contrary to the Anti- have been created by the schools. The council Discrimination Act. The Bill treats children has been generous financially and the differently if they are beyond the age of Department of Transport has been generous compulsory attendance at schools. in what it has indicated that it is prepared to Mr FitzGerald: That's discriminatory do. I also pay particular tribute to Paul Galea anyway, having a compulsory age. from the Safety Division of the Department of Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: I take the Transport who has been very helpful in driving interjection of the Leader of Government that committee and getting it off the ground. I Business, and I will digress on its basis. A look forward early next year, when the number of discriminations are made against students are back at school, to having a traffic- children in this country, let alone in this State. signalled intersection controlling what is a real bunfight morning and afternoon during school Mr FitzGerald: You can't even vote till terms. you're 18. 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4575

Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: They cannot vote at school for the rest of the year, because they until they are 18, they cannot have sex until would not like to be submitted to it for another they are 16, they cannot drive a car until they week. are 16 and a half. Miss Simpson: Unfortunately, it's more Mr FitzGerald: You've got to go to bed interesting than you at the moment. by 9 o'clock if you're under four years of age. Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: "Tu-plang" to you Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: It is 8.30 at my as well, my dear. The issue, of course, is that house. These discriminations are based on a a student who is suspended for five days has belief that children do not have the experience nothing. However, a student who has and knowledge to be able to make proper committed a worse misdemeanour must be judgments about those things themselves. provided with an alternative course of study or However, by the time a child reaches 15 or 16, activity. Therefore, he or she is provided with I believe that they can make proper something better in terms of their education. A judgments. Perhaps the Leader of student who is excluded or has their enrolment Government Business might like to present a cancelled can enrol at the neighbouring school reference to the Legal, Constitutional and the next day. It seems to me that it is—I do Administrative Review Committee, asking it to not want to use a colloquialism—— look at discrimination against children based Mr Fouras: It's skewed. on age. For example, American kids can drive a car at 15 and I do not believe that they are Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: It is skewed, any cleverer than Australian kids. Perhaps we back-to-front and inversely proportional to the could look at some of those issues. offence. We are discriminating against children on Mr Quinn: Think of why principals the basis of age. I accept that principals will suspend for a short period and you've got the love this cancellation provision because they answer. can take a trouble maker in Year 11 or 12, or Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: I know why perhaps even one finishing Year 10, and put principals will suspend for short periods under them on the street straightaway. There are no this legislation, and I will come to that. I do not procedures for suspension prior to exclusion to know whether I am the first to say this in the go through, so the student will be on the debate today, but the issue now is that a streets straightaway and the principal will think principal can suspend a student for five days that he or she has solved a problem in the without a review and without having to provide school. They may have, but they will have an alternative program. Principals will not issue created one on the street. I am not sure that a 6 to 20-day suspension, because they will we need to have two separate procedures, an have arrange to arrange an alternative exclusion procedure and a cancellation of program. I understand, and it is only enrolment procedure. I am particularly anecdotally, that in the Strathpine/Pine Rivers concerned that the cancellation of enrolment area the principals have already agreed that procedure seems to be quite clearly contrary they will not provide an alternative for students to the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act. suspended for 6 to 20 days from their The third concern that I have is that the colleagues' schools. They do not know what punishment seems to be inverse to the crime. the Minister's alternative programs will be, but One would presume that a lesser they will not agree to temporary enrolment at misdemeanour will result in a five day their schools. suspension. A misdemeanour of greater With a five-day suspension, decisions of seriousness will result in a 6 to 20-day principals will not have to be reviewed and suspension, with exclusion and then principals will not have to provide an cancellation being the most severe alternative arrangement, and they will be the punishment. If a student is suspended from norm. If the principals believe that certain kids school for five days, he or she will sit around deserve a 6 to 20-day suspension, they will and watch Days of Our Lives, because the give a string of five-day suspensions instead. school is not required to provide an alternative program. I know it is not proper to mention the clauses in this part of the debate, but I am Mr Pearce: That would be enough to sure that I will be forgiven. Proposed new make you want to go back to school. section 30I in the Bill sets out some of the Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: I take the provisions for an exclusion. It requires that the interjection from the member for Fitzroy. A student be suspended. That student is going whole week of watching Days of Our Lives to have to be suspended for a period in would ensure that students do not misbehave excess of five days—a 6 to 20-day 4576 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 suspension—and will have to be suspended which is now called the Board of Teacher under the terms of the 6 to 20-day Registration. I speak mainly from my 20 years suspension, because there is no reference to as a high school teacher. any differential treatment to that suspension The majority of my teaching time was at than for the normal suspensions. The student boys' secondary schools which ranged in size will have to be suspended for more than five from 600 to 1,100 students. As parents, and days because they have five days to lodge an particularly as teachers, we know that teaching appeal and the decision cannot be made is a challenge. When I came into this before that time has expired. Therefore, five Parliament, I left behind a workplace in which days after they have been suspended is the there were more than 900 active and first occasion that the principal's supervisor will boisterous teenage boys, more than 50 per have to register his decision, and that means cent of whom were boarders living on site 24 that the suspension must be for the longer hours a day. Those boarders came not only time. The Bill states that the supervisor must from Brisbane but also from regional and give a decision within 20 days. Therefore, remote Queensland, Papua New Guinea and some students will clearly be subjected to the the Pacific islands. I enjoyed their vitality, 6 to 20-day suspension provisions. I would like enthusiasm for life and the challenge that they the Minister to clarify that I am right in that presented. However, there were times when I regard. could have willingly throttled a number of Proposed new section 30J(2) deals with them. the case where a principal's supervisor decides As a Year 8 master, I found it a daunting to exclude a student even though the principal but very rewarding task trying to mould into has not recommended it. That seems to be some sort of unified group up to 180 students somewhat strange. If that is to take place, how who were being introduced into secondary will the principal's supervisor do that and why school. Over the years, one built up would the principal's supervisor be wanting to relationships with students and their parents. override the principal? I thought that this To see the changes that occurred in the legislation was about giving principals certain students in the time that I knew them was very managerial controls within their schools. rewarding. The most difficult times were when I would appreciate it if in his summation we had difficult students. It is interesting how the Minister could address the issues that I we describe the students who have caused us have raised. As I say, while the Opposition is concern. I found that incidents of going to generally support the thrust of the Bill, disobedience, insolence and violence tended I have those reservations and I hope that the to stem from unresolved family and personal Minister can allay them for me. problems. Teaching at boys' schools was Mr T. B. SULLIVAN (Chermside) especially challenging, because teenage boys (3.40 p.m.): I will not oppose the Education tend to sort out their differences in a very (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 1996, direct and physical manner. One of the good but I do wish to express some serious things was that, after the argument or fight reservations about some aspects of the was over, the students tended to come back legislation. In particular, the Bill will not achieve and talk to the teachers in a fairly direct and its stated objectives, because the coalition has personable manner. not provided sufficient alternative educational The underlying problems of family and programs for students who will be suspended. personal need cannot be addressed, and are To varying degrees, we all know of the not being addressed, by this legislation. In problems that occur in schools. I will address some ways, they should not be addressed in some of the problems and say why I believe this Bill. However, the Department of Families, that the legislation will not be as successful as Youth and Community Care is currently not it should have been. providing anywhere near the necessary level I speak from experience not only as an of support for families. For example, there is MLA who has had parents contact me at the inadequate access to counselling services for office and as a person who visits the P & C individual students and families. associations within my electorate but also from If we were to maintain our motor vehicles my experience as a parent of five school-age in the same way that we maintain our students children, as a former member of the Council of and families, we would have a disastrous the Queensland Association of Teachers in situation in our society. Imagine if we had a Independent Schools—the independent severe problem with our brakes or teachers union—and as a member for six transmission and we phoned up for help only years of the Board of Teacher Education, to be told, "Just carry on driving the vehicle 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4577 and in about six months' time we will have a saying, "We will not be ready recipients of quick look at it, and a couple of months after suspended students." I can see why they are that we will give it some treatment." We would saying that. simply not accept that. If there is a break-in at The worst aspect of this legislation a school or a fire, we easily see the damage concerns the suspension of students for fewer and Q-Build is on call 24 hours a day to than five days. Those students will be roaming remedy the situation. However, we have not the suburbs, at home by themselves, or, more provided, and currently do not provide, that probably, with other students who are wagging same 24-hour support and immediate access school. There will be no supervision at home to assistance. We must do that. for these students and there will be no I am glad that the Minister for Families, supervision on the streets for those children. Youth and Community care has come into We are simply palming off the problems onto Chamber, because I would hope that he the streets. would fight very strongly for what I have I was fortunate to attend the opening of suggested. I have not heard him speak about the extension to the Nicklin Centre at Aspley, this issue in his time as Minister and I have which caters for students in alternative concerns that his director-general does not programs. I do not know the exact number of understand the needs of families who do not student placements there now. I think it is come from mainstream, white, Anglo-Saxon about 10. backgrounds. The Minister has to take a greater direction in providing support for Mr Quinn: It varies. families within our society. Mr T. B. SULLIVAN: It varies, but it is I do not blame the Education Minister for a very small number. It is fewer than a dozen. the fact that there are students with problems In the high schools in my area, there would be in the schools. But to pretend that this 20, 30 or even 50 students who are seriously legislation will provide solutions to those disturbed and have serious personal and problems is false. This legislation will not family problems and need that sort of care. I provide the alternative educational programs have grave concerns that those students will needed for the students who are going to be not be catered for. The Minister indicated by the recipients of the suspensions that will be his body language earlier that he is concerned made possible under this legislation. A student about what I say and that he will be indicating who is suspended for more than five days that there are solutions. I look forward to probably has a better chance of receiving help hearing what the Minister says. However, in than a student who is suspended for a shorter reading the legislation and the guidelines period. Based on all of the literature and being developed within the department, I material that I have seen—and I thank the cannot see where such provisions have been Minister for the briefing that we received from made. his department—what was written on paper The coalition promised a huge number of and what is intended to be done looks very things before the last general election and the good. However, the fact remains that the Mundingburra election. It has failed to deliver Minister and I both know that there are simply on so many promises. With respect to this Bill, not sufficient places available to cater for kids. the promise about doubling the number of In the past, there has been a problem guidance officers has simply not been with the State high schools in that students delivered. Even if we broadened the role of who were a problem at one school were guidance officers so as to include all general basically shuffled around from one high school support services for troubled students, that to the other. A couple of principals around would represent nowhere near a doubling in Brisbane are known for getting a student to the number of those officers, and the system the state of suspension or expulsion but then simply would not succeed. encouraging that student to go to another Because of a number of changes in our school without informing other principals of the society, we have students who are now more problem. They just shuffled the problem on to readily willing to speak their mind. Long gone the next school. I would hope that school are the days of children being expected to be principals will not accept placement in the seen and not heard. Some people are nearest high school as a ready solution to the unhappy with the changes that are occurring practices that will arise from this legislation. within the youth of today, but I would suggest That would simply place the problems of one that it is one side of a new coin that we have school in a new location—something which in to bear with, just as the students of the past itself will create more problems. I have heard had to bear with the negatives of the former that already there are some principals who are system. By that I mean that in previous 4578 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 generations, when children were told, "Do brother" in which the seniors, as it were, what you are told. You have no rights. You will adopted a younger student as their charge just do what we say", things were more and gave them protection. convenient for parents. But what we have In the particular circumstance I was in, it found in sociological studies, especially in the worked in some fairly direct ways when some child abuse area, is that abuses occurred and Year 9 and 10 boys who were bullying some that because children had nowhere to go they Year 8s suddenly started walking into door actually had to suffer that abuse in silence. handles—they ended up with black eyes. They Most of the disturbed adults today can trace became very clumsy after the Year 8 student back to their childhood the source of their mentioned the problem he had to the Year 12 problems. big brother! That in itself might not have been In helping children to become more aware the most appropriate way to handle the of abuses that are perpetrated on them and in situation, but it showed that the person on the arming them and preparing them to defend receiving end of bullying does need protection. themselves, we have produced a generation Criminologists have shown that many people of young people who are more willing to have who have ended up in gaol have started their their say and less willing to accept authority antisocial behaviour at a very young age, even outright. That can be challenging for parents in primary school. The activities of bullying and and for teachers, but it can also be very picking on other students has been the start of beneficial because it can help bring out the their negative approach to other people and best in students. But when we have a situation has led to a life of crime. where a child is disturbed, where a student at a school is causing real difficulties, we have to I encourage the Minister and his face that in a way that removes the student department in any way they can to provide from the situation in which he or she finds alternative arrangements for students who are himself or herself, but we must provide suspended, but, before that, to provide the backup. It is the lack of backup that is a backup that is needed in a whole range of concern to me. ways so that students do not get to the stage of having to be suspended. Class sizes is one I want to state clearly that I in no way starting point. Spare periods for teachers so downplay the difficulties that disruptive that they can do proper preparation and do students are causing to teachers and extracurricular work so that they have time to especially to their fellow students. Through give to students is important. There must be particular violent behaviours, through bullying, the provision of proper resources so that through a whole range of destructive activities, teachers can keep students occupied in an a small number of students can change the active way and help maintain their attention tone of a class or of a school dramatically. and enthusiasm. These are just a few of the They can bring a detrimental turn to the things that are needed in our schools. morale of a school and can make learning extremely difficult for their fellow students. But more specifically, guidance officers Those students must not be allowed to and counsellors must be made more readily continue—they must be stopped in their available. I encourage the Minister to work with tracks—but there must be another support his colleague the Minister for Families, Youth mechanism to help them change their ways. and Community Care in providing more ready The lack of support is the concern I raise with and immediate access for students to the respect to this Bill. professional help that is currently available. It is simply inappropriate for someone in my In recent weeks I have been contacted in electorate who has a problem to be told, "You my electorate office by three parents, each of can go to the Nundah Child and Adolescent whom has expressed concerns about the Unit for help, but your appointment will be in bullying of their children that is occurring at March next year." It is right now that the high schools. It is of such concern that in student is having difficulties. It is right now that some cases parents are taking their children the student is threatening to commit suicide. It out of a school and in other cases the child is right now that the student is causing has been under a doctor's attention for stress disruption within class. I encourage the and anxiety. I can understand that problem. Minister in whatever way he can to provide As Year 8 master at a school for a number of those services. years, I saw how the younger students—the 12 and 13-year-olds—could often be bullied by In conclusion—we as parents know the older students. One of the greatest successes difficulties of raising children these days. I had as a teacher was working with the school Imagine handling 30 of one's own children at counsellor in developing a system of "big one time—trying to keep them occupied, trying 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4579 to keep them busy, trying to bring out the best Behavioural management is much more in each of those students. Imagine doing that than just issuing suspension notices, with a group of 30 students for 45 minutes, cancelling the enrolment of a student or having three minutes to go to another room expelling a child from a school. We are not and then facing another 30 students and dealing with criminals but simply students who trying to maintain their attention and may have some temporary disregard for the enthusiasm and bring out the best of their school or the school environment in which they talents. That is very difficult. Teachers face a have been placed and who have no regard at very demanding role in society today. Society all for the comfort and the learning tends to want to throw to schools the task of environment of others around them. Any finding a solution to so many of our own behavioural management strategy must have problems. We as parents have to accept more a number of key components: it must be fair, responsibility for the actions of our children. transparent and understood by teachers, We have to stop saying, "It is the parents and children, and for that to occur Government's fault" or "It is the department's there needs to be some educational process fault" or "It is society's fault." In coping with not only within the school but also one which these children in schools, I encourage the involves parents; it must enable the schools to Minister to provide the facilities that are deal effectively with recalcitrant students, needed. They are simply not there at the whether that be by removing them from the moment. I hope that the objectives of this Bill classroom environment and, in severe cases, are going to be fulfilled, but I have concerns even expulsion; and it must give schools, in that they will not be. particular teachers and principals, the Mr ROBERTS (Nudgee) (3.58 p.m.): appropriate powers and authority subject to Behaviour management is an issue of growing appropriate review mechanisms to implement concern not only amongst teachers but also the behaviour management strategy amongst parents and, indeed, many students effectively. within our educational system. Students and It is also important that behavioural parents are entitled to expect that their management strategies commence very early children will be provided with an educational in the school life of a student. A major environment that is free from the unwanted emphasis of any program supported by the interference of unruly students, and teachers Government should focus on the early years are entitled to expect proper behaviour from of schooling. In particular, in those early years, their students and also to be given appropriate it should involve parents of the offending levels of support from parents, the children. That is not practical in all cases Government and the department in dealing because many parents are often required to with the problems that arise from time to time. work, but where possible behavioural Principals and teachers also need to be given management strategies should involve the the appropriate authority to implement parent directly in conferences or counselling effective behaviour management strategies in sessions with the teachers and the offending their schools and within the classroom. students. Behavioural problems of students and It is important to note—and this has been what we do about them extends far beyond pointed out by a number of speakers—that we the school gate. The growing incidence of are dealing only with a small minority of factors such as dysfunctional families, growing students, and I believe that to be the unemployment and poverty all have a direct experience of most members who have impact on the level of behavioural problems contact with schools in their electorates. We that exist in schools. Whereas we need to be do not need to bring in the troops to solve this addressing those other broader issues, we problem but, as I have indicated, we certainly also need to be dealing effectively with the need appropriate powers for teachers and problem as it exists currently in the classroom. principals to enable schools to deal effectively We therefore need measures such as those with this problem. which are being introduced by the Some members have discussed the Government in this Bill today, and I join with reintroduction of the cane as one of the more other speakers on the Opposition side in suitable methods of dealing with this problem. giving support to the objectives outlined in the I cannot agree. I will relate to the House my Bill. However, I do have some reservations own experiences with the cane. I am pleased about particular aspects of the Bill and also to say that I received it only once. about the overall effectiveness of some of the Mr Bredhauer: You were a goody-two- measures that are proposed to be adopted. shoes. 4580 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996

Mr ROBERTS: I was not a goody-two- program. To achieve that, there needs to be a shoes; I think I learnt at an early age not to range of alternative locations and programs in push the teachers to the limit where they which to house the students who have been would send me to the principal's office. A removed from classrooms. We need to go couple of my friends received six of the best down that track. on a number of occasions. My experience is Those students may be located on that all the cane did to those people who site—and some schools may have facilities to received that severe treatment was to which unruly students can be removed. physically and emotionally shatter them, in Another alternative is to have specialised units some cases for many days. It did not really within the system for the more serious cases achieve the desired outcome of any long-term where students can be totally removed from beneficial effect on the students who received the school environment and placed in there for that punishment. In the cases of which I am specialised treatment for a period of time. I aware from my school days, all the cane reiterate, simply having a suspension which achieved was an intense hatred of the teacher removes a student from the school and who administered the punishment. Having forgets about them will not in the longer term those sorts of emotions within the school be the best way of dealing with this growing system only increases the possibility of bad problem in schools. behaviour rather than improving it. In my experience, one form of As I said, the Bill does state that those punishment that had a beneficial effect in who are removed or suspended for up to 20 modifying student behaviour was to deny days will be required to be placed in an them free time through detentions. The cane alternative program. I hope that the is not an appropriate punishment. However, I department intends to adequately fund these do support the ability of schools to require programs and provides the resources for this students to stay back after school hours and to be an effective alternative, because I during the lunchtime. Of course, that brings believe that that is a good way of dealing with with it its own problems, particularly if the the problem. We should get the students parents work and/or have transport difficulties. away from where they are causing the However, given appropriate attention and disruption, put them in a program where their proper consideration, those sorts of avenues bad behaviour can be brought to their should be available to schools. That is quite attention in such a way that they realise the an effective form of punishment in dealing with damage they are causing and to do behavioural problems. something constructive and also, more importantly, continue with their education The Bill proposes a two-tiered suspension during that period. system, and many members have dealt with them in detail, so I will be brief. The first tier is The lack of funding of the alternative suspension of up to five days with no review or programs will ensure the failure of any appeal process, and the second tier is behaviour management strategy that is based suspension of up to 20 days with a right of on suspensions. It will also encourage appeal and a requirement for the school to principals in particular to rely more upon the provide an alternative education program for five-day suspension if they do not feel that the student during the suspension. I believe they are getting adequate support to properly that a lack of a requirement to provide an implement the longer suspension periods. alternative educational program during the first That, in effect, would defeat the whole tier, five-day suspension will be the ultimate purpose of the behaviour management failure of that aspect of the legislation. strategy that we are trying to put in place. If we are serious about behaviour management, we No real good will be achieved if we simply have to do it in an organised and proper way suspend students without giving them and it must be properly resourced. meaningful activities to do during that suspension period. A number of speakers I want to comment on two other matters. have outlined the fact that suspended The first matter is the placement of police students will simply either become the officers on school grounds. I am reasonably responsibility of their parents and lounge familiar with the use of the Adopt-a-Cop around the home for four or five days or, at program for behaviour management. I fully worst, end up on the streets causing problems support the development of a very in other areas. It would have been more constructive relationship between local police beneficial to require that, whenever any length and schools, whether it be primary schools or of suspension was given to a student, that high schools. It is a very effective way for the student be placed in some sort of alternative police and students to deal effectively with that 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4581 local level or street level crime such as prospect that we are going to have vandalism, graffiti and so on. That program suspensions of school children for up to five does not necessarily have to be located on days without any alternative programs for the school grounds, and I do know that the them on those days. I remember in 1977, Government has indicated an intention to when I was the member for South Brisbane in locate police officers at certain schools. I a previous political life, that a survey was believe that these programs can be run quite conducted of the East Brisbane Primary effectively from nearby police stations and, in School. It was discovered that 34 per cent of particular, community policing projects. the children were latchkey children. These Also, I understand that in 1998 a new children were going home to an empty house range of accountability measures, including and had a key around their necks. I was performance indicators, will be provided for involved in a group in the community centre schools to manage their affairs. I was quite which put up the first after-hours school concerned to hear a report that one of the program in Brisbane. I was proud of my performance indicators which has been involvement with the East Brisbane considered within the department is the Community Centre. We knew that it was not a number of suspensions and/or expulsions that good environment in which these young a school issues in a particular period. That people were growing up. I believe there is concerns me. I believe that will severely nothing better than young people coming disadvantage those schools which have a home from school and having the hug and the large number of students from disadvantaged Milo and the biscuits and all the things that are or lower socio-economic backgrounds. necessary to nurture them. There are a lot of young people who, through no fault of their If we are going to get to the stage at own, do not have that environment. I want to which schools have to put up a report card to come back to this point later. allow parents to make judgments about sending their children to those schools, a I have a lot of sympathy for school school which has difficulties because of its communities who want to get on with the job particular environment might come up with of educating children and who are concerned quite a high level of suspensions for whatever about disruptive elements in schools. Students reason, which may act as a disincentive for who are suspended for up to five days parents to send their children to that school. It become the total responsibility of the parents may not be a problem with the school itself but or guardians as regards supervision. In some something that is caused by the environment. areas I think a lot of these children end up on I feel that using that as a performance the streets and they are very disruptive. We indicator may have negative rather than are transferring the problem from one area to positive effects. When principals realise that another. All honourable members would be they have to show high levels of suspensions aware that when a Neighbourhood Watch in their annual report cards they may seek to system is set up in one area the break and find alternative means of dealing with unruly enters shift to another area that does not have students rather than go through the formal a Neighbourhood Watch. In this instance we process. That is simply defeating the purpose are going to see students who have been of having proper behaviour management disruptive ending up on the streets and strategies and suspensions included. creating serious legal problems. I wish to express my concern again at the Will this legislative change increase the lack of review for suspensions of up to five number of suspensions up to five days? Will days. I agree with the point made by the we see school principals taking this easy member for Caboolture when he said that option? I believe that all honourable members there will certainly be children who are have received correspondence from the Youth suspended without justification and they will Affairs Network of Queensland, the Youth carry that stigma on their records for the Advocacy Centre and from parents of children remainder of their school days. Those children with disabilities. These people are all very should be given an opportunity to have their concerned about the lack of review. After this names cleared. I would urge the Minister to Bill is passed I believe that the Minister should consider that matter. Again I indicate my consider programs for all children, irrespective general support for the Bill. of whether they are suspended for one to five days or for six to 20 days. It should not matter Hon. J. FOURAS (Ashgrove) whether it is a long-term or short-term (4.12 p.m.): I rise to speak on the Education suspension. Another honourable member said (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 1996 previously that this seems to be discriminatory. primarily because of my concern at the It appears to encompass much harsher 4582 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 treatment of children who are suspended for That is quite a sensible proposal, but the real up to five days. The children may not think so loss is four times that amount. The real at the time, but it is our responsibility as adults amount is $1,700. Through that process the to act for the good of the children. We have a Federal Government is getting out of State discriminatory situation in which the lesser education. Although the Federal Government offence has the worst outcome. funds only 13 per cent of State education, we We must be careful when we come to the are talking about quite a substantial amount of monitoring process—and I hope we receive money here. The other matter I want to reports on this—to ensure that the easy address is the open slather for private schools. decision of suspension for up to five days is We could have a small community in which not used repeatedly because of the inability of there is a viable State school and find that a the school principal to find an option for that church group wants to set up a school in the young person. The child is suspended again area and we could see a transfer of funding and again. I was involved in an inquiry into and resources from the State school system to homeless children. The report of that inquiry the private school. In some places we may referred to the impact of suspensions. In days find disruptive children only at the State gone by one would have thought that a schools. Generally, that will result in a worse suspension was a very big warning, a neon social mix. sign lighting up about the future of that child. In this country, 29 per cent of students People who care say, "We really have to do attend private schools, which is more than something about managing the behaviour double the average of other developed problems of this young person." countries. The Federal Government does not I have sympathy for people in the care about social mix or the State school education system. I know that in her early system. It is going out of its way to allow more days of teaching my daughter experienced a private schools. I have been advised that lot of stress in the school environment. I can potentially 33,000 students will leave the State understand the stress that teachers suffer. I school systems for private schools that were know how destructive a disruptive student can refused registration under the Labor Federal be. I hope that we can make a primary Government because it considered some objective of providing support and help with factors were at risk, such as quality of the management of behaviour problems and education. At some charismatic church group that it can be done in the school environment. schools kids arrive in the classrooms and put Perhaps we could have special support little flags in front of their desks. There is a risk centres where this work could be done. I know of that occurring more frequently. Another that before the last election the Labor Party concern is the impact of such private schools was listening to the electorate and this matter on other schools in the area. It appears to me was an issue. There is concern about that the current Federal Government is not disruptive behaviour among students. We concerned about that. Substantial moneys will came up with home-school liaison officers and leave one system to go to the other. That will the parents support programs. Both of those not incur costs for the State system, so it is programs had the community element clever in that regard. In fact, it will save the perspective. I believe that both of those State school system money, so perhaps State programs are very important. Ministers will not be concerned about that. However, it will create some terrible mixes. In When they were in Opposition, fact, this is a backdoor method of Government members promised to double the implementing the school voucher system. I number of guidance officers in their first term. ask the Minister to consider what is this However, instead of the Government doing Government's position about that. that, we are seeing only a paltry 18 guidance I would have thought and would have officers appointed during its first year. hoped that the legislation before the House I am very concerned about a couple of would provide alternative programs not just for issues that are occurring in Federal areas students suspended for 6 to 20 days but also which would impact on the State school for those suspended for one to five days. We system and which would impact on the social need to do more to address offensive mix and create enhanced problems in our behaviour. In our society we are seeing schools. One of these matters is the families under stress. It is very sad that we live enrolment benchmark proposal where every in an era in which there is a breakdown of time a student leaves the State school system what was, in days gone by, considered the $406 that the State school system would common morality. We are seeing many more have received goes away with the student. divorces, youth suicide and many other factors 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4583 that impinge greatly on families' ability to in horrific social costs. When young homeless survive. When I was on my forced sabbatical people who walk the streets are interviewed on leave from 1986 to 1989 I was fortunate TV they exhibit great bravado. They want enough to work for the Human Rights viewers to think that they think they are Commission. As part of the homeless children indestructible. They talk tough, but inside they inquiry, we considered the role of school in are bleeding. As a society, we tend to think homelessness. The report of that inquiry that those children are responsible for the states— situation in which they find themselves; but in "Both the evidence presented to the many ways they are victims. This is a classic Inquiry and recent studies have revealed case of blaming the victim. a number of ways in which schools can We talk about providing school contribute to child and youth counsellors and parent support workers. In my homelessness. They include irrelevant view, schools have the potential to be in a curricula"— position to respond to and identify difficulties, and we should look at whether irrelevant to support the rights of children and to ensure curriculums are a factor in the acting out of that their right to education and other rights young people and we should be responsive to are being honoured; however, we do not want that— to resource the schools. I am sure that those "poor teacher-student relationships"— things should not fall within the role of teachers. I am sure that most teachers are very dedicated, but the inquiry did find examples of One of the recommendations of the those and I will speak about that later— Burdekin report states that family conflict can often be a cause of difficulties at school and "inflexible and alienating institutional that conversely both underachievement at structures . . ." school and truancy cause or arise from family There is no doubt that students who are conflict, which directly results in some young different, perhaps because of a disability or people becoming homeless. The report went their origins, feel alienated when entering a on to discuss the need for school counsellors structure that caters to middle Australia. and the need to deal with that situation. Ultimately, that results in the rejection and to We need to do a lot more to address some degree the neglect of underachievers. offensive behaviour. As a community, we Those problems come out in the wash as need to do a lot more to help families under expulsions or suspensions. When we stress. That is evident from the latest statistics, interviewed 100 homeless children during that which show a 21 per cent increase in verified inquiry, we asked them about the factor that child abuse. That is nothing more than a sign led to their homelessness. Some said their that families are under stress, often through poor academic performances were a catalyst unemployment and economic difficulties. It is in that process. In relation to her ability to fit also a signpost showing where society is into school, one girl, Shelley, said— heading. "My teacher turned around to me and she said, 'Why don't you go back I will conclude on a positive note. I where you come from?' And I looked at congratulate the Minister for trying to create her and I was shocked, you know. She better school environments in physical terms goes, 'This class was a good class until through his support for the Building Better you turned up to it.' " Schools Program. Ashgrove and Oakleigh schools in my electorate are beautiful, old Shelley left school at 13 and became schools but not functional for the modern homeless. Many children experiencing education system. They are being improved problems at school often experience problems under that program and they will become at home. Quite often, if they experience wonderful schools. The Minister should be problems at home, they experience problems congratulated for accepting that we need to at school. Many of those young people end create a good physical environment. I was up in the welfare or judicial systems. travelling around Australia for three years Students can be suspended and investigating homelessness. I found that it was expelled. However, as I said in relation to the never just the bricks and mortar that told me Neighbourhood Watch program—that is, which agencies were good. Some agencies criminals just move down the road to where looked beautiful, but I knew an agency was a there is no Neighbourhood Watch—we may good agency when I saw the homeless kids be just passing on the problem. In this case draping themselves around the workers and the problem passes to the streets and results being cared for, hugged, touched and made 4584 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 to feel that they belonged. Those children unskilled work sector. Now there are official suffer from one great poverty: a poverty of and unofficial pressures to attend school; relationships. Unfortunately, under the current societal sanctions to attend school. So school structure, children in such environments students who in the past may have had continue to suffer that poverty and feel problems with schooling but were able to go alienated. and get a decent job and earn a living are now During the last election campaign, police forced to remain at school. Once upon a time, in schools was an issue. I heard a lady on a of course, many people left before the finish of radio talk back program who was not very primary school. impressed with the idea. She said to the As well, there is an increasing emphasis talkback host—I think it was Anna on academic achievements in the school Reynolds—"Those Windsors have police all sector. That means that a good school over their houses and wherever they are, and environment is increasingly important for look how they turned out." That is an students in their attempts to achieve their interesting observation. Ultimately, that is what ambitions in schooling and, therefore, their it is all about. vocations after that. It is not fair to the vast I do not think that parents have rights; majority of well-behaved students that a small minority of highly disruptive individuals can parents have duties. Sadly, we live in a affect the quality of their schooling and affect society—— what is really very important to them in terms Honourable members interjected. of preparing them for their future careers and Mr FOURAS: No, they do not have their future careers. rights. Parents have a duty to their children, One of the reasons given by parents who and that is their fundamental role. Of course, shift their children from Government schools to what we are seeing is parents not accepting non-Government schools is their perceived their duties. This is what is happening. lack of discipline. That means that, if we want Because of family breakdowns or whatever, to properly support the Government school this problem is arising. Parents are not sector we must equip State school principals accepting their duties. Families are under with the tools and powers to achieve stress and are breaking up. We are seeing the appropriate standards of discipline in their results in our school community. schools. Unlike private schools, State schools In common with other speakers, I have do not have that unfettered right of exclusion, great sympathy for the teachers who have to or the filtering right. In that sense, on behalf of deal with these disruptive students. I notice the Opposition I support the power that the Minister for Families, Youth and encapsulated in the Bill to give the principals Community Care is present in the Chamber. the right to suspend students for up to five As a result of this legislation, particularly if days. That is not to say that this Bill should be principals actually use the suspension of taken to be an excuse of out of sight, out of students as the easy way out, we will see the mind and that once students are suspended problem leaving the classrooms of the Minister or excluded we can forget about them. In fact, for Education and ending up in the backyard a number of bodies have expressed concern of the Minister for Families. I am pleased to about a possible abuse of provisions. In my have had the opportunity to speak to this opinion, of particular concern are the rights of legislation. disabled students and minority students. I ask the Minister to monitor very carefully the Mr LUCAS (Lytton) (4.31 p.m.): I rise in implementation of the legislation when it support of this Bill. The Opposition supports becomes an Act to ensure that that does not the Bill but has a number of reservations occur. I particularly support the statutory about it, which I will outline. One of the prescription of grounds for suspension. Again, greatest concerns that parents of school-age I believe that is important in terms of children have is discipline in our school monitoring principals to ensure that they stay systems. I am not necessarily suggesting, like within those guidelines. I would be very the old saying, that "Winters were colder when concerned to see the five-day suspension I was a kid", but these days in many respects period adding up to a five plus five plus five behaviour has tended to get worse, or sort of rolling suspension that is a de facto certainly the publicity has been to the effect exclusion until the student gives up and does that behaviour standards have declined. not come back. Once upon a time, children who were not I also have a concern about the proposed intellectually or emotionally suited to school section 30C(3) that provides for written notice could leave school and get work in the of suspension to students. Of course, that is 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4585 very important. It sets out the grounds for not support that policy. I believe that it is a students, but I would have thought that it simplistic policy and, when one considers the would also be important that that written notice very important roles that police could perform goes to parents as well. I could imagine in the community, I do not believe that it is situations in which students, having received efficient in terms of cost or training. There is an the written notices of suspension, might not be appropriate role for police in schools and that, too fussed about telling mum and dad about in my opinion, is more analogous to the it. It is very important that that suspension is Adopt-a-cop type of operation, which can be communicated to parents as well, because run part time in a user- friendly manner where they have a responsibility to monitor their students in schools can see that the police are children. their friends, that the police are there to help them and that the police are part of a I also believe it is important that we look community of which the students are a part. I outside the suspension and exclusion regime. do not believe that police officers should be in It is not the be-all and end-all. In fact, in many schools as part of the disciplinary arsenal. I do respects it is the end solution that is the not believe that is appropriate because, rightly easiest to solve. It is a little bit like a debate on or wrongly, children with behavioural problems penalties in criminal law. It is all very easy to often have problems in dealing with police. So increase penalties all the time and say that if the Government wants an early intervention one is doing something about issues; it is far harder to solve the problem that creates it in model, if it wants to stop the problem before it the first place. That is why I call on the gets to the suspension or exclusion stage, I Government to consider the root cause and to think having a man or a woman in blue see what it can do to stop the need to walking around the schoolyard is not the way suspend or exclude students before they get to achieve it. Thankfully, we do not have US- to that level. style problems in our schools and we do not need metal detectors or a large-scale police After speaking to a number of teachers in presence. my electorate, one thing that has concerned I am told that we have in Queensland me greatly—and clearly I am one of the about 1,300 schools and 349 guidance younger members of this House and I have officers. The coalition is promising only an not been out of school for as long as some additional 18 guidance officers in 1996-97. members have—is the trend towards aberrant That is clearly not satisfactory. Even given the behaviour taking place at a younger and increased number of guidance officers, at younger age to the point at which a number of present in this increasingly busy and primary school students have serious bureaucratic world, they are very busy behavioural problems. Secondary school assisting students with their career options and principals hear about those children and await career paths. I do not believe that they have the new year with dread. I think it is very, very the time or the appropriate training to be sad that behavioural problems in children are dealing with discipline. In fact, we should be becoming apparent at an early age. It was my considering specialist disciplinary or understanding that in the past behavioural behavioural management teachers who have problems tended to appear in girls at about been trained specifically to address those Year 9 and in boys at about Year 10. problems. These days, teachers are too busy However, I am very concerned now to see that and schools are too pushed in terms of the onset of such behaviour in age terms is staffing levels to have guidance officers trending downwards. undertaking that role. The appropriate people I support the behaviour management to undertake that role are teachers, because plans. I think that they are an important we are talking about encouraging children who initiative. I think that they are also important in have learning problems to have more giving the school community some ownership enjoyment at school and to take better in what the school is doing. Of course, it not advantage of what a school offers. That is why only has the advantage of giving the school I believe that a specialist disciplinary or community, parents included, some ownership behavioural management teacher is the way but also it has the advantage of taking into to go. That person could be involved in field account no doubt novel solutions and ideas visits; he or she could have cultural sensitivity that may be able to assist in addressing training or he or she may have special particular problems. education training. Those types of people would be best equipped to deal with the I want to speak about this Government's problem in a manner that will solve the current policy of putting police in schools. I do problem, not just solve a symptom. 4586 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996

I note that the Bill also contains increases schools are greatly favoured in terms of in penalties for wilful disturbance and trespass. equipment and capital because of their ability I do not have a difficulty with that. I also note to levy families who can pay capital equipment that there will now be a requirement for levies or building funds that the parents of reasonableness in giving an excuse for being children in State schools may not be able to on school premises. Arson is a terrible problem afford. Critics of Government schools also in schools, and it is a problem that the people point to divergent levels of Government of Lytton have experienced recently at funding. According to figures that I have, Wynnum North Primary School. Also, there are Commonwealth/State funding for Government problems with excluded or delinquent former schools is $3,910 per head, compared with students who are often turning up at schools their funding for non-Government schools to distract the other students. I regard that as which is $2,499. a real problem. It is all very fine to take the figures in Using sanctions under this section is not isolation. However, it is particularly important to the only solution. A move-on power could be look at why the figures might be divergent and of benefit to schools and their students. That to seek explanations for them. Non- has three advantages, not only for dealing Government schools can very easily reject with people who should not be turning up at difficult students, discourage students who are school during the day but also at other times not high achievers by having entrance exams and the subsequent potential for reduction in and, in terms of the demand for places, they vandalism or arson and also, of course, for can rely on old school tie networks to increase child protection reasons. Very serious their prestige. On the other hand, Government consideration should be given to whether a schools have to provide for students from move-on power is not appropriate to have in a vastly different backgrounds and sometimes school environment. with very special needs. For example, the vast I hope that criminal sanctions would not majority of special education units, even in the be used against students who disrupt classes mainstream, are within Government schools, with pranks or bad behaviour. Of course, I do with some to a lesser extent in the systemic not suggest that foolish pranks should be Catholic schools. As a rule, non-Government supported—they should not—but criminal schools do not provide special schools sanctions should be used for appropriate because, if they do, they are very expensive. criminal activity and not as a school disciplinary Even more expensive are special schools. tool. We were all students once and I am sure I am delighted that there is an excellent that we all did silly things. I would hate to see special school in the electorate of Lytton, the a student faced with a criminal record because Darling Point Special School. I give credit to of doing something silly while at school. Charmaine Driver and her band of workers. It One of the most compelling reasons for is expensive to provide that sort of schooling, supporting the Bill is the need to support but the Government has to provide it. Again, it Government schools as the major provider of is more expensive than educating a standard quality education to all, regardless of student in a non-Government school. socioeconomic background, geographic Of particular interest to the members of location or creed. Critics often point to the Government who represent rural declining enrolments in Government schools consistencies are the priorities in funding for as a reason for attacking their funding and/or remote and isolated schools. Non-Government Government support. I am appalled by the schools are not universal providers; current Federal Liberal/ National Government Government schools are. Many schools in proposals to deduct multiples of grant funding small towns and communities, whether they for students switching from Government to be in Cape York or in western Queensland, non-Government schools. That is regressive, have to be funded by the Government sector. unfair and will set educational standards in this That inflates the average funding required for country back many years. Government schools compared with non- I accept that between 1988 and 1995 Government schools. State secondary school enrolments did decline If the Government was more serious by 5 per cent and non-Government about schools, it would have had a look at a enrolments increased by 7 per cent. However, number of issues that concern the Lytton our responsibility as legislators and the electorate. The Federal Labor Government, Government's responsibility is to provide the under the fine advocacy of the former Federal tools and support to Government schools to member for Bowman, Con Sciacca, secured arrest that decline. Some wealthy, private funding for a home economics upgrade at 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4587

Wynnum State High School. In fact, that had legislators and upon the Government to progressed to the stage where not only had provide them with support. the design and costing been undertaken, but Mrs CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone) the teachers had also been consulted in (4.47 p.m.): Residents in my electorate have relation to fit-out and colour schemes. Upon expressed some concerns about and, indeed, assumption to office of the National/Liberal a lot of support for the Bill. Firstly, it is Government, that project was canned. I note important to acknowledge that most school in the Wynnum Herald on 25 September this students are good kids. They are responsible year a spokesman for the Minister said that a and responsive. In the fight to remedy a small final decision on the upgrade of the school's handful of problems, it is easy to lose sight of home economics block would be made in six all the good kids who are around. Having said weeks. I hope that this does not turn out to be that, the ones who make things difficult do so a Clayton's upgrade, but I am suspicious that in a fairly extreme manner. They make it it will. Under past National Party Governments, difficult for not only teachers but also other schools in Labor electorates were neglected, students. For that reason, it is important to neglected, neglected. address that inappropriate behaviour. I ask the Minister, as soon as possible, to I believe that to empower the local school finish the deliberations in relation to the home community is certainly a step in the right economics classrooms at Wynnum State High direction. I commend the Minister for that. School. I ask him to adopt the full project Teachers and principals often find it very announced and funded by the previous frustrating because they face problems, but Federal Labor Government. Home economics they do not have the tools to address those students at the school have to carry buckets of problems. If this is a step in that direction, then hot water, which is very dangerous. They are the Minister is to be commended. learning to cook on stoves that would resemble the old gas cookers of many years However, with power should come past. responsibility and accountability. One concern that has been expressed to me is that, whilst In conclusion, subject to concerns about the Bill proposes a five-day exclusion—and the appropriate imposition of disciplinary rules, that is not a problem—there is no review of I support the Government's legislation. that exclusion. There should be an appeal However, it is still way short of the mark in that mechanism. There is no doubt that, by the it does not provide adequate funding for time the student stays away for five days, guidance and disciplinary officers. I pay tribute perhaps that appeal mechanism would not be to the excellent standard in both Government finalised. However, if a case could be and non-Government schools in the electorate established that the exclusion was perhaps of Lytton. Education has come a very long too early or may not have been the best result way in this country, for the better. I hope that for the problem, at least the student's record we do not fall for the Federal Government bait could be corrected. They would have their day and end up with a two-class system of in court, as it were. If kids are excluded, and schooling in this country. I call on the they feel that that is unjust, without the Government to maintain maximum opportunity for a review or to object to that commitment to Government schools. exclusion they are going to build up a great Once upon a time, school concerts sense of frustration. They need some sounded like a military band from an African opportunity to be able to say, "This is why I dictatorship. However, every time I attend the believe I should not be excluded." Probably, in Wynnum State High School concert band and fact, their mum will write, "This is why Johnny symphonic band concerts, they never cease to should not be excluded." At least that gives all amaze and entertain me because of the parties an opportunity of having natural justice. standard and quality of the students and the However, not for one minute am I criticising instrumental program of the school. It is very the need for exclusions, and I have already fashionable to say that education standards spoken to the Minister about my views on are declining, but students these days are discipline. more and more keen to get a broad as Perhaps an opportunity will arise in the possible learning experience from school and new year to review the process. If the five-day to graduate with a whole range of tools to exclusion is imposed, if there is a level of equip them for life, not only in terms of frustration on the part of parents or students employment but cultural and otherwise. I because they do not have an opportunity to commend school students and teachers for be heard, maybe that appeal mechanism their commitment. It is incumbent upon us as could be instituted. 4588 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996

Also of concern is proposed section 30B Particularly with respect to five-day exclusions, in Division 2, which lists the grounds for they could institute a review within the first suspending a student. The concerns raised couple of days. It would disassociate the with me by a very targeted area of the person administering the discipline from the community is that those grounds for exclusion review of that discipline. It gives the students may inadvertently catch students with and the parents an independent body to disabilities whose unacceptable behaviour is review their circumstances. It would also offer linked to the disability. A group of top parents the principal an independent facility. The came to see me. I know some of them quite recommendations could go to the principal's well. Under the program of inclusion, their supervisor or the chief executive. Those children are in the mainstream curriculum. I will recommendations need not be binding. That give one example without using any names. In would at least give a local focus to this case, the parents have a daughter who recommendations on the incident. has a disability which makes her appear Mr Palaszczuk interjected. spastic. Kids being kids, that is what they call her. She does not have good verbal skills; she Mrs CUNNINGHAM: That would not be does not articulate well. After being stirred all a problem. However, the process would have day, she will turn around and kick one of them. to be kept simple and brief. We did not And I do not presume to say that principals discuss whether those positions would be would not take that into account. voluntary or paid. Presumably they would be There could be instances where voluntary. Those people do not want to be tied provocation has generated unacceptable up for a week at a time. It appeared to me to behaviour. One would hope that the principals be a very good opportunity. The other thing would look into that. It was a very real concern that reinforced that option was that the Bill on the part of these parents of students with provides for written submissions. Not all people disabilities that their children could be regularly are good at writing submissions. A lot of caught up in those grounds for exclusion when parents would not communicate well on a it may be that they are exhibiting what would written basis, and neither would a lot of be a normal behaviour associated with a students. However, they may be able to disability. articulate better verbally. That would give them an opportunity to sit around a desk and I will refer again to the appeal process. I discuss the problem and what may have wish to suggest a very logical option for predicated the behaviour, be it problems or reviewing appeals which was passed on to tensions at home, unemployment and so on. me. The Bill proposes that submissions It would have to be short, sharp and to the against suspensions and recommendations point, but at least it would give the opportunity for exclusions be put in writing, firstly, to the for a face-to-face meeting. principal's supervisor. A small group of people have told me that they are fearful that there As to other alternatives—and this may will be a tendency by the senior public servant have already been mentioned today; I to protect principals. One suggestion was to apologise if it has—the distance education set up small local appeal panels. The person models are a great alternative source of to whom I was speaking was well versed in education for students who have to be education and was very credible. His excluded from their school but who have to be suggestion was for a local appeals panel provided with education. They are used to consisting of, for example, a minister, a JP dealing with students at a distance. They may and even a school chaplain. However, a provide an opportunity to lessen the work of chaplain may have some difficulty in that role, the staff of the school from which the student because he is so close to the students. There is excluded. could be either a minister of religion or a JP, a Finally, the member for Fitzroy raised the representative from the schools—that is, the issue of ACE schools. I am a great supporter teaching body—and a representative of the P of the ACE system. They have a very good & C, the parent body. They would hear and curriculum program and very strong discipline investigate the complaints, particularly the requirements. They are more than a remedial ones that could lead to exclusion. school and have a very sound educational For five-day exclusions, they would report base. While there is a tendency to use them to the principal's superior. For a 6 to 20-day as a remedial school for difficult students, I suspension or exclusion, they would report to believe they are a very good mainstream a principal's superior and the chief executive. educational institution and a very good That would give a local focus to investigating program. I commend them to the Minister for appeals. It would ensure a very quick turnover. whatever support they can receive. I support 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4589 the Bill. For a long time, teachers, principals 1 puppet show are also the children who turn and parents have been saying that we need up without school uniforms, lunch and/or lunch to give those who are providing an educational money. environment for our students the tools to From the point of view of the child's maintain control. I commend the Minister for experience, it makes no difference whether it doing that. I also refer the comments is the neglect of the parents or the poverty of particularly from parents of children with the parents. Whatever it is, the child has this disabilities to the Minister for consideration. visible experience of being treated differently Students should not be disadvantaged and more negatively than the other children in inadvertently. the class. It creates an us and them mentality Hon. D. M. WELLS (Murrumba) from the very earliest age. I am not pretending (4.57 p.m.): I thank honourable members for that this is a complete explanation of why giving me the opportunity to speak very briefly there are behavioural problems in schools, I to this Bill. I do so in order to again draw the am just suggesting that this is a contributory attention of the Minister to some matters that I factor—a contributory factor which could be have taken up with him in a constructive way significantly addressed. An education system previously. I do so in good faith, because I that provided genuinely free, compulsory and think that the suggestions that I am making secular education would not have these are such that the Minister could quite easily discriminations on the basis of poverty or take them on board. these discriminations on the basis of What I am going to suggest is something misfortune or these discriminations on the which honourable members on this side of the basis of parental neglect, whichever may be House have successively suggested in this the case in the case of each particular child. debate. This is a Bill about the delivery of In order to pursue this matter, I have consequences to those who trespass against raised the matter by way of a question on the rules of appropriate school behaviour. It is notice with the Honourable the Minister, and about the delivery of those consequences. But he was very kind to furnish me a full reply to we should not forget the importance of the question that I asked. In question No. 285 preventing a situation in which it is necessary I asked the Minister whether he was aware to deliver those consequences. I suggest to that Arts Council performances staged at the House that, if we had more distributive schools often attracted a small subsidy from justice, we would need less retributive justice the parents of the children and that through of the type which is offered by this Bill. parental neglect or poverty children were sent The experience of marginalisation, to school without the small sum necessary, particularly marginalisation on the basis of whether he realised that this made the child poverty, is something which happens at an feel marginalised and humiliated and whether appallingly early stage in the life of a child in he would take steps to ensure that this did not the Queensland school system. There was a continue. In his reply, the Minister made the very vivid illustration of that which occurred in a point that the Arts Council does charge those number of schools in my general area earlier small sums of money and that the Arts Council this year. The very first Arts Council cultural is a non-profit organisation that relies on the performance put on for those children was a sale of tickets in order to fund its programs. He Year 1 puppet show. A very small, almost stated further— trifling, entry contribution was charged for "The revenue from larger schools admission to that Year 1 puppet show. provides the Council with sufficient income Inevitably, some children turned up at school to subsidise smaller schools and more that day without the money to get into the geographically isolated schools. This performance. They were unable to go. subsidy allows all Queensland schools the Imagine the experience of those children. opportunity to access high quality arts The very first experience that was to them events for a standard rate of $3.00 per memorable would be the experience of student." missing out on something that the other kids The subsidy payable from the larger schools to were getting—something that was going to be the geographically isolated schools and a lot of good fun. The marginalising effect of smaller schools is a subsidy which has certain that is quite considerable. This marginalising is characteristics which I want, with respect, to beginning at a very formative and tender age. put to the Minister are most undesirable. It is compounded by a sequence of such Where are those larger schools? There are experiences. The children who turn up at quite a few of them in my electorate. I think school without the money to get into the Year one will probably find a lot of them in 4590 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 electorates which have people who fall into the Honourable Member did not adhere to low socioeconomic bracket. The subsidy, the same opinions that he is now therefore—— espousing, given that he supported the Mr FitzGerald: I've got a lot of poor existing policy." people in my electorate. That is very clever and very witty. I confess Mr WELLS: I do not doubt that and I that when I was Minister for the Arts I did not make no criticism of them, but what I am take the action that I am now suggesting to suggesting is that to rely specifically on larger the Minister. In part, though, that was because schools means that we are relying very often I was Minister for the Arts and not Minister for on schools with students from a low Education, and it was not being drawn to my socioeconomic background. But let us assume attention at the time as clearly and distinctly as that my suggestion is wrong. If the Minister I am now drawing it to the attention of the likes, I will withdraw it in order to make the Minister that people receiving a benefit in his argument clearer, because I do not wish to department are receiving it differentially. I argue the point with the Minister; I am trying to make the point of spelling out the point that make a constructive suggestion. What I would the Minister made in order to say: none of us like to suggest to the Minister is that a more is perfect. just subsidy, instead of a subsidy from larger Mr FitzGerald: You make that point schools to smaller schools or geographically very well. isolated schools, would be a general Mr WELLS: I thank the honourable subsidy—a subsidy through the tax base, a member for that compliment. It is a point subsidy which comes from the collection of which perhaps some people ought to be more progressive taxation rather than one which is willing to make, and I am asking the Minister targeted in this somewhat less than perfectly to do as I have just done and make the same just manner, namely, to people who happen admission: that he could institute a better to be at big schools. framework than has now been instituted. What distinguishes people who happen to The way it could easily be done is through be at big schools if it is not something to do setting up an interdepartmental committee with demographics? It is bad luck if one between Arts and the Education Minister's happens to be at a big school and therefore portfolio. The way it would go would be to work have to pay these other people so that these out how those two departments could jointly other schools can benefit. But if a progressive make a submission to the Budget Review tax system delivers a sum of money which Committee for a sum of money which would would then be paid to fund the Arts Council cover the shortfall. The consequence of that performances at smaller schools and would be that every child would be able to go geographically isolated schools, that is to these events without discrimination. The distributively just. What I am suggesting is the major part of the cost of Arts Council principle that distributive justice could be performances, for example, is already covered applied here and that the Government as a completely by Arts Council funding delivered whole should deem it worth while to ensure through the Arts Department. That the cream that every child has the opportunity to go to on the top, the last few cents, has to be these kinds of cultural events. This would not provided by the child is what causes the cost a tremendous amount of money. problem. We really are talking about the last After the Minister's reply to me—which, as few cents here. I said, I appreciated—I placed another It seems that a lot of lives are containing question on notice to try to suggest that the a lot of unnecessarily negative experiences system that we had going at the time was just as a result of that very, very marginal sum suboptimal and that it would be better to try to of money which it is insisted should be picked find some way of ensuring that every child did up. What I am suggesting is that the subsidy have access to the kinds of quality arts events, that is required is not efficient in terms of the whether they be puppet shows or films or amount of human pain that is caused for plays, that the other children in the State of these people. While these events might sound Queensland have. The Minister made this trivial if one speaks of them quickly, in the life point in his answer— of the child concerned they are not at all trivial. "It would appear that the Honourable There are a series of such events in the life of Member has had a recent conversion to those who go through our schools. I have the concept of funding fully Queensland used the cultural performances perhaps as a Arts Council programmes. Investigations bit of a metaphor, but it is quite easily within reveal that, when Minister for the Arts, the our grasp as a Parliament and as a 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4591

Government to take the action which would has been carried out in a very fair spirit. All eliminate all of those differentials which are members have been heard in silence and all based on poverty. views have been taken on board. Very The school uniform allowance, for balanced views and genuine concerns have example, which was offered to people last been raised by members on the other side of year is not going to be available in the future. I the House. was at a P & C meeting when they discussed As most members would be aware, this a letter from the department suggesting a legislation came about as a result of last year's range of options, one of which was to make election campaign. If the previous that school uniform allowance available to the Government had done something to ease the P & C; another was to pay it into consolidated problems of behaviour management in revenue, and I think the latter occurred. I am schools in the previous six years, school not going to take this matter very far, but I just discipline would not have become the issue it want to make the point that the same kids became in the election campaign. It was who do not get to go to these cultural because of that neglect that behaviour performances are the same kids who turn up management became a substantial issue at school without a school uniform. It is, by during the election campaign. one means or another, within the power of the system to deliver an arrangement whereby I also make the point that in the election nobody has to have that visible mark against campaign the policies of both parties on them that makes them stand out from the rest school discipline were very similar, almost of the crowd and makes them aware of the down to dotting the i's and crossing the t's. fact that they are being discriminated against The only major difference was in the area of on the basis of poverty, neglect or whatever it post-compulsory exclusions. Members might be. There are hundreds of instances in opposite went to the election with a three the daily life of our schools where these kinds strikes and you're out policy. That was the major and only difference. By and large, this of steps can be taken. piece of legislation represents the views of The point I am making is that prevention both sides of the House on what ought to is better than retribution. It will be necessary to have been done about school discipline. occasionally apply the sharp end of a disciplinary system, which this Bill represents. Since the election campaign in July 1995, Occasionally that will be necessary, but we the previous Labor Government had eight would have to do it less often if we were able months in which to do something about the to address very early on those things which set program they took to the people. During those children apart from other children, that give eight months, not one skerrick of work—— them a sense of grievance and a sense of Mr Bredhauer: That's not true. loss. This can be done by providing free, Mr QUINN: It is true. Not one skerrick of compulsory and secular education. The work had been done in trying to put in place education system is not truly free while there legislative changes such as those we have are add-on costs to that system which the introduced today. In eight or nine months, the poorest or the most unfortunate children are coalition Government grabbed the issue and unable to sustain because their parents are introduced the legislation into the House. The too poor to sustain them—too poor to sustain previous Government had eight months and them on time or, in some cases, neglectful of had not even started work on it, yet they their responsibilities to the extent that they do professed to be supportive of improving school not send their child to school with the discipline standards. The evidence speaks for necessary sums of money. I thank the Minister itself. They did nothing in eight months, while for hearing me out. As I said, I raised these we have got ours up and running. matters in good faith. I am not attempting to be overly critical; I am trying to be Many issues have been raised in the constructively critical. debate. I will try to cover them, but if I do not cover every contribution, it will be because of Hon. R. J. QUINN (Merrimac—Minister time or because one of the issues has slipped for Education) (5.13 p.m.), in reply: I thank all honourable members for participating in the my mind. The member for Cook raised the 30 debate. This has been one of the better days time frame. In legislative terms, 30 days debates on education we have had in this equates to 20 school days. The Labor policy House. The opportunities available for included a time frame of one month; that members to debate educational Bills and equates to 20 school days as well. matters of substance which concern schools in The coalition said that it would increase their electorate are infrequent. Today's debate the number of school guidance officers, and 4592 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 that was raised by the member for Cook. I power to suspend students for up to 20 days have made the point before in this House that unless we had the funding for the options in we went to the regions and consulted with the budget. That budgetary commitment is those schools and asked whether they wanted there for the next two years also. We will guidance officers or what sort of mix of double the number of alternative programs specialist staff they wanted to help with which are available in the State. I think at the behaviour management problems in schools. moment there are something like 22 They came back and said, "Give us some programs. We will increase that number to 45. guidance officers, behaviour management There will be a range of options available for specialists, psychologists, youth workers and principals to use when they suspend students. family therapists. Give us a whole range of people because the issues in schools are so A lot has been made of the guidelines complex that one narrow band of expertise will that work hand in glove with the legislation, but not address the issues." at the moment they are only in draft form. We are trying to address the concerns of all the That is why the coalition moved away various groups as they come to us. If they say from its commitment to guidance officers. to us, "There is a deficiency here" we will Instead, we moved to supply a whole range of amend the guidelines if possible. The expertise in schools. If the member for Cook guidelines will go out to principals early next said now that he would address the issue only year. by providing guidance officers, he would not be too popular in schools. The issues are far A lot has been made of what the more complex than guidance officers alone alternative programs mean and what sort of can address. That is why we moved away from community support will be provided. Could I our commitment to guidance officers. just tell honourable members the thinking behind that? The thinking behind it is to try to Members have discussed behaviour have the alternative programs based on an management programs in schools and how inter-agency approach. We realise that they apply to schools within their electorates. schools cannot handle this problem by There are a range of good programs out there themselves. It is a home problem, it is a in a variety of primary and secondary schools. Much good work is being done by principals community problem, and schools are trying to and teachers in guiding students on school deal with it. On that basis we have put in place behaviour, even before the thought of funding and we say, "Go out into the suspension comes into the principal's mind. In community. If there is a community resource that you can use and they are willing to assist some schools where those programs have in the alternative program, build on the been put in place, where they have had program that is already there or take the best internal ice rooms or internal suspension of that program". rooms within the schools, the numbers of external suspensions have started to drop A lot of good work is being done in the quite dramatically. The department is broader community. There are church groups monitoring that. There is a recognition in out there, there are youth groups out there schools that external suspension is not the and there are police youth clubs. In western answer to the problem. We are trying to Queensland we will find a lot of agencies that provide those additional resources to schools we do not have in the city. That is the idea of to bolster their specialist support. the guidelines. They say to schools and school Alternative programs and their resourcing communities in the regions, "Don't rely upon were raised by a number of speakers. If those your own resources. It is a community members look in the budget, they will find problem. Go out into the community and try to additional money for alternative programs. In work with the community to solve the problem. fact, we have given a commitment over the You cannot do it on your own." When we are next three years to put a range of additional funding these alternative programs the staff in regions and schools. That will be in the funding guidelines will state that there has to order of 200 staff over three years. The first be an educational focus, there has to be tranche of the money is in this budget and it is parental involvement and there has to be forward planned for the next two budgets as community involvement. There has to be a well. Some members have suspicions that whole range of other accountability processes there will be no resources to fund alternative to make sure that the money is spent in the programs. They should read the budget. The best way possible. We do not want to see a money is there; we have given that small isolated group trying to run a program by commitment. We would not have introduced itself which is not interacting with parents and this type of legislation and given principals the the general community. It is an inter-agency or 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4593 wider community approach that we are trying In conjunction with that, we also plan to to put in place. have a study over the next three years As I said before, it is an integrated concerning the number of suspensions and approach. There will be more authority given the reasons for the suspensions. We want to to school principals, but at the same time they monitor what is going on in the schools. If we have to act judiciously and responsibly within find inappropriate use of suspensions we will the guidelines. The principles of natural justice come back to this matter. We are going to must apply. The principals are all too aware of keep this matter under close review. If we find those sorts of things these days. As a inappropriate use of suspensions, we will look Government the last thing that we would want at it. to see—and the last thing that the principals This legislation seeks to give principals themselves would want to see—is principals professional recognition that they have a more being dragged into courts of law in some legal major role to play in overseeing student tangle. We are trying to do this in the most behaviour standards within their own schools. secure way possible in terms of the legislation The behaviour management policy that each and in terms of the guidelines so that it all fits school puts in place usually reflects the together. In this way we will not have legal standard. This legislation may inadvertently minefields that school principals will have to try cause principals and schools to revisit their to step through; nor will we have a set of own behaviour management policies in the programs that will allow students to drop out. schools and tidy them up where necessary. That is why we have funded the alternative The member for Nudgee mentioned that he programs and, as I said, made them fit in with was concerned that the levels of suspensions community expectations. We have tried to will be required to be reported in the annual involve the inter-agency approach. school report. That clearly signals to the school There are a few other points that I would and to the community that the internal like to address. The issue of the one to five- behaviour management policies are not day suspensions that principals can give off working and they ought to go back and revisit the bat has been raised. The member for them. Cook instanced the number of suspensions as Mr Bredhauer: It is not a matter of the being from 200 to 400 a month. That is quite school strategy which is not working. You substantial. Under the legislation those actually have to look at what you start to work suspensions will require a supervisor to give with and measure the improvement. them a tick. Most of those suspensions are Mr QUINN: It will say to people that if handed down almost automatically. When the the levels of suspensions of one to five days principal rings or faxes the regional office to are jumping up something is going wrong ask for permission to impose the suspension it within the school itself. It may be a poor is almost a fait accompli. What we are putting management strategy. It may be a different in place is a reflection of reality as it occurs at clientele. A whole lot of things may be the present time. impacting upon it, so there is reason to go That is not to say that there are not back and look at the processes within the genuine concerns about the need for an school. appeal mechanism. However, I think most The member for Cook raised a number of practising teachers would realise that there is a other issues and I will try to get to them as real difficulty in trying to put in place an appeal quickly as I can. He referred to the short-term mechanism. The member for Gladstone, in suspensions and the inequity of programs conjunction with a lot of other members, raised being available for students who are this issue. The department has had a look at suspended for a long term compared with trying to do something like bringing in outside students who are suspended for a short term. people to form an appeals panel. However, we A lot of members were worried about this found there were quite substantial problems aspect. It would seem that if one was associated with it. At the moment we are not suspended for a longer term one would gain; ready to make that leap. If, as we go down whereas if one were suspended for a short this track, it becomes apparent that we need time one would not gain in terms of education some sort of appeal mechanism, for whatever outcomes. I think that is a problem. The sheer reason, we will come back and revisit this. At weight of numbers in terms of short-term the present time we are content to go along suspensions makes it almost impossible to put the track along which we have travelled up to in place the necessary resources to address the present time. That is not to say that we are those issues. We have 200 to 400 a month not aware of the problem. going out of schools for one to five days. To 4594 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 try to organise the administrative processes in we have sought in this legislation and which, I that instance is quite a substantial problem. believe, by and large we achieve. We may have to address that matter further Mr Bredhauer: What about the down the track. That is the situation as it relationship with the Anti-Discrimination Act? currently applies. It is a very difficult matter. One thing that has not been made plain is Mr QUINN: I would like to deal with any that students who have been suspended for inconsistency between the Bill and the Anti- one to five days can go to one of the Discrimination Act. Whether the differential alternative programs and say, "Can you enrol treatment given to post-compulsory students me here for one to five days?" If there is a amounts to discrimination or less favourable space available there will be no problem. treatment is ultimately up to the Anti- Discrimination Commission to determine. The I mentioned the guidelines and I ADA was never intended to fetter or restrict the mentioned the fact that they will be in place legislative capacity of this Parliament. I advise early next year. School principals will have the House that the amendment Bill relies on additional training early next year between the the well-established principle of statutory second and the ninth weeks of semester one. interpretation that later Acts repeal earlier They will need to know exactly what the inconsistent Acts. This Bill merely takes legislation means, how the guidelines apply to account of that well-established rule in them and what they can and cannot do. This statutory interpretation. The ADA can be is all about the balance of the rights of children amended in the same manner as any other to learn in an environment that is statute. In enacting the ADA, the Parliament uninterrupted by those people who persistently never intended to bind its successor. Perhaps disrupt schools and the needs of those this legislation when passed will help to clarify students who persistently or, because of the operation of the ADA. whatever reasons, have disruptive behaviours and need some assistance. It is that broad The member for Caboolture raised a balance that principals have to juggle in their number of issues about a couple of clauses. day-to-day work. He referred to proposed new section 30H, which deals with suspension pending dealing The issue of post-compulsory enrolment with recommendation for exclusion. Although being cancelled was also raised by many section 30H deals with suspensions, the members. It is an issue that the Opposition primary focus of that provision is a principal's agreed to during the election campaign. We recommendation for exclusion of a student to also said that we would be giving principals the the principal's supervisor. That is why the right to cancel post-compulsory enrolments. provision appears in Division 3 of the Bill, titled Mr Bredhauer interjected. "Exclusion of students". Therefore, it is Mr QUINN: Yes, you were the "three obvious that that provision is activated by strikes and they're out" boys. I remember it. behaviour so serious that the principal is reasonably satisfied that grounds exist to Cancellation targets specific behaviour in exclude a student, hence the longer post-compulsory students, that is, persistently suspension period is justified in order to allow disruptive behaviour and refusal to participate the student time to prepare a submission and in the program of instruction. The Bill takes an in recognition of the student's misconduct or holistic approach to the rights of students and behaviour problem. all members of the school community, including teachers. The Bill establishes a The member for Lytton raised the issue of framework that balances the rights of students written notices under proposed new section of the age of compulsory attendance who are 30C(3) also being given to parents. When legally compelled to attend school and the written notice is given to a student, notice rights of students of post-compulsory age who must also be given to a parent or another are not legally compelled to attend school. adult who has care and control of the student. When the behaviour of students who are not So that issue is covered in the Bill. That is legally compelled to attend school interferes described in proposed new section 30R. with the rights of compulsory-age I have covered the appeals mentioned by students—those who are there to learn—it is the member for Gladstone. I instance the considered justified that the Bill provide Government's commitment to alternative differential treatment of those groups. programs. Funding is available in the budget Students' rights are not mutually exclusive and not only for city schools but also the must be addressed by considering all recognition exists that funding needs to be students' rights and how they interact and provided for rural and remote alternative infringe on other rights. It is that balance that programs. I have focused on the interagency 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4595 approach. There is also money for parent Mr FitzGerald interjected. education in the Management of Young Mr Bredhauer: I take the interjection Children program. The issue of mentors, which from the Leader of Government Business. I I think was raised by the member for Cook, is understand that the Government has an issue that ought to be seen in the light of constraints in terms of the legislative program; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, however, in my view and in the view of many because it is very pertinent to them and that is people, the Bill that is before the Committee why it is included in the Bill. contravenes the Anti-Discrimination Act. I thank all members for their participation. Notwithstanding the—dare I say—trite It has been one of the better debates on explanation that the Minister tried to give that education in the House. Members expressed subsequent Acts help to interpret and may a wide range of views. There will always be repeal provisions, there are no repeal clauses differing views in terms of behaviour in contained in this Bill that refer to the Anti- schools. Everyone will have slightly different Discrimination Act. If the Minister wants to views. If one talks to parents, one will find that override the provisions of other Acts, he their views differ from those of teachers; if one should specifically provide the head of power talks to teachers, one will find that their views to override the previous Act; alternatively, he differ from those of parents and supervisors. I should repeal the previous Act or the relevant believe that everyone realises that the thrust sections of it with which the Bill before the of the Bill is correct. The guidelines are still in Committee is in conflict. draft form, but those people who have seen In my view, this Bill is clearly in conflict with them would realise that they are fairly the Anti-Discrimination Act. I refer to clause 39 comprehensive. They account for most of the of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 which is concerns expressed both in the Parliament headed "Discrimination by educational and by the various stakeholder groups. I thank authority in student area" and which states— all members for their support. "An educational authority must not Motion agreed to. discriminate— (a) in any variation of the terms of a Committee student's enrolment." Hon R. J. Quinn (Merrimac—Minister for So the Anti-Discrimination Act is quite Education) in charge of the Bill. clear that, in terms of enrolment, a school Clause 1— cannot discriminate on the basis of age. At the briefing last week I was told that the Mr BREDHAUER (5.37 p.m.): Mr department had formally sought advice about Chairman, I hope that you will bear with me in the relationship between this Bill and the Anti- dealing with this matter through this clause. It Discrimination Act. I have had other is peculiar that this Bill is constructed in such a conversations in respect of this Bill. Following a way that most of the issues that we might conversation last night, I was hoping that, for want to debate during the Committee stage the benefit of the Chamber, the Minister might are included in one clause. I only get three have clarified in some greater detail today why chops at a clause, and I might miss out some the Government believes that we should be of what I want to say. While I have the able to pass this legislation, which is clearly in capacity through clause 1, I would like to deal conflict with the Anti-Discrimination Act. The with the issue of the cancellation of Minister's own words were that he did not want enrolments and the relationship of this Bill to the principals of schools to have to start going the Anti-Discrimination Act. through some legal minefield in the courts or, Before dealing with that matter, I pick up in this case, the anti-discrimination tribunal. on a point that the Minister made a number of That is precisely, by this legislation, what the times in his speech in reply. He said that this Minister is setting them up to do. was the best debate on education that he had It is my contention, and the contention of experienced in this Chamber. Earlier he many others, that the clause which relates to refused to take my interjection and I believe the cancellation of enrolments applies only to that the record should show that, other than students who are 15 years of age or over. The the Minister himself, no Government members Minister can couch it in terms of compulsory or contributed to the debate; so the best post-compulsory years, but the reality is that education debate that we have ever had in the Government is saying that if a child is 14 this Chamber was carried fully by members of years and 364 days old, one set of rules the Labor Party. I commend members on this applies, but if that child is 14 years and 365 side of the Chamber for their contributions. days old, another set of rules applies. 4596 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996

Mr FitzGerald interjected. I do not think it is good enough for this Mr BREDHAUER: Yes, I understand Minister to stand in this Chamber and say that that. I am seeking clarification because I he is prepared to watch his employees—the believe that this Bill is in conflict with the Anti- people to whom he has handed all of this Discrimination Act. It does not give itself the responsibility—thrown to the wolves on this power to override other Acts such as the Anti- matter. If the Bill breaches the Anti- Discrimination Act. If the Government wants to Discrimination Act—and it should not—the give itself that power to override other Acts, Government should fix it. However, the then it should do so expressly through this Bill. Minister is prepared to say, "The principals can go and cop it." It is my view that we have a problem. The Minister referred to the fact that it was the Mr QUINN: Can I say that it is ultimately former Labor Government's policy to have a up to the Anti-Discrimination Commission to similar situation. Prior to the last election, the rule on whether the differential treatment given former Labor Government's policy was, as the to post-compulsory students in relation to the Minister called it, the "three strikes and you're cancellation of enrolment is less favourable out" policy. The policy of the former Labor than the treatment given to another person Government was that, if a student of post- within the area of education. It is ultimately up compulsory age was suspended three times, to that body. that student would be called upon to show Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: Mr Chairman—- cause why that student should not be The CHAIRMAN: Look—— excluded from the school. The exclusion Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: I want to speak to provisions applied equally to everybody this point but I am prepared to do it in the irrespective of age. So the provision that the appropriate clause. former Labor Government had was that, after students had been suspended from schools The CHAIRMAN: No, I will not allow it. I three times, they would receive a notice asking have been liberal. them to show cause why the exclusion Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: I understand that. provision, which applied equally to everybody The CHAIRMAN: This is the short title under the Act, should not be applied. If there of the Bill. is a justification for the provision in this Bill, I think the Chamber deserves to know. Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: Mr Chairman, I am just saying that at this stage I would like to Mr QUINN: As I mentioned before, my flag that I want to take that point that the legal advice is that if there is any inconsistency Minister has made further. between the two Acts, then it is a matter to be determined in a court of law. At some later The CHAIRMAN: At what point? stage, if someone wants to amend the Anti- Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: At clause 6. Discrimination Act, that is not my prerogative; it The CHAIRMAN: Clause 6 will be is someone else's prerogative. discussed. Mr BREDHAUER: Mr Chairman—— Clause 1, as read, agreed to. The CHAIRMAN: Order! I have allowed Clauses 2 to 5, as read, agreed to. a fair bit of latitude. It is the short title of the Clause 6— Bill. Mr QUINN (5.47 p.m.): I move the Mr BREDHAUER: I want to follow this following amendment— up. It will not take long. "At page 11, after line 2— The CHAIRMAN: Please keep it brief. insert— Mr BREDHAUER: I did explain the ' '(4) Even if the supervisor may, circumstances of the construction of the Bill. In under subsection (1), exclude the student conclusion, the point that I need to make is from the institution or State educational that the Minister says that his legal advice is institutions, the supervisor may decide not that this Bill could be in contravention of the to exclude the student if the supervisor is Anti-Discrimination Act and that the first reasonably satisfied the student may be principal who cancels the enrolment of a allowed to return to the institution without student who is beyond the post-compulsory compromising the good order and age of schooling will be at the mercy of the management of the institution. Anti-Discrimination Commission, or whatever appropriate tribunal or court of law is available, '(5) If the supervisor decides not to so that the matter can be determined in a exclude the student, the supervisor court of law. must— 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4597

(a) promptly tell the student— what might transpire at some point in the (i) about the decision; and future. I think that is most peculiar. (ii) that the suspension has I want to talk about a couple of other ended and the student may issues that relate to clause 6. In relation to the return to the institution; and short-term suspension of students between one and five days, the draft guidelines about (b) within 7 days after telling the which the Minister speaks, and I am referring student about the decision— to proposed section 30C(2)(a), and which are give written notice to the going to come into play in conjunction with this student, and the principal, about legislation, say that there has to be a program the supervisor's decision and the negotiated between the principal and the reasons for the decision.'." parents and the students which deals not only The purpose of this amendment is to with the educational program that the student require a principal or supervisor when deciding goes through but also that student's re-entry not to exclude a student to promptly tell the to the school. There is no similar requirement student about that decision—the fact that the in respect of students who have been student's suspension has ended and that the suspended for between one and five days. student may return to school. If the principal has deemed that the The amendment also requires written student's behaviour is sufficiently bad that he notification of the decision and the reasons for or she needs to be suspended for up to five the decision to be given to the student in the days, there should be some mechanism which time specified. requires that student to negotiate re-entry into Mr BREDHAUER: I want to revisit briefly the school. I think that is a fairly important the Minister's final reply to my contribution to issue and I ask for the Minister's comment. clause 1. Once again, I say that the Minister Proposed new section 30D states— has indicated clearly that he is prepared to say "If a student is suspended for more to all of the high school principals in than 5 school days, the principal must Queensland that his legislation may, in fact, coordinate arrangements for placing the be in breach of the Anti-Discrimination Act and student in an alternative education that what they should do is try on the program that allows the student to cancellation of the enrolment of a student of continue with the student's education." post-compulsory age. Then when they are taken to the Anti-Discrimination Commission, However, there is nothing to say that the the principals can find out there whether the student must comply with that requirement, Anti-Discrimination Commission—whatever is undertake the program and fulfil its left of it when the Attorney-General is finished requirements before re-entering school. A with it—finds them in breach of the Act. suggestion has been made about negotiating re-entry. However—and this is particularly so I honestly do not think that that is good for a post-compulsory school age student—if a enough. If the Minister is going to bring a Bill student is put on a 6 to 20-day suspension, before this place, he has a responsibility to his there should be something in the legislation or employees, to the Parliament and to the the guidelines which states that he or she has people of Queensland to make sure that to undertake the program. either his legislation does not breach the Anti- Discrimination Act—as it should not—or that Proposed new section 30E(1) relates to the Minister admits that the Bill is going to submissions which can be made against breach the Anti-Discrimination Act and inserts suspensions of more than five school days. an appropriate provision, as he should in this However, no reference is made in the Bill, which either repeals the Act or gives the legislation itself to whether the submission can Minister the power to override the Anti- be made in writing or orally. The Explanatory Discrimination Act so that the principals in the Notes state— schools have some certainty about their "New section 30E gives a student situation. suspended for more than 5 school days, The Minister referred to potential changes the right to make a submission against in the Anti-Discrimination Act at some stage in the suspension to the principal's the future. I think that it is a highly unusual supervisor. The grounds for the practice for a Government to anticipate that submission and the facts relied on must there might be changes to legislation in the be fully stated in the submission. The future and to predicate current legislation on submission may be written or oral." 4598 Censure of Ministers 28 Nov 1996

I wish to know: who has the capacity to make receive a notice which says that they can the determination about whether the make a submission, it should be clear that submission should be written or oral? If it is the they have a range of options. principal's supervisor and if a person cannot Mr QUINN: Proposed new section cogently express themselves to the best of 30(C)(4) states— their ability in writing or orally, what capacity does the principal's supervisor have to say "The principal must give the student whether the submission should be in writing or a written notice stating . . ." oral? Nothing in the legislation says that the It then goes through a number of things. person should be advised that the submission Subsection (c) states— can be either oral or in writing. I believe it is an ". . . the way in which the submission may omission that those matters have not been be made." explained more fully, either in the legislation or It will be quite clear that they can make either subsequently in the Explanatory Notes, which an oral or written submission. only state that the submissions can be either oral or in writing. I ask the Minister to address Progress reported. those issues. Mr QUINN: On the honourable QUEENSLAND BUILDING SERVICES member's first point about the re-entry of AUTHORITY AMENDMENT BILL students and whether or not they have to Second Reading complete the behaviour management strategy program, or whatever it might be, is addressed Debate resumed from 5 September (see in the guidelines. If they are not, then they will p. 2515) probably be revisited when we look at the draft Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH again. (Chatsworth) (5.57 p.m.): The Opposition will support the amendment to the Queensland Mr Bredhauer: Where in the guidelines Building Services Authority Act. When in is that about short suspensions? Government we had planned to do this, Mr QUINN: In the new, updated version, because, as a result of a court case at the end I am advised. The issues that the member is of last year, it was necessary to clearly define raising have been raised recently by some of domestic building work. In consideration of the the key stakeholder groups, I suspect. We Minister who, I understand, will have leave have moved to address those concerns by tonight, we do not intend to use this as a updating the guidelines all the time, which is debate on the Scurr report which, under the why the guidelines have "Draft" stamped on Standing Orders, we could do. I simply state them. They are not going out until the that we support the amendment. As I said, it is beginning of the school year and many of the something that we would have done anyway. concerns the member has raised and, in fact, Hon. R. T. CONNOR (Nerang— that the key stakeholder groups have raised Minister for Public Works and Housing) will be addressed through the guidelines (5.58 p.m.), in reply: I thank the honourable themselves. member for his consideration. The honourable member asked whether Motion agreed to. the submission would be oral or written. The legislation refers to a written submission, but the departmental guidelines will also specify Committee that, in certain circumstances, an oral Clauses 1 to 5, as read, agreed to. submission may be more appropriate. That point will also be covered in the guidelines. For Bill reported, without amendment. example, in the case where parents and students perceive that they are not able to Third Reading make a written submission due to language or Bill, on motion of Mr Connor, by leave, cultural barriers, they will have the right to read a third time. make an oral submission with the support of an interpreter or knowledgeable friend. We are trying to cover those circumstances as well. CENSURE OF MINISTER FOR POLICE Mr BREDHAUER: My point is that when AND CORRECTIVE SERVICES AND they are being notified that they have the right MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS AND to make a submission, they should be notified HOUSING that they have the right to make it either orally Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—Leader or in writing. If people who are so affected of the Opposition) (5.59 p.m.): I move— 28 Nov 1996 Censure of Ministers 4599

"That this House censures the apologising for the party's corrupt behaviour. Minister for Police and Corrective Services He is on record as saying, "I believe our and the Minister for Public Works for their performance in Government was one that we part in arranging yet another secret deal make no apologies for whatsoever." by fixing jobs for National Party cronies in Churchill warned that those who fail to what has become known as the Patrick learn from history are condemned to repeat it. O'Connor consultancy scandal and calls That is what is happening in this Parliament on the Premier to honour his contract with now. Fitzgerald warned that, if the community Queensland by restoring integrity and is complacent, future leaders will revert to public faith in the processes of his former practices. We should not be surprised Government." at the Premier and the Police Minister getting When it comes to integrity and public faith out of the Carruthers dock by setting up the in the processes of his Government, the Borbidge/Connolly inquiry. This Premier, who Premier has not restored them—he has talks about "restoration" but means "removal", removed them. It is typical of the Premier and took another step towards the Bjelke-Petersen his Government that they say one thing and time zone only last month by scrapping a do the opposite. The debate tonight gives all requirement that all Ministers should divest members an opportunity to stand up for themselves of shares to avoid potential honesty and integrity without any excuses. conflicts of interest. The Premier has restored the sorts of Under the last Labor Government's shady deals that Queenslanders thought had handbook, Ministers had to divest themselves been banished forever by the Fitzgerald of shareholdings in any company in respect of inquiry into corruption, which spent two years which a conflict of interest exists or could investigating the corruption that had been reasonably be suspected to exist. Under the allowed to flourish under National Party National Party code of conduct Bjelke- Premiers. I give a commitment here and now Petersen angrily denied to the media that he that, if any of my Ministers behave in the way owned any shares in a company about which that these two Ministers have, I will sack them. he was making decisions. He could lie straight We will set our standards high. We will in bed because the shares were in Flo's name. have the highest possible standards. Not only That standard is not good enough for a will we have a written set of guidelines; all of Government and will not be good enough for my Ministers will understand that they have to my Government. abide by the same unwritten code of decency, A 1991 CJC report clearly identifies former ethics and morality to which the vast majority prisons officer Patrick O'Connor as belonging of decent, law-abiding Queenslanders to what the CJC called the old guard—just the subscribe. In other words, they will all be sort of person who would fit well into the committed to doing the right thing. Our goal National Party's philosophy. Mr O'Connor will be to ensure that Queenslanders from Ayr stated in evidence that he wanted to bring the to Zillmere and from the edge of the Simpson Queensland Corrective Services Commission Desert to the rainforest can see that the to its knees. At that time, Ray Connor was the people who are making decisions on their shadow Minister for Corrective Services, and behalf are behaving in such a way that they he was determined to gain negative headlines can see that we respect the law. at any expense. He formed a relationship with After 10 months, this Government is Patrick O'Connor. The CJC found that Patrick despised by all decent Queenslanders, O'Connor had been centrally involved in because it has acted corruptly. They despise it duping Ray Connor and that Ray Connor had because it is not abiding by the standards been fed information which was clearly wrong which they set for themselves. The and inconsistent with documentary evidence Government sets no example for our children that was available. However, the CJC reported or for the future. The problem facing the good that Ray Connor showed no circumspection in people of Queensland is that the National what material he caused to be published in Party cannot perceive that it did anything the press. In other words, he did not care wrong in the pre-Fitzgerald era and that it whether the material was true as long as he should change its behaviour. It believes that got his headlines. Patrick O'Connor had done the Fitzgerald inquiry and the Criminal Justice him proud. Ray Connor was hardly the sort of Commission were dedicated not to person who should have been considered as investigating and exposing corruption but to a future Minister. attacking the National Party—an erroneous Let us jump forward to the start of 1996. view. I can find no record of the Premier ever Russell Cooper, who had been Police Minister 4600 Censure of Ministers 28 Nov 1996 in the bad old days, was hoping that he would What we have to remember is that the be a Minister in any new conservative Minister was successful in giving him a Government. It seems that he also chose to consultancy. He was paid $7,133 for it. The surround himself with old guard figures. job was a sham. It amounted to nothing more Among people whom Mr Cooper had selected nor less than looking after a National Party as his fellow travellers were Russell Grenning, crony who had worked for Cooper and Connor Patrick O'Connor and Matthew Heery. Russell for six years. Let us not lose sight of the fact Grenning had been a close and intimate that Minister Cooper said to the House that he adviser to corrupt National Party Minister Russ had made approaches. He admitted clearly on Hinze. Matthew Heery had been identified as the record that he had made approaches. a self-confessed liar and brothel keeper. And Were those approaches successful or not? there was O'Connor. Yes, they were successful; Mr O'Connor was paid $7,133 for a report that he did not even On 26 February, a week after the coalition write—a report that was prepared by gained power, O'Connor started work in the departmental officers in Mr Connor's Police Minister's office. He lasted just one department. That is who prepared the report. week. O'Connor says he was sacked. He was So he was paid $7,133 in taxpayers' money sacked because the media found out that he for a report that he did not even prepare. was on the Police Minister's payroll, and the Premier decided that he had to go. If we We move this motion with a degree of believe what the Police Minister was saying at seriousness. What was happening? There was that time, O'Connor behaved like Captain a siphoning off of taxpayers' money to line the Oates: he walked into the blizzard, saying that pockets of a discredited National Party he had to go to save the political life of the supporter. That is why these two Ministers Minister. must be censured. The question is: does the Premier even know what integrity is? Where is However, today the Minister said that the Premier when it comes to providing O'Connor tried to blackmail him. If that is true, leadership? The Premier is weak and why did he not call the CJC? Why was there incompetent. He provides no leadership on not a formal complaint to the appropriate issues of integrity and honesty. If the Premier authorities? To blackmail a Minister of the were an honest man, he would sack Mr Crown is a serious criminal offence. It is not Cooper and he would sack Mr Connor. Neither good enough to come into this House and try of them should have a place in the Ministry. to use that as an excuse for the behaviour Had Ministers behaved like this in my that took place without the appropriate Government, they would have been sacked by complaint having been made. Under those me forthwith. It is that simple. In respect of Mr circumstances, such a claim by Minister O'Connor, these Ministers have refused their Cooper has to be dismissed out of hand. appropriate accountability to this Parliament. They have treated it with contempt and they In essence, what the Minister said today deserve to be condemned. in Parliament in response to a question was that O'Connor tried to blackmail him when he Time expired. refused to give him a job. But he was not Hon. J. P. ELDER (Capalaba—Deputy happy enough to leave it there; he then said Leader of the Opposition) (6.09 p.m.): In that he rang around to help find him a job. If seconding this motion, I do not do so lightly. that is not double-dutch, I do not know what is. The Police Minister wants to pass this off as a What he said was that O'Connor had tried to simple representation for a job. Why did he blackmail him when he refused to give him a mislead Parliament on Tuesday about his job and that he then rang around to help find involvement when he said that he knew him a job. That is the sort of nonsense being nothing? Why did it take until the final put forward in this debate. It has no credibility. question yesterday to get to the nub of it? It O'Connor says that a week after he left the was because he had something to hide, that Police Minister's office he received a phone is why. It was not a simple job reference. It call from the Public Works Minister saying that was a money-laundering exercise run on he and the Police Minister had arranged a job behalf of the Government through a former for him starting on 11 March at a salary of Liberal MP and Liberal Party solicitor. about $1,070 per week. How much money is The introduction was made by the Public that? What does it represent? It is similar to Works Minister, who told O'Connor to phone what he had been earning in Mr Cooper's Prentice's secretary while Prentice was office. Is that a coincidence? It is more than a overseas. That is what happened. That is how coincidence; it is a fact. the introduction was made. The charges show 28 Nov 1996 Censure of Ministers 4601 that payments for Stage 1 were made. But The Minister for Police is the most fly- what about payments for Stage 2 for the work blown Minister in this corrupt Government. The O'Connor did? When will we see the payments Minister for Public Works is more to be pitied for Stage 2? Did O'Connor work for those than despised, brain damaged though he is. weeks without any payment, or has it been These Ministers have the lowest standards of laundered through another Liberal lawyer Westminster propriety because they have whose ethics are as questionable as learned nothing. The Police Minister is no Prentice's? Alternatively, did the whole thing closer today to understanding the separation become so hot and unsavoury that Prentice of powers than when he was first asked that would not go through with it? question by Quentin Dempster in 1989. He But the Minister for Public Works insisted has learned nothing in that time. He is the that Prentice take on O'Connor. I believe that symbol of corruption and shonky deals in this was probably against Prentice's better dishonest, crony-ridden Government. The judgment, but he did it. Why else would stench of the eighties is coming through, and anybody ask for full payment—and why would the Minister is incompetent at covering it up. full payment be made—for a report that was We have a Premier too weak, too morally not written and before all the meetings in bereft to do anything about it. That is why this censure motion should be carried. relation to compiling and writing the report were concluded? When is anyone given full I say to the member for Gladstone: if she payment? When would anyone running a wants these characters to drag down this business give someone full payment before Parliament, if she wants them to tear up the the job is done? It is just nonsense to believe Westminster system, then go ahead and back what the Minister has been saying. It was not them. She was right when she said tonight on done because Prentice could not stomach it. television that there needs to be moral He put in for payment for the first stage, took standards in this place—at least some moral $3,000 for supposedly writing a standards. She was also right when she said report—although we know it was done by the that this place is about politics. Too right this officers in the Minister's department—and all place is about politics—this is the the other costs that came with it, held his nose Parliament—and the member would be a fool because of the stench and then scurried out to believe otherwise. But this particular issue of it. That is what happened. transcends politics. This particular issue is about honesty, it is about accountability, it is The second proposition the Minister puts about maintaining the moral standard in this is that these people have turned nasty and Parliament, it is about maintaining the proper now want to do him in. For six years he and stance of a parliamentarian and the job that the Public Works Minister took their advice, they must do in representing themselves in even though they had been adversely named. this Parliament. That is what this is about. If The Police Minister defended O'Connor in the the member for Gladstone wants to ignore Parliament in 1994, gave him a job on his staff this, if she wants to downplay it, if she wants to for a week, then fitted him up for a 16-week be an apologist for this regime, if she wants to consultancy job through the money-laundering make excuses for them, then I say: do it, but scam that we have talked about operated by she will do it at her own peril. the Public Works Minister and Davies, the director-general of that department. Government members: Oh! When O'Connor came to try to see the Mr ELDER: It will certainly be at her own Police Minister, where did the Minister hide? peril in the electorate. It amazes me that she He headed down to the car park. When cannot see through it—— O'Connor came down when he was angry, the Time expired. Minister was in the car park and he had his Hon. T. R. COOPER (Crows Nest— staff trying to deflect him. O'Connor was Minister for Police and Corrective Services and working happily away until 7 June, having Minister for Racing) (6.14 p.m.): I answered a started on 11 March, believing he would be question from the Leader of the Opposition as paid. But Prentice turned turtle, and so did the to whether or not I fixed up a job for Pat Public Works Minister, who would not return O'Connor. I said and I repeat here that I did the calls. No wonder O'Connor is dirty on the not "fix up" or "organise" or "arrange" any job. Minister for Police! Having used him for years I did what any decent human being would do and given him all sorts of false hopes, the for someone who had helped them in the Minister ratted on him in the end because it past: I rang several people and asked if there just became too hot for him. It is the phoniest were any jobs going that he could do would job reference ever! they consider him. The sad, pathetic truth is 4602 Censure of Ministers 28 Nov 1996 that this was not enough for Mr O'Connor. He bitterness the state-of-the-art rorting that those wanted me to cut across proper process. He hyenas opposite put in place to cover their wanted me to order people to appoint him. He tracks as they littered their cronies through all threatened me with all kinds of retribution if I the plum positions in the Public Service. These did not cut across proper process, and when I are the people who today are accusing refused he took himself down to the Premier's me—accusing me on the say-so of a man office and made the same kinds of threats, consumed with hatred and bitterness because and again he received no joy. So he delivered. I would not do what they did over and over He trundled around with his box of crazy and over again: interfere in selection allegations, his smears and his threats. He processes. took them to the Courier-Mail, he took them to the CJC and he took them to the member for I did not fix up Mr O'Connor with anything. Capalaba, who embraces him still in the close As I have said before—not that the media has confines of the sewer. any remote interest in presenting the truth—I did ask on his behalf that he be advised of I have not denied calling people and any jobs going for which he might be suitable. asking them to keep him in mind if anything That is what I did with Trevor Carlyon: came up for which he was suited. I believe he arranged for him to advise Mr O'Connor of any was suited to the consultancy job he was available jobs within the QCSC for which he given. Whatever his input was, the final report might be qualified to apply in the proper way. prepared by Public Works and Housing was a That is all, and they know that across the way. very useful document that will assist QCSC in They know that because they and their mates its consultations regarding the design of the in the media are now in such a feeding frenzy proposed Aboriginal prison in its final form. that they will grasp at any straw, clutch to their There was nothing—and I repeat "nothing"— bosom any discredited liar, just so long as they underhand, improper or out of order in what I can all point to yet another headline that reads did. What was improper—what was nothing "Russell Cooper crisis". They cannot come short of blackmail—was O'Connor's behaviour. after me on policy; they cannot lay a finger on I have said before and I will repeat it here that me in relation to my actual performance—that I tried to understand his position. He was a might require them to do some hard work, the man with wide prison contacts who I had dealt kind of hard work I did when I was in their with in Opposition. I had thought to use his shoes when I was in Opposition. expertise on my own staff. However, he failed to inform me that he had been adversely I used to attack members opposite on mentioned in a CJC report into prisons in a their policy. I attacked them on the sad and way that made it totally inappropriate for him sorry record of their non-performance. That is to join my staff. However, because I was what they cannot stand: that I played my part grateful to him for the work he had done for in Opposition honestly and energetically; that I me in the past, I tried to help him find played that part in order to help oust them alternative employment—in the same way any from the Government benches, which is what decent human being would do. 54 per cent of Queenslanders wanted. The point is that I refused to cut across Members opposite have endlessly attacked proper process and order anyone to give him me personally and relentlessly for nine anything, and that was what O'Connor could months. They have attacked my daughters not stomach. That is what drove him into this and my staff. They will probably start on my frenzy of seeking revenge. The very thing that cat next. I might as well lock it up! Members I refused to do is what is motivating this man opposite can do what they like. I am going to to now make these claims, and who better to carry on doing my job just the way I have been run to in seeking solace than the hypocrites on doing it. I know darned well that the people of the other side of the House—those hypocrites Queensland will not touch them with a barge who have prostituted public sector pole. appointments behind a charade of proper Time expired. process that they distorted and twisted with stacked selection panels and improper Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH interference to get up literally hundreds of their (Chatsworth) (6.19 p.m.): The Minister for own incompetent cronies who then went on to Police just said that he had nothing for Mr run down the Public Service in this State. O'Connor and that Mr O'Connor complained to There is not a person in this State with him and he complained to the Premier. What experience of the merit-based charade he failed to say is that that was after a job was engineered by one of their chief cronies, the arranged for Mr O'Connor for which he had infamous Dr Coaldrake, who does not cite with been paid $7,000. He did not arrange another 28 Nov 1996 Censure of Ministers 4603 job for him after that, because the job had investigate the need for. The Minister shakes been arranged previously. his head. I listened to the television tonight and The conclusion in the report is that the heard the member for Gladstone say that all 200-bed expansion at Lotus Glen presents an members of Parliament help people to get ideal opportunity to trial what they have jobs. I do not dispute that. If we can assist recommended—what was decided on 25 somebody in getting employment by giving March. In about the second week in April, them a reference or talking to somebody to Prentice returns from overseas and at some get them an interview, there is absolutely stage O'Connor has met the Minister for Public nothing wrong with that. I say to the member Works and Housing. The Minister says that he for Gladstone that we are dealing with a totally cannot remember how he met O'Connor. I different case here. would suggest that that meeting was arranged A Government member: Stop by the Minister for Police. patronising. On 22 April, there was a brainstorming session; it was the first meeting. Eight days Mr MACKENROTH: I am not patronising. The member for Gladstone always after that, on 30 April, Mr Prentice sends in his says that she is prepared to listen to the bill for $10,133. That is paid on 14 May. On 20 argument before she makes her decision. I May, O'Connor is paid. Then we find that on 7 am putting our argument for her to listen to. June, O'Connor is at his last meeting dealing This whole deal is corrupt because a person with this report. This morning, the Minister for had a job arranged for him before the Public Works and Housing says that he cannot consultancy was even arranged. remember meeting Mr O'Connor. I looked at the report that was tabled; what a strange Let us go through the facts document it is. There is no date on it. I would chronologically to find out what happened. On suggest the reason for that is that this report, if Monday, 26 February, O'Connor started it had a date, would show that it was done at working for the Minister for Police. He lasted a least five to six weeks after it was paid for, week. On Friday, 1 March, which was his last because the work was still being done after day, he was advised that he would not be the cheque had been paid so that Mr required the next week. On 8 March, a week O'Connor could get paid his $7,000. The great after he left Russell Cooper's office, Mr report that the Police Minister says has been O'Connor said he received a phone call from so helpful to him was only acknowledged on Ray Connor saying he and Cooper had 25 October. arranged a job for him starting on 11 March at This whole deal stinks. I say to the a salary of just over $1,000 a week, which was member for Gladstone that this is nothing like similar to what he had been earning, but that she would do when helping someone get a he had to sit at home and wait until Ian job. This is a sleazy deal that has been Prentice returned from a trip to the Solomon cooked up in order to provide employment for Islands. On 11 March, O'Connor starts the mates. consultancy. Time expired. On 12 March, Russell Cooper writes to Ray Connor saying that the concept of an Hon. V. G. JOHNSON (Gregory— Aboriginal prison had not been endorsed as Minister for Transport and Main Roads) coalition policy. Despite that, he wants Connor 6.24 p.m.): I rise this evening to support the to investigate the feasibility of the concept and Government in opposing this outrageous the provision of such facilities. On 13 March, censure motion moved by the Leader of the two days after Pat O'Connor started the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the consultancy, Ray Connor's office receives a Opposition. This is an outrageous event in the letter. history of democracy in this State, and I will tell members opposite why. It is because those on Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member will that side of the House are nothing but poor refer to the member as the Honourable losers. They went to the polls on 15 July and Minister. they saw the outcome. Ever since, they have Mr MACKENROTH: Two days later, the been hunting like a pack of dingoes, and I do Honourable Minister receives the letter from not retract from that for one moment. the Minister for Police asking for this review to I heard what the honourable member for be done. On 25 March, Cabinet did away with Capalaba had to say. I would love to buy him any need for a consultancy because it decided at my price and sell him at his. I would make a that $16m should be put towards the funding fortune! He talks about the shortfall in road of the facility that the consultancy was to funding and other shortfalls. If he keeps this 4604 Censure of Ministers 28 Nov 1996 up, he will find that there are people in his Mr JOHNSON: I will refer to him as the back bench who will be looking for his job. I honourable member for Chermside. This see Anna Bligh and a heap of others there. motion is a character assassination of people Yesterday, I was asked a question about who are trying to do a meritorious job. I will the Honourable Russell Cooper. I will say that stand by the honourable member for Crows what Russell Cooper said to me—— Nest and the honourable member for Nerang to the death. This Government will also stand Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Minister will by the Premier, who has also been victimised refer to members by their correct title. by this Labor Opposition, its CJC cronies and Mr JOHNSON: The Honourable Minister everybody else. This Government will stand for Police and Corrective Services, many other beside these men in their darkest hour. At the members of this House and other people end of the day, these fellows will walk proud throughout the State would have been and tall and democracy will be alive and well in approached from time to time to find a Queensland because it will be upheld under position for somebody. In my 30-odd years as the Borbidge/Sheldon Government. an employer, I have done it probably 200 While the Opposition continues with times and I will continue to do so whether I am character assassinations and innuendos, this a member of Parliament or not. State is wanting for good Government. We are Earlier, I made the analogy that the going to give good Government, which is Opposition was hunting like a pack of dingoes. something we never got from those opposite. This motion says that a secret deal was done Time expired. by two Ministers. How many secret deals have those opposite done? The Premier has Mr BARTON (Waterford) (6.30 p.m.): I exposed a couple today. I exposed one this rise to support this censure motion. It is on the afternoon in my own portfolio of Transport and books here because the Minister for Police Main Roads. The legalities of that had not and Corrective Services and the Minister for been researched properly. That will come back Public Works and Housing deserve the to haunt the Opposition. censure of this Parliament for the actions that Even if the Leader of the Opposition's they have taken in this affair because what motion contained some truth, does he believe they have done—make no bones about it—is that members would sacrifice their good appoint an inappropriate person to a job, name, political careers and perhaps even covered it up, and in the process misled this Government over this deal? I met Russell House. The Police Minister claimed that he did Cooper just over seven years ago. I knew from not organise a job for Mr Pat O'Connor, but that moment that he was a man of honesty, what was the outcome? Mr Pat O'Connor got integrity and sincerity and who showed the job and he was paid. Yesterday the compassion for his fellow man. He has Minister admitted that he did approach his displayed that at all times. Never for one colleague the Minister for Public Works and Housing for an arrangement to be made for moment has he altered from that line. He is a Mr O'Connor. man of his word. He has been a man of sincerity. That is what he has shown by trying The Minister for Public Works and to find this man a position. Housing either does not know the answers to Yesterday, I was asked a question about the questions that he has been asked or he Mick Hanran. The Minister for Police asked me cannot answer the questions. Either way, he if I could find a position for that man. As I said does not deserve the confidence of this yesterday, I sought a position for him through Parliament. It is clear that both of these the due and proper processes. If any member Ministers participated in a scam to provide a opposite knew of somebody who had a wife job for a discredited former prison officer and and four kids who was on the dole queue—on short-term ministerial policy adviser, and then the scrap heap—and had nowhere to do, they sought to cover it up. would let him rot in hell. They represent the I think we need to go through precisely workers! They do not understand what workers what has occurred because this is a classic are about. example of the Minister for Police's poor Mr T. B. Sullivan: He's a crook. The judgment of character and his capacity to CJC said he was. surround himself with people who are totally inappropriate. He appointed Pat O'Connor as Mr JOHNSON: Here we go again, my his ministerial policy adviser, a very highly fine-feathered friend. trusted position in this State. He must have Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Minister will known then about that 1991 CJC report that refer to members by their correct title. found that the Minister for Public Works and 28 Nov 1996 Censure of Ministers 4605

Housing was a willing dupe—what an person was appointed to his personal appropriate title for the Minister for Public staff—they are not really huge staffs—and he Works and Housing—when he was the did not even know about it until after it had shadow Corrective Services Minister. occurred and then it was stopped. We need to go back and have a good Following that, this Minister sacked Pat look. What was the objective of Mr O'Connor O'Connor, but then went in to bat for him to as shown in that report? It was to bring down get another job. He approached the Minister the Queensland Corrective Services for Public Works and Housing and, as has Commission by spreading baseless allegations been pointed out by my colleague the about corruption and drug trafficking in member for Chatsworth, there was a time prisons. Why would O'Connor want a job on sequence problem. Very clearly something the staff of the Minister for Corrective smells in this whole issue and these two Services? I think this Parliament is entitled to Ministers deserve the censure of this House believe that it is because Mr O'Connor still because, quite frankly, this Parliament does wants to bring down the Queensland need to know— Corrective Services Commission. The Minister Time expired. for Police and Corrective Services told this House yesterday that Mr O'Connor had given Hon. R. T. CONNOR (Nerang— him a lot of help when he was in Opposition. Minister for Public Works and Housing) (6.35 p.m.): I totally refute the scurrilous I want to nail it home, because Mr suggestion by the Leader of the Opposition O'Connor is not our mate; he is the mate of that there has been some sort of secret deal. the Minister for Police and Corrective Services Commissioning Mr Prentice to investigate and the mate of the Minister for Public Works creating a separate Aboriginal prison was an and Housing. Mr O'Connor stayed there for open and accountable process. There was only a week because the CJC had not nothing improper. The commissioning of Mr forgotten him, even if these Ministers had. The Prentice, who is eminently qualified, has been CJC advised the Government and his subjected to the rigorous scrutiny of appointment was withdrawn after only one Parliament, the Estimates committee process week. and the Auditor-General. The Minister for Police and Corrective I brought the Prentice consultancy to the Services now tells this Parliament that Mr Opposition's attention in an answer to a O'Connor threatened him. Tonight he has question on notice prior to the Estimates even expanded that further by saying that Mr committee hearing. I sent the information to O'Connor then went and threatened the the Estimates committee, which included Premier. It has always been my understanding members of the Opposition and the member that it is a pretty serious criminal offence to for Chatsworth, Mr Mackenroth. In all, there threaten MPs in association with their work, were at least 400 consultancies by my and it would certainly be just as serious if a department worth a total of at least $5m, most person was threatening Ministers of the Crown of which were let by the former Labor and the Premier. Why did this Premier and this Government. The Estimates document Minister not take action against this person if reads— they were being threatened by him? I think that shows that they did not take it to the CJC "Prentice Lawyers—facilities review— or make it public because they were already Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders." involved in a dirty deal which they knew would The next column showed the amount of come out if they had gone and made it public $10,113. The next column showed that the or taken it to the CJC for investigation. report had been provided. I table that I do not think we should forget some of Estimates document now. So much for a the other characters whom the Minister for secret deal! There it is, right there. It was Police and Corrective Services has appointed. supplied to the member for Chatsworth. He also appointed Matthew Heery to his staff. In a Patrick Condren interview on ABC Remember him? He is the self-confessed liar radio only yesterday the Opposition Leader and brothel owner, the organiser par accused me of refusing to explain to the excellence of covert National Party campaigns. Parliament how that money had been spent. This Minister then said, "Oh, I didn't appoint He described me as arrogant and out of touch him. I didn't know he had been appointed." as a result. The laziness and ineptitude of the Quite a lot of people sitting in this Chamber Opposition is plain for all to see. They are the have been Cabinet Ministers, and it absolutely ones who are out of touch. I supplied them amazes me that a Minister could claim that a with that information more than two months 4606 Censure of Ministers 28 Nov 1996 ago. The Leader of the Opposition should with department personnel, perusing extensive have read the Budget Estimates papers way material, consultation with counsel, and back in September. At the very least, he specialist correctional consultancy fees, etc. A should have been briefed by the member for cheque for $10,113 was paid to "Prentice Chatsworth, but then maybe he was informed Lawyers" and I have already tabled a copy of and decided to run the line anyway, not letting the account and the cheque. Yesterday I the facts stand in the way of a good story. tabled the actual report, as well as a The commissioning of Mr Prentice was document used in the process dated 30 not a secret deal, despite what the Opposition October last year detailing similar work would have the House believe. The Opposition undertaken by my department under the had it on record at the Estimates Committee previous Government on another prison hearings but did not consider it important project. The Opposition has lashed out in a enough to even entertain a question on it. vicious campaign of smear and innuendo for There can be no question of the report being which it is to be condemned. Those opposite inappropriate or not coming under proper said weeks ago that they were targeting me scrutiny. My department regularly acts for most and this is just another example of their Government departments on their building viciousness. needs. The Prentice report was appropriate, it Ms BLIGH (South Brisbane) (6.40 p.m.): was required and it was properly scrutinised. The minority Government opposite came to The commissioning of Mr Ian Prentice followed power heralding itself as the new and due process. Taxpayers got good value for reformed coalition. We were promised that this money from the Prentice report. new Government led by the urbane and I would like to remind the House that an sophisticated member for Surfers Paradise in-principle decision was made by Cabinet in would break from the grubby traditions of March of this year for a pilot program to create previous conservative Governments. At last, a separate Aboriginal prison on the Lotus Glen we were led to believe, there would be a prison property. Consideration of an exclusive coalition Government that had more than a Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander passing acquaintance with the doctrine of the correctional facility was part of the policy of the separation of powers and the conventions of coalition before coming to Government. In my Westminster Parliament. To promote this new ministerial statement yesterday I advised the and shining image of his Government, the House that a letter was received in March from Premier released a set of protocols to be the Honourable the Minister for Police and followed by Ministers, MLAs and public Corrective Services requesting my department servants in his Government. to investigate such a project. There was no I thought in this context that that might be doubting Mr Prentice's eminent qualifications a useful document to consult to see what the for the job. Among other things, he specifically Premier's rules are for his Ministers. I found 18 provided opinion on the impact of anti- rules for Ministers. I looked down and thought, discrimination legislation. He is a lawyer who "Which of those rules could this behaviour has expertise in these matters and is come under?" Could it be No. 4, that Ministers experienced in commissions of inquiry. The shall subscribe to the conventions of the Prentice report was extremely well received by Westminster system of representative the Corrective Services Minister— Government. It is clearly not that one. One of Mr MACKENROTH: I rise to a point of the central tenets of the Westminster system order. The Minister just stated that this was is that Ministers should stay removed from the part of coalition policy and I was wrong. The operational responsibilities of the departments Minister for Corrective Services' letter to him on for which they are responsible and from other 12 March said, "Whilst this concept has not departments. A Minister observing those been endorsed as coalition policy . . ." He has conventions does not line up jobs for cronies. quite clearly misled the House. It is fundamentally symptomatic of the problem facing this Government that it does Mr CONNOR: I have been informed that not understand how the grubby little deals in the report is being used in the consultative which those two Ministers have been involved process for the $16m prison extension at offend every principle of effective public Lotus Glen which is in this year's Capital Works administration. The Police Minister stood here Program and is about to be constructed. My earlier tonight and said, "I asked people would department subsequently received an account they consider him", meaning Mr O'Connor. It is from Prentice Lawyers for $10,113. This, as not the place of other Ministers to consider the House has been informed, was for jobs for public servants. He does not professional fees, phone calls, conferences understand the way it works. It is not the job of 28 Nov 1996 Censure of Ministers 4607

Ministers to line up jobs for consultants. He shady, dirty, grubby deals of the Minister for does not understand the difference between a Police and the Minister for Public Works and member of Parliament, such as the member Housing are rewarded by his protection? for Yeronga, advocating on behalf of a Time expired. constituent and Ministers of the Crown using their influence to misappropriate the resources Hon. R. E. BORBIDGE (Surfers of the State by lining up a fake job for a crony, Paradise—Premier) (6.45 p.m.) Tonight, we and that is what it is: a fake job. The report witness once again another pitiful Labor stunt was not written by Mr O'Connor, although he by the cabal of Labor lawyers opposite who received 70 per cent of the consultancy fee. have appointed themselves judge, jury and The report was not the basis of any policy or executioner of the democratically expressed any decision of the Government. will of the people of Queensland. Every day Could it fall under rule No. 6 which states that we are in here, we see from the Leader of that Ministers shall fully subscribe to the the Opposition and his colleagues—or his concept of open Government both as comrades as they are called over there— individual Ministers and as members of the another attempt to destabilise Government in Cabinet? Clearly it was not that rule, because this State, another attempt to try to stop the there is nothing open about this little deal. It Government of this State getting on with the was secret; it was sleazy; it was backroom, job. Every day we see a Leader of the and it was hidden through Mr Prentice's Opposition who is devoid of policy, who has no accounts. The Minister says that he exposed vision, who has no leadership, who has no that in the Estimates committee hearings. direction. Now we see a Leader of the What a joke! As if anybody reading that Opposition who quite secretly is hoping that document should have known that a former more details about that dodgy Barbagallo deal member of this House would use his legal will come out to remove the shadow of the firm's accounts to launder money for one of Phantom sitting on the back benches of this his cronies. I do not apologise that the thought place. never occurred to me. If this deal was so This Opposition is not interested in the normal and so far beyond reproach, why the real issues confronting Queensland. It is not secrecy? Why did this Minister not stand up interested in the achievements and the hard and admit to it? The Minister for Transport is work that is going on in terms of public the only one who can hold his head up high in administration. It is not interested in projects this affair. He stood in this House at the first such as the expansion of Dalrymple Bay, the opportunity and he was the only one who was massive expansion in our coal industry, the honest about his involvement. $4.8 billion roads program that was recently The really interesting rule here—and the announced by the Minister for Transport which only one that I can find that applies to this little provides an additional $1.5 billion over 10 deal—is rule No. 16 which states that, as years. Members opposite are not interested in members of Cabinet, Ministers shall genuinely announcements to fix the traffic problems contribute as part of a team assisting Cabinet between here and the Gold Coast on which colleagues at every opportunity, thus sharing they could not make a decision in over six in their successes as well as in their years. They are not interested in the power disappointments. Haven't those two kept up stations, the pipelines, the infrastructure with that rule! Have they not made sure that, programs. Day after day after day, we see at every opportunity, they assisted each other pitiful and pathetic attempts to undermine and looked after each other? I say to all political stability in this State. members of Parliament: the Government has As to this pious morality that we see from broken its own rules. How can the Premier the Leader of the Opposition—how he has expect public servants to follow the protocols forgotten about Jude Abbs, an SES in the that he has set down on their behalf, how can Department of Health, Queensland's most he expect the members of the back bench to highly paid university student, who was sent to comply with them when Ministers are allowed university to get her out of the way of Dick to escape them with impunity? This little affair Persson. What about the $159,193.43 paid exposes the absolute poverty of leadership of for a consultancy for a former staffer of the the Government. If there are no former Deputy Premier? Mr Speaker, if you consequences for Ministers who break the look at the dodgy doings department of the Premier's protocols, why have those previous Labor Government, you will see that protocols? How can he encourage honest you need truckloads. You need truckloads to behaviour like that of the Minister for Transport look at the performance of Labor. There are when it is to go unrewarded and the shaky, dead cats falling out of trees all over Brisbane. 4608 Censure of Ministers 28 Nov 1996

What is the heinous crime that the For those of my colleagues who look and Minister for Police and the Minister for Housing appeal to the member for Gladstone to do the have allegedly carried out? As I said in this right thing, just remember what I have told place this morning, what was the difference them before: when it comes to the crunch, between their making representations and the when the Nationals really need her, she will be representations made by the former member there every time. How can the righteous for Lytton, the former Deputy Premier, in member for Gladstone support them? How respect of a member of his staff who was can she give them the benefit of the doubt seeking a voluntary redundancy? What was when they will not answer the questions that the difference between what Ministers on this were posed by the Labor front bench this side of the House did and the actions of the morning? In the limited time that is left—— member for Yeronga who wrote to me making Government members interjected. representations that I should overrule Crown law advice in respect of a payout to a member Mr W. K. GOSS: I am glad to see that of his staff? What was the difference between I have them going again. Let me answer the what my Ministers have done and what the central allegation and the central smear made Leader of the Opposition quite correctly did in this morning by the Premier, which was that for making representations in respect of a Barbagallo's job the selection panel was member of his staff? What we have is very rigged. Not only is the DSTC—— selective morality by a Labor Party that, when An honourable member interjected. in office, made cronyism an art form, Mr W. K. GOSS: I will tell the member decimated public administration in this State who the Premier is smearing. and destroyed the morale of the Public Service. Tonight it is asking the people of Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is too Queensland to forget about the real issues much noise in the Chamber. This is a serious while it pushes ahead with this ridiculous, debate. I will have order on both sides. pitiful, pathetic stunt because the Minister for Mr W. K. GOSS: Let me tell Police and Corrective Services was to make honourable members who he is smearing. some representations on behalf of someone Firstly, the short-listing process was carried out who sought his assistance. What a crime! by private consultants, PA Consulting. Then From a political party, as we have seen today, the private sector board appointed a panel of that was prepared to have a senior adviser call the board to interview the applicants and on the Premier—— make the selection. So if it was rigged, it was Time expired. rigged by that panel. Who chaired that panel? Roy Deicke—one of the most respected and Mr W. K. GOSS (Logan) (6.50 p.m.): conservative businessmen in the history of this Tonight, we had the Premier, who acts like a State and somebody who prospered under Leader of the Opposition, complaining that National Party Governments. That is who every day members of the Opposition come in members opposite are smearing, Roy Deicke. here and ask questions that seek to stop the Government from doing its job. What is the job Mr BORBIDGE: I rise to a point of that the Premier of this State seeks to do each order. To assist the member for Logan, I am day when he comes into question time? It is a quite happy to table the proof of my claims in job which typically involves smearing and the morning. attacking people such as my former staffers, Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point who cannot defend themselves. of order. This is not new because the Premier used Mr W. K. GOSS: The Premier can go to run these smear campaigns when he was ahead and prove that Roy Deicke acted Leader of the Opposition. He would run his corruptly, because that is the smear and I smear campaigns through proxies such as the reject it. Minister for Economic and Trade I further make the point that the DSTC Development, as was found by the CJC in the was initiated in 1991. Barbagallo commenced Cape Melville report. This is a Premier who will work in 1994. I also further make the point that not enforce standards, who will not insist that the DSTC is not primarily funded by the State his Ministers answer basic and fundamental Government; it is primarily funded by private questions relating to allegations of corruption enterprise and the Federal Government. In and, therefore, this is a Premier who will not fact, under the previous Labor Government, insist on standards. Therefore, it is a funding was cut out. So much for looking after Government without standards. friends! 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4609

When the Premier was concluding his of the Subordinate Legislation Committee prior comments, he asked what was the difference to his elevation to the position of Liberal Party between this case involving his Ministers and Whip some years ago. However, he seems to the three examples that he cited this morning. have misplaced one important lesson in the They were pathetic examples, were they not? principle of statutory interpretation. They were pathetic examples of a Premier The principle that the Minister relied upon who is defending Ministers who appear to was that a later enactment will override an have done the wrong thing and who will not earlier enactment, which is true. However, it answer basic questions because those tends to be a principle which is evoked in questions will expose the dishonesty. times when there seems to have been an I will tell members what the difference is: inadvertent problem of inconsistency between the difference is the difference between two Acts and it tends to involve Acts of some routine representations that every member of distance past. It seems to me that the Anti- this Parliament makes and a laundered pay- Discrimination Act is a fairly seminal Act in this off. or any Parliament and that it is not one that Question—That the motion be agreed we should be seeking to override by virtue of a to—put; and the House divided— later enactment in the way that the Minister has done. In fact, I am quite certain—although AYES, 44—Ardill, Barton, Beattie, Bird, Bligh, I have not checked this point—that if I was to Braddy, Bredhauer, Briskey, Campbell, D’Arcy, De Lacy, Dollin, Edmond, Elder, Foley, Fouras, go through the amendment Bills yet to be Gibbs, Goss W. K., Hamill, Hayward, Hollis, Lucas, debated in the Parliament, a great many of McElligott, McGrady, Mackenroth, Milliner, Mulherin, them would have, by way of schedule, a list of Nunn, Nuttall, Palaszczuk, Pearce, Purcell, Roberts, consequential amendments to a number of Robertson, Rose, Schwarten, Smith, Spence, Acts. Sullivan J. H., Welford, Wells, Woodgate Tellers: Mr Bredhauer: The next education Bill. Livingstone, Sullivan T. B. NOES, 44—Baumann, Beanland, Borbidge, Connor, Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: The next Cooper, Cunningham, Davidson, Elliott, FitzGerald, education Bill might be a case in point. The Gamin, Gilmore, Goss J. N., Grice, Harper, Healy, issue is that if the Minister is seeking to Hegarty, Hobbs, Horan, Johnson, Laming, Lester, override the provisions of the Anti- Lingard, Littleproud, McCauley, Malone, Mitchell, Discrimination Act in the way that he says, and Perrett, Quinn, Radke, Rowell, Santoro, Sheldon, I believe that these provisions are contrary to Simpson, Slack, Stephan, Stoneman, Tanti, Veivers, it, then he should have had the courage to Warwick, Watson, Wilson, Woolmer Tellers: say so up front. It is open for me to believe Springborg, Carroll that the Anti-Discrimination Act is under attack, The numbers being equal, Mr Speaker not only in this piece of legislation but also by cast his vote with the Noes. this Government. Resolved in the negative. Legislation brought before this Parliament Sitting suspended from 7 to 8.30 p.m. by the Attorney-General dealt with juvenile offenders. As a result of that legislation, child offenders are now treated less favourably than EDUCATION (GENERAL PROVISIONS) adult offenders. In this legislation, children AMENDMENT BILL over the age of compulsory schooling, that is, Resumption of Committee above the age of 15, are treated less favourably in their dealings with schools than Hon R. J. Quinn (Merrimac—Minister for children below that age. I think that this is a Education) in charge of the Bill. conscious decision on the part of the Clause 6 (continuing)— Government. If that decision has been made, Mr J. H. SULLIVAN (8.30 p.m.): I it is contrary to the provisions of the Anti- again raise the issue of the Anti-Discrimination Discrimination Act which, as I said, is one of Act which is being overridden by provisions in the most important Acts in any Legislature in the Bill. I note the answer that the Minister this country, particularly at this time. gave in his summation and I also note the The Minister should have the courage to answer that the Minister gave to the indicate up front that he is doing that, rather Opposition spokesperson during the than trying to sneak it through in the hope that discussion of clause 1. it will not be noticed, which is what he did. Of course, I was pleased to note that, in Nothing has been said about this issue in the his answer, the Minister appeared to have Explanatory Notes or in the Minister's second- learnt something about statutory interpretation reading speech. It is only because the from the brief time that he spent as a member Opposition has dragged the Minister 4610 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 reluctantly to the issue, it would seem, that he Proposed new section 30J(2) allows an is prepared to say anything. I have another independent complaint, that is, from a parent, issue to raise, but I would like to hear the to be inquired into by the principal's supervisor. Minister's response first. That provision is currently within the Act. The Mr QUINN: Despite all our arguing here, inquiry process would naturally provide the no-one can determine, with any degree of student, parent and principal with the certainty, whether the cancellation process is opportunity to present their points of view, thus discriminatory. That can only be determined in natural justice will be accorded to the student. the Anti-Discrimination Commission itself. The Moreover, the department's new guidelines, ADA was never enacted to restrict or hamper which we are in the process of developing, will the power of this Parliament to enact other detail how the principal's supervisor is to legislation. The honourable member would comply with section 30J(2). It is covered fairly certainly agree that the Parliament cannot be comprehensively. fettered in its legislative function. That is the Mrs CUNNINGHAM: I would ask the advice that I have received. Minister for a clarification, again for the group Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: In a quick that approached me in Gladstone. What response to the Minister, I agree. No protections are there for students whose legislation fetters this Parliament. In fact, as disruptive behaviour is perhaps due to a Blackstone would say in his commentaries on disability? What protections are built in, English law, Parliament can basically do recognising that, irrespective of the student, if anything that is not physically impossible. their disruptive behaviour is uncontrollable However, the issue remains that the Minister is then the principal must have some discretion putting provisions in place that override a very as far as maintaining order in the school is important piece of legislation and is doing so concerned? What additional protection would in secret. be there to answer the concerns of the parents, given that sometimes behaviour can The other issue that I take up with the be a reaction to provocation? Minister is one I mentioned during my speech in the second-reading debate but which he did Mr QUINN: Again, I was somewhat not respond to, which is the exclusion of a remiss in not addressing this question directly student under the provisions of proposed new during my reply. If the member was aware of section 30J(2), which states— the time when I addressed those concerns, it "Also, even though a principal of a was five minutes to six and something else State educational institution did not had to occur. That is the reason why I did not recommend to the principal's supervisor address all the concerns of all members. I am that a student at the institution be more than willing to do so now. excluded from the institution or State The question raised by the member educational institutions, the supervisor relates to the grounds of suspension that may exclude the student . . . from the could potentially discriminate against children institution or State educational institutions with disabilities. The guidelines state quite for a period or permanently . . ." clearly that strategies used must not It seems to me that the thrust of what we are discriminate against students on the grounds doing is giving power to the principals, and this of culture, race, disability and so on. That is is where the principle is being overridden. If quite clear in the guidelines themselves. The the principal wanted the kid out, he would guidelines will be expanded to clearly ensure surely make that recommendation to his that a student's disability is taken into supervisor. consideration. Also, to a large degree we are relying upon the principals' professional Mr QUINN: This is one of the areas that approach to this matter. They will be only too I did not touch on during reply. Proposed new well aware of which students in their schools section 30J(2) refers to the power of the would have disabilities and would take those principal's supervisor to exclude, even though disabilities into account when judging those the principal has not recommended exclusion. sorts of behaviours. Such a power has always been exercised by executive directors in the regions, so this is not Mr PEARCE: I am somewhat something new. The power is currently disappointed about the fact that the Minister contained within the Education (General did not respond in his summing-up to the Provisions) Act, that is, the regional director points that I raised with regard to children who could recommend the exclusion of a student suffer ADD and ADHD and how they may be without specific advice from the principal, discriminated against simply because they which is covered under section 24(4). have a disability that is not recognised. Their 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4611 behaviour in the classroom is caused by their is no inclusion in the legislation of ADD and disability and is no fault of their own. I am that sort of disorder. prepared to continue to argue this case; I will I return to the point I made when win the argument one day. The department speaking about children with disabilities. has to recognise that children with ADD and Principals have a requirement under the ADHD have a disability. guidelines to take into account those sorts of I want the Minister to explain to me how learning disorders and disabilities when they those children will get that recognition and get make their judgments about whether to past the point of being suspended from school exclude students. It is simply not a case of a simply because of behaviour over which they principal saying, "You're misbehaving. Out you do not have any control. These children need go." There is a professional judgment to be managed in a special way. They exist. involved. Quite often, a professional judgment They are in our schools. I deal with over 100 is made after the reports by teachers, whether families in Rockhampton who have children it be the classroom teacher, the resource with ADHD. The department will not recognise teacher, the remedial teacher, the learning it and there is nothing in this legislation to say support teacher, a visiting guidance officer or that it will be recognised. whoever might be involved. In many of those cases, it is simply not just a case of one In my contribution to the debate, I also person making the judgment. There is always mentioned the School of Today. At that a range of views put forward and the principal school, specialists in the field are assessing makes a balanced judgment as a result of students and giving them the opportunity to that. learn at a level at which they are capable of With respect to the school in handling. I seek from the Minister a Rockhampton mentioned by the member, my commitment that he will at least have a look at understanding is that the department has this school, see the work that it is doing and, if given a lot of consideration and has notified possible, look at ways of providing funds so that the school will receive non-Government that it can provide these alternative programs school funding. It has applied under the which are important for children with learning conditions for non-Government schools. The disabilities. piece of advice I have at the moment is that it Mr QUINN: The issue of children with will receive non-Government school funding in learning disabilities is always a complex one in the future. schools. In that regard, the Department of Mr Pearce interjected. Education provides a wide range of support for Mr QUINN: They apply. We have a those children, whether it be learning support process whereby non-Government schools, teachers, remedial teachers, resource whether they be systemic Catholic schools, teachers and sometimes extra teacher aide AISQs or whatever, conform to a set of time. They are normally accommodated within guidelines that the department has in place. the general classrooms. But there is no Provided they can prove accountability for the medical recognition of ADD as a specific funds they use in certain ways, they are learning disorder in the legislation itself. I registered as a non-Government State school understand that for quite some time there has and can register for funds accordingly. That is been a push from certain groups to have ADD the process we use for any group that wishes medically recognised as a learning disorder. to start a new non-Government school in The department's view is that there is a Queensland. From the information I have just wide range of learning disorders which children been given, it looks as though it has satisfied acquire or have from birth. Those learning those criteria and it will receive non- disorders are addressed in total across the Government school funding. It will be treated spectrum by these sorts of additional support like any other non-Government school entity in measures in schools without the need to Queensland. segment them into categories. The approach Mr ARDILL: During my speech in the the department has taken is that quite often second-reading debate, I relied on Part 3A, children exhibit disorders from various which is headed "Good Order and categories of disorders—a combination of Management of State Educational problems and not just one in particular. We Institutions". For a large part of my speech, I are loath to legislate for one particular disorder referred specifically to Acacia Ridge State High when that might limit the range of resources School and the fact that it has no real student and intervention programs that can be used behaviour problem compared to that in the by those children. That is the reason why there larger schools. It is a long-held theory of mine 4612 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 that the larger a school grows the more to the size at which they are no longer capable difficulty that staff will have in maintaining of effective and efficient management? Why good order in the school. That is for the simple are schools such as Acacia Ridge being given reason that in large schools the administration the chop—the axe—instead of being staff and even the teachers seldom know the encouraged to grow and to maintain the good individual students who attend that school. behaviour patterns that are usually inherent in They are just a sea of faces in uniforms. In a smaller schools? small school, such as that in Acacia Ridge, Mr QUINN: The member is aware that and even in schools of up to twice that size, it the process of looking at the schools on the is a different matter. It is very easy to keep south side of Brisbane, particularly the Acacia tabs on students. The same applies in primary Ridge and Salisbury State High Schools, was schools. not initiated by this Government. In fact, they With a couple of exceptions that I can have been under review for quite some time. think of, as most primary schools grow they The member's own Government had an eye lose the family grouping which maintains good on them with regard to the falling enrolments. order and behaviour in the schools. The problem is that the majority of our State Mr Ardill: No, it didn't. schools, both primary and high schools, are Mr QUINN: Yes, it had an eye on them. allowed to grow to the stage at which they are unable to be managed correctly and in the Mr Ardill: No. Officers of your best interests of the students who attend department certainly did. them. Parents continue to send their kids to Mr QUINN: That is what I am saying. these larger establishments because they Labor was in Government for six years. During think that they offer a wider curriculum, greater that time, the Department of Education, of opportunities and more competition. However, which a Labor Minister was in charge, was a lot of those advantages are destroyed by looking at these schools. the bad behaviour of a number of students and the impossibility of managing great Mr Ardill: As you well know, the Minister numbers of students in some of those larger stopped that process. schools. Mr QUINN: They were looking at the The Minister chose to ignore my raising enrolment patterns of the schools. It is a fact the matter concerning the Acacia Ridge State that the demographic changes have not been High School. Tomorrow night, there will be a favourable in those particular areas. The meeting at that school attended by senior member could mount an argument for small Education officers. Parents will be seeking primary schools and his argument would be some response to the questions that they right, because in my view there is no doubt raise. They are not just going along to be that small primary schools—around the 200 to informed of what the department's attitude is 500 mark—are about the best size primary to the amalgamation and what will happen schools one can find in terms of the interaction afterwards; they will also be seeking answers between kids and principals and the intimate to the question: why is a smaller school unable nature of the education that the kids receive. to be maintained when there are clear However, it is a different matter altogether advantages in having a small school? when it comes to high schools. The member Admittedly, Acacia Ridge is too small, and the ought to be aware that when students go to thrust of the parents at that school—and the high school, particularly in Years 11 and 12, administrators, until recently—has been to they are looking in terms of careers for subject build up the numbers, to try to improve the choices which will further their advancement. standing of that school, to get more students In a very small high school, the subject choice there, to overcome the whispering campaign in Years 11 and 12 is extremely restricted. It that has gone on—and there certainly has was on that basis that the department looked been a whispering campaign against that at the demographic changes in the southern school—and also the reluctance of many suburbs around those two high schools and parents in the adjacent suburbs to send came to the conclusion that, rather than students to that school because of something having two smallish high schools where that has happened in the past, ignoring, of subject choices are restricted for all students, a course, that some of the later schools that better option would be to put the two schools have grown just like topsy have behaviour together and to provide a much broader range problems that are not present in Acacia Ridge. of subject choices and offerings to students. I ask the Minister to respond and answer So it was done on an educational outcome the question: why are schools allowed to get basis that would benefit students in the area. 28 Nov 1996 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 4613

It was on that basis that the matter Mr Ardill: They are there now. proceeded. Mr QUINN: The point is: who is going to I am aware that departmental officers are move into the area? Will it be young families? going out there tomorrow night, as the Will it be retired people? Will it be couples member said. No doubt parents will have a lot without children? The issue then is: even if a of concerns. The departmental officers are fair number of families with children move into quite willing to discuss the issues with them those new houses, how many parents are and provide them with all the information they going to send their children to the nearest need. I said before that Acacia Ridge has an State high school? What proportion will in fact enrolment of fewer than 250. There are only choose private or non-Government schools? about 10 other high schools in the State with What proportion will have primary school enrolments of fewer than 250, and those high children and what proportion will have high schools are all in western or country areas. school children? It is by no means certain that Most of them are more than 30 kilometres the mere availability of 360 extra allotments in away from the nearest high school, and many the area is going to mean 100-odd kids of them are hundreds of kilometres away. attending the high school. My realistic Acacia Ridge is five kilometres from Salisbury. expectation is that out of the 360 lots we In order to ease the pain for parents in terms might be lucky to get 50, and that is proven by of transport costs, we are willing to come to the demographic study. the party with transport arrangements. We So in the best long-term interests of the have also made a commitment to provide students in that area—not only the current additional funds to parents for the change of students but also the future students—the school uniforms. We will discuss any other department has made the decision to move to issues that parents might think are relevant. merge the two schools together. The other advantage of what we are proposing out there, of course, is the Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: I will try to speak relocation of the primary school. It is on a very, loud enough so that the Minister can hear me. very busy road. By relocating the primary I must say that I was very pleased to hear in school into what will then be the vacant Acacia the Minister's response to the question from Ridge State High School, they will have a my colleague the member for Archerfield that much better facility. Because there are some at least some families in Queensland are facilities at the existing site, we are more than going to get a school uniform allowance next willing to duplicate those at the high school year. site so that when the primary school transfers The CHAIRMAN: Which section of the over there will be better facilities for students. clause is the member speaking to? This is not an easy decision to make. The Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: I am just talking department does not go around making these about the Minister's answer to the decisions purely on an economic basis. It is member—— always in the best interests of students. It is The CHAIRMAN: I have been very always a hard decision to make because generous with the member for Archerfield. I parents and teachers become attached to understand that he has a problem in his their school. They put a lot of time and effort electorate. I must insist that the member into their schools over many, many years. In speak to sections of this clause. some cases there might be a generation or even two that attend the same school, so it is Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: Mr Chairman, for a bit of a heart wrench to transfer from one your benefit and for the interest of the—— school to another and see a school close The CHAIRMAN: No—for your benefit. down or a merger take place. We realise that. Mr J. H. SULLIVAN:—assembled back However, the decision has to be made in the bench, I will speak to Division 2—Suspension best long-term interests of the students, not of students under new Part 3A, which is part of only those who are currently attending the clause 6 of this Bill. I think I have made my school but also those who will attend the point about the other issue that I raised. school in 5 or 10 years' time. If people want the schools to survive, then they have to look The point that I want to raise also goes to realistically at the merger proposal that has answers given by the Minister to my colleague been put forward. the member for Cook both before dinner and since dinner in which he has made repeated If the demographics keep going the way reference to guidelines—"This will be in the they are going—and I note that the member guidelines", "That will be in the guidelines." said there were going to be an extra 360 lots This is the political "Trust me". The Minister is available in the area—— 4614 Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 a nice bloke, but I do not trust him one little Mr QUINN (9.02 p.m.): I move the bit. If he thinks back to the exchange between following amendment— himself and the member for Cook prior to "At page 17, after line 8— dinner, he will recall that the member for Cook said, "Where in the guidelines is that?" The insert— Minister said, "Oh, it is in the next draft of the ' 'Transitional provision about existing guidelines." The next draft of the guidelines dispensations from compliance with could come tomorrow, and the draft after that compulsory enrolment and attendance could come the day after that, because this provisions Parliament has no control over departmental '79A.(1) This section applies to a guidelines. dispensation from compliance with any Mr Quinn: Nor should it. obligation under section 57 for a child of Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: No, it does not. the age of compulsory attendance, that This Parliament has no control over was in force immediately before the departmental guidelines. The Executive commencement, if— flushes out the detail of this Bill by the (a) the dispensation was granted by issuance of guidelines that can change at a the Minister because of a moment's notice. What the Minister told us reason stated in section 58(2)(d) these guidelines are going to do is impossible. as in force immediately before He told us that these guidelines will require the the commencement; or principal to act in these matters under the (b) the dispensation was a principles of natural justice, yet under his provisional dispensation while an legislation he has legislated away the application under section 59 was principles of natural justice for students who being determined and the are going to be suspended for less than five application was based on days. The principles of natural justice require section 58(2)(d) as in force that the student gets some review. immediately before the In his summation, the Minister said that commencement. he would consider this later on, and I '(2) The dispensation continues in appreciate that. If a problem arises in my force while the child is enrolled at a school electorate, he will be the second to know. As of distance education unless the soon as I know, he will hear about it. This dispensation expires or is sooner revoked Parliament has to be very wary of having the by the Minister for a reason other than details of its legislation fleshed out in because the criteria stated in section guidelines. It is okay for it to be fleshed out in 58(2)(d) changed on the commencement. regulations and fleshed out by decisions made by the judiciary, but it should not be fleshed '(3) Also, if the dispensation is a out in departmental guidelines over which we provisional dispensation as mentioned in have no control. This Parliament needs to be subsection (1)(b), the Minister may grant a careful to avoid that in modern drafting dispensation for the child based on practices. section 58(2)(d) as in force immediately before the commencement even though, I ask the Minister to consider that, not in apart from this section, the Minister the context of this Bill but in the context of the cannot grant the dispensation. administration of his department. He could still be the head of that department for another '(4) This section, and dispensations three or four months at least. I understand to which it relates, expire on 31 December that the Minister has majestically reduced the 1999.'." amount of this kind of documentation in the This amendment is a transitional provision department, but I ask him to look at that provides for students already enrolled in formalising it in some way so that the detail of distance education in accordance with the the legislation that passes through this existing distance criteria. Section 58(2)(d) of Chamber is in some way under the control of the Education (General Provisions) Act 1989 is this Parliament. to continue in that program for a further three Amendment agreed to. years. Clause 6, as amended, agreed to. Amendment agreed to. Clauses 7 and 8, as read, agreed to. Clause 9, as amended, agreed to. Clause 9— Bill reported, with amendments.

28 Nov 1996 Education (School Curriculum P-10) Bill 4615

Third Reading built up between the Government, parents Bill, on motion of Mr Quinn, by leave, read and teachers as major stakeholders in a third time. Queensland's education system under six years of the former Labor Government were dashed upon the rocks by an inept Minister EDUCATION (SCHOOL CURRICULUM and his incompetent handling of an important P-10) BILL education reform. Second Reading The Minister tried to clothe his moves in Debate resumed from 13 November (see the rhetoric of efficiency. In the Courier-Mail on p. 4001). 13 May the Minister said that the Queensland Mr BREDHAUER (Cook) (9.05 p.m.): At Council of Parents and Citizens Association, the outset of this debate the Opposition points the Independent Parents and Friends Council out that the Bill in its current form is another of Queensland, the Queensland Catholic monument to the ineptitude of this Education Parents and Friends Federation, the Minister and a State Government which is Queensland Teachers Union and the fundamentally bereft of proper processes for Queensland Association of Teachers in policy development. When the Minister Independent Schools would be kicked off the released his draft Education (School Board of Senior Secondary School Studies Curriculum P-10) Bill in May, he unleashed a and the Queensland School Curriculum storm of protest from parents, teachers, the Council because it was necessary to reduce Opposition and members of the community the number of representatives on the boards generally with his inept and insensitive because they were too large to function handling of the process of drafting a Bill and efficiently. particularly with his plans to exclude parents The Minister claimed that the boards and teachers from a meaningful role in the needed to more closely reflect corporate development of Queensland school boards so that their decision making could be curriculum. streamlined. That article from 13 May states— The Minister's claim that the proposal "Education Minister Bob Quinn said it represented nothing more than a discussion was necessary to reduce the number of document was unable to mask the fact that he representatives on the boards because had allowed his office and his department to they were too large to function efficiently." proceed with the preparation of a legislative proposal to the point at which it was in draft Bill The article continued— form without bothering to communicate or "The Minister had made it quite clear consult with anyone in the education that there is no automatic right to be on community. Instantly, the Minister achieved a the boards, the places will be allocated feat which few others have been able to strictly on merit." match before or since in the history of education in Queensland. The Minister united Not only was it laughable to suggest that the teachers and parents from across the State people who know and understand best the and from across the Government and non- development of curriculum and its implications Government school sector into an angry for the education of students should not have coalition to campaign against his ill-advised a stake in either the Board of Senior plans to dump parent and teacher Secondary School Studies or the Queensland representation from curriculum development Schools Curriculum Council but also the boards in Queensland. Minister clearly did not even have the conviction of his own arguments. The Minister's secret plan was to square off with the Queensland Teachers Union and In a radio interview on the Anna Reynolds the Independent Education Union in a way not program on 26 June 1995, Mr Quinn was seen in Queensland since the demise of the foreshadowing the coalition's plans to Bjelke-Petersen Government and the repeal of establish a statutory authority to deal with repressive industrial relations legislation which curriculum issues in Queensland if the coalition sought to deny workers and their industrial attained Government. The reporter, Anna organisations a right to have a say in changes Reynolds, asked— in their industries. His clumsy attempt to get square with the teacher unions effectively "Mr Quinn, would you change the deprived all Queensland teachers and parents essential make up of the council?" of a role in curriculum development. A She was referring to the Queensland School constructive working relationship which had Curriculum Council. Mr Quinn replied— 4616 Education (School Curriculum P-10) Bill 28 Nov 1996

"Oh I think the make up is probably teacher organisations, together with the correct. There is wide representation from Opposition and community groups, banded the non Government sector, the State together to fight the Government's proposal to school sector, both in parents and teacher sack teachers and parents from the curriculum organisations and experts in curriculum boards. The Minister appeared resolute. In the matters as well and I'm quite satisfied that Gold Coast Bulletin on 9 May this appeared— the make up is right." "Education Minister Bob Quinn That was this Minister's comment in June last yesterday refused to back away from a year about the Queensland School Curriculum move to slash the size of organisations Council, but he must have had some sort of that set school curriculum. He said he was conversion on the road to Damascus because committed to slashing bureaucracy and barely 12 months later he was out there improving efficiency." wanting to boot the teachers and parents off those boards. Later in the article he said— So it is clear that the Minister's attempt to "You have to remember that there dump parents and teachers from curriculum are four major parent organisations and boards was not because he believed that it two teacher unions, all of whom have their was inappropriate that they be represented on particular and sometimes conflicting those bodies. His real motivation, however, concerns. If you put every one of them can be easily detected in media surrounding around the same table you're more likely the announcement in which he targeted to start a riot than get a result." particularly the Queensland Teachers Union, saying that as an industrial organisation that That is just an insult to those people who have union had no right to be at the table to discuss been on those curriculum boards and similar curriculum development. An article in the bodies for decades in Queensland. They have Townsville Bulletin on 9 May states that Mr contributed positively. They come from Quinn— different backgrounds and from different points of view, but particularly in education ". . . accepted some interest groups would they have by and large been able to air their be offended, particularly the QTU and differences from time to time and then put indicated there was some scope to those matters behind them in the interests of include parents and individual teachers on the education of Queensland children. Later the boards, but he would make no on Mr Quinn said that he was still open to concession to include union legitimate argument but would not cave in to representation. the knee-jerk demands of self-interested 'The interest group that's not on groups such as the Queensland Teachers there that's got its nose out of place is the Union. The article also states— Queensland Teachers' Union,' he said. " 'If the union bosses want to sit at 'That's an industrial organisation . . . I the table they can argue their case like don't see any link with industrial matters everyone else, but I certainly don't accept and school curriculum, quite frankly.' " that they have an automatic right to Quite frankly, I would have thought that, as a representation' said the Minister when he former member of the QTU, even this Minister was talking tough." would have been aware that for well over 100 In an article in the Courier Mail on 11 May years the Queensland Teachers Union has Tony Koch hit the nail right on the head when represented Queensland State school he said— teachers on both professional as well as industrial matters. The Minister was clearly "Does Mr Quinn really believe that wrong. bureaucrats know it all and, without the Not even in the worst union-bashing days nuisance of outside influence, are best of the Bjelke-Petersen Government did the able to say what the children of then Education Minister seek to end the Queensland need to be taught to equip representation of unions on curriculum boards. them to join the workforce and to cope Can honourable members imagine the hue with the world at large? Mr Quinn can put and cry we would have from people in forward whatever reasons he likes for his Queensland and those opposite if the course of action, but virtually no one in Government tried to set up a canegrowers' senior education circles believes it is organisation with no canegrowers or a medical anything other than a move to exclude board with no doctors? So the five parent and the Queensland Teachers' Union." 28 Nov 1996 Education (School Curriculum P-10) Bill 4617

I also draw the attention of the House to an This is when the Minister finally got around to editorial in the Courier Mail on 15 May which talking to teacher and parent groups after he stated— originally planned to throw them out. The letter "Some time ago State Education continues— Minister Bob Quinn delivered a ". . . some of that discussion occurring in motherhood statement about parental your presence. Following that discussion involvement in schools. It may come back there seemed to be very strong support to haunt him. Praising a set of reporting for what was proposed. Then the principles for schools developed by the document was amended, and the next Australian Council of State School version we saw (after seeking a copy) was Organisations and the Australian Parents' Version No. 13 (some six months later). Council he said it certainly shows parents The Version No. 17 was provided only in are willing to become involved in their the last few days." children's education. Parents certainly are This letter is dated 28 November 1996. The willing, but under letter continues— Mr Quinn's latest proposals to exclude "Our concerns about the consultation parents and teachers from educational process are significant and widespread, bodies they have less chance to and raise queries about the seriousness demonstrate this. This proposal is of consultation in the minds of those who extraordinary and Mr Quinn's explanation were charged with effecting consultation." that it was necessary to reduce the number of representatives on the Board There were many people, the QCPCA among of Senior Secondary School Studies and them, who told me that they received draft the Queensland School Curriculum copies of the legislation and that they were Council because they were too large to given as little as three days to respond to function efficiently is nonsense." those draft copies. It is just not good enough. We have parents and teachers and their The editorial continued— representative organisations who have an "Do parents and teachers not merit interest in not just their own children's future in inclusion or is it simply that the Minister is the education system but in the future of trying to exclude the Queensland education in Queensland. The Government Teachers' Union for ideological reasons has a responsibility to go out and talk to those and has parcelled the union with parent people and to consult with them and to bodies in an attempt to disguise this?" negotiate reforms with them in a meaningful way. That is clearly what the Minister was up to at the time. The Minister cannot get away from the hard decisions and the hard issues by not The rest, as they say, is history but the Bill talking about them. When the Minister rolled before the House today is another testimony out that draft submission about terminating to the Government's unwillingness to consult the enrolments of 236 students with disabilities and negotiate educational reforms in a to Cabinet the other day his Cabinet meaningful way with relevant stakeholders, submission said that there was no community which almost invariably means they make poor consultation because the issue was too decisions and the Minister is forced into sensitive. The Minister cannot get away from embarrassing backdowns. I refer to a copy of sensitive issues and hard decisions by trying to a letter sent to the Minister by the Queensland hide them under a cloud of secrecy of Cabinet Catholic Education Commission because the classification. The Minister has to get out and bungling of the Minister did not finish in May talk to people, otherwise he will muck it up when he first announced that he was going to and, as he did on this occasion, he will have to sack the teachers. The Queensland Catholic do backflip after backflip after backflip. He will Education Commission said in its letter to the be back here with legislation that does not Minister that one of the big things it was represent anything like the legislation that he concerned about was the consultation first intended. process. The letter says— The legislation accords teachers and "Secondly, we have to register some parents their proper place by retaining their disappointment at the way in which the membership of the boards, and the Minister consultation about this important piece of would do well to learn the lesson of his past legislation has been conducted. Initially mistakes. One concern which still remains in there was strong collaborative discussion respect of the membership of the boards is of the preliminary proposal"—— contained in a letter to the Minister from the 4618 Education (School Curriculum P-10) Bill 28 Nov 1996

Queensland Council of Parents and Citizens I would also like to refer again to that Associations about the representation of letter from the Queensland Catholic Education parents on the Queensland School Curriculum Commission. It has raised a number of Council. Essentially the QCPCA is arguing that concerns in relation to the functions of the it should be free to elect its representative and council. I refer particularly to the commission's the requirement that that person be the parent view that the primary purpose of the council of a student currently attending a year from should be to advise the Minister on all matters preschool to Year 10 at a State educational in the P-10 curriculum. The commission has a institution or other school in Queensland be concern that it is not clear as to whom the deleted. That also applies to a requirement director of the office—of the council—is that the representatives on the Board of immediately accountable. Perhaps the Senior Secondary School Studies be currently Minister could comment on those matters in the parent of a student in Year 11 or Year 12. his summing-up. Obviously this would also have Clause 27 of the Bill refers to the implications for the Federation of Parents and attendance at meetings of the Queensland Friends Association of Queensland and the Schools Curriculum Council of members by Independent Parents and Friends Council of proxy. I appreciate that the ability of members Queensland. Whilst I can appreciate the to attend by proxy is an improvement on the concern of the Minister that the people serving current legislation and is welcomed by most of on the boards should have currency in terms the stakeholders. I would ask the Minister, of their knowledge and understanding of the though, to comment on why he suggests P-10 school system, I believe the stipulation limiting attendance by proxy to two meetings that the parent at the time of appointment is per year. It would seem that, if a board currently a parent of a P-10 student—or in the member has reasonable grounds to be absent case of the Board of Senior Secondary School from a meeting at any time during the school Studies a Year 11 or Year 12 student—is year, he or she should be able to be unnecessary and may force the parent represented by a proxy. organisations to select someone other than I refer to the Explanatory Notes and the the best candidate within their organisation to comment made that the Government intends represent them. The same would apply to to enhance the independence of existing Schedule 2, 5(3)(i), which deals with the boards, including the Board of Senior membership of the Board of Senior Secondary Secondary School Studies. I point out to the School Studies and the requirement for the House that there is considerable concern at parents to be a parent of a current Year 11 or the Board of Senior Secondary School Studies Year 12 student. Once again, I think the about the way this Government has treated it parent organisations are in the best position to in the context of this year's Budget. The determine who can best represent them, and rhetoric about enhancing the independence of the stipulation is unnecessary. the Board of Senior Secondary School Studies I ask the Minister to indicate in his sounds fine, but members of the House need summing-up whether he is prepared to move to be aware that the board has been advised an amendment himself to accommodate the that it will have to cut its staff by 10 per cent concerns of the QCPCA, otherwise the over the next two years. The Government says Opposition will move such an amendment. I it wants to enhance the operations of the also note in the QCPCA's submissions on the board but at the same time it is slashing staff Bill that it is suggesting the inclusion of a numbers. definition of the word "curriculum". Many I will comment also on the fact that the people reading the Bill may not appreciate Government has seen fit not to increase that there is a difference between the concept funding to the Board of Senior Secondary of the school curriculum and the syllabuses. School Studies in this year's Budget for This could be overcome by including a Phase 3 of the Wiltshire schools vocational definition of "curriculum". education initiatives. In the last financial year, I also note the suggestion from the which was Phase 2 of the vocational QCPCA for the addition of a function to education initiative, $891,000 was allocated develop a student reporting framework within for the implementation of Phase 2. The board the key learning area framework from Years 1 sought additional funding for Phase 3 as it is to 10 and to monitor and report on the the most costly period of implementation of performance of Queensland students against the new board registered subjects. The board national curriculum standards. I ask the therefore sought funding of $1.46m so that it Minister to comment on these issues in his could properly implement Phase 3 of the summing-up. vocational education initiatives. The 28 Nov 1996 Education (School Curriculum P-10) Bill 4619

Government, however, has seen fit not to Minister seeks to give this council that, having properly resource that important area of the established it and appointed the members of board's operations and has maintained the board, they will then be subject to the funding at 1995-96 levels of $891,000, which whim of Executive Government and all of obviously represents a cut in funds in real them can be sacked by a decision of the terms. Although $50,000 has been obtained Governor in Council. It will be little comfort to from Federal funds, the net impact of the the new members of the Queensland Schools decision of the Government not to allocate Curriculum Council to know that Division 4 of sufficient resources to implement Phase 3 will the Bill sets out the terms of the appointment be that there will be little or no evaluation of of members and also the grounds for which the programs in semester 1, 1997. Further, their membership can cease but that at any there will be no professional development of time they can be sacked by an order of teachers in developing curriculum. It is a very Governor in Council. short-sighted decision by this Minister and the Another curious feature of the Bill is the Government to proceed with the inclusion in Schedule 2 of amendments to implementation of Phase 3 but without the each of Queensland's university Acts which, by appropriate professional support for teachers and large, are totally unrelated to the or the capacity to evaluate the programs to objectives of the Bill. The amendments I refer determine their effectiveness and make to are those that provide that the requirement improvements if necessary. that the appointment of the vice-chancellor The Board of Senior Secondary School and, in the case of the University of Studies' budgetary woes have been further Queensland, also the deputy vice-chancellor, compounded by the fact that, in past years, it be confirmed by the Governor in Council. This has received its budget up front and it has is yet another hangover of the muddled Public been able to invest the money and use the Service Act. earnings on those investments to augment its Members will recall that, despite being budget. The procrastination of the accused by the Premier of misreading the Government delaying the handing over of the Public Service Bill and being told by him in the board's budget in November meant that the House that I was wrong, I drew public attention board has lost earnings on those investments to the fact that the Public Service Act gave the for three months. Consequently, its budget will Governor in Council the capacity to dismiss be further reduced. I say again to the Minister university vice-chancellors and, in the case of that this is a funny way to enhance the the University of Queensland, its deputy vice- independence and operations of the Board of chancellor. The universities independently Senior Secondary School Studies. confirmed my advice to the Premier and I also congratulate this Minister on being reluctantly he had to acknowledge that the Bill the first to introduce legislation in the did in fact give the Governor in Council that Parliament establishing a new statutory power. The universities then sought authority which, notwithstanding the provisions amendments to their Acts so that that power of Division 4 of the Bill, can be summarily was removed. dismissed by Governor in Council under the Ms Bligh: This isn't more bother about terms of the Public Service Act at any time the Public Service Act? and for no reason and without recourse to judicial review. There has been considerable Mr BREDHAUER: The ghosts of the debate over recent months over the Public Service Act are coming back to haunt implications of the Public Service Act for every Minister in every corridor of this Queensland statutory authorities and we know Government. that the Premier and the Government were Ms Bligh: Just as I predicted it would. forced into a series of embarrassing backdowns in respect of the Public Service Mr BREDHAUER: I predict, just as the Act—backflip after backflip after backflip. member for South Brisbane did, that this is only the beginning. This is the first of these Notwithstanding those backdowns, however, statutory authorities and the first of the the Public Service Act still continues to be an amendments that will need to be moved, instrument of this Government's regressive either to protect people who have been tactics in public administration. The unintentionally encumbered by one of the Government continues to turn back the clock sloppiest pieces of drafting that I have ever to the days when Executive power in seen in my life that was the original Public Queensland, under Bjelke-Petersen, was Service Bill—— absolute. It says little for the so-called independence of the statutory authority the Ms Bligh: Not to mention the most evil. 4620 Education (School Curriculum P-10) Bill 28 Nov 1996

Mr BREDHAUER: Not to mention the Queensland. It is pretty small-minded of the most evil, as the member for South Brisbane Opposition not to recognise that this is the comments. The Government will be amending next step along the road and to give the Bill other Acts of Parliament to enable the support on that basis rather than carping insidious effects to the Public Service Act to about some of the Bill's shortcomings as take hold. What makes these amendments perceived by the Opposition. even more curious, however, is the fact that As the member opposite stated, the Bill the Minister is currently undertaking a full addresses quite a number of large issues, not review of each of the university Acts. only the structure of the P-10 council and the Notwithstanding the wider review of those Board of Senior Secondary School Studies, Acts, the Minister has sought to placate the which will have a statutory authority basis, but concerns in the higher education community also some university Act amendments and by rolling into this Act amendments via amendments to other legislation. Schedule 2 that delete the requirement for the appointment of vice-chancellors and, in the I will try to address the issues that were case of the University of Queensland, the raised by the member opposite. No doubt, if I deputy vice-chancellor, to be approved by the miss any of them they will be raised during the Governor in Council. Members on this side of Committee stage. Firstly, the member asked if the House can only wonder how often we will the Government was prepared to accept the see the Government forced to return to the amendments that he will move during the Parliament with amendment Bills such as this Committee stage. The answer to that is "No", as it tries to patch up unintentional holes that it mainly because the submissions that we have has blown in its own legislation by its hastily received on this issue indicate that parents of cobbled together and poorly drafted Public current students ought to be part of the board. Service Act. I point out that the member is moving amendments to allow parents, who are not Another matter that appears in the parents of such children at the time of amendments in Schedule 2 is an amendment reappointment, to continue, yet the member to the Education (Work Experience) Act. That has not moved a similar amendment in is an important one. I understand that the respect of teachers. In other words, teachers Minister, in the amendment to the Education must be practising teachers every time they (Work Experience) Act that he moved earlier are reappointed, yet the member has not this year inadvertently involved work proposed to move an amendment which experience at universities inappropriately. Last mirrors that fact. We are asking for teachers week, that was drawn to the attention of the who are currently involved in the schools rather member for Mount Gravatt by an engineering than being involved in some administrative student who was on work experience. It is task within the union. I think that is a interesting that he was able to pick that out of substantial difference. On that basis, the the work experience legislation. I appreciate Government is not going to accept that that the Government is moving to amend that. amendment. Notwithstanding the fact that this Bill represents another embarrassing backflip from A number of other issues were raised. For "Backflip Bob" as he has become known, the instance, the member spoke about the Opposition will not oppose the Bill before the consultation process. The various stakeholder House. groups were, in fact, consulted widely over a period about the intent and purpose of the Hon. R. J. QUINN (Merrimac—Minister proposed Bills. As the member said, when for Education) (9.29 p.m.), in reply: When the those groups saw version 13, they complained previous Government introduced legislation to about not seeing the previous versions. That put in place some of the Wiltshire was because the previous versions contained recommendations and establish the only minor technical amendments. So there Queensland Curriculum Council and its office, was no use in putting out every version when, QSCO, I made the point that that legislation in fact, the amendment was just a clarifying was indeed a step in the right direction. We amendment more than anything else. That is supported it on that basis. The Bill before the why it was held to version 13. House is the next step in that process. Both Wiltshire and the previous report on curriculum The member raised the issue of the structures in Queensland, the Hughes report, proxies. We sought submissions from interest recommended that structures that determine groups and their opinions ranged from no curriculum in Queensland should have a proxies to two proxies to unlimited proxies. By statutory base. That had been the position of and large, the consensus was that two proxies a number of groups over a period in is about the right number. If we allow too 28 Nov 1996 Education (School Curriculum P-10) Bill 4621 many proxies, at the end of the day we have Mr Bredhauer: I would have thought members who really are not continuing their that that is the primary purpose of the positions. They could have proxy after proxy Queensland School Curriculum Council—to after proxy. The intent of the legislation is to provide advice to the Minister. have actual representatives or members of the Mr QUINN: If the Minister requested various groups on the board rather than a advice, that advice could be provided. That is proxy every time. So during the consultation not outlawed in the Bill. phase, it was decided that two proxies would be roughly the ideal number. Some people Mr Bredhauer: No, but isn't that one of are not happy with that—and we accept its primary roles—to provide advice to the that—and some people think that it is great. Minister? By and large, there is general acceptance that Mr QUINN: If the member read the Bill, two proxies is a workable number in that he would know that the documentation of the particular instance. syllabus they produce is mandatory for the The member also mentioned a cut of 10 State school sector and not mandatory for the per cent to the Board of Senior Secondary non-Government sector. So advice can be School Studies. That is not right. All the provided. As I said, there is nothing to stop the departments have been asked to find savings chairman from advising the Minister within corporate services. That does not apply accordingly. across-the-board; it is a corporate service cut, By and large, it is another progressive if anything. It was mentioned in the Budget step down the road in terms of curriculum deliberations, anyway, and it was mentioned in structures in Queensland. I think that we have the Budget process. broad support across the wider educational Mr Bredhauer: How many staff are they community for what we are trying to do. It is going to lose? About 10 per cent? more in accord with Wiltshire and Hughes than the structure that was put in place previously. I Mr QUINN: I am not aware of the size of am quite confident that, when it is up and the corporate staff. The member also running in the early new year, it will prove quite mentioned the difference in definition between successful in terms of providing high-quality "syllabus" and "curriculum". Those are matters curriculum for Queensland school students. for general interpretation. It was one of the real difficulties that we experienced when Motion agreed to. coming up with the roles and functions of the board. There were as many definitions of Committee "syllabus" and "curriculum" as there were players in the game. Every time we asked Hon R. J. Quinn (Merrimac—Minister for someone what a definition of "syllabus" was, Education) in charge of the Bill. we received a different answer. It is generally Clauses 1 to 15, as read, agreed to. accepted that a "syllabus" is an outline of a Clause 16— course of study. That is the one that the Board of Senior Secondary School Studies uses. It Mr BREDHAUER (9.38 p.m.): I move includes criteria for levels of student the following amendment— achievement for the subjects included in the "At page 14, line 10— syllabus. Generally, that is accepted. Of omit— course, a "syllabus" is a specified course of study. So the syllabus is really the 'three persons who, at the time of documentation. People use "curriculum" in the appointment, are parents of students broader sense. One of the real difficulties with currently attending a year from pre school the formulation of the Bill was defining exactly to Year 10 at a State Educational the roles of the boards in terms of those words Institution or other school in Queensland,' that were used. We could hold a great debate insert— about the appropriate use of the words. By 'three parent representatives'." and large, I think that there is some agreement. I do not need to go into the details of this amendment at any length. I have had The member raised the issue of whether representations, particularly from the or not advice could be provided to the Queensland Council of Parents and Citizens Minister. There is nothing stopping the Associations, who think that it is its prerogative chairman of the relevant authority writing to to decide who its representative on the board the Minister proffering advice. That is not should be, and that the provision that it be the prohibited within the Bill. That can happen. parent of a child of a particular age at school is 4622 Education (School Curriculum P-10) Bill 28 Nov 1996 unnecessary and could possibly prohibit that who must be practising teachers and not just organisation from electing who it would regard union employees. The type of people as the best representative. representing parents on the council should be For example, I make the point that a those who have a working knowledge of what person could have been the parent of a is going on in P-10 schooling and are aware of student in Years P-10 for effectively 11 years, the problems facing students on a day-to-day then when the Government appoints this basis. That is why they must be parents of board next year, that person's child has current students at the time of the moved into Year 11 but that person is not appointment. We are trying to prevent eligible to be appointed because that person professional committee members being on the does not have a child who is in the P-10 years council ad infinitum. I do not think a regular of school. I just do not think that it makes turnover every three years is detrimental to the sense to have that provision. I have moved problem. this amendment for the QCPCA and not for Mr BREDHAUER: That is good; that is the teachers because the parents wrote to me what I wanted. The Minister has said that he is and asked me to move this amendment. Their concerned about professional committee request seemed to make sense. members and people who might be there for The other point I make is that only certain generations because they are seat warmers people are eligible to be members of rather than people with the best interests of organisations such as the Queensland the students in mind or a current knowledge of Teachers Union and the Independent curriculum trends, or whatever. Education Union. They have to be practising However, if that is his objective, the teachers or employees of the Education Minister should limit the number of terms that Department with relevant teaching a person can serve on a board. Instead of qualifications to be members of those telling the parent organisations who they can organisations. So under those circumstances or cannot select, if the desire is to keep some the teachers' currency is not in question. currency among the membership by getting in However, in this instance parents are simply fresh blood occasionally and getting the saying, "We should be the people who are in membership to roll over from time to time, limit the best position to determine who our the number of terms and possibly even representatives are to be." stagger it. That way, half the board is If the Minister has some ulterior motive for appointed at one time and half at another putting in this Bill the provisions that he has, time. When they are rolled over every two he should confess and say what it is. terms, at least half of the board membership Otherwise, I think that the Minister should would be consistent and they would know all accept the Opposition's amendment and say the procedures. I am not suggesting that the that the members of the QCPCA and the Minister is attacking the credibility, the other two independent parent groups are the credentials or the efforts of those people, but if appropriate people. he is concerned that some people serve on the boards for too long, the way to address In conclusion, I do not see the point in that issue is not by trying to limit who the P & moving amendment No. 2 if amendment No. C, the QCPCA or other groups can select to 1 does not get up. Therefore, I urge the be on the boards. He should attack that by members of the Committee, and particularly another mechanism, such as limiting the the member for Gladstone, to look at the number of terms which one person can serve amendment, because the parent on a board. organisations themselves are clearly in the best position to understand and to select the Mr QUINN: We believe that this will best people to represent the interests of achieve the same objective. students, parents and teachers. Question—That the words proposed to Mr QUINN: Despite the honourable be omitted stand part of the clause—put; and member's sweet talk, we are not going to the Committee divided— accept the amendment. AYES, 43—Baumann, Beanland, Borbidge, Cooper, Mr Bredhauer: Tell us the really reason Cunningham, Davidson, Elliott, FitzGerald, Gamin, why. Gilmore, Goss J. N., Grice, Harper, Healy, Hegarty, Hobbs, Horan, Johnson, Lester, Lingard, Littleproud, Mr QUINN: There is no ulterior motive in McCauley, Malone, Mitchell, Perrett, Quinn, Radke, this. It is just a matter of being consistent. As I Rowell, Santoro, Sheldon, Simpson, Slack, Stephan, said before, a similar constraint is placed upon Stoneman, Tanti, Turner, Veivers, Warwick, Watson, the employee representatives on the council, Wilson, Woolmer Tellers: Springborg, Carroll 28 Nov 1996 Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation Amendment Bill 4623

NOES, 43—Ardill, Barton, Beattie, Bird, Bligh, up to 9 per cent annually, which will generate Braddy, Bredhauer, Briskey, Campbell, D'Arcy, national export earnings of $31 billion in the De Lacy, Dollin, Edmond, Elder, Foley, Fouras, year 2005. Also, by then it will greatly Gibbs, Goss W. K., Hamill, Hayward, Hollis, Lucas, outperform the agriculture and mining McElligott, McGrady, Mackenroth, Milliner, Mulherin, industries, with the economic return from an Nunn, Nuttall, Palaszczuk, Purcell, Roberts, Robertson, Rose, Schwarten, Smith, Spence, expected 8.8 million overseas visitors to this Sullivan J. H., Welford, Wells, Woodgate Tellers: country. Livingstone, Sullivan T. B. The Sydney 2000 Olympics has the Pair: Connor, Pearce potential to contribute significantly to these figures, and Queensland must position itself The numbers being equal, the Chairman well to exploit the broadest range of business, cast his vote with the Ayes. cultural and sporting opportunities that this Resolved in the affirmative. international event will offer. The Queensland Clause 16, as read, agreed to. Tourist and Travel Corporation, as a statutory authority, is charged with the marketing and Clauses 17 to 52, as read, agreed to. promotion of Queensland's tourist products Schedules 1 to 3, as read, agreed to. and destinations to assist the industry to fulfil Bill reported, without amendment. its potential in both domestic and international markets. In doing so, it must maximise the economic, social and environmental benefits Third Reading to this State. Bill, on motion of Mr Quinn, by leave, read As the industry is so far reaching and a third time. includes such a wealth of smaller operators, many of whom cannot afford extensive media QUEENSLAND TOURIST AND TRAVEL exposure, the Queensland Tourist and Travel CORPORATION AMENDMENT BILL Corporation often has to rely on cooperative activities within the industry itself to Second Reading successfully promote both destinations and Debate resumed from 7 August (see products. And it must do this in markets that p. 2115). are increasingly competitive, both here at Mrs BIRD (Whitsunday) (9.52 p.m.): The home and overseas. To do this, it needs to Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation utilise the very latest in information and promotional technologies and it needs to Amendment Bill seeks to increase the membership of the corporation, remove a remain abreast of public attitudes and industry number of provisions of the original 1979 Act fluctuations, particularly in the burgeoning and extend the time frame of the Indy Car South East Asian quarter, a market that Grand Prix Act. While the Opposition will not continues to supply this State with much of its be opposing this Bill, we will be questioning incoming clientele. the rationale behind some of the moves, To do this, the board of the Queensland particularly the expansion of the Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation has a vital role Tourist and Travel Corporation Board and to play. It must set in train the overall direction promoting a range of alternative proposals. that the corporation will follow and ensure that I trust the Government will see its way directional focus is maintained. To do this, it clear to adopting a number of those needs to be lean, efficient, cost-effective and proposals. I say this because the tourism very focused. How we achieve this while industry is now one of Queensland's largest enlarging it is not quite clear to either me or industries, employing in excess of 122,000 other Opposition members. I would not go so people and generating almost $8 billion in far as to endorse the age-old saying that the revenue. Queensland Treasury reports show best committee has a membership of two, and clearly that tourism has now overtaken the most productive outcomes are achieved agriculture and mining as one of this State's when one member calls in sick, but I think biggest contributors to the gross State there is a lot truth in that adage. product. It is also Queensland's second largest I can appreciate the sentiments export earner, generating almost $2.4 billion in expressed by the Minister in wanting to the last financial year, well ahead of wheat, encompass the depth and diversity of lead, wool, beef and sugar. It accounts for 8.5 expertise available to it, but where do we stop per cent of Queensland's work force, or one achieving this noble goal and start bogging job in 12. It is an industry that is expected to down the whole process of decision making in grow in the coming decade, with projections of interfactional warfare, entrenched cliques and 4624 Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 everlasting gabfests? The tourist industry Labor carried Indy through this early needs direction, action and decision making, period, finally seeing it inject an estimated not analysing and longwinded philosophical $35m into the Queensland economy in 1996 debates. A committee of the size and content and provide almost 600 jobs locally. But what proposed by the Minister has the potential to did we get from the then Opposition in the fall into this exact trap. I strongly urge the early years? We heard nothing but negative Minister to reconsider this move and, if need knocking in a campaign designed to prevent be, charge the present membership with the the then Labor Government from establishing responsibility of broadening their this race on the Australian event calender as a representation to wider sections of the tourism major tourist attraction. But that campaign industry. In that way, they will better appreciate failed, and today the Government can take no the diversity of industries that the industry credit for moving legislation to enshrine this faces and the board will benefit from its project to the end of December 2000. The streamlined structure and efficiency of Government should do so with a great degree function. of embarrassment, while members on this side The ability to travel in the interests of will watch its passage with pride. exposing them to the industry generally will By way of illustration of the devious nature also be enhanced, particularly from a cost of this Government, I would like to table a point of view. Industry representatives formal submission to the shadow Cabinet Statewide have indicated to me a strong meeting held by this Government in March desire to get direct access to the Queensland 1995 in Brisbane at which a range of initiatives Tourist and Travel Corporation Board relating to Indy were adopted. But first I quote members. Their inability to do so continues to from the opening initiative— frustrate them in their attempts to put forward "A coalition Government will honour the marketing and promotional problems that all existing contracts entered into by the they face on a day-to-day basis in the broader State Labor Government or its community. A larger board is not going to appointees." enhance this face-to-face contact. We do not need a larger board; we just need better So while coalition members were running people on the board. I note that on the around Queensland telling all and sundry that present board there is still no representation they would scrap the race and direct the from the workers. funding to all manner of projects in the west and the north, down in Brisbane they were The housekeeping sections of the Bill that taking decisions to retain the event, even to relate to reorganising separate Queensland the point of honouring all contracts entered Tourist and Travel Corporation funds to into by Labor. I table the document. accommodate the sale of ATLAS to Telstra Before closing, I want to touch quickly on are sensible, timely and supported by the some of the reasons for the decline in Opposition, as is the amendment to the Indy Japanese tourism in north Queensland. The Car Grand Prix Act to accommodate this reasons include the concerns about the reef Government's road to Damascus realisation tax, the concerns about the food poisonings that the Indy was in fact good business for and the decline in the value of the Japanese Queensland, particularly tourism. After years of yen. But there has been a general decline in miserable, negative carping against that Queensland and Australian tourism in the event, the coalition finally had to agree that Japanese market. This is due to a great many this fine Labor initiative has a lot going for it, factors including cultural, economic and and today we see the entrenchment of that attitudinal issues, a lack of knowledge of our realisation in this legislation. diversity, agency profit and a change in buying Anybody associated with this event or any habits. similar major event would tell us that rarely do The Japanese consumer is very much a such events make profits in their early product of hard-core product advertising. establishment years. The Indy was no Nothing in advertising in Japan is left to the different. Sure it had its early teething troubles. imagination. Japanese assume that what they Ask any major tourist operator which project see is what they get. Sometimes in our does not. Ask the operators of the Cairns Reef marketing this is not always the case. Casino or, for that matter, the Treasurer Traditionally our overseas ads have ignored Casino in Brisbane. All are going through, or the culture and beauty of Australia and have gone through, similar establishment promoted instead our lifestyle. Australia has problems. It is simply a time of tweaking and been sold in Japan as an alternative to Hawaii, finetuning. where the Japanese have been going for the 28 Nov 1996 Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation Amendment Bill 4625 past 20 years, and they still see us as coconut date of the Indy Car Grand Prix to the year trees, sea, sand and kangaroos—a one-visit 2000. The importance of the tourist industry to destination. We need to be promoting those the Queensland economy can never be other factors. overstated. It is an industry which last year In an economic sense the most negative generated nearly $8 billion in revenue, and aspect is the high airfare cost, which is that means jobs—especially jobs for young seriously affected by the price war engaged in Queenslanders. In fact, as the shadow by other destinations such as Europe, Hawaii Minister has already said, 122,000 and the west coast of America. Even if Queenslanders are employed in the tourism Australia competes, in most cases those industry, that is one job in every 12. One job is discounts and savings are retained by the created by every 17 international arrivals and travel agents and not passed on to the one job is created by 32 domestic visitors. customer. In many cases prices are adjusted The employment generated by tourism is according to easy sales. Pre-destination prices often overlooked. For example, the ANA Hotel are set to popular and fashionable in Surfers Paradise, with 403 rooms, employs destinations. Information in recent days 300 people. The Ramada Hotel, with 405 indicates that few display stands now carry rooms, employs 250 people. On top of that Australian brochures or, if they do, they are on are the services provided to hotels by local the bottom row. businesses such as food processors, butchers, If we are to succeed in turning this decline bakers, grocers, cleaning suppliers, laundries, around, we will need to educate not only the and the list goes on. This should instil a consumer but the travel agents as well. To do confidence in the State's direction of pushing this, it will be necessary to bring 30 or more Queensland's tourism industry higher up the travel agents to Queensland and facilitate a market ladder. That is why the role of the far-reaching famil so that all the features of QTTC is vital. It is vital in ensuring that the full Queensland can be promoted direct to the potential of the Queensland tourism industry is sellers of travel. It is obviously the agent who met. needs to be exposed to the qualities of This Bill increases the membership of the Queensland. As well as product knowledge for board from 7 to 11. I take this opportunity to agents, our promotions need to be clearly congratulate the chair, Frank Burnett, and the targeted and detailed. True honeymooners members of the board on the job they have remain the largest outbound tourist market done. I mention in particular Gary Baildon. He from Japan. It is important to note that some brings a wealth of experience and knowledge so-called honeymooners buy packages to gain to his position on the board. He is a former better deals. There is also an opportunity in Mayor of the Gold Coast City Council, and he the fast growing number of offshore is again running for the mayoral position in the marriages. With the cost of traditional local government elections which will be held Japanese marriage being 6 to 10 times more in March next year. He is also on the board of than in Australia, it is less expensive to be the Gold Coast Tourism Bureau, and his married overseas and have the honeymoon at involvement in the tourism industry has the same time. Promotional material must also extended over a period of 30 years. I market special interest groups such as the congratulate him on the very effective part he silver market and the company incentive has played in ensuring that the Gold Coast market. tourism industry is heard and that it has an There have been problems with access to input into the decision making, which is Queensland since the opening of the Kix focused on maximising the industry's potential. Airport, from where the majority of flights are Gary Baildon, though, is the only Gold direct to Sydney. Ansett has some direct Coaster on the QTTC board. I appeal to the flights, but we need to have regular flights Minister that two of the extra four positions on direct to Cairns and Brisbane. Once in the board go to Gold Coast tourism industry Queensland, we need to ensure that access people. The Gold Coast accounts for 30 per to all of the real Queensland is available. Our cent of the tourism industry in Queensland, policies in Government will reflect those needs. and I believe it is only appropriate that it Mrs ROSE (Currumbin) (10.05 p.m.): It is should have 30 per cent representation on the with pleasure that I rise tonight to speak to the board. Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation A Government member interjected. Amendment Bill 1996, which restructures the Mrs ROSE: No, I do not—honestly! I membership of the Queensland Tourist and could find a couple of appointments for the Travel Corporation and extends the expiry member. But to gain 30 per cent 4626 Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 representation, conservatively at least three of unveiling the coalition's tourism policy. The the total QTTC board positions should be held articles states— by Gold Coast-based members. I know that " 'Tourism, about which we hear a lot my colleague the member for Bundaberg of rhetoric from the Goss Government, is sitting beside me will be vying for one of the left to compete with racing, sport and the positions to go to Bundaberg as well. internal machinations of the ALP for the As a Gold Coaster, I share Gary's passion attention of the Minister,' Mr Veivers said. for what we believe is the most beautiful 'In Queensland in 1995 this is simply region in the world, but I make no apology for not good enough for our fastest growing the fact that the southern end of the coast has industry.' " something that little bit extra special. We are The Premier also had something to say in the proud of our Gold Coast and we are happy to Gold Coast Bulletin on 3 April. That article share it with the thousands of tourists who visit states— each year. In fact, last year 2.6 million Australians visited the Gold Coast, spending "He said the Tourism Minister Bob $1.6 billion. International visitor numbers have Gibbs's sport and racing commitments grown at the rate of 23 per cent per year over prevented him from fulfilling his tourism the past eight years and in 1995 that figure industry role . . . reached almost one million people—one 'I do not think it is acceptable that million international visitors just to the Gold Queensland has a part-time tourism Coast! Minister who also has a responsibility to Mr Woolmer: They've got the best sport and racing.' " beaches in the world. When the coalition announced its tourism policy, it stated very clearly that it would set up Mrs ROSE: On the southern end of the a stand-alone senior portfolio for a Minister for coast the member will find the best beaches in Tourism. I am sure that that was a major the world. We in fact welcome those visitors disappointment for the current Minister who and from next week, with the end of the has to spread his time over other portfolio school year drawing to a close, we will begin to responsibilities as well. see many thousands of families coming to the Gold Coast for their holidays. For many There is another matter involving the Queensland families from western Premier which I would like to raise. He made a Queensland and the more remote areas of statement to the media in Port Douglas last the State, their annual visit to the Gold Coast, week that he would be capitalising on or even the Sunshine Coast, during the school President Clinton's visit to Queensland and holidays is the only time they get to see the using clips of the President's visit in surf. promotional material. I think that that is a great idea and I support the promotion of our State Whilst the Christmas holiday period is at every opportunity, but I would like to ask traditionally the busiest time of the year on the from where the money is coming to fund the Gold Coast with visitor numbers escalating, we production of such promotional campaign cannot ignore the fact that our tourist numbers material. That question has been raised with are being poached by some of the southern me by some members of the Gold Coast States. Why is this happening? It is happening tourism industry who feel that the industry because the Government has not done should have received more funding. They anything about providing the additional have asked why the Premier is going to spend funding allocation to the QTTC to match that so much money on promotional campaigns for which is being allocated in New South Wales the far north. They would like to know how that and Victoria and their promotions and will be funded. marketing are running away from us. Mr Woolmer: I want to know how The Government has to realise that the they're going to get photos of him on the Gold tourist industry needs constant promotion and Coast. constant positive publicity. It needs Mrs ROSE: Good point. The Bill also Government policies to nurture it, not throttle provides for an amendment to section 5 of the it. That is why it was so disappointing when the Indy Car Grand Prix Act 1990 to extend the Government did not honour its pre-election termination date of the Act from 31 December promise to have a stand-alone tourism this year to 31 December 2000. The Gold portfolio. An article in the Courier-Mail in June Coast Indy has certainly endured some last year reported the Opposition Tourism turbulent times since the first event was run in spokesman at the time, Mick Veivers, Surfers Paradise in 1991. It has survived 28 Nov 1996 Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation Amendment Bill 4627 despite the enormous amount of criticism from I do have one concern about the event, then Opposition members who are now sitting which is that insufficient benefits are flowing on the Government benches. The worst through to the southern end of the coast. I offender was the now Premier, the member for would hope that the QTTC could perhaps Surfers Paradise, who was constantly knocking address this issue. Some of the concern over and undermining the event by questioning the the years has been that it actually draws financial management. people away from the other ends of the coast Members of the Labor Government at and that all of the benefits are concentrated that time had made it very clear that it would on Surfers Paradise. Perhaps the QTTC could be a couple of years before the event would consider that and work with the southern Gold show a profit, and they were right. Let us not Coast Chamber of Commerce in investigating forget who was responsible for keeping the ways of maximising the benefits to the Indy on track—no pun intended—for the southern end and indeed to the whole Gold future. It was the then Treasurer, Keith De Coast region. Lacy, and the Minister for Tourism, Sport and I am not sure if the Minister is aware of Racing, Bob Gibbs, who stuck by the event the proposal that has been suggested to and who pursued the options to keep Indy in relocate the Indy from Surfers Paradise to Queensland. It was under them that the Southport. The proposal, which seems to have Queensland Government Events Company some support from the mayor of the Gold and the International Management Group of Coast City, would entail the reclamation of a America Pty Ltd signed a heads of agreement sizeable area of the Broadwater. I was to stage the 1996 event. pleased when the member for Broadwater actually spoke out against the project and I There was concern at the time that the would hope that, if the proposal remains on event would clash with the Australian Surf- the council's agenda, the Government will also Lifesaving Championships which were being oppose such a project. held over the same weekend, but the executive of surf-lifesaving and the Indy In summing-up, I would again urge the organisers worked together to ensure that their Minister, with the increase in the numbers on respective events were successful, and they the QTTC board, to look at increasing the certainly were. So successful was the representation of the Gold Coast based Australian Surf-Lifesaving Titles that members and that their representation be Queensland Surf-Lifesaving has secured the increased from one to three. rights for the Australian Surf-Lifesaving Titles Mr CAMPBELL (Bundaberg) on the Gold Coast for the next 10 years. It is (10.19 p.m.): Tourism has had phenomenal estimated that that event alone will inject growth in the past decade or so, for which the $12m a year into the Queensland economy. QTTC deserves some credit. However, there Like many others, I went to both events are concerns for the future of the tourism over that weekend. I went to the surf-lifesaving industry. Whether we have seven members or titles on the Saturday and I went to the Indy 11 members on the board, I do not believe on the Sunday. It was a pleasure for me to that it is going to make any difference join the Gold Coast Tourism Bureau's stand at because I believe there are other influences the Indy this year. I have attended the Indy that have affected tourism in my region. I am every year since its first event on the Gold very concerned by these Government Coast in 1991 and each year it continues to influences which I believe could severely affect grow, with the 1996 event being by far the tourism in the Bundaberg area. most successful. We have a whale-watching industry in Hervey Bay and Bundaberg. That industry is Tens of millions of dollars is injected into based on the licences that have been issued. the Queensland economy as a result of this The industry has been built up over many event. The State, and more particularly the years. If licences are provided in other areas, Gold Coast, also benefits by the telecasting of they would detract from our industry. It the race all over the world. It is not possible to concerns me because there are not many put a dollar value on this type of promotion, other industries that are looking at expanding but the announcement by Indy Car Australia in our region. We have a 20 per cent chairman, Bill Sheppard, that the event will be unemployment rate. On top of that, the televised in Japan for the first time next year, Federal Government has introduced a reef which will add to the 150 countries and 700 tax. We have islands in our area that will be hit million viewers who already watch the race, is with this reef tax. Regardless of all the very welcome news. representations that have been made, the 4628 Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996

Federal Government has not backed down. important that we do so, and do so in Bills of There is still going to be the full reef tax this nature. imposed on the entrepreneurs in these areas The most appropriate representative of in two years' time. The tax will be taken from employees in an industry of this nature would the operators themselves or some other be a union representative, but I know that agency. many people on the other side of the House This is going to affect an industry that is have some sort of aversion to putting forward really struggling to grow. Those two situations, union representatives on boards of this nature. which have not been instituted by the QTTC, However, I put it forward as something which could have a very detrimental effect on the Government should consider. There is a industry in my area. For a day trip to one of lot of talk about the valuable contribution that the islands the reef tax could cost a tourist $12 employees make in various industries, but it in taxes. There are two operators. If a tourist seems to be all talk. When it gets down to the wants to go scuba diving he has to pay $6 to real decision-making levels we tend to leave go out on a boat and then he has to pay $6 to the employees out. the operator of the scuba diving establishment. The other group I want to refer to is the club industry. For too long we have failed to If we continue to have food poisoning recognise the valuable contribution that the scares in Queensland we will lose the club industry makes to the tourism industry. In confidence of overseas tourists. We can talk recent years we have seen major about who has responsibility in this area. We development in clubs in this State, and a lot of can talk about health and we can talk about that has been caused by the introduction of primary industries. I would like to see the poker machines. That growth has developed Minister take positive action to ensure that we quite a vibrant industry and one which attracts implement a system of policing food hygiene a lot of intestate and international visitors. If to ensure that our overseas visitors can have one talks to the representatives of the major confidence in our food. This month we had clubs in Brisbane and up and down the coast three different outbreaks of food poisoning in they will indicate very clearly that there are Queensland. It is not good enough. I do not large numbers of intrastate, interstate and know if honourable members had their international visitors coming to their premises beepers on today, but the first story on the to seek out the entertainment, the good food news concerned six deaths in Scotland from and the pleasant surroundings that many of food poisoning. We can see what happens the clubs offer. I make a plea on behalf of the when so many hundreds of people, including club industry that it be given recognition in a children, are affected by food poisoning. I ask decision-making body such as this. I ask the the Minister to take those matters on board. Minister to take that on board at the next The QTTC has a very important role to play opportunity he gets to make an appointment. but we have to look at all the other players in the market as well. The instances I mention Hon. B. W. DAVIDSON (Noosa— could have a great effect on the tourist Minister for Tourism, Small Business and industry in Bundaberg. Industry) (10.27 p.m.), in reply: I would like to Mr ROBERTS (Nudgee) (10.24 p.m.): I thank Opposition members for their want to adopt the role of advocate for a contributions tonight. I particularly thank the couple of groups in the community with shadow Minister for Tourism, the member for respect to membership of the QTTC board. I Whitsunday. I also thank the member for note that the board is to be expanded from its Currumbin, the member for Bundaberg and current level of 7 to 11 members. In the Bill the member for Nudgee. the Government is required to have regard to The Opposition spokesperson raised a a person's business expertise, financial very good point and one of which I am very management expertise and knowledge of the proud as Minister. This concerns the value of tourism and travel industry. tourism to Queensland. It was my own idea in I want to make a claim on behalf of the beginning to have the submission to employees in the industry for some recognition Cabinet formulated. The submission came at the decision-making level. It is important in backwards and forwards to my office about the establishment of boards these days to three or four times until we had all the right give recognition to the valuable contribution graphs, the right numbers, the right figures that employees make to an industry. Far too and the right information. I wanted to ensure often when we set up decision-making bodies that Treasury, my Cabinet colleagues and the at this level we fail to give that recognition. It is Government, as well as all the industry people 28 Nov 1996 Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation Amendment Bill 4629 in this State, were aware of the real benefits of pleased that she recognised the efforts of the tourism to Queensland. board of the QTTC. I will pass her remarks on The Opposition spokesperson is quite to the board members and the chairman, Mr right when she says that tourism is the second Frank Burnett. I know they will be delighted to biggest industry in Queensland. The tourism hear that. The honourable member raised the industry employs about 125,000 people question of Gold Coast representation on the directly and two or three times as many people QTTC. Gary Baildon is the Gold Coast again indirectly. The industry is worth about $8 representative. Obviously, with the expansion billion a year to the State and it represents of the membership of the board I have a about 10 per cent of the gross State product. thought in the back of my mind of appointing, perhaps, at least another person from the I was pleased to see the document Gold Coast. quoted so many times by people in the tourism industry and by so many people in the In view of the fact that—as highlighted by media. The document is now used as a guide the member in her speech—33 per cent of all to measuring the importance of tourism to tourists who come to Queensland visit the Queensland as an industry. Gold Coast, we appreciate that that area requires strong representation on the board. I The Opposition spokesperson raised do not believe that the industry on the Gold some very good points. Obviously there have Coast should be too concerned about the been concerns in far-north Queensland. In the commitment made by the Premier after the last three or four months I have had a few President of the United States' visit to Port meetings with industry people in the north, Douglas. When I arrived in Townsville on including Steve Noakes and Bob Mann, and I Sunday night, the Premier's senior policy am aware of their concerns. They were adviser advised me immediately that the pleased that we increased funding for all Premier was wanting me to become involved regional tourism authorities this year by and to take a submission to Cabinet from the $65,000. We also gave them a one-off grant QTTC suggesting methods and seeking of $50,000 for the Tropical North Queensland funding for promoting far-north Queensland in campaign. There had been some poor the United States. The Premier also marketing in Japan and other Asian countries. highlighted that again in Cabinet on Monday I saw a brochure which showed surfboards morning and directed me to bring that with the sunset behind them advertising Cairns submission to Cabinet within two weeks. That as a destination. is being formulated currently by the QTTC. I do I believe Skyrail is probably the third or not believe that that will prove to be a drain on fourth icon in this country between the Great existing funding to the QTTC. Following an Barrier Reef, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the approach from people in Port Douglas, my Sydney Opera House and Ayers Rock. It will department donated $10,000 towards the be a very much sought after experience by promotion and marketing of President tourists from all around the world as it Clinton's visit to Port Douglas. That was well becomes better known. The other product that received by the people in Port Douglas. has come on line is obviously Tjapukai, the The member is quite right: IndyCar is a Aboriginal Cultural Centre. It is a fantastic fantastic event. It is our international event. I experience. I have been there a few times. have always been a supporter of IndyCar. I We had a showcase in Cairns and 172 travel think that it is a great event for Queensland. buyers from Europe and North America While there were some problems in previous attended. Tjapukai was one of the highlights years and questions needed to be asked on that occasion. It is a fantastic new product about the management of Indy, with IMG on for Cairns. board this year it was able to return a surplus The Australian Woolshed will be opening of $2.2m. One of the great aspects of that is in March next year and it will be a great that, at a country Cabinet meeting in Winton, experience. It will feature an Aussie the Cabinet decided that the Government experience of sheep shearing, a bit of bush surplus from Indy of $650,000 should be tucker and so on. Cairns is developing a donated to the Waltzing Matilda Centre that is theme focus with those three new products. Of being constructed by the Winton Shire course, Cairns has relied on the Great Barrier Council. It was great to see that the bush Reef and the rainforest for so many years and could benefit from Indy. We were pleased to has done very well out of them. be able to do that for the people of Winton. I want to address a few other points Most people in Currumbin might leave town for raised by other members. The member for the day and want to go to the IndyCar race. Currumbin made some very good points. I am There is not much that we can do about that. I 4630 Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 thank the member for Currumbin for her support. I am very proud of the fact that, in the contribution. last month or so, we were able to announce As to the contribution of the member for the appointment of Stephen Greg as the new Bundaberg—we appreciate the benefits that chief executive officer of the QTTC. That the whale-watching industry brings to his appointment has met with enormous industry region and particularly Hervey Bay. On support and confidence around the State. We returning from a meeting in Hervey Bay also appointed Alex De Waal from our Munich recently, I directed the board of the QTTC to office as the director of marketing at the meet in Hervey Bay. Although they were not QTTC. He starts on Monday, 2 December. I able to do that in December, and January is am looking forward to Alex coming on board. not an appropriate time, they will hold a All the information and feedback that I have Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation received from industry indicates that he is an meeting in Hervey Bay in February of next absolute whiz on marketing. The appointment year. That will give all the people in that of John Angels as the manager of Sunlover region, particularly people involved in the has been a real plus for the QTTC. The whale-watching industry, an opportunity to feedback that I receive from Frank Burnett, have a first-hand say to the QTTC on what board members and staff of the QTTC is that they expect from the Queensland Tourist and there is a renewed confidence. Everyone is Travel Corporation. fired up and they want get on with the job of promoting and marketing Queensland not only As to food poisoning—currently, through to Australians but also to the world. our departments, the Minister for Health, the Minister for Primary Industries and I have a This State has enormous opportunities working group looking at food delivery and whether one considers theme parks or the hygiene in all facets of food processing and Gold Coast with its beaches and beautiful food preparation by businesses throughout hinterland areas or Brisbane. I think everyone the State. I hope that we will have a statement in this Parliament needs to appreciate that or position paper on that issue in the new Brisbane is becoming an international city year. destination. The growth in visitor numbers to Brisbane in the past two years has been Mr Campbell: I think you have to go enormous. Recently, I have had some outside the bureaucrats to overcome that meetings with David Clair from Cityheart and problem. the Brisbane Convention and Marketing Mr DAVIDSON: Certainly. We hope to Bureau about other initiatives for promoting have a position paper on the issues that the and marketing Brisbane to Australia and the member raised. world in order to attract major events. As As to the contribution of the member for honourable members would be aware, the Nudgee—I take on board the points that he Sunshine Coast is dear to my heart. I think made about ensuring that employees are that the area from the Sunshine Coast to represented. Tourism is about people and Hervey Bay is probably the best lifestyle about the people who work in the industry. As destination in the State. It has a great I said, 125,000 people are employed directly. environment, lifestyle, restaurants and all of In fact, I think it is more than that. All of those those other great things that people want people who are making beds, running tours, when they go on holidays. It has some of the making hamburgers and serving petrol are best restaurants in Australia. making a contribution to the tourism industry. I Mr Foley: You can't beat Yeronga. You also take on board the point that the member come to the garden suburbs of Yeronga. made about clubs. I appreciate that clubs have become a major part of destination Mr DAVIDSON: I have not been to tourism for many people, especially when Yeronga yet. visiting families and friends. They can go down At Hervey Bay and Bundaberg people to the local club, have a few beers and can enjoy the whale-watching experience. perhaps play the pokies. The atmosphere of Fraser Island, the islands of the Whitsundays the clubs has improved greatly since poker and Airlie Beach are all great destinations. All machines have enabled clubs to build new members should appreciate that Airlie Beach restaurants and lounge bars. That has made has now become the backpacker destination them very desirable destinations for locals, of Queensland, with 45 per cent of all tourists members and tourists alike. visiting Airlie Beach being backpackers. The Government is totally committed. Although backpackers are often frowned upon Obviously, the appointment of the new board by people as being tourists who stay in low- of the QTTC met with enormous industry cost accommodation, our research shows that 28 Nov 1996 Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation Amendment Bill 4631 they spend about $105 a day on tours, food agreements, which were suitable not only to and beverages. The most important factor of the operators and the entrepreneurs but also the backpacker market—and why I believe we to the workers, come to the surface. It is an have seen such growth in tourism from central impasse to get through, particularly when Europe, the United Kingdom and America—is there is a variety of workers in those that backpackers return to Australia and in destinations. particular Queensland within seven years of The Opposition sees a big role for the their first visit, with a husband or wife and perhaps one or two children. They then stay in union on that board and it would be three-star, four-star or five-star hotels. Within requesting that union representation on that the next year or so, we will develop our board be specified. The Opposition is very backpacker market for central Europe, the disappointed that that has not occurred. The United States and the United Kingdom and Opposition is also keen to have someone from promote and market Queensland much more the clubs on that board. So the Opposition strongly as a backpacker destination. requests that the Minister include in the Bill the representation of those bodies on the board. Cairns and the far north is a magnificent, fantastic area with the Great Barrier Reef and The Opposition believes that the increase the wonderful environmental experiences for in the number of board members from 7 to 11 people from all over the world. We need to is far too great. The Opposition finds that appreciate that in the next decade or so number cumbersome. As I mentioned in my environment will become the biggest part of speech, the inefficiency of having 11 members tourism as a destination. Wherever I go, on a board is just too great because of the people of all ages tell me that they love to travel commitments of those members and come to Queensland because they can see their access to members of the industry. It is the stars, the sun, the moon and the blue sky. just not an agreeable figure. What the Minister They can see all the blue waters on the reef is going to have is a great big tea party and and the wonderful reef itself, which is factionalism. I appeal to the Minister to complemented by the fantastic World Heritage consider the comments that I have made areas, national parks, rainforests and so on. about this matter, to appoint someone from the union and also from the clubs to this I have been asked to wind up by the board, and not to expand its number to 11 Leader of Government Business. I thank members. That will make the board far too everyone for their contributions. I look forward cumbersome. to working with all members of this House in promoting and marketing Queensland as the I realise that the Minister is anxious to best destination in Australia. honour all the commitments that he has been Motion agreed to. making as he has been travelling around the State. I notice that he pre-empted the decision of the Parliament by telling the people of Committee Hervey Bay that they will have someone on Hon. B. W. Davidson (Noosa—Minister for the board. Earlier tonight, the Minister told the Tourism, Small Business and Industry) in member for Currumbin that a member of the charge of the Bill. board will come from that area. At the rate the Minister is going, we are going to have about Clauses 1 to 3, as read, agreed to. 20 members or 26 members on that board so Clause 4— that the Minister can fulfil his obligations. The Mrs BIRD (10.40 p.m.): For some time, Opposition will be opposing this clause. the membership of the corporation has been a Mr DAVIDSON: I think that the member problem for the Opposition. When the coalition has to appreciate that I had my parliamentary came to Government, there was the sacking policy chairman undertake some research into of the board and, with that, there was the this matter. That research revealed that sacking of union representation on that board. Tourism New South Wales has a board of Initially, having union representation on eight members, Tourism Victoria has a board that board was a trial to see if there was a of 10 members and the South Australian need for that union representation. We Tourism Commission has 10 members. The learned very quickly that there was a need to research went a little bit further and revealed have union representation on that board. I that the board of BHP has 13 members, the found that the role that the union played, board of MIM has eight members and the particularly in the Airlie Beach and island board of the NAB has 13 members. More areas, was vital in having those island importantly, Tourism Victoria has 10 members 4632 Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 on its board and the South Australian Tourist said, we need on the board of the Commission has 10 members on its board. Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation to The reason why I looked at expanding the market and promote Queensland for all the membership of the board was to get expertise tourism experiences that this State has to offer from various fields. In terms of cultural tourism, to Australia and the rest of the world. indigenous tourism and nature-based Mrs BIRD: The Minister did not address tourism—all of those sorts of new experiences— the most vital point that I raised, which was the we want to promote Queensland as being the efficiency and the cost factor of expanding the best tourist destination in the world for those board. Irrespective of what the Minister may or experiences. I believe that we need members may not believe, the fact remains that we are who have expertise and involvement in those going to have a gabfest. Anyone who has sorts of industries on the board. been on a board comprised of 11 people I do not believe that the board is going to knows what happens—factionalism. This be a tea party. I do not believe that it will board is going to have to do a lot of travelling become cumbersome. I am advised that the if it is going to have access—— board meetings of the previous members of Mr Borbidge interjected. the board were long, drawn-out affairs lasting 8 to 10 hours at a time. Over the last six or Mrs BIRD: I really do not think that the seven months, the meetings of the new board Minister needs the Premier's input. The have been two or three-hour affairs. They Minister is supposed to be able to stand on his have been chaired really well. The input and own two feet. decision-making processes of that board have A Government member interjected. been fantastic. I am advised by the chairman of the board that he is just so pleased to be Mrs BIRD: I know that they can talk to working with this new board. each other, but the Minister is really supposed to be efficient. I believe that, if we get the professional people who are out there in the industry on Mr Borbidge: I was commenting on the the board, they will bring with them their standard of your contribution. expertise from their own involvement in the Mrs BIRD: We have had good tourism industry. I think that that gives representation today from the Premier to Queensland a fantastic opportunity to develop which we have to live up to, have we not? and promote other tourism experiences in this State. I am really confident that, under the The situation is that the Minister made so chairmanship of Frank Burnett, the members many commitments and so many promises of the board will work very well together. Frank that it is now pay-back time. He simply cannot is keen to have this matter settled because we afford to have 11 people traipsing around this want to get the new board members State to provide the access that the tourist appointed and get them involved in the industry is requiring. strategies and campaigns that are currently Mr Woolmer interjected. being designed and will be released in the Mrs BIRD: Every time a member gets to new year. So I do not believe that the board his or her feet, that member continues to will become cumbersome, and it certainly is interrupt, to intrude and to gabble away. He not a tea party. never makes contributions but continues to I have not made a commitment that there complain. If he has something to say, why will be a member of the board from Hervey does he not have the courage and the Bay. I made a commitment that there would fortitude to get to his feet and say it? The be member of the board from the Capricorn Opposition is concerned about the efficiency area—Rockhampton. Tonight, the member for and the economics of what is occurring in this Currumbin suggested that someone from the regard. The Opposition is also concerned Gold Coast should be a member of the board, about the bad decision making that will come and I think that is a fair suggestion. out of this. The board will be expanded to comprise Mr DAVIDSON: I think that the member 10 members. It cannot be expanded, as the needs to appreciate that identifying board member says, to 20 members or 26 members. members commenced right back in March of I believe 10 members and the chairman, this year. I went to the various sections of the which makes it 11 in total, will give the QTTC a industry so that the industry could identify the board comprised of people from various people whom it would find best suited to sectors of the industry who will bring with them represent tourism in those sectors on the their experience and knowledge which, as I board of the QTTC. 28 Nov 1996 Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation Amendment Bill 4633

I might just say to the member that I had We will not have to spend hundreds of never met Wendy Morris, who is the board thousands dollars seeking advice. We will appointment from Port Douglas, until about have people on the board who have the two weeks before she was appointed; I had expertise, knowledge and experience to never met Gary Baildon from the Gold Coast ensure that we are marketing and promoting until he was appointed to the board of the the great product we have in this State. QTTC; and I had never met David Hutchinson Question—That clause 4, as read, stand from the Whitsundays until I appointed him to part of the Bill—put; and the Committee the board of the QTTC. I think that I had one divided— meeting with John Angel, who was a board member of the QTTC before he took up the AYES, 43—Baumann, Beanland, Borbidge, Cooper, Cunningham, Davidson, Elliott, FitzGerald, Gamin, job of marketing sales manager with Sunlover. Gilmore, Goss J. N., Grice, Harper, Healy, Hegarty, So I did not go out there to find six or Hobbs, Horan, Johnson, Lester, Lingard, Littleproud, seven of my mates to throw on the board; I McCauley, Malone, Mitchell, Perrett, Quinn, Radke, went throughout the State and consulted with Rowell, Santoro, Sheldon, Simpson, Slack, Stephan, the industry. It was senior people in the Stoneman, Tanti, Turner, Veivers, Warwick, Watson, industry and people who have a high Wilson, Woolmer Tellers: Springborg, Carroll involvement and high profiles in the industry NOES, 41—Ardill, Barton, Beattie, Bird, Bligh, who advised me of the type of people whom Braddy, Bredhauer, Briskey, Campbell, D'Arcy, they wanted to represent them on the De Lacy, Edmond, Elder, Foley, Fouras, Gibbs, Goss Queensland Tourism and Travel Corporation W. K., Hamill, Hayward, Hollis, Lucas, McElligott, McGrady, Mackenroth, Milliner, Mulherin, Nuttall, board. I have done the same thing over the Palaszczuk, Purcell, Roberts, Robertson, Rose, last six months. I am not whacking another Schwarten, Smith, Spence, Sullivan J. H., Welford, three or four of my mates on the board; I will Wells, Woodgate Tellers: Livingstone, Sullivan T. B. be appointing to this board people I have identified through my discussions and travels Pair: Connor, Pearce throughout the State—people who are Resolved in the affirmative. involved in the industry, who are committed to Clause 5— the industry and who are major players in the Mrs BIRD (10.57 p.m.): In considering industry. I really believe that if the member this clause, I have some concerns about thinks that this board is just going to be a reappointments to the board. Would the talkfest—gabbling on and tea parties—she Minister consider giving consideration to a does not understand or appreciate the hard work that has been done by the QTTC board change of the board on a regular basis? over the last six or seven months and the Boards become stale and they do not keep up excitement within the industry throughout this with trends in the industry. It seems to me that State about the work that has been done. As I we ought to be changing part of the board said, the major strategies and programs are every two years. I wondered if the Minister going to be released in the new year. would give consideration to, perhaps at some later date, adding to that section some sort of I really believe that the new indication that some people on that board appointments—and I have not confirmed may be replaced after two years. them with Cabinet yet—to the board of the QTTC will be seen to be representative of the Mr DAVIDSON: I thank the member for industry and, as I said, those people will have Whitsunday, the shadow Minister for Tourism. an input into marketing and promoting I agree with her. I think that she is absolutely Queensland as the best tourist destination in right, and that is why, when drafting the the world. amendment, we set a maximum of six years and I think that is probably far too long. I Therefore, I am sad to see that the agree with the member. I have an Opposition is so sceptical, and that Opposition understanding with board members that they members are suggesting that these will be just are there for 12 months—— tea-party, jet-setting people who travel around the State and have meetings all over the The CHAIRMAN: Order! There is too place. That is not the intention at all. The much audible conversation in the Chamber. intention is to ensure that, with all the new Mr DAVIDSON: There is a basic strategies developed for cultural tourism, understanding that board members have ecotourism, environmental destination tourism been appointed for 12 months and we will look and event tourism, we are bringing all those at their reappointment at the end of that time. people onto the board of the QTTC so that we I take the member's point; she is right. I will do not have to outsource and employ look at bringing an amendment back at some consultants as the previous Government did. time in the future. 4634 Queensland Small Business Corporation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996

Clause 5, as read, agreed to. Premier. Perhaps he, too, would have the Clauses 6 to 14, as read, agreed to. courtesy to do his numbers outside the Chamber. We know that the "western Schedule, as read, agreed to. members" had their own Christmas party when Bill reported, without amendment. they went off to do the numbers, and they did not even invite the Premier. The honourable member for Gregory and the member for Third Reading Toowoomba South were there. They call Bill, on motion of Mr Davidson, by leave, themselves the "western members". That is read a third time. fine. They can have their coup, but they can at least have the courtesy to allow me to address this Bill. QUEENSLAND SMALL BUSINESS CORPORATION AMENDMENT BILL Mr Hamill interjected. Second Reading Mr BEATTIE: That is right. He went on Debate resumed from 24 July (see 26 per cent; our Premier is on 23 per cent. p. 1815). Mr Horan: He lost a 19-seat majority. He Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—Leader had 63 per cent popularity and he lost the of the Opposition) (10.58 p.m.): I rise to election. oppose the Queensland Small Business Mr BEATTIE: There is only one person Corporation Amendment Bill 1996. The in this Parliament who wants my job, and that Government stole into office on a promise of is the honourable member. I will be happy to being a party for small business, but it has let the member have this job after the next betrayed its heartland. The Government made election. The member took over from me as a promise to reduce trading hours—— the Minister for Health and he will follow me Mr Santoro: Do you really believe this? into this role. I look forward to the day when Mr BEATTIE: I am pleased that the the Minister follows me into this role. honourable member interjected, because he Mr Horan interjected. made a promise to reduce trading hours—a promise which he has now broken. I can tell Mr BEATTIE: Mr Deputy Speaker, I the Minister that the Deputy Leader of the wish to draw to your attention the fact that the Opposition and I had lunch today with a future Leader of the Opposition is interjecting number of business people and the most unnecessarily on my speech—and from the significant thing that they said was that the wrong seat. Minister cannot be trusted. The Minister in Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Stephan): particular, the Premier and the Treasurer Order! I suggest that the member return to his cannot be trusted, because the promise they speech. gave was clearly broken. Therefore, I thank Mr BEATTIE: Thank you, Mr Deputy the Minister for his interjection, because Speaker. I assume that you will give me the trading hours are another breach of a necessary protection and ensure that the commitment that he gave. future Leader of the Opposition interjects from Mr Hamill: You always know when he is his proper seat. As I said, I look forward to the telling lies; his lips are moving. member following me into this role. Mr BEATTIE: Indeed. The Government The Government made a promise to made a promise to wind back land tax, but it maintain the Queensland Small Business only fiddled with the method for calculating Corporation until the year 2001, a promise assessments—another broken promise. The which this Bill now ensures will be broken— Government made a promise to maintain the another broken promise. In November 1995, Queensland—— only 12 months ago, the coalition moved an Mr Elder: Look at this; they're having a amendment to a Bill before the House to Liberal Party meeting! extend the life of the corporation until June Mr BEATTIE: If this is a leadership coup 2001. This was done despite the then Minister within the Liberal Party and Denver Beanland clearly indicating that he intended the is about to move to get rid of the Deputy corporation to continue for another five years. Premier, perhaps he would have the courtesy The coalition moved an amendment to the Bill to take it outside. I know that the honourable before the House in November 1995 member for Toowoomba South is also about extending the life of the Queensland Small to move, in the numerical sense, against the Business Corporation until June 2001. 28 Nov 1996 Queensland Small Business Corporation Amendment Bill 4635

The then shadow Minister, Ray Connor— Mr BEATTIE: I am prepared to say that some members have heard of him!—made a the member for Gregory is a different kettle of number of heart-rending rhetorical flushes fish. I think he is an honourable man; but he is about the needs of small business and the an honourable man among thieves. That is his essential role of the corporation. He issued a problem. The member for Gregory is someone press release, which stated— we could trust. However, when the member's "The QSBC serves a vital role as the colleagues go back on a clear policy first point of contact for small business commitment we have an obligation to expose with the Government. It offers it, as we are doing tonight. considerable referral services and acts as The new Minister for Minister for Tourism, a very capable conduit between small Small Business and Industry appears to have business and Government." taken the same path as the Federal Minister I thought it would be a long time before I for Transport and Regional Development. agreed with the member for Nerang. The Having accepted the portfolio, they make half member for Nerang went on to say— of their title redundant by abolishing the very organisations they are supposed to deal "The Coalition made it quite clear with—in the Federal case, regional prior to the last State election"— development; and, in this case, small that is, in July 1995— business. But that is all right, according to "that the future of the QSBC was secure." Minister Davidson, because the disappearance of the corporation into a Those were not my words; they were Mr branch of the Industry Department will make Connor's words. the service better. That is not what the Mr McGrady: Who believes Mr Connor? Minister's colleague the former shadow Mr BEATTIE: Absolutely no-one. Why Minister said in this place only 12 months ago. would we? That is another broken promise, The sad thing is that both of them cannot be another coalition lie, another reason why it right. One of them has to be wrong. cannot be trusted, another reason why it has Mr Hamill: You can't rely on Mr Connor no policies, and another reason why it is not only two days ago, never mind 12 months up to the task of governing Queensland. Yet ago. within months of gaining office the corporation Mr BEATTIE: He did give an assurance was on the scrapheap and 58 staff were left to earlier today that he was going to provide wonder how they could all squeeze into 21 information. However, he did not do so. I recall positions in the department. Thirty-five of his saying that he would provide the date of a those people knew that they were out of a job certain report—something which we have not thanks to another broken promise from this yet received notwithstanding a commitment to Government of deceit and duplicity. the Parliament, which I indicate in general Mr Johnson: Come on. terms for the benefit of the Minister, is a very Mr BEATTIE: I have to expose the serious matter. Minister. When alleging wrongly that Labor would Mr Johnson: Why don't you change fold the corporation into Industry your image and be the decent bloke that you Development, he made the following used to be? You're being negative. comment— Mr BEATTIE: The Minister for Transport "It will really be selling out the says, "Let's be positive. Let's talk about Queensland Small Business Corporation policies." I am happy to talk about policies, and its unique identity and service delivery because members opposite promised the and handing over a network of regional people that they would keep the Queensland offices to another body to enable the Small Business Corporation. Those were the Government to rid itself of something to words of members opposite. What did they which it has no philosophical attachment, do? They ripped them up and threw them in that is the support of small business." the bin, which means that they cannot be That was the attack on us. We think that is a trusted. fair comment. I endorse that comment tonight, Mr Hamill: He did a Terry White. because we agree with it. It is a sad thing that comments made by members opposite when Mr BEATTIE: That is right; he did a in Opposition are not worth a cracker when the Terry White. They cannot be trusted. coalition comes to Government. But if the boot Mr Johnson: You can trust me, old fits, they have to wear it. On the logic of the mate. Minister's own colleague, the coalition's 4636 Queensland Small Business Corporation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 attachment to small business has been Mr BEATTIE: No, I do not need a revealed by this legislation to be rhetorical lifesaver, but two of the Minister's colleagues only. The former shadow Minister said that do! there is no philosophical attachment to And more and more people are entering supporting small business. Those are the small business for the first time. Many are member's words about the Minister's Bill. The displaced workers seeking to invest their coalition's philosophy is to let them find out for redundancy payouts and create a job for themselves; let the market rule. themselves at the same time. The sad reality There are clear risks in subsuming an is that many small businesses fall over in their organisation focused directly on small first 12 months and only 30 per cent are still business into a Department of Industry. Small surviving after five years, as you know, Mr business is totally different from the corporate Speaker. And times are getting tougher for sector, and small businesses have different small business. Many small businesses are needs from the large companies. That is a struggling to keep pace with the rapidly matter that I know the Minister accepts. One changing markets. In retail, the large does not need to have an MBA to run a small competitors are becoming increasingly business; one needs courage, entrepreneurial aggressive, expanding the number of their flair and boundless energy. The Minister centres and broadening their product ranges knows that from personal experience. A formal into things such as petrol. Speculative degree in business is not necessary, but there shopping centre developments are springing will always be a need for information and up all across the State, and this appears to be advice which can assist small businesses to having the effect of thinning out the customer develop the market for their products or bases of existing shops as their relative services and help them to exercise control convenience is diminished. Those holding the over the operations of their business. new shop leases also appear to be struggling to develop enough trade to cover the The very nature of a small business means that proprietors will have little time to enormous rents that large centres are now undergo a course of training and a low charging. The net effect is that there are an capacity to pay for any formal training. So estimated 4,000 vacant shop sites throughout there is a clear need for information and the State—4,000. advisory services targeted directly at small However, small business is not confined business. If these services are not provided, to the retail sector. Most of the construction then new businesses will have less chance of industry is made up of small businesses, and successfully starting up and existing small business is present in every other part of businesses will have little chance of growth the economy. This is why, when my and more chance of getting into trouble. With Government is elected next year, we will have access to these services, the risks of these an accelerated capital works program to make outcomes can be minimised. certain that small businesses get a part of the action. Small businesses are the first to feel What is this Government doing to ensure the brunt of changes in the fortunes of the that small business in Queensland is getting economy as a whole, and they are the first to the chance that it deserves? The sad answer feel the brunt of new taxes and charges such is contained in this legislation—the as the seven new or increased taxes and abandonment of the Queensland Small charges that we saw in the Budget. Small Business Corporation, which was originally set businesses will be the ones that will feel the up precisely for the purposes I have identified pinch when it comes to collecting the oil tax as being essential to the wellbeing of our and the tyre levy. They are the ones that will small-business sector. There can be little feel it, because they will be the ones forced to doubt that there is a need in Queensland for go through more red tape and more these services. Bankruptcies across the nation bureaucracy. I will come back to red tape a are at an all-time high—32 per cent higher little bit later—as the Minister knew I would. than the last recession. No-one gets any joy out of that. I know the Minister does not, and I A Yellow Pages survey of small business do not either. In Queensland the number of in Queensland a couple of months ago found bankruptcies has almost reached that of New that 23 per cent of respondents actually South Wales, but the New South Wales believed the Queensland economy was in economy is more than double the size of the recession. A survey reported in a recent Queensland economy. And more and edition of Business Queensland revealed that more—— 18 per cent of respondents had less confidence in the Queensland economy than Mr Johnson: Do you want a Lifesaver? they did six months ago. Looking at the 28 Nov 1996 Queensland Small Business Corporation Amendment Bill 4637 economic indicators one can see why. The building; it has wound back export assistance State economy is flat by most measures. through the Development Import Finance Capacity utilisation is poor, with 60 per cent of Facility—DIFF—and the export market Queensland firms utilising less than 80 per development grants. During my trade visit in cent of their capacity, according to the QCCI August when I visited the United States, Pulse survey. New motor vehicle registrations Japan, Indonesia and India—and that was at have been flat over the last six months, the time of the Federal Budget—there was a although they are near an historic peak. great deal of concern overseas, both at a Unemployment is trending up, and it is now diplomatic and trade level, about these the worst in mainland Australia. Since the Howard cutbacks. It was staggering to many coalition came to office it has increased by people in the private sector and in the 12,200. There is employment growth but it is diplomatic area, including Austrade and other not matching population growth despite net places, that at a time of economic uncertainty migration drifting off recent peaks. Interstate the Federal Government was in fact cutting net migration in particular is now around back these programs. It does not make sense. 40,000 people compared with 53,000 at the I urge the Howard Government to reconsider. peak in 1993. Construction is sluggish, with Trade is very much our future, not only in new housing numbers slightly under levels in terms of jobs but also in terms of growth, and the June quarter 1995. High density dwelling we cannot downsize those activities. construction is down substantially—minus 30 The Borbidge Government is doing the per cent—and engineering construction is same as its Federal sibling. It has cut $6m down 10 per cent. Retail sales are just under 5 from the industry grants and subsidies and per cent above levels 12 months ago, a rate another $2.5m from grants previously which only just accounts for inflation of 2.3 per administered by the Small Business cent and population growth of 2.6 per cent. Corporation. The Government would do well to And company profits are at the lowest level pay heed to last week's Business Review since 1993. Weekly editorial, which points to the fact that What is this Government doing in every other country is helping out its business response to the economic doldrums it has sector. That is the nature of the global helped to create? The only perceptible sign of economy. The editorial said that the effect of life in this Cabinet is a stated desire to get the types of decisions made by the Howard capital works projects rolling. The Government Government and duplicated by the Borbidge might have had a better chance if it had not Government was to— left the handbrake on the Capital Works ". . . unnerve business people and make Program for six months while it worked out them realise how isolated our how to repackage the previous Government's Government thinking has become, initiatives so that it could call them its own—a causing them to change their decision bit of cheap politics, really. But it is going to making in other areas." take more than the Government simply pushing harder on its Capital Works Program One of the most alarming aspects of the to get this economy back on the rails, decision to scrap the Small Business although that is an important initiative. It was Corporation is the handing over of some of the following ours. It is going to require medium to business to the Queensland Chamber of long-term strategic initiatives to help our Commerce and Industry. During the Estimates economy develop greater depth in skill and hearing I asked the Minister why the QCCI was capacity—things like a pro-active training chosen without a tender process. The policy, direct measures to get the long-term substantive part of his answer seemed to be unemployed back into the work environment, that Clive Bubb was chewing his ear for and clear and swift processes to approve months on end and he finally capitulated. major projects and programs to develop the Perhaps that is a bit of an unkind assessment skills and strength of our business sector, of it, but that seemed to be an accurate programs like those that the Small Business conclusion. The truth is that no other industry Corporation delivered. organisations were considered or consulted—a fact not lost on those organisations. I have The coalition Government seems to have nothing against the QCCI. We regularly talk to a particular hatred for programs which help them; we have board lunches with them. I businesses develop, create new industries and think Clive Bubb is a bit too political and I do create new jobs. The Howard Government has not think that helps his organisation, but it is a savagely cut into research and development good organisation. I do not argue about that. I programs. It has abandoned bounty schemes think it is fair enough that they do the work which caused the rebirth of industries like ship and I am not saying they will not do it well. I 4638 Queensland Small Business Corporation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 am making the point that I think there should cent of these operators expected higher have been a tender process; that is all. profits, 81 per cent expected increased The Minister suggested in his press turnover and 78 per cent expected to gain release that the QCCI was better placed to new customers. Twelve months later, 88 per provide these services but did not elaborate cent continued to use their business plan. on the particular skills and capacities that the Over the three years of the Business Plus QCCI is supposed to possess. Only $100,000 Program, an estimated 918 extra full-time is being provided for the QCCI to replace a equivalent jobs have been created and the $2.5m loss in programs. The Minister has tried State has enjoyed an extra $22m worth of to play this down by saying that it is only a pilot economic activity. Most importantly, these program and that "by and large . . . the 3,254 businesses are now ready to meet the department will maintain and provide all competitive challenges of the future, giving services to Queensland small-business." But greater security to those they employ. I am why was the QCCI granted this golden egg surprised at the Minister's indifference to small- which will make substantial contributions to its business support falling back in his Industry overall administrative expenses? Will Department. If Industry Departments were any membership of the QCCI be a prerequisite for good at administering this sort of program, the access to these services? How will the QCCI's corporation would not have been established performance be monitored? I would be in the first place. The Federal Trade grateful if the Minister would answer those Department would not have established questions. I put them to the Minister in a very Austrade and the Federal Industry Department serious way. What accountability mechanisms would not have established AusIndustry. will be in place to scrutinise the private expenditure of public funds? The Minister is making a great song and dance about his Small Business Council being It saddens me to say it, but the whole the first in Queensland, yet the corporation deal smells of a payback to Clive Bubb for his board had essentially the same structure and lifetime support of the Liberal Party. I hope functions as his new creation. It was made up that is not true. I stress that I have no problem of people with a small-business background. with the QCCI. I think it is a valuable As well as administering the services offered organisation, but, as I said, I wish Clive was by the corporation the board provided not so political. He issued a statement this extensive advice to Industry Ministers, assisted week which I thought was very political. by an active research function within the Advocating the cause for his members is one corporation. thing, and I would expect him to be a strong advocate—— The Minister also made the curious assertion in his Explanatory Notes that the Mr McGrady: What was in the delivery of services through the department will statement? enable services to be extended to regional Mr BEATTIE: He put out a statement areas which currently do not receive such supporting a former employee of the QCCI, Mr services, yet the corporation's annual report Santo Santoro. specifically highlights the extent of its resource Mr McGrady: He doesn't have a centre network, which now includes BARA background in politics, does he? offices—the Business Assistance for Regional Areas offices—which are present in many Mr BEATTIE: He does, as a former small Queensland centres. I can understand Liberal member. However, I am prepared to the Minister's concern about duplication of overlook those issues. We will work with Mr effort in regional centres, but to revert to the Bubb, we will work with the QCCI, but the traditional bureaucratic structure is not the Minister needs to answer those questions. sensible way to go. The fundamental concept When one peruses the corporation's of the corporation as a service provider to annual report, which has just been released, small business was one of customer focus. the impressive array of achievements in That is where Government needs to be encouraging small business to plan and grow heading across all its activities, so the makes one wonder why this Government was departmental outpost model is a backward so keen to get rid of it. It was an impressive step. annual report. The Business Plus Program administered by the corporation, but which the When the next Labor Government takes Government has lapsed, has assisted 3,254 office next year I will be moving quickly to small-business operators to complete a establish a network of Government shopfronts business plan over the last three years. As a for business. The Transport Minister may care result of the corporation's assistance, 82 per to listen to this, because he says that 28 Nov 1996 Queensland Small Business Corporation Amendment Bill 4639 members of the Opposition should be positive. treated with the courtesy and confidentiality We have been positive, and I will be positive. that is required and requested and will not be These shopfronts will not be departmental viewed as a point-scoring exercise. outposts but facilities focused on servicing the I support the Minister's task force but I do local business community and acting as a not support his assertions that nothing has medium between the community and been done about red tape in the last six years. Government departments across the State. The previous Labor Government had a I cannot leave this debate on small Business Regulation Review Unit. The Minister business without responding to the Minister's should know that; it was set up in his rather eccentric outburst about some recent department. The BRRU reviewed 470 pieces comments I made regarding red tape. I simply of legislation and its subsequent decisions told the ALP regional conference on the Gold lead to Queensland business receiving annual Coast what he told me during the Estimates economic benefits of $370m. That was $370m committee, that is, that he had raised each year in benefits to business. concerns in Cabinet about the extra red tape that would be created by the new taxes that It was the former Government which are being introduced. That was something that introduced the requirement for each Cabinet the Minister said during the Estimates submission to contain a regulatory impact committee hearings. I agreed with him, I statement. That did not exist when Labor supported him and I applauded him. came to office. There is further work to be done to streamline as much as possible the A Government member interjected. range of regulations and charges so that the Mr BEATTIE: Indeed, and the Minister number of tasks imposed upon business knows that. He went on and on about this administrators is reduced by the maximum point. In fact, I quote the Estimates Hansard. possible extent. We are happy to work with the The Minister said— Minister to achieve that. "It is pointless us trying to reduce red One of the concerns I have is that small tape when other Ministers out there are business is facing a difficult future, and both introducing it. For every one we might sides of politics need to do something to assist achieve in reducing, we have Ministers small business. I table an article from today's introducing, as you"— Courier-Mail, 28 November 1996. It states— meaning me— "Queensland small business "say in this case, four or five other issues confidence 'lowest'." for business to deal with in a month—it I have no pleasure in reporting this, but I think seems pointless to me." we should deal with it as an impetus to I agreed with the Minister. I say again that I ensuring that we tackle red tape in a bipartisan could not agree with him more. way. The article goes on— If the Minister has a problem with me "Confidence among Queensland promoting the colloquial myth of Davo as a small business operators about their good, knockabout sort of bloke, that is fine. I prospects for the next 12 months is the am sure he has the wherewithal to do that by lowest in the country, according to the himself. However, I thought the Minister would latest Yellow Pages Small Business have used an excuse a little less petty than Index. the one he used to withdraw his invitation for me to attend a meeting of his red tape task The survey found that only a third of force. That is unbecoming of the Minister. I the State's small businesses were thought he was bigger and broader than that. confident about the year ahead, compared with 78 per cent in the Northern Mr Elder: I always thought he was Territory and 43 per cent nationally. brighter. In the past three months, business Mr BEATTIE: We all get a bit heated in confidence has risen in Western Australia, this place. The Minister does, I do, we all do, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the but there are greater considerations when we ACT, while remaining steady in New go outside this Chamber. I am keen to be South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. involved in a bipartisan approach to reducing red tape and I suggest that the Minister However, the survey also found that reconsider his withdrawal of that invitation. I 80 per cent of small business proprietors give him a commitment that any business across the country believe the economy is transaction at any meeting that I attend will be standing still or in recession. 4640 Queensland Small Business Corporation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996

Queensland small business There has been no such luck for the 172,000 proprietors reported an extremely flat Queenslanders who were looking for work. All three months to the end of October and they have had is old news and a couple of said they expected a slower Christmas small peak load power stations, a few more period." dams and pipelines and coalmines which were It is all bad news. The article continues— initiated under the previous Government. While those things are important and have our "Falls in sales and profits continued, full support and we would have gone ahead with only 29 per cent of Queensland with them, they are not new. We need new respondents expecting sales to increase initiatives and we need confidence. We need by the end of January compared with 44 creation and the aura of confidence. per cent in the previous quarter. We can just see the unemployed running The index, which was completed just to the Department of Social Security shouting, before the latest interest rate cut, "Hold the cheque. Joan has fixed me up." The surveyed 1200 small businesses across Government has simply sat on its hands. The Australia ranging from manufacturers to Treasurer pleaded and used an example of property groups and retailers." the impact assessment study for the Dawson That is a serious issue that we need to River dam. Unfortunately, the statement the address and it is one of the reasons why the Treasurer tabled in Parliament had the words Deputy Premier and Treasurer should play a "will be finalised this month" scribbled out with more active role in giving guidance to the handwriting above it reading "early next year". economy. Today, we saw the timid re-entry of This is exactly what happens. We have a the Treasurer into the public arena after two suspended economy, a suspended Treasurer months of being missing in action. Where has and, unfortunately, the unemployed. she been? What has the Treasurer been doing? Judging by yesterday's tedious re- That says it all. What do we do? We had announcement of activity outside her portfolio, an announcement that the Dawson River dam the Treasurer has not been doing much at all. is going to be completed, but that was In fact, the list of announcements that the scribbled out and handwritten above it we see Treasurer claimed to have been coalition "early next year". Even an example of the initiatives is simply pure dribble. Government doing something has been postponed until next year. We cannot have This Government has not had any major financial statements that are postponed. initiatives. To its credit, the Government has When a Government completely sought to complete a number of Labor Party demonstrates that it is not up to the task, that initiatives, and I commend it for doing so. affects business confidence. I meet business Korea Zinc was a Labor Party initiative, as was leaders very regularly and they say to me that the expansion of Dalrymple Bay. The list goes they have difficulty getting through the door to on and on. The Premier played a cheap game see the key economic Ministers such as the today when he asked, "Where are your Treasurer and the Premier. When they do see policies?" We have very sound policies that we them they do not get a lot of sense out of announce as we go along, but to run in here them. and claim Labor Party initiatives as coalition initiatives is a cheap stunt which leaves the I have not heard a great deal of comment Premier and the Treasurer with no credibility. like that in relation to this Minister, but I have definitely heard it in relation to the Premier and The problem I worry about with the the Treasurer. Could it be that the Premier and economy is this: we have been seeing a whole his National Party advisers may not want the lot of bad news. We have the worst Deputy Premier and Treasurer in the public unemployment rate in mainland Australia at spotlight? Do they consider her a liability who 10.1 per cent. We have people like the needs to soften her image? They seem to director of Balderstone-Hornibrook declaring have tried to present the Treasurer as that the construction market is dead. We need someone with compassion, particularly with all initiatives to get the economy growing. Small her recent press releases focusing on women business is a huge employer. That is why we and the arts. The only press release on the need these sorts of initiatives. The response of economy stated "Queensland unemployment the Treasurer to this worrying evidence of an drop best in the nation". That was not even economy in drift is just not a peep. We might true. have expected that the Treasurer had spent these 10 weeks in exile working up a major Let me conclude my contribution tonight initiative to deal with the 10.1 per cent rate of by saying this: we will oppose the legislation. unemployment in this State. There is none. There will be one division; we are not going to 28 Nov 1996 Queensland Small Business Corporation Amendment Bill 4641 drag this out. I believe that we have a typical Mr BEATTIE: I am alarmed to hear that indication of difficulties with coalition policy. We any Health Minister would take that view. had a commitment given to the electorate by Sometimes diarrhoea can lead to death. Let the former shadow Minister and we have a me finish this point. We would support an clear breach of that commitment by this initiative and an allocation of funds for an legislation tonight. I know it was not this advertising campaign in Japan to try to repair Minister's commitment but it was a coalition some of the damage that came out of that commitment. That is why a lot of people are food poisoning incident. The other problem saying that this Government cannot be that we have concerns the reef tax and the trusted. When a Government gets to the national park tax. Even though the State stage where it cannot be trusted, there is no Government is now moving to make some business confidence and people have difficulty changes, those taxes have also been dealing with that Government. That is the crisis damaging to the tourism industry. The food of confidence confronting this Government. poisoning incident, in addition to the new taxes, has really been a double whammy in The biggest problem that the Queensland places like Japan. economy has outside general economic indicators is that there is no confidence in the Mrs Edmond: And the racism debate. Treasurer. That is seriously affecting business Mr BEATTIE: Yes, and the racist confidence. I know that will be interpreted as a debate has been no help at all. Pauline political comment and, of course, to some Hanson and that nonsense has been no help extent it is, but it is also a fact. It is a serious to us in a whole range of areas such as fact that all the major business leaders in this tourism and education and the like. We know city and in this State have said to me as I that. That is why I think we need to look travel around the State—which I do seriously at this matter. I know that yesterday extensively—that while the Treasury remains in the Minister said that there would be an the hands of Mrs Sheldon, the member for advertising campaign and a marketing Caloundra, the Queensland economy is going campaign from next February. I think that, to lack that degree of business confidence. when we consider the food poisoning incident, In Government we will regenerate the we need to move quicker than that. The economy. We will have the accelerated capital Minister said in the House that the advertising works program. We will pursue the and marketing campaign in February is going infrastructure development. We will pursue the to be a good program. I hope that is true. If it major projects. We will pursue trade is, we wish it well. Like everyone else, we want opportunities overseas. We will pursue support to see a growing tourist industry. I ask the for the tourist industry. The Minister quite Minister to reflect on the need to do correctly quoted me this morning. We are something about lifting our profile and supportive of a new marketing program for restoring our image in Japan as quickly as is tourism. I thought the Premier's humanly possible. announcement on Sunday that we would take We will be opposing the legislation for the advantage of the American President's visit reasons I have outlined. was a sound initiative. In fact, I had said Hon. J. P. ELDER (Capalaba—Deputy something in Townsville three days earlier Leader of the Opposition) (11.38 p.m.): The along the same lines, but there is no need to Leader of the Opposition has outlined quite score cheap political points. That is smart clearly what we will do in Government, so I will marketing, but we do not do enough of it. try to keep my remarks to the Queensland One of the things that concerned me was Small Business Corporation. I recall this hand- the food poisoning incident involving Qantas in over-the-heart no-new-taxes-and-charges Cairns. Unfortunately there was a significant policy. I remember the "We won't abolish the degree of adverse publicity in Japan. None of QSBC". That is what was put to the small us likes the fact that it happened, but it did. I business community in this State. I can recall urge the Minister to think about this: we need when, as business Minister, I was reviewing to have an advertising campaign in Japan the QSBC. We changed the structure of the very, very quickly to try to repair the damage board, refocused the QSBC, evaluated it and that was done by that food poisoning incident. made sure that we had it heading in the right direction so that we got the right outcomes for Mrs Edmond: It wasn't helped by the small business. Health Minister saying it was just a bit of diarrhoea and vomiting and nothing to worry I can recall the Opposition small business about. spokesperson at the time, Ray Connor, accusing us of undermining the QSBC with 4642 Queensland Small Business Corporation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 plans to abolish it. How wrong was he? He was its own constituents trusted. The small- wrong because we knew at the time that business sector is not a Labor constituency. Queensland had the fastest growing small The one body that its constituency trusted for business sector in Australia. It was the highest advice, Mr Davidson, as Minister, abolished. employment generator of small business That is what he will go down in history for; that sectors in Australia. It had the lowest business is what he will be known for. That is why there failure rate of any State in Australia. We were is no confidence in the small-business sector. aware of that. That has always been the case. That is why, when the Leader of the One of the factors in the success of small Opposition and I attend business lunches and business in Queensland was the role played talk to business people, they tell us that the by the QSBC. The QSBC played an important Minister cannot be trusted. role in providing advice, information and The trading hours issue was a further training to the small service providers. implication for the Government. With hand Mr T. B. Sullivan: I found the QSBC over heart the members opposite said, "No was the single body that gave the best advice more taxes, the QSBC will not be abolished, to small businesses in the Chermside area. and we'll fix trading hours." Mr ELDER: It was. The reason that it Mr T. B. Sullivan: They said it was a was trusted by small business was that it was cast-iron guarantee. not the department; it was an independent Mr ELDER: It was a cast-iron guarantee. statutory authority removed from the department. Small-business operators who are Mr Hamill: Well, they fixed a few people always concerned about bureaucracies, up. always a little fearful of Government, could Mr ELDER: My word they have stitched wander through its doors, put their case and a few people up! When one sees Gai Burton have it responded to very quickly by an from the National Independent Small Business independent statutory authority, by people Association being highly critical of this whom they believed were looking after their Government, one knows how far this best interests. Government has fallen in the eyes of small Mrs Edmond: Where you could send business. We hear on the grapevine just how hopefuls to get advice before they rushed into trusted the Minister is. He has lost just about small business. every element of trust that he had with the small business community. He broke his Mr ELDER: Yes, before they ran into promise, I believe, not because he saw a new trouble, and it was good advice indeed. The opportunity for better services or greater QSBC was providing that advice and efficiency but because the Treasurer slashed information. Those considering starting up a his budget. Something had to go from the business had a place to go to get the Department of Business, so it was the QSBC fundamentals so that they would survive, and and 35 hardworking staff throughout that place was the Queensland Small Queensland. That is the reason for it. That is Business Corporation. exactly what happened. The Goss Government recognised the Honourable members will recall the importance of providing greater access to the Minister saying that this Government is QSBC. After the review, after the accusation improving services throughout the State. If that I and the Goss Government would abolish one visits any of the new TSBI offices from the QSBC, what did we do? We provided Cairns to Brisbane and counts the number of greater access by small business to the employees, one will find that numbers have services of the Queensland Small Business been cut. If one examines the figures for the Corporation. As a Minister, I established new QSBC staff who were in those regional centres offices in Rockhampton and Toowoomba. At at the time of the Department of Business, the same time, I improved services in Cairns, Industry and Regional Development and then the Gold Coast, Brisbane and the Sunshine one walks into those offices now, one finds Coast. In other words, as a Minister for that the number of business advisers has Industry in the Goss Government, I expanded been cut—Cairns, from three to one; the role of the QSBC. The results are seen in Townsville, from two to one; Mackay, from two every annual report in the figures for growth in to one; the Sunshine Coast, from three to client contacts and growth in the small- one; the Gold Coast, from three to one. Those business sector throughout that time. It was are the types of figures. Members opposite this conservative Government, this should wander in, carry out a head count and National/Liberal Party Government that see where they stand with the staff across this abolished the QSBC. It was the one body that State. 28 Nov 1996 Queensland Small Business Corporation Amendment Bill 4643

If members opposite talk to people in the joke. Members of the business community say small-business communities in the regional that his department has a tourism focus—and centres—and I suspect that many of them do; the Minister is not too good at that—and he if they do not, they should take my advice and has done very little to improve the go and do it—they will find that there is very opportunities for small business and industry in little help and advice provided because there this State. The comment I made this morning has been a drop off in the extension services about him being a buffoon is pretty close. That that are being provided to them. That is what is the feedback that I get from the members of small business is saying to us as we travel the business community to whom I speak. I around the State. The Government has have been involved in that community for 20 broken that level of trust. That sector is highly years, so the conduits that I have are pretty critical of the Government for a whole raft of good conduits into the small business reasons, including those that I have just community in this State. I draw honourable outlined. members' attention to a headline in the Fraser During the debate on the motion of no Chronicle. It is the sort of headline that fits, confidence in the Government, the Treasurer because the Minister visits small businesses in said that small business is the engine room of one place—in this case, Hervey Bay—and Queensland. That is so right. What is her says one thing and then comes down and response? Her response is to withdraw says another. When he is caught out lying, as services. As the Leader of the Opposition is quoted here in the Fraser Chronicle—— pointed out, the unemployment rate is at its Mr Davidson: They were quoting you. highest level ever. Youth unemployment is Mr ELDER: No. They say that you were riding dangerously close to 30 per cent. The caught out lying. This article states— Treasurer needs to do far more than simply repeat slogans; she has to deliver on the "The already low confidence of mandate that she has—and I do not recall her Hervey Bay whale watching operators ever receiving it in an election—because would rot now that Tourism Minister Bruce Queensland needs real growth in employment Davidson had been 'caught lying' . . ." if we are to do anything about creating The Minister had been caught out lying. The opportunities for our young people. Under the article continues. Liberal/National Party Government we have I will tell the Minister how this has taken a seen unemployment skyrocket to 10.1 per new twist over the past couple of days. One cent; youth unemployment is over 30 per cent. aspect of questions on notice is that, after What have the Treasurer and the Small they are lodged, one waits about 28 days for Business Minister done except repeat an answer. Members opposite forget that a supportive slogans and abolish a few services question on notice has been submitted. They that directly assist small business and the send them to the department and they roll unemployed? They have abolished what was them back up again. The Ministers come into an important contribution from the this Parliament and talk about their role, in this Queensland Small Business Corporation in case in terms of providing support for terms of those extension services and businesses in the form of new licences. The programs. What did they give small business Minister said that no commitment was given to in return? Seven new taxes! new licences in Moreton Bay, that he would The Minister talks about a reduction in red look after the whale-watching industry in tape. As the Leader of the Opposition said, he Hervey Bay and expand the industry in that should talk to the tyre and oil industry and the region. That is what he was saying in that small businesses that have to administer area. those taxes in rural and regional Queensland Mr Davidson: No, I didn't say that. to see what they think about—— Mr ELDER: What did the Minister say? Mr T. B. Sullivan: The tourist Did he not say that he was expanding the operators. business in Hervey Bay? The Liberal Party supporter to whom I spoke who was at a Mr ELDER: Yes, the tourist operators as well. He should see what they think about this meeting said—— Government and its promises. That is where Mr Davidson: What am I supposed to this Minister is continually caught out. He will have said? say and do anything to make himself popular. Mr ELDER: The contacts that I have say "Good bloke Davo", that is what he likes to be that that is exactly what you were saying up known as. It is far from the truth. Most people there. They say that the Minister said he in the business community now see him as a supported the industry in Hervey Bay, that he 4644 Queensland Small Business Corporation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 did not know what was going on and that he days. There was no support at all for any new would do everything in his power to support licences in Hervey Bay. the business in Hervey Bay. The answer stated that in Moreton Bay up Mr Davidson interjected. to a maximum of five permits may be issued in Mr ELDER: The Minister supported the 1997. So the Government says that they industry in Hervey Bay and said he would do "may" be issued and that the conditions are everything he could for the industry in Hervey yet to be finalised. But when the Opposition Bay. That is what the Minister said—"I am right actually again asked about what assessments behind the industry in Hervey Bay. I want to had been made of the impacts on the whales see it expand. I want to see it grow." I know of additional whale-watching boats, the what the Minister said; it was reported to me. Government goes on to refer to a strategy. Then the Minister came to Brisbane and said, Members should remember that the "I have not heard about these new licences." Government has one strategy in the He put his hand up and said, "I know nothing Department of the Environment—that is about these new whale-watching licences monitoring the environment and the down here." Of course, as we found out that is environmental impacts—and it is not going to not quite right because the Minister did write to issue any licences until such time as it gets a the Environment Minister about it. report from that monitoring. That is what the It is always intriguing to put questions on Environment Minister is saying and that is notice because that way one finds out just what the Tourism Minister has been saying. At where things are going. The Opposition the same time, the Department of submitted a seven-part question on notice Environment states that a strategy to monitor the impact on whales of four additional whale- asking about whale-watching permits in Hervey watching vessels is being developed. Bay, Moreton Bay and elsewhere. The Opposition was looking for that type of So the Government is saying, "No, we are information. It asked why a decision to issue not going to give any licences at all until we the new licences was made before finalising finish monitoring the environment", yet it is the relevant conservation plans for whales. saying, "But we are developing a strategy for The question also stated that advice received the four additional licences that we are going indicates that the applications for permits were to put in Moreton Bay." Every time the considered by the department on merit and Government misleads the House, it gets that no factual or scientific data was available caught out by the answers to questions on to suggest that the additional four vessels notice. All along, there were going to be four would threaten the conservation status of the additional licences in Moreton Bay, and the whales. Government is developing a strategy for them. Mr Littleproud: That question was not So there should be none of this nonsense of, asked of me. "We will wait and issue these after we come down with an environmental impact Mr ELDER: It was asked of the statement." That is not the case, because the Environment Minister. However, it has clear implication is that the Government has a implications for what this Minister said in strategy under way to look at the impact of the Hervey Bay. I will get around to it. So one four additional licences in Moreton Bay. looks at the question and says, "Hang on a minute. There has been no talk about new As I said, the Minister is up at Hervey Bay licences. There will be no promises for new saying one thing and doing exactly the other licences, but here it says 'an additional four down here. I am sure that the member for vessels'." It is not intended to issue any Hervey Bay will be circulating that question on additional licences in Hervey Bay. So I read notice widely in the industry in that area. It the question again. I could recall the Minister debunks everything that the Minister said to saying, "I will do everything to help your those small-business people in Hervey Bay. It industry grow. I am out to support your reinforces what Rod Welford, the Opposition industry." Yet when the Opposition asked, spokesman, has been saying and that is quite "Will there be any additional licences in Hervey simply that the Government intends to Bay?", the answer is, "No, it is not intended to develop the industry down here and it is going issue any additional licences in Hervey Bay." to develop it as soon as it can. I am sure that those people involved in That is another reason why people in the whale-watching industry in Hervey Bay will small business have no confidence in the be interested to hear that. I am sure that the Government. It will tax them and it will mislead member for Hervey Bay will distribute that them one after the other regardless of what question and answer widely in the next few sector of the industry they work in. That is one 28 Nov 1996 Queensland Small Business Corporation Amendment Bill 4645 of the biggest reasons why the Government is program, he needs to have a similar program struggling with the small business community. in place and in place very quickly. The Leader of the Opposition made the The same comments apply to Marketing point that, as the Government has withdrawn Plus. Business Plus and Marketing Plus were all of these extension services, it has said that put in place to develop the skills of small the private sector will step in and help the businesses and to enhance opportunities for department deliver its services. The Minister them. Last year, the QSBC made 25,500 referred to the Queensland Chamber of contacts with clients and, of those, 63 per cent Commerce and Industry. I agree with the of them were new clients. Many of them came Leader of the Opposition: it is about time Clive through the door to take part in those Bubb stopped being political and represented programs. I have seen very little evidence of the interests of his constituency. If that is the those programs continuing out there in the role that the Government intends for him to community. I refer to the Ten by Ten and play, it is a big role. However, I have heard on Marketing Edge programs. I suggest that the the grapevine that there will be an increase in Minister spends his time and energy charges for the QSBC business consultants— developing such programs. the ones who used to deliver the business Time expired. plans. The scuttlebutt is that those consultants Hon. K. W. HAYWARD (Kallangur) in the smaller centres—the accountants and (11.57 p.m.): The purpose of this Bill is to the financial planners who through the abolish the Queensland Small Business Business Plus scheme were delivering those Corporation. All members of this Parliament services—will be forced to join the QCCI as should make no mistake: that is clearly a advisers and that there will be a fee associated with that. I hope that is wrong. mistake. The Queensland Small Business Corporation has a unique identity in Mr Davidson: It is wrong. I guarantee Queensland and, of course, it has been able that. to focus very importantly on service delivery. Very clearly, it has been able to target those Mr ELDER: I am pleased to hear that. I people who are starting up in business and hope that is wrong because that would be a also a group that comprises a lot of small- shame. At the end of the day, if that plan business people in our community which I call came to fruition, the Government would again micro-small businesses—the one-person see the consultants who provide those operations or the two-person operations. services to the small-business sector walking Those operations and those people who want away from regional Queensland because that to start up in small business are the target fee would impact on their businesses. areas of the Queensland Small Business In the few minutes that I have remaining, Corporation. I want to talk about Business Plus. It peeves The Queensland Small Business me to see the Government walk away from a Corporation gave small business a say. It gave program which, according to the annual report, small business separate representation in the supported and provided advice for some myriad bureaucracy that exists in Government 3,200 small businesses. When I kicked off in Australia, which I think is important. Whether Business Plus and Marketing Plus, yes, there or not that improves small business might be was a time frame for those programs. debatable but, as in politics, the perception is However, when one considers the results what is important and the Queensland Small achieved by Business Plus and the response Business Corporation gave a perception of from small business in relation to this particular independence, a chance for people to think program, it amazes me that the Government that they could go and see this corporation has not put something similar to that program and that they were not going to get bound up in place already. If the Government does not in the Government and its bureaucracy. do that, it should be condemned. Importantly, it also gave a shopfront Programs such as Business Plus need to service to people. For example, a concreter be out in the community. The reason why the may start out with a utility, a concrete mixer former Government managed to diversify the and a couple of trowels. That person can go to economy and the reason why small business the corporation and say, "How do I fill out this was growing in the regions was simply that it chequebook?" or, "How do I employ gave it that type of support service. I suggest somebody?" In many cases, such simple but to the Minister—and he can read this in the necessary advice is the engine of the annual report—that, because of the response Queensland economy. People decide that from small business in relation to that they have had enough of working for wages 4646 Queensland Small Business Corporation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 and that they want to do something on their somebody, is expected to go to the own. Often they are not sure how to go about Queensland Chamber of Commerce and that, but they start a business in their chosen Industry for advice. That is a pathetic joke and trade or occupation and they need the advice is very dangerous for the economy of of the corporation. As I have said before, the Queensland. In its own way, it reflects the lack Government is making a very grave mistake of confidence that is creeping through small by getting rid of the Queensland Small business in Queensland, as demonstrated by Business Corporation. the recent Yellow Pages survey. The Minister has said that when I was the I challenge the Minister in his summing-up Minister I wanted to get rid of the Queensland to find some evidence—any evidence—that Small Business Corporation. I do not take suggests that I wanted to abolish the offence at too many things these days—I Queensland Small Business Corporation. have learnt not to. However, in his summing- Nothing could be further from the truth. If he up I want the Minister to provide the digs around, he will find the minutes of Parliament with some evidence—any meetings. If he talks to the bureaucrats, they evidence—that I wanted to get rid of the will tell him that they fought day-in and day-out Queensland Small Business Corporation, to abolish the corporation. The Minister has because that is simply and plainly not true. I come along and he does whatever it is they know what the Minister is going through, want him to. I wish him luck in building because when I was the Minister the confidence in Queensland small business! bureaucracy was at me all the time to get rid The Opposition Leader mentioned of the Queensland Small Business election commitments. When Mr Connor was Corporation. The Minister has caved in. He shadow Minister, he spoke in a debate on a has sold out to the bureaucracy, which wanted Bill about matters that concerned me when I to get rid of something that was demonstrably was the Minister. He stated— successful. People starting up businesses and those who were involved in micro-businesses ". . . as the coalition did at the last State went to the Queensland Small Business election, that the Queensland Small Corporation for advice. The bureaucracy could Business Corporation would continue in its see that the corporation was attracting service. present form as an independent authority Therefore, this is clearly a sell out by the and as a stand-alone operation." Minister's advisers and, in the end, by him and In many ways, that summarises what the perhaps the whole Government. Queensland Small Business Corporation is all about. It is easy to dismiss that and say, "He When I was the Minister, the Queensland was only the shadow Minister", but that was Chamber of Commerce and Industry was also part of the coalition's policy. We have talked a constantly at me to get rid of the Queensland lot in Parliament and heard a lot from Small Business Corporation. The chamber was commentators about the promises that are faced with some challenges, one of which was made in election campaigns. Clearly, the what exactly it was going to do with itself. The Minister is completely dismissing, through the Queensland Chamber of Commerce and Parliament, an election commitment. It is not Industry is generally dominated by as if this was a tough election commitment; it multinational or national companies that have is not as if it is something that does not work; it branch offices in Queensland and they are is not as if it is something that does not pretty good at organising themselves. In fact, provide a very good service for small-business they could see an opportunity to get in on the people, particularly intending small-business act and earn a quid, thereby justifying their people. From that point of view, I find this hard existence. The Government espouses loyalty to understand. to small business but, unfortunately, it also thinks that small business is welded to it. The I took on board what the member for Government believes that it can do whatever it Gladstone said during the debate on school likes to small businesses and they will still cleaners and I want to paraphrase a comment support it. It is yet to be seen whether or not that she made. When all the fanfare was that is true. going on about what will happen with contracting school cleaning, the honourable The Minister has caved in to the member said that she was sick of broken bureaucracy by assuming that services can be promises, or something similar. I bet that she somehow contracted out to the Queensland is sick of this broken promise, because this Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Billy was a clear commitment made by the Bloggs, who last week set up a concreting Government when in Opposition, and it has business and wants to know how to employ simply failed to meet that promise. 28 Nov 1996 Queensland Small Business Corporation Amendment Bill 4647

If members spend some time thinking How did we get here? As I said before, we about why the Queensland Small Business were talking about comments made by Mr Corporation is so important, it becomes fairly Connor some 12 months ago on 16 obvious to everybody. As I have said before, November, when he said— the corporation is able to target intending "We will be moving an amendment businesses and micro-businesses. We all to extend the life of the Queensland recognise—certainly I do—that, historically, Small Business Corporation by five years, Queensland can claim to have been the small- to 30 June 2001." business State, and I believe that that will continue. There are almost 143,000 small Mr Mackenroth: You aren't quoting him businesses operating in Queensland which as a reliable source, are you? account for approximately 97.5 per cent of all Mr HAYWARD: No, but what I am businesses operating in the State. Therefore, saying is that the commitment was made by if the Queensland Small Business Corporation all members of this Parliament. The member is disenfranchised, 97 per cent of all for Chatsworth, Mr Mackenroth, actually businesses in the State will also be brought in the Bill. disenfranchised. Small business provides Mr Mackenroth: I remember it. approximately 56 per cent of all private sector Mr HAYWARD: Yes, and the effect was employment in Queensland, and importantly, that all members of this Parliament agreed to as the former Treasurer knows, it generates extend the life of the Small Business approximately 35 per cent of gross State Corporation to 30 June 2001. Mr Connor went product. When one talks about small on to make a number of points. He basically business, one is literally talking about big said—and I think this says something about business for Queensland. The Queensland his ability to be able to predict the future; I Small Business Corporation gives people wonder whether he can predict his own future confidence, because they know that it as well— provides advice and service, particularly—as I keep saying—to micro-businesses and new "I predict that if, unfortunately, the businesses. Labor Party is still in Government in May or June"— The figures speak for themselves. The he got his months wrong— number of businesses starting up in Queensland has been increasing up until "it will release the review of the recently—although I do not have the most Queensland Small Business Corporation, recent figures—whereas nationally the number and—surprise, surprise—it will find that of small businesses starting up has been there were a few problems that were not declining. At the next election, the initially found in the review of last Government will certainly feel the impact of the September and that it needs major declining level of confidence that small changes that can only be accomplished business has in it. Because small business is by wholesale changes in the form." big business in Queensland, its confidence In other words, he said that it would be being the lowest of any State in Australia will abolished. He then went on to say— have a significant impact on the economy of "We certainly know that DBIRD"— the State. That impact will affect employment as was the department then— prospects and, as I have said, it will affect people who are considering starting up a small "has been courting the Queensland Small business. Business Corporation for some time . . ." Given that small business confidence is at I said that myself, because I had the same its lowest level, and given the history of the experience when I was the Minister. Not 12 Queensland Small Business Corporation and months ago, we had the shadow Minister its success right throughout the State, I would moving a motion in this Parliament to extend have thought that this would have been an its life for five years. It was agreed to by every opportune time to try to provide small business member of this Parliament. Twelve months with some confidence and to assure it that the later, the Minister wants to abolish it by 31 Government knows what it is doing and in December 1996. which direction it is heading. I am afraid that Another point that I wish to make in what the Government has done tonight will relation to the Explanatory Notes concerns the only further dampen the confidence that small- issue of consultation. The notes state— business people have in Queensland "The Queensland Chamber of and—fortunately—in this Government. Commerce and Industry was consulted 4648 Queensland Small Business Corporation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996

regarding a pilot out-sourcing program works with over service providers—for aimed at providing a choice of service to example, accountants throughout new business intenders and small Queensland. When a person's business grows business owners." larger, the business is then referred on. As I have said before, that is what the Mrs Edmond: That is exactly why they Queensland Chamber of Commerce and are getting rid of it—because it works. Industry was about all the time. It wanted to Mr HAYWARD: That demonstrates the get that business because that would give it Government's clear lack of commitment to an income and a justification for what it does. small business. It also demonstrates why If the Government thinks that micro- confidence is low in Queensland. What we businesses and one or two-person operations should be doing is not abolishing the will be able to relate to the Queensland Queensland Small Business Corporation but Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the enhancing it. We should be enhancing the Government has completely lost it when it targeted service that it provides. comes to relevance. As I said, the confidence survey showed that Queensland small Time expired. business confidence is the lowest of any in Hon. B. W. DAVIDSON (Noosa— Australia. That is reflected in this decision. Minister for Tourism, Small Business and I am very opposed to the pilot outsourcing Industry) (12.18 a.m.), in reply: Firstly, I program. The whole relevance of dealing with recognise the contributions made by the small-business people, micro-businesses and Leader of the Opposition, the Deputy Leader new starters will be completely at risk. Their of the Opposition and the member for whole relevance will be lost when they are Kallangur. I do appreciate the very fair-minded caught up in something like the QCCI, which is approach taken tonight. I will have a cup of all about dealing with large companies and coffee with members opposite and discuss the branch offices that exist in Queensland. This bipartisan support that has been offered for demonstrates how a vested interest—that is, the Red Tape Reduction Task Force. I am the QCCI—has been able to position itself to sure that I will be attending one of its meetings get hold of that business and has been able some time in the new year. to cause the abolition of something that was We all need to appreciate that, with the successful. amalgamation of Tourism and DBIRD, there The QCCI will hold a Christmas party this were many places around the State where we year. I am sure the Minister will be invited and had opposing offices on different corners in I am sure it will toast the Minister in copious the same buildings and, in one case on the quantities. The Minister has given it an same floor of a building which was divided income, and what he might be doing is giving done the middle between DBIRD and QSBC. it a reason to exist. It frightens me that we can We looked at the integration of QSBC services outsource programs to it. People in business into the TSBI offices as a way of providing have very basic requirements. Many of them business centres in Queensland, which we will are in micro and very small businesses; they develop over the next two or three months. are not major companies. Three offices are being designed right How did this Bill arrive in the Parliament? now and they will be the first three business As I have demonstrated, and as has been centres to be developed. I can assure demonstrated by previous speakers, it breaks members that all services that were ever an election commitment that was made by the available through the QSBC or any other coalition and which was demonstrated in this department, DBIRD office or any other Parliament 12 months ago when the whole business service provided to anyone around Parliament agreed to extending the life of the the State will be provided through those QSBC to the year 2001. The motion was business centres. The first three centres will be moved by the Liberal spokesperson of the in Townsville, Cairns and Toowoomba. The time and it was supported by the whole existing offices will be totally redecorated. A Parliament. Placing the Government's business foyer will cater to all intenders and commitment to its election promises to one existing business people when they walk in the side, the important thing is that the door. Queensland Small Business Corporation All of the information stored in George actually works. It is not a bureaucratic Street—QINDIS—and all of the information organisation. It is an organisation that is able stored in Brisbane will be available at all of to function and provide a quick and a relevant those offices. The concreter mentioned by the response to small business in Queensland. It member for Kallangur will have the ability to 28 Nov 1996 Queensland Small Business Corporation Amendment Bill 4649 source a video with all of the information he were four staff in the QSBC office. There are needs to know about business. He can sit in now 12 staff, including one small-business the foyer of our business centres and watch it adviser. In Mount Isa there were no staff in the on the television. Alternatively, he may QSBC office. In the TSBI office there are now purchase it for $5 or $10 and take it home and four staff and one small-business adviser. In watch it in the comfort of his lounge room. I the southern office at Springwood there were want to make this point: the Gold Coast office three staff in the QSBC office. In the TSBI of the QSBC had three staff. The TSBI office office there are now three staff and two small- now has nine staff and one small-business business advisers. In the northern office at adviser. The Ipswich office, which was located Aspley there were four staff in the QSBC office at the Ipswich TAFE—— and there are now three staff with two small- Mr Elder: How many were in the DBIRD business advisers in the TSBI office. Through office? the TSBI offices we have ensured that the small-business advisers from the QSBC are Mr DAVIDSON: I do not have that continuing to provide all the services they did number here. previously. Mr Elder: How many were in the DBIRD Mr Elder: But you cut the number of office? DBIRD staff. Mr DAVIDSON: I do not have that Mr DAVIDSON: I did not say we cut the number here, but I will get it and provide it for staff; I am just saying that while there has the member. The Ipswich office had one staff been a reduction in staff at QSBC all regional member. We now have six staff in the Ipswich offices now have one—and in some cases office with one small-business adviser. The two—small-business advisers. Toowoomba QSBC office had two staff. We Business is not going to suffer. Our now have seven staff and one small-business strategy is to develop business centres around adviser. Queensland. In 12 months' time all regional Mr Elder: How many were in the DBIRD offices will have a business centre. There will office? be business centres all over this State: on the Mr DAVIDSON: I do not have those Gold Coast, at Ipswich, Toowoomba, numbers, but I will get them. The Sunshine Townsville, Maryborough, Bundaberg, Cairns Coast office had four staff. The TSBI office on and in the southern office at Springwood and the Sunshine Coast now has nine staff, the northern office at Aspley. One of the great including one small-business adviser. This is advantages of doing this is that they will have where it really counts: in Maryborough there all the information that business people need. was no QSBC office so there were no staff. Any person who enters a business centre will But the TSBI office now has seven staff and be able to access on computer all the QINDIS one small-business adviser. information and all the other information stored in Brisbane. Through videos, at the Mr Elder: How many at the DBIRD press of a button they will have all the office? information at their fingertips, whether they be Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for an intending or an existing business person. Capalaba has asked that question about 17 We will continue to be very active in the times. The Minister said that he does not have business communities. Last week we held the answer and that he will get it for the some business breakfasts in Rockhampton for member. I call the member to order. the first time ever. I believe that 40-odd people Mr DAVIDSON: In Bundaberg there attended the first breakfast. Those sorts of was no QSBC office. Now there are four staff programs are being introduced. We are trying in the TSBI office with one small-business to get as much information out to the small- adviser. In Gladstone there was no QSBC business community as we can. office. In the TBSI office there are now four Mr Elder: Did you say it was the first staff and one small-business adviser. In time ever there was a business breakfast in Rockhampton there were one and a half staff Rockhampton? in the QSBC office. In the TSBI office there Mr DAVIDSON: No, it is not the first are now nine staff and one small-business time but—— adviser. In Mackay there were three staff in the QSBC office, but in the TSBI office there Mr Elder: Be careful. That's what you are now eight staff plus one small-business said, and it's not true. adviser. In Townsville there were three staff in Mr DAVIDSON: The first time since we the QSBC office. Now there are 17 staff and have been in Government. There is major one small-business adviser. In Cairns there effort being put in—— 4650 Queensland Small Business Corporation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996

Mr McGrady interjected. share those concerns with both of the front- Mr DAVIDSON: The member got a bench Opposition members who spoke in the small-business adviser at Mount Isa. We debate. They approached this debate in a looked after him. But I take the point that he very fair-minded and understanding way. makes: business is tough. Right across the Mr Elder: Most small businesses don't State, everywhere I go—from Cairns to join chambers of commerce. Coolangatta and as far west as one wants to Mr DAVIDSON: No, they do not; the travel—it is damned tough. It is flat. That could member is dead right. But we believe there is be because of the tourism downturn, the an opportunity for us to develop that slowdown in the construction industry or a somewhat, and there is an opportunity for all general lack of confidence—there is a whole small businesses to access some sorts of range of factors out there. I know how hard it programs through the chambers of commerce. is. Mr Elder: How are you going to do that? Mr Beattie: It's the Government's fault. Mr DAVIDSON: We have not come to Mr DAVIDSON: The Leader of the any agreement; the deal has not been struck. Opposition was quite right; it is damned hard We are still working on it. out there. I really believe that with the integration of Mr Elder: Well, do something about it. the QSBC into the Department of Tourism, Small Business and Industry offices we will be Mr DAVIDSON: We are. We are able to provide all relevant advice to business developing these business centres and we will operators. We have tourism officers and continue to provide all the services and promotions officers in every regional office; we programs with the QCCI. That pilot program is have a small-business adviser in every still being developed. We have not come to an regional office; we have a liquor licensing agreement with the QCCI yet. We have not adviser in every office; we have business and nutted it out. There will not be a Christmas industry advisers in every office. I really believe drink and all that sort of stuff. Every town has that, as we develop our 13 business centres a local chamber of commerce. There is an around the State, we will be able to provide opportunity through all the chambers of increased programs and services to commerce throughout the State for all small- businesses right throughout Queensland. business people, whether existing or intending, to go to a chamber of commerce Question—That the Bill be now read a meeting once every month on a Monday night second time—put; and the House divided— or whenever they have them and in group AYES, 43—Baumann, Beanland, Borbidge, Cooper, sessions gain information and expertise from Cunningham, Davidson, Elliott, FitzGerald, Gamin, the business people who are involved there. Gilmore, Goss J. N., Grice, Harper, Healy, Hegarty, Hobbs, Horan, Johnson, Laming, Lester, Lingard, We are not going to provide an enormous Littleproud, McCauley, Malone, Mitchell, Perrett, amount of money to the QCCI, but I think Quinn, Radke, Rowell, Santoro, Sheldon, Simpson, there is an opportunity open to us through that Slack, Stephan, Stoneman, Tanti, Veivers, Warwick, network. I believe it has 8 or 10 regional Watson, Wilson, Woolmer Tellers: Springborg, offices around the State. Through every local Carroll chamber of commerce, there is an opportunity NOES, 43—Ardill, Barton, Beattie, Bird, Bligh, through the pilot program—which, as I said, Braddy, Bredhauer, Briskey, Campbell, D'Arcy, really has not been developed; it is still being De Lacy, Dollin, Edmond, Elder, Foley, Fouras, worked through—to ensure that we have Gibbs, Goss W. K., Hamill, Hayward, Hollis, Lucas, coverage of intending or existing business McElligott, McGrady, Mackenroth, Milliner, Mulherin, people right across the State. Most people Nunn, Nuttall, Palaszczuk, Purcell, Roberts, cannot get to a business meeting during the Robertson, Rose, Schwarten, Smith, Spence, day, and I believe that the chambers of Sullivan J. H., Welford, Wells, Woodgate Tellers: Livingstone, Sullivan T. B. commerce in every town offer people an opportunity once a month on a Monday Pair: Connor, Pearce night—probably in most cases after they close The numbers being equal, Mr Speaker their business—to source some assistance. cast his vote with the Ayes. Mr Mackenroth: Is it true that under Resolved in the affirmative. you small business is growing—that a lot of large businesses are becoming small Committee businesses? Hon. B. W. Davidson (Noosa—Minister for Mr DAVIDSON: The member might say Tourism, Small Business and Industry) in that. I have acknowledged that point, and I charge of the Bill. 28 Nov 1996 Queensland Small Business Corporation Amendment Bill 4651

Clause 1— offices, we would then, in the second year, be Mr BEATTIE (12.36 a.m.): When the able to expand and fund greater programs Deputy Leader was talking about budgetary and more initiatives for small business across matters, the Minister said that that was not the the State. purpose of the Bill. The Minister shook his Mr BEATTIE: That is an extraordinary head. Is that right? explanation to try to get out of the fact that the Mr Davidson: Yes. Minister has said very clearly that this was not a budgetary matter and yet he is quoted Mrs Sheldon interjected. clearly here, as clear as his nose on his Mr BEATTIE: If the Treasurer wants to face—— interject, that is fine. I know that things are a Mr T. B. Sullivan: In August. bit cosy over there. I want to get this clear. Mr BEATTIE: In August, the article Government members interjected. said— Mr BEATTIE: We have a ventriloquist "Mr Davidson said the closure of the and a monkey. One is enough. Mr Chairman, corporation had occurred simply for this is a bit extraordinary, but I will overlook it. budgetary reasons." What the Minister is saying is that this Bill was It is absolutely clear. not introduced for budgetary reasons. Mr Elder: Black and white. Mr Davidson: No. Mr BEATTIE: It is in black and white. Mr BEATTIE: I find that extraordinary. I There is no doubt about it. The Minister needs table for the information of the House a report a better explanation than that. in the Business Sunshine Coast dated August 1996, which states— Mr DAVIDSON: I think the Leader of the Opposition needs to appreciate that the "Mr Davidson said the closure of the word "budgetary" need not refer to the State corporation had occurred simply for Budget. It was referring to the savings that the budgetary reasons." department could make by integrating those That is what the Minister said. The Business offices and the better management to which it Sunshine Coast of August 1996 says— would lead. Obviously, the savings we made "Mr Davidson said the closure of the by doing that would allow us to expand our corporation had occurred simply for budget in providing more and better services budgetary reasons." to small business. It goes on to talk about all the people in his I think the member has taken that local area who supported it, such as Ted comment about the budget out of context. I FitzGerald from the Sunshine Coast Economic was not referring to the State Budget. As the Development Board, and Tony Holmes from member would appreciate, many people make the Maroochydore Chamber of Commerce. savings on their budgets, whether they are The article quotes the Minister as saying that running a house, a business or a department. the closure has occurred simply for budgetary That comment was taken out of context. reasons. I hope the Minister can explain why Because of the integration of QSBC into TSBI he has just told the House that it was not for offices, savings were made. As I quite clearly budgetary reasons, yet he was quoted in this said in most other articles—and I could article, which I table for the information of the produce half a dozen here for the House, as saying that it was for budgetary member—the savings we made would provide reasons. in the second year more programs and more new initiatives for small-business across the Mr DAVIDSON: Obviously that was a State. long time before the Budget. I have not seen that article. I said to the member only 10 The CHAIRMAN: Order! I will only minutes ago—it is not about the State accept further debate if it is on the title, on Budget—that when we looked at the clause 1. I have been perhaps too generous. duplication of offices across the State in all Clause 1, as read, agreed to. towns and all regional centres, there were Clause 2, as read, agreed to. some budgetary savings from the integration of QSBC into TSBI offices. That is what the Clause 3— decision was based on. It was not based on a Mr ELDER (12.42 a.m.): Minister, you Treasury directive, it was based on the fact state in your annual report that funding for the that we believed that with the savings we Business Plus program will cease at 30 June could make by integrating QSBC into TSBI 1996. A lot of those contracts are legally 4652 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 binding contracts. Those that were started local government areas who voted for a later in the term will actually roll on during change to those boundaries. That indicates 1996. When the carryovers are taken back that whilst the changes that were made may into Treasury, will you meet the commitment in have been opposed by some of the public in terms of those contracts? those areas in the first instance—and certainly Mr DAVIDSON: I give the Deputy by most politicians—they ended up being Leader of the Opposition a commitment that accepted by the local community because all contracts will be met in the Business Plus once they were in place the people could see program. that those council areas were better off. In fact, people were getting better service and Clause 3, as read, agreed to. paying less rates. That is what was always Clause 4, as read, agreed to. going to occur from changes to those electoral Bill reported, without amendment. boundaries. The problem that we now have with the proposals that have been put forward by the Third Reading Minister for Local Government is that in reality Bill, on motion of Mr Davidson, by leave, we will never see any further reform of local read a third time. government boundaries. In the past in this Parliament I have cited an instance where a couple of mayors from one particular part of LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION the State raised with me the need to see local AMENDMENT BILL government reform in their area. They said to Second Reading me that they would like to see me send a Debate resumed from 14 November (see reference to the Local Government p. 4138). Commissioner so that their area could be looked at for amalgamation. When I asked Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH them would they support the reference, they (Chatsworth) (12.44 a.m.): The Opposition will said that they could not support it because not oppose the second reading of the Local they knew that in their own local communities Government Legislation Amendment Bill 1996 they might lose if they were seen to be but will raise a number of concerns in the supporting those sorts of changes. Those two second-reading debate and move some mayors knew that their areas would be better amendments to the legislation. The main part off by having some form of boundary of the Local Government Legislation Bill deals changes. with the setting up of a new process to deal with references in relation to internal or This Government is not going to send external boundary changes. We raised our references for major changes to boundaries of opposition earlier this year about the way the shires or cities in this State. If there is a call Government treated the Local Government from some people within the State for a Commissioner. As I understand it, he has now reference, I do not believe that the Minister will been sacked. His term has finished. He is no take the necessary action to send it to the longer—— commissioner. I cannot see local authorities calling for it to happen. In reality, once we put Mrs McCauley: He resigned. this new system into place I suggest we will Mr MACKENROTH: He resigned. He not see any form of proper adjustments to any was pushed out the door. He has been of the local government boundaries other than sacked in a sense. He was told to go. That perhaps some minor boundary changes to clearly occurred because the Government did properties. These can be dealt with under a not agree with the decisions he had made. separate section of this amending Bill. There We saw what actions the Government took in will be no major changes. relation to legislating for referendums. I point This Act sets up independent out to the House that each of those commissioners. A panel of commissioners referendums was lost. All the boundary could be appointed to look at a major changes that were recommended by the Local reference. If the panel looks at the reference Government Commissioner are still in place. and recommends that there be an That may be because of the fact that there amalgamation, this legislation then requires were not sufficient electors in the local the holding of a referendum even though the government areas who wanted a referendum, National Party members of the parliamentary or perhaps where there were sufficient committee of EARC stated that holding a numbers who signed, calling for a referendum, referendum would not find the best results. there were not sufficient numbers within those There is a clause in this legislation which 28 Nov 1996 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 4653 states that there should be a referendum. made, so he or she might as well make the Even if the referendum is not successful, there decision in the first place. I have no problems is still the ability for the Parliament to make the with that. I would agree to that if she promised change. If we are going to do that, I believe me that she would make some reforms and that holding a referendum is a farce. As a not simply take the power and never use it, result, we are not necessarily trying to get which is what I suggest the Minister would do. reform in a proper sense. Is there a place in the Minister's electorate The Act states that an explanatory called Theodore? After the way the local statement should be prepared if there is to be National Party branch in that area has treated a referendum. Who prepares the explanatory the Minister, perhaps she might consider the statement? The legislation states that the boundaries for the local council if there are commissioner will write an explanatory some National Party members on that council. statement. We ask people to examine I heard on the grapevine that a vote of no whether there should be boundary changes. If confidence was moved against the Minister in those people examine that issue and decide her own electorate. that there should be boundary changes or an In relation to the new system that is being amalgamation, they then have to write an set up, we will support the legislation because explanatory statement for the "Yes" and the we need a process. I do not support having "No" cases. They have to explain the reasons dumped the Local Government why their recommendation should not be Commissioner. It was a reprehensible act to approved by the people. It is ludicrous to have blame a person for having made a decision a provision contained within an Act that and for having complied with the Act, as the provides that the people who made the Premier did in the Gold Coast Bulletin. The decision that there should be an Premier blamed the Local Government amalgamation also write the explanatory Commissioner for having complied with the Act statements. I know that we need to have in and for taking an action that he had to take. place a process of dealing with changes to Within 24 hours, that person had been given boundaries of cities and shires. The process of his marching orders. Earlier this year, that having an independent commissioner is one issue was debated in the Parliament. That whereby politicians can try to distance action was wrong, but having been done and themselves a little from the process. However, now not having a Local Government having sat in the Minister's seat, I sometimes Commissioner, we need to have in place—— wonder whether it would not be easier just to make the decision. It would be easier to have Mr Borbidge: I was a bit slow. someone examine the issue and conduct a Mr MACKENROTH: The Premier is a proper review, and then have the Minister bit slow. Should the Premier have sacked him make the decision. Some of the references earlier? What does the Premier mean? Should that have not been finished now have already he have criticised him before he complied with been reviewed on two separate occasions the Act? Perhaps that is what the Premier before we get to the stage of sending them off means. The reality is that Local Government to an independent commissioner. Commissioner's decision that Gold Coast City Mrs McCauley: I'll be in that decision. be amalgamated with Albert Shire was agreed Would you agree? to by the electors in the Premier's own electorate. His decision stood the test in that Mr MACKENROTH: Yes—I have no area. problems with having the Minister being responsible for making those decisions. I turn now to other matters that are raised However, if we gave the Government that in the legislation. As to other benefits for power, the real problem would be that it would prompt payment—the Minister's department not make any decisions. I would be quite assures me that this is cleaning up a section in happy to agree here tonight to allow the the original Act. Having seen it, I have to say Minister to have the ultimate decision by going that I really question it. As a reward for prompt through Executive Council as was the case payment, a person we will be allowed to enter when Russ Hinze was the Minister. The a lottery to win a prize. The council and the Minister would make a decision and the State will offer the opportunity to win a free trip Government would stand by the decision that to somewhere—Tasmania or somewhere is made. Even when the process of a Local else—to people who pay their rates early. I do Government Commissioner is used, which we not know that Governments, whether they be put in place—it was National Party policy, but local governments, State Governments or we put it in place—at the end of day the Federal Governments, should be in the Minister still has to wear the decision that is business of running lotteries outside the Art 4654 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996

Unions and Public Amusements Act in order to the Ombudsman the ability to do anything encourage people to pay their bills on time. I else or to try to come to another arrangement, understand a similar provision, which was not such as recommending that action be taken quite as bland as this, was in the previous Act through the Parliament. The council simply that I introduced. I admit to that. However, ignored the Ombudsman and this situation is seeing it written in that way, I state quite the result. clearly that I do not agree with that and I The council really should have dealt with question why we would be giving to councils the Ombudsman in a proper way. It should the ability to run what are basically chook have sought legal advice from the Local raffles in order to encourage people to pay Government Association's lawyers, from the their rates on time. That is ludicrous. department or from their own lawyers to try to It is a shame that the section in relation to get some proper legal advice as to what the Livingstone Shire Council needs to be position they were in and what could happen. I included in the legislation. Over recent think that a very strict reading of the Act months, ratepayers from Livingstone Shire brought about that situation. I do not think that have probably lobbied every member of this it was intended. Chamber to try to get them to oppose this So what we are doing tonight with this provision. The Opposition will support the legislation is fixing it up for the Livingstone amendments to enable the actions of the Shire Council in relation to what it had done a Livingstone Shire Council of a couple of years couple of years ago. It is also fixing it up for ago to be seen as having been done in a other councils in the future, particularly in legal way, which is what the amendments do. relation to the National Competition Policy, so We do that having gone through the whole that when those councils implement water situation with the department and having been meters they will be able to make a smooth convinced that no ratepayer will be any worse changeover and not experience the problems off by this action. Although the action the that the Livingstone Shire Council council took enabled it to read the water experienced. On that basis, the Opposition will meters for the last quarter of the previous support these amendments to the Local financial year and charge for that water in the Government Act to enable the Livingstone next financial year, what needs to be taken Shire Council to fix up a problem that it into account is that the readings of the last created itself. However, it is on the clear quarter of the financial year that is in question understanding that ratepayers are no worse were not charged to that financial year. People off or no better off as a result of that action. were only charged for water for one 12-month period, even though one three-month period The other major change that this Bill was used in both years. When I raised that effects is in relation to the National with the department, I had them check that Competition Policy. The legislation spells out with the Livingstone Shire Council and they clearly the requirements of local government in confirmed that that was the case. That being relation to the National Competition Policy. the case, the council has not raised one extra Basically, the Government has stuck with the cent. principles that had been laid down by the former Government and the former Premier in The Livingstone Shire Council and any council that acts in that way should be their agreement with Jim Pennell, the severely criticised by this Parliament for failing President of the Local Government to have taken any action when the Association. They came to an agreement on Ombudsman raised in the very first instance how we would go about this process, and that with it that what it had done was outside the is what has been worked through. Act. Instead of taking action then to try to However, one problem that I see with the rectify the problem or to obtain some proper National Competition Policy is that people legal advice, the council simply stuck its head really do not understand what is being talked in the sand and hoped that the problem would about. Because of that, we have two go away. However, 18 months later it had not problems: firstly, it causes a lot of fear in gone away, even though the Ombudsman people who have nothing to fear. It is not had raised it with the council on number of going to affect them at all, but they become occasions. Is it any wonder that the very fearful of it. A lot of the smaller councils Ombudsman then sent a report that was quite throughout the State were very fearful of the scathing of the council and recommended that NCP. They feared that it was going to greatly the council pay back the money to affect their operations when they are not ratepayers? The Ombudsman had no other affected at all because of what has been set course but to do that. The council did not give down in the agreement between the States, 28 Nov 1996 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 4655 the Commonwealth and the Australian Local State Government charges to the corporatised Government Association. However, those body will be able to be kept by the council. In councils certainly feared the National other words, instead of paying money to the Competition Policy, and I guess many council State Government, they can pay it back to workers also feared what the impacts of the their own council. So in that sense there will be National Competition Policy would mean to no extra money paid by that corporatised them. entity. However, if it has to pay Federal taxes, The second area which I think is of great we have not been able to get that concern is when, through the National commitment from the Commonwealth Competition Policy, councils are going a long Government. That is where the National way further than they need to go because Competition Policy may very well cost they think that they have to do something or ratepayers money. That is something that is they are using the National Competition Policy very unfair to ratepayers in Queensland. to push out its effects far beyond where they For instance, water services in other areas need to go. When I was the Minister for Local throughout Australia are run by State Government, I spoke to the Urban Local Governments. So the State Governments are Government Association, which comprises the not paying taxes on those water services to councils that are really affected by the National the Commonwealth Government; those taxes Competition Policy. I told them quite clearly can be paid back into the State coffers. that, if they attempted to use the NCP to However, because councils are being treated increase their rates or charges and blame the differently and because councils in Government for that, I would campaign Queensland run their own water systems, they against them in their areas. The National may very well be penalised. I guess the Competition Policy does not mean that Premier will need to get a commitment from councils have to increase their charges by 1c; the Commonwealth that those councils are it means that councils have to identify clearly treated in the same way as the water boards what they are doing, what the charges are, in other States are treated—or the sewerage whether they are making a profit or whether boards, or whatever—so that the ratepayers of they are subsidising something from another Queensland who end up with corporatised area. If they are subsidising something, entities are not penalised and need to pay councils have to identify clearly where that more rates because their entities will need to subsidisation is coming from. The subsidies pay taxes to the Commonwealth. I think that can still be paid. The councils do not have to we have to be very careful about those areas. increase their charges. They are the main issues. It was So if an operation is being subsidised with suggested to me that at this time of the night $1m from rate money, or from grant money this was an easy speech to make because, as from the State Government or the what I had to say was too deep for most Commonwealth Government, that $1m is paid people, I would sit down. I did not quite reach into the corporatised entity or the regime that that point. As I said, the Opposition wishes to is going to need the charges. If the $1m is raise some issues with a couple of clauses. I paid over, it does not mean that under the know that the Minister intends to move an 11- NCP the councils have to increase their page amendment. charges by $1m and keep the other $1m in another bank account, which is what I think a Mrs McCauley: It is only three. lot of councils would like to do. It does not Mr MACKENROTH: Only three pages. mean that at all. It means that they have to Mrs McCauley: No, only three identify clearly what they need to do, and that amendments—11 pages worth. their books should show that. Once councils do that, they have complied with the terms of Mr MACKENROTH: A 17-page the National Competition Policy. They are amendment on political disclosure. We will get showing clearly to their ratepayers the costs in to that. I will raise those issues when we get to relation to those particular services, whether the Committee stage. that be water, sewerage or, in some places, Mr ROBERTSON (Sunnybank) buses. (1.09 a.m.) I rise in this debate on the Local I believe that the greatest problem that Government Amendment Bill to raise a the NCP has for some sections of local number of concerns that I have about this Bill. government is that if they corporatise the It will no doubt be argued that this is the Bill State Government made a commitment—and that meets the commitments given by the I understand that the present Government is coalition parties prior to last year's State going to honour that commitment—that any election. This Bill also demonstrates just how ill 4656 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 conceived and ill considered were the coalition consistency between the powers and parties' election policies. responsibilities of the Queensland Electoral The first matter of concern arises out of Commission and similar powers and the Government's decision to replace the responsibilities of the part-time review Office of Local Government Commissioner commissioners is not one of the Bill's strong with a part-time arrangement to deal with points. I would argue that the location of local reviewable matters pertaining to local government boundaries has a far greater government in Queensland. This Bill provides impact on the community and that they are, for a part-time arrangement where the by far, more permanent and recognisable Electoral Commissioner of Queensland will be boundaries by the community than are assisted by two other review commissioners to electoral boundaries. While the attempt to conduct a review into a matter or matters keep political interference out of the decision- referred to them by the responsible Minister. making process is understood and supported in principle, I suggest that there is an The principal reason advanced by the argument that the Minister should, under Minister for the abolition of the Office of Local certain and defined circumstances, be the Government Commissioner is that the bulk of arbiter of last resort in the determination of the work for which the office was originally changes to local government boundaries. established has been completed and that the remainder of the work can be undertaken by A matter of further concern relates to the part-time review commissioners. It should be a provision for the appointment and duration of matter of significant concern to all members of appointment of review commissioners. Indeed, the House that this Bill provides that final it will be the subject of an amendment to be determinations of this part-time review moved by the shadow Minister. Proposed new commission cannot be rejected by the section 96(5) sets out a range of matters Minister. which would disqualify an applicant from appointment as a review commissioner. One This amendment is just one of a number of the points of disqualification is that an of instances in this Bill whereby the Minister is applicant may be a member of a political abrogating her responsibility as the Minister party. overseeing local government in this State. While I understand the basis for this Again, while I understand the reason why amendment—that is, to keep the review the Minister may wish to make this a matter for process as free from political interference as disqualification in order that the process is free possible—I maintain that there remains a from political interference, I do not believe that legitimate role for the Minister, and ultimately potential review commissioners should be the Parliament, to be the final arbiters in any disqualified from further consideration because review conducted into a local government they may be members of a political party. This matter. provision goes against the basic tenet of freedom of association. By its very nature, the This is not the first time that the Minister provision is discriminatory. It suggests that, by has introduced legislation with a similar impact. implication, any person who chooses to be a In fact, it is possible to argue that the member of a political party allows himself or amending legislation passed by the House to herself to be influenced by that party in a facilitate the referendums to deamalgamate decision-making process. We all know well- the Gold Coast City Council, the newly respected people in senior positions in amalgamated Ipswich City Council and others Government or private enterprise who choose contained similar provisions that removed the to belong to a political party. That does not ability of the Minister and the Parliament to exclude them from holding their positions, nor properly scrutinise and debate important local does it suggest that they are in any way government matters. compromised in making decisions which are in The argument advanced as to why the the public or corporate interest by virtue of Government should not be able to reject a their membership of a political party. This commission's determination as it applies to the provision would also require or result in the setting of local government boundaries is that disclosure of an applicant's political party it is consistent with the decision-making membership during the assessment process, powers of the Queensland Electoral which may cause embarrassment or Commission in relation to a redistribution of discomfort for an applicant who chooses, for State electoral districts. However, there is a whatever reason, to keep his or her significant difference between the relevance of membership of a political party a private electoral districts and local government matter. Therefore, I oppose this provision. It boundaries. As I will argue later in the debate, may be that there is an argument that persons 28 Nov 1996 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 4657 who hold an elected office in a political party from the above definitions, what we are talking should be disqualified because of a perceived about in this Bill is not referendums, but heightened level of political activity and plebiscites. Support for these definitions or commitment. However, simple membership of distinctions are found in Alderson's book, Yea a political party should not in itself cause or Nae—Referenda in the United Kingdom. He disqualification. writes— In terms of the whole Bill, It is interesting "It is customary for constitutional that the only time that a person's political party referenda to be binding. A plebiscite membership is mentioned is in relation to conducted within a country by its own applicants for the position of Local Government is likely to be consultative." Government Review Commissioner. There is Some members in this place may say, "So no corresponding qualification, for example, what?" I suggest that this is an important on the appointment of returning officers for question and one which goes to the heart of local government elections or presiding officers the public's understanding and acceptance of or people acting as the person responsible for this legislation. I would argue that it is elections in lieu of the CEO of the local inappropriate for the Bill to use the term authority. This provision stands out from the "referendum"—a term which creates in the rest of the Bill. I would argue strongly in favour mind of the community an expectation that of the amendment to be moved by my the result will be binding when this may not in colleague, the shadow Minister for Local fact be the case. Government. Members will note that on the Notice The Bill also provides for referendums to Paper is the Referendums Bill 1996, which we be held on recommendations from the review may well be debating before we rise next commissioners for local governments to be week. While it would be improper for me to created, abolished or amalgamated. The refer in detail to provisions in that Bill, it is Minister would have the Parliament believe important to note that there are numerous and that these provisions meet the commitment significant differences between the provisions made to the people of Queensland by the of the Referendums Bill and the provision for coalition parties in the lead up to last year's the holding of referendums in the Local State election. However, it is not quite that Government Legislation Amendment Bill. For simple. As I have already stated, this example—and this was an argument I amendment Bill demonstrates just how short- pursued during the debate on the sighted and impractical the coalition's policy deamalgamation proposals earlier this always was. The Bill provides that, under year—the referendums conducted under the certain circumstances, the outcome of Referendums Act provide for parliamentary referendums can be ignored by both the scrutiny of the arguments drafted for both the Review Commission and/or the Parliament. "yes" and "no" cases. However, under the It is argued by the Minister that if good Local Government Legislation Amendment public policy reasons exist for proceeding with Bill, there is no such scrutiny by the Parliament a proposal, despite that proposal being of the material that is prepared to explain the rejected by the people, then the review matter which is the subject of the referendum. commissioners or the Parliament should not I objected to the Parliament being ignored and be bound by the will of the people expressed denied the right of scrutiny during the debate at the ballot box in a referendum. This is an earlier this year, and I do so again tonight. extraordinary suggestion and sets a Another matter which requires clarification dangerous precedent. Surely the opinion of from the Minister is the provision allowing an the people, exercised at the ballot box by way affected area, for the purpose of a of referendums, is one of the most, if not the referendum, to be divided into voting areas. most, inviolable and fundamental means of Voting areas are defined as parts into which decision making in our democratic system of an affected area is divided under a regulation government. for a referendum. The Bill is unclear as to the The Oxford dictionary defines referendum circumstances in which an affected area would as "referring of political question to electorate be divided into voting areas. The importance for direct decision by general vote". of this issue is that, again unlike provisions Of interest is the definition of "plebiscite". The contained in the Referendums Bill, an affected Oxford dictionary defines plebiscite as "direct area approves the referendum question if vote of all electors of State on important public each voting area approves the question. question. . . public expression of community's Because of the lack of appropriate detail in the opinion, with or without binding force". Clearly, Bill, there is nothing to stop an affected area, 4658 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 such as two neighbouring councils, to be Mrs GAMIN (Burleigh) (1.23 a.m.): I wish divided into numerous voting areas which to speak very briefly to the Local Government reflect the boundaries of the wards or divisions Legislation Amendment Bill 1996 on the of each council. If this were to occur, the important matter of the disclosure of referendum question would be decided on the donations. It is not unusual for me to speak in majority of wards and/or divisions and not on this Chamber. However, it is unusual for me to the popular vote. This would, of course, result speak on local government matters, in significant distortions as to how the will of particularly when they apply to the Gold Coast the people in an affected area is interpreted. City Council. The Minister may wish to consider this As honourable members would matter in further detail and ensure that such appreciate, I have a very close association, or distortions of the expressed will of the people relationship, with the councillor whose division do not occur. These and other important covers 60 per cent to 65 per cent of my differences will simply add to the confusion of electorate. Since 1985, Councillor Paul Gamin voters that has already been created by the has served with distinction and will continue to inappropriate usage of the term "referendums" serve with distinction after the election in in the current Bill before the House and adds March next year which is being formalised by weight to the argument that the usage of the this legislation as a result of the referendum term "referendum" is inappropriate in this held a few months ago. instance. The usage of the term "referendum" I am very pleased to see the amendment is an important issue that requires clarification dealing with disclosure as circulated by the from the Minister, and it may be appropriate Minister. Let us be clear about the whole issue that that matter be pursued later during this of donations to local government candidates. debate. I believe the term "plebiscite" should Labor had six years to deliver on this issue but be considered as an appropriate replacement it did nothing. After the revamp of the Local term. Government Act in 1993, I approached the At the risk of once again being accused of then Minister for Local Government, Mr being too politically correct, as I was earlier this Mackenroth, and pleaded with him to year, I point out that there is again no introduce disclosure laws for councillors to take provision in the legislation for the material effect in 1994 at the time of that local published to explain the issues at stake in a government election. Despite my referendum to be published in languages representations to Mr Mackenroth, no action other than English to ensure that as many was forthcoming. At the time, he said that voters as possible understand the question there was no time to do so between the they are compelled to vote upon. revamp of the Local Government Act in 1993 The final matter that I would like to and the triennial elections in 1994. discuss is the recent report of the Local I approached Mr Mackenroth again in Government Commissioner into the City of 1994 in the lead-up to the 1995 elections for Brisbane/City of Logan boundaries. The report the newly amalgamated City of Gold Coast. recommends, among other matters, that the Again, no action was forthcoming. But today, suburb of Berrinba be transferred from the City within eight months of gaining office, the of Brisbane to the City of Logan. The report coalition is delivering, and I am very pleased to recommends that the changeover day on support the amendment to the Local which the responsibilities for Berrinba and Government Act that incorporates this other areas are transferred should occur as important requirement, and I commend the soon as possible. Minister, Mrs McCauley, for persevering in this Proposed section 812 of the amending matter. legislation provides that the electoral wards of It is high time that local government the City of Brisbane in force immediately candidates were required to disclose before the commencement of this section are donations and their sources, just as we in this the electoral wards for the city for the 1997 House and our Federal counterparts have triennial election. Perhaps the Minister could been required to do for some time. In this clarify whether, for the purpose of the 1997 State, we have some of the largest and council elections, Berrinba will still be part of fastest growing local governments in Australia, Brisbane as a result of the passing of this whose business activities are huge by any amendment Bill. Given the fact that the measure. In the whole of Australia, the Gold elections are now less than four months away, Coast City Council's budget is second only to I suggest that it is important that this matter be that of Brisbane. Therefore, it is only fair that clarified in order to minimise any confusion. people who aspire to represent the interests of 28 Nov 1996 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 4659 ratepayers and to make decisions on their process. I wondered what there was to prevent behalf be totally open and aboveboard a change in the panel make-up, particularly if regarding their sources of campaign funds. near the completion of a review local By making full declarations, local government political sensitivities perhaps government candidates will remove the become evident or there is a perception that innuendoes of their being in the pay of the right result is not emerging. That may developers. These innuendos have been a appear to be drawing a longbow, but with cloud hanging over councillors in fast-growing respect to the issue of local government regions for decades. Many of my constituents amalgamations and significant boundary and residents of other areas all over the Gold changes it is indeed a very sensitive matter. Coast have contacted me to express strong I also note and commend the Minister for support for the full disclosure of campaign the fact that in the document there is an donations at the local government level. allowance for boundary changes that are by Already, councillors and candidates mutual consent to proceed without an in-depth throughout Queensland have come out review. There was an incident in the local strongly in support of the coalition on this authority in my area in central Queensland amendment. I draw the attention of the House which involved a single property which to the very supportive comments from the regularly changed hands between local Local Government Association of Queensland. authorities depending on which local authority Disclosure is probably the most important serviced the property and from which side of a local government decision the Minister has mountain range the property was accessed. made, and I am pleased that this time my Both councils and the landowner agreed, yet representations have not been in vain. I there had to be a fairly convoluted review. A commend and support the Minister for this fairly glossy document of 40 pages was the amendment. result, and the recommendation was that the change of boundary proceed. It was costly, Mrs CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone) time consuming—it took over 12 months—and (1.26 a.m.): Firstly, I acknowledge that the it was unnecessary. It is good to see that, Minister and her officers have had a very where there is mutual agreement, those profitable consultation with the Local boundary changes can occur. Government Association of Queensland. I have certainly had very positive feedback from I wish to turn to the issue of referendums. the chief executive officer. I perhaps differ with some of the previous speakers. At the last round of boundary When the EARC boundaries commission reviews, one of the most aggravating aspects and its possible cessation was discussed in of the process was that the local authority the House, there was a great deal of concern residents, those who would be most affected that any new appointment be independent. I by any major changes, were not given an think that to a great measure that concern was opportunity to give their support or otherwise answered with the appointment of the via a referendum. There were hearings, Electoral Commissioner of Queensland. There submissions and people's opinions were is some flexibility in the proposal to have a listened to ad nauseam. However, at the end panel of review commissioners. I accept that of the day, when a decision had to be made, that has a great deal of merit in that the many of them felt aggrieved. They felt that, in interests, demographics and ethos of local spite of the strength of the opinion that was government areas all differ, and to have a expressed and the evidence behind that diverse panel from which to select those with opinion, it came to nought; that a the appropriate experience and expertise recommendation went ahead irrespective of should ensure an informed review. their many representations. Many in local References to the commissioner are government—and I was also of this made by either the Minister to the view—believe that as the people are the major commissioner or at the request of the consideration they should be given an commissioner. I have little doubt that some of opportunity to support or oppose such those references will be generated from local fundamental changes to the character of their authorities themselves. local authorities. Unfortunately, in the past this I seek a clarification from the Minister as democratic process was not allowed. I am to what safeguards there are. It may appear to pleased to see that with full be a fairly extreme example, but proposed amalgamations—that is, the abolition of a section 71A allows for the change in the local authority area/creation of a new local appointment of review commissioners authority area—it will be mandatory for a midstream, or at any time, in that review referendum to be held in each affected local 4660 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 authority area. I believe that this is a authority area, it will have an effect on that tremendous step forward for the residents. community and they should have a say. I ask I note also the process for determining a the Minister to consider that in this Bill, or at final position by the commission in relation to least for some future time, because it is vital the matter that the commission has reviewed that that particular impact be recognised and and that a recommendation may only be that people be given that democratic right. altered by a resolution of Parliament. Quite As to the national competition reforms—I frankly, I think most people would say, "Hey, if thank the member for Chatsworth for his there is a referendum and the people have contribution. I am sure that he is much more said 'No', that is where it should stay." In better versed in those issues than I am. I do discussion with the officers and with others, know that when the national competition there is a well-worn and tried example of a reforms were first mooted, as the previous local authority in central Queensland. It does member said, a lot of the predominantly rural have a great number of difficulties to face. If councils were frightened by the proposals. We they were offered to the neighbouring local were concerned about the diminution of authority on a platter, they would be refused. services to the community, the possibility of Mr Schwarten: Mount Morgan, you some services being—— mean? Mr Mackenroth: The "Himmler" Mrs CUNNINGHAM: That is the reforms. example that is used for why, as the result of a Mrs CUNNINGHAM: That is what they referendum, there should be an overturning of were called regularly: not the "Hilmer" reforms the recommendation; that is, if the referendum but the "Himmler" reforms. says "No, we do not want that to proceed", the Mr Mackenroth interjected. Parliament should have the power to say, "Sorry, guys, it is going to go ahead." That is a Mrs CUNNINGHAM: Very much so. wise and old example. It has merit. But I think That demonstrated the fear that people held. one would find that the majority of residents It is good to see that in this Bill there is a would say, "If we have said 'No' it should clarification in that there is a test that councils remain 'No'." At least if this House overturns can apply to those reforms. I think that will the decision of the commission and the encourage many of the local authority people. determination of the commission is both The payment of tax on page 97 was one logical and transparent, it is by this Bill the that the Local Government Association raised elected representatives of those communities with the Minister, that is, that not only with will answer for the changes and must answer commercialisation but also with corporatisation subsequently to the electorate. there should be a protection against the However, there is one serious omission payment of Commonwealth taxes. I was which I have already discussed with the advised—and rightly so—that the State Minister and which I will raise again. I refer to Government cannot write laws which bind the the recognition of the need for a referendum Federal Government. But it is a concern of where not only full amalgamations and local governments that if they act responsibly dissolutions are proposed but where major and move to make their operations boundary changes are proposed as well. For a competitive they could be liable for Federal lot of local authority areas, that can taxes. significantly impact on their geographical The clarification of the process with regard make-up and also their economic viability or to declaration envelopes is one that may their economic soundness. It may not make appear unimportant to many, but for folk who them unviable, but it may take away that edge have to sign their name on the outside of an that they had as far as economic viability is envelope that is going to hold their vote it concerned. caused a great deal of concern. They needed Mr Schwarten: Mount Morgan again? to have security in that their vote would be Mrs CUNNINGHAM: No. It just gives discrete from their declaration sheets. those ratepayers who are going to be The issue of the Livingstone Shire Council significantly impacted upon the chance to water rates has also been touched on by one have a say. That is an important word, of the previous speakers. Again, I have some "significantly". I am told that it is very difficult to real concerns with the fact that we are quantify—it is very subjective—but it is a word legislating for one local authority which made a that residents understand. If a proposal to mistake. The fact that it made a mistake is not change the boundaries will significantly alter a problem, but I am concerned that it chose to the character or the economics of a local ignore the advice of the Minister, the 28 Nov 1996 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 4661 department and the Ombudsman and failed this State. I would like to make just a few to take that mistake to its community and general comments on both the development resolve it with the community. The Minister has and the application of National Competition accepted her responsibility to legislate to Policy. correct that error. But it is a difficult one to ask With the passing of the recent the State Government to correct local Queensland competition legislation, this State government oversights, particularly when local will soon be seeing the practical application of government wants its autonomy. national competition principles across a whole Mr Schwarten: I don't mind; I'm a range of private and public sector activities. ratepayer down there. Within the public sector we will see principles Mrs CUNNINGHAM: The member will applied which will radically impinge upon the have to declare an interest! operations of entities such as the railways, the electricity industry, the health industry and The other point I want to cover is the possibly even our education system. declarations for local government funding. When it was first discussed, my preference With respect to, for instance, the electricity was that it be all local governments—that industry, the application of these principles will nobody be exempt. I notice in the have major ramifications for the revenue and amendments that Brisbane City is exempt. jobs when that industry is opened up fully to With my experience in local government, I competition. In particular, the Queensland have had contact with Brisbane City at local industry at this stage has set up its own retailer government conferences and that is probably in Victoria and no doubt southern retailers will all. I believe the community is requiring—not set up in Queensland with consequent requesting, but requiring—openness and potential losses of jobs. I am advised that, with accountability. Disclosure of election gifts is reference to Queensland and the electricity part of that transparency. I do not see that industry, if the top 160 companies decided to Brisbane City should be exempt. However, buy their electricity from southern retailers, we because of its unique situation the Minister would have a potential loss of about 30 per has allowed, at least in the short term, an cent of our revenue. exemption for the Brisbane City Council. I The general public is starting to realise would hope that that is all it is—the short term what competition policy is all about and rather than the long term—so that the starting to see on a day-by-day basis the implications for disclosure on the Brisbane City extension of its principles into many activities. I Council, which equates to a State electorate recently attended a Meals on Wheels meeting as opposed to what are the traditional local in my electorate and was quite surprised to government electoral areas, can be hear the president talk about the potential addressed. But certainly it does not in any way impact of national competition policy on the diminish the need for accountability within local operation of Meals on Wheels. authorities. Mr Schwarten: What is going to Overall, I thank the Minister for those happen to the wheels? changes in the Bill, particularly the referendum Mr ROBERTS: The wheels may well fall section on local government boundaries. I off because what was being discussed was a believe it is something that created the possible requirement that these bodies would greatest amount not just of tension and anger have to tender for the Government funding in the community but frustration and a sense which is applied to them along with private that people were not able to get natural sector operators who could provide the justice. I commend the Minister for the service. The question that needs to be asked mandatory referendum for abolition of a local about national competition policy is whether government and full amalgamations, but I anything is sacred? If the economic would commend to her mandatory fundamentalists get their way, they will destroy referendums for major boundary changes that the very fabric of our communities, particularly will significantly affect local authority areas. I if they are allowed to get away with some of support the Bill. the nonsensical proposals arising out of some Mr ROBERTS (Nudgee) (1.39 a.m.): I of these reforms. wish to comment on one aspect of the Bill, In reality, the Hilmer report does not give that is, Chapter 7A which deals with the a lot of support to many of the free market application of national competition reform to rantings offered by some people on the significant business activities. This Bill conservative side of politics. However, I do represents the first stage of the application of note that some members opposite have competition principles to local government in acknowledged that the application of national 4662 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996 competition principles is not a universal as unions, social welfare groups, etc., panacea to solving the ills of our industries negotiating a package of reforms which were and enterprises. Like me, there are still some contained in a series of COAG agreements people on the other side of politics who, I and ultimately legislation at both the Federal know, question the wholesale application of and State level. matters such as competitive neutrality, access In effect, the whole package was signed regimes and the contracting out of and sealed before it went anywhere near a Government services. Parliament to actually be delivered. I have a The Hilmer report itself is actually neutral problem with that. I do not have a problem on issues such as public ownership and with the process of developing that policy additionally is quite favourable to the position and the involvement of all the parties proposition that many of the reforms can be to which I have referred. However, I am achieved while the entities still remain under concerned that Parliaments were effectively public ownership. The problem for excluded from any real input into its Queenslanders is that we have in this State development and, in particular, in having any two documents which, when put together, are real say as to whether it would be adopted as quite dangerous. Of course, I am referring to a national policy. I note that similar concerns the Commission of Audit report which was about the development of policies and matters produced by Mr FitzGerald and which of this nature have been expressed by the promotes a quite strong agenda of Scrutiny of Legislation Committee in a report privatisation in a whole range of sectors in the that was tabled in this Parliament on the State—and of course privatisation is the secret development of national scheme legislation. dream of most Liberals in this Chamber. I turn briefly to the specific provisions of However, again I note the comments of a few this Bill, and I note that the Bill requires National Party members who have expressed councils to undertake a public benefit reservations about that particular agenda. On assessment of its significant business activities a couple of occasions I have heard the and that it is required to consider whether that Minister for Transport express his reservations business activity should be either corporatised, about the application of competition principles, commercialised or operated on a full cost particularly in Queensland Rail. recovery basis and then conclude whether the The combination of both the Hilmer benefits of implementation would outweigh the report, the national competition reforms and costs. the FitzGerald Commission of Audit is a The final requirement as outlined in the dangerous combination which in my view Bill does give the councils the final say as to improperly distorts the real objectives which whether they actually need to implement any are outlined in the Hilmer report, which was of those aforementioned reforms, and those effectively all about improving the efficiency of provisions in effect provide some comfort to our industries and enterprises within the the councils. I do note that there has been economy. Personally, I think Hilmer and his some debate in the community that there is committee got it wrong in assuming that some sort of requirement to privatise or competition principles were the only way to corporatise, and I acknowledge the comments achieving the objective of increased efficiency. of the Minister that that does not appear to be I believe, along with many others, that good the case. I particularly note the assurance of management can deliver these efficiencies the Minister in her second-reading speech that and that exposing public sector utilities to these reforms do not involve privatisation or wholesale competition principles is not the compulsory tendering out of council necessarily the way of achieving what is services. I encourage the Minister and the desired. Government to hold to that point of view. I will make a few comments on the If this exercise outlined if the Bill is process surrounding the development of focused on achieving efficiencies, then it can national competition policy principles before I produce positive outcomes and results for make a few brief comments about the specific councils. However, in doing so, we need to be provisions in this Bill. I think it is important for mindful of the employment implications of any us to remember that we are dealing here with decisions that are taken. one of the most significant economic reforms in our nation's history. Basically, the process of One further and final concern I raise is the developing national competition policy fact that councils are required to undertake the involved a group of Federal bureaucrats, assessment processes outlined in the Bill and Executive Government at both State and in particular the costs that will be imposed on Federal level and various interest groups such those councils, many of whom may already be 28 Nov 1996 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 4663 operating their services at high efficiency Some people in local government who levels. In these cases, if they do exist—and I should know better are going around saying know that many councils believe that their that the National Competition Policy will mean services are operating efficiently—I do not see compulsory competitive tendering and/or the need to force them to spend additional privatisation. It does not mean either of those money in undertaking an assessment which things. It will be optional for large councils to will give them an answer which they already corporatise or commercialise. They do not know. have to do it. It will be their choice if they do. Hon. D. E. McCAULEY (Callide— At the end of the day I do not believe it is Minister for Local Government and Planning) going to be the bogey that a lot of people (1.48 a.m.), in reply: I thank all the speakers; think it is. I also do not believe it is going to be fortunately, there were not too many at this as wonderful as a lot of people think, either. hour. I would also like to thank the Queensland is the only State in Australia in departmental officers who are here at this which the Government has agreed to share dreadful hour of the morning. the money coming through from the Federal Government with local government. It is an Mr Mackenroth: They'll be early for incentive for local government to come to grips work. with the National Competition Policy. I applaud Mrs McCAULEY: They will go straight the State Government for doing that. The to work. The Opposition spokesman said that State Government has been magnanimous in there would be no real reform. He was wrong doing that for local government. when he commented on the changes to the Mr Mackenroth: A good decision I whole concept of boundary changes or made. Come on, be honest. That decision amalgamations or abolitions of shires of was made before you came into Government. council areas because already some western The decision for that was made before you shires have got together and are voluntarily came to Government. discussing this concept. At the Local Mrs McCAULEY: It was confirmed by Government Conference this year, I told them the present Government. The member for to be pro-active about this. I told them to take Sunnybank asked whether it should be called the lead role otherwise the Federal a plebiscite or a referendum. I think that is Government—not me—or some other body purely semantics. He is very mixed up when would come along and force them into this. he talks about voting areas. In an Mr Mackenroth interjected. amalgamated area such as Cairns/Mulgrave, Cairns would be a voting area and Mulgrave Mrs McCAULEY: At the end of the day, would be another voting area. It is as simple once this next election is behind them, I think as that. He also talked about the that some of them will go down that track. Brisbane/Logan boundary. I would like to They know that the writing is on the wall and assure him that that matter will be finalised that they have to look at this carefully. A before the legislation is assented to. voluntary move by them is quite different from having something imposed on them from the The member for Burleigh has always top down. The member is wrong when he says been a strong supporter of disclosure that there will be no real reform. I think it will provisions. She spoke about those provisions come from the grassroots level, which is from and I welcome her support in getting those where it has to come. provisions into the Bill and thus into the Parliament. The member for Gladstone spoke The member also said that there were no about section 71A which talks about the changes. The feedback I get from local appointment of additional review government is that they are sick and tired of commissioners. That section does not talk changes—change for change's sake—they about dismissal. It simply talks about adding cannot keep up with them. They want a bit of more commissioners if a review becomes a slow-down process. They want things to complex as it goes along. Section 68(2) on settle down a bit because the changes in local page 31 removes the Electoral government have been thick and fast in the Commissioner's power to dismiss last few years. commissioners. He had that power previously The matter of incentives for early payment but he does not have it now. He cannot just of rates was requested by councils; that is why go along and dismiss commissioners in the it is in the legislation. I agree with the member middle of a review. about the National Competition Policy. The The member for Gladstone also spoke member for Nudgee spoke about that as well. about protection against the imposition of 4664 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996

Commonwealth taxes. The State Government November 1993 on political donations and is will continue to support local government in largely based on the disclosure requirements this. She also referred to referendums and for State MLAs under the Electoral Act 1992. indicated her support for referendums in any The proposed requirements do not apply to matter of a boundary change. I recall how the organisations registered as political parties honourable member fought so strongly for her under the Electoral Act or to campaign own council of Calliope to remain a separate committees that are recognised by a political entity from Gladstone. She took them all on party as being part of the party. Disclosure single-handedly when they came to Calliope. I requirements in the Electoral Act already apply went over to the hall to hear it and she even if there is an involvement in local cleaned them up. The Leader of the House government elections. In addition, no new will concur with me on that. requirements are proposed in respect of elections for the Brisbane City Council. The Bill presently provides that if it is Members should be clear that Brisbane City proposed to make a major change to the Council is, for the most part, contested by external boundaries of a local government candidates representing political parties. area, a referendum may be held at the Currently, donations to the political parties are discretion of the Local Government Electoral covered by the State Electoral Act requiring and Boundaries Review Commission. The annual returns disclosing donations as well as results of the referendum are not binding, although a commission would have to expenditure. Therefore, donations to political seriously consider the results. However, I am parties running candidates at the Brisbane City aware of concerns held by the member for Council elections are disclosed in their returns. Gladstone, the Local Government Association The issue of public funding for local of Queensland and others that there is no government elections is one that requires requirement for a compulsory referendum further consultation. It is not my intention to when a substantial change of external make hasty decisions on this matter until all boundaries is proposed or there would be a involved are given the opportunity to have significant effect on a council's ability to their say. The proposed disclosure scheme in provide services as a result of a boundary this Bill applies to candidates for all other local change. government elections, including any who have been nominated by the registered officer of a It is argued that the Bill should contain registered political party. It also applies to third similar provisions to those requiring parties. These are people or bodies that compulsory referendums on amalgamation expend moneys on local government elections proposals. I have some sympathy for these and are not candidates or the campaign arguments, but it is simply too complex an committee for a candidate. issue to attempt to address in amendments to the Bill at this stage. I will give a commitment Where a campaign committee has been to the Parliament that my department will set up to help elect a particular candidate and examine the available options with the aim of that committee receives gifts for or on behalf bringing amendments into Parliament early of the candidate, the gifts received by the next year to address the issue because there campaign committee are also to be disclosed will be further National Competition Policy by the candidate. This applies to a candidate amendments to the Local Government Act in who has not been endorsed by a registered February or March next year. political party. The Electoral Act does not require any candidate at local government I would like to take this opportunity to elections, or third parties, to disclose gifts. foreshadow amendments to be moved at the These amendments to the Local Government Committee stage to establish a scheme Act will establish a disclosure scheme for such requiring certain candidates and third parties in elections. local government elections to disclose I propose that the new scheme will electoral donations or gifts. The objective of commence on 1 January 1997. This means the disclosure scheme is to enhance public that candidates and third parties in the 1997 confidence in the local government system. triennial elections will be required to disclose The scheme is also designed so that it does gifts received from that date and until the end not place an undue burden on council of the disclosure period, which is 30 days after resources. the conclusion of the election. The disclosure The approach taken generally reflects the period for subsequent triennial elections and report of the Parliamentary Committee for by-elections will start the day after the end of Electoral and Administrative Review in the disclosure period for the 1997 elections. 28 Nov 1996 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 4665

Each candidate at an election or by- misleading. An offence of this kind may lead election for a local government will be required to dismissal from office and therefore would to provide a return to the chief executive constitute official misconduct under the officer of the council within three months after Criminal Justice Act 1989. Additional steps the conclusion of the election. The return must have been included to maximise the lodgment state the total amount of all gifts received by of returns by unsuccessful candidates. For the candidate—and, if appropriate, the example, a candidate's nomination fee will not campaign committee—during the disclosure be refunded unless a return is lodged. period and the source and amount of each gift Towards the end of the lodgment period of $200 or more. A nil return must still be the chief executive officer is also obliged to lodged if no gifts are received. write to all candidates who have not lodged It will be unlawful for a candidate to returns to remind them of their obligations and receive a gift of at least $200 without knowing of the associated offence provisions. In the the name and address of the donor. A third case of third parties, it will be an offence to fail party who incurs expenditure for a political to lodge a return or to lodge a false or purpose of $1,000 or more during the misleading return. Any person may take legal disclosure period must also prepare a return if action for offences against the disclosure a gift of a prescribed amount has been requirements. The fact that the register of received and is used or partly used for a returns is open to anyone to inspect will also political purpose. Only gifts of $1,000 or more assist in ensuring that disclosure occurs. and their source are required to be disclosed, Because of the time available to formulate the with the return being lodged with the chief legislation, it should not be seen as the final executive officer of the relevant local council step in dealing with concerns that the public within three months of the conclusion of the may hold about the local government electoral election. For candidates and third parties, two process. or more gifts from the same person are I propose that a review be undertaken treated as one gift. after the next elections to ascertain how The scheme is to be administered by the effective that approach has been and whether chief executive officer of each council, who improvements could be made. Nevertheless, I would keep a register of returns received from anticipate that the introduction of those candidates and third parties. The register will disclosure requirements for the 1997 elections be open to public inspection by any person. will be widely supported in the community. Whilst the proposed scheme is based on the They will provide for more transparency as to State system, some variations have been who is funding whom and add to public necessary to accommodate the differences confidence in the integrity of decisions between State and local government. The subsequently made by those elected as approach adopted has been to build on councillors. existing processes and checks and balances Motion agreed to. in the Local Government Act, and to particularly concentrate on ensuring that every successful candidate lodges a return. Committee For example, a candidate who is elected Hon. D. E. McCauley (Callide—Minister for must lodge an interim return before taking Local Government and Planning) in charge of office as councillor. The person must then the Bill. submit a final return to cover any donations Mr CAMPBELL: I rise to a point of received after lodging the interim return or for order. It is a major departure from accepted which information was not readily available at procedure to have 20 pages of amendments that time. The person's office as a councillor for the Committee of the Whole. I believe it is becomes vacant if they fail to lodge an interim an abuse of Standing Orders to have these return within one month after being elected, types of changes with these explanatory notes unless the Minister has granted an extension when at any other time this would have been of time. another amendment Bill. In addition, if a councillor is convicted of Mr MACKENROTH: I rise to a point of failure to lodge a final return or gives a false or order. I draw to the member's attention that I misleading return, the councillor is no longer agreed to it. qualified to hold office as a councillor unless the court decides otherwise. The Criminal The CHAIRMAN (Mr Laming): Order! Justice Commission will be able to investigate There is no point of order. allegations that a councillor's return is false or Clauses 1 to 24, as read, agreed to. 4666 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996

Clause 25— The numbers being equal, the Chairman Mr MACKENROTH (2.02 a.m.): I move cast his vote with the Ayes. the following amendment— Resolved in the affirmative. "At page 39, lines 24 to 30 and at Clause 25, as read, agreed to. page 40, lines 1 to 13— The CHAIRMAN: Order! I advise omit." honourable members that for further divisions This amendment deletes the section during the Committee stage of this Bill, the relating to the holding of a referendum and bells will ring for two minutes. the need to hold a referendum in relation to Clause 26, as read, agreed to. major references that are sent to the Clause 27— commissioners if they believe that there should be an amalgamation. That is in line Mr MACKENROTH (2.10 a.m.): I move with the recommendation of the minority the following amendments— committee of PCEAR, which was made up of "At page 67, line 12— mostly National Party members, which said omit. that there was no need for a referendum to be held. I listened to the member for Gladstone's At page 68, line 14— arguments that, if a referendum was passed, omit." the Parliament still had the ability to knock it The purpose of this amendment is to back. That is the way that it should be, delete the section that states that a person is because the representatives should have the not qualified for appointment as a review ability to make that final decision. I suggest commissioner if that person is a member of a that the coming back to the Parliament is all political party. That is political censorship. We that is necessary. There is no need for a do not say that, if a person is a land referendum. developer, that person should not be a review Mrs McCAULEY: I point out that the commissioner because decisions that that member is wanting to repeal that section and person makes may be to his or her favour in the other provisions that deal with the any way, shape or form. However, the Minister procedures on how to run a referendum and is picking out a person who is member of a dealing with results have been retained even political party. I am aware that, having been though they would no longer have any chosen, a member of a political party might relevance. This particular clause is the central very well be a person who would be criticised plank of coalition policy. That has been stated by people who are opposed to what that clearly. We have probably moved along since person is doing for that reason. the days of the parliamentary committee. That is not always going to be the case. I Coalition policy is for referendums on any am sure that if the Minister chose someone to amalgamations in local government. be a review commissioner from her side of Question—That the words proposed to politics, such as Mike Ahern, to consider some be omitted stand part of the clause—put; and specific area that was not Caloundra, I am the Committee divided— sure that people would not be criticising it. I AYES, 43—Baumann, Beanland, Borbidge, Cooper, think that there would be people from my side Cunningham, Davidson, Elliott, FitzGerald, Gamin, of politics who would fit into the same Gilmore, Goss J. N., Grice, Harper, Healy, Hegarty, category. I think to simply wipe out completely Hobbs, Horan, Johnson, Lester, Lingard, Littleproud, a person as being not qualified for McCauley, Malone, Mitchell, Perrett, Quinn, Radke, appointment as a review commissioner Rowell, Santoro, Sheldon, Simpson, Slack, Stephan, because that person is a member of a political Stoneman, Tanti, Turner, Veivers, Warwick, Watson, party is wrong. It is censorship of those Wilson, Woolmer Tellers: Springborg, Carroll people's political beliefs. It is not something NOES, 43—Ardill, Barton, Beattie, Bird, Bligh, that we as a Parliament should be doing. Braddy, Bredhauer, Briskey, Campbell, D’Arcy, De Lacy, Dollin, Edmond, Elder, Foley, Fouras, Certainly, when a review commissioner is Gibbs, Goss W. K., Hamill, Hayward, Hollis, Lucas, appointed, the Government should consider McElligott, McGrady, Mackenroth, Milliner, Mulherin, all of the relevant facts before choosing the Nunn, Nuttall, Palaszczuk, Purcell, Roberts, person. Perhaps because of that person's Robertson, Rose, Schwarten, Smith, Spence, membership of a political party it may be the Sullivan J. H., Welford, Wells, Woodgate Tellers: case that that person is not the right person to Livingstone, Sullivan T. B. appoint to review a particular area. However, I Pair: Connor, Pearce do not believe that we should have in an Act 28 Nov 1996 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 4667 of Parliament a section such as this and, for Replacement of s 190 (Councillor's that reason, the Opposition opposes it. declaration of office) Mrs McCAULEY: I simply point out that 29B. Section 190— these provisions are the same provisions that omit, insert— apply under legislation that the former Labor Government brought in for the Local 'Requirements of councillors before acting Government Commissioner. Somewhere in office along the line the member has changed his '190.(1) A person elected as a mind, but the Local Government councillor must not act in the office until Commissioner could not be a member of any the person— political party. I think that is a good way to go. (a) if elected as a councillor of the Also, the Electoral Commissioner cannot be a Brisbane City Council—makes a member of a political party. So we have just declaration of office; or simply carried over those stipulations. I believe that they are sound policies and we should (b) if elected as a councillor of stick with them. another local government— Question—That the words proposed to (i) firstly gives the chief be omitted stand part of the clause—put; and executive officer of the local the Committee divided— government a return in the approved form;1 and AYES, 43—Baumann, Beanland, Borbidge, Cooper, Cunningham, Davidson, Elliott, FitzGerald, Gamin, (ii) subsequently makes a Gilmore, Goss J. N., Grice, Harper, Healy, Hegarty, declaration of office. Hobbs, Horan, Johnson, Lester, Lingard, Littleproud, '(2) A person appointed as a McCauley, Malone, Mitchell, Perrett, Quinn, Radke, councillor must not act in the office until Rowell, Santoro, Sheldon, Simpson, Slack, Stephan, Stoneman, Tanti, Turner, Veivers, Warwick, Watson, the person makes a declaration of office. Wilson, Woolmer Tellers: Springborg, Carroll '(3) The return under subsection NOES, 43—Ardill, Barton, Beattie, Bird, Bligh, (1)(b)(i) must state the information the Braddy, Bredhauer, Briskey, Campbell, D’Arcy, person is required to give under section De Lacy, Dollin, Edmond, Elder, Foley, Fouras, 355N2 relating to the disclosure period for Gibbs, Goss W. K., Hamill, Hayward, Hollis, Lucas, the election of the person to the extent McElligott, McGrady, Mackenroth, Milliner, Mulherin, that the person states the information is Nunn, Nuttall, Palaszczuk, Purcell, Roberts, readily available when giving the return. Robertson, Rose, Schwarten, Smith, Spence, Sullivan J. H., Welford, Wells, Woodgate Tellers: '(4) The declaration of office must be Livingstone, Sullivan T. B. in the following form— Pair: Connor, Pearce 'I, ...... , having been The numbers being equal, the Chairman elected/appointed as a councillor of cast his vote with the Ayes. the Council of the City/Town/Shire of ...... , declare that I will faithfully Resolved in the affirmative. and impartially fulfil the duties of the Clause 27, as read, agreed to. office to the best of my judgment Clauses 28 and 29, as read, agreed to. and ability.'. Insertion of new clauses— '(5) The chief executive officer of the local government is authorised to take the Mrs McCAULEY (2.18 a.m.): I move declaration. the following amendment— '(6) The chief executive officer must "At page 71, after line 19— keep a record of the taking of the insert— declaration. 'Amendment of s 171 (Disqualification '(7) The person ceases to hold office and vacation of office for certain offences) as a councillor if the person does not 29A. Section 171(1)— comply with subsection (1) or (2) within 1 month after being elected or appointed or insert— a longer period allowed by the Minister. '¥ section 190(8) (Requirements of '(8) The person must not give a councillors before acting in return, under subsection (1)(b)(i), office) containing particulars that are, to the ¥ section 355W(1) or (2) (Offences knowledge of the person, false or about returns).'. misleading in a material particular. 4668 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996

Maximum penalty for subsection (8)—100 until the candidate has given the chief penalty units.'.'. executive officer of the local government 1 A return given under section the return the candidate is required to 190(1)(b)(i) is part of the register kept give under section 355N3 in relation to the under section 355T (Registers of candidate's disclosure period for the electoral gifts). election.'.'. 3 2 Section 355N (Gifts to candidates)." Section 355N (Gifts to candidates)." Clause 29A is inserted to amend section Clause 44A is inserted to amend section 171 of the Local Government Act 1993 by 260 by providing that the chief executive adding to the circumstances that can lead to a officer of a local government cannot refund a councillor being disqualified from holding candidate's nomination deposit until the office. More particularly, it will now include candidate has provided a return disclosing any councillors who are found guilty of certain gifts made to the candidate during the offences under the new disclosure provisions. relevant disclosure period for the election. However, a court may direct that a councillor Amendment agreed to. who is convicted of one of these offences New clause 44A, as read, agreed to. should not lose office. Clauses 45 to 63, as read, agreed to. Clause 29B is inserted to amend section 190 of the Local Government Act 1993. Insertion of new clause— Section 190 will now provide that a person Mrs McCAULEY (2.20 a.m.): I move elected as a councillor cannot take office as the following amendment— one unless the person has firstly given the "At page 92, after line 3— chief executive officer of the local government an interim return which states the information insert— required under the new disclosure provisions 'Insertion of new ch 5, pt 8 regarding gifts made to candidates. Once the 63A. Chapter 5— return is given, the person can then make the normal declaration of office and so act as a insert— councillor. 'PART 8—DISCLOSURE OF ELECTION These requirements will ensure that no GIFTS successful candidate can act as a councillor 'Division 1—Preliminary before he or she has provided interim advice 'Definitions for pt 8 on any election gifts he or she has received. Councillors will still have to provide final advice '355A. In this part— on gifts no later than three months after the "associated entity" means an conclusion of the election. incorporated or unincorporated Section 190 also makes it an offence for body, or the trustee of a trust, a councillor to give a return which that that— councillor knows contains false and misleading (a) is controlled by 1 or more particulars. political parties; or Amendment agreed to. (b) operates wholly or mainly for the New clauses 29A and 29B, as read, benefit of 1 or more political agreed to. parties. Clauses 30 to 44, as read, agreed to. "disclosure period"— Insertion of new clause— (a) for a candidate for an election— see division 2, subdivision 1; Mrs McCAULEY (2.19 a.m.): I move and the following amendment— (b) for section 355Q,4 for an "At page 80, after line 28— election—see division 2, insert— subdivision 2. 'Amendment of s 260 (Disposal of "disposition of property" means a deposits generally) conveyance, transfer, assignment, 44A. Section 260— settlement, delivery, payment or other alienation of property, and insert— includes— '(1A) Despite subsection (1), a (a) the allotment of shares in a candidate's deposit must not be refunded corporation; and 28 Nov 1996 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 4669

(b) the creation of a trust in (a) for a gift purportedly made on property; and behalf of the members of an (c) the grant or creation of a lease, unincorporated association— mortgage, charge, servitude, (i) the association's name; and licence, power, partnership or (ii) unless the association is interest in property; and a registered industrial (d) the release, discharge, organisation—the names surrender, forfeiture or and residential or business abandonment, at law or in addresses of the members equity, of a debt, contract or of the executive committee chose in action, or of an interest (however described) of the in property; and association; or (e) the exercise by a person of a (b) for a gift purportedly made out general power of appointment of of a trust fund or out of the property in favour of someone funds of a foundation— else; and (i) the names and residential or (f) a transaction by a person with business addresses of the intent to diminish, directly or trustees of the fund or other indirectly, the value of the persons responsible for the person's own property and to funds of the foundation; and increase the value of someone (ii) the title or other description of else's property. the trust fund or the name of the "gift" means the disposition of property or foundation; or the provision of a service, without (c) for a gift not mentioned in consideration or for a consideration paragraph (a) or (b)—the name less than the full consideration, but and residential or business does not include— address of the person who made the gift. (a) transmission of property under a will; or "value", for a gift, means— (b) provision of a service by (a) if the gift is money—the amount volunteer labour. of the money; or (b) if the gift is property other than "prescribed amount" means an amount money— prescribed under a regulation but, until a regulation is made, means— (i) the market value of the property; or (a) in sections 355N(2)(b)(iii) and 355O(1)5 —$200; or (ii) if a regulation prescribes principles under which the (b) in section 355Q(1)(b) and (6),6 value of the property is to definition "prescribed gift", be determined—the value paragraph (c)—$1 000. determined under the "prescribed period" means a period principles; or prescribed under a regulation but, (c) if the gift is the provision of a until a regulation is made, means 30 service— days. (i) the amount that would "register", for a local government, see reasonably be charged for section 355T(1).7 providing the service if the service were provided on a "registered industrial organisation" means commercial basis; or an organisation registered under a law of the State, another State or the (ii) if a regulation prescribes Commonwealth about the principles under which the registration of industrial amount that would organisations. reasonably be charged for providing the service is to "relevant details", for a gift, means the be determined—the value of the gift and when the gift amount determined under was made and— the principles. 4670 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996

'Candidates 'Disclosure period for candidates at '355B. For this part, a reference to a previous fresh elections candidate for an election is a reference to '355G.(1) This section applies if a a person who, at noon on the nomination person— day for the election, is properly nominated (a) was a candidate at a fresh for the election. election (the "previous election") 'Things taken to be done by political party relating to a local government '355C. For this part, for a political (the "first local government"); party that is not a body corporate, things and done by or with the authority of members (b) is a candidate for a subsequent or officers of the party on behalf of the election relating to any local party are done by or for a political party. government (the "relevant 'Related corporations election") up to and including the next triennial election '355D. For this part— relating to the first local (a) a body corporate and any other government. body corporate related to it are '(2) Despite section 355F,8 the taken to be the one person; and disclosure period for the candidate for the (b) whether a body corporate is relevant election starts at the end of the related to another body prescribed period after the conclusion of corporate must be decided in whichever is the later of— the same way a corporation is (a) the previous election; or decided to be related to another corporation under the (b) a later election in which the Corporations Law. candidate was a candidate before the relevant election. 'Division 2—Disclosure periods '(3) The disclosure period ends at the 'Subdivision 1—Disclosure periods for end of the prescribed period after the candidates for elections conclusion of the relevant election. 'Purpose of subdivision 'Disclosure period for new candidates '355E. This subdivision defines the '355H.(1) This section applies if disclosure periods for candidates for sections 355F, 355G and 355I9 do not elections. apply to a person who is a candidate for 'Disclosure period for candidates at an election. previous elections '(2) The disclosure period for the '355F.(1) This section applies if a candidate for the election starts when the candidate for an election (the "current first of the following happens or, if they election") was a candidate for another happen at the same time, when they election relating to any local government happen— the conclusion of which was within the (a) the person announces the relevant period before the polling day for person is to be a candidate in the current election. the election; '(2) The disclosure period for the (b) the person nominates as a candidate for the current election starts at candidate in the election. the end of the prescribed period after the conclusion of the most recent election '(3) The disclosure period ends at the happening before the current election in end of the prescribed period after the which the candidate was a candidate. conclusion of the election. '(3) The disclosure period ends at the 'Disclosure period for certain candidates end of the prescribed period after the who are appointed councillors conclusion of the current election. '355I.(1) This section applies if a '(4) In this section— candidate for an election, when nominating as a candidate, is an "relevant period" means the period appointed councillor of a local prescribed under a regulation but, government to whom neither section until a regulation is made, means 4 355F nor section 355G10 applies. years. 28 Nov 1996 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 4671

'(2) Despite section 355H,11 the 'Definitions disclosure period for the candidate for the '355M. In this subdivision— election starts when the candidate was "candidate's campaign committee", for a appointed a councillor. candidate for an election, means a '(3) The disclosure period ends at the committee formed to help the end of the prescribed period after the candidate's campaign in the election conclusion of the election. but does not include a committee 'Subdivision 2—Disclosure period for third that is recognised by a political party parties for elections as being part of the political party. 'Purpose of subdivision "gifts received by a candidate for an '355J. This subdivision defines the election" includes gifts received by 12 the candidate's campaign committee disclosure period for section 355Q for or on behalf of the candidate. for an election. 'Gifts to candidates 'Disclosure period for s 355Q '355N.(1) This section applies to gifts '355K. For section 355Q, the received by a candidate for an election disclosure period for an election— during the candidate's disclosure period (a) starts at the end of the for the election but not to a gift made in a prescribed period after the date private capacity to the candidate, for the of the immediately preceding candidate's personal use, that the triennial elections for local candidate has not used, and does not governments under section intend to use, solely or substantially for a 217;13 and purpose related to any election. (b) ends at the end of the '(2) Each candidate for the election prescribed period after the must, within 3 months after the conclusion polling day for the election. of the election, give to the chief executive officer of the local government to which 'Subdivision 3—Transitional provisions for the election relates a return, in the start of disclosure periods approved form, stating— 'Transitional provisions (a) whether the candidate received '355L.(1) Despite subdivisions 1 and any gifts to which this section 2— applies; and (a) if a disclosure period would (b) if so— otherwise start before 1 January (i) the total value of all of the 1997, it starts on 1 January gifts; and 1997; and (ii) how many persons made (b) for a candidate to whom section the gifts; and 355H14 would otherwise apply, (iii) the relevant details for each the disclosure period for a 1997 gift made by a person to triennial election starts on 1 the candidate, if the total January 1997, regardless of the value of all gifts made by day of the candidate's the person to the candidate announcement of candidature during the disclosure period or nomination as a candidate; is the prescribed amount or and more. (c) for a candidate to whom section 'Certain gifts not to be received 15 355I would otherwise apply, '355O.(1) It is unlawful for a the disclosure period for a 1997 candidate for an election, or a person triennial election starts on 1 acting on behalf of a candidate for an January 1997, regardless of election, to receive, during the disclosure when the candidate was period for the candidate for the election, a appointed a councillor. gift made to or for the benefit of the '(2) This subdivision expires on 1 candidate the value of which is the January 2001. prescribed amount or more unless— 'Division 3—Disclosure of gifts (a) the relevant details for the gift 'Subdivision 1—Disclosure by candidates are known to the person for elections receiving the gift; or 4672 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996

(b) when the gift is made— (b) the following provisions, or a (i) the person making the gift general outline of them, to the gives to the person extent they may be relevant to receiving the gift details of the candidate— the gift; and ¥ section 171 (Disqualification (ii) the person receiving the gift and vacation of office for has no reasonable grounds certain offences) to believe that the details ¥ section 260(1A) (Disposal of given are not the relevant deposits generally) details for the gift. ¥ section 355N (Gifts to '(2) If a person receives a gift that, candidates) under subsection (1), it is unlawful for the ¥ section 355W (Offences person to receive, an amount equal to the about returns) value of the gift— ¥ section 355Y (Obtaining of (a) is payable by the person to the information and completion local government to which the of returns). election relates; and 'Subdivision 2—Disclosure by third parties (b) may be recovered by the local for elections government as a debt owing to the local government by action 'Gifts for third party expenditure for in a court of competent political purposes jurisdiction against the person. '355Q.(1) This section applies if, during the disclosure period for this '(3) For subsection (1), a person who section17 for an election (the "relevant is a candidate in an election remains a election") relating to a local government candidate for the prescribed period after (the "relevant local government")— the conclusion of the election. (a) a person (other than a political '(4) For this section, 2 or more gifts party, an associated entity or a made by the one person to or for the candidate for the election) incurs benefit of the one candidate, are to be or has incurred expenditure for a treated as 1 gift. political purpose about an '(5) In this section— election or elections relating to "person acting on behalf of a candidate the relevant local government; for an election" includes the and candidate's campaign committee for (b) the total amount of all the the election. expenditure mentioned in "person making a gift" includes an paragraph (a) is the prescribed unincorporated association on whose amount or more; and behalf a gift is made. (c) the person receives a gift that is 'Chief executive officer to give reminder a prescribed gift in relation to the notice to candidates relevant local government. '355P.(1) This section applies if a '(2) The person must, before the end candidate for election has not given the of 3 months after the conclusion of the return the candidate is required to give for relevant election, give to the chief the election under section 355N.16 executive officer of the relevant local government a return, in the approved '(2) Within 2 months after the form, stating the relevant details for all conclusion of the election, the chief gifts that— executive officer to whom the return must be given must give in writing the (a) are prescribed gifts in relation to information mentioned in subsection (3) to the relevant local government; the candidate. and '(3) The information is— (b) are received by the person during the disclosure period. (a) a reminder that the candidate is '(3) For subsection (1), a person does required to give the return within not include persons appointed to form a 3 months after the conclusion of committee to help the campaign in an the election; and election of a candidate who has been 28 Nov 1996 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 4673

nominated for election by the registered gifts under section 355Q18 to a officer of a political party if the campaign chief executive officer of a local committee is recognised by the political government; and party as being part of the political party. (b) apart from this section, because '(4) Expenditure for a political of a later election, the person purpose relating to 2 or more local would be required to give governments is taken to have been another return under section incurred for a political purpose about an 355Q to the chief executive election relating to each local officer of the same local government. government; and '(5) In this section, 2 or more gifts (c) the other return, if given, would made, during the disclosure period for this disclose no other gifts. section for an election, by the one person '(2) The person is not required to give to another person are to be treated as 1 the other return. gift. 'Subdivision 3—Amendment of returns '(6) In this section— 'Amendment of returns "expenditure", for a political purpose, means expenditure for 1 or more of '355S.(1) A person who has given a the following— return under this part to the chief executive officer of a local government (a) publication by any means may at any time apply to amend the (including radio or television) of return to correct an error or omission. election matter; '(2) An application under subsection (b) public expression of views on an (1) must— issue in an election; (a) be signed by the applicant; and (c) a gift to a political party; (b) state particulars of the (d) a gift to a candidate in an amendment; and election; (c) be given to the chief executive (e) a gift to a person on the officer of the local government. understanding that the person or someone else will apply, '(3) The chief executive officer must— either directly or indirectly, the (a) permit the applicant to amend whole or a part of the gift for a the return in accordance with the purpose mentioned in application; and paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d). (b) record in the register particulars "prescribed gift", in relation to a relevant of the date and time of the local government, means a gift— amendment. (a) intended by the giver to be used '(4) The amendment of a return by the receiver, either wholly or under this section does not affect the in part, to enable the receiver to liability of a person to be convicted of an incur expenditure for a political offence under section 355W(2)19 purpose or to reimburse the committed before the amendment. receiver for incurring expenditure 'Division 4—Registers for a political purpose; and 'Registers of electoral gifts (b) used, either wholly or partly, for a political purpose about 1 or '355T.(1) The chief executive officer more elections relating to the of a local government must keep, for the relevant local government; and local government, a register of electoral gifts (the "register"). (c) the value of which is the prescribed amount or more. '(2) The register must include the following— 'No requirement to give return if no further gifts to disclose (a) all returns given to the chief executive officer under this part '355R.(1) This section applies to a or section 190;20 person if— (b) applications made to the chief (a) the person gives a return executive officer under section relating to an election disclosing 355S;21 4674 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996

(c) copies of information given by 'Division 5—Miscellaneous the chief executive officer under 'Offences about returns section 355V(2);22 '355W.(1) A person must give a (d) statutory declarations given to return the person is required to give under the chief executive officer under division 3 25 within the time required by section 355V(5); the division. (e) copies of notices given by the Maximum penalty—20 penalty units. chief executive officer under '(2) A person must not give a return 23 section 355Y(3); the person is required to give under (f) particulars given to the chief division 3 containing particulars that are, executive officer after a request to the knowledge of the person, false or made under section 355Y(3); misleading in a material particular. (g) notices given to the chief Maximum penalty— executive officer under section (a) if the person is required to give 355Y(5). the return as a candidate—100 'Access to registers penalty units; '355U.(1) A local government's (b) if paragraph (a) does not register is open to inspection. apply—50 penalty units. '(2) A person must not knowingly '(3) A person (the "first person") must disclose information obtained from the not give to another person who is required to give a return under division 3 or section register if it is not a true copy, or a fair 26 summary, of particulars in the register. 190 information to which the return relates that is, to the knowledge of the Maximum penalty for subsection (2)—20 first person, false or misleading in a penalty units. material particular. 'Queries on contents of register Maximum penalty—20 penalty units. '355V.(1) A person who suspects, or '(4) A prosecution for an offence believes, on reasonable grounds that a against a provision of this section may be return given to the chief executive officer started at any time within 4 years after the of a local government under this part has offence was committed. an error or omission, may inform the chief '(5) If a person is found guilty of an executive officer. offence under subsection (1), a court '(2) The chief executive officer must may, as well as imposing a penalty under immediately take reasonable steps to the subsection, order the person to give inform the person who gave the return the relevant return within a time stated in about the suspicion or belief. the order. '(3) The person who gave the return '(6) If a person is found guilty of an must, within 30 days of being informed, offence under subsection (2), a court establish whether the return should be may, as well as imposing a penalty under amended to make it a true record of fact. the subsection, order the person to pay, within a time stated in the order, to a local '(4) If the person establishes that the government an amount equal to the return should be amended, the person amount of the value of any gifts made to, must apply to the chief executive officer to or for the benefit of, the person and not amend the return to correct the error or disclosed in a return. omission.24 'Records to be kept '(5) If the person establishes the '355X.(1) A person who makes or return does not need to be amended, the receives a relevant record for an election person must— must keep the record for at least 4 years (a) complete a statutory declaration after the conclusion of the election unless to the effect that the particulars the record, in the normal course of in the return are a true record of business or administration, is transferred fact; and to someone else. (b) give the statutory declaration to Maximum penalty—20 penalty units. the chief executive officer. '(2) In this section— 28 Nov 1996 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 4675

"relevant record", for an election, is a person was not able to obtain before document or other thing that is or completing the return. includes a record about a matter '(5) The person must give to the chief particulars of which— executive officer of the local government (a) are, or could be, required to be to whom the return was given a written stated in a return under division notice of the information or particulars 3 27 obtained. about the election; or Maximum penalty for subsection (5)—20 (b) evidence that the giver of a gift penalty units. had an intention mentioned in 'Attempts to commit offences section 355Q(6),28 definition '355Z.(1) A person who attempts to "prescribed gift", paragraph (a). commit an offence against this part 'Obtaining of information and completion commits an offence. of returns Maximum penalty—half the maximum '355Y.(1) A person who is required to penalty for committing the offence. 29 give a return under division 3 must— '(2) The Criminal Code, section 4 30 (a) take all reasonable steps to applies to subsection (1). obtain the particulars required to 'Non-compliance with part does not affect complete the return; and election (b) complete the return to the '355ZA.(1) A failure of a person to extent that it is possible with the comply with a provision of this part for an particulars obtained. election does not invalidate the election. Maximum penalty—20 penalty units. '(2) Without limiting subsection (1) but '(2) The return must state whether subject to section 171, 31 if a candidate the return is complete as required by who is elected at an election fails to division 3 and, if not complete, state— comply with a provision of this part for the (a) the nature and type of election, the failure does not invalidate particulars the person has not the election of the candidate. been able to obtain; and 'Division 6—Evidence (b) the reasons why the person has 'Evidentiary provisions not been able to obtain the '355ZB.(1) This section applies to a particulars; and proceeding under this part. (c) if the person believes, on '(2) A certificate purporting to be reasonable grounds, that signed by the chief executive officer of a another person whose name local government and stating any of the and address the person knows following matters is evidence of the can give the particulars—that matter— belief and the reasons for it and the name and address of the (a) a stated document is an other person. application, declaration, notice or return given or kept under this '(3) If a return contains a statement part, or a copy of it; mentioned in subsection (2)(c), the chief executive officer of the local government (b) on a stated day, a stated person who receives the return must give a was given a stated notice, under written notice to the person named in the this part.'.'. statement asking the person to give the 4 Section 355Q (Gifts for third party chief executive officer the particulars the expenditure for political purposes) person knows. 5 Section 355N (Gifts to candidates) '(4) Subsection (5) applies if, at any and section 355O (Certain gifts not to time, within 4 years after the conclusion of be received) an election, a person, who has made a 6 Section 355Q (Gifts for third party statement under subsection (2) in a return expenditure for political purposes) about the election that the return is not 7 complete, obtains information or Section 355T (Registers of electoral particulars relevant to the return that the gifts) 4676 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 28 Nov 1996

8 Section 355F (Disclosure period for 30 The Criminal Code, section 4 candidates at previous elections) (Attempts to commit offences) 9 Section 355F (Disclosure period for 31 Section 171 (Disqualification and candidates at previous elections), vacation of office for certain section 355G (Disclosure period for offences)." candidates at previous fresh Clause 63A is inserted to include in elections) and section 355I Chapter 5 a new Part 8 regarding the (Disclosure period for certain disclosure of election gifts. candidates who are appointed councillors) Mr MACKENROTH: I will be moving an amendment to the Minister's amendment. 10 Section 355F (Disclosure periods for Before doing that, I would like to say a few candidates at previous elections) and words in relation to political disclosure section 355G (Disclosure period for legislation. Earlier, the member for Burleigh candidates at previous fresh referred to making representations to me in elections) relation to the public disclosure of donations. 11 Section 355H (Disclosure period for My view and the then Labor Government's new candidates) view on that matter was always made very 12 Section 355Q (Gifts for third party clear, and that was that public disclosure expenditure for political purposes) legislation would be put in place following the report of PEARC and the putting in place of 13 Section 217 (Date of triennial political disclosure legislation for the State elections) would be done for the council, which meant for 14 Section 355H (Disclosure period for this council election. The Local Government new candidates) Association was aware of that, councils were 15 Section 355I (Disclosure period for aware of that, and I am sure that that would certain candidates who are have been the answer that I would have given appointed councillors) the member for Burleigh at the time that she raised the matter with me. She may not have 16 Section 355N (Gifts to candidates) been happy with that answer, but that was 17 The disclosure period for this section always the view that I expressed and it was is defined in section 355K. the then Government's policy in relation to the 18 Section 355Q (Gifts for third party implementation of public disclosure legislation. expenditure for political purposes) I am pleased to see the Minister bringing 19 Section 355W (Offences about public disclosure legislation before the returns) Parliament. At the end of last week I was briefed and given a copy of the amendments. 20 Section 190 (Requirements of Having read them, I realised that they will councillors before acting in office) need to be amended. Some things will 21 Section 355S (Amendment of probably not work too well because councils returns) will find holes in the legislation and the 22 Section 355V (Queries on contents legislation will be back before the Parliament of register) before the election in 1997. However, at least public disclosure legislation is beginning to be 23 Section 355Y (Obtaining of put in place in regard to councils. information and completion of returns) The amendment that I will move deals with the period for public disclosure, which, in 24 Section 355S (Amendment of her amendment, the Minister stated will start returns) provides for applications to on 1 January 1997. Therefore, if candidates amend returns. for the next council election have received any 25 Division 3 (Disclosure of gifts) donations prior to tonight, they will not have to 26 disclose them. If they raise any money or Section 190 (Requirements of receive any gifts between tonight and 31 councillors before acting in office) December, they will not have to disclose them. 27 Division 3 (Disclosure of gifts) Leaving a loophole that big in this law will 28 Section 355Q (Gifts for third party ensure that any candidate who is going to expenditure for political purposes) raise money that they do not want to disclose 29 will have all the money in the bag prior to the Division 3 (Disclosure of gifts) legislation taking effect. 28 Nov 1996 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 4677

The Local Government Association and the Brisbane City Council. I know it wants to all councils and councillors throughout the see public funding of the Brisbane City State were well aware that public disclosure Council, but I cannot see why it would be laws would be in place for next year's election. argued that if there cannot be public funding We discussed this prior to the last council there should not be public disclosure. At election, as did the Minister when she came to present, if the amendment is not agreed to, office. She released a discussion paper on the the only people who will not be caught by the subject and she has been negotiating with legislation after 1 January are Independent councils on it. Therefore, councillors candidates running in the Brisbane City throughout Queensland are aware that public Council elections. disclosure laws will be in place and it is very I move the following amendment— reasonable to have a provision in the legislation that backdates the law to 1 July so "omit, insert— that candidates who have received donations '(a) if a disclosure period would over $200 or who will receive donations from otherwise start before 1 July today until 31 December will have to disclose 1996, it starts on 1 July 1996; those donations. and'." The aim of the legislation is to put a system in place whereby accusations that may Mrs McCAULEY: I cannot accept the be made against councillors cannot be made amendment. It is retrospective legislation. I because all donations will be accounted for in think it is unfair to say to candidates standing black and white. If people do not do that, they for the next local government elections, "You have broken the law and they should be should have kept records of any gifts you have prosecuted for it. However, by leaving a received back to 1 July", because many of loophole in the legislation the Minister is them may not have kept those records. There leaving the whole thing open for councillors, are severe penalties for those who do not keep the proper records. If we now make the developers and people who make donations legislation retrospective, we could be imposing to be criticised. That loophole can be closed quite a difficulty on those people. For that simply by agreeing to the amendment that I reason, I cannot accept the amendment. am proposing. If the amendment is agreed to, I will have to move a couple of subsequent The decision to date the legislation from 1 amendments to bring the next two clauses January, which is only a matter of a few short into line with the 1 July date. By doing that we weeks away, has been taken, firstly, because can make the law work; the Minister will not it is consistent with that taken under the receive criticism for that. That is a very Electoral Act 1992, when the Labor Party was reasonable proposition and I ask the Minister in Government. The disclosure of donations to agree to it, because, as I said, this law can was introduced for State elections legislation work. and assented to on 1 December 1994 and it As we all know, the Minister took the set the starting date as 1 January 1995, so public disclosure laws to Cabinet and was there is no difference. Also, it allows time for rolled, although finally she got them through. people to become aware of their obligation to However, the legislation will not relate to disclose. Most people should know, but there Independent candidates running for office in are people who still think that the honourable the Brisbane City Council. I cannot understand member for Chatsworth is the Minister. Some why it does not want such laws, because there people take a while to catch up on some will be public disclosure laws for any things. By waiting until 1 January, we can Queensland political candidate who runs for launch a media campaign and get the Federal Government, any candidate who runs message out to make people aware of their for State Government, any candidate who obligations if they are going to nominate for runs for one of the 124 local government the elections. areas in Queensland, and any Liberal, Labor Mr MACKENROTH: In relation to the or other political party candidate who runs for disclosure laws starting on 1 January—one office in the Brisbane City Council. However, major point that the Minister has missed in her there will be no public disclosure laws for argument is that public disclosure laws already Independents who choose to run in the applied to political parties and their candidates elections next year. That is ludicrous. under the Federal law at the time that the I cannot work out why we have allowed public disclosure laws were coming into the this loophole just because the Liberal Party, State Electoral Act. It was not the case that for some strange reason, does not want to candidates running for political parties could have public disclosure laws in the Bill covering raise money and not disclose it, because the 4678 Grievances 28 Nov 1996

Federal laws picked them up. That is a very GRIEVANCES important point. Denison Street Rail Line, Secondly, the Minister raised the issue of Rockhampton candidates who may have had gifts given to Mr SCHWARTEN (Rockhampton) them and who have forgotten about them or (2.37 a.m.): It is fortuitous that the Minister for have not disclosed them because they did not Transport is still in the Chamber, and I ask him have any records. I would suggest that to remain. On a couple of occasions, I have anyone in that position should be prosecuted written to the Minister and placed a couple of irrespective of any public disclosure laws. If questions on notice regarding the Denison they have received a gift for campaigning, that Street railway line in Rockhampton. I was money should be spent on nothing other than contacted late yesterday afternoon by a campaigning. It should be spent on their couple of residents who last night were campaign. The records should very clearly be assaulted with rocks plucked from the rail line there. The argument is a spurious one in Denison Street. They were quite elderly because it does not hold that those people people. It is time that the Minister had a look would not have records in relation to gifts that at the situation for himself. If he did so, he they would have received. would agree with me when I say that it is Every person who is intending to run for potentially a very dangerous situation that the council elections next year and who has needs the Minister's intervention. I ask the received a gift at this stage should know Minister to come up to Rockhampton as soon exactly where that money has come from, as he possibly can to have a look at that first where it has been spent or where it is intended hand. to be spent. There should be no money left in their own pockets to be used for their own I know that business people in the area purposes. If that were not the case, that would have written to the Minister. A lot of residents live in the area abutting Denison Street. They amount to a bribe. are quite elderly and are terrified at this point. I Question—That the words proposed to am happy to arrange a meeting of all of those be omitted stand part of the new clause—put; people to see whether we can hammer out a and the Committee divided— solution. If the Minister had a look at that AYES, 43—Baumann, Beanland, Borbidge, Cooper, situation, he would find that half of Denison Cunningham, Davidson, Elliott, FitzGerald, Gamin, Street is sealed and the other half is ballast Gilmore, Goss J. N., Grice, Harper, Healy, Hegarty, and proves inviting to louts who pick up those Hobbs, Horan, Johnson, Lester, Lingard, Littleproud, rocks and aim them wherever they can. I McCauley, Malone, Mitchell, Perrett, Quinn, Radke, cannot see any real reason why the whole lot Rowell, Santoro, Sheldon, Simpson, Slack, Stephan, Stoneman, Tanti, Turner, Veivers, Warwick, Watson, cannot be sealed; one part is already sealed. Wilson, Woolmer Tellers: Springborg, Carroll QR is saying that it is for maintenance reasons. Apparently one end does not need NOES, 43—Ardill, Barton, Beattie, Bird, Bligh, Braddy, Bredhauer, Briskey, Campbell, D'Arcy, maintenance but the other one does. I know De Lacy, Dollin, Edmond, Elder, Foley, Fouras, that the Minister has looked at laying some Gibbs, Goss W. K., Hamill, Hayward, Hollis, Lucas, material over it to try to settle it down. McElligott, McGrady, Mackenroth, Milliner, Mulherin, However, it has reached the stage that Nunn, Nuttall, Palaszczuk, Purcell, Roberts, ultimately QR will place itself at risk if one of Robertson, Rose, Schwarten, Smith, Spence, these old people gets seriously hurt as a Sullivan J. H., Welford, Wells, Woodgate Tellers: result. Livingstone, Sullivan T. B. Time expired. Pair: Connor; Pearce The numbers being equal, the Chairman cast his vote with the Ayes. Hospital Construction Projects Resolved in the affirmative. Mr SPRINGBORG (Warwick) New clause 63A, as read, agreed to. (2.39 a.m.): I rise to commend the Health Minister, Mike Horan, on the boosted capital Clauses 64 to 86, as read, agreed to. works program, which will be extremely Schedule, as read, agreed to. beneficial for many provincial and rural and Bill reported, with amendments. remote communities throughout the State. The coalition Government's $2.109 billion Hospital Health Services Development Plan will Third Reading provide $295m for Queensland hospital and Bill, on motion of Mrs McCauley, by leave, community health centre projects this financial read a third time. year and $400m in projects the following year. 28 Nov 1996 Grievances 4679

Not only will this $700m injection of funds men to provide loving, caring family provide indirect benefit to the State's economy relationships. It also signals his clear intention of approximately $600m over two years; it will to breach the law of this State through the also create employment prospects for many Anti-Discrimination Act. communities throughout Queensland. As members in this House may know, I Over the next 12 months, there will be am the mother of two sons. Both of my major construction in Brisbane at the Royal children have friends who are the children of Brisbane Hospital, the Princess Alexandra people in same sex relationships. They attend Hospital, Redland Hospital and Logan schools with the children of parents in same Hospital. Regional hospitals include Cairns, sex relationships, and my youngest son Townsville, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, attends a child-care centre with children from Ipswich, Gold Coast and Toowoomba and in parents in same sex relationships. In addition rural and remote areas, including Stanthorpe, to those families and the families represented Emerald, Barcaldine, Clermont, Cooktown and on the front page of the Courier-Mail today, I Thursday Island. The activity in rural and think it is important that someone is prepared remote areas is very significant. For far too to stand here and say that we applaud the long rural and remote communities have been efforts of those parents in our community who, neglected. like all parents, work hard to meet the From my own experience, Stanthorpe's emotional, social, financial and material community health centre has required needs, responsibilities and challenges of upgrading for a number of years. In the nine raising their children. months since coming to Government, the The Minister went on radio saying he Minister for Health has identified the need and thought it was time to turn back the clock. I allocated funds. The Government has used its asked myself how far back he wanted to turn commonsense and has combined the it. In 1981 I was working in welfare in child care community health centre with the dental clinic. in this State, and in conjunction with officers of As a result, we will have a very comprehensive the then Department of Children's Services I service. This massive capital works program worked to place an 11-year-old boy in the will ensure that Queenslanders receive better foster care of a single man. If it had not been health care. for that placement that child would have been This is a much better outcome for placed in an institution. If it was good enough Queenslanders than the previous for the National Party Government in Government's failed attempt, which led to a 1981—15 years ago—to believe that single staggering $1.2 billion blow-out of unfunded men in this community are capable of promises. The coalition Government is providing loving, caring and responsible delivering on its promise of putting patients homes for our children when they need them, first. Delivering on capital works improvements I wonder why it is not good enough for this is a crucial part of this promise. Throughout Minister. How far back does he want to turn the State we will soon see the proof, with the clock? Would the Dark Ages be good cranes across the skylines in Brisbane and enough? Cairns, and excavating on sites. Meanwhile, Time expired. project definition plans are being finalised along with the design and documentation. Proserpine Hospital Time expired. Mr MALONE (Mirani) (2.43 a.m.): I rise to compliment the Health Minister, Mike Minister for Families, Youth and Horan, for the capital works dollars allocated to Community Care; Same Sex the redevelopment of the Proserpine Hospital. Relationships This $7.5m redevelopment project will not only Ms BLIGH (South Brisbane) (2.41 a.m.): upgrade the existing 30-bed facility but will I rise to refute the outrageous comments of also improve the functionality and service the Minister for Families, Youth and levels. This will provide an invaluable service Community Care regarding the suitability of which will improve the quality of life for many various members of our community to be people in the Proserpine area. The upgrading foster parents. He has made those of the Proserpine 30-bed facility has already outrageous statements in this House and created local jobs and provided a better followed them up in the media. His comments service for the local people and tourists. constitute a slur on the ability of parents in The upgrading of Proserpine is occurring same sex relationships and a slur on all single at a critical time as there currently is much 4680 Grievances 28 Nov 1996 development in and around the area. extended family or friends. In Queensland the Proserpine is certainly growing, and the figure is fewer than 2 out of 10. improved health services will only benefit the Representatives from the Child Abuse Trust community. The Health Minister must be have expressed concern about the effect that commended for his foresight in preparing the the lack of supplementation for the SACS Proserpine Hospital for the additional Award—that is, the Social and Community population which will result from the current Services Award—will have on the non- growth occurring in the area. The improved Government sector. This will mean that some hospital will also be utilised by ever-increasing $10m to $30m less moneys will be available to numbers of tourists in this part of the State. It this sector to meet its programs which assist is vital that our tourists can access quality the community. That is an amazing amount of health care services when they are required. money. There are many growing industries in and The Minister, in responding to their around Proserpine which will benefit from the concerns, said that there was no cutback in knowledge that their local hospital has the moneys for that. It is amazing that this capacity to deliver a very professional service if Government can find in the Treasurer's and when it is required. The redevelopment Advance Account some $255m for will allow the hospital to maintain its reputation supplementation of public sector awards. while handling an ever-increasing number of Nobody doubts that public servants should get patients. that—— This redevelopment project is only one of Time expired. the examples of the Government's commitment to delivering extensive services to regional areas. I would also like to highlight Breast Cancer Screening that it is not just the improved service delivery that is so significant but it is also the ability of Mrs WILSON (Mulgrave) (2.47 a.m.): Tonight I draw the attention of the House to the coalition to identify the diverse groups one of the quiet but highly successful within our local community that will benefit achievements of the coalition in the field of from the Government's investment in putting family health. The Cairns district services over the patient first. 54,000 women, more than one in six of whom are in the high risk age bracket for breast Child Abuse cancer. In view of this, the Government's initiatives in breast cancer detection are of Hon J. FOURAS (Ashgrove) particular importance to the women and (2.45 a.m.): The latest statistics show a families in far-north Queensland, many of massive 21 per cent increase in confirmed whom have been touched by breast cancer. cases of child abuse. The State Department of Family Services does not have the necessary The Cairns Breast Cancer Committee has resources nor programs to meet its statutory been very keen to reach as many women in obligation to protect abused children or those far-north Queensland as possible to educate at risk of further abuse, neglect or exploitation. them on the signs of breast cancer and the I call on the Minister for Families, Youth and availability of the mammogram clinic for breast Community Care to urgently respond to these screening. Following the International Year of horrendous statistics. Firstly, we require an the Family a decision was made by a local updated Child Protection Act. I believe that group to produce a video identifying cancer such an update existed in draft form under the support mechanisms for families, and this was previous Government. It is about time that it completed a couple of months ago for local was brought before the House and enacted. and State distribution. The current legislation is outdated—it is 32 Breast Screen Queensland had been an years old—and unfortunately it has a divide efficient bipartisan project in the past, but the between good and bad parents and is built on abolition of the regions and the recent State the welfare model, which I believe is outdated, Budget have given the program new life. as I have said on previous occasions. $11.5m was allocated Statewide for breast When the State intervenes, 7 out of 10 of cancer screening services, and I believe our these children are abused whilst in the care of Cairns group's request to the Minister for the State. It is about time we got away from enhanced services was a catalyst for the State intervention and had community-based provision of extra funding. The cost of responses to these problems. In Scandinavian coordinating the scheme has now fallen below countries 8 out of 10 children whose parents 4 per cent, which means that more dollars cannot or will not care for them are placed with than ever before are getting to the actual 28 Nov 1996 Grievances 4681 process of detecting this terrible disease. Employment and Training Initiative, SETI, Improving the delivery of these services program. As a direct result of the recent State means more than injecting new funds. and Federal Budgets, it appears that all Targeting those women most at risk will once opportunities for continued funding assistance again see the dollars in this program go a bit of this program have been cut. Both the further. Federal Department of Employment, Under this Government, Breast Screen Education, Training and Youth Affairs and the Queensland has received approval to access State's Department of Training and Industrial electoral roll data and so personally invite Relations indicated that they cannot find any women to attend for screening. This important program which would assist Help Enterprises initiative is being piloted in the Cairns district with continued funding for this program. It will prior to implementation Statewide. I be a tragedy if Help Enterprises cannot understand that this target marketing continue with this training and employment campaign will be complemented by a major service. It provides a necessary service to Statewide media campaign. I also believe that people who are genuinely in need of a helping certain funds should be allocated for research hand. into prostate cancer. Both the State and Federal Governments Time expired. appear to be wiping their hands and ignoring the plight of this worthwhile service. I urge the Minister to take appropriate action to identify Help Enterprises funding sources for their programs. Without Mr ROBERTS (Nudgee) (2.49 a.m.). I that help, the service will fold and another wish to raise a problem on behalf of Help disadvantaged group will suffer as a result of Enterprises, a non-profit organisation the savage cuts initiated by the coalition established in 1968 by the Rotary Club of Government. Brisbane. Help Enterprises operates a Time expired. manufacturing division and a training centre at Eagle Farm. It provides employment and training opportunities for people with a Relationships Research disability in areas such as powder coating of Mr HEGARTY (Redlands) (2.51 a.m.): aluminium products, making extruded plastic An Australian study presented to the recently bags and the production of mailboxes for held Australian Family Research Conference private and corporate use. highlighted the benefits to children of a stable, In March this year a training centre was heterosexual family relationship with both established to provide training in light parents. By contrast, those teenagers whose engineering and manufacturing. The centre parents divorced are far more likely to leave offers selected modules from a nationally home by the time they are in their twenties accredited certificate in engineering, thus than children of non-divorced parents. allowing disadvantaged job seekers access to A 10-year study disclosed that only 5 per training which is widely recognised and cent of teenagers whose parents divorced demanded by employers. The programs were living at home 10 years later. By contrast, offered are often the first step into open 33 per cent of children of stable relationships employment for many people with disabilities remained at home. The study compared 80 and also disadvantaged job seekers. It gives adolescents and their families over a decade. them a helping hand at a crucial time in the Half of those were chosen at random from development of their job skills. Since it was Family Court divorce applications, the other established, over 24 disadvantaged job half from non-divorcing families of comparable seekers have completed courses. Five have backgrounds through Sydney high schools. gained employment, one of those as an Significantly, both parent/child relations played apprentice; four are either in the process of a big part in the 23 to 27-year-olds. gaining employment or are awaiting a decision Living standards, however, vary from a potential employer. significantly between those whose parents Another trainee is currently in an industry divorced and those who stayed together. placement. Several others are continuing with Apart from a third of the twenty-somethings their training in other courses. The training is living at home, a further 44 per cent were provided at no cost to the trainees. Much of either married or living with partners. By the cost has been borne by Help Enterprises contrast, 95 per cent from the divorced but they have previously received assistance parents group were living independently, which from the State Government under a Special included 35 per cent married or living in de 4682 Grievances 28 Nov 1996 facto relationships. Interestingly, none of the but the people of Hervey Bay will be asked to teenage subjects had lost contact with their pay for those police by giving back one of their mother and most had something positive to senior police. say about their relationship. The situation with Everybody knows that a police force fathers was more pronounced, with some cannot be run without the proper hierarchy to children having lost touch completely and do it properly. There need to be chiefs and some describing continuing conflict. indians. This Government is going to take one Other studies of the effects of divorce on of the chiefs out of one of the fastest growing children show that there is a two to three times districts in Queensland, if not Australia. In likelihood of divorce with their own marriages percentage terms, Hervey Bay has grown—— and poor relationships emanating from that. Time expired. Also, there is a study showing the financial assets and earnings are less in that group. These children are usually less educated, Firefighter Recruitment Seminars possibly contributed to by the conflict in the Mr BAUMANN (Albert) (2.55 p.m.): It is home prior to divorce and leaving home early my great pleasure to advise the House of this following the family break-up. Sometimes Government's ongoing commitment to problems with communication, controlling increasing firefighter numbers. As part of the anger and feelings of jealousy resulted. Government's commitment to increasing Time expired. firefighter numbers by 135 over three years, the Honourable Minister for Emergency Services, Mick Veivers, has overseen the Police Numbers, Hervey Bay conduct of Queensland Fire Service's Mr NUNN (Hervey Bay) (2.53 a.m.): recruitment seminars. Over the past several Between 1989 and when Labor lost power, weeks, 11 recruitment information seminars there was a gain in police numbers of 16 in have been held throughout the State from as the City of Hervey Bay. That was a 100 per far as Mount Isa to Toowoomba and down to cent increase. In the run-up to the 1995 the Gold Coast. Many hundreds of aspiring election, the coalition promised extra police firefighters have attended the 11 information and a paddy wagon for Hervey Bay. Who can seminars. The seminars have detailed forget the Police Minister coming to town necessary education levels, health standards performing like Carmen Miranda and and other mandatory requirements for people promising paddy wagons at the snap of a wanting to apply for positions within the finger? There is no paddy wagon yet and the Queensland Fire Service. police are coming some day. As a Fire Service recruitment team Those police have been promised in a travelled the State, they were joined by local press release from the local branch of the firefighters and their partners to discuss with National Party. If any member can pick which the potential applicants possible careers and branch it was, that member is not doing too just what life is like as a firefighter with the bad. It shows that they have no manners. Queensland Fire Service. Becoming a They could have released it in the normal firefighter is a dream of many young people manner, by a press release or through the and the seminars provide the real story on local representative. I would have been only what is required to achieve that dream. The too pleased to do that for them, of course. seminars play an important role in advising all They have ignored me and they have ignored those interested in joining the Fire Service with the community, but now worse is to come. up-to-date information on current The community of Hervey Bay is being requirements. For example, those attending treated with utter contempt. What has were advised that the Fire Service now happened now is that the National Party, requires all applicants to be equipped with through its Police Minister, has withdrawn one senior first-aid training. of the police inspectors from the Maryborough There is no doubt that the recruitment police district. Presently, there are two seminars could not have come at a better inspectors to handle 105,000 people. There time, as the Government is actively recruiting are two in Bundaberg to handle 90,000-odd to provide the additional 135 firefighters. The and two in Gympie to handle 90,000-odd, but Government's commitment to increased they are taking one inspector away from the numbers has been displayed with the recent Maryborough police district and the word is record induction of 56 new recruits at three that he will not be replaced. It looks like the centres in south-east Queensland. These extra promised police might turn up one day recruits will go to stations throughout the 28 Nov 1996 Grievances 4683

State, as will graduates from the recruitment The member for Clayfield is one of 18 courses in 1997 and into the future. Cabinet Ministers who approved the road I commend the Minister and his funding plan. By not funding the Nundah department for this recruitment initiative, which bottleneck construction, the member for will provide high quality applicants for the Clayfield has failed his constituents. He additional firefighter positions created by this promised he would deliver but he could not Government. even convince 17 fellow Ministers to support north-side residents. How ineffective he is to Time expired. let Joan Sheldon spend $200m to remove the road toll on the Sunshine Motorway yet he could not convince her to find $34m to build Nundah Bottleneck the cut and cover tunnel which would solve the Nundah bottleneck problem. He was able to Mr T. B. SULLIVAN (Chermside) approve $13m for work in the Redlands (2.57 a.m.): Page 63 of the Roads electorate, $23m for the Yandina bypass and Implementation Program released this week a massive $240m over two years for the demonstrates how the Borbidge/Sheldon Logan Motorway on the south-side of Government has once again failed the Brisbane, yet the member for Clayfield could residents of Brisbane's inner northern suburbs. not find $34m to solve a problem that has The member for Clayfield, Mr Santoro, has plagued his constituents for 40 years. failed his constituents and the business community of Nundah as well. That is typical Mr Santoro is all words and no action. He of the member for Clayfield. He promised is more concerned with promoting himself in everything in Opposition but has delivered the media than helping local businesses and nothing in Government. In the introduction to residents. He is part of a Government that the RIP, the Minister for Transport boasted an agreed to spend a massive $600m for the half extra $500m over five years for south-east a highway to the Gold Coast but he could not Queensland roads, claiming that the road get $34m for the north-side residents. The moneys were to benefit all Queenslanders and Borbidge/Sheldon Government has failed the that they were carefully targeted. What a cruel residents of Brisbane's inner northern suburbs. betrayal of the tens of thousands of people in Time expired. Brisbane's inner northern suburbs. The Nundah bottleneck has been a Townsville: Economic Outlook problem for about 40 years. It has adversely affected not only traffic flow but also the Mr TANTI (Mundingburra) (3 a.m.): Mr viability of businesses in Nundah, the safety of Speaker, let me tell you the positive news for children from the three local schools and the the Townsville region. I will read from the amenity of residents in the Nundah, Wavell Midwood—Rider Hunt—Report. With $900m Heights and Toombul area. The coalition's worth of major projects committed to the failure is not just a local problem. Sandgate Townsville region over the next two or three Road is a major arterial road for hundreds of years, the economic outlook for Townsville thousands of north-side residents from through to the year 2000 is good. The effect Hamilton to Sandgate, from Bracken Ridge to of this commitment will mean the demand for Albion. property and new residential construction will increase in the near future. These new On page 63 of the report we see the projects, with the majority being associated project N140/U88/3 Nundah Improvement with the mining and resource industry, health Project has only $300,000 allocated for the care and defence force facilities, will add to the next two years. The majority of the funding for region's population and to the associated the work described as "Widen to six lanes" is growth in the general regional economy. in the column headed "Indicative Forward Half the value of the projects is associated Allocation" and shows that the Nundah with the new Korea Zinc refinery that in itself bottleneck work might be constructed beyond will be the catalyst for further industrial and 2001. The coalition Government has not employment growth, with the potential to approved the funding, it is only still a generate 2,300 jobs and inject $24 billion into possibility. In the period 1988-89 to 2000-01, the local economy over the next 30 years. an amount of $26,107,000 is shown as Planning for the $100m redevelopment of the possible spending which is to be re-evaluated Townsville General Hospital is already under annually on a needs basis. A further way. The defence force is planning $162m $7,613,000 might be spent beyond 2001 to worth of projects scheduled for completion by finish the project. the year 2000. The 10 Terminal Regiment 4684 Grievances 28 Nov 1996 development at Ross Island is already under This all means that the bank must have way. an expert project finance division. For years Major infrastructure projects such as the one of the leading teams has been at the $47m upgrade to the Townsville highway QIDC in Brisbane. Today they got the approaches and the $50m construction of the sack—two days before the merger with on-shore and over-water facilities at the Metway and Suncorp was to become official. Townsville port will provide the necessary Queensland's so-called megabank now will support for these future major projects. This have no project financing division. Whom did bright outlook for the economy, supported by they sack yesterday? They were experienced some of the abovementioned projects, should people, committed to Queensland, some benefit all who have supported the region's recruited from senior project management economy and growth in the past. positions interstate. Irreparable damage has been done. What does this tell us? On any Thuringowa is heading for a building test the megabank is a toy bank. boom if building approvals released by the city council are any indication. There has been a 66 per cent increase in approvals for the first Ipswich Campus, University of two months of the financial year compared to Queensland the same period last year. The main reason is Hon. D. J. HAMILL (Ipswich) $10m worth of commercial buildings being (3.05 a.m.): I draw the attention of the House approved by the council compared with to the saga of the Ipswich campus of the $1,506,000 last year. University of Queensland. In February this Time expired. year, a number of measures were put in place and negotiations were conducted by myself in my then role as the Minister for Education to Suncorp/QIDC/Metway Merger achieve a campus ground for the City of Hon. K. W. HAYWARD (Kallangur) Ipswich. That meant additional places from the (3.02 a.m.): Whenever the Borbidge Federal Government and capital funding from Government mentions the megabank, in the both the State and the Commonwealth. Nine same breath it extols the virtues of how it will months later and after a change of boost the Queensland economy. We are told Government at both State and Federal levels, time and time again that the Government's there is still uncertainty. This has been a hard- actions in merging Suncorp with QIDC and fought campaign that has seen undertakings Metway will create a bank capable of mixing it wrought from both Federal and State with the majors like ANZ, National and Ministers, but still we await an outcome, still we await a determination regarding a site. Westpac. The megabank, through its sheer size, is seen as some sort of tool of State Only this week, a number of parents of economic policy that will do something that residents in the Challinor Centre are coming to other financial institutions fail to do. We are me saying that Dr Botsman from the told it will mobilise capital for investment in Department of Families, Youth and Queensland. Community Care is saying that there is a $4m shortfall jeopardising the choice that the Obviously it is understood that it must do Minister for Families, Youth and Community this wisely. To do it wisely, the bank's Care promised those residents in terms of their investment of depositors' funds must be done accommodation and again putting in jeopardy by professionals—men and women who, this very important project for Ipswich. through experience and intellectual skills, know the difference between a good and bad The State Government has an obligation investment. The way that small banks invest to make available a site for the University of depositors' funds is to offer those funds out on Queensland's Ipswich campus. Already that loan, mainly to mortgage borrowers, say for project will be delayed by 12 months. It is time, property or small business. That is also helpful as in so many other areas, that this to the economy. Government got on with the job. All Ipswich people want is a fair go. They see $200m However, the real difference between a found for the removal of the toll from the small bank and a megabank is whether it Sunshine Motorway; they see the Treasurer operates the diverse functions of a real with $259m in a slush fund, a reserve fund. bank—things like treasury functions, They ask: why can $4m not be found for a syndication of loans and, of course, most project that is of such vital importance to offer importantly, project funds financing involving greater educational and employment tens, even hundreds, of millions of dollars. opportunities in the Ipswich and West Moreton 28 Nov 1996 Grievances 4685 region? The Ipswich region is notable because law. The Minister showed a contempt for the of the lack of higher education facilities. It is an Anti-Discrimination Act, which forbids area of high unemployment. This project is discrimination on the grounds of lawful sexual vital for our community. conduct. Homosexual men and lesbian women are not monsters to be vilified and demonised, they are a part of our community Anti-Discrimination entitled, as are all human beings, to be Hon. M. J. FOLEY (Yeronga) treated with dignity and respect. (3.07 a.m.): The best interests of the child Queenslanders should not really be surprised must be the paramount consideration in at the cavalier way in which this Minister treats deciding issues of child custody and anti-discrimination laws, for his Government is placement. That principle puts the child first. in the process of nobbling the Anti- This principle must override any ideological or Discrimination Commission once the joint political agenda. This principle, however, has Commonwealth/State agreement arrived at by been threatened by the extraordinary Labor Governments comes to an end on 9 statements of the Minister for Families, Youth December. From that date, Queensland will and Community Care, placing his ideological lose a truly independent Anti-Discrimination agenda attacking the position of homosexual Commission to be replaced by a body under men and lesbian women above the principle the thumb of the Government, located in the of the best interests of the child. Instead of a State Law Building and headed by a public careful, detailed consideration of what is best servant. Anti-discrimination is a principle basic for a particular child in a particular situation, to equality before the law; it is something that the Minister proposes a new rule where his should be respected by all Queenslanders and ideological agenda comes first. not attacked in this disgraceful way by the In an interview on ABC Radio on Minister for Families, Youth and Community Wednesday, the Minister not only admitted to Care. his frank intention of turning back the clock but The House adjourned at 3.09 a.m. also showed an utter disregard for the rule of (Friday).