Legislative Assembly 4727 6 October 1993

WEDNESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 1993 The following papers were laid on the table— (a) The Premier and Minister for Economic and Trade Development (Mr W Goss)— Mr SPEAKER (Hon. J. Fouras, Ashgrove) Australian Financial Institutions read prayers and took the chair at 2.30 p.m. Commission—Annual Report 1992Ð93 PETITIONS (b) Minister for Transport and Minister Assisting the Premier on Economic and The Clerk announced the receipt of the Trade Development (Mr Hamill)— following petitions— Department of Transport—Annual Report 1992Ð93 Sunshine Motorway Queensland Railways—Annual From Mr Laming (11 signatories) praying Report 1992Ð93 for the development of a 24-hour service (c) Minister for Justice and AttorneyÐGeneral station to replace the existing Mooloolaba toll and Minister for the Arts (Mr Wells)— booth on the Sunshine Motorway. Criminal Justice Commission— Annual Report 1992Ð93 Child Molesters (d) Minister for Health (Mr Hayward)— From Mr Campbell (29 signatories) Queensland Institute of Medical praying that the parole period be removed Research—Annual Report 1992–93 when sentencing child molesters, that Queensland Institute of Medical offenders are given and serve maximum Research Trust—Annual Report sentences and that their names be released 1992Ð93. for publication. STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS Traffic Lights, Mooloolaba In accordance with the schedule From Mr Laming (188 signatories) circulated by the Clerk to members in the praying that traffic lights be installed at the Chamber, the following documents were corner of Tarcoola Avenue and Brisbane tabled— Road, Mooloolaba. Auctioneers and Agents Act— Auctioneers and Agents (Declaration of Kindergarten Funding Banks) Amendment Order (No. 2) 1993, From Mr Welford (105 signatories) No. 353 praying that sufficient funds be provided in the Cairns Casino. Agreement Act— 1993-94 Budget to enable State Education Cairns Casino Agreement Regulation Department Subsidies (SEDS) to continue to 1993, No. 361 provide adequate funding for community Clean Air Act— kindergartens and that extra funding be also Clean Air (Prohibition of Use of Leaded provided for the Creche and Kindergarten Fuel Oil) Regulation 1993, No. 368 Association. Credit Act— Credit (Continuing Credit Contracts— Youth Crime Fees and Charges) Amendment Order From Mr Stoneman (1 839 signatories) (No. 2) 1993, No. 362 praying that police numbers be increased and Harbours Act— that laws be amended to provide parents, Harbours (Ports Corporation) Amendment teachers, police and the courts with sufficient ByÐlaw (No. 1) 1993, No. 363 powers to effectively deal with youth crime. Health Act— Refuse Management Amendment Education Regulation (No. 2) 1993, No. 367 From Mr Littleproud (138 signatories) Health Services Act— praying that funding allocation for the State Health Services (Public Hospitals Fees Education Department (SEDS) Program be and Charges) Amendment Regulation not reduced. (No. 2) 1993, No. 358 Petitions received. Land Act— PAPERS 6 October 1993 4728 Legislative Assembly

Land Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1993, Department of Transport Estimates, I have No. 357 arranged with the Queensland Rail Board to Lands Legislation Amendment Regulation provide to the House an advance copy for the (No. 2) 1993, No. 356 benefit of members. Lands Legislation Amendment Act— Ordered to be printed. Lands Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1993, No. 356 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Proclamation—the provisions of the Act not in force commence 17 September Director, Queensland Government Office, 1993, No 355 Tokyo; Mr R. Tilley Mining (Fossicking) Act— Hon. W. K. GOSS (Logan—Premier and Mining (Fossicking) Amendment Minister for Economic and Trade Regulation (No. 1) 1993, No. 360 Development) (2.35 p.m.), by leave: The Proclamation—declaring procedures for position of the Director, Queensland the prospecting, exploring or mining in Government Office, Japan was advertised the Yowah Designated Area, No. 359 nationally in Australia on 12, 18 and 19 June Public Trustee Act— of this year and in Japan on 15 June. Advertisements appeared in the Courier-Mail, Public Trustee Amendment Regulation the Australian, the Australian Financial (No. 3) 1993, No. 352 Review, the Japan Times and the Queensland Public Trustee Amendment Regulation Government Gazette. (No. 4) 1993, No. 366 In response, there were 47 applicants, Pyramid Selling Schemes (Elimination) Act— from which a short list of six was drawn up. Pyramid Selling Schemes (Elimination) The interview panel consisted of Mr Harris, Exemption Regulation 1993, No. 354 Executive Director, Trade and Investment State Housing Act— Development Division; Mr Richard McAlary, State Housing Interest Rate Order (No. 2) Director (Operations) of the division; Mr Greg 1993, No. 365 Dodds, Executive General Manager, North State Housing (Freeholding of Land) Act— Asia, Australian Embassy, Tokyo; and Mr Ross Willims, Deputy Director General, Office State Housing (Freeholding of Land) of Cabinet. It was the unanimous decision of Interest Rate Order (No. 2) 1993, No. 364. the interview panel that the job be offered to Mr Tilley, one of the short-listed applicants. ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN CHAMBER As well as normal checks for such a Mr SPEAKER: Order! Honourable senior position, inquiries were made with members, I just heard a member’s beeper go appropriate law enforcement authorities in off. I am going to start taking action against both Australia and Japan because of the members who do not turn off their beepers sensitive nature of the position. Advice was when they come into the House. Similarly, I do sought and obtained through diplomatic not believe that members are entitled to channels from the Japanese National Police actually lean over and have telephone Agency. The National Police Agency of Japan conversations in the Chamber, either. confirmed that it had approached Mr Tilley when seeking information in relation to the activities of a person who was the subject of QUEENSLAND RAIL; TRANSPORT an investigation in Japan. The National Police DEPARTMENT Agency of Japan advised that Mr Tilley was Annual Reports not implicated and was not under suspicion of Hon. D. J. HAMILL (Ipswich—Minister for having criminal involvement. Transport and Minister Assisting the Premier On 23 July, following an approach from on Economic and Trade Development) (2.33 Mr Harris of my department, the Criminal p.m.): I lay upon the table of the House the Justice Commission advised officers of my annual reports of the Department of Transport department that a review of its holdings and and Queensland Rail, both for the year ended information from other agencies indicated that 30 June 1993. nothing adverse was known about Mr Tilley. My department sought and obtained this I draw the attention of the House to the advice in writing from the CJC and the fact that, while Queensland Rail will be National Police Agency of Japan. At the same publishing its annual report later this month, in time, it was confirmed that Mr Tilley had been view of the importance of rail to the interviewed for the position of Investment Legislative Assembly 4729 6 October 1993

Commissioner at the Australian Embassy in Finally, officers of my department have Tokyo and had been found to be the most been kept abreast of the Criminal Justice suitable candidate. Commission’s inquiries into this matter. This Following all of this information being morning, the CJC told my department that, as sought and obtained, an offer was made to its investigations were continuing, it was the Mr Tilley, and he was appointed as a commission’s view that it was inappropriate for temporary employee under the provisions of any further details of the matter to be made section 34 of the Public Service Management public. and Employment Act 1988. This was to enable him to gain familiarity with the MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Government’s trade and investment operations, pending the final agreement on Child Protection Register contractual arrangements. Subsequently, the Hon. A. M. WARNER (South Criminal Justice Commission received Brisbane—Minister for Family Services and information from another agency which led to Aboriginal and Islander Affairs) (2.40 p.m.), by the undertaking of further inquiries and, in leave: I rise to clarify the concerns raised by turn, resulted in its bringing matters of concern the Ombudsman about my department’s child to the Government’s attention. This led to the protection register, and to allay some of the CJC revising its own view on the fears which may have been generated by the appropriateness of Mr Tilley’s appointment. misreporting of the Ombudsman’s report. On 2 September, the then acting director- The issue of child abuse is a sensitive general received written advice from the CJC one within our society. Queensland families on this matter. are entitled to have the debate about how we, The Governor in Council subsequently as a society, deal with child abuse in a determined that Mr Tilley not be appointed measured, reasoned and rational manner. Director of the Government Office in Japan, Child abuse is one of the basic causes of and his temporary employment under section many social problems which face us today. 34 of the relevant legislation was terminated. Child abuse is preventable; it is avoidable; it is It has to be clearly stated that, contrary to not in the category of accidental tragedy. claims by the member for Surfers Paradise, Mr Officers of my department have the Tilley was never appointed by the Governor in unenviable task of intervening in cases of child Council as Director of the Queensland abuse, whether it is emotional, physical, Government Office in Tokyo. sexual abuse, neglect or abandonment. We Mr Borbidge interjected. investigate, not for the purpose of laying blame, but because our principal role is to Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the prevent child abuse and protect children from Opposition. further harm. Mr W. K. GOSS: Also, the events that led The main issue raised by the to Mr Tilley’s temporary employment being Ombudsman is to what extent my department terminated predated the reports of arrests in is justified in holding information regarding the media referred to yesterday by the allegations and investigations of child abuse. member for Surfers Paradise. This matter Obviously, there have to be safeguards, but does not—as the member has those safeguards must allow for the proper suggested—point to anything going wrong. In investigation of child abuse allegations and fact, it demonstrates that the Queensland the keeping of records which will assist that Government has the necessary checks and investigation. The Ombudsman, in discussions balances in place to ensure that such with my department over many years, has proposed appointments are handled entirely offered many useful suggestions which have properly. And, in this case, it was. been implemented about how to safeguard Yesterday, on radio, the member for the privacy of individuals who are the subject Surfers Paradise claimed that people in Japan of investigations. were bemused by the matter. I am informed Let me assure members of the House by people who have actually spoken to people and the public that the records system is in Tokyo that there is no-one who is bemused restricted, available only to authorised officers over this matter. In fact, I am informed that who are only permitted to make specific the view from Tokyo is that people are requests for information about a case they supportive of the Queensland Government for may be working on. When they ring for that its thoroughness in handling the matter. information, that information is provided only 6 October 1993 4730 Legislative Assembly on a ring-back basis to establish the bona 1. Mr R. Tilley fides of the person seeking the information. Mr LINGARD asked the Premier and The same process applies to authorised Juvenile Aid Bureau officers and the heads of Minister for Economic and Trade equivalent units in interstate departments. Development— On 13 July, I tabled in this House an “With reference to the appointment Issues Paper setting out my department’s of Mr Ronald Tilley as Director of the review of the child protection legislation—the Queensland Government Office in first such review in almost three decades. Tokyo— Within the paper, the issues surrounding the (1) In which publications were recording of personal information about advertisements for this position placed? families is raised specifically, and we are very keen to hear the views and opinions of (2) How many applicants were flown to members of the public and specific Brisbane for interview? professional and interest groups on this very (3) What was the total cost for matter. advertising, travel and accommodation to On a matter of such grave public fill this position?” concern, it is essential that the public debate Mr W. K. GOSS: I seek leave to table the on child abuse is assisted by an informed answer and have it incorporated in Hansard. media which will, in turn, lead to a more informed and aware community and, Leave granted. therefore, better child protection laws.There is 1. Advertisements for the position of Director simply no point, and it is socially irresponsible, of the Queensland Government Office in to misreport these problems and indulge in Tokyo were placed in the following sensationalism, for whatever reasons. In the publications: interests of accuracy, I do have to make The Courier Mail (Careers section) on 12 mention of the article on the front page of the and 19 June; Courier-Mail this morning titled “Secret Sex The Australian (Executive Appointments Files Fury”. This article is wrong in a number of section) on 12 and 19 June; ways. Firstly, child abuse files cannot be The Financial Review (Management equated with sex files; and, secondly, the section) on 18 June; Ombudsman did not launch a bitter attack on the Government. In fact, this morning on the The Japan Times (Positions Vacant section) on 15 June and Rod Henshaw program, the Deputy Ombudsman, Frank King, emphasised that The Government Gazette on 4 June. the Ombudsman’s Office was not blasting the The total cost of advertising for the position Government over the child protection register. was $10,875.12 and is itemised below: Mr King said that there was a concern, which The Courier Mail x 2 (@ $1159.20): $2,318.40 is shared by me and my department, and he The Australian x 2 (@ $2076.48): $4,152.96 was sure that that concern can be managed. The Financial Review x 1: $1,636.80 Again, I am in agreement on that point. The The Japan Times x 1: $2,111.82 Government Gazette (full page): $440.00 headline and lead in no way reflect the reality Typesetting & adaption: $215.14 of the situation or, indeed, what the Ombudsman said in his report. Total $10,875.12 The use of the word “secret” is 2. One applicant from Adelaide was flown to Brisbane for the interview at a cost of $810.35. misleading. While names of informants are Another interstate candidate from Sydney was not publicly available, people are entitled to in Brisbane on other business and did not claim access to their own personal files. What is travel expense reimbursement. The interview distressing about the article is its inaccuracy with an applicant from Perth was conducted by and oversensationalism. Hopefully, the telephone. management of the Courier-Mail will 3. The total cost for advertising, travel and endeavour to provide more balanced and accommodation to fill this position was accurate coverage of an issue which is of $11,685.47. No accommodation costs were paramount importance for the future of all involved. Queenslanders. 2. Mr R. Richards QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE Mr QUINN asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning— Legislative Assembly 4731 6 October 1993

“With reference to his answer to a (1) Is this material being supplied to all Question on 1 September regarding the schools or to teachers at schools operations of the Queensland Building which the AIDS Council visits? Services Authority and the payment to (2) Does the Government believe that Mr Rod Richards— this material is appropriate for school (1) Was Clayton Utz informed that the students? Builders' Registration Board had (3) If not, what action has the dismissed Mr Richards for Government taken to ensure that misconduct? such an incident does not occur (2) Was Clayton Utz informed that the again?” Criminal Justice Commission was investigating Mr Richards for Mr COMBEN: The Human Relationships misconduct? Education—HRE—program is both a successful and integral part of the curriculum (3) Why was the Criminal Justice in our schools. The bipartisan and good work Commission's investigation suddenly of the previous Education Ministers, Mr Brian curtailed? Littleproud and the Honourable Paul Braddy, (4) Will he table the Criminal Justice in introducing and extending this program in Commission's correspondence our schools should be noted in this regard. relating to Mr Richards; if not, why? The program is highly regarded in other States (5) Will he now table all correspondence and is recognised as very successful. relating to Mr Richards' termination Human Relationships Education is between Clayton Utz, the developed at each school by a group of department, the Builders' parents, teachers and students, where Registration Board and the appropriate. These people form a committee Queensland Building Services known as the School Community Consultative Authority, including the independent Committee (SCCC). At the school referred to, legal advice received by the board; if the HRE program has been approved not, why?” regionally and has been in place for five years. Mr MACKENROTH: I am advised by my No students have been withdrawn by their department that— parents from the program in that time. The (1) The basis of the question is wrong. committee recommended that outside Mr Richards’ contract was not terminated speakers be brought in as part of the on the grounds of misconduct. program, and the Queensland AIDS Council was one of the recommended groups. (2) Clayton Utz was advised that an allegation of misconduct had been made The material referred to by the to the Criminal Justice Commission, but honourable member was not supplied to the this was not related to the termination of school but was brought in by the AIDS Council the contract. lecturer. It was available to students for (3) The department was not aware of inspection at the end of the lecture, and this is the investigation being suddenly seen by Education Department staff to be curtailed. inappropriate for students at the Year 10 level. I appreciate the concerns raised by the (4 and 5) I am prepared to table the honourable member and share those requested documents where matters of concerns about this isolated incident. I will confidentiality, personal affairs and contact the AIDS Council to voice our professional legal privilege are not concerns and to ask that all care be taken to involved. ensure that material distributed in schools is age appropriate and that the distribution is 3. Queensland AIDS Council, approved by the department. School Visits Mr QUINN asked the Minister for 4. Security Lighting at Car Parks Education— Mr SZCZERBANIK asked the Minister for “With reference to an incident where Transport and Minister Assisting the Premier Year 10 students had access to sexually on Economic and Trade Development— explicit material supplied by an officer of the Queensland AIDS Council during “With reference to a recent article in HRE course at a Brisbane high school— the Hinterland Sun newspaper where the 6 October 1993 4732 Legislative Assembly

Member for Nerang attacked the Minister Then, and only then, did the temporary and the Government for failing to provide appointment of the director of the division security lighting at a car park in Nerang— occur. Subsequently, the Criminal Justice What is the Government's role in the Commission revised its position and advised provision of security lighting at car parks?” Mr Harris of my department accordingly. Mr Harris then acted in the only way that he felt Mr HAMILL: In the case referred to by was appropriate to act. He made the the honourable member for Albert, what is recommendation to me, and I forwarded the described as a car park is, in fact, an area of recommendation to the Governor in Council. road reserve used by the community as a car park. Although it provides an amenity to the local residents, the responsibility of security Director, Queensland Government Office, lighting rests with the body corporate and Tokyo; Mr R. Tilley businesses concerned, as the policy of the Mr BORBIDGE: I direct a further question department with respect to lighting and road to the Premier. I refer to the bungled reserves caters for through traffic at appointment of Mr Ronald Tilley to intersections and major routes. For the benefit Queensland’s most sensitive trade post, and I of the local member, I might add that ask: can the Premier confirm that Mr Tilley improvements to route lighting on the travelled to Sydney in the company of the Southport-Nerang road, which is adjacent to head of the Japan Secretariat in Brisbane, Mr the area of concern, will soon begin. Glen Nunn, where he was introduced by Mr Nunn to senior representatives of major QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Japanese companies trading in Australia as the new director of Queensland’s Japan Director, Queensland Government Office, office? Tokyo; Mr R. Tilley Mr W. K. GOSS: No. Mr BORBIDGE: In directing a question to the Premier, I refer to his claim that Mr Ronald Tilley was not appointed as director of the Coal Industry Queensland Government Office in Japan Mr PITT: My first question is to the despite the fact that his non-appointment had Minister for Minerals and Energy. I refer him to to be terminated, and I ask: how does he recent statements about the coal industry in explain an internal Premier’s Department Queensland by the Brisbane stockbroking firm memo on how to deal with this issue which Morgans. I ask: can the Minister inform the refers specifically to Mr Tilley’s appointment House whether the assessment by Morgans having been made? Will the Premier now accords with that of the Government? release this memo? Mr McGRADY: I thank the member for Mr W. K. GOSS: I am not aware of the the question. I am happy to inform this House memo. I am not aware of whether it exists or I have seen the figures by the economist from not. The facts are that Mr Tilley was Morgans. The figures confirm the indisputable appointed, as I have already outlined, to a fact that Queensland is the second-largest temporary position in the department to coal exporter in the world. In fact, export coal enable him to become familiar with the sales from Queensland run second only to the operations of the division. The appointment as United States of America. Last year, coal director of the office in Tokyo was to occur exports from Queensland surpassed 70 million subsequently. It did not proceed. The reason tonnes. The United States of America exports why it did not proceed is that law enforcement about 90 million tonnes of coal a year, and I agencies changed their advice to the believe that its production levels have already Government. The temporary appointment—— peaked. In contrast to this, Queensland has a Mr Borbidge: They read the Courier-Mail, vibrant coal industry, and our production levels did they? are still rising. Mr W. K. GOSS: No, no, no. The On current trends, Queensland coal temporary appointment, as I have already exports will top 100 million tonnes a year said, was made only after checks were made before the turn of the century—by mid-1999, with a range of law enforcement agencies, in fact. This means that, by the year 2000, including the National Police Agency of Japan Queensland will be almost the largest exporter and the Criminal Justice Commission. The of coal in the world. This is happening despite Criminal Justice Commission’s advice in relatively weak international demand for writing, as I said before, was based on its own coking coal in the steel industry. It directly holdings and information from other agencies. Legislative Assembly 4733 6 October 1993 reflects the demand for Queensland’s very are an impediment to Australia’s high quality coking coal. In fact, Queensland competitiveness in the manufacturing sector. I producers are expected to increase their ask: can the Minister inform the House of the market share by selling into the weaker coking real position regarding Australia’s labour costs coal market. compared with those of the leading Asian markets are our best customers for industrialised nations? coking coal, and there is tremendous potential Mr FOLEY: I thank the honourable for growth as Asia demands steaming coal member for the question. Indeed, a recent during the rest of this decade. Yesterday, the study of nine leading industrialised market Premier opened a fantastic new underground economies has found that, of those countries, coalmine at Gordonstone. This Government Australia has the lowest hourly labour costs in and the Premier in particular played a big part manufacturing. This excellent report—indeed, in bringing this mine to fruition. We assist the as luck would have it, I had the pleasure of industry rather than try to hinder it. During the launching this book last night at the next 10 years, the growth in Japanese Queensland University of Technology— demand alone could result in a requirement includes a study conducted by Professor Greg for at least three new coalmines like Bamber, Director of the Australian Centre in Gordonstone. This Government will be working Strategic Management at the QUT, and Gillian to ensure that those mines also come to Whitehouse. fruition. In fact, contrary to the wild ideological Queensland’s coal exporters have assertions of the Opposition, Australia’s labour already responded to the enhanced operating costs are substantially less than those of our environment provided by the Goss Labor international competitors in this area. For Government. In the past 18 months in this example, they are only 86 per cent of those in State, well over $1 billion worth of investment the United States. They are lower than those has been committed in six major coalmining in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Japan, Italy, developments: Crinum, North Goonyella, Germany, France and Canada. With the Yongala, Gordonstone, Ensham—need I go cooperation that is evident in the policies of on? Very strong interest has also been shown the Federal and Queensland Governments, in coal areas in the Bowen Basin, which were Australia can achieve international competitiveness, as is demonstrated by our previously locked up by our friends on the low hourly labour costs in manufacturing other side of this House. In fact, 20 industry. companies have shown an interest in this new development. I am positive that exploration of these areas will also underpin further mine Director, Queensland Government Office, developments. Tokyo; Mr R. Tilley Opposition members interjected. Mrs SHELDON: In directing a question to Mr SPEAKER: Order! I would like the the Premier, I refer to his bungled Minister to conclude his answer. He is appointment of Mr Ronald Tilley and his subsequent naming in this House of his beginning to debate the point. Director of Trade and Development, Loftus Mr McGRADY: In conclusion, this type of Harris. Given previous examples of ministerial development will result in many, many incompetence and negligence in which benefits for Queenslanders. It will lead to the Minister Mackenroth blamed his Police creation of thousands of jobs and it will greatly Commissioner, Minister Braddy blamed Noel increase export earnings for this State. I am Gillard and Howard Baker, and Minister Casey confident that the operating environment put blamed his director-general, I ask: is he the in place by this Government and our future Minister responsible for Mr Harris’ division of prospects will certainly cement Queensland’s the Premier’s Department, or will he follow the positive position as a key player in the world example of his colleagues and hide his markets during this decade and beyond. ultimate and undeniable responsibility for that mess behind his public servants? Mr W. K. GOSS: I am the responsible Labour Costs Minister, and I am totally satisfied that this Mr PITT: I direct my second question to matter has been handled properly by Mr the Minister for Employment, Training and Harris. I want to make it plain—— Industrial Relations. I refer him to constant claims by many conservative politicians and by Mr Borbidge: You blamed him yesterday. some business leaders that high labour costs 6 October 1993 4734 Legislative Assembly

Mr W. K. GOSS: That is a dishonest and four months. I refer also to the Government’s inaccurate interjection. I have not blamed Mr intention to send Mr Nunn’s family to Japan Harris. I say here quite explicitly—— on that temporary assignment, and I ask: Mr Borbidge interjected. what will be the cost of that exercise—an exercise that would have been totally Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the Leader of the Opposition under Standing Order 123A. unnecessary, both in terms of cost and embarrassment to this State if he had properly Mr W. K. GOSS: I say here quite explicitly managed his department? that I reject the slur on Mr Harris’ competence by the Leader of the Opposition and express Mr W. K. GOSS: The problem that the my full confidence in the way in which—— Deputy Leader of the Coalition has is that, Mr BORBIDGE: I rise to a point of order. I having been handed questions that have find the remarks made by the Premier to be been drafted for her by the Leader of the offensive. I ask that they be withdrawn. At no Opposition and having received an answer to time did I reflect on Mr Loftus Harris. It was the the previous question that removes the need Premier yesterday. for the second question, she is unable to Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of muster the imagination and wit to ask a new order. question. So she proceeds along, as programmed by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr W. K. GOSS: I express my full to ask the question. At the beginning of the confidence in and support for the way in which Mr Harris has handled that matter. For the question, there was a reference—as there benefit of the Leader of the Opposition, I will were in the other questions—to the bungled recount again the way in which Mr Harris appointment, as if the mere repetition of that supervised the processing of that matter. A will somehow give those members some panel, the competence of which I believe evidence. I have explained several times cannot be questioned, was convened. I have already why the appointment was properly outlined the personnel on that panel. handled. Advertisements were placed both in Australia The inconvenience and the cost that has and in Japan in the appropriate fora. Furthermore, the panel unanimously selected been caused was not caused by anything that Mr Tilley. However, before the temporary was done in my department. It was caused by appointment was made, Mr Harris ensured the relevant law enforcement agency giving us that checks were carried out with law one set of advice—— enforcement agencies in Australia and in Honourable members interjected. Japan. After an appropriate clearance from the law enforcement agencies in both Mr W. K. GOSS: As I have explained, the countries, the temporary appointment Criminal Justice Commission gave one piece proceeded. of advice. It then advised Mr Harris that, It was then subsequent to the temporary subsequent to its original advice, further appointment that the Criminal Justice information had come into its possession, Commission revised its position. On necessitating Mr Harris’ advice to me that the communicating that to Mr Harris, he then appointment to Tokyo not proceed. I accepted promptly took action and did so prior to the that advice as the proper advice. I suggest media reports referred to by the Leader of the that, if members of the Opposition have any Opposition. The matter has been handled genuine concern about this matter—and I properly. Any reflection on Mr Harris or officers know that they do not, but if they have any of my department is inappropriate and typical genuine concern—they should take it up with of the sort of gutter slurs in which the people the Criminal Justice Commission. opposite continuously engage.

Mr R. Tilley; Mr G. Nunn Computers in Schools Mr LIVINGSTONE: I ask the Minister for Mrs SHELDON: In directing a question to Education: in view of the fact that the the Premier, I refer to his bungled Government has promised to equip appointment of Mr Ronald Tilley to Queensland schools with computers and Queensland’s most senior and sensitive maintain them, can he say what has been overseas trade post and to his intention to done to meet that commitment? send Mr Glenn Nunn from his office to Tokyo on a temporary appointment of approximately Legislative Assembly 4735 6 October 1993

Mr COMBEN: I take pleasure in advising Opposition when it was in Government—that, the House what has been done to meet the if student numbers get down to below 10, the commitment to the Computers in Schools department starts talking to that school. If Program that was announced before the last numbers get down to about six, times are election and funded in this Budget. The getting pretty tough. That is the policy under Government has provided $40m towards which Opposition members closed 781 computers so that schools will have a schools in the 32 years during which they were computer for every 10 senior primary and in Government. That is an average of 25 secondary students within five years. At school closures a year. present, within the State school system, we In the past six years, to the best of my have some 30 000 computers, but more must knowledge, about five schools have been be installed. The money has been provided in closed across this State—all of which had this Budget. Importantly, this week, as part of small numbers. In terms of Amby, Maroon the school grants, schools around the State and Colston—the Government will continue to will receive $5.2m towards the maintenance of consult the school communities out there; we those computers to ensure that they are kept will consult with the QCPCA; we will talk to the up to speed and that they are there for the Queensland Teachers Union and come up purposes for which computers should be with a policy with each of those. In view of used, which is teaching young people. what I have said, the Government will Can I also take this opportunity to thank continue the policy that the former the P & Cs of the State for providing Government had in place. computers over a long period. They were at the cutting edge when we were first looking at computers many years ago. The P & Cs would Director, Queensland Government Office, come in and start buying the computers. They Tokyo; Mr R. Tilley have done a great job. This Government has Mr BEANLAND: In directing a question to accepted the challenge and put $40m the Premier, I refer him to his bungled—and I towards that program. It is one of the best use that word very carefully but it is programs for computers in schools anywhere appropriate in this instance—appointment of in Australia. Mr Ronald Tilley to Queensland’s most sensitive trade post, and I ask the Premier: was Mr Tilley advised by the Premier’s School Closures Department—— Mr LIVINGSTONE: In directing a question Government members interjected. to the Minister for Education, I refer him to recent media reports regarding reviews into Mr SPEAKER: Order! the closure of Amby, Maroon and Colston Mr BEANLAND: Mr Speaker, I will State Schools, and I ask: has there been any commence again. I ask the Premier: was Mr change in Government or departmental policy Tilley advised by the Premier’s Department at regarding school closures, and is there any any stage that he had been successful in his conflict between the situation in respect of application for the position? those schools and previous statements made Mr W. K. Goss interjected. by him regarding school closures? Mr BEANLAND: I will ask the question Mr COMBEN: Some attention has been again. I refer to the Premier’s bungled given, particularly in the western parts of the appointment of Mr Ronald Tilley to State, to statements that I have made that Queensland’s most sensitive trade post—— there would be no widespread closures of schools. Page 8 of the Interim Budget Mr Dollin interjected. Statement that was released in Cairns by the Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member Treasurer states that Cabinet rejected school for Maryborough under Standing Order 123A. closures as a cost-cutting measure. I support Mr BEANLAND: I refer to the Premier’s that with the comments that I made in this bungled appointment of Mr Ronald Tilley to House on 16 July this year, when I informed Queensland’s most sensitive trade post, and I House that the Government policy on school ask: was Mr Tilley advised by the Premier’s closures has remained unchanged. That was Department at any stage that he had been my statement at the time. Any statement that successful in his application for the position? I might make about school closures is coloured by those two previous statements. Mr W. K. GOSS: The member for Indooroopilly just exhibited the problems that The Government has a policy—which is are encountered when members do not write the same policy as was implemented by the 6 October 1993 4736 Legislative Assembly their own questions. I was not a party to any of the Opposition. Because he could not think of the conversations and I have not seen any of anything else to say, he demanded a documentation, but my presumption—if the guarantee that there would be a referendum honourable member is prepared to accept of the people before any constitutional that—would be that, following the four-person change occurred in relation to these matters. panel unanimously accepting and Of course there will be! A change cannot be recommending Mr Tilley to the position, Mr made to the constitutional position of the Tilley was told two things. One was that he monarch or anybody else unless a would be appointed to a temporary position referendum is held. It is like asking me to within the division. I presume that there would guarantee that there will be night-time before have been either advice or an expectation the sun comes up tomorrow. that subsequently Mr Tilley would be The position in relation to the constitution appointed to the position in Tokyo. is this: the constitution cannot be changed As I have explained two or three without a referendum. As Andrew Peacock times—and I am happy to explain it used to say, as surely as night follows day it again—the director of the division, Mr Harris, follows that there will not be a change to the sought advice from law enforcement agencies constitutional position of the monarch or any in Japan and Australia and, as well, made the other constitutional change unless a normal checks that would be undertaken referendum is conducted. before the appointment of a person to such a As to seeking guarantees on those sorts senior position. Those checks came up clear. of issues—a guarantee is really needed only After that, the temporary appointment in circumstances in which the organisation that proceeded. I assume that there would have is faced with a decision has a choice. For been an expectation and/or advice by all example, it might be reasonable to ask the concerned that the appointment to Tokyo Leader of the Opposition whether or not he would subsequently proceed at an appropriate would give a guarantee of a referendum by time. the members of the National and Liberal However, as I have explained, the Parties before there would be a merger, Criminal Justice Commission, which had because such a merger is not compulsory. previously given one set of advice, advised us Mr Borbidge: Are you worried about it? of certain other information and revised its advice to Mr Harris. When the Criminal Justice Mr W. K. GOSS: No, we are looking Commission gave its revised advice to Mr forward to it. When one adds zero to zero, Harris, he recommended to me that the one still ends up with zero. appointment in Tokyo not proceed. I forwarded that advice to the Governor in Resource Sharing, Public and Private Council, the appropriate action was taken and Health Sectors Mr Tilley was advised accordingly. Mr DAVIES: In directing a question to the Minister for Health, I refer to his recent Status of the Monarchy statement that he believes that one of the Mr BEANLAND: I direct my second hallmarks of hospital care in the twenty-first question without notice to the Premier. century be will be the need for a strong partnership in sharing resources between the Mr SPEAKER: Order! I hope that the public and private health sectors, and I ask: member can get it in one go this time. why is this important for Queensland? Mr BEANLAND: I hope so, too, Mr Mr HAYWARD: As many members of this Speaker. I did have some interruptions last House would realise, over the next decade time. I ask the Premier: will he give an Queensland will experience rapid population unqualified assurance that the status of the growth as well as an ageing of the population. monarch in relation to the State of We will also have to deal with what I believe Queensland will not be changed without the are growing community expectations about approval of the people of Queensland by way the sorts of services that should be provided of a referendum, as provided under the to people. Importantly, those changes will Queensland Constitution Act? occur in the context of rapidly improving health Mr W. K. GOSS: What a silly question! care technology in diagnosis and treatment. Once again, it demonstrates the problems That technology will be expensive. In that that members have when somebody else context, I believe that it makes clear economic writes their questions. This morning on the and clinical sense to avoid unnecessary radio, I heard this nonsense from the Leader duplication of that technology. Expensive and Legislative Assembly 4737 6 October 1993 unnecessary duplication is in no-one’s best Government Association has called for the interests— including the public system and the reduction of the speed limit in urban areas to private system—when we are considering the 50 kilometres per hour, and we will proceed to use of scarce and valuable public health funds implement that feature of the Travelsafe and, in many cases, private funds in the Committee’s report. provision of health services. With respect to maximum speeds on the Such non-duplication appears to be a open highway, there is also a body of fairly easy aim to achieve. However, as with evidence to suggest that speeds of 110 many health care issues, it is complex. It kilometres per hour could well be appropriate would require the support of provider on certain sections of the open road. I caution organisations such as the Australian Medical honourable members who might seek to Association and, to some extent, the private embrace a blanket increase of the maximum health funds, which on an historical basis have speed limit to 110 kilometres an hour with the strongly, loudly and vociferously opposed such experience of Victoria when a similar exercise opportunities. However, we have to think was undertaken with tragic consequences. For seriously about this issue as changes in that reason, the Department of Transport is technology occur and as the cost of that currently engaged with a computer based technology rises. Importantly, we need to program to examine the appropriateness of contract with private providers to relieve speed limits across all of our road network to unnecessary duplication. ensure that any changes that are made to the Ultimately, the issue involves dealing with speed limits are appropriate and, therefore, finite resources. With public and private are safe. I anticipate that the first examples of cooperation, we can ensure that all resources the new 110 kilometre per hour speed limit will are deployed for the greatest benefit of all be seen on Queensland roads before the end Queenslanders. of this year.

Speed Limits Bardon Professional Development Centre Mr DAVIES: I direct my second question Mr QUINN: In directing a question to the to the Minister for Transport. The Minister Minister for Education, I refer him to the would be aware of the parliamentary Government’s decision to sell the Bardon Travelsafe Committee recommendation to Professional Development Centre. I ask: what reduce residential speed limits to 50 is the present situation? When will the sale be kilometres per hour and to increase speeds on finalised? Will he assure the House that it will major roads. I ask: can the Minister explain not be sold for medium residential whether this will enhance safety in residential development or to overseas interests and that streets, reduce journey time on major the bushland and present award winning suburban and rural roads and enhance traffic complex will be retained by the prospective flow? Further, could the Minister outline the purchaser? current position with regard to consultation Mr COMBEN: I am a little constrained by with local authorities on the issue? the commercial realities of four expressions of Mr HAMILL: There has been a lot of interest which have been short-listed for the community discussion regarding the purchase of the Bardon centre. They are recommendations of the parliamentary presently being assessed by the Department Travelsafe Committee on speed limits. of Administrative Services, the Department of Indeed, there has been strong support from a Lands and the Department of Education. great many local authorities for the proposal From there, it is anticipated that a submission by the Travelsafe Committee to reduce the would go to Cabinet for the final decision, I general speed in residential areas to 50 believe within a month, but I would ask not to kilometres per hour. It has long been a feature be held to that. It depends on certain of road safety campaigns to link excessive technical matters. speed with the road toll. Perhaps the The honourable member asked me to message that ought better to be understood give an undertaking that the site would not be is that inappropriate speed kills and, indeed, used for medium density housing. That is a inappropriate speed signage on roads is as matter for decision of the expert committee at much a traffic hazard as those who take to our present, and Cabinet’s ultimate decision. roads using excessive speed. There has been Certainly, the four short-listed applicants have extensive consultation with the Local proposed a mix of potential uses. Government Association and its executive. I am pleased to report that the Local 6 October 1993 4738 Legislative Assembly

As to overseas interests—again, that is a position. Mr Harris then took action and matter of commercial confidentiality at advised me that the appointment should not present. proceed. I forwarded that advice to the In terms of the bushland—it is part of the Governor in Council and action was taken. appraisal situation that the bushland be I have explained this four, five or six times maintained. We have had discussions with the already. I hope that I have explained it more city council on that, as well. I believe it could clearly this time. Perhaps I should add this be said that the bushland will be retained. extra dimension for the benefit of the I will return to the aspect of medium member: the advice that was received from density use. If we were to sell the Bardon law enforcement agencies was not, to my Professional Development Centre, it would understanding, in any sense provisional or then be a matter for the city council as to what temporary, nor did it in any sense, as far as would occur in terms of zoning, but my advice is concerned, suggest that inquiries discussions are being held with the city council were ongoing. The advice was given and, on at present. the basis of that clear and final advice, action was taken by Mr Harris. It was only when fresh contact was made by the Criminal Justice Director, Queensland Government Office, Commission and the Criminal Justice Tokyo; Mr R. Tilley Commission advised that it had revised its Mr QUINN: In directing a question to the position that Mr Harris took action and the Premier, I refer to his bungled appointment of appointment to director of the Tokyo office did Mr Ronald Tilley to Queensland’s most not proceed. sensitive trade post and to his claim yesterday In conclusion, I would like to apologise to that inquiries with law enforcement agencies the honourable member for not explaining this led him to believe that the appointment was clearly enough in my five previous answers. appropriate. I ask: will he now admit that, in relation to such a senior and sensitive appointment, he should have either waited Sugar Industry Expansion until that investigation was complete or Mr BARTON: I ask the Minister for considered another applicant? Primary Industries: can he advise what Mr W. K. GOSS: In relation to the sixth or amount of land has been opened up for sugar seventh bungled question by the Opposition cane expansion since the election of the Goss in relation to this matter, I note with interest—I Government in December 1989, and what do not know whether Mr Borbidge’s effect that will have on the future of the sugar handwriting is too hard to read or the National industry in Queensland? Party members have trouble reading—that all Mr CASEY: I thank the honourable the questions are being farmed out to the member. As a former sugar mill employee in Liberal Party. Maybe this is in the tradition north Queensland of great repute, he naturally established by the Liberal Party last night of has a great interest in the sugar industry. setting up their colleagues for a fall. Overall, since this Government came to In relation to the inquiries with law Government four years ago, we have enforcement agencies, I am more than happy increased the number of hectares available for to outline the position to the member, as I cane production in Queensland from 360 000 have done for the member for Surfers hectares to more than 423 000 hectares—an Paradise, the Deputy Leader of the Coalition increase of 18 per cent. and the member for Indooroopilly. After the As honourable members would know, a unanimous recommendation was made by total review has been conducted of the sugar the panel, checks were made by Mr Harris with industry in Queensland. That was one of the law enforcement agencies in Japan and in first major tasks that was undertaken by the Australia, and a clearance was received from Goss Government when it came into office. those law enforcement agencies. Then, and Following that review, a number of major only then, did the temporary appointment recommendations were made for the sugar proceed. industry. Those were discussed with all the Subsequently, as I have explained to various industry representatives and the three of the member’s colleagues previously various industry organisations. The tasks that this afternoon, further advice was reportedly the previous Government had put in the too- received by the Criminal Justice Commission hard basket in relation to the sugar industry, and its officers then made fresh contact with leaving it an outdated industry in this State, Mr Harris and said that they had revised their were quickly undertaken by this Government. Legislative Assembly 4739 6 October 1993

As a result, every one of those Queensland. When briefing journalists about recommendations in the report was put into the wonders of Tasmania, that State’s tourism practise. authority chose to hold its briefing on Great Consequently, the sugar industry in Keppel Island. Queensland is now poised to take off as soon Our success is in continuing as better weather conditions prevail. unprecedented support for the tourism Conditions in the sugar belt seem to be industry while other States walk away from improving already. The crop estimate has potential customers by closing offices been revised and increased. domestically and overseas. Sydney’s Olympic In the Burdekin area, major expansion is success has given us a once-in-a-lifetime taking place which will bring a great economic opportunity that we must convert to long-term return to the State. Shortly, the industry will social and economic benefit. To do this we move towards its goal of producing 5 million must start planning immediately. Part of this tonnes of sugar by the year 2000. It has put Government’s response is a travel industry itself into the position to be one of the leading seminar that I have convened to be held at sugar industries in the world. Parliament House on 10 November. The seminar will be the start of developing Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time allotted strategic marketing plans for the pre and post- for questions has now expired. Atlanta phases of the Games preparation. It is fair to say that not all Olympic Games have APPROPRIATION BILL (No. 2) translated into long-term international tourism increases for host countries, and it is Resumption of Committee imperative that we make the most of our Debate resumed from 5 October (see chance. Tourism has long been predicted to p. 4719 ) on Schedule 1— become our largest industry by the year 2000, and the Olympic announcement has simply confirmed it. Minister for Tourism, Sport and Racing The Queensland Tourist and Travel Hon. R. J. GIBBS (Bundamba— Minister Corporation in 1993-94 will receive its largest for Tourism, Sport and Racing) (3.30 p.m.): I ever budget allocation as recognition of its take great pleasure today in detailing to increasingly pivotal role in the State’s members of this Chamber the plans that this economic development. Part of that allocation Government has in the State’s most dynamic this year—and in years to come—is a sectors—tourism, sport, recreation, racing, permanent marketing grant of $5.7m to build youth affairs and liquor licensing. I am happy on the successes of last year’s campaigns in to be given the time to explain some of the promoting a diverse range of destinations and innovative and equitable programs that the experiences. This funding boost also allows Goss Government has introduced in the past the QTTC to continue its successful policy of financial year. promoting Queensland destinations which had The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Ms previously been considered off the beaten Power): Order! There are too many audible track. conversations in the Chamber. The QTTC has been particularly Mr GIBBS: Our underlying ethic is to successful in augmenting taxpayer provide long-lasting reforms which lead to a contributions with revenue from its own better standard of life for all Queenslanders. operations and contributions from the private And the basis for this is the creation of wealth sector. In fact, in the past year, 52 per cent of which can be spread across the entire State. the corporation’s budget was funded from its Our tourism industry—the State’s largest own business activities, such as Sunlover export earner—is at the forefront of providing Holidays, and through cooperative campaigns. the jobs that other sectors are shedding. The It has ensured that taxpayers get maximum Commonwealth Department of Tourism value for money by encouraging cooperative estimates our State’s third-largest industry to marketing with the private sector and other be generating jobs at a rate three times that Government agencies. In the past two years, of industry generally. And it is no accident that private contributions have risen from virtually nobody is doing it better than Queensland. I nothing to $3.9m. This has allowed operators say to members on the other side of the in areas such as the Whitsundays, Townsville Chamber: ask your coalition counterparts in and the Gold Coast to stretch their advertising New South Wales who, this year, took the budgets with unheralded promotions in the extraordinary step of sending their Tourism southern States. Minister on a fact-finding mission to 6 October 1993 4740 Legislative Assembly

The continuing compilation of motoring Sunlover has increased its sales by $18m in guides, such as those produced for central the past two years to $57m and for the first Queensland and the Matilda Highway, also will time last year returned a profit. continue our focus on the all-important Importantly, the Queensland Tourist and domestic market, which still provides three- Travel Corporation has assembled a product quarters of our tourists. But it is in the range which includes many smaller operators international arena where the Olympic that were previously considered too announcement has strengthened already insignificant for this scale of promotion. These healthy prospects for growth. Our State, with Queensland-based operations more often four international airports, is now truly the than not do not have the budget to tap into second gateway to Australia behind Sydney. competitive high-yield markets, and the We have two of the four busiest airports in the assistance provided by the QTTC has helped nation and have clearly overtaken Victoria. broaden their exposure. Queensland is now International visitors to Queensland in the past marketed as a multi-faceted destination with calendar year reached 1.237 million, 16 per special emphasis on our natural assets. We cent up on the previous year at a growth rate have more World Heritage listed areas than twice that of the other States. any other comparable area on the planet, and Madam Temporary Chairman, I do not that is a virtue that we, as a Government, are mind a little bit of noise in the Chamber, but if entitled to trumpet. members at the back of the Chamber cannot It must never be forgotten that, when show a bit of common courtesy and dignity in members opposite were in Government, they their behaviour, they should get out of the spent millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money place. fighting World Heritage listing for the Wet The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Ms Tropics area. They must be condemned for Power): Order! Yes. I have already asked their lack of vision and their preparedness to members to consider the Minister. I shall warn sell areas of tremendous environmental the next member who interrupts the Minister’s significance to the highest bidder. These days, speech. it is hard not to chuckle when National Party Mr GIBBS: Our market share of all members criticise the Goss Government’s international visitors reached 51 per cent for record on ecologically sustainable the first time, and the rate of holidayers rose development. The party that sailed through from 59 per cent to 62 per cent. The QTTC’s the sixties, seventies and the eighties with one international campaign this year will be white shoe firmly planted on the accelerator of bolstered by the extra $5m that it will receive the bulldozer is claiming to have been to stage the Gold Coast Indy Car Grand Prix. converted. Indy will continue to promote Queensland on Ecotourism is now the fastest growing a scale that no Government could afford segment of the world’s fastest growing through conventional methods. More than industry, but it must be treated with sensitivity. 1 000 journalists from 15 countries will cover This Government does not shy away from the the week-long event, which will be televised in socially, environmentally or culturally sensitive 90 countries. It will be seen on a television aspects of the industry. Rather, we pro-actively network which has the capacity to reach every support them. Queensland is a vast, household in the world’s largest outbound decentralised State with attractions as diverse tourism market—the ABC in the United States. as Brisbane, the Barcoo and the Barrier Reef. It is this sort of promotion which will bring The QTTC’s market research has pinpointed medium and long-term benefit to this State that diversity as the key to our tourism regardless of the race’s bottom line. And it industry’s longevity, and we will continue to enhances Queensland’s healthy reputation for market it—and conserve it—accordingly. hosting world-class sporting events and Before I move on to other areas of my complements our well-rounded package. portfolio, I would like to take the chance in this Indy will have the bonus this year of place to put on record this Government’s being able to have tour packages sold appreciation for the hard work of former QTTC through Sunlover Holidays’ new operations in Chairman Peter Laurance, who resigned in the Singapore and New Zealand markets. July. Members opposite took great delight in Sunlover already is the largest wholesaler of firing others’ bullets at Mr Laurance at every Australian-based holidays, with more than 500 turn, despite the tremendous gains that products. It has broken domestic records year tourism made under his chairmanship of the after year, and this year monthly sales QTTC board. I am pleased to note their increased by 50 per cent in some cases. Legislative Assembly 4741 6 October 1993 commitment to adopting a more bipartisan under this Government. We cannot have a approach to the new chairman, Jim Kennedy. licensing inspector in every premises in A related area in my portfolio in which Queensland. There are well over 2 000 of much long-overdue reform continues to be them. The division now concentrates on implemented is liquor licensing. One of the mediation and education, rather than the major reforms which has encouraged a more heavy-handed approach of old. responsible industry is making licensees pay For the first time, substantial training has their fees on time. That sounds fairly simple been provided to liquor licensing inspectors, on the face of it, but it was only the Goss particularly in mediation. An investigator’s Government which took the required steps to handbook has been developed—another first. protect honest operators. For too long, The inspectors still have the legislative backup unscrupulous operators would string the old where needed to deal with repeat offenders, Licensing Commission along while fees went particularly when it comes to under-age unpaid. This fee is as basic as rent or staffing drinkers and the people who supply them with costs, but many thumbed their noses at the alcohol. Once again, it was the Goss Government and thereby took advantage of Government which took steps to address this licensees who did the right thing. Licence fees age-old problem. paid in the past financial year totalled Our educative campaigns are backed $107.864m—a massive contribution to the with some of the harshest legislation in the State’s economy. More than 400 financial country. In the past year, inspectors pursued investigations were conducted, giving vigorously under-age drinkers, resulting in 94 licensees a clear warning that they must minors being detected on licensed premises. properly record purchases and pay the In keeping with their new role, inspectors appropriate amount to the Government. For cautioned and counselled 59 offenders, and the first time, 99 per cent of fees were 35 were prosecuted. Four adults have been collected on time, which will cost $4.677m to prosecuted for supplying alcohol to minors. In administer in 1993-94. It is this sort of all, 695 complaints were lodged with the contribution which has helped the Investigations and Complaints Unit. Government provide record numbers of police Complaints about noise accounted for 36 per and teachers and an unprecedented Capital cent, and it was the most common ground for Works Program which is keeping many objections. family’s heads above water in tough times. During the year, liquor licensing When the Goss Government came to inspectors throughout the State processed power, Queensland’s liquor laws were the more than 2 000 applications, including 221 laughing-stock of the nation. At least the rest new licence applications and 409 transfers. of the country could raise a laugh. The The department’s 11 regional offices issued hospitality industry could see opportunity lost 9 299 general purpose and extended hours as we tried to compete for the tourist dollar permits and the Brisbane office a further with one hand tied behind our backs. 5 811. Sixty-two new clubs were licensed, as Members will be aware of the overhaul of the were 49 restricted clubs and 48 other new Liquor Act which has seen this State’s laws premises. Other licence types remained reflect consumer demand while still embracing virtually static. This year, the Licensing the wishes of the overwhelming majority in the Administration Unit will be restructured so that community. This year, the refinements it can reduce turnaround times for new continue. A three-month review, in which the applications to ensure that Queensland has a industry and the public were asked to assess competitive edge over the other States to help the new Act’s first year of operations, attract investment. concluded last week. I turn now to another revenue-generating We are taking the first hard look at the sector of my portfolio which has prospered Queensland Wine Industry Act, and have while other States are seeing a decline. allowed the industry to assist us in designing a Queensland’s racing industry is the healthiest new Act basically from the ground up. The in Australia and holds the best prospects for resulting legislation, which I will bring to continued strong growth. Outside of Parliament early next year, will help one of the Queensland, the industry is paying the price State’s great value-adding industries to reach for neglecting a generation while competition its potential. Again, it will emphasise that in the leisure market reached its fiercest point. Queensland has more to offer tourists than Crowds are down, as are confidence and prize simply some of the world’s most spectacular money. The Victorian Government is taking coastline. This is indicative of the new direction steps to sell off its TAB to private that the Liquor Licensing Division is taking 6 October 1993 4742 Legislative Assembly enterprise—a desperate gamble that the $1m added to Queensland prize money, and racing industry can ill afford. That is in contrast there will be plenty more in years to come. Of to Queensland, where TAB turnover increased equal importance, all but 3 per cent has by $72m to $1.13 billion, despite the remained in this State. In its first nine months, encroachment of gaming machines 20 59 clubs around the State ran 175 RIS races, months ago. adding that extra million while spreading The Goss Government’s new TAB existing prize money across the card. In many distribution formula has enabled racing cases, RIS has enabled clubs to stage their industry profits to be spread equitably and richest ever races, and the RIS will ensure that where they can be of the most use to the those benefits continue to flow to the industry whole industry. We will be in a position to at all levels. North Queensland clubs have distribute $46.1m to race clubs in the present received about 20 per cent of RIS payments; financial year. A further $23.1m will be paid central Queensland, 13.5 per cent; southern into the Racing Development Fund, of which Queensland, 51 per cent; and the Brisbane $5m will fund developmental clubs. The metropolitan area, 15.5 per cent. No longer Government’s contribution to prize money will are clubs forced to borrow money or run rise by almost 25 per cent from $41m to overdrafts to run races while waiting for end-of- $51m—an incredible increase which year payments to be calculated. underlines the health of racing in this State. Developmental clubs now receive their grants The new distribution formula preserves the up front. Strategic clubs receive a balanced contribution that racing makes to the State’s cash flow through regular monthly incentive social fabric while still rewarding clubs which payments. generate increased revenue. This year, for the The Triad series sponsored by this first time, major clubs, such as the Government with a $20,000 contribution Queensland Turf Club, will receive well over enabled Barcaldine to sponsor its richest ever $1m in incentive bonuses, although members race, the $10,000 Tree of Knowledge Cup, in could be excused for being ignorant of this May. The cup and its lead-up races in Blackall fact. The club has hardly been beating down and Longreach were supported the medias’ doors to tell them the good news. enthusiastically by owners and trainers, and Members opposite, who have been party attendances increased markedly. I am to the scaremongering campaign in the bush delighted to announce today that next year that this Government was out to close country the Goss Government will increase that clubs, should really start hanging their heads contribution to $100,000—an unrivalled in shame. In four years, we have not closed sponsorship of central Queensland racing. one country race club. However, there is no Twelve $5,000 open-class qualifying events doubt that if we had progressed along the will be run at Aramac, Barcaldine, Blackall, course charted by the members opposite Clermont, Capella, Longreach, Moranbah and when they were in Government, many country Tambo. Ten thousand dollar semi-finals will be clubs would have disappeared forever. run at Longreach and Blackall and the series will culminate in a $15,000 final, to be run over The biggest drain that Queensland’s 180- the mile at Barcaldine. odd race clubs face is the $9m that the Government will pay next year to service loans That is the sort of innovative assistance run up by National Party Ministers who abused that country racing needs to build on its the Racing Development Fund. That is a fact strength. Further incentives will be offered to that they conveniently ignore when they are participants in the harness and greyhound whipping up fear and loathing in the bush. racing industries through special $500,000 People in the country know that it took a grants to each of their controlling bodies. They Labor Government to recognise horse will use those funds to reduce the cost of breeders as primary producers, and make racing, promote the industry, broaden its them eligible for cash relief from the worst appeal and introduce strategic planning. drought this country has faced since We will capitalise on the stunning success European settlement. What country clubs of this year’s winter racing carnival by again have received under the Goss Government is contributing to a coordinated marketing a profit distribution formula and a campaign. Our money this year will increase Government-sponsored prize money scheme from $225,000 to $300,000 for next year’s which have helped them to prosper despite carnival. the devastating effects of the rural recession. Time expired. The innovative Racing Incentive Scheme, The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Ms which started in October, has seen more than Power): Order! I call the member for Legislative Assembly 4743 6 October 1993

Indooroopilly and in doing so the Chair ministerial behaviour and conduct is a sign of recognises him as taking the time of the weak leadership. I have raised this matter Opposition spokesman. because I believe the fourth most senior Mr BEANLAND (Indooroopilly) Minister in this State ought to set a better (3.50 p.m.): At the outset, let me say how example than he has been doing in recent disappointing it is that this is the first time that months. departmental annual reports have not been When the House resumed sitting, the tabled prior to their being debated. In fact, I Minister used question time to refer to the would have thought that the Minister would allegations against Mr Angus Ross, the former refer to that fact. chief steward of racing on the Gold Coast. In This Parliament and the wider community doing so, he quoted from a letter from the have become used to the Minister for Criminal Justice Commission which Tourism, Sport and Racing smearing and investigated the allegations against Mr Ross. I degrading anyone who dares to disagree with have never met Mr Ross as far as I am aware. him. But even this Minister sank to a new low But I do know that, whatever transgressions on 14 September when, in answer to a he may or may not have made, he was very Dorothy Dix question from the member for highly regarded by racing administrators and Mulgrave, he cast an untruthful and unfair slur by licensees on the Gold Coast. As is on the Queensland Turf Club, its secretary, Mr becoming increasingly common with regard to David Laing, and the chief steward of the Criminal Justice Commission investigations, Mr Queensland Principal Club, Mr Ray Murrihy. Ross was investigated and then subjected to Today I want to put the record straight in a damning letter to the Minister which ended regard to the claims made by the Minister. up saying that there was insufficient evidence Sadly, these claims were based on material to lay criminal charges against Mr Ross. But supplied to the Minister by the Criminal Justice the damage had already been done by the Commission, and the actions of the Criminal Criminal Justice Commission. Mr Ross had Justice Commission in this regard reflect no been condemned using standards of proof credit on that body, either. which the Criminal Justice Commission itself concedes would not stand up in a court of law. The Minister for Racing and I were guests When the Criminal Justice Commission says at the presentation of the Rothman’s Medal there is insufficient evidence to lay criminal for Rugby Union. The Minister was the guest charges, it is really saying that the standard of of honour. I say more in sadness than in proof required by the law cannot be met. The anger that I was given an indication of what fact that the Criminal Justice Commission was to come in the House by the way the persisted in putting its allegations against Mr Minister behaved at that important, public Ross in the form of a letter to the Minister, function for sport in Queensland. In the knowing full well he would use it, adds to the hearing and view of sporting and business growing belief that the Criminal Justice leaders, the Minister proceeded to abuse me Commission should be renamed the CIC—the in a totally irrational, raving way. At the time I Criminal Injustice Commission. did not know why, but obviously my comments about the racing industry a few days earlier However, the Minister and the Criminal got under his skin. Over the years I have been Justice Commission went further than making abused by experts, even by people I respect, allegations against Mr Ross. In its letter, which so abuse from this Minister is like water on a the Minister gleefully tabled and read from, duck’s back to me. But it is an unfortunate the Criminal Justice Commission said: and all too frequent occurrence that this “The Commission is concerned Minister shows in public that he is just not however, that the recurring shortfalls and coping. I do not mind him abusing me in the prolonged delays in the receipting of Chamber, in the lobbies, over the phone or in money, although brought to the attention writing, but to do so at a very important public of the Chairman of Stipendiary Stewards function at which we were both guests was of the Queensland Principal Club (and unbecoming of the fourth most senior Minister previously to the Secretary of the in this Government. A number of the guests Queensland Turf Club) were never who heard the Minister rant and rave at me investigated, nor were any steps taken to were disgusted. I told them not to worry as this secure such monies. Furthermore, no kind of behaviour had become the rule rather measures were taken to prevent the than the exception with the Minister for recurrence of such discrepancies.” Racing. The fact that the Premier has done These are serious allegations made against nothing about the Minister’s repeated breaches of the standards and codes of 6 October 1993 4744 Legislative Assembly the current and former controlling bodies of the QTC involving Mr Ross. It is beyond doubt racing in Queensland. or dispute that when the allegations against As with so much else the Criminal Justice Mr Ross were brought to the notice of the Commission does these days, the facts and QTC in 1991, it did everything proper and the documents tell a very different story. The necessary to investigate them and to ensure lawyers for the Queensland Turf Club have that procedures for the handling of money written to the Minister setting out the facts and were tightened. enclosing the documents which back them up I believe that the Chief Steward, Mr Ray 100 per cent. The facts are that the chairman Murrihy, the committee of the QTC and the of stewards, Mr Ray Murrihy, a person of Secretary of the QTC, Mr David Laing, are absolute integrity, did investigate allegations entitled to a full and unqualified apology from against Mr Ross. He did so at the direction of the Minister and from the Criminal Justice the Queensland Turf Club. In fact, the Commission in particular. The way the CJC committee of the Queensland Turf Club investigated this matter and the way it appointed a subcommittee to specifically reported to the Minister fall massively short of handle the matter. That is how seriously the the accountability and respect for fairness and QTC treated it. The committee comprised the truth that one ought to expect from this well- then Chairman, Sir Edward Williams, the Vice funded, well-resourced body. Because there Chairman, Mr Peter Gallagher, and the was the chance to have another crack at the Secretary, Mr David Laing. QTC, the Minister gladly did the CJC’s bidding. At the direction of the subcommittee, Mr Both have fallen flat on their faces and both Murrihy interviewed Mr Ross and requested should be big enough and honest enough to him to produce a written response. When he admit that they got it wrong and apologise. did so Mr Murrihy prepared a written report for I talk to racing people regularly and I can the subcommittee. The subcommittee came say without hesitation that Mr Murrihy is held to the same basic conclusion as the Criminal in the highest regard in the racing industry. He Justice Commission ultimately did—that there discharges his job with integrity, fairness and was insufficient evidence to establish that Mr fearlessness. The excellent standing of racing Ross was responsible for the misappropriation in this State is due in no small measure to the of any moneys. However, the subcommittee standards which Mr Murrihy has set and did take the matter further and it met with Mr maintained and also to the excellent Ross in the presence of the chief steward, Mr foundations laid down by the Queensland Turf Murrihy. At that meeting, the QTC’s concerns Club when it was the principal club. Recently, were expressed and Mr Ross was given an there have been reports that Mr Murrihy is in official warning. line for a top job in racing in Sydney. I hope But the Club went even further. It that those reports are wrong. However, in view adopted recommendations from Mr Murrihy in of the way that he was treated by the CJC and relation to the receipt of money and it gave a the Minister, who could blame him for leaving? direction to appropriate staff in relation to the The racing industry rightly regards the implementation of the recommendations. In Criminal Justice Commission’s intrusions into its letter to the Minister, the Criminal Justice the industry as clumsy, detrimental and, to say Commission made three claims against the the least, poorly put together. The matter to chief steward and the Queensland Turf Club: which I have referred is just the latest in a firstly, that the allegations against Mr Ross series of events in which the CJC has poked were never investigated; secondly, that no its nose into racing, got it very wrong and steps were taken to secure the money never had either the courtesy or the courage referred to in the allegations; and, thirdly, that to admit its grave errors. Firstly, there was the no measures were taken to prevent a infamous CJC report on SP betting. As a work recurrence. On all three counts, the claims by of fiction, it may have had some value. As a the Criminal Justice Commission are wrong, costly report for the State’s pre-eminent anti- wrong, wrong. corruption body, it was an insult and a What I find even more disturbing is the disgrace. fact that the Criminal Justice Commission Then there was the report into the so- never interviewed the Secretary of the called rorts in the racing industry—another job Queensland Turf Club or any member of the of fiction, because not one charge, let alone committee when it was considering the claims conviction, has resulted from it. The Minister against Mr Ross. This was despite the fact used those reports to wave a big stick over the that when the chief steward, Mr Murrihy, was racing industry during the so-called reform interviewed, he made reference to a report by process. The whole racing industry, many Legislative Assembly 4745 6 October 1993 good administrators, officials, owners, trainers club and the trustees, I may even be able to and jockeys were smeared by unsubstantiated compliment him, as well. allegations more aimed at getting a headline When the Minister removed the former than getting at the truth. The Minister stands trustees, allegedly because he wanted to condemned for the way in which he used remove a conflict of interest, no-one really those reports to threaten the industry when he believed him. At the time, I was saddened by must have known that they were not worth the the fact that decent men, such as Mr Jim paper that they were written on, let alone the Clark, were removed as trustees by the costs involved in their preparation. Minister. I find that a very poor way to reward Despite that, the Minister wants the public men who have given great service to racing to believe that he is the innocent, aggrieved and to the wider community. Mr Clark is one of party in the turmoil, division and bitterness that the finest gentlemen that one would meet. His has characterised his term as Minister companies are among the largest rural responsible for racing. When I read the producers in Queensland. They are big headline in the Sunday Telegraph last Sunday employers and big contributors to export proclaiming, “Minister prays for end to income and to rural communities. He has brawling”, I thought that it was a reference to stuck by this State in tough times—drought, the Minister for Education or the Minister for flood and depressed prices—yet his Health—not the Minister for Racing. This confidence and investment have remained Minister is the biggest brawler of them all. He undiminished. has created more division in the racing, Yet how does the Minister reward people harness racing and greyhound industries in such as Jim Clark? He removes them from the past four years than existed in the honorary positions, such as trustees of previous 100 years. racecourses, on the most spurious grounds. The Minister would have us believe that it At the same time as the Minister says that the is all the fault of the QTC. However, the fact QTC committee cannot be represented on the remains that he has had disputes with various trustees of the Eagle Farm Racecourse other race clubs, with sections of the because of a conflict of interest—which is an greyhound industry, with the Albion Park insult to men such as Jim Clark and Sir Harness Racing Club and the harness racing Edward Williams, who have done more for this industry in general. Surely, the QTC cannot be State than people such as the Minister will blamed for the bickering and division that has ever do, even if he lives to be 100—the been all too apparent in other codes. The Minister does nothing about an equal conflict Minister will say that I am just the mouthpiece of interest in his own electorate. for the QTC. If that is the worst thing that is The Chairman of the Ipswich Turf Club, said about me during my political career, I will Mr Bob Bentley, is also a trustee of the leave this place well contented! The QTC has Bundamba Racecourse. If the QTC cannot be the runs on the board. It is leading the way in represented on the Eagle Farm Racecourse prize money increases. Its committee, and its trustees, how can the Chairman of the Ipswich chairman, Mr Peter Gallagher, in particular, Turf Club be a trustee of that club’s course, enjoy the strong confidence of its broad Bundamba? The difference is that Mr Bentley membership. Mr Gallagher gets poll results is the Minister’s mate; Sir Edward Williams, that would make any politician in this place Peter Gallagher and Jim Clark are not his envious. mates. That whole episode is so unnecessary, Since he became Minister, the current hypocritical and divisive. The only good thing Racing Minister has never hidden his hatred of about it is that the end result will strengthen the QTC. That hatred was at the very heart of the rights of the Queensland Turf Club and its the reforms that he instituted. I am particularly members. However, it should never have pleased that his latest assault on the reached the stage that it did, requiring the QTC—the powers vested in the trustees of the intervention of the Director-General of the Eagle Farm Racecourse—seems to have Department of Tourism, Sport and Racing, been repelled. In that regard, I must had the Minister put the interests of the compliment the Director-General of the members of the QTC before his own Department of Tourism, Sport and Racing, prejudices. who appears to have adopted a The Williams family, the Gallagher family commonsense and fair approach to the and the Clark family have been pioneers and dispute between the trustees and the QTC. trailblazers in this great State in tourism, the When the Minister brings in the Bill to more hospitality industry, the law and rural industry. properly reflect the relationship between the We have reached a very sad state of affairs 6 October 1993 4746 Legislative Assembly when good Queenslanders are removed from this State that we have put them through that boards and trusts out of prejudice and barn for such a long period. bitterness, yet that has happened time and I trust that Queensland will have input time again under this divisive Minister. into the operations of the Olympic Games in Finally, I compliment the TAB board for its Sydney to ensure that Queensland receives achievements under the chairmanship of Mr our fair share of tourists coming to this State. Bob Douglas, QC. The appointment of Mr It is terribly important that we do not lose sight Douglas to head the TAB board is one of the of that fact. Minister’s better appointments. The One aspect of tourism about which I achievements of the TAB in the face of thought we might have heard something from massive competition from poker machines are the Minister is the wine industry. The new wine a tribute to the leadership of the TAB board tax will certainly hit Queensland’s wine industry and the management of the board, led by Mr very hard. The wine industry is part of the Dick McIlwain. I also commend the board, and tourism industry in this State. The Minister is perhaps even the Minister, for the new prize also in charge of the liquor industry. Although money distribution scheme, which rewards the the Queensland wine industry will be hit very clubs that hold TAB race meetings. I know hard, I do not believe that I have heard a word that it is providing a real boost to prize money from the Minister on that subject. Finally, the at Eagle Farm and Doomben, amongst other industry, the Liberal and National Parties in clubs. this State and the Opposition in the Federal I hope that the harmony that exists Parliament are using a great deal of strength between the TAB board and racing, to overturn that decision. I hope that the greyhound and harness racing industries may Senate will refuse to pass the legislation that one day filter through to relations between the would allow that outrageous situation to occur. Minister and the component industries. After The wine industry is one of Australia’s few all, miracles do occasionally happen. If it does growth industries, yet the Labor Party is trying happen, I will be the first to congratulate the to put it out of business. I call upon the Minister on what would be the biggest form Minister to play his role. I believe that he has a reversal in a long and illustrious history of very big role to play, because Queensland has racing in this great State of Queensland. a fledgling wine industry. I call on the Minister In the few minutes remaining, I refer to get behind that industry and to support it briefly to a couple of other aspects of the and, at the same time, support part of the Minister’s portfolio. The Minister referred firstly tourist industry. I look forward to the Minister’s to the position of the TAB in Victoria. The efforts in that matter. Victorian Government is proposing to sell off The Minister referred to World Heritage the TAB. I say to the Minister that, were it not listing. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park for the huge mountain of debt—$80 billion Authority was an achievement of the former worth of debt—left by the Labor Party to the Government and a Federal Liberal/National Liberal/National Kennett Government, I am Party Government. In conclusion, I will touch sure that it would not have been forced into on one other aspect, that is, the youth the position of looking to sell off various organisations. That is a terribly important Government enterprises in order to reduce matter, and it comes under the Minister’s that debt. The debt left by the Labor Party has portfolio. I note that there has been an forced that Government into taking that increase in grants and subsidies to assist action. youth organisations. However, I have I turn to the tourism industry in this State. discovered that some youth I congratulate the Minister. As he indicated, organisations—particularly many of the long- an additional $6m will go to the tourist industry established ones—are finding it very difficult to by way of grants to the QTTC. I am sure that, receive assistance from the Government. under the chairmanship of Mr Kennedy, we Before the change of Government and in the will see a great deal of activity in that area. early days of this Government, those Queensland, of course, has a wonderful organisations received assistance with no climate and natural assets and attributes, problems. I hope that greater consideration which bring tourists to this State. I am pleased will be given to the long-established youth to see that, although it is 10 years overdue, groups that we are so fortunate to have in our the international air terminal at Brisbane is, at community. Over many decades, those last, under way. It has been a great insult to groups have played a major role. However, in the many tourists who have been coming to recent times, some of their funding applications have been rejected. Some youth Legislative Assembly 4747 6 October 1993 groups are finding it very difficult to make serious implications for our State’s economy. funding applications under the guidelines of Put simply, that means that we must work this Government. towards continued strong growth for the Time expired. tourism industry on the Gold Coast for the sake of its continued and substantial Mrs ROSE (Currumbin) (4.11 p.m.): In contribution to economic prosperity in today’s debate on the Estimates of the Queensland. Department of Tourism, Sport and Racing, I would like to concentrate on the area of In the year ending March 1993, over tourism. In doing so, I do not wish to detract $1 billion was spent by over 1.8 million tourists from the good work of the department in on commercial accommodation on the Gold implementing effective measures Coast. This represents a 3 per cent increase which—contrary to the remarks of the previous on visitor numbers in the previous year. speaker—are designed to benefit our racing Reaching the $1 billion mark in expenditure on industry and to support sport, sportspeople accommodation has particular significance to and sporting associations Statewide; nor from me and to tourism operators on the Gold its role in developing a sound youth policy and Coast. A figure of $1 billion always turns dealing comprehensively with youth affairs. people’s heads. In this instance, it is right that this milestone be recognised as an important The tourism industry on the Gold Coast is achievement of the hardworking and the most significant contributor to the region’s professional Gold Coast tourism industry. It economy and is also a major contributor to the represents the industry’s immense income- State’s economy as a whole. One of the keys generating potential. to consolidating economic growth in Queensland is the maintenance of strong In the 1993-94 Budget, the focus of the export industries. As the Minister pointed out Queensland Government’s tourism programs earlier, tourism is one of our most significant reflects the ongoing needs of the industry in growth export industries. During the period of terms of Government assistance. I am economic downturn between 1988 and 1990, pleased to say that the Queensland international tourism helped to offset the Government is standing up to the challenge decline in revenue experienced by domestic when it comes to working with and providing tourism and other industries in Queensland. In assistance to the Queensland tourism 1992-93, international tourism contributed a industry. The key to assisting the industry in healthy 0.13 percentage points to the most efficient way is to work cooperatively Queensland’s economic growth. This with it. As described in the 1993-94 Program counterbalanced a less spectacular Statement for tourism, ongoing additional contribution from interstate tourism earnings, funding of $6m has been allocated for both leaving the whole industry’s net contribution to international and domestic tourism marketing economic growth in Queensland at 0.10 initiatives and tourism research and policy percentage points. These figures demonstrate development. Of this amount, $300,000 will conclusively that international tourism has be spent on establishing and operating a been a constant breath of fresh air for Tourism Development Bureau to develop Queensland through recent periods of policy and undertake research. economic downturn. International tourism has The 1993-94 Budget has seen the been the difference between the tourism Tourism portfolio mature. Initiatives such as industry as a whole being a net liability to the the Tourism Development Bureau will assist economy and today’s reality, which is that it is the Government and the industry by a strong contributor to economic growth in undertaking research into the tourism industry Queensland. and aiding the Government to develop The Gold Coast is the powerhouse of effective policy as a result. Because the Queensland’s tourism industry. Our region tourism industry is so diverse, such research from Coolangatta to Southport has proven will be no simple or small task. In the past, it that it is one of the most popular destinations has been very difficult to find authorities that for international and interstate tourists alike. considered tourism as one large, single Considering this, and the fact that industry. For instance, the Australian Bureau international tourism has been a mover and of Statistics does not provide employment shaker in terms of economic growth in figures for the tourism industry as a whole. Queensland, it is important that Government That is understandable because of the diverse and business recognise that the fate of the nature of the industry. tourism industry on the Gold Coast, particularly The Queensland Government is trying to international tourism, will have broad and change outdated perceptions of the industry. 6 October 1993 4748 Legislative Assembly

Queensland now has two Government bodies in this manner, we can ensure that maximum that concentrate on in-depth research into the effort is being put into constantly improving industry as a whole—the Queensland Tourist the performance of both domestic and and Travel Corporation, which deals primarily international exports from our tourism industry. with marketing, and the Tourism Development Between now and the Sydney Olympics Bureau within the Department of Tourism, in the year 2000 there will be an intensifying Sport and Racing. The establishment of those focus on Australia’s international palatability. bodies represents a giant step by the In 1992, Queensland held 51 per cent of the Queensland Government towards a more Australian international visitor market. Clearly, balanced and holistic approach to the tourism we have a proven record in successful industry. It also means that the Government is international tourism marketing. The Sydney striving towards a better and more explicit Olympics are a major win for the whole understanding of the whole tourism industry country. Suffice it to say that the parts of which, for the reasons I have already Australia that have a good international described, is no easy task. reputation will feel the benefits in the year Earlier, I mentioned the professional and 2000 when the Sydney Olympics are staged. productive nature of the tourism industry on Of all the tourist destinations in the Gold Coast. I would like to cite an example Queensland, and perhaps even Australia, the of this. Recently, the Gold Coast Tourism Gold Coast is best placed to receive major Bureau launched a new marketing campaign benefits of international tourism won by the for the region. The campaign, which uses the Olympics. I say this because we have an slogan “Australia’s Gold Coast—everything international reputation. Events such as the under the sun”, has been targeted at the Gold Coast Indy Car Grand Prix help that domestic tourism market. The Chairman of the reputation markedly. The QTTC has been QTTC, Jim Kennedy, has described the given the responsibility to manage the Indy campaign as simple, very professional and Car event, and in the 1993-94 period it will one of the best, if not the best, he had seen. I receive $5m from the Tourism budget for that congratulate the tourism industry on the Gold purpose. Coast for developing a sound and productive campaign. By doing so, it is benefiting the But even without events such as the State economy as a whole. Indy, the Gold Coast is firmly placed as one of the most recognised and popular international The new marketing approach by the Gold tourism destinations in our immediate Asian Coast is designed to increase the number of region and throughout the world. Any effort domestic or interstate tourists visiting the that we make now through QTTC international coast. Of course, as I described earlier, it is in marketing campaigns, and those conducted the area of domestic tourism that we need to by the industry itself, will pay a dividend in the improve markedly if we are to boost the year 2000. I believe that international tourism tourism industry’s overall contribution to is the future in terms of the Gold Coast’s economic growth in Queensland. The current economic wellbeing and has an obvious great strategy employed by the Gold Coast Tourism potential as an export industry which will Bureau is well researched and displays that continue to contribute to overall economic organisation’s considerable understanding of stability in Queensland. The Olympics give us the broader economic role that the industry an opportunity to exploit our current and future plays in Queensland. To hold true to the achievements in expanding the size of our Government’s commitment to work international tourism market. The emphasis on cooperatively to assist the tourism industry, research and international marketing in the QTTC has allocated $100,000 to the Gold Government tourism programs in the 1993-94 Coast Tourism Bureau to assist in the Tourism, Sport and Racing budget holds the facilitation of its marketing strategy. key to assisting tourism in Queensland to While the industry on the Gold Coast is continue its contribution to economic growth. working hard at improving domestic tourism, The key is to expand the tourism market the Queensland Government maintains a rather than concentrate all our efforts on continuing focus on international tourism fighting for a share of the existing market. marketing. This includes the launching of the Our tourism industry exploits the domestic QTTC’s successful Sunlover holiday packages market quite efficiently. Domestically, tourism in Singapore and New Zealand. Between the operators can only vie for a share of the QTTC and the industry itself, a broad range of existing market. Australia’s relatively small research is being covered and a majority of population means that the size of our marketing alternatives are being explored and domestic tourism market was probably utilised. By working together with the industry Legislative Assembly 4749 6 October 1993 maximised years ago. I will qualify this by Mr VEIVERS (Southport) (4.26 p.m.): In saying that economic recovery in Australia rising to speak to the Estimates of the portfolio may see the size of the domestic market of Tourism, Sport and Racing, I want to again restored to relatively high levels. The limits to reinforce the Opposition’s support for our international tourism market are Queensland’s tourism industry and the boundless. The Gold Coast, for instance, has important role that it plays in the State’s enormous and ever-growing potential as a economy. Without doubt, the tourism industry tourism destination. But the size of the has an important part to play as the economy domestic market places a limit on the Gold slowly emerges—I emphasise “slowly”—from Coast’s capacity to earn tourism dollars. If the recession that we had to have from the properly exposed to the world, the Gold “Lizard of Oz”. Its contribution to employment Coast’s suitability as an international and investment should not be overlooked, destination would decimate all previous and never underestimated. Its contribution to market size constraints on its tourism earning Queensland is evidenced by the fact that it is capacity. now our second-largest industry. By the year There is no doubt that we must maintain 2000, it will most likely be our largest industry. and aim to increase the number of interstate Tourism is a private sector industry run by tourists visiting Queensland. However, by the private sector. The role of Government concentrating on international tourism should be primarily in establishing the promotion we will find new markets and many conditions for the private sector to invest in more tourists. The tourism program in the tourism infrastructure and in setting broad 1993-94 budget for the Department of tourism policies. Tourism, Sport and Racing leads by example In terms of this Budget, the Queensland in the move toward a sustained emphasis on Government has provided a grant of almost detailed tourism industry research and $23m to the Queensland Tourist and Travel international tourism promotion. Most Corporation. Of course, the QTTC obtains its importantly, in the 1993-94 period the funding on an approximately fifty-fifty portion Government will continue to initiate and fund from Government and through retailing of marketing programs cooperatively with the wholesale packages through the Sunlover industry. program. In addition to this, the Government Today I may have concentrated on has established a Department of Tourism, highlighting the sensible tourism program Sport and Racing. That is a new bureaucracy strategy employed by the Department of to oversee both the QTTC and the industry. Tourism, Sport and Racing in its 1993-94 It can be seen that Government outlays budget. However, as a member of Parliament to tourism are far less than those enjoyed by representing a region in which the term other areas of Government activity, which is a “lifeblood” is an understatement when real problem. In fact, this Government’s describing the tourism industry’s worth to our commitment to tourism is approximately the community, it would be remiss of me not to same in money terms—real terms—as its scrutinise the Government’s continued commitment to the Criminal Justice approach to the industry. I am pleased with Commission. It is not for me to question the what I have seen, as are, I am sure, many logic of these particular investments. In tourism industry leaders. The most significant addition, this year, the Government has aspect of the tourism measures in this Budget provided an additional $5m to the QTTC as and in the Goss Government’s previous part of that organisation’s new role of Budgets is the fact that tourism is recognised overseeing the staging of the 1994 Gold and treated accordingly as one large industry, Coast Indy event. rather than many different industries relying on the same source of income. As I have said before, the tourism industry is a private sector industry. It is on this I believe that, by the time the Sydney basis that some of the activities undertaken Olympics are upon us, the size of under the Sunlover holiday package are of Queensland’s international tourism market will some concern to the Opposition. The have increased many times and the Gold Sunlover package was introduced by the Coast region will be the driving force behind former National Party Government in 1980 to that growth. In the year 2000, we will capitalise act as an honest broker in the wholesaling of on the Olympics spotlight because of the holiday packages. Until that time, as the sensible measures that we implement today Minister knows, wholesaling operations had to shore up and assist the industry to prosper. been monopolised by the airlines to the Time expired. betterment of the airlines and to the detriment 6 October 1993 4750 Legislative Assembly of the smaller private sector agencies. On infrastructure issues by talking to the Federal coming to office, this Labor Government had Government and getting some sort of tax a distinct policy to abolish the Sunlover relief for people who are going to build our package. It was only after considerable tourism infrastructure, otherwise they will head pressure from the Opposition and the industry up to Thailand. that it was maintained. Mr Beattie interjected. Mr Welford: Ha, ha! Mr VEIVERS: I ask the member to wait Mr VEIVERS: I hear the guffawing from for a minute. In Thailand, people get 10 years’ the member for Brisbane Central, who would income tax free to build tourist hotels, not know the first thing about tourism. His infrastructure and all the rest of it. There is no electorate is in the heart of Brisbane. All he way in the world that we can compete with can come up with is, “Ha, ha!” that. Now the Labor Party has gone full circle Mr Gibbs: We don’t have to compete and we see in this Budget the extension of with their health position. the Sunlover holiday package into the Mr VEIVERS: It is fine for the Minister to international market place. In this Budget we talk about health in that country. People can see money provided to extend the Sunlover go there and drink bottled water. I have been package into the markets of Singapore and to Thailand only once. The Minister has been New Zealand. There is little doubt that the there about 10 times, and he has not once Government finds the revenue generated by had beri-beri. Sunlover so compelling that it is planning to expand the program to compete actively and In addressing the problems of the tourism competitively against inbound tourism industry, I refer to a recent Rider Hunt operators. development report highlighting this dilemma. It states— Earlier this year, the QTTC’s chief executive, Mr Rosebery, in a reference to “Our airports will be adequate, but will taking Sunlover beyond the pilot program to our hotels? Already Cairns hotels are Singapore and later to New Zealand, was operating at 80 per cent occupancy quoted as saying— through the winter season, and the Gold Coast is not far behind in its summer “At the same time we must not be season. afraid to compete with private enterprise on their own terms.” If we had a program to produce more hotels, it would be no problem, but Such an aggressive role as that envisaged by currently there is not a single hotel room Mr Rosebery would be counterproductive and under construction in the whole of would serve only to divert scarce resources Queensland, the preferred destination, away from the central responsibilities. Above and only 352 on the drawing board. all, it represents the turnaround of all turnarounds on the part of this Minister—a If we are unable to provide more Minister who has excelled in changing his hotels ourselves, we may just have to position. This proposal has created great wait for the return of the Japanese interest in the private sector, which will monitor developers to do it for us.” it closely—as will the Opposition. And they are not going too well, either. Recently, Mr Jim Kennedy was appointed Mr Beattie interjected. to the chairmanship of the QTTC. The Mr VEIVERS: Perhaps the honourable Opposition welcomes that appointment and member should see the man from Moreton hopes that Mr Kennedy will bring stability and Hire and invest in hockers. We are going to experience to that organisation which, over need plenty of them to put people in when the recent months, has experienced some turmoil. Olympic Games are on, because we do not We also call on Mr Kennedy and the have enough hotels. These are the words of Government to bring about a far wider focus Rider Hunt, but what have we got from this on the tourism industry and the QTTC in Government? Nothing! There is no strategy to general. encourage development in tourism—none at For far too long there has been a all. The figures for private sector investment in preoccupation with marketing at the expense Queensland tell that story. Both the QTTC and of everything else. A lack of infrastructure is a the Minister must look to the overall tourism major concern facing the tourism industry at industry, otherwise we risk turning international this time. While marking is important, the guests and export dollars away from the front Government should immediately address door. I would be only too happy if the Minister Legislative Assembly 4751 6 October 1993 could get the Federal Government—and I who has the bull by the tail and is not handling know he has tried once or twice—to fast track it too well at all. I do not know how often I the international airport in Brisbane. I know it is have stood in this place and warned the not easy. But it is a real necessity for Minister not to make racing the servant of the Queensland’s tourism. TAB. I turn to the Gold Coast Indy Car Grand Mr Beattie interjected. Prix. The Opposition welcomes the Mr VEIVERS: The member still has the Government’s intention to continue to support first dollar that he earned in his pocket. He the race, and its belated support for the would never go to the races. I do not know involvement of the private sector in the race. how many times I have had to remind the Mr Gibbs interjected. Minister that racing comes first. The Mr VEIVERS: I ask the Minister to listen Government put in the TAB, mostly to get its to this. How difficult it must have been for the share of the action. But the Minister continues Tourism Minister to admit that he was to put the TAB first and racing second. Racing wrong—to have to reverse those famous 1989 is suffering the consequences. That applies comments. Does he remember saying that particularly when one gets away from the the Indy race was going to be the greatest south-east corner of the State, which many prostitution of taxpayers’ funds of all time? He members here know all about, although they said that it was a second-rate, bodgie—a bit know nothing about anywhere else. like Bob Hawke, the silver-haired I want to tell this Minister how badly he is bodgie—National Party event. Does the hurting racing by this misguided policy. I am Minister remember those comments? But at indebted to a regular columnist in the that time, that was a typical part of the Labor Townsville Bulletin, one of the rags that Party’s program of deceit, smear and usually support the Labor Party—red as red. I innuendo, and the Indy race was an easy have never met that bloke, Mr Butts, but after target for the Minister and his mates in an reading what he had to say in that newspaper election year. Some of the members at the on Monday I definitely want to meet him. He back of the Chamber were not here then. has got it just right in regard to the grassroots They were in embryos. effect of this Minister’s policies. In fact, nobody As if those comments were not enough, I could say it any better—not even me. And I believe that this Minister must shoulder much am a bit of a genius at doing that. of the responsibility for the race’s dismal Mr Butts told his readers that the Minister financial record. In light of that, it is only could have extended a north Queensland trip appropriate that the Minister be called upon to to Cluden which, he said, was the try and clean up the mess. He threw a long headquarters of the racing industry in north hospital pass to Keith De Lacy, who flicked it Queensland—a once strong, vibrant industry, back to him. Soon after Labor came to office, which is now crumbling under the Gibbs- it was this Minister who signalled that the inspired Queensland Principal Club. Mr Butts Government would not go ahead with the said— race. It was this Minister’s indecision and “On the way to Cluden, the Minister arrogance which caused a six-month delay in could have popped into the Bellevue for race planning. We cannot have that a pot and witnessed the number of happening in private enterprise. That was a punters queued up to have a bet at the delay which the first race organisers could PubTab.” never overcome. It was a delay with which the race is still coming to grips financially. Mr Butts started to get at the real point of what has happened to so many country and In dealing with race finances this year provincial racing venues when he said— and the involvement of the QTTC, I seek an assurance from the Minister that an Indy “Yes, Mr Gibbs. It’s a shame the overrun will not be funded by QTTC sources. racing industry which you represent is The Minister has already admitted that he is now subsidising pubs and the wages of not sure whether the $5m budgeted will be barmaids. It may not be so evident in the sufficient. What if the budget blows out from cities, but it certainly is in the bush. that $5m? Who will pick up the shortfall? Will Who can blame punters for staying other tourism projects be wound back to away in droves? Staying in air- accommodate any overrun in tourism funding conditioned, carpeted bars, with wall-to- in this area? wall poker machines, Sky Channel, I turn now to the racing industry, which is PubTab, happy-hour beer prices and suffering terribly at the hands of a Minister counter meals. 6 October 1993 4752 Legislative Assembly

They are on a good thing, and they bookies are still around in the future. The TAB are sticking to it, to the detriment of a is already big enough and greedy enough. local industry that employs a lot of I was pleased to see that recently the people, but is being left behind by the Victorian Race Club was prepared to host bureaucrats.” members of the Queensland Principal Club at Mr Butts made a very good point when he the Spring Carnival in Melbourne. With any said— luck, Queensland might soon be able to move “Of course, every town in back into the mainstream of Australian racing. Queensland should have what they call Maybe other principal clubs in the nation will Pubtab. But the betting facility”— re-admit Queensland to the Australian Conference of Principal Clubs. We should and this is what counts— always remember that Queensland would still “should have been at the race course in be there today if the Minister had not chosen all the towns and cities. Not in the pubs. to wreck the structure of the racing industry in It’s too late now. The horse has bolted. this State. And, as I have said before, The TAB Time expired. doesn’t care about country racing. It would not worry them if every club outside Mr VAUGHAN (Nudgee) (4.41 p.m.): As the metropolitan area folded. The TAB the Treasurer indicated in the Budget Speech, would be quite happy, so it seems, to see an estimated $36.5m will be provided for sport all the punters of Queensland sitting back and recreation activities in this financial year. in PubTabs, betting on Brisbane, Sydney That represents a trebling of the level of and Melbourne races.” support being provided to those activities when there was a change of Government in And probably the Gold Coast. Mr Butts 1989. obviously knows what he is talking about. Those of us who know the racing As the actual expenditure on sport and industry—and I do, because I have owned a recreation in 1992-93 was $26.8m, it few horses, although none of them have won represents an additional amount of almost a race—have watched it all happen so many $10m this financial year. An estimated times under this Minister. Mr Butts stated $30.5m will come from the turnover levy on further— poker machine gambling, with most of the balance being provided out of consolidated “What the TAB needs to understand, revenue. For the record, revenue from poker and obviously doesn’t, is that the TAB machines, which were introduced to survives on racing. Queensland clubs and hotels in March last Racing does not need to survive on year, was $46.7m in 1992-93—the first full TAB.” year of their operation. It is estimated that the None of us could have said it better. The return this financial year will be $64m—an Minister should read that column every week increase of 37 per cent. in the Townsville Bulletin. The goal of the Sport and Recreation Before I leave the subject of the TAB, I Program is to ensure that community want to comment briefly on the issue of participation and excellence in sport and telephone betting by licensed bookmakers. I recreation is maximised through the creation must say that I am dreadfully disappointed of quality recreational opportunities. Under the that the TAB has been reported as insisting program, assistance is given to talented that bookies pay a 6 per cent turnover tax on athletes to help them to become champions bets if they are phoned in. If the Minister in their chosen sport. Community groups are finally agrees to that, he will be imposing a supported by being provided with assistance terrible burden on an important industry group to obtain facilities and services. State sporting whose members are already suffering very organisations and individual clubs are also badly. provided with financial assistance. In 1992-93, the program was instrumental in establishing An honourable member interjected. the Queensland Facilities Development Mr VEIVERS: Yes, they do. I heard the Scheme, which is designed to guide and member say that. The bookies pay a big price assist eligible Queensland organisations with for the declining racecourse attendances the planning, development, construction and brought on largely by the aggressive improvement of sport, recreation and youth Government-supported incursions of the TAB. facilities in Queensland communities. The I really believe that the Minister should be 1994 Queensland Facilities Development doing everything possible to ensure that Scheme is an amalgamation of the previous Legislative Assembly 4753 6 October 1993 capital resources development component of a new era in our State and in our regional and the 1992-93 Youth Services Development local communities, laid the foundations for Grant and the Facilities Development Program sporting clubs and organisations to build of the 1993 Queensland Sports Development better sports facilities and promote Scheme. participation and excellence in sport. Under The scheme offers financial assistance this scheme, particular emphasis is placed on for facility development projects under two junior coaching at a regional level. I am programs: the Minor Facilities Development pleased to say that under this scheme quite a Program, which provides assistance primarily number of sporting clubs in my electorate, for local, community focused activities, the particularly those involved with young people, total capital expenditure for which cannot have received financial assistance which has exceed $500,000, and the Major Facilities enabled them to provide quality coaching to Development Program, which caters mainly for our athletes of the future. regional, State, national and international-level However, while the Government provides activities. In 1993-94, $12m—which the financial assistance for coaching of our represents a $4m increase on last year—has future sports men and women, it is the been allocated for the implementation of the thousands of people who keep the sporting scheme, and this will provide assistance for clubs going year in and year out who deserve capital works projects involving sport, recognition. Without those people, most of recreation and youth facilities which, as I said, whom volunteer their time and their services, cater for local, regional, State, national and most sporting clubs would not exist. While in international-level activities. the past those people had to struggle hard to Major projects which will be funded this raise the funds to start the clubs off and then financial year will include the redevelopment of to enable them to continue, today at last they the Brisbane Cricket Ground, for which $3m are able to be assisted by the revenue from has been provided, and development of the poker machines, which could not be put to a Ballymore grandstand, funding for which is better use. As most honourable members will $500,000. I would point out that the recall, before the introduction of poker Government has offered financial support to machines a large number of the bigger the extent of $11.5m towards the sporting clubs were finding it extremely hard to redevelopment of the Brisbane Cricket remain viable. Firstly, the reduction in the Ground. permitted alcohol level from .08 to .05 had a significant impact on clubs who relied on their As most members would be aware, bar trade. The crackdown on in-line machines recently State Cabinet decided to contribute added to many clubs’ financial woes. $5m from the Major Facilities Development Fortunately, the election of a Labor Program towards the preservation and Government in December 1989, followed by upgrading of Lang Park, with the balance of the introduction of poker machines in March the $15m redevelopment costs being met by last year, has been the salvation of the club the Lang Park Trust. Lang Park will, of course, industry. be the home of the South Queensland Crushers, who will be entering the Rugby As I said at the outset, the estimated League competition in 1995, and it will return from the gaming machine tax this continue to be the headquarters of financial year is $64m, of which about $30.5m Queensland Rugby League. As the Minister will go towards sport and recreation. The has previously pointed out, Brisbane, with its significant point to be made is that those clubs increasing population, will be quite capable of that have poker machines are helping the supporting two major league grounds. many smaller clubs that do not have them. In the past, many large clubs received funding At this point I would like to congratulate assistance from the various schemes and the Brisbane Broncos and all those associated programs. However, as most of those clubs—if with their outstanding performance on again not all—are now receiving a healthy return winning the Winfield Cup. They all richly from poker machines and as a result are in a deserve the admiration and the pride that the sound financial position, I would envisage that people of this State have bestowed upon they will be self-sustaining. This will, of course, them. release even more funds for the smaller, Recurrent funding for the Queensland struggling clubs, most of which are run by that Sports Development Scheme, which was army of volunteers whom I mentioned before. launched by the Minister in July last year, has As many of those smaller sporting clubs find it been increased to $11m—an increase of 25 difficult to access the financial assistance that per cent. This scheme, which was the start of is available because of a lack of expertise, I 6 October 1993 4754 Legislative Assembly would like to see sympathetic consideration world will no doubt come to Queensland to given to their position. train and to acclimatise. It has been Since the Queensland Sports mentioned that we should have a new flag for Development Scheme was launched last year, the Sydney Olympics. If we were to do that, I significant changes have been made to it. could think of no better flag than the Eureka Besides the Queensland Facilities flag. However, I venture to say that choosing a Development Scheme, which I mentioned new flag will not be that easy. earlier, there is the Community Sports In providing assistance under the various Development Program, which places schemes and programs, particular emphasis on junior development through consideration is given to those sporting clubs quality coaching, and which focuses on the and associations that provide for multipurpose development of a stronger sports coaching use. The aim, of course, is to get maximum infrastructure at the regional level by funding value for every funding dollar, particularly the employment of coaches. Sporting clubs funding for facilities development. and organisations which will be eligible to Unfortunately, there are a large number of apply for assistance under this program are clubs which cater for only one sport and, as a those that are affiliated with the appropriate result, their facilities—clubhouse and grounds, State sporting organisation, open to public etc.—for which in most cases club committees membership and provide organised have had to work hard to obtain, are used for competition for their members. Multipurpose only part of the year. sporting organisations registered with the I must say I get concerned when I drive Department of Tourism, Sport and Racing and around my electorate and see clubhouses all Aboriginal and Islander community councils locked up waiting for the next season. Not responsible for organising sport will also be only is this a waste of resources, but empty eligible to apply. Unfortunately, because of buildings also have an attraction for thieves circumstances this year, eligible sporting clubs and vandals. However, I am aware that many and organisations did not have a great deal of single-purpose clubs have realised the time to prepare and lodge their applications benefits of having their facilities used to the for assistance under the Community Sports fullest extent possible and are taking steps to Development Program. The closing date for attract other sports and become multipurpose applications was 24 September. I would hope clubs. that next year more time will be allowed so that small clubs that are run by volunteer In this regard, I note that in the brochures members do not miss the boat. outlining the guidelines for the Community Sports Development Program and the Although in the past I have not had a Queensland Facilities Development Scheme, great deal of contact with the Near North reference is made under the “eligibility” Coast Regional Office, I would like to heading to “multipurpose sporting acknowledge the assistance given to me organisations registered with the Department recently by the staff of that office. They dealt of Tourism, Sport and Racing”. Because of with my inquiry in a prompt and courteous communication problems, there could be manner, and were extremely helpful. some multipurpose sporting organisations that Like most other Australians, I was very are not aware of the necessity to become pleased that Sydney was successful in its bid registered with the department. I take this to stage the 2000 Olympic Games. There is opportunity to propose that more publicity be no doubt that the Games will be of great given to this requirement. While I am aware of benefit not only to Sydney and New South the extent to which the assistance available to Wales but also to the whole of Australia. As sporting clubs and organisations is publicised, the Minister has indicated, our State’s leisure unfortunately I suspect there are some areas industries must start planning now to capitalise where this information is not being received. on the spin-offs from the Games. The people I must take this opportunity to mention who will be travelling to the Games from other that next year Brisbane will host the World parts of the world will want to see as much as Masters Games, which is an international they can of Australia while they are here, so sporting event for mature-aged athletes. The we have to ensure that Queensland and its games will be staged over a period of 13 days attractions are high on their list. from 26 September to 8 October, competition Because of our climate and our facilities, will be offered in 30 sports, and it is expected Queensland will have a major sporting role to that approximately 12 000 competitors will play in the years between the Atlanta and the participate. These games are a particularly Sydney games. Athletes from all over the interesting sporting event as competitors Legislative Assembly 4755 6 October 1993 come from all walks of life, from all levels of school/community sport and recreation sporting competition and they may choose to facilities. To date, such facilities are being compete in one or several of the participating developed at Redbank, Marsden, Mosman sports. The event is different from many other and Palm Beach State Schools. The aim is to major events in that athletes participate better utilise school facilities and to forge because they want to. Participants do not closer bonds between schools and the local have to pass any performance-based community. The Redbank Plains High School selection criteria, and they do not represent is the first school to benefit from this their country in the traditional sense. However, Government initiative with the construction of they must be the required minimum age for an indoor multipurpose sport and recreation their chosen sport, which is generally from 30 facility—the total cost of which will be to 35 years and over. $200,000. Each of the four schools I have For the majority of the competing mentioned will end up with indoor sports athletes, the world games represents the complexes costing a total of $820,000. opportunity to compete in a world competition Furthermore, as the Education in a sport they enjoy, to try their best and to Department health and personal development have a holiday. The Government, through the officer has pointed out—and this was the Queensland Events Corporation, supports subject of a report in the Courier-Mail just these games which are expected to contribute recently—Queensland is one of the few States approximately $30m to the local economy. which still has specialised physical education The games are also supported by the teachers. In fact, there are about 1 200 of Brisbane City Council and the Australian them throughout the State, and Queensland Sports Commission. has one of the highest levels of sports I have, of course, been asked to consider participation in schools. Also, physical activity entering the Games, but while the triathlon is part of the core curriculum. would have suited my sporting abilities, In conclusion, I would like to take this unfortunately I have other pressing opportunity of thanking those in the commitments this time next year. However, as Department of Tourism, Sport and Racing for many of the older members will recall, I think the assistance that they have given Des Frawley, who was a former member for throughout the various electorates to me, Caboolture and who was pretty good at other members on the back bench and the throwing the javelin, participated in those various sporting clubs, particularly those in my games on several occasions. electorate. I have very great pleasure in Recently, it was claimed by the executive communicating with my local sporting clubs on director of the Australian Council for Health, the various programs that may be available, Physical Education and Recreation that there including those that are available through the was a physical education crisis in schools. A Sports Development Program and the call was made for compulsory sport for all Queensland Facilities Development Program. I students in schools. Unfortunately, time does really appreciate the assistance that was given not permit me to comment fully on the to me by the people in the Redcliffe office statement that was made. However, I would recently. like to point out that while every student has Mr JOHNSON (Gregory) (4.56 p.m.): the opportunity and is encouraged to Probably the greatest news we have heard participate in one sport or another at school, this year so far in relation to tourism is the there is also ample opportunity for them to announcement that Sydney is to stage the participate in the sport of their choice away Olympic Games in the year 2000. As the from school. That is why the Government is in member for Nudgee just said, it is going to be this financial year spending a record $36.5m beneficial not only to Sydney but also to the on sport and recreation. That is why $12m has whole of the nation. I am happy to say that it been allocated to improve sporting facilities is going to be beneficial to Queensland. One and $11m has been allocated for sports part of Queensland which I want to mention development. particularly this evening is the central west. In addition, there is the $383,000 Aussie An honourable member interjected. Sport Program, which is designed to Mr JOHNSON: Yes, Gregory—the encourage children to participate in sport, and greatest electorate in Queensland, and no the Sportsfun After School Project for primary doubt where the best people are. There are a school students. To further encourage lot of great people out there, but I will participation in sport activities, the department elaborate on them further as I speak. There is has been instrumental in developing joint one thing that we must get right here. No 6 October 1993 4756 Legislative Assembly doubt the Minister and everybody in this our neighbours. We must make sure that their Chamber is aware that tourism is one of the projects are working as well as our own. great industries, and it will be one of the great Because of the initiative shown by those growth industries and beneficial industries that people, I believe that we will see a great boost this State will ever know. in tourism in that part of Queensland. The We have to get it right from the planning concept we have of that area is that the stages to the development stages. I am Capricorn Highway leads from Rockhampton happy to see that the QTTC is supporting in to Barcaldine. There it interfaces with the the marketing stages. What we must do is Landsborough Highway, which is better known market tourism. I can see that tourism in the as the Matilda Highway. central west and the far west of this State is What a great concept the Matilda just about to take off. We have some terrific Highway is. It extends from Barringun on the concepts there. I will speak more about that New South Wales/Queensland border to directly, but first I want to deal with my Karumba in the gulf. In the electorate of electorate a stage at a time. I refer firstly to Gregory, the highway passes through the the Central Highlands region, where Emerald towns of Blackall, Barcaldine, Longreach, and Springsure are the two main towns. That Winton, and numerous other places in region has so much to offer in mining, between, including Ilfracombe. agriculture and tourism in general. Not far Mr Stoneman: Chorregon. away in the Fairbairn Dam area we have the Carnarvon Gorge. Mr JOHNSON: That is a little out of the way. It is not on the beaten track. No doubt, it As I am speaking about mining, I must is a very important town. It is beside the make particular reference to the fact that I was railway, which is also very important in that fortunate enough yesterday to be invited to area. Unfortunately, we must fight very the opening of the Gordonstone mine. What a hard—as no doubt the member for Burdekin is terrific project that is. If a person who had well aware—to retain the railway line that runs never been to a coal mine drove up to a coal through Chorregon, which was once known as mine, that person would not know that he or a great little railway centre. she was at a coal mine. The only thing that represents coal is the coal on top of the I pay tribute to the committee of the ground. Gordonstone has an underground Blackall wool scour, namely, Simon Campbell mine. I make particular reference to the and Dennis Hayes. What a great job Simon management of Gordonstone, namely, Campbell does. It is a great concept. Malcolm Roberts and the management there, Recently, the committee celebrated its 75th Arco Australia and Lend Lease. It might not anniversary. I refer also to the Jacky Howe be a part of tourism, but I can assure run. Members do not need to be reminded honourable members that it will be something who Jacky Howe was. He was the greatest that people will go to see and it will generate a blade shearer that the world has ever seen. I lot of dollars for the economy of this great am talking about the colour, the humour and State. My congratulations go to the the characters that that part of Australia has to management of the Gordonstone mine and to offer. The shearers, the fencers, the drovers, all the other great mines in that region. the ringers, the grazing fraternity, the storekeepers—— Dealing with tourism in the central west—I congratulate Andrew Sontag of the Central Mr Stoneman: Good men came out of Highlands Tourist Development Association. the country. He has just taken over as chairman of that Mr JOHNSON: My word, they did. They association from Simon Irwin. Both those were the salt of the earth. They were the gentlemen have tourism in their hearts and in backbone of this nation. They were the people their minds at all times. I know that this year who made this nation. We must never forget the Central Highlands Tourism Development them. Association will no doubt take off because its That is why I turn to the Workers Heritage members have terrific ideas and interests on Centre at Barcaldine. No doubt, Government foot, especially as they are working in close members are well aware of that great little liaison with the central west and the Capricorn town. It was the birthplace of the Australian Coast. Labor Party, the birthplace of the Australian I think it is important in our own respective Workers Union and the birthplace of the areas, wherever we are, to make sure that United Graziers Association. I have made tourism works. We cannot have something on reference to the characters and the people our own without paying particular attention to who lived in that region. All honourable Legislative Assembly 4757 6 October 1993 members should visit the Workers Heritage only to the electorates of members of a Centre at Barcaldine on the Matilda Highway. conservative Government. We will look after all It is a memorial to the workers who did it hard of the 89 electorates, as is not the case now. in the past and is a monument to those who From Longreach, we go to Winton, where are still doing it hard in the west today. Those we recently witnessed one of the greatest monuments to our past are a part of our Outback Festivals that have been staged in heritage. They are a part of our history. Every that centre. Australian should travel there to visit them. Mr Stoneman: The greatest town in the From there, we go to Ilfracombe, which west. has a beautiful little hotel called the Wellshot Hotel. I make reference to the old machinery Mr JOHNSON: It is one of the great and the memorabilia in Ilfracombe, which is towns in the west. It is the last of the great probably one of the tidiest and neatest little frontier towns. Recently, truckies there broke towns in Queensland. From there, we go to the world record for the longest road train of Longreach, the home of the Australian 23 trailers. Would not the Honourable Minister Stockman’s Hall of Fame, the Outback for Transport love to see that on his highways! Heritage Centre and numerous other tourist Those truckies are all part of the humour and activities. the character in the west. They are another part of our great nation. Those people carry Currently, at Longreach, the airport is that country. They do the hard yakka after the being upgraded. The upgrading of the airport goods are produced. It was a great memorial has been taken over by the Longreach Shire to see those fellows putting that road train Council. Unfortunately, we have seen a together. shortfall because not enough money is available to extend that airstrip by another 300 In 1995, the Outback Festival will metres. If that work could be done, which celebrate 100 years of Waltzing Matilda and would cost $1.1m, we would see a fantastic the Combo Waterhole at Kynuna. That is a spin-off not only to the community of very important part of our heritage and our Longreach but also to the whole of central history. In saying that, I am happy that, and inland Queensland. We could establish a hopefully, a railway will run to Winton. In April, tourist network from the reef to the rock. we will witness the centenary train. Hopefully, People could fly from Cairns or Brisbane to the Premier will journey to Winton, as did the Longreach, then on to the rock, and then to Premier of the day 100 years ago in 1895. Darwin or to Perth. This part of Queensland As I am talking about trains, I refer to the has so much to offer. For $1.1m, that strip Spirit of the Outback. That is the new concept extension would open up tourism and be from Queensland Rail which, on 19 November equal to anything in the—— this year, will replace the old Midlander Mr Stoneman: Just a drop in the bucket. service. I mentioned to the honourable member for Archerfield that, although it is a Mr JOHNSON: It would be a drop in the great concept, unfortunately, Queensland Rail bucket. The spin-off to that region would be does not have the vision to let that service absolutely fantastic. I have a vision—and I continue on to Winton. That is very hope that I live see it—that one day unfortunate. However, hopefully, in a very Longreach may be the Las Vegas of the west. short while, we can prove that its worth is We may see a casino in Longreach that would justified. be part of a tourist attraction. Domestic jets could bring Japanese, Asian and other An honourable member: Are you going overseas tourists—— on the first trip? Mr Gibbs: An 18-hole international golf Mr JOHNSON: Unfortunately, because course. Parliament will be sitting, I will not be able to. However, I hope to be in either Barcaldine or Mr JOHNSON: Yes, I will be in that too, if Longreach when the train arrives. The point the Minister will send the money our way. that I want to make is that the timetables are Mr Grice: We will do it in 1995. totally unsatisfactory. As I mentioned to my Mr JOHNSON: As the member for colleague the member for Archerfield, the train Broadwater said, we will do it in 1995. If the arrives in Longreach at 7 o’clock on National Party is returned to Government in Wednesday nights and Saturday nights, and 1995, the people in that part of Queensland departs at 6.30 on Thursday mornings and will see many changes. People will not call it Sunday mornings. For people who want to pork-barrelling, either, because we will make visit that part of the region, that is those changes to the whole of the State, not unsatisfactory. 6 October 1993 4758 Legislative Assembly

The current Midlander service arrives in Games in the year 2000. It is of paramount the morning and departs in the evening. Sixty- importance that emphasis be placed on sport eight per cent of the people who patronise in schools and that money be forthcoming to that service are members of our older ensure that our children—regardless of the generation. It is a great reward for them to be area in which they live—have the opportunity able to see that part of the world in their to participate in the best possible twilight years. However, the new service will competitions. totally eliminate that custom. It is very Mr BUDD (Redlands) (5.11 p.m.): I am unfortunate. I ask Government members to pleased to have the opportunity to speak in urge their Transport Minister and Queensland the debate on the Estimates for the Rail to revise and review that ridiculous Department of Tourism, Sport and Racing. I timetable. intend in the main to confine my contribution Mr Stoneman: They’re out of touch with to the racing industry. reality. It is indeed a pleasure to speak on that Mr JOHNSON: Unfortunately, no aspect of the portfolio, as once again the TAB consultation has taken place with anyone has posted a record turnover. In 1992-93, along that line. TAB turnover increased by 6 per cent to In closing, I pay tribute to two people in $1.12 billion, more than the previous year’s the west—Peter Nichols of the Outback Tourist record of $1.06 billion. That record turnover for Association, and numerous other people who the third successive year should finally silence work with him in promoting western the Jonahs who so confidently predicted that Queensland tourism, and Timo Boersma. He the introduction of poker machines would was with the division of youth and recreation in dramatically reduce TAB revenue. Much of the Longreach for a number of years. What a credit for the increase in TAB turnover great service he gave to that community and undoubtedly goes to the unremitting to the youth of the central west as a whole. campaign that the Minister has pursued Those people make life worth while. They go against unlawful bookmakers. Obviously, if out of their way to provide for our kids and betting moneys are channelled through lawful think about the future of our kids. I hope that avenues, the winners are the honest punters, Timo’s replacement can uphold his great the TAB, the racing industry and the tradition. Wherever he may be now, I take this community in general. opportunity of wishing Timo all the best. The racing industry is Queensland’s At the same time, we have racing in the fourth-largest industry. It not only generates central west. I commend the Minister on the over 22 300 part-time and full-time jobs but upgrading of the Triad series in the west and also plays an important role in the the introduction next year of the $100,000 Queensland economy, contributing over $68m program for the central west and some of the to consolidated revenue in 1992. I note that, Belyando region. Hopefully, in 1995, the final in last year’s debate, the member for of that big meeting will be staged at Winton, Southport negatively—as usual—referred to on the centenary of that centre. I look forward the racing industry as the “servant of the TAB”. to being a part of that celebration in 1995. As usual, he was completely wrong. TAB turnover is the lifeblood of racing. It is TAB Mr Stoneman: I’ll be there with you. turnover that generates the profits that drive Mr JOHNSON: Being an old Wintonite, the racing industry. Distribution from TAB no doubt the member for Burdekin will be profits funds prize money. It provides incentive there. That place is very close to his heart. for owners to purchase and race their horses There is more to the Gregory electorate and greyhounds which, in turn, creates jobs than the Matilda Highway. I must mention for trainers, jockeys, drivers, farriers, vets, race- centres such as Windorah, Birdsville, day staff and thousands of other workers. Bedourie, Betoota and centres further west. In In addition, levies from TAB turnover flow September every year, the people at Birdsville into the Racing Development Fund, which is hold a great racing carnival, which is an then used for the strategic development of the excellent tourist attraction. It is probably industry. The Racing Development Fund second on the racing calendar to the builds racing and training facilities, improves Melbourne Cup. This year, we saw an outside services for track patrons, defrays the cost of horse, Engrossing, win the Birdsville Cup. That racing administration and funds the racing and was a wonderful event. capital works programs of Queensland’s 131 The member for Nudgee referred to developmental race clubs. All of those schools. We are fast approaching the Olympic developmental clubs now benefit from the Legislative Assembly 4759 6 October 1993 flexibility in their funding arrangements that forthcoming series will have 12 open class allows them to target projects according to qualifying races, each worth $5,000, to be run their regional priorities. They are now able to at Aramac, Barcaldine, Blackall, Clermont, count on receiving regular monthly payments, Capella, Longreach, Moranbah and Tambo. which enables them to break the debt cycle There will be two $10,000 semifinals at and to increase their prize money. The 1992- Longreach and Blackall, and the series will 93 distribution will be more than $43m—an culminate in a $15,000 final race, again to be increase of 5.2 per cent on the previous year. run at Blackall. Two recent cases of clubs that have Having spent much of my time in central- benefited under that scheme are the west and north-western Queensland, I have Beaudesert club, which was recently awarded always recognised the importance of country a Racing Development Fund grant of race meetings, both as a community and a $200,000 for major track reconstruction, and sporting event, and I strongly support the the Nanango club, which received $20,000 promotion of country racing. A couple of towards a new running rail. Under the system months ago, I had the pleasure of of distributing TAB profit, which is geared to accompanying the Minister to the opening of reward performance, all of the harness and the new administration building at Julia Creek greyhound racing clubs, along with 21 of the racecourse. I was extremely pleased to see largest and most important regional the large crowds that turned out to the race thoroughbred clubs, will receive a significant meeting that day and the appreciation shown boost in funding. by the crowd of the improvement of their I noted that the member for Indooroopilly facilities. raved on about the Minister having a vendetta Another significant program undertaken against the Queensland Turf Club. I ask the by the Minister in the promotion of member for Indooroopilly to consider why the Queensland racing has been the Queensland Turf Club alone will pick up an development and implementation of the extra $1m in the next financial year and has Queensland Racing Incentive Scheme. The been able to significantly increase its prize scheme is specifically aimed at promoting the money across-the-board. The State breeding and racing of two-year-old and three- Government has further allocated $300,000 year-old horses in Queensland. Although the for promotional costs in marketing old Racing Incentive Scheme had been Queensland’s Winter Racing Carnival. Our extremely successful and funded over 200 winter carnival—which has the potential to be races run all around the State at a minimum the best in the world for the time of year at of $5,000 per race, it had one deficiency in which it is held—will be developed and that it offered no direct benefit to the promoted to bring in both overseas and Queensland breeding industry. On the other interstate visitors to boost our tourist industry. hand, the increase in prize money through the As a former country boy, I am pleased to new QRIS will be an enormous incentive to see that the State Government also both trainers and owners not only to race but acknowledges the importance of central also to breed horses. Under the QRIS, horses Queensland. In the forthcoming year, as the that are Queensland bred, registered and Minister and the member for Gregory have trained will be eligible for QRIS prize money. already stated, the State Government will fund That scheme is obviously going to be a a $100,000 series of feature races in central great success. In its first year of operation, Queensland. The 15-race series will culminate 1 100 horses have already been registered— in a 1 600 metre final to be run in Barcaldine well ahead of the projected target figure. This in June next year. This is an expansion of the will bring about an enormous boost to the very successful Government-sponsored Triad Queensland breeding industry. People will series run in Blackall, Longreach and now have an incentive to invest in Barcaldine, which culminated in the $10,000 Queensland-bred horses, both sprinters and Tree of Knowledge Cup. That series was a stayers, and the racing clubs themselves will resounding success. It gave people in the benefit from this resurgence of interest. central west the opportunity to race for their One of the main reasons advanced in the biggest ever purse, and they responded with past for Queensland’s failure to produce a top fields and increased crowds. Queensland bred, trained and ridden The State Government has Melbourne Cup winner was the lack of staying acknowledged the success of this year’s series races programmed by Queensland clubs. The by increasing its contribution from $20,000 last racing clubs in turn have argued that they year to $100,000 for the coming year. The cannot put on races that are not supported by 6 October 1993 4760 Legislative Assembly trainers and owners. No doubt exists that at racing, and that certainly proved to be the present Queensland racing is geared more case. The facilities are superb, and a packed towards sprinters and two-year-old races. This crowd of over 6 000 people turned out on season, only one open company race of opening night to give it their full seal of 2 400 metres is programmed for the approval. metropolitan area, and only two 3 200 metre The move will also prove to have long races are programmed. There are also very term financial benefits for the Brisbane few restricted class races which are longer Greyhound Racing Club. Increased crowds than 2 200 metres. have led to the monthly racing profit The introduction of the QRIS will increasing from $20,000 per month at the encourage owners to buy all types of horses, Gabba to $33,500 per month at Albion Park. including staying breeds, and will encourage Under the new formula which commenced race clubs to promote the longer races as well operating on 1 July 1993, and as the turnover as the sprints. Perhaps Minister Gibbs will on its two meetings a week continues to achieve his ambition of a Queensland bred, increase, the club will receive higher incentive trained and ridden horse winning the payments which, in turn, will result in higher Melbourne Cup before the Premier realises his prize money. ambition of Queensland winning the Sheffield All these results have been occurring at a Shield. time when racing in other States is going The introduction of PubTAB was yet backwards. Victoria is looking for offers to another resounding success that was privatise the TAB. In New South Wales, TAB welcomed by small punters everywhere. Let turnover has barely increased by 1 per cent in me describe the average punter. It is not an the last financial year, and distribution to race Ascot matron who spends a day at the races clubs is up only 0.2 per cent—well below parading her new hat; nor is it a city solicitor increases in the costs of racing. In real terms who slips away in his lunch-hour to put $500 that means a dramatic loss in revenue to New each way on the favourite. The average South Wales clubs. In Queensland, on the punter is an ordinary working man or woman other hand, the racing industry can continue who, at the end of a long week, seeks to look forward with confidence to the future. relaxation by going down to the local pub, The TAB’s 1993-94 projected distribution is up having a few drinks and a quinella in each a massive 10.7 per cent to almost $48m. But race at the TAB. At long last, the average the people in the industry itself are the best punters are seeing some improvement in the barometers of what is happening in Australian level of service offered to them, instead of just racing today. to those who patronise the race meetings or I should like to conclude with a few sit on the boards of the various clubs. I have remarks on what I read in one of the weekend no doubt that the punters in concreters corner papers. Prominent Sydney trainer, Bill Mitchell, down at the Cleveland Sands Hotel and in who has just been granted a No. 1 licence by other hotels across the State have certainly the Queensland Principal Club, when asked enjoyed the benefits that have come from the why he is moving to Brisbane, said— introduction of PubTAB. PubTAB has led to an increase in TAB turnover on harness and “I like the way racing is heading in greyhound racing, especially in the evenings Queensland.” when most of these meetings are run. Peter Moody, Mitchell’s stable foreman and TAB turnover has risen in excess of former trainer of horses owned by Vaughan 20 per cent for harness racing and almost 18 Johnson, the member for Gregory, when per cent for greyhound racing. It has been asked why he had first left Queensland racing, particularly pleasing to note the improvements replied— in harness racing, as that code is emerging “The future wasn’t looking too bright from an extremely difficult period and is now in the bush, so after winning a race at positioning itself for a viable and sustainable Charleville in 1988, I decided to return to future as more and more people are again Sydney.” appreciating that a night out at the trots can That was the dismal future faced by people in be a very enjoyable family outing. the racing industry under the National Party On 11 February this year, I was one of Government. If they wanted to get on, then the members of the Minister’s committee who they had to get out. In 1993, the Queensland was present with the Minister at the opening racing industry has been totally revitalised night of greyhound racing at Albion Park. At under the careful stewardship of Minister Bob the official opening, Albion Park was described Gibbs. Moody is now returning to Brisbane to by the Minister as the true home of greyhound Legislative Assembly 4761 6 October 1993 take charge of the new Mitchell stables. He Mr Beattie: If we didn’t have Paul now says— Keating as Prime Minister we would never “The Queensland Government really have got it. supports racing by putting money back Mr STEPHAN: This will give them some into the industry.” added incentive. If they were to run up and That is the difference a Labor Government down the stairs like the honourable member has made. It has taken control of racing out of for Brisbane Central, that might help them; the hands of a privileged few and ensured although it has not done much for the that it is now run for the benefit of all. honourable member. I commend the Minister for yet another I know that the athletes will do their best, successful year for the racing industry and I and their efforts will be a great source of pride have no doubt that the future of racing in for all Australians. They will do their bit, but we Queensland will be even bigger and brighter in will have to give them the right conditions, the years ahead. which is what I want to talk about now. Young Australians aiming at competing in the Sydney Mr STEPHAN (Gympie) (5.24 p.m.): The Olympic Games in the year 2000—and even previous speaker gave the Minister a good pat in Atlanta—must be given every opportunity to on the back. The Minister now has an train and compete at top-class facilities. It is a opportunity to live up to those expectations. fact that those facilities are sadly lacking in My colleague the member for Southport, Mr Queensland at present. Marvellous facilities Veivers, has expressed concern to the were put in place for the Commonwealth Minister about what is occurring in the sprint Games in 1982, but time and events move racing industry, which has nowhere to go. on. Great changes have been made at QEII, Although only 300 or 400 animals are which can no longer play a flagship role for involved, the people in that industry are international athletic events. That position concerned. Since it started in Toowoomba, should be examined. We need world standard the industry has been built up over a period athletic facilities with synthetic all-weather and has expanded to the extent that it has surfaces. We need gymnasiums with the moved into the Gympie district. I am latest equipment. We need up-to-date disappointed that the decision appears to facilities for all the indoor sports which feature have been made that that section of the in the Olympics. industry will not be allowed to continue. I note that there is a substantial allocation A similar decision was made in relation to of funds in the Budget, with grants and the Queensland Principal Club. Of course, subsidies to sporting organisations totalling lately there has been talk that the Minister around $23m. Sportspeople will be grateful for may have a change of heart on the matter that, but the spending will not be anywhere and allow the QPC once again to become a near enough to fill the needs. Thousands of body which truly represents the real interests Queensland youngsters will be inspired by the of the racing industry. If that happens, no chance to represent Australia in Sydney and doubt the conference of the principal clubs there will surely be a huge demand for would invite Queensland back into the fold. facilities. That would be good for our racing industry. It would be unhealthy to have the Queensland The current training facilities will be Principal Club cut off from the rule-making overstretched, but we have to remember that body in Australian racing. Queensland has a there will need to be top-class venues to host valuable racing industry. If it were allowed to interstate and international competitions in the return to the main stream, it would be better. lead-up to the Games. That gives us the opportunity in this great State of Queensland In common with all Australians, my to be able to move along that road, as we colleagues on this side of the Chamber and I have done in the past. It is only through were very thrilled when Sydney won the right competing that our athletes will get the to stage the Olympic Games in the year 2000. winning edge. Mr Beattie: You were not the only ones It is interesting to note the comments of happy about it. Mrs Daphne Pirie, who is the deputy chair of Mr STEPHAN: I am saying that we were the Queensland Academy of Sport, which was very happy about it. The games will be a great set up by the previous Government with the opportunity for our young sportsmen and assistance of Mick Veivers. Mrs Pirie was women to show what they can do in front of a reported as saying that QEII was not capable world audience. In the past, they have been of handling the recent university games at the able to be competitive. same time as the under 18 athletics 6 October 1993 4762 Legislative Assembly competition. That is a great pity. Mrs Pirie was that his voice, together with the voices of all echoing what a lot of sporting people are other Queenslanders, will help. Smaller saying. There is a real chance of getting spin- sporting events could be a booster for sport offs for Queensland from the Sydney 2000 and tourism in this State, as long as we are Games. ready to capitalise on them. Under the Sport and Recreation Program, I know that Treasury is not a bottomless which is outlined in the Budget papers, pit of funds and that sports funding has to assistance is to be provided to talented compete with other demands. But I also athletes to achieve excellence in their chosen remember the promises that were made when sport. The primary focus of the program will poker machines were introduced into include increased opportunities for equity, Queensland. The Minister was pretty access, participation and equality for target enthusiastic about the funds that poker group members; the implementation of machines would make available for sports amendments to the Queensland Sports development. Poker machines have been Development Scheme; and the around for a few years now, and they are implementation of a Statewide coach starting to pour a great deal of money into the education strategy in accordance with the Treasury. According to the Budget papers, the findings of a training needs analysis for gaming machine tax will bring in $64m this coaches. I would like to think that that financial year. Yet less than half that sum of program will not just benefit gifted sportsmen, money is going to be spent on sports funding. but will encourage battlers who are coming up The poker machine tax is a windfall for the through the ranks. We must take every Government. That money should be available opportunity to give them all the for discretionary spending. I suggest to the encouragement that they require so that they Minister that he puts more of the revenue can fill the shoes of some of our leading from poker machines into providing better sportsmen. facilities for our sports people throughout the The program talks about support to State as they prepare for the Sydney 2000 community groups by providing assistance Games and beyond. The community is very through facilities and services; financial enthusiastic about the Games. Money alone assistance to State sporting organisations and will not boost our performances at the Games. individual clubs; and advisory and professional We have to be pretty careful that the services to other Government agencies, local additional spending is targeted properly. This authorities, State sporting and recreational opportunity will not be repeated in our lifetime. organisations and other client groups. Support In the past, we made a bid to hold the Games must be provided to individuals and their in Brisbane. We certainly made a great effort organisations or clubs in monetary terms and with Expo 88, and we made our mark on the by way of the facilities that need to be rest of the world. constructed. I turn to tourism. According to the Budget Spin-offs to Queensland will come from papers, the World Heritage listing of the Sydney 2000 Games. But support of the rainforests is a big plus for tourism. I sporting industry must continue after that. remember the promises that were made More than 1 200 competitors from all over the about the compensation that would be world, together with many officials and provided as a result of the World Heritage supporters, will be visiting Sydney for the listing of Fraser Island. Where that money has Games. We must provide the best facilities for been spent has been very discretionary. For them. example, a few months ago, the Fraser coast was promised half a million dollars as a Mr Beattie: We will. tourism grant. When I made inquiries about Mr STEPHAN: I am not too sure if I can where that money would be spent—bearing in take the honourable member’s word for that. mind that areas other than Hervey Bay and According to Mrs Pirie, there is a great Maryborough are located in that particular opportunity for smaller but significant sporting region—I was told that the money would not events to be held in Queensland. The be available for areas in the southern part of necessary sporting facilities must be put in the Great Sandy Region; that it would be place. We must look after our younger made available only for Maryborough and athletes and give them encouragement and Hervey Bay. That is not good enough. It does support. It would be a real boost to not represent an even-handed distribution of Queensland’s chances of holding smaller those funds. sporting events if we could provide those I wrote to the Minister, as did the facilities. Mr Beattie says, “We will.” I suppose Rainbow Beach Commerce Association, Legislative Assembly 4763 6 October 1993 pointing out the great opportunities for tourism and opportunities for recreation, leisure, in that particular part of the Great Sandy art and culture. Region. Rainbow Beach is the only township Young people need access to a that is listed in the Great Sandy Region. Yet legal system which protects their rights the Minister saw fit not to give that area any and encourages them to accept their encouragement. The Rainbow Beach obligations and responsibilities. Commerce Association spent an enormous amount of money, which was gathered from It is recognised that certain groups of that small business community, on promoting young people are more disadvantaged that region at every opportunity. Those people than others and services targeted to have produced a number of glossy brochures. support these groups are necessary in They have also been represented at all order to achieve the goals of social southern travel and boat shows to ensure that justice.” their message is being heard at every I feel well qualified to talk about youth opportunity. Members of the association have and young people, having spent 11 years of even conducted individual canvassing of State my working life teaching young people in high and interstate newspapers. As well, they have schools throughout this State. I have had the held six Rainbow Beach Fishing Classics, privilege of teaching in some of the more about which members have often heard. I am disadvantaged areas of the State, having disappointed that the Minister has not seen fit spent much of my time at Woodridge State to answer my correspondence of 23 July High School, Beenleigh State High School relating to this matter, and that it has been and then at Browns Plains State High School. neglected or ignored. I would have thought Some of those schools have been regarded that the Minister would have been keen to Federally as disadvantaged schools because answer it. of their low socioeconomic status and the fact In the past couple of weeks, I received that a high proportion of migrant young the guidelines for junior coaching. people attend those schools. As a consequence, a lot of the children in those Mr T. B. Sullivan: The Nationals did not schools come from broken families; they have provide support for junior coaching. domestic violence in their households; and Mr STEPHAN: Support for junior they have no encouragement at home. I think coaching and sporting facilities was one of the that it is very difficult for a lot of us to great pluses of the former Government. We appreciate the very tough times that some supported coaching and junior coaching and young people have to live through all their provided the necessary facilities. We knew lives because of their home situation. As a when the applications for assistance had to be teacher, I know that for many of these young made. people coming to school was a very enjoyable Time expired. experience because it provided a place of structure, a place that was pretty fair, that had Ms SPENCE (Mount Gravatt) (5.40 p.m.): rules, that was ordered and, unfortunately, for It gives me great pleasure to speak to the a lot of them, school was a safe haven in their Estimates of the Department of Tourism, lives. Sport and Racing. I would like to concentrate on one aspect of that department, and that is Mr Bredhauer: And for teachers. its youth policy. In the Government’s Youth Ms SPENCE: And for teachers, Policy booklet, which was launched in March yes—good teachers. After working with these this year by the Minister and the Premier, the types of young people for so long, it Premier had this to say about youth— convinced me that we do not all have an even “Along with others in the community, chance to succeed in life. Some of us are the future of Queensland rests with its born into a world of opportunity and others are young people—their vision, motivation, not. For this reason, I think that it is important achievements, skills and their ability to that Governments use their resources to even manage change and seize opportunities the scales and to direct the money and to fulfil their potential. services towards young people who really need them. I am pleased to be part of a Support from families, the Government that recognises that. community and government are important in achieving a positive future. Unlike so many people out there in the community, I do not hold any sense of Young people need access to pessimism about our youth. I do not hold with education and training; housing; health the oft-repeated sentiments of many of the care; transport; employment; information; older generation who look at young people 6 October 1993 4764 Legislative Assembly with a sense of doom and gloom, and who in life. Peta is a girl who camps outside my feel that young people have lost direction and electorate office and actually sleeps there values. I would like to quote briefly a little from time to time when she gets sick of going section that appeared in yesterday’s Courier- to shelters. Her parents will not have her any Mail. It states— more. This week, I was delighted to see her in “The researchers asked 112 her school uniform. After 18 months of being Aboriginal and 106 white Australian out of the education system and not doing students enrolled at the university to rank anything in particular, she has returned to high which values were most important to school and is living with friends of the family. I them. think that if we stick with these young kids, they do manage to make something of The Aboriginal students ranked themselves eventually. family security at number one, followed by honouring parents, being healthy, I think it is really important that the honest, choosing their own goals, true education system is flexible, that children such friendship, self-respect, equality, as Peta can dip in and dip out of our politeness and social justice. education system—pick up education—when they feel the inspiration to go to school. We The white students also saw family can cater for that. Years ago, we had a fairly security as their most treasured value, inflexible education system, and if children did followed by true friendship, being healthy, not make the grade, they were out. I think it is self-respect, choosing their own goals, really good that we have this life-long having inner harmony, honesty, freedom, education system where people can go back mature love and being successful.” to school at night, or study as mature-age I think they are all very laudable goals that are students, and continue their education. In held by our young people today, and really fact, I note that at page 31 of the Youth Policy belie the arguments put forward by the doom- booklet published by the department this year, and-gloom merchants who cannot see objective 4.7.11 states— anything good about today’s youth. “To assist young people’s entry and As a member of Parliament, I get to mix re-entry into education and training.” frequently with young people—as we all do, I That is one of the key objectives of the guess, when we visit schools, when we go to education and training goals of this sporting clubs, when we go to churches and Government. Objective 4.7.4 states— so on—and I know that when I am mixing with young people I am always impressed by their “To develop in young people an work ethic, their motivation to succeed, their appreciation of the importance of life long caring and compassion for causes such as the learning.” environment, their knowledge of world affairs Objective 4.7.10 states— and their level of responsibility to others. My “To increase access to provision and electorate office is located next to a 7-Eleven increase retention in post-compulsory food store, and anyone who knows what 7- education and training for young people, Eleven food stores are like in Brisbane or in as per the endorsed Finn/Carmichael other metropolitan areas would know that targets for Queensland, particularly social because they are open 24-hours a day, they justice target groups.” are places at which young people gather. Basically, at any time of the day or night, I I think that this Government has considered have young people camped outside my office that very carefully, and has provided door, as they socialise outside the 7-Eleven opportunities within the education system to store. I have had the pleasure of talking to enable young people to take advantage of them for about four years. Some of them the flexibility of the system. have been hanging around for that long, and I Consultation is an area that has been feel that we are getting to know each other recognised to be highly important by the very well. Department of Tourism, Sport and Racing. I guess many of the kids who hang The department’s Youth Bureau aims to around outside my office have been homeless ensure that all young Queenslanders have the from time to time. They are the rough kids—I opportunity to participate successfully in know that a lot of them are on drugs—and it society by providing and coordinating services has been interesting getting to know them developed through a process of consultation over a four-year period and seeing how so with those who will be directly affected, many of them drag themselves out of their namely, the young people of Queensland. In pretty tough situations and achieve something developing this Youth Policy, the department Legislative Assembly 4765 6 October 1993 actually conducted Statewide consultation on services. I would particularly like to issues involving 1 800 young Queenslanders. congratulate the department on another new I would like to congratulate the department on initiative, which is the publication of the its level of consultation and its procedure of booklet Negotiating the Funding Maze. Each consultation in arriving at the Youth Policy. of us received that booklet in our electorate These procedures are explained very carefully offices a couple of weeks ago. Certainly, it is a on pages 9 and 10 of the Youth Policy ,which very easy book to read and I find it a very state— useful quick reference in finding services for “The overall aim of the consultation young people. All members of Parliament process was to provide an overview of should take a careful look at that book. They major issues as perceived by a cross- would find it very helpful. section of young people and the As far as future initiatives, the department community and to provide direction for an will establish, at a cost of $150,000, an ongoing consultation process.” ongoing Statewide youth forum to give young It then details how the department went about Queenslanders a direct voice to Government. that consultation process. Time and time It will encourage the construction of multi-use again, the department has recognised in its facilities via funding from the Queensland Youth Policy that decisions which are decided facilities development scheme, and this is very by adults and thrust upon young people are important. In my own electorate, although we not appreciated, will not work, and that ideas have lots of sporting facilities for youth—and and policies that come from young people the Minister is aware of this—we do have a themselves have a greater chance of being youth problem. We lost the blue light disco successful. from the Mount Gravatt area. It was the most successful blue light disco in the southern Youth Week is another initiative of this hemisphere. It used to regularly attract 1 200 department. It is to be launched in Townsville young people every second Saturday night. this weekend and runs next week from 9 to 17 October. It has been coordinated by a 21-year Mr Ardill: What was Con Galtos’ part in old in the Department of Tourism, Sport and that? Didn’t he own the property and close it Racing. Youth Week this year will involve down? hundreds of young people from across the Ms SPENCE: Con Galtos owned the State and $100,000 worth of community skating rink. I was just going to move on to activity. The theme is “Young People Making that. Unfortunately, he stopped the police Healthy Decisions”. using his skating rink for the most successful Health is an area that has been identified blue light disco in the southern hemisphere as a priority in the department’s studies, which because he felt that he could make more found that most people, in general, money from using it for skating on a Saturday experience good health, but that youth do night. Unfortunately we lost that venue. have particular needs because their risk-taking Between 1 200 and 1 500 young people behaviour can affect their health in the short attended every Saturday night, so there is term and also can affect their health status in now a great void in my area for activities for the long term; that young people during the young people. developmental stage may experiment with I know that the Minister is working hard and use tobacco, alcohol and, to a lesser with the local member, Laurel Power, the extent, cannabis; and that sexually member for Mansfield, and myself in transmitted diseases are more prevalent discussing what we can do to replace this void among young people than other age groups by providing facilities for young people in the in the population. I think the aim of this year’s Mount Gravatt region generally. Certainly, the Youth Week seems to be particularly community is looking for something, the appropriate when we look at the health young people are looking for something, and statistics of our young people. I was quite it is no trouble getting the community shocked to read these statistics and learn that mobilised on this particular subject. the incidence of youth suicide is increasing Finally, I would just like to congratulate and the rate of young male suicides is the Minister on the work that he and the extremely high by international standards. department do in the Youth Bureau. These are sad statistics. Time expired. The Government can provide services. It can provide health services and counselling Mr GRICE (Broadwater) (5.55 p.m): The services. This Government has provided funds Minister responsible for tourism has one of the and has gone a long way to providing those most important jobs in our State. I enter this 6 October 1993 4766 Legislative Assembly debate in the spirit of offering suggestions that accommodation standards. For holiday flats, I hope are constructive. I believe that very units and houses, the ABS reported a recently, Mr Bob Minnikin, the general demand surge in the same period, illustrated manager of the Indy board, resigned. I believe by a 6.8 per cent increase in takings. Over the that he is to be replaced by Mr Ken Rosebery. year till the end of the March quarter, tourist I sincerely hope—I know nothing at all of Mr accommodation generated only an additional Rosebery—that he guides that board in the 547 jobs in Queensland. correct direction and ensures that that race is Even so, tourist accommodation in hotels secured for the coast forever. and motels supports 27 214 jobs in However, I believe it is constructive to Queensland. Those jobs must be protected, repeat that with the management of various but they must also be expanded by the events one needs specialist expertise. To growth of accommodation infrastructure. I stage a Rugby League grand final one does believe that the Government has a role to play not start out with a ballet company; nor does here in terms of encouraging tourism one employ a football team to stage a ballet. investment. It can also help by looking at Tourism is one of Queensland’s biggest some other matters that I will mention in a earners. It is an industry vital to every moment. They will make the job of selling Queenslander. It is one of the biggest earners tourism a little easier. for our State economy, providing a living for The Gold Coast is the heart of tourism in many thousands of Queenslanders. It is this State. Certainly other areas make a vital already worth $2,600m a year, and there can contribution, but the Gold Coast has always be little doubt that it will soon be our second been the key. When it is healthy, the national most important industry. tourism economy is healthy. I call on the It can reach that level and provide even Minister to lend the Gold Coast a hand with a more benefits for the State and its people only couple of problems I see as holding back the if it is carefully nurtured. Unfortunately, there tourism industry. Of course, we all know that are some signs that tourism is not doing as the Minister is a senior player in this Labor well as we would all hope. Certainly the Government. As a leading figure in the Japanese recession is having its effect on Socialist Left, he wields a lot of influence in a tourist numbers from that country. Japan’s Government which operates on factional financial problems are also being reflected arrangements. here in terms of a real slowdown in tourist Sitting suspended from 6 to 7.30 p.m. industry construction. Perhaps we could cope with that if there were development capital Mr GRICE: We have been joined by a available from other sources such as our couple more members from the aviary, so I domestic savings. We all know that Paul should come back to my factional point. I call Keating has attended to that one. Right now on the Minister to lend the Gold Coast a hand there is not one major tourist accommodation with a couple of the problems that I see as project under way in this State. There are few holding back the tourism industry. We all know even at the committed planning stage. that the Minister is a senior player in the Labor Government. As a leading figure in the At the same time, we are steadily running Socialist Left, he wields a lot of influence in a out of capacity, particularly at the middle and Government which operates on factional lower ends of the market. I refer honourable arrangements. I know that the tourism industry members to the Australian Bureau of would appreciate some help around the Statistics’ summary of tourist accommodation Cabinet table with those problems. in Queensland for the March quarter of this year. The report was released on the last day I make no apology for pushing the case of the financial year, and it shows trends that I for the Gold Coast. It is undoubtedly the hub believe we should be concerned about. of the tourism industry in this State. My Referring to hotels and motels with facilities, electorate of Broadwater takes its name from the ABS reported that the number of rooms one of the most attractive expanses of water available grew by just 3 per cent in the year to in the world. It is truly a paradise for the the end of the March quarter, but demand fishermen and the boaties. The Broadwater is increased by 14.1 per cent. a major element in the Gold Coast’s battle for the tourist dollar. We must maintain it in good Average takings per room night increased order. That is where a Tourism Minister by 2.8 per cent at the same time as the CPI prepared to use his Cabinet clout can assist. I has risen just 1.5 per cent. I believe figures am urging on the Minister a holistic approach like that show a need for more infrastructure to tourism in this State. I am asking him to use investment at the upper level of his undoubted influence on his ministerial Legislative Assembly 4767 6 October 1993 colleagues who are dragging the chain on Transport Minister, but the Tourism Minister matters which impact directly on tourism. might think about what he can do about I can see very little point in a Tourism promoting the safety for visitors to the area. Minister who takes a narrow approach to his For the benefit of honourable members who responsibilities. There is no value in promotion have not had the pleasure, I point out that jet alone. The Minister would do us all a favour if skis could be considered as motorcycles on he were to pay more attention to what it is that water. That is just what they are. They come we are selling in the tourism market. The with the same sort of power as motorcycles Minister should involve himself in every matter and, used properly, they are wonderful that impinges on the ability of our tourism recreation. However, they can be just as areas to attract and care for tourists. dangerous as motorcycles if they are misused. A few moments ago, I mentioned the Society regulates most motorcycle use worth of the Broadwater to the tourism but takes little interest in how and where we industry. I must say also that we must act use jet skis. I believe that some people are urgently to maintain that value. The man at endangering the safety of others who use the the head of the Surfrider Foundation, Brad Broadwater. At the moment, it is possible for Farmer, recently expressed concerns about unlicensed and unskilled people to hire and the water quality in the Broadwater. He was use very powerful jet skis in an area that is quite right in doing that. It is time for some open to general boat users. The Minister action on coliform counts, including human would do the tourism industry a service by coliform counts, in the Broadwater. We should joining me in calling for a specific area to be all remember that one of the real appeals that set aside and used exclusively and safely by we hold for tourists is our reputation as a clean jet ski hire operators. There have been many and healthy destination. We risk losing that if reports of near misses, and I personally have we do not keep places such as the had to take violent evasive action in my boat Broadwater up to the mark. Mr Farmer and I because of the sudden changes in direction of sometimes come at that from different jet ski riders, who are not even licensed. Could directions, but we agree on the end result that our tourism industry afford that sort of we need, that is, a lower coliform count. He disaster? I think not. That is why I ask the has called for more testing, and I support that Minister to add his voice to calls for wholeheartedly. reasonable regulation. I have also offered a viable solution in the On the question of safety—I refer form of sewage pump-outs on all new boats honourable members to some alarming crime over seven metres. I ask the Minister to raise statistics reported by an academic on the that issue at the Cabinet table to ensure that effect of crime on tourism. Alison Dunn some action is taken. The Broadwater is reported that high crime rates have driven simply too valuable to tourism and to all of us tourists away from Hawaii to Australia. Her who use it. If pump-outs are included at the comments were reported in the Courier-Mail of build stage, the cost would be no more than 13 July this year. The other side of the coin $1,400—and that is not a lot in the cost of was that, in 12 years, homicide on the Gold boats these days. The Minister could also Coast has risen 933 per cent. In the same raise with his colleagues the necessity for period, total crimes against property have putting pump-out facilities at all marinas. risen 306 per cent. The Gold Coast, and Certainly, there would be a cost, but what Queensland, are competing for tourists would it cost our tourism industry if pollution in against some stiff competition. We must that form turned tourists away? I stress to the guard strongly against the sort of reputation Minister that the problem has not reached a that has driven some tourists away from critical level yet, but it will if we are not careful. Hawaii. That is another matter that the Tourism Minister would be justified in raising in A high proportion of the tourists visiting Cabinet. the Gold Coast each day are drawn to water- based recreational activities, especially on the I believe in giving credit where it is due. In Broadwater. I ask the Minister to consider that spirit, I congratulate the Minister on his protecting that segment of our tourism reported comments about the mad Canberra industry by measures to make the Broadwater plan to raise even more money from fringe safer. As one who uses the Broadwater, I benefits taxes. If his comments have been cannot help being concerned at the lack of reported accurately, I am happy to offer my regulation of people using jet skis in support. Put simply, fringe benefits taxes are inappropriate ways, which endangers other taxes on jobs and, ultimately, investments in people. I have already approached the the tourism industry. When they reach levels at which they represent a disincentive to 6 October 1993 4768 Legislative Assembly business travel, they harm the economy of the on yet another year of magnificent nation and this tourism-oriented State in achievements in all areas of that portfolio. As particular. The Minister should take the stick to members of the Opposition have conceded in his Federal colleagues on that one, and the the debate, significant achievements have bigger the stick, the better. been made in a range of areas, not only in I want to finish with a few words on the tourism and not only in sport and recreation. Sport element of the Minister’s portfolio. In this One must wonder whether the member for day and age, I am disappointed that we must Broadwater walks around with his eyes closed. look at a gambling-led recovery for our State Because I was involved in designing the new economy. Indeed, I would go a little further Queensland Sports Development Scheme, I and say that we are looking at a gambling- know that funding for sports in Queensland supported State economy. Look at how much has gone from less than $7m a year prior to from gambling pours into the State’s coffers. the Labor Government coming to office in This financial year, the Treasurer expects the 1989 and in the first year after being in office, State’s gamblers to pour more than $307m to something in excess of $25m-odd in this into revenue. There is something pretty wrong coming financial year. with a society that encourages that sort of use Mr Gibbs: Thirty-six million dollars. of dwindling pay packets. Mr WELFORD: The figure is $36m, taking This Labor Government has given us into account facilities funding That funding poker machines. It has made a real effort to demonstrates that there is no area in which put TABs into more and more pubs all the this Government has shown a more definite time. That is only an encouragement to commitment than in sport and recreation. people to gamble when they have the least Mr J. H. Sullivan: Five hundred per cent. chance of making rational decisions. The Labor Government has aggressively marketed Mr WELFORD: There has been a 500 new forms of TAB betting in an effort to strip per cent increase in funding for sport and even more money out of people’s pockets. It recreation. The fact that the member for has decided on two new casinos—as if we Broadwater conceded that there has been a needed even more gambling! At least the minor improvement demonstrates that he will Government is putting to some use some of never be prepared to give credit where credit that money taken from encouraging gambling. is due. I wish that more of it went to sport and I want to address a matter that is very recreation. The gaming machine tax is close to the heart of the member for expected to raise $65.4m this financial year, Southport, and that is the operations of the but not even half that amount will be put into Liquor Licensing Division of the department. sport and recreation programs. The Budget As members are well aware, that division plays papers listed only $31.9m in funding from the a very important role not just in the Sports and Youth Fund and the Sports and management of liquor licences per se but also Recreation Benefit Fund. in the role that the liquor industry plays in I well remember the debate on poker Queensland’s tourism industry. That industry is machines before I entered the Parliament. very much founded upon the access that The Government and the current Sports international visitors have to the hospitality Minister made a lot of noise about how poker that our wonderful climate and tourism machine revenues would make such a huge attractions provide. The tourism industry could difference to the funding of sport. As I said not be marketed effectively without a well- before, I must admit to some difference. It is managed and well-planned liquor industry, in very welcome funding, but it is a long way which the Liquor Licensing Division plays a short of what we should have been able to vital role. expect. It seems that the rest of the money I turn to the various programs of the ripped out of the pokies by the Government is Liquor Licensing Division. simply sloshing around in consolidated revenue. I certainly hope that the Government Mr Veivers interjected. will have a change of heart on sports funding Mr WELFORD: The member for now that we have the impetus of the Sydney Southport may keep interjecting, but there is 2000 Olympics. plenty more to come for him. Mr WELFORD (Everton) (7.39 p.m.): It is Mr Veivers: Rock and roll. my pleasure to speak in the debate on the Estimates for the Department of Tourism, Mr WELFORD: I am happy to rock and Sport and Racing. I congratulate the Minister roll with the member for Southport any time he likes. Legislative Assembly 4769 6 October 1993

There are three major programs in the recent amendments to the Liquor Act which Liquor Licensing Division—the Licensing were designed to plug those loopholes. Administration Unit, on which I will comment The Licensing Administration Unit is further in a moment; the Investigations and currently being restructured so as to reduce Complaints Unit, which plays a very important the turnaround times for the issuing of role in forcing compliance with the rules and applications. That is as important in the issue regulations of the industry; and the Industry of liquor licences as it is in any other area of Development Unit, which looks at broader licence issuing. If we can reduce turnaround policy issues, which is currently involved in the times and reduce the costs of delay for the review of the Liquor Act and which is also liquor industry, that will give Queensland involved in reviewing the Wine Industry Act of industry and the Queensland tourism industry 1974 currently being undertaken by the in particular a competitive advantage over Minister and his ministerial committee. other States. I want to talk in more detail about the Mr Veivers: There are no private clubs, engine room of the Liquor Licensing Division, though. the Licensing Administration Unit. In the past Mr WELFORD: The member for year, the unit has processed more than 2 000 Southport sounds like a parrot. applications for liquor licences. These included the renewal of existing licences and some 221 Mr Bredhauer: A galah. new licence applications, over 400 transfers Mr WELFORD: The member for Cook is and some 350 acceptances of new nominees. quite right—a galah. The former permit types under the old Liquor Last year, 695 complaints were lodged Act have been replaced in the new 1992 with the Investigations and Complaints Unit. Liquor Act with two types of permits, namely, Of those, 593 complaints have been finalised. general purpose permits for fundraising clubs Others are still undergoing investigation. More and community organisations and extended than 35 per cent of all complaints related to hours permits for licensed premises which noise. Many members would have had seek to trade beyond normal trading hours. experiences not only with local hotels—some More than 9 200 general purpose permits of which were built a number of years ago in were issued in the last year through the residential areas—but also with nightclubs regional offices of the department. That which affect neighbouring residences and demonstrates that the new system is proving which generate a certain level of community to be very valuable for community complaint. organisations and sporting clubs which set up liquor booths at special events and sporting The Government has given a high events for patrons and spectators of priority—and the Minister has regularly spoken community and sports activities. In addition to about this issue in the media—to clamping the permits that I have already mentioned that down on under-age drinking. Over the last 12 were issued by departmental regional offices, months, that has been pursued quite 5 800 general purpose permits and extended vigorously by the Investigations and hours permits were issued by the Brisbane Complaints Unit. In fact, there have been 94 office. In addition, 62 new licences were instances of minors being detected on issued for clubs; 49 new licences were issued licensed premises. Of those, 35 were for restricted clubs; and 48 new on-premises processed through to prosecution, and the licences were issued. remaining 59 were officially warned. There were only four prosecutions against adults for A Liquor Advisory Board has also been the offence of supplying alcohol to under-age established. The purpose of the board is to persons. Of the 35 prosecutions that were keep an eye on those creative and innovative undertaken in respect of minors on licensed practices engaged in by some sectors of the premises, 27 of them were fined amounts liquor industry to take advantage of certain totalling in aggregate some $6,000-odd, and what might be termed “loopholes” in the the remainder were discharged by the courts. Liquor Act. In recent months, the members of the liquor industry indulging in that practice Another important feature of the have come to the notice of the Liquor Investigations and Complaints Unit is its Advisory Board. training role both for licensing investigators across the State and for encouraging Mr Veivers: There are no private clubs, negotiation and mediation where that can be though, are there? most effective in dealing not only with Mr WELFORD: Members will be aware of licensees and nominees but also with minors who are apprehended for under-age drinking. 6 October 1993 4770 Legislative Assembly

A number of financial investigations have example for the younger members of our been carried out to ensure that licensed community in proper conduct. premises have kept proper records in respect Mr Veivers interjected. of their purchases and sales to ensure that the Government receives the appropriate Mr WELFORD: Unlike the member for licensing fees that are due under the Liquor Southport, might I say, who was late catching Act. I am pleased to report that, in this regard, his bus here today. I exercise considerable there have been effective negotiations with restraint in these matters. That is the reason north coast licensees to restrict the hours of why I stand here tonight to inform members of operation to no later than 3 a.m. The result the important role that the Liquor Licensing has been a 50 per cent drop in street offences Division plays in our Government’s plan for the resulting from patrons leaving premises in the liquor industry. early hours of the morning under the influence Mr Gibbs: That is why your body remains of alcohol. Work continues by investigators pure. and staff of the Investigations and Complaints Mr WELFORD: I take that most learned Unit to develop a voluntary code of conduct interjection from the Minister. for licensed premises on the Gold Coast. The Government will put into place an important Let me conclude by expressing my long-term plan to maintain a Liquor Act that thanks and congratulations to Mr Laurie will be responsive not only to the needs of the Longland, the head of the Liquor Licensing industry but also to the social and moral Division. From time to time, in relation to mores of our community. matters that involve my own electorate, I have had cause to contact Mr Longland and the The new Liquor Act came into operation department to seek advice about certain in 1992. One of its provisions requires that matters arising under the Liquor Act. I within 12 months the Minister will cause a appreciate the support that the department review of the legislation. That review of the has given. Liquor Act is currently under way, and we are receiving final input into the review from major Time expired. industry groups. We are confident that the Mr SANTORO (Clayfield—Deputy Leader input that we receive in the course of this of the Liberal Party) (7.54 p.m.): It gives me review will see the legislation further refined to great pleasure to participate in this debate for, ensure that it is the most up-to-date, practical as most members would appreciate, three of and functional liquor legislation anywhere in the major racetracks in Queensland are the country. located within the electorate of Clayfield, which I mentioned previously my passing I have the pleasure and honour of involvement with the ministerial committee in representing in this place. The tracks are the work of the task force chaired by Mr John Albion Park Paceway, and Doomben and Black, which is currently undertaking a review Eagle Farm Racecourses. Within and around of the wine industry. Until I recently went on an these tracks is established a closely knit racing inspection tour with the Minister, I did not fraternity which is one of the social and appreciate the complexity of the issues economic backbones of my electorate. involved in regulating the wine industry. Of The racing fraternity is made up of people course, there are a number of competing who love their industry and their sport. They interests involved in the wine industry, ranging are people who love tradition and hard work from the grape growers through to the and invariably seem to come through times of merchant wine sellers and resellers. adversity by sticking together and getting on Mr Rowell: You like getting at the grape. with it. Those involved with the racing industry in my electorate are honest people. They Mr WELFORD: The honourable member have strong views about issues and about would understand, knowing me as he does, how the industry should be run. Some of their that I was selected as the member of the views are in fact contrary to those held by the Government to speak on issues relating to the Minister and, indeed, his Government. But this Liquor Act because, unlike some members in does not mean that they are wrong in their this place, I am a model of restraint when it views or suspect in their actions. Thus, Mr comes to my conduct in relation to liquor. Chairman, it has been of considerable Mr Bredhauer interjected. concern to them and to me that in the process Mr WELFORD: I appreciate the of change that has been taking place—some endorsement of the member for Cook, who may even say “enforced”—within the racing also knows that I am a most restrained and industry so many of those involved within the responsible member of Parliament, setting an industry have been slandered— indeed, Legislative Assembly 4771 6 October 1993 defamed—by people within Government who the Government should keep its hands off have sought to impose their views and them. designs on them. Let me remind the Minister of just one Tonight, in this brief contribution, I do not occasion when the Principal Club decided to wish to indulge in vitriol or controversy. The play God and, in so doing, detrimentally major points to be made by the Opposition in affected the industry. In December, the this respect have already been made by Principal Club instructed the Gympie Turf Club speakers before me, including the shadow that it was not to conduct a meeting that it Minister and my colleague the honourable had planned. I am told that this instruction member for Indooroopilly. However, I do wish was issued because the Gympie club had to go on record as saying that I have a great scheduled only three races for the day, deal of respect for those leaders of the involving 17 horses. The Principal Club was industry who have from time to time been well concerned that the meeting would not be and truly in the firing line—people such as viable, despite the fact that the Gympie Turf Judge Ned Williams, Peter Gallagher, Bill Club committee has proved its financial Sexton, Cam Boyle, David Laing and many acumen over the past three years, turning a others who have made a magnificent, indeed desperate situation into a very viable one. The invaluable, contribution to the racing industry committee members in Gympie would have a of this State and should be thanked rather far better idea of the viability of a particular than vilified for their efforts. That they enjoy meeting than some distant body in Brisbane. the support of the rank and file of their clubs Mr WELFORD: Mr Chairman, I rise to a can be seen in the outcome of recent point of order. I draw your attention to the committee elections and the outcome of state of the Committee. recent specially convened meetings to discuss controversial matters and matters in which the Quorum formed. honourable the Minister had a strong interest. Mr SANTORO: At a time of massive I urge the Minister to work with these people, unemployment, the Principal Club’s decision in to consult with them, for they have a lot to this instance saw many Gympie residents go contribute to this State and the racing without work on the planned race day. That industry. It is unfortunate that many of the money was then not able to be injected into principles of good public relations have been the economy of Gympie. Owners and trainers thrown out the door simply because the had wasted their time and money in preparing Minister has been determined to get his way. horses for the meeting, and many of them The Minister's determination to overturn wonder—quite rightly—why they should the tried and true system of racing continue at all if the Government is going to administration in this State was a classic ride roughshod over them. To make it worse, example of how to alienate almost everyone the Principal Club also instructed the people at at the same time. Yet another bureaucratic Gympie that they were not to open their gates organisation was established to control what and conduct a phantom meeting, either. It is, in reality, a sport conducted by private has been put to me that this is likely to have enterprise. What the Minister has failed to been the result of a decision to try to direct recognise is that racing is not just another arm business away from bookmakers and into the of Government. Racing is conducted by race TAB. At every turn, this Government is clubs throughout Queensland, and these seeking to milk every cent possible out of the clubs are made up of thousands of racing industry, even if it means that people Queenslanders who pay to join the clubs go without work. It is typical of the bureaucratic because they enjoy the sport and want to do attitude to racing. their bit to support it. But then along came the Mr Veivers: They can’t even have a Minister, who basically decided to turn it into a quorum in this Chamber. State enterprise so that he could suck even Mr SANTORO: I take that interjection. In more money out of it via the TAB. fact, the employment situation in the racing The Minister set up the Queensland industry is getting worse. Because of reduction Principal Club, which acts as the controlling in Saturday meetings, there is a major body of racing. The Principal Club sees some reduction in the number of jockeys and of its role as being to decide which clubs can apprentices required to service meetings. A conduct race meetings at particular times. This typical number of riders required to service a is unwarranted and unnecessary interference meeting is 25 to 30—especially with up to 20 and is evidence of the fact that this starters in one race. Hence, if the Saturday Government simply does not understand that races for Caloundra, the Gold Coast and, for racing clubs are private businesses and that example, Kilcoy, Esk or Beaudesert are lost, 6 October 1993 4772 Legislative Assembly there are about 90 riders who are not required unemployment in the industry, the industry in at those three Saturday meetings. The pool of general and employment in it in particular will riders which will service the Saturday city remain in the doldrums. Increasing prize meeting are equally free to service Gold money is an obvious way of helping the Coast, Caloundra, Kilcoy, etc., when these industry. But this only rewards the successful meetings are held Monday to Friday. A lot of horses—and the good ones will be successful, riders are already part time, and this trend will anyway. The aim must be to attract owners force them out of the industry along with those and convert the marginally successful into who depend on the Saturday meetings successful by spreading the available money outside the city to survive. over more horses. Then a greater number of The same applies to stable hands, as the people will benefit, and employment in the reduction in Saturday meetings means that industry will rise. the same pool of stable hands who can Another complaint of the racing fraternity service the Saturday city meetings will be is the Government’s lack of will to provide a available to service the provincial and country safe walkway for horses stabled around meetings which have been pushed away from Doomben and Eagle Farm. I know that I have Saturday and into the midweek circuit. The raised this matter before in this place, but I local community is also detrimentally affected, raise it again tonight. Trainers are in fear for because there are very few people who can their lives—and those of their horses—while afford to take time off work to go to midweek the Government dithers on this important meetings, so the staff employed by a club for project. The best solution is one that has a midweek meeting would be smaller than already been suggested by the Racehorse that required for a Saturday meeting, for Trainers Association, that is, a walkway linking example, in the catering division. This the Doomben stables with the Doomben particularly affects the smaller trainers and racecourse via a new pathway around the side owners and the jockeys and stable hands who of the Gateway Arterial Road and then by work for them. If, for example, Caloundra traffic lights to Eagle Farm. This vast loses 10 Saturday meetings per annum, that improvement could be achieved quite means that $260,000 less prize money can cheaply, as all it involves is building a walkway be distributed amongst, in many cases, the over a stormwater drain between the arterial so-called battlers. It is well recognised in the road and the racecourse fence and a new industry that it is easier to win a Saturday crossing in Nudgee Road. The money could Caloundra race than a midweek Caloundra easily be provided from TAB revenue, which is race of the same class, because on the latter increasing as result of a greater demand upon occasion there are no other race meetings it from the industry—but the Government is competing for horses that day. still doing nothing. The solution to these problems is to take Perhaps the Minister may consider an overall view of what is best for the entire alternatives being put forward by prominent industry rather than just for the Government. It racing personalities in the south, including has been put to me that this involves reducing Melbourne Cup king, Bart Cummings, who are the rate of tax on the industry and spreading advocating the construction of tunnels to the available money around over a wider replace this type of dangerous situation. There range of horses, owners, trainers and jockeys. is also an urgent need for tunnels to give This necessitates, firstly, a major increase in horses and riders access to the training track the rebates. It has been put to me that to reduce serious risks. These tunnels would anyone starting a horse in a TAB meeting take horses under the actual racing and should have all his costs of starting—up to training tracks instead of the present injury- $200—rebated because he is supplying the promoting, ground-level crossings. Clubs are entertainment which generates the gambling to be complimented for their supervision of dollar, the major beneficiary of which is the that hazardous situation, but finances do not Government and the minor beneficiary of allow them to be involved in that major which is the industry. Perhaps the Minister construction exercise. Again, I ask: why does may wish to comment on this suggestion that the Government not plough some of the has been made to him on many occasions by millions that it receives from the racing the industry. industry’s betting taxes into a horse and rider The high costs of owning, having trained lifesaving project such as track tunnels? I and starting racehorses remain the major acknowledge that the Minister has written to hurdle to attracting owners into the industry. me in relation to this issue. Perhaps the most Until the Government addresses this problem, hopeful sign is the paragraph in his letter that which is recognised as the root of says— Legislative Assembly 4773 6 October 1993

“Despite this setback, I have tonight via those two major roads. It is not just instructed officers of my department to the overall tourism prestige of the State that continue to work towards a solution to this would be uplifted by the beautification of problem.” those roads. I am sure that all members would I hope that that particular instruction is being agree that it is badly needed. The prestige of taken on in earnest. Approximately a dozen the racing industry within this State would horses have been killed in accidents on particularly be enhanced if departments from Nudgee Road in the past 10 years, but still all levels of Government took my suggestion nothing has been done. With respect, it is seriously. I have already begun consulting simply not good enough. various authorities and will continue to do so in the hope that people will take that suggestion Of course, it is not just the State seriously, because action in this regard is Government which regards the racing industry needed. I shall continue to pursue that issue. as a cash cow. So, too, does the Brisbane City Council under Lord Mayor Soorley, the Time expired. well-known animal lover. Members in this Mr BREDHAUER (Cook) (8.09 p.m.): It place may be interested to know that the gives me pleasure to participate in this debate registration fee payable to the council to allow on the Estimates of the Minister for Tourism, horses to be kept in stables has risen by 160 Sport and Racing. One sector of this Minister’s per cent since the Soorley administration was portfolio in which the Government is elected. I am told that no council services are consistently reviewing and updating its provided for this fee, which is computed on operations is in the Division of Youth. the full capacity of the stables. Unfortunately, Coordination is the key to delivery of service to most stables operate at less than half of their Queensland’s 635 000 people aged between capacity. I am told that the city council has 12 and 25. made no effort to consult with the racing The Youth Bureau will continue to define industry on a more rational approach. The its role as the Government’s lead agency in attitude of Government to the industry leaves these matters. The development of a a great deal to be desired, and seems to coordinated strategy will enable the reflect the ALP’s old prejudices against racing. Government to identify duplication and gaps One of the bright lights in this fairly dismal in Government services. To this end, picture—and one which relates to my shadow $300,000 has been allocated to facilitate ministerial responsibilities—is the training of better coordination of youth affairs. Of equal apprentices within the industry. In particular, I importance is involving young people in the pay tribute to the work of the Queensland Turf decision-making process, and to that end, Club’s Apprentice School. That school, which $150,000 will be spent this year on a series of was the first of its kind in the world, provided Statewide advisory forums. Those forums give the model for similar schools in all major racing several hundred young Queenslanders of all centres. It was established in 1939, and has backgrounds a direct voice to Government. provided over half a century of training to “Young People Making Healthy Decisions” is hundreds and hundreds of young jockeys. It the focus for this year’s Youth Week has been my pleasure to attend the last two celebrations, which will be launched in annual presentations of trophies to Townsville on Saturday. Funding of $100,000 apprentices, and I have always been has been made to groups around the State to impressed by the quality of the young people stage projects that will reflect this theme. involved. I suggest that racing must be left in The Government has introduced the the hands of people such as the QTC, the flexibility to ensure community facilities can be young people who are coming through the funded through the Queensland Facilities system and those in other clubs, owners and Development Scheme, allowing youth groups trainers, and those who have made racing to access poker machine revenue. We will such a successful industry over many years. continue to work closely with the non- I would like to take up one other point, Government sector, and fund peak bodies that is, the beautification of Nudgee Road and such as the Youth Affairs Network of Kingsford Smith Drive. I have written to the Queensland and the Youth Advocacy Centre. Minister about this, and he has disclaimed any That funding will come from the $1.6m to be responsibility for that situation. However, I distributed in youth grants across Queensland. strongly recommend to him that there are The Youth Sector Training Council will also many people from all over Queensland and continue to receive support from this other parts of Australia who travel to those Government so that the professionalism and major tracks which I have been talking about 6 October 1993 4774 Legislative Assembly standard of youth workers is maintained and discuss which were raised with us by the enhanced. Minister for Education in relation to a I now turn to sport and recreation, in contribution that his department will make. He which Queenslanders have been the has some concerns and reservations about recipients of funding increases unlike anything the size of the project that Mossman is seen before in Australia. Queensland now embarking upon. He believes that it is a little leads the nation in sport funding. The results ambitious, but if it were prepared to lower its can be seen in recent showings by elite horizons a little, with the contribution from the athletes. In fact, if one excludes Western Minister for Tourism, Sport and Racing and Australia, Queensland’s budget for sport also the Minister for Education, I am sure that development exceeds that of all other States we can have a first-class indoor sporting facility combined. “Sport for all” is this Government’s in Mossman, and one which will prove to be philosophy, and its funding levels this year an ideal pilot program. reflect its commitment to give people at all The Queensland Academy of Sport will ages and levels of ability the chance to reach use its record $2.1m allocation to capitalise on their potential. This will be accomplished with a Sydney’s Olympic Games success by sports budget more than four times that of expanding talent identification across the when this Government came to power. State. The Academy of Sport will expand and An amount of $12m will be spent add two more sports to the 11 already throughout Queensland on the Facilities included in its squad program. The 200 Development Scheme alone. Sporting athletes whom the academy assists at present organisations will receive $11m, with a further this year will have access to a new, elite $338,323 allocated to the successful Aussie weight-training centre to be opened in the Sport Program. We will continue to fund QAS’s South Brisbane headquarters. This groups which, traditionally, have been financial year also will mark the start of the disadvantaged in relation to sports funding academy’s decentralisation and such as women, people with disabilities, regionalisation program. The QAS will Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, and establish accreditation for a sports science people in remote communities. Next month, centre to be based in Townsville. four sport and recreation development officers The Albion Park complex is another area will take up positions in Cairns, Townsville, of this Minister’s responsibility. Albion Park is Mount Isa and Ipswich to target specifically an underutilised, centrally located complex in Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders. I which taxpayers have an investment of particularly commend this initiative, because I between $15m and $20m. The Government is am aware of the some of the concerns that committed to ensuring that the community have been raised in those provincial cities with derives the maximum possible benefit from young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander the complexes that it has built. Plans are well people, particularly in areas that were under way for Albion Park to be the base for developed, probably inappropriately, by the the State Government’s first sports house. Housing Commission in previous times. Sport This operation, where smaller sporting and recreation is an obvious way of helping organisations without the resources to fund a these young people to overcome some of stand-alone office come together under one their difficulties. roof, is another long overdue measure that The Government will continue the this Government has piloted. This is yet construction of pilot school community another measure that the Government plans programs. I am also very pleased that these to extend outside south-east Queensland to pilot school community programs are being ensure that all Queenslanders have access to funded. They are at Marsden, Redbank sporting facilities. Plains, Currumbin and also, very importantly As a member who comes from one of the for me, in Mossman in my electorate. The most remote parts of Queensland, I am Minister has committed the Government to an particularly appreciative of the fact that this amount of $300,000 to assist with the Minister has gone to great lengths to ensure construction of the Mossman facility. I am a that people in rural, provincial and remote member of the indoor sports facility steering areas are not deprived of the benefits of the committee, and it is up and running with the new schemes and the additional funding that idea. In fact, its next meeting will be held next has been made available by this Minister and Monday evening. Because I will be in by this Government over the last four years Brisbane for Parliament, I will be participating and that, in fact, the programs are operating in a teleconference with members of that on a Statewide basis. committee. We have a number of issues to Legislative Assembly 4775 6 October 1993

I turn now to tourism which, undoubtedly, have taken in his electorate. It is another is one of the most effective industries in project that has a lot of potential. It is Queensland in creating employment. I think beginning to show benefits for Aboriginal that this Government and this Minister have tourism. I also mention Native Guide Safaris, played an important role of stewardship over which is operated by Hazel Douglas from the development of the tourist industry in the Mossman. She is a very self-motivated person last four years. In my electorate, particularly in who has established her own business, and is the area of Port Douglas, I know that the fast establishing a very strong reputation people who are associated with tourism are within the tourism industry in the area for very self-motivated, get up and go type providing a unique look at the area around people, but they do require the significant Mossman Gorge and north through the support and assistance that this Government Daintree area to Cape Tribulation. has been able to provide. I appreciate, and I While I am talking about the Cape can assure the Minister that the operators in Tribulation area and environmental tourism, or my electorate appreciate, the professionalism ecotourism, I refer to some comments that which this Minister and this Government have appeared in the Cairns Post criticising the brought to bear in helping to promote and Government for its supposed inaction in market the tourist industry. relation to the Daintree region. I must say to In tourism, the Government is focusing members that I am rather galled at the on what are called new tourist areas, such as assertions that have been made in that article. indigenous and cultural tourism, outback The Daintree area is a very important asset for tourism and ecotourism, all of which are the tourism potential of far-north important initiatives in the Cook electorate. Queensland—in fact, for all of Queensland. It The area of Aboriginal and Torres Strait is estimated to generate approximately $75m Islander tourism and cultural tourism generally in terms of its contribution to the economy of is one that Aboriginal communities in the Cook far-north Queensland, which is a major electorate are taking up. It is giving them the revenue earner, and it is visited by in excess prospect of establishing a commercial basis of 250 000 people annually, which is more for economic independence for their than the number of people who visit Kakadu communities and to provide employment for or Uluru annually. people in their communities. Now, there are numerous problems that A number of such tourist areas are are generated by that level of tourism situated throughout far-north Queensland and visitation in an area where one has an they are proving to be extremely successful. I incredibly sensitive environment. I happen to mention, of course, the well known dance know that over the four years of this theatre, Tjapukai from Kuranda, which is in the Government a range of Ministers, including electorate of the member for Barron River. It is this Tourism Minister, two Environment an organisation of world renown. It is doing a Ministers, the Premier himself, the previous marvellous job in promoting Aboriginal and member for Barron River, in whose electorate cultural tourism. I also mention, very the area fell, and myself have concentrated a importantly, the Pajinka Wilderness Lodge, vast amount of effort and resources into trying which was purchased recently by the Injinoo to help the Douglas Shire Council, the Wet Aboriginal community in conjunction with Tropics Management Authority and others ATSIC and the Federal Government. Having manage the issues that have arisen in that had the opportunity to enjoy the hospitality of area. the Pajinka Wilderness Lodge on a number of There are numerous problems that have occasions this year, I can inform members been caused in part by some of the land that the Injinoo community is operating a first- management practices of the previous class facility. All of the people that I have Government, and one of the contributing spoken to who have experienced that factors was the road that was built through hospitality have commented on how from Cape Tribulation to Bloomfield. That has professionally the Injinoo community is contributed to a number of the problems overseeing the running of that facility. Many there, but it is simply not true to suggest, as people enjoy their time there, and look forward this article in the Cairns Post has, that the to going back. State Government has thrown its hands in the The Edward River crocodile farm began air. We contributed $4m out of a $6m initially in my electorate. It now has expanded package to seal the road between the ferry to another farm which is located in the and Cape Tribulation, which was at the electorate of the member for Mulgrave. I know request of the Douglas Shire Council. We that he has supported the initiatives that they went to significant lengths to meet the 6 October 1993 4776 Legislative Assembly demands of the Douglas Shire Council in Mr LINGARD (Beaudesert—Deputy relation to that. Leader of the Opposition) (8.25 p.m.): First of There has been criticism of us that we do all, I refer to the Minister’s comments not have a comprehensive strategy to deal regarding the previous Government’s attitudes with planning issues in the area. That is not to the Wet Tropics. The Minister, something that can be unilaterally decided by unfortunately, has not quoted the facts the State Government. We are awaiting the surrounding the 1988 listing of the Wet finalisation of the Douglas Shire Council’s Tropics of north Queensland on the World development control plan. We are awaiting Heritage Register. The Queensland the finalisation of the Wet Tropics Government did not oppose World Heritage Management Authority management plans for listing of the Wet Tropics. What we opposed the area. was the listing of an area of north Queensland larger than the country of Lebanon. What the $6.3m this year has been committed in Queensland Government at that time wanted this year’s Budget towards the operation of was the listing of core areas which amounted the Wet Tropics Management Authority and to some two-thirds of the area finally listed, we are out there dealing with problems as and an additional 22 per cent to be set aside they arise. It is incorrect for people to think as scientific reserves. In other words, we were that the State Government on its own can only opposed to 12 per cent of what was develop a comprehensive strategy which will finally listed. deal with the issues in the area. We will do it in consultation with the Douglas Shire Council, in The reason we required that 12 per cent cooperation with the Douglas Shire Council, was to ensure that the town of Ravenshoe the Wet Tropics Management Authority and a was not reduced to living on social security range of other people, including those in the and to ensure that the best managed tropical tourism industry and, of course, the people rainforest in the world was retained and the who live there and who have a very direct expertise required to manage that rainforest stake in the future of the area. on a sustainable basis was not lost to both ourselves and the rest of the world. I have spent a lot of time talking to those Unfortunately, the Government has now people attempting to convey their concerns— ensured that the expertise of the Queensland the areas where they support Government Forest Service has been lost to that area. initiatives, the areas where they have concerns with Government initiatives—and I In discussing the Budget Estimates for just despair, to be quite honest, when articles the Department of Tourism, Sport and Racing, in the Cairns Post suggest that the I would firstly like to raise with the Minister the Government has not taken sufficient action in question of how his departmental budget is relation to that or that we have thrown our presented in the Budget papers, given that his hands in the air. When we have those department only occupies some half dozen management instruments in place, then we pages in a 400-page document. I would ask can look at the State Government’s response why all these pages cannot be run together to to those issues. We can look at developing a make it that much easier for comparison comprehensive strategy in response to the purposes. The Budget papers for the Tourism professional work that is provided to us by the Program for the last two years have given planners from the Douglas Shire and the nothing more than a line item on where the planners from the Wet Tropics Management money was coming from and a line item Agency, and we can get on with the job of stating what the QTTC was going to spend. resourcing it, but to suggest that we can deal There was no breakdown on salaries, no with it in some abstract way, as the Cairns breakdown on administrative costs or capital Post seems to have done on this occasion, is outlay on plant and equipment. The number just a nonsense. of employees was not even mentioned. This seems ridiculous for an outlay of $24m. As the In conclusion, I want to say how much I Budget papers provide a full breakdown of the appreciate the efforts of this Minister in Racing Program and the corporate services relation to tourism, sport and racing, members area of the Minister’s department, I see no of his staff and members of his department. In reason why in the Program Statements there any dealings that I have had with them, they should not be a full breakdown of the QTTC. have been nothing but professional and most helpful. I would like to commend the Minister, I see that this year, according to the his staff and his department for that and Minister’s budget, the QTTC has six full-time support the Estimates before the Committee. employees who between them are responsible for a budget of $29m and who earn on average $60,000 per year. Six Legislative Assembly 4777 6 October 1993 employees must be incorrect, so I ask the Mr Brian Clarke; and an excellent secretary in Minister for the exact number of people Mrs Kerry Musk. The Beaudesert Race Club employed. If this Parliament is to have a has been in existence for nearly 100 years, proper tourism debate, then we should have a and certainly in the last six months this club proper budget with full details of the QTTC has been able to restore confidence and gain included in the Tourism Program so that we acceptance from the Queensland Principal can examine fully all the bodies that fall within Club and other Queensland race clubs. That the Minister’s portfolio. great step forward was caused by Taubmans, I turn now to the Corporate Services which recently agreed to paint the complete Program within the Minister’s portfolio and sporting complex. Together with support and note that the number of staff employed is manpower, the club was able to paint those expected to remain constant this year, with a facilities. We thank not only Taubmans but 10 per cent reduction in the salaries and also the whole committee, club members, wages bill. The unfortunate thing with the owners, trainers and members of the public. corporate services budget is that very little I thank the Minister for attending the details are provided on its program funding centenary race meeting last week. The week sources. I assume they all come from State before that, we had 146 nominations. At the sources out of the Consolidated Fund. centenary meeting that the Minister attended The corporate services area of the at Beaudesert, 176 horses were nominated. Minister’s department has, of course, grown The number of horses competing on Sunday by some 50 per cent in the 12 months prior to jump-outs has also increased. Recently, 24 last year’s Budget. Although the growth rate horses used the facility on a Sunday morning appears to have levelled off, I note that many in an endeavour to obtain better certificates to of the activities in the area appear to be race. The club at Beaudesert has the facilities drawing to a close in that a computerised of Mount Tamborine and the areas behind grant system has been finalised. A marketing Beaudesert. A massive population increase is plan for the department has been completed coming to Beaudesert. In the next eight or and numerous systems computerised. nine years, 600 000 people will move into that Hopefully with these developments, and I area. That will mean a complete urban imagine improved efficiency, there certainly development north of Beaudesert. South of would not be any further need for growth in Beaudesert are magnificent facilities for this area and we can look forward to a gradual people who wish to be involved in the horse reduction due to natural attrition. breeding industry, the training industry and the spelling industry. I would like to congratulate the people responsible for the Racing Program within the Beaudesert is one of the few tracks in Minister’s department for at least providing a south-east Queensland that allow extensive budget which gives full details of all outlays use of their training facilities. More than and of funding sources. I do note that $20,000 has been spent on upgrading the assistance for racing clubs and organisations surface of the two tracks at Beaudesert. On for 1992-93 was anticipated to be nearly the training track, new crusher dust has been $10m, but it turned out to be $4m. I would ask spread and a new rail installed. On the main the Minister to explain why he spent less than track, 123 tonnes of cow manure has been half of what was anticipated in this area and spread; it has been section seeded and, with why this financial year the assistance levels will the help of a new travelling irrigator, it has rise from $4m to $13m. taken on a new look. I thank our main sponsors for the centenary day—Schweppes I wish to refer to the Beaudesert Race and CUB. Thanks must go also to the many Club, and let me say this before I start: I know other sponsors who contributed to make the that the Minister has given me and the day such a success. Beaudesert Race Club an indication that it looks as though the Beaudesert Race Club Work has now begun on updating the may receive a grant with this year’s sports club’s constitution. The committee is looking at grants. If the grant is successful, I certainly will ways of making membership of the not be referring to the Beaudesert Race Club Beaudesert Race Club a more productive and saying, “Well, I said something in proposition. The club has new facilities and a Parliament.” Let me say this to reinforce what new grandstand. When those sporting grants the Beaudesert Race Club has been doing are made, I hope that the Minister might recently. In the last six months, the club has support a new track or an extension of the elected a new president, Mr Ted Dwyer; a racing track. I say to the Minister that, over the vice-president, Mr Ross Uhlmann; a Treasurer, past six months, the Beaudesert Race Club has expanded to the stage at which I could 6 October 1993 4778 Legislative Assembly guarantee that, if a grant were given to it, the the Sunday newspapers. In no way was that club would be completely responsible. comment made in an aggressive, nasty Finally, I want to refer the Minister to the manner. That same evening, I shared a table new Community Sports Development Program with him and the honourable member for application forms, or distribution registers. I am Southport. I think that the Leader of the amazed at the new form. All of our secretaries Opposition was at the same table, along with are now forced to fill in the unbelievable other dignitaries and the State manager of bureaucratic form and return it to the Sports Rothmans. My opinion was that we all Development Units before they can have any seemed to have a fairly good, social evening. other forms. Under the old program, when There was no bagging of people politically or people asked us about those grants, we were in any other way. I reject completely what he able quickly to give them one of the purple said. booklets and the application form. The honourable member then said, “I It is now a lot more difficult for us as don’t mind him abusing me here, in the members, and anyone else, to give out those lobbies, over the phone or in writing.” In the 16 sporting grants. I ask the Minister why the years that I have been in this place, at no time distribution register, which now must be have I ever abused any member in the handled by all of the local bodies, must be lobbies, over the phone or in writing. I will not such a bureaucratic nightmare so that even say that I have not touched up a few people our secretaries must post in all of the names in the party room from time to time. However, of people who have recently obtained the that is expected. I reject completely the quite forms before they can get any further forms. It outrageous comments unfortunately made by would seem that it is a bureaucratic nightmare Mr Beanland. I can only put it down to the fact which is not necessary, especially when it is that he is obviously under extreme pressure compared with the previous system. because of the leadership tussle that is taking place in the Liberal Party. If one combines Hon. R. J. GIBBS (Bundamba— Minister that with some of the people in the racing for Tourism, Sport and Racing) (8.33 p.m.), in industry who do not have much of a talent for reply: I thank all members on both sides of the telling the truth themselves and with whom he Chamber for their contributions this evening. spends a lot of time these days, it seems that Most of them have made a genuine attempt some of it is starting to rub off. to be constructive. Naturally enough in this place, one always expects that, during the The member for Southport quoted Mr debate, some members will want to score Terry Butts from the Townsville Bulletin. Mr some cheap points. Probably the cheapest Butts is a million miles off the mark. The facts point that I have heard a member try to score are that PubTAB has about 60 per cent to 70 in this place for a long, long time came today, per cent new money. I will repeat that—it is unfortunately, from our friend from new money. In other words, that money is Indooroopilly. coming from people who never, ever went to the racetrack before and had no intention of I state categorically that his opening going to the racetrack. They use PubTAB remarks were, quite frankly, an outrageous lie. because they like the ambience of the pub. I challenge him to repeat them elsewhere. He Many people believe that the facilities that are made the point that he and I were guests at provided there are more convenient. Women the presentation of the Rothmans Medal for particularly like going there rather than going Rugby Union, which is very true. He went on to to the track. That service was never available say, “In the hearing and view of sporting and in the past. business leaders, the Minister proceeded to abuse me in a totally irrational, raving way.” If Revenue from PubTAB eventually finds there is one thing of which I am very its way back into the racing industry. Members conscious, it is my behaviour publicly as a of the Opposition always like to raise the so- Minister of the Crown. I do not think that any called division within the racing industry. They member of this Parliament could accuse me talk about the Government using it as a of irrationally abusing him or her in a public milking cow. Since we have been in place. Government, nothing has changed in terms of taxation methods or anything else. It is the On the evening when that event exact same system of revenue collection as it supposedly occurred, I walked up to the was under the previous Government. honourable member and made a point of saying to him, “I have got one for you in the What is vastly different is that we are House next week.” In other words, that was in putting record amounts of money back into response to a comment that he had made in the racing industry by way of prize money Legislative Assembly 4779 6 October 1993 through the Queensland Racing Incentive Indeed, over the years National Party Scheme and by additional moneys through Ministers for Primary Industries were always the incentive scheme that we have introduced receptive to approaches from industry. Over at the TAB, which will see approximately the past few years, that was brought home to $1.3m added in prize money this financial me very clearly when I spoke with industry year at Eagle Farm, approximately $1.1m about the changes that the Minister proposes added in prize money at Doomben, close to through this legislation. I mention that matter $400,000 or half a million dollars to the Gold now because the meat industry’s leaders are Coast Turf Club, and additional incentives—— wondering why the Minister insists on patting An honourable member interjected. himself on the back in front of any audience that he can muster. He should be aware that Mr GIBBS: It is a bit more—it is people know that what he started out looking significantly more. The member for for was simply change for the sake of change. Beaudesert raised two matters. Firstly, my The Minister’s attitude was that if it existed remark about Beaudesert was not made before 1989, it had to be changed. Everyone flippantly. The commitment is that a grant of is well aware that the Minister is going through $200,000 will be made to the Beaudesert every bit of primary industries legislation and Race Club from the Racing Development changing it. In this case, what he got—thank Fund. It is not a sports grant. It is not heavens—was real improvements which will associated with sport. It will come from the benefit the industry overall. Those Racing Development Fund. That will be done improvements have made it into this to allow that club to lengthen the straight, legislation because the industry stuck to its sweep it out further at the back and fill in that guns. hollow where the dip is. As the honourable member rightly said, the club has lifted its act. It is also well known that the Minister dug It has got itself together. Its offcourse turnover in his heels on a few provisions which mar on the days when it races is excellent. It otherwise good legislation. The Opposition will makes a major contribution to the racing support the broad thrust of the legislation, but industry. The commitment is there. we are well aware that a great deal has been left to regulation. Those regulations will be vital I turn to the final point made by the to the effectiveness of the new Act. We put honourable member. I am not aware of the the Minister and the Government on notice system that he talked about, with forms being that we will scrutinise very carefully everything sent, members’ officers being required to that he brings to the House in that regard. advise who the forms have gone to, and members being unable to get any more The legislation brings major changes to forms. If what he said is correct, he is right. the statutory institutional arrangements Obviously, some bureaucrat within my applying to the meat industry. I believe in department has gone stark raving bonkers. If giving credit where it is due. As I have said, the honourable member takes it up with me most of the changes are welcome. We think tomorrow, I will have the matter checked that they will give the industry a firm base for properly. If it is a problem, I can assure the the future. A coalition Government would have honourable member that it will be rectified responded in much the same ways to pretty quickly. I thank all honourable members requests by the industry. for their contributions. The meat industry is Queensland’s Progress reported. largest rural industry and it has tremendous value-adding potential. The meat industry includes products such as beef, sheep meats, MEAT INDUSTRY BILL pork, and chicken meats, and it shortly will Second Reading include game meats. Honourable members are well aware of the value-adding potential of Debate resumed from 16 September the industry in areas such as butchering and (see p. 4439). packaging, but there are many others, both Mr PERRETT (Barambah) (8.41 p.m.): direct and indirect. Separate industry sectors The Meat Industry Bill repeals the Meat are built around hide treatment at various Industry Act of 1965. At the outset, I want to tanneries and the stock feed mills supplying make it clear that the old Act has served the feed to the intensive livestock industries. The industry well over many years. That is not to intensive livestock industry is a huge and very say that there is no need for change. Sensible important customer of our grain industry, changes to meet the needs of an important particularly in these times of depressed prices industry have always had the support of the as the Australian grain industry suffers from Opposition, and they will continue to do so. the actions of corrupt world markets. 6 October 1993 4780 Legislative Assembly

Employment is created for thousands of Corporation and the Meat Industry Tribunal. I people in veterinary health, the transport plan to look at aspects of each of those industry, saleyard workers and many others. bodies in turn. At the outset, I want to say that What is good for the meat industry is we are pleased to see the abattoir side of the good for the State of Queensland. The meat industry placed under a separate corporation. industry is highly decentralised, providing That separation is part of our own policy and many thousands of jobs from Cape York to would have been implemented by now under the border. Really, it is the only truly a coalition Government. decentralised industry from the point of view of I turn now to the Queensland Livestock production, processing or retailing. We must and Meat Industry Policy Council. I want to not forget to mention the huge export dollars make it clear that the Opposition has no that the industry earns for the State of objection to the notion of a policy council. It Queensland. provides an opportunity for industry views to In my electorate, there are major be presented to the Minister in a structured abattoirs at Murgon and Kilcoy and a smaller way and, as such, deserves support. The one at Kingaroy. I pay tribute to the abattoirs industry as a whole is very much opposed to at Murgon and Kilcoy. The Murgon abattoir is the concept of a ministerial advisory body managed by David Woolrych. The Kilcoy chaired by the Minister himself. But we know abattoir is owned by the Kennedy family and that the Minister has adopted that approach managed by Mr Ian Kennedy. I believe that with other industries. Some industries are they are two of the more progressive happy with that, but some members of the meatworks in this nation. They have met the meat industry and leaders of the meat needs of industry. They have spent money industry have said to me privately that they and expanded when the need has arisen. have reservations about it. Everyone would be They are two model meatworks. The smaller far happier if the policy council was abattoir in Kingaroy, the Kingaroy bacon independent of the Minister, but he has dug in factory—known as Swickers—employs about his heels on that, as he has with policy bodies 100 people. It concentrates predominantly on in other industries. The Minister should be pig meats and smallgoods, but it is a major aware that industry is unhappy about that service works for the South Burnett region and arrangement. It will be changed under the also provides various cuts for the domestic next coalition Government. market in Queensland and interstate. It is pleasing to see that the Minister has The current fairly healthy state of the finally relented on the composition of the industry is a credit to all those people who council. When he introduced the Bill to the have made the existing arrangements work House, he listed the organisations that he said well over the years. I know that they have the would be represented. I can assure the gratitude of the industry. However, it is time for Minister that the industry will insist that he a change to take the industry into the next keeps his word on that. It would be crazy to century. The legislation before us provides for exclude significant producer, processing and four new statutory bodies to carry out the marketing bodies that have so much expertise functions previously vested in one body—the to offer. Livestock and Meat Authority, as we know it. It Mr Casey: Why would I break my word? I is fitting that we pay tribute to some of the haven’t done it on all the other industry people who have been involved with that councils. authority in the past. Two names that readily Mr Campbell: He’s an honourable man. come to mind are Bill Meynick and Bruce Campbell. At present, the authority is under Mr PERRETT: I sincerely hope that he is the guiding hand of Jennifer Wythes. Jennifer an honourable man. I have no reason to has established new ground in being the first doubt that. However, I am putting him on female chief of the Livestock and Meat notice that we hope that he does not break Authority. She has carried out her task his word. It would be crazy to exclude exceptionally well and has looked after the significant producer processing and marketing interests of the industry. bodies which have so much expertise to offer. For the sake of the industry, we hope that We are all disappointed that the Minister the changes will not impose unreasonable has again succumbed to pressure and cost burdens. The new bodies are the included a militant union in the top policy Queensland Livestock and Meat Industry making structure. The AMIEU has never been Policy Council, the Queensland Livestock and a force of stability or harmony in the meat Meat Authority, the Queensland Abattoir industry. I can see nothing to recommend its inclusion here. It is even more disappointing Legislative Assembly 4781 6 October 1993 that the union has an influence right through different tastes. This initiative is certainly this legislation. Unfortunately, the Minister has moving with the time and I support the again ignored consumer representation. Minister in that initiative. Mr Casey: I would hope they are all I believe that there is a small but consumers. significant market for all those meats, and it is Mr PERRETT: I would hope that the right that their processing and sale should be Minister is a consumer, just as I am. It is time covered by regulation and that they be quality that the Minister remembered that consumers assured. We know that there will be a certain are important stakeholders in the meat time lapse before kangaroos that are field industry as in all other food industries. Without shot enter the processing works. Towards the consumers, we do not really have an industry. end of last year, I had the opportunity to The consumers are an integral part of any inspect a processing works at Morven which food production area. It is time that the had been built to meet the new standards that Minister remembered that. It is very will be required. I was most impressed by that disappointing that he excluded consumer processing works. One thing that we must representation at the expense of one of his ensure is that meat from field-shot animals mates in the unions. That is another problem does maintain health standards and is not put which will be rectified by the coalition in the same freezers as other meat types. Government. We will give credence to Mr Casey: They will have to follow that consumers in this very important legislation as same quality assurance program in every way. it comes before the House from time to time. Mr PERRETT: It is to the Minister’s credit This legislation makes no provision for that he has ensured that that is so. I know resourcing the Livestock and Meat Industry that the industry organisations are prepared to Policy Council. Given the range of duties laid accept the sale of game meat under those down for it, the council will need a good deal circumstances. of assistance, particularly in the area of policy Quality assurance in the meat industry will research. That expertise does not come be maintained by the authority through an cheaply. I hope that the Minister does not accreditation system for abattoirs, plan to force industry to meet the costs of an slaughterhouses and butcher shops. In his advisory body answering to and headed by reply, the Minister might comment on mutual himself. There would be no equity in that. The recognition legislation which is in place in this opposition believes that all costs of the policy State and in some other States. He might council should be met by the Minister’s own inform the House whether that will affect or department. The legislation seems to give the undermine the quality assurance program that policy council a watchdog role over the is going to be put into place. authority. We do not believe that is an appropriate role for the policy council. If The Minister has made a lot of noise appropriate people are appointed to the about quality assurance, to the extent that authority and it has to furnish annual reports one would believe he invented it. Just to lay and comply with public finance standards, that that one to rest, I point out that the program should be the end of the story. was introduced under a National Party Government, with the first fully accredited The most important of the meat industry slaughter facility being Gannons at Tolga on bodies is the Livestock and Meat Authority. It the Atherton Tableland. I believe that my will have the full responsibility for maintaining colleague the member for Tablelands, Mr the wholesomeness and integrity of meat. It Gilmore, actually presented the certificate. It might be as well at this point to look at the was accredited in August 1989. Quality definition of meat which will come under the assurance in the meat industry has always scrutiny of this legislation. It is defined as food been a National Party initiative. that is the whole or a part of a killed animal. Traditionally we have thought of meat as the Queensland’s Q-safe program of quality product of chickens, goats, pigs, cattle and assurance has now been extended to a large sheep. But of course these days our diet has number of meatworks such as those at widened to include meat from kangaroos, Charters Towers, Stanthorpe, Roma, Emerald deer, buffalo, crocodile, camel, emu, ostrich and Innisfail. Q-safe accreditation is a and other animals. I have heard the Minister painstaking process but, when it is achieved, it refer to it as yuppy tucker, which probably is quality assurance by the operator rather sums it up fairly well. These days, we have than quality control by the Government. It is many Asians and ethnic people within our well worth having as an alternative to the community who have different cultures and expense of full-time meat inspection. It also offers real cost benefits to industry, and 6 October 1993 4782 Legislative Assembly ultimately to the consumer as well as our provides for representation for the producers export industry. of cattle and sheep. It also provides for Integrity of product is essential. We are all representation for the processing, wholesaling, well aware of what occurred some years ago retailing and food technology sectors. That is in the meat substitution scandal when fair enough as far as it goes, but there is still kangaroo meat was substituted for beef and nobody to represent consumers. exported to the United States. It put a cloud I believe that a major flaw in the selection over those very important export markets. It is criteria is that the best people in each of the important that we maintain that integrity of industry sectors are excluded from product to ensure that we do not put any of consideration for seats on the authority. No those important export markets at risk. member of the policy council can be a Recently, I had the privilege of visiting an member of the authority—and perhaps that is abattoir in the city of Chaoyang in the province fair enough—but nor can anyone who holds a of Liaoning in northern China. That was quite prominent or important position in an industry an experience. That establishment’s major kill organisation. I question that. The people who was rabbits, followed by donkeys—which is know the most—the people who have the different to the way that we do things in most expertise—inevitably rise to the top in Australia. their industry groups. Under this legislation, the people who are really switched on in their Mr Casey: They didn’t eat you while you industries are barred from serving on the were there, did they? authority. They are the very people who Mr PERRETT: I got out of it alive, much should be in there running the meat industry. to the Minister’s regret. Let me say that it was This legislation calls for second best, but that an experience and that I would not like to see is simply not good enough. So the Opposition those conditions that were applying in that has some difficulty with that provision. establishment applied to our product here. I find it curious that this legislation lays The legislation allows every facility three down that an appointment of chairman of the years to achieve accreditation or close down. authority must also distinguish whether that In the meantime, the authority should be able person will also be the Chief Executive Officer. to impose special conditions on operators, but I want it on the record that we believe that I can find nothing in the legislation to allow there should be a full-time or part-time that. I am referring particularly to class 3 chairman and a full-time Executive Officer for slaughterhouses. There is a class 3 the Livestock and Meat Authority. Each slaughterhouse at Cloncurry which supplies position separately carries onerous duties to a the lucrative Mount Isa market. That is a vital industry. The holder of each office must matter that we must look at. We are also be in a position to devote his or her energies concerned about class 3 slaughterhouses at to getting the job done. Eumundi and Cooroy that are providing a lot The Opposition is intrigued by the of beef for that ever-increasing Sunshine grounds for removal of members of the Coast market. Perhaps the Minister would authority. They can be sacked for comment on that in his reply. There is a need misbehaviour or incompetence. The trouble is for flexibility during the transition period to that neither is defined. Is misbehaviour ensure that those establishments do not find confined to indictable offences? Does a loophole and not provide wholesome incompetence have anything to do with not product to the consumers. I cannot overstress being able to manage a budget? Is losing the importance of high quality in all the meat track of millions of dollars of public money that we produce in Queensland. The future of incompetence? Do the same dismissal our meat industry depends upon it. provisions apply to Ministers? Do the same The Opposition has some concerns dismissal provisions apply to members of the about the composition of the authority. These Meat Industry Tribunal? I would like the start with the selection process, which is to be Minister to clear this up in his reply. undertaken by a committee appointed by the The Opposition also has some concerns Minister after consultation with the policy about the tribunal. This legislation provides council. Again, there is a jobs-for-the-boys another opportunity for the Minister to appoint clause with a requirement that at least one Labor mates as members of the tribunal to member must represent the union. That hear appeals against decisions of the meat selection committee will work within the authority or its officers. How many Labor guidelines to select various people for lawyers are lined up for the job as chairman? I appointment to the authority. The legislation would also like to know the rationale behind Legislative Assembly 4783 6 October 1993 the provision that two people can hear a Mr PERRETT: I would appreciate an matter and the chairman have a casting vote. answer to that question in the Minister’s reply. On the surface, it appears that there is no He has given me an answer by way of need for the second person if the chairman’s interjection, but he might like to put that on opinion is the only one that matters. the record in his reply. Mr Casey: You want somebody in there Given that the Abattoir Corporation will be as a dictator. a fully commercialised trading entity, it is Mr PERRETT: It looks as if that will be the probably fair enough that it will be able to ask Minister. We are also greatly concerned about for the deletion of commercially sensitive provisions that the authority—and remember material from its annual report. I wonder at the that it will be financed by industry—must meet reasoning behind the requirement for quarterly the costs of the tribunal. Those costs include reports to the Minister. I am not suggesting salaries, fees and allowances, which are not anything sinister, but I find that requirement a set by the authority but by the Governor in little strange. Council. The Opposition congratulates the industry Provisions for appointments to the groups on the hard work that they have put Abattoir Corporation are consistent with those into the drafting of this legislation over a very applying to the authority. The militant meat long period. I know that it has been a long, union gets a real foot in the door with arduous process. I believe that the industry guaranteed membership of the selection groups are reasonably happy with what they committee and the next best thing to a have before them. I know that some very real guaranteed place at the board table. We all concerns are still held by members of the know the record of the AMIEU in disrupting House, particularly with regard to matters that the meat industry. Why on earth would we will be covered by regulations of the new want to put the union in a position to take the Livestock and Meat Authority. I assure fight right to the boardroom table? Looking Government members that the Opposition will after mates is one thing, but we are giving a be scrutinising regulations very carefully and very disruptive force a very powerful weapon. challenging any which unfairly disadvantage any section of the industry. I believe that there is an inconsistency in the legislation with respect to the Some Opposition members are appointments of the chairperson and the concerned about the sale of fresh, pre- Chief Executive of the Abattoir Corporation. packaged meat from corner stores or The chairperson is to be appointed by the convenience stores—and justifiably so. Those Governor in Council, but on whose members will be speaking during this debate nomination? and making their concerns known. The Opposition will support this Bill, but we do Mr Casey: Mine. have concerns about a couple of clauses, Mr PERRETT: I ask the Minister for which we will be opposing. However, I believe guidance on that question in his reply. As to that the general thrust of the Bill is well the Chief Executive—he or she is to be thought out. It should take our great meat appointed by Executive Council on the industries well into the twenty-first century. nomination of the Abattoir Corporation. The Mr PITT (Mulgrave) (9.08 p.m.): I am corporation will be commercial in nature, and pleased to rise tonight to speak to the Meat the Chief Executive will be very much a Industry Bill. I note with pleasure that the working general manager rather than a board Opposition spokesman for Primary Industries member in the normal sense. It would seem has given his general support for the sensible for the appointment to be made by legislation. This is the first comprehensive the board. The Abattoir Corporation’s review of the livestock and meat industry for functions include trading in livestock, meat over three decades. No doubt it is long and meat products. I am concerned that a overdue. The Opposition spokesman said that trading body with statutory protection is in full some of these matters had already begun to competition with private enterprise. I believe be addressed under the previous that we need to keep those competitive Government, but if we look across the range activities under the closest scrutiny. I note that of industries, it was this Government that the corporation may trade in livestock and brought any of those matters to fruition. This meat only with the Minister’s approval. Under Minister has driven that change at a pace that what circumstances will that approval be will move us into the next century, well given, and what safeguards are in place? positioned to take advantage of changed Mr Casey: The policy council will decide. market circumstances. 6 October 1993 4784 Legislative Assembly

Members should consider what has I am not going to speak to all aspects of happened in the grain, sugar and milk the Bill. I am going to concentrate mainly on industries. There was some initial flak from the kangaroo meat industry. I notice that the people who objected to particular aspects of Opposition spokesman was concerned about the legislation, but the general thrust of it has the standards of hygiene that would apply to been accepted by those industries. It is field-killed meat. Under the quality assurance important to note that, with each of those program that this Government has put in pieces of legislation—as with this one—there place, and the accreditation that is required as has been extensive consultation. That is the part of that program, there is a guarantee that key to the success of the legislation as it only the highest standards of hygiene will passes through the House. This legislation will apply. Of course, if we are going to actually bring this industry and those that I have market this product successfully not only on mentioned into line with modern practice. I the domestic market but also to take believe that there is a general realisation in advantage of the ever-increasing world market the primary industry sphere in Australia that that exists for game meat, it is in the best that is absolutely necessary. If we are to meet interests of the industry to make sure that that a corrupt market situation, we must be better is the case. than our competitors. We cannot engage in As well as formalising that accrediting what are basically archaic practices if we are to process for kangaroo meat, this legislation achieve that aim. allows butchers and other retail outlets to sell The legislation replaces the current game meat of this nature. Initially, our first authority with four bodies. These have been European colonists came to Australia and alluded to by the previous speaker. The first is took advantage of the fact that the kangaroo the Queensland Livestock Industry Policy existed on mainland Australia, and they killed Council, which is very similar to the Sugar it as a source of meat and for its hide. As time Industry Council, with which I am more went on, the animal became a pest to many familiar. The primary role of this council is to people because it was competing with be a major forum for the industry to allow the domestic livestock for food. It caused crop industry to develop policy and recommend damage and reduced water reserves. Later policy to Government on overall aspects in on, of course, as modern man advanced, it respect of the livestock and meat industries. actually damaged roads and motor vehicles. The second body is the Livestock and So in many ways, it has been considered a Meat Industry Authority of Queensland itself. It pest by a large number of people. is a new authority replacing the previous body. During the 1950s, when the myxomatosis Its job will be basically administering the program was used to reduce the rabbit regulatory arrangements that will be population, kangaroo meat became desired forthcoming from this legislation. It will provide, by pet food manufacturers and was of course, the ongoing aspects of research, considered to be fit for human consumption. reporting on markets that are available and The industry went into a decline from that time market opportunities, training of personnel because it was overserviced, and and, of course, as I said before, working up inappropriate standards applied. During the policy options. 1970s, many people overseas seemed to run The third body is the Queensland Abattoir the agenda for Australia. They indicated that Corporation. It will be charged with the Australia should not be killing kangaroos. responsibility of managing the public abattoirs There were suggestions that we were wiping in Queensland on a more commercial basis out certain species. Perhaps there was some than exists currently. No-one would suggest degree of credence in their claims because that commercial practice should not apply to not enough research had been carried out, Government enterprises. but as research developed, it became very obvious that the animal species was not in The fourth organisation is the Meat danger of being wiped out. Of course, that Industry Tribunal, which will offer people in the may have been the case in regard to selected industry the opportunity to appeal against species, but again that research highlighted decisions made by the QLMA that they think what could or could not be done with this are incorrect. It is just part of this animal resource. More recently, there has Government’s ongoing commitment to been a change of attitude towards the accountability. I think that the industry as a consumption of kangaroo meat in Australia. whole is quite pleased to see that particular The previous speaker referred to people who body incorporated into this legislation. have come to this country with tastes that may differ from those of many other Australians. Legislative Assembly 4785 6 October 1993

Australians have only just realised that management and to assist in rehabilitation of there is money-making potential in the game degraded lands. Kangaroo populations today meat industry, particularly kangaroo meat, and are unusually high because of such factors as any other exotic foods that we may be able to extensive artificial waters—bores and market. Camel and buffalo meat is now sold in dams—having been added to the landscape. some States, while crocodile has become a Kangaroos have become a big problem and, popular gourmet item, fetching up to $25 a in some areas outnumber the stock that kilo. If kangaroo is marketed as a game meat, graziers are trying to raise. as a specialty, and if all the right precautions An enhancement of the value of are taken in regard to hygiene, the opportunity kangaroo products has the potential to exists to draw a good price for the product. I encourage partial substitution of sheep think that is what we should be aiming for. grazing through direct financial returns to land- Successive generations of immigrants to holders from kangaroo management. This this country have brought their food and would soften the impact of cloven-hoofed eating habits with them. Those habits have domestic stock grazing on this fragile been adopted very quickly, often with great landscape. Such mixed enterprises, enthusiasm, by Australians anxious for new implemented under strict management taste sensations. It is curious, though, that a guidelines to ensure population sustainability, nation which has taken so confidently to the necessitate the development of a community food of other cultures has for so long shied appreciation of the commercially harvested away from eating the most potent symbol of macropod species as a valuable resource Australia, the kangaroo. However, I note that rather than a pest while making sure, of that attitude is changing. course, that this species is not threatened in I obtained a promotional item from an the long term. The conservation aspect must organisation called Southern Game Meat, be taken into consideration. purveyors of fine game meats, and game This will require major changes in the meat suppliers from New South Wales. It is an public perception of the use of kangaroo example of the marketing processes that will meat. Changes to the Queensland Meat be required if this product is going to take off. Marketing Act will legalise human The document states— consumption of kangaroo meat. Effective “For tens of thousands of years prior marketing of this product, which is sometimes to western settlement in Australia, the referred to as the “red health meat”, should be staple diet for the Australian aborigine encouraged so that sufficient financial returns was kangaroo meat. Nutritionalists might exist for the development of a new believe this uniquely lean meat formed a kangaroo industry which could contribute to part of a diet which protected the sustainable use and rehabilitation of the aborigines from a number of diseases mulga regions. Currently, thousands of tonnes which are common place in our modern of good meat rots in the paddocks and world. Kangaroo meat is high in protein, attracts feral animals, or it is used for pet food. low in cholesterol and saturated fats . . . In these times, this lost opportunity is and it is very, very lean (up to 98%!). unacceptable. Tests have indicated that kangaroo meat There are a few issues that need to be also reduces the incidence of diabetes raised. One is the actual pressure that is and thrombosis. For a meat that’s great placed on grazing areas. In many instances, to taste and lean on the waist, you can’t the rehabilitation of badly degraded herbivore go past kangaroo—the Australian health grazing areas will require total destocking for meat.” some time to allow the re-establishment of That is not a bad endorsement for the ground cover and the reintroduction of burning product. I certainly hope that it can live up to off. Introduction of a zonal management those expectations. policy to enable closer control of where harvesting of the kangaroo occurs would allow I turn now to the connection between this a greater “take” of roos from the more fragile industry and the south-west Queensland areas within existing quotas and so assist in strategy that the Government is putting in rehabilitation and achieving long-term place with the cooperation of the communities ecological sustainable use. in the mulga lands, and also the organisations that represent primary industries in that area. Approximately 800 000 kangaroos in the It is understood that specific management of 1992 harvest were found in the area about kangaroo numbers is really needed in this which I am speaking, that is, the mulga region to achieve sustainable pastoral region. Another 600 000 kangaroos could be 6 October 1993 4786 Legislative Assembly taken from this region, and it would still be said before, probably the most important within the limits of the existing quota. Those aspect of this would be a direct return to the people who say that there is a danger of growers of approximately $10. taking too many should realise that the quota Queensland’s existing kangaroo meat that has been set and agreed to by levels of industry is worth about $12.58m. That is a Government and also by conservationists has long way short of $126.5m. It consists of not actually been reached at this stage. about 400 000 kangaroos being taken for pet Currently, the low value of kangaroo products food which, together with the hides, gives an probably prevents the full quota from being average return of about $14.94 per kangaroo. realised, because there is just not enough That is still a long way short of the maximum money to be made in going out and chasing return that I spoke of before of up to $55 per the extras. animal. At present, wholesale game meat sold The combined harvest of $1.4m over for human consumption in South Australia is approximately 20 million hectares of the averaging only $2.50 per kilogram. I have just mulga region represents an average harvest been to New Zealand. That country has of 1:14 hectares. Full market utilisation of marketed its deer meat and has decided not kangaroo meat for human consumption, to mass produce the deer that it harvests. together with an 80 per cent increase in the New Zealand has gone for the top end of the current wholesale value of roo meat, could market, and that is exactly what I am enable $10 per kangaroo to be returned to suggesting we should do with the kangaroo the land-holder. In these tough economic industry. times, anything that is going to enhance the A lot will depend upon marketing. The income of land-holders and assist them to development of a new kangaroo meat stay on the land and to actually improve the industry requires a major marketing program quality of that land for their own use and for to engender community appreciation of this the use of the next generation of rural valuable product both domestically and producers should be endorsed by overseas. I tend to think that on both fronts Government. For a property of, for example, the battle will not be easy. Some very 40 000 hectares, this represents a return of determined conservationists overseas, who about $28,570 per annum. Few costs would know very little about our native species, are be associated with the management of very keen to have some input into exactly kangaroos. As I said before, this management what we do. I think that an aggressive would also be consistent with rehabilitation marketing campaign will have to be measures such as the re-establishment of undertaken overseas in order to achieve the ground cover. The management of kangaroos result that we desire. The continuing and would involve lower costs than are associated misinformed international pressure against with managing domestic stock. kangaroo harvesting dictates that any decision The kangaroo meat industry has great to promote this new industry must be fully potential. It could be worth in the vicinity of supported by Government. I think that is quite $126.5m per annum to Queensland. In the obvious. This will be most important during the mulga region, it would be worth about $77m establishment of the industry so that a pro- per annum. Other multiplier effects would flow active stance can be taken to avoid the further from that, such as the possible establishment spread of misinformation. This piece of of an abattoir in Charleville and other services legislation goes down that track. It gives some attached to the industry itself. The figures that credibility to the industry, and I suggest that I have just cited are based on a wholesale Government should continue to be involved price of $65 per kangaroo. Currently, that is closely with the industry to make sure that it not being achieved. I have assumed an progresses at the rate at which it deserves to average price for game meat of about $4.20 progress. per kilogram and I have included the existing In conclusion, I again congratulate the value of a hide, which I understand is about Minister on bringing this legislation before the $5.50. The achievement of these values House. It is just one of what has become a would then enable a $10 margin to cover the series of industry Bills that he has brought to extra costs associated with zonal fruition. Primary industry in Queensland is now management. A regime like this cannot be set being shaken out of the doldrums. In saying up without administrative costs. It would that, I am in no way being critical of the way in encourage people to shoot in the more which it was handled before. I think it is a case heavily timbered and remote areas, which is of the time coming when the industry itself not occurring at this stage. It would also realises that unless it gets its act together, provide a subsidy for nature conservation. As I unless it gets out there in the marketplace and Legislative Assembly 4787 6 October 1993 confronts our overseas competitors head on, it The tests were supervised by the is certainly not going to survive. CSIRO’s Meat Research Laboratory in It is very easy to sit in splendid isolation Cannon Hill, Brisbane, which also and expect local consumers to support us, to interpreted the results. expect the rest of the world to play the game They showed smallgoods storage as fairly as we want to play it. However, at the temperatures above those necessary for end of the day, the Lord helps those who help public safety in most of the stores, themselves, and I think that primary industry according to the unit’s technical officer, has realised that it just has to get out there Peter Husband. and do it. If it requires a rethink, a restructure, so be it. That is what has happened under this He told Retail World none of the Government. This Government has been smallgoods samples taken from the 15 prepared to take the necessary steps to shops would have ‘poisoned anybody’. ensure that the various industries that have He said most of the stores had been the backbone of this State for so long temperatures of more than seven progress in the way that they should. I have degrees and some had exceeded 10 great pleasure in supporting the Bill. degrees. Mr CONNOR (Nerang) (9.28 p.m.): ‘There could be a public health Without a doubt, the meat industry is one of problem in the case of pathogens the most crucial areas of responsibility for us occurring and multiplying,’ Mr Husband as legislators, because meat is one of our said. staple food items. Just like milk, bread, and ‘Fresh meat stores under similar fresh fruit and vegetables, meat has a very circumstances would perform a lot worse important place in our stores. than smallgoods. The Primary Industries Minister is reorganising the whole industry, and one has ‘There would be problems with to ask why. One of the most contentious quality and a potential health risk.’ issues is the proposal to allow fresh meat to Significant public health problems could be sold at any store. Needless to say, this has start at temperatures above seven raised the ire of butchers throughout the degrees Celsius. length and breadth of Queensland, and I The 15 stores in the sample included would imagine that every member of this modern convenience stores, such as 7- Parliament has been lobbied at some stage Eleven and 727, Mum and Dad shops by his or her local butcher. The main and ‘corner supermarkets’, Mr Husband argument of the butchers against the sale of said. meat in corner stores or, for that matter, in any No chain supermarkets were tested.” shop, is that in many cases they have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to comply That pretty well sums up many of their with what are probably the most stringent reservations about hygiene. health regulations in the world. They Another aspect of the legislation is that believe—and the CSIRO has evidence to not only will it allow any store to sell fresh prove it—that hygiene levels in some stores in meat; it will allow large supermarket chains to Queensland are not sufficient to guarantee be able to do away with their in-house the freshness and quality of meat. butcheries. They may argue that they have no I would like to quote from the Retail World intention of doing that. However, if one of the magazine of 26 April this year which, in an other chains does so, centralises the meat article headed “Butchers on the warpath”, processing operation and automates the states as follows— operation to lower the preparation costs, Coles and Woolworths will be forced into doing away “Queensland’s retail butchering union with their in-house butcheries. has attacked the independent grocery trade as being unfit to sell fresh meat What are the repercussions if that were to from in-store cabinets. occur? First of all, it is important to consider that Coles, Woolworths and Franklins have The attack follows a study, over 70 per cent of the food distribution commissioned by the Meat and Allied market in Australia. In other words, 7 out of 10 Trades Federation, of small goods items of food that are bought in Australia are stocking procedures in 15 retail grocery sold by the big three. They are already in a shops in Brisbane. position to control certain prices, certain items and groups of items within the market place. 6 October 1993 4788 Legislative Assembly

They are already in a position to vertically hygiene, the wholesomeness and the integrity integrate, in other words, to control all the of the process once the meat leaves the chain of supply in many items right from the wholesale prepackaging butcher. grower or producer through to the consumer. At the Committee stage, the Opposition Now we look at their being in a position to do will move an amendment that will ensure that the same with one of the staple foods in anyone who retails fresh meat, whether it is Queensland. prepackaged or not, must be accredited and If what the butchers association— will come under the scrutiny of the Bill. MAFTA—and the CSIRO are saying about the Mr Campbell: Like the P & C corner stores not being in a position generally associations. to be able to guarantee hygiene is true, if there were any scares about the hygiene, it Mr CONNOR: Now, Opposition members would only take one or two cases of food are not saying that meat cannot be sold in poisoning, one person to be seriously ill or die corner stores. We are saying that, if the meat as a result of contaminated meat at a corner is sold in a corner store—or a P & C, or store, and that would be the end of the sale of whatever; it can be accredited in any way that meat by corner stores. The overall impact on it likes under the subordinate legislation—that the sale of meat across-the-board from any corner store must meet the hygiene store—butchers or supermarkets—would have requirements of this Bill. That level of to be affected. We must then ask: who will accreditation can be determined by the win? Who will be the biggest winner from a authority in subordinate legislation, only it will proposal of that type? have a level of scrutiny under this Bill. I would like to move on from that point. The Opposition is saying that fresh meat As I said before, the area of most concern to is a highly perishable commodity. We are both the Opposition and others within the saying that, if a corner store wants to sell fresh industry is that the legislation will exempt the meat, it must ensure a level of hygiene, which sale of prepackaged meat from any level of is to be determined by the authority—not by scrutiny under the Bill. One particular clause the Parliament, but by the authority, by the specifically allows for meat that is experts—and will have to open itself up to the prepackaged to be exempted from scrutiny of the Bill. The consumers can buy accreditation under the Bill. It is as simple as the meat from a corner store, but it will only be that. This Bill only deals with meat processing from corner stores that feel confident enough up to the stage of leaving the door of a in their refrigeration and their overall hygiene company that prepackages the meat. Once it that they will subject themselves to a level of leaves that store on its way to a retailer, it no scrutiny befitting the sale of fresh red meat. longer comes under the scrutiny of this Bill. If a corner store does not believe that it There is no requirement for a store to have has the refrigeration to meet the general accreditation under this Bill if it only sells hygiene requirements, the legislation still does prepackaged fresh meat. not stop that store from selling red meat. It will Mr Campbell: It’s like any other food. be able to sell frozen red meat. The person who runs out of meat on the barbecue on Mr CONNOR: That is correct. In a press Sunday afternoon or Saturday afternoon will release on 15 May, the Minister stated— still be able to go to the corner store—any “The stores will sell the meat in an corner store that wishes to sell the frozen accredited way, too.” meat—and buy it. All I can suggest is that the Minister is not We are dealing with not just convenience talking about this piece of legislation. He must meat. We are not talking only about small be talking about other legislation, because this quantities of convenience frozen meat sold at legislation does not require corner stores or small corner stores. Under this provision, we those selling prepackaged meat to be are dealing with the sale of bulk commodities, accredited at all. It specifically exempts then. as well. Stores such as Woolworths, Coles, Mr Campbell: It doesn’t exempt them if Franklins and other major retailers will also be they come under the Health Act. able to take advantage of that clause of the Bill. They will not need any level of Mr CONNOR: It specifically exempts them accreditation at all. Coles, Woolworths and from the Bill. This Bill is saying that it is not those other stores will be in a position in which interested once the meat gets past the door they will be able to sell fresh meat without any of the prepackaging butcher. The Bill relies on level of scrutiny. the Food Act, the Health Act, the local council health inspectors and the like to ensure the Legislative Assembly 4789 6 October 1993

I am not suggesting that Coles, The sale of fresh meat must be Woolworths and those other major stores considered from an equity perspective. Each would in any way sell meat that is of the members of this House would have at tainted—quite the contrary. They will have no least six or seven butchers in their electorate, hesitation in wanting to be accredited, and probably as many as 20. Each one of because they will know that their meat will those butchers is supporting a family, paying more than qualify in terms of hygiene. There is wages to their employees, paying rates and no down side to requiring corner stores or any taxes to the council and supplying a service to stores that want to sell prepacked fresh meat the consumer. Each one of those butchers to be accredited. The big boys will meet the has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars accreditation. The small guys that are up to in equipment. Every butcher is up early in the the standards will have no hesitation. The morning scrubbing and cleaning, and they majors that will also be able to use the clause scrub and clean in the afternoon after will not need to use it, anyway, because they everyone else has finished work. Those are will live up to the hygiene standards that are the requirements of the Meat Industry Act. Is it required. fair that those butchers should have to This legislation is all about catching small compete with a store down the road that is not retailers, small corner stores—and there are required to meet any level of hygiene? Is it fair probably only a few out there—that will have that one operator, to ensure a level of the temptation to cut corners on refrigeration hygiene, has to invest hundreds of thousands and hygiene, that may be tempted to tamper of dollars in special equipment, first-class with the use-by date or not have a refrigerator refrigeration, display cases and specially that keeps the meat cool enough and adapted cold-rooms to ensure a temperature potentially sell tainted meat. The thing to that is appropriate to the hygiene of the meat, remember is that allowing small corner stores when an operator down the road may throw to sell a major food item without any level of the meat in with fish or in a soft drink fridge scrutiny is looking for trouble. which is opened and closed and which varies from room temperature to freezing? That is I have no doubt that it will be argued that what will happen under this Bill the way it corner stores have to be registered and that stands. the Health Department or council inspectors will scrutinise them. However, in a recent Mr Hollis: Rubbish! survey, it was determined that there are 2 500 Mr CONNOR: If this legislation is not unregistered retail stores in Brisbane alone. amended and some cases of food poisoning Under this Bill as it stands, those 2 500 occur, in 12 months’ time I will have a great retailers will be able to sell fresh meat without deal of glee in reminding the Minister about it, any scrutiny at all by the council, under the in the same way as I had a great deal of glee provisions of this legislation, by the Health reminding him about the dairy industry. The Department or by anyone else. Minister said that the vendors did not have to One only has to imagine one or two worry about a takeover, yet three weeks later cases of food poisoning as a result of the sale QUF bought 58 vending runs. The Minister of fresh meat kept in unhygienic said in this Chamber that that would not occur. circumstances to realise that overall the meat In a year’s time, I will have a great deal of glee industry will suffer. The Minister has argued in reminding the Minister that he said there will that one of the major purposes of this not be rancid meat sold in a corner store, legislation is to allow for more outlets for fresh because it will. Members will have to answer to meat to put it on a more competitive basis the consumers in their electorates. with other types of meat such as chicken and With just a few minor modifications, we smallgoods. That was the big selling point for can bring corner stores up to a level of the Minister when these proposals were put to hygiene that is appropriate for the sale of the industry groups and the rural sector. meat. Our proposed amendment does not However, one only has to imagine what will dictate the level of accreditation that should happen to the fresh meat industry if a few apply. That will be determined by the cases involving tainted meat are plastered all authority. However, we believe that there has over the newspapers. One does not need to to be some special level of accreditation to sell imagine too hard to realise the results of that. fresh meat. Right now, a small proportion of It will have a negative effect on the sale of corner stores will be tempted to put the meat fresh meat, and it will possibly set back on display without the necessary hygiene considerably the credibility of fresh meat. considerations. 6 October 1993 4790 Legislative Assembly

Under this legislation, there will effectively Mountains that the Opposition spokesman on be four bodies associated with the meat small business believes that corner-store industry, whereas previously just one body operators are crooks. That is what he believes. existed. Those bodies are the Queensland Are there any other sectors of the small Livestock and Meat Industry Policy Council, business industry that the member for Nerang the Queensland Livestock and Meat Authority, wants to call crooks? He referred to the the Meat Industry Tribunal and the Abattoir investment in butcher shops. We all know that Corporation. An additional level of scrutiny will there is investment in butcher shops. People be applied, and different types of meat will be invest money in barber shops. Does that sold. Because extra administration will be mean that they should be given protection by necessary, the system will cost more to run. this Government from somebody else coming We have already had an indication from the in to take a portion of their business? Of meat authority that the cost of licensing will be course it does not! The member for Nerang considerably higher. Butcher shops will be wants butchers to be some sort of sheltered required to pay a greater amount in licensing workshops. He wants special conditions to fees than they did previously. apply to them. If we can spread some of that cost onto The member for Nerang stated that once those in the industry who are benefiting from meat products leave the accredited butcher the changes—for instance, the corner stores shop on their way to be sold in corner stores, that will be selling fresh meat—the increase in they no longer come under the control of this fees will not have to be as great. Under this legislation. Primary industry already controls legislation, a greater number of people will be about one-third of our statute book, and now involved in overseeing the industry because the member for Nerang wants it to take on the different types of meat are being sold under responsibilities that the Health Department different circumstances. As a result, a more has for food laws. Basically, the member’s expensive body will be administering the contribution today mirrors some of his system. The meat authority has already contributions to the debate publicly through indicated that the licensing fees will have to the pages of Business Queensland. No increase. If the number of accredited premises member could claim that Business are increased, more people will be sharing the Queensland is a front for the Labor Party, cost of running the system. If we can spread although members opposite may well make that cost across more people, we will reduce that claim at some stage. What did Business the cost to each of the stores. More people Queensland have to say? On 5 April will be paying the authority less money per 1993—which was after Mr Connor had been outlet. It will not put as much strain on the active in its columns—that publication stated— local butcher. “ . . . pre-packaged meat might sit around Where are we going from here? This longer than the fresher stuff at the evening, the House has to decide whether or butcher shop.” not it will accept that the sale of fresh meat It went on to state— requires extra scrutiny over and above that applied to the sale of cornflakes. “This argument, of course, is silly in the extreme and presumes that the folks Mr J. H. SULLIVAN (Caboolture) running the ‘corner store’ somehow take (9.47 p.m.): I have to let Government less care in the conduct of their members in on a secret. If they want to make business.” a speech in this place, they should not bother writing it. They should just position themselves I believe, as do all members of the on the speaking list after the member for Government, that the people operating corner Nerang. He speaks so much rubbish that a stores in this State are good, honest business member can use his or her 20 minutes in people—which is contrary to the attitude of the rebuttal of the member for Nerang’s member for Nerang. contribution. Business Queensland went on to state— Mr Elliott: I’ll get your notes and see how “If anything, the government’s you go. proposal is conservative. It goes to some Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: Actually, I stopped length, perhaps too much, to protect the taking notes, because I did not wish to spoil position of the licensed butcher in the the obvious glee with which the Minister will chain of taking meat to the market.” attack the previous contribution in his It went on to state further— reply. I intend to go back to my electorate “Consumers are demanding greater and thunder from the top of the Glass House convenience, particularly where and when Legislative Assembly 4791 6 October 1993

they can shop. When that convenience is Mr CASEY: I am sorry, Mr Deputy granted, primary producers benefit.” Speaker. I was referring to a passage of Mr Connor: Rubbish! That was months Hansard of some years ago. However, if the ago. member is offended, I will withdraw. Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: I take that Mr Connor: You will not get much time to interjection. The member for Nerang said that talk, the way you are going. the article in Business Queensland is rubbish. Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: As I said at the I will pass that on to them. beginning, one does not need to write a Mr CONNOR: I rise to a point of order. I speech when following the honourable find the member’s statement offensive. I did member in a debate, because one can lead not say that that article was rubbish. I said that off the honourable member. what he was saying was rubbish. Mr Cooper: Go back to your written Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): speech. Order! The member for Nerang has asked the Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: There is no written member for Caboolture to withdraw that speech. remark. Mr Cooper: There’s reams of it. Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: I do so, of course. Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: No, there is no However, I caution him on any more written speech. I invite the honourable interjections that he may wish to make. He is member to come over here and have a look. saying that we are going to be sold rancid Unlike members on the other side, I do not meat through corner stores. write speeches. I come in here with a little bit Mr CONNOR: I rise to a point of order. I of information, but I do not sit down and write find that remark offensive. I did not say a speech. I have a couple of newspaper anything of the sort. If the honourable articles with a bit of yellow marking on them. member keeps making those statements, I will We have been talking about how the keep taking points of order. butchers will be disadvantaged by this move. I Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for eat a lot of chicken meat. I eat chicken meat Nerang finds that remark offensive. I ask the because of the lifestyle of my family. With my member for Caboolture to withdraw it. wife’s career and my career, the shopping is Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: Again I withdraw in neglected. On weekends, the only meat that deference to your ruling, Mr Deputy Speaker. I we can buy in our neighbourhood is white say, however, that I would take grave meat—chickens. I would like to be able to go exception to any amendment to the Hansard to my corner store on a Sunday and buy a few record of what the member said in his speech, chops. It would be great for my diet and that because those were the words that he used. of my family. Unfortunately, we do not have that convenience. I am looking forward to that In New South Wales, meat has been sold convenience. in that way since 1908, and the papers have not been full of people in New South Wales Some butchers in this State, including the keeling over because meat has been sold in Angliss retail chain, have woken up to the fact corner stores for 85 years. In fact, they are that there is an opportunity here for them. Of getting older and older. course, conditions will be imposed. People will not be allowed to sell fresh meat in a corner Mr Connor interjected. shop without there being some controls. Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: I will get to the Those controls will come through the health honourable member. He should do himself legislation in this State. I do not believe that and the people of Queensland a favour and the people of Queensland need to be given shut his trap; I will get around to him. the scaremongering rubbish that we have Mr Casey interjected. been listening to. Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: That is correct. He Mr Connor: What about the 2 500 stores ought to know. Meat has been sold in corner in Brisbane that are not registered? stores in the ACT and South Australia, and Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: The honourable the people in those States have not been member’s argument is that the Health carking it. Department inspectors can only go to the Mr Casey: It was pretty apt when they 2 000 stores that are registered. What does called him “Boofhead” in his first speech. he think will happen? This legislation contains harsher penalties than most legislation that Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I ask the has been enacted. I do not believe that those Minister to withdraw that comment. 6 October 1993 4792 Legislative Assembly people whom the honourable member is of commercial products derived from the red branding as criminals—I am not—are so kangaroo, the eastern grey kangaroo and the stupid. Before the honourable member raises western grey kangaroo. In 1975, the bans a further point of order, I will withdraw that were lifted after certain management plans statement. were put in place. The people of Queensland will wake up It was interesting that, during the 1980s to the fact that Mr Connor is a person who will when the European Parliament sought to stand here and dish it out to almost anybody; impose bans, it adopted a resolution which yet, when it comes to taking it, he cannot cop urged the banning of the importation of it. products derived from all kangaroo species I will now move on to one of the other other than the red kangaroo, the eastern grey issues that has already been covered in some kangaroo and the western grey kangaroo. On detail by my colleague the member for the one hand, we had the American people Mulgrave, and that is the provisions of the Act telling us that they were the species that were that allow for the sale of kangaroo meat, endangered, and on the other hand we had which has from time to time attracted a the Europeans saying that they were the ones degree of debate not only in this country but that were not endangered. throughout the world. Mr Elliott interjected. Mr T. B. Sullivan: They’ve been hopping Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: The reality is that, mad. with proper management, the kangaroo Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: I take the interjection population of Australia can be kept at from the member for Chermside, but I ask that acceptable levels. Most people accept that we do not have a repetition of the debate in some species have been affected in a the Bread Industry Act in which the puns went detrimental way by European habitation of this wild. country; others have adapted to that and have thrived. There are 48 species in the kangaroo family. The argument has settled down because there are now management plans in place. Mr Cooper: Which one do you prefer? However, there are different positions in Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: They are all fairly different States on human consumption of close to the honourable member, I expect. kangaroo meat. With mutual recognition laws, Mr Elliott: 58 species? there is some argument as to whether or not human consumption will be visited upon all Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: There were 48 jurisdictions as the States become signatories species. Six of the 48 species are extinct, to those kinds of Acts. Kangaroo meat is sent which leaves 42. Of those, seven species are from South Australia to Canberra, where my classified as endangered; 25 are fully nephew works as a chef. His view is that protected; and 10 species are killed in one or kangaroo meat will always be a minority meat more States. Eight of those 10 species are in until some more interesting cuts of it can be Queensland, and four of them appear on the presented to people in restaurants. list of kangaroo quotas by species. Those species include the red kangaroo, the eastern As the member for Mulgrave said, grey kangaroo—— kangaroo meat is known as the red health meat. It has the lowest cholesterol level of any Mr Cooper: They will be endangered if meat. I believe that it has a 1 per cent fat you get your choppers into them. content compared with a 40 per cent fat Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: Particularly if I can content in beef. The people at my table at buy a few on the weekend. The other species dinner this evening were given a very include the wallaroo and the whiptail wallaby. entertaining definition of the difference In 1993, the quota is about 2.3 million between cholesterol and fat by my colleague animals. Approximately 2.1 million of those the member for Maryborough, but I will not are the red kangaroo and the eastern grey burden the Parliament with that right now. kangaroo. Mr Beattie: Why not? The interesting thing about the Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: I expect that I would conservation debate as it unfolded in the be ordered to resume my seat if I did. As I 1970s and 1980s with regard to kangaroo said, kangaroo meat it is always likely to be a culling—the cull is set at 15 per cent of the specialty meat. Estimates of the potential population—was that in December 1974, the export market available to this country from Americans, through the United States Fish kangaroo meat are between $80m and and Wildlife Service, banned the importation Legislative Assembly 4793 6 October 1993

$100m. That would make kangaroo meat a flag with a politician’s photograph on the fairly decent export earner for this State and canton. country. According to people in the industry, It is a pleasure to support the Minister in one of the things that has hampered the this legislation. Some people call it export of kangaroo meat is that it has not restructuring. I prefer to use the word been accredited for human consumption in “modernisation”. The Minister has embarked this State. upon a series of modernisations in Mr Beattie: What about emu? Queensland’s primary industries that have Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: It has been okay to been to the benefit not only of the industries eat emu meat in Queensland for quite a while. but also to consumers and the State as a But it is very tough. I have a recipe for cooking whole. I support the Bill. emu, if the honourable member would like it. Mr ELLIOTT (Cunningham) (10.07 p.m.): Mr Vaughan: What would we call it? In rising to take part in this debate, the first Skippy meat? thing that I would like to say—as someone who has a lot of butcher shops in his area—is Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: I shall talk about that, once we start playing around with Skippy in a moment. We ought to be seriously legislation that impacts upon butcher shops, I considering as worth while an export return of get nervous about the end result. I have been that magnitude to this State. The harvest of in this House when legislation affecting kangaroos is a little different from the butcher shops has been discussed. I husbandry that occurs with domestic food remember with interest this Minister sitting on animals. But it is not really that different from the opposite side of the House and saying the harvesting of fish from our oceans. Mobile quite different things from what he has said processing works could perhaps enable the about this Bill. I notice that he has a half smile harvesting of kangaroos. Many people talk on his face. I think he knows what I am talking about land degradation caused by hard- about. hoofed animals. Unlike sheep, kangaroos do not eat the whole grass plant and can survive Mr Casey: This Bill has never been in the bush. Therefore, the harvesting of before the Parliament. kangaroos could be a viable alternative for Mr ELLIOTT: No-one said that it had farmers in this State. In 1991, a doctor from been before the Parliament. The Minister the veterinary association’s Scientific Advisory knows exactly what I am talking about. The Committee said that, if the entire quota in Opposition is not alarmed by what is Queensland was taken and used for human contained in this Bill but rather by what is not consumption, it would cover only 3 per cent of contained in it, and what regulations will be the total red meat intake of Australia. imposed on butcher shops. There is I turn to one of the issues that may give speculation about this in the community. I some members cause for concern in relation attended the briefing in respect to the meat to the human consumption of kangaroo meat. authority. It is fairly obvious to everyone that Despite a lot of rot that has been spoken this legislation will impose some cost about flags in this country in the past two increases. Sure, the Minister might be able to years or so, the fact is that in 1806, the first point to some areas and say that, through flag designed and flown in Australia and the deregulation of the industry, there may be a first flag representing our colony had a decrease in some costs, but I will be surprised kangaroo and an emu on it. It did not have if the bottom line is not an impact on butcher either of the other two potent symbols that shops, the smaller abattoirs and the people have appeared on flags since then, namely, who run butcher shops and kill their own meat the Union Jack and the Southern Cross. Mr for those shops. If members do not believe Palaszczuk wants me to remind members that that this legislation will have an impact on that was called the Bowman flag and that it those people, then they are very naive first flew above a property called Archerfield in indeed. western Sydney in 1806. Over the years, various forms of The first recorded use of the Union Jack regulation of butcher shops have struck fear was a little more crass than that, because it into the hearts of those small-business people appeared on the Wentworth and Bland flag who, when it is all said and done, get up early. for the 1843 New South Wales elections. That They are not unlike dairy farmers in some flag was used by Dr Bland and Mr Wentworth ways, because they get up very early in the as the equivalent of our corflute posters. morning. In many instances, they operate Perhaps we can look forward to an Australian those abattoirs themselves. They have to prepare the meat and set it out. When one 6 October 1993 4794 Legislative Assembly walks into a butcher shop after having slept in involved in the shooting of kangaroos in on a Saturday morning—— different areas, both by professionals and by Mr Beattie: Speak for yourself. We city the scientific community. Those scientists members work hard on a Saturday morning. would go out and shoot kangaroos as though they were professional kangaroo shooters to Mr ELLIOTT: City members do not have see what sorts and sizes of kangaroos there cows to milk or chooks to feed. I know that were. Just as people can determine the age they all sleep in on Saturday mornings. of a sheep or a horse by looking at its teeth, Mr Beattie: We’re all cut up now. those scientists, by using a caliper to measure Mr ELLIOTT: I can imagine that. It is the skull of a kangaroo, can determine the obvious to anyone who knows what goes on age of that kangaroo. That gives them a very that a tremendous amount of preparation and good idea of what the kangaroo population is work is involved in achieving the wonderful doing in those different areas. It is not a willy- presentation that people see when they walk nilly figure that we plucked out of the air and into the butcher’s shop. As members would said, “We think that we can shoot one million well know, it does not happen easily. I would or 1.2 million roos.” It is scientifically based. be very alarmed if, because of the That is why the likes of Jacqui Kent, and implementation of the regulations under this that other raving ratbag mob who tried to sue Bill which will follow like night follows day, me because I said that they were perpetrating these people are not given a real degree of a fraud on the public with their Goodbye Joey consideration in regard to their costs. Sure, film, annoy me so much. There was no some butchers can afford the additional question about what that film was, and I was $5,000-odd that it will cost to package that proven right. I said so quite clearly outside this meat in an acceptable form so that it can then place because I knew that what I said was be sold at corner stores, and they may earn correct. I said that it was a fraud, because additional revenue as a result. But there will they paid people to molest and perpetrate be a hell of a lot more butchers who do not cruelty on kangaroos with a film crew present. have any corner stores in their area in which to They got kangaroos twisted up in barbed wire sell their meat, or do not have the additional fences and hit them with hats. We identified finance available to them owing to the the people and, what is more, we got a recession and the problems that the conviction recorded against the two of them in Government’s Federal colleagues are causing the Dirranbandi court. Those people were and which are continuing to make it very prosecuted. I signed the paper, so I should difficult for people. I am sure that many know something about it. They are the sort of people will find it too difficult to get involved to people we are up against—raving ratbags. I that degree. I am certainly very concerned am not talking about the average, sensible about that. conservationist—and there are plenty of them At the same time, I understand what the out there—the animal protection people, or Government is trying to achieve. I do not think the wildlife protection people. that anyone who understands the primary Jacqui Kent was not involved in the industries of this State, and the meat industry Goodbye Joey movie. Other people were in particular in all its various forms, would involved in it. Those people were trying to disagree with anything that Governments can make money out of the situation. Jacqui Kent, do to increase the consumption of red meat, of course, is a conservationist who goes even if it is game meat. I am certainly not overboard. She has a very emotional against that. approach. She has a very real feeling for it; I was involved for many years in the there is no question about that. kangaroo cull process, and I understand it An honourable member interjected. well. As I said before by way of interjection, Mr ELLIOTT: I am sorry, I did not realise people who have any concern about the that. A member has just indicated to me that game meat trade in reds, eastern greys or Jacqui Kent has passed away. I was not wallabies should read Hugh Lavery’s book, aware of that. I certainly do not come into this The Kangaroo Keepers. It clearly outlines the place and make remarks about someone who whole process and it gives people a very real is dead. understanding of where we were coming from when we set up that scientific program which I was drawing an analogy with some analysed the kangaroo numbers in people who do not fully understand the Queensland and, in some instances, assisted situation. Lots of people from different parts of programs in other States. It is quite the world who do not understand the situation straightforward. It has two facets which are say that we are some sort of barbarians Legislative Assembly 4795 6 October 1993 because we want to get involved in the game That is a very different kind of operation from meat industry. I am saying that it is a storing fresh meat. The sale of fresh meat by scientifically backed program. The white corner stores is obviously a very laudable aim. population came to this country and brought However, I believe there needs to be a fair bit with them the expertise to construct artesian of homework done to ensure that the bore drains, windmills and earth tanks to store refrigeration units are A1 and that they are water for drought years. Prior to that, suited to the job, because those of us who at kangaroos were only able to graze where times keep meat a little longer than we should there was natural water. Because of those all know that it can go off. It can go off well innovations, kangaroos were able to graze in before some sort of illusory use-by date that probably 10 times as large an area. Some of one might think the meat will hold to if it is these people in America and other places who held at the absolutely ideal storage do not understand the whole situation tell temperature. people that kangaroos are endangered. That We have all seen the various is not the case at all. In fact, kangaroo shopkeepers, particularly out west where the populations have expanded to a great temperatures are very high, putting wet bags degree. on things trying to keep that refrigeration—— If we really want to do something about Mr Campbell: Butcher shops out there ensuring the long-term viability of these do the same thing if they have problems. kangaroo populations, it is the old story—we have to be cruel to be kind. I am not talking Mr ELLIOTT: Yes, but the butcher shops, about cruelty in terms of inflicting pain on of course, have got a much higher throughput animals, but we have to cull animals to keep than do corner stores. In most instances, in them under reasonable control. If we do not, butcher shops the throughput of meat—other when we have a drought they will die than Cryovac rumps and things like that that miserably in the paddock, the same as stock are held for a long period anyway for the do sometimes if farmers are not able to get purpose of trying to improve the tenderness of there in time to shoot them when they are in the meat—is quite considerable, whereas the pain. I do not think that anyone who is a lover throughput of a corner store is in most cases of animals would want that situation to come negligible. It could well be that a lot of it will go to pass. It is very important that we do control off, as happens to the fruit and vegetables these particular species of kangaroos. We sold by greengrocers. need to understand that we are not talking I do not doubt that in the first instance about animals such as the bridled nailtail when the owners of corner stores are wallaby. There are lots of species of adjusting to this new process, they will find kangaroos that are not on the protected list that, because they will not be able to move it that can be used for game meat operations. in time, some of their meat does go off and To get back to other facets of this Bill—I that they will have to throw it out. This is think that all of us are behind the aims of this something that we all need to be aware of, Bill. It is very important for us to understand because it will only take one or two instances that many people, particularly those in cities, where a customer is inadvertently sold meat wish to obtain meat for barbeques over the that is not 100 per cent right to cause weekend, and anyone who wants to preclude considerable harm to the reputation of meat. them from having access to meat over the That stage does not have to be reached at weekend is very foolish. This will not only which people suffer severe illness. If anyone enhance the social life of those people but buys meat that is not absolutely A1, even also it will be of very real worth for the industry slight ill effects will give beef, in particular, or and will improve throughput. lamb, for that matter, a bad reputation. I do not think for one minute that those potential But I do issue a note of concern and problems cannot be overcome. With caution. I think we need to keep a very close technology being what it is, I am sure that eye on just what sorts of conditions these they can be. various corner stores are allowed to operate under, because some of the refrigeration I think we all should be aware that it will equipment in a corner store may be very not be as easy as snapping our fingers and suitable for its own particular purpose, but saying that there will be no hitches or does not necessarily make it ideal for keeping problems changing from one system to meat. another, because that is a load of rubbish. We all know that change does not work like that. I At the moment, it is permissible for a remember when it was decided to remove the corner store to keep and sell frozen meat. wood shavings, sawdust and that sort of thing 6 October 1993 4796 Legislative Assembly from butcher shops. That caused a necessarily assist their industry to sell first tremendous lot of heartburn and misgivings grade quality— because, quite frankly, some of the Mr Ardill: Lemons were put in the pig’s technology that was introduced at that time mouth, weren’t they? resulted in no better hygiene than was achieved by the butchers who did all their Mr ELLIOTT: That is a very wise cleaning with boiling water. In the old days, we interjection. never had any real problems as far as hygiene Time expired. and health were concerned. Mr CAMPBELL (Bundaberg) It is the same old story—we can legislate (10.28 p.m.): It was 100 years ago in this for morality, we can legislate for honesty, and Parliament that the first meat Bill was passed. we can legislate for all sorts of other things, I think that is a fairly significant indication of but if the will is not there for people to do the how important to the meat industry such right thing and to ensure that their hygiene is legislation has been. It has been important absolutely A1, then regardless of what we do, not just to the people of Queensland but also we will not get the best result. So I do issue to the meat industry itself, because it has that note of warning that this change does not always been felt that it was very important to finish up costing the butcher shops a lot more supply a wholesome product to the people. money than they spend now, because in the In actual fact, the Meat and Dairy end someone is going to have to pay for the Produce Encouragement Act of 1893 was the whole process. first meat Bill passed by this Parliament. It was I will look at the regulations with great enacted in response to the need for the interest because I do not believe for one orderly regulation of an industry that was minute that there will not be a cost. The already up and running. It was a conservative proposal is obviously going to produce some Government that first levied the beef very real benefits to society, and to trade and producers under that 1893 Act and the tax commerce in particular. It is to be hoped that it was known as the meat and dairy produce will increase the sales of red meat, and export tax. I just wanted to bring to the notice increase the return to the producer. I am 100 of honourable members that it was the per cent behind anything that will do that. I conservatives who first imposed a tax on meat think it is a very necessary change. I do have producers. It was not a Labor Government— some concerns, particularly about the butcher the socialists—that imposed the first tax on shops that now service areas that are not meat producers. The meat industry expanded served by corner shops. Maybe we are going rapidly, mainly because Government financial to see a situation in which the large chain assistance was provided to the industry stores move in. Of course, Coles already through the establishment of a meat fund. operate in my area. Coles run good butcher Amending legislation in 1894 provided for shops. They buy some top meat. In fact, at the appointment of official inspectors, times they get their own cattle fattened in a stampers and certifiers of livestock intended to number of the feedlots in my area. No-one be exported or for meat after slaughtering. could complain about the quality of the cattle The Livestock and Meat Export Act of 1895 that they buy and kill, so no-one should instigated mandatory inspection of all livestock suggest that I am complaining about them. and slaughtered meat destined for export. Perhaps a chain such as Franklins may Under the Act, regulations were made for the set up a butcher shop off campus, as it were, registration and inspection of meatworks. The and be able, through large scale operations, collection of fees at the time of inspection was to reduce the price—not necessarily by selling intended to defray the cost of that inspection. meat of the quality now sold by Coles, but What happened 100 years ago is basically going to a different area and producing meat what happens today. Basically, what we are at a price which will not necessarily harm the doing today is modernising the meat industry overall sale of meat by the industry. Franklins by allowing different meat products and game may be pushing the wrong kind of meat. We meats into the market. I think it is very have all heard of the fruit growers from important and very relevant that we modernise Stanthorpe who at times have complained an industry that has not changed very much about some of the roadside stalls selling for a century to ensure that its future will be second grade fruit at a reduced price. All of us ensured. It was in fact the Meat Supply for buy at different times and think that it is Imperial Uses Act of 1914 that saw the first wonderful because we are getting a good acquisition of meat by the State. It was under bargain. The growers say that that does not that great Labor Government of T. J. Ryan Legislative Assembly 4797 6 October 1993 that Queensland first saw the State trade in Government came in that the workers were meat. protected. With Queensland being such a big meat- In conjunction with the Commonwealth eating State, what therefore would be more Government and the other States, the 1923 natural than a State enterprise, if undertaken Act of the Theodore Government established at all, reaching out in the direction of supplying the State Meat Advisory Board that was to be people with cheap meat? What an ironic representative of the industry. The board situation, to be sure, that, as the years went comprised members representing the cattle by and sheep and cattle herds multiplied, as producers, beef producers and Queensland became one of the greatest representatives of the meat processing meat-producing countries in the world, the companies. From the State board, members price of beef and mutton rose until the poor were nominated to sit on the Australian Meat were becoming a meatless people in a land of Council that was established in the same year. meat. It was possible to secure our own meat The Act allowed for producer representatives 12 000 miles away in the Smithfield market to be elected by producers. more cheaply than we could in the land where Under the Act of 1923, the State Meat the beasts were reared, fattened, killed and Advisory Board advised the Minister on retailed. What a shocking indictment of the matters relating to the beef industry. It was Government of that time that it allowed that to concerned with improvement in breeding, happen. carrying, killing, cold storing and selling. The Under abnormal conditions, when war board could also recommend to the Minister had been raging for 15 months, our first retail that Government financial assistance be butcher shops were established on 12 granted for the establishment of cooperative November 1915. In the previous 12 months, meatworks, abattoirs or factories for the the price of meat had practically doubled. manufacture and preparation of products and Although an effort had been made to protect by-products. It was then under the Forgan consumers by the principle of fixation of Smith Government that the Queensland Meat prices, that experiment in economics proved Industry Board worked closely with CSIRO to cumbersome and had difficulty in working. In establish the processing technique which other words, even at that time, the Labor resulted in the permanent establishment of Government was prepared to intervene to the chilled export trade by 1934. ensure that not only did we have meat It was only five years later that we production but also that the consumers of provided money to the Brisbane State beef were protected. Abattoir, which produced the export meat It is interesting to note that, in 1918 when trade in Queensland. It is important to note the T. J. Ryan Government was prepared to that the Government was there to lead the act, the price of sirloin beef in the State’s way in export industries. Under the shops was 6 and a half cents a pound. The Premiership of Ted Hanlon, the Labor Commonwealth proclaimed price at that time Government in 1949 introduced legislation for was 8c a pound; in Victoria, it was 8c; in New the establishment of local abattoir boards on South Wales, it was 8c; and, in South which representatives of local authorities Australia, it was 10c. At that time, the Labor would sit. It was during the Forgan Smith and Government was able to provide to the people Ted Hanlon Premierships that the meat of Queensland the cheapest meat through industry grew in importance and stature. State-run butcher shops. At the same time, During the late 1930s, the Brisbane abattoirs topside was priced at 5c a pound; whereas alone accounted for 20 per cent of all the Commonwealth proclaimed price was 7c; Australian meat exported overseas. In 1949, in Victoria, it was 9c; in New South Wales, it the abattoirs were extended to places all over was 9c; and, in South Australia, it was 10c. In Queensland. other words, a Labor Government was able to In 1951, the Hanlon Labor Government provide cheap meat under a regulated repealed the original Slaughtering Act of system. 1898. At that time, the new Act was designed Mr Springborg: What was the average to establish an orderly structure for the weekly wage then? inspection and regulation of slaughterhouses, Mr CAMPBELL: I do not know what the boiling-down works and butcher shops. Under weekly wage was, but I guarantee that the the Act, inspectors were assigned to districts. capitalists at that time were stuffing up the The Labor Government took the duty of workers. It was not until the Labor protecting public health standards seriously. So seriously did the Government of the day 6 October 1993 4798 Legislative Assembly take its obligation that offending against some important that now we give the opportunity for sections of the Act carried a possible two a good organisation such as the Bundaberg years’ imprisonment. The last major Regional Abattoir to expand and go into the amendment to the meat industry legislation future. occurred in 1956. In that year, the Meat I now come to the Meat Industry Bill of Industry Act consolidated and amended the 1993. Honourable members were all various pieces of legislation that existed at wondering whether I would speak to the Bill, that time. The 1965 Act repealed 14 existing so I thought that I would. Members of the Acts dating as far back as 1893 and amended Opposition have been concerned about the three others. regulations. It is very important that, rather I have given that history to show that the than being caught with descriptive measures, Labor Governments of Queensland have we have in the Bill the flexibility for played an important part in the history of the amendments to be made through regulation. meat industry. In 1993, we will show that, This will avoid the necessity of debating those again, the Goss Labor Government, through changes in the Parliament. the Minister, Mr Ed Casey, will now make I commend those who have drafted the some fantastic changes that will take the meat Bill for allowing the flexibility to make changes industry into the next century. It is important without having to come back to the that we appreciate that this is a whole new Bill Parliament. For example, through regulation, that will not only change what has happened we are now able to define “wild game”. It to the accepted meats of Queensland but means— also take into account new meats such as game meats which were seen as a pest 100 “an animal— years ago and which now can be seen as a (a) prescribed by standards as wild resource, which will not only be used for the game; and people of Queensland but which I also believe (b) living in a wild state and not can be exported overseas. Tonight, we are under any artificial confinement.” breaking new ground. We can all be proud of that. It is better to have that type of definition rather than a list describing game meat. For I put on record the history of the example, many people talk about kangaroo Bundaberg Regional Abattoir. At present, it as wild game. In the future, we may want to employs 34 people and it boasts a include emu, crocodile and deer in the harmonious working relationship between all definition. What happens if, later on, there staff. The service and workmanship provided becomes a market for camel? It is a lot easier is of a very high standard. I put on record my to introduce camel as a game meat rather appreciation for the work that the manager, than have members come back to the Charlie Trigg, has done over many years to Parliament and include it in a new definition. ensure that we have had a good works that We achieve that by flexible definitions and has provided a service not only to the people flexibility within the Bill. I believe that we have of Bundaberg but also to those along much of to include that flexibility through regulations. the eastern coast of Queensland. Over the past 100 years, the issue of For the year 1992-93, the abattoir’s paramount importance has been the integrity income was $1.3m and its expenditure was and wholesomeness of meat. “Integrity” now $1.2m. The abattoir has been able to show an has a new meaning. These days, there must operating profit for many years. It has been be integrity not only in the type of meat but able to keep its slaughtering prices down. I also whether or not it is game meat. In other believe that it has the cheapest slaughtering words, the species and variety of animal must prices in Queensland. Stock is slaughtered for be identified, and we must ensure that the operators from Brisbane, Maryborough, meat of domesticated animals is not sold for Bundaberg, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Gin human consumption. It is important that we Gin and Calliope. The competitive nature of have that flexibility. the abattoir charges can be gauged by the fact that operators send stock from those Under this legislation, new bodies will be areas to be slaughtered and then returned to established. The structure of the policy council them by refrigerated road transport. For that is to be established has worked in other example, in 1992-93, 15 537 cattle were industries. It means that all sections of the killed, 2 201 calves, 22 870 sheep and lambs, industry can have input and representation on 11 970 pigs and 56 goats. In that year, the the council. However, the people who are abattoir also provided 460 tonnes of meat and appointed to that policy council will not be bone meal and 353 tonnes of tallow. It is chosen because they represent some power Legislative Assembly 4799 6 October 1993 base but because they can make a if it does not have produce or stock to contribution to that body. process. In some cases, abattoirs have to buy I turn to the Queensland Livestock and their own stock. I believe that it is important to Meat Authority. Questions were asked about give that power to the Abattoir Corporation. It the definitions of “misbehaviour” and is important also that we provide the “incompetence”. I want to raise one of the safeguard that the Abattoir Corporation may concerns that I have with regard to the trade in livestock meat only with the Minister’s functions of the Queensland Livestock and written approval. Meat Authority. One of the functions of the I believe it is important that we do not authority is to advise the Minister and the allow private enterprise to take the policy council on issues affecting the industry advantages, the profits and the cream and or the authority either on the authority’s own leave the rest of the service provisions to initiative or if asked by the Minister or the public abattoirs without allowing the public policy council. I am uncertain whether it is abattoirs to be competitive. If we want public desirable to have the Queensland Livestock abattoirs to operate, we have to allow them to and Meat Authority answerable to the policy operate in a full corporate and commercial council. I believe that, if the policy council sense. I am very happy to see that provision requests or wants the Queensland Livestock included in the legislation. I fought very hard and Meat Authority to undertake any for it. I know that reservations have been held investigations or studies, that request should about whether that body should be allowed to come through the Minister. Perhaps trade. In the past, it has been demonstrated consideration should be given to including a that a full commercial input must be available. provision that the authority can be asked to The changes that we are making tonight respond to the policy council. It is only a minor are part of history. It has been 100 years since point, but I believe that it is something that the first meat industry Bill came before this should be considered. The Queensland Parliament. It is appropriate that we are now Livestock and Meat Authority should be asked expanding the meat industry from just beef to respond to the Minister or to the policy and sheep to a wider selection of animals. council at the request of the Minister. In other The consumer will benefit from the availability cases, the functions of the Livestock and of meat in more retail outlets. That is one Meat Authority are very commendable. I aspect of the legislation of which honourable believe that they take account of the broad members can be really proud. There is one needs not only of the meat industry but also thing that I would say to Opposition members. of the game meat industry. If it is so bad to allow meat to be sold in corner Another important aspect is the reserve shops, why has it been sold for decades in powers of the Minister. The history of the meat such shops in New South Wales, Victoria, industry reveals that the Government must South Australia and Tasmania without any have the power to participate. I will tell the problems? I believe that it will be to the benefit House why. The Minister must have the power of the consumer and the producer. to intervene in the event that private Time expired. enterprise refuses to meet the requirements of the public. That has happened in the past, Miss SIMPSON (Maroochydore) and I believe we must ensure that it does not (10.47 p.m.): Butchers, who have already recur in the future. How often do we see a spent a lot of money to set up the legally meatworks close down because it is a required equipment and facilities for a butcher seasonal operation, thereby denying those shop, will be facing unfair competition from services to the local community and to the supermarkets under what the Government local region? The Metropolitan Public Abattoir has foreshadowed but not spelt out in this Bill. has ensured the provision of that service. As the White Paper leading up to this Bill made it clear that the Government intended to The other body that has been set up is allow the sale of fresh meat in shops other the Queensland Abattoir Corporation. I made than butcher shops where the meat was a strong plea that the Abattoir Corporation be prepared, we therefore assume that the allowed to trade in livestock, meat and other regulation to allow this move will soon come meat-processing products. I believe that is before this House. This Bill does not spell out very important. In the past, as I have new procedures allowing the extension of mentioned, we have seen private abattoirs fresh meat sales, but it likewise does not spell close down because they did not have an out any restriction. adequate throughput, yet the public abattoir is expected to continue to provide a service. The reason why I voice my concern is One cannot expect an abattoir to remain open that a number of butchers have come to see 6 October 1993 4800 Legislative Assembly me and have written letters. I also have an Mr COOPER (Crows Nest) (10.51 p.m.): understanding of the concerns that were The Bill gives members from both sides of the raised when the concept of allowing House an opportunity to express their views supermarkets which do not have on-site on the meat industry as well as the Bill. In butchers to sell fresh meat was discussed common with a number of members on this previously. The little butchers have side of the House, I have had experience in considerable capital tied up in their the beef industry. It has been an interesting businesses. The capital is high because industry in which to be involved. It has had Government regulations regarding the way in moments of excitement and down times. In which they run their businesses and the type the last 30 years, the industry has gone and size of equipment and benches that they through some fascinating changes. The meat use is very stringent. This ensures high health industry is a vastly important industry for the standards in the meat that the consumer State of Queensland and for Australia. receives. The Government has foreshadowed When we discuss this Bill, we should opening up fresh red meat sales in other keep in mind the lessons that have been stores, such as corner stores and learnt in the past. The member for Bundaberg supermarkets. In theory, that sounds great commended the flexibility of the Bill. That and another boon to the consumer, but here bothers me. There is nothing wrong with is the sting. If supermarkets are allowed to sell coming back to the Parliament to amend Bills fresh meat without preparing it on site, many from time to time when they need to be of them will cut jobs by removing their own in- amended. That gives members from both house butcher shops and using one or two sides the opportunity to bring to the centralised wholesale butchers in a region. Parliament or their party room their concerns, The supermarkets have always had the ideas and innovations for a particular industry. power to undercut the little guys, but this Therefore, I caution against making Bills would give them a very unfair advantage, so flexible that they do not contain much considering the number of regulations and detail. Bills should not be so flexible that restrictions with which established butchers changes can be made by the department or contend. What about the consumers? Will bureaucracy without the input of they be better off? Certainly, it will be parliamentarians. It is vital that we do not lose convenient to be able to get some fresh meat sight of that fact. As we have seen, industries at the corner store, although I suspect that need scrutiny from time to time and legislation most of the meat purchases that people make needs to come before the Parliament will continue to be made at their regular occasionally so that the necessary changes shopping centres. I think that the corner stores can be made for the good of that industry. We will be used for out-of-hours spot purchases will be watching closely any changes that are rather than as the place where people make made by regulation or by any other method their regular purchases. I cannot see corner that do not receive the scrutiny of the stores providing the wonderful array of meat Parliament. That is the issue that is of major cuts and services provided by the regular concern with this Bill. butchers. Even the most domestically illiterate can cook some culinary feast with the dishes As I mentioned, the industry is an that our butchers have pre-prepared these interesting one and has much history. Since days. the meat industry began, many changes have occurred. The member for Bundaberg referred I am more concerned about the impact to the history of the meat industry. It was that supermarkets will have on butchers than certainly interesting. We can learn from what the impact of corner stores on them. I see as has occurred in the past. the main threat the big supermarkets muscling the smaller butchers out of business. The In the last 20 years, the cattle breeding market share that the supermarkets will have industry in Queensland has gone through in fresh retail meat will increase sharply. I major changes. Different breeding techniques predict that many community-based butchers have been discovered and various markets will be history. For the privilege of providing a have opened up. I refer to things such as live great service, the local butcher has very high exports, which will increase, and to the advent costs, most of which are imposed by of lot feeding. Lot feeding has brought, and Government regulation. It would be very unfair will continue to bring, some stability to supply for Government to change other regulations in in the industry. In a State such as this with a a way which squeezes the lifeblood out of the volatile climate, often supply can be unstable. local butchers. Ultimately, the consumers Feedlotting will bring some stability to that would be worse off. market. However, with feedlotting comes Legislative Assembly 4801 6 October 1993 many problems. In my electorate, human the test of time, as the old Act stood the test problems have had a major effect on the of time. industry. In closely settled areas, that will I believe that the structures introduced continue to be of major importance. Although are only as good as the people who are that is not an issue with the Bill, it is one with involved in them. The Government can which we will have to grapple from time to introduce different kinds of structures and call time. We will need input from every member the bodies what it likes, but they are not worth of this Parliament in order to overcome the two bob to anybody unless the right people difficulties that the lot feeding industry is are in those positions. That will be a test for already facing. the policy committee, which is the body that In 1965, the Meat Industry Bill was will be set up to place those people in the introduced and it repealed 14 Acts. Members various positions. opposite have stated that, because that Act It is not necessary for the Minister to chair has been in place for 30 years, it should be the policy committee. Although I have nothing changed. For 30 years that Act stood the test against the Minister, I am worried that he will of time, which is the test of legislation. chair that committee. I believe that the policy However, all things have to change, and that committee should be comprised of people in is what is occurring now. In 1967, the British the industry. It should be completely meat agreement ended and the American unfettered and without any political market opened. The opening of the American interference or influence. In that way, the market revolutionised the beef industry in policy committee can bring forward policy that Queensland. It is not necessarily things that is completely untainted. It is wrong that the are done by Government that improve an Minister will chair that policy committee. industry or expand an industry; it is what is done by the industry itself and the markets Mr McElligott: Don’t you think the that open up. The American markets that Government has a role to play? opened up gave the beef industry an Mr COOPER: The Minister has much enormous boost. responsibility in upholding the Act as such. Since that time, however, the Americans The representatives on the policy committee have imposed conditions on meatworks and will be experienced enough to consider the abattoirs which they often do not comply with issues and put forward policies to the Minister. themselves. They impose strict conditions on Although the policy committee is represented markets such as those in Queensland and in by much of the industry, the consumer is not Australia because those markets are a threat represented. The Minister has said that to the American producers. That has been everyone is a consumer. However, I hasten to detrimental to the cost structure of the industry say that everyone—the pork producer, the in this State. It is difficult at times to justify the chicken producer, the meat exporter, a conditions that those powerful American member of a union—is a consumer, but markets place upon our industry. As I have members of the committee will not said, the meat industry can be an unstable concentrate on that particular issue while they industry, but now it is opening up and are forming policy. They will think of their expanding into other areas such as the game industry in particular. Therefore, they will not industry. I will talk more about that later. I necessarily be concentrating on the consumer reiterate that it is not helpful to say that, as such. We have very responsible consumer because the old Act was in place for 30 years, bodies in this State which should be it had to be changed. From time to time, we represented on the policy committee, because have seen change for change’s sake. they can provide the necessary expertise. The Minister should welcome those consumers on Recently, changes were made in the wool that committee. industry on a national level. When the wool industry virtually collapsed, major structural I note that the Australian Meat Industry changes were made. Four different bodies Employees Union will be represented on the were put in place in the wool industry. policy council. That union has a record of However, within the space of a year or two disruption. In Victoria, it has a record of closing they had to restructure that industry again. down meatworks. The last count was about 17 Government members should not believe meatworks that had closed in that State. It is that, because four major structural changes not as though it would give that union some have been made in the meat industry, it will satisfaction to be able to say, “We have be all right. That does not necessarily follow. closed down those meatworks because that The true test will be how this legislation stands particular body did not conform to our wishes.” I doubt that the union would have a warm 6 October 1993 4802 Legislative Assembly inner glow from knowing that it could close The member for Mulgrave mentioned the down that number of meatworks. That is not kangaroo industry and said that it needs necessarily good for the industry. It affects sustainable management. That is correct. consumers and the people who own the That industry must be managed properly. In meatworks. It also affects the workers. We respect of land management—kangaroos and must not forget that the workers are emus cause havoc in pastures. There must be consumers who have families and mouths to proper management of that industry, feed. They do not often have a say in it. If the otherwise there will be enormous waste. It is union says, “That meatworks is going to shocking to see kangaroos shot and left to rot. close”, it closes. That does not achieve They may as well be used properly. We could anything constructive for the industry. It is very have a worthwhile kangaroo industry. With destructive. It worries me that this union, which that would go very good land management has a record such as that, will be involved with techniques and control of numbers. If the policy council. I envisage further pastures are devastated, that affects the rest disruption, which would be extremely of the meat industry. unfortunate for the industry, the workers and Members have spoken about butcher the members of that particular union who shops. All members have butcher shops in derive their living from it. their electorates. Many of the butcher shops Mr Pitt: Don’t you think, though, that by that I have seen have a very good product. involving them with the union you moderate They have recognised that change has been that sort of behaviour? pending for some time. The recipes that I Mr COOPER: I would like to think that the have seen available in butcher shops are honourable member is right. I guess that we quite amazing. If consumers are able to see will find out. We will see whether that union what they can do with particular cuts of meat, can devote itself to the interests of the people, that makes that meat quite attractive to them. the consumers and everyone else involved in Consumers are entitled to that service. In the industry—not just its parochial self. We will general, butcher shops provide consumers see whether or not it stands the test of time. with something that they really want. This has created competition amongst butcher shops. When talking about the sugar industry, If they can produce an article that consumers the member for Mulgrave said that, because want, and if they can work closely with corner that industry has been restructured and stores—which many of them are trying to reformed, he felt that everything in the garden do—the consumer will be the winner. We was going to be rosy. We still do not know should give major consideration to consumers. whether it will stand the test of time. We must While all members have butcher shops and not forget that the Government has the corner stores in their electorates, most of them numbers in this House. It can introduce reform also have supermarkets. Those and changes to legislation. But whether or not establishments provide a great variety of it is right remains to be seen. Simply because product about which people can make dietary the Government has the numbers in this place decisions, such as whether they will eat meat. and it consults with the various sectors of the If the dictum that the customer is always right industry—the sugar industry, meat industry or is adhered to reasonably well, in the final whatever—does not mean that the analysis the consumer will be the beneficiary. I consultation process has been effective. That hope that will occur as a result of the has bothered me greatly. legislation. Although industries may be consulted in Meat is already available in frozen form in some way, quite often they have to go along Queensland. Many members have consumed with what the Government of the day decides. meat that has been frozen. This legislation will We do not know whether the industries are allow fresh meat to be available at corner happy about that. They might also be stores. There is nothing wrong with that. That concerned about change. Therefore, they will butcher shops can now sell a different array of be watching the results and making their product apart from meat sensibly balances the judgments accordingly. Quite often, industries issue. Therefore, I do not think that they will are threatened and victimised. That be too hard done by. But members on this sometimes happens when a Government is side of the House will be watching that closely. formulating legislation. People within an industry are not always game to speak out The producer representatives on the and say what they really think about the policy council are not to be the actual leaders legislation. But, as time goes by, I suppose of those particular producer groups. I cannot that everyone finds out what they really think. see why not. Legislative Assembly 4803 6 October 1993

Mr Casey: If the people who are the As I said, we will be watching the leaders of the industry want to be on the regulations as time goes by to see what policy council, they can. changes are made. The MInister should Mr COOPER: I am glad that the Minister remember that, because the Opposition is has cleared that up. It is vital that people with taking a very active interest in the legislation that experience are involved. Those people and the ongoing factors that will follow once did not come down in the last shower. They this Bill is passed. have been involved in the industry probably Mr LITTLEPROUD (Western Downs) for generations. They know it backwards. We (11.11 p.m.): I am aware that many issues want every possible bit of expertise and have been canvassed widely already in this experience involved in policy making. debate on the Meat Industry Bill, so it is my Mr Casey: That’s where we want them. intention to concentrate on just a few issues. Mr COOPER: We want them there, too. I Mr McElligott: A couple of minutes? am pleased to hear the Minister say that, Mr LITTLEPROUD: It is not a matter of because those people must be involved. The time; it is a matter of quality. The first point issue of consultation must be taken on that I want to make relates to game meat. I board—in this industry or wherever. would have to say that when the press Consultation often involves simply telling announced that a Meat Industry Bill was going organisations and industry what the to be introduced into this House that Government intends to do. That is not good contained clauses that allowed game meat to enough. Consultation is a two-way thing. We be processed and retailed in Queensland, have to listen to the industry and act upon comments were made to me by beef what it wants. People in those industries have producers within my electorate that indicated much more experience of those industries they had some fear of this proposal. I want to than does the Minister or me. Therefore, they place it on the record of this House that they must be treated with the respect that they were worried that they would face even more deserve. They are a fountain of good expensive slaughterhouse standards than information. They should be responded to. I they do now in the preparation of beef and want to ensure that people such as that are that the costs incurred in that process would involved in the consultation process. flow back to the saleyard prices for cattle. If The member for Barambah concentrated that is going to be the case, they insist that on this legislation. He has done a lot of the same level of costs should impact on consultation with the various bodies involved those people who are preparing game meat in the legislation. That is how it should be. It is for slaughter and preparation for consumption not just a matter of consulting and talking; we by humans. I have had discussions with the must listen very closely to everyone who has a member for Barambah, who has allayed some say in major legislation such as this. of those fears. Much has been said about accountability The member for Barambah has done a within this legislation. Throughout various parts tremendous amount of research on this of this legislation there is provision for a matter, and he is well informed. In fact, earlier degree of accountability. That is as it should tonight, I heard him talking about the be. But the word “accountability” is not just a kangaroo processing works at Morven that word. As the Minister would know from have been set up for the pet food trade. experience within his own Department of However, the operators thought ahead and Primary Industries, it goes much further than also readied themselves for preparing that. What has occurred within the DPI kangaroo meat for human consumption out of demonstrates how easily these things can the same works. Upon reading the Bill, I see happen. Frankly, I believe that the DPI was far that the same standards will apply to both too big. The Minister found out in no uncertain markets. terms that it was difficult to manage. When I first heard this aspect of the Bill As to game meat, including roo, crocodile discussed, people talked about the and camel meat—quite frankly, if people want wholesomeness of the product. I thought to to eat it then they are welcome to it. I am not myself that the wholesomeness of the product going to eat it myself. I remember sinking my needs to be defined, and it is so defined in teeth into a bit of roo and thinking, “I will leave the Bill. Reference is made in the Bill to the it at that.” But everyone is different. People various aspects of the preparation of the have different tastes. If people can derive meat. For instance, it has to be free of some pleasure or health benefits from eating chemical residue. When we talk about the roo meat and lean meat, so be it. “wholesomeness” of the game meat product, 6 October 1993 4804 Legislative Assembly because of the self-regulation of Q-Safe, the They are arguing that to ensure they do not department will have to ensure that those breach the minimum residue levels, they people maintain the wholesomeness of the should be able to increase the number of product as they say they will. I am most chemical treatments they give their cattle concerned about the period between taking before they are taken through clean country. It the game in the wild and delivering it to the sounds good, but we want to get away from slaughterhouse where it is skinned, gutted the threat of losing our export markets. and prepared for human consumption. Once However, when the proposal was first the game arrives at the slaughterhouse, I mooted at a meeting at Wandoan that I have no worries whatsoever that everything attended a few months ago, there seemed to will be right. I think that the danger period is be a fair number of problems with it. There the time involved in the actual taking of the was unhappiness among the beef producers carcass to the slaughterhouse. However, we in the clean country that cattle travelling will see what happens. through that area may pose a risk to them. I referred a moment ago to the self- We talked about a truck carrying cattle rolling regulation of those people who are in the over, allowing tick-infested cattle to run loose slaughtering business, which will be known as in that area. If that occurred, a farmer’s Q-Safe. I applaud that initiative for the beef, property could be quarantined for 12 months. sheep, pig and game meat slaughtering In the inner downs area, because they are business, which has existed in the chicken now only growing grain, many farmers no industry for a long time. It is a natural longer have very good fencing. In such progression for those other slaughtering circumstances, it is pretty hard to contain business to adopt the same procedure. I am stock. The ramifications of such an event sure that those people who are given could be enormous. Instead of only one accreditation will guard it securely, because property being placed at risk, the infected their financial success will depend on it. For stock could wander very quickly over a number the people who are in that business, it is a of properties. Farmers at the meeting at responsible measure. Wandoan said, “If you want to come up with The main issue that I want to raise is this sort of proposition, we want some chemical residue. A large part of the beef safeguards for the people in the tick-free produced in Queensland is sold on the export country. We want to know if there is going to market. In that market, we face all sorts of be some sort of compensation. What will that threats and competition. Over the years, we compensation be? Where is the money going have seen all sorts of threats made by our to come from, because there are going to be competitors, notably the USA, which would like financial losses.” to find some way to condemn our meat. Of It is interesting that this argument should course, one way to do that would be to find be going on at present, because I am very chemical residues in that meat, hence the much aware of the Minister’s election promise term “minimum residue levels”. I know that the in 1992, when he said that he hoped to move meat industry is very sensitive to that issue, the tick line north, right up to the Mount Isa- and although he probably would not be able Townsville line. I hope that that will happen in to do it tonight, I would like the Minister to give the future. In fact, he would have a letter from an undertaking that tomorrow, or at another me sitting on his desk in which I applaud this time in the very near future, he reports to the initiative. In that letter, I suggested that the House how many times in the last four or five proper place to start would be at the existing years there have been cases of unacceptable tick line and then to move north. I also levels of chemical residue in meat or where received advice from the Maranoa Graziers there has been a breach of the minimum Association and the Graziers Association of residue level. South East Queensland. They suggested that I want to know that for a good reason: at if we went west of the Great Dividing Range the present time, the Minister’s Tick Advisory and then moved forward in that area, Committee is active in rural areas, and there although it is still tick-infested country, are unanswered questions about the because of the farmers’ efforts, many movement of stock. I have heard that a properties are tick free. As well, it is easy number of graziers from the area just north of country in which to muster, and it is the tick line and going north about as far as accessible. So we could make great gains, the line from Rockhampton through to and receive good value for money. As yet, I Longreach—there are a lot of cattle in that have not received a response from the area, which is tick-infested—want access to Minister. I applaud the idea to move the tick the meatworks in south-east Queensland. line north, and to let us get the best value for Legislative Assembly 4805 6 October 1993 our dollar by starting inside the Great Dividing that they are not truly representative of all the Range. If we did that, we would get away from interested producers. the proposal to move 40 000 to 80 000 head Enough said of that. The last thing I want of cattle south of the Capricorn railway line to talk about is the need to keep service down through the clean country to the works. I listened with interest when the meatworks of south-east Queensland. member for Bundaberg was talking about the At present, a problem exists because service works. He got on to an aspect that I although the Tick Advisory Committee could not quite understand when he said that comprises representatives of the United the service works should have the right to go Graziers Association and the Cattlemen’s out and purchase stock. I could not quite Union, the membership represents those follow his line of argument in that respect. I people who live in tick-infested country. The thought that their job was just to kill stock that people who live in the tick-free country are individual owners had bought and wanted pretty upset about that. They say that they are slaughtered for wholesaling and retailing. I not receiving proper representation on that make a plea that in this new set-up the service committee. works be maintained. The beef producer Mr Casey: They were nominated by recognises that with the service works one has them. more competitors in the sale ring bidding for the stock. Mr LITTLEPROUD: The Minister is quite right. I know that, and they are trying to sort Mr Casey: They can only be profitable if out that matter among themselves. They there is constant scrutiny. realise that they risk blowing the two producer Mr LITTLEPROUD: That is correct. I bodies apart because of the different interests agree with that. I was going to come to that. at stake. However, the Minister has a chance The more blokes who are standing around the of overcoming this problem if he gives bidding ring and making bids, the more consideration to moving that tick line north, competition there is in the saleyard. That is because the bulk of the cattle that producers pretty important for the viability of the beef want to come into south-east Queensland producer. In addition, of course, the more through the tick-free country could be coming retail outlets that can get access to from country that has been declared clean if slaughtered and prepared beef, the stronger the DPI was to have some more funding to the competition and thus the likelihood of carry out that election promise. I have not better quality meat and a more competitive noticed in the Budget papers a specific target price for the consumer. That is a good reason that makes the Minister’s election promise to to keep the service works operating. contain the tick problem by the year 2000 a There has been trouble within the service reality. I ask the Minister and his Tick Advisory works for a number of years. The former Committee to be aware that the industry National Party Government was aware of the bodies are splitting themselves in two because large debts of the service works. There has to the interests of the people in the tick-free be an adequate throughput. The more people country are not the same as the interests of who use the killing works to kill the cattle that those people in the tick-infested country. I they bought at the saleyards, the better the think that the argument that we have to limit throughput is going to be. It is a problem, but and minimise the number of chemical it has to be faced. It is important—indeed, it is treatments of stock carried out in the 21 days imperative—that those services be maintained before it goes to the meatworks is spurious. for the good of the industry. What is upsetting people more than I have already noted that the member for anything else is that those people who attend Barambah said that the Opposition supports the meetings of the Tick Advisory Committee the enactment of legislation to cater not only are now giving only abridged minutes of their for the beef industry but also for the entire meetings to the producer bodies. That is not meat industry in the future. I did take note of very good in terms of accountability, and it is the comments made by the member for not very good for confidence. For the sake of Bundaberg, who said that the Bill is purposely the industry and for the sake of the Minister’s rather vague so that it will not become administration of the department, I ask him to outdated and so that necessary adjustments look into that. Abridged minutes of those can be made by way of regulation and meetings are only going to the producer subordinate legislation. He made the point bodies and there is a fair bit of heat out there that it will avoid the need for a lot of debate. among the producers. It is true that they elected the members, but now they recognise I can assure the Government that if regulations and subordinate legislation to 6 October 1993 4806 Legislative Assembly amend the legislation are subsequently I think it should be made quite clear that brought before this Parliament, there is still the Holmes Railway Preservation Society has going to be debate. If members of the no intention of going against the wishes of QR Opposition do not like what they see or in relation to public access. Rather, the society industry bodies do not like what they see, is trying to ensure that steps are taken to there will be an expectation that there will be restore the residence, the station building and debate. Perhaps it is all right the way the the gardens to their former glory for the Government has framed it this time. The viewing pleasure of rail travellers on the line, Government wants the legislation to be broad both the passengers who currently use the so that it does not have to keep amending it service between Brisbane, Toowoomba and in order to amend the regulations. It may be a further west and, more particularly, the quicker way of making the adjustment. As the passengers who travel on the regular tourist member for Crows Nest said, the Opposition steam train excursions. has a vital interest in seeing exactly what The Holmes Railway Preservation Society transpires in relation to the regulations that has advised Queensland Rail that a former pertain to this Bill. QR employee who was once stationed at Debate on motion of Mr Hobbs, Holmes and is now retired is willing to relocate adjourned. from another State to take up residence at the station, to pay a rental to the department and to begin the task of restoring and beautifying ADJOURNMENT the station and its gardens which, although Hon. E. D. CASEY (Mackay—Minister for now in a state of overgrowth and disrepair, Primary Industries) (11.24 p.m.): I move— were once more attractive than the now “That the House do now adjourn.” famous tourist attraction of Spring Bluff Railway Station a few kilometres up the line. So far, though, the society’s pleas have fallen Holmes Railway Station on deaf ears, with QR hell-bent on selling off Mr HEALY (Toowoomba North) (11.24 all assets that are not profitable and income- p.m.): Tonight I want to highlight a small but earning in its continued push towards the very significant part of Queensland’s railway corporatisation process in the year 1995. history and the efforts of a small group of My colleagues the members for people to try to preserve that history. I refer to Toowoomba South, Crows Nest and Lockyer the group known as the Holmes Railway are in full support of the Holmes Railway Preservation Society, headed by Gatton Shire Preservation Society, and letters indicating Councillor Arthur Trim. that support have been sent to QR Chief The society has undertaken to try to Executive, Mr Vince O’Rourke. convince Queensland Rail that a small railway Between 1865 and 1867, approximately station near Toowoomba and near my eight workers died of accident-related injuries electorate on the main range line called during the construction of that line, with a Holmes Railway Station—which is now closed further approximately 80 men, women and and has been closed for some children dying of diseases such as dysentery, time—deserves to be preserved, enhanced diphtheria, bronchitis, diarrhoea and influenza, and beautified as a living memorial to the which ran rampant through the railway camps 1 500 or so workers responsible for the along that line, including Holmes Camp, construction of that line between 1865 and during those years. Despite this, the largest 1867. engineering project in the southern Holmes Railway Station is located on the hemisphere at the time was completed, that main range line between Murphys Creek and is, the main range railway line. Spring Bluff stations. A review is currently To highlight the magnificent effort of the under way by Queensland Rail into the workers at the time, I point out that by 1867 removal and sale of the railway residence and Queensland had the first narrow gauge rail station building, thus removing any remaining line in the world, with the section from evidence of the historical significance of the Murphys Creek to Toowoomba requiring the area. As I said before, the station is now construction of nine tunnels, with a combined closed and public access is prohibited, so that length of 915 metres, 47 bridges, 126 curves modern railway communications equipment and numerous cuttings, over a distance of just housed in buildings located nearby may avoid 32 kilometres on an incline of some 1 195 damage by vandals. That is fair enough. feet—a marvellous achievement of Victorian engineering and determination by those Legislative Assembly 4807 6 October 1993 involved in its construction. Structures that The slipway facility will prove invaluable in have survived since the building of the railway, Gladstone’s marine services and maintenance such as the tunnels and cuttings, constructed operation. It exemplifies the program of by pick and shovel methods, still remain as a modernisation, reinvestment and reform that testimony to those workers, as does Holmes the Queensland Government is pursuing Railway Station, and deserve to be preserved throughout the marine and ports area. Many as a vital part of Queensland’s railway history times now, our Queensland ports have been and the development of this great State. described as gateways to the rest of the world. It is all too easy to forget our country’s Our gateway here in Gladstone happens to be history and the sort of work that went into the a deep-water, natural harbour, strategically construction of projects such as this very placed near substantial quantities of minerals important railway line, which is, of course, and and central Queensland’s growing agriculture will continue to be, a vital transport link and industrial regions. The port is thriving. between Queensland’s western areas and Over the years, the Gladstone Port Brisbane. And it is equally all too easy to Authority has worked very hard at forging and forget the suffering and hardship that people fostering better relations with other ports, of previous generations endured to provide overseas neighbours and the people of the people of today with the transport Gladstone. On the wider scale, in the past 12 infrastructure that can very easily be taken for months, Gladstone has increased its trade by granted. 3.5 per cent, despite a worldwide recession. The Holmes Railway Preservation Society Since 1988-89, its throughput has been lifted and its chairman, Councillor Arthur Trim, are to by 10 per cent, while shipping costs have be congratulated on their efforts so far to try to halved. Locally, the Gladstone Port Authority preserve the memory of the navvies, as the has also enjoyed its role as a corporate citizen workers and their families were referred to and pursued potential port industry and during that construction period between 1865 infrastructure that is of benefit to the city. and 1867, and it is hoped that the decision- It has long been my belief that this entire makers within QR will see fit to allow the region is destined to become the major society to continue in its efforts to preserve industrial centre in Australia in the twenty-first that memory. century. Anchoring that success is the substantial increase in current and planned investment in new port facilities. Growth, Gladstone Port Authority Slipway supported by targeted infrastructure spending, Mr BENNETT (Gladstone) (11.29 p.m.): will only increase our capacity to trade and On 5 October, the Minister for Transport, in create jobs at a time when they are needed. answer to a question in this House, outlined With that in mind, the 250-tonne Gladstone that the port of Gladstone contributes slipway is a testament to the commitment of substantially to the economic growth of the the port authority and Bulk Handling and region. The board of the Gladstone Port General Services to improve facilities and Authority should be congratulated on the boost the area’s economy. vision that it has brought to the management Gladstone has a large number of people of the port and its commitment and relying on its port facilities, including confidence in the continued growth of commercial vessels such as charter, tourist Gladstone as a major industrial centre of and fishing trawlers, and about 200 pleasure central Queensland. craft are based at the Gladstone Marina, One of the projects that I want to outline which is the site for the new slipway. In the is the new slipway facility that was built in past, a large percentage of vessels in the conjunction with the Gladstone Port Authority Gladstone small craft area in Auckland Creek and Bulk Handling Services. It was the result and the Gladstone Marina have had only of a joint venture between the two limited access to slipping facilities. However, organisations. The authority has been the authority has a charter to provide safe responsible for the construction of civil works, moorings and slipway facilities for those while Bulk Handling and General Services has vessels. supplied the mobile plant, machinery, fixtures The slipway’s major benefit to the and fittings and will operate those services. I community will be in the increase in the size of commend the spirit of cooperation that exists vessels able to be slipped from 100 tonnes to between the Gladstone Port Authority and 250 tonnes. The ship lifter will open up the private enterprise in establishing that much- system whereby any number of vessels up to needed facility. 50 tonnes can be lifted from the water and 6 October 1993 4808 Legislative Assembly stood in the slipway yard. Indeed, it is a before appearing in court, the guild admitted magnificent sight to watch the ship lifter in that it was at fault in the dismissal and settled action. The number of vessels will be limited out of court on a confidential basis. only by the area of land available in the 2.75 That event capped a long history by the hectare hardstand area. guild of hiring and firing a succession of That slipway facility will be the most financial managers who ran foul of the guild modern and up to date on the Queensland and its management procedures. The guild’s coast. There are also other advantages to an record over that two-year period cast doubt on upgraded facility. Fishing trawlers and other its ability to employ appropriate people for the commercial vessels travelling past Gladstone job. However, when it finally found someone will make greater use of the improved facilities, who could do the job properly, the guild found drawing more clientele to our maintenance that it did not like the accountability that came areas. The old slipway facility slipped about with the professionalism. 157 vessels in one year. The new slipway is More financial mismanagement by the expected to have at least a 100 per cent guild can be found in the fact that it is in increase in usage. breach of the QUT Act. The guild is specifically It is an important event for the Gladstone directed by sections 12 to 15 and, more Port Authority and the contractors who worked importantly, section 44 of the Queensland so hard behind the scenes in constructing that University of Technology Act. That Act gives facility and seeing it in action. Thanks must go the council power to make rules regarding to designers and engineering consultants, various matters, including fees and charges in Cullen Grummitt and Roe of Brisbane, and respect of the guild, the powers, authority, also to Transfield Constructions Pty Ltd of duties and obligations of the guild. The Sydney, which constructed the jetty and section then empowers the university to collect substructure for the ship lifter at a cost of the compulsory guild fee from students. The about $850,000. crux of the matter lies in section 59.1. All fees The Gladstone firm, Frocot Pty Ltd, and all other moneys received by the council constructed the shore-based facilities, which under the Act or otherwise shall be applied include an office, workshop and compound, at solely for the purpose of the university. The a cost of $1.4m. Those significant contracts council collects the guild fee and then pays it were met by the Gladstone Port Authority, to the guild. demonstrating its commitment to infrastructure The expenditure of student money by the development and projects of vision. Bulk guild must be within the scope of the Handling and General Services in turn university purposes, for example, operating invested $320,000 in the marine straddle the canteen, funding campus clubs and carrier manufactured by Crib Point student newspapers and the like. I note that Engineering. The machinery, fixtures and the wording is “for university purposes” and not fittings and stock were installed at a cost in “for student political purposes”. Taking out a excess of half a million dollars. I congratulate political advertisement in the Courier-Mail Bulk Handling Services and the Gladstone could not be classed as a university purpose Port Authority on their achievements. by any stretch of the imagination, especially Time expired. when the ad is the one that supported the Labor Government at the 13 March Federal election. The ad appeared in the Courier-Mail QUT Student Guild on 11 March and was written and authorised Mr DAVIDSON (Noosa) (11.34 p.m.): I by Sherri Rutherford of the QUT Student wish to speak on the Queensland University of Guild. It also bears the logo of the student Technology Student Guild. It has been guild and is blatantly political. For the interest brought to my attention that there have been of members, I table a copy of the ad. questionable dealings by the committee of the Quite obviously, through its president, guild over the past year. A prime example of Sherri Rutherford, the guild considered the ad that is the dismissal by the guild of a staff to be political, because it completed a return member. That person held the office of for the Australian Electoral Commission, which financial manager and was wrongfully by law must make available all significant dismissed after exposing financial political donations and expenditure. That mismanagement within the guild. That person information was published by the Courier-Mail instigated action against the guild for wrongful on Saturday, 4 September. However, the dismissal through the Industrial Commission warning bells obviously sounded because, on and, at the final compulsory conference the following Wednesday, the guild, through Legislative Assembly 4809 6 October 1993 its solicitor, denied that any political activity contracts in that rapidly developing region of was undertaken by the guild. Such denial the world. This great success came on top of seems totally at odds with the evidence that an $11.5m contract for the supply of sugar- the guild has paid $2,473 of students’ money milling equipment to the Philippines. That towards the cost of taking out a political contract was won after lengthy evaluation advertisement in Brisbane’s major daily processes, involving competition with rivals newspaper. from as far afield as Mexico, Europe, Japan Also blatantly political is the QUT Guild’s and Brazil. What a great compliment to newspaper, Utopia, which, in the run-up to the Walkers! Walkers has established excellent Federal election, waged a vicious and credentials in the international sugar industry unbelievably distorted campaign against the as a reliable supplier of highly efficient milling coalition’s education policy while, at the same equipment. That speaks volumes for its time, giving lavish praise to Keating and the tradesmen. Its reputation and experience Labor Party. All of that evidence suggests that played a significant part in winning the the guild is engaging in political activity and contract for the Philippines. using students’ funds to wage its campaign. Similarly, two other projects in South East That is totally against the Queensland Asia—one in Thailand and the other in University of Technology Act and is a blatant, Indonesia—were won by the same high possibly criminal, misuse of student fees, standards and reputation. Along with a further which are compulsorily collected for the guild. order for milling equipment received from Fiji, The guild is now obviously nothing other than export orders at Walkers totalled a Labor Party front and is using unsuspecting approximately $75m in the last 10 months, students’ fees to further the electoral and I smell more on the breeze. By this time prospects of the ALP. next year, Walkers will have doubled its work force to 600 over five years. Another small milling company doing well is the Dale & Maryborough Meyers Sawmill at Tiaro, near Maryborough. Mr DOLLIN (Maryborough) (11.38 p.m.): In 1989, that company had six employees in Maryborough is bursting at its seams. its sawmill. It now employs over 80 people, Maryborough’s manufacturing industries are working its mill 24 hours a day, producing making a major contribution not only to the fencing, landscaping timbers, timber rounds economy of Maryborough and the Wide Bay and power poles. The company is utilising a region but also to the economies of state-of-the-art preservation plant for the Queensland and Australia as a whole. Thirty- treatment of its products. Today, Dale and four light rail trains will be built at Maryborough Meyers is achieving sales of nearly $6m per Walkers Limited as part of an export contract annum. The company’s 80-plus employees to Kuala Lumpur that will return $43m to more than replaces the timber industry’s job Walkers. That means an extra 80 jobs at displacements by the Fraser Island resource Walkers’ Maryborough plant and 100 jobs for loss. subcontractors in Maryborough and other Not only has Dale and Meyers excelled in areas. growth but it also recently won the Sugar That is Walkers’ largest single export Coast Small Business of the Year Award in contract and is the first contract for joint the category of manufacturers with less than venturers, EDI and a German transport 100 employees. Dale and Meyers competed company, AEG Bahn Systeme. The trains will against 170 others for that prestigious award. be designed and built at Walkers. What a On the first of this month, Dale and Meyers great feather in the cap of Walkers’ workers went on to win the Telecom Queensland and management! AEG will be responsible for Small Business Awards State presentation in the overall project management and traction Brisbane. The company will be competing in design. That joint venture agreement has the National Small Business Awards in Sydney brought together design skills, technical on 25 October. That goes to prove that large expertise, manufacturing abilities and the and small businesses are achieving growth experience of two companies into a strong and excellence in the Maryborough region and valuable international partnership that will under the successful management of a stable go from strength to strength. Goss Labor Government. Having visited South East Asia with an all- The other great news is that the all clear party trade delegation led by Minister Casey in has been given for the woodchip mill to be May this year, it was obvious to me that there constructed at Owanyilla near Maryborough by was great potential for an engineering the Hyne and Son Sumimoto Corporation. company with the skills of Walkers to win That project will create 80 jobs and export 6 October 1993 4810 Legislative Assembly

$12m worth of chips per annum to Japan and ask, “Is this report correct? Is it true that a through the Gladstone port. The chips will be Government vehicle was used for that railed from Maryborough to Gladstone utilising purpose?” one train every 24 hours six days a week. This I made some inquiries which revealed will maintain QR jobs in the Maryborough that the almost brand new Toyota Landcruiser region. station wagon—which is not a cheap car by In the State Budget, $2.9m is provided any stretch of the imagination—is a for a Government building to be constructed in Government vehicle that is leased from the Maryborough to house the regional Education Commonwealth Department of Administrative Department and the regional office of Services to a youth group in Cairns called the Environment and Heritage. This firmly Yuddika group. The vehicle was driven by an establishes Maryborough as the throbbing Aboriginal girl, Patricia Jia, from Cairns so that heart of the Wide Bay/Burnett region. It is now she could participate in an indoor cricket the fastest-growing region in Queensland. carnival. The purpose of the journey was not The tourist industry is developing in leaps an ATSIC conference or some similar get- and bounds. The Fraser Coast South Burnett together. It was to play in an indoor cricket Tourism Board did us proud by eliminating the carnival. In addition to that, she also had the heavyweights such as the Gold Coast, fuel card to go with the car. So the cost of the Brisbane and Cairns—on a fraction of their fuel was being paid for by the taxpayers of the respective budgets—to win the Queensland State, as well. Tourism Award in July. The board will be One person asked me who would have representing Queensland at the National authorised that journey, and whether that is Australian Tourism Awards being held in normal practice. Other questions were: who Hobart on the 15th of this month. The national pays the fringe benefit tax? Is it a normal winner will be announced at that gala event. practice for public servants in Queensland to Maryborough is bursting at the seams. If be given such generous usage of vehicles for people are looking for a great lifestyle, a great private purposes? I must say that I have climate and a great place to work or invest, asked similar questions. they should hurry to Maryborough. In this accident, the lass was in the wrong. She failed to give right of way. She has Use of Government Vehicles for Private been breached for that. The car was pretty Purposes well a write-off, so obviously it was travelling at Mrs McCAULEY (Callide) (11.43 p.m.): A a fairly high speed. The other car, which was a few weeks ago, my local newspaper contained utility, had the tool-boxes in the back bolted to a report titled “Accident at Washpool Street”. the floor, and they were torn from their That report stated— mountings and thrown onto the footpath by the force of the impact. The policeman to “A learner driver would be breached whom I spoke commented that if children had for failing to give way after a traffic been coming home from school at the time, accident at the intersection of Kroombit the accident could have been far worse. and Washpool Streets last Saturday. I return to the fact that this was a The female driver, 21, was driving a Government vehicle with a Government fuel government department Toyota card. Landcruiser Station Wagon from Cairns to play in an indoor cricket carnival in Mr Szczerbanik: Commonwealth Biloela. Government. The Cruiser collided with a Toyota Mrs McCAULEY: It does not really utility at about 3.05 p.m. receiving matter. They are all Governments. I am simply extensive damage.” raising this matter because I am very The report goes on to say that the woman disquieted that our money is being used in was taken to hospital and that the driver of the this manner to assist people to get around the State to play in indoor cricket carnivals. It utility was also injured. That report raised seems to me that questions should be asked some rather interesting queries in my mind in Federal Parliament. I will be passing this about why a Government vehicle would be information on to the member for Hinkler, Mr involved in such an accident on the weekend. Paul Neville, so that he can ask the The report also raised some queries in the appropriate questions in Federal Parliament. I minds of some people in my electorate who seek some answers as to why we should be contacted me to complain about the matter so generous with our vehicles and our Legislative Assembly 4811 6 October 1993

Government credit cards such that this type of This most vicious and personal attack is the incident could occur. It seems to me that, in work of none other than Macdonald and his the context of the stringent economic controls gruesome band of QJA knife-throwers. This which should be exercised because of the latest effort is the culmination of a vendetta parlous state that we are in federally, dating back some five months. The trigger is Government vehicles should not be used in simply this: Mr Skinner was threatened with this manner. Incidentally, the number plate of legal action over his attempts to enforce that vehicle was 664 BTN. I will ask the certain provisions of the QJA constitution. He member for Hinkler to look into this matter and in fact asked a very legitimate question of Mr report back to me. Peter Macdonald, QJA consultant. In February 1993, Mr Skinner asked Macdonald to explain why a telephone number identified as Mr B. Skinner; Queensland Justices belonging to him was the identical number Association shared by the QJA. Macdonald took it upon Mr McELLIGOTT (Thuringowa) himself to punish such insolence. (11.47 p.m.): I rise to speak about yet another incident of harassment against an innocent Mr Skinner had discussions with the Queensland justice of the peace by the very president of the QJA, Merle Clancy, and organisation established to protect the considered resigning his position, having interests of justices—the Queensland Justices uncovered what was potentially the misuse of Association. The innocent victim of the current QJA funds. He decided, however, in the round of harassment is Mr Bill Skinner, JP, interests of the justices whom he represented Townsville resident, convener of the Townsville from north Queensland, to remain on the QJA regional subcommittee of the QJA, member of State Council. With that, Macdonald called a the Attorney-General’s justice of the peace special meeting of the QJA executive and advisory council and a most respected and rigged the vote on a motion calling for Mr law-abiding citizen. Skinner’s resignation. The motion was passed calling for that resignation. No grounds were On three previous occasions, members of offered by way of explanation. Mr Skinner was the Government have put before the House simply told to tender his resignation. He has to incidents of a similar nature involving the this day not stated any intention to resign, and victimisation of innocent justices by QJA has indeed not offered his resignation either consultant Peter Macdonald and the State verbally or in writing, as is required under the Council of the QJA. We have learned of QJA articles of association. blatant misuse of QJA membership funds, of extraordinary personal abuse of innocent On 13 April, Mr Skinner was contacted by justices, and of a total disregard for the the new registrar, Karolyn Leadbetter, who concepts of truth and justice. requested his resignation. Within a month of On 30 September, the QJA published an this conversation, and without receipt of formal advertisement in the Townsville Bulletin stating resignation from Mr Skinner, the State Council that the QJA had withdrawn authority for Mr of the QJA replaced Mr Skinner. Skinner to act in a capacity as a On 20 April, MacPhie Poole, solicitors for representative agent or officer of the the QJA, wrote to Mr Skinner reminding him of association and its Townsville divisional his supposed resignation, demanding a copy committee. This advertisement implied that Mr of his resignation letter. A second letter in the Skinner’s professional integrity and financial same provocative tone was received on 21 responsibility warranted questioning. By letter April. It requested that Bill rethink his position dated 28 September 1993, signed by Karolyn as chair of the Townsville Divisional N. Leadbetter, Registrar, the QJA wrote to Mr Committee. When neither of those letters Skinner and advised him as follows— intimidated Bill to the point of his tendering a “You are advised that in accordance resignation, a third was received. with the authority for which provision is Mr Skinner is a dedicated and active made in the registered Constitution of the justice of the peace (qualified) in the Association, the State Council has Townsville region. As part of his ongoing determined that the QJA Townsville commitment to his position as a justice of the Division Committee shall be deemed to peace (qualified), Mr Skinner has been have been dissolved and to have ceased awarded the conflict resolution certificate and to exist as from Noon on Wednesday, a statement of attainment for advanced September 20, 1993.” instructional skills, which enables him to pass on his skills to other justices of the peace in 6 October 1993 4812 Legislative Assembly

Townsville. Mr Skinner is currently establishing Mr Skinner has received a copy of a letter a justice of the peace training kit for other from the entire QJA Divisional Committee justices of the peace who are interested in which was sent to the Attorney-General, furthering their knowledge. stating— Bill Skinner is a highly respected member “The divisional members Townsville of the Townsville community with QJA do not in any way doubt Mr unquestionable integrity. He has regular Skinner’s honesty and integrity in all dealings with the police, court officials, matters relating to his role as convenor businesses and the general public in all and member of the QJA.” areas—warrants, summonses, statutory Mr Skinner deserves an explanation and declarations, oaths and affirmations, and he deserves an apology. The persecution of domestic violence issues. Bill Skinner by the QJA demonstrates that that organisation does not deserve the loyalty of its 9 000 members. The public notice which appeared in the Townsville Bulletin would, by imputation, leave any reader with the perception that Bill is the kind of person who would misrepresent the truth and incur debts in circumstances in which he had no capacity to pay. These imputations are unjustifiable, derogatory and insulting. Time expired. Motion agreed to. The House adjourned at 11.53 p.m.