Legislative Assembly 83 12 September 1995

TUESDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 1995 PETITIONS The Clerk announced the receipt of the following petitions— Mr SPEAKER (Hon. J. Fouras, Ashgrove) read prayers and took the chair at 10 a.m. Cannabis From Mr Beanland (117 signatories) praying that the statutory prohibition on the AUDITOR-GENERAL'S REPORT production and usage of cannabis be Mr SPEAKER: I have to advise the continued. House that today I received from the Auditor-General the following report: Audits of Certain Education Related Entities for the Liquor Licensing Hours, Toowoomba Financial Year Ended 31 December 1994. From Mr Horan (199 signatories) praying that the proposed extension of liquor licensing hours to 5 a.m. in Toowoomba be not PAPERS TABLED DURING RECESS proceeded with. Mr SPEAKER: I have to advise the House that papers were tabled during the Julia Creek State School recess in accordance with the details provided on the Daily Program circulated to members in From Mr Mitchell (178 signatories) the Chamber. praying that immediate steps be taken to reintroduce Year 8 at the Julia Creek State 11 September 1995 School for 1996. Board of Trustees of the Ipswich Girl's Grammar School—Annual Report for 1994; Students with Disabilities Board of Trustees of the Ipswich Grammar School—Annual Report for 1994; From Mr Quinn (41 signatories) praying for an increase in the projected disability Board of Trustees of the Rockhampton Girl's package for 1996-97 to facilitate the Grammar School—Annual Report for 1994; establishment of post-school options for Board of Trustees of the Townsville Grammar students with disabilities. School—Annual Report for 1994; Island Industries Board—Annual Report for the year ended 31/1/95; Johnstone Shire Council Queensland Fire Service Superannuation From Mr Rowell (3,230 signatories) Plan—Annual Report for the year ended praying that action be taken to dismiss the 31/3/95; elected officials and senior management of Johnstone Shire Council. Sunshine Coast University College—Annual Report (Volume One and Two) for 1994; University of Southern Queensland—Annual Teacher Superannuation Report, Financial Report and Statement of From Dr Watson (55 signatories) praying Affairs for 1994; and that the Parliament of Queensland will urgently University of Queensland—Annual Report and reconsider a buy-back proposal for teachers Appendices for 1994. with broken patterns of service who have been financially disadvantaged in terms of superannuation retirement expectations. PETITIONS Petitions received. Format Mr SPEAKER: On Thursday, 7 PAPERS September, the House agreed to reinstate the change in format for the wording of petitions The following papers were laid on the agreed to in the Forty-seventh Parliament for table— the remainder of this session of the (a) Treasurer (Mr De Lacy)— Forty-eighth Parliament. As there are a Queensland Industry Development number of petitions yet to be presented which Corporation, Government Schemes contain the old wording, I intend to allow those Division—Financial Statements 1 July petitions to be presented to the House. 1994—30 September 1994 12 September 1995 84 Legislative Assembly

Annual Reports for 1994-95 Urgent action is needed, and it is needed Brisbane Cricket Ground Trust before the major reconstruction of our Queensland Office of Financial hospitals is completed. The priority for Supervision expenditure will be the metropolitan teaching hospitals to ensure that they maintain (b) Minister for Primary Industries and Minister for Racing (Mr Gibbs)— international standards. Substantial funding will be spent at the Princess Alexandra Government Response to the Hospital, the Royal Brisbane, Royal Women's Parliamentary Committee of Public Works and Royal Children's, the Mater, the Prince Report into the Teemburra Dam Project Charles and QE II Hospitals. We will not ignore Trustees of the Eagle Farm Racecourse— the non-metropolitan hospitals, either. The Annual Report for 1994-95 other major hospitals and rural hospitals Tobacco Leaf Marketing Board of throughout Queensland will share in the Queensland and Tobacco Quota funding. Committee—Annual Report to 31 December 1994 To ensure that our priorities are right, specialist medical staff have been involved in Review of Statutory Marketing Arrangements for Grain in Queensland by the preparation of equipment schedules for the Grain Industry Review Committee— purchase as part of this program. The first Final Report phase of the re-equipping is nearly completed, (c) Minister for Housing, Local Government and hospitals are currently preparing and Planning, Minister for Rural necessary documentation in terms of Communities and Minister for Provision of functional plans, economic evaluations and Infrastructure for Aboriginal and Torres specifications for equipment where this is Strait Islander Communities required. It is expected that the first of this (Mr Mackenroth)— equipment should be arriving in our public Reference to the Local Government hospitals over the next two to three months. Commissioner on certain reviewable local This program of equipment replacement will government matters in relation to the run in parallel with the equipment replacement Shires of Crows Nest and Rosalie. that would automatically occur as a result of the rebuilding and refurbishment of many of MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Queensland's public hospitals under the 10- year Capital Works Program. Hospital Equipment Upgrade Of the $35m for new equipment, over half Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane will be spent in the major metropolitan Central—Minister for Health) (10.06 a.m.), by hospitals. For example, I am advised that leave: In October 1993, the Government $7.5m will be spent in new equipment at the received a report which we commissioned to Princess Alexandra Hospital alone and look at hospital stock in this State and the $12.4m for Brisbane South region. The backlog in equipment replacement. The report categories of equipment we are replacing by Professor John Deeble from the National include anaesthetic equipment, radiology, Centre for Epidemiology and Population operating theatre equipment, nuclear Health at the Australian National University medicine and emergency department came to a number of conclusions about the equipment. The Public Hospital Equipment need to replace the infrastructure of our Replacement Program is the single largest hospitals and the need to undertake a block of expenditure ever committed by any program of equipment replacement. Government to specialist equipment. Some of Professor Deeble's report formed the the equipment that we are replacing is 25 basis of this Government's 10-year Hospital years old and a large proportion of it is 15 Rebuilding and Re-equipping Program. In years old. terms of equipment, the Government has Mr T. B. Sullivan: And they're announced its intention to spend $35m over complaining about six years. the next two years to introduce a Hospital Specialist Equipment Program to upgrade and Mr BEATTIE: I take that interjection. modernise equipment throughout We are replacing a legacy of National Party Queensland's public hospitals. As part of my neglect of Queensland's hospital equipment. 100 days of consultation I have visited a We recognise that to provide high-quality number of Queensland hospitals, and my health care to the people of Queensland, our discussions with clinical staff have highlighted doctors, nurses and other health professionals for me the very run-down state of some of the must have at their disposal medical, major specialist equipment in our hospitals. diagnostic, surgical and laboratory equipment Legislative Assembly 85 12 September 1995 which is readily available, reliable and at the "That pursuant to Standing Order No. cutting edge of medical technology. 26, the House shall meet for the dispatch Accordingly, as an integral part of the 10-year of business in addition to the days agreed Capital Works Program, a major audit of to pursuant to the Sessional Order of 7 clinical equipment in public hospitals September at 10 a.m. on the Friday of throughout Queensland is currently under way. each sitting week on which days The audits are being carried out by Government business shall take experienced consultants who have been precedence of all other business." instructed to talk with doctors, nurses and Motion agreed to. allied health professionals to gain their views on each hospital's equipment needs, both now and in the future. QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Initially, the reviews will be concentrated in Eastern Tollway the Brisbane metropolitan area and include both the Royal Brisbane and Princess Mr BORBIDGE (10.13 a.m.): I refer the Alexandra Hospitals. Later in the year, the Premier to the overwhelming public rejection of reviews will be extended to hospitals in the Government's eastern tollway policy at the provincial and rural areas of the State. The general election 59 days ago, and I ask: why results of the reviews will provide my has he abrogated his authority and the department with an accurate clinical authority of Cabinet in regard to this matter by equipment database and information system, buck-passing this decision to caucus and why equipment benchmarks for the State's will he not tell Queenslanders what his hospitals linked to patient care and service recommendation to caucus will be? delivery requirements and a forward plan for Mr W. K. GOSS: Given the shifty and replacement, repair and maintenance. duplicitous approach that the Leader of the Ultimately, I hope to be able to provide Opposition took in the year or two leading up Cabinet with a detailed, long-term plan for to the election, it is a bit ironic for him to updating clinical equipment in all our public criticise me for not putting my solution forward hospitals. This will mean that members of the to the public. It is true that the position taken community can rest assured that, if they go to by the Government has been rejected by a a public hospital for treatment, the medical considerable number of people. It is clear that equipment in use will be efficient, safe and the tollway has a degree of unpopularity for modern. environmental reasons, for reasons of property interests and in relation to particular views on As to the fibre optic bronchoscope public transport. featured on last night's television news—I am advised that the equipment does work and After the election, the Government that the tape at the top of the scope was to indicated that, in relation to major decisions simply stop excessive kinking. I am advised such as this, it would be seeking to take a accordingly that there was no risk to patients. I more consultative approach because that was am further advised that the equipment is safe one of the messages that was said to have and that it had never really broken down but come from the election. Indeed, the Leader of was just ageing and because of its age was the Opposition was one of the people who already due to be replaced this year. said—and I am not quoting him This review is another example of the exactly—words to the effect, "The Premier has Government's firm commitment to upgrade been arrogant; he has to listen to people." public health services across Queensland. I When the Government turns around and says, have taken a personal interest in this "All right, we are going to listen to people", he equipment replacement program and I will be says, "You are dithering; you are not making a reporting regularly to the people about its decision." It seems to me that no matter what progress and its implementation over the we do, no matter what the issue, the Leader coming months. of the Opposition shifts his position. Mr Purcell: He's shifty. SITTING DAYS Mr W. K. GOSS: The honourable member is right; the Leader of the Opposition Sessional Order has a shifty disposition when it comes to the Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH big issues in politics today. Last week, it was (Chatsworth—Leader of the House) the same with the workers' compensation (10.11 a.m.), by leave: I move— issue—shift, shift, shift. 12 September 1995 86 Legislative Assembly

The Government has discussed this integrated regional transport solution, which matter as a Government—all members of will include upgraded road capacity and Parliament together—and, in terms of the in- increased rail capacity through the opening of principle decisions that have to be taken and the rail link and an upgrading of rail facilities. which will guide the Government's actions from We will also further expand public transport here on, we have taken the view that at the options through bus travel in addition to the outset of that decision-making process there bus reforms that have already been delivered should be a full meeting of all members of by this Government. Parliament to reflect the views of the community. Stanwell Power Station; AUSTA Mr FitzGerald: Members of Parliament. Electric Mr W. K. GOSS: No, the members on Mr BORBIDGE: I ask the Minister for this side of the House. I do not know how it Minerals and Energy: have discussions been works on the honourable member's side of the authorised or have negotiations taken place in House. respect of the sale or partial sale of State Mr FitzGerald interjected. power generation facilities, in particular at Stanwell Power Station, and, if so, what is the Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for status of these discussions? Lockyer, I think that that is enough. Mr McGRADY: No discussions have Mr W. K. GOSS: On this side of the taken place regarding the sale of Stanwell House, we see ourselves as representing the Power Station. The two shareholding community, and we believe that people who Ministers, namely, the Treasurer and I, have are not in the Cabinet should have a say, too. approved a recommendation from the board We would even allow people such as Mr of AUSTA Electric making a financing FitzGerald to have their say, even though he arrangement with the Queensland Treasury has been cut out of the front bench—— Corporation. Essentially, this is a refinancing Mr FitzGerald interjected. arrangement. There is nothing unusual about Mr W. K. GOSS: The member is not in this practice. Because this arrangement is with the shadow Cabinet. They would not let him in the Queensland Treasury Corporation, I the shadow Cabinet, would they? But suggest that the Leader of the Opposition Government members think that people such refer the question to the Honourable the as the honourable member should have a Treasurer. say. There is nothing secretive about this. In All members of the parliamentary Labor fact, a memorandum was sent out to Party have a view and have a contribution to employees of the Stanwell Power Station. If make on this issue. That meeting will be we were trying to keep it secret, there is no convened tomorrow and they will have the way in the world that we would have done opportunity to be briefed on the options that that. For honourable members' information, I were brought forward to Cabinet yesterday by table this article. Mr Elder. Those matters will be canvassed first at the full meeting of the parliamentary party 1995 Local Government Elections tomorrow and we will take it from there. Mr LIVINGSTONE: In directing a In relation to the option that has been question to the Minister for Housing, Local generally regarded as having been rejected by Government and Planning, I refer to the community—the Government was seeking statements in today's Courier-Mail that some to deliver to the people of Queensland, and in local government councillors in Queensland particular to south-east Queensland, the may have been illegally elected at the last long-term solution from which the National triennial local government elections. I ask: can Party, whilst in Government, irresponsibly the Minister inform the House what the turned away. The Leader of the Opposition, as situation is in regard to these councillors? If a representative of the Gold Coast, turned his these people have been illegally elected, what back on his constituents and their concerns in action can the Minister take to rectify the relation to transport. Not only did the National problem? Party turn its back on the road option; it ripped Mr MACKENROTH: Yes, there is a up the railway and it sold the corridor. problem in relation to the qualifications of a It is a Labor Government that is left to number of people who were elected at the last wrestle with the National Party's irresponsibility. triennial election. Today, I am trying to It is a Labor Government that will deliver an ascertain exactly how many people are Legislative Assembly 87 12 September 1995 involved. Initially, we thought that there may were able to run for election. Nobody picked be up to 50. On the latest count, it could be up the fact that when three different sections much higher than that; indeed, somewhere of the Act are read together, they say that the between 100 and 150 councillors in candidate needs to be an elector for the Queensland may be affected. division, not an elector for the local Last week, in Logan City, which is government area. presently undertaking a by-election for one of I have had discussions with the Local its council divisions, a person who lived outside Government Association this morning in that division nominated for it. A person relation to this problem, and it has asked that objected to that nomination, so the returning the Government take action to expedite a officer for the Logan City Council obtained solution. There are a number of options legal advice from a QC who said that there available to the Government. Firstly, we could were no problems in relation to that person's legislate to ratify the decision of the electors at candidature. The council then received further the last triennial election and leave those advice from the same QC to say that there councillors in place; or, secondly, we could was indeed a problem and that the person declare the results null and void and hold by- could not be accepted as a candidate elections in 100 to 150 council divisions because that person did not live within that throughout Queensland. The situation is that if division. we do not take some action within two months After being made aware of that problem, I to ratify the decision of the electors three sought Crown law advice. Late yesterday months ago, the Act would require the afternoon I received a QC's opinion—at this returning officers in those areas to call stage, it is only initial advice—on probably the nominations for those divisions. This means first question we asked as to whether in fact that if we are going to legislate we need to these people are affected or their qualification take action within a two-month period. is affected. The advice is that when all of the I think the situation is a lot more severe Act is read together it is evident that their than that. If one looks at the Gold Coast City nominations should not have been accepted. Council, one can see that out of 14 elected The general qualifications for membership of a councillors, nine live outside the division to council under section 169(1) of the Act state— which they were elected. I have no doubt that "A person is qualified to become a on the Gold Coast at present there would councillor of a local government if the probably be a lot of people who would like to person lives in the local government's have a new election, but one cannot look at area and is an elector." the problem just in terms of the Gold Coast. Indeed, the intention of the Government at As we go up the coast, there are a lot of the time that this legislation was brought councils that would be in a similar position. before the Parliament was that a person living I was pleased to hear notice of a motion within a local government area could be a given this morning by the shadow Minister for councillor irrespective of whether that person Local Government, who called upon the lived within the division or not. Indeed, we Government to expedite a solution to this produced a handbook for candidates that problem. I say to the Opposition—and I have stated— discussed this morning with the Premier the "To be qualified, a person must live options that are available to us—that I think a in the Local Government Area, be an solution to the problem needs to be found elector, and not be subject to any of the expeditiously. The problem should be general or other disqualifications listed in remedied as quickly as possible. If members the Local Government Act. Where a opposite are prepared to support legislation, I candidate stands as a Councillor for a will bring it in and pass it on Thursday. particular electoral division, that person is not required to live in the division." Stanwell Power Station; AUSTA So that is the information that was provided to Electric candidates at the last election. The Local Government Bill 1993 probably had more Mrs SHELDON: I ask the Treasurer: has politicians poring over it than any other Bill. I he at any time issued a written or verbal order would suggest that every local government to AUSTA Electric that a generating unit or councillor in Queensland would have gone units at the Stanwell Power Station are to be through that Bill with a fine toothcomb. sold or refinanced? Have discussions been Indeed, they would have looked particularly at held with private companies in respect of the clauses relating to whether or not they these negotiations? If so, why? 12 September 1995 88 Legislative Assembly

Mr De LACY: This is one of those An Opposition member: Sale and secret questions. I have no doubt that the lease-back? Deputy Leader of the Coalition has had a look Mr De LACY: No, it is not a sale and at the briefing note that was distributed by lease-back. AUSTA in relation to this issue, and I think it probably answers most of the questions that An Opposition member: Tell us what she just asked. But the fact is that the it is. electricity authorities in Queensland do all of Mr De LACY: It is a complex financing their financing through the Queensland arrangement, but it is not exactly correct to call Treasury Corporation. As the Deputy Leader of it a sale and lease-back. The Queensland the Coalition would know, the Queensland Government has been entering into sale and Treasury Corporation is the central borrowing lease-back arrangements for the past decade authority in Queensland. It is, by most or more. In 1984, in relation to Dalrymple Bay accounts, the most efficient and most and Abbot Point, the Government entered into professional such authority in Australia, and a partnership equity, sale and lease-back one of the most professional in the world. licensing and sublicensing arrangement. What that means is that it is always on the lookout for opportunities to reduce the cost of Mr W. K. Goss: Was Mr Borbidge in borrowings. That is what it is all about. Government in 1984? It enters into a whole range of financing Mr De LACY: Where was he in 1984? I arrangements, most of which are very could tell him more about that arrangement, complex. It is always looking for these but I would have to go back through the financing arrangements, and provided it goes Bjelke-Petersen archives. into a financing arrangement which meets the Let me talk about the electricity industry. risk strategy that has been spelt out, in other The Minerals and Energy Centre at 61 Mary words, the benefits are greater than the risks Street is a direct sale and lease-back. Those and so forth—— financial arrangements—— Mr Borbidge: Did you tell them? Mr Borbidge: Tell us about Stanwell Mr De LACY: No, I would never tell the Power Station. Queensland Treasury Corporation anything at all. That may be the way members opposite Mr De LACY: Okay, I will talk about used to work, but it is not the way that we that. It is a lease financing arrangement but, work. No, I did not and I would not tell the basically, it is a financing arrangement. The board of AUSTA to enter into anything. title of the property does not change. The title Honourable members need to understand that of the property remains with AUSTA. It is a the boards of these corporatised entities have financing arrangement. At the end of the day, the responsibility for making those kinds of the result is cheaper funds to AUSTA and the decisions. In this case, the AUSTA board—— Queensland Government, which enables the electricity authorities to improve their Mrs Sheldon: Did you tell them to performance and reduce the cost of power to refinance it? You never spoke to the board? all consumers, particularly big industrial Mr De LACY: The honourable member consumers. That leads to further economic asked a question; I will answer it. We have development in Queensland. nothing to hide. I will answer the question. I do not expect the honourable member to Mr Speaker, I conclude by saying that I understand the answer, but I will provide it. I can assure you that the electricity industry in will go back to where I started. The Queensland is not in the business of selling Queensland Treasury Corporation is on the assets—unlike the mob in Victoria that is in the lookout for financing arrangements that business of selling assets. If the electricity reduce the cost of funds. In relation to the industry in Queensland is in the business of specific question asked by the honourable doing anything, it is in the business of buying member, it went to the board of AUSTA and assets. said that it could refinance AUSTA in such a way that it would deliver a substantial up-front Workers Compensation Fund benefit. It is consistent with all the risk parameters that are entered into by the Mr T. B. SULLIVAN: I refer the Queensland Treasury Corporation; it was Premier to the problems facing the Workers considered and accepted by the board of Compensation Fund, and ask: what is the AUSTA and approved by the shareholding Government's timetable for consultation and Ministers. resolution? Legislative Assembly 89 12 September 1995

Mr W. K. GOSS: As all members would the Leader of the Opposition to mislead this be aware, some difficult and complex issues House and, by doing so, to mislead the public. are involved in the resolution of the actuarial Mr T. B. Sullivan: Disgraceful! and liability problems that have been identified in the fund, largely as a result of the dramatic Mr W. K. GOSS: It is a disgraceful increase in common law claims. In the first attitude for a responsible person in this House week of August, the Minister wrote to all to take, in particular a person in the position of stakeholders and advised them in clear-cut Leader of the Opposition, to deliberately terms of the issue and her plans to tackle it. mislead this House by comparing—as I think On 17 August, the board received advice one Minister said—apples and oranges and indicating that the fund had an unfunded doing it deliberately to overstate the liability of around $118m. On 23 August, the turnaround. This House needs to understand Minister wrote to the stakeholders again clearly that the surplus referred to by the outlining clearly the situation. Three days later, Minister in those documents is a cash figure on 26 August, the board met to consider the calculated on the basis of cash transactions final figures and policy options. On 30 August, for the year, and it excludes any allowance for detailed briefings were commenced for all the future payment of liabilities. That stakeholders in both metropolitan and regional deliberate attempt to mislead this Parliament centres. It is proposed to receive submissions is unworthy of the Leader of the Opposition in September and present a reform package and is designed, it would appear, not only to to Parliament in November. deliberately mislead this House but also to try to make the prospect of a resolution even This is not something that has been more difficult. That should be condemned. sprung on people in the last month or so; it Those comments clearly underline what I said was made plain publicly by the Government. the other day, that is, that his claims and other My attention has been drawn to an interview claims that this situation is due to of me which was reported in the Sun Herald mismanagement are untrue. on 13 June 1993, during which I pointed out As I said before, although the that, among other aspects of this problem, the Government had preliminary indications of a common law issue was considered by Cabinet surge in common law claims and the in 1993. consequent liability or actuarial problems that Mr Santoro: You did nothing about it; flowed from that, we did not act, because we you did absolutely nothing about it. did not have the Actuary's final report. That is the practice that we have always followed. Mr W. K. GOSS: That is right—we did While an indication existed throughout the nothing to take away common law rights year in relation to common law claims and all because we looked for every possible means liability problems, when we received the to avoid doing so. However, we did implement Actuary's final report and the report from the a range of other measures. board, the Government acted. We are now In 1993, the article that I mentioned pursuing a timetable indicated by me and referred to my indicating that I had met with adopted by the Minister. That timetable was union leaders and pointed out to them that, put in place at the beginning of August, after although we had held the line on common law the Minister had had about a week or so to rights, if the measures undertaken did not examine the situation and take it up with me, solve the problems then the common law the Treasurer and the former Minister. I issue would have to be revisited. It will be believe that that timetable shows a fair revisited as one of the options under balance between the need for prompt action consideration. and consultation. This Government is committed to both prompt action and Misleading claims—dishonest claims—are consultation, and I believe that that timetable not going to help solve what is a difficult will achieve those goals. problem. I refer to the deliberate misleading of Parliament in which the Leader of the Opposition engaged last week. The Leader of Stanwell Power Station; AUSTA the Opposition referred to documents that had Electric been produced to Estimates Committee C by Mr GILMORE: I note from the circular the then Minister, which showed a $100m-plus tabled this morning by the Minister for Minerals surplus. The Leader of the Opposition referred and Energy that representatives from the to an unfunded liability of $118m and claimed Potomac Capital Investment Corporation from that that represented a turnaround of $200m. the US visited the Stanwell Power Station this I believe that that was a deliberate attempt by year and also the Mary Street head office of 12 September 1995 90 Legislative Assembly

AUSTA Electric. I ask the Minister: how many region of the Department of Lands is presently other international investment corporations gearing up to contact all local authorities in its have been inspecting or have been invited to area of jurisdiction to implement fire inspect Queensland power assets as a result management strategies on all Department of of these current negotiations for refinancing Lands controlled lands. Fitzroy, Duaringa and via a sale and lease-back arrangement which Mount Morgan local governments are first on is essentially privatisation of electricity assets in that list. In fact, this week, officers talked with Queensland? Fitzroy Shire officers about any known trouble Mr McGRADY: I refute utterly that this is spots within the area. Particular emphasis has a way of privatising the electricity industry. been placed on the township of Gracemere, Privatisation is not on this Government's where there are areas of unallocated State agenda. As far as I am aware, this is a matter land that certainly need attention. I am for the Queensland Treasury Corporation. I am pleased to advise that where unallocated not aware of any previous visits for that State land in Gracemere requires slashing specific purpose. However, many international and/or the removal of fuel loads, that will be visitors visit the power stations of Queensland carried out as soon as possible by either the to learn because, as the Treasurer said, council or council contractors. Officers of the Queensland is the Leading State. Queensland Department of Lands expect any trouble spots has shown the rest of Australia how to do in Gracemere to be attended to over the next business. few weeks.

Fire Hazards, Crown Land Stanwell Power Station; AUSTA Mr PEARCE: I ask the Minister for Electric Lands: is he aware of the potential fire Mr LINGARD: My question is to the hazards that exist in country towns, such as Treasurer. Gracemere in the Fitzroy electorate, where Mr Connor interjected. State-owned land is overgrown with grass? If so, would the Minister advise the House as to Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable the availability of funds for the purpose of member for Nerang! Members will not interject maintaining State-owned lands so that the risk while another member is asking a question. I of fire is reduced, and what is being done to call the member for Beaudesert. address the existing potential fire risk in Mr LINGARD: I refer to the indication Gracemere? this morning from the Minister for Minerals and Mr McELLIGOTT: I am sure that all Energy that the Government has engaged in honourable members would appreciate that negotiations to—as he puts it—refinance the task of maintaining State land across the elements of the Stanwell Power Station length and breadth of Queensland is a through the Queensland Treasury Corporation, massive one. That task can be reduced in part and I ask: will the Treasury retain any by allocating land for occupancy or, indeed, by elements of the funds raised by that reserving land for various purposes under refinancing, or will all of the proceeds of the trustees. However, at the end of the day the refinancing stay with AUSTA Electric? overall task remains huge. Mr De LACY: The Queensland Treasury Fortunately, a few initiatives introduced in Corporation, rather than Treasury, is the body the 1994-95 financial year resulted in special which is effecting the refinancing, and it funding based on the proceeds of State land continues to do so. It enters into disposals being available for maintenance arrangements with those boards for a sharing purposes. Also—and perhaps more of the benefits, and that is done by importantly—as a result of a bushfire audit negotiation. The direct answer to the undertaken in 1994 by the Department of member's question is: yes, the Queensland Emergency Services, the Department of Treasury Corporation will share in the benefits; Lands now receives an annual allocation to but, of course, ultimately those benefits come deal with fire prevention strategies on all land back to the Government and are used for the under its control. Those funds are utilised to benefits of all taxpayers in Queensland. remove high fuel loads and create and I made reference a while ago to the fact maintain firebreaks on unallocated State land that to a large extent the benefits will flow to and unmanaged reserves throughout the the customers of the Queensland electricity State. authorities. That will enable AUSTA—in With respect to the member's particular particular in relation to the price that it charges area and the basis of his question—the central for the energy that it supplies—to assist the Legislative Assembly 91 12 September 1995

Queensland Government to attract large the former National Party Government. industrial ventures to Queensland. In that However, at the 1986 election, Bob Katter was respect, I think it ought to be supported by all looking a bit shaky in the Flinders electorate, members of Parliament and all people in so the money was ripped away from Queensland. Rockhampton to bolster his re-election chances. That is how planning worked in those Mrs Sheldon: It is not going to help the days: there were no 10-year plans; no customers at all. systematic redevelopment of infrastructure; Mr De LACY: It will help everybody; it and no care for patients who missed out. will help the customers, AUSTA and the There was merely a blatant disregard for taxpayers of Queensland, because every time people in Labor electorates. That is how that there is a cheaper cost of funds it benefits all Government operated. It did not care. taxpayers of Queensland. I thank the member for Rockhampton for This puts into context what the Opposition his continuing interest in this matter. The is all about. When every taxpayer in funding is allocated in the capital works rolling Queensland is benefiting from those kinds of program, and I look forward to inspecting arrangements, the Opposition seeks to try to building progress with the member. make some sort of a political issue out of it. I repeat—because I know it takes a while to get Stanwell Power Station; AUSTA through—that it is a financing arrangement; it Electric is not even correct to call it a sale and lease- back, because there is no transfer of title; the Mr BEANLAND: In relation to the title remains with AUSTA. It is a financing refinancing of the generating units of the arrangement, but it is a cheaper cost of funds, Stanwell Power Station, I ask the Treasurer: and everybody benefits: the customers, firstly, will there be a paid and up-front lump AUSTA and the Queensland taxpayer. sum that will find its way to the Treasury coffers? Secondly, if so, how much? Thirdly, if not, what are the refinancing benefits in dollar Eventide, Rockhampton terms? Fourthly, are there any exchange risks involved? Mr SCHWARTEN: I ask the Minister for Mr De LACY: There are significant up- Health: could he advise on the progress being front benefits in the arrangement that has made to redevelop Rockhampton Eventide? been entered into. Of course, substantial up- Mr BEATTIE: I acknowledge the front benefits go to AUSTA. We have a member’s keen interest in this matter on longstanding policy that we do not disclose behalf of his constituents. I am pleased to either the commercial arrangements or the report that the plans to rebuild Rockhampton's parties. Eventide home are well under way and the Mr Connor: Here we go—commercial new facilities are expected to be completed by confidentiality! early 1988. We will be spending $8.5m to rebuild the existing Eventide—a commitment Mr De LACY: That is right—we do not which is long overdue. disclose the commercial details of those arrangements, and we do not disclose the Because the present buildings are so parties, because as soon as one starts doing deficient, we are undertaking an asset review that one rules out all potential future functional plan and master plan. That work will arrangements. We are interested in the start by 31 December this year. We will be welfare of the people of Queensland. We are working with the residents and staff during the not interested in the welfare of members construction period to make sure that the new opposite—I assure them of that. premises are completed with as little The member asked about risks. There are inconvenience as possible—a matter that has risks in all financing arrangements. The QTC is been taken up with the staff by the member careful that all of these arrangements are for Rockhampton, who conveyed their within the risk parameters that it has spelt out. concerns to me on another occasion. We will One can hedge against all of those kinds of finish with a modern, purpose-built home that risks, and they have been hedged against. I will give privacy and a high standard of care for suppose that the short answer to the the people living there. honourable member’s question is: there are As I said, the work is long overdue; it is so no residual exchange rate risks in this long overdue that it was in the 1985 Budget of arrangement at all. 12 September 1995 92 Legislative Assembly

Eventide, Sandgate commitment to maintaining services at Mr NUTTALL: I ask the Minister for Eventide and similar facilities. Health: is he aware of a draft health services plan circulating within the North Brisbane Stanwell Power Station; AUSTA Health Authority which would have seen up to Electric 300 beds at the Eventide Nursing Home in my electorate of Sandgate closed, and can he Dr WATSON: I ask the Treasurer a give an assurance to staff, patients, relatives follow-up to the question asked by the member for Indooroopilly: since no private and community members that Eventide's company gives up financial or other assets future as a care facility is safe? without some return obligation, what has been Mr BEATTIE: I thank the honourable given by the Government or Government member for Sandgate for his question. I also instrumentalities to the private investor in thank him sincerely for the strong and return for the up-front benefits he has just persistent representations that he has made disclosed? on behalf of his constituents. I believe that his Mr De LACY: As I said before, the efforts with regard to Eventide have been of financing arrangements are very complex great benefit in easing community concerns deals. The reason why there is a benefit that arose out of the release of this draft plan. ultimately is that it is a tax-effective Late last week, I was made aware that arrangement. In other words, it is accessing people had seen a circulated draft health benefits that exist in certain countries. It is as services plan with a proposal regarding simple as that. For a decade or more, the possible bed reductions and had mistakenly Queensland Government, the New South believed that, somehow, it had been cast in Wales Government, the Victorian stone. For the benefit of the House, I Government, Qantas and everybody else emphasise that the words "draft" and have been entering into these arrangements. "proposal" are important. I might add that the However, no two arrangements are exactly the plan in question was circulated as a draft to same. I make the point that I could stand here those medical practitioners who had provided all day and go through the different types of input. Its acceptance should not have been financing arrangements into which the taken as a foregone conclusion as I had Queensland Treasury Corporation enters. It neither seen it nor approved it. Nevertheless, issues medium-term notes, which can be as a result, I have directed the North Brisbane structured in any currency, any coupon and Regional Health Authority that it would not only upon any term. Those arrangements are then be unacceptable to reduce services at hedged back into Australian dollars, resulting in cheaper funding. Eventide but also that I want current services maintained. In fact, the regional director of the Mr Hamill: Like when Don Lane sold the North Brisbane Regional Health Authority will trains. be writing letters individual to Eventide Mr De LACY: The Minister for residents and staff advising them of my Education, the former Minister for Transport, is determination to maintain services at their aware of the fact that Don Lane used these current level of operation. types of arrangements and effectively sold off I understand that there has been trains. For years in Queensland, New South considerable community concern regarding Wales and Victoria such arrangements on Eventide, and I apologise to those people who behalf of railways have been made. have been unduly alarmed. More than 200 An Opposition member: You're short people have attended a rally and nearly 6,000 of cash. people have signed petitions calling on the Mr De LACY: It is nothing to do with Government to maintain Eventide services. In being short of cash, it is about accessing the fact, the member for Sandgate was present at most cost-effective financing arrangements that rally on Saturday. Owing to the available. As I said earlier, the Queensland overwhelming level of concern, I give an Treasury Corporation is the most professional undertaking to visit Eventide with the central borrowing authority in Australia, if not honourable member for Sandgate as soon as the world. It is always on the lookout for these possible to gain first-hand knowledge of the types of arrangements. The beneficiaries are problems and to meet with staff and residents the people of Queensland, and we all ought to to listen to their concerns. I hope that will allay be proud of the Queensland Treasury concerns about this Government's Corporation. Legislative Assembly 93 12 September 1995

Queensland Country Women's providing an exemption. But it is not quite as Association simple as that, because as soon as the Mr NUNN: I refer the Treasurer to recent Government provides one organisation with an press reports that the State Government is exemption, a queue of people wanting an imposing payroll tax on the Queensland exemption forms. An important equity principle Country Women's Association, and I ask: can is involved: is it right to provide somebody with he inform of the House if this is correct? a tax benefit when he or she is competing with the private sector in the same field? Mr De LACY: I thank the honourable I give an assurance to the member for member for Hervey Bay for the question. Yes, Hervey Bay and to all members of this it is true that the Queensland Country Parliament that the Queensland Government Women's Association has a payroll tax liability recognises the good work done by the CWA, to the Queensland Government—in fact, a and it will find a way through this problem. I liability of around $600,000 going back over expect that I will be back in this Parliament 11 years. before the end of the year asking members to I make the point that it was not the Office support some amendments to the Pay-roll Tax of State Revenue that became aware of this Act. liability, but lawyers working on behalf of the CWA who contacted the Office of State South Coast Motorway Revenue and said that they believed that there was a liability and could it please be Mr JOHNSON: In asking a question of the Minister for Transport, I point out that, in checked. The long and the short of it is that, the wake of the 15 July election, it is very yes, there is a liability of $600,000. However, I obvious to people in the areas affected by the also make the point that the Queensland controversial tollway that environmental, Government is very conscious of the excellent economic and social issues do not count with work that the CWA has done and continues to his Government and that nothing has been do for the people of Queensland. It is one of learned from the 15 July exercise, when the great institutions in this State, and there is arrogance prevailed and still does. I ask the no way that this Government would do Minister: why then can he not, as a Minister anything that prejudiced the good work of the and a member of the Cabinet with all the CWA. information and authority that he has at his Immediately upon learning about this disposal, make a decision instead of caucus liability, I arranged for an ex gratia refund of all being the arbitrator? Why has Cabinet of that liability. Of course, that left an ongoing abrogated its authority on this issue? liability over time. That liability is a Mr ELDER: Because I said I would take consequence of the fact that the CWA runs it to caucus. hostels for young people and elderly people. The options open to us are, firstly, to allow the CWA to continue to meet its liabilities as Primary Industries and Racing anybody else has to do in those Portfolios circumstances; secondly, each year to give Mr BRISKEY: I refer the Minister for them an ex gratia refund of their payroll tax Primary Industries and Minister for Racing to obligations; or thirdly, change the legislation. the fact that in September last year a previously unknown virus literally brought the I need to make the point, because I think racing industry in south-east Queensland to a a lot of people are confused about this, that standstill, and I ask: in relation to that issue, the Office of State Revenue can administer could he inform the House what steps the the Pay-roll Tax Act or other Acts only in Government is taking to build stronger links accordance with the way in which they are between the portfolios of Primary Industries written. Under the current Act, the CWA has and Racing? no exemption from payroll tax. It is as simple Mr GIBBS: I believe that the question as that. That Act was not formulated by this from the honourable member is certainly Government, it was designed by the previous relevant, considering the decision that was National Party Government and it does not reached at the Federal meeting of Ministers allow the Country Women's Association an for Primary Industries to form the Australian exemption. animal—— So what I am doing now—and I have said Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time allotted this to the CWA—is looking at ways of for questions has now expired. 12 September 1995 94 Legislative Assembly

MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST warrant his or her removal, it is conceded that Mr A. Vasta the Parliament should be assisted by a report concerning findings of fact relating to the Hon. N. J. TURNER (Nicklin) (11 a.m.): activities of the particular judge. However, I raise in this House a matter of considerable because the question as to whether a public interest and concern. Most honourable particular judge should be removed is, under members would recall that in the early hours of the Constitution, a matter solely for this House 8 June 1989 this House voted on the voices to and nobody else, no report which purports to remove from office the then Mr Justice Angelo assist the House should ever contain an Vasta as a judge of the Supreme Court. He opinion as to how the House should vote. This was the first Supreme Court judge of any is one of the most objectionable aspects of State in Australia, since Federation, to have the iniquitous legislation that set up the inquiry been removed by Parliament. The fact that into Mr Justice Vasta. such a momentous decision on such an important matter was taken on the voices is a An incident having occurred in the public matter of great regret. This is particularly so as gallery— the judge pleaded with this House to take Mr SPEAKER: Order! I advise the some time to consider his arguments and to members of the public in the gallery that vote on the matter later. clapping is not allowed; they may listen only. Because Queensland is the only State in Mr TURNER: This is not only my Australia with one House of Parliament, the opinion; this is the opinion of one of Australia's former judge had no opportunity to have his greatest jurists, Mr Justice Kirby, the President case reviewed by an Upper House. The great of the New South Wales Court of Appeal. tragedy is that the legislation setting up the Another former Queensland Supreme Court Parliamentary Judges Commission of Inquiry judge, Mr Justice Connolly, recently described contained no provision allowing him to appeal the sacking of Justice Vasta as "shonky". It the findings and recommendations of the seems to me that most parliamentarians at inquiry. Had there been such a right of appeal, that time did not even bother to read the there is no doubt that the findings and report but merely acted on the opinion recommendations of the inquiry would have expressed by the commissioners to the effect been set aside. that the behaviour of the former judge A Government member: Your warranted his removal. Government. However, there are exceptions to the Mr TURNER: It is this Government we argument that members of this House are talking about now. followed blindly the recommendations of the commissioners. Two examples that stand out With no right of appeal, the former judge are the speeches of the then Opposition had one recourse only, and that was to this Leader and now Premier, Mr Goss, and the House and its members. And what did the then Opposition spokesman for Police matters members do? They virtually rubber stamped a and Housing, Mr Mackenroth. At page 5273 of flawed inquiry finding that he should be Hansard of 7 June 1989, Mr Goss stated— removed—and then there was nothing that he could do about it. There is no doubt in my "In conclusion, I point out that the mind that a gross miscarriage of justice has Opposition has a grave concern. A been occasioned to this man. I do not say number of members were given cause to that, simply because I was not a member of doubt some of the findings and the this House at the time, I have no responsibility appropriateness of making a decision in this matter. I do have responsibility and so tonight before they had a chance, with does every other member of this House, the opportunity of calm resolution, to read irrespective of whether or not he or she was a the judge's comments and to read member of Parliament on 8 June 1989. I say sections of the transcript. They would that, if a miscarriage of justice has occurred seek that opportunity. The Opposition through the actions of this House, because would argue that a further opportunity the former judge has recourse to no other should be given to do that. Legal points avenue of appeal, it is the duty of this House have been raised. Questions of fact have to correct this injustice. to be considered. We have to remember that even if four out of the five adverse This House is the only body in this State findings made by the commissioners are that has the power to remove a Supreme accepted, they said that the five go Court judge. In attempting to ascertain together. We must remember that whether the behaviour of any judge is such to repeatedly in their report, having made an Legislative Assembly 95 12 September 1995

adverse finding against the judge, the conceded that these transactions were not judges say, 'This is not of itself sufficient shams. And that is what the former judge was to warrant his removal.' We must bear shouting from the rooftops. that in mind when we look at the five This admission by the Commissioner of together. I do not believe that members Taxation should, by itself, dictate that in can simply on a rush basis condemn him fairness this House should review its decision. on two, three or four of the findings; it However, a recent report by an extremely seems that we have to be satisfied in eminent body known as the International relation to the five—the totality. In that Commission of Jurists shows that such a regard the report is quite unsatisfactory in review should be undertaken as a matter of a number of respects." fundamental priority. I table a copy of this Mr Mackenroth, in whose electorate the report, which makes a number of very valid former judge resides, was speaking about the criticisms of the report of the Parliamentary findings about the so-called tax shams when Judges Commission of Inquiry, just as Mr he said on page 5315 of Hansard of 7 June Goss and Mr Mackenroth quite rightly made 1989— on 7 June 1989. The ICJ's principal "The financial dealings involved in (c), recommendation was that— (d) and (e) are wrong if the judge "Fairness to Mr Vasta requires that engaged in them—or was aware of the Queensland Parliament reconsider its them—to gain taxation advantages by decision to remove him from judicial breaking Commonwealth taxation laws. office." The commissioners say in the report that No-one who treasures the precepts of justice those dealings do not come within their need be troubled by this recommendation. jurisdiction, yet they find him guilty of The judge had no right of appeal; he had them. recourse only to this Parliament. The proper course of action was that This Parliament voted as it did by the matter should have been dealt with by following slavishly a report of the Parliamentary the taxation authorities before the report Judges Commission of Inquiry which was came before the Parliament for debate on questioned seriously at the time by the former whether or not the judge should be judge himself and by astute members of this sacked. If the judge is found guilty in a House and which report has since been court of tax evasion or tax fraud, this demonstrated to have been seriously flawed. Parliament should find him guilty and sack Any injustice brought about by this House him. We should not find a person guilty of should be corrected by it. That is a something that these three judges state fundamental principle. It should not be a that they are not competent to decide matter of party politics. People over a wide upon, yet find him guilty of." spectrum of the community, including people Those words by Mr Mackenroth in effect from interstate, have voiced their concern. reiterated what the former judge stated in his What more can Angelo Vasta do to clear his speech when he said on page 5231 of name? He has been cleared by the Taxation Hansard of 7 June 1989— Office. He has been cleared by the ". . . a sham is not a sham unless the International Commission of Jurists. His name Taxation Department says it is a sham. A and position have yet to be restored. Only this tax arrangement or transaction which is in Parliament can correct the injustices accordance with the Income Tax perpetrated against this man. Assessment Act is not a sham." If this Parliament fails to address this Later, the former judge uttered these issue, it will continue the character prophetic words at page 5232 of Hansard of 7 assassination of this man, and there has been June 1989— too much of that in Queensland in recent history. I urge the Premier to outline the "What comfort is it to me if you vote Government's view and take whatever action against me on these vital matters and is necessary to address this matter. In these transactions will be found to have conclusion, it is my belief that former Justice been made in accordance with the Angelo Vasta was a sacrificial lamb to the altar provisions of the Income Tax Assessment of expediency, reform and so-called Act? Can I come back to this House and accountability. There is an old saying that appeal and say, 'Will you reinstate me?' " justice must not only be done, it must be seen I say that these words were prophetic because to be done. In this man's case, justice has not the Taxation Department has unequivocally been done and cannot be seen to have been 12 September 1995 96 Legislative Assembly done. His future rests in the hands of On 13 December 1994, Denise Maw honourable members. I ask the House to signed a number of documents, the principal show some compassion and at least award Mr ones being witnessed by a solicitor, Mr Mark Vasta a review of his case. McCluskey. According to the police, those documents were signed by Ms Maw and witnessed and explained by the solicitor in the Ms D. Maw office of an accountant who was then Mr SMITH (Townsville) (11.09 a.m.): I providing her with certain financial information. want to take the opportunity today to place on One document is titled "Acceptance Form" record an accurate account of events relating and is addressed to I and L Securities, the to the alleged defrauding of Ms Denise Maw. company which eventually registered the Ms Maw—who will also be known to some mortgage over Ms Maw's house at Cooinda people as Denise Burgess, Denise Shanks Street. In essence, that document states that and Denise Herringe—claimed that the fraud Ms Maw accepts the loan offer by I and L was made possible by the Government's Securities on the terms and conditions recently introduced automated titling system. outlined and that, prior to accepting that offer, Those claims were nonsense, but they were she had the opportunity of seeking supported by members opposite. It is independent legal and financial advice so that interesting that Ms Maw portrayed herself not she could make a full appraisal and an only as an innocent victim of a fraud but also informed decision whether or not to proceed as someone who had little knowledge of the with the loan. The document further states real estate industry. In fact, inquiries made that, once she had accepted the offer, she revealed that she had previously been married could not withdraw or revoke that acceptance to a Mr Col Herringe, the owner of Herringe unless the lender agreed in writing, and that Research and Development, a company was not done. Ms Maw authorised the involved in real estate development. My solicitors for the finance company to prepare information is that the then Mrs Herringe was the security documents and undertook to pay an active participant in the business. the solicitors' legal fees associated with the preparation of those mortgage documents Denise Gail Maw is the registered "whether or not the loan proceeded to finality". proprietor of a dwelling situated at 20 Cooinda Ms Maw acknowledged in those Street, The Gap. She is also the owner of documents that she had sufficient financial another property in Settlement Road, The resources to pay the interest and to repay the Gap, which is registered in the name of Denise capital within 12 months from the date of the Gail Herringe—a fact not previously reported. advance. She also agreed that she would Ms Maw has sworn that she is one and the offer her house at Cooinda Street as security same person as Mrs Herringe. As at 4 for the loan. Ms Maw further agreed that she November 1994, Ms Maw had registered on would pay to Moneycorp Pty Ltd, for arranging her property at 20 Cooinda Street bill of the finance, a brokerage fee of $3,360 mortgage No. 700080582 for an amount in irrespective of whether the loan proceeded. At excess of $100,000 in favour of Credit Union this stage, I should pause and say that I will Australia Limited which had been produced for not make any comment regarding the signing registration on 1 July of that year. On 4 of the bill of mortgage which purports to have November, that bill of mortgage was released been signed by Ms Maw and which bears the from that property and an identical mortgage date 15 December 1994—some two days in favour of the same Credit Union Australia after she signed the documents already Limited for the same amount of money was mentioned. What happened regarding the lodged on her other property which, as I have signing of that mortgage is a matter for the said, is registered under the name of Herringe. court to determine. A search of the Titles Office reveals that in In April 1995, Ms Maw made inquiries at December 1994 a bill of mortgage in favour of the Titles Office about the mortgage to I and L I and L Securities Pty Ltd was produced for Securities and, when provided with a copy of registration and was subsequently registered. the bill of mortgage, she claimed that the Let me outline certain events leading up to the signature of "D. Maw" appearing on that registration of the December mortgage in document was not hers. The document is favour of I and L Securities which are central purported to have been witnessed by the to the matter so that the history of the events same solicitor who witnessed her signature on leading to the execution and registration of the other documents on 13 December. Ms that mortgage can be made public for the first Maw was then advised by Titles Office staff time. that she should contact the police and that Legislative Assembly 97 12 September 1995 she should lodge a caveat over the property. Maw, arrangements were made to discharge She was also advised that, if a fraud had the mortgage on the very next working day, occurred, the Land Title Act provided that she and her solicitor was informed immediately. would be indemnified against loss she might Despite the fact that Ms Maw signed an otherwise suffer. irrevocable authority on 13 December 1994 According to the staff at the Titles Office, authorising the loan to proceed and for the Ms Maw telephoned that office daily, and mortgage documents to be prepared, and most days many times a day. Indeed, to despite the fact that she was informed ensure that her property was fully secured, the repeatedly in April that if fraud was proved by registrar lodged his own caveat over the the police the mortgage would be discharged, property so that if anybody tried to deal with she continued to incur legal costs the premises there would have been two unnecessarily, knowing that her solicitor had caveats restricting any subsequent activities. previously agreed that the department would Notwithstanding the lodgment of the two have met the claim on receipt of a certificate caveats, the indemnity afforded by the from the police. Clearly, it would have been legislation and the investigations by the police, irresponsible for the department to pay this Ms Maw engaged the services of one Warwick claim or any other similar claim from Marler, a solicitor of Toowong. Some members consolidated revenue without such proof. will undoubtedly recall that Mr Marler received The story has not finished there. Despite some publicity when he expressed his the fact that the mortgage was discharged objection to the future development of the old immediately the fraud was certified by the Boggo Road prison site, around which he had police and Ms Maw's legal costs were paid, substantial real estate investments. she then claimed $25,000 as an ex-gratia On 9 June, when Mr Marler first met with payment from the Government for damages the Director-General of the Department of suffered—$25,000, when she was responsible Lands, it was agreed among other things that, for establishing the loan in the first place, on verification from the Fraud Squad that when she had sought independent legal and fraud had occurred in relation to the bill of accounting advice and when she willingly mortgage and that Ms Maw had no signed documents irrevocably agreeing to the involvement in the fraud, the debt and interest loan and offering her house as a security and owing to I and L Securities would be paid and had placed those documents in the hands of Ms Maw's legal costs would be met. In an the person who is now charged before the effort to expedite a resolution of this matter, it court. As a result, the people of Queensland was agreed the department would reimburse have financially bailed Ms Maw out of a Ms Maw the sum of $500 for the full report problem which she helped to create. from Ms Maw's handwriting expert, that being In subsequent conversations with both the fee that Mr Marler said was payable. In the police and the Registrar of Titles, Ms Maw fact, the account came in at $1,020. Claims claimed that her solicitor, Mr Marler, had were also made for $250 for engaging a advised her not to sign documents sent by the private investigator and search fees in excess Government as the Government was obliged of $600—none of which had been mentioned to pay her under the Act. She has also by Mr Marler at the conference with the indicated to the Registrar of Titles that it was director-general—telephone calls to and from Mr Marler who said that she had to sue the the solicitor for in excess of 28 hours at $200 Government because it was the only way to an hour, and other attendances and perusals get her money. One could indeed be excused of documents totalling a further 42 hours at for concluding that Mr Marler was attempting $200 per hour. The director-general correctly to damage the Government during the course questioned the reasonableness of the bill, of an election campaign and at the same time particularly when only two months before Ms seeking financial reward for his unnecessary Maw had been assured repeatedly that, if the services. police certified that fraud was involved, she In newspaper and television reports, this would be indemnified. She was also reassured very woman has claimed that it was the new that her house was not at risk as only the court Titles Office procedure that caused the fraud. could remove the caveats, and yet she It is evident from the facts that, if fraud claimed—falsely, I suggest—that her house occurred, it occurred long before the was at risk. documents ever reached the Titles Office for In keeping with the department's registration. It is also notable that Ms Maw had commitment, when the certificate from the the right to seek a certificate of title when she police Fraud Squad arrived certifying that the released the first mortgage over her house in signature on the document was not that of Ms November 1994 but chose not to do so. 12 September 1995 98 Legislative Assembly

In conclusion—this woman, whatever she an underwriting deficit of $12m. One year on, may or may not be, obviously revelled in the Labor's record was an underwriting deficit of publicity she received and is undoubtedly over $60m. someone who successfully used significant Inside three years, a $120m turnaround in elements of the media as pawns in her the result. How did that happen? How did publicity-seeking exercise in an attempt to Labor so comprehensively stuff up the discredit the Titles Office, the Premier and me scheme in so short a time? I will tell as the responsible Minister at the time during Government members because they are an election period. It appears that Ms Maw's obviously not being told the truth by the initial success was to obtain a hearing and Premier and their Ministers. In 1990, the then apparent support from a very senior somewhat more active, more cocksure, more Queensland newspaper executive, and her arrogant Goss Cabinet engaged in some story was then virtually assured of sympathetic extraordinarily mutually exclusive policy acts in treatment and immunity from critical relation to the workers' compensation scheme. examination by most sections of the media. It dropped the premium rate by about 4 per It is now up to the courts to determine cent—from around $1.45 per $100 of wages what happened after Ms Maw signed those to around $1.40—and it increased statutory documents on 13 December 1994 authorising benefits under the scheme by, in some the loan of $112,000 from I and L Securities significant areas, well in excess of 20 per cent. and offering her house as security for the loan. This was a classic indicator of the managerial Whatever fraudulent activity occurred, it incompetence, the stupidity, the irresponsibility occurred because Ms Maw apparently and the blindness of this Government. In this participated in organising the loan herself, and world, you cannot have your cake and eat it, it had nothing to do with the computerised too—even if you are Wayne Goss, the then titling system. Significant anonymous magnificent. Obviously, in 1990, the information reflecting on Ms Maw's credibility Government could reasonably and responsibly was supplied to my office, and although I have have done one or the other—it could have chosen not to include it in the official Hansard reduced premiums or it could have increased record, I seek leave to table some examples benefits, but not both. The lines tend to cross, of that information for the benefit of interested and as honourable members know, they parties. certainly did. Whether Government members Leave granted. did know that or not is, as Government members are aware, now ultimately irrelevant. My theory as to how the Government got Workers' Compensation this simple little equation so completely and Mr SANTORO (Clayfield) (11.19 a.m.): stupidly wrong is based on the Government's The crisis now confronting Queensland's deepest wish to be all things to all people but workers' compensation scheme is with none of the responsibility. Here is how I demonstrably not down to a one-off increase think it went—the unions wanted bigger in common law claims, as various members of payouts, so the Government should hand the Government front bench claimed in this them over; but the employers did not want to place last week and again today. Rather, it is pay higher premiums, so the Government demonstrably down to chronic, typical do- should not increase them. It all sounds very nothing mismanagement by the Australian easy—political problem solved. The Labor Party—as usual. It is another example Government has helped its mates and it has of the road-to-nowhere school of public kept everybody happy. The Government administration. wants to be seen as the pinstriped Labor The bottom lines of Queensland's once brigade—the John Cain and the John Bannon great, once sound workers' compensation look-alikes of the north. The Government will scheme have been steadily and inexorably look after the business community, too. That is deteriorating ever since Labor took office; and schizophrenic politics—schizophrenic decision that, coupled with chronic inaction, is the making—but politics that lead to a very real—and I repeat "the real"—explanation for singular and predictable outcome. the fate of the workers' compensation scheme Suddenly, things got worse. If the all- of Queensland. For example, in the first year things-to-all-people decision making of Labor of its stewardship—the year of 1990-91— in George Street sowed the seeds of disaster Labor reduced the operating surplus of the for the fund, workers, and employers, then the fund by almost one-third, from $58m to $41m. positively nightmarish decision from Count In the very next year—only Labor's second full Dracula himself in Canberra made things year of opportunity to stuff it up—it took it into devilishly worse. In his brilliance, the alleged Legislative Assembly 99 12 September 1995 once-upon-a-time world's best Treasurer Along the way it needs to be said that deliberately brought about the recession that employers have seen their merit bonus we had to have. That put tens of thousands of payments—their no-claims bonus—shrink from good Queensland family men, women and around a 28 per cent return on their premiums teenagers onto the scrap heap of the dole to about 14 per cent. In other words, that queue. I am sure that all honourable members benefit has halved. In broad terms, that is would agree that that is disgraceful. Of course, what made the workers' compensation it knocked the income of the workers' scheme so vulnerable to one bad year, and compensation scheme for six, just as the full what a bad year it has been. impact of the Government's increased Let us deal with this extraordinary claim by statutory benefits flowed through into the Government and the Minister responsible payments on the back of reduced premiums. that it was all down to a one-off increase in So what was the Government's reaction? common law claims. It is true, based on the It increased premiums. It increased them by a data provided to the Government by the whopping 13.5 per cent in one hit, just as board, that there was a 48 per cent increase in employers and workers were trying to scramble the number of common law claims in 1994-95, back into business and into jobs as the and that this was, indeed, a significant blow. It recession eased. That was a wonderfully timed was always going to hurt. But it was the killing decision. It did help—if only briefly—in putting blow, the coup de grace, only because Labor the scheme back into the black, at least in had so undermined the foundations of the relation to the underwriting function, so that on scheme since it came to office that it was the back of a single year 25 per cent and vulnerable to one big hit. That is disgraceful $100m increase in taxes on the struggling mismanagement. business community, and on jobs creation, it However, there is more. The Government returned a measly underwriting surplus of blames not only the big increase, but it also around $10m—about one sixth of what had says that it had no idea it was coming. What been achieved the year before Labor took rubbish! From day one, the Government was over. receiving advice that common law claims were Now, one more year on, we are staring at going through the roof. I urge all honourable a scheme which is insolvent—a scheme which members to read the annual reports. One did cannot meet its future liabilities to the tune of not have to be a Nostradamus. In fact, the some $118m. It could have been worse. It dogs are barking that very specific advice was could have been $175m if the Government provided to Mr Goss and his Ministers at the had not totally drained the workers' end of June 1995 of the real state of the fund. compensation scheme of every last cent held The Government knew the scale of the blow- in reserves—all $56m—so that there is now out, but for purely cynical and political reasons absolutely no hedge whatsoever against an it chose to not tell the people of Queensland adverse result in the future—I repeat, no in the two weeks preceding the 15 July 1995 hedge whatsoever! State election. So much for the accountability That issue of reserves is another of the of Mr Goss and his Government! So much for compelling pieces of evidence which damns his boast of total openness with the people of the mismanagement, incompetence and Queensland! irresponsibility of this Government. Years ago, I challenge the Premier, the person who it was told by actuaries that what it needed to this morning said he had done nothing about develop were reserves of the order of some the growing workers' compensation fiasco for $350m to $400m—obviously over time—to the past three years, to table in this House all deal with just the sorts of things that have now of the relevant correspondence and advice to occurred, and with that reserve to run at a his Ministers and Government for the six minimum of $80m. However, because of the months leading up to the State election. I am policy stupidity of the Australian Labor Party— told that this correspondence and advice will both in George Street and Canberra—the show that the Premier, the Minister and the Workers Compensation Board had no chance Government knew all about the massive debt whatsoever of building up those reserves. In being faced by the fund and that it was not fact, it had to constantly be dipping into what convenient for the Goss Government to talk reserves it did hold to ensure employers got about it in the weeks prior to the election. This some return through the merit bonus system cover-up is another major disgrace in this when they, and their workers, needed that whole sordid story of the Workers relief most. Compensation Fund. 12 September 1995 100 Legislative Assembly

The most despicable aspect of this sad Bouldercombe, Stanwell, Kalapa, Westwood, and sorry state of affairs is in fact the cover-up Gogango, Bajool and Marmor areas. While that occurred. There can be no doubt that the visiting schools at some of these locations Goss Government, even on the documents earlier this year it became evident to me that that are available to us, knew all about the there was an increasing interest in having a parlous state of the scheme. high school established in Gracemere. Mr Livingstone: Table it. Parents and Citizens Associations that I Mr SANTORO: The Government cannot met expressed strong views about the need announce a $118m deficit four weeks after the for a high school. Some of the points raised by election and claim that it knew nothing about it those P & Cs included the present and future prior to the election. I will take up the size of the Rockhampton State High School, challenge of the honourable member who the social dislocation of Fitzroy Shire students, asks me to table the document that proves the ownership of the school by local students, this. For the benefit of the honourable parents and the community—which increases member and other Government members, I involvement and ownership—the present and table this document. They obviously do not future costs of transport to the Rockhampton read the annual reports; they obviously do not high schools, improved infrastructure for the look at the tables provided by the Workers Gracemere area in terms of having a Compensation Board that show that every secondary education facility, and the quarter, including the June 1995 quarter—two advantages to both areas of having two weeks prior to the election—the board would medium-sized schools rather than a future have made this Government aware of the superschool in Rockhampton. situation of the fund. I table that table from the As the local member, I could not ignore last annual report. It shows clearly that those what was being said and was motivated into reports are provided every quarter, including seeking on a casual basis the views of parents for the June 1995 quarter. In turn, I challenge and business people in the town. As a result the honourable member opposite to force his of those discussions, it became evident to me Premier and the relevant Minister to in fact that there was a general interest developing. I table all the documents that the Opposition spoke with the Education Department about has requested to prove that they were honest this matter and was advised that while there with the people of Queensland prior to the last had been some inquiries from local parents State election. and P & C groups, there had been no real Mr Speaker, to your right there is another push from the community for a high school. I Labor Party Government—just like all other was not surprised by that advice as there had Labor Party Governments in the history of been limited contact with my office about this Australia—that has proven itself to be an particular issue. incompetent manager of money. As a result of Currently, there are just under 400 this, the workers are the people who will suffer. students conveyed by bus from Gracemere to As a result of the Government's inaction and secondary schools in Rockhampton. Some its total sycophantic, platitudinous attitude, 280 attend the Rockhampton State High workers will be denied their common law rights. School, two attend North Rockhampton State At a time when there is a possibility for the High School, 75 attend Cathedral College, 11 creation of employment, employers will be attend Emmaus College, four attend slugged with a 20 to 40 per cent increase in Rockhampton Girls Grammar and 18 attend premiums. the Rockhampton Grammar School. Those Time expired. numbers are swelled by students who travel from as far west as Gogango, from Marmor in the south and from the Bouldercombe area. State High School, Gracemere The cost to the Education Department of Mr PEARCE (Fitzroy) (11.29 a.m.) I wish transporting students from Gracemere alone to draw to the attention of the House an issue exceeds $210,000 per annum. Of course, this that is of particular interest to the people of cost will increase as the town grows. Gracemere and a number of rural The department owns land in Gracemere communities to the south west and west of suitable for the construction of a high school. It Rockhampton. The rapid development of was purchased several years ago as part of Gracemere and Bouldercombe in recent years the forward planning of the department. I am has increased public demand for a high school aware that the department has been to be built in Gracemere that would benefit monitoring the development of the area over local families and those residing in the recent years with the intention of including the Legislative Assembly 101 12 September 1995 provision of a high school in the town in As it turned out, I made the wrong Statewide planning for new high schools. The decision because people took advantage of current position of the Education Department the political climate and went about setting up is that it is committed to providing schools on a a committee inviting the National Party needs basis. That seems a fair response, candidate to be involved. My response to that given the rapid growth in many areas of was to make sure that I attended those Queensland. meetings that took place in the lead-up to the So after talking with a broad cross-section election as it gave me the opportunity to be of the community, I was satisfied that it was part of what was happening and to inform time to ask the community as a whole to get those people in attendance of what I had done since I gave my commitment to pursuing involved in the process, to put in the work, do the issue. While I had some early concerns as the research and prepare an argument that to the way the group was set up, I must say could justify the building of a high school in that it has been working hard in recent months this growing community. The first thing for me and deserves to be recognised for what it has to do was to alert the public that I was aware done and is doing in the development of a of the issue and to put in place a plan that strong case for a high school. I am happy to would ensure the community was able to put work with the committee in the interests of the forward a strong case. Gracemere community. So long as the group I issued a press statement indicating that remains focused on the real issue I feel it will because of the increased interest in the high have an impact on the department that few school I was putting in place a process that within the department would expect. The would involve parents, community leaders and committee is currently surveying parents of schools in planning toward the establishment students, targeting 1998 as a possible of a high school on the Gracemere site at commencement year for a high school, some time in the future. I undertook to write to progressing from Year 8 in 1998 to Year 12 by school P & Cs asking for their support in the year 2002. I commend the committee for forming a working group. On 8 May I wrote to that commonsense approach, which is more school P & Cs and also school principals likely to get support from the department than asking them to be involved in the process. an all-out effort to get a complete high school by 1998. I made the point in my letter that the demand for a high school could not be met There are a couple of matters that I wish overnight, but that if the community became to raise in this place so that the Opposition involved in the process, I believed it would understands my position in relation to the high have a significant impact on the timetable set school. Firstly, and most importantly, I am down by the department for consideration of committed to fully supporting the the school. I also wrote to the Minister for establishment of a high school in Gracemere. I Education, the department's regional office, offer my sincere support and commitment to the Fitzroy Shire Council and the Assistant working towards winning a high school for the Commissioner for Police. They are all key town. I support the future Gracemere high players in the planning process, and I wanted school working committee as I see the committee playing a vital role in the decision- them to be aware of the actions that I was making process. There are honest, hard- talking. working people on that committee who are The election date was announced and I determined to achieve their goal. was left with the tough decision of rushing the The other matter that must be raised in process or leaving it until after the State this place is my position in relation to election. I did not want this particular issue to statements being made in the media relative be seen as an election gimmick. There was a to the work of that committee and the need to put my position, so in a letter proposed school. The working committee delivered to Gracemere residents prior to the public relations officer, Mr Stewart Daniels, is, I election I advised that while other candidates believe, doing an excellent job in developing might pretend to be able to deliver a high public awareness of the work of the committee school in an attempt to win votes, I was not and the push for a high school. But it is prepared to put my credibility on the line for important to understand that the views the same purpose. I chose to wait until after expressed by Mr Daniels may not necessarily the election so that decisions could be made be the views of the Education Department, the with people using their heads in the interests Government or myself as the local member. I of the community rather than in the interests want to make that point clear so that everyone of individual political candidates. understands that the statements I make to the 12 September 1995 102 Legislative Assembly media will be on record and will be open to declined, could the Government justify the public scrutiny—— cost of a new high school at the expense of a Mr Schwarten: As they always are. well resourced high school in Rockhampton that has the infrastructure in place to deliver Mr PEARCE: As they always are, as the quality education? These things will have to be member for Rockhampton has said. I do not consistently monitored and the good work want to find myself being held accountable for being done by the future high school statements made by other persons, committee will provide a basis for argument by particularly in the lead-up to the election. I will the Government and the Education tell the people how it is and put my name to it, Department. In closing, let me say as a but I cannot and will not accept responsibility resident of Gracemere that I believe the for perceptions that may or may not develop community is fast approaching a population over the issue of a high school based on the base that justifies a high school. As the comment of that person or other persons who elected representative in the catchment area are not authorised to put the position of the for the proposed high school, I will support the department or the Government. committee and the community in their efforts There are other important issues of to secure a high school for the town. I ask the concern to me and the department that also decision-makers in Government to recognise must be discussed and addressed. For the efforts of all concerned and to respect the example, parents with more than one high process and the manner in which the process school student would have to consider a is being carried out. scenario in which they could have a daughter or son in Year 8 at Gracemere and another at Rockhampton State High School. Under Queensland Health current policy, Year 8 students would not be Mr HORAN (Toowoomba South) entitled to free transport to Rockhampton (11.39 a.m.): I rise in this Matters of Public schools as they would be required to attend Interest debate to speak on a matter of great the closest State school. Year 8 students public importance, that is, the attending private schools in Rockhampton mismanagement by the Goss Government of would be affected by the same policy. By the Queensland Health over the past six years. It time the Gracemere high school is catering for is indeed a pleasure to be standing here Years 8 to 12, all private school students representing some 53.4 per cent of the would be required to find their own means of Queensland electorate or 110,000 more getting to school or paying for a dedicated Queenslanders than are represented by those service. There may be other reasons, such as on the Government benches. Queenslanders family, work or personal, why parents would certainly showed the way they felt about the want their children to go to the Rockhampton Goss Government and the way that it had State High School. Those students would mismanaged Queensland Health. have to pay their own way. The parents must Early in the previous Parliament, I be given the opportunity to have their say in described the Health Department as a this issue. That issue alone will be of great rudderless ship, lurching from crisis to crisis. concern to a number of parents in the Nothing has really changed. It lurched through catchment area of the proposed high school those crises for three years. Eventually, late and will require patience and understanding by last year, whole sections of Queensland all parties. Health—the technicians, clerks, nurses, I will be working to have these issues doctors, wardsmen—came out in public addressed in the best interests of the protest to speak openly about the disaster that community. While support for the high school was occurring in the once-great Queensland is growing, there are a number of factors that public hospital system under the Goss have to be properly researched, for instance, Government. After lurching along like a population growth in the area and what is rudderless ship, the department had a change expected over the next two to ten years. As of Ministers and it started to take in water. We we all know, the housing development boom heard plenty from the previous Minister, Mr of 1992-93 has subsided and there has been Elder, but more and more public protests and a downturn in the housing industry. I am outcries occurred in the five months before the convinced that if there was a return to the election as things simply got worse and worse. rapid growth of the boom years then the From day one, all that Mr Elder did was run construction of the high school would become around the State for photograph opportunities, a priority. If growth was limited and student talking about what he was going to do and numbers remained at current levels or telling everyone that when he was a kid, he Legislative Assembly 103 12 September 1995 used to catch the tram to the PA Hospital—as pay packets once a month. The story is if that was going to make a difference. But did circulating that the Honourable Minister did not we see any real action? No! We saw nothing— know that that letter was authorised by him absolutely nothing! and put into the pay packets. The wording in The people of Queensland—53.4 per the letter certainly appears to be "Beattie- cent of the people of this State—passed speak" to me. judgment in the last State election, and health What a disgraceful way to run an was one of the major issues. The staff, the important department such as Queensland patients, and the people of Queensland Health! That department, which has a budget generally had come to realise just how bad the of $2.7 billion, has had a succession of health system really was. One thing in life that Ministers, plans and reviews, yet when the cannot be stopped is the tidal wave of public members opposite were returned to opinion. When the people know and are Government, they did not know what to do. talking about how badly things are going, the They have had six years and they want real judgment is passed, and 53.4 per cent of another 100 days. the people of Queensland passed that What is the situation at the moment? As it judgment. always has, the Premier's Department is What has happened to the leaking ship running Queensland Health. Six people in that we saw under Mr Elder? Now it is sinking George Street pull the strings and tell simply because Mr Beattie refuses to mend Queensland Health what to do. They have the pumps or the bilges. sent their spies down to keep an eye on Mr Mr T. B. SULLIVAN: I rise to a point of Beattie while he counts the numbers against order. Should the member for Toowoomba the Premier. It is no wonder that the Minister needs 100 days—he needs 50 days to count South be referring to the Minister by name, numbers and 50 days to work out a plan. electorate or title? The Government members reckon that Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member the votes of 53.4 per cent of Queenslanders should be referring to the Minister by either his were a protest vote. When it looked like the ministerial title or his electorate. election would be lost, the then Minister Mr HORAN: While the Honourable jumped ship and left the people in the Minister is not manning the pump, what do we department to shred documents and pack up see? We see 100 days of consultation. If any their ports. What a disgrace that was! One department in Queensland has been would have thought that he would have consulted to death, it has been Queensland stayed with those people and helped them Health. through that difficult week. Mrs BIRD: I rise to a point of order. What is the situation now? As was alluded Could the member please use gender neutral to this morning, the Brisbane North Regional language? Health Service's draft plan has been prepared. Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point Once again, that is another expensive plan. of order. How many plans has Queensland Health purchased from consultants, most of whom Mr HORAN: Under the Honourable come from over the border? What sensible Minister, we have seen plan after plan. We measures are contained in that plan? It have seen the 100 days of cover-up that is recommends closing 300 beds of the 460 at taking place currently. We have seen the Eventide, which would leave 160 beds. Worst 40,000 letters that have gone out in the pay of all, it contains a proposal to sell the valuable packets of every member of Queensland land on the bay side. What a disgrace it is to Health. pay people to make such recommendations! Mr Beattie: That's not true. Until the Opposition revealed it in a media Mr HORAN: That letter, which was release, the Minister did not know about the issued under the Minister's name, contained proposed closure of Riverton. That wonderful the promise that the Honourable Minister and resource for the mothers of Queensland was the director-general will send such a letter to be replaced by eight or 10 beds in the once a month, every month. In addition to the psychiatric ward of the Prince Charles Hospital. glossy magazines that every regional health What a disgrace! authority produces each month and the glossy What is proposed in the new regional bimonthly magazine produced by Queensland health plan for the Royal Brisbane Hospital—a Health, propaganda letters from the Minister hospital that has already been decimated by and the director-general will be distributed in the Goss Government? One of the major 12 September 1995 104 Legislative Assembly causes of the problems in Queensland Health Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point has been the loss of some 400 beds from that of order. hospital. That plan proposes cutting another Mr HORAN: I was referring to the way in 60 beds, including many important medical which the Government's mismanagement has beds, from the Royal Brisbane Hospital. One manifested itself. Three times in the past four would have thought that, by now, members of weeks, a Sunshine Coast patient has had her the Government would have learnt a lesson scheduled operation cancelled. Three times from the decision of the people of she has travelled to the Royal Brisbane Queensland. One would have thought that the Hospital and each time her operation was Government would have taken a bit of notice cancelled. In two of those three cases, she of the Opposition. No! On it goes, closing a was prepped for the operation. Fortunately, few more beds. Honourable members should late last week, that operation went ahead. Can consider the mathematics involved. On the honourable members imagine how that elderly north side of Brisbane, the Government closed woman felt? Three times her family brought 450 beds at the Royal Brisbane Hospital and her to Brisbane and returned home only to opened 120 at Caboolture Hospital, which is receive a phone call asking them to collect seriously understaffed and underfunded, yet that elderly patient. Why did that happen? It the Government claims that the people are happened because of a shortage of beds due better off. to the mismanagement of the Goss What is the situation at the Townsville Government. General Hospital? The oncology department of that hospital has a shortfall of $2.2m. Owing If ever there was an example of Goss to the desperate plight of the cardiology and Government mismanagement, it is oncology services, those sections are not Queensland Health. That department has had being charged for radiology and pathology a succession of Ministers who have no idea services, which is placing a great drain on the how to manage. Labor's reliance on consultants—outsiders—and the setting up of other services in the hospital. More than 2,000 more and more inquiries and reviews—for people are on the waiting list at the Townsville example, the inquiries into the QE II Hospital General Hospital. That hospital has been and the Townsville General Hospital—is totally underfunded for new services, which is ongoing, yet nothing happens except a draining funds from other services. The result reduction in services or an even further decline is an increase in the number of people on the in staff morale. Mr Speaker, 53.4 per cent of waiting list. Hundreds of people are on the Queenslanders have passed judgment on the waiting list for the ear, nose and throat, Goss Government's failure in the area of urology and orthopaedics departments—in health. fact, all departments—for surgery. Through its total mismanagement, this Government Time expired. continues to open new services and not fund them or only partially fund them, which brings down the level of services in the rest of the Behaviour of School Students hospital. That is a disgrace. Mr SCHWARTEN (Rockhampton) That has occurred also at the Prince (11.50 a.m.): One of the biggest challenges Charles Hospital. Last year, that hospital could facing parents, teachers and governments not run to budget. What did the Government throughout Australia today is the issue of do this year? It gave that hospital $2m less unacceptable behaviour in our schools. Every than it needed to operate compared with last Queensland child has the right to an financial year. Already 30 beds have been education in a classroom which is free of closed. Those beds were closed just before disruption; every teacher has the right to last Christmas. The hospital was forced to expect to teach without interruption; and every reopen them in the middle of winter and they parent has the right to expect that those have now been closed again. That was not on situations will apply in his or her child's school. account of a flu epidemic. Those beds are for In most cases this occurs, but there are many cardiac, thoracic and orthopaedic patients. instances in which it does not. That is how the Government's There are many causes for the mismanagement has manifested itself. deterioration in classroom behaviour. Last Mr NUNN: I rise to a point of order. This Sunday, three successive pages in the member is deliberately misleading the House Sunday Mail carried articles relating to the by claiming that he cares about patients in problems facing our young people. On page Queensland, even though he deliberately tried 11 of that newspaper, an article by Ella Riggert to—— stated that anorexia nervosa is striking down Legislative Assembly 105 12 September 1995 victims as young as nine years old and that, in ended up behind bars before their twenty-first the past 12 months, more than 20 young girls, birthdays—one for murder. It is also worth with an average age of 13, were admitted as noting that the kids who are giving us trouble acute hospital patients. On pages 12 and 13 in the community—the 14, 15, 16 and 17- there is a centre spread story titled "In year-olds—all went through primary school and Defence of Young Crims". The article states— many secondary school systems where there "Bored juveniles often commit was lawful use of the cane. It seems that the offences, not with any malicious or evil presence of the cane did not deter them from intent, but just for the fun and thrill of it." continuing a life of disruption. It goes on to tell how they remove tills from If honourable members opposite are corner stores just for the thrill of it. honest they will agree that the solution to disruptive behaviour is not simple. However, I There is an excellent article on the next believe that this Government has made the page. I do not know whether it is written by Dr best effort of any Government in this State in Paul Currie, but it mentions his research. He recent times to confront the problem. Our states that unrealistic expectations usually policy, which we released during the election cause enormous stress in parent and child campaign, entails maintaining school relationships; that "the mid-teens presented a discipline. I think it contains a broad composite whole new range of stress situations"; that of strategies which tackle the sources and peer group pressure is stronger than ever outcomes of disruptive behaviour. Firstly, the before; and that many children are doing policy recognises that the education process things they do not necessarily want to do. I should continue without challenge and must say that some of the problem seems to disruption. About 1,000 hours of instruction a lie with our media, which seems quick to run year are available to our students. It is simply stories about how badly behaved some of our not acceptable for any of that time to be young people are. It is also prepared to run contaminated by those who want to disrupt. stories about our young stars, sports people, The policy recognises this and provides for artists and those who have made it to the top. alternative settings. The term "sin bin" is used However, it is less inclined to run stories about in the documentation. Although that is a term I the majority of young people who are doing do not like, the concept is that troublesome their best and achieving accordingly. children can be excluded to a supervised In my electorate of Rockhampton I have position within the school to unlock the already been contacted by parents and difficulty in the classroom. I support this teachers who are almost at the point of concept. Other steps to remove such despair over the disruptive behaviour of a behaviour problems include rearranging lunch small minority of children who simply do not hours, detention, suspension and exclusion. In want to conform to a reasonable standard of other words, a range of options is available to behaviour. Understandably, most of those remove from the classroom students who are people regard the return of the cane as the hell-bent on disruption. immediate answer to this problem. However, The policy also recognises that principals, we must all remember that, as in other States, parents and teachers need help in dealing the cane was banned here because of public with difficult children. Accordingly, support in opinion. It was not done on some sort of whim these areas is also being proposed. There will by this Government. The people of also be out-of-school programs to assist Queensland, P & C groups, teachers unions children who are running off the rails, because and other lobby groups believed that physical this Government recognises that by simply punishment was no longer appropriate in the excluding children from schools we are merely correction of unacceptable behaviour. This shifting the problem into the wider community. Government listened and acted accordingly. My view is that the measures proposed in the My own experience of 10 years’ teaching tells policy represent sound attempts to address me that the cane did not work on wilfully the problem of classroom disruption. They are disruptive kids. carrot-and-stick approaches in that they are I want to tell honourable members of two significant programs aimed at determining the of my former students who are now guests of causes of that behaviour and addressing Her Majesty and who spent most of their time them. There are also other measures at primary school at the principal's office. I designed to remove the minority who cannot could not recall the number of times they were behave from those who can. Importantly, the caned for the very same offences, yet there policy is flexible and allows teachers and other they were, almost daily, getting the cane. That interested parties to come up with possible strategy did not work, and ultimately they solutions. 12 September 1995 106 Legislative Assembly

In my electorate, I believe that we could He went on to say— provide an alternative school for students "As a matter of fact, he was just the whose behaviour is such that they have sort of half-smart kid you would like to forfeited their right to be educated in the boot up the jumper just for being there". normal classroom setting. I am advised that less than 50 of the several thousand kids who Mr Kavanagh continued with that sort of attend schools around Rockhampton behave language. in a standard that would warrant transfer to an Do members know what the true story alternative school. I believe that if we were was? Kavanagh went to put his trolley back, able to set up that school, we could offer and the kid said, "Thanks, mister." However, those kids who misbehave the sort of because the boy was dressed in a particular management programs that could help them. way, Kavanagh immediately took umbrage We would also then be reducing the stress on and took the kid to task. It is no wonder that teachers by removing the source of disruption, kids are rebelling against authority. That young thus allowing the education process to lad was working on a weekend to get a few continue. I have already discussed this idea bob and develop the work ethic; but what with parents, teachers, senior Capricornia does he get from people such as Kavanagh? regional education personnel and the Minister Nothing but a kick up the jumper! I admit that himself. All have agreed that it has merit. Mr Kavanagh does square-off a bit at the end To solve or at least stem this problem will of the column, but he does not say, "I then require a united approach by all members of went up and apologised to the kid", which he this House. It is not only a problem for this should have done. Simply because he did not Government; it is a problem for every like the way the kid was dressed, and simply Queensland community because, ultimately, because he interpreted the way the kid spoke today's classroom problems become by the way he was dressed, he decided that tomorrow's community disasters. As we in this he did not like it and was going to take the kid place are a collective of community leaders, it to task. behoves us to deal collectively with this issue. Time expired. It is irresponsible for Opposition members to adopt the Pontius Pilate option, to wash their hands and blame the Government. It is time ADDRESS IN REPLY that each member here showed some First Allotted Day leadership and worked with his or her schools, the Education Department and parent and Debate resumed from 7 September (see community groups to help find a solution. p. 62). I now turn to what I believe is another part Mr BORBIDGE (Surfers Paradise— of the problem that we are tackling in terms of Leader of the Opposition) (12 noon): In dealing with young people. I honestly believe speaking to the motion for the adoption of the that young people today have it far tougher Address in Reply, I reaffirm my support for the than any of us did, and I have already referred Queen as head of State and her most worthy to a couple of newspaper articles in relation to representative in Queensland, Her Excellency that. The sort of stress that is placed on the Governor. Mr Speaker, I also take this children is not helped by leading journalists opportunity to congratulate you on your and columnists in this State for whom I have re-election to that high and ancient office. I had a bit of respect. I refer to the Kavanagh also thank the constituents of the electorate of column in yesterday's Courier-Mail. Surfers Paradise, who have returned me as their member to this place for the sixth time. Mr Kavanagh obviously had an altercation Despite the best efforts of the member for at a shopping centre, and I would have to say Logan and the President of the Labor Party, I that the altercation was of his own doing. The say with some pleasure that I have been language that he uses in his column is along returned with a record majority. I hope they the lines of— continue to campaign against me on the Gold "He was your typical half-smart, Coast. Mr Deputy Speaker, I also congratulate pimply teenager trying desperately to you on your re-election as Deputy Speaker of grow a beard, but all he could manage the House. was a wispy bit of bum-fluff on the point of his chin." On 15 July, the electors of Queensland passed judgment on the Goss Labor The boy wore— Government. In this Address in Reply debate, "those clod-hopper boots real dumb kids it is important to point out that on that wear." day—Labor's fateful day—the electors of Legislative Assembly 107 12 September 1995

Queensland voted overwhelmingly for a evidence that Labor even understands the change of Government. Fifty-three per cent of message of 15 July. There has been just more Queenslanders voted Labor out. One hundred arrogance and the continuing spectacle of and ten thousand more Queenslanders Labor's faction leaders fighting over the supported the coalition on 15 July than the undeserved spoils of office. We have heard Labor Party. talk of leadership challenges and talk of Mr T. B. Sullivan: Don't you know how plotting between Ministers Mackenroth and Westminster works? Gibbs. We have had Keep Left and now we have the new publication from the Mr Cooper: We know how your crooked non-Socialist Left called Cheap Left. We have system works. open warfare between the Labor factions. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The But for 16 votes in the now contested member for Crows Nest and the member for seat of Mundingburra, Queenslanders would Chermside! have seen 59 days of action from a coalition Mr BORBIDGE: I hear an interjection Government committed to improving services from a member who had a 6.4 per cent swing for the people of this State. Instead of against him. He is sitting next to the member abdicating leadership and Executive authority for Ipswich West, the Government Whip, who over transport issues, a coalition Government recorded a 7.2 per cent swing against him. would have been well on the way towards The difference in the number of voters finalising plans for the eight-lane Pacific who voted for the coalition and those who Highway. That highway would have been voted for Labor represents the total voting completed within the first term of the coalition enrolment of five Queensland electorates. Government. It now appears that Labor's Since the reintroduction of preferential voting alternative is dead. This Government must in Queensland back in the early 1960s, this is realise that the people of south-east the first Government that has been returned to Queensland voted against the south coast office with less than 50 per cent of the tollway and all it stood for. Let me refresh the two-party preferred vote. memories of honourable members opposite: in the electorate of Springwood, there was a Mr Livingstone: And don't you hate it. 19.4 per cent swing against Labor; in Mr BORBIDGE: The honourable Redlands, the swing was 9.9 per cent; in member who interjects—Mr 7.2 per cent— Mansfield, it was 9.4 per cent; and in Albert, it better get used to it. Today, we have before was 5.6 per cent. Those swings start to make us a minority Government, an illegitimate the margin of the member for Ipswich West Government, a Government that, clearly, the look respectable; they start to make him look majority of Queenslanders do not support, a good. Government that Queenslanders wanted to Mr T. B. SULLIVAN: He always has get rid of. Let me take this opportunity to been. thank the people of Queensland for the faith and confidence that they have placed in the Mr BORBIDGE: Those swings start to National/Liberal coalition. Let me assure them make the member for Chermside look good, if that we will not let them down, that we will anyone ever thought that that would be knuckle down in our job and be ready to possible. govern this State whenever called upon. Despite those swings against it, the It is now 59 days since 15 July. Prior to Government still does not understand or the election, the member for Logan promised comprehend the message. On Sunday night 100 days of action—remember that phrase we saw the spectacle of the Minister for during the campaign? The reality, as we have Transport touring the area in a chopper for so often come to expect, has been quite the Channel 9 news. As he surveyed the opposite. What we have seen has not been countryside he observed, "Oh, dear, there is a 100 days of action; it has been 59 days of lot of bush down there." He said, "Oh dear, sulking, of whingeing, and of complaining that is a significant habitat." There he was, about the cruel hand the people of pouring over the maps foreshadowing a Queensland have delivered the member for decision to emerge the following day— Logan and his Government. There has been yesterday's Cabinet meeting. Monday dawns no talk of getting on with the job, no talk of and what do we get? Nothing! Zero! action, no new vigour on the part of the Absolutely nothing! That is because the Cabinet, no new real commitment to member for Logan and his lame-duck Cabinet consultation, no evidence of heeding the cannot make a decision any more. They are message and getting on with the job, and no not allowed to make decisions. Matters have 12 September 1995 108 Legislative Assembly to go to caucus so that the intellectual giants coalition Government—does not want, and will in the caucus room can ponder over not be saddled with, that compromise things—pick over things—so that they can tell alternative. the member for Logan and his lame-duck Limiting the political fallout is also the Cabinet what to do. Where is the motivation behind the establishment of a government? Where is the authority? Where is consultative committee, a committee designed the leadership? There is none—absolutely to delay a final decision until after—not none at all. The Premier is a lame-duck leader before—the Federal election. Labor does not leading a lame-duck Cabinet. want a repeat of the State election campaign The member for Logan now knows that during the Federal election campaign. The he cannot lead and that he cannot make a Labor Party knows that it cannot stand Act 2 decision on that road because his party is of the south coast motorway debacle. But hopelessly divided on the issue. He knows that again, who can trust Labor? Before the 1992 if he goes ahead with the road, he will be election, Government members said that they buying into the greatest environmental dispute would not build the highway north of the since the Franklin dam. He knows that if he Logan River. Then they broke that promise. knocks the road on the head, members of the Who is to say that they will not go back on caucus, the principal of them being the their word again and keep repeating their member for Woodridge, Mr D'arcy, who has broken-down, discredited and dishonest sprung back to life after a 10-year hibernation, political tactics? will do a Jim Fouras. Mr D'arcy will stand on his Today, I challenge the member for Logan dig, or someone else will stand on his or her to do the right thing and the only thing that will dig, and back the lame-duck leader into a work: to acknowledge that the coalition was corner from which he will not be able to right all along; that the only solution is to widen remove himself. the Pacific Highway to eight lanes and create Arising out of this little dilemma is the a freeway of world-class standard. I challenge so-called compromise—the foot-each-side-of- the member for Logan to show some the-barbed-wire-fence decision—to widen the leadership. He should do this today so that the Pacific Highway through to the Logan River major traffic problems between Brisbane and and then build the motorway south of the the Gold Coast can be addressed Logan River through to the Gold Coast. Does immediately, not in seven years' time as has this brand new proposal being floated sound been proposed in relation to the tollway. The just a little bit familiar? Have we heard it Premier should act now to solve the problem. before? Of course we have! This is the option As is the case with Transport, there is little that the Government trotted out as the evidence that the public hospital system is on compromise prior to the 1992 State election. It the mend. Fifty-nine days after the election we does not matter that it will not work; it does not again see another Minister—the new Minister, matter that people will not get off a free the Minister for "Self-promotion"—touring highway at the Logan River for the pleasure of wards and theatres simply having a look. He is paying a toll through to the Gold Coast. not doing anything, mind you, Mr Deputy Why will this so-called compromise not Speaker; he is just having a look. While the work? It is because this decision has nothing Minister looks and learns, hospital waiting lists to do with proper transport planning; it is all lengthen, more beds and theatres close and about politics, it is all about saving the Labor public health officials continue to speak out. Party, and it is all about clinging on to And what was the first and only decisive action ministerial leather. It is about the Labor Party of the new Minister for Health? He joined MBF putting forward a compromise and thereby and took out private health cover. He walked limiting the political fallout at the next election, around Royal Brisbane, had a look at his whenever that may be—and it is more likely to portfolio and his director-general, who cannot be sooner than later—safe in the knowledge be got rid of because he is locked into a that Government members will not be around four-year contract, and in despair he said, after the next election leaving a coalition "The public hospital system isn't for me. I'm Government to deal with a road from nowhere. joining MBF." That is what they call it—the road from Mr Santoro: You've almost got to feel nowhere, the road that really will not serve any sorry for him, haven't you? useful purpose. It will just make Government members look pretty; it will just try to get them Mr BORBIDGE: I do not feel sorry for off the hook. Their proposal has been rejected the Minister. overwhelmingly. Today, I warn this That is the only decision that the Minister Government that the next Government—a for "Self-promotion" has made. How about Legislative Assembly 109 12 September 1995 starting to fix up the problems? For instance, Mr BORBIDGE: If the Minister wishes to take the spectacle on television last night of interject, he should be in his seat. the new Health Minister responding to claims The member for Yeronga, Mr Foley, now by PA's Brian Senewiratne that medical the first law officer of the State, only six weeks instruments had to be held together with sticky prior to the State election told a parliamentary tape. The Health Minister was on television Estimates Committee that the workers' smiling and reaching out to the cameras in all compensation scheme would be $100m in his glory, saying, "Oh, give me a fair go. I have surplus. Then through the election campaign been here only six weeks." The member for we had the Treasurer trumpeting Brisbane Central may have been the Minister Queensland's fully funded superannuation for Health for six weeks but his Government and workers' compensation funds. Now, has been in power for six years. It is his conveniently after the election, we find that Government—and his Government alone— there has been a near $200m turnaround in which has run down our once-proud public the status of the fund—all, we are led to hospital system to the point at which today it is believe, in six short weeks. And it is all still in crisis, and not one decision has been because of an unforeseen hike in common made since the 15 July election to start to law claims! That is what the member for Logan address that crisis. said. He blamed it on all these dreadful Within 59 days of being elected, a lawyers. And he accuses me of dishonesty! coalition Government would have been well on What does the record say? What was the the way to implementing its $60m hospital Parliament told and why did the Premier hide waiting list plan. Closed hospital wards and the fact—as did Minister Foley and as does theatres would have been identified and funds Minister Edmond—that the Workers would have been freed up to provide for their Compensation Board reports quarterly on the reopening. The attack on bureaucratic waste status of the fund? So they might not have would have been our No. 1 priority and the had the actuary's final report but they had abolition of regional authorities would be well three out of four reports. But, of course, it is all advanced. The first stage of our three-year, the lawyers' fault, and it all happened $200m disability package would be in the miraculously some time between 1 July and process of being implemented. when this Government was sworn in. Pigs The public health system in this State might fly! To the Premier, Mr Goss, I say: this simply cannot afford another self-serving and is just another Goss Labor lie. We do not self-promoting Health Minister who wants to believe him and Queenslanders do not believe spend his first 100 days looking around the him anymore. office or riding around in his ministerial car. We Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr on this side of the Chamber know that that Palaszczuk): Order! I take the opportunity to particular Minister will spend his second 100 remind the honourable Leader of the days as a Minister plotting and planning to Opposition of the Speaker's ruling last week in usurp the authority of his already naked relation to the term "lie". I would ask that the leader, the member for Logan. honourable member withdraw that term and In its first 59 days of Government, the replace it with "untruth". coalition would have instigated a full inquiry—a Mr BORBIDGE: Certainly, Mr Deputy total inquiry—into the scandal that has Speaker. It is just another Labor untruth and it become the Workers Compensation Fund, the means exactly the same as L-I-E, which I will fund that has been at the cornerstone of not use in this place out respect for you, Mr Queensland's proud economic credentials Deputy Speaker. which have now been clearly destroyed by the Labor Party and the Minister who is now the This is the sort of economic Attorney-General and first law officer of the mismanagement that Labor Governments are State. renowned for—the systematic tearing down of the trilogy. But we knew that it was always Mr Lester: We were the envy of going to happen. It was only a matter of time. Australia. Mr BORBIDGE: We were the envy of Mr McGrady interjected. Australia, as the member for Keppel reminds Mr BORBIDGE: I notice the Minister for me. The honourable member served as the Minerals and Energy leaving the Chamber. He custodian of that scheme for many years and should stick around; I am coming to him. did so very well indeed. Having raided the trust funds and milking Mr Beattie: I'd bring back Russell record dividends to Government through Cooper. corporatisation, the time has now come for the 12 September 1995 110 Legislative Assembly big raids and the sell-offs. I refer to the well- how much we are being paid. We cannot tell advanced plans to sell off three generating you what we are giving away." I want to make units at the Stanwell Power Station, against—I the point that Stanwell is owned by the repeat "against"—the wishes of the board of taxpayers of Queensland, and the Labor Party the Queensland Generating Corporation, and the Labor Cabinet in trust are the board of trading as AUSTA. The sell-off is designed to directors. By refusing to provide to this boost revenue flows in order to fund Labor's Parliament information in regard to the assets extravagant election promises, promises which of this State, as owned by the people of the people of Queensland saw through and Queensland, the Government is denying to its knew could not be delivered. shareholders their rights. Today we have seen an admission by the Never let the member for Logan stand up Premier, by the Treasurer and by the Minister in this place—like the blatant mug hypocrite he for Minerals and Energy that they have is—and say, "I believe in accountability", entered into renegotiations or refinancing of because this deal smells. The reason it smells Stanwell Power Station—the jewel in the crown is simple: this Government knew that it could of Queensland's electricity generating industry. not fund what it promised. It knows that, with Those people claimed that they have not sold the economic slump, its receipts from stamp the power station but they have sort of duty have dropped away to blazes. As a mortgaged it. But why would a company offer result, the Government has a cash flow a Government potentially hundreds of millions problem. It has said, "Let us sell Stanwell, but of dollars up front if it does not obtain let us dress it up so that it looks a bit different, something in return? The Treasurer let it slip because we really do not like that the company concerned has some tax privatisation—and after all, we said that the lurks going somewhere in a country far, far coalition was going to sell the hospitals." What away. So we have the Treasurer of duplicitous hypocrisy from the member for Queensland aiding and abetting tax Logan! He should hang his head in shame. avoidance by an offshore company so that If the member for Logan has any that company can enter into arrangements to commitment at all to accountability, he will get him out of the bind created by the table and disclose in this Parliament today full spending that Labor promised during the details of this dubious and odd transaction. election campaign. We have here a cross between Christopher Skase and Khemlani— Mr Grice: Does the Socialist Left know and he calls himself the Treasurer of the backroom deal? Queensland! Mr BORBIDGE: In response to the The Government has entered into this member for Broadwater—I suspect that the arrangement relating to the Stanwell Power Socialist Left probably knows nothing about it. Station. We know that the Potomac Capital All this comes from a party which spent a Investment Corporation has been traipsing considerable amount of time and money in through town. No expressions of interest have the recent election campaign trying to been called for; no tenders have been convince Queenslanders that a coalition submitted; no public statement has been Government would sell off Queensland's made; there was no mention of this matter in public hospitals. Now we have the Labor the Governor's opening address to Parliament; Party—which is hanging on by 16 votes in one there was no mention of it in the Premier's seat, that result currently being challenged policy speech; and no accountability measures before the Court of Disputed Returns— apply—the matter cannot be scrutinised during engaged in perhaps the largest sell-off in the the Estimates process—because it is all off history of Queensland public administration Budget. This is a secret, backroom deal—— without notice, without reference to the Mr Cooper: It's to pay for their election Parliament, without reference to the people of promises. Queensland, behind closed doors with an offshore corporation. I warn the Government Mr BORBIDGE: —to pay for Labor's today that this sell-off will not go unchallenged. election promises. The coalition will not accept the false, fake, Where is accountability in this instance? phoney premise that this matter is commercial Where is this Government's commitment to in confidence. The Government does not own accountability that it can be so desperate to Stanwell; the coalition does not own Stanwell. enter into such an unusual and odd It is held by the Government in trust for the arrangement? When we ask questions of the people of Queensland. The people of Premier and the Treasurer, they say, "It is all Queensland have a right to know the details of commercial in confidence. We cannot tell you this transaction. The Government may well Legislative Assembly 111 12 September 1995 attempt to deny that information to this For over 80 years, the Mackay electorate Parliament, but it will pay a very high political has had continuous representation by a Labor price if it does. Party member in the Queensland Parliament. The credibility of the member for Logan That is a unique situation. No other electorate and his ramshackle Government is now in can claim continuous representation by the tatters. Mr Goss' authority and power within one political party for such a length of time. I the caucus has now diminished to the point at am very conscious of this long tradition and which major decisions can no longer be made the history of support that the Mackay without the approval of caucus. What happens electorate has given to the Labor Party. I will when Parliament does not sit? Will we have to certainly do my best to carry on that tradition wait until the next sitting of Parliament—and with the goodwill and support of my workers therefore the next meeting of caucus—until a and supporters and the confidence of the decision can be made? One can imagine the electors of Mackay. As the new member for pressure that will be brought to bear on this Mackay, I will be focusing my energies on Government and its current leader by fostering the development of all aspects of the backbenchers sitting in marginal seats. Mackay community. This means not only economic and industrial development, which is Mr FitzGerald: They're all marginal already so strong in Mackay, but also seats. Look at them! addressing the important social and cultural Mr BORBIDGE: I am coming to that. needs of our community. I will be working to For the benefit of honourable members ensure that Mackay continues to be opposite, I point out that a swing of 2 per cent recognised as the important regional centre of against the Government at a general election Queensland that it is. would cost it 12 seats; a swing of 4 per cent The City of Mackay has always been well would cost it 19 seats and see it reduced to 26 represented in Parliament. The first member seats in this Parliament. The Labor Party is for Mackay, Francis Thyssen Amhurst, was staring down the barrel of such an outcome. elected on 21 November 1879. Whilst there That is a scenario that it had better start to get were seven different people elected to used to. That is the sort of pressure that will represent Mackay during the first 36 years of ensure that the third Goss Government will not representation, for the last 80 years only three see out its full term. have been elected to office. In July 1915, the Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr late Honourable William Forgan Smith was Palaszczuk): Order! Before calling the elected. He was the member for Mackay for honourable member for Mackay, I remind all over 27 years. Over that period, he served with honourable members that this is the member's great distinction as a member, as a Minister of first contribution to the proceedings of this the Crown and as a long-serving Premier. House. I therefore request that all honourable In July 1943, Frederick Dickson Graham members afford the member for Mackay the became the member for Mackay. Mr Graham courtesies of this House. I now call the devoted 26 years to the people of Mackay honourable member for Mackay. and the State of Queensland in the Honourable members: Hear, hear! Parliament. During this time, he was a very hardworking and available representative. He Mr MULHERIN (Mackay) (12.27 p.m.): is still remembered fondly in Mackay for his As the newly elected member for Mackay, I great worth and many personal acts of wish to associate myself with the sentiments of kindness. It gives me much pleasure to report the mover and seconder of the motion for the that Mr Graham, who is in his nineties, enjoys adoption of the Address in Reply. I also good health and lives in happy retirement at extend my sincere congratulations to you, Mr Sandgate. Following Mr Graham, in May 1969 Deputy Speaker, on your election to that Edmund Casey was elected to Parliament. position. Until his retirement in July this year, he served My opportunity to enter this House was the Parliament for 26 years. brought about by the retirement from politics I wish to take this early opportunity to of my predecessor, the Honourable Edmund record my congratulations to Mr Casey on a Denis Casey. Sadly, Mr Casey's retirement great political career, which I am sure is was precipitated by ill health. Happily, I am unparalleled in both length of service and able to report that already, after only a very achievements in this State. Edmund Casey's short time in retirement from politics, Mr grandfather was a founder of the Labor Casey's health has improved markedly. I hope movement in Mackay, and his father, Jack that this augurs well for a long, happy and Casey, was the long-time head of the party in healthy retirement. Mackay from the 1930s to the 1950s. As a 12 September 1995 112 Legislative Assembly young boy, Edmund shared his family's great community worker and, in common with interest in politics. It was only natural that he Edmund, she did anything for anyone would one day end up in this Chamber. In regardless of colour, class or creed. To 1967, he was elected to the Mackay City Edmund and Laurie I say: thank you for all the Council with a record vote and was support and personal advice you have given immediately appointed deputy mayor and me and my wife and for all that you have done council representative on the Mackay Harbour for the people of Mackay in all your years of Board. During his term with the council, he public life. chaired numerous council committees and I must also place on record my thanks was delegate to all local government and appreciation to Edmund Casey for the conferences, where he gained a great insight valuable advice and guidance he gave to me into regional Queensland, which equipped him when acting as my campaign director in the well as leader of the party and later as Minister recent election campaign. I would also like to for Primary Industries. thank other members of my campaign There were three great anchors in team—Frank Gilbert, my campaign manager; Edmund Casey's life. They were the source of Bruce Litte, my campaign coordinator; Don tremendous fortitude that he showed in the Rolls; Pat Noonan; Matthew Skinner; Gary face of tumultuous and turbulent times. Those Matthews; Lofty Cathcart; Gary Bell; and Mark anchors were: family, faith and friends. Stroppiana—for their hard work and patience. Edmund Casey's religious faith is deep, To my wife, Erin, my parents, Leo and Helen, unpretentious and very sincere. I know it is a my brothers, Pat and Martin, Martin's wife, source of strength to him. I know also that it is Helen, and my 91-year-old grandmother, lived out with humanity and integrity. Susan Mulherin, I say: thank you for the Edmund's political faith has been severely emotional and physical support you gave me tested. As honourable members would be during the campaign. Those people, along aware, he ran as an independent Labor with members of the Mackay branches of the candidate in 1972 after he lost endorsement Australian Labor Party—booth workers and for the ALP, yet his belief in the political and supporters—created the impetus that resulted industrial ideals of the Labor movement was in my election to Parliament. not deserted or abandoned. To his great For the information of honourable credit, he firmly rejected attempts by the members, I would like to point out my family National Party to entice him over the political history and work background and speak about fence—something that he would not even the part that I see myself playing as a new contemplate. His political skill and leadership member in this third Goss Labor Government. quality guided the Labor Party in this State In the early 1880s, my great grandparents, into a time of renewal and restructure. Patrick and Ellen Mulherin, migrated to In his inaugural speech, Edmund Casey Mackay from Ireland. They were some of the spoke quite extensively about the sugar earliest pioneers in the sugar industry. One of industry and the valuable contribution this their sons, Tom Mulherin, founded the first industry made to the State's economy. He cooperative sugar mill in Queensland, namely, also spoke about the need to develop a Farleigh Mill, which became the model for the strategic long-term water resources plan for formation of other cooperative mills in the the State. It was only fitting then that, upon sugar industry. Another of their sons, John the election of the Goss Labor Government in Martin Mulherin, was one of the instigators of December 1989, Edmund Casey was the construction of the present outer harbour appointed as Minister for Primary Industries, in Mackay and, in fact, was the longest-serving which enabled him to implement his vision for member of the Mackay Harbour Board, having the sugar industry and water resources in this served from 1934 until his death in 1957. State. Edmund Casey was arguably one of I am the eldest of six children of a single- the greatest Primary Industries Ministers this income, working-class family and am pleased State has had, and his legacy of to have both my parents, Leo and Helen, administration has ensured that our primary along with my wife, Erin, and her mother, Rose industries are well placed to compete in a Smith, in the Chamber today. In 1975, I highly competitive world. worked as a clerk at Michelmores, a It would be remiss of me not to mention well-known local firm, and in 1976 I joined the the tremendous contribution and support that employ of the Queensland Electricity Edmund Casey received from his wife, Laurie. Commission until 1993. During my As a country member's wife, Laurie employment with the Queensland Electricity successfully juggled her time between family Commission, I was employed in the and public life. Laurie has been a tireless transmission branch, overseeing the Legislative Assembly 113 12 September 1995 day-to-day administration of the Mackay office. consultation at all industry levels, and My concerns for my fellow workers led to my canefarmers should see the review not as a involvement as an active member of the threat to their industry but as a challenge for Australian Service Union, and I represented the future. the union at both local delegate level and It is important that the sugar industry State branch council level. In 1993, I resigned adopt value adding. The Mackay Sugar from the electricity industry and commenced Cooperative Association accepted the employment as an organiser for the Labor challenge of value adding by establishing, in Party, a position I held until my election as the conjunction with E. D. & F. Mann, the Mackay member for Mackay. Sugar Refinery, located at Racecourse Mill Because of my family history and work near Mackay. But there is still a need for background, I find it easy to relate to people, further downstream processing in the Mackay especially the average working-class people, district, and I will work closely with the industry those being the grassroots people of my for the establishment of such things as a electorate. I am looking forward to meeting bagasse pulp mill and a confectionary and with community groups to assure them that food processing industry. their views will be noted and acted upon where The sugar industry is very conscious of possible. I also hope to provide the people of the environment in which it operates. I would Mackay with an open-door policy. I will do my like to take this opportunity to congratulate the best for each and every one of my sugar industry on its initiative in conducting an constituents. I also hope to be able to raise environmental audit, and I look forward to local concerns within this Chamber and to assisting the industry in implementing the provide advice and information to lobby recommendations of this report. I have already groups within my electorate. The priorities in mentioned that Mackay is the sugar capital of my life are ones that I share with Edmund Australia, yet as sweet a success story as that Casey. These are: family, faith and friends. industry is, there is much more to Mackay than These will certainly be evident in the way that I sugar. approach my responsibilities as the member The Mackay regional economy is worth an for Mackay. estimated $2.6 billion per annum. Mackay The electorate of Mackay, which consists contributes in excess of 5 per cent of of 21,911 enrolled constituents, encompasses Queensland's gross State product. That areas both north and south of the Pioneer represents a per capita contribution from the River and is bordered by the electorates of Mackay district to the Queensland economy of Whitsunday and Mirani. Mackay is recognised $23,500, which is substantially above the as the sugar capital of Australia. The Mackay State average of $18,400. Mackay's economy district is one of the largest sugar-producing is dominated by servicing the mining industry, areas in Australia. The sugar industry mainly coal. The Goss Labor Government's contributes a large proportion of Mackay's recent redevelopment and capital upgrade of economy and provides employment for the harbour corporation's Dalrymple Bay coal hundreds of people, both directly and export terminal has cost $168m. This initiative indirectly. There are approximately 44,000 has boosted the capacity of the port by 45 per hectares of sugarcane in the surrounding cent. In addition, the recently announced district, with an in-field production of 3.25 $50m upgrade of the Hay Point coal terminal million tonnes. The harvest period extends by BHP and the State Government's from July to November. announcement in its policy From Strength to Queensland Labor Governments have an Strength of the $6.4m Eungella water pipeline impressive track record in terms of the sugar to the Bowen Basin coal fields will ensure that industry. The Labor Governments of T. J. the Mackay region plays a vital part in the Ryan and Forgan Smith firmly established that continuing growth of this valuable export industry, and it is the Goss Labor Government industry. that has overseen the expansion and Mackay is an important wholesale and restructuring of Queensland's sugar industry. retail centre in regional Queensland and it acts As honourable members would be aware, as a trade and transport node to inland State Cabinet will shortly consider the structure Queensland, and accordingly is reflected in of the Committee of Review of the the 6.5 per cent contribution to gross regional Queensland Sugar Industry. The review will product by the transport sector. Mackay is well look at the regulations that govern that great served by excellent harbour and airport industry. It will also look at the marketing facilities, both built by Labor Governments, arrangements in respect of the National and it stands as a gateway to the Whitsunday Competition Policy. There will be close islands and the Great Barrier Reef. 12 September 1995 114 Legislative Assembly

Sixty years ago, a predecessor of mine, Medical School. This initiative will only former Premier and member for Mackay, the enhance Mackay's ability to attract further late Honourable William Forgan Smith, specialist doctors to the area and, in addition, I ensured Mackay's economic future with the am committed to ensuring that Mackay construction of the outer harbour. I am proud residents receive the best available medical to be associated with the $13m and nursing care. redevelopment of the Mackay port that is Mackay is one of the most livable cities in taking place under the Goss Labor Australia. Nestled between national park, rare Government. This redevelopment will ensure tropical rainforest and the wonderful Great the commercial viability of the port well into the Barrier Reef, Mackay city has natural and twenty-first century. It is ironic that most of the human resources second to none. Its people major developments at the port have occurred have established cultural and sporting under Labor Governments. I would like to take organisations and facilities that would be this opportunity to congratulate the Mackay unequalled in Australia on a per capita basis. Port Authority and its board members, under Participation is the key word. Involvement in the chairmanship and guidance of Mr Ron the arts and sport reaches from junior to Searle, on its successes. I pledge myself to masters levels. The Queensland continue working closely with the Mackay Port Authority to achieve the best for Mackay. Conservatorium of Music established its first campus outside of Brisbane in Mackay. It has Another significant achievement of the continued to flourish and, from next year, Goss Labor Government has been the re- under the auspices of the Central Queensland routing of the railway line out of Mackay city University, will be the Central Queensland streets and the building of a new railway Conservatorium of Music. It complements and station and goods yard. Mackay is the centre supports the city's many musical and theatrical of a rich and vibrant region. It is an organisations. educational, medical and administrative centre. The Goss Labor Government helped Because Mackay is situated in such a establish the Mackay campus of the University unique environment, it is an obligation on our of Central Queensland in my electorate. It has present generation to plan carefully and wisely continued to develop into an excellent for our future. Future developments must not educational facility, which will be invaluable to only accommodate our physical needs but the development of research and higher also ensure the preservation of the natural education for the region. Hopefully, in the near environment. Change and development must future, more subjects will be available which occur in a sustainable way. We owe this to our will result in more courses being able to be children and our children's children. completed on campus. This type of growth will As promised in the election campaign, in negate the need for Mackay students to travel the near future I will be moving for the to other institutions to attain their professional establishment of the Mackay Wetland qualifications, in turn keeping qualified Advisory Group, the purpose of which will be to professionals in Mackay. identify and advise Government on how to In this term of Government, the Goss manage the valuable wetlands found in and Labor Government will build a new district around the Mackay region. The advisory group police headquarters in Mackay and refurbish will consist of representatives from the present historic police station at a cost of Government departments, industry, $8.4m. This includes a new watch-house conservation groups and community facility and will mean that the people of organisations. The advisory group will allow Mackay will be served by the most up-to-date community input into the management of this police facilities in Australia. I will work with ecologically critical environment. police to ensure that Mackay receives its fair Likewise, I will be taking a special interest share of additional police officers. in the development of the Mackay Strategic Over the next 10 years, the Goss Labor Plan. The plan is about planning for the Government will spend $20m on redeveloping provision of facilities needed by residents 20 to the Mackay Base Hospital. In the next three 30 years down the track. The Goss Labor years, $4.2m will be spent on upgrading the Government has already made available the accident and emergency departments and services of a senior strategic planner to ensure refurbishing the obstetric and paediatric wards. that community ideas, concerns and I welcome the initiative of the Goss Labor suggestions are accommodated and Government in establishing the Associate assimilated into the plan. I will be working Chair of Paediatrics at the Mackay Base closely with the Mackay City Council to give Hospital as part of the North Queensland effect to the most comprehensive community Legislative Assembly 115 12 September 1995 consultation possible. The Mackay Strategic between 1863 and 1904 to develop the sugar Plan will involve Commonwealth, State and industry. They came from many Pacific local governments and the Mackay community islands, mainly from Vanuatu and the in a dynamic process that will enable a whole- Solomon Islands. They were often brought to of-Government approach to Mackay's future Australia against their will. It is undoubtedly needs, especially transport. I restate here my true that they were generally abused and absolute determination to have another road exploited—just like slaves. Between 1904 and bridge crossing built over the Pioneer River for 1906 most were deported under the White the people of Mackay in this term of office. Australia Policy. However, about 2,400 people Possibly the most undervalued resource, either evaded deportation or were exempt yet the most significant, is water. Fortunately from it. Given this background, the proud and for the Mackay district, Edmund Casey did not enduring sense of community and identity suffer from this misapprehension. Due to his among Mackay South Sea Islanders is even drive and foresight, in November 1993 the more impressive. Their dignity and humanity Teemburra Creek Dam project received has sustained them in their long struggle for funding of $10m through the Sugar Industry recognition and justice and has earned them Infrastructure Package. This funding, together the most profound respect of the Mackay with a commitment of $10m from the Mackay community. Sugar Cooperative, an undertaking for future It would be remiss of me to not mention irrigators to provide $5m and the balance of the original inhabitants of the Mackay area. In $31.7m from the Goss Labor Government, the 1930s Norman Tindale recorded the local has allowed construction to start and meant a Aborigines in the area as being of the Juipera considerable boost to water resource language group with boundaries running from management in the Pioneer Valley. St Helens in the north to St Lawrence in the Teemburra Dam is a significant contribution to south and as far out as the Connors Range as the future water needs of the Mackay district, the sun goes down. Those people were saved but it is by no means sufficient. Water from being completely dispersed by the Native resource development in the Mackay district Police through the establishment of remains a high priority. I intend to exercise the Queensland's first Aboriginal reserve in 1871. same foresight and determination as my The reserve was situated in a area from predecessor and continue to consult about, Bakers Creek to Sandy Creek south of plan and support future water resource Mackay. The Government's reason for setting development in the Mackay district. up this reserve was purely economic: the remaining Aboriginals were used as a source Being such a unique and beautiful place, of labour for the sugar industry. Mackay naturally attracts visitors. Tourism is Mackay's fastest growing industry. The Today, the story of the Juipera people is potential for future development is immense. best represented by the local legend about Mackay people want the tourist industry to The Leap, a mountain situated some 30 continue to grow and develop in a way that will kilometres north of Mackay. Legend goes that not despoil Mackay's uniqueness. a Juipera woman was wronged, hounded like an animal by the Native Police and, in a bid to I restate: Mackay's greatest strength is escape, leapt, carrying her baby, from the top her people. To illustrate this, I pay tribute to of the mountain. She died in the fall but, two particular groups who live in Mackay: the amazingly, her baby survived and was raised Maltese community and the South Sea by a local white family. Her descendants still Islander community. Mackay was a live in the Mackay district today. I am multicultural community long before many committed to the ongoing reconciliation other parts of Australia. Maltese immigrants process for Aboriginal people and I will settled in and around Mackay in the early part continue to work for the recognition of the of this century. They played a significant role in South Sea Islanders' community concerns by developing the sugar industry. The Maltese the Queensland Government. have enriched and broadened the Mackay community greatly. The Maltese Festival held I recognise that the future of my region in last year illustrated this graphically. It was a this State lies with young people. Too often, celebration of all that is positive about the young people generally are blamed for many contributions of immigrants to Australian of today's problems. I believe that that is far society. too sweeping a statement. Each of us has a responsibility to ensure that our youth are The Mackay South Sea Islanders are the given the best opportunities to succeed in life, descendants of the 55,000 to 60,000 and I welcome the recent election policies of Melanesians who were brought to Queensland the Goss Government which direct money and 12 September 1995 116 Legislative Assembly resources to providing a positive future for our As Queensland rode high for six years, young people. I am committed to working the Labor Government exploited the sound closely with youth agencies and youth support economy that it inherited after 32 years of agencies to gain first-hand knowledge of the coalition and National Party rule. For six years, problems facing our youth today. I will be Labor avoided difficult decisions necessary for taking a personal involvement in those issues, the future of our State. It avoided decisions beginning with a night street walk with local about the development of new power stations, community leaders. That will provide a and now we face blackouts at times of peak valuable insight into developing a Mackay electricity load. It avoided decisions about the Safety Action Project. responsible development of road That project is aimed at reducing the infrastructure, especially in south-east incidence of alcohol-related violence, public Queensland, and now commuters experience disorder and harm in the identified central traffic gridlock every day. It avoided fiscal business district of Mackay—especially accountability by moving our financial violence occurring in and around licensed resources off Budget, and now we discover premises—and increasing the responsibility of that our economic trilogy is in tatters and a operators of licensed premises, developing $120m hole has emerged in the State’s and facilitating task groups, conducting workers' compensation program. surveys, including venue-risk assessments, These problems emerged under a and producing a report of findings and Government that commanded a huge majority recommendations that I intend to bring to the of 19 seats. It was a fat, lazy Government attention of my Government. content to sit on its hands while important Finally, as I said earlier, I am very decisions became pressing. Today, decisions conscious of the long tradition and history of on many important issues are desperately support the Mackay electorate has given to needed. But today, that fat, lazy Labor the Labor Party. I will certainly do my best to Government with its big majority is nowhere to carry on that tradition and I pledge myself to be found. Instead, the third Goss Labor the people of Mackay, the State of Government is a fragile and timid creature that Queensland and this Parliament. is incapable of managing itself, let alone controlling growth and development in Sitting suspended from 12.57 to Queensland. 2.30 p.m. Mr Deputy Speaker, you have personally Mrs SHELDON (Caloundra—Leader of demonstrated to Queenslanders that in this the Liberal Party) (2.30 p.m.): The Parliament we have a Government that is performance of this third term Goss Labor frightened to act, even when it comes to basic Government is a matter of great importance to administrative matters. What hope is there the future of Queensland. Through a quirk of that this Government of shivering survivors can fate, the Labor Party staggered ashore to win achieve anything and address the ticklish its third term—despite the fact that it received questions that for six years its lazy 110,000 fewer votes than did the coalition. As predecessor left in the too-hard basket? a result, Queensland is to be ruled by a bunch of political castaways like the Deputy Whip, During the life of the Forty-seventh whose ship of state sank on 15 July. These Parliament, I warned many times that the members are the flotsam and jetsam washed laziness of the Labor Government was costing ashore after the wreck. Queensland its cherished reputation as Australia’s leading State. The few examples of Mr T. B. Sullivan: Be gracious! bureaucratic procrastination that I gave at the Mrs SHELDON: It is the member for start of my speech are typical of the Goss Chermside that I am talking about. The Labor Government’s style—and after six years members of this Labor Government have no under Labor the State’s record of achievement idea where they are, no idea in which direction is beginning to tarnish, as well. to go and not so much as a single clearly At the opening of the Forty-eighth popular Labor policy to pull on for clothing. Parliament, it is time to revisit the economic Indeed, they are naked. indicators and to consider the task that this The consequences for Queenslanders are shaky Government must begin to face. The dire. After years of riding high, today picture of the Queensland economy painted Queensland is at the crossroads. We are at an by statistics from all sources is no longer as important stage in our development, yet we clearly positive as it was six years ago. In find ourselves directionless, left to muddle terms of business confidence, the Yellow through at the hands of this motley crew. Pages Small Business Index for the August Legislative Assembly 117 12 September 1995 quarter reports that small business confidence these figures because they are all their own in Queensland is the lowest of any State for work. The Labor Government continues to the second quarter in a row. That means that spend taxpayers' money on propaganda business confidence today is lower in documents such as From Strength to Queensland than in it is South Australia. Strength—what a misnomer—but the facts As to profitability—the National Australia speak for themselves. Bank business survey for the June quarter had As to housing—the Opposition said over businesses in Queensland experiencing the and over again that the Government’s policies worst profitability in Australia, registering minus and its over-reliance on the housing sector 22 on the NAB index. According to the were headed towards disaster. Now the Queensland pulse survey of the Queensland REIQ/St George Bank review released on 4 Chamber of Commerce and Industry for June, September found housing sales down 40 per the quarterly result was the worst for cent—the worst market slowdown in a decade. Queensland since June 1991, with 50 per cent Brisbane sales are down 37 per cent, and in of Queensland respondents reporting lower other centres the situation is worse. The July profitability. Housing Prospects Report of the As to trading performance—Queensland’s Commonwealth Department of Housing and Regional Development and the Indicative balance of trade has been falling ever since Planning Council for the Housing Industry Labor took power. The Australian Bureau of forecast that the current low levels of dwelling Statistics reports that the balance of commencements will continue for at least Queensland’s foreign trade in the 1989-90 another 12 months. The Courier-Mail reported financial year was a healthy $6.4 billion. By on 10 August that Queensland has the 1992-93 it had slipped to $5.6 billion, and by highest rate of mortgage defaults in the 1994-95—the latest available figures—it stood country, increasing 42 per cent compared with at a lowly $4.95 billion. According to the a National average of 37 per cent. According National Australia Bank survey, our State now has the worst trading performance in the to the Courier-Mail, we now account for a country—minus 10 on its index, compared with quarter of all home defaults in Australia. a national average of plus three. According to Again, the Queensland Treasury itself the QCCI, sales recorded by 47 per cent of reported on 1 September that the decline in Queensland businesses surveyed were lower annual growth rates for building approvals in in the June quarter—again the worst Queensland was 41.2 per cent, compared with performance since 1991. a national average of 27.1 per cent. The very same report found that in Queensland the As to business investment—the decline in annual growth rates for dwelling Queensland Treasury itself has admitted in its commencements for the March quarter was weekly economic report dated 1 September 24 per cent, compared with an Australian that in terms of private new capital average of 13.6 per cent. expenditure, Queensland had the only decline in annual growth rates recorded in the March As to employment—the National Australia quarter anywhere in Australia. While private Bank business survey for June awards new capital expenditure in Queensland fell Queensland Australia’s second-worst 17.3 per cent, the Australian average in this employment result, while the QCCI’s pulse category was growth of 25.4 per cent. survey for June found that the last time employment levels in Queensland were this We see this again in manufacturing low was in March 1992. output. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Westpac Bank survey of As to job advertisements—the ANZ Bank industrial trends revealed that a net balance of employment advertisement series for 24 Queensland respondents reported a September reports the fourth consecutive decline in manufacturing output in the June month of declining job opportunities in quarter, compared with a net balance across Queensland. In September, our result of Australia of 10 respondents. The very same minus 16.7 per cent compares with an survey found that Queensland had the largest Australian average of minus 0.5 per cent. The decline in expected output for the September Commonwealth’s Department of Employment, quarter, with 38 respondents expecting Education and Training skilled job vacancies reduced output, compared with an Australian statistics for July revealed Queensland as the average of six respondents. only Australian State with a decline in its annual growth of skilled job vacancies, with a Members of the Government, including drop of 1.1 per cent compared with national the Treasurer, all cringe when they are told growth of 9.7 per cent. 12 September 1995 118 Legislative Assembly

As to prices—according to the National augur well for the future of our State and the Australia Bank business survey for June, wellbeing of Queenslanders, despite our hard Queensland had the highest rise in average work and years of personal restraint. There is prices of final products. only one prospect for a turnaround in As to industrial disputes—Treasury reports Queensland's fortunes, and that rests with the this month that in the 12 months to coalition. November, we had the highest number of Despite the Premier's claims to the working days lost through industrial disputes in contrary, the coalition will do everything in its Australia—126 days lost per 1,000 employees, power to ensure the Government has a stable compared with the Australian average of 81 platform in this House, so long as it is able to days lost. The latest Australian Bureau of govern. But the same cannot be said of Labor Statistics figures for the 12 months to May, members. In the six weeks since the election, released on 23 August, showed that the trend Labor members have shown that they are at is getting worse, not better. According to the odds over the spoils of victory, they are at ABS, the number of working days lost per odds over the reasons for the massive voter 1,000 employees in Queensland is now backlash they experienced on 15 July, and double the national average—166 days lost, they are at odds over the future direction of compared with a national average of 83. Other this State. States scored as follows: New South Wales, 72; Victoria, 74; South Australia, 45; Western This is a Government without a leader. It Australia, 50; and Tasmania, 31. I know that is a Government in which the clear direction, this is a sorry tale, but I am talking about the outlined carefully by the Governor in the record of the members of this Labor former Legislative Council Chamber, can be Government—who, unfortunately, are still in trumped in an instant and at a whim. I am not Government—over the past six years. talking about any special ability to responsibly amend Government policy to suit changed As to wages—our average weekly conditions; I am talking about the fickle likes ordinary-time earnings are the second-lowest and dislikes of the 45 individuals on the other in Australia at $608.90, compared to a side of this House. I am talking about the national average of $647.30, and that is paranoia of 45 members who have just according to the Queensland Treasury's escaped the dole queues with the fright of economic report. their lives—and that goes for everyone sitting As to tourism, that industry vital to the opposite. Six of those members cling to their future of our State—the Courier-Mail and livelihoods by a margin of 1 per cent or less. Channel 7 news have reported on a survey of But each one of those honourable members tourists, which found an alarming decline in knows that, finally, he or she has the personal interest in Queensland tourism. Not one power to gazump the Premier and reverse or Queensland attraction rates in the top 10 for frustrate Government policy at any time. No visitors, and New South Wales has established Opposition member has such power. itself as the number one destination. On occasions when the Opposition moves Finally, and sadly, as to bankruptcies— against an issue or a Government proposal, it Treasury reports that, for the June quarter, will do so as a group. When the Opposition Queensland had the highest annual acts, it will do so bearing in mind its bankruptcy growth rate of 24.1 per cent. The responsibility to the future of this State and its Australian rate of growth in bankruptcies was people. If there is to be a crisis, it will occur not 7.9 per cent. through some Opposition action but through Mr Johnson: That's because we have a the action of individuals on the Government Government that hates small business. side who are now looking for ways to further Mrs SHELDON: We do indeed have a their own interests ahead of those of their Government that hates small business and colleagues. No doubt we could look at the does absolutely nothing to help it. interests of Mr Gibbs and Mr Mackenroth, who, I understand, in the last 24 hours have That is the economic news for been continuing to try to get the numbers Queensland at the start of the Forty-eighth against Mr Goss. I have that on very good Parliament. Six years after Labor inherited an authority. They are now wondering when they economic powerhouse, it has drained our should make their move. resources and delivered precious little in return. The prospect of further procrastination, Mr Borbidge: I am waiting to see who delay and frustration under a Government that gets the numbers against the other one out of cannot deliver its own housekeeping does not those two. Legislative Assembly 119 12 September 1995

Mrs SHELDON: That is the problem; Department the unit can do nothing about it. they are trying to annihilate each other, and What a farce! What a major injustice! for that reason Mr Goss might be able to stay I remind the member for Rockhampton in power. that, in July, the efforts of those public Mr Cooper: We would be left with Bob servants who are confined in that cubbyhole Gibbs. earned the support of more than 53 per cent of Queenslanders. That was considerably Mrs SHELDON: Imagine Mr Gibbs as more than the number of people who Premier or, indeed, Mr Mackenroth as Premier! The mind boggles! One asks: when endorsed the work of the member for will they get their chance to make a name for Rockhampton in his previous capacity as a themselves? It is very interesting to note that public servant who was politically appointed by not one member opposite has disagreed with the ALP. what I have said. Obviously, the numbers are The Government might not like hearing being marshalled. about its mistreatment of staff. I have highlighted the working conditions in which my Mr Milliner interjected. staff work, but the very same situation applies Mrs SHELDON: David Hamill is to the staff of the Leader of the Opposition, Mr blushing, and so is Glen Milliner. On which Borbidge. The Government might not like to side are they lining up? hear about its abuse of the principles of The source of instability in this Parliament parliamentary accountability or its sorry record will be the self- preserving and self-promoting on crime, health and education. However, the instincts of individuals on the Government threat of instability comes not from the benches. The Government might not like the coalition but from Labor members themselves. Opposition; it might not like facing up to facts This is a Government without a leader or a about the economic damage that Government mandate. Interestingly enough, in all the 11 policies continue to cause; and it might not like pages of words read out by the Governor, two what the Opposition has to say. Self- words did not appear. Those two words did not promoting Labor members, such as the surface anywhere in that speech, because member for Rockhampton, who turned blindly they represent the dark, hidden truth that, as to the ALP propaganda manual when it came we begin this Forty-eighth Parliament, it is the to public servants' working conditions, should Opposition, not the Government, that has the visit the accommodation provided by Premier mandate. Those two words are: "Eastlink" and Goss to my staff at Parliament House. My staff "tollway". are public servants who are entitled to basic Despite the fact that the Labor public service conditions, but because they Government received less than 47 per cent of serve Queenslanders by helping to put this the two-party preferred vote, it clings to the arrogant Government under pressure, they are green leather upholstery on that side of the subject to squalid working conditions that House. Less than 47 per cent of would be sufficient to inspire Charles Dickens. Queenslanders voted for the Government, its Those conditions were inspected by the proposals, policies and programs. On 15 July, Government's workplace health and safety less than 47 per cent of Queenslanders voted officers. The officers agreed that the for the Government's crazy scheme to link conditions were among the worst they had Queensland homes and industries to the dirty ever seen but said that they could not act and inefficient electricity network of New South because those offices are the responsibility of Wales. On 15 July, less than 47 per cent of the Premier himself. So much for the Queenslanders voted for the Government's Government—as the member for ridiculous plan to kill koalas by bulldozing trees Rockhampton said—looking after the working for a roadway that it promised not to build man! when it last had a mandate in 1992. I An Opposition member interjected. understand that, very shortly, the Government is going to review that lie, and it is going to be Mrs SHELDON: Indeed; only when repeated. All I can say to those members on Government members are looking after their the Government side is that they had better own interests would that change occur. That watch their caucus meeting tomorrow. That is very highly paid Workplace Health and Safety why those two words did not roll off the Unit, to which 125 inspectors are assigned, Governor's tongue. They were words that has stated that the working conditions of my featured heavily in the election campaign, but staff are deplorable, yet because those offices suddenly they have gone, because on 15 July come under the responsibility of the Premier's Queenslanders voted for their removal. 12 September 1995 120 Legislative Assembly

The south-east tollway—drawn up, essential development of the Carpentaria distributed, amended, revised and often region and rely on Queensland’s long-standing apologised for by the Goss Government— advantage, that is, being able to produce must never proceed. Self-promoting unlimited supplies of clean, low-cost electrical individuals within the Labor Government, such energy. as the member for Woodridge, have latched In spite of the vital importance of onto that doomed roadway as an excuse for developing electrical power infrastructure in shameless self-promotion, and now they are Queensland, precious little reference was seeking to flex their puny political muscles. made to this need in the Governor’s Speech, Those members might hope to make a name which outlined the Government’s future for themselves in the way that I foretold earlier program. That speech stated— in this speech, but if they proceed they will be acting against the clear, expressed view of "Queensland’s abundant energy Queenslanders, not just in one election, but in resources are a major source of our two. The same principle applies to Eastlink; it State’s wealth, but we would be robbing is the no-mandate principle. Premier Goss and future generations if we did not do his self-consulting Minister for Minerals and everything in our power to conserve these Energy may harbour the secret intention to resources. proceed with Eastlink, but given its high profile My Government will continue to in the campaign and the subsequent result, develop its energy policy package aimed they cannot. at improving the efficiency of the State’s As I stated at the start of this speech, in energy system and broadening the Queensland there is a dire need to extend our State’s energy base into alternative sources of energy, in particular in relation to energy sources where these are electrical power. This is one of the pressing economically viable." issues that will determine the future I appreciate that, when it comes to development of our State and long-term job Eastlink, silence from the Governor in her opportunities for Queenslanders. If we cannot speech lends weight to the belief that the keep our lights turned on at home, what hope Government will respond to the people’s have we of winning major new projects that will wishes and pull the plug. We certainly hope provide for the future of our children? so. But to kill off Eastlink and do nothing else For example, since the election, on the is to neglect the need for an urgent solution to front page of Business Queensland questions the chronic power shortage facing this State. It have been raised about the viability of a is no answer to begin mortgaging important $450m zinc smelter and refinery being elements of the State energy grid, such as proposed by Korea Zinc. This huge new green generating units at the Stanwell Power field development, the first such venture to be Station, in shonky deals such as the one proposed in Queensland for many years, was exposed by the Opposition this morning. This mooted for Townsville or Gladstone, with shady deal, of which the Governor made no Townsville said to be the frontrunner. The mention in her speech, has major ramifications project, which is said to require 100 megawatts for the future development of energy of electricity, would create 600 construction infrastructure in Queensland. Although it is a jobs and 400 permanent jobs—not to mention deal reminiscent of the recent sale of the the important flow-on effects for the local Gladstone Power Station, its treatment by the community. However, Business Queensland Government is very different—so different that now states— it is sufficient to ring alarm bells about its consequences and the long-term cost to this "Korea Zinc is believed to be State. demanding a very low electricity tariff before making a formal commitment that Like the Gladstone sale, the Stanwell deal the project will go ahead. It is understood will generate a large amount of up-front cash the company has touted low-cost to flow into the coffers of the State electricity, purported to be available in Government. However, honourable members China in an implied threat it could take its will recall that the Treasurer could not tell us project elsewhere." that figure this morning because of commercial confidentiality, even though the I do not know how many projects have gone taxpayers of Queensland just happen to own offshore in the past six years, but there have the Stanwell Power Station. been many. Ventures of this sort are the bread and butter of further development in Mr Rowell: What happened to the Queensland. Such ventures link with the good, accountable Government? Legislative Assembly 121 12 September 1995

Mrs SHELDON: I do not think that out and build the new base-load station that members opposite know what the word the coalition proposed and which Queensland "accountable" means, and they certainly never urgently requires. The answer may be a practise any form of accountability in this traditional coal-fired power station. It may be a House or in the way they run their cleaner combined-cycle gas turbine power departments. plant. It may even be the Tully/Millstream Mr Cooper: They desperately want hydro proposal. However, in spite of the something to pay for their election promises. Government’s fragility and in spite of the bruised egos of Mr Goss and Mr McGrady, Mrs SHELDON: They do indeed. I work on a new power station can be delayed gather the Government needs about $600m no longer. to pay for the election promises that it so rashly threw around. It will raise the money by There are other Government schemes selling the silver that belongs to the people of that should follow the same course to oblivion this State. now being charted by Eastlink and "that damned road". Mr Beanland: That is just for starters, Mr Johnson: Road! That bloke over though. there is responsible for that muck-up. Mrs SHELDON: It is just for starters, Mrs SHELDON: Indeed the Minister is. because there is a lot of debt. In fact, I think The honourable member for Gregory should the election promises made by the Premier not worry; the electorate will take the Minister above Budget were about $1.3 billion. So I to task. suppose this $600m will pay for some of it. Mr FitzGerald: An 11.6 per cent swing Unlike the Gladstone Power Station deal, against him. this one was done in secret. Unlike Gladstone, Stanwell is being mortgaged without a price Mrs SHELDON: There was an 11.6 per tag—or without one about which we have cent swing against the Minister for Transport. been told. The costs and implications are not That shows us exactly what people think about known and the deal was not opened up to the Government. scrutiny in this House or anywhere else. Given There are other worthy projects advocated the precedent set by the Gladstone deal, by the coalition that have a strong community members of this House and Queensland mandate that deserve consideration and taxpayers are due a full explanation of this support from the Labor Government. For questionable enterprise. The fact that scrutiny example, the Premier should consider our has been denied only tends to confirm the $10.5m Fraser Island management plan and Opposition’s concerns that there are hidden the establishment of a second police academy costs and questionable obligations that are yet in north Queensland. He must remember his to surface. election commitment to endorse our policy and to cancel plans for a bridge across Trinity I turn now to the other side of the no- Inlet in Cairns. He should kill off his scheme to mandate principle. Although it is true that less build a watch-house on the site of the former than 47 per cent of Queenslanders voted for Boggo Road gaol, which is another Labor Eastlink, it is also true that more than 53 per project not mentioned by the Governor. cent of Queenslanders voted for the Opposition’s calls to establish a new base-load Mr Cooper: They won't keep that power station in Queensland as a matter of promise. urgency. As I stated at the beginning of this Mrs SHELDON: I bet the honourable address, Queensland’s growing power needs member they will not keep that promise. And have been neglected through the "do nothing" the Premier should rethink his arrogant infrastructure policies of the ALP for too long. scheme to forcefully acquire cattle stations on In recent times, we have seen two serious Cape York. examples of load shedding—one corresponding to the summer peak in power The one political force in the Forty-eighth demand and the second produced by the Parliament that enjoys a mandate is the coalition. That is why we offer the one and winter peak. The Government must act or only path to stability. One hundred and ten Queenslanders will find themselves thousand more Queenslanders voted for the permanently in the dark—freezing every winter coalition than voted for Labor. The margin of and sweating every summer. those seeking to change the Government over The Government is left with no choice those who sought to reinstate Premier Goss other than to accept the orders issued by the was more than 6 per cent. It was not the people of Queensland on 15 July. It must get equivocal result it has been painted as by 12 September 1995 122 Legislative Assembly

Labor. It was not lineball. The swing was not endangered both services and drew a big patchy and it did not reflect pockets of regional question mark over the future for disenchantment. The swing away from Labor Queenslanders who deserve services and was strong and uniform across the State. The facilities that are second to none. The fictional result was best summed up by Alan Ramsay, election-day protest promoted as an excuse who wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald— by Labor does not acknowledge these and "The grossest absurdity Labor other basic failings. By continuing to deny their apologists for the Queensland election culpability, Premier Goss and Mike Kaiser will have sought to cultivate this week is that not win back support they have lost. Wayne Goss was the unintended victim of I conclude by referring to the a protest vote gone wrong." Government’s patronising attempts in He continues— Parliament last week to rewrite history by trying to redefine coalition policy in terms that it finds "To call the thumping handed the acceptable. Like it or not, the significant Goss Government a 'protest' is a travesty difference between the coalition and the of language. Labor's vote collapsed—not Government at this poll was clear. just in pockets or specific regions but right across the State. This was no protest by Time expired. an electorate 'quietly' angry. It was a Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr deliberate slash and burn denial of Labor Palaszczuk): Order! Before the honourable by the entire State—not to rebuke the member for Sandgate makes his address to Government, but to get rid of it." the Chamber, I remind honourable members And that was the result in Queensland. It is a on both sides of the House of the provisions of result effectively denied by Premier Goss and Standing Order 25. ALP spin doctors such as the State secretary, Mr NUTTALL (Sandgate) (3 p.m.): Mr Mr Kaiser, ever since the first numbers went Deputy Speaker, before I commence my up on 15 July. They still want to believe that speech on the Eventide Nursing Home at somehow coalition trickery is to blame for their Sandgate, I take this opportunity to fate. They want to promote the self-serving congratulate you on your appointment as theory that voters were deceived by the Deputy Speaker. I also pledge my loyalty to coalition in a cynical pitch for a protest vote. In the people of the electorate of Sandgate. I Queensland, voters were angry at the failure thank them for their confidence in returning of the Government to provide basic me to this Chamber for a second term. I thank services—essentials such as health, also the ALP members in the electorate of education, and law and order. They were fed Sandgate for their strong support and hard up with a Government that could not provide work during the recent election campaign. responsible management of green issues. This morning in question time, I raised the But to dismiss these issues as being less issue of Eventide at Sandgate and a proposal worthy is to excuse the fat, lazy Government by the Brisbane North Regional Health of Wayne Goss, Molly Robson, Geoff Smith Authority to reduce the number of beds at that and company of its basic responsibilities. facility. Mr Cooper: You're naming the best Mr Johnson: Didn't they vote for you? ones. Mr NUTTALL: They did indeed. I did not Mrs SHELDON: I have named some of do as badly as some of my colleagues. the major non-performers. It is important to consider the Health, education, law and order and the development of Eventide, the proposals for environment are not insignificant matters; they that facility and why those proposals have are no small beer. Without the workers' been put forward. I have strongly opposed the compensation fiasco, Premier Goss may have plan for the reduction of any services at had a balanced Budget. He may have had Eventide. I have spent the last two weeks zero net debt, but voters who still queue for endeavouring to stem the tide, so to speak. months and years for essential surgery are The first aged-care facility in Queensland naturally going to be angry. After six years of was established at Dunwich on Stradbroke Labor talk about responsible management, Island. The residents of that facility were Queenslanders are right to expect a strong, transferred to the northern part of Sandgate in buoyant economy. But at the same time they 1946, to the present location of the Eventide are right to expect an effective system of facility. That site was formerly a swamp, which justice and free health and hospital services was filled in during the Depression to provide on demand. In Queensland, six years of Labor people with work during that awful period. Legislative Assembly 123 12 September 1995

During World War II, the RAAF used the site with members of senior management. At that as a personnel base. At the end of World War meeting, they detailed to me the regional II, the aged-care facility was transferred from health service draft plan. The draft plan was Stradbroke Island to its present location. At dated the end of July, and I was advised of it that point, the then Queensland Government on about 30 August. The draft plan startled a took control of the facility for use as an aged number of people. At this stage I will not go persons’ home. into too much detail about the contents of the Subsequent to that, a major draft plan; I will do that later in my speech. refurbishment and development program was Basically, it stated that the regional health put in place and completed in October 1985. I service proposed to reduce by 300 the shall read a short extract from the planning, number of beds at Eventide. The plan stated design and development goal relating to that there are 450 beds at Eventide and that Stage 2 of Eventide, which stated— the intention is to provide 150 beds at Eventide, locate another 150 beds at Zillmere “The total concept is of a village in and consider locating another 150 beds in the nature with community facilities at its most southern part of the northern region. When I central point to be accessible to all inquired as to the specific location intended for residents and the layout of the units the last proposal, I was informed that the ensures that the views of the sea are Kenmore area was on the agenda. maintained from the living-dining areas. Given that only 10 years ago a facility was In keeping with the village concept, developed which—as reflected in the extract all the residential units were designed on that I quoted earlier—is in keeping with a a domestic scale with areas designed to residential-type atmosphere rather than a cope with differing residents. The design hospital-type atmosphere, it defies belief that was to create a community not an the regional health authority proposes to institution.” decimate that facility. Those who visit Eventide That goal has certainly been achieved. will discover that it is a wonderful place. Being Eventide has become a central community by the seaside, it is close to many parks and facility within my electorate. Those older has many gardens. The staff do an enormous members will recall paying a shilling to cross amount of work in keeping the area really the old Hornibrook bridge and seeing Eventide beautiful. The residential areas and the wards on the right-hand side. It is as much a part of are of a first-class standard. However, the Sandgate as are some of the other historical regional health service draft plan proposes to buildings in the electorate. It is cherished by reduce the capacity of that facility and spread the people who live there and those in the the present number of beds to other locations. district. Mr Johnson: You don't favour that, do The current problem at Eventide has you? been on the boil for a considerable time. In Mr NUTTALL: I do not favour that December last year, some of Eventide's proposal, and I have fought it all the way. residents informed me that they were losing some of their services and facilities and I immediately asked the staff of Eventide expressed concern about that. At that time, I for further details of the proposal. They wrote to the regional health authority. I indicated that, according to the regional health received a typical bureaucratic response to my authority, there is an oversupply of beds for correspondence with which I was less than the aged in the northern part of the region. I pleased. I wrote to the Minister, indicating do not accept that argument. Given our clearly that I was not prepared to accept the ageing population, how on earth could there mumbo jumbo that I was being fed by the be an oversupply of beds for people aged 70 bureaucracy and that the residents of years and over? Eventide would not sit back and cop the Mr FitzGerald: How many empty beds proposed changes. Those issues were are there? Are they all full? addressed, and I wrote to the residents in March 1995. I spent some time with them Mr NUTTALL: I assure the honourable outlining the nature of the proposed changes member that every bed is full. and my position in relation to them. The staff of Eventide informed me that Subsequent to the events that occurred in the regional health authority uses a formula to the early part of last year, a couple of weeks allocate the number of beds for aged people. ago I received a phone call from the They outlined the details of that formula to management at Eventide requesting a me. The formula provides for 40 nursing home meeting with me. I visited Eventide and spoke beds, 50 hostel beds and 10 aged-care 12 September 1995 124 Legislative Assembly packages per 1,000 population aged 70 years called on the Health Minister, Peter Beattie, to and over. Those figures were: 40, 50 and 10, reject the proposed plan put forward by the which adds up to 100. That is a neat, round regional health authority. We asked the Health figure that is easy to punch into the calculator. Minister to give the residents and staff of Basically, that has been the problem; at both Eventide, Sandgate, as well as the local the Federal and State levels, members of community, an assurance that there would be regional health authorities and consultants are no further cutbacks. We also asked that the sitting with slide rules and rulers and current services and facilities at Eventide be calculators basically determining where people maintained. I table that resolution. This should live and how many people should live morning, during question time, the Health where without consulting with the elderly Minister gave me, the House and the people citizens and the people who look after them. of Queensland an assurance that those Mr T. B. Sullivan: And we get the facilities would be maintained. families of those people coming to our I do not believe that the people of electorate offices saying that is the need they Sandgate would have been in any way have got. successful had it not been for good old- Mr NUTTALL: The honourable member fashioned people power—had it not been for is right. That is part of the reason we need to the people who rallied for the residents, staff enhance the facilities at Eventide rather than and facilities of Eventide. I want to reduce them. congratulate every one involved in the campaign, which has not been easy. Following on from the discussions I had Tomorrow, a petition with nearly 6,000 with management at Eventide, I immediately signatures, collected within a week, will be wrote to the Health Minister, Mr Beattie, and tabled in the Parliament. That demonstrates indicated to him that I was strongly opposed to the depth of feeling residents within my the proposed changes. Within 24 hours, the electorate have that Eventide should be Minister rang and advised me that he would maintained in its present state. immediately seek a review and a brief from his department regarding the proposed plan. I I do not believe in deinstitutionalising, indicated to him quite strongly that I was which seems to be the latest trend. I do not intending to call a public rally of support for believe that Eventide is an institution—as I Eventide and also that I was intending to said earlier, it is more of a residential care mount a campaign to retain the facilities at facility. However, the latest trend is to reduce Eventide. I made my intentions quite clear to the number of major facilities and increase the the Minister and I made him aware of the fact number of smaller facilities to cater for people that I cared for the residents of Eventide and in these circumstances. I do not necessarily the people within my electorate. subscribe to that belief. Subsequent to that, the petitions were The electorate of Sandgate has eight immediately circulated throughout the district, nursing care facilities, one of which is not just within my electorate but to the Eventide. The other major nursing care facility immediate surrounding districts because a in Sandgate, which is even larger than number of staff who work at Eventide live in Eventide, is the Freemasons home, and I am the Redcliffe, Banyo and Chermside districts. sure that most honourable members would be Also, on 9 September—last Saturday—a aware of that facility. Those who care to visit public rally was held at the Sandgate Senior the Freemasons will see that it is also a facility Citizens Centre. I am most appreciative of the that provides expert care. Eventide is another senior citizens of Sandgate for supplying that institution that provides that type of expertise. facility so that the public rally of support could Some aspects of the draft health plan are be held. quite good. It mentions the need for palliative In excess of 200 people attended that care, and I support that. However, I am a rally. The hall was filled to capacity. A number realist; I realise that the State Government of people spoke in support of the facilities and could spend its whole budget on health, on the staff at Eventide. The feelings of these education, on policing or on the environment, people were such that they passed a and there would still not be enough money to resolution condemning the Brisbane North cater for the needs of an ageing population. Regional Health Authority for its plan to reduce We must work within our means. I am not the bed numbers at Eventide. It prepared to accept change for the sake of acknowledged the essential, vital and change. That seems to be the driving force for worthwhile contribution of the residents and wanting to reduce the number of beds at the staff of Eventide to our community. It then Eventide. Legislative Assembly 125 12 September 1995

Mr Horan interjected. 150 people here and we will move 150 people Mr T. B. Sullivan interjected. there." These elderly people are at home. They are comfortable at Eventide. They love it Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr there. They do not want to be moved. They Palaszczuk): Order! I suggest both the are happy in their environment, so why not member for Toowoomba South and the leave them be where they are happy. member for Chermside cease interjecting and talking to each other across the Chamber, In addition to that, another issue is the otherwise they will be dealt with severely. renal dialysis unit at Sandgate which, might I say, I believe is positioned in the wrong place. Mr NUTTALL: I said earlier that the draft To get to the renal dialysis unit in Sandgate plan indicated that the number of beds in the people have to climb about 40 stairs. I do not northern regional area needed to be reduced know who planned that, but they obviously simply because that area was over-bedded. were not very good planners. The dental clinic The plan actually contradicts itself, because it is on the ground floor and on the top floor is then goes on to say— the dialysis unit with six machines. Logic would "Between 1991 and 2001 the indicate that, if people need to be on a dialysis number of people aged over 70 in the unit, they should not be climbing 40 stairs to Brisbane North region is estimated to receive treatment. increase by 19.24 per cent." Just after I was elected to office, I If that is the case, surely it would logically immediately invited the then Health Minister to follow that we need more beds, not fewer my electorate and we inspected that facility. beds. The logic of the people who prepared We had a look at the possibility of putting in a this draft plan defies me. lift. That was going to cost a fairly exorbitant I am pleased to say that the Minister for $200,000 or $300,000. For some time Health acted very quickly. It is very reassuring subsequent to that, we had been looking for a to know that, when facing a problem such as better place to put the dialysis unit. Can I say this, the new Health Minister was able to act that the great planners want to move the quickly and was able to allay any fears held by dialysis unit to the Prince Charles Hospital. I the residents. am opposed to that. At the moment we are in After those meetings, I spoke to residents the process of refurbishing the Prince Charles and staff at Eventide. Some of the residents Hospital. It is a major re-build. It defies logic to actually came to me in tears. It is not pleasant move a dialysis unit to a facility that is to see anxiety thrust upon old people for no undergoing major works. I just do not real reason. I am not prepared to sit back and understand it. cop that type of planning. I will not accept that. The proposal put forward by me to the Mr T. B. Sullivan: It's misplanning in Regional Health Authority is that under no some ways, isn't it? circumstances will I or the community accept the removal of that dialysis unit—it is linked to Mr NUTTALL: The member is right; it is Eventide—for this reason: the people in my misplanning. electorate would see Peter Beattie saying to I have already expressed the depth of me, "Yes, you can keep the number of beds, feeling on this matter within my electorate; I but we are going to take the dialysis unit", as a have indicated the number of people who tit for tat approach. We are not going to signed the petition and the number of people accept it. The proposal I put to the Regional who attended the public rally. Even the news Health Authority is that, as there is some bulletins produced by the churches for their available room out at Eventide, the dialysis parishioners—including the one in my local unit could be moved there. I do not see any parish—have expressed the strong feelings problem with the concept of moving the held by locals about this issue. The first line of dialysis unit out to Eventide. I will continue to one of those newsletters states— push that both with the Minister and with the "The announcement this week of the Regional Health Authority. drastic reduction of beds at Eventide has In winding up, I want to make a couple of left our community stunned." comments about the North Brisbane Regional That is the depth of the people's feelings Health Authority. I believe that that authority regarding this plan. I do not believe that should be reviewed by the Minister and that people who come forward with these plans he should be looking at the authority's really understand the needs of older people in operations to see whether it is carrying out the our community. It is a sad state of affairs. work that it was initially intended to do. All it is These people say, "We are going to move doing for me, as a local member, is causing 12 September 1995 126 Legislative Assembly me angst. All it is doing for the residents in my government and to the people of Queensland, electorate is causing them angst. It is no and also to the people of the Crows Nest longer good enough for people in the authority electorate. I am proud to be the member for to be giving those in need of health care the Crows Nest electorate, not just because heartache and worry. they gave me 75.5 per cent of the vote. It is Today I call on the Health Minister to not a question of what they did with the other review the Regional Health Authority's role to 24 and a half per cent, but I know that I am see whether it is doing the work that it was going out after them because a member of initially intended to do and to try to find a way Parliament needs to be a member for all of to see whether it can be improved. I am tired the people. of seeing plan after plan after plan after plan. Mr Nuttall interjected. There is no need to continue to do that. It is a Mr COOPER: He is going well. None of matter of talking to the people that need the honourable members opposite can say health care and not changing for the sake of that. Not one of them. They all went down. change. What is interesting about the electorate of I want to thank the Minister very sincerely Crows Nest is that it began as a hollow tree on behalf of my constituents, and on behalf of stump. That is where Jimmy Crow used to live the residents and staff at Eventide, for his way back before it became a bullocky camp. prompt attention to this problem, for the way in Then it slowly developed into a village and which he has swiftly dealt with the issue and then a town. The name was adopted by the the way in which he has given assurances in shire council, and an electorate has taken the this House today that Eventide is there to stay same name. Jimmy Crow, I am sure, would be for a long time to come. extremely proud today that he has done so Mr COOPER (Crows Nest) (3.26 p.m.): well. As I say, I thank the people of Crows We have to congratulate the member for Nest for their confidence in me. I will certainly Sandgate on his speech, but it is a sad state continue to repay that confidence and work for of affairs that he has to devastatingly criticise them. his own Government. It is not just the health I congratulate the Speaker on his election boffins and the eggheads that he has been to the Office of Speaker as well as you, Mr talking about who have been making his life Deputy Speaker, on your election to the office and that of all of the people at Eventide a of Deputy Speaker, and may you get along misery, it is the actions of his own Government well together. that is in power and that has presided over I want to devote some time to the election such a devastating attack on the health of the result before coming back to matters of local people of this State. In pointing out what this interest. The election result of 53.4 per cent for Government has done to people's health, he the coalition takes me back to 2 December epitomised what the Government has been 1989—and some honourable members doing to the people of Queensland for the last six years. That is why they gave the opposite may remember back that far—when, Government such a resounding belt in the ear as the Premier of the time, I led the National at the last election. The Government deserved Party Government to its inevitable and expected defeat. The Labor Party won office every bit of it. with a comfortable majority after gaining 50.32 The Premier sat here listening to this per cent of the primary vote. speech—I will bet he does nothing about On 15 July 1995, the Premier, Mr Goss, it—and then he walked out. The honourable led his Government to an election. The Labor member knows as well as I do that the same Party won office with a majority of one after problems will continue. The misery will gaining 42.88 per cent of the primary vote. continue and he will probably wish to heaven The 1989 result was loudly trumpeted as an that by the time of the next election the historic landslide of truly epic proportions. The Premier will not be here, because then he will Labor Party, it was alleged, had overcome a not have to worry so much. I congratulate the terrible gerrymander to finally claim its rightful honourable member on sticking up for his place in the sun. There was much jubilation electors. That is what it is all about. On that within the Labor Party and among its friends. side of the House there are very few people Queensland was promised a new electoral with the courage of their convictions who will system that would henceforth and forever do it. He has been driven to his words by ensure that in future the composition of the absolute desperation. Government honestly reflected the will of the I would like to reassert my allegiance to people. Of course, it was conveniently the Crown, to our flag, to our system of overlooked that, in the period from 1957 to Legislative Assembly 127 12 September 1995

1989, when coalition and National Party service was treated with suspicion, fear, Governments ruled, the Labor Party had never loathing, contempt, disdain and open hatred. achieved more than 50 per cent of the vote As the rot set in and the more outrageous and, in 11 elections during the period 1957 to of this Government's so-called initiatives 1986 inclusive, the total Labor Party vote provoked angry community outcries, such as ranged from a low of 28.9 per cent in 1957 to the one we have just heard from the member a high of 46.7 per cent in 1972. Prior to 1957, for Sandgate—the list goes on and on—the the long-serving Labor Government had Premier took it upon himself to try to create an regularly won with less than 50 per cent of the alternative humble persona. Can honourable vote. As Premier, my Labor Party namesake, members imagine it? Periodically we were Frank Cooper, won the 1944 election despite treated to the farce of his apology, which, to the fact that the combined Opposition polled be frank, had all the heartfelt sincerity of a more than 55 per cent of the vote and that six Christmas card from Ian McLean to Mike Labor candidates—in a House of 62 Kaiser. One could see that warm and friendly representatives—were returned unopposed relationship coming through. So popular did before the then Labor Government introduced the apology tactic become that the flip side the zonal quota in 1949. That history has was employed, that is, bold, macho come back to haunt them. leadership. Announcements beginning with The Labor Party may also pause to reflect the stirring words "I make no apology for" are on one other footnote to history from the 1944 still in vogue. Since the election, the Premier election. In 1944, the independent Tom has thrilled and uplifted the unemployed by Aikens, later to become a legend and an boldly announcing that he makes no apology institution, trounced the Labor Party. The for having job creation as a policy and the seat—Mundingburra in Townsville! History is Police Minister has sent a chilling message to repeating itself. I cannot wait. the underworld with his dramatic declaration The serious decline of this Government that he makes no apology for a crime blitz. began with the creation on 1 July 1991 of the With lots of jobs created and the criminals celebrated Office of the Cabinet. It was locked away firmly, what remains of this packed with highly paid—members opposite Government's third-term program should be a know who they are, because they have almost breeze—apart, of course, from "that damned ruined them—AWU faction hacks, with their road" and one or two other irritations requiring pinstriped suits and pinstriped minds and decisions, which the Government is not very became an empire which treated Ministers, good at making. In fact, it is hopeless at Government backbenchers, the public service making decisions. and the broad Labor Party rank and file with ill- The people of Queensland have not been disguised and utter contempt. That is how conned for a second by those sham they have treated members opposite, and posturings. When a real, genuine and serious they know it. apology was demanded after the electorate Mr T. B. Sullivan: Oh, Russell! handed out its overwhelming rebuff to this regime, the Premier went into a massive sulk Mr COOPER: The member for only to emerge finally to say that if—— Sandgate just said it all. The members of the Office of the Cabinet regarded themselves as Mr T. B. Sullivan: No, he didn't. the finest collection of minds ever assembled Mr COOPER: Yes, he did. He emerged in the history of western, Christian civilisation. If to say that if—and I keep repeating that word the honourable member who is interjecting "if"—he and his Government had disappointed wants a second opinion about that belief, he people—if he had!—he was sorry. That was can ask them again. That is what they think of his apology. It was utterly breathtaking for its themselves. Those whiz-kids took it upon pure contrivance—that is all it was—staggering themselves to treat those who did not fawn in its banality and appalling in its arrogance. over them in wide-eyed, slavering gratitude Arrogance will never leave the Premier. That with a flagrant display of unprecedented Clayton's apology betrayed again the essential viciousness. The lot opposite have felt that character of this so-called Premier: everybody viciousness. Elaborate and deliberately except he and his little band of sycophants intrusive machinery was created to shadow and toadies was wrong—everyone else was every department and every Minister's office out of step. According to the Goss theory, the and, very often, Cabinet submissions—which reason for the rebuff was the stupidity and had to pass muster by those mandarins—were ingratitude of the electorate, the returned so radically changed that Ministers incompetence of his own Cabinet and back could barely recognise them. The public bench, the bias of the media and the 12 September 1995 128 Legislative Assembly disloyalty of certain factions. It would not According to the Goss version of history, surprise me if he has a sign on his desk the 50.32 per cent of Queenslanders who announcing, "The buck stops over there voted for him in 1989 were perceptive, somewhere"; it certainly does not stop with intelligent, sophisticated, forward looking, him. That sign would be surrounded by a enlightened and, above all, yearning for a bewildering array of arrows pointing change, while the 57.12 per cent of everywhere except at him. Queenslanders who did not vote Labor in The Premier has the answer for this. In 1995 were seduced, duped, conned, ignorant the Courier-Mail of 26 August, he was quoted or just plain bloody ungrateful. On a two-party as saying that the election result confirmed his preferred basis the Labor Party achieved only view that the Government had been unable to 46.72 per cent of the vote, yet he reckoned he sell its achievements and that, in future, major was insulted because the people did not vote projects would be announced through a media for him. What sort of an ego is that? and public communications strategy. Can In 1992, the Labor Party slipped below 50 honourable members see that outfit being set per cent of the votes but retained its up? What an announcement from the master comfortable majority. Despite that rejection by communicator, the so-called super salesman the majority, this venal Government grew even and our one-and-only Mr 70 per cent-plus. He more arrogant, more supercilious, more said that the spin doctors and window dressers complacent and more vindictive. Behind the who make up his regime's huge, taxpayer- shabby facade of solemn undertakings that funded propaganda machine were really a the Government would become more pack of hopeless incompetents. sensitive, sharing and caring, it became progressively worse; it became more aloof, Mr Littleproud: He put their jobs on the more centralised, more dismissive of concerns line—all the press secretaries. and criticisms—honourable members Mr COOPER: My oath! They have been witnessed the member for Sandgate's scratching around looking for more. He does address—and more obsessed about its own not hesitate to blame other people. He will cut invincibility and divine inspiration. It was a their throats and blame someone else when textbook illustration of the famous dictum, the blame should be sheeted right home to "Those whom the Gods wish to destroy they him. That is his problem. As he said, it was first make mad." Overall, the swing against their massive incompetence that kept the vast Labor Statewide in 1995 was 7.2 per cent, or achievements, the noble aspirations and the 6.5 per cent of the two-party preferred vote. warmth and compassion of the Goss The great leader suffered a swing of 8.4 per Government such a closely guarded secret cent in his own electorate of Logan, and the that only a handful of people in the Executive self-styled paragon of good old-fashioned Building and Labor headquarters knew the Labor commonsense, the Deputy Premier, truth about how warm and sincere they were. had a swing against him in Lytton of 8.5 per Of course, no-one else could—not even cent. themselves Government members interjected. According to the Premier, the Mr COOPER: He is too; he is all of professional apologists for the Goss machine those things. The Labor Party had a list of 19 were the reason for the Premier's loss of face, specifically targeted seats, which meant that because they could not flog his shop-soiled its finest minds and vast resources were factory seconds, his bogus designer labels, his concentrated on those for a top-level, high- shoddy, fake originals and his empty, powered push. Thirteen of those seats were meaningless, customer service guarantees. Labor seats, and the Labor Party lost eight. It Who is the Premier going to hire now to is going well; that is a good record. remake his image, repackage his tottering, Springwood, Redlands, Mansfield, Albert, discredited Government and reinvent history? Gladstone, Barron River, Mulgrave, Mount Perhaps Helen Demidenko might not be a bad Ommaney and Greenslopes fell. Five coalition start. She could be recruited to the cause, seats were placed on the hit list: Keppel, because her qualifications are absolutely ideal. Noosa, Charters Towers, Aspley and Who would imagine that, in five and a half Caloundra. In those electorates, the swings years, Wayne Keith Goss could lose the plot away from Labor range from 5.7 per cent to so much that he became the Arthur Tunstall of 8.9 per cent. In terms of a combined Queensland politics, clinging desperately to offensive/defensive operation—its closest power despite the gaffs, ridicule and absence historical parallel is the boast by former Field of any real support—except from those do or Marshall Rommel that the allied invasion on D- die loyalists. day would be driven back off the beaches. Legislative Assembly 129 12 September 1995

That is what the Government thought; it was Queenslanders believe these Ministers will be kidding itself greatly. able to do anything else? There is the The beauty and the reality of it is the problem. The Premier cannot really act, and it people. When they speak, they speak all comes from there. He is under the thumb; beautifully. Before the election, 33 Labor he knows it, and he knows I know it, too. electorates had a margin of more than 10 per Over the 46 per cent of the rabble on the cent. Today, only 11 of those electorates are other side of the Chamber still presides this at an advantage, while 12 Labor electorates petulant, isolated and frantic Premier. His have a margin of less than 2 per cent. By sheer political impotence was never more comparison, only four coalition seats now have dramatically illustrated than when he was that low margin, while 28 coalition members reduced to appealing for the dumped enjoy deservedly won margins of more than Speaker, Mr Fouras, to call him. One can 10 per cent. Of those 28, 15 have margins imagine how he fumed and raged at that above 15 per cent and nine of us—including, I forced and extraordinary appeal. With all the am pleased to say, me—have margins above vast resources at his command, the Premier 20 per cent. The safest Labor seat, Inala, has was compelled to beg through the media for a a margin of 18.9 per cent, yet 12 coalition telephone call: "Jim, please call me." The seats have higher margins. That is not a bad Premier had led the Labor Party into an record, and it is not a bad result. Therefore, is electoral rout which brought the Government it any wonder that this Government has to its knees, so it was curiously fitting that he degenerated further from what could be should have to go down on his knees to beg politely described as a loose confederation of his majority of one to make a telephone call. I mutually distrustful tribes in their heyday to understand that the spectacle of the Premier what is now a squabbling, feral rabble whose being forced into that personal humiliation at sole unifying bond is the ruthless pursuit of the least provided some cross-factional glories and indulgences of power? amusement, if not bonding. I would not be at Mr T. B. Sullivan: Do you mean we all surprised to learn that, in the tradition of the won? selfless gesture, the Government jet had been on standby to make that so-called mercy Mr COOPER: I know who had the moral dash—to take a specialist team of helpers to victory, and I know we are coming to get the the dumped Speaker—if he could have been Government; it will not be long. All found. I recall another Government fellow who Government members do now is go around did a runner, and they sent the jet to try to find apportioning blame, attacking factional him. enemies and obscenely scrabbling about to In 1961, when the Menzies Federal get whatever can be gained, and that is their Government was returned with a majority of only activity. Nothing meaningful in terms of one, that majority—the irrepressible Sir James good government has changed, and nothing Killen—took it upon himself to announce that will change, because it is simply beyond the his leader had sent a telegram declaring, nature of the beast to change. This Premier, "Killen, you are magnificent." Do members who has promised greater consultation and remember that? I do. He sent it himself. Not openness, will not even trust his own Ministers one single re-elected Labor member felt the to hire their own personal staff; did members slightest urge to emulate that bit of cheeky opposite know that? loyalty, because they know that Goss is no Mr T. B. Sullivan: Of course he does. Menzies and that they cannot hope for any Mr COOPER: No. They cannot hire their real revival. The Government is mortally own private secretaries, press secretaries or wounded. principal policy advisers. They are not allowed Before I conclude, I would like to thank to, because the Premier is putting in minders the Labor Party for what was possibly to watch every one of them. If the field unintended praise. In doing so, I am joined by marshall will not even let his generals decide my good friend the member for Keppel, Vince who the sentries at their own front doors Lester. On 18 August, the Gladstone twosome should be, what hope have Ministers of of the Labor Party—its secretary, Mr Kaiser, getting submissions through the Cabinet and president, comrade Gibbs—sent a letter Office mangler? If the Premier really to all party members announcing the believes—and it seems that he does—that committee of inquiry into the election result. Ministers do not have the intelligence to hire Did Government members all get that? We their own staff without the firmly helpful got it, too. I was immensely cheered by the guidance of that inner circle, why should second paragraph, which read— 12 September 1995 130 Legislative Assembly

“It's hard to accept that after just two what they think of him. He knows what his own terms in office, government almost fell colleagues think of him, too. He is unique; he back into the hands of the Russell is the only member on that side of the Coopers and the Vince Lesters of the Chamber who wants that road. As far as I am Queensland's National Party.” concerned, he can have it! Vince and I regard that as a wonderful Mr D'Arcy: Wasn't Mike Ahern the last compliment, as do 884,000 other voters who person you spoke about like this? voted for the coalition, and that is 110,000 Mr COOPER: Self-interest is the order more than voted for the Government. I thank of the day inside this decrepit and discredited the Government for the accolade; any publicity Government. I make this plea to it on behalf of is good publicity, especially if it is free. the overwhelming majority: we know we Nothing has changed, and nothing will cannot expect good, honest, responsible and change, because that clumsy attempt to responsive Government, and for the moment blackmail the honourable member for we are resigned to having a Cabinet of Gladstone into supporting the Labor Party's incompetents and paranoids. Have a look; choice for Speaker by threatening to withdraw they are not far away. However, please at previous offers of extra staff was all too least do not bore us silly with reruns of symptomatic of the attitudes of this Government claptrap about reform, the Government, which, despite all the Italian suits democratic processes on which it never follows that its members get around in, has to have a through, and the will of the majority. We have bovver-boot mind. The Labor Party will no heard the last of that, because the doubt be fascinated to learn—and I love this Government does not support the will of the one—about the failed Federal member for majority unless it suits it. Hinkler, Brian Courtice. Real hate comes out of Previously, I have said that this that character. We all know him. The member Government will not change because it simply for Bundaberg knows all about this. He has cannot change. One media commentator who been dining out in Canberra, entertaining all of shares this belief used the story of the his mates with a yarn to the effect that he was scorpion and the frog to illustrate the point. begged by the Premier to call the newly The frog and the scorpion were sitting on the elected Independent member for Gladstone to bank of a raging river. The scorpion said to the try to get an indication of how she might frog, "Will you help me across?" The frog said, swing. Mr Courtice, it seems, was hugely "No way. You will sting me and kill me." The entertained by that desperate plea because, scorpion said, "I would be mad to do that, frankly, he makes no secret of his utter wouldn't I? Why would I sting you and kill you contempt for the Premier—he hates his guts; if it means that we are both going to drown?" and here was the Premier on his knees, The frog said, "Okay. It sounds like it might be begging him: "Please give Liz a ring." He has all right." They swam out into the stream, got been on his knees quite a bit lately. halfway and the scorpion stung the frog. The When all the finest minds of the Labor frog wailed and said, "Why oh why did you do Party were consulted about the newly elected that?" The scorpion said, "Because it is in my Independent member, opinion was sharply nature." The Government cannot change its divided. Some said she was really Labor; nature; it will never change. It will never others claimed she was a crypto-National; change its spots. It will always be exactly as others said they were convinced that she was we have known it for the last six years that it a closet Liberal. It did not even seem to occur has delivered dreadful Government to this to them that she was and is a true State. As I say, nothing will change. Independent who could not be bribed with a Government members are now running carrot or beaten with a stick into compliant around the State begging business people submission. That sort of independence of and small-business people, "Please, please mind is completely alien to the Labor Party talk to me. We are sorry about that. Talk to powerbrokers. In Queensland we have—and I me." No-one is going to take the slightest trust only temporarily—a Government firmly notice of them. We know that Government rejected by the majority, so riven by petty members are doomed and they know that jealousies, factional warfare and self-induced they are mortally wounded. paranoid obsessions that its sole motivation is pure expediency. After getting that off my chest, I feel so much better. I have been wanting to say it for Mr D'Arcy interjected. a long time—ever since 15 July. I feel so much Mr COOPER: The member for better; I really do. I thank Government Woodridge has heard it all before. He knows members for that opportunity. Legislative Assembly 131 12 September 1995

I refer now to matters of major importance have a LOTE program if we cannot supply the to my electorate. I have written to the Minister teachers to teach the languages. for Transport about the Oakey bypass. Mr T. B. Sullivan: What language are Opposition members who travel along the they doing? Warrego highway would know that there is a need for a bypass. Even though this work is Mr COOPER: They are learning funded by the Federal Government, it requires German. There is nothing wrong with the State Government support. The people of program, but we have to have the teachers. Oakey and other people who use the Warrego As members would know, in the first place the highway—about 8,000 cars travel along it kids and the parents make up their minds each day—know how necessary the bypass is. which language the students are going to It has been high on the priority list, but has learn, but halfway through the year, the been knocked about from there. The safety of teacher leaves the school which means that people, especially school kids, in Oakey is the program cannot proceed. The program paramount, and we have to move on that has to be made to work. bypass very rapidly. Another matter that has caused me some Another matter of major interest and concern is an article that I read on 5 concern to my electorate is the Brisbane September, which, I think, was a Tuesday, in Valley railway line that travels through the Toowoomba Chronicle. The article referred Fernvale, Esk, up to Toogoolawah and around to an interview with the regional director, Ms the top. We know, of course, that the line is Jan Hannant, who has been a regional too light; nevertheless the corridor exists. A lot director for that area for some time. I know of extracted material—sand, gravel and so that the Government members will love what on—comes out of the Brisbane Valley. she said in the interview but, quite frankly, I Approximately 400 trucks a day go through find it unfortunate. Public servants are Fernvale. That is already too many, but that supposed to be apolitical but she is quoted in number will increase. So a railway line is the article as stating— needed for that purpose and also for "She also indicated she was pleased passenger transport because there is no Labor had been returned to government question that that area is a growth area. We because it meant implementation of the have to do something now. We have learned Wiltshire recommendations would go enough lessons about planning; we know ahead unchanged." about the need for planning. We need people movers to bring people through that Brisbane I do not care whether public servants are Valley area into Ipswich and Brisbane. That police officers, prison officers, or whatever; I area lends itself beautifully to tourism. It has a think once they stick their heads into the lot going for it. Again, I have invited the political arena, that is it: they nail their colours Minister to have a look at it. to the mast. Quite frankly, I think that is Mr Littleproud: And the Governor- foolish. That is all I need to say about it. I can General is going to live up there, too. assure members that I do not think very many public servants would do something like that Mr COOPER: When Bill retires, he will because in doing so they are taking one hell be there. It is a top area. of a risk. Once they nail their colours to the My electorate is experiencing some mast, they are done. problems with its small, country schools. The I want to speak briefly about police Evergreen school has a very nice, young numbers, especially in the Lowood area. The principal. Unfortunately, under the system we Crows Nest sergeant has not been replaced have now, teachers spend a certain amount of yet, and that needs to be done. The Lowood time away from the classroom. In a one- area is a massive growth area. Two police teacher school, that is not fair on the kids. We officers serve 8,000 people, and there is no have to make sure that those schools have way in creation that those police officers can supply teachers available at all times so that do that job. With the increase in police those kids get the education that they numbers being so small, there is no way in the deserve. world that the people in that area are going to The Language Other Than English be protected. The police officers are going to program is not working at Crows Nest. The feel the pressure more and more in stations school has not been able to obtain the throughout the State. There is much to do. appropriate language teachers, and we have We on this side are saying, "Let's get on and made a number of representations in that do it and do it for the good of the people." regard. It is no use saying that we are going to That is as it should be. 12 September 1995 132 Legislative Assembly

Mr SCHWARTEN (Rockhampton) years, I was fortunate enough to be given a (3.56 p.m.): In rising to my feet to speak to the position on the Deputy Premier's staff and I motion for the adoption of the Address in have to say that the experience taught me a Reply, firstly, I want to thank the electors of lot. Rockhampton for bestowing on me a great In addition, I wish to acknowledge other privilege. It is one thing to be elected to this members of the Deputy Premier's staff, place for a long period; it is another thing to especially my good friend Lyn Hewlett. They have lost one's seat and be returned to were a fine team to work for, and I still regard Parliament. I am the ninety-fifth person in the the Deputy Premier of this State as one of the history of Parliament in this State who has most decent people who has ever graced this actually been returned to Parliament. That is a House. great privilege that has been bestowed upon me, and I do appreciate it. I wish also to thank the returning officer, Mr Tony Dobele, for the excellent job that he It would be remiss of me not to did. He was a raw recruit into the job and he acknowledge a number of people who have carried it out with dignity. This election was my helped return me to this place. Firstly, I want to first experience with returning officers working thank my wife, Judy, and my two sons, Evan from home. We did not have the difficulties and Christopher, for their support. As all that they did in Greenslopes, for example, of honourable members know, without the exploding hot-water services and so on. I support of one's family, it is a pretty tough old thank Tony and his family for the fine job that game in this place. While on the subject of my they did. family, I want to acknowledge the presence of my father, Evan, in the gallery here today. He Since Federation, the Rockhampton is a life member of the Labor Party who, like electorate has been held predominantly by my mother Bonnie, has given his heart and Labor members of Parliament, the most soul to the Labor movement and to the Labor famous of whom was James Larcombe, who Party, as his parents did before him and their held the seat from 1912 to 1929. He was parents before them. It is fitting that he is here returned in 1932 and continued through to his today, as he has been my strongest retirement in 1956. supporter. Without his help, I certainly would Mr Ardill: And a great Minister for not be here today. Transport. I also want to acknowledge the support Mr SCHWARTEN: I take the interjection given to me by my brothers Stephen, Peter from the honourable member; he was a great and Mark, and my sister Christine. We are a Minister for Transport. James Larcombe is very close family and a very proud family, and another member of the 95 club, and I hope to I am proud to have their names associated emulate his performance and stay here for the with mine here today. length of time that he did. The seat has also been held by the former Mayor of All honourable members know that we do not get into this place with just the support of Rockhampton, Rex Pilbeam, who is somewhat our family. Their party, or the organisation, and of an infamous character in this place and their friends play a very important part in their elsewhere. I advise honourable members that Rex is still alive and well and living in role as members of this place. I want to Rockhampton. acknowledge my campaign director, Greg Evans, his wife, Diane, and his father-in-law, In my first maiden speech in this place in Jack. I want to acknowledge Charlie 1990—— Broughton, Keith Hoolihan, Bronco Smith, Mr FitzGerald: You only make one. Norma Black, her daughter Jenny Dunham, Mr SCHWARTEN: In my first speech in Tally Russell, Thelma Humphris, Sam Morris, this place in 1990, I drew the attention of the Marilyn Tynan, Brian Cridland, Anne House to what I regarded at that stage as the McDougall, Dale and Mary Langford, Carol shabby state in which our electorate of Keliher, Harry and Colleen Wood and Noel Rockhampton was left as a result of 32 years Keegan. Those people formed the kernel of of misrule by members opposite. The previous the committee that helped return me to this speaker and a couple of other Opposition place. Likewise, many other people in the speakers today piously carped on about how Labor Party in Rockhampton assisted, and I they conducted the affairs of Government. Mr acknowledge their support here today. Deputy Speaker, I can tell you that the schools I also want to thank the Honourable the in Rockhampton were amongst the worst in Deputy Premier for the last three very the State. In Rockhampton, the hospital and important learning years. Over the last three aged care services—for example, Eventide— Legislative Assembly 133 12 September 1995 were amongst the worst in the State. We had The point that I am making is that I am a courthouse that was used to try the shearers prepared to stand up on behalf of the electors in 1891. That fairly modest building, which was of Rockhampton to make sure that we get our subsequently eaten away by white ants, was fair share, and I will continue to do so. Finally, the legacy of a court system administered by we have a Government that will listen to us. members opposite. During my speech in We had a problem with public drunkenness, 1990, I made the remark that there was not and we now have a diversionary centre in one Government building in Rockhampton which those people can be treated. That that was not in a sad and sorry state. We had created a bit of furore initially because it was no collective Government building. People handled inappropriately, but the right result doing business with Government had to travel has now been achieved. the length and breadth of Rockhampton to do I turn now to the streetscape in so. Rockhampton and the way in which it has I apologise, Mr Deputy Speaker, but I changed as a result of the efforts of this Labor cannot believe that members opposite would Government. This morning, in answer to a ever change their spots. The former Premier of question that I put to the Minister for Health, this State came to Rockhampton in the 1985 we heard the sorry tale of Eventide. However, by-election and told the people of that tale will now have a happy ending. Back Rockhampton that unless they voted for him in 1985, the National Party recognised that they would get a bit more of what they got there was a problem with Eventide in before. He was as blatant as that. And, true to Rockhampton. The place was a hovel. There his word, he made sure it happened. For is no other word for it. Even members opposite example, during my time working for the with their pork-barrelling attitude could not Teachers Union, I witnessed in a playground dismiss Eventide at that time—or could they? at the Crescent Lagoon State School a piece In 1986, they took the money away from the of gable facia fall down and almost kill a old people at Eventide and squirreled it away student. That is the way that members in Charters Towers to help Mr Bob Katter, a opposite treated us in Rockhampton. I will former member of this place, and get him out never forget that, and neither will the people of of strife. They did not care a tinker's cuss Rockhampton. about the people at Eventide. During the election campaign, members opposite had the However, in the past six years there have hide to go to Eventide in Rockhampton and been pleasant changes, and the people of say, "This is a disgrace." Too right it is a Rockhampton have received their fair share of disgrace! A Labor Government is going to fix the tax dollar. We have a new Government that problem. It would never have been fixed building, a new transport building, and a by the National Party. courthouse facility is under way. In addition, a Mr Pearce: You got a psychiatric unit, variety of other facilities, such as psychiatric too, didn't you? units, are being built in Rockhampton that never would have been built in a million years Mr SCHWARTEN: I have already if the National Party had maintained its mentioned the psychiatric unit. It is another stranglehold on Government in this State. indication of the commitment by this Government to improving the facilities for the If honourable members visit the schools in people of Rockhampton and central Rockhampton today, they will find that none of Queensland generally. them need painting. Thanks to the Schools It would be remiss of me to say that I am Refurbishment Program, by and large, all the happy with everything at the Rockhampton classrooms have been done up. That is not to Base Hospital or with the health services in say that I am entirely happy with what we Rockhampton. However, I am prepared to act have. We have new buildings at the as any good local member should and make Rockhampton State High School and the sure that the Minister is aware of them and North Rockhampton State High School, and gets on top of them. For example, just this also at the Glenmore State Primary School week a lady called Cath Skipper rang me up and the Glenmore State High School. And so complaining about the dialysis machines the list goes on. We needed them. there, which are hopelessly out of date and in Pork-barrelling is not the issue; the issue is the need of repair. I took up the matter with the disgraceful way that members opposite superintendent, Dr Jeanette Young, who has treated us. We are not up to square yet, and it agreed that it is a problem which will be fixed will take a long time before we can get up to before Christmas by the installation of two new square. dialysis machines. 12 September 1995 134 Legislative Assembly

We have services in Rockhampton that Mr SCHWARTEN: I have heard various we never had under the National Party. For members, including the member for Keppel, example, we have a haematologist visiting say it on a number of occasions. every three weeks from Brisbane. There was As to railway issues—in the past six years, no service under the National Party. We have I have visited the railway workshops in a paediatric oncologist visiting from Brisbane. Rockhampton no fewer than 74 times. Not That never happened under the National one of the frauds who sits opposite went Party. An eco-cardiography machine was anywhere near a railway workshop or railway purchased at a cost of $200,000, and it running staff—— arrived last week. Previously, patients were transferred to the Mater via ambulance to use Mr JOHNSON: I rise to a point of order. that service, which was extremely life- Mr SCHWARTEN:—when they were in threatening. In addition, a six-bed palliative Government. care unit was opened in August. It is staffed by anaesthetists specialising in pain alleviation Mr JOHNSON: I rise to a point of order. and specialist nursing staff committed to First, I ask the member for Rockhampton to palliative care. In the last year, 300 additional withdraw the word "fraud", because coalition patients were treated in orthopaedics and members are not frauds. My second point is gynaecology, utilising money provided by that Opposition members did visit railway Queensland Health to specifically reduce workshops. waiting lists. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member will An Opposition member: What about resume his seat. That statement was not the railways? directed to the member for Gregory nor to the member for Southport. I rule that there is no Mr SCHWARTEN: I will get to the point of order. railways in a minute. Mr SCHWARTEN: It seems that I struck In addition, a second obstetrician is on a raw nerve there! Had the honourable the way. Commencing in early 1996, a member been listening, he would have heard dermatologist will visit Rockhampton. So it is me say that when they were in Government not all doom and gloom, but we have a fair members opposite never went near the way to travel. We have 50 places for nurses Rockhampton workshop or anywhere near the that cannot be filled. And certain specialists do running staff there. Members opposite were not want to come to Rockhampton. We not welcome there, and they are still not desperately need an eye specialist in welcome. Because members of the Rockhampton. We have budgeted for and Opposition had a few beers—and the member have the money for those services, but we cannot attract the specialists. I do not know for Gregory was one of them—with a couple of how people can hold us to account for that. disgruntled railway workers, they suddenly However, I give honourable members and the became experts on the working class. What a electors of Rockhampton an assurance that I load of nonsense! What abject hypocrisy, will get on top of any health issues that when they were the very people who in 1985 sacked workers in this State, and would again emerge and I will act as a good local member do so were they ever elected to Government. should by listening to what people say and acting accordingly. I believe my record proves Part of the problem is that this lot that I do just that. opposite ran down Queensland Rail to the Earlier in my speech I mentioned schools. extent that it was losing over $100m a year. I As a former teacher and a Teachers Union have no doubt that privatisation was on their official, I keep in close contact with the agenda. Members opposite intended to Teachers Union in Rockhampton; for example, privatise the profitable sections of Queensland the organiser, Lyn Hill, people such as Rail and dump the rest—just as their Tory Brendan Cook and Barry Thomson, and mates in the south have done with their various other people. There is no doubt that railways. Members opposite cannot deny that the demands relating to student performance that is what their Tory mates in the south have are a problem, which we are addressing. This done. morning in the House I spoke about discipline Mr Hamill: And the coalfields. problems. I refer to the shabby sort of politics Mr SCHWARTEN: And the coalfields— being played by members opposite who say, anything that was profitable would be off to "Give them the cane and it will solve the private enterprise and the rest would be problem." It really is fraudulent—— scrapped. Members opposite are not game to Mr Johnson: Who said that? respond to that one! Legislative Assembly 135 12 September 1995

One of the significant problems being watch-house that was of nineteenth-century faced by Queensland Rail and the running design is bad enough. However, the hypocrisy staff in particular is enterprise bargaining, of people such as the member for Crows Nest which has created major problems. I state in and the member for Keppel, who bleat about this place that I do not support enterprise the appalling state of the watch-house, is bargaining as it applies to the public sector. I astounding. Both of them were Police will say that in any forum that is required. I Ministers, but they did nothing about it. Their believe that enterprise bargaining was never inaction was simply because that watch-house meant for any industry bar manufacturing was located in Rockhampton, and industry, where outcomes can be measured. Rockhampton people voted Labor. Suddenly, The 11-hour shifts were a major issue for the that watch-house has become a problem, but running staff. That matter has been to it is being addressed. arbitration. A ruling has been given, and the The people of Rockhampton also need a staff are now working 11-hour shifts. I believe new police station. That is another issue that is that that is unreasonable. being addressed, but under the National Party I will give a commitment to those funding for such a facility never would have constituents of mine who work for Queensland been allocated. I believe that the previous Rail. I know them very well. On my recent visit building was opened by Tom Hiley back in with the Honourable the Minister for Transport, 1966. Until 1989, very little had been spent on Mr Elder, we were able to sit down with those it. The facility is extremely cramped. Over the fellows and work out a couple of solutions for next 20 years, $20m worth of refurbishment them. One was to secure the breakdown gang will be carried out on that facility. As well, a back at the workshops. Bernie Mizstral, who is new court facility will soon be up and running, a very good friend of mine, is very pleased with a new watch-house underneath it. That about that. That is the sort of response that work is expected to start early in the new year. the railway workers of Rockhampton can In common with many regional cities, expect from me. They will not get the lies and Rockhampton has a very significant deceit that they were fed by the people who community network. It has tourist organisations, visited them during the election campaign and youth groups—you name it, we have it. promised them the world, knowing full well that they would not have to deliver. Mr Davidson: CWA? I turn to a particularly good group in Mr SCHWARTEN: We do have a CWA, Rockhampton, the Rockhampton Chamber of and an excellent one. As I said—you name it, Commerce, which has recently undertaken we have it. some excellent work. Rockhampton has more than its fair share Opposition members interjected. of regional development organisations. IBECQ and CREDO are two that spring to mind. I Mr SCHWARTEN: I note that members cannot help but think that we have too many opposite are knocking the Rockhampton groups following the same agenda. That issue Chamber of Commerce. should be considered in the general central In recent months, the Rockhampton Queensland context. I know that my colleague Chamber of Commerce has played a key role the member for Fitzroy is anxious to work as in the establishment of a helicopter service in part of a team to address the needs of the Rockhampton. A unit consisting of John whole of the region. Rockhampton does not Bavea, Cheryl Finlayson and Graham Wease view itself in isolation but as part of the entire from the chamber has been set up. They have region. Central Queensland is a very wealthy worked tirelessly on securing a community- region. The best way to tap into that wealth is based helicopter. I held discussions this for people to work together. I reiterate that I morning with the Minister on that topic, and we believe that there are too many regional are slowly but surely advancing to secure yet groups, all of which are trying to work together, another emergency service for Rockhampton— but that is extremely difficult. something that would never have occurred This week, a particularly significant event had the National Party been elected to will occur. On Friday, the cattle industry park Government. It would have turned its back on organisation is holding its annual general Rockhampton, as it always has in the past. meeting. It really is starting to move and The Police Service in Rockhampton is shake. I believe that the cattle industry park another issue that requires attention. concept is a very good one. Central Thankfully, it is receiving same. The fact that Queensland has much to offer in terms of as part of the legacy of the corrupt National tourism. In fact, central Queensland in general Party era Rockhampton was left a and Rockhampton in particular has a lot to 12 September 1995 136 Legislative Assembly offer. It has good water, plentiful supplies of is not; it is in the electorate of my colleague electricity, plentiful supplies of natural gas, a the honourable member for Fitzroy. On his very skilled work force and a university. behalf—if I may answer for him—the answer Somehow or other—and I intend to be part of is: yes. I was a teacher at that school when this—we need to put all of that together to sell the paint was peeling off the walls and kids Rockhampton and central Queensland in as had to be shifted to one side of the room in many places as possible. the morning because the sun beamed Rockhampton also has a great sporting through the windows and they could not see tradition. It has produced some of Australia's what was on their books. The honourable best sports representatives: Rod Laver, Glen member should not talk to me about the Houseman, Rod Reddy, Kenrick Tucker and conditions at Allenstown State School. the hockey player Kim Ireland. I could spend The member for Gregory should spend a the rest of my speech mentioning people from bit of time around Rockhampton, not to Rockhampton who have made it in the sports engage the local railway people with nefarious world. It is pleasing to see this Government and dubious tales of what he would do if he provide $1m towards the newly developed was ever the Minister responsible for rail. He sports centre at the University of Central should come to Rockhampton and have a Queensland. It is a very good facility. That will look around. I would be delighted to make him stop what has occurred in Rockhampton since my guest. He is welcome there any time. time immemorial. In the past, in order to get their children into the top-shelf training Mr Johnson: Will you take me to the facilities, parents have had to take their kids railway yard with you? away from Rockhampton. That happened with Mr SCHWARTEN: The member is more every one of those sports people I just than welcome to come with me anywhere in mentioned; they all had to leave my electorate at any time. Rockhampton to train, and many of their Having sat above this place on a number families went with them. When the sports of occasions in the last three years and centre is built in Rockhampton, that will no listened to the vilification of honest longer be the case. The people who are Queenslanders by some members opposite— working on that project, such as Ron Coyle and I say this seriously—I really think it is time and the Mayor of Rockhampton, are doing a to consider our rights to defame people in this very good job. Much interest has been shown place. Some of the things I have heard in it; I believe it is a real plus for the city. I said—and not only about me, but about other applaud the Government for that initiative. honest public servants in this State—really do Last Saturday, I had the privilege of those opposite no credit. It is little wonder that, presenting trophies to Rockhampton junior when they have members opposite to judge teams of my favourite sport, that is, hockey. them by, people have such a low opinion of The final was quite an exciting game between politicians. I sincerely hope that this Parliament my old team, Park Avenue, and Souths. That will be better than the last in that regard. was the last game to be played on that Finally, I thank the people of surface. This Government has provided Rockhampton for their vote of confidence in $450,000, and the local hockey association me. I promise them—as I did before— has raised the rest of the money needed to accountability, accessibility and A1 fund a new artificial surface on those grounds. representation. Mr McElligott: Wet or dry? Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the member Mr SCHWARTEN: Wet. The for Greenslopes. Honourable members, this honourable member is an accomplished will be the first speech by the honourable hockey player. He would attest to the fact that, member, and I ask the House to give him the for a long time, Rockhampton has been one courtesy that is usually reserved for such a of the hockey capitals of Australia. It is speech. pleasing to see that all the hard work of those people associated with hockey in Mr RADKE (Greenslopes) (4.26 p.m.): Rockhampton has paid off. On this first occasion that I rise to speak to the assembled Legislature of Queensland, I wish Mr Johnson: Have you painted the to express my gratitude to Her Majesty Allenstown State School yet? Victoria, by the grace of God, of the United Mr SCHWARTEN: In common with Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, various other members of the National Party, Defender of the Faith, Empress of India and the honourable member assumes that her Majesty's Executive Council, for the Colony Allenstown State School is in my electorate. It of Queensland. I can say with certainty that, Legislative Assembly 137 12 September 1995 without the consent of Queen Victoria and the has savoured a victory four elections in the foresight of Queensland's earlier political making. leaders, my family would not have migrated to Fellow members of the Forty-eighth Queensland and thereby escaped the tyranny, Parliament, I now wish to provide an exploitation and bloodshed of the previous explanation as to why I entered public life as a 130 years on continental Europe. Only for Liberal. As an individual, the fundamental European migrants to the State of freedoms of the right to be independent, to Queensland have our lives been relatively achieve, to think, to speak, to worship and the peaceful, and credit should belong to the personal choice of association have been and democratic principles, conventions and remain fundamental Liberal traditions. These practices adopted by the voting population freedoms have become rights, conventions over many elections. and practices by law. As citizens, we all have Proof of democracy at work is evident rights under the law, the responsibility to from the results of the 15 July election, when I maintain the law and the freedom to change was elected with a margin of 41 votes. Such a the law when people demand it so. close election result has thankfully not led to Parliamentary democracy is the best civil disobedience, riots or drive-by shootings system which allows for change, and the within the electorate of Greenslopes. expression of the hopes and aspirations of Whatever political philosophies one holds, the free people. This guarantee of freedom has instruments of Government exercised by the been fought for and won by many of Governor of Queensland have to date, in the Queensland's men and women on foreign main, enshrined democratic practices and battlefields and by adherence to the principles within our State boundaries. constitutional monarchy's embellishment of I congratulate Mr Jim Fouras, the the traditions of parliamentary democracy. honourable member for Ashgrove, on his Our individual freedoms are based upon election to the position of Speaker. There is two values: the importance of the family and yet no blood on the floor, or at least I hope the creation of private wealth are both that there is not; and if there is to be any, I essential for meeting our national aspirations. hope it is not mine. Private wealth can be best achieved by As the new member for Greenslopes, I rewarding individual effort with an efficient wish to express my thanks to the electors who private sector, thereby eliminating made a conscious decision for a change in unnecessary and costly bureaucratic burdens their representative. I look forward to the on the taxpayer. The above philosophical challenges ahead and pledge to represent all principles which I support explain why I have voters in Greenslopes to the best of my ability entered this Forty-eighth Parliament as a by airing in this Chamber my views on their Liberal. behalf and on legislation, policies and issues I wish to draw attention to my stance which are a credit or hindrance to their regarding Bills presented to this House. I hold wellbeing. I take this opportunity to wish Mr the view that quality of debate, strength of Gary Fenlon, defeated MLA for Greenslopes, argument, prevailing common sense and peace and blessings in his future endeavours. persuasion will alter my political position on matters when appropriate. I wish to thank my parents for the manner they used in shepherding me from a child into In this my maiden speech, I wish to take an adult. I confidently acclaim that the up an issue mentioned in the Labor Party's example of my parents has shaped my campaign for the election held on 15 July. I behavioural patterns regarding discipline, refer to the Goss family package by which the personal responsibility, persistence and Labor Party promised to introduce a $14.5m encouragement towards advancing to my full Statewide Positive Parenting Program to help potential. To reach our full potential, it can be Queensland parents. stated that suffering produces endurance, I believe that it is a scam and a shame to endurance breeds character, and character reinvent the wheel. Recently, my constituents yields hope in goals to be achieved, battles to introduced me to a beneficial program within be won and victories to be enjoyed. I the Education Department—the Management acknowledge those personal friends and of Young Children Program—that is designed dedicated Liberal Party members who publicly for skilling and supporting parents of young declared their support for my candidature by children. The development of this program has working in the campaign to win Greenslopes. been based on research which shows that That small core of individuals who assisted me intervention at an early age for children who 12 September 1995 138 Legislative Assembly exhibit maladaptive behaviour has a significant should be doing all that we can to support and longer-term benefit. them. The Management of Young Children I believe that the Positive Parenting Program, known as MYCP, is an existing Program is merely grandstanding by a program that has been running for the last 10 Government that is failing to build a stronger years. However, it would appear that funding Education Department for Queensland. for this program is being threatened and that, Today, it remains common for our youth to despite supporting research and positive spend from the age of 6 months to 18 years outcomes, the continuation of the program is within child care and/or education centres. The at risk. It is important that such a program Management of Young Children Program is of should be continued—not reinvented. The far more benefit to our parenting voters than need for programs such as this are highlighted the reinvented wheel in the form of model by the existing demand and the growing Triple P. waiting lists of between 6 and 12 months in There remain many issues which are of the 31 centres throughout Queensland. valid concern to my constituents in the Some of the direct community benefits electorate of Greenslopes, and I hope that from this MYCP program are as follows: it is these issues will be addressed seriously by this designed to change inappropriate and socially Forty-eighth Parliament and not maligned with unacceptable behaviour at the critical ages cheap point-scoring shots fired by maladjusted between two-and-a-half and seven years; it notaries in positions of authority! provides an infrastructure supporting schools Let me refer briefly to some of those and families; a parent support group exists issues. During my campaign in Greenslopes, I and therefore continuing support is available; attended numerous P & C meetings which and there are 31 centres Statewide operating proved to me that there are many parents and with trained professionals who, by being friends of both public and private schools who involved in this program, are continually give up their own time and money to provide refining their skills. However, the overall gain to for the education of children. Funds raised by society has far-reaching effects, both socially P & C and P & F groups go a long way and economically. towards supplementing the State revenue The longer-term benefits for education are expenditure on education. I wish to give that if these children are identified at an early recognition to the honest citizens who raise age as having a behavioural problem and are funds, who willingly perform volunteer work in positively dealt with, teachers will be able to schools and who become involved in their teach instead of dealing with difficult students. local schools. I ask the Treasurer and the The longer-term benefit for society is that there Minister for Education to direct the officers is a reduction in crime rates because attention under their authority to pay the highest regard deficit disorders in young children have not to applications that they receive for extra compounded into juvenile crime. We all know funds. From my experience and observation of that there has been great concern in the the P & Cs within the Greenslopes electorate, community about the increase in juvenile these groups are not wasteful or lavish crime. spenders of public money. I believe that through early participation in Education is also the training ground of programs such as MYCP—and funding for Queensland's future, and one standard we all follow-up and maintenance programs—we should adhere to is giving people a fair go. would see, as a society, a significant reduction One high school in my electorate of in the need to institutionalise young offenders Greenslopes which is achieving this goal is and, therefore, a reduction in the cost to Coorparoo Secondary College, which offers society. I fully support and encourage the students more by preparing them for future continued and, if possible, increased funding study, careers and life. Few State schools in for this program within the Education Queensland have the standard of senior Department, and I will be doing my utmost to workshop that is available to the college's promote a pro-active program such as MYCP manual arts students. As a result, those rather than band-aid promises. MYCP is students can complete at high school dealing with an ever-increasing need. It is a nationally accredited engineering modules that program which provides a positive cost benefit. are normally the domain of TAFE colleges. Parents in the Greenslopes electorate are Coorparoo Secondary College boasts brand- demonstrating their willingness to address new, TAFE-standard kitchens for students of family and child problems by accessing a catering, hospitality and home economics. The program such as MYCP, and I feel that we recent total refurbishment of the art studios Legislative Assembly 139 12 September 1995 and provision of state-of-the-art photographic ago—reference to the crippling effect of the darkrooms ensure bright futures for students 1965 drought. Once again, the extremes of of visual arts. A new audiovisual centre nature and our own selfish ambitions are equipped for computer graphics completes the ravaging our environment and rural picture. Coorparoo Secondary College is communities and forcing Queenslanders to committed to providing a supportive school suffer poverty. I urge this Forty-eighth environment that accepts and encourages the Parliament to direct Queensland's resources diverse groups within our community. Students and talents towards minimising the crippling are regarded as young adults entitled to effect of drought upon all sectors of our dignity and respect. It is an environment in communities by rewarding self-reliance, not which students will want to study and will enjoy just encouraging self-reliance—as stated in the their education. As the member for Governor's Address. Greenslopes, I commend Coorparoo Finally, on a personal level—the industry Secondary College for focusing on and profession that commands my personal Queensland's future: the educated minds of attention is oenology. As the second tomorrow. winemaker to enter this Chamber since Mr I turn now to the Coorparoo railway Jean Baptise Louis Isambert the Second was crossing on Cavendish Road, which has been the member for Rosewood in 1882, I look mentioned in this Chamber over the past 15 forward to assisting in developing and years. Those of us who are responsible should enhancing Queensland's wines. I support fully constructively resolve this issue once and for the comments made on Thursday, 7 all, thereby permitting residents and September 1995 by the Honourable Deputy businesses to get on with their private lives Premier and Minister for Tourism, Sport and without a disquieting anxiety regarding future Youth to the effect that Queenslanders should change. buy Australian champagne as a protest Proposed alterations of traffic flows are against French nuclear pollution. From where I currently the responsibility of the Brisbane City was standing, the champagne bottle displayed Council. Residents who are affected by the by the Honourable Minister was recognised to East Brisbane/Coorparoo Local Area Plan are be Yellowglen. I wish to advise the Minister being consulted regarding road congestion that my colleagues in the Australian wine and traffic noise. An Integrated Regional industry state that Yellowglen is 30 per cent Transport Plan was announced in the foreign owned. Yet in Queensland, a 100 per Governor's Speech. When the cent Queensland-owned winery grows grapes recommendations are acceptable to the and produces champagne. That winery is majority of involved parties, I hope that this Robinsons Family Vineyards of Lyra, Forty-eighth Parliament will provide adequate Ballandean. Should caucus permit the funding to build a stronger Queensland with its Honourable Minister to travel above the sixth focus on enhancing the livability of Camp Hill, floor of the Parliamentary Annexe, after Coorparoo, Holland Park and Tarragindi. completion of my contribution to the motion for the adoption of the Address in Reply, I invite During my campaign for Greenslopes, I the absent member for Lytton to partake of a doorknocked thousands of homes where our glass of 100 per cent Queensland grown and fellow citizens are incarcerated behind bars. produced champagne. That incarceration is designed to keep out In conclusion, I hope that we as members break-and-enter offenders. Within my will put aside petty plans and selfish ambitions electorate, people live in fear of juvenile when we talk about matters which interest offenders, and strong community beliefs exist those whom we represent. Names on to the effect that repeat juvenile offenders foundation stones or brass plaques affixed to should be named publicly. I look forward to walls may serve to gratify someone's vanity, quality debates in this Chamber addressing but they may mean little unless the structures juvenile crime prevention and formulating that they adorn are of real benefit to today's policies, initiatives and laws that will return our communities and private homes to decent, Queenslanders and their children. That is the law-abiding citizens. real test in all our deliberations in this place: what will it achieve now and in the future? As An issue which affects all of Queensland we deliberate we must all follow our own is the drought. I read in the maiden speech of consciences. If we do that, Queensland will be one of my Liberal predecessors—Mr Bill a better place in which to live. For my part, I Hewitt, the former member for Chatsworth, assure the House that I shall always then Greenslopes, who was elected to the remember that I am born a Queenslander but Thirty-eighth Parliament, 10 Parliaments that, as a Queenslander, I am also an 12 September 1995 140 Legislative Assembly

Australian. I thank honourable members for with great potential. Hospitals in the City of the courtesy of their attention. Brisbane have always been needed for the Mr SPEAKER: Order! Before calling the intensive care and other highly specialised member for Woodridge, I inform members that services that they provide, but it is essential I have determined a new Standing Order. In that we cater for the needs in provincial areas future, members bringing champagne into the as well. Logan has a very large young Chamber will leave it at the Speaker's desk. I population. Much to everyone's joy, a base for will be happy to comment impartially on the paediatric services and other services contents thereof and say that I appreciate very associated with motherhood and young much the spirit in which it was given. children is being developed there. Because of the large number of births in the region, the Mr D'ARCY (Woodridge) (4.48 p.m.): Mr Logan Hospital will specialise in those services. Speaker, that is an excellent ruling. This is the eighth time that I have been elected to this My constituents have long been crying Assembly and the seventh as the member for out for extra police and, under this Woodridge. It gives me great pleasure to Government, we now have the Logan Police associate the people of Woodridge with this District, which rates as one of the best in contribution to the motion for the adoption of Queensland. The police district has the Address in Reply. established a much greater police presence. When I first became a member of Parliament, As to my electorate office—my secretary, the police were operating in impossible Desley Scott, has been with me for many conditions. They were operating in old Housing years and has done an excellent job. Commission homes, and the CIB was However, members in tremendously busy operating in a broken-down prefab building. All electorate offices are still looking for some that has gone. The police are now operating extra help. It has been reiterated many times with the facilities to enable them to provide the in this House that that help would be greatly type of service that a modern police district appreciated by the very hardworking electorate should provide. That is much appreciated by office staff. I believe that that help should be the people of Woodridge. Preventive in the form of providing access to money that measures introduced through innovative can be used to employ extra staff in electorate programs are seen to be working well within offices at crucial times when needed. the area. These are things that would not Woodridge is an electoral district that is have come about under a National Party made up largely of working-class people. It is Government, and they have been welcomed an electorate that has benefited very much by by the people of the electorate. the election of a Labor Government. It is one The Logan TAFE college has expanded of those areas that was always ignored by the rapidly since its inception. It is now one of the National Party. biggest colleges in Queensland. The types of Mr Speaker, I congratulate you on your courses that it offers are of tremendous value acquisition of that bottle of champagne. Your to working-class areas such as Woodridge, not plea to the House obviously worked, and your only from a work ethos point of view but also acquisition should be well appreciated by you. from an educational point of view. As I was saying, the electorate of Like most rapidly growing areas, Logan is Woodridge was ignored by successive looking at establishing a new university. For National Party Governments. It is only since some time, Meadowbank in the Loganlea the advent of the Labor Government that area has been suggested as a possible site. many things have changed in that area. The locals believe that is where the university People who vote one particular way tend to be should be established. Some people within ignored by the Government. We have gone Government are moving to have that too much into the sphere of the marginal seat university situated at Beenleigh, where it would mentality in election campaigns. It often be land-locked. However, a university campus happens that people who have been loyal to would meld very well with the facilities that are one particular party over a period and who already established in the Loganholme area, keep returning a member find that the very such as the TAFE college and the hospital. basic needs in their electorate are ignored. The Logan area is also looking to However, since 1989, the Government's contribute very significantly to the regional initiatives in the Woodridge area have included metropolitan central area. With the Year 2000 such important things as the Logan Hospital. program and the RCC program, regional The Logan Hospital—with a third stage yet to centres must be established throughout be developed—is, and always was, a hospital Queensland. These centres coordinate Legislative Assembly 141 12 September 1995

Government money spent within the area, During the election campaign it was promote new bureaucracy and create real announced that there would be an additional employment. With the integration of all 1,400 teachers employed over a three-year services, new businesses and industry need to period; a further 189 teachers from 1996 will be melded into a pattern that will suit the be employed as full-time supply teachers, people of the next century. We cannot which are essential; there will be continuation continue to have dormitory suburbs whose of mathematics advisers in 1996; and the populations commute to Brisbane. With the employment of 45 English educational new technology that is available and will be advisers. In January 1996, an extra 60 available in the next two decades, we must teachers will be employed to teach students have integration of services in these centres. with disabilities; and in 1997, a further 60 People will not want to move as far as they did teachers will be appointed, as will 30 in the past, except for recreational purposes. therapists, 15 in 1996 and 15 in 1997. An The type of technology that we are now able additional 250 full-time equivalent teacher to establish is going to be user friendly to the aides will be appointed. This ALP Government various networks and people will be able to believes in giving children the support that support national and international services they need, rather than having to solve from dormitory-type suburbs. Those services problems later on. As I said, in areas such as that need to be integrated through Woodridge where such a service is absolutely metropolitan regional centres are necessary in essential, this is an issue on which I have areas such as Logan, and they should not be concentrated. left out because of geographical boundaries. We are going to commit $34.8m over five One of the problems in Logan is that we years to introduce the world-acclaimed still face the National Party's legacy. When Reading Recovery program for four-year-olds, Logan was established as a suburb, I think I which is absolutely essential to provide early was the only speaker in the House late on a literacy and numeracy resources to all Thursday when the then Minister, Russell preschools, community kindergartens and Hinze, introduced legislation which was virtually child-care centres across the State. In a National Party plot to cast off the Labor addition, early literacy—First Steps—resources areas of Beaudesert and Albert. It was and still books will be provided to all Year 1, 2 and 3 is a shame that the centre of Beenleigh is not teachers and principals across the State. All in the Logan electorate, where it should be, Queenslanders want their children to have a but in a Gold Coast electorate. It was the only positive and successful start to school life. The town centre in my electorate, and we have Government believes that the first three years had to struggle to establish a town centre are absolutely critical to the development of within the Woodridge area. This has been basic skills which enable children to read, write done with Logan Central and, to some extent, and do mathematics. All children have the Springwood. right to have a good start in life through the mastery of these basic skills in order to attain Another area in which I have been very the ability to contribute to the school interested is education, which is a prime environment and the broader community. example of the necessity to plan for the future. In electorates such as mine which have a low The resources level of school students was woeful when the Government took office socio-economic base, there is even more in 1989. Teaching methods were outdated, need for education. It is one of the services teachers were underpaid and undervalued in that was neglected over a long period. I fought the school environment and learning long and hard for the re-establishment of approaches were out of step with Queensland remedial teaching. I keep getting caned by the school children's needs. Nowhere was this Teachers Union and various other people for negligence more apparent than in the using the term "remedial teaching". However, abandonment of the individual children who having been a teacher, I find that only the had difficulties in learning to read, write and do terminology changes. What has not changed simple mathematics. By abandoning individual is my assessment of what I am looking for. I children, who probably learned as quickly as am talking about people who are currently the rest of their class, the National Party regarded as support teachers, and who have turned these learning difficulties into a long- been sadly neglected. I fought long and hard term handicap. That is one of the problems to have this service re-established in areas that I face and continue to battle with in areas such as Woodridge and Logan and following such as Woodridge and Logan. the election we have certainly gone a long way Queensland's teachers and administrators to having additional resources provided. are committed to advancing the development 12 September 1995 142 Legislative Assembly of their students. They know that it is crucial to Between 1990 and 1994, the monitor students' progress to detect any Government allocated in excess of $22m to learning difficulties and to provide individual fund literacy and numeracy programs and to assistance as soon as possible. In the 32 provide additional teacher aides to assist in years of the National/Liberal Party the enhancement of those programs. Government, our teachers were not given the However, the way ahead is the allocation of essential resources that they needed to teach $34.8m, which will be spent over the next five all children how to read, write and do simple years, to introduce the world-acclaimed mathematics. Although children did their best Reading Recovery Program and to provide to understand and teachers did their best to early literacy and numeracy resources for all stretch the limits of the resources that they preschools, community kindergartens and were given, the reality was that the difficulties child-care centres for four-year-olds in the multiplied and compounded. State. I believe that is a wonderful and necessary adjunct to the educational program The Government recognises the fact that that will allow Queensland to take a huge step children need individual attention. Children forward in those low socioeconomic areas, start school with different skills in different which are largely Labor-voting areas, and areas. Some children may already know the which in the past have experienced problems. alphabet, while others are totally unfamiliar with basic arithmetic. Unfortunately, research Another matter about which I would like to shows that children who do not learn the speak is transport. Areas such as Logan have necessary, basic skills are more likely to get been severely disadvantaged by the allocation into trouble at school and later on with their of transport facilities. Although the Logan area peers and even with the law. The Goss has always had a railway line, which has been Government wants to prevent that happening. upgraded over a long period—and the Beenleigh electric line that travels through At the end of the day, Queensland's social Woodridge into the city is used extensively—it structure and economic future starts with its children, as it should. Over the first five years has never really had a proper bus system, or an integrated transport system to allow people of this Government, it ensured that teachers within the area to visit the major regional had the materials and skills to be able to shopping centres, the health facilities and the improve children's literacy and numeracy skills. other facilities that are situated in the centre of A central part of the Government's approach the city. Recently, that has changed with the has been to develop the literacy and implementation of a real program that numeracy skills that children need to ensure attempts to the get the local bus services to an extensive reform of the curriculum. bring people to the regional centres, which is I believe that the necessary steps have essential. For example, in the past on pension now been taken to help teachers and students days people who had been shopping and had to meet that challenge. We are providing extra bought groceries had to get taxis to and from training facilities for 630 key teachers to their homes because there was no transport support classroom teachers and students with available, other than private transport, out of literacy and numeracy difficulties. The the main areas. That has changed, and I Government has appointed 110 educational believe that the program is starting to work. It advisers in literacy and numeracy to provide certainly needs enhancing and still has a long advice to teachers and to work directly with way to go, but in recent days we have taken students with severe difficulties. I believe that the first steps to have that program extended. is absolutely essential. I have been calling for Earlier, I spoke about policing and what it and, over the life of this Parliament, this the Government has done to improve the Government intends to provide that Police Service. There have also been new— assistance. and welcome—programs for the containment of crime, juvenile crime and prevention Additionally, over the next two years the initiatives, including safety programs, such as Government will introduce 10 pilot programs in the key programs within schools that are State secondary schools to support students currently working to prevent juvenile crime. As I from Years 8 to 10 who have already suffered said, the educational programs that the from the system and have poor literacy and Government is introducing will certainly reduce numeracy skills. The projects, which will be crime within those areas. undertaken by a cross-section of the State's In the health area, I have extolled the secondary schools, large and small, will trial a virtues of having a regional health centre in range of strategies to enhance literacy and Logan. However, we still have to address the numeracy skills for those children. problem of waiting lists within hospitals. I Legislative Assembly 143 12 September 1995 believe that the waiting list problem, referred to In those days, when the National Party by the Opposition during the election Government granted $1m or $2m to be spent campaign, was an election bogey. I believe on the Pacific Highway, a section between one that the new Health Minister has this problem town and another would be upgraded. For in hand and that we are going to see a years, contracts were let that were not fulfilled genuine reduction in waiting lists where there and the Works Department had to pick them is a genuine and critical need. The up. Contracts were also let that allowed for the regionalisation of the health system has not wrong camber to be built on the road. been the great success that it was perhaps Companies went broke. For years, machinery mooted to be. Obviously, we are going to see stood beside the road. That was the type of an adjustment of that system to make it more administration that we had. At present, the efficient and to deliver more services on the northbound lane of one section of the Pacific ground. Highway south of Beenleigh, which used to be I have spoken many times about the a southbound part of the highway, has the grants system in this State and the way it camber sloping the wrong way. The applies to both the Department of Family Opposition wants to either do nothing or adopt Services and the Health Department. There is its more ridiculous proposal to widen the a need to reorganise the grants system and to Pacific Highway. When people in areas coordinate it in a better way so that people between Logan and Beenleigh have to travel who use the health services are supplied with to Brisbane or to the Gold Coast, they use the the right services. A hospital stay mode has Pacific Highway as an arterial route. The fact been introduced. Over the next few years, as of life is that they regard it as an arterial road. stays in hospital become shorter, there will be To them it is not a through road. a greater need for back-up services in the The Opposition's proposal to upgrade the community that currently are supplied by a highway, whether it be to 8 or even 12 lanes, variety of organisations. One of the problems would have taken that road away from the is that a lot of those services are not coordinated within our current system. locals. It would have meant that constituents Because the services are often uncoordinated such as mine who use it currently as an arterial between local government, State Government road would have lost it. The Opposition and Federal Government grants and intended to cut the number of off-ramps from organisations, often the Government does not about 107 to 12. That proposal would have get value for money. I would like to see those meant an extra 87,000 cars from electorates services coordinated better, with offices such as mine adding to the congestion on the located in areas such as Woodridge and suburban roads going into Brisbane each Logan. morning. That proposal was absolutely ridiculous and would have disadvantaged the I did say that I would talk about the road. people of Woodridge, Logan and Beenleigh. If I did not mention the road, most members That the shadow Minister for Transport, who is would think that I was not going to cover all in the Chamber, was convinced that his matters. Let me get one thing straight: I am proposal could work demonstrates that he very concerned, and always have been became overheated during the election concerned, that a road should go ahead. I campaign after listening to some of the remember saying to David Hamill in 1989, opinions of protesters. when he was appointed Transport Minister, "David, give me a biro and I will give you the Last night, I listened to David Keogh on road that we should build, with engineering the radio and I found myself agreeing with expertise, from the end of the Gateway Arterial everything that he said about the Pacific to the middle of Nerang." My opinion has not Highway—until he destroyed his own changed. My main reason for this argument by saying that we should widen it. opinion—and this is where the Opposition has As I said, the biggest issue for the locals is not let the Parliament down totally—is that the just the inconvenience and the change to Pacific Highway is no longer usable as a lifestyle; it is the serious problem of the through road. It is an arterial road, and it carnage on that road. Engineers tell us that suffers the carnage of an arterial road. It was the road is safe only when carrying traffic at 85 built by the Opposition over a long kilometres per hour. In the mornings, as period—and I go from Hansen to Hinze; I think members who travel the highway would know, Hansen was the Commissioner for Main the traffic travels at 110 to 115 kilometres per Roads when I became a member of this hour and is bumper to bumper coming into the place. That road went through every small city. The death rate on that highway shows town and village, such as Pimpama and that that problem will not go away and that it is Ormeau. beyond all comprehension. 12 September 1995 144 Legislative Assembly

The highway has been called the "death I do not agree with that; I think it is a lot more road", but honourable members opposite than 10 years out of date. The letter would have turned it into the "horror highway". continues— It is not the answer to the problem—and it has "An alternative road is needed. never been the answer—to widen the Pacific Highway to other than six lanes, which has The Veto Eastern Tollway always been proposed by this Government Organisation appears to be a group of 20 and every significant traffic analyst in the self-appointed people wanting to speak State. It is a death road. If I give honourable for the residents of south-east members opposite the figures that show just Queensland." how bad the highway is in comparison with The writer goes on to say that he opposes the other roads in the State, they might start to road for those reasons. realise that their proposal is not the answer. The other area that I would like to broach The Opposition's argument that the is that of coastal management. During the problem can be solved by upgrading the election campaign, we announced an highway and conducting additional traffic work extensive revamp of coastal management is refuted by the fact that accidents are procedures. To me, this issue is probably one caused and traffic jams result from roadworks, of the most important single causes that I witches hats on the road and so on. Last year, have fought for in this Parliament. It was firstly figures released by the Transport Department as the member for Albert that, after examining revealed that 59 people had been killed in areas of the Gold Coast, I took up the cause accidents on the Pacific Highway between of the management of what we regarded as Rochedale and Oxenford. And the area important wetlands and mudflats, which are so between Rochedale and Oxenford does not vital to our fish life and are an important take in the entire area of the Pacific Highway industry for south-east Queensland. It has that I am referring to; those figures are based been proven time and time again that the on the area north of the Gaven Way. The filtering mechanism of mangroves is of figures show that another 300 people needed tremendous advantage to waterways. Those hospital attention. In addition, another 300 members opposite who understand production needed medical attention and there were would know that it has been proven time and 1,058 motor vehicle crashes during the same time again by various research organisations period. that an acre of that type of mangrove is 80 times more productive than the most Mr Connor interjected. productive land on earth. Under the former Mr D'ARCY: Those are statistics from National Party Government, hundreds of the Department of Transport. The honourable thousands of acres of that type of mangrove member should know about those statistics. land were destroyed. They are taken over six years. I remember fighting and having writs filed Any proposal to upgrade the Pacific against me in relation to the Andys Island and Griffin Island development, which is now Highway was not a realistic option. However, Sovereign Island. I refer to the mouth of the that was the option put forward continually by Coomera River and to Sanctuary Cove, which the Opposition. I will quote a section of a letter now feature rock walls. That area had some of that I think is well and truly worth reading. It the best mudflats and sandflats along the states— length of the Coomera River. Those flats have "I want to reinforce the need for the largely been destroyed and development is South Coast Motorway to proceed. I have stretching further up the coast. The been a resident of Redland Shire for 20 Government will bring in a coastal years and of Sheldon for 15 years. management Bill that will preserve many of these areas for future generations of As a fire officer, my colleagues and I Queenslanders. It is absolutely essential that regularly go on to the congested South- this Bill be passed by this Parliament, because East Freeway and Gold Coast Highway to it will mean so much for future generations of cut the bodies of the dead, injured and Queenslanders. Finally, I assure the electors maimed from wrecked vehicles. of Woodridge of my continued excellent The traffic flow appears to be representation. I will continue to address their uncontrollable with vehicles travelling up needs and wants. to 120km/h, bumper to bumper on a road Debate, on motion of Mr Baumann, that is 10 years out of date." adjourned. Legislative Assembly 145 12 September 1995

ADJOURNMENT my dealings with Eric Lenton, I found that he Hon. J. P. ELDER (Capalaba—Minister was a man who had a mission and Winton for Transport and Minister Assisting the was always that mission. Probably one thing Premier on Economic and Trade that Eric Lenton will be remembered for will be Development) (5.17 p.m.): I move— the stand that he took against the Queensland Government when the railway line "That the House do now adjourn." was to be taken away from his town. When the closure of that infrastructure was Mr E. M. Lenton mentioned, he took up the fight in all quarters, and with his town and district behind him he Mr JOHNSON (Gregory) (5.17 p.m.): never altered his attack. That was the sort of This evening, it is with a great deal of sadness man that Eric was. He loved his people, he that I rise to speak in the House. I wish to pay loved his town, he loved his district and he tribute to the late Eric Muir Lenton, the late loved western Queensland. Mayor of Winton Shire. He was born on 23 July 1927 and died suddenly last Friday week, Eric Lenton has certainly left his mark on 1 September 1995. Winton. He achieved much in public office. One of his recent achievements was a town Eric Lenton was a true westerner who lived, breathed and died for Winton. He was a bypass project for heavy vehicles. In April this true Wintonite. In the six years or so that I year, he hosted the Waltzing Matilda have represented the Gregory electorate I centenary celebrations—an event of which this came to know Eric Lenton very, very well. He State and nation were truly proud. Eric was was a very deep man, a very sincere man and one of the main architects in ensuring that the a man who commanded great respect within Diamantina Gardens aged persons complex his own community and right across local became a reality. Over a long period, he government circles in Queensland. This is the pushed to have the Winton-Hughenden road sort of man about whom we do not often have sealed so that the people of his town and the opportunity to say something. This district could have a better quality of life through a sealed link to the coast through evening, it is an honour for me to be able to Hughenden and Charters Towers to put before the House some of the Townsville. In recognition of his service to local achievements of the late Eric Lenton. His government, in 1994 Eric was presented by funeral last week in Winton was attended by the Local Government Association with his 30- many dignitaries. I was extremely sad that I year service badge. was unable to attend the service. However, the Federal member for Kennedy, Bob Katter, In latter years, Eric became very involved mayors and councillors from shires right across in the opal mining industry, which took up a Queensland and relatives and friends paid significant part of his life along with his mayoral their last respects to this true great western duties and his garage business, Winton man. Motors. He was instrumental in securing a new During his youth, Eric Lenton was a water bore for the opal mining people of footballer. He played Rugby League for Opalton. That facility has made the quality of Winton. In later years, he was the president of life of those people something that many only the Winton Rugby League and he was dream of. Eric is survived by his wife, Mavis, honoured with a life membership of both the two sons, Lee and Gary, one daughter, Julie, Winton Rugby League and the Central West his mother, Mrs Charlotte Lenton, daughters- Rugby League. in-law, Desley and Marilyn, seven grandchildren, a brother, Alan, and a sister, Eric Lenton commenced work with his Betty. He was predeceased by brothers father in a carrying business and in latter years Norman and Cecil. worked at Winton Motors, a Ford dealership that was purchased by his father and brother. Eric Lenton was truly one of western As I said, this business was started in Queensland's great personalities. He cared for conjunction with his father and brother, and in his people, his town and his community. I am later years Eric ran the business himself. proud to have been associated with Eric Lenton. No doubt my colleague Mark Eric's life in public office commenced on Stoneman would endorse those sentiments. 19 October 1962, when he was appointed as Mark lived in that region for a long time. I councillor for Division 1 of the Winton Shire thank the honourable members of this House Council. Eric became Mayor by appointment for allowing me to acknowledge the deeds of on 21 September 1987, when he was Eric Lenton. appointed to replace Eric Bryce, and retained that position until his death last Friday week. In Time expired. 12 September 1995 146 Legislative Assembly

French Nuclear Tests come from many countries, but when we go to Mr WELLS (Murrumba) (5.23 p.m.): Tahiti to demonstrate against “la bombe”, we Honourable members would have noticed that do so leaving our political opinions, political the lead story on the front page of today's parties and differences behind; we go only to Courier-Mail is headed "PM fumes over nuke oppose nuclear testing in the Pacific. That row lie". That article refers to a claim by French message was spelled out loudly and clearly. President Jacques Chirac to the effect that I went on to say in that article that we Australia was simply fuelling the independence have nothing against the French nation or the movement in Tahiti and French Polynesia and French people; that we are not opposed to the that the protest which the Australian people French people, nor indeed are we even have been making was merely a pretext or an opposed as an organisation to President excuse. We have heard that sort of thing Chirac. We are opposed to a particular before. The very same sort of remark was decision of President Chirac, namely, the made by President Gaston Flosse, the decision to pollute and destroy the President of French Polynesia, and similar environment of the South Pacific with his remarks have been spread by less official unnecessary nuclear tests. sources in Tahiti on behalf of the French The sorts of smokescreens which are authorities, spreading rumours to the effect that Australia just wants France out of the being put out now by President Chirac and Pacific so that Australia can move in as the President Flosse do nothing for the debate. It new colonial power. is necessary that the French President grasp the simple fact that the events which occurred That type of arrant rubbish needs to be recently in Tahiti occurred because he given the lie to very definitively. That exploded an atom bomb. He needs to grasp statement by the French President was that Australian politicians and politicians from obviously an attack on those Australian all over the world went to Tahiti and Mururoa members of Parliamentarians for a Nuclear to protest because he exploded an atom Free Pacific—but one—who went to Tahiti the bomb. All that has followed has occurred weekend before last and staged a major because President Chirac exploded an atom demonstration there. For the French President bomb. If he loses French Polynesia—if that to attribute that ulterior motive to those 40 or becomes an independent nation—then that so Australian members of Parliament is an will happen because he exploded an atom insult and a falsehood. Those members of bomb. Parliament were members of a bipartisan organisation—a multi-party organisation. Indeed, members of all political parties in Pedestrian Crossing, Nerang Australia were present at the demonstration Mr CONNOR (Nerang) (5.28 p.m.): I which took place in that part of French acknowledge the presence in the Chamber of Polynesia. the Transport Minister as most fortunate, as The official policy of Parliamentarians for a my contribution to this debate involves him Nuclear Free Pacific is that we do not take any directly. attitude to any matter whatsoever apart from I rise to speak on a very urgent issue the issue of anti-nuclear. As some members relating to my electorate. I have raised this are aware, I was sent to Tahiti as the advance issue in the past, and on numerous occasions party for Parliamentarians for a Nuclear Free I have written to the Minister and the Regional Pacific. On behalf of the organisation, I made Director of Transport in relation to it. People statements to the media in which this was continue to be badly injured as a result of the spelled out to the French in their own total lack of action on this very urgent matter. language newspapers. The issue involves an uncontrolled pedestrian I seek leave to table an extract from La crossing in Price Street, Nerang. One would Depeche of 26 August, in which it is spelled imagine that something as simple as an out in considerable detail that the Australian uncontrolled, without signals pedestrian members of Parliament were not going there crossing would be a local administrative as members of their own particular political issue—neither here nor there—that would be parties but in a bipartisan way, their only issue rectified as a matter of course. That has not being anti-nuclear. been the case. This issue has been going on Leave granted. for over five years. Mr WELLS: Among other things, the I bring to the Minister's attention article states that those who would be going correspondence that I sent to him last Friday, there belong to many political parties and and much more—pages and pages of Legislative Assembly 147 12 September 1995 correspondence on this particular issue over I wish you to note the comments many years. I table the letter that was urgently made by the Magistrate in his summary, 'I posted to the Minister on Friday, immediately accept the proposition that it is a after the last accident. I included in that letter dangerous pedestrian crossing'. The a series of photographs of the accident scene, Magistrate also expressed a desire that, the pedestrian crossing, the police, the 'authorities take some action on the ambulance and the motor vehicles involved. crossing.' " In the past, this issue became so serious I will put the Minister and local and so protracted that, to try to help the management back in the firing line. I will re- Government understand the extent of the install the video camera on this pedestrian problem, I set up a video camera in a nearby crossing and, at an appropriate time—and I shop filming the particular crossing. That film hope I do not have to do this—I will release shows numerous near misses and the extent my small library of near misses and eventually, of the danger on that pedestrian crossing. unfortunately, I will probably be releasing When the regional director finally acquiesced footage of maybe even a death due to and agreed to install signals at the pedestrian inaction. I would expect the Minister to be crossing, I withdrew the continual video totally responsible for this, but I also accept surveillance of that crossing. That was about the fact that this is more a local matter and 18 months ago. Since then, there has been that the local manager should take some an agreement to install signals at the crossing. responsibility for it. There has also been public consultation in Time expired. relation to it, involving a series of public meetings, and so on. That process was Student Performance Standards completed almost 12 months ago, yet nothing has happened in relation to the installation of Mr CAMPBELL (Bundaberg) those traffic lights. In fact, somehow or other, (5.33 p.m.): The Queensland Teachers Union the regional director decided to link in another has organised a ballot on enterprise set of traffic lights on a totally separate bargaining in SPS—Student Performance intersection and the sequencing of another set Standards— which closes on 5 October. The of traffic lights at another intersection. options to be decided by the teachers are Somehow he uses that as the argument for whether implementation of SPS should not having to install signals at that particular continue or whether the SPS should be intersection. It goes on and on. It is an banned with the consequential effect of the absolute joke. That is the weakest and lamest QTU breaching the enterprise agreement. excuse I have ever heard for justifying a In some cases, teachers have been told continuing dangerous situation. The pig- that if they do not vote for SPS they will lose headedness of the Minister, previous Ministers their pay rises. SPS should not be negotiated and the manager at the Transport Department as part of enterprise bargaining, it should be has allowed this to continue. Without a doubt, introduced only on its educational merit. Is the continued serious injury of the local people SPS a beneficial educational tool? Is it the of Nerang is a direct and personal best educational process to introduce? responsibility of the Minister, his predecessors Information provided to me by experienced and local management. teachers indicates that SPS is not the process to introduce to obtain the best results for I have with me—and I table them—a children. Simply, SPS is a method of series of letters detailing the problems. A assessment; it is a process, not an end in series of front-page articles in the local itself. The education of our children is the end, newspaper have detailed the problem, all of SPS is the process. which have been forwarded to the Minister and John Veidis of the Transport Department. I made a public comment, and the results All of these articles have been detailed here in of that comment were papers sent from the past, yet the problem continues. I refer to schools all over Queensland to say that they a letter I sent to the previous Minister, Mr agreed that SPS has problems. At one school, Hamill, on 16 May last year. It states— 28 teachers signed a letter which states— "It is a system which is badly "I bring your attention to a court designed and will be very difficult to action before Magistrate David Hogan at implement effectively. the Southport Court on Friday 13 May. The action involved the conviction of Ian Teachers are being asked to assess Kenneth Hoult for severely injuring a students using a system which has few pedestrian, Ms Dale Pilbeam, at the benefits for students, teachers or parents. pedestrian crossing in question. . . . 12 September 1995 148 Legislative Assembly

Teachers believe that the system is concern teachers are very worried far too complex and too time-consuming about leaving children under teacher for the return. aide supervision for long periods of . . . time while they do individual assessment." The Curriculum section of the Education Department glosses over the An individual teacher wrote— difficulties presented by SPS and have "Teachers were not consulted in the failed to address the real concerns of introduction of SPS, inservicing is teachers who have genuinely attempted inadequate, information regarding SPS is to implement a poorly designed system. constantly being changed and there are . . . inconsistencies within and between SPS and the Continuum." It would be far better to abolish the present format of SPS, accept the losses, I am not sure what "the continuum" means; it admit its failure, and begin afresh with was not around when I went to school. much wider consultation with classroom Another teacher sent a letter that states— teachers who understand what is needed "The education of the children we in schools and classrooms. teach is in serious jeopardy because Teachers support the idea of a teachers' time and effort has been standardised reporting system but with a diverted away from our real different structure. The proposed format responsibilities, the children, to paperwork will be very confusing for many parents. and a predominance of assessment related issues." What is needed is a new set of levels I received a fax from another teacher which with new outcomes based on our own states— very successful Queensland Syllabus." "As a classroom teacher of 16 years Twenty-eight teachers signed that letter. with a special interest in the education of A letter sent to me from the Wide Bay children with special needs, I see SPS as Northern School Support Centre states— both a waste of time and money. (The "SPS and aspects of the Diagnostic teachers' time and the Qld taxpayers' Net are unworkable in their present format money)." for these reasons:— Dedicated and experienced teachers 1. Difficulties making links with the need time to educate children. We have to Queensland Curriculum (Maths) and allow the teachers to teach. A simpler system the excessive time taken to do this. than Student Performance Standards is needed. We need a broad comparative and 2. Language of outcomes and objective assessment system to measure the pointer statements is unfriendly. educational levels of our children. I say to the 3. The focus is on collecting Education Department that if we want an assessment information rather than effective process of assessment, we need on the learning and teaching KISS, that is, "Keep it simple, stupid." I ask process. the Education Department to let the teachers 4. Professional Development teach. materials provided including the CD Rom package are ineffective and Council Amalgamations unrealistic. Mrs McCAULEY (Callide) (5.38 p.m.): It 5. Current arrangements for non- seems opportune tonight to talk about the contact time do not provide teachers amalgamation of councils and to look at the with a realistic solution to cope with progress or otherwise of the new super the extra workload. councils, such as Gold Coast/Albert, 6. The excessive time spent on Ipswich/Moreton and Cairns/Mulgrave. I transferring data from checklists, thought it would be interesting to go back to a worksamples and anecdotal notes to press release issued in January this year in recording formats, which is purely which I stated— administrative, frustrates and causes "Can anybody show me where stress to teachers. taxpayers or ratepayers ever get real 7. In classes, particularly those where meaningful flow-ons from government behaviour management is a major razor gangs or cost cutting exercises?" Legislative Assembly 149 12 September 1995

I warned that in the end ratepayers would pay Some of them have been fairly static ever dearly for amalgamations and that the since the amalgamations took place, and that promise of real cost savings was a myth. That is well over six months ago. They have been press release further states— static in everything except their own pay rises "Financial advantages for the and improvements in conditions of work. They ratepayers will be flushed away by have certainly not been backward in coming sewerage infrastructure alone. forward with those. I refer to the Ipswich and Gold Coast City Councils. We're seeing that now in health services in Queensland where there have I think it is unfortunate that the five-year been record budgets, lavish spending but term has led these councillors to believe that poorer service delivery to the patients, they can help themselves with a comparative particularly in rural and provincial areas. degree of immunity from a backlash from the The same can be applied to most ratepayers, because the ratepayers cannot government departments. The cost get at them until after the year 2000. That is cutting doesn't materialise in real savings why I believe that those councils should come for the consumers. back into line with other councils and have to face the electors after a three-year term. I The successful debt reduction know that it would certainly make them far policies of councils have been thrown more accountable. It would get their attention aside and mergers mean more urgent far quicker than anything else that the infrastructure for which borrowings will be Government did. It would certainly go a long huge, and at a time when lending rates way towards appeasing the ratepayers, are rising." especially the ones who live in the Ipswich City I could be forgiven for saying, "I told you so", Council area who have seen their rates go up because the coalition has always been by some 60 per cent in the recent budget. opposed to forced amalgamations— They would be very keen to go to the polls consistently and strongly opposed—since they once more and vote to have their say as to were introduced in 1990. In this place and in whether that council should stay for five years. the media, we have been warning that It was interesting to note that the Ipswich City amalgamation was not going to solve Council budget was passed by a majority of problems and that it was a politically based only two. The vote was seven to five—— exercise. Mr FitzGerald: One of them was away. In March this year, when the Opposition Mrs McCAULEY: One of the councillors moved a disallowance motion against the is sailing the seven seas—not that he is a amalgamations to form those three big super great loss, but I think it clearly shows the councils, I stated— priorities of the gentleman. He is an elected "I hold some concerns about the councillor; he is paid as a councillor but he was mayors who were recently elected to lead not there when the budget was brought down. those super-councils. They have a five- I find that quite astounding. On the Gold year term, and that is a long time. If one Coast, the quite large pay rise which the were looking for a businessman to run a councillors voted themselves was passed by business of the size of those authorities only eight votes to seven. That has all been and having the sort of budget that they put on hold now. Because of the anger of the will have, one would be looking for ratepayers, a petition containing some 18,000 somebody with an MBA and all the plus signatures has been given to one of the qualifications under the sun. However, in Gold Coast members, I understand, against the main the elected mayors have no that pay rise for the Gold Coast councillors. I qualifications for their job. It will be think it is important that those super councils interesting to see how they go. come back to a three-year term. Five years is I wish them well, but I would not be obviously far too long. They have said, "We surprised if some of them find that the job will get this over and done with now. We know is too big for them." that people's memories are not very long. They will not suffer." I think that that is already evident in some of the super councils. Some of them have Time expired. been—— Mr McElligott: Which ones? Sandgate Electorate Mrs McCAULEY: The honourable Mr NUTTALL (Sandgate) (5.43 p.m.): member can work that out as we go along. During the last election campaign, I gave an 12 September 1995 150 Legislative Assembly undertaking to my constituents that one of the the electorate are currently being used for major issues that I would address was the sporting facilities, but they obviously will not growth in the Bracken Ridge and Fitzgibbon cope with the growth. There is a dump site at areas, which are in the bottom half of my Fitzgibbon that is now closed, and a number electorate. A certain part of that area is owned of organisations have expressed interest in by the Department of Housing and Local developing that site for sporting facilities. The Government. There is a plan to build what is Seahawks Sporting Club is one organisation called a transit oriented development—a TOD, which has made its expressions of interest for short. known to the Brisbane City Council, and there I spoke about that development in the are some grand plans to develop that site as a previous Parliament. That development will, on major sporting facility. In addition, Queensland its completion, bring between 3,000 and 4,000 Basketball Incorporated is keen to develop additional residents into my electorate. In some sort of a major centre on the site. I have addition to that development, other areas are also had discussions with the YMCA, which being developed by private developers. So owns some land in the area and which is keen there is a fair amount of pressure being to look at perhaps doing a swap with the applied to facilities within my electorate, and Brisbane City Council so that it can provide that issue needs to be addressed. some sort of development there. The Life. Be in it people are also keen to look at managing I am pleased to say that the Brisbane City some sort of sporting facilities development. Council is organising what is called a local area So a number of organisations are interested in outline plan and is involving the community in developing some sort of facility in the area, but developing that plan to deal with the growth. we have to look at that fairly carefully and fairly In developing that plan, we are looking for closely. well-planned community and neighbourhood developments and facilities, such as schools, I have been pushing this issue for quite open spaces, transport networks, sporting some time and have written to the Minister for facilities and a shopping centre. It is about Housing and Local Government to include in planning for the future and looking after not the planning stages a community centre and a only the people who will move into my community health centre. I am pleased to say electorate but also our existing constituents by that the Minister has responded. I wrote to him making sure that the facilities within the on 4 August and he responded to me on 4 electorate that service them are not strained. September, indicating quite clearly that he has In the last Parliament, part of my asked his department to prepare a submission campaign was to secure a commitment to to the Planning and Infrastructure build a new railway station on the Caboolture Coordinating Committee in regard to this line. I am pleased to say that the Transport development and to look at the facilities that I Minister was able to accede to that request, have been asking for so that they will be and a new train station will be built in the area planned in the very early stages of this within the next few years. development. I thank the Minister for that response. Mrs Woodgate: Good representation. I want to assure the residents of the Mr NUTTALL: That is an important Bracken Ridge and Fitzgibbon areas, both point. If we are going to encourage people to present and future, that as their local member use public transport more and use roads less, I will do everything I can to ensure that they we as a Government have to be prepared to have the best of facilities. provide those facilities, and that is exactly what we are doing. In addition to that, there are a Time expired. number of other issues that need to be Motion agreed to. addressed. One of those, of course, is the provision of sporting facilities. Several sites in The House adjourned at 5.48 p.m.