9 Oct 2003 Legislative Assembly 3873

THURSDAY, 9 OCTOBER 2003

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

PRIVILEGE Townsville Hospital, Emergency Department Wait Times; Mr M. Clarke Hon. W. M. EDMOND (Mount Coot-tha—ALP) (Minister for Health and Minister Assisting the Premier on Women's Policy) (9.31 a.m.): I rise on a matter of privilege. Yesterday in question time and in today's media the member for Maroochydore claimed a patient at Townsville had been diagnosed with cancer and had been forced to wait more than 30 days to be admitted for further testing and treatment. The member for Maroochydore said the patient was still waiting due to a lack of hospital beds. The following are the facts of this matter. The hospital has advised that this patient has been receiving appropriate treatment for some months. The diagnostic testing is to monitor his progress. I am advised by the hospital that these tests are normally done on an outpatient basis and there is no clinical reason for the patient to be admitted. He was seen on 16 September 2003 by Dr Ian Irving, Director of Medical Oncology, and it was agreed that he could be admitted as an inpatient to perform the diagnostic procedures. The patient advised that he was going on holidays and it was agreed that when he returned the necessary arrangements for the diagnostic procedures would be made. He returned approximately one week ago from his holidays and the hospital indicated it expected to admit him in the next few days. I am assured that the procedure is not medically urgent and therefore the time frame is quite acceptable.

PRIVILEGE National Party: Sport and Recreation Policy Hon. K. R. LINGARD (Beaudesert—NPA) (9.33 a.m.): I rise on a matter of privilege. Yesterday in this House the Deputy Premier accepted a Dorothy Dix question about the National Party's sport and recreation policy. Every member of this House would have heard the Deputy Premier say that the first policy was to re-establish the Office of Sport and Recreation and then they would have heard his criticism of the fact that the office is already there. I was also concerned because the National Party has committees who write policy and these policies are approved by shadow ministers who must take responsibility for them. But then I went to the web site, I retrieved the policy and read it. The number one policy states— Mr SPEAKER: Order! This sounds more like a debate which you could bring up at any time. What is your point of privilege? Mr LINGARD: The web site article states— Re-establish the Office of Sport and Recreation to ensure that proper recognition is given to, and due importance is placed on, the sport and recreation industry in Queensland. Later it continues to outline how this recognition will be carried out. The Deputy Premier has taken the first words of a sentence and read them out in a blatantly dishonest and deceptive manner. Similarly, other statements have been selectively taken from the sentences. The Premier has made an issue of this recently and has criticised members for selective quoting. Mr SPEAKER: Order! Is this a point of privilege? Mr LINGARD: The matter has been referred to the ethics committee. The Premier has made statements in this House followed by orchestrated 'Hear, hears' from the ALP members. Yet we find the Deputy Premier thumbing his nose at the Premier and using this House to conduct dishonest attacks. The opposition has shown the Deputy Premier considerable courtesy over a period of 25 years and the Deputy Premier has many issues which could be the subject of personal attacks. Mr SPEAKER: I am showing courtesy to the member for Beaudesert— Mr LINGARD: I will finish. 3874 Ministerial Statement 9 Oct 2003

Mr SPEAKER:—but this is not a matter of privilege. Mr LINGARD: He has made many mistakes recently in the interpretation of standing orders. He has been the subject of vicious attacks in the Courier-Mail, and when his voice cracks in this House the opposition extends the courtesy of the House. Mr SPEAKER: Order! No! This is— Mr LINGARD: All Australians are prepared to walk past a sick dog in the street, but if the dog— Mr SPEAKER: Order! Mr LINGARD:—then turns around and bites you— Mr SPEAKER: Order! Order! Mr LINGARD:—there can be no respect. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Beaudesert! Mr LINGARD: I have no respect— Mr SPEAKER: Order! Mr LINGARD:—for what happened yesterday. Mr SPEAKER: Order! That is a personal reflection on the member. It is not a matter of privilege.

PETITIONS The following honourable member has lodged a paper petition for presentation—

Regional Nature Conservation Strategy Mrs Smith from 2,200 petitioners requesting the House to endorse the south east Queensland's Regional Nature Conservation Strategy and declare vegetation cleaning as an environmentally relevant activity under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and to allocate adequate funding for koala research, education, management and acquisition of koala habitat in the Gold Coast region.

The following honourable member has sponsored an e-petition which is now closed and presented—

Criminal Court Cases Mr Springborg from 101 petitioners requesting the House to remove the right for silence in Queensland Criminal Court cases.

PAPER MINISTERIAL PAPER TABLED BY THE CLERK The following ministerial paper was tabled by The Clerk— Attorney-General and Minister for Justice (Mr Welford)— Four reports by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice under section 56A(4) of the Statutory Instruments Act 1992

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Mr R. Power Hon. P. D. BEATTIE ( Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.36 a.m.): It is with sadness that I report to the House that Townsville Enterprise Chief Executive Richard Power died yesterday following a 14-month battle with cancer. Richard was appointed Chief Executive of Townsville Enterprise in January 1994. Before that he held senior management positions in manufacturing, retail and free-to-air broadcast television. The success of his nine years with the enterprise is shown by Townsville Enterprise now being used throughout as a model for regional marketing and sustainable development. Richard has been a magnificent contributor to the growth of the Townsville/Thuringowa region and indeed the whole of the north Queensland region. He played a major role in the development in north Queensland and had a great influence in shaping its infrastructure. He had my personal respect and I had a very high regard for him. He will be sadly missed. His funeral will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, 10 October, at St James Cathedral. I have asked the Minister for Emergency Services to represent the government at that service. I also express our deepest sympathy to Richard's wife, Gillian, and their two daughters. As I say, he will be sadly missed. 9 Oct 2003 Ministerial Statement 3875

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Slim Dusty Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.38 a.m.): Mr Speaker, while I am talking about solemn matters—I had the strange pleasure of joining with mourners from all over Australia in singing A Pub with No Beer while representing Queensland at the state funeral of Australian country music legend Slim Dusty on Friday, 26 September, in Sydney. I acknowledge that Jeff Seeney represented the opposition on that occasion. Slim was a great friend to Queensland and to so many Queenslanders. I was privileged to, on behalf of all Queenslanders, extend our deepest sympathies to Slim's wife, Joy McKean, and their children Anne and David Kirkpatrick and their families. All of us loved Slim. He was an inspiration for so many for so long. Rich or poor, city or country, black or white, it mattered not—Slim was loved by all and, like few individuals, he united the nation. It is people like Slim who enhance the best values in our already cherished reputation. It is hard to imagine any other Australian being bestowed the honour of a nationally televised funeral. Today I want to thank the ABC, Channel Nine and Sky News for doing that. It was fitting and proper that such a contributor to making this a better nation was afforded such an honour. Slim's passing is sad, but Australia is a better place for him and his lifelong contribution not just to country music but to our very fabric as a nation. As he would often say: happy camp fires, old mate!

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.39 a.m.): Today I want to congratulate the Brisbane Lions on having done themselves, this city and this state proud in winning their third premiership—'threepeat' it is now called. I congratulate all of them. Their win in the AFL grand final at the Cricket Ground the Saturday before last was a memorable moment in this state's sporting history. It was also an honour to host a state and council reception in King George Square and a ticker tape parade for the Lions. I say to them: well done and we look forward to a 'fourpeat'. I seek leave to incorporate the rest of my ministerial statement in Hansard. Leave granted. They have also done their band of Fitzroy Lions fans in Melbourne proud. Right from the very start at 2.30pm on Saturday September 27 it was obvious they were primed to claim another title. By quarter time it was obvious they were the better team. By half time the Collingwood fans were virtually silenced—and by three quarter time some of them were even doing the unthinkable—heading home. The win cements the Lions' and Australian Football's standing in this State. No longer is it just a league and union home for the winter football codes—Australian football truly is now a national code. I believe the Lions' win was even more exciting because so many of the players were home grown talent—such as the Captain , , Clarke Keating, , Robbie Copeland and Television ratings and spectator numbers this year at the Gabba attest to ever-increasing support levels. A packed King George Square last Tuesday also yells that Brisbane is Lions territory. Lions coach and skipper Michael Voss have set new standards when it comes to professionalism The coming season will be a tough one if they are to add to the threepeat, but with Matthews and Voss and I hope the majority of the team remaining I am confident that a fourpeat is distinctly possible. While addressing successful Queensland sportspeople I want today to also praise Brisbane's John Lang for coaching the Penrith Panthers to win Sunday night's NRL decider against the Roosters. It was one of the best games of rugby league seen for years. John Lang has been a sentimental Queenslander for many years as both player and coach and he deserves every praise for the Panthers' great win. As does Darren Lockyer on his selection as the Kangaroo captain for the upcoming Test and tour. 3876 Ministerial Statement 9 Oct 2003

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Reconciliation Awards Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.40 a.m.): I want to congratulate Queensland's business community on the role it is playing in the reconciliation process. Encouraging indigenous Australians to participate fully in all aspects of our society—culturally, socially, and economically—is an important step towards achieving reconciliation. I have established a number of awards to recognise those in business who are sharing that vision, and I seek leave to incorporate the details in Hansard. Leave granted. My Government is promoting partnerships in regions such as Cape York and has established the Queensland Indigenous Arts Marketing and Export Agency to promote indigenous art. However, we can't achieve reconciliation on our own. That's why it was a pleasure last week to recognise Queensland businesses that are working, in their own ways, towards reconciliation through the inaugural Queensland Government Reconciliation Awards for Business. The Awards are designed to encourage successful reconciliation initiatives and offer guidance to the many Queenslanders who have a passion for advancing reconciliation, but are unsure of the best way to go about it. They reflect my Government's commitment to giving everyone a fair go and they are just one of the ways in which we are working to ensure that Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders share in the benefits of the Smart State. I'm particularly pleased that of the 59 entries for this year's awards, half of them were from regional Queensland, with winners coming from as far as Weipa, Townsville and the Gulf of Carpentaria. These awards will help break down barriers and recognise the knowledge and skills that indigenous people are contributing to our community. I include the list of winners and highly commended entries. Category: The Premier's Reconciliation Award for Business ¥ Winner Purga Matching Grant. A joint initiative of The Rotary Club of Goodna and The Purga Elders Category: Employment Small Business ¥ Highly commended Hospitality R Us Jim Ralph Employment Consultancy ¥ Winner Townsville Indigenous Developments for Excellence League Medium Business ¥ Joint winners: South Bank Corporation Boystown Enterprises and Training Large Business ¥ Highly Commended Comalco ¥ Winner Pasminco Century Mine Limited Innovation and Smart State Initiatives ¥ Highly commended Hogarth Arts Australia Natural Partners Australia ¥ Joint winners Urban Art Projects First Contact Aboriginal Corporation for Youth Joint Ventures Small Business ¥ Highly commended Hospitality R Us ¥ Winner Rotary Club of Goodna / The Purga Elders Medium Business ¥ Highly Commended Dreamtime Cultural Centre / Rockhampton Heritage Village 9 Oct 2003 Ministerial Statement 3877

Medium Business ¥ Winner Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd / Department of Main Roads Georgina River Alliance / Dugalunji Aboriginal Corporation / Roadtek Large Business ¥ Winner Queensland Art Gallery Comalco in partnership with Western Cape College

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Economic Growth Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.40 a.m.): Independent experts continue to expect Queensland to drive national economic growth. I am happy to report to the House that in its September quarter 2003 business outlook report independent analyst Access Economics stated that any state that can rack-up more than 5 per cent growth in output in a year that included SARS, the Iraq war, striking global weakness and failure of the Broncos to make the grand final deserves all the applause it can get. Access's bullish forecast of 5.5 per cent economic growth, which is above our forecast of 4.75 per cent, is a resounding vote of confidence in the Queensland economy. I seek leave to incorporate the details in Hansard. Leave granted. Access points to a range of factors that have helped drive Queensland's success—including population growth, housing activity, consumer spending and investment. Comparing various states and territories, it expects Queensland to continue growing faster than Australia as a whole. One of our key sectors is small and medium enterprises, and I noted with interest the recent Sensis Business Index (formerly known as the Yellow Pages Business Index Survey). This showed business confidence among Queensland SMEs rising for the fifth consecutive quarter. The business confidence index for Queensland for the next 12 months stands at 71—10 percentage points above the national average of 61. Sales, profits and capital expenditure indicators are all up. Strong economic activity is great news for jobs. The ANZ job advertisement numbers for Queensland increased by 2.4 % in September, to be 11.4% higher over the year. In contrast the annual job series for Australia declined by 0.9 per cent. Queensland's job advertisement numbers are now at their highest level since October 1989—the best in 14 years. Australian Bureau of Statistics data show 53,600 jobs were created in Queensland in the past year. This was the highest number of jobs created in any State and comprised about one-third of all jobs created nationally. The August trend unemployment rate was the lowest rate since January 1990. This contrasts to the peak jobless rate delivered by the Coalition when in government—9.5%. However we won't be complacent. Signs of an emerging international recovery are becoming clearer, but we want to see this growth reflected in exports. And future interest rate rises are looming on the horizon as another challenge to business and households. It remains to be seen whether the Federal Government can deliver on housing affordability by keeping interest rates in check. In the face of these challenges the Queensland Government will do all it can to maintain Queensland as the economic engine room of Australia.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Aviation Industry Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.41 a.m.): I recently opened the Boeing chair of systems engineering at the University of Queensland. Boeing has invested $1.5 million in this new chair and expects to train some 300 students a year in a discipline which is in high demand around the world. In cooperation with Virgin Blue, Boeing is also setting up a flight training centre at Brisbane airport. It is under construction and is expected 3878 Ministerial Statement 9 Oct 2003 to take its first students in January or February. The centre will have a couple of simulators to train pilots and simulators to train cabin crews, aircraft mechanics and everybody involved in aviation. It will serve the whole of the South Pacific area, possibly as far as Asia, and it will be open to all airlines and all aircraft manufacturers. I thank the Minister for State Development, Tom Barton, and the Minister for Innovation, Paul Lucas, for their support. I seek leave to incorporate the rest of the statement in Hansard. Leave granted. Ken Morton, Director Of Communications, Boeing Australia, used my words to say that these were all smart jobs, which would help the Smart State. Until six years ago the Boeing Australia headquarters was Sydney but the company says it wanted to have a good labour force, and also an attractive position. So that's why it moved to Brisbane. Expansion has followed as the State Government has pursued its aviation and aerospace strategy. There are only 6,000 Boeing employees outside the USA, and more than 1,000 of them are in Queensland. We will be doing our utmost to ensure that this is not the end of the story and that this industry continues to soar.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Public Service Charter Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.42 a.m.): The Queensland Public Service has a key role in building the Smart State. The Chief Executive Officer Governance Committee, which was established in August 2001, advises cabinet on the challenges, opportunities and future directions of the Queensland Public Service. The committee has now developed a framework for the future governance of the Queensland Public Service. Called Realising The Vision—Governance for the Smart State, the framework is founded on agencies working together to generate better responses to community needs. It is based on harnessing the opportunities of the information revolution to generate innovative policies and programs and improve services for the people of Queensland. I seek leave to incorporate the rest of the details of my ministerial statement in Hansard. Leave granted. It focuses on better meeting the needs of Queenslanders, on developing forward-looking solutions, and on delivering outcomes that matter. Realising the Vision values the work of public servants and encourages innovation across government. It is supported by a public service charter that defines the three commitments public servants make every day: a commitment to serving the government of the day a commitment to serving the people of Queensland a commitment to a professional public service. It gives direction to public servants on their relationships with the government of the day and the community. It is a statement about pride and professional identity in the public service. Mr BEATTIE: I table for the information of all members a copy of Realising the Vision.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Bali Bombing, First Anniversary Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.44 a.m.): This Sunday, 12 October, marks the first anniversary of the Bali bombing. It is a time when we must all pause to reflect on that senseless loss of life. Some 202 people lost their lives when bombs destroyed the Sari Club and Paddy's Bar and surrounds. Eighty-eight who died were Australians. Amongst those who died were seven Queenslanders—David Kent, Robert Thwaites, Nathan Swain, Jared Gane, Billy Hardy, Jodie Cearns and Julie Stevenson. On Sunday I am asking that Queenslanders pause to reflect on that horrible tragedy. As well as all flags flying at half-mast, I am also calling upon religious groups gathering for weekend services to include Bali memorial elements in their programs. Queenslanders are marking the day in different ways. Some are wearing orange ribbons—the Bali symbol of peace—and others will be gathering in memorial services. Those services include the fact that Ms Quentin Bryce AC, Governor of Queensland, will dedicate a Bali monument at the Allambe Gardens Crematorium at 2.00 p.m., and I will be represented at that. The Bali monument will be inscribed with the names of the 88 Australians killed in the bombing. 9 Oct 2003 Ministerial Statement 3879

The monument is supported by the Zero to One Foundation which was founded by Geoffrey and Syamsinar Thwaites, parents of Robert Thwaites, whom I named earlier. The Zero to One Foundation aims to provide direct relief and assistance to victims of terrorism and their immediate family and dependants. Another service is one organised by the Australian Federal Police. The AFP is holding a gathering and ecumenical service at its Northern Headquarters in Wharf Street at Spring Hill beginning at 4.30 p.m. The Innovation and Information Economy Minister, Paul Lucas, will represent the government at this gathering. I will be attending events in north Queensland and at all of those gatherings I will be calling on those present to not pause for a minute but to pause for 88 seconds to pay due respect to each of those Australians who lost their lives. The 88 seconds of silence is in line with a similar gesture being undertaken in Victoria by Premier Steve Bracks following a suggestion from some of the families of the victims. That time will be a time for us to also remember the family members, friends and mates of those who lost loved ones. We as a nation hope and pray that there will never be repeats of Anzac Cove, Tobruk, Long Tan and the likes, but we, especially our youth, must now be vigilant and mindful that there are new battlefronts and we must be alert to those people whose actions we cannot understand and whose actions we deplore. Sadly, so many young people lost their lives that night and so many were injured. The 12 months have passed so quickly, but for those who lost loved ones or were injured it must have seemed a lifetime. We as a nation must never forget them. Sunday is also a time to reflect on the exceptional work done by all members of Queensland police, Queensland Health, Queensland Ambulance Service and Queensland Fire and Rescue Service in dealing with all emergencies and tragedies. These agencies, as proven in October last year, combined their already tasked roles to, at a moment's notice, communicate, plan and work effectively across state, Commonwealth and international agencies in a time of great need. Mr Speaker, with your permission, I now call on all members to stand in silence for 88 seconds. Honourable members stood in silence.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Gold Coast Indy Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH (Chatsworth—ALP) (Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Sport) (9.49 a.m.): Queensland is the home of international sporting events this month. Not only do we have the Rugby World Cup but the engines have started and the green light is on for our annual Indy carnival, known to the opposition as the grand prix. From 23 October to 26 October the streets of the Gold Coast— Mr LINGARD: I rise to a point of order. The policy says the 'grand prix in Queensland'. Mr SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Mr MACKENROTH: The last time I looked, Surfers Paradise was in Queensland, and we knew that. From 23 October to 26 October the streets of the Gold Coast will once again play host to this spectacular event, one of the premier motor sport festivals in the world. Once again this year it promises to be better than ever. Lexmark has signed on as the new naming rights sponsor. It has signed a four-year multimillion-dollar agreement, and I am sure having the support of a global company that has achieved great success in the printing market will ensure Indy continues to grow. This year the double-header will take top billing featuring the Champ cars in the 19th round of the World Series and the Gillette V8 Super Car Challenge in the 11th round of the Australian V8 Super Car Championship Series. There will also be a massive on and off track entertainment program that will feature support motor events, the Bartercard Miss Indy, nightclub parties, equine events, car shows, surf- lifesaving, barbecues, family days, sailing, parades, themed breakfasts, lunches and dinners, and a gala ball and much more. The signs are already surfacing that this year could be Indy's biggest yet. Sales are again strong and I am advised they are on track to surpass last year's record numbers with more than 300,000 expected through the gates over the four days of the event. Now in its 13th year, Indy is one of Queensland's greatest success stories for tourism. It pumps more than $50 million into the state economy each year. It benefits many industries, including retail and hospitality. Then there is the added benefit of broadcasting the wonders of the Gold Coast and Queensland to a potential audience of more than 250 million viewers in 54 countries. That is something money cannot buy and is just one reason why the Beattie government is such a strong supporter of the Lexmark Indy 300. 3880 Ministerial Statement 9 Oct 2003

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Higher Education Reforms Hon. A. M. BLIGH (South Brisbane—ALP) (Minister for Education) (9.50 a.m.): As Queensland Year 12 students enter their final term of school, many of them will be wondering whether they have done enough to secure a university place. It is a sad fact that thousands of this year's school leavers and mature-age students who are seeking a university opportunity will miss out next year. After almost two years in the portfolio, the federal Education Minister, Brendan Nelson, has comprehensively failed to offer any hope to these aspiring young people. Dr Nelson's much- touted higher education reform package—which was introduced into federal parliament last month, and is being debated in the Senate today—puts ideology over opportunity. It supports increased student fees, deregulation and ties funds to draconian workplace requirements, but it does not offer any relief to growth pressures, and no new places until 2007. This is cold comfort to the current senior students. Access to higher education will increasingly be determined by a student's ability to pay, which will leave some of our most capable young minds out in the cold. It comes as no surprise that the minister's reform package appears doomed to fail. Already Labor, the Democrats, Greens and One Nation Senator Len Harris have vowed to reject key elements of the package and other key senators have indicated they may follow suit unless there are major changes. Meeting after meeting of the Senate committee inquiry into this legislation, which has held public hearings across the country, have lambasted major elements of the package. The Australian Vice-Chancellors Committee has rejected the federal government's 'unworkable' industrial relations reforms which they claim are tied to 'illusory funding'. For the first time since 1996, university staff across the country have voted to take a 24-hour nationwide strike at all 38 of Australia's public universities on 16 October. This is in direct response to the federal government's threats to deny universities up to $404 million in extra funds unless they adopt a range of hardline workplace requirements. Dr Nelson has been busily pursuing this unnecessary ideologically driven industrial relations agenda instead of getting on with what his central responsibility is, and that is providing some real relief to the young people who are the future of this country. Mr Lucas interjected. Ms BLIGH: Yes, it is funny that someone from the AMA would be bringing these tactics into this arena. Dr Nelson is clearly on the ropes. The reform package he has been crowing about for the past year is unravelling before his eyes. To date he has made some very small alterations, including, for example, expanding regional loadings for universities to include off-campus students—something I applaud and which Queensland has lobbied for, but it is nothing more than tinkering at the edges. The federal minister has failed to move on the single biggest issue facing Queensland's universities, and that is meeting the growth and unmet demand. This year about 7,000 eligible Queenslanders were denied a place, and the situation is only going to get worse. Queensland will continue to press its case for more subsidised university places. We need them to meet our booming population. The reforms as they stand are not in Queensland's interests and they are definitely not in the national interest.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Visual Arts Hon. M. J. FOLEY (Yeerongpilly—ALP) (Minister for Employment, Training and Youth and Minister for the Arts) (9.53 a.m.): I inform the House today that the Queensland government will increase its investment in the contemporary visual arts and craft sector by $3.5 million over the next four years. This is in response to the recommendations of the national report of the contemporary visual arts and craft inquiry known as the Myer report. This funding is a vote of confidence in the vibrant and fast developing indigenous arts and crafts industry in this state. It also recognises the contribution to cultural and economic life made by Queensland's artists, craft practitioners and cultural organisations nationally and internationally. This funding forms part of an overall suite of initiatives, including the new Gallery of Modern Art, which in itself confirms this government's commitment to the contemporary visual arts and crafts sector. This investment is expected to help significantly in building viable and sustainable economic outcomes for the indigenous arts and crafts industry, as well as the broader 9 Oct 2003 Ministerial Statement 3881 contemporary visual arts sector. Where indigenous art has come from and where it is headed is clearly illustrated in the art of the rainforest and Cape York, Story Place, currently showing at the Queensland Art Gallery. This new investment will nurture the talents of emerging artists and strengthen a sector that already boasts artists of the calibre of those from the Lockhart River Art Gang, such as Rosella Namok and Fiona Omeenyo, and the carvers and sculptors of Aurukun, such as Garry Namponan. As well, it will provide opportunities to invest in the work of arts and crafts organisations, providing a much-needed boost to resources. Funding will also be available for research and development, touring and publishing, professional development and international engagement, particularly within the Asia-Pacific region. This funding was earmarked for the operation of the Queensland Indigenous Arts Marketing and Export Agency, QIAMEA, in the Department of State Development and funding provided to Arts Queensland for operational funding for arts and cultural organisations. Arts means jobs. This boost of $3.5 million will help support employment in the visual arts sector.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Mr G. Nash; Royal Brisbane Hospital Hon. W. M. EDMOND (Mount Coot-tha—ALP) (Minister for Health and Minister Assisting the Premier on Women's Policy) (9.56 a.m.): I recently had one of my most gratifying experiences as Health Minister when former Bali bombing patient Gary Nash came back to Brisbane to thank the staff at Royal Brisbane Hospital for the role they played in saving his life. In the lead-up to the first anniversary of the horrendous bombing, the reunion at the hospital was emotional and heart- warming. Gary had been given only a 10 per cent chance of survival by doctors after being airlifted to the intensive care unit of the Royal Brisbane Hospital on 15 October last year. He had received burns to more than 50 per cent of his body in the explosion at Paddy's Bar. The 59-year-old from Perth required skin grafts to his upper body, his arms and legs. He spent almost two months in the hospital's burns unit, during which time staff were impressed by his courage and his positive attitude. The purpose of the reunion was to give Gary an opportunity to thank the staff for their tremendous work and let them see how well he had progressed. But it was also a chance to recognise the inspirational strength and determination that Gary has demonstrated. One of the doctors at the reunion said the combination of Gary's burns, his shrapnel injuries, the amount of smoke he inhaled and his age made it an absolute miracle that he pulled through. Recognising the important work being done at the Statewide burns unit, which we have officially named the Professor Pegg Adult Burns Centre, after Professor Stuart Pegg, we allocated an additional $500,000 in recurrent funding to the unit in this year's budget. This will allow the unit to increase its medical staff, including an additional specialist burns surgeon and increase its theatre times. Gary Nash was one of eight critically ill victims of the Bali bombings who were treated in the Professor Pegg Adult Burns Centre. While we must not forget what happened in Bali, I will always remember the beaming smile on Gary Nash's face as he thanked the staff at Royal Brisbane Hospital for being there when he needed them.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Prison Murder Hon. T. McGRADY (Mount Isa—ALP) (Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister Assisting the Premier on the Carpentaria Minerals Province) (9.58 a.m.): Members would be aware that a prisoner was killed in the maximum security unit at the Sir David Longland prison at 11 o'clock yesterday. The deceased was 30-year-old Mark Walter Day. Day's most serious offence was murder. The incident occurred in the exercise yard of the maximum security unit. Members would be aware that this unit has some of the state's most vicious, violent and volatile criminals. Two prisoners were authorised to exercise together as per the standard arrangements for maximum security prisoners. These prisoners spend the majority of their time in their cells, but must be allowed time out in order to get fresh air, sunlight and exercise. Prisoners usually exercise in couples. 3882 Ministerial Statement 9 Oct 2003

I cannot say too much about the incident at this point as it is naturally the subject of a police investigation, but no-one has been charged yet. I have ordered that the department undertake a full inquiry into this matter. Two inspectors will be appointed, one of whom will be external. I visited the prison this morning and met with several of the officers from the maximum security unit who were on duty yesterday. These officers work with the state's most dangerous hardened criminals. Yesterday's incident was traumatic for these officers. I felt it appropriate to go out to the prison to talk to the workers during this traumatic time as a show of support for staff who work in this area, which I would imagine must be one of the most difficult areas of the prison system to work in. I also wish to assure Queenslanders that this incident did not impact on security at the prison. The maximum security unit is a highly secure facility, specifically built to house the most dangerous and violent offenders. This government maintains its proud record in terms of the security of our prisons, with not a single escape from a secure prison facility during the term of this government. As an interim measure, whilst the matter is under investigation, all prisoner associations within the maximum security unit at Sir David Longland have been suspended.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Heritage Home Loan Hon. D. M. WELLS (Murrumba—ALP) (Minister for Environment) (10.00 a.m.): Last month I launched a Queensland first bank loan allowing owners and buyers and buyers of recognised heritage houses reduced interest rates for home loans. Mr Palaszczuk: Which bank? Mr WELLS: I thank the Minister for Primary Industries for his question. The new Bendigo Bank Heritage Home Loan scheme was developed in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Trust of Queensland. The new loan scheme will help conserve the traditional timber and tin Queenslanders by providing incentives for owners of heritage listed buildings, or buildings in local government character precincts, to maintain the heritage values of their properties. I applaud Bendigo Bank on this commitment. This initiative is about restoration and major renovations of our unique Queenslander homes. This idea builds on a previous state government partnership with Bendigo Bank that established the Green Home Loans scheme, which has been extremely successful. Bendigo Bank will offer a reduced interest rate of 0.5 per cent below their standard variable rate for initial purchases or conservation works to heritage properties. To qualify, properties will have to be listed on a local government heritage register or within a character housing zone identified as part of an approved local government planning study. They will also be eligible if they are listed with the National Trust of Queensland or are on the Queensland Heritage Register. The heritage home loan will be available to a wide range of potential home owners or buyers, including owners of heritage listed properties wanting to conduct major renovations, buyers of heritage recognised homes or home owners in heritage precinct areas, such as Brisbane City Council's character residential precincts. Many honourable members will have constituents who will be able to benefit from this initiative. In recent years the Environmental Protection Agency has offered heritage grants through the very popular Queensland Community Cultural Heritage program. This program concluded in June this year. It assisted, in particular, voluntary organisations and local groups involved in heritage preservation. I am pleased to announce today that those grants will continue this year. Our past is not another country but the home town of our present. Our built heritage is not the rubbish of another country but the furniture of the house in which we now live. These initiatives represent the commitment of this Labor government to preserving that heritage.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Governance White Paper Hon. J. C. SPENCE (Mount Gravatt—ALP) (Minister for Families and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy and Minister for Disability Services and Minister for Seniors) (10.03 a.m.): Last Thursday, at the Aboriginal Coordinating Council meeting in Cairns, I announced the government's proposals for new laws for Aboriginal community governance. The proposals are set out in a white paper which I am tabling in the House today. In this document, we have stated our commitment and detailed our plans to fundamentally reform the current 9 Oct 2003 Ministerial Statement 3883 system of Aboriginal councils in this state. It is not an attack on the Aboriginal identity but a move towards equality. In March this year, we released a green paper setting out a range of options for new laws for community governance. We distributed almost 2,000 copies of the green paper. We held meetings in all of the 15 deed of grant in trust communities, as well as in Aurukun and Mornington Island. About 250 residents participated, including 86 councillors and council staff. We received 71 written submissions from a wide range of stakeholders. Today, I am also tabling a summary of the feedback to the green paper. It is clear from our consultations and our research that the Community Services Act is outdated, flawed and must be repealed. The fundamental principle underpinning the white paper is that legislation will no longer set Aboriginal communities apart from other Queensland communities. Residents of Aboriginal communities expect the same standards of governance as in other parts of Queensland. Aboriginal councils will make the transition to the status of shire councils under the Local Government Act. The Local Government Act will provide a strong and accountable framework for governance in these communities. Councils in Aboriginal communities will be required to meet the best practice benchmarks that ensure equitable, transparent and effective local government, such as: developing corporate and operational plans; preparing annual reports to inform residents about council activities; greater transparency about pecuniary interests and the remuneration of councillors; and a better separation between elected councillors and council staff. The new laws will also make allowance for the fact that Aboriginal councils are still building their capacity and face many difficulties. The laws will allow for a transitional period of four years for councils to meet the new standards. The government recognises that it will take more than changes to the law to improve community governance. We are also committing to boosting the support for councils to build their governance capacity. The changes to the law will make no difference unless we can address critical needs such as training for councils, recruiting and retaining better staff and more efficient use of funding. We will be there to support councils as they make the transition. The white paper does mark the end of paternalism and provides a way forward for indigenous communities through good corporate governance with open, transparent and accountable decision making.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Mr R. Power Hon. M. F. REYNOLDS (Townsville—ALP) (Minister for Emergency Services and Minister Assisting the Premier in North Queensland) (10.06 a.m.): It is with great sadness that I speak today on the passing of Townsville Enterprise Chief Executive, Richard Power. Richard was very well known to many of us. He was known to ministers of this government and members of the opposition. Richard's death is a great loss to his family and the people of Townsville. Having worked closely with Richard when I was Mayor of Townsville, the Townsville Port Authority chairman and as a state minister, I know the excellent contribution he made to our region's ongoing progress, and he will be very sadly missed. Richard, who was aged 58, was appointed Chief Executive of Townsville Enterprise in January 1994 and led the organisation through what can only be described as an unprecedented period of growth for the twin cities of Townsville and Thuringowa and the north Queensland region. When we look at the economic boom that is happening in Townsville, we need to recognise that Richard Power was instrumental in many of the outcomes that we are now achieving. He was a great advocate for industry and business and the community as a whole. He worked very closely with the state government to achieve very successful outcomes for this region. After visiting Richard in hospital two weeks ago, I know that he kept positive under very adverse circumstances and I know he fought as courageously at a personal level as he did for Townsville. Looking back on his life during that visit, Richard said how glad he was that he had been able to travel extensively with his family in recent years. He said he had had a very happy and fulfilling life and he had no regrets. I would like to express my very sincere condolences to his wife, Gillian, and his daughters, Tasha and Elise, on their very sad loss. Richard Power was very well regarded by all who came 3884 Ministerial Statement 9 Oct 2003 into contact with him, through his work and personal life. He passed away peacefully at his home early yesterday morning after a 14-month battle with cancer. Richard's funeral will take place tomorrow at 11 a.m. at St James Cathedral, Townsville. He will be greatly missed by his family and also the people of Townsville.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT WorkCover Queensland Annual Report Hon. G. R. NUTTALL (Sandgate—ALP) (Minister for Industrial Relations) (10.08 a.m.): I rise to table the WorkCover Queensland 2002-03 annual report. I have stood before this House on many occasions with good news about our workers compensation scheme, and this occasion is no different. It has been a good year for our employers and workers. The Queensland government has maintained average premium rates for the third consecutive year at just 1.55 per cent, and we will do so again for 2003-04. The rate of 1.55 per cent is a far cry from the Australian average premium rate of 2.42 per cent. What it means is a competitive advantage for Queensland employers who trade interstate or compete in the export market. If WorkCover premiums were still at the 2.145 per cent average that applied when the Queensland Labor government came to office in 1998, employers would be paying a staggering $257 million more in premiums than they pay now. But the success is twofold. At the same time, WorkCover Queensland continues to offer injured workers among the highest benefits anywhere in Australia and continues to cover more workers every year. Under this government, WorkCover Queensland has become the best performing workers compensation fund in the country. The year also saw the implementation of all of the government's election commitments set out in the WorkCover Queensland: Leading Australia policy that included fairer and more accessible workers compensation arrangements for all workers in the building and construction industry through the introduction of a results test to determine who is and who is not a worker, and helping more injured workers back to work through industry based rehabilitation to assist in retraining and rehabilitating those workers unable to return to their previous position. However, there are some dark clouds on the horizon. On 13 March the federal government announced a Productivity Commission inquiry to look at possible models for establishing a national framework for workers compensation and occupational health and safety. Given the success of the Queensland WorkCover system, any move to an unknown national system, currently being promoted by the federal government, will have significant implications for Queensland's injured workers and employers, especially small and medium sized businesses. Many of these businesses in regional areas, who have had to cope with reduced earnings due to years of drought, are unlikely to be able to absorb any potential increase in average premium rates as a result of the introduction of a national scheme. The Queensland Labor government will not support any changes to the Queensland workers compensation scheme that goes against our commitment to a fair scheme that balances the rights of injured workers with the need for competitive and affordable premiums for employers. I would like to thank Chairman Ian Brusasco and his team and the WorkCover Board for their prudent financial management in what has been a difficult year for all financial institutions. I lay upon the table the Workcover Queensland Annual Report.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Green Energy Initiatives Hon. P. T. LUCAS (Lytton—ALP) (Minister for Innovation and Information Economy) (10.12 a.m.): I rise to speak about how the Smart State is in fact the green state when it comes to the latest energy initiatives under way in Queensland. From macadamia nuts to water to sunlight, Queensland is harnessing natural resources and playing a vital role in cutting Australia's greenhouse gas emissions. And it is not just in our own backyard. On Saturday I was in South Australia to officially launch that state's first wind farm, built by Queensland government owned corporation Tarong. We cannot get much cleaner or greener than wind power. This 34.5Mw wind farm will create enough energy to power 18,000 homes and will have the same effect as taking 20,000 cars off the road each year. I was also delighted to announce that Tarong plans to build a second, much bigger wind farm on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. This 60Mw wind farm will be a huge boost to 9 Oct 2003 Select Committee on the Consequences of Changing Political Status 3885

Australia's green energy, as it will provide enough energy to power 30,000 homes. Of course, these wind farms are connected to the national electricity grid. In the Smart State we also have two wind farms—a 12Mw farm at Ravenshoe and a 450kW farm on Thursday Island. There are many more renewable energy projects under way in Queensland that are helping cut our carbon dioxide emissions. The macadamia—or Queensland or bopple nut, as it used to be known—is being used to generate electricity to power the Suncoast Gold Macadamias plant at Gympie, with the remainder sold to the grid. This project is converting 10,000 tonnes of waste shell each year—enough to fill five Olympic sized swimming pools—into energy to power 2,400 homes. Interestingly, it has the same calorific value as coal. This idea is not altogether new. After all, sugarcane waste has been used to make energy for the past 100 years. In fact, last month another GOC, Ergon Energy, and CSR announced a new $100 million renewable energy facility at the Pioneer sugar mill south of Townsville, which will use bagasse to power around 16,000 Queensland homes. Just last week I was at Wivenhoe to open Queensland's seventh hydro power station. The smart thing about this 4.5Mw mini hydro is that it is using existing water that flows out of the Wivenhoe Dam, which already supplies Brisbane residents with drinking water, and environmental flow. I thank the Minister for Natural Resources for his excellent cooperation through SunWater in that regard. At the same time, it will now generate enough green energy to supply 3,400 Brisbane homes with power. This is water that would go down the creek anyway. Even our rubbish has energy potential. We have seven landfill gas sites in Queensland. The member for Mansfield and I recently announced the biggest—a $5 million site at the Brisbane landfill site at Rochedale. Operational by next year, this will produce enough energy to supply 5,000 homes. Even deeper underground, there is another exciting initiative known as hot dry rocks. Heat is extracted from deep in the ground to provide steam for thermal power plants. Australia's largest portion of this hydrothermal energy is in Queensland, in the Great Artesian Basin—admittedly very far west—so we will watch with interest field tests in South Australia, where there are plans to build a 13Mw demonstration plant. As the sunshine state we have the edge on solar power. In fact, Queensland was the first state government to introduce a solar hot water rebate. All of these smart ideas are creating green energy, which is in demand. Since 1997 more than 150 renewable energy initiatives have been built in Australia. The good news is that Queensland is leading the charge. We have 40 per cent of Australia's green power users—with 18 per cent of the population—with 34,000 Queenslanders opting to pay more each quarter on their power bill for clean, green energy. Queensland is the green state. I applaud our energy GOCs for their commitment to the environment. I thank Queenslanders for doing their bit to protect the environment for our future generations.

SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF CHANGING POLITICAL STATUS Establishment Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (10.16 a.m.), by leave, I move— 1. That a select committee, to be known as the Select Committee on the Consequences of Changing Political Status, be appointed to investigate, consult with the community and report on the Parliament of Queensland (Change of Political Status) Bill 2003, including: (a) the philosophical and practical issues arising from the bill (b) the impact of the legislation on the political and parliamentary process (c) constitutional and legal ramifications (d) costs to the community (e) practice and experience in other jurisdictions (especially those that have similar legislation) 2. That the committee consist of seven members of the Legislative Assembly: (a) four members, including the chair of the committee, to be nominated by the Premier (b) two members to be nominated by the Leader of the Opposition (c) and Independent member for Nicklin, Mr Peter Wellington MP. 3. That the committee have power to call for persons, documents and other items. 4. That the foregoing provision for this resolution, so far as they may be inconsistent with the standing orders, have effect notwithstanding anything contained in the standing or sessional orders. Motion agreed to. 3886 Private Members' Statements 9 Oct 2003

SCRUTINY OF LEGISLATION COMMITTEE Annual Report Mr PITT (Mulgrave—ALP) (10.18 a.m.): I lay upon the table of the House the Scrutiny of Legislation Committee's report No. 29, Annual Report for the period 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS (INTERCEPTION) QUEENSLAND BILL Mr SPRINGBORG (Southern Downs—NPA) (Leader of the Opposition) (10.18 a.m.), by leave, without notice: I move— That leave be granted to bring in a bill for an act to enable particular eligible authorities under the Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 (Cwlth) to be declared agencies under that act, and for other purposes. Motion agreed to.

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

Second Reading Mr SPRINGBORG (Southern Downs—NPA) (Leader of the Opposition) (10.19 a.m.): I move— That the bill be now read a second time. The coalition is committed to providing the Queensland Police Service and other criminal law enforcement bodies with the resources and powers not only to prevent crime but also to resolve crime. The objective of this bill is to establish a recording, reporting and inspection regime to complement the Commonwealth Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 so that the Queensland Police Service and the Crime and Misconduct Commission may use telecommunications interception as a tool for the investigation of particular serious offences prescribed under the Commonwealth Act. The introduction of legislation to provide telephone interception capabilities is essential to the effective disruption of organised crime, including acts of terrorism, which, sadly, have the capacity to affect the everyday lives of people in Queensland. There are also other insidious crimes including many drug crimes and areas of organised crime. The possession of these powers will bring Queensland into line with the rest of Australia, as other mainland states have been operating under this legislation for several years. The use of these powers in Queensland has occurred with permission of the National Crime Authority, which as of 1 January 2003 was replaced by the Australian Crime Commission. The National Crime Authority—the NCA—dealt with a 10 per cent increase in phone tapping last year, continuing a trend in which telephone interceptions or TI warrants have risen from 98 in 1997-98 to 284 last year. Queensland needs this legislation. Our Police Service and law enforcement bodies must have available to them those powers which are necessary to counter the increasing sophistication of criminals. Unlike government legislation, which is designed to catch cops, my legislation is designed to catch crooks. Despite being recommended by the Queensland Police Service and the Queensland Crime Commission in their information paper on Project Krystal—A Strategic Assessment of Organised Crime in Queensland, which reported in June 1999, the Beattie government has chosen to sit on its hands and ignore these law reforms. It is a ludicrous situation when all other Australian law enforcement agencies can listen to criminals having conversations in Queensland but this state's Police Service cannot. The Premier repeatedly commends the Queensland Police Service as the best there is, and so he rightly should. However, in order to allow them to continue to perform their job to the best of their ability, they require the most effective powers, which he continues to deny them. I support the need to put in place the powers to lawfully intercept telecommunications as an important weapon in the fight against crime. I commend the bill to the House. Debate, on motion of Mr Beattie, adjourned.

PRIVATE MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Mr R. Power; Department of Families, Child Abuse Mr SPRINGBORG (Southern Downs—NPA) (Leader of the Opposition (10.23 a.m.): At the outset, I would like to join with the Premier and other members of the government in passing on 9 Oct 2003 Private Members' Statements 3887 my condolences to the family of Richard Power, the former CEO of Townsville Enterprise. He is a person whom I have met in the past as well and have had occasion to be briefed by him on issues relevant not only to Townsville but generally to north Queensland. His commitment to north Queensland and to Townsville Enterprise I think is something we can all greatly appreciate. He made a great and significant contribution and difference to the life and livelihoods of many people in Townsville. I know this will be a difficult time for his family, and it will be a difficult time also for Townsville Enterprise as it seeks to adjust since his death, because a person who has made such a contribution cannot be replaced easily. On Tuesday in parliament I asked a question of the Minister for Families regarding a potential breach of the Child Protection Act, and it referred to the release of information by her and the Premier which could have led to the identification of children who were the subject of the current CMC inquiry. I had written to the Director-General of the Department of Families on this matter on 30 July—or the day earlier—and received a response from him. It certainly was not as clear as the minister indicated because there is a lot of subjectivity involved in this. He said it was arguable that it was a breach of section 189 of the Child Protection Act but it was also arguable that it was not. So it was not quite as clear as that which the minister sought to indicate. We do not only have to name directly the child to be in breach of section 189. It is a case of releasing information which might lead to the identity of that child. Time expired.

Queensland Police Service Ms BARRY (Aspley—ALP) (10.25 a.m.): Last week it was particularly heartening to see Queenslanders displaying their thoughts and wishes for our police on National Police Remembrance Day. The recent tragic loss of Senior Sergeant Perry Irwin brought home to us the very real risk that our police men and women face every day they go to work. But for me this was a lesson that I learnt many years ago. I am the daughter of a retired Queensland police officer who served on the force for over 30 years. Last Monday week at the gracious hour of 5.30 a.m. I had the privilege and honour to stand beside my father, Stan Barry, at the first Police Remembrance Day to be held outside the Police Wall of Honour in George Street. I was at the time not only a daughter supporting a father honouring his fallen comrades but also a very proud member of a government that had taken the time and thought to construct the memorial that we see in our city today. Amongst the names on the wall was my father's best friend, Constable Les McCosh. I remember clearly as an eight-year-old the day in 1968 that Les McCosh lost his life. I recall that he had dinner at our house the night before he died and that my father was due to work with him on the road when he died in a motorcycle accident. My father attended court duties instead and wonders what would have happened if he had been there. They were motorcycle cops, partners and mates, and his loss and his family have never been forgotten by our family. After the service last Monday I watched dad spend a few minutes in silence at the wall, and I know that he was like so many people there that day at dawn—simply honouring a mate. My dad is a quiet man who expressed a real appreciation that Les McCosh was remembered for his ultimate sacrifice by the memorial that has been built in his and other police officers' honour. It is a tough gig being a cop, and being a member of the police family is, we say, 'for life'. We shared the morning with the Police Minister, the shadow police minister, my own local police and a fellow whom my father has become quite close to, his local member and fellow police officer, John English, the member for Redlands. The police memorial holds a real, special place for all Queenslanders, but for my family and for many like ours it is a place of honour that we will treasure for a long time to come. So, on behalf of my father, to my government I wanted to say thankyou for its presence.

Sir David Longland Correctional Centre Mr FLYNN (Lockyer—ONP) (10.27 a.m.): A heartfelt thankyou to the previous speaker for her comments. The place where the latest jail murders have occurred is the maximum security unit at the Sir David Longland prison at Wacol. If maximum security entails the complete separation of dangerous and violent offenders, then so be it. Whatever our thoughts of these people, it is a gross breach of our duty of care to allow them to have the power of life and death over fellow 3888 Questions Without Notice 9 Oct 2003 prisoners while in custody. I am sure most honourable members have little sympathy for these violent offenders. Even so, we cannot sit idly by and watch them bash and occasionally kill each other. It makes a mockery of the law when jailed inmates are free to mete out justice by their own standards. Their justice is very rough indeed. The latest victim—described in the media as a double murderer and homosexual rapist—strangled a young traffic fine defaulter. That young man held for non-payment of fines was reportedly raped on a daily basis over a period of time by multiple offenders including Mark Day—now himself a murder victim. A prime suspect in the latest bludgeoning led a gang which killed a fellow prisoner in a jail gymnasium. What do we expect from our jails? We keep largely fit people in close confinement and allow them to build up their muscles in gyms and leave them to their own devices. For many years, in the opinion of prison staff, incidents of violence may have been prevented had sufficient staff been on hand not just to police the inmates but also, just as importantly, to safeguard prison staff. Part of the problem is the staffing models that the government employs. It is doubtful that the designers of these models have any real experience in staffing at the coalface, and their plans appear to be dollar driven and quite impractical. Please, we have had experience already: do not let Corrective Services follow the Families Department. Act now, not later!

AFL Grand Final, Brisbane Lions Dr LESLEY CLARK (Barron River—ALP) (10.29 a.m.): Before Queensland gets totally swept up in Rugby World Cup fever, I would like to join the Premier and pay tribute to players in another code of football. It is always a great privilege to be present when history is made. It is also very exciting when that history involves Queensland footballers demonstrating enormous courage, endurance and skill to earn themselves and their coach accolades from across the nation. I am of course referring to the AFL grand final held on 27 September in Melbourne when the Brisbane Lions beat the Collingwood Magpies by a convincing 50 points, making it their third spectacular grand final victory in a row and the first time the Queensland club has ever achieved this feat. I braved the infamous Melbourne weather, together with my husband and son and thousands of other Lions fans, including some others from Cairns. Complete with our Lions scarves, flag and clapper, we proudly sang our team song and leaped to our feet screaming at every one of the 20 amazing goals that were scored. We thrilled to the magic of Akermanis and Lynch's incredible marks, scoring nine goals between them. We shared in the pride of young as he scored his first grand final goal in only his fourth game. We suffered with Jonathan Brown when he was poleaxed by the Magpies' Scott Burns just seconds into the game. , who won the Norm Smith Medal for his performance, was worth two players, as demonstrated by his staggering 39 disposals. We roared when captain Michael Voss came back in the final stages of the game. But the Lions' victory would not have been possible without their coach and mentor, Leigh Matthews. Already acclaimed as the number one player of the 20th century, Matthews' achievement as a four-time premiership coach from as many grand finals confirms his status as an immortal of the game. On behalf of Brisbane Lions Club members Liddy Clark and Geoff Wilson and all the other Lions supporters in the parliament, I say: go the Lions in 2004! We know you can do it again. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time for private members' statements has expired.

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Department of Families; Privacy of Foster-Children Mr SPRINGBORG (10.30 a.m.): My question is directed to the Minister for Police. I refer to the naming of a foster family at the centre of sexual abuse allegations by the Premier and the Minister for Families on 28 July. As the minister may be aware, I wrote to the Police Commissioner asking him what action he intended to take over this apparent breach of the Child Protection Act. I am advised that the commissioner is now considering advice from the Crime and Misconduct Commission on the matter. Can the minister assure the House that he will retain the same hands- free approach that he takes to administering his department and that the minister or his office will not interfere with the Police Commissioner's consideration of this matter in any way? 9 Oct 2003 Questions Without Notice 3889

Mr McGRADY: I find that a disgusting question, because the implication is that the Police Commissioner, a man who I thought was regarded by all sides of politics—and certainly by 99.99 per cent of the population of Queensland—as a decent, honourable man of integrity, would stoop so low as to play party politics. I treat that question with the contempt it deserves.

Department of Families; Privacy of Foster-Children Mr SPRINGBORG: My second question is to the Attorney-General. The Attorney was very quick—breathtakingly so—to seek advice on whether I had breached the law in commenting on a court's decision in relation to two minors charged with shooting two police officers. Did the minister seek advice about whether the Premier and the Minister for Families had broken the law when they named the family at the centre of sexual abuse allegations on 28 July? Mr WELFORD: In relation to the second part of the member's question, I think the Police Minister has more than adequately responded to the character of the question that has been asked by the Leader of the Opposition. It is despicable and it completely misunderstands the distinction between the role of the Police Minister in relation to the Police Service on the one hand and the role of the Attorney in relation to the courts on the other. These are completely separate matters. The matter that the member dishonourably raised with the Police Minister a moment ago is entirely within the discretion and responsibility of the Police Commissioner and the Queensland Police Service. The matter that I raised with the Crown Solicitor goes to the administration of justice and the courts, which is entirely within my administration. It is a completely different issue. I urge the Leader of the Opposition to get out of the gutter, stop grubbying his hands with disgraceful slurs upon the Premier and the Police Minister and lift his own standards in relation to his comments on the courts.

Rugby World Cup Ms MALE: My question is to the Premier. The Rugby World Cup 2003 kick-off is virtually just hours away now and I, like many Queenslanders, look forward to watching the biggest spectacle in world sport this year. Indeed, I was pleased to see the Scottish team utilise the Sunshine Coast as part of its pre-cup preparations. This state is primed to be an integral part of that excitement. Could the Premier detail to the House what involvement the state has in the coming days? Mr BEATTIE: I thank the honourable member for Glass House, Carolyn Male, for her question and for her particular interest in Rugby. I think that many Australians—in fact, most Australians—would share her keen interest. This evening and again tomorrow I have been extended a great and rare privilege on behalf of the people of Queensland. I will be taking part in the capping ceremony for players from five Rugby World Cup teams: Fiji—and I understand the Prime Minister will arrive later today from Fiji—France, the USA, Japan and, of course, Scotland. Tonight's function at Parliament House has the welcome mat out for Fiji, France and the USA. Apart from the Speaker's Green reception, they will also have the privilege of competing at Australia's best Rugby venue—Suncorp Stadium. We wish them all well. I bet the Minister for Sport that some of the critics of Suncorp Stadium will be there enjoying the Rugby. I bet they will! Mike Horan will be there, won't he? Yes, he will be there. A government member: No criticism now. Mr BEATTIE: Absolutely. Isn't it funny? The wisdom! The Rugby World Cup is an event prized by all Rugby followers, but most importantly by those actually involved. It will be a great moment for anyone who has ever dreamed of playing Rugby for their country. We wish all the players every success in their quest for Rugby's ultimate prize—especially the Wallabies, who play in Brisbane on 18 October. This morning it was my pleasant duty to turn on Seven's Suncorp superscreen at South Bank and invite all Rugby fans to make the most of Rugby World Cup 2003 by visiting rugby live @ south bank. That is for people who cannot get a ticket. It is going to become part of the carnival atmosphere of the Rugby World Cup in Brisbane. It will be a key venue that will help everyone get a big kick out of Rugby World Cup 2003, even if they do not make it to a match. It is free. Regardless of where the games are played, people can see them on Seven's Suncorp superscreen. 3890 Questions Without Notice 9 Oct 2003

But I go back to the team welcome receptions—both here tonight and in Townsville tomorrow night for the Japanese and Scottish teams, including the prestigious team capping ceremony. It is a ceremony where players are presented with an official Rugby World Cup 2003 cap. The capping tradition dates back to 1823 and distinguishes the players as elite sportsmen. Although they no longer wear the caps on the field, it is a mark of Rugby excellence which only an honoured few experience. Both welcoming ceremonies also include separate media welcomes. To all of our Rugby World Cup visitors we extend a warm Queensland welcome and I urge all to reciprocate. Mr Lucas interjected. Mr BEATTIE: Yes, I know that the member is a Rugby referee. If we need a follow-up, we will give him a call. One of the players in the Scottish team happens to be a gentleman called Beattie and I asked to have a meeting with him in Townsville, only to find out that he is two metres tall. I will be meeting him and I will taking along a number of phone books. He is so tall that I will need books to stand on! He is obviously not from my side of the family. I urge all Queenslanders to enjoy the Rugby. Mr SPEAKER: Order! Before calling the member for Robina, I welcome to the public gallery students and teachers of the Stafford State School in the electorate of Stafford.

Infrastructure Projects Mr QUINN: My question is directed to the Treasurer. I refer the Treasurer to page 25 of the Queensland Treasury Corporation 2002-03 annual report, which refers to indicative borrowings. The report states— Actual raisings were significantly below expected raisings due to improvements in state revenue and expenditure against budget, and the deferral or cancellation of proposed infrastructure projects. Given the desperate need for additional infrastructure throughout Queensland, I ask the Treasurer to tell the House what infrastructure projects were deferred or cancelled and explain why. Mr MACKENROTH: There was no cancellation. What happened last financial year is that the state, through the Treasury, did not borrow as much money as we had budgeted to borrow. In fact, we used extra money which had been raised through taxation to offset borrowings that we had budgeted to make which then went towards the deficit in the budget. We were able to use that money to help us offset the impact of poor returns in the equity markets. That is in fact what has happened. I think the sum is around the $500 million mark which we had budgeted to borrow last year but which we did not borrow, and in fact the capital works were then done with cash and not with borrowings. No capital works were put off. The capital works were still done, but they were done with cash and not with borrowings through the Queensland Treasury Corporation.

Federal Budget Surplus Mr LIVINGSTONE: I refer the Premier to the fact that the Queensland economy is continuing to outperform the national economy. At the same time our government is maintaining a competitive tax regime and fully funding superannuation liabilities. I ask: considering that sound performance, why would anyone offer up the Howard government's high-taxing, penny-pinching system as the preferred model for economic management, as the Opposition Leader did last week? Mr BEATTIE: And only the Opposition Leader could. I thank the member for Ipswich West for his question and refer members to a ministerial statement I delivered this morning in relation to the Queensland economy. We are the engine room of Australia. The latest statistics from Access Economics indicate that very clearly. The federal government released its final budget outcome last week. The item that grabbed the headlines was a $7.5 billion cash surplus. However, detailed scrutiny shows that the federal government's surplus was delivered because of—think about this—a $12.6 billion increase in tax revenue in one year. This represents one of the biggest increases in tax revenue ever recorded in Australia's history by the highest taxing government in our history. Everyone is getting slugged more—individuals, families and business. More than that, the federal government took $1 billion out of health. Secondly, there is the federal government's failure to bite the bullet on responsible financial management and fully fund the superannuation liability of its work force. The federal government's unfunded superannuation liability now stands at around $90 billion. Thirdly, there 9 Oct 2003 Questions Without Notice 3891 has been increased expenditure on services to the community by only 1.6 per cent per annum, or almost half the rate of inflation. That is why we have a crisis in health. That is why we have underfunding in education, because this federal government is not funding the crucial and essential areas properly. I therefore wonder what Mr Springborg's idea of good financial management is. If one thinks about it, these are the consequences. If he applied the same model in Queensland, he would, firstly, abandon Queensland's competitive tax regime and boost taxes by $2.5 billion—that is, Queenslanders' share of the $12.6 billion federal government tax hike—or, secondly, abandon the state government's principle of fully funding worker entitlements as they accrue or, thirdly, underfund essential community services such as health, education and police or perhaps all of the above. They are the consequences of the federal government's strategies flowing here. We will not have a bar of that nonsense. Independent rating agencies such as Moody's, Standard and Poors and Fitch repeatedly endorse the strength of Queensland's financial position with their AAA rating, and that is of course the best available. The state government is achieving this while maintaining competitive taxes, fully funding worker entitlements as they accrue and enhancing services to priority areas such as health, education and police. From the state government's perspective, we would like to see the federal government's windfall tax gain returned to the community. Priority areas include putting back the $1 billion cut out of hospital funding and the $400 million cut out of public housing over the five years to 2007-08. As for Mr Springborg, we would like to know his answer to the multiple choice quiz. Dr Watson interjected. Mr BEATTIE: The member for Moggill asks where the $1 billion came from. It is the word of the Prime Minister. I believe the Prime Minister. He said $1 billion went out of health, and I believe John Howard. I know that he told me the truth, as he told the Australian.

Government Policies, Queensland Greens Mr SEENEY: I refer the Minister for Environment to reports that Greens leader Drew Hutton has threatened to not support this government at the next election unless Labor dramatically changes its policies. The minister would remember that the Premier and the Police Minister made much in last week's sitting of parliament of referring a Queensland Police Union employee to the CMC and when they were not satisfied they then referred him to the DPP for allegedly attempting to, in their words, 'blackmail the government'. I ask: can the minister give an assurance that no- one from the Queensland Greens will be referred to the CMC or the DPP for similarly trying to influence his government's policies? Mr WELLS: I applaud the honourable member's attempt at creativity, but he was going better before he began on that. There is no possible or even conceivable analogy between the two situations. I think that is obvious to everybody in the House. But I thank him for his interest and I will be very interested in discussing issues of policy from the Queensland Greens and National Party.

European Union, Naming Rights of Produce Mr RODGERS: I refer the Minister for Primary Industries and Rural Communities to the European Union rules to prevent the naming of food and other agricultural products, such as olives and cheese, after regions in Europe, and I ask: does the minister agree that Australia should challenge these rules? Mr PALASZCZUK: The short answer to that question, of course, is yes, and for once I am supporting the Australian government's involvement in a WTO challenge against the European Union's legislative rules for describing certain foods and agriculture products, and I believe that is very welcome. So what does all of this mean? It basically means that the European Union essentially wants to prohibit the use of geographic indications for food. For example, 'Kalamata' olives and 'Parmesan' cheese will remain in use for the countries of origin and countries such as Australia will not be allowed to use those names. So what does that mean? It means to me one thing: those farmers in those countries are a little bit concerned about the quality of the produce that emanates right here in Queensland. As a matter of fact, we produce a far better product than the country of origin of those products. I think that is the reason they are trying to preclude us from using those names. 3892 Questions Without Notice 9 Oct 2003

The other interesting thing I want to note is this: the European Union is not seeking to change the place names of towns around the world that have taken their names from Europe. A local example, of course, is on the Granite Belt, the town of Pozieres. The Queensland Pozieres took its name from a World War I battle near the village of Pozieres. When the war ended, a soldier settlement was established on the Granite Belt and a town was named to commemorate the battles in France where many Australian soldiers were killed or wounded. Just like the honourable member for Burdekin, who has certainly made some strong representations to me in relation to this area, I support him and I support the Australian government in its WTO challenge. Another issue I want to mention relates to the National Party's three-day federal conference which starts in Canberra tomorrow. The conference is called 'Local, Regional and National'. It could quite easily be called 'local, regional, national and inconsequential'. Why do I say that? I say that because if the National Party conference blindly endorses the sale of Telstra, which is yet to be considered by the Senate, then the conference and the party is inconsequential to the needs of the people in rural and regional Queensland. Those opposite are preoccupied with changing the name of their party. During the last sitting the Leader of the Opposition failed to mention the word 'Telstra' once. There is another name he fails to mention, and that is the name of Ron Boswell. He has not paid tribute to Ron Boswell. I believe pound for pound that Ron Boswell has been the best representative for the National Party in Queensland since Artie Fadden. Where have those opposite been in terms of acknowledging that? They have sat there blindly and watched the National Party put in De-Anne Kelly, who wants to direct her preferences to the One Nation Party. They stand condemned.

Disability Services Queensland, Wacol Office Mr COPELAND: I refer the Minister for Industrial Relations to a complaint lodged with Workplace Health and Safety Queensland regarding the Wacol area office of Disability Services Queensland. In a letter to the complainant on Monday, the minister advised that inquiries had been conducted and that there were no grounds for the complaint. I now table the letter from the minister as well as a return email which informs him that the complainant has not even been contacted by investigators and accuses the department of a whitewash of breaches of the legislation he administers. I ask: will the minister confirm that his department dismissed the complaints without even contacting the person making the complaints, and will he advise the House whether the Wacol area office of DSQ complies in all aspects with workplace health and safety legislation? Mr NUTTALL: The Wacol issue relates to a disgruntled employee within the department. Issues concerning Disability Services Queensland do not come within my portfolio. But I have to say that if there are any genuine complaints regarding issues of workplace health and safety my department will inspect those. If there are any matters of genuine concern, any employee within my portfolio should go to his superior officer and talk to that officer about the issue of concern to him and the matter will be dealt with. That is the way the system works. What I have said to the member is that this matter is coming from a disgruntled employee. We will always get those sorts of issues from people who are upset. No matter what happens they will never be satisfied with the outcome. If there are matters of genuine concern from anyone within my department they will be dealt with appropriately, as they always have been. Mr SPEAKER: Order! Before calling the member for Mount Ommaney, I welcome to the public gallery students and teachers from Undurba State School in the electorate of Murrumba.

Disability Services Funding Mrs ATTWOOD: My question is to the Minister for Disability Services. Minister, I am aware some disability services have been experiencing viability concerns. What is the minister doing to address these issues? Ms SPENCE: I thank the member for Mount Ommaney for her question and acknowledge her interest in this area. This year the Beattie government delivered an historic and unprecedented increase to the budget of Disability in this state. We increased the Disability budget by 20 per cent in state funding. We added another $46.8 million to our budget this year alone. This is historic. Sixty per cent of the Disability budget goes immediately to non-government organisations. They are the major provider of disability services in this state. Through our funding 9 Oct 2003 Questions Without Notice 3893 reform project last year they identified to us that viability was a huge issue for them. As their capacity to fundraise reduces and as the cost of supplying service increases, they are under a lot of viability pressures. Today I am pleased to announce that I have signed off on $14.37 million in new viability money that will be given to 67 disability organisations throughout the state. This is good news and a good day for people with a disability in Queensland. The organisations that will get this viability money are in many of our electorates. They are all over the state of Queensland. They range from the very large organisations to the smaller organisations throughout the state. I would like to put on the record that the largest provider by far of disability services in this state is the Endeavour organisation. In fact, Endeavour alone supports over 3,000 people who have disabilities. It provides accommodation and support to 700 people in 81 houses and residentials across this state. Last year we gave Endeavour an additional $6 million. We gave it $22.6 million to help with its viability. This year, on top of that, I would like to announce that we are giving Endeavour an extra $8.1 million to assist with its viability, which means that the state contribution to Endeavour alone this year will be over $30 million. But even so, that represents only 37 per cent of its total budget. Mr Gerard Menses from the Endeavour organisation is in the gallery today, and I would like to take the opportunity of commending that organisation for the terrific job that it does to support so many people with disabilities in this state. But they are not alone. There are another 66 organisations that today will receive this good news. They are also providing terrific support and quality services for many people across the state. It is a day that we can all be proud of.

Seasonal Workers, Strawberry Industry Mr WELLINGTON: My question is to the Premier. Recently, I met with a number of Sunshine Coast strawberry growers who expressed frustration with continuing difficulties they have in finding appropriate numbers of people to pick or pack strawberries during the critical harvesting months of August to September. Subject to the outcome of the next state election, will the Premier, if elected, expand the government's interstate advertising campaign to encourage people to come to Queensland not just for a holiday but also to work in this important Queensland industry, where average workers can receive an income of $600 to $800 a week and good pickers can clear over $1,000 a week? Mr BEATTIE: Can I say right at the outset that we share the honourable member's support for strawberry growers and other primary producers in his area. He has been a vigorous advocate for a number of those groups, both today and in the past, and we share his commitment to that. One of the things I want to do is try to find out why Queenslanders are not taking up those jobs and opportunities. Clearly, while we have the lowest level of unemployment in 13 years—it goes back to the beginning of 1990—in areas north of Wide Bay we do have high levels of unemployment. It would seem to me, bearing in mind the proximity, that there may be opportunities for people in the Wide Bay to participate. Just looking at the proposition quickly, as I have done, I have no difficulty in promoting Queensland at every opportunity through tourism advertising functions, such as forums and other strategies, including strategic investment events, which is what we are doing with the Rugby World Cup. I have no difficulty encouraging people to work in these areas as well, and I would be prepared to do that, but before I did I would want to find out why Queenslanders are not working there. I want to give Queensland priority. We will certainly look at that. There are a large number of backpackers who move here and work in these seasonal industries. There are, in fact, groups of people who move around Australia who follow the season, and quite a number of them. We would be quite happy to put together a strategy. I will have a discussion with the Minister for Primary Industries, who is about to make an appropriate interjection. Mr Palaszczuk: The strawberry industry has grown from $10 million to $60 million over the past three or four years, and that is probably one of the reasons. Mr BEATTIE: I knew it was appropriate; it was even sensible. What the Minister for Primary Industries said was that there has been significant growth in the industry and that may be one of the reasons there is a shortage, but I will ask Mr Palaszczuk, because he is clearly well informed in this industry, to meet with the member and some of the growers from his area. Mr Palaszczuk: A very tasty industry. 3894 Questions Without Notice 9 Oct 2003

Mr BEATTIE: It is a very tasty industry, yes. Mr Palaszczuk has given me a commitment that he will meet with the member and the growers in his area to work out a strategy to deal with this. I am happy to go down that road, but I want to give Queenslanders the opportunity first to get the jobs. I will leave it up to the member to communicate with the Minister for Primary Industries, who is a real strawberry fan.

Australian Microelectronics Centre Ms STRUTHERS: My question is directed to the Minister for State Development. Last month the Australian Microelectronics Centre, set up by the state government, moved into premises at Brisbane Technology Park on the south side of Brisbane, and might I say this is the economic hub of Queensland. Can the minister outline the part this centre plays in the government's efforts to promote Queensland's microelectronics and semiconductor industries? Mr BARTON: The member takes a great deal of interest in these new high technology industries that are being developed in Eight Mile Plains' Brisbane Technology Park. An honourable member interjected. Mr BARTON: It is, of course, in the electorate of Stretton, but it is a stone's throw from the member for Algester's electorate, and I know the high degree of interest that she takes in the activity that is taking place out there. We cannot have a Smart State unless we put smart infrastructure into place. One of the government's strategies in diversifying our industrial base has been to develop clusters of like-minded industries so that they can come together to develop new ideas and products. The Australian Microelectronics Centre is an excellent example of this clustering approach. Recently, I opened the centre's new premises in Brisbane Technology Park which was needed because the centre had outgrown its previous facilities in Toowong. The centre was established just three years ago as the principal means for the government to promote and facilitate the growth of the Queensland microelectronics and semiconductor industry. In addition to the resident companies developing products and doing research, the centre drives tertiary education programs through Griffith University and the University of Queensland. There is nothing micro about the expansion of this centre in the past 12 months or so. I am also pleased to advise the House that cutting-edge firms from as far away as South Africa and Singapore are locating in this centre. As well, many interstate firms are attracted to the benefits of being at this centre. These companies utilise the centre's common user facilities and draw on the synergies that clusters of this kind generate. In its education role, the centre draws numbers of masters students to its courses in designing large systems. There is great demand for the course, with some 80 students currently queuing up to undertake it in 2004. I do not think there is any doubt that this flurry of activity will translate into strong growth in the microelectronics sector over the next few years in Queensland. That means more very well paid jobs for Queenslanders in a clean, high technology, value adding industry. Having invested $2.7 million in developing the industry over the past four years, the government is absolutely delighted with the outcome to date. It is an excellent example of government working with industry to put in place infrastructure that helps business to thrive. We continue to identify these infrastructure needs and to support research and development and commercialisation in key industry sectors. Key examples of this to date have been the Australian Institute of Commercialisation, QMI Solutions and the Queensland Centre for Advanced Technology. In every case, there is a flood of new ideas and products which we know will help to build Queensland's businesses of the future.

Water Recycling, Lockyer/Darling Downs Mr FLYNN: My question is directed to the Premier. I refer to the ongoing negotiations on the issue of renewed water to the Lockyer and the Darling Downs and to an address I delivered in this House yesterday. This government has spent big money on this project—that has been acknowledged—but so, too, has the Commonwealth. A recent report has stated that the project is not financially viable. I believe that statement was made without reference to the flow-on economic effects of increased production. However, I ask: is the Premier prepared to approach the Commonwealth government and ask it, particularly in this case, to dig into the budget surplus 9 Oct 2003 Questions Without Notice 3895 to help the revival of a very important part of Queensland's economy and perhaps to boost health and education at the same time? Mr BEATTIE: The answer to the question is obviously yes. We have repeatedly done that. Members may recall that at one point I visited the area at the invitation of the member for Lockyer and the member for Ipswich West. I know we have our arguments and disagreements with the Commonwealth and we also have cooperation, but on this matter the Commonwealth has never been prepared to put money in. Members may recall that I said this at one time and aroused the ire of a number of people for having told the truth. Today I publicly urge the Commonwealth to see this as a major project in which it should invest significant amounts of money. Mr Copeland: What have you invested in it? Mr BEATTIE: We have invested a couple of million dollars already. Sorry, we have already put in $1 million. I will come back to that. Instead of whingeing about us, why do the members opposite not make themselves useful and go to the Commonwealth and get some money out of it? They never have any vision. Mr Mackenroth: Ron Boswell tried to help, but they got rid of him. Mr BEATTIE: Ron Boswell was trying to be constructive, so they got rid of him. He was someone we could rely on. The government is committed to finding workable solutions to the water problems of the Lockyer Valley and the Darling Downs. A regional water strategy is to be completed by the middle of next year. We are keen to work with the member on that. A joint state-local government task force has recently finalised its investigation into the viability of the project. Mr Seeney interjected. Mr BEATTIE: Can those opposite not be rude for one minute? I am trying to talk to the member for Lockyer. The member may be the Deputy Leader of the National Party, but he did not ask the question. Some courtesy to a colleague would not go astray. The point I want to make is that none of the options was economically, financially or environmentally sustainable—that is a real problem—and if implemented would require significant public sector subsidy. In the absence of any Commonwealth or local government support, the state is now focusing on other localised solutions. I want to emphasise the economic, environmental and financial grounds. Independent analysts estimate that a government subsidy of up to $810 million would be required to deliver this project. That is equivalent to a subsidy of between $1 million and $2 million per farm depending on the option selected. I do not want to be difficult about this, but the problem is that that is a lot of money per farm. We cannot do it. The other problem we would have to deal with is the findings relating to the economic, environmental or financial unsuitability of the project. The environmental issues do raise concerns. The government is aware that NuWater—a loose consortium of rural groups, City to Soil and Darling Downs Vision 2000—has engaged Ernst and Young to review the task force findings. As this government is committed to finding sustainable solutions to water shortages, it will consider those findings when the work is finalised. But there are real difficulties here. I do not want to underestimate those difficulties. Tom Barton, the Minister for State Development, has been working on this. Stephen Robertson, the Minister for Natural Resources, has a commitment to it. I invite these member to keep in touch with the ministers.

Weed and Pest Management Mr ENGLISH: My question is directed to the Minister for Natural Resources and Minister for Mines. Weeds affect all Queenslanders, whether they are in rural areas or in the city. Can the minister inform the House of what the government is doing to increase community involvement in fighting weeds? Mr ROBERTSON: I thank the honourable member for the question. Fighting weeds is an important issue for all Queenslanders. It is something we all need to work on together. Contrary to the claims made by some members opposite, this government's base funding for pest management has increased significantly over the past 10 years. That is taking out special funding for plague events involving mice or locusts, for example. Weed management is more than simple funding. It is about getting the community involved in fighting weeds in everyone's backyards. In Warwick tomorrow I will be officially launching Queensland Weedbuster Week 2003. Weedbusters is a national awareness program that works 3896 Questions Without Notice 9 Oct 2003 with the community to achieve sustainable land and water management, primarily through increased public involvement in weed management, education and awareness projects. Weeds are one of our most serious natural resource management issues, costing Queensland some $500 million a year and more than $3.3 billion nationally. That does not include the cost to the environment. Why does it cost so much? Weeds take over grazing land, interfering with agricultural production, affect the health of communities and smother native vegetation, as well as degrade native habitats upon which our native animals and plants rely. Weedbuster Week, which runs from 12 to 19 October, provides an opportunity for all Queenslanders to get involved in local community activities designed to protect our environment from weeds. The national theme for Weedbuster Week this year is 'wetlands not weedlands', in recognition of the International Year of Freshwater. We very much want community groups, schools, industry, land-holders, government agencies and other participants to focus their activities on the serious threat that aquatic weeds pose to the health of our freshwater rivers, streams and wetlands. Waterweeds affect the lives of all Queenslanders. They reduce the water quality of our streams and rivers, increase mosquito breeding, reduce aquatic creatures and destroy our ecosystems, visually pollute our natural native areas and pose a safety risk to swimmers, boating enthusiasts and other waterway users. Once established, waterweeds are notoriously difficult to control. There are many simple things that everyone can do to help keep our waterways free of weeds—things such as removing plant materials from boats, propellers and trailers before entering and leaving waterways and never dumping aquarium plants near waterways. Some of our worst waterweeds are popular aquarium plants that have escaped into our waterways. It is important to check what species one buys and never buy or keep waterweeds in one's pond or aquarium. Weedbuster Week 2003 is a great way for all of us to do our bit to stop the spread of weeds.

Tree Clearing Mr CHRIS FOLEY: My question is directed to the Minister for Natural Resources and Minister for Mines. Under the new tree clearing laws, allowance is made to provide individually for an exemption under certain circumstances. How many exemptions have been granted so far? Mr ROBERTSON: I thank the honourable member for the question. Obviously it is somewhat beyond my ability to provide him with that level of detail in answer to a question without notice. Mr Mackenroth interjected. Mr ROBERTSON: The Treasurer may be surprised to learn that I do not have that particular bit of information. Mr Mackenroth interjected. Mr ROBERTSON: I thank the Treasurer for the interjection. Clearly not enough, otherwise I would have this information. I seek his support in next year's budget to increase that number. I thank the Treasurer for that. Nevertheless, the issue of the current negotiations occurring between the state and Commonwealth governments is a matter of interest to many rural Queenslanders. In fact, just last Friday I had the opportunity, at the natural resources ministerial council meeting held in Perth, to make a very strong pitch to the Commonwealth to do the right thing when it comes to signing the bilateral agreement on Natural Heritage Trust II funding. As the member may or may not be aware, one of the conditions the Commonwealth has imposed on Queensland is that, before an agreement can be signed for Natural Heritage Trust II, the state must agree to the phase-out of the clearing of of-concern remnant vegetation. I have written to both Minister Kemp and Minister Truss encouraging them to back away from that position, given the strength of partnership that exists between the Commonwealth and the state on the issue of tree clearing, to reach agreement with Queensland on signing off on NHT II funding. The only clause that remains in dispute between the Commonwealth and the state relates to the Commonwealth's continued insistence on the phase-out of of-concern remnant tree clearing. It is insisting on that being put away before it will agree with Queensland for the sign-off of the bilateral agreement on NHT II funding. 9 Oct 2003 Questions Without Notice 3897

I made the plea to both Minister Kemp and Minister Truss in Perth last Friday to put that aside and allow Queensland and the Commonwealth to sign off on millions and millions of dollars that rural land-holders want to access through Natural Heritage Trust II funding. It is not something many people understand. I said to Minister Truss that, time and time again, I have to respond not just to him but also to other federal National Party members of parliament accusing Queensland of delaying the signing of the bilateral agreement on NHT II funding. Yet the Commonwealth's insistence that we phase-out of-concern remnant tree clearing is the one and only clause that remains in dispute, that stops Queensland land-holders accessing millions and millions of dollars. I can only hope that the Prime Minister will intervene and put this nonsense to bed so that Queensland and the Commonwealth and those who want that NHT funding can get on with business.

National Party Policy, Public Housing Mr STRONG: My question is directed to the Minister for Public Works and Minister for Housing. I know that the minister has been searching for the National Party's policy on public housing ever since it confirmed during the last parliamentary sittings that it was working on one. I ask: has their policy come to light yet? Mr SCHWARTEN: I note that the National Party opposition is going out like hot pies on a cold day. The Leader of the Opposition is not present. My shadow is not present. The member for Toowoomba South is not present. They are obviously not very interested in the parliament, but I am interested in their policies. Mr Mackenroth interjected. Mr SCHWARTEN: I did not know that. No-one has noticed that; no-one cares. The reality is that I have taken a great deal of interest in the National Party's policy on public housing. The shadow minister indicated some time ago that he had it. Mr Horan dobbed him in a bit by saying that he was working on it. Over my two weeks off, when I had to endure enforced silence, I thought I would become a bit more computer literate, so I went searching through the web site. Eureka! I found, much to my surprise, that it had a 'home' policy. I said to my 19-year-old son, who is studying to be a journalist, 'Can we look at this a bit further?' He reminded me that that was the 'home page'. He then advised me that I should consult Mr Foley and see if I could get a TAFE course to make me more literate in that regard. I then worked through the web site. I noticed that there was nothing there. In fact, I photocopied it. Here it is: nothing at all! I thought how sad it was that in two and a half years there had been no policy whatsoever—nothing on the web site. When I came back to work on Monday I was talking about this matter and I realised that I was looking in the wrong place. I should have been looking in the Courier-Mail, because that is where all of the National Party's questions come from. That is where all its research is done. Lo and behold, there it was. I have here its policy: 'Nats put first home policy on agenda'. That is the first policy we have ever seen. Can honourable members guess where it came from? The Young Nationals! It is quite loopy and quite wacko. What they want to do is actually take people's superannuation and turn it into home ownership. I do not know how they think people will look after themselves in their old age, but at least they are having a go, which is more than can be said for the absent shadow minister. The truth is that this is a very serious issue. Queenslanders have every right to know before the next poll what these people stand for. Government members: He is back! Mr SCHWARTEN: He has done a General MacArthur. He has returned. But where is the policy? There is no policy. I thought he might have been bringing it in to show us, but that has not happened. The opposition cannot be taken seriously on this issue until it puts down some black- letter policy. Mr Mackenroth interjected. Mr SCHWARTEN: I hope it is not going to re-establish one like it did in relation to sport. It was caught out in relation to sport. It has no policy on families, housing or public works. Mr Beattie: They are very sensitive about it. Mr SCHWARTEN: They are very quiet about it, like they are on policy. 3898 Questions Without Notice 9 Oct 2003

Sugar Industry Mr ROWELL: My question is directed to the Minister for Primary Industries. With the minister's unyielding attitude toward the sugar industry, which has led to the support package no longer being available, what does he intend to do to support this important Queensland industry that is experiencing adverse seasonal conditions and a declining world market? Mr PALASZCZUK: We have a package. We have a damn good package. We have a package that is probably pretty well received by growers throughout the state. Unfortunately, we cannot get agreement with the Commonwealth. All we need to do is look at the forecasts the DPI put out this year to see that the sugar industry today is about $89 worse off than it was when we all signed the memorandum of understanding last year. We have a package. We have a program of reforms ready to implement. We have $30 million on the table and ready to be used up by the industry, but we cannot do it. We cannot do it for one reason: the wreckers in the National Party are in there with the federal Liberal Party destroying the package. It is people like De-Anne Kelly who are causing all of the problems. The only people attacking the growers are those opposite. Mr Horan interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Toowoomba South will cease interjecting. Mr PALASZCZUK: The wreckers of the National Party are the ones attacking the growers. I offer those opposite a challenge. Their three-day national conference starts tomorrow. I certainly hope that during their national conference those opposite put the sugar industry on the agenda as a priority. Mr Horan interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Toowoomba South will cease interjecting. This is my final warning. Mr PALASZCZUK: They should forget about name changes for the party. That counts for nothing. They should talk about the problems within the sugar industry. Mr Horan interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! You are on a final warning for too much interjecting. Mr PALASZCZUK: Those opposite should convince De-Anne Kelly and John Anderson to convince the federal government to sign up to the sugar package, and then the money will begin to flow. The federal government itself has cut off the welfare package for the canegrowers because there is no agreement, and it is still collecting the 3c a kilogram tax from companies such as Golden Circle and Coke and from the ordinary person who is a sugar consumer. All we need is a signature from the federal government, a tick, and every single dollar of the $30 million we have available to help the sugar industry will begin to flow. But those wreckers opposite have to change their minds. They have to make some strong representations to their colleagues in Canberra.

Code of Conduct, Local Government Mr POOLE: My question is directed to the Minister for Local Government and Planning, and I ask: is there a code of conduct for local government councillors? If not, is her department taking any action to explore that possibility? Mrs NITA CUNNINGHAM: No, there is no legislative requirement for a code of conduct for local government and, yes, we are exploring the possibility of putting one in place. I thank the member for Gaven for the question. It is a timely question because we are releasing a discussion paper this very week to review requirements for a code of conduct for local government councillors under the Local Government Act and the City of Brisbane Act. In 2001 members of this Queensland parliament became subject to a code of ethical standards, and some local governments have voluntarily adopted codes of conduct for their councillors. But there is currently no legislation requiring local governments to have a code of conduct for councillors. The Fitzgerald inquiry, the Electoral and Administrative Review Commission, the Parliamentary Committee for Electoral and Administrative Review and the Shepherdson inquiry each recommended local government councillors be subject to a code of conduct. The discussion paper being released this week will seek public input on whether legislation should be developed requiring councils to have codes of conduct for councillors. 9 Oct 2003 Questions Without Notice 3899

Currently, serious misconduct is dealt with by the CMC, and that agency has jurisdiction to investigate councillors in relation to matters involving an offence under the act or a breach of the Criminal Code. However, a code of conduct for councillors would help with instances of minor misconduct and inappropriate behaviour, and would also supplement the existing framework for local government by placing additional obligations on councillors. One proposal outlined in the discussion paper is that codes of conduct for councillors could be based on the six fundamental principles of the parliamentary code of ethical standards adapted for the local government context. My department will use the discussion paper as the basis for public consultation for a period of three months, and I encourage councils and ratepayers from throughout the state to access that discussion paper from my department's web site and to have a say. The release of the discussion paper at this time will ensure candidates at the 2004 local government elections are aware that compliance with the code of conduct may be a requirement for councillors during the next term of office. Further, the code of conduct for election candidates that was recently introduced into this parliament could also be adopted voluntarily by councils, and I encourage them to do so in the run-up to the council elections scheduled for 27 March next year.

Hospital Emergency Department Wait Times Miss SIMPSON: My question is directed to the Minister for Health. I refer to the state government's budget papers, which show that 750,000 people presented to Queensland emergency departments last year, and to the Beattie government's prediction that for 2003-04, despite 1,000 new people moving to Queensland per week, the same number of 750,000 will present to the hospital emergency departments. I ask the minister: what is her plan for emergency departments in Queensland that she is hoping will cap the numbers to a no-growth position? Will she table her emergency department plan within 24 hours? Mrs EDMOND: We have quite a few people pop into our emergency departments over a year—in fact, many thousands. I do not carry around with me all of the strategic plans and planning work that Health does. To do so, I would need something more— A government member: A wheelbarrow. Mrs EDMOND: I would need more than a wheelbarrow. I would need something— Mr Beattie: A Mack truck. Mrs EDMOND: Something like a Mack truck. Every day in Queensland over 2,000 people are treated in emergency departments. We have had a strategy to reduce waiting times in emergency departments. We have done an assessment of each and every emergency department in Queensland. We look at the throughput and we look at what category of patients they are. We cannot look just at the numbers. Some hospitals see more patients, but when we look at the acuity it is nowhere near as serious as other major hospitals such as the Royal Brisbane. If you looked just at the figures, you would be concerned. You might say, 'Other hospitals have bigger caseloads. Why aren't they getting more staffing?' In actual fact, the increases in patients have been in the lower levels. Category 1 emergency patients have barely increased. Category 2 emergency patients have increased slightly, but when we get down to the lower levels of categories—categories 3, 4 and 5—over the last five years they have increased dramatically. What we are doing is putting positions in place, and the Gold Coast is an excellent example of this. We are subsidising by $400,000 a year a fast-track procedure so that we can quickly get GP-type patients out of Gold Coast emergency departments. That has in itself reduced the time waiting for people with more serious problems, and that is working very well. We have implemented similar procedures in elective surgery on the Gold Coast which have seen the Gold Coast going from being one of the worst performers to one which has improved quite dramatically the percentage of patients seen in time. It is probably the best increase in Queensland. But, of course, those opposite just go out there and knock that. Importantly, we have also been advocating an increase in the number of GPs. Over and over again we are told the reason people are going to emergency departments is that they cannot get an appointment. Not only is bulk-billing an issue; people cannot get to see a GP. There are not enough GPs; they are too busy. 3900 Privilege 9 Oct 2003

Education Mr LEE: My question is directed to the Minister for Education. Parents play a vital role in a Queensland education, and we cannot put a value on the time and effort that mums and dads put into school fetes and other fundraising activities to make sure their children's schools have the best facilities and resources available. Would the minister please advise of any changes in the leadership of the parent organisations in Queensland? Ms BLIGH: I thank the honourable member for the question. I could not agree more with the statements he made about the value of parents and the work that they do to support our school communities. I think everybody would agree that parents and the work they do with their own children and with the associated activities in their schools are the lifeblood of Queensland schools. I would like this morning to pay tribute to two parents in particular, both of whom have been very strong advocates for improved education in Queensland. Mr Garry Cislowski, the former president of the Queensland Council of Parents and Citizens Association, has resigned and Mr Jack Beach, the former president of the Isolated Children's Parents Association, has also resigned that position. Mr Cislowski, the father of four, recently stepped aside from his role after three years in which he has achieved many, many things. I would like to acknowledge his significant contribution to the state executive of the QCPCA as president, and in the schools that his own children attended for many years. He has been a parent representative on education boards and committees, including statutory authorities. He has contributed over the last couple of years during my term significantly to the government's reforms of education. He has a passion for public education which permeated everything he brought to the role of president to the extent that his recorded phone message ends with the words: 'Just remember, state schools are great schools.' Mr Cislowski's successor is Mrs Wanda Lambert, and I congratulate her on her appointment and look forward to a continuing productive partnership with her under her new leadership. I would also like to pay tribute to Mr Jack Beach, the former state president of the ICPA. He has been a member of that organisation for over 20 years and president for the last three years. He is also the father of four. As I think all members who know Jack know, he has devoted his time to being the voice of parents and students, particularly those who rely on distance education, in Queensland for a long time. He is also a member of the Australian Community Industry Forum Consumer Advisory Council and Education Queensland's information technology board. He is well respected on both sides of the chamber for what can only be described as his candour and tenacity, and I look forward to working with him in his new role as the national president of ICPA. I know he will travel to Canberra just as regularly as he has for a number of years, and I hope he continues to make the federal government uncomfortable on the issue of the need to expand technology and broadband opportunities to distance education students. Filling his shoes as state president will be Mrs Rose Philp. I give her a warm welcome and again look forward to working with her and her new executive to improve the education of isolated children in Queensland.

Water Supply Mrs PRATT: My question is to the Minister for Natural Resources. For years during drought and need my constituents have piped water from a spring on their land for domestic supply only. They also supply their neighbour when the neighbour's water supply runs dry and vice versa. They have now been told verbally that they cannot do this. Nor can they drill or dig a well to supply their domestic needs. Will the minister confirm if this verbal communication is departmental policy? Mr ROBERTSON: Once again the member cannot expect me to have those kinds of details available for question time. If the honourable member is serious about representing her constituents she can come and see me later in the day. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time for questions has expired.

PRIVILEGE Department of Families; Privacy of Foster-Children Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (11.30 a.m.): I rise on a matter of privilege. The Leader of the Opposition raised submissions in the House earlier in relation to an alleged breach of section 189 of the Child Protection Act 1999 by the Minister for 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3901

Families and me. We had both received clearances from the CMC. In a letter Brendan Butler, the head of the CMC, said— The Commission considered the matter on 19 September 2003 after receiving extensive material from the Director- General, Department of Families, who had exercised his discretion not to prosecute. The commission resolved that it not report under section 49 of the Crime and Misconduct Act 2001 in respect of the alleged breach, and that no further action by the Crime and Misconduct Commission was warranted.

PRIVILEGE Department of Families; Privacy of Foster-Children Mr SPRINGBORG: (11.31 a.m.): I rise on a matter of privilege. On 6 October 2003, the Police Commissioner wrote to me. He said— I refer to my letters of 1 August 2003 and 16 September 2003. As stated to you previously, I initially referred your letter of 31 July 2003 to the Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC). Recently advice has been received by the CMC concerning the matter. The QPS is currently considering this advice. I will correspond with you further in the very near future. So the QPS has not concluded the matter. I table that letter. Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (11.32 a.m.): I make the point that the relevant person to pursue these matters is the Director-General of Families. The Director-General of Families has indicated that he has exercised his discretion not to pursue the matter. The issue was referred to the CMC by the Police Commissioner, if I am correct, based on what the Leader of the Opposition had said. The CMC's responsibility is to assess whether that discretion was exercised appropriately. It has done so. I have no difficulty with the QPS or anyone else looking at this matter, but let us be very clear that this, by all assessments of the process, by and large finalises the matter. Mr SPEAKER: I welcome to the public gallery a second group of students from the Undurba State School in the electorate of Murrumba.

YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN EDUCATION AND TRAINING BILL TRAINING REFORM BILL Second Reading (Cognate Debate) Resumed from 8 October (see p. 3821). Mr MULHERIN (Mackay—ALP) (11.33 a.m.), continuing: As I said yesterday before the debate was adjourned, the network has also recognised that implementation of the reforms will pose heavy administration requirements on schools. The network will be vitally important in establishing local strategies and solutions to the barriers that exist, and will help to develop effective cooperation and collaboration between education sectors to ensure that students are able to access adequate training and vocational education. The work of the network will greatly augment the provisions made in the Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill. In addition, at the most recent Mackay-Whitsunday ministerial regional community forum a proposal from Mr Kim Wilson was put forward outlining the benefits experienced in our region under school based apprenticeships, traineeships or SATs program. Mackay was chosen as one of the three locations in Queensland to participate in the launch of the SATs program in 1997. In effect SATs combined all the best elements of the Education and Training Reform for the Future. The program provides students with an opportunity to be learning and earning and also provide a great transition from school to employment or university. Students undertake an apprenticeship or training while at school. In the case of school based apprenticeships, the student is paid for time spent working, which is a minimum of 48 days in a 12-month period. Currently in Mackay there are 23 school based apprenticeships and 49 school based traineeships. Although Queensland is the major provider of SATs, with about 62 per cent of the participants, the program is still reaching less than five per cent of its target population. Reasons for this include a perception among some students, parents and schools that SATs are available or designed only for students not intending to go to university or at-risk students. Students studying OP subjects are eligible to undertake a SAT and the program is not intended to detract from academic learning. 3902 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003

There are also problems with how the program is integrated into schools. It requires dedicated personnel within schools to undertake the role of promoting and encouraging students to undertake SATs. It also requires coordination to ensure that students undertaking SATs can adequately balance their school work and training. The proposal supported the creation of a promotional presentation or information packs aimed at students, parents and industry to assist in marketing the program locally. It is clear that as a society we need to again recognise and value vocational qualifications and not put so much pressure on our children to be focused solely on academic achievement and attending university. We need to show students that education is not just about grades; it is about preparing for their future lives. While university graduates have many desirable qualities, skilled workers and tradespeople are vitally important for the future growth of our state. Young people have so much potential and the reforms to be implemented under the Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill 2003 will have a far-reaching, positive effect on the way that education is delivered in Queensland. I would like to thank the Minister for Education and the Minister for Employment, Training and Youth for the tremendous work they have done in bringing this bill to the House today. I also want to thank the departmental people, and I acknowledge the passion that both ministers have extolled in selling this reform agenda throughout Queensland. The bill will bring significant changes and introduce a more flexible and proactive approach to preparing our younger people for the future. I commend the bill to the House. Mr SPRINGBORG (Southern Downs—NPA) (Leader of the Opposition (11.37 a.m.): I rise to support the cognate bills that are before us. There is no doubt that the principles outlined in the bills which are being debated here are fine. I do not think that there would be too many people who could argue with those principles. They have carriage by both the Minister for Employment and Training and also the Minister for Education. I believe, though, that there are some practical issues that the government needs to properly consider in so far as implementation of the bills is concerned. They cannot be dismissed. I know that other members have probably raised those in parliament during the course of yesterday's debate. Many of my constituents do not enjoy the opportunity to be close to training facilities and do not enjoy the opportunity to be close to P-12 schools. That is not to say that an objective such as has been laid out in these bills before the parliament should not be, in some way, supported and aspired to. But there are some issues that we need to properly consider. If I look around my electorate, which is rather sparse but not as sparse as other electorates which are held by other members in this parliament, I have three P-12 state schools in Goondiwindi, Stanthorpe and Warwick. There are also some other non-government options in Warwick that go to that level as well. I have other schools such as Allora, Killarney, Inglewood and Texas where they are P-12 schools. A lot of consideration needs to be given to how the outcomes of these bills will be practically implemented in the next three years before the phase-in of these provisions is complete. My electorate contains a number of state training facilities such as the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE in Warwick. Stanthorpe and Goondiwindi also have rural training options for students, and what is happening there is a great idea. There is also a TAFE college over the electorate's border at Boggabilla which is used by some people from Goondiwindi. However, the provision of a full year of full-time preschool will create some resourcing issues for the area—and no doubt those sorts of problems are not insurmountable—as will making it compulsory for students to attend school until the end of year 10 or until they reach the age of 16, whichever comes first. That sounds fine, but the option for students to be either earning or learning or in training beyond that are matters which we need to take into careful consideration and about which I am seeking some assurances. Schools in Allora or Killarney both have school bus services which take senior students—that is, year 11 and 12 students—into Warwick, which is not very far away. The Allora State School currently has a proposal before the government to consider the enhancement of its school to years 11 and 12. I am somewhat sympathetic to that request, but I fully understand that there is a resourcing issue in that regard. Nevertheless, it is an objective which I support. The Texas school only goes to year 10 and earlier this year put in place a bus service so that children wishing to complete years 11 and 12 could do so while residing at home in Stanthorpe. That is a significant trip for students, because it is about 100 kilometres. It is not a straight 100 kilometres; it 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3903 is fairly windy. So the bus trip is not just an hour but longer and a student has to do that twice a day. That was an initiative of the school and the community, and I acknowledge and thank them very much for their contribution and insight. In the early part of the 1990s the Texas State School trialled year 11 by correspondence with tutoring support from teaching staff. However, it did not have the take-up, the support and the logistical practicality for it to be successful, because there must be a critical mass to enjoy the curriculum opportunity and diversity which students need, particularly beyond grades 8, 9 and 10. Subjects become more specific and there has to be real curriculum diversity to prepare those students for the future. That is the challenge of having small classes, particularly in years 11 and 12. I have also received proposals which suggest utilising communications technology as a way of overcoming some of these issues. I note that the Department of Education does that in isolated circumstances, and that is working reasonably well. I am not sure what consideration has been given to that as an option to areas which are not really considered to be isolated in that there are schools in the region but there may not be a compatible school for a student which is less than an hour or more away. It may be possible to look at that as an option. It has certainly been put to me by the likes of the Inglewood Shire Council as something which needs to be considered for students in that shire. Recently a woman wrote to me who lives on the eastern side of Inglewood towards Warwick who is faced with the dilemma of what to do with her two daughters when they reach years 11 and 12. Inglewood for her is half an hour down the road towards Goondiwindi and that school goes to year 10. However, she wants to be able to keep her children at home to complete their year 11 and 12 schooling, and that is not an altogether unreasonable proposition or desire for her as a parent. However, because her children would have to catch a bus at Inglewood which then travels another hour towards Goondiwindi, they would be on the school bus for an hour and a half each way. Having to travel an hour each way is pretty long when dealing with the heat and the fact that you have to get up very early—that is, leaving home at 6.30 in the morning and coming home at maybe 5.30 or 6 o'clock in the evening. As grades 11 and 12 place a far greater demand and expectation in the area of homework, she is concerned about that. I understand that and there are other parents who are similarly concerned. For many of those parents, boarding school is not always an option. Boarding school is not always an option because it is a significant cost. Notwithstanding the subsidy which is made available by the government, it can still be a significant cost. There is also a matter of choice for parents who are concerned about sending their children away and they therefore want to have options. This will become more of an issue with the passage of this legislation. The reason it will become more of an issue with the passage of this legislation is that, if a young person does not have a job, is not in training or is not in training once they complete year 10, then it would be expected of them that they have to continue in some form of schooling. That will make it essential for us to have schooling options that are more closely available for these families. It is something that we just have to do. It is great to have legislation such as this. The concept is absolutely fantastic. If the government works it through, then it will be great. However, if there is not enough commitment of resources to do it or lack of proper consideration, strategic planning and understanding about the implementation of it, it is going to fall down. As a result, it will let the government down and some of our kids down. I ask the government to be aware of that. In that regard, those training options are not available to these kids as well because, in many cases, they are an hour or more away. If they do not have a job but are living at home, they have to be in training or in some form of schooling. That means that the government has to look at the possibility of putting in place better and more strategic bus services. In the case of the woman I just mentioned, if there was a bus service going towards Warwick, for example, or Stanthorpe the trip would be less than an hour, but because there is a service taking students to Goondiwindi from Inglewood she has to utilise that bus service, which takes an hour and a half. There has to be a commitment from government for an enhancement of school transport services. I am not sure if the government has given any proper consideration to the cost of doing that, but that is going to have to be the real option in many cases. With regard to the critical mass required to ensure proper curriculum diversity and interaction in years 11 and 12, some schools and the student numbers are probably going to be too small to be able to afford it and for the government to be able to properly provide it in those areas and not 3904 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003 just as a mickey mouse effort. With regard to training options—and I want to labour this point for a moment—people in these areas are more than an hour away in some cases to training options. What sort of opportunity will there be in those areas for young people if they want to pursue training in that area? Maybe school based apprenticeships are the way to go in addressing that issue, but once again there has to be a commitment of resources and the opportunity for participation in the broader community for those who wish to do that. I believe school based apprenticeships are great. They are something I have always supported. Over the past few years I have been very pleased at what has come to pass in this regard. There was some debate originally in my part of the world when some schools were talking with TAFE colleges about doing this. Those trying to protect their patch were asking, 'What will be the implication for us? Will we lose out as a consequence of this?' rather than looking outside of the square to see what can be done when TAFE and Education Queensland work together to get the best outcomes for these students. Not all young people are suited to schooling. Some are very much suited to hands-on training. That is where this system is really good. Overall we should be encouraging young people to become more involved in apprenticeships. That is extremely important. Over the last couple of decades we have tended to have a tertiary focus in this state and country; in other words, 'Go and get yourself a degree and then you'll be set for life.' However, a lot of people getting degrees now are not set for life; they do not have the employment opportunities for which they studied. Many do, but a lot do not. Many people in industry are crying out for apprentices and those skilled in a particular trade. We need to have a balance. There is probably a realisation now that we need to be encouraging more young people into that area and changing the mindset that they need to have a degree to survive. Sometimes a TAFE certificate or apprenticeship—getting a trade—is the way to go. A lot of trades pay quite well and there are enormous shortages of people wanting to undertake them, particularly in the housing industry and diesel fitting. A whole range of industries are saying that people are needed. There are jobs there. We need to broaden our focus and encourage young people into those areas. I would like to have the assurances I have sought from both ministers involved. Again, the ideals in these bills are very good. I want to know, be encouraged and be comfortable in myself that there will be the necessary practical implementation. I know there will be a phase-in period. That is crucial. What additional resources will have to be made available to make sure this is implemented successfully? Can both ministers explain the answers they have for an electorate such as mine, where young people might not have the opportunity to participate at the local level, which is important for them? The distances involved are a bit of a challenge. Another issue that I wish to raise very briefly is the behaviour management of some of these young people. We know that some of those who are not going on to higher education—that is, years 11 and 12 and beyond—drop out or do not participate because they do not want to participate. They are not interested in education because to them it is a major drag and it can be disruptive. There are behavioural issues associated with them and there are dysfunctionality issues at home. It is a concern to know and make sure that there will be sufficient capacity, support and resources for those who will be working with these young people either in a schooling or training environment. There will be behavioural issues, for example, connected with a lack of interest. People who do not want to do something that can potentially be a problem are probably starting with the wrong attitude. They may be in the minority. Nevertheless, it is one of those things that happen at the moment. They have an option to drop out, and they do drop out. They were disruptive while they were in the system. As I said, there are cases where there are dysfunctionality issues at home. The system probably does not necessarily support them sufficiently. I know that it is not easy to fix all of these issues for these young people. But there are problems. We do not want to see a significant amount of the new resources that will need to be committed to make sure that this learning or earning agenda is implemented being taken up in addressing these dysfunctionality issues for many of those who may not want to participate or be a part of this. By and large, I am very supportive of the principles. I look forward to hearing the government's response in summary. The opposition will be keeping a very close watching brief on this as we head through the implementation stage over the next few years. Hon. J. FOURAS (Ashgrove—ALP) (11.55 a.m.): I am pleased to take part in the cognate debate on the Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill and the Training Reform Bill. Similar to all honourable members who have spoken to these bills so far, the Leader of the Opposition indicated that he has no argument with the philosophy underlying these bills. The 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3905

Leader of the Opposition questioned the capacity to fund the necessary resourcing associated with them. The Beattie Labor government will ensure that that happens. These bills provide a legislative base to address today's social and economic environment, which demands higher levels of qualification. We are no longer in the old world where, for example, a father working in a railway shop could take his child, upon finishing his scholarship, to the railway shop to do an apprenticeship. That is not the world of today. We have to respond to that change. We have responded through providing greater flexibility by enabling young Queenslanders to achieve qualifications beyond year 10 in school, TAFE or on-the-job training. Minister Foley has told us many times that we must deal with the dilemma of 10,000 15- to 17-year-olds not being in school, training or work. Minister Foley has announced his retirement and I know that when he looks back on his time in parliament he will appreciate that this is one of his greatest achievements. I have many years experience of community support schemes and SkillShare programs, which are no longer functioning because conservative governments have decided to abolish them. Many of the people I dealt with as clients in these programs did not cope at school academically and dropped out. That left most of them with an unbelievable lack of basic literacy and numeracy skills, which locked them out of the job market. Nobody can understand the need for training without having seen the types of people who turn up, for example, at CYSS programs, and at Enoggera SkillShare. For people to have their day in the sun, training is vital. When we speak to somebody for first time we tend to ask them who they are and what they do. Our capacity to be a working member of the community gives us dignity. Importantly, our welfare and our dignity are tied to our capacity to hold a job. When I was chairing the Enoggera SkillShare project we ran a pilot project where 20 young people were taken from the John Oxley Detention Centre and put through a 26-week course. That cost over $100,000. They were taken out into the bush for two weeks so they could appreciate the opportunity and bond with each other. The program also included literacy and numeracy. We got outcomes from 15 of those 20 young people. If that program kept just one of those young people out of the dock or a correctional institution it would have saved more than the cost of the whole project. If we are going to talk about early intervention and prevention, that is one way of going about it. I am proud of the community jobs plans in my electorate. We are saying that the long-term unemployed ought to be given an opportunity for training. Unfortunately, the Productivity Commission stated in its own report that the long-term unemployed are parked. The job schemes we have today under the Howard government are appalling. People are in this game for profit. They treat it that way and make decisions not based on the needs of human beings but based on how they can maximise their profit. I know a long-term unemployed person who went to one of these places, was sent to do a TAFE course and then later actually got a job back in her old workplace. Her getting the job had nothing to do with this job trainer, yet the job trainer received money for that placement. This is appalling. When they do not meet their requirements they are stupidly subsidised to the tune of billions of dollars by the Howard government. These job plans will be good for the community. Unicare Ashgrove has a wonderful facility which employs 13 long-term unemployed people. They can get skills and feel part of a workplace. It is one of the best disability facilities in Brisbane. This is due to job plans. I commend Minister Foley for saying that there is a need for training and we will try to meet that need. The Migrant Workers Resource Centre looks after injured migrant workers. On Monday, I went to look at a project which is funded by the Department of Employment and Training where injured workers are given literacy and IT training in partnership between TAFE and the state government. I think it is a wonderful opportunity. That is an indication that literacy and IT are necessary skills for people to have these days if they are to play meaningful roles in the work force. When one sees, as I have, how a lack of training and/or education impacts on many people's lives, one knows how important this legislation is. The Minister for Education made the statement today that state schools are great schools. We have to provide a state education system that is second to none. We need to give real choice to parents who cannot afford to or want to send their children to state schools. I am proud to have been part of two Labor governments—the Goss Labor government and the Beattie Labor government. The first one did the Building Better Schools project and the 3906 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003 second has done the Secondary School Improvement project. I remember times when I went to schools in my electorate and the paint was peeling off the walls, toilets were leaking and classrooms were dreadful. If one goes to them now one sees schools that are second to none. Minister Bligh would be aware, because she has been to the Gap State High School, what the $3.1 million under the Secondary School Improvement project has done for that school. It has lifted the culture in that school. It has made not just the teachers and a great principal but the school community actually feel good about the school and the environment they are in. I say to both the ministers, who are in the chamber today, that it is important that we go beyond the legislated changes and look at resourcing these changes. There is nothing more important than people getting a fair go and participating in the work force so that when they meet somebody they can say, 'Yes, I do such and such, and I am a contributing member of society.' I commend this legislation to the House. Ms NOLAN (Ipswich—ALP) (12.04 p.m.): I rise to speak in support of the education and training reforms developed and brought to the House by the Minister for Education and the Minister for Employment and Training. A Labor government is committed above all else to equality of opportunity. We believe not that everyone could or should possibly end up in the same place but that a person should have opportunities to make their own way in the world, to realise their own potential for success and happiness regardless of the station in life into which they are born. This, at the core of it, is Curtin's light on the hill. There are many points in life at which government can intervene. We have a public health system, albeit under threat from the federal government, which ensures that when people get sick they can be treated. We have a social security system so even those who are not working do not end up on the street. These things are safety nets. They ensure service provision regardless of people's station in life. Education is different from these things. Public education is not a safety net. It is an opportunity to transform people's lives. Giving all kids a good education can ensure that all people, regardless of their background, can have a chance to make their own way in the world. Education, particularly public education, is the only way in which government can really intervene to get people in their formative years and not just to protect them from falling to the bottom of society but to give them an opportunity to climb to the top. That is why this legislation is so important. That is why it has been introduced by a Labor government. There are a number of points in Australia's history at which the nation's direction has been fundamentally altered by education policy. When Australia was first colonised the colonial administration set about establishing some form of state education. For the first 150 years of the nation's history a debate raged about the state funding of church-run, mainly Catholic schools, with many thousands of children being educated in desperately underresourced schools as a result of government policy which refused to fund church-run schools. The decision eventually to fund church-run schools gave thousands of mainly Catholic children the opportunity for a good education and resulted in a great uplift in the circumstances of that community. In 1972 the Whitlam government was swept to power and another fundamental change to Australian education policy was made. The decision to make university education free and hence open it up to people regardless of their background created one of the greatest social changes of the last 100 years. The thousands of people who were educated as a result of the Whitlam reforms have lifted their families up a class and are making a great contribution to Australian society today. Many of them sit among us. These bills, to a great extent, continue the tradition of those significant reforms in Queensland schools. The bills increase the minimum age at which a young person can leave school from 15 to 16 unless they have achieved a Senior Certificate, a TAFE level III qualification or gotten a job. They fundamentally change the structure of senior schooling. They need to be viewed alongside the introduction of a prep year prior to year 1 and the fact that we have recently announced plans to reduce class sizes from 30 to 28 in years 4 to 10. Together these changes form the greatest reforms to education in Queensland in living memory. Importantly, the core changes to the education system embodied in these bills are funded. Thirty years ago going on to senior was an option only for the minority of young people who were seen as academic. While senior schooling has gone through a great evolution in the last 30 years, it continues to be limited to some extent by it origins, being generally academic focused with varying degrees of a sideline in vocational education or school based apprenticeships. 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3907

This evolution has come a long way. Queensland now has more school based apprenticeships than all of the other states combined. The legislation stops that haphazard evolutionary development of senior schooling. Its premise is that senior schooling is for everyone and its structure will be altered to make absolutely sure of that. The bills, as other members have discussed, will ensure that every student has an individual education plan in year 10 which sets out a pathway for the senior years. For some that pathway will continue to be predominantly academic. For others it will be a school based apprenticeship with some days spent at school or TAFE. For others it will be a predominantly TAFE pathway. The establishment of a plan will mean that the path a student takes through those senior years will no longer be a matter of chance. The measures to record the whole range of a student's experience on their Senior Certificate will mean that all of that learning and all of that experience is recorded as being of value. The Ipswich and Corinda education districts are currently trialling the new measures. I am very pleased to say that Bremer High, the only state high school in my electorate, is leading the way. Mr Matt Foley: I am not sure about that. Yeronga State School is doing pretty well, too. Ms NOLAN: I am pretty confident about Bremer, Minister. In the last four years, Bremer has increased its retention rate through to year 12 from about 57 per cent of students to 70 per cent. The school has also pioneered the concept of school training and work being integrated. For some years now senior IT students have had the option of dropping their sixth board subject and instead spending their time doing a certificate II or III TAFE course in IT and doing real work on the school's computer network. This program embodies the concept of integrating school, training and work that these bills formalise. Right now Bremer High year 10 students are having their individual education plans developed in preparation for the full-blown commencement of the ETRF trial next year. The school is developing the links it already has with local businesses which can provide work, work experience and apprenticeships and is developing much better links with the Bremer TAFE. In addition to providing education and training options to suit all young people, these reforms also provide much better support to keep young people in school. There is an ignorant but widespread view in our community that young people these days somehow do not want to learn or do not want to work and that they all spend their time causing trouble. While there is no doubt that some young people do not respect their elders, the pressures that are placed on many of these young people are enormous. Family breakdown, poverty and extremely high rates of youth unemployment mean that many young people do not come from secure homes, they do not have strong ethical guidance through their lives and they are certainly not offered their choice of a job when they leave school. Importantly, this package provides much better support for young people to stay at school. The Youth Support Coordinators Program has been extended, and the Ipswich district is developing a plan to provide educational options and support through a model like the Full Service Schools initiative that existed in Ipswich until the federal government axed its funding in around 1998. Next year, when the Bremer students currently in year 10 move on to the senior school, we will really see what the new face of education looks like. Bremer is a great school with a supportive community, a diverse, energetic student mix and an extremely committed professional staff. The recent Bremer open day, to which all staff and many hundreds of parents and students turned up on a Saturday to celebrate and promote the school, was a wonderful example of the school's spirit. Unfortunately, the school is built on shifting black soil and, while millions of dollars has been spent in recent years refurbishing the admin block, building a wonderful new performing arts and multimedia centre and repainting many areas of the school, some of the buildings continue to look run down. I take this opportunity to endorse some of the comments of the member for Ashgrove about the importance of school maintenance. I thank the Education Minister and the Premier for the huge changes that have happened at Bremer, and I want to ask for more. It is my view that, with many of Queensland's schools like Bremer being old, there is a need for a significant ongoing maintenance program to rebuild and refurbish Queensland's schools. State schools provide an excellent education, but that aim is a lot easier to achieve in an attractive physical environment. 3908 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003

There are two principles that should underlie Australian education policy—excellence and equity—and they are not mutually exclusive. While the Beattie government is pursuing these aims through these reforms, it is a tragedy that the federal government does not share our commitment to these values. The Howard government is the most ideologically driven we have seen in Australia, and its ideology determines that the market will give us excellence. There is not really any reference to equity. This ideological approach is placing Australia's education system under enormous threat. Ideologically, the federal government believes that the private education system—the market—will deliver the best results, and so it is to private education, and particularly elite private education, that the Howard government's attention is focused. Since the Howard government, under former Education Minister David Kemp, changed the funding balance between state and private education, growth in Commonwealth funding for private education has far outstripped growth to state schools. The big winners have not been the Catholic schools. They have not been the ordinary private schools that many parents struggle to send their kids to. They have been the elite independent schools—the Joeys and the Kings of the world—that most people will never get anywhere near. The approach is fundamentally inequitable. The danger is that it will create a system where government schools are the schools of last resort—the safety net in our education system. If this federal policy continues, it will mean that capacity to pay, not brains or effort, will determine young people's education and their prospects in life. Similarly, the current Nelson review of higher education, if it is not significantly amended on grounds of equity, will have the same effect for universities. The federal government is threatening to double the number of fee-paying places in our universities and to increase HECS by 30 per cent. Again, it is making no effort to address the current level of Austudy, which is already well below the poverty line. I am very proud that the Beattie government is bringing in these reforms. They are all the more significant when we see them in light of the federal government's extremely hostile approach to equity in education. These reforms have not yet entirely hit the decks in the community, and there are many people who are only beginning to realise the significance of what we are doing. I do not feel I can finish talking about these reforms without addressing the fact that there has been significant debate among teachers, both at a statewide level and in Ipswich, about their own capacity to deliver on the aims of these reforms and, importantly, about the government's willingness or capacity to support schools and teachers to do it. There is among some a weariness of reform, a distrust of government's commitment to fund the changes we are talking about and a view that some kids are too tough and too disruptive to keep in our schools. While I do not want to dismiss these concerns out of hand, I do ask those who have the capacity to make or break these reforms to be committed and to be optimistic. The reforms are funded, with the government having made a commitment at the point of announcing these reforms to direct all of the additional revenue that flows from the GST to education. This is not just another round of public sector reform. These are significant, indeed historic, reforms that fundamentally recognise that to build a Smart State and to give everyone a genuinely equal opportunity to reach their potential we must give them an education. One of the only things that can possibly defeat these reforms is a failure of optimism, a weariness of change, a lack of energy and a failure of spirit. Teachers and this Labor government believe in educating young people. At the core of it all, that is why teachers are there. These changes will fundamentally improve how we do that, and we must commit together to making sure it happens. I commend the bills to the House. Miss ELISA ROBERTS (Gympie—Ind) (12.16 p.m.): I rise this afternoon to speak in support of the Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill and the Training Reform Bill. It is my belief that a good education is one of the greatest gifts we can offer our children, and it is an area which should not only be a priority of government but also be regarded by all as an integral and vital part of every child's growth and upbringing. I do not believe that one could ever overemphasise the importance of education in the lives of our children. In saying that, I am proud to say that we in Australia have possibly the best education system in the world, with governments of all persuasions dedicated to ensuring that all Australian children have the right and access to an education. With this in mind, it is disappointing to see the number of young people who are not actively engaged in any type of training, education, apprenticeship or work. It seems as though some of our youth have very little regard 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3909 for education, have a lack of appreciation as to the benefits of an education and do not appreciate the benefits which come with knowledge. It is a sad reality today that not only is education not a huge priority amongst some people within society but also the notion of the work ethic seems to be not as frequently adhered to as it has been in years gone by. As part of my job I come into contact with people who are unemployable in that they left school early and did not carry out any type of work related training and then found themselves in the almost hopeless situation of becoming long-term unemployed with little real prospect of changing their status. Whilst I commend the Minister for Education for implementing a system aimed at encouraging young people to take on training via a more flexible system, I feel that it is still the primary responsibility of parents to encourage their children to continue at school, participate in training or enter the work force. I can understand the difficulty in some instances in trying to impress upon young people, particularly those who may not be high achievers in the academic side of study, that there are so many options that are available for them to undertake which will specifically meet their ability and interests. From a personal perspective, even though I loved school and was happy to complete year 12, I was not initially interested in going on to tertiary study so I went on to do a hospitality management traineeship, which combined TAFE study with on-the-job training. Following this I decided I wanted to do something else so I joined the Army, and then at 23 decided I wanted to go to university. The point is that I knew there were various choices and options. It is very rare for a teenager to really know what they want to do for the rest of their life as a career. I know some people now who are illiterate and would give anything to have stayed on at school. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but when it comes to something as essential as education we all have a responsibility to ensure that our youth are provided with opportunities which are designed around their particular needs and interests so that they have the chance of a bright future as a result of the knowledge, self-respect, confidence and character building which goes hand in hand with learning. I am happy to commend these bills to the House. Mr LEE (Indooroopilly—ALP) (12.19 p.m.): I am delighted to be able to participate today in this debate on both the Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill and the Training Reform Bill. The fact that we have these two bills before the House today I think demonstrates in a very real way that this Beattie Labor government is transforming the way that this state views education issues. It is a pleasure to be able to tell my constituents about the wonderful things happening in the area of education at a state level, but I want to comment very briefly and put on record my absolute disgust at the way the federal government is handling funding for education in Queensland. I am constantly amazed at the way the federal government seems so determined to so disadvantage ordinary working people when trying to educate their children through the state system and even when trying to educate their children through systems like the Catholic system, particularly here in Queensland. I am constantly amazed that a federal government that would claim the support of what people often call the Howard battlers would so disadvantage Queensland students and so advantage students in elite private schools. I want to also put on record my absolute disgust at the steps the federal Liberal Party government is taking in the area of third level education. Within my electorate is Queensland's largest university, the University of Queensland, and I have very real concerns for the level of HECS debt that students of that university will end up paying when they complete their degrees. It would seem to me that the federal government has a view that education should be for those who can afford to pay for it, not for those who can earn it on merit. I want to make it very clear that I am very disturbed about this. I want to also put on record my concern that the federal member for Ryan does not seem as concerned about this as I think he ought to be. I encourage him to take more of an interest in the welfare of students at the University of Queensland. Queensland, I think nowadays, is a Smart State. It was only a few years ago that Queensland had almost a culture of being anti-intellectual. I am very pleased at the steps this government has taken to change the perception of people when it comes to education. I want to speak briefly about a wonderful school that operates within my electorate. It is a school I know the Minister for Employment would be familiar with: the Brisbane Bangla Language School. It is a school that educates children in the Bangla language. The school holds lessons every Sunday morning within the campus of the Indooroopilly State High School. I know the Minister for Employment is a great friend of the Brisbane Bangladeshi community. I know also that he has a great admiration for Bangladesh's national poet, Tagore, and I know that the Bangladeshi community also speak very highly of him. 3910 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003

I want to make the House aware today that Bangla is a language that is often overlooked when it comes to the teaching of LOTE in schools. I am informed by the Parliamentary Library that the Bangla language is spoken by 207 million people world wide and in nine different countries. Depending on whom you believe, it is either the fifth or sixth most widely spoken language in the world. I think there are great opportunities in the future for people who can speak this language. I spoke recently at the Bangla school night on 13 September, which was held at Indooroopilly State High School, and expressed to them my very strong view that people who live in Australia with a cultural heritage that is Bangladeshi really ought to hang on to the traditions of their homeland and the language of their homeland. I spoke with Bangladesh's high commissioner in Australia, and he expressed to me the view that he would like to see Bangladesh more widely taught in schools in Queensland. I have made some inquiries, and I am delighted to be able to tell the House that it is a language that could be taught within schools as a LOTE non- priority language. I want to encourage parents who perhaps speak Bangla to speak to their schools to see whether they can get a large number of children at an individual school who would like to learn the language as part of their education. That is something they can do and is something I would encourage them to do. I want to thank the Indooroopilly State High School for the way it has made the Brisbane Bangla Language School very welcome. I know the president of the language school, Delwar Khan, speaks very highly of the way that Indooroopilly High has made its little language school so very welcome at Indooroopilly State High School. I have spoken in the House before of the high level of debating at the Indooroopilly State High School. This is a school that will benefit very much from the legislation before us today. I know that the Queensland Debating Union, with the help of the state government, has just opened up a new office in Taringa, near Indooroopilly. I would like to encourage the QDU to make Indooroopilly High a school that it focuses a lot of attention on. I believe Indooroopilly High is the best state school for debating in Queensland. I think it is a real opportunity for the QDU to develop good ties with it. I am delighted to support these bills today. Mrs ATTWOOD (Mount Ommaney—ALP) (12.25 p.m.): It is appropriate that we ensure the future of our young citizens by providing them with an opportunity to engage in the training and education system to the fullest possible extent. These bills will make the necessary legislative changes to support the implementation of the Education and Training Reforms for the Future outlined by the minister and the Premier late last year in his link to ensuring that Queensland is the Smart State. Youth peak organisations, private schools authorities, TAFEs and registered training organisations, private training providers, peak organisations, school principals associations and parents groups as well as concerned individuals have been consulted during this process. This bill introduces the concept of a compulsory participation phase in the education system. This commences when a young person stops being of compulsory school age and finishes when the young person either gains a Senior Certificate or certificate III, has participated for two years beyond the compulsory school age or turns 17. The bills create an obligation for parents of young people in the compulsory participation phase to ensure that the young person participates in defined education and training options or employment skills options. Furthermore, the bill also includes provisions to enable young people to comply by working in paid employment for at least 25 hours a week. Young people will also be able to apply for an employment exemption if they want to participate by working but cannot gain employment for the full 25 hours a week or want to engage in unpaid employment. The reforms are aimed at ensuring that young people leave the education and training system better equipped for future success. The reforms will raise the school leaving age from 15 to 16 or when the young person has completed year 10, whichever comes first. Young people will then be required to continue to participate in education or training or work for another two years or until they have achieved a Senior Certificate or a certificate III vocational education qualification. The requirement will cease once the young person turns 17. These reforms will equip young Queenslanders with the skills necessary to compete on an equal footing across the employment spectrum through a flexible education and training system that offers an immense range of choices. Youth can elect to stay within the traditional education system, leave after year 10 to work in industry and obtain a vocational education certificate, or complete their senior school leaving certificate. Various students in Mount Ommaney have told me that they will individually be taking one or another of the options available. They are ensuring they are competitive in the Smart State. 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3911

Schools in the Mount Ommaney electorate trialling the state government's learning or earning reforms have benefited from the $955,000 grant for the Corinda and Ipswich trial area to expand education and training pathways for senior students. In total about 23,000 year 10 students from more than 200 schools and 12 TAFE institutes will take part in the senior schooling trials. The funding enables communities taking part in the trials to develop and implement innovative local programs and services to engage young people in learning or earning. Communities are thinking outside the box in relation to how they can expand pathways for students and how they can attract young people who have left school back to learning. The trials of these landmark reforms will provide critical information for their statewide implementation in 2006. A community organisation will be contracted by Education Queensland to identify quality mentors who are prepared to offer their time to provide valuable advice and support to students in each trial area. Where appropriate, young people who might be considered at risk of leaving learning may be matched with a mentor from their local community. The mentor should be someone they can easily and readily identify with so that they can help students make informed choices about their future. Community mentors will also assist youth support coordinators to offer young people for whom traditional schooling is not suitable a fresh start through flexible learning programs. A lot of work has been put in by my local high schools, Centenary and Corinda, to ensure that these trials are a success. Corinda High's boat building project has received significant recognition in the local community and with Education Queensland. As a result of this project a number of students from the school have been offered apprenticeships in the boat building industry. The training reforms are about making sure that education is useful and leads towards a suitable career path. We also need to ensure that we have enough people trained in various areas to meet the demands of industry. I congratulate the Minister for Employment, Training and the Arts and the Minister for Education on these reforms. I commend the bills to the House. Mr HOPPER (Darling Downs—NPA) (12.30 p.m.): In rising to speak on the Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill and the Training Reform Bill, I would like to follow on with a few things touched on by my colleagues. The member for Cunningham has dealt with the bills in detail and I believe that he has covered them very well. The town of Dalby is the main town in my electorate. Dalby is really going ahead. We now have a number of large employers in the town. Dingo Mini Diggers and Carmichael builders, just to name a couple, employ a massive number of people. They are just two of the companies that employ a large number of apprentices. Of course those apprentices are sent away each and every year for their TAFE training. Some people might say that Toowoomba is not far away—it is about 84 kilometres from Dalby—but some families are not very happy about their younger family members going away and having to stay in Toowoomba while they do their block training. A program has been set up with the Dalby Agricultural College. There was a plan for a TAFE college in Dalby. The former member for Darling Downs, Brian Littleproud, worked very hard on that plan. I know that Santo Santoro also did a lot of work on it. They were trying to establish a TAFE college in Dalby. The Labor government put the plans on hold. Only last year the land on which the college was to be built was sold. There is no doubt that that has put in place the position of this government on a TAFE college for Dalby. The reason I raise this point is that sooner or later this will have to happen. I will certainly be putting it on the agenda when we win government. There is also a building that may become available in Dalby. We could probably make this work without a lot of expense. Dalby services a massive area. Roma is the next biggest town in the west. Dalby services people from St George to Roma to Kingaroy. In that area there are a huge number of employers who would no doubt benefit from a TAFE facility in Dalby. There is no doubt that Education is one of the most important portfolios for any government. Some great things have happened over the last 10 years. The member for Toowoomba South mentioned Harristown State High School. A large number of my constituents attend that school. Everyone must be commended for the facilities provided at that school. We have to use this school as an example for the growth areas around Queensland. Touching on this subject, I must say that, politics aside, I have found the minister very good to work with. I believe that I have been able to represent my constituents in a good way because of the minister's attitude towards the Darling Downs. I approached the minister about toilet blocks 3912 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003 at Jondaryan and Bunkers Hill. I am very happy to announce that she was very favourable towards those schools. New toilet blocks have been announced for both schools and I thank the minister for that. As the member for Darling Downs, I have always tried to put a lot of emphasis on our children's education. Each year I give out awards. I am keen to meet with the P&Cs and lobby for their every need. I am very pleased that the age of school children be addressed and more emphasis put on compulsory attendance. Another major factor affecting our rural schools is fundraising. For example, a number of our rural schools have a trail bike ride. I touched on that last night in the House. They raise money from those rides. They are a massive fundraiser. The local people get together with property owners and a track is marked out through farms. Outsiders come to ride on the track and money is made from that. All the money raised is from outside. The money raised is really great for the schools. However, we have a massive problem with public liability insurance. The farmers are finding it very hard to get 100 per cent cover. Recently the Jondaryan and Jimbour bike rides were cancelled. Those bike rides raise somewhere in the vicinity of $18,000 to $20,000 for the P&C, so the cancellation of those events was a massive knock-back. We have to look at the problem closely and address it. The children of a number of my constituents attend the Bunkers Hill school, which is just outside my electorate. A lady rang me the other day and brought to my attention that Jenny Hill, who is a teacher there, has been on a 12-month contract which expires on 12 December. She would like full-time work at that school. People have tried to keep her at every school at which she has worked. She is a wonderful human being and a very, very good teacher. A petition was circulated to try to keep her services at one school where she worked. Bunkers Hill school is now in exactly the same situation. It would be great if we could do something there. The members for Warrego and Gregory spoke about distant towns and the advantages and disadvantages of small schools. My children went to a small school at Cooranga North. At one stage the class size got down to eight students. It had its advantages. The teacher time per student was excellent, but if there was one kid who was a bully the others had very few children they could play with. Our country schools do have disadvantages. The member for Gregory asked for an additional teacher for those small schools. An additional teacher could help to police those areas. I have three children who all attend the Bell State School. We live approximately 68 kilometres north of Dalby. Next year, my eldest daughter, Jodi, moves to year 11. She simply cannot travel to and from Dalby every day for high school so we will be sending Jodi to Toowoomba for senior school and she will board there. They are some of the problems that our smaller schools in rural areas are facing. I support the bills. Dr LESLEY CLARK (Barron River—ALP) (12.35 p.m.): It is with pleasure that I rise to contribute to this debate on the Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill and the Training Reform Bill. The reforms to Queensland's secondary education and training regime contained in this legislation are the most fundamental and far-reaching since the introduction of universal secondary education in Queensland in the 1950s. These reforms will provide young people with the knowledge and skills that they need to succeed in the increasingly complex world of the 21st century. Our young people need innovative and flexible learning opportunities and extra support from our education and training system if they are to gain the qualifications they need to succeed in that world. We know that students who leave school at 15, the current school leaving age, face an uncertain future. The Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows the employability benefits that flow from post-school qualifications. In May 2001, 70 per cent of people who completed year 12 and almost 80 per cent of people with vocational education and training qualifications at certificate III or IV level were in employment. This compares favourably with those people who have not completed year 12. Only 57 per cent of these people were in employment. Young people need to obtain year 12 or some kind of substantial vocational or university qualification to get a good job, earn a decent income and lead a rewarding life. The work force has changed and no longer offers a job for life. High-level qualifications are the currency of the global economy and the rapidly changing job market. The government response to this reality is to provide an environment in which all Queensland teenagers aged between 15 and 17 will be either earning or learning. We can no longer allow some 10,000 young people to fall through the cracks and jeopardise their future chances. 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3913

So how is the government proposing to achieve this goal? From 2006, under this legislation, it will be compulsory for young people to remain in school until they finish year 10 or turn 16, whichever comes first. Young people will also be required to participate in learning for another two years or until they have a Senior Certificate, or a certificate III vocational qualification, or until they turn 17. Young people will be able to enter the work force, as long as they are working for at least 25 hours a week. Every year 10 student will develop a senior education and training plan in conjunction with their schools and parents. These plans will help young people decide what they want to learn and how they will achieve their learning goals. As young people participate in learning, their achievements will be credited to a learning account with the Queensland Studies Authority. The accounts will be opened when year 10 students register with the QSA and will remain open until they have achieved their Senior Certificate or certificate III qualification. The Queensland Studies Authority is currently developing a new Senior Certificate. This new certificate will count many more learning achievements than the current certificate. Young people will be able to gain credit or learning in school, vocational education and training and perhaps even in the community or at work. The new certificate will be an even more valuable document for young people and potential employers. Since July 2003, seven areas across Queensland have been running trials of the reforms to the senior phase of learning. In these areas, leaders from state and non-state schools, TAFE institutes and the Department of Employment and Training, business and industry, local government, youth organisations and community services are developing district youth achievement plans. These plans identify the existing resources available to young people, the learning needs of young people and the strategies that will be used to meet their needs. While there are currently no trials under way in far-north Queensland, I am hoping that that will be remedied next year. However, high schools in the Cairns region, including Smithfield and Kuranda—the two high schools in Barron River—are already providing flexible pathways for students providing students with opportunities to study vocational courses and engage in school based apprenticeships and traineeships. Since the beginning of August, nine Kuranda State High School students have been undertaking various units from the certificate II in tourism in conjunction with their regular studies with teacher Vicki Jones. To date, the program has focused on developing the students' understanding and knowledge of tourist operations. On top of their regular training, participants have visited a range of established attractions such as Koala Gardens in Kuranda and Fitzroy Island and commenced work experience with other businesses in Kuranda. In the next school term the students will work with certificate IV cultural guiding students at Kuranda to develop skills in heritage, cultural and interpretive tourism before devising their own guided tour of the Kuranda State High School grounds. The students are to be commended on their commitment to the course, which will prepare them for further TAFE study, traineeships or direct employment. I thank TAFE director, Dale Anderson, for his support for this course and his willingness to consider my request for the delivery of a range of TAFE programs for both students and adults at Kuranda High. Smithfield High School, which is a centre of excellence for science, maths and technology, is the only school in the state to include the QANTM certificate level III and IV multimedia course as part of a senior ICT subject which gives them a semester's credit towards study at nearby James Cook University. The school is also proposing to strengthen its relationship with JCU in the areas of journalism and film and TV. The outstanding achievements of Smithfield students in IT were recognised again last night when Chris Diehm and Kwanta Fuangsila received Building Youth Technology Excellence Awards from Minister Anna Bligh in the senior school and girls category. While not present last night, year 9 student Christopher Bell also won an award in the middle school category, making Smithfield High the only school to receive three awards. These students are all assured of bright futures, and I congratulate them on their success and commend principal Larry Gallagher and all the IT staff for their commitment to excellence in this field. During the long consultation process regarding these reforms which began in 2001, there have been a number of legitimate concerns raised by principals, teachers and parents in recognition of the difficulty of engaging reluctant students in the compulsory participation phase after year 10, or 16 years, and in delivering these reforms in rural and remote areas. However, I should remind members that students are not required to spend all their senior years in education or training. The compulsory participation obligation will not apply to young people who obtain 25 hours per week of employment. The compulsory participation obligation will not apply to young 3914 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003 people who have obtained a dispensation from the director-general for reasons such as they are receiving appropriate home schooling or they cannot or it is unreasonable to expect them to participate in any eligible education or training option. In addition, where students are not complying with attendance requirements, the legislation will allow as defence for parents against prosecution the fact that there may be circumstances in which a parent is unable to control the young person's behaviour or where a young person does not live with that parent. The minister will move an amendment to this legislation to retain existing provisions in the Education Act which will enable principals to exclude students from school and cancel their enrolment as requested by principals. A policy will now be developed to detail the steps that must be taken prior to the principal cancelling a student enrolment. There are also a range of positive measures to ensure that appropriate educational and training programs and student support is available particularly in regional and remote areas where it is acknowledged that it is more challenging to provide flexible pathways. For example, there will be up to 100 additional youth support workers, new TAFE courses, employer incentives for an additional 1,750 school based apprenticeships and traineeships, an employment preparation program and a grant program to trial a range of innovative programs to improve participation and retention for at-risk students. The next decade will see a profound reshaping of our education and training system. It will be exciting, challenging and rewarding for teachers, parents, employers and, most importantly, for the students themselves, who will be better prepared to face the future and grasp the opportunities that it presents to them. I congratulate Minister Bligh and Minister Foley on their commitment to these reforms and the development of this legislation, which will play such a vital role in realising our vision for Queensland as a Smart State. Mr NEIL ROBERTS (Nudgee—ALP) (12.44 p.m.): As a former parliamentary secretary to both the Minister for Education and the Minister for Employment, Training and Youth, it gives me great pleasure to say a few words in support of this historic bill. It is historic because it introduces reforms which have not yet been advanced to the same level by any other state in Australia and also because the reforms will provide unprecedented opportunities for young Queenslanders. The bill also reaffirms the Premier's commitment to make education and training the No. 1 priority of this term of the Beattie Labor government, a commitment which is now backed up by legislative reform and also the funding to implement it. The reforms outlined in this bill are complemented by other significant reforms which have been recently announced by the government. These include a middle phase of learning action plan which focuses attention on a wide range of issues, including curriculum development, teaching methods, assessment and support for teachers. Importantly, the middle school reforms are backed up by a commitment to reduce class size targets in years 4 to 10 from 30 students per teacher to 28 students per teacher by the year 2007, which will result in the lowest class size targets in Australia. Ministers Bligh and Foley have reminded us all on many occasions that currently there are around 10,000 young people in Queensland between the ages of 15 and 17 who are not at school, not in any form of training and not in a job. That alone is 10,000 reasons why this legislation must be wholeheartedly supported by every member in this House. I was fortunate to have played a part in the education and training reform process by actively participating in several of the community based consultation forums that the government conducted throughout Queensland on its green paper. There were 39 forums held throughout the state with more than 8,000 people attending, including school and TAFE students; young people not in learning or at work; teachers from schools, both state and non-state; TAFE teachers; parents; and interested members of the community. As I have indicated in earlier speeches on this topic, the forum sessions I conducted with young people who had left school early and were not working or not in any form of training were particularly enlightening, if not a little confronting at times. Many of these young people said that they felt that they did not belong at school, that they were not good at academic subjects and that they just felt that it was best to get out of the system as soon as they could. The message they gave was consistent, and that is, 'We're not all the same. Give us options to learn in an environment that we feel comfortable in and let us learn what is relevant to us.' When asked what would have made them stay at school, most of them said that a range of more flexible learning options and more vocational subjects would have made all the difference. These reforms will deliver all of this and more. It is not just about what will change in our public and private schools; TAFE is also changing and developing new ways in 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3915 which young people who choose the vocational option in their senior schooling years can be supported and provided with more flexible learning options. Today students cannot just learn for the sake of learning. It is vital that learning prepares them for the world of active citizenship and for work, especially those who will not be going on to further education. Under these reforms, from 2006 all young people will be required to remain at school until they have completed year 10 or turned 16, whichever comes first. They will then have an obligation to engage in a further two years of educational training in a range of settings or until they achieve a Senior Certificate or certificate III vocational qualification or until they turn 17. There will be exemptions for young people who obtain paid employment for at least 25 hours per week after they have completed year 10 or turned 16. One of the key aspects of the reforms is the active engagement of the community in delivering the opportunities young people need and deserve. A community commitment to youth, therefore, is one of the more significant aspects that will arise out of this legislation. District youth achievement plans reflecting the needs identified by local education and training providers, employers, young people and community representatives will set local targets for young people to participate in education, training or employment programs, and trials of how these plans will be developed and implemented are currently under way throughout the state. Additional support will also be provided to assist young people more successfully through the senior phase of learning. An additional 100 youth support workers will be engaged by the Department of Families to complement the work that is currently being undertaken by guidance officers, who will now be able to refocus their work on providing career and vocational advice to students. When considered together with the recently announced Middle Phase of Learning Action Plan, our trial of full-time preparatory before year 1 and our massive increases in funding to provide information and communication technology in schools, the initiatives outlined in these bills represent the most progressive set of reforms to our education and training system in a generation. In my electorate of Nudgee the government has made a commitment to some major investments that will enable students to take full advantage of the reforms. The government is investing $8.8 million in the new Earnshaw State College at Banyo, a P-12 school created through the amalgamation of the former Nudgee State School and Banyo State High School. The government has also invested $6 million in assisting with the relocation of the Australian Catholic University to Banyo. Significant levels of capital expenditure have also been provided for the other eight state and Catholic schools and one special school in my electorate. The Earnshaw State College and ACU educational precinct is a major educational precinct on Brisbane's north side. It is unique in that students in its catchment area can now progress from kindergarten to university all within walking distance of their home. I am also fortunate in my electorate to have a school which is participating in the prep year trial. Geebung State School is an enthusiastic participant and the trial is being very well received by the local community. Each of us has a personal story about our journey to become an elected member in this place, and this parliament has within it many people with a variety of backgrounds, experience and educational qualifications, as it should do. In my case, I know that without the decisions I made about furthering my own education I would not be standing here today. Like many of my era, I left school at age 15 after completing year 10. I was lucky to have been indentured as an apprentice electrician, something which today in many cases would require the completion of at least year 12. Whereas it is in no way a prerequisite for a satisfying life of employment, or being a member of parliament, I know that my decision to undertake tertiary study, in my case a bachelor of business, is one of the most significant factors underpinning my employment within the trade union movement and also my presence in this chamber today. Although my story is not unique, I relay it on occasions to young people to reinforce the notion that education can be the key to a successful or better future and to opening up opportunities that otherwise would not exist. That is why I am proud to support this legislation. The reforms outlined in these bills will provide every young Queenslander with the best possible opportunity to succeed, regardless of their economic or social circumstances. Importantly, it will provide so many more young people with the opportunity of realising their dreams for the future. I commend the bill to the House. Mr WILSON (Ferny Grove—ALP) (12.52 p.m.): It is my great pleasure to speak in support of the Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill and the Training Reform Bill. This legislation arises out of the employment and training reform agenda announced in March 2002. When that 3916 Ministerial Statement 9 Oct 2003 announcement was made, it struck me that it would be the major policy initiative of our second term of government, despite all of the other good things that we have done in this term. As the discussion publicly, within the government and now in this chamber has progressed since that time, it has struck me that those here in 40 to 50 years time will look back and see that this was not only the most significant reform in this term of government but the most significant reform in the last 40 to 50 years in Queensland. The education and training reform agenda has three key elements: the trialling of the preparatory year of schooling, a significant increase in funding for information and communication technology throughout high schools and primary schools, the raising of the leaving age, the compulsory period of schooling, and also for the compulsory period of participation in what is called earning or learning. This legislation is principally directed towards the third limb of those three key elements. As the previous member indicated, we all come to this place with our own individual experiences of the significance of education and training both to us and to others. When reflecting upon the worth or otherwise of this legislation, we can draw upon our individual experiences, we can draw upon anecdotal experiences that we have had in other workplaces, as well as within the communities in which we work and serve now, and we can draw upon any number of research sources to view this legislation. Measured against all sources of information about the importance of education and training, no-one can deny that this legislation is directed towards the key needs of future generations in Queensland, this society and economy. If we go to any meeting in our community we would find that, apart from the health and safety of their children, what parents want in our communities is good, affordable education and training for their children so that they might secure their long-term future employability. Without doubt, a primal instinct of parents is their wish for a better life for their children than their own, and that need not necessarily reflect adversely upon their own experience in life. For some reason—I think it comes with the parental genes—we want a better life for our kids and better opportunities than what we had ourselves. With 14 schools, two high schools and 12 primary schools in my electorate, I can tell honourable members that that is a key message that I receive. A key function of government is to maximise opportunities for young people in education, training and employment. Of all the instruments of government available, there is none more significant than the laws applying to education and training to dispense equity throughout the community, to help people overcome the adversities of their own particular economic and social circumstances, and to provide equal opportunity so far as humanly possible for all in the community. Education is the key instrument by which a government can do that. Education has traditionally been, and will always remain, core business for the Labor government. It is a key instrument in translating equity in real terms across the community for our young people and any future family they might have. In conclusion—I will not go into any further detail; that has been adequately addressed by other members and certainly set out in the second reading speech—we must see that this package of legislation is connected and is integral to the Smart State vision for Queensland. The Smart State vision for Queensland is trying to acknowledge that we need to develop and foster new industries in this state to create new employment opportunities, to generate jobs in the future that we do not know anything about right now—so great is the speed of change in technology. This legislation is a key element in the Smart State strategy, as I say, and I am delighted to support it. Sitting suspended from 1.00 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. Debate, on motion of Mr Foley, adjourned.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Unemployment Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (2.30 p.m.), by leave: Australian Bureau of Statistics labour force data released today holds exceptional news for Queensland. Our trend unemployment rate fell to 6.5 per cent in September. That is the lowest in more than 14 years—since June 1989. The last time unemployment was at this level Mike Ahern was Premier of Queensland. It is a far cry from the peak unemployment rate of 9.5 per cent achieved by the former coalition government. 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3917

Our jobs growth spurt outstripped even our vigorous population growth. In September Queensland created 74 per cent of the 7,700 jobs created nationally. In the 12 months to September Queensland created 58,300 jobs, 37 per cent of the jobs created nationally. With 19 per cent of the population, we are pulling much more than our weight in the job creation stakes. The icing on the cake is that 74.4 per cent of the new jobs in Queensland over the 12 months were full-time jobs. Some 7,200 more Queenslanders were in full-time work in September than in August, when the trend unemployment rate was 6.6 per cent. Our population continues to surge. We were the only mainland state to record work force growth in September. I will say that again: our population continues to surge. We were the only mainland state to record work force growth in September. Sustained population growth means the challenge of tackling unemployment will not abate, and the government certainly will not be relaxing our drive to create more jobs. There have been many successes in our fight against unemployment. One outstanding success story was played out in Brisbane's southern suburbs where the member for Algester, Karen Struthers, has worked with the Department of Employment and Training and the minister, Matt Foley, Southside Chamber of Commerce and Civic Solutions on the 45 Plus jobs campaign. The project exceeded its target of creating 45 jobs for people aged over 45 in 45 weeks by finding work for 71 mature job seekers. I congratulate the member for Algester, Karen Struthers, Employment Minister, Matt Foley, and everyone involved, including the Southern Star newspaper for this terrific effort. I also want to thank the Treasurer and Deputy Premier, Terry Mackenroth, for his commitment to funding these programs. It is an example of why we now have the lowest unemployment rate in more than 14 years. I conclude by saying that we know that from time to time the figures do go up and down. That is natural because it depends on the participation rate, and we have the highest participation rate of any state in Australia. Notwithstanding the interstate migration where we do need to skill a lot of that work force—and the Minister for Employment has talked at some length about that at cabinet—we are making significant progress. This is what Smart State is all about. It is about creating new jobs, new opportunities, new industries such as aviation and export education—you name it—and it is about value adding existing industries. It is with a great deal of pride that I see we have the lowest unemployment level in 14 years.

YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN EDUCATION AND TRAINING BILL TRAINING REFORM BILL Second Reading (Cognate Debate) Resumed. Mr BELL (Surfers Paradise—Ind) (2.34 p.m.): At the outset may I say that I do favour the bill before the House and I will not be seeking to oppose it and I would wish to acknowledge the value of the principles which are prompting the government in presenting this bill. No-one can really argue against trying to have a smarter and skilled work force or giving a longer and better and more challenging education to our young people. At the risk of being somewhat discordant, I would like to build on an aspect raised by the Leader of the Opposition when he spoke. I have heard many speakers on this bill one after the other saying how beneficial it will be to upgrade the skills of our young people, and there is an assumption made by many speakers that this initiative will work. I am mindful of the old adage that you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink. I am somewhat concerned that perhaps with all the best will in the world these measures may not be as successful as many in this House would hope. Reference has already been made to a group of some 10,000 young people who are neither in education nor training nor employment right now. I have to say from my own experience that there is a significant group of young people in this category. Since I got my blue card I have been doing a little bit of work with a number of these young people, both male and female. I must say that I have been absolutely astonished at the number of young people in the 14-, 15- and 16- year-old age group who have packed up and left home, severed all contact with their parents—even though their parents might have been very distressed by that—who have no interest in education or training, who have no motivation and who have very low self-esteem. I have been amazed to see so many of these people not even in receipt of unemployment benefits, who are living with other young people in squats and making a hand-to-mouth existence as best they can. 3918 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003

I can recall very recently—in the past 12 months—working with two young lasses. One was 14 and one was 15. The 14-year-old was living with her older boyfriend until he was taken to prison. She then went back to school—somewhat reluctantly—but was certainly not prepared to return to her home. She is now bumping along in the education system but is hardly likely to succeed at school. The other young lass found that at 15 she could not get unemployment benefits but she could get Austudy. So she got Austudy, enrolled at school and attends about every third day. I managed to persuade another young chap who was living in the sand dunes, eating out of rubbish bins and sleeping with tramps to take a job as a trolley boy. He took the job only because I found it for him and then volunteered to drive him to work each day. But at least he achieved some work ethic out of that. At least he achieved some social intercourse with other young people and at least he got used to getting up before noon each day. Another young lad, who is sadly back in prison, had not the slightest interest in obtaining employment at all, not the slightest interest in continuing his education. His major interest in life was sniffing paint. I tried very hard on that one but was quite unsuccessful. These are just four examples of the myriad situations in our community and, sadly, they are not rare situations of young people of very tender age who have simply totally severed contact with parents and other relatives, who see themselves as being reliant on themselves and their friends of their own ilk, who are unmotivated, virtually unemployable and are uneducatable. I worry how these provisions are going to affect these young people. I know it is easy for me to stand here and point out these problems. It is much harder to find solutions. I certainly give the government credit for trying with the bill before the House. But I suggest to the ministers responsible that perhaps more thought needs to be given to those young people who resist. It is assumed that young people will take advantage, it is assumed that young people will be influenced by their parents, but I suggest that a very sizeable group will require not just counselling but also one-on-one encouragement and daily contact. These are young people who will not even go anywhere near the Department of Families. So if this is to work, it is really essential that that be looked at and we do not find that young people are remaining in our schools simply because they have to be there and that the schools become a childminding centre for older children who legally cannot leave. We really need to have something that is innovative. I really had to make those comments, because it concerns me greatly that there is this pool of young people—and I believe from my own observation and from what has been said to me that the pool is increasing. Nonetheless, this is a valiant attempt. I do not think we should assume that it will just simply work because it is there, but I compliment the government and, in general terms, I support the initiative. Ms PHILLIPS (Thuringowa—ALP) (2.41 p.m.): I rise with pride in being a member of the Beattie Labor government introducing this groundbreaking legislation, the Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill 2003. The primary policy objective of the bill is to make necessary legislative changes to supplement the implementation of the Education and Training Reforms for the Future, or the ETRF. These reforms will raise the school leaving age from 15 to 16, or when the young person has completed year 10, whichever comes first. Young people will then be required to continue to participate in education or training, if not in work, for another two years or until they have achieved a Senior Certificate or a certificate III vocational education qualification, or until the young person turns 17 years. There is no doubt that this is truly groundbreaking legislation—legislation that leads Australia in innovative reforms in education and training that will better prepare our young people for success in the future. I congratulate the Minister for Education, the Hon. Anna Bligh, and the Minister for Employment, Training and Youth, the Hon. Matt Foley, on their combined vision in developing these reforms. In July 2002 the Ministerial Council for Education, Employment and Training and Youth Affairs, comprising Australian ministers for education, employment, training, youth affairs and community services, met and produced a ministerial declaration Stepping Forward: Improving Pathways for All Young People. It also set up a task force to develop an integrated action plan to implement the declaration. The commitment made to young people was essentially to enable them to access 12 years of learning through school, TAFE or similar institutions, an apprenticeship or other VET. However, if students wish to participate in the labour market, they should be able to do that also and assistance would be provided in that endeavour. The aim of 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3919 the commitment is to encourage early school leavers, particularly those who are at risk, disconnected or in vulnerable circumstances, to stay on—to participate in appropriate learning options within the school or within other institutions and to provide the necessary support for successful transition. It was agreed that ministers would work in partnership towards implementing this shared vision. This was an Australia where young people benefit and flourish through sustaining networks of family and community and through engagement in education, training, employment, recreation and society and where young people's contributions are sought and valued and they are encouraged to play an active role in the community and the nation. It was noted that there were a number of challenges to attaining these visions, including addressing barriers faced by young people. Members on both sides of the House have talked about some of these challenges, which include emotional, physical, cultural and learning obstacles. They include creating effective, accessible and integrated opportunities and ensuring that young people have the necessary information, skills and support to make the transition to adult life. In the strategy document Queensland State Education 2010 it was noted that Queensland lagged behind leading OECD countries in the proportion of students finishing year 12 or equivalent qualifications and that increasing that proportion will add value to the competitiveness of those individuals in the job market and the overall Queensland economy. I think we all accept that the challenge facing education in Queensland—to increase the participation and completion rate to year 12 or equivalent—must be accompanied by reforms to cater for the diverse needs of students and provide relevant pathways for them. I am delighted to say confidently that these enlightened policies and reforms will be implemented successfully by the three state high schools as well as the two non-government high schools in my electorate of Thuringowa. I have discussed the ETRF with the principals, teachers, staff and parents from Kirwan, Northern Beaches and Thuringowa high schools. I have also spoken to individual students to obtain their responses to these far-sighted reforms. I am delighted to say that there has been overwhelming support, even from students who will be affected by the compulsory attendance phase. I suggest that part of the reason for this positive response is that all three state high schools are already moving in the direction of ETRF. One comment that I received in response to the reforms was the omission of the cancellation of enrolment provisions in the education act. However, I provided this feedback to the minister on their behalf, and I am very pleased to see that an amendment is to be introduced in the committee stage that will remove the omission of the cancellation to allow existing provisions to remain. I thank the minister, the Hon. Anna Bligh, for once again listening to the community when introducing these momentous changes. Kirwan State High School Principal John Livingston is a remarkable high achiever. With over 2,000 students, Kirwan High has one of the highest—if not the highest—enrolments in Queensland. John ensures that this translates into excellence in performance in every area of endeavour. Kirwan State High School students regularly win state and national awards in the sciences, in IT, football, music and athletics. Recently, they won the minister's art awards in Townsville. One of their students, Peter Godwin, is one of only 30 statewide to win a BYTE award. This was presented to him by the minister, Anna Bligh, here in Parliament House last night. I say: congratulations, Peter. There is one downside at Kirwan State High School. Having been built in 1978 as the prototype of a new design, it has some planning problems that have been ironed out in later constructions. In addition, as the school is now 25 years old, it is in grave need of major refurbishment. The school has two old tin demountables that should be replaced and desks, chairs, other furniture and carpets need repair. In particular, the music unit needs upgrading to allow this centre to continue to produce musicians of excellence. I have been lobbied by the Kirwan State High School P&C on this and have in turn taken their concerns to the minister. I am hopeful of possible renewal funding being released to assist this great school to address its infrastructure issues. I am confident, because the minister has already been very supportive of the school during my term as the member. The Northern Beaches State High School is a relatively new school in the rapidly growing outer suburb of Thuringowa. Ms Gayle Kirkwood has been the school's principal since the school opened about five years ago. The staff are generally young, eager and innovative, so the level of the educational experience that they deliver is first class. In particular, their business information 3920 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003 communications area is very successful. Earlier this year the students developed a web site for me. I am very pleased with this and it is a great example of that school's program to move students out of the classroom and into the workplace. Gayle has also introduced other innovative trials. The students have Wednesdays to undertake other activities such as attending TAFE classes. Some students have taken advantage of this to do school based apprenticeships. Another very successful adventure is to establish a middle school concept. I was at the high school recently when students from year 7 local primary schools attended and undertook activities with the junior high students. Thuringowa State High School is a great incubator for excellence. The principal, Jan Meehan, is constantly on the lookout to provide opportunities for her students to achieve. I was at the school recently to congratulate the team which won its section of the Tournament of the Minds competition as it was preparing to leave for the finals in Brisbane. This school is in a less well-advantaged area of my electorate, but Jan ensures that the schooling students receive is extremely rich by comparison. However, due to a variety of reasons, the school has a high number of students with special needs. These students participate in all the activities of the school, including sport and the annual theatre restaurant as well as academic and life skills classes. Unfortunately, they have outgrown the classroom space allocated and have had to spill over into the staff room. They really do need a purpose-built unit where they can safely and happily interact. I have been in touch with the minister on their behalf, and again I am confident that this problem can be solved. So all three state high schools are already progressing down the track of preparing their students to be earning or learning in the future. I am extremely impressed with what they are achieving, and I am sure that the ETRF changes will be enthusiastically embraced by these schools and that even greater outcomes will result for the young people of Thuringowa. I believe the present high performance is due to the support and vision that the Beattie government has already introduced which the reforms included in these bills will only add to. I have great pleasure in commending the bills to the House. Miss SIMPSON (Maroochydore—NPA) (2.51 p.m.): I thank the member for Mudgeeraba for allowing me to speak ahead of her. I applaud the aims of this legislation which are really about appropriately equipping young people through education or training so that they get the best head start in life. I believe the objectives of the bills are laudable and their principles are ones that we must strongly support. I have a number of issues I want to cover. In regard to the Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill, there are some questions I would like to ask of the minister. The challenges we face as legislators are that there are also social issues that we are trying to address at the same time. Some of these issues can be handled within legislation, but there are many complex social issues which legislation in itself is unable to bring resolution to. I have some concerns about some of the social issues that overlap with the objectives of this bill. They have been raised by some other members, and I will outline them. Sixteen-year-olds probably live a vastly different life today than 16-year-olds 20, 30 or 40 years ago did. We are seeing an interesting demographic in that some children coming into adulthood are opting to stay at home with their parents for longer and longer. There is also a significant proportion of that age bracket that has already left home. That may be with the approval of parents but many times it will be a decision of that 16-year-old made totally independent of their parents. There may have been a breakdown in that relationship and that breakdown may have been there for some time. However, looking at where there has been dysfunction in a relationship, I am amazed at some young people who go on with training and education despite their parents, not because of them. They may be the minority, but they deserve to be applauded. They have a vision of where they want to go despite their circumstances and they choose to go on. One example I am thinking of is that of a young 16-year-old woman who is in a relationship still attending high school but living very independently of her parents. She experienced domestic violence and took refuge with a parent. The parent in question refused to hand back that child's assets—a laptop computer and other goods. This young person is in an invidious position. She really wants to go on with education and training but she does not have parental support. I am only using that as an example of some very different living arrangements which young people have these days. The majority may be living in healthy family relationships despite the pressures of growing up and parents learning how to deal with adolescents and teenagers. There are also relationships which are very different. 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3921

One of the concerns I have with the complexity of the social arrangements these days is that there will also be parents who would genuinely like more input into the direction of their children at that stage in their lives but who find their children are making decisions quite independently of them. We are not looking at children who are under the direction of their parents the way they might have been 30 or 40 years ago. I do have concerns about the compulsion in this act and the ability to bring quite significant fines against parents. I acknowledge that there are exemptions, but if the relationship has already broken down to the extent that a teenager is not taking direction from a parent after the age of 16, while they are still in that compulsory phase it can be a very difficult relationship. I note there are exemptions for parents who can prove they are not in a position to force that young person into training or further education, but I would certainly welcome the minister's explanation in regards to these provisions. Let us step aside from that at the moment. The main intention is the raising of the compulsory age limit and putting in place a two-year period after the age of 16 where it is a compulsory participation requirement to undertake further training or work. For the young people who are most vulnerable and who are not seeking further training or further work or who are having difficulty staying in work or further training, the chances are that in the majority of cases they already have very poor family relationships. No legislation can fix that particular issue. It is a social issue for which other intervention strategies from government and community are the more likely pathway to success—though there is no one solution to these issues. I have an emergency youth shelter in my electorate which deals with children who experience homelessness or dysfunction in their family relationships. I would not recommend that shelter for a child who is needing emergency accommodation only and who has not experienced a certain amount of street craft. These young people have experienced a lot in their lives, and it is not a place where you would drop a young child without some other form of significant adult mentoring. What I am saying is that there are some children or young adolescents who require a lot more intensive intervention strategies, and I believe that would involve mentoring. There are some very good intervention strategies with very active adult and youth mentoring programs, but not like the ones we have seen available to date through schools. There is a need for something that goes beyond that. I believe there is a need to work in with our emergency accommodation shelters and those children who have experienced dysfunction in their lives and who need more intensive intervention. We have to do something different. This legislation will not fix that. Some of those kids are already on a pathway to a life of crime. What I am saying here is not rocket science. They are chroming, they are into alcohol and drugs, they have in many cases experienced abuse in their home relationships and there has been dysfunction—that means they are in what I would call a high-risk category. Just putting them into a school or training alone is not the answer. There need to be other intervention strategies. A more cohesive approach needs to be provided from Family Services funding but primarily through community agencies which are able to work in with that. These are the kids most of all who need those interventions. These are the kids most of all who we need to ensure receive appropriate training, but it goes beyond just the training formats that we see. It means intensive life skills and intensive parenting of a different kind which they may not be getting through their home life because they are not living at home anymore. I believe that is a significant issue. I would welcome any additional assistance through the Families Department, working together with the Education Department, to address this. We know that there are training courses out there. This talks about flexible school arrangements, but there are social issues that sit alongside these things. To keep these kids in a meaningful form of employment and a meaningful form of training actually means providing them with life skills that some of them do not have anymore. It is very different from the average home life, but it is something that is a growing issue in our community which we need to acknowledge. I want to talk briefly about school based training. Some of the largest numbers of young people in the state going through school based training are on the Sunshine Coast and in my electorate of Maroochydore. I strongly support the mixing of options available to young people to make school and training more attractive and applicable to their lives. The building industry and the hospitality industry are an example. They provide wonderful pathways for young people to combine both the school and the vocational elements of their training. As the Education Minister is in the House, I mention again that we would very much welcome the replacement of the manual arts building at the Maroochydore State High School. We 3922 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003 welcomed the provision of funding for the roof, which is leaking. The school wants to roll that into the overall building program rather than build a new roof and have to replace it. Ms Bligh interjected. Miss SIMPSON: I would appreciate that, and I welcome the minister's support in that regard. It is providing those sorts of facilities at schools that is going to make a difference. I want to reiterate some other comments about equity of access. Queensland is a huge state. There are some places where it is easier to get access and there is a range of choices as regards the types of training that may be available. I am perhaps fortunate that in our area we do have a range of choices, and hopefully those choices will continue to expand. Queensland is a large state. In lifting the compulsory age of education we want to make sure that young people in rural and remote areas still have access to good choices in education and do not find themselves taking the compulsory choice that leaves them frustrated and in a learning environment that is not where their skills and gifts and abilities may lie. I will leave my comments at that. As I said, I commend the principles of the legislation. Obviously there are some issues of equity. I also commend consideration of some of the social issues and how we address those as a community. I believe that is something which sits outside the legislation. It is harder. It is tougher. It can be done better by communities in partnership with government. It is getting harder and tougher. It is about how we as a community effectively step in and provide some additional support to children who have dysfunctional family relationships so that they do not find themselves leading a frustrating life of illiteracy, a lack of skill or potentially, unfortunately as statistics show, a life of crime. That is what can happen if they do not find their way into a meaningful form of occupation or calling early in their lives. Mrs REILLY (Mudgeeraba—ALP) (3.02 p.m.): I am pleased to rise in support of the Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill 2003 and the Training Reform Bill 2003. Let me say at the outset that I am delighted to be a member of a government with real vision and real commitment. When faced with the dilemma of rising youth unemployment and the distressing data that 10,000 young people, children aged between 15 and 17, are not at school and not at work, this government acted. We consulted, we researched and we studied the problem at length and throughout the state, taking into account issues of financial and social disadvantage, of geographic isolation, of rural and remote locales, of ethnic and religious identity and of Aboriginality. Most importantly, we did this by talking to young people, children, parents, teachers, educators, youth workers, youth organisations and community organisations right across the state. We did this and we said to these 10,000 young Queenslanders, 'We will not let you down and we won't let your young brothers and sisters down. We will catch you if you fall and we will throw the net wide so that you can climb back up again and succeed, as is your right.' Effectively, that is what these bills say and that is what they will do by introducing a legal obligation on young people to be involved in education, training or work until they turn 17 and by supporting them to meet those obligations. The introduction of these bills into the parliament is the first legislative step to be taken in overhauling the state's education system to ensure that Queensland's young people are not left out in the cold with no hope and with few prospects. The education and training reform agenda is the cornerstone of the Beattie government's Smart State. These are landmark reforms which will shape the future of this state for generations to come, and I am proud to be a part of them. Many young people will make the transition from school to work or further study successfully, albeit with an understandable level of stress and trepidation that I can still recall. These reforms—this legislation—is not aimed at them. It is not aimed at young people who leave school early to go to a job or an apprenticeship or another form of vocational training because that is what they want and they have a plan and a desire and they can carry it through. These bills are aimed at young people who leave school and have nowhere to go. These bills are about putting out the safety net to catch young people who are at risk of leaving school early with no qualifications, no experience, few skills and little confidence and, therefore, little prospect of finding meaningful employment. These young people are then at even greater risk of falling into patterns of listlessness, boredom, long-term unemployment, antisocial behaviour and, sadly, even crime. As the member for Maroochydore so aptly said before—and she was right—there are many social issues which have to be addressed in conjunction with this legislative response. I am confident that they will be addressed. I know that the ETRF reforms are a whole-of-government 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3923 response and that through this whole-of-government response there will be coordinated programs across all departments that have anything to do with young people in order to be able to address the social issues that are behind and that accompany the problems that see young people at risk of falling out of the system. I have been visiting my local schools and speaking with students in year 7 about these reforms. They will be the first cohort affected by the compulsory participation obligation which will see them remain at school until they have completed year 10 or turned 16 and then undergoing further education or training until the age of 17 or until they have gained particular qualifications. I have been overwhelmed by the positive response to these reforms, not only from the students but their parents and teachers as well. I was particularly pleased to see that at this stage almost all the children I spoke to—and it has been hundreds in many schools—intend to stay at school through to year 12, that is, those who do not plan to take up apprenticeships. At this stage in their lives they have a clear plan, but good intentions and well-laid plans are not enough when life deals a hand that some of these young people find hard to cope with. The reasons young people drop out of school or are excluded from the system for bad behaviour and other reasons are many and varied, but every single one of those stories is heartbreaking. Family or relationship breakdown, neglect and abuse within dysfunctional families, the onset of depression or mental illness, learning difficulties, the pressures of teenage life and peer expectations and peer pressure, alcohol, drugs, substance abuse, puberty, pregnancy—the list is endless, but the common thread is there, that is, some children need additional help and support to cope with these difficult years. Some just cannot do it within the regular school environment. The Gold Coast is a leader in this area. We are fortunate to have some outstanding educators in our midst, people like Lyn McKenzie, the principal of Robina High; Fran Jones, the principal of Keebra Park High; Deb Daly, the director of the Gold Coast Institute of TAFE and Bob McAuley, the former director; and many others within Education Queensland on the Gold Coast. An honourable member interjected. Mrs REILLY: Yes. Please mention anyone else from the Gold Coast, because we are very lucky. Ms Keech: Lesley Englert. Mrs REILLY: I take that interjection from the member for Albert. These people have refused to let these kids slip through the gaps. They realised long ago that these young people need support, not condemnation, and they had to work together to achieve the best outcomes. Gold Coast Youth Commitment involves some 200 people from across the Gold Coast from a range of organisations, schools and business sectors and is a project which aims to unite the community in helping our young people. The project, headed by Fran Jones, Annie Norton-Knight and Dennis Bryne, includes business leaders like Dennis Chant, the newly appointed chair of the Gold Coast Tourism Bureau, Lionel Bardon of the Robina Chamber of Commerce, who is doing a great job, as well as Mission Australia, Gold Coast Institute of TAFE, SCISCO—the South Coast Industry and Schools Corporation—and many others. It acts as an umbrella under which all these organisations work together to create real pathways from school to work or training for children at risk. The work of the Gold Coast Youth Commitment was instrumental in ensuring that the Gold Coast was one of the seven areas funded for a trial of the compulsory participation phase. That trial in the Gold Coast north and Logan/Beaudesert region covers schools from Southport and Helensvale through to Beaudesert, Mount Tambourine, Eagleby, Beenleigh, Benowa and a whole number of schools in that area. Both of these bills aim to involve the whole community in the lives of young people, and in fact their success depends very much on community involvement—on the involvement of parents, teachers, employers, community, youth organisations, the business sector and young people themselves of course. The Gold Coast Youth Commitment is a perfect example of this whole-of-community approach, and it was this project which in fact had a great impact on the structure of the bills and this particular objective. Community involvement is vital because we cannot say to young people, 'You're obliged to participate,' and then expect that they can do it alone. We also cannot just expect government to be able to do it with them or for them. We need the business sector to come on board to provide young people with jobs and we need everyone in all sectors of the community—and I beg politicians to do this especially—and also the media to refrain from the all-too-easy and very 3924 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003 tempting practice of youth bashing, which the member for Surfers Paradise, sadly, still was inclined to do—that is, saying, 'Oh, there are some kids who are just unmotivated, who don't want to do something, who you can do anything for but they'll still choose to chrome or drink or lie around or surf or do nothing.' If we sat down and talked to any one of those kids, we would find a reason for that lack of motivation, for that disassociation, for that lack of connection and complete loss of faith in the world. It is up to us as legislators and people with power such as the media to support and help these young people by nurturing them, helping them to grow and getting them through those stages. There are many other good examples of the work that is being done on the Gold Coast, but in the interests of time I will not go through those. However, I say again that I am delighted with the way that this legislation has been put together and commend the work of the Education Department, the Training Department, the people in vocational education and training and all those involved in running the consultations throughout the state. The response was enormous. I sat in on many of those meetings and was very impressed with the way that they went and what came from the community. I wholeheartedly support the bills. Hon. K. W. HAYWARD (Kallangur—ALP) (3.11 p.m.): It is certainly a pleasure to rise to support these bills. From what I have seen, these bills are generally supported by everybody in the parliament. I have been listening to the debate and many reasons have been put forward as to why they have that strong support. We all live in an increasingly competitive society. There is competition for jobs, competition for education, competition for money and even competition for time for leisure activities. Mrs Reilly: And speeches as well. Mr HAYWARD: That is exactly right; there is even competition in this place for speeches. However, we all live in that increasingly competitive environment. But this legislation helps to give a situation of fair competition, because what hope do we have when there are 10,000 young Queenslanders aged 15 to 17 who are not in school, not in training and not working? What hope do they have in that competitive environment? The simple answer of course is obvious to everybody: they do not have much hope, and that is the tragedy. Basically, prior to this legislation—and that is why this legislation is so important—young people between the ages of 15 and 17 were already consigned to some kind of dustbin of history. At such a young age, that is a tragedy. As the member for Mudgeeraba said earlier, they obviously become disconnected with the society that they and all of us live in. That is why I welcome this legislation very strongly, because this legislation has as a basic tenet that people in that age group will either be learning or earning, and that is so important. Again, it gives people an opportunity to at least engage competitively for that competition that I talked about before. This legislation also importantly provides equity and fairness, and again that is so important. As has been said by a number of speakers in this debate, in our society these young people need to be engaged with our competitive society. These bills aim to enable young people to choose the learning pathway that is most suited to their needs. It will soon be compulsory for young people to remain at school until they have completed year 10 or turned 16. With this legislation, a new compulsory participation obligation will be created for young people which will require them to undergo defined education and training options or obtain paid employment for two years, or obtain a Senior Certificate, or turn 17 years of age. The learning pathway that is proposed to be developed through this legislation will often not be the same as the traditional schooling pathway and will involve, as the member for Mudgeeraba said before, the whole community. That is why it is important for all of the community to get behind this legislation, because it gives an opportunity and a chance for those young Queenslanders aged between 15 and 17 to be able to fairly compete for jobs, education and, in the end, a fair income in our community. These bills before the House are a result of the white paper, Education and Training Reforms for the Future. As part of that white paper, trials of the reforms were set down in seven areas. My electorate of Kallangur fell within one of those trial areas. I take the opportunity this afternoon to thank the Murrumba district education office for the detailed briefings that have been made available to myself as one of the local MPs who came within that trial area, and those briefings were made available to all members of parliament within that trial area. What I appreciated about those briefings was the frankness of the discussions that occurred between ourselves and the educators who are implementing these trials. The information that is provided through these trials will assist in developing policies and guidelines. 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3925

Time is moving on, and many members have spoken in this debate before me and there are a number to speak after me. However, I make the point yet again that this is important legislation. It is legislation which is generally supported by the whole of this parliament, but in the end it is legislation through its implementation that will involve the whole community. I welcome the legislation to this parliament. Mr MICKEL (Logan—ALP) (3.18 p.m.) This is important legislation. In saying so, I want to build on some practical experiences both within my electorate and also the neighbouring electorates of Woodridge and Waterford. One of the key innovations that the Beattie government established not long after I was first elected in 1998 was an initiative to provide flexi learning and re-badge the Kingston State High School and call it the Kingston College. Yesterday the member for Woodridge outlined to the House the wonderful series of initiatives being applied at that high school. Not only did it give the youth between 15 to 17 a chance to graduate from high school; increasingly, because of the flexible nature of the learning, it gave mature-age women in particular a chance to graduate—something that was denied to them in their high school years. I know of a family whose mother did just that and is now seeking to enrol herself at the Logan campus of Griffith University. I have mentioned before in this House the jealousy I have for the member for Waterford because in his electorate he has one of the finest high schools in the nation—the Marsden State High School. If the shadow spokesman wants to know whether these sorts of initiatives work, I invite him to go to the Marsden State High School, because he will find when he visits that it has been visited by federal government ministers from the coalition and also has been the subject of many initiatives of this state government. In my electorate, I want to commend the work being done in the training of young and mature-age people by the private sector in conjunction with the TAFE colleges. In particular, I would like to refer all members to the hospitality courses run out of the Green Bank RSL. I have seen people on the first day of those courses who are largely unskilled and lacking in self- confidence emerge from that hospitality course 30 days later—I call it the 30-day miracle—at their graduation ceremony having undergone a massive transformation both in skilling and self- confidence. I commend that work and I only wish we could get our hands on more money to train people in that fast growing services sector, because it is not a dead end job. There is a whole range of job opportunities in the hospitality sector. I also particularly wish to praise a project undertaken this year in the electorate of Woodridge at the Logan Diggers club. This year that club decided to initiate a number of awards in hospitality and citizenship. I wish to commend a student who won the citizenship award, a student by the name of Steven. I have heard a lot of talk today from the member for Surfers Paradise and the member for Maroochydore. It depends on one's outlook in life as to whether the glass is half full or half empty. I have heard a lot of 'glass half empty' talk. I want to speak about Steven and show members that the glass can be half full. Steven was a foster child. There is nothing uplifting about foster care. I hear a lot of talk about child abuse. There is nothing uplifting about being paraded from family to family. That was Steven's lot. He goes to the Mabel Park State High School. He has won this citizenship award because he has decided to do something with his life and he has become a mentor for other foster children. I will not mention his surname, because that is not what we are on about. He will make a valuable contribution now both to himself and to other children. So the glass can be half full. I commend also to the shadow spokesman the following experience. Last year, the Education Minister, Anna Bligh, asked me and a number of other members to join the youth in care inquiry into how they fare in education. I noted that the shadow spokesman asked a question about that yesterday. That is a fair question, and I am glad to see that both sides of politics are now taking an interest in this. The hardest thing to do as a government and an opposition is to provide an education to youth who are essentially shunted from home to home. In my electorate we have a problem. I cannot walk away from that. I wish we did not, but we do. The hardest thing when placing those youth is to try to give them some continuity of education. That is a challenge. I am pleased that Minister Bligh put us on that inquiry, because it opened my eyes to a range of issues. There is one school that I commend to the attention of the shadow minister. I enjoin him to go to the Southside Education Centre at Sunnybank. I would even ask him to take his colleagues with him. What he will see there is very confronting. I know that I have criticised the Independents in the past for their criticism of single mothers. Last year I met a young lady who did not want to 3926 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003 be a single mother, but she was—three times. Yvonne Chapman used to say, 'They can pay for two mistakes, but not for three.' All honourable members would have heard that sentiment. But she was a single mother to her father. She did not ask for the first mistake let alone the second and third. Here was this lady with the burdens of life at 19 about to become a solid citizen. Those youth put on a presentation on the day the minister launched that program. I would invite the shadow spokesman to ask the principal to present that to him. It is a wonderful initiative. They all wanted one thing: a stable home life and, above all, an education. This is hard stuff. Yesterday the honourable member for Noosa, in an answer to the honourable member, said, 'We are worried about this a bit. We want to do whatever it takes.' Narrowly, it was read into that answer that this was just about money. The first thing 'whatever it takes' is about is getting self- esteem. Unfortunately, I represent an electorate where domestic violence is high. The 'whatever it takes' for women in my electorate is getting self-esteem. A battered wife has no self-esteem. For them to get out of that, self-esteem is one of the things that is needed in the lives of those women. I have seen women who are battling that all the time but who have made the effort in education, such as through the opportunities offered in Logan West Flexi-learning centre. That is 'whatever it takes'. Once we can get someone to believe in themselves we are halfway there. I always enjoin the TAFE people to offer a self-esteem course as the first component—for example, on how to dress and act confidently. Perhaps my background in teaching leads me to believe that. I taught at Inala for six years. Those children always knew they came from Inala. It has been one of the greatest thrills of my life in this job to catch up with a lot of those children as adults. They are great people. We have our scallywags among them. But we have some people who are great mothers and fathers today, because somewhere along the line they came to believe in themselves. The 'whatever it takes' is self-esteem. The member is right; it is not just about money. It can never be just about money. It has to be about quality teaching. I can never walk away from that. I cannot stand a schoolteacher who just wants to wander into a place like my electorate and only pick up their pay. I want them in there fighting for those children and believing in them every single day. Mrs Miller: Reach for the stars. Mr MICKEL: Absolutely. I would like to recognise the contribution of another private sector firm. I wish the schools in my area would take up this opportunity. I am talking about Australian Meat Holdings, which has offered the children in my area the chance to learn on the job. Education does not have to be about university, it can be about a whole lot of other things. There are children in my electorate who would welcome that chance. I really wish the high schools would take up that opportunity. Why is this bill needed? It is needed because we have to upskill our work force. We need high quality, flexible education institutions. We need to follow the example of Japan and Germany, which turned their economies into great manufacturing economies by training, and training only. I do not think it is enough to be a Smart State. I do not think that is enough at all. I think we need to be a capable state in addition to a Smart State. It is happening. Between 1992 and 2001 the number of students in public vocational education and training increased by 68.5 per cent. If we had delivered this sort of speech 20 years ago we would have been talking about blokes, but the great change that has occurred is that the massive increase—82.9 per cent—has been in the number of women who are participating in TAFE. Currently, there are 1.76 million students training in Australia in vocational education and training. Importantly in 2001, 8.6 per cent of students undertook vocational education whilst at school. That is what we are aiming to do here—to take it further. The important thing is that even with vocational education and training seven per cent of those students aim to get into another course once they have gained confidence and an insight into their own abilities. I have mentioned in this House before examples of that from my own electorate. The only question mark I have—and I ask the government and both the ministers to keep an eye on this—is that I have a sneaking suspicion that the private sector has increased its devotion to training. I have no doubt that this government initiative will increase money for training, but I do not want the Commonwealth government backsliding. I would be very interested to ask the ministers to see if there is any evidence of the federal government backsliding on the money so that collectively the amount is about the same as the federal government retreats. I want to close on this point and restate this: I believe education is the centrepiece of any modern economy. It is how we keep the productivity alive and well. I have noticed many speakers throughout this debate have said, 'Can we afford it?' The point is this: can we afford not to? 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3927

Ms JARRATT (Whitsunday—ALP) (3.32 p.m.): There is no greater legacy that I could hope to leave from my time as a member of this parliament than to have made a contribution to reform in our education system that genuinely seeks to improve the life chances of our young people. I feel confident that the bills before the House today have the potential to be the catalyst for that goal to be achieved. During this debate we have heard in great detail about how the Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill and the Training Reform Bill will set the legislative requirements for young people to remain at school or a recognised equivalent until they have reached the age of 16 or complete year 10—whichever comes first—and how they will then be required to undertake compulsory participation in an activity that engages them in earning or learning until they reach a specified goal or age. However, these legislative changes are only the tip of an iceberg in terms of the breadth of reform outlined in the Education and Training Reforms for the Future white paper released last year. A full reading of the vision for reform as set out in the white paper leaves one in no doubt that as a government we are deadly serious about the task of ensuring that our young people are equipped with the tools and attitudes they need to reach their potential in adulthood. I am not just talking about academic potential, because I am well aware that each of us possesses a unique talent. The fact is that we all possess a talent. Having both studied the theory and seen the practical application of a multiple intelligences approach to learning, I am convinced of the value of identifying and nurturing the innate talent that lies within every child. This is a very time- consuming approach to education, but the ends do justify the means. One of the great features of the education reforms associated with the bills before the House today is the strengthening of some of the practices that occur in the middle years of schooling. In particular, I am pleased to support the introduction of a requirement that in year 10, schools will, in collaboration with the student and his or her parents or guardians, develop individual student plans aimed at preparing students for transition into senior schooling. I cannot overstate my concern that this activity should be undertaken with the utmost care for, in my opinion, one of the single biggest decisions that most people make in their lives is what subjects they study or which pathway they take into the senior school. How do they know at the age of 15 the type of career or occupation which best suits their talent and interests unless a great deal of effort has gone into identifying their strengths and exploring career options? The development of individual student plans certainly creates the potential to strengthen the transition process. I have been pleased to hear many of my colleagues on both sides of the House endorse the enhanced flexibility that the education reforms bring to senior schooling in relation to the choice between academic and vocational pathways. I, too, welcome the strengthening of the relationship between schools and TAFE, schools and private training providers, and schools and industry. In his speech to the House, the member for Mackay, Tim Mulherin, outlined the positive relationship building occurring in the Mackay/Whitsunday region. Even though we have not been chosen as a trial area, we are not prepared to sit by and wait. Most importantly in my mind, a process of aligning training options to identified areas of local skill shortage should have the positive effect of ensuring that our young people do not have to leave the region to pursue their chosen career. I am also pleased to inform the House that, through the regional communities forum process, our region is looking at ways to increase the use of school based apprenticeships and traineeships as a viable pathway for young people. This arrangement has many advantages, not the least of which is the security of maximising exposure and choice surrounding the final career decision. While speaking about the absolute necessity to build flexibility into the senior schooling equation, I will mention the use of virtual schooling, which is where lessons are delivered online. This system is being used very successfully at Bowen State High School. It extends the subject choice or range for senior students. It is simply not possible at some of our smaller or more remote high schools to provide subjects and teachers in areas attracting only a handful of students, but with virtual schooling the problem is overcome. Having spoken to the principal of Bowen State High School, Mr Frank Greene, and the students studying using online delivery, I have to say that I think it is remarkably successful. I certainly encourage other schools to have a look at how they might incorporate virtual schooling into their subject streams to increase choice and flexibility. Another area that has been addressed by many others in this debate is a concern about how young people with challenging behaviour can be accommodated in a system of compulsory 3928 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003 participation. Having been a teacher and having witnessed just how challenging some behaviour can be, I have some sympathy for the concerns expressed by the Queensland Teachers Union about the fallout on teachers. I do declare at this time that I am actually a financial member of the Queensland Teachers Union and my partner continues to be a teacher as well. I do hear quite a bit about this side of challenging behaviour from students. Do not let us be fooled. Teaching really is an emotionally demanding job at the best of times. It is especially so when dealing with young people who are transitioning adolescence and quite often are under the influence of a hormonal cocktail capable of turning even the sweetest child into a one-eyed irrational monster. I know it because it happened to my son. However, it is okay. He is better now. Mr Mickel interjected. Ms JARRATT: I cannot go there. So pity the teacher who traverses this minefield every day, let alone having to deal with young people who at the age of 16 just do not want to be there. I think there is good news for these students and their teachers contained in the reform package. First, as I have outlined, there will be a greater range of options open to students from which to find a combination of activity that actually suits them and with which they can engage. I can see a combination of work and training suiting many students whose antisocial behaviour is connected to defence mechanisms honed by long years of not succeeding in the classroom. The flexibility of the pathways to completion of the compulsory participation phase is probably the greatest strength of this model. I am also pleased to note that the Youth Access Program will continue to be an option for young people who fail to properly engage with the regular classroom. Programs such as that provide a circuit-breaker for a special group of students who find the rigour and discipline of traditional classrooms difficult to cope with. The perceived freedoms and practical orientation of the TAFE programs allow some students to explore their strengths away from the school system and serve as an avenue to overcome their aversion to long-held negative experiences borne of just not fitting into the regular classroom setting. I believe that the use of mentors from the community and industry, working in partnership with schools and training organisations, will further help to break down the barriers and build the self-esteem of some students who for whatever reason have not responded well to the traditional pastoral care available within schools. At the end of the day, we have to remember that students who are grossly disruptive or present a danger to other members of the school community will still be subject to the possibility of suspension or exclusion. In addition, exemptions will be available to the compulsory nature of the final years of education under specified circumstances. So, all in all, I think that it is quite premature to be negative and assume that ensuring that all young people participate in earning or learning will place an onerous burden on teachers. On the contrary, our commitment to social justice demands that we find ways to ensure that young people engage with their education and leave the compulsory phase of schooling equipped to participate fully and positively in our society. Being out of school, out of work and out of training is simply not an option. I feel very confident that the reform package of which these bills form a part will, when implemented, slowly but surely turn the tide of opportunity for our young people. I congratulate the ministers, their respective departments and all of those who in so many ways have contributed to the development of this legislation before the House. I commend the bills. Dr WATSON (Moggill—Lib) (3.42 p.m.): It is a pleasure to rise to speak in the debate on the Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill 2003 and the Training Reform Bill 2003. There is no doubt that these bills are particularly important for the future of education in Queensland. I cannot help saying that the last couple of speakers have indicated quite clearly why these are important bills, and particularly for their constituents. The member for Whitsunday actually outlined just briefly some of the opportunities that are coming about because of new technology and the ability to expand the areas in which students can concentrate. This is going to be particularly important in the future, because there are significant areas that students ought to be able to concentrate on but which we cannot possible deliver in every high school or every educational institution throughout the state. The member for Logan outlined very clearly why his students will benefit significantly from these education bills. I must admit that I am not as convinced that my electors will actually significantly benefit from these very important bills. That is not because there is anything particularly wrong with the bills, but in the electorate of Moggill that I represent there is already 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3929 such a strong commitment to education and training. That comes from the fact that the people who live in my electorate have a high degree of education themselves and, therefore, value the education experience. Recently I looked at the Australian Bureau of Statistics figures. The Moggill electorate, together with the electorate of Indooroopilly, has the highest percentage of people with degrees and higher degrees of any electorate in the state. For example, in Moggill some 31.4 per cent of people have bachelor degrees, graduate diplomas, graduate certificates and postgraduate degrees. In Moggill, 29 per cent of females have those qualifications and 34.1 per cent of males have those qualifications. In fact, I was just looking at the Australian and the issues that were going on in Wentworth. I notice that only 29 per cent of the people in that blue-ribbon area had higher degrees and degrees. So the education level in Moggill is even greater. Mr Mickel interjected. Dr WATSON: Not in Moggill. The Moggill electorate provides an interesting environment. Because there is a value placed on education by the parents in that electorate, that flows through to the students and to the schools. Teachers who come into the schools in my electorate tell me that they like coming into the schools there, because the school life of the students there reflects the same kinds of values as their home life. Therefore, that produces good students and, therefore, good teachers. Of course, the electorate provides opportunities that perhaps do not exist in other places. I know that the Minister for Education knows, and certainly the Minister for the Arts knows—although I think that it was Dean Wells who came out to the school—that Kenmore State High School provides opportunities for the students that perhaps not are available elsewhere. For example, they have a German immersion program, which I think is absolutely outstanding, and in which students do year 11 and 12 subjects all in German. They actually do their exams and all of their projects in German. That is an opportunity that would not always be available. That school has an extremely talented and very good arts and media program. To its credit, the government has put a lot of money into that program. It is well supported and it provides an opportunity that may not be able to be provided to other schools, again because of the commitment of that school. Also, the schools in my electorate have good science blocks and a good commitment to commerce and IT. Most of the schools in my electorate are actually state schools. I have only two private schools in my electorate: Our Lady of the Rosary, a Catholic primary school; and a very small school called the Brisbane Independent School. Virtually all of the other schools in my electorate are state schools. They are an outstanding group of schools. They are demanding because the students are demanding, because their parents are demanding. As the member for Moggill, I would like to see the Minister for Education put a bit of extra money into particular areas, which I have spoken to her about, because the demands are there and I know that the students and the schools will use the money appropriately. The member for Logan talked about self-esteem. Self-esteem is absolutely critical and it is as critical in my electorate as it is in his electorate. For example, over the period in which I have been the member, self-esteem at Kenmore State High School has changed dramatically. That was partly because the year before I became the member the principal changed. The principal at that time, Jeff Shepherd—I am sure that he would not mind me mentioning his name—instilled in the students a great sense of pride and self-esteem. He provided tremendous leadership at that school. I saw a change in that school over time. Then Jenny Hadrell came along and developed that further. That school now has a new principal who has to fill fairly big shoes. Irrespective of what area we represent or what the socioeconomic background of the electorate is, that kind of leadership is absolutely crucial. If it is not there, then schools can go downhill—there is absolutely no question about that—and people become disillusioned. So in the constituency of Moggill is a group of families who value education and who value training. Therefore, that is reflected in the schools: the quality of the teaching and the quality of the output. Education leads to a number of very positive outcomes. Other members in this place have spoken about them. Earlier the member for Barron River spoke about the opportunity that education provides and gave some statistics on that. I think education provides positive outcomes in at least three major areas. First of all, it provides a greater range of opportunities for individuals. It allows them to adapt to changing economic and technological circumstances. It allows them to adapt, as the member for Kallangur mentioned a little while ago, to a more competitive and more demanding world. The ability to understand that is essential if we are going to compete in an ever changing world. 3930 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003

Higher education leads to positive outcomes in the area of employment. It also leads to less unemployment and shorter periods of unemployment. In Moggill we have the highest educational level, and concomitantly we have the lowest unemployment area. In Moggill the unemployment level is three per cent or lower. Mr Mickel: One follows the other. Dr WATSON: One follows the other. That is less than half the average in Queensland which the Premier was in here a short time ago bragging about. There is a positive outcome in terms of employment and therefore lower unemployment and a shorter time in the unemployment queue. There is a strong correlation between educational levels and incomes. Throughout the world we are seeing a strong, positive correlation between education levels and income. That brings me to a point which some members in the Labor Party have talked about, and that is student fees at universities. If education on average leads to higher incomes, why is it not fair for students to contribute or invest in themselves? The Labor Party believes in that. Mr Mickel: We are having trouble convincing the doctors to do that right now. Mr Purcell: Whoops-a-daisy! Dr WATSON: The member for Logan is right. The Labor Party has as big a difficulty convincing the medical profession as the Liberal Party does that it should be contributing. The Labor Party supports the principle of students contributing towards their higher education costs, because it was the Labor Party that introduced the higher education contribution scheme, HECS. I listened to the contributions of some of the Labor Party members. They are complaining about the issue, but it is not a matter of principle; it is a question of degree. The Labor Party supported the introduction of PELS, the postgraduate education loans scheme, which is the postgraduate equivalent of the HECS scheme. The principle of students contributing to the cost of education is supported on both sides of the political divide in this country—both by the Labor Party and by the coalition. So, when I hear people like the member for Indooroopilly come into this place and complain, he is not complaining on the basis of any principle but perhaps in the self-interest of a few people. There is no doubt there ought to be public support for education because there is a public benefit in having a more highly educated population. I will return to that issue in a moment. In other words, education does have some attributes of a public good. But what we have to remember is that education, particularly higher education, has a significant private benefit. That is why average incomes are higher for those people who have higher education. There is a significant private benefit in terms of income, job opportunities and opportunities in other areas. Mr Mickel: Long-term employment. Dr WATSON: Long-term employment—as I said before, shorter periods of unemployment. There is a significant benefit and, therefore, there is an argument for some contribution. I have two sons, both of whom went to the University of Queensland as undergraduates and both of whom have HECS debts. They ought to contribute to their educational cost. My eldest son is currently doing his postgraduate diploma and MBA. He will have a significant debt under PELS. Mr Mickel: He got his brains from his mother. Dr WATSON: He, like many others—wherever they got their brains from—is genetically advantaged in that area. A lot of people are advantaged in that area. Yet, if we argue the way the member for Indooroopilly argued—that it ought to be based on merit and nothing else—then what we are arguing is that the Howard battlers ought to subsidise academic elites. That is what it comes to. Mr Reeves: That is a long bow. That is different. Dr WATSON: Not if you want to argue it should be totally subsidised. Mr Mickel: The Howard battlers are going to underwrite the doctors' insurance fees. Dr WATSON: That is what the medical profession wants. I just want to make the point that there are significant private benefits. There is a moral justification as well as an economic justification for some kind of contribution by students towards their higher education costs. Finally, I want to talk about the public benefit of education. The public benefit of education includes a more informed society, an ability to analyse complex issues, to be able to interact with a more competitive and demanding world and, very importantly, a more tolerant society. A more highly educated society tends to be a more tolerant society. 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3931

Mr Mickel: That's right. Dr WATSON: I know the member for Logan will recall, because he is interested in this particular topic, the 1998 election. If one did a correlation between education levels as reflected by higher degrees and the One Nation vote, one found a negative correlation between the electorates with a high One Nation vote and education. In other words, the higher the level of education, the lower the One Nation vote, and that was true right across the Queensland electorates. If we want a tolerant society, then we need an educated society, and there is definitely a public benefit to that. Therefore, there is definitely a reason for there to be some contribution from the taxpayer to the educational level. As I said, I am not sure exactly how many of my constituents will benefit directly by the bills, but these bills are important. They are about education; they are about making sure that Australia and Queensland have a well-educated population in future—one which can take its place in the world and one which produces a very tolerant society. Mr PURCELL (Bulimba—ALP) (3.58 p.m.): It gives me great pleasure to rise to take part in this debate today to talk about youth participation in education. Times are continually changing and more especially in the education fields. Education today is totally different from when I went to school. I can assure the House that our young people have the best preparation for their future endeavours. It is vital that we keep pace with the modern world. Legislation is necessary and welcome. We must ensure that young people leave the education and training system in Queensland better equipped for future successes. Reforms contained in this legislation will raise the school leaving age from 15 to 16 or when they have completed year 10, whichever comes first. They will then be required to continue to participate in education or training or work for another two years or until they have achieved a Senior Certificate or a certificate in vocational education. I cannot speak highly enough about the vocational education system that we have. It should be encouraged more in our schools. As we know, there are now fewer places being made available for students to go on to tertiary education after they have finished their formal schooling. Some 70 per cent of the kids do not get places. So we need to educate them and make them job ready. These requirements will cease once they have reached 17 years of age. This new system will bring into effect an education and training system that will let young people make exciting choices for their own futures. This system will be flexible so they can combine learning in different settings to achieving their goals, in essence to follow their dreams and see them come to reality. This system will work for everybody regardless of what they are good at or where they live. It gives a fair go to everyone. It gives an opportunity to every young person to set goals and know what they can achieve. It should be noted that our current education and training system is well and truly meeting the needs and aspirations of the vast majority of young Queenslanders. However, this legislation will ensure that the 10,000 or so young people who are falling through the net at the moment who are not going to school or learning or earning are given an opportunity to get back on track. Young people not only need our support and encouragement, they need our guidance. This legislation will give them a hand in making well-informed and secure decisions about their future. If I may, I would like to elaborate a little bit about some of the schools in my area. Everyone here knows how important principals are in driving our schools. I have just had a change of principal at Lourdes Hill College. Narelle Mullens is the new principal there. Mr TERRY SULLIVAN: She's an excellent principal. Mr PURCELL: I will take the interjection from the member for Stafford. She is an excellent principal. She is continuing with the great traditions of Lourdes Hill. My wife was educated at Lourdes Hill. My three daughters were educated at Lourdes Hill. I have three granddaughters and I think they will probably end up there also. The school gives them a great start. It engenders a lot of confidence and gives every opportunity for female students to reach their full potential. The Cannon Hill Anglican College is a recent school in my area. Mr Greg Wain will be the principal till the end of this year. Greg has been a great principal. Susan Bain started off the school. She was the previous principal there. She was also a marvellous principal. Ms Robyn Bell is the new principal in 2004. She comes to us with great credentials. She has already sent an introductory letter to me and I am looking forward to meeting her in the not too distant future. That school has grown from zero students about six years ago up towards 500 students. It is a college that puts the best education into that school. 3932 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003

A new principal started at Balmoral State High School in the second term of this year, Mr Richard Morrison. This is my state high school. Richard is very enthusiastic. He hit the ground running at one hundred miles an hour. He has bedded right into the school. He is involved with everything that happens in the school. There has been an exciting buzz around the school since Richard has been there. I cannot speak highly enough of Richard. I know he is there for the long haul and the students feel that. He is making Balmoral a place where students want to be and want to learn. I want to quickly mention my state schools, if I can, and the principals. Bulimba State High School has Michael Zeuschner. Michael has been around for a period of time. It speaks for itself that we had to cap Bulimba some time ago—when Michael came there as a principal—because everybody wanted to go to Bulimba school. We had to put lines on a map and restrict people to needing to have siblings there. It is a very popular school. It is chockers. Michael has attracted great teachers. When there is a principal such as Michael they attract more and more teachers who want to be associated with a school that is going ahead. John Power is the principal at the catholic St Peter and Paul's School. Mr Briskey interjected. Mr PURCELL: The member for Cleveland said he went to St Peter and Paul's. He got a good start in life then, as did my five children who went to St Peter and Paul's. John has embarked on a very large building program. The school will go into its third stage shortly. The school has gone from two streams to two and a half streams. Children nearly have to be booked in when they hit the ground if they want to get into St Peter and Paul's. I have two granddaughters who will hopefully start there next year. Trish McMahon is the principal at St Oliver Plunkett. She has just about finished her building program. It is also a very busy school. St Thomas' School principal is David Cashman. He has certainly made St Thomas' his. He is very able and very comfortable at St Thomas'. All the schools I have mentioned so far are all chockers. Andrew Walker just started this year at Norman Park State School. Andrew came from the bush, like me. He has settled in very well. He has a large building program that he has to do. I must thank the minister for her encouragement and for making the funds available to do a serious building program there. We have tried to stop people from coming to this school by putting lines on the ground and restricting who can come, but they still flock there. It is a great school. If Andrew continues to do what he is doing it is going to grow faster than we can possibly handle. All these schools except for St Oliver Plunkett and St Thomas' are in a line along the river or are not far back from the river. Pam Singleton is the Morningside State School principal. I think she is in her second year there now. Pam has been a great asset to the Morningside State School. We are also going to have to start a building program at Morningside. Probably in the not too distant future we will look at restricting kids there. By what I am saying members will get the idea that my area is growing very fast. Young families are moving back into the electorate of Bulimba. With 1,200 dwellings going up around the Bulimba reach of the electorate we are going to get a lot more children into these schools. It is going to be a very busy and great place to be. Mr Reeves interjected. Mr PURCELL: It is a south side place, as the member for Mansfield says. It is a great place to go to school on the south side. I must quickly mention Cannon Hill State School and the principal, Chris Ling. Chris Ling is making Cannon Hill a much sought after place for students also. She has put in a program at the school for the younger students which has enhanced the school. Chris has great teachers working with her. Good principals attract good teachers because they want to be associated with a school that is doing very well. I also want to talk about Murarrie State School where Col Moynihan is the principal. Murarrie is probably one of my smallest schools since I lost the Hemmant school, which had about 80 children. Murarrie is a community on its own, if you like. It has a great feel. It has great teachers. It is a very good community school. Members know what I am talking in regard to community. They have a sense of community in that they belong. They stick together. If you have a problem, we have a problem. That is what Murarrie is. Mr Reeves: They are an institution. 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3933

Mr PURCELL: They are an institution. They all care about one another and work very hard together. I think I have mentioned all the schools in my electorate. I certainly hope so. If I have not, I am going to be in real trouble. Mr Matt Foley: You didn't mention the Yeronga High School. Mr PURCELL: No, I did not, and I do not think I will. I am sure my colleague the member for Mansfield will. In closing, it is not before time that the Education Department and TAFE colleges are joining their hands together a lot more these days. Members in this place would know my feelings about this. I think that every school is a TAFE college in that there are billions of dollars tied up in buildings and assets at schools. We need to utilise those schools more. Between 3 o'clock of an afternoon and 8 o'clock of a morning they are just about empty. We need to make them alive and part of the community as a learning place not only for students but also for older people within the community who want to learn. I have to mention the academy at Balmoral High. It is probably the best arts academy anywhere in Queensland. It attracts students from 172 schools across Brisbane. The quality of teaching and work that those artists turn out is marvellous. A person could probably get a PhD there if they wanted to, because that is how high the quality is and the teachers have the abilities. Assets such as that can only contribute to the community. I commend the bills to the House. Ms MALE (Glass House—ALP) (4.11 p.m.): I rise this afternoon to participate in debate on the Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill 2003 and the Training Reform Bill 2003. It is certainly with a great deal of pleasure that I get to speak in this House about the major reforms that the Beattie Labor government is putting forward. As we have heard, the education and training reforms are certainly at the heart of the government's Smart State vision. We as a government have decided that looking after our young people as they go through the school system is one of the most important things, and we need to provide them with every assistance we possibly can so that they make the right decisions in their schooling and training so they have all the skills they need into the future and become successful businesspeople or successful in whatever profession they choose. One of the important things about the reforms that we have introduced is the fact that we released them 18 months ago to allow time for consultation with the public. At the first couple of rounds of consultations that I attended there was a large amount of concern amongst parents and students about what these initiatives actually meant and what they would mean to them when they were at school. Of course, those young people will have left school by the time we implement these reforms in 2006, but the issues that they raised were listened to carefully by both ministers and were taken into consideration when putting the program together. One thing that interested me when talking to students in years 11 and 12, particularly at the Beerwah State High School, was the fact that they were concerned that all of a sudden we were going to say that everybody until the age of 17 would have to stay at school and that was how they had read it in the short term. It was good for them to have the opportunity to hear the options available for young people. While students need to stay through to year 10 and then undergo a compulsory two-year participation phase and either complete year 12 or get a certificate III, that does not necessarily mean that those students will be in an academic course at school. Many young students want to go on to university. There are also a large number of students who want to look at vocational careers who are interested in apprenticeships in the trades. There are others who, quite frankly, are not too sure what they want to do but know that they want to continue with their training until they make the decision as to where they want to be in their life. It is up to us as a government to provide them with all of those options so that they can get to the end of year 12 or the certificate III course and know that they have participated fully and been given every opportunity to obtain skills that will help them get employment in order to get on with the rest of their lives. Another important aspect of these bills is the student accounts that have to be set up with the Queensland Studies Authority. I think this is a fantastic idea. When I was in year 10 and had to choose a range of six board subjects in case I wanted to go on to university, there was not a range of options available to me but there also was not the level of guidance and support where someone would sit down and say, 'Where is it that you'd like to be in five or 10 years time? What do you think the best career path is that will get you there?' Those people can then guide students as to the options that they have available to them. 3934 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003

This legislation will increase the way that students can complete up to year 12 with school based traineeships and apprenticeships, and I have seen some amazing results in that regard. Once again, the Beerwah State High School is certainly a leader in my area in dealing with VET education and received a minister's award earlier this year for the work it has done getting the community and young people together to work out their needs and how we can meet those needs as they go through their schooling. Sitting down and working out what kids will do in year 10, letting the Queensland Studies Authority know exactly where they are going to be and how they are going to achieve their outcomes will certainly help these young people map their course and come to a good outcome at the end. The other part of the education and training reforms that we need to pay very close attention to are those issues that were raised with me by high school students—that is, the kids who do not actually want to be at high school, those who do not want to be stuck in a classroom and maybe they do not necessarily want to do that combination of apprenticeships and traineeships while getting a TAFE education. These are kids who often face a large number of difficulties in their life. In fact, there are two flexi schools in my electorate—the Sunshine Coast flexi school operating out of BADYAC and the Maleny flexi school. Kids at these schools are really doing it tough. When we talk about them getting an education, one thing we need to do before even looking at their educational needs is to look at their social needs. Some of these kids are homeless. Some of these kids have hopeless parents. They are struggling to eat every day. They are looking for support for drug dependence. Some of them have been sexually abused. There are all these problems that these students face which makes it difficult for them to fit into a normal schooling life, so we need to find alternative solutions. The flexi schools in my electorate are working flat out to help these young people. At the Maleny flexi school there is David and Nell, the teacher and the teacher aide. Their focus is to combine the needs of the kids in terms of their social skills, to deal with their social and housing issues, as well as providing them with a safe and secure place to come to when they want to continue their education. The Maleny flexi school has had a bit of a chequered history over the last two years in that it has been situated in several different locations with no stability. Thanks to the intervention of Minister Foley, as of this term and for the next two years these students have a set space to go to. They will have rooms set aside in the heart of Maleny where they can turn up to school every day and know that that is where they are going to be. Their educational needs can be met, they can deal with the social issues that are going on in their lives and they can get themselves together and complete their high school education, which is just fantastic. Likewise, the Sunshine Coast flexi school is doing the same thing with its students. I have been watching kids for the last four years go through the Sunshine Coast flexi school. I remember one boy in particular I will not name who, when I first met him, was entirely uncommunicative. He would not make eye contact. When he did talk, he would swear. He had difficulty doing his work. He even had difficulty understanding his work. With all of the effort that Michelle, Barb and Lucy have put in to working on his social skills and all the other aspects and dealing with his education, this boy has received his grade 10 education and is proceeding with his life in a much more holistic manner. With that support, he is achieving amazing things that we did not think would ever happen. This is the type of alternative education that we need to look at to ensure that kids like him do not slip through the cracks. Some of the kids in the flexi schools are among the 10,000 young people that Minister Foley often talks about who are out of work, out of school and out of training. We need to ensure that we provide them with the options to be able to complete their education and live their lives in a happy and holistic way. I would like to acknowledge the flexibility built into these bills. I think flexibility is the key point that will make them successful. With the combination of VET opportunities, apprenticeships and traineeships and the wider communication we have with the community and getting the community to work with us, with Education Queensland and TAFE Queensland, we will see excellent results. The other day I was in the Mooloolaba district for the launch of the Youth Action Plan, a comprehensive document that deals with every aspect of high school, further training and community participation in children's lives. As we work through and start implementing these plans, I can see great outcomes for the students of the Glass House electorate. I wish to speak briefly about the prep school trials. Maleny State School has been lucky enough to have been chosen as a prep school site for next year. It is over the moon. The school principal, Mark Ames, spent a lot of time working with the P&C and the rest of the community to work out whether this is a way they would like to go. He worked with all of the parents and asked 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3935 how they would like to run the prep school trial. He put in a very comprehensive application and was successful. We are all looking forward to the start of next year, when we see the young students turn up for a full prep year and to see the outcomes from that. The teachers will have a very busy time ahead of them as they get across the curriculum and work out different ways of dealing with the young students in their charge. It is an exciting opportunity and they are really looking forward to it. The middle years of schooling is another aspect of the employment and training reform package that Minister Bligh has been focusing on. That is very important as we look at the transition from state school to state high school. A lot of my schools are doing a great job. The cluster of schools based in Maleny—Conondale and Maleny State Schools—are working very closely with their high school to make sure that students going from year 7 on to years 8, 9 and 10 have a much easier transition. They are looking at the way the curriculum works across those areas. Once again, Beerwah State High School is leading the way. It is changing the way the years 8s and 9s do business. They are working in cluster groups rather than working in very strict subject areas. They are finding that is providing their students with a much better opportunity to learn and they are getting fantastic results. A lot of members have spoken about all of the schools in their electorate. I have 23 schools in my electorate, so I will not talk about them all. An honourable member: Name them. Ms MALE: I could name them and all of their principals. Tullawong State School desperately needs an SEU unit. It was top of the list last year, but did not quite make it. The provision of disability services to young people in our state schools is very important. Tullawong is a large state school, with 1,100 kids. The principal, Jim Kearney, is a wonderful, caring man. People flock to the school because of the good work and good leadership that he provides. I would be looking for that SEU or SEDC, whichever the combination is, to be introduced in Tullawong in the next 12 months to provide the parents of the area with an option for young people with disabilities. Elimbah State School has had amazing things done to it over the last couple of years. However, it still needs an administration building constructed so the principal has a proper place for both him and his staff to work from. That would then free up classroom space for the rest of the school. Also, I always like to put in a plug for the Caboolture State School, which is a very old school and is looking a bit tired. It certainly needs a major upgrade. The staff there are fantastic. There is no complaint with the staff. They are the most brilliant staff I have come across. They are caring for their kids. The curriculum they are putting in and the literacy and numeracy planning are amazing. If we could get the buildings to look the same, that would be excellent. I wish also to commend the cluster of schools in the hinterland—Peachester, Beerwah, Glass House, Elimbah, Beerburrum and Landsborough—which work together as a group to provide educational outcomes across those schools. They are all feeder schools for Beerwah State High School. They are working in nicely together. They are keen to see these education and training reforms come to fruition. We are certainly all looking forward to 2006, when we see the vast amount of this come together, and the community working in very closely with the education community. That certainly will be delivering the Smart State that we talk about on a regular basis. It gives young people flexibility. This is amazing work being done by the Beattie Labor government. I commend the two bills to the House. Mr REEVES (Mansfield—ALP) (4.23 p.m.): Today is a proud day for this parliament and also for Queensland as a whole. I firmly believe that the legislation we are debating is the biggest fundamental change for education and training ever in this state. What this legislation is about is giving everyone an opportunity and a chance to reach their full potential. Today is a day that makes us proud to be part of a Labor government that has delivered this legislation. It is appropriate that today—the day that I have conducted the first Southside Careers Expo, which was solely aimed at those students who did not want to choose a university career—this legislation is going to be passed. It was a terrific day. Over 1,500 people attended, including about 800 high school students. I am very proud of this initiative of mine and Thomas Gribben of Group Training Australia Brisbane. More importantly, there were a number of young people who were not working, at school or attending a TAFE course—the types of young people we wanted to engage. And we did. I will give the House an example. This morning, a young woman reading the local paper at a Centrelink office found out about the careers expo, rang up her mum to pick her up and bring down her resume. We asked her what she was looking for. She said, 'I want to get a job.' She was very determined. We put her on to Group Training Australia Brisbane. I am very confident 3936 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003 that she will get a traineeship in office administration as a result of her initiative. All she wanted was an opportunity to find out about what she could do, and there it was. That is what this legislation is about. It is about giving young people an opportunity away from the normal classroom setting—a variety of options. That is what they want. But they also want to know how to get that opportunity. The fundamental change we are making here will ensure that that opportunity is not missed and that young people aged between 15 and 17 are not forgotten and they all have the opportunity to reach their full potential. The Southside Careers Expo had great support from Triple M in advertising the event. One young attendee came all the way from Sandgate to Mount Gravatt. I asked, 'What are you after?' He said, 'I want to get an autoelectrical apprenticeship.' Again, hopefully by this time next week he will be apprenticed as an autoelectrician. He took the initiative to come all the way from Sandgate to Mount Gravatt. He did not know what to expect but, luckily, we were able to deliver for him. That is another example of how this type of legislation will assist young people. The expo has been put together by me, Thomas Gribben from Group Training Australia Brisbane and people from Civic Solutions. We had major backing from the Southern Cross Sports Club. I thank in particular Thomas Gribben from Group Training Australia Brisbane and also Steve Gay, my electorate officer, who has worked extensively and tirelessly on this project for the past three months. It was great to see that it was a success. We had exhibitors from Group Training Australia Brisbane, Civic Solutions, the Queensland Ambulance Service, the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, the Queensland Police Service, the Australian Defence Force—its display was outstanding—Tasman Aviation, the Department of Employment and Training, for which I thank the minister, the Yeronga Institute of TAFE, which is very dear to the minister's heart. Mr Matt Foley: A fine TAFE. Mr REEVES: It is. Exhibitors also included the Brisbane North Institute of TAFE, the Moreton Institute of TAFE, the Southbank Institute of TAFE and the Logan Institute of TAFE. The Queensland Council of Unions and the Australian Services Union Clerical Division was there, as was Lusty Transport and Bryan Byrt Ford, which was looking for a couple of automotive apprentices in conjunction with Group Training Australia Brisbane. It was simply superb. In fact, it is still going; it has about three and a half minutes to go. However, I had to come back to Parliament. I had been at the Expo since 5.30 this morning. I felt I had given enough of my time. It was a day that makes you proud of your initiative and proud that young people are going to get opportunities, just as we should all be proud of this legislation and the opportunities that it is going to give them. Some of the schools that attended included Brisbane Adventist College, Christian Outreach College, the Redlands Community College—and I am sure the member for Redlands would be happy to know that they came along and had a great day—Rochedale State High School, MacGregor State High School, Mansfield State High School, Clairvaux MacKillop College—my old school—and Yeronga State High School. Mr Matt Foley interjected. Mr REEVES: They were very fine. I was very impressed with the students and the staff. They enjoyed the day and hopefully many of the young people will get apprenticeships or traineeships as a result of attending today. As I said, the thing that really stood out to me was that those young people who were not at school took the initiative to come along themselves. They really wanted to find a job. I will tell one story. One young fellow came up to me. It is the same story. He was 15 and just about to turn 16. I think he lived at Sunnybank. He came along and I asked, 'What are you wanting?', and he said, 'I want an apprenticeship.' I asked, 'What type of apprenticeship?' Unbeknownst to me his grandfather was hiding behind him and he said, 'AMWU.' I said, 'So you want to be a metal worker, son, do you?' I think he has been indoctrinated by his grandfather, but we took him over to Group Training Australia Brisbane. Hopefully, in a month's time he will be in a metal worker apprenticeship. He had a bit of trouble. He could not find his grandfather but he found him eventually to take him home. Hopefully, he will be good. As I said, it was a very pleasing day. I really commend Group Training Australia Brisbane for the terrific work it did. Many members have spoken about the great schools within their electorate. I, too, am very proud of the schools within my electorate. I do not have as many as the member for Glass House, but I have some terrific schools. I am to have the pleasure of welcoming the Minister for Education, who is coming out to visit some of my schools in a couple of weeks time. The minister will be visiting Mount Gravatt East State School and opening our activities centre that we have 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3937 funded as an election promise. We look forward to the minister coming along. I am happy that that school just received a gaming grant for about $30,000. Now it can improve the sound system and the flooring within the activity centre, which will be terrific. Right next to Mount Gravatt East State School is Mount Gravatt Special School. It is a small school, but there are loads of unique difficulties in being able to manage the Mount Gravatt Special School. The principal there, Terry, is doing a terrific job. Shortly, Civic Solutions under the CJP program is going to be going in there and doing a lot of work within Mount Gravatt Special School. While the Minister for Employment is in the chamber, I should add that the CJP program has done some remarkable work, particularly in our local schools. Not only have they done magnificent work in our schools under the guidance of Peter Conlon from the former Mount Gravatt Training Centre, which is now called Civic Solutions, but 85 per cent of the participants over the past three years have got jobs as a result of it. That record of 85 per cent would be very high in employment programs. It is just terrific. It was an initiative of the member for Mount Gravatt and Minister for Families and me to get Civic Solutions involved with the school communities and the local communities. I am proud of that fact. The minister is also going to be visiting the Mansfield State School, which is a terrific and growing school. As the member for Bulimba was saying, it has a cap. It just so happens that the minister's senior policy adviser, Murray Watt, was the school captain of that school. The school has gone on since then, thankfully. I am hoping that the minister's senior policy adviser might even come on the visit to the Mansfield State School to see his old alma mater. On the same day we are also going to visit the Mansfield State High School for the opening of the music centre funded as a result of the Secondary Schools Renewal Program and to see the extensions to the administration block which were part of an election promise. I think that Mansfield State High School is one of the state's finest schools. Its music program is second to none. Marg Overs, who looks after the music programs, is magnificent. I really think that the school is a credit to her and to the state. Wishart State School is another terrific school. We have done some great work there with the activity centre which the minister opened a year or so ago. Mount Petrie State School, which is the country school in the city, is a great little school. It has its unique problems, but it is working to overcome them. Rochedale State School, Rochedale State High School and Rochedale South State School are very important schools. The Brisbane City Council's proposed urban village plan, which has predicted that the population in that area will increase from 8,000 to 12,000 in the next three years, will impact on all of those schools. I also have some great private schools in my electorate which the minister will be visiting. There is the Brisbane Adventist College. We funded $750,000 for its music centre and the minister will be able to see it being progressively built. We are also inviting representatives from all the schools—the Christian Outreach College and St Catherine's Primary School, which is a great school. Of course I have to say that, because it was my primary school. We are also visiting St Peter's Primary School, which is another great school—and I have to say that as well because my sister is the deputy principal there—and Redeemer College. Redeemer College goes from grade 6 to grade 12. It is a terrific school and recently conducted the southside Tournament of Minds and did a superb job. As other members have said, the schools are a credit to themselves. A lot of that is due to leadership. I commend the bills to the House. These bills provide an opportunity for young people to reach their full potential. Just as I was saying that the careers expo today gave them an opportunity, this legislation is going to make a fundamental change. Every child between the age of 15 and 17 will be able to reach their full potential. It is a great day for Queensland and for these young people. I am proud to be part of a Labor government that is delivering this. Mr TERRY SULLIVAN (Stafford—ALP) (4.36 p.m.): In rising to support the Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill and the Training Reform Bill before the House, I note that these bills highlight major differences between Labor and coalition politics. The Australian Labor Party looks to the advancement and welfare of all people, not just the privileged few. In education, health, housing and social security there are major areas of difference that set Labor aside from our political opponents. Education is more than just helping someone get a job, but it does mean helping people secure jobs. The statement made by the Premier earlier today about the employment figures in Queensland is great news for Queenslanders. 3938 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003

For centuries, young people succeeded because of the talents, capacity and influence of the family into which they were born. The wealthy had control of knowledge and only the wealthy had access to learning. Changes which have meant that universal access to education is available mean that all people can reach great heights because of their own talents and energy, not because of their family. Education is the pathway out of poverty for those who have the ability and the drive to succeed. Any cursory study of Australian history shows clearly that education has played a major role in helping minority and oppressed groups break out of the social bondage into which a society based on class had forced them. I know from my own Irish Australian heritage that the education provided by Catholic religious orders was the key to an oppressed group taking its rightful place in our society. The bills before the House will bring about changes. There will be a change to the facilities that we will have at schools and our schools will take on a different shape. It will mean that we will have to get used to a different type of school and different facilities. The flexibility that these bills envisage means that the transport arrangements will have to be reconsidered. Parents and students will now have to be more flexible in understanding transport arrangements. The current rules which have applied will now need to be reviewed because of the new procedures and structures that will be set in place. Enrolment patterns will change. We will no longer see the same form of single enrolment into classes that currently exists. Someone could be enrolled in a particular high school and never set foot on that campus because they are working with a training provider and an employer in the local area. School timetables are going to change and this will mean that work practices will have to adapt to this. This will be a challenge for the teachers and for the unions. There will also be greater links to work and the community. Another significant change is the universal prep year. In preparation of this bill, last year I went to the Australian Capital Territory and met with the territory and Catholic education offices and found that the universally offered prep year was taken up by something like 98 per cent to 99 per cent of the families. It was seen as an essential part of their children's learning. I know that this will mean some change to early childhood education in Queensland, but I want to say to the early childhood sector that they have been at the forefront of professional development in Queensland since the 1920s. They have been at the forefront of teacher education and professional development. I encourage those in early childhood to come on board with these reforms and to support the universal prep year and to make it work in the best way that it can. Although it will mean that there will be changes to some areas of the early childhood sector, I ask that, for the good of the whole society, they work with the minister and with the non- government authorities to make the universal prep year the most successful that it can be. Before I came into parliament, I had the privilege of teaching for 20 years in the classroom. One phrase, or one statement by a gentleman who was called our master of method in our teacher training, stuck with me for those 20 years. Finian Markwell said to us— Be so sure of the truth of your statements that you would dare to say it to your students. He instilled in us a very strong ethic that the passing on of truth, the opening up of knowledge to young children, is a very important and sacred activity. I pay my respects to teachers and all others involved in the teaching process—the support staff and administrative staff at schools—who do such a great job in helping our children. While I will make reference to both the state and the non-government sectors, because my background has been in the Catholic sector, I have a greater knowledge of that. I would like all people involved in the education debate to emphasise what is in common between the sectors and not highlight the differences between the two. I have been proud to see that my own union, the Queensland Independent Education Union, and the Queensland Teachers Union, have worked cooperatively for a number of years on matters that were common to them. They minimised the differences between them. I hope that people from both sides—the government and the non-government sector—who tend to be very bitter and one-eyed in their assessment of the other group will not be heard, and that those who want to bring the groups together to work for the betterment of the children would do so. In other industries, we see competitors in transport and construction working together for the benefit of their industry. They do not rip each other apart to make the industry worse. I would like to see the government and non-government sectors work together to make education a higher priority and not argue over the minor differences between them. 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3939

In conclusion, I thank the ministers involved and thank the Premier for his leadership. We have seen major differences between coalition and Labor Party politics in this state. The coalition ignored family services for decades. This government is helping to fix them up. The coalition government ignored the hospital system. It has taken the Goss Labor government and the Beattie Labor government a decade to rebuild the hospital system. After decades of neglect in education, the Beattie Labor government is taking these major steps to improve and to reshape the education system. I support the bills before the House. Hon. A. M. BLIGH (South Brisbane—ALP) (Minister for Education) (4.43 p.m.), in reply: Over the past two days we have debated one of the most significant reforms to senior schooling—indeed to the structure of schooling—in almost half a century. I have been very pleased to note during the debate the degree of interest shown by members on all sides of the House and particularly the fact that it has been supported by both sides of the House. But I have also been impressed by the very clear understanding that all members have displayed of the challenges which are facing schooling and which are facing our young people in a very rapidly changing world and the need for us to put in place more flexible responses to that world. This legislation is part of a comprehensive reform in education that the Beattie Labor government is undertaking: in the early years of schooling, the middle years and this reform to the senior years of schooling. I thank the shadow minister for his indication that the opposition will be supporting the legislation and for his appreciation of the needs that have given rise to it. The member expressly asked for some responses to a number of issues and I am happy to give them. In relation to home schooling, first of all, the member quoted from a submission made to him. I have to say that I have been advised that no submission was made to me or to the department. So I do not have the benefit of the issues that were brought to the member's attention. To put to rest some of the concerns that were raised, can I say that, firstly, it is not the purpose of this legislation to in any way change or address the current issues in home schooling. They have been the subject of a very comprehensive review, the recommendations of which are still to come to me. Many, many people who are involved in the home schooling community were part of that review. The purpose of the clause in this legislation is simply to preserve the status quo in relation to home schooling so that we make it clear that there is no intention that home schoolers would then have to send children and enrol them in a mainstream school for years 11 and 12. When the recommendations of the home schooling review are decided by the government, it is very likely that they may necessitate changes to the Education (General Provisions) Act and this legislation. I was very concerned about one of the concerns that the member raised when he said that the requirement that home schooling children be enrolled in a program that is provided by a registered teacher is not legislated anywhere. The lawful authority for the requirement for the program to be provided by a registered teacher is clear and unequivocal. The Education (General Provisions) Act provides that a child must be receiving the instruction in a place other than a state school or a non-state school in accordance with guidelines approved by the Governor in Council. The Order in Council that was actually issued in August 1989 provides specifically that the child shall be taught by either one of the child's parents and that parent must be a registered teacher or by a person engaged or employed by a parent and that person must be a registered teacher. So, if there is some confusion about that, it is probably useful for it to be rectified. The other issue that the shadow minister raised and had some concern about was the issue of cancellation. I can confirm that the amendments before the House will resolve those concerns. The member also indicated that retention rates have been fairly stable for some time. I am pleased to correct the member and say that, in fact, in the past couple of years they have been increasing. I take my hat off to those schools and teachers who have been making that happen. A number of issues that were raised by the shadow minister then emerged as key themes or concerns that were raised by members on both sides of the House. I will address them in general terms. Firstly is the issue of costs and what it will take to fund these reforms. I assure the House that the government is only too aware of its efforts to make sure that we bring back into work, training and school the 10,000 young Queenslanders who are out of school, out of work and out of training. We understand absolutely that there will be costs associated with that. The cost impact of the reforms was fully assessed by the government during the development of the green paper that led to this legislation in early 2002. Indeed, it would have been irresponsible to have gone out into the public arena to discuss these proposals if we knew that they could never be afforded. A series of detailed costings were undertaken relating to both the total cost to the Education Department and ancillary costs to other agencies such as 3940 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003

Queensland Transport. The costs prepared by the department are necessarily estimates. Predicting with total accuracy the additional funds that will be required is impossible for a range of reasons. For example, the level of compliance in the early stages of the new legislation is difficult to predict, as it is equally difficult to predict which pathways individual young people may pursue. Will they be in school? Will they be in TAFE? Will they be exercising the employment dispensation? Most importantly, in relation to the increased school and TAFE enrolments from a government funding perspective, it is not clear in which of those facilities young people might be. Subject to those qualifications, when the reforms are fully implemented by 2009-10, it has been estimated that government will need to commit up to $110 million per annum in recurrent expenditure. This figure takes into account recent teacher salary increases due to enterprise bargaining but does not make provision for subsequent salary increases that will have an effect on that estimate. Many opposition and Independent members have also pointed out the likely increases in student transport costs which may arise. I can advise the House that the estimated recurrent costs include estimated increases to the student transport assistance scheme which will result from enrolment growth. It is possible that some areas may need to seek to introduce new transport programs above and beyond the normal enrolment growth to enable more young people to access further education and training opportunities outside of their school or outside of their locality. Again, it is difficult to predict those costs, and they are one of the things that the government is looking at through the ETRF trial areas. Some trial areas are already looking at using their discretionary funds to purchase different transport arrangements. As the member for Logan said, the question regarding these reforms is not whether we can afford to pursue them; rather, it is whether we can afford not to pursue them. I think the answer is a resounding no. The next issue that members raised in relation to this bill was the effect that it will have on P- 10 schools and those small communities that do not offer year 11 and 12 in a traditional school setting or that may not have access to a TAFE college or another training provider. From the outset, the government has acknowledged that will be a challenge. On the face of it, there is a very simplistic answer. We could just add year 11 and 12 to those schools, but I do not believe we do the students at those schools any service to deliver a simplistic answer, and I am pleased to see that members have an understanding of that. There are already hundreds of students at P-10 schools who complete year 11 and 12 and they do that in a variety of ways. When they leave year 10 they either then attend the nearest high school, which in some cases involves travel every day, or in other cases they might travel to another town where they are accommodated in a hostel. They might attend a boarding school or they might enrol in a school of distance education, but there can be no doubt that there are significant hurdles for young people in communities that have P-10 schools to complete 12 years of education or training. We need to find solutions that are tailored to the individual circumstances of those communities. That is one of the reasons why the two-year lead-in and the trials are so important. There are P-10 schools in a number of the trial areas which are addressing this very issue. There are a number of options that we could look at, and technology I believe will give us opportunities that we do not currently utilise as well as we might. By way of some examples of P- 10 schools already tackling this issue, Roma Middle School has integrated pathways to complete year 11 and 12 through the local TAFE college. At Richmond P-10 they have employed a part- time teacher who is supporting several year 11 and 12 students who are enrolled in the Brisbane School of Distance Education. I am sure we will see many variations on those sorts of themes. The other issue that was raised as a general issue was how the provisions of this bill will be enforced and how unwilling participants might be encouraged to participate. It is already the case in the current regime of compulsory schooling that there are young people who do not want to be at school and who are either still there but who do not want to be or who have already dropped out. In fact, when a number of members spoke of examples of the sorts of children who have these difficulties, they gave references to children who are 14. Fourteen-year-olds are already subject to the compulsory schooling requirements and are clearly in breach of them, but that is not a reason not to have a compulsory schooling age. The fact that there may be some children who do not comply with this legislation is not a reason for us not to pursue this course of action and not to use this legislation as a tool to shift culture and to shift the thinking in the community about what the minimum years of learning should be. 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3941

Our government acknowledges that legislation on its own will not achieve that, and it needs to be underpinned and underscored by a range of programs and support mechanisms. It is those very initiatives that are part of the trial now. But it is equally true that this legislation will not cure all the problems experienced by families and young people. It will not cure the issue of drugs or homelessness or family breakdown, but we hope it gives more young people who are experiencing those sorts of problems an opportunity to not slip through the net in the first place in the way that some of them might and, secondly, while few of them will lose the opportunity in the first place, for those who do lose it this legislation puts in place a number of initiatives which will give those young people a second chance somewhere else down the line. I was pleased to see that a number of members are very well aware of what is happening in their own schools. They gave great examples of schools that are making sure now—even without this legislation—that these sorts of ideas and initiatives can work, do work and are working. They may not work 100 per cent of the time for 100 per cent of the kids, but, as I am sure everybody by the end of this debate will know, there are 10,000 young people whom we are talking about. If we do not get every one of the 10,000, it does not mean that we should not be out there trying for every one of them. I will be looking to see how well we do, but we have an obligation to bring that number down significantly. This legislation will come into effect in 2006. In that year, my youngest son will start high school. As he walks into the school gates in grade 8, what he will walk into as the result of this legislation this afternoon is a high school environment where he and his friends will understand that this is a five-year commitment. As they move into high school, this is not something that they can opt out of halfway through grade 10 or, in some cases, depending on when their birthdays are, at the end of year 9. He will walk into a high school environment that will provide him with a range of options not currently available and that will expose him and his friends to a range of flexible opportunities in both education and training that may not have been available to them in the current environment. They will have an engaging curriculum that focuses on the importance of years 8, 9 and 10 through both the middle year strategies that we are looking at and some of the planning processes that this legislation puts in place. What he will experience in the high school that he enters in 2006 is a process that will see a focus on planning for his future and the future of his friends to ensure that they have access to the most suitable pathways and that arrangements are made to ensure that they can meet the requirements of those pathways. He will be in a high school environment where the distinctions between school and work and the distinctions between education and training will be disappearing, where credits can be banked with the Queensland Studies Authority and learning accounts will ensure that flexibility is achieved. I think, most importantly, he will be walking into a high school environment in 2006 where in 2011 he and all his friends will be in either school, work or training. I think that is something we can all feel very proud of. This House last considered this question in 1965. Queensland, Australia and the world are very different places, and all jurisdictions are grappling with how we manage that. Queensland is now the first state in Australia to this through a legislative mechanism. It is a comprehensive framework that I believe and the government believes will lift our retention rates, our achievements and our attainments and will lift the skills of our future work force. Most importantly, it will make sure young people are better prepared for work and better prepared for a very rapidly changing world. They will have in their tool kit a better understanding of that world, and the education that we are able to provide them will make them better citizens. It will put Queensland among the best economies in the world, working in and creating the jobs of the future and a Queensland where everybody gets the chance to be a part of it and no-one is left behind. Skills and education are the key to that world. It has been a huge process to get here. This bill was the result of a comprehensive consultation process that started with a green paper last year and culminated in a white paper. The legislative process has challenged the legislative minds of both the officers of Education Queensland and the Department of Employment and Training. I would like to take the opportunity before concluding to thank the staff of Education Queensland and the Department of Employment and Training who have been part of this project in one way or another for the last two years and to recognise the substantial contribution they have made. I thank the staff of my ministerial office and that of my colleague. This is an effort that has involved both departments. It 3942 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003 is quite unusual to have a cognate debate that has two ministers, and I think this is symbolic of the change we want to see between the two agencies. I would also like to take this chance to thank the literally thousands of Queenslanders—the parents, teachers, employers, students, young people and community members—who came along to the consultations in droves, who told us what they expected of us, who gave us useful feedback about how to make sure we got it right and who played such a big role in shaping our ideas. They can also feel they have played a part in this. I conclude by saying that every vote in this place counts. Every vote on legislation affects the lives of the people that we all represent, but this vote for me is a vote that I know will leave a long and lasting legacy—long after all of us have gone. As other members have said, it is a great moment to be part of, and I am very proud to be part of a Labor government whose legacy will include such important reforms. I commend the bills to the House. Hon. M. J. FOLEY (Yeerongpilly—ALP) (Minister for Employment, Training and Youth and Minister for the Arts) (4.59 p.m.), in reply: This debate has proceeded from the scandalous fact that 10,000 young Queenslanders aged 15 to 17 are out of school, out of work and out of training. In the 14 years I have had the honour to serve in this parliament, I can think of few occasions where a lengthy second reading debate has been so constructive and informative. This reflects a genuine interest in the welfare of youth on the part of members on both sides of this House. It is significant that this debate proceeds on the day when the Premier announced that Queensland has achieved the lowest level of unemployment in 14 years. That reminds us that all of this takes place within the context of a rapidly changing world of work. The position of Labor has fundamentally altered in the 38 years since a major bill of this kind was debated. Queensland is no longer an economy that can simply rely upon agriculture, forestry, fisheries, mining, commodities and tourism. It is an economy which depends for its existence on broadening its base on the development of biotech, on the development of creative industries and on the development of information based and knowledge based industries. The change in Labor means that the great institutions of our community, in particular the schools, the training colleges and universities, have to change. I join with the Minister for Education in paying tribute to a number of people who have made this legislative reform possible. In particular, I thank the officers of the Department of Employment and Training, the TAFE officers, officers of the agricultural colleges and officers of private training providers. I thank also the staff of Education Queensland, the catholic education system and the independent schools. I thank those employers who have been engaged in this process and the university sector which has an important role to play. I thank my ministerial staff and that of the Minister for Education. I take the opportunity to put on record the tremendous leadership that the Minister for Education has provided in bringing this matter to public attention, in harnessing the engines of government and in driving a process where so much could have gone wrong and where so much has gone right. This is a great legacy for this parliament and the Minister for Education deserves great credit to that effect. Let me turn to the contributions made by honourable members. I thank honourable members for their support for the bill. The shadow minister for employment and training, the member for Mirani, made a number of very salient points about the position of young people at school who do not want to be there. I agree entirely with the honourable member that this reform is all about ensuring that there are better options and better pathways for these young people. The last thing we want is to have young people stuck in a classroom doing material that is irrelevant to them and that is not helping to maximise their potential which causes frustration for them and for the teacher and does not produce outcomes that will help them deal with the world of work. The honourable member referred to issues of implementation. One of the reasons why the legislation is being enacted now is to ensure that everybody knows exactly what is expected of them and knows exactly where they stand so that transition and implementation issues can be worked through in a thorough way, particularly at the local level. The member for Mirani spoke of the issue of employers' ability to employ apprentices and trainees being affected by the requirement to attend TAFE for block training. There is a perennial debate about the balance to be struck between work in the workplace, training in the workplace and training out of the workplace. It should be remembered that Queensland has the strongest, most competitive training system in the country with a wide choice of registered training organisations to deliver training to 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3943 apprentices and trainees. Some industries and employers prefer to access this training at set periods in a formal classroom. The department is working with all training organisations, including TAFE, to provide flexible training options. One of the things I have been pleased to see in the 11 years since I first started as Minister for Employment and Training in the Goss government is that the training system has become a lot more flexible in this area. That is entirely a good thing. The department supports this approach by making available significant travel and accommodation subsidies for trainees and apprentices. In 2002-03 this amounted to $2.3 million. I will touch on the issue of the Commonwealth government and then move to some general issues raised by honourable members in the debate. I have to say that the time has come for the Commonwealth to live up to its promises on funding pathways for young people from school to work. The report of the Prime Minister's Youth Path Ways Action Plan Task Force was a historic report. In May 2001 a joint news release by the then Minister for Education, Dr David Kemp, and the Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Amanda Vanstone, foreshadowed, and I use their words— The government is also developing a comprehensive responsible to the report for consideration in the 2002-03 budget. Sadly the 2002-03 Commonwealth budget did not deliver this. This is an issue which I have agitated, along with other ministers for employment, training and youth affairs through the Australian National Training Authority Ministerial Council and through the Ministerial Council for Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs. I was told by the current minister, Dr Nelson, that the Howard government's response would be contained in the 2003-04 federal budget. However, that budget in fact delivered a cut of $4.1 million in funding for school-to-work transition programs. It abolished the Enterprise and Career Education Foundation. That money simply went back into consolidated revenue instead of being ploughed into these programs. I note that Dr Nelson is a signatory to the ministerial declaration which is an attachment to this bill. I note also that Queensland continues to be short-changed in the funding arrangements for the Australian National Training Authority. This is not just an issue of young people and people in need of training not getting a fair go in Queensland; it is also a national issue in which the current system of funding punishes growth. No nation can afford a system of funding which punishes economic growth in its training system. Let me turn then to a number of general issues raised by honourable members. Of course the issue of resources is an important one. I note that this was raised by the members for Gladstone, Gregory, Cunningham, Beaudesert, Warrego, Hinchinbrook, Nicklin, Tablelands and Nanango. They expressed concern as to whether the Beattie government in broad terms could be trusted to resource this properly. Firstly, I want to say to them that I thank them for their confidence in our being re-elected in the forthcoming election. Mr Copeland: We might inherit it. Mr MATT FOLEY: Yes, those opposite might inherit it. I will tell them what: if they do inherit it they had better get in a few of these Community Jobs Plan programs to help out, because they will never be able to run the show properly unless they integrate these with their employment programs. Mr Malone interjected. Mr MATT FOLEY: I am taking a great interest in mature-age unemployment programs at the moment, Ted, so I thank you for your interest. One's vocational education and training never stops. Let me turn to other issues. A very important issue about the delivery of this in rural and regional Queensland was raised by a number of members. While this is, on the one hand, a problem; on the other hand, it should be seen as an opportunity. Consider, for example, the magnificent work done in Goondiwindi by the high school there in developing school based apprenticeships and traineeships with the local employer community. The cotton farmers and others in that area were able to connect with the school and thereby dramatically increase the retention rate at that school. I think it is a good example that regional communities have the ability to talk to each other and to cooperate in a way which sometimes gets lost in the metropolis. But I note the concern of the member for Fitzroy to ensure that this reaches out to small businesses in rural and regional Queensland, and that is a very important issue for implementation. 3944 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003

A number of members raised issues concerning transport, including the members for Gladstone, Southern Downs, Tablelands, Lockyer, Beaudesert and Nanango. The issue of transport of its nature requires local responses to local issues. I well recall going a couple of months ago with the member for Springwood to examine how a Youth Access Program was working at the Logan Institute of TAFE. One of the important issues there was just getting funds to get a local bus to enable the kids to travel. It should be said that funding is contributed by the government to support urban bus services in regional centres. Funding of $66 million was allocated to urban bus services covering most areas of the state with populations over 7,500, and that funding is conditional upon the provision of concession fares to pensioners and school students. A further $1.78 billion was allocated to support long distance bus networks which connect Queenslanders living in rural and remote areas of the state. I am advised by my ministerial colleague that Mr Steve Bredhauer, the Minister for Transport and Minister for Main Roads, will be monitoring transport issues as part of the education training reform trials. The observation I wish to make is how impressed I was with the large number of members who are obviously taking a very keen personal interest in and active support of initiatives in their local area. I refer, for example, to the work of the member for Algester at the Forest Lake State High School and the Calamvale Community College, and of course the tireless efforts of the member for Bulimba. I have been with him on a couple of occasions now to help the local high school make contact, for example, with the local boat building community in his electorate to help young people get better pathways. I also welcome, for example, the involvement of the member for Indooroopilly in the Bengali community. I note in passing that community's and member's interest along with mine in the great poetry of Rabindranath Tagore, and the willingness of our system to reach out and engage with people who may speak a different tongue is an important part of the process of ensuring that they can connect. I respectfully adopt the words of the member for Moggill, who made, I thought, an important contribution to the debate in making the observation that a tolerant society is one where there is good education. To that I would only add the gloss 'good education and training'. Dr Watson: Sorry about that. I was being slack. Mr MATT FOLEY: That is all right. We can all have lifelong learning, and I am happy to contribute. I think that is a lesson that we need to learn. I commend also the member for Gregory for his keen interest in the schools and TAFE colleges of his electorate and for his ongoing passionate support of the arts out there, particularly Arts West. I note—in fact, it would be impossible to miss—the enthusiastic support by the member for Glass House for the flexi schools at Maleny, and I was pleased to be able, through my department, to help to resolve that with the support of my colleague the Minister for Education so that some of the young people at risk there can get proper access to education and training. Examples like the member for Albert's keen interest in the Beenleigh Industry Training Network and the member for Mansfield's involvement with the jobs expo suggest to me that we have members who have really grasped what the core of this legislation is about, and that is a community commitment to youth. Mr Reeves: Thank you. Mr MATT FOLEY: I pay tribute to the member for Mansfield. Having visited with him a training provider in his electorate, I welcome his interest. In a sense, this is very old-fashioned legislation. In another sense it is cutting edge and brand spanking new, but it is about taking a personal interest in helping young people make that transition. Education is too important to be left to the teachers. Training is too important to be left to the trainers. It is about a community commitment to reaching out to young people. For too long we have had the situation for those young people aged 15 to 17 who have been turfed out of school or who have dropped out of school that they are not the school's problem because they are no longer at school, they are not an employer's problem because they have not got a job, and they are not TAFE's problem because they are not in training. They are nobody's problem. This makes them everybody's problem and everybody's opportunity. This is about changing attitudes to get back to what is essentially a plain, old-fashioned community commitment to youth. I found in the course of debate the personal involvement of members one of the most encouraging aspects. No amount of government service provision will remedy this problem. This is about a change of attitude. As my colleague the Education Minister said, it is about changing the culture and it is about ensuring that these great institutions of schools and training colleges 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3945 change. No great institution can survive unless it reinvents itself, whether it be a church, a political party, a school or a training institution. The world of labour has fundamentally altered. There is no longer a possibility of walking out of school at age 15 into a secure job and a good job with a future. Those days have gone. They are not coming back. If we are to survive as a nation—and there is nothing inevitable about civilisation surviving unless it faces up to these problems—we must change our institutions and change the attitudes and the climate in which they operate. This is about getting back to the basics of community engagement. It is about sending a message to employers that we need them to engage with our schools and our TAFE colleges to take on board school based apprentices and trainees to help build better pathways. It is about sending a message to the universities that they should adopt the example that QUT has done with TAFE at Caboolture and share library resources and share a campus. It is about sending the message to our TAFE colleges and schools that they need to share resources and come together over a common interest in the students whom we are here to serve. This legislation is about bringing education and training closer together and building better pathways to the calling of work or labour. The education of an individual is like the cultivation of a tree, putting down deep roots and ultimately blossoming. The training of an individual is like dance, where disciplined practice imbues an individual with skill as second nature. Neither education nor training should be a bruising experience prompting despair. Nor should it be simply a burning of the midnight oil. The calling to labour through education and training should maximise the potential of each individual. The Irish poet and politician W. B. Yeats aptly summed this up in his poem Among Schoolchildren— Labour is blossoming or dancing where The body is not bruised to pleasure soul. Nor beauty born out of its own despair, Nor blear-eyed wisdom out of midnight oil. O chestnut-tree, great-rooted blossomer, Are you the leaf, the blossom or the bole? O body swayed to music, O brightening glance, How can we know the dancer from the dance? I commend the bill to the House. Motion agreed to.

Committee Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill Hon. A. M. BLIGH (South Brisbane—ALP) (Minister for Education) in charge of the bill. Clause 1, as read, agreed to. Clause 2— Ms BLIGH (5.21 p.m.): I move amendments Nos 1 and 2— 1 Clause 2 Page 8, after line 7— insert— ‘(1A) The following provisions commence on assent— ¥ part 7, division 1 ¥ section 82’. 2 Clause 2 Page 8, line 10— omit, insert— '¥ part 7, division 2, other than section 82’. These amendments are technical amendments that will have the effect of ensuring that the new grants-making power that is introduced in this legislation to enable the Minister for Education to make grants to organisations that are not schools can be put in place immediately to facilitate the making of grants to some organisations in the trial areas. Mr COPELAND: What will be the process for schools applying for those grants and what will be the procedure for deciding where the grants will be placed—the criteria and so on—so that communities are able to access the grants? 3946 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003

Ms BLIGH: Information about the grants that will be available to the trial areas is available on the Education Queensland web site in extensive detail. In terms of the process, each of the trial areas has a requirement to establish a network that brings together all of the education and training providers along with other relevant parties such as employers, industry representatives and community organisations who are charged with the job of developing a district youth achievement plan that focuses on the particular needs of that particular trial area and then, as a group, to determine the best way to spend the grant funds. So there really should only be one agreed application from each trial area. It is already a challenge to the different process. Mr COPELAND: So the entire trial region will be making the application; it will not come down to a lower level than that? Amendments agreed to. Clause 2, as amended, agreed to. Clauses 3 to 6, as read, agreed to. Clause 7— Mr COPELAND (5.24 p.m.): The aims stated in the explanatory notes put a lot of emphasis on re-engagement with the community and how well the strategies are set out in the district youth achievement plans, which the minister has just referred to, for those local areas. The effectiveness of the re-engagement will really depend on the ability of the local community to galvanise resources and make appropriate options available to young people and ensure that those options are relevant to the needs of the young people in that local community. The areas that will be most in need or the most difficult areas to access or develop those plans—as a lot of members said—are small rural and remote communities. The member for Beaudesert mentioned Cape York and the Torres Strait islands. The areas that will be most in need of assistance are probably going be to the ones that have the least ability to develop their local area plans. What facilities or assistance will be given to those areas to ensure that the local plans that they can develop in conjunction with what limited resources they have will be effective so those areas—the ones that really are in need—are able to re-engage the people who may be at risk? Ms BLIGH: While the planning process at a local level is expected to be one that is broadly consultative and involve as broad a cross-section of the community as possible to implement, as the Minister for Training called, the community commitment to youth, it obviously requires leadership. The local district office of Education and the local district arrangements for the Department of Employment and Training are expected to play a leadership role in pulling together the meetings and ensuring that people are able to be there, either hooked up on phones or whatever, depending on where the facilities are. They are trials to tell us something. Some things we are putting in place will work and others will not. We will have to make sure we iron out those wrinkles between now and 2006. We made the trial areas very big so we could get a sense of some of the real problems. The member will see, for instance, in the Mount Isa/Townsville trial, which is a huge regional area, they made decisions early on to have more than one district youth achievement plan to break down their area into much more manageable pockets; whereas other trial areas with significantly more young people but which are located in a much more urbanised area will have only the one plan. Those are the sorts of issues. The trial started only in July. The grants funds will go out in the next couple of weeks. We will need to see how that plays out on the ground. Mr COPELAND: In relation to the requirement to achieve certificate III as one of the benchmarks, as the certificate III is defined under the Australian Qualifications Framework, which is amended by MCEETYA and is not under the control of the parliament, what be will the process should MCEETYA or AQF change the requirement for certificate III? What will be the procedure to amend the legislation? The legislation refers to certificate III being one of the benchmarks. If that is changed by an external body, what then is the process for this legislation? Ms BLIGH: Two things could happen to a certificate level III. One is that at some time in the future the AQF could actually abolish certificate III and it might not exist or it might completely change the whole framework for VET qualifications. If that happens, there will have to be consequential amendments not just to this legislation but also to a range of legislative tools, and that will have to be managed through the legislative process. If the AQF changes what is required to satisfy the requirements of a certificate level III, that does not require a legislative change; it is more a program and administrative change at the workplace level. 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3947

I understand what the member is talking about. I accept the points he made in his opening speech. That is a feature of national agreements and it is one of the things where we have to find a balance. But the ministers who represent the state on MCEETYA are open to questioning in the House, and I think there is a level of accountability. That is the trade-off for a national scheme. Clause 7, as read, agreed to. Clauses 8 to 10, as read, agreed to. Clause 11, as read, agreed to. Clauses 12 and 13, as read, agreed to. Clause 14— Mr COPELAND (5.29 p.m.): Distance education is going to be one of the options. Minister, you answered my question—thank you—about the difficulties, especially of P-10 schools, and some of the challenges that they are going to face. Distance Ed is going to be one of the options to enable those students to continue on. There was some difficulty in the MPS in this year's budget in actually trying to benchmark the achievements of doing Distance Ed because of the nature of the people undertaking it, whether they be from remote areas or be mature age students, or be from flexi schools or whatever the case may be. What process is going to be put in place to ensure that Distance Ed is actually achieving what we want it to achieve for those students who are having to participate in it, given the difficulty in actually measuring what the outcomes are generally, not on an individual basis? Ms BLIGH: Obviously, as we put this in place throughout the trial areas and then when it is fully implemented, one of the things we expect to happen at the district level and through the district youth achievement planning process is that every area will actually be given data about the retention rates of young people in that area. They will be given data that will show them that retention and completion of year 12 is a bigger issue in some parts of their community than in others; it is a bigger issue for some members of their community than others. We will expect that they will identify solutions to those particular problems and then monitor the performance of those solutions. We will actually be monitoring increases in retention and increases in outcomes for young people in all of those sorts of settings across all of the trial areas and then, ultimately after 2006, across the whole system. The activities, outcomes and achievements for students who are enrolled in schools of distance education will be monitored along with all of the others. Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM: The obligation on the young person to participate is that they be enrolled with a provider in the relevant course and comply with the provider's attendance requirements. Further on the clause talks about distance education and it states in relation to the obligation on the participant— ... the provider's attendance requirements for a program of distance education ... are to complete and return the assigned work for the program. It is the second subclause that I wanted to question. It states— the provider's attendance requirements for another external program are its requirements about communicating with or contacting the provider for the purpose of participating in the program or course. In part, those providers' attendance requirements could include physical attendance. Some Distance Ed will require physical attendance to finetune that participant's skills. Will the Department of Education monitor the reasonableness of the provider in those obligations and whether, at times, it is more appropriate for the provider to travel to the students rather than for the students always to have to make the trip to the provider? I am thinking in terms of time, cost and accommodation mostly. Ms BLIGH: I would refer the member to my answer to the previous question from the shadow minister in this respect. Those are the sorts of things which will, I believe, be best monitored at a local level. If the process works as we hope it will and districts are actually looking out for what is happening with young people and if they engage a provider who does not meet the needs of those young people, that will become pretty obvious fairly quickly. They are the sorts of things that grants funds might be used for. That is a pretty good incentive for making sure that is working. In this regard my experience is that the young people and families who rely on distance education providers are very, very able to represent their interests and their needs. They are not in any way backwards about coming forward if impositions are being made on them that are not reasonable. I fully expect and hope that they will continue to do so. 3948 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003

Clause 14, as read, agreed to. Clause 15— Mr COPELAND (5.34 p.m.): One of the big benefits in this package is the flexible arrangements such as that full-time participation can actually constitute part-time participation in two or more options that is equivalent to full-time participation in one. Keeping in mind that spreading options too thin would be actually counterproductive to achieving effective skills and training development, will there be a cap on how many options can be used to make up the full- time equivalent, or will it be dependent on an individual case-by-case basis? Ms BLIGH: A case-by-case basis. Clause 15, as read, agreed to. Clauses 16 to 18, as read, agreed to. Clause 19— Mr COPELAND (5.35 p.m.): I refer to subclause (2), which provides a non-exhaustive list of reasonable excuses for parents to excuse them of their obligation. In terms of consistency, who has the responsibility for deeming what is a reasonable excuse? Who is going to have that responsibility? Ms BLIGH: Ultimately it is a question of law. This is a provision that will come into play if the courts have to make a determination about whether someone has breached this provision of the act. Subclause (2) to some extent is my way of giving an example. As the member said, it is not an exhaustive list. Should a case go to court, then parents will put forward what they believe is their reasonable excuse and the courts will decide if it satisfies it. Mr COPELAND: One of the things I raised during my speech was the penalising of parents and their ability to get out of it. However, in relation to the fact that some young people will now be eligible to go on to benefits, for example, and be treated as independent, there is no area in the legislation that can try to have a penalty effect for not complying. It is very difficult to balance because quite often these are going to be the young people who are the most disadvantaged or the most at risk. In some cases they may be young people who have just decided to opt out. Other than trying to work with them to engage them, there really does not appear to be any way of compelling those young people to actually participate in the compulsory participation phase. Where young people are living at home with their parents there is that penalty which goes through their parents. Where do you see that process laying? Ms BLIGH: The legislation tries to strike a balance effectively between a carrot and a stick. The legislation is part of a whole framework of initiatives that will make this whole thing work. There are many, many parts of the total package which encourage young people in many different sorts of circumstances to either stay in an environment where they can get an opportunity or, if they have fallen out, to be picked up by the system and brought back in. It is not intended to be a punitive regime that will occupy squads of police officers around the state. It is intended, however, through the penalty clauses to make it clear that we believe—in the same way that Australia has been accepted as a country for hundreds of years, since inception—that it is one of the core responsibilities of a people to educate its children. We believe it is so important to take it so seriously that we make it compulsory. Once we make it compulsory we have to have some measure of enforcement to that compulsion. Basically, if a young person's parents can be located and identified and held responsible for them, that is what this allows for. If in some rare cases that is not possible then it is not possible to pursue those parents. We really need to focus on what our obligation to those young people is and how we can meet that obligation to provide them with education and training. Mr COPELAND: I guess what I was referring to was the fact that a lot of measures can be applied to parents. I was referring to those young people who are termed as 'independent' and what the responsibility placed on them is. Ms BLIGH: What you are probably asking is, 'Is there any penalty in here that can be applied to young people themselves?', and the answer is no. Clause 19, as read, agreed to. Clause 20, as read, agreed to. Clause 21— 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3949

Mr COPELAND (5.39 p.m.): Subclause (4) provides that if the officer has taken reasonable steps to meet with the parent but no meeting is held, the officer may give the parent a warning notice in the approved form. The term 'reasonable steps' is quite a general term. In reality, what would the minister envisage 'reasonable steps' to include? It could very much be open to dispute once the family has been served. Ms BLIGH: I think what is expected is that officers will use their commonsense—that they would take steps that a reasonable person would think are reasonable, that is, if the person has the phone on, they would make phone calls; in some cases they might visit; they might send letters seeking a meeting, et cetera. Again, ultimately, this will be a question that could be tested. If a matter comes before a court, it is possible that that could be a reason. If no reasonable steps had been taken, then that could be challenged. I think officers are professional people who will do everything they can to make sure that they exercise that responsibility in a reasonable way. Clause 21, as read, agreed to. Clause 22— Mr COPELAND (5.40 p.m.): This probably is a question that the minister has already answered—perhaps even yesterday morning in answer to my question without notice. It is regarding subclause (2) where the chief executive officer of the department under which the Child Protection Act is administered is not liable to be prosecuted. What will be in place to ensure that the department does act in its role as guardian to ensure that those children who are in the care of the department are also being looked after? As I said, the minister has probably answered that, but if there is anything further to add— Ms BLIGH: I think all I would add to the answer I gave the member yesterday is that one of the recommendations of that strategy is that comprehensive matching of data between the Department of Education and the Department of Families about individual children occur and that it be published on the Department of Education and Department of Families web sites and that that be done annually. We are still refining exactly what information can be published, but we would be reporting, for example, the results of children in care on an annual basis on things like the years 3, 5 and 7 tests. I would be looking for retention rates—some of those things that we can measure and match. We are not going to put on the names of children in care, but we would be saying that of the 75 children in year 3 across Queensland, this is how they fared on average and how that compares with the state average performance in the year 3 benchmark tests. I think that is a very good way of monitoring that these sorts of requirements are being met and that we are holding the system accountable for those children. Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM (5.42 p.m.): I want to follow that up. Currently, I have had complaints—and I am sure others have, too—from parents who have relinquished their children under care and control orders and the like. There are one or two parents in my electorate who have come along and said, 'We relinquished our child so that they would come under the care and control of the Department of Families, but I see them in the day and they are running on the streets; they are not going to school.' I acknowledge the minister's response in a generic sense, but on a local level, will there be liaison between the Department of Families and the district education office to make sure that individual students, particularly ones who have demonstrated some behavioural difficulties, are actually attending the courses? Ms BLIGH: The short answer is yes. Again, as part of the strategy there are a range of protocols currently being developed between the two departments about individual case planning for those children. The Department of Families case plan will have specific educational goals set and those will be done in conjunction with Education Department officers at a local level. Those children are very likely to be represented in the group of young people who are the focus, I would suggest, of some of the district youth achievement planning as well. Schools will know them and they will be some of the young people who get the most attention, I would hope. Clause 22, a read, agreed to. Clause 23, as read, agreed to. Clause 24— Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM (5.44 p.m.): In my contribution to the second reading debate I commented on the exemptions from participation on the basis of isolation. I am just seeking clarification of clause 24(1)(b), which states— It would be unreasonable in all the circumstances to require the young person to participate in any eligible option. 3950 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003

Will isolation be one of those unrealistic circumstances? If so, I would have to express a concern that rural, regional and isolated people are going to be disadvantaged by what is a very positive and constructive plan for youth across Queensland. Will geographical isolation be one of the reasons acceptable under clause 24(1)(b)? Ms BLIGH: I thank the member for the question. On its own, no, it would not be. It is not currently in relation to compulsory schooling. We have a distance education system that provides specifically for isolation. As the Minister for Employment and Training just reminded me, one of the winners of our poetry competition was a little girl from Botswana who is a Brisbane School of Distance Education student. Mr Matt Foley: A very good acrostic poem, too. Ms BLIGH: Yes. There are circumstances we could imagine where isolation, combined with other circumstances such as chronic illness, et cetera, might warrant some consideration. Clause 24, as read, agreed to. Clauses 25 to 38, as read, agreed to. Clause 39— Mr COPELAND (5.46 p.m.): Clause 39 relates to the obligation on principals to open the student account for all eligible students. On the face of it, it appears that this may create quite an administrative burden. To what sort of extent does the minister think that burden will be? What will be put in place for principals? There is already quite a large load on some, especially, for example, teaching principals in small schools. I think there is a significant burden on those sorts of people already. What sort of burden does the minister think this will impose on all principals? Ms BLIGH: I thank the member for the question. It is not the intention to add unnecessarily to the administrative workload of our schools or of our training organisations. There has been quite a lot of work done between the Queensland Studies Authority and the principals association to put together a very basic, simple process and form that will allow quick and easy electronic returns. First of all, I should say that currently principals provide a range of information to the Queensland Studies Authority about their students in years 11 and 12. This will require them to provide slightly more information for those students whom they already have and already would be going into years 11 and 12. It requires them to do it for a slightly larger group. But they are electronically lodged and part of the trialling process is about getting that right and minimising the burden. Clause 39, as read, agreed to. Clause 40, as read, agreed to. Clause 41— Mr COPELAND (5.48 p.m.): This is just a very simple question regarding the information that is kept in the students' accounts. How long is it going to be held for? What will happen to it? Will it be destroyed after a period or will it simply be treated as all other information held by the department? Ms BLIGH: I just say that they will be categorised as public records and be treated, as are all other public records, under the provisions of the State Archives legislation. I think the member's first question was what sort of information. Mr COPELAND: Just the student record. Clause 41, as read, agreed to. Clauses 42 to 45, as read, agreed to. Clause 46— Mr COPELAND (5.49 p.m.): In relation to the aggregated information, will there be any avenues available to use this information to compare achievement and performance of individual schools or to check how those schools are going and how their students are performing? Ms BLIGH: I thank the member for the question. There will be the capacity for education authorities such as Education Queensland or the Queensland Catholic Education Commission to receive data and have a look at how schools are going within those systems. It is not the intention of the government, however, to make it possible for this to be put into the public arena and published as lead tables. 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3951

Clause 46, as read, agreed to. Clauses 47 to 59, as read, agreed to. Insertion of new clause— Ms BLIGH (5.50 p.m.): I move the following amendment— 3 Before clause 60 Page 31, after line 1— insert— '59A Transitional ‘To remove any doubt, it is declared that, despite section 11, a young person is not in the compulsory participation phase if the person stopped being of compulsory school age before the commencement of that section.’. This amendment is a transitional amendment that makes it clear that it is not the intention of this legislation to capture in the requirements for the participation phase of learning the young person who has effectively met their lawful requirements in the years leading up to 2006. That is, they turn 15 some time in 2005 and have lawfully left school. It is not our intention that they would then be compelled to participate in the compulsory participation phase some time in 2006. This starts in January 2006. Amendment agreed to. Clauses 60 to 83, as read, agreed to. Clause 84— Insertion of new clause— Ms BLIGH (5.51 p.m.): I move the following amendment— 4 Clause 84 Page 50, lines 17 to 21— omit, insert— ‘Section 2(1), definition “compulsory school age”— omit, insert—’. This amendment seeks to ensure that the current provisions in relation to the power for principals to cancel enrolment will be retained in its current form. There has been quite a lot of discussion about this issue, and it is a difficult one because the power to cancel an enrolment arises because of our current understanding of years 11 and 12 as non-compulsory years of education. In the new provisions, while they are not compulsory years of schooling in the same way as years 1 to 10 are, they are not non-compulsory in the way that they currently are. There has been quite a lot of discussion with the principals associations about how to capture the positive elements of the cancellation power but perhaps to make it more open to scrutiny and monitoring, and some of the appeal rights et cetera that exist in relation to the exclusion power. The intention, as the explanatory notes provide, is to reinstate the cancellation power which was originally designed to be removed from the Education (General Provisions) Act. I should put on the record that it is the clear intention of the government to work with the principals association to determine before 2006 an appropriate way for that power to be used. That may require further amendments or it may simply be the development of processes around that cancellation power. Mr COPELAND: I thank the minister for that. I welcome the amendment because it is one of the areas that had been raised with me by both the peak body plus individual principals who were very concerned at the removal of the ability to cancel an enrolment. I hope the minister does work with those principals because a lot of them see this as being a very important part of their disciplinary arsenal in the management of behaviour in their schools. I am glad to see this amendment because it was a real concern in the community. Amendment agreed to. Clause 84, as amended, agreed to. Clause 85, as read, agreed to. Clauses 86 to 89— Ms BLIGH (5.53 p.m.): I move the following amendment— 5 Clauses 86 to 89 Page 51, lines 6 to 26— omit. 3952 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003

It is a consequential amendment to achieve the same intention as the amendment to clause 4. Clauses 86 to 89, as read, negatived. Clauses 90 to 93, as read, agreed to. Insertion of new clause— Ms BLIGH (5.54 p.m.): I move the following amendment— 6 After clause 93 Page 53, after line 24— insert— '93A Insertion of new s 166E ‘Part 11, division 4, after section 166D— insert— '166E Compulsory school age ‘Despite section 4A, a child who was at least 15 years on 31 December 2005 is not of compulsory school age.’.’. This has the same effect as amendment No. 3 had in relation to ensuring the transitional arrangements do not inadvertently place an obligation on a child who has met their lawful requirements in the year preceding the commencement of the act, only this one provides that they are no longer of compulsory school age while the previous one was in relation to the participation age. Amendment agreed to. Clauses 94 to 105, as read, agreed to. Schedule 1, as read, agreed to. Schedule 2— Ms BLIGH (5.55 p.m.): I move the following amendment— 7 Schedule 2 Page 60, after line 15— insert— ‘Note— See also the EGP Act, section 166E.’. This is a note to the schedule that facilitates amendment No. 6. Amendment agreed to. Schedule 2, as amended, agreed to. Ms BLIGH: I seek leave to table the explanatory notes to the amendments. Leave granted.

Training Reform Bill Hon. M. J. FOLEY (Yeerongpilly—ALP) (Minister For Employment, Training and Youth and Minister for the Arts) in charge of the bill. Clauses 1 to 8, as read, agreed to. Clause 9— Mr MALONE (5.56 p.m.): Clause 9 is a very extensive clause and it covers most of the areas in regard to training and training providers. The emphasis in the bill is to provide a very flexible training regime for participants, with public and private providers being involved. With regard to section 32, I raise the issue of the cancellation of registration on particular grounds. There have been some training organisations that have lost their accreditation throughout Queensland in recent times, and not necessarily all of them because of their own volition or their own concerns. In one case that I am aware of, a registered training organisation lost its accreditation simply because of an overpayment that was paid back, and the department then took that training organisation to court and those proceedings were withdrawn after a period of time. I would like assurances that with the enactment of this bill there will be a closer regard given to private training providers, because they are a very important avenue for this new program and they are integral in terms of providing a flexible and sustainable training program for all the participants. 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3953

Mr MATT FOLEY: The honourable member correctly says that the training organisations play an important role in the system, and action to suspend or cancel a registration pursuant to the new section 32 is obviously a serious matter. This is a matter for which requirements of due process are set out in the legislation, because it is important to be fair to those registered training organisations. It is important to ensure they have recourse to the Training Recognition Council to agitate any concerns that they may have. That Training Recognition Council is a broad based council consisting of representatives of trade unions, employers and government. It is equally important that public confidence in the training system be maintained and that we ensure there are no shonks or unsatisfactory training organisations allowed to practise. This scheme of legislation is about providing a regulatory framework that makes a level playing field across the states and territories so as to ensure that someone does not register a spurious registration somewhere and get accredited elsewhere. Set out in the scheme of this is a set of clear requirements for natural justice to ensure that the proper process is followed. Mr MALONE: Clause 9 is a very substantial clause which covers a whole range of issues in terms of service delivery. The other issue in terms of education—and it goes hand in hand with the legislation that we have just discussed—is that there is a real need for a lot of flexibility in the delivery of those training programs, particularly in regional and rural areas. The public provider is not that well represented in a lot of rural areas, so there is obviously a need for the private training organisations to be involved in that. In my travels I have found that there has been a good record of private providers working hand in hand with school based training. There has been a lot of success in that regard. I am looking for an assurance that that will be enhanced. We are seeing another problem where some of those private providers have been bypassed and the training programs have been allocated to the public provider. There has been an awkward situation towards the end of year 11 or year 12 where students have to leave their educational centre to go to a training provider for a period of time away from the school. That flexibility needs to be enhanced so that those students and participants can take part in a very flexible type of training program that does not impede their educational outcomes. The way in which that can happen is better delivery by a private trainer rather than a public trainer. There does need to be a lot of flexibility. It does need to be enhanced. There has been a fairly substantial impact on private providers around Queensland. I can think of one private provider in particular which had a $3.3 million contract last year. They trained 2,500 trainees last year. This year their budget is $285,000 and they only have 50 trainees. There are some real impacts out there that need to be looked at. I bring that to the minister's attention. Mr MATT FOLEY: I respectfully share the honourable member's concern that there should be maximum flexibility in the delivery of training. As I indicated in my reply to the second reading debate, one of the things that I have welcomed most strongly over the past 11 years since I first had the honour to serve in this portfolio has been the fact that training institutions have become a lot more flexible. I had the pleasure and the responsibility of introducing competitive funding when I was minister last time. The object of the exercise—which is I think what the honourable member is driving at—is to get the best training service for the student or the job seeker or the worker in question, whether that be provided through the private sector or the public sector. We believe in a very strong public sector and that that should be strongly supported. It is supported by record budgets through TAFE. Equally, we believe in the importance of choice. That is why, if members have a look at the user choice budget, they will see that it has gone up spectacularly in recent years—from about $80 million in the 2000-2001 budget to a budget in 2003-04 of $102.5 million. That reflects a strong commitment in that area on the budgetary and funding side. On the regulatory side, which is what this legislation basically deals with, it is important that natural justice be followed. I do want to say that one of the other things I have observed in the last decade in this area has been a massive expansion of the training industry. That is a good thing and it was necessary. But I want to make sure that those 10,000 young people aged 15 to 17 who are out of school, out of work and out of training get quality training. I want to make sure that they get reliable training, that they get training that is credentialled and provides qualifications that are portable so that they can go and get a job in Sydney or Woolloomooloo or Singapore— Ms Bligh: In Botswana. Mr MATT FOLEY: Or indeed Botswana. The Minister for Education reminded me of that magnificent acrostic poem on spaghetti by Yolande Schuurs, who was a very good winner of the Poetry on the Move prize. 3954 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003

The long and short of it is this: this is a national system. It is, I think, a fair system. The honourable member is quite right to be concerned about the need for flexibility, both in the administration of the registration and in the delivery of the training. I share his concerns in that regard. We want to make sure that we have a regulatory system that is fair, that gets rid of the shonks, that delivers quality training but is not choked in red tape. Mr MALONE: I want to move on to clause 9, proposed section 44, which deals with the assessment of skills. It basically talks about the registered training organisation accrediting prior learning skills of people in areas in which they are involved. I need an assurance that there is a benchmark which is applicable right across Queensland and Australia in terms of this legislation and the ultimate outcome. This is so that trainers will be able to identify a benchmark whereby people with prior learning or people who come to a training organisation with some skills are able to be assessed by a benchmark which is applicable right across Queensland and, ultimately, Australia. Would the minister like to comment on that? Mr MATT FOLEY: Yes. I can assure the honourable member that that is the case. That is what the Australian quality training framework is all about. As my colleague the Minister for Education observed in her discussion with the member for Cunningham, because it is a national scheme it means that the definition of it is done through a ministerial council collectively and not specifically through this parliament. That was an issue for the Scrutiny of Legislation Committee, which is an inevitable consequence of having a nationally based scheme. This is a very important provision, because far too often people approaching training are driven to courses which they do not need, where they have already done the homework and they already have the skills and the relevant competency. This is a similar provision to section 36 of the existing Training and Employment Act. National training packages assure that this recognition of prior learning should take place. Indeed, the other day, along with the member for Toowoomba North, I was talking to a young person working in the Milne Bay Military Museum in Toowoomba in connection with one of our Community Jobs Plan programs. She was just finishing her university degree. She made the point to me very succinctly and very fairly that we had sent her off to TAFE to do a certificate II, I think, in office administration and, in retrospect, what we should have done is give some recognition to her prior learning and target the training for her a bit better. This is about giving people a fair go for the skills that they already have, getting maximum value for money out of the training system by not wasting time on training people in skills they already have, and making sure—as the honourable member avers—that if they go through this procedure in Brisbane, it is going to count in Perth or Adelaide when they turn up for a job. Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM: I wanted to return to the issue of training organisations and the delivery of training. I raised in the parliament recently the changed procedures for training organisations. The example I gave related to men's hairdressing where over a long period the training organisation had travelled up the coast and possibly inland as well to provide the training needed by apprentices on a one-on-one basis and then travelled back down the coast providing training in other locations. That changed, and places like Stu's Styles for Men in Gladstone were advised that the training would not be delivered that way and that they would have to send their apprentices to Toowoomba to be trained. That brought into sharp focus additional costs such as accommodation, meals, travelling costs et cetera. From an employer's point of view, it was certainly a very inefficient change and very inconvenient. Will there be a review of the delivery of training to look at the disadvantages that have been caused by those recent changes, particularly given that this bill applies not only nationwide but also Queenslandwide, and that in some instances there is a more efficient delivery of training by one trainer travelling rather than having a number of apprentices travelling to a central point? Will that delivery be reviewed? Mr MATT FOLEY: I thank the honourable member for the question. There are several different issues here. I think the particular training organisation in question was Gray Matters, was it? Mrs Liz Cunningham: Matters in Gray. Mr MATT FOLEY: Okay, Matters in Gray. I am advised by my departmental officers that in the course of contract negotiations it elected not to deliver that program this year, but perhaps we can discuss the facts of the particular case one to one if the member wishes to do so. 9 Oct 2003 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 3955

This legislation is about the framework. The changes to which the member for Gladstone refers are not directly relevant to this. They are relevant to the question, though, of how do we spend our user choice money. We are talking over $100 million here. Do we spend it on any traineeship or any training program, or do we spend it in areas of high priority? In the honourable member's own electorate she has identified skills shortages in places like the construction industry. Because of the rapid growth in that market from $80 million a few years ago up to $102.5 million in the budget, it is necessary to ensure that the public purse is spent wisely. So what are the priorities? The priorities are skills shortage areas and areas of need for those most disadvantaged. They are the priorities and those came about as a result of a review. There is constant monitoring to see the way these impact throughout the state on particular industries so that they can be adjusted to respond to skills shortages. For example, in the central Queensland area we have developed a central Queensland employment and training strategy because there is a big need to train, for example, some of the people in areas of high unemployment such as Mount Morgan to get the skills to pick up on some of the construction work that is occurring in central Queensland. That ongoing monitoring of skills shortages, areas of need and direction of the funding is what my department's job is in consultation with the Training and Employment Board, which represents employers, trade unions and government. Clause 9, as read, agreed to. Clauses 10 to 14, as read, agreed to. Clause 15— Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM (6.13 p.m.): I have a question for the minister. Whilst I do not in any way condone misconduct or illegal conduct, I do intend this question seriously. Suspension and cancellation can occur if an apprentice is part of serious misconduct or commits serious misconduct. Serious misconduct is defined as any of the following: theft, assault, fraud, being under the influence of liquor or drugs at work, causing an imminent risk of serious bodily injury or work caused illness or a dangerous event happening, or behaving in a way that is inconsistent with the continuation of a registered training contract. I reiterate that I am not condoning wrong behaviour, but I do have a serious question for the minister. These are 16- or 17-year-olds who do not always think about the consequences of their actions when they are skylarking. Will there be some flexibility in the application of a suspension or cancellation order? I will give an example, but again I am not condoning wrongful conduct. It is not unknown that young people have a couple of drinks and think it is a really good idea to go through the local car yard and pinch one hub cap off every vehicle. There is no commercial gain for them. It is pretty stupid. They sober up the next morning and they are in court. It does sound serious; it would be theft of some sort. But it does not necessarily directly relate to their ability to do their apprenticeship or traineeship. In a circumstance where theft like that is not malicious—it is just stupidity; it is young kids being stupid—will there be some flexibility in interpreting this serious misconduct as a cause of suspension or cancellation in terms of the seriousness of the event, the malicious nature of the event, the forethought that went into the misconduct, or will it just be cut and dried that if there is an offence recorded against the young person that will mean that their apprenticeship or traineeship is cancelled? Again, I say that I am asking this question because young people can be pretty stupid at times. They do not think of the long-term consequences and the fact that they will have a record of theft or whatever. So if it is not a theft where the young person has stolen CD radios or something like that and gone out and sold them to the pawnbroker the next day but something that is just patent stupidity, will there be some flexibility? Mr MATT FOLEY: I thank the honourable member. The answer to the question is, yes, there will be. I accept that the honourable member is not seeking to condone illegal or improper conduct. However, the nature of the training contract or the old indenture is to bind the master and the apprentice or the employer and the trainee, as the case may be, to give some certainty to a relationship. That is why it is subject to supervision by the Training Recognition Council, which represents both sides of the industrial divide—that is, both the union side and the employer side. Indeed, there is a right of further appeal to the Industrial Relations Commission. I might just say this, too: history is studded with examples where false accusations can be made against apprentices. Consider the case of a young lad in the 1750s who was an apprentice shopkeeper in retail in Yorkshire who was wrongly accused of stealing from his master who was a shopkeeper. That young lad, a fellow by the name of James Cook, was subsequently found not 3956 Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill; Training Reform Bill 9 Oct 2003 to have stolen the item of which he had been accused. By that stage, though, he had formed a different view and decided to take up a career in the sea. But it is always worth keeping in mind that just because someone is accused of an offence does not necessarily mean that they are guilty. Clause 15, as read, agreed to. Clauses 16 to 21, as read, agreed to. Clause 22— Mr MALONE (6.19 p.m.): Clause 22 states— This chapter complements the provisions of the Youth Participation in Education and Training Act 2003 dealing with the compulsory participation phase for young people. A lot of that has been dealt with in terms of the education part of the bill. For me, anyway, this raises some concerns, particularly in terms of how it all fits together with respect to the provision of compulsory training to young people in rural areas. I am concerned about how that training is to be delivered. We have spoken previously about flexibility, which will have to be part of this. Transport to these training centres is an issue. In cases where young people have to be sent away, who will pay their board and where will they be accommodated? We should bear in mind that the students are participating in compulsory training and there is provision for parents to be fined and penalised. Students between 15 and 17 can be quite rebellious from time to time and may not necessarily be of a mind to attend every day. Sometimes, as has been indicated in this debate over the past day, parents have very little control over their children. Sometimes the children just pack up and move away. This phase represents a whole brave new world. As I said, there are issues concerning transporting students to training centres to participate in this excellent program. This is very deliverable in an urban area but perhaps less so in some of our more regional centres. Can the minister shed some light on that? Mr MATT FOLEY: I think the honourable member is correct in saying that there are issues in rural and regional areas. I note that the Department of Employment and Training spent $2.3 million on transport and accommodation for apprentices and trainees last year to help address those. Equally, as I mentioned in my second reading speech reply, I think there are some terrific networks in rural and regional communities where local employers do talk with the local schools. Goondiwindi is a great example. This clause is quite significant in that the new section 106A specifically provides that this chapter complements the provisions of the bill we were just discussing before, the Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill. The whole idea is to get training providers to work with schools and, through their contacts with employers, build better pathways. As the honourable member says, this is not always going to be easy, but it is about changing institutions to get them to face up to the very sorts of problems that the honourable member has put his finger on. Mr MALONE: In terms of the programs being envisaged in some of the regional centres in Queensland, for example, at the Sarina State High School they are looking at a block of ground for the site of an agricultural course. However, that will require a substantial amount of money, as will the provision of infrastructure, farming equipment and so on. As I said, that does not come cheap. There are hundreds of examples right across Queensland where, say, the TAFE college is some distance away. Sarina and Mackay are some 40 or 50 kilometres apart and there is no established bus service that caters for the times the students need to travel. Will funding be allocated to enable those schools to deliver flexible provision of services, as opposed to having to have students stopping away from home? Will there be an extra funding allocation to enable schools to do the things that we require them to do? Mr MATT FOLEY: The short answer is, yes, there will be significant extra funds provided to schools as part of this implementation. But I have to say this also: I expect industry to put its hand in its pocket. I expect industry to make investments in training. An honourable member interjected. Mr MATT FOLEY: I accept that many of them are. However, part of this is all about taking a leaf out of the book of some of our OECD partners. They make significant investments in training. In the amendments we made to the Agricultural Colleges Act we cemented that in. This is about finding better ways and means of reaching out to those people and it does require resources. But these are resources that will benefit industry and will produce strong opportunities for it in the short, medium and long term. 9 Oct 2003 Integrated Planning and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 3957

Clause 22, as read, agreed to. Clauses 23 to 60, as read, agreed to. Schedule, as read, agreed to. Youth Participation in Education and Training Bill reported, with amendments. Training Reform Bill reported, without amendment.

Third Reading Bills, on motion of Ms Bligh, by leave, read a third time.

INTEGRATED PLANNING AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL Second Reading Resumed from 4 June (see p. 2554). Mr HOBBS (Warrego—NPA) (6.27 p.m.): This afternoon I am pleased to talk to the Integrated Planning and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2003. This bill is the outcome of the operational review of the Integrated Planning Act put in place in the year 2000. These consequential amendments are particularly important because the Integrated Planning Act is a huge bill. As time has gone by, we have found that it has become quite complicated and changes have had to be made. These changes are positive. I certainly hope there is going to be a dramatic turnaround in relation to the workability, time saved and the ability of people in the community to broadly understand the planning laws of this state. The objectives of the bill are to amend the operation of aspects of the IPA, in particular to simplify and clarify the existing use provisions; there are several provisions for planning schemes and planning scheme policies to improve legibility and assist with implementing Integrated Planning Act planning schemes; procedures for designation of land for community infrastructure; for infrastructure planning and funding mechanisms; several provisions of the Integrated Development Assessment System, IDAS, to address deficiencies and improve legibility; and transitional arrangements in chapter 6 of IPA to improve their clarity and operation. That is a general outline. It amends the Building Act and the Local Government Act to provide more accountability and consistency in relation to the head of power local governments rely on to fix fees for archiving approval documents. It also amends the Local Government Act and the Transport Infrastructure Act to provide both local governments and the state with a head of power to make certain decisions or directions to minimise or prevent damage to roads from certain activities, in particular, where it is not possible to achieve these outcomes through IPA frameworks. It also provides for minor and consequential amendments to the Plumbing and Drainage Act and other acts to facilitate integration and approval processes into IDAS or to improve their eligibility within the IPA framework. So we are dealing with a number of issues tonight. It is a very complicated bill. The explanatory notes state under administrative cost to government that the proposed changes as a consequence of the operational review are expected to further streamline processes and reduce administrative costs and duplication of procedures at state and local government levels. I certainly hope that is going to be the case. Due to the intensity of this bill, I would expect further amendments as local governments have the opportunity to road-test this new legislation as well. It is going to be an ongoing event. As the local governments bring online new planning schemes, new processes will occur and some changes provided by this bill will be invoked and others will be deferred. I note that the minister stated that the priority of the bill is to carry forward initiatives from the IPOLA Act 2001 that are necessary for operational reasons but that do not compromise current local government plan-making obligations. That is fine. As members might be aware, all local governments in Queensland are putting in place new planning schemes. That has taken a lot longer than most thought it would take. The minister has extended the time for that. I am pleased that the minister took a leaf out of my book when I brought a private member's bill into the House and has extended the time to one year. It is actually going through until June, which is better. It is better to move it from March, as was proposed, to June after the council elections. Overall, there is a fairly good win-win situation there. Many of those local governments that still do not have those plans in place are working on it. I do not think there are any now that are not progressing well. That is really good to see. 3958 Integrated Planning and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 9 Oct 2003

More flexibility has been provided in that councils have the option of preparing other infrastructure charges schedules or a system of regulated charges. The regulated charges may be more suitable for smaller local governments. That is one of the things that is very important. We see it time and time again in this House. It seems as if a lot of departments think that one rule should fit all. One rule does not fit all. There are a lot of communities out there, a lot of organisations and even government departments—and certainly local government is one example of where one rule does not fit all. There can be different rules for Burketown and the Gold Coast or Birdsville and Bundaberg. We need to understand that. If we can legislate for that flexibility, provided there is consistency across-the-board, that is important. The bill also allows infrastructure agreements between local governments and developers and numerous other changes to planning laws in Queensland. That is fairly important because obviously they go hand in hand; one cannot really operate without the other. Those changes have to be made and made smoothly. I note that this legislation amends one particular piece of planning legislation that allowed the developer to obtain windfall profits in which a council mistakenly imposed headworks charges on subdivision applications for land that was already zoned prior to 1985. That is appropriate. The developer would have been able to recover headworks costs with the project, and the previous legislation was clearly in need of review. It was the situation up in Atherton I think. I really think that the developer was having a bit of a lend of the council. At the end of the day he would have and should have been able to build those headworks costs into the cost of the project and recover his expenses that way. But then he saw an opportunity and took advantage of the council. It is one of those things about which we do not all know the background and the reasons why. Still, whatever they are, this is quite a good outcome. I notice also that there is a proposal to amend the IPA act to make it an offence for a private certifier to give a building approval to an applicant before a private certifier receives an acknowledgment from the local government of the payment of the prescribed archiving fee. That may breach fundamental legislative principles. Obviously, this has been brought about by the court case in recent times in relation to a private certifier who had not been paying some of those fees. By the same token, in his defence—and I am not saying what he was doing was right—some of those charges are extremely high. There is also a need for councils to understand that. They have to have a reasonable fee structure in place. If they have archiving fees that are outrageous, there is a need to have a look at those. There has been some work done on this. In Victoria, for instance, they have legislated a fee that councils must charge. While we do not want to reach that stage, I say to councils that they really have to be reasonable about the charges they levy on people. In the first instances when private certifiers were coming in, some councils were reluctant to accept that. It takes time for these things to evolve. I think there is a need for both. Most councils do now accept that there is a need for both because they can work hand in hand. Otherwise there are delays. The more people we have on the ground to do this work, the faster building approvals can be done. In some instances, some councils were building up little kingdoms here and there. Overall, I think that we have worked our way through that fairly well. Another issue that is probably fairly important down the track—and I am sure the minister might like to comment on this—is whether the government is likely to allow private certification within the plumbing and drainage area as well. That is a particularly important one. I am sure that local governments around Queensland would be very appreciative if that did occur. This bill is quite a complicated bill. It is not one that would inspire everyone to talk on for a long, long time. From what I can see of it, it is quite a reasonable attempt to streamline the process that we have. I commend the bill to the House. Mr SHINE (Toowoomba North—ALP) (6.38 p.m.): I rise to speak briefly in relation to some aspects of the Integrated Planning and Other Legislation Amendment Bill as they relate to the enforcement provisions and penalties and the courts that have been set up to deal with these. I have received the benefit of advice from a barrister who practises in this area almost exclusively, Mr Everson. He has provided me with an overview of the problems relating to the increased jurisdiction which has been given to magistrates in Queensland in prosecutions for planning and environmental offences. Pursuant to chapter 4 of the Integrated Planning Act 1997, the magistrates of this state now have exclusive jurisdiction for hearing proceedings for offences pursuant to IPA. These offences are termed development offences and are listed pursuant to chapter 4 part 3 of IPA. They include 9 Oct 2003 Integrated Planning and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 3959 carrying out assessable development without a development permit, contravening development approval and carrying on an unlawful use of premises. The penalties that can be imposed by magistrates for such offences are high. Pursuant to section 4.3.1(3), if the assessable development is the demolition of a building identified in a planning scheme as a building of heritage significance, the maximum penalty is $1,275,000 and if the offence has been committed by a corporation, $6,375,000. This is dealt with by a magistrate. Any fines imposed in prosecution proceedings taken by local governments in the Magistrates Court are to be paid to them. Pursuant to section 4.3.20 of IPA, after hearing a complaint the Magistrates Court may make an order on the defendant it considers appropriate. Such an order may be made in addition to any penalty the Magistrates Court may otherwise impose and may require the defendant to, inter alia, stop development or carry on a use or demolish or remove a work—in other words, injunctive powers. Unlike the position in the Planning and Environment Court where ordinarily each party bears their own cost of a proceeding, orders for costs and compensation may be obtained in the Magistrates Court. A similar extended jurisdiction has been conferred on the Magistrates Court pursuant to the Environmental Protection Act 1994. Regrettably, in Mr Everson's experience most magistrates have not shown themselves to have sufficient interest or application to properly embrace their new jurisdiction in this regard. There appears to be not only a lack interest in the subject matter of such proceedings but also a failure to impose penalties of a scale proportionate to what the legislature considers appropriate in the event of a conviction for these types of offences. I am informed that local governments are increasingly frustrated by the levels of competence shown by magistrates in hearing such proceedings and in the outcomes that have been obtained. Generally, local governments now prefer to institute proceedings in the Planning and Environment Court where there has been a serious contravention of their planning regimes. These proceedings normally take the course of seeking a declaration pursuant to section 4.1.21 of IPA that a use of land being carried out is unlawful and a consequential order pursuant to either section 4.1.22 or section 4.3.22 restraining the continuance of the unlawful use. The consequence of a local government electing to proceed in this manner is that it forgoes any prospect of obtaining a fine, an order for costs or an order for compensation, which I have said can only be the subject of an order in the Magistrates Court. Obviously, from this perspective the Planning and Environment Court is a less desirable forum for what is effectively prosecuting development offences. However, the levels of competence in the magistracy and the uncertainty of a rational outcome in this jurisdiction are factors that currently make these proceedings in the Planning and Environment Court far more attractive. Obviously, such an outcome is not in accordance with the legislative intent. However, it is the performance of the Magistrates Court in this regard that has brought about the current approach, not any flaw in the legislation. Mr Everson is of the view, which I share, that it is clearly desirable to create specialist planning and environmental magistrates in the same way that specialist industrial magistrates have been created in the past and, only recently, a specialist coroner. It is only by increasing the sophistication and level of interest in the tribunal that the confidence of local governments to prosecute in the way the legislation intended will be achieved. Other than that, I commend the legislation to the House. Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone—Ind) (6.43 p.m.): I would have to say that the Integrated Planning Act and the IPOLA bill, as the minister's second reading speech acknowledges, have had strong support. But it has not been without some heartache for local authorities throughout Queensland in complying with IPA. I acknowledge that there have been instances where the minister has been required to come back to parliament and change some of the statutory dates for compliance simply because local authorities have found it a little more challenging to implement the requirements of IPA and IPOLA in what has been traditionally a planning process that has been established over a long period. One local authority in the area that I represent had drafted their first IPA conforming town plan—and town plan is probably not the right word anymore, but it still is in my vocabulary. The town planner involved, Russell, I find is a very competent planner, is keen to learn, keen to listen, and I have never had any difficulties talking to him about planning matters both as a member of council, as mayor and in my current job. He commenced the review of the Town Planning Act for Calliope Shire Council prior to the templates being produced. At the time I remember him saying to me that he rang Rockhampton just to talk to them about some of the actions that he needed 3960 Integrated Planning and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 9 Oct 2003 to take. An officer at Rockhampton asked, 'Do you know what you are doing?' He said, 'Yes, I will be right, I think. I have read the act. I am fairly familiar with it.' When he put the first draft in for the state interest checks, he received copious amounts of comments back on the proposal. It was then that the first and subsequently the second templates were released. I think that it is the view of local governments now that unless their conforming proposal is constructed like one of the templates, it just will not get through the system. So after three years of fairly regular and reliable work, Calliope shire is hoping to finalise the state interest checks in the next few weeks and then have before Christmas the plan available for public comment. So for every council, irrespective of its size and the experience and competence of its planning staff, the IPA conforming plans are a challenge for its officers and the councillors involved. I believe that, due to some of these changes that have come into this parliament that have either changed the timing obligations or in some way altered the planning obligations to make them more achievable, it is understandable and certainly not a slight on the council and not a slight on the minister—both the current minister and previous ministers. Part of this legislation will be to allow for the current headworks charges, which in a purist sense would be outlawed under IPA and IPOLA, to continue, I understand, for a period to allow councils to concentrate on the formulation of their plans and still allow them to be able to elicit from developers the necessary headworks to allow councils to service the new construction and infrastructure areas and then at a subsequent time address the headworks charges in the form of infrastructure charges and schedules at a later date. I hope that my understanding is right, but I believe that there has just been a relaxation of that obligation to allow councils to concentrate on the core business of IPA conforming rather than having all of the additional documentation available by what had been, perhaps from a council's point of view, optimistic time lines given the complexity of the IPA process. I wanted to raise a couple of other issues. The EIS process is being streamlined so that the Commonwealth's environmental protection and biodiversity conservation act can be accommodated within the state's EIS obligations as well. I commend the minister for that, because a lot of developments—not necessarily large developments that have a huge amount of capital available to draw up this documentation—were being required to develop two EISs, in many instances essentially the same with some slight variations. It was an onerous task for those developers—and a costly one—to have two sets of documentation established. I would, though, put on the record a request for all stakeholders, that is those who place impositions on local governments in relation to EISs, to ensure that councils have an adequate amount of time to respond to the EIS document and also an adequate amount of time to respond to any supplementary documentation. One Friday afternoon I was at a meeting at one of the local authorities in my electorate when they were lobbed with a significant amount of supplementary information. I hasten to add that it was not the minister's office that did it, but it was an EIS. The council was given until the following Monday or Tuesday to have its comments back on that supplementary documentation. It is a significant development and it was a significant amount of material that had to be absorbed, examined and commented on. I would implore all the major stakeholders—the Department of State Development as well as the Department of Local Government and Planning—and other government departments which may be directing the EIS process to ensure that stakeholders actively engaged in the local area where the development is proposed do have an adequate time to respond in an informed manner to both the primary EIS and any supplementary documentation. The only other comment I would like to make on the EIS process—and it is one that the minister would be well aware of—is that often local governments spend a significant amount of time preparing responses or comments to EISs and they feel at the end of the day that no-one is taking any notice anyway. For those departments that are required as a statutory obligation to seek responses from stakeholders, I ask that they give local governments and other stakeholders the courtesy of taking those comments on board in a genuine manner and not giving them a cursory look and then casting them aside. There remains still an underdeveloped importance for social impact studies within the EIS process. Significant development in an area can have a quite marked impact in a variety of ways—an environmental impact as far as road transportation and road corridors are concerned, and as far as infrastructure in local government areas is concerned where there is an inflation of the population and there will be an impact on infrastructure. Over and over again the social 9 Oct 2003 Integrated Planning and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 3961 impact segment of an EIS continues to be very much the poor cousin, and yet that can have a significant impact on the development. An example in point is the social impact involved in the Southern Pacific Petroleum development in my electorate. There was next to nothing done as far as the social impact was concerned. That was 1999. About four years down the track we have an entire community that will be decimated because the landowners have been negatively impacted by emissions from SPP. The government, in recognition of that impact, is now in the process of valuing and purchasing those properties. There is no documentation on the actual social impact that that industry will have. An entire community will be decimated. There will be an effect on the school that services that community. There will be an effect on the facilities that are available to those who remain within the community, which is the Yarwun community, which is not affected by the SPP emissions. None of this has been quantified in the initial EIS for SPP, and certainly they have not been obligated to quantify the social impact in that community of their process. So I place on the record now the need in the combined process that is envisaged by this bill for the social impact statement to receive not just fair but also realistic recognition as the EISs are drawn up. The private certification elements under IPA and the Building Act in theory have been very good but in practice have caused some grief. Councils remain the only instrumentality which can inspect and approve plumbing and drainage. Because of the independent private certification, there are times when councils have no idea where the building certification is and yet they are being called in by the construction person to certify the plumbing and drainage. So there is a real lack of obligatory coordination between councils and private certifiers, and that has caused quite a significant degree of angst on a daily process basis, particularly among professional council officers who over time have been able to ensure that all of the approvals on a development site are done in a timely and integrated manner. With private certification, that coordination has all but disappeared. There have been instances, too, where private certification has been done out of the area, and the council may be contracted, for instance, to inspect the installation of a pool in a home with the council as the contracted inspector sending notices or accounts to the private certifier and they are not paid. So it does overlay a complicated and convoluted process where the intention was good, the motive was good and the theory was good, but the reality in some instances has been less than perfect and certainly detrimental in terms of the confidence the councils can have that development approvals in their area are done in an appropriate, timely and coordinated manner. Other than that, in talking with my councils they saw that the changes that the minister is proposing in this legislation are appropriate and helpful, and I commend the minister for that. Ms KEECH (Albert—ALP) (6.56 p.m.): As the member of one of the fastest growing areas not only in Queensland but also Australia, I am delighted to rise in support of the Integrated Planning and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2003. As I rise to speak to this bill, I acknowledge in the public gallery my parents and my family who are here to celebrate my husband's birthday tonight and my mother's on Saturday. So happy birthday to Peter and Val. Given that we have limited time, I would like to focus my comments on the infrastructure planning elements of the bill and the benefits these changes will have for infrastructure planning in high growth areas, such as those in Albert. If honourable members are driving down the M1, particularly around the Dreamworld and Coomera area, they will notice houses and suburbs springing up everywhere. It is no wonder that Queensland continues to experience sustained high levels of growth. Why wouldn't people be coming to Queensland given that we have not only the greatest state and the smartest state but also record levels of employment, with the lowest level of unemployment of 6.5 per cent in the last 14 years—something that the Beattie government can be very proud of. Obviously that growth, particularly in areas like Albert— Mrs Carryn Sullivan: And Pumicestone. Ms KEECH:—and Pumicestone, as the honourable member reminds me, puts incredible pressure on both local government and state supplied infrastructure networks such as water supply, sewerage, drainage, transport, public parks, schools, emergency services, hospitals, community centres—and the list goes on. Therefore, it is essential that we have in place a legislative framework that seeks to better integrate, on the one hand, infrastructure planning with, on the other hand, land use planning. Better integration and coordination of these two issues is one of the driving forces behind the development of the Integrated Planning Act 1997. Whilst the 3962 Adjournment 9 Oct 2003 reforms introduced in 1997 went a long way towards providing local governments with a more proactive and focused infrastructure planning network, there were concerns by some that it was overly complex and, as a consequence, difficult to put into operation. The Beattie government is a listening government, and I know the Minister for Local Government, Nita Cunningham, is also a listening minister. The minister has responded to these concerns by introducing a significantly simpler and more flexible infrastructure framework in the Integrated Planning and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2001. This framework was developed in close consultation with the key stakeholders. Since its passage in 2001, it has been further shaped and refined by stakeholders to improve its operation and effectiveness. The results of these inputs are contained in this current bill that we are debating this evening—the Integrated Planning and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2003. The key features of the 2001 framework have been retained in this bill. However, certain matters have been clarified. In particular, the way state infrastructure providers interact with the framework has been resolved and important transitional arrangements have also been included. One of the criticisms of the original 1997 framework was that it did not clearly identify how infrastructure planning was to be integrated with the land use planning intentions of local governments. This criticism cannot be directed at the new framework. The central infrastructure planning mechanism in the framework is the priority infrastructure plan or PIP. Each local government planning scheme will be required to include a PIP as a means of ensuring local government land use plans are informed and supported by comprehensive infrastructure plans. The introduction of these priority infrastructure plans into planning schemes will see local governments in a much better position to respond to growth pressures like those occurring in Albert at the present time. It will also allow the infrastructure needs of the emergency communities to be met. The government strongly supports the development industry, let us be quite clear about that. Thus the provisions of the bill will address many of the development industry's concerns about the availability of information on local government infrastructure supply intentions and the unpredictability of requirements for servicing new development. This is because the PIP is designed to operate as an infrastructure planning benchmark. For those local governments like the Gold Coast, Logan and Beaudesert, which are in the electorate of Albert and which are subject to high pressure growth, the PIP will form the basis upon which they establish their development related infrastructure charging regimes. For the very first time local government infrastructure charges will be based on a comprehensive infrastructure planning framework that has been integrated with and informed by the land use planning intentions of local governments. One of the features of the PIP is that it identifies the planning assumptions upon which it is based. That is, it describes the type, intensity, timing and location of future growth in each local government area. These assumptions will then form the basis for preparing the infrastructure plans set out in the PIP. Given the time I would like to conclude my speech now. Before I do that I would like to congratulate the minister, Nita Cunningham, for bringing this bill into the chamber. It is incredibly complicated and incredibly complex. I congratulate the minister for the way that she has been able to inform the committee. Thank you very much for that. Debate, on motion of Mrs Pratt, adjourned.

ADJOURNMENT Hon. N. I. CUNNINGHAM (Bundaberg—ALP) (Leader of the House) (7.03 p.m.): I move— That the House do now adjourn.

Ambulance Levy Mrs PRATT (Nanango—Ind) (7.03 p.m.): I rise to speak on the community ambulance levy and the effect it is already having on several businesses and community groups in the Nanango electorate. I will not go through them all, but there are two examples of the levy's impact that reflect a general imposition on these groups that is unfair, inequitable and inexcusable. In the first instance a business couple who have a block of three shops as a commercial investment property in Nanango have been charged for electricity connections to the toilets that service the shops under lease. They are already paying the levy individually on each of the shops. 9 Oct 2003 Adjournment 3963

If the owners did not provide adequate toilets for the lessees they would have been fined so in good faith they provided the toilets. The government is raking in the levy from three accounts at virtually one location, plus the extra levy for two toilets and a security light. The same owners have another shop that is vacant at present waiting for a tenant. They are forced to maintain an electricity account in their name on these premises for cleaning, maintenance and security purposes. Why should they have to pay the levy on commercial properties that are vacant and using a minimal amount of electricity? The ambulance levy on their account was over $22, which is far and away above the actual electricity used, which amounts to less than $5. This levy is a quick revenue raiser and shows how unfair the whole debacle of the ambulance charges on electricity is. Despite the owners having applied to Ergon for exemption, it has been rejected because they do not fit into the very narrow exemption criteria. The imposition of the levy means that it has to be passed on to business tenants through increased rents, making it even harder for them to survive. Another case is about a non-profit organisation that is using a building to house and repair memorabilia from World War II at Kingaroy airfield. The organisation relies on a maximum of two voluntary workers, mainly aged pensioners, working one day a week, plus opening the building to show the collection to visitors on a very rare basis. That is its only form of income. The cost of the levy has cut ongoing repairs of this important part of our military history memorabilia. In desperation the committee has written to the Commissioner of State Revenue objecting to the levy. The revenue officer who replied to their application summarised the whole spirit of the ambulance levy with, 'It is unlikely that you will qualify for the exemption.' Not many people seem to. The revenue officer continued, 'There is no discretion to provide an exemption other than in accordance with the Act.' That is the levy in a nutshell. It is an ill-conceived, unfair, impersonal, unimaginative and objectionable piece of legislation that is just a quick fix for the way this government has mismanaged the Ambulance Service. Ravenshoe and some chambers of commerce are encouraging business owners not to pay the levy more than once, which was stated at the implementation of this tax was the intended outcome. The fact is that many people pay this tax more than are once and are justifiably incensed. Others simply do not pay it at all. How can this government say this is a fair and equitable tax that everyone—yes, everyone—will benefit from but few will be paying?

Australian Catholic University Mr NEIL ROBERTS (Nudgee—ALP) (7.06 p.m.); I recently attended a gathering of business and community leaders at Australian Catholic University's McAuley at Banyo campus in support of the university's building bridges with the community project. Around 30 senior community and business leaders attended the event. They were keen to hear about the opportunities that exist for partnerships with ACU's School of Business and Informatics. I am pleased to lend my support to this initiative because I am a proud supporter of ACU McAuley at Banyo. This support is based upon the university's commitment to deliver courses which provide a sound theoretical and practical basis for ethical decision making in business and which emphasise socially responsible decision making. The building bridges with the community initiative arose out of a report commissioned by ACU titled McAuley at Banyo—Engaging with the Community. The findings of this report underpin the initiatives the university will take to develop partnerships with local businesses, schools and health and welfare organisations. It is a commitment which will add great value to north-east Brisbane to the benefit of local residents and businesses. The business leaders function was particularly targeted at local industry participants. It sought to highlight the conference and teaching facilities available at the university and also the offer of research and development opportunities. Local businesses have the opportunity to partner with staff, postgraduate and undergraduate students in carrying out local research projects or specific project work related to their business. The university is also able to work with local businesses in identifying their professional and training and development needs. It is a magnificent resource and an opportunity which I encourage local businesses to embrace to their own and ACU's mutual benefit. 3964 Adjournment 9 Oct 2003

Business courses on offer at ACU's McAuley at Banyo include Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Information Systems, Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, Masters of Business Administration and Masters of Arts (Leadership). National statistics for the university's six campuses reveal an impressive record. Some 92.9 per cent of their academic staff have higher degrees or awards compared with the Australian average of 73.2 per cent. Its student teacher ratio of 18.9 to one compares favourably with the Australian average for all universities of 20.4 to one. Graduate employment rates also exceed the national average. ACU McAuley Banyo is making a significant investment in cementing its relationships with the local communities of north-east Brisbane. I congratulate the university on this initiative and look forward to continuing my strong support for its objectives in the coming years.

Fuel Prices Mr HOBBS (Warrego—NPA) (7.07 p.m.): One issue that annoys people who live away from the south-east corner of Queensland is the price variation of fuel. The worst example of a system gone wrong is that when the Eromanga fuel refinery plant west of Quilpie was in full production, the price of that diesel was cheaper in Brisbane than it was to locals in Eromanga, Quilpie or Charleville. The general price of fuel is much higher the further west and north one goes. For example, it is over 92c in Longreach and it is over $1 in Birdsville. Unleaded fuel is consistently over 90c a litre from Chinchilla west to Charleville with variations in between. Brisbane averaged about 78c this week. Brisbane prices this week have ranged from 71c to 87c for unleaded fuel, with Wednesday being the lowest and Saturday the highest and Sunday the second highest price. These fluctuations also occur at times in those western and northern areas of the state. Clearly, these wild variations indicate that opportunistic pricing is occurring. Queenslanders are in a better position than those in the other states because it does not have a fuel tax. Even under the new taxation arrangements where the Commonwealth government collected the 12c and rebated it back to the Queensland government, the total figure rebated is in the vicinity of $400 million. Unfortunately, the Beattie government is creaming off up to $150 million of that fuel rebate which really belongs to Queensland motorists because of the complicated rebate process that they have to go through. To summarise, it would appear that the oil companies are having a lend of us, the Beattie government while crying wolf is raking in the money and Queensland motorists are being short- changed. The Nationals would initiate a fuel price inquiry. Given the difference between the fuel price in Brisbane and regional and country Queensland is as much as 30c, motorists deserve a full and open inquiry. The coalition moved in state parliament to establish an all-party parliamentary select committee to inquire into the disparity of fuel pricing across Queensland and to make any recommendations necessary to ensure transparency and fairness in Queensland fuel pricing. The Beattie government used its 66-seat majority to vote down the motion. That just proves that the Premier is more interested in media stunts than an inquiry. He has still failed to follow through on a promise he made in June 2000 to set up a committee to act as a watchdog on petrol prices in this state. On the same day the Premier also promised to conduct a royal commission into fuel prices in 18 months time if fuel prices continued to be unfair, but again he has not followed through and has walked away from yet another commitment. It appears that this government will do almost anything for a media stunt, but it never backs it up with a genuine attempt to follow through. The inquiry would give motorists an opportunity to find out the real story behind the fluctuating petrol prices and put in place measures to restore confidence and make fuel prices and fuel companies more accountable once and for all. Time expired.

Drug Court Program Mr LAWLOR (Southport—ALP) (7.12 p.m.): An Australian Institute of Criminology evaluation has found that the state government's drug court has been a success in breaking the cycle of drug related crime. The evaluation of the south-east Queensland drug court—that is, at Beenleigh, Ipswich and Southport—found a marked reduction in criminal activity by graduates. The institute found that very few drug addicted offenders who complete the drug court program are returning to a life of crime. The cycle of crime which is committed to pay for their drug habits is 9 Oct 2003 Adjournment 3965 being broken. Every successful rehabilitation means that there are fewer house break-ins, car thefts and other crimes committed by drug addicts who are trying to support their habit. So it is good news for the community and great news for the individuals and their families. The Australian Institute of Criminology's report states that from the data available the level of recidivism is significantly reduced for those who successfully complete the drug court program. The institute highlights the enormous challenge in overcoming addiction but found that the drug court program was making impressive headway. The evaluation points out that drug court requirements accept that drug dependent offenders may relapse in the first phase of the program and this is a normal part of treating those with a chronic drug problem. The drug court magistrate, John Costanzo, and his support staff are to be congratulated. They have made a success of this important Beattie government initiative. As with any new initiative, there are improvements which can be made, and that is why the drug court program is under constant review. It is a huge step in the right direction and, as the Gold Coast Bulletin said, the more addicts off the street and leading useful lives the better. I certainly agree with the Bulletin.

Dental Services, Callide Electorate Mr SEENEY (Callide—NPA) (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (7.13 p.m.): Tonight I want to bring to the attention of this parliament a totally unacceptable situation that exists within my electorate in the community of Biloela. In common with most communities, we have seen the health services that are available to us in Biloela deteriorate over time with the continuing administration of this Labor government. In particular, the dental services that are available in Biloela at the moment are simply unacceptable by anybody's standards. A number of constituents have approached me with concerns about a three-year waiting list. They are being asked to wait three years for treatment in the public dental system in their own community. Worse than that is the fact that Queensland Health has not been able to provide a permanent dentist for the dental clinic in Biloela for quite some time. We have had the ridiculous situation where casual dentists have been appointed on an irregular and unpredictable basis. So not only are people being asked to wait for three years for any sort of procedural treatment, those people who are faced with emergency situations—painful situations—cannot be confident that they are going to get treatment at the dental clinic because they never know whether there is going to be a dentist there or not. It is simply an unacceptable situation that has gone on for far too long. I have written to the Minister for Health about this issue and received the standard reassuring letter with all the bureaucratic gobbledegook that means nothing, and I am sure that all members on this side of the House have received similar letters when they have made complaints to the Health Minister about the lack of health services. The situation is probably no better than it is in a range of other areas right across the state. Some of my constituents go to other centres such as Bundaberg seeking dental services. They tell me that the waiting list there for procedures is three years as well, but at least in those centres they are able to receive the type of emergency treatment that is not available in the Biloela community at the moment. The very basic service that the government should be able to provide is to be able to relieve pain and critical situations when they occur. The health issue is the biggest issue facing constituents right across Queensland. It is a core responsibility of the state government to provide adequate health services. It is something that Queensland governments have always been proud of—that is, being able to provide a free, reliable and appropriate health system to Queenslanders. It is something that generations of Queenslanders have grown up with. It is something that this government is failing miserably to maintain. It is not something that it has had to provide. All it had to do was maintain the service that was already there, and it has failed miserably to do that. That failure is demonstrated by the complete lack of dental services in the community that I represent in Biloela.

Minden State School, 125th Anniversary Mr LIVINGSTONE (Ipswich West—ALP) (7.17 p.m.): On Saturday, 27 September Minden State School celebrated 125 years of history. Many thousands of students have progressed through the school since it first opened its doors in 1878. Most have gone on to enjoy success and happiness in life and work. In part, I am sure many would attribute some of their achievements to the guidance, support and encouragement they received at Minden State 3966 Adjournment 9 Oct 2003

School. The school's beautiful surroundings and close-knit community make for students who are happy and eager to learn. This is reflected in the particularly high student attendance rate the school has enjoyed in recent times. It has also contributed to the school's impressive results in both sporting and academic arenas over the years. An occasion such as a 125-year celebration brings with it the opportunity to look back to see how far we have come and to look forward to consider what the future might hold. Firstly, I want to talk briefly about the school's history. The original school buildings and the 104-year-old play shed are still standing and help to give us a sense of the history that makes this school so special. One cannot help but feel that the early teachers and students have left their mark. They instilled a tradition of hard work and cooperation that remains evident at the school today. We can only imagine the hardship and sacrifice the first families to settle in the area had to endure in those early years. There were no roads and no cars; many rode horses or walked. There were no computers and no TV. The only items given to them were chalk and a slate. Who would ever believe back then that many of our farming community of today would be buying and selling their product on the Internet? Those early pioneer families not only had to overcome the harsh challenges of the land but also had to ensure that their children received the best possible education. Many of Minden's first families were German migrants who aspired to a better life for themselves and their children. Education was, as it is today, an essential tool in ensuring that their children were given the best possible start in life. Compared with the first-class facilities and resources that Minden State School students now enjoy, school life back in those early days presented many challenges. Today's students benefit from the use of computers and the World Wide Web—technologies a world away from the chalk and slate used in 1878. I am told that when the school first opened many of the German migrant children spoke only their native tongue. This obviously presented a challenge for the teacher in charge. In order to teach these children the English language, the teacher would hold up a pencil and say, 'This is a pencil. Say "pencil",' and so on with other items in the school. Minden State School has certainly come a long way from those days. The greater Minden community has also experienced significant changes over the past 125 years and this has had a strong effect on the school. There has also been a shift in the population and make-up of the local community. Many families now work in Ipswich and Brisbane rather than on the land. Families have moved away and many other families have moved into the area. These challenges bring new opportunities but also present the Minden community with an opportunity to shape its own future. Minden State School has enjoyed the benefits of a supportive local community and I am certain this will continue. Just think what it might be like to return in 25 years to celebrate Minden's State School's 150-year anniversary. Time expired.

Mental Health Week; Discovery, Sunshine Coast Miss SIMPSON (Maroochydore—NPA) (7.20 p.m.): This week is Mental Health Week. There are many positive things to talk about—some of the wonderful things people are doing in our communities to try to promote good mental health and to support those who have been through some tough times with mental health issues. We know that at least one in five, and some statistics say one in four, people will suffer some form of mental illness during their lives. Most will come back to a position of health and wellbeing. Others may live with some degree of mental illness. However, with the right support strategies, they are able to live a very full and meaningful life. I want to acknowledge the work of Discovery, a wonderful group in my electorate providing support to people who self-identify as suffering from a mental heath illness. Their focus is very much upon mental health rather than illness. I have to say that I am extremely impressed with what I have seen. They run with a skeleton staff of only a couple of workers, yet they literally have scores and scores of participants—they do not call them clients. After people have been involved as participants in the organisation for some time they really do blossom. They are volunteering in those roles and helping each other in a very practical way. But it is funny in the respect that when people come to the organisation and ask who is in charge, often they find a lot of people say they are in charge. People may have difficulty in actually identifying who the paid workers are. But it is a positive and one that I would like to see replicated elsewhere. I would like to see this type of organisation expanded on the Sunshine Coast. I commend its work. It is doing a truly superb job 9 Oct 2003 Adjournment 3967 and really deserves to receive ongoing support, in a financial sense from government but as a community as we understand people. There are always other issues to do with levels of services available to people. Preventive services and supportive services in the community are very important. I also know, though, that there are issues to do with acute services. Tragically, often people's pathway into mental health services is when they hit an acute phase. If there is a criticism of the way we deliver mental health services it is about the need to be able to provide people with pathways into mental health support services before they hit an acute phase. Tragically, still those pathways through even acute services mean that suicidal people find they have to contend with emergency departments and access block within mental health wards and may not receive the level of monitoring that they require before they are in a position to be able to work through those issues. A critical issue is where people are let go from acute facilities and other mental health facilities before they have been able to work through sometimes quite serious issues with life-threatening potential. I believe we need to provide more focus on providing adequate access to good acute services.

Railway Technical Society of Australasia Mrs ATTWOOD (Mount Ommaney—ALP) (7.23 p.m.): On 16 September I officially opened a half-day seminar for the Queensland Chapter of the Railway Technical Society of Australasia on behalf of Steve Bredhauer, the Minister for Transport and Minister for Main Roads. Present were George Nikandros, RTSA(Q) chair; Susan Booth, Queensland Anti-Discrimination Commissioner; John Davey, RTSA; Cameron Smart, RTSA; and Barnie Griffiths, RTSA. I have a special interest in the question of providing solutions for people with disabilities on the Brisbane rail network, so I was pleased to represent him at the seminar. The minister has made disability access on all public transport a priority. Quite apart from that, the Queensland government has to meet the standards set in law for public transport. There was a session on the program to meet that legislative responsibility, which has seen tens of millions of dollars spent over the past five years to provide better access to rolling stock and buildings on the train system. This program ranges from wheelchair space to special aids on the trains, and from lifts, footbridges and ramps to accessible toilets at stations. Queensland Transport supports the Accessible Public Transport Disability Standards established by the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992. The legislation seeks to eliminate discrimination, as far as possible, against people with disabilities, and encompasses public transport. The Queensland government's Strategic Framework for Disability requires Queensland Transport to address the public transport needs of people with a disability. Patronage on Queensland Rail services continues to increase. 45.4 million passenger trips were completed on Citytrain services in the financial year before last, and around 1.1 million long- distance Traveltrain trips. Our policies for the future development of Queensland's rail system have to make sure it is safe, fiscally responsible, environmentally sustainable and socially equitable. A well-established set of government priorities has guided our transport policies, which strive to improve the quality of life by, among other things, promoting individual, family and community vitality that respects diversity, and improving personal and public safety. Many people in the transport sector throughout Queensland are working hard to improve services and accessibility. They appreciate that transport provides people with disabilities with access to community life others take for granted. This is clear from Queensland Transport's sponsorship of the Transport Award during Disability Access Week each July to acknowledge those people who go the extra distance to provide these services. I have experienced this in my own electorate of Mount Ommaney, which the Citytrain line to Ipswich straddles. We now have improved disability access at the Oxley Railway Station, and public consultation on proposed work at Corinda station is expected to start this month. We have also recently received a Greenlink bus service to the Darra station for the residents of Sinnamon Park. But there is always more to be done. Seminars such as this help raise the professional and community awareness that is needed to maintain this momentum, so people with a disability have equitable access to all public transport, not just rail. I congratulate the Railway Technical Society of Australasia on arranging this event, choosing this important topic and arranging this series of expert speakers. Time expired. 3968 Adjournment 9 Oct 2003

Ms M. Wagner, Stamp Duty Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone—Ind) (7.27 p.m.): I rise to speak on behalf of a constituent, Michelle Wagner. Michelle showed an interest in purchasing a unit in McCann Street. On 6 May she inspected two units that were for sale. She was intending to purchase one. There were a number of other inspectors of those properties. Those who eventually were interested in purchasing a unit submitted two written offers. To ensure that she was successful in at least one of the purchases, Michelle submitted two written offers for each property. It actually turned out that Michelle's offers were the best and were accepted by the vendor. Each purchase was separate; they were separate units on separate titles. When Michelle went to make the purchase she had no intention of buying the two. However, that is the way it worked out. Because of the Office of State Revenue policy, Michelle duly paid stamp duty on the two properties. Initially, she paid $1,855 and on the second unit $1,910. She was subsequently issued with notification from the Office of State Revenue that on each property she had to pay an additional $365, or $730 in total, because the Office of State Revenue deemed the two purchases to be one transaction. On that basis, she was penalised. When she objected to the increase of $730, she was told by the Office of State Revenue that because she inspected the two units, made offers on the two units, signed contracts on the two units, both contracts were prepared by the same real estate agent—and there is a 'der' factor—and both contracts were conditional on the approval of finance from the same bank, OSR was justified in deeming them to be one transaction and penalised her because of the opportunity—unbeknownst to her—that was made available, and she successfully took that opportunity. This government talks about the Smart State. Penalising people who are trying to get ahead, who are purchasing properties in this way and, as I said, who are trying to make a future for themselves is not smart. The only method of objection now available to her is to take it to the Supreme Court. It costs $472 to lodge documents in the Supreme Court for a penalty of $730. No-one in their right mind is going to pursue it. So she has Hobson's choice except to be aggrieved by the attitude of the OSR and the Treasurer in that wherever they identify an extra buck they chase it. This young woman is trying to make a future for herself and her family. She took a good opportunity that was made available to her. The properties are in separate titles, they were on separate contracts, they were separate bids and yet she has been penalised for her entrepreneurship. I call on the Treasurer to review this policy. It is untenable.

Mr A. Cann Ms PHILLIPS (Thuringowa—ALP) (7.30 p.m.): Arthur Cann, proud long-serving member of the Australian Labor Party, passed away at home in August. His requiem mass, celebrated on 2 September, saw hundreds of family, friends and admirers, including a former federal member and a former state Health Minister, in attendance. Yet Arthur Cann was a humble, unassuming man. I had grown to know and like him as a member of the ALP Thuringowa branch. He saw me as fair game. He would ask me difficult policy questions, often challenging ALP actions, always alert to the needs of the battlers in our community. Arthur was born in 1926 in Kuridala in north-west Queensland. He left Cloncurry State School at 14 years of age and worked as a telegram and delivery boy before starting with the railways as a locomotive cleaner at 17. His main ambition was to be a fireman, which he finally achieved in 1950 when he moved to live in Townsville with his lovely new wife, Valerie. Arthur was promoted to driver in 1955 and remained with Queensland Railways for 46 years. He became an active member and delegate of the AFULE and was both president and secretary. He served on the railway appeals board and was awarded life membership. He lobbied for the rights and conditions of workers, introducing significant occupational health and safety practices. But this was very evenly balanced with his sense of loyalty and commitment to his employer. His motto was 'be a worker, not a shirker'. Valerie and Arthur had five children. During the early days it must have been very hard to manage with a young family. Arthur worked shiftwork. There was not much money, but there was always food on the table. He made sure that all his children had a good education. He encouraged them in sports and other activities. They did not have a car. Arthur rode his bike to work and the kids walked to school. When they needed a car he would borrow his father-in-law's very, very old Holden. Years later when they 9 Oct 2003 Adjournment 3969 could afford their own car, Arthur would drive other children as well as his own. One of his regular transport trips was to take kids to the Gardens Swimming Club. Arthur eventually became a volunteer coach, timekeeper and starter at that club. He later served as both vice-president and president. He and his wife were made life members. Arthur Cann was first and foremost a family man, extremely proud of each and every one of his children and grandchildren. He told everyone about their achievements. He taught them how to swim. He took them on outings to beaches, parks and playgrounds and taught them to read and tell stories. Arthur had a wonderful sense of humour. He would have a song, a rhyme, a joke, a story or funny antic for every occasion. During his illness when asked how he was feeling, he would always respond, 'With my hands.' Arthur's humour and wit lasted with him even to the end and no doubt helped to lighten his pain and suffering. Arthur's granddaughter Kylie delivered a very moving eulogy at his funeral saying that his life centred around his family, humour, education, work ethic and overall his sense of belief and conviction. When he was not working extra shifts or spending time with his family, he was giving his time to the AFULE or the Labor Party. He held strong beliefs and was not afraid to commit to what he stood for. He encouraged his family to find something they believed in, to be involved with a group of people who supported the same purpose and to willingly devote their time and energy to that cause. I salute you, Arthur Cann, as a true believer. Motion agreed to. The House adjourned at 7.33 p.m.

K. A. TYNDALL, ACTING GOVERNMENT PRINTER, QUEENSLAND—2003