Legislative Assembly 3825 25 August 1993

WEDNESDAY, 25 AUGUST 1993 Police Staffing, Burleigh Electorate From Mrs Gamin (22 signatories) praying for action to be taken to boost police numbers in the Burleigh electorate. Mr SPEAKER (Hon. J. Fouras, Ashgrove) read prayers and took the chair at 2.30 p.m. Dryander National Park From Mrs Bird (16 signatories) praying PETITIONS that the Parliament of Queensland will reject any motion to revoke the dedication of the The Clerk announced the receipt of the area of Dryander National Park adjacent to the following petitions— eastern arm of Double Bay.

Kindergarten Funding Child Molesters From Mr Ardill (77 signatories) praying From Mr Laming (285 signatories) that sufficient funds be provided in the 1993- praying that the parole period be removed 94 Budget to enable State Education when sentencing child molesters, that Department Subsidies (SEDS) to continue to offenders are given and serve maximum provide adequate funding for community sentences and that their names be released kindergartens and that extra funding be also for publication. provided for the Creche and Kindergarten Association. Similar petitions were received from Dr Gatton and Grantham By-pass Watson (71 signatories), Mr Perrett (49 From Mr FitzGerald (391 signatories) signatories), Mr Littleproud (55 signatories), praying that urgent action be taken to Mr Campbell (54 signatories), Mr Santoro (23 complete the four lanes of the Gatton and signatories), Mr Beanland (44 signatories), Mr Grantham by-pass. J. N. Goss (25 signatories), Mr T. B. Sullivan (39 signatories), Mr Stephan (60 signatories), Mr Rowell (31 signatories) and Mr Pearce (70 Abortion Law signatories). From Mr Livingstone (201 signatories) praying that sections of the Queensland Criminal Code which make abortion unlawful Ambulance Service be repealed and that abortion services be From Mr Perrett (35 signatories) praying established in the public hospital system and that the Parliament of Queensland will object community based women’s health centres to the proposed tax for the Ambulance with no charge attached to this service. Service. A similar petition was received from Mr Bridge, King John Creek J. N. Goss (11 signatories). From Mr J. H. Sullivan (7 signatories) praying for action to be taken to ensure that Crown Lease Rental Fees the bridge at King John Creek at Caboolture From Mr Laming (45 signatories) praying be demolished and reconstructed. for action to be taken to alleviate financial hardship caused by the proposed increase in West End Infants School Crown lease rental fees implemented on 1 July 1993. From Ms Spence (824 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland will ensure that the West End Infants School be Railway Services not merged with the West End State School. From Mr Stephan (302 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland will Service Station, Sunshine Motorway enact legislation which secures the services provided by 29 railway branch lines which are From Mr Laming (115 signatories) to be closed. praying for the development of a 24-hour service station to replace the existing A similar petition was received from Mr Mooloolaba toll booth on the Sunshine J. N. Goss (26 signatories). Motorway. 25 August 1993 3826 Legislative Assembly

Sherwood-Auchenflower Railway Service References, dated 16 and 20 July 1993, and 5 August 1993 of reviewable local From Mr Beanland (1 049 signatories) government matters to the Local praying that the current peak hour rail services Government Commissioner by the be retained on the Ipswich line from Sherwood Minister for Housing, Local Government to Auchenflower stations. and Planning. The references relate to the City of Charters Towers and the Shires of Esk, Moreton and Mundubbera. Horse Races

From Mr Stephan (813 signatories) PAPERS praying that rule 35 be upheld which would allow races under 800 metres in conjunction The following papers were laid on the with existing turf clubs meetings in table— Queensland. (a) Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning (Mr Mackenroth)—

Housing Commission Rentals (i) Preparation of Explanatory Notes for Bills—Guidelines From Mrs Gamin (66 signatories) praying for the necessary action to be taken to cease (ii) Reports in accordance with section the practice of assessing totally or partially 421 of the Local Government Act of incapacitated war disability pensions as the Local Government Commissioner income for the purpose of calculating Housing in relation to Reviews of Internal Commission rentals. (Electoral) Boundaries— City Councils— Gateway Arterial Brisbane, Gympie, Logan, and Mt Isa From Mr Nuttall (39 signatories) praying Shire Councils— for action to be taken to alleviate noise from vehicles travelling on the Gateway Arterial Atherton, Belyando, Balonne, road between Depot Road, Deagon and Boonah, Boulia, Calliope, Brackenridge Road at Brackenridge, to limit Etheridge, Herberton, the volume of heavy vehicles and the hours Inglewood, Kilkivan, Kingaroy, Millmerran, Mulgrave, Peak they travel and to ensure that no expansion of Downs, Quilpie, Redland, the road takes place without consultation with Rosalie, Stanthorpe, Tara, residents. Wondai, Wambo, and Widgee

(b) Minister for Lands (Mr Smith)— Animal Welfare Act From Mr Grice (96 signatories) praying Reports for 1992-93— that the Animal Welfare Act be not changed. Land Tribunal established under the Torres Strait Islander Land Act 1991 Petitions received. Land Tribunal established under the Aboriginal Land Act 1991 STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS Ordered to be printed. In accordance with the schedule circulated by the Clerk to members in the Chamber, the following documents were MINISTERIAL STATEMENT tabled— Mabo Dairy Industry Act— Hon. W. K. GOSS (Logan—Premier and Direction given by the Minister for Primary Minister for Economic and Trade Industries to the Queensland Dairy Development) (2.37 p.m.), by leave: As this Authority dated 22 June 1993 House is aware—— Local Government (Planning and Environment) Mr Stoneman interjected. Act— Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Planning Schemes (Approval of Burdekin! Amendments) Order (No. 54) 1993 Mr Borbidge interjected. Local Government Act— Legislative Assembly 3827 25 August 1993

Mr SPEAKER: Order! Honourable and that it will be achieved in the immediate members, I will not allow that type of future. exchange across the table. During the course of developing the Mr W. K. GOSS: As this House is aware, national resolution, a number of cases have on 3 June 1992 the High Court of Australia been commenced in a variety of courts by delivered its decision in Mabo v. State of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Queensland. The High Court held that certain Other litigation has been threatened. Of land in the Murray Islands is subject to native particular concern to me was the action title. commenced by the Wik peoples on 30 June Mr Borbidge interjected. 1993 in the Queensland registry of the Federal Court of Australia. Before describing Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the Leader the elements of their action, it should be of the Opposition under Standing Order 123A. noted that the Wik peoples commenced that Mr Cooper interjected. action without first giving the Queensland Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member Government any indication of their concerns. for Crows Nest under Standing Order 123A. The Queensland Government remains Honourable members, a ministerial statement prepared to consult with the Wik peoples to is being made and I am going to hear it. explore principles upon which a negotiated outcome may be achieved. The Wik peoples Mr W. K. GOSS: The decision has have named nine respondents, including the substantially altered our understanding of the State of Queensland, the Commonwealth of law in relation to the discovery and settlement Australia and Comalco Aluminium Limited. of Australia. In particular, the decision has set aside the doctrine that Australia was terra The Wik peoples have claimed native title nullius and has acknowledged the entitlement to— of indigenous people to obtain legal (i) land south of the Embley River in recognition of native title to land to which they Cape York; are connected. (ii) the adjoining tidal land; On 18 March 1993, in response to a (iii) the adjoining sea and sea-bed; and question without notice from the member for Ipswich West, I advised this House of the (iv) minerals in those areas. latest developments, as they related to Based on their native title, the Wik Queensland, on Mabo. I advised this House peoples claim that the State of Queensland that Mabo was a very important issue for all and others— Australians, particularly Aboriginal and Torres (i) owed and still owe a fiduciary duty to Strait Islander Australians. I indicated that it the Wik peoples; also has significant consequences for other central interests, including major investors, in (ii) owed and still owe a duty of trust to particular, the mining industry. I then advised the Wik peoples; this House that the Commonwealth (iii) failed to accord them procedural Government had announced a process to try fairness; to clarify the meaning of Mabo. I indicated (iv) has been unjustly enriched; and that the Commonwealth Government needed to give the highest priority to the resolution of (v) breached the Racial Discrimination this issue for two reasons: first, because it Act 1975. offers an opportunity to achieve a better form The Wik peoples seek a variety of of reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres remedies from the different respondents, Strait Islander peoples; second, to avoid an including— adverse impact on investor confidence in Australia. (i) declarations of invalidity of existing titles; In conclusion at that time, I reiterated that it was important that the Commonwealth (ii) damages for injury to or impairment Government, in cooperation with the States, of any native title; and work as a matter of priority to resolve this (iii) the accounting for of all profits and issue. Since that date, Commonwealth benefits derived in connection with Government officials and State Government existing titles which have been officials have worked assiduously towards a invalidly granted. national resolution of this issue. I am confident This means that, if the Wik peoples were that a national resolution can be achieved, successful, all of the existing titles in the area 25 August 1993 3828 Legislative Assembly would be invalid. Because of the way in which Government is committed to the provision of they have brought their action, it would mean services such as appropriate health care and that the whole of Comalco’s mining leases employment opportunities to Aboriginal and would be invalid, both north of the Embley Torres Strait Islander people. River where existing mining occurs and south Returning to my concerns about the of the Embley River where future mining is action by the Wik peoples, I can now advise planned. In addition to having their titles this House that, as a result of discussions that declared invalid, Comalco and others would the Queensland Government has had with the be required to pay to the Wik peoples any Commonwealth Government, in particular the moneys they had made as a result of the use Commonwealth Attorney-General, Mr Lavarch, they had made of the land. More generally, if any uncertainty surrounding Comalco’s mining the Wik peoples were successful, it would leases has now been removed. The mean that the entire land titles system in Commonwealth Government has agreed to Australia would be thrown into doubt. It would enact legislation which will enable the States mean that development in Queensland would and Territories to remove any uncertainty that grind to a halt as native title holders emerged surrounds any titles which were granted before to challenge existing titles. Ultimately, it would 30 June 1993 where that uncertainty is the result in an air of incredible economic result of Mabo or an argument that is based instability. on the principles identified in Mabo. However, Accordingly, I have been concerned that, such validation will occur on a non- irrespective of its prospects of success, the discriminatory basis. Wik peoples’ action represented a serious and Essentially, the Commonwealth immediate threat to the company’s intention Government has said that any private land- to proceed with its $1.75 billion expansion at holders, whether individuals or companies, Gladstone. This was because Comalco’s who acquired their titles in the past in good investment at Gladstone was dependent upon faith and in ignorance of any potential native it having continued and uninterrupted access title will have that title validated. That is an to its bauxite reserves south of the Embley important principle, and it will ensure certainty River. If that access could not be guaranteed and prevent the adverse impact on investor by the removal of any uncertainty surrounding confidence that I referred to earlier. However, existing mining leases, Comalco would be it should be noted that the legislation will not unable to obtain finance from foreign banks to interfere with the rights of any person to argue fund the expansion. in court that there has been a breach of I readily acknowledge, and on behalf of fiduciary duty, or a breach of duty of trust, or the Queensland Government wish to place on that there has been a failure to accord record, that grave injustices have been procedural fairness, or that the Racial perpetuated on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Discrimination Act 1975 has been breached. Islander people in Australia. From a point of Those claims will not be affected in any way principle, however, historical injustice to and will be able to be made or, whereas in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people case of the Wik peoples they have already will not be remedied by a series of ambit been made, they will continue. The legislation claims for huge tracts of land throughout will merely result in ensuring that, if such a Queensland and Australia, particularly where claim is made, then the remedy in the event third parties have subsequently acquired of success should be the payment of those titles in good faith and in ignorance of compensation calculated on a non- the existence of native title. Rather, all discriminatory basis and not the making of a Australians need to acknowledge the history declaration by the courts that the title is of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people invalid. and develop effective responses to redress In conclusion, I consider that the that history. An effective response should Commonwealth Government, and the Prime include not only access to land but also other Minister in particular, has delivered a policy measures, for example, the provision of health response to this particular aspect of Mabo care and employment opportunities to which strikes the appropriate balance between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. meeting the responsibility of Government to The Queensland Government has maintain the economic prosperity of all already recognised the importance of land to Australians on the one hand and ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that any rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait through the enactment of the Aboriginal Land Islander people which are affected by the Act 1991 and the Torres Strait Islander Land actions of Government are treated fairly and in Act 1991. In addition, the Queensland Legislative Assembly 3829 25 August 1993 a racially non-discriminatory manner on the Other aspects of the decision reached by other hand. Cabinet are: In the circumstances, it is a response ¥ Commonwealth legislation will support which ensures that the rights of Aboriginal and any pre-existing State legislation providing for the reservation of mineral Torres Strait Islander people are respected rights to the Crown. and treated in a non-discriminatory manner, that all Australians who have obtained titles in ¥ Damages (as distinct from compensation good faith and in ignorance of native title will for validation) whether related or unrelated to native title, will be determined have those titles validated and that investor under existing laws or non-discriminatory confidence in Australia will not be adversely State Legislative schemes. affected. The Prime Minister has now ¥ In the event of claims against grants indicated that the Commonwealth will finalise issued before June 1993, and dependent its own legislative response to all of these on the existence of native title, being issues within the next couple of weeks. This successful, compensation or damages will follows Federal Cabinet’s deliberations late last be met by government, rather than by week. For the information of members, I table private landholders. a copy of the Prime Minister’s press release ¥ The Commonwealth and Queensland outlining those Cabinet decisions. I seek leave Governments will hold negotiations with to have that statement incorporated in the Wik people, the minimum aim being to Hansard. explore possible ideas for a settlement. Leave granted. Comalco should be required to participate in negotiations, at least to facilitate good Statement by the Prime Minister, the Hon P J neighbour co-existence of the Wik Keating MP interests and the mining interests on the The Wik People’s Claim and Comalco ground in the area. Federal Cabinet last night reached agreement In addition to resolving the current on the Commonwealth approach to the legal uncertainties in Queensland, the approach has claim by the Wik people over land including wider application to resolving uncertainties mining leases held by Comalco. arising from the High Court’s Mabo decision. It represents a valuable step forward towards the The decision will provide security for the major comprehensive resolution of the issues on investment proposed by Comalco, while which work is proceeding. In particular, grants permitting claims by the Wik people for issued by governments in the past will be compensation and damages to proceed. secured against invalidity arising from native This approach also ensures that negotiation will title, not only those since the passage of the take place between the Commonwealth and Racial Discrimination Act in October 1975. Queensland Governments, Comalco and the The emphasis which the Commonwealth and Wik people. Queensland Governments place on negotiation Cabinet agreed that Commonwealth and also represents a vital element of the approach Queensland legislation be introduced to which must be brought to bear in the wider validate all relevant land grants whose validity Mabo context. might be in doubt as a result of the existence Canberra of native title and its interaction with other laws. Such validation of mining leases would not 20 August 1993 extinguish native title. This will be included in Mr W. K. GOSS: This issue has been the proposed generic Commonwealth Mabo particularly complex and a difficult matter for legislation. Governments to grapple with. I would like to Queensland may also legislate to validate place on record the Queensland leases, on a non-discriminatory basis, against Government’s appreciation of the other possible causes of invalidity unrelated to determination and courage of the Prime native title. Claims against the validity of leases Minister—and Federal Cabinet—in his efforts would, in effect be converted into claims into compensation or damages. to seek a solution to these complex policy challenges. In conclusion, the Federal Cabinet reaffirmed that the Commonwealth will Government now plans to introduce legislation need to be satisfied, on examining the proposed terms of such Queensland prior to 1 October. Once that is done, the legislation, that it is non-discriminatory. Queensland Government, along with other States and Territories, will be able to frame Compensation will be available for the Wik their own appropriate legislative responses. I people, under the terms of the Commonwealth’s generic Mabo legislation, for am conscious that further work needs to be any direct extinguishment or impairment arising done before the national response to Mabo is from validation. completed, but I remain confident that, if goodwill is shown by all interested parties, 25 August 1993 3830 Legislative Assembly then that response will be achieved sooner addressed in the Legislative Standards Act. In rather than later. objecting to this, the RSPCA has claimed in a letter to me that police have great difficulty in obtaining warrants even on strong evidence of MINISTERIAL STATEMENT serious crime. Yesterday, I asked the Minister for Police if this was correct. He has now Animal Protection Legislation provided me with a letter from the Commissioner of Police, which quite clearly Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH states that no such difficulty exists. I table that (Chatsworth—Minister for Housing, Local letter from the Police Commissioner providing Government and Planning) (2.49 p.m.), by that advice. leave: Over the past two weeks, many members have been contacted by I point out that the proposed legislation constituents at the instigation of the RSPCA to has provision for inspectors under the Act to complain about the proposed animal enter properties without a warrant if they protection legislation. Much of the information believe that an animal is suffering. The contained in those complaints is simply untrue RSPCA has also claimed that the introduction and unfounded, and I would like to place on of codes of practice will diminish animal record the truth of the draft Act. protection. This is untrue, and in fact at the Animal Welfare Conference in June 1991, the In 1990, the Government decided to former manager of the RSPCA, in putting rewrite the animal protection legislation in this forward the RSPCA’s view for a new Act, State, as it considered that the present stated— legislation of 1925 was outdated. As an interim measure, it introduced amendments to “There is a need for separate but the present legislation outlawing most supporting regulations for operations scientific experiments in this State. The former such as feedlots that may for whatever Minister, Tom Burns, then embarked on a reason be exempt from certain lengthy consultation process to obtain views requirements of the Act.” on the proposed new Bill. This included an The RSPCA has objected to the Animal Welfare Conference hosted by the appointment of DPI officers as inspectors. At Department of Housing and Local the Animal Welfare Conference, the former Government in 1991. In 1992, Tom Burns manager said— obtained Cabinet approval for the Parliamentary Counsel to prepare the new Bill. “Other than police officers, it could be argued that some full-time employees of The final draft of this Bill was recently other appropriate Government completed and circulated on a confidential departments should be trained and basis to organisations which assisted in the accredited centrally. We will never have consultation process. The document was enough full-time inspectors.” provided on the condition that individuals or organisations provided with the document did The RSPCA has approximately 12 not conduct public debate in respect of the inspectors to cover the whole State. Surely matters contained in it. This condition was not any person who really cares for animals would intended in any way to impede those welcome the addition of a further 150 individuals or organisations from making public inspectors who can be on the lookout for acts comment on the broad proposals of the of cruelty to animals. The intention of legislation, but was intended to restrict the appointing DPI inspectors as authorised individual clauses being publicly debated officers is to enable them, if they encounter before Government had made its final acts of animal cruelty in their normal day-to- decision. It is unfortunate that the RSPCA has day operations, to take immediate action. chosen to release clauses of this Bill and, in The current manager of the RSPCA also doing so, has broken its agreement to said at the same conference— maintain confidentiality. “The current Animals Protection Act I would now like to deal with the individual is found today to be inadequate in issues which have been raised so that dealing with the new animal welfare members can better understand the broad issues that exist in the community.” parameters of the legislation. Firstly, it is claimed that RSPCA inspectors will be I could not agree with him more. restricted in their job because of a requirement Further claims being made by the RSPCA to obtain warrants to enter properties. This are that the term “suffering” has been requirement is a basic civil liberties issue removed and limits mistreatment to “causing Legislative Assembly 3831 25 August 1993 pain”. This is really where the RSPCA fails to understand the writing of legislation today. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT What it is saying is that we should remain in the past by keeping legislation that was written in 1925. The reason that the word “suffering” Annual Report of the Director of has been deleted is that the interpretation of Prosecutions “pain” in the legislation would be taken from Hon. D. M. WELLS (Murrumba— Minister the dictionary. The definition of “pain”, as for Justice and Attorney-General and Minister defined in the Australian Oxford Dictionary is for the Arts) (2.56 p.m.), by leave: I lay on the “suffering or distress of body (from injury or table of the House the annual report of the disease) or mind”. I should point out that in Director of Prosecutions for the financial year respect of all terms used in the legislation, 1992-93. The Office of the Director of where the dictionary definition does not apply, Prosecutions was established by the Director a definition is included within the legislation. of Prosecutions Act 1984. Its primary function Another point raised by the RSPCA relates to the prosecution of persons charged concerns the expression used in the with indictable offences—that is, offences legislation “it did not intentionally do so”, or triable by jury—dealt with by trial or sentence had a “reasonable excuse” to inflict pain. Once in the District or Supreme Courts. again, this is modern terminology being used Whilst honourable members opposite in modern legislation. An example of where a always talk about law and order, they allowed reasonable excuse would, I am sure, be the Office of the Director of Prosecutions to be acceptable to everyone in our community so run down that it did not even have the would be in the instance where a dog such as resources to prosecute fraud, and it worked a pit bull terrier attacks a young child, which under severe difficulties with respect to has and does happen. It surely would be a prosecutions of other kinds of criminal activity. reasonable excuse for a parent to take In Labor’s first Budget, 22 new positions were whatever action was necessary to stop such created to redress the shortages. A further 11 an attack. Therefore, there are instances positions have since been approved. Similarly, where a reasonable excuse is necessary. this Government has steadily provided Mr Beanland: We have the speech. increased funds and resources to allow the Where is the Bill? prosecutors to concentrate on court work. Mr MACKENROTH: I find the tactics of Under the previous Government, the Opposition members in interjecting quite Director of Prosecutions’ budget just scraped extraordinary, when over half of them have over the $4m mark. In three Budgets, the written to me asking for these sorts of Goss Labor Government has doubled the explanations. The important point, however, to funds available to the Director of Prosecutions remember is that the RSPCA could decide in Office, with its 1992-93 total budget being individual cases to take action in the court, $9,046,200. In other words, we have more and the court would decide if the reasonable than doubled the Nationals’ budget in just excuse was acceptable. three years. The increased budgetary At this stage, the legislation is still in draft allocations are further enhanced by their form and has not been decided upon. I would strategic placement. In 1991-92, the base encourage any groups or individuals to make funding of the office was increased by known their views on the proposals. In relation $315,000 for witness expenses; $293,000 for to the RSPCA—it has a full copy of the additional staff, and $263,000 for the briefing proposed legislation, and I would encourage of private barristers to prosecute on behalf of it, rather than making emotive statements, to the director. Further, one-off funds of read the legislation and seek clarification on $180,000 were provided for the matters the matters that it obviously does not management computer system and $27,000 understand and then make a detailed for tape transcripts. submission. In 1992-93, the base funding of the office Mr BEANLAND: I rise to a point of order. was increased by $126,000 for staffing costs For some time now, I have been listening to and $400,000 for increased work load as a the second-reading speech from the Minister, result of the Treasury base review of the and I have been calling for the legislation. He operations of the office. One-off funds of has now challenged me to read it, but I do not $75,000 were provided for the purchase of have it. That is the whole problem. equipment. In 1993-94, the final supplementation of $400,000, as a result of Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of the Treasury base review, will be provided, order. 25 August 1993 3832 Legislative Assembly which will fund the additional resources Fleay was curator of the Australian section at required to allow the director and his staff to the Melbourne Zoo, and then built up and perform their functions. managed the Sir Colin MacKenzie Sanctuary Mr Santoro: Jim! Jim! at Healesville, Victoria. For his work, he was awarded an Australian Natural History Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Medallion in 1941 and was made a member Clayfield will not address the Chair in that of the Order of the British Empire in 1960, a manner. member of the Order of Australia in 1980, Mr WELLS: In addition to the increased received an honorary Doctorate of Science in funding for the Director of Prosecutions Office, 1984 and the Advance Australia Award in the my department and I are considering and same year. monitoring proposals to facilitate a more During his time in Queensland, several efficient dealing with criminal matters which generations of Queenslanders were privileged are committed from the Magistrates Court to to attend his regular 3 p.m. natural history the District or Supreme Courts by early lecture at the reserve at West Burleigh on the identification of pleas of guilty and nolle Gold Coast. This, coupled with his long- prosequi. A pilot program funded by Treasury running series of Fleay’s Nature Notes in the has been started. This program will involve Brisbane Courier-Mail, stamped him as a qualified practitioners acting as facilitators pioneer of environmental education in this between the legal representative on both State. In 1983, Dr Fleay transferred sides of the criminal cases. responsibility for his reserve to the Consideration is being given also to the Queensland Government, a facility now run by implementation, by police prosecutors and the Department of Environment and Heritage. legal aid representatives, of a system whereby Although he will be sadly missed, David the prosecution case is given to the defence Fleay’s family can be certain that his place in at least seven days prior to a committal conservation history is assured. The hearing. This proposal emanates from the preservation of Tallebudgera Creek stands as deliberations of a high-powered committee on a monument to his persistence in committals which has, over many years, safeguarding the environment, and the carried out an in-depth assessment of the renowned Fleay’s Fauna Reserve on the Gold committal process with a view to producing Coast remains as his living legacy to proposals which simplify the committal process Queensland. and introduce further efficiencies. I commend the document to the House. REPORT ON OVERSEAS STUDY TOUR BY MEMBER FOR REDCLIFFE MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Mr HOLLIS (Redcliffe) (3.03 p.m.): I seek Dr D. H. Fleay, OBE, AO, PhD leave to table my report and itinerary on a Hon. M. J. ROBSON (Springwood— recent overseas visit to the United Kingdom. Minister for Environment and Heritage) Leave granted. 3 p.m.), by leave: Honourable members, along with many other Queenslanders, would have been saddened by the recent death of QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE one of nature’s true gentlemen, naturalist Mabo David Fleay OBE, AO, Ph.D. Dr Fleay was a household name in Queensland not only as a Mr BORBIDGE: In directing a question to result of his wonderful zoological work but also the Treasurer, I refer him to his Government’s because of the joy that he provided to agreement with the Commonwealth to thousands of Queenslanders through his validate Comalco’s Weipa leases to facilitate environmental education efforts over a 40- expansion of the Boyne Island smelter, and I year period in this State. ask: will Queensland taxpayers be liable for compensation prior to 1975? If so, how David Howells Fleay was born in Ballarat much? Will his Budget contain a provision for in 1907. He gained international recognition compensation for claims arising out of the for his achievements in native animal breeding Mabo High Court decision and subsequent and husbandry. His work with little-known owls negotiations with the Federal Government? and birds of prey pioneered much of Australia’s knowledge of those creatures. He Mr De LACY: I understand that there was also the first person to successfully breed were two parts to that question. In answer to and document a platypus in captivity. Before the first part of it—I do not know whether there moving to Queensland in the 1950s, David will be compensation. In answer to the second Legislative Assembly 3833 25 August 1993 part of the question—no, there is no provision had read the Prime Minister’s statement last set aside for compensation. Friday—and if he does not have it available, I inform him and all members that I have just tabled it—he would be aware that the Prime Mabo Minister’s statement says that, in relation to Mr BORBIDGE: I ask the Premier: will he the issue of compensation, the respective inform the House of the extent of negotiations shares of that as between Commonwealth with the Prime Minister in respect of and State Government are yet to be compensation that may be payable on the determined. But the important point—which Wik claim, including that portion of had to be nailed down at a very early stage, compensation that may be payable by the and that is why I have given due credit to the State of Queensland? Prime Minister—is that if we were left with a Mr W. K. GOSS: The situation in relation situation whereby there was a compensation to compensation is not known and has not liability—— been determined. The position in relation to Mr Borbidge: Have you signed a blank compensation needs to be understood at a cheque? number of levels. Mr W. K. GOSS: I have signed nothing. Mr Borbidge: Who’s going to pay it? The Leader of the Opposition should just Mr W. K. GOSS: Just calm down, young listen. Is he suggesting that the Government man. It is a very complex issue. It is a fair should have stood back and said that private question. There are a number of levels at land owners would be responsible for which one has to understand—— compensation? There is no alternative. Who is going to pay the compensation? The Bjelke- Mr Borbidge: It was an unaggressive Petersen Foundation slush fund is not going question. to pay it. It comes down to a choice between Mr W. K. GOSS: The Leader of the private land owners, individual Australians, Opposition will receive an unaggressive, individual companies or Government. The informative answer. I do not think that he will Federal Cabinet decided on Thursday and be any wiser, but he will be more informed. In announced on Friday that private land owners answer to the unaggressive question—let me would not be liable for compensation; that it say unaggressively that it must be understood would be paid by Government. The on a number of levels. Queensland Government has agreed to The first point that needs to be nothing. understood is that the legal advice to the Mr Borbidge interjected. State Government, to the Commonwealth Mr W. K. GOSS: I have said it three Government and to the company is that the times, and I will say it once more. If the claim is unlikely to succeed. It should also be Leader of the Opposition does not get it after acknowledged at this point, however, that that that, I will give up. The Queensland is what people were saying about the Mabo Government has not agreed to any proportion case 10 years ago. On the best legal advice of compensation. that is available up to the present time, it appears unlikely that compensation will be payable. Job Creation Let us assume that the claim is in some Mr PITT: In directing a question to the part successful. In that event, compensation Treasurer, I refer him to the Goss will be assessed by the courts, or by a tribunal Government’s excellent record on job if the Commonwealth Government ultimately creation—a record often conveniently ignored decides that it will establish a tribunal to or disputed by the Opposition—— assess these matters. The amount of Opposition members interjected. compensation will be determined by that body and not by Government. The parameters or Mr SPEAKER: Order! I am not sure the criteria that determine that compensation, about other members, but I cannot hear that however, will be determined by the question. It is your question time. I will sit here Commonwealth, and the Commonwealth is until I get some silence. If I cannot hear the yet to finalise its position in relation to the question, the Minister cannot hear it, and we parameters—— cannot have question time. I am willing to wait. I call the member for Mulgrave. Mr Borbidge: Are we liable up to ’75? Mr PITT: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Mr W. K. GOSS: That has not been determined. If the Leader of the Opposition Mr Elliott interjected. 25 August 1993 3834 Legislative Assembly

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member Goss Government our share of Australian jobs for Cunningham under Standing Order 123A. is now greater than our population share, Mr PITT: I refer to the Goss which was not the case when the National Government’s excellent job creation record, a Party was in Government. fact often conveniently ignored or disputed by I refer to one other point— the Opposition. I ask: is the Treasurer aware “Commentators from other states of any independent assessments of have the impression that the growth in Queensland’s job record and future the Queensland economy is happening prospects? If so, would he share that on the beach (in tourism). The information with the House? employment growth figures suggest that Mr De LACY: When we refer to the in reality, Queensland is building a new excellent job creation record of the Goss industrial heartland. Of 48,200 jobs Government, Opposition members guffaw created in Queensland between May either because they do not like Queensland 1991 and February 1993, 22,000 jobs having a good record or because they believe were created in manufacturing. This that we are somehow manufacturing the growth in manufacturing was widely figures. In answer to the honourable spread throughout the state. It is member’s question—yes, there is a lot of generated mainly by small export independent documentary evidence about the orientated manufacturing firms.” job creation record of the Queensland That is an important point and something Government. about which all Queenslanders ought to be I refer to the August 1993 edition of the proud. Queensland Economic Strategy Quarterly published by Morgans, the stockbroking firm, Business Climate which stated— Mr PITT: In directing a question to the “Queensland employment continues Minister for Business, Industry and Regional to boom. In the year to June Australia Development, I refer to the June quarter added 42,000 jobs.” Queensland Economic Review released Mr Borbidge: Even Victoria—— today, and I ask: can he inform the House what that publication has to say about current Mr De LACY: The Leader of the business conditions in this State? Opposition should listen. The article continued— Mr ELDER: I have glanced through that document. In summary—at the end of the last “Of these jobs 40,000 were in financial year, 35 000 new businesses had Queensland . . . You could be forgiven commenced in Queensland. An interesting for thinking that Queensland was the only statistic was that there were 2 500 place in Australia creating employment. bankruptcies, which is 2 500 too many. The Queensland employment boom continued in the 12 months to June.” Mr Connor interjected. There is another reference in this document Mr ELDER: I realise that the honourable which makes very good reading, and member tends to take joy in highlighting those Opposition members ought to listen to it. It bankruptcies, but the fact remains that 14 per stated— cent fewer bankruptcies have occurred this year than occurred in the previous financial “The rapid outperformance by year. Queensland of the Australian economy means that Queensland is becoming a Mr CONNOR: I rise to a point of order. I much larger part of the Australian did not mention bankruptcies. I find that economy. A short time ago as August comment offensive, and ask the Minister to 1989”— withdraw it. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable when members opposite were in member finds the Minister’s comment Government— offensive. He will withdraw. “Queensland had only 16.5 % of Australian jobs. By March 1993, Mr ELDER: Whatever it was that the Queensland had 17.8 % of Australian honourable member wants me to withdraw, I jobs.” withdraw. Was it something about heat in the kitchen? What that means is that Queensland’s share of Australian jobs is increasing, and under the Legislative Assembly 3835 25 August 1993

The other interesting statistic is that last Government’s committee, which included the year, 35 000 new jobs were created in RSPCA, the Animal Liberation Movement and Queensland. In the heyday of the previous the Queensland Association for Community administration—the boom year of and Animal Welfare, to scrap his flawed 1988—28 000 new jobs were created in Animal Protection Bill, which the same Queensland. Honourable members opposite organisations have now dubbed the Animal would crow about them continually. However, “Exploitation” Bill? Will he apologise to the we do not hear much about them today. The RSPCA for his attacks over the last 24 hours significance of that growth is, as the Treasurer on the integrity of this hardworking voluntary said earlier, that it occurred in the new organisation? business areas, the manufacturing Mr MACKENROTH: I have never criticised sector—the high-quality small item the hard work that the RSPCA carries out. I manufacturers, the niche manufacturers in this have stated on many occasions that the State. It is a significant broadening of the RSPCA does a magnificent job in economy. Queensland. In fact, the Government has We are, no doubt, coming out of the increased funding to the RSPCA by 1 000 per worst recession that has been experienced for cent above that allocated by the honourable many years, and it is true that business member’s coalition partner. With the RSPCA, confidence is edgy. But one of the measures the Government has put its money where its of business confidence is that people are mouth is. It certainly supports the RSPCA. I prepared to start businesses. The indisputable have personally told the president and the fact is that there are 35 000 more businesses manager of the RSPCA that the Government in this State now than there were 12 months intends to keep the RSPCA as the premier ago. That is the measure of business enforcement body on animal welfare issues in confidence. The simple reason is that this State. Queensland is the low-tax State. We have low The Government is concerned about taxes. I noted that a gentleman from the animal welfare. I am certain that once the Whitlam Institute, who proposed an alternative legislation is approved by the Government budget recently, said that if the Government and introduced into this House, honourable had retained the taxing levels of the previous members will see that it is the toughest Government, we would have had an extra legislation for animal welfare in Australia. $120m each year. At the end of the day, State taxes are a tax on business, and those I believe that I explained fairly well in my businesses provide jobs and job growth. ministerial statement some of the reasons why there have to be some changes to past An Opposition member interjected. practices. Some people really need to Mr ELDER: I agree that we inherited a understand what those changes are about. low-tax regime, but we have made One of the arguments being put forward by Queensland the low-tax State. I am proud of the RSPCA is that a recent operation, when its last year’s balanced Budget, and I look officers staked out a greyhound training track forward with confidence to this year’s Budget for three days to get an arrest, would not have and for a continuation of that fiscal been possible under the proposed Act. That is responsibility. untrue. The RSPCA has only 12 officers, and Mr FitzGerald interjected. during that operation my department received four complaints from people in Queensland Mr ELDER: If the honourable member that they had phoned the RSPCA and that it listens, I will enlighten him. Those new was unable to take any action because all its businesses are a measure of economic officers were involved in that one case. I do achievement, but at the end of the day they not offer that as a criticism of the RSPCA, but are providing jobs for Australians and, in simply to explain that with 12 inspectors it is particular, for Queenslanders. Over the last unable to do its job adequately throughout two years, Queensland has created 58 000 Queensland. jobs compared with a loss of 81 000 jobs across the remainder of Australia. In any For the first time, the new Act will make it business, that is the bottom line. an offence for a person who owns a greyhound to have a bait animal, such as a chicken or a cat, on the same premises. Animal Protection Bill Mrs Sheldon: I didn’t ask about that; I Mrs SHELDON: I ask the Minister for asked: why did you reject their Local Government: can he explain why he recommendations? rejected the recommendation of his own 25 August 1993 3836 Legislative Assembly

Mr MACKENROTH: The member asked some innovative programs. For instance, in the question, and I will give the answer. I the central west we have developed the believe that when other members and the visiting specialist program, which gives people people of Queensland see that legislation, living in Longreach the same access to they will understand that it is the toughest specialist services as that available to people legislation of its kind in Australia, and that our in Brisbane. Government cares for animals in this State. The Government has been successful in attracting specialists to some rural areas. For Rockhampton Base Hospital Staffing example, over the past 18 months we have Cutbacks been able to double the number of psychiatrists practising outside Brisbane. We Mrs SHELDON: I direct a question to the have also been able to establish training Minister for Health. In view of the need for positions in Townsville and Toowoomba and expensive CareFlight retrieval flights from on the Gold Coast. The Government is still Rockhampton Base Hospital to Brisbane working hard to attract specialists to those because the hospital has no director of parts of the State, but it is difficult. No matter anaesthetics or intensive care, has how often we advertise, it is impossible to consequently cancelled ear, nose and throat extract some people from capital cities. But surgery and is about to scrap its neurological members can rest assured that the services, I ask: how can the Minister justify Government is offering incentives and working these cutbacks in basic medical services at as hard as it can, in cooperation with various the Rockhampton Base Hospital when that medical colleges, to attract specialists to rural very same hospital has recently employed a areas. freedom of information officer, a media officer, a sexual harassment officer, a quality assurance officer, an equal opportunity officer Mabo and two personnel officers? Mr LIVINGSTONE: I ask the Premier: is Mr HAYWARD: I hope that the member he aware of statements by Senator Margaret is not suggesting in any way that those Reynolds that what Queensland and the particular officers should be substituting for Federal Government propose in relation to the medical specialists. There can be no Wik claim on land near Weipa would deviate argument that one of the problems in from the process of tribunals and Queensland is attracting medical negotiations? Can he inform the House if, specialists—not so much to Brisbane, but to under the solutions being proposed, the Wik rural areas throughout Queensland. The people would be denied access to any tribunal problem relates to a shortage of supply and established, and if negotiations would be the lack of distribution of specialist services impossible? outside Brisbane. If the member knew Mr W. K. GOSS: I am concerned about a anything about her own electorate, she would number of statements made in recent days by know that the problem even extends to places Senator Reynolds and a number of other such as the Sunshine Coast. One would Queensland Federal members. I want to expect that an area such as that would attract assure members that those comments by medical specialists. Senator Reynolds are unreliable or inaccurate It has always been difficult to attract in certain respects. The first point that needs medical specialists to centres outside to be made is that Senator Reynolds and her Brisbane, but this Government is working as colleagues made much of the point that the hard as it can to remedy that problem. We are Queensland Government had not entered into offering a very competitive salary for direct negotiations with the Wik people. I find specialists in rural areas. We also offer those that claim somewhat amazing, given that the specialists the right of private practice. This Federal Government is also a defendant in Government operates under a series of these proceedings. When I inquired of options—options A and B—which give a Commonwealth officials as to whether the specialist in a provincial hospital the chance to Commonwealth Government was negotiating hand over his Medicare provider number in with the Wik people, I was told that the order to ensure that his salary is increased by Commonwealth Government was not 22.5 per cent. We offer those incentives to negotiating directly at all. I believe that the full-time specialists in areas outside kindest thing one could say about Senator Brisbane—and in Brisbane. But the difficulty is Reynolds’ comments is that they are the supply of those specialists. Throughout inconsistent. Queensland, this Government has developed Legislative Assembly 3837 25 August 1993

On a number of occasions, on behalf of Mr LIVINGSTONE: In directing a question the Queensland Government, I have indicated to the Minister for Primary Industries, I refer to publicly—and have written to the Wik people’s comments by the member for Beaudesert lawyers—that we are open to discussions, if concerning departmental advice provided to that is what they wish. It should also be placed property owners about seeking indemnity from on the record that the lawyers for the Wik the possibility of native title land claims in people have written to the Queensland respect of licences to pump from boundary Government and made it plain that we should watercourses and to extract sand and gravel not talk directly to the Wik people; that we from watercourses, and I ask: can the Minister should talk to their lawyers. inform the House of the status of such claims? The latest position in relation to Mr CASEY: I thank the honourable negotiation is that the Commonwealth member for his question, because it allows me Government has indicated to us that it is keen to clear up this matter in the proper way and to see direct discussions occur, if that is not in the disjointed way that the member for possible. Consistent with previous statements, Beaudesert usually tries to do things. It is true we have indicated agreement that that should that some well-meaning—— occur. That is reflected in the most recent Mr Stoneman interjected. statement issued by the Prime Minister. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I suggest to the In relation to some of the general and member for Burdekin that he not divert the uninformed criticisms by Senator Reynolds as Minister. to the course of action that the Queensland Government is proposing, and in respect of Mr CASEY: It is true that in recent days her criticisms of that course of action—what some well-meaning and perhaps well- the Queensland Government sought in intentioned officers of my department in the respect of the Weipa situation is exactly what south-east region did send out letters to the Prime Minister and the Federal Cabinet various riparian landowners and other people had already agreed to support for the with water licences in that area relating to the McArthur River mine in the Northern Territory, future of water licences, indemnities and such namely, validation of the title, securing the title matters. Unfortunately, before they took such from any legal challenge—which I presume action they did not check with the regional includes any sort of Wik challenge—and director as to whether this ought to be done. allowing a right of compensation if a native They certainly did not check with the Minister’s title claim is subsequently successfully office about Government policy on this established. So the criticism that was levied at particular matter. As soon as the matter was the State Government in relation to the course discovered late last week and referred to me, of action that it was proposing related to a the regional director of that particular region course of action that had already been took the necessary action to redress this supported and adopted by the Federal situation. Government. Once again, Senator Reynolds’ I point out to Opposition members that it comments were quite inconsistent and quite is well known that matters of concern to our uninformed. community in relation to the Mabo High Court As to the point that Senator Reynolds decision are being handled very well by the made in that public statement issued, I think, Premier of this State for and on behalf of the on about 19 August, and again this week in Government of this State. It is true that today, relation to direct negotiations—Senator in his ministerial statement, the Premier gave Reynolds made that statement three days a very good explanation to the people of after I had written to her pointing out that the Queensland about where we are going. It is Commonwealth was not engaging in equally true to say that, today, the regional negotiations. I repeat that our approach was director of the south-east region of the always for validation of title for third parties, Department of Primary Industries will also be but complemented by a racially non- sending out a letter to all of those people discriminatory approach, which is exactly what which will state precisely that the department Senator Reynolds’ Federal Government—of will not be seeking any form of indemnities which I presume she is still a part—had with regard to water licences, and that already done. We would ask for nothing more waterworks licences and permits will be dealt nor less than that. with by the Department of Primary Industries in the same manner as they always have been in the past. Mabo 25 August 1993 3838 Legislative Assembly

Medicare Agreement Victoria and New South Wales have a very low Dr WATSON: I direct my first question to share of public bed days. In other words, the Minister for Health. Yesterday, during within their public hospitals, they have a question time, and in other statements, the considerable number of private patients. Minister indicated that he signed the Medicare Personally, I do not have any objection to agreement on behalf of Queensland. States doing side deals with the However, according to the State Treasurer, Mr Commonwealth. But the effect of that side De Lacy, Queensland has been deal cost Queensland $42m. I object to the disadvantaged by the early signing of that way in which the Commonwealth then decided agreement. I ask: if that is in fact the case, how it was going to distribute the money why did the Minister sign it? under the financial assistance grants, because once it did the side deal with Victoria and New Mr HAYWARD: This is an interesting South Wales, it took the amount of the side place, is it not? When the first comments were deal, then lopped it off the top of the financial made about the signing of the Medicare assistance grants. My view is that if they are agreement, the shadow Minister for Health going to do side deals, they should be said that the Premier and I should resign. financed separately from the financial Subsequently, on advice from the assistance grants. Queensland Nurses Union, he has been going around saying that we are getting an extra The honourable member asked: why did $129m. Therefore, why do we not have we sign the agreement? Why does he not ring $129m extra? up his colleagues in Western Australia, because they signed the agreement four Let me make it clear to all members how weeks before the Premiers Conference. That the Medicare agreement operates. The was after the Federal election. I met with the agreement for the 1992 year brought in an Health Minister in Western Australia, and he amount of approximately $668m. The had the same problem. As I said, quite simply, agreement for the 1993-94 year brings in an the effect of the side deal is to neutralise any amount of $797m. So the member is quite of the gains made in the transfer of the health correct in that there is an increase of $129m. relativities from the financial assistance grants The strength of the Medicare agreement to the extent—— is that it guarantees medical services on the Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Minister is basis of clinical priority; in other words, how debating the question. I ask him to conclude. sick people are. However, the agreement divides the distribution of money into three Mr HAYWARD: I conclude by saying that, areas: the specific grant, Pool A and Pool B. to the extent that there will be extra money Pool A recognises the existing share of public coming through under the Medicare bed days that currently occur within agreement, it should be recognised that there Queensland Health. In fact, Queensland will has been an increase in the Medicare levy. receive the maximum amount of money under That Medicare levy will raise an additional Pool A because it has the highest level of $300m nationally. On that basis, if one public bed days of any State in Australia. apportions Queensland’s share, that is roughly Secondly, Pool B rewards the States for effort. $50m. We will certainly get an increase, but It rewards the States for an increase in the that is reflected directly upon the increase in share of public bed days. the share that we receive under the increase in the Medicare levy. When we signed the Medicare agreement, the first thing that was made very clear to us was that the health relativities that Medicare Agreement were previously included within the financial Dr WATSON: I am pleased that the assistance grants would be transferred from Minister for Health has such a detailed the financial assistance grants across to the knowledge. I refer him to the Treasurer’s Medicare hospital funding agreement. In other Interim Budget Statement, which was tabled words, by signing the Medicare agreement, in this House on 13 July, in which he the $33m that previously came to the State indicates—and which he has confirmed—that under the financial assistance grants would as part of the alleged $115m shortfall in come via that agreement. That meant that if Commonwealth funding, Queensland will we did not sign the agreement we would not suffer $42m of it as a result of the Medicare get the $33m, because it was made clear that deal struck by the Commonwealth with New the health relativities were gone. South Wales and Victoria. I also refer him to However, a side deal was done with the statement published by the Federal Victoria and New South Wales, because Legislative Assembly 3839 25 August 1993

Treasurer at the conclusion of the Premiers Mr HAYWARD: I thank the honourable Conference in which he states— member very much for his acknowledgment of “After a very long discussion it was my detailed knowledge of the Medicare agreed that New South Wales and agreement. I have certainly had a fair bit to do Victoria will receive general revenue with it. Let me make the point that the issue is assistance in 1993-94 at levels that meet about the $42m, and there can be no their interpretation of the guarantees. The argument about the amount of $42m that Commonwealth will bear the additional came forward, which was a cost to $109m cost beyond the initial offer of Queensland. meeting these guarantees in 1993-94. Dr Watson interjected. The result for the smaller States is that Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for their FAGs have been reduced by lesser Moggill! amounts than they were given to expect by the signing of the Medicare Mr HAYWARD: It was a cost to agreement and which were more than Queensland for removing the total amount offset by the increased health funding from the financial assistance grants. To be outside the FAGs.” absolutely frank about it—what happens at the Premiers Conference is a separate issue As the Minister is responsible for when it comes to the matter of financial implementing the Medicare agreement in assistance grants. It is not something that is Queensland, I ask: can he inform the House necessarily tied up in the Medicare system. In which Treasurer is telling the truth and which simple terms, this is probably a matter that Treasurer is lying? should be directed to the Treasurer. But let Mr HAYWARD: I am not sure that me make the point that there is no getting anyone in this place could possibly away from what happened and what the understand what the question was about. concern is. There is no argument about it: nobody sitting Honourable members interjected. on the Opposition frontbench would have a clue about the question that the member Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Treasurer and asked. There is no possibility of that. Let me the member for Crows Nest! The member for make it really clear. If I recall, the question Crows Nest has already been warned. concerned the funding of the side deal made Mr HAYWARD: The concern that was by Victoria and New South Wales with the clearly expressed by the Premier and the Commonwealth. Treasurer when they returned from the Dr Watson: It was funded directly by the Premiers Conference was the side deal and Commonwealth. the fact that instead of funding it separately, what happened was that, to the extent it cost Mr HAYWARD: The point about that was Queensland $42m, it was funded by taking the amount—— the money from the financial assistance Dr Watson interjected. grants. That is an unfortunate circumstance, Mr HAYWARD: I do not want to get into and it is wrong, I believe, to link the Medicare that. agreement with the financial assistance grants. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The problem is, I guess, that if it was a simple question, the member would be able to get an answer. I Queensland Ports must admit that those questions ought to be Mr BEATTIE: I ask the Minister for placed on the notice paper, because they Transport and Minister Assisting the Premier really take a lot of following. Can I suggest to on Economic and Trade Development: as the honourable member for Moggill that he ports are vital to the success of our exports place the question on the notice paper? and are an accurate barometer of the health Dr WATSON: Mr Speaker—— of the economy, what trade growth has Mr SPEAKER: Order! occurred in Queensland ports since our reform program began in 1989? Dr WATSON: Mr Speaker, I seek your indulgence. I would have done so, but the Mr HAMILL: This is a very important issue Minister displayed such a detailed knowledge for a State such as Queensland which relies of the Medicare agreement when answering so heavily upon export industries. It is very the previous question that I thought he could pleasing to acknowledge the efforts of our have answered this one. regional ports and, of course, the port of Brisbane in developing export growth for 25 August 1993 3840 Legislative Assembly

Queensland. In the period referred to by the ports are pulling along with the Queensland honourable member, there has been some 10 economy—leading the nation. per cent increase in the total trade through our ports. If we look around our ports and see the substantial improvements that have occurred Road Funding in the last 12 months, we get a further clear Mr BEATTIE: In directing a question to indication of the strength of Queensland’s the Minister for Transport and Minister economy. Assisting the Premier on Economic and Trade Take, for example, the port of Brisbane, Development, I note recent comments made which over the last 12 months has seen a 6.7 by the Leader of the Opposition concerning per cent increase in container traffic. In other the State’s road network, and I ask: what is words, over the last four years, container traffic the Government’s policy with regard to road through the port of Brisbane has grown by funding in Queensland? some 47 per cent, while other capital city ports Mr HAMILL: In the financial year just in Australia have gone backwards. I well concluded, we had a record roads budget. remember the denigration from the Opposition Some $760m was spent in constructing, in this place when our reform process reconstructing and maintaining the State’s regarding port administration was put into road network. Very significantly, that place and when members of the Opposition generated some 15 000 jobs in Queensland— claimed that we were undermining productivity a clear demonstration of this Government’s improvements in our port authorities. The commitment to job creation in this State and example of the port of Brisbane is a clear to using the resources of the public sector not demonstration of the success of our program. only to benefit job creation but also to put in Today, the port of Brisbane is handling 21.6 place lasting infrastructure. While it is sad to containers per crane per hour. That see that the significant additional funding productivity is greater than that of the port of which came through One Nation will no longer Hong Kong and compares very favourably be with us this year, this Government’s policy with the port of Singapore. of working closely with local government to Container growth through the port of achieve greater gains in productivity through Brisbane last year exceeded some 215 000 our road program is working and paying containers. The port of Townsville recorded its dividends. Last year, our road reform program sixth record year in a row, with some 15 per generated some $52m worth of additional cent improvement in its trade but, significantly, roads. a dramatic reduction in the turnaround time for Mr Hobbs: It will be less this year. shipping in the port—again, another significant Mr HAMILL: I take the interjection from productivity improvement. At the port of the ill-informed member for Warrego because, Mackay, trade increased by over 18 per cent, this year, our road reform program will with a 40 per cent improvement in port generate $90m worth of additional roads for productivity, a 10 per cent reduction in the taxpayers and the motorists of turnaround time for shipping, and a 30 per Queensland. That is the road reform program cent improvement in productivity in which we are working so closely with local stevedoring. In Cairns, trade was up by 24 per authorities to achieve. cent, and that port is also seeing a significant increase in the number of cruise ships, which, Mr Borbidge: Put it in writing! of course, is adding to the tourism growth of Mr SPEAKER: Order! far-north Queensland. The port of Bundaberg Mr HAMILL: We have put it in writing. We also saw substantial trade growth. have signed a protocol with the Local These improvements are taking place not Government Association whereby we are only in Queensland’s regional port authorities. jointly committed to the realisation of those It is worth while the House taking notice of the productivity gains. I think that it is worth while substantial investment that is taking place in comparing our approach to driving ports such as Brisbane, Townsville and, of Queensland’s road dollar further with the course, Dalrymple Bay, which is seeing approach taken by the National Party when it Queensland’s export potential realised. The was in Government. At a time when the House should also note that only a few weeks former National Party Government was facing ago, a record coal shipment went from the difficult budgetary responsibilities with respect Dalrymple Bay port. Some 202 000 tonnes of to its roads budget, what was its answer? It Queensland coal from the one mine was can be seen in nine pages of the Queensland exported through Dalrymple Bay, which was a Government Gazette published on Saturday, world record. All this just goes to show that our 27 June 1987. When one reads through Legislative Assembly 3841 25 August 1993 those nine pages of the National Party’s received notification from the Criminal Justice response to limited road funding in this State, Commission earlier this week that there were one can understand that what the National no grounds for suspicion of criminality on the Party did at that time was transfer 345 State part of Mr Coughlan, the former chief roads onto the shoulders of local authorities to executive of the Queensland Principal Club. fund, to maintain, and to build. We will not Let me make the point very clearly that it was follow the track of the National Party. We will never, ever at any time suggested by me as not abrogate our responsibilities to the people the Minister responsible for racing or by any of Queensland. We are working with local member of this Government that that was the government to deliver a road program which case. will mean substantial gains for the Queensland community. Mr Veivers: Did I say that? I didn’t say that in the question. Mr GIBBS: No, I admit that the Education Minister’s Media Comments honourable member did not say that. Mr VEIVERS: In directing a question to However, there was never, ever any the Minister for Education, I point out that suggestion by the Government to that effect. yesterday he advised the media of the The honourable member would be well aware difference between “cuts” and “internal that under the requirements of the Criminal adjustments” within his department, with the Justice Commission legislation, in my position help of his wife. I ask: how will he convey to as the responsible Minister, if matters are over 500 secondary school teachers brought to my attention, which they were by throughout Queensland, who do not have a the report that was furnished to me by the job and who are losing their livelihoods, that Auditor-General, which suggested that that is the result of his definition of “cuts” or perhaps some malpractices had occurred, that “internal adjustments”? I have a responsibility to send that report to the CJC, which I did as required under the Mr COMBEN: There are no 500 teachers legislation. in Queensland who will not have a job on 1 January or on the first day of term next year. Having made that point, there is a point Any change at all will occur by natural attrition. that the honourable member clearly misses. The figure itself is considerably less than that. The Queensland Principal Club as a body There are no redundancies, no sackings. As made a decision that it was unhappy with the to the rest of the question—I advise the administration financially of both the previous honourable member to look at his own party’s chairman and Mr Coughlan. That is a decision record. that the club made. The honourable member would be aware that it carried a vote on that basis of ten votes to one, with five people Mr J. Coughlan leaving the meeting. In other words, some people had the numbers and others simply Mr VEIVERS: I ask the Minister for did not. Ten votes to one is a fairly conclusive Tourism, Sport and Racing: now that the vote in anybody’s language. Criminal Justice Commission has cleared the former executive officer of the Queensland The Queensland Principal Club believed Principal Club, Mr John Coughlan, will he now that the chairman should be removed. After a have Mr Coughlan reinstated in his former hearing of some three-quarters of an hour—it position, together with a full apology, may have been longer—and Mr Coughlan’s particularly in view of the financial implications putting forward a case to the QPC, it was involving his wrongful dismissal? decided that his services should be dispensed with. That is the situation. In short, no, I will Mr GIBBS: No, most assuredly not. As not interfere and take any action whatsoever the honourable member is aware—because to have Mr Coughlan reinstated. he so often asks questions on this subject—it is not the role of the Government to interfere State Budget at that level of administration of the racing Mr T. B. SULLIVAN: In directing a industry. The fact is that I—— question to the Treasurer, I refer to comments Mr Borbidge: You wouldn’t do that, by the Victorian Treasurer, Mr Stockdale, as would you—you wouldn’t interfere? reported in the Australian Financial Review of 24 August that the Victorian State Budget will Mr GIBBS: Does the honourable member include $750m in cuts, and I ask: can he give want the answer or does he want me to sit the people of Queensland an assurance that down? He can please himself; it is his choice. I 25 August 1993 3842 Legislative Assembly he will not go down the path of the Liberal I ask: why did the Minister’s department help Treasurer from Victoria in the State Budget sponsor that event and of what benefit, if any, that he will present here next week? will that conference be to Queensland? Mr Stephan interjected. Mr ELDER: It was a very important Mr De LACY: That is a tough interjection. conference for those young people, and I I can give a categoric assurance that the commend the initiative of the Australian Queensland Government will not go down the Computer Society, the ABC, the Queensland Victorian track in any way, shape or form. tertiary and training institutions that were People can name whatever Victorian track involved with it, and my department for their they like. If people are talking about the high- sponsorship. It gave an opportunity for those taxing, high-debt track—the Government will students in Years 11 and 12 to consider not go down that one. If they are talking about information technology as a career prospect the Budget carnage track that Victoria is and to have an opportunity to listen and learn currently going down—the Government will not about what is a very important global industry. go down that one, either. The State Government has certainly The comment to which the honourable recognised it as a growth industry. In 1991, member referred was in yesterday’s Australian the Government initiated an information Financial Review, which stated— technology strategic plan with the private sector of the Queensland IT industry to enable “. . . Stockdale is preparing for the after- it to develop and grow and take advantage of shocks of his April statement. With $750 opportunities in the Queensland economy million to be cut from Victorian spending, over the next decade. Not only is IT an Stockdale confirmed for the first time that important industry in its own right but it is also the coming summer would see the important as an enabling industry for those heaviest hits to schools and hospitals. sophisticated manufacturers that we spoke ‘I think health will be (cut) about earlier—those growth industries, the progressively, probably a larger small and medium-sized manufacturers in this concentration in the first half of the year State. than is the case with education,’ he said. The Government committed some $6m ‘Education, obviously, has to work on a to the development of that strategic plan. One school-year basis. And whilst it’s not of the key initiatives was the formation of an possible to deliver everything at once, Information Industries Board. In a very short obviously there’ll be a concentration period, that board has made some significant around the end of the calendar year . . . advancements in the development of that in education.’ ” industry. An IT export centre has been It is instructive for all members to think established to assist Queensland firms about that. That Government is cutting $750m develop their export markets. Three years out of eduction and health in Victoria. I might ago, four companies of this type existed, and say that at the Premiers Conference that now some 50 companies are exporting their Government received an increase in products and their services overseas. Commonwealth Government funds of more The Government has also set up a than $200m. That ought to put into working group which is seeking to attract large perspective the kinds of savings that were information and telecommunication technology announced by this Government at the Cairns companies to Queensland. As well, in relation Cabinet meeting. We need to find something to career graduates—the Government has put like $115m worth of savings in response to the in place a graduate scheme that will help to cutbacks that were imposed on us by the find job opportunities with those companies Commonwealth Government. Victoria, on the that are in the export market. It will be other hand, is cutting $750m out of health targeted towards IT graduates who have multi- and education. Members opposite ought to lingual, cultural and business skills that are think about that. applicable to those types of companies. Information Technology Conference A number of other initiatives are in place, Mr T. B. SULLIVAN: I direct a question to but it would be fair to say that the Government the Minister for Business, Industry and sees a valuable opportunity here in Regional Development. The Department of information technology—an industry that for Business, Industry and Regional Development too long had not been recognised for the recently was one of the sponsors of the high contribution to the economy that it could make school students information technology in its own right. As I said before, it is enabling conference held earlier this month in Brisbane. the industry to take advantage of significant Legislative Assembly 3843 25 August 1993 opportunities. The member for Chermside can now dropped to 12 a year. Due to the flexibility rest assured that this Government will in the new formula, it receives the same continue to provide that support to the amount of money for 12 race meetings as it industry. received for 52 race meetings. This has enabled the club to use the additional money to alleviate that debt. It has reduced the debt Mr B. Smith by some $50,000. With its present trading Mr BEANLAND: I ask the Minister for position, I believe that within the next 12 Justice and Attorney-General: did the Director- months it will not only be a profitable club but General of the Department of Justice and will probably be holding more than 12 race Attorney-General, Mr Barry Smith, submit his meetings a year. resignation earlier this year? If so, firstly, what I would like to take the opportunity of reasons did he give for resigning; and, expressing my thanks not only to the racing secondly, was the resignation rejected by the industry but also to the Gladstone City Premier and subsequently withdrawn after the Council, the trust and the Gladstone Harbour Premier intervened on the side of the Director- Board, which have supported the club. Of General? course, it goes without saying that the Mr WELLS: The answer to the question member for Gladstone, Mr Bennett, has been is, “No.” The detailed parts of the question, if very much involved in the restructuring of the the honourable member would like, I will write club. He has worked very hard in pulling the to him about. members of the community together. I think it Mr FitzGerald: Did he resign? is acknowledged in Gladstone that he has been one of the saviours of the club, and I Mr WELLS: No. With respect to parts 2 think he deserves recognition for that. and 3, I shall write to the honourable member. Mr DAVIES having given notice of a question— Queensland Principal Club Mr SPEAKER: Order! Members are Mr BENNETT: I ask the Minister for obliged to indicate the Minister to whom their Tourism, Sport and Racing: in the light of questions are directed. I will accept questions recent media reports that the Capricorn on notice, but when members place questions Racing Association has indicated that the on notice, I ask that they indicate the relevant Gladstone Turf Club has worked through its Minister to whom they are directed. I accept financial difficulties, can he inform the House the questions upon notice, but I ask the of the state of the club? honourable member to inform the House to Mr GIBBS: The state of the Gladstone which Minister they are directed. Race Club is improving daily. It was a club Order! The time allotted for questions has which found itself in severe problems a couple now expired. of years ago. In 1991, as a result of representations from the member for Port Curtis, the Government gave something like MATTER OF SPECIAL PUBLIC $282,000 to the club for establishment costs IMPORTANCE to cover the construction of a covered ring for Health patrons. Unfortunately, due to some lack of Mr SPEAKER: Order! Honourable expertise, the club overran its budget by members, I advise the House that I have something like $75,000. As a result, it was received two proposals for a Special Public unable to pay its creditors. The Queensland Importance debate pursuant to the Sessional Principal Club then appointed an administrator Order agreed to by the House on 5 November to the club. Since then, some dramatic 1992. The proposal submitted by the changes have taken place in terms of financial Honourable the Minister for Health is for a arrangements. The greatest assistance to it debate on the following matter— has been the fact that this Government changed the TAB distribution formula and “Achievements of the Government in based that formula on what clubs were doing the Health Portfolio over the last four in 1991-92. years—in particular, the establishment of a regionalised system of health care In 1991-92, the club was in fact holding delivery, the introduction of better 52 race meetings a year. Quite frankly, one conditions for nurses, 100 per cent would have to question seriously the quality of increase in Capital Works funding, and those race meetings at that stage. The significant increases in recurrent number of race meetings held by the club has expenditure to meet the needs of health 25 August 1993 3844 Legislative Assembly

service delivery to Queensland’s growing health care providers in the State, population.” Queensland nurses will now be able to take a Mrs EDMOND (Mount Coot-tha) leading role on the national stage. The new (4.05 p.m.): I rise to support the subject of Nursing Act will clear the way for Queensland discussion. Let me say at the outset that to have a say in the developing national Queensland Health has a substantial track approach to nursing. The Queensland Nursing record in advancing nursing achievements Council is set to be a member of the since 1989. This Government recognises Australian Nursing Council which will be nurses as professionals who are participants in looking at a national code of conduct and the the planning and delivery of better health mutual recognition process. These services in Queensland. No longer are nurses achievements reflect the Government’s seen as just the handmaidens of doctors to commitment to nursing in Queensland. do as they are told without any input into One area of some contention has been those health services. I am pleased that the the 38-hour week for nurses. The member for Government has already fulfilled its other Toowoomba South made much yesterday of major commitment to Queensland nurses for the Government’s election commitment to wage justice at a cost of $100m per year. introduce a 38-hour week for Queensland Over the past three years, much has nurses who are the only nurses in Australia happened to the nursing profession in working a 40-hour week. He scoffed at the Queensland. Not only have 2 000 more Government’s efforts to introduce this nurses been employed, but nurses working for workplace reform in a fiscally responsible the Government now receive professional pay manner. I am sure the taxpayers of and have an improved career structure. The Queensland would not share his blithe, salary of enrolled nurses has been increased cavalier dismissal of his estimated cost of by between $25 and $55 a week. $20m. The fact is the implementation of the 38-hour week would cost between $28m and Members opposite downplay the $40m every year. This is not a one-off, a mere importance of recognising nursing skills and bagatelle. This is an increasing recurrent cost this improvement to their salary. They talk which would need to be met each year by the about a waste of money in Government taxpayers of Queensland. spending on health and the black hole into which these increases have disappeared. Whilst members of the Opposition They constantly downgrade the importance of dismiss the increase in nurses’ pay, they insist recognising the nurses’ professionalism, the on this measure being introduced regardless role they play and the importance of of cost to the community. What hypocrisy! The encouraging their careers. Nurse education is Government acknowledges the inequity of now done at tertiary institutions throughout the Queensland nurses being the only nurses in State. These changes were made to enhance Australia working a 40-hour week. It is happy both the professionalism of nursing practice to introduce the 38-hour week for nurses as and the career prospects of nurses in long as that introduction is cost neutral. Queensland. However, in the present economic climate, it must be realised that the Government cannot In addition, changes to the legislation introduce it unless we have offsetting which governs the profession were made by increases in services and productivities. This is the introduction of the new Nursing Act last responsible management. The taxpayers of year, establishing the Queensland Nursing Queensland deserve the best use of their Council. The council consists of 11 nurses, a health dollars. Members opposite do not worry consumer, a lawyer and the executive officer about being accountable because they are in on the council. It is now responsible for the opposition. They do not have to be regulation of nurse education and practice in responsible. They can make any wild claim Queensland. Nurses now have control over and any wild promise they wish with the their own education and career. taxpayers’ funds. Nurses are one of the most valuable The Interim Budget Statement released assets in any health care system. at the regional Cabinet meeting in Cairns Consequently, we have implemented the identified five areas where Queensland’s Queensland Executive Development Program health must find savings of $20m in the next to prepare nurses for executive level career financial year. One of these areas was fine- positions. This means that nurses can now tuning the nursing career structure. In the look for promotion in parts of the health current financial year, the Government is service which were in the past denied to them. seeking savings of $5m by reducing As well as taking their place in the forefront of management overheads and looking at Legislative Assembly 3845 25 August 1993 rationalisation of some administrative positions implemented the first national mental health on the current staffing profiles of the nurses’ policy; it has introduced quality assurance for career structure. our public health services; and, for the first It is the Government’s view that the time, it has implemented the accreditation of nurses’ career structure is top heavy in our public hospitals. Those are the sorts of management at the same time as more issues which concern the majority of health nurses are needed for direct clinical services in care professionals in Queensland. the growing areas in the State. That is a view I turn to the health of indigenous people. that has been repeated to me quite frequently Earlier this year, I accompanied the Minister by practising clinical nurses. Once again, it is on an inspection tour of some of the remote responsible management to look at Aboriginal communities. I could not stop being addressing that concern held by nurses embarrassed and apologising for being a themselves. The Government is committed Queenslander and tolerating the dreadful first and foremost to directing the health-care health facilities provided to those people. The dollar to patient care. On one hand, the facilities were disgusting. Members opposite Opposition claims that there is an should cringe. One would not examine a dog overburgeoning bureaucracy and too much in those fibro shacks, let alone human beings. administration. However, the instant the It is an absolute joke for members opposite to Government tries to do something about it claim that they had the health of those people and to look at those concerns, the Opposition at heart. I want Mike Horan, the Opposition says, “You are cutting the nurses”, and makes spokesperson on Health, to be examined in wild allegations. The efficiency savings the health unit at Umagico, which has holes in identified in the interim Budget statement are the fibro walls. I challenge him to then tell me aimed at meeting the challenge of running an how proud he is to be a member of the effective and cost-efficient public health Government that allowed those conditions to system without affecting patient care. prevail. Another issue that has been raised by I am so pleased that some of the first members opposite is nurses’ board and funding that this Government is providing in lodging and the debate between the the new program for improving health facilities Government and the unions about whether around Queensland will be in those remote nurses should be charged the same rate as communities. That will demonstrate that we every other professional person in the regional really do care about the health of those health authority for board and lodging. It is a minority groups in remote areas. That matter for the unions to decide whether that is attention is well overdue. It is outrageous that acceptable. If it is not acceptable to the any Opposition member should criticise this unions, it will not be acceptable to the Government for what it is doing in health, Government. But the matter is being debated when the former Government allowed that to in a responsible manner. go on. There are more important issues to Shortness of time does not allow me to consider. The Opposition keeps getting mention all of the many things that I wanted bogged down in the odd anomaly without to talk about in this debate. I particularly looking at the exciting developments in wanted to talk about the increased usage of Health. Opposition members indulge in the Queensland health system. We have anecdotes and empty rhetoric put to them by seen a 40 per cent increase in operations their mates in the AMA and the odd private since 1985-86 and a 12 per cent decrease in doctor pushing his own barrow. They have the length of stay in hospital. That, of course, demonstrated abject inability to grasp the real makes the utilisation of the health services reforms that have been taking place in the more expensive. I have offered to explain that Queensland health system and ignoring the to the member opposite. substantial developments in policy and Time expired. patient-care strategies by Queensland Health in just under four years. Mr HORAN (Toowoomba South) (4.15 p.m.): The Goss Government has just Queensland Health now has a primary admitted its failure in health. Using the oldest health care policy. It advocates a consumer trick in the book, it has brought on this debate focus. What a strange idea—letting patients to shore up the support of the disgruntled actually have some input into health care! back bench; to cover up the editorials and Queensland Health has trialled diagnostic newspaper articles appearing throughout the related group management and case mix State, which are asking what is happening to funding for public hospitals; it has our health system; and to cover up the 25 August 1993 3846 Legislative Assembly seething discontent among the staff in particularly in the areas of planning, but it has Queensland hospitals and throughout the failed and become a financially embarrassing community. Labor’s disastrous white elephant crushing the enthusiasm, mismanagement of Health has become the initiative and drive out of our health system. It talking point of this State, as the bumbling is just part of a socialist plan to control health Minister struggles with a hopeless policy and for reasons of political power and influence, with inexperienced non-Queensland advice. not for the good of patients, for the This debate is not about achievements; it is professional pride of staff or for providing about the failure of the Goss Government to service for money for taxpayers. give to Queenslanders the basic health Regionalisation has given cumbersome services that they had come to expect. It is management, lack of community input, about turning the whole health system upside- professional disenchantment, less service down to give it a bureaucratic, dictatorial, delivery, more cost, more wasted time and duplicated and unwieldy system of reduced hospital services. It has failed. It has management at enormous financial and threatened doctors and staff with disciplinary human cost. action for speaking to Opposition members of Regionalisation saw a change from a Parliament or the media, but it has failed to system of a head office and 59 decentralised stop the flow of discontent; hence the debate community health boards to a system of a today about where all the money has gone. head office—still with hundreds of highly paid Nowhere has the failure of the Goss staff—and 13 regional health authorities or Government been more evident than in its mini Health Departments. We have 13 treacherous attitude to the nursing profession. directors and deputy directors, advisers, policy Queensland Health, the Minister and planners, industrial relations research officers, especially the Labor members of this House public relations staff, and so on. Every region think that because the new nurses’ award and produces its own glossy publication. Every career structure came in under them, they region has a number of health sectors with now have a gold pass to treat nurses like a executive officers. Every region has meetings, doormat. Nurses no longer warrant any reviews and committees. The Minister is kept consultation by or consideration from Labor. away from the media as anonymous Consider the career structure review. First, spokespersons answer media queries. Cars there was a statement by the Treasurer that drive all over the State to meetings and the career structure review was going to be reviews. Hospitals are overwhelmed with implemented before it was finished. The requests for statistics, plans, efficiency Treasurer announced that; then the Minister reviews, equal employment opportunity audits followed suit. Then followed two meetings with and staff audits—anything except getting the Minister for Employment and Industrial down to the business of providing the real Relations and the Health Minister. At the first basic services. meeting, they did not even know where the What does all this cost? How many cuts were going to be, what hospitals they millions of precious health dollars are being were going to be at and how they were going spent on this middle-level bureaucracy with to occur. It was a waste of time. They had to high wages, cars, lavish offices and come back and do it all again. They totally interminable requests for more reviews? Every pre-empted a career structure review which hospital in Queensland has had 1.5 per cent was under way, and to which the Nurses of its budget siphoned off for regional Union was making a contribution, and forced initiatives. Queensland Health could not even them to take away their research officer. There pay for its own bureaucracy. Regionalisation was no consultation whatsoever. was meant to take decision making and Consider also the 38-hour week, about planning out to the people, but it has failed which the member for Mount Coot-tha spoke and become 13 health departments each with earlier. Labor promised that it would be its own agenda and a determination to brought in under cost minimisation, which interfere, dominate and control all that meant that there would be some contribution happens in its area. by the nursing profession to different Ask any honest hospital administrator, workplace arrangements and a contribution by director of nursing or medical superintendent the Government. Now, the Government has what difference it would make if the regional done a total backflip and talks about health authority was not there. They will tell maximum cost minimisation or cost neutrality. you, “None at all, except that it might allow us Consider the nurses’ board and lodging. to get on with the job a bit better.” It was announced by regional directors that it Regionalisation had some potential, Legislative Assembly 3847 25 August 1993 would be increased from $47 to $187. There review by the PSMC, Treasury and the Office was a huge furore about that. Because of the of the Cabinet about which the Health furore and the work of the Opposition and the Department was refused any involvement? It Queensland Nurses Union, the Government is has been finished for almost two months. Has getting down to some consultation and talking the Minister seen the result of that review? Will about $65-plus under a zonal system. he tell the House what it contains? Does it Consider the lack of understanding by the show where the money has gone? Government with regard to the position of the Why are all the senior specialists executive officer of the Queensland Nursing resigning? Why are the visiting medical Council. No consideration at all was given to officers resigning from country hospitals? Why the fact that that person is a registered nurse. cannot regional Queenslanders obtain ear, Worst of all, consider the deplorable working nose and throat, urology and orthopaedic conditions of nurses as they struggle in services? Why are there 20 vacant hospitals that have been hit with unfunded anaesthetic positions in Queensland wage rises. Their roster systems have been hospitals? Why are highly respected senior cut, and they are working overtime and not medical staff resigning and pleading that the taking sick leave. They will do anything to stay clinical situation is so bad they cannot there, because they know that their position guarantee the quality of care or bear it on their will not be covered. But $500m extra is in the consciences? Does the Minister ever take any system. Where has it gone? We see threats notice of the system collapsing around him? of cuts to the nurses’ career structure, to the Again, where has all the money gone? roster system and also to the hardworking I return to the waiting times. At the Royal domestic staff in the hospitals. Brisbane Hospital, the waiting time for ear, I turn to capital works. ABS figures show nose and throat treatment is seven months for that, in 1989-90, $53m was spent on outpatients and 18 months for operations. completed works; in 1990-91, $34m was The waiting time for eye treatment is three spent; and, in 1991-92, $18m was spent. The months for outpatients and up to 12 months value of work done was $47.3m, $28m and for operations. The waiting time for $54.3m. How can the Government say that it orthopaedic services is seven months for has doubled capital works expenditure? All we outpatients and up to two and a half years for have had is a promise of $150m a year for the operations. At the Princess Alexandra next 10 years, with $75m of that coming from Hospital, the waiting time for orthopaedic the tax on smokers. The Opposition agrees services is three months for outpatients and with extra spending, and it will make sure that up to two and a half years for operations. In the Government not only spends the money urology, the waiting time is four months for but also has the operational budget to staff outpatients and up to nine months for any of the new buildings that are constructed. operations. For eye treatment, the waiting In 1990, the then Health Minister said time is two months for outpatients and up to that funding for Queensland hospitals was six months for operations. But there is $500m $500m short—a half a million dollars less than extra in the system. Where has it all gone? the other States. Now the Health budget is Under the hopeless leadership of Minister more than $500m above the 1991 budget, Hayward, Queensland Health is a litany of and what do we have? We have patients failure and waste of public money. Half a waiting longer, an alarming exodus of senior billion dollars should have made it the best, experienced specialists, and fewer doctors in not the worst. There has been a vote of no the system. In 1991, the Health budget was confidence by nurses in the Minister, who $1.57 billion; in 1991-92, it was $2.003 billion; does not seem to have a clue about the and, in 1992-93, it was $2.088 billion—an profession and its needs. There have been increase of $517m, or 33 per cent. But where two Public Sector Management Commission has all the money gone? In 1989, the waiting reviews of health, and now a ministerial task time for a coronary artery bypass was 35 force, a review of pathology, a staff audit, a weeks; now it is 22 months. In 1989, the multiple efficiency review—and still the waiting waiting time for radiotherapy for cancer lists grow and doctors resign. Has the money patients was nil; now it is four weeks. In 1989, gone into those reviews? the waiting time for general surgical operations The Minister was snubbed by the at the Mater Hospital was five months; now it Treasurer and the Premier in the latest PSMC is 15 months. Where has all the money gone? review. He does not know if there will be 13 or Does this a half a billion dollars translate into 18 regions as a result of the review. He does health care and service? Where is the PSMC not know whether senior administrators will be review of the Minister’s department—that 25 August 1993 3848 Legislative Assembly sacked. He does not know how many nurses Some of those projects include new will be sacked or from which hospitals they will theatres at the Toowoomba General Hospital, be sacked to save the $5m announced by the which will have an all-up cost of $6.4m; Treasurer. development of a radiation oncology unit at The Minister attacks the nurses’ career Townsville at a total cost of $16.6m; and structure. There has been the fiasco of the development of a north Queensland cardiac Mater/QE II saga, all to cover up the lack of unit at a total cost of $5.7m. Other initiatives funds for Stage 2 of the Logan Hospital. We that have been undertaken include the have had a health system in limbo throughout development of the Rockhampton psychiatric July with no legally authorised regional health unit, which will have a total cost of $4.2m. authority committees. We have had the Other smaller refurbishment programs include disaster of last year’s unfunded wage rises, redevelopment of the Thursday Island and Queensland hospitals, the Blood Bank Hospital; Stage 2 of the redevelopment of the and psychiatric hospitals having to close Emerald Hospital, which has been much wards, cut elective surgery and freeze staff welcomed by the people of central and the purchase of equipment. We have had Queensland; and a major upgrade of safety a record allocation of $874m in specific health facilities at the Rockhampton Hospital. payments, an increase of 18.6 per cent from Mr Deputy Speaker, you will have noted the Commonwealth, yet the Minister plans to that many of the projects of which I have slash the career structure of nurses and spoken are outside the major population destroy the QE II Hospital. Well may centres. That is the way it should be. A large Queenslanders ask, “Where has the $500m slice of Queensland’s population lives outside gone?” the south-east corner and we are making sure Time expired. that the health services that are used by those people are upgraded along with everything Mr PEARCE (Fitzroy) (4.25 p.m.): It is my else. I guess that it is difficult for members of pleasure to speak in this important debate on the Opposition to acknowledge the the Goss Labor Government’s achievements achievements of this Government in the area in the provision of health services. Good of rural health. For a long time, they have quality health services are a major part of what claimed rural people as their natural the people of Queensland expect from constituents and have got away with a lot on Government in return for the taxes that they the pretence of serving rural people. pay. In provincial and rural centres, a solid Unfortunately for Opposition members, this health service plays an important part in Government is delivering a quality of health holding a community together. Quite naturally, service to rural communities that no people feel secure when they know that their conservative in Queensland could ever hope health needs can be met as close to home as to achieve. possible. This Government understands the expectations that Queenslanders have of their At the beginning of this year, the former health services and we are going about national president of the Rural Doctors making sure that those expectations continue Association said that under a Labor to be met. Government more had been achieved for rural health than ever before. What are some of During the last State election campaign, those achievements? Let me give some this Government made a commitment to the examples. Regionalisation of Queensland implementation of a 10-year $1.5 billion Health has allowed rural people local control of hospital rebuilding and re-equipping program their health services. That is very important. I which is to be financed from the increased have noticed the difference in rural tobacco products licence fee. This program is communities. Good examples of that are the the most important development in the recently opened community health centres in Queensland health system in more than 40 Goomeri and Kilkivan, which were initiated at years. It involves the expenditure of an the request of the local community and average of $150m each year for the next 10 funded by the regional health authority. years on health capital works, equipment purchases and super specialist services, and Another major initiative of this the development of effective primary health Government, which is designed to tackle the care strategies in support of the hospital problems associated with attracting medical sector. It represents an effective doubling of staff to rural communities, is the creation of the capital works budget for Health and, most rural health training units in Toowoomba, importantly, it is fully funded. Rockhampton and Townsville. For the first time in this State we have the capacity to train our health work force for the specific Legislative Assembly 3849 25 August 1993 requirements and demands of rural practice— of Brisbane was rural. They all stuck up their an important initiative. hands to go there, and expected to be Another initiative in the area of work force recompensed for their expenses. That is not training is the creation of the North what that scheme was designed for. The Queensland Clinical Medical School at scheme was being promoted as a means of Townsville. For the first time, students from a introducing students to rural and remote rural background will have the opportunity in a medical practice. Because a majority of provincial city to gain a medical education with Opposition members come from rural areas, a focus on rural practice. There is no doubt they should support that. But that was not that this will improve the retention of medical happening. This Government is determined practitioners in the bush. If they come from that such a focus should be the basis for the bush and they learn in the bush, they will funding the scheme. We have taken steps to go back and work in the bush and will stay in ensure that, in future, students who receive the bush. This Government is getting on with subsidies will undertake placements in the job of ensuring that future medical genuinely rural and remote areas. graduates have been provided with an I have suggested to the Minister for education which will equip them for the Health that he might consider the idea of diversity that comes with medical practice in a implementing a graded subsidy that provides rural centre. full reimbursement for students who undertake Prior to the election of the Goss training placements in rural and remote Government, people in rural communities had centres such as Boulia, which I regard as negligible access to the full range of allied genuinely rural. I believe that it is fair to health services that are taken for granted by provide a 100 per cent subsidy for students metropolitan residents. In the short time that who are willing to travel to genuine rural and this Government has been in charge of remote areas. Students who train in centres Health, it has managed to increase the on the coast would receive a lesser number of psychiatrists practising outside the reimbursement, and those who train in metropolitan area from 12 to 20—an increase metropolitan centres would pay their own of eight. This means that people in rural areas costs. That is a fairer way of doing things, and now have access to psychiatric services it encourages people to go out into country without having to make continual trips to areas and learn about rural medicine. The Brisbane. This Government is doing Minister has indicated that he will take on everything possible to further increase the board my suggestions. I am confident that number of psychiatrists practising in rural something akin to my proposal will be centres. Other allied health areas are also in implemented. short supply in rural centres. As a final comment on the achievements This Government has developed an allied of the Goss Labor Government in the health health training focus in rural health training at sector—I am pleased to note the cordial and Mackay. In addition to this, we have also productive relationship that the Minister and extended the Queensland Government’s this Government have with the Rural Doctors Student Scholarship Scheme to include Association of Queensland. On a couple of places for those wishing to study in the allied occasions, I have been present when the health sectors. Scholarship students will get a Minister has had discussions with the Rural good living allowance for the duration of their Doctors Association. It was really a pleasure studies. In return, Queensland Health will for me to witness the cooperation and depth retain the services of graduates as bonded of discussion that took place, because it employees who are able to work in rural showed me that the Minister is prepared to sit centres. down, talk, listen and do what he can to work in with rural doctors. Some members may have read of changes to the travel subsidy scheme as it As I have said previously, Opposition affects undergraduate medical students. members probably feel that groups such as Unfortunately, under previous administrations, the Rural Doctors Association are part of their the medical students travel subsidy scheme natural political supporters and critics of this had been allowed to deteriorate to the point at Government. This is no longer the case. This which students were receiving travel subsidies Government has been able to develop as recompense for undertaking training productive relationships with groups such as placements in holiday resorts. So when the the Rural Doctors Association because we are time came for them to go to a rural area, they doing a good job with health, and rural health considered that anywhere on the coast north in particular. I have noted a long list of projects and achievements that demonstrate the 25 August 1993 3850 Legislative Assembly quality of this Government’s health got a better deal, because they were not administration. The Government is getting naive enough to trust this Minister’s Socialist health right, and the people of Queensland Left mate. can be proud of what is being done. I assure When the deal was struck with New members of this House and the people of South Wales and Victoria, the New South Queensland that the Government will continue Wales Minister said, “We want it in writing. We to do so. want it signed by the Health Minister and the I turn now to the rebuilding of health Treasurer.” What did the Federal Government facilities in the cape region and the Torres do? It sent back a letter to Ron Phillips, the Strait region. This should be welcomed, New South Wales Minister for Health, signed particularly by the member for Cook. If all goes by Brian Howe. He sent it back and said, “No, as planned, over the next two years, every we want Dawkins’ signature on it, too.” They health facility north of Cairns, including staff did not agree to anything until they got accommodation, will be rebuilt. This comes on Dawkins’ and Brian Howe’s signatures on that top of a string of health centres that have document. They knew what they were dealing recently been completed on the outer islands with, and this Minister should have understood of the Torres Strait, and health centres which that, too. will be built before Christmas in the northern peninsula area. To top this off, we are also A Government member: A Liberal building and redeveloping community health Government. centres in places such as Pine Rivers, Dr WATSON: They were part of a Liberal Redlands and Yeppoon. Government, and they knew that they were Time expired. dealing with the Labor Government in the Dr WATSON (Moggill) (4.35 p.m.): It is a Commonwealth. They also knew that the pleasure to join in this debate on a motion Commonwealth Government was desperate moved by the Minister. The subject matter of to reach a deal, and they extracted the this debate contains a number of parts, and I greatest political benefit for their State that would like to address at least three of those they could. On the other hand, this Minister parts. The first part relates to recurrent and this Government decided to do the deal expenditure and the needs of health services for Queensland Labor rather than for in Queensland. The second part is the Queenslanders. increase in capital works funding. The third The second issue that I shall address is aspect that I shall try to deal with today is the capital funding. The Minister and the Labor issue of regionalisation. Party are wont to suggest that somehow they When addressing the issue of recurrent have saved the hospital system in funding, it is important to understand the Queensland. Let us look at their record. Part relationship between Federal funding and of the subject of discussion states that there State funding. Federal funding represents has been an increase in capital funding. That something like 30 per cent to 40 per cent of is included in the Budget papers, so I might as the cost of funding the health services of a well consider it. State. In that context, issues such as the In the former National Party Medicare agreement, which was raised today Government’s Budget for 1988-89, $77.5m during question time, are very important. was allocated to capital funding for public Earlier this year, the Minister went down south hospitals in this State. In the 1989-90 Budget, and signed a deal—— which was brought down during 1989—a Mr Hayward: It was in Brisbane. State election year— $57.8m was allocated to Dr WATSON: I am sorry. It was in capital works. The Labor Party made a great Brisbane. I remember that. The Minister deal of this at that time. signed a deal with his Socialist Left mate, Mr HAYWARD: Whose Budget was that? Brian Howe, which did Queensland in. The Dr WATSON: It was the National Party’s Minister knew that the Federal Government Budget. But what happened on the first was very anxious to reach a deal before the occasion that this Government got a chance Federal election. The Minister was also under to do something about capital funding and the pressure from Wayne Goss, because Wayne crisis in Queensland hospitals? What was its Goss and Queensland Labor wanted an first move? Would one expect it to be a election issue. The Minister sacrificed marginal increase? A significant increase? Of Queensland for the sake of a short-run course, the fact is that the Government cut it political deal. The relevant Ministers in New South Wales and Victoria held out, and they Legislative Assembly 3851 25 August 1993 to $38.5m, which is a drop of $20m, or a drop it simply increased taxes in a particular area— of 40 per cent—— certainly in what it might regard as a socially An honourable member interjected. responsible area—in order to fund hospitals. That was its response. Dr WATSON: I accept that interjection. It was overcapitalised. The Minister would not A Government member interjected. accept it, but at least one member is trying to Dr WATSON: I am just talking about the tell the truth. The Minister came into this Government’s hypocrisy. When it had the House and talked about the growth in capital chance, it cut funding. When it decided to funding for the hospitals in this State. The first increase funding, it increased taxes. That was thing that he did as part of the the only thing it could do. It could not manage Government—and I agree that he was not the the situation. In order to do anything, it simply Minister—— raises taxes. Mr McElligott interjected. I turn to the issue of regionalisation. Dr WATSON: The former Minister for When the former Minister for Health, Mr Health, the member for Thuringowa, is raising McElligott, introduced the concept of his hand. The first thing the Government did regionalisation, members of the Opposition was to cut funding by $20m, or 40 per cent, in supported the move in principle, but warned its first Budget. Of course, now Government him and said that the way in which he was members want to claim that they are the going about it would increase the cost of the saviours. After allowing it to run down in the middle-level bureaucracy of the health service first 18 months of their tenure in Government, in this State. That is precisely what the they want to turn around and say, “It wasn’t Government has done. Opposition members our fault, it was actually the previous also warned the Government that Government’s fault.” There was not sufficient regionalisation was likely to make it more money allocated. It was not something that difficult for decisions to be made at the they recognised in their first year of office. coalface in the hospitals. Of course, that is What happened? Last year, leading up to an what has happened. election, the Minister for Health was panicking The hospitals have shown shortfalls time because he knew that health was a major and time again. My colleague the member for issue, and so he did a deal. He said, “Let’s Mooloolah has indicated to me that he has increase the tobacco tax, and we will put the written to the Minister concerning the money into hospitals.” Nambour Hospital, particularly the orthopaedic Mr Hayward: You guys opposed it. surgery area and the ear, nose and throat surgery area. The Minister has replied, but he Dr WATSON: That is what the Minister did not say what he was going to do. What is did. The Minister argued that he was going to he going to do to retain specialists in that put the money into hospitals. The only hospital? What is he going to do to ensure commitment that the Government has made that more specialists become qualified? What to increasing capital funding is not readjusting is he going to do about recruiting specialists to what was there before. It has increased capital cover the shortfall? The member was funding but, first of all, it increased the taxes. expressing those concerns to the Minister on This Government has never said that the behalf of his constituents, and they are priorities of the National Party Government matters that he would expect the Minister to were wrong. Capital funding being put into address. other areas rather than into hospitals was not an issue. However, first of all, the Government Time expired. cut capital funding. Secondly, when the Hon. K. W. HAYWARD (Kallangur— Government decided to increase it, the only Minister for Health) (4.45 p.m.): It is a pleasure way in which it did so was by increasing to enter this debate this afternoon. I have just substantially taxes, which were things that it heard the honourable member for Moggill said it was not going to do in its first term. Not make some comments. He said that he was only that, during that whole period before the going to address the issue of recurrent Government increased the taxes, its Budget expenditure. I am not sure that he did that had increased by 23 per cent. In real terms, it but, firstly, let me take the opportunity to talk had increased by 10 per cent. However, the about the matter of capital funding. Government had not increased capital funding The honourable member made some to hospitals by that percentage. It had not comments generally about the Government’s tried to do anything about it. It had not previous and current Budget objectives. I want reprioritised its existing commitments. Instead, to set the scene, if I can. One of the very 25 August 1993 3852 Legislative Assembly important things that we need to consider campaigned against that increase in the when we talk about capital funding and franchise fee, when it was said clearly that it Queensland Health and how it operates is that was going to be directed towards rebuilding the McKay report on a study of hospitals in the hospital system in Queensland. I have no south-east Queensland, which made the point problem with a tax if that tax can be assigned very, very clearly. Under the heading, “Quality clearly to increasing services. I am determined of Capital Stock”, he said— to ensure that my constituents receive the “The quality of the capital stock of hospital services that they deserve. Very some of the older hospitals in the Study clearly, the problems in the past were ignored. Region is particularly poor, including the I would like the member for Moggill to Royal Brisbane Hospital, Princess take the opportunity to give the shadow Alexandra Hospital, Royal Women’s Minister a lesson in reading the Budget Hospital, and part of the Mater Children’s papers. I am greatly concerned whenever I Hospital.” hear him going on about over $500m in He went on to say— expenditure in Queensland Health. I ask the member for Moggill to please explain to him “This has led to below standard as best he can that what he appears to have patient accommodation, inefficiencies, done—or what I think he has done—is double outdated theatre and clinical support counted. He has included the hospital and services facilities, and is a disincentive to trust funds as part of the funding in earlier attracting the highest quality clinicians.” years. If the member had read the Budget The $1.5 billion 10-year hospital rebuilding papers—and he is nodding that he is with me and redevelopment program is about now—over the last two years, he would see addressing, principally, those issues. It also very clearly what has happened. The hospital focuses very clearly on ensuring that health and trust funds are now amalgamated into the services should, as much as possible, be Consolidated Fund. What he has effectively located where people live. Surely, nobody in done is, in fact, double counted. I hope that, this place would argue with that principle. once and for all, we can end that debate and I The evidence is provided very clearly by hope that we can provide a real lesson to the McKay that we have the situation of a shadow Minister so that, once and for all, he dilapidated capital stock. What did this can learn to read Budget papers. Government do to address it? It has begun a Very clearly, there has been a significant $1.5 billion 10-year rebuilding program. This increase in funding, and there is no argument year, approval has been given to build $143m about that. That funding has been directed worth of capital improvements. Those capital and targeted at dealing with and providing improvements will lead to a more efficient services to Queenslanders who are sick. This system. They will lead to the better delivery of year, 550 000 people will be treated through care and, as McKay says, they will attract Queensland’s public hospital system, which is more specialists because we will have modern an increase of 10 per cent over the previous facilities that are available to handle their year. This is not a system in crisis; it is a cases. system delivering a service to people and a One of the matters that came out of the system that is addressing the needs of people report—and I thought that the member was in the context of the big issues, such as the going to address it, but he did not—was the ageing population of Queensland and question of recurrent funding. When these Australia, the growth in population, the growth buildings are constructed, it is very important in and cost of technology, and the rising that the Government is in control of recurrent expectations that this Government has to deal funding, because we must not be put into a with. situation of having a building built and not Let me make a point very clearly about being able to run it. Very clearly, it is important one of the other issues that was raised, that a capital works program is linked to namely, regionalisation. If members of the recurrent funding. Among many strong points, Opposition spoke to Ministers for Health in the that has been the strength of this particular conservative States and asked them what program. Some criticism has been made of they thought about regionalisation, they would the program because it has been funded tell members of the Opposition straight that through the increase in the tobacco franchise that is the way they are heading, and the way fee. So what? What a perfect way to fund the they want to go. Tasmania has moved to rebuilding and the redevelopment of the regionalisation, and Victoria is now moving Queensland hospital system. During the last towards regionalisation. election campaign, members opposite Legislative Assembly 3853 25 August 1993

Mr FitzGerald: South Australia is going I think that the 38-hour week is very the other way. important, and this Government is committed Mr HAYWARD: But no conservative State to it. I say to the nurses that any savings we is. If Opposition members looked at the can find in the career structure will be used to Medicare agreement, they would see that it assist with funding the 38-hour week. We will makes it very clear. use that to assist in the funding of the 38-hour week, and what could be fairer or clearer than Mr FitzGerald: You were asked a that? As I said, it is a savings initiative. We question and you hadn’t even read it. find the savings in the career structure and we Mr HAYWARD: I cannot believe that transfer them to all nurses so that all nurses members can come into this Parliament with have a say in that 38-hour week. What does absolutely no clues. It is incredible because, if the shadow Health Minister say? He says, one refers to the Medicare agreement, one “Oh, the Government should tip funds in”, as sees that that agreement is signed by the though the Government is somehow different Premier. The member for Lockyer is supposed from the taxpayers of Queensland. That is a to be a member of Parliament, so he should disgrace. It is hard to believe that someone have some clue about the process. can behave so irrelevantly towards taxpayers Let me forget about dealing with in this State. Very clearly, the matter should absolutely unadulterated ignorance and try to be cost neutral, and if the shadow Minister concentrate on some of the issues. What the does not think so, that means that taxpayers Medicare agreement makes very clear is that will have to fund it. Taxpayers are not able the funding is available for area health and do not want to fund it, and that is very, management, which is regionalisation. The very clear. I reiterate the point that this other issue that needs to be addressed is the Government put $100m into the nurses’ nursing profession. Let me make it absolutely career structure, and that fact is very widely clear that it was this Government that acknowledged. introduced a career structure for nurses. It is Time expired. this Government that is absolutely committed Mrs McCAULEY (Callide) (4.55 p.m.): Mr to the maintenance of that career structure. Deputy Speaker—— When planning was undertaken, it was very clear that some work would be done on the Government members interjected. career structure. It was never meant to be set Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): in concrete. Order! The House will come to order. As members of the Opposition have said, Mrs McCAULEY: I must say that I enjoy technology changes and work output having the last word, although it does not changes. The world is moving all the time. We often happen to me. Because I now have the live in a world of constant change. Therefore, last word in this debate, I wish to comment on it cannot be argued seriously, as the shadow previous speakers. When I listen to the Minister seems to argue, that nothing Minister, I recall what was said by the changes. The fact of the matter is that what Opposition spokesman for Health when he people do in the nursing profession has referred to him as a “bumbling” Minister. I changed because the changes in technology have to say that when I sit in the Chamber drive how the system should work. When that during question time and look at the Premier happens, obviously the career structure needs wincing at the ineptitude of the Minister for to be reviewed. When I receive complaints Health when he answers questions, all I can from rank-and-file nurses who say that they say is that I am embarrassed and, “Bring back believe the career structure is overly Ken McElligott!”, who was a more worthy bureaucratised, I have to acknowledge those adversary. I will not comment on the member complaints. Members of the Opposition talk for Fitzroy’s speech because, as Mike Ahern about bureaucracy, yet when I try to address would say, “He’s a well meaning poor bugger.” the issue of bureaucracy, firstly, they whinge; He read the speech that was given to him by secondly, they complain; and, thirdly, they do the department, except that he had a bit of nothing. The results of the review are coming trouble with the big words, but never mind. in and members of the Opposition should ask The member for “Pumpkin Wallow”, Mrs the QNU about them. The shadow Minister Edmond, referred to five areas where savings should go and see what the QNU says about must be achieved, and one of those was the what rank-and-file nurses are saying. He nurses’ career structure. I do not know the should go around to some of the country name of her electorate. hospitals, have a talk to the nurses and ask Mr J. N. Goss: Mount Coot-tha. them what they think. 25 August 1993 3854 Legislative Assembly

Mrs McCAULEY: I thank the honourable doctors in other States can earn. We also member. One of the areas to which she witnessed the employment of unprecedented referred was the nurses’ career structure, and numbers of officers from southern States in to those remarks I would have to say that this key positions in the Department of Health. In Government has done more than any recent times, nurses have been holding strike previous Government to mess up the nursing meetings and an unprecedented number of profession. I repeat that this Government has doctors have left the public health system. done more of that than any other Government I cite recent articles that have appeared previously in this State, and I will refer to this in the Courier-Mail. The first one to which I matter in greater detail shortly. The member wish to refer was published on 12 August and for Mount Coot-tha also referred to consumer stated— input into health care and I, for one, happen to think that is most important. I think it is a bit “Queensland Full Time Medical of a mockery that the consumer Specialists Association president Dr Peter representative on the Queensland Nursing Lavercombe said his members were Council is not a representative of any concerned about the number of full-time particular consumer organisation and, vacancies in public hospitals and would therefore, is not accountable to anyone. That meet Health Minister Ken Hayward to member is simply a Labor Party hack, so I discuss the problem next week.” think that consumer representation on the It went on to state— council is a bit unfortunate. “AMA spokesman Dr Robert Hodge I wish to provide a broad overview of what said there was the additional serious has happened in the health portfolio since the problem of visiting medical officers Labor Government was elected by recalling leaving the public hospital system for the legislation that was introduced. The Health three main reasons: lack of consultation, Services Bill brought in regionalisation and no input into medical service decision abolished hospital boards in May 1991, and it making, and poor terms and conditions.” was opposed by the Opposition. In August 1991, the Public Hospitals Fees and Charges They are not worried about the doctors. They Bill was introduced, and the Opposition did not are more worried about the consumers, oppose it. In September 1991, the Mental forgetting that if there are insufficient numbers Health Amendment Bill was not opposed by of doctors or insufficient good doctors—— the Opposition. Also in September 1991, the Mr Hayward: I thought you said you were Dental Technicians and Dental Prosthetists Bill worried about consumers before. was introduced, which was opposed by the Opposition. In December 1991, the Health Mrs McCAULEY: I am, but I am worried Rights Commission Bill was introduced, and about the doctors as well because I the Opposition opposed it. The legislation to understand the relationship, which is obviously which I have referred introduced big changes more than the Minister understands. I refer to which were made very, very quickly after this another article published on 11 August which Labor Government came to power. In August referred to Rockhampton and which states— 1992, the Nursing Bill was introduced and, “Surgical services in Rockhampton’s again, the Opposition did not oppose this Base Hospital were at a stage of near legislation. collapse, an Australian Medical Since all that legislation has been Association spokesman said last night. passed, the Opposition has seen Labor’s . . . management of health and has witnessed The hospital would have to virtually unprecedented scenes such as the march on close its intensive care unit . . . Parliament House by directors of nursing from throughout Queensland, which had never Dr Alroe said: ‘The Central Regional happened before. We saw a protest meeting Health Authority has continued to mislead of more than a hundred people at the City Hall the people of central Queensland into about the lack of attention being paid to believing that something was being done. mental health. We saw the forced resignation But the failure to appoint by the President of the Rural Doctors anaesthetists, the failure to appoint an Association because of his criticisms of the obstetrician, the failure to appoint health system, and we saw a strike by orthopaedic surgeons, gives a complete specialists working in public hospitals over pay lie to their earlier assurances.’ ” rates and the inequity between what doctors An honourable member interjected. in Queensland can earn compared with what Legislative Assembly 3855 25 August 1993

Mrs McCAULEY: This is last week. He Believe me, when the National Party continued— comes back into Government, it will look very “The Rockhampton Base Hospital closely at regionalisation. In New South Wales and the Gladstone Hospital are totally the Government has decided that inadequately staffed by specialists and regionalisation is not applicable to rural areas yet we have”— because it is too expensive. There is too much bureaucracy and it is too expensive. That is it this is the hallmark of Labor Governments— in a nutshell. We do not really need press “media officers, freedom of information officers such as the one in Rockhampton, who officers, sexual harassment officers, is a little ex-Labor Party journo hack, putting quality assurance officers and equal out press releases on how to cope with opportunity officers, all paid over $35,000 asthma and those sorts of things. When a year. money is short, surely to goodness we do not We have a mammography . . . unit need those sorts of things. They are luxuries being built at enormous expense when that we cannot afford because we need to we already have mammography services have the services. We need to have the beds here, three in fact, that can be provided in the hospitals. We need to have the at a fraction of the cost.” specialists in the hospitals. We do not need to have a little press officer who does not know a That is what he says, and he lives and works thing about asthma touting a party line and there. telling people that we will have a little seminar Finally, yesterday the newspaper stated— on how to control their asthma, and that sort “The Princess Alexandra Hospital’s of thing. Those are luxury items that we Director of Cardiology has resigned, cannot afford. saying he can no longer stand the poor What happened with regionalisation is still quality of care he is able to offer public happening, that is, the public hospitals have patients. cut back on bed numbers and they have also In a damning attack on the State cut back their outpatient service. Let me return health system, Associate Professor Stan to the Budget. In 1990-91, as the member for Woodhouse said emergency cardiac Moggill said, there were negatives, such as a patients were waiting five days for decline in capital works expenditure. But let surgery, and there was a 22-month me also say that there were positives. There waiting list for chronic bypass surgery. was an increase in community health funding, an additional 700 staff for public hospitals, Dr Woodhouse said doctors and the completion of the Queensland throughout the hospital were doing more Institute of Medical Research. Both of those work with fewer and fewer resources, and were initiatives of the previous National Party he saw no future improvements.” Government, but I commend the Minister for It is worthy of repetition. It is worthy of having it his Government’s going ahead and carrying on the Hansard record, because he is right. those National Party initiatives through. On the He is the man at the coalface who is having all negative side, there was a dramatic decline in of the problems. He said— capital works expenditure, cuts in funding to “People who are really bad have to geriatric institutions and a decrease in the wait an average of 12 months. plant and equipment allocation. Emergencies take up to five days.” That was the first Budget that the Government brought down. With respect to He is very upset and he has resigned. It is a the next Budget, the 1991-92 Budget—on the sad indictment on what is happening. positive side, funding for capital works was I turn to regionalisation. This was the increased, for example, at Bundaberg and main change that the Labor Government Baillie Henderson. However, Cairns did not get brought in when it got stuck into the Health funds for the start of a new hospital which it Department. The Government brought in 13 desperately needs. It was also interesting to health regions, each with a regional director note that the Wynnum Hospital was allocated and an area health authority as well as $3m for redevelopment over three years, yet support staff manning those regional offices. It Caloundra got only a quarter of a million seemed to me a few years back that some dollars for upgrading the operating theatre regions were working quite well and others and providing a day-bed facility, which were not. I have no reason to believe that that seemed to me to be political reasoning. has changed. Some are working well and Funding for women’s health and Aboriginal some are definitely not working well. 25 August 1993 3856 Legislative Assembly health increased and there was an increase Some of the amendments that the for nurses’ wages. Government proposes in the Bill are against Whacko! That was really good. The Labor the morals and the principles of free society. Party had been promising for years that it Those amendments that the Government is would increase nurses’ wages. What do we endeavouring to make with this piece of see now? What is the latest and greatest in legislation should have been made after more the papers now? An article is headlined consultation was carried out with the people in “Hayward fronts angry nurses”, and states— the field. The three months that the Bill has been laying on the table has been ample time “The Minister was unable to tell the for the Government to say, “Yes, there is delegates”— opposition out there.” The Government has at a Queensland Nurses Union State had opposition through the media and from conference—— the public. The Government should have Time expired. endeavoured to have another look at the legislation before it came on for debate today. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): The Opposition will look very closely at the Bill Order! The time allotted for the debate has during the Committee stage. now expired. The unroadworthiness of vehicles is probably high on our minds at all times. We MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY AMENDMENT see it every day of the week, whether it be in BILL metropolitan Brisbane, or regional or provincial Second Reading Queensland. I am opposed to a lot of those vehicles being on the road, too. However, at Debate resumed from 20 May (see the same time, we must consider the quality p. 3157). of not only the vehicles but also the roads on Mr JOHNSON (Gregory) (5.06 p.m.): I rise which those vehicles travel. It is very difficult at today to speak to the Motor Vehicles Safety times to make sure that those vehicles are in Amendment Bill. I remind honourable a true roadworthy condition. The Bill will members that this Bill has been on the address some of those issues but, at the business paper since 20 May this year. I want same time, certain sections of the community to put it on the record from the word go that will be victimised as a result of the Bill. the Opposition is in total support of road There seems to be a blatant vendetta safety in this State but, at the same time, I against commercial vehicles, in that they are want to put it on the record that the being subjected to a random test day and Opposition is opposed to some amendments night. I am not opposed to random tests, but I that will be made by the Bill. At the Committee believe that the issue of random tests day and stage, the Opposition will endeavour to point night could be better addressed. It seems that out to the Government that some the Government is singling out commercial amendments should be accepted. vehicles as the greatest liability on As I said, the Opposition totally supports Queensland roads. I know many people in the the stance on road safety. The safety of the commercial transport industry who take great general public is of paramount importance, pride in endeavouring to put the best vehicles whatever Government is in power. Road possible on the roads. They have the interests safety is an issue of which all people are of the general public at heart when they conscious at all times. I know that the traverse the roads. It is paramount that we Government is endeavouring to get the road respect people from all walks of life, whether toll down, and we in the Opposition support they are in commercial operations or are that goal. At the same time, parts of the Bill driving the family car. They are trying to leave a little bit to be desired. uphold what we are trying to do right across I turn to the findings of the Travelsafe Queensland, that is, provide a good road Committee, which I know is an all-party transport system which includes the use of the committee, and I support that. I must roadways as well as the vehicles that traverse congratulate the efforts and the work of the those roads. people in the Citizens Against Road Slaughter One issue that causes great fear to the organisation—better known as CARS. They do Opposition is the power of the inspectors. I great work. All members from both sides of believe that the inspectors’ powers are going the House should commend those people for to be wide ranging. There is more to this Bill their input and involvement in road safety. than really meets the eye. The transport inspection services in this State have enough power. It is not necessary to give these people Legislative Assembly 3857 25 August 1993 more in-depth powers. This State has a police first produces his or her identity card for force of some 6 000 members who have the inspection by the person.” power to apprehend a vehicle, search a (3) If, for any reason, it is not vehicle, and stop a vehicle and check it for practical to comply with subsection (2) roadworthiness. before exercising the power, the inspector Mr Fenlon: How come all your members or accredited officer must comply with the are whingeing that there are not enough subsection at the first reasonable police and not enough police time. opportunity.” Mr JOHNSON: I will take that interjection I find that totally contradictory. There is from the member for Greenslopes. We are not reference in the second-reading speech to talking about police and police time; we are one set of guidelines. The Bill is totally talking about road safety. We are talking contradictory. However, the Minister might about a very important issue. We are talking clarify the position in his summary. about an issue that relates to the privacy of Mr Hamill: No, I will do it in the clauses. the person, be it a commercial operation or a domestic operation. I do not believe that road Mr JOHNSON: I believe this is a transport inspectors should have anywhere Gestapo-style road transport inspection unit near the power that an officer of the that violates the basic rights of ordinary Queensland police force has to apprehend, to Queenslanders. stop, or to search a vehicle and ask persons Government members interjected. some pertinent questions. I think we must Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms Power): remember that it is 1993 and that we live in a Order! Government members will cease free democratic society. Apparently some interjecting. Government members cannot come to terms with that. As the Minister said in his second- Mr JOHNSON: People older than I reading speech—and I find this witnessed this type of operation in Nazi contradictory— Germany between 1939 and 1945. The Queensland Government is trying to “Substantial safeguards have been implement a road transport inspection service imposed on the use of these powers. in 1993. Honourable members can be assured that the Department of Transport Government members interjected. approaches the task of inspection of Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! vehicles with a great deal of respect for Government members will cease interjecting. the need of the motoring public.” Mr JOHNSON: We witnessed this in latter The Minister further stated— years in Communist eastern Europe. It “Inspectors will be easily recognisable appears that this Government endorses this by the uniform, vehicles and easily agenda of stealth and endorses the agenda identified at inspection sites.” we have witnessed in those countries. It is an agenda of stealth. It is following a line of scare Mr FitzGerald interjected. tactics. The people of Queensland are sick Mr JOHNSON: However, as my colleague and tired and fed up with the agenda of the member for Lockyer just said, in clause 6 stealth that this Government wants to dish on page 10 of the Bill, proposed new section out—whether it be transport, whether it be 11, Proof of authority by inspectors and health, whether it be education, or whether it accredited officers, refers to— be police. “(a) an inspector (other than a police Mr Davies interjected. officer) who is not wearing a uniform Mr JOHNSON: The member for approved by the chief executive; and Mundingburra is interjecting. He should not (b) an accredited officer (other than a interject. He should talk to the railway people police officer) who is not wearing a in Townsville. The member for Charters uniform approved by the chief Towers will endorse what I am about to say. executive; and We were there a couple of weeks ago. The (c) a police officer who is not wearing a member for Mundingburra is walking on hot police uniform.” bricks. However, as I said, we have a very worthy police force in this State and a police Proposed new section 11 further states— force that has the power to execute authority “(2) An inspector or accredited and apprehension of suspicious people. We officer may exercise a power in relation to do not need a road transport unit to carry out a person only if the inspector or officer this type of operation. 25 August 1993 3858 Legislative Assembly

Just recently, the Minister told the State Government that is going to make their job that this Government supports the concept of very, very difficult. I feel that it will be abused volumetric loading. I thank him for that. It is a by some people in the Department of very important part of the road transport Transport; it will be abused by transport industry for the carriage of livestock in this operators who use the roads. I trust that this State. It is unfortunate that in this State legislation will not used by the department to innocent road transport operators who are terrorise and frighten people. If it is abused, going about their business are still being that will happen. I hold fears that that will terrorised by transport inspectors weighing occur. their vehicles. I find this contradictory to the Mr T. B. Sullivan: Are you trying to scare policies and principles of this Government. people? Mr Hamill: What vehicles are being Mr JOHNSON: I take that interjection weighed? from the honourable member for Chermside. I Mr JOHNSON: Volumetric loaded am not one for scaring people, but people are vehicles—livestock vehicles. I would suggest scared by this legislation. Domestic vehicles that the Minister take that on board and that will not be able to be pulled up at night-time, he consult with his departmental officials to but commercial operators will be able to be make sure that the problem can be rectified. pulled up. Nobody objects to the principle of transport Mr FitzGerald interjected. operators being required to keep log books. I know there are a lot of people who have Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The mixed feelings about log books. We are trying member for Lockyer will have his turn. to create a safe transport system. These Mr JOHNSON: The Minister has said that ideals must be upheld and we do not need domestic vehicles will not be apprehended random checks carried out by Department of after dark. However, women travelling during Transport officials. Some of these people think the day—or anybody for that matter, whatever they are little Hitlers when it comes to their sex—will be very cautious about being exercising their authority. I believe we must nip pulled up by somebody who is not in uniform, this in the bud so that we have respectability who is not driving a marked car and who is not from both sides of the industry, not only from operating from a specified place. At the the people who take advantage of the Committee stage, the Opposition will be industry but also from the people who are highlighting those provisions. trying to uphold the policies of the department Mr Beattie: You’re wrong about that. and of the Government. Mr JOHNSON: I am not wrong about it at Surely, approved inspection stations, in all. conjunction with random specified checks, are sufficient without all the fear and drama this Mr Beattie: Yes, you are. will bring with it when it is implemented. I Mr JOHNSON: I am not wrong. believe that these random checks should only Mr Beattie: Yes, you are. be carried out at approved sites in different districts. If every district had an approved site Mr JOHNSON: I am not wrong about the where people knew that inspectors were gong uniforms or the unmarked cars. It is in the Bill. to be, I would say everybody would be in Mr Beattie: You’re wrong about it. support of it. Mr JOHNSON: I am not wrong about it. Mr Hamill: Do you reckon that should The Minister’s second-reading speech and the apply to radar traps as well, where you have legislation are contradictory. I urge an approved list of radar traps? Government members to read the legislation. Mr JOHNSON: No. It is contradictory. We The general public has read it. Government should be looking at working together. This is members must be aware of the discussions not helping people work together. People in on that topic in the media and in the public the road transport industry will be getting their arena. necks out of joint. I find that the people in the Many people will violate this legislation inspection services are going to have difficulty because they will not be too keen on being in upholding the job that they are trying to do. pulled up for a random check by officers in There are quite a few very sincere people in unmarked cars. I will definitely be very the Department of Transport carrying out cautious about who pulls me up. In common these inspections. They are people of great with many other members of the public, I have principle and integrity. At the same time, I can been pulled up by the police for a licence assure the Minister that we have a Legislative Assembly 3859 25 August 1993 check. However, when it comes to a In that State, the officers of mobile inspection Department of Transport—— units have the power to redirect traffic; to Mr Hamill: When were you pulled up for redirect heavy transport vehicles or a licence check? commercial vehicles to an official scale so that they can be weighed; and also to check the Mr JOHNSON: About 18 months ago, blood alcohol content of the drivers of between Roma and Mitchell. commercial vehicles. At present, such powers Mr Hamill: A licence check. are not included in this legislation, but I Mr JOHNSON: Yes, by the police. wonder how far away that will be. Is it part of the hidden agenda? Mr Hamill: To see if you actually had a valid licence. Mr Hamill: That is a police responsibility, not a Transport responsibility. Mr JOHNSON: To check my licence; to see that I had not been drinking; to see that Mr JOHNSON: I am just outlining the my vehicle was roadworthy. They let me go. powers provided in Victoria. Mr Hamill: They don’t check your licence Mr Hamill: This is not the Victorian Bill. to see if you’ve been drinking. Mr JOHNSON: But this legislation is Mr JOHNSON: Apparently, the Minister is modelled almost entirely on the Victorian not aware of the law. That is a part of the legislation. We are fearful that that will be part Queensland law now. It was introduced by this of the hidden agenda. The Minister tends to Government. have many hidden agendas. I will not canvass that matter now, but I will do so at a later date. Mr Hamill: You don’t get your licence checked to see if you’ve been drinking. They What if a vehicle carrying livestock or use a breathalyser. produce is apprehended at one of these inspection centres, is delayed for an undue Mr JOHNSON: The Minister did not time and misses the market at its destination? understand what I said. Someone who is trying to catch a plane may Mr Hamill: I heard what you said. be apprehended and miss their plane. Who Mr JOHNSON: The police pull motorists will compensate such a person? Will the up to check that they have a licence; to check Department of Transport be liable in that that they have not been drinking; and to situation? check that their vehicles are roadworthy. Mr Hamill: Are you opposed to random Mr Hamill: It wasn’t a random breath breath testing, too? test? Mr JOHNSON: Nobody is talking about Mr JOHNSON: I have been pulled up by random breath testing. a random breath test unit, but I am speaking Mr Hamill: Are you opposed to the now about a random check by police. There is delays that are involved when a person is a difference between being pulled up by the stopped for random breath testing? police and being pulled up by Department of Mr JOHNSON: I am not talking about Transport officers who are not in uniform, random breath testing. I am talking about the especially if they are in an unmarked vehicle delays that are involved when a vehicle is at an unspecified place. If a place is specified pulled up—— at which people realise that they can be pulled over for an inspection, that is a different story. Mr Hamill: A fair question. However, people will not pull over under a Mr JOHNSON: I am talking about the different scenario. Many people will be fearful delays that are involved when a vehicle is of this legislation, and I can see the law being pulled up and is found to be faulty or has broken. some other problem that will have a bearing I turn to the mobile inspection units. The on the continuation of the journey. If a vehicle Minister has stated that four mobile inspection carrying a load of livestock or produce from units will travel throughout the State. I wonder north Queensland or from the Downs misses whether those people—— the market, who will be liable? Will such a vehicle be allowed to journey to its Mr Hamill: They are vehicles. destination? That is the point about which the Mr JOHNSON: I know they are, but Opposition is concerned. people will be manning those vehicles. Are those units to have the same powers as they This legislation contains many do in Victoria? Much of this legislation has the same provisions as the legislation in Victoria. 25 August 1993 3860 Legislative Assembly commendable provisions. Most of them are operators to carry out their own inspections to outlined in the Minister’s second-reading ensure that their vehicle is in a roadworthy speech, which states— condition so that, if they are subject to a “The objective of the Bill is to provide random test, they will pass that test. The for changes to motor vehicle inspection greatest fear that we have is Department of arrangements which will— Transport officers not being required to wear a uniform. As I said, that is a contradictory reduce costs to the transport industry provision of the legislation. by providing more flexible and The RACQ, which represents a large part convenient inspection of the Queensland motoring public, has arrangements”— reservations about this legislation. When this that is great, and— legislation was being compiled, notice should “reduce waiting times for industry at have been taken of that organisation. To Department of Transport inspection date, it has been treated with total contempt, centres.” as have other sections of the road transport industry and the general motoring public. I might say that, at present, those inspection centres are a complete and utter shambles. The Opposition will be asking the Every day, we receive complaints about Government to see merit in the amendments people seeking to have their heavy vehicle to this Bill that it will move at the Committee checked. The Minister also said that the stage. Some of my colleagues will speak on legislation would— other aspects of the Bill, but I trust that the Government will see merit in the amendments “. . . free resources within the to the legislation that the Opposition will be Department of Transport for an moving. The legislation has many frightening improved on-road vehicle inspection aspects. The Minister must be aware that program and improved monitoring of some aspects of the Bill are contradictory and approved inspection stations.” are frightening to the general motoring public. That is a very positive provision of the Bill. I He must know that a section of the public is congratulate the Government and the fearful of aspects of this legislation. I trust that, Department of Transport on including that in when the amendments are considered at the legislation. The Minister also said that the Committee stage, the Minister will agree to legislation would— them. “. . . implement Parliamentary Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central) Travelsafe Committee (5.31 p.m.): We have just witnessed a recommendations on vehicle performance of Abbott and Costello given by inspections;” the member for Gregory and the member for Aspley—the Transport duo from the If those recommendations are in line with the Opposition. One matter that has concerned recommendations of the National Road me about this debate in recent times has Transport Commission, that is a very good been the disinformation and misinformation provision. However, we do not need another that has been peddled in the community by provision of the Queensland law that the two Transport spokespeople from the addresses specific problems in Queensland Opposition. We should get back to the core of but, six months or 12 months down the track, what the Bill is all about. It provides for will be overridden by Federal law. The Minister important changes to vehicle inspection stated further that the legislation would— arrangements in Queensland and reflects “. . . introduce prescribed penalty clearly the Government’s commitment to notices for defective and reducing the number of unsafe vehicles on unroadworthy vehicles and minor our roads. Why do we want to do that? breaches by approved inspection Because every year people are killed on stations; and Queensland roads as a result of unsafe provide powers for Department of vehicles. That is clearly the reason. Transport inspectors to stop vehicles The Travelsafe Committee report tabled and require information for vehicle in this House on 4 December 1990 was a inspection purposes.” unanimous report of the committee, which The Opposition has a problem with those means that all political parties represented on last two provisions. However, it believes that that committee supported the one very worthwhile provision is that which recommendations. At page (viii) of that report, allows transport operators or commercial it stated— Legislative Assembly 3861 25 August 1993

“Approximately 33% of those Let me move on to some of the fatalities are in the age group 17-25 sensational claims that have been made in which contains 13% of the population. this debate so far and by the honourable Although only 15% of the population are member for Aspley in other places. I have aged 60 and over, 18% of the fatalities read some stories which I will table for the are in this age group. In the elderly interest of members in the future. There was group, 31.5% of fatalities are an article in the Courier-Mail on 5 August pedestrians.” headed “Anonymous men to pull over drivers”. It went on with this crucial point— That was clearly designed to scare women. There was another article in the Courier-Mail “Statistics also indicate that only 2% on 6 August headed “Strict code for vehicle of serious accidents are attributable solely checks. Out-of-uniform clause defended”. to vehicles, 6% to human and vehicle There was another article in the Courier-Mail factors, 1% to environment (road) and on 12 August headed “Road Bill a threat”. In vehicle factors and 3% to all three, in those articles, the honourable member for which vehicle standards could have Aspley made the most outrageous claims in contributed. 71.1% of crashes were an attempt to incite public opposition to this attributed to private passenger vehicles legislation, and he did it for purely political which are the subject of the Committee’s reasons. In fact, on one occasion he even investigation.” said that transport inspectors were going to be If honourable members examine those allowed to carry guns. Not only was that totally figures, they will discover that 6 per cent of all untrue; it was sensationalism at its worst. I say road accidents in Queensland are attributable to the honourable member for Aspley that, to defective cars. when it comes to these sorts of debates, we If honourable members take an overall can do better than that; we do not have to picture based on the latest statistics available have that sort of sensationalism. of 350 fatalities, they will find that 20 people a Let me say that I think the Minister for year are killed as a result of defective vehicles. Transport absolutely killed any of this If that is not an argument for this legislation, I nonsense from the honourable member for do not know what is. All the mealy-mouthed Aspley when he said in a news release, “Next opposition that we have had to this legislation thing he’ll be asking me to confirm or deny in this House and outside this House really whether or not traffic inspectors are carrying says, “I don’t care about those 20 people nuclear weapons.” I think that sums up the every year who are killed on Queensland sort of sensational nonsense we have had in roads.” That is the effect of what has been this debate. said. I know that the honourable members for The Transport Minister appeared on Aspley and Gregory would not personally Anna Reynolds’ program on 4QR. support that view, but that is the effect of their arguments. When they consider these clauses Mr J. N. Goss interjected. at the Committee stage, they need to bear in Mr BEATTIE: Look at them squirm. They mind the fact that this legislation is designed do not like it when the facts are put on the to save 20 lives every year. That is good table. I hope that their comments are reported enough for me to be strongly in support of this accurately so that people know what the true legislation. story is. Let me move on to a couple of issues Mr T. B. Sullivan: He should be that were raised by the honourable member ashamed. for Gregory and the honourable member for Mr BEATTIE: I take that interjection from Aspley. the honourable member for Chermside. The Mr Johnson: Nobody said they were honourable member for Aspley should be opposed to saving lives. ashamed. No doubt, when he reflects in the Mr BEATTIE: I know that the honourable early hours looking in the mirror as he shaves, member does not like it, but the reality is that he will feel guilty—and so he should. On Anna that is the effect of his argument. I am not Reynolds’ program on 5 August, she saying that the honourable member asked—— personally would support that view; I made Mr Braddy: Shameless. that clear when he was not listening. But the Mr BEATTIE: As the Minister said, he is point is that that is the effect of his argument. shameless, but I think he will improve with It is not a view that he would personally age. Anna Reynolds said to the Minister for support, but it is the result of his argument. Transport— 25 August 1993 3862 Legislative Assembly

“The story alleges that new be in daylight hours and the person would legislation will pave the way for criminals have to be in an official vehicle—which is not and weirdos to stop cars impersonating what the honourable member told the House. real officers. The Courier-Mail article Mr FitzGerald: Where does it say that? quotes shadow Transport Minister John Goss but not the Transport Minister, Mr BEATTIE: It is in the regulations. The David Hamill. I spoke to him earlier.” member is a clot. Where does he think they would be put? How long has he been in this The Minister replied— House—for the last 30 seconds? Even the “I was surprised to read the story in honourable member—who was a Minister for the paper as well because I think it five seconds—would know that these matters smacks mainly of sensationalism on the are covered under regulations and that they part of the Opposition who obviously do will be made very clear in this debate by the not know the facts of the matter.” Minister. They are in the regulations. If He went on to say clearly— members opposite were in Government, they “There is no opportunity for transport would put them in the regulations, and they officers, uniformed or not in uniform, to will be in the regulations while we are in operate random roadside vehicle Government. The honourable member well inspections at night on their own because knows that those provisions are not inserted in that will not be permissible, and in legislation. That is exactly the sort of distortion daylight hours the operations of random for which the honourable member has been roadside vehicle inspections by the responsible out in the community. That is why Department of Transport officers will have there has been distortion and misinformation uniformed officers—very clearly uniformed about the facts of this matter. Those officers—operating with or without police requirements will be in the regulations, where in daylight hours. My advice to any they properly should be. The member knows motorist, whether male or female or what- darn well that that is exactly where they ought have-you, if someone comes out from to be. the side of the road purporting to try and In terms of what will happen—the stop the traffic, if that person is not in inspectors will be able to stop people only uniform then the driver has every reason during daylight hours. Secondly, they will be in to proceed and not stop.” an official vehicle. Thirdly, they will be required Mr Johnson interjected. to use the appropriate signage, and lights which the inspectors will have. Fourthly, they Mr BEATTIE: I thank the honourable will be required to use a badge. And the member for the interjection. I am delighted he stoppages will occur only in a life-and-death raised that point, because I will deal with situation, for example, if a bus is going by and clause 11. The situation is that there will be no a wheel is about to fall off. stops at night by individual officers. I will deal with the provision. Let us take the worst case Mr FitzGerald interjected. scenario—which is what the honourable Mr BEATTIE: What does the honourable member raised—when there is the very rare member support? Does he support little kids case of an individual officer out of uniform—— being killed in a bus? That is the effect of what Mr J. N. Goss interjected. he wants to support. Mr BEATTIE: No. I am referring to the If a traffic inspector is driving to work in an very rare case in which an officer out of official vehicle and he sees a bus with a wheel uniform would want to stop someone. that is about to fall off, what is he going to do? Mr Johnson: Why have it there? He is going to do something about it. This pack of clods would prefer nothing to happen. Mr BEATTIE: Is that not typical of They would prefer the wheel to fall off and the Opposition members? They do not want to bus to have an accident. The reality is that know the truth or the circumstances. All they such incidents would be rare. The Minister want to do is sensationalise and scare little old tried to explain to members opposite exactly ladies for political reasons. what the situation was, but none of them Mr FitzGerald interjected. bothered to make an inquiry about this. None Mr BEATTIE: If the honourable member of them had the guts to turn to page 14 of the would be quiet for five seconds, I will explain Bill. None of them had the guts to be honest to him what the circumstances are. On the about what proposed new section 18E (2) rare occasion on which a person out of says. It says that it is a reasonable excuse for uniform would stop someone, it would have to a person not to stop if — Legislative Assembly 3863 25 August 1993

“to obey the requirement immediately anything to do with this report. He is not in the would have endangered the person or Chamber; he never is. The honourable John another person . . . ” Goss was a member of that committee, too. Is If a person believed on reasonable grounds that not a strange thing! How about that! that those were the circumstances, he or she Whoopy-do! During any of his interviews, I did would not have to stop. not hear the member for Aspley mention that Mr FitzGerald interjected. he supported this recommendation wholeheartedly. Mr BEATTIE: The member knows that he has been caught out. All his lies have come to Mr J. N. Goss: Yes. nothing, because he did not tell everyone Mr BEATTIE: The honourable member about proposed new section 18E (2). He lied says, “Yes.” Let me put on the record that the about it and misrepresented it. He did not talk honourable member said, “Yes” with some about that relevant clause. There are two enthusiasm. Mr Springborg was also a defences against not stopping. The clause member of the committee that made these also states— recommendations. “the person stops the vehicle as soon as Mr Fenlon: Don’t leave Mr Lester out. it is practicable to stop it.” Mr BEATTIE: No. I dealt with Mr Lester. Under those circumstances, if a person is on a He is never here, so it is easy to leave him dangerous road and believes that it is not out. practical to stop, that is a defence against not Recommendation VI stated— stopping. None of the Opposition members has mentioned that clause, and now they are “It is therefore recommended that suddenly quiet. They did not tell people what unregistered and uninsured vehicles be was in the Bill. They wanted to talk about it, removed from the road by the process of but none of them wanted to read it. They random checks, increased police wanted to make all sorts of sensational claims surveillance and increased penalties for about the Bill. At the end of the day, they the offence.” have been exposed for misrepresenting what The reality is that that report was supported by this legislation is all about, and its effect. They all members of that parliamentary committee. are a pack of frauds. They have been I congratulate the honourable member for exposed. Of course, they are agitated and Aspley and the two National Party members of upset. I feel for them, because when they that committee for their foresight and make a mistake, the only thing that they can intelligence in putting together that report and do is admit that they made a mistake. supporting it. It was a job well done. That Mr Bredhauer interjected. recommendation is now covered in this Mr BEATTIE: Indeed, they are the very legislation before the House. same people who want the RSPCA inspectors The honourable member for Gregory to raid people’s homes. That is exactly right. raised the issue of police carrying out this Now that I have corrected those errors, I responsibility. The reality is that police are shall come back to that Travelsafe Committee usually very busy—as all members would report, which contained a unanimous know. The community would prefer them to be recommendation that two things should pursuing acts of crime. This process will free happen. Recommendation II on page 11 of up some police. The police will still be involved the committee’s report says— to some extent with some of the checkpoints, but this will reduce their involvement. In other “It is therefore recommended that words, police will be able to do the sorts of random tests of motor vehicles and motor things that the community wants them to do, cycles be carried out throughout that is, check on crime, do something about Queensland on a systemic basis using breaking and entering offences, and so on. modern machinery to expedite the This legislation is not an attack on a free, procedure and to provide an accurate democratic society, as the honourable and consistent assessment.” member for Gregory tried to claim. That is That was a unanimous recommendation of an nonsense. However, as the honourable all-party committee that included two National member for Gregory suggested, it is true that Party members and one Liberal Party commercial vehicles are treated differently member. One of the members of that from private vehicles. But the reality is that committee was Mr Lester, the honourable that is a logical and sensible thing to do. member for Peak Downs at that time. Commercial vehicles are much heavier than Recently, he tried to deny that he had private vehicles. They carve up the roads a lot 25 August 1993 3864 Legislative Assembly more than do ordinary vehicles. Because of inspector are closely monitored by superiors, the payload that they carry, they should be and must comply with the requirements of the subject to night and day checks. compliance manual. This manual has been Mr Johnson: Why should they? developed to provide a detailed basis for guiding and controlling the operations of Mr BEATTIE: For safety. They are the inspectors in the field, with particular attention vehicles that thunder down the highway. They to interfaces with the public, such as in should be subject to those checks. Is the intercepting a vehicle. Strict guidelines are laid member suggesting that they should not be down and must be followed to ensure the checked at all? safety of road users as well as inspectors. Mr Johnson: No, I’m not saying that. Breaches of the compliance manual can lead Mr BEATTIE: That is the effect of what to disciplinary action against an inspector. the member is saying. Additionally, inspectors are clearly Mr Hamill interjected. uniformed and identified. Their uniform includes badges incorporating a Government Mr BEATTIE: I take that interjection. That crest and an identification number. All is right. The honourable member for Gregory inspectors are issued with a photographic raised the issue of consultation and said there identity card that they are required to carry at has not been sufficient consultation. That is all times whilst on duty. Their vehicles are also nonsense. Consultation has been undertaken distinctively marked with signage and lights so with representatives of the Motor Traders as to be easily identified and obvious to the Association of Queensland, the Queensland public. Road Transport Association, the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland— the However, as this concept of inspectors RACQ—and the Queensland Police Service in stopping vehicles is new to the public, there relation to the policy issues involved. Very will be some initial constraints in the use of wide-ranging consultation was conducted over these powers. This is to provide sufficient time a long period. for the inspectors to be trained further in relation to dealing with the private motorist A significant initiative contained within who would not be accustomed to being these amendments is the provision of powers stopped by persons other than a police officer, to inspectors to stop vehicles and require and for the public to be totally familiar with the information and assistance from drivers for the operation and identification of transport purpose of ensuring compliance with inspectors. During this time, an information applicable vehicle safety and performance campaign will be conducted to ensure that the standards. Department of Transport inspectors public are aware of the requirement to stop for are currently authorised to stop commercial transport inspectors, and are able to identify vehicles for on-road vehicle inspections. easily a transport inspection operation and Inspectors have received training in the inspection site. procedures to adopt to stop vehicles. They have had considerable experience in dealing The amendments to the Motor Vehicle with commercial vehicles and their drivers. Safety Act also place significant controls on They are well qualified to make the transition the exercises of these powers by inspectors to to stopping and inspecting non-commercial ensure that the rights of the public are not vehicles. unduly affected. The controls include the establishment of criteria for the interception of Transport inspectors are professionally vehicles based on the reasonable belief that trained enforcement officers. Specialised the vehicle does not comply with the vehicle vehicle inspectors are also technically qualified safety and performance standards. The to inspect vehicles. Inspectors can have two random investigation inspection program has roles: firstly, to perform enforcement duties, to be approved by the chief executive of the such as stopping vehicles and screening department, and this program includes a vehicles for defects; and, secondly, to inspect number of requirements. vehicles and issue defect notices for defective and unroadworthy vehicles. These inspections In conclusion, let me say that I hope that, will always be undertaken by mechanically unlike the contribution of the previous qualified inspectors. speaker, in the near future there will be much more sensible debate in the community, and The professional nature of the inspection we will not have the sort of alarmist and staff of the department can be evidenced by sensational contribution that has been the their training and operational and hallmark of this debate today. administrative systems and controls, as well as by their presentation. The activities of each Time expired. Legislative Assembly 3865 25 August 1993

Debate, on motion of Mr Braddy, repercussions of this move? Does he realise adjourned. what this is doing? Mr Vaughan: You did nothing! ADJOURNMENT Mr STEPHAN: We did do something. Fifty per cent of the funding was coming from Hon. P. J. BRADDY (Rockhampton— the Government, and 50 per cent from the Minister for Police and Emergency Services) private sector. The former Minister was trying (5.51 p.m.) I move— to make a big name for himself. He stood up “That the House do now adjourn.” and said, “We will cap every mine shaft.” A press release dated 16 November 1990 states— Mine Capping in Gympie “Under the Government’s new Mr STEPHAN (Gympie) (5.52 p.m.) I take program, residents affected by mine shaft this opportunity tonight to highlight once again subsidences will be required to pay only the change in attitude of this Government, for the re-establishment of gardens on particularly in regard to matters that affect my the completion of the sealing work.” electorate. As honourable members would be That was the commitment that the aware, over a period quite a number of mine Government gave. However, the people of shafts have been found in the Gympie area. Gympie are now looking down the barrel of a However, an officer involved with the State change in the Government’s attitude. It is Government’s mine shaft capping project in nothing more than a way of getting more Gympie has verbally requested the relevant funding out of the local people. councils’ attitude on two points. The first of those points is that all proposals to subdivide Government members are silent when land within the area, that is, Gympie, Two Mile they are placed under scrutiny and questioned and Jones Hill, be referred to the Gympie about their attitude on this matter. If private office responsible for the project for advice as individuals or developers are forced to pay for to the likelihood of mine shafts prior to the mine shaft capping, the repercussions will be council determining such applications. I agree that development of land in those areas will with that. grind to a halt. A newspaper article about this matter states— However, my mind boggles a little bit at the second point, and that is that if a mine “Licensed surveyor Ken Ahern said shaft is confirmed to be located on the site, . . . he believed the notification indicated the council is to include a condition of any that developers could soon be paying for subsequent subdivision approval requiring the the capping of shafts on land to be mine shaft to be capped to the satisfaction of subdivided. The added financial burden the Minister for Minerals and Energy. When of this, on top of already heavy the officer was requested to explain what he development costs, could bring was talking about, he would not be drawn into subdivisions within those areas to a halt.” discussions about whether the Department of I believe that the Government would like to Minerals and Energy would fund such capping grind down people in country areas and say to works. It would be reasonable to assume that them that they shall not subdivide their land if the works are part of the development unless they pay an enormous fee to do so. proposal and do not involve surrounding The article states further— properties or public lands, the developer would “A spokesman for Minerals and pay. Energy Minister Tony McGrady said We find that this is the Government’s yesterday the Government was exploring attitude. It is looking for different ways and its options on the funding of caps for means of finding more funds. shafts on new developments and Mr Vaughan: What did your mob do subdivisions.” when you were in Government for 32 years? They may say they are exploring options, but Mr STEPHAN: The honourable member the only option they are exploring is how much was the Minister who gave the commitment to money they are going to charge and what sort cap all the mines. Because that commitment of funding they are going to get out of the is now being questioned, he is turning around local community. It must be remembered that and saying that that need not be the case. the capping of mine shafts was a promise Does the honourable member realise the given on 3 March in 1993 by the Goss Government. 25 August 1993 3866 Legislative Assembly

Time expired. a large part of the population. Better health messages do not seem to impact upon these workers, and improved education in areas Men’s Health such as smoking, nutrition and alcohol Mrs EDMOND (Mount Coot-tha) consumption obviously needs a different (5.57 p.m.): I have often spoken in this place approach. There is also a need for specific of the need for specialised women’s health advice and education in male-only health services, and these needs are now well areas such as prostate and testicular recognised and are being addressed. But, malignancies, as well as common cancers quite frequently, men have said to me, “What such as bowel cancer, while most of the target about us?”, and they have raised some valid group would now be aware of the symptoms points. Men die younger than do women. The of lung cancer. Prostate cancer is so common life expectancy for men is 74; for women it is in ageing males that as students we were told 81. Men have a higher incidence of heart that all men who lived long enough would get disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer it. than do women. Males are more likely to be Because of these gaps in the delivery of overweight and to have high blood pressure male health services, I was delighted to be than women. So, obviously, men need health informed of a new health service specially services more than women, yet they are are catering for men in the Brisbane south region less likely to consult health professionals. at Cleveland known as HIM—Health Women’s health services have risen from Information for Men. The service will make an observed need and because women, health information available to men and through their reproductive phase and child- encourage them to seek assistance to rearing years, become accustomed to using improve their health status. Initially, HIM will health services and requesting non- set about assembling an information embarrassing services. It is still a relevant database on men’s health needs and ensure point that a woman needing a urological that this information is accessible and examination can be 100 per cent assured that effective. In the long term, the service aims to it will be done by a male practitioner. For most determine gaps in the existing men’s health specialties, it is about 90 per cent. service network and to act as a referral and For men, it is not a case of inappropriate liaison service. Most visibly, HIM will offer a services, but a failure by men to recognise ill phone referral and information service to men health and its causes and their reluctance to from any age group, so those men who are utilise available services and preventive too coy to front up to have an examination measures. However, male members of the can discuss matters on the phone. The community do need to be encouraged to service will offer advice on male health become aware of their bodies and caring for problems as diverse as impotence, heart them. Many of the health concerns facing disease, violence, cancers, insomnia, mid-life men and leading to their earlier demise are, in crisis, sports injury, alcohol and tobacco fact, self-inflicted and can be avoided. Men addiction, gambling, STDs and diabetes. consume significantly greater levels of tobacco This service recognises just how difficult it and alcohol and have higher dietary intakes of is to get men to a doctor for regular check- fat than women, all of which leads to higher ups. While women have become increasingly levels of cardiovascular and pulmonary aware of the benefits of preventive care and disease. early intervention for themselves and their An honourable member interjected. children, men have been slow to accept this message. Screening campaigns for breast Mrs EDMOND: The honourable should and cervical cancer have been well received listen to this, because it is important for and used by many women. Although many of middle-aged men. Men use less sun the diseases that face men are preventable, protection than women, leading to higher skin others are very manageable, if detected early. cancer rates. The incidence of death as a Cancer of the prostate is one of those. All result of accidents is three times greater for middle-aged men should be aware of the men than women. Their propensity for violent symptoms and seek medical assistance as sporting activity and traffic accidents leads to a early as possible. They should also have heavy injury and death toll amongst young regular check-ups. adult males. One of the most difficult groups to access in terms of preventive health Madam Deputy Speaker, I know that you measures and improving their lifestyle is male will join with me in welcoming this community blue-collar workers—a group which represents health initiative and in congratulating its instigators. I wish them well in their project and Legislative Assembly 3867 25 August 1993

I hope that every man heeds the message Minister has given no formal indication as to and goes for his check-up. the Government’s intention in this important matter. Local Government Reforms As details of the CJC’s recommendations are not included in the summary report Mr QUINN (Merrimac) (6.02 p.m.): In provided to me, the Minister must outline to June last year, I raised in this House certain this House the CJC recommendations and the matters in relation to the Noosa Shire Council. Government’s response. Both should be These matters were raised in the public publicly debated, as they would be relevant to interest and were the subject of an all councils and rezoning applicants. It needs investigation by the Criminal Justice to be highlighted that the commission also Commission which recently furnished a investigated allegations that the issues raised summary report to me. I will table the report by me were connected with election campaign and the covering letter for the information of donations and found that those making such all members. allegations could not confirm knowledge of My purpose in speaking tonight is not to such events. focus on the events mentioned in the report In conclusion, I point out that the but to ensure that constructive change, where commission clearly found an unsatisfactory it is warranted, in fact occurs so that those situation which was capable of fostering the events cannot be repeated. While the report belief that improper conduct was occurring, states that in the matters investigated there is and has made recommendations to the no evidence of official misconduct by any relevant levels of government to prevent officer or elected official, it nevertheless states similar circumstances arising again. It is now that information available to some of the incumbent upon this Government to act. complainants was capable of supporting some of the speculation that improper conduct had occurred. In addition, the CJC made certain Liberal Party Preselection for Brisbane City recommendations to the Noosa Shire Council Council Election in respect of practices and procedures, both of Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central) the council and its officers. Quite properly, (6.05 p.m.): Tonight, I draw the attention of they are issues which the Noosa Shire Council the House to an ugly, nasty, vindictive faction must address. The report also made certain fight which has broken out within the Liberal recommendations to the Minister for Housing Party in Brisbane. The brawl has started over and Local Government for legislative changes Liberal Party preselection for Brisbane City so that the events that occurred at Noosa are Council wards. In the Courier-Mail of 24 not repeated either by that council or any August, the newspaper’s City Hall reporter, other local authority. Cheryl Thurlow, reported that the Liberal Party Specifically, because of the matters received only 16 nominations for the 24 raised by me and the subsequent Brisbane City Council wards for the 1994 investigation, it has been recommended— Brisbane City Council election. “That the relevant legislation be Mr Livingstone: They are on the nose. amended to incorporate a procedure for Mr BEATTIE: That is right. They are more the speedy and regulated settling of than on the nose. Not only did the Liberals fail compensation where it is likely that to receive nominations for one-third of the property will be adversely affected as a wards, that is, eight wards, but also an ugly result of any development approvals.” factional brawl has broken out in a number of Clearly, my raising these matters was the 16 wards in which nominations were responsible and, in fact, should lead to much- received. Liberal State secretary, Lynton needed reform which will impact on all Crosby, was having a lend of himself, the councils. Liberal Party and Liberal credibility when he Since the State Government is itself claimed in the Courier-Mail article that it was putting in place strategies to manage the only the first round of preselections, and there continued strong population growth expected was “quite a deal of interest” in the remaining between now and the year 2001, the need for wards. Whom does he think he is kidding? If such reform is doubly urgent. Failure to now people were interested, they would have seriously consider the need for this nominated. It is a sad reflection on the constructive change will lead inevitably to leadership of Liberal Lord Mayoral aspirant, similar allegations being raised again in the Bob Ward, that the Liberals do not have future. Yet, inexplicably, the responsible nominations for one-third of their wards. 25 August 1993 3868 Legislative Assembly

Mr Livingstone: Bob who? her residents’ action group now have to be Mr BEATTIE: Poor old Bobbie Ward. seriously questioned. Things are not going well. He is looking down Indeed, even former Lord Mayor the barrel of unemployment and an election Sallyanne Atkinson has made it clear that she thrashing. But, honourable members, that is will not campaign for Bob Ward and will not all. Liberal Party President, Paul campaign only for those candidates whom Everingham, and vice-president, Con Galtos— she likes. She has told Everingham to go and Everingham’s organisational sidekick—have jump in the lake and will campaign for whom moved in, in their usual, heavy-handed way, she likes and not at the direction of the Liberal to get rid of council candidates who do not Party. But what about Mr Everingham—that support them and their line. Honourable subtle man from the Northern Territory? He is members will recall Paul Everingham’s attacks desperately trying to find a State seat for on former State Liberal Leader and former himself. He was last seen down at Merrimac! Vice Mayor of Brisbane, Denver Beanland, the He is sick of the fact that there are three member for Indooroopilly, and the current factions among the nine State parliamentary member for Merrimac, Mr Bob Quinn, who Liberal Party members. Each faction has three was re-endorsed only with Labor Party members; so, Joan, wherever you are, you support. We supported him in this House and are safe. However, Everingham is on his way elsewhere. Indeed, Bob Quinn was lucky to into State Parliament to try to save the day. survive the Everingham onslaught, and he Even the amalgamation discussions that are knows it. He is blushing, and I can understand currently under way between the Nationals that. and the Liberals will not help the Liberal Party. The Everingham tactics are again being An article which appeared in the Bulletin used in the Brisbane City Council area. recently shows that poor Rob and poor Joan Everingham’s sinister hand hangs over the could not even agree on the question. The Liberals at City Hall. In the ward of Toowong, article states— for example, Mr Con Galtos ran around on Mr “Sheldon refuses to accept time Everingham’s behalf, trying to block the limits for amalgamation . . .” successful nomination of Mrs Jan Prentice, Joan has said that there is more than Rob on wife of the former progressive State Liberal the block, and we all know that. I table the member for Toowong, Mr Ian Prentice. As a article for the future information of the House. member of the former Liberal ginger group in Mrs Sheldon said— this House, Mr Prentice is off side with the Everingham/Galtos faction because he is “. . . Rob’s not the only player in the field.” progressive. Mr Galtos ensured that two We do not wish to know who the other players candidates would nominate against Mrs are. Prentice. They were Judy Magub and Phillip Time expired. Fletcher. The factional brawl is really on. But that is not all; it gets worse. Two sitting aldermen, Alderman Carol Cashman, who was Dr David Fleay a well known—— Mrs GAMIN (Burleigh) (6.10 p.m.): At the Mr T. B. Sullivan: But not well liked! age of 86, Dr David Fleay died on 7 August Mr BEATTIE: I take the interjection. She 1993, but his work will live on after him. His was a former Liberal Party secretary, and she fauna centre at West Burleigh is a fitting and Alderman Graham Clay are battling it out memorial for such a great man. I add my in Hamilton. The blood is already on the floor. tribute to the remarks made earlier today by Only one of them can win, and the other will the Minister for Environment and Heritage. join Bob Ward on the losers’ list. The situation David Fleay was one of Australia’s most is worse still because in the ward of Acacia distinguished naturalists. His degree was in Ridge, Paul Pottinger is in a vicious battle. In zoology. He received many awards in East Brisbane, former Liberal alderman recognition of his achievements. He was the Richard Jeffreys is fighting it out with Paul author of seven books. He wrote a weekly Smith, and in the Runcorn ward there are four column in the Courier-Mail for 36 years. Many nominations: Lynne Friis, John Caris, Phillip of us remember those columns, written with Ford, and Alan Bavister. Interestingly, Lynne such precision and with such delicate humour Friis is the leader of a group that is fighting a that the animals and birds he wrote about proposed road through Brisbane’s southern sometimes seemed more personal than many outskirts. The motives and independence of ordinary human stories. Legislative Assembly 3869 25 August 1993

His abiding interest was in animals, in countryside and ridges himself, perhaps animal protection and in animal welfare. looking for spiders for a university research Human beings meant little to him. He treated project, looking out for anything rare and of animals as humans. He treated animals as a interest, pinpointing those gum trees whose kind and loving human father, firm but gentle, leaves were loved by his koalas. understanding, imaginative and practical in his David Fleay was a fearless fighter for enthusiasm for their protection and welfare. nature, for the environment, for the After significant zoological achievements preservation of our environmental heritage in Victoria in the 1930s and 1940s, he came from predatory developers and from predatory to Queensland more than 40 years ago and councils and predatory Governments and their made his home at West Burleigh from where destructive roadworks programs. If he thought his wildlife sanctuary gradually evolved—and that his cause was right and proper, he did not that sanctuary gave enormous pleasure to care whom he took on. Some of us were thousands of people. Dr Fleay was recognised proud to fight beside him back in the sixties as the leading authority on the platypus, being and in subsequent years. There is a wooded the first to breed the platypus in captivity. He knoll right in the middle of the suburb of had a passionate interest in snakes and Burleigh Waters where he was anxious for the contributed to the discovery of antivenene for safety of a colony of planigales. That has the deadly taipan snake. It was a memorable been preserved. Tallebudgera Creek was experience to watch Dr Fleay milking deadly dedicated as a fish habitat, although it has snakes for venom. been disappointing in following years to see He successfully bred the wedgetail eagle that downgraded to just wetlands. in captivity, and next month a new heritage One of the most significant achievements section will be opened at the West Burleigh was the shifting of the Pacific Highway to its sanctuary which will feature descendants of present position instead of where it was those first breedings. He also bred powerful originally designed, which would have taken it owls and fluffy gliding possums. His fauna straight through the middle of his lyrebird centre at West Burleigh became the centre for cage. That protest involved taking on not only investigation and research, showing how other the Government of the day but also most of endangered birds and animals could be the Cabinet and the Premier. Time does not preserved from extinction. He treated many of permit the listing of all of his environmental the local koala colony when those animals achievements, but it must be said that, thanks developed a conjunctivitis that made them to his guidance, much more land has blind. They could flounder through the long gradually been acquired for environmental grass across the ridge quite lost and purposes surrounding his reserve, so that from disorientated. After treatment at the the massive Burleigh headland right up the sanctuary, he would release them back into creek and to the nearby ridges we now have the wild. that magnificent backdrop of greenery—the The reserve was the place where many Tallebudgera greenspace network—an injured animals and birds were treated and environmental heritage that will be handed lovingly nursed back to health, and certainly all down to future generations. the kids in the district soon found this out and Dr David Fleay’s most magnificent took all sorts of creatures to him and knew gesture was to ignore the fabulous dollar that they would be received with the serious offers of developers and instead pass over his courtesy that was such a feature of his make- reserve, almost for a song, to the Queensland up. It has been said that he was eccentric, Government where it continues to operate and so he might have been, but always with under the Department of Environment and that unfailing and gentle courtesy. Heritage. The flavour of the reserve has He was our neighbour at West Burleigh, changed somewhat over recent years, with and he was a friend to our family. He was more emphasis on showing animals in natural never seen without his hat. He always wore a surroundings rather than David’s research and tie—not for him the casual jeans and sneakers breeding programs, but its unique of the modern generation. Even in the early environment is preserved forever. mornings as he toured the local fruit and But what will never change is the debt of vegetable shops for leftovers for his animals, gratitude we owe to Dr David Fleay. His many there he was in his hat and tie, always very friends and admirers are saddened by his gentlemanly, always courteous. passing. The hymn chosen for his funeral He also collected mice, but that was to service was All Things Bright and Beautiful, All feed his owls. He roamed all over the local Creatures Great and Small. What could have 25 August 1993 3870 Legislative Assembly been more appropriate for such a wonderful Brian Lutteral and Gary Paulsen. Discussions naturalist? He was a truly great man. at the meeting centred on the funds available and how that project was fitting in with the road reform/road network strategy. Boyne Valley Road Local community requests for upgrading Mr BENNETT (Gladstone) (6.15 p.m.): I were: bitumen sealing over some crests and wish to report to the honourable members of on the approaches to grids, bridges and rail this House the progress of upgrading along crossings; improved signing of curves, the Boyne Valley Road, a road which has not especially approaches to narrow bridges; received substantial funding for quite some removal of the more exposed large trees, time—30 years, in fact. The catalyst for the especially on curves; improved guideposts substantial funding increase has been the and hazard markers; widening of advent of the export/value-added enterprise, grids—currently one lane and some in poor the Stickmakers factory. As we all know, the condition; cleaning around curves to improve Government is right behind those value-added visibility, with earthworks and vegetation enterprises. This factory has already had large involved; realignment and regrading to export orders for disposable chopsticks and improve visibility and reduce unnecessary ice-cream sticks for the Asian market and in curvature; improvements at rail level crossings fact produces some 4 million sticks a day to improve visibility; efforts to reduce dust; and already. raising the road at Portentia Creek near the The pine logs for the factory will be Awonga Dam. transported along the Gladstone-Monto Road That meeting was very successful and from Kalpowar. To assist this development, residents’ requests were all on the grounds of the State Government announced the safety. The Department of Transport and the expenditure of some $1.1m to be expended Calliope Shire expressed that commodity flows by the end of the 1993-94 financial year. I had along that road need to be assessed to the pleasure of examining the road on a tour gauge the amount of road usage by by bus organised by the Calliope Shire Council semitrailers and other transport vehicles. and officers of the Department of Transport on Although the totality of needs far exceeds the 11 August. Although the majority of the available funds, the needs identified were roadworks are to ensure that trucks and both affordable and reasonable. I have asked vehicles can travel safely over Glengarry Hill to the Department of Transport officers for further Kalpowar, what was of great satisfaction to me consultation with residents to inform them of was the newly laid bitumen between Many the progress of roadworks, and that has been Peaks and Builyan, which had been promised agreed to. to the residents by previous National Party Governments for quite some time. That I wish to express my thanks to the bitumen road will bond the small communities Minister for Transport for his response to the of Many Peaks and Builyan and certainly needs of that long-forgotten community, and make commuting a little easier between the the road standard upgrade is a quality of life two centres. decision taken by the Government. Although the residents who live along the Gladstone- A public meeting was organised by Monto Road appreciated that current round of officers of the Department of Transport, the funding, a need was expressed for ongoing Calliope Shire Council and the Ubobo funding so that the road does not fall into Progress Association at Ubobo on 11 August, disrepair over time. to start at 7.30 p.m. The reason for that meeting was to seek public input to the next While I was there it was very pleasant to round of funding of some $600,000 in the meet such lovely people as Bill and Julia 1994-95 financial year. The meeting was Wedge, long-time residents of the Ubobo attended by over 100 people and a video area. presentation was prepared by Noela Stewart Mr Fenlon: I’m sure they were. and Shane Mossman of the Ubobo Progress Mr BENNETT: Indeed. In his previous Association outlining problem spots along the occupation, Bill was a member of the old PCD road. boards. Julia is very active in the Country The meeting was attended by myself, Women’s Association. chaired by Calliope Shire Chairman, Mrs Mr FitzGerald: Are they both keeping Cunningham, and also attended by councillors well? Creer, Fox, Dinte, Stiller, Chapman, Brusche, Bischel and shire engineer, Trevor Jones. The Mr BENNETT: Yes, they are very well, regional Department of Transport officers were although they are getting on in years. They Legislative Assembly 3871 25 August 1993 are fine people who have been great supporters of the Labor Party. I commend them for that. I also met Frank and Barbara McKee. For the information of the House, I point out that Frank has been very active in the old dam project at Builyan. With the Builyan/Many Peaks Progress Association, he has been working very hard to get the old railway dam into a fit state for picnics and the like. While I was on the visit, we stopped and met John and Jan Hopf at the Many Peaks Hotel. Time expired. Motion agreed to. The House adjourned at 6.21 p.m.