Queensland Parliamentary Debates [Hansard] Legislative Assembly TUESDAY, 12 OCTOBER 1982 Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy Papers 12 October 1982 1193 TUESDAY, 12 OCTOBER 1982 SITTINGS BURING REMAINDER OF SESSION Pursuant to the proclamation by the Govemor, dated 11 October 1982, that the remainder of the current session of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Queensland be continued and holden on Tuesday, 12 October 1982, in the Legislative Assembly Chambers at Parliament House, the House met at 11 a.m. in the Legislative Assembly (3iambers. Mr SPEAKER (Hon. S. J. Muller, Fassifern) read prayers and took the chair. The Qerk read the Proclamation. ASSENT TO BILLS Assent to the following Bills reported by Mr Speakerr-H Constitution Acts Amendment Bill; Rural Fires Act Amendment Bill; Prisoners (Interstate Transfer) Bill; Local Govemment Act Amendment Bill; Hospitals Foundations Bill; Hospitals Act Amendment BiU; Soccer Football Pools Act Amendment Bill. REOCCUPATION OF RESTORED PARLIAMENT HOUSE, WELCOME TO ALL MEMBERS Mr SPEAKER: Honourable members, I extend a special welcome to all members into the refurbished Parliament House. I feel sure that all members will join with me in congratulating the skilled tradesmen on the high standard of workmanship evidenced through­ out the building. Honourable Members: Hear, hear! Mr SPEAKER: During the transition from the Parliamentary Annexe there probably will be some minor administrative difficulties, but I confidently look forward to the co-operation of all members during this period. PAPERS The following papers were laid on the table, and ordered to be printed:— Reports— Chief Inspector of Factories and Shops for the year ended 30 June 1982 President of the Industrial Court of Queensland for the year ended 30 June 1982 National Trust of Queensland for the year ended 30 June 1982 Metropolitan Transit Authority for the year ended 30 June 1982 Queensland Museum for the year ended 3 December 1981 The following papers were laid on the table:— Orders in Council under— Financial Administration and Audit Act 1977-1981 State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971-1981 Jury Act 1929-1981 Liens on Crops of Sugar Cane Act 1931-1981 Justices Act 1886-1980 Magistrates Courts Act 1921-1976 State Securities Registration Act 1925-1981 Real Property Act 1861-1981 Judges' Salaries and Pensions Act 1967-1980 District Courts Act 1967-1980 Supreme Court Act 1921-1979 City of Brisbane Act 1924-1980 Harbours Act 1955-1980 Harbours Act 1955-1982 Electricity Act 1976-1982 19784-41 1194 12 October 1982 Questions Upon Notice Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982 Noise Abatement Act 1978-1982 Metropolitan Transit Authority Act 1976-1979 and the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982 Forestry Act 1959-1982 Forestry Act 1959-1982 and the Acts Interpretation Act 1954-1977 Farm Water Supplies Assistance Act 1958-1979 and the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982 Irrigation Act 1922-1979 and the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982 Water Act 1926-1981 Regulations under— Public Service Act 1922-1978 Auctioneers and Agents Act 1971-1981 Business Names Act 1962-1979 Cash Orders Regulations Acts, 1946 to 1959 Money Lenders Act 1916-1979 Invasion of Privacy Act 1971-1981 Co-operative and Other Societies Act 1967-1978 Building Societies Act 1886-1976 Co-operative Housing Societies Act 1958-1974 Bills of Sale and Other Instruments Act 1955-1981 Friendly Societies Act 1913-1978 Liquor Act 1912-1982 Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages Act 1962-1982 Recording of Evidence Acts, 1962 to 1968 Building Units and Group Titles Act 1980 Property Law Act 1974-1981 Art Unions and Amusements Act 1976-1981 Construction Safety Act 1971-1975 Queensland Marine Act 1958-1979 Mines Regulation Act 1964-1979 Land Act 1962-1982 Rule under the Coroners Act 1955-1980 Proclamation under the Forestry Act 1959-1982 PETITION The Clerk announced the receipt of the following petition— Amendment of Traffic Acts Amendment Bill From Mr Borbidge (21 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland will amend legislation dealing with persons found to be driving with a blood alcohol content in excess of .05 per cent. Petition received. QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE Questions submitted on notice by members were answered as follows:— 1. Local Government Superannuation Scheme Mr Eaton asked the Minister for Local Government, Main Roads and Police— (1) What is the present situation regarding the compulsorjr superarinuation scheme for local authority employees? ' (2) Is 30 per cent of the total input taken out for administration costs? (3) Are there any actual published figures to show employees what amount they would be paid on retirement after a long period of contributions? (4) Is the Government aware that there are many more schemes that *how a much higher return to employees, as well as private insurance compamts wni have much better retirement schemes, than the local government superannuation scnem . Questions Upon Notice 12 October 1982 1195 Answer:— (1) Consideration is presently being given to the question of superannuation benefits for permanent employees of local authorities following representations itiade by certain unions. It appears obvious at this stage that if additional benefits are to be forthcoming additional contributicms will need to be made to the superaimuation fund. (2) No. The latest published figures available to the Department of Local Gov­ ernment indicate that of the total income of the Local Government Superannuation Board for the year 1980-81, amounting to $18.7m, $77,225 was expended on management expenses. (3) No. A particular contributor's retirement benefits are dependent upon his age at the time of entry to the scheme and his salary at the time benefits are payable. Details of the retirement benefits available to a particular contributor based on his circumstances at a particular time are, however, available to the contributor upon application to the Local Govemment Superannuation Board. (4) As stated in my answer to (1), the Government presently has the Local Government Superannuation Scheme under review, and the question of additional retirement benefits to contributors will be one of the matters considered. I. • Bareboat Surveys Mr Prentice asked the Minister for Northem Developnlent and Maritime Services— (1) How many vessels are engaged in bareboat chartering in Queensland? (2) How many of those vessels are in survey? (3) What difference is there in survey requirements between bareboats and other vessels engaged in tourist activities? (4) How often are these vessels required to be surveyed? Answer:— (1) There are currently approximately 96 vessels with permits to engage or which are the subject of application for permits to engage in bareboat chartering in Queensland waters. (2) All vessels currently registered for bareboat chartering are in survey and there are several applications waiting survey. (3) The survey requirements for bareboat charter vessels, as is also the case with other vessels engaged in tourist activities, vary according to the area of operation of the vessel. The requirements for bareboat charter vessels also allow for the fact that they lay-up at anchor during the hours of darkness. The type, size and constmction of the vessel also bring different requirements into play. Otherwise, the requirements are basically the same for bareboat charter and other commercial vessels proposing to operate within given restricted limits. Fallowing discussions with bareboat charter operators, the Marine Board is currently reviewing the requirements affecting the types of vessel used in this activity. (4) Surveys are required every 12 months but flexibility is provided for where, for practical reasons, a survey cannot be arranged just when required. In such oases the Marine Board may approve continued operation for a specified time pending the carrying out of the survey. 3- Road Safety Mr Lester asked the Minister for Transport— (1) What special efforts are being made to save the lives of Queenslanders on Queensland roads? (2) What future plans has the Queensland Government in mind to ensure this program continues? Answer:— (1 & 2) The Queensland Road Safety Council, of which I am chairman, has the specific charter to promote and encourage safety on our roads by education and instruc­ tion and publicity. Tp that end the Road Safety Council with its 13 field officers in Brisbane, Rockhampton and Townsville carry out a number of programs Statewide. 1196 12 October 1982 Questions Upon Notice These include the Defensive Driving Cburse, safe cycling courses, motor cycle training programs, commercial fleet safety courses and the High SchoQ^ Driver Education Programme. The Defensive Driving Course has been shown to be a most effective mass education program aimed at drivers. With a view to making this course available in more centres of the State at more frequent intervals, a volunteer instructor system has been introduced whereby volunteers from the community are specially trained in the presentation of the Defensive Driving Course by Queensland Road Safety C^ouncil staff. At this time, there are four such volunteer community groups in operation at Toowoomba, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Gympie. A school training program is also conducted by the Road Safety Council and is used by teachers in primary, secondary and pre-schools throughout the State. Under this program schools are visited by field officers and promoted with resource material such as posters, brochures, audio-visual material, cassettes and games for pre-schools and even literature and road safety songs for kindergarten children. This material has been developed in such a way that it can be integrated into the school curriculum. In the area of publicity, honourable members will be aware that considerable emphasis has been placed on television advertisements especially in peak holiday and traffic times. The main areas of concentration for this campaign is alcohol and driving and the use of child restraints. As well, considerable newspaper and radio publicity is sought for all road safety programs.