23 Jul 1996 Statutory Instruments 1701 TUESDAY, 23 JULY 1996 Gun Control Laws From Mrs Wilson (1,037 signatories) requesting the House to hold firm in their resolution to put into law their proposed gun Mr SPEAKER (Hon. N. J. Turner, Nicklin) law reform legislation. read prayers and took the chair at 9.30 a.m. Petitions received. ASSENT TO BILL Assent to Competition Policy Reform PAPERS TABLED DURING RECESS (Queensland) Bill reported by Mr Speaker. The Clerk announced that the following papers were tabled during the recess— PETITIONS 15 July 1996— The Clerk announced the receipt of the Annual Reports for 1995— following petitions— Board of Trustees of the Ipswich Girls' Grammar School Gun Control Laws Griffith University From Mrs Gamin (1,314 signatories) Queensland Theatre Company from Catholic, Lutheran and Uniting Churches, 16 July 1996— requesting the House to (a) pass legislation National Road Trauma Advisory Council— that will outlaw in our society the possession of Annual Report 1994-95. automatic or semi-automatic firearms and ammunition (b) pass legislation that will outlaw in our society the use of automatic or STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS semi-automatic firearms (c) pass legislation In accordance with the schedule that will ensure that other firearms can be circulated by the Clerk to members in the possessed and used only by those who have Chamber, the following documents were a legitimate reason for such possession or use tabled— (d) pass legislation requiring those who possess any firearm to ensure that while not in Auctioneers and Agents Act 1971— use any firearm is not armed and is stored in a Auctioneers and Agents (Exemptions) safe and secure place and (e) commit itself to Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1996, the proposals in the Federal Government's No. 188 initiative on the restriction of firearms. Competition Policy Reform (Queensland) Act 1996— Residences on Toxic Waste Dump, Competition Policy Reform (Queensland) Toowoomba Savings and Transitional Regulation 1996, No. 193 From Mr Healy (21 signatories) requesting the House to immediately introduce Egg Industry (Restructuring) Act 1993— amended legislation to enable homes and Egg Industry (Restructuring) Amendment properties built on a former Toowoomba City Regulation (No. 1) 1996, No. 189 Council dump site in the suburb of Wilsonton Mineral Resources Act 1989— in that the homes, by being listed on the register, have been reduced greatly in value, Mineral Resources Amendment Regulation (No. 5) 1996, No. 194 be removed from the register. Public Service Management and Employment Act 1988— Smelter Operation, Brisbane Public Service Management and From Mr Purcell (288 signatories) Employment Amendment Regulation requesting the Queensland Government to (No. 1) 1996, No. 192 allow the Brisbane City Council to make the Stock Act 1915— appropriate amendments to their town plan to Stock Amendment Regulation (No. 2) prohibit the building and operation of any type 1996, No. 190 of smelter within the City of Brisbane so as to be in line with the Brisbane City Council's Veterinary Surgeons Act 1936— "Livable Brisbane Vision Statement" as a Veterinary Surgeons Amendment matter of urgency. Regulation (No. 1) 1996, No. 191. 1702 Ministerial Statement 23 Jul 1996 PAPERS However, no determination will be made on the suitability of the area for national park tenure The following papers were laid on the until the outcome of surveys done under the table— Greater Planning Certainty comprehensive Minister for Local Government and Planning regional assessment process is known. (Mrs McCauley)— I would appreciate if this information could be Under the Local Government Act 1993— incorporated in Hansard. (1) A copy of a reference dated 9 July 1996 to the Local Government MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Commissioner to examine, report and make recommendations on a Merger of Metway, Suncorp and QIDC reviewable local government matter Hon. J. M. SHELDON (Caloundra— in relation to the City of Mount Isa Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for and the Shire of Cloncurry; The Arts) (9.36 a.m.), by leave: I would like to (2) A copy of a request received from inform the House that the Government has the Local Government Commissioner now finalised the selection of its appointees to proposing the re-consideration of the Merger Planning Group that is responsible the reference dated 29 March 1993 for the implementation of the merger involving in relation to a review of the external Suncorp, the Queensland Industry boundaries of Clifton and Cambooya Shires and a copy of the Minister's Development Corporation and Metway Bank. subsequent advice to the Local Our three appointees are: Martin Kriewaldt, a Government Commissioner of 9 July current member of the Suncorp Board and 1996 withdrawing this reference and partner with the legal firm of Feez Ruthning; advising that it is not proposed to Patricia Cross, a Melbourne-based banker who issue an extended reference as has held senior management positions with proposed by the Commissioner; and the National Australia Bank; and Rod Cormie, (3) A copy of a request received from a current member of the QIDC Board and the Local Government Commissioner chairman of a number of other Queensland seeking an additional reference in companies. relation to the external boundaries of the City of Brisbane and the City of These three appointments now complete Logan and a copy of a reference the formation of the MPG which is headed by dated 10 July 1996 to the Local John Lamble as independent chairman and Government Commissioner to also comprises the Acting Under Treasurer, examine, report and make Doug McTaggart, and the three Metway recommendations on additional representatives, Frank Haly, Trevor Steel and reviewable local government matters John Story. It means that the Merger Planning in relation to the City of Brisbane and Group will have a solid Queensland the City of Logan. representation of six, balanced by one representative from New South Wales and RESPONSE TO PETITION one representative from Victoria. This gives the Merger Planning Group a distinct The Clerk laid upon the table of the Queensland bias, but also provides interstate House the following response to petition expertise and connections to facilitate the received by the Clerk since the last sitting day bank's national expansion. of the Legislative Assembly, 11 July 1996— The inclusion of Mr Kriewaldt and Mr Cormie ensures that both Suncorp and QIDC Mothar Mountain are represented on the MPG. Together with the respective chief executive officers of Response from the Minister for Suncorp and QIDC who are represented on Environment (Mr Littleproud)— the Integration Steering Committee that is the 10 July 1996 executive arm of the MPG, Mr Kriewaldt and Mr Cormie will also provide for continuity of I refer to your letter dated 9 April 1996 conveying the wording of a petition presented management as the merger proceeds and to the Queensland Parliament by Mr Len these organisations evolve into the new Stephan, MLA, Member for Gympie, objecting banking and insurance conglomerate. to any proposal to have the Mothar Mountain Patricia Cross is an experienced banking area transferred to national park status. executive, having spent the last eight years I wish to advise that I recognise the conflict of with the National Australia Bank where she opinion in the local community regarding the had responsibility for Treasury, capital markets, issue. corporate banking, project finance, structured 23 Jul 1996 Ministerial Statement 1703 finance and international banking relations. Ms benefits to the Budget and the service Cross has also previously held positions with enhancements flowing from that, as well as Banque National De Paris in Sydney and the indirect economic benefits that flow from London and the Chase Manhattan having a major Australian company Corporation in London, New York and Helsinki. headquartered in the State. The Merger Ms Cross was educated at Georgetown Planning Group has all the expertise and University in Washington DC and speaks five knowledge to ensure that the Queensland languages. Clearly, bringing together and megabank will be a great success, and a integrating the four banking-type entities in major financial asset for the State as a whole. Metway, QIDC, Suncorp Building Society and Suncorp Finance Limited is the most difficult aspect of the overall merger. Ms Cross' MINISTERIAL STATEMENT extensive experience with hands-on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander management of some of the more complex Health areas of banking I am sure will prove invaluable as the MPG sets about the merger Hon. M. J. HORAN (Toowoomba process. South—Minister for Health) (9.41 a.m.), by leave: One of the most pressing issues for All three appointees are extremely Government is improving the coordination of capable and well qualified for the task. Their State and Commonwealth efforts in Aboriginal selection reflects our determination to ensure and Torres Strait Islander health. Today, that the MPG, which will ultimately become the Queensland will sign a landmark board of the merged entity, comprises people Commonwealth/State bilateral agreement on of the highest calibre. The MPG has now Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. commenced an executive search process for a What this means in money terms is that an managing director. When appointed, this extra $3m will be made available to person will also join the board. Again, the Queensland immediately to develop strategies search will be for the best talent available, and aimed at improving the health of our the search process will be international and indigenous people. national as well as local. Specifically, the Commonwealth will Clearly, the business integration process provide one-off funding of $535,000 to is all systems go with the MPG under Mr develop district plans that will identify gaps and Lamble's stewardship already having opportunities in health service provision for appointed the strategic planning and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander integration consultants.