Queensland Parliamentary Debates [Hansard] Legislative Assembly THURSDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 1976 Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy 310 Sub Judice Matter [9 SEPTEMBER 1976) Questions Upon Notice copy of such Writ is enclosed. The defa­ matory material was contained in a pro­ gramme exhibited by the Australian Broadcasting Commission on the nights of the 7th and 8th September, 1976 in the ABC segment entitled 'This Day Tonight'. The report of the ABC related to Police action undertaken at Cedar Bay, North Queensland. "As this matter was raised in Parliament yesterday, we deemed it advisable to advise you of the issue of this Writ so that from here on the proper Parliamen­ tary procedure can be followed. "Yours faithfully, "J. S. Gilshenan & Luto!l." fhat matter is therefore sub judice. QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE 1. LAND SWINDLES Mr. Burns, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General- (1) Has his attention been drawn to the newspaper article of 25 July head­ lined ''Land swindles are netting $ millions"? (2) Are weaknesses in the State's land property laws allowing cnmmals to swindle people out of millions of dollars in the sale of unregistered land and will legislation making it illegal for anyone to seil land without title not be introduced for two years? (3) Have detectives from the New South Wales Fraud Squad visited Brisbane to investigate complaints from New South Wales residents who paid large deposits on land in three Queensland centres and then found that there were no title deeds for their blocks? THURSDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 1976 ( 4) Is the Queensland Corporate Affairs Commission inquiring into complaints by at least 60 people who claim that they Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. J. E. H. Houohton have been swindled by the same operator, Redcliffe) read prayers and took the"' chai1: did the operator go bankrupt before action at 11 a.m. could be taken against him and, if so, who was the operator? SUB JUDICE MATIER (5) How many land developers have lVIr. SPEAKER: Honourable members I been investigated as a result of complaints wish to advise that I have received the lodged with the Corporate Affairs Com­ following letter from J. S. Gilshenan & mission within the last three vears and Luton, solicitors, of Brisbane, dated 9 Sep· what were the results of the investigations? tember 1976- Answers:- "The Honourable J. E. Houghton, (!) Yes. "Pa~liament Horuse, "George Street, (2) The existing provisions of the "Brisbane, Q. 4000. Auctioneers and Agents Act 1971-1975 provide that all moneys received in rela­ "Dear Mr. Horughton, tion to the sale of unregistered land shall "We are the solicitors for Raymond be paid into a trust account and retained George Marchant, a Sergeant Second until separate titles are available. Amend­ Class of Police, presently stationed at ing legislation now exists prohibiting the Cooktown, North Queensland. We have sale of land that is subdivided into more this morning issued out of the Registry than five allotments before separate of the Supreme Court of Queensland at certificates of title are available. This Brisbane a Writ on our client's behalf legislation will come into effect on 1 seeking damages for defamation and a April 1978. Questions Upon Notice [9 SEPTEMBER 1976] Questions Upon Notice 311 (3) By arrangement, members of the Answers:- New South Wales Fraud Squad visited (! and 2) At the State conference of the Office of the Commissioner for Cor­ the Queensland Ambulance Transport porate Affairs, Brisbane, and were given Brigade, held 7 October 1975, it was information and documentation by the resolved- commissioner regarding seven complaints "That the conference commends the investigated by the commissioner relating conception of there being a State-wide to contracts for the sale of unregistered land Aerial Ambulance Service and recom­ in Queensland entered into in New South mends that the State Council examine the Wales by residents of New South Wales. feasibility of such a scheme, including- ( 4) No. However, of the nine com- (i) respective areas of operation plaints actually received, seven were (ii) degree of public participation handed to the New South Wales Fraud Squad. Investigations of the two other (iii) all aspects of financial con- matters have been completed and reports siderations including the extent of on these are presently being prepared Government interest and aid." and will he forwarded to the Commis­ State Council in accordance with this sioner of Police for his attention. Investi­ recommendation established a subcom­ gations into the activities revealed another mittee for the purpose of the investigation, 61 potential complaints involving all New and also decided that the subcommittee South Wales people and, although they seek appropriate advice from outside have been contacted, they have not sources. demonstrated any interest to date. I am advised that for various reasons, The principal operator associated with including the need to obtain information the information handed to the New South and data from other States of the Com­ 'Wales Fraud Squad W.JS shown as Robert monwealth and, later, the holding of the Wi!kie. A search made at the Brisbane triennial elections wherein one of the Registry of the Bankruptcy Court did not members of the subcommittee failed to reveal a name of Robert Vvilkie as a gain re-election, and the subcommittee had bani\.rupt. to be reformed, no meeting of the sub­ (5) In the last three years, 51 investi­ committee has been held to date. How­ gations have been undertaken relating to ever, the first meeting of the new sub­ land developers. Of that number three committee is set down for 16 September matters have been forwarded to the' police, 1976, and I understand that representatives a further two are presently before the of the Bundaberg Queensland Ambulance court a·waiting hearing dates, five are still Transport Brigade have been invited to under investigation, one was dismissed attend. by the court, one complaint was with­ The honourable member will appreciate drawn on. the grounds of insufficient that as far as my department is concrned evidence, no complaints were laid in there has been no undue delay and, when another three matters for lack of evidence, the State Council submits its recommenda­ 23 were found to contain no breaches of tions, the whole matter of aerial ambulance the Acts administered by the Commis­ services in the State will receive earnest sioner for Corporate Affairs and 13 com­ consideration. plaints were subsequently withdrawn by (3) Aerial ambulances are operated by members of the public because of satis­ the Cairns and Rockhampton Queensland factory arrangements made between the Ambulance Transport Brigades. parties, resulting from inquiries undertaken (4) I am informed that in New South mto those complaints by the commissioner. Wales an aerial ambulance service is operated by the State, and that in Victoria 2. AERIAL AMBULANCE SERVICE an air ambulance operates as part ,Jf the Mr. Burns, pursuant to notice asked the Victorian Ambulance Service. In South Minister for Health- ' Australia and West Australia, I understand (1) What is the cause of the continuin<> that air ambulance services are operated by delays in deciding whether a State-wid~ the St. John Ambulance Service, which aerial ambulance service should be set up? runs ambulance services in these States. (2) Was a subcommittee formed to (5) The Bundaberg Queensland Ambu­ examine the setting up of an aerial ambu­ lance Transport Brigade applied to start an lance service after the annual ambulance aerial ambulance service in May last year. conference in October 1975 and, if so, No other Queensland Ambulance Transport h?w. many times did it meet, and what Brigade has applied. d1d It recommend? 3. BUILDING ON FLOOD-PRONE LAND (_3) What centres already operate local aenal ambulance services? Mr. Burns, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Local Government and Main ( 4) Are aerial ambulances State or Roads- locally controlled in other States? ( 1) What criteria will a council, such as (5) What loc~I committees have applied the Moreton Shire Council, have to take to start new aenal ambulance services and into consideration when drawing up restric­ when was each application lodged? tive by-laws to cover building on land 312 Questions Upon Notice [9 SEPTEMBER 1976] Questions Upon Notice flooded in 1974, which it is authorised to (3) Are any of the b'ankets mentioned do by the Local Government Department, by A.C.A. sold in Queensland and, if so, as reported in the "Sunday Mail" of 29 what action has been taken to protect the August? public? (2) Will all land flooded in 1974 be Answers:- covered by the restrictions? (!) Yes. Not only the Press reports (3) Will landholders be able to take but the report by the Australian C~m­ legal action against land developers who sumers' Association has been the subject sold flood-prone land if the council bans of full investigation. construction on the site and, if not, will he consider amending the relevant laws to (2) Electric blankets are prescribed a!low such action? electrical articles which require the approval of one of the statutory approvals auth­ Answers:- orities in Australia. (! and 2) The Moreton Shire Council (3) Yes. The investigation revealed had given approval to subdivide land that many of the claims of the Australian within the Shire of Moreton, which land Consumers' Association were totally was subsequently inundated by the floods unfounded and were in fact due to faulty of January 1974. A number of other test procedures and lack of knowledge of local authorities had given approval for the relevant Australian standard. Some the subdivision of land which was affected minor departures which did not involve by these floods. safety factors were found and each was Subsequent to the floods, the council followed up by the appropriate approvals decided that it would be in the public authority.