Legislative Assembly 8175 8 June 1994

WEDNESDAY, 8 JUNE 1994 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody From Mr Littleproud (848 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland will, Mr SPEAKER (Hon. J. Fouras, Ashgrove) wherever possible, pass legislation read prayers and took the chair at 2.30 p.m. implementing the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. PETITIONS The Clerk announced the receipt of the Police Patrols, Innisfail following petitions— From Mr Rowell (790 signatories) praying for effective police foot patrols to be provided in Aborigines Welfare Fund Board of the Innisfail central business district. Trustees From Mr J. N. Goss (15 signatories) Sentencing Procedures praying that the Parliament of Queensland will From Mr Turner (3 217 signatories) take action to ensure that the Government praying that appropriate steps be taken to consults with the Aboriginal community, ensure that prisoners serve the full sentence particularly potential claimants, in the structure, handed down by the courts upon a conviction. constitution and establishment of the Aborigines Welfare Fund Board of Trustees and that monies in the fund be returned to Aboriginal workers Capital and Corporal Punishment who earned it. From Mr Turner (29 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland will instigate a Auburn Road, Chinchilla Shire referendum for the return of capital and corporal From Mr Littleproud (46 signatories) punishment. praying that urgent funding be provided for the Petitions received. maintenance of the gravel section of the Auburn road in Chinchilla Shire. PAPER

Cardiothoracic Unit, Prince Charles The following paper was laid on the table— Hospital Minister for Justice and Attorney-General and Minister for the Arts (Mr Wells)— From Mrs Sheldon (41 signatories) praying that the proposal to relocate the Prince Director of Prosecutions—Annual Report Charles Hospital Cardiothoracic Unit to the Royal for the year ended 31 December 1993. Brisbane Hospital be rescinded. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Sky-rail, Cairns and Kuranda Price Waterhouse Report on Operations From Dr Clark (127 signatories) praying of Suncorp that the Parliament of Queensland will continue Hon. K. E. De LACY (Cairns— to give full support to the Smithfield-Kuranda Treasurer) (2.34 p.m.), by leave: In March, I Sky-rail project. announced the appointment of international accounting firm Price Waterhouse to undertake a Land/Water Police Station, Redland Bay comprehensive review of the operations of Suncorp. The objective of the Price Waterhouse From Mr Budd (406 signatories) praying review was to provide the State Government with that the Parliament of Queensland will examine a better understanding of Suncorp's activities the need for a 24-hour land/water police station and the potential impact that various factors such at Redland Bay. as competition might have for the Government as ongoing owner of Suncorp. While the Government had no reason to be concerned about the performance or viability of Suncorp, it 8 June 1994 8176 Legislative Assembly was also determined to have a complete Suncorp's capital requirement for growth is a key understanding of all the issues so that it could issue for Government. make decisions based on the long term best Cabinet has decided that, in managing interests of the taxpayers of Queensland. Queensland's finances, the Goss Government On Monday, the Premier and I briefed must continue to give priority to the core Cabinet on the findings of the Price Waterhouse business of Government, which is delivery of analysis. Their key findings were as follows— services such as health and education and There are presently no "black holes" in provision of infrastructure for the State's either Suncorp's balance sheet or its economic development. The Government has operations. therefore taken the view that the capital needed for Suncorp's expansion plans may have to be Suncorp is financially secure and sourced from the private sector. This capital adequately capitalised for its present could be provided in a variety of ways, including operations. direct share capital or through "quasi equity" like The normal business risks of ownership can subordinated debt. Suncorp would be be managed by subjecting Suncorp to an structured in such a way that Government appropriate prudential and performance ownership of the parent would be maintained monitoring process; by ensuring the and the State's access to Commonwealth tax continued presence of an expert equivalents preserved. commercially focused board; and by With this decision, Suncorp can now move assuming a more pro-active role as quickly to meet the competitive challenges it shareholder. faces, confident that it will not be denied the Perhaps most importantly, Price capital needed for expansion. The Government's Waterhouse advises that, in order to meet decision also provides Queensland taxpayers the challenge of increasing competition with continued access to both the dividend from other financial institutions, Suncorp will stream from profits and Commonwealth tax need to expand into markets outside equivalents, as well as removing from the Budget Queensland. the need to find capital for Suncorp at the In short, Price Waterhouse has given expense of other priority programs. The Suncorp a clean bill of health but at the same Government will be working closely with Graham time presented the State Government with some Tucker and the rest of the Suncorp board, challenges to ensure the future prosperity of this through the process of corporatisation, to great Queensland institution. The Goss implement a comprehensive strategy aimed at Government has decided to accept those preserving and enhancing Suncorp's challenges. competitive position. Suncorp will remain in Government The report from Price Waterhouse obviously ownership and be subject to the process of contains a great deal of commercially confidential corporatisation. Both the Premier and I are material. While it is not appropriate therefore to convinced that, based on all the facts before us, table the report, I will table for the benefit of the people of Queensland are still best served honourable members a copy of the covering through a continuation of Government letter from Price Waterhouse. ownership of Suncorp. The Price Waterhouse report made it very clear that the key to Suncorp MINISTERIAL STATEMENT maintaining its value as an asset would be its ability to adapt to the significant changes which Queensland Investment Corporation are occurring in its competitive and regulatory Hon. K. E. De LACY (Cairns— environments. Suncorp will need to develop a Treasurer) (2.38 p.m.), by leave: I am pleased to comprehensive implementation program aimed announce that the Government has recently at achieving its strategic goal of becoming a approved the corporatisation charter for the leading provider of financial services on the east Queensland Investment Corporation. Following coast of Australia. Price Waterhouse advises that on from charters for the QIDC, the major ports Suncorp is likely to need a capital injection of and shortly for the Queensland electricity supply some hundreds of millions of dollars to help fund industry, this charter represents the fourth Suncorp's expansion outside Queensland. corporatisation charter to be approved by the Government and identifies that the Legislative Assembly 8177 8 June 1994 implementation of the Government's appropriate expert advice in developing the corporatisation policy is now well advanced. investment objectives and strategies contained therein. QIC will be accountable to its client Since its formation QIC has capably, funds for performance pursuant to the IPS. The responsibly and efficiently managed the development of an IPS for each client fund will investment of funds belonging to the State provide benefits to both the QIC and the client Government and its employees. These funds funds, in that the QIC will be able to develop now total in excess of $10 billion, and QIC's investment strategies which are more closely excellent investment performance has helped to tailored to client fund objectives. ensure that Queensland's public sector Pursuant to the terms of the Investment Policy superannuation schemes remain fully funded. Statement established between QIC and its This demonstrates that the Government's client funds, QIC will provide each respective strategy of exclusively placing its core, long-term client with a thorough report of the performance funds with its own funds management of that client's investment portfolio on a regular organisation has been a sound one. This role of and formalised basis. The time frame for this the QIC as the Government's specialist funds reporting is to be agreed between the QIC and manager will be reaffirmed under corporatisation the client. A program for the development of an Investment Policy Statement for each client fund with the mandating of the management of certain will be established with a view to completion by core defined benefits schemes to the 31 December 1994. corporation. Under corporatisation, the QIC Board will be The Government's objectives in preserving accountable to the Shareholding Ministers for its ownership of the QIC will be best served if QIC development and maintenance of both the retains autonomy in its investment decision commercial and investment processes of the making and management. The current structure QIC, which will be subject to appropriate of the QIC is fundamentally consistent with indicators of performance. It will also be corporatisation principles, and therefore accountable to Shareholding Ministers for the corporatisation will have limited impact on the achievement of commercial performance targets which are appropriate to the degree of risk structure and operations of the organisation. undertaken by the QIC in respect of its However, consistent with the evolving changes business. in the regulatory environment applicable to Shareholding Ministers will have the superannuation funds, the charter alters and responsibility for monitoring the integrity of the strengthens existing accountability overall performance reporting process. They will arrangements to replicate the accountability also be responsible for monitoring the regime of the Commonwealth Superannuation commercial performance of the QIC as judged Industry (Supervision) legislation, which is due to against the annual Statement of Corporate take effect in respect of private sector funds Intent, and for reviewing the annual corporate management from July this year. plan. In addition, the Shareholding Ministers will I hereby table the corporatisation charter for be responsible for undertaking appropriate and regular reviews of the QIC's operations and the QIC and seek leave to have the remainder of performance. Such reviews, where necessary, this statement incorporated in Hansard. may be undertaken with the assistance of Leave granted. independent expert advice. Under this model, trustees of client funds have To ensure that the Government and the members significant responsibilities for setting investment of the major public sector superannuation funds objectives. Consequently, it is necessary to continue to reap the benefits which have adjust existing accountability arrangements in accrued since the creation of QIC, a number of the light of the increased responsibilities which core funds will be mandated to the QIC. These are borne by trustees of client funds. funds are essentially those for which the Government holds the ultimate liability in respect In general terms, QIC's accountability to its meeting commitments to members such as in the clients will be established in a written agreement case of the major defined benefit schemes - the between QIC and each respective client fund. State Service Superannuation Fund and Q This agreement will be termed the Investment Super. This will also ensure that the investment Policy Statement (IPS) and its purpose will be to of these funds is consistent with meeting those detail the investment objectives and policies liabilities and will improve the public which QIC is to follow in respect of that client accountability of both QIC and the Government fund. The development of the IPS is the in respect of the management of these funds. responsibility of the client, who should seek 8 June 1994 8178 Legislative Assembly

Consistent with the focus of the QIC as the I am advised that Queensland Rail has Queensland Government's specialist funds decided that it will replace its normal three-car manager, the corporatisation Charter places suburban sets with six-car sets and provide an limits on the powers of the QIC Board to accept additional six-car set to enable people to travel business that is not connected with the from the concert at its conclusion. Queensland Queensland public sector, its employees or Rail will be further liaising with concert superannuants. To undertake business not management and organisers to ensure that the connected with the Queensland public sector, transport needs are adequately addressed. the QIC Board must seek the approval of I am sure that all honourable members will Shareholding Ministers, on the basis that such join with me in wishing the Queensland Spina external business would improve the ability of Bifida Association every success, both in its the QIC to achieve its core business objectives endeavours tomorrow night and in the future. of providing an effective funds management service to the Queensland public sector and also MINISTERIAL STATEMENT conditional on the business being obtained on a Title Certificates competitively neutral basis. Hon. G. R. MILLINER (Ferny Grove— This package of reforms recommended in the Minister for Administrative Services) (2.42 p.m.), corporatisation Charter will result in a stronger by leave: Last night, the member for and more accountable QIC with consequent Maroochydore raised a matter about title benefits to all stakeholders and clients of the certificates. She told the House— Corporation. I should also note that the Charter carries the endorsement of the Board of QIC "I rang up State Archives and talked to which welcomes the Government's commitment the Chief Archivist, Lee McGregor, who to ensuring the highest commercial standards said, 'Cabinet approached us to give are maintained in the running of the Corporation. approval to shred copies of those Finally, I would like to reaffirm the Government's certificates of title'." commitment to corporatisation as the vehicle for The member added that this was a fact. She said achieving the highest commercial standards of also— performance from the State's Government Owned Enterprises. QIC already exhibits these "At the request of Cabinet there has attributes but will, as a result of corporatisation, been approval given for the shredding of be placed on an unambiguously commercial those titles. That is a disgrace." footing and provided with the necessary I can tell the House categorically that no such legislative support to facilitate the delivery of the highest standards of service to its clients. approach or request has been made by Cabinet to the State Archivist regarding the shredding of those copies. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Let me expand on this by saying that there Queensland Spina Bifida Association has been absolutely no contact between Concert Cabinet and the State Archivist on this matter. Hon. D. J. HAMILL (Ipswich—Minister for Further, I spoke to the State Archivist this Transport and Minister Assisting the Premier on morning, and she assured me that the member's Economic and Trade Development) (2.41 p.m.), version of the phone conversation is incorrect. I by leave: I draw honourable members' attention table a copy of a statutory declaration made this to a major benefit concert to be held at the morning by the State Archivist in which she Brisbane Entertainment Centre tomorrow night. says— Well known performers, including Angry Anderson, Slim Dusty, Darryl Braithwaite, Debra "At no time have I been approached or Byrne, Russell Morris and Julie Anthony have briefed by the Honourable the Minister for given of their time and effort to support this Administrative Services, by Cabinet or by charity concert. I am pleased to advise that any Honourable Member of Parliament for Queensland Rail is also playing its part to support approval to shred or otherwise destroy the Queensland Spina Bifida Association and is copies of real property title deeds." supporting the event. I am advised that, to date, some 2 500 tickets have been sold and a further And she says that she made no reference at all to 2 000 tickets have been given away free. Cabinet having made any approach regarding Queensland Rail has been liaising closely with approval to shred copies of title certificates. the entertainment centre management to What did happen was that on 6 May, the provide for the transport needs for the concert Registrar of Titles wrote to the State Archivist and its organisers. Legislative Assembly 8179 8 June 1994 requesting approval under the Libraries and restructure involves the separation of the Archives Act 1988 for the destruction of generation part of the industry from the cancelled owners' copies of title deeds when transmission and distribution parts of that they are returned to the Titles Office for industry. The existing regionally based registration of a change of ownership. This is a distribution authority structure will be retained, as normal procedure under section 55 of the will the existing Statewide uniform retail pricing Libraries and Archives Act 1988, which requires policy. This restructure will facilitate the that no destruction of public records should take introduction of competition into the generation place without authorisation by the State part, which is the part of the industry most open Archivist. I emphasise that we are talking only to competition. about duplicates and not the register copy of the The two Government owned corporations title which is, of course, kept by the Titles Office. will be established by a regulation to the It is deplorable that the member for Government Owned Corporations Act. However, Maroochydore not only mislead the House but to accommodate industry restructuring and the also seriously misquoted a senior public servant, facilitation of competition in the industry, the new casting a slur on the integrity of that public Electricity Act is to be prepared. I seek leave to servant. table and have incorporated in Hansard the balance of my ministerial statement, and I wish to thank all those involved in reaching this landmark MINISTERIAL STATEMENT achievement. Corporatisation Charters Leave granted. Hon. T. McGRADY (Mount Isa— Minister Major issues with corporatisation for Minerals and Energy) (2.44 p.m.), by leave: I am pleased to announce that the Government Industry structure recently considered and endorsed a large As I have indicated, the industry is to be number of recommendations concerning the restructured in association with its corporatisation of the Queensland electricity corporatisation. The Generation Business Unit of supply industry. These recommendations will QEC will become a Government owned corporation (GOC). A second GOC (QTSC) will now form part of the corporatisation charters of be established with overall responsibility for the the two Government owned corporations in the industry's existing transmission and distribution restructured electricity industry—the Generation functions. The Transmission Business Unit of Corporation and the Queensland Transmission QEC and the seven existing electricity boards Supply Corporation. I have great pleasure in will become subsidiaries of this GOC. tabling these two documents before the House. Implementation The tabling of these two charters represents Restructuring of the industry will be facilitated by another major step in the implementation of the the early creation of new bodies which are to Government's corporatisation policy for the take on the functions of the industry and be State's Government owned enterprises. corporatised as QGC and QTSC. These bodies Preparation for the corporatisation of the will have interim boards appointed, with the electricity industry has been under way for over a function of establishment of the new year and it is planned that the two Government organisations, appointment of chief executives and preparing for operation in the new owned corporations will commence operations at market/trading framework. The operational the start of next year. This will represent easily responsibilities of the industry will remain with the largest corporatisation exercise undertaken the existing bodies until the date of so far. Preparation of the two charters has corporatisation, at which time all of their assets involved the widely representative steering and liabilities will be transferred to the new committee, which has been overseeing the bodies. process of preparing the electricity industry for Market development corporatisation. Completion of these charters will The restructuring of the industry is intended to assist in the final stages of the preparation of the increase the scope for competition, particularly industry for corporatisation over the next six in the generation area. The new electricity months. legislation will be drafted so as to permit the Members will be aware that the Government entry to the industry of any competent person or has decided to restructure the electricity industry body. and to corporatise the restructured industry. The 8 June 1994 8180 Legislative Assembly

At the same time, in accordance with Council of their affairs, subject to statements of corporate Australian Governments Agreements it is intent agreed with their shareholding Ministers. intended to develop an electricity market in The other side of the coin is strict accountability which larger customers may if they wish for performance. purchase electricity directly from generators or A performance monitoring regime will be from suppliers other than their local supplier. established by the Treasury GOE Unit, in Implementation of such a market will take place consultation with my department and the over a transitional period once the details have industry itself to ensure that proper been agreed by the Council of Australian accountability is established and maintained. Governments. Financial issues Regulator A range of financial issues are addressed in the Mr Speaker, at present the regulatory functions charters. Important indicators and targets for the for the electricity industry, for example new enterprises, in particular target rates of concerning safety, are carried out by the return and capital structure, are now under Queensland Electricity Commission. Consistent review. The results of the review will provide a with the corporatisation principle of competitive basis for the statements of corporate intent to be neutrality, the corporatised industry participants agreed between the boards of the GOCs and the will no longer have such responsibilities. shareholding Ministers. This function will become the responsibility of a Industrial relations statutory regulator established by the new Electricity Act, to be constituted by the Director In-principle negotiations are being conducted General of the Department of Minerals and with unions regarding employment conditions for Energy. The regulator will oversee issues such employees in the new corporations. This may as grid access, authorisation of industry involve changes from the existing Electricity participants, safety of workers and the public, Supply Industry Employees Award. conditions of supply and electricity trading The boards of the new entities will take steps to arrangements. undertake meaningful negotiations with the Non-commercial activities unions and staff to develop an agreed employment and industrial relations plan for In accordance with the corporatisation corporatisation. Such a plan will need to address principles, existing non-commercial activities will any impact on employees as a result of be reviewed. Where the Government wishes the structural reform of the organisation. This plan industry to continue to perform such activities, must be included in the statement of corporate the GOC Act provides for the agreement of intent. community service obligations between the GOC involved and its shareholding Ministers. This In-principle agreement has been given by the requires an explicit recognition of the cost of the Cabinet Sub-committee on Corporatisation to the activity and its funding. continuation of a superannuation scheme for existing QESI employees. The scheme may also Several potential CSOs and methods of dealing include non-GOC industry participants. with them are identified in the QTSC charter. The Consideration is currently being given to the most important of these, which was explicitly necessary changes to trust deeds, etc to meet recognised in the 1994/95 Budget, is the the needs of the future corporatised industry. maintenance of uniform retail tariffs throughout the State. Mr Speaker, the corporatisation of the electricity supply industry is no reflection on its very good Prices performance over recent years. It will however, Prices for electricity supplied and for the use of through its emphasis on clear commercial the transmission and supply networks will be the objectives and a more open competitive responsibility of the relevant electricity bodies. environment, protect the gains made and The pricing policy of GOCs and their subsidiaries promote further gains, which will benefit the must be consistent with the principles and people of Queensland both directly through policies established in their statements of competitive power prices and indirectly through corporate intent. The Minister for Minerals and the industry's returns to the Government on Energy will have the reserve power to determine behalf of its owners, the people. prices in the public interest, including to secure the continuation of the uniform tariff policy. OVERSEAS VISIT Performance monitoring Report In accordance with the principles of corporatisation, the new GOCs will be given Mr CAMPBELL (Bundaberg) (2.47 p.m.): I considerable autonomy and authority to manage Legislative Assembly 8181 8 June 1994 formally table a report on my trip to Japan with the It is proposed that to provide a more co- Bundaberg Chamber of Commerce. ordinated approach to policing, the communications network would operate from a central point. Given the increased resources QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE associated with this task, expressions of 1. Instant Response Teams interest have been called within the Sunshine Coast District to fill the extra positions needed at Mrs SHELDON asked the Minister for Police the Maroochydore Communications Centre. and Minister for Corrective Services— The increase in staff at the Maroochydore "With reference to his repeated claims Communications Centre will not result in any that extra police officers are being employed operational shortages in Nambour, Noosa, in regional areas and to the establishment of Caloundra or Kawana stations as those staff Instant Response Teams and new would have done similar duties at those stations. operations centres across the State and the Essentially, the same job will then be done at effect they are having on police numbers in Maroochydore. individual stations, for instance, on the The number of communications staff currently Sunshine Coast alone, Noosa, Caloundra, employed at the District Communication Centre Nambour and Kawana which will each lose and the four individual stations combined equals between three and four officers to these the proposed number to work in future from the new teams— District Headquarters Communication Centre alone. This means no loss of operational policing Will the officers taken from these at individual stations. individual stations for the Instant Response Teams and operations centres be 2. HOME Scheme replaced?" Mr SANTORO asked the Minister for Mr BRADDY: I seek leave to table my Housing, Local Government and Planning— answer and have its contents incorporated in "Since the inception of the Home Hansard. Scheme in August 1990— Leave granted. (1) How many home loan borrowers have There are two distinct aspects of the Member's either handed back their homes, had question which require answering—that of them repossessed or have sold them Instant Response Teams and Communications when in arrears for more than one Centres. From the way the Member's question was worded, it appears there is some month? clarification required of both roles. (2) How many Home Share or rental The first point to bear in mind is that both purchase borrowers have either concepts tie in with CRISP, the computerised handed back their homes, had them Crime Reporting Information System for Police, repossessed or have sold them when which will come into operation on the Sunshine in arrears for more than one month? Coast in August this year. (3) How many home loan borrowers have On Instant Response Teams, the situation on the Sunshine Coast after their commencement transferred to the home share or rental on 9 July 1994 is that they will doing the same job purchase scheme? in the same district but under a different name. In (4) What has been the monetary the initial stages, the team will operate from the difference between the department’s district headquarters on a trial basis, subject to review and re-development as necessary. valuation and the actual sale price of all home loan, Home Share and rental The staff to comprise the teams currently operate as crime squads and consist of four purchase homes sold by the Public teams of two officers (one plain clothes and one Trustee and other sources? uniformed). Their tasks include detective work (5) How many homes financed under the and patrols in crime cars. The only difference is home loan, Home Share and rental that when CRISP comes on line in August they will also be intelligence-driven with quicker purchase schemes are currently up for access to information and a greater rapid sale because the owners are more than response capability. one month in arrears? The communications centre concept involves (6) How many homes financed under the changing from the four independent approaches home loan, Home Share or rental to operational policing currently operating in the purchase schemes have, when the Noosa, Caloundra, Nambour and Kawana Police Divisions to one centre. borrower has been more than one month in arrears, been purchased by 8 June 1994 8182 Legislative Assembly

the department or other Government the number of borrowers in arrears who sponsored organisations?" have their homes on the market. Mr MACKENROTH: I table the answer HOME loan borrowers are not required to and seek leave to have it incorporated in contact the department for permission to Hansard. sell their home therefore the number of borrowers currently selling their homes is Leave granted. unknown. (1) Since the commencement of the HOME Rental purchase plan borrowers are Program in August 1990, 81 homes funded required to submit homes to the department through the HOME loan have been if they wish to sell however submitting a abandoned or handed back to the home and having a minimum sale price department and two properties have been established does not automatically require repossessed out of a total of 12,934 loans. the purchaser to place the home on the In addition, 51 properties financed under market. the previous Government's loan schemes, The department makes every attempt to have been handed back or repossessed negotiate a manageable arrangement for since August 1990. borrowers to clear arrears and can also (2) Since the commencement of the HOME offer mortgage assistance. Where the Program 59 homes funded through the arrears result from a permanent change in rental purchase plan (formerly called HOME borrower circumstances, refinancing from Shared) have been abandoned or handed the loan to the rental purchase plan may be back to the department out of a total of offered. 5723 rental purchase plan agreements. (6) Nine homes have to date been purchased This total figure of 140 for the HOME by the department for use as public rental program, compares very favourably with housing following the original borrower the 533 properties handed back or experiencing difficulties in repayments. repossessed during the last four years of These properties have been acquired at an the previous Government's programs. independently assessed market value. In addition, 11 properties have been approved It is also important to note that since the for purchase by the department with the inception of the HOME Program over 1,500 former purchaser remaining as a tenant of households who were being sold up by the the department. private sector have refinanced into HOME without HOME, these people would have To the department's knowledge no homes lost their homes. have been purchased by "other Government sponsored organisations". (3) Since the commencement of the program 32 borrowers have transferred from the HOME loan to the rental purchase plan. QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Most of these followed the breakdown of a marriage. An additional 12 borrowers have Queensland Spina Bifida Association reduced their share in the home. Mr BORBIDGE: In directing a non-political This compares to 83 percent (367 of 440) question to the Honourable the Premier, I refer rental purchase plan borrowers who have to the ministerial statement made by his increased their share or moved to full home colleague the Minister for Transport this ownership at the 3 yearly review. afternoon, and I advise the House that I have (4) For the last 24 sales in possession of home been contacted by the organiser's of Channel loan properties the average difference Nine's fundraising challenge to be held at the between the departmental valuation at Brisbane Entertainment Centre tomorrow night repossession and eventual sale price was in an attempt to save the Queensland Spina $666.00. For these homes, eight sold at Bifida Association from closure. I ask: in view of valuation, seven above and nine below. its advice that it has so far been unable to secure For the last 13 sales in possession of rental a response from his office to requests for free purchase plan homes the average public transport for the event, is the Premier now difference between the departmental in a position to respond to the association's valuation at repossession and eventual request? sale price was $2715. For these homes one sold at value, eight below and four above. Mr W. K. GOSS: I thank the Leader of the (5) The department has no way of determining Opposition for his non-political, non-partisan question. To my knowledge, the situation in Legislative Assembly 8183 8 June 1994 relation to this matter is as outlined to the House some three years ago, so I would ask the House earlier today by the Minister for Transport. A to bear with me in terms of my recollection of this person involved in the organisation of the matter. As best I can guess, my understanding of concert did contact a member of my staff—I am the confusion that I assume exists in the mind of not sure when; either this morning or late the Leader of the Opposition would be this—— yesterday—to ask whether the Queensland Mr Borbidge: You said one thing, and Mr Government could provide assistance in relation Laurance has said another. Who's right? to the provision of rail facilities for the concert. My staff member indicated that he would pass the Mr W. K. GOSS: Let me try to explain. As request on to the Department of Transport. I understand it, the statement that I made three years ago would have related to a compensation As the Minister for Transport indicated, package that was made available to a wide range since that time, staff of the Minister have been in of people, including that company, timber touch with and had discussions with the companies, timberworkers and other people organisers and have responded to their associated with interests that they held on Fraser requests. My staff member also asked the Island. I would assume that the other statement representative who got in touch with him of Mr Laurance to which the Leader of the whether he could get back to him with details of Opposition refers relates to leases in another what was required, but there has been no further part of Queensland and that the two references contact with my office. I was reassured by my staff to compensation payments and leases refer to member that in fact staff of the Minister for two different parts of the country. If that is in fact Transport and Queensland Rail are dealing the source of the confusion, then I would hope directly with the organisers at the entertainment that clarifies the matter in the mind of the Leader centre and that they are providing additional rail of the Opposition. If it does not, then he will have services. They have met all requests made so far to provide further information, because I do not and will consider any reasonable request. know what he is talking about. It does sound to me like a classic case of his deliberate Pivot Projects Pty Ltd; Mr P. Laurance misrepresentation of the facts when he presents—— Mr BORBIDGE: I direct a further question to the Honourable the Premier, and I refer to his Mr Borbidge: You said it. statement in this House on 24 October 1991 that Mr W. K. GOSS: But did it relate to central the—— Queensland or Fraser Island? Government members: Oh! Mr Borbidge: Fraser Island. Mr FitzGerald: We will remind you. Mr W. K. GOSS: I thank the honourable Mr BORBIDGE: I will remind the Premier. member. He should not get too excited. I refer to the Premier's statement in this House on 24 October 1991 that the recipient of a compensation Queensland's Credit Rating payout of $2m for surrendered sandmining Mr PITT: In directing a question to the leases on Fraser Island was Pivot Projects Pty Treasurer, I refer to this State's solid financial Ltd, which was described by the Premier in that standing and, in particular, its all-important AAA answer as the owner of those leases and which is credit rating, and I ask: is the Treasurer aware of the main operating company of Mr Peter any independent assessments of that rating in Laurance's Pivot Group Ltd. the past few years? I also refer to a claim by Mr Peter Laurance Mr De LACY: Yes, I am. Something has that he was not the owner of those leases and just come into my office. It is called the Australian not the recipient of the compensation payment Bond Market Outlook, and it is produced by Fay, because, he says, the leases were sold in 1990. Richwhite Securities Limited, a leading My question to the Premier is: if Mr Laurance is Australasian financial house and, I think it would telling the truth, why then was the compensation be fair to say, one of the best known and highly payment of 1991 made to Mr Laurance's Pivot respected financial houses in Australia Projects Pty Ltd? and—dare I say—it is based in Melbourne. What Mr W. K. GOSS: I do not have the details that organisation is saying to its subscribers in of that statement in front of me. It was made terms of the securities market is that they ought 8 June 1994 8184 Legislative Assembly to b e lo o ki ng a t as being what the Government is doing. There semi-Governments—States—instead of are a number of incorrect things within what Mr Commonwealth Government stock. Lingard said. Yesterday he said that we had This publication was issued for the week taken $5m out of the showground subsidy commencing 6 June 1994—this week. It has scheme. taken into account a whole range of activities and Firstly, the showground subsidy scheme is a announcements that were made last week and program of $1.5m per annum. So we cannot take factored that into the advice that it is giving. The $5m out of $1.5m. Even the National Party could document states— not do that. We have not taken $5m out and put "Queensland has set a range of very it into there. What we have done is this: we have high performance benchmarks for the other brought into being a Rural Living Infrastructure States"— Program—and I ask members opposite to listen to this very clearly before they start to try to tell and it is urging people to buy Queensland people untruths—into which the Government stock— has placed $40m over three years. At the same "to try and emulate in terms of establishing time, we have brought the show societies capital sustainable net financing surpluses, works program—the subsidy program—into my eliminating net debt, fully funding public department, and it will be administered in the sector superannuation liabilities, defining same area. The $1.5m does not and will not the appropriate use of borrowings, funding come out of that $40m. I ask honourable essential infrastructure and creating an members opposite to stop peddling untruths economic environment friendly to strong around this State. and sustainable private sector activity at both the household and business levels." Suncorp Then it goes on to say— Mrs SHELDON: My first question is to the "The clearest marker of Queensland's Premier. In reference to the Treasurer's superb financial management is the announcement today that Suncorp will not be expected reduction in net debt to zero by sold, and in light of the timing of this the end of the 1994-95 financial year. When announcement just prior to the Estimates investors buy QTC stock they can be certain committee meetings and the State Labor Party not just of Queensland's triple A credit conference, I ask: will the Premier now guarantee rating, but that it is one of the most strongly that he will never preside over a Government based triple A ratings in the world." which would sell all or part of Suncorp? I think that says it all, and I think it puts into Mr W. K. GOSS: I was very amused to context some of the comments that some hear today that the Deputy Leader of the people in the community are making about the Coalition called a press conference to give the Queensland Government's approach to financial coalition's reaction to the Treasurer's statement. management. But when she got there, she did not have a reaction. When asked by the ladies and Showground Facilities, Capital Works gentlemen of the press what their policy Subsidy was—what their reaction was—it was sort of that the Liberals, at the last election, were in favour of Mr PITT: I direct a question to the Minister selling 100 per cent—— for Housing, Local Government and Planning. I refer to claims made by the Deputy Leader of the Mrs SHELDON: I rise to a point of order. I National Party that the $5m capital works subsidy never did call a press conference, and I was for showground facilities has been placed in the never there. The Premier should get his advisers Rural Living Infrastructure Program, and I ask: can to advise him better. the Minister advise if this is correct? Mr W. K. GOSS: I apologise profusely to Mr MACKENROTH: The short answer is: the lady. Did anybody over there have a no, the claims made are not correct. Once again, reaction? What I was told—and maybe I was it is just a case of the Opposition getting a little misled by a journalist; but it would not be the first piece of fact and mixing it with a whole lot of time—— fiction and then trying to sell it to the community Mr Santoro interjected. Legislative Assembly 8185 8 June 1994

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I suggest that the managed by subjecting Suncorp to an member for Clayfield behave like a appropriate prudential and performance parliamentarian. I warn him under Standing Order monitoring process; and, to meet the challenge 123A. of increasing competition in Australia, it will have Mr W. K. GOSS: I am prepared to take full to expand. responsibility for my understanding of the united That report reassured us and that has been coalition position. My understanding of the a significant part of the joint decision that the united coalition position is that it wants to sell 100 Treasurer and I came to and recommended to per cent; it wants to sell 49 per cent, but it does Cabinet, namely, that Suncorp should be not have a coalition policy yet, and it will let us corporatised and maintained in public ownership know when it is worked out. rather than be sold. I said this last year and I do not resile from this position: State Governments I have been accused of deliberately floating should not be in the banking and insurance the notion that Suncorp might be sold. To the business. Honourable members need to people who have suggested that, let me say this: understand in relation to such a statement that they are not wrong. It needs to be understood in there is a clear difference between going into the this Parliament and in the community generally banking and insurance business and ,on the that this Government has a very prudent and other hand, getting out of a banking and disciplined attitude to financial management. insurance business that the Government has That is underlined again and again and again by inherited—that it is already in. That is much more the independent commentators, as the difficult. But given the circumstances of the Price Treasurer just cited. Suncorp also falls within our Waterhouse report, and given the circumstances approach in terms of prudence and discipline. As of the dividend that we receive, there is not the a result of that approach, I believed that it was pressure or incentive to do that, and hence the necessary and healthy to have a debate in the joint recommendation. community about Suncorp—what it involves and what its future should be. That debate has been The other element of the Price Waterhouse sometimes informed; sometimes report that needs to be understood is this: they uninformed—but it has been a healthy debate, talk about the need for an nonetheless. expansion—particularly an expansion interstate. That has to be done for two reasons. Firstly, in I was also determined that we not allow to terms of the actuarial or risk element—to spread happen in this State what has happened in other the risk geographically instead of having too States in terms of the failure of financial many insurance eggs in the one basket in south- institutions, so it was important that at some east Queensland. Secondly, in terms of stage there be some external independent competition from very substantial assets, the risk investigation of Suncorp. That occurred should be spread. As the Treasurer has said, that subsequently, of course, when the Treasurer may require a substantial capital injection of and I agreed that Price Waterhouse would $200m, or $300m all up, or whatever it turns out undertake such a scrutiny. I knew when that to be. We believe that it would be inappropriate process conducted by Price Waterhouse for Government and public funds to be going commenced there was no way in the world that into that sort of business and therefore we have that could be kept confidential, so it was indicated that we will be looking to a partnership important that people knew up front, well and with the private sector in terms of funding and truly beforehand, why that investigation was expansion. being undertaken. It was being undertaken so that we could be assured doubly and That is our position as clear as a bell. I think independently in terms of the security or that nothing highlights more dramatically the otherwise of the investment that the public has in hopeless, hapless state of the Opposition in this Suncorp. State than the fact that they do not have a position. This issue has been in the public arena The key findings of that report were, in for six months and the shadow Treasurer is summary, that there are presently no "black incapable of standing up in this place today and holes" in either Suncorp's balance sheet or its telling us what coalition policy is. operations; Suncorp was financially secure and adequately capitalised for its present operations; the normal business risks of ownership can be Suncorp 8 June 1994 8186 Legislative Assembly

Mrs SHELDON: My next question is options—the ways in which we can go into directed to the Treasurer. In light of his partnership with the private sector to support the comments today that he would not be selling needs of Suncorp to expand and respond to the Suncorp in total, I draw his attention to his competitive environment in which it finds itself. comments in a media release distributed earlier The honourable member can ask me 1 000 times today, in which he said— how we are going to access it and I will answer it "Capital needed for Suncorp's always the way I have just answered it: it is expansion plans may therefore have to be important for us to sit down with the board and to sourced from the private sector. This could ask the board to explore all of the options. I have come in a variety of the ways including direct given a couple of examples of options and there share capital or through 'quasi equity' like are many more options that could be available to subordinated debt." us, but honourable members can rest assured that at the end of the day we will do what is best I ask: what percentage of Suncorp does he for Suncorp and best for the taxpayers of intend to sell off to the private sector through Queensland. direct share capital? Mr De LACY: I thank the honourable member for the question. Today, I said that to the Daintree Rainforest extent that we need to support the expansion Mr LIVINGSTONE: I refer the Premier to plans of Suncorp and need to provide capital to the joint Commonwealth-State decision to support those plans then that capital will have to purchase two parcels of land in the Daintree be sourced from the private sector. There is a rainforest in far-north Queensland. I ask: can the whole range of ways in which private sector Premier inform the House why the State and equity or private sector capital can be accessed. I Federal Governments have decided to purchase said in my press statement that it can range on this land? the one hand from subordinated debt to share Mr W. K. GOSS: This part of north capital on the other hand. I did not say that we Queensland and this part of Australia is among would be going to the share market—I said that the most environmentally important and that is one of the options. significant not just in this country but also in the Honourable members need to understand world. That is reason why this State Government, that we have made the decision to retain unlike the previous State Government, joined ownership of Suncorp. There is a lot depending with the Federal Government after the 1989 on that particular statement. Honourable election in a cooperative approach to the members should not forget that when the State preservation and management of that area for all Government owns 100 per cent of Suncorp we Australians now and in the future. have access not only to the dividend stream from There is a problem, because various areas the profits but we also have access to what we of land have been sold for freehold. call Commonwealth tax equivalents. In other Unfortunately, this kind of disgraceful conduct is words, because they are owned by the State typical of what occurred under the previous Government, all of the tax comes to the State Government time and time again, up and down Government. If we sell off part of Suncorp and we the coast of Queensland—from Starcke to the are not a 100 per cent owner, then we do not hole in the heart of the rainforest, to the have access to the full Commonwealth tax Sunshine Coast, and to places like Fraser Island equivalents. The answer to the honourable and Emu swamp. Environmentally significant member's question is that we are not selling off land was sold off to friendly developers at great Suncorp. We need to retain 100 per cent cost to the environment and for very little return ownership of the parent. to the taxpayer. It is an absolute disgrace and The honourable member asked a question shame that this Government is having to go to and I will answer it completely—all of the place after place around the State and mop up permutations and combinations that she wants these environmentally disgraceful and financially me to go into. I cannot say exactly how we are shabby National/Liberal Party deals. going to access that private sector capital. What In relation to the Daintree rescue package, we need to do is sit down in a pro-active way with they did the wrong thing but, together with the the board—that is where we have our commercial Federal Government, we will seek to correct it. expertise—and work through all of the different The Federal Government announced in its Legislative Assembly 8187 8 June 1994

Budget an $11.2m package over three years. This morning, many people have gone to This Government had formulated its Budget bike shops and asked for the bikes to be tested. already and, because of the lack of advice that Of course, the bike bloke does not know what to this was coming from the Federal Government, do because he has not seen the report and he is we did not make specific provision in our Budget. unaware of the problem that exists. The Office of However, the Government welcomes the Consumer Affairs, through its product safety Federal Government announcement as a group, will set out to provide details of a safety positive and generous initiative and it will do its check that bike shop proprietors could carry out. best to take it up over the three years, if possible. It will need to get that under way and to do that If that proves not to be possible, we hope that we pretty quickly, now that we are aware of reports of can extend the period for accessing this these accidents happening. In the interim as a generous offer over a slightly longer time, precaution we warn parents—all of us—that high- thereby enabling the acquisition of these speed riding of BMX and other small-wheeled significant and environmentally important pieces bicycles be avoided and that bicycles have to be of land and restoring them to the national maintained properly if they are to remain safe. heritage and the national estate. Since the late 1970s, mandatory safety checks for bicycles have been enforced in Bicycle Safety Queensland, requiring compliance with the Australian standard. The Office of Consumer Mr LIVINGSTONE: I ask the Deputy Affairs inspectors conduct periodic compliance Premier, Minister for Emergency Services and surveys throughout Queensland, and react to Minister for Rural Communities and Consumer reports from members of the public. Traders who Affairs: is he aware of yesterday's coroner's are caught selling substandard bikes face report on the tragic death of a young girl after an penalties of up to $120,000. The Office of accident on her bicycle? Can he report to the Consumer Affairs inspectors also check the House on what retailers of the bikes in question weekend markets. should do? For some time, a committee involved with Mr BURNS: The front page of today's the national standards has been working on Courier-Mail displayed a picture of a lovely little formulating new standards for bicycles. The girl and reported a very sad story that would worry Office of Consumer of Affairs has a most parents who have bought BMX and similar representative on that committee. In addition, we bikes that are now on the market for their have a product safety committee. Recently, children. I asked for a copy of the coroner's Cabinet approved legislation that will allow us to report in relation to the matter, and it states— take equipment off the road, especially "As a rider to my findings, I would like to equipment for young people, while we test it. make the following comments. I suggest Currently, the provisions of the Act provide that that the media inform the public of the we have to test it first, find it unsafe and then take potential dangers involved in the use of the it off the road. In the future, we are going to take type of bicycle the subject of this inquest in the equipment off the road, test it and, if it is situations for which the bicycle was not found safe, put it back on the road. If it is found designed or appropriate, particularly unsafe, then it will not go back on the road. bicycles which do not conform with The Government is acting very quickly on Australian Safety Standards 1927. It is also this matter. I advise people that it is no use taking suggested that police officers in the various their bicycles to the bike shop until we have towns of Queensland inform school some checks in place so that the bike shop administrators and parents and citizens' owners know what to do. groups of the dangers adverted to and a copy of Exhibit 15, the report of Dr Coin should be provided to them to assist in the Brisbane Watch-house proposed educational process. Mr COOPER: I refer the Attorney-General In adopting the recommendations of Dr to the recent comments by Supreme Court Coin, I further suggest that Queensland Justices de Jersey and Thomas who described Government agencies involved in enforcing Brisbane watch-house conditions as medieval standards of bicycle sales generally be and equated one day in a watch-house to one provided with a copy of Dr Coin's report." week of a prison sentence in a proper gaol. Mr 8 June 1994 8188 Legislative Assembly

Justice de Jersey also stated that it would be I refer to your letter of 24 November hypocritical for the court to subject persons 1993 regarding conditions in Police Watch- supposedly still clad with the presumption of Houses and comments made by the Chief innocence to such degrading conditions. He Government Medical Officer, Dr John indicated that such conditions had persuaded Lynch. him to adopt the precedent of releasing two The comments expressed by Dr Lynch prisoners on bonds when it would have been in press reports were his own comments more appropriate to send them to the and not necessarily those representative of watch-house. I ask the Attorney-General: is he the Department." concerned that a dangerous and alarming precedent for our justice system has been set? Again, as the Attorney-General said, it is a What action does he intend to take to prevent a matter for the Minister for Police and Minister for breakdown of the judicial system as a result of Corrective Services. appalling watch-house conditions? Mr Cooper interjected. Mr WELLS: I acknowledge the Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member honourable member's deep experience and for Crows Nest under Standing Order 123A. interest in matters medieval. However, matters concerning—— Queensland Rail, Consultancy for An honourable member interjected. Vietnamese National Railway Mr WELLS: Mr Speaker, I am anxious to Mr BEATTIE: I refer the Minister for respond. Transport and Minister Assisting the Premier on Mr SPEAKER: Order! Economic and Trade Development to press and Mr WELLS: However, matters concerning other reports announcing that Queensland Rail the watch-house do not fall within my portfolio. It would be acting as consultants to the would be necessary for the honourable member Vietnamese National Railway, and I ask: what is to address his question to the Minister for Police the nature of this contract and what benefits will it and Minister for Corrective Services. bring to Queensland? Mr HAMILL: It is a very exciting development indeed that Queensland Rail has Brisbane Watch-house been able to sign a letter of intent with the Mr COOPER: I refer the Minister for Health Vietnamese National Railway for a consultancy to his letter to me of 11 April, in which he worth $1.3m for technical advice from indicated his awareness of the deficiencies in Queensland to the Vietnamese rail authorities for watch-house accommodation but said that a the rebuilding of their rail network. It is very meeting between the Government Medical significant because it is a clear demonstration of Officer Dr Lynch and Director of Medical Services how Australia, and in this case Queensland, can Dr Todd had been held "to resolve any export high-value expertise and thereby make a difficulties in relation to watch-house medical worthwhile contribution to our country's balance services", and I ask: what was the result of the of payments. It is these sorts of consultancies Minister's investigations? Does he believe that that can lead to very worthwhile contracts with the statements of condemnation made by the respect to other facets of the particular Government Medical Officer Dr John Lynch on construction project, whether that be rail, road or ABC Radio yesterday are an accurate reflection whatever. of watch-house conditions when he stated that Over the last three to four years, prisoners, and police for that matter, are exposed Queensland Rail's consulting arm has won about to serious health risks in the present, appalling $4m worth of consulting fees for a whole range watch-house conditions? of contracts, particularly with countries in our I table his letter. region. As well as this current opportunity for Mr HAYWARD: I happen to have a copy of consulting in Vietnam, Queensland Rail has that letter, too. We should read it in some detail, carried out work in Thailand and Indonesia. In instead of reading parts of it. The letter states— fact, Queensland Rail is working closely with Evans Deakin Industries with the very successful "Dear Mr Cooper tender that that private sector company won with Legislative Assembly 8189 8 June 1994 respect to the provision of light rail facilities in construction works are earmarked for the Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Beaudesert area in this year's Budget. I think that all honourable members ought to Furthermore, for the information of the recognise that these are very valuable honourable member and for his constituents export-oriented contracts. I think that the other whom he has so shamelessly misled in this pleasing aspect of all of this is that Queensland matter, $800,000 has been allocated to the $1.4 Rail is being recognised worldwide as an Jimboomba bridge replacement. Almost $3m has authority with respect to the operation, been allocated to upgrading the Mount Lindesay maintenance and construction of narrow gauge, Highway. I think the member for Beaudesert—— heavy-haul railways. I think that that puts us in Mr Burns: Poor representation. very good stead in dealing with this region. If one had to characterise the railways in the countries Mr HAMILL: I take the interjection of the in our region, they tend to be narrow gauge, Honourable the Deputy Premier. I suggest that rundown and leftovers from a colonial past. We there has been no representation by the have emerged from our problems with rail member for Beaudesert—simply transport, and it is good to see that our expertise misrepresentation both here and elsewhere. is being recognised overseas. Sandmining Compensation, Pivot Group Jimboomba Bridge/Mount Lindesay Mr SANTORO: In directing a question to Highway Upgrade the Treasurer, I refer to a question to him in this Mr BEATTIE: I ask the Minister for House on 10 May 1992 in which he was asked Transport: is he aware of any reports which whether compensation was paid to Mr Peter suggest that this Government has reneged on its Laurance's Pivot Group for sandmining leases, to promise to replace the Jimboomba bridge and which the Treasurer answered, "Yes." I refer also that it has not provided funds for upgrading the to Mr Laurance's denial that he received the Mount Lindesay Highway? If so, can he inform payment. I ask the Treasurer: did he pay Mr the House of the true situation and how this will Lawrence $2m, as he told the House, or did he benefit the people who use the Mount Lindesay not? Highway? Mr De LACY: The Queensland Mr HAMILL: I am aware of reports Government paid a company. If we are getting emanating from none other than the Deputy into a debate about the specific name of the Leader of the National Party, who has been company, I am not prepared to commit myself in running around making claims in the local media Parliament. I will get back to the member about around Beaudesert that somehow the that. We paid a company, generally known to me Government or I have reneged on commitments as Pivot, $2m. That represented compensation to road construction in his electorate. Indeed, he for—again, I am working from memory—the costs has gone so far as to say that the Jimboomba that it had incurred in securing and developing bridge project which had been promised will not those leases upgraded to current dollars. There go ahead and that there is no money for the was no component in that payment for lost Mount Lindesay Highway. If only the honourable profits. The deal that we reached was a good one member could for once tell the truth to his for the Queensland Government. In other words, constituents. If he told the truth, he would not be it was less than the total costs that that company putting out those sorts of press releases. There had incurred. The Queensland Government paid has been no approach from the member for that as part of the compensation package for the Beaudesert to me to inquire as to what road whole of Fraser Island. projects will be undertaken in his electorate. It is If the member wants to have an argument easier to put out the big lie. It is easier to put out about who owned which company at what time, the claim without any information. he can have his argument and carry out some For the information of the honourable checks; that is nothing to do with me. All I know is member—because, obviously, he cannot afford that we paid the company that had legal title to a postage stamp or the cost of a telephone call to the leases. If the member wants to find out find out what road construction work will take anything else, he can do his company searches place in his electorate—I am happy to inform him and so on. here and now that over $6m worth of road 8 June 1994 8190 Legislative Assembly

Mr Borbidge: Do you stand by your Mr BRISKEY: I ask the Minister for Primary answer in 1992? Industries: to what extent are the community and Mr De LACY: I am confirming what the the various sectors of the fishing industry going Queensland Government did. We paid to be consulted about the development of new compensation to the company that had legal title management policies under the new Fisheries to the leases. We paid it $2m. That was, in my Act? view, a good deal in the sense that it was less Mr CASEY: I thank the honourable than the evaluation that was recommended to member for the question. It gives me an us. opportunity to inform the House of the stage we have reached on the new fisheries legislation. Some difficulty has been experienced in drafting Industrial Relations Reform Act some of the sections, but it has not been caused Mr SANTORO: In directing a question to by problems coming from the fishing industry. the Minister for Employment, Training and There has merely been a bit of a log jam. Industrial Relations, I refer to ABS figures However, I hope that the legislation reaches the released on Monday which showed that, despite Parliament before we break for the winter recess. the national trend for lower levels of disruption The consultation process has been caused by industrial disputes, Queensland tremendous. It has been one never experience experienced a 94 per cent increase during before by the fishing industry in this State. Only 1993—128 400—compared with 1992's 66 300 recently, within a period of two or three days, I days lost; and that, during 1993, the number of addressed both the representatives of the working days lost per 1 000 working employees Sunfish groups from throughout Queensland in Queensland totalled 132, almost 25 per cent who are gathered here for their annual State more than the national average of 108 days, and I conference and also the representatives of the ask: would not the Minister agree that the Queensland Commercial Fishermen's industrial policies being pursued by his Organisation who are gathered in Brisbane for Government are failing both the workers and the their State council meetings. At both meetings, people of Queensland? Secondly, what steps compliments were paid to the Goss Government will the Government be taking to address this for the way in which we have gone about the growing problem of industrial disputation in consultation progress with the fishing industry Queensland? program and the work with the fishing industry. Mr FOLEY: I thank the honourable That has been done through the Interim Policy member for the question. The increase in 1993 Council. That will be continued, because the in industrial disputes and the associated strike legislation will provide a permanent policy rate has to be seen in the context of the previous council, chaired by myself and consisting of year's figures being significantly below other members from all sections of the industry. annual figures since 1988. Clearly, however, the Four recreational fishermen sit down with Government is concerned by industrial disputes. four commercial fishermen in peace and harmony To that end, it amended the Industrial Relations to discuss particular problems. Also present are Act by introducing the Industrial Relations representatives of the unions, processors, Reform Act to enhance such processes as marketers, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park enterprise bargaining. That enterprise bargaining Authority, the Departments of Environment and offers the benefit of boosted productivity in Health, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workplaces. Furthermore, the Government will Council, charter vessel operators and the continue to seek to ensure that legislation and Queensland Fish Management Authority. The the overall industrial environment are focussed new Queensland Fish Management Authority will on improving productivity and reducing industrial be an expertise based authority. In addition, it will disputes, and ensuring no return to the dark have the zone advisory councils as a backup. days of industrial confrontation that occurred Different groups from different areas, right from under the former National and Liberal the Gulf of Carpentaria to the Queensland border Governments when employers and workers were at Coolangatta, will be able to meet in their own set against each other. localities with the people concerned to work out what is good for their fisheries. Queensland Fisheries Management There will be management advisory committees as well for the different fisheries, Legislative Assembly 8191 8 June 1994 whether it be the reef fishery or the inshore from corporate sponsorship, box office revenue fishery. They will have separate committees as and the Queensland Performing Arts Trust. It is a part of that information sharing process. The splendid festival. It gives our youngest children consultative process has been most important the opportunity to participate in a meaningful way and appreciated by the industry. All of those in arts and theatrical activities. I urge honourable groups met recently and referred to the bad old members to support it in their electorates. days under the former National Party Government when they said they were given the opportunity to look at proposed legislation five Community Sports Development minutes before it came into the House. These Program people have been consulted to the extent that it Mr VEIVERS: Bearing in mind that this is is their legislation. It has been compiled in State of Origin day, I direct a question on notice partnership with the Goss Government, and it will to the Minister for Sport. In December 1993, I be a great milestone as far as Queensland's fish received a letter from the Minister advising that a management is concerned. list of all successful and unsuccessful applicants for the 1994 Community Sports Development Program was held at each regional office of the Out of the Box Festival Department of Tourism, Sport and Racing. I Mr BRISKEY: I ask the Honourable the contacted both the regional office and the Minister for the Arts: will he advise the House of department's Financial Services Unit in Brisbane the significance of the forthcoming Out of the to request the total amount which had been Box Festival? allocated in the 1994 distribution of that program, Mr WELLS: I understand that the and I was informed that I should direct my request honourable member's young family attended the for such information to the Minister. Therefore, I last Out of the Box Festival, and as a result he is ask: can the Minister inform me of the total one of the most enthusiastic supporters of that amount allocated under the 1994 Community unique and internationally recognised Sports Development Program? Queensland initiative. The Out of the Box Mr GIBBS: The answer is: $888,000.64. Festival is an arts festival for young children aged When one is asked a question such as that by an three to eight. It will take place in the Queensland old cockroach, one has to get on top of him Performing Arts Centre next week, from 13 June pretty quickly. I repeat that the amount allocated to 19 June. The festival is produced by the under that program was $888,000.64. Queensland Performing Arts Trust. This is the Mr SPEAKER: Order! I am in a bit of a second biennial Out of the Box Festival. The first quandary here. I suggest that the question has was conducted, of course, in June 1992. The been answered. festival is probably the best in the world. Mr Perrett: This isn't a question, it's a commercial. Pandora Foundation Mr WELLS: Yes, and the honourable Mr PURCELL: I ask the Minister for the member needs to support the product. The Out Arts: can he advise the House as to the purpose of the Box Festival is the only major arts festival and status of the Pandora Foundation and the for young children to be held in Australia. It State Government's contribution to it? comprises more than 700 different events, Mr WELLS: Mr Speaker, as a renowned including live theatre, hands-on activities, patron of the arts, you will be particularly exhibitions, a special conference for educators interested in this answer. The excavation of the and artists, and much more. The Out of the Box wreck of the HMS Pandora is a voyage back to Festival features 18 specially commissioned the time when modern Australia was productions and employs more than 300 artists, experiencing its birth pangs. The Pandora sank most of those being local artists. off the Great Barrier Reef in 1791. It is a wreck The State Government's contribution to the which international maritime archaeologists say is festival in 1994 consists of $200,000 from the the most important archaeological wreck in the Minister for the Arts and $15,000 from the southern hemisphere. The Pandora was the ship Department of Family Services and Aboriginal that was sent out after the Bounty mutineers and Islander Affairs for an Aboriginal program in after they had deposed Captain William Bligh, the festival. The remaining funds are derived 8 June 1994 8192 Legislative Assembly who subsequently became Governor of the and will obviously improve the status of those infant colony of New South Wales. companies. Further funding for the scheme has The Pandora Foundation fund will enable an been allocated in this year's Budget. accelerated program of recovery of the Pandora I want to cite one example of how the artefacts to take place. The Government will be scheme actually works. Some members would providing a subsidy of $1 for each $2 raised over have seen the 7.30 Report last night. One the next five years, up to a total of $1m. The segment of that program was about the damage Queensland Museum is presently finishing being caused by boats anchoring on the Great arrangements for the composition of the board in Barrier Reef. That is an important issue. The the confidence that this precious part of Townsville company BEWR Marine has been Australia's history and Queensland's history will working very closely with the support of the now never be lost. member for Mundingburra to develop an underwater mooring facility. That mooring facility is actually screwed into the seabed. Concrete is Research and Development Grants pumped into the centre of an auger, and the Mr PURCELL: I ask the Minister for facility actually centres itself in the reef. All that Business, Industry and Regional Development: remains is an eye that can be used by vessels for can he outline the level of support given to mooring on the Great Barrier Reef. Queensland companies for research and Mr Borbidge: You could talk down there development and any outcomes of that support? beside it. Mr ELDER: Research and development Mr ELDER: That is a very important play an integral role in improving our economy. In development! That Queensland company is order to develop our manufacturing sector and imaginative and innovative, and it is leading the broaden our economy, it is vital that we add value world in the development of that technology. to raw materials and, in particular, obtain the best Rather than having large lumps of concrete or value for those raw materials at home. The anchors dragging across the reef, with this new Federal Government provides a major incentive technology permanent moorings are provided. through the 150 per cent tax deduction offered The Government has provided that company to companies, but the problem is that it does not with around $60,000 in research and provide much support to small firms. development assistance. That is a practical The conundrum for Queensland in terms of example of how the QGRAD scheme works and the incentives offered to small firms is that we how it is benefiting Queensland companies. have a large number of small and medium-size I want to pick up on the comment by the firms, and a gap existed that needed to be filled. member for Southport. Tonight is a very We have filled that gap through the Queensland important night throughout Australia, but Grants for Research and Development particularly for Queenslanders. Eighty thousand Scheme—QGRAD. It has been targeted at crazed Victorian football fans watching two providing small companies with financial gladiatorial teams fight it out for the greatest assistance to enable them to progress the game of all, going toe for toe in a no-holds-barred applied research associated with a certain contest? I'd like to see that! product. At the end of the day, that improves the bottom line and the financial status of such companies. Industrial Disputes Over the past three years, 45 grants have Mr CONNOR: I direct a question to the been made to companies. The early results are Minister for Business, Industry and Regional very encouraging. Every dollar spent by the Development. I refer to the dramatic increase in Government has led to $20 in increased sales working days lost due to industrial disputes but, more importantly, the majority of those have mentioned earlier by the member for Clayfield been export sales. It is early days yet, but those and I ask approximately how much these results are very encouraging. I cannot think of disputes cost industry, and small business in any other scheme that has achieved that type of particular, in Queensland? return for Government funds spent. This year, Mr ELDER: The simple fact of the matter is we have about $3m to distribute through the that the disputes that the Minister outlined came scheme, and we should assist about 25 off a very low base indeed. The simple fact is that companies. That assistance will create more jobs Legislative Assembly 8193 8 June 1994 that does not impact at all on the small business Mr HAMILL: I was very concerned to see sector. Basically, it is involved in a couple of an article in the Gold Coast Bulletin on 2 June in areas, a clear example of which is the growth in which the Leader of the Liberal Party had said small business in this State over the last five that the Gold Coast had been left to rot and that it years. The Opposition keeps saying this is such had got nothing much out of the State Capital a problem. What we have seen in the small Works budget. Of course, that was excluding the business sector has been growth four times that funds for the Gold Coast rail link and excluding of the rest of Australia. Where is the problem? the funds for the eastern corridor. I found that We have seen significant growth in the small very disturbing because I know that the Gold business sector. We now see 25 000 more small Coast rail link is getting $66m this year and I know businesses in this State than there were in 1989. the eastern corridor project is getting $16m, but I We have seen substantial job growth in this State thought that I would put them to one side. I did in the small business sector in that time. Where is not want to be churlish. I thought I would forget the problem? about that $82m and wonder what else was the Opposition members come into this House Gold Coast getting because, obviously, and continually raise whatever concern they can according to the Liberal Party, it is being short- find in business and industry, which probably in changed. most cases degrades the input of Queensland I asked around some of my colleagues and I business. They have not yet come into this found out that the Gold Coast was getting the House with any constructive question about the start of a $6.9m refurbishment of the Gold Coast Queensland business sector and this Hospital. Let us put the $82m for transport aside Government's role. They continually look for little and the hospital and see what else we can find. I areas where they think they have an opportunity understand there is the completion of the $6m to question this Government's industry policy or project for a new police headquarters and a new its industrial relations policy. police station at Surfers Paradise. The Minister for Employment answered An honourable member: Don't count Opposition members quite clearly about his that. sector. The evidence that I can tell Opposition Mr HAMILL: Okay, I will not count that. members from my sector—the small business There is also a $16.4m project for the new and industry sector—is that they are barking up Southport Court House started. Let us forget the wrong tree. The growth in this sector—the about the courthouse; let us forget about the growth in Queensland employment and the police station; let us forget about the hospital growth in jobs—proves that Opposition project—I think I mentioned the hospital project; members are wrong. All of the statistics prove the there is $2m there. Also there is the sand opposite to what they say. The statistics prove bypass; I think I will forget about that too. that this State, as has been outlined by many Ministers when discussing the economy, is well An honourable member: Mr managed, provides employment growth and Speaker—— provides economic growth. The Opposition's Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Minister will argument just does not hold up. It is about time resume his seat. The honourable member is the Opposition started working around this State going to suggest that the Minister is not talking as an Opposition. It is about time Opposition about things relating to his portfolio. Could I members started playing the role of an suggest that the Minister does so. Opposition and not the role of opportunists. Mr HAMILL: I will, Mr Speaker. I will forget all the other portfolios, because what the Capital Works, Gold Coast member for Caloundra said was that, apart from that $82m for the rail link and the eastern corridor Mr SZCZERBANIK: I ask the Minister for project, there was only $26m in capital works Transport: is he aware of any media reports which spent on the Gold Coast. I am delighted to inform have the Gold Coast as being cold-shouldered the honourable member that, when we look at by this Government? If so, could he inform the the eight Gold Coast seats together, forgetting House of the erroneous basis for the reports and all those other portfolios, there is another $37m of just what capital works are noted for the Gold in roadworks alone just in the Gold Coast area, Coast region, in particular from the Transport including $8m for the duplication between Department? Reedy Creek and Tallebudgera. The member is a 8 June 1994 8194 Legislative Assembly bit like the characters in the Life of Brian who clear and so public as in our once great public said, "What do the Romans do for you?" The hospital system. Once upon a time, under the reply came, "Apart from the aqueduct, apart from National Party and the coalition Governments, the schools, apart from education and health, and even under the old Labor Party they do nothing." I know who does nothing—it is Governments, people could be assured of a bed the member for Caloundra. and they could be assured of treatment in our Gold Coast Rail Link public hospitals, but no longer is that the case. That safety net that Queenslanders came to Mr SZCZERBANIK: I ask the Minister for believe in so much no longer exists. Transport: can he inform the House whether Queenslanders are now actually voting with their construction of the Gold Coast rail link is on pockets, because Queensland is the only State schedule? in Australia—against all national trends—where Mr HAMILL: I am pleased to report that it is private health insurance is now rising. In other on schedule. In fact, track laying on the Gold words, Queenslanders are no longer prepared to Coast rail link will commence in October this year. gamble with the Goss Government's health The electrical overhead work will commence early system. The Goss Government might be next year. I know that the honourable member for prepared to gamble with Queenslanders, but Albert is very keen to see this particularly Queenslanders certainly are not prepared to important project completed. Designs for the gamble with this Government. They are not new railway stations have been out there for the prepared to take the chance to expose community's comment and information, and in a themselves to cancellations, to the closure of little over 12 months' time the honourable wards, to the bed shortages and to the ever member for Albert will be able to see his increasing waiting lists. constituents able to ride the rail down to Honourable members interjected. Helensvale as the completion of the first stage of that Gold Coast rail link project. As I have already Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): indicated to the House, this year $66m will be Order! The House will come to order. The Chair is spent providing urban public transport services having difficulty in hearing the member for to the Gold Coast area. There has been $10m Toowoomba South. recently released in major bridge projects and I Mr HORAN: Where does this all start? It am pleased to say that it is definitely on time. starts with $800m extra in the Health Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time for budget—$800m extra to what there was four questions has now expired. years ago, and all we see is a system that has gone into rapid and ever increasing decline. We see a Minister with a hands-on style of MATTER OF SPECIAL PUBLIC management; he leaves it to his hundreds of IMPORTANCE advisers. He does not know what is happening; Decline of Service Delivery under the he does not have a clue of what is happening in Goss Government some of the areas. We have a Health Department with a budget of $2.4 billion and 36 000 Mr SPEAKER: Order! Honourable employees without a Director-General—six members, I advise the House that I have received months without a Director-General. Either the a proposal for a Special Public Importance department is incapable of finding one or no-one debate pursuant to the sessional order agreed to wants to work for it. We have one of the biggest by the House on 5 November 1992. The health authorities in the State, the Brisbane proposal submitted by the honourable Leader of South Regional Health Authority, which takes in the Opposition is for a debate on the following the major growth areas of this State, with only an matter— acting regional director—and that position for "Decline of service delivery under the only 12 months. We have regional health Goss Government." authorities chock-a-block with project officers, I now call on the member for Toowoomba policy officers, journalists and so on. I thought South to talk on this subject. Health was supposed to employ doctors, nurses, Mr HORAN (Toowoomba South) psychiatrists, physiologists and so on, but not (3.48 p.m.): Nowhere is the decline of service here. We have desks, reports, corporate offices, delivery under the Goss Government just so reviews, everything—but we do not have beds. Beds are being cut. Legislative Assembly 8195 8 June 1994

What we are seeing are three levels of forced to take a bath in the men's toilet because management. Budgets get formed in the the good unit that they once had, with all the hospitals. At sector level they get reviewed required facilities, has gone. again. Then in the regional office they are We have seen the fiasco of the QE II reviewed again. They are reviewed again in the Hospital being dismantled and virtually destroyed central office, and then they are handed back all as a community hospital. It lost its maternity the way down the chain. That happens with section. We see the chaos on the south side every single thing in health. We have strangled with the baby boom. The Logan Hospital cannot regional departments that can no longer make cope. The Mater Hospital cannot cope. How decisions; they have to check with head office grave would it have been to have kept that for every decision they want to make. This is the magnificent floor of maternity services at the QEII system of regionalisation that was supposed to Hospital? It was handling some 1 500 or 1 600 devolve power and authority back to the units births a year. How great that would be for the that do the work. It has become an absolute log people of the south side. We have also seen the jam of bureaucracy. closure of intensive care and cardiac care units at Perhaps nowhere are we seeing this that hospital. disgraceful decline in service delivery more than The most ridiculous decision of all which is in the capital city hospitals—the Brisbane being considered is to shift the Prince Charles hospitals. Some 40 per cent of patients come cardiac unit—one of the best in the world, from all over Queensland to attend the Royal despite the fact that it is restricted by financial Brisbane Hospital. That hospital has been quotas—to the crowded campus of RBH. How subjected to absolute grinding poverty for the could any Government impose quotas on cardiac past two or three years. This year, it had to surgery? It is probably one of the most basic and announce the closure of a surgical ward—cutting necessary elements of surgery. How could the by one-third its capacity to undertake important Government do that when it has reviews, papers, and necessary surgery. Only because of the consultants and project managers running protests of the staff and the Opposition was that around the State by the hundreds? ward finally forced to be reopened after Easter. The Greenslopes Hospital was offered to The labour ward at that hospital has closed. the State at no cost—plus all operational costs One ward out of two has closed. When they have for 10 years, plus $6m for a cardiac centre. That more babies than they can handle, nurses are hospital takes 70 community patients a day. trying to run around the corner and supervise Where are they going to go? The PA Hospital is trainee nurses, because they have not got chock-a-block; the capacity of QEII to look after enough beds in the remaining ward that has them has been destroyed; Logan is chock-a- been left open. We saw $4m worth of cuts block; and yet this Government has turned its imposed on that hospital just after Christmas, so back on a free hospital. that expensive operations on hips, knees, cataracts and eyes had to take lower priority to There is absolute turmoil throughout the other operations. health system as the bureaucracy tries to take over in Brisbane. The regional health authority in For the first time in the history of the PA Brisbane north is trying to take over absolute Hospital, there have been cancellations of operational control of all those hospitals. How elective surgery for periods of up to two days. can any system operate effectively when that is The hospital could not control the great happening at the top? cockroach scourge there. The women's gynaecological unit was closed down. This is the As to rural health—the Mackay Hospital has Government that supposedly looks after the closed down its psychiatric ward. In the midst of women of this State. I can tell honourable all that this Government is saying about what it is members that the women of Queensland would doing in relation to mental health, there is a rather have a hospital to go to than those glossy closed ward and a shortage of staff. There is a blue and purple posters and brochures that are shortage of occupational therapists in north put out by the Office of Women. They would Queensland, and there are specialist shortages rather have somewhere to take their husbands, throughout the State. In Mackay, there is a kids and themselves. Women who once had a shortage of anaesthetists, paediatrics, ENT, good gynaecological unit at the PA Hospital are ophthalmology and psychiatry specialists. In now forced to go to the renal unit. They are Toowoomba, there is a shortage of radiologists, 8 June 1994 8196 Legislative Assembly obstetricians and psychiatrists. The ear, nose Letters of apology about the waiting lists and throat director at Toowoomba retired in have been sent out for almost every Queensland 1980, and he is still trying to help out to keep the hospital. They say the waiting lists are indefinite system going. and unacceptable. But what has this What about dental services throughout the Government done about it? Absolutely nothing! State? They are probably the most disgraceful of People have been overtaken by bureaucracy. any aspect of public health. We have waiting lists Under Labor, it is the patients and the staff who of one to four years. It has now got to the stage in lose. I reiterate that, under Labor, basic essential Queensland at which the only treatment that one service delivery in the hospital has gone, and it can get at a hospital is basically emergency has been replaced by fancy schemes, treatment. If members want to see a terrible sight, burgeoning administration and bureaucracy and they should go along to some of the hospitals at by all the fringe elements that, at times, seem around 1 o'clock or 2 o'clock in the afternoon good but really are not necessary and basic when they finally let in people for some general when one compares them with the need for a treatment. They will see old people battling with bed, a nurse, a doctor, a roof over one's head the unemployed and battling with people on and a bit of decent care. crutches for a place on the front seat, because Good government is about value for money only a few of them will get in by 4 or 5 o'clock to for the taxpayer's dollar, and it is about the get treatment. delivery of basic and essential services. The One can nearly wipe off any general dental Goss Labor Government has failed to deliver a services in Queensland because the waiting list secure safety net in our public hospital system is up to four years. But what does the for the people of Queensland. Government do? It is announcing more and more Time expired. services, but it has not even got the money to do Mr PITT (Mulgrave) (3.58 p.m.): This that. That is typical Labor tactics. Next month, a debate has been brought on by the Nationals in general dental scheme is going to be a thinly veiled attempt to rebuild their support in introduced, but the Government does not have the bush. Everyone on the other side of the enough money to do that. The Government is House knows that yesterday's National Party going to expand the number of people to whom meeting solved nothing. The Nationals are still that service is available, but it does not have the stuck with a leader who is a former Victorian, a money to do that. So all that will happen is that Gold Coaster, a supporter of daylight saving and those people who should be getting a decent a person who knows nothing about rural issues service now will suffer even more. or rural communities. It is obvious that the current As to mental health—we have seen the crop of Nationals are regarded as a joke in rural closure of the acute psychiatric ward at Mackay. areas. We have the absolute disgrace at Rockhampton of the recycled psychiatric unit, which was Honourable members interjected. announced last year in the Capital Works Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): Program. It was supposed to be finished on a Order! The Chair has been very tolerant up to date this year. It has been announced again this this point. I shall use the powerful provisions of year with much fanfare. Standing Order 123A shortly unless members The Barrett Centre at Wolston Park can take restrict themselves with their interjections. only 18 patients, and it has an acting part-time Mr PITT: Thank you for your protection, Mr director. At the Gold Coast, detoxification wards Deputy Speaker. It is obvious that the Nationals are located in the midst of the aged people's are going nowhere with the member for Surfers ward. Biala has closed down, as has the Wacol Paradise as their leader. Yesterday's events rehabilitation centre. Those unfortunate people showed that nobody wants his job in the face of in our community who need help are being the inevitable re-election next year of this disregarded by the economic rationalists. Can Government. members imagine the people who used to This debate is a stunt by the Nationals. It is access Biala in Roma Street—where they felt part of their campaign to hide the fact that they comfortable—going to Herston and going have no policies and no plans for rural and through the buildings there to find their way into regional areas. Let us look at some of the things some unit in the Royal Brisbane Hospital? that this Government has done in its few short Legislative Assembly 8197 8 June 1994 years in office. These are all things that the organisations. The new Rural Services Directory Nationals never did in 32 years in office. Let us brings together in one easy-to-use publication a talk about the establishment of the Office of wealth of information about services and Rural Communities. organisations that can assist people in rural and As a direct result of its commitment to rural regional centres and represent another first for Queensland, the Government established the country Queensland. The Nationals never Office of Rural Communities in 1991 to focus on thought of providing such a simple yet invaluable issues relevant to people in country areas. This document even though they always claimed to was the first time any Government in Queensland represent the people in the bush. had established such a portfolio to specifically The successful QDIAL rural information deal with issues affecting people in rural and service has been expanded to make access to remote areas. Queensland is the only State to Government services and information easier for have a Minister for Rural Communities—a rural communities. QDIAL provides a display at portfolio held by the Deputy Premier. country agricultural shows staffed by a field The Office of Rural Communities officer to answer queries or refer people to toll- undertakes research and monitoring of social free 008 telephone lines for further information. and economic issues affecting rural communities Once again, the Nationals never thought of and is responsible for ensuring compliance by capitalising on the show circuit to help people departments with guidelines for altering staffing access Government services. levels for rural services. The office also ensures Another first for rural areas is the that all departmental programs take into account establishment of Regional Managers Forums in the needs of rural and remote communities. all regions of the State. These forums provide Since February 1992, a system of the opportunity for local managers of Queensland Government agents has been Government departments and agencies to meet operating at 13 rural and regional centres regularly to discuss issues of regional providing a range of services on behalf of all importance. That is a move which has improved State Government departments and agencies. communication and coordination across Queensland Government agents provide an departments in rural and remote areas. It is almost effective and cost-efficient system of one-stop incomprehensible that in 32 years in Government shops by delivering a full range of Government the Nationals never thought of information referral and agency services. The setting up any form of coordination among agents offer a far more comprehensive service departments in rural and regional areas of than the old ad-hoc courthouse system that Queensland. In office—and even now—the applied previously. Nationals say that they represent the people of country Queensland. But consider their record Agents have access to a detailed computer when the chips were down, such as in times of database to provide accurate and up-to-date drought. This Government has provided information. The new network provides a better significant support for families during times of standard and wider range of services than drought. For the first time in any drought, the previously available under the old clerk of the State Government has established a system of court system. A further 13 Queensland counselling and emergency financial support for Government agents are to be established as part families hit hard by drought. Drought support of the State Government's commitment to workers were engaged and payments of double that network. emergency financial support made to families on I turn now to the Queensland Rural Services properties or in towns affected by drought. The Directories. The Office of Rural Communities is drought support workers visited families in need preparing a comprehensive Rural Services of financial support and made emergency cash Directory for each region of the State. The payments. In the past, the Nationals looked after directories contain information and contact animals during a drought, but they never lifted a points for regional services. The directories finger to help families in distress. include information about emergency or crisis I now turn to another good initiative of this assistance; financial matters and income support; Government, the Rural Family Support Package. education, employment and training; health The assistance programs for families during services; housing organisations; legal advice, drought are being put on a more permanent and contacts for the various primary industry basis through the Rural Family Support Package 8 June 1994 8198 Legislative Assembly contained in the special Rural Communities Let us look at some of the initiatives taken Policy Package. The Rural Family Support by this Government to overcome the neglect of Package will cost $6m over three years and will the Nationals over 32 years. I turn to breaking the help rural families and individuals cope with major drought in public housing. Many centres in rural social and economic changes. and regional Queensland have received their The package will build upon the services first public housing for many years—in some provided by eight existing Rural Family Support cases in decades. Public housing has been built Projects throughout Queensland that were in the far-north Queensland town of Babinda, started in response to the severe drought, as which is in my electorate, for the first time in 35 well as the development of 11 new services at years. It was a deliberate policy of the National other centres. Those centres will provide Party not to build public housing in those areas financial aid, rural adjustment advice, support and for fear of attracting Labor voters to those areas. counselling services to people with disabilities, Public housing construction has taken place in youth projects, and family support activities and Cunnamulla for the first time in 11 years, and at programs that aim to prevent family violence. In Mitchell for the first time in 21 years. Murgon has addition, they will also provide two new projects received its first public housing facilities for 17 in south-west Queensland and on the Atherton years and the town of Taroom has received its Tableland to meet specific social adjustment first such accommodation for 6 years. Pensioner needs. As usual, the National Party never units have been constructed for the first time in thought of doing anything similar when it had the Charters Towers, Chinchilla and Moranbah. chance in its 32 years in office. I am very interested in the education A long-term drought management strategy system, and I note that a number of schools was developed by this Government in closed by the Nationals prior to 1989 have been cooperation with rural industry groups. The reopened by this Government. These include policy based on a 10-year time frame provides the Eromanga school near Quilpie, the incentives for rural producers to prepare for Gunpowder school near Mount Isa and the drought through taxation special assistance Lockington school near Springsure. This measures and access to professional advice contrasts with the record of the previous National expertise and services. It is aimed at making Party Government, which closed 51 schools in its producers less vulnerable by encouraging them last four years in office. During its 32 years in to plan for drought and to incorporate drought office, the National and coalition Governments management into farm management practices. shut 781 schools, many in rural and regional The Nationals always thought they knew best areas. and never engaged in the sort of open and direct About half of the $60m allocated for the consultation with industry that has been a School Refurbishment Program was earmarked hallmark of this Government. for schools in rural and regional areas. One of the imaginative and helpful drought Approximately 1 500 Queensland schools assistance schemes provided through State and benefited from the $60m program to improve Federal funding is the Queensland Graingrowers school facilities and generate jobs. The School Drought Employee Assistance Scheme. The Refurbishment Program included about 800 scheme, using State and Federal funds, allows schools in rural and regional areas. The School workers on grain farms to retain their skills and Refurbishment Program, which is funded from employment prospects through attendance at the increased tobacco licence fee, was special TAFE courses. The scheme was implemented to tackle the backlog of school developed through close cooperation between maintenance. the Queensland Graingrowers Association and Time expired. the State Government. Mr JOHNSON (Gregory) (4:08 p.m.): I rise For the first time during a drought, the DPI to speak to this discussion on cutbacks to produced a comprehensive Drought Bulletin. service delivery in Queensland. It is a little bit sad The bulletin provides details of all available to think that a State Budget has just been assistance to drought stricken producers, their brought down and yet there has been a families and communities. The bulletin has been complete cutback in the delivery of a lot of regularly updated and is available free of charge necessary services. by contacting local DPI offices or the Drought Mr Bredhauer interjected. Information Centre. Legislative Assembly 8199 8 June 1994

Mr JOHNSON: The member for Cook is Since this Labor Government came to making a mockery of this debate. It is not a power in Queensland, we have seen the subject for mockery. I will continue from where introduction of the Q-Link facility for small freight the member for Toowoomba South left off. On throughout the State. We have seen a the subject of health services throughout duplication of services. regional Queensland, I point out that, because of Mr Elliott: Beside each other, down the the shortage of 120 doctors in rural hospitals, road. lives are in real danger of being lost. The failure to provide relief doctors in places such as Julia Mr JOHNSON: Exactly. We bought $22m- Creek and Quilpie when the resident doctors go worth of rubber-tyre trucks to run parallel with the on leave adds to a problem in the bush that has railway line because the railway lines are no been created by an oversight on the part of the good. We are selling the locomotives to Vietnam. Health Department. We are pulling up the railway lines, and we will send them there, too. The Government is not As the member for Toowoomba South has giving those people in the west who are trying to said on numerous occasions, cutbacks in health utilise and patronise these services a go. services right across this State are threatening lives. The people of Winton have just implemented a program to export gypsum from Mr Bredhauer: Rubbish! that centre to Hughenden. Because of the Mr JOHNSON: I will take that interjection. tonnage rates of 10.16 tonnes per axle, the The Flying Doctor services the honourable Government will not let the trains travel on the member's electorate, yet since this Government line. It brings them back a further 800 kilometres has been in power there has been $256,000 cut through Rockhampton to get back to the line from funding to the Flying Doctor through the Burdekin. I say that that is false Service—$256,000! It is an absolute shame that economy. The situation has been aggravated by this Government should be proud of that. I will a misunderstanding of the needs of the people. send a copy of this speech to the electorate of The people in that part of the world are still living Cook and let the people up there see what this through one of the worst droughts in living Government is doing about services as they memory. Some of those people are not back to relate to the Flying Doctor Service. It is absolutely full production, and when they do come back to paramount that we have backup for full production, they will once again utilise those gynaecological services in the west. However, facilities and services. the member for Toowoomba South will cover that I turn now to primary industries. What a issue. shame it is! Since this Government came to I turn now to transport. Since this power, 726 staff have gone from the Department Government came to power, we have seen a 20 of Primary Industries. In 1990, there were 6 100 per cent cut in funding for transport throughout full-time staff. We are now down to 5 500 full-time the State. We have seen 4 000 jobs go in staff. The essential services of primary industries Queensland Rail. This year, another few are stock inspection services and research into hundred will go. The situation becomes graver disease, and they have been cut back. They are by the minute. In Townsville, 640 people were the real loss to the economy of this State and this employed in the railway workshops. Currently, nation. that figure has gone down to 360. The I ask Government members to bear in mind Government wants to wind back that service. It is that for every dollar worth of primary industry going to cripple that centre in Townsville, and it products that are exported out of this State, the will probably cost the economy of that area economy of this State receives a return of $4.60. somewhere between $15m and $30m a year. The Government says that mining is good. Yet Government members call that productivity Mining is absolutely fantastic. However, for every and development. They do not know the dollar generated in the mining industry, the meanings of those words. They are going to economy of this State receives a return of crucify the people who, traditionally, are the $1.6O. That demonstrates the importance of people who elect them. The member for primary industries. It is of paramount importance Townsville, the member for Mundingburra and that we keep the Department of Primary the member for Thuringowa have never Industries operational, so that it can continue to supported the railway workers in those provide a service to rural and regional workshops in Townsville. 8 June 1994 8200 Legislative Assembly

Queensland. The member for Cook can laugh all high cost of Government services and the high he likes, but the situation is becoming graver by interest rates were all initiated by the policies of the minute. Labor administrations in both Canberra and Last year, just north of Rockhampton, an Queensland. outbreak of anthrax occurred. What happened? Every time it makes a mistake, the We had to draw on all of our resources Government apologises. I think that is absolutely throughout the State to isolate that outbreak, fantastic, but why does it have to make a mistake because the services in the central Queensland in the first place? The Government is run by region around Rockhampton had been cut to the academics and the bureaucrats in the Treasury. bone. What would have happened if that was an Government members should go out there and outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease? We would talk to the railway workers, the council workers, have seen the total eradication of probably all the the graziers, the business people, the nurses in livestock in that part of Queensland. I do not the hospitals, the doctors and all the other need to tell honourable members the value of people who live in rural and regional the livestock industry to this State. Queensland. Those people are the lifeblood of I believe that one of the most serious the nation. They are the people whom every cutbacks is the cutback in Government services member of this House was elected to represent, to families throughout the State. In recent times, and every one of us in this House should never 26 courthouses have closed throughout forget their needs. I believe that this Government Queensland. Those facilities are important to all is not recognising the needs of many people in Queenslanders. Government members have a rural and regional Queensland. hands-on approach to government, and this year As an example, my colleague the Deputy they have realised that they have again made a Premier has just made an announcement about mistake. So, in this Budget, they are going to the Barcaldine hospital. The Government took reintroduce Government agencies. I place on the cash away from us, and now it is giving it record that I welcome that initiative. I do not back. That is a classic example of what is criticise when I believe that something will be happening right throughout the State. good for the people. But why take those Time expired. agencies away in the first place? Mrs WOODGATE (Kurwongbah) In relation to the Ambulance Service—some (4.19 p.m.): It is with pleasure that I rise to $40m in hard-earned cash was taken by this participate in this debate—a debate which, may I Government from the people in rural say, I believe has been brought on by the communities. God only knows what happened to National Party in an attempt to paper over the it. The Deputy Premier might explain what ever-widening cracks in its ranks. Let me say at happened to it. Mr Warburton, Mr Mackenroth the outset how amazed I am that we are and Mr Braddy have been in charge of the spending an hour debating a falsehood. The Ambulance Service. Where is the money? We plain fact is that there has been no decline in want it accounted for, but it cannot be accounted services in this State under the Goss Labor for. Government. I turn now to education, which is probably Let us take a long, hard look at the facts. In sacred to everybody, and which is certainly truth, there are many areas where service sacred to my colleague the member for Merrimac, delivery has increased under this Government. who holds the shadow portfolio for Education. In We just heard the member for Gregory talk about country areas, we have seen small schools education and schools closing. Let us take a look close—— in the increase in areas such as education. Since Mr Bredhauer: Rubbish. December 1989, 38 new schools have been Mr JOHNSON: We have seen small opened. That is in sharp contrast to the record of schools close. the previous Government. In the three years prior to the 1989 election, that Government was Mr Bredhauer: Name one. responsible for the closure of 46 schools in this Mr JOHNSON: Kynuna. Schools are State. In 1986, it closed 16 schools; in 1987, it closing in these places because Government closed 12; and in 1988, it closed 18. During its members are crippling the people who live in last year in office, it closed five schools. That those areas and who are suffering because of must have been an election year. Just a few the ongoing drought. I place on record that the Legislative Assembly 8201 8 June 1994 years earlier in 1983, the first year that the solutions dictated from Brisbane being made to National Party governed in its own right, 88 fit local concerns. schools were closed. What about the record of Regionalisation has resulted in Queensland the Goss Government? In four and a half years, Transport developing a more decentralised we have closed only 20 schools—most of them administrative structure. Consequently, with fewer than five pupils. increased emphasis has been placed on There are just so many areas where this delivering improved transport services to major Government has delivered. However, before I regional areas throughout the State. Its services get down to the specific areas, let me place on are now being provided through 15 district the record that this debate is fooling nobody, offices spread around the five least of all Opposition members. They are still regions—metropolitan, south-east, south-west, trying to pretend that they speak for the people central and north Queensland. of rural Queensland. The member for Burdekin The Department of Environment and has confirmed the National Party's failure to look Heritage has improved the level and accessibility after the interests of rural Queensland. His of its services—that would not have been hard to recent actions in quitting the front bench and do; there was nothing before we came to writing a letter critical of his party's performance Government—by increasing the number of staff confirmed that the Nationals no longer represent in rural areas by more than 160 and establishing the interests of the people in regional and rural new offices at Atherton, Mossman, Cowan and communities. The member for Burdekin wrote to Roma, with new premises being proposed for the current Opposition Leader, Mr Borbidge, Cooktown and Barron Gorge and a new complaining that "the needs and concerns of the information centre at Mount Isa. This has resulted National Party's heartland are not being met". in improvement in the delivery of client services Since December 1989, the National Party has in the areas of public information and education, not come up with anything positive for rural and environmental matters, community nature regional Queensland. All it does is knock, conservation, heritage and national parks. whinge and complain that the State Government is not doing enough. Yet it has never put forward I turn to the regionalisation of the any positive suggestions. Not one positive idea Queensland Police Service, a major reform has come from members opposite. They ought arising from the Fitzgerald report. There are now to be ashamed of themselves. eight geographical areas covering the State, giving assistant commissioners more autonomy The regionalisation of State Government for their areas of control. They now have the services has resulted in not only increased freedom to determine how they use their budget numbers of State public sector employees in and personnel to best meet and serve the needs rural areas; services are now tailored to be more of their local communities. The police in Cairns responsive to the needs of rural and remote know a lot more about what they need than communities. Regionalisation has meant an someone sitting behind a desk in Brisbane. increase in the number of public sector workers outside the south-east corner. Let us take some The Department of Housing, Local examples and look at the facts. The new Government and Planning has opened a total of Department of Business, Industry and Regional 17 area offices. These offices improve the quality Development now employees 84 staff in 12 and responsiveness of services to the varying regional offices, including Mount Isa, Gladstone, needs of regional and rural communities. The Bundaberg, and Rockhampton. This compares Lands Department expanded its service across with 12 staff in six regional offices under the the State through the amalgamation of four former Department of Manufacturing and former land related portfolios—Lands, Commerce. The regionalisation of the Geographic Information, Valuer-General's, and Department of Primary Industries administration Freehold Land Titles. Under the regionalisation and services is taking the department back to the program, the department has established 10 bush. Five regional directors have been regions and 33 offices. The emphasis has been appointed to Nambour, Townsville, on moving staff into rural and regional Rockhampton, Longreach and Toowoomba. Queensland to boost the level of services This means that regional solutions are found for available. regional problems, rather than Statewide The member for Toowoomba South talked a lot about the health system. I did not intend 8 June 1994 8202 Legislative Assembly talking much about health today—I wanted to a woman; I am proud of what this Government cover another area—but I cannot let the has done in relation to health. The member for opportunity pass. Much of the improvement in Toowoomba South should listen to this. Just the delivery of public health services throughout over four years ago, there was only one fixed Queensland during the past four years has been breast screening cancer unit in Queensland and possible through the regionalisation of one mobile unit in north Brisbane, which could Queensland Health under this Government provide access to this important service for since 1991. Prior to July 1991, all health services women who do not have easy access to the fixed in Queensland were controlled by a bevy of units. Now we have eight fixed clinics and three health bureaucrats sitting comfortably in their mobile units—and there are more of both in the Brisbane offices, often oblivious to the real planning stages—on the Darling Downs, health needs of rural and remote Queensland. Brisbane south and Brisbane north. Brisbane based bureaucrats were as distant in Under the Goss Government, new fixed feeling as they were in space from the people clinics have been opened at Toowoomba, the whose interests they were supposed to be Gold Coast, Brisbane south, the Sunshine protecting. Regionalisation changed all Coast, Rockhampton, Cairns and Townsville. As I that—and all for the better. More than half of the said, new mobile units have been set up in bloated Brisbane based bureaucracy was sent Brisbane north, in Brisbane south, and on the scurrying to regional areas where, for the fist time Darling Downs. Queensland was the only State ever, they were forced to come face to face with to achieve its breast cancer screening target in the mess they had helped to create in public 1992-93 as part of the national program for the health services. early detection of the breast cancer. Breast The Opposition is fond of promoting its cancer screening services have received fallacious assertion that regionalisation creates substantial funding increases in each of the past extra bureaucracy within Queensland Health. four years to enable the further expansion of The simple truth is that bureaucracy was actually services. reduced with the advent of regionalisation, with I have saved the best news about health central office downsized from 1 000 to about until last. The most telling factor—and one which 400. It might have seemed to some people that irks the members opposite who try relentlessly to there were more bureaucrats because, for the peddle their propaganda about the so-called first time, they were more visible—people saw declining public health system—is the number of them. As the regional offices were established, patients being treated in public hospitals. That is people in country areas found that they could the measure of how effective and efficient the talk to the people who were making decisions system is. In Queensland, the system measures about their local hospital or health services. Not up very well. In 1989-90, we had 461 302 only could they talk to them about decisions; admissions through the Queensland public they could actually have a say about how the hospital system. This year, the figure is expected decisions were made. With regionalisation came to reach almost 590 000. When I inquired this a voice for local communities about their morning, the figure was 588 000-odd, which is particular health needs. an increase of 27 per cent over the four years. The regionalisation also acknowledged the Closer to my own electorate—it was this health problems facing the people of Cape York Goss Government that built the new Caboolture and far north Queensland, as would be attested Hospital. Members opposite should not talk to by my colleague the member for Cook. In many me about declining services. We had nothing out ways, those problems are different from the in my electorate. In 1989, I went to a function in issues that affect residents of the Gold Coast or support of John Sullivan's election candidacy. the Darling Downs. Regionalisation allowed The hospital was promised. People came and those differences to be recognised and catered clamoured at the Premier to be. We got our new for, with the formation of 13 regional health hospital after years of broken promises from authorities. Within each authority, there are conservative Governments of which many community consultative committees to act as a members opposite were a part. voice for local communities. In my remaining time, I turn to the argument I turn to breast cancer screening services. that members opposite used to muddy the The member for Toowoomba South said that the Government's record of increasing the police women of Queensland have suffered badly. I am Legislative Assembly 8203 8 June 1994 presence. Members opposite claim that there are That is unfunded within the system. Schools fewer police on the streets. were not receiving any money for that. They had Time expired. to find that money out of their own school grants in order to satisfy this Government priority. The Mr QUINN (Merrimac) (4.29 p.m.): There is same will occur with workplace health and safety no doubt that there has been more money spent officers within the system itself. The principals on education by this Government over the past went on to make the point that, when they were three or four years in Queensland. But, asked to take over the payment for the utilities unfortunately, we have not seen a rise in service that schools consume such as electricity and delivery at the school level. What we have seen water, they received only 85 per cent of the instead is a debate about the volume of money funding. They were expected to make up the spent. When we look at what is happening at other 15 per cent themselves. They went on to schools, we find a completely different story. It is state that they had also been delegated the not only the coalition's view that this is cleaning of carpets within the schools, and again happening; it is also the view of several other they had received only between 50 per cent and groups within the community. More particularly, it 60 per cent of the funding. Even though the is the view of the State School Principals Government is putting around the idea that Association of Queensland. school grants have increased—and indeed they In a recent letter to the Premier, it outlined have—the Government has not been telling the its concerns about what was happening within other side of the story, which is that costs have the Queensland State schools system. In a reply been delegated to the schools, and the costs to one of the Premier's letters, in which he imposed upon the schools have been far more expressed concern about what was going on than the increase in school grants. The principals and about the views that they were putting are making that point very clearly. publicly at that time, the principals wrote to the The principals are concerned with the way in Premier and said that things were not as rosy in which they are being appointed to schools. At the education garden as he and his Government the beginning of this year, 100 schools started were making out publicly. the school year without a permanent school An honourable member: Table it. principal. When I subsequently asked a question Mr QUINN: I am quite willing to table it. It is of the Minister about how many schools had not on the public record. It has been used before in had a permanent principal appointed, the answer this House. At the appropriate time, I am quite was that at least a dozen schools were still willing to table the document. without principals after six months, and six schools had not had a permanent principal for 12 At that time, the principals—as did the months or longer. If this Government cannot coalition—acknowledged that there had been an appoint a principal to a school in under 12 increase in this funding but, when it came to months, something is terribly wrong. service delivery at the schools, the level had fallen away. I will quote a couple of paragraphs Mr Bredhauer: Where were the schools? from that letter. It stated— Mr QUINN: The member should ask the "While direct funding to schools has Minister. He would not supply the answer. increased under your government, so have At the beginning of this year, all schools in the delegated responsibilities which drain Queensland were advised of a cut back in these funds for purposes which may not be teacher aide time. From the beginning of the a high priority in the local school school year, if a preschool had a teacher aide community." absent for one day, it had to use the aide from The letter goes on to make three or four separate the nearest State school. That State school had points. Firstly, it states— to do without its aide for the day. At the State school level, if the aide was away for fewer than "I have received advice"— three days, no replacements were available. That this is the principal speaking— is causing massive disruptions within the State "that the training of Sexual Harassment school system. Teacher aides help teachers in Referral Officers in the South-west Region the classroom. They take reading groups and in schools of less than thirty children will cost individual students for remedial teaching. When such schools approximately $2,453." an aide is away for two days and is not replaced, it throws the learning program within a class into 8 June 1994 8204 Legislative Assembly chaos. That very real concern is being expressed Government to investigate what is actually by teachers, teacher aides and principals occurring in schools. If it does so, it will discover throughout the education system in that services in schools are declining Queensland. That represents a real cut back in across-the-board. Teachers know it, principals services to schools, and one for which this know it, parents know it, and the Government Government ought to be condemned. ought to know it by now. At the beginning of the last financial year, all Over the last couple of years, there has advisory teachers within the school system were been a real decline in support services for withdrawn. Between 200 and 300 advisory children with special needs. Those support teachers were taken out of the system services are vital. In the last Budget, the completely. Those advisory teachers were Government initiated a program for such support helping school teachers with numerous literacy services that was in the vicinity of a couple of programs and discipline programs and were million dollars. Those funds have not flowed helping them interpret and implement through to schools. Teachers still complain about Government policy and new initiatives. the need for extra support for those children. Suddenly, in the 1993-94 Budget those Mr Horan: All the support services have advisory teachers were wiped out completely. In gone. their place, curriculum coordinators were supposed to be appointed. Needless to say, Mr QUINN: All the support services have they were not appointed. Teachers are left to gone. If one travels out west and tries to locate a struggle through. I do not know what will happen speech therapist, one finds that they are very, once the recommendations of the Wiltshire very thin on the ground. curriculum review committee are implemented. The member for Woodridge complained Once again, teachers will have to struggle about the schools in his electorate. He said that through on their own. the schools in his area require extra services The Government may ask why teacher because of the socioeconomic backgrounds of morale is so low and teacher stress levels are so the families living there. The complaint of the high. That is a result of the withdrawal by the member for Woodridge was that specialist Government of services that were of assistance teachers are almost invisible within the school to teachers in the classroom. As I have outlined, system. There we had a Government member those cutbacks include no replacement teacher confirming the claims of the Opposition. All of aides if they are absent on sick leave, the these factors represent a decline in the level of withdrawal of advisory teachers and a lack of Government support being provided to schools. non-contact time, which will not be implemented One of the real problems is the lack of until 1995. There is a good reason why teacher replacements for teachers who are absent on morale and teacher stress are at their current sick leave. There is an inadequate number of levels. teacher relief days available in the system. At At the beginning of this school year in the present, teachers are entitled to 10 days' sick south coast region, the number of physical leave. This Government allocates relief on the education teachers was decreased. Ten physical basis of 2.2 days per teacher per year. What education teachers in the region were assigned happens when those days run out? Of course, back to the classroom. That was yet another the principal or the deputy principal must go into brilliant Budget initiative! Instead of having three the classroom, or teachers double up. Classes days on which physical education teachers are are made larger, or other people come in to try to available, most schools are now down to 2.6 patch up the system. The staff at the schools get days. Travel between schools by those physical by in the best way they can. education teachers has now commenced, which The increased funding that the Government means even less time for physical education is allocating for education is not finding its way classes. Again, who picks up the slack? The into our classrooms. I have indicated a number of teachers themselves pick up the slack. That is areas in which services have been decreased. It another cut and another decline in Government is in black and white. I now table the letter to services. which I referred earlier. Concentrating on the At present, this Government is telling dollar amounts being expended on education is everyone that it has spent more money on not a real reflection of what is occurring in education. However, I challenge the schools. There has been a decline in school Legislative Assembly 8205 8 June 1994 services, and that decline is outlined in black and disappeared down to the coast. Vince Lester white. walked backwards into Emu Park well before he Hon T. J. BURNS (Lytton—Deputy gave up representing a central west electorate. Premier, Minister for Emergency Services and He said, "I cannot run any more, they have Minister for Rural Communities and Consumer redistributed my seat, I have to go down to the Affairs) (4.39 p.m.), in reply: The member for coast." A lot of National Party members are Toowoomba South started his speech by saying, moving to the coast. The other day, I found this "Once upon a time". That is what this debate is all little song which I consider to be the theme song about. It is Dreamtime stuff; it is mickey mouse of the National Party— stuff. Once upon a time, there was a leader of the "Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside, National Party who had 12 per cent. He had a I do like to be beside the sea. There are a lot team of lazy no-hopers, in the words of Courier- of girls I would like to be beside, beside the Mail reporter Tony Koch—— seaside, beside the sea." Mr Welford: Bone lazy. I am told that that song is sung every morning at Mr BURNS: He had a team of bone-lazy National Party caucus meetings. No wonder Mark people who were lacking in ability behind him. Stoneman, that intellectual giant, said that Those bone-lazy people who lacked any ability National Party parliamentarians are all a mob of were unable to find out of the whole mob one no-hopers; no wonder he said that there was who was prepared to knock off the leader. something wrong with the party. Members opposite know that Mr Borbidge has Once upon a time, this National Party used less appeal than did John Hewson. In fact, John to be called the Country Party. They even gave Hewson was rating better than Borbidge, but the their name away—the courage of them all! They bone-lazy characters opposite are now trying to sit in Brisbane and write letters to their band together and present a front. I do not constituents out in the bush. believe it will work, because it is a sham. This is Mr JOHNSON: I rise to a point of order. no longer a National Party; it is a seaside party. What does this have to do with services in The Leader of the National Party comes from Queensland? Surfers Paradise and is a former motel owner. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): Mr Johnson: Where do you come from? Order! There is no point of order. Mr BURNS: I am not the Leader of the Mr BURNS: My point goes right to National Party. His daddy bought him a motel. As service—the service that a local member to the Deputy Leader of the National Party—one provides to his area. Local members who walked can spit from Brisbane to his house. The Leader away from their area and retired to the seaside of the Liberal Party lives on the Sunshine Coast. because they did not want to represent the bush The Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party lives just any longer have no credibility. across the river. Mr JOHNSON: I rise to a point of order. If Let me talk about the delivery of services the Deputy Premier is referring to me, I would like and the withdrawal of services. The actions of the him to tell me any time I have walked away from former member for Warrego are the best example my area. of the withdrawal of service I have seen. He was Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! the National Party Minister for Primary Industries. The member for Warrego represented that area Mr BURNS: I am told—— for a long time, but he decided that he wanted to Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The retire because it was too hard a job out there in Deputy Premier will resume his seat. That is the the bush. He came to Brisbane, shifted to the second frivolous point of order that the member Sunshine Coast, and suddenly found himself for Gregory has taken. I now warn the member for back in Parliament. The member for Warrego Gregory not to take further frivolous points of retired to the seaside. He decided to become a order. seaside member. Mr BURNS: Thirteen of these so-called The basic thing we can do for people is bushies live within a comfortable two-hour drive provide a service to them, which is what from Brisbane. Vince Lester and Neil Turner members of Parliament provide to their dumped the country people they represented. What hypocrisy for these people to talk about constituents. However, National Party members service delivery. When Joh Bjelke-Petersen was have run away from their country electorates and 8 June 1994 8206 Legislative Assembly leader, and he went around Queensland—and 1967 Mount Coolon, Gregory Downs, Bluff, these cowards were sitting behind him—he told Kajabbi, Hebel the people of Mount Isa that if they did not vote 1968 Eungella Dam (Temporary station), for him, he would give them nothing. He went to Malbon Blackall and said, "If you fly with the crows, you 1969 Thangool will sit down with the dogs". He had it the wrong 1971 Goonyella (Temporary station) way around, but the people knew what he was 1974 Saraji (Temporary station), Kajabbi about. 1976 Cracow At the time when rural Queensland was 1978 Stonehenge suffering one of its worst droughts in history—in 1982 Gun Powder the days when the National Party was in Mary Kathleen Government—what did the National Party do? It 1983 South Townsville (re-opened July '83) rorted the Government's coffers to a large 1984 Newlands, Townsville (Utilised by T'V degree, but its own people found that it was District Dog Squad) rorting the drought money. The National Party 1987 Burdekin Falls, Duchess did not give drought money to the battler. Court houses in country towns closed by the An Opposition member: Who? National Party Mr BURNS: When the National Party was Anakie, Blackbutt, Cracow, Goomeri, Halifax, in Government, it never worried about ordinary Howard, Ilfracombe, Lowood, Marian, Mirani, people at all. Port Douglas, Stonehenge, Walkerston, Wallumbilla, Yuleba Mr Johnson: Who was this? Schools closed by the National Party Mr BURNS: The honourable member should read Hansard; it is all there. Because of 1957 17 the National Party's crooked mates who ran this 1958 29 State, and people such as Joh, who had to rort 1959 32 the jury to protect himself, this Government has 1960 43 to spend $30m a year on the CJC. That is the 1961 42 National Party standard; that is the National Party 1962 49 way of doing things. 1963 84 1964 40 To return to the subject of services— during 1965 47 the 32 years of National Party reign between 1966 22 1957 and 1989, it closed down railway lines, 1967 63 police stations, Lands Department offices, and 1968 27 courthouses and never bothered to do anything 1969 24 about replacing them. I have documents that list 1970 19 all of the details of all of the closures that 1971 20 occurred under the National Party. Mr Deputy 1972 19 Speaker, I made arrangements with Mr Speaker 1973 08 to table those documents, so I seek leave to 1974 25 table and incorporate them. 1975 13 Leave granted. 1976 08 1977 08 Police stations closed by the National Party 1978 05 since 1960 1979 09 1960 Ewan, Tinaroo Dam, Koombooloomba 1980 04 1961 East Bundaberg, North Bundaberg, 1981 06 South Bundaberg, Brandon, 1982 08 Ravenswoo, Cordalba, Archer Park, 1983 11 Tinana, Granville, Newtown, 1984 04 Allenstown, Railway Estate, West 1985 04 End, Noccundra, Jackson (Station 1986 15 transferred to Dulacca) 1987 10 1964 Somerset, Nobby, Alma Street 1988 17 1965 Mulgildie, Blair Athol, Alma Den, 1989 05 Kidston, Gilbert River, Meringandan, Land Offices closed by the National Party Greenmount, Cooran, Ogmore, Yaamba, Mary Kathleen, Urandangie, St George, Barcaldine, Longreach, Taroom, Irvinebank, Dalveen Theodore Legislative Assembly 8207 8 June 1994

Works Department jobs lost in rural areas 1986 Port Alma 9.8 KM 1957 1320 1986 Gracemere Yeppen 1989 500 From To Industrial Division inspectorial staff withdrawn 1986 Port Curtis Edinda 1987 Tolga Kariri Charleville, Clermont, Cloncurry, Cunnamulla, 1987 Cabra Wowan Dalby, Hughenden 1987 Boralaba Moura Rail line closures under Nationals 1987 Blair Athol Branch Beyond 101.11KM From To 1988 Biloela Thangool 1958 Dimbulah Mt Mulligan Rail stations closed under Nationals 1959 Victoria Eton Glenmorgan, Kilkivan, Proston, Wondai, 1959 Gowrie Jcn Wyreema Wooroolin, Haughton Valley, Pioneer, Reid 1960 Glenelg St South Brisbane River, Woodstock, Benaraby, Builyan, Calliope, 1960 Munbilla Mt Edwards Rosedale, Dajarra, Duchess, Maxwelton, 1960 Lota Cleveland Stamford, Elimbah, Emmet, Morella, Pine Hill, 1960 Tirroan Mt Perry Rimbanda, Monkland, Bremerside, Howard, 1960 Innes Morganville Torbanlea, Gunalda, Mungar, Theebine, Tiaro, 1960 Killarney Jcn Maryvale Boogan, Herberton, Ravenshoe, Silkwood, 1961 Kingaroy Saleyards Tarong Edmondton, Bogantungan, Willows, Muckadilla, 1961 Barlil Windera Wallumba, Yuleba, Dimbulah, Amby 1961 Malbon Selwyn Mr Hamill: I think the member for Gregory 1961 Kajabbi Dobbyn is crooked on Barcaldine, too. 1961 Lappa Mt Garnett 1961 Pengarry Junction Crows Nest Mr BURNS: He is, too. 1961 Allora Goomburra Mr JOHNSON: I rise to a point of order. I 1961 Cooktown Laura am not crooked on Barcaldine and I am not going 1962 Blackheath Jcn Blackheath Colliery 1964 Ernest Jcn Nerang to have that statement in Hansard. 1964 Wallaville Innes Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! What 1964 Birru Marburg does the honourable member want to raise? 1964 Kingsthorpe Haden Mr JOHNSON: I find the remark of the 1964 Killarney Jcn Killarney 1964 Acland Cooyar Minister for Transport offensive. He is not even in 1964 Biboohra Rumula this. 1964 Goondoon Wallaville Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I ask the 1964 Isis Junction Cordalba Minister for Transport to withdraw the statement. 1964 Churchill Dugandan 1964 Kingaroy Nanango Mr HAMILL: I withdraw my worthwhile 1964 Wamuram Kilcoy interjection. 1964 Kairi Millaa Millaa Mr BURNS: This debate is all about 1964 Sleipner Emu Park service. I wish to talk about telephone service to 1966 Box Flat Park Head people in the bush. Austel is the independent 1967 Roma Injune body that provides information about bush 1968 Byellee Graham services. In its final report to the Federal Minister 1968 AltonDowns Jcn OM 13C 1969 One Mile Acland for Transport and Communications, Austel 1969 Albert Glenelg St stated— 1970 Gargett Owens Creek "Traditional Telecom, as the monopoly 1970 Benholme Kungarri telecommunications service provider, has 1970 Chinchilla Barakula had a mandate to provide telephone 1970 Kunala Birru services to all Australians, wherever they 1970 Alton Downs Jcn OM13C live. Services provided in rural and remote 1971 Newbury Jcn Victoria 1973 Cabanda Kunkala areas were often unprofitable and had to be 1974 Cotton Vale Amiens cross-subsidised from the more profitable 1974 Einasleigh Forsayth areas of Telecom's business operations." 1975 Aramac T'way 42 Miles In December 1992, when the Optus ballot 1977 Innisfail/Mourilyan 71 OM was held, all of the phones at National Party T'ways headquarters were converted to Optus—every 1971 Kowari Netherdale single one. In addition, the Liberal Party had 8 June 1994 8208 Legislative Assembly people running around collecting $15 for for Tourism, Sport and Racing) (4.49 p.m.), by everybody who converted to Optus, $10 went to leave, without notice: I move— its party headquarters in Brisbane and $5 to the "That leave be granted to bring in a Bill local branch. Do members opposite know what that means? When 11 per cent of the population for an Act to amend the Liquor Act 1992." voted against Telecom, which employs 10 000 Motion agreed to. people in this State, that was a business loss of $66m. The National Party voted to cut out money that subsidised the western Queensland First Reading telephone service. National Party members Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and scabbed on their mates in the west. When the Bill, on motion of Mr Gibbs, read a first time. National Party voted for Optus, it scabbed on everybody in the west who uses a phone. I make no bones about it, that is what members Second Reading opposite did. Mr VEIVERS: I rise under Standing Order Hon. R. J. GIBBS (Bundamba— Minister 121A—ministerial mushrooming. for Tourism, Sport and Racing) (4.50 p.m.): I move— Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member will resume his seat. "That the Bill be now read a second Opposition members interjected. time." Mr BURNS: The National Party decided to The Bill ensures that the offence of public take the money away from the Telecom workers, drunkenness will remain in the Queensland as well as from the bush services, and that vote statutes as part of the Liquor Act. This is will cost $66m. They say it makes no difference. achieved by repealing section 164 (3) of the Members opposite are not interested in the Liquor Act, removing the sunset clause which workers; they are not even interested in this would otherwise have decriminalised the offence issue. They are not interested in services of public drunkenness on 1 July 1994. The provided by Telecom or Australia Post. They think it is someone else's issue. I will talk about decriminalisation of public drunkenness was a another issue for them. recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. As a positive What about the Federal National Party member who talks about banks freezing debt response to the concerns expressed by the recovery? What about the National Party commission, an interdepartmental working group President who walked in and bought the $11m was formed to look at alternative strategies for property at Marlborough for $4m at auction? the non-custodial care and treatment of What about him? He did not do a bad job of intoxicated persons. ripping off a battler. The National Party is so concerned about the battling bushy, that its party Although the Government has previously president went to an auction sale and bought the supported the move to decriminalise this $11m property from that fellow for whom Vince offence, a study of the working group's report Lester was going to die in the street. Vince and review of material on the experience of Lester was going to bring that man and his family decriminalisation in other jurisdictions has cast here to the House. What happened to that man? doubt on whether the decriminalisation approach He got thrown off his land, and all the while that is entirely appropriate. The report of the National Party vulture was waiting to eat them up. Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Commission notes That is what the National Party is doing, waiting to (chapter 21 paragraph 21.1.3) that police eat little the bushies up. Members opposite go through this charade. They are a mob of interventions and detentions in police custody pretenders. Tony Koch was kind to them, as was have usually increased after decriminalisation. the member for Burdekin. They are the greatest Decriminalisation may not resolve the problems mob of no-hopers who have every graced the identified by the royal commission. National Party benches. Is it any wonder that the The Government has established a high- people in the bush are sick of them? level interdepartmental committee to develop Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The appropriate police protocol, preferably time for the debate has expired. administratively rather than legislatively, for the non-custodial treatment of intoxicated persons. LIQUOR AMENDMENT BILL The committee will consider the use of existing Hon. R. J. GIBBS (Bundamba— Minister facilities. The development of innovative alternatives to custody will be a key component Legislative Assembly 8209 8 June 1994 of this strategy. Retention of the power of arrest presently before the House will add the ports for drunkenness allows police to intervene component to the core and road-related where alternative strategies are not appropriate provisions of the existing Act. In due course, the or available. legislation will also cover rail and other The State Government is committed to the miscellaneous transport infrastructure. underlying thrust of the deaths in custody report, The prime objective of this amendment Bill and this decision seeks to realise that objective is to provide for the establishment and through more appropriate and effective means. I continuing public ownership of Queensland's commend the Bill to the House. port authorities. It is important to note that the Debate, on motion of Mr Veivers, Government will retain the strategic overview of adjourned. the port system to ensure a coordinated approach and the optimum provision of transport infrastructure for ports. This will lead to more TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE effective and efficient port authorities, which will AMENDMENT BILL be able to operate more independently and to Hon. D. J. HAMILL (Ipswich—Minister for react quickly and with improved flexibility to Transport and Minister Assisting the Premier on changing market conditions. Economic and Trade Development) (4.52 p.m.), It is intended that this Bill complement the by leave, without notice: I move— Government Owned Corporations Act 1993, "That leave be granted to bring in a Bill which provides the framework for the commercial for an Act to amend the Transport operations of GOCs, while the detail of port- Infrastructure Act 1994, and for other specific matters is provided for in this component purposes." of the Transport Infrastructure Act. Port authorities are to operate under both this Bill and Motion agreed to. the GOC Act. It is intended that all existing and future public sector port authorities be First Reading nominated as GOCs under the GOC Act. Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and The Bill replaces the port management Bill, on motion of Mr Hamill, read a first time. provisions of the Harbours Act and various other pieces of legislation dealing with port authorities. This is one of the many benefits which can be Second Reading attributed to the Bill; that is, the replacement of Hon. D. J. HAMILL (Ipswich—Minister for outdated and unduly prescriptive legislation with Transport and Minister Assisting the Premier on modern, performance-based legislation. Economic and Trade Development) (4.53 p.m.): I Schedule 4 of the amendment lists the move— considerable number of Acts which will be "That the Bill be now read a second repealed, thereby significantly reducing and time." simplifying the legislative burden. It is my pleasure to introduce the Transport The Bill is part of the Government's ongoing Infrastructure Amendment Bill, which continues commitment to micro-economic reform. While the Government's program of legislative review. significant progress has already been made on As I outlined to the House in my introduction of the waterfront, the Government is heeding the the Transport Infrastructure Act earlier this year, it call from the business sector and trading partners is the Government's intention to have one piece by striving for further improvements in areas such of legislation which clearly addresses the as port authority performance. objectives and management of transport This legislation and the GOC Act streamline infrastructure in this State. The Transport the legislation under which port authorities Infrastructure Act provides the framework for operate, leading to much improved levels of port integrated planning and management of the authority service to their clients, the port users. State's system of transport infrastructure. The drive towards corporatisation of the State's As indicated previously to the House, the ports will ensure that port authorities are Act is to be developed in stages to include all focussed on their core activities with clear components of transport infrastructure. The objectives, management autonomy and Transport Infrastructure Amendment Bill accountability for performance. 8 June 1994 8210 Legislative Assembly

It is anticipated that the Ports Corporation of The Bill recognises the importance of Queensland, the Port of Brisbane Authority and appropriate land use planning and the the Gladstone Port Authority will be corporatised significance to the ports of strategic port land. as GOCs on 1 July 1994, the same date as the This is covered in Part 4 of the Bill. It is essential commencement date for this Bill. The remaining that ports, in their role as facilitators of trade, have five port authorities of Cairns, Townsville, sufficient land for both existing functions and for Mackay, Rockhampton and Bundaberg are to be future planning requirements. It is also essential made candidate GOCs by regulation under the that ports exist as responsible corporate citizens GOC Act 1993 before 1 July 1994. It is and realise the potential of ports to impact on anticipated that these port authorities will be surrounding environs. To this end, the Bill corporatised as GOCs by 1 July 1995. requires port authorities to prepare land use Transitional provisions are contained in the Bill to plans identifying its strategic port land. provide these five port authorities with the A consultative process is detailed to ensure necessary powers to allow them to operate in the appropriate identification of such land and further transitional period before being corporatised. input from important stakeholders such as the These transitional provisions will also be used for respective local governments. This increased any future public sector port authorities that are transparency of the port planning process will established. lead to more efficient resource allocation in land Another benefit which will flow from the and capital investment and optimum land use. Transport Infrastructure Amendment Bill is the This will be subject to ministerial or Government increased transparency and accountability of the overview to ensure the most appropriate functions and operations of the port authorities. definition and use of strategic port land is Part 3 of the Bill defines these functions. This achieved. part also contains certain regulatory powers Over the decades since the inception of the which have been retained for port authorities to Harbours Act, extraneous functions have ensure the effective and efficient operation of accumulated in the Act. The development of this the port system. A model set of regulations will Bill has identified these non-core transport operate for all ports. The regulations control functions. These functions relate to matters such as access to port areas, the administrative land tenure/management, coastal mooring of ships, the movement of goods and protection and bulk sugar terminal facility passengers using the ports facilities, etc. provisions which are to be transferred to the The regulatory system will operate by administration of the appropriate Ministers by way notices and directions which move away from the of an Administrative Arrangement Order. These prescriptive by-laws that currently exist. The provisions can then be rewritten into more regulations will set the parameters within which appropriate legislation when reviews of such port authority notices and directions can be set. legislation take place. Clearly, this will enable This allows a port authority much greater flexibility Queensland Transport to focus its resources on in managing situations as they arise and in its primary responsibility of transport without managing the port in general. In the interests of having to perform these extraneous functions. transparency and accountability, these The objective of this legislation is to provide regulations will be available for inspection and for the establishment and continued public purchase. Other than the regulatory powers ownership of Queensland's port authorities. I mentioned in the Bill, if a port authority wishes to have described how advantages will flow from have a further regulatory power, then it needs to the Government retaining the strategic overview put forward a case to convince Government of of the port system, while individual port the need before the necessary regulation would authorities will be able to operate on a more be made. independent and commercial basis in the day-to- Also, a section has been included in the Bill day management of their ports. The Transport (section 61M) which makes it clear that a port Infrastructure Amendment Bill will complement authority can charge for the use of its port or on existing transport and GOC legislation, providing behalf of the State. This section ensures the the port system, the transport chain and the continuation of existing port authority charging State of Queensland with considerable benefits. arrangements in ports, including the charging I commend this Bill to the House. arrangements which currently apply in the ports Debate, on motion of Mr Johnson, of Abbot Point and Hay Point. adjourned. Legislative Assembly 8211 8 June 1994

Commissioner. There are associated STAMP AMENDMENT BILL administrative provisions, for example, regarding the keeping of records and penalties for non- Hon. K. E. De LACY (Cairns— compliance. Minor consequential adjustments Treasurer) (4.59 p.m.), by leave, without notice: I are needed to a number of provisions which move— contemplate only paper transfers. "That leave be granted to bring in a Bill CHESS has also given rise to associated for an Act to amend the Stamp Act 1894." proposals regarding the territorial nexus for Motion agreed to. stamp duty on off-market transfers of marketable securities, on and off CHESS. In this regard, the main change relates to transfers of shares in First Reading Australian incorporated companies. Duty Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and currently applies in the State or Territory of the Bill, on motion of Mr De Lacy, read a first time. register on which the shares are located. Following agreement with the other States and Territories, the Bill provides that this duty will Second Reading apply from 1 September 1994 according to the Hon. K. E. De LACY (Cairns— jurisdiction in which the company is incorporated Treasurer) (5 p.m.): I move— or taken to be incorporated under the "That the Bill be now read a second corporations law. This has also necessitated time." some consequential amendments. There are The major purpose of this Bill is to facilitate also changes to the territorial connection for the introduction of "CHESS". CHESS is the new stamp duty on off-market CHESS transfers of Clearing House Electronic Subregister System shares in foreign companies and units in unit which is the final stage of the Australian Stock trusts. Exchange's modernisation project for the Certain exemptions and concessions have transfer and settlement of marketable securities. also been reviewed in the context of the new It is scheduled to commence in September cooperative arrangements for CHESS and a 1994. Transfers of marketable securities on number of changes are proposed in the Bill. Duty CHESS for CHESS participants, including on certain transfers currently subject to nominal brokers, banks and other institutional investors, duty is to be abolished. The current exemption will be electronically effected. for broker-endorsed transfers which carry out Stamp duty currently applies to paper stock loan and stock lending scheme obligations transfers of marketable securities and to stock is to be extended to all CHESS participants and exchange sales and purchases. The Stamp Act restricted to loans for 12 months or less. CHESS therefore needs to be amended to apply stamp participants, like brokers, will also obtain an duty to CHESS transfers which are electronically exemption for their "entrepot nominee effected and to provide for the associated accounts". administrative arrangements. As stamp duty on A new exemption for transfers of marketable marketable security transfers applies on a securities and rights in respect of shares to and cooperative basis among the States and from institutional custodial trustees in certain Territories, the revised scheme of provisions to circumstances is also to be provided. For national accommodate CHESS has needed to be uniformity, duty will also apply at a flat 60c duty on cooperatively agreed. transfers of marketable securities where the Under the proposed arrangements, brokers consideration is under $100. will continue to account for stamp duty on stock There are two further measures in the Bill. exchange transactions by return on the same One is a minor technical amendment to the basis as at present. For off-stock exchange evidentiary provisions. The other is an transactions conducted on-CHESS, the Bill exemption provided for in the recent State provides for stamp duty to apply to the electronic Budget for debentures issued by financial transfers of marketable securities. The duty is to corporations. This exemption will apply from 31 be paid by the participants to the clearing house May 1994. The exemption from stamp duty at which will make an aggregate payment of the "mortgage" rate will also apply to certain amounts received by it from participants to the associated documents. I am sure that this will be welcomed by companies affected. 8 June 1994 8212 Legislative Assembly

Debate, on motion of Mr Santoro, inquire whether or not the property is a adjourned. transferred asset. In addition, the Bill protects persons dealing with SBSA or BSAL by waiving any obligation to inquire as to the title of the STATE BANK OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA entity to the asset, with certain exceptions. (TRANSFER OF UNDERTAKING) BILL An additional function of the Bill is to provide Hon. K. E. De LACY (Cairns— an exemption from State taxes and fees Treasurer) (5.05 p.m.), by leave, without notice: I applicable to the transfers on the condition that move— the South Australian Government makes a "That leave be granted to bring in a Bill payment in lieu of these taxes and charges. for an Act to provide for the transfer of part Queensland legislation has been enacted on of the undertaking of the State Bank of several occasions to effect the vesting of South Australia to a company formed to banking undertakings and facilitate bank carry on the business of banking under the mergers. Similar exemptions from taxes and fees law of the Commonwealth and for other have been provided previously in such cases, for purposes." example, in the case of the Metropolitan Motion agreed to. Permanent Building Society's transfers to Metway Bank. It is essential for this legislation to be passed First Reading urgently to ensure that the transfer of Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and undertaking can occur by 1 July 1994. Bill, on motion of Mr De Lacy, read a first time. Debate, on motion of Mr Santoro, adjourned. Second Reading Hon. K. E. De LACY (Cairns— FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Treasurer) (5.06 p.m.): I move— LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL "That the Bill be now read a second Hon. K. E. De LACY (Cairns— time." Treasurer) (5.09 p.m.), by leave, without notice: I The State Bank of South Australia (Transfer move— of Undertaking) Bill 1994 will facilitate the transfer "That leave be granted to bring in a Bill of Queensland assets and liabilities of the State for an Act to amend the Financial Institutions Bank of South Australia (SBSA) to the Bank of (Queensland) Act 1992, the Financial South Australia Limited (BSAL). The transfers Institutions Code, the Australian Financial are to be effected by legislation rather than by Institutions Commission Act 1992, and the conveyance in order to minimise the Australian Financial Institutions Commission administrative burden. Code." Similar complementary legislation has been Motion agreed to. passed in Victoria and New South Wales and is required to be passed in all relevant States and Territories by 30 June 1994. The transfers from First Reading SBSA to BSAL are being undertaken by the Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and South Australian Government as part of their Bill, on motion of Mr De Lacy, read a first time. corporatisation program, with the intention of the future sale of BSAL. Second Reading The objective of the Bill is to empower the Treasurer of Queensland to transfer assets and Hon. K. E. De LACY (Cairns— liabilities of SBSA or its subsidiaries to BSAL Treasurer) (5.10 p.m.): I move— during a limited transfer period and with the "That the Bill be now read a second concurrence of the South Australian Treasurer. time." The Bill requires registering authorities, The Bill addresses amendments of technical including the Registrar of Titles, to register or procedural matters with regard to various transactions affecting assets or liabilities on the existing provisions and reflects solutions to application of BSAL without being concerned to Legislative Assembly 8213 8 June 1994 some operational difficulties which have become Offshore Banking Units and Regional apparent with the financial institutions legislation. Headquarters Act (OBU/RHQ Act) to The Financial Institutions Agreement, which remove unnecessary parts of the Act and underpins this legislation, establishes the simplify administrative processes of the Ministerial Council for Financial Institutions Office of State Revenue; and (MINFIN) which oversees the operation of the Government Owned Corporations Act (GOC legislation. One of MINFIN's functions is to Act) to enable the State to impose a tax consider and vote on all proposed amendments equivalent regime and to enable the to the financial institutions legislation. Formal appointment of an interim Board to deal with approval has been given by MINFIN, in specific pre-corporatisation issues and accordance with the requirements of the facilitate the smooth transition of GOCs to Financial Institutions Agreement, to the corporatisation. amendments being made in the form contained The Bill also includes some minor in the Bill. amendments to the QTC and SBFA Acts which The passage of this legislation is essential to will bring the language used into line with current the continued support of all other Australian drafting practice. These amendments do not State and Territory jurisdictions and all industry affect the operation of the Acts. participants to the Financial Institutions Scheme. Performance Dividend I commend the Bill to the House. In the 1993-94 Budget, I announced that a Debate, on motion of Mr Santoro, performance dividend is to be imposed on the adjourned. liability management operations of the Queensland Treasury Corporation (QTC). The legislative amendments now proposed will give TREASURY LEGISLATION AMENDMENT effect to this decision. BILL The borrowing costs of all Queensland Hon. K. E. De LACY (Cairns— public sector authorities have improved quite Treasurer) (5.10 p.m.), by leave, without notice: I significantly relative to other States in recent move— years. This has been due to the benefits that "That leave be granted to bring in a Bill flow from the Government guaranteeing those for an Act to amend certain Acts borrowings and from QTC's liability management administered by the Treasurer." performance. Motion agreed to. QTC has achieved savings totalling in excess of $230m against benchmarks since analysis of savings for debt management First Reading performance commenced in July 1990. In Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and addition, QTC has achieved considerable Bill, on motion of Mr De Lacy, read a first time. savings for its clients because of its lower cost of raising funds. Savings to clients from this source total in excess of $190m. Second Reading In other words, QTC has achieved savings Hon. K. E. De LACY (Cairns— to date for its borrowers totalling some $425m Treasurer) (5.11 p.m.): I move— through its liability management operations and its ability to raise debt at a lower cost. "That the Bill be now read a second time." Before the introduction of the performance dividend, these savings were passed on entirely The Treasury Legislation Amendment Bill is to QTC's borrowers. Now, the State will share in aimed at amending the following legislation: these benefits. Queensland Treasury Corporation Act (QTC It is important to note that debt servicing Act) and the Statutory Bodies Financial payments for QTC borrowers affected by the Arrangements Act (SBFA Act) to give effect new arrangements will remain unchanged, with to the QTC performance dividend and terms being adjusted as required. Assuming that guarantee fee arrangements announced in QTC's past performance continues, the loan the 1993-94 Budget; terms of QTC participants' borrowings will 8 June 1994 8214 Legislative Assembly continue to fall from their current levels, even corporations (GOCs). Subsequently, States and after the imposition of the QTC performance the Commonwealth have entered into an dividend. agreement under which the Commonwealth has It is also important to note that participation undertaken to amend the Income Tax in QTC is to continue to be voluntary. However, Assessment Act (ITAA) to provide for the in respect of new borrowings or refinancing continuing exemption of corporatised bodies transactions, borrowers seeking financial from Commonwealth tax, provided that each accommodation outside QTC will be required to State imposes a tax equivalent regime (TER) demonstrate that the alternative arrangements which equates with that of the ITAA. are superior to those on offer from QTC. It was always intended that a TER for GOCs Such borrowers will become liable to pay to in Queensland would mirror that of the ITAA. the State a fee in return for the provision of the However, it will now be incumbent upon each State Government guarantee. Alternatively, if State to satisfy a Commonwealth/State Steering they choose not to pay the fee, such borrowers Committee that the TER regime in each State is a will be obliged to arrange all of their borrowings legitimate one. As the steering committee is still on a non-guaranteed basis with no recourse to developing policy in this area, it is necessary to the State. maintain flexibility for the State in implementing its TER to enable it to accord with any The legislative amendments proposed for subsequent requirements developed by the the SBFA Act are designed to complement the steering committee. amendment to the QTC Act by requiring that non QTC borrowers pay a guarantee fee equal to the The existing arrangement with the performance dividend in return for the State Commonwealth is due to be reviewed after five Government's guarantee of their borrowings. years. Additionally, it is therefore necessary to ensure that the corporatisation process is Offshore Banking Units and Regional structured so as not to compromise the tax Headquarters position of GOCs in the event that the exemption The Offshore Banking Units and Regional is removed by the Commonwealth at some time Headquarters Act was an initiative of this in the future, and GOCs subsequently become Government arising from the Leading State caught in the Commonwealth tax net. economic statement of April 1992. The Bill, therefore, seeks to amend the The Act was passed to grant concessions GOC Act in both these respects so as to protect from State taxes to qualifying offshore banking the tax position of both the State and GOCs. units and regional headquarters to encourage I note that the proposed amendments are them to locate in Queensland. essentially of a technical nature and do not The legislative amendments now proposed represent any change to the policy underlying seek to clarify the operation of the Act. In the existing GOC Act. I have consistently stated particular, the amendments will assist the Office in the past that the Government's corporatisation of State Revenue to administer the Act. program is not revenue driven and that the Regulations will be required to give full subjecting of GOCs to State tax equivalents effect to the Act, and these amendments will also results from the need to subject GOCs to the assist in making those regulations. same sorts of commercial disciplines as their private sector counterparts. I reiterate that this is Government Owned Corporations still the case. The Government Owned Corporations Act was This legislation simply strengthens the State passed by the Queensland Parliament in May last tax position by enabling us to comply with the year. The Act provides the legal framework for Commonwealth requirements necessary to the corporatisation of Government owned maintain the existing exemption from enterprises and, in particular, the corporate Commonwealth tax and also to protect GOCs tax governance regime for entities once they are positions in the event that, at some time in the corporatised. future, a Commonwealth Government removes The GOC Act was enacted whilst those exemptions. There will be no additional negotiations were being undertaken between revenue to the State forthcoming as a result of the Commonwealth and State Governments on these amendments and, indeed, they will result the taxation treatment of Government owned Legislative Assembly 8215 8 June 1994 in a much more transparent taxation regime statistic that reflects the level of unemployment. within the State. Another 5 per cent can be added onto that to I have also taken the opportunity as part of reflect the hidden unemployment rate. Further this Bill to seek amendment to the GOC Act in a problems include youth unemployment, which number of minor respects to facilitate the smooth stands, as a State average, at 27.5 per cent. In transition of GOEs to corporatised entities. many electorates, including many of the Amongst these amendments is the provision for electorates of members opposite, the figure is as an interim board to be appointed to a GOC high as 40 per cent. Also of concern are class candidate with responsibility for the undertaking sizes and related issues in education. I of precorporatisation issues and the provision of compliment the shadow Minister for Education certainty in respect of accrued leave entitlements for telling the House that it does not matter how of persons becoming employed by a GOC. much money we throw at education; unless we are getting good outcomes, that money is I commend this Bill to the House. worthless. Debate, on motion of Mr Santoro, There is the ever-continuing concern and adjourned. alarm about the law and order crisis, as suburban police stations are closed and the rate of violent APPROPRIATION (PARLIAMENT) BILL crime continues to spiral. There is the continuing crisis in the Queensland hospital system, and in APPROPRIATION BILL the provision of medical services in urban and Second Reading (Cognate Debate) rural Queensland. Also of concern is the fact that Debate resumed from 7 June (see p. 8136). tertiary entrance places for school leavers continue to be in shamelessly inadequate Mr SANTORO (Clayfield—Deputy Leader supply, with some 14 000 Queenslanders of the Liberal Party) (5.19 p.m.): During this unsuccessful last year in their application for a debate, we are considering and analysing a true tertiary place. And all of this neglect can be Labor Budget. True Labor Budgets tax big, juxtaposed with the Government's new position spend big, take out huge mortgages and are on infrastructure funding, that is, it now believes inefficient in service delivery. The closer one that it is in the best interests of the State for the looks at this Goss/De Lacy Budget, the more public sector to fund an increased number of convinced one becomes that this Budget is as infrastructure programs which the private sector much a Labor Budget as any one that was ever finds too risky. The net result is that the future brought down by the likes of Labor Premiers Budget strategy of this Government will be such as Cain, Bannon and Burke. In fact, the exposed to greater risks than it is currently—risks fundamental budgetary strategy of the Goss that this Government is too ready to take with Labor Government is no different from any other taxpayers' money and via the very simple, Labor administration that has governed in nevertheless disastrous, future mortgaging of Australia in the last 15 years. this State's assets. The only principle that this Government is pursuing is the ideal of a large and intrusive The Goss Labor Government has failed to bureaucracy where fiscal responsibility is based take the hard decisions and show the real on the notion of increased taxation and leadership that the community is crying out for on increased spending, where big Government is these most important issues. This year, this thought foolishly to be better Government, and Labor Government was faced with the choice of damn the concept of the efficient service designing a Budget which would either support delivery of Government services. No amount of Queensland families, the rural and regional rhetoric from the Treasurer and members community, the sanctity of the legal system and opposite can hide this fact, or the harsh the rights individuals are afforded under socioeconomic realities that the 1994-95 Budget it—again, I note the sensitivity of the Ministers in should have addressed. answering questions in relation to the shameful neglect of watch-houses—and the continuing Labor has failed to deal with the prosperity of our State, or a Budget fundamental issues and problems which haunt compromised by political correctness and the the Queensland economy and Queensland influence of the increasingly powerful trade citizens, including unemployment, which stands union movement. Unfortunately, Messrs Goss at some 9.9 per cent—and that is only the official and De Lacy and the ever-increasing Left 8 June 1994 8216 Legislative Assembly influence within the Government chose the In 1983-84, total regulatory fees accounted latter, and Queenslanders will be much worse off for 7.48 per cent of total taxes, fees and fines. In as a result. 1988-89, this figure had dropped to 6.9 per Again, in relation to the increasing influence cent. However, since that time—and under the of the Left, one need not look beyond the big-taxing policies of the Goss Labor decision that was announced today in regard to Government—this figure has increased to 17.98 Suncorp to realise that our Left Wing Treasurer per cent in 1989-90, to 29.28 per cent in 1990- had a very successful day compared with that of 91 and to 30.58 per cent in 1992-93. Labor our more pragmatic Premier, as some people predicted that this figure would rise to 31.79 per have described him. cent in 1993-94, but the temptation for Labor to stick its hand in the public till once more was Mr Laming: Who lost? unbearable, and the figure proved to be more Mr SANTORO: I will take the interjection. I than the Budget estimate. The Goss Labor think the Premier looked decisively unhappy as Government predicts that in 1994-95, this figure the various statements were made by the will rise again. That is another illustration of the Treasurer in relation to Suncorp. I suppose it was hand of the thief in Queenslanders' pockets. as bruising a fight as that other fight they had In light of these figures, Queenslanders will recently within their party room—a few loud not be fooled into believing that this is a screams and gnashing of teeth. Government committed to the provision of low- Mr Springborg: Trading hours. tax government. Once again, I call on the Goss Mr SANTORO: I will take the interjection Labor Government to come clean in the area of by the honourable member; it was about trading fines, fees and forfeitures. I have not yet heard a hours. They seem to be getting it wrong time coherent answer to the question of the basis after time. upon which the levels of fines and fees are determined. The Goss Government needs to This has been no more evident than in the address concerns about whether such fines are manner in which this Government has attempted wilfully set above cost at de facto tax levels so as to deceive the public into thinking that it is a to finance Government rhetoric and social Government committed to no new taxes. Indeed, experimentation. as I will illustrate, this Government is about picking the pockets of the Queensland public Summarising thus far—there can be no like a thief in the night. Year after year, it lingering doubt that the growth in fees, fines and continues to impose ever-increasing tax burdens forfeitures from $176.9m in 1988-89 to $1.1784 on all Queenslanders. billion in the last fiscal year is nothing short of spectacular. However, an open, honest and As I pointed out in last year's Budget accountable Government would have ensured Speech, Queenslanders need to be continually that the significance of these matters was made aware of the rapid growth of what I have brought to the public's attention so that a full described before as Clayton's taxes. This growth understanding and appraisal could be made by has continued during the last year, and it will the wider community. Unfortunately, despite its continue during this financial year. In fact, the protestations that it is an accountable incursion of these Clayton's taxes can be seen Government, Labor has again failed the test and across the broad spectrum of Government proved once more that it will not come clean on services. Indeed, due to the impact of its real agenda. corporatisation policies, many services that were once tax funded have now been made available While the Goss Government is keen to tell on a user-pays basis. As a result, there can be no us that there are no new taxes, it is much less doubt that the revenue which has accrued to the keen to tell us about the growth of its de facto Government from fees, fines and forfeitures taxes or about the grounds on which the level of must be regarded as a form of de facto taxation. those fees and fines are set. This point gives a As it did in last year's Budget, this Labor clear illustration that, when it comes to public Government—in particular, the Treasurer—has accountability, this Government is all about talk remained silent on this important issue. and camouflage. However, the Opposition will not remain silent on Whilst the Goss Labor Government has this issue, and nor should it. obviously approached fees, fines and forfeitures with a clear-cut but deceitful revenue plan, the same cannot be said of the broad thrust of the Legislative Assembly 8217 8 June 1994 rest of the Government's budgetary plan. We for a football grandstand as against a $40m rural have all heard of the Goss Government's package—to know with certainty what this vacillations regarding the Indy car race, towards Government thinks of their contribution and which its most recent stance is one of continuing importance. support. To date, the Government has lost $50m For this Government, then, car races and on this race over the past four years, including football grandstands are not only important some $13m in the last year. Likewise, because of enough to warrant Government intervention and cost overruns and an apparent commitment to investment but are also more important than State of Origin football, the Goss Government is anything else that can be found either in sinking some $27m into the new Lang Park Queensland's rural sector or in Queensland's grandstand. education sector. This latter sector sees 14 000 Evidently, Mr Goss and his Government young Queenslanders unable to find a place in a deem these to be good investments. It seems tertiary institution. Further, these are 14 000 too that, as far as tourist or media—read few places in a world economy demanding more "sporting"—events are concerned, this and more of such training. Government is ready to state that significant This Government's eye for externalities and external economies, as economists call them, are reasons for public investment are clearly involved, thus justifying Government investment politically selective. The high-profile areas of and intervention. However, elsewhere in the sport and tourism appeal and matter in a way that economy, this Government seems oddly rural economic activity and education do not. In incapable of seeing any other such externalities. an analogous way, the defence of traditional Recently, we saw that this Government was community values has been further sacrificed by forced to back down over its 1993 decision to cuts in policing which, in the case of my Clayfield close dozens of branch rail lines in Queensland. electorate, have seen the creation of shopfront While we applaud the fact that the Government police stations at the expense of the traditional did eventually redress this problem, it must not community policing function, as I told this place be forgotten that the problem was created by the last night. Law and order matters to my Government in the first place in its premature constituents and to Queenslanders in general. rush to assert that no externalities exist in But law and order and neighbourhood police Queensland away from such events as the Indy work in my electorate apparently do not rate race or Lang Park. highly in the eyes of this Government, which has The Government was forced to recognise, sold out on those basic matters and many other in this instance, that it had viewed the rural matters of basic service provisions in the hope community through dark glasses. Evidently, it that media hype from a car race will win them sees no externalities or economic reason for votes. This Government is all about image and supporting the rural sector and the backbone of public relations and most forgetful about the our traditional economic base. In fact, as my delivery of essential services such as education, colleague the Deputy Leader of the Coalition has health and law and order. pointed out, this Budget's rural support package I now turn to another misdirection in Budget of some $40m over three years is less than the policy, that is, the creation of the QIFF. When the Government has already been willing to sink into Goss Labor Government came to power in 1989, a car race and about the same as it has sunk into this State's public finances were in a football grandstand. I suggest that this unprecedented good shape. Whereas other Government is looking at the wrong scoreboard. States under the dead hand of Labor However much Queenslanders and Governments were sinking into fiscal quagmires, Australians love their sport, their opportunity to the coalition Government in Queensland had enjoy it is based on the generation of income sensibly and rightly minimised Government and wealth. This Government makes it obvious intrusions into the operation of the State by its actions that it has its eye on short-term economy. The record is clear, both for earlier votes, not on the much more significant and conservative Governments in Queensland and durable matters of the generation of long-term for those States that indulged in socialist economic growth and prosperity, including experimentation under Labor Governments. regional prosperity throughout the State. Rural Tragically for Queensland's future prospects, the Queenslanders need only look at those simple Goss Government now thumbs its nose at that figures—the $50m for an Indy car race or $40m record and seeks to indulge itself in its own 8 June 1994 8218 Legislative Assembly socialist experimentation through the Education and Training and Delivery Support. Queensland Infrastructure Financing Fund and One fact is immediately obvious, that is, that the other Government instrumentalities. effectiveness of the entire program in terms of Until now, Queensland Governments have the creation of greater access to the labour avoided the fiascos of the South Australian State market must have a significant question mark Bank, Transcontinental, WA Inc and such like hanging over it in light of the persistently high specifically by not interfering in the ways I have levels of unemployment, particularly the long- just outlined. However, the Goss Government term unemployment, that this State continues to now places our future in jeopardy both by doing experience. Further, in regard to the quality of what it should not—in terms of QIFF and Q education provided, there also must be Invest—and by not doing what it should. The significant concerns over the Government's Goss Labor Government has ignored the need proposal to increase vocational education places to urgently safeguard our future via education by an additional 11 000 yet decrease staffing and skill development and has further neglected numbers in the key subprogram of Vocational to recognise that our traditional rural sector just Education and Training. might warrant the support given to a football In short, this Government is following a grandstand. strategy that is fundamentally flawed. Indeed, the I now intend to focus on some other matters Goss Labor Government has generally specific to employment, vocational education, maintained the staffing levels of the other training and industrial relations. An analysis of the administrative subprograms and the emphasis Budget figures for the Department of placed on them, yet has reduced the emphasis Employment, Training and Industrial Relations placed on the subprogram of Vocational would seem to suggest that the Goss Labor Education and Training, which is the key to the Government has taken a responsible approach central aims of maximising employment and skills to this very important area. However, such a development opportunities. In short, the moderate and thoughtful approach by the Government has thrown out the baby and kept Treasurer immediately alarmed me, since my the bathwater. Thus, I reiterate that the Goss colleagues and I on this side of the House know Labor Government continues to fail in maximising only too well that the Treasurer and Labor are employment and skill development opportunities incapable of such a moderate viewpoint. for Queenslanders; reducing the incidence of Unfortunately, a deeper analysis of this portfolio unemployed people, particularly the long-term and its programs indeed confirmed my worst unemployed; and developing a world-class fears. These are that this Government again has competitive training market. failed to show real leadership and initiative in this Another glaring point that needs to be field, and has been negligent in ensuring that addressed again is this Government's continued the fundamental issues that face this State in the neglect of all things rural. Indeed, a comparison area of employment, training and industrial of Government assistance to rural training relations are being adequately met. schools and rural community education as More specifically, Labor has failed in opposed to its funding of TAFE programs, which fostering development of a world-class are predominantly city-based, highlights the true competitive training market in Queensland; failed amount of compassion that this Government in maximising the employment and skills holds for the plight of the rural community, that is, development opportunities for all not much compassion at all. Queenslanders; failed in reducing I wish to now address my comments to the unemployment, particularly the level of long-term issue of enterprise bargaining within the broad unemployment; failed in the delivery of area of industrial relations. This Government is departmental services to Queensland's regional attempting to con the people of Queensland into and rural communities; and, most of all, failed in believing that it is achieving real reform in terms providing true labour market reform in the area of of enterprise bargaining. However, the public are workers' compensation and enterprise not deceived, and they know that true enterprise bargaining. bargaining will never occur as long as the Goss I wish to first focus on the Technical and Labor Government remains the parliamentary arm Further Education programs, of which there are of the trade union movement of this State. In four subprograms, namely Adult and Community fact, Labor's inability to determine industrial Education, Commercial Activities, Vocational relations policy without the heavy-handed Legislative Assembly 8219 8 June 1994 influence of its major backers in the union the Trust and Special Fund. Queenslanders movement has been no more evident than in the have a right to know about the combined impact Government's industrial relations legislation on of both funds and, in that respect, the really unfair dismissals, which has moved the onus of significant point is not a small surplus on the legal proof from the employer to the employee. Consolidated Fund but the fact that this Labor This is a classic example of the Goss Labor Government continues to give us bigger Government bowing to union pressure. It is government. obvious that enterprise bargaining will remain Government members would appreciate little more than rhetoric under the Goss Labor that I am not a knocker and will always give credit Government. Hence, I reiterate that Labor has where it is due. Unfortunately, this is not an failed in providing true labour market reform. occasion on which I can give much credit to the In conclusion, it is obvious that this Budget Government on account of the Budget that we is one more Labor Party exercise in big are considering today. It is a Budget that at one government and socialist experimentation. end taxes big and at the other end delivers only a Elsewhere in the world, the message has now larger and more bloated bureaucracy and service sunk in that small government is more important delivery at a level that sees Queenslanders than a small surplus on a consolidated account, struggling to determine just what value they are which itself accounts only for about 48.8 per cent receiving for their tax dollars. Mr De Lacy, Mr of total Government spending from both the CRF Goss and all Government members can keep on and the Trust and Special Fund. Unfortunately saying that Queenslanders are receiving value for Queensland, that message is yet to penetrate for money out of this Government's financial the consciousness of the Goss Labor administration. However, the teachers in Government. What this Budget really does to Queensland's public schools, the doctors in Queensland is increase Government Queensland's public hospitals and the police in expenditure by a mammoth 9.1 per cent. the Queensland Police Service are not fooled, Secondly, this Budget and this Treasurer do and neither are the people of Queensland, a poor job of providing Queenslanders with the whom those public servants are supposed to information they need to assess their State's serve under impossible conditions. We will public finances. Fuller information should be continue to hear Government members say that provided in simple form along the lines that I have the people are being better looked after by this already addressed in this speech. Thirdly, this Goss Labor Government, but we in the Government's boast of a low-tax State is hollow. Opposition will keep telling them the truth. Queenslanders continue to be hit hard by Time expired. Clayton's taxes, as I stressed last year. The Mr DAVIES (Mundingburra) (5.40 p.m.): I proportionate reliance on fees, fines and believe that the ultimate compliment for this forfeitures relative to taxes continue to rise, while year's State Budget came yesterday through the the Government masquerades behind its "no actions of none other than the Leader of the new taxes" catchcry. Opposition, Mr Rob Borbidge. He knew that the Fourthly, this Government continues to fall Budget was so unassailable that he organised prey to the Labor Party inclination to throw his own resignation, knowing that he would be money in general directions without addressing re-elected, in order to get a front-page story. the performance criteria that need to be That was a great stunt, because it succeeded. established and monitored if Queenslanders are Mr Bredhauer: And it relegated his reply to have faith that service delivery is improving or to the Budget Speech to the second page. at least holding firm. One need only read the annual reports of the Departments of Police, Mr DAVIES: I am coming to that. If the Emergency Services, Health and Education to Leader of the Opposition were really confident realise that service delivery is non-existent in about his position, he would have made his reply many areas of Queensland. to the Budget Speech and exposed the alleged flaws in what is a very solid Budget. The next The Goss Labor Government rhetoric about day—cock-a-hoop from his great performance the achievement of a small surplus in this Budget the day before during which he "destroyed" our needs to be put in proper perspective. The Budget—Mr Borbidge could have called what Consolidated Fund, in respect of which there is a has been incorrectly described as a leadership small surplus, accounts for only 48.9 per cent of challenge. The members of the National Party total revenues and spending after allowance for 8 June 1994 8220 Legislative Assembly would have thought, "What a great bloke Rob December 1989, that is, at 30 June 1990, net Borbidge is", and they would have re-elected debt per capita was approximately $1,500. At 30 him. June 1994, it will be less than $400 per capita. Mr Bredhauer: And he couldn't even That is a massive achievement in four years—a flush out a challenger. drop of $1,100 per capita—and by June 1995, just to reiterate the point for about the tenth time, Mr DAVIES: He could not flush out a it will be zero. challenger. As I said, the reality is—and Mr Borbidge knew it at the time—that he could not Mr Bennett: What figure was that, again? expose any serious flaws in this Budget and he Mr DAVIES: I will say it a different way—a could not run the risk of his detractors being able drop of $1,500 per capita in the time since we to use a lacklustre performance as further have come to Government by the time we go to ammunition to undermine him. So, credit where the election next year. No other State in Australia credit is due; Rob Borbidge read the scene has a record in any way resembling that. pretty well and decided not to wait until the Compared to us, they are all going backwards. Budget reply speech; he decided to go before it. They are all treading water. All the noted He did not want to do a John Hewson; he did not economic commentators in Australia have want to let his opponents use a bad Budget reply praised Queensland's performance. They have speech against him. praised our financial stewardship, and so they However, the tactic should be seen for what should. We do not actually mind taking a bit of it really was. When it is all boiled down, it is a back- credit when we think it is well and truly due. handed compliment to the Treasurer; it is a back- As I said, even the Opposition Leader has handed compliment to this great Budget that had to organise his own resignation and re- Treasurer Keith De Lacy has delivered to election yesterday to try to avoid going down the Queensland. As I said before, the Leader of the same path as the Federal Leader of the Opposition knew that, no matter how good his Opposition, John Hewson. I said "try to avoid Budget reply speech was, he was not going to going down the same path" because his own land a serious blow to the Treasurer and the party president, Don McDonald, slipped on radio Government, simply because there are no flaws this morning when he referred to yesterday's in this Budget. The Budget has been lauded far leadership challenge. Well, there might not have and wide by all sections of the community. I been a leadership challenge yesterday, but cannot recall anyone having any serious there will be one, and it is not that far away; it will concerns about this Budget. I have to say that in be before Christmas. After Dr Hewson lost the our first two terms I think this is going to be the last Federal election, in this place I called him "Dr second best Budget, because the best Budget Death" and I said he was doomed. After will be next year's Budget. The reason that the yesterday's shenanigans, the Leader of the best is yet to come is that next year we will have Opposition, Mr Borbidge, is also doomed. Mr no net debt. At the end of 1994-95, net debt per Borbidge picked up a euphemism that I used at capita in Queensland will be zero. I will say it that time—I said that Dr Hewson was a political again: net debt per capita at the end of 1995 will eunuch. Mr Borbidge used that euphemism time be zero. and time again in the weeks after I used it. I do Mr Bredhauer: Only just underneath not really mind him using it. Realistically, if the cap Borbidge's popularity rating. fits, wear it. It is a term that he picked up and I think it is a term that he will regret using, because Mr DAVIES: It might be even with it by that after yesterday's events, that is what Mr Borbidge stage. Just to reiterate, it will be zero. Can now is. honourable members imagine the type of Budget we will be able to bring in next year? If I would like to make a few comments about members Opposite are not squirming, they Queensland's strong financial position. In global should be, because they all know how good this terms, our net debt position at the start of Budget is, and next year it will be even better. 1993-94 was approximately $2.7 billion. At the We are saving the good wine till last. The end of this month, it will be approximately $1.3 Treasurer and his department, led by Mr Henry billion and, at the end of 1995, approximately Smerdon, the Under Treasurer, must be zero. For the past seven years, for five of which congratulated on their financial stewardship. there has been a Goss Labor Government, Seven months after we came to power in Queensland has maintained surpluses in the ABS general Government section. That is a Legislative Assembly 8221 8 June 1994 record unmatched by any other Australian are development opportunities in Queensland of Government, and these ongoing surpluses are which the State needs to take advantage, and it largely attributable to three important factors. The needs to take advantage of those now—not 10 first of those factors is that the State's years down the track. We need to do that to help superannuation liabilities are fully funded on an us cope with the tremendous growth in actuarial basis, and the accumulation of financial Queensland of over 1 000 people a week. As I assets via those superannuation schemes and said, we need to do that now. That is what the other future requirements contributes to the Queensland Infrastructure Financing Fund is all continuing general Government surplus. about. It is going to help us provide that I acknowledge the presence in the Chamber infrastructure for Queensland today. of the Minister responsible for the QEC. The The State has vast natural resources which strong performance of the Queensland can and should be developed now—not left electricity supply industry continues to generate waiting for 10 or even 20 years until some major large surpluses in the public trading enterprise company from some other country decides that it section. These electricity supply surpluses have is time for it to invest in Queensland. We cannot enabled the industry to finance its capital do things that way. We really have to make sure programming and at the same time reduce debt that we can cater for the growth of the levels. That is the second factor. The third factor population. There are enormous investment which contributes to these surpluses is the fact opportunities available in western, southern and that borrowings are undertaken only for projects northern Queensland, and we have to take which are able to generate sufficient income to advantage of those now. service existing debt. It is important to keep The Opposition has been saying that we are saying over and over again that social going to sell off assets such as the Gateway infrastructure is funded from recurrent revenue, Bridge, ports and anything else that it can think not borrowings. of to get a headline. As I understand it, that is not The implications of Queensland's surpluses the plan at all. We may utilise positive income is that the State, unlike other States, is making a streams to develop long-term profitable positive contribution to national savings. As infrastructure. Those developments could be outlined on page 108 of Budget Paper No. 2, we the gas pipeline, for example, which would are the only State making that positive unlock those resources in western, central- contribution. In Queensland, rather than calling western and northern Queensland. But we will upon private sector financial resources, this do that, as I understand it, only if the projects State is a net provider of funds to the private are—and this is extremely important—cash flow sector. On the graph I have here, we are above positive in the long term. There is nothing new in the line, and the other States are below the line. that—although members of the Opposition The extent of Queensland's positive seem to have a lot of difficulty understanding contribution to national savings is illustrated on that. As I said, there is nothing new in that; that chart that I just held up. That chart, on page people in the private sector do it all the time 108 of Budget Paper No. 2, indicates a when they develop coalmines, goldmines, consistent contribution over the last six years. transport systems, telephone trunk line systems Over this period, our surplus, or one could call it and media networks. Rupert Murdoch is a good net saving, has averaged a massive $1 billion a example. All of those investments are not cash year. That contribution contrasts with the net flow positive when they are developed; but impact of the other States and Territories, which those people do not go into them unless they have had an average annual deficit of between know that, in the long term, they are going to be $3 billion and $4 billion a year. cash flow positive. We all know how important the low tax, low Governments also do it. The QEC has been net debt, no borrowing for social infrastructure developing new trunk lines and power stations trilogy policy is to Queensland's growth. The for a long time. When they are built, they are not continuation of that policy allows us in always cash flow positive. Kareeya is probably a Queensland to fund more infrastructure off- good example of that, because it has been there budget. Queensland now has underlying for over 30 years. When it was first built, it was not budget surpluses, and it is appropriate that some cash flow positive. Kareeya has paid for itself of those underlying surpluses be put aside each over and over again. Those are the sorts of year to escalate growth in Queensland. There 8 June 1994 8222 Legislative Assembly reasons why the QEC is in such a strong financial Infrastructure Financing Fund that members on position today. the other side of the Chamber do not care about Other Government agencies also do it. A that. few years ago, Telecom provided a new satellite I have one last comment on yesterday's telephone system to rural Queensland. From shenanigans with the Opposition leadership. memory, it cost something like $300m. In the While the challenger did not arrive, as I said longer term, Telecom will get a return from that; earlier, Mr Borbidge probably has about six but it is not getting a positive cash flow from it months to get his act together, otherwise he will today. Optus would not have spent that money, lose support. Whilst he may have got over the because it would have wanted a quicker return. catalyst that was the factor that resulted in John Given the strong financial position of this Hewson's assassination—the Budget reply State, and given the positive position of State speech; his simple little stunt yesterday—whilst Government owned projects such as the he might have got over that hurdle, he really has Wallumbilla to Gladstone gas pipeline, the not got much time. If I had to put money on it—for Gateway Bridge, Dalrymple Bay and Abbot Point, what it is worth—I think that before Christmas we just to name a few, it is appropriate that the initial will see a Russell Cooper/Mike Horan equity investment of 40 per cent, or about leader/deputy leader—in that order—challenge $400m, comes from those types of projects, emerge. We will then know—and I was listening because we really want to make sure that we to what the Deputy Premier said earlier—that the cater for the State's population growth which is Nationals have really completed the occurring today. transformation. When that happens, they will have gone from the old Country Party of years No-one on this side of the House has said ago to the National Party and returned to the that anything is going to be sold. No-one on this Country Party. side of the House has said that the Brisbane port, the Townsville port or the Gladstone port It would be improper of me not to will be sold. They are not going to be sold. In fact, congratulate the Treasurer on this extremely in relation to the Queensland Infrastructure good Budget. I would also like to congratulate his Financing Fund, there is not at this point in time very hardworking team at Treasury, led by Mr one cent of debt, and there will not be any debt Henry Smerdon, on probably the second-best taken out unless these types of projects are cash Budget that we will get in these two terms of the flow positive in the longer term, as I understand Goss Labor Government. The best one will be in it. That is quite appropriate. 1996. It must be realised that if we are going to Sitting suspended from 6 to 7.30 p.m. take advantage of the long-term opportunities Mr GRICE (Broadwater) (7.30 p.m.): The which may, as I said, in the short term be cash Labor Goss Government and the Treasurer have flow negative, we need to make sure that the presided over a continuing scandal in the current generation, through this State Budget, administration of the Golden Casket Art Union are the ones who pay. The State can afford to Office. That scandal has many disturbing fund those types of projects now simply because features, not the least of which has been the loss of the strong financial position that it is in. One of around $1m of public moneys. It involves the thing we will not do is leave for future almost certain loss of Gold Lotto prizes to generations a massive debt burden that cannot Queenslanders whose entries have been be serviced. The Queensland Infrastructure wrongly recorded in the system. It involves direct Financing Fund will be supported from our commission and customer losses to casket strong financial position. When the long-term agents forced to use machinery which was not surpluses arrive from these long-term projects, capable of performing up to standard in the on- tomorrow's Queenslanders will be even better line sale of casket products such as Gold Lotto, off than the Queenslanders of today. soccer pools and casket tickets. It involves the Projects such as an integrated gas pipeline granting of a major hardware and software network would open up vast areas of contract without tender, and to people who were Queensland. That would be good for rural employed as consultants in the Golden Casket Queensland. That is something of which we on Art Union Office before and during the contract this side of the House are very conscious. It is period. obvious by their criticism of the Queensland Legislative Assembly 8223 8 June 1994

The scandal also involves the provision of by low-volume agents. There seems to be misleading information by the Treasurer in a nothing much wrong with such a decision, given written reply to concerns expressed by a that the existing E3000 machine cost around member of this Parliament. The Treasurer has $16,000 each in 1990. There is plenty wrong, failed in his duty to the people of Queensland however, with what happened next. The Golden and to this Parliament. The Government should Casket Art Union Office placed orders for initiate an investigation of the conduct of the delivery of a machine now infamous as the former Director of the Golden Casket Art Union J1000. That machine was apparently developed Office, Kevin Leyshon, and three consultants to using the resources of the Golden Casket Art the casket office. Union Office. That claim is made by the former Prosecutions must be initiated where Director of the Office, Kevin Leyshon, in an sufficient evidence is revealed by an open undated but initialled memorandum sent to the investigation with full access to all relevant Treasurer and headed "Notes for the material. Until those things have been done, the Honourable the Minister J1000 Program". I will people of Queensland are entitled to be highly table a copy of that memorandum in a moment. suspicious of the integrity of the Labor Goss There were no calls for expressions of Government. interest, and no tenders were called for supply of The National Party Government undertook a the machine. The Treasurer knew there were no program to process a number of Golden Casket tenders, because that was explained to him by products on-line, using sophisticated computer Leyshon on 19 July, 1990. The contract went to and telecommunications technology. The a company whose directors included Bill North, transition from off-line to on-line processing of Phil Stokes, and Paul Egan. It is understood that Gold Lotto entries was completed in November Bill North recommended the purchase. Secrecy 1989, with 875 terminals being connected at the surrounds the total contract price for the 100 premises of 840 agents. The hardware/software J1000 terminals—machines sold to the casket contract was won by ALCATEL-STC in open office by its employees, but developed, competition, and that company's E3000 terminal according to Mr Leyshon, by the casket office. is still the foundation for the Golden Casket Art As I said a moment ago, the exact contract Union Office's agency operations. price has been kept secret, but there is plenty of Processing of Pools entries went on-line in anecdotal evidence that it was in the order of February 1990, and on-line casket became $650,000. There is also evidence for a figure of operational in August-September of 1990. It was about $6,500 per unit in the memorandum I in that same year—1990, the first year under referred to a moment ago. Mr Leyshon claimed Labor tutelage—that a disastrous chain of events there that a $900 modification would still keep began. The casket office decided it would install the J1000 under half the cost of an E3000 unit. a second type of on-line terminal for use by low- A memorandum from Mr Leyshon to the volume agents—defined by the Casket Office as Treasurer on 30 July 1990 put the cost of an those whose weekly turnover in on-line products E3000 at $16,000. was less than $3,500. So far we have an important State The project was put in the hands of a Government agency under the control of the consultant—Bill North—who was also given the Treasurer acting in a way which cannot but title of Deputy Director, Operations. At about the arouse suspicion. The casket office developed same time, two other men, Phil Stokes and Paul an on-line terminal using public funds. It then Egan, were contracted as consultants to the purchased production versions of that terminal Golden Casket Art Union Office. Egan is now without putting the contract to competitive employed directly by the office as engineering tender. Three insiders—casket office staff— manager. Nobody has been able to find any were the beneficiaries of that contract worth record of that position having been advertised something in the region of $650,000. That alone either internally or externally. That situation is should be enough to force in inquiry. unsatisfactory, but it pales into insignificance But there is much more to this sorry saga. compared with the sorry chain of events that I will The thing did not work back in 1990, and it is not now detail. working now. Despite modifications, including As I said a moment ago, the casket office the addition of a scanner, which alone cost $900 saw a need for a second terminal type to be used per unit, the re-burning of the PROM which controls the unit, installation of tamper switches 8 June 1994 8224 Legislative Assembly and changes to the chassis and cabinet, the involved—but that was of little concern to the J1000s are back at the Golden Casket Art Union casket office director or to the Treasurer, who Office. Educated opinion is that they are headed knew all about it. We know the Treasurer was fully for the tip because even the Ithaca TAFE will not aware of the problems, because we have accept them if they are adapted for use as memorandums sent to him by Leyshon. computers. The Treasurer cannot plead ignorance of If all those attempts to get the J1000s the problems faced by agents forced to use the working cost only $200 per unit, this Labor Goss expensive junk foisted on them by the casket Government will be sending at least $670,000 office. Let us consider that undated memo sent worth of junk to the dump. Of course, that takes to the Treasurer some time between 19 July and no account of the untold costs to agents who 30 July 1990. Leyshon points out to the had the J1000s forced on them. It says nothing Treasurer that the J1000 was able to handle about the possibility that many Queenslanders quick pick and standard game entries have suffered from having incorrect entries satisfactorily, and that these constituted 68 per lodged in the system and thus missing out on cent of the entries. It does not take much ability prize moneys. to work out that the J1000 would not handle 32 The Golden Casket Art Union Office in 1990 per cent of the entries. The Leyshon memo was keen to rationalise the network—to maximise states— the profitability of the network for the benefit of "Its major drawback has proven to be Treasury. That was the rationale for the J1000 the time it takes to enter a crossed coupon. on-line terminal. The casket office decided With a little training a crossed coupon can be agents with weekly turnover below $3,500 a entered in under 90 seconds." week were not generating enough business to Leyshon must believe in the tooth fairy! It is justify the cost of the very effective and madness to expect a Saturday morning teenage satisfactory E3000. Those agents were to be casual to be able to accurately enter and check saddled with a cheap—it turned out cheap and 72 numbers, let alone do that in 90 seconds. nasty—J1000, in a two-phase program. Phase The memo states further— one began in May 1990 with 39 agencies. According to a memorandum sent by Leyshon to "Initially it was thought that with the the Treasurer on 30 July, 15 new agencies were growing attractiveness of quickpick and set up using the J1000. Another 24 agencies standard game entries, low volume agents saw their effective E3000 terminals removed and would be able to either educate their replaced with J1000s, which caused them patrons to these more convenient entry problems immediately. types or, if needs be, key in a crossed coupon. The J1000s for which casket office staff were paid at least $650,000 were doomed to However, since field trials began, it has failure. Service technicians recall that the unit become evident that customer re-education was shock sensitive to the point that transport will be a slow process and that accounted for 15 per cent of failures. A full 10 consequently, the keying process will occur per cent failed because fans were installed back in too many instances. A better alternative to front. Instead of cooling the processing units had to be found. Work then commenced to and disk drives, the fans provided a nice breeze develop a swipe reader attachment as an for the operators. The biggest problem, alternative to keying numbers." however, stemmed from the failure of the By the time Leyshon had ordered the designers to include a scanner in the J1000. development of a swipe reader, agents forced to A large proportion of Gold Lotto and Pools use the J1000 were in deep trouble. Customers entries involve forms marked by customers who were aware of the possibility of errors, and the cross as many as 72 numbers. The E3000 delays drove many customers away from the machine ordered and installed by the National agents who were saddled with the new Party Government was able to read those machines. The loss of business was critical in customer forms and record the numbers areas where one agent was stuck with the J1000 accurately. Where the J1000 was involved, an while others were able to use the fast, reliable operator had to use a keyboard to translate the and accurate E3000. customer form onto the machine. The possibility I mentioned the problem of manual keying for error is obvious, and so is the delay that was necessary with the J1000 machine and Legislative Assembly 8225 8 June 1994 the problem for agents and customers that the Mr Leyshon then lists a number of complaints numbers selected might not always be followed against the agents, including that they have correctly. Kevin Leyshon addresses that matter complained to members, presumably members in the undated memo when he referred to of Parliament, as well as to the media and the indemnity insurance for agents. In that memo, he Ombudsman. They had even pushed for the wrote that, in any case, if an agent did make an whole mess to be raised in Parliament. How dare error it was, in effect, tough luck for the they! Mr Leyshon was even upset that customer, who was deprived of winnings. The agents had, and I quote from his memo— memo states further— ". . . suggested the whole approach to the "The rules clearly put the onus on the J1000 program is tainted because we did customer to check his coupon and they not go to contract (probably engineered by further state that the only valid entry is the outside groups wanting a piece of the action one lodged in the central system." for their own purposes)." With problems with the J1000 glaringly apparent, Honourable members should remember some agents demanded action, and they were that in a memo on 19 July Leyshon had already right to do so. Quite rightly, they took the view instructed the Treasurer on how to handle that that they were not charities; businesses do not little detail. Leyshon finished off with a very survive by losing customers. extravagant promise. He stated— On 25 July 1990, the member for Toowong, "When we get the swipe reader in Mr Beanland, wrote to the Treasurer seeking place (we will before phase 2 and at a not some action on this mess. His treatment at the exorbitant cost) and other intended hands of Kevin Leyshon and the Treasurer evolvements to the J1000 are done, I can reflects no credit on either of them. Mr be hung from the rafters if it does not Beanland's letter caused a major scare inside the transpire that within 12 months the J1000 is Golden Casket Office. Leyshon prepared a letter not only well accepted but is preferred over to be sent to Mr Beanland by the Treasurer, the E3000 terminal by most middle and low aimed at putting the member for Toowong right volume agents. off the track. That letter was accompanied by a As I see it we have to win this battle." very cuddly note to the Treasurer's personal secretary, which was designed to ensure that The J1000 was not acceptable within 12 months, mates continued to think alike on the issue to the or ever. It started as expensive junk and it ended detriment of agents and customers alike. A that way. Leyshon did not hang from the rafters, passage from that memo states— but stayed around long enough to collect his golden handshake last December. "I think the attached letter should be got to Denver Beanland before he opens The Treasurer, as part of the honest, open, up in Parliament. accountable Labor Goss Government, stuck with him to the end. He let the agents suffer. He let It may serve to ameliorate his attack the customers suffer. He did nothing about the which would be in the best interests of all. wasted fortune. He did nothing about the This is a classic case." shonky $650,000 deal for insiders who obtained I bet it is a classic case! Mr Leyshon admits a contract without the bothersome necessity for having underestimated the keying problem with competitive tenders. The Treasurer failed the J1000, and then sails into the agents with dismally to ensure proper standards in a this one— Government agency with total assets of nearly $50m, and an annual income of close to $600m. "The swap out agents, and especially the six or seven who are vocal and I now table a memorandum addressed to the unrelenting in their criticism, are fighting personal secretary to the Honourable the from a self-interested position. That is Minister, dated 30 July 1990, from the Director of understandable but it begs the question the Golden Casket Art Union Office. I table that their focus on life is a little different to another memorandum, also dated 30 July 1990, the overall focus which we must adopt." headed "Honourable the Treasurer and Minister for Regional Development re J1000s", and Presumably, their focus was on signed by Kevin Leyshon. I table an undated survival—hardly a matter to bother a Treasurer memorandum signed by Kevin Leyshon and and the Director of the Casket Office! headed "Notes for the Honourable the Minister 8 June 1994 8226 Legislative Assembly

J1000 Program". I also table a letter addressed to 1994 when he stated, "It's all good news and Mr Beanland as parliamentary Liberal leader and none bad." member for Toowong, and signed by the The other reason is probably just as obvious Treasurer. and has everything to do with the fact that the Essentially, this whole sorry saga can be Queensland Opposition has lost touch with the summed up in this way: the Golden Casket Art hopes, interests, aspirations and requirements Union Office, without going to tender or seeking of the Queensland community. expressions of interest, spent something in the I am not too sure whether Opposition claims order of $1m on a totally unsuccessful agents' that the 1994-95 Queensland Budget is big terminal on the advice of contract employees spending are a criticism or a compliment. I guess who were directors of the company which through their own experiences it is difficult for supplied that terminal. The Treasurer, in full them to comprehend that a well-structured and possession of the facts, did nothing about any of sensible Budget will deliver the goods without it, and has effectively conspired to conceal the sending the State bust—and that is just what this facts from the people of Queensland. I repeat my Budget does. earlier point that the honourable course for the Treasurer is to resign. The proper course for the This Budget is particularly significant for the Government is an open and comprehensive southern Gold Coast. The Treasurer, Keith De investigation and a full public report, followed by Lacy, and the Premier, Wayne Goss, have in the prosecutions as appropriate. last couple of years shown a sincere and constructive recognition of the needs of the Mrs ROSE (Currumbin) (7.48 p.m.): The southern Gold Coast region, and between them 1994-95 Queensland Budget, the fifth delivered have visited the southern Gold Coast on by the Goss Government, is a landmark for numerous occasions. sensible economic management in Queensland. Over the last 30 years, no other Government in One of the most significant and ongoing Queensland has come close to the Goss issues on the southern Gold Coast has been the Government's record of sound management, problems associated with the sand deposition in reduction in net debt and a proven commitment the mouth of the Tweed River, which not only to spending the money when and where it starves southern Gold Coast beaches of the needs to be spent. natural northerly flow of sand but also causes much danger for those attempting to cross the I congratulate the Treasurer, Keith De Lacy, Tweed bar in marine craft. Not only has Wayne on bringing down a Budget that not only brings Goss successfully negotiated an agreement with Queensland one step closer to zero net debt but the New South Wales Government and the Gold also at the same time provides for careful and Coast City Council to fund this vital project; Keith well-targeted spending in key areas. This Budget De Lacy has now set aside $1.3m of State funds not only addresses the necessity to cater to the to finance the initial design and construction needs of regional Queensland and the diverse costs of the project. needs of regional towns and cities across the State but also implements a number of broad For southern Gold Coasters who have been measures to improve key areas that affect the fighting for a long time to make the proposed lives of all Queenslanders. By this I refer to our sand bypass system a reality, there is much relief ongoing commitment to addressing the basics, that the Queensland Government has put such as education, health care, the safety and money up front for the project. This gives local security of our citizens and other infrastructure people in my region a lot more hope about the such as roads and rail. At the same time, the future of our beaches and the safety of marine Budget reflects the specific needs of particular craft using the Tweed River entrance. The regions and localities within regions. allocation of funds to the sand bypass project is symbolic for the southern Gold Coast in many Yet again, the Queensland Opposition, in ways. Most importantly, it shows that the trying its best to come up with constructive Queensland Government is serious about criticism of the Budget, has failed the task providing the infrastructure that our region miserably. There are two reasons for that. The requires. most obvious is that this is a sound and sensible Budget, as intimated by the member for Acceptance of responsibility and Southport in the Gold Coast Bulletin on 1 June negotiation for the sand bypass has been a protracted issue spanning something like three Legislative Assembly 8227 8 June 1994 decades. And yet in about four years the Goss This Government's recognition of these Government has been able to negotiate, and is factors has led to this Budget's record $3.4 now providing the funding toward, the sand billion allocation to Capital Works Programs. And bypass system which the previous National Party on the Gold Coast it does not stop at the Government failed to achieve. This comparison upgrading of the Pacific Highway or at the in Government performance and priorities allocation of funds toward the sand bypass demonstrates just how serious the Goss project. Eighteen million dollars has been Government is about attacking the issues that allocated for the expansion of the Southport matter to southern Gold Coasters. Courthouse, which will see the capacity for the As to capital works—another area of great number of Magistrates Courts increase from five significance to southern Gold Coasters is the to 12, and an increase in the number of District capacity of our roads to cope with increasing Courts from three to five. traffic pressure. In this regard, a top priority is the A total of $5.8m will be spent in the 1994-95 progressive construction of dual lanes on the period to improve, renovate, refurbish and Pacific Highway south to Tugun. In the 1994-95 reconstruct the Gold Coast Hospital. Work will Budget, $8.1m has been allocated to continue include the provision of additional air the dual carriageway from Reedy Creek to conditioning, the redevelopment of two Tallebudgera Creek. Not only does this further operating theatres, and the refurbishment of the free up the Pacific Highway on the southern Gold obstetric, accident and emergency, and Coast; it maintains this Government's paediatric units. commitment to progressively providing dual The Gold Coast strip from Southport to lanes all the way to Tugun. And the people living Coolangatta is now Queensland's other most on or near the busy stretch of highway between significant urbanised area in terms of growth, Tugun and Coolangatta know that, once dual contribution to the State's economy, and lanes reach Tugun, the next step in the population pressure. The other is, of course, progressive upgrading is the proposed Pacific Brisbane. Major infrastructure improvements on Highway bypass west of the Coolangatta Airport. the Gold Coast are therefore a necessity, and the Although the sand bypass and the Government is meeting the challenge. Work on construction of dual lanes on the Pacific Highway roads, the Gold Coast Hospital, the Southport are two quite different projects, they do have Courthouse, and the $66m to be spent in 1994- one undisputable similarity: they are both costly 95 on the Brisbane-Robina rail link represents and time consuming in terms of construction. our commitment to keeping up with the demands Certainly, both projects are of utmost importance of growth on the Gold Coast. to southern Gold Coasters. Projects like these One of the areas that is immediately and require careful planning and, above all, an directly affected by the kind of rapid growth we ongoing commitment. For such costly projects, it are experiencing on the Gold Coast is education. is almost impossible to meet all the associated For some time, it has been my concern that costs in one budgetary period. schools on the southern Gold Coast should be This is particularly the case with major improved, upgraded and refurbished to cater for roadworks such as the construction of dual lanes the community, which demands quality in on the Pacific Highway. The dual carriageway has education facilities for our children. This is been constructed progressively over successive another challenge that I am pleased to say the budgetary periods. As a result, the work on Government has taken on in earnest. improving and upgrading the highway continues As a result, the 1994-95 Budget brings whilst the Government does not limit vital schools in the Currumbin electorate a 46 per spending in other areas. cent increase in capital works funding in The key to successive, successful Budgets comparison with the level of expenditure for the is balance and careful planning. This is Mr De 1993-94 period. This translates to over $1.9m of Lacy's style, and it is proving to be a bonus for expansion, conversion, addition and Queensland. The demands for additional costly construction to make schools on the southern infrastructure are perhaps greater in Queensland Gold Coast better providers of education. Whilst I than in any other State in the country. The size of am on the subject of the provision of our State and the population growth we are education—the Goss Government continues to experiencing accounts for this. work hard to consolidate and improve the quality of what our children are taught. 8 June 1994 8228 Legislative Assembly

In the 1994-95 period, that means an administrative duties. All this means more police allocation of $20m for the implementation of the on the beat in Queensland. On the southern recommendations of the curriculum review Gold Coast, we want more police. Before too carried out intensively for over 12 months by the long, as a representative of that community, I will curriculum review team headed by Professor ask the Assistant Commissioner for the South Ken Wiltshire. The review involved thorough Eastern Region to give priority to placing a share consultation with parents, teachers and school of new police in the Coolangatta district, which communities, and it will continue until 24 June services most of the southern Gold Coast. when the period for responding to its Because of the prevalence of break and recommendation closes. Now that this enter offences, burglary, and motor vehicle theft comprehensive process nears completion, the in our region, the introduction of a Property Government is putting its money where its mouth Crime Squad is significant for people living on is to implement recommendations based the Gold Coast. It is this sort of crime that the intrinsically on the wishes and interests of school Property Crime Squad will be briefed to communities throughout the State. investigate and deter. Having a squad Another budgetary measure that will specialising in this area will give peace of mind to improve the quality of what our children are many Queenslanders. taught at school is the introduction of non- Although the Government is putting more contact time for State primary school, preschool, police on the beat, it is also looking to improve and special school teachers. This means that the efficiency of existing human resources. teachers will now have more quality time to Efficiency and faster response times have prepare for and assess their students. This, in become a priority for the Queensland police turn, benefits the students themselves. Seven force, and this is reflected in the 1994-95 million dollars has been allocated towards this for Budget. Through $10m of funding to the Crime the 1995 school year. Reporting Information System for Police, more Coming from a region that relies heavily on operational police will soon take less time to small business, with a population of middle to process information. That means the time it takes lower income families that cannot be ignored, I police to act decisively and correctly will be would have to say that the fact that there are no reduced. new taxes in the 1994-95 Budget is hitting its I would like to refer to this Government's mark on the southern Gold Coast. Business has record of listening to people. As I have said, it is been given the financial room to grow, and one thing providing the funding for major earners of an average wage can dedicate more of projects, but to hear the calls of communities their income to the comfort and security of their within regions and localities within communities is family. the mark of a good Government committed to Also benefiting local wage earners and providing quality service and representation to business people is the freeze in electricity prices each of its electors. The story of an oval to domestic consumers until February 1996 and desperately sought after by the Tallebudgera the reduction of commercial and industrial prices State School community is a good example of by 10 per cent from March 1995. This is a Budget the point I am making. In the 1994-95 Budget, that offers relief and benefit to all $150,000 has been allocated to construct an Queenslanders. However, as I have said—and oval at the Tallebudgera State School. In terms of contrary to the claims of the Opposition—outlays capital works, this certainly does not measure up are not at the expense of economic stability. For to the magnitude of the $66m being spent by instance, real reductions in electricity prices are the Government on the Brisbane-Robina rail link expected to result from corporatisation and or the $8.1m being spent on upgrading the increased efficiency in the Queensland Pacific Highway between Reedy Creek and electricity supply industry. Tallebudgera Creek. However, others should Safety and security are undoubtedly of understand that, for a growing school with no major concern to all Queenslanders. On the adequate oval facility, the construction of a new southern Gold Coast, families and the elderly are oval—whether it be worth a billion dollars or particularly concerned about maintaining high $150,000—has a qualitative benefit to the levels of safety and security in our community. school community that is immeasurable. This Budget provides more police and frees up Last year, the Tallebudgera State School existing police currently bogged down in community, the school's principal Judy Blake and Legislative Assembly 8229 8 June 1994

P & C president Tom Coulston expressed Government—the great initiator of projects—is concern to me and the Education Department having local governments erect school zone about the state of outdoor recreation and speed limit signs. It is accepted that speed limit sporting facilities for students. At a meeting on signs do nothing to improve road safety. The 23 November 1993, members of the school signs that have been erected in each local community and local representatives decided government area carry varying times during that the construction of a new oval would be which the speed limits apply. As a result, as pursued due to the inadequate nature of motorists move through various local existing facilities and in light of the future government areas, they have to read the signs. developmental needs of the children. These That creates total confusion. In addition, the concerns were then taken by the school signs are placed only on minor roads. Children community to the Department of Education's on the more heavily trafficked roads must regional office and by me to the Minister for contend with vehicles travelling at higher Education, Pat Comben. After an assessment speeds. based on the real needs of the school A need definitely exists to standardise community, an oval will now be constructed, and those signs throughout the State. The easiest the money required to do so has been provided solution would be to erect large, hinged speed in the 1994-95 Budget. limit signs that are opened to reveal the 40 The amount of $150,000 may not be a lot of kilometre per hour speed limit when it is in money in the general scheme of things, and the operation. On heavily trafficked roads, those issue is not one of those that sweeps a signs could be incorporated with amber flashing Government in or out of power, but it makes a lot lights. of difference to the Tallebudgera State School I call on the State Government to introduce community. That is my point. This is a crossing supervisors at schools that have Government that wants to plug all the gaps; that pedestrian lights. Those crossing supervisors wants to allocate funds where they are needed, could organise the students on the footpath to whether it be one dollar or a billion dollars. ensure that they stand back; they could ensure One could say that this is truly a well- that students do not run across the road until the rounded Budget. It is a Budget that, rather than "walk" sign is illuminated; and they could neglecting and constraining, targets spending generally supervise the students on the on key areas in urban and rural Queensland and, crossings. I can think immediately of three through a schedule of corporatisation, seeks schools that would benefit from that proposal. I greater efficiency and cost effectiveness. For the refer to the Aspley State School, the McDowall southern Gold Coast, this Budget means State School and the Bald Hills State School. recognition. It means a greater share of funding I want to mention briefly an issue that is very for the things we need, such as the sand bypass close to my heart. I refer to the Prince Charles project and greater capacity for our highway. A Hospital. I am pleased to say that I was on the 46 per cent increase in funding to physically board of the Prince Charles Hospital for six years, improve our local schools is welcomed in a a position I found very challenging. It was a great community that desperately wants its school honour to be on the board of such a wonderful resources to keep up with the extra demands hospital. I want to record my thanks to those placed on them by a growing population. I community organisations that have raised and support the Bill. continue to raise funds for that hospital. In Mr J. N. GOSS (Aspley) (8.07 p.m.): particular, I thank the Chermside Bowls Club, Since the election of an ALP Government in this which put on a charity day for Heart to Heart. State, many projects have been shown to be Sadly, there is a proposal to move the froth and bubble. From the start, this cardiothoracic unit of the Prince Charles Hospital Government has engaged in a money grab. That to the Royal Brisbane Hospital. is the first priority of the ALP, which is constantly The cardio-thoracic unit at the Prince increasing charges and fees, yet at the same Charles Hospital would have to be one of the time the real issues are being pushed aside. I will finest and the most efficient cardio-thoracic units refer further to that matter during my in the world. That unit has one of the world's best contribution. records, not only in that sphere, but also in other Let us look at road safety, and especially areas of medicine. What partly contributes to that road safety in the vicinity of schools. This is the environment in which the hospital is 8 June 1994 8230 Legislative Assembly located. The proposal to move the hospital to That rental subsidy will then be claimed off those Royal Brisbane shows a complete lack of people, which is really in violation of the commonsense by this Government. To turn Commonwealth/States Housing Agreement. Prince Charles Hospital into the Northside The department actually took houses which were General Hospital would be a disaster for the north for welfare and crisis housing, put them into the side and the Chermside area. It would be a loss Community Rent Scheme and then said, "Look of a very attractive environment: the open space how many houses we have." Well, it was a false would disappear; the traffic in the area would figure right from the start because many of the increase; there would be more noise; and there houses—there were many in Caboolture and I would be more people in the area. think there were 10 in Pine Rivers—were already It is an area that people have moved to over used for that purpose, but now these houses the years. I represented the area back in 1982 have come under the Community Rent Scheme. and I know that people move to Chermside to be I would just like to confirm my support for the near the hospital. People with heart problems, Community Rent Scheme and congratulate the especially problems that could not be corrected committees that run them and their staffs for by surgery, moved to that area to be close to the doing such an excellent job. hospital so that they could receive quick medical This Government was elected on the attention. To now move that hospital to Royal promise of open and accountable government, Brisbane will cause a great disruption to these yet when it comes to informing residents of people and a lot of concern to the elderly who proposed or future freeway sites, the live in the area. If anything, a northern Government knows nothing until the plans are metropolitan general hospital should be located set in concrete, and then the pretended in the Pine Rivers Shire, in amongst the area of consultation process begins. It is quite obvious current rapid growth, because people from the that the ALP played a game with the residents of Pine Rivers Shire are saying already that they are Runcorn over the proposed route of the being directed to go to the Royal Brisbane Southern Bypass. It tried to divide the Hospital and not to the Redcliffe Hospital. Prince community with the two options proposed and Charles Hospital is not on a main transport route; then, when that did not work, and I must admit it does not have easy access to bus transport that it tried the third option, of which the and it is not near a railway line, but what this Government denied any knowledge. The Government wants to do with the Prince Charles Government then tried to divide the residents Hospital is typical of its easy solutions of just and the environmental lobby with the current moving things around and plastering over the proposal. The people of Calamvale and Stretton, cracks, saying, "This will do." I find it very sad that who never put in submissions because they did anything that was set up by a previous not know that this was an option, were left out of Government and that is running well has to be the consultation process. They have not been dismantled by this Government. very happy about this and they will continue to I would like to mention an excellent housing lodge their protests. So much for the open and scheme, that is, the Community Rent Scheme. I accountable Government! note that, in this year's Budget funds to this Events surrounding the Gateway Bridge are scheme have been reduced. The scheme has another typical example of the attitude and been so successful that it would appear that the dishonesty of this money-hungry ALP department is making moves to take over the Government. By making the motorists believe scheme by placing more and more demands on that they are paying off the bridge, the the community committees. There are now so Government is ripping off the company and the many demands on the employees of these motorists. Honourable members must remember committees that they can no longer fully perform that the charges for a family sedan went up 20c a their duties because of the red tape and the trip—that is a 10 per cent toll increase. The departmental requirements. As of 1 July, the bridge is getting deeper and deeper into debt, department will move to rip off the Federal and that debt is now in excess of $300m. In fact, Government, claiming the scheme is a the debt on a $140m construction cost is now community-based scheme, even though it has well in excess of $300m. The Government rip-off Government-owned housing. The department so far for this year would probably reach $100m. will demand that the tenants get the rental The whole scheme is designed to justify the toll subsidy from the Department of Social Security. being on the bridge for 20 to 25 years. With the Legislative Assembly 8231 8 June 1994 volume of traffic using the bridge and the toll rate Because of the passenger transport review that was set, the bridge could have been paid off and changes and a lack of consultation with in just 10 and a half years. This Government has people in the industry, bus owners are telling me taken almost $100m out of the Gateway Bridge that they cannot purchase new vehicles. They company to hope that in the longer term it will be are unsure where they stand. Small operators able to get an income of in excess of $2 billion in feel that they are going to be picked off one by tolls for a $140m investment. The Gateway one by the Government, and they believe that Bridge has been very successful for the the Government will eventually have just one Government. large bus operator in many areas. Toll roads in the Budget look very The Government has sabotaged many of interesting, with expenditures of $78m. We have the progressive ideas submitted by bus the eastern corridor listed as a toll road, the operators. In some towns, local Transport southern bypass listed as a toll road and, of Department officers and bus operators have got course, the port corridor and the western together to develop a scheme for improving bypass. In relation to the eastern corridor—the transport in those areas, but this scheme was construction and improvements on the Pacific rejected once it got to Brisbane. The Highway could be described as a go-slow. One Government has made a deliberate attempt to of the engineers who consults for the State prevent improvements in bus operations in some Transport Department has told me that it took provincial cities. nine months to carry out the roadworks on the I turn to the inner-city bypass. The Pimpama overpass bridge when it could have consultative process is just another example of been constructed in three months. Quite how the Government ignores the community. It is obviously, that was a go-slow tactic. The quite clear that the ALP had negotiations with Government is creating as much disruption as the RNA long before it started notifying local possible to get people angry enough to justify residents about that road. Let me make it quite the eastern corridor and to create another toll clear: this is another Hale Street job. I recall the road. actions of Batman and Robin, that is, the I would like to turn to new changes to public Transport Minister and the member for Brisbane transport and the passenger transport review. Of Central, who were criticising the Brisbane City course, all honourable members know that in the Council for putting through a road that disrupted last few days there has been an amendment to elderly people. Now, the Minister and the Lord the passenger transport review documents. This Mayor want to build a road and disrupt elderly will allow private hire vehicles to compete with the people. Some of those people have lived at taxi industry. They will have their own ranks, Bowen Hills for 57 years, and they will lose their many of them at the best locations, such as homes. The people who vigorously opposed hotels and convention centres. What members Hale Street now show no compassion for people on this side of the House are concerned about is who have lived in that area for up to 57 years. It is those small businessmen out there who have all part of the Soorley plan for the Valley. invested in a taxi licence. Some people who Mr BEATTIE: I rise to a point of order. I were made redundant invested their redundancy find those remarks offensive, and I ask that they packages in a taxi licence; others have invested be withdrawn. They are untrue. This Hale Street their life savings in a taxi licence. They are now at proposal is a continuation of what Atkinson risk of losing up to $100,000 on those licences started, and I ask for the comments to be because taxis will be competing with all the PVH withdrawn. vehicles. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Briskey): Mr Beattie: That is not true. Order! The honourable member asks that the Mr J. N. GOSS: That is a fact. The comments be withdrawn. Government has been protesting far too much about deregulation of the taxi industry, accusing Mr J. N. GOSS: I withdraw. The Hale members on this side of the House of being Street proposal went as far as Gympie Road. We pro-deregulation, when all the time the Labor all know that it was to get traffic from the South Government has been planning to undermine East Freeway straight onto Gympie Road instead the taxi industry by allowing PVH vehicles to of taking it through the city. This is a totally new compete in the taxi industry. scheme designed by the Labor Government and the Labor Lord Mayor so that the big Valley 8 June 1994 8232 Legislative Assembly plan—the big dream of urban consolidation in I turn to the area of housing, which has been the Valley—can go ahead without the disruption a big reform area for this Government, firstly of vehicles going through the Valley; thus under Minister Tom Burns and now under Terry sacrificing the people of Bowen Hills for the Mackenroth. My electorate is a well-sought-after long-term glory of developing the Labor plan for electorate for people to live in, basically because the Valley. of its accessibility to the coast, to Logan, The long-term effect of that road will mean Redlands and the CBD of Brisbane. the construction of another bridge over the Unfortunately, State members who have Brisbane River, which will have to be between represented my electorate previously have failed West End and Toowong. The Story Bridge will to take the opportunity to build public housing in become another Victoria Bridge, and it is already the electorate. In fact, it was well known in the difficult to gain access to that bridge. Heavy department and in the electorate that former vehicles will be encouraged to use the Captain members did not want to build housing in that Cook Bridge, which is already over capacity; the electorate. Consequently, there was a long lane markings are far too narrow—well below the waiting list—four to six years was the common Australian standard. It is common for wing mirrors waiting time for public housing. Slowly, because on trucks and buses to be snapped off by of this Government's management and passing vehicles because of insufficient responsibility, that period is being reduced. I am clearance. Thousands of heavy vehicles will be proud to say that at the moment it is down to encouraged to travel via Hale Street, adding to about 18 months. the pollution and noise in that area. I am I am pleased to see in this year's Budget an surprised that someone who fought so hard allocation of some $840,000 for public housing against the Hale Street road is now willing to sell in Mansfield. From the outset, I must say that out to the Lord Mayor and his dreams for the there are a couple of very important reasons for Valley. It all comes back to politics and sincerity. putting public housing in a wide range of areas of Government members interjected. Brisbane and throughout the State. The first one is that people who already live in that area may Mr J. N. GOSS: We see a great lack of wish to continue living there. As they grow up, sincerity by the number of interjections. their opportunities are severely limited if the The Law and Order Task Force had a amount of public housing has not increased. meeting in Pine Rivers, which was attended by Secondly, suburbs such as Mansfield, Wishart 71 people from community groups in the area. I and Eight Mile Plains are also very popular am pleased to say that those people made because of their accessibility. positive contributions to the coalition's Law and Many people have raised concerns with me Order Task Force committee. We were most about public housing. I tell them that they have encouraged by that positive response. nothing to fear; that our new public housing is Ms POWER (Mansfield) (8.26 p.m.): I am built to modern standards; and that it blends into proud to rise in support of the fifth Labor Budget the neighbourhood and is designed to meet the delivered by the Treasurer, the Honourable needs of people who cannot afford the luxury of Keith De Lacy. At the outset, I put on record my a roof overhead in the private sector. congratulations to the Treasurer, his staff and his As to health—many of my colleagues have department for their fiscal responsibility. As my outlined the many benefits that have been colleague the member for Mundingburra said included in the State Budget in relation to health. earlier, the best Budget is still to come, but this The issue that I particularly want to raise is one certainly comes a close second. immunisation. There has been much debate The Budget has been well received by about immunisation. I know that it is very easy to business, schools, community groups and opt out of immunisation; but if anyone had told individuals. This has been highlighted in me how sick I was going to be after I had my statements by other Government members. This smallpox needle, I think I would probably have Budget strengthens the financial position of this joined that group. State. It spells out the priorities of this As a teacher, I was often the guinea pig for Government, and it continues to allocate funds the Year 7 girls who were being immunised. Over to ensure that reforms outlined in our a long period of dealing with women who have Government policy documents are continued suffered measles while they have been and expanded. Legislative Assembly 8233 8 June 1994 pregnant, I can only say that those matters are It would be remiss of me if I did not make very important. I am pleased to see that in this some comment on education. On Monday, it was year's Health budget we have allocated Queensland Day. I had the pleasure of attending $600,000 for a media campaign for the a Queensland Day ceremony at the Mount immunisation program. It is important that we Gravatt East State School. In fact, Mount Gravatt understand what this campaign will be about. It East State School conducts a Queensland Day will be about raising community awareness ceremony every year, and it is a credit to their through education programs to help mothers school. The ceremony is conducted by the and fathers understand the notion of students, with the teachers on the sideline doing immunisation and how important it can be in a bits of prompting. This Monday, it was a special child's life. Of course, it also gives them the day because we took time out to acknowledge information about the risks. I think that when they the work done by the band teacher at that are given the full picture, they will find that the school, Mrs Beryl Rohweder. It was of particular immunisation program is one to be supported. importance because the Premier accepted an Members of the Opposition have tried to invitation to be at that school. If members of the drum up the issue of law and order. They have Opposition could have been there to see the travelled the State under the great banner that warm welcome that was given by the school they have formed some task force on law and community, I think they would have understood order. I think the people of Queensland have the community's high regard for this Budget, this seen through them; they have seen their deceit. Government and this Premier. The Budget that we have seen this week is proof Mr Springborg interjected. of our commitment to law and order. We have a Ms POWER: I take the interjection about hands-on Minister. When I have spoken to the holiday. I can assure the honourable member people from the Police Service and Correctives that there was no holiday given to the students. Services, they always mention words such as, "The Minister knows what is going on. He is Mr Springborg: What a mean Premier. aware of what is happening. He is definitely a Ms POWER: Not at all. In many cases, the hands-on Minister." A record $503m has been students of that school come from working class allocated to police, which is an increase of 5.6 areas and many of the parents work. I would per cent on last year's Budget. I do not know how recognise the difficulties many of them would members of the Opposition can suggest that we have if a holiday was granted. It was noticeable are weak in that area when they look at those that the parents and the students were pleased figures—perhaps they have not read the Budget to see the Premier take time out of his busy documents and are still on their little trip. schedule to acknowledge the work of Beryl One of the areas in which I have been Rohweder and to be part of their Queensland particularly interested and done a lot of work has Day celebrations. been the shopfront program in shopping The schools and TAFE college in my centres. Garden City is in my electorate. It is a electorate have certainly welcomed the very large shopping centre, and at different times generous Budget allocations that have been it has had a few problems, particularly with youth. given to education. Many of my colleagues have The shopfront program has been very outlined the wonderful things happening in successful; the police have been accepted well education in their schools, and I am not going to in the shopping centre not only by the add further to them. Suffice it to say that the shopkeepers but also by the young people in Languages Other Than English and Computers the area. As another part of that initiative, we In Schools programs in my electorate have also have seen what we affectionately call the "bicycle been very well received. They are also very cop". Those police officers have been riding pleased to see some $2.3m of funding for around on bicycles in that area. I am pleased to literacy and numeracy programs. As all good see that those programs are continuing and that working people are aware, all the fun things such they have been further funded. They will be as LOTE and computers are all very fine and expanded to other shopping centres in Brisbane accepted, but those basics—literacy and and throughout the State. I know that my numeracy—have to be there, and they are very colleagues have mentioned the work being important. done in the shopfront program, and they are Mr T. B. Sullivan: We have gone from welcoming those into their areas. rote learning to LOTE learning, you are saying? 8 June 1994 8234 Legislative Assembly

Ms POWER: Definitely. One group in my makes some of the comments that he makes in community that has received the Budget well the House. We have gone through numerous every year is the P & Cs. They remember the consultative processes with communities on the days of fundraising to buy the basics. Now they south side to ensure that they understand what are looking at raising money so that they can is going on and what will be the results. Despite build halls and buy extra computers so that they the stirring of the members of the Opposition, we can add to the education that the children are have been able the eliminate a lot of aggro in the receiving in schools. The groups in my electorate various works that are occurring. that are in non-State schools have also been I note in the Capital Works Program that pleased with the ongoing allocations to their some $7.7m for the Gateway Arterial interchange budget, and this year they welcomed the $16m has been allocated. As well, allocations have extra to assist in their major building programs. been made for the southern bypass and The Mount Gravatt TAFE is also situated in exploration into further roadworks on the south my electorate. It has a strong record in this State side. for the work that it does, not only in basic training I would now like to turn to some initiatives for students but also in its link-ups with business that impact upon 60 per cent of the population in and the community, which has taken us a long my electorate, that is women. How appropriate it way in accepting many of the courses at Mount is that in this year when we celebrate 100 years Gravatt TAFE for securing jobs in the long term. of women's suffrage that we can look at a Budget The Mount Gravatt TAFE is the home of the that continues to address women's needs. The State's leading centre for manufacturing trade election of the Goss Government in 1989 began training—the Queensland Manufacturing a long-term reform process. Those reforms that Institute, which is also situated just a little further have been introduced over the past four years down the road at Eight Mile Plains. It is part of a have been significant in terms of improving the technology park and it is set to expand with the status of women. The range of those reforms construction of a $4.6m Clunies-Ross centre. In covers five main areas, that is, initiating legislative consultation with the Mount Gravatt TAFE, the reform, establishing structures in the public technology park continues to research and sector, providing specific women's programs and develop initiatives which will improve business in services, involving women in decision making Queensland and create jobs. and ensuring women's issues are considered The Capital Works Program has also been across the spectrum of Government. generous to the electorate of Mansfield. The The way in which the Goss Government has electorate of Mansfield is at the crossroads of continued this program is to detail the women's development. It is fast growing. It is situated projects in the Women's Budget Statement, between Logan and Redlands and the inner-city which is a report on how departments and area. It has a growth of housing and it has many agencies provide programs and services that are needs to be addressed. This year, I am pleased inclusive of the needs of women as a client to see in the Capital Works Program $880,000 group. It shows how the Government's for a performing arts block at Mansfield State commitment to improving the status of women in High School and $260,000 for additional Queensland is being put into practice. It also learning areas at the Mansfield State School. I provides a mechanism by which to monitor the mentioned earlier the $4.6m for the Clunies- Government's performance. The Budget Ross centre at the Brisbane Technology Park, statement is tangible proof of this Government's $3.5m for the expansion of the Queensland commitment to women. It details programs and Manufacturing Institute, $400,000 for factory provides opportunities for women to be informed extensions by Leeds and Northrup at the about the yearly allocation of Government funds Brisbane Technology Park, and $106,000 has for services that address specifically the needs of been allocated to Rochedale State School for Queensland women. It recognises women as 50 new amenities and refurbishment. per cent of the population. We heard the member for Aspley mention The Women's Budget Statement contains some of the roadworks being carried out. two sections. The first section contains chapters Obviously, he has little or no idea about traffic relating to a summary of the process of and roads on the south side of Brisbane, and developing the statement. Another area, perhaps he should take a little time out to actually headed "Women in Queensland: A Social and travel them on a more extensive basis before he Economic Profile" is a valuable resource on data Legislative Assembly 8235 8 June 1994 about women in Queensland. The third area, The next priority area that is to have $1m which is headed "Priority Government-wide spent on it is women and economic equality. I Strategies", I will detail further. The second remind members of this House that very early in section provides departmental reports. the piece I spoke in this House about women The Women's Budget Statement can be and their economic viability. It is good to see that used in many ways. It is a large document, and it the Government is now really getting into this has been distributed throughout the State to area, that it understands that there are major women's groups, community organisations, issues that impact upon women and their public libraries, members of Parliament, TAFE economic viability and the way in which they can colleges, universities, union and employer contribute to the community. groups and Government departments. The Time expired. statement is both a reference document and a Mr BEANLAND (Indooroopilly) mechanism for monitoring the delivery of (8.46 p.m.): The most unfortunate aspect of this women's services. To maximise its use, different Budget is that it fails to address adequately the approaches have been suggested by the real issues concerning the people of Women's Policy Unit in its guide to the use of the Queensland today. Those issues are the rising Women's Budget Statement. crime problem in every part of the State, which is Queensland women have identified four an issue of particular concern in my electorate; priority areas for services to meet their needs. the continuing high level of unemployment, These are the prevention of violence, economic especially among school leavers and graduates; equality, health and child care. The 1994-95 and the run down in basic public State Budget brings a significant increase in the services—hospitals, the criminal justice system funding to address the needs of women. An and schools. amount of $46.746m dollars will be spent on 87 This great State should not be suffering new and ongoing programs and services across those problems to anywhere near the extent that 19 departments and agencies. This is the result it does today. The Goss Labor Government of the Government responding to the priorities inherited from its National and National/Liberal and needs of Queensland women. Out of this coalition predecessors a soundly managed increase of $11m, $7.6m is allocated to the four economy and soundly managed State finances. priority areas that I mentioned earlier. A wide Time has proven beyond any doubt that the range of community developments, sporting, finances of the State have been better managed arts and cultural projects account for the rest of by successive non-Labor Governments than the increase in funds. they have in any other State. I am glad to see that The diversity of women's needs, reflecting the Premier and the Treasurer are taking that in, differences in age, location, cultural and racial and are accepting the truth for what it is. backgrounds, and life experiences is being Unlike Victoria, South Australia and Western increasingly recognised. The Women's Budget Australia, where the Labor Party reigned Statement 1994-95 presents a full account of all supreme for so many years while they destroyed the proposed activities of departmental those States, this Government did not inherit agencies. In the couple of minutes remaining to unmanageable debt, an incompetent me, I would like to refer to those priority areas and bureaucracy or unfunded liabilities, such as comment on the amount of money that is being public sector superannuation. One would have spent in them. Firstly, in the area of prevention of hoped the Cain, Bannon and Burke lessons violence against women, there has been an would have been learned. Governments cannot ongoing program by this Government and, this live beyond their means and Governments ought year, $10.5m will continue to be spent in this to be getting out of business, not more into area. business. Tragically, we find in this Budget the Ms Robson: Hear, hear! establishment of yet another quango, the Ms POWER: I take that interjection from Queensland Infrastructure Financing the Minister for Environment and Heritage. She Fund—something which resembles alarmingly has spoken many times in this House about this John Cain's infamous Victorian Economic issue. It is a shared pet subject of ours, and I Development Corporation, which wreaked so know that she would join with me in seeing that much havoc in Victoria during the 1980s. The sort of money being spent. Government regards this fund as the centrepiece of this Budget. Nothing more 8 June 1994 8236 Legislative Assembly adequately demonstrates the failure of the on how it saves on waste and duplication. There Budget to address the real issues and the real is less money being spent in real terms now on problems facing the people of Queensland. classrooms and hospital wards than there was Added to this, tucked away in the Budget is five years ago. Q Invest, a Government-owned and operated The Treasurer talks all of the time about multimillion dollar superannuation fund that is record Budgets, but he says all too little about sure in the decades to come to cause how that translates into hospital beds, police on Governments heartache. No doubt, it will be the beat, teachers in schools and railway services used to assist Governments to finance meeting the needs of workers. Today, Budgets infrastructure similar to the Queensland must be about how we spend public money, not Infrastructure Financing Fund. just about how much public money we spend. This Budget engages in window-dressing This Budget fails to meet that test—and it fails the State's crime problem. There is more money very badly. The whole emphasis is on the allocated for prisons, but that will only provide a quantity of spending, not on the quality. As a catch-up. It will not deal with future needs. The result, the Government focuses on the big ticket funding for the courts will again be inadequate items and ignores the basic services every because of the growing workload that is an Queenslander expects his or her Government to inevitable consequence of the high crime rate. provide. The funding for legal aid, as I will prove later The administration of the criminal justice on, is a farce. How can the Government provide system and the law in general is not a high profile $1m less for legal aid next year than it did this area. As a result, the Premier and the Treasurer year when this year's allocation has been pay it passing attention. If the Premier and the completely inadequate and when crime levels Cabinet focused more directly on the quality of are at a record high? In 1991, 25 863 applications life and quality of service areas and not on the 6 were approved, and that figure fell to 18 736 p.m. news, the people of Queensland would get approved applications in the 1992-93 financial better services and better government. year—an enormous drop that will be reduced Since this Government came to office, there even further in this Budget. Those figures, I has been a massive program of 89 courthouse might point out, indicate that the number of closures in rural towns and a general scaling people eligible for legal aid for matters other than down of Government services outside the criminal ones—family law and civil issues—will be State's capital—and even a decline in the substantially reduced. services available in Brisbane, such as This Budget does nothing for small passenger rail services. One would have business, the engine room for job creation, job expected that this so-called rationalisation would training or for real economic growth in have resulted in centralised services being more Queensland in the future. It also fails to address and more readily available, but that is not what the running down and underfunding of public has happened. services such as hospitals and schools. If the We saw a prime example of that the other Treasurer believes he is doing a good job, he morning. Part of Coronation Drive was closed for should go and talk to the school principals and P 15 minutes to allow a certain sporting event to & Cs. He should certainly talk to the train occur. The Premier was present. On radio a great travellers in my electorate who are still to do was made about the number of motor complaining about the cutback in services, vehicles travelling down Coronation Drive including peak hour services for workers. carrying only the driver, or the driver and one Unlike other States, this Government is not passenger. saddled with the burden of huge debt One of the reasons for that is the large repayments and write-offs, yet it is unable to fund number of cutbacks in peak period rail services adequately the most basic services of since last September. This is forcing more and all—hospitals, schools, and public transport. more people to take their cars to the office More and more it is going into empire building instead of leaving them at home or at parking at than into the actual delivery of the services that the railway stations, which they did previously. Queenslanders both need and deserve. This Stations such as Chelmer and others were Government measures its so-called success on packed out with people using the Park 'n Ride how much it spends, not on how it spends it and service. That is not case now, because so many Legislative Assembly 8237 8 June 1994 people are being forced to drive themselves to sensitivity to the special jurisdiction of juvenile work. Consequently, we are seeing more and crime. How often do we hear from members in more traffic clogging up Coronation Drive and the this place, particularly from Ministers on the other other major arterial roads on the western side of side of the House, about members being on top the city. This has been brought on by the of the juvenile crime problem, yet we have heard cutbacks of the Treasurer's the President of the Children's Court speaking Government—no-one else. out about this deplorable situation which the I will give the House a few other examples. Office of the Director of Prosecutions has been Firstly, legal aid, an area of which the present allowed to get itself into. Government was very critical when it was in The problem is not confined to Brisbane or Opposition. Legal aid has been cut, and even the Gold Coast. I will cite the example of then the funding provided has been inadequate. Rockhampton. We would not expect these This Budget provides $1m less for legal aid than problems to be occurring in a place such as the last Budget did. It is a hopelessly inadequate Rockhampton. On 19 April this year, in the amount. Yet we are told that a service such as Supreme Court in Rockhampton, His Honour Mr legal aid would be provided in a much more Justice Demack said, in aborting an armed efficient fashion if it was rationalised by making robbery trial for the second time—not the first the Public Defender's Office part of the Legal Aid time— Commission. Let us look at the Supreme and "It seems that part of the office or those District Courts. There are fewer Supreme Court who support the office of the Director of judicial officers now than there were in 1984 Prosecutions is hopelessly under- when there were 19 judges and two masters, resourced and proper preparation for trial making a complement of 21 judicial officers. Now and criminal cases is not happening. This is in the Supreme Court that figure has dropped to not something that you or I can do very 20 judicial officers—20 judges— and no masters. much about, but regrettably you bear the The Supreme Court backlog grows longer day by burden of this inefficiency." day, yet there is no proposal for additional judges, and nor do I expect that in this financial So it is a problem that is occurring right across year we will see additional judges in the District this State. Because of inadequate resources and Court. inadequate funding, we are seeing the collapse of the Office of the Director of Prosecutions, yet The prosecution service has been grossly not a word has been said about it. The miserable short funded, resulting in problems in court amount that this year's Budget provides to delays, mistrials, and so on. This Budget resolve those problems will not even keep up provides a miserable $300,000 additional with the growing number of cases currently funding for the Office of the Director of being brought before the courts. Prosecutions, plus some $400,000 for a computer scheme. It is not enough to deal with This disgraceful and inhumane situation in the existing problem, let alone cater for growth. watch-houses right throughout the State is another example of underfunding and poor Of course, we would be all aware of the planning. I know that the shadow Minister for outcry across Queensland in recent times— Police and Corrective Services raised this matter again, from the judiciary—in relation to the yesterday. Again, the remedial steps being taken problems flowing from the Office of the Director will at best deal with the current problem, not of Prosecutions. That is something for which I do cater for future growth. Again, this situation is not blame those people. The problems are due crying out for help. Members opposite would to inadequate resources, staffing and funding, lead us to believe that they have the interests of which must be laid at the door of this the prisoners and offenders in mind, but what are Government. they doing about it? Absolutely nothing! For example, at the end of May, during a trial My colleagues the shadow Minister for on the Gold Coast, His Honour Judge Maguire Education and the shadow Minister for Health will said that the Office of the Director of be able to give the House chapter and verse Prosecutions was disorganised and that with about how these basic services are both Crown prosecutors changing frequently nobody underfunded and poorly planned. The question knew what was going on. Judge Maguire said remains: where is the Minister going? This that the Children's Court needed consistent Budget increases outlays by an extra 9.2 per prosecutors with a maturity of outlook and a 8 June 1994 8238 Legislative Assembly cent on Government programs, many times the since this Government has taken office. There is projected inflation rate. Where are the benefits simply no escaping that fact; it speaks for itself. going? The answer is that the real winners under That is a new tax in this year's Budget, and it is this Budget are the empire builders, the studies, there for all to see. This new tax will be borne by inquiries, committees, and big ticket items, not all new home buyers and those shifting house. It the basic services that the community expects. is clear that this service, which previously was State Government is fundamentally about provided free of charge, will now attract a charge the day-to-day needs of the community— because the Government is proposing all sorts of schools, hospitals, police, firemen, ambulances, new road schemes. Obviously, the home buyers roads and railways. While we should not totally of this State must pay for the grandiose plans of ignore the big ticket items— the investment this Government. push in South East Asia, the Gold Coast Indy, In the brief time remaining to me, I want to Stage 5 of the Cultural Centre and so on; the refer to a couple of matters. One is the need for ones that look good on the 6 p.m. news—these this Government to indicate to parents their right areas must not be funded at the expense of the to discipline their children, and the other is jury basics of government. That is what is happening, service. I am calling on the relevant and that is why the important day-to-day services Ministers—particularly the Attorney-General, Mr are in such poor shape. Wells—to spell out to parents their right to One need only look at the Budget to see exercise reasonable discipline over their how this Government is imposing additional children. Section 280 of the Criminal Code taxes and charges across-the-board. On page 51 permits parents and school teachers— of one of the Budget documents, it can be seen ". . . to use, by way of correction, towards a that from 1 July this year the Department of child, pupil, or apprentice, under his care Transport will implement a property inquiry fee, such force as is reasonable under the involving the imposition of a charge for searches circumstances." undertaken by the department in relation to road Given the emphasis that has been placed in proposals having a possible impact on property recent times on the rights of the child, in this, the transactions. The proposed charge will be $15 or Year of the Family, the rights of parents to $25 per application, with the higher fee being for discipline children must be given some emphasis fast-tracking of applications. The fee is expected as well. This is a very important year; therefore, it to generate $2.4m. I suppose the Treasurer will is more important than ever that parents are have us believe that that is not a new fee or informed of their rights in relation to disciplining charge when, of course, it is. their children. At school and in the community On checking around with a couple of generally, children are being bombarded with the lawyers, I discovered that they have only today concept that parents cannot under any been advised that the Department of Transport circumstances use physical discipline at home. will introduce that new property inquiry fee and I have received many inquiries from parents that it will be an additional cost upon those right across the State who are concerned about involved in buying and selling houses in this whether they can discipline their children. Some State. New home buyers will be affected, as will parents have told me that children come home be those shifting house. At the same time as that from school and elsewhere and say to their new cost is being foisted onto home buyers and parents that they cannot spank them. Children property buyers in this State—and it is a new tax; now believe that they cannot be given a smack. there is no getting away from it—the Clearly, I am not referring to child abuse, physical Attorney-General has been telling lawyers that abuse or assault. There is a vast difference they must reduce their conveyancing fees. That between disciplining children and assault or child is supposed to occur at the same time as this abuse, both of which are also catered for under Government is increasing its fees and looking for the Criminal Code. another windfall. I believe it is only reasonable that the As lawyers are being chastised and told to relevant Ministers stand up and be counted in reduce their fees, this Government simply this, the Year of the Family. They should indicate increases its fees. What a deceitful, grubby little to parents exactly what their rights are. Many act that is! This is just one of the thousands of parents are concerned that they are unable to new taxes or taxes that have been increased bring up their children in the way that they above the level of the consumer price index Legislative Assembly 8239 8 June 1994 believe they should be able to. They are fearful roads under previous Governments. that, if they smack their child, the Department of Queensland had the equal worst roads with New Family Services or the police will be around the South Wales in all of Australia. As long ago as next day to prosecute them. 1984, the then Roads Minister was warning this Recently in a certain provincial town, a child Parliament that road maintenance was falling arrived home and told the mother that she could behind at an alarming rate. While the then not smack her children. In this case, that child Premier and the Government publicity machine picked on the wrong mother, because the child's were boasting about the new roads being built, father happened to be a solicitor. It was not too maintenance was almost non-existent, leading to long before the father arrived home with the a position in 1987 in which the Taror report Criminal Code open, and the child received a pointed out that 41 per cent of our roads were good smack. beyond redemption. Mrs Bird: Were you ever smacked? Road pavements have to be restored every 10 years, or the whole pavement tends to crack Mr BEANLAND: I do not walk away from and decay. This period varies depending on the the fact that at times I have given my children a substrata and the standard of road base and smack. It is very clear that the vast majority of other factors, such as the volume and mass of parents want to know exactly where they stand. I traffic, but the principle can be ignored only at am not talking about physical abuse. I am talking the cost of reconstruction. That was the position about the sensible disciplining of children. that this Government faced on taking office. With In conclusion, I want to refer to jury service. a huge increase in population requiring a For more than 12 months, we have been told by massive construction program to be carried out, the Attorney-General that he intends to make we were also faced with decades of neglect of vast changes to the Jury Act so that maintenance by previous Governments. The improvements could be made to the jury system. New South Wales answer was to remove the It was intended to broaden the base so that the bitumen from many secondary roads and return vast majority of Queenslanders are eligible for them to gravel. In Queensland, the Department jury service. of Transport has tackled the problem in a big way, Time expired. with reconstruction of highways very evident throughout the State. Mr ARDILL (Archerfield) (9.07 p.m.): I was about to say that this is a very good Budget The scheme to mortgage existing which has stunned the Opposition almost into corporatised roads and structures to provide silence. I had written those words before I heard funds for road construction, particularly on the the diatribe from the previous speaker. ancillary roads, is a novel and innovative solution to a pressing problem that should be praised and Opposition members interjected. not criticised. The only alternative is a State fuel Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms tax, which no-one seems willing to embrace. Power): Order! Members will keep down the level While on the subject of roads, there is one of their interjections. It is a little hard to hear the aspect in Brisbane that will have to receive member for Archerfield. priority in the next four or five years. I refer to the Mr ARDILL: This is a remarkable Budget if intersections where main radial routes intersect we consider the constriction placed upon it by with the major ring roads. A recent survey by the the strictures of "no new taxes" and "no increase RACQ showed that journey times on our main above inflation". While many of us would like to radial routes are becoming longer. The main see an improvement in social infrastructure, this cause of this, as I have been pointing out for Budget does a remarkable job of providing the some time, is the congestion caused by those physical infrastructure in this climate of a rapidly constriction points. expanding economy and the rapidly increasing There is another problem generated by this population which we see in Queensland. situation, and this is the danger caused by rat- Under the National Party, Queensland was runners speeding down residential streets to known throughout the Commonwealth as the avoid these bottlenecks. It is well known in traffic low-service State with the poorest services and engineering circles that the average driver drives infrastructure on the mainland of Australia. All this at a safe speed—it is called the 85 percentile has changed under a succession of De Lacy factor—sometimes above and often below the Budgets. We need only look at the condition of legal limit. The rat-runner is a different breed, and 8 June 1994 8240 Legislative Assembly speeds, ignoring safety to gain his or her with great numbers of students unable to cope advantage. The Brisbane City Council has because they did not have the basic teaching in recorded speeds in rat-runs that are consistently primary school under the National Party above the legal and well above the safe limits in Government. Any student who has completed these streets. Speeds of up to 63, 69, 71, 72 high school and who has had problems in and 73 kilometres per hour were recorded in six numeracy, spelling, reading, grammar or residential streets where the legal limit was 60 sentence construction in the past five years was kilometres per hour. misdirected in primary school under the I believe that traffic engineers and road Nationals. authorities must plan to rid the city of these It is now fashionable to criticise the present constriction points by grade separation as a Government for the shortcomings in high matter of urgency. There are not a lot of them schools when the problem was entirely and they negate all the efforts of road widening generated in primary schools under the and construction that are being carried out. Nationals. This is now being corrected under the Some are Brisbane City Council roads and some recommendations of the Wiltshire report and the are State DOT's responsibility. The worst are at back-to-basics priorities. I must also thank the Kessels and Mains Roads at MacGregor, Gympie Education and Administrative Services and Beams Roads at Carseldine, Sandgate Road Departments for the electronic surveillance at various intersections at Nundah, Lutwyche systems now being installed in schools to and Newmarket Roads at Windsor, Bowen counteract vandalism. Vandalism is one of the Bridge and Gilchrist Roads at the Royal Brisbane sad by-products of the frustration being felt by Hospital, Breakfast Creek and Sandgate Roads many young people in our survival-of-the-fittest at Albion, Coronation Drive and Makerston Street lifestyle which is being imposed by the economic at North Quay, and there are others such as rationalist approach in the world today. It has to Orange Grove Road and Coopers Plains railway be countered as there is no justification for crossing and Milton Road at various intersections passing on these frustrations to the most near Toowong. vulnerable people in the community, including The first seven mentioned can all be solved school children. Electronic surveillance works. by separating the traffic flows by bridging one One aspect that has not been satisfactorily road over the other. It is pointless to continue addressed is a formal compulsory road safety widening roads; we need to solve this problem. curriculum in high schools and recognition of the The new Ipswich Motorway shows what can be work being done by some high schools, often in done. However, I will diverge from this argument their own time. It should be formalised as a to support wholeheartedly the upgrading of the compulsory subject; it is much more important Mount Lindesay Highway, or Beaudesert Road, than LOTE and other subjects and very relevant in this Budget with the provision of a climbing to many students who have no real interest in the lane at Acacia Ridge. This is vital work which must present curriculum and who are just coasting continue. along until the end of Year 12. If students had to Education is a success story again, with have completed the subject to obtain a learner's provision for an increase of 261 teachers. The permit, it would be even more relevant to them. Budget allocation is up $460m on the allocation However, I must commend the excellent work in 1989-90. Anyone who cannot see the being done by the Education Department in improvement in education—such as some of the primary schools under the enthusiastic members on the other side of the coordination of Barry Collis. It must be extended Chamber—since the Labor Government came into the general high school curriculum and not into power is wilfully blind or ignorant. The left to individual schools such as Acacia Ridge, increase in funding has been very visible, Warwick and others that are doing a mighty job. particularly in Labor areas where buildings were Recently, in Education Views there was an in a state of decay, unrepaired, uncared for and article written about the program in the Acacia unpainted, except at the front of the building in Ridge high school in my electorate, which is some instances. doing an excellent job in training the students. I It is in the classroom that the difference is to will table that document. be seen. There is no doubt that we are now Under this Government and this Budget, seeing in our high schools the result of many Environment and Heritage has again been the years of neglect in the primary school system winner. After 20 years of neglect, there was and Legislative Assembly 8241 8 June 1994 is plenty to do. Pat Comben will always be does not even have public toilets in its main remembered for his work to protect the green shopping centre, which was under the control of environment and to redress the disgraceful the then Government's Housing Commission. It neglect of national parks and recreation areas. I subsequently was sold to private ownership, was ecstatic to be informed of Premier Wayne which continues to refuse to provide this Goss' commitment to setting aside sufficient needed facility. There are major problems recreational land in south-east Queensland to stemming from unemployment in the suburb. serve the great influx of people migrating to the The closure of GMH, ComEng, General Electric, promised land, to their place in the sun. It has ED Co. and other industries had a major effect on already become evident at peak holiday times this problem, and other problems flow from it, as that our present green recreation areas and they do in many suburbs around Brisbane. The camping grounds have been beset by overuse. police station is totally unsatisfactory for the Now is the time to ensure that we do not become number of police operating out of it and needs the Los Angeles of the southern hemisphere. rebuilding to provide adequate working Molly Robson, who is now the Minister for conditions for the hard-working police and the Environment and Heritage, has concentrated on additional staff who will be required for a new the brown environment, and I strongly support expanded area. her efforts to remove some of our danger areas The Police budget of half a million dollars and anti-environment attitudes in Queensland. may have to be squeezed a little. Police officers, This is most important work. A lot remains to be particularly those working in community policing done in recycling and reducing pollution and in in the area, do an excellent job in trying protecting the State from air pollution, the conditions. Neighbourhood Watch groups are greenhouse effect and from ozone depletion. doing excellent work with the assistance of the The Minister is tackling this in a big way. police in my area and are supported by the police Two areas which require attention are in and by my office. tertiary treatment of sewage and in better means I have been involved in establishing three of disposal of dangerous wastes such as medical Safety Audit programs in the Archerfield refuse and toxic chemicals. We must look to electorate. These programs do excellent work, ensure that the debacle of Ace Waste at and I must offer the most sincere praise to the Willawong is eventually removed and that the Administrative Services Department, the State mistake created by the city council in Brisbane coordinator, John Lutteral, and local people for and the Planning and Environment Court is not the energetic efforts made to improve the living repeated. I repeat that this is not the fault of this conditions of our suburban areas and other Government but the fault of the Atkinson council urban areas. It is a great scheme, and I and the Planning and Environment Court of congratulate the people of the Bulimba Queensland which does not do its job. Tertiary electorate on trialling it and making a success of treatment of sewage would have a magic effect it. on our waterways, such as the Condamine- Queensland Rail will have increased Murray Darling system and would reduce the use expenditure this year above last year's because of water in industrial cities such as Brisbane, of the great main line upgrading scheme, which Gladstone and Townsville to a major degree by has been commenced years after previous recycling through industrial plants, which usually Governments should have done the work in the occur right alongside the treatment plant pouring heyday of expanding coal freights. The previous the water out to waste. It must be faced. Government saw fit to electrify the line from The department is doing excellent work in Caboolture to Gladstone but did not straighten disposal of toxic waste being treated at out the bends. It left half the line available for Willawong and deposited at Gurulmundi. It is one trains to travel at only 40 kilometres an hour of the success stories of the Australian whereas otherwise they can travel up to 120 environment after a decade of failure by the kilometres an hour. The cost of relocating that Nationals to tackle the problem, which was a electric line will be immense. national disgrace. Excuse the pun! Great work is also being done on city rail In the electorate of Archerfield, we have a projects, including the central city tunnels and pressing need for better community facilities for the replacement of the Gold Coast railway—30 the people. Acacia Ridge was not a priority for years after the Nationals tore it up. The capital the previous National/Liberal Government and it 8 June 1994 8242 Legislative Assembly works budget is listed at $2.3 billion, an increase catered for by regular services. Country people of $280m on that of last year. have a right to regular deliveries and not have to Let us look at members opposite and their wait for a truckload. Some of those things are claims of rail closures under the Labor being addressed, and great work is being done Government. Certainly, the matter was by Queensland Rail. However, it is the considered before last year's Budget. The viable Government's duty to provide the service as a lines are still open. I ask members to compare this community service obligation. with closures under the Liberals and Nationals. The Traveltrain initiatives of the present The Gold Coast line was closed just as the area administration are a great success story. The was becoming the growth centre of Australia. Queenslander was a project begun by Jack The Cleveland line was closed just as Redlands Duggan in 1953. The train was built at the became recognised as a prime residential area. It Ipswich workshop as cars numbered from 1529 has been replaced. to 1540, all of which are still on the Sunlander. The quadruplication and electrification of The dining and lounge cars were not completed the Brisbane rail system was commenced by Jack because of financial constraints. It is to the credit Duggan. It was stalled for over 20 years and then of Don Lane that he had the train commissioned dismantled. The central tunnels recommenced some eight years ago by refurbishing the old under this Government. A third line has only Sunlander cars. David Hamill has had a further reached Northgate instead of Zillmere. refurbishing done, and today the Queenslander Workshops and district headquarters were is the best train in Australia— ahead of faster closed in country towns such as Warwick and trains on the national rail network. Roma. Branches were closed all around the The Traveltrain division of Q-Rail has State, and many more were proposed for closure developed a flair for excellent services which are when the National Party fell from office. generally well patronised. There is still a market Numerous country stations were closed and for pioneering-style services, such as the last suburban stations reduced in status to partly great train ride from Cairns to the Gulf Savannah. attended locations. Altogether, there was a huge This is a journey of world class, and it is worth reduction in staff under the previous millions of dollars in tourism promotion. Tourists Government, and the standard of service fell to a like to think that this sort of experience is still very low level. available. The train used to have one car at the This Government has addressed the huge end of the freight wagons. In last year's tourism capital expenditure vacuum, which has been the season, it had built up to five cars full of happy major reason for the inability of the Railways passengers. This train is a supreme example of Department to perform effectively. There has the dedication and interest of local railway staff been considerable pain as efficiency and cost- and local small-business operators. It needs cutting measures have bitten into the railway skilful and sensitive management to expand service and its extremely loyal work force. If connecting road services into what is still a Queensland Rail comes out of this turmoil as an pioneering territory in the Gulf Savannah efficient service provider serving incorporating the Barron Gorge, the Atherton Queensland—as the railway people would want Tableland, the Undarra lava caves, the Forsayth to—it will have been worth the pain. But it would fossicking areas and the Normanton, Karumba, be the height of folly not to accept that the Croydon and gulf area. The Gulflander is also a Queensland Treasury must continue to provide great success, but the Forsayth great train ride funds for community service obligations into the has infinitely greater potential with many tourists foreseeable future. who seek something more substantial than the Gulflander rail service. Queensland is the most decentralised State in the Commonwealth, and providing an Time expired. adequate transport service continues to come at Mr GILMORE (Tablelands) (9.27 p.m.): I a cost. A balance must be struck between must begin by congratulating the member for efficient operations and service and a profitable Archerfield on his contribution. I am rather operation. The two are mutually exclusive in pleased that some members on the other side of Queensland's far-flung areas. To insist upon the House recognise the virtue of the Mareeba profitability is to destroy the efficiency of the to Forsayth railway link. There can be no doubt service. As-required services will never work in that the Government has indulged itself in some our State, as the provision of wagons has to be fanciful accounting practices in this year's Legislative Assembly 8243 8 June 1994

Budget documents, as can easily be seen on the indicate that $124m and $24m respectively—a very first page of the Estimates of the total of $148m—is to be set aside. Department of Minerals and Energy. There is a Budget Paper No. 2 on page 48 states bold statement that— clearly that in 1994-95 it is expected that the "The Department will have a budget of dividend from the Queensland electricity supply $98.8M"— industry will increase from $95m to $135m. That which is an increase of $35.6m, or 56.2 per represents a $13m difference between the two cent— Estimates of the Budget papers. It is too significant a number to be simply a typographical "over 1993-94 estimated actual error. There is, of course, another possible expenditure." explanation. It is possible that another item of It goes on to say— expenditure has been included in the line item in "The increase primarily reflects the Budget, thereby causing some uncertainty. additional funding for new policy initiatives This unfortunately flies in the face of the and a payment to the Queensland Electricity advice to the people of Queensland by the Commission . . . for the performance of Auditor-General that was published in Appendix community service obligations." B of his 1993 annual report, a letter addressed to A clear attempt has been made to mislead any the member for Tablelands. In his letter the person reading the document without an Auditor-General said— in-depth knowledge of the subject. The truth of "This means that payment to Treasury the matter is revealed elsewhere in the for the $95 million appropriated from profits document, where it is revealed in the section from 92-93 must be charged against the titled "Queensland Electricity Commission" 1993-94 Budget appropriations and that under "Power Generation" and "Power intention is clearly shown on pages 337 and Transmission" that the dividend paid by the 339 of the Budget Paper No. 3 for that electricity industry in this financial year will be year." $148m. That is an increase of $53m over 1993- The line item referred to in the Auditor-General's 94. The sum of $35m is to be returned to the report was titled "Other Current Outlays". One QEC to cover the cost of tariff equalisation. would have thought, therefore, that it was Equalisation has been previously paid for by reasonable to assume that in subsequent years the QEC, but there has never before been the the same rule would apply. This Parliament must line item in the Budget to cover it. So what we now demand an explanation from the Minister see in this document is the classic case of involved and from the Treasurer of this apparent double dipping by this Government. The disparity between the two Budget papers dividend charge is increased by more than the previously mentioned. amount required to cover the line item of tariff Further, I note that the appropriation for the equalisation, and then a token amount is QEC has been reduced by $768m or a total of returned to the QEC. The perception is that the 31.4 per cent, which, according to the Budget expenditure for the Department of Minerals and papers, reflects the sale of the Gladstone Power Energy has been increased by $35m. In reality, Station. The saving referred to appears to be the Budget for Minerals and Energy has been made up of a net saving of $85m in interest increased by only $2m, or 6.25 per cent, which is charges and a saving of $27m in non-labour only marginally above the increase in the CPI. operating costs. These numbers combined do Over $1m of that amount is taken up in increased not account for a reduction of the proportions wages for the same number of employees and in mentioned in the Budget. In fact, it is curious that non-labour operating costs, which soak up the the amount mentioned in the Budget as a rest. reduction almost exactly equates to the amount There is some confusion in the Budget which is understood to have been received for papers about the level of dividend actually the Gladstone Power Station. It appears that the allowed for. In Budget Paper No. 3, on pages Government's accountants have somehow 310 and 312, in the sections headed "Power confused capital and expenditure—a matter of Generation" and "Power Transmission", the line some concern. It is surely incumbent upon the items titled "Other Current Outlays/Recoveries" Minister and the Treasurer to explain how a reduction in indebtedness can result in an almost 8 June 1994 8244 Legislative Assembly exactly replicated reduction in interest and Infrastructure Financing Fund, or QIFF for short. redemption payments and charges and This is a curious proposal and one which has operating costs. The elimination of any reference thus far defied explanation even by such to the cost of fuel consumed has made it persons as the Premier and the Treasurer extremely difficult to determine the efficiency or himself. Both have failed miserably on each otherwise of the Queensland generating occasion that they have been given an system. While this may in the past have appeared opportunity to explain the details of the fund. Let to have been an academic exercise, given the me presume to have some insight into the current circumstances in which the QEC is now intentions of the Government and attempt to purchasing large volumes of power from the explain it in a cogent and sensible matter. privately owned Gladstone Power Station, it is Mr De Lacy: I have been explaining it to imperative that the books of the QEC be made business groups all around Queensland and more transparent than is currently the case. That they have no trouble at all. is made more imperative given the fact that we are now debating this Budget without access to Mr GILMORE: And they are all in a panic. annual reports. The Government apparently intends to establish a legal corporate entity having as collateral certain This brings to mind what appears to be a existing Queensland Government capital assets. quite deliberate attempt by this Government to These assets will all be assets that generate a conceal the bottom line for particular areas of cash flow from their activities. Examples might individual programs in each department. There is well be, as was announced by the Treasurer, the no real uniformity between the year's Budget Gateway Bridge, the Dalrymple Bay coal loading document and previous Budget papers. What facility and, presumably in the long term, assets more simple device could be employed than an of the QEC, such as the Tarong or Stanwell annual rearrangement of the Budget papers so Power Stations. Once the cash flow from such that few if any line items truly reflect the enterprises exceeds the funds required to meet equivalent entry in the previous year's Budget. interest and redemption charges on existing Items have been deleted and others added. As loans, the surplus funds generated will be there are fewer lines in each program area, it utilised by QIFF to meet the interest and must be as assumed that some values have redemption payments on new infrastructure, been combined with others. There is, however, which will be financed through Queensland no indication of what has been mixed with what Treasury Corporation loans. and, therefore, there are no means available by which any observer without access to Treasury Only our Treasurer could conceive of such a documents could make accurate comparisons or plan. No-one else would dream up such a draw appropriate conclusions about the Budget. convoluted plan. Our Treasurer seems to have forgotten that he is the custodian of the purse of All of this clever manipulation has been sold corporate Queensland—not some hillbilly to the community and the press as being a economist who believes that there are still new meaningful rearrangement designed to make the and as yet untried methods of project funding. I documents more easily understood. Sadly, suggest that he should stick to classical nothing could be further from the truth. The economic theory and practise that, rather than Budget documents this year, when of all years attempting to reinvent the wheel and be a world the Budget ought to be open to full and proper leader in the development of economic theory. scrutiny, will only be properly and fully scrutinised after the most detailed and searching inquiry. While I understand the Treasurer's theory, I must raise some questions about the practical There are many further matters that show applications and implications of his actions. In the apparent inconsistencies between various first instance, Governments do not mortgage Budget documents and I will be pursuing those their assets; they utilise their international credit matters before the committee of the Parliament rating to raise funds for infrastructure charged with the responsibility of analysing the development. If they are making appropriate appropriations for the Department of Minerals development choices then each project will carry and Energy. its own interest and redemption payments, as However, I now turn to other matters has been the case in the past. In any case, the referred to in the Budget document. When cash flow generated by existing assets is presenting his Budget Speech,the Treasurer transferred to Treasury and is utilised as a means referred to a new initiative—the Queensland of loan redemption. The only certain thing about Legislative Assembly 8245 8 June 1994 the structure being put in place by the Treasurer now some urgency for this development due to is that major assets of this State will be put at risk the fact that gas supplies in central Queensland and could be sold to the highest bidder by a are severely depleted and may well be mortgagee in possession should any of the exhausted within three or four years. Dithering developments that the Government has in mind by this Labor Government has once again put fail. the entire industrial future of central Queensland To make matters worse, the Treasurer and much of the industry of Brisbane at risk. The appears to believe that by using this new-found pipeline must proceed as quickly as possible, but economic theory he can quarantine certain funding arrangements must be both traditional sections of a debt structure in the case of project and transparent. failure. He seems also to believe that $600m of There are some bright lights scattered debt raised against the nominated assets will not among a gloomy picture, however. The be lost under the proposed structure. Both of Government has finally heard the very loud these propositions are simply untrue. No State noises that have been emanating from both the should place itself in such a dangerous position. industry and the Opposition about the need for The Treasurer has admitted that the projects that increases in the geological survey, which has he has in mind such as the south-west finally returned this important Budget sector to Queensland gas pipeline will be marginal in their the actual dollar levels of 1992-93 after its having economic viability. Therein lies the risk. I remind languished in the outfield at the hands of this honourable members of the furore raised by the Government. The extra expenditure is welcome then Labor Opposition when the National Party indeed and is due recognition of the fact that the Government of the day constructed the geological survey provides the base for the Wallumbilla-Gladstone pipeline. It was said at the mines of tomorrow. It has taken years for this time that the market for gas supply was entirely message to get through to this Government and prospective and that the pipeline construction in the meantime we have lost qualified staff and could not be justified. There is no way that I will years of opportunity—none of which is raise such a hue and cry about the construction recoverable. of such obviously necessary infrastructure as the Regrettably, it is evident that the south-west Queensland gas pipeline proposal. It Government has taken this action in a belated is just a shame that private enterprise appears attempt to redeem itself with the industry, having unwilling to participate in an equity sense. made a monumental mess of environmental However, I am duty bound to question the policy, which has brought the mining industry method by which the project is being funded and into universal disrepute in the community, and by the risk that is being laid off against existing having been shamed into it by the South successful assets. Australian Government. There is one serious risk inherent in the It became eminently clear that the South Treasurer's proposal, and that is that at some Australian airborne geological survey was time in the future he may feel obliged, under providing such excellent information to the pressure of economic circumstances brought industry that it was reasonable to assume that a about by a failed or failing enterprise, to refinance large proportion of Australian exploration funding a number of mature assets to extend the period would find its way to South Australia at the of the original loan in order to reduce the annual expense of Queensland. It is a great pity that this interest and redemption payments, thereby initiative was not taken years ago as part of increasing the possible discretionary funds that normal planning process rather than as a might then become available to cover the knee-jerk response to pressure from industry shortfall on other accounts. There is no doubt and interstate. The decision to digitise the that the Treasurer's plan for Queensland have enormous volume of petroleum geophysical data every prospect of making the above scenario a that is currently stored on magnetic tape, and to reality. Every Australian knows that this is the make that information available to view, is also a Victorian road to fiscal disaster. welcome initiative. Undoubtedly, it will be the It is also a pity that the Queensland cause of similar action interstate. This information Government has not set aside sufficient funds in has been collected over many years and, owing this year's Budget to undertake surveys and to to the inherent instability of the medium upon acquire access rights for the proposed pipeline. which it is currently stored, has been at some The Premier has recently indicated that there is considerable risk of being lost. 8 June 1994 8246 Legislative Assembly

This Budget allows for little more than $16m electorate of Tablelands. Owing to the unwise for planning for future generation capability, but politically correct decisions of Governments, when we know that we will face a serious both State and Federal, the tobacco industry in shortage of capacity in 1998. That has been well my electorate which, until recently, was the most known to the current Government since it was valuable primary industry in the electorate, has first elected, but a bitter determination to do been brought to the point of extinction. This something—indeed, to do anything—to Budget was an unprecedented opportunity for repudiate the previous planning initiatives of the the Government to set aside an appropriate sum National Party in Government caused this Labor to buy from my farmers both their quota and their Government to call a halt to all of the planning tobacco-specific equipment. That would have processes of the QEC. That dedication to removed once and for all tobacco production change for the sake of change is about to from the equation in this country and in this provide us all with a bitter harvest. This State, and would have allowed my farmers to Government is incapable of understanding long retire from the industry with the dignity which lead times and procedures that could take eight they have earned. Tobacco farmers ask for to 10 years to come to fruition. Therefore, there nothing more than what is owed to them, and this is an enormous panic at the professional level in Government and its Federal counterpart owe the department, as officers who have been them a future. They have taken from them dedicated to providing high-quality, reliable everything for which they have worked and electricity supplies to the people of Queensland strived for the whole of their professional lives. see their lifetime of endeavour crumble at the Their assets, their retirement funds and the hands of an amateur Government driven by bitter dreams that they had of passing something of ideology rather than pragmatic good sense. value on to their children have been stolen from The decision early in the life of this them. In this Budget, this Government and this Government to deny the people of far-north Treasurer have betrayed them. Queensland the single most important civil It is with some deep regret that I inform this construction project of the latter part of the Parliament that the tobacco farmers in my twentieth century, the Tully/Millstream electorate, and all of those people who depend hydroelectric scheme, and not to replace it as upon them and the money that they generate, part of a planned strategy for the next major are not the only people in the Tablelands generating facility in this State has meant that the electorate who are currently suffering from the QEC is now faced with patching together a failure of this Government to represent them hodgepodge of small and inefficient generating properly and to provide leadership and facilities, or being forced by sheer weight of appropriate levels of assistance. Over the past circumstance to connect to the New South four years, the distance from markets, the cost of Wales electricity grid and to purchase relatively production and inclement weather have levied a expensive power simply to ensure that the lights heavy price on primary producers in the remain on in Queensland after the winter of Tablelands. All the rhetoric of the Ministers of this 1998. Government, which apparently is designed to That is a dreadful comment on the capacity appease the people of the south-east corner of of this Government to destroy what, to date, has this State, is in direct contrast to the actions of been the jewel in the crown of the Australian the Government. Notwithstanding the much- electricity industry. Sadly, it appears that the vaunted rural package, there is little in this Government does not yet understand the Budget to improve the lot of rural people who enormity of its actions or the possible outcomes have seen their prospects diminish considerably of these actions in terms of efficiency and the by the unrelenting viciousness of this Labor cost of electric power to Queensland homes and Government. industry in the long term. There is no evidence in I conclude with the observation that this Budget that the Government is yet on top of unthinking and poorly informed commentators the need for good, long-term planning in the have been quick to laud this Budget as the electricity industry, and the lack of funds for product of a fiscally responsible Government. planning is a testament to that. This Government is no more responsible for the In the few minutes which remain to me in this future wellbeing of this State than were the debate, I would like to canvass the needs of the Labor Premiers of previously failed Governments community which I serve in this place, the in southern States. Indeed, the corollary is true. Legislative Assembly 8247 8 June 1994

History will judge them poorly. I trust that I will see For example, this year, we will see the the day when those commentators retract their commencement of the $18m Bundaberg Base words in the face of ever-increasing evidence Hospital redevelopment. That is something that that this is just another Labor Budget brought had been denied by the National Party for down by just another Labor Government. decades. The Bundaberg Base Hospital had the Mr CAMPBELL (Bundaberg) (9.46 p.m.): oldest facilities and buildings of any base hospital After listening to the debate from the in Queensland. More than 49 per cent of all the Opposition, I find there is a paradox. First of all, buildings that comprise the Bundaberg hospital the Leader of the Opposition said that the were dated pre-1948. That is an indication of the Budget confirms the Goss Government as the way the National Party attempted to biggest-spending State Government in the disadvantage people who lived in Labor nation. Then Opposition members have turned electorates. However, the ironic aspect is that around and said that we are taking services away that base hospital provides services not only to instead of providing them. That is the paradox the people of Bundaberg but also to the people and the untruth that has come out over the past of the whole region—people who return National two days of this debate. Party members to Parliament. It was very shallow, narrow thinking to fail to provide more services in In one breath, the Opposition is trying to say areas such as Bundaberg. that this Government is not providing services for all the people of Queensland, yet in the next The Budget also allocated $6m to complete breath it says that this Government is the the $17m Burnett River traffic bridge. I am very biggest-spending State Government in the happen about that. The National Party proposed nation. It is very hard to follow that logic. It is very to have that bridge opened and traffic crossing it hard to say that we are spending and not by 1982. The broken promises to the people of providing services. That is the paradox. Bundaberg have now been fulfilled by the commitment of the Goss Government. Mr T. B. Sullivan: And then they say, "We want more in our own electorates." An allocation of $4m has been provided to commence construction of the $7m district Mr CAMPBELL: Members opposite say police headquarters and watch-house in that they want more services in their own Bourbong Street. That demonstrates another electorates, but they are getting more. Tonight, I interesting aspect of the politics that were played will indicate not only what Bundaberg will receive by the National Party. Although that was seen as from the Budget but also the extra services that a priority in 1985 and recognised as such by the are being provided throughout the rest of then Police Minister, Bill Gunn, when it came Queensland. It is important to remember not only onto the list of projects in 1988, that project was that the Government is spending money but also given to Maryborough because the previous that the fundamentals of the Budget are correct. Government thought that that may be a way to State debt is going down; we have economic stitch up a deal to keep that electorate a National growth, we have job growth and we have Party electorate. But it did not work; the people investment. We have a growing, healthy saw through it. Although the police station was economy, which I say we can put at the feet of built there, Bundaberg is now getting its turn. this Goss Government. This will be the newest and best police I have to say that after decades of anaemic headquarters and watch-house in 1994. spending on services in Bundaberg, this Mr Bennett: Didn't Joh Bjelke-Petersen Government is now providing facilities that have say if Bundaberg voted National, he'd give them been needed for years. Later in my speech I will the East School? comment on what the member for Caloundra had to say about propaganda. The News-Mail, the Mr CAMPBELL: He said that. In spite of local paper in Bundaberg, is not a Labor-oriented that former Queensland Premier, we now have paper, but when it publishes headlines such as the Bundaberg East School. "Budget boon", "Police station, hospital, weir big Importantly, $3m was provided to finish the city winners", we know that we have a good $5.7m DPI district headquarters in Enterprise Budget. We know that the facilities and the Street. Another $40.7m is being provided to services are being provided to the people in the continue work on the $73m main railway line country and provincial areas. upgrade in the Bundaberg district. This will provide for new bridges and for the straightening 8 June 1994 8248 Legislative Assembly of the line between Childers and Miriam Vale. In that he wanted something for his electorate, addition, the Bundaberg North State High what did the former Government do? Did it School will receive $600,000 for a science block. provide extra teachers? No. Did it provide extra Other capital works will mean that nearly $1m will nurses? No. The former Government gave him a be going into much needed facilities and research centre when extra research was not services for the Bundaberg North State School. needed. For example, research was being done An amount of $280,000 is provided for the at Toorak, which is just outside Julia Creek. The Bundaberg North Primary School Resource then Lands Minister, Mr Glasson, decided that he Centre. Over $440,000 will provide the Branyan wanted a research station at Longreach, carrying Road School Learning Centre for a growing area out research on basically the same type of of the City of Bundaberg. On top of that, the environment. So what did we have? Another Walla Weir will be provided for the canegrowers research station duplicating work that was already of the district, with $9.5m being allocated under being done. That money is better spent on the Sugar Industry Infrastructure Package. nurses, teachers and on other facilities for The Budget is balanced in terms of people. That is what the Labor Party is doing. providing services and facilities over the whole Interestingly, when the Government area. For example, in the past, as part of our provided these extra research programs, it could commitment to looking after the environment in not even get research people to go to Julia the Bundaberg area, we have provided Creek. If they could do the same research at $500,000 to the Mon Repos Centre, the largest Longreach, why would they want to work at a turtle rookery on the Queensland mainland. The research station basically 25 miles from Kinkuna National Park will be extended this year nowhere? The National Party's extravagance and and will now provide over 13 000 hectares of waste in Government created a less efficient national park on the coast east of Bundaberg. research program. In addition, $10,000 is provided to the local When the former Government did attempt to conservation council to enable it to put forward help farmers facing drought, it looked after stock proposals to meet the needs of the environment and water—it did not help families. But under the of our area. Interestingly, that is what has been Goss Labor Government we are now providing required to make up for the anaemic spending not only counselling but also emergency over many years. Members opposite incorrectly financial support for families hard hit by the say that services are not being provided in rural drought. Drought support workers were areas. Many Government speakers in this debate engaged and we paid for emergency financial have shown just what is being provided in these support for families in towns or on properties areas. More money will be provided to local affected by drought. Drought affects not just government than ever before, yet the people on properties; it affects small country Opposition will not appreciate that fact and towns. Support has been provided by this accept it. Government. Under the Rural Living Infrastructure Whereas the former Government provided Program, $40m will be provided—$10m for research stations that were not needed, we have sewerage and water and an additional $10m for provided houses for people. For example, public amenities. An additional $25m will be provided to housing has been built in Babinda for the first supply services to rural areas. The $50m regional time in 35 years. Public housing construction has roads program is funded by the tobacco tax. As taken place in Cunnamulla for the first time in 11 well, $13m in interest subsidy loans will be years. In Mitchell—the National Party's supplied to droughted local governments, a heartland—there was no public housing special facility provided by the Goss provided for 21 years. Yet members opposite say Government. We also have the ongoing that they look after country people. We have also schemes of local government capital works provided public housing in Murgon for the first subsidies. Some $54m is provided—bus time in 17 years. I take pride in being able to say subsidies of $27m and road subsidies of $27m. tonight that for the first time pensioner units have The funding goes on and on. been constructed in Charters Towers, Chinchilla I point out the services provided under the and Moranbah—again, a Labor Government National Party did not do anything for the people; providing proper services to the country areas. they kept the local members happy. For Members opposite make totally and blatantly example, if a member of the National Party said Legislative Assembly 8249 8 June 1994 wrong statements. The member for Caloundra disgraceful. If we can talk about whether said in this debate— Ministers are misleading the House, why do we "In those days, the propaganda came not work together as members of Parliament to from an enemy transmitter, while the have that type of behaviour eliminated from this Queenslanders fought in the trenches place? under the Australian flag. It was like Tokyo Mr FitzGerald: What's that got to do with Rose." the Budget? Come on! Members opposite have been doing for the past Mr CAMPBELL: I inform the honourable two or three years what the National Socialists did member that it was mentioned in the Budget in Nazi Germany—indulging in Goebbels-style Speech. propaganda. We have got "GB" Members opposite have made false opposite—"Goebbels Borbidge". Opposition allegations about the removal of essential members think that, if they tell a lie for long services such as hospitals. Not one hospital has enough that people will believe it. More services been closed, yet members opposite blatantly are being provided in country areas. spread that sort of misinformation. At Monto, the Dr WATSON: I rise to a point of order. hospital has appointed a community health nurse Mr CAMPBELL: There is no point of who looks after Monto's child, school and order, because I was not speaking about the community nursing needs. Such a service was member. never provided by the National Party. At that hospital, there is now a visiting speech therapy Dr WATSON: I raise the question as to service. Such a service was never provided by whether referring to any member as a the National Party. At the Monto Hospital, there is "Goebbels" is actually parliamentary. now a visiting social worker. Such a service was Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): never provided by the National Party. There are Order! Under the Standing Orders, unless the now two Monto representatives on the honourable member taking the point of order is community consultative committee, which directly affected, there is no point of order. examines the priorities of the local community in Dr WATSON: Is that true of any order to meet local needs. Those are the sorts of unparliamentary language? services that are being provided under this Government. Nevertheless, the Opposition is Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I have telling straight-out untruths about the withdrawal made my ruling. of essential services. It is about time the truth was Mr HORAN: I rise to a point of order. I told. misunderstood what the member said, but I now fully understand it. I find it offensive and I ask the Several times during this debate, members member to retract it. of the Opposition have referred to the QIFF proposal. I strongly support that program. In fact, I Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! There is asked the Treasurer to look—— no point of order. I ask the member to resume his seat. Mr Horan: Do you know how it works? No- one else does. Mr CAMPBELL: If honourable members find "Goebbels" unacceptable, perhaps we Mr CAMPBELL: Yes, I do. It aims to could say that the word "Hitler" is unacceptable provide extra funds for the development of parliamentary language. How pathetic. What was infrastructure. One of the important economic pathetic was that the honourable the Leader of advantages of having a AAA credit rating is being the Opposition—"GB"—said that there was no able to access money at cheaper rates. That visiting physiotherapist service provided in money can be used to develop infrastructure. If Monto. It has been provided for months. It is very we do not use our competitive advantage, interesting that he can continue to make people will not be enticed to develop projects in allegations that are not based on fact. Queensland rather than in other States. I have always believed that we should take advantage The honourable member for Maroochydore of the Treasury's AAA credit rating to obtain would have got away with the things that she said cheaper loans—even for the private enterprise if she were still in Government. She totally and sector—to facilitate major infrastructure deliberately misled the House about supposed development. For example, the biggest cost of a conversations with senior public servants. That is major gas pipeline is the capital investment of 8 June 1994 8250 Legislative Assembly building the pipeline; it is not the operating Mr HORAN (Toowoomba South) costs. If we can cut a couple of percentage (10.06 p.m.): I want to spend some time talking points from the interest rate on the loan for such about some of the issues in the Toowoomba a project, a private company may be able to afford South electorate and in the Toowoomba area to proceed with it. It is reducing the risk—— generally. At the outset, I would like to say that Dr Watson: Who bears the risk? Toowoomba is quite a remarkable place in showing the steady growth that it has despite the Mr CAMPBELL: We as a Government, devastating drought that has been experienced but I am talking about providing the funds for on the downs for the past four years. The large companies for very important projects. resilience of the city is due in part to the diversity Such loans could be totally underwritten by of the region, particularly institutions such as the strong private companies. We can access money military bases at Oakey and Cabarlah, which inject at cheaper rates. That is what we should be $55m a year into the city, and the diverse range doing. of agricultural products that are now produced Dr Watson: What absolute nonsense. around the downs. Although it was once only a grain-growing area, it has now become the Mr CAMPBELL: It is not absolute feedlot capital of Australia; it has become the nonsense. I regret that the member cannot saleyards capital of Australia; it has become one understand that we should be assisting private of the major cotton-producing areas of the State; enterprise to access money at cheaper rates. If and it has become one of the major intensive large developments can be facilitated by using livestock producing areas of the State, the economic advantage of this State, we should particularly for piggeries and dairy farms. Another be doing so. factor that has been of great assistance to This State has had a strategy of reducing Toowoomba has been its diversity of service, State debt. That is positive, but I do not believe particularly in the area of public and private that we have to keep reducing it. I have always education, public and private health, and other thought that we could maintain it at a lower per services that are provided throughout the city. capita level than any other State but also maintain I think the most important capital works item a fund that provides for further development. to comment on this year is the half a million Such a fund would provide jobs and dollars provided for the Toowoomba ambulance infrastructure, and it would provide services in station. This is the third year in a row that this rural areas. The benefits of a major pipeline in amount has been promised, despite letters to western Queensland would flow to the people in me from the previous Minister in which he northern and western areas. I am in favour of promised that this money would come through using the competitive economic advantage of and would be spent by particular dates, all of this strong financial State to develop which have been past by six or eight months. infrastructure. This is the third time that the funding has been Under this Government, we have seen offered. We are certainly hoping that it will be a record budgets for Health, Education and Police. case of third time lucky and that tenders might be It is important that we continue with that policy. let for that very necessary work. It must be borne Not only are those increased budgets providing in mind that the ambulance board in Toowoomba more services but they are also providing better was raided of $1.6m when the whole system was services. For example, in December 1989 there changed. Certainly, a promise of $500,000, were 5 282 sworn police. That number has now which was made just prior to the 1992 election increased to 6 239—an increase of nearly 1 000. called by the Premier, is not too much to return to However, at the same time the number of the city. operational police increased from 4 120 to 5 600. Another promise that has been made for the In other words, the percentage of operational second time is funding for the TAFE college in police has increased to 89.7 per cent from 78 per the Toowoomba North electorate. An amount of cent. This Government is getting more police out $6.8m has been promised this year—again for into the field. The Goss Labor Government is the second year in a row—out of a total of providing more services more effectively than did $11.9m. Most of that money has come from the the previous National Party Government. We Commonwealth Government. As to schools have been given a good Budget this year, and within my electorate—the Glenvale school is a we will be given an even better one next year. rapidly expanding school on the western side of Legislative Assembly 8251 8 June 1994 the city, where new subdivisions are constantly waiting lists grow and people get frustrated with being developed. The This year it has received the cancelled surgeries at the hospital. The funds for an administration room and a library. upstairs floor, which is designed to take five Although not announced in the Budget, in the theatres, has sat as an empty shell for two years. present financial year and in the coming financial Finally, there have been changes and reviews. year an amount of $210,000 will be spent on a A new plan which is far more expensive, and music room at the Rangeville school on the I would say far better, provides for an accident eastern side of my electorate. That is a pleasing and emergency centre, a central sterilising unit feature of the Budget, because the Rangeville and an intensive care area. But honourable school is one of the leading schools in the State members should just have a look at the logic of in musical development. this. The hospital desperately needs these In this Budget, the police station has theatres, these intensive care areas and a received an allocation of $200,000 towards the revamped accident and emergency centre. So total $1.9m cost of an annexe at the rear. That what happens? The sum of $800,000 gets has been sorely needed for the last two or three provided towards this major redevelopment of years. The police are scattered all around the the theatres and the intensive care unit, yet the area of the main police station. Despite the fact community health centre, which will be a building that they need more officers, the police could on the site of the old 25th Royal Queensland work far more effectively if they were housed in Regiment site, receives $1.5m—twice as much. one building. At the same time, there has been To anybody who knows the problems of an allocation of $155,000 towards an office for Toowoomba and the urgent needs of theatres the Director of Prosecutions and an allocation of and intensive care units, it just does not make $270,000 for a new courtroom, the final cost of sense. With all due respect to the people which will be $300,000. involved in community health who are located at As to public housing—in the Darling Downs various centres around the city—the community region, $5m has been allocated for 72 health centre will bring them together into one structures. I want to pay some compliments to building, which no doubt will be more the staff of the Department of Housing in convenient, but many of their centres such as Toowoomba, who are most helpful and who the child health centre and the psychiatric centre provide regular briefings to the members in the are ideally situated now in the centre of the town. area, as do the regional officers for Education However, the urgent need and the priority of and Health. Of those 72 structures, four will be those with some commonsense is the hospital for aged units and the others are for apartments and its facilities, yet the hospital receives only and for housing. The real need in our area now is half the amount of funding that is going to the for individual housing and apartments. That is community health centre. If there were any logic, where the longest waiting lists are. The demand sensibility or proper planning in this entire for aged units has been satisfied, but waiting lists project, it would be the hospital facility that would now exist particularly for apartments and free be receiving the majority of the funding, because standing housing. There is also an allocation of the community health centre can wait. The $200,000 towards a $400,000 transport office hospital cannot wait. modification and the Mount Lofty Nursing Home, Great concern has been expressed in which is in the Toowoomba North electorate and Toowoomba in recent months about the savage which will be completed in this financial year. increase in property theft and break-ins. This is a The community health centre has received new type of crime that has not been seen before an allocation of $1.5m for a total project of $4.3m, in the city to any great extent. I am talking about and the Toowoomba General Hospital an instances such as people walking in through the allocation of $800,000 towards a total project of front door of houses while people are out hosing $13.4m. I know that the city is quite grateful for in the backyard; old people just pushed over and these projects—if they ever get under having their bags pinched; and even nursing way—because for the past two years the hospital homes in the centre of the city being broken has had an empty shell of a two-storey building into. It is of great concern to the city and I think it with a theatre complex. The bottom floor, which is about time that this Government realised that it contains two modern, completed and fully is part of a major problem throughout furnished day surgical units, has been sitting Queensland. It is something that Queensland idle, unused and untouched for two years while has not seen before, certainly something that 8 June 1994 8252 Legislative Assembly regional cities like Toowoomba have not seen or worthwhile thing to give the Police Citizens experienced before, and it is something we do Youth Club the opportunity to put in a bid for this not want to have in this State. land. The effect of the drought on the downs has A severe problem in the law and order area been absolutely horrendous, and here I put in a is watch-house overcrowding. I know that the word for the farming community of the Darling people who have told me about it are very Downs who are the bread and butter of distressed about the conditions of those who are Toowoomba's economy and much of crowded into the watch-house for many days at a Toowoomba's social structure. In the past four time waiting for transport to the gaols in Brisbane. years, four winter crops have failed. Three out of I would like also to salute the Toowoomba the past four summer crops have failed and there Turf Club, which continues to perform strongly, is very little surface water, apart from out on the for its bold move to night racing. Just recently, Condamine irrigation area, and the bores are of the Weetwood and Toowoomba Cup were again great concern. One really has to wonder just record events. The employment generated by what will happen to some of these people and the Toowoomba Turf Club is quite amazing. I also how long they can keep going. Therefore, when salute Skillshare which, in association with the the Treasurer receives approaches from Toowoomba Turf Club, has conducted a number members representing those rural areas and of courses for stablehands. That provides young primary producer organisations I urge him to be people who do not have many skills with jobs in understanding of just what happens when one stables. At the same time, Skillshare has also has to face four continuous years of such been endeavouring, through the Minister for drought. The export income derived from some Tourism, Sport and Racing, to develop a course of these industries, such as the meatworks, for track work riders. feedlots, cotton and export horticulture, and the jobs derived from them, are just amazing. They The Department of Transport has recently are industries that we have to look after. announced that a bypass road, or an additional road coming up the range to cross the range Much has been said during the past months highway and access the western area, is to be about the impending closure of the Westbrook investigated. We have been briefed on a number Youth Detention Centre. It really has been a of occasions and I would like to say that here lies major calamity for the area and something that an opportunity for the Department of Transport, has brought a great deal of bitterness into in conjunction with the consultants, to look at Toowoomba, particularly to those 97 good, some of the far-reaching future possibilities for honest, reliable working people who have been taking the rail line out from the centre of stabbed in the back by the decision to close the Toowoomba as it congests traffic to a great Westbrook centre. I certainly commend the extent, to look to the redevelopment committee of businesspeople from the town who somewhere in an appropriate area on the have been to see the Minister regarding the western side of the city of a major rail and closure of Westbrook. These people include the transport terminal, and perhaps even to look to mayor and representatives from the Chamber of the relocation of the saleyards, which are the Commerce, the Regional Development biggest saleyards of commercial cattle in Corporation and the Central City Traders. If that Australia, from their central Harristown area out to closure eventuates, these people are the extremities of the city. endeavouring to have some form of Government development there that will replace some of the Also, as the former general manager of the lost income coming from the jobs and activities show society, I warn that society about the that will be lost. possible transfer of showgrounds capital works to the rural package. Today in this Parliament we Also, I would like to mention the Police heard the Minister for Local Government say that Citizens Youth Club and the Railway Department the $5m over three years for showgrounds land which abuts that club's facility. This club capital works will not be part of that Rural Living does a marvellous job. A couple of thousand Infrastructure Program, but on page 63 of young people attend all the activities at the club Budget Paper No. 2, it definitely says— throughout the year. I gave the Police Citizens Youth Club some assistance in approaching the "Eligible projects will include Department of Transport. It appears that this land is going to be sold, and it would be a very Legislative Assembly 8253 8 June 1994

showground improvements and therefore not want to risk being on a waiting list and then the showground subsidy will be subsumed turning up for operations only to find that they within this program". have been cancelled. They do not want to join That means only one thing, that it is part of the the ever-increasing waiting lists and the cruel $40m. The Budget Paper continues— hoax of the Queensland public hospital system. "Included in the $40m are the As to capital works—I want to speak following." particularly about the recycled capital works. The Goss Government has announced $153m for I certainly would recommend that the capital works. I ask honourable members to bear Queensland Chamber of Agricultural Societies in mind that that includes at least $20m towards get in immediate contact with the Minister to the information system—the computer system clarify this point, because it is the lifeblood of which many people say is absolutely useless. most show societies. The sum of $20m was spent last year on the very Finally, in the area of justice, there is great same system. Last year, some $10m was also concern in Toowoomba about a number of spent on consultancies. Some of those recent cases involving bail being given to consultancies, such as the recent Boose-Allen particular juveniles and, in another case, to an Hamilton consultancy in Brisbane north has adult. I think it is absolutely vital that a review take come up with such ridiculous propositions as place of the relevant Acts. It is not the fault of the shifting the Prince Charles cardiac unit from the magistrates, who act according to the legislation, marvellous site at Chermside to the Royal but there is extreme concern that in some cases Brisbane Hospital. the granting of bail just does not recognise the The coalition, through the shadow Cabinet, particular dangers and the activities associated has guaranteed that, when elected to with these people. The concern is that the Government, we will also provide a minimum of granting of bail simply does not recognise the $150m per year, but we will certainly spend it harm that they may have done or the concern better and we will not be wasting it on outside that they have caused to the people whose interstate consultants, as did the Goss houses they have broken into. Government. In the time remaining, I want to mention Amongst the projects this year is the briefly matters related to shadow responsibility Barcaldine Hospital. The sum of $2.5m was for Health. The Health budget this financial year promised last year—nothing done. Only is $2.4 billion, an increase of $157m, or 5.9 per $300,000 is promised this year. I ask honourable cent, on the actual expenditure for 1993-94. members to bear in mind that of all the hospitals Included in that is $43m allocated for growth, but listed for capital works, the only country hospitals certainly nothing is allocated for catch-up, which are Barcaldine, Emerald and Cooktown. No small is what the Queensland Health Department has hospitals are mentioned whatsoever. What about to do, because it just has so many serious Emerald? The sum of $984,000 was promised problems on its hands. last year, and only $200,000 was spent. I think the thing that people must The Royal Brisbane psychiatric unit— understand and realise about what is happening another repeat. The Gold Coast airconditioning in Health is that last year we had $650m extra in and renovations—another repeat. The sum of the Budget. This year we have some $800m $500,000 was promised last year, and nothing extra in the Budget. The entire system has gone was done. Stage 3 of the Logan backwards on what it once used to be. People Hospital—another repeat. In Rockhampton, the used to be able to be guaranteed a bed, a roof, fire safety refurbishment— another repeat. As to treatment and care from staff in a hospital. That the psychiatric unit—not even one hole has safety network has disappeared under a Labor been drilled there, and that unit was supposed to Government. Members do not need me to tell be competed this year. them this all the time; the people know it. As to the Thursday Island Hospital— $3.6m Private health insurance in Queensland has was promised last year—another repeat; nothing increased by 9 per cent. This is the only State in done. In Toowoomba, which I mentioned earlier, Australia to experience such an increase, which $2.6m was promised for the fit-out of those five is against the national trend. People are voting empty theatres that have been sitting there for with their pockets. They are no longer prepared to gamble with the Goss Government. They do 8 June 1994 8254 Legislative Assembly two years. Nothing was done there. What a cruel about the contribution from the honourable hoax is capital works. member for Aspley in relation to the city bypass. I What about mental health funding? Leaked have heard some frauds and hypocrites in my releases before the Budget stated that mental time, but I have to say that the allegations made health services would be increased by $15.7m. by the honourable member for Aspley, The president of the Queensland Association for supported by his laughing hyena behind him, Mental Health, Tony Wade, in newspapers the honourable member for Indooroopilly, in throughout the State, such as the Townsville relation to that city bypass must go down in the Bulletin and the Toowoomba Chronicle, said history of the Parliament as extraordinary beyond that, in real terms, the Budget's mental health belief. allocation increase amounted to just $4.5m, or The reality is that the Atkinson 2.9 per cent. He said it was just a hoax. He said administration at City Hall—when Sallyanne that the Government had announced an Atkinson was the Lord Mayor of this increase of $24.7m. He said also that $16m city—railroaded the people of Petrie Terrace and related to capital works announced last year; that Paddington, whom I used to represent in this a total of $2m of the $2.1m allocated to Parliament prior to the last redistribution, with the community organisations was existing funding, Hale Street ring-road. and $2.5m for extended servicing hours was Mrs Woodgate: He was a member of the Federal and not State funding. He said— council. "The State Government has made a Mr BEATTIE: Yes, indeed. Members public relations statement by saying that might recall that the honourable member for they have increased spending on mental Indooroopilly was in fact the vice-mayor of this health by 16 per cent." city when they railroaded through Hale Street. That is absolutely true. That was just about What happened? They dumped all the traffic at everything that the Government leaked prior to the end of Gilchrist Avenue—— the Budget. Mr Horan interjected. The real hoax of the Budget was that the Mr BEATTIE: If the honourable member Government has absolutely missed the point. wants to carry on like that, he will have about as The real deficiencies within the health system are much credibility as his current leader. He could the lack of staff, doctors, nurses and allied health not get the numbers the other day. If I were him, I and this Government's approach to getting those would keep rehearsing. He should spend more people. There is an unfortunate anti-medical time in front of the mirror. attitude. Members can witness that here in this place through some of the interjections that The Liberal Party dumped all the traffic at the Government members make about doctors. It end of Gilchrist Avenue right near the car park filters down through some sections of the outside the Royal Brisbane Hospital, not only bureaucracy. Unfortunately, it has created an creating pollution problems but creating a traffic atmosphere in which medical people not do not jam. want to be involved with the Government. The Mr Ardill: It was stupid. reverse should be the case. There should be a Mr BEATTIE: It was plain stupid. All those great pride in working in the public hospital people who were opposed to Hale Street, system. It is a system where most of the including the Honourable Minister and me, who specialists have got their training. challenged the Liberals at City Hall to declare Unless we can turn around this attitude of what they were going to do about that the Goss Government, and unless it gets fair bottleneck, were accused of scaremongering dinkum about putting quality staff into hospitals, and told that nothing needed to be done. Of we will continue with this system in which the real course, it needed to be done. Today, there are people who need proper public hospital interminable delays at that intersection, going treatment are going to continue to miss out. This along Bowen Bridge Road to turn right into Government is all about public relations; it is Gilchrist Avenue; going the other way, turning about bureaucracies and reviews. It is not about into Bowen Bridge Road; and, further down, to proper delivery of basic health services. turn into Campbell Street. In peak hours the line Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central) of traffic is a kilometre long. That is our legacy (10.26 p.m.): I want to make some comments from the honourable member for Indooroopilly, Legislative Assembly 8255 8 June 1994 his mate the honourable member for Aspley, and February over previous February. Personal the Liberal Party at City Hall. loans for cars up 16% Housing loans up They also conned the Sunday Mail in a 22% in three months." recent article to suggest that, in some way, it was The message is very clear: this is indeed a the responsibility of the Minister for Transport boom State, yet this is only part of the story. With and me. That has to go down in history as one of this rapid growth comes major problems and the greatest pieces of hypocrisy and other problems which until recently were ignored humbuggery that I have ever heard in my life. If or poorly dealt with. I am often a little amused to people want to have an argument out in the hear the Opposition in this House run around electorate about who was responsible for Hale objecting to some of the initiatives of the Street, I am happy to match it anywhere with the Government as if they do not carry some honourable member for Aspley and his Liberal responsibility for the difficulties that we are Party councillors, who are running around trying confronting. Indeed, poor planning by to whip up enthusiasm—as people often say, Governments in the seventies and eighties have creating apathy wherever they go—trying to left us a legacy that needs urgent attention. I will create a bit of enthusiasm to revive their electoral come to some of those problems. fortunes. They and their decisions made the city There is no-one particularly to blame for the bypass absolutely necessary. They are the first problem. Queensland's and Australia's reason we need to sort out a problem at the population is aging. For example, one in seven corner of Gilchrist Avenue and Bowen Bridge Queenslanders is currently over the age of 60, Road. I have had enough of their nonsense. If but by the year 2031 the figure will be more than they want to have a public debate about it, I one in four. Research shows Australia's life would be delighted to join them. expectancy for men is now 74 years, and for Queensland is frequently described as the women it is 81, compared with 51 and 55 earlier boom State of Australia. This was confirmed in this century. The planning and resource the Budget papers produced by the Treasurer. difficulties associated with this problem of aging Indeed, even last Saturday's Courier-Mail of 4 are only too obvious. Even in 1971 life June 1994 summed up the vital statistics as expectancy for men was 67 years and for women follows— 75 years. That provides the first planning "Population—up 21,600 in the three difficulty that the Government has to confront. months to September 1993, including more The second difficulty is that the new than 1000 a week from interstate. population projection figures released by the Jobs—More than 1000 new jobs Minister for Housing, Local Government and created a week with 3.7% growth in March Planning, the Honourable Terry Mackenroth, on quarter. Unemployment 10%, down from 10 March 1994 indicate that the population of 10.6%. Queensland could grow by almost 100 per cent by the year 2031 to more than 5.6 million people. Building—1000 new houses approved This growth of 2.7 million represents a 91 per a week in 1993-94." cent population increase between 1991 and The figures are to drop for a short period in 1994- 2031. That is the second big problem with which 95. The article continues— we are confronted. Third, just over 1.8 million, or "Gross State Product—up 5.5% in 65 per cent of this projected growth, will come December quarter and expected to from interstate, 52 per cent; or overseas continue about this level in 1994-95. migration, 13 per cent. The balance will come from natural births. They are three very significant Retail turnover—up 4.8% in February problems. over previous February. Business investment: 19% growth predicted in 1994- Therefore, Queensland is confronted with a 95. planning and resource nightmare to deal with these problems—problems that should have Business registrations—up 764 in been tackled at least in the early 1980s, but were March quarter to 155 603. Car regos up not. Natural growth and the boom economy of 2.7% in March over previous March. Queensland in themselves are not enough Personal finance—up 39.7% in either to fund or plan for these current and future infrastructure problems. That is why the announcement by the Treasurer and the 8 June 1994 8256 Legislative Assembly

Government of the Queensland Infrastructure to be sorted through so that there is no Financing Fund is a clear step in the right misunderstanding. direction to tackling these problems. That fund is Let me reiterate that that fund is fundamentally important, not only in terms of fundamentally important to the future of getting the infrastructure planning right but also Queensland, particularly in the south-east funding it. If that fund had not been established corner, and in the regions around Cairns and by this Government, we would be facing more Townsville in north Queensland. When future significant problems in another five years. economists look back on this 1994 State Let me deal with some of the commentary. I Budget, they will see the establishment of that am delighted to see that overwhelmingly there fund as one of the most important initiatives of has been support for the Queensland the Goss Government. It will not be seen as the Infrastructure Financing Fund. I want to deal, negative scaremongering we witnessed from Mr however, with some comments by David Hellaby, Borbidge, the honourable Leader of the the business editor for the Courier-Mail. I should Opposition, who tried to frighten people and say that Mr Hellaby overwhelmingly endorsed the draw parallels with what had happened in other fund and I think his judgment is right. However, States. The parallels are not there. I might add there are a couple of matters which I think need that the honourable Leader of the Opposition to be addressed. First I will turn briefly to what Mr has been using those scaremongering tactics for Hellaby said— the past five years. He has given us the same "However, if Queensland is to maintain warning, in the same speech, almost in the same its advantage over the rest of the country it words, every year. I have to say that it really is has to make sure it has the infrastructure to getting a little tedious. cope with the rising population. As a member who represents the inner city, He is dead right. Mr Hellaby continues— who is concerned about public transport, infrastructure for public housing, where roads, "That's why Mr De Lacy was 100 rail services, police stations, and educational percent correct to attempt to tackle the institutions go, I say that I am very, very problem in this week's Budget. Our lack of supportive of the establishment of that fund, and crucial infrastructure in the form of road and I put that clearly on the record. rail corridors, airport facilities and gas pipelines etc, is close to creating a crisis I will now deal with a couple of other matters. situation. I am particularly appreciative of the initiatives in my area where there has been a significant So the Queensland Infrastructure allocation of funds for the refurbishment of the Financing Fund is a big step in the right Spring Hill Ambulance Service. In addition to direction." that, a significant amount of money has been Again, he is right. He raises, however, a couple allocated for the Royal Brisbane Hospital of issues that I think need addressing. He says— Psychiatric Unit. I am pleased to say that the "What Mr De Lacy has effectively State Government has awarded a tender for created is an off-balance sheet entity run by construction to begin on the new 90-bed acute public servants." care psychiatric unit at the Royal Brisbane Hospital. Late today I was informed by Mr That is not true. The money will go into a trust Hayward, the Minister for Health, that the tender fund in a public account audited by the Auditor- for the construction of the $17.5m facility has General and subject to proper analysis. It is true been awarded to A. W. Edwards Pty Ltd. The that there will be an interdepartmental committee work is expected to begin next month, with advising, but subject again to proper analysis. I commissioning scheduled for the second half of know that honourable members opposite can next year. Among the 90 beds will be 12 say that it is run by public servants, but so is designated for adolescent mental health. The Treasury. But there will be proper accountability new unit will have close links with the University and a proper analysis of the figures. It is not of Queensland Medical School, which is venture capital; it is core Government business providing $1m towards its cost, and with a broad and it is planning for the infrastructure of the range of other tertiary institutions where health future. I make those comments because, while I professionals are trained. think David Hellaby's article was to the point, intelligent and very credible, those matters need The unit is being constructed on the site of the old Resident Medical Officers' quarter, and Legislative Assembly 8257 8 June 1994 the Royal Brisbane campus is part of the State In addition, earlier this year, he advised that Government's $1.5 billion, 10-year hospital land had been purchased at 78 Edmondstone rebuilding program. It will replace the existing Street, Newmarket for use as a future site for Rosemount mental health facility at detached house rental accommodation and of Windsor—and hear, hear to that—thereby the purchase of a detached house at 45 Terrace allowing mental health services to become part of Street, New Farm for on-sale to the New Farm the mainstream health system, which is one of Housing Cooperative for use under the Housing the main changes outlined in the national mental Cooperative Program as well as accepting the health policy. Mainstreaming means that people tender of Neil Smith of Brendale for the with mental illness are not stigmatised by construction of six attached houses at 48 admission to a clearly identified mental health Bonython Street, Windsor for use as rental institution and that they also have better access accommodation. The list goes on. to general hospital services for the treatment of I will now leave the issue of housing and illnesses which are not necessarily related to move on to policing. We have heard a lot from their mental illnesses. Last year, the dilapidated the conservatives about the policing issue. I Rosemount facility was roundly criticised by have to say that under this Government my Human Rights Commissioner Brian Burdekin and electorate has received more police per capita its replacement with the new Royal Brisbane than ever before in its history. Only recently, the Hospital unit is symbolic of the major changes Minister wrote to me pointing out a number of which have already occurred and are continuing initiatives that have been carried out in my to occur under the Goss Government. I am electorate and which are confirmed in this delighted by that initiative. Budget. For example, and these relate only to I now turn to education. I want to the Fortitude Valley area, there has been the acknowledge the allocation of funds to works in establishment of a police shopfront. An my electorate which are important to my schools. additional 14 officers have been seconded In particular the Minister for Administrative temporarily to Fortitude Valley, there are Services, the Honourable Glen Milliner, has increased beat and mobile patrols, and formally advised me that, at the Kelvin Grove specialised teams, including members of the State School, $1,000 will be allocated for the mounted unit and the public safety response provision of carpet to the secretary's office in team, have been deployed to patrol the area. We block A; $31,000 for external repainting of the are seeing in the electorates extra police on the Administration/Teaching Block A; $4,000 for the ground doing the job that they should be doing. supply of pavers, aluminium seats and bedding In the few minutes remaining to me, I want to sand. At the New Farm State School, $3,500 has deal with the issue of public transport. Recently, been allocated for the supply of pavers, turf, a number of studies have examined the issue of bedding sand and topsoil and $11,500 for the road planning and public transport planning. This construction of an amphitheatre. The list goes Government has spent, is spending and plans to on. Those are the direct initiatives from this spend a significant amount of money to improve Government to improve education public transport in this State. The amount facilities—facilities that were ignored for a long allocated to Queensland Rail for 1994-95 is the period under previous conservative largest budget ever, with an estimated Governments. expenditure of $2.3 billion—an increase of more In the area of housing, I am delighted to than $200m on the 1993-94 anticipated mention to the House that this Government over expenditure. The Government has undertaken a a period, particularly under the Minister for reinvestment program in rail infrastructure of truly Housing, Local Government and Planning, Mr historic proportions. During 1994-95, the Terry Mackenroth, and prior to him, Tom Burns, expenditure on projects such as the main line has spent a great deal of money assisting in upgrade program and suburban expansion public housing. The Minister wrote to me only at upgrade programs will really take off. For the end of May advising that his department has example, $220m will be spent on the main line been authorised to accept the tender of R. J. upgrade program. That project which will result in Forrester Builders Pty Ltd of Kangaroo Point for freight times between Brisbane and Cairns being the construction of 14 senior units at 61 Heal reduced from 40 hours to 27 hours, and Street, New Farm, for use as rental passenger services slashed from 32 hours to 25 accommodation—about which I am delighted. hours. 8 June 1994 8258 Legislative Assembly

QR's competitiveness with the road commitment to doing what it can to upgrade transport industry will not only be enhanced by public transport and to upgrade rail services in reduced travelling times but also operational this State. In the long term, upgrading those rail efficiencies achieved through increased services will play an important part in reducing our maximum axle loads and new generation rolling reliance on cars, reducing pollution and reducing stock, which will allow freight trains to carry 25 per the need for roads cutting through the city and cent greater tonnages. Environmental benefits suburbs. also follow from reduced noise emissions and This is a good Budget not only for my lower diesel fuel consumption. electorate in terms of the areas that I have In addition, the Budget provides $191.8m outlined but also for the economic wellbeing of to be allocated under the $698m suburban this State. It provides for the immediate and long- upgrade program, including $50m in works on term future of Queensland. That is one of the the quadruplication of suburban tunnels. Let me most important hallmarks of it. That is one of its say "Hear, hear!" to that. These works mean that most important ingredients. If we had had the existing network will be prepared for the successive Governments in the 1970s and increased patronage expected during the next 1980s having the sort of foresight that we have decade as the State's population swells. They seen this Government display in this Budget, will also permit the extension of the Brisbane Queensland would be in a much better position commuter network to service the outer urban in terms of infrastructure development than it is growth corridors. today. It is a great Budget. It is good for my As well, the Budget provides for $66m of electorate and I congratulate the Treasurer on it. this allocation to fund bridge construction and Mr LITTLEPROUD (Western Downs) earthworks between Beenleigh and Helensvale (10.46 p.m.): I am pleased to take part in this as part of the work on the Gold Coast rail line, cognate debate on the two Appropriation Bills. I which will be completed at Helensvale by listened with interest to some of the comments December 1995. In addition, $107m will be that were made by the member for Brisbane spent on the coal and mineral rail network, Central because I, too, want to talk about the including investment to cater for the new North growth in Queensland and what should be done Goonyella mine, and the duplication of sections about it. of the North Coast line. An amount of $26m will I listened very intently when the Budget be spent on the construction of the standard Speech was made by the Treasurer. He used the gauge rail link. words "golden era" and spoke about With a roads investment program of $725m, tremendous growth in Queensland. Because we and $162m to be invested in port facilities are politicians, people have to allow a certain throughout the State, the total expenditure on amount of hyperbole by us, but it is a truism to transport infrastructure is $1.6 billion. That say that Queensland is experiencing a great deal represents almost half the Queensland of growth, and that that growth will continue. Government's capital works program. However, I want to make the comment that the In addition, of course, there has been an growth is not consistent throughout the State. I additional allocation of $1m from consolidated think that when we are talking about planning for revenue towards security enhancement both on the future that it is important that while we plan for trains and at stations. In terms of the suburban the growth that is occurring in the south-east network, that is a move about which I am corner, Cairns and around some of the major delighted. An additional amount of $5m will be provincial cities along the coast, at the same time allocated, resulting in a total of $6m being spent our planning should also be in the form of some on enhanced security for QR's employees and sort of inducements for growth to occur away its customers—in particular its customers. Those from those pressure points because of the cost people who have, from time to time, opposed effectiveness of developing infrastructure away the road network that is being constructed in a from these very expensive areas. sensible way have raised the issue of how much I want to talk about the other parts of money this Government is spending to enhance Queensland that could take part in this growth. the suburban rail service, to enhance public People are going to go where there is quality of transport and to enhance the rail network in this life, be that the climate, the facilities or the job State. Those figures that I have outlined opportunities. I think that there are many other demonstrate clearly this Government's major towns along the coastline of Queensland Legislative Assembly 8259 8 June 1994 and, to a certain extent, in areas within four from Victoria and the maternal side of my family hours' drive from the coast that could, in fact, came from central New South Wales. take a lot more infrastructure and people, Carrying on from there, I suppose we would provided we cater for it in our planning. I know have to think about Ron Camm and Alan that the electorates of Emerald and Gregory, and Fletcher, who were politicians back in the sixties. Mount Isa, which is represented by the Alan Fletcher was the man who dreamt up the Honourable the Minister for Minerals and Energy, idea of the brigalow scheme. At that time, he saw have some prospects for growth. However, in a tremendous resource with potential that was the main I am talking about those areas that are not being developed properly. With the might of within easy driving distance of the south-east the funding from the State Government, they corner, of Rockhampton, of Townsville and of were able to render that land into a state whereby Mackay. Those big centres provide the quality of individual people could afford to take it on and life that attracts the most people. make it viable. As it happened, a beef slump I want to direct some of my comments to occurred and some people lived pretty hard. matters that revolve around the electorate of However, in the brigalow belt from Mackay to Western Downs, which is located within that central Queensland and down to Goondiwindi general region that I have described. In recent there has been tremendous development in times, there has been a terrific population drift primary industries. That is one example of how a from the west. Most of them were people who Government inducement led to making better lived on properties. To a lesser degree, it has use of the State's resources. been caused by the fact that the very small towns Ron Camm was also to the fore in opening have extreme difficulty in surviving. I would have up the coalmines in the sixties. Some members to say that there is limited growth in some of the owe their very political existence to the mining other towns with populations ranging from 4 000 towns that came up out of the brigalow scrub of or 5 000 people up to 10 000 people. They are central Queensland. Also, the mineral resources going to keep on growing at a certain rate. of north-west Queensland that have been However, it will certainly not be at a rate that is developed offer great potential. I would like to equivalent to the Statewide growth figure, and move some of the development away from the certainly nothing like that which is occurring in south-east corner and the other pressure points, Cairns and in south-east Queensland. such as Cairns and other major cities, along the I am going to offer some comments about coast. The Government and the Parliament as a some of the things that we should consider in whole have to work out what can be done via our planning. I am not talking about the provision inducements to entice some of the people of infrastructure in areas where the growth is moving to Queensland—and perhaps some of occurring; I am talking about trying to induce the people living in the crowded parts or growth elsewhere. In 1905 and 1906, the Queensland—to move to places other than the Government enacted the Closer Settlement big cities. The reality is that these other areas Acts. The Government of that time realised that it already offer cheaper land and cheaper housing. had an asset that it could use to induce people to That is a real inducement for lots of people. The settle in the inland parts of Queensland, biggest thing about which people worry in life is especially the Darling Downs, where the western whether they can afford a house and a block of line had just been constructed. That land. This type of living is also safer. A rural Government rezoned grazing land for use by the setting is a great place to raise a family. A small dairy industry. That was possible because country town of up to 10 000 or so people is very farmers could use the railway line to move their safe. There is a certain sort of community with cream down to the butter factories and then which to identify. These places do not have all transport the butter to the coast and export it to the social ills of the larger cities. Europe. So in 1905 and 1906, the Closer Mr Pearce: The crime issue isn't Settlement Acts were used as an inducement to Statewide? You said that they are safer places. people to move to Queensland. In fact, there would be many people living in this part of Mr LITTLEPROUD: Small towns are safer Queensland whose grandparents or great than cities. grandparents migrated there from all over Mr Pearce: No crime there? Australia. The paternal side of my family came Mr LITTLEPROUD: There is not the same degree of crime. These places also have a 8 June 1994 8260 Legislative Assembly lifestyle that appeals to some people. We are not Government should be prepared to write-off a bit talking about a major shift in population; if there of the cost, because that will take some of the are people out there who would like that sort of pressure off the infrastructure in the crowded lifestyle, we should give them a go. At this time, parts of Queensland. There are known coal these sorts of inducements are being taken up reserves on the Darling Downs that could be by some people moving from either the city or used for a powerhouse. Also, that coal could be from the southern States. But, in the main, they mined for export. At present there is a bit of a are people who are self-funded in their living choke point when coal is brought through style—retirees, people who do not have to seek Brisbane to the Fisherman Islands. I understand employment. These people are welcome in that about three million tonnes a year is the those places—and the member for Brisbane maximum that can be transported to the Central mentioned that a very high percentage of Fisherman Islands. That does not make for very the populations of these places are of retirement large coalmines. age. This affects those communities. There are For example, I understand that the new not enough doers, and more people have to use Gordonstone mine at Emerald has a work force of the services that the community organisations about 400 people. The amount of the coal and Governments have to provide. This means reserves that that mine has is equal to the that there are not enough people working to reserves currently held in the brigalow Cogan make these places work. Whilst these towns are Creek area, just outside Chinchilla. But because helped a bit, that is not all that they want. of the restrictions on getting the coal out of We have to be able to provide jobs. I make Chinchilla through Brisbane, they are going to be the qualification that, possibly, we have to do able to mine only about a million tonnes a year. something that is not totally reliant on primary They will have a work force of about 60. If we industries. The trend in primary industry is want infrastructure to help take the pressure off towards bigger aggregations— bigger wool, south-east Queensland—we do not want the beef, cotton and grain properties. So we are train to come through Brisbane—we should build seeing a bigger investment in capital, a smaller a railway line that links Wandoan, Theodore and investment in labour, and fewer people. I do not Gladstone. That would provide a top quality line think that people will be enticed to these areas that could take all the coal mined from places through jobs in primary industry. The only such as Millmerran, Chinchilla and Wandoan to exception may be in intensive horticulture. In the Gladstone. Straight away, this would create a Central Highlands around Emerald there is new industry that is not dependent on the irrigated citrus and grape growing. To a certain weather or primary industries. It would bring a degree this is happening around St George, whole new dimension into a local economy. It Goondiwindi and Chinchilla with melons. Land would develop towns that are still in striking that was once regarded as third class—and was distance of the coast with the quality of life to being bought pretty cheaply—is now producing which people will be attracted. crops worth about $1,000 an acre. This land is In addition, value-adding is going on in probably selling for that much, whereas before it some industries. There are piggeries out there. was probably selling for $150 an acre. Now People obviously grow a lot of grain. They have people are realising that bigger crops can be worked out now that they can get more for that produced using new farming techniques. These grain by putting it into pig farming. That is more industries also require a higher labour content, labour intensive as well. The dairy industry has so that is providing employment. That is the key been going on for many years. The cotton to creating jobs. industry is thinking about value-adding as What else can we do? When discussing well—going from just the cotton gin to cotton where the next power station will go in spinning. We should also look to high-tech Queensland, the electricity commission should industries. When I was a younger man, I went on not think only about the economics of a Rotary exchange—— generating power; it should think more broadly Mr Beattie: That was a long time ago. and realise that there are economic and social factors beyond just the generation of power. For Mr LITTLEPROUD: It was a while ago, example, if it is built on the seaboard, that will add but I still remember it. I went on a Rotary to the infrastructure costs. If it is put somewhere exchange tour to Wurttemberg-Baden, which is more remote where there are resources, the in the central part of Europe. They kept on complaining about their lack of natural resources Legislative Assembly 8261 8 June 1994 and their geographic position in relation to school and about 15 acres for a high school—to nearness to ports. Their secret was—and they take us through to the year 2000. It is a pity that were a very prosperous part of Germany—that the Minister for Education is not in the Chamber. I they concentrated on articles of high value. The wonder how much forward planning has freight component was therefore very low—for occurred. When land must be acquired in such example, watches, highly-concentrated large parcels, the Government must enter the chemicals, and so on. The money value was in marketplace early in order to purchase it at a the skills used to produce the product, not so cheaper rate. much through bulk production. At this time, we At Forest Lake in the western suburbs of are moving train loads of cattle, coal and wheat Brisbane, playing fields are shared by the primary from central Queensland. These have a low school, the preschool, the high school and even value per tonne. We have developed great skills a private school. That is making better utilisation in moving these goods efficiently—not as good of the scarce commodity of land in the crowded as they do in Canada and in the United States, south-east corner. I first came across that idea but we are working on our efficiency. when I visited Middlemount, which is one of But to create industries that will employ those towns that grew up out of the coal people, we have to go for the high-tech, high industry. That town makes great use of one value stuff. We have a skilled work force that can playing ground that supports all the schools in do that. It is just a matter of providing the town. It struck me then that that made for good inducements. So how do we get those planning. If the Government thinks far enough inducements from Governments? I suppose the ahead, that is what can be achieved. best opportunities lie at the Federal level. The I turn now to financing. The member for Federal Government is collecting all of the taxes, Brisbane Central, as expected, spoke about and it has the best opportunities. But we should what he thought were the merits of the not baulk at that. At the State level, the Queensland Infrastructure Financing Fund, Government has the opportunity to look at things QIFF. such as exemptions from stamp duty and amending the Stamp Act in certain ways to offer Mr Beattie: It was a good speech. inducements. We could give payroll tax Mr LITTLEPROUD: Interestingly exemptions—payroll tax holidays for certain enough, when I was driving out of Brisbane on lengths of time. The Government also Wednesday last week after the Budget was mentioned power subsidies in its Budget papers handed down, I was listening to Radio 612. Dr this year. Michael Porter from the Tasman Institute was There are things that have to be asked to make a comment about the Budget. He considered. Rather than departments and was not quite as glowing in his comments as was Ministers concentrating on their own portfolios the man from the Courier-Mail who was quoted and how best to deal with their own portfolio by the member for Brisbane Central. problems, there is also a need for a broader plan. Mr Beattie: David Hellaby. The master plan has to go on. I commend the Mr LITTLEPROUD: Yes. work that is being done in planning to take the Mr De Lacy: Beware of academics carrying pressure off and to put the correct infrastructure press releases. into south-east Queensland. But there have to be some inducements to take some of the Mr LITTLEPROUD: I heard the Treasurer pressure off. Initially, the Government may think say that, but I am always wary of fellows selling that this will be a cost, but in the long run it will be their own wares, and that is what this for the betterment of Queensland. Government is doing. When I asked people in my electorate what they thought about the Budget, In relation to planning within the south-east they said that they felt pretty good initially corner, I was reminded of what was going on with because it was pretty cleverly put together. The regard to planning and education back in 1989. I Government was enticing people with more remember going to Cabinet at that time and money to be spent on services. I said that I saying that there was a need for $20 billion for thought most people would be pretty happy with the Education Department to secure sites in the that, whereas I had a few concerns about the south-east corner of Queensland to make sure funding and some of the processes of that we have enough sites of decent corporatisation whereby debt is going off- size—something like 7 to 10 acres for a primary 8 June 1994 8262 Legislative Assembly

Budget. One bloke offered the comment, "Don't upgrade the miles and miles of State roads in my be worried about that. Lots of us also have electorate. One road in particular that will need concerns about that." This Government is not some attention in the near future is the road from fooling the people. There is a concern in the Roma to Injune. The State Government public that—— Transport Department is in fact finishing the Mr De Lacy: Concern in the National bitumen link between Rolleston and Injune, and Party. it is also working on the link between Charters Towers and Clermont. Mr LITTLEPROUD: No, there is not. The Treasurer had his say. He spoke for 40-odd In the near future, the shortest route for minutes the other day and he used all sorts of trucks travelling from north Queensland to hyperbole. Having talked to people in the Melbourne and Sydney will be through Charters electorate in the last week, I have realised that Towers, Emerald and Roma and through western they hold certain concerns. They want to be sure New South Wales. Once that occurs, there will that the management of our finances is secure. be a need to upgrade the alignment and the surface of the road between Injune and Roma. At I also picked up the feeling—and I support present, although it is wide enough for two it—that people would rather see us continue with lanes, the alignment is not good. That road will special capital works programs and borrowing carry a lot more heavy traffic in the near future. from the QTC rather than having this other sort of structure in place whereby the Government is I conclude by reiterating that I commend any selling off something that it is still paying off. planning being undertaken in the south-east corner to provide infrastructure, but I also ask the Mr De Lacy: No equity, all debt. Government to look on a broader scale at Mr LITTLEPROUD: The way I read providing some inducements to entice people to it—and I could not understand the explanation live in other parts of Queensland to take the offered by the Premier the next morning—was pressure off the south-east corner. As well, I that the Government is selling off equity in implore the Government to provide the level of something that it has not even paid for yet. That services in rural areas that will make people in is like a house of cards: once the bottom one those areas feel that they have the same quality comes down, the whole bloody lot goes. I am not of life as their city counterparts. too convinced about the wisdom of such actions, Mr DAVIDSON (Noosa) (11.06 p.m.): and neither are many of the people in my There are many things one can say about this electorate. Budget, and obviously there are some good I could get into a slanging match and try to parts to it. But we would expect that to be the match all the comments made about the benefits case because, put simply, Government is in the to various electorates. However, I have to say business of collecting taxes and charges to that, when I checked through the Capital Works provide services and facilities for the people they Program of the Budget, the people of Western collect them from. Quite obviously, there will Downs did not do too well. It is true that some always be an expectation that State or Federal money has been allocated to finish a new Budgets will always improve the services and building at the TAFE college in Roma, but no facilities that the Government is meant to money has been allocated to upgrade the TAFE provide. I personally see this Budget as a missed facilities for the 16 000 people who live around opportunity in the longer term, simply because it Dalby. is framed with an election in mind. It was interesting to hear the member for For far too long Australians and, more Bundaberg talk about getting his police station. importantly, Queenslanders have been victims of Roma was promised a police station at about the Governments that are politically opportunist and same time—about 1983—but it still has not been will do whatever they can to stay in power. At commenced. That facility is badly needed. I know present in our State, facilities for education, that we all have to take our turn, but surely the health, law and order, transport, infrastructure people of Roma must be next in line. The police and the environment are splitting at the seams in that area are working under pretty awful and are stretched to the limit in their requirement conditions. for resources. This Budget offers little hope for Another aspect that caused concern was teachers who stand in front of a blackboard, the fact that no funding has been allocated to policemen who are confronted with crime, doctors in hospitals that have growing patient Legislative Assembly 8263 8 June 1994 lists, roads that are failing all around the State and police numbers on the ground are absolutely environmentalists who have expectations much essential to combat the rising crime wave in my greater than this Government can deliver on. electorate. The Premier and the Queensland Labor Noosa is a fast growth area which inherits Party promote themselves as the great saviours some of the associated problems that come with of our State. They would have all Queenslanders fast population growth and new developments. I believe that life is all beer and skittles and that believe that Noosa is the best place in the world, only the Labor Government is able to provide for but it needs and deserves adequate police the most basic needs of the Queensland protection so that ordinary citizens—Australian people. In my short time in this House, I have families—can enjoy the beauty of the area either been horrified at the processes of Government, as residents or tourists without being confronted particularly those of this Labor Government, and with crime. the sheer waste of taxpayers' funds from a Government that has no respect for the value of The police presence, public and noticeable, a dollar and how to make the most use of it. goes a long way towards curtailing crime and Every Minister of this Government is flitting stopping it before it happens. To take four away major parts of their budgets on consultants, officers from such a relatively small station is an advisers, draft plans, reports, discussion papers incredible decision. I cannot believe that civilians and ever-increasing numbers of highly paid or police not on active duty because of stress bureaucrats, which all adds up to a prolonged related conditions cannot be appointed to staff decision-making process costing the operations centre, and I am also bewildered Queenslanders hundreds of millions of dollars. by the fact that with the increases in police We now have teachers, police officers and every personnel in the Budget, two officers could not other Government service provider so bogged have been found from outside the region to staff down and confused by the sophistication of the Instant Response Centre. It is not just Noosa legislation and policy that they have lost sight of that has suffered—I believe that every regional the real purpose of their chosen professions. station on the Sunshine Coast has suffered We have in office a Labor Government that similar staff losses. There has been no is hell-bent on promoting itself as a low-tax consultation with the police in the Noosa office Government. All members on this side of the and they are now concerned that they will be House challenge that, and so do the many appointed to Maroochydore units against their Queenslanders who suffer from many of the wishes and forced to travel at their own expense hidden charges with which they are confronted. Whether it be thorough land tax, Building to Maroochydore from now on. Services Authority charges, portable long Another point I wish to raise is the fact that, service leave, increases in workers' in common with many other watch-houses and compensation and so on, the Goss Labor police stations throughout the State, Noosa Government is ripping plenty of revenue out of watch-house is not manned at night simply due Queenslanders but returning little in the way of to budgetary constraints. The overcrowding in services and facilities. It is essential that a Maroochydore watch-house is a major problem. It Government provide for the most basic needs of is my belief that security officers should be its people, and I believe that this Government appointed to Noosa watch-house on Thursday, has thus far failed to do so. Friday and Saturday nights, which usually are the In the last few days, I have been advised that busiest times. It would assure a police presence my local police station is about to lose four in Noosa at all times and Noosa police would not officers to Maroochydore. At a time when we are have to take offenders to Maroochydore, which told of the enormous increase in manpower and is a two-hour turn around every time they arrest revenue in the Police budget, I am horrified to think what the loss of those four officers will an offender. This often puts our police in a mean to law and order and security of lifestyle in situation in which they tend to be more tolerant the electorate of Noosa. My local police will lose of offensive behaviour simply because the the ability to effectively police the Noosa area. watch-house at Noosa Police Station is not Two policemen are requested for the manned due to a lack of funds. If watch-houses Maroochydore district operations centre once were manned at night, then habitual the radio room has been refitted. The other two troublemakers would be able to be restrained officers, I believe, are to be included in the Crime and, knowing that police were reluctant to arrest Instant Response Team. I cannot believe that them because they had nowhere for them to be such decisions have been taken at a time when detained, would not run wild in communities. In 8 June 1994 8264 Legislative Assembly common with many other police stations around the second half of this year, as will the David Low the State, Noosa Police Station has a 10- hour Way at Yaroomba and Point Arkwright. overtime allowance a week, which is absolutely Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): useless for the detaining of offenders in our Order! I would suggest to honourable members watch-houses. People right throughout cluttering the hallways to obey Standing Order Queensland often make the mistake of blaming 25 to prevent further accidents. the police for the lack of presence in our communities when the reality is that they should Mr DAVIDSON: I would like to point out be blaming the State Labor Government for the that I find the staff of the Gympie office of the lack of understanding and lack of police on the Department of Transport very helpful and beat. professional. They understand the problems and dangers facing Noosa motorists, but are I would now like to address the disgraceful obviously hamstrung by the lack of funds. I also state of the roads in my electorate. bring to the attention of the House the problems A Government member: Is that another with Emu Mountain Road. This road was only tollway? opened five months ago with Stage II of the Mr DAVIDSON: Is the road through the Sunshine Motorway and, in the last couple of honourable member's electorate going to be a months, its surface has failed. Motorists are tollway? Where did the Government find the suffering broken windscreens, cracked money for that? headlights and paint and duco damage to their cars because of the disgraceful state of this new Mr Beattie: The Brisbane City Council. It is road. I have reported these problems many times a council road, you ought to know that. to Queensland Transport, and the road has been Mr DAVIDSON: We are forced to sit in this swept and vacuumed, but, because the surface House day after day, week after week and listen has failed, all the bitumen is lifting. I believe to the Minister for Transport prattle on to us Queensland Transport is now carrying out about the amount of money being spent on enrichment trials in an attempt to remedy the roads. Let me say that in my electorate we are problem. My concern is that many of the sure not getting our share. Apart from some motorists who have used this road and suffered funding for the Sunshine Motorway Stage II and damage are seeking compensation and, as yet, the Cooroy bypass, which was Federally funded, the Sunshine Motorway Company and State funds have not been forthcoming for major Queensland Transport have not given any and vital road upgrading throughout the Noosa indication that they will pay it. electorate. There has also been a real decrease With the Transport Minister's constant in road maintenance funds for local authorities. In gloating, and the imposition of tolls on almost any my electorate, I have roads failing all around me. new major road, I would not think it is too much to Hilton Terrace, Eumundi Road, especially from expect that roads at least be of a minimum safe Goodchap Street to Beckmans Road, Gympie standard. This is a new road, and a major road, Terrace, Weyba Road, the Cooroy to Noosa and these sorts of problems do nothing for the road, Edward Street on the David Low Way, the reputation of the Minister, the department, or Boreen Point to Pomona road, and David Low Queensland as a whole when it comes to a Way at Yaroomba and Point Arkwright are all in tourist-oriented area such as Noosa. In fact, the need of urgent upgrading. Some of these roads locals who are prepared to pay the toll are surely have patches on patches, and after the recent entitled to compensation if what they are paying wet season they have become dangerous in the for is not good enough and not up to scratch. extreme. We also need urgent planning for pedestrian safety at Tewantin, Noosaville and With the opening of Stage II of the outside the Noosa Post Office. Sunshine Motorway, enormous traffic pressure has been placed on the Eumundi Road, and Mr Szczerbanik interjected. some of the upgradings south of Beckmans Mr DAVIDSON: We have a problem at Road that were only completed in the last 12 Peregian, too. A good mate of mine down there, months are already failing. The traffic pressure in Tommy Russell, has been on to me about five the Eumundi Road business district has caused times this year,. The honourable member might enormous problems for local businesses and know him, he is a good real estate spotter. I am customers in accessing their properties. There is hopeful that Hilton Terrace will be upgraded in a Lutheran school on Eumundi Road and it is taking 15 to 20 minutes for parents to get in and Legislative Assembly 8265 8 June 1994 out of the school when they drop off and pick up down to $400,000 in 1993-94—$706,000 in students because of the traffic on this road 1990-91 to $400,000 in 1993-94! I am awaiting created by the opening of the Sunshine the 1994-95 Budget figure with great Motorway and Emu Mountain Road. The safety trepidation. Just how low can this Government of children trying to get across that road to and cut maintenance of a failing road system before it from school is in jeopardy, and the Transport collapses? Commonwealth funding for local Minister has an obligation to these roads has dropped right out from $223,000 in businesspeople, residents, families and 1991 to nothing—nil, zip, zero—in 1994. LARS students to provide a safe environment before funding is finished, so there is no hope there for there is a tragedy. regions such as Noosa looking for extra road We urgently require roundabouts at funding. The Noosa Shire Council is caught Beckmans Road and Goodchap Street and a between the devil and the deep blue sea as this major upgrade of Eumundi Road itself. The fact Government gives it responsibility for is, and the Transport Minister knows it, that the maintenance of more and more roads while Government rushed through Stage II of the continually cutting its funding to do the job. motorway without any real consideration of the I will now speak about education and the effect such a massive influx of traffic would have schools in my electorate. I am pleased to see in on the local community. They went for the quick the Budget papers that the Sunshine Beach $1.50 on the toll road and left the Noosa State High School received $1.2m for the further community to suffer the problems associated development of Stage IV of the school. I am with an incomplete road system. Noosa residents pleased to say that Sunshine Beach is a state-of- are of the opinion that, together with the western the-art high school and that teachers, students, route of the motorway, funding had been parents and residents alike are delighted with the provided for the Eenie Creek arterial road. In fact, standard and quality of the school. But my they were promised that the road would go concern is for other schools in my electorate ahead. We now have a problem in Noosa such as the Noosa District State High School, the because of the growth in both the number of Cooroy State School, the Tewantin State residents and tourists. Traffic is being funnelled School, the Sunshine Beach State School, the from the motorway, not just down Eumundi Eumundi State School and the Coolum State Road, but onto Gibson Road and Gympie School. They are old, overcrowded and run Terrace, which has created pressure on these down and in desperate need of maintenance two roads as well as noise and safety concerns, and expansion. We have a situation in which congestion and often chaos. Traffic is being students, teachers and parents from these directed through residential and business areas schools are looking with envy at the Sunshine that were not meant to cope with this sort of Beach State High School and wondering when, influx of vehicles, and these roads are not if ever, they will receive the funding they need coping. for their schools. In the process, the standard of living of This Government continually hides behind these communities has been seriously affected how much it spends on education without ever and downgraded because of this Government's speaking about the schools that seem to miss lack of foresight, lack of planning and pure out completely on vital funding for basic bloody-mindedness. It is absolutely essential maintenance and resources. The fact is that for that we get this Eenie Creek road on the five- every school about which this Government year plan. There is a growing need for a regional seems to have done the right thing, another 10 shopping centre and a hospital in the Noosa can be found that have missed out, and where area, and is vital that Eenie Creek road is built to the students are suffering inferior conditions service these two major developments and because of a lack of funding. The promises of future residential growth in the area. this Labor Government when it was elected in I would just like to highlight to the House the 1989 about how it would end overcrowding in appalling situation of funding from Queensland school classrooms have now been shown as little Transport in the last four years. Maintenance more than hollow rhetoric with class sizes back rehabilitation of Department of Transport roads on the increase, and teaching conditions funding for the Noosa Shire Council has deteriorating. dropped from $706,000 in 1990-91 to $598,000 I have received many complaints from in 1991-92 to $479,000 in 1992-93 and now teachers about teacher relief cutbacks. Teachers 8 June 1994 8266 Legislative Assembly tell me that they are expected to attend the hours and industrial relations legislation that school and report for duty regardless of how sick virtually disallows dismissal of employees by their they are because there are no teacher relief employers. funds available. Because of their commitment to The obvious increased spending in Police, their students and their schools, teachers do not Education and Health is welcomed. However, it is like to leave their classes unattended. They are yet to be seen whether this will translate into less placed in a catch-22 position by this skinflint crime, better education and shorter hospital Government, which fails to provide enough waiting lists. The Goss Government's traditional funding for relief teachers. At a time when approach suggests otherwise. But I would teacher relief is based on a budget of 2.2 days commend any governmental action to curb the per teacher per annum, pity the poor school that downward spiral of these fundamental sectors of is hit with the flu or any similar problems when all society. the teacher relief hours could be used in one week. At present, we see the overcrowding of classrooms and teaching conditions that have Teachers from all schools in my electorate led to unprecedented disharmony and stop-work complain to me about the lack of funding for action by the teaching profession. Classroom teacher relief. With ongoing growth in the sizes were something that the Goss Government Sunshine Coast region equal to the highest in promised to address when elected. I would say Queensland, one has to question the regional that it is just one of a number of broken promises. office's ability to keep pace with that growth. The Minister uses throw-away lines such as The queues at hospitals for basic surgery "principals should be managing schools more are blowing out to an irretrievable level. Some efficiently". I am impressed with the ability of all surgical procedures and dental appointments in principals in my electorate to manage their the public hospital system are taking up to five schools. Quite frankly, there is no more fat on the years to fulfil. We need results in Queensland in bone. There is just not enough funding. The these areas, not rhetoric. While much has been regional office, as a matter of urgency, must done—and I acknowledge that—in relation to the review and allocate funding for an adequate Nambour Hospital, much more work needs to be teacher relief budget. As I said before, teachers carried out just to mark time with the population who should be at home recovering are reporting growth in the Sunshine Coast region. The to work simply to ensure that students are being member for Noosa has constantly put forward the catered for. Obviously the people who suffer the need for a hospital in the Noosa area. most are our students. Other areas that are of real concern to the Hon. N. J. TURNER (Nicklin) community are the Ambulance Service, the Fire (11.22 p.m.): In rising to speak in this Budget Service and the Police Service. Through its debate, I will make some remarks in addition to regionalisation policy or philosophy, this those Opposition shadow Ministers who have Government has created a giant addressed the issues pertinent to their bureaucracy—an inverted triangle with respective portfolios. There are a number of bureaucracy at the top, but little getting out at the issues that I intend to canvass relative to the bottom and reaching the people who need it. Budget and the effect that it will have on the Recently, a case in Maleny was brought to general public, particularly the constituents of my attention. There was another case of a child Nicklin whom I have the honour to represent in from the Kilcoy area who lost his arm. His father this House. had to drive the ambulance. The case to which I The Treasurer has adopted tactics similar to refer happened recently in Maleny. I find it those of his friends in Canberra in attempting to incredible. Someone collapsed, and people pump up the level of growth in the business went diagonally across the road to the sector throughout Queensland with unrealistic ambulance station to try to get someone to expectations that cannot and will not be assist. The ambulance officer would not render achieved. The business sector is the greatest assistance until he had got permission from proponent of employment and should be given regional office. I do not know whose fault that is, incentives. This all-important sector should not but that is actually what happened. Another be crushed with excessive payroll tax, land tax, person collapsed on a tennis court at Wootha. superannuation levies, job training levies, An ambulance could not be obtained because holiday loadings and, now, extended trading permission could not be gained from the regional Legislative Assembly 8267 8 June 1994 office, and an ambulance had to be sent from Roads in my electorate are breaking up. I will Beerwah. These are just some of the problems not do a Cook's tour and mention each one. The that are apparent in that area. wet weather in the early part of the year has had a I wish to touch on erosion and the problems catastrophic effect on roads. that we have in that area. Mr Davidson: How is that road at Mr Beattie: Go to Stephan. He'll help with Kenilworth? the roads. Mr TURNER: I do not think that anything Mr TURNER: The honourable member for has been done to it. It is appalling, as the Brisbane Central certainly needs to go to Sirs; I honourable member said. We did an inspection do not know about Stefan. Let me get back to of the problems there. We also looked at the the real erosion problems. problems with the school bus. Of course, this has a lot to do with funding. The Federal Landcare is doing a fantastic job in the Government has cut back funding for roads in region, but there is a potential danger on the particular. It is not putting back a sufficient Mary River in the Kenilworth area. I have brought amount of fuel tax into improving those roads. this to the attention of Minister Casey on a number of occasions. There is a potential I would like to talk about transport disaster spot just above the town of Kenilworth infrastructure and the present rail situation in the where the bank can and will, I believe, break north coast region. Rail commuters have to pay through and inundate the town in a future major through the nose when they use that service. It flood. I have been totally unsuccessful in my is totally inadequate at present. There are no representations to get something done to toilet facilities on those trains. As well, it is a poor overcome that particular problem. Although Mr service. There must be transport infrastructure Casey is not present—— planning for roads and rail to service the university. The honourable member for Mr Szczerbanik: Do you want a dam on Mooloolah has raised on a number of occasions the river? the need to plan for the future growth of that Mr TURNER: We need dams all over the university. Whether it be in relation to providing place to provide water needs. The honourable extra rail services, or whether a monorail should member should acknowledge that. There is no connect with the railway—it all has to be done need to dam prime agricultural areas. There was now. The planning must be put in place. We no need for a dam on the Mary River where the really need a dual railway line in that region, with Government wanted to build it. We have to cater buses connecting the major towns such as for future water needs. I think the honourable Maleny or Mapleton to that rail service to allow member's lift is not going to the top floor. We people to commute to the city. have to look at other alternative water Public services do not equate with the supplies—whether it be the water that runs off growth in the region. Consequently, the area is Fraser Island, water from rainwater tanks, or experiencing many problems, particularly in the incentives to people to conserve water. Other area of law and order. I will not go into figures. areas of supply will have to be chosen. They are well documented in police reports and Mr Casey has to be the modern day Nero. elsewhere. There is a breakdown in law and He is fiddling while Rome burns. Nicklin order. We used to have bars around prisons to represents one of the greatest growth regions in keep the criminals in. We now have them around Queensland, if not Australia. We need to strike a houses to keep the criminals out. There is a balance between conservation and trend in the community towards the belief that we development and to provide the infrastructure should be allowing people to use whatever force for the growth that is going on at the moment and is necessary to protect their home, their person will occur into the next century. We have and their property. Of course, we have the problems with overcrowding in schools and bleeding hearts and the do-gooders who are particularly with overcrowding on school buses. It opposed to that. There is a growing move among is something that I have brought to the attention people for that to happen. I do not believe that of the Minister for Transport. He is working on more police or harsher penalties is necessarily these things, but I also draw it to the attention of the answer. There is a breakdown in discipline in the Chamber. homes, schools and through the police. 8 June 1994 8268 Legislative Assembly

The lengths that we have gone to in the Nambour and the surrounding coastal hinterland name of children's rights is incredible. We allow communities. I commend Mr Wells for attending. children to divorce their parents. We allow It was a well-attended meeting. I found it stickers to be put on bathroom mirrors so that incredible that there were five families in the children know the number to phone to dob in audience that had lost family members as a result their parents if they have been chastised. A of murders on the north coast. It was very mother in Nambour came to see me. Her 13-year- sobering to listen to their concerns and opinions. old daughter was paid $180 a week and allowed One of the women who attended that to leave home. All that mother had done was meeting wrote to me with very valid, constructive chastise the child. I asked, "Did you belt the comments on the Government's approach to law child?" She said, "No. All I told her was that she and order. Her son had been murdered. Her couldn't stay out until 2 o'clock in the morning letter was heartfelt and her message was with her 21-year-old boyfriend." The daughter desperate. She called for increased awareness replied, "I do not have to put up with that. I am in the approach taken by the Government of the leaving home." She left home and collected that needs of the victim or the victim's family, rather money in order to live with the boyfriend. These than concentrating all its efforts and resources issues have to be looked at. It is incredible that on helping the criminal who committed the crime. that could happen in this day and age. I will read a short excerpt from her letter which I place on record my extreme encompasses the concern shared by the greater disappointment in this Government as a result of community. She writes— the original closure of the Woodford prison and "In Saturday's Courier-Mail (career the underhanded way in which it has sought to section) of 21st of May there was a position control the political backlash resulting from the advertised for a person to counsel the closure. Unfortunately, the Government's inmates in one of the State's jails. . . It just approach to the problem is purely political. Some amazes me to think that we the families of $52m has been allocated to build a new the victims are not considered for what we correctional centre on the site. That is like closing suffer at all. . . I honestly don't want any the gate after the horse has bolted. money because the Government just Unfortunately, only some $7m of that is to be wouldn't have enough to pay for my son's spent in the next financial year, and that will be life. But it just seems that the criminals are only enough money to dismantle the present given every consideration possible and we gaol. It will be many years before the new the families who lose our loved ones are Woodford gaol will be fully operational. picking up the tab." The prison riots, watch-house overcrowding There is no counselling for the families of the and gaol escapes that have made headline news victims, but assistance and counselling is given over the past two years are a direct result of to the perpetrators of the crime. I do believe that closures such as Woodford. Now that victims of Mr Wells left the meeting with a heightened crime are speaking out, inmates are going on awareness of the needs of victims, and I call hunger strikes and even judges are condemning upon him to act on these issues. He should the Goss administration for negligence, it is forget all the trendy discrimination issues; here is politically expedient for the Government to a real area of discrimination against poor, respond. After all, such a cross-section of people innocent victims and their families. represents many disgruntled voters. A simple reopening of the prison at Woodford would have There is increasing concern that this prevented the endemic problems being Government is putting the onus on the experienced in the prison system to date. The Queensland taxpayer to foot the bill for hare- construction of a pretty new prison will do brained politically correct schemes that fail to nothing to quell riots, stop escapes and prevent consider the individuals whom they are paid to abuses of human rights in scabies-ridden represent. The 1994-95 Budget is the fifth major watch-houses. That will persist until the new payout for such schemes—the fifth in a prison is built—that is, if it is ever completed. succession of Budgets that reflect clearly the quick-fix schemes of five State and Federal On the subject of prisons—recently, Labor regimes. Only one of those regimes is together with the Attorney-General, Mr Wells, I left—the Federal Government. Cain, Kirner, hosted a public meeting in the Nicklin electorate Dowding, Bannon and Burke all fell on their which was attended by concerned citizens of respective swords in the battle of bodgie Legislative Assembly 8269 8 June 1994

Budgets. They had a sell-the-farm policy to pay back and relax. If their shoes are pinching, they for weirdo schemes similar to the Queensland can sing out. Of course, I cannot help that. They Infrastructure Financing Fund, which is already should listen to this; it will do them good. confounding the Premier and Treasurer of this I wish to refer to an article that appeared in State. the Western Times years ago when Jack Selling the State's assets spells disaster for Houston was ALP leader, prior to Tom the State's independence and financial Burns—the coastal Clayton's cowboy with the pride—once heralded around the country as well Akubra hat, R. M. Williams boots and checked deserved under a National Party Government. A shirt—taking control as leader of the ALP. Jack Government, like an individual, cannot spend or Houston said that two of the main contributing borrow its way out of trouble. The Government is factors to the lack of decentralising in the west now conducting what can only be described as a were "excessive freight and electricity charges". fire sale. Selling DPI and school land, power He said— stations and basic infrastructure such as our "We would be quite prepared to run bridges is nothing but a risky and ill-informed the railways at a loss through the reduction money-making venture, a thimble and pea trick, of freight charges to country areas, and an or playing with mirrors. Members of this ALP ALP government would act to level Government are like mice in a silo—eating the electricity charges in Queensland." grain and putting nothing back. The pride of the people of Queensland will be wagered on a That is lovely! quick-buck Budget that fails to recognise the Let us look at what happened. I am one of needs of Queensland. It again wagers the about five members of this Parliament who were livelihoods of people on a bet—a bet placed by members at that time. The mouth from the south the Premier on how fast this quick buck can be was a member of this Parliament then. He was made in a desperate bid to save the political hide the ALP leader. At that time, he opposed of this Government. equalisation of electricity tariffs. He and all the In his speech, the member for Bundaberg other members of the Labor Party walked out of criticised Bill Glasson for establishing the Arid this Chamber. It was a despicable act by Zone Research Centre in Longreach. As usual, somebody who showed his opposition to rural he has it wrong. It was I, as the then Minister for areas and to rural people. Where was this Primary Industries, who approved that centre for phoney cowboy when it came to the pledge that Longreach, and I am proud of it. With his anti-rural the ALP made in regard to the railways? He sat attitude and cutbacks to rural areas, all that the on his tongue in Cabinet when the Government member and his party have done is attack that was going to close one-third of the railway lines in facility and most other rural facilities. Queensland. He did nothing until he was forced to retreat as a result of pressure from rural areas. I turn now to the toll road on the north coast Where was this friend of the rural people then? and the despicable attitude of the ALP Government in repudiating its pledge to remove Mr Nuttall: You walked away from your the toll if elected in 1989. That in itself was bad rural seat and went up the coast. enough, but the mouth from the south, Tom Mr TURNER: I rolled the ALP out in the Burns, showed his dictatorial attitude when he west; I rolled it up the coast, and I will do it again. visited the area after the 1989 election. He is on The honourable member should just forget record as stating that not only would the ALP not about it; he is only a lightweight. I do not have remove the tolls but it would impose a further two time to worry about the honourable member; he tolls on roads in National Party electorates just to is a pelican. show the Nationals who was now in power. What Where did this friend of the rural a vindictive action from that cowardly cowboy, people—this cowboy fellow in R. M. Williams Tom Burns! gear—stand on the issue of daylight saving? He An Opposition member: Who was it? went out into country areas and said, "You Mr TURNER: The cowardly cowboy, Tom people do not deserve daylight saving. I am Burns. against it, and I am with you." Even those clowns who are wet behind the ears would remember I would like to hit honourable members what happened. He was not against it at all; he opposite with something else—rail freights and voted for it in Parliament. He supported it in the electricity charges. Members opposite should sit city. He is a hypocrite. I think it is sad. I call him the 8 June 1994 8270 Legislative Assembly

Clayton's cowboy from Lytton. I think his name is realities of life. However, that amount will go Mr Burns. It is sad—— nowhere towards addressing the issues that the A Government member interjected. tourism sector needs to address. If honourable members had watched the State of Origin match Mr TURNER: A few more are coming back, tonight, they would know what I was talking sonny. There are plenty more from where he about. came. The member does not like to hear the facts. The latest Rider Hunt report indicates that occupancy rates in Queensland's main tourist It is sad that this once great ALP that, years areas, the Gold Coast, Cairns and Brisbane, are ago, represented most country areas, would pick running consistently at more than 80 per cent. such an obvious hypocrite and phoney as the Queensland has enough people visiting coastal Clayton's cowboy from Lytton to be the annually to justify many more rooms. Government's spokesman for rural industries. It is like putting the cat in charge of the canaries. This Budget and Mr Gibbs' comments occasionally indicate that this Government has Mr VEIVERS (Southport) (11.41 p.m.): I absolutely no understanding of the tourism would like to begin my contribution to this debate industry and the fact that it is facing a chronic on the Appropriation Bills by congratulating the infrastructure shortage. Treasurer on his excellent second-reading speech. Mr De Lacy's fifth Budget Speech again Dr Clark interjected. showed the Labor Government's priorities in this Mr VEIVERS: She is running on very low State. In his 45-minute speech, the Queensland terms up in her electorate, little love. Unless the Treasurer failed to make one mention of this Government works to assist the tourism sector to State's singularly most important industry, address this shortage—— tourism. Why would he neglect to mention it? Dr Clark interjected. Because his Budget neglected to include it. This Budget offers nothing to the tourist industry for Mr VEIVERS: If the member could speak Queensland—nothing! English, I would understand her. We are going to face serious problems in the next few years. A Government member interjected. Within a couple of years, we will not have Mr VEIVERS: Regardless of whether I am sufficient quality accommodation to house an attraction, I tell honourable members that this tourists when they come to Queensland. Treasurer has done nothing. Tourism is going to Mr Nuttall: Sell your fruit shop. be a major industry in Queensland, yet the Treasurer forgot to mention it. Mr VEIVERS: I think that the honourable member should stay in Sandgate. The laddie The ladies and gentlemen who sit on the does not understand this. If we do not consider Government back benches should be asking the facility needs now, we are going to be hit by two Treasurer why he forgot about tourism. It is a to three years of zero growth in the tourism major industry. It is going to overtake the mining sector. I should not have to tell the Treasurer that industry and primary industries, and this bloke that will affect not only the tourism industry but forgot about it. He was probably a bit also the economy of the entire State. preoccupied with diddling the figures in other areas. The Budget leaves us in the dark about a few things. We are told that an Olympic task force This Budget offers nothing to the tourist committee, funded to the tune of about industry of Queensland. The QTTC, which does $290,000, will be established. The Government a reasonably fantastic job of promoting tourism in has also kindly promised to offer funding Queensland, was allocated no more this year assistance for the Gold Coast Indy again this than it was allocated for the last financial year—a financial year. However, we are not told what meagre $28.5m. amount of money is being allocated to this very Mr Elder: How much? worthwhile tourist drawcard. While I am on the Mr VEIVERS: $28.5m. subject of the Indy, I note that the Government seems to have swung 180 degrees in its support Mr Elder: How much? for the event. The Budget Program Statements Mr VEIVERS: It sounds a significant proudly announce that the 1994 attendance was amount, does it not? The Minister, being a back, up by 15 per cent and that the event was $1m would think that; but being a forward, I know the cheaper to stage. Legislative Assembly 8271 8 June 1994

I turn now to sport. Some references to was available to be distributed to these sport were made in this year's Budget. However, deserving—and I say "deserving"—clubs and we know from last year's performances that this sports people? Under this program, only $2m Government's allocation for sports funding is not was made available for distribution throughout always as praiseworthy as it first appears. Under the whole State. Members sitting on the the Queensland Facilities Development scheme, Government back bench should think about that. this year's Budget promises $20.45m to fund Obviously, the Government tried to divert money sport and recreational facilities. After we deduct intended for these sporting grants to other $8.3m for the Brisbane Cricket Ground, $2m for areas. the sports house at Albion Park and $5.9m for Of the $16.8m approved in grants through last year's approvals not paid, that is, $16.8m the QFDS in 1993-94, a substantial proportion is approved less $10.9m paid, that leaves $4.25m to be allocated to the redevelopment of Lang to fund the $5.4m promised in Budget Related Park and to the development of the so-called Paper No. 8 to local sporting clubs. That is a Willows Sports Complex, which was previously shortfall of $1.15m. home to the harness racing industry in north If the commitment to Lang Park of Queensland. $5m—and I mention that after that marvellous Mr Deputy Speaker, the issue and the game tonight that, very sadly, we lost—still continually expanding costs of the Lang Park needs to be funded, we are then $6.15m short. I redevelopment is cause for a two-hour debate, if am talking real figures. Do we presume these I could keep you awake for that long. However, shortfalls will, as usual, fall into the seemingly since I have only 20 minutes, I will keep it short bottomless pit of—and for the benefit of those and not so sweet and boring. Despite the fact two Government members and the Treasurer that I am probably one of the greatest supporters who may be listening, I will quote of Rugby League in Queensland, I still do not it—"unforeseen expenditure appropriations" agree with the blank cheque, open-ended such as last year's fiscal debacle of $1.991 Budget approach of this Government. billion? If Government members listened to that, they would start to think about where they are Mr Hollis: Do you want two bob each way? going and where they are coming from. Mr VEIVERS: The honourable member Last year, we saw how little $10m could speaks with an English accent, so I discredit him become when it is time to divvy it up, let alone immediately. It is completely irresponsible. virtually halving the allocation this year to $5.4m. An honourable member interjected. The Queensland Facilities Development scheme is the same scheme that failed Queensland's Mr VEIVERS: I know what the poms did to sporting clubs last year. When the guidelines me in 1962. It is completely irresponsible of the and the application forms were distributed, eager taxpayers of this State to let the cost of applicants were told that the $10m set aside for redevelopment blow out by more than $12m. major facilities grants had already been allocated. Mr Casey interjected. We were not informed as to whom or to what it Mr VEIVERS: The member is right; they was allocated. used my eye sockets for toeholds—and I dislike An honourable member interjected. the member expressly. Mr VEIVERS: Yes, they do not tell us I doubt that the $27m that Mr Gibbs keeps where it went or what was done with it. However, referring to will be a final figure. What will it be? Mr the department said that it would welcome Gibbs has assured us—and he probably will expressions of interest. I want to know whether tomorrow after question time—that the these expressions of interest will be given Government's commitment to the Lang Park priority this year and, if so, are we going to see redevelopment will not exceed $5m. And we the Government cop out again? hope that is true, because the Budget contains no provision for anything more. The minor facilities grants also failed to assist Queensland's sporting clubs as they promised to As to the development of the Willows do. In the Logan and Gold Coast region alone, Sports Complex—I have to condemn the there were more than 110 applications narrowness of the proposal. I say that openly. requesting assistance of more than $11m for Again, I say that I am perhaps the biggest projects worth twice that amount. But how much supporter—both literally and figuratively—of 8 June 1994 8272 Legislative Assembly sport in Queensland. I believe that we need That is all they need and they are flying. They do many more top-class facilities for our athletes and not need any taxpayers' money. Mr Gibbs is sports people. But I do not agree with the saying that it cannot happen. Someone is saying Government's tactic of converting what was a that it cannot happen. perfectly good harness racing track and sports The sports development scheme this year is precinct into a single-purpose facility. The late Mr given $10m to play with. The Budget Program Russ Hinze purchased the Willows land for a Statements says that the $10m funding this year mere $100 on the agreement that it would be includes 1993-94 commitments. So how much used—and I say this carefully—for harness racing new funding is really provided for our sporting and a multi-sporting venue. clubs and groups? I cannot find out what was Even though the club kept producing—— provided to whom and to what this year and Mr Casey: It was a white elephant, and you under the scheme last year. Is this the Minister's know it. version of Ros Kelly's whiteboard trick? Mr VEIVERS: The Minister got Federal When I contacted the Department of grants from Ros Kelly for the Brothers club in Tourism, Sport and Racing to ask about the Mackay—— grants which had been made during the last financial year, I was informed that they had been Mr Casey interjected. directed not to provide any information apart from Mr VEIVERS: The member did not. the details of grants made to clubs in my An Opposition member interjected. electorate. I am the shadow Minister. I was asking about every area. They said, "No, only ask about Mr VEIVERS: As the member said, it went your own electorate of Southport." How can I straight off the top, straight into the back fulfil my role as a watchdog on this Government's pocket—he loved the whiteboard. They are spending when the Minister and his department offering grants to the local people in the area refuse to provide me with any information? This is around Calen. It is a case of, "Come and see us a fair assumption and a fair question, is it not? and we will give you some money." The Minister is a damned disgrace. He oversees that and says Mr Casey: You didn't provide any help to that it is all right. It is a bit like the $16,000 that he me when I was in Mackay. still owes that business. Mr VEIVERS: The Minister is in charge of Mr Casey interjected. Primary Industries, and he is not doing too good a job. He should not get into sport. Mr VEIVERS: The Minister should not start me up; I will get serious with him. I am told that I am not the only shadow Minister confronted with this refusal to provide Even though the club kept producing solid information from departments. My learned proposals—and I am talking about the Willows colleague the shadow Attorney-General asked harness issue—Mr Gibbs has deliberately the Attorney-General for the same thing—— disposed of the Willows Harness Racing Club so that the complex could be converted in a football Mrs Woodgate: Learned colleague? stadium. The Minister might think I would support Mr VEIVERS: It does not matter whether that—bad news! the member likes or dislikes that. I am telling her This land is worth more than $2m. If the that they would not supply him with information, Government fails to make good use of it, it is either. What is the Government frightened of? denying Queenslanders a golden sporting Let us have a look at this Labor opportunity. The Northern Queensland Harness Government's record on youth spending. In Racing Association has all the equipment 1993-94, the estimated amount of grants and necessary for racing and track maintenance, plus subsidies under the youth portfolio was $2.7m. local business to bank guarantee operations to The actual figure was $2.3m. In this Budget, $100,000. They have the backing of every grants and subsidies to youth programs are harness racing club in Queensland and they down to just over $2m. This is a disturbing trend. have a guarantee from local owners and trainers The drop in spending is matched by an increase of every harness horse north of Rockhampton. of $440,000 in non-labour operating All they need—and it has not been worked from costs—whatever that might be; it could be these people in north Queensland—are racing anything. dates and permission from the TAB for coverage. Legislative Assembly 8273 8 June 1994

Again, we see where the Government The Budget documents not only detail priorities lie. We see the areas that it chooses to expected expenditure and revenue for the sadly neglect. Another area that the Government upcoming financial year; they also give the has chosen to neglect is the hotel industry. The Government an opportunity to blow its own hoteliers in Queensland have been hung out to trumpet—to detail its achievements, as the dry by the Government. In 1992, it cost the Minister always does in this place—and justify its Government $660,000 for the hotel spending. Under the Racing portfolio, we are rationalisation program. In 1992-93, it was told that the Government's achievements $1.02m. In the last financial year, the include the restructuring of the Queensland Government absolutely panicked, fearing that its Principal Club—nice try, but a complete brilliant scheme may be costing it more than it failure—and the facilitation of a major strategic expected. So it pulled the plug. planning project by the Greyhound Racing Mr Johnson interjected. Control Board to chart the industry's course into the next century. That is a beauty. That is what Mr VEIVERS: As the member for Gregory the Government claims. said, it bolted with the $8m to $9m and put it into consolidated revenue. Some of the mugs I will tell the House what the people in the opposite are getting it in some areas in which racing industry tell me. They think that the they should not deserve to get it. Greyhound Racing Control Board is a complete waste of money. Let us take the Toowoomba Mrs Bird interjected. Greyhound Racing Club as an example. The Mr VEIVERS: It is many areas. Did the control board, with the approval of the Minister, Government look after the bowling club in Calen. ordered the dissolution of the Toowoomba Mrs Bird: Bowling club? Greyhound Racing Club Committee. A CIB investigation and a CJC inquiry both found any Mr VEIVERS: The member is bolting allegations against the club committee to be outing the door a like a depraved halfback. unsubstantiated. The committee was not The Government abolished the reinstated, but its members have continued to rationalisation scheme without giving any notice be treated as petty criminals. The CJC handed to hoteliers. So that little expense was removed the matter back to Mr Gibbs, apparently unwilling from the Budget expenditure list with a mere to pursue the matter. So they had enough. sleight of hand—that was about $8m or $9m, Now Larry Pratt, as administrator of the straight out the door into consolidated revenue. Toowoomba Greyhound Club, is claiming great It is sitting there. Members opposite are probably results. Yet it appears that the previous dipping into it and doing well. committee set the wheels in motion and that I will give the House another example of how Pratt is just taking a standing ovation. the Government is skimping on its promises. Last Mr ELLIOTT (Cunningham) (12.01 a.m.): I year's Budget promised $13.2m in assistance to will try not to use my total allotted time this racing clubs and organisations. How much did evening. The hour is getting late, and I would like they get? They got $11.6m. That is a bit different to think that everyone will have a chance to say a from $13.2m. This year, the Government is few words about the Budget. When one first promising only $12m, so it might get closer to the looks at the Budget and listens to all the rhetoric mark. But capital outlays for racing have been coming from the Government side of the slashed by half from $120,000 to $69,000. So it Chamber, one could be excused for believing is not all as beautiful as the Minister says it is. The that it is a very good document. Let me cite a few backbenchers are saying, "The old farmer does statistics to the House that paint a slightly not tell us lies every time he talks." different picture. Mr Robertson: Never believe Mick, they The factor that I find most interesting is that, say. for the past three years, the Darling Downs area Mr VEIVERS: Does the members not has had the lowest per capita expenditure,about believe that I am telling the truth? It is the truth. $600, of any area in Queensland. I do not know Capital outlays went from $120,000 to $69,000. whether the Government is proud of that. It is That is a fact. It is in black and white. The member amusing to note the way in which Government should have a look at it. members mouth rhetoric, in particular the Minister who is supposed to stand up for the bush. Earlier this evening, the member for Nicklin 8 June 1994 8274 Legislative Assembly very accurately described that Minister as the DPI reveal that, since 1989, the its work force donning his R. M. Williams boots and a hat and has been reduced from 6 100 officers to 5 500. telling the people in the bush about what this In this Budget, some 30 people have been cut Government is doing for them. Unfortunately, from the product development and marketing the facts do not back up the rhetoric. section. How much further can the Government The Darling Downs is one of the most slash that section? It is quite unbelievable. I productive areas of the State. I suggest that the believe that the number of staff in the industry Government looks at the productivity statistics services and consumer services sections have from that area from an irrigation perspective, from also been cut. Where will the Government draw a dryland cropping perspective, from a livestock the line? perspective and from a value adding of rural This Government crows about the fact that it products perspective. In fact, from every has allocated $46m to be spent in rural areas perspective there is probably no more over the next three years. That amounts to productive area in this State than the downs $15.3m per year. I asked the member for area; yet it has been treated extremely shabbily Warwick, who has an electorate very similar to by this Government since it came to power. mine, what that funding would mean to those In capital terms, this year the downs will areas of the State. If one takes that funding on a receive $17m less than it did in the previous shire basis, it represents not much more than year. The DPI fiasco is unbelievable. Since 1989, $100,000 per shire right across the State. What a the DPI has been reduced from 6 100 officers to joke! Let us consider all of the services that have around 5 500. This Government has conducted been cut from rural areas, including the closure an vendetta against that department. The of 80 courthouses, the slashing of DPI services Minister for Primary Industries is supposed to be and the closure of one-third of the rail services to the champion of the DPI. As a member of the country areas. Let us balance that against the Public Accounts Committee, I was quite amazed paltry $100,000-odd being provided to each to discover just what went on in the DPI, but that shire over the next three years. If this matter were is probably a subject for another time. not so serious, it would be a joke. Mr Veivers: How much was sitting on his I find it quite amazing that Government desk? members have the gall to purported to represent the downtrodden—the workers of this State, the Mr ELLIOTT: A couple of million. Does people—— the member for Southport have a couple of million dollars worth of cheques sitting on his Mr J. H. Sullivan: You were a member of desk? I bank mine when they turn up; I do not the AWU once, weren't you? know about anyone else in this place. However, Mr ELLIOTT: I had a ticket in the AWU; the that is another story. member is absolutely correct. I worked in the Mr Veivers: If we didn't know better, we'd woolsheds, and I am proud of that. think he was as shifty as a bag of marbles. Unfortunately, most Government members would not work in an iron lung. Mr ELLIOTT: That could be right. The fact remains that in Cabinet the Minister obviously I turn to consider my electorate in detail. has not stood up for or been the champion of the Mr Veivers: One of the better electorates. Department of Primary Industries. He has Mr ELLIOTT: One of the better presided over the slashing of the Department of electorates, indeed. I will start off by being Primary Industries in just about every area, with positive. I appreciate the money that is being the exception of regional bureaucracies. If we spent at the Goondiwindi State School. Only examine the various regions around the $21,000 was spent on that school last year in the State—regardless of whether are talking about first phase of the refurbishment project. This DPI, Health or the Fire Service—we will find year, nearly half a million dollars will be spent on plenty of middle-level bureaucrats. that project. The various regional authorities represent I turn to the rest of my electorate. In an sinecures for those failed people from the south electorate the size of Cunningham, not one and those that the Government wants to transfer dollar is to be spent by the State Government on from ministerial offices. Such people are sent to the entire road system. the regions. Of course, the Government crows about regionalisation. However, the figures for Mr Veivers interjected. Legislative Assembly 8275 8 June 1994

Mr ELLIOTT: The member for Caboolture Mr ELLIOTT: In this entire 12 months, the is laughing about that; he thinks it is a big joke. honourable member will not see one dollar Mr Veivers interjected. expended on any of the State roads in my electorate. Mr J. H. Sullivan interjected. Mr J. H. Sullivan: I'm sure you mean new Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): construction. Order! I warn the honourable member for Mr ELLIOTT: No, I do not mean new Southport and the honourable member for construction. I just want to go on record here Caboolture. tonight as saying what a complete sham and a Mr ELLIOTT: I suggest to the member for travesty of justice it is that some 24 000 people Caboolture that, if he believes it is such a joke, can have this done to them. Other than the he should visit the area and tell the people of Goondiwindi State School, there are no areas of Cunningham—— expenditure by this State Government. I find that Mr Springborg: Look at Jim Elder. What totally unacceptable. The smart alec member has he done for small business around your who sits behind me and who keeps interjecting area? was saying that we have had 36 years of overexpenditure. Mr ELLIOTT: That is right. The Minister is hanging his head, trying to hide behind his seat. Mr Casey interjected. He does not want to be associated with this. I find Mr ELLIOTT: Let us have a look at the it incredible that the member for Caboolture areas of concern in my electorate, because, could view as some sort of joke the fact that an quite frankly, there are problems that are very electorate the size of Cunningham will have no well known. For argument's sake, let us take money spent on its roads. For goodness' sake, a Drayton. For some two to three years, there has national highway runs through my electorate. It been a high priority identification of the need for runs from Goondiwindi right through to upgrading of the toilet block at the Drayton State Toowoomba. Many areas of that highway need School. it is expanding practically every day of urgent work carried out on them. Traffic surveys the week. There are more and more subdivisions show that more and more trucks are coming in that area, which means that more and more through New South Wales and up into children are coming into the area. That means Queensland. We are seeing them in greater that there is a great need for money to be spent numbers all the time. on the toilet block for the school, yet there is Mr J. H. Sullivan: What you are really nothing in the Budget that I can see—maybe I saying to me is not only have they got an did not read it right; I would be very happy if ineffective State member, they also have an someone could point out to me that I am ineffective Federal member? wrong—that provides for that. Also, the Kindon State School is in a very isolated area. The Mr ELLIOTT: I am saying that the highway runs past the school, which means a Government is playing games. problem with turning lanes. They are needed so Mr J. H. Sullivan: You are talking about a that the school bus is able to safely turn into the Federal highway. You're playing games with the Kindon State School. It is absolutely essential State Budget. You're talking about a Federal that those turning lanes are installed, and I urge highway. You admitted it. the Treasurer and the Minister responsible for Queensland Transport, the Honourable David Mr ELLIOTT: I am talking about State Hamill, to look at that area because, quite frankly, roads. I gave an example to the honourable the present situation is not good enough. member—— When the National Party was in Mr J. H. Sullivan: You used the example Government, we instituted a program in respect of a Federal highway. of bus set downs and parking areas outside Mr ELLIOTT: I said all of the roads in the State schools. The Middle Ridge State School in whole of the Cunningham electorate, I did not my electorate is situated in a heavily built-up part say just the national highway. of Toowoomba, and large numbers of people are Mr J. H. Sullivan: Maybe they had 32 coming into the area all the time. Hundreds of years of expenditure on them, do you think? houses are being built there every year. If one goes to the school on a wet day, one finds that it 8 June 1994 8276 Legislative Assembly is nothing short of absolute total danger for all of been associated with that. At that time, the the students who are being picked up or set Deputy Premier was one of the people who down are in extreme danger. Buses are walked out of the Chamber. He said that the unloading and parents are trying to park their cars legislation was a travesty of justice. This famous outside the school. bloke, who goes out into the bush wearing his Mr Bennett: What about Schoolsafe? riding boots and says what a fantastic bloke he is and how he supports the bush and that the Mr ELLIOTT: Exactly. I am saying is that National Party lets the people of the bush down, this project should receive a very high priority. If walked out of the Chamber. He did not support those children's lives are going to be considered the bush in respect of the equalisation of tariffs. I at all, if the danger to the parents who drop their challenge him and the Minister responsible for children off their is to be considered, a program electricity to do something constructive in such as the one I am suggesting is essential. The respect of the problems of the capital whole situation is absolutely catastrophic. I have contribution and the running costs of electricity. been there when it is raining, and it is an absolute How can we ever get any real value adding? How disaster because there are so many buses that can we get people to come and spend money on drivers cannot see people ducking out from these sorts of rural capital projects—and they are behind other vehicles. big projects; we are not talking about mickey I would also like to make a couple of other mouse projects, we are talking about 40-odd points. One relates to an issue that I have people working in these piggeries—when this brought up before with this famous rural Minister. Government keeps doing things like this? Let us This Minister is a great bloke to go and have a ensure that people are encouraged to go out beer with; a very pleasant fellow. He would be and spend money to employ more people. That great to go down to the bay with and catch a few is what the Government is supposed to stand up mud crabs or a few fish, but when it comes to for—employment. When is the last time it did runs on the board, because he never delivers something constructive about it? This the goods I am afraid he just does not measure Government is good at spending money on up. Even though the Minister who is responsible things that it can open officially and wave flags at, for electricity has given me an undertaking that but let us see it do something constructive to we will see something happen as far as the North ensure that the private sector gets back on its West County Council and the SWQEB border feet and does something about employing new line area is concerned, the member for Warwick people. That is the only way small business will and I both have a problem with it. get the nation back to work. This is an area in I will cite an example of the building of two which this Government can do something that identical piggeries. They were designed by the will show immediate results. I indicated that I same consultants and built by the same would not speak for the full-time allocated to me, construction company, and absolutely every nut and I will not. I will give someone else a chance to and bolt and every piece of electrical equipment speak for a few minutes. in both is identical. One of them was built near Mr CONNOR (Nerang) (12.19 a.m.): In Millmerran, the other was built near Goondiwindi. rising to speak in the Budget debate, I would just The one that was built in the SWQEB area had to like to go through some aspects of the Budget pay nothing as a capital contribution; all it had to papers and, in particular, Budget Paper No. 3 do was give a guarantee of electricity use. The Program Statements. I would like to do so from a one at Goondiwindi had to turn around and fairly academic perspective. Probably the easiest spend $26,000 on a capital contribution. If that way to look at it is from an overall perspective. If was not bad enough, after the first year of there was a balance or small surplus in the operation of both piggeries—they had the same Budget last year and the Government is moving number of pigs going through them; it was the to have much the same this year, but at the same same operation exactly—the one at Millmerran is time it wants to increase recurrent expenditure running at $40,000 less than the one at by in excess of 7 per cent, as the Treasurer said, Goondiwindi. Is that reasonable? then somehow or another it has to raise an extra In common with the member for Nicklin, I am 7 per cent to fund it. It struck me as rather one of the few people who were in this place strange, as I read through the Budget paper, that when the equalisation of electricity tariffs it quite clearly showed that a very big proportion legislation was passed, and I am proud to have of the Budget revenue, and that was Federal Legislative Assembly 8277 8 June 1994 funding, was effectively zero growth. There was practice of quoting consolidated revenue a 0.4 per cent increase in Federal funding on the funding in each department—which had been revenue side. One big section of income had no the practice up till now—and if he had continued growth whatsoever. Then the Treasurer said that quoting consolidated revenue funding increases the taxes, fees and fines—another major part of only, he would have found that many the revenue—would rise by 5 per cent. As to the departments would have a substantial reduction two major sections of the revenue—one is zero in funding levels. But what does the fairytale king growth and the other is 5 per cent. Therefore, pull out of the hat? I know what we should call that will average out at about 2.5 per cent. him; we should call him either Harry Houdini or Where is the other 4 per cent or 5 per cent Ronald Biggs, because this is one of the best increase going to come from? That had me con jobs that I have seen. bemused initially, so I looked at the revenue The Treasurer is presenting a fraudulent side. I saw that there was additional State picture of departmental funding. The practice revenue in the form of property income and that this Treasurer has adopted comes from the other sources. There is a fair increase in that Ronald Biggs book of accounting. I shall give a area—around 10 per cent. That was mainly few examples. Probably one of the better funding increases from Government owned examples would be the Department of Business, enterprises, such as Suncorp, the QIC and the Industry and Regional Development. I am sure like, some tax equalisation and other things. As I that the Minister for Business, who is sitting on said, those areas had increased substantially by the other side of the Chamber, knows quite well about 10 per cent. That still did not quite add up what is going on in that area, especially in the to the level of funding that the Program Regional and Project Development Division. Statements seemed to indicate. Mr Elder: You're going to give me three Then I noticed for the first time that, in these hours' scrutiny in the Estimates committee. I look Program Statements, there was a new process at forward to it. the start of each department. Instead of having Mr CONNOR: We will do that on Thursday the trust funds separated, we have only an of next week. The Regional and Project amalgamated figure of the trust account side of it Development Division has had a $5m reduction as well as the consolidated funds. In previous in consolidated funding. If the Treasurer had years, they were separated, and we could see used the same accounting practices as he used the revenue sources. We could see what was last year and for time immemorial before that, he being spent from the consolidated side and what would have had to go out and sell the fact that was being spent from the trust account side. This there was actually a reduction in funding for that year, we cannot see that. particular section of his department. Instead, we I became rather suspicious, and I posed the only see the amalgamated figure of $37m going question: why did the Government amalgamate up to $60m—a big increase. But where is the these figures for the first time? I thought about money coming from? That is the point. I do not the Treasurer's new catchcry about user pays, think the people would be very impressed. It is all user fees and the like. I thought that perhaps this coming out of the so-called user fees that the was the increase in the property or other Treasurer, Mr De Lacy, has been talking about. sections of State revenue in the Consolidated The user fees are not even reaching the Fund. But no, it is not. These user fees are not Consolidated Fund. even getting into consolidated revenue. The At the bottom of page 102 of the Program user fees are going through the trust accounts. Statements one sees that the Industrial Estates They are not even getting into consolidated Construction Fund has gone from just over $5m revenue. The user fees are going through the to $39m. We also see an almost $10m increase trust accounts in certain departments, and they in the Minister's expenditure on capital outlays, are being used to subsidise the running of those which is expansion of industrial estates and the departments and not coming back into the like. There has been a reduction in funding to consolidated revenue account. This, in turn, that section of almost one-third, yet the allows the Treasurer to reduce the funding from Government is spending $10m more. This is consolidated revenue to each of those where the mirrors come in; it is all being done departments. with mirrors. This is all being paid for by increased What does all this mean? It means that if the user charges that have not seen the light of day. Treasurer had continued with the previous 8 June 1994 8278 Legislative Assembly

Mr Elder: Million-dollar mirrors? overall funding, which includes the trust account. Mr CONNOR: That is right. They do not Here we see this major increase in funding that come up in the Budget; they come through the he congratulates himself for and that his trusts. We have seen a massive inflow of money Ministers can go out and sell to the public. But from small business to pay for the increased when he talks in overall figures, he then reverts rents that were announced in relation to these back to the Consolidated Fund. When he wants industrial estates. But as I said, that money has to talk about increases in taxes, he only wants to not gone into the consolidated revenue coffers talk about taxes, fees and fines and other and it has not been added to the revenue from Budget revenue. That is the trick that the Ronald taxes, fees and fines—or other revenue, for that Biggs of Queensland Parliament is up to. matter. It has been diverted quietly and secretly Let us look at the Fair Trading Program on into funding that department. This has been page 64 of the Program Statements. We see a done section after section in the Budget papers. $4m reduction in the funding from the These user charges, as the Treasurer likes Consolidated Fund and we find that the balance to call them, are not available in every is made up by the Auctioneers and Agents department. The Treasurer needs to increase Fidelity Guarantee Fund. We move on to the expenditure in other areas that do not have the Ambulance Service, and we see an increase in benefit of these user charges. Therefore, the the Consolidated Fund of only $8m. But that is to Minister is cross-subsidising different sections fund a 10 per cent increase in staff—an extra 170 and different departments. That is why he had to staff. Where is the money coming from? Not from amalgamate the trust account figures and the consolidated revenue; it is coming in the back consolidated revenue figures. These user-pays door through the Ambulance Service Trust figures are nothing of the sort. User-pays should Fund. I am not suggesting that the Government really be called non-user-pays, because the has not announced these increases in user Treasurer is allowing expenditure to fall in certain charges—not at all. We are well aware of that. departments and using the savings from those What we are saying is: the Government is hiding departments to cross-subsidise additional the figures. It is hiding the increase in fees, fines expenditure in other departments. This is where and taxes in Queensland in the trust accounts, the mirrors come in. because those figures—that massive increase in funding—does not come through the I would like to give a few examples of the Consolidated Fund and it is not being quoted as increase in spending that is coming directly from an increase by the Treasurer. That is where the the trust accounts of different sections. The Ronald Biggs of the Queensland Parliament is funding drawn from the Auctioneers and Agents working with mirrors. Fidelity Fund is increased by $5m; the funding drawn from the Ambulance Service Trust Fund is We move on to Fire Services and we see increased by $26m; and the funding drawn from that there is a $5m reduction in funding to that the State Fire Service Trust Fund is increased by organisation, but we also find an additional $15m $16m. As I said before, the funding drawn from coming out of the State Fire Services Trust the Industrial Estates Construction Fund is Fund. That is from where they are going to fund increased by $34m. The funding drawn from the the additional new equipment—the money is Public Trustee Account is increased by $8m; coming from the increase in the fire levy. The from the Forestry Fund, $8m. It goes on and on. Consolidated Fund does not see it. The Just as the Treasurer said, when we tally up all percentage increase in taxes and charges that the figures in the Budget papers, we find that the Treasurer is quoting around the State does Consolidated Fund expenditure was up 5.1 per not reflect that increase. There are the mirrors cent. But what do we find when we tally up the again. figures for the trust accounts? We find that they When we move into the Public Trust Office are up 14.3 per cent. we see an extra 20 staff to be employed there. That is the con. That is how the Treasurer is Where is the money coming from? Honourable working with mirrors and that is why this Budget is members can guess— increased user charges, a fairy tale, because the Treasurer moves from but not through the Consolidated Fund and not one type of figure to another depending on what reflected in increases that the Treasurer talks he wants to show. When he wants to show about. We see an extra $8m—about a 30 per increases in spending in particular departments cent increase—in the revenue in that section. and particular programs, he switches to the And where else is that money being used? Legislative Assembly 8279 8 June 1994

There is no money coming from the knows it, too. If one specifically adds up the trust Consolidated Fund, so the increase is in user account—again, he did not add that up; he only charges and the revenue is going to the added up the consolidated account—one will construction of new office facilities at Ipswich and see a 14.3 per cent increase at $11.2 billion. Mackay, for which I am sure the Government will That is where the extra money is coming from. claim credit. Mr De Lacy: What is the thrust of this We move on to forest production, and we argument? see that the figure for forestry fund revenue has Mr CONNOR: The thrust is that the increased by about 10 per cent with no increase Treasurer is playing with mirrors. When he is at all in the Consolidated Fund. So where is the talking about departments he amalgamates his money going. That is another five employees on trust and consolidated figures and claims that he the payroll and the Government is going to pay is spending all this extra money. But the moment off some of the State's debt with it. How is the he starts talking about revenue—from where he Government coming up with that money? It is is getting the money—he talks about the increasing the prices of native forest consolidated account. timber—more user fees. Again, that is not going through the Consolidated Account; it is not Mr De Lacy: So we're not really a big- showing as increases in taxes, fees and fines spending Government. and other State revenue, but very quietly it is Mr CONNOR: It is a big spending going through the back door and not showing up Government, I will give it that. In fact, there has in the Budget books. been a 9.6 cent increase—not 5.1. The So we see behind the mirrors, and we see Treasurer knows it. It also means that the the games that people play. If the Government Treasurer is pulling the money into the trust wishes to increase its taxes and charges, why not accounts and not admitting it. Everytime be honest about it? Why not present it as it really someone tries to pin down the Treasurer he will is? If the Government is going to increase user grab a figure from the Consolidated Fund on the fees, then reduce the general levels of taxation revenue side; and when the Ministers go out to to make up for it. Or at least be honest enough to sell the budget for their departments the admit that the overall level of taxation has gone Treasurer amalgamates the figures. Why has he up—admit to the real amount. If people want amalgamated the figures for the first time? higher levels of service and are prepared to pay Because if he did not, plenty of the Ministers for it, so be it. But this Government is trying to would have to go out and explain why they have have its cake and eat it too. It is trying to present had reductions in funding levels. the picture that it is increasing spending but not Mr De Lacy: Why have we amalgamated increasing taxes and charges. trust funds? We have been trying to amalgamate If honourable members want the real figures trust funds for the last 4 or 5 years. We're trying they should turn to pages 15, 16 and 17 of to get everything under the Consolidated Fund Budget Paper No. 3, the Program Statements. because that is where there is better control and Unlike previous years the Treasurer did not add better accounting, so it is easy to understand. these ones up, but I did. If one add the Trust Mr CONNOR: Why then did the Treasurer Fund expenditure and the Consolidated Fund increase the trust funds by 14.3 per cent if he is expenditure the same as the Treasurer has done trying to get them all into consolidated revenue? for each department, one arrives at a total for Why are all the user fees being channelled next year of $22 billion, or a 9.6 per cent increase through the trust accounts? Why did the on last year. That is the real increase in Treasurer not add up the trust account in the Government spending—9.6 per cent. That 5.1 program statements? He did last year and the per cent is just rubbish. That is only the on- year before that. Did he not want us to know that Budget expenditure. There is a real 9.6 per cent it had increased by 14.3 per cent as a result of increase and the Treasurer knows it. On the trust the user fees? account side there is a 14.6 per cent increase, Mr LAMING (Mooloolah) (12.39 a.m.): I rise balancing overall as a 9.6 per cent increase—not to speak in the debate on the 1994-95 Budget 5.1 per cent. That is where all the user fees are and take the opportunity to look at some of the coming in—through the trust accounts. They are present and future requirements of my area. I not showing up in the 5.1 per cent figure that the would like to start firstly with police. Obviously, all Treasurer is tossing around, and the Treasurer areas are looking for more police numbers, and 8 June 1994 8280 Legislative Assembly the Sunshine Coast is no exception. We have at great speed right through the area where something starting up next month called the people were swimming. The lifeguard rang the Instant Response Team. I feel that this is well Boating and Fisheries Patrol. Officers arrived worth trialling, but I am concerned that three of there within five minutes and escorted those the police stations in the area are going to lose people away. I compliment the Boating and some of their members to make up the Instant Fisheries Patrol at Mooloolaba for their quick Response Team. I really believe that these response. people should be replaced so that the stations I turn now to the area of emergency are not short of officers to go about their normal services, which is closely aligned with police. I duties. have asked before that consideration be given to Secondly, also in the police area, the the siting of a joint fire and ambulance response Mooloolaba police beat is operating extremely station on the Sunshine Coast. At the moment, well. I would like to take this opportunity to the Fire Service is stationed in Maryborough and congratulate the force that operates under the Ambulance Service is stationed in Sergeant Tony Sinn]. They have had a Bundaberg. I believe that those stations should tremendous impact on the crime figures in the be located together at some central point on the Mooloolaba area, and it has certainly been a big Sunshine Coast. I have written to the Minister improvement over the past 12 months. Similarly, about this matter. I believe that he agrees with in the police area, I refer to Buderim, which is one me in principle. I would like to see that concept of the fastest-growing areas on the Sunshine become a reality within the next year or two. Coast. I would like to state once again that this Perhaps the police could also be located in the area is also deserving of its own police station, same area so that those three very important particularly with all the development that is emergency services can operate together and occurring there as well as the building of the new coordinate their activities. university. It also would be a very good place to As to health—it is pleasing to see that the site a district communications centre for the Nambour Hospital will continue to receive some police. expenditure. It is located in a rapidly growing On the subject of police—I have asked a area, and I can assure members that that number of times for a water police presence on expenditure is very much needed. I noticed also the Sunshine Coast. Although I believe it has the funds for specialists. I read that there will be an support of the regional headquarters, funding for allocation of about $1m to fund extra specialists a water police depot does not appear in the in the area. That is very pleasing. However, I Budget documents. However, the expenditure wonder whether more funds will be enough to for such a depot might not be big enough to entice specialists to the area. I have spoken to warrant an appearance in its own right in the people who work in the health services in Budget documents. I certainly hope that it will be Nambour and on the Sunshine Coast generally, considered and that funding for it will be and they believe that money alone will not solve allocated this year. the problem. That is an area where Queensland Only a few weeks ago, I had cause to be Health is very much falling down. On the called to a meeting at the Mooloolaba Surf Sunshine Coast we are short of ear, nose and Lifesaving Club. The lifesavers had concerns throat specialists; we are short of psychiatrists; about people on jet skis and also waterskiers and we need four anaesthetists. It is a very who were cutting through the flagged area at serious situation. Mooloolaba beach, which is a popular beach for Today, I received a phone call from a Mrs visitors. That was causing the lifesavers and the Newenham] of Eudlo. I will not go into the details users of the beach some concern. I was able to of her condition. Suffice to say that she has to have a meeting with them. Mr Steve Dunne, of wait until September before she can travel to the Boating and Fisheries Patrol, came along to Brisbane just to have an assessment of her that meeting. We put together a scheme condition. She will have to join a long waiting list. whereby the lifesavers could get in touch with This lady is in great discomfort. The waiting list is that service if they had a problem. The very next very long, and it is something that really needs to Sunday—about three weeks ago—I was on the be addressed. beach with my wife when some people came Mr Pearce: Has it got anything to do with tearing through the flagged area, only about 50 the lack of people who are qualified in that area? yards out from the beach. They were waterskiing Legislative Assembly 8281 8 June 1994

Mr LAMING: I will take that interjection. I am Government side of the House and said that that not sure from whom it came, but—— was the same ratio that existed when the Mr FitzGerald: The member for Fitzroy. Nationals were in power in 1989. I bet the Opposition at that time was very loud in its Mr LAMING: The member for Fitzroy. I condemnation of that ratio. If it was not a thank the honourable very much for that. sufficient allocation of teachers then, it is Whatever the problem, it is the responsibility of certainly not enough now. I know that on the Queensland Health to address it and to Sunshine Coast, the 2.2 days per annum is not overcome it. If it means that it has to—— enough. I think that is something that needs to Mr Pearce: You can't feed hay to the be looked at. sheep if you haven't got any. I refer also to transport for school children. Mr LAMING: I am not too sure what that There has been a change of policy in relation to interjection means. However, this Government student train fares in Brisbane. There has been has been in power for four years. It has talk about what is going to happen in regard to recognised this problem, and it is about time that bus fares for students. Some people are very it was addressed. In the meantime, people are concerned about whether those children who waiting for years for urgently needed operations. are now receiving a free bus service might end I will move on to education. It is pleasing to up paying perhaps one-third of the fare if the see that a high school is to be constructed at train fare formula is adopted by the bus service. Mountain Creek. It is the first State high school in We need to make that information available as my electorate, and it is very good to see that it will soon as possible so that people know what is be built. Although the Minister for Education is going to happen. not in the House at the moment, I take this When a new school is built in an area, it opportunity to point out that earlier advice that affects the school bus subsidy. Even those this school was going to proceed would have students who are not going to attend the new been very much appreciated. Parents in the area school suddenly fall within the ambit of the new had to make a decision on schooling for their school. After the opening of the Mountain Creek children entering Year 8 next year. They were Primary School this year, many parents who being pressed to make a decision on that. I continued to send their children to school in believe that the information was available to the Buderim suddenly lost their bus subsidy. The department and it was not given to me. main problem was that they were not advised that Consequently, I was not able to advise those they were going to lose their subsidy or that that parents who were in the position of having to subsidy might be affected. It would have been decide whether to send their children to quite a simple matter, through either the school Maroochydore State High School, Kawana State or the Department of Transport, to at least tell High School or perhaps one of the local private those parents that their subsidies may be schools that a State high school would be built at affected. That is all that would have been Mountain Creek. I believe it is very important that necessary so that those people could contact that information be made available to the people the local Department of Transport office and find in the area. out what the effect would be on their subsidy More funding is needed for bicycle lock- before they made arrangements for such things ups. I know that this is a minor matter, but only as the purchase of school uniforms for the last week a parent, Mrs Betty Otto] rang me and following year. told me that her daughter's bicycle was stolen I will move onto the issue of transport. from the school that she attends. I got in touch Obviously, the first thing that I need to talk about with the school, which was located at Kawana, on the Sunshine Coast that is at the front of and I was told that the school had not received everybody's mind is the toll road debacle. I am enough funding to be able to lock up the bikes. It not against the principle of toll roads if they are is not a big item of expenditure, but it is difficult implemented correctly. But it is a Government for the school to find that money. The situation is without principle that turns a former free road into made even worse when a child comes home and a toll road. It is a Government without principle if it tells her parents that her bike has been stolen. puts in a toll after promising not to have a toll. It is The shadow Minister for Education a Government without principle when the excess mentioned TRS days for teachers—2.2 per takings from the Gateway Bridge are spent annum. I think somebody interjected from the elsewhere instead of being used to pay for the 8 June 1994 8282 Legislative Assembly bridge sooner—either that, or lower the toll. That be some economic cost. I can appreciate that is not user pays; that becomes a tax. It is a and understand his concern. But overriding that I Government without sense when it encourages, believe are some advantages—the centrality of particularly on the Sunshine Coast, avoidance of an area further south, the proximity to the major the toll roads. Because of the way they were works that Queensland Transport is carrying out implemented, we can very much understand on the Sunshine Coast, and the proximity to be that. This is creating traffic chaos elsewhere on able to work with the local councils. It is nearer to the Sunshine Coast. Brisbane. The people from those regional A couple of times in this House I have had headquarters have to travel down to Brisbane cause to suggest that consideration should be quite a lot. It is certainly a lot closer to travel down given to putting a rail corridor through to the from, say, Maroochydore or Nambour than from Sunshine Coast, particularly from Landsborough right up at Gympie. The officers must spend a lot through to the Corbould Park area, where there of time on the road. If those headquarters were could be a station, up to the new university and more centrally placed it would improve the public servicing the central Sunshine Coast. I have had perception of the department. I made a a lot of support for that idea, both from the suggestion today that perhaps even council and people in the community. I have a Queensland Transport liaison officers could be clipping from the Sunshine Coast Daily, which I domiciled at the council offices at Noosa, will table. The Minister is quoted as saying that it Caloundra and Maroochy. They have to work was a nonsense and that it "really does not a very closely with council officers, and it would make a hell of a lot of sense". It is a great pity that enhance that liaison if those Queensland the Minister takes this attitude, because I think it Transport officers actually worked in those is a very good idea. Two days later the editorial of council offices. the Sunshine Coast Daily suggested that the I notice that there is increased funding for Minister's remarks were short-sighted and the SEVS program of DEVETIR. That is very arrogant. I would have to agree with that, good. I believe it is a good program. I have made because the Sunshine Coast is obviously going the suggestion before—and it is a pity that the to need a rail link in the future. Now is the time to Minister for Employment or the Minister for at least allocate that corridor of land so that the Business are not in the House at the development of a railway is not a traumatic moment—that I believe that that program should experience to the people living in that area in the be transferred and extended to people who are future. employed. I believe that they would make a much While I am speaking about railways, I should better target group for people moving from say that we mounted a case for the preservation employment into business, rather than applying of some of the existing shelter sheds in the area, that program to unemployed people. If people particularly one at the Mooloolah Railway Station. move from being an employee into business, I would like to commend the people at they are freeing up positions for people to take Queensland Rail who saw the good sense in up in employment. So it has the same effect, but preserving a very old shelter shed on the I believe it would have a better success rate. Mooloolah Station instead of knocking it down or I will also say something on payroll tax. The moving it elsewhere and putting in one of the Treasurer might be able to advise me whether modern aluminium ones. So the people of the payroll tax incentive plan that was introduced Mooloolah will rally around the station and look last year at this time is going to continue this after it. That will be something of which they will coming year. If that payroll tax incentives plan is all be proud. not to continue next year, it will mean that some There has been some talk for some time employers will actually pay more payroll tax this now of moving the headquarters of Queensland coming year. Transport from Gympie to a more central area in Mr De Lacy: Especially the under 15 to 19 the Sunshine Coast region. I can understand the year olds. It's still going. members in the Gympie area, particularly the Mr LAMING: I am very pleased to hear that; member for Gympie, having some concern that it is a very good answer. that might be being considered. There would be some social cost as a result of the loss of an I see the Youth Conservation Corp of the office as big as the Queensland Transport Department of Environment and Heritage looks headquarters from the Gympie area. There would like getting significant funding. I had pleasure in Legislative Assembly 8283 8 June 1994 visiting some of the officers of DEH at Kondalilla see that issue resolved. But the Minister has National Park. The workers are doing excellent failed to deliver for an awfully long time. work. I believe it is a very good program which I am also very concerned that Juvenile Aid needs to be encouraged. They are actually Bureau officers throughout the State are dealing doing things that are useful for the community with a rash of kiddy crimes. But these police are and they are very proud of their work. That is a not being resourced to meet the problems. The program that deserves the support of all of us. Sunday Telegraph of 13 February 1994 quoted In relation to the Lands Department, I have Police Service figures indicating that children repeatedly brought up before the scourge of were responsible for about 40 per cent of the Ross River fever. I know for a fact that councils offences against property. However, 40 per cent throughout the areas of Queensland that are of the police resources for this sector of crime are affected by this terrible disease are very not in the hands of Juvenile Aid Bureau officers. I concerned about it and are doing what they can do not want the Police budget cut in other areas about it. I do not believe, however, that this to make up the difference, but I would like to see Government is shouldering its full responsibility. I the overall budget for the JAB increased to help have brought it up with the Minister for Lands, address that anomaly. Once caught by police, who has rejected my suggestion out of hand that young offenders often take longer to process, this Government should take the responsibility and the Juvenile Justice Act means that some for funding the spraying of Crown land in child offenders are thumbing their noses at Queensland for the eradication of the mosquito police and authority. larvae that cause this terrible Ross River fever. I The issue of law and order is not dead. More would like to see the Minister reconsider in the and more police are at the point of walking away Budget for the coming year and assist the from the Police Service because they are not councils in Queensland so that this terrible receiving adequate backup. We need only disease can be eradicated. consider the issue of Corrective Services Miss SIMPSON (Maroochydore) prisoners being babysat by Maroochydore police (12.58 p.m.): I believe that Police Minister Braddy in the watch-house for up to several weeks. This must double police numbers on the Sunshine is a matter I raised about six months ago, and still Coast to bring police numbers up to the State the Minister has ignored the problem. There is a average. This Budget is obviously not going to genuine crisis not just on the Sunshine Coast achieve that. But the Queensland Police but also right throughout the State. Service's statistical review for 1992-93 shows I believe that we must seriously consider the that the Queensland ratio of sworn police officers impact of introducing community-based police per head of population was one officer to 476 stations. The old idea of having a locally based members of the public. However, the Sunshine cop whom everybody knew was certainly a lot Coast district ratio was one police officer to 974 more effective than the massive centralised members of the public. The bottom line is that police stations that have been the trend in recent Sunshine Coast residents deserve a fair go, and years. A person could be murdered outside one the Police Minister's own departmental statistics of those stations but, behind the structure of tell the story of his neglect. glass, steel and concrete, the police inside that These men and women in blue are working station would be none the wiser. That is not the very hard with few resources and frustrating fault of the cops inside, but there is obviously crime and penalty laws which keep tipping something wrong with such facilities. Police who offenders back onto the streets. If the operate from those types of stations would not Government spent the Gold Coast Indy money be aware that a whistling system was operating on the Sunshine Coast road network and our between criminals in the local CBD. Such a police force, we would not have the problems system was operating in the Maroochydore CBD, that we have. People are living in fear and the whereby the criminals would let their mates know police are frustrated that the Government is not when the police were leaving the station. Of listening to their concerns. As to the lack of course, when one operates from an police rostered on weekends—the Police airconditioned—— Minister said that this would be solved when the issue over penalties was resolved. How many Mrs Edmond: What's a whistling system? months ago was that? We are still waiting. That is Miss SIMPSON: It means that criminals a very old promise. We will certainly be pleased to standing on a few corners in a particular CBD let 8 June 1994 8284 Legislative Assembly out whistles to notify their mates when it is safe to when somebody is dying on Fraser Island or in break into a premises. Those criminals let their other parts of Queensland. They must use the mates know that the police are departing the quickest route. Since the Government imposed station and in what direction they are headed. I a $1.50 toll on Stage 2 of the motorway, that service—which operates with some Government believe that community-based police stations funding and quite a lot of voluntary funding—is and community-based policing will be more being taxed for using that road. I believe that is effective. It is in the interests of the community totally ridiculous. I am hopeful that the Minister for that we move away from the centralised policing Transport will come to the party on that one. That concept and back to the approach of police really service could be assisted by the Government knowing the beat. The bottom line is that police paying for a card to enable its vehicles to use the officers have to be properly resourced, and they tollway free of charge. At the very least, the must know that they have the support of the Government should acknowledge that the department. They must stop living on the cast-off vehicles used by the service are emergency typewriters of the Education Department and vehicles. other departments. Often, it is the case that On the question of the Maroochydore road police just do not have the computer resources network—it is important to understand that the to deal effectively with crime. road network through Maroochydore is actually As to roads—the Budget is a disappointing carrying equal if not more traffic than the Bruce effort. Sunshine Coast motorists receive next to Highway is carrying to the Sunshine Coast. That nothing for their car registration payments. The traffic is travelling through the heart of Budget talks about $2m being allocated for land Maroochydore, despite the fact that there is a acquisition for the Sunshine Motorway. Most bypass road that the council built a few years people would understand that Stage 2 of the ago. That road was taken over by the State Sunshine Motorway was opened for business Government. Despite that fact that there was a during the Christmas holidays. Yet the bypass which was incorporated into the Government, according to the department, has not paid for all the land that it acquired for that Sunshine Motorway, we have a road network that purpose. That raises a very interesting question. is pouring thousands and thousands of vehicles What about the rights of the people who have past the vicinity of three schools. We desperately had that road put through their property? Surely need the State Government to say, "Yes, we will they have a right to prompt and fair fund an alternative access into Maroochydore. compensation when a Government walks in and Yes, we will do a south-west access." The fact is takes their land for a road? that, even if that road ends up being operated by I do not believe that the Government the council, it will take pressure off a State arterial understands the impact of the tollway. It is really road, the Maroochydore Road, which goes past hurting people. The result has been to force the Maroochydore high school, the thousands of motorists onto an alternative route Maroochydore primary school and the access to that is really dangerous. TÐintersections are Stella Maris. In the traffic review that has been crammed with traffic trying to get onto the David done in the area, the engineers say—— Low Way at the Petrie Creek Road intersection. Numerous other intersections are also clogged Mrs Edmond: What about local up. Let us also consider the plight of those government—don't they do anything? involved in providing emergency services, such Miss SIMPSON: I do not believe that the as the Sunshine Coast Rescue Helicopter Maroochy Shire Council is sitting on its butt, as Service. That service is not being subsidised by the Government to allow it to use the quickest the member for Mount Coot-tha just suggested. route to access the hangar during an Mrs Edmond: Well, according to you they emergency. I am hopeful that the Transport are—they don't do anything. They should be Minister will see that that service has a genuine doing something about the roads up there. They case for consideration and that its pilots' vehicles are council roads, not State Government roads. should be considered as emergency vehicles under the Act. Miss SIMPSON: Maroochydore Road is a State road. Obviously, the member does not The fact is that those pilots, who are providing a tremendous service and who go out understand the issues. The engineers have said in awful weather and at ridiculous times of the that it will delay the need to upgrade night to save people's lives—not just on the Maroochydore Road by 10 to 15 years if an Sunshine Coast but also in the wider district—are alternative access is provided. Obviously, the being forced to pay a toll on the bridge. They do member does not understand the issues. An not have the choice of using the David Low Way alternative access would save the Government Legislative Assembly 8285 8 June 1994 the need to upgrade a road and would remove These are young people who deserve more the pressure from that road, which is carrying than a fair chance and more than a fair go. They thousands and thousands of vehicles past will come to the end of their school years and, schools where children are trying to compete under the system, be considered adults at the with heavy traffic. age of 18. That may be the law, but in reality they On the issue of the Maroochydore high still require a high level of support physically. school—it is important to note that there are Often, the skills that they require are very basic, about 1 600 students at that school. We certainly day-to-day skills which need to be constantly re- welcome the construction of the Mountain Creek enforced. I believe that this is a right move high school, even though it is a couple of years towards their greater integration into the late. The reality is that the Mountain Creek high community with programs that take them away school will take on only Year 8 students in its fist from purely centre-based care. However, it does year of operation and then gradually build up take a lot of money. through to Year 12. That facility will be welcomed, This area does not involve a large number of but numbers will not fall off dramatically at the people, but their needs are so critical that Maroochydore high school. That school is still Governments must assist in this area because heading towards possibly 2 000 students in the there is inequity between the opportunities for next few years. these young people and the opportunities for It is outrageous that a school such as that, those who are able or less disabled. It concerns which faces all the concerns and social problems me greatly that the Endeavour Foundation failed that large schools face, is to be allowed to grow to attract funding, and without some alternative, I to that size. We desperately need additional staff am concerned that the parents cannot cope. The facilities to release the pressure from the existing distress that the parents suffer is just incredible. staff, who are working under conditions that are Once again, they do not have the same contrary to the Workplace Health and Safety Act. opportunities as other parents who, once their However, it seems that the Government can children reach a certain age, know that those waive that Act in its own schools. We desperately children are able to move out and take their place need to have new facilities both for staff and for in society. What happens is that the parents end students. When a new school comes on track in up in a supporting role that is ongoing. These a neighbouring area, too often the State parents give so much. But this is where Government may forget that facilities still must be Governments must be involved in taking the provided for the existing school, because for pressure off the parents and helping these many years it will continue to be a very large young people to take their place in society. school. The question of public transport on the The post-school options for severely and Sunshine Coast in the future is presently under profoundly disabled youth raises an area of great review. Aside from law and order and the inequity. Unfortunately, these young people do problems of extremely long waiting lists at the not have a voting lobby group as do many other public hospital, this area is one of major concern. sectors of the community. It is of concern to me The talk that subsidies for the buses could be that when the local Endeavour Foundation put phased out over the next five years has worried up a conforming application for a post-school me. I believe we need to discuss very carefully options program, it was told by departmental how we bring the public transport infrastructure people that it met the criteria and that it was of the up to a standard that will really help pensioners highest priority. However, the departmental and those people who do not have their own people subsequently said that they were terribly cars gain access via public transport to all the sorry because no funds were available. I believe services and facilities that they deserve. that is a crying shame. I urge the Minister for However, it concerns me when Governments Family Services, who is in the Chamber, to look start to talk about fully commercialising a service into this matter. It is an area in which in an area that is so decentralised. We are not like Governments should be involved. These young Brisbane, which because it is a lot more people cannot help themselves to the extent centralised, can obviously achieve greater that others can. They will not have the full training economies of scale in its operations and still opportunities that other less disabled or fully heavily subsidise its public transport. I would be able-bodied youth will have. very worried if the Government goes ahead and takes away all the subsidy for public transport on 8 June 1994 8286 Legislative Assembly the Sunshine Coast, because that will not coal face, under this Government the problems achieve the result of getting better services. will continue. There are services that, because of a lack of Mr SPRINGBORG (Warwick) (1.17 a.m.): I centralised services, must still be provided and rise to participate in the Budget debate and at that will require some level of commitment. the outset welcome a number of initiatives for my In relation to the funding that has been electorate. First of all, I pay tribute to the allocated to specialist care at the hospital—while Government and to those who have lobbied for it is welcome, there is obviously a greater need the new home economics building at the for cooperation and a strategy that will help bring Stanthorpe State High School that will be built at specialists into rural Queensland. We have a the cost of $505,000. This is long overdue. The problem getting specialists even to the current home economics building at the Sunshine Coast, which is a great place to live. Stanthorpe State High School is totally How much worse must it be the further and inadequate. I do not believe it is very safe and it further one gets from urban areas? Obviously, does not provide a good learning environment. there needs to be some sort of financial The entire community looks forward to its incentives and packages coming from the State construction. Government which will address this problem. It is Also, I welcome the money that was not right that people in some areas of the State announced in the Budget for a new watch-house have to wait years and years longer than people at the Warwick Police Station. It has been in metropolitan areas do to receive basic mooted for a long time. I must say that certain specialist services through the public hospital elements within Government departments have system. Once again, this is an inequity which failed to get their act together to expedite this should not exist right across Queensland. While particular process. The situation that we see at it is a miserable pittance, we would be grateful for the moment is that expenditure of $806,000 has some specialist assistance. Until the Government been announced. Hopefully, that money will be seriously addresses this problem, we are going spent over the next year or so and we will have to have waiting lists that are just totally that new watch-house, but the big problem we unacceptable. have is that the old watch-house there is a It really hurts me to see people who, a few heritage listed building and the local show years ago under a National/Liberal Government, society wishes to actually transfer it to the would have had a far greater access to quality showgrounds to provide itself with some extra health services than they do under this administrative facilities. Up until recently, we have Government. These people have been totally been having hell's own trouble in finding ripped off. The waiting lists have blown out. I talk anybody in the department who can give us any to people who work in the hospitals and I talk to advice on whether we can shift the building. We nurses who work in intensive care. They tell me, have recently discovered that the Administrative "If people really knew what was going on, they Services Department is the department that has would be really worried". They are flying by the failed to prepare the plan to shift the building. seat of their pants without adequate staffing and There is also concern over who owns the land, specialists. They are terribly worried because the Department of Justice and Attorney-General they do not have the proper resourcing and or the Police Department, but hopefully that will staffing. They are in crisis all the time and are all be sorted out and we will have a new barely getting through. watch-house built in Warwick. The area covered by the Sunshine Coast I also welcome the announcement of the health services is experiencing tremendous expenditure of $55,000 to complete the growth—something over 9 per cent—but the air-conditioning at the Warwick Courthouse. I also fact is that it has always been known that it was an welcome the funding, the amount of which I am expanding area. It worries me to know that it was not sure, which is set aside to update the only perhaps by the grace of God that some communication system for the Fire Service in disaster has not befallen some of the emergency Warwick, Stanthorpe and Toowoomba—and I will services on the Sunshine Coast because of their speak a little bit more about that a little later on. lack of resources. I talk to people who work in Also, I would like to thank the Commissioner for these areas and they do not lie. They know what Fire Services, Mr Skerrett, and also Mr Burns, for is going on, and until this problem is addressed intervening to ensure that the new Wallangarra with proper strategies that get the money to the Fire Station will be built. This is one of the first Legislative Assembly 8287 8 June 1994 things that I took up when I took over as the feedlot is a substantial employer in the member for Carnarvon because, obviously, there Inglewood Shire, this then leads to substantial were problems there. There was inadequate employment within the Jondaryan Shire. It is very space, the place was crumbling—it was falling to much along the lines of what the Government pieces—and there was asbestos coming from keeps pushing for, that is, value adding so far as the roof. I took this up with the department and our primary products are concerned. with the then Minister, but they did not seem to That road is in an absolutely appalling state. be interested. They did not seem to think that Many of the problems on that road have been there was a problem, but recently, upon closer contributed to by the fact that there are many inspection, it was decided that there was a heavy vehicles which service the Whyalla problem that had to be rectified, and for that the feedlot. The Transport Department has been communities of Wallangarra and Stanthorpe are successful in negotiating a deal with the Whyalla truly indebted. We just hope that it is in time to feedlot whereby it contributes substantial rectify the problems that have occurred since the amounts of money to the upgrading of that road. resignation of the auxiliary fire fighters. Over the The Department of Transport itself does have a last three, four or five years, many of those program over the next three to four years to auxiliary firefighters who have dedicated a lot of bitumen seal some more sections of that road. their own hours in trying to get the fire station However, that will still leave some sections of that have resigned from the service because their road unsealed. training was inadequate and because of the problems that they had experienced with the There are many safety aspects of that road health and safety aspects of that building. I am that must be considered. I extend an invitation to afraid that that is about as charitable as I can be to the Minister to accompany me or any one of the Government with regard to spending in my those truck drivers who go to that feedlot along electorate. that road. The truck drivers assure me—and I have no reason to doubt this when I travel in a Earlier tonight, the member for commercial vehicle or an ordinary family Cunningham, Tony Elliott, talked about the per sedan—that they have difficulty in traversing that capita spending on capital works in the Darling road at more than 15 kilometres an hour when Downs region. I believe that the State average is they are fully loaded because of the something along the lines of $1,045. On the corrugations, ruts and potholes on that road. Darling Downs, our per capita average is going to be about $600. I realise that other areas around It is a State Government road, but it hands the State require capital works spending, but I over responsibility for maintenance to the council can certainly think of many other areas on the by contributing funds. As soon as that road is Darling Downs which would and can benefit from graded, the problem returns the next day. The a significant injection of capital. I am talking about graders simply grade the dirt and gravel into the water resources, which I will mention shortly. potholes. When the trucks come along, that material spills out and the corrugations come Whilst talking about roads—I make a special back. Many families use that road to take their plea to the Minister. In my maiden speech about children to school or to access everyday services four and a half years ago, I mentioned a particular and health services in town. There is a growing road, which is commonly referred to as the need for that road to be fixed up. I appeal to the Texas-Yelarbon road. It services close to the Government to investigate ways and means largest feedlot in this country, which has 50 000 whereby we can fix that road sooner. head of cattle at any one time. I understand that this figure will be increasing to 70 000 and that, at Some time ago, the Stanthorpe Shire some time in the future, the feedlot will increase Council tried an experiment. I know that the to 100 000 head of cattle at any one time. That Transport Department was not overly impressed. feedlot will be turning over somewhere in the Within a few days, the council rolled a patch of vicinity of 300 000 head of cattle—a value-added road—about 5 kilometres— and put a bitumen commodity—each year. seal on that. Many Transport Department people were quite sceptical as to whether that would To do that, the feedlot requires over $20m hold up. It has held up. The Transport worth of grain and a significant injection in the Department is investigating that method further. cattle market to source those animals that need It is probably not going to cost as much as it to be taken there to be fattened up and sent off would to put roads down in Brisbane. It would to the Oakey abattoirs for export. Because that probably be about a quarter of the cost. 8 June 1994 8288 Legislative Assembly

Nevertheless, because of the importance to the Rosenthal Shire Council has 2 076 citizens. The economy, local service industries and the people Glengallan Shire Council has 3 862. The Allora in that area, I implore the Government to consider Shire Council has 2 314 residents, and the special one-off funding to upgrade that road. Inglewood Shire Council has 2 971. I welcome $8.1m for the Dalveen to the Mr Bennett: Amalgamate them. Summit bypass for this year. I understand that, Mr SPRINGBORG: That is exactly what is after this year, another $6m will be made happening by virtue of the honourable member's available. However, I ask members to keep in jackboot style of Government. mind that this road was first announced and planned in 1988. I think that, by 1996, it will be We are going to see three of those shires completed. It will certainly take out many of the disenfranchised from being able to get any of dangerous sections of that road on the Granite that money by virtue of the fact that the Belt. Government is going to amalgamate—the amalgamation process will have been achieved I also welcome $1.9m for the Warwick to by 25 June this year, when we have the election Inglewood road to ensure some further of the new council. Many of those people who upgrading on that road. I ask members to keep in are currently living in Allora, Glengallan and mind also that it has been many years since Rosenthal are disadvantaged rural people, just money was spent on many sections of this roads. the same as any other rural people right across We are reaching the stage at which they are Queensland. They have the same needs for starting to end their useful life. airconditioning of their halls and the updating of I would like to mention the much-vaunted infrastructure within their towns. $46m rural infrastructure package and the There will not be a magical pot of gold which counselling package which this Government is is going to fall in the lap of the new Warwick Shire trumpeting around rural Queensland as though it Council, which will consist of 18 876 citizens. will be the great saviour for rural Queensland. They will have to battle with their budget, and This is not unprecedented. The Government set they will have to deliver those services over a the precedent itself by coming in in 1989-90 and period. No area in this State has done it harder slashing many rural services—courthouses, DPI than the Darling Downs. I am sure that many staff and other facilities. What we are seeing from other members would be aware of that particular the Government is a small step in the right situation and the circumstances in the Lockyer direction. I believe that, in three years' time, we and in Townsville, which are the worst in the will have to come back and judge the success of State. this $46m infrastructure package and the package for assisting rural communities with On the Darling Downs, many small primary counselling and other services. producers have 300 or 400 acres. That is quite efficient when one has a good season or an As to how this is going to affect my average season—as with most seasons. electorate and many other areas around the Because of this strange drought— and I am place—this is going to come to light in the pleased that the honourable member for Fitzroy not-too-distant future. It really does bear some recognises these circumstances and knows that consideration from the Government. I refer to the we are not just crying wolf; we have a bad qualification criteria for accessing this money. It is situation with the drought—those people have a very serious issue. According to the been deprived. qualification criteria, which are laid down in this booklet—as I understand it, if a shire has a The citizens who live around Goomburra population of under 10 000, it is eligible to be have the same need for their hall to have able to access some of that $40m. I believe that airconditioning as do the citizens in Maryvale, $20m of that money will be spent in the next Yangan, Killarney and Allora. They have exactly financial year, with the other $20m being spent the same needs and requirements, which will not over the following two financial years. be met in the short term or the medium term by the new Warwick Shire Council. The same can be I wish to point out why I think this is not said for Stanthorpe, which has a progressive going to assist my constituents, who need it just shire council. However, some areas there would as much as any other constituents. For example, benefit from this. They are 79 citizens over the the Stanthorpe Shire has 10 079 citizens. The quota, as pointed out by the 1992 census. Warwick City Council has 10 624 citizens. The However, I believe Inglewood will be able to Legislative Assembly 8289 8 June 1994 qualify, and I wish them well in their ability to believe that is one of the best ways to overcome access those funds. Those towns with drought and many other problems which beset populations under 10 000 are unable to do that. those in business and in primary industry. We As the honourable member for Lockyer need the Government to not only carry on like pointed out in this House last night, there are this but also to go to their Federal colleagues for those who are fortunate enough to be able to help. They talk about income equalisation participate in the Better Cities Program, but many deposits. We need taxation advantages for people—the same applies to many people in providing water storage and fodder storage. This receipt of Rural Adjustment Scheme is something that I believe has gathered a great money—are precluded from access to deal of momentum in rural Queensland. assistance that they need. Certainly, it has been alluded to by some Federal members of Parliament. It may even have been I return to something about which the alluded to by the new Federal Minister for Primary honourable member for Fitzroy and others are Industries. It is one thing to talk about it; it is very concerned, and that is the issue of drought. another to actually do something about it. On many occasions in this House he has talked about drought, and I do not doubt his sincerity. A Prior to 1983, when the provision of 100 per lot of us are in a similar situation. We did have cent write-off for dams was abolished, dams were some rain in February or March that was our best being built all over the place. By virtue of that rain for about two or three years—four years, in program, a lot of people were able to secure their some cases— but we have had nothing since future. I would say that the Treasurer certainly then, so many of the benefits of that earlier rain has an obligation to take up with his Federal have been lost. Last week, in this place, the colleagues the reinstatement of the provision. Treasurer introduced his Budget. he said that That is one provision that would really help. this year the Budget's emphasis is shifting from Ministers should do all the planning they can and managing recovery from recession and drought then talk to their Federal colleagues about it. to building a new era of growth. The honourable They should not just window dress. member for Fitzroy tells Opposition members I think another suggestion that the that we are not aware of drought, but that the Treasurer should take up with his Federal Government is aware of it. However, the colleagues is that capital debt repayments for Honourable the Treasurer told us that we are out businesses and for primary producers should be of the drought. I am also informed that the made a tax deduction. We have the unfortunate, Honourable the Premier has been saying the ludicrous situation in this country in which we same thing. Nothing could be further from the encourage people to go into debt to be able to truth. I think that we need at least another year or obtain a tax advantage for their interest two, particularly in my part of the world, before we payments. That is ridiculous! It should be the can judge whether we can make any recovery case that capital repayment of debt has tax from the drought. I know that the honourable advantages. That would encourage people to member for Lockyer would concur with those get out of debt a lot quicker. That certainly has sentiments. Government members can mouth all not been done in latter years. the rhetoric in the world about being concerned I will touch on the subject of the Public about drought and being aware of drought, but Sector Management Commission. That bunch of the reality is that those statements were gurus sits up there and makes many extremely uncharitable. They were extremely ill recommendations. Some of them are good; thought out and they have certainly struck a many of them are bad, unfounded and do not negative reaction in many parts of my electorate. I take into consideration local circumstances. I do welcome the ongoing commitment in the refer to the recommendation to remove the Budget towards certain drought funding; district inspector of police from Warwick. That however, I think that any benefit that might position of district inspector of police has existed accrue from it has certainly been undermined by from the mid-1950s and the incumbent has the comments of the Treasurer when he provided a great service. The position provides introduced the Budget, and other comments in for local disciplinary action and the incumbent is the media. able to determine what are the policing needs I welcome the aspect of the Budget that within the Warwick district, which stretches from deals with planning for and management of Allora and Killarney right out to Talwood and up drought, for which $1.1m has been allocated. I to Clifton. I pay tribute to Police Commissioner 8 June 1994 8290 Legislative Assembly

Jim O'Sullivan, who as recently as last week gave Education, Police, Transport, and Primary us a commitment that that position will be Industries—to name just a few—the money is not retained. I thank the Police Commissioner for getting through. I do not know why it seems to that. Those gurus who sit and play with so- get bogged down. In many cases, the called public sector efficiency models are not the Government is putting money in one end and it is font of all knowledge, and in many cases are way not getting through to the people at the other off track. It is about time that we realised that. end who want it. The Government must lift its I make a plea that at some time in the future game; it is as simple as that. the Stanthorpe Police Station be made a 24- There are positives and negatives in this hour station. The shire has a population of Budget. On the microeconomic side, there are 10 079 citizens and is not far from a major border some nice things. That is fine. I guess crossing. Because of the number of itinerant teachers—particularly primary school people around the town, there is a drug problem. teachers—are pleased with the introduction of The police have achieved a marvellous clean-up non-contact time. The continuing funding for rate. Recently, when there was nobody at the programs such as Computers in Schools, breast station, because it is not a 24-hour station, cancer screening, and recycling is always somebody broke in and knocked off their pistols. welcome. The rural community package is one That is ridiculous! If something is not safe in a that I would like to mention. Although some of its police station, where is it safe? That community is provisions are fine—and I am sure they will be now big enough to demand a 24-hour police appreciated by people out there—once we look station. closely at this package we find that a lot of the I hope that as a result of this Budget we will initiatives in there have been recycled. Quite see more money to replace school playground frankly, all one has to do is look at what areas equipment which under the provisions of the have been funded in the past, multiply it by Workplace Health and Safety Act has had to be three, come up with $40m-odd, and there is the removed. There are many schools in my area, package. such as Wallangarra, which are socio- An Opposition member interjected. economically disadvantaged and do not have the Mr HOBBS: That is correct. There is not a funds to replace that school equipment. They lot of money at all. A examination of the Rural might have one safe piece of equipment. The Living Infrastructure Package reveals kids are fighting because they have nothing else expenditure of something like $35m. That to do. If the Government is going to make includes the existing showground subsidy and regulations which require the removal of the the existing water and sewerage assistance equipment, it should for goodness' sake provide schemes that have been available for a while. the money to help P & Cs buy safe equipment. I They have always been there. hope that money has been provided in this Budget. Mr De Lacy: No, no! Mr Bredhauer: We are doing that. Mr HOBBS: The Treasurer knows that as well as I do. In relation to the Rural Families Mr SPRINGBORG: I will take that Support Package, the documents refer to interjection. I hope it does happen because it financial aid, rural counsellors and rural certainly did not happen last year. adjustment advisers. They were there in the Time expired. past. The Treasurer introduced them last year Mr HOBBS (Warrego) (1.37 a.m.): I am and they are being continually funded. pleased to speak in this Budget debate. It is a Mr De Lacy: Did I tell you that there is a net pity about the time. It is important to make a few increase of $23m to local authorities in this points that I believe are relevant to my electorate Budget in that whole range of subsidy schemes? and to the Lands portfolio. I guess that overall we Mr HOBBS: Is the Treasurer referring to have seen a typical Queensland Labor this rural package? He refers to $23m. It will be Budget—spending is up, bureaucracy is up, the interesting to have a look at that. For a start, let us cost to taxpayers is up, and service delivery is consider the south-west strategy. Although down. What always beats me is why the there is additional funding, the strategy was Government cannot improve its service delivery already in place. right through to the sharp end of its departments. In the Departments of Health, Legislative Assembly 8291 8 June 1994

Mr De Lacy: I am talking about $23m over In this last Budget, nearly $7.1m is involved last year. in native title matters, such as hearings. As well, ¥Mark $2.6m has been allocated to the SEQ 2001 regional open space system. Although that may Mr HOBBS: The Treasurer has be of some benefit, we will see as we go along. announced it as a $40m-odd package, so at least That certainly does come off the Budget. So we we have it back to half. are looking at almost $10m that will be taken off Mr De Lacy: You count all of those things the Lands budget before we even start. For that go to local authority infrastructure—it is some time we have been hearing about the $69m this year. It was $46m last year. debacle of the Titles Office. For a long time, the Mr HOBBS: I will be very surprised. I will Rural Lands Protection Board has been have a look through those figures. The underfunded. I believe that a lot more money has interesting part is that we have to go through and to be provided in that area. scrutinise very carefully where all the money is Mr De Lacy: You don't recognise that we coming from. There definitely are schemes that met their estimates this year. What they asked for were funded in the past. Quite frankly, it is a little we gave them. bit like the old rural car. The Government gives us Mr HOBBS: I say to the Minister that the a couple of new seats, and maybe some nice Rural Lands Protection Board has been new mirrors and a Tom Burns bonnet emblem, underfunded for—— but we still have the worn-out motor, the worn-out tyres and we still have to buy fuel, Mr De LACY: I gave him everything he which is one-third more than the average price, asked for. You would think that you would to put into it. So we are not really receiving a recognise that but, no, you never recognise great deal of benefit, although it would be nice to anything. have some of those things. Mr HOBBS: The Treasurer has been As for the bigger picture—this Budget is underfunding that board for a long time. In the certainly not in the best long-term interests of past, the board has made applications for Queenslanders. Many Opposition members funding. Whether the Treasurer gave the person have spoken about that today and tonight. I will involved what he asked for, or whether he had to not go into detail, but I certainly endorse what prune back what he wanted, for whatever they had to say. I believe that the Budget is reason, I do not know. The simple fact of the based on lies, on mirror tricks, on capital works matter is that, last year, people who were that have been announced several times and on undertaking a study overseas of the biological electricity costs that have been reduced, which is control of insects and weeds were brought home fine, but they were increased only a few months because the board had no money. They had to prior. stop work even on the barrier fence because they did not have the money. Roadworks in the western areas of the State have been cut back. I do not know whether any Mr De Lacy: All I expect you to do is shires, certainly in my electorate, will have a whinge and whine. That's all you ever do. capital works scheme this coming year. So there Mr HOBBS: I am sorry, but I did not hear are certainly some concerns there. the Treasurer. In relation to the Lands budget—again, all Mr De LACY: You are a whinger and a the service charges have been increased. whiner. I do not expect you to appreciate Revenue is up and, of course, the service anything. I expect you to whinge, and you never delivery is down. Since this Government came to let me down. power, land rentals have increased from $13.9m Mr HOBBS: And I am going to keep on to $23.3m, which is an increase of 40 per whingeing until the Government recognises cent—$9.4m. Freehold land title charges in exactly what it is doing to rural Queensland. relation to searches will increase from $74.8m to $83.8m, which is an increase of $9m. Land I refer to Tom Burns' package. Neil Turner information sales will increase from $12.6m to described him pretty well a while ago. The $13.7m, which is an increase of $1m. So the Treasurer probably even wrote the article I have charges to the public are going up and the in my hand. No, Tom Burns and Wayne Goss service delivery is going down. wrote it. It states that in this policy package the Government has considered a special 8 June 1994 8292 Legislative Assembly contribution to the rural communities' of way he can beat it is to overstate it a little bit more Queensland economic and social wellbeing, and the next time around, and then overstate it again. that the rural sector provides 34 per cent of our In the end, he is making extraordinary claims that State's overseas exports and contributes 40 per bear no relation to reality at all—certainly, no cent of the Gross State Product. How much do relation to this Budget. The whole of we get back? A handful of silver. That is all we get Queensland just shakes their heads, nods back. The Treasurer knows as well as I do that the benignly and lets him go. people who were sent overseas to undertake So the world moves on and the National that biological research have been brought back. Party and the Liberal Party are not part of it any They were brought back because the Treasurer more. Going on the performance that we have would not provide the funding for them. The seen over the last few years, Opposition Treasurer is an absolute disgrace! He is the worst members are destined to remain on the Treasurer in the country. He is a Treasurer who Opposition side of the Chamber forever. They does his figures with mirrors. We all know what is are not getting better, they are getting worse. No going to happen. All we have to do is look at the wonder the National Party has leadership figures. problems. It is not just a leadership problem, I believe that this Budget will be another nail everybody knows that; it is this incestuous, in the coffin of this Labor Government, and inward way they carry on. When one compares particularly the Treasurer of this State. the comments about the Government's Budget Hon. K. E. De LACY (Cairns— made by Opposition members with all the Treasurer) (1.46 a.m.), in reply: I will be as brief as comments made by independent people, all of a I can. I would like to thank everybody for their sudden the Opposition is not relevant to contributions. I know some people keep coming anybody in Queensland at all. I know that I back for repeat performances. I am going to say mentioned this matter this morning, but the what I said last year because everybody on the independent financial house Fay, Richwhite Opposition side said exactly what they said last Securities Limited stated— year. "The latest Queensland Budget I am bitterly disappointed at the reinforces the State's long running record of contributions from members of the Opposition. outstanding financial management The Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of performance." the Liberal Party said those same tired old lines. Are Opposition members listening to this? They started on that line that Labor is sending Fay, Richwhite Securities Limited stated Queensland broke, that it is sending further— Queensland down the John Cain track. Do "Queensland has set a range of very Opposition members live in another world? Are high performance benchmarks for the other they talking about the same Budget that States to try to emulate in terms of Government members are talking about? Are establishing sustainable net financing they talking about the same Budget that the surpluses, eliminating net debt, fully business community in Queensland is looking at, funding public sector superannuation that all of the economic commentators are liabilities, defining the appropriate use of looking at, and that all of the independent borrowings, funding essential infrastructure people in Australia are looking at? Which Budget and creating an economic environment are Opposition members talking about? friendly to strong and sustainable private The trouble with Opposition members is that sector activity at both the household and they lock themselves away. They talk only to business levels." each other. They reinforce all of the nonsense They go on to say that the AAA credit rating that goes on in their heads, and the rest of the that Opposition members seem to ignore is not world passes them by. They become just an ordinary AAA credit rating, it is one of the increasingly irrelevant. The Leader of the strongest AAA credit ratings in the world or, as Opposition, the prince of hyperbole, became the QTC says, AAA with a star. That is caught up in those oily one-liners for which he is Queensland. famous. Everybody in Queensland recognises him for that. He is full of hyperbole. However, Members opposite must be living in another when he gets into this hyperbole game, he has a world. They talk about the financial mess in which good line; he has an overstatement. The only we will leave them. We get accused of being a Legislative Assembly 8293 8 June 1994 big-spending Government. I will always plead In terms of meeting our social needs—I think guilty to big spending. But if by that members everybody understands how we have achieved opposite are implying that we are leading that in this Budget. Generally, that has been Queensland into debt, they are dead wrong. acknowledged on the other side of the House. It Every year they say it, and every year they are a has certainly been acknowledged on this side of little more wrong than they were the year before. the House, and I thank Government members for Their only other recourse is to say, "But you that. There were two areas that we did single out inherited it." They say, "You are going to go bad. for special assistance, one of which was the rural It might take five years. You have brought down sector. One would think that those people who only five Budgets. Remember that after five used to represent the rural sector would have Budgets John Cain was still travelling all right." said, "Thank you. You are doing something for This is the new line that they have this year. I can the rural sector." But, no, we heard member for see them in 10 or 20 years' time still saying, Warrego whingeing, whining and criticising. That "You're going to go bad one day." They will still is how that community sees the Opposition—a be sitting on the Opposition benches because mob of whingers and whiners. they have lost contact with reality. Opposition members interjected. Members opposite accuse us of big Mr De LACY: Members opposite are spending. Yet, one after the other, they stand up getting upset because when they go out into the and tell us how to spend more money. If we met rural communities, no-one will criticise the Goss all of the spending demands that we have heard Government. They recognise that we are doing tonight and yesterday, we really would be a big- for them, they never did. We do not talk about it; spending Government. I will talk about our big we act. spending. We have increased outlays by 5.1 per cent. That may well be big spending. But if we The other communities that we have looked take inflation off that figure—3 per cent in the after particularly in this Budget are the Aboriginal context of 5.4 per economic growth—I am not communities. We have dedicated a lot of sure that it is big spending. As I said, there is a additional money to making Aboriginal big demand in Queensland to provide services, communities in Queensland much more livable. infrastructure and so on, so we will continue to We have a plan to bring their standards up to spend, but not at the expense of our underlying standards which would be deemed acceptable in financial position. We will be net debt free at the the last decade of the twentieth century. Those end of this next financial year. We will have zero two areas have received special attention. But all net debt. The rest of Australia has $70 billion of the other social areas—education, health, law worth of net debt. That is how we are leading and order, welfare—have been well treated in Queensland into chaos! this Budget. The Opposition's explanation of the net Capital works has been an area that has debt position is that we are moving it off the generated a bit of comment. I take on board that balance sheet. It sounds good and rolls off the criticism. The Leader of the Opposition said, tongue. In talking about net debt—that is an "Yes, they have this Rural Living Infrastructure Australian Bureau of Statistics measure, not our Program, but I cannot find the old Capital Works measure. We compare apples with apples in Subsidy Scheme anywhere in the Budget." I Australia these days. When we are talking about assure him that it is in the Budget; he just does net debt, we are not talking about the Budget not know how to read Budget papers, and never sector; we are talking about the whole of the did. For the benefit of honourable members State Government sector. So it includes not just opposite, I point out that this year we are the Budget sector but all of the public trading spending by way of capital subsidy assistance to enterprises. It includes all of the debt that is in local authorities, including RLIP, $69.391m. Last the Electricity Commission, railways, ports and so year we spent $46.247m. on. If we were talking only about the Budget As to additional funding—the Rural sector, I could stand here today and say, "We Community Water Supply and Sewerage have a surplus of $3.7 billion." So nothing has Scheme was $2m last year; this year it is $10m. been moved off the balance sheet; everything is The Communities Amenities Scheme receives a included—that is, the whole of the State new $10m allocation this year. There is a new Government sector. Let me put that one to rest. $2.5m allocation for ATSI communities. The other areas are relatively unchanged. The normal 8 June 1994 8294 Legislative Assembly water supply and sewerage schemes and State, we have to put in equity. If it will service the miscellaneous subsidies that Mr Borbidge could debt, then we are prepared to borrow. That is not find have increased from $19m to $21m, and what we mean by economic infrastructure. If we road funding subsidies remain at $25m. are not certain, there has to be equity. So it is all The Leader of the Opposition also said, about maintaining the integrity of our financial "You talk about $3.4 billion, but you never spend management principles. it. Last year you didn't spend it." Everybody understands this concept. Since We did not, but we did spend $3.2 billion. In the the Budget was brought down, I have made 10 last Budget that the National Party brought speeches to business communities and other down, it was just $2 billion. Then the Leader of groups. At lunch time today I spoke to 300 the Opposition said, "Yes, but it is a shonky business people from the Chamber of figure because you have got home lending in it." Commerce and Industry. I explained QIFF to We do indeed, but it has been traditional to them. There was not a single question. include home lending in the total capital works Everybody said that it was a great idea. There are budget. Only $200m of that $3.4 billion is only 35 people in Queensland who cannot available for home lending. In 1988-89, the understand that concept. That is because they former Government's Budget was a total of $2 do not want to understand it and because they billion, but $380m of that was for home lending. are not capable of understanding it. So if we are shonky, the Opposition was twice as I would have thought that even the shonky! Opposition would have applauded a QIFF has excited the Opposition terribly. I Government that was prepared to harness the do not know whether members opposite are financial strength of Queensland to meet the incapable of understanding concepts like that or infrastructure needs of this State. That is what we whether they deliberately misunderstand them. I are doing, and we will continue to do it, but we have never seen such a miserable attempt at will not violate any of our financial management grasping something that I suppose is a bit principles, and we will maintain that zero net debt complex. If one is in Opposition and one does position in Queensland. The rest of Australia has not want to grasp that concept, it would be $70 billion worth of debt. difficult. But, in simple terms, it is a way of The member for Southport referred to harnessing Queensland's powerful financial tourism. He said that this Government did not position, harnessing that financial strength, and mention tourism and that it is not doing anything using it to provide infrastructure for a dynamic for tourism. An amount of $32m has been economy and a rapidly growing population. allocated from the Budget for the QTTC to Members opposite say that QIFF is another promote tourism; $170m has been allocated for VEDC—Victorian Economic Development the South Bank Convention and Exhibition Corporation—and that we are going down the Centre; and $36m has been allocated for the John Cain track. The VEDC was a venture capital Cairns Convention Centre. How much money fund where the Government was picking winners does the honourable member want us to inject in the private sector—for example, emu egg into tourism in any one year? The Opposition farms. QIFF is about core Government spokesman for Tourism cannot even recognise responsibility, that is, providing infrastructure the contribution that this Government is making such as roads, bridges, gas pipelines, ports and to the tourism industry in Queensland. railway lines. It is about absolutely fundamental, I think I may have answered this question, basic Government responsibilities. In this State, but some members asked about the payroll tax these things used to be funded by debt. rebate for 15 to 19 year olds who have been When I spoke about marginal economic unemployed for 12 months or more. That rebate infrastructure, I was referring to economic is still in place. infrastructure. When we talk about economic In conclusion, I thank all members for—— infrastructure, we mean that it will generate an Mr Hobbs: What about Q Invest? income stream that will service the debt. If it becomes marginal, it means that we are not sure Mr De LACY: I will not get on to that. The that it can generate enough income to service member should ask me a question tomorrow, the full debt. If that is the case, because of the and I will tell him all about it. I thank all members disciplined way that we treat borrowings in this for their contributions. I really believe that everybody on the Government side of the Legislative Assembly 8295 8 June 1994

Chamber understands the Budget. They know promote the festival. For those members who do that they are living in the best State in Australia. not know, Dr King was responsible for the They know that they are living in the State that is bicentennial event of the Tall Ships of 1788- the best managed in Australia. As to the people 1988 in Sydney. At present, Dr King is working on the other side of the Chamber—I really do not very hard with the Winton Shire Council to gain know where they are living. corporate sponsorship for the festival. I am Motion agreed to. confident that Dr King will make the festival an event of which all Queenslanders and all Australians will be very proud. Reference to Estimates Committees As members well know, Winton is located on Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): the famous Matilda Highway. That highway starts Order! Honourable members, in accordance with at the New South Wales border at Barringun, the Sessional Orders adopted by the House on which is in the electorate of my colleague the 28 April, the Appropriation (Parliament) Bill and member for Warrego, comes through the Appropriation Bill are referred to the Cunnamulla right up to Cloncurry and finishes in Estimates committees for consideration and the gulf in the electorate of the honourable report by 23 June. member for Mount Isa. Speaking of the Matilda Highway reminds me of Blackall, which is the home of the famous wool scour and a town of ADJOURNMENT great importance and significance to Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH central-western Queensland; of Barcaldine, (Chatsworth—Leader of the House) (2.03 a.m.): I which is home of the Workers' Heritage Centre; move— and of Longreach, the home of the Australian "That the House do now adjourn." Stockman's Hall of Fame and soon to be the location of one of biggest rose gardens in the southern hemisphere. Waltzing Matilda Centenary Festival; Outback Tourism Another initiative of this Government is the exciting western racing calendar scheduled for Mr JOHNSON (Gregory) (2.03 a.m.): 1995. The Minister has ensured that $100,000 Tonight, I rise to speak on an issue that I believe in prize money will be awarded through those is very exciting for the whole of Queensland and events. The racing carnival will culminate at the for Australia as a nation. On 6 April 1995, the big meeting in Winton in April next year. The town of Winton in north-western Queensland will racing centres of Blackall, Barcaldine, Longreach be celebrating the centenary of Waltzing Matilda. and Winton will all be beneficiaries of that Winton is very proud of that achievement. As carnival. members may or may not be aware, Waltzing Matilda was written in Winton by A. B. I believe it is important to recognise the Paterson—Banjo Paterson—100 years ago next significance of the events to which I have year at the North Gregory Hotel. referred. They are about the promotion of tourism in western Queensland. I can assure the Mr Campbell: It will be very successful. House that tourism in that part of the world is alive Mr JOHNSON: I am sure that it will be. I and well. I urge all members to support western thank the honourable member for Bundaberg. tourism. I am pleased that my colleague the I thank the Government for its contribution member for Warrego is in the Chamber this of $250,000 towards the Waltzing Matilda evening, because he is part of the effort to Centenary Festival and the permanent theatre promote tourism in outback Queensland. that will be set up as part of it. That will be a replica Tourism will play a role in the economic future of of the old Dagworth homestead, where Waltzing the south west and central west of this State and Matilda was written 100 years ago. This will be a also in the electorate of the honourable member very exciting festival. I urge every member to for Mount Isa. Such tourism will preserve a part of spread the news about what is occurring in our heritage of which we are all fiercely proud. Winton in 1995. In the next couple of weeks in Longreach, I congratulate the initiative of the Winton the Diamond Shears will be contested. That is Shire Council, because it has taken on board the the gala event of shearing in Australia. I know that services of Dr Jonathan King to coordinate and some members will be attending that event. I urge all members to promote these events, 8 June 1994 8296 Legislative Assembly especially the Waltzing Matilda Centenary continued. The process, he said, took Festival, to be held in Winton in April next year. about 45 minutes. That will be one hell of a week. The doctor's criticisms are not confined Time expired. to the lack of operating facilities. He also fired a broadside at what he Health Facilities, Wide described as the 'deplorable state' of the Bay/Maryborough Region labour ward, nursery and in-patient facilities." Mr DOLLIN (Maryborough) (2.08 a.m.): It is with pleasure that I rise to speak in the The doctor said that after the operating theatre Adjournment debate. I take this opportunity to was closed down on 26 September 1988, it was inform honourable members of the very positive also inspected by a Health Department engineer. advances achieved in the regional health He had suggested that the entire hospital be services in Wide Bay and in particular in closed, fixed and then reopened. The hospital Maryborough and district, and of the further responded by keeping the theatre closed, but it benefits that will be delivered by the massive did not do anything to the rest of the hospital, injection of a further $60m from this year's and that is the way it remained. Budget. I have no doubt that that will place our What did the National Party think and do region in the forefront of medical services in about that? A newspaper article in my provincial Queensland. This comes on top of possession carries the heading, "MLA Gives some $30m already expended in the region in Hospital All Clear". Mr Alison is quoted in that the upgrading and modernising of equipment article. He was the member for Maryborough at over the past four years. This was made that time. The article states— necessary by the sad neglect in the area of "Mr Alison said after his visit that the health over a period of 30 years by previous Lady Musgrave was the safest place in Wide Governments. Bay for a mother to have a baby. To cite an example, I want to quote from the 'Lady Musgrave may not be trendy, but Maryborough Chronicle dated December 1989. it's functional,' he said." It carried the headline, "Hospital belongs to 1950, says doctor", and it stated— That was what I inherited in Maryborough, and that was pretty standard of the hospital facilities "Conditions at Maryborough's Lady that existed under the National Party Musgrave Maternity Hospital are so grave Government. This dangerous situation was fixed and facilities so inadequate that patients' by the Goss Labor Government by building a lives are at risk, according to a city state-of-the-art, brand new maternity unit at the obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr Paul cost of $2m, and a further investment of $5m Stokes. upgrading the Maryborough Base Hospital in The doctor's concern was serious general. Now, out of this Budget comes an enough for him to withdraw his services until additional $60m to this region. This includes a the situation improved and emergency $4.7m regional laundry at Maryborough. operating facilities were made available. Maryborough won the facility because it was the The doctor . . . said he had been an most economic, central and logical position to obstetrician and gynaecologist for 15 years operate from, in spite of the combined efforts of but had never before seen the kind of the shadow Minister for Health, Mike Horan, and conditions that exist at the Lady Musgrave. the Federal Minister for Hinkler, Paul Neville, who spoke out strongly against Maryborough laundry 'It is dirty, derelict and belongs being situated at Maryborough, and the Federal somewhere back in the 1950s. It has no member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss, who did not place in modern obstetric care.' disagree with them. The doctor said that in his view there For some reason, the Nationals appeared to was no question that someone was going to have a set on Maryborough. I think they are die or a baby would be born seriously ill if the jealous of our progress. When the 130 new bed present arrangement of transferring hospital is completed at Hervey Bay and the emergency patients by ambulance to the $18m upgrading in Bundaberg is completed and Base Hospital's main operating theatre these three major units are complementing each Legislative Assembly 8297 8 June 1994 other, the health services of the Wide Bay region shrink and there will not be the present will be the envy of the State. Mike Horan did not opportunities for private funds. want a hospital built at Hervey Bay, either. He Past Labor Governments in the southern stated that it was only a few minutes' drive from States had a woeful record of handling Maryborough. Hervey Bay citizens should count Government-owned financial institutions. It must their blessings that Bill Nunn won the last be remembered that Queensland is the only election at Hervey Bay, not Tony Nioa, or they State that has a fully funded public service would never have got a new hospital under the superannuation fund. Q Invest has the potential Nationals. That gives honourable members some of going the same way as other State-owned idea of what sort of standards the Nationals had financial institutions such as Beneficial Finance, in health. Honourable members heard them here Tricontinental, the State Bank of South Australia, tonight. I have heard plenty of them saying how the State Bank of Victoria, etc, etc. bad it is now. It was an absolute shocking state of affairs. At Waroonga Hospital Nursing Home it In its newsletter, the Queensland was alleged that old women were being flogged Superannuation Office has stated that this fund with wet towels. The PWD ward that housed will not have a Queensland Government disabled children was an absolute disgrace. A guarantee. This means it will face similar risks to 19-year old footballer walked in there, had one private funds, yet there will be an expectation by look and fainted to the floor. investors that the Government will bail it out. Q Invest will not have a Government guarantee Time expired. and any potential liabilities will not be shown up in the Budget papers. It will also not face the full Q Invest scrutiny of the Parliament nor have the same level of accountability as Government Mr CONNOR (Nerang) (2.13 a.m.): The departments. Queensland Budget announced the 7 June start of a new Government-owned superannuation Late last year, following the crushing company to be known as Q Invest. The unlisted electoral defeat of the South Australian Labor public company will be a joint venture between Party and the financial collapse of the State Bank the Queensland Treasury and the Queensland of South Australia, the Queensland Premier, Superannuation Office and will offer rollover and Wayne Goss, initiated the debate for the sale of allocated pensions and other post retirement Suncorp. To back up his position regarding products to retiring public servants. The fund will Suncorp, Mr Goss released a hitherto be administered by the Queensland confidential section of the Braddy report, which Superannuation Office and the funds will be stated— managed by the Queensland Investment "There are two main reasons why Corporation. Governments might seek to own financial Q Invest will have the marketing advantage institutions . . . to overcome market of having an existing captive market of the imperfections . . . in meeting social and/or Queensland Public Service. Q Invest will have a redistributive goals." huge marketing advantage by having access in The decision to establish Q Invest fails both tests advance to retiring public servants. It will determined by the Braddy report. It had the effectively have a head start on all the private following to say about Government-owned funds in attracting their business. Q Invest will financial institutions— also have the potential of having its "It would be necessary not only to administration cross-subsidised by compulsory identify a monopoly situation but also to public service superannuation. The size of the establish that competition could not be potential market of retiring Queensland public provided by the private sector". servants is such that Q Invest is likely to be handling billions of dollars of funds within a very It continued— short period. Because of Q Invest's captive "In the absence of concrete evidence market and its other administrative advantages, it of market failure, there can be no will take a very large slab of the post retirement justification for the continuing subsidisation market. This will have the effect of distorting the of a financial intermediary from the public existing market. The private marketplace will purse". It continue further— 8 June 1994 8298 Legislative Assembly

"A widespread concern among private with PNG, our nearest neighbour to the north. sector institutions is that Government When the Premier visited PNG in August 1991, I ownership of a competitor confers special was astounded to learn that he was the first advantages and status not available to the Queensland Premier to visit that country since private sector". Sir Samuel Griffith 100 years ago. Premier Goss It continued— visited PNG again in April this year. In the past 12 months, six Queensland Ministers have visited "More importantly, by tying up various centres in PNG developing cooperation resources and claiming a share of the between our Governments and the business market, their presence may make it more and education sectors. difficult for private institutions to achieve these (economies of scale) levels". Queensland has played host to the PNG Prime Minister, Paias Wingti, twice this year, It stated further— along with his Ministers and members of the PNG "They can be a source of business community. A firm foundation now embarrassment and damage to the exists for a mutually beneficial relationship to Government." continue to develop both at a Government-to- The Premier has allowed a public debate Government level and within the world of regarding the sale and possible floating on the business and education. Cairns has particularly stock market of Suncorp to ensue. The strong links with PNG, Port Moresby being closer Treasurer, Keith de Lacy, played the devil's to Cairns than is Brisbane. We have a sister city advocate. This year's Budget quite clearly shows relationship with Lae and an important economic, the total hypocrisy of this Government and its cultural and sporting relationship which has been total disregard for consistency in its policy acknowledged by the establishment of a full framework. Mr Goss has argued that he would consulate in Cairns. not set up Suncorp if he had the time over again, To strengthen those ties, I visited PNG last yet he intends to set up Q Invest. year with my parliamentary colleagues, Laurel Q Invest has the potential of being as bad Power, Lorraine Bird, Merri Rose and Margaret as, if not worse than, a Government-owned Woodgate where we met with members of the building society and/or insurance company. I National Council of Women and Women in remind Mr Goss that Queensland is the only Politics groups in Port Moresby and local State in which his Labor colleagues have not lost women's organisations at Weiwak and Manus the public service's superannuation funds. Island. Q Invest is far different from Q Super or Gosuper The main focus of our visit was to or any other existing Government understand the role of women in PNG's political superannuation scheme. Q Invest competes system and the barriers that prevent them from directly with the private funds in the marketplace. participating more fully in the political life of their It has a similar potential, as do all other Labor- nation. We also wanted to gain an insight into the controlled financial institutions, to go broke. health, education and economic issues being Guess where the money will come from if tackled by women at the grassroots level. At Q Invest goes down the gurgler? Honourable present, there are no women in the national members can guarantee that the Government will Parliament and we shared our own experiences grab the Queensland public service as women parliamentarians and discussed superannuation funds to prop up Q Invest if it strategies to remedy the situation in PNG. We fails. The Braddy report says it all in its summary— met many inspiring, talented and committed women, some of whom, like Dame Josephine "In the current deregulated Abaijah and Nahau Rooney, have been environment, it is not possible to build a members of Parliament in the past and others case to support the extent of the who have been or want to be candidates for Government's current ownership of financial election at the national or provincial level. institutions." Women in PNG want their voice to be heard in the national Parliament and participate as PNG Women's Delegation to Cairns equals in the political process, and they want to Dr CLARK (Barron River) (2.18 a.m.): empower women and improve the level of Queensland is successfully forging closer ties Government services provided for women, particularly at the village level. It was with great Legislative Assembly 8299 8 June 1994 pleasure that I was able to return the hospitality making the visit such a memorable experience shown to us by the women of PNG and welcome for the PNG women, some of whom had never members of the Chuave District Council of before left their villages. Women from the Chimbu province who visited Finally, I would like to thank the women Cairns last week. At the request of the Australian themselves—Betty, Rope, Sussie, Margaret, High Commission, I organised a week-long Sarah, Cecilia and Roslyn. I thank them for their itinerary and accompanied the PNG delegation, friendship, so freely given, for the insight into who wanted to make contact with and learn from their lives in remote highland villages, and for organisations providing support services to sharing their hopes and fears for themselves and women and also establish markets for their their families. I am looking forward to visiting PNG handicrafts. again next year to renew friendships and further The delegation of seven women, two of strengthen the ties between PNG and whom brought their young children, was led by Queensland. Mrs Betty Suba, the vice-president of the National Council of Women and secretary to the Chuave Women's Association. Mrs Suba is Drought contesting a by-election for the Chuave Mr MITCHELL (Charters Towers) electorate next month, and is the only woman (2.23 a.m.): Tonight, I wish to remind members of amongst 21 candidates. She is a woman of the House—although I am sure that most ability, integrity and commitment who will, if members realise—that we are still in the grip of a elected, bring the concerns of the women of very serious drought problem in most rural areas PNG to the attention of the Parliament and serve of Queensland. The shires of Dalrymple, Peak her electorate well. I am sure that my Downs and Belyando—all situated or partly parliamentary colleagues will join me in wishing situated in the electorate of Charters her well at the forthcoming election. Towers—remain three of the worst affected I am pleased to report that as a result of their shires in our State. These shires have faced Cairns visit the Chuave women have found a drought lasting up to some 10 years, with very retail outlet for their billums and other handicrafts, little relief rain during this time. which will offer them greater opportunities for When we thought that drought relief rain economic independence. They have also taken had finally arrived earlier this year, our dreams home with them plans for a community resource were very short lived. The average rainfall was in centre modelled on the one to be constructed the vicinity of 150 millimetres to 200 millimetres by the Kowrowa Aboriginal Housing Coop near over a period of three weeks in late Kuranda, and they will be exploring means of February/early March. But alas, no back-up rain upgrading their small health clinic based on what has been forthcoming, leaving the canegrowers they saw at the Mookai Rose-Bi-Bayan centre in in the Belyando and Peak Downs shire another Cairns. They will be seeking support from the year without any crop yield, following on from the Chimbu provincial Government to access the last four years since their last crop harvests. primary health care workers course offered by Some three years ago, on my first visits to the Cairns TAFE college, which currently trains the Capella area in the Peak Downs Shire, it was Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health devastating to see the state of what was once workers. rich blacksoil farming lands and the state of the I would like to express my appreciation to houses, yards, parks, school grounds and ovals. the groups and individuals who helped to make They were just like blacksoil deserts, with a the PNG visit so successful. Thanks are due in crumbling, broken crust up to some 10 inches particular to Evelyn Scott, Ruth Wallace and deep. There was not a blade of grass, and the Adele Grogan of the Cairns and District cracks in the ground were at least two inches Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's wide. Honestly, one would have to have seen Corporation, who arranged visits to organisations this to really believe that that land could get so in Cairns, Yarrabah and Kuranda and who dry and desolate. Even the trees in the area were provided transport. Thanks are also due to Morea dying. After four years of complete water Anderson and her PNG Women's Club for restrictions the Peak Downs Shire Council—with making their PNG sisters so welcome. Consul some very intelligent foresight—built three extra Jacob Lemeki and the Cairns City Council, who dirt dams to enhance the water supply for hosted a civic reception, also played a role in gardens. 8 June 1994 8300 Legislative Assembly

The only relief rain for Capella was received and help to the drought-affected people of the in one tremendous downpour of some 200 Charters Towers electorate. The people are very millimetres over a 24-hour period. The outcome grateful for the work and hours that those two of this type of rain is to wash all the topsoil into workers have put in over the last 18 months. the streams and onto the roads in the area, leaving all the previously mentioned parks, gardens, etc., in a worse state than they were in Queensland Rail before. From such rains the only plus was that Mr ARDILL (Archerfield) (2.28 a.m.): When the dams had been filled from the run-off and I ran out of time in the Budget debate, I was Capella had at least a reasonably sound water enlarging on the role of Queensland Rail in supply. tourism in Queensland and its future. I would like The Peak Downs Shire and the people of to add a little more to that tonight. In view of the Capella must be admired for their spirit and speech made by the member for Gregory about determination. These people have really had to the centenary of Waltzing Matilda, I believe it is start from scratch, replacing tonnes of topsoil, relevant to look at the situation in western refurbishing garden beds and footpaths and Queensland. generally cleaning the whole township. The Queensland's rail service provides the residents now have the opportunity to take pride widest range of passenger services of any rail in their yards, schools, parks and streets, with network in Australia. The cutbacks in southern beautiful gardens and lawns now getting States have taken away most of the former established after the shire put a garden country passenger services. Queensland is the beautification program into place. I must only remaining State with a large network of congratulate them all for their guts, pride and 10 000 kilometres of rail. During my speech determination. earlier, I was talking about the Forsayth train and One of the most worrying problems which the fact that it needs to be coordinated into the has arisen from droughts in most of the tourism of the Gulf Savannah. Queensland Rail electorate, especially the Peak Downs and can provide tourist services which travel agents Belyando Shires, is the flourishing growth of seem to ignore. Queensland Rail itself has now parthenium weed. The Minister has partially got into the travel business. It has quite a large mentioned this from time to time, but very little establishment in Edward Street, and it does a has been achieved for the eradication of that great job in making bookings not just for rail but weed. I am very pleased to see the funding of for coach services and holiday packages all over $700,000 for the Rural Lands Protection Board Queensland. and a further $600,000 for the strategic and Mr Johnson: Good holiday packages, too. preventive weed project. It is very heartening to Mr ARDILL: That is right. They are doing property owners throughout central very well. The Spirit of the Outback is one of Queensland. those packages, and that is one of the things I do urge the Government to act very quickly that I wanted to talk about. with this funding to overcome the serious, David Hamill is on a winner with his proposals growing problem. It is now a proven fact that not for the tilt train. Hopefully the tenders for that will only does the parthenium weed have detrimental be let in the very near future. That will be the tilt effects on grazing lands and stock raising, it has a train which will travel from Brisbane to very serious side effect to humans. Over the last Rockhampton and return. In turn, that will release couple of months, many people have told me the present Spirit of Capricorn sets to enable that it does create very bad eye and skin better services on the local Brisbane interurban irritations and also brings on very bad asthma lines to Nambour and Gympie and down to the attacks in sufferers. This problem should be Gold Coast. Everyone will benefit from the looked at very seriously before it gets completely Transport Minister's proposals for a tilt train. out of hand. The most important aspect of the tilt train is I also welcome the targeting of the rural the future proposals for an extension of that into family package, which has definitely eased the a diesel tilt train, which will require quite a deal of personal difficulties of those people of the last research and development and eventually will two years. I wish to congratulate both Greg provide an export-earning business for the State McKillop at Charters Towers and Antoinette of Queensland. If we can develop the tilt train Porter at Moranbah for their untiring assistance Legislative Assembly 8301 8 June 1994 here, we will be able to sell that technology to It could go up one day and return the next. Three South East Asia in particular and to many other tilt trains would provide a daily service, which we parts of the world. A tilt train on the Sunlander have not got at the moment but which I am sure route would do the trip from Brisbane to Cairns would be totally utilised by passengers and by in about 21 hours. tourists. I think it is a great scheme and the Minister should certainly be praised. I am sorry to have to embarrass him by taking about him while he is here. If it left Brisbane at 8 o'clock one day, it would arrive in Cairns at 5 o'clock the next afternoon and leave the next morning to come back again. The Spirit of the Outback is also a marvellous trip. My wife will be going on it for the second time in the near future. She will be taking a couple of old Labor Party pioneers out to have a look at Barcaldine and Longreach. It provides another service which is not realised by many people—that is, the motor rail service. People can take their own cars out there on that train and use them on the Matilda Highway. Now there is a great future for tourism in central-western Queensland and throughout western Queensland. I am quite sure that the rail service will play a major part in that. It is a matter of travel agents accepting this and doing something about it. I believe that in the future we should also be looking at sprinters to provide a secondary range of servicing. Time expired. Motion agreed to. The House adjourned at 2.34 a.m. (Thursday).

V.R. Ward,Government Printer, Queensland