Legislative Assembly 12181 1 June 1995

THURSDAY, 1 JUNE 1995 There is another aspect to the matters raised by the Leader of the Opposition. One department has advised the Clerk of the Parliament that in future all requests for information from officers in the Parliamentary Mr SPEAKER (Hon. J. Fouras, Ashgrove) Library need to be directed through the read prayers and took the chair at 10 a.m. Cabinet legislation and liaison officer. The response to this correspondence has pointed out that while initial requests will be directed PRIVILEGE through the liaison officer, in many cases where detailed information or clarification of Independence of Parliamentary material is necessary or some time constraints Library exist, it may be more appropriate for direct Mr SPEAKER: Order! Yesterday the contact to be arranged between library staff Leader of the Opposition raised, as a matter and departmental officers. I understand from of privilege, the directive that all requests for the department that they have no problems information made by the Parliamentary Library with this arrangement. on behalf of members need to be directed I want to emphasise that these through the relevant Cabinet legislation and arrangements have no impact on the liaison officer. This was raised in relation to the independence of the Parliamentary Library or obtaining of information for use in the the services provided to members of Estimates committee process. My Parliament; rather, they relate to the manner understanding is that this issue actually arose in which a particular department chooses to because of a misconception by a ministerial provide an interface with this Parliament. It is a liaison officer that all requests from members matter of departmental administration which is needed to be directed through the relevant not controlled, nor should it be controlled, by Estimates committee chairperson. The Deputy this House. On this basis, I rule there is no Premier acknowledged the misunderstanding matter of privilege involved. at yesterday's Estimates committee hearing. The procedures agreed to last year are PETITIONS that all requests for research information for The Clerk announced the receipt of the members relating to the Estimates committees following petitions— and which require departmental contact are channelled through the library to the relevant research staff attached to each Estimates Preschools committee. These officers then contact the From Mr Healy (437 signatories) praying relevant Cabinet legislation and liaison officer that the State preschool system be allowed to and request the information. No details about continue and that any review will take into who the information is required for is provided account all parents' considerations, not only to the liaison officers. The research staff work those eligible for child care for relief subsidy. on a confidential basis and no details about the information sought is provided to another Subcontractors and Suppliers officer or other member of a committee. From Mr Laming (1 signatory) praying As honourable members will appreciate, that action be taken to (a) establish trust the Estimates process generates substantial accounts for all progress payments to be documentation, and because it is conducted administered by builders and owners jointly, in an extremely short time span, this single the subcontractors and suppliers being paid point of contact assists rather than hinders the out of said account before the balance is paid process and ensures that information is to the builder; and (b) if disputes arise, the provided quickly. The reason that the research project be stopped and all concerned attend officers connected with the Estimates an Arbitration Court to resolve the dispute. committees handle all requests for departmental information is to avoid the duplication of effort between the Parliamentary Byfield National Park Library and the committee secretariats and From Mr Lester (27 signatories) praying because the secretariats may already have that sandmining in Byfield National Park Stage the information on hand. I would emphasise 3 be disallowed and that Byfield National Park that this does not, in any way, restrict the flow be declared in its entirety. of information. Petitions received. 1 June 1995 12182 Legislative Assembly

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT in developing this agreement on behalf of the National Rail Link other States. Hon. W. K. GOSS (Logan—Premier Secondly, the National Competition Policy and Minister for Economic and Trade Agreement, known as Hilmer, was agreed to in Development) (10.06 a.m.), by leave: Canberra at a Council of Australian Queensland and national rail history will be Governments meeting in April this year and made today when a freight train leaves the involves a $600m revenue agreement with the Acacia Ridge rail yards for a journey all the States and Territories. Queensland also way to Perth. This is the first time in the played a leading role in negotiating this nation's history that such a journey has been significant national agreement. possible. It follows the completion of the last Thirdly, another achievement is the link between Melbourne and Adelaide of establishment of the National Grid Australia's first standard gauge line linking all Management Council, which creates a States. With the completion of this missing link national framework within which the linking up at a cost of $184m, a truly national rail network of the States' previously isolated electricity now joins Brisbane to Perth and Alice Springs grids has become possible; and fourthly, the via Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide—a total national Asian Languages Strategy, which was distance of 6,700 kilometres. pioneered in Queensland between 1989 and For Queensland freight the link will 1992 and was adopted nationally in 1994 at eliminate the need to change trains or to the Hobart meeting of the Council of transfer between road and rail at the Acacia Australian Governments. This national Ridge terminal. This will reduce turnaround program involves the Commonwealth, States time from two to three days down to just four and Territories in the introduction of to six hours. The completion of this historic link comprehensive Asian language education in also marks a milestone in Queensland's the primary and secondary schools of economic development. It brings us one step Australia. closer to becoming the export-import gateway The Queensland Government has taken to Asia, with the Port of Brisbane the closest a leading role in each of these national major Australian container port to the Asia- achievements and demonstrates our Pacific region. By October this year the commitment to working with the other standard gauge link to the port at Fisherman Governments of Australia to achieve Islands will be completed at a cost of $85m. significant reforms in the interests of This project, financed on a share basis of Queensland and of the nation. $30.2m through the Federal Government's One Nation project, $35m through Queensland Rail and $19m from the Port of INTRASTATE VISIT Brisbane Corporation, will greatly improve Report Queensland's capacity to do business. Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central) The completion of the standardised rail (10.10 a.m.): I table for the information of the link, which I will have the privilege of House a report of a parliamentary visit to inaugurating early this afternoon, has come Townsville and north Queensland between 14 about with the formation of the National Rail May 1995 and 18 May 95. Corporation Limited. This body was set up as a company following an agreement signed by the Heads of Government of the SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS Commonwealth, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia in July Mr SPEAKER: Order! Before the 1991. It is one of the major products of the commencement of question time, I would like spirit of cooperation that has been achieved to place on record that last night Queensland by all the Australian Governments and in completed a successful trifecta: the Sheffield which Queensland has played a leading role. Shield, the Rugby Union victory and the State of Origin. I believe that that should be on the There are other achievements of national record. It is a wonderful trifecta. significance flowing from this process and in which this State can take pride: firstly, the Australian National Training Authority was QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE agreed to in 1993. It is headquartered in Princess Alexandra Hospital; Dr B. Brisbane and is the national mechanism which Senewiratne coordinates spending by the Commonwealth, State and Territories on vocational education Mr BORBIDGE (10.11 a.m.): I refer the and training. Queensland took a leading role Premier to statements by patients of the PA Legislative Assembly 12183 1 June 1995

Hospital in support of Dr Brian Senewiratne's Alexandra for the money that you have sent evidence that the hospital is in crisis, including our way, especially to the Emergency evidence from a man who was given a blood- Department." covered towel and found cockroaches crawling Mr Hobbs interjected. over his face and body in his hospital bed, and from a woman who checked herself out of the Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the crowded and understaffed accident and member for Warrego under Standing Order emergency ward to be told by staff at another 123A. hospital that she had life-threatening clots on Mr W. K. GOSS: The Leader of the her lungs. I ask: when will the Premier accept Opposition cannot have it both ways. He that Dr Senewiratne is right and that he is cannot say that the doctor is credible one day wrong? What action does he intend to take in and not the next. The point is that there are regard to this latest evidence that he has problems in that hospital. totally mismanaged an extra billion dollars in Mr BORBIDGE: I rise to a point of spending in the public health system? order. At no time have I questioned the Mr W. K. GOSS: Action has already doctor's credibility. I find that offensive and ask been taken with the allocation of $5.5m to that it be withdrawn. completely redevelop the accident and Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point emergency section at Princess Alexandra of order. Both members will resume their Hospital. That is part of a very comprehensive seats. The Leader of the Opposition is program of hospital rebuilding, which this year entering into a debate. There is no point of will result in a record budget of $2.7 billion and order. I call the Premier. a dramatically improved performance in Queensland's health system under this Mr W. K. GOSS: In any hospital Government compared with the previous system that treats over half a million patients National Party Government. That is proved by every year—over 10,000 Queensland patients the fact that under this Government and this every week—there will always be some record Budget, an extra 3,000 patients every patients who get treatment with which they are week will be treated by the Queensland public not happy. hospital system, compared with the level of Mr Littleproud interjected. performance under the previous Government. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the All Governments will continue to struggle with member for Western Downs under Standing the situation in this State and—— Order 123A. Mr Elliott interjected. Mr W. K. GOSS: There will always be Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the the occasional case where a doctor, nurse, member for Cunningham under Standing administrator or manager makes a mistake or Order 123A. provides less than satisfactory service. It is an Mr W. K. GOSS: Governments right unfair slur on those doctors, nurses and around the country and in this State will managers to suggest that the truth is anything continue to struggle with the pressures that but that the great majority of those 500,000- come with an ageing and growing population. plus Queenslanders a year who are treated in But I am confident that we are well on the way our hospitals receive first-class treatment. If to redressing the underspending of the past the Leader of the Opposition is suggesting with record investment. In particular reference that our doctors, nurses and managers to the question asked by the Leader of the provide second-rate treatment to those half a Opposition—I say again that $5.5m will be million patients—— provided to redevelop the accident and Mr BORBIDGE: I rise to a point of emergency section of the PA Hospital. order. At no time was that suggested. I ask In relation to the particular doctor to whom that that comment be withdrawn. the Leader of the Opposition refers—I did not Mr SPEAKER: Order! Again, the see the news reports last night, but I have Leader of the Opposition is debating the point. been handed a transcript in which, during a There is no point of order. debate with the Health Minister on the 7.30 Mr BORBIDGE: Is it now acceptable in Report on ABC television, the doctor was this place for the Premier to tell me what I asked this question: "As you can see, we have have not said? been joined by the Health Minister, doctor. Is there a question you would like to ask him?" Mr W. K. GOSS: I am saying this, and The doctor said, "No question, except to tell let the Leader of the Opposition—— him that we are deeply grateful at Princess Honourable members interjected. 1 June 1995 12184 Legislative Assembly

Mr SPEAKER: Order! If honourable warning. He will ask his question or I will not members will stop interjecting, I might hear give him the call. what the Premier is saying. Mr BORBIDGE: I ask the Minister for Mr W. K. GOSS: Let the Leader of the Education for a "Yes" or "No" answer. Has he Opposition tell us what the position is, sought to blackmail the Senate of the because it is one or the other. Is he University of Queensland by declaring that its suggesting that the great majority of those access to extra university places is reliant on 500,000-plus Queenslanders receive first-class building a campus in the City of Ipswich? treatment from our doctors, nurses and Mr HAMILL: No. managers or is he saying that—— Mr Grice interjected. Queensland Economy Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member for Broadwater under Standing Order Mr LIVINGSTONE: I refer the 123A. Treasurer to recent surveys of business sentiment and business confidence in Mr W. K. GOSS: Is he saying that the Queensland, and I ask: can he advise the great majority of those 500,000 House how the surveys paint the Queensland Queenslanders receive second-rate service economy? from the doctors, nurses and managers in our hospitals? Mr Purcell: Great question! Mr BORBIDGE: I am happy to reply to Mr De LACY: It is a great question. All the Premier's question. of a sudden, the standard of questions has improved dramatically. Surveys on the Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of Queensland economy and a whole range of the Opposition will just ask the next question. issues are conducted continually. I note that Mr BORBIDGE: The Premier just asked the shadow Minister for Health made me a question, and I am happy to reply to it. reference to a survey on people's expectations Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of of the health system. Once such surveys are the Opposition will resume his seat. carried out, people tend to put their own slant on them—very often for their own political Mr Veivers interjected. reasons. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the I want to refer to a couple of surveys that member for Southport under Standing Order relate to business confidence in Queensland. 123A. Question time is not an occasion for The first one is the Queensland Pulse survey debate. The Leader of the Opposition has carried out by the QCCI. I noted that, during asked his question. Members can debate the the press conference at which the QCCI issue at another time. The Leader of the released that survey, a very negative slant was Opposition will ask his second question—not placed on the findings of the survey, and I answer one. wondered why the Queensland Chamber of Mr BORBIDGE: It is my turn to answer. Commerce and Industry would continually talk Mr SPEAKER: Order! No, it is not. down the Queensland economy. I looked at that survey and, from a Queensland point of Mr W. K. Goss interjected. view, it is not too bad. I think we all know that, Mr BORBIDGE: Bring on a debate, and over the last six to nine months, general we will have a debate about this matter. You business confidence in Australia has will not even do that, you great wimp! decreased. That has resulted largely from the economy coming off the boil, and it has certainly resulted from the increases in interest University of Queensland, Ipswich rates—both the real increases in interest rates Campus and the perceptions of a potential increase in Mr BORBIDGE: I direct a question to interest rates, very often generated by the Minister for Education. The Premier is members of the Opposition for political leaving the Chamber. Come back in! reasons. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of This survey related to the current business the Opposition will ask his question. environment in Australia and in Queensland. Mr BORBIDGE: The Premier has Of the Queensland respondents, 48 per cent walked out of question time. said that it was very good or good. In Australia, 1 per cent of the respondents said Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable that it was very good or good. With reference member will resume his seat. This is his last to the survey and the current investment Legislative Assembly 12185 1 June 1995 environment in Queensland and Australia, 41 whiteboard and to the prioritised list of projects per cent of Queensland respondents said it that I tabled in this House last week. was very good or good, compared with 15 per Honourable members interjected. cent of Australian respondents who said that it Mrs SHELDON: Just wait, members will was very good or good. If we can draw any hear more. I draw the Minister's attention to conclusion from that, it is simply that business the fact that Chatswood Hills State School, people in Queensland are very much more which had the lowest priority for funding, optimistic about the future and the general received $275,000, while Springwood Central climate than are business people in Australia State School, which had the second-highest in general. I think that is reflected in all priority for funding, received the smallest surveys. amount—just $5,000. I ask the Minister: is it The Morgan group carried out a survey on not true that the reason for this disparity was political perceptions in Queensland. That the fact that in 1992 Chatswood Hills State survey received a lot of press, and people School was the booth in Springwood that used it for their own purposes because it returned the highest primary vote for the Labor showed that the combined approval rating for Party while Springwood Central State School the Liberal and National Parties was as high was the booth that returned the highest as that for the Labor Party. Some people in primary vote for the Liberal and National the Opposition really started to believe that Parties? they could win the next election. So I had a look at the poll in some detail to see what it Ms ROBSON: I hardly need to justify said. I am sure that all members of the House that question with an answer. I have explained would be interested to know that in answer to this very carefully to this House. I am sorry that specific questions in the survey, 39 per cent of Mrs Sheldon does not understand—although I National Party supporters thought that Mr suspect that she does understand the truth of Borbidge would make the better Premier, while the matter. I am giving her the benefit of the 44 per cent of National Party supporters doubt because I cannot believe that she thought that Mr Goss would make the better keeps asking me these questions. Premier. But wait, there is more. The survey The reality is that I was distanced totally revealed that 26 per cent of the Liberal Party from this decision making. The parallels that supporters preferred Mr Borbidge, but 60 per the member manages to draw are absolutely cent of the Liberal Party supporters thought astounding. I repeat: I had nothing to do with that Mr Goss would make a better Premier the allocation of those funds. The than Mr Borbidge. Let us have a look at the independent process, which assessed those ALP supporters—95 per cent thought that Mr claims that were put in for funding, judged the Goss would make the better Premier. allocation on community benefit. It had However, what really is disturbing is that 2 per nothing to do with anything else. cent of the Labor Party supporters thought that Mr Borbidge would make the better Premier. We will get the member for Bulimba Police Numbers to chase those up. Mr BUDD: I refer the Treasurer to claims But wait, there is still more. Let us have a that police numbers and resourcing of police look at those people who support Mrs have not kept pace with community needs, Sheldon. Of the Liberal Party supporters, 58 and I ask: can he advise the House whether per cent said that Mr Goss would make the there were any independent assessments in better Premier; 29 per cent preferred Mrs this regard and whether the Treasury Sheldon. That is two to one—twice as many Department has undertaken any analysis of Liberal Party supporters would prefer Mr Goss. these figures? That is a bit worrying, too. Mr De LACY: There has been an I will conclude on this, because this is ongoing debate about resourcing for police, something else that the member for Bulimba and I asked my department to undertake an should chase up—of the ALP supporters, 3 analysis of both the Commonwealth Grants per cent of them preferred Mrs Sheldon. So Commission and the Australian Bureau of that is another job for the member for Statistics analyses of resourcing for police in Bulimba. Queensland and Australia. I will table it for the benefit of honourable members. Chatswood Hills and Springwood Mr Borbidge: For Labor Party political Central State Schools purposes. Mrs SHELDON: I refer the Minister for Mr De LACY: I heard that offensive Environment and Heritage to her tollway remark by the Leader of the Opposition. If he 1 June 1995 12186 Legislative Assembly is implying that Treasury is comprised of Labor January 1990 to July 1995 of the Goss Party political appointments, that certainly Government, the figure increased by 1,537 does him no credit. It certainly does him no officers. There have been three times as many credit and it does nobody in the Opposition additional operational police over five and a any credit. I think everybody in Australia half years of the Goss Government than under recognises that Queensland Treasury is the the last five and a half years of the former most competent and the most professional National Party Government. Treasury in Australia. Our results speak for themselves. The comments of the Leader of the Opposition do him no credit at all. Princess Alexandra Hospital Mr ELLIOTT: I rise to a point of order. I Mr HORAN: In directing a question to move— the Minister for Health, I refer to the desperate situation that existed in the Princess Alexandra "That the Treasurer, on the Hospital accident and emergency ward last completion of reading that document, Saturday evening and in particular to the fate table that document." of a female patient who was being treated by Mr SPEAKER: The Treasurer has a nurse in a corridor because of the already said that he will. overcrowded conditions, and I ask: is the Mr De LACY: I am very pleased to do Minister aware that security was so lacking that so, and I am pleased that the member has a male person entered the ward, was smoking asked me to do it. In fact, I will go one step in the area, and proceeded to physically further and give it to the media. Each year, in assault the nurse on two occasions while she the Commonwealth Grants Commission was attending a patient? When the nurse ran annual update, it undertakes an analysis of away crying, the man allegedly assaulted a resourcing of all of the service areas. In female patient who was lying there in pain respect of police, that analysis shows that in before being apprehended by a wardsman. In the four-year period from 1986 to 1990—the view of the overcrowded and understaffed last four years of the National Party conditions in the accident and emergency Government—per capita expenditure on police ward, what action will the Minister take to increased in Queensland by 27 per cent and ensure that security is tightened through either in Australia by 38 per cent. the provision of more wardsmen or private security personnel to ensure the safety of staff The latest Commonwealth Grants and patients in the hospital? Commission analysis figures show that, in the four years from 1990 to 1994, expenditure per Mr ELDER: The accident and capita on police increased by 36 per cent in emergency facility at the PA Hospital is a Queensland and 21 per cent in Australia. small, overcrowded facility. We are aware of There was then an analysis based on ABS that. That is no secret. Part of the decision to data using somewhat different definitions double the size of accident and emergency which showed that for the six years from 1984 was to meet the immediate need at the PA to 1990—the last six years of the National Hospital. That proposal has been accepted by Party—abstracting for inflation, expenditure the staff. I have been working with the staff to increased in real terms by minus $4m. meet their needs on the campus. I repeat to Members opposite were spending less on the House: time and time again, the police in real terms in 1990 than they were in honourable member opposite makes these 1984. Under the six years of the Goss same accusations. Government, spending has increased in real Mr HORAN: I rise to a point of order. I terms by $148m. take exception to that comment. This is based Mr Borbidge: This unit isn't used for upon information from the assault victim. political purposes! Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point Mr De LACY: No, these are analyses of order. The honourable member will resume carried out by Treasury. I am using the data his seat. for political purposes; I use the real figures. Mr ELDER: Time and time again, the Data from the Queensland Police Service, honourable member raises these same rather than from the ABS or the accusations in the House. The accusation that Commonwealth Grants Commission, shows he made yesterday was wrong, as was the that for the five and a half years from July accusation that he made the day before. Time 1984 to January 1990, operational police and time again, the honourable member numbers in Queensland increased by 479 raises allegations and I chase them down. officers. Under the five and a half years from That process takes up my time and that of Legislative Assembly 12187 1 June 1995 nurses, doctors and administrators. As the accommodate the road widening between the Health Minister, I am always prepared to work Bruce Highway and the Rothwell monument. to get to the bottom of the honourable All participants were made aware of the member's allegations, which I then refute 24 trees which might or would definitely have to hours later in this House. I will tell the go, and they all accepted that. I understand honourable member what the Government that the final design for the road calls for fewer has done at the PA Hospital. We have trees to be removed than was originally committed the dollars to rebuild accident and proposed. I wish to emphasise the degree of emergency. consultation throughout the process. It is Mr Horan interjected. important for honourable members to listen to Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the what I am saying. The Mango Hill Progress honourable member for Toowoomba South Association, which is a very active group, as under Standing Order 123A. the honourable member for Murrumba, Mr Wells, would know, wrote to the former Mr ELDER: We have made a $5.5m Minister for Transport, David Hamill, and commitment to double the size of its congratulated him on the way in which the emergency centre. The honourable member is department had conducted the consultation unhappy that we have received recognition for process. Part of that letter stated— doing that. However, we are rebuilding that facility. We are committed to enhancing the ". . . on behalf of the Mango Hill Progress intensive care high-dependency wards at the Association I wish to express the sincere Princess Alexandra Hospital. We have made a appreciation of our members to you for commitment of $4m to relieve the pressure the willingness and practical advice given points at those facilities. and sought as a result of the very good consultation which has taken place." As the honourable member has been told time and time again, we now treat 10,000 It went on to state— patients per week in our hospitals. We treat "Your officers, Peter Allen & Jenny 540,000 public patients through our hospital McMillan . . . did a great job of explaining, system in Queensland. That is 3,000 people seeking advice and reporting back in a per week more than when the honourable most constructive and concise way. Our member opposite was in Government. There members appreciated their efforts." is an increasing demand on our system, which This issue would be of concern to all we are meeting. Unlike the honourable members of the Parliament, because they member's colleagues in Victoria, we are not would all have had similar experiences. We slashing services and closing hospitals. We should take the opportunity to realise how are about expanding services in this State. We easy it is for people to throw off at road have done that over the past 12 months and workers and engineers. The newspaper article we will continue to do so this year. which appeared today alleges that a councillor—and he is someone whom I have Anzac Avenue, Mango Hill never met; he is completely invisible to me—referred to claims that the trees being Mrs WOODGATE: I ask the Minister for removed are being sold for profit by the Transport: is he aware of a newspaper article department. In other words, he is alleging that this morning which alleges that trees have the trees are being removed and that either been removed unnecessarily for the widening the department or the road workers and of Anzac Avenue at Mango Hill, and can the engineers are responsible. The point is that Minister inform the House what level of the article goes on to call for the sacking of the consultation occurred before the design for the engineer concerned. When people such as road widening was finalised? Councillor Ryman sling off at people in the way Mr HAYWARD: My department is well that he did, it does them no good. aware of the history of the trees which line The minutes of the meeting of the Pine Anzac Avenue. That is why an extensive Rivers Shire Council in which approval was community consultation process was given indicate that the trees to be removed will undertaken before the design for the road not be sold by the department; they will be widening was finalised. That process included given back to the Pine Rivers Shire Council consulting the Pine Rivers Shire Council, the under a prior arrangement. The council's Mango Hill Progress Association and the local contractor has already stockpiled some trees RSL branch before the road design was for removal. The lengths to which this completed. That consultation included special councillor is prepared to go to misrepresent emphasis on the need to remove trees to the facts astound me. It is compounded when 1 June 1995 12188 Legislative Assembly one reads the minutes which indicate that he credit rating. I table the relevant documents, was present at the council meeting when the which include the identification of the individual project was approved. What was the councillor in question. I ask: does the Minister think that doing during the meeting? We can only this incident reflects well on the efficiency of assume that either he does not pay attention the administration of TAFE Queensland? Can or—— he give Queenslanders a guarantee that this An honourable member: He was type of incident will not occur again? Will the asleep. Minister arrange for an apology to be extended from either himself or his chief Mr HAYWARD: An honourable member executive to the individual concerned for the said that he was asleep. He must have been stress that the department has caused him? asleep. Mr FOLEY: I shall assume for the The proposal was considered. It was purposes of the answer that what the approved by the Pine Rivers Shire Council honourable member has told the House is works committee on 23 June last year. The true. advice of the council officers at that meeting was that the council had no major objections Mr De Lacy: I wouldn't do that. to the proposed layout. In relation to Mr FOLEY: That is indeed a heroic landscaping, the report of that meeting assumption. But if the facts as indicated by states— the honourable member are correct, the "The Department of Transport has answer to the first question is: "No"; the requested that they be advised of answer to the second question is: "No"; and Council's preferred Landscape Design the answer to the third question is: "Yes." Consultant to prepare the landscape proposals for this section of road." Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Minister is State of Origin Team starting to debate the issue. I ask him to Mr BARTON: I ask the Minister for conclude his answer. Tourism, Sport and Racing: can he advise the Mr HAYWARD: The advice given was House on the success of the Queensland that the council had no objection in principle to State of Origin team? the proposed planning layout of Anzac Mr GIBBS: I am delighted to advise the Avenue from the motorway to the Rothwell House about this matter. Many people monument. That was approved by the full watched the last two State of Origin council on 4 July 1994. games—the first in Sydney, involving that As I stated earlier, the issue is now outstanding performance by Queensland's history, but it concerns me that people who young men and some not-so-young men but are elected to local council take the some marvellous players, and the exciting opportunity to sling off at people who are match in Melbourne last night. The team is a working very diligently for the Department of great source of pride to Queensland. Transport on very important road construction Unfortunately, a certain section of the in this State. community jumped on the bandwagon and slagged the members of the team, accusing them of being second-raters who would not Ipswich TAFE College perform. I am certain that that played a major Mr SANTORO: I refer the Honourable role in lifting team spirit. Minister for Employment, Training and It concerns me—and this should concern Industrial Relations to the case of a all members of this Parliament and, indeed, Queenslander who attended an orientation every proud Queenslander—that one person evening at the Ipswich TAFE College to be in particular should jump on the bandwagon briefed about a landscaping and nursery and claim that those players were not up to course, did not proceed with the course, did the role that they have fulfilled admirably over not enrol and did not attend any lectures or the past couple of weeks. classes, who subsequently received a bill requesting the payment of a course fee and Mr Purcell: Who? who, subsequent to that, received another bill Mr GIBBS: I am referring to none other of demand threatening him with legal action, than the Leader of the Opposition. I have here seizure of real and personal property, the a letter that he wrote to Mr Ross Livermore, garnisheeing of his salary or wages, and I will quote a few extracts from it. It is bankruptcy proceedings and the loss of his headed "An open letter to Queensland Rugby Legislative Assembly 12189 1 June 1995

League managing director Ross Livermore", Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and it states— education, the department is reducing "The decisions taken by the ARL with community teacher numbers by 20 in the regard to eligibility for the 1995 State of peninsula region? Is it not also a fact that in Origin Series effectively devalues this the second semester the Government plans to important series and places Queensland reduce teacher numbers by a further 200, at a serious, and quite unfair, making a total reduction of 391 teaching disadvantage." positions across the State? What a disgraceful thing for the Leader of the Mr HAMILL: I draw the honourable Opposition to put in writing to the Queensland member's attention to the fact that these Rugby League, knowing full well that some matters can be canvassed in considerable people were already critical of the team! He detail during the Estimates committee jumped on the bandwagon, hoping that after hearings later today. However, let me make the series he would be able to rush out and this point: the Budget which has been brought say, "I was right." This letter illustrates the down in this State provides additional funding absolute lack of credibility and lack of for education and will ensure that teacher character that the Leader of the Opposition numbers will be a full 3,000 above the level possesses. I want to quote another passage that they were when this Government first took of the letter, and this is really what it was all office. Obviously, a point that may well have about: the spite of this lot opposite and their escaped the Opposition spokesperson on absolute hungriness to see Suncorp Stadium Education is that generally teacher numbers fall over. The letter states— are related to enrolments. It is a fact that the pattern of enrolments is not consistent across "You would also be aware of the the preschool, primary and secondary levels. need to maximise Origin gate receipts given the Government's expenditure Mr Johnson interjected. overrun on the new grandstand facility." Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the Apart from the fact that the new grandstand member for Gregory under Standing Order facility at Suncorp Stadium has received rave 123A. That is his final warning. reviews from all devotees of Rugby League in Mr HAMILL: It is apparent that the this nation—including people from Sydney and pattern of enrolments is not the same across Melbourne who have attended the venue and the preschool, primary and secondary levels. experienced what a marvellous stadium it Indeed, at the preschool level there has is—the bad news for the Leader of the actually been a decline in enrolment in recent Opposition is that the third State of Origin times for reasons such as the impact of day series at Suncorp Stadium is an absolute sell- care upon State preschools and community out. People will be hanging off the rafters. kindergartens. There is growth in the primary Mr Borbidge: I've got a ticket. sector, and according to the last figures that I Mr GIBBS: If the Leader of the saw, at the secondary level there is moderate Opposition does have a ticket, let me give him growth. Nevertheless, I make this point: with some advice: he should not go anywhere near the number of initiatives which this the Queensland dressing room, because the Government is putting in place—not least of team has been using him as one of its which are the substantial funding for the motivational tactics! If ever there was a person implementation of the Wiltshire reforms and they do not want to see, it is somebody from the record Education budget that has been Victoria who was probably at home last night delivered for the sixth successive time—many bellowing loudly for the Cockroaches. more teachers will be employed this year than there were last year, the year before and the year before that, and certainly many more Teacher Numbers than when the Opposition was last in power. Mr QUINN: I refer the Minister for Education to his claims that the Government is Education Funding employing more teachers this year. I refer also to a document from the deputy director of his Mrs EDMOND: I refer the Minister for department which I table. I ask: is it not a fact Education to a brochure being distributed in that the Government will be reducing the Mount Coot-tha area of Brisbane which secondary teacher numbers by 124 and contains a "Dear resident" letter from the primary teacher numbers by 47 before the end Leader of the Liberal Party. Is the Minister of the first semester? Is it not a fact that in this aware that in that letter Mrs Sheldon claims year, when the department is focusing on that the Goss Government has neglected 1 June 1995 12190 Legislative Assembly schools and that more money needs to be such as Bardon State School, Ithaca Creek spent providing resources for a basic State School, Rainworth State School and education? Can the Minister also advise what Toowong State School. As well as that, we the Government has done to assist education have seen the Helping P & Cs with the Basics in the Mount Coot-tha electorate? initiative. That is the sort of initiative I was Mr HAMILL: I was very fortunate that a talking about yesterday—relieving P & C couple of my staff are constituents of the associations of the onerous chore of providing member for Mount Coot-tha and that they soap and toilet paper to schools, such as they raised with me for my information this very had to do when those opposite were in power. puzzling epistle from the Leader of the Mrs Edmond: When I was on a P & C. parliamentary Liberal Party. I say "puzzling" Mr HAMILL: The member for Mount because the claim in that little dodger—and Coot-tha remembers; she was on a P & C at that is what it should probably be more aptly that time. In the last two years, Helping P & Cs named given the authorship of the with the Basics has provided almost $66,000 document—— to schools in the Mount Coot-tha electorate, Mr De Lacy: Not very artful. and our computer program initiatives have Mr HAMILL: It is not very artful; I assure provided over $90,000. After looking at that, I members of that. In that brochure it is claimed was increasingly puzzled. Then I thought that that the Government has been neglecting maybe we had fallen into the practices of our schools. I thought that that was particularly predecessors; that maybe we had been puzzling as, considering what I have just neglecting the schools in the electorate of indicated to the House, this is the sixth Caloundra. It caused me a great deal of pain to think that we may have done that. I successive time that this Government has checked out the figures for Caloundra to see brought down a record budget for Education. the basis on which the honourable member for Mr Johnson: But you never deliver. Caloundra was making the claim in that Mr HAMILL: In fact, the last time that pamphlet. the National Party had an opportunity to bring Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Minister is down an Education budget, it was in the order starting to debate the issue. of about $1.8 billion. The budget that has just Mr HAMILL: There are two substantive been brought down provided in excess of $2.6 claims in the member's question: that we have billion. been neglecting schools and that we have Mr Lingard interjected. been putting all the resources that we have Mr HAMILL: I ask the member to been making available to Education into head please listen. When I read the little dodger, I office. In the Caloundra electorate, over the was very concerned that maybe the Leader of last three years, we have spent over $3.3m on the Liberal Party was on to something and schools; we have provided Caloundra with that maybe it was the case that schools in the over $140,000 in school improvement Mount Coot-tha electorate had been assistance, over $164,000 in Helping P & Cs neglected by this Government, so I went out with the Basics and $162,000 with computers. there to satisfy myself. Mr SANTORO: I rise on a point of order. One of the things on which this Mr Johnson interjected. Government prides itself is the way in which it Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for provides education services for all people no Gregory will stop interjecting. I cannot hear the matter where they live. I remember what it was member's point of order. like as an Opposition member in the days Mr SANTORO: Mr Speaker, I refer you when Labor Party electorates did not get too to Standing Order 70, which relates to much. Anyway, I was very concerned that relevance. The question that was asked of the maybe schools in the Mount Coot-tha Minister was about Mount Coot-tha, and the electorate had been missing out, so I did Minister is wandering all around Queensland. some checking. Mr SPEAKER: Order! That is relevant. I From 1991 through to the present, ask the Minister not to debate the issue. schools in the Mount Coot-tha electorate have seen over $3m worth of major works. This Mr HAMILL: I would say that, contrary year, for example, work will be done at the to the record of the member for Mount Bardon State School refurbishing the school Coot-tha, who is constantly making tuckshop. The School Improvement representations on behalf of schools in her Assistance Scheme in the Mount Coot-tha electorate, no similar flood of correspondence area has provided almost $80,000 to schools emits from Caloundra. Legislative Assembly 12191 1 June 1995

The other claim in what I regard as a not- Maryborough area who is thinking of buying a too-artful dodger—actually, it is more like a house or land to seek a second opinion on the poison-pen letter from the member for value of that house or land and to be aware of Caloundra—is the claim that there should not the implications of any finance deal that those be more head office bureaucrats. Again I people may sign. The vast majority of real thought: "What an extraordinary claim." So I estate agents, developers and valuers in checked the figures. In 1990, when Focus on Maryborough want to do the right thing by Schools was reported, some 1,750 their customers. I am confident that by bureaucrats were engaged in the Education seeking a second opinion, consumers will Department, of whom 1,475 were in head avoid the specific operation currently under office and 275 in the regions. Contrary to the investigation. allegation made by the Liberal Party Leader, I The Office of Consumer Affairs is am pleased to report to the House that there investigating seven written complaints about are only 506 bureaucrats in the Education these issues. The allegations are that people Department's head office and 538 in the are being duped into paying for overvalued regions. house and land packages and that customers Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Minister has have been told that the style of home in had a fair go at answering that question. question is valued at $19,000 more than the value admitted by the builder to my officers. Inquiries to date also reveal that land in that Koala Coast Protection Fund; Eastlink area can be purchased for $7,000 less than Mr SPRINGBORG: I refer the Premier the price entered into by the customer. Worse to his $38m Koala Coast protection fund, and still, consumers have been given little or no I ask: given that the precedent has now been information about what their financial established, will the Premier set up a similar commitments are in paying back the finance. fund for communities affected by Eastlink, with Steps taken so far by my officers include: the money to be distributed at the discretion of informing the Maryborough police; visiting the members for Warwick, Lockyer and Maryborough to investigate the claims; and Cunningham? establishing a meeting with the businessman Mr W. K. GOSS: The Eastlink proposal most directly involved in the matter. will be the subject of an EIS, and appropriate The member for Maryborough is also decisions will be taken. I point out to the pursuing this matter and looking into further member that Eastlink involves high voltage allegations of poor building work which he will powerlines, not a road. raise with the Building Services Authority. He Mr DOLLIN: I refer the Deputy Premier informs me that some of the homes involved and Minister for Consumer Affairs to the fact have severe structural problems. In addition, that I am extremely concerned about the he will approach the Hervey Bay City Council promotion of house and land sales in the regarding the location of some of those Maryborough area, which have resulted in six houses on watercourses, which has caused serious complaints by home buyers to my many erosion and sewerage problems during electoral office, and I ask: can the Minister tell recent rains. the House what action will be taken by the The Office of Consumer Affairs has written Office of Consumer Affairs to address this to those customers urging them not to fall issue and determine if any illegal activities behind in their payments until this matter can have taken place in relation to the complaints be resolved, lest they fall into further financial that I have received? difficulty. I have also instructed the Office of Mr BURNS: I am aware of very serious Consumers Affairs to finalise its investigations allegations concerning the sale of house and as soon as possible. Until then, I repeat my land packages in the Maryborough area, and warning to anyone on the market for a house they are being investigated by the Office of and land in Maryborough: those people Consumer Affairs. The allegations which have should get a second opinion on the value of been made to Mr Dollin involve overvaluing of the property and make sure that they know both houses and land, financial agreements what they are signing. I have looked at the which are unexplained to the consumer, photographs that have been supplied by my appalling building work and building on land office, and they show that water tanks have unsuited for the purpose explained. been built on the ground and that the cement slabs underneath have been washed away. I am advised that preliminary investigations warrant a general warning of Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time allotted caution to consumers while this investigation for questions has expired. runs its course. I therefore urge anyone in the The House adjourned at 11 a.m.