Hansard 26 October 1994
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Legislative Assembly 9949 26 October 1994 WEDNESDAY, 26 OCTOBER 1994 refused. Petitions received. Mr SPEAKER (Hon. J. Fouras, Ashgrove) PAPERS read prayers and took the chair at 2.30 p.m. The following papers were laid on the table— PETITIONS (a) Treasurer (Mr De Lacy)— Queensland Industry Development The Clerk announced the receipt of the Corporation—Annual Report for 1993-94 following petitions— (b) Minister for Education (Mr Comben)— Report on overseas visit to Papua New Green Island Guinea during the period 9 to 10 October From Mr Burns (534 signatories) praying 1994 that Green Island and surrounding reefs be (c) Minister for Health (Mr Hayward)— protected from coral mining. Annual Reports for 1993-94— Townsville General Hospital Bald Hills State School Foundation From Mr J. N. Goss (427 signatories) Princess Alexandra Hospital praying that the current directive to remove the Research and Development Bald Hills State School residence be rescinded Foundation. and that the building be preserved until (a) additional land is required; (b) the new library is built; and (c) the current library building is DISTINGUISHED VISITORS available for special uses and after school care. Mr SPEAKER: Honourable members, I wish to advise the House that in the gallery today are four members from the Dail Select Committee Penalties and Sentences on Finance and General Affairs from the Irish From Mr Littleproud (17 signatories) Parliament. The delegation is composed of Mr praying that appropriate steps be taken to John Ellis, Mr Michael Ahern, Mr Michael ensure that prisoners serve the full sentence Finucane and Mr Willie Penrose. handed down by the courts upon a conviction. Honourable members: Hear, hear! Recreational Fishing MINISTERIAL STATEMENT From Mr Rowell (31 signatories) praying Overseas Visit that recreational fishing be exempted from Hon. W. K. GOSS (Logan—Premier and provisions of the Nature Conservation Act. Minister for Economic and Trade Development) (2.34 p.m.), by leave: I wish to report to the House on a trip I undertook earlier this month to Fishing and Recreation, National Parks Japan. It was my fifth annual trip to Japan, which From Mr Rowell (1 612 signatories) underlines my commitment to strengthening the praying that the Parliament of Queensland will very significant economic and trade relationship withdraw and amend current legislation so as to that exists between Queensland and Japan. provide for continued public access to waters in In five days, I had a series of meetings and national parks for fishing and recreation. briefings with many of Japan's corporate leaders and heads of prefectural Government. Significantly, the Deputy Prime Minister and Cannabis Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Kono, attended From Mr Santoro (59 signatories) praying the Queensland Government reception that I that the statutory prohibition on the production was able to host for Queensland's Japanese and usage of cannabis be continued. trade partners, and the presence of such a Bell's Creek, Road senior member of the Japanese Government underlined the significance Japan attaches to From Mrs Sheldon (109 signatories) our relationship. praying that any application to construct the proposed Bell's Creek arterial toll road be 26 October 1994 9950 Legislative Assembly In Tokyo, I made a presentation to the Japan most promising and interesting project was the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, attended CRA mine at Century. by 30 senior executives representing a cross- I pointed out that the Queensland Government section of Japan's major companies. The welcomed foreign investment. The two president of the chamber, Mr Saito, expressed communities had much to offer each other appreciation for the role of the Queensland because of a complementarity between our two Government in supporting the Australia Japan economies. Queensland had the lowest taxes, Business Cooperation Committee's thirty- the lowest debt and was the only State in second joint meeting held shortly afterwards in Australia with a fully balanced Budget. Brisbane. I also emphasised the positive outlook for the future of mining in Queensland, I said we were determined to use our competitive especially in the Carpentaria/Mount Isa minerals advantages to attract new industry in province. I was able to emphasise the Queensland. One of the most important benefits complementarity of our two economies as a to Queensland from this was the creation of new strong base upon which to build future trading jobs. relations. Presentation of certificate of appreciation to I was also able to emphasise the real Nippon Meat Packers possibilities for the regional areas of Queensland It is only the third certificate of appreciation that and Japan to do healthy business, and I the Queensland Government has presented and emphasised that we in Queensland are keen to it was accepted by Mr Takuji Matsumoto, the develop an economic relationship with Japan's General Manager, Planning and Administration of prefectural Governments and regional business Nippon Meat Packers. centres. It makes a great deal of sense for companies in Queensland, which is highly Nippon Meat Packers is a major investor in regionalised, to do business with comparable Queensland through its 100 per cent holdings in companies in regional Japan rather than the the Oakey abattoir and the Whyalla feedlot near larger centres like Tokyo and Osaka. I was able to Texas and its ownership of abattoirs in Bowen renew our good relationship with Osaka and and Mackay through its subsidiary company, make much of the new links between Thomas Borthwick and Company. Queensland and Osaka through the new Kansai These businesses make up a significant Airport, now providing 19 direct flights to proportion of Queensland beef exports to Japan, Australia, 14 of them to Queensland. our largest trading partner and complement the I described to Japanese Government and company's successful entrance into business leaders the excellent performance of Queensland's domestic market through the the Queensland economy and the fact that M.Q.F. abattoir and small goods factory in Queensland is the first State to become net debt Brisbane. These operations provide many free. benefits for the Queensland economy especially to our primary producers. I seek leave to table the report and have the remainder incorporated in Hansard. Lunch with Boyne Island smelter joint venture Leave granted. partner companies The joint venture companies were urged to look Meeting Notes at further opportunities for investment in central Briefing by Australian Embassy, Tokyo Queensland. Mr Peter Hussin, Minister Political, Australian I emphasised that Gladstone was set to become Embassy Tokyo, and James Horne, Australian the hub of a major new industrial development Treasury representative, provided a briefing on zone in central Queensland with a range of new the current economic and political situation in industries. Japan. We have a competitive and efficient electricity Meeting with the president of Mitsui Mining and system and we are looking to improve it. Smelting Company Limited, Mr Miyamura Community and governments around the world The company president expressed great will in future force industry to be more confidence in the future of Queensland mining environmentally responsible with light metal and I was able to give details of progress in the cars. Lighter cars mean less fuel usage resulting development of the Carpentaria-Mount Isa in reduced emissions and less pollution. Minerals Province. I pledged my support and that of the Queensland Government to mining in the I expressed the hope that the magnesium region and told Mr Miyamura that we were industry in future would match the aluminium confident new mines would be starting in the industry in terms of its development in minerals province in the next two years. The Queensland. Legislative Assembly 9951 26 October 1994 Briefing by Dr Kenichi (Ken) Ohmaeu Queensland I would have the pleasure of Dr Ohmaeu provided a general background welcoming delegates to the Australia-Japan briefing on the Japanese economy and the Business Co-operation Committee meeting in current political situation including an outline of Brisbane. possible reform to the Japanese electoral Dinner for leaders of Miyagi Prefecture system nationally. A cross section of senior business community Lunch hosted by Mr T. Horiike, President of leaders was led by the Vice-Governor, Mr Kidera, Starlanes and the Mayor of the City of Sendai, Mr Fuijii. I emphasised that I was very pleased to visit Mr Horiike pointed out that Japan was on the regions such as Tohoku, Prefectures such as brink of allowing Queensland to export mangoes Miyagi and cities such as Sendai to drive home and other tropical fruit and vegetables to Japan to Queensland industries that excellent for the first time. His company was using a new opportunities existed outside Tokyo and Osaka. technique known as the vapour heat treatment to I expressed the view that there was much more eradicate fruit fly and it was expected that the to be done to show both Queensland business Japanese Ministry of Agriculture would soon and Japan's regional centres just home much hand down a decision to allow Queensland they had in common. tropical fruit and vegetable products into Japan following a public hearing on the matter in Japan Like Queensland, Miyagi is well-known as a in September. There were plans to use the major provider of agriculture and food supplies vapour heat treatment to process tropical fruit in such as rice and seafood. The region has one of north Queensland before exporting it to Japan. the world's three most fertile fishing grounds which acts as the main supplier of seafoods to all I told Mr Horiike that his company's investment in of Japan. Queensland would not only benefit our tropical In addition, the Prefecture has Japan's most fruit exporters but would hopefully be the advanced industry zone development program beginning of a long-term trading partnership that and also acts as an important link between the would bring rewards for both Queensland and north-east region and Tokyo.