17 Sep 1998 Ministerial Statement 2309

THURSDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 1998 convention industry to Queensland tourism and the 125,000 Queenslanders employed in the industry. The industry is one of the most lucrative sectors of the tourism industry and Mr SPEAKER (Hon. R. K. Hollis, Redcliffe) contributes more than $360m to the State's read prayers and took the chair at 9.30 a.m. economy every year—and jobs with it. On average, international delegates to conventions spend about $500 more on their PETITIONS visits than other tourists. And they are likely to The Clerk announced the receipt of the be first-time visitors who are often so following petitions— impressed by what they see that they return on holidays to inject more money into our Maryborough Base Hospital economy. From Dr Kingston (2,243 petitioners) That is why Cabinet has fast-tracked—on requesting the House to take the necessary the advice of the Minister for Tourism, Bob action to ensure the Maryborough Base Gibbs—a meeting incentive convention and Hospital is not downgraded in either services, exhibition grant scheme worth $2m which is staffing or equipment. being made available to the State's six convention bureaus. The $2m will enable the centres, in Cairns, Townsville, Whitsunday, the Maryborough Base Hospital Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast and Brisbane From Dr Kingston (8,108 petitioners) to expand their marketing and promotion requesting the House to rescind forthwith the drives on a worldwide basis. $1m of that plans, the locations of services and staffing money has already been released and the schedules/locations currently released and other $1m will be released in January by replaced by physical, equipping and staffing Minister Gibbs. plans which recognise that the Maryborough I am pleased to announce that in the past Base Hospital is the epicentre of medical month Brisbane has won three more major services in this Wide Bay region and that such conventions. During these conventions it is plans are to be developed in consultation with estimated that delegates are likely to spend the community of the Maryborough electorate nearly $3m while they are in Queensland. and its hinterland. They are three more reasons why building Brisbane's Convention and Exhibition Centre Tinaroo Falls Dam, Red Claw Recreational was such a worthwhile project. The Fishery conventions are: the World Multi-conference on Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics From Mr Rowell (2,626 petitioners) 1999, with an estimated 500 international requesting the House to take note of the delegates for four days, providing a total of absolute rejection of Queensland Fisheries 2,000 delegate days and estimated spending Management Authority's advertisement for of $1m; the Young Women's Christian expressions of interest from persons wishing to Association 2000 with about 300 delegates in harvest red claw from Tinaroo Dam on a Brisbane for five days, providing 1,500 commercial basis, on the grounds that (a) delegate days and spending of $450,000; and Tinaroo Dam is the most important red claw the International Association of Logopaedics recreational fishery in north Queensland and and Phoniatrics Congress 2004, with an that commercial fishing would most probably estimated 1,000 delegates spending five days result in a serious depletion of stocks and (b) in Brisbane, giving 5,000 delegate days and the value of the resource to the local spending estimated at $1.5m. economy, as a recreational fishery, far exceeds the potential value of the resource, That is why my Government will continue should it be allowed to be exploited to drive the convention and exhibition sector of commercially. tourism to create jobs. I am sure that the Leader of the Opposition would fit in well with Petitions received. the last convention.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Convention Industry Overseas Visit Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central— ALP) (Premier) (9.33 a.m.), by leave: My Hon. J. P. ELDER (Capalaba—ALP) Government recognises the importance of the (Deputy Premier and Minister for State 2310 Ministerial Statement 17 Sep 1998

Development and Minister for Trade) the Deputy Premier should refer to us as the (9.36 a.m.), by leave: I present to the House a One Nation Party, not "those members at the report on my recent visit to Singapore and the back of the House". State of Johor in Malaysia. Many members of Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Minister will this House would realise that some of refer to the members of the One Nation Party. Queensland's emerging trade partners are having their own internal difficulties at the Mr ELDER: The members of One Nation, moment. In my view, it is important to maintain who sit at the back of the House, more than and enhance the links we have now so that anything else must demonstrate that they are when the tide turns our mutual prosperity can friendly towards our trading partners. It is up to be maximised. those One Nation members, who sit at the back of the House and, in particular, the I table for the House a full report of the member for Caboolture, to engage our trading trip, but I would like to point out some of the partners. I table the report for the information difficulties that I encountered on this trip, which of the House. were similar to the difficulties I encountered on my previous trip, and similar to those encountered by the Premier on his trip MINISTERIAL STATEMENT overseas. I have to inform the House that in a Overseas Visit general sense there remain some concerns over the attitude of the Queensland Hon. R. J. GIBBS (Bundamba—ALP) Government to overseas investment. (Minister for Tourism, Sport and Racing) (9.29 a.m.), by leave: I table a ministerial When speaking to businesspeople and statement which covers my recent trip to New the media in both Singapore and Malaysia, York. the spectre of One Nation and its anti-Asian position was high on the agenda. While many businesspeople with investments in MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Queensland were aware that One Nation did Industrial Relations Task Force not govern the State, there remained many Hon. P. J. BRADDY (Kedron—ALP) others who questioned One Nation's position (Minister for Employment, Training and in the Queensland Parliament. And just as the Industrial Relations) (9.39 a.m.), by leave: In Premier explained in Hong Kong and Japan August, I announced the establishment of an and as I did on my recent mission to Taiwan expert independent task force to review the and Korea, we had to work hard to get through State's industrial relations laws. The task force the message that it was a Labor Government is being chaired by Griffith University Pro-Vice- in charge of the State with views receptive to Chancellor, Professor Margaret Gardner, and foreign investment. I reiterated the State comprises employer and union representatives Government's position that we welcome Asian as well as independent experts. The task force investment in Queensland. I made the further will consider options for developing a new point that Queensland was a multicultural system which— community with a stable political environment and was safe not only for Asian investors but improves the strength of the economy, for their children—a large number of whom provides for job growth and enhances job attend our education facilities. security; The reason for this situation, as we all meets the needs of emerging labour know, lies in the perception that One Nation is markets and work patterns; a racist party that does not welcome overseas is fair and equitable; investment or, indeed, any ties with other provides an effective balance between countries. When overseas I was very collective and individual rights; diplomatic about the members of the House. However, I think that the line being pushed by is flexible, responsive and accessible; those at the back of the House that somehow is based on cooperation, consultation and they are being misreported or misrepresented participation. does not stack up. What I am saying to those The task force will be taking a completely members at the back of the House is that they new approach to reviewing industrial relations must do the hard yards. They must in this State. The task force will be actively unequivocally state that they are in favour of seeking the views of Queenslanders on the trade with other countries. current industrial relations laws and what Mr NELSON: I rise to a point of order. Mr changes we may need in the future. It will be Speaker, I thought that there was a ruling that consulting widely on a broad range of issues 17 Sep 1998 Ministerial Statement 2311 right throughout Queensland—in metropolitan, meetings, the task force will give a brief rural and regional parts of the State. The task overview of the issues paper, but it will be force will ultimately provide advice on there primarily to listen to what people have to proposals for legislative reform based on say about the system. I invite the public to extensive Statewide consultation. participate in this unique process. The Queensland Government wants to ensure that the public not only have the MINISTERIAL STATEMENT opportunity to provide submissions but are Water Quality also able to base their submissions on the latest information about our current system. Hon. W. M. EDMOND (Mount Coot-tha— That is why the task force has produced a 132- ALP) (Minister for Health) (9.43 a.m.), by leave: page issues paper that provides a thought- I rise to advise the House on action this provoking analysis of Queensland's current Government is taking on a very important industrial relations system. It takes a close look public health issue: ensuring the quality of our at how people are employed; how work is water supplies. The situation in Sydney has changing; how the current system has been highlighted the need to be vigilant constantly. I performing; and what alternative approaches asked Queensland Health to establish an there may be. The paper, titled Review of expert working party. This group will consider Industrial Relations Legislation in Queensland: all issues associated with water-borne diseases Issues Paper, provides a platform for and develop policies and standards to combat consultation never before seen in this State. It any potential risk to the community. The is with pleasure that I announce the release of working party includes experts from the this issues paper, which has been developed Departments of Natural Resources, to assist individuals and organisations wishing Environment and Heritage, Premier and to provide submissions on Queensland's future Cabinet, and Communication, Information, industrial relations system. Local Government and Planning. It also includes the Local Government Association, I table a copy of the issues paper. It relevant local councils and water boards, and contains a whole range of newly developed representatives from scientific and academic statistics and topics for discussion, and poses disciplines. Queensland Health is taking the more than 100 questions that need to be lead agency role. assessed in the process of the review. The group met last week to develop The State's industrial relations system has protocols to address issues and identify been through much change in recent years. activities to control and manage water-borne Much of this change has reflected the Federal parasites such as cryptosporidium and giardia. system without paying close attention to what This whole-of-Government approach will be system Queenslanders really need to most effective in ensuring Queensland encourage employment growth and job develops consistent guidelines to deal with any security. Our commitment to Queensland is to threat to water quality. secure jobs growth for the State while ensuring a balance between the aspirations of workers and the needs of business. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT We are committed to a fair and equitable Anti-drug Initiative; Schoolies Week industrial relations system for employers and Hon. T. A. BARTON (Waterford—ALP) employees. This consultation process will allow (Minister for Police and Corrective Services) Queenslanders to have unprecedented (9.44 a.m.), by leave: On Tuesday of this week involvement in the type of system we should I told the House of concerns that Queensland have. This afternoon, the issues paper will be police officers had with the "launch" of a "dob distributed by the task force to more than in a druggie" hotline by the member for 1,000 interested stakeholders. It will also be Broadwater last week. The member for available on the department's Internet site this Broadwater launched his hotline the day afternoon for any member of the public to before Crimestoppers was due to launch its access, or they can contact the Industrial drug initiative. Senior police expressed the Relations Secretariat in my department for a concern to me that the member for copy. Starting next week, the task force will Broadwater's launch may have undermined travel to seven regional centres. It will hold the effectiveness of the Crimestoppers' launch. consultation meetings at the Gold Coast, in The founding Chair of Crimestoppers, David Townsville, Cairns, Mount Isa, Rockhampton, Muir issued a press release on 9 September Brisbane, Nambour and Roma. At these 1998, which said— 2312 Ministerial Statement 17 Sep 1998

"The drugs telephone hotline This statutory declaration clearly shows launched by Mr Grice undermines the that Mr Muir did not tell Mr Grice that he had Crimestoppers program and, in that sense withdrawn the press release, merely he did not could only serve the interests of drug want to follow through with it with only one of dealers." the numerous media outlets that it was The member for Broadwater took great forwarded to. exception to both my statements and David The member for Broadwater has Muir's. Yesterday he made a personal compounded his errors by stating yesterday explanation to the House, in which he said Mr that he had announced the line jointly with Muir had told him that— Detective Inspector Richard Nikola. To clarify this issue I also spoke to senior police from the "He"— Gold Coast—including Detective Inspector David Muir— Nikola—and relevant police media people "withdrew that press release on the same about the member for Broadwater's assertion day that it was issued, 9 September." that police were involved in the launch. I table for members information two other statutory The member for Broadwater went on to say— declarations. One is co-signed by Assistant "I further stress that the press release Commissioner Greg Early; Chief issued by David Muir, which the Minister Superintendent Ken Morris; Mr Brian Swift, quoted from was withdrawn." Director, Media and Public Relations; and Ms Katrina Naumann, Media Officer, Gold Coast, He further said that— in which they state— "I announced the line jointly with "We jointly declare that the release of Detective Inspector Richard Nikola." information by Mr Grice regarding a so- Just so he made it absolutely clear, the called drug phone-in line was not in any member for Broadwater reiterated— way done in conjunction with, or the support of, the Queensland Police "I stress again it was launched with Service. The Queensland Police Service the detective inspector—and I table that had held preliminary discussions with Mr for the information of the House—and Grice and others regarding a future was an existing phone line." strategy on reduction of drug abuse on I think the members of the House will agree the Gold Coast, but firmly state that the that these are very clear statements indeed. It 'launch' announced by Mr Grice on 8 would be almost impossible to misunderstand September 1998 was premature, them. incomplete, and not with the agreement of the Queensland Police Service." Yesterday I spoke to David Muir about the comments made by the member for The other statutory declaration is from Broadwater in the House yesterday. He was Detective Inspector Richard Nikola, which kind enough to provide a statutory declaration, includes these statements from him— which I table for the information of the House. "I did not communicate either in In that statutory declaration, Mr Muir said he writing or verbally with Mr Grice until had sent the press release to several news approximately 9.00 am on Tuesday 8 organisations. Mr Muir goes on to say— September 1998 when he contacted me "On Wednesday morning, 16 by telephone at my office. I had been September 1998, I received a call from Mr provided with a one page document Grice. Mr Grice asked me whether or not I outlining a proposed media release by Mr had withdrawn the media release. He said Grice. I had no prior knowledge of the he had discussed the matter with the release by Mr Grice and did not consult Gold Coast Bulletin. In response I told Mr with him prior to his press release. An Grice that I had issued the media release invitation to attend this release was given in response to an article that appeared in which I refused. the Courier-Mail. I told him that the Gold I did not attend the press conference Coast Bulletin had telephoned me to say by Mr Grice at his office on the 8th that "I had got it wrong" and that Mr Grice September 1998, nor was I involved in was in fact supporting the Crimestoppers any launch or promotion of any strategy program and telephone hotline. I then by Mr Grice." told Mr Grice that I told the Gold Coast I think it becomes crystal clear from these Bulletin that I did not want to take the three statutory declarations that Mr Muir did matter further." not withdraw the press release and that no 17 Sep 1998 Ministerial Statement 2313 member of the Queensland Police Service, Highway north of Townsville between especially Detective Inspector Nikola, took part Bluewater and Leichhardt Creeks, to name just in a joint launch of any drug strategy with the a few, have been delayed or deferred by member for Broadwater. inadequate Federal funding levels. The unfortunate member for Broadwater But members do not need to take my has been caught out trying to steal other word for it; just listen to what the member for people's thunder and his statement yesterday Gregory has had to say on this issue. On 15 has only dug a bigger hole for himself over this January 1998 in the Innisfail Advocate he whole sorry affair. My advice to the member said— opposite is that, when it comes to launching drug strategies or any other worthwhile "The Federal Government should initiatives, he should leave it to people who double its funding for roads in know what they are talking about. He should Queensland, rather than reducing its leave it to those people who have done all the contributions." hard work to start with, and that is the Gold I table for the information of members a copy Coast police and community representatives of the newspaper article in question. As who have been planning this anti-drug initiative recently as last Thursday, the member for since May of this year. Gregory renewed his call for additional Federal funding for Queensland roads, calling for an additional $300m in three years. I table for the MINISTERIAL STATEMENT information of members the article in the Federal Road Funding Herbert River Express, which reported the Hon. S. D. BREDHAUER (Cook—ALP) shadow Minister's remarks on 10 September (Minister for Transport and Minister for Main 1998. Roads) (9.51 a.m.), by leave: From time to I mentioned the Barkly Highway upgrade time in the life of this Parliament the member earlier. Let us just take that as an example. On for Gregory and I will disagree on issues in my 24 November 1997 in the North West Star, the portfolio. In fact, a lot of the time I am sure we member for Gregory described the Barkly will disagree. But I rise today in relation to an Highway between Mount Isa and Cloncurry as area where he and I are in total agreement. the "most murderous" highway in Australia. I The Federal coalition Government has abjectly table that newspaper report. The member for failed the people of Queensland in relation to Gregory in his capacity as Minister for Main roads and road funding. Roads in December 1997 wrote to the Federal John Howard's first Budget in 1996-97 Minister for Transport, Mark Vaile, saying— resulted in a $620m reduction over four years "However, the proposition before on Australia's national highways. The 1998-99 you"— national highway allocation for Queensland is $22m less than it was in 1996-97. Last year, this is to the Federal Minister for Transport— the Queensland Government had to pay "has been in the pipeline for over fifteen $27m for urgent construction and months and I am of the view that neither maintenance works on Federal roads—money industry nor the local community in this for which we were not reimbursed until this region of the State will tolerate any further financial year. delays in securing a clear funding Critical road projects, such as the urgent commitment which guarantees an road safety improvements totalling $42m on immediate start to these works." the Ipswich Motorway, which carries average I table the letter from the shadow Minister to traffic volumes ranging between 51,000 and the Federal Minister for Transport. The Federal 72,000 vehicles per day; four-laning of the Minister for Transport himself clearly Bruce Highway between Yandina and Cooroy, recognised the urgent need for the Barkly which carries traffic volumes of up to 18,000 Highway project, because on 5 January 1998 vehicles per day and has a shocking safety he wrote to his colleague Senator Parer and record with 15 fatalities recorded over the past said— five years; the Barkly Highway upgrade between Cloncurry and the Northern Territory "I am aware of the substandard border totalling $100m to allow safe as-of-right condition of the Barkly Highway and the Type 2 road train access along this entire requirement to upgrade it to allow the route; duplication of the Portsmith road in safe and efficient movement of large Cairns, which carries in excess of 20,000 combination freight vehicles." vehicles per day; and upgrading the Bruce Later in the letter he said— 2314 Ministerial Statement 17 Sep 1998

"I have received a proposal to MINISTERIAL STATEMENT accelerate the upgrading of the Barkly Retirement Villages from the Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, the Hon Hon. J. C. SPENCE (Mount Gravatt— Vaughan Johnson. I am giving the matter ALP) (Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait close consideration and expect to be able Islander Policy and Minister for Women's to announce a decision shortly." Policy and Minister for Fair Trading) He said that on 5 January this year. He (9.58 a.m.), by leave: I am pleased to inform concluded by saying— the House that this Government is maintaining its commitment to the Queensland community "I shall advise you of the outcome." to develop workable, meaningful and I table the letter to Warwick Parer. responsive legislation. The retirement village Last week, John Howard offered $25m for industry in Queensland is presently governed a road project on the Bruce Highway between by the Retirement Villages Act 1988. This Act Pine Rivers and Caboolture. It is no surprise has not kept pace with changes and that this proposed work falls within the three developments in the industry over the past marginal Liberal electorates of Petrie, Dickson decade and desperately needs revision. The and Longman. The only problem is that that residents of Queensland's 3,000 retirement project has a total cost of $125m. villages send me that message every week, Then again this week, the coalition when I receive scores of letters imploring me to announced $6m towards the cost of the $11m review the legislation. port access road in Gladstone. There was no The previous coalition Government tried mention of the other $5m. In this context, let but failed to meet the evolving needs of the us also consider the announcement made by retirement village community. Following a John Howard last week in Brisbane that he prolonged process of public consultation and would spend an additional $34m for upgrading submissions, the coalition Government a road in New South Wales under the Roads released a draft of the Retirement Villages Bill of National Importance program—a road which in August 1997. The release of this Bill carries only 92 vehicles per day. In whose provoked a backlash and the Office of electorate is that road? The former Federal Consumer Affairs was bombarded with Minister for Transport, John Sharp! It is a submissions. Unfortunately, both residents and national disgrace that critical national highways operators condemned the coalition legislation in Queensland would rank behind a project on because it did not solve the problems of a road which carries only 92 vehicles per day. sinking funds, capital replacement and By comparison, the Federal shadow retirement village maintenance. The coalition's Minister for Transport, Lindsay Tanner, has solution was to put those issues in the too- announced that a Federal Labor Government hard basket. The coalition baulked at an will provide an additional $150m over three obstacle that this Government will overcome. years for the national highway system, provide Our predecessors have left the issues that funds to allow immediate works to commence they thought were intractable to a Government on a priority section between Bluewater and that can talk, listen to and understand the Leichhardt Creeks north of Townsville, fears and concerns of the retirement village maintain the Black Spot program, complete all community. Since taking responsibility for the Roads of National Importance projects which Office of Fair Trading, I have worked hard to have already commenced, implement a gain the trust of operators and residents. I national highway extension program to believe that I have gained their trust by talking incorporate roads of major national economic to them, by becoming aware of the issues that significance and, through joint funding are important to them and, most importantly, arrangements with the States, upgrade these by listening to them. major roads to national highway standard, Retirement village residents welcomed the following which a Federal Labor Government election of the Beattie Labor Government would assume ongoing responsibility for their because they were frustrated by our maintenance along with the existing national predecessor's dithering and inability to grasp highway system. the important issues. The coalition For the good of Queensland's roads, the Government wanted to drag them through yet people of Queensland need to throw out the another consultation quagmire. This is not Federal coalition and vote in a Federal Labor what village residents or owners wanted. I am Government. But they should not just take my fully aware of the concerns of retirement village word for it: they should ask the member for operators and residents. I have acknowledged Gregory. to them that the current Retirement Villages 17 Sep 1998 Personal Explanation 2315

Act is an outdated piece of legislation that has residents and operators will be secure in the not kept pace with our changing lifestyles. knowledge that the legislative underpinnings of Importantly, I have taken on board the their retirement villages are sound. diverse views of retirement village operators and residents. I understand that residents PERSONAL EXPLANATION want retirement villages to be places where they can enjoy the facilities and live a calm Drummond Range Crossing and peaceful life. Simultaneously, operators Mr JOHNSON (Gregory—NPA) want their businesses to be commercially (10.03 a.m.), by leave: This morning in viable. The balancing of those two opposing Longreach, ABC radio broadcast an interview viewpoints is extremely challenging, but this between Tom Harwood and the Minister for Government will not walk away from a Transport, Steve Bredhauer, in relation to the challenge. upgrade of the Drummond Range crossing. I To find common ground, I have believe that I have been misrepresented by established a new Retirement Village Task the Minister for Transport in relation to this Force, which is made up of six—— issue. Opposition members interjected. Owing to a couple of mishaps on the Drummond Range, one which occurred about Ms SPENCE: Members will be pleased to five years ago and another which occurred hear that the new task force will not give a about two years ago, I immediately sought consultancy to one of our former cronies, as from the Government led by Mr Borbidge members opposite did. To find common emergent expenditure of $14m to upgrade ground, I have established a new Retirement that very necessary range crossing—a crossing Village Task Force, which is made up of six that had not been touched since about 1880 highly credentialled retirement village residents when the track was first built. This morning on and operators. The role of the task force will be ABC radio, Mr Bredhauer said that since the to examine stakeholders' concerns, give them contract has now expired the job has not been a forum for informed discussion and a chance completed and that I made no representation to seek out goals together. Its aims will be the whatsoever for emergent expenditure to fix the development of practical legislation and the rest of the crossing. ending of ideological differences that have prevented cooperation between residents and I addressed the issue with my Premier, Mr operators. Unlike the previous Government's Borbidge. The situation was that, as we were oversized working party, which was chaired by approaching the Budget and the contract was former Attorney-General Sam Doumany, I expiring, we were going to address the issue believe that this smaller group of experts will as emergent expenditure. I say to the Minister quickly resolve the contentious issues today—— concerning the residents and operators. Mr SPEAKER: Order! We do not need a The task force is facilitated by the Dispute debate on the issue. Resolution Centre, which has demonstrated Mr JOHNSON: This is a life and death superb mediation skills and has already helped situation. Five years ago a train load of North it reach agreement on many past differences. Australian Pastoral Company bullocks ran off It has made significant headway on the issues the rails, and the Spirit of the Outback travels that the coalition left languishing in the too- that route too. hard basket, among which was the Mr SPEAKER: Order! responsibility for capital replacement and sinking funds. The outcome of the meetings Mr JOHNSON: I say to the Minister here should make a valuable contribution to the today—— review of the legislation, which I hope will be Mr SPEAKER: Order! This is not a finalised this year. I am committed to working personal explanation. The member has the through the issues that time and time again opportunity to raise this matter in the two- have stalled the development of a workable, minute debate. responsive piece of legislation. Mr JOHNSON: The Minister has While Queensland retirement village misrepresented me on the issue. The Minister residents and operators once felt deserted and must show some credibility and retract what he unacknowledged, our Government has made said on ABC radio this morning. He needs to them a central component of legislative find the emergent expenditure to finish the change. Our program of legislative reforms will upgrade of the range crossing. I ask the not just be a bandaid approach to retirement Minister: what does the AFULE and the PTU village issues. Under this Government, both think of his leadership on the matter? 2316 Private Members' Statements 17 Sep 1998

Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member will Where did this ringing endorsement of a resume his seat. GST come from? Was it from that Right Wing Mr JOHNSON: The Minister has to find think tank, the H. R. Nicholls Society? No. Was the necessary chaff and finish the project. it from that conservative policy group, IPA? No. It did not even come from Peter Costello Mr SPEAKER: Order! himself. Mr Fouras: Can I have a guess? NOTICE OF MOTION Dr WATSON: I will run out of time. I will Minister for Emergency Services not keep members in suspense any longer: Mr MALONE (Mirani—NPA) (10.06 a.m.): the author of that highly favourable I give notice that I shall move— assessment of a GST was a Mr Grant Musgrove. Where have I heard that name "That this House recognises the before? Is it the one and the same Grant valuable contribution being made by the Musgrove who is now the honourable member Board of the Queensland Fire and for Springwood? Rescue Authority; and I table the article for all members to read That this House condemns the Minister at their leisure. I thank the honourable for Emergency Services for the unjustified member for Springwood for his endorsement attacks that she has made on this Board." of a GST. I trust that the Premier will be consulting with his new backbencher as soon as possible. PRIVATE MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Time expired. Member for Springwood; Goods and Services Tax Dr WATSON (Moggill—LP) (Leader of the Lang Park Grand Finals Liberal Party) (10.07 a.m.): Yesterday in this Mr ROBERTS (Nudgee—ALP) place I listened to a concerted attack on the (10.09 a.m.): It is a solemn occasion indeed GST, so today I refer members to an article when a member has to stand in this place and entitled The Political Economy of Taxation speak against the wishes of his own leader. Reform. The article presents a very well But as patron of the greatest Rugby League researched and convincing argument for the team in Queensland, I have a duty to urge introduction of a consumption tax or GST. Part fans to flock to the real home of football this of the article states—— Saturday—Lang Park—and support Norths, "The introduction of a broad based the Mighty Devils, in their quest to win no fewer tax on consumption will have an than three grand final trophies. Norths play unambiguous and positive effect on Wests in the Queensland Cup, Wynnum in the private sector savings." A Grade and Brothers in the Colts. We are, of course, expecting three great wins in each It states further—— division to add to victories in the preseason "The other benefits of a value added championship and the minor premiership. tax are that it generally out-performs our This will be a spectacle that no genuine current tax system in all three criteria for Rugby League fan can afford to miss. taxation; equity, efficiency and simplicity." Whereas I wish the Broncos well in their match The article continues—— against Sydney, without a doubt the best "The benefits of introducing a games of football this weekend will be played consumption tax exceed the costs so in our own Queensland league competition at overwhelmingly that in reviewing the "The Cauldron". Norths' last A Grade literature, not one economic argument for premiership was won in 1980 with current the continued heavy reliance on income coach, Mark Murray, as captain. Mark is tax was to be found." poised to further ingrain himself in Devil's history with wins in the Queensland Cup on Let me repeat that last statement—— Saturday. I pass on my congratulations to all "The benefits of introducing a players in all divisions for a great season. I consumption tax exceed the costs so make special mention of Colts coach Anthony overwhelmingly that in reviewing the Griffin and captain Brad Watts; A Grade coach literature, not one economic argument for Craig Grauf and captain Geoff Huxtable; and the continued heavy reliance on income premier coach Mark Murray and captain Kevin tax was to be found." Carmichael. I mention also the leading try 17 Sep 1998 Private Members' Statements 2317 scorer for the season, Paul Hubbard, and Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of leading points scorer, John Wilshire. order. It is important also to recognise the significant contributions of the club office Lang Park Grand Finals bearers, administrative staff and supporters. Their efforts have underpinned one of the Mr REEVES (Mansfield—ALP) most successful years in the club's history. I (10.12 a.m.): I rise to support the member for wish all of the players well and look forward to Nudgee and to speak about the State League a great celebration on Saturday night. Go the grand final to be played at Lang Park between Mighty Devils! Norths and Wests. Unfortunately, this game has been forgotten due to the unfortunate Mr SPEAKER: I might mention that coach clash with the NRL major semifinal at ANZ Mark Murray was trained at Redcliffe. That is Stadium. where he learned to play football. An Opposition member: Are you still here? Goods and Services Tax Mr REEVES: Yes, I am still here, and Mr QUINN (Merrimac—LP) (Deputy here to stay—just like the MUA. Leader of the Liberal Party) (10.10 a.m.): Listening to the Minister for Education rail The unfortunate aspect of this clash is against the Federal Government's tax reform that it should not have happened. The NRL knew at the start of the season that the QRL package yesterday, I could not help thinking of had set this 2 p.m. timeslot for the grand final. the Queensland Teachers Union. Members This 2 p.m. timeslot is due to the Statewide would probably be aware that the QTU is the live coverage by the ABC. I know that many Minister's primary source of education policy advice. It now seems that the QTU Journal is constituents of country members, as well as his primary source of tax advice as well. city folk, look forward to this weekly slot. The NRL's dogmatic attitude has sent messages The Education Minister's comments on that the bad old days of Rugby League the GST yesterday were virtually word for word management based in Sydney may have from page 2 of the current issue of that returned. Why did the NRL not set down the journal. The front page features a large match between the Broncos and Sydney City photograph of two students and various school on the Sunday and set down the Sydney related items, liberally sprinkled with GST semifinal on the Saturday? I hope that this captions. What it does not do is identify the kind of pig-headed attitude is gone by the time wholesale sales tax on those articles—for it comes to granting us an NRL grand final. I example, 22% on the writing pad, the school am sure that the convincing arguments and bag, the cricket bat, the soccer ball, the sports the negotiating skills of the Premier will ensure bag and the computer printer, and 32% on the that not only do we get an NRL grand final but girl's wristwatch. In other words, the GST would also that the NRL will never again be allowed replace much higher hidden taxes. to clash with our State League grand final. The Minister has obviously misled the More importantly, I need to give praise to House by claiming that parents would have to the QRL for running an effective and high- pay more for school related items, such as quality competition. It is great to see sides stationery, school bags and sporting from Cairns to Coolangatta competing in one equipment. Not true! Exercise books, pens, competition. I look forward to going to Lang pencils, school bags, backpacks, sporting Park on Saturday to watch the Devils play the goods and the like are all subject to a Panthers, even though my beloved Brothers wholesale sales tax of 22%. The same is true are not in the big one. However, I wish the for other common student items, such as Brothers team success in the Colts grade. I calculators, musical instruments and bicycles. take this opportunity to wish friends of mine The Minister should do his own homework Dale Williams, Andrew Hamilton and Kevin for a change and stop relying upon the union Carmichael from Norths, and Shaun Valentine to do it for him. I would also make the point and Joel Twohill from Wests well in the final of that Helen Demidenko is not the best role the State League. model for aspiring young students or for the As a Brothers supporter it pains me to say Minister for Education. that I believe it will be a case of standing up Mr WELLS: I rise to a point of order. Mr and cheering for Norths this year. I am sure Speaker, I was quoting the financial expert that the member for Nudgee will be a happy Austin Donnelly, not the QTU. man. 2318 Private Members' Statements 17 Sep 1998

Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member has Mr VEIVERS (Southport—NPA) found the statement offensive and has asked (10.14 a.m.): I take this opportunity to clear the for it to be withdrawn. air once again in relation to certain uninformed Mr MUSGROVE: I will withdraw, even statements made by the Minister for though I did not refer to the individual Emergency Services. I wish to emphasise member. I was talking in general terms about strongly that the Queensland Fire and Rescue how a member of the community may Authority is not currently in trouble, contrary to perceive—quite reasonably—that the One the political mischief being peddled by the Nation Party is racist. Minister and her myopic political advisers and Following on from my contribution last a report that has not seen the light of day and night, I will give members a few more quotes which the Queensland Fire and Rescue from Pauline Hanson's One Nation Policy Authority Board has not seen. The Minister Document—Immigration, Population and brought it in, made them pay $40,000 for it, Social Cohesion, which was tabled by the but they have not been able to see it yet. She Deputy Premier yesterday. In relation to has been quoting from a report that none of immigration, it states— us has seen. When I came in as Minister, the Staib "The program will be non- report said that we had to have $30m in extra discriminatory, unless immigration funding for the Queensland Fire and Rescue numbers are such that the program will Authority. The Masters report, commissioned alter the ethnic and cultural make up of by that board, indicated a trust fund balance of our country." $6m in the red in 1997-98 and an $8.5m I put it to the House that this is a race-based deficit in 1998-99. This year's budget came in immigration policy. I will go on. Let us see why $18m in the black. Does the Minister know One Nation wants this. Pauline Hanson is what that means? Does she need a statement quoted in the Bulletin of 22 October 1996 as about it? There was an $11m carryover and stating— $7m in savings through good management by "Maybe I do come in like a Sherman the Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority. At tank, (but) how else am I going to say that the changeover from the old Queensland Fire I want a halt on Asians coming into the Service there was a debt of $21m. That is now country." $13.5m. The 1997-98 budget indicated that the trust fund would be in an overdraft Why are our Asian trading partners afraid? situation for eight months. The actual time was This is why. Why are our indigenous two months. That was achieved despite not communities afraid? I will tell honourable drawing down on loan funds available for the members why. Kedron Park complex. During 1997-98, under Mr Nelson interjected. my guidance, we also focused on bedding Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for down a range of industrial relations and Tablelands will cease interjecting. human relations issues, and a new award and certified agreement was finalised. I also Mr MUSGROVE: I now quote from The bedded down an enterprise partnership as well Truth by Pauline Hanson. It states— as funding the cost of a change to a 38-hour "Much has been made of the so- week. I hear that the new Minister is now called genocide of the Aborigines by the known as "Mrs Airhead". white settlers. This is a myth, and is false Time expired. by definition." The genocide of indigenous Australians is a One Nation Party myth! Mr MUSGROVE (Springwood—ALP) Mr Nelson interjected. (10.16 a.m.): The member for Tablelands and Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for the member for Caboolture get very upset Tablelands! when anyone dares to suggest that the members of their party, the One Nation Mr MUSGROVE: Why do people regard Party—sitting in the back row—could possibly One Nation as racist? That is why. Do we also be seen as racist. Last night I tabled a number deny the Holocaust? Do we deny the genocide of indigenous Australians? How far will it go? of documents in relation to their racist remarks. Mr NELSON: I rise to a point of order. I Mr Nelson interjected. find the statement that they are racist Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member offensive and I ask for it to be withdrawn. for Tablelands under Standing Order 123A. 17 Sep 1998 Private Members' Statements 2319

Natural Disaster, Helidon Stroke Support Group Dr PRENZLER (Lockyer—ONP) Ms STRUTHERS (Archerfield—ALP) (10.19 a.m.): I rise to speak on a matter of (10.20 a.m.): Unlike my colleagues this great concern to a number of residents in my morning, I do not propose to talk about Rugby electorate. The residents I refer to reside in League. I intend to talk about the invaluable Railway Street, Helidon, on the eastern bank time and effort that many community members volunteer to keep our sporting of Lockyer Creek. These residents are about to groups, community services, P & Cs and other be consumed in a natural disaster that brings with it the potential for the loss of human life. It voluntary associations running. This effort contributes significantly to economic and social is a disaster that should be looked at on an life in this State. ultra-urgent basis by this Government. It is difficult to put a monetary value on it, The land that these people reside on is but some gauge of this massive effort is given being eroded at an increasing and alarming in the following national figures. Lyons rate by flooding in the Lockyer Creek. concluded that more than 1.3 million people Residents have brought their concerns to the donated a total of 95 million volunteer hours to notice of Ministers in what was then the community social welfare groups in Australia in coalition Government. Those Ministers claim in 1994. When all non-profit organisations are their correspondence to these residents that considered, the figure becomes an amazing this was natural erosion. The new Government 374 million hours. also has been contacted by these residents Today I highlight and pay tribute to a and others. It referred to the correspondence voluntary group that has just commenced in of the previous Government and reiterated its the electorate of Archerfield—the Stroke findings. This real concern of the residents has Support Group in Acacia Ridge. This group become a political football, kicked between the has been initiated by stroke sufferers and Departments of Natural Resources and Main carers—mainly young people whose lives have Roads. been shattered by stroke. Most of us think of stroke as affecting older people. Many of the There are two main road bridges over the young people in the group have young Lockyer Creek, side by side. The second families. Many had active lives and demanding bridge was built in the early 1990s. It is very jobs. Now, much of this has changed. I obvious by inspection that we also have many mention two members of the group, Sue thousands of cubic metres of dumped fill on Stewart and Bob McKay. Both had strokes in the southern side of these bridges, directly their early 40s. Sue said to me recently— obstructing natural water flow during flooding. This fill redirects floodwaters towards the banks "You could be enjoying breakfast in question. It is also very interesting to note one morning, then by lunch time you could be like me." that all the erosion is below the bridges— nothing at all above. It is a frightening thought that stroke can hit both young and older people suddenly and The concerns of these residents are very indiscriminately. This group has had difficulty real. This problem falls outside the jurisdiction raising funds. It is its hope and mine that it will of the local government but directly under the attract local, State or Federal funding to jurisdiction of this Government. If this erosion maintain and expand its efforts. I wish it every was on the beachfront at the Gold Coast, success. many millions of dollars would be spent to correct it. Outback Highway We must hear these people, whether the Mr JOHNSON (Gregory—NPA) erosion has been natural or has been (10.22 a.m.): Next Wednesday, Thursday and unnaturally accelerated by these Main Roads Friday, a group of people from western bridges or what would now be illegally dumped Queensland—namely, from the Winton and fill in the natural watercourse. I hereby call Boulia Shires and other shires associated with upon the Minister for Transport and Main western Queensland—will journey to Alice Roads and the Minister for Environment and Springs to take part in a convention to Heritage and Natural Resources to come with promote and seek support for the upgrade of me to Helidon to inspect this problem, to talk what is known as the outback highway. I hope to the residents about it and to consider that the Minister for Transport and Main Roads solutions before we are all shocked by a will be able to attend that meeting in Alice terrible disaster. Springs next Thursday. I know that members 2320 Private Members' Statements 17 Sep 1998 of the Department of Main Roads will be in if the question is too complicated, the typical attendance at that meeting. answer is, "They are still working out the final Importantly, this promotion is all about details." upgrading a highway from Western Australia to The current taxation system certainly has Queensland through the centre of this great its flaws, but people understand it. The current continent of ours. It starts at Kalgoorlie and laws need to be reviewed to ensure that there goes through to Laverton, back through Ayers are no loopholes, particularly for high income Rock to Alice Springs and across to Boulia and earners. It needs to be more equitable across Winton. This incorporates the reef to the rock the wide range of incomes. concept on the Queensland/Territory side. A GST will only disadvantage low to There are some 860 kilometres of unsealed middle income earners and advantage the road on this highway. rich. There will be no control over what item The road is significant—nationally as well attracts the tax and how much the tax will as internationally probably—to this great increase. It is not an alternative to the current continent in the areas of exports, tourism and taxation system. A GST has been tried the like. The upgrading of this road needs the unsuccessfully in other countries. It has support of the Government. I know that people resulted in a further separation of the rich from in Mount Isa currently are not very supportive the poor. of this road being upgraded—they say that it Politicians at the Federal level were will take a lot of patronage away from Mount attempting to confuse voters through their Isa City and the north-west area—but this is taxpayer funded $12m advertising campaign about promotion of an area. The Minister for selling a new and better tax system to replace Transport would know this, as he lives in the the old one, with offers of tax benefits for all. north of Queensland. Time expired. The reef to the rock concept is certainly important to that area of Queensland as we promote tourism. I say to members of the E. J. Foote Memorial Park Government and to everybody in this House: Mr LAMING (Mooloolah—LP) please get behind this concept. Everybody can (10.27 a.m.): Last Sunday I was given the take advantage of the benefits that will flow in honour and the privilege of launching the book the areas of tourism, livestock and so on. I The Foote Sanctuary, by Tamsin O'Connor. It seek the Government's support on this chronicles 50 years of volunteer work in the important issue. community to look after the E. J. Foote Memorial Park in Buderim, a rainforest park—a Goods and Services Tax very beautiful place. This park was donated by the Foote family 50 years ago as a memorial Mrs ATTWOOD (Mount Ommaney—ALP) to one of its ancestors, Eric Joseph Foote, who (10.24 a.m.): I have had many approaches died in France in the First World War. Five from concerned senior members in my hundred Australians were being killed every electorate about the proposed GST of the day at that stage of the war. present Federal Government. One constituent The book is a memorial to wars of all sorts wrote to me some time ago, pleading that I and to all the people who have been killed in should condemn the GST at every opportunity. wars. It is a very interesting history of the He believes that most ordinary people are Buderim area, the pioneers, the original unaware of its impact on their standard of Aborigines and the Kanakas who worked up living. I wrote back agreeing about that aspect there at the turn of the century. The park is an of the GST and advising that I personally did environmental statement. Species of trees that not believe that the coalition would have the were missing have been replanted to re-create gall to introduce it. How wrong I was! the environment that existed previously. This John Howard is quoted as saying that he book is such a good resource that I have would not bring in a GST. Now he is preying on decided to donate a copy to each of the people's perceptions that the current taxation primary schools in my electorate. system is no good and needs to be changed, and he has introduced a GST as a better form of taxation. People have been asking how the Public Service GST will affect them. How will they survive on a Ms BOYLE (Cairns—ALP) (10.28 a.m.): I meagre pension with an ever increasing tax on rise to speak not so much about the powerful basic, essential items? We were told to ring a or influential individuals who sometimes seek hotline number to clarify the matter. However, to meet with local members, but instead about 17 Sep 1998 Questions Without Notice 2321 those troubled individuals, those people often Mr FOLEY: There are two errors of fact in unsophisticated in the ways of Government the assertions upon which the question is and inexperienced in dealing with Government based. The first is that the honourable departments and agencies, who come to see member incorrectly asserted that the local members, often in confusion as to what appointment was not based on merit and that to do next and frequently in some pain and I had so informed the Parliament. In fact, the distress. They turn to their local members, truth is that the appointment was made on quite appropriately of course, for advice on merit. It was done following advertisement in where to go and what to do. Frequently, in my late 1995 through an open process that short experience, their visits have been involved in the selection committee the then precipitated by a problem with a department president of the Queensland Law Society. This such as Housing, Health or Family Services or person was subsequently sacked without with an agency such as WorkCover or the reason by the coalition Government and she police, or even by contact with local has now been reinstated to the position which government. she won on merit. Whilst technically these people may have The second point is also a gross been given correct service by the public misrepresentation of the truth. The honourable agency to which they made a visit, their real the Leader of the Opposition asserted the and broader needs and wider problems have proposition that she was commuting. That is not been recognised. There has not been a not so. The truth is that arrangements were sensitivity to the fact that liaison, referral or made by way of the relocation package to other assistance has been required by these ensure that there would be some component individuals. for travel in the transition period, having regard This morning I put it to the House that the to the fact that she has to relocate from challenge for this Government is to recognise Melbourne to Brisbane. That arrangement has that good service to people in our communities been made in accordance with the sometimes requires more than a tight and well- arrangements put in place by the Public driven, economically efficient single program. It Service Commissioner. is not so much a problem of a lack of skill in With respect to the third point as to the our public servants but of a limitation imposed paying back of moneys paid by way of a on our public servants by attitudes from the redundancy agreement, arrangements have top, by work pressures and by the tight been entered into in relation to this matter. efficiencies of accountability and of following The position is simply this: in accordance with the philosophical underpinnings of economic the provisions of the law, where a person is re- rationalism that have left our services engaged after having received a redundancy inadequate and in some ways inhumane. payment there is a requirement for a refund on Time expired. a pro rata basis and arrangements are put in place in order that such repayments can be Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time for Private made in a proper and timely way. That is done Members' Statements has expired. in accordance with proper practice. May I say that it is an utter disgrace that QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE this coalition, which has consistently refused to Director-General, Department of Justice appoint women to senior positions in Government, yet again attacks the Mr BORBIDGE (10.30 a.m.): In directing a appointment of a woman who made it through question to the Minister for Justice and both sides of politics in a distinguished career Attorney-General, I refer him to his answer to to the top of the Public Service. the member for Warwick on Tuesday confirming that his director-general was Mr Johnson: It's not talking about appointed without placement of women. advertisements and without selection on merit Mr FOLEY: She deserves commendation procedures—in fact adopting retrospective for having served both sides of politics over a appointment on merit—and that she is long and very distinguished career. commuting between Melbourne and Brisbane at taxpayers' expense. I ask: in view of her six- figure payout by the previous coalition Director-General, Department of Justice Government in 1996, how much of this Mr BORBIDGE: I direct a further question generous payout has his fly-in fly-out locum to the Minister for Justice and Attorney- director-general refunded to the taxpayers of General and I again refer to the appointment Queensland? of the director-general without the position 2322 Questions Without Notice 17 Sep 1998 being advertised and without merit-based Queensland. I also note that Mr Kernaghan—— selection, with the exception of retrospective Opposition members interjected. merit-based selection. This presumes that in two and a half years or three years no-one Mr SULLIVAN: I am sorry that Opposition better could have come along, thus denying members do not want to hear. I also note that the previous director-general of the Mr Kernaghan will donate all funds raised by department the opportunity to apply for the those concerts to a wide range of projects in job. I ask the Minister: what is the cost of the those communities. I ask: has the State relocation package? On how many occasions Government given consideration to supporting and how frequently is the director-general this praiseworthy initiative? commuting between Melbourne and Mr BEATTIE: I think it is important that Brisbane? Are the taxpayers also meeting the Parliament has some good news from time to accommodation costs of the Minister's fly-in fly- time as opposed to some of the negative out locum director-general? carping and whingeing we get from the Mr FOLEY: The previous director-general Opposition. I heard about Lee Kernaghan's had a contract which terminated with the initiative through the John Laws program. termination of the previous Government, so Basically, what Mr Kernaghan—— the question arose as to whether or not the Opposition members interjected. person who had been previously appointed on Mr BEATTIE: Do Opposition members not merit, and who had been denied the position have any interest in the bush? Basically, what very early in her term after a long and Mr Kernaghan is planning is a national tour but distinguished career, should be reappointed to with a big difference. He plans to put the that position. I believe it is fortunate that the money raised from the concerts back into local Government of Queensland was in a position projects in the regions and in the bush. That is to be able to secure the services of such a where the money will go. These projects range person who had made it through a long career from defibrillators to high frequency radio sets and through a selection process based on for emergencies in outback Australia. They are merit. simple things, but they are obviously very The continued attack on her is very important to improving the quality of life for disappointing. It is, of course, only because regional Australians and people in the bush. the previous Government sacked this person In response to the honourable member's without reason and without explanation that question, the answer is: yes, the Queensland we now have to go through the problem of Government is supporting Mr Kernaghan's relocation costs, which are part of a package initiative with a $50,000 grant to help offset the that is exactly the same sort of package costs of travel and other incidentals. Some involved in the transfer of any person to a post major Australian corporations have also dug after they have been relocated from a different deep, providing similar amounts. The initiative position. is also being supported by sections of the In terms of the number of occasions national media. For the benefit of honourable involved, I understand there have been a members who wish to show their support, I couple of occasions when she has returned to inform the House that the three concerts in Melbourne. This is not surprising. It is a Queensland will be held at Julia Creek on 10 reasonable part of the transition period. I urge October, Charleville on 30 October and Yaraka honourable members to demonstrate—— on Friday, 6 November. Mr Borbidge: What about the Mr Gibbs: I think we should have a accommodation costs? Cabinet meeting out there. Mr FOLEY: I understand that the Mr BEATTIE: We are getting out and accommodation costs are met in respect of talking to everyone. Maybe that is not a bad the transition period in the same way that such idea, because I understand that the Minister accommodation costs are met in respect of for Public Works first taught at Yaraka. He any relocation package. understands those local communities. We are a Government that is in touch with the bush. We are a Government that is in touch with all Mr L. Kernaghan Queenslanders. I understand that the final Mr SULLIVAN: I refer the Premier to the concert will be telecast live as part of the Nine recent announcement that popular musician Network's A Current Affair program. I Lee Kernaghan will stage a tour of seven encourage all Queenslanders to get behind regional Australian centres, including three in this worthy initiative. This confirms that my 17 Sep 1998 Questions Without Notice 2323

Government is a Government for all I am delighted that this issue has been Queenslanders, regardless of where they live. raised. In terms of the issue of a GST, I refer to reports that one of the architects of the coalition's GST, Professor Neil Warren, has Goods and Services Tax made some interesting comments in relation Dr WATSON: I refer the Premier to an to the GST. It is interesting that he said that article in the Courier-Mail of 18 August John Howard's GST package is clearly 1997—— unrealistic, indicating the effect it will have in Mr Beattie: I remember it well. relation to the poor. So one of the architects Dr WATSON: I have the article here, if the who is out there supporting the GST says that Premier would like to have a look at it. In that it is unrealistic in terms of how John Howard is article, the shadow Federal Treasurer, Gareth assessing its impact on the poor. Not only that, Evans, said— he also says that its estimation in relation to how it will affect the rich has been misstated "The truth of the matter is that for and not properly assessed. those who get very excited about Commonwealth-State imbalances the By the way, I am delighted by this States can redress that imbalance in a question. One of the architects of the GST has number of ways ... not only through indicated that it has not been properly service taxes but through the old chestnut assessed by John Howard. What we have of property and inheritance taxes." here is a GST that will set this State and this country back. It will set this nation back. Every Given the Premier's rejection of the GST to Queenslander needs to understand that the correct the imbalances in Commonwealth- Labor Government of this State opposed the State financial relations, I ask: should Gareth GST and the National and Liberal Parties Evans become Federal Treasurer, will the supported the GST. Let the record show that. Premier do what he suggests and bring back If Mr Howard gets a chance to implement death duties? it—and I doubt that he will—then those Mr BEATTIE: Even though there are opposite, that is, the National and Liberal many members on the other side of the House Parties, will share equal responsibility for its who are rapidly approaching the time in their destructive effect on the tourism industry in this lives when such a tax would be applicable, it State. certainly does not apply to members on this side of the House. The answer to the question is: no. Bearing in mind that I have had some South Bank Parklands difficulty communicating with the Leader of the Mr PURCELL: I have a question for the Opposition on complex issues, let me put it in Premier. Anyone visiting the South Bank these words: no, no, no, no and no. Having parklands will have noticed the massive raised the issue of tax, I would like to refer redevelopment work taking place there. I ask: to—— when are the parklands due to reopen, and is Mr Borbidge interjected. the work on schedule? Mr BEATTIE: Is that not clear for the Mr BEATTIE: I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition? I will say it again: member for Bulimba for his interest in this no, no—— project. With his history in the building industry, A Government member: What part of I know that he has a keen interest in jobs and "no" don't you understand? development, and so does my Government. Mr BEATTIE: That is right. What part of The redevelopment is running on time "no" does the Leader of the Opposition not and on budget. The new South Bank will be a understand? place of relaxing parklands, good times, new Mr Borbidge interjected. squares, shaded streets, cafes and shops. An extra hectare of parklands has been provided, Mr SPEAKER: Order! and 1,900 extra trees are being planted at Mr BEATTIE: That is typical. What an South Bank. Grey Street will reappear as a unruly Opposition! They are disrupting grand, tree-lined boulevard. $14m will be spent question time. Now that the issue of tax has on an 800-space underground car park that been raised—— will be ready in time for Christmas. Mr Grice interjected. On my recent inspection, I was delighted Mr BEATTIE: Here we go again! to see that the work is well advanced. I have Opposition members are attempting to disrupt talked to the Minister about this. There are question time. another 200 spaces for parking elsewhere. 2324 Questions Without Notice 17 Sep 1998

There will be a $20m 450-seat Imax theatre Why has the Minister chosen to cover up this and four 220-seat cinemas, all ready for written advice from his department? And given Christmas. $4.7m will be spent on a grand his Government's election promise to lower arbour, eight metres high, covered in unemployment, and his responsibility to bougainvillea and winding the entire length of promote State development and trade, how the parklands. It will be a spectacular icon. The can he not support the benefits to Queensland works starts in November for completion by businesses and exporters contained in the September next year. When I was at the site Federal Government's tax reform package? recently, I launched the arbour and the plans Mr ELDER: I get a raft of advice from my for it. It will be part of a $12.8m horticultural department on a range of issues, and each of enhancement of the site. those officers may have different views about It is by considerable coincidence that this how certain fiscal changes within the taxation question was asked, because I just happened system in Australia may impact on one to be reading a file on South Bank. I am industry or another. Advice comes to me happy to table that file for the information of all regularly. What I do though, as a responsible honourable members. The arbour that I Minister, is look at the overwhelming benefit to launched will look something like the drawing the State and the State's industry. that I am showing to honourable members. It Let me tell members what a GST will do will be a considerable enhancement to to small business. Members opposite are Brisbane. Everyone understands what a turning 170,000 small businesspeople into tax tremendous impact South Bank has had on collectors. The member talks about the GST this State, and that is the sort of attractiveness having an impact. It will have an impact all that we will provide for the city. I have shown right: it will have a devastating impact on the the House the night version, and I am now most productive sector in our economy, that is, holding up the day version. small business. Small business is the major Government members interjected. employer and the major job generator in this Mr BEATTIE: I had to explain the State. All small businesspeople out there know difference between the night and day versions that, as soon as this tax is introduced—if John for the benefit of Opposition members, but I Howard is elected—they become tax know that Government members would have collectors. They are the ones who will have to picked it up very quickly. I think it is important collect and administer the tax. that all members in this House—— I read an article that appeared recently in Opposition members interjected. the Townsville Bulletin. When Peter Reith was Mr BEATTIE: Opposition members have visiting that area, he was criticised by the no respect for development or jobs. I do Townsville Chamber of Commerce for not believe that it is important that all members of being able to adequately explain the GST to the House be fully briefed on how this small business. When asked by a businessman about the details, he Government is driving South Bank. I table this responded— detailed brochure for the information of all members. "You don't have to understand the details of the GST to know what it is all about." Taxation Reform; Goods and Services Tax That is about as responsive as saying to the Mr HORAN: I ask the Deputy Premier and wharfies, "You'll be better off without your job." Minister for State Development and Minister How will Mr Reith ensure that small for Trade: will he confirm for this Parliament a businesspeople comply with the GST? written briefing from his department about the Perhaps he will put all the new Treasury tax Federal Government's tax reform package advisers into uniforms and give them GST which states that— sniffer dogs so they can walk through "... tax reform will produce higher individual businesses and say, "Have you or economic growth due to greater and more have you not sold anything today?" Perhaps productive investment, with the cost of that is the way he will administer the GST. private investment projected to fall by Small businesspeople will have problems around 7%. This combined with lower complying with a GST. The biggest—and I industry costs, estimated at around 3.2%, really mean the biggest—hit that will come should create a favourable climate for from the GST will be that on the small exporters. Higher growth and the effect of business community in this State. If the improved work incentives should also honourable member would like that advice lower unemployment." tabled, I will find that advice and table it. I get 17 Sep 1998 Questions Without Notice 2325 a raft of advice from my department about the We have done an analysis. Wendy impact of a GST on a raft of industries. There Edmond, the Minister, and I have talked about may be one or two manufacturing industries the issue at some length. It is very clear what that may benefit from it, but the bulk of the former Minister for Health did. He made industries in this State—the tourism industry unfunded promises from one end of the State and small businesses—will all cop an to the other. The former Premier, the now enormous whack from the introduction of a Leader of the Opposition, used to do the GST. same thing. They would tell people, "We will promise you this", but none of it was funded. The then Minister for Health wanted to use Maryborough Base Hospital that report as a cover to take out the intensive Mr HAYWARD: I refer the Premier to a care unit. As I have told the member for front-page report in yesterday's Fraser Coast Maryborough and as the Minister for Health Chronicle which carried the headline "ICU has made clear to this House, the ICU in threat again" and refers to the Maryborough Maryborough will remain. We will stop what Mr Base Hospital. I ask: will the Premier inform the Horan, the then Health Minister, wanted to do, House whether that report is accurate? that is, close down the intensive care unit. I hope the Fraser Coast Chronicle will clarify the Mr BEATTIE: In one word, the answer to record tomorrow so that there is an that question is: no. It is not accurate. I am understanding. I am happy to say that the disturbed by that report. The report was former Minister got caught out. commissioned by the previous Government. It was designed as a smokescreen to cover the Time expired. former Government's plan to close the ICU at the Maryborough Base Hospital. The previous Goods and Services Tax Government knew that the report would give it an excuse to close the ICU. It was not Mr HEALY: I refer the Premier to his commissioned by our Government; it was statement in question time yesterday that a commissioned by the previous Government. GST would attack the job security of the 125,000 Queenslanders who rely on the The previous Government rejected advice tourism sector for their employment. I refer him from the Health Department, which said that also to an independent assessment of the the Maryborough Base Hospital budget effect of a GST on tourism compiled by needed almost $6.2m extra in the current Michael Knox from Morgan Stockbroking financial year. The previous Health Minister, dated 19 August 1998, which I table. Mr Knox Mike Horan, rejected that advice. I have estimates that the GST will result in business already tabled the documents in this House. costs to tourism falling by 2.8% and that this He added just $3.5m to the hospital budget. In will in turn generate an extra 9,600 tourism other words, he destroyed the intensive care jobs, 2,100 of which will be in Queensland. I unit at the Maryborough Base Hospital. This ask: if a respected independent report says report was being prepared to cover up what that a GST will boost tourism jobs, what factual the then Government was going to do. We evidence does the Premier have to back up know why that report was prepared, and I his fear campaign aimed at Queensland's stress this: it was about trying to cover up the tourism workers? closing down of that ICU unit. Mr BEATTIE: Michael Knox has been a The honourable member knew what the well-known supporter of the Liberal Party in this report would say. He knew that it would town and a well-known supporter of the recommend scrapping the ICU. Let me tell coalition for a considerable period. If members honourable members what we will do with that opposite think that I will take seriously what report. When it hits my desk, it will hit the one of their supporters is saying in relation to bottom of the bin. There will be no closing this issue, they are wrong. The bottom line is down of any ICUs. We will turn back the very clearly this: the GST will have a winding back that the previous Government devastating effect on the tourism industry. One sought to do. The secret plan of the previous of the big questions that needs to be asked in Government was to scrap the ICU by using the debate about the GST is: what does it that outrageous report as a smokescreen. The mean for the State of Queensland? The previous Minister knew that the $17m upgrade Opposition has sold out this State when it would not cover the 130 beds that he comes to the GST. I am afraid that Mr promised. He had made another unfunded Howard's GST package is littered with promise. unrealistic assumptions, as Professor Neil 2326 Questions Without Notice 17 Sep 1998

Warren, the architect of the coalition's failed One Nation and racist attitudes in sections of Fightback package, said. Australia and in Queensland in particular. I Mr Howard expects us to believe that, ask: is the Treasurer aware of any instances merely by introducing a GST, the economy will where One Nation's profile has resulted in lost grow and the States will collect an extra opportunities for Queensland trade? $400m in State taxes. That is the first wrong Mr HAMILL: Indeed, I am aware of assumption. I cannot say that I have been concerns being expressed about the policy knocked over in this rush of independent impact of One Nation in Australia not only at economists who are wanting to agree that home but also abroad. In fact, on my first there will be a GST-led recovery. Have occasion to go interstate with the Queensland honourable members heard anyone say that? Treasury Corporation, I was quite disturbed to I do not think so. The State coalition has find that representatives of the financial assumed that John Howard can be taken at markets and financial institutions were his word that no State will be worse off in the preoccupied with the impact that One Nation's first years of his new tax system. All John policies would have on fiscal policy in Howard has offered is an interest-free loan that Queensland. They were also reporting on Queensland will have to call upon if the GST widespread concern in the region. revenues promised do not materialise. What I would have thought that some of this the coalition is supporting is a loan. alarm may have died down. Unfortunately, From the day the GST package was comments such as those attributed to One announced, Queensland has been warning Nation's—I am not quite sure whether he is a that we will be punished for being the low-tax company director or something—Mr Ettridge State. The Opposition Leader and his deputy about just printing money to solve economic have jumped to John Howard's defence, problems has permeated a number of financial insisting that we will get a fair go. Richard markets. In fact, my office has been contacted Court's Western Australian Government is by a senior executive of one of Australia's under no such illusion. In its analysis of the leading financial institutions who advised that Commonwealth package, the Western the level of concern over One Nation in Asia Australian Treasury has recognised that the forced his company to cancel a planned distribution of GST revenue will be modified to Queensland conference for a number of high- ensure that States that collect more tax at the profile Asian clients. This financial institution moment do not lose revenue to States such does extensive business with Asian investors as Queensland that collect less tax. The in fixed interest securities and bonds, such as document states— those issued by the QTC. "... without this modification, States and The executive regularly visits clients in Territories which have higher rates on the Asia, with a recent tour occurring after the taxes to be abolished would lose revenue Queensland election. On that trip, this in favour of those with lower taxes." executive visited some 20 clients to 30 clients, all of whom, unlike clients contacted on That is us: Queensland. Queensland as a previous visits, expressed serious concern State will be worse off than Western Australia, about the impact of One Nation's policies. New South Wales and Victoria. Research by Their concerns were twofold. They were the Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation concerned that One Nation's influence could has also shown that interstate tourism to the see Australia backslide in key economic reform Gold Coast and, therefore, hundreds of local areas, such as foreign investment and tariffs. jobs will suffer if a goods and services tax is However, they were concerned particularly introduced. That is my source of information. I about attitudes in relation to race. would accept that over information from This financial institution tentatively booked Michael Knox any day. The second piece of a conference at Coolum on the Sunshine information I have to share with members Coast. However, the executive advised us that opposite is this: the Western Australian clients, when told that they were going to Treasury agrees with us. come to Queensland, made it very clear Time expired. indeed that they were not too interested. In fact, the executive advice to my office was— "Some said to us that they would Effect of One Nation's Profile on Trade rather not come if the event was going to Mr FOURAS: I draw the Treasurer's be held in Queensland. They drew a very attention to continual reports in the Asian clear distinction between Queensland and media about the impact of Pauline Hanson's the rest of Australia." 17 Sep 1998 Questions Without Notice 2327

Unfortunately, the conference was lost to this quantum of the cost, would often find State; it went to the Blue Mountains in New themselves in a position of unequal bargaining South Wales. That is an absolute tragedy, and power. It is for that reason that the law needs it is a clear demonstration that the intemperate to ensure that protections are built into the and ill-informed comments of some persons in legislation. To that end, it is the intention of the the One Nation Party are doing our convention Government to strengthen those protections business damage and are doing our country along the lines that we set out and moved in damage. We are determined to right the some considerable detail when in Opposition. wrong and get the message out that Queensland will not cop it. Asia-Pacific Construction Industry Time expired. Conference Mr WILSON: I refer the Minister for Public Solicitors Complaints Tribunal Works and Minister for Housing to a major Asia-Pacific construction industry conference to Mr PAFF: I refer the Attorney-General and be held soon on the Gold Coast, and I ask: Minister for Justice to the formation of the what role does his department have in the Solicitors Complaints Tribunal, and I ask: what conference? Can he advise of any problems precautions have been put in place to ensure being confronted by the conference those appointed are truly impartial? Is it true organisers? that five of the nine appointments have come from the previous statutory committee, one of Mr SCHWARTEN: I thank the honourable which previously held the position of president member for the question. I have here a of the Queensland Law Society? brochure for that conference, which is to be held at the Gold Coast between 30 September Mr FOLEY: I thank the honourable and 4 October. It is a very important member for the question. With respect to the conference for Queensland, not just because numbers to which he referred, I cannot assist of what the Premier outlined this morning in the honourable member, but I am happy to terms of the dollars that it is worth to us but, make inquiries and find out. May I say that, in more importantly, in terms of growing the respect of the Solicitors Complaints Tribunal, Queensland building industry in Asia. In that the concern expressed by Labor when in regard, it is very important that we forge very Opposition was that in a number of important solid links. respects there were inadequate consumer protections built into the legislation to ensure Yes, that conference has run into that consumers of legal services received a fair difficulties. However, I am pleased to say that go when dealing with disputes. To that end, the Queensland Government and my the Labor Opposition moved a series of department in particular have been able to amendments in this House, some of which offer sponsorship to help it through some of were successful and some of which were those problems. Of course, as honourable unsuccessful. members would be aware, one of the problems with the conference is the Asian It was the view of Labor in Opposition and melt-down, which has prevented some it remains the view of Labor in Government countries from participating, and that is a that there are areas of concern in respect of shame. the need for better protection for consumers of However, a delegation that was to come legal services. That was an issue that I from the Philippines has decided not to attend agitated on behalf of the Labor Opposition at some length and was critical of in the and instead has sent this explanation, which legislation that was introduced by the former states— Attorney-General. The honourable member's "Due to bad publicity generated by point is well taken in expressing concern in alleged racist activities in Australia, our respect of the availability or the need for that original group of 16 persons shall no area of protection for consumers of legal longer participate in the Master Builders services. Convention in October." There is also concern expressed in Ms Spence: Shame! respect of the position of costs assessors Mr SCHWARTEN: It is a shame. Who can pursuant to that tribunal and the need to we blame for this? When we hear the term ensure that there is an avoidance of conflicts "racist", only one political leader in Australia of interest. Frankly, this is an important issue and only one political organisation in Australia because ordinary people in their dealings with is being confronted with the racist tag. I solicitors, where there is a dispute as to the wonder why that is occurring. This morning in 2328 Questions Without Notice 17 Sep 1998 this Chamber, plenty of evidence came inspectors, most of whom were the inspectors forward in the form of various bits and pieces previously employed by the QLMA. A further of information that has been cobbled together effect has been that the domestic meat to form a policy that would obviously convey a processing sector is now operating fully to message to the people of those countries that quality assurance standards. Under the QLMA they are not welcome here. policy, the new fees largely remove any My department is expanding business inequities of cross-industry subsidisation that into these areas. For example, we have were characteristic of the old fee structure. The officers working in Jakarta in Indonesia, Hong fees also reflect fee for service costs of Kong and Shanghai. Recently, the Sultan of providing accreditation and are audit specific to Brunei has shown some interest in us the needs of each category of meat developing kitchens for him—in fact, 160 processing. kitchens for public housing. That is very This also gives me the opportunity to important business for us. bring to the attention of the House the fact Mr Beattie interjected. that when I was trawling through that back paddock that was left to me by the previous Mr SCHWARTEN: Yes, indeed, the Government, sadly I found an Ann Street Premier and I signed a cooperative deal with stockpile of $1.8m that was left by the QLMA Vietnam. Unfortunately, every time we want to because of the inactivity of two previous do business in those areas we have to "please Ministers, the former member for Barambah explain". It is a shocking indictment on this and the member for Hinchinbrook. This country that such groups of people are giving Government must deal with the fact that the us this bad name. QLMA has a debt of approximately $1.8m. Time expired. That debt has to be addressed pretty quickly. To that end, I am preparing a submission that will go before Cabinet shortly to ensure that Meat Inspectors meat standards in Queensland are Mr NELSON: I ask the Minister for Primary maintained. Industries: is he aware of the current regulations regarding the quota system Federal Funding of State Nursing Homes guiding the use of qualified meat inspectors in an abattoir that has a throughput of more than Mr MULHERIN: I ask the Health Minister: 200 cattle units? Any yard that works under what action is the Government taking to get a that amount does not have to use a qualified fair deal from the Commonwealth coalition meat inspector, which removes a large cost Government for Queensland's nursing home associated with the running of a plant. residents and providers? Therefore, there could be a slaughter yard Mrs EDMOND: I thank the honourable processing 190 cattle units and an abattoir on member for the question, because I know that 230 cattle units and only the abattoir would he is as concerned as I am about the way that employ a meat inspector. This, of course, aged care has been dealt several savage makes the system unfair. I ask: why can we blows by the Federal coalition Government. not remove this quota and have the meat Hundreds of millions of dollars have been processed in a slaughter yard inspected by a ripped out of aged care and the health qualified meat inspector, which would allow all industry generally. However, we are not meat processors to compete on a level playing prepared to roll over as the previous Minister field? It would also allow for a safer product to did. We are not prepared to take it lying down. be distributed to consumers. We have put in a submission to the Mr PALASZCZUK: I thank the honourable Productivity Commission, and members may member for his question. Under the 1994 well ask why we had to do that. We did it standards of the meat industry legislation of because it was put to the Federal coalition 1993, abattoirs processing more than 200 Government that the honest and decent thing head per week were required to pay fees to to do by Queensland and other States is to the QLMA of $80,000 per year. Because of merge or coalesce the subsidised rates to concerns that the abattoirs had about cross- nursing homes. industry subsidisation, the QLMA has now At the moment, Queensland gets the made a policy to reduce those fees to $14,100 worst deal of any State in Australia. The aged per year. Under the arrangement, the abattoirs care industry in Queensland is robbed of agreed to move to full quality assurance. The approximately $44m a year because the effect of this decision has been the voluntary Federal Government subsidises Queensland employment by abattoirs of their own at the lowest rate. We have said that that is 17 Sep 1998 Questions Without Notice 2329 not good enough, that we should be at least Mr BREDHAUER: I am happy to answer at the average, and that all States should be the question from the honourable member in subsidised at the same rate so that we are relation to the Barkly Highway. The member rewarded for efficiencies and not discriminated knows that he should hang his head in shame against. However, what happened after the at the attitude of his mates in Canberra, the Federal Government had agreed to that? coalition Government, and particularly Mark Victoria started whingeing. Victoria is currently Vaile, the Federal Transport Minister, who paid the highest subsidy of any State in have ignored the needs of the road transport Australia, but it whinged and the Prime industry and the safety of motorists travelling Minister heard and has caved in. He has between Cloncurry and Camooweal—— referred the issue to the Productivity Mr Johnson interjected. Commission. Why? Just to get it on the backburner until after the election when he can Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for continue to subsidise Victoria at the expense Gregory has asked the question and the of Queensland. Minister will be allowed to answer it. Every member opposite should lobby their Mr BREDHAUER: The member knows of Federal members and speak out against this the ignorance and neglect of the Federal silly deal. Everybody should make a Minister for Transport, Mark Vaile. He knows submission to the Productivity Commission to this, because he wrote to Mark Vaile—a letter support the submission of Queensland Health, that I tabled in Parliament this morning—telling in order to get a better deal for Queensland. Mark Vaile that for Queensland's national Members should not sit back like the previous highways he needed to spend double the Minister did and cop another slashing of aged money that the coalition Government was care services to this State. Members should currently spending. He identified fight for what is rightfully ours, for a fair go and specifically—— a fair deal for the aged people of Queensland. Mr SPEAKER: The Minister must say "the The one solution to this problem would be member for Gregory". to elect a Federal Labor Government, which Mr BREDHAUER: The member for would reverse those cuts to the aged care Gregory identified specifically the Barkly industry. A Federal Labor Government would Highway as a project that was in urgent need put back the $500m that the previous of additional funding. The member for Gregory Government—I said "the previous said that industry and the local community Government", because that is crystal ball would no longer tolerate the neglect of the gazing, but I meant the coalition Federal Government. Government—which ripped that money out of In August, when I received a briefing on the industry. A Federal Labor Government the trial of access by Type 2 road trains to the would make it right; it would improve the Barkly Highway, I made it abundantly clear that quality of aged care in Queensland. that trial had been extended previously and that I would agree to a further three-month Barkly Highway extension of the trial, but that I was not prepared to jeopardise the safety of motorists Mr JOHNSON: I ask the Honourable Minister for Transport and Minister for Main in north-west Queensland by agreeing to Roads: in view of the Government's supposed further extensions of the trial unless and until emphasis on job creation and the issues the Federal Government provided $1.5m to raised in the ministerial statement that the address urgent safety requirements on the Minister delivered today, can the Minister highway and agreed with the Queensland confirm that he is about to subject the freight, Government to a package to upgrade the road pastoral and mining industries to an additional over the coming years to allow as-of-right impost of $250 per trip for road trains using the Type 2 road train access. Barkly Highway between Mount Isa and I will not back down on my decision not to Cloncurry, despite the recent successful trials? extend that trial. I advised the people of north- Is he aware that this additional fee to be west Queensland and the road transport imposed by way of required escorts for Type 2 industry that unless we had a decision by the road trains will further penalise the pastoral end of September, I would stop the trial and industry at a time when it is suffering from the that it would be the Federal Government's Asian financial crisis and when the mining responsibility because of its failure to fund industry is again reeling from further Queensland's national highways. The member uncertainty arising from this Government's knows that. Even the Federal Transport approach to Wik? Minister wrote to Warwick Parer in January, 2330 Questions Without Notice 17 Sep 1998 saying that he was going to give urgent exclusively in firefighting appliances and consideration to a package to upgrade the materials used in the repair and maintenance Barkly Highway. Here we are eight months of firefighting equipment. Under a GST, those later and we have heard nothing about the items would attract a 10% tax. The QFRA Barkly Highway. I care about the safety of the currently expends around $15m on services motorists in north-west Queensland. and supplies. A GST would result in a $1.5m Federal tax bill. Goods and Services Tax Time expired. Mr REEVES: I ask the Minister for Emergency Services: is she concerned that Mr R. Attwood the Howard Government's GST may have an Mr MALONE: I refer the Minister for adverse impact on ambulance subscription Emergency Services to a recent statement by payments and the provision of ambulance the member for Mount Ommaney in which she services, such as CPR and first-aid courses? If stated that her husband, Ron Attwood, who so, could the Minister advise the House of the was subject to an internal investigation into his steps that she has taken? alleged leaking of confidential documents, was Mrs ROSE: I thank the member for not a member of the Minister's staff. Hansard Mansfield for the question. I know he shares records that the member stated— my concern about the impact that the GST "Ron does not work for the Minister could have on all Queenslanders. There is for Emergency Services. He is not on the much uncertainty about just what would attract Minister's staff. He is actually employed by a GST. No full details have ever been made the Fire and Rescue Authority, receives available to let people know exactly what his fortnightly pay cheque from the would and would not attract a GST. authority and accrues his leave and other Yes, I am very concerned that if a entitlements in the same way as any coalition Government is elected a GST could other authority employee." be imposed on ambulance subscriptions and I ask: is Ron Attwood a member of the other services, such as CPR and first-aid Minister's staff and, if not, why does he courses. Such a tax would impact adversely on regularly attend Parliament, sitting just above the QAS funding base and it could be a me in the gallery with other political staffers? disincentive for subscribers at a time when we are trying to encourage more people to Mrs ROSE: This matter was raised during subscribe to the Ambulance Service. A tax of the last sitting of Parliament by the member for this nature would be a tax on saving lives. Southport when he referred to allegations against Mr Attwood and an investigation by my We cannot trust the Federal Government. department. Mr Attwood is a ministerial liaison Firstly, John Howard said that there would not officer. He is employed by the department. He be a GST. Wrong! Then he said that there is not on my personal staff. However, this would be no tax on health care. Wrong again! answer gives me the opportunity to present We found out that over-the-counter medicines some facts to the House in relation to the do in fact attract a GST. We were told that claims about the investigation raised by the there was no GST on Government services, former Minister for Emergency Services, the but can we believe them? I do not think so. member for Southport. The Queensland Ambulance Service is an autonomous statutory authority. I am advised At the time, I said quite honestly that I that services and even subscriptions might was unaware of any such investigation. Do attract a GST. Several weeks ago I wrote to members know why? The investigation was the Prime Minister seeking from him an completed by the department in May, when ironclad guarantee that there would be no the member for Southport was still the GST on ambulance subscriptions. Minister. When the honourable member asked that question, he was not even aware that the Ms Spence interjected. investigation had been completed while he Mrs ROSE: The Minister is right; I have was the Minister. He thought, "I'll ask a not even received a reply. question and I'll put her on the spot." All he did I have also written to the Prime Minister was dump himself in it, because he did not asking him to clarify the situation as it applies know that the investigation had been to firefighting equipment. Firefighting completed when he was the Minister. equipment and fire prevention equipment is A complaint was made to the QFRA chief currently exempt from wholesale sales tax, as commissioner that Mr Attwood was in are chemicals and other preparations used possession of a document, and the matter 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2331 was referred to the CJC. On 9 April the CJC other areas in Health by the previous Minister, found that nothing could be substantiated. It there has been no increase in that funding for threw the matter back to the department and three or four years, and nor can there be while said, "If the department wants to conduct an the Federal Government refuses to put 1c investigation, it can do so." towards it. However, there is good news for Mr Elder: 9 April? Queenslanders, because an incoming Federal Labor Government has promised to restore Mrs ROSE: Yes, 9 April. that funding. Not only will the funding be A departmental investigation into the restored; Queensland Health will be able to allegations subsequently took place. I said that contribute extra and reduce the backlog. it was completed in May. It was actually The member for Crows Nest is obviously completed on 30 April. I apologise. But given delighted with that result, and he, too, will be that I was not sworn in as a Minister until the supporting a Federal Labor Government so end of June, I cannot believe that the former that oral health funding can be restored to Minister and member for Southport asked the Queensland. I am delighted with his response. question. I urge all members opposite to put the weights Mr Veivers interjected. on their counterparts in Canberra to match that Mrs ROSE: There was nothing—no offer by the Labor Government, because there evidence, no finding against Mr Attwood and is a slim chance that the coalition will hang on no disciplinary action. The whole department in Canberra. We want to make sure that that had access to the document that he was funding for oral health does flow to accused of—— Queensland and the other States, as it deserves to. It is the constituents of the Time expired. members opposite who are suffering the most. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time for Dental Services, Bundaberg questions has expired. Mrs NITA CUNNINGHAM: I ask the Mr SPEAKER: Order! Before calling the Minister for Health: is she aware of recent Leader of the Opposition, I acknowledge the media reports that Bundaberg is just one area presence in the public gallery of students, of Queensland that has suffered from a lack of teachers and parents from Redcliffe's adequate dental services? What has the Humpybong State Primary School. Queensland Government done about the situation in Bundaberg and what could an incoming Federal Labor Government do to APPROPRIATION (PARLIAMENT) BILL address those shortages? APPROPRIATION BILL Mrs EDMOND: I thank the member for Second Reading (Cognate Debate) Bundaberg for her question, because it allows me to highlight the problem they had in Resumed from 15 September (see Bundaberg, where waiting lists were blowing p. 2207). out. We have worked very hard to solve that Hon. R. E. BORBIDGE (Surfers problem. Recently, I was delighted to Paradise—NPA) (Leader of the Opposition) announce that we have appointed a new (11.30 a.m.): In responding to the Budget principal dentist in Bundaberg. In addition, the handed down in this place two days ago, I say three positions that have been vacant for ages at the outset that it would be unreasonable, and which were filled on an ad hoc basis unfair and hypocritical for me and my occasionally have now been offered to a colleagues in the Opposition to be unduly number of very worthwhile applicants. We are critical of a Budget that is in large part the looking to have the problem in Bundaberg document that the honourable member for sorted out very soon. But that is only one area Caloundra presented to the Parliament back in in Queensland where there were huge May. problems with dental waiting lists, which over I think it speaks volumes that certainly the the past couple of years in most areas have heart of Labor's first Budget is the Budget it blown out to over four years. was so critical of during the course of the I am not blaming that entirely on the recent State election campaign. At least Labor previous Minister. However, we do blame the has been more responsible back in Federal coalition Government, which defunded Government. Certainly in terms of adopting in the oral health program. It cut $20m from the large part the Budget of the previous budget for the oral health program in Government, I commend the Treasurer and Queensland. While that was picked up out of the Government. 2332 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998

Of course, there are some changes Employment growth has logically been around the edges which I will address. I note revised down from 2.5% at the time of the May that some $40m in tax concessions in respect Budget to 2.25%. It was running at 4.1% as of stamp duty and land tax has been forgone recently as April. Unemployment is estimated and we now have instead the insertion of at 8.75%—exactly the same year average certain interesting new programs, such as number we used in May—which logically would venues for rock bands and music tuition. That be at risk, given the downgrading since then of is perhaps an interesting comparison between related forecasts. The claim that the priorities of the coalition and the priorities unemployment will be 8.5% in the June of the Labor Party. I will speak a little more quarter next year therefore seems optimistic, about those concessions that this Government even bearing in mind the Treasury qualifier decided not to proceed with but which the that it might have more to do with the coalition had incorporated in the May participation rate, with more people giving up document. the hope of finding work. The marketing of this Budget as a jobs The full year Treasury forecasts for Asia Budget has to be debunked in the interests of are sadly quite pessimistic. The result is social and fiscal responsibility. The jobs target Treasury predictions for disappointing for the year is 30,000. In the 12 months to economic and jobs growth which are, as April this year, under the stewardship of the Treasury properly concedes, at the mercy to a coalition, jobs growth was 63,400. In the first very considerable extent of what unfolds in 10 months of 1997-98, also under the Asia this year: whether we see full-fledged coalition, it was 53,000. From February 1996, recessions in a number of our most important when the coalition came to office, until April trading countries or whether we see Asia this year, Queensland generated 91,000 jobs, quickly re-asserting its great natural vitality. or about 40% of all new jobs in the country in The most recent news on that score is that time frame. That was a spectacular obviously very disconcerting. GDP growth for performance by the Queensland economy the region is estimated at 2.4%, compared under the conditions that prevailed. with 7.2% in 1997-98. That is already looking Thirty thousand jobs is therefore a very very optimistic indeed. The estimate for export significant downgrading of the jobs prospects growth of 5.75% on top of the strong growth of of Queenslanders in comparison with recent 11% last year would therefore also seem performances. It is obviously a disappointingly optimistic. The state of the dollar will help, if low target. There is no pleasure in stating that; international monetary decisions do not I wish it were otherwise. I wish we were looking complicate that forecast. at another very good year of jobs growth and There are more positive signs among another year of strong economic growth, even other trading partners, particularly in the United if that meant some political benefit might States and Europe, but there are clearly some accrue to honourable members opposite— very compelling reasons for the reduction in earned or otherwise. the jobs target. I strongly believe that the The cold hard reality is that the Government would do much better simply Queensland economy is now feeling the full being honest about that. It would gain more impact of the Asian meltdown. There is respect in the community if it simply told the evidence of that fact everywhere in the truth. I think Queenslanders would prefer Budget. The growth forecast has been cut honesty from their Government, rather than from 3.75% to 3.5%—down from strong actual seeing the Premier trying to dress mutton growth of 4.75% in 1997-98, which I believe forecasts up as lamb forecasts to try to protect was quite an extraordinary achievement, what only he now thinks is an intact political fig certainly unparalleled in Australia. I note that leaf in relation to his target of 5% the revised growth for 1996-97 is now 4.9%, unemployment within five years. That was and not 4.5%—fully two percentage points in front is, on all the evidence before us, a cruel hoax of the national growth rate for that year, which and simply should not have been uttered, is an outstanding result. That achievement by simply for the sake of a Thomas the Tank the coalition followed just 2% growth in the Engine act. State in Labor's last Budget in 1995-96. That Determination is good. To strive is good. growth reduction for 1998-99 from 3.75% to To never say die is good. But to come the raw 3.5% was the second downgrading of the prawn is to come the raw prawn, and the forecast since May, in the face of worsening Premier is in the wrong part of the country to signals from Asia. Before the crisis hit, we were try that on. Frankly, Queenslanders deserve looking at 4.5% growth. the benefit of the advice of the best Treasury 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2333 in the country, undiluted, rather than political get a new lease of life. It is interesting to note spin doctoring that just does not wash and that it is expected to bring in some $35 more makes the proposed charter of social and than our May Budget forecast of $193m. So, fiscal responsibility sound like a very empty under this Government land tax will increase undertaking. Queenslanders can deal with the by $35m in this Budget, according to the tough data. We can handle it. Nobody else Budget papers. has any illusions or delusions about the fact The coalition Government had also set in that we have a tough period ahead. We have place considerable stamp duty concessions of come through them before and I am sure the some $9m this year—$17.9m in a full year— employers and the workers of this State will do which, according to the Treasurer, have been so again and will bounce back. The very deferred until next financial year pending the serious job ahead of the Government is to set finalisation of Commonwealth reforms. I the parameters that will best enable the State strongly suspect that "defer" means "cancel". to come through in that style. Other than the What were those stamp duty reforms in large attempt to pull the wool on jobs, this is not a part? They represented a very major boost to bad Budget in that regard because it is, jobs and the viability of business in this State fundamentally, the Budget that the coalition because we said that if a business wanted to handed down in May. refinance its loan to take advantage of a better The Government principally hangs its hat interest rate climate as a result of the on its community jobs program as the major economic management of the Federal change. In that regard it is perhaps a pity that Government it would be able to do so without its highest priority receives just $43m of what is being slugged with stamp duty all over again. intended to be a four-year $283m program, Struggling farmers, struggling retailers, small given the circumstances that currently prevail. business operators and the peak industry That amounts to just 15% of the planned groups all over Queensland supported this investment this year. However, there has been very important initiative. It was an initiative that, some tinkering and I believe that some of it is in the overall scheme of things in terms of the quite regrettable. value of the Budget, did not really amount to We see, for instance, cancellation of much. But, apparently in the eyes of this some taxation benefits that would have Government, having rehearsal venues for rock accrued if the May Budget had stood. We had bands and music tuition is considered more set in train some $22m in land tax important. That is regrettable. concessions. Those benefits should have been Mr Hamill interjected. maintained. In a full year they would have been worth some $63m to Queensland Mr BORBIDGE: I know that honourable taxpayers. I am sure that if Labor had the members opposite have this foolish fixation opportunity, this Government would also have that land tax concessions primarily benefit the scrapped some $7m in car registration benefits so-called white shoe brigade and property for seniors and concessions for recreational developers. If they talked to the retailers and boating. These benefits were put in place by the small businesses in this State they would the previous coalition Government and were know that land tax reform is a major need in on a time frame which meant that this Queensland in terms of the viability of the Government could not undo them. Thankfully, small business sector. How disappointing it is they were too far advanced. for the Treasurer to say that the major beneficiaries are the white shoe brigade. It is Another area where there has been some jobs, it is investment and it is about the viability interesting and, I believe, unnecessary of small business. Talk to any small business tinkering concerns capital works. The scale of operator in the great growth areas of this State capital works remains essentially the same at and they will say that land tax, notwithstanding $4.8 billion but there has been a clearly the very substantial concessions enacted politically motivated re-ordering of priorities and during the period of the previous coalition projects such as to suggest that this could be, Government, remains a major and very if the need arises, an election Budget. significant problem. Brisbane picks up $200m more and, as a I can only assume from the Treasurer's result, the share of the capital works budget interjection that the land tax concessions will spent outside Brisbane has decreased from 58% to 56%. not go ahead because the Labor Party has never supported genuine land tax reform in We see a new emphasis—in the dollars this State. I believe that these concessions will and the time lines—on areas where the Labor not go ahead and that an out of date tax will Party either has members or would like to have 2334 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998 members after the next election. Other areas Labor Party when it was in Opposition. About have missed out. In particular, the Fitzroy $140m is going to come from increased region is now down well over $100m on dividend payments from corporatised projected capital works spending this year. An Government owned enterprises—particularly extraordinary number of projects, large and from the Queensland electricity supply small, have been re-ordered. A lot of it is industry. This is also interesting when we take simply unnecessary and will only lead to delays into account the criticism of the Premier when as the planning and construction process he was Leader of the Opposition. That is adjusts to literally hundreds of new priorities unsettling because it was the thirst for cash out and schedule changes within the capital works of the electricity industry under the former budget. Labor Government of the former member for The claim that the Capital Works Program Logan that left this State with insufficient power generation projects in the pipeline back will deliver 1,000 more jobs than was forecast in 1996. in May, despite the fact that the program has been trimmed marginally by $25m in the Another $150m, approximately, comes context of a $4 billion budget, simply does not from increased borrowings, which have been compute. We have had a marginal reduction increased from the $55m allowed for in the of $25m out of the coalition's $4 billion Capital May Budget to some $205m in the September Works Program, but somehow it is going to Budget of the Labor Party. The remainder deliver 1,000 more jobs. This simply comes from some small but widespread compounds and adds to the Government's increases in taxation revenue and blatant dishonesty on the whole approximately $45m that the State will keep unemployment and jobs issue. this year by dumping the tax concessions that the coalition had announced in the May The Labor Party has sought to make Budget. That is a significant increase in much, from behind walls of glass, of the fact revenues in a year in which economic growth is that capital works programs are typically going to be, possibly, around 3.25%. The underspent by an amount averaging some coalition, on the other hand, was going to grow $300m a year over the past five years. Despite revenues at the pretty modest level of some attacks on the coalition by the Treasurer, he 1.4% on the actual revenues raised in 1997- acknowledges that that is an historical issue 98, and by about half a per cent, or only about that is very difficult to avoid in programs on the $70m, on the May projection of actual scale of the massive capital works budgets we revenues for 1997-98. have these days. But a very effective way of increasing that average for 1998-99 is to do Queenslanders can decide whether the what is being done by this Budget—a largely mandate that comes with the 40% vote that gratuitous re-ordering of the program. Labor received at the State election is adequate ground for such an increase, or Another area of variance from the May whether they believe that the coalition's plans Budget, which is not particularly comforting, is were more responsible. Obviously, Labor has in the global revenue lines. Total GFS State increased the revenue take by this significant revenue in the May Budget was $15.5 billion. amount in order to implement its election In the new Budget it is $16.1 billion—an policies and to protect a reasonable surplus. increase of just over $630m, or 4%. Under all That is part of the process, of course, but the the circumstances prevailing, that is a pretty question will be, by the end of this financial significant increase when we consider that year, whether that was responsible behaviour general economic forecasts have worsened, under the circumstances that currently exist rather than improved, since the May Budget. and the circumstances that we may encounter We were prudent in May in the face of the in the coming months. worsening situation in Asia. The new Government has been somewhat less prudent Perhaps the only other area of the in September, despite the fact that the general Budget—in the broad—that is of concern forecasts are now less favourable. It is relates to the cutting up of the cake. I simply therefore interesting to see where the observe that the pie chart on page 99 of Budget Paper No. 2—Outlays by Policy Government has come up with over $600m. Area—is worth a comparison with the Just over $100m comes from increased corresponding chart in the May Budget Commonwealth payments, principally related because it shows that the area of general to health, which resulted from the negotiations public services—the money that the conducted by my Government in relation to Government spends on itself—is the growth the new Medicare Agreement. Those area in this Budget. We see growth in the negotiations were subject to criticism by the general public service area of outlays from 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2335

8.4% of the cake in the coalition's Budget to Mr BORBIDGE: Or its stripes. They are 14% in this Labor Budget, while we see the pinstripes and, Mr Speaker, they are coming to relative share of the Budget for health, for get you! education, and for law, order and public safety In summary, as I said at the outset, this is all decline marginally in percentage overall not a bad Budget in that it so closely terms—significantly in relation to total cake reflects the very good Budget put before the dollar terms in this age of large budgets—to House by the member for Caloundra in May. make way for this increase. There are a few disturbing trends to show up There really is not much justification in so early in the life of this new Government, taking a great deal of time in speaking further and I fear that many of its forecasts will be on a Budget which, apart from those broad seen quite quickly to have been overly areas of concern I have raised, is essentially optimistic—although through no fault of the the Budget that the coalition delivered in Treasury's or, for that matter, for the most part, May—essentially the Budget handed down by of the Government. Forecasts that we made in the honourable member for Caloundra. May have already had to be recast in this way. Anybody who wants to know about the The disservice associated with the Budget has coalition's alternative only has to refer to the largely been in the marketing rather than the May Budget papers for a comprehensive substance, and that is particularly the case in insight into our priorities. Shadow Ministers will relation to employment issues, which I have express areas of concern in their portfolios previously addressed. throughout their reply, and the Estimates process will provide the opportunity to test Finally, I would warn of a sleeper issue in some of the more interesting changes line by relation to the Capital Works Program and the line. jobs issue. This Government proposes to retain a right to negotiate for native title An area of obvious interest within my own claimants in relation to mining projects. It will portfolio responsibilities, and one of great logically maintain the right to negotiate that is interest to Queensland, will be the re- championed in Federal Labor policy on emergence of a bloated Office of Cabinet infrastructure. If that is to be the case, then we which, as all the veterans of the previous can add months, and possibly years, to the Labor Government opposite know, is regarded time scales of a great range of infrastructure among them as one of the principal causes of projects in this State. If this Government is the failure of that Government. It is interesting foolish enough to enact Labor Party policy in to see the very substantial increase in the respect of the right to negotiate, the impact on allocation to the Department of the Premier infrastructure projects will be absolutely and Cabinet, despite the fact that large horrendous. As I said earlier, the time that it sections of the Department of the Premier and will add could be quite momentous—certainly Cabinet have been transferred elsewhere, in months, possibly years—in terms of the capital particular to the Department of State works budget. It will bog Government down, Development. just as it has bogged down the mining The word is out that an Office of Cabinet industry. I warn this Government that, if it goes or something similar is coming back to haunt down this track, through unnecessary delay it Queenslanders, to destroy this Government— will set new records for capital expenditure that an office of faceless young men in pinstriped is not carried out and for jobs that are not suits, who previously stole the direction of created. Now it has the Federal legislation that Government—and to second-guess Cabinet. it can take advantage of, if it wants to, in the We saw that under Mr Rudd. No-one was next tranche of native title legislation that has allowed on the 13th floor of the Executive to be considered by this Parliament. Building. It was an absolute travesty of the As this Budget is very similar to one of Westminster Cabinet system of government which I was a part architect, I do not intend to under the previous Labor Government. Of unduly take up the time of the House. I course, over a period, it led to dreadful commend the Government for adopting the problems for the Ministry and the then thrust of the coalition's Budget in May. As I Premier. It is extraordinary to think that the said earlier, there are certain additions that we member for Brisbane Central is prepared to would not have had. We would have repeat history in that regard—but then there maintained the tax cuts in regard to land tax are a number of pointers in this Budget to the and stamp duty, which were important fact that the leopard has not changed its concessions for business and job generation in spots. this State. We would have maintained those Mr Quinn: Or its stripes. concessions. 2336 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998

Certainly sprinkled through the Budget we arrived at the 5% unemployment rate. He see examples of Labor's traditional tendency should have said "No, I don't want to predict to promote and meddle in social engineering. it", but, no, he could not help himself. That is We also see a readjustment within the Capital the problem with this Government. As Works Program whereby the Fitzroy statistical members on this side of the House and, region is the big loser—down by some $100m indeed, on the Government side of the House under this Labor Government compared to the know, when it comes to talking the member for previous Labor Government. This Government Brisbane Central simply cannot help himself. is still treating the people of Queensland with We do not have a growth projection or an contempt in respect of its job projection figures unemployment rate in this Budget that is any by spending $25m less on capital works but different from that that the coalition put forward claiming that it is going to create 1,000 more during the course of the election campaign, jobs than our Budget Capital Works Program which the member for Brisbane Central that was handed down in May. ridiculed from one end of the State to the Is it not interesting that, when we handed other. That is where this Government has down a Budget that forecast unemployment of been deceitful. That is where this Government 8.75%, the then Leader of the Opposition has been dishonest. Where this Government ridiculed my Government, my Treasurer and has been responsible, we will give credit where my Treasurer's Budget from one end of credit is due. They have been responsible by, Queensland to the other saying that 8.75% in large part, adopting the bulk and the was not fair dinkum and that he was going to substance of the coalition Budget that was get unemployment down to 5%? Then his handed down by the honourable member for Treasurer comes into this place. What is their Caloundra in this place back in May. unemployment forecast? It is 8.75%—exactly Dr WATSON (Moggill—LP) (Leader of the the same as the coalition forecast back in Liberal Party) (12.03 p.m.): It gives me May! That is the political dishonesty of Labor. pleasure to rise and speak to the Appropriation That is the political fraud of Labor. That is the Bills. Mr Deputy Speaker, when the Leader of political deceit of Labor. That is the political the Opposition was speaking about the Office inconsistency of Labor. I make no apologies of Cabinet, my thoughts turned to the member that my Government was frank and open with who preceded you in the chair as Deputy the people of Queensland in respect of the Speaker, the new member for Logan. I could Treasury advice that we supplied to the people not help but think about how nice it must be of Queensland in the May Budget. for him to move from being one of the guards Mr Hamill: Including the Forward to one of the inmates. We welcome him. Estimates. Mr Hamill: Speak for yourself; you may consider yourself an inmate. Mr BORBIDGE: We all know the story. The Treasurer has interjected, so I will tell the Dr WATSON: No, I was thinking about story. Do honourable members know how the those who are captured on the Government Leader of the Opposition first came to make side. It is nice to see him in the Chamber and his 5% projection in respect of unemployment? elected as a member in this House. It was about 18 months ago at a press An honourable member: Is he the one conference. The member for Brisbane Central who held his hand up? was talking about unemployment. Members of Dr WATSON: Was he the one? the press gallery tell this story and laugh about it. A journalist at a press conference asked, Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr D'Arcy): "Mr Beattie, what do you think is a fair Order! I suggest that the honourable member unemployment rate for the State of get on with his speech. Queensland?" One of Mr Beattie's staffers was Dr WATSON: As the Leader of the up the back saying, "No", that is, "Don't predict Opposition has indicated, this is a coalition what it is." Mr Beattie counted 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and Budget. It has been updated because of said, "5%". That is how the Leader of the recent information in respect of revenues and Opposition adopted the 5% unemployment outlays, but basically it is a coalition Budget. rate that he now champions. Of course, that However, it is a coalition Budget without the was to be 5% achieved within three years. coalition policies, without the coalition's private During the election campaign, it became a 5% enterprise initiatives and without the coalition's target over five years. Let us not be under any management expertise to implement it. Of false impression that the current Premier of course, that is one of the aspects that the Queensland is a financial guru. That is a people of Queensland will notice over the next standing joke in the press gallery as to how he 12 or so months. 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2337

Today in this contribution to the debate through to 1997 when we were in on the Appropriation Bills I will discuss four Government, retail sales fell quite dramatically different aspects of the Budget. Firstly, I will from a growth rate of nearly 4% per annum to discuss global economic conditions. The virtually zero. In 1998, that growth rate is changing global economic conditions have picking up. The kinds of issues that the represented a crutch for the current Government might use as an excuse to walk Government, a mechanism whereby it can away from commitments because it has been move away from the unemployment prediction caught by surprise have been turned around. that the Leader of the Opposition so skilfully The same applies to the volatility of the share explained a moment ago. Secondly, I will markets. Certainly the share markets and discuss the State economic conditions and exchange rates have been volatile, but the show how they have changed since the May effects have not been all negative. I will return Budget that was brought down by the to that point and particularly the exchange rate coalition. Thirdly, I would like to remind the in a moment. The Government wants to use House and particularly the new members of those factors as negatives, but there have the legacy that the previous coalition been some significant positives also. Government was left when Labor left Finally, we hear about declining tourism Government. numbers and how that is affecting the Mr Gibbs: Oh, here we go. Queensland tourism industry, and how the Dr WATSON: I realise that the Minister weakening of the international economy is has a short-term memory. I will help him leading to slower export growth. I am going to remember the legacy that we were left. Finally, address both of those issues in a moment and I will analyse some of the issues raised by the refer to some of the items in the Treasurer's State Budget. Budget papers which, far from being negative compared to where we were in May 1998, are The Premier and the Treasurer want to positive. Let us look at some of the positives discuss the Asian crisis. I recall the statement that are occurring in the world. There is made by the Premier that, on election day, as continuing strong growth in the United States he visited the election booths, a message and Europe. On a trade weighted basis, that came over his pager that Japan had fallen into has led to a positive position for Queensland recession. Members of the House should have exports, and that is recognised in the Budget known and anyone who has read financial papers. In fact, on a trade weighted basis, the papers over the past couple of years would growth in exports is somewhere around 2%. have realised that Japan, as well other large When we look at the Treasury documentation, parts of Asia, would decline some time before we find that most of Asia is expected to be 13 June. Japan reached its highest point in positive, Europe is expected to be positive and terms of gross domestic product growth in North America is expected to be positive. The November 1995. From then on, the figure was only slight negative is Japan. falling. It went negative in November 1997. Mr Hamill: What about the rest of Asia? Mr Hamill: That peaking growth in 1995 was a bit of an aberration. Dr WATSON: If the Treasurer looked at his documents, he would see that, in terms of Dr WATSON: No, it was not. The Treasurer should look at the graphs. It was growth, he has Asia as a positive. So, again, going up for some time, it peaked and then the rhetoric that the Treasurer used is simply came down very quickly over the next two not backed up by the facts in his own years to go negative in November 1997. It was documentation. not a surprise. The financial problems Of course, as the Australian dollar has associated with the banking crisis have been weakened vis-a-vis the European and United going on in Japan for about eight years. It was States currencies, we have started to have a nothing new. It should not have been a shift in our export and tourism markets. The fall surprise to anybody who followed financial in tourism numbers from Asia has been affairs that Japan was becoming negative, was compensated for by rising tourism numbers negative and was then in recession. That was from the United States and the European true for most of Asia. The fact that the countries. The interesting thing about that is Government is now trying to use that as a new that visitors from those countries tend to spend piece of information that provides an excuse to a longer time here rather than a shorter time, walk away from its commitments for which is the tendency with visitors from Asian unemployment is simply unreasonable. countries. A second negative that was relevant in Over the past few years not only has the 1997 was weakening retail sales. From 1996 tourism industry benefited in that sense but 2338 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998 also our exports have become far more Those things have all added to people's diverse. When it comes to trade with North disposable income and they are strong America and Europe, the weakening dollar has positives that continue to help the Queensland made our exports more competitive. Added to economy and the Australian economy. So that is the very aggressive attitude that was what is happening in Asia is far from negative; adopted by the coalition when it was in there are a lot of positives, and they are some Government in terms of expanding and of the factors that would allow a good diversifying our exports. Government to reach appropriate employment Mr Gibbs interjected. targets. One should not be as pessimistic as the Government wants to be. Dr WATSON: I remember the disparaging remarks that were made by the Minister who This morning, in his address to the House just interjected and other Ministers about the Banking Committee, Alan Greenspan was number of trips that the former Minister for fairly up-beat about the US economy. He did Economic Development and Trade made to not rule out coordinated efforts across the develop significantly our ties with China, which world in terms of lowering interest rates. He did not walk away from the responsibility of the is continuing to be a significant contributor to United States to make sure that the rest of the world growth and to Queensland's economic world did not fall into recession. However, there position, and to the Middle East. The then was no urgency in his evidence before the Premier, the current Leader of the Opposition, House Banking Committee, because he re-established the Queensland trade office in understood that the United States economy Los Angeles to ensure that Queenslanders was continuing to be robust, was continuing to had access to the North American market. develop, was continuing to be a mainstay in That office was closed by the previous Labor the world economy and that there was not any Government as it retreated from North America necessity right at this moment to move. When and put all of its faith in Asia. If the Borbidge one considers the leading indices in the United Government had not been doing the things States, Alan Greenspan's evidence before the that it was doing, we would be suffering a lot more. The Borbidge Government beefed up House Banking Committee earlier today the trade office in London. The former Labor reinforces the view that the United States Government wanted to close it down. economy continues to be strong and will continue to be strong in the foreseeable Mr Borbidge: Ran them down. future. Dr WATSON: There is no question about So there are some strong elements in the that. The former Labor Government ran them world economy, and that gives us a fair degree down, and during the term of the Borbidge of optimism that the Queensland economy, Government they were beefed up. properly managed, and the Australian Mr Borbidge: We opened Shanghai, economy, properly managed, will be able to Jakarta and Semarang as well. sustain a reasonable growth rate in the future. However, I must admit that when I looked at Dr WATSON: As the Leader of the some of the things in the Budget that was Opposition says, we opened up a series of brought down by the Treasurer, I saw that, offices in Shanghai, Jakarta and Semarang as compared to many of the assumptions that well. That was all part of the diversification were made in the coalition's Budget, strategy, and as we come into a period of particularly in the areas of private investment, economic uncertainty that strategy is paying total investment, public final demand and off. gross State expenditure, this Government In addition, there has been significant tended to be less optimistic—predicted lower growth in Australia's internal economy. Building growth. The one area that I thought stood out construction continues to be high, motor as being significantly different was the area of vehicle sales are continuing to increase and net exports. Back in May, the coalition forecast we have had increases in household that net exports were expected to reduce the expenditure, which has been substantiated by growth in the Queensland economy by some a growth in the employment rate of 2% and 1%. However, three months or four months growth in real wages of 1% and 2%. Of course, down the track, I see that Treasury is now that has come about because the Federal predicting that net exports will add to our coalition has helped to control inflation in economy rather than detract—a turnaround Australia and its economic policies have from minus 1% to 0.5%. brought interest rates down significantly—to Mr Hamill: So you think our growth their lowest level for 20 years or 30 years. forecasts are too modest. 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2339

Dr WATSON: I will get to that in a unemployment growth is going down, gross moment. Let me just say to the Treasurer that State product growth is going down—— that is a significant turnaround and gives the Mr Hamill: You're not saying that, are lie to the rhetoric that his Government has you? perpetrated that it is the export area, it is the international crisis, that is going to drive Dr WATSON: I will get to what I am saying Queensland down and allow the Government when I get to it. I presume that the to walk away from its election commitments. participation rate is going to go up, again The Government's own Treasury statements because the Treasurer's rhetoric states that he indicate that net exports are going to be a is trying to bring disillusioned people back into contributor to the growth of the Queensland the work force yet, on average, unemployment economy rather than one that will contract the stays at 8.75%. Queensland economy. Mr Hamill: The participation rate is The element of the Budget that is already high. perhaps the most disappointing for the Dr WATSON: Is it going to go higher? community—and the Leader of the Opposition Mr Hamill: I don't think so. has referred to this matter and I am going to refer to it in a fair bit of detail—is the prediction Dr WATSON: I believe that at the for average unemployment. breakfast yesterday the Treasurer said that he expected the participation rate to go higher. Mr Hamill: What about the growth forecast? Mr Hamill: I did not say that. If you paid your money, you would have heard what I Dr WATSON: I will get back to the growth said. forecast; the member should not worry about that. The Government's growth forecast is Dr WATSON: I do not have to. I get 3.5% and I will talk about in a bit. At the reports back. You were saying that all of your moment, I am more interested in talking about policies were directed towards increasing the the unemployment figure. participation rate. With all the rhetoric that we heard during Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr D'Arcy): We the election campaign and with all the things have a rule in the House that members have that the Treasurer has been saying before he to address other members by their correct delivered the Budget, one would have titles. I refer to both sides of the House. expected that the Government's average Mr Hamill: The honourable member for unemployment rate in this particular financial Moggill should not take advice from the former year would have been lower than what the Treasurer's advisers. coalition predicted. What is it? Dr WATSON: The honourable member's Mr Hamill: The trend is important. rhetoric indicated that his policies were going Dr WATSON: Whenever he gets into to allow increases in the participation rate and trouble, the member tries to change the terms that that was what he was trying to do to get that he is using. Let us be quite frank: the people back into the work force. important point is that the average Mr Hamill: I didn't say that. unemployment rate that the Government Dr WATSON: The member can correct expects for this year is precisely the same as me at a later time. the rate that the coalition predicted, which is 8.75%. In other words, on average, the As I have said, I will refer to some of the Government is not going to reduce the conditions that we were left with when we unemployment level one iota. Not only that, came into Government. It is worth repeating the Government expects a reduction in some of those things because one cannot employment growth from 2.5%, which was a consider where our Budget was in May of this prediction of the coalition Government, to year without considering the way in which we 2.25%. With all the rhetoric and with all the got to that position. obsession—the Premier keeps saying, "I am When the coalition came to Government obsessed with jobs, jobs, jobs"—and with all in 1996, the first thing we did was to the things that the Treasurer says will commission an audit of the Queensland supposedly have an impact on employment financial position. That audit was carried out by levels in this State, when it comes to the key a committee of very distinguished people, elements of the Budget, average including Dr Vince FitzGerald who was the unemployment has stayed the same at 8.75% chairman. The committee made a couple of and employment growth has fallen from 2.5% very pertinent points. First of all, the committee to 2.25%. Of course, the Treasurer says that indicated that, if one continued with the 2340 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998 policies of the previous Government with last Budget that we brought down. That was respect to expenditure, over time we would run funded by the significant changes that we into a significant operating deficit on an accrual made to Suncorp and QIDC, which was basis and that policy changes had to be made beneficial to the State because we started to in order to ensure that that did not occur. In a capture all of the value that was in those cash sense, under the previous Labor entities. We were able to responsibly transfer Government recurrent expenditure as a some of that value to developing infrastructure proportion of total expenditure was continuing throughout the State, including hospitals, to rise. One cannot go on doing that ad roads, police stations and so on. infinitum. The third thing that we did and which The second point, which had been made topped our last Budget was that, as the by people such as Marc Robinson, is that Leader of the Opposition said, we ensured infrastructure in Queensland was running down that all of Queensland was taken care of. We because the previous Labor Government had were starting to replace infrastructure such as failed to invest sufficiently in economic and the courthouses and police stations. The social infrastructure in this State during the former Attorney-General was very strong in time that it was in power. While that does not that area throughout the State. We started to have an immediate impact, over time it has an replace basic infrastructure. Some 58% of the increasingly serious and negative impact upon funds in our last Budget was spent outside the the ability to increase standards of living and Brisbane statistical district, although not wages, both in the State and country. because that was our only emphasis. The third thing that the coalition Importantly, there was an equal emphasis Government was faced with upon coming to across the State to try to redress some of the Government—and this is one of the reasons things that had been neglected by the that the previous Labor Government was previous Labor Government. thrown out of office, despite its massive Mr Beanland interjected. majorities in earlier elections and, of course, it Dr WATSON: They closed courthouses is one of the things that the current Treasurer and, of course, railways and such things that helped to oversee—was the massive slashing they had no interest in. and burning of the bush. As part of our Budget strategies, we governed all of Queensland and Mr Borbidge: I think that at least 30 not just particular parts of it. During that period courthouses alone were closed. we had to implement a major program to re- Dr WATSON: My colleagues interject with establish infrastructure in the bush. some of the more relevant statistics. Mr Gibbs: They didn't believe you. The point was that that had been slashed Dr WATSON: They did not vote for you, and burned over the previous six years of the either. Labor Government. It was one of the issues that we started to address in Government and Mr Hamill: The trouble is, you think that it was reflected in the last Budget. It has been Moggill is the bush. changed in this Budget, and I will get to that in Dr WATSON: It has more bush in it than a moment. Ipswich, but that is irrelevant. The coalition had Mr Hamill: Get back to your economic to address those three issues. growth forecasts. The last Budget that the coalition Dr WATSON: I will get to those. Government brought down was a continuation When we look at the details in the Labor of our first two budgets, each of which Budget, we see some disturbing trends that addressed those issues. First of all, we indicate that we are heading back to where we reversed Labor's trend of running the State were before. For example, Table 5.4 in Budget dangerously close to a deficit on a recurrent Paper No. 2, Consolidated Fund—Forward basis and certainly on an operating basis in an Estimates by Policy Area, indicates that in accrual accounting sense. We reversed that major policy areas such as law, order and trend in our first Budget and it had significant public safety and education and health impacts in our second and third Budgets. recurrent expenditure as a proportion of total The second issue that we addressed, and expenditure has risen by about half a per cent. it was an important issue, was infrastructure. The only large department where it has fallen We established a $1.6 billion infrastructure is Transport. The Leader of the Opposition development program. Basically, we allocated mentioned the growth in general public an extra $200m in the first Budget, $600m in services. However, I notice that Table 5.4 is the second Budget and about $800m in the different from Table 4.3 in our previous 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2341

Budget, because the Government has Table 5.5, Consolidated Fund—Forward included the reinvestment of earnings from Estimates by Department, is intriguing. As investments relating to superannuation. I indicated in the Forward Estimates for would have thought that that was not an Treasury, this year the Government is carrying appropriate place to include it, because it over $34.3m in capital. In 1999-2000 it will biases the way in which those statistics are carry over $189.5m. Footnote (v) to that table interpreted. Table 4.3 in our Budget paper states— explicitly excluded the reinvestment of earnings from investments related to "The negative capital figures in 1998- superannuation. That is missing. I suspect that 99 and 1999-2000 are due to the explains the substantial increase in funding for inclusion of a whole-of-Government general public services. capital contingency reserve provision which recognises that whilst individual Typically, when the Government wants to agencies may budget to fully expend their try to hide something it changes the capital works allocations, on an aggregate accounting mechanisms to do so. I would basis, there is likely to be underspending, have thought that that was a somewhat resulting in a carryover of capital inappropriate mechanism. The general allocations." point—and I assume it relates only to general public services and not other areas; it may That tells me that not only does the apply to some economic services—is that Government intend to underspend its headline three of the four major departments have had capital works budget in 1998-99; it intends to an increase in recurrent expenditure. That is underspend even more further out. It is something at which individual shadow building into the budgetary process a planned Ministers will have to look in the Estimates underspending, which will increase quite committees. That is a portent for another substantially next financial year by at least dangerous trend. As I said earlier, the $150m. What about beyond that? The Commission of Audit was very concerned that, Government does not even rule out under the previous Labor Government, we underspending beyond that. The footnote were going to get into trouble in those areas. continues— We find a second issue when we look at "For 2000-01 and 2001-02, such a the Budget figures in detail. I will not go provision is considered to be unnecessary through the Budget in detail now; I realise that at this time, as full provision has yet to be is the responsibility of Estimates committees. made in Departmental budgets for new The current Government placed a lot of capital projects to replace projects which emphasis on its Capital Works Program and its will be completed over this period." headline spending of about $5.1 billion. However, as we see in Budget Paper No. 3, The Government is not even saying that this is there is an anticipated carryover of $300m in a short-run phenomenon. It is completely the capital works budget. The expected subverting the budgetary process to build in expenditure of $4.8 billion is $25m less than ever-increasing carryovers. To say the least, that proposed by the coalition in its May that is a phenomenon in the accounting and Budget. This illustrates the difference between budgetary process. For the benefit of the our approach and that of the Government. honourable member for Indooroopilly—and I When we put together our capital works guess also for those members who have not budget, we fully intended to spend the amount bothered to read the Budget papers yet—I that we put forward. The mere fact that we point out that I am referring to Table 5.5 on may not have spent all of our capital works page 144 of Budget Paper No. 2. budget in the past—— The problem in the bush that I mentioned Mr Hamill: Only about $450m. has already been covered by the Leader of the Opposition. He also pointed out the Mr Borbidge: We spent more as a reduction in this Budget—and again it is only a proportion. small reduction, but it is concerning that we are Dr WATSON: We had record expenditure seeing the emergence of this trend—in the in capital works. But at least when we put our amount being spent outside Brisbane, which documentation forward we were actually has gone from 58% to 56%. That is not a pushing the departments to spend it. The significant amount, but it would be of concern Government has a $5.1 billion Capital Works if this represents the beginning of another Program, and it admits up front that it is not attempt to disadvantage the bush—rural and going to spend $300m of it. I will be amazed if regional Queensland. We hope that we do not it ends up spending the other $4.8 billion. see a continuation of this trend in future; 2342 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998 otherwise, when we get back into Government, real future. They are short-term jobs in order to we will have to try to fix it up yet again. try to meet the election commitment of the Mr Borbidge: The remote areas electricity Treasurer and the Premier. trial got the axe under Mr McGrady, too, out at It is interesting to note that the current Boulia. Labor Government predicted an extra 1,000 Mr McGrady: We were still the only jobs from $25m less in capital works projects. Government to do anything at all about power. How will it do that? I think the answer can be found in the Budget Highlights and elsewhere Mr Borbidge: You axed it. throughout the Budget documentation. The Mr Beanland: You gave it the coalition attempted to provide long-term jobs in chop—chop, chop. the private sector. Labor has cut down the Dr WATSON: The Minister axed it. expected number of long-term jobs coming out of its Capital Works Program and is replacing I turn now to another issue arising from those jobs with a larger number of part-time or the Budget papers that reflects the difference three-to six-month jobs. I think that is a cruel in philosophy between the coalition and the hoax on people. It does not provide the basis Labor Party in relation to the Budget process. for development and a long-term future. It In last Saturday's Courier-Mail there was a provides a short-term fix for purely political letter from a Bob Brinsmead of Duranbah, New purposes. South Wales. Bob wrote— The Budget will be looked at in some "Those who don't know how jobs are detail in the Estimates committee process. We made are sillier than those who don't will be examining in greater detail some of the know how babies are made. To make a inconsistencies I have already pointed out, job for someone, I have to start an along with some of the implications of those industry—a farm, a processing plant, things. We maintain our commitment to tourism venture, service industry. If no Queensland to provide the proper economic one starts an industry, no one gets a job. and fiscal environment in which to develop Simple." long-term, creative jobs in our economy, rather I could not have said it any better. I think there than short-term fixes. is a fundamental difference between the Labor I think the most disappointing aspect for Party and the coalition when it comes to the all Queenslanders, despite the fact that the philosophy of job creation. We believe that the macro elements of the Budget are the same best way to create jobs is to give incentives to as the Budget brought down by the coalition in job makers, yet Labor believes that the best May, is the failure to address the issues which way is to create them through making the Labor made a central part of its election Public Service or other sectors associated with commitments, that is, the issues of that bigger. That is the essential difference unemployment and of trying to ensure that we between the employment initiatives of the have sustainable jobs. coalition and the employment initiatives of Mr Hamill: Let's get back to the economic Labor. growth forecasts. If we look at the employment initiatives of Dr WATSON: My prediction is that the coalition, we see $63m going to revenue economic growth will be closer to the 3.75% concessions, land tax and reductions in stamp that we predicted. duty—things which were important to business, which lowered the costs of doing business and Mr Hamill: So you reckon unemployment therefore allowed business to expand and hire will come down further? more people. We had about $52m going to Dr WATSON: We are talking about improved economic development, again to predictions. I said that it will be closer to the assist small business, to the promotion of 3.75% that we predicted than to the 3.5% that mineral and petroleum exploration and to the the Treasurer predicted. development of information technology and Mr REYNOLDS (Townsville—ALP) communications. We also had some money (12.44 p.m.): It is with pleasure that I rise to going towards new apprenticeships programs. speak on the appropriation Bills that are What do we see under Labor? We see currently before the House. I take this money being directed towards additional public opportunity to commend the Treasurer, the sector apprenticeships. We see these make- Honourable David Hamill, on the excellence of believe jobs—9,000 job placements of three to his first Budget, brought down just a couple of six months on community and environmental days ago. Today I will concentrate on some of projects. This does not provide real jobs for a the many benefits that this Labor Budget 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2343 brings to Townsville and to the region around port to continue its activity as one of the major the city that I represent. ports in northern Australia, $9.8m for jetty and The State Budget brought down on berth extensions, $8.7m for reclamation works Tuesday acknowledges Townsville's place as and $3.1m for plant and equipment. Australia's latest boom city. This Budget has Mr McGrady: That was because of good backed the huge private investment now planning in years gone by. entering the region, with pledges of more than Mr REYNOLDS: I will take that interjection half a billion dollars in capital works in the north by the honourable member for Mount Isa and Queensland region. It backs up the $550m Minister for Mines and Energy. The planning being spent at Sun Metals by Korea Zinc. It that was carried out by the Goss Labor backs up the announcement that has been Government saw the port of Townsville double made by Queensland Nickel in regard to the its tonnage in that six-year period. We saw cogeneration plant that is being built there. It $300m worth of infrastructure built at the port. backs up the many tens of millions of dollars of private investment that is happening in Mr McGrady: Who was the chairman? Townsville and the region around it. Mr REYNOLDS: I know I am very modest, The Budget means a great deal for but I must say that I was very pleased to be in Townsville and the Townsville region. Today I the situation of overseeing this project in will highlight some of the major impacts for conjunction with the Goss Labor Government. Townsville to come out of this Budget. We see The Minister for Transport at that time, of $84.7m being spent in new rail projects in the course, was the Honourable David Hamill. city and region, $33.1m for improvements to Mr McGrady: Go back a few more years. Townsville port, about $40m in funding for Mr REYNOLDS: I am aware that the health facilities and $20m for roads and honourable member for Mount Isa was a transport facilities. I will now outline some of board member of the Townsville Port Authority the major benefits in those four areas. and made a great contribution to the port. One The new rail projects include a $23m of the major commitments in this Budget that contract for construction of coal and livestock assists Townsville is the increase in the funding wagons at the Townsville rail workshops. This for health facilities. This Budget contains an Labor Government is committed to making allocation of $40m for health facilities. Included those rail workshops an important part of rail in this allocation is the amount of $15.6m activities throughout the State of Queensland. towards the $170m Townsville Hospital which In that same area we see $11m being is being built at Douglas. Another $2m has allocated to complete the manufacture of the been allocated towards the $10m commitment Great South Pacific Express. What a wonderful to establish a medical school in Townsville. venture this will be for Queensland Rail and for Recently the Federal Government committed the Orient Express partners, who have worked itself to this project and I welcome that up that project with Queensland Rail. commitment. I also welcome the commitment We see $22m for the upgrade of the line to this project by the Federal Labor Opposition, between Townsville and Hughenden and a because we want an autonomous medical $16m commitment for a new spur line into the school at James Cook University in Townsville. zinc refinery near Townsville. That $550m We have worked tremendously hard towards investment being made in the Townsville the school's establishment. region will be an amazing catalyst for further Mr Reeves: It is a good university, too. industrial development to occur. We also see Mr REYNOLDS: It is an excellent $9.5m allocated in this Budget for Stage 2 of university. I have been very proud to be the Stuart rail complex. In all, we see a major associated with the university over the past 30 commitment to rail in the City of Townsville and years. We have also seen two very important the region. It shows this Government's new commitments in the area of health. The commitment to the railway workshops in first is an allocation of $1.6m for the bone Townsville and to rail infrastructure in the marrow transplant unit at the Townsville region. General Hospital. This is only the second unit We also see a major improvement to to be established in Queensland and I Townsville port. I say this with some pride, commend the Minister for Health for this very having spent six years as the Chairman of the important initiative. I also welcome the Townsville Port Authority. We see $33.1m allocation of $300,000 for the establishment of being spent on improvements to Townsville a national unit for multi-disciplinary studies of port. That includes $11.5m for an extensive spinal pain at the Townsville General Hospital. capital dredging program to allow Townsville I visited that unit with the then shadow Minister 2344 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998 for Health and we were able to see the worth In this Budget we also see important of that unit to the Townsville General Hospital. commitments in regard to national park Unlike the previous coalition Government, this facilities around Townsville. I am delighted to Government is willing to put our money where see $50,000 being allocated towards the our mouth is and commit ourselves to the Magnetic Island National Park. Under coalition establishment of that unit. Governments this park has been starved of resources. The Budget also contains a We have also seen an important commitment of $200,000 for the commitment made to Palm Island, a very redevelopment of facilities at Alligator Creek in important part of my electorate. This Budget the Bowling Green National Park. Those are contains an allocation of $3.6m for new health key areas where money needs to be spent in facilities on Palm Island. We have also seen a the Townsville region. $20m commitment for roads and transport facilities. This allocation includes $6.4m for the I welcome the $150,000 allocated construction of a four-lane, divided carriageway towards new ambulance communications on the Townsville Port Road. This road is a centres at Townsville. These are much needed very important component of the Townsville facilities. The Budget also ratifies recent arterial road system. I welcome the announcements of State funding of $15m for construction of this road. We have seen $4m redeveloping The Strand. The beachfront at allocated for the construction of the Hervey's The Strand, which had been badly affected by Range Development Road, $3.8m for the Cyclone Justin last year and the record 10 Elliott River Bridge and its approaches on the January floods this year, will be repaired and Bruce Highway and $1.4m towards providing we will eventually have a world class vista in four lanes on Thuringowa Drive. As the this area. The former coalition Government member for Thuringowa would be very much would not commit funds to this project. It is a aware, this allocation represents an important major $24.7m project. I take this opportunity commitment to the Townsville region. We also today to call on the Federal Government for have an allocation of $2.5m for Shaws Road, assistance in this area. The Federal $300,000 for the upgrade of public transport Government has been too lousy to commit infrastructure and, importantly, a $400,000 even $1 towards this project. The Townsville commitment for the Stockland intermodal City Council has asked—— interchange facility. Mr McGrady: What has Peter Lindsay been doing? This is an excellent Budget for my City of Townsville and, indeed, for north Queensland Mr REYNOLDS: Peter Lindsay, the generally. The Budget allocates $9.5m Federal member for Herbert, has done nothing towards the correctional centres in Townsville; to help the people of the electorate of Herbert. up to $10m for school building projects in I call on the Federal member for Herbert, who Townsville; and $4m for modifications to the is currently seeking re-election, to get off his Cleveland Youth Detention Centre. This latter backside and do something for the people of allocation includes $2m which will go to a pilot Townsville. I ask him to use his endeavours to community-based juvenile justice centre. The obtain money from the Federal Government sum of $2.5m has been committed to the key towards this important redevelopment of The area of development projects in Aboriginal and Strand. Torres Strait Islander communities. We also In this Budget we see the allocation of have an allocation of $300,000 for the $6m for the Nelly Bay safe harbour construction of a disability respite centre in development. I put on record that that north Queensland. The Labor Government development must go ahead as soon as has seen fit to commit funds in an effort to possible. I want to see the scar at Nelly Bay assist people with disabilities who live in disappear. The allocation of funds in this various communities throughout Queensland. Budget is necessary for construction of the It is a major commitment. public facilities associated with the Nelly Bay safe harbour. Mr Reeves: About time. I also welcome the $7.5m allocation to Mr REYNOLDS: It is about time. For far upgrade the Willows Sports Complex. This is a too long coalition Governments in this State world-class facility for Rugby League and other have ignored the real needs of people with international events that are held in Townsville. disabilities. If we look at the trend in regard to This allocation will allow us to update the disability services, we will see that this money Willows Sports Complex and make it into a will be allocated to the unmet needs of people modern facility. The complex is jointly with disabilities. managed by the Townsville City Council and 17 Sep 1998 Ministerial Statement 2345 the Thuringowa City Council. The complex has creating employment in regional Queensland urgent needs in regard to drainage. is the way to boost our economy and alleviate Eventually, we will have a sports complex the likelihood of being hit hard by the Asian which will be the envy of other sports financial crisis. As well as the tremendous complexes throughout Australia. This capital boost that the City of Townsville is Government has made commitments towards receiving, we will also attract a hefty attracting athletes to Queensland for pre- component of the 27,000 new Olympic training and I believe the Willows will apprenticeships, traineeships and job play a major role in that regard. placements which will be created in I also welcome the $3m that has been, at Queensland by the Beattie Government over long last, allocated for the Garbutt urban the next four years. renewal scheme. This scheme was a victim of Finally we have a Government in power the capital works freeze which was brought in which understands that north Queensland by the former Treasurer, the member for—— counts. More than half of the State's Mr McGrady: Caloundra. population lives in regional Queensland, and it is great to see the Beattie Labor Government Mr REYNOLDS: Caloundra. This move beyond the Brisbane-centric mentality of commitment of $3m restores the Garbutt former coalition Governments. Again, I urban renewal scheme to where it should have commend this Budget to the House. It is a been. It was severely neglected by the great Budget for Townsville and north previous Minister for Housing, who is with us in Queensland. the House today. It was a forgotten scheme. The people of Garbutt were forgotten. We saw Debate, on motion of Mr Foley, the enrolment of the Garbutt State School, adjourned. preschool and day care centres drop dramatically, and that was all because of those MINISTERIAL STATEMENT 90 families being lost to the suburbs. Dr Watson interjected. Air Fares, Director-General, Department of Justice and Attorney-General Mr REYNOLDS: I know that the former Minister for Housing does not want to listen to Hon. M. J. FOLEY (Yeronga—ALP) this, because he is ashamed of the previous (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Government's efforts in terms of Garbutt. We Minister for The Arts) (2.32 p.m.), by leave: have also seen new Police Beats in Garbutt, Provision for reasonable air fares between Rasmussen, South Townsville and Kelso, and Melbourne and Brisbane was made to cover I warmly welcome those as part of this Budget. the initial transition period of the appointment of the Director-General of the Department of Sitting suspended from 1 p.m. to Justice and Attorney-General. This provision 2.30 p.m. was made in the formal offer of appointment Mr REYNOLDS: Before the luncheon to cover the period until the director-general's adjournment, I highlighted the Budget delivery family relocated to Brisbane. This was part of a for Townsville, and I commended the relocation package which involved savings in Treasurer on the Budget that he delivered just other areas of relocation expenditure normally two days ago. I conclude by saying that the incurred, such as the selling and buying of Townsville electorate will be a great beneficiary residential property and a relatively short under the Cooler Schools program. Twenty period in board and lodging—19 days— schools in the electorate will now be eligible to instead of the usual entitlement of up to four apply for funds under the $40m Cooler months. Schools program. The subsidy arrangement, The quantum of reasonable travel costs of course, will also be boosted. School for family reunion has been agreed at six communities will now receive $4 for every $1 standard economy return fares. This morning, I that they raise. This is twice the amount informed the House that I understood that provided by the former coalition Government. there had been a couple of occasions when Students should not be forced to take classes the director-general had returned to and sit exams in stifling hot conditions. The Melbourne. I can inform the House now that extension of the Cooler Schools program will the actual number was four. With respect to be a major boon for Townsville and, indeed, the 1996 termination payment to the director- for north Queensland and central Queensland. general following her sacking by the previous This is a Budget which recognises coalition Government, arrangements have Townsville's role in developing Queensland. been made for the pro-rata repayment of the The Beattie Government understands that appropriate sum. 2346 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998

APPROPRIATION (PARLIAMENT) BILL Other programs which have received APPROPRIATION BILL additional funds were also groundbreaking Second Reading (Cognate Debate) programs. For instance, the behaviour management programs that the coalition Resumed (see p. 2345). Government put in place have received some Mr QUINN (Merrimac—LP) (Deputy additional funds in this Budget. That will be Leader of the Liberal Party) (2.33 p.m.): I rise welcome news in our schools. I see no to join in this debate and, in doing so, mention of pulling back on the legislative underline words spoken by the Opposition underpinning of those programs. I believe that Leader and the Leader of the Liberal Party. they were accepted by members on both sides This Budget really is the coalition's Budget with of the House. Over the past 12 to 18 months a few minor changes. The two previous or so, the schools and the parents themselves speakers from this side of the House outlined have accepted those new discipline regimes the dangers that they see in projecting the that school communities are putting in place Budget forward. Subsequent speakers will be within their schools. concentrating on various portfolio areas. I said I also mention the additional funds for before that, by and large, this is the coalition's students with disabilities and what this Budget. On that basis, of course, imitation is Government calls its Education For All the sincerest form of flattery. program. That is wrapping up funds for In relation to the Education portfolio students with disabilities and learning area—apart from additional funds being difficulties into a new program and rebadging allocated, there is really not much change to some of the money. But to be fair, additional this portfolio area in terms of policy direction funds have been provided, and I welcome and much of the detail. Of course, the devil will those funds because I believe that they will be always be in the detail, and that will not be fully targeted at students who most need them in open to scrutiny until the Estimates our schools, both in terms of additional committees are in progress. However, on first teachers and additional support services, reading of the Budget documents, there whether by teacher aides or other seems to be very little change in terms of the professionals, such as physiotherapists, direction of Education in Queensland over the speech therapists and so on. Schools can next 12 months under this particular always use those additional areas of expertise, Government. As I said, some additional funds and I am quite sure that those funds will be have been put into some policy areas. By and put to good use within the schooling system. large, those are policy areas that the previous Several other areas received additional Government—the coalition Government—put funds. The maintenance of school security is in place. They were groundbreaking policy one area in which additional funds have been areas. targeted. All members should realise that our The previous speaker mentioned the schools have a large maintenance backlog. I airconditioning of schools. The coalition bit the understand that it is something in the order of bullet and decided to put in place the Cool $100m. So any additional funds to eliminate Schools program. Previously, nothing at all that maintenance backlog will be well received had been done in north Queensland in relation in our schools. In the couple of months prior to to the airconditioning of schools, both State the election, we were moving to substantially and non-State. There had been some boost the maintenance funds to schools. All programs in western Queensland, but nothing members of this House would be aware that in northern Queensland. The coalition they received some letters from the Minister for recognised that fact and allocated some $73m Public Works and Minister for Housing about over four years to commence the additional maintenance in schools. My airconditioning of schools in north Queensland. understanding is that $6m was spent in that This Government has allocated additional particular burst of funding. It is good to see funds to extend the zone further south, as I additional funds being allocated for that understand it, and to adjust the subsidy purpose. There is no doubt that a $100m program for P & Cs and school communities in maintenance backlog is a fair backlog to the northern zones. So by and large, it is an overcome. It will take ongoing increases in extension. I recognise that it is also a welcome funds for quite some time to overcome it. That extension to the program. I agree with what is also a welcome addition. the previous speaker said. Students should I am glad to see that there have been no not be forced to work and study in oppressively changes made to the Youth Action Program. hot conditions. That is why the coalition When the coalition launched that program, it initiated that program several years ago. was heavily criticised as being some sort of 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2347 stunt. I am glad to see that cooler heads have higher Capital Works Program—some $260m prevailed, that the benefits have been to $270m to start with, tapering down to recognised, that the Government has $240m or $250m. Under the previous budget, continued to fund it and, indeed, to expand it the figure fell back. as we indicated that we would do. Another Mr Hamill: Some was an advance. program that has received additional funds, although not within the Education portfolio, is Mr QUINN: Some of it was. It fell back the Police in Schools Program. Again, that was again to about $206m. This Budget allocates criticised by the Labor Party when it was some additional funds to bring that up to launched. Now its benefits have been $220m. That will be used well within the recognised and the Government has portfolio area, because the demand for continued its funding. Additional funds have additional accommodation, refurbishment of been allocated to literacy and numeracy. That existing accommodation and new works within is a key component of this portfolio. More the schools is always greater than the Budget money has been allocated to that project to allocation. The schools will greatly appreciate build on the good work done by the previous any funds that we can put towards that. Government. Of course, everyone is aware of By and large, we are pleased to see that the critical importance that these programs the Government has kept the coalition's have within our schools. Any additional funds budget for Education intact. It has allocated that we can find to support those initiatives are additional funds to crucial areas. During the always welcome. hearings of the Estimates committee we will be I am glad to see that funding has been examining whether there have been any maintained for the Connect-Ed program, which reductions in funding to any of those programs I believe is one of the most far-reaching and other programs that are not mentioned in programs to be put in place in the schooling the Budget papers to ensure that the good system. Under that program all schools will be work that the coalition has done over the past connected to the Internet and the two years in getting education on track in departmental network. Access will be provided Queensland is maintained. That fact that it is to students across Queensland. Funding has on track has now been recognised by this been made available for local area networks. Government, because there is no major We will explore the details of that during the change in policy directions. There are no major Estimates committee hearings. Other reductions in the funding formulas for any of noteworthy aspects of the budget are the the key initiatives. It is all the same. Where additional funds that have been allocated to money has been available, some programs key areas of the non-Government sector, such have been enhanced. That is a ringing as the provision of funds for airconditioning, endorsement of what the coalition did in terms students with disabilities, additional capital of education over the past two and a half works grants and so on. I am sure they are years. We put education on the map, turned it welcomed also by the non-Government sector. around and got it doing. Now this Government Overall, as I said before, this Education is providing some additional funds to keep it budget is the coalition's Education budget with on track. a few welcome additional funds attached to it. Ms Spence: No-one believes it. One can understand that having additional Mr QUINN: The Minister should read her funds available to the Government through the Government's own document. She will see Commonwealth Medicare agreement, through that everything that we had in our Education the increase in electricity dividends and budget is exactly the same. through forgone tax reductions allows the Government to provide those funds. It appears Mr Hamill: And more. that education got its fair share of those Mr QUINN: And more—I have already additional funds, which I am glad to see. said that. I have already made that Mr Hamill: You would expect that. acknowledgment. In terms of the policy Mr QUINN: I would definitely expect that direction, this document is our policy direction. from the former Education Minister. Indeed, It is exactly the same. It is disgraceful that a we will be looking forward to additional funds Minister does not know exactly what is in her being provided through his personal own Government's Budget. generosity. I will mention Leading Schools, because it The capital works budget of some $220m has been raised. is not as high as it has been in the past. In the Mr Hamill: I have just been trying to previous two coalition budgets, we had a defend you. 2348 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998

Mr QUINN: I appreciate that. The people of Barambah are a fair The move to school-based management people, as are most Australians. We are cannot be stopped. Even though there is now known for giving people a fair go. But the a consultation period occurring within the people of Barambah ask the question: how school communities about the funding formula long is a fair go? At every election we are and the details, when one talks to school asked to believe the promises that shower us communities one discovers that they do not with money, only to find that we hold peanuts want to go back to the old system. They have afterwards. Time after time we are asked to had a taste of Leading Schools and the give the established parties another go, and freedom, flexibilities, authorities and the time after time we ask the same question: they additional resources that have been could not possibly do the dirty on us again, transferred to them. They do not want to go could they? History shows us that, yes, they back to the old ways. There may be some could and, yes, they would. For years we have changes made around the edges. There may been told by both State and Federal be a new name. There may be some bits and Governments that there is a light at the end of pieces, bells and whistles, added or subtracted the tunnel. Quite frankly, almost a quarter of from it. However, by and large, this is a Queensland's population cannot see the movement that cannot be turned back. tunnel, let alone the light. That is why 11 One Interestingly, this budget also recognises that. Nation members are sitting in this Chamber. It allocates discretionary grants to schools on It was my desire not to speak in this that basis. All this nonsense that the House until I had opened up communications Government and the ALP have been going on with all the people and communities of the with about Leading Schools for the past six or Barambah electorate. We have a community 12 months is just that: sanctimonious claptrap. consisting of Australians of all backgrounds. By and large, this is our Budget. It would We endeavour to live together in an egalitarian be churlish if we were to stand here and way. There are exceptions, but the majority criticise it. We do not seek to do that. We care, respect and are willing to work in their understand that the Government has community's best interest. I continually hear maintained the general direction of education the words "multicultural communities". I prefer policy of this State. It has added additional the word "egalitarian". Barambah, I am proud resources where necessary. We will only too to say, is working towards being an egalitarian gladly recognise that fact. community. To be an egalitarian community, it is necessary to communicate, for Mr SPEAKER: Order! Before calling the communication brings understanding. member for Barambah, I advise that this is the Understanding breeds tolerance. Without member's first speech. I ask that members tolerance there is segregation. With afford her the courtesies of the House. segregation comes racism. Mrs PRATT (Barambah—ONP) (Deputy I find it abhorrent that people are judged Leader of the One Nation Party) (2.47 p.m.): on their colour, race, religious or political The Budget papers hold very little for the beliefs. Time and time again, history has people of Barambah. The Labor Government shown that persecution has taken place based has shown its contempt for those in the rural on these things. It is only right that each and sector. Mr Speaker, as you are aware, I am every one of us condemn those who would here to represent the electorate of Barambah. seek to persecute minority groups because of The word "Barambah" is Aboriginal for wind, or race, colour, religious or political beliefs. place where the water ripples. Barambah when spoken sounds like music and the place it One Nation falls into the category of a brings to my mind is my kind of heaven. minority group. Thousands of members had The people of Barambah are ordinary, their names published and were opened up for honest, hardworking people. I feel their joys; I and subjected to persecution for their beliefs share their pain; I feel their frustration. My by, of all people, some misguided members of presence in this House is the culmination of a community who should have understood their frustration. The people of Barambah are and respected the rights of others. I do not aware that I am not a polished politician. That rate a man by his birth, his social position or is perhaps another reason I am here. They do his income. Quite often, the greater the not expect miracles. Being fair people, they income, the higher the position, the more arrogance displayed and the less I find to expect me to take a little time to learn. I am respect. A man's heart is his measure. their messenger. The message they send to this House is, "We, the people, have had Ten years ago, the people of Kingaroy enough." took me to their hearts and, more recently, so 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2349 did the people in the other areas of Barambah, three phrases continually come to Barambah. I would like to introduce to this the fore: "They don't see", "They don't hear", House all the wonderful people of Barambah. and "They don't care". The people who spoke However, as that is not possible at this time I those words were reflecting the feeling of will introduce only three. Marg Chapple is a frustration that rural Queenslanders have when courageous lady whom I have known but a referring to politicians. Politicians do not see short time. At this very minute, death is the death of communities when services are tightening its grip on her and I can only pray gutted, they do not hear the final closing of the that she can know that her name will be door on another small business, they do not recorded forever in Hansard. Her loyalty, her hear the fall of the auctioneer's hammer on yet patriotism, her courage and her belief in her another forced sale, and they do not hear the convictions is an example to all who know her. shot that kills unsaleable stock. I first met Marg when I received a call from her I have heard the shots that kill unsaleable daughter who asked if I could spare five stock—stock that cannot be given away. I minutes to visit her dying mother. On arriving have seen the devastated families when at Marg's home, I found a woman wasted by banks foreclose on not only one lifetime's work the insidious cancer that pervades her body, but on two, three or more generations of effort. but she was refusing to succumb to its final I have seen the consequences borne by the demand. Her motivation for living was her people of decisions made in Parliaments, and belief that her vote was too important not to be I have helped pick up the pieces. I have heard cast. Marg believed that she was fighting not other members speak of unemployment rates for her own future but for that of her in their electorates of 10% and 12%. I agree grandchildren who would have to survive in this that those figures are horrific. However, the country when she no longer has concerns. unemployment rate of the Wide Bay/Burnett The egalitarian spirit that exists in area, where Barambah is situated, is up Barambah is in the mother who came to me, around 21.2%. That is a statistic of which any speaking in faltering English of the years she Government should be truly ashamed and a endured and the scars she bears on her back, situation that a concerned Government would which were inflicted upon her under a foreign be addressing. We have abattoirs in Murgon, dictatorship. She came to Australia and Kilcoy and Kingaroy. In excess of 1,600 embraced our way of life because she workers live day to day with uncertainty as to recognises the true value of freedom—a whether or not, at the end of the day, they will freedom that she lost once and is terrified that be another statistic. Workers in the pork she may lose again. industry, the logging industry, the dairy industry The third person I would like to mention is and the tourism industry all bear the brunt of a gentleman by the name of Tom. Tom is an the decisions made by both State and Federal Aboriginal, and he has been by my side since Governments. The lack of visible concern for the day of preselection. He came to me and rural Queensland by this Government is a offered to protect me and my family from frightening prospect for all who live beyond the those who would try to take away my rights coastal fringe. It horrified me to hear so little in and freedoms. Tom's motivation is his belief the Governor's Speech in relation to small that, despite the media barrage to the business and the rural sector when we all contrary, One Nation has only the sincere know, and the Government admits, that these desire to help his people stand on their own are two of the biggest job-creation areas. two feet and regain their pride and dignity. My husband Tony and I are familiar with These are three of the people in the trials of operating small businesses. The Barambah. They are not exceptional; they are success of business in Barambah is directly the norm. They have courage and they are an related to the viability of the rural sector. The inspiration. These people have varying Premier has continually stated a target of 5% backgrounds and origins. These people are unemployment. With that in mind, I ask the Australians and they are prouder to be Premier to support and push the Tarong Australian than many other Australians who Power Station expansion and the SUDAW were born here. These are the people whom I consortium project. The Surat Basin resource am here to represent. These are the people to runs to 2.65 billion tonnes in 35 deposits with whom I have a responsibility. These are only one currently being mined. It is prime people with heart. coking coal. The coal export potential is estimated at 20 million tonnes. What is more, Barambah itself has a big heart but its life the coal is ours: a guaranteed supply, on is slowly being squeezed from it. Whilst Australian soil, in Australian hands. I have meeting and talking with the people of heard other members speak in favour of this 2350 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998 project. We are all talking jobs, job security and The gun issue is and will always remain a the provision of infrastructure and water. That major thorn in the sides of many. How long is it really boils down to giving life to areas and since people could walk down the street at towns that are in desperate need. Job creation night, or leave their cars unlocked, or leave in the electorates that would benefit from their doors open on hot sticky nights? When these projects would go a long way towards did we pass a law that says that it is all right to helping the Premier meet his pre-election take something because it is not under lock promise. The promises given prior to the and key? Why are decent people locked away election are the Government's responsibility. in their homes? Why is everyone else I would like to speak about responsibility. responsible for other people's actions? When Where does it start and where does it end? I did passing the buck become mandatory? believe responsibility starts with oneself and it When crimes are committed, we hear never ends. With regard to oneself, constantly the excuses, "It's not their fault; responsibility starts at birth, albeit responsibility they had a terrible childhood", "His parents are born of instinct. Nonetheless, it is still our divorced", and many others. These excuses responsibility to make sure that our demands are pretty poor reasons for people to go out for food, warmth and care are met by those and steal, destroy or maim. responsible for our existence. As our lives Excuses are not reason enough for unfold, we are confronted with difficult someone to put a child through a lifetime of situations and at times we will make mistakes. trauma just because something did not go his Mistakes are a part of learning and it is or her own way. It is not reason enough to necessary to take responsibility for our divest a man of his lifetime's earnings or to mistakes. destroy a man's life through aggression and As the member for Barambah, I realise unreason. What a selfish attitude. How self- that my responsibility is to represent all the centred and sickening. We all know right from people of my electorate—not only those who wrong and we must start to take responsibility voted for me or the party, but every man, for the terrible things that are done. We must woman and child who resides within the start protecting the innocent. boundaries of the Barambah electorate. I also Too many times we see the inequities of believe that I have a responsibility to everyone the law. Government and Corrective Services who resides in the State of Queensland. To do personnel suffer triple jeopardy in performing that, I feel I must now be apolitical in this their duties. It is time to allow them to have the place—not only in the electorate but also in power to do the job that we employ them to this House. do. The law must be applied, justice must be I have a major difficulty accepting the view done and the victims of crime must be espoused by the party system that it is defended. necessary for all members to vote as a bloc. Recently I attended the inaugural The 89 members of this House come from graduation of the Proactive Support Group. I varied electorates. All members were elected was impressed by the dedication and precision to come together, to work collectively, for the of the training that the professional personnel betterment of Queensland. I find it difficult to displayed. Knowing this expertise is available believe that the members of the Labor Party to attend to disturbances and riots in our agree unanimously on all things and that their prisons should be a comfort for residents of 44 electorates always agree. I also find it areas with established prisons and those difficult to believe the same of the coalition. I where prisons are proposed. Privatisation and have to be honest and say that I do not agree corporatisation have caused understaffing in with anyone, and not even my husband, more our prisons. Profit has been put before than 50% of the time. Therefore, I wonder how security—profits that often go to foreign-owned the other members of this House justify their corporations. actions with their consciences and the views of One of the greatest responsibilities of all is their electorates. the seeking of the truth. As a child I was told to My responsibilities are to the people of question all that I hear and half of what I see. Barambah, to the people of Queensland and Those who print the spoken word and those to One Nation. I will represent the people of who broadcast the news have the greatest Barambah and endeavour to obtain for them responsibility of all: to convey the truth, not the basic desires of any community. The their interpretation of the truth. It must be people of Barambah want jobs, safe streets to remembered that it takes more than saying it walk down, security in their homes and the is so to make it so. The media has been right to protect themselves and their families. judged and found wanting by the Barambah 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2351 community. Truth has become the sacrificial I take my responsibilities seriously. I will lamb to the headline. not make decisions to change the status quo if When we speak of responsibility I think of I am not fully cognisant of the full ramifications the saying, "A penny earned is a penny of that change. I stand here today to take my saved", which shows how old I am. The share of the burden of responsibility for the Government handout has taken away people's state of the economy, the state of lawlessness responsibilities to each other and to their and the perversions that are allowed to exist in communities. Nowadays, it is not even our communities. No Governments seem necessary to get out of bed to obtain money. prepared to say, "I bear some responsibility for It is too easy. Nothing in life should be so the mess and despair that pervades the very easily attainable that it lacks value. Work for core of society." I stand here today to take the dole has recently been brought into play, responsibility because, until now, I did not care but in the Barambah electorate one enough to say "enough is enough". community has insisted that those who receive The people of Barambah did not elect me the dole work for it. The Aboriginal community to denigrate, humiliate, scorn or condemn of Cherbourg has been operating work for the fellow members of this House. They did not dole since 1993. Until 12 years ago, elect me to dismiss out of hand the ideas of Cherbourg was still an Aboriginal reserve. other members simply because they belong to Twelve years ago, the boom gate was lifted a different party. They elected me to work for and the town became self-governing. Like all the betterment of themselves and people, they have made mistakes, but they Queensland. When all is said and done, have also achieved. It is through recognition of perhaps there is too much said and not achievements that individuals and enough done for the people we are here to communities learn to take responsibility. represent. I have heard many good words spoken in this place, but they have been lost What of the children—the generations to amongst the waffle. My words are for those come? What are our responsibilities to them? Are they the provision of food, shelter, with the will to listen, the ears to hear, and the education, a secure future in the work force? desire and commitment to answer the call of That is not a lot to ask, is it? What do we give the people to work for all Queenslanders. our children? We give them a diet of drugs I rose today to claim this seat for that leads to death and a recycled clothing bin Barambah. "Barambah" is Aboriginal for wind. for a bed. We protect the paedophiles who The word "Barambah" sounds like music and prey upon their innocence and teach them to the country that comes to mind is my idea of fill in dole forms before they leave school. How heaven. shameful that that has become so accepted Ms BOYLE (Cairns—ALP) (3.05 p.m.): In that life on the dole queue is an acceptable rising to speak in this debate I shall highlight career option. Does the proposed some of the aspects of the Budget that will be establishment of boutique brothels represent particularly welcomed by those in Cairns and another acceptable career option for our far-north Queensland generally. I note that the children? honourable member for Barambah I would like our schools to teach the misunderstands the agreement of Labor meaning of the Constitution and the rights that members. She does not appear to understand we have as Australians and Queenslanders. I the elaborate and extensive mechanisms that would like our youth to be taught responsibility. are behind Labor Party consultation in the When I hear a young person say, "I'm bored, regions. Over recent years in Cairns I have what can I do?", my answer is, "Go home, participated in a number of activities to make wash the windows, mow the lawn, learn to our presence and opinions felt by those in the cook, read a book, assist the poor, do Labor Party in Brisbane. I can bear witness to something for someone else. Take charge of the fact that that long process has, in fact, your own life and become responsible." Our influenced the very Budget that we welcome communities owe us absolutely nothing. Our here today. country owes us nothing. The world does not I particularly recognise that this is a owe us a living. We owe our communities, our Budget for all Queenslanders. Sometimes country and the world our time, our energy and those of us who live thousands of kilometres our talents to ensure that no-one will have to from Brisbane feel that we are not understood experience war, poverty, sickness or or heard by the centre of Government but, loneliness. All people must learn once again to according to this Budget, that is not so. This take responsibility for their own lives and Budget truly supports regional development. actions. We must all pay the piper. The Budget is responsible and balanced, and I 2352 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998 support the Treasurer's objectives of delivering that Government authorities generate cohesion, stability and financial stimulus at a employment. time of economic uncertainty. Most importantly The other part of the employment budget for those of us in the far north and, I dare say, to which I wish to draw attention is the $109m for people throughout the State, this Budget to be spent on creating 9,000 job placements will deliver jobs. for the long-term unemployed. Unlike the I would like to highlight several important previous State coalition Government and the elements within the Budget, because I think present Federal coalition Government, I they bear repeating. Despite the drain that will believe in giving another chance to those who be created by increasing the quality of have had a hard time to date and who have services, and despite our wish to provide not found their way into education and employment assistance and to generate employment. It is the Government's job to look employment in the private sector, in GFS after those people, to open the door and to terms the Budget is still in surplus this year. provide programs targeted towards meeting There are no new or increased taxes or their needs and giving them a chance. Should charges in the Budget and the Budget fulfils we reach the levels of success of Working Labor's election commitments. Commitments Nation, which had a success rate of about worth $380m are fully funded in the Budget. It 30% with respect to long-term unemployed job may well be the perception of some who are programs, we can be proud. It may well be not experienced in the world of politics that that we will achieve a higher success rate. when in Opposition Labor members made I am pleased that that $109m plan promises willy-nilly. Of course, that is not so. targets not only youth but also those people of The promises and commitments that are mature age who for some reason have been reflected by the provision of $380m are the unable to continue in their previous areas of outcome of many regional meetings and employment or skill. It also targets young consultations that placed the Treasurer and people who have offended under our criminal other senior members of the Government in a justice system and gives them another chance position to make those commitments and now to establish a good and healthy life in which to follow through on them. employment adds to their self-esteem and I particularly drew attention to some of the sense of membership of the community. important employment initiatives that are part For far-north Queensland in particular this of this Budget. Over four years, $283m will be translates to 2,400 apprenticeships, provided for the Breaking the Unemployment traineeships and job placements. As the Cycle package. This is the first exciting year in member for Cairns, I look forward to working which we can implement that package. There with local industry, Government agencies and has been a 4.8% increase in the budget of the educational facilities to make sure that those Department of Employment, Training and 2,400 placements are filled in one form or Industrial Relations, which is, of course, another as soon as possible. One of the ways essential if we are to implement our Breaking in which those jobs will be generated is the Unemployment Cycle package as well as through the Government's Capital Works possible. We must have the staff to implement Program. I reiterate that this Government is that package. spending billions of dollars on capital works. I reiterate that this Government places Some $608.7m will be spent on hospitals and great importance on its policy to create 6,500 other health infrastructure. Cheers should be apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities in heard from the electorate. Nothing matters Government departments, local government more to constituents than their health and that and statutory authorities. The previous State of family members and friends. coalition Government and the present Federal $2.2 billion will be spent on transport. In coalition Government were mistaken in their this modern world, unless we can travel by air, belief that the private sector will create sea and road by public transport, we cannot employment if it is left alone by Government. undertake the projects that will lead to a That is not so. Government has to lead the prosperous society. Some $830.9m will be way. It is appropriate that the Labor spent on mining, energy and electricity Government is leading the way in sending the infrastructure. That is a proper budget message to the private sector that we want to allocation from a Government that is looking to generate jobs and build a level of confidence the future. $372.3m will be spent on law, order in the private sector that will lead to increased and public safety infrastructure. Some of us employment. In particular, I welcome the may wish that such a large allocation was not $144m that will be spread across the State so necessary, but it is needed, and with it will flow 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2353 the jobs and lifestyles that will keep our assist older people as well as those struck constituencies healthy. down by terminal illness to move from this This Government is bringing down a world in as little pain and with the most record Health budget—$3.722 billion. That dignified care possible. I welcome the $2.3m in figure is up 8.4% on the previous funding for palliative care. Government's Budget last year and is 3.6% I turn to what this House knows already to more than the previous Government had be my favourite topic—Cairns, which should be planned for this year. That translates to 600 pleased with this Budget. Unfortunately, our new jobs in the delivery of health services and local newspaper has dubbed the Budget as 9,000 construction jobs. It translates to an fair. I think that shows a lack of recognition of extra $11m for mental health services. It is not the broader Statewide Budget and how well before time that our society recognised that Cairns and far-north Queensland have done. hiding away from mental health problems was This year, $26.4m—an increase of $5m—is to limiting not only for the people and the families be spent on the redevelopment of the Cairns concerned but for our society. It is appropriate Base Hospital. Over this three-year period, the that at this point in history we recognise the budget for the redevelopment of the Cairns importance of mental health and fund services Base Hospital has increased by $17.9m. for it. When we take the further commitment to a CT $18.05m will be provided for extra elective scanner worth $1.2m into account, we see that surgery and other measures to cut public the redevelopment is fully funded with that hospital waiting lists. When one is in pain and additional amount of $19.1m. There is no threatened by illness, it is important that one is issue of greater concern to the public of far- treated in our public system as quickly as north Queensland than the completion of the possible. This $18.5m allocation will contribute hospital—something Labor promised at the to a reduction in some of the waiting times that time of announcing the redevelopment. It is an have caused distress for families around indictment of the former Government that Queensland. An additional $2.5m will target Labor has had to find in this Budget the waiting times in particular in public hospital additional $19.1m to complete it to standard. It accident and emergency wards. will be welcomed year in and year out by all of us in Cairns who will have occasion to go to It is unfortunate that we need to spend an the Cairns Base Hospital. extra $1.5m on drug and alcohol-related services. Again, we wish that was not the case. I particularly welcome the announcement However, it is necessary. Public education and of $28.5m for the expansion of the Cairns promotion of the management and treatment Convention Centre and the establishment of a of drug and alcohol abuse is an appropriate basketball centre in Cairns. This project was priority in the Health budget. One initiative in negotiated, and somewhat poorly so, by the particular of this Government under the Health previous Government. It allowed variously budget that I welcome is the $1.5m allocated $20m, $21m and $22m for the Cairns for providing free parenting courses and Convention Centre expansion. Our own study support for families. It is time that we assisted of the figures indicates that $28.5m is those who through whatever experiences are necessary, so we have upped the amount in finding difficulty in raising their children; that we the Budget by $7m—$24m to be spent this show them in this difficult, modern, busy world year and the additional $4.5m to be spent in with so many pressures upon us how they can 1999-2000. guide their children wisely into adulthood. A particular amount of money that will be I note, too, that $700,000 has been set welcomed in Cairns is the $10m for the aside to combat hearing loss caused by revitalisation of the city centre. This $10m has middle ear infections in Aboriginal and Torres not yet been targeted into specific projects, Strait Islander children—children who have not which is welcome. Rather than Brisbane had access, as have many of us from a deciding for the people of Cairns in what ways European background in Queensland, to good this money should best be spent to revitalise health services over the many years of their our city centre to integrate the functions of own and their parents' history. Those extra residents, recreation, business, tourism and funds will contribute to addressing the retail, the decisions will be left to the people of imbalance between the health services Cairns and in particular to the leaders of available to indigenous people and the organisations associated with the city centre. broader community. $2.3m has been allocated There is $5m in the Budget for the for palliative care. When little is left that can be beginning of the Cairns esplanade project. The done to prolong people's lives, we should esplanade is a very important landmark in 2354 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998

Cairns. There is $1.2m in the Budget to meet Labor's promises and to stamp the complete the lighting of Cazaly's AFL park, a Labor ideology of employment creation and multi-user sports facility. With that, this year we service delivery, while maintaining budgetary will see the transfer of a stadium from the integrity, firmly on the front cover. Gabba to Cazaly's AFL park in Cairns. Mr JOHNSON (Gregory—NPA) There is $1m for initial work on the Cairns- (3.24 p.m.): I rise to speak in the debate on Brisbane tilt train project, another form of the appropriation Bills. I say at the outset that tourism for the tourism hub that is Cairns. I the Labor Government has adopted the particularly welcome the $3.5m allocated Budget presented by the Borbidge/Sheldon under public housing targeted towards the coalition when in Government. There is no community renewal program in the Manoora doubt about that. A couple of adjustments public housing area. This is money not just for have been made here and there. A little while housing, streetscape revisions and changes to ago I heard the member for Crows Nest say roadworks, but also to assist the community to that a couple of areas, such as Fitzroy and come together and develop its own action Toowoomba, have missed out. No doubt the plan, to provide community facilities, to provide local members of those areas will make recreation facilities and, in the process, to offer reference to that. I know that the member for employment for all those living in the area—an Crows Nest certainly will. area that is regarded in some ways as less than salubrious, as less glamorous than some I will speak mainly about the issues of other parts of Cairns. The area has high transport and main roads. I am somewhat unemployment figures and considerable pleased, to the extent that I can be pleased, indication of social dislocation. It is the that the member for Ipswich is the Treasurer. I ambition of this Government to achieve—and know that he was a Transport Minister for five we will work to achieve it—in three to five years or six years in the Goss Labor Government. from now a community that is integrated and I know just how hard it is to extract money proud, and equal to any other in the Cairns from Treasury. I think everybody who holds a area. ministerial position will know just how difficult it Mr Schwarten: And thank you for the role is. I ask the Treasurer to have a soft spot for that you're taking in that. Transport and Main Roads. I hope his memory is not too short. I know that we have to be Ms BOYLE: Thank you, Minister. In responsible about how we manage the particular, I recognise the $750,000 to be finances of the State but, at the same time, I spent by the Department of State think every portfolio has to be treated fairly. It Development over three years in the Cairns is all about addressing the needs of every region on economic development initiatives citizen of this State. People may talk about established locally—the clustering program of pork-barrelling, but I can say honestly that that bringing together groups of like industries and is something the Borbidge Government never encouraging them to collaborate instead of did. compete, to pool their resources, to pool their planning efforts, to pool their export marketing Mr Sullivan: Oh, come on. You took and in that way develop economic initiatives funding out of our areas and stuck it in your beyond the size of a small city, as Cairns really own. is. Mr JOHNSON: The member for In conclusion, I give clear recognition to Chermside knows that it never did that. There the benefit that people in Cairns and far-north could not be a more appropriate person to Queensland will derive from this Budget. I interject on me than the honourable member send my congratulations to Treasury staff for for Chermside. He should remember the days the clear way in which the Budget documents when he was in Government under Mr Goss. have been presented—for the easy cross- What happened in relation to the Nundah reference for those of us in regions to discover bottleneck? It was the same old situation. the funding regionally, as well as to discover Funding was spun over, Budget after Budget. funding under different departmental It was never signed off on. Who signed off on headings. it? it was this little old mate here. Who put it Particularly, my congratulations go to the into the program? It was this little old mate Treasurer, who had to work within the here, and the coalition when it was in framework of the previous Government's Government. Budget and stand by the commitments made Mr Sullivan: And who ripped it out of the by that previous Government. Yet at the same RIP in February '96? That little old mate over time he managed to adjust the Budget to there! 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2355

Mr JOHNSON: Did we ever get a will be needed to put the associated thankyou for the Nundah bottleneck money? infrastructure in place? I was in the chair only a Mr Sullivan: You ripped it out in February couple of months ago and I can now produce '96 in the RIP update. the document from Queensland Rail that will tell those opposite of the costing for that Mr JOHNSON: The member for project. It is not $122m. To fix up the Chermside should get a hold of himself. He unprotected crossings alone on the way to does not understand the situation. Transport Cairns is going to cost $33m. We must and Main Roads is probably one of the most remember that we have passengers travelling important portfolios in the State. at 160 km/h in this train. It is not a freight train. I heard the member for Cairns speak of a We are talking about human lives. There has budget of just over $2 billion—just over to be a lot of infrastructure upgrading as the $1 billion for Main Roads and the same for project is progressed. Transport. This morning I heard the ministerial There is one thing we should remember statement of the Minister for Transport. He about trains in Queensland. Our passenger quoted me as saying that we need an extra train network in Queensland is very unique. $300m straightaway for the upgrade of roads. We are the envy of many people in the We certainly do. To see that we need only look Western World and in Eastern Europe. We at the expansion of the sugar industry in north have the Queenslander and the Sunlander Queensland, on the Atherton tablelands, near which run to Cairns, the Spirit of the Outback the electorate of the honourable member for which runs to Longreach, the Inlander which Cairns. There is also expansion south of runs to Mount Isa and the Westlander which Cairns. runs to Charleville. Mr Mickel: The Logan Motorway. We talk about high-speed trains. The Mr JOHNSON: We need $70m-odd for people who travel on our rail network to the the upgrade of those roads. We have a north mainly do it for the romance and for the situation now in which the cattle industry is spirit of the occasion. The Government is going out of that area and the sugar and fruit talking about taking 15 hours off the trip to industries are developing there. It is absolutely Cairns, making it a journey of some 21 hours. I paramount that we have the associated road give credit where credit is due and infrastructure in place as soon as humanly acknowledge that the former Labor possible to cater for that heavy transportation. Government put in place the $600m upgrade There are small, wooden bridges in that of the railway line from Brisbane to Cairns. area, and mums and kids in cars do not mix When the coalition was in Government we with B-doubles and semitrailers. I urge the completed that project. Government, the Treasurer and the Transport However, the point I make is that we have Minister to pay particular attention to that. Not freight trains travelling on that artery at a rate only is it an issue that impacts on the future of 100 km/h. If we are going to have viability of that part of Queensland but also passenger trains travelling at 160 km/h on that there is a safety factor for the people of that network there will be a cost factor. We have to part of Queensland who want to travel on the look at the people who are paying for the same roads on which goods are transported, service. Tourism is alive and well in this State. I whether it be mum taking the kids to school, know that the former Minister, the member for kids travelling on school buses or whatever. Noosa, Bruce Davidson, paid particular We understand fully that, owing to weather attention to marketing the Traveltrain concept conditions, there are only about four or five in Queensland. International tourists will want months of the year in which roads can be built to participate in a trip on a long distance train in that part of Queensland. It is paramount which will give them the spirit of the occasion. that these programs are put in place. It is The Government has talked of something that I worked extremely hard on expenditure of $1m this year and $12m next when I was Minister. I know that the year for the tilt train. I realise that no tenders department is ready to go on it. I hope and have yet been called. I understand that pray that the Minister and the Treasurer can Walkers of Maryborough will get the contract. put together a program to assist those shires What happened to Goninans in Townsville? in north Queensland. What happened to the railway workshops? We The member for Cairns mentioned the tilt have the National Competition Policy now. train concept. The $122m that the member What happened to the tendering process? Is it mentioned will certainly cover the rolling stock, Kelly's rules again and we simply hand out but has anyone considered the $1 billion that contracts willy-nilly to whoever wants them? 2356 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998

These are the questions that the Minister for Mr Sullivan: We heard he succeeded. Transport and the Treasurer should answer. Mr JOHNSON: The important fact of the The Government is probably hoping to stretch matter, my friend, is that I do not take trivial the project out so that, come the next election, interjections. the people will have forgotten that promise—another broken Labor promise. I say Mr Sullivan: You just did. to those opposite that they are not going to Mr JOHNSON: No, I do not take them. pull the wool over people's eyes. Those of us This is about upgrading the associated arteries on this side of the House understand how and the necessary infrastructure that carry the business works. We understand how important goods produced in the west to the east. The it is to get the figures right. The Government is member for Chermside probably does not deluding itself if it believes it is going to build understand that every bullock brought in from such a network for $122m. the west provides a job for three people for I remind the Minister and all one day in the slaughterhouses, whether they Queenslanders that a daily service between be in Brisbane, Ipswich, Townsville or Cairns and Brisbane is something that will not Rockhampton. If the member for Fitzroy was be utilised in the way that the Government here he would understand that. I know that the desires. Bearing in mind the distance involved, member for Rockhampton, the Minister for it will probably be cheaper to take an Public Works and Minister for Housing, would aeroplane, anyway. understand that as well because he has The Minister will have no option but to knocked around in the bush. However, there hide the necessary safety upgrades. I have are not too many members opposite who exposed them here in the House this understand the importance of rural afternoon. If the Public Works Committee Queensland. It is the old adage: the minority wants to undertake an investigation into provides for the majority. That is why it is something, this is probably a good subject. paramount that we upgrade these arteries. I want to remind the Government of some In relation to the Drummond Range promises on which it has reneged in relation to crossing, the $14m was spent but the project my electorate. My electorate of Gregory is a was not completed. I urge the Treasurer—the very remote electorate. I realise that the gentleman in charge of the chequebook here Minister for Transport, the member for Cook, in Queensland—to find the funding so that and the Minister for Mines and Energy, the McDonald and Sons can get on with the member for Mount Isa, also represent remote completion of the project. In that way we will electorates. We talk about energy, we talk have a first-class crossing of the Drummond about electrification and we talk about the grid Range which will have an effect not only on power scheme to some of the rural properties the safety of freight and cattle trains but also in those remote areas. I remind the Minister for on the safety of the Spirit of the Outback which Mines and Energy of just how disappointed travels through that opening every couple of are the people in the Shires of Barcoo and days. It is of paramount importance for the Boulia that the Government reneged on the safety of all people who use that line, including power grid deal. the drivers of the locomotives. Today I spoke to Ron McGlinchey, the I want to return to the question of the Mayor of Boulia Shire. I have not spoken to north-west mineral province. This morning the Peter Douglas, the Mayor of Barcoo Shire, but Minister mentioned what I had already said I can hear from here exactly what he is saying about the $300m shortfall. We need about and thinking because my ears are usually $150m immediately in the north-west mineral burning when Mr Douglas is on the phone province to upgrade road infrastructure. Today fighting for something for the Barcoo Shire. Mr I heard somebody talking about the rail Douglas and Mr McGlinchey are champions for infrastructure between Townsville and Mount their shires. For those members who do not Isa and the importance of interfacing with the realise, I might point out that Boulia Shire is in jobs we have created in Townsville. The the electorate of the Minister for Mines and Borbidge Government spent considerable Energy. So that is the type of lip service that money in upgrading the Townsville Railway the people of Boulia received from their local Workshops and other associated infrastructure member. to interface with the north-west mineral In the House earlier today I mentioned province. This allows us to provide jobs at both the upgrade of the Drummond Range crossing ends of that artery. It is important to remember west of Emerald. The Minister paid lip service that, while we are putting in that infrastructure, in relation to that and tried to do me over on we are growing and we are developing the radio 4QL this morning. The important fact—— important strategic regions of this State. That 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2357 is something that this Government should with emergency services—claiming that there remember because those opposite got into was a deficit when, in fact, there was an $18m trouble for their pork barrelling when Wayne credit. Goss was Premier. The Goss Government All of these things create jobs. The tried to close down that associated coalition Government created the necessary infrastructure. The Government tried to close infrastructure and put it in place, whereas down one third of the State's railway lines but members opposite procrastinated. They are Rob Borbidge and I led the charge of taking the glory for the $16m Budget which members on this side of the House—— Mrs Sheldon brought down as Treasurer. They Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms Nelson- might have changed the colour of the cover of Carr): Order! The member for Surfers Paradise! the Budget documents from blue and yellow to Mr JOHNSON: He was the leader—the red, but that is about the only difference. I honourable member for Surfers Paradise, the notice that the member for Archerfield is honourable Leader of the Opposition and the wearing a maroon tunic. Perhaps she might former Premier, Mr Borbidge—whatever the have had something to do with the design of member likes to call him. And he will be the the cover. new Premier before too long—just see if I am Mr Schwarten: What about the toll road not wrong. on the north coast? The Government had to be shamed into Mr Lucas: What about the port road? this, just as it had to be shamed into reneging Mr JOHNSON: The toll road was one of on the Maryborough Hospital last Sunday our election promises. We gave a commitment night. It is all about listening to the people. to that. We honoured that commitment. The That is something that members opposite do member for Lytton asked about the port road. not seem to have learnt in their two years and The port road is something from which he and four months in Opposition. This Budget is his Government walked away. about the whole of the State, not just the south-east corner. I will come back to the Mr Lucas: Would you build it? south-east corner—— Mr JOHNSON: We will be back there to Mr Sullivan: You forget about the south- build that port road. This Government has east corner. procrastinated. That road represents a very important artery to the development of this Mr JOHNSON: I never forget about the State. It is important that we get those heavy south-east corner. I refer the honourable trucks through to the port of Brisbane so that member to the $750m upgrade of the Pacific business there can grow. We need that Motorway, which is a very important strategic infrastructure. artery in this part of Queensland. That project created something like 2,500 jobs and had Mr Mickel: What about the lifting of the wide-ranging effects on production. toll on the Sunshine Coast? Mr Sullivan: You cut the funding for the Mr JOHNSON: I have just addressed that. northern busways. Was the honourable member for Logan asleep? Mr JOHNSON: I will come to the northern busway, you clown! As the Government undertakes its job creation program, it is absolutely paramount to Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! recognise the importance of making absolutely Mr JOHNSON: I withdraw that, Madam certain that the associated infrastructure in Deputy Speaker, if that would make you rural and remote Queensland and regional happier. I feel sorry for the Government when Queensland is looked after while those jobs it has members of that calibre in its ranks. are being created in the far north, the far The flow-on effects of the Pacific north-west, the south-west, the central west Motorway reached as far north as Hervey Bay and everywhere else. After all, it is for the and as far south as Coffs Harbour, with the future generations of this State that we are manufacture of concrete construction units for building this infrastructure—for my kids, your that highway, which also created jobs. I want kids and their kids. If we are going to make this to mention the $120m which the Treasurer, State great as we progress into the 21st the Transport Minister and the Premier say century, we have to do it collectively together. was not in the coalition's Budget. It definitely Hon. T. R. COOPER (Crows Nest—NPA) was in our Budget papers. It is an old trick of (3.44 p.m.): I am pleased to take part in the Labor Governments to fudge the figures and Budget debate. As other members have said, say that things are not there. They did that much of this Budget mirrors that of the 2358 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998 coalition. For those parts where it does, we economy ... And we cannot afford to walk welcome it; and for those parts where it does away from this session of Congress—I not, I will deal with those issues later. don't care if there is an election; I don't Firstly, I want to make some general care what else is happening—we can't comments. Many Government members, and afford to walk away until we do something especially the Premier, have said that this to stave off the failure of thousands of Government intends to govern as if it has a productive family farms ... We cannot do majority of 10. This is where the issue of it. arrogance comes in. Members have seen that Now, let me leave you with one before. Those statements certainly sent a chill beautiful quote. Franklin Roosevelt once down my spine, because I remember when said that American farmers ... 'are the the Labor Party had a majority of 19 in this source from which the reservoirs of our House between 1989 and 1996. That was nation's strength are constantly when most of rural and regional Queensland renewed.' " was shut down. The arrogance of Government Whatever members might think about members came through at that time. They President Clinton, that is what he said about thought that they knew best. But that was American farmers today. That statement could when the railways and the courthouses were easily apply to Australian farmers, and closed, the DPI was virtually shut down, and Queensland farmers in particular. I do believe almost every other Government service west of that there is some feeling amongst members Ipswich was withdrawn. It has taken an opposite that we have a lot of work to do. I enormous battle to try to put those services suggest that we do it together. I believe that, back in place. I give a warning to this in many respects, we can adopt a bipartisan Government: it does not have a majority of 10, approach. When things get bad, I believe that and to say so is not speaking the truth. This is we can put aside a lot of differences in order to a minority Government, just as we had. This work together to put things right. arrogance is the sort of thing that people do not want. They want healing, mending, I want to mention one issue that has repairing and putting things back in place. caused a lot of pain and agony in rural and regional Queensland and rural and regional I now wish to quote some statements Australia, apart from arrogant Government. I which I believe are very relevant to this debate. welcome the Budget in that it has more or less The person who made them said— mirrored the coalition Budget, 58% of which "Events in the past year have was to be spent outside the metropolitan area. strained many family farms to the I welcome that, because that is exactly what breaking point. You know what they are: has to happen if we are to repair the damage flood, drought, crop disease have wiped that has been done. We must never let that out entire harvests. Plummeting prices at happen again. home, collapsing markets in Asia—where I also mention economic rationalism, our exports are down 30 percent in one about which other members and I have year because of the economic crisis in spoken at length in this place. It is something Asia—these have threatened the that we are going to hear a lot more about in livelihood of entire communities. the future. I believe that it has gone too far, Many farmers this year will see their and I think that most people in this House net incomes drop by more than 40 believe that it has gone too far. The damage percent below what they've earned on that it is doing is simply not worth the pain and average for the last five years ... the drop agony that it is causing out there in the is much, much steeper"— community. One of the people who was elsewhere. He continued— responsible for introducing and implementing the Hilmer report has been heard to say that "If we don't do something and do it they could not believe that anything could now ... we could literally lose thousands have got so far out of control. That is what has and thousands of family farmers this happened. I believe that it is out of control. year." Economic rationalism has created a He went on to say— devastated wasteland of jobless people and "So let me say—I don't know how towns and lives that have been shattered else to say this: There is suffering on the without any satisfactory explanation as to why farm. There is agony on the farm. This is we are doing it and what good it will do us if we a horrible affront to everything we have can continue to suffer the pain. I believe it is a worked so hard to achieve to lift the scorched-earth policy that, at the very least, 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2359 must be reviewed by all the parties Honourable members will probably be amazed concerned—including those south of the to learn that recently the Health Ministers threw border—so that we can get back on the rails out the concept of country-of-origin labelling, and decide whether we want humanity or saying that it was un-Australian. I can hardly sterility. I will choose humanity. I want to see believe that, because I think of the reverse as throughout Queensland those small country the truth: it is very Australian to be able to towns, regional towns and cities bustling again, identify Australian product and buy it if one with their economies moving and their people wants to. If one cannot identify it, how on earth in jobs enjoying the satisfaction of a life worth does one know what one is buying? living. I do not want to see more of the same Mr Schwarten: On the Darling Downs that they have been putting up with for the last they sold the rights to that tin away, but I think five, six or eight years. I believe it has gone too they bought it back again. Madness. far. To that end, I commend the Budget. Mr COOPER: I know what the member is I also commend the previous Ministers for talking about. It is madness. The madness is Primary Industries. I commend the former there for us to handle. The madness is there member for Barambah, Mr Perrett, who I for us to fix. No-one else will do it. No other believe began the repair work of putting country would call orange juice from Brazil their services back into the DPI: the soil own. Brazil sends in a bit of powder; we add conservationists, the stock inspectors and the water to it and call it a product of Australia. forestry workers. He got things going again. That has been going on for so long. Why it That takes time, but he got it well on its way. has taken so long to do anything about it is Similarly, I commend the previous Minister, Mr beyond me. I believe we can make a Rowell, the member for Hinchinbrook. I concerted effort. If people knew that their acknowledge the current Minister for Primary product was labelled so Australians could Industries—so far, so good. We are working choose it, that would make a big difference to together. I believe he has the right approach. them. He is certainly getting around the State. I remind him that it is not just a matter of Mr Schwarten: I agree. travelling around the State and gladhanding Mr COOPER: I know the member agrees. people, saying g'day, everyone saying, "Oh, I believe that that is the sort of issue about what a great fellow", and then saying, "See which we can make a concerted effort. People you later." Eventually, the Minister will have to in the community are sick and tired of our deliver and ensure that he keeps on delivering fighting and their getting hurt along the way. so that what is done is seen to be fair dinkum. They would start to respect us again if we were In many respects, people have felt let down able to demonstrate to them that we were because many times we have not followed going to put them first for a change and stop through sufficiently to give those people the the squabbling. There are many satisfaction they need to get through the pain problems—and that is one—that we can work that they are suffering. I believe we can do it. It together to make right, especially when people is a massive job, but I know that we can do it if are hurting so much. we have the right attitude. I turn now to some Budget items outside I place on the record a number of issues of the Primary Industries portfolio. It is nice to that I intend to fight for. In the past, others see the police station proceeding at Lowood. I have been fighting for those issues, but they thought that would get knocked on the head, have not fought hard enough. One issue is but it has not. It appears to still be on the country-of-origin labelling, especially on food capital works list. In 1983, when I first became products. Many members will realise that that the member for Roma, it was necessary to is done in other countries, including Britain and start work on obtaining a new police station for other European Common Market countries. Roma. I have been in Parliament for 15 years Using the example of pork, because the and it still is not built. importation of pork is causing some strife in Queensland and Australia currently, overseas Mr Schwarten: In Roma? pork is labelled according to whether it is Mr COOPER: Yes. I still have the press Danish pork, Swedish pork, Canadian pork or release sitting on the wall: Cooper to fight for British pork. People can please themselves. If police station for Roma. They will not let me they are feeling like a bit of a change and they forget that, and I do not blame them. A want to try pork from another country, they can member starts to work in that direction, gets it go ahead and buy it; however, if they are on the capital works list and then it gets feeling a little patriotic, they can also buy their knocked off and the member has to fight. own pork and know that it is their own. Members opposite will find that out if they do 2360 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998 not already know what is involved to win starting to look at, from goats to a number of through. In 1989, just as some pegs were to other products, including Australia fauna and be banged into the ground, Labor took office flora. We should not have to lose the entire and knocked it off the list. So the fight had to Australian wool industry, but it requires the begin again. This time, Labor left it on the list. I efforts of better minds than mine. I believe we commend that, because the people of Roma need to be able to work together to boost that will be the beneficiaries. Quite a few police industry and get it back on its feet. stations have been left on the capital works The same applies to the pork industry, list. I ask the Minister to please ensure that which has suffered enormously. There is they go ahead. As many members opposite something that a Government can do. It is no have said, it is time to forget about where an use Governments saying, "There is nothing we electorate is and who its member is; capital can do. You just have to wear that. That is the works should go where the people need them. market forces at work." Someone once said, I will reiterate a couple problems on which "There are only about 240-odd pork producers we can work together in a bipartisan way, on the downs, so what's it matter?" I explained because if we do not people will be hurt. The that that figure has to be multiplied by four to deregulation of the dairy industry—another cover the families and children involved. case where thanks are due to Mr Hilmer—is Mr Schwarten: At least four. coming along. That will happen whether we like it or not due to pressure from the south. Mr COOPER: Yes, they are pretty good The Victorians are going to move in. Out of the breeders. There are produce agencies, vets 1,650 dairy farmers left, another 600 will go. and other spin-offs. It would be easy for that We cannot stop that, but we can alleviate their figure to reach 1,000. They are all important, pain. regardless of number. There is always something Governments can do. Mr Schwarten: They've done the right thing, those farmers. We are trying to get the Atkinson water pipeline from the Wivenhoe Dam to the Mr COOPER: They have; they have done Atkinson Dam in the Lockyer Valley, which it well. They have eased that down and done it serves a large area. That area is really the themselves. They have recognised the salad bowl of south-east Queensland. People problem. They have looked ahead. They are in that area are short of water, and not just doing that again now. We must recognise that because of the drought. Even if the dam is we will lose another 600. That is tragic. filled, they will still be short because the Mr Schwarten: Madness. irrigators use that water to produce food to Mr COOPER: It is the usual madness. feed the people in the cities and to provide They recognise that. It is important for us to try exports. Howard Hobbs commissioned a to carry them through to ensure that they can scoping study. I want the current Minister, Mr be productive. I know that the member for Welford—— Logan has been interested in this issue. We Mr Schwarten: Is that the grey water? have to demonstrate to primary producers that Mr COOPER: No, we want a pipeline from there are other things to do; that if one product the Wivenhoe Dam to the Atkinson Dam first. fails there is another product for them to move The grey water is involved as an adjunct. into. In my electorate I have had the Again, that is something that we are going to experience of seeing many diverse industries. I proceed with, as we must. I want to make sure have spoken about them before. The export that Minister Welford funds the feasibility study market for cut flowers is massive. So many of that pipeline. It has to happen. The last people are starting to move into that field. I thing that we want is for these people not to have mentioned a number of other products have enough water. We have to be able to that people can turn to. We have to fund it properly. Of course, they are prepared demonstrate that there are options and that to contribute. people need not suicide because their industry has collapsed. There are other things to do. Mr Schwarten interjected. We can point them in the right direction and Mr COOPER: Hopefully not, if we move to indicate that other people have been there fix it instead of waiting for those sorts of things and done that and that they can follow suit. to happen. I do not know that there are too many I welcome a number of things in the people around who can fix the wool industry. Budget. One of them is Northwatch, which was That is a tragedy, because most Australians created out of all the work that was done to have ridden on the sheep's back for a long get rid of the papaya fruit fly, which occurred time. There are other products that people are recently. There is funding for that of $3.1m 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2361 over four years. That was retained from the refinancing a loan of $300,000, or $3,000 coalition's Budget, and we welcome that. when refinancing a loan of $750,000. The I refer to the development of the Centre benefit of that initiative to Queensland primary for Dry Tropics Agriculture in Bowen. I suppose producers was about $1.3m. If one says that most members have been to Bowen and quickly, it is not a hell of a lot of money. Yet would know that it is a dry area. However, it is that initiative has been left out of the Budget. a very productive area and it would be That is a tragedy, because it would have amazing to see what those farmers could helped primary producers enormously, produce if only we could get the water to them. especially the exemptions on crop insurance. So the idea of siting a Centre for Dry Tropics The western Queensland freshwater Agriculture at Bowen is sensible. Thankfully, aquaculture initiative was a million-dollar the $3.5m over four years that was allocated project aimed at encouraging producers to to the project is continued by this Budget. That diversify into freshwater aquaculture in areas is particularly welcome for the horticultural where such opportunities have been limited. industry between Bowen and Townsville. Western Queensland freshwater aquaculture The coalition welcomes the funding for does not relate to areas way out of the Northern Fisheries Centre and the Green Cunnamulla; it relates to the entire western Island Reef Fish Aquaculture Facilities. Again, Queensland area. In this Budget, that scheme the coalition Government initiated this funding has gone. I know that funding is allocated for and would like to see that development aquaculture in Cairns and Green Island, but proceed. The sugarcane yield improvement both of those schemes were necessary. I initiative matched the coalition's commitment would not have dropped that $1m funding of $300,000 over three years. Funding for rural initiative out of the Budget because it would employment generation, which is a four-year have contributed enormously towards job program for the employment of cadets and creation and employment and development trainees in the DPI service delivery centres opportunities, which is the very thing that we located in rural communities, will give heart to are trying to achieve. We have to seek to young people. Of course, we can never create make other opportunities for people in those enough such positions, but that initiative is so areas and give them a hand, point them in the desperately needed in rural areas. It enables right direction and give them that support. That young people to focus on a service delivery job is why I think it is a tragedy that that initiative in the Department of Primary Industries. It is a was knocked out of this Budget. good initiative, and I am pleased to see that it Another significant project to which the is being continued. coalition made a commitment was a $20m Funding for the Queensland food industry forest plantation strategy. It was intended to strategy matched the coalition's commitment establish up to 10,000 hectares of hardwood of $2m over four years for the development and softwood plantations in 1990-2000 to and implementation of safe food and food ease the pressure on Queensland native quality systems across the food supply chain. I forests. Quite a number of things have been am pleased to see that initiative is continued. done in this Budget. For example, the heliothis The funding for the beef industry recovery funding was cut from $4.5m over five years to strategy matched the coalition's commitment $2.8m over four years. That does not reflect of $500,000 in 1998-99 to assist the recovery the threat of the pest. Members can ask any of the beef industry from the effects of drought primary producer about the effect of heliothis and market changes. and he or she will tell them exactly the same thing. These are funding initiatives that are I have to point out where the changes to important for primary industry. funding have been made, because that funding was vital to rural producers. One Time expired. change has been to the stamp duty Mr ROBERTS (Nudgee—ALP) (4 p.m.): It exemptions on crop insurance and loan is a pleasure to speak to this Budget, which refinancing. Throughout the State, primary concentrates substantially on job creation. I will industries leaders welcomed that concession. mention some of the objectives of that It was a tremendous initiative by the coalition. Budget. In relation to job creation, it makes In fact, those industry leaders said that it was provision for over 27,000 apprenticeships, the best initiative and the one that they have traineeships and job placements to be created been battling to receive for a long time. So the over the next four years and 6,500 discontinuation of that exemption is a massive traineeships and apprenticeships to be created kick in the guts for battling primary producers. within Government departments, local A producer would have saved $1,200 when government and statutory authorities. In effect, 2362 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998 the Government is setting an example for the area, I have made very strong representations private sector which, to some degree, has let that any increase or expansion of car parking us down significantly in some areas over the facilities should occur on the eastern, non- past 10 years or so with respect to training, residential side of the station. I am pleased to particularly of apprentices. report that after extensive lobbying and Another initiative that deserves mention is discussions with Queensland Rail's the cash bonus of $2,000 that is to be offered infrastructure engineers, a decision has now to employers and group training schemes that been made to construct that facility on the employ additional apprentices in areas of skill eastern side of the station, much to the delight shortage, such as tourism, building and of my constituents. construction, and in metals and engineering Mr Sullivan: That would have been a trades. Of course, all of that is backed up by a great eyesore, that multilevel one on the very sound Capital Works Program, with a real western side, too. commitment to spend the money that has been allocated. I think it is important also to Mr ROBERTS: It would have been a note that, in terms of unemployment, this terrible eyesore, and it would not have solved Government has a target. That target has all of the problems in that area. In fact, it would been derided somewhat by members of the have exacerbated the traffic difficulties that Opposition. But we have a target, it is would have been experienced. It certainly something to work towards, and with respect to would have got the cars off the streets, but the job creation it certainly focuses the mind of the traffic problems would have increased. Cabinet and indeed the entire Labor team. Mr Lucas: You are well known as a great I want to take the opportunity in this advocate for your local constituents, and that's debate to mention a number of local issues in another one of your victories. my electorate and also outline some specific Mr ROBERTS: I thank the member for Budget initiatives that affect my electorate. I Lytton for that observation. have spoken about a number of these issues The other issue relates to Zillmere Railway on other occasions, but today I am pleased to Station. Again, I raise this matter. I say that I can report some significant acknowledge that the member for Aspley has improvement since the last time I spoke. The also raised it on a number of occasions. first issue that I mention is the Northgate Indeed, at the last election the Labor Railway Station car park. At the moment, the former Minister for Transport is not present in candidate for Aspley campaigned very strongly on this issue of improving access both to the the Chamber, but he would be aware that, station at Zillmere and across the station, during his time as Minister, on numerous particularly for the many elderly residents who occasions both through Queensland Rail and live in the area and mothers with young through the Minister's office I raised the need children in prams. During the implementation for significant funding to be applied to upgrade of an upgrade program to provide a third track, parking facilities at Northgate Railway Station. Queensland Rail money was allocated to The problem was that local residents, provide lifts to that station. I will be following particularly on the western side of the station, that matter through to ensure that that access had been experiencing up to 150 vehicles is provided as speedily as possible. parking in streets outside the allocated parking areas at that station. I was pleased to note in The other issue that I make particular the coalition's Budget that was tabled earlier mention of with respect to this Budget is the this year that money had been allocated for welcome reintroduction of the Community that upgrade. I thank the former Minister for Recreation Facility program. A figure of $35m that. He took notice of the representations that has been allocated to this program, which I had made. In fact, on one occasion he essentially is targeted at providing needy visited the site. I was very pleased to see that communities with much-needed community that money has been retained in Labor's sport and recreation facilities. It is crucial that Budget, which we are now debating. that money be allocated to communities of There is a difference in the outcome with most need in this State. I have made a respect to what was originally proposed under particular claim with the present Minister, as I the coalition's Budget and what is now have with previous Ministers, for the proposed to happen at Northgate. The original community of Zillmere. proposal was to construct a multilevel car park, The community of Zillmere is in dire need which would have significantly encroached of an injection of substantial amounts of onto parking areas on the western side of the money to improve facilities. In 1995, Zillmere station. On behalf of my constituents in that was identified in a Department of Sport and 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2363

Recreation report as the area most needing Mr ROBERTS: They deserve it and I will community facility development in Brisbane. It continue to raise their needs as often as was ranked number 10 in Queensland as an possible. area in need of community recreation facility I do not want to spend my entire time development. I have already contacted the talking about the community of Zillmere, but I new Minister, Mr Gibbs, in relation to this feel quite passionate about it. Up until about matter and have received at least a favourable 12 months ago, Zillmere State School had a response in terms of recognising the need in groundsman. However, due to the grounds- that community. Next week I have organised care policy, when the school fell below the meetings with local sporting clubs and magical figure of 200 students, under the representatives of the police citizens youth coalition Government it lost its groundsman. club to discuss possible partnerships to tender With a number of other people in the an expression of interest when that program is community, I raised significant protest about formally launched by the department. I look that and about the fact that other schools had forward to a recognition by the Government, also lost their groundsmen. the Minister and his department of the special needs of the Zillmere community and, Mr Lucas: Wynnum Central. hopefully, the signing of the cheque at some Mr ROBERTS: There are a number of stage so that that facility can go ahead. others. To his credit, former Minister Quinn I have mentioned the community of examined what I believe was quite an unfair Zillmere a number of times in debates in this grounds-care policy and he upgraded the place, because it is an area that I feel very school. Zillmere received some increase in strongly about. If there was an area in my funds, although not to the level that was electorate or, indeed, in Brisbane that required. Whereas I and the school community deserves particular attention from Government were appreciative of the extra funds that were departments, it is that community. Under received, a full-time groundsman was not successive Governments in the past 20 or 30 reinstated. I have given a commitment to the years, not a great deal of money has been community that, on its behalf, I will continue to spent there. Since I have been the member, I lobby to hopefully get a full-time groundsman have taken every opportunity possible to draw reinstated. the needs of the community of Zillmere and the surrounding area of Boondall to the The difficulty with communities such as attention of the Government. Zillmere is that when their small schools lose their full-time groundsmen, it is one more Zillmere is a well-established suburb, disadvantage factor that compounds the other consisting of large areas of public housing that disadvantage factors that exist. It is important was built in the heyday of the 1950s and that we give those communities a bit more 1960s when a lot of public housing suburbs consideration. I intend to continue to raise this were built. As I have said, a significant injection matter with the current Minister. Hopefully, one of funds is needed to lift the community. day we will have some great news for the Zillmere has a number of social problems that community in terms of the facilities and the can be dealt with only by concentrated groundsman support that we can provide to action—not just by bricks and mortar but also that school. by the implementation of programs to develop the community infrastructure and the social With respect to policing issues, the networks that are required to make Budget allocates $2m for the commencement communities healthy. of the construction of a new 24-hour divisional police headquarters at Hendra to house the I notice in the Budget that quite a Clayfield police division. Currently, both the significant amount of money has been Clayfield and Boondall police divisions are allocated for urban redevelopment. The housed in the suburb of Boondall within my Minister for Public Works and Housing is in the electorate. That is not the most efficient or Chamber and I have brought the needs of effective way of operating police divisions. This Zillmere to his attention. Refurbishment money was allocated under the coalition's programs will be undertaken in the next 12 Budget and I am pleased to see that it has months in that area, and I will be certainly been retained. The location of the new police asking for a lot more on behalf of my divisional headquarters in Hendra, which is just constituents. outside my electorate in the electorate of the Mr Schwarten: Those electors should be member for Clayfield, will provide significant very proud of the efforts that you are making benefits in terms of local policing in my on their behalf. electorate, particularly in Toombul, Nundah 2364 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998 and Northgate. That initiative will be well The Banyo Police Station is one of three that received. falls within that category in the Boondall Another matter that I have raised a division. I am very pleased with the assistant number of times in this place is the needs of commissioner's commitment to maintaining the Banyo Police Station. No specific Budget those stations and also with his desire to allocations have been made for the Banyo improve the use of resources as they become Police Station, but I am pleased to report that available. after persistent lobbying, knocking on doors Briefly, I wish to mention a couple of other and talking to whoever will listen, I have items in the Budget that affect my electorate. managed to negotiate some improvements to $380,000 has been allocated to purchase land the way in which policing services are operated for a new ambulance station in Nundah. The out of the Banyo Police Station. Ultimately my relocation of this station is justified. The current objective is to badger whichever Minister or location is restrictive in terms of access to commissioner I can lock in a room for a few arterial and main roads. That Budget moments—— allocation, which has been maintained by the Mrs Rose: And you do. You have Labor Government, is welcomed. Also, chewed my ear on many occasions. $900,000 has been allocated to provide a new Mr ROBERTS: I have met with the site for the amalgamated Hamilton and Minister for Emergency Services on a number Nundah Fire Stations. Although I welcome the of issues. My objective is to hopefully receive upgrade, there are some issues relating to that support for the proposal that Banyo become a amalgamation and relocation that I have been fully fledged Police Beat station. It has not got taking up with the Minister. Hopefully, those matters can be resolved to everyone's that far yet and I have indicated to the local satisfaction. inspector, the assistant commissioner and, indeed, the Minister that I will continue to Finally, I note that the Budget maintains pursue the issue of the upgrading of Banyo the $35.2m that was allocated under the Police Station. previous Government to rectify the Nundah However, we have agreed on a significant bottleneck. I note also that the decision to go improvement, which is that new operational ahead with that work on the bottleneck was guidelines will be developed over the next few announced by Jim Elder in Nundah prior to the weeks for the Banyo Police Station. The first changeover of Government in 1996. Over the point of those new operational guidelines is past few weeks there has been quite a bit of that we will reduce the pool of police who are uncertainty and some mischievous rumours in rostered to work in the station from the Nundah community about the funding for approximately 60 police down to 15 police. this project. I was very pleased to see that for Therefore, it will be more likely to have an this financial year $3.6m has been allocated officer with more local knowledge on the roster, for that project. For the benefit of those who which is a significant improvement. Also, the might have been a bit mischievous in respect operational guidelines that we will negotiate will of the information being spread in the provide for a core time when officers will be in community about this matter, I note that the the station, and another core time when coalition's Budget allocated only $2.8m this officers will be out in the community, mixing financial year for that project. That should put with local businesses and residents and visiting the matter to rest. The project will proceed. local schools. Banyo has moved from a More money has been allocated this year. We situation where officers were substantially tied look forward to that matter being resolved in to the station. They were stuck behind desks, an appropriate time frame. With those few waiting for people to come off the streets to points, I commend the Bill to the House. conduct business. Now, officers will be moving Mr ROWELL (Hinchinbrook—NPA) out into the community and will be conducting (4.21 p.m.): I rise to speak to the Appropriation more community-based police activities. That Bill, which is an extremely important piece of is a significant step forward. I thank the legislation. At the moment the world economy Assistant Commissioner and my local is very unstable. Many of our trading partners inspector, Dennis Houston, for their are experiencing great difficulty. We are very cooperation. dependent upon the soundness of the During a meeting that I had with Assistant economies of our Asian trading partners—the Commissioner Honor, he made a commitment Indonesians, the Koreans, the Japanese and to maintaining the satellite stations that exist so on. In the future we may have to look more under the clustering system, particularly in the to other countries—for example, Europe, the Boondall division. I welcome that commitment. US and so on—for export opportunities. 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2365

Our exports are critical to the growth and I thank the former Attorney-General, Mr the development of the State. Mineral and Beanland, who was involved in the allocation agricultural exports are major contributors to of $750,000 for the provision of a lift at the the Queensland economy. Currently, the share Innisfail Court House. The external painting of market is experiencing volatility; it is just like a that building has been completed, which is a roller-coaster. Just when people think there is great achievement during this wetter period of some stability, the volatility returns. Over the the year. I believe the internal painting will be past six months or so, billions of dollars have completed over the next five to six weeks. The been written off the value of shares. That former Attorney-General recognised the needs instability poses a major problem for of Innisfail when he made provision for the Queensland and its economy which, as I said, painting of that courthouse and the installation depends heavily on exports. If jobs are to be of a lift. created, our industries have to remain productive. Although we have growth in the Mourilyan Harbour is a very important State in a number of areas, our export area on the coastal strip. A lot of sugar is economy is particularly important. produced from the mills from Babinda right down to Tully. Some of the mills in the During 1997-98 we saw growth of 4.75%, Hinchinbrook Shire area send their molasses which was a major plus. The former coalition up to Mourilyan Harbour. The boat passage Government played a major role in enhancing was dredged some years ago. The harbour the wellbeing of many people throughout the itself is now being dredged. We will be able to State. Achieving economic growth takes time. provide additional wharves and generally The fact that we have one good year does not improve the port so that other business can be mean that the economy will necessarily conducted there. Some $710,000 is being continue to grow and create further job spent on that work, which was supported by opportunities. These things take time. During both the coalition and the current Government. 1997-98, employment growth was about 3.2%. Maintenance of that growth is extremely Low sugar levels are causing desperate important for our future. However, irrespective problems. The c.c.s. level in the northern of whichever side of politics is in power, I region of the State is such that many farmers believe it will be difficult to maintain the growth are doing it tough. When I was the Minister for rate that we had in Queensland over the past Primary Industries, I was able to allocate year. $300,000 over a three-year period to do There have been minimal changes to the something about that problem. I notice that coalition's Budget. That just goes to show that the current Government has provided this Labor Government recognises that what $300,000. Just how that money will be we proposed was reasonable and fair. expended is somewhat unclear. One set of Certainly, there have been some adjustments documents speaks about north Queensland here and there, but generally speaking the yields, yet another speaks about Queensland concept put forward in relation to growth and in general. Some confusion exists as to where job prospects was by and large adhered to by that money is intended to be spent. the present Labor Government. It is important that this problem of low I wish to address a few areas of sugar yields is recognised. It will be difficult to significance to my electorate and to speak combat. We are currently experiencing low about the support that it has received in the world sugar prices. Up till now we have been Budget. For example, schools need to be built insulated through the single desk seller in the electorate. The school at Goondi, which arrangement and our ability to sell our sugar is in the northern part of the electorate, will on a forward basis. The prices that we are benefit from the provision of a new building—a receiving for this year's crop are probably full general learning block—the total cost of comparable to those we have received in the which was about $592,000, of which about past. However, that will not be the case next $430,000 will be provided in this financial year. year, because of the current extremely low The principal, Arthur Sclippa, will be pleased prices. At present the harvesting conditions are about that. I visited the school only a few terrible. It has been raining particularly heavily. weeks ago, towards the end of August. They Some areas have had up to 50 millimetres of were certainly ready to move to that block. I rain in the past week to 10 days. Some believe most of the money has been northern areas have had up to 16 and 17 expended. That school now has a more solid inches overnight. It is phenomenal weather. footing. The existing temporary The farmers are certainly not unaccustomed to accommodation was very difficult for teachers wet weather, and having it at this time of the and students to contend with. year is making things extremely difficult. 2366 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998

Not only will it interrupt the sugar level and Roads are a major problem throughout the harvesting, which is so critical, it will also the electorate. I have talked about the very cause major problems for next year's crop. heavy rain we have had recently, but early When I was in the area recently, I saw fields January was also quite wet. The roads are totally inundated with water. It is highly likely breaking up due to saturation. It is very difficult that the germination from those fields will be to keep any road in a reasonable condition particularly poor. With reduced prices, low with these enormous amounts of rain right sugar levels and so on next year, I think the throughout the year. Great difficulties are area will do it particularly tough. It is hard to being experienced in relation to both council understand that areas with such good soil and roads and the main highway. In fact, the shire rain levels can have such great difficulty in had to increase its rating to the rural providing enough income for many families. community to make sure road maintenance The Clump Point boat ramp is another was covered. initiative. To date, $29,000 has been spent. A The Tully area has similar problems. total of $311,000 will be spent on this boat Massive expansions are occurring there. ramp in the very picturesque area of Mission BÐdoubles and semitrailers are travelling Beach. From it you can look over to Dunk something like 100 kilometres along the Island. It is probably one of the prize areas of highway to bring sugarcane from the southern the State in which to live. It boasts the islands, area around Cardwell right through to the reef and the hinterland, with rainforest and Mourilyan mill and South Johnstone mill. I note so on. It is an extremely popular area. The that there are problems with the road around provision of these facilities is important for the El Arish area. A road that looked to be in a tourism. A lot of people come from the inland very good condition last year is starting to and spend a great deal of time at these break up. The coalition provided something locations. People from the mining industry like $20m in a sugar package to address this come over when they are on leave. These situation, but because of the rapid growth of types of facilities will certainly enhance the the area, and considering its valuable area and give an opportunity for many people contribution to Queensland's economy, I think to take advantage of this very pretty area of it needs extra recognition. I believe we need a Queensland. Also, $1m will be spent on a good road system there. I do not think we power feeder line to Mission Beach. The area have an alternative. There are B-doubles is growing quite rapidly. It has a lot to offer, as travelling on the same roads as school buses. I have said. We need those resources. There are wooden bridges that do not have I fought for a long time for the Ingham the capacity to carry the loads. Very often TAFE facility. It dropped out of the Budget in when a cane harvester loaded on a low loader the early 1990s, but we got it back on again has to go over a wooden bridge, the cane and it is very pleasing to see that some $3.7m harvester has to come off while the semitrailer will be spent by the State. $800,000 is coming and prime mover drive across the bridge and from the Hinchinbrook Shire Council. Of the then the harvester is walked across and State's funding, some $2.715m will be spent in reloaded. It is a situation that might be the next financial year. The foundations are expected in the Third World. It is very being laid at present. Work did not stop, disappointing that this sort of thing is despite the wet weather. They have been happening right throughout north Queensland. digging the foundations out, pumping the The Johnstone Shire has something like 40 water out of the trenches. I expect the pouring wooden bridges. A lot of those bridges were of those foundations to start very shortly. built a long time ago. Suddenly we are seeing Yanks Jetty on Orpheus Island is a a massive change in harvesting practices, and pontoon with a walkway on to it. The jetty has the mode of transport used for the cane crop. been there for some time and, unfortunately, Another important issue is the SIIP some of it has rusted out. It is now being package funding. This was brought in during reinstated by the Hinchinbrook Shire Council. I 1993-94, during a Federal election. Some understand that on Monday tenders will be $40m was provided for that package. I recall called for the reinstatement of that jetty. The that $19m came from Queensland and $19m area is certainly very picturesque. A lot of fish came from the Federal Government. That was swim around that jetty. It is good landing point to do a great deal of work in sugar growing for people who just want some recreation. areas right throughout Queensland. Believe it Instead of going on to the island, they can go or not, there is a lot of design work to finish. to the jetty and sit on the benches and in the Areas such as Loder Creek, Mandam and shade. It is a great facility for the boating Ripple Creek need this work done. The recent public that uses those waters. heavy rain has made it particularly difficult for 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2367 those farmers to get their crops off and to centre. I also turned the sod at the Wacol Tick plant next year's crop. There is a similar Fever Research Centre. That project was worth situation in the Riversdale/Murray area. We some $5.3m. The vaccination process has a want to get that project up and running benefit of something like $20m. I believe it is because of much the same problem that I am very important that we have such a facility for talking about in the Ingham district. animals to which ticks are attracted. It is The Parliamentary Secretary to the important that we create some resistance by Premier in North Queensland, Mike Reynolds, way of vaccines. was in my area the other day. I wrote to the The Mareeba Conference Centre was Premier about the problems we are having, established at a cost of $1m. This was which have been exacerbated by an unnatural established in association with AQIS. That season. There is little question about that. centre is vitally important to the north. We were With the sugar industry, there is a cycle. working very well with Northwatch. The Federal Growers do not simply plant a crop and plough and State Governments worked in conjunction it out the next year. If that cycle is interrupted, on that program. I was also involved with the substantial losses can occur. That is exactly Climate Control Centre, which was established what is happening at present. People cannot at a cost of $15m. Some $7.5m will be harvest; they cannot plant. It is too late to provided to this centre over three years. The plant now. The crops have been inundated. live cattle trade— Production in the next year and beyond Time expired. certainly will be severely impeded. Mr FELDMAN (Caboolture—ONP) (Leader We need to address the situation where a of the One Nation Party) (4.41 p.m.): I am package has been provided but is being held grateful for the opportunity to rise in the House up by the planning and design work and the to speak about the Budget. The Beattie Labor rigmarole of advertising, and letting every man Budget is well-named as the yawn Budget— and his dog have an opportunity to say the ho-hum Budget—partly because of two whether they like the scheme. We get a lot of Government backbenchers who fell asleep criticism from the green movement over what during the Minister's reading of the Budget we are doing. I think it is important for the Speech. This proved a better vote of no State that we get those projects to a point of confidence than anyone on this side of the completion and deliver the type of relief that House could have ever mounted. The Budget they were originally designed to provide. also appears to be a part plagiarisation of the I will go quickly through some issues previous coalition Budget. relating to the Department of Primary It is pleasing to see that some of the Industries. As mentioned by the member for funds that were earmarked for Caboolture are Crows Nest, there has been a reduction in the still there. The funding is still there to complete heliothis funding program. It is down to a 24-bed mental health unit at the Caboolture $2.38m from $4.25m. There are major Hospital. The funding of $24.8m for the co- problems throughout the cotton and grain located private hospital is still there. Thank you growing areas of western Queensland. If we very much. The funding for the Tullawong cannot stem the problem of heliothis—there State School of $1.2m is still there, thank you. are a number of measures that DPI can look The upgrade of the Mayne-Caboolture railway at—there is a prospect that the $600m crop line is also welcome, as is the replacement of could be severely affected. There is a range of the Redcliffe watch-house, which the police other grain crops that are severely affected by and residents of Redcliffe have been waiting heliothis. The Dry Tropics Research Station, for for such a long time. It is great to see. which the coalition announced in the last Budget with an allocation of $3.5m, is going My concern, though, is that this Budget is ahead. The area has enormous potential. not going to be the great job creator that it Bowen is an area that is ideally suited to professes to be. I cannot see how it is going to growing a range of horticultural crops. keep our unemployed youth off the streets. This is probably the best Liberal Budget that I would like to go on very quickly to some Labor could have managed. This is a Budget of the things that the coalition was doing in that has been put together by the same Government. The Callide/Dawson Centre, bureaucrats who put together the previous which is an extension of the Biloela Centre, Budget. We can read their stamp all over it. All was opened at a cost of $2m. It is very the Beattie Labor minority Government has important to the cotton, wheat, barley and done is snip the figures around the edges and, sorghum breeding program. Midge resistance consequently, the results are primarily the was one of the key projects undertaken by the same. 2368 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998

This is a Budget put together by the mess that the Liberal/Labor club has inflicted bureaucratic mandarins intent on building upon all Australians. bureaucratic castles at public expense. This is It is also a measure of the failures a Budget where tinkering around the edges is inherent in this Beattie minority Labor done under the cover of applying Labor Government Budget. Seen in this light, the election promises. What boggles the Budget could be only tinkered with around the imagination is what the Beattie Labor minority edges by Labor, ostensibly to honour its Government hoped to get away with by its election promises which, it must be deception. The Government has been caught remembered, were rejected by more than 60% out by both the media and the coalition, the of the present voters of Queensland. Under latter having put together the original set of the Beattie minority Labor Government the figures. people of Queensland are receiving what they There is nothing really revolutionary about voted against because of these fundamental this Budget. It is a ho-hum Budget, a yawn problems built into the Budget. Budget, a Budget that is really going not too The Beattie minority Government has only many places. It is a Budget built on tax and tinkered around the edges with this Budget. the wishful hopes of Labor that the No wonder the Beattie minority Government Queensland economy will generate its own does not want community based momentum and that, somehow, its Capital referenda—the people just might get the Works Program will work the miracles that the change they want. The extent to which the Government needs. Federal Government is ripping off the State To the extent that this Budget is a big Government and local government is the spending Budget, it is also a big taxing Budget same as that to which our State's sovereignty and therein lies the major problem. Taxation, has been eroded by the Liberal/Labor club in as promoted by both Liberal and Labor, has Canberra. This is an erosion that has been reached such an impasse that it is actually opposed and attacked by the Liberal/Labor depressing job creation and working against club in this House: yes, attacked with a jobs. Added to this tax problem is the Federal feather; opposed with a ritual of defeatism; Government policy of exporting our industries opposed with only feathers and froth. overseas and cancelling the jobs they create. This should be a major issue in the Put these failures of policy together with the current Federal election, but there is only normal job shedding caused by the growth in silence from the Liberal/Labor club. They are technology, and this Beattie Labor minority presently shadow boxing about how they will Government is facing a major problem in hammer Australian voters with more tax slugs. delivering on its policy of jobs, jobs and more This week Prime Minister Howard has exposed jobs. Unless there is some dramatic and Labor's plan to increase taxes after the fundamental economic reform in Canberra, Federal election. But, unfortunately, Mr Premier Beattie's pledge of jobs, jobs, jobs is Howard does not come to this election with about as plausible as the achievement of Bob clean hands either. His GST is just another tax Hawke's pledge that no young Australian proposed during pressing economic times and would live in poverty. has the real potential to overturn his best intentions by keeping old taxes as well as The tax element of the State Budget is imposing new taxes upon all Australians. already alarmingly high and will have a massive undermining effect. This should be The new tax schemes dreamed up by obvious to members opposite. Before Premier Labor's Evatt Foundation are proof that Labor Beattie again drafts up a Budget for his is not fair dinkum. When taxes rise, the result Government, it would be wise for him to take a will impact on what we do in this Parliament. serious look at the extent of taxes taken back How effective will our Budget planning be? If by the Federal Government. Indeed, the the Australian public allows, or votes for, Beattie Government should note the amount increased taxes now or in the future and allows of Federal tax money taken back from the the old parties to get away with raising taxes State by the Liberal/Labor club in yet again, future Budget planning will be more Canberra—the amount of fringe benefits tax, difficult than it is today. Creating jobs will be superannuation tax, PAYE tax, and all the more difficult. The entire tax mess that the old other taxes that a State Government must parties got us into must be addressed. pay. The amount of tax paid by State and Even the Honourable the Premier has local governments is depressingly high, raised the importance of regressive taxes on especially now, and is a measure of the unemployment, but he did so to lambaste the inefficiency, the double taxation and the tax Opposition and score political points, not to 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2369 solve the problem of overtaxation. This Budget fundamental cause of the alleged problem is is built upon taxes taken from Australians. The directly tied to Labor and its organised Labor Party in all States, when in Government, program to vilify One Nation. This program is is expert at throwing other people's money at directed at preventing issues being properly other people's problems but takes all the credit addressed, because Labor cannot and will not to itself. address issues such as immigration and This is a Budget that throws money at multiculturalism. This includes the massive people. If any credit is forthcoming from this abuse and waste involved in its long-term exercise, the credit is due to those who worked policies of denigration. Labor has resorted to long hours to earn the money which was taken name-calling and smears. Labor itself is from them for redistribution to others so that primarily responsible for any problems in Asia, Labor could take the credit. There is no pledge because it is an agent of its own misfortune. in this Budget to support innovative change to Labor's organised vilification program is ably the tax structure so as to gain relief for exposed by the best-selling author of Among Queensland Budgets of the future. There is no the Barbarians, Mr Paul Sheehan, who pledge to electors. With these points in accuses Labor of squandering billions of mind—— taxpayers' dollars to build up a sinister anti- Australian apparatus in the multicultural, Honourable members interjected. Aboriginal and associated industries. He Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is too much exposes Labor as viewing these areas as audible conversation in the Chamber. There is Labor Party preserves and thus recipients of also crossfire. The member deserves to be huge Federal largess. heard. Only recently, this industry spent most of Mr FELDMAN: Thank you for your its time swearing at Pauline Hanson on ABC protection, Mr Deputy Speaker. radio. It got so bad that selective monitoring revealed that some 15 vilifying news blurbs With these points in mind, where then is were aired in just three hours—and some 25 in the Premier's challenge to members of this four hours of air time. And all they did was House to get out into the community to fight badmouth Hanson and One Nation. Never, for a fair tax system by opposing the GST of ever did they get down to the policies. All the the coalition—to fight the GST to help out foreign language critics said exactly what tourism? His challenge is worthless and without Labor told them to say. But the Prime Minister substance. There is no challenge, because the says that the ABC is biased. He thinks he is Premier and his Budget have already fled from hard done by. One Nation supporters, after the field of a fair tax system. monitoring the ABC radio programs, would not The Budget confirms the importance of be upset by his revelations about the ABC, but trade in introducing funds for jobs, jobs, jobs. they would certainly consider that he got off With that in mind, one would have to wonder reasonably fairly when it comes to being vilified why the Labor Party continues its efforts to by a biased media. convince our Asian neighbours and trading The conclusions reached by Mr Sheehan partners that there is a racism problem in have been confirmed by the local media in Queensland. Let us settle once and for all recent days—by no less than a former Minister Labor's involvement in the hate campaign to of the Hawke Labor Government, who smear One Nation in Asia. This has identified millions of dollars spent on Labor. He boomeranged back to Labor and caused questioned if such money was well spent. He disinformation and misinformation to be revealed that the beneficiaries of public spread in Asia to advance Labor's domestic funding were spending their time badmouthing hate campaign and to marginalise One Nation Australia and Australians as racists overseas for crude political advantage in Australia. They and channelling this untruthful denigration of have done this for so long and so often that Australia into the foreign language media. And the leopard just cannot change its spots. this is where the Premier will find his problems. If one believes Labor and Labor's mates This is where the Premier must direct his within some tourism factions, including some attention. The Premier was prepared to spend academic and multicultural factions, this public money on an Asian misadventure, but distorted and misconceived concept this adventure will be a total waste of money canvassed in Asia is causing a loss of unless he roots out the problem which lies business in Australia because of an Asian deep in Labor and its well-funded dirty tricks backlash. This conveniently ignores the division of deliberate hate, fear and smear. disaster that has crippled the tiger economies. The economic problems hurting Asia will The truth of the matter is quite different. The eventually hurt Australia. But One Nation 2370 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998 members in this House have had a gutful of your endeavours to create employment Labor blaming everything and anything on opportunities in this country, to return a sense Pauline Hanson. We have heard the blame on of normality and a sense of respect to this the GST, we have heard the blame on One great State of Queensland and to Australia. I Nation, on Pauline Hanson and on the again say: listen. Listen to what One Nation economic problems in Asia itself. One would has said today to assist in raising the prospect think that perhaps no industry could exist in of employment in this great State. Listen. Australia after hearing such bleatings. Mr FENLON (Greenslopes—ALP) The Asian economies are in big trouble, (4.57 p.m.): It gives me great pleasure to rise and their problems will not go away quickly. in this debate to speak to one element of the One Nation volunteered to join the Premier's Budget that is a great love of mine and, delegation to Asia, but the Premier had left indeed, the source of great interest and and rejected that out of hand. Instead, he passion for many of my constituents, that is, used a public-funded push to continue the music and, in particular, contemporary music. Labor campaign of denigration against One There is certainly debate about what is meant Nation. People in Asia are not getting the by contemporary music. Some people regard it message. They are not getting the facts. They as just pop music or rock and roll. However, I are not getting what they are asking for, which believe that a wider definition is music that is is the truth. They are getting Labor simply being played, created and primarily misinformation. Asia is suffering because of transacted commercially today. international economic troubles. Australia could fall into the same hole if our Federal In terms of the Budget papers, I refer Government does not put its house into better specifically to the initiatives under the heading order. This is a fact of life: One Nation will join Community Culture in the Budget. The any—I repeat: One Nation will join any Treasurer outlined the $3.5m that is to be reasonable and honest push to assist the allocated over four years, particularly for youth initiatives. The Treasurer outlined the idea of a Queensland economy as long as that push is venue concept to provide young bands with bipartisan and not just another Labor Party substantial rehearsal space and facilities within hate trip. which to create video clips, a music mentor This Budget is not a particularly good program to improve access to contemporary Budget, but it is probably the best that the music tuition—— Beattie minority Labor Government can do. One Nation has pointed out some of the Mr Hamill: You know the former Premier problems. The Premier knows now where criticised that program in his speech. those problems are, and I ask him now if he Mr FENLON: I am sure that the former could come clean and really clean up those Premier would not appreciate this program. He problems where they exist within the Labor is probably one of those people whom the ranks and within the media. I say to the great bard Shakespeare would have been Premier: give us something better; give us considering when he said—and I paraphrase: something to deliver. If he is fair dinkum about the man who hath no music in himself, let no delivering a good Budget, we would be such man be trusted. pleased to help him in any way with respect to Mr Hamill: And we don't trust the Leader the Asian problems that he is facing. And we of the Opposition, do we? will join and assist in any way possible to correct the misinformation that has led to the Mr FENLON: Indeed, if the man does not overseas problems—or the perceived have music, he should not be trusted. problems. I continue with those initiatives. They also I ask members to listen and to ensure include a youth entertainment initiative, which that the Premier gets the message that One will offer affordable live entertainment, Nation will assist, One Nation will help, as long particularly in provincial cities and rural areas, as the misinformation, the denigration and the and further radio traineeships to enhance skills vilification finish, because that is the only way and opportunities for young people in the that it can help. That is the only way that media and broadcasting industry. I welcome things will change. One Nation is prepared to those initiatives in the music industry. However, help. As has been said before, I say to I wish to address those very welcome initiatives members here: vilify, degrade, detest One not only in the cultural and artistic context but Nation at your own peril. Listen to the 438,000 also within the overall context of this Budget, in people who voted this way. Listen to them. particular with regard to its emphasis upon job Listen to those people who are not racist in creation. I hope to place firmly in the any way, shape or form. Let them assist you in consciousness of all Government Ministers the 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2371 significance of the music industry. That is what Savage Garden, which, I am proud to say, it is: a very substantial industry. As an came from Queensland. That is an enormous important generator of economic prosperity tragedy in terms of job creation prospects and and employment, especially for the young, it is economic wealth for this State. We have a very significant industry. ignored the prospects that are right before For too long, Governments have ignored us—those fine young people whose skills are a those economic realities and treated the music result of the enormous surge of musical industry as it treats areas of the arts industry creativity and disciplined training in our primary that require subsidies, such as the opera and and secondary school system. That is the ballet. They are viewed as arts that must something of which we should be very proud. be provided as a public service. The full However, at the end of the day, the outcomes economic import and job-creation import of the of that training are being vaporised. They are music industry has been ignored. It has been going to other States and overseas. There is seen as a soft area. In an industrial sense, one simple reason for that: Queensland has how the music industry works is viewed by not developed the proper infrastructure that is some as a mystery. That is not surprising, necessary to support our Queensland because it is a very complex industry. It is time domestic music industry. In particular, the to turn that apprehension on its head. It is time intellectual property that is a crucial factor has for all arms of Government to treat the music been allowed to pass out of the State. Along industry seriously and to treat it as an industry with it have gone much of the associated like all others. economic activity and many of the jobs. The intellectual property is a very crucial factor and The music industry is substantial. The must be retained in this State. ABS business of music estimate confirms that the music industry in Australia is at the level of What are those infrastructure elements? $1.2 billion per year. Australia has a 2% share They include record companies, music of the international marketplace. The $1.2 publishing companies, recording studios, radio billion is not to be scoffed at. One realises that stations, management divisions, training that is a very substantial figure when one divisions, live sound stage divisions, and artists considers that the mining industry is at the and repertoire departments to source industry- level of $19 billion. We see entire departments viable Queensland recording artists. Those are set up to deal with the mining industry. We see elements of the industry that need to be whole arms of Government directed at created in Queensland and supported. How securing infrastructure for the mining industry. that is done needs to be the subject of much We see the Office of the Co-ordinator General further policy development in this State to in this State having an auspicious history in complement the very worthwhile initiatives in terms of developing and securing the mining the Budget. industry; however, nothing comparable is Unless those very worthwhile initiatives are provided for the music industry. The complemented by policy—which I hope is cultural/recreational services industry is $11 being developed within the Government—I billion. The accommodation, cafes and fear that those very worthwhile moneys could restaurants industry is $10 billion. Again we be wasted. We might as well take the young have Government departments that are artists in question to the New South Wales and entirely devoted towards promotion and Victorian recording studios with a case full of industry development of those sectors. Where money and hand it over to those States. That is the music industry represented within is all we are doing in terms of giving our young Government? It is time that such a place in artists grants along the lines of the traditional Government was created to drive job creation, arts model and sending them off to their especially for young people. counterparts in the other States. Unless we link The music industry is a very significant that policy very substantially with a policy to industry by any measure; however, develop infrastructure, we run the very real risk Queensland's share is extremely low. of wasting that money. It needs to be spent in Therefore, our potential to create jobs is conjunction with a very strategic approach to substantial. If we expand our share of the industry development. Australian market and the international I am very grateful for the briefings that marketplace there is an enormous potential for have already been provided to me and the job creation and economic wealth generation. very positive reaction that I have received from A calculation that has been provided to me the Minister for The Arts and also the office of indicates that $87.5m has been lost to the the Minister for State Development and their southern States because of the loss of just five departmental representatives. I know that acts that have gone south. That list includes those intentions certainly are at the heart of 2372 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998 those Ministries, but I believe we have a way households are now developing to cut, to to go in terms of coordinating that approach to burn, their own CDs. So we can sell the ensure that those moneys are properly spent musical product directly from the Internet down on building infrastructure. to a CD, and even provide a CD cover and One way of providing that infrastructure is associated promotional paraphernalia, to via some form of Government owned households. We are on the threshold of this enterprise that may be set up to be an industry revolution in the music industry both nationally incubator to nurture those young musicians to and internationally. The music industry is a further development. I hope that the Music great industry and we need to take full Mentor Program is also developed to provide advantage of it so that our young people can good training opportunities that do not exist in create jobs. isolation. Those opportunities should not be I will finish with a very inspired statement allowed to vaporise with the young performers on behalf of all musicians in my electorate and and be wasted. I hope that the Music Mentor throughout Queensland by Arthur Program provides some training opportunities O'Shaughnessy, who lived from 1844 to 1881. that are articulated with the other opportunities In his ode he said— for training through other training institutions "We are the music makers. We are and opportunities both in Queensland and the dreamers of dreams." other parts of Australia. Mr CONNOR (Nerang—LP) (5.13 p.m.): I I hope that consideration is given to the rise to speak, firstly, about the postponement Music Mentor Program so that musicians can of the further concessions on stamp duty for be provided with assistance and not left refinancing, the postponement of further isolated and so that there is a progression concessions on land tax and also to introduce from practising the guitar in the garage a concept to this Parliament called social through to managing a business both at a capabilities. In relation to the postponement of national and indeed an international level. A the further concessions on stamp duty, I refer good artist, with potential, can go that far. We to a speech made on 14 May this year by the need to provide the articulated progression then Treasurer, Joan Sheldon, who stated— that will allow these young artists to move from the very basics of their performance right "... a stamp duty exemption will be through to selling their products at a national provided on refinancing of loans and and international level. I believe that we have other financial instruments. a long way to go and I hope that these ... moneys will be spent very wisely in For small businesses, there is an coordinating the various elements of this indicative saving of $1,200 on refinancing industry. We need to build this industry from a $300,000 loan ... implementation date scratch. We are losing these young artists to of 1 January 1999." other States. Although we have some very worthwhile people in the Queensland music She went on to state that this initiative would industry, the industry is not well coordinated. have a cost of $16.5m in a full year. We need to put together those disparate That initiative was contained in the parts, with Government assistance, to drive the coalition's Budget. It is not in the Labor appropriate infrastructure base that will take Government's Budget. This initiative was these young artists forward. Many young extremely important in the current volatile artists are coming through our school system. financial environment. Following the South- The contemporary music school at the South East Asian currency crisis, the volatility on the Bank Institute of TAFE has been operating for world capital markets has spread to Russia some years. I believe that those young people and Latin America. Therefore, it is important in have been frustrated in terms of developing this financial environment to have the their careers in Queensland. maximum amount of flexibility to take I also believe that the music industry is at advantage of the interest rates that are the threshold of a great era of expansion. available. It is also important to keep the Technologically, we are on the verge of a new pressure on financiers to ensure that our era both in terms of the digital development of capital markets and our interest rates are as musical production and Internet access. If we competitive as possible. address this market properly, we can take Unfortunately, refinancing stamp duty acts advantage of being able to sell Queensland's as a buffer to reducing the competitiveness product directly into households via the between different financiers. In giving an Internet. That can be done by downloading example, I will use the example indicated in musical products to a facility that some the then Treasurer's speech of a small 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2373 business with a loan of $300,000. I will just use upon. I suppose that is nothing new; but, even indicative interest rates for ease of percentage so, the phase-out of land tax was a long-term calculation. Let us say that the interest rates commitment following a recommendation of were 10%. A person with a $300,000 loan McKinsey & Co to the then Prime Minister, would be paying $30,000 a year in interest. Paul Keating. It was contained in a Suppose an alternative financier is offering a consultant's report called "Think Global, Act 9% loan. Under normal circumstances, all Global". things being equal, a small businessperson As I mentioned earlier, I shall introduce to would apply for the lower interest loan to the Parliament the concept of social capability receive a saving of $3,000 a year—from and its meaning. I will look at it in the $30,000 to $27,000 a year. However, there is Queensland and Australian context, and also the cost of the writing up of the new contract from the point of view of the information rich and the $1,200 cost of stamp duty which are and the information poor. Before I introduce impediments to refinancing. Let us suppose the concept, I give a comparison of two that it costs $1,000 for the writing up of the individuals who, let us say, are both on the new contract and a further $1,200 in stamp pension. They are the same age and have the duty. That makes a saving of about only $800, same general circumstances and, according to and that is only after 12 months. It is hardly current ways of measuring poverty, would be worth while refinancing. The small considered to be in a similar position. However, businessman or businesswoman would have suppose one of the two is an alcoholic. That to consider the feasibility of undertaking that person obviously has a lower level of wellbeing refinancing because, in that 12-month period, than the person who is not an alcoholic. The interest rates could move again. Therefore, the alcoholic will obviously spend a great deal of stamp duty cost is a real impediment to the their income on alcohol, will make incorrect ability of a small businessperson to refinance decisions and will require a greater amount of and it is an impediment for financial institutions welfare and medical services. Obviously, two to have proper competition. As I said, in the such people are in very different positions as current volatile economic environment, it is of far as prosperity and poverty is concerned. crucial importance that Australian business is as competitive as possible. I give credit to Mark Latham, the Federal Opposition spokesman for Education, as I first I turn to the postponement of the land tax read of this concept through his work. I went concession. This is also of crucial importance on to read the work of a sociopolitical to the business community. This concession economist, Amartya Sen, who I understand was part of a total phase-out of land tax over a developed this particular measure of poverty. 10-year period. I might add that it was a Sen proposes that rather than look at the recommendation of McKinsey & Co, who were outcomes of poverty as a measure, one consultants to the then Prime Minister, Paul should look at what causes poverty. I Keating, and that if there was a 10-year commend highly the work that has been done phase-out of unpopular or unfeasible taxes on on this issue. I do not necessarily agree with all business, Governments should give the the outcomes that Mark Latham is proposing, maximum amount of indication to business of but I certainly agree with a lot of the analytical that phase-out so that business can plan in work that he has done. advance. Of course, the idea was that such a phase-out would have a minimum amount of In one of his recent journals, Amartya Sen impact on the Budgets of State states—— Governments—or any Government, for that "Capability ... the person's freedom matter—while at the same time give a clear to lead one type of life or another ... a direction of where we are heading. person's freedom to buy commodity ... The postponement and probably The well-being of a person must be dumping of this land tax concession and thoroughly dependent on the nature of eventual phase-out has sent some very his or her being, i.e. on the functioning unfortunate signals to the business achieved .... the freedoms that different community. It is saying that promises of the people respectively enjoy to achieve well- long-term phase-out of taxes are pie in the sky being." and that they cannot be relied upon. Although What really sums that up—and I concur fully the postponement of such a phase-out may with this—is the statement, "how good a 'deal' have only a minimal effect on the bottom line a person has in the society". Obviously that will of the Budget, it sends very bad signals to the vary from society to society. Someone in India business community that long-term who earns a very low income may have quite a commitments on tax reform cannot be relied fair deal from society. A similar income earned 2374 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998 in the United States would be a very poor deal. measured and benefits need to be targeted Poverty needs to be measured in context, according to a real level of poverty that has bearing in mind the capability within a been measured in a much more appropriate particular society. way. Alternative measures of poverty and Sen further states— prosperity need to be pursued. The work of Amartya Sen and Mark Latham should be "Choosing may itself be a valuable looked at more closely, because we need to part of living, and a life of genuine choice put together policies and outcomes that more with serious options may be seen to properly reflect social capability. be—for that reason—richer ... making one's life richer with the opportunity of Mr SEENEY (Callide—NPA) (5.26 p.m.): It reflective choice." is a pleasure for me to reply to the Budget. As many speakers have already indicated, this He goes on—— Budget really mirrors the Budget that was "... the capability approach clearly introduced by the coalition Government in May differs"— this year. I make the point that imitation is the and this is important— highest form of praise. I record my congratulations to the original authors of this "crucially from the more traditional Budget, which was put together in the early approaches to individual and social part of this year. I also congratulate the Labor evaluation, based on such variables as Party, and I do not do that very often. There is primary goods ... resources ... or real a tendency to change things simply for income ... Capability reflects freedom to change's sake, no matter how good they are, pursue these ... elements ..." and I believe that the Labor Party and the That is not the actual elements themselves. In current Treasurer deserve some summary, by social capability Sen means: a congratulations for recognising that this was a capacity to use resources, the overall freedom good Budget for Queensland and for keeping to pursue wellbeing, the skills of social and most of it in place. economic participation, the freedom to achieve in society and lifestyle and, of course, we need A few changes have been made, one of to bring security into that equation. Skills of which causes me some concern. I will deal with economic and social participation are things it in some detail. As members know, in my such as education, a profession or trade, one's electorate of Callide in central Queensland, a ability to articulate, one's credibility and major project, the Callide C Power Station, is respectability within society, one's mobility and under way. Obviously one of the first points of flexibility, one's perceived social acceptability— interest for me in the Budget was the amount of money that had been allocated to the for instance, one's race, sex, illness or Callide C Power Station. I found the answer on disability. Intelligence and age also will have an impact on one's skills of social and page 50 of Budget Paper No. 3. I will table economic participation. both of these documents, one of which is page 50 of the Labor Party's Budget Paper As we move into a globalised society, it is No. 3, which is before the House at the absolutely crucial that we look at measures of moment, and the other is page 50 of the wellbeing from a totally different perspective. coalition's Budget Paper No. 3, which was For example, suppose someone with a great tabled in this House in May. deal of social capability—someone who is intelligent, the right age, well educated with The coalition's Budget Paper No. 3, page good professional skills and the like—moved 50, states—— into a grass shack because that was the "$128 million for another two coal-fired lifestyle that they wanted to lead. According to generating units on the existing Callide traditional methods, that person would be Power Station site measured as being very much in poverty, yet ... that person has chosen that lifestyle. Should that person be measured in the same way as $2.6 million to improve the environmental someone who is forced to be in that position performance of the Callide Power Station but wants something better in their life? and, in particular, to reduce the flue gas Obviously not. That is the difference. emissions." If we start looking at poverty or prosperity A little over $130m was allocated. Members from this perspective, we need to start looking can imagine my concern when I read the at the way that social benefits are put corresponding page in the Labor Party's together—things such as pensions and public document, the second dot point of which housing. Poverty needs to be more accurately states—— 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2375

"$27.9m on the construction of an exemption from the native title requirements. additional two coal-fired generating This project was championed in Opposition by units ... at Callide Power Station and the now Government. Questions were raised reduction of flue gas emissions." about the fact that staff were provided to the The amount went from $133m to $27.9m. now Government when it was in Opposition by The project has been stripped of about the company behind this project. $103m. Mr Hamill: Are you smearing people? A Government member interjected. Mr SEENEY: I am not smearing people. I Mr SEENEY: As the interjector opposite am raising concerns about what is happening said, there have been some changes. $103m in my electorate. In my electorate we have a has been stripped from a project which is very project that the Labor Government tried hard dear to the people of Callide, very important to to stop. the economic wellbeing of the electorate and Mr Hamill: What's that? long awaited by the communities of Biloela, Mr SEENEY: The Callide C Power Station Gladstone and Rockhampton, all of which will is the project that the Labor Government tried benefit from the construction work and new hard to stop. It reviewed the contracts the very permanent jobs that it will bring. first day that it was in power and it tried We have to ask ourselves why this has desperately hard to stop it. Yesterday the been done. If one casts one's mind back to Minister for Mines stood up in this House and some of the contributions that have been made a point of telling the people of made in this House over the past couple of Queensland that the Callide C project would months, one could be forgiven for becoming proceed. I thought that was great. Then we somewhat suspicious, for reaching the read the Budget papers and we find that it is conclusion that there is something about this going to proceed to the tune of $29m instead whole deal that is a bit smelly, something that of the $130m that the coalition intended to is not quite right, something that does not sit advance it in the coming year. In my properly and something that is not fair dinkum. experience, $29m will not mean that much work is done on the ground at all. I suspect I remind members of the apology in that most of that money will be swallowed up advance from the Minister. I am sure we all in design, planning and all of the pre-emptive remember when Minister McGrady apologised in advance to the people of Queensland for work. In reality nothing will happen. the expected blackouts this summer. How Mr Hamill: Is that the total project cost? does that reconcile with a decision to take Mr SEENEY: The total project cost is $100m from the project that is closest to about $700m. producing more power for Queensland? How does that sit with what must be a great go-slow Mr Hamill: Has that changed? in relation to the Callide Power Station? Mr SEENEY: What has changed is the speed at which the project is advancing. It is We have heard much talk about the fair to ask why it has changed. What possible Chevron gas project. The Minister and the benefit is there to the people of Queensland in Premier have been questioned at length about slowing down this project? Who will benefit by that project. It would be fair to assume that the slowing down this project? How does slowing Labor Party in Government has adopted a down this project reconcile with the apology in rather unhealthy emphasis on the Chevron advance that we heard from the Minister for gas project to the almost total exclusion of Mines and Energy for the blackouts that are every other option. coming? How does it reconcile with the Mr Hayward: Are you opposed to it, are constant talk we hear about the transmission you? losses that we are all going to have to get Mr SEENEY: I am not opposed to it. That used to? It just contributes to the suspicion is an accusation that is made every time a that something is not right here. Something is question is raised. I am not opposed—and I going on here that does not sit square. It is a do not think anyone on this side or the other fair question to ask and it is a question that will side of the House is, either—to a major be asked continually through the Budget development project of any sort anywhere in Estimates process until we get to the bottom the State. However, I am opposed to the fact of what is happening. that it is becoming increasingly more obvious What is the relationship between the that a fair deal is not being dealt here. Government and Chevron? Why is there this Members should cast their minds back. The unhealthy emphasis on Chevron to the Chevron gas project was granted a special exclusion of everyone else? Why is there such 2376 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998 a determination to import gas from the Mr Hamill: Where's that? highlands of Papua New Guinea, when we as Mr SEENEY: I tabled copies of the a State are renowned for our resource-rich documents. It is page 50 of Budget Paper coalfields throughout the Bowen Basin? We No. 3. have extensive deposits of gas of our own. In other parts of Australia there are extensive Mr Hamill: Of what? deposits of gas. Where is the justification? Mr SEENEY: Of both this Government's Why is the emphasis being placed on Budget documents and the previous Budget Chevron? Why is favouritism being shown to documents, tabled in this Parliament in May. Chevron? Why is the same emphasis not Both figures are on page 50 and both sections being given to bringing Callide C on line? are headed "Mining, energy and electricity". In I will take members back to another your Budget it is the second dot point in the thread in the weave—another part of the middle of the page. tapestry. When the Premier was asked about Mr SPEAKER: Order! I remind the this issue on 5 August, he said— member to speak to the Chair. "One of the legacies that we Mr SEENEY: My apologies, Mr Speaker, I inherited was that because of the thought I was responding to the interjection. I decisions made by the coalition am sure that the Treasurer will be able to find Government in relation to Callide C and the relevant clause on page 50 of Budget the proposed decisions in relation to Paper No. 3—— Tarong, the Chevron gas pipeline Mr McGRADY: Mr Speaker, I rise to a proposal was put at risk." point of order. The member for Callide once How does one put the other at risk? Mr Beattie again is not telling the truth. I explained to him went on to say— this morning where the money was. Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of "This whole matter relates to the order. price of electricity and the price of natural gas. That is the key link between Comalco Mr SEENEY: I have tabled these and the Chevron gas pipeline. Those documents. Perhaps the Minister for Mines opposite know that the decisions they and Energy might like a copy. The second dot made in relation to Callide C and Tarong point on page 50, under the heading "Mining, directly affected the price of electricity." energy and electricity" states— That says to me that the previous Government "$27.9 million on the construction of is being criticised for taking decisions that an additional two coal-fired generating "directly affected the price of electricity". I find it units projects at Callide Power Station and unusual that anyone would criticise the reduction of flue gas emissions." Government for taking decisions that directly The first dot point under "Mines, energy and affect the price of electricity, obviously in a electricity" on page 50 of the corresponding downward fashion, except those who have an Budget document states— inappropriate interest in another electricity "$128m for another two coal-fired supplier—a supplier that would presumably be generating units ..." in competition with these projects that this Government has tried hard to stop. I believe it Also, $2.6m was allocated for the has stopped Tarong, even though that has corresponding flue gas emissions controllers. been denied. I will certainly be pursuing the This represents a difference of over $100m. issue of Tarong. This House was assured that this project would proceed. I know without any doubt at all that a lot Mr HAMILL: Mr Speaker, I rise to a point of effort was put into stopping Callide C. This of order. The honourable member continues to Government would have scuttled Callide C. It mislead the House. I draw his attention to would have done so quickly and without a page 130 of Budget Paper No. 3. second thought. The contracts were signed and it could not stop it, so now we are going to Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of see death by strangulation. We are going to order. see a major go-slow on Callide C. In the Mr SEENEY: I have tabled these Minister's words, "We are going to proceed documents. I hope that the Treasurer can get with Callide C". But the Government is not a copy. As I was saying—I will say it again for going to allocate any money to it. It is going to the benefit of the Minister, as he has come to spend $29m instead of the $130m that the the Chamber; and I am gratified by that—there coalition had budgeted for Callide C. is something about this whole thing that is just 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2377 a bit smelly. Something is not quite right. of Opposition, will pursue this issue with the There is an inappropriate emphasis on the utmost vigour through the Estimates process. Chevron gas project at the expense of every We will get to the bottom of it. other project that could possibly produce Time expired. electricity for this State. There is something about the way this deal is being done that is Mr BRISKEY (Cleveland—ALP) not right, and those opposite know that it is not (5.46 p.m.): Mr Speaker— right. Every time the issue is raised, you do Ms Bligh: It is a hard act to follow. your best to bully and control and—— Mr BRISKEY: It certainly is. I ask the Mr SPEAKER: Order! I remind the honourable member for Callide to go back to member to refer to members by their correct his office and read his copy of the Budget titles. papers. I would then expect him to come back Mr SEENEY: I apologise, Mr Speaker. into this place and apologise for misleading Once again I was responding to interjections. the House. Given the Hansard record on this matter, it is Mr Hamill: It is just a shame our literacy fair to ask what on earth is going on here. Why and numeracy initiatives weren't around when is there such a priority on the Chevron gas he was at school. project? Mr BRISKEY: It is a shame. They are For the record, I am not opposed to the around now, and that is a great benefit for the project. I am not opposed to the jobs it will people of Queensland. I hope that the create. I am not opposed to the benefits it will honourable member for Callide will go back bring. As soon as any concerns are raised, the and read the Budget papers more carefully. first reaction is to accuse the person raising the The Beattie Government was elected just concerns of somehow trying to stop the job- four months ago on a commitment to job creation benefits. security and job creation. We are committed to I know that I am repeating myself, but I getting Queensland working again. This am doing it for the benefit of the Minister, who Budget begins the task of reducing the State's has taken his time to come into the Chamber. unemployment rate to 5% within five years. Everyone in this House would like to see the This target is a major challenge but one we economic development take place and believe to be extremely important. I am everyone in this House would like to see the personally proud of this goal to reduce jobs created, but everyone in this House unemployment to 5% within five years. It is should also want to see every proponent in the something that only a Labor Government field of power generation given a fair go. The would aspire to. It commits this Government to record of the handling of this issue indicates to not just reducing unemployment, but reducing anybody who looks at it logically that they are it dramatically. not being given a fair go. One proponent in Every decision of the Beattie Labor the field is being given inappropriate priority. Government will be made in the light of our The project I am concerned about, the commitment to reduce unemployment to 5% project in my electorate which the community within five years. With the current of Biloela and all central Queensland unemployment level at 8.8%, we cannot afford communities have waited so long for, has to delay the implementation of our been denied the funding that is necessary for employment programs. That is why we it to proceed. An amount of $102m has been believed it absolutely necessary to bring down stripped out of that project, at the same time this Budget—so that funds could be directed as the Minister stands up in this House and without delay to the most important issue assures us that it is proceeding and at the confronting our State: unemployment. same time as he stands up in this House and The 1998-99 Budget is an employment apologises in advance to Queenslanders for Budget, a jobs Budget. It lays the foundation the blackouts that are coming. How does any for the creation of more jobs and greater job fair-minded person reconcile those two security in the future. It is encouraging to see actions? How does it stack up? How is it fair? It that, as a result of the measures taken in this smells. There is something wrong. There is Budget, the unemployment rate is forecast to something fishy. trend downward over the year to be 8.5% in No doubt this issue will be pursued the June quarter of 1999. At the centre of this through the Estimates committee process. I Budget is the Government's $283m over four look forward to that. I suggest that it is years Breaking the Unemployment Cycle appropriate that I, representing my electorate, initiative. This initiative will create 24,500 jobs and those on this side of the House, in the role over the next four years. Through this program 2378 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998 the most disadvantaged in the labour 10.8% increase in expenditure for vocational market—the young unemployed—will be given education and training bringing total spending, hands-on experience and a chance to enter including TAFE capital works and user the work force, in many cases perhaps for the charging, to $572m. Included in this additional first time. TAFE capital works spending is an additional The Government's package to drive down $8m for the Bayside campus of the Moreton unemployment consists of— Institute of TAFE at Alexandra Hills. This funding is long overdue. It had been allocated Firstly, a subsidy program to provide an by the previous Labor Government but then extra 7,500 apprenticeships and scrapped by the coalition. Robbing Redland traineeships in industries where there are Shire youth of this important education funding skills shortages or in regions with poor was one of the many examples of the short- employment prospects. A $2,000 cash sighted and petty approach members opposite bonus will be offered to employers or brought to Government. group training schemes which employ additional apprentices in skill shortage As a local member, I fought hard to get areas such as tourism, building and the Bayside TAFE campus back on the Capital construction, and metals and engineering Works Program after it was axed by the industries. coalition and I am delighted that $700,000 is Secondly, a public sector traineeship and allocated in this Budget to begin the apprenticeship initiative creating 6,000 construction of $8m worth of state-of-the-art trainee and 500 apprentice positions education and training facilities in the Redland throughout all State Government Shire. This funding means better education and training facilities for Redland youth while departments and agencies, and local also enabling the creation of local jobs and government. provision of on-the-job training in the highly Thirdly, implementation of the important building and construction industry. Government's community jobs plan to This funding demonstrates the Government's break the unemployment cycle for 9,000 commitment to job growth and training for the long-term unemployed people by future. providing jobs for three to six months on public works and environmental projects. The 1998-99 Budget includes a $4.8 billion Capital Works Program to build Fourthly, strict enforcement of the 10% State assets and underwrite employment training rule on Government public works growth. As the Treasurer pointed out on projects to provide 900 additional Tuesday, it is important that during a period of apprenticeships in the building and global economic instability Governments take construction industry. the initiative and introduce programs that will Fifthly, expanding the Housing Industry stimulate demand and also provide a strong Trade Training Program to create 600 foundation for future economic growth. new building and construction industry The Capital Works Program in Labor's apprenticeships. 1998-99 Budget will provide more than 65,000 Sixthly, granting $1.3m a year to fund a jobs, including 17,800 new jobs and ongoing start-up allowance of up to $300 for employment for another 47,800 workers. The apprentices and trainees requiring Capital Works Program provides communities specialised equipment for their industry, with essential infrastructure while also enabling such as tools or protective equipment. the creation of jobs and the provision of on- In addition to the Breaking the the-job training in the highly important building Unemployment Cycle initiatives, a $5.4m and construction industry. The 1998-99 Capital industry training fund for the building and Works Program represents an increase of construction industry is to be established to 26.3% on 1997-98. Major spending programs employ an estimated 800 to 1,000 additional include: $1,039.8m for roads, creating 4,729 apprentices a year, helping to ease skills jobs across Queensland; $830.9m for the shortages in the industry. mines, energy and electricity industry; $732.1m for the Queensland Rail network; This Government is about providing real $608.7m for hospitals and other health works; training opportunities through apprenticeships $299m for new police, justice and correctional which equip Queenslanders with the skills facilities; and $222.1m for Queensland needed to compete in the global economy. schools. This goal is a part of the Government's employment strategy and a central part of this Labor's Capital Works Program means Budget. This Budget provides $56m or a better facilities and better services for local 17 Sep 1998 Minister for Emergency Services 2379 communities. For example, the Beattie Labor Specific community initiatives in this Government's first Budget provides $23m of Budget include: $7.5m in 1998-99, and $15m capital works spending in the Redland Shire. a year from 1999-2000, for a community These funds will provide local communities in renewal program in Waterford, Eagleby, my electorate and the neighbouring Capalaba Beenleigh, Leichhardt, Riverview, Garbutt, and Redlands electorates with job-creating Manoora and Inala; $5m in 1998-99, and programs that also build first-class facilities. $35m over four years, to develop and upgrade I am particularly delighted with the $1.6m community, sport and recreation facilities; and provided to construct new commerce, music, an additional $1.6m in 1998-99 and in 1999- amenities and staff buildings at the new 2000 for the rural communities infrastructure Victoria Point State High School. These new program to be known as the Rural Living facilities will further enhance the excellent work Infrastructure Program to assist local being done by Dr McKennariey and his staff at governments to build or upgrade community, the Victoria Point State High School. The new recreational and tourist facilities and to help school buildings, plus the additional $8m for create jobs in smaller communities. the Bayside TAFE campus, demonstrate the Debate, on motion of Mr Briskey, Beattie Government's commitment to adjourned. providing our students with the finest education and training available in the State. MINISTER FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES Other new projects to receive money include over $700,000 for replacement jetties Mr MALONE (Mirani—NPA) (6 p.m.): I at Lamb Island and Karragarra Island and move— $305,000 for dredging Canaipa Passage and "That this House recognises the $356,000 for roadside infrastructure in the valuable contribution being made by the Redlands. Ambulance services in my local Board of the Queensland Fire and area will also be boosted by over $500,000 for Rescue Authority; and new ambulance stations at Macleay Island and Redland Bay, and $409,000 for the That this House condemns the Minister completion of Cleveland's replacement for Emergency Services for the unjustified ambulance station. Funding is also provided in attacks that she has made on this Board." this Budget for the continuation of capital I have moved this motion tonight because works funding for projects that were already I believe that all Queenslanders have found under way. These include nearly $15m for the the Minister's performance in recent months, in Redland Hospital redevelopment, $2m to attacking the QFRA board, to be nothing short complete Cleveland's new courthouse and of a disgrace. The Queensland Fire and $2m to complete the new police station and Rescue Authority itself is bracing for a return to watch-house in Cleveland. I look forward to the bad old days of low morale. It is bracing attending a function in a couple of weeks' time itself for a return to the days when its to say goodbye to the old police station. It employees were treated with such contempt should have been demolished many years and scorn that Hansard would not allow me to ago. use the words that the then Labor Minister, This Budget does more than just set in Tom Burns, used publicly to describe them. place the policies and programs to drive down In recent weeks, we have seen from the unemployment. It is also a Budget that reflects Minister what can only be described as the the Beattie Labor Government's commitment most appalling, dishonest performance of any to providing local communities with the Minister in this Government. The performance resources needed to function effectively. The has either been dishonest or it has been a Government understands that unemployment worrying sign of the Minister's inability to come creates hardship not only for unemployed to grips with her portfolio. Her claim that the people but also for their families, friends, and Fire and Rescue Authority will be in debt to the the wider community. The Beattie Labor tune of $118m within five years is highly Government is committed to working in questionable. The Minister has quoted from a partnership with the general community, report prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers. I groups and organisations and all levels of ask: where is this report? It is nowhere to be Government to help alleviate the social seen. It is obviously hidden. It has not been problems associated with unemployment by released to the public. As a matter of fact, the improving community facilities and putting Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority, which I people on the ground to service community believe has to pay something like $49,000 for needs. the report, has not even seen a copy of it. 2380 Minister for Emergency Services 17 Sep 1998

I challenge the Minister to table a copy of "Regrettably, the other thing that the that report, put it on the public record and let Labor Government amalgamated was the everyone read its entire contents—not just debt, which ended up being around read selected lines that she may wish to use in $60m." her press releases. If she wants to make these The then shadow Minister continued— claims, let us see the report in its entirety. I ask: why should it remain hidden? There is a "The amount was made up of an reason why the Minister does not want this operating debt of around $29.6m and an report released. She does not want it released overdraft of $27.7m—about $56m"— because she wants to be able to selectively in total. He repeated— quote from it, and she wants to selectively "I am the first to admit that that was quote so that she can paint a misleading an enormous impost to throw onto the picture of the board, and particularly the back of the Fire Service." QFRA, to enable her to discredit them. Why would the Minister want to discredit the board? There we have it once and for all. The debt Is it because she wants to remove the was an inherited debt that was imposed on the board—the entire board structure—and fire service by the Labor Government. That perhaps return the Fire and Rescue Authority was something that the Labor Party regretted to the complete control of the Public Service? in 1996, but now it claims to have no Does she want to do away with community knowledge of it. and firemen's input into Queensland's now When the coalition took office in 1996, very highly regarded Fire and Rescue the fire service debt to Treasury was $17.5m. Authority? When the Beattie Government took over only The time has come to expose the three months ago, the coalition had reduced Minister's fictitious claims, and I will use the that debt even further to $13.5m. That words of her ministerial colleague to do that. represents a reduction of $4m in just over two For weeks now, the Minister has made some years. Let me make one thing very clear: the fictitious and particularly outrageous claims trust fund is not in debt. Payments are being that the coalition Government left a so-called made to service that debt to Treasury. Those black hole in the Fire and Rescue Authority. repayments are being met, and they have not She has insinuated that this has been the fault put the trust fund in debt. In fact, as the former of the board. My colleague and former Minister Minister pointed out this morning, this year's for Emergency Services, Mick Veivers, has trust fund budget came in at $18m in the gone to great lengths to point out that the only black—in the black—resulting from an $11m debt that remains is an inherited debt—a debt carryover and $7m in savings through good which is totally serviceable from the trust fund, management, that is, the good management and the trust fund is not in debt. But the of the QFRA board. I believe that the board Minister will not listen to this. The Minister has members must be congratulated on their continued to deny this. The Minister has efforts in those two years. continued to deny that there is an inherited It is very interesting that the members of debt. the board—the very same board that has I refer to Hansard of 31 October 1996 and been given a bill for $49,000 for this will quote to the House the words of the then report—have not even been allowed to see shadow Minister for Emergency Services, the report. They have no idea of the terms of Robert Schwarten, to see where this debt reference of the report, and they have no idea really came from. When speaking to the Fire of the scope of the report. They have no idea Service Amendment Bill, he made the what the report was supposed to look at, and following confession—a confession that all they have no idea whether the supposed members will be interested to hear. This is projected black hole is a result of having to where the debt came from. The then Labor factor in Labor's pre-election promises. In fact, shadow Minister said— no-one has any idea about what the report is "The Labor Government bit the bullet or what it says, because no-one has actually and on 1 July 1990 amalgamated the 82 seen the report. It remains under lock and key. boards throughout the State and put It is important for everyone in the them all under the control of one Chamber to be aware that the deliberately authority." provocative actions of the Minister are Now here comes the good bit. He went on— threatening to undermine the morale of the Fire and Rescue Authority. Everyone would "Regrettably"— recall the disgrace that all Queenslanders had and I will say that again— to witness when the former Goss Government 17 Sep 1998 Minister for Emergency Services 2381 treated the firefighters with such contempt that the men and women who risk their lives on a they rallied—in uniform—outside this House. I regular basis to protect the lives and property notice that the former Opposition spokesman of Queenslanders. on Emergency Services has entered the Listening to the speech delivered by my Chamber. Everyone would recall the exact colleague the shadow Minister I was reminded words that the then Minister, Tom Burns, used of the disgraceful way that Tom Burns, a to describe those firefighters—unfortunately. If former Labor Minister for Emergency Services, the current Minister continues on this path of treated officers in the fire service. The misinformation, perhaps we will see those comments by Mr Burns were a great same protests again. embarrassment to the Goss Labor Firefighters across Queensland know that Government. Now this new Minister is following this Minister is not doing her job properly, and in his footsteps. Aided by her Labor Party her Cabinet colleague the Minister for Public friend and accomplice Ron Attwood, the Works and Minister for Housing obviously husband of the member for Mount Ommaney, knows that better than anyone else. The the Minister has used every opportunity to try insinuations being made by the Minister are to discredit the QFRA board. We have already very clear. They are an unjustified attack on heard today that Mr Attwood is a departmental the board and a very grubby attempt to officer who is paid to work in the Minister's undermine the credibility of its office. What we have not heard is the way Mr members—members whose standing in the Attwood is trying to push the Minister into community is of the highest order. disbanding the statutory authority status of the The Minister's comments have been part QFRA in order to return control of the fire of a sly and slimy attempt to discredit the service to the Department of Emergency board of the QFRA before implementing Services. We know that Mr Attwood is behind perhaps her ultimate plan to abolish it. But let this move because we know that the Minister me remind the Minister that the board cannot is having difficulty in coming to grips with the be abolished without a change to the challenges of her portfolio. legislation. And before the Minister even In spite of the fact that he is a public entertains the thought of abolishing the board, servant and that his wages are paid by the let me remind her again of the words of the QFRA, Mr Attwood acts as a political adviser to former Labor spokesman for Emergency the Minister. Nearly every day this week and in Services in 1996. He said— previous sitting weeks he has been sitting in "I reiterate that the Opposition"— the public gallery observing question time. He does not sit on his own. He does not try to that is, the Labor Party— appear as an impartial public servant. He sits "does not have any real difficulty with the right smack in the middle of Labor ministerial concept of creating an authority to staff. Perhaps he is there so that he can rush oversight the fire service." down to the Chamber and assist the Minister Tonight's motion not only condemns the with complex questions about the fire service. Minister for her unjustified attacks but it also Perhaps he is there so that he can give recognises the contribution of the QFRA signals—thumbs up, thumbs down—to the Minister. Perhaps he is there because he is a board. Not only has this board reduced the proud husband and wants to look at his wife. debt that it inherited—— Or perhaps he is there because he has to be, Time expired. because he is a political adviser to the Mr HEGARTY (Redlands—NPA) Minister. I think that is more likely the rationale (6.10 p.m.): I have pleasure in rising tonight to for Mr Attwood's presence in the gallery. Why second this motion. I support the motion else would he need to be in the Chamber because I am committed to ensuring the during the most political part of the day's strength and effectiveness of the Queensland proceedings? I think Mr Attwood has had the fire service. Unfortunately, the Minister does op po rt uni ty to v iew t he not share this commitment. Ever since the PricewaterhouseCoopers report to which the minority Beattie Labor Government came to Minister so often refers. By comparison, I point office, the Minister has sought time and time out that the QFRA board has not seen the again to undermine the board of the report. However, I think there is every chance Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority. That that Mr Attwood has. After all, why else would board has made a valuable contribution to the Mr Attwood need to sit through question time? management and operation of the We have an interesting scenario here. On Queensland fire service. It has helped turn the one hand, we have the board of a statutory fire service around and restore some dignity to authority not being afforded the courtesy of 2382 Minister for Emergency Services 17 Sep 1998 viewing this report while, on the other hand, we Barely a day goes by that we do not hear have an employee of the board, Mr Attwood, or read about the deeds of this State's who in all likelihood has seen a copy of the firefighters. Whether it is in response to report. I hold grave concerns for the ability of structural fires or wildfires, rescuing people the Minister and the motivation of Ron trapped in blazing buildings or cutting victims Attwood. There is something fishy about Mr from the tangled wrecks of roads accidents, Attwood's involvement in this process. I urge firefighters save lives. All too often we see the Minister to stop undermining the QFRA, to dramatic television footage of roaring flames start listening to board members and to get on engulfing buildings. Often we see the human with the job of strengthening the Queensland side, the firefighter cradling the young child fire service. The Minister ought to be who, moments earlier, has been plucked from condemned if she continues with her actions the seat of the blaze. Recently, emergency to date. I urge members of this House to service workers were shown knee-deep in support the motion for that reason alone. foam as they responded to a fatal accident The former Minister, the member for involving a tanker on the Bruce Highway north Southport, built up the Queensland Fire and of Gympie. There they were, doing their job. Rescue Authority. It would be a detrimental On that occasion, the job was to ensure that step for all the citizens of Queensland if the there was no massive explosion. Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority were to Firefighters and other emergency service revert to its previous position prior to the personnel put their lives on the line to save the reforms that were initiated by the member for lives of others and to protect property—yours Southport. I am sure that when he speaks to and mine, Mr Speaker. Each year their actions this motion tonight he will be outlining some of save insurance companies many, many the great steps that have put the Queensland millions of dollars in fire damage payouts. In Fire and Rescue Authority in the position that it Queensland, we know that if a fire breaks out is in today. It is a leader in the provision of fire in our homes, there will be a big red truck there services in Australia. I would hate to see any within minutes to douse the flames. We also detrimental stepping back from the sound know that, if there is a bushfire, scores of local footing that it is now on and from the volunteers will activate to protect life and commendable job that the board has done to property in their communities. It must be very date. It should not be undermined; it should frustrating for the volunteers who turn out to be supported in every way possible. I urge the fight fires to find that often they have been Minister to do so. I urge members of the deliberately lit by a small group of people who House to support this motion and vote against do not give a damn that their actions can cost the deplorable way in which the Minister has lives or cause millions of dollars in damage. handled this matter to date. But they still respond; it is their job, a job they Hon. M. ROSE (Currumbin—ALP) do so well, a job they do every day of every (Minister for Emergency Services) (6.15 p.m.): I week. move the following amendment— Only last week we had firefighters cast in "Delete all words after 'by' and insert a different role. They were called in to remove the following— from a Brisbane city building a canister believed to contain the deadly legionella 'Members of the Queensland Fire and bacteria. It was suspected that the canister Rescue Authority in the vital service they had been placed in the building deliberately in provide to Queensland communities and a crude but nevertheless potentially deadly their dedication in performing that duty.'." attempt at sabotage. Airlie Beach man Tim Over the past 10 weeks, I have taken the Stilwell owes his life to local firefighters, who opportunity to visit a number of fire stations earlier this month dragged him unconscious throughout the State and to meet with from his burning apartment. Rockhampton firefighters on the ground. I have been very toddler Ayden Renes will be able to tell his own impressed by their dedication, commitment children about how two local firefighters saved and loyalty to the people in their communities. his life. His mother Kelly heaped praise on the I have lost count of the number of time firies firefighters after they gave him medical have told me how good it was to see a assistance early last month. The youngster Minister at their station. The firies in Caloundra began convulsing, then stopped breathing. bestowed a great honour on me recently when Ayden stayed in hospital overnight. He was they made me an honorary firefighter for the back home the following day none the worse north coast region, complete with a plaque for wear. It is all in a day's work for our firies. and a lapel badge that I am wearing with pride Just as important is the proactive fire tonight. education and fire prevention work done by 17 Sep 1998 Minister for Emergency Services 2383 the QFRA, both urban and rural divisions. problems facing the fire service. Labor will Firefighters and volunteers take pride in recognise the contribution of the Queensland preventing fires through activities by visiting Fire and Rescue Authority and its many schools to preach about taking precautions thousands of permanent, part-time and against the dangers of fire, the need to install voluntary staff. Firefighters are held in high smoke detectors in homes and the worth of regard by the communities in which they live, plain commonsense in and around the home. and so they should be. They are untiring They want people to minimise the risk of fire. workers both on and off duty. Queenslanders That can be as simple as clearing the area are fortunate to have thousands of such around our homes. In the bush, the rural fire dedicated professionals and volunteers. brigades ensure that Queensland does not This morning, the members opposite face the same annual bushfire threat that proved that they are an absolute joke. Since plagues other States. Thankfully, we have not arriving in this place, the lack of positive had a disaster of the magnitude of the Ash contribution to public policy formation and Wednesday or Black Friday tragedies. A debate by the Opposition has surprised me. constant program of strategic hazard reduction Earlier today, I was most surprised to hear how burning is performed by hundreds of brigades little the former Minister for Emergency across the State. Services, who I note has been dumped on the Our firefighters and rural volunteers across backbench, seemed to know about the fire the State deserve our support. Mr Speaker, service and the problems that he, in fact, this Government is fully aware of the job they created. He seems completely oblivious to the do for you, for me and for every other member fact that the QFRA is facing a financial crisis. in this Chamber and for every Queenslander. All that he can say in his defence is, "It'll be This debate provides the perfect opportunity right, mate, this financial year." However, he for each and every one of us in the Chamber conveniently steers well clear of talking about to say thank you on behalf of all the future. He talks about the Masters report, Queenslanders to our 2,000 permanent, 2,000 which states that the fire service would be auxiliary and almost 50,000 rural volunteers. $35m in the red. Time expired. Internal estimates by the Department of Mr MUSGROVE (Springwood—ALP) Emergency Services confirm that the Masters (6.20 p.m.): I am pleased to hear that, in projections were conservative. The audit common with the former Minister, the Minister commissioned by the Honourable Minister also received a plaque. I am sure that she did shows clearly that the potential debt was not cry, because she knew that she was taking $118m. The former Minister should be called action to save the Queensland Fire and "Mushroom Mick". He must have been kept in Rescue Service. his own littler corner in the dark, or else he is The Opposition's motion is an absolute not telling the House all that he knows about joke. The Minister did not attack the board; the financial state of the fire service. she quoted from the independent audit of the This Government is looking to the future. Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority, which We will make it a rosy future, and that pun is contained some criticism of the board. How unintended. We will ensure the QFRA's long- can a Minister be condemned for quoting term viability; not like the Opposition, which left something that is written in black and white? the fire service shuddering towards financial It is to the credit of the Minister, Merri oblivion. The QFRA deserves better. Rose, that the Queensland Fire and Rescue Firefighters need to know that we will look after Authority will be able to improve its service to them. They would have been absolutely the people. In recent times, Queensland's delighted to see what we delivered in this firefighters have been in turmoil because of week's Budget. Those benefits will be spread constant reviews and changes to the service. right throughout the State so that all of Under this Government, there will be stability. Queensland benefits. This is a Government for Both the urban and rural firefighters will be all Queenslanders. able to concentrate on their job of protecting Mr VEIVERS (Southport—NPA) life and property. The Labor Government will (6.24 p.m.): I rise to support the Opposition's give them the tools with which to do that job. motion. This morning and in previous weeks, This Government is committed to properly the Honourable Minister has made a number funding the Queensland Fire and Rescue of serious allegations about me and the Service. coalition Government regarding the funding The Minister has directed her department situation of the Queensland Fire and Rescue to prepare a strategy to resolve the long-term Authority and, more importantly, that the 2384 Minister for Emergency Services 17 Sep 1998 coalition Government had done nothing to women that they do not deserve the same pay address issues about which she has spoken. as their brothers and sisters in other States is Let me say that the Honourable the Minister totally astonishing. I may joke a little, but this is has gone from a position last week where, like very serious business. When I took over the Sergeant Schultz, she knew nothing to a Queensland fire service, it was in an absolute position this week where she knows next to mess. Morale was on the floor. At Kemp Place nothing. It seems that, in keeping with the up to 60% went out on sick pay. Within seven style of Labor advisers, she has been told half- months of the board coming into action, the truths, half stories and half facts. percentage of people on sick pay dropped to What is most worrying is that she has 3%. That saved the taxpayers of Queensland criticised the board of the Queensland Fire and somewhere in the vicinity of $120,000 to Rescue Authority without having the decency $140,000 a week. Morale went through the of allowing that board to see the Coopers roof. report. That is most important. Had she done This Minister is going to put this service that, she would have been prevented from back under the control of the director-general making those errors and misrepresentations in and the bureaucrats—where it was before her statement and making a fool of herself. As when morale was slipping. It is slipping now. I said this morning, we will see that when she The firefighters are not happy. How dare this has the decency of giving the board the report Minister criticise our firefighters. Let me say and, I might add, letting us see it as well. that they deserve—— How can anyone believe a person who Mr Sullivan: She didn't, and you know keeps reports secret, especially when we know that. that a lot of her statements are hot air? It is Mr VEIVERS: She did. She said that they apparent that she is trying to make the board did not deserve the money they received, and look bad so that she can get rid of it, and also you were one of the mugs who sat in here for the ambulance board, and put firefighters and six years—— ambulance officers back under the control of Mr Sullivan: No. the director-general. God help firefighters and ambulance officers if that happens, because Mr VEIVERS: You did, and you let them no-one else will. go for six years without a pay rise. However, most disappointing of all is that Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable she does not believe that the firefighters member for Southport will withdraw those deserved a pay increase. For six years under words. They are unparliamentary. the Labor Government, these men and Mr VEIVERS: I withdraw. This honourable women went without a pay rise and, if this member, who acts like a mug, sat in this Government has its way, it seems that they will Chamber for six years. go for another six years without a pay rise. I Mr SPEAKER: Order! You will withdraw and other members on this side of the House that word again. have the highest regard for firefighters and their families. We understand that they put Mr VEIVERS: I withdraw that the member their lives on the line to protect the lives of is a mug. This incompetent sat here for six Queenslanders and their property. To criticise years and did not go along with giving the them, as this Minister has done, when they firefighters a raise. The former shadow were among the lowest paid firefighters in Ministers, the honourable member for Australia is absolutely mind blowing. The Murrumba, and the honourable member for Minister is not in the Chamber, but for her to Rockhampton, Mr Schwarten, are sitting tell these brave men and women— opposite. They agreed with the coalition Government setting up the Queensland Fire Mrs Rose: I am behind you. and Rescue Authority. Government members Mr VEIVERS: That is even worse. That is should not ever say to me that the coalition a worry. Is the Minister going to vote with the Government did not look after them. The Opposition after all? That is really refreshing to Labor Government did not look after them for hear. This Minister can tell these brave men six years. It did not give them a pay rise. The and women—— firefighters did not know where they were going. Morale was shot to pieces until the Mrs Rose interjected. coalition Government came along. Yet this Mr VEIVERS: The Minister cannot Minister, who is sitting opposite, wants to do interject unless she is sitting in her correct seat. the same thing by abolishing the board and She should get back over to the other side. going back to the firefighters being under the For the Minister to tell these brave men and control of the bureaucrats. It is unbelievable. I 17 Sep 1998 Minister for Emergency Services 2385 just hope that the firefighters and their families service budget as a recognition of the sterling remember that this is the second Labor job performed by almost 50,000 volunteers Minister who does not appreciate them, throughout Queensland. although she did not actually call them A plan to consolidate base funding for the wankers. rural fire service took shape when we were in Time expired. Opposition and now that we are in Mr PEARCE (Fitzroy—ALP) (6.30 p.m.): Government it is being implemented. The The amendment moved by the Minister must Government supports the desire of the rural get the full support of members from both fire brigades to be an independent division of sides of this House. Not to do so would be to the QFRA. Members who represent country insult those officers who risk their lives fighting electorates should understand the passion to save the lives and property of that rural firefighters feel about that issue. Queenslanders. Under Labor policy, base funding will be The Government recognises the valuable consolidated to around $10m a year. In contribution being made by members of the addition, a further capital injection will be made Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority, the to improve the safety of volunteers. vital service that they provide to Queensland communities and their dedication to Mr Veivers interjected. performing that duty. I recognise their Mr PEARCE: The former Minister cannot contribution and dedication, whether they are argue against the amendment before the urban-based officers or volunteers of the 1,600 House tonight, because if he does so he will or so rural fire brigades that are registered be condemning rural and urban firefighters. He throughout Queensland. will show that he does not care about them, National Party members, Liberal Party even though he says that he does. To vote members, One Nation Party members and against the Minister's amendment will clearly Independents need to think very carefully demonstrate exactly how he feels. about the amendment put forward by the The Government understands how vital Minister. To vote against the amendment is to the rural fire service is to so many question the commitment and dedication of communities. We are determined to provide it the men and women firefighters right across with the best possible resources. We will this State. If members opposite vote against deliver on our policy to boost funding for the the amendment, they will be sending a signal construction of rural fire service stations. I to those men and women that they do not continually meet with members of rural have confidence in their ability to do a brigades and volunteers who work throughout dangerous job. To vote against the my electorate, and the need for new stations, amendment is to deliver a kick in the guts to vehicles and equipment is a consistent theme the men and women who volunteer their time of those meetings. We will deliver on our policy and who put their hands into their pockets to to buy land for new stations and to purchase provide a service to the community. If new equipment and safety gear. They deserve members have any understanding at all of the best and they will get it; members opposite urban and rural fire service needs, they will should support that. The Government will support the amendment moved by the recognise the invaluable contribution of rural Minister. volunteers by providing extra protective As the member for a large rural clothing and boots. electorate, I can talk to members of any one of As a further testament to our the more than 100 rural bush fire brigades that commitment, there are plans to deliver up to are scattered throughout central Queensland. I 100 new vehicles to rural fire brigades have made representations on behalf of fire throughout Queensland. Twenty-two Mitsubishi brigades for many years and I will continue to Canter medium-attack rural fire trucks worth do so for as long as I represent that area. more than $53,000 each are already under The Opposition can put any spin it likes construction. We are getting on with the job. A on this debate but, as a rural-based member, I further 51 Canter vehicles are planned, along can tell the House that the Government is with 23 Mitsubishi Triton light appliances worth committed to backing rural fire services. The more than $33,000 each. The Goss Government is committed to providing high- Government started this program and it level support to rural fire services with the received a lot of credit from rural Queensland allocation of a $3m funding increase over the for doing so. I appreciate the signal from the next three years. The Government has placed member for Callide, who obviously supports special emphasis on increasing the rural fire what I say. He understands what happened. 2386 Minister for Emergency Services 17 Sep 1998

The previous Labor Government started this I remind members of some facts about program and we will continue it. the Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority, which previous speakers have already Time expired. mentioned. I need to do this because these Mr MITCHELL (Charters Towers—NPA) are crucial to the intent of our motion. When (6.35 p.m.): I rise to support the motion before the previous Labor Government amalgamated the House tonight and, in doing so, I also the 82 boards throughout the State, it also express my support for the Queensland Fire amalgamated a debt worth around $60m in its and Rescue Authority and its board. The entirety. This fact has been backed by the Minister's amendment made no mention of member for Rockhampton who, on 31 August the board, which is what it is all about. We 1996, stated—— know that the fire and rescue services and the "Regrettably, the other thing that the rural fire services—as the previous speaker has Labor Government amalgamated was the mentioned—do a great job. However, this debt, which ended up being around motion is about the handling of the board. $60m. The amount was made up of an The minority Labor Government came to operating debt of around $29.6m and an office only three months ago, but in that short overdraft of $27.7m—about $56m. I am time the people of Queensland have already the first to admit that that was an seen a return to the bad old days of the Goss enormous impost to throw onto the back regime. It appears that Labor learnt nothing of the Fire Service." during its recent years in Opposition. It has In 1996, the member for Rockhampton and returned to the bullyboy days—the days of the Labor Party not only knew about the debt mischief, misinformation and mistruths. but regretted it, yet the current Minister claims Notable among the Cabinet of the minority to have no knowledge of it at all—like a few Labor Government is the current Minister for other things that she claims not to know about. Emergency Services. That Minister has an We have heard that when the coalition took agenda to destabilise and eventually disband office in 1996 the debt had been reduced to the board of the Queensland Fire and Rescue $17.5m. We have also heard that by the time Authority, which is trying to run the fire service the Beattie Government took office the debt as it should be run—well and truly above had been reduced to $13.5m. The debt is still politics. I put to the House that the Minister's being serviced, and serviced well, by the behaviour harks back to the days of former board. Minister Tom Burns. When one looks at the Minister's handling of this matter, one could be Members should remember that the trust forgiven for thinking that she has spent some fund is not in debt. In fact, as has been said time as an understudy at the Tom Burns' on numerous occasions in this House, the trust school of finesse. fund budget came in at $18m in the black due to the good management of the board of the The Minister stood in this Chamber and Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority. The claimed that within five years the fire service board does not deserve the public maligning will be in debt to the tune of $118m. The that the Minister has given it. Tonight the Minister said that that claim was backed up by House should be paying tribute to that board. a report that was prepared by Rather than creating mischief, the Minister PricewaterhouseCoopers. I might add that that should do the honourable thing and release report, which cost $49,000, was paid for by the the report. The Minister should also apologise Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority. Like to the board for the unjust criticism that she so many reports that do not suit the minority has afforded to it. As I said, this motion is Labor Government's political position, the about the board; it is not about fire service report was suppressed from the Queensland workers. We all know the tremendous job that Fire and Rescue Authority and the they do. I have a lot of great mates who work Queensland public. The Minister has proved all in the fire service, and we support them too willing to offer selective quotes that suit her wholeheartedly. political agenda, but she has not proved willing To take up what the member for Fitzroy to release the entire report. Why not? Perhaps said; I believe that it might be a good move to she will do what the other 17 Ministers have make the rural fire division a separate entity. done and form a task force. That seems to be Members of the rural fire division are all the way to get around that particular problem. honorary and they do a wonderful job, and The Minister has not released the report perhaps that would be a good thing. I believe because it does not suit her agenda or that of that in its current form, the board is doing a the Labor Party. wonderful job. 17 Sep 1998 Minister for Emergency Services 2387

Hon. D. M. WELLS (Murrumba—ALP) could not hear it; I will tell them what it was (Minister for Education) (6.39 p.m.): This afterwards. evening the House has two options. There is a What it really means is that fewer motion from the Opposition congratulating the firefighters are available as a result of the board and there is a motion from the decision to set up a board. We can imagine Government congratulating the firefighters. We the euphoria that they would feel as they go have reduced the options to two. That is a understaffed and undermanned into a choice that even the honourable members of situation of grave danger. They would think, the One Nation Party can follow. I urge "Well, at least we have the dignity of having a members to support the firefighters, not the board to administer our affairs"! What good is board. served by having an extra layer of We have not heard any argument why we management like this? Why should we give should administer this adulation to the board. adulation? Why should we, as the honourable We on this side of the House are not greatly member for Charters Towers said, pay tribute impressed by boards. We voted against the to the board? We do pay tribute to the board. establishment of the fire and ambulance Those extra layers of management cost boards. When the honourable member for money to run. They receive their tribute in the Chatsworth was the Minister, he abolished 81 form of the meeting fees and the fire boards, because that is what the accommodation and travel allowances that Firefighters Union wanted. Why should we now they are paid for junketing around the State as give this adulation to the fire board? I do not they make unnecessary visits to various places know of any single reason that has been put to consult with people who do not know the forward, except perhaps the one put forward answers to the questions; the people who by the honourable member for Redlands, who know the answers are the firefighters. The said in this House that the establishment of board members are not firefighters. the board had restored the dignity of Mr Mackenroth: When I became the firefighters. They never needed to have their Minister for fire services, at the Brisbane board dignity restored. They always had dignity. every member got a cigar at every meeting Whatever else they would have liked, even they went to—a big cigar. under the previous Government they were never short of dignity; these are the people Mr WELLS: Mr Speaker, that was a really who put their lives on the line to save other interesting interjection. You will have to read people. Perhaps they would have liked some Hansard to see it, because I do not have time better equipment, a few more firemen or even to repeat it. a pay rise under the previous Government, but I wanted to clear up one point. The they were never short of dignity. honourable member for Southport said that the Minister does not believe that the Even if we accept the mad premise that firefighters deserve a pay rise. She never said they were going to get more dignity through that. What she said was that the pay rise that the establishment of a board, I do not know the previous Minister had granted was exactly how it would have worked. For unfunded. She was criticising his economic example, we could put on two or three management, not the pay rise. Let that be firefighters at a cost of $100,000, which is what very clear. This is a Government which is it would cost to maintain for a period this committed to the firefighters. We are not artificial quango—this useless board—which committed to the boards, artificial levels of was established by my honourable friend on administration and gratuitous managerialism. the other side of the House. Should that We are saying to honourable members in this $100,000 go to the board or the firefighters? House: do not vote for gratuitous Honourable members opposite say that it managerialism or excessive boards, vote for should go to the board because that will the firemen. enhance the dignity of firefighters. If a lot of money is spent on a board, it means that Time expired. somewhere one man will have to go into a Mr TURNER (Thuringowa—ONP) blaze instead of two, or two men instead of (6.44 p.m.): I am appalled to think that a three—— Minister of the Crown taking advice from Mr Mackenroth: In my electorate they power-drunk bureaucrats would make such a were closing the fire station because they did misguided and inflammatory statement as that not have enough firemen. made by the Minister for Emergency Services this morning in relation to the Fire and Rescue Mr WELLS: I take the interjection of the Authority. The Fire and Rescue Authority board honourable member. I am sorry if Hansard was formed to take political interference out of 2388 Minister for Emergency Services 17 Sep 1998 the decision-making process. From our attacks that she has made on this board". discussions with numerous people, ranging Tonight, not one member has been able to from a high-ranking board member right cite an example of what this unjustified attack through to firemen out in the field, we are was. What was said by this Minister that can convinced that morale and efficiency under the be construed in any shape or form as an leadership of chief Wayne Hartley is extremely attack on either the firefighters or this board? high—or at least it was until the ill-informed outburst in the House this morning. I spoke for about an hour in the debate when the board was introduced. I am on The Labor Government is obsessed with record as saying that it was set up as a buffer bureaucratic control and the notion that the between the Minister and the firefighters service can be improved by the injection of a simply to take the political heat off the Minister. lot more bureaucrats and bureaucratic control. If we consider the election promises made in If this trend is continued we will have a fire 1995, we see that things such as one-in-three service with a whole lot of chiefs and no and pay increases were promised; the world Indians—and nobody who knows how to strike was going to be rosy for firefighters as a result a match. The service is presently manned by a of the election of the Borbidge Government. legion of highly motivated, highly skilled and We know that that could not be delivered. practical firemen who have an excellent level of morale. Why would we want to destroy that The Staib report came and went and the structure? In fact, the service has done well to underfunding was uncovered, but no money survive the studious neglect by both sides of poured from the Treasury. The Treasurer at the political spectrum. The alleged economic that time, "Aunty Joan", did not hand out any crisis has been manufactured by projecting the money from the purse. That did not happen. current funding level out five years. What was to be done? Someone said, "I know. Create a board. Let them take the flak. The situation has been compounded Let them wander around the State and meet because Labor passed responsibility for road people." But it did not happen that way. As all accident rescue to the service but neglected to of us know, we can try to divest ourselves of all provide additional funding. When the our responsibilities and stand back mute and Government changed from Labor to the coalition, the coalition also neglected to absurd and say, "It's nothing to do with me. provide funding. Naturally, if responsibilities are The board made that decision", but if the enlarged and funding is not, problems will board did not get the dough in the first place it eventually arise. However, to attempt to could not possibly function. That is what happened. restructure such an efficient organisation as the fire service just to pander to a If that constitutes an attack upon the Government's desire for an overwhelming board, so be it. But the fact of the matter is: imbalance of bureaucracy is absurd. The that is why it was established. It did not Minister's comments this morning were an improve the lot of the people who worked in insult to the service and have damaged the fire service. Not one person who has morale. One Nation supports the vote of spoken in this debate tonight has evidenced confidence in the current Queensland Fire and their remarks with one example of where Rescue Authority board. firefighters were better off as a result of having Hon. R. E. SCHWARTEN (Rockhampton— a board, of where the fire board made a ALP) (Minister for Public Works and Minister for decision that could not have been made by Housing) (6.47 p.m.): It is with a great deal of either the director-general or the Fire pleasure that I enter the debate. Having been Commissioner. Where is the value adding that quoted as an authority on this issue tonight by this board brought? What difference did it so many of those who sit opposite, it is indeed make? a great pleasure to be here. I cannot How much did this board cost? I heard understand why anybody would vote against the honourable member for Murrumba say the Minister's motion, because to do so simply $100,000. I do not know where he got that means that all of those members who vote figure from, but presumably that is the sort of against this motion do not have any respect money involved. I do not want to knock the for the hard and dangerous work carried out by board, but we have to weigh up whether it is our firefighters. I do not think that is what better to spend money on a board that makes members really want to do. decisions that can be ably made by one The original motion put by the Opposition person or whether it is better to have one states that "this House condemns the Minister person do the job and put that money back for Emergency Services for the unjustified into the Fire and Rescue Authority. 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2389

From talking to the firefighters out Fire and Rescue Authority. I think those people there—and I know lots of them—I understand should feel a personal blight on their that they have not noticed any great reputations. They have every right to feel advantage from having a board—any betrayed. They feel betrayed because they advantage at all, in fact. They still go to work know that they are being used by this Minister and they still do not have one-in-three as a as a scapegoat to hide the Labor agenda in result of having a fire board. Nothing has relation to the Queensland Fire and Rescue changed in that regard. The most disgraceful Authority. They have felt that betrayal since thing was that the coalition did not even have this Minister has launched her personal attacks the decency to have the union represented on and set about implementing the good old the board. I moved an amendment to that Labor agenda of political control and jobs for effect at the time, but it was not supported by Labor mates, politicising the Queensland Fire the coalition. So the board was not even and Rescue Authority. The member for representative of the people it was supposed Murrumba did it when he was the Opposition to be helping. spokesman on Emergency Services—trying to As far as I and those on this side of the politicise emergency services, trying to House are concerned, the motion put up by politicise the Queensland Ambulance Service. the Opposition tonight is a sham. Let us see if What about the firefighters themselves? those opposite really want to vote against a How alarmed must they be to hear the motion of confidence in the firefighters of this rantings and ravings of this Minister? The State, those hardworking people who go out alarm bells would start ringing when the day after day and risk their lives. Minister openly slams the very authority that At the moment members of the road contains their own representatives. rescue team from Rockhampton are over in I refer again to the ministerial statement Chicago competing in the world games, and I made by the Minister yesterday. She quoted am very proud to be associated with those from the PricewaterhouseCoopers report, people. They are not there because of the which she refuses to release. Then she went board. off, in one of the little fits that she has, Time expired. claiming irresponsibility. The Minister will not acknowledge that PricewaterhouseCoopers Mr HEALY (Toowoomba North—NPA) would not have been aware that the funding (6.52 p.m.): It did not take long for this Minister for the commitment by the coalition to get her feet under the ministerial desk and Government had been allocated at the start creating havoc in her portfolio area. It did Cabinet Budget Committee. not take long before the Minister started putting up a few smokescreens to hide her Time expired. obvious lack of understanding of this portfolio Amendment agreed to. area, particularly in relation to the Queensland Motion, as amended, agreed to. Fire and Rescue Authority. It did not take long before we all came to realise Labor's true Sitting suspended from 6.56 p.m. to agenda in relation to the structure of the 8.30 p.m. authority. Anything that the coalition set up has to be gotten rid of. It is pure spite! APPROPRIATION (PARLIAMENT) BILL Tonight we have heard the Government's APPROPRIATION BILL true agenda from a series of Labor speakers. It is evidenced tonight by its amendment. Our Second Reading (Cognate Debate) motion recognises the valuable contribution Resumed (see p. 2379). being made by the board of the Queensland Mr BRISKEY (Cleveland—ALP) Fire and Rescue Authority. What does Labor (8.30 p.m.), continuing: Before the dinner do? It deletes any reference to the board. The adjournment I was outlining some of the areas absolute smokescreen that the Minister has where the first Beattie Labor Government's put up is this enormous furphy that the Fire Budget is strengthening local communities and Rescue Authority is bankrupt. within Queensland. Before I mention the rest The people who have been selected on of those matters, I want to advise the House the Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority that earlier this evening I was speaking about board, some of whom I know personally, are the Bayside campus of the Moreton Institute decent, everyday Australians trying to do a of TAFE. I understand that the current decent job. They have a fair bit of expertise. occupant of the chair, the member for Honourable members should look at the Mansfield, is a past student of that college. I backgrounds of some of the people on the know that he believes, as I do, that it is an 2390 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998 excellent institute of further education. I available for travel to Magnetic Island. This understand that the honourable member extension of the building better buses and passed with flying colours. ferries program applies to commuter ferries I will continue outlining the initiatives that only and brings these services into line with will strengthen local communities within our concessions provided to seniors on other great State. These initiatives include: as part of public transport services. This benefit will be the Education for All initiative, 127 additional warmly welcomed in my electorate. teachers and other staff will be employed The Beattie Labor Government has throughout the State to improve services and brought down an economically and socially outcomes for students with disabilities and responsible 1998-99 Budget in a time of global learning difficulties; 25 extra nurses per year economic instability. The Queensland for four years—100 in total—will be employed economy is not fireproofed against the in secondary schools to advance drug and economic turmoil that has engulfed our major alcohol education; 30 staff will be employed trading partners in the region. This Budget, under the Regional Communities Plan to help however, lays the foundation on which the make Government policy more relevant to Beattie Labor Government will build a strong, regions and facilitate opportunities for employed and socially caring Queensland. employment growth; the establishment of Mr BEANLAND (Indooroopilly—LP) community-based juvenile justice centres for (8.37 p.m.): As other members of the Ipswich, Logan City and Townsville employing Opposition have stated, this Budget brought more than 40 people; $2.5m in grants for down by the minority Beattie Labor community development projects, including Government bears a great deal of similarity to creating jobs in Aboriginal and Torres Strait the former coalition Government's Budget Islander communities; $2.4m over three years which was introduced into this Parliament in to establish three work-based child-care May this year. At the outset, I want to refer to centres in public sector work places, making it a couple of matters of great significance that easier for families to balance work with family have been changed. One of those matters needs; and $21.5m for planned expenditure involves my own electorate. on water and sewerage projects in 1998-99 under the $150m Small Communities I refer to the Indooroopilly rail station park Assistance Plan. and ride. I notice that some of the park and The Beattie Government's strengthening rides have remained. Originally there was a of local community initiatives is further $500,000 allocation to provide park-and-ride facilities at the Indooroopilly rail station. This supported by the Government's commitment would have assisted the residents who live in to Queenslanders with special needs. This those streets. A great number of cars are Budget includes the largest financial parked in the streets. This move would also commitment ever made in this State to assist small businesspeople who are missing disability services. This needs to be out on business because of the large number emphasised. We have honoured the promise of people who are parking in the streets made during the election campaign to deliver around the rail station. As a result, the whole an additional $30m a year as part of a neighbourhood is suffering. $137.8m funding package to address the high levels of unmet needs for disability services in There is currently vacant property our community. adjoining the rail station which would have The Beattie Labor Government's first been an ideal property to acquire for the Budget also includes significant benefits for purpose of a park and ride. Over the years elderly Queenslanders, many of whom live in other park and rides have been established on my electorate. This Budget includes $22.6m the western suburban line. Unfortunately, over four years in additional State funding to some years ago the former Minister for significantly enhance home help services. The Transport changed the rail timetables. Even Budget provides funding for free ambulance though the timetables have since been services for pensioners, Queensland Seniors changed back, a lot of people who previously Card holders and their dependants. This parked at such places as Chelmer, where benefit will be available to an estimated there are adequate park-and-ride facilities, do 850,000 Queenslanders from 1 January 1999, not want to go back to those areas and are which is also the start-up date for the 50% now accustomed to parking in the streets of concession for pensioners and holders of Indooroopilly. Therefore, we have a major Seniors Cards who travel on water taxis to traffic problem. North Stradbroke Island and other Moreton I made a submission to the Minister upon Bay islands. This concession will also be the new Government taking office, but unless 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2391 an allocation for this project appears elsewhere The former Treasurer, the member for in the Budget it appears as if it has had the Caloundra, put in place a timetable from 1 chop. I will take it up with the Minister again. January 1999. Our Budget documents The park and ride at Indooroopilly has been stated— talked about for more than a decade. Some "The exemption will take effect money was set aside, but that money has now following consultation with industry, with a been taken for other purposes. It may be that target implementation date of 1 January in time to come vacant land will not be 1999. It is estimated that the exemption available for this purpose. There will be a great will cost $8.3 million in 1998-99 and $16.5 deal of unhappiness if people find that their million in a full year." houses have to be acquired for this purpose. There are some rental properties in the area Mr Hamill: A target. but people tend to not want to lose those Mr BEANLAND: The Treasurer talks about properties. So while people continue to park a target. That was a more realistic target than there, we are going to experience those huge his 5% unemployment target. The Treasurer residential and small business problems. As I has caught himself out. He is a sad case. said, there is a good park and ride at Chelmer, People should not trundle in where they which is about one third used, I suppose. should not do so. Since the change of rail timetables some years What is discouraging and most ago, many people remain to be convinced to disappointing about this Budget is that many go back to that station where many of them ordinary folk out there would have had the parked previously. opportunity to obtain refinancing at reduced I wish to talk about another matter which rates had this Government put those involves residents in my electorate, that is, concessions in place. It is certainly a jolt to the stamp duty. It is disappointing that the stamp many small businesspeople who are going to duty concessions which were introduced by the lose through this. I notice that stamp duty then Honourable the Treasurer, the member revenue has increased by $63m. for Caloundra, in the former Budget have also Nevertheless, the fact is that this would have been given the chop. They have been axed. given those people an opportunity to refinance The May Budget put in place stamp duty and, no doubt, in the case of some small concessions for refinancing—whether it be businesses, to create more jobs. business or household refinancing. The whole Another issue that relates to jobs is land purpose of those concessions was to give tax. Government members have said that land home owners, families and many other Aussie tax applies only to the rich. Of course, it does battlers out there the opportunity to take not apply only to the rich; it applies to many of advantage of the competitive finance market the battling small businesses who have to pick and to obtain concessions on transferring their up the bill for this. Those people have, for a loan arrangements and refinancing. I believe long time, campaigned to get rid of this tax. that one or two other members might have The former National/Liberal Government was mentioned this issue, too. I wrote to the going to abolish land tax, and we had a 10- Treasurer about it because I had received year program to do that. But that has also representations. However, that particular been given the axe in this Budget. Whether it provision does not appear to be in this Budget. comes back in a future Budget, time will tell. Mr Hamill: What's that? As I said, land tax relates to jobs. This will particularly hit the tourism industry, because Mr BEANLAND: The stamp duty many of the people who pay land tax are concessions in relation to refinancing. located along the coastal belt, where there have been considerable increases in land Mr Hamill: I said that that was deferred prices in recent times. This is a very important until 1999-2000. matter for small business as far as creating Mr BEANLAND: The point is that it has jobs and encouraging businesses to get out been deferred. there and generate business. At the end of the day, only through generating business, Mr Hamill: You hadn't worked out a growth and development, and creating timetable for it. opportunities to employ more people will we be Mr BEANLAND: The point is that there able to reduce our unemployment rate. was a timetable. I intend to quote from the I want to say a few words about the arts, document. I was going to do that before the which is a particularly important sector to this Treasurer interrupted me and got himself into State. Unfortunately, I notice that in relation to worse trouble over this matter. the Queensland Cultural Centre 2000, for 2392 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998 which the coalition provided $10m in its May Government puts in place another festival that Budget as part of the design costs for the will be to the betterment and benefit of $320m Queensland Cultural Heritage Centre Queensland. and Gallery of Modern Art, Labor has wound The arts sector contains a number of that $10m back to something like $4m in this youth initiatives. This Budget has allocated financial year's Budget, representing a some $3.5m over four years for youth reduction of some $6m. I mention that initiatives. Whereas that is good to see, we particularly, because it was a commitment of need to ensure that recognition is given to all this Government prior to coming to office. It forms of artistic endeavour when allocating this said that it was going to advance an additional funding. I caution the Minister for The Arts, $15m to that project. when he is allocating funds, because far too Mr Hamill interjected. often the focus is given to contemporary art or multimedia. There needs to be recognition of Mr BEANLAND: The point is that there is the many forms of art out there. Of course, no $15m, there is no $10m; there is only $4m. everyone in the community has their own From reading the Budget documents, I preferences. The Minister must recognise that understand that Stage 6 of the Cultural Centre not all young people express themselves in precinct is being reviewed and is currently this particular form of contemporary art and under a cloud. There is no indication from the multimedia. Government at this point in time—and it has been in office for some time, and it has made Under the arts development and museum commitments prior to this—that the project is development assistance programs, going to proceed. The project is of great unfortunately, it is disappointing that additional interest to the arts community of this State. funding has been slashed by 20%. In its May Many people have approached me and other Budget, the coalition allocated some $1.5m. members in an endeavour to ascertain This minority Labor Government has reduced whether this project is going to proceed. that allocation to some $1.2m. Further, Labor has indicated that funding in 1999-2000 will be I turn now to the Biennial Festival of just $1.7m compared with the $2m promised Music, which has been reintroduced. It was by the coalition. Perhaps the Minister might formerly known as the Brisbane Biennial and review this particular allocation, because it is a will now be called the Queensland Biennial very important sector. Art companies right Festival of Music. There is some concern that around the State benefit from this. As well, the Government is contemplating changes in fledgling artists and professional artists will lose this sector. People are concerned about how job opportunities through the proposed cuts in this is going to affect the current festival this Budget. I am sure that the new Minister for arrangements. The Brisbane Festival, which I The Arts will have a look at that, because it is understand is concluding this weekend, has important. been extremely successful and well received. It is something to which people have taken. I We see the continuation of the coalition's can appreciate that, because it is an Orchestral Services Task Force. Queensland opportunity for the community. It provides an has many talented musicians, but does not opportunity to appreciate a broad array of have a complete, professional symphony music, dance and culture as a result of the orchestra. The philharmonic orchestra has coalition's support for the creation of that been struggling financially for some time. I am festival. sure that members are aware of that. However, it does perform a very important role Many people from all over Queensland in, among other performances, accompanying have had the opportunity to perform with some performances at the Queensland Performing very highly regarded artists and students. For Arts Centre. The symphony orchestra is example, students from the Queensland underresourced financially. In terms of human Conservatorium of Music were invited to play resources, it has been suffering in recent with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields times. It has also had to face the issue of under the baton of Sir Neville Mariner—one of corporatisation, which I am also sure will the finest orchestras in the world and one of present it with future challenges. I encourage the finest conductors in the world. These the Government to continue to explore options opportunities have been generated and for the ongoing viability of professional created with the current festival arrangements. orchestral music in this State. It is a particularly With the new proposals that have been important sector, one in which I know the announced, I trust that consideration will be Government has been working and one in given to ensuring that the current festival which we need to ensure that all parties continues in its very popular format while the receive their fair reward. 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2393

As to the Families portfolio—it is Community youth conferencing is an heartening to see that the Seniors Card has opportunity for juveniles to sit down with the been retained. I am sure that many of those victim, apologise to the victim, make restitution seniors who received benefits under the and enter into an agreement that they sign to coalition's May Budget, which was brought that effect. Of course, they can have family down by the member for Caloundra, will be members at that conferencing program. The pleased to see that the Labor Government coalition Government was very proud to has retained the Seniors Card. Many people instigate that initiative. I know that it will prove across the State will benefit from its retention. very successful over time in the State. Also The Government has also retained the allocated is the continuation of the funding commitment to the International Year of Older arrangements for new juvenile justice Persons funding and coordination. A great detention centres that were allocated in the deal of work needs to be done in relation to coalition's May Budget. that year as well as in the continuation of the I turn now to the portfolio of the Attorney- community consultations on the draft General and Minister for Justice. I note that Queensland strategy of the ageing. Those are the Budget provides for a continuation of important issues for our older citizens. Many providing disability services at courthouses, people have been waiting for the benefits that including the provision of lifts. That is flow from the Seniors Card. particularly important not only for that portfolio Also in the Families portfolio, funding has but also for the Families portfolio, which I now been provided for a rural children's centre. shadow. Through no fault of their own, many Again, that commitment was given by the people are required to go to courts and registry coalition Government and that has been offices, which in some country towns and retained by this Government, as has the provincial cities are the major focus of Positive Parenting Strategy, an initiative on Government services. It is very important that which the former coalition Government placed people with disabilities are able to gain access a great deal of emphasis. In many cases in to those buildings. This Budget provides for this complex, modern society, many parents the continuation of the provision of court are not too sure how to rear their children, so facilities at Doomadgee. A new Magistrates we must ensure that we provide them with an Court complex has been provided for, as it was opportunity to talk with people about what is in the previous Budget. needed to raise a family. The Budget allocates I compliment the incoming Attorney- funding of some $2m for 40 services under a General and Minister for Justice on the continuation of the coalition's Family Support continuation and implementation of the Worker Program. That is heartening to see, as introduction of the uniform court rules, which is the continuation of the Youth Suicide were nearly completed when we left office. In Prevention Strategy, upon which the former fact, the legislation is all in place. There is a coalition Government placed a great deal of little bit of tidying up to do. That will come into emphasis. Of course, the Government is force at the end of this calendar year. continuing the 1998 Youth Advisory Forums. They have been going for some time. Funding Also contained in the Justice portfolio is is again allocated for the continuation of them. the continuation of the courts modernisation The Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy is a program. When I took over the office of the very important initiative. We need to target Minister of the Department of Justice, I was those young people who are at risk of taking shocked to find that in all our courts around their lives. In Queensland we lose far too many the State there was no such thing as of them, particularly young males. computerisation of any real worth. In fact, most work was done by the typewriter method and Funding has been provided in the card systems were still used in those courts. Families portfolio for juvenile justice, because there is a proposal for that responsibility to be Time expired. transferred to that portfolio. A couple of Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Reeves): juvenile justice initiatives that were Order! Before I call the member for Tablelands commenced by the former Government are I wish to inform the House that in the continuing. One is community youth swimming tonight in the Commonwealth conferencing. I am sure that the figures that Games, Australia has already won two gold come in from the study that is currently being medals, a bronze and a silver, including a done will show that that conferencing has games record by a great Queenslander, Susie been of great benefit to helping young people O'Neill. off the road of crime and back into the Mr NELSON (Tablelands—ONP) community to play a very useful role. (8.56 p.m.): Mr Deputy Speaker, thank you for 2394 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998 your update. I would like to concede to the is coming from a boy who used to get into a lot Treasurer that, if there is one thing that I know of trouble at school. basically nothing about, it is money and Mr Musgrove interjected. budgets. I cannot even balance my own chequebook, let alone anyone else's. I will not Mr NELSON: I accept that interjection stand up here and bag anyone's Budget, from the member for Springwood that there because I know I could not do a better job. may not be. That is why I am waiting to say in Recycled or not, the Budget is there. Let us the Estimates committee, "Fine, that is there." face it, let us deal in a bit of reality: it will be the However, I know that it costs a hell of a lot of Budget of Queensland whether we like it or money—somewhere in the vicinity of not. On behalf of a couple of other One Nation $400,000—and that is why I am thinking that it members who are not in the Chamber tonight, should have been highlighted in the Budget I say: let us just get on with the job. Though I papers. However, I accept that it may be am just a dumb country boy and I do not know pointed out during the Estimates committee. too much about all this sort of stuff, I have I want to reiterate that if it is not in the gone over the Budget papers to the best of Budget and if I find out that Malanda is not my meagre ability. In my role as the going to get its manual arts extension, then spokesman—— everything that I have done in this Parliament Government members interjected. so far will be nothing compared to what I will do. The students need it as a matter of Mr NELSON: The longer honourable extreme importance. At the moment, they are members interject, the longer I will speak. I working in dangerous facilities. That was was going to rise for only 30 seconds and here highlighted to these boys over here before the I am still speaking. For once I am not bagging last election—— the members and they should let me have my Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Reeves): say. This is about the only time they will hear Order! Shaun Nelson stand up and not bag the ALP, so let us get on with it. Mr NELSON: The members of the National/Liberal coalition—the Opposition— Mr Musgrove: It's hard to be humble. assured the people of Malanda that they will Mr NELSON: It is. be going ahead with it. I know that certain Mr Mickel: It is when you are perfect in assurances were given to a few of the every way. educators in the tablelands that it would be going ahead under the Labor Government. Mr NELSON: I did not say that. I won my seat through hard work; I did not inherit it. Mr Hamill: That was the coalition's Budget. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Reeves): Mr NELSON: Yes. I have looked through Order! I remind the member to refer to the that Budget and I know that it is not in there. Chair. However, I have it on good faith from a couple Mr NELSON: I must get on with the job. I of people that they were certainly going to go said that I would take only a couple of ahead with it. minutes. Mr Hamill: When? I want to highlight just one issue in my Mr NELSON: I know that it is not in the capacity as the One Nation spokesman for coalition documents. I accept that interjection Education and member for Tablelands. I am from the Treasurer. waiting to go to the Estimates committee stage at which I can have a closer examination A Government member interjected. of some of the spending; however, I highlight Mr NELSON: It is. I will put this to that in these Budget papers I cannot see any members: I have heard a couple of people say mention—and I hope the Minister for that I am going to change to the National Education is listening—of the public works that Party. That is the biggest crock I have ever were to go ahead at Malanda State High heard. I rolled a National Party Minister on School for its manual arts facility. That is a 75%. I ain't got no love for the National Party. I facility that is desperately needed. Malanda is will tell members that right now. Let me just put a rural community and my home town. Even that on the record right here and right now. I though I did not attend that high school am a member of One Nation and damned personally, I know that that high school proud to be so. I will put it to the Treasurer that provides some of the best education in if I go to the Estimates committee and find Queensland through some of the best that the funding is in the documents, that is educators I have ever seen in my lifetime. That fine; that is good and well. But if it ain't, by 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2395

Lord what Government members have seen community, some of the direct funding to the so far will be nothing to compared to what they Archerfield electorate includes a new preschool will get later. and State school, the Grand Avenue School at Ms STRUTHERS (Archerfield—ALP) Forest Lake. Previously, this initiative had been (9.03 p.m.): I rise to support these announced and a parents and citizens group appropriation Bills. Each year, State Budgets has been formed. The Budget ensures that come and go, but this one is here to stay and this new school is on track for opening in 1999. will lay the foundations for some great There has been an allocation of $10.5m developments in Queensland. This for construction work on the Scientific Services Government has delivered a great set of Complex at Coopers Plains, and an allocation figures. I am pleased to report to my of $4m to complete the establishment of the constituents—some of whom are here tonight, Construction Skills Centre at Salisbury. The as members might have heard—that this headline story for our area is the $3.3m that Budget strikes a very good balance between has been allocated generously by the Minister social and economic priorities. Tonight, my for Mines and Energy to establish an electricity constituents have been enjoying a barbecue. I substation at Archerfield. You beauty! I am might say that they will be continuing their sure there will be plenty of jobs in that. efforts to make sure that this Government is here to stay, that I am here to stay, and I There will be some disappointments for welcome them to the Queensland Parliament. Archerfield residents in the Budget. My major concern is that the $16m required for the The people in our electorates will want to grade separation of Boundary Road at the know what is in the Budget for our areas and railway crossing is not allocated in this Budget. what will directly benefit our schools, hospitals, It has been a 20-year battle to get this families and work. These are important and horrendous crossing rectified. Some interim expected considerations, and I will highlight works are under way but big dollars are key benefits for the residents of the Archerfield needed for a long-term solution. I will keep up electorate shortly. However, we also need to the call for the major roadworks and continue judge Budgets and, in fact, judge talks with the Minister for Transport and Governments not solely on what they will do Minister for Main Roads on this issue. I also for each of us individually but on what benefits know that many residents in the Archerfield there are for the community and the State as electorate want improved public transport, a whole. Budgets have to lay the foundation school computers, major roadworks to ease for longer-term security as well as meeting the congestion on Granard and Mains Roads, some immediate needs. I am pleased to say security grilles in their public housing, and job with confidence that the Beattie Government security. This Budget does not meet all of the State Budget delivers immediate needs of the people of Archerfield, but they improvements in health, education and justice should be assured that I will keep up the fight. and lays the foundation for significant employment growth. However, I am very pleased to report to my constituents the Statewide benefits that all I am pleased to report to the residents of of us will gain. The State Budget provides a the Archerfield electorate that they will receive $283m, four-year Breaking the Unemployment some direct benefits and facilities and gain a Cycle program. New apprentice and trainee great deal from the employment strategies opportunities will be created in Government and increased funding in health, legal and departments, local government and statutory other areas contained in the Budget. Firstly, I authorities. The Budget also provides a $5.4m want to look at some of these direct benefits training fund for the building and construction and facilities. Unlike my colleagues who industry to create between 800 and 1,000 represent electorates in north Queensland or additional apprenticeships per year, $165m for in major industrial centres in this State, I improved health services, $65m to reduce cannot boast of million-dollar gas pipelines or hospital waiting lists, $126.2m to assist port redevelopment projects and other big disabled people and $372.3m for law, order ticket items. and public safety infrastructure. Mr Palaszczuk interjected. As the member for Archerfield, I will be Ms STRUTHERS: That is right. Archerfield ensuring that my electorate reaps the benefits contains a number of older residential suburbs, of some of these Statewide allocations. In light industrial areas and several new suburbs regard to jobs—at the instigation of the experiencing rapid growth. It does not have Minister for Employment, Education and the big ticket developments of other Training, I am chairing an employment electorates. In keeping with the nature of the seminar at the Archerfield aero club in 2396 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998

October. That seminar will bring together the road because of the gardens that have industry and community groups to develop been built in the middle of the road. Those employment generation proposals for my area. services should be located away from the city I am hopeful that we can get some of the centre in separate buildings but on one block urban renewal money or jobs strategy money of land, along with an emergency services and that is contained within the Budget. I will be communications unit. working hard to make sure that funding for The Budget does not appear to provide employment projects, capital works and related funding for the new police station that we were initiatives directly provide secure employment hoping was to be built at Yeppoon. Indeed, for people within the Archerfield electorate. funding has not even been provided to extend The $4m Construction Skills Centre is a the existing police station. In addition, the great boost for my area. That centre will previous Government obtained land for a new enable young people to develop world-class high school, but a lot of concern is being skills, equipping them well for work in this expressed in the electorate that the new high growing industry. In the area of family support, school has been put on hold or has been I am extremely pleased to see that Peter abandoned altogether. I shall endeavour to Beattie's actions have spoken louder than his find out more about that when I return to my words. This Government has allocated a electorate next week. I assure the House that massive increase in funding for disability my constituents are not happy about it. An support at $126.2m, $5.2m to improve child additional high school is needed in this area, protection services, $6.3m for three juvenile which is going ahead at a great rate of knots. justice centres, $17.4m to improve child-care Simply because a member is now in the services and $484.7m—up from $458.6m in Opposition, the new Government must not 1997-98—for housing initiatives. Under the take things away from his or her electorate. previous coalition Government, Queensland The coalition was in Government for just over was no national champion in the provision of two years and we achieved an enormous adequate social and community services. In amount for the Capricorn Coast. We were very 1996-97, the previous Government spent a successful. The people appreciated what was mere $122 per head on social and community done and do not want to see coalition projects services compared with a national standard of put on hold. For example, we must ensure that around $200. That statistic is taken from the the road connecting Yeppoon and 1998 Grants Commission update. Rockhampton is widened to four lanes. Part of the road has already been widened to four This Government is getting a better balance between economic and social lanes and any further work on the road should priorities. We are making a shift to social continuing the four-laning. rationalism rather than economic rationalism. I In relation to my shadow portfolio, I am am looking forward to implementing the disappointed that it appears as though the Government's Budget strategy. coalition's 22% subsidy scheme for farmers, which was for small water supply schemes to a Hon. V. P. LESTER (Keppel—NPA) value of more than $200,000, and which the (9.08 p.m.): In speaking to the Budget, I would coalition was reducing to schemes of more like to refer to some local issues and then than $75,000, will be scrapped altogether in some issues in relation to my shadow portfolio. this Budget. That certainly affects I am extremely disappointed that money has canegrowers; indeed, it affects all farmers. not been put aside to at least obtain land for Also, there is to be a cutback in funding for the establishment in the future of a new stock route water conservation. Stock routes hospital to service the Capricorn Coast. I have may not be used all the time, but it is a fact of made calls for this hospital in the past. The life that in times of drought they are used and present hospital, which is right on the ocean that is when the water supplies need to be front, is at a stage of its life where it is not as available. serviceable as it could be. A totally new hospital is needed to service and meet the I also notice that administration in the needs of this fast-growing area. Department of the Environment is being increased at the expense of the koala A similar situation exists with the fire and scheme, funding for which is being cut from ambulance services, both of which are located $4m to $2.4m. That is just terrible. This was a in the main street. It is not safe for good scheme; indeed, it was the main ambulances and fire trucks to be racing down scheme. We are going to have a heap more a main street. Unfortunately, the vehicles bureaucrats and fewer koalas, and I do not cannot move straight onto the opposite side of think that that is a good trade-off. 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2397

In view of the time, I simply reiterate that but it is the ability of the Government to deliver much is needed in the Keppel electorate and I the capital works and new funding initiatives will continue to fight for whatever is required. In that gains the respect of the community. I relation to my shadow portfolio, it would seem know that the Premier, the Treasurer and that assistance to people who live in the bush Ministers in the Labor Government will be is being deviously cut already. The Minister taking their departments by the throat and needs to get his act together and ensure that using all their resources to deliver to the he fights for the schemes that help the people people. of the bush. For example, the Governor's As the member of a rural and mining Speech did not make any mention of dams for based electorate in central Queensland, I am Queensland. Frankly, we must provide pleased with the Budget outcome. I would strategically placed dams to adequately meet have liked to have achieved more for my Queensland's future water needs. I know that electorate, but we have to remember that the in some instances there is a bit of an outcry Fitzroy electorate within the Fitzroy region is against dams, but I only need to suggest that only a part of this large and diverse State. The members look at the Fairbairn Dam. That dam Fitzroy and central-west region has been was built in 1972 at a cost of $23m. That dam allocated $509,237,000 for capital outlays in now provides an enormous entertainment area 1998-99, $261.9m for transport related for the people of Emerald. It is a fish infrastructure and $111.6m for mining, energy regenerating dam. The water run-off is well and electricity infrastructure. The estimated per controlled and it supports citrus growing, cotton capita expenditure for the region is $2,653. growing, a number of mining towns and, of course, a number of coalmines. If members Mr Reynolds: It is the best in the State. work out the tax that all of those organisations Mr PEARCE: Yes, we are leading the collectively pay—organisations that exist State and so we should; we put a lot into because that dam is there—the figure runs revenue. The per capita expenditure for other into hundreds of millions of dollars each year. regions is as follows: Wide Bay/Burnett, That is the taxation benefit that the Federal $1,411 per capita; the south-east corner, Government receives from that dam, which $1,455 per capita; the Mackay and northern cost it only $23m. Many such schemes must region, $1,848 per capita; and the far north be undertaken. If we do not ensure that we and north west region, $2,177. On a per capita keep a balanced approach towards dams, the basis, the Fitzroy and central-west region does State will not continue to go ahead in the well out of the Budget, receiving $500 more leaps and bounds that we hope it will. That per head of population than the far north and certainly will not help the Labor Party's job north western region and $1,198 more than creation program. In fact, in many ways this the south-east corner. Budget does little for job enhancement. I raise that point today because I am Mr PEARCE (Fitzroy—ALP) (9.15 p.m.): often approached by people who feel that our The Budget announced on Tuesday by region misses out badly, especially after Treasurer David Hamill delivers $380m worth of consideration of the revenue generated from election promises. The $16 billion Budget the region through primary industries, mining relies on 3.3% revenue growth to cover capital and tourism. Certainly there are greater works, both old and new initiatives, across numbers of people in the south-east corner, Government. This Budget is jobs focused and which reduces per capita dollar expenditure. is a step towards Labor's jobs target. The The Government has to try to spread the Budget also commits Labor in Government to people's money evenly across the State, social responsibilities—responsibilities that we addressing the needs of more Queenslanders. in the Labor Party take great pride in meeting. Unfortunately, some people do not understand Importantly for the people of Queensland, that we have a Statewide responsibility rather there are no new taxes or increased taxes in than a regional responsibility. the Budget. No doubt there will be tax rises in I wish to move on and mention briefly line with inflation, but there are no deliberate some of the Budget commitments that will increases for the purpose of raising additional benefit the people of central Queensland and revenue. The people of Queensland can feel in particular the Fitzroy electorate. There are comfortable about the Budget as it has been several satisfying outcomes for me: the put together with a jobs focus and a strong deliberate focus on jobs, the commitment to commitment from Labor to getting the balance fixing the disgraceful neglect of people with right between social and fiscal responsibilities. disabilities, the Cool Schools program, a police The rhetoric of Budget announcements presence for Gracemere, the construction of always creates an interest in the public arena, the Woorabinda health facility and free 2398 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998 ambulance services for Seniors Card holders, applauding this Government's commitment to pensioners and their dependants. Importantly, the airconditioning of schools. An additional the $4.8 billion Capital Works Program will $42m over four years—$6m in 1998-99—has provide job security for more than 47,000 been allocated to aircondition an extra 183 workers and will create another 30,000 new State schools and 47 non-State schools, most jobs. In doing so, it will provide opportunities of which are in central Queensland, with some for those who have been without work. If those in north Queensland. Those schools fall within job numbers can be sustained, that will lead to the boundaries of the old Capricornia region, confidence and a feeling of hope. I am which means that 33 schools in the Fitzroy hopeful that some of these jobs will come to electorate will now be eligible to apply for funds central Queensland. under the Cool Schools program. This was a The Budget puts in place the new Labor promise made in good faith that is now direction for job creation and job security. This being delivered. The coalition chose to ignore Labor Government is taking the first steps in the strong campaign initiated by the Cool meeting the challenge of job creation. We all Schools 2000 committee. The coalition did not know that the 5% target cited by the Premier listen. It showed that it did not care about the during the lead-up to the election will be sons and daughters of young parents. The difficult for us in Government. However, I feel coalition showed that it did not care that more comfortable about Labor's target for jobs students and teachers are forced to take than if we had no target at all. The Minister for classes in extreme heat conditions. Public Works and Housing, the member for The State Government will contribute 75% Rockhampton, Rob Schwarten, and I will be of project costs. This means that schools will looking to get our fair share of apprenticeships now be able to set about raising a realistic and traineeships for the region. funding target. The issue for me now is to One of the most difficult issues for me as access funding for those schools that have in a local member has been the previous their airconditioning accounts sufficient dollars coalition Government's lack of understanding to qualify for the 75% subsidy. Several of the of the unmet needs of people with disabilities. schools have already spent hundreds of I have personally met with many families and thousands of dollars. They have raised part of carers supporting people with disabilities in my the final instalment towards the completion of electorate, and I have witnessed first-hand the their projects, and a Government subsidy dedication and commitment they provide. provided now will allow these schools to have However, it can be tough and they need the airconditioning project completed before support to ensure that they can continue to the hot weather arrives. They have made the provide a good quality of life for those in need. commitment and provided the money. They That is why I am delighted that this Labor now need a helping hand to complete their Budget has honoured its election commitment projects. On behalf of the school students, to deliver an additional $30m a year to staff and parents and citizens associations address the high levels of unmet need for throughout our region, I record my disability services in the community. This appreciation for the funding allocation for outstanding funding boost will not only improve airconditioning. We made the promise, we are the lives of many hundreds of people with delivering and everybody appreciates it. disabilities and their families; it will create more Another big win for the people of my than 800 jobs, including 300 in this financial electorate is the Budget commitment of half a year. The package includes additional funding million dollars for the construction of two for accommodation support, recreation and residences and a police station in Gracemere. community access, and respite and family The community has put faith in me as its local support services. I am particularly pleased that member and, thanks to the Police Minister, the the funding will focus on people with disabilities Police Service and the Labor Government, we and their families in rural and remote regional will deliver. We have campaigned long and areas of Queensland. One has to visit rural hard for this police presence. We have sent communities and talk to people with disabilities letters to Ministers, and we have made and their families to gain an understanding of statements and asked questions in the the real difficulties that they face because they Parliament. We have been strongly supported live in an isolated rural community. They are by the media, and that has allowed us to keep unable to access services, and my experience the issue in the spotlight. We did not give up. is that that puts a great deal of pressure on a We promised a Police Beat when last in lot of those families. Government. I can recall that positions had Central Queensland students, staff and been provided for, but the change of parents and citizens associations are Government following the Mundingburra by- 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2399 election saw the Police Beat program shelved. calls. I am sure that we will get on with the job Within a week or two of winning Government, and start looking for things to target next year. the Minister for Police was in Gracemere Mr SLACK (Burnett—NPA) (9.27 p.m.): promising a police presence by June 1999. A Obviously, the overall thrust of the Budget is budget line item in the Budget allocates the very hard to criticise because, as the Treasurer necessary dollars. It is in the Budget. The himself acknowledges, it is based on the money is there and the promise will be structure of the Budget presented by the delivered. The people of Gracemere and coalition when it was in Government back in district are delighted. May. I will take the opportunity to make a Page 95 of Budget Paper No. 3 identifies couple of observations in relation to the new $4.483m for the construction of the new health Budget, the amendments that have been facility for Woorabinda. When last in the made and the 5% unemployment target that Woorabinda community, I inspected the was a commitment of the Labor Party prior to almost completed new nurses' the election. Many people cast their votes for accommodation. These self-contained units Labor based on its commitment to a 5% are modern, comfortable and of a standard unemployment rate. As the Leader of the that should be available to the hardworking Opposition said, that commitment has been and committed health workers providing their qualified since the lead-up to the election in expertise in isolated communities such as that it has suddenly become a target to be Woorabinda. Labor in Government achieved within five years. commenced the planning process for the new A lot has been said about the Asian facility. To its credit, the coalition in meltdown and the impact it may have on the Government continued the process. However, ability of the Government to reach that target. it is Labor that will complete the construction Today the shadow Treasurer highlighted the and commissioning of the new health facility. I fact that the Government is now placing am thrilled to bits to know that it will be a Labor emphasis on the economic problems that Minister who will be opening this new facility Japan is experiencing. From my experience that will keep sick people in Woorabinda close from the meetings I have been at over a to their families and the culture that they know. period of time, that is nothing new. The Mothers will be able to give birth in their local situation is not a lot different from when the community. coalition brought down its Budget in May. The The next initiative that I wish to touch on same parameters existed. Many of the Asian is the free ambulance service. This State nations were in financial crisis. Budget will provide $15m for the funding of a The Japanese economy was not looking free ambulance service for pensioners, seniors good and was not expected to come good. and their dependants, which will kick in from 1 That has been predicted for some time, based January next year. This means that about on the fact that Japan went through a horrific 850,000 Queenslanders, including aged and period some years ago. In the eyes of many disabled pensioners, Seniors Card holders and leading world economists, Japan did not take other pensioners and their dependants will the correct steps to overcome those problems benefit from the free service. It is important in that it did not write off a lot of the debt it that those eligible for the free service do not let had. As a result of that, there was a lack of their ambulance cover lapse in the meantime confidence amongst Japanese people, and as, if they require an ambulance and are not the Japanese Government has been trying subscribers, they could face a very big bill. desperately to overcome that. Non-subscribers are charged $285, plus $9.55 When the Treasurer and the Premier for every kilometre. The Queensland speak about the effects of the problems in Ambulance Service has made a commitment Japan and the problems with the Asian to refund any oversubscriptions for those meltdown, they should realise that those eligible for the free service from January next. problems are not new, and they should not That was another Labor promise. The funding change the outcome of this Budget from what is in the Budget. We are going to deliver on was to be the outcome of our Budget. In that promise. actual fact, Queensland is in a very good As the member for Fitzroy, I am very position in the context of what has happened pleased with the Budget outcome. We have in Asia and in Japan in particular. certainly put a lot of work into getting some of Japan is our leading trading partner, and these projects approved and the funding many of the Asian countries are very allocated. I am more than happy with the way significant trading partners of ours, particularly in which the Treasurer has responded to our Korea. Prior to the change of Government, the 2400 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998 coalition was making many advances in trade We were not negative about what was with those nations. It was also diversifying its happening in Asia. Whilst there would be trade with other nations. The member for winners and losers, it did provide some Logan will well realise that from the answer he opportunities in other fields where we are received to a question on notice he asked of competitive. We are competitive in Europe. the Minister for State Development and We are competitive, as I have outlined to the Minister for Trade. He asked about the cost of House, in the United States. We certainly will setting up the Los Angeles trade office and see some opportunities out of Asia. the results of that office. As the answer stated, Asia will not be on its knees forever. No- according to the Australian Bureau of one can tell what the overall effects will be, but Statistics, the greatest percentage increase in at the end of the day Queensland has so exports in 1997-98 was to the United States. much going for it—our geographical position, The increase of 40.17% was the highest of our competitiveness, the quality of our any of the overseas offices. That is a tribute to products, our natural resources, our low tax what the then Queensland Government was State and our environment. We have so much doing to diversify trade outlets. to be positive about. The trade figures for the Prior to the Asian meltdown, the coalition first 10 months of the financial year before the also made moves to diversify into Europe. As coalition went out of office only prove the Leader of the Opposition said today, we that—even during the Asian meltdown and strengthened our presence in Europe. Not only post-Asian meltdown. We had an 18.6% did we open many offices overseas but we increase in our trade figures, which is also took other measures, which this phenomenal, and we were increasing as a Government will reap the benefits of, to ensure percentage of the Australian cake, which was that Queensland's export trade as a against the trend of what was happening when percentage of overall Australian exports and its Labor went out of office two and a half years position in trade throughout the world, against ago. the competition of other countries, would only It is no wonder that the now Premier and improve. the now Government when in Opposition gave Included in those measures was the us bipartisan support, because we were kicking provision to utilise the bilateral business groups goals in trade—no ifs, buts or maybes. People by providing financial assistance to them with were starting to put Queensland on the map our overseas trade missions. We also as a destination for investment, increasing the established regional offices to promote trade number of headquarters of major companies and give confidence to people in the regions. being established in Queensland. We were We established the Education Advisory seeing increasing numbers of delegations. We Council, which people involved in education were also seeing more business delegations to had been asking for for many years. The overseas countries from which we are reaping Labor Government did not do that when it was the benefits, as exemplified by the trade in Government. We were seeing great figures themselves. I certainly do not want to advances in the area of export of education, see that put in jeopardy. I do not believe that with students coming to Queensland to further the Government wants to see it put in jeopardy their education. either, so I would like to see a more positive approach to the future of our trade with other These are all measures taken by the countries and overseas partners than has coalition from which this Government will been shown by this Government. benefit. So when we see the Premier and the Deputy Premier get up in this House and make I really think this Government is creating a claims about what is happening in relation to safety net for itself by conditioning the people trade and exports, we will remember that most to think that if it does not reach the 5% of that will have been a direct result of the unemployment rate it is because of issues actions taken by the previous coalition beyond the Government's control—the Asian Government. meltdown and the Japanese economy. As I said, that is not the reality at all, because we I detect a certain amount of negativity on were in exactly the same position when we the part of the Treasurer, the Premier and the brought down our Budget. That is one of the Deputy Premier when they keep referring to reasons we were a little cautious when talking the problems of Asia and the effects those about unemployment figures—we preferred to problems will have on our economy. When we be on the conservative side—but no-one can were in Government we talked positively about accuse us in any sincerity of not being for jobs what Queensland had to offer and about the as much as anyone else in this economy is for opportunities in trade throughout the world. jobs. That is what every one of us in this 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2401

Parliament is all about. There is no reason the and I know that she will acknowledge that the Government should have a monopoly on job provision of water storage in this area is creation. extremely important. Probably the No. 1 priority I will mention some issues relevant to the in our area is to ensure that we have sufficient area I represent, that is, the Burnett electorate water, which will lead to increased and the Bundaberg area. In the Budget, which opportunities for jobs. When the coalition was is essentially the same as our Budget, as the in Government water was our No. 1 priority. previous speaker mentioned, there is an We made commitments for the delivery of $1 increase in the provision for the capital works billion worth of water storages. This figure program for the Wide Bay/Burnett region at could have increased to $2 billion over a 15- around $21m. We made provision for $299m, year period. The Bundaberg scheme entailed if my figures are correct. That has been additional storage in the Burnett catchment increased to $322m. That is slightly and came within the No. 1 priority misleading. While there are some gains, there classification. The coalition was in the process are also some losses in that area. of fast-tracking all the studies that were required to deliver additional major storage in Some commitments made by us did not the Burnett catchment. appear in the Budget papers in black and white. There are a few areas of concern that I In the meantime, because of the acute have in relation to those figures. I accept the shortage of water and the severe economic figures and recognise that those figures should effects that that was having on farmers and be honoured and met. There is increased the rest of the community, we were also fast- provision for fast tracking the capital works tracking the provision of what we call the bags program at the Bundaberg Hospital. The on the Walla Weir, the Bucca Weir and the provisions in relation to the commitment of James Weir. Prior to the last election Cabinet $1.1m for mental health we made are unclear. had made a commitment to fast-track the I can see that the overall figure for mental studies. Provided the outcomes of the studies health is down by $6m on what we had were favourable—and we believed that they provided. would be—the coalition was looking to add those additional bags in the coming year. Mrs Edmond: In the total mental health. Cabinet agreed that the money would be Mr SLACK: In the total mental health bill. made available. We made provision for $30m for Category 1 storages throughout the State. Mrs Edmond: Capital works has gone Cabinet made the decision in relation to the down. It is a $28m increase in recurrent bags on those weirs with the realisation that funding. the money would be made available provided Mr SLACK: I would like an assurance that the all clear was given both on from the Health Minister that the health environmental and economic grounds. We program we had committed to in relation to had no reason to believe that the all clear mental health—— would not be given. We believed that the all Mrs Edmond interjected. clear would be given in the shorter term rather than the longer term. Mr SLACK: I am pleased to hear that, but I would like the assurance that the $1.1m will As I understand it, this Government's be provided. That is the figure we committed Budget has reduced the amount allocated for to. There was another $300,000 for renal the Category 1 priority from $30m to $7m. We support in the Bundaberg Hospital. These are would like an assurance from this Government issues that were unclear to me when I read that the provisions which were made by the through the Budget. previous Government will be honoured by this Government. However, I do not see any We made a $500,000 commitment for provision for that in these Budget papers. the dredging of the Burnett Heads harbour. The current position with regard to that matter The other aspect of some concern was is unclear. The dredging of the harbour has mentioned by our spokesperson on water been one of the goals of the people of Burnett resources. I refer to the abolition of the provision that we had made for a subsidy of Heads. There is no doubt that there is a 22.5% for on-farm storage. This subsidy was a pressing need for the dredging of the harbour big incentive to farmers in the area to provide in the interests of the area's economy. I would off-stream storage and utilise the water that like to be assured by the Government that the would otherwise run out to sea. The saving of coalition's commitment will be acted upon. that water would be of assistance to the I want to mention provisions for water. economy of the Bundaberg area. It would also The member for Bundaberg is in the House assist in obtaining jobs for people in 2402 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998

Bundaberg. I would like this Government to and early 1999 to ascertain the effects on clarify those matters. Unless these things are noise levels. clarified positively, the commitment by this Another issue that has long been awaiting Government to the Bundaberg area will be attention is the need for ramps at the Oxley less in real terms than what was being and Sherwood Railway Stations. We need an provided by the coalition. With that increase in the level of access for mothers and contribution, I support the Budget. the disabled. The Budget provides for $5m to Mrs ATTWOOD (Mount Ommaney—ALP) be spent on security measures and $3m for (9.44 p.m.): I am proud to be part of a upgrading of access by the disabled to the Government that is committed to reducing Citytrain network. unemployment and targeting funds towards The Mount Ommaney Police Station is a addressing the basic needs of our society. relatively new asset to our area. However, There are many needs and wants across all there is always the question about adequate electorates in Queensland and they cannot all police numbers, particularly after the closure of be catered for at once. The electorate of the Oxley Police Station. The Budget will Mount Ommaney has many issues that need provide for the completion of accommodation to be addressed. for the Brisbane Dog Squad at Oxley and the Maintenance in a number of schools has continuation of the relocation of specialist been neglected. Oxley Secondary College has squads from Alderley to Oxley. A further been waiting for the building of a construction $105,000 will be provided to complete the court for many years. It keeps being taken off Mount Ommaney Police Station. The the agenda. The Middle Park State School P Government is committed to increasing the & C has advised me of a number of projects number of operational police in the State. This which have also been taken off the agenda. In is being achieved through the Queensland fact, I have heard from most schools in the Police Service staffing plan, which aims to area and all have brought to my attention the deliver an increase in police strength of 809 same issues. police and 571 civilians between July 1996 and August 1999. The Budget has committed a $35m I believe that the Government's Budget increase over four years to address school caters adequately for a broad range of people maintenance and security. The Minister for across my electorate. There is something in it Education, Dean Wells, is committed to for everyone—for young and old, for rich and improving education by increasing spending by poor, for employed and unemployed, for 5% on last year's Budget. The Centenary women and men, and for families and suburbs are still growing rapidly with new individuals. estates popping up at Riverhills, Sinnamon Park and Seventeen Mile Rocks. For women, the provision of quality and affordable child care is fundamental to We have needed our own ambulance ensuring that women can participate in all service for many years and, with the areas of life, particularly in the paid work force. population increasing by 6% every year, and $2m is provided for the first time by the Office rapidly ageing, the need for an ambulance of Child Care to assist non-profit organisations service is even more urgent. The Budget involved in outside school hour care services, provides for an amount of $330,000 to child-care centres and kindergartens. These purchase land to house an ambulance centre. organisations will be able to apply for grants for This is a first step in providing a fully functional capital equipment and facilities. With support ambulance centre for the Centenary suburbs. for child care there needs to be help available Noise barriers and the bikeway currently for women to re-enter the work force. being constructed along the Centenary $200,000 will be provided to give women the Highway will be completed early in 1999. The skills, confidence and self-esteem to re-enter Government has sped up this process in order the work force. $1.5m has been allocated by to satisfy the needs of local residents. The Queensland Health for a new initiative to assist Government will provide $1.3m for the third and support parents who have identified stage of the Centenary Highway noise barrier problems with their child's behaviour or project and an additional section of the development. bikeway. There is still a need to look at the For our seniors, $15m has been allocated traffic hotspots along the highway—the for the first time to the Queensland Ambulance bottleneck that occurs and the speed of traffic Service to provide free ambulance services to and its effect on noise. Testing of highway all pensioners in Queensland for the six usage and speed limits will occur in late 1998 months from 1 January 1999. An increased 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2403 amount of $7.7m is allocated to the home reducing hospital waiting lists and providing assist/service program by the Department of assistance for the disabled in our community, Housing for home repairs, minor modifications addressing the needs of students with and security for older people with a disability. disabilities and learning difficulties, and The motor vehicle registration concession has promoting multiculturalism. been reintroduced for all Seniors Card holders I intend to make the most of these from 1 July 1998 at a cost of $2.7m in 1998- Budget provisions for the benefit of my Mount 99. This concession provides a 50% reduction Ommaney electorate. As an advocate for the in the motor vehicle fee component of the members of my community, I will be ensuring registration fee. that their needs are heard by Ministers of the For our young and unemployed, $0.799m Beattie Labor Government. The people in is allocated by Queensland Health to the Oxley are in need of a long-overdue Innovative Health Services for Homeless Youth community health centre. An increase in the Program that provides primary health care number of police is essential to act as a services for young people who are homeless deterrent to crime in the area. There needs to or who are at risk of homelessness. Capital be established in the electorate a meeting assistance for non-State schools will increase place for young people where they are able to by $1m per annum. $4.6m—including $2.3m get together with their peers for sport and for 1997-98—is allocated to provide a 50% recreation and to partake in community and subsidy for external infrastructure at new non- vocational activities. I will be hounding my State schools, including passenger pick-up colleagues in Government to achieve these and set-down areas. aims over the next three years. Much can be Having had a long-term career in the achieved by chipping away at the problems former Department of Employment, Education, piece by piece to arrive at an ideal state. Training and Youth Affairs prior to entering Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone—IND) politics, I have a deep concern about our (9.53 p.m.): It gives me a great deal of young people and their futures. They need to pleasure to rise in this debate on the have some long-term goals, a worthwhile Appropriation Bills and to contribute to what I career and know that, some day, they will have believe are two Budgets: this Budget and the their own homes and families. Employment Budget of the previous Government. As to does not seem to be on the agenda of the those sections that have been rolled over into Federal coalition Government. It has closed the current Government's Budget, my focus the CES, and it is now more difficult for the will be not only on the benefits to my unemployed to access jobs and for employers electorate but on those that apply to the other to hire unemployed people. The Beattie people of this State. I pass on my appreciation Government has set itself a difficult agenda, to both sides of the House, because both but it has had the courage to put jobs back on have contributed to the current Budget. the agenda. A number of projects were funded under The Budget provides $283m for up to the previous Government and construction 24,500 jobs, apprenticeships and traineeships had actually started. As I said, those funds over four years under the Community Jobs were transferred and re-presented in the Plan initiative. This includes 6,500 current Budget. These include a long-overdue apprenticeships and traineeships in the public police station in Gladstone City. The sector, up to 9,000 additional apprentices and construction of that is going along well. In fact, trainees in the private sector and 9,000 job the Premier has had a look at that placements of three to six months in development. However, I raise one concern community and environmental projects. As that the Mayor of Gladstone expressed in well, 17,800 extra jobs will be created from today's newspaper. He has a serious concern capital works, making a total of 65,600 jobs about the adequacy of parking in close supported by the Capital Works Program, 685 proximity to the police station. Initially, the idea additional teachers, 995 extra health workers, was to have a parking station under the police and over 370 more police and civilian support station, but that was done away with because staff. I believe that these commitments will of funding overruns. Now, the only parking is a give our young people the opportunities that little bit of off-street and on-street parking, so they deserve—a turning point in their lives. Not that may be a problem that will have to be only will Queensland get back to work, but a confronted. number of measures have been put in place to address the urgent social needs of My disappointment, not only in the current Queenslanders. As well, millions of dollars will Budget but in the previous Budget, was that go towards improving our health services, there was no allocation for a Calliope police 2404 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998 station. This is something about which I intend Mental health service provision is a to speak again in this House. The Calliope problem for my region. Our mental health staff police work out of a room that is smaller than work out of a demountable building. I always most of our Parliament House offices. They look at it and think that if I went in there with a have no privacy. If somebody comes in with a mental health problem, I would probably come personal matter, either the police have to ask out with a worse one, because it is just so all other people to exit the police station, and depressing. It is small. It is underresourced, then they do the interview, or the sergeant has simply because there is nowhere to put to actually take that person into his private people. I know that they are looking for home and hold the interview there. That alternative accommodation at the moment. situation is really quite critical, and it has been They are paying exorbitant rent for that for many, many years. As I said, it is a priority building. That is incredible. that was in neither Budget, but it certainly Mrs Edmond: Can you talk to me about it needs to be attended to. when I come up there? I believe that the funding for the Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM: Sure. The courthouse has been rolled over into this increased funding for HACC services is also Budget from the Budget of the previous welcome. One of the focuses is to keep Government. Again, the current Premier people in their homes as long as possible. inspected the courthouse site. In the run-up to That can be as simple as appropriate ramping, the election, there was a campaign to continue appropriate safety precautions in bathrooms with the police station development but stop and that sort of thing. That can keep older the courthouse development. I know that, after couples together, and it can keep people in his inspection of the current courthouse, the their family homes for much longer. They are Premier understood why the previous Justice mentally very happy to stay there. So the Minister supported the development of the increases in that funding are very, very new courthouse. The current one is certainly welcome. too small for the projected growth of the I was pleased to see the continued Gladstone area. It is even too small for the funding of $1m for the Central Queensland current population—let alone the fact that University Gladstone campus retained. I also there are security problems for staff at the welcome in the Education budget the inclusion courthouse. of more of Queensland in the Cooler Schools Funding for the hospital redevelopment program. When I went through the schools in was provided by both Governments. That my electorate that would be eligible, I could project is developing well. The Minister for not see any that would be excluded. I thank Health is coming up in a very short time to the Minister for that. That includes the private open the new wing. I know that the staff are schools as well. During the most recent hot really looking forward to that. All of the summer, many parents were concerned about disruption that comes with a redevelopment their children's welfare. I am sure we are not was able to be coped with simply because the unique. We have a number of classrooms that staff there and the users of the hospital facility are converted areas that are airlocked. They could see that the end result was going to be are enclosed, quite stuffy and there is no so much better. The co-location is also circulation. The Cooler Schools program will be progressing very well. I know that that is going greatly welcomed by the students, particularly to significantly improve the health facilities that in the summer months. I was pleased to see are available to the local residents. the continuing funding for the Boyne Island general learning half block. I also commend the funding for palliative Tonight we have had a debate about care. The Budget states that there has been firefighters. I will include ambulance officers in an increase to $2.3m. This is a very sensitive my comments. They are at the forefront of our area of health. In my electorate, the people emergency services. Funding for them is who undertake palliative care are the Red essential, not only for facilities and equipment Cross, community health and hospital staff. but also to ensure that their morale is kept at a They are a very special group of people. That high level. They turn out to some of the have a compassion that is unparalleled. They saddest incidents that people have to face. are really dealing with end-of-life issues, not They have to not only apply their skills at that only with the patients but with their families. A time but also cope with the emotional lot of counselling, comforting and care has to aftermath that they as service providers face. It go into it. So I congratulate any increase in is important that their morale be kept as high funding in that sector. as possible. 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2405

I welcome the disaster funding. It appears population and a very high level of youth that the Federal Government is making it more unemployment. That funding for prevention and more difficult for local councils to access and intervention is certainly most appreciated. disaster funding. That is very sad. A In the Transport portfolio, additional community that is facing a natural disaster is a funding has been provided for the tilt train. I community that risks problems in the future, have a question for the Minister for Transport. because floods, fires and similar disasters We had meetings prior to the election at have an intensive and intrusive effect. They Mount Larcom. Currently the train stops at affect people for a long time. Access to Mount Larcom, picks up and sets down disaster funding without a great deal of passengers. Prior to the election, the then heartburn eases that burden. Transport Minister gave an undertaking that I certainly welcome the provision of free the train would continue to stop to pick up ambulance subscriptions for pensioners and passengers when they were booked and to set Seniors Card holders. I thank the Minister for down passengers. The Labor candidate who Emergency Services for her response to a ran against me indicated that the Labor question. When this initiative was first Government would continue on with that announced, I was asked a lot of questions commitment. I would be certainly very pleased about whether it would be transferable to have that commitment reaffirmed. There are interstate. The announcement of the initiative no major capital works projects for transport referred to "emergency treatment provided by listed for my electorate. There are two on ambulance services". My constituents which I will seek clarification and one that I will wondered whether just a very narrow strip of remind the Government about. services would be available free and that the The issue Monto Road is a hoary rest would have to be paid for, which would chestnut that has been around since Adam necessitate the taking out of cover anyway. was in knee highs. That dirt road services four The Minister for Emergency Services was very rural towns. It is a commodity link for timber for prompt in her response to say that it would the Austicks factory. It also carries cattle and cover all ambulance services and that there grain. The majority of it is still a dirt road. There would be reciprocal rights interstate for is a low-cost seal that is being applied to some pensioners and Seniors Card holders who are sections of that road very effectively. That road holidaying. I thank the Minister for that. is certainly a concern to those residents and As to the Disability Services portfolio, from will continue to be until that bitumen link is the Budget documents I have not been able completed. Announcements were made to obtain a clear understanding of what has regionally about the Dawson Highway between been allocated to unmet needs in this financial Calliope and the Biloela range and for the year. duplication of the Dawson Highway in Gladstone. There is nothing stated about Mr Hamill: $21.2m extra. those in the Budget documents, but they were Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM: That is $21.2m regional announcements. I will be optimistic extra. I am not sure whether $30m or $50m and assume that they are going ahead. was called for during the very emotive debates A number of Budget items remained: the in this House. GPA expansions, the vessel tracking system Mr Hamill: About $100m over three upgrade and the marine pollution response. All years, if I recall. of those funding elements are included Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM: That is welcome. because of our industrial base. They are The unmet needs sector is one of those that is essential. I welcome and congratulate the as big as the bucket will allow it to be. It is very Minister for Mines and Energy on the solar hot difficult to fully address. It is like the provision water rebate, which was reinstituted. I also of health, education and police services. For congratulate the Minister for The Arts on the those people who are full-time carers of people RADF funding. Rural communities are very with disabilities, any assistance is gratefully isolated from cultural development. People in received. That is certainly appreciated. Brisbane in the south-east corner are a bit spoilt. I think they do not always appreciate I note that $300,000 is allocated for what they have. In rural Queensland, people Gladstone youth. In the Gladstone region, the really fight for access to cultural performances, average age is low. A lot of young families whether they be the visual arts or the settled in the area when the industries came. performing arts. People who are developing They have grown up and they have children of their skills also struggle to access tutoring and their own now. Many of those are in their to gain experience in performing. The RADF teenage years. We have a very high youth scheme provides access to funds to smaller 2406 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 17 Sep 1998 groups and individuals who would not qualify lifesaving clubs. I do not want to detail for the major grants. A $2,000 grant to an anything more because of the time. I am quite individual artist or performer is a huge boost to conscious of that. I reiterate my thanks not just their skills development. Emotionally it to the current Government for the Budget that encourages them a great deal. The increase in it has brought down but to the previous the RADF funding is particularly welcome. Government, because many of its proposals In the Budget Speech the Treasurer and innovations are included in this talked a lot about increases in apprenticeship Government's Budget. Both Governments numbers. For both sides of politics, this is an should accept the appreciation of people in essential issue. It is argued about and the community, and certainly the appreciation numbers are bandied about. Members on one of the people in my electorate, for the funding side of the Chamber say that it is this many that has been made available for people such thousand and members on the other say, "No, as carers of people with disabilities and people it isn't really: if you take this off and this off, it is who face health problems—mental health a lesser number." Despite all that political problems or problems in any other stream of rhetoric, we must remember that usually it is health. Any initiatives that bring greater our kids whom we are talking about when we physical relief or greater emotional relief are are fighting about numbers or arguing about more than welcome. We are really doing what the reality of the statistics in budgets or Government is about, and that is serving the anywhere else. Apprenticeships are a key community. It gives me a great deal of development tool for both our young people pleasure to be able to contribute to this and our older people, but particularly for our appropriation debate. I thank both youth. Any increase in opportunities for Governments for contributing to the Budget, apprenticeships is more than welcome. and I wish the State of Queensland well in the year to come. I look forward to the development of Mrs LAVARCH (Kurwongbah—ALP) Government housing in the Gladstone region. (10.10 p.m.): This is the first time that I have The statistical breakdown is not in the Budget had the privilege to respond to a State Budget papers because of the difficulty of doing that. on behalf of the people of Kurwongbah. I say The housing that is available in my electorate that I am delighted to be responding to the is stretched to say the least. I commend the first Beattie Labor Government Budget. If I Minister for Public Works and Housing. He sent was asked to make a list of expectations that one of his advisers to my office. We discussed electors have of a Government, I would put the possibility of aged care accommodation on leadership as No. 1 on that list. Of course, a block of land in Philip Street. I thank the leadership goes hand in hand with a good Minister for his openness to that suggestion leader. What makes a good leader? Many and his support for that suggestion. Although it would express views about concepts of vision, is not in the Budget, I am looking forward to of communication, of listening to people and that coming to fruition. the ability to take people with them. Already As to law and order, one of the new Peter Beattie, in his short time as Premier, has Budget line items is the replacement of the demonstrated these attributes. One of the Rockhampton Correctional Centre. That is not more interesting views about what makes a in my electorate, but it is the correctional good leader is the view that a leader is made centre that we access. Some refurbishment by the circumstances in which the leader finds money from the previous Government's himself. What is meant by that is that we view Budget and some other money from the leaders by the events that surround them. previous Government's Budget are rolled over So what are the circumstances in which and $11m of a $60m package for replacement Queensland now finds itself? The Budget of the Rockhampton Correctional Centre is reveals that our circumstances are challenging. provided. Unfortunately, jails are a necessary Our country does not face war, nor does our evil. I welcome that new Budget line item for State face the prospect of economic the Rockhampton region and, consequently, depression. However, short of these two the Gladstone region. terrible events, we face as daunting a set of Although I am very conscious of the time, challenges as at any other time this century. I would like to comment on a number of other Economic circumstances are not bleak but nor issues. I congratulate the Government on its are they easy. But most importantly, economic continued funding of the Queensland Crime opportunity is very uneven. Some industry Commission, on the increase in funding to sectors are performing reasonably well while criminal injury compensation and to victims of others, such as the resource sector, some crime, and on the funding for the surf- primary production and parts of the service 17 Sep 1998 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2407 sector, are doing it tough. Equally, economic Westfield at Strathpine. This has now been prosperity among the regions and individual added to by the budgeting for a community households varies considerably. This disparity Police Beat at Bray Park. One of the major of result in opportunity contributes to a greater concerns of Kurwongbah residents is sense of uncertainty. That is manifested in community safety. In part, this means that we concerns about unemployment and job need a greater police presence with police security. being accessible in order to respond in times The Treasurer, the Honourable David of need and being visible as a deterrent. Hamill, and the Beattie Government have These measures go a long way towards rightly delivered a Budget that focuses on jobs enhancing community safety in our area. I am and on addressing social needs. The Budget also aware that the community of Eatons Hills is a sound, economic response to outside has been calling for a greater police presence, market forces. It will put us in good stead to and I have been working with the Minister for weather the current international financial Police and Corrective Services to address that crises. Over the past 12 months, there has need. been unprecedented volatility in the world To address the community feeling of financial markets, with the collapse in the uncertainty where jobs and job security are Asian currencies and the Russian rouble and concerned, the commitment of this worsening economic problems in Japan. Government is without question. The Working Significant decline in the value of the Queensland initiatives in the Budget will Australian dollar in comparison with the US benefit greatly the people of the Pine Rivers dollar and large falls across-the-board in world Shire. The Community Jobs Plan, which is a equity markets are making the situation in strategy for creating jobs, and the Breaking the Queensland all the more difficult and will have Unemployment Cycle program will see $283m adverse impacts on us. being spent to provide up to 24,500 jobs, These challenges require strong apprenticeships and traineeships over four leadership. They require a response that can years as well as 6,500 apprenticeships and counterbalance the adverse impact. They traineeships in the public sector, up to 9,000 require a recognition of where shortfalls will additional apprenticeships and traineeships in occur and initiatives in place to take up the the private sector, and 9,000 job placements shortfalls. The Budget does this and it does it of three months to six months on community in a number of ways. It does it by and environmental projects. We will also see strengthening our domestic economy, by 17,800 extra jobs in capital works, making a taking direct action to strengthen our economic total of 65,600 jobs supported by the Capital and social fabric, by strengthening our Works Program, 685 additional teachers, 995 domestic economy by supporting consumption extra health workers, and over 370 more police here, and stimulating activity through and civilian support staff. increased capital works. Funding of vital public infrastructure, I am proud to be part of a Government especially in roads and rail, is very welcome that is inclusive and that recognises the news for the people of Pine Rivers. There is no importance of community, cultural and doubt that tackling local transport needs is a major issue in my electorate, and this economic diversity. I am also proud to be part Government has made a good start. The of a Government that recognises the provision of $36m for the third rail track from challenges being faced by our community. We Mayne to Caboolture will mean more peak are listening to the community's concerns and hour express trains and more train services responding to them. generally for Pine Rivers commuters. It also For my part, back in May 1997 at the means a more comfortable trip to the city, Kurwongbah by-election I became acutely especially for workers. A seat on the train all aware of the peak levels of insecurity and the way to work will be a welcome change. The uncertainty in the community. In my first allocation of $1 billion for roads Statewide speech to this House, I addressed those represents a significant investment in our issues at length. I set myself goals by which to public infrastructure. It must be emphasised address the three main issues of concern of that these new roads will be user free, which is the people of Kurwongbah in a plan for a very different situation from that now Kurwongbah. Many of the goals set out in my experienced in States such as Victoria and plan have been achieved. South Australia, where new roads are toll This Budget delivers more of these goals. roads. One of these achievements has been the Many other measures in this Budget will establishment of a Police Beat shopfront at greatly benefit the electorate of Kurwongbah. 2408 Grievances 18 Sep 1998

In education, the Budget has delivered a GRIEVANCES record $3.46 billion expenditure program with Vegetable Industry new initiatives in literacy and numeracy, new initiatives for students with disabilities and new Mr STEPHAN (Gympie—NPA) initiatives that have measures to address the (10.20 p.m.): In Queensland there are a lot of inequities that exist currently between schools. variables, particularly in the vegetable industry. The scrapping of the Leading Schools For example, we have the ability to produce program has greatly assisted all State schools and market the quality vegetables that in my electorate, such as Lawnton State manufacturers and consumers really need. School and Petrie State School. Queensland growers provide over one third of all Australia's vegetable needs. Our climatic In health, a record Budget of $3.722m conditions provide southern markets with a has been delivered with a focus on more supply of out-of-season staples, so consumers health workers, new and refurbished hospitals can enjoy most lines all year round. and health facilities and, most importantly, an extra $18.05m to assist in reducing the waiting Queensland asparagus, broccoli, Chinese lists for public hospitals. Although Pine Rivers cabbage, capsicums and beans all compete does not have a public hospital, it has an successfully on a global market, particularly in excellent community health service. Asia. The outlook for good quality vegetables is stable, although vegetables face some For our seniors, the free ambulance market pressure, with shoppers seeking service and concessions on motor vehicle greater variety and convenience. Export registration will mean more dollars in their markets offer expansion opportunities where pockets. The introduction of the Home demand is for high-quality, diversified products Assist/Home Secure program in Pine Rivers will such as Queensland has produced for a long give the seniors in that area peace of mind. Many local residents have worked hard to get time and will continue to produce. We must this program into Pine Rivers, and I know that not forget that. they are delighted that it is going ahead. The A bold new four-year marketing program introduction of the solar hot water system for vegetables urges consumers to eat more rebate has also been well received. Already, I vegetables—— have received many approaches for Time expired. applications for the rebate. The acceleration and boost in the Capital Works Program will generate more business FAI Home Security for many of the local industries in my Mr PEARCE (Fitzroy—ALP) (10.22 p.m.): I electorate. The Brendale industrial estate has rise today to bring to the attention of the many small and medium-sized businesses that House what I consider to be the unethical service the building and construction industry. behaviour of the selling and canvassing This should generate more jobs and a greater practices of FAI Home Security. I have sense of job security for those employed in received a number of complaints about this these industries. company. I have given the company the In conclusion, I can say proudly that this courtesy of writing to it about my concerns, but Budget has a strong social capital base. to date I have received no response to the two Funding to disability services has rightly been letters that I have written. called a revolution. A massive boost of FAI Home Security misrepresents the $126.2m has been budgeted for people with facts about local crime such as home break disabilities living in the community. This will and enters in an attempt to frighten home mean improved life chances and owners into signing up for a home security circumstances for many, many local residents system. I have received complaints about the in the Pine Rivers Shire. The shame of the standover tactics of some sales unmet needs and the paltry amounts offered representatives who have been described as by the coalition is now a thing of the past. pushy and insulting. This is a Budget that shows leadership One complaint related to an FAI Home from good leaders. I congratulate the Security salesperson using the name of a Treasurer on delivering a sound economic constituent as a reference without her Budget, a Budget that delivers all our election knowledge. I am told that FAI Home Security promises, and a Budget that has a strong has used a private list of women's names to social base. make contact with them. That has caused a lot Debate, on motion of Mr Mackenroth, of concern, and I can understand why. Those adjourned. women are all members of the Nursing 18 Sep 1998 Grievances 2409

Mothers Association. They are very protective Mr Lui's work in the Torres Strait has of their group for privacy reasons and the gained prominence in Torres Strait history. He actions of FAI Home Security in using some of was an outspoken leader on many political those names as a reference is causing issues, and acted as an adviser and elder on personal embarrassment. There are real both church and cultural issues. He was a concerns as to how FAI got its hands on the strong advocate for education, being a teacher list of names. FAI has been contacted by one himself. aggrieved woman. The company has made Over the past few years, Mr Lui did not promises to cease the use of the list as a experience good health. On recent trips I was contact list and has promised that this will delighted to be able to visit him under his never happen again. house at Yam Island. I was even more The way that FAI Home Security does delighted if I found that he had been able to business leaves a lot to be desired. I call on move himself to the tin shed beside the the company to cease immediately this basketball courts when I visited. I considered it unacceptable behaviour and to apologise to a great honour that Getano Lui Senior would those women who have had their names make this effort. To the people of Yam Island, slurred by the actions of a company that is I convey the respect and thanks of the more interested in profits than a responsible Queensland Parliament for the life and work of and respectable approach to doing business. Getano Lui Senior. Those women are very upset about what has been happening. They feel as though their privacy has been invaded. The actions of the The Strand, Townsville company in pursuing people over the Mr REYNOLDS (Townsville—ALP) telephone and misusing people's names as (10.26 p.m.): The Strand in Townsville is references is a disgrace. destined to become one of Australia's top city beachfronts. Last Monday, Townsville Mayor Time expired. Tony Mooney and I previewed highlights of the two-stage redevelopment that will give The Mr G. Lui Strand urgently needed weather protection and transform the beachfront into a first-class Mr LINGARD (Beaudesert—NPA) landscaped recreational area. (10.24 p.m.): I pay my deepest respects to The rock wall between the beach and the one of the greatest men of the Torres Strait roadway will be demolished and a new low islands. On 24 August, Mr Getano Lui Senior rock wall will be constructed, utilising as much from Yam Island died. Mr Lui had been of the rock from the old wall as possible. One awarded an MBE in 1980. He served as of the features will be sweeping views of the chairman of Yam Island council for over 30 beach, the ocean and Magnetic Island from years and, during that time, he was a the roadway and footpath across the new wall, commissioner for ATSI. I had the pleasure of the top of which will be at about footpath living in the Torres Strait islands during the height. The Queensland Government 1970s, which was a time of great turmoil. The recognises the great merit of the project. I am most significant controversy was the border delighted that Government input has made it change issue and Mr Lui played a significant possible for this redevelopment to proceed. role in that issue. Project managers MacNorth have been Getano Lui was born in Mabuiag in 1913. appointed. The new-look Strand and the He was first married in 1933 at a wedding Strand wall is engineered to a standard of officiated by his father, Reverend Joseph Lui, protection that will withstand severe weather who is now buried at the magnificent St Paul's conditions representing a one-in-100 year mission church. As a teacher, Mr Lui was event. The total estimated amount of sand transferred to Yam Island for three years from added to the beach will be 250,000 cubic 1936 and he returned to Yam Island as a metres. New beach will be created as the Government teacher in 1941. His first wife died construction program goes along. The during the early 1960s and he remarried in estimated general fill for the entire project is 1967. Mr Lui had 14 children to his first wife, 210,000 cubic metres and the estimated including Getano Lui Junior. He had six amount of rock is 100,000 tonnes. That will children to his second wife, including Victor give members an idea of the magnitude of the and Daniel. Getano Lui Junior took over from project. By constructing headlands along the Mr Lui Senior as chairman of Yam Island beach, sand losses and maintenance costs will council, and Victor and Danny are also be kept to a minimum. The headlands and the members of the current Yam Island council. new rock wall will help to trap the sand. A wide, 2410 Grievances 18 Sep 1998 high-tide beach will absorb wave energy before another team. Because it looks good on it reaches the sea wall. television, they wear big helmets and other It is vital to complete as much of the protective gear. program as possible before the 1998-99 What annoys me about Rugby League—I cyclone season commences. The beach will love it—is that when a scrum is set down the be replenished with coarse sand similar in ball cannot possibly be put right into the quality to the sand already on The Strand. This hooker. He might as well not be in the scrum. I is also essential in an effort to minimise sand remember the days of Ken Kearney and other loss. The on-site work force will peak at 100 terrific footballers. Now the ball is put in the early next year. second row or behind the lock's feet. That is I very much welcome the official start of supposed to be football. As far as I am this much-needed development. It will be a concerned, it is not football. world-class vista of which both residents and Time expired. tourists will be proud. Mr G. Huegill Rugby League Mr MULHERIN (Mackay—ALP) Hon. T. R. COOPER (Crows Nest—NPA) (10.30 p.m.): All Queenslanders are proud of (10.28 p.m.): As we are coming up to grand our Commonwealth Games team competing in final time in Queensland and throughout Kuala Lumpur. The people of Mackay are Australia generally, a lot has been said about especially proud, because we can boast of football. I must be one of the traditionalists being the home town of a young man who not who enjoys Rugby League and Rugby Union. only won a gold medal but, in doing so, set a However, certain things have bothered me in new Commonwealth Games record. I am recent times—indeed, they have bothered me referring of course to Geoff Huegill. for the past 10 years. When we were growing up, we all learnt the various positions of play Geoff won gold and clocked the new on the field. When certain codes decide to Commonwealth Games record of 52.81 change the numbers of those positions, it seconds in the 100 metres butterfly. He led the makes it rather confusing. way for an Australian trifecta, with Adam Pine placing second and Michael Klim third. I Once upon a time, a fullback was No. 1, congratulate Geoff on his fantastic swim. He the wings were 2 and 5, the centres were 3 must be so proud to have achieved what and 4, the five-eighth and the half were 6 and many can only wish for—not only to participate 7, and so on through the forwards. When they in the Commonwealth Games but also to get a bit disappointed with that, they change come back home with a gold medal. the numbers around just to confuse the fans. Then, of course, they are not happy with that Mackay is well known as a very sport- and they change the scoring pattern, so that oriented city and is proud to be known as instead of getting three points for a try, it is home to many talented sportsmen and now four. women who have gone on to compete in State, national and international sporting Mr SPEAKER: It is a sign of old age, I events. The marvellous performances by Geoff think. and all his Australian team-mates has given us Mr COOPER: Mr Speaker, I know Bunny a wonderful boost towards the Sydney 2000 Pearce came from your electorate of Redcliffe. Olympic Games. We know that Australia has a He was a fabulous footballer, as were the multitude of young talented sportspeople and Cherrys from Roma. The list can go on we look forward to seeing them compete at forever—Artie Beetson, Ray Higgs, Charlie the Olympic Games in two years. Frith. The names go on and on. I offer special congratulations to Geoff's What we, as traditional fans, do not like to mother, Mrs Jum Huegill, who celebrated see is everything being changed to suit Geoff's win with friends and other well wishers television. I love to see Australia taking the who streamed into her shop to offer their field in their green guernseys with the gold "V". congratulations. Geoff and his family came to When I was in Sydney, I used to be a fan of St Mackay in 1981. While living in Mackay, he George, which played in white guernseys with was trained by Kevin and Julie Knight of the a big "V". They changed that just for the sake Paradise Swim Centre and Pat Wright of the of television. I hope we never see anything Mackay Amateur Swimming Club. During this here similar to the American gridiron, where a time, Geoff won district, north Queensland and team takes the field for about five or 10 national championships in both butterfly and seconds, gets a bit puffed and is replaced by backstroke. 18 Sep 1998 Grievances 2411

Mr Speaker, to further his sporting compete against each other for the water and ambition, Geoff moved to your electorate of so that they can buy it at a fair price. It should Redcliffe in 1990, where he came under the not just be a revenue-raising stunt. These coaching wing of Ken Wood. He has since farmers have been hard pressed. Perhaps we dropped backstroke in order to concentrate, could do something about it. most successfully I might add, on his favoured event—the 100 metres butterfly. I know that Time expired. the people of Mackay are very proud of Geoff's effort. He has become the talk of the town and will go down in the city's great Crime Prevention Strategy sporting history. He competes tonight in the relay event, and I join with the rest of Australia Dr CLARK (Barron River—ALP) in wishing him and his relay team-mates every (10.34 p.m.): Prior to the election, the Labor success. Party made it very clear that the Government was going to be both tough on crime and Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable tough on the causes of crime. Yesterday in member's time has expired. He might be this House the Premier announced the interested to know that Geoff has just won formulation of the Crime Prevention Task another gold medal for the medley relay—it's Force that will drive the Government's $47m the good air at Redcliffe. Crime Prevention Strategy in partnership with Mr MULHERIN: That is great, Mr Speaker. the community. If we are going to be successful in tackling crime, that partnership with the community is essential, and it is Water Auctioning, Tinaroo Falls Dam something that I have personally fostered as Mr NELSON (Tablelands—ONP) chair of a local juvenile crime prevention task (10.32 p.m.): Tonight I rise to condemn the force and coordinator of my local Freshwater Neighbourhood Watch. practice of auctioning water from the Tinaroo Falls Dam. I point out to members of the Since being re-elected, I have worked with House who might not be familiar with the the officers of the Smithfield Police Station to practice that at the moment about 10,000 re-establish the police/community consultative megalitres is set aside and auctioned off to committee for the Marlin Coast, which has not farmers, basically to the highest bidder. Ten operated over the past three years. This thousand megalitres is nowhere near enough consultative committee consists of people from water to supply the 864 farmers in the a wide cross-section of our community, with Mareeba-Dimbulah irrigation area—the MDIA. I representatives from various beach townships believe the practice turns farmer against as well as business, local government, farmer and makes it incredibly difficult for them education, youth, recreation, welfare and to work their crops viably. They are paying emergency services. The president of the about 250 points for each megalitre of water. committee is Charles Williams, of Machans That makes it incredibly hard for them to plan Beach, who is well known for his long and for the future. I know that this is how the DNR selfless service to Neighbourhood Watch operates at the moment. The practice is organisations. I wish to put on record my incredibly restrictive on farming in the personal admiration and appreciation of him Mareeba-Dimbulah irrigation area. for his willingness to continue to serve the The Tinaroo Falls Dam was built in 1953 community despite his not being in the best of for approximately $12m back then. I think by health. Ann Mauger, the vice-president, is the now we have paid for the Tinaroo Falls Dam. It local deputy principal and will bring her has raised a lot of revenue in the past. To pay considerable skills to this position. I thank both for its upkeep, I think it is wrong to burden the her and the committee secretary, Clare farmers of the Mareeba-Dimbulah irrigation Minchin, and of course the police themselves, area with the unfair practice of auctioning particularly acting Senior Sergeant Peter water. That dam should well and truly have Olesen, who organised the meeting to been paid for by now. Let us face it, $12m is establish the committee, and Senior Constable not a hell of a lot. Dave Raymond, who is equally committed to community policing on the Marlin Coast. I ask—and I will be asking in future—that this practice of the DNR be stopped. I admit The Government's Crime Prevention that the farmers should still pay for the water; Strategy will be underpinned by extra Police they should not get it for free. If it is going to Beats and shopfronts. I wish again to record be auctioned off, sufficient water should be my thanks to the Police Minister, Tom Barton, allocated so that the farmers do not have to who has responded positively to my 2412 Grievances 18 Sep 1998 representations for a Police Beat at Trinity Industry Policy Beach on the Marlin Coast, which has the Mr MICKEL (Logan—ALP) (10.38 p.m.): highest crime rate of the townships there and Part of any Government's jobs, jobs, jobs which has been plagued by youth crime and strategy has to be the development of a vandalism problems over recent years. I comprehensive integrated industry policy. The anticipate also that the operation of the Beattie Government is establishing a State Smithfield Police Station will be improved with Development Department. It has begun the the final appointment of a permanent senior process on the right foot. In the past there has sergeant, a position that has been vacant for been a disparate spread of departments all the past 18 months—something which is an with the task of helping businesses, both large indictment on the previous Government. and small. Time expired. To its credit, the Borbidge Government set up a separate trade department but at the Mr P. Rafter; Starlight Foundation same time retained a separate business department. I think the member for Burnett Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone—IND) performed the task capably, but I think his (10.36 p.m.): Tonight seems to be the night for department was fatally flawed when it simply acknowledging sportspeople. I wish to ignored and then sidelined Loftus Harris, the acknowledge a Queensland sportsman not previous director-general. Loftus Harris is now only for his sporting prowess but also for his in Sydney, heading up the State development generosity of spirit. Pat Rafter arrived back in department of New South Wales. It is Brisbane yesterday and today handed over a pleasing, therefore, that the new department $300,000 cheque to the Starlight Foundation. has obtained the services of Mr Ross Rolfe, Families in my electorate and many other whom I think is an outstanding appointment. electorates have benefited from the programs of the Starlight Foundation, which is an The economic settings are also important. international non-profit organisation that For example, the tariff reductions we have commenced in 1998 in Australia. It is run by a seen in recent years have benefited group of prominent Sydney businessmen and Queensland because the State has not had a women. The foundation helps to brighten the diverse manufacturing sector. As a result of lives of seriously ill children from ages four those tariff reductions, we are now seeing through to 18. Starlight grants wishes to growth and developments in places such as seriously ill children, the most common Townsville with Korea Zinc. Of course, the illnesses being leukaemia, cancer, kidney member for Gladstone would know only too disease, cystic fibrosis, AIDS, muscular well the significant developments that have dystrophy, spina bifida and cerebral palsy. A occurred there. very important aspect is that Starlight In primary industry we have seen, without encourages the entire family to be part of the any Government help and certainly without wish and often seeks to accommodate the any tariff protection, industries such as cotton special needs of the family to enhance the advancing significantly. The cotton industry experience. The ill child goes away with its has been an outstanding performer. In fact, it family unit, and all of them not only enjoy the has created jobs in rural and provincial special wish but also a respite from the Queensland—at places such as Emerald, stresses and strains of living at home. Goondiwindi, Dalby, St George and We saw Pat Rafter's skills demonstrated Dirranbandi. How disappointing that the in the US Open, when he took out his second policies that have created these jobs are under title. It is important that this Chamber threat by One Nation, because Pauline recognises his generosity of spirit, which is Hanson wants tariff increases—— something that is often replicated in other Time expired. Australians. We need to highlight and recognise his donation, because his generosity has ensured that a recreation room for Employment, Queensland Rail seriously ill patients can be constructed at the Mr JOHNSON (Gregory—NPA) Royal Brisbane Hospital. When we read about (10.40 p.m.): Despite the statements of the the benefits that such facilities have had in Minister for Transport, workers at the other States, we realise that the relief that it Townsville South rail yards are still concerned offers to the children is difficult to quantify. I about their futures. So they should be, after congratulate Pat Rafter. the Minister's answer to a question without Time expired. notice asked by me yesterday. 18 Sep 1998 Grievances 2413

I note that the recently elected member I am very proud that I and the honourable for Mundingburra has close contacts with the member for Chatsworth went to the electorate rail unions. In her maiden speech she thanked with the very clear undertaking that we would Warren Williams and the RTBU for giving her a not close down those two police stations, that campaign office for three weeks. She also we would not move to a new configuration of thanked Mr Williams' secretary for her major police stations which replaced those two police contribution to the campaign. Warren Williams stations with another police station, the has plenty to answer for. location of which was never known. We did not I know that the question of employment have any indication as to where it would be contracts is not an easy one for Governments located or what sort of police station it would of any persuasion, but we must do what we be. All we knew was that the police stations can to ensure that we preserve the skills and that we had were to be closed down and that the jobs. When I was Minister I made police would have to drive further to deal with arrangements for a number of projects to be crimes. allocated to Townsville South—refurbishment It seems that that is certainly a revelation of long distance rolling stock and the to the member for Broadwater, who production of 300 KOJX livestock wagons and commented on the front page of the South new coal wagons. I seriously question the East Advertiser this week that demographics proposed relocation of the rail workshop indicate that Coorparoo and Greenslopes facilities at Stuart. This matter may also be need a police station. I have news for the subject to an inquiry by the Public Works honourable member for Broadwater: we Committee in order to examine the benefits of already have two. We like them and we want this project. The member for Townsville may to keep them open. We are very happy that be able to enlighten us about the real the undertakings given by the now intentions of Labor in shifting these rail yards, Government before the election have been but I say "spoil sports", because Labor knows fulfilled. The police stations in the Greenslopes it got it wrong with the proposed closure of the area will be maintained. They will not be railway workshops north and south. closed. The rail workers in Townsville remember Time expired. the 8,000 rail jobs that were lost and the proposed closure of rail yards under the previous Labor Government. They know the Assistance for Goondiwindi Contractors impact that the proposal to close or mothball Mr ELLIOTT (Cunningham—NPA) thousands of kilometres of rail line would have. (10.45 p.m.): Honourable members would This explains why they are keen to be locked have heard of the floods in areas in and into permanent positions, because they do not around Goondiwindi. I am sure that many trust Labor. members have seen the graphic footage on Mr Williams, after taking his VER, helped television. There have been eight flood peaks get Labor elected in exchange for a range of down through that area. While that has done a promises for his members. Within three tremendous amount of damage to farms, I months the workers realised that they had think we should look at the other problem been conned. We now have rolling strikes and which perhaps is not as evident, that is, the a great amount of discontent. Labor no longer effects on the contractors of the area—the represents the workers of this State and earth movers, backhoe operators and other cannot be trusted to do so any more. people who do work for the various farmers around the place. Many of them have not Time expired. turned a wheel since April. Some of them will finish up going six months or more with Police Stations, Greenslopes Electorate absolutely no income. Mr FENLON (Greenslopes—ALP) I put to the House that these people are (10.43 p.m.): Prior to the State election this urgently in need of some sort of assistance. year the coalition, in its very desperate attempt Honourable members might say, "Here he to hold on to power, came out to the southern goes. He is calling for help from the public suburbs, particularly the suburbs in my again." Precedents have been set right here in electorate, under the guise that it would Brisbane, and I was here when that was done. construct a new police station to service the After the 1974 floods, the then coalition area. This was an incredible ruse, because it Government gave assistance to large numbers was really attempting to close down at least of businesses that were affected by the floods, two of the police stations servicing my particularly along Ipswich Road. area—the Coorparoo and Camp Hill Police I was on Fred Campbell's committee in Stations. those days, and in the end we wrote off quite 2414 Grievances 18 Sep 1998 a few loans that people were unable to repay. Nundah Bottleneck The main reason loans were given at low interest rates was to get those businesses up Mr SULLIVAN (Chermside—ALP) and running again, because a lot of them were (10:50 p.m.): Funding for roads projects can totally wiped out; they were devastated. There be a complex process. We are used to the was no insurance, as is the case with the Budget allocations in which we see where the people I speak about tonight. There is no way major project funding occurs. But what they would have insurance in respect of lost happens if the Minister or the Cabinet makes a revenue. They will lose their plant and decision in between Budgets? What happens equipment, because they will not be able to is that in the RIP update—the Roads meet the finance payments due on them. If Implementation Plan update—the new funding we are not careful it will continue, and soon is allocated. there will be great difficulty getting the cotton Unfortunately, what we have seen with crop in the ground. That will be disastrous as the Nundah bottleneck is that this did not well. occur because in December 1995 the then Time expired. Minister, Jim Elder, allocated the money for the start and early completion of the bypass of the Nundah bottleneck. Unfortunately, just Goods and Services Tax when the RIP update was due in Mr WILSON (Ferny Grove—ALP) February/March 1996, the Borbidge (10.47 p.m.): I rise in this Grievances debate to Government came to power and froze the defend from John Howard's GST the many Budget allocation. We know that the money elderly people who live in the electorate of would have been allocated in the RIP update Ferny Grove. This tax is a most unfair and because the Goss Government had done that discriminatory tax, especially on those on fixed the year before. In the 1995 update the Goss incomes, many of whom are the elderly, such Government had allocated something like an as Mr John Pantor of Ferny Hills, who recently extra $70m, including funding for rural roads. came to see me. He has been a worker all his This funding was not in the initial Budget. That life and has had little more than his wages for is how the process worked. him and his wife to live on. His wife has The Borbidge Government stopped that Alzheimer's disease and is in a nursing home. funding for the Nundah bottleneck. If the He presented me with a breakdown of his coalition had continued with the RIP update current cost of living. Nursing home fees, and allocated the money, the Nundah drawn from his wife's pension, total $7,854. He bottleneck project would be 12 to 24 months has added up the various other costs involved more advanced. The business people of that in maintaining her on an annual basis. There area would be happier. It is a shame that the are pharmacy costs for scripts and costs for member for Clayfield, Santo Santoro—who various creams and skin repair ointments, hair claims to be the friend of business—was part dressing and cosmetics. That all adds up to of the Cabinet that shot that allocation to bits $8,799. Her pension is $9,360, leaving $570 and put the completion of the Nundah bypass annually—the princely sum of $11 per back by at least 12 months. week—for clothing and other items. The Beattie Government has allocated This man owns his own home and has $3.6m towards that project. This contrasts with very limited savings. His pension is $9,360 and the $2.8m that the coalition proposed for this his total costs, including rates, electricity and project in its Capital Works Program. We know so on, are $6,185, leaving $3,174—the that the overall amount of $35.2m stays the princely sum of $61 a week for all extras for same. It is a shame, though, that the himself such as clothing, house maintenance inactivity—— and so on. This is very typical and it is shameful. The GST is an attack upon him. Time expired. Time expired. The House adjourned at 10.51 p.m.