Hansard 29 Apr 1999
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
29 Apr 1999 Legislative Assembly 1565 THURSDAY, 29 APRIL 1999 opportunities that exist between Queensland and the United States. Tourism and trade are vitally important to the creation of jobs in Queensland. If we can Mr SPEAKER (Hon. R. K. Hollis, Redcliffe) increase tourism and trade with the USA, we read prayers and took the chair at 9.30 a.m. can create more jobs. Every 17 tourists arriving on a jumbo means the creation of another job in Queensland tourism. Even without direct PETITIONS flights, the number of American tourists visiting The Clerk announced the receipt of the Queensland increased by 18% in 1998 to following petitions— reach 59,700 for the year. We need direct flights because we are aggressively marketing Queensland in the QLMA Fees; Butchers USA. Without direct flights we stand to miss From Mrs Sheldon (145 petitioners) out on opportunities to attract thousands of requesting the House to oppose any move by extra tourists. The annual Indy, which is worth the Beattie Government to further burden $50m to the economy, has a huge American butchers, meat processors and slaughter yard following. Millions of Americans see operators by increasing Queensland Livestock Queensland on their televisions but cannot and Meat Authority (QLMA) fees and/or by catch a direct flight here for a holiday. The imposing full fee-for-service for QLMA audits. Goodwill Games have been a major United A similar petition was received from States attraction for years and will be the focus Mr Cooper (2,444 petitioners). of attention when they are held in Queensland in 2001. We need direct flights to take Petitions received. advantage of the tourist potential of those games. PAPERS The Great South Pacific Express, between Cairns and Brisbane, is aimed at the MINISTERIAL PAPERS wealthy, especially Americans. At the farewell The following papers were tabled— of the Great South Pacific Express at Roma Treasurer (Mr Hamill)— Street Station this week, conducted by the Minister for Transport and me, were some Report on recent visit to the United American tourism operators who are promoting Kingdom from 18 to 25 February 1999, together with copies of the Great South Pacific Express in the United itineraries and relevant papers. States. It would certainly help their efforts if there were direct flights. Mr Borbidge: The existing flights are also MINISTERIAL STATEMENT very heavily booked. International Flights; Alfie Langer Mr BEATTIE: I take that interjection from Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central— the Leader of the Opposition, because that is ALP) (Premier) (9.33 a.m.), by leave: The very true. The American track and field, United States of America is Queensland's third swimming and cycling teams will bring more most important trading partner, but we do not than 200 athletes and officials to Queensland have a direct return flight between Brisbane or for training. Major international sponsors of the Cairns and the United States. We have been Olympics will be examining options for talking with Air New Zealand and it is likely that destinations in Australia for the entertainment in the near future a four-hour wait for a change of corporate guests. Merchandising exports to of planes at Auckland will be overcome so that the United States were worth more than we will have a same-plane direct return flight $1 billion in 1997-98—up by $320m on the available on a daily basis. We are also previous year. negotiating with Canada 3000, a Canadian Trade of this magnitude supports charter airline, which has expressed an interest hundreds of Queensland jobs. The United in operating a weekly service between States is our third biggest trading partner, yet Honolulu and Brisbane. The airline is expected we do not have direct flights. Quite apart from to make an announcement in the very near airfreight needs, we need direct flights to cater future. If it decides to go ahead, flights are for executives travelling between the United likely to start in October. We believe that more States and Queensland. My Government is flights are necessary and we will be continuing committed to a strategy of developing IT & T in to negotiate with other airlines about the Queensland, and several companies have 1566 Ministerial Statement 29 Apr 1999 located their Asia-Pacific headquarters in early successes of that. We have set ourselves Queensland. Yesterday the House heard of a target of achieving an unemployment rate of our commitment to the development of the 5% in five years and I am delighted to see the biotechnology industry and of the Seattle reduction in unemployment from 8.9% to 7.8% conference, which is designed to attract in just 10 months. Today marks 10 months entrepreneurs from the United States. We that we have been in Government. The 5% need direct flights between Queensland and unemployment target is ambitious but worth the USA to facilitate these growing businesses aiming for. Already we have created more than and future industries. 30,000 jobs since being in office. We have On the subject of high-flyers, I pay tribute also focused on apprenticeships and on behalf of all members of this Parliament to traineeships, all aimed at building up the skills a great Queensland sportsman, Alf Langer. He base and giving Queenslanders the may be small in stature, but he has stood opportunity for fairly paid and satisfying work. head and shoulders above other players in As well, this Labor Government has terms of flair, excitement, ability and fair play. enhanced long service leave benefits for the At a time when highly paid athletes and building and construction industry, amended players often create headlines for all the wrong the Workplace Relations Act and reviewed reasons, Alf has been an outstanding role industrial relations laws. A new Bill will be model for young people across Australia, and introduced this year. We are working to wind young Queenslanders in particular. back the excesses of National Competition I had the opportunity to have a brief chat Policy to provide job security. That is just the with him in Townsville on Sunday night, after start. I invite honourable members to join me the Broncos/Cowboys draw. He was always in celebrating Labour Day on Monday. As one to do the unexpected, and that is certainly honourable members would know, the Labor the way in which he made his exit yesterday, in Party was born in Barcaldine. We maintain our a very dignified way. He is loved by all connection with the bush in many ways, Queenslanders and I am sure that we would including our commitment to the Queensland all like to wish him well for the future. heritage—— Mr Johnson interjected. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Mr BEATTIE: I know that the honourable Labour Day member for Gregory will endorse what I am about to say, because this is very bipartisan Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central— and very good for the bush. ALP) (Premier) (9.37 a.m.), by leave: On Monday I will have the honour of marching in As I was saying, we maintain our the annual Labour Day parade in Brisbane. I connection with the bush in many ways, have marched in many Labour Day parades, including our commitment to the Queensland but this will be the first time that I take part as Heritage Trail network. The Queensland Labor Premier. That will give me a great deal Heritage Trail network is one of the most of satisfaction, because the Labor Party, as we exciting cultural and heritage projects under know, was born out of the labour movement way anywhere in this State. Under this project, and we proudly maintain our links with that four trails would crisscross the State. These will labour movement. So on Monday I will join be: the coast trail from Coolangatta to thousands of others in celebrating what is Cooktown; the mining and dinosaur trail from essentially the workers' day. This is the day Cairns across to Normanton and the gulf, that honours those who fought for a fair deal down to Charters Towers and west to Mount for workers. This is the day that recognises the Isa; the Matilda trail, which will run from gains made in workers' rights and conditions. Cunnamulla to central and western Queensland and up to Burketown; and the This is the day for workers and their early settlers trail through the Darling Downs families to reflect on the history of the labour and out to Charleville. The trails will showcase movement. It began with the struggle for the eight-hour working day, which most the best of—— Queenslanders won in 1916 under the T. J. Mr Horan: You are like a brooding hen Ryan Labor Government. The movement sitting on old eggs. continues today with the emphasis on creating Mr BEATTIE: I am absolutely delighted and securing jobs in a world of rapidly with the enthusiasm in the House, endorsing changing technology. what the Government is doing. I thank all My Labor Government has made job members of the House for their enthusiasm for creation its obsession and we are seeing the what we are doing. I commend them. 29 Apr 1999 Ministerial Statement 1567 Mr SPEAKER: I heard that they were advise members about important initiatives joining the Premier in the march. undertaken by my Government in Mr BEATTIE: They are, and I look forward implementing the recommendations of the to them marching with me on Monday. report of the bipartisan select committee on parliamentary entitlements. The select The trails will showcase the best of committee was appointed by resolution on 30 Queensland's culture and heritage. They will July last year to inquire into all entitlements of link sites of natural beauty, indigenous cultural the members of the Legislative Assembly.