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. The sites, mining works, small museums, dinosaur report of the select committee was tabled on sites and art galleries. The network is designed 30 October last year. I am proud to report that to be a lasting commemoration of the all but one of the select committee's Centenary of Federation. The Queensland recommendations have already been Government has committed $39m, and the implemented. I thank members on both sides Commonwealth $50m, to the project over the of politics and, in fact, all parties represented in next four years. The Queensland Government this Parliament, including the Independents, has provided a list of 27 capital works projects for the work they undertook on that committee. throughout the State which the Commonwealth could fund. That includes the The Governor in Council has approved upgrade of the Qantas facilities and exhibition the new Members' Entitlements Handbook at Longreach, which we announced the other and the Members' Office Support Handbook to day—$5m. Eight of these 27 projects were replace the former Members' Salaries, announced by the Commonwealth in the lead- Allowances and Service Handbook. Two up to the last Federal election. distinct handbooks more accurately reflect the nature of the support provided to members Unfortunately, there is a problem. The and are easier for members and electorate problem is that the Commonwealth officers to use and for Parliamentary Service Government has not yet finalised agreement staff to administer. This was a commitment on the individual projects that will make up the that was given to the Independent member for network. We are keen to finalise the Nicklin after the election, and I am delighted agreement so that we can announce the that that commitment has been fulfilled. projects and they can get under way. We want to get on with it. If we do not get agreement The handbooks also contain a number of soon, the projects will not be completed in time new guidelines aimed at increasing for the Centenary of Federation. I am sure that accountability and maintaining simplicity of members on both sides of the House would administration. In fact, it is likely that some agree that that would be a great shame. significant administrative savings will be effected in the delivery of some allowances The Queensland Government wants to without diminishing accountability. The only see these projects under way, because we are recommendation which has not been committed to this network. We are committed implemented is the select committee's to seeing new building work, new infrastructure recommended amendment to the definition of and new jobs throughout Queensland, a recognised political party under the particularly in the bush. These sorts of projects Parliamentary Members' Salaries Act 1988. can help stimulate local economies and help Currently, the Parliamentary Members' Salaries mitigate the effects of the population drift from Act 1998 defines a recognised political party the bush to the city. These projects are just the as "one of which 10 members at least are sort of boost that the bush needs, and I members of the Legislative Assembly and believe that they have the endorsement of none of such members is a Minister". The both sides of the House and the enthusiastic report of the select committee recommended support of the member for Mount Isa. that section 5(2) of this Act be amended to Who is holding up this process? The define a recognised political party as "one answer is: the Commonwealth. Why? Because which is recognised under the Electoral Act it does not care, in my view, enough about the 1992 and has at least 10 per cent of the bush. My Government cares about the bush. members of the Legislative Assembly, or if less That is why we are doing what we can to get than 10 per cent of the members of the the Queensland Heritage Trail network moving. Legislative Assembly received at least 10 per cent of the primary vote in the general election for the Parliament." MINISTERIAL STATEMENT The recent resignation of MLAs from the Parliamentary Entitlements membership of Pauline Hanson's One Nation Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central— Party highlighted an inherent defect with the ALP) (Premier) (9.42 a.m.), by leave: I wish to select committee's definition of a recognised 1568 Ministerial Statement 29 Apr 1999 political party. Specifically, the second limb of have been impressive, with apprenticeship the definition, which requires at least 10% of approvals up 59% in the first four months of the primary vote in the last general election, is the year and big gains made in industries with problematic in that the criterion is not tied to skills shortages. This result has been achieved actual membership in the Legislative Assembly with great support from Queensland at any one time. The entitlement to recognised employers, and the dimension of the increase political party status would remain static at the has not been replicated anywhere else in time of the general election and would not Australia. cater for any subsequent changes to the party We also were concerned to find that the membership and representation in the House. previous Government had administered the Such a definition could produce the absurd traineeship system in a way which locked out result whereby recognised political party status young people and unemployed people. A could be granted to a party which might have report by Dr Larry Smith commissioned by this only one or a few party members remaining in Government into apprenticeships and the Legislative Assembly. It would be possible, traineeships raised serious concerns about the under the select committee's definition, for a traineeship system, particularly that it was in single remaining party member in the House to fact working against 15 to 20 year-olds. The receive additional salary benefits as the leader system encouraged existing workers to access of a recognised political party, and other publicly funded traineeships at the expense of recognised political party benefits would those who needed it most. So while the growth accrue. in trainee numbers is, at first glance, Accordingly, I advise the House today that encouraging, we must be concerned at the my Government has not accepted the select composition and quality of those traineeships. committee's definition of a recognised political I stress: traineeships. The growth in apprentice party as the suggested definition is capable of numbers stands on its own as a huge success. producing absurd results in practice which Last year, I gave Parliament examples of accord neither with the fair and reasonable clear abuses of the system, including a RAAF resourcing needs of the House nor with the squadron leader and warrant officers and a select committee's original intentions, which I police superintendent who were registered as accept were honourable. Notwithstanding my information technology trainees. Other Government's position on this last examples have come to hand, including a recommendation, I commend the select church which engaged the pastor, the pastor's committee for its report, which has served to wife and the pastor's son as trainees. Late last streamline administration and increase year we moved to change the system to resource accountability in this Parliament. redirect the public funding dollar to those who needed it most. And it is a complex system, involving both State and Federal MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Governments, as well as private providers. But Apprentices and Trainees the Queensland Government is determined to Hon. P. J. BRADDY (Kedron—ALP) ensure that taxpayer funds are used (Minister for Employment, Training and responsibly and with a view to achieving the Industrial Relations) (9.46 a.m.), by leave: best results for unemployed people and new Since coming to office the Government has job seekers. Still more needs to be done to been concerned about aspects of the ensure these goals are met. And that is why operation of apprenticeships and traineeships the Department of Employment, Training and in Queensland. We were concerned that Industrial Relations has been collecting data apprentice numbers had fallen over a three- for some time to use in an attack on other year period at a time when apprenticeships abuses of the system. were never more relevant for young The department was concerned at Queenslanders. We were concerned that while anecdotal evidence collected since last year young people could not find jobs in the trades, that indicated that some alleged traineeships skills shortages were building up in a number actually involved little or no training at all. Dr of industries and regions. These shortages Smith was commissioned to prepare a second were becoming critical in the building and report, this time into the impact of user choice construction and engineering industries. We on the Queensland training market. He found moved quickly to address the problem by evidence of some trainees not knowing that announcing incentives for the employment of they are in traineeships and where some additional apprentices and trainees in employers were using incentives and training industries with skills shortages. The results support more as wage subsidies. 29 Apr 1999 Ministerial Statement 1569

The Queensland Government shares The investigation of the traineeship these concerns and will be stepping up its program is taking place against a background scrutiny of the traineeship system to ensure of substantial growth in traineeship numbers, that support is provided where it is and specifically in fully on-the-job training. With needed—for the young and for those re- the active promotion of registered training entering the work force. I have asked the organisations, new apprenticeship centres, Vocational Education, Training and industry bodies and Government agencies, Employment Commission to undertake an traineeship numbers jumped by 200 per cent immediate investigation of the quality and between March 1997 and March 1999. effectiveness of the traineeship program. I recognise that most registered training VETEC has agreed to the investigation and will organisations are making a valuable be engaging a highly regarded independent contribution to quality training, and 1 will be person to carry out the task. This person will be inviting them to take advantage of the VETEC assisted by an independent reference group to investigation to ensure that all traineeships are be chaired by Mr Barry Smith, the Chairman of of the highest possible quality. This VETEC. Government is determined to both protect and Issues which will be covered in the raise the quality of traineeships in Queensland. investigation include: the level and quality of We are also determined to return the program training occurring within workplaces; the quality to the target group for whom it was of training plans; the assessment of trainees' designed—young Queenslanders entering the competencies; and the range of work and work force and those seeking to return to the facilities available for training in the workplace. work force. Let there be no doubt that the genesis of the problems that we are facing today with the traineeship program was the blind, MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ideologically driven rush of the previous Ministerial Council for Corporations Government to competitive and user choice Hon. M. J. FOLEY (Yeronga—ALP) funding at a rate up to four times faster than (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and that of any other State. In its hurry to curry Minister for The Arts) (9.53 a.m.), by leave: favour with Canberra, the Borbidge Workers' pay and entitlements should not be Government failed to put the appropriate ripped off through loopholes in Corporations administrative, assessment and audit Law. The threat to workers' rights evident in arrangements in place to guarantee the the recent conduct of Patrick Stevedores integrity of the traineeship system. Regrettably, during the waterfront dispute highlights the incentives administered by the Commonwealth need for reform. Government for traineeships have actively worked to compound the problem. On Thursday, 15 April, I attended a meeting of the Ministerial Council for The Commonwealth continues to pay Corporations in Darwin where Labor Attorneys- huge amounts of public funds to employers General from around Australia called on the who enrol existing workers in programs which Federal Government to implement reforms to best serve young job seekers. The rush to better protect workers' pay and entitlements. capitalise on this goldmine has stretched Unfortunately, in recent years Australians have resources and led to training which in many witnessed appalling situations in which cases is at best questionable in quality. In employers have engaged in the unscrupulous other cases, employers may be trying to do practice of asset-stripping companies to avoid the right thing but are making inappropriate their obligation to pay their workers wages, use of traineeships. The Queensland annual holidays, long service leave and Government is committed to increased skills redundancy payments. Sometimes workers training for the work force. However, this have forgone their pay and leave entitlements should not be done through the traineeship and their superannuation only to find that system, which is designed to help young company directors have known, or should people and those returning to the work force. have known, that their company was about to Honourable members will be interested to be wound up. Workers and their families have hear that a number of States have returned to been left bereft and betrayed after working for the traditional descriptions of apprenticeships a company for years. and traineeships. Those States understand Labor Attorneys-General at the meeting in that all "new apprenticeships" have done is Darwin called for several relatively simple create unnecessary noise and confusion for reforms to be put in place to ensure that both employers and employees. workers receive their rightful entitlements. 1570 Ministerial Statement 29 Apr 1999

Firstly, an anti-avoidance provision should be an extra 50 prison officers above and beyond included in Corporations Law to prevent the normal increases planned. artificial company structures being set up to Prison officers expressed concerns that avoid employee rights and entitlements. the coalition planned to sell off the Secondly, directors' personal liability should be infrastructure at both the privately run prisons expanded to apply where a corporation fails to of Arthur Gorrie and Borallon in order to fund pay employees their accrued entitlements and their extravagant election promises. The where the individual director is morally coalition had promised to build a replacement culpable. Rockhampton Correctional Centre, but had The Federal Government's proposals to planned to make this facility a privately run and deal with protection of workers' entitlements owned centre. When I heard these coalition did not go far enough. The Federal plans I made it clear that we would not be Government proposed to create a civil or selling off any prison assets, nor allowing a criminal penalty to prevent misuse of company privately owned and run prison at structures by directors and to strengthen Rockhampton, or anywhere else. insolvent trading provisions. But Australian There were three clear-cut commitments workers deserve better protection of their made by the Labor Party during the election entitlements. campaign: the extra $1m of basic equipment, The Beattie Labor Government will the extra 50 prison officers, and the continue to press for national legislative reform commitment to abolish the coalition's to ensure that Corporations Law protects privatisation plans. I am pleased to tell the workers from un-Australian managerial House that we have already delivered on practices. Queensland workers can be assured these three commitments. All the correctional that this Government will continue to pursue centres throughout the State are receiving this matter to ensure that their pay and their final instalment of basic equipment as conditions are not undermined through callous part of the $1m allocated to meet equipment manipulation of Australia's Corporations Law. shortfalls. Last Friday, I attended the graduation of 70 prison officers, some of whom were the MINISTERIAL STATEMENT remainder of the 50 extra officers promised by Labor. One of the first tasks that I undertook Corrective Services Portfolio on becoming Minister was to halt the plans to Hon. T. A. BARTON (Waterford—ALP) sell the Borallon and Arthur Gorrie Correctional (Minister for Police and Corrective Services) Centres and to start the planning for the new (9.56 a.m.), by leave: The Labor Party went to replacement Rockhampton facility. I am the 1998 State election with clear-cut pleased to tell the House the new commitments in regard to the Corrective Rockhampton Correctional Centre will be Services portfolio. Firstly, we promised to Government owned and run—as it should provide prison officers with $1m worth of basic have been all along. equipment. When I was shadow Minister, I But there is more. Even apart from toured the State and visited the various meeting these key election commitments, we correctional centres and the feedback from the have funded and introduced six passive alert, staff was consistent throughout Queensland. or sniffer, dogs into our correctional centres. They were sick of the knee-jerk punitive action These dogs and their trainers have already from the coalition Government and were crying had tremendous results in detecting out for the tools to do their job properly. They contraband and have even been loaned to wanted two-way radios that worked. They Australian Customs and the Queensland wanted more bulletproof vests. They wanted Police Service to help them with drug-related surveillance cameras that actually took investigations. On top of that, we are trialling pictures. They wanted firearms and batons so new drug detection machines and funding is that they could defend themselves in available to buy five of these new machines. emergent situations. Overall, with the extra staff, the sniffer The other major shortfall that I found dogs, and the new drug detection machines, during my visits was that there was barely Queensland Corrections has achieved enough staff to maintain minimum security in wonderful results in its crackdown on drugs in our prison system. After two years of cutting prison. In the past 10 months, officers have costs and sacking people, the prison system carried out more than 160 drug busts involving was on its knees and morale was at rock the detection of illicit drugs and utensils. We bottom. That is why the Labor Party promised are training new prison officers at record rates. 29 Apr 1999 Ministerial Statement 1571

On top of the 70 who graduated last week, because it did not contain an order number. there will be about 260 more officers being This was responsible for the delay in trained this year, who will graduate soon. We installation of screens, which began on 22 have carried out a complete review of the February. corrections system. This House passed This series of events is not acceptable. As legislation some weeks ago which will see the I said, that view has already been conveyed to Queensland Corrective Services Commission the tenant. It is not acceptable to me as the and Queensland Corrections wound up. The Minister responsible for both Q-Build and the new Department of Corrective Services will Department of Housing. It is regrettable that commence operation on Saturday, 1 May the house in question suffered a second 1999. break-in before the screens could be fitted. I As I told the House yesterday, we have have directed senior officers of Q-Build to already delivered one of our major election examine this case and ensure the process of commitments in police, and now I am proud to communicating work orders and other say that we have delivered all our major information between them, the Department of commitments in the corrective services area. Housing and private contractors does not Barely 10 months into the first term of the break down again in such an appalling Beattie Government, prison officers are safer, manner. better equipped; communities are safer; there Yesterday, the member for Mooloolah are less drugs in prisons; and we achieved all asked me to take full responsibility for this of this without having to sell off the family incident. I am not sure if he wants me to dust silver. off my old chippie's toolbox and go out there and spend the time fitting these screens MINISTERIAL STATEMENT myself. I do not know that that is the best use of my time. The member for Mooloolah said Department of Housing he did not want me to blame public servants, Hon. R. E. SCHWARTEN (Rockhampton— yet that is precisely what he did. It is no use ALP) (Minister for Public Works and Minister for launching a tirade against Q-Build workers and Housing) (10 a.m.), by leave: I wish to respond officers of the Department of Housing and to claims made yesterday by the member for then try to square off by shovelling the blame Mooloolah about the installation of security onto my shoulders. screens in a public housing dwelling at Stafford The member for Mooloolah is again trying earlier this year. I will begin by saying that the to score points off this Government by tenant in question was contacted by my office highlighting faults in a system Liberal Ministers almost one month ago in relation to this matter were happy to use. I only wish he was as after writing to me. At that time—almost a forthcoming on a major issue, such as the month ago—she was advised of my deep proposed cuts to housing funds over the concern about the breakdown in coming four years that the Howard communication, which is at the heart of this Government is putting forward at next incident. Furthermore, an apology was Monday's meeting of Housing Ministers. extended to her for any distress she may have Unfortunately, I will miss Labour Day for the experienced. I openly acknowledge that the first time in 45 years. problems arose from a system used by the previous Government that needed to be Mr Mackenroth: Because of Howard. streamlined. I have directed that to happen. Mr SCHWARTEN: That is right, yes. It is I am advised that the tenant in question also a pity—— requested security screens after a break-in on Mr Borbidge: It is always someone else's the weekend of 16 and 17 January. That fault. request was acted upon on Monday, 18 January. I have been advised that shortly after Mr SCHWARTEN: As a matter of fact, it a work order was issued to Q-Build by the is. I am delighted to say that it is somebody Department of Housing. However, it was not else's fault: it is the fault of the member's own issued as a priority work order—one that rotten Tory mates in Canberra. required a response within 24 hours. Instead, it As I said yesterday in relation to another was issued as one needing a response within matter, the coalition's plans to abolish Q-Build 30 days and was dealt with by Q-Build on that are well known. They are known by every one basis, even though the Department of Housing of its 2,500 employees and almost 380 had indicated it should be given priority. In apprentices. They are raised with me at every addition, the work order was forwarded to a depot I visit, especially in smaller rural and private contractor who did not act on it regional centres where Q-Build and its workers 1572 Ministerial Statement 29 Apr 1999 make an enormous contribution to local Management Authority and a consultant economies. I will not defend stupid mistakes, representing Mr Quaid. However, for reasons but I will defend Q-Build against politically that escape me, I understand that, through his motived attacks. consultant, Mr Quaid has refused to allow Main Roads Department engineers on the road to inspect the damage. My EPA officers MINISTERIAL STATEMENT are seeking specialist road engineering advice Mr G. Quaid on remediation and stabilisation necessary to Hon. R. J. WELFORD (Everton—ALP) minimise the risk of further environmental (Minister for Environment and Heritage and harm. Minister for Natural Resources) (10.04 a.m.), In December 1997, the leader of the by leave: In 1987, the Bjelke-Petersen coalition supported the handover of the road Government, in concert with the Mareeba and to the State of Queensland. He was quoted in Douglas Shire Councils, and in contravention the Courier-Mail as saying that "clearly there is of the Commonwealth's World Heritage overwhelming public support for gazettal" of legislation, allowed a private road to be the road. bulldozed through some of Australia's most valuable and World Heritage rainforest areas. Mr Bredhauer: Not from the then Minister This road was built by a developer by the for Transport there wasn't. name of George Quaid. The 32-kilometre road Mr WELFORD: Indeed. If the coalition stretches from Mr Quaid's Southedge artificial had proceeded with the now Opposition lake development near Mount Molloy to link up Leader's harebrained proposal to take over with the Captain Cook Highway near the this poorly constructed road, then today the coastal hamlet of Wangetti Beach. Queensland taxpayer would be responsible for Heavy rain between 12 and 15 March this the ongoing upkeep and maintenance of a year has led to a serious wash-out and landslip road the construction of which was clearly on the Quaid road about four and a half inadequate. kilometres west of Wangetti Beach. The wash- An Opposition member interjected. out occurred in an area where a drainpipe was Mr WELFORD: The member was. I want installed in a naturally occurring creek. The to assure the members of this House and the pipe was unable to contain the volume of taxpayers of Queensland that the person who stormwater and the whole road was washed away at that point where the drain was will be held accountable for this road will not be installed. Queensland taxpayers; it will be the person who must take responsibility for the Officers of my Environmental Protection environmental impacts of this road's collapse Agency have reported serious environmental because of its design, and that will be the impacts. They estimate that between 5,000 developer responsible for its construction. and 7,000 cubic metres of material has been eroded from the site, leaving a chasm 25 metres wide, 20 metres to 25 metres deep MINISTERIAL STATEMENT and 30 metres long. The eroded sediment has Newcastle Disease Outbreak been swept downstream into Hartleys Creek and seven kilometres down to the ocean Hon. H. PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) where it resulted in a sediment plume two (Minister for Primary Industries) (10.09 a.m.), kilometres to three kilometres out to sea. by leave: The outbreak of virulent Newcastle Downstream water pumping facilities and the disease in New South Wales has been the lower reaches of Hartleys Creek have been cause of great concern to egg and poultry heavily impacted by the sediment. Water producers in Queensland. Earlier this morning, quality and the ability to extract water were I took part in a telephone hook-up with leaders adversely affected. of the Queensland egg industry to address My EPA officers have advised me that some of the concerns being expressed by there is a threat of further land slumping in the producers in the face of what has become a crisis for the national industry. order of the size of the original wash-out. There is an ongoing threat to land-holders and It is absolutely critical that the disease be water users downstream of the Quaid road, eradicated in New South Wales to avoid any and Mr Quaid must address this threat. possibility of it spreading to Queensland flocks. Officers from the EPA and the Natural So far, more than one million birds have been Resources Department inspected the damage destroyed. The good news today is that a on 31 March with staff of the Wet Tropics suspect property close to the infected area in 29 Apr 1999 Public Works Committee 1573

New South Wales has now been cleared by "That the Honourable Kevin Rowson laboratory tests. Lingard, MLA be appointed to the Public The Queensland Department of Primary Works Committee in place of Mr Jeffrey Industries responded very quickly to the Alan Knuth, MLA." outbreak of Newcastle disease in New South Motion agreed to. Wales. From day one, the chief veterinary officer from the department has been working closely with his counterparts from the MEMBERS' AND RELATED PERSONS' Commonwealth and other States to address REGISTERS OF INTERESTS this serious situation. Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH (Chatsworth— With the escalation of the problem last ALP) (Leader of the House) (10.13 a.m.): I week, the Queensland Government approved wish to inform members that the notice of expenditure of around $800,000 and provided motion that I moved on Tuesday, 27 April in specialist staff, including veterinary officers and relation to Members' and Related Persons' stock inspectors. Additional Department of Registers of Interest will be debated at the Primary Industries staff, including laboratory next week's sitting. I will leave it on the Notice personnel, joined the program this week. Paper for that time to allow members to Queensland will continue to monitor the consider it, to enable the press to read it and quarantine measures put in place as part of consider it, and to ensure that everyone is the measures to control the outbreak of happy with it. If anyone has any issues that Newcastle disease to ensure that they are they would like to raise with me, I ask them to effective in preventing any disease movement. please do so. However, never let it be said that It has been particularly pleasing to receive it was rushed through. a letter this week from the Queensland Chicken Growers Association, which said in PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE part— Report "We thank you for taking early action and trust that the Queensland Mr ROBERTS (Nudgee—ALP) Government will continue to provide (10.13 a.m.): I lay upon the table of the House support to ensure that the disease is the Public Works Committee's report No. 56 on eradicated." its inquiry into the construction of public As a Government, we remain 100% committed housing for seniors in the Brisbane statistical to the proper management of this crisis, as we division. Overall, the committee is satisfied with have done since we were first informed about the activities of the Department of Housing in it. providing seniors' accommodation within this division. SITTING HOURS; ORDER OF BUSINESS One significant issue raised during the inquiry was a private rental assistance program Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH (Chatsworth— and agreement entered into between the ALP) (Leader of the House) (10.12 a.m.), by Department of Housing and Comptons leave, without notice: I move— Villages Australia Pty Ltd. Commentary on the "That notwithstanding anything arrangement is contained in a separate part of contained in the Standing and Sessional the report and I advise the House that there is Orders, for this day's sitting, the House a dissenting report on this matter. Principally, can continue to meet past 7.30 p.m. the dissension relates to criticism the Private Members' motions will be committee makes about shortcomings in the debated between 6 and 7 p.m. Comptons arrangement and the processes The House can then break for dinner undertaken during its negotiation. and resume its sitting at 8.30 p.m. The committee acknowledges that the Government Business will take Compton's subsidy agreement was financially precedence for the remainder of the day's beneficial to the department, compared with sittings." the option of the department constructing a Motion agreed to. similar retirement village itself. However, it is important to note that this conclusion is based solely on an analysis of the financial PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE contributions made by the Department of Membership Housing and does not contemplate alternative Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH (Chatsworth— service delivery methods, which the committee ALP) (Leader of the House) (10.12 a.m.), by concludes could have produced a different leave, without notice: I move— outcome. 1574 Defamation (Matters of Public Interest) Amendment Bill 29 Apr 1999

The committee is critical of the Comptons Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Clerk has subsidy agreement in several areas. These advised me that the member has to move that include: the lack of any formal process to the report be debated on Thursday of the next evaluate the performance of the agreement, sitting week. the failure of the department to secure a Mr LAMING: I move accordingly. commitment for future payment of Commonwealth rent assistance to tenants and the failure of the department to undertake an NOTICE OF MOTION open tender process to ensure it received the Performance of Ministers best value for money outcome from the proposed private rental assistance program. Mr SLACK (Burnett—NPA) (10.18 a.m.): I The committee is also of the view that from an give notice that I will move— overall public policy perspective there were "That this House condemns the potentially better value for money options Beattie Government for the disastrous available to the department if alternative performance of its Ministers, particularly service delivery methods were pursued. Ministers Elder, Barton, Gibbs, McGrady and Palaszczuk." Using similar assumptions to a comparison between the payment of a subsidy by the department and the department DEFAMATION (MATTERS OF PUBLIC constructing a similar retirement village itself, INTEREST) AMENDMENT BILL the Queensland Treasury Corporation analysis, Mr FELDMAN (Caboolture—ONP) commissioned by the committee, calculated (10.19 a.m.), by leave, without notice: I that Queensland Housing could have move— constructed at least another 54 units, in addition to the original 180 provided by "That leave be granted to bring in a Comptons, if the State were to receive, either Bill for an Act to amend the Defamation directly or through tenants' rentals, the Act 1889." Commonwealth rental subsidy for the 15-year Motion agreed to. period of the agreement. If the assumptions used in this analysis hold true and such an arrangement was possible, the department First Reading has clearly not achieved the best value for Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and money outcome for its investment. The Bill, on motion of Mr Feldman, read a first time. committee acknowledges the innovative nature of the Comptons Caboolture agreement and does not oppose the Second Reading investigation and use of such arrangements, Mr FELDMAN (Caboolture—ONP) provided that appropriate steps and (10.20 a.m.): I move— safeguards are implemented to protect the "That the Bill be now read a second interests of tenants and to ensure that the time." Queensland public gets the best value for its dollar. This is a modest but far-reaching and visionary amendment to the Defamation Act I thank all the committee members for 1889. It is best first of all to say what this their assistance and support. I thank the amendment does and what it does not do. It committee secretariat for its research and will enable any person to expose crime, graft administrative assistance and the Queensland or official misconduct concerning an agency of Treasury Corporation for its expert advice on Government, without being sued, if what is financial aspects arising out of the Comptons said is substantially true, and if what is said is subsidy arrangement. I also thank the not actuated by malice. It will provide no individuals, organisations and the department protection to persons whose motive is to injure for their submissions and participation in the another person. inquiry. I commend the report to the house. There is no such thing as victimless crime. Mr LAMING (Mooloolah—LP) In the end, the entire community is the loser, (10.17 a.m.): As one of the dissenting and the whole community has to pay. There is members of the committee, I rise to speak to no room in any Government agency for crime, the report. graft, corruption or official misconduct, and the sooner it is dealt with, the better. The reality is A Government member: You cannot that publicity is necessary to expose corrupt debate this. behaviour, and to generate the political 29 Apr 1999 Defamation (Matters of Public Interest) Amendment Bill 1575 momentum to force the Government of the head of the media to enable them to publish day into action. The Bill seeks to reinforce the the substantive truth of matters of this kind. highest standards of conduct in relation to If Kevin Condren was wrongly charged, official conduct and expenditure of public and sentenced to years in prison for an moneys, and will remove the special protection offence that he could not possibly have existing for corruption and official misconduct committed as he was in the watch-house in which our current defamation law provides. Darwin when he was supposed to have been At the end of the day, after its torturous in Mount Isa, then it is important for the public and lengthy proceedings, the Fitzgerald inquiry to know just what went wrong so that there will revealed little more than any two well versed be no repeat. Then take Mr Budd, the United detectives could have said in an evening to States journalist who was thrown into prison the press. Such an exposé would have because he told the truth. He was merely achieved much the same result, and would repeating what a staff member of a Minister have been much cheaper than the inquiry, but had told him. Thanks only to the outcry of such disclosures have not been forthcoming world media exposing the barbaric laws and are not possible in Queensland, because currently existing in the State, which this Bill will of the terror of our present laws which help to amend, Mr Budd was released. He had hide corruption rather than expose it. committed no crime, and yet this innocent The Fitzgerald inquiry rightly expressed man could have been left rotting in jail for his the view that the media could be, and should integrity. be, far more active and effective in their public The present defamation law, which role of exposing crime and corruption. criminalises the innocent by bankrupting them However, the media or whistleblower runs the or throwing them into jail for speaking the truth, very real risk of being sued witless by the very is an evil law, and obviously gives great joy to people involved in crime, graft, corruption and those involved in crime, graft, corruption or official misconduct just for publishing the truth official misconduct. The laws of Australia were so that the people of this State can judge for formed on suppression of information with themselves what is going on. respect to graft, crime, corruption, official lying, Many commissions and inquiries over the official deception, and various other official years have criticised the press most unjustly. evils and activities. The notion was that a lie The present law creates great injustice really did not matter that much because because it punishes anyone, including the people might not believe it, but that press, for speaking out in exposure of crime, communication of the truth must be graft, corruption or official misconduct, under suppressed at all costs because the people threats of massive damages. The present law might believe it. This was the origin of the rewards criminality and wrongdoing and phrase, "The greater the truth, the greater the punishes the innocent for merely speaking the libel." truth. If we are to break the back of crime, Whether or not honourable members are graft, corruption and official misconduct in going to boldly strike a blow for freedom of Queensland, then this Bill is absolutely speech in this tiny field—that of integrity in necessary. public administration—is a matter for their own If this Bill was law 10 years ago, then the conscience. A vote against this Bill is a excuse for the destruction of the Heiner declaration that crime, graft, corruption and documents would not exist. The Heiner case official misconduct is to be specially protected, exposes the terror that even Ministers and and that Queensland will remain an unsafe Government have of the present law, which place for any person who exposes it. not only fails abysmally to protect integrity or This Bill is a forerunner of liberties which it the innocent but also victimises any person, is pretended we have, but which we do not including the press, who dares to expose what have. This Bill recognises that Australians, is really going on. The present law has in fact especially those who live in Queensland, created a flourishing paradise for corruption. should no longer tolerate the existence of an The Defamation Act has killed timely evil law born of brutality and corruption. This information that the public should know, modest Bill will go a long way to ensuring that especially at election time. For example, if a the present corrupt law, which criminalises the Premier were involved in receiving large sums innocent and rewards the criminals and of money from a drug dealer, and then wrongdoers in the Government with financial ordering police officers to arrest anyone who jackpots, will be a thing of the past. spoke out, the people ought to know, via the I exhort all honourable members of this press. This Bill will take the gun away from the House to support this Bill to demonstrate that 1576 Private Members' Statements 29 Apr 1999 they are strong supporters of integrity, and that issues, though greater weight needs to be they believe the people, as the shareholders given to social impacts. of this State, have the right to know what is Several issues remain outstanding in really going on. This House cannot properly respect of a region such as ours. Because of tolerate a lesser standard of integrity than that our industrial base, decisions taken by which applies in any other sphere of life. As Government can have significant implications. Shakespeare said, "The good that men do is Affected residents have met with Ministers of oft interred with their bones; the evil that they the former and the current Governments to do lives after them." both outline these impacts and seek a whole- The Parliament does not have to tolerate of-Government response. this dysfunctional law any longer. I am glad to The former Government announced the say that this Parliament had no part in making sterilisation of the oil shale fields. This ring it, but it can expunge it once and for all for the fencing was intended irrespective of a greater good of this State. I am sure that the company's interest in its development. It honourable member for Brisbane Central will occurred because of the value of the resource. welcome this Bill. In fact, my sympathies go However, whilst it was stated that landowners out to him for the years of bastardry he over whose land the decision was made could endured from others who attempted to ruin his continue to deal with their land as if the career. The passage of this Bill, with his declaration was not made, the market reality is support, will give him and every successive that landowners were placed at a significant Premier the satisfaction of knowing that if there disadvantage once the announcements were is crime, graft, corruption or official misconduct, made, either through a demonstrable drop in it will be promptly and thoroughly aired in the the resale value of properties, a drop in public arena, starting from the passage of this collateral value or a complete withdrawal of Bill. As for the Opposition, I ask them to place buyer interest in the affected areas. their claimed integrity before politics in this case. These landowners are seeking a just system for all. If a resource is required, even in In conclusion, I am committed to the the long term, for the public interest, the belief that the people of Queensland deserve Government making that decision should also the highest standards of integrity, because we act to ameliorate the effects of that decision know that they will support the Bill, if only from on directly affected landowners. Such action the fear that they could one day fall foul of an would not set an unsustainable precedent. evil law—a law for the protection and rewarding Few areas in the State have developed in the of crime and corruption. I present this Bill to way in which the Gladstone/Calliope region the House with the most sincere request that it has. Again, landowners do not want to stifle be passed without delay and to declare the development. However, they want and law so that people no longer need to live in deserve to survive once Government decisions terror of the consequences of speaking the are made. Although a number of meetings truth. I expect that all honourable members will have been held over the past two years, no feel the same way. I commend the Bill to the effective decisions have been made, nor have House. effective strategies been put in place. I implore Debate, on motion of Mr Foley, the Government to act on these matters to adjourned. ensure a confident future for these landowners.

PRIVATE MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Community Cabinet, Townsville Electorate Industrial Projects, Gladstone Electorate Ms NELSON-CARR (Mundingburra—ALP) Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone—IND) (10.27 a.m.): Last week in Townsville the (10.25 a.m.): My electorate, which incorporates community greeted our Government in style. the Gladstone and Calliope council areas, is a In this House we have talked about the dynamic region growing in both the urban and success of Community Cabinets, but I believe industrial sectors. Residents across the that the welcome and commitment given by electorate not only support but also encourage the people of Townsville and Thuringowa to development, provided that all necessary the Premier and his Cabinet was environmental controls are in place and social unprecedented. People turned up in large impacts are addressed. The development of numbers at many venues as well as at the these safeguards has occurred over a long open and closed forums. There was a feeling time, with terms of reference for EISs for of celebration and an open acceptance of a industrial projects now incorporating these Government which is determined to listen to 29 Apr 1999 Questions Without Notice 1577 the people and have the people take part in Mr BEATTIE: I would have thought that, the decision-making process. It was also a at a time when this State faces so many proud occasion for the local State Government challenges, the Opposition would have been members who were a part of this team. supportive of our major programs: information The Premier and his Cabinet continue to technology, biotechnology, job generation, make themselves available to the people, with and taking on Canberra on a range of work schedules that are simply awesome. issues—jobs, distribution of income, GST, There is an obvious swing by the people to fringe benefits tax, attacking people in the back this Government's efforts to bring about a bush and provincial cities—and that the fairer and more equitable society. Last week in Opposition would have been really concerned Townsville the State Government about the future of this State, not petty, demonstrated its commitment to the city's childish politics. future in a number of ways. Whereas previous Let me make it clear that I am not aware Governments talked about problems, this of any involvement of any member of this Government has taken a proactive approach parliamentary party in any illegal or improper and has come up with solutions. activity, full stop, whether it is in Townsville or One fine example is this Government's anywhere else. That is the end of the commitment to the renewal of the city heart. question. I have given the Leader of the Townsville is a major industrial centre which Opposition a clear understanding. Let me continues to grow. In joining with the make this very clear. I do not support improper Townsville City Council, the State Government or illegal activity by anyone, whether they are will get the city centre moving again. This in my party, in the National Party, in the Liberal announcement made by the Beattie Party, in One Nation or sit as an Independent. Government was just one of many In my public life I have always supported the commitments to the people of Townsville and highest possible standards of behaviour. If the people of Queensland, who have seen someone breaks the law, they feel the full proof of a Government determined to give all force of the law and I do not care about their regions a say in future development. politics; I do not care where they come from or who they are. That goes for every member of At the end of a week of varied activities, it the Labor Party, the National Party, the Liberal was fitting for Townsville to come out in force Party and One Nation. to support the Cowboys in what was to be a cliffhanger of a game. Over 30,000 spectators In terms of the Townsville scenario, yes, turned up to support their team and someone did plead guilty. Prior to that, I made enthusiastically acknowledged their Premier in it absolutely clear that that person, as far as I his address to the crowd prior to the game. was concerned, would take his chances before Townsville and Thuringowa are famous for the courts. The courts have now made a their community spirit. I think it would be fair to decision, and I fully support the court's say that this city represents a growing decision. I fully support the rule of law. I say groundswell of people who applaud this again: anyone who breaks the law should feel Government in its efforts to support all the full force of the law. Two conferences ago, Queenslanders. in terms of the Labor Party's rules, I made certain that changes were made to the rules of Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time for private the party so that the alleged behaviour in members' statements has expired. Townsville could never and would never happen again. In terms of the leadership of my party, I have acted decisively and clearly. I QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE will always do that when it comes to matters of Electoral Fraud propriety and appropriate behaviour. Mr BORBIDGE (10.29 a.m.): In speaking of Townsville, I refer the Premier to the Electoral Fraud conviction on charges of electoral fraud of a prominent member of the ALP in Townsville Mr BORBIDGE: I note the assurances of and to the Premier's previous refusal to assure the Premier that he is always set to uphold the this House that no members of his highest standards in respect of the conduct of parliamentary party were involved in such members of his party. I refer the Premier to his activities prior to the 1998 general election that book In the Arena, which details his installed his Government, and I ask: will he involvement in the 1985 Redlands by-election, now assure the House that no members of his in which he wrote— parliamentary party were involved in electoral "Doorknocking the area was an fraud prior to the 1998 election? interesting experience. One female party 1578 Questions Without Notice 29 Apr 1999

member was not at home when I called Community Cabinets and Regional on her at the vacant allotment where she Community Forums purportedly lived. To my not particularly Mr SULLIVAN: I refer the Premier to the great surprise she later voted in the pre- State Government's highly successful selection." Community Cabinets and the regional I ask the Premier: why, as ALP secretary and community forums which have both provided as party leader, has he presided over such an Queenslanders with direct access to Ministers entrenched system of electoral fraud? and given them the opportunity to present ideas for improved services, and I ask: can he Mr BEATTIE: The Leader of the inform the House of any plans he has to tap Opposition has gone up in my expectations; into the talents of the business community in a he has improved in my eyes; his standing has similar fashion? been enhanced enormously—he has read my Mr BEATTIE: I am delighted to answer book. As a result of that, he will be a better this question. The answer is: yes, I can. I person. I am happy to send him a copy of my should advise the House that the community second book as well, but I have to say that I forums and regional Cabinets have been a expect him to pay for that. I know that he great success. I was delighted to hear what would have used the library's copy of In the the member for Mundingburra had to say Arena, but I expect him to pay for the second today. Indeed, the next regional State Cabinet book—no more freebies for him. I am will be at Toowoomba and Jondaryan on 9 impressed that he has read the book. I am and 10 May. I say to all those members of absolutely impressed. Parliament from the National Party who live Mr Gibbs: I hope he didn't read it in bed. nearby and who represent those areas: they will be invited, and I look forward to them Mr BEATTIE: I take exception to the attending on those days. Yes, I am planning comment made by the Minister for Tourism. to tap into the skills and resources of the My book is not a cure for insomnia. That is business community in a similar fashion. very unkind and it is untrue. This will give Mr Johnson: Gregory doesn't extend that Dennis Atkins something to write about far yet. tomorrow. He will finally find something nice to Mr BEATTIE: The member for Gregory say about me. The Leader of the Opposition is has interjected. I should thank him. He made a better person for it, and I hope that every an address at the Community Cabinet meeting one of the members opposite take it home in Barcaldine. I thank him for attending, and it and read it. They will be better people as a was indeed a fine address. I thank him for result of reading it. participating in the Community Cabinet. I will be ringing my publisher later today In fact, I will this Friday chair the first and I will be asking for another run. There are meeting of the Premier's business round table, a couple of editions. I will share a secret with a meeting of Government with the State's you, Mr Speaker: I always thought that there business leaders. The primary aim is simple: to should have been a third edition, and I am enhance Queensland's international profile delighted that the Leader of the Opposition and economic growth. I want to take has put it on the agenda so that now the Queensland to the forefront of the knowledge publisher will see the need. economy, which we have been talking about this week, to identify and seize opportunity for What the Leader of the Opposition read investment in Queensland and to build from the book is true. What I wrote at the time enthusiasm and confidence in Queensland I believed. What I found out later—— that propels us into a future filled with Mr Borbidge interjected. excitement, possibilities and jobs. The first meeting will consider a range of Mr BEATTIE: I will answer the question. topics, but it will be proposing three key areas: The member is entitled to a serious answer. firstly, how we make Queensland a world What I found out later was, in fact, that the renowned smart State; secondly, how we lady had a house at the end of the block. The maximise our capital city for the benefit of the person who missed out was me. I should have whole State; and, thirdly, as honourable gone around to the other side of the block, members would appreciate with our which probably explains why I lost the commitment to the regions in this State, how plebiscite. The Leader of the Opposition has we ensure the long-term viability and vitality of embarrassed me, and I am mortified that I our region. As I said, tomorrow's breakfast have had to admit why I lost the plebiscite. meeting at 7 a.m. is the first of the business 29 Apr 1999 Questions Without Notice 1579 round tables. I plan to hold these business would ever happen with my knowledge and I round table meetings every two months. I would take appropriate action if it were ever anticipate that the round table members will drawn to my attention. act as ambassadors for Queensland during Frankly, the Leader of the Liberal Party—I the normal course of their business, identifying am not being smart about this—is quite a opportunities for investment and business decent person, for whom I personally have a attraction to our State. bit of respect. I take these issues very This is about again listening to the seriously, so if the Leader of the Liberal Party community—listening to the people who every has material or evidence that I am not aware day have to go out and make a buck, who of—I have already stated to the House that I have had to make it hard, who live out there in am not aware of any—then he should the tough economies that we have had over immediately, today, provide that to the CJC, the past 10 or 20 years, and who will be able because I will not tolerate that behaviour from to provide valuable, direct advice to any of my Ministers or any of my staff. If he Government. One of the things that needs to has that material, then when question time is be said is that this is not only about listening, finished—I will grant him a pair—he should get this is about building sound, constructive, long- in his car, go out to the CJC and provide it with term policies. One of the great sadnesses of the material. Any investigation of any such this country is that, with three-year terms, matter will have my full cooperation and Governments have been too short-sighted in support. The same goes for any Minister in my their vision. This is about long-term strategies, Government or any member of my staff. long-term planning and a vision for the future. Coastal Surveillance; Rural Doctors Electoral Fraud Mr PURCELL: My question is directed to Dr WATSON: I refer the Premier to the the Premier. I note that the Minister for Justice conviction of a prominent member of the ALP and Customs, Senator Amanda Vanstone, in Townsville on charges of electoral fraud, and yesterday again criticised the State I ask: were any of the ballots associated with Government, and in particular the Premier, for that Townsville preselection supervised, attacking the poor level of coastal surveillance. arranged or organised from the parliamentary I further note that Senator Vanstone has or Albert Street offices of the then Leader and suggested that the Premier should Deputy Leader of the Opposition? concentrate on State issues, such as rural Mr BEATTIE: I know that in Opposition doctors. In view of the senator's comments, I people can sometimes get desperate for ask: can the Premier inform the House things to raise in question time. As it is 10 whether the Federal Government is providing months today since we came to Government, positive assistance to encourage more doctors the morning tactical meetings we used to have to live and work in regional and remote areas to work out how to attack the then of Queensland? Government are still fresh in our minds. But I Mr BEATTIE: This is quite a serious issue have to say: the Opposition has reached a that I want to raise with the House today. new low in all of this. Yesterday in Cairns, Senator Vanstone took The bottom line is very simple. I have set the opportunity to attack me in a very personal out very clearly what my standards are in these way. I am not particularly worried about that. matters. I have made it absolutely clear that, in What I am worried about are the two issues terms of the issues that relate to the particular that that attack involves. One relates to the person in Townsville, that person has been security of the coastline and the other relates charged, which was appropriate under the to medical services in provincial and rural circumstances as it turns out, and the matter Queensland. has been dealt with by the court. I make it My view about this is very simple: if clear that no resources of Government and no Senator Vanstone spent less time trying to resources of Opposition would be used with attack me and defending her image, then I am my knowledge for any internal ALP plebiscite. sure we could do more about the security of I am not aware of any material that was the coastline of this State. I know that there used when I was Leader of the Opposition or are some sensitivities in Canberra because I any information or any facts relating to my have continued to pursue this line. I say clearly office as Leader of the Opposition or to any to Senator Vanstone and to the Federal one of my Government or ministerial offices. I Government that we are going to continue to am not aware of any. Nothing of that sort put pressure on them until they guarantee the 1580 Questions Without Notice 29 Apr 1999 security of the Queensland coastline. I am not Mr SPEAKER: Order! Before calling the asking for the world. member for Warwick, I recognise the presence Mr Purcell: That is what they are paid to in the public gallery of the staff, parents and do. students of the Pialba State School. Mr BEATTIE: Not only is it what they are paid to do; they are required under the Electoral Fraud Constitution to do it. The other day in Cairns I Mr SPRINGBORG: I refer the Premier to was asked about this issue and Tim Fischer the conviction of a prominent member of the was also asked about this issue. Tim Fischer, ALP on charges of electoral fraud in the Deputy Prime Minister, made some Townsville, and I ask: has the Premier received comments in which he agreed with me. He satisfactory assurances from his Townsville- said that some of our defence personnel and based Government members of Parliament bases could be better utilised. If Tim Fischer that they have no case to answer in regard to and I can agree on this matter, what is wrong any ongoing investigation into electoral fraud? with Senator Vanstone? Mr BEATTIE: The only member of Let us look at some other matters. Parliament to have been convicted of electoral Senator Vanstone then went on to say that we fraud was a National Party member of should be doing more about rural doctors and Parliament—Denis Hinton, the former member attacked us because supposedly we had not for Broadsound. I think it is a bit rich for the taken up an offer from the Commonwealth Opposition to seek to turn a matter that has Government. It has never made this offer to been dealt with by the courts into some cheap Queensland. Let us look at the issue of rural political stunt. If I heard the question correctly, doctors, because we are serious about doing the member is raising issues in relation to the something about doctors in the bush. Townsville-based members of Parliament. Is Queensland has the lowest number of that correct? medical students per capita of any State, Mr Springborg: And seeking assurances except Western Australia. Guess who controls from you. medical student numbers? The Commonwealth does. At least we have been Mr BEATTIE: Exactly. When I gave an able to embarrass the Federal Government assurance a little time ago, what did I say? I into backing moves to have a medical school said "all members of Parliament". As far as I in Townsville. That will provide long-term relief, am aware, both the members for Townsville but it is the short-term problem of doctor and Thuringowa, who are also members of this shortages that I am worried about. side of the Parliament— I understand that Senator Vanstone has Government members: Mundingburra. suggested that Queensland should agree to a Mr Elder: It will not be long for Commonwealth proposal to allow overseas Thuringowa, though. doctors to stay in Queensland for an initial five Mr BEATTIE: That is next week. I years and then permanently. At least that is apologise to the member for Thuringowa. I am what is reported. We have not seen a single rushing into the election, but that is two years word in writing from the Commonwealth on this down the road. He can relax. He can sit back so-called initiative. Surely Senator Vanstone is and let the heart keep beating. He has got two not suggesting that we sign up before we see years to go. the proposal. The important thing about this is that I As I understand it, the plan involves have already given the assurance that has allowing overseas doctors to stay here for five been sought by the Deputy Leader of the years. At present they are allowed to stay for Opposition. I have already indicated to him 12 months and then they have to reapply. that I am not aware of any improper behaviour According to the media reports, the new by any member on my side of the House. That scheme would allow overseas doctors to stay includes both members from Townsville. for five years and then require them to take a specialist exam. If they passed the exam they Mr Borbidge interjected. would be able to stay permanently in Australia, Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the hopefully in regional areas. That is a very good Opposition will allow the Premier to answer the plan. I think it is a brilliant idea and we will sign question. up on it as soon as the Commonwealth Mr BEATTIE: I repeat what I said before. Government gives us an opportunity to do so. If we want to use Parliament as a coward's Time expired. castle that is fine, but there are appropriate 29 Apr 1999 Questions Without Notice 1581 places for these matters to be fully and that these illegal acts will not be tolerated. properly investigated. I say to the Leader of They are offences—criminal offences—and the Opposition, the Leader of the Liberal Party they will not be tolerated. The people and the Deputy Leader of National Party that I responsible for these actions will feel the full am prepared to give them a pair. If they have weight of the law. material relating to this, they should get in their The decision not to extend mains power cars after question time and go out to the CJC north of the Daintree was a pre-election and put the material—— commitment made by the Labor Party—made Mr Borbidge interjected. by the Minister for Mines and Energy and me Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the on behalf of the then Opposition. It was an Opposition. election commitment. Everyone knew exactly where we stood on it, and we have a mandate Mr BEATTIE: Let us be clear what is to make the decisions that are being made. going on here today. We are subject to a mud- throwing exercise from the Opposition. This is It is unreasonable for a small group of the filth and the dirt which people in the people to make the tourism industry the target community are sick of. It is about time those of their campaign. Their argument is not with opposite lifted their standards. the tourism industry. If the people involved in this vandalism are involved in the pursuit of mains power, their argument is with the Vandalism, Daintree Region Government. And in a democracy, they have Dr CLARK: Mr Speaker—— opportunities to pursue those matters through the ballot box at election time. I indicate that Mr Borbidge interjected. clearly and urge them to desist from this Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the behaviour. Opposition will cease interjecting. I had a discussion with John McKenzie on Mr Borbidge interjected. 4CA this morning. He shared my concern Mr SPEAKER: Order! I have just warned about this vandalism. He indicated that a the Leader of the Opposition to cease spokesman on behalf of the mains power interjecting. I call the member for Barron River. group had indicated that they had not been involved. I am prepared to take that at face Dr CLARK: I direct a question to the value. But I make it absolutely clear that the Premier. I am seriously concerned about tourism operators in that area, which happens reports of vandalism to tourist facilities and to be in the electorate of Cook—and I have harassment of tourists in the Daintree area in spoken to the Minister for Transport about this, far-north Queensland, and I ask: is the Premier and he shares my concern—are entitled to get aware of suggestions that the vandalism may on with their business without this sort of have been done by a handful of locals who vandalism going on. are seeking to bring attention to their claim for mains electric power to be provided north of I just remind that whole community that the Daintree River? tourism is not only the second-biggest industry in this State; it employs between 124,000 and Mr BEATTIE: I am aware of the 125,000 Queenslanders. It is an industry that vandalism. I am also aware of the suggestions deserves support, and there should not be that locals may be involved as a means of undermining of it. If people have issues that highlighting their campaign for mains power. I they want to raise in relation to this matter, do not know whether or not that is true, but I they should be raising them with the relevant am aware that the allegations have been Minister or me. made. According to reports that I have received, signs have been defaced, visitors harassed, boats cut loose from their moorings Mr K. Bannikoff and water has been poured into fuel tanks. I Mr QUINN: I refer the Minister for have called for a report from the police on Education to an FOI application seeking all these incidents. documents relating to the engagement and I know that people who live in that region work of consultant Mr Kim Bannikoff with feel strongly about mains power being Education Queensland, and I ask: why has provided north of the Daintree, and I hope that access to every one of the 259 pieces of they are not involved. But I am concerned that paper associated with Mr Bannikoff, including a small number might now be resorting to details of his employment and contract, been vandalism and provocation to support their refused on the basis of Cabinet confidentiality? campaign. Let me make it clear to all of them As the architect of Queensland's original FOI 1582 Questions Without Notice 29 Apr 1999 legislation, why has the Minister seen fit to Cooperative Research Centres create an invisible man? Ms NELSON-CARR: I ask the Minister for Mr WELLS: He is not invisible, and I State Development and Minister for Trade: can would be very happy to give the member his he outline the Government's intentions with curriculum vitae. He will find it most impressive. respect to cooperative research centres? Mr Bannikoff is a great deal more impressive Mr ELDER: One feature of the previous than the doctor whom the member imported Labor Government's term of office was the from America at a cost of a quarter of a million strong support that we gave to cooperative dollars or something incredible in order to run a research centres, because strong financial and couple of seminars for public servants and logistic support gave us the potential to produce no report. broaden the State's economic base, which Kim Bannikoff has been engaged in was one of our major focuses. It was a strong working with the department to provide the contrast, of course, to the support that CRCs document 2010—The Next 10 Years of got under the coalition Government. I recall Schooling in Queensland. This is a document the Leader of the Opposition once describing which I urge the honourable member to read. one such CRC as a gigabyte factory for The honourable member for Merrimac ought propeller heads. Unfortunately, that was the to read the document and he ought to make a view of his whole administration when it came submission about The Next 10 Years of to broadening the economy. Schooling, because he has not actually The Federal Government has recently thought about it before. announced financial support for 26 CRCs That document went to Cabinet. That is around Australia, of which seven will be why the Cabinet exemption was claimed for it. headquartered in Queensland. A further nine But if the honourable member wants a briefing will have a strong presence here. Of the 16 on it, the honourable member can come to the CRCs which will be active in Queensland, six department and he will have a briefing on it. I are related to environmental research, three suggest that he read it. are in agricultural and rural-based Mr Quinn: 259 pieces of paper, and you manufacturing, two are in information and can't get access to any one of them. communications technology, two are in manufacturing technology, two are in medical Mr WELLS: Look—— science and technology, and one is in mining Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for and energy. Merrimac will allow the Minister to answer the While the Federal Government has the question. prime responsibility for funding the CRCs, we Mr WELLS: I do not want the member to see a prominent role for the State Government suffer any information deprivation. He should and, consequently, we will be contributing come to the department and have a full $96.7m to these 13 CRCs over the next seven briefing. We will go through the 2010 years. Of this, $15m will be provided in cash document in detail. The member should be contributions and $81.7m will be in-kind able to read it by himself. Even members of contributions, such as the provision of staff the One Nation Party can read Julius Caesar and equipment. They are all worthy of support, by Shakespeare. I really felt that we were but I must point out that the enterprise getting through with education today when I distributed systems technology centre at the heard that members of the One Nation Party university has projected that 150 jobs will be could quote a few lines of Julius Caesar. But I created over the seven years of the CRC. draw to the attention of the honourable Additional jobs will come from the member for Caboolture that Julius Caesar was commercialisation of the technology delivered not about defamation; it was about murder. by it. The EDST estimates leverage of around Even the devil can quote Scripture to his $110m in research and development funding purpose, as Shakespeare said. from industry and the Federal Government. I But to return to the honourable member point out to the Leader of the Opposition that, for Merrimac—he should come over to the by any standards, it is considerably more than department. We will explain it all to him. He will a gigabyte factory for propeller heads. understand perfectly what it is all about. The I must say that I was pleased to see the documents that he is after are obviously member for Moggill at the function. He was preparatory documents for the 2010 there supporting it, so I guess that there is a document. When he has read that one, we will bit of a split on CRCs, as there is with guns give him the advanced lesson. He can come and the republic. The National Party has one over and get the tutorial. view and the Liberal Party another. I could not 29 Apr 1999 Questions Without Notice 1583 believe that, with nine members, they corporate tax rate to 30%, and I ask: what is managed to have factions in the Liberal Party the Queensland Government's position on until I read the Courier-Mail this morning. I Commonwealth proposals to remove tax need to refer to this, because it is quite concessions for investment in return for a intriguing. reduction in the corporate tax rate? No less than the Liberal mayoral Mr HAMILL: The issue that has been candidate in Brisbane, Gail Austen, has raised by the member for Kurwongbah is a commented on the Liberal Party. Believe it or very important one, particularly for not, as she said, "There are factions in the Queensland's resource sector. The party. Whatever people might say, I've had Queensland Government has made a difficulty working my way through that crap", or submission to the Commonwealth in response words to that effect—"had difficulty working my to the recommendations of the Ralph way through that crap". She went on to say, committee, which has been looking at "But I've learnt that it's more about numbers in business taxation. the Liberal Party than it is about credibility." So Taxation issues that relate to investment there you go with the Liberal Party! Finally, the are very important to a dynamic State such as truth. We have Santo, Watson and Joan Queensland, a State which draws so heavily factions within the Liberal Party. That had to upon our resource sector for our gross State be the quote of the year—the fact that there product. Exports contribute about one-quarter were factions within the party. But what really to our gross State product. Exports— bowled me over was: "What's your relationship particularly coal—are vitally important. In that like with June O'Connell?" Answer: "There isn't context, suggestions by the Commonwealth one." that accelerated depreciation may be removed as a trade-off for lower company tax is a Time expired. proposition which this Government views with some real concern. Water Hazards I note that the Premier of Western Australia has written in very strong terms Miss SIMPSON: My question is directed indeed to the Prime Minister pointing out that to the Minister for Health. Last August, the the removal of accelerated depreciation would Minister for Health was forwarded a report have a devastating impact upon that State's which identified a significant number of economy and, in turn, significant flow-on possible water hazards, including high hazards effects for the national economy. The which are defined by the Australian Standard Queensland Government has urged the AS3500.1-1992 as having the potential to Commonwealth to look further into this matter cause loss of life. As Minister responsible for and to research it further because we are very the State Department of Health, which legally concerned that the removal of accelerated has a clear duty of care to rectify these depreciation will have a devastating impact on situations, why was ministerial responsibility our regions. The north-west minerals province deferred to the Minister for Public Works? As and the Bowen Basin area of central the Minister for Public Works has not Queensland would suffer from the removal of sanctioned urgent remedial work, nor accelerated depreciation. sanctioned public awareness of the high risk Whilst I am on the subject of the Ralph surrounding the problem of back flow, does committee report and business investment, I the Minister for Health have full confidence in inform the House that this Government has Minister Schwarten's ability to handle this strongly advocated reform of capital gains tax serious situation? in the area of business investment. As a Mrs EDMOND: I am delighted to answer Government, we want to see and foster a fair this question. I have absolute confidence in company tax system which will also enable the Minister for Public Works and Housing. growth industries, new industries, high-tech industries and biotech industries to flourish. Whilst capital gains tax is important, it should be used in a way which does not penalise Company Tax venture capital that is prepared to stay in there Mrs LAVARCH: In asking a question of for the long haul for growing industries. the Treasurer, I direct his attention to a report Whilst this Government is prepared to in today's Australian Financial Review which make a constructive input to the Ralph says that the States are divided over the committee's work, I would hope that the Federal Government's push to cut the Opposition in this place would learn from its 1584 Questions Without Notice 29 Apr 1999 silence on the important issues of tax reform achieved in the Adelaide declaration relating to generally and come on side and support us as schooling in the 21st century to the we seek to support our growing new industries presumption that we were going to be testing and our very important resource sector. such a large range of things. When we pause to think about it, it is very Backflow Hydraulic and Fire Protection difficult to understand how we would test vocational education. How would we get one Mr LAMING: In directing a question to the standardised, Statewide test that would test Minister for Public Works and Minister for vocational education? In the Adelaide Housing, I refer to the Protecting your Drinking declaration we agreed to a series of goals and Water report prepared for the Department of a series of key competencies. We also agreed Health by the Public Works Department in a that we would report where we had compatible joint venture with the private sector, and I ask: data. This is capable of achievement in is it not a fact that one of the private sector respect of literacy and numeracy. However, it is partners included in this venture was a more difficult with regard to such things as company registered as Backflow Hydraulic and vocational education. At the conference we Fire Protection, or BHF as it is commonly were working towards an agreed basis for known? Is it not also a fact that one of the reporting on retention rates and completion directors of BHF, Mr Brendan McKennariey, is rates and that kind of thing. the same Brendan McKennariey who was on the selection committee for a fire The Adelaide declaration was a significant commissioner under the previous coalition achievement. It focuses the Australian schools which saw the replacement of the Minister's system in a very particular way. It is good that longstanding friend, Mr Geoff Skerritt? we should be able to coordinate these Is it not correct that the Minister has now activities. I believe David Kemp was in error terminated the engagement of BHF and the when he said that we were going to report on other joint venture party in a move that has those things which are, in principle, exposed the taxpayers of Queensland to unreportable. potential compensation for breach of contract I would like to take the opportunity of the and that he has also put his petty political brevity of my remarks to table the CV of Mr vendetta ahead of public safety? Bannikoff, which the member for Merrimac was Mr SCHWARTEN: The answer is no. I discussing earlier. The member will probably thought I would get another question because be interested to see the CV. I wish the Brendan McKennariey is a member of the member for Merrimac was as positive towards Labor Party. I thought the member would be the process of adopting a vision for education asking me about whether I am looking after for the next 10 years as he was in favour of Dr my old mates. The answer to the member's Kemp's unrealisable attempt to standardise question is no. things which cannot be standardised. The honourable member for Merrimac troubles me. I burn the midnight oil trying to Statewide Education Tests find ways of satisfying him and getting him to Mr FENLON: My question is directed to lift his vision a little bit higher. He reminded me the Minister for Education. It was reported in of an academic in fiction but I could not quite Wednesday's Australian newspaper that remember who it was. Last night was a late Federal Education Minister, Dr David Kemp, night; I was leafing through my bookshelf and I has stated that primary school students will sit found out who it was that the honourable for more Statewide tests and that Federal, member for Merrimac reminds me of. It is State and Territory Ministers had agreed to Doctor No. Doctor No is the honourable extend testing beyond literacy and numeracy member for Merrimac's academic predecessor. to include science, vocational education and Instead of looking at the sunlit uplands and training and information technology. Are these looking at the vision across the horizon, he statements in accord with the Minister's stands on Crab Key Island looking at the understanding of what happened at last guano. week's Ministers meeting? Mr WELLS: No, they are not in accord University of Queensland Veterinary with my recollection of what happened at the Science Faculty meeting; nor are the statements in accord with the minutes of the meeting which have Dr PRENZLER: I refer the Premier to the recently been circulated. I do not know how Dr proposal to relocate the University of Kemp moved from the agreement which was Queensland veterinary science faculty to the 29 Apr 1999 Questions Without Notice 1585

Gatton campus, which would, of course, be a this House yesterday during which I indicated very logical and practical outcome for the that the Department of State Development faculty and a great boost to the local has forged this relationship in the area of community, and I ask: does the Premier agree molecular bioscience. The key to future jobs that this proposal would be in the best and future investment is having a high-quality interests of all concerned? Considering the research and development capacity in our strong support for the proposal from the three universities. That is why the 700 scientists who neighbouring local authorities, would the will be part of our push for biotechnology which Premier please explain why any attempts by I will be launching in Seattle next month are a myself, the three mayors involved and retired key to attracting investment and to attracting Deputy Premier the Honourable Bill Gunn to venture capital into this country. They are a meet with him or with his supposedly open and key to having the critical intellectual mass to accountable department are being completely drive these new industries of the future. blocked? However, that is a matter different from Mr BEATTIE: I thank the honourable the matter that the member has raised. That is member for the question. I am aware that a partnership with the university that is there has been some public debate in relation designed to enhance research and to this issue. I am also aware that this matter development capabilities to develop the new relates to the member's electorate and industries for the 21st century. As I said, my therefore I understand his particular concerns advice to the member is to take the matter up about it. directly with the university. As I have indicated to the House earlier this morning, a Community Cabinet meeting Tourists with a Disability will be held in Toowoomba and Jondaryan on 9 and 10 May. We would be quite happy to Ms STRUTHERS: I direct a question to take delegations from anyone who is the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Racing. In concerned about this matter and discuss it with light of the fact that Queensland is them on that occasion. However, I make two aggressively marketing itself as a tourist destination in both the domestic and points. Firstly, as the member would international marketplace, I ask: can the understand, this is a matter for the University Minister inform the House of any steps that of Queensland. Under the law and under the statute, it is the university's responsibility. It is Queensland is taking to ensure that our not a matter for the Government; it is a matter tourism industry is more accessible to tourists for the university. Secondly, as I understand it, with a disability? this is only a discussion paper and therefore Mr GIBBS: I thank the honourable the matter is only at that discussion paper member for her question, because I know that level. So under those sorts of circumstances— it is an issue in which she takes a great deal of firstly, that it is a matter for the university, and, interest. Prior to answering the question, I secondly, that it is a discussion paper—these would like to table for the information of are more appropriately matters that should be honourable members a new book that has raised with the university. been produced by Tourism Queensland titled Accessible Queensland, which is a schedule of Dr Watson: It is right down low in the providers of services for specific use by people administration. with disabilities when visiting Queensland. Mr BEATTIE: Exactly. It is not a matter on Queensland is on track to becoming which the Government itself would have a Australia's most accessible holiday destination. decision-bearing influence. It is entirely a We are the first State in Australia to specifically matter for the university. So although I target the tourism market for people who are understand the member's concerns about disabled. Recently, Queensland Tourism these issues, my advice to him is that he produced a publication and marketing strategy should raise the issue directly with the Vice- aimed at encouraging people with disabilities Chancellor of the University of Queensland, to holiday in Queensland. The booklet that I John Hay, or the relevant department or the have just tabled, Accessible Queensland, is a senate, so that they can consider the matter. user-friendly guide with a list of disability Now that the member has raised the equipment and service suppliers for each issue of the University of Queensland, I am region, their contact details and comments on delighted to indicate that, when it comes to each. The booklet includes suppliers of research, the Government is forging a special services for the disabled, ranging from relationship with universities. Members may transport and personal care providers to recall the ministerial statement that I made in mobility and hygiene equipment. 1586 Questions Without Notice 29 Apr 1999

This publication forms part of a broader know what was contained in it. When I once strategy being developed with assistance from again became the Minister, it was sitting on the Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association of the desk and it had not been released. I Queensland. The opportunities presented by believed that the document should be marketing tourism for people with disabilities released and that people should be aware of has the potential to change the face of tourism what was in it. That did not make it in this State. Tourism Queensland's Accessible Government policy. It enabled people to look Queensland strategy aims to illustrate to the at the study and to look at the proposed Queensland tourism industry that meeting the courses of action that could be taken in needs of people with a disability is an relation to the bay islands. opportunity to benefit the customer, the The main recommendation is to tourism industry and the broader community. potentially reduce the population on those The strategy was devised following extensive islands from 40,000 to 20,000. One of the research involving groups of disabled people recommendations is to acquire land to learn what their holiday desires are, the compulsorily. When I met with the Redland barriers that prevent them from travelling and Shire Council, I said, "If the Government is what we have to do to get them to prepared to fund you, we are not prepared to Queensland. compulsorily acquire land. That would be up to I must say that it is not often that in this you to do." The council's response was, "No, place I give a compliment to a member we do not want to do that. We want you to do opposite, but I have to say that yesterday the that for us." I said, "No, we will not be member for Thuringowa raised what I thought compulsorily acquiring anyone's land." was a very genuine point in relation to the I talked to the mayor about whether we fishing boat that he is interested in launching should look at some other strategies, such as in north Queensland. I believe that that is the using the Integrated Planning Act to bring on sort of thing that we are looking for in the some planning proposals over the land that tourist industry in order to help people with would have the effect of reducing the potential serious disabilities. As I indicated to the population without compulsorily acquiring member yesterday, if he would like to present people's land, because I do not believe we those details to me, I will ensure that an officer should start to take the action of compulsorily of my department is present at the next acquiring people's land to correct a mistake meeting to assist and advise the member. It is that was made in the 1970s. a project that I think has merit and one that we would be quite happy to have a look at to see Mr Hegarty: Is funding available for the whether we can assist. package? Mr MACKENROTH: No, no, the funding that the council is looking for is to buy people's Southern Moreton Bay Islands Planning land. Study Mr Hegarty interjected. Mr HEGARTY: I refer the Minister for Communication and Information and Minister Mr MACKENROTH: No, at this stage the for Local Government, Planning, Regional and funding that the council is looking for is to buy Rural Communities to the southern Moreton people's land. We will discuss further how we Bay islands planning study, which he initiated can get to the point of actually buying some when a Minister in the former Goss land, because I believe that we will have to Government, and I ask: as the completed take some action—the Government in study report has now been with the Minister conjunction with the council—to reduce the since last August and the recommendations potential population. However, it certainly will contained therein are conditional upon State not be by compulsory acquisition. Government funding assistance, will he advise if he intends providing funding and communicating that advice to the Redland Environmental Weeds Shire Council in time for its budget Mr PEARCE: I refer the Minister for preparations for the next financial year? Natural Resources to his recent visit to central Mr MACKENROTH: I have met with the Queensland, and I ask: could he inform the Redland Shire Council and the mayor and House of the measures that have been taken discussed the results of this study. Yes, I did to protect valuable pastoral land against initiate the study in 1995. It was completed environmental weeds? whilst the member's party was in Government Mr WELFORD: I thank the honourable but it failed to release it to allow people to member for his question and, indeed, his 29 Apr 1999 Questions Without Notice 1587 invitation to visit central Queensland to talk Youth Housing Initiative with land-holders about the major problem of Mr HAYWARD: I refer the Minister for weeds in that area. Today I am pleased to Public Works and Minister for Housing to the inform the House that this financial year our announcement that was made late last year of Government has spent more than $1.5m on 15 projects under the special youth housing cooperative control programs against weeds in initiative, and I ask: can the Minister advise the central Queensland. House of progress on these projects? While the Beattie Government has Mr SCHWARTEN: As the member knows, allocated most of those funds, we have because he takes an interest in these matters, received excellent support from land-holders $4.5m was set aside for this project. As and local governments. An example of this honourable members would know, the project occurred during my visit to Rockhampton last focuses on the 15 to 24 age group. Today I week, when the member for Fitzroy and I have much pleasure in announcing the visited the property of Mr John Hausen. Along implementation of two new programs. The first with local land protection officers, we fired a program relates to the Cabbage Tree Housing number of rubber vine infestations and Service, based in the electorate of the inspected outbreaks of prickly acacia and honourable member for Sandgate. That hymenachne. service will benefit from the purchase of a two- Many creeks, rivers and flood plains in bedroom dwelling at Brighton at a cost of central Queensland are affected by dense $120,000. At Runcorn, in the electorate of the infestations of rubber vine, which invades honourable member for Sunnybank, I have valuable grazing land, restricts access to water approved the purchase of a two-bedroom and provides harbour to feral animals. In short, dwelling at a cost of more than $100,000. The these insidious weeds are job destroyers and honourable member for Sandgate is well our Government is about jobs, jobs, jobs. acquainted with the Cabbage Tree Housing Fire decreases the costs of the initial Service. Indeed, he brought a delegation from control program in respect of rubber vine and that service to see me on one occasion. It has traditionally used herbicides can be more received approval to spend $220,000 under effectively applied as a follow-up method on the youth housing initiative. The Outer regrowth. The Beattie Government is Southern Suburbs Community Association has committed to assisting land-holders to protect received $650,000 from that youth initiative. their valuable pastoral land against weeds. An important feature of this program is Through the Strategic Weed Eradication and that 10 projects will go to regional centres. I Education Program, this financial year we have refer to Burketown, Winton, Charleville, Quilpie, committed $997,000 to weed control in central Gatton, Gympie, Cooktown, Toowoomba, Queensland and a further $652,000 has been Cloncurry and, of course, Rockhampton. It spent on specific measures against used to be thought that youth housing issues parthenium weed. Our control efforts in central were confined to the south-east corner of Queensland are primarily focused on rubber Queensland. However, as honourable vine, prickly acacia, mesquite and parkinsonia. members who represent electorates outside Survey and planning components for this that area would attest, that is simply not the year's projects are now complete and our case. It is a matter of fact that the location cooperative control programs are in top gear. does not really matter; young people right SWEEP is a unique program in Australia. across the State have housing needs. As a Weeds are tackled in their vulnerable early Minister of this Government, I take great stages of invasion. This amounts to the best pleasure in addressing that need, which I long-term investment that our Government can believe was neglected by the previous make in the future of these Queensland Government. communities. Next Monday I will travel to Canberra, although reluctantly. As I said this morning, it will be the first time that I have missed Labour Queensland Principal Club Day in Rockhampton in 45 years. I attended Mr HEALY: I ask the Minister for Tourism, my first Labour Day in a pram and I will Sport and Racing: is he about to abolish the probably attend my last one in a coffin, Queensland Principal Club and replace it although hopefully that will be a long way off. with a Government appointed racing A Government member: Trust you to go commission to administer thoroughbred racing out in style. in Queensland—yes or no? Mr Gibbs: Don't fall out of the coffin like Mr GIBBS: I wish it was 1 April. you did out of the pram. 1588 Questions Without Notice 29 Apr 1999

Mr SCHWARTEN: The member would Parenting and Child Health Initiatives know: he was old enough to have been there. Mrs ATTWOOD: I refer the Minister for It will be a very serious meeting that is being Health to two Beattie Labor Government held on Monday, because it will involve the election commitments, Strengthening Families divvying up of funds from the GST. In my view, and Crime Prevention that Works, which have some of the other States are trying one on in provided funding to Queensland Health for terms of per capita funding. They are trying to free parenting programs and child health change the ground rules, as they always do. initiatives. I ask the Minister for Health: what That could mean that Queensland will miss out other support is this Government providing to on $40m worth of funding. It is serious stuff. families and children under this initiative? Mrs EDMOND: I thank the honourable Newcastle Disease Outbreak member for the question, because answering Mr COOPER: I acknowledge the it allows me to say what a wonderful success ministerial statement that the Minister for the program has been and how it has been Primary Industries, Fisheries and Forestry welcomed by parents across the State, made this morning relating to Newcastle although not by the member for disease and his department's actions to date. Maroochydore. Today I am delighted to In relation to the outbreak of that disease on announce that we will commence recruitment chicken farms in the Mangrove Mountain of 20 new early intervention child psychologists district of New South Wales, I refer to a report and social workers to provide individual in the Sydney Morning Herald of 21 April, in assistance to families with children at risk of which the New South Wales Agricultural developing severe disruptive behaviour Minister, Richard Amery, "... confirmed that his disorders. We will extend that program further. officers were investigating reports of This Government is throwing more support quarantine breaches at Mangrove Mountain, behind Queensland parents who are including exposure of native birds and poultry experiencing difficulty managing their children. to Newcastle disease through the alleged road Ten positions will be advertised immediately, shipment of 100,000 chickens interstate." I ask with another 10 to be recruited from July. This the Minister: did any of those birds come to $1.24m recruitment will provide free Queensland and will he consider closing the specialised programs for children, adolescents Queensland/New South Wales border against and their families—something that has been the movement of poultry and poultry products looked forward to and desperately needed for in a further effort to protect Queensland's many years. disease-free status? A major focus of the early intervention Mr PALASZCZUK: The honourable specialists will be the provision of the Positive member has asked a very important question. Parenting Program at the most intensive In reality, this disease could greatly affect not levels, with one-to-one assistance given to only our egg industry but also our poultry families and children who are seen to be at industry. I have outlined to the House in quite risk. Those workers will form a team with child some detail the Government's response in health nurses and school-based youth health relation to the Newcastle disease outbreak. nurses. There will be reciprocal referral Mr Cooper: Did any of those birds come relationships between child and community to Queensland? health services and child and youth mental health services. This new initiative program Mr PALASZCZUK: I will come to that. involves collaboration and consultation across From discussions that I have had with our chief all relevant Government departments and with veterinary officer, it is my understanding that non-Government agencies. that is not the case. The honourable member asked whether I am delighted to note that after canning there would be a closure of the Queensland this program in the Budget that they inherited border to the importation of eggs or chicken from the Goss Government, the coalition has meat from New South Wales. During a now put parenting programs back on its conversation via a telephone hook-up that I agenda. It is now in coalition policy and I had this morning with egg producers, that welcome that. They now have to convince the issue was raised. I have left that issue with our member for Maroochydore, who continues to chief veterinary officer, who will report back to attack them as soft social welfare programs. me tomorrow. We will make a decision Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time for tomorrow. questions has expired. 29 Apr 1999 Local Government and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 1589

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND OTHER local government owned corporations— LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL LGOCs. The existing transitional provisions Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH (Chatsworth— were inserted to provide LGOCs with scope to ALP) (Minister for Communication and exercise statutory powers where necessary in Information and Minister for Local the provision of infrastructure services such as Government, Planning, Regional and Rural water and sewerage. These provisions were a Communities) (11.30 a.m.), by leave, without stopgap measure until more permanent notice: I move— arrangements could be made. "That leave be granted to bring in a Draft legislative proposals dealing with this Bill for an Act to amend certain local issue and the possible extension of the government legislation, and for other corporatisation framework for local government purposes." were released for public comment in December 1998. However, as a result of a Motion agreed to. number of concerns raised, the draft legislation has not been included in this Bill. An extension First Reading of the existing transitional provisions is therefore needed to provide adequate time to Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and address the issues that have arisen. This Bill, on motion of Mr Mackenroth, read a first should not present any problems, because no time. council has corporatised a business activity as a part of applying National Competition Policy. Second Reading A small number of councils have indicated they would be prepared to consider Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH (Chatsworth— corporatisation after the Commonwealth has ALP) (Minister for Communication and resolved the issue of the application of its Information and Minister for Local taxes to LGOCs. Recently, I forwarded Government, Planning, Regional and Rural cheques to 102 councils totalling $26.5m from Communities) (11.31 a.m.): I move— the $150m NCP financial incentive package for "That the Bill be now read a second local government. These payments were time." made in recognition of the progress councils I introduce the Local Government and have made in applying the reforms. Other Legislation Amendment Bill 1999. There When I was the Minister responsible for are two main objectives of the Bill. The first is local government in 1995, I took action to to clarify or improve the workability of ensure the application of NCP to local provisions in the Local Government Act 1993 government would fit Queensland and the City of Brisbane Act 1924 dealing with circumstances and our local government rates and charges. The second is to improve system. This approach built on the directions in the framework in the Local Government Act the Local Government Act 1993 which gave 1993 for the local law-making process, the councils the autonomy to make decisions that conduct of elections and the disclosure of are in the best interests of their communities election gifts. balanced with accountability for the exercise of The Bill also contains a number of this autonomy. In the NCP context, this meant amendments to the City of Brisbane Act 1924, giving councils the scope to decide whether to including provision for the Brisbane City apply the reforms after they carry out public Council to arrange for the Electoral benefit assessments to ascertain whether Commission of Queensland to take there is a benefit for their communities. responsibility for the conduct of council Most councils have been responsible in elections. In addition, the Bill contains the way they have approached the application miscellaneous amendments to the Local of NCP. They have used the flexibility to Government Act 1993. The Bill also deals with implement the reforms in ways that should sunset provisions in the Local Government generate local benefits. (Aboriginal Lands) Act 1978 and includes a However, I have concerns about the behaviour clarifying amendment to the Fire and Rescue of a handful of councils which are sending Authority Act 1990. misleading messages to their communities. The Bill contains minor amendments to Some councils are looking at retrenching staff the National Competition Policy—NCP— and have claimed this is being forced upon framework for local government, including a them by NCP and the State Government. one-year extension to the transitional Clearly, this is not the case. These councils provisions for exercise of statutory powers by have consciously made the decision to reform 1590 Local Government and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 29 Apr 1999 their activities. In fact, the public benefit which the special rate or charge is made, the assessments they had to undertake before local government would also have to draw up making this decision required them to consider an annual implementation plan to show the link the impact on employment. between proposed revenue and expenditure for the year and the overall plan. Other councils have been saying to their These amendments help to deal with the employees that NCP requires them to contract uncertainty in the current law of special rates out the provision of services and that, again, and charges being levied for a number of years this is being forced on them by the State and the timing of when properties might benefit Government. Let me make it clear: when the from the relevant services or activities funded NCP reforms were first adopted, councils were from the revenue raised. advised on a number of occasions that NCP For example, a council might levy a special did not require contracting out or the charge to cover the cost of undertaking a road privatisation of council services. This is still the works program in part of its area over a ten year case. It is quite wrong of councils to frighten period. their staff and mislead their communities in this Land within the area could receive a benefit way. Obviously, these councils want to change from the road works at different times during their operations but want the blame laid at the that ten year period. feet of others. Provisions have also been included in the Bill Councils that are not open and honest dealing with the carrying forward of monies with these sorts of decisions reinforce public unexpended in a particular year and their scepticism and cynicism and undermine our disposal if the overall plan is fully implemented. whole system of local government. To ensure Currently, a special rate or charge can only be the process is open and transparent I intend levied where it is considered the land itself has reviewing the public benefit assessment or will receive a special benefit from the service or activity. requirements under the Local Government Act 1993 to make sure the assessment process The Bill will broaden the scope for using a used by councils adequately takes into special rate or charge to enable it to be applied— account the broader community interest, particularly the impact of reform on jobs. if the occupier of the land has or will receive a benefit; or Mr Speaker, I seek leave to incorporate if the owner or occupier of the land the explanation of the other amendments in contributes or will contribute to the need Hansard. for the service or activity. Leave granted. These provisions take effect immediately, but Rating and charging amendments local governments will have a choice of making and levying special rates and charges under the A number of the rating amendments relate to current provisions for their 1999/2000 budgets. the special rates and charges provisions in the Local Government Act 1993. The new provisions will apply to all special rates and charges made and levied by councils The Ombudsman has reported there have been thereafter. a number of cases where complainants have questioned the validity of the special rate or The Bill also amends the Fire and Rescue charge levied by their local governments. Authority Act 1990 by clarifying that the Following an investigation of these complaints, Brisbane City Council may make and levy they were upheld by the Ombudsman. separate rates and charges under the City of Brisbane Act 1924 for the purpose of Some of the errors resulted from the local contributing amounts raised to a rural fire governments raising revenue in a manner which, brigade operating in the city. though reasonable in terms of public policy, was not necessarily consistent with the powers The remaining rating and charging provisions in available in the legislation. the Bill apply to all local governments and consist of amendments to the Local While the Bill will not deal with these issues Government Act 1993 and the City of Brisbane retrospectively, it will clarify the relevant Act 1924. provisions and provide a greater scope for In 1997, the Valuation of Land Act 1944 was those councils that wish to use these rates or amended to provide for a separate valuation to charges to raise revenue. be issued for each lot of newly subdivided land The Bill requires a local government to set out and for this valuation to be discounted for in an overall plan the basis for its decision to rating purposes until it is first sold by the levy a special rate or charge on land in part of developer or until the end of the financial year its area. after the year the subdivision occurs. Unless the overall plan is being fully This amendment resulted from an agreement implemented in the same financial year for between the Local Government Association of 29 Apr 1999 Local Government and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 1591

Queensland and the Urban Development greater of the unimproved value of the land or Institute of Australia. the overdue rates. However, it was not intended the effect of the If the land is not sold at auction, the local discounted valuation could be overcome by government is deemed to have bought the land applying a minimum general rate levy. for the reserve price. Accordingly, the Bill includes an amendment to Problems have arisen where the unimproved clarify that a minimum general rate levy does not value of the land is substantially greater than its apply to any parcel of land to which section 25 current market value. of the Valuation of Land Act 1944 applies. Setting the reserve price at the unimproved The Bill also clarifies information that may be value can mean the local government has to included on a rate notice. purchase the property at a price that does not reflect market value. It is permissible for Local Governments to include non-rates items on the rate notice, such The Bill will allow councils to continue to use as outstanding licence fees. the current method of setting the reserve price, but provides scope for councils to use the In some cases, however, the notice does not market value of the land as the reserve price. indicate these other items are not rates and are therefore not subject to the same payment The market value is determined by obtaining conditions as rates. valuations from two independent valuers and selecting the higher of the two to set the Accordingly, the Bill clarifies that non-rate items reserve price. may be included in a rate notice provided they are identified as such and the rate notice makes It is at a council's discretion whether it uses the it clear that non-payment of these items does current approach or obtains and uses the not affect discount on rates. This requirement market value as the reserve price. will come into effect from 1 July 2000 to enable Amendments to the local law making process local governments sufficient time to adjust their rating systems. The Bill contains a number of amendments to the process under the Local Government Act Local governments will also have greater 1993 for the making of local laws. These flexibility in their discounting practices as a amendments have arisen from an evaluation of result of amendments in the Bill. the local law making process that was Currently, the legislation provides that local undertaken last year. governments may offer a discount if rates are One of the main issues raised in the evaluation paid within 30 days, or 60 days as the case may was the standard of drafting in the development be, from the date of issue of the rate notice. of local laws by councils. Discounts must be by way of a fixed The standards for local law making were also percentage. considered in a recent report on individual The Bill provides that a discount may be rights and freedoms in Queensland by the allowed on a rate if the rate is paid by the Legislative Assembly's Legal, Constitutional and discount date for the rate. Administrative Review Committee. That date must be at least 30 days after the rate Among other things, the Committee noted that notice is issued and be the same date for each unlike State legislation, local laws are currently person liable to pay the rate. not required to comply with fundamental legislative principles set out in the Legislative It is up to the local government to determine Standards Act 1992. the discount to be offered and a different discount may apply in respect of a rate where Although the Local Government Act 1993 does the local government decides more than one not set standards for drafting local laws, advice discount date and specifies a different discount is provided to councils on drafting techniques for each discount date. and processes through a manual on making local laws. If emergency situations arise, such as occurred with the recent flooding in North Queensland, it This manual is advisory in nature. may be difficult for a large number of ratepayers Accordingly, the Bill provides for a regulation to to pay their rates within the specified discount be made to set drafting standards for local laws period. This would result in the loss of discount including the application of the fundamental through no fault of their own. Therefore, the Bill legislative principles in the Legislative allows a local government to alter the discount Standards Act 1992. date to allow each person liable to pay a rate a The Bill also contains a requirement for a local greater period of time to do so. government to lodge a compliance certificate The Bill also contains amendments to the as a part of the State interest check certifying procedures for sale of land for overdue rates. that the proposed local law has been drafted in The legislation currently provides that if land is accordance with the standards. sold at public auction for overdue rates, the These requirements will commence on reserve price must be set at whichever is the 1 January 2000 to allow the standard to be 1592 Local Government and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 29 Apr 1999

developed and to provide time for appropriate triennial elections are not brought forward to training for those involved in the local law early March. making process. The Electoral Commission of Queensland has There was also a general consensus among also advised that the later time for close of rolls stakeholders of the need for regular reviews of for postal ballot areas should not present any local laws to ensure they remain valid and problems given enhanced communications responsive to the changing needs of the systems now available to provide quick access community. to electoral roll information. Regular reviews could also facilitate the The Australian Electoral Commission has also adoption of alternatives to regulation. indicated that a common cut-off date would make it easier to produce the voters rolls for Therefore, the Bill includes an ongoing review triennial elections. mechanism for local laws. My Department will also provide information This mechanism involves nominating a date, and assistance to returning officers in local approximately seven years after the legislation government areas using postal ballots to ensure commences. the smooth conduct of the elections. All local laws in existence at that date will need The Bill also amends the City of Brisbane Act to be reviewed within three years or they will 1924 to enable the Brisbane City Council to expire. arrange for the Electoral Commission of This cycle would then be repeated on an Queensland to take responsibility for the ongoing basis, with the review cycle to occur conduct of Brisbane City Council elections. every ten years. Currently the Town Clerk is responsible for There are also a number of other procedural running the council elections. matters where amendments are proposed in This amendment is in response to a request relation to local law policies, interim local laws from the council to provide it with more and model local laws. flexibility in this area. These amendments will help to improve the The Electoral Commission has advised that it is workability for the local law making process for prepared to take on the responsibility and councils and the public. conduct the Brisbane City Council triennial elections in March 2000, subject to entering Amendment to electoral provisions into a satisfactory agreement with the council. The Bill contains a number of amendments to If the council resolves to enter into an the electoral provisions in the Local agreement with the Electoral Commission (and Government Act 1993. The aim is to improve agreement is reached), the elections would be the workability of the electoral process for conducted by the Commission on a fee for participants in local government elections. service basis. While most of the amendments involve only Amendments to regime for disclosure of minor changes, it is proposed to make 31 election gifts January in the election year as the common cut- off date for the voters rolls for triennial The disclosure regime for donations involving elections in all local government areas. local government elections was introduced in 1996 and is based on the State regime with Currently, where there is a postal ballot in the variations to take account of the local whole or part of the local government area, the government context. cut-off date for voters rolls is 31 December in It applied for the first time in the March 1997 the year preceding the triennial elections. triennial elections. All other areas with an ordinary ballot have a At the time, it was considered that an evaluation cut-off date for voters rolls of 31 January. would be necessary because the variations to The two cut-off dates operated for the 1994 the State regime were untested and as the and 1997 triennial elections meant that electors regime was not applied to the Brisbane City who change enrolment between 31 December Council. and 31 January from an area with a postal ballot The Bill addresses a number of issues raised to an area with an ordinary ballot could be during the review of the provisions. enrolled to vote in two local government areas. The most significant element is the extension of Alternatively, electors who move in this period the application of the local government from an area with an ordinary ballot to an area disclosure provisions to Brisbane City Council with a postal ballot could be disenfranchised. elections. The rationale for having an earlier cut-off date This will not result in any duplication or change for triennial elections conducted by postal to the disclosure requirements under State and ballot was to allow adequate time for posting of Commonwealth legislation which currently ballot papers. apply to registered political parties which The fixing of a common cut-off date for the endorse candidates in Brisbane City Council closure of the rolls should not present problems elections, or to the associated entities of such for the conduct of such elections, provided parties. 29 Apr 1999 Local Government and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 1593

However, the amendments mean that party- Amendments to Local Government (Aboriginal endorsed candidates at Brisbane City Council Lands) Act 1978 elections will have to disclose whether they The Local Government (Aboriginal Lands) Act have personally received and retained election 1978 provides for the declaration of places gifts, in a similar way to the requirements for where the possession or consumption of party-endorsed candidates at State elections. alcohol is prohibited or controlled in the Shire The application of the regime to Brisbane City of Aurukun. Council elections also means there will now It establishes a framework to achieve be— declarations through decisions made by the disclosure by candidates not endorsed by Aurukun Alcohol Law Council, a group which a registered political party of whether comprises community elders representing the election gifts have been received; and recognised traditional groupings in the Shire. disclosure of gifts received by third The legislation provides for community parties who spend money on electoral participation in decision-making, enforcement purposes associated with Brisbane City and appeal mechanisms. Council elections. The provisions came into effect in December The disclosure periods for candidates for the 1995 and are due to expire on 30 June 1999. next Brisbane City Council elections will A review of the implementation and commence no earlier than the date of assent of effectiveness of the provisions has been this legislation. conducted. The Bill also amends the regime in relation to It found that the Aurukun community has taken disclosure by successful candidates and action to implement the legislation. disclosure by groups of election candidates that are not endorsed by a registered political The Law Council has been operating for some party. time and has made decisions to declare certain public and private places in the Shire either dry Councillors are currently required to lodge an or controlled areas. interim disclosure return before taking office. Members of the community consulted during A final return is also required within 3 months the review were strongly in favour of the after the end of the disclosure period which is continuation of a traditional decision-making 30 days following the conclusion of the body to make decisions about the control of elections. alcohol and provision for enforcing those This requirement was initially included to decisions. enhance public confidence in local government. Therefore, the Bill removes the sunset date to Requiring a return before a councillor can act in allow the legislation to continue indefinitely. office is also a real incentive to lodge returns. It also includes a number of minor amendments As most of the final returns were nil returns, it is aimed at adding flexibility to the administrative proposed to streamline the process. framework and requires that a review of the provisions be undertaken within 3 years to The Bill basically allows a councillor to treat the assess whether they continue to be appropriate interim return as a final return if the return states for Aurukun. the councillor is unlikely to receive any further gifts in the disclosure period and should further Miscellaneous amendments gifts be received, they will be disclosed. The Bill also contains a number of An issue that arose during the conduct of the miscellaneous amendments to the Local 1997 triennial elections was the disclosure Government Act 1993 and the City of Brisbane requirement for gifts made to a group of Act 1924. candidates, where the group is not part of a These include amendments to the City of registered political party. Brisbane Act 1924 to enable the Brisbane City The current legislation does not explicitly state Council to use exemptions to open competition the disclosure requirements for candidates in in their purchasing arrangements that are this situation. currently available to other local governments under the Local Government Act 1993. This is addressed through amendments in the Bill which require each candidate in the group A range of minor and consequential to disclose whether any election gifts to the amendments are also being made to a number candidate have been received, as well as of other Acts. election gifts made to the group. In developing the Bill extensive consultation This requirement will not apply to a group of has been undertaken with a wide range of candidates who have been endorsed by a stakeholders and I want to take this opportunity registered political party, because the to thank all those who have taken the time to registered political party has to disclose these comment. gifts under relevant State and Commonwealth The Local Government Association of laws. Queensland has provided detailed input into 1594 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 29 Apr 1999

the drafting of the legislation and has no returns to the trust. Also, the provisions are objection to the proposed amendments. complex and difficult to administer. I commend the Bill to the House. Accordingly, it has been necessary to revise Debate, on motion of Mr Hobbs, the legislative arrangements to ensure that the adjourned. trust receives appropriate funding in order to continue its important role within our community. ANZAC DAY AMENDMENT BILL It has been determined that the Hon. P. J. BRADDY (Kedron—ALP) appropriate alternative funding should be by (Minister for Employment, Training and way of an annual grant from Treasury to Industrial Relations) (11.37 a.m.), by leave, replace the existing arrangements. This would without notice: I move— also avoid the administrative complexity with the current system and introduce an element "That leave be granted to bring in a of certainty of funding as opposed to the Bill for an Act to amend the Anzac Day variability of the past. The grant has been Act 1995." calculated on an average of past funding in Motion agreed to. current dollar terms, with the initial grant being $795,000 for the 1998-99 financial year. The grant will be indexed by the CPI annually First Reading thereafter. Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and Importantly, the new grant arrangements Bill, on motion of Mr Braddy, read a first time. have been approved and welcomed by the board of trustees of the Anzac Day Trust. Second Reading These trustees represent organisations such as the RSL, Legacy and all other registered or Hon. P. J. BRADDY (Kedron—ALP) incorporated organisations or associations of (Minister for Employment, Training and ex-service people. The changes will not affect Industrial Relations) (11.38 a.m.): I move— the situation whereby voluntary donations can "That the Bill be now read a second be made to the trust, especially from the time." businesses and activities permitted to operate It is with great pleasure that I introduce to on Anzac Day. the House this amendment to the Anzac Day In closing, I am happy to say that these Act 1995. The objective of the amendment Bill changes confirm the Government's recognition is to amend the Anzac Day Act to introduce and commitment to the Anzac Day tradition important new changes to the funding and the continued operation of the important arrangements for the Anzac Day Trust Fund. activities of the Anzac Day Trust. I commend The Anzac Day Act provides for the operation the Bill to the House. of the Anzac Day Trust. The trust administers Debate, on motion of Mr Santoro, the Anzac Day Trust Fund, which collects and adjourned. disburses funds for the general welfare of ex- service people, their dependants and related associations. COAL MINING SAFETY AND HEALTH BILL MINING AND QUARRYING SAFETY AND The major source of funding for the Anzac HEALTH BILL Day Trust Fund comes from Treasury by way of the allocation of proportions of various taxes Second Reading (Cognate Debate) collected each year. These allocations derive Resumed from 28 April (see p. 1519). from general licences under the Liquor Act Mr ROWELL (Hinchinbrook—NPA) 1992—liquor licence fees—and taxes in (11.41 a.m.), continuing: The thing that strikes relation to race betting on Anzac Day. Recent one when one reads the coalmining Bill is just changes to taxation laws—that is, the abolition of State liquor licence fees—have meant that how blatantly it promotes the interests of the these funding provisions are no longer CFMEU. The Bill quite brazenly says that the appropriate and, indeed, future funding to the union can appoint three of its members to be industry safety and health representatives. The trust could be detrimentally affected. term "union" is actually defined in Schedule 3 Additionally, past funding has varied markedly as the "Construction Forestry Mining and from year to year. Energy Union—Mining and Energy Division The day on which Anzac Day fell and Queensland District Branch". It is a disgrace even weather conditions could affect race day that this Government has seen fit to give crowd numbers and subsequent financial closed shop status to the CFMEU in coalmines 29 Apr 1999 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 1595 by virtue of occupational health and safety culture of strict accountability. Inspectors in this legislation. industry must have certain competencies and In order to justify this union's attempt to must go through a process of keeping their obtain exclusive control of coalminers, it has competency levels at a certain standard. used legislation designed to save workers' lives Mr Pearce: That's good, isn't it? and protect them from injury. It is a travesty of Mr ROWELL: Yes, it is good; it is justice and an insult to the coalminers of this absolutely important. State. The Productivity Commission actually What do the union nominated industry recommended in its black coal report that the representatives have in comparison? I would role of employees in carrying out safety suggest quite a lot less, and I am not trying to inspections should not be restricted by belittle any union nominated person but simply regulation to union members, yet this is exactly am highlighting what is a self-evident truth. what this Bill does. The Bill already allows for Most of what I have said applies to district site representatives elected by the workers on workers' representatives under the general the ground and yet overlays the site mining and quarrying Bill, although in this case representatives with the union appointed it is the AWU, as a general rule, that this industry representatives. Government is trying to look after. It is not as if this Bill draws a distinction At the end of the day the unfortunate between open-cut mining and underground view that has been put forward to the mining, where, from the figures I have quoted, Opposition by many in the industry is that, by there exists a much higher risk to workers from forcing district workers' representatives and the very nature of the work. Instead, this Bill industry safety and health representatives on imposes a union police force both below and the mining sector, this Minister and this above the ground, irrespective of the actual Government are expressing a negative view level of workplace health and safety. The other on the competence and independence of the matter that causes me concern is that these inspectorate to effectively administer the new union appointed safety officers can enter onto legislation. One has only to read the Bills to any mine they see fit—even mines with no see just how far the Government has gone to union members at all. The potential for abuse appease its union allies. of power by these union officers is considerable when one considers the Under the coal Bill, industry safety and implications of this. health representatives are paid for by the CFMEU, whereas their equivalents in the The Minister would know full well that general mining and quarrying Bill—the district there is no reference to statutory positions of workers' representatives—are to be paid for by the type in these Bills for any other industry in the taxpayers of Queensland. Why is this so? Queensland. If there was a need for a union If these positions are so important, why work force to overlap with State appointed provide that the union safety officers in professional inspectors, why are there not coalmines are paid for by their union, but union police in place in all other industries those in quarries and mines other than regulated by general workplace health and coalmines are paid for by you and me out safety legislation? The reason is all too clear to there—the average person in the street? The those who know anything about this industry, answer is pretty obvious. The AWU demanded that is, that these people hold industrial that its union appointed officers be paid for by positions to shore up the CFMEU's position in the taxpayer, and this Minister and this the workplace and not for occupational health Government, who are reliant on the AWU, and safety reasons. If they were truly focused quickly bowed to the demands of Bill Ludwig. on occupational health and safety, why would If these Bills cannot even be consistent they be limited to those persons nominated by about the issue of whether these union a union which itself is given statutory exclusive appointed safety officers are to be paid by the coverage by virtue of this Act? taxpayer or the union, depending on which Inspectors are public servants and are mine and which union one is dealing with, then subject to stringent controls from the it is no wonder that the mine management appointment stage on. They are subject to opposes the maintenance of these legislatively codes of conduct. They can be investigated by imposed positions. As the Minister would also the CJC and are subject to ongoing know, these are not the only statutory supervision by the Auditor-General. They are positions mandated by the legislation, and part of a bureaucratic structure with many both Bills are full of inconsistencies and checks, balances and controls, and with a anomalies. 1596 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 29 Apr 1999

Although my time is limited, I draw the safety legislation, then I think we would have attention of the House to clause 59 of the coal had a far better legislative package. Instead Bill, which requires the site senior executive to we see the fingerprints of the AWU and the appoint a person holding an open cut CFMEU all over it. examiner's certificate of competency to have I am very sorry that the Minister has control of activities in one or more surface tampered with the Bill he was left by Tom mines. The irony of this is that, although this Gilmore. It is not that Gilmore's Bill was perfect; position is mandated in surface coalmines, it is it is just that this Bill is so inferior. During the not mandated in surface metalliferous mines, Committee stage I will be making further despite the fact that the safety performance of comments but, to conclude, these are surface coalmines is now one third better. basically good Bills that have been spoiled by Where is the logic in this and what is the clauses aimed at shoring up the position of point of it? Again and again we see extra various unions in the workplace rather than layers of persons foisted on an industry focusing fairly and squarely on safety issues. allegedly for workplace health and safety Mr PEARCE (Fitzroy—ALP) (11.53 a.m.): reasons, yet there is clearly no justification for It gives me great pleasure to rise in this place them. Despite all of the rhetoric about fostering to support the Mines and Energy Minister and a duty of care culture, these Bills reinforce a the legislation that is so important to the safety strong culture that safety is the responsibility of and health of those who work in our most a handful of people, and some of those important industries—coal and metalliferous people—the union appointed safety mining. officers—have comparatively few occupational Today I have brought into the Parliament health and safety skills in the first place. two reports—the report on the Moura No. 4 In conclusion, the Opposition supports the accident, in which 12 miners lost their lives, introduction of new legislation for the mining and the report on the Moura No. 2 industry. We also recognise that there are underground mine accident, which occurred on differences of approach between the various Sunday, 7 August 1994 and in which 11 mine unions and mine management. It is clear that workers lost their lives. Those 11 workers are mining, especially underground mining, is very still entombed in that mine. I sincerely hope hazardous, and strong legislation protecting that no future member of Parliament has to the safety of workers is needed. We do not stand in this place and talk about reports question that. We support the move towards a arising from a mining tragedy. I hope that this safety culture in mines—the development of legislation will go a long way to preventing that culture is probably the most important part those types of tragedies in the future. of this Bill, because that is the way accidents Two Bills are being debated here and deaths can be reduced—away from an today—the Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill, overly prescriptive approach, which often gives which replaces the Coal Mining Act 1925, and a false sense of security simply because the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health people are following the rules and not Bill, which replaces the Mines Regulation Act assessing the risks. 1964. This is a significant occasion. We are The Opposition has very carefully debating new legislation that will take the considered the submissions made by many mining industry into the new millennium and interested parties, and not just the mine beyond. operators. We believe that the penal Coalmining remains the most hazardous provisions in combination with the wholesale industry in Australia and throughout the world. retention of statutory positions significantly It is well understood that the unique devalues the benefits brought about by the environment of underground coalmines means reforms that the remainder of the legislation that the unsafe acts of just one person can introduces. I know that the Moura inquiry affect the safety of others much more than recommended in part the retention of some would be the case in other industries. statutory positions, but the Minister also knows As a former coal industry worker, in both that the inquiry was focused on underground open-cut and underground mines, I can speak mining. to the legislation with a real understanding of If these Bills had retained the statutory the coal industry and what it means for positions for underground mining, with a review employees to have in place legislation that after a reasonable period of time, and had offers them some protection from the brought surface mining of all types into master/servant policies of some mining conformity with general workplace health and companies. 29 Apr 1999 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 1597

Because of my time as a coal industry current Act has been amended 28 times since worker, I will direct my comments to the Coal it was proclaimed and it is almost impossible to Mining Safety and Health Bill. This does not count the number of times the regulations mean that I consider metalliferous mines less have been changed. As a matter of interest, dangerous or less important than coalmines. It the Mines Regulation Act—that is, the is well recognised that the legislation covering legislation covering metalliferous mining and those mines will lift the standard of safety and quarries—was completely redrafted in 1964. health of those workplaces. Metalliferous We are in a changing world and it would mines have been neglected to some extent by be fair to say that the amount of change that mining inspectors because of the resources has occurred in 77 years is almost beyond available as against the large number of grasp. The replacement of the 1925 Act is mining operations that fall into the certainly due. In fact, it is broadly accepted metalliferous category. that this new legislation is long overdue. The I believe it is important that I provide to current Act is too prescriptive and almost the Parliament some of our mining history so impossible to understand, even if it were not that people can gain an understanding of badly written. where we have come from, the reasons for the Some things, however, remain constant. new legislation and what impact it will have on Mining, as in 1921, is still Queensland's most the coal industry and the workers who put important industry. The coal industry still themselves daily into an environment that is requires the utmost attention to safety. The dangerous and unsympathetic. events at the Moura No. 2 mine at 11.35 p.m. The first mine to open in Queensland was on Sunday, 7 August 1994 clearly a mine called Pioneer in 1843. It had a very demonstrate that. Time does not permit me to short life. In 1881 we saw the first Mines go into the details of our most recent multiple Regulation Act. It combined metalliferous and tragedy, caused by an explosion deep in the coalmining in the same Act. The first inspector bowels of the mine. However, I can say that I of mines was appointed in 1882. In 1919, was appalled by the circumstances related to explosions caused the deaths of miners at the the explosion and I am disappointed at the Redbank and Cardiff mines. Prior to 1925, speed with which the disaster has been mine safety in Queensland was controlled by forgotten by some people in the industry. We the Mines Regulation Act 1910, which applied still have fatalities in the coal industry and mine to all mining activities—both coal and workers are still being seriously hurt. metalliferous mining. If the safety performance of Queensland's At 9.25 on Monday, 19 September 1921 underground coal industry is not improved, a there occurred a violent explosion at the mine worker will run a 1 in 33 chance of being Mount Mulligan colliery, in which 74 men lost fatally injured during a 40-year career. their lives. The worst mining disaster in Nationally, that figure is 1 in 28, and 1 in 24 for Australia's history had occurred. A royal a worker in an underground metalliferous commission into the disaster followed. In its mine. A coal worker will, in the same time, also report of November 1921, two major suffer, on average, five injuries which would recommendations brought about change that render him incapacitated for, on average, 13 exists to this day—separate legislation to cover working days for each injury. Comparison work the coal industry and the employment of by the Minerals Industry Safety and Health specialist coal inspectors. The 1925 Coal Centre of the University of Queensland Mining Act, the Act we are seeking to replace indicates that the fatality risk in general here today, is the result of recommendations industry is 1 in 455, compared to the 1 in 33 in from that royal commission. I want members to the coal industry. think about the event that forced change on While it can be legitimately said that many the mining industry. It took the loss of 74 of the workers in general industry are in office miners to force change on the Government of environments that are low risk, it should be the day. remembered that a proportion of workers in The 1925 Coal Mining Act has served the the underground mining industry do not work industry well. While there have been a number or spend much time underground; they are of amendments, the essential framework of service workers, or they work in wash plants this Act has remained unchanged. The 1925 and offices where the risk is less. What this Act has provided for safe mining. Despite the means is that the figures on those who work disasters of the past, no royal commission or underground are understated. In the 10-year inquiry has found that the inadequacy of the period 1989 to 1998 inclusive, there have Act has contributed to a major incident. The been 17 fatal injuries. As to lost time injuries in 1598 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 29 Apr 1999

Queensland coalmines in the past five years, consequences of their failings onto the 289 were reported. The average number of shoulders of someone other than themselves. days lost to each injury over the past five years I am very happy that the legislation before is 4,240 each year. the House retains the statutory positions of Those statistics speak for themselves, but open cut examiners, which are covered in they mean nothing to the general public until clause 59, and mine deputies, which are we have a tragedy like that at Moura. Quite covered in clause 60(8) and (9). For an OCE, frankly, they still mean nothing to many people that person must hold an open cut examiner's in the industry today—unless there is a tragedy certificate of competency to enable the person and we have to go over the rhetoric of making to carry out responsibilities and duties sure that we improve safety so that these prescribed by regulation at an open-cut mine. I tragedies do not occur in the future. It has all thank the Minister for his preparedness to bite been said before, but still those tragedies are the bullet and to take on the chin the criticism occurring. for the retention of OCEs at open-cut mines. If The Government believes that the next the Opposition had introduced this legislation, step towards improving safety in our mines is those statutory positions would have been to apply safety and health principles to mining omitted. The position of open cut examiner is while still retaining a focus on mining safety. in the Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill The State Government has a clear obligation because we have a Labor Minister who knows to all employees in the coal industry to ensure the mining industry and who is prepared to that the highest standards of health and safety bring in legislation based on commonsense, in the world's most hazardous industry are in not on the whim of mining companies. OCEs place. The new legislation is about standards owe the retention of those positions in the new of health and safety that a mine operator must legislation to a Labor Government. They were put in place. It gives a mine operator the gone under a coalition Government, and they opportunity to work with mine employees who should never forget that. also have a responsibility for safety and health. I say to OCEs in the coal industry— The legislation recognises that mining, because I know where the problem arose— because of its very nature, has a high potential that those positions almost became extinct for accidents. Accidents can happen at any because, in the past, some—but not all— time because of the sheer size of machinery, OCEs have allowed themselves to be the environment and its sensitivity. The use of sidetracked. They, to put it simply, did not do electricity creates a risk. Human error, human their job. They became messenger boys and risk taking and even the humidity can influence carried out work other than that which they an incident. were supposed to be doing. They allowed The Bill has been some eight years in its management to erode the status of their development. It has been developed by position. At the same time, management was tripartite groups, including Government, union recording the activities of OCEs and was able and industry representatives. There has been to put up a good argument for them to be wide consultation, and many long hours have unimportant to the safe operation of a mine. been put into giving us this legislation that is OCEs need to take that on board. Mining now before the House. The legislation sets deputies need to have a serious look at what standards for safety and health rather than they are doing, too. Working double shifts, 20- prescribing how industry should do things. hour and 24-hour shifts is not on. And if they There is an emphasis on duty of care, the continue to do it they will be putting principles on which this legislation is built. It is themselves into the position where mining about every worker, management and supplier companies will want those positions removed, accepting responsibility for a safe work as well. environment through safe work practices, safe OCEs have been retained in this equipment and supplies, and a management legislation. Their duties will alter, but they will structure with a genuine commitment to retain their positions, backed by the power of ensuring that safety and health remain in legislation and regulations. Underground mine focus and are not set aside in the interests of deputies are to be retained, which is in line getting coal onto the stockpile. If there is with the recommendations from the Moura No. failure by any party to do their job, than that 2 inquiry. For a person to be a mine deputy, party must accept responsibility. However, that person must hold a deputy's certificate of unfortunately, if past practices are any competency. An underground mine manager indication, mine management and can also appoint a person holding a first or boardrooms will be looking to place the second-class certificate of competency to have 29 Apr 1999 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 1599 control of activities in one or more explosive total disregard for its consequences. The result risk zones of a mine. would be that the health and safety of mine Given that there are many important workers would be left in the hands of mine areas in a coalmine—I spent nine and a half management and the board rooms of the coal years underground, so I do have some companies. The big company board rooms understanding of this—I feel that the definition have no compassion for anyone to whom they of "explosive risk zone" limits the ability of a pay a wage. competent person to monitor the mine's An Opposition member interjected. stability, its roadways and airways. I have Mr PEARCE: Don't tell me; I've been received an explanation from people within the there. As far as company boards are department, which I accept. However, I will be concerned, workers are disposable. Workers seeking clarification from the Minister as to the are merely names on a computer and can be meaning of "explosive risk zone", its erased or wiped out. boundaries and when a zone is considered to be at risk of explosion. I note that the unions A Government member: Units of have endorsed this legislation. In fact, they production. have played a big and very important role in its Mr PEARCE: They are treated as units of preparation. So they will accept the definition production, as the honourable member said. of "explosive risk zone". I want only to have its This legislation offers protection for meaning, its boundaries and time of workers—protection that is enhanced by the recognition placed on record so that the intent introduction of significantly increased penalties, of the wording is understood and cannot be including imprisonment. abused or interpreted to suit the intent of the The Opposition took a different position inspectorate or mine operators. and supported the mining companies because The Queensland Mining Council has they are tired old bedmates who still dream of attacked the legislation. Its chief executive the good old days of master and servant. officer, Mr Michael Pinnock, said that the Those days are gone. This legislation retains legislation represented outdated industrial the employee-friendly statutory positions of attitudes. He has to be joking. He said that open cut examiners and mine deputies. The these Bills are now about protecting trade legislation provides power and competency. It union power bases and not about protecting provides protection for workers against the workers' safety. And the words that came from ruthless demands of mining companies in the the mouth of the Opposition spokesman are push to win coal with reduced work forces. those that Mr Pinnock himself has been These things are now starting to impact on the mouthing . Mr Pinnock cannot accept the industry. Currently miners are working longer reality of the mining industry: that the workers hours alongside inexperienced part-timers and have protected the workers from the poor contractors. management decisions that have been made Fair dinkum, if honourable members in the past. And if the workers cannot protect consider what I have said they will realise that themselves, who is going to protect them? we have a disaster waiting to happen. It would Mr Pinnock and the people he represents have been of enormous concern if statutory are never happy. Sometimes I think he cries positions had been abolished. The people in out loudly simply to justify his existence. Mr the statutory positions are really the mine Pinnock has a problem because, in workers' police officers. They ensure that the Queensland, the QMC is viewed by many, mine workers do the job in a safe manner. including on-site mine managers and some They also ensure that mine management has members on the conservative side of politics, the right attitude and provides sufficient as having reached its use-by date. With mining resources to ensure that the mine is safe. companies—in fact, individual mine The self-regulation pursued by Mr Pinnock sites—becoming more independent in line with has led to a significant increase in incidents QMC policy on price negotiation and causing serious injury or death in Western negotiation with the work force in determining Australia's mining sector. A report on the industrial relations outcomes, the QMC has inquiry into fatalities in the Western Australian almost lost the reasons for its existence. mining industry showed that a number of With regard to the legislation now before submissions were provided by supervisors and the Parliament, Mr Pinnock and members employees which related to direct and indirect opposite wanted the mining industry to have management pressure to maximise production the absolute right to self-regulation. It has to the detriment of safety in the underground been a relentless push for self-regulation with sector. This pressure was considered 1600 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 29 Apr 1999 unacceptable. It was recommended that it this fact. The coalition's draft Bill did not should be eliminated because of its negative include provisions for statutory officials in open- impact on safety performance and the safety cut mines because the coalition recognised culture of the organisation. The task force that that open-cut mines do not need statutory carried out that inquiry found that it was not officials. Quarries operated by many local uncommon for unsafe work practices to prevail councils around Australia, which follow exactly in pursuit of production. the same principles as open-cut mines, do not At this stage I wish to quote from the have or need statutory officials. Almost inquiry's report. Under the heading "Safe identical operations in metalliferous industries Practices" the report states— do not require statutory officials. "The task force found that it was not No-one is arguing that statutory officials uncommon for unsafe work practices to should be taken away from the underground prevail in the pursuit of production." mines. I recognise the contribution made by That is something I have been saying for a the member for Fitzroy. He has had nine and a long time. The report continues— half years' experience in the dangerous conditions of underground mining. The "It appears that while some Opposition does not walk away from the fact supervisors are aware of unsafe practices, that there should be statutory officials in they allow them to continue in the underground mines, but there is no practical or absence of an incident because safety reason why open-cut mines need production targets"—— statutory officials. So why are they being Time expired. foisted upon us in this flawed Bill? The answer Dr WATSON (Moggill—LP) (Leader of the is simple. The honourable member for Mount Liberal Party) (12.13 p.m.): I rise to speak to Isa is doing the bidding of the CFMEU. the Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill. This The draft Bill in its original form required Bill, when prepared under the previous Minister safety management plans for open-cut mines. for Mines and Energy, Mr Tom Gilmore, was a These plans will provide the most effective good Bill, but then something happened to it. means of ensuring a safe and healthy work Minister McGrady got hold of it. environment. Not one single person in the The Bill now has three serious flaws. The mining industry in Queensland, apart from the changes that Minister McGrady has made to unions, believes that statutory officials make the draft legislation will not improve safety or sense in open-cut mines. They are not health. The only thing they will improve is the required for safety reasons. Minister McGrady ability of the CFMEU to disrupt the coalmining has been unable to produce any other reason industry in this State. for having them. I want to deal with three specific issues If statutory officials are so vital for safety, with regard to this Bill. Those issues are: firstly, why do we not have them in similar industries? the reintroduction of statutory officials into Why do we not have them at every council surface coalmines; secondly, the introduction quarry? Why do not other surface mining of certain penal provisions; and, thirdly, the operations have them? The answer is that we monopoly that this Bill gives the CFMEU over do not need them. We are faced with the the appointment of health and safety officers. question of who really is the Minister for Mines In an effort to improve the and Energy in this State. Is it Tony McGrady or competitiveness of this industry, last year the the CFMEU's Andrew Vickers? Federal Government commissioned the Black The second major flaw in the Bill concerns Coal Industry Inquiry. The report of that inquiry the introduction of penal provisions in clause recommended that underground coalmines 34. The Bill provides for imprisonment for up to should be regulated separately from open-cut two years for the failure of a person to fulfil an coalmines. The report said that open-cut obligation placed on that person by the mines should be covered by the occupational legislation. Does the Minister really believe that health and safety legislation governing penal provisions will improve the safety and metalliferous mining or the general legislation health of miners? These provisions will have covering OHS in other industries. In other exactly the opposite effect because they will words, the report says that there is no need for greatly hinder any investigation into an statutory officials in open-cut mines. accident. Do we want to finish up in the same The draft Bill prepared under the previous situation as litigation-happy America where coalition Government after extensive one major coalmining company has 20 lawyers consultation with the whole industry recognised employed full-time? The money and energy 29 Apr 1999 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 1601 would be better spent on managing risk to Energy? Is it Tony McGrady or the CFMEU's safety and health. John Maitland? Mr Purcell interjected. In summary, this Bill takes the Queensland coal industry backwards, not Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Mickel): forwards. The Black Coal Industry Inquiry Order! That was unparliamentary. I ask the report stated that Governments should member for Bulimba to withdraw that facilitate improvement in management by comment. increasing the choices available to managers Mr PURCELL: I withdraw. and owners in managing mines. The Dr WATSON: Perhaps the honourable reintroduction of statutory officials, penal member should just wait and listen. New South provisions and giving the CFMEU a monopoly Wales has penal provisions but they do not on health and safety officers will have the work down there and they will not work up opposite effect. These provisions will hinder here. Take the case of the Gretley mine management and adversely affect safety, disaster in New South Wales. Many of the productivity and competitiveness. It is clear people involved in that disaster have refused that the only outcome of this legislation is to to cooperate on the grounds that they may allow the CFMEU to increase its power in incriminate themselves. Queensland. Far from being an indication of strong Mr ROBERTS (Nudgee—ALP) enforcement of legislation, these provisions (12.20 p.m.): It was interesting to listen to the represent a sign of weakness on the part of contributions of the members opposite, the Department of Mines and Energy. The particularly those that related to the objective of the department and its Mines involvement and role of the trade union Inspectorate should be to work closely with movement in occupational health and safety. mine management to prevent accidents. So often members opposite fail to There must be cooperation to avoid the acknowledge the significant contribution that recurrence of accidents. Draconian penal the trade union movement makes to the provisions hinder cooperation and will do improvement of workplace health and safety absolutely nothing to improve the safety and not just in the mining industry but to industry health of mineworkers. generally. The third flaw in this Bill concerns clause A Government member: They just don't 109, which provides that only one body can like unions. appoint industry health and safety Mr ROBERTS: They do not like unions. representatives. There are no prizes for That is self-evident from a lot of the speeches guessing that that body is the CFMEU. that we have heard today. I spent 10 years as Currently, the CFMEU has three health and an industrial advocate for the Electrical Trades safety representatives. Under this Bill, no other Union. union can nominate a representative. This Mr McGrady: And a good one. legislation completely shuts out non-unionists. Mr ROBERTS: I thank the Minister for This is clearly discriminatory and is also at odds that. I also spent some time as an with the Black Coal Industry Inquiry report, occupational health and safety trainer. I which states that the role of employees in conducted courses in the mining industry, carrying out safety inspections should not be particularly the metalliferous industry, and also restricted by regulation to union members. in other industries throughout the State. That The Department of Mines and Energy experience led me to believe that it is, in fact, contributes to the salaries of the three current in many instances the trade union movement CFMEU safety and health representatives. I that initiates the majority of activity in terms of think the members of this House—and the addressing workplace health and safety issues taxpayers of Queensland who pay part of the in the workplace, not employers. That health and safety representatives' wages— experience has also shown me that in the may be interested to know what those three majority of cases it is unions that initiate the men have been getting up to recently. Those election of workplace health and safety three representatives have all spent time on representatives, it is unions that actively initiate the picket line at Gordonstone when they the establishment of workplace health and should have been looking after health and safety committees, it is unions which, through safety interests. Instead, they were looking their representatives on the ground, initiate the after the interests of the CFMEU. They were investigation of workplace accidents in many doing it partly at taxpayers' expense. Again I premises, it is unions that initiate activities to ask: who is really the Minister for Mines and regularly identify hazards in the workplace and 1602 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 29 Apr 1999 also, most importantly, in the main it is unions legislation and we need legislation that is that disseminate information to workers about going to play a strong role in improving hazards in the workplace. So in my workplace health and safety for miners within experience—and I think that this is also Queensland. Through this legislation, the acknowledged by other members, at least on Government recognises that every time an this side of the House—the role of the trade individual is killed or maimed, it not only affects union movement is crucial in addressing that person but also their families and many workplace health and safety issues. other people associated with them. Even one Yesterday, I was hoping to speak on this incident is one too many. issue because yesterday, which was 28 April, I want to make a few brief comments on marked the fourth International Day of the role of the Government in this proposed Mourning, which is an annual event that legislation. These two Bills place significant commemorates the many thousands of men, accountability and responsibility with the women and children who are killed or injured or people who have the most direct control over who become ill as a result of their work. the risks that are generated in the workplace, Yesterday, the Australian Council of Trade and that is the management and the staff of Unions Queensland Branch commemorated the companies that undertake mining, that that day with some activities. I want to place contract to mining companies and those who on the record my appreciation to the ACTU for design, manufacture and supply equipment to highlighting this important day. It is a day that mining companies. However, the Government we should give recognition to in this place. has an overriding responsibility to, where Some of the statistics are very sobering. necessary, put in place mechanisms to ensure Internationally, each year around 335,000 that people can be directed to manage risks workers die as a result of workplace injury. and, where they neglect to do so, to hold them Additionally, the figures suggest that about accountable for the consequences. In 160 million workers across the world contract essence, under this legislation this is the occupational diseases. In Australia, at least Government's role, and provisions are included nine workers are killed each week and 11,000 in the Bill to allow the Government to carry out are injured. Each year, over 2,200 die from that role effectively. However, through its diseases caused by exposure to hazardous mechanisms, the Government must be able to substances. Contrary to popular belief, this detect persons who are not taking their safety rate is much worse than the rate in other and health obligations seriously and require countries such as England and the United them to control and manage risks. Wherever States, because we tend to think that those possible, the aim is to prevent accidents. countries have less safe workplaces than our For this particular purpose, the Bills create own. and empower an inspectorate of suitably In Queensland in 1997-98, there were qualified and experienced persons. In that 79,686 successful WorkCover claims and of regard, I note that recently the Mines those, 96 related to deaths in the workplace. Inspectorate has been strengthened from 33 So it is important to recognise the International to 44 to increase its capacity significantly. The Day of Mourning to acknowledge the emphasis is on accident prevention and the tremendous carnage that is occurring in our inspectorate's functions and powers contained workplaces. The day also highlights the need in the legislation are designed specifically with for tough workplace health and safety that objective in mind. Inspectors are legislation, particularly in the mining industry. empowered to enter mines and other workplaces controlled by persons with safety Despite the best efforts of many people, and health obligations under the mining and I have highlighted my experience with the legislation; examine and, if appropriate, seize trade union movement, the safety record in documents; and, where necessary, issue the mining industry in Queensland has not directives on health and safety matters. Some been as good as it could have been. Within of those directives include the power to stop the past 23 years, there have been four major an operation where the level of risk is coalmining disasters in Queensland. Those considered to be unacceptable. Additionally, disasters have resulted in 56 deaths in the there are directives to reduce risk by requiring mining and quarrying industry and 49 deaths engineering studies, by requiring certain tasks in the coal industry. The report into the to be carried out by people with appropriate accident at the Moura No. 2 underground competencies and being able to review safety mine in August 1994, which has been referred management systems that are being to by the member for Fitzroy, also contributed developed at the particular workplace, and significantly to the shaping of this legislation. also directives relating to principal hazard There is no doubt that we need new mining management plans. 29 Apr 1999 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 1603

The legislation also contains safeguards workplace health and safety of workers within against the unreasonable use of legislative the mining industry. I commend the Bills to the power. These include the ability to appeal to House. the chief inspector against the directives of an inspector, and also provides for an appeal to the Industrial Court against the review decision PRIVILEGE of a chief inspector or the directive from a chief Ms P. A. Devine inspector. A directive can be stayed, unless it Mr NELSON (Tablelands—IND) is a directive to cease operation because there (12.30 p.m.): I rise on a matter of privilege is an unacceptable risk to workers. However, in suddenly arising. Yesterday, a Gestapo raid this instance there is also a right of appeal. was made by officers from the Department of The functions of the inspectorate are Health on the offices of the Bowen spelled out clearly in the legislation and include Independent newspaper in an attempt to the requirement to enforce the Act, to monitor silence Dr Chilcott and his evidence into the health and safety performances at coalmines activities of the Department of Health in Bowen and also to inspect and audit coalmines to and the issues relating to the Devine case that assess whether the level of risk to persons is at I am pursuing in Parliament. I ask that this an acceptable level. In each piece of matter be referred to the Speaker. I will provide legislation inspectors, industry worker further correspondence to him as more representatives and site senior executives can information becomes available to me. recommend to the chief inspector that Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Mickel): I will prosecution be initiated. pass that on to Mr Speaker. I will make some general comment about industry worker representatives, particularly those who have been elected by their peers. COAL MINING SAFETY AND HEALTH BILL As I have stated, in my experience in the MINING AND QUARRYING SAFETY AND majority of cases it is the trade unions that HEALTH BILL ensure that those representatives are put in Second Reading (Cognate Debate) place. In effect, having a network of workplace Resumed. health and safety representatives elected by fellow workers extends the role of the Mr MITCHELL (Charters Towers—NPA) inspectorate. There is never enough money to (12.30 p.m.): Mr Deputy Speaker, I am have the hundreds of inspectors required to pleased to see you in the chair because I wish ensure that workplace health and safety to take this opportunity to apologise for standards are being applied in workplaces. misrepresenting what you said in Parliament The next best option is to have a network of on Thursday, 15 April during the debate on the duly elected, trained and competent workplace WorkCover Amendment Bill. health and safety representatives to act as an Mr Hamill: Is that why you resigned? extension of the role of the inspectorate. That Mr MITCHELL: No, it happened before is why I support wholeheartedly the role of that. Mr Deputy Speaker, I was misinformed as elected workplace health and safety to the content of your speech. I hope that you representatives in the system that we are accept my apology. creating. I also applaud the trade union movement for the proactive role that it takes in Mr McGrady: You're a gentleman, ensuring that these representatives have been Robbie. elected and put in place in as many Mr MITCHELL: When I am wrong, I take it workplaces as possible. on the chin. While these two Bills have the objective of While I was the shadow Minister for Mines achieving high safety and health standards by and Energy and I was studying these Bills, an cooperation and consultation, clear obligations article appeared in the Courier-Mail on 25 are also placed on mining companies to March headed "Miners blast government cave- manage risk. The Government has a clear role in". In that article, the Queensland Mining to audit and monitor the industry and to take Council was quoted as saying— appropriate action against persons who are "The whole of the mining industry, not managing their risks appropriately or to an including every single chief executive, has acceptable standard, or who are not meeting implored the Mines Minister and the their safety and health obligations. Premier not to proceed with these I believe that these two Bills make a very industrial changes which wreck cutting worthwhile contribution towards improving the edge legislation. Our pleas have fallen on 1604 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 29 Apr 1999

deaf ears because of the Government's each year over that four-year period. Of willingness to abide by the trade union's course, when one studies the figures more agenda." closely, one sees that the most dramatic When I looked at both Bills, I was left with no improvements have been in underground doubt that the criticisms of the Mining Council coalmines, with a drop in that period from 73 were very accurate and that this Government to 39.4, which is well under half, and in open- has presented the Parliament with two Bills cut coalmines from 24.9 to 7.8. That is based on draft legislation of the previous tremendous work and the figures are coalition Government, but with a raft of improving all the time. There were also good changes designed mainly to appease the improvements in quarries, with a drop from AWU and the CFMEU. 23.7 to 13.7. The improvements in the metalliferous sector were not as dramatic, with There is no need for me to outline the surface metalliferous improving from 18.6 to various positive elements of both Bills as these 11.8 and underground metalliferous from 21.8 have already been discussed. However, I to 19.3. There has been an improvement all acknowledge that in moving away from a the way across the mining sector. prescriptive, bureaucratic and legalistic Nevertheless, there were slight improvements approach to safety and moving towards the in this sector. development of a duty of care culture at all It is patently clear that the greatest risks to levels of the industry, the general thrust of miners are posed to those working these Bills is positive and should have underground. Despite the tremendous unanimous support. improvement in underground coalmine safety, It is worth while for me to sum up my underground coalminers remain those who are philosophy towards workplace health and most at risk. In fact, figures for the period to safety in the mining industry. Workplace health December 1998 would indicate that there have and safety should be based on best standard been further improvements in both coal and practices that are appropriate and relevant to metalliferous areas in the order of 35% to each individual work site. There should be a 40%. As these figures are not from official devolution of authority to workers and sources, I do not rely on them for the purposes management at each site to develop site of this speech. However, I record in Hansard specific safety management systems, with on- that the mining industry—and I include site management of risks. Responsibility for everyone involved in it—has ensured that safety should lie primarily with trained workers workplace health and safety is now significantly on site, with ongoing supervision and better than at any time in this industry's history. enforcement being the responsibility of For this industry to have a lost time injury inspectors appointed by the Department of frequency rate that is now better than those of Mines and Energy. Much in the Bills is the manufacturing, transport and storage consistent with that philosophy and deserves industries is a development that few would general support. However, despite the have believed possible even a decade ago. Government's stated desire to introduce That fact has been mentioned by previous modern and best practice legislation, what we speakers. are now debating are Bills that retain a range of redundant legislatively mandated positions Mr Pearce: They're putting them in store and, in the case of two of these, with a rooms in back offices—injured workers. They're number of wide-ranging police powers that not letting them go to work. have the capacity to impede workplace safety Mr MITCHELL: I am outlining how well the reforms and jeopardise the operations of industry is doing, which is a credit to the mine mines. workers and everybody on site. Everything is improving and that is a credit to all involved. Before I discuss these serious drawbacks, it is important to highlight the fact that mine These figures are important because they safety has shown quite significant highlight that the mining industry has already improvements over the past four years. The taken significant strides in recent times. I would lost time injury frequency rate for the mining have liked to have spoken on Bills that industry as a whole, including all coal and consolidated this trend. Instead, these Bills metalliferous mines as well as quarries, has place roadblocks to the reform passage and dropped from 27.7 in 1993-94 to 24.7 in 1994- are a testament to the type of trade-offs with 95, to 22 in 1995-96, to 20.2 in 1996-97 and the union movement that the Labor Party has to 15.5 in 1997-98. That is a good reduction. become associated with over the years. In other words, there have been consistent The Queensland Mining Council has improvements in this key safety indicator for pointed out that both Bills contain penal 29 Apr 1999 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 1605 provisions and argues that these provisions will The Bill compounds the matter by have exactly the opposite effect of what is specifically excluding people caught up in the intended by the Government. The argument of penal provisions web by relying on sections 23 the council is that both Bills are designed to and 24 of the Criminal Code, which include maximise the opportunity for the State to general defences of accident, events occurring obtain information about accidents so that independently of the exercise of a person's will preventive strategies can be quickly and and a mistake of fact. As the Scrutiny of decisively put in place. However, inserting Legislation Committee pointed out, these penal provisions virtually guarantees that defences may be critical for some alleged people whose evidence may well be vital in breaches, and the committee gives as an determining the cause of an incident will example the obligation on a coalmine operator automatically be seeking legal advice and will to appoint a site senior executive for the mine. be advised to seek legal immunity. The Mining It is totally unacceptable that these core Council concludes that this will completely defence provisions of our criminal law are undermine the stated objective of the being deleted from this Bill, and this action Government to focus on improving safety, and only compounds the situation. instead will slow this process down in a legal In assessing the relative merits of the and confrontational mire. cases put forward by the Government for Finally, the council points to the fact that having penal provisions and by the Mining the New South Wales industry has operated Council for opposing them, one fact above all with penal provisions since 1983 yet else stands out, that is, the retention of Queensland, which has not had them, is twice statutory positions in general, but in particular as safe. The logical implication is that penal the retention of the industry safety and health provisions themselves do not promote safety representatives in the coalmining industry and or have any effect, except possibly a negative the district workers' representative in the one, on achieving a safe working environment metalliferous and quarrying sector. for our miners. It has also been pointed out Both of these Bills require the mine that not one person has been imprisoned as a operators, in consultation with employees, to result of the penal provisions in the general develop safety and health measures on site to Workplace Health and Safety Act and that address potential risks at the mine. Both Bills there are already ample opportunities for require the establishment of site safety and people whose actions have endangered health representatives and committees. Both others to be dealt with under the general Bills require a position of site senior executive criminal law. and impose on that person duties to provide There is no doubt that the penal help to the representatives and the provisions in both of these Bills are drafted in a committees, to exchange key information with very wide manner. People who are potentially a site representative and to display information liable to be prosecuted range from all people about the identity of each site representative on site to a designer, manufacturer, importer for the relevant mine. or supplier of plant used at a mine, an erector The site safety representatives are or installer of plant at a mine, a manufacturer, elected by mine workers directly and are importer or supplier of substances used at a empowered to carry out inspections, review mine or a person who supplies a service at a procedures, detect unsafe practices and mine. Liability also attaches potentially to the conditions and investigate complaints—all in all holder of an exploration permit, mineral a responsible and powerful position. A person development licence or a mining lease for the holding the position must have the relevant mine. Those people are liable to a maximum safety and health competencies determined penalty, if successfully prosecuted, of two under both Bills. years' imprisonment or a fine of $60,000. Both of the Bills contain very extensive Mr McGrady: That's a decision for the inspectorial powers. As we would expect, court. inspectors appointed by the Crown need to be Mr MITCHELL: But the Bill states that that given wide powers to properly enforce is what it is. I might add that in Alert Digest legislation such as these Bills, which are critical No. 4 the Scrutiny of Legislation Committee to our State's economy and which, if not has usefully set out in tabular form the types of properly enforced, could result in potentially penalties that the Coal Mining Safety and disastrous loss of life. Yet under both Bills, Health Bill prescribes, and the matters union nominated officers are superimposed criminalised are interesting reading. I will deal over inspectors and site safety officers. In the with one or two of these before I conclude. case of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill, 1606 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 29 Apr 1999 the CFMEU is actually named in the legislation powers. If they do, they are liable to a fine of as the union from which these persons are 500 penalty units, or $37,500. selected. In other words, this Bill attempts to The term "disadvantage" is not defined in give the CFMEU sole coverage of the whole either Bill, but having this sort of sword coalmining industry. Although the general hanging over our head is a totally untenable mining bill is less obvious in its bias, it is clear and unacceptable situation, especially when that the AWU will be the union that will be "disadvantaging the union representative" nominating district workers' representatives in might involve not wanting to close down a the metalliferous area. mine at a cost of millions of dollars when mine The duties and powers of these officers management know that the direction is wrong. are very wide. They are appointed to inspect Honourable members should think about mines, review safety procedures at mines, those powers. Here we have persons detect unsafe practices and conditions at nominated by a union who are given duties mines, participate in investigations into serious and powers of a nature similar to the site accidents, investigate safety or health safety representatives and inspectors. I complaints and generally help in relation to concede that inspectors are given a much safety and health initiatives designed to wider range of powers and duties. improve mine conditions. Nevertheless, the power vested in these union To give effect to these wide duties, the representatives is ridiculous. Bills empower these union-nominated people Mr Pearce: They're going to love you out to make inquiries, to enter any part of a mine, there, Rob. to examine any relevant documents, to take copies of relevant documents, to issue Mr MITCHELL: They do not love me now, directives and to require a person in control of anyway, so what is the use? a mine to help the union officer in exercising These union representatives are these powers. Any failure to help or to hand empowered to walk onto mine sites and give over documents will result in a fine of 100 legal directions, which could result in massive penalty units, or $7,500. fines if they are disobeyed. They can copy As I mentioned, the Bills give these union documents, make inquiries, require assistance, officers the power to issue directives. If these enter onto any part of a mine and then issue a union officers form the view that the risk from directive by word of mouth to shut down a particular mining operations is not at an mine. This is despite the fact that the mines acceptable level, they may give a directive to they may be entering may contain no union any person to suspend operations in all parts members at all. Honourable members should or a part of a mine. The Bills even provide that just stop and think about Gordonstone. The this directive can be given orally. I believe that member for Fitzroy would know all about it; he is too much power. has been there a few times. In other words, a union officer can walk Under the Coal Mining Safety and Health into a mine and, on the spot, close down all or Bill, the CFMEU would be given the sole power part of it. The Bills provide a mechanism for to nominate industry safety and health the review of these directives by the chief representatives. As I said, those people can inspector, but I would suggest that it is plainly enter onto any mine site, disrupt operations academic and attempting to close the gate and, at the end of the day, close down part or after the horse has bolted. As soon as a mine the whole of a mine. Having regard to the is closed down, the damage is done. By the protracted dispute at that mine and the actions time that such a directive is reviewed and of the CFMEU and its rent-a-crowd friends, revoked, the costs and dislocation caused how could the workers or management at would be enormous. Gordonstone be anything other than It is even more troubling when we apprehensive about how the CFMEU union consider that both Bills protect union representatives will exercise these powers? representatives who close down a mine from Why should a union representative have civil liability, provided that they have acted any power at all over a workplace where not all honestly and without negligence. In this event, of the workers are members of the union? it is the taxpayers who can be sued by a mine Why should these Bills, under the cover of operator who has suffered possibly enormous protecting mine workers' health and safety, damages. These Bills even provide that a give union officers police powers and try to person must not disadvantage an industry entrench their position in the workplace? I can health and safety representative or a district understand why the Mining Council and the workers representative from exercising their industry are apprehensive about these penal 29 Apr 1999 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 1607 powers. I can understand it all too well. In relevant person, tells them 'to the best of addition to all of that, both of these Bills the person's ability, how it is false or empower these union representatives to make misleading' and, if the correct information a formal statutory recommendation to the chief is obtainable, gives it to the inspector or inspector to commence prosecutions. other person. Why should these Bills contain any This seems at first glance a relatively mention of union appointed officers or site onerous duty to impose on the person senior executives having the statutory right to giving the document, given that the recommend prosecutions? If these people nature of the documents concerned is not have a complaint to make, they have the right, subject to any express restriction." in common with anybody else, to approach the I totally agree with the committee that this inspectorate. However, the insertion of this provision is too open-ended and potentially right in the Bills gives the complaints of these unjust. It is these types of vague, broad and people a semiofficial status. It is the sort of oppressive obligations and penal provisions status that is unwanted, unneeded and totally which highlight why the Mining Council is so counterproductive. concerned about the legislation. These Bills even provide that prosecutions I have touched on just some of the can be launched not just by the chief provisions in the Bills that cause me concern. inspector, the Attorney-General or his In summing up, I say that these Bills are nominee, neither of whom I would argue basically good, but they contain elements that against, but also by a person authorised by have the potential to impede safety reforms the Minister. In other words, the Minister for and could be used unjustly and in a biased Mines and Energy can nominate whom he and oppressive manner. In particular, the likes to start prosecutions. He is given the combination of very broadly drafted penal discretion and latitude to nominate any union provisions with a union appointed inspectorate representative he likes or any person who has results in the Mining Council having every an industrial stake in the mining industry. I am reason to feel uncomfortable about the Bills. I not suggesting that this is the Minister's have not suggested at any stage that these intention, but I am pointing out that there is Bills should not contain some sort of penal nothing to stop this occurring. Under these provisions. In fact, it would be unusual if Bills of Bills, the only thing that would prevent it at the this nature did not have some penalties for moment is the lack of a nomination by the persons not observing this or that requirement. Minister of the day. This type of power casts a However, the way that these Bills have been cloud over the whole prosecution process and constructed goes far beyond what is either taints the argument that penal provisions necessary or desirable. should be in these Bills. Hon. K. W. HAYWARD (Kallangur—ALP) In the time remaining I wish to touch on (12.50 p.m.): I welcome this debate. Its one or two other issues. The Scrutiny of principal focus is on the protection of the Legislation Committee has queried why the health and safety of mine workers. Mine and chairpersons of the Coal Mining Safety and quarry safety, particularly underground mining, Health Advisory Council and the Board of is an issue for all MPs to consider. Our Examiners are to be appointed for the term purpose here as members of Parliament is to that the Governor in Council considers represent people. Two of the principal issues appropriate, whereas the members of these that I think we should never forget as to why bodies are limited to a particular period. This we represent people are to work for the will be discussed further during the Committee improvement of the economy—and, through stage. This sort of open-ended power is that, the provision of jobs—and within the unsatisfactory. Clearly, some time limitation workplace to ensure that people whom we should appear in the legislation. represent can be guaranteed an important Secondly, the committee also deals with level of safety in the workplace, particularly clause 180, which provides that a person must when one deals with the health and safety of not give an inspector, inspection officer or mineworkers. union appointed industry representative a As I said before, I welcome the document containing information the person opportunity to speak to these Bills. The knows is false or misleading. The committee principal issue is that these two new Bills makes the following point in its Alert Digest— repeal the Coal Mining Act of 1925. I know "Clause 180 goes on to provide an that in my role as a member of Parliament exemption where the person, when giving I—and a number of other people in this the document to the inspector or other Chamber—have had the opportunity to speak 1608 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 29 Apr 1999 to many of the amendments to that Coal safety. I think that we need to put to rest a lot Mining Act of 1925 that have been brought of those issues and a lot of those positions before this Parliament over the years. As the and work constructively towards improving the industry changes, as technology changes, as safety and health of miners in this State. the drive for improved efficiencies occurs and This legislation, as I said before, is tough as safety issues that previously were not legislation. It was developed by tripartite apparent to anybody are exposed— groups, including Government, union and unfortunately, often tragically—the Parliament industry representatives, and it involved wide then has the need to bring in further consultation within Australia and overseas. It amendments. demonstrates, I think, a solid commitment Of course, the history of underground from all concerned—we do not leave anybody mining, particularly coalmining, in Queensland out; I repeat "all concerned"—to prevent is littered with tragic disasters. If one looks at accidents and to safeguard the health of those its history, one sees that disasters have involved or affected by the mining industry and occurred about every seven years. The the quarrying industry. honourable member for Fitzroy talked earlier about Mount Mulligan in 1921. But if Work started on this legislation in 1991, honourable members look at the history, they but it was halted in 1994 when, as I said will see that incidents occurred in 1921, 1928, before, the Moura disaster occurred. In 1996 1936, 1945, 1954—two in 1954—1972, 1975, the warden's report into Moura was handed 1978, 1986 and, of course, very tragically and down, and the legislation has now been most recently, Moura in 1994, in which people drafted to include the recommendations of who work within the mining industry have been that report. Some of the key points from the killed. So there is a great history—— legislation include an emphasis on duty of care obligations for employers and employees; on- Mr ROWELL: Mr Deputy Speaker, I draw site management of risks that are involved in your attention to the state of the House. mining; specific provision for employee Quorum formed. involvement in safety at the work site; joint Mr HAYWARD: Over a number of years employer and employee planning for safety and particularly in recent years, mining has and health by developing safety management developed into the most important industry in systems; importantly, I think, penalties the Queensland economy. The point that I including imprisonment which mirror the made before was that the history of mining in Workplace Health and Safety Act; and a major Queensland is been littered with many tragic monitoring and enforcement role for the disasters. As I said when I first rose to speak, I Government in the inspectorate. welcome these Bills, but there is nothing surer I think that this legislation sets standards than that we will be debating further for safety and health, rather than prescribing amendments in this Parliament as time how industry should do things. It is based on passes. those modern principles, principles that are a This is tough legislation which will send a result of sustained effort by all of the major strong safety message, because the Coal stakeholders. People have not been Mining Safety and Health Bill of 1999 and the exempted from or left out of the debate or the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill of drafting of the legislation that is now before the 1999 contain the most significant changes to Parliament. Under this legislation, the people mining legislation since 1925, when the who have the authority to remove hazards and present Coal Mining Act was introduced. As I reduce risk can be held accountable. Similarly, said before, this is tough legislation and it will responsibility is placed on those who have the send a strong message to everybody most knowledge of how detection and removal associated with the mining industry, that is, the of hazards should be achieved, which in many owners, the managers and, of course, the cases is the mineworkers themselves. workers. While the mining industry and those So far in this debate, speakers opposite supplying goods and services to the industry have highlighted, probably through briefs that will have firm obligations to health and safety, they have received from the Queensland there is also a clear role for the Government Mining Council, a distrust between the workers, through the Mines Inspectorate, which has the management and the owners. Through been considerably strengthened from 33 to 44 that they are saying that many of the matters positions in preparation for this legislation. that have come forward in this debate on There will be a measured amount of self- these very important safety and health Bills regulation involved, but Government will be this afternoon are not relevant or helpful to monitoring, auditing and correcting safety 29 Apr 1999 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 1609 systems established by industry as well as highly regarded as the Queensland Mining enforcing the requirements of the legislation. If Council has some problems with the new the worst happens, the Coroners Court will mining legislation, then it probably contains inquire into any fatal accidents as part of some flaws. normal judicial process, as opposed to there The Mining Council believes that penal being a warden's inquiry. Importantly, this will provisions will be counterproductive and it does ensure that serious failures to meet safety not want them in the legislation because they obligations are reviewed by a body which is will impede the free flow of information completely independent of the mining industry between parties after an accident. It is not or agencies associated with the mining hard to imagine that many participants in industry. discussions will want to seek legal immunity for Sitting suspended from 1 p.m. to fear of incriminating themselves. The proposed 2.30 p.m. penal provisions are supported by the CFMEU Mr HAYWARD: As I said before the lunch and the Department of Mines and Energy, but adjournment, I welcome these Bills, but there not the AWU. is nothing surer than that as time passes this I point out to the House that the New Parliament will debate further amendments on South Wales Act has operated with penal the issue of safety as technology changes and provisions since 1983, yet the Queensland the industry evolves. mining industry is twice as safe as the New I ask the Minister whether this legislation South Wales industry, according to the LTIFR grants exemptions to the application of the figures for 1996-97. I will recap some of the safety measures. That is of some concern to things said about that yesterday, and I ask me. As excellent as these Bills are, I would be members to bear in mind just exactly how concerned if there are exemptions that enable dangerous the mining industry is. In the three people to avoid these important issues of years to June 1998 there were 13 fatalities in safety. I would like the Minister to explain the Queensland mining industry, with four in whether there are provisions for exemptions in the coalmining industry. That could be seen by relation to health and safety and, if so, what other industry standards as a very sound catch-all there is to ensure that the safety of safety record. I table the figures relating to lost mine workers is maintained. time and fatal injuries in Queensland. Mining and quarrying are dangerous The Queensland Mining Council is also occupations, particularly underground mining. completely against the statutory positions of The member for Fitzroy talked about open cut examiner in the coal sector and coalmining. We should learn from the past. district workers' representatives in other mines. The history of mining is littered with disasters. The Mining Council makes the valid point that That is why these Bills were developed and no such similar positions are provided for in other legislation will continue to be developed any other industries under the Workplace as time goes on. Health and Safety Act. Why has the mining The safety of miners is paramount. We industry been singled out? The Mining Council need to ensure that safety is improved and not maintains that the creation of these statutory reduced. These two Bills deal with that. As I positions will reinforce the dangerous notion have said before, safety will not be maintained that safety is the responsibility of only a if exemptions from the safety provisions handful of people, when in fact all personnel continue to be granted at will. Why have these need to be involved in preventing accidents. safety provisions if exemptions are granted The Mining Council challenges the easily? We have learned these lessons the Government to prove how these provisions will hard way, as a result of disasters. I look improve safety in Queensland mines. forward to the comments of the Minister on Whilst we applaud the positive moves to this issue. I commend this legislation to the enhance the safety of any sector of the mining House. industry, I ask: how will this position, specifically Mr FELDMAN (Caboolture—ONP) targeted as a union position, assist in raising (2.33 p.m.): For the enlightenment of the safety standard for workers in mines? members, I will discuss several contentious There will be confusion between the roles and issues raised in the submission of the jurisdictions of the qualified Public Service Queensland Mining Council delivered to the inspectorate and the unqualified union Premier. As we all know, the Queensland appointed officers. The appointment will be Mining Council is a very respected Queensland counterproductive, as it shifts responsibility institution which represents most of the mining from management to a third party. The fact industry in Queensland. If an institution as that the district workers' representatives will be 1610 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 29 Apr 1999 appointed by the Minister and not subject to The accident at Moura No. 2 occurred on the Public Service Act 1996 means that the 7 August 1994, and an inquiry was established Government, and therefore the public, will be to determine the nature and cause of the liable for damages as a result of improper underground explosion that resulted in 11 exercise of powers by a district workers' deaths. Because of the immediate history of representative. Last, but by no means least, disasters in the Moura area—three similar the practical implementation of the underground explosions at mines on the appointment of the DWRs in the coal sector Moura lease in 19 years—the inquiry, in its and the ISHRs in the other sectors may breach deliberations, also had to look at mine safety anti-discrimination laws. in broad terms, as well as examining the Few members of this Parliament would be specific nature and cause of the explosion at aware that eight months of protracted Moura No. 2. The inquiry was assisted by a negotiations have occurred between the chief panel of experts drawn from the most executives of every major company in the experienced and knowledgeable mining mining industry and the Minister for Mines and people available in Australia at the time. Panel Energy, Tony McGrady. They have been members were drawn from the ranks of the voicing their strong opposition to certain mining industry's senior executives, the senior provisions contained in this legislation. In personnel of mining faculties at the institutes desperation, after complaints fell on deaf ears, of higher learning, senior union officials and they decided to approach the Premier directly. experts with wide experience examining mining Part of the submission to the Premier on 4 problems. March 1999 states— At the request of the former Queensland "The individual companies Department of Minerals and Energy, the represented by the Queensland Mining United States Department of Labour made Council are totally opposed to the experts in mine explosions available from the amendments now before you. We believe Mining Safety and Health Administration. they actually constitute a threat to the These experts attended the inquiry and gave health and safety of our workforce in the advice. The inquiry sat for 15 weeks, with 57 mines we manage and are responsible sitting days, and delivered findings that the for. We are seeking your assurances that Labor Government publicly committed itself to the proposed amendments as drafted will fully implementing. The findings were also not proceed." endorsed by the following coalition I concur with these statements. These are Government. pretty damning words from the Queensland Mining Council. I urge all members of the The inquiry was the most detailed, well- House to pass the amendments to be moved resourced, well-informed investigation into by my colleague the member for Whitsunday mine safety in Queensland in memory. In the during the Committee stage. coal industry in Queensland, and probably Australia, a more thorough review of Mr MULHERIN (Mackay—ALP) coalmining safety had not taken place since (2.38 p.m.): I am pleased to support the Coal the 1921 royal commission into the Mount Mining Safety and Health Bill 1999 and the Mulligan disaster, which the member for Fitzroy Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill mentioned earlier. 1999. I welcome the opportunity to speak to these Bills, which will go a long way towards The Moura inquiry endorsed the concept improving the health and safety of mine and of duty of care and agreed that all persons quarry workers following the repeal of the 1925 should be required, as far as practicable, to Mining Act. ensure their own safety and the safety and This legislation was developed by the health of others. The proposed legislation Department of Mines and Energy through does this. The Moura inquiry report added the tripartite groups involving union and industry further qualification that those with the greatest representatives. In addition to the involvement authority should have the greatest of these groups, consultations took place both responsibility. The proposed legislation places interstate and overseas as a result of the the major obligation for the safety of the mine Moura inquiry. The Moura inquiry has had a on the site senior executive and the company, profound influence on the Coal Mining Safety with appropriate levels of obligation on other and Health Bill. Some of the more employees. This is central to the structure of controversial provisions included in the the legislation in the placing of obligations for legislation are a result of recommendations of safety and health on all persons at all levels in that inquiry. the mining company. 29 Apr 1999 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 1611

The inquiry rejected the suggestion that and health are placed on companies who the statutory position of mine manager be design or supply equipment. This approach is abolished and strongly endorsed that the fully supported by people in the industry, who statutory positions in the hierarchy below mine are convinced that safe business is good manager be retained. The legislation has business. adopted this structure. Safety management This legislation has been developed in plans based on detailed risk and hazard cooperation with industry stakeholders, and analysis were recommended, together with the one of its primary aims is to develop a safety provision that they should be regularly audited, culture in the mining and quarrying industries. both internally and externally. The legislation, The creation in legislation of a Mining Industry with its concept of "acceptable level" of risk Advisory Council for each industry will and requirements of auditable safety encourage the continuation of the cooperation management systems to identify and control and input evident in the development of these risk, clearly follows this recommendation. Bills. These bodies will represent stakeholders While the inquiry stated that there was no and have the task of advising the Minister and inherent objection to introducing self- ensuring continuous improvement in the regulation, this had to be done within a management of safety and health in the framework. Provisions in the proposed mining and quarrying industries. legislation and regulations allowing mines to develop their own principle hazard Finally, in the preparation of the management plans and standard operating legislation, where major differences of opinion procedures provide scope for the industry to have occurred, a cautionary approach has develop its own regulations in a responsible been adopted as recommended by the and accountable fashion. Each mine must inquiry. This is particularly the case with the develop a safety management system to statutory position of open cut examiners, proactively manage mine safety, including the where opinions on the need for this position development of principal hazard management are polarised. This is no more evident than in plans and associated standard operating this Chamber, where members opposite have procedures. railed against the Government because of the Government's intention to include the statutory The proposed legislation is designed to position of open cut examiners. The safeguard the safety and health of those in Opposition, including One Nation, who want to the mining and quarrying industries and those abolish this statutory position, are ideologically who are affected by the activities of these driven by their mistrust and hatred of the union industries. As I said earlier, the legislation movement, who have a legitimate role to play requires the management of risk, which must in the interests of mine safety for their be controlled to an acceptable level. What is members. an acceptable level of risk is set by standards such as appropriate Worksafe and Australian These Bills are a milestone on the long standards which would become recognised road to safer, healthier and more effective standards and guidelines under the legislation, mining and quarrying industries. The lessons and by using modern risk-assessment of the past have not been wasted. The techniques where suitable standards are not recommendations and advice of the most available. extensive inquiry into safety in Queensland mines since the 1921 commission of inquiry Today's mining projects cost hundreds of into the Mount Mulligan disaster and the millions of dollars, and mining houses are inquiry into the disaster at Moura No. 2 on 7 often the main decision makers for these August 1994, which resulted in 11 deaths and projects and the source of the necessary great personal tragedy to those miners' funds. The structure of the legislation families, have been given close attention and recognises this situation and places the followed. I would like to congratulate the ultimate safety and health obligations on Minister for Mines and Energy on his senior managers who set policy rather than, as commitment to implement the findings of the is currently the case, middle or junior inquiry in this legislation. I commend the Bills managers. Appropriate obligations for safety to the House. and health are allocated to leaseholders, company directors, general managers at the Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone—IND) mine site—called site senior executives in the (2.47 p.m.): The mining industry, while it is not Bills—middle management, mine workers, in my electorate directly, is certainly in close contractors and designers and suppliers of proximity. Over a number of years, we have equipment. This is a first in mining legislation in seen some very serious tragedies occur. Queensland where clear obligations for safety Whereas particularly with Moura there was a 1612 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 29 Apr 1999 detailed post mortem, that does not give great Underground miners are at the mercy of their assistance or great succour to the families who employers and their inspectors, who must have been affected, particularly those who lost ensure that their working conditions are safe. dads in that incident. However, the Moura Clause 72 of the Bill allows the Minister to mine inquiry did uncover a number of issues notify the making of recognised standards by that needed to be addressed and needed to Gazette notice. The coalition's proposed be addressed quite seriously. amendments provide for those notices to be In the information that was provided by advised as subordinate legislation. I will be the Minister when the Bill was introduced, the supporting that. That will ensure that these Department of Mines and Energy, the standards are reviewed by this Parliament. Queensland Mining Council, other industry Whilst in many instances no action would be associations and relevant unions—and two are taken, it at least provides for disallowance if it named: the CFMEU and the ACSA—all is felt necessary. recognise deficiencies in the current regulatory regime covering safety and health in I want to comment on the appointment of coalmines. Yet I find it anomalous that, in the members of the council. Clause 81 provides definitions of "union", only the CFMEU gets a that council members are appointed for no jacket. I am sure that there are more than that more than three years, with the ability for particular union that operate in the mining reappointment for up to eight consecutive industry. years. However, the chairperson is appointed without any time being specified. I wondered There are a number of issues that I will be why that was necessary. As I said, council seeking to clarify with the Minister at the members are appointed with the opportunity Committee stage, because a more appropriate for reappointment. I do not know why we have opportunity will arise. There are just a number this situation. I assume that the chairperson of general comments that I wish to make. The would be eligible for reappointment. This would position of the inspectorate for underground give the Minister and others who are affected mines is vital—more so than even in open-cut some opportunity to review the situation. mining, which is the direction of the new mining companies. They have tended towards I also seek clarification from the Minister open-cut mining. The men and women who as to why he has been given the power to work in the underground mines are very remove a member from office for any reason vulnerable as far as safety is concerned. They or no reason. Usually, natural justice requires have little opportunity to leave a mine if there that if a person is removed from an office a is a serious incident, and that has been reason is given. That clause in the Bill is an evidenced by a number of serious cave-ins anomaly. It is not a clause that regularly occurs over a number of years. So their safety, their in other legislation. In almost all legislation I quality of air and their quality of working have seen, any removal from office has to be conditions in an underground mine must be accompanied by a reason. In some instances, very closely monitored. The ability of the health those reasons have to be written to allow for and safety officer or the inspector to require the appeal apparatus to come into play. I do that the mine be cleared of personnel if, in the not understand why the Minister has been safety officer's or inspector's opinion the given that power. I would be interested to hear working conditions are unacceptable or any comments that the Minister may wish to unsafe, must be unfettered. make. It must not be checked by economic The legislation contains a clear reasons. It must not be checked by any divergence of opinion with regard to the constraint—such as a threat of termination—as industry health and safety officer. I believe that far as the person's work position is concerned. the proposed One Nation amendments will It must not be threatened by any other remove this clause from the Bill. The coalition's encumbrance that would hinder the inspector proposed amendments allow for a significant from working in the best interests of the input by the workers in the mine. However, that underground work force. Conversely, the does not appear to be the case in the inspector must act in good faith and in no way legislation tabled by the Minister. I would be make a decision on anything other than the interested to know why the workers have not working conditions. In other words, he must been given some opportunity to comment on not close down the mine as a means of union the contribution of the industry health and action. I hold firmly to that view, particularly in safety representative. One could understand relation to underground miners who are so the union, the workers and the Minister having very vulnerable. There is a little more flexibility some input into the situation. The way the Bill with open-cut mining in regard to air quality. is written, the union and the Minister have an 29 Apr 1999 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 1613 input but the workers are somewhere else. public. The Minister need not table a separate They are out in the cold. I notice that the report in the Legislative Assembly. However, coalition's amendments give the workers the the Minister has an obligation to table any right to decide whether their representatives other part of the report. have their confidence. Again, given the My concern with that clause is that it vulnerability of mining workers, that appears to provides an opportunity for negligence by be a very important right to confer upon the companies, inspectors or office bearers to be work force. I would be interested to know why withheld from public view simply because the the Minister finds that unacceptable. board details it as needing confidentiality. I have a question with regard to clause There are no guidelines covering this issue. 119 on page 71. My understanding of this The board can request the Minister to keep clause is that the industry representative is confidential matters concerning individuals. I funded by the union, is chosen by the union could understand this provision if it covered and is appointed by the union. As part of his details of mining incidents or cave-ins where suite of powers, he has power to issue a graphic detail would add to the pain of the directive under clause 167. This refers to a family. However, the legislation does not say directive to suspend operation if there is an that. It simply gives the board the ability to unacceptable level of risk. The company's report separately to the Minister on issues that response is to go to court. I seek clarification are not defined. That may lead to a situation in from the Minister as to what recompense the which people not deserving of protection will company can pursue. Does the company sue gain protection. the union which, according to the Bill, has the As I said, there are a number of other role of appointing the representative? The issues in the amendments that have been union funds the representative and has a circulated. However, I think that I would rather great deal of input into the representative's deal with most of them at the Committee work. stage to get a more direct answer from the If the court overturns the representative's Minister. I reiterate that miners are a opinion as being unsubstantiated, does the vulnerable group of people, particularly company sue the union or the Minister? If the underground miners. There have been many company can sue the Minister for costs, it mining tragedies in my region, which the appears that this legislation contains an member for Fitzroy is much more familiar with inappropriate stream of accountability and perhaps much more passionate about. If because, the way I understand the Bill, the we can do something to give protection to the representative is not directly answerable to the underground miners in particular, we would Minister. The representative acts on his own feel relieved. The families of miners would also behalf. I believe it is not a balanced approach feel a great deal of relief and would be if the company has recourse to the Minister. comforted if those safeguards could be clearly There is a proposal by the coalition to implemented and policed. include a new section restricting the functions Mr MICKEL (Logan—ALP) (3 p.m.): and powers of the industry health and safety Firstly, I would like to thank the member for representative to the extent that the Charters Towers for the courtesy extended to representative will only be able to exercise me earlier. He was most gracious and I do power in a mine where the majority of workers appreciate that. are members of that industrial organisation. The mining industry is a significant There is some wisdom in this provision. contributor to the Australian economy in However, I am sure that there is a downside to general and the Queensland economy in it as well. I would be interested to hear the particular. However, the industry is under Minister's comment on the reason for not financial pressure and we need to recognise including that in the Bill. that. For example, in its outlook to 2003-4 the I want to make a few comments with March Quarter 1999 Australian Commodities, regard to boards of inquiry. The boards fulfil a which is produced by the Australian Bureau of very important role. The role is reactive, not Resource Economics, found that Australia will proactive. The inquiries concern serious be an important contributor to the expected accidents or the potential for serious incidents growth in global minerals supply over the occurring. I wondered what matters the medium term. Australian mine production is Minister would consider are covered by clause forecast to grow significantly between 1998-99 203(4). The Bill provides that the board can and 2003-4 as production from recently give the Minister a separate report on issues commissioned new mine developments and that the board considers should not be made others at advanced stages of planning reach 1614 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 29 Apr 1999 full capacity. However, overall earnings for experience and knowledge to focus on safety Australia's minerals and energy exports are and health problems. The safety and health of projected to fall by over 9% to $36.7 billion in people who work in the mining industry are real terms between 1998-99 and 2003-4. important to us on this side of the House. We In Queensland, the mine that is at an are very pleased that we have people such as advanced stage of development is Pasminco's the honourable member for Fitzroy, who has a $840m Century mine. In other words, as the wealth of experience in the industry, and honourable member for Fitzroy knows, low someone such as the Honourable the Minister, world prices have already led to the closure of who represents all of those miners in the some high-cost mines and processing facilities Mount Isa district and who represents them and, unfortunately, Queensland cannot very, very well. escape those cost pressures. So according to The sobering fact is that over the past 23 forecasts, output of coal over the next few years there have been four major coalmine years will be a modest 9%, but the production disasters, and in the past 20 years there have of liquid natural gas is projected to rise by been 56 deaths in the mining and quarrying 28%. The pressure is on the industry not only industries and 49 deaths in the coal industry. to be nationally competitive but also to Each of those events leaves a deep, continue to be internationally competitive. emotional and psychological scar on those From time to time, we hear people close-knit mining communities. express concerns about the National Mr Schwarten: And very expensive to the Competition Policy. However, in the gas community. industry it is working to Queensland's benefit. Mr MICKEL: Absolutely. We can all The central reform, namely, the natural gas remember those stark images on television of pipeline access code developed by all States the Honourable the Premier when he was out and Territories, creates a legally enforceable at Moura. The local community wanted the right for people to gain access to the services Premier to inspect the mining memorial that of natural gas pipelines at fair and reasonable had been built for those lost miners. We all prices. As a direct result, it was encouraging to remember the trauma experienced by those attend that milestone ceremony, the gas people, who are still going through it some agreement for the AGL/Chevron pipeline—that years after the event. We on this side of the $5.5 billion project from Papua New Guinea to House unashamedly see it as our obligation to Queensland. Yesterday I was delighted when do our best for those communities and for the the Deputy Premier informed the House that families who earn their living in this industry. large companies such as Woodside Petroleum and Santos are already showing a significant Mr Schwarten: It's also good economics interest in that wonderful project. As the to do it that way. Minister knows only too well, it is an Mr MICKEL: As the honourable outstanding prospect for regional economic gentleman points out, it is also good development in Queensland. economics. It is often ignored that these As an aside, such developments also put families are increasingly the economic wealth pressure on all energy sectors to be efficient. I of small country towns and are vital in the notice, too, that after the commencement of development of provincial cities throughout the competitive wholesale market in electricity Queensland. in Queensland in March 1998, wholesale This legislation includes imprisonment as electricity prices fell by around 23%. a penalty for breaches of obligations that lead Opponents of competition policies in all export to death, grievous bodily harm, bodily harm, or areas of the economy should contemplate exposure to substances likely to lead to death some of the benefits being given already to or grievous bodily harm. I am advised that Queensland energy consumers and projects these penalties are equivalent to those that will create jobs in regional Queensland. contained in the Workplace Health and Safety However, these achievements, particularly Act. I stress that this penalty and any penalties in the energy sector, do not have to be imposed by the court system are subject to made—and I stress this—at the cost of the appeal and impact only in the most blatant safety of the employees in the industry. An cases of neglect. important feature of the proposed legislation is These two Bills are the single biggest the establishment of an advisory council to changes to the legislation controlling safety in advise the Honourable the Minister on safety the mining and quarrying industries since the and related issues. These are tripartite in proclamation of the current Coal Mining Act in nature and should allow a wealth of 1925. The Government has a responsibility to 29 Apr 1999 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 1615 monitor the industry and to require changes to indicators used for comparative purposes. improve safety or to remove health hazards Over the last two years, the mining industry where necessary. These Bills seek a balance: has improved its performance by 23%, they place obligations on all of those involved bringing it up to a level that is now equal to the in the mining and quarrying industries from the all-industry average. employees to the company directors. The Given the nature of mining operations, legislation also gives rights to those exposed how can the industry's performance, which is to risk to take steps, when they honestly indicated by the figures to be under half that of believe that the risk is beyond an acceptable the manufacturing sector, be used as a level, to reduce that risk. credible excuse to impose retrograde As I pointed out, the industry is provisions in our safety legislation? These undergoing massive change, which has been changes are not about improving the safety of brought about by circumstances beyond mining employees, but rather the Australian shores. In Queensland, we have not entrenchment of the role of the trade unions in been immune from any downsizing in the coal the mining industry—a role that is continually industry. I know that from time to time the evolving. honourable member for Fitzroy informs this The dramatic improvements in House of the trauma that those families are performance have continued into 1998-99. As going through; often they have to relocate to of 31 December 1998, the lost time injury other areas. We are responding to world frequency rate was down to 11 for the mining demand for commodities and we know that in sector—a lower figure than that of the the commodity-producing areas, they are manufacturing, transport and storage and doing it tough. However, doing it tough does construction industries. I have every not mean that we have to sacrifice safeguards. confidence that the Queensland industry will These Bills ensure that the Government is continue to drive safety improvements and has honouring its obligations to people working in set itself a goal of eliminating all fatalities, the industry. permanent injuries, diseases and high I commend the Minister for his ongoing potential incidents. commitment to mining families and for his The proposed reintroduction of open cut diligence on their behalf. These Bills deserve examiners into the coal sector makes no the support of the House. I thank the Minister sense considering the safety statistics for the and his staff very much for the briefings that industry. The LTIFR figure for surface they have given us and also for the coalmines is 7.8, or half the all-industry figure. contribution today of the member for Fitzroy, There have never been any mining disasters in who is an absolute champion for those mining surface coalmines. Therefore, there are no areas. That is in stark contrast to what we valid safety concerns to warrant the heard from the Opposition spokesman earlier introduction of the statutory safety position of today. I commend the Bill to the House. open cut examiner. A similar position is not Dr PRENZLER (Lockyer—ONP) provided for the surface metalliferous mines (3.08 p.m.): I wish to start by saying firstly that I that operate under near-identical conditions to am not anti-worker and I certainly do want to surface coalmines. Therefore, why do we need encourage the exportation of our abundant open cut examiners for the coal industry and mineral resources, which will benefit everyone not for the rest of the industry? The retention in this State. However, I have a number of of statutory positions maintains an unhealthy fundamental disagreements with the culture where safety is seen as the legislation as it currently stands, which I will responsibility of a few people. The mining now discuss. The Government maintains that industry is committed to changing that culture the changes made to the mining legislation to ensure that continued improvements in have been prompted by its concern about the safety are realised. unacceptable safety performances of the Over the past two years there have been mining industry. However, a review of the five fatalities in the Queensland mining available safety performance statistics industry, which is still five fatalities too many. produced by this Government shows clearly Over the same period there were 15 fatalities that this statement is totally unfounded. in the building and construction industry, 19 The already tabled figures detailing the fatalities in the Government sector and 16 lost time injury frequency rates or LTIFRs for fatalities in the engineering and metal trade Queensland industry sectors in 1996-97 and industries. To my knowledge, there has never 1997-98 provide interesting details. The been a catastrophe in an open-cut coalmine in LTIFRs are the normal key performance Queensland. I am as interested as everyone 1616 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 29 Apr 1999 else in ensuring that no-one gets killed or Criminal penalties will not improve safety, but injured at work, whether in a mine or anywhere they will impede the full and frank else. However, I cannot see how maintaining a dissemination of information after a disaster. union controlled inspectorate will improve It is my understanding that the AWU things. On the contrary, I agree with the demanded that the proposed penal sanctions Queensland Mining Council that a union be included in this legislation when all other inspectorate will be detrimental to safety. industry participants, including the Department Considering the fairly satisfactory and of Mines and Energy and the health and rapidly improving safety record of the mining safety inspectorate, recommended against the industry, what reason could the Government inclusion of such penal provisions. That point possibly have for taking such retrograde was clearly articulated to the Minister and the actions? Obviously the Government is cynically Premier, but Cabinet has decided to ignore the using the emotion of mining fatalities from the advice of the industry and include those last quarter of a century, and which relate to provisions in the legislation. As a result, the only one sector of the mining industry, as an safety of our mines may be somewhat excuse to push through unjustifiable union reduced. demands that will hinder the prevention of I want to see mine sites made as safe as mining fatalities in the whole industry. possible. I most certainly want to see the The Government has also been forced to mining industry in this State continue to introduce penal sanctions into the new flourish. However, after extensive consultation legislation, apparently encouraged by the with the Queensland Mining Council, I am not AWU. Such sanctions will impede a key convinced of the plausibility of the strategy to eliminate fatalities by obstructing Government's arguments. I believe that the the full and free flow of information after Bills preserve an unnecessary and intrusive accidents. People simply will not tell the truth. union presence in the mining industry that is The penalty of imprisonment has been no longer appropriate, and that this could hurt included in the Workplace Health and Safety the mining industry and the wider Queensland Act since 1985, yet to my knowledge not a economy. single person has been incarcerated under Unions no longer represent the workers, that legislation. I believe that it is senseless just as the Labor Party no longer represents and counterproductive to provide such ordinary Queensland workers. Along with my measures for the mining industry. colleagues, I will be moving and supporting a In the unfortunate event of an industrial number of amendments to the Bills. fatality, there must be a coronial inquest. One Mr LUCAS (Lytton—ALP) (3.16 p.m.): It is of the purposes of an inquest is to determine if interesting that the people on the other side of any person should be charged with the House, over and over and over again, manslaughter or murder under the Criminal criticise the unions that represent coalminers Code. In Queensland it is standard procedure and other miners in this State. From my that, when a fatality occurs and there is knowledge of workers in the mining industry, I evidence to warrant imprisonment, charges are would have thought that no-one would hold laid under the Criminal Code rather than the their union officials more accountable than Workplace Health and Safety Act. That being they do, nor would I have thought that there the case, why do we need additional penal would be a group of workers in the community provisions under the proposed legislation? The who would be more interested in their own proposed mining legislation was developed safety. over seven years with no penal provisions, mindful of the fact that appropriate When the Labor Party was in Opposition, punishment is available for serious offences the member for Fitzroy, the Minister and I went via a coronial inquest. underground in a number of mines to look at long wall coalmining. I have to say that of any The proposed legislation is far more operation that I have inspected, that is onerous than the Workplace Health and certainly the most hazardous and dangerous Safety Act. When accidents unfortunately operation. occur, the open exchange of information by all parties is crucial if accidents are to be Mr Schwarten: What about the young prevented in the future. If criminal sanctions bloke who lost two legs out there recently—tell are introduced, this will severely undermine the them that it is safe. free exchange of information that is so Mr LUCAS: As the Minister indicates, this necessary to eliminate accidents, as people activity really is inherently very dangerous. I will be afraid of incriminating themselves. would have thought that if a worker is not 29 Apr 1999 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 1617 concerned about his own safety, his fellow Examiners. The decision was made for a workers would be very keen to remind him of it number of very valid reasons. I need not and to keep it at the forefront of their union remind this Chamber that on 7 August 1994 representative's mind. Why would the an explosion occurred at the Moura No. 2 coalmining unions and the general mining mine in which 11 of our fellow Queenslanders unions such as the AWU not take an interest lost their lives. in the safety of their workers, when they are However, honourable members may not the ones who get killed? When there is a cave- be aware that that explosion was the third in at a mine—— mine explosion on the Moura lease in 19 Mr Johnson: Are you saying that years, each resulting in multiple loss of life. companies do not care about their That situation is even more tragic when one employees? considers that the human cost of these Mr LUCAS: I am not saying that the disasters was borne by the small township of companies do not have an interest in safety Moura and its population of about 2,000 issues. I am rebutting the utter balderdash that people. It was against this background that the impugns the motives of the unions in wanting Moura inquiry was held. The inquiry lasted 15 to maximise safety. I am saying that the weeks. It sat for 57 days and became the people who get killed in mining disasters are most intensive review into mine safety held in not people who sit in board rooms. The people Queensland since the 1923 royal commission who work in the mines take the greatest into the Mount Mulligan disaster. It is fair to interest in safety issues, because it is the say that this was the most intensive review of funerals of their mates that they have to go to. mine safety held in Australia in the past 20 They are the ones with the most to lose. years. Mr Johnson: I have to say to you that The inquiry held by the mining warden everybody, whether they are employers, was assisted by a panel of experts drawn from employees or whoever, has a great interest in the senior management of mining companies, the safety factor at mines. senior union officials, institutions of higher Mr LUCAS: I do not wish to impugn the learning and from the ranks of professionally motives of most people involved in the qualified experts with experience in the mining industry. I am not saying that safety is not industry. At the request of the Chief Inspector important to them. However, there is nothing of Coal Mines, the US Department of Labour like having the results of a lack of safety made available two experts on mine affecting one personally, as it does the explosions, who attended the inquiry and gave workers. The workers' representatives are advice. Various other experts from the UK and miners. It would be foolish to suggest USA were brought to the inquiry by involved otherwise. We can only sympathise with their parties and provided advice to the inquiry. position. Their union officials are elected on It must be remembered that the Moura that basis. The coalmining union—the inquiry was a judicial process in which evidence CFMEU—and also the AWU are unions that was given under oath and panel members are particularly strong in terms of grassroots acted in their capacity as citizens deliberating representation. Most of their union officials are on the nature and cause of the occurrence at people from the shop floor. It is very important Moura No. 2 and its lessons for mine safety. to recognise their interest. That contrasts with the Industry Commission I will return to the issues that I wish to inquiry, in which the focus was on economic cover. The Industry Commission report into the efficiency and the evidence taken was in the Australian black coal industry makes a number form of submissions. The Industry Commission of recommendations that contradict the Coal is a general body that looks at productivity Mining Safety and Health Bill. It is worth while issues in industry. It is not a body that even discussing why the Queensland Government has expertise in mining, let alone mine safety. has made decisions that go against the It is not surprising that the Industry recommendations of this Industry Commission Commission arrived at different conclusions on report. I will cover each of them in turn. mine safety from those arrived at by the Moura inquiry. Firstly, I will address the issue of the Board of Examiners. The Industry Commission The Moura inquiry endorsed duty of care report suggests that a Board of Examiners based legislation but also specifically stated would be unnecessary if the coal industry that, in the view of the inquiry, statutory legislation were changed to duty of care based positions as currently exist for underground legislation. However, our legislation is duty of coalmines should be retained. The inquiry care based and retains the Board of rejected a submission recommending that 1618 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 29 Apr 1999 statutory positions be eliminated and contribution to coalmine safety that has been concluded that there was no conflict between acknowledged by all parties in the Queensland duty of care based legislation and statutory coalmining industry, from the boardroom to the positions. Statutory positions are based on coalface. As for not representing the safety statutory certificates issued by the Board of concerns of non-union employees, that has Examiners and it is for this reason that the not been the case. The district union Board of Examiners is retained in keeping with inspectors have protected the safety of all coal the Moura inquiry recommendations. What industry employees. The proposed legislation was the point of setting up an inquiry into mirrors the provisions in the existing legislation, Moura if its recommendations were not going because we are concerned with protecting and to be taken seriously? improving the safety of coalmine workers. That Mr Pearce: That's where the current must come first. Minister was excellent. He came in and said, In relation to the concerns that these "We will implement all these positions can be misused, this possibility is well recommendations." covered in the legislation. Decisions can be Mr LUCAS: That is correct. This overturned by inspectors. The tenure of any outstanding Minister is probably the best person holding these positions who misuses his/her powers can be terminated by the Minister for Mines and Energy that this State Minister. The companies watch the activities of has ever had. union safety inspectors very closely and are Mr Johnson interjected. not slow to complain if powers are misused. Mr LUCAS: I note that the member for The union has demonstrated over a Gregory agrees with me in that regard. It was considerable time that it values these officers very gracious of him to do that. for the independent support they can give mine workers on safety issues. These officers During the evidence given at the Moura have demonstrated that they are capable of inquiry, at no time was evidence put forward separating safety and industrial issues. that supports the amazing suggestion included Coalmining involves very large amounts of in the Industry Commission report that money. These activities are by nature very somehow the existence of statutory positions capital intensive. Any stoppages often creates an attitude of apathy to mine safety. generate considerable costs. If in a mine there That is bizarre. is an expert who can give an assurance to the The proposed legislation for coalmining workers that their safety issues will be taken on safety and health allows a specific union to board immediately, that can only enhance appoint a person to be an industry safety and safety. health representative with powers under the Unfortunately, there has been a legislation. The Industry Commission report suggestion that some supervisors have been into the Australian black coal industry argues putting pressure on mine workers to take risks. against this. Once again, there were some With the downsizing, outsourcing and general very valid reasons for this decision. It must be increase in uncertainty, the opportunity to do remembered that the Industry Commission this has increased considerably. The district report was based on submissions from union inspectors provide a valuable sectional interests. Some of these submissions independent barrier against such behaviour. It reflect the industrial relations agenda of those must be remembered that the legislation also making the submissions. An example is given provides for a site safety and health in the report extracted from one submission representative who is elected by all coalmine and purports to prove that the powers given to workers, not just union members. The person union safety inspectors are routinely abused. in this position normally works closely with Apparently there were no submissions or, district union inspectors, adding an extra if there were, they were not highlighted by the control to ensure that the concerns of non- commission, which told of the extensive use union members are considered. It has been that mining companies have made of the demonstrated over a long period that the services of district union inspectors—how they activities of district union inspectors have been invited into company risk complement the safety activities of inspectors, assessments, requested to contribute to and I see no reason why this should not solving difficult safety problems and invited by continue into the future. companies and Government to participate in The Industry Commission suggests that safety audits. It is not an exaggeration to say open-cut coalmines should be placed under that, since these positions were created in occupational health and safety legislation, not 1940, the persons holding them have made a mining safety and health legislation. However, 29 Apr 1999 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 1619 our proposed legislation includes both open- up with that as well. When the shadow Minister cut and underground mines. This can be for Transport and Main Roads was the justified for a number of reasons. Coalmines Minister, he also had to put up with the often start out as an open-cut mine and then Federal Government not coming to the party develop into an underground coalmine. This with money for Port Road. sometimes involves concurrent open-cut and It is well known how central and underground production using common fundamental the recommendations of the treatment facilities. These open-cut and Moura inquiry are considered to be to any underground mining operations form a mining serious attempt to improve mine safety. complex controlled by a site manager. In these Members may ask themselves: if the Industry situations, it is impractical and probably Commission report is being used to justify impossible to separate one set of mining changes that have safety implications, what activities from another. notice did the commission take of the Moura The suggestion taken in a Queensland findings? The answer is simple. All the context is so impractical that it has never been recommendations of the Moura inquiry on raised during the extensive consultations with statutory positions which include a stakeholders. The proposed legislation puts in management hierarchy for underground place controls in proportion to the existence of coalmines and ways to ensure that the mine hazards and levels of risk. Consequently, the manager is competent are ignored. It is not requirements on open-cut coalmining are that the Industry Commission was unaware of much lower than on underground mining and the report of the Moura inquiry. In fact, part of closely follow the workplace health and safety the Moura report was selectively "quoted" to requirements. Placing open-cut mines under try to justify the incredible contention that the the jurisdiction of the Workplace Health and current legislation led to an apathetic approach Safety Act would achieve nothing other than to safety in the mining industry and somehow increasing the cost to mining companies and prevented some mining companies from Government and greatly complicating the training their people properly and holding administration of the relevant legislation. emergency exercises. The Industry Commission report The legislation before the House contains recommended also that Governments should the recommendations of the Moura inquiry not prescribe the management hierarchy at a regarding the hierarchy of management at mine site, the bundle of skills held by mine underground coalmines. In addition, the managers, including management experience, position of open cut examiner in open-cut and the responsibility of mine managers. coalmines is also retained. This retention was However, our legislation contains statutory made in response to the strong views held by positions for the following reasons. This issue many across industry that the position is helps to clarify some of the misconceptions necessary to preserve safety in these times of surrounding the Industry Commission's report outsourcing and downsizing. This retention into the black coal industry. seems to have caused unnecessary concern To put things into context, the important to some mining companies. However, the facts thing to remember, as I indicated before, is of the matter are simple. This position is that the Industry Commission report was not equivalent to the workplace health and safety about mine safety; it was about international officer as required under the Workplace Health competitiveness, about cost cutting and and Safety Act. It is not a big deal. increasing productivity. Mine safety was only This Government is well aware of the mentioned in passing. Those other three importance of mining to the economy of issues are important, but at the end of the day Queensland. One could not get a greater if one does not have a safe mine, one can defender of the mining industry than this forget about everything else because people Minister. are going to be getting killed. If one cannot Mr Johnson: Who wrote this speech? look after the work force, then one cannot carry out any sort of operation. Mr LUCAS: I am pleased to deliver this speech. The report has as much relevance to mining safety as the Federal Government's Mr Johnson: Did the Minister write this for blueprint for waterfront reform has to safe you? working practices on the waterfront. I might Mr LUCAS: No. Can I just say—and I said add, of course, that the Federal Government this before—that this Minister is the greatest has not put its money where its mouth is in Mines Minister that this State has ever had. relation to Port Road. The Minister had to put One could not get someone who is a greater 1620 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 29 Apr 1999 advocate for the mining industry. The coalminer. I give him credit and, as I said difference with this Minister is that he does not before, I give the Minister credit. advocate just the interests of coalmines; he Mr PAFF (Ipswich West—ONP) advocates the interests of coalminers. He does (3.34 p.m.): This Coal Mining Safety and not advocate just the interests of non- Health Bill causes me some serious concerns. metalliferous mines; he advocates the Coal constitutes about half of Queensland's interests of non-metalliferous miners and their mining output. Approximately 87% of families and communities, and that is where coalmining is open cut and 13% is the difference is and that is what makes this underground. The new safety and health Labor Minister a Minister of whom we are very legislation before the House will maintain the proud for the great work that he has done. positions of industry health and safety Mr Johnson: Those on this side of the representatives in the coal industry and district House care about the miners and their workers' representatives for the metalliferous families, too. mining industry. How does the Government Mr LUCAS: I am not suggesting that the justify its actions? There are certain provisions member for Gregory does not care about in this safety legislation that the industry is not miners' families, but the fact is that he is happy with but that the Government has mistaken in the way that he is approaching this included because it says it is also part of the legislation. He just happens to be wrong and Workplace Health and Safety Act. However, the Minister happens to be right. there is no union controlled inspectorate in the Workplace Health and Safety Act, so why Mr Johnson interjected. should the mining industry have one? Mr LUCAS: The member is more than The proposed legislation is based on the welcome to have his go. I look forward to doctrine of duty of care, with the responsibility hearing from him. It will demonstrate further of the safety and health of miners being that he is wrong and that he has the wrong transferred to management and employees at end of the stick in this debate. the site, but this will be hampered by the This Government is well aware of the presence of a union-dominated inspectorate. importance of mining to the economy of The Government has a role to provide an Queensland and, consequently, has given inspectorate to ensure that mines are considerable thought to allowing management complying with the rules and, as a last resort, innovation without compromising safety. to prosecute those found in non-compliance, However, we will not trade lives for profit. This but there is no role for a union-controlled may be the result if the hasty pseudo inspectorate. recommendations of the Industry Commission The key to safety excellence is to have report were implemented. employees and employers working together on In closing, I would like to remind the safety. The safety legislation has been House that there was strong bipartisan support developed to facilitate this, with employees for the recommendations of the Moura provided with greater powers and involvement inquiry—recommendations that have been than that offered to employees under the incorporated into the safety and health Workplace Health and Safety Act. On the legislation currently before the House. There is other hand, for the unions to retain their power one final thing that I want to say, and I base and relevancy, they must perpetuate the mentioned it briefly in the debate yesterday. myth that the safety of personnel depends This again relates to the tendency of some primarily on them, rather than management or members on the other side of the House when other employees. It is obviously in the unions' we are debating primary industries legislation interests to maintain a culture of confrontation to accuse those of us who are not farmers of on safety issues between the employer and not having a view or the ability to express a the employee and to promote the union as the view in relation to it. I pointed out that those of crucial middleman between the employer and us who have legal qualifications do not seek to the employee on safety matters. One of the apply that same standard to them when we primary tools for the union to keep employers are debating legal issues. and employees apart on safety has and will I will also say that it is this side of the continue to be the union inspectorate. House that has a member who has been a With changes in industrial relations, there coalminer and that it is this side of the House are now mines that have minimal or no union that has a person who has that expertise and members on site, or a range of unions knowledge of the very great dangers, both as represented at the mine. This legislation does an open-cut and as an underground not reflect the reality. In the coal Bill, only 29 Apr 1999 Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill; Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill 1621 members of the CFMEU have the right to vote the Government that has to wear the resulting for and appoint industry safety and health liabilities? representatives. Under the mining and There are no minimum qualifications for quarrying Bill, only industrial organisations can the position of district workers' representative nominate individuals to be district workers' stipulated in the Bill. It is left to the Minister to representatives. These positions are determine the appropriate degree of supposedly to represent all employees, but in competency or experience. As is the case with the case of the coal sector in reality only industry safety and health representatives, members of the CFMEU are given the right to district workers' representatives have the power select them. to suspend operations at a mine. We have seen legal advice that, while The existing legislation is very prescriptive these provisions have been drafted to get past and it is therefore easy to define compliance. anti-discrimination and industrial laws, the The proposed performance-based legislation is same may not apply to the practical much more subjective, requiring a higher application of the legislation. In his news degree of competency to ensure effectiveness release of 15 March 1999, the Minister proudly and fairness. Therefore, I believe that both boasted, "The mining inspectorate has been industry safety and health representatives and considerably strengthened from 33 to 44 district workers' representatives may be positions in preparation for this legislation." insufficiently qualified to operate in this Why then is there the need to maintain an environment and that the possibility of wrong additional union inspectorate? Perhaps the decisions by these officers will be significantly Minister has no faith in his newly strengthened increased. inspectorate to effectively administer the law. One other area of concern to me relates The proposed district workers' to chapter 5 of the Queensland Criminal Code representative positions will be funded from Act, which deals with criminal responsibility— the public purse. The legislation provides that specifically sections 23 and 24. The question the district workers' representatives will be of onus is dealt with in these sections. It is a employed under the safety legislation and not fundamental principle of criminal law that it is under the Public Service Act 1996. These for the Crown to establish that an offence has union-nominated inspectors will be fully been committed and not for an accused remunerated by the taxpayer but will not be individual to establish his or her innocence. subject to the appropriate onerous This principle is enshrined in the Legislative responsibilities and accountability. The Standards Act 1992. This Act establishes as a legislation also states that the remuneration fundamental legislative principle that legislation and allowances of the inspectors will be should have sufficient regard to the rights and decided by the Minister. What magnitude of liberties of individuals. Whether or not this is publicly funded package does the Minister achieved by legislation depends on a number have in mind for the union appointees? The of prescribed matters, including that the legislation also provides that the Minister legislation does not reverse the onus of proof establishes the conditions for holding office. in criminal proceedings without adequate What sort of conditions will they be? justification. The structure of the CMSH The CFMEU has the sole right to select effectively does partially reverse the onus of and appoint the industry safety and health proof in criminal proceedings. I do not representatives. Furthermore, it is left to the understand why the Government would want union to determine what sort of competency to exclude the application of sections 23 and above the minimum of deputy's certificate 24, which deal with mistake of fact and stipulated in legislation and experience it intention/motive. deems appropriate for such powerful positions. Clause 34 is completely out of step with Industry safety and health representatives clause 7, which specifies how objects are to be have the power to enter any coalmine, achieved. In my view, clause 34 is detrimental regardless of whether or not there are any to achieving the objects of the Bill. It can CFMEU members on site, and suspend part or reasonably be argued that clause 34 should all of the operations if they believe the action is not be included, for technical and legal warranted. I am concerned at the amount of reasons, when proper attention is paid to power that this provision gives to these people. clause 7. However, the situation created by I believe this will lead to numerous strikes in clause 34 is much more serious than that. It the industry. If an industry safety and health will severely hinder the task of the Mines representative acts inappropriately, causing Inspectorate and that of any inquiry held into financial loss to a mine, will it be the CFMEU or what may appear to be a breach of the 1622 Motor Accident Insurance Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1999 29 Apr 1999 legislation. Clearly it is counterproductive and Dr WATSON: I sometimes get concerned the only outcomes, in my opinion, would be that I have to bring to the attention of the wasted energy and unnecessary legal House and the public the hypocrisy of the expense. Such energy and moneys would be Treasurer and other members in relation to all best applied to managing risk to safety and the actions they take. All members opposite health. It will not facilitate an inquiry into the should be ashamed to show their faces in their cause of an accident, nor will it help in electorates for the hypocrisy they have preventing a recurrence. Significant experience displayed in supporting the rise in CTP. suggests that this clause should be removed. Mr Schwarten: I hope you show your I repeat what I said at the outset. Mining face in my electorate. My vote will go up. output of coal in Queensland is 87% open cut Dr WATSON: I have been in the and 13% underground. I do not understand member's electorate. Everyone was saying why the provisions of the Criminal Code that they just cannot wait until he leaves. relating to criminal responsibility should be Hansard records the member's hypocrisy and I removed in relation to the Coal Mining Safety will go through some of that in a little while. I and Health Bill. will repeat some of his words and some words Mr WELLINGTON (Nicklin—IND) of his colleagues back in 1996. (3.46 p.m.): In speaking to this Bill I place on I recall that, throughout 1996, there were record my sincere appreciation to the Minister a number of occasions on which Labor for organising a detailed briefing with his members spoke in this House about the departmental staff. It is greatly appreciated. coalition Government's move, in April of that Safety in our mines is paramount. That year, to increase third-party insurance. As I objective has been reflected here today in the said, in a moment members will hear some of hours of discussions that have been had on that hypocrisy as recorded in Hansard. Firstly, this legislation. I do not intend to repeat a lot let me remind all members in this place of the of the comments that have already been circumstances that surrounded the increase in placed on the record, suffice to say that I the CTP three years ago. believe this legislation goes a long way to In April 1996, the coalition Government improving safety standards in our mines. was placed in the unenviable position of In relation to the amendments having to announce the first significant foreshadowed by the member for increase in CTP insurance for 11 years. Of Hinchinbrook, I look forward to listening to the course, during six and a quarter years of that arguments of the member in support of those period Queensland had a Labor Government, amendments at the Committee stage. I and Labor had just left office. That action was reserve my position until I hear those necessary based upon the independent arguments. advice of the actuaries and on the Debate, on motion of Mr Black, recommendation of the Insurance adjourned. Commissioner, who had to take into account all the trends developing in the scheme. Mr Fouras: What is different today? MOTOR ACCIDENT INSURANCE AMENDMENT REGULATION (No. 2) 1999 Dr WATSON: I am going to address the hypocrisy of the member and his colleagues in Disallowance of Statutory Instrument a moment. Dr WATSON (Moggill—LP) (Leader of the To maintain a fully funded CTP scheme in Liberal Party) (3.47 p.m.): I move— this State, we had to introduce that increase. "That the Motor Accident Insurance But it was a $66 increase that the Labor Party Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1999 should have introduced when it was in (Subordinate Legislation No. 67 of 1999) Government. The former Treasurer, Keith De tabled in the Parliament on 27 April 1999, Lacy, was given the same information as we be disallowed." were given in January of that year, and he sat on it, saying and doing nothing about it. Mr De This regulation, which provides for a $40 rise in the compulsory third-party motor vehicle Lacy, the former Labor Government Treasurer, insurance charge paid by all Queenslanders did not have the courage to make this decision who own a car is one of the most hypocritical even though he had the actuarial advice and the Insurance Commissioner's advice that the acts ever undertaken by a Labor Government. CTP scheme would be unfunded if action was Mr Hamill: You say that all the time. not taken. 29 Apr 1999 Motor Accident Insurance Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1999 1623

So the rise that we had to introduce in as they flash the plastic to insure their April of that year was not the coalition luxury limousines." Government's increase in premiums. In fact, it "Flash the plastic"! I commend the Premier for was Labor's increase which Labor put off to try his creative use of language, but I condemn to hide from the political damage that it him for his hypocrisy. perceived would happen to it during the run-up to the Mundingburra by-election. The former What does the Premier, Mr Beattie, now Treasurer even took the information to say to those 15,107 battlers who signed his Cabinet, but Cabinet rejected it because it did petition in 1996? Does he say that he is sorry? not have the gumption to make the decision Did he say that he was sorry when the that needed to be made to safeguard people Treasurer, Mr Hamill, raised the CTP just days who were injured in accidents in this State. The after he was elected? And more importantly, current Treasurer was a member of that did he say that he is sorry for the latest rise, Cabinet, as was the current Premier. But as which is clearly and surely within this usual, they sat on their hands and did nothing. Government and cannot be blamed at all on the coalition—given that he blamed us for the On the other hand, the coalition earlier $22 rise? Did he write to them? Has he Government, with the Treasurer, the member communicated with those 15,107 people on for Caloundra, was prepared the make the whom he has just imposed a $40 increase and tough decisions. It was against that explained why his case is different and why he background that we witnessed a tirade of is being hypocritical? Of course he has not. He abuse and ridiculous assertions made by the has not said that he is sorry, because Labor members who were then in Opposition. hypocrites never say that they are sorry. That hypocrisy is going to come back to haunt Hypocrites try to find a scapegoat. And the them. Let me start with the king of hypocrites, Premier's scapegoat is ambulance-chasing Mr Peter Beattie, the current Premier. He was lawyers. so outraged by the rise in compulsory third- party insurance that he organised a Statewide In 1996, when that rise was left to us by petition. This is what he said in the House the Labor Party, Mr Beattie claimed that we when he presented that petition on 25 July were too close to the insurers. But as soon as 1996— he got into Government and could have done something about it, he decided to blame "I table and present to the House the ambulance-chasing lawyers. Then on 4BC the signatures of 15,107 Queenslanders who other morning, the Treasurer was talking about object to the huge increase in compulsory this issue. Not only did he blame the third-party insurance premiums which Mr ambulance-chasing lawyers now; he even Borbidge's Liberal Treasurer Joan gave us a forewarning of who he is going to Sheldon is taking from people's handbags blame next time. He said, "Yes, it is going to and pockets." go up again in a few months' time, and it will He went on to say— be the Federal Government's fault because of "Fifteen thousand one hundred and the GST." I have never known individuals who seven people would form a long queue if can think up other people to blame for the they were all to line up at the door of decisions that they have to make. They do not Treasurer Sheldon or Premier Borbidge to blame them when the issues come along; they complain that they had been promised by try to blame them even before they occur. the coalition that there would be no Mr Beattie said that those people who increased taxes and charges. signed that petition would make a long queue The signatures of these 15,000 outside the Treasurer's office. I will tell him people are only a small sample of the what will make a long queue. There was a long resentment and sense of betrayal that queue of Labor members in this place in 1996 exists in communities throughout saying some incredible things about Queensland." compulsory third-party insurance. Where are those members now? They should be But, of course, Mr Beattie was not finished at ashamed to show their faces in their that point. The honourable member for electorates. But let me look at some of the Brisbane Central saved his best for last. He hypocrisy of some of the members opposite. I said this— notice that the honourable member for Mount "Battlers are having to scrimp and Gravatt is in the Chamber. She will probably save for what is for them a huge hike of recall some of her words of wisdom during the $66 for their tiny old battered cars, while debate on a motion to disallow a regulation on the well-off do not give a second thought 16 May 1996. The member said— 1624 Motor Accident Insurance Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1999 29 Apr 1999

"They have no way of managing the her contribution to the disallowance debate on economy, the Budget or the third-party the Motor Vehicles Control Act. Merri Rose had insurance sector without coming back quite a lot to say on the matter of increasing every year to this Parliament"— taxes relating to motorists. She said— "every year"! We had been in office for only a "What does this Government have couple of months— against motorists? Since this Government "and to the people of Queensland and came to power it has made Queensland's increasing the premiums with massive motoring public pay for all the hikes like this. Government's rash of election-time promises ... Mr Speaker, I think that by now Queenslanders should be getting the People will just not register their message: when this Government is in vehicles because they will find it far too financial trouble, it is going to hit the expensive to do so. ordinary Queenslanders first and hardest." ... That is precisely what this Government has Queensland's motoring public does done. Where was Ms Spence the other day not deserve to be the whipping boy of a when the Cabinet—her own Government—hit discredited Government desperate for ordinary Queenslanders first and hardest? cash. Where was she last week? Nowhere to be This is a tax that hits the battler, the seen! Labor members showed no respect for average, hard-working"—— the truth when commenting on the rise in the CTP. Mr Hamill: Who said this? On 25 July 1996 in the Grievances Dr WATSON: The member for Currumbin debate, the then member for Caboolture, Jon said this. She said— Sullivan, said— "This is a tax that hits"—— "One certain side effect of the extra Mr Hamill: When? expense is that many registrations will not Dr WATSON: I told the House. It was 27 be renewed. November 1996. She said— The use of unregistered vehicles will "This is a tax that hits the battler, the increase, and accidents involving those average, hard-working Queenslanders vehicles will bring added pressures to the who rely on a vehicle to carry out their Nominal Defendant Fund." daily activities, such as getting to work or Blatant scaremongering was the order of the getting the kids to school. The increase day for Labor. may not worry some of the more affluent The honourable member for Fitzroy, who people. It may not sound very much to at that stage of his career had not yet been most people, but the ones who will be hit compared with Mahatma Gandhi, made an hardest are the ones who can ill afford it. amazing contribution to the CTP debate, as One would not blame them or any well. Mr Pearce claimed that, as a direct result Queenslander for feeling angry and of the CTP rise, more pensioners were disillusioned by being misled into believing hitchhiking. His exact words were— that they would not be hit by an increased tax by this Government." "Did you know there are more pensioners out on the road thumbing a If those words were true then, they are true ride than ever before?" today. What hypocrisy! Have their numbers increased Government members interjected. recently because of the extra $40 rise? Is Mr Dr WATSON: I don't have to. The Pearce now driving around his electorate hypocrisy of members opposite is astounding. giving hitchhiking pensioners a lift because of I can quote the words of those opposite back Labor's rise in the CTP? He should be too to them. embarrassed to be seen out in public, let Mr Hamill: What did you say? I will quote alone stopping to give people a lift. what you said. The hypocrisy of those opposite keeps Dr WATSON: You will be quoting your coming. Let me read part of a speech by the own words back to yourself. honourable member for Currumbin, the Minister for Emergency Services. I am pleased Mr Hamill: I will. to see that she is in the Chamber. Her speech Dr WATSON: The member for Currumbin was delivered on 27 November 1996 as part of was not silent in 1996 when the coalition was 29 Apr 1999 Motor Accident Insurance Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1999 1625 forced to increase CTP because Labor did not people of Queensland that there would be no have the guts to do it. That is the critical thing. increases above the CPI. Those opposite could not wait to stand up for We now have the situation where Labor the battlers and pensioners. comes forward with a number of taxes, In the CTP disallowance debate on 16 charges and levies which are being increased May 1996 the honourable member for above the CPI level. In the past few months Redcliffe claimed that the coalition we have seen a 25% increase in CTP. Those Government had inflicted the greatest pain on opposite should be ashamed of themselves. pensioners. He said— Those opposite are living in the time when Labor formed the Federal Government. Those "Such an increase will reduce the opposite are living in the times of Mr Keating, disposable incomes of these battlers. I Mr Hawke and Mr Whitlam. At that time we have spent quite some time in this House had 25% inflation. We had no such rate of speaking about pensioners, battlers, their inflation under the Howard/Fischer housing and so on." Liberal/National Government. Under the The honourable member for Redcliffe was not current Federal Government inflation has been in the Cabinet room the other day because he virtually eliminated in this country. is the Speaker in this place. His own party is Those opposite are living in the wrong now reducing the standard of living of the era. The Treasurer, the member for Ipswich, battlers he was talking about at that time. thinks this is the time when he stood for the In summary, this rise in CTP is indicative Federal seat of Oxley and was done like a of the hypocrisy in which Labor engages. In dinner. He failed to do the numbers in his Opposition Labor said one thing, in Labor Party factions. He got the numbers Government it does the opposite. Labor mixed up. We are now in a different era. We promised no real tax increases, yet it has have moved on. We do not see such already hit Queenslanders with four very real inflationary increases these days. tax increases in nine months. Labor stands Under this Government we have seen a condemned by this latest rise. I ask all those $60 increase in the compulsory third-party members opposite who were so vocal and so insurance levy in nine months. Those forthright in 1996 to vote with the Opposition opposite, including the Premier, indulge in a on this occasion. creative use of the language. Let us look at a Mr BEANLAND (Indooroopilly—LP) few more facts. (4.03 p.m.): I rise to second the disallowance One person who is missing from today's motion moved by the honourable member for debate is the Premier. I challenge him to come Moggill. In doing so, let me say that I into the Chamber and participate in this participate in this debate to keep Labor honest debate because it is his credibility that is on because we have never seen such dishonesty the line. It is the Premier's honesty that is as we have seen in this debate from those being tested today. He has been found out for opposite. The Treasurer knows all about it. I what he is—dishonest. The record speaks for will deal with some of the points that I want to itself. highlight in this debate. The member for Moggill has already Prior to and after the last election we referred to what Mr Beattie said in the House heard the Premier and various Labor on 25 July 1996. At that time a petition was spokesmen, including the Treasurer, talking tabled in this House which referred to the about taxes. In the Courier-Mail of 12 June unfortunate situation in which the former 1996, when we were well into the election Government found itself. The coalition campaign, Mr Beattie ruled out any new taxes Government was in the unenviable position of or charges above the CPI. After the election having to announce the first significant we saw the famous letter to the member for increase in compulsory third-party insurance Nicklin. As part of the letter to the member for premiums in some 11 years. Unfortunately, Nicklin the Premier wrote— that action was necessary and was based on independent advice from the actuary and on "Labor can deliver its capital and the recommendation of the Insurance current program without imposing any Commissioner. new taxes or increasing existing taxes and charges above current real levels." The coalition came to Government after some six and a half years of Labor Party During the campaign, and after the election, Government. We inherited this mess from the the Leader of the Labor Party—now the Labor Party. The Treasurer of the day had to Premier—indicated time and time again to the confront this situation. When the coalition 1626 Motor Accident Insurance Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1999 29 Apr 1999

Government confronted this situation it was continual failure of the Goss Government. The accused of being in bed with the insurance situation has now caught up again with this companies. I think the words of those opposite Government, because it has not done the are coming back to haunt them. The petition hard yards. The Treasurer has not tabled any presented to the House on 25 July 1996 advice at all in relation to this matter. He has contained 15,107 signatures. I bet the Premier not explained in any detail why he is going to is not writing to those signatories and slog the Aussie battlers. He has not said a explaining to them why we are now seeing a word about it at all. $60 increase in compulsory third-party insurance. Mr HAMILL: I rise to a point of order. I tabled in the House the reasons for the Dr Watson: I bet the Treasurer isn't, announcement of a premium adjustment for either. compulsory third-party insurance, and they are Mr BEANLAND: No. Those opposite do on the table of the House. not have the courage to do that. It is easy to Mr BEANLAND: The Treasurer has not go out and collect a petition. It is easy to play tabled the actuarial advice. He does not have politics. However, the Labor Party now has to the courage to come into this Chamber with run the hard yards. At that time Mr Beattie said that advice, and I challenge him to do that. this— Again, he is trying to be creative and is using "Battlers are having to scrimp and weasel words. That is typical of what we get save for what is for them a huge hike of from the Labor Party. That is typical of what we $66 for their tiny old battered cars, while get from the Premier. the well-off do not give a second thought as they flash the plastic to insure their However, whatever Government members luxury limousines." say does not overcome the problem that they are socking it to their voters without giving Those remarks apply to this Government's them any reason or explanation. None at all! treatment of battlers. This Government is The actuarial advice has not been tabled in responsible for horrific increases in several this House. The Minister has tabled some areas over the past three or four weeks. These words of his own, but that does not give us the increases are going to hit those same Aussie actuarial or independent advice. His words battlers. Those opposite do not give a damn. mean nothing and the Premier twists his The Labor Party wants to blame lawyers words, but at the end of the day the record for ambulance chasing. Labor wants to blame speaks for itself. lawyers for advertising. But which party stood I say to the people of Queensland that up in this House and said, "We are going to they can expect more taxes and charges introduce advertising for lawyers because this increasing by well above increases in the CPI is going to be great for consumers. We are because this Government has to find the going to reduce the cost of legal services."? additional money. The Labor Party made Labor's action increased the cost of services. I election commitments that at the time it knew well remember the Premier of the day standing it could not keep. All it wanted to do was to get up and saying, "This is a wonderful into office. That has been demonstrated by achievement for the State. It is going to this disallowance motion today. Labor will say reduce the cost of legal services for all anything and do anything—even write letters consumers in the State of Queensland." to the member for Nicklin—to get into office. Now we have the Premier, the leader of That is what counts. the same party, coming in and saying that the lawyers have increased the costs. What a I know that I have caught out the nonsense! What a load of rubbish that we get Treasurer and this Labor Government because day in and day out from this Government! We they have not tabled the actuarial advice in on get from the Labor Party whatever suits them. this matter. There is no point in the Treasurer If it suits Labor to play the game of politics and trying to laugh away this matter. The say one thing one day and say exactly the Queenslanders, those Aussie battlers to whom opposite the next day, it does so. The the Premier referred a couple of years ago in members opposite do not give a damn about this House when the former Government was what is recorded in Hansard or anywhere else. faced with the unfortunate situation of having They do not give a damn at all. to increase compulsory third-party insurance premiums after six and a half years of Labor The situation is very clear. We were last doing nothing—— confronted with this problem when the coalition came to office after the six and a half years of Time expired. 29 Apr 1999 Motor Accident Insurance Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1999 1627

Mr BRISKEY (Cleveland—ALP) the scheme is and why we have it. The CTP (4.13 p.m.): This Opposition has absolutely no scheme has operated in Queensland since credibility. I listened to Basil and Manuel, but 1936—for more than 60 years. It was they put forward no argument for moving this established to provide motor vehicle owners disallowance motion. Not one! For 10 minutes with a policy of insurance that covers their the member for Indooroopilly waffled on, but unlimited liability for personal injury caused by, he did not raise one issue in relation to this through or in connection with the use of the disallowance motion. The member for Moggill, insured motor vehicle anywhere in Australia. who moved this disallowance motion, did not For those injured in motor vehicle accidents, give one reason for it. The Opposition has the scheme provides access to the common absolutely no credibility. This disallowance law without restraint where the injured party motion is disingenuous in the extreme. It is can establish negligence against an owner or nothing more than a dishonest attempt to driver. The 1936 legislation ensured that score cheap political points by misleading the Queenslanders injured in motor vehicle people of Queensland. That is all it is. accidents through no fault of their own The very premise upon which the received compensation resulting in the Opposition seeks to attack this Government is removal of a significant cost burden to the fallacious. The Opposition has tried to community. This Act was enhanced by the insinuate that this Government's responsible 1994 legislation that allows for the provision of decision to adjust compulsory third-party funds to meet ongoing medical and insurance premiums to ensure that the CTP rehabilitation costs prior to the settlement of a scheme in Queensland remains fully funded is claim. some sort of tax or Government charge. Let The CTP scheme provides not only me be very clear: CTP insurance premiums are community protection but also reduces an not a tax. Let me repeat that for the benefit of accident victim's reliance upon publicly funded the Opposition: CTP premiums are not a tax; services. As it stands today, the CTP scheme they are not a Government charge. The is underwritten by six licensed private insurers members opposite should not try to fool the who accept applications for insurance and people of Queensland and attempt to suggest manage claims on behalf of their that they are. CTP insurance premiums are policyholders. Premiums are set by regulation just that, insurance premiums. The only reason and cannot be varied by insurers. that the Government is involved in the If it had been left up to the insurance collection of CTP insurance premiums is that industry, Queensland motorists would now be CTP insurance is compulsory. facing a premium increase of up to $80. It has As we are all aware, the revenue raised been only through the diligence of this by CTP premiums goes to licensed insurance Government that the actual increase has been companies in this State to cover the cost of restricted to just half this amount. I remind the meeting claims made by those people who are House that the Insurance Commissioner had injured in motor vehicle accidents. The actually recommended an increase in CTP Opposition's attempt to disallow this increase is premiums of $52 a year. This Government at best deceitful. At worst, it represents gross rejected that recommendation as fiscal irresponsibility. By seeking to disallow this unacceptable. The Government is determined premium adjustment, members opposite are that the CTP scheme remains affordable. We suggesting that Queensland should no longer held the rise to $40 by cutting the CTP profit meet its financial obligations in terms of third- margin of the insurance companies from 8.5% party insurance. By moving this motion, the to 6%. This reduction restores the insurers' members are proposing one of two things. profit margins to the levels that they were set Either the Opposition wants this Government— at originally in 1994. the taxpayers of Queensland—to rack up tens We are asking the insurance industry to of millions of dollars in unfunded liabilities, or it bear some of the extra burden of CTP costs in is suggesting that the victims of motor vehicle Queensland rather than have the full weight accidents are not deserving of fair and proper fall on the shoulders of the motoring public. compensation. I suggest that the people of Let me stress that the premium increase is Queensland would find those propositions based on actuarial advice on the level of irresponsible and grossly unfair. insurance claims expected in the 1999-2000 This motion is cheap and grubby politics financial year. The bottom line is that without at its very worst. Given the complete ignorance the premium increase there would not be that the Opposition displays of the workings of sufficient money in the insurance scheme to the CTP insurance scheme in Queensland, I meet the claims of motor vehicle accident will take some time to spell out exactly what victims. 1628 Motor Accident Insurance Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1999 29 Apr 1999

I remind the House that last week the As I said, the insurance industry wanted Treasurer announced a comprehensive review an $80 increase and the Insurance of the CTP scheme in this State. That review, Commissioner recommended an increase of to be headed by the highly respected former $52 per year. This Government has kept the chief executive of Suncorp, Mr Bernard increase to $40. The Government has acted Rowley, will lay the foundations of a complete responsibly. The honourable member for overhaul of CTP insurance in this State. Moggill, who moves this disallowance motion Among other things, the review committee has on behalf of the Opposition, is acting been asked, as a matter of urgency, to irresponsibly. Any increase in CTP premiums is consider an immediate amendment to the unwelcome, but as a responsible Government Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994 to prohibit we must ensure that the scheme is fully the soliciting of injured persons to make claims funded so as to properly compensate the under the Act. The review will examine victims of motor accidents. Of course such submissions from all interested parties, increases are never very palatable, but in the including insurers, the legal profession and interests of all Queenslanders tough decisions motoring bodies. It will also seek submissions have to be taken and we will not shrink from from the public. The review committee will our responsibilities. report back to the Government by 31 October. Time expired. The bottom line is that the review is aimed Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone—IND) at ensuring that the CTP premium money (4.23 p.m.): In 1996 this House debated a goes to motor accident victims rather than into proposed premium rise of $66. The incidents the pockets of the legal profession. The review that occurred in the Chamber at that time—the will examine the fundamentals of the CTP comments, statements and allegations that scheme in Queensland, including the were made—are still quite clear in my mind. A scheme's design and affordability and the press release issued on 19 May 1996 states— appropriate role for Government in the "Opposition Leader Peter Beattie scheme. This review is about ensuring that yesterday launched a petition against the Queensland has a fully funded and affordable State Government's decision to increase CTP scheme that looks after the interests of compulsory third party insurance ... Mr motor accident victims and not the interests of Beattie said the rise would be a tax on certain sections of the legal profession. cars and the Coalition had not consulted In recent years, there have been the community before bringing it in. He significant increases in both the size and said insurance companies were making number of CTP claims, much of which has healthy returns of 6 per cent on their been due to the entrepreneurial activities of compulsory third party insurance. 'A lot of some lawyers. We now have the situation families are struggling to make ends where some lawyers are touting for business meet. This is going to be a very through tow truck operators, offering to litigate significant, painful exercise for them to on a no win, no fee basis. The number of find the money,' Mr Beattie said." claims per thousand policies has risen from At that time my position was significantly 3.13 in 1995-96, when legal advertising was different from what it is now. I believed it was deregulated, to a projected 4.39 in 1999-2000. incumbent on all of us to understand clearly Over this same period, the average claim size the reasons for the increase and to act in the has risen from $34,000 to $42,000. best interests of the public. I endeavoured to This disallowance motion is nothing more do that. than a political stunt by a desperate The 1996 increase of $66 was the first for Opposition. It does the honourable member a number of years. Since that time, there have for Moggill no credit to move it. He knows that been several increases: premiums have gone this is not a Government increase, but an up by $5 and $16 and now there is this insurance premium increase. If the honourable proposed $40 increase. I acknowledge that on member for Moggill is to be believed, there two occasions there was a late loading of $10 should be no increase in insurance premiums. and $3. I notice that the Motor Accident What would happen then? Would insurers Insurance Amendment Bill, which is yet to be walk away from the CTP coverage in debated, removed the barrier that fee hikes Queensland? Where would that leave could only occur on 1 June each year if they Queensland motorists and their passengers? were required. This disallowance motion is a political stunt Mr Hamill: That has already been passed that fools no-one. through the House. 29 Apr 1999 Motor Accident Insurance Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1999 1629

Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM: The legislation The actuaries do not appear to report to has been passed by the House. It removes Government on projected versus real the late levy that was included in a couple of outcomes. those premium increases. Under the previous Government, I was At the moment, I am concerned—and this given access to the actuary's report, for which I has come through from 1996 till now—at the was thankful. I understand that there are apparent lack of a transparent audit trail for confidentiality concerns about those reports. either the insurance companies or actuarial However, those reports are intended to carry projections. In 1995-96, the projections were the detail of the rationale behind fee 3.13 claims per thousand with an average increases. When the $66 increase was settlement of $34,000; in 1996-97, 4.38 claims proposed in 1996, the claim that it was going with an average settlement of $31,900; in to affect motorists significantly and 1997-98, 4.1 claims with an average detrimentally was in some ways rightfully settlement of $33,900; in 1998-99, 3.8 claims pressed across this State. People in my with an average settlement of $36,300; and electorate were told over and over that I was a for 1999-2000, there is an expectation of 4.39 mongrel because I supported the $66 claims per thousand with an average increase. settlement of $42,000. The settlement costs Over the past three years, there have are increasing incrementally, but they are not been small incremental increases in the increasing extravagantly. premium, and this $40 increase is significant. I recognise that it takes a very complex Again, my concern is that there does not and convoluted process to set these appear to be a proper accountability trail. It premiums. Things like common law claims, has been stated that the insurance companies which must be projected at least three years made an ambit claim for an $80 increase. The ahead, have to be included in the process. Insurance Commissioner asked for a $52 However, it should be recognised that the tail increase. No explanation is given as to why the diminishes and over time the basis on which difference fell off the table. Were the insurance the tail is assessed—that is, experience— companies making an ambit claim or was it a would be much more clearly anticipated. genuine claim supported by figures? The Included in that area is the incurred but not Insurance Commissioner was able to whittle reported claims. Superimposed inflation must back that claim to $52. As I said, that is a be included and a history of court settlements significant reduction. By cutting its funding to must be included. I acknowledge that history hospitals and cutting its receipts, the also shows that claims for minor injuries are Government was able to pare back that increasing and claims for serious injuries are increase to $40. I congratulate the Treasurer decreasing. on that. Any reduction in the impact on the My concern is with the established community is to be commended. agreement that the actuaries make notional Over the past four years, I have watched projections, the premiums are set and the as this issue was raised time and again. I note insurance companies carry the risk. On a year that in the past any increases have been by year basis, any overpayment or relatively small. Historically, there has been no underpayment to the insurance company is obvious check and balance in respect of the retained by the insurance companies; again, way in which the increases are calculated. On they are the ones that carry the risk. I do not a revolving basis, actuaries continue to cite have a problem with that principle. However, it their notional claims and settlements history. It concerns me that while the actuaries make does not appear that they have to factor in their assumptions on a year by year basis, any real historical data. I have little doubt that they never appear to have to genuinely factor the Treasurer will correct me if I am wrong. in to a progressive assumption the real claims CTP insurance is a difficult area. It appears history in retrospect. Because of the insurance that we are continuing to accept the agreement, there is no rebate or top up for predictions of insurance companies and underpayments or overpayments of premiums, actuaries, who have significant business and that is fine. Over time, that would even acumen and a long history to defend, when out. However, I am not convinced that there is they make recommendations for cost an adequate accountability trail to ensure that increases without being required progressive actuarial assumptions factor in a transparently—and not necessarily past real claims history. Insurance companies confidentially—to pass on to those of us who do not appear to have to report under-receipts are required to support any increase the or over-receipts, even as a matter of record. rationale behind it. 1630 Motor Accident Insurance Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1999 29 Apr 1999

The comments and accusations made in and to recommend the appropriate premium 1996, namely, the claims by the current level for 1999-2000, having due regard to all Government, which at the time was in factors affecting the scheme. Submissions Opposition, that the increase was an were received from underwriting insurers and unnecessary impost on motorists that could other stakeholders representing the interests not be justified—even though I supported the of motor vehicle owners. The actuarial analysis increase; it had been some years since there of the scheme examined claims experience up had been one—add weight to what I just said; to December 1998 in respect of all insurers that is, there is a lack of accountability and a involved in the scheme. clear audit trail in relation to significant On 4 February 1999, in accordance with increases which affect every motor vehicle the procedural requirements of the Motor owner. Until audit trails are put in place, I will Accident Insurance Act 1994, the Motor have concerns about accepting this level of increase. Accident Insurance Commission recommended the premium levels to apply Ms BOYLE (Cairns—ALP) (4.32 p.m.): I from 1 July 1999. Based on actuarial advice, am pleased to speak on this motion, although the commission's report recommended a Class I am somewhat dismayed at the tenor of the 1 premium of $298—an increase of $52 from debate so far from the other side of the the 1998-99 premium of $246. A copy of the House. This disallowance motion is commission's report is available for the irresponsible politics in the extreme. The mover information of members. of the motion, the honourable member for Moggill, Dr Watson, offers himself to this State The underlying factors affecting the as an alternative Treasurer. However, he well recommended rise in premiums were knows that were this motion to succeed it increasing claim frequency and claim size, would put at risk the financial viability of annual inflationary impacts and lower rates of Queensland's compulsory third-party insurance investment return. Increasing claim frequency scheme. was concentrated particularly at the lower end of claims. A significant part of the jump in claim Those members opposite who intend to frequency can be attributed to lawyer activity vote in support of the motion of the member and legal services advertising. I suggest to for Moggill are also being irresponsible in trying honourable members that we should think to appear to be against any rise in premiums. about that last factor and consider the import As though that were a realistic choice at this in terms of the wider impact, even beyond point! They are playing on our natural CTP, of changes in legal practice in our reticence to pay more. As though they would society. Such thinking would open a door to a do otherwise were they sitting on this side of set of issues which underlies many of the the House as the Government of this State! I additional costs to Governments, Government- was dismayed that the member for Moggill related activities and private sector activity in and the member for Indooroopilly offered to the Australia of the nineties, and which will the House, far from any intellectual analysis of potentially escalate into the next century the existing situation, simply a pile of bitter should we not change our direction. memories of their former glory. It seemed to me that they were preoccupied with revenge Concerns have been expressed in the and seeking to lay blame. I put it to media and in this House about the increased honourable members that blaming is a big part level of claims activity and about how that is of what is going wrong and is something which being driven by the entrepreneurial activities of underlies the need for an increase in CTP some—of course it is not suggested all— premiums at this time. The honourable members of the legal profession. Although I member for Moggill spoke about credibility. His suggest to members that this reflects a lack of intellectual credibility in terms of offering change in legal practice in our society—a this House alternative solutions is to be rebalancing of legal activity that places more remarked upon. emphasis on compensation claims—I suggest that there are more serious factors behind Unhampered as I am by bitter memories that. of the past, I would prefer to speak about what is happening in our society and about that I invite honourable members to step back which is the responsibility of the Government with me in time to my growing years. My to address at this time. I will read into the grandfather lived in Newcastle, New South record some facts about the present situation. Wales. Given the debate in the House earlier In November 1998, PricewaterhouseCoopers this afternoon, it is worth mentioning that my was appointed to examine the trends within grandfather was a coalminer. He was a the compulsory third-party insurance scheme hardworking man who did his job and took 29 Apr 1999 Motor Accident Insurance Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1999 1631 sickies very rarely, if ever—certainly not in my for $5,000 or $10,000 for two or three years of memory. Occasionally he was injured or proving a disability does not, in fact, make a unwell, but his attitude was, "Sometimes life person feel better at all. goes against you. Sometimes you don't It is that kind of attitude to litigation that is always get your way. Sometimes things go the basis on which lawyers can and are taking wrong. But, Dele", as he used to call me, "you more time and more money through the legal get on with it. You make the best of it. You system. It is that attitude that is making all of perhaps say a little prayer for God's help, but us in Government—not only in relation to the you make the best of the life you've got." That compulsory third-party insurance scheme, but was the attitude with which he brought me up. all kinds of services—frightened of litigation, I dare say that would be the attitude of many protecting our backs and frightened to make parents and grandparents of honourable decisions for fear that we will be blamed, that members. we will be sued. It has developed, I would dare My grandfather was involved in a minor suggest to honourable members, a whole car accident, which was not his fault, in the first industry engaged in suing, in probity, in car he owned. He did not seek to claim consultancies, in blame avoidance, and that is compensation. It was a matter of making the why this House is facing an increase in best arrangements that could be made. premiums. We have no choice but to accept Although he received minor injuries, he did not the financial probity at this time. give any thought, as was the way in the fifties I commend the Treasurer, however, on in Australia, to suing for compensation; to the review that he is undertaking and on the finding somebody to blame and spending important elements of that review, and I look years of his life getting the most financially out forward to putting a submission to the review of the accident that he could. myself with the view to us curtailing I now bring honourable members forward unnecessary rises in compensation claims. It is some time, to 18 months ago when in practice a preoccupation that all of us in this House as a psychologist I was seeing a woman who should have, because it is a matter that in its had been injured in a relatively minor car various forms will come before us again and accident, though she had nonetheless again and again. sustained some injury to her back that was not Mr HORAN (Toowoomba South—NPA) permanent in its damage but was undoubtedly (4.42 p.m.): I speak in support of my causing her some pain. She told me how colleagues on the Opposition side. It has been angry her husband was and how he paced the interesting to hear some of the speeches from floor seeking who he could blame and those on the Government side. I often think encouraging her to pursue her claim for that it is a pity that Hansard is only published in compensation through a solicitor. She went black and white. If it could show some vision, with her husband to a solicitor who said, we would see the cynical smiles on their faces "Here's how it goes. We ask for twice as much as they start to say that this particular debate as you are going to get and we pursue it as is all about politics, considering the way that hard as we can for six months. Then they will members opposite acted up in this place a settle out of court and you will probably get couple of years ago in opposing the $10,000 out of it." responsible rise that we had to put in place to That, in fact, is the attitude that is fix the financial mess that they had left behind prevalent in society in the nineties in Australia: when they did not have the courage to be who can we blame? No longer is life fiscally responsible and impose the increase occasionally unfair. No longer do things that was required. sometimes go against us, but instead we have We heard the sanctimonious bleating of a mentality that is not the prerogative of Labor the member for Cairns, who has taken over Party people or National Party people or non- from the previous member for Cairns, a former political party people, but that is abroad in Treasurer, who did not increase the premium society of seeking to blame and seeking to when it was required because he did not have sue and seeking financial compensation. the courage to do so. Why? Because we were The sad thing, I must say to honourable leading up to the Mundingburra by-election. members of this House, is that I have seen the Who was it left to? The coalition Government! nasty side effects that occur in people's lives When we came into Government it was left to from that legal preoccupation with blame. It us. We had to increase it by $66, I think it was. slows people's recuperation, it disrupts them What a show members opposite put on. from getting on with their lives and it is, in the There were petitions and disallowance motions end, psychologically unsatisfying. That cheque were moved. If they think that the moving of 1632 Motor Accident Insurance Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1999 29 Apr 1999 this disallowance motion was political, what in saying—that, from around the late eighties was theirs? We moved that disallowance to 1996, there was not an increase. motion— Dr Watson: No significant increase. Mr Briskey: Why are you moving this Mr HORAN: There was no significant motion? increase. Then we were left holding the bunny Mr HORAN:—because there had not and we had to make that increase of $66 in been a rise for many, many years and we were 1996. It has not been necessary for an left with no option. It would have been like the increase again until just last July, some two workers compensation scheme that they years later. So here we are within nine months virtually bankrupted when they left it almost and the Government has upped it again—it $400m in the red. Once again, we were left has approved an increase again. What on with the financial mess and we had to fix it up. earth is it doing? I noticed that the member for Cleveland Mr Briskey: Because of society. asked, "What is your reason for opposing?" Mr HORAN: The member just said that it We are not going to be hypocrites like those is because of society. That has happened in opposite, but we have a good reason. When months. According to his logic, we will probably the premium went up nine months ago by see another whacking increase in six or seven $20, did we oppose it? No, we did not! months. However, we are opposing it now because of the incompetence. We have to ask: what is Dr Watson: Who allowed the ambulance happening in the Minister's department when chasing? he gets figures, he gets all the advice to make Mr HORAN: That is interesting. I was a particular increase and he makes such a going to get to that. The member for Cairns blunder back in July that he increases it by, on made some sensible contributions about what average, $20—somewhere between $13 and is happening with legal costs and asked where $22. He had his chance then to make a on earth it is leading us as a society. But correct and accurate assessment, and what again, who was it? It was Mr De Lacy, her happened? He got it wrong! predecessor, and Mr Goss who brought in all Here we are nine months later with a $40 the liberalised advertising that has allowed all increase. I suppose in another six or seven these particular problems to occur. We have months the Minister will say that he got it the Government saying to us that it is going to wrong again, despite the advice that has been have a review. It is saying that the problem is given to him. I think it is symptomatic of the the ambulance chasing lawyers and tow-truck way that the Labor Party is running the show, operators. In the words of the Aussie Rules ad: the way that it is running the Government. I'd like to see that. That is our reason. Honourable members will Can honourable members imagine this note that there was no objection to the Government curbing all the excesses of the increase last time, but how can we stand for lawyers when it was this very same incompetence like this? The Minister gets the Government that allowed the workers advice, he has the actuarial advice, he has all compensation scheme to blow out by $400m the financial advice—the Insurance and just recently it was this very same Commissioner and everybody else—and he Government that allowed the workers gets it so wrong. But nine months later we are compensation scheme to blow out further? No back here again, so what does he do? He doubt it will be us again, in about two years' blames everybody else—just as we see from time when we come back into Government, the Beattie Government all the time. We saw who will have to fix up the financial mess that Mr Schwarten today blaming the this Government leaves behind. correspondence system and Mr Barton I would also like to make a comment blaming some poor Ipswich person for about the review that is coming up about something that was in the paper about Mr which the member for Cairns spoke. The rate Barton's shortcomings. It is always somebody's of motor vehicle deaths and accidents has fault. been decreasing dramatically. I think in this What we are here about tonight is past 12 months the toll has been the lowest in objecting to this because of the absolute Queensland for some incredible period. We incompetence of the Beattie Government and have speed cameras, which are reducing the the Treasurer to get it right when it first number and severity of accidents because occurred. If honourable members look back there is not the same degree of trauma in over the history of the increase in these accidents at lower speeds as there is when premiums, they will find—and I think I am right accidents occur at high speed. We now have 29 Apr 1999 Motor Accident Insurance Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1999 1633 the reduction of speed limits in residential with now demonstrates that. How much streets. With all this, still we are seeing the substance is there in the decision making? premiums going up and up and up. The Government has all the information and Following on from what the member for has experts all around it, giving it information. Gladstone said, we really have to wonder It should not have to increase this premium about the system. It is almost like an auction in just nine months after the first increase. The the cattle yards where someone comes in and Government should have got it right in July says, "What will you give me? Will you give me and there should not have been another an $80 rise, an $80 rise?", and someone says, increase for 18 months or two years. That is "$40. We will give you $40", and next thing we the way it has been in recent years. end up with the particular rise that we are That the Government made such a debating here tonight in the Parliament. So blunder, that it got it so wrong, erodes any there certainly is a need for this system to be confidence that may have existed in the fixed up. Everybody in this Parliament has to Treasurer and in the Beattie Government. That be concerned that, after seeing a period in is the real point of tonight's argument: the which these increases have come with a Government got it wrong. We did not object reasonably substantial amount of time when the price went up by $20. Now, nine between them, suddenly this Government months later, it has gone up by another $40. comes in and we get a rise early in the start of The way the Treasurer is making decisions, it its term. It has been given all the figures, all will probably go up another $40 or $50 in six the data, but it gets it wrong. Then nine months if his track record on decision making months later, up she goes again. This is the continues. problem we have. We did not oppose the $20 Time expired. increase but now we are facing an increase of another $40. It is unprecedented to have the Hon. J. FOURAS (Ashgrove—ALP) increases so close together. (4.52 p.m.): I am pleased to take part in this debate today. In 1996 the member for Moggill, Certainly I think the people of Queensland Dr Watson, called the $66 CTP increase by the are starting to see just what this Government is then Treasurer, Mrs Sheldon, a brave and all about. They see that this is the second rise tough decision. Dr Watson accused the then in nine months. They have seen the rise in the Opposition of absolute hypocrisy. Dr Watson meat levy. They have seen the rise in the fire said that the $66 increase in 1996 was levy. Suddenly they are starting to understand actuarially necessary and recommended by that we are back on the same track of the Insurance Commissioner. He accused unfunded Labor promises and largesse. All the Labor members critical of Sheldon's tough, good, sound schemes that were managed in a brave decision of scapegoating. He called financially responsibly manner are starting to them blamers. rust and fall away. How did the member for Moggill keep a The gloss that the Premier likes to put on straight face as he, in his own words, today things—that everything is all right, that things took part in hypocrisy in seeking to disallow the will be fair and just and so on—is not real. I $40 increase in CTP premiums? How can Dr understand that this rise is somewhere in the Watson want the Parliament to disallow the order of 25% and that the rise in the meat levy regulation increasing CTP without giving one was about 300%. We have also seen a huge rational argument to justify it? And he talks of rise in the fire service levy. All of that is in hypocrisy on this side of the House! contradiction to the letter that the Premier How can the member for Indooroopilly wrote to the member for Nicklin last year, at suggest that the CTP increase is necessary the time of his decision as to which side he because the Beattie Labor Government has would support and who would be the budgetary problems or because it is for Government of Queensland. budgetary purposes? The CTP scheme is an I think it has to be put very strongly on the insurance scheme based on premiums paid to record that the charade the Labor Party went insurance companies. Those moneys play no through two years ago—the petitions, the part in our Budget. disallowance motions and the publicity that it The CTP premium for motor cars was a carried on with—was typical of the show pony mere $20 in 1967. It increased to $168 in attitude that was there when it was in 1985. Between 1985 and 1996 we had no Opposition and the show pony attitude that still increases at all. On 1 July 1999 the premium exists. We see the theatrics almost every day will be $284. There have been three increases in this place, but behind the theatrics there is recently—the $66 increase in 1996, the $13 very little substance. The issue we are dealing increase in 1998 and this $40 increase. Inside 1634 Motor Accident Insurance Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1999 29 Apr 1999 four years we have had a 70% increase in in Myer shares and making killings with the CTP, whilst the CPI went up less than 7%. I do cash flows he had—of $20m or $30m a pop. not want to suggest that comparison of CTP He had that money while he did not have to increases and the CPI is relevant in discussing pay premiums. That long tail insurance is the rate of CTP, but it is relevant because analogous. Similarly, wages have not been inflation is a major factor in the amount of increasing at that fast a rate. It really has to money people get in wages and what come back down to the frequency and size of pensioners get in pension increases. It is the claims. They are the relevant issues. relevant in regard to affordability. It is a I agree with the member for Gladstone. I significant part of affordability. do not think we as members of this Parliament We have had increases of $119 since are ever given full justification. We do not know 1996. Whatever else we disagree on today, the facts on each decision we make. When we we in this House must all agree that this 70% talk about an insurance industry that is long tail increase inside four years is unsustainable. We in nature, we really need to know all the facts. cannot have premiums increasing at that rate. Later I will read from a letter that I was given The viability of the CTP insurance scheme has by a constituent, who expresses those been threatened, as the member for concerns and wants the review—which will Cleveland said, by a 25% increase in the level happen very shortly—to look at the issue. of claims in a very short time. I think the Beattie Government has acted I think concern that CTP premiums will responsibly in setting a profit margin at 6%, make the scheme unaffordable to pensioners which is the 1994 level, rather than the 8.5% and low income earners is shared by every recommended. That did take 12% off the member in this Chamber. I think it is not premium. I think we need to ensure that improbable that declining affordability will result motorists have a stable, financially viable and in more unregistered vehicles on the road and fully funded CTP scheme. We do need to will cause the Nominal Defendant to have to have the review. I will talk very briefly about the find more moneys to pay for accidents that review. happen on the road. How pensioners will cope One of my constituents sent me a letter with this increase is a question that I think all of that he had received from his insurance us have to find the answer to. This decision company. The letter stated— was necessary because we need a viable scheme while we review the system to see "Save up to $40 on your car and whether we can do things differently. home insurance"— Premium rates are made up of a number just by keeping his CTP with that company. To of components. One is risk premium. Another me, the idea of touting for business is not is administrative expenses. Of course there are indicative of a losing game. I understand that statutory levies that the funds have to pay to having compulsory third-party insurance is a the insurance scheme, to the Nominal leg up—because everybody has to have that Defendant and to hospital and emergency insurance, and most people have cars—to services. Other components are the cost of other insurance policies. It is something with reinsurance and profit margin, of which the which to drag them in. But to me, giving away member for Cleveland spoke before. $40 to keep people's business does not sound I think the risk premium is the most like a losing proposition. important component of CTP. As I said earlier, In 1985, I bought a new car, and I found factors affecting that are the increasing claim out that my third-party insurance had been frequency and claim size. Although the claims changed from Suncorp to another insurance are increasing faster at the lower end, which I company. I asked the person who sold me the think is indicative of the role that lawyers are car, "Why did you do that? I didn't tell you to." playing in this, nevertheless it is true that the He said, "Oh, Mr Fouras, I actually got a fair bit average size of claims has increased of money for doing so." I said, "Why me?" He substantially in the last three or four years. I do said, "Because you're over 25 and you bought not know what the annual inflationary impacts a small car. You're a low-risk person, and they are because we have had so little inflation will pay a large benefit for you to do so." recently. So that should not be a factor. I commend the Premier for initiating the The Insurance Commissioner said review. The real issue here is the affordability something about lower rates of investment for Queenslanders of the current scheme. I return. I thought that share prices were going note that, as a matter of urgency, the review through the roof. I remember when Larry Adler will consider what can be done about tow truck burst onto the scene in Queensland, investing operators having contracts with people in the 29 Apr 1999 Motor Accident Insurance Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1999 1635 legal profession to get spotters' fees and member for Ipswich and the member for whatever. We need to stop that practice, and I Brisbane Central have said, I do not know how believe that the legal profession wants to stop they can have the effrontery to say that this is it. just a fireball; that they are doing the right We also need a way of determining thing; and that the insurance industry would premiums. That is the note on which I wish to collapse otherwise. When they were in finish. We need a more transparent and more Opposition, they said that it was unnecessary; accountable way of determining premiums. that it was a tax; that we were putting our This constituent of mine said that we should hands in people's pockets; and that the poor thoroughly check on figures supplied. He talks battler was having to pay that money. I agree about estimated claims being set usually for a that any increase in either registration fees or very high figure and that, in most cases, they compulsory third-party insurance is very difficult generally settle for lower amounts. He said that for anyone to meet, let alone people on fixed we should check how estimated loss claims incomes and pensioners. But all of a sudden are brought into account; that it must be the scene has changed, because now, realised that considerable numbers take whereas we were putting our hands in the several years to finally come to a decision; and pockets of the battlers, Labor is not. We are that some figures therefore are included in talking about exactly the same issue: an annual figures several times. This constituent increase in third-party insurance premiums. wants a way of reducing legal fees. He also It was interesting to listen to Mr Briskey's wants to check the amount of money that is speech, because I thought it could well have received from these cash flows. He was in the been my speech from three years ago. I insurance business, but he is not convinced congratulate him on borrowing and plagiarising that we really know how much money we are so much of my speech. I thought at the time getting from these cash flows. The Insurance that it was a pretty good speech, and then I Commissioner's suggestion in the report that I heard it back from the member. saw that those figures were low in this climate As has been mentioned, this is the does not gel very well with me. I am sure that second rise in premiums in a very short period. you, Mr Deputy Speaker, being a bit of an When I was the Treasurer, yes, we did have to investor, would very much agree with that. increase the CTP. That information had been Time expired. very clearly given to the former Labor Mrs SHELDON (Caloundra—LP) Treasurer, Keith De Lacy, but he would do (5.02 p.m.): I rise to support what the member nothing about it because there was a by- for Moggill said in relation to the disallowance election coming up in Mundingburra which, if I of this motor accident insurance amendment remember, the Labor Party lost anyhow. But in regulation. We have heard from a number of point of fact, we were left facing that problem people on the other side of the Chamber who when we first came to office. The people from could only be regarded as hypocrites. The the Insurance Commission came to us and member for Ipswich referred to that well- said to us exactly what they have just said to watched program Fawlty Towers. The member the Treasurer: that the fund would be in reminds me of Mr O'Reilly the builder. disarray; that people would not be covered, Everything that Mr O'Reilly puts up falls down. and it was important that they were. We did not, as has been suggested here on a number Mr Hamill: Come on, Sybil. You can do of occasions, just accept their better than that. recommendations and the amount and say, Mrs SHELDON: I believe that Mr O'Reilly "Right, go ahead and do it." I asked for a full has a definite place in history. He puts doors in report and got it. I looked at the situation as it the wrong spot. He closes up the wrong things. was and felt that it was the only thing that we He puts things where they should not be. could do. I believe that the rest is history—the Generally speaking, he is a walking accident total hypocrisy that went on amongst members waiting to happen. He reminds me very much opposite. Now we are back to what is of the member for Ipswich. happening here. There have been two Dr Watson: Railroads, roads, now increases in a period of nine months, which is Treasury. true. Mrs SHELDON: That is true. Mr Hamill: Why is that? When one considers Labor's 25% Mrs SHELDON: The Treasurer is the man increase in compulsory third-party insurance, with all the information, which he will not table. one wonders at the total hypocrisy of what He will not table the actual figures. If he did, went on before. After hearing what the we could look at that situation. 1636 Motor Accident Insurance Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1999 29 Apr 1999

When I was Treasurer, yes, we had to State, including the Gold Coast. I do not see a increase CTP, but we also decreased it by $5. toll on any of those roads. The information given to me at that time was I made an election promise—as did Mr that it could be decreased and that, in the Goss—that I would lift the toll. Mr Goss broke future, this may well continue. All of a sudden, his promise and Labor lost the seat of Noosa Labor is in office and there have been two as a result. I am proud to say that I fulfilled my increases. That information is available, if the promise. If honourable members speak to Treasurer wants to follow that up, and he people on the Sunshine Coast or in Brisbane knows it. The fact is that we could decrease they will find that the people support politicians CTP by $5, but this Treasurer has introduced who fulfil their promises. Those opposite came two increases in nine months. If anyone has in here promising the earth and announcing been sold a pup, it is himself. that there would be no tax increases above Yet again, the people of Queensland are the consumer price index. However, Labor has having to put forward more money to prop up introduced tax increases of 25% and 14%. this industry. I know that the Treasurer has put One asks how Labor arrived at the figure of in place a review. As I said in this House the 14%. Labor says, "Oh, we added up the CPI other night, that was exactly what I asked to for 12 years." What an absolute joke! The be done when I was the Treasurer, and I was member for Nicklin swallowed it. I find that told that an increase in CTP would be a absolutely amazing. possibility. I said, "We need to have a full The people of Queensland do not believe review. We just cannot keep going on actuarial the Labor Party. The electors are not quite the advice and what is being given to us, because fools that those opposite believe they are. The it is hitting people very hard." Two things that people did not believe Labor when it was last most Australians try to have are their own in Government and, as a result, it was tossed house and their own car. Meeting the ongoing out. The people will do the same thing again in expenses of running a car is a very expensive a very short time. I would not be too exercise for anyone, particularly those on fixed complacent and I would not be too arrogant incomes. about the situation. As has been mentioned, we faced many As the relevant figures have not been other financial problems that Labor had left made available to the Opposition, could I ask behind. One was most certainly the workers the Treasurer if he is going to make the full compensation fund, which contained a $400m review public. Is he going to make public the black hole. There is now $35m extra a year in results and the recommendations of the consolidated revenue, which I had to put in review? Is he going to make public all the work every year for three years to help prop up the that went into it? We do not want selected bits ailing fund that Labor had left behind. That and pieces which the Treasurer decides to was an absolute scandal. That $35m per year release. The people need to see for could have gone into hospitals, schools and themselves exactly what is happening. The roads. But because the workers compensation people need to know what increases there will scheme was collapsing—which it will do again be in the future. under this Labor Government—as well as It has been suggested in this House that putting in place a revamp of the whole system the insurance companies are not giving the and dragging that back up into the black, right information. I am not suggesting that that every year for three years we had to throw in is so, but the question has been asked. It is $35m. I wonder what the Government is doing not possible to have such an increase in with that $35m. claims over that short period. For 11 years Mr Hamill: What about the $20m you there was no increase at all. It defies logic that, threw into the Sunshine Motorway? suddenly, in the past four years, things have galloped so far ahead. I now the Treasurer has Mrs SHELDON: I am very happy that, dragged out the hoary old chestnut and said when I was in a position to do so, I could right that hungry lawyers are chasing ambulances. the wrong that Labor had perpetrated on It was the Labor Government which enabled people living on the Sunshine Coast. A small lawyers to do that. No-one really believes what two-lane road was put in and it imposed not the Government says about this issue. one toll, but three. The Treasurer's mate, Tommy Burns, said that the people on the Mr Hegarty interjected. Sunshine Coast would suffer because they Mrs SHELDON: Yes, they probably do had not elected a Labor member. I ask like to have a lot of fat in their future claims on honourable members to look at what has insurance companies. The people of occurred with roads in every other part of the Queensland are paying for that. I hope that is 29 Apr 1999 Motor Accident Insurance Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1999 1637 something that this Government will look at in We are also conscious of the impact on the the future. back pockets of Queensland workers and their Time expired. families. As a Government, we recognise the value of the dollars that workers take home. Mr ROBERTS (Nudgee—ALP) (5.13 p.m.): Despite our best efforts to address This increase is not about boosting road safety issues and to reduce road trauma, Government taxes or revenue, it is about the Government must accept the inevitability ensuring that Queenslanders have access to a that accidents will occur and we must act to properly funded compulsory third-party ensure that the harm arising from them is scheme. The independent actuarial advice lessened. The compulsory third-party provided to the Government unequivocally insurance scheme is overseen by the proved that increases needed to be made. To Government to ensure that, when accidents suggest that this is some flight of fancy aimed do occur, those unfortunate enough to be at increasing Government revenue is absurd injured do not have their misfortune and untrue. The Government is aware of the compounded through shouldering the burden impact these charges have on people and has of additional medical costs and loss of income. taken every step to minimise the amount of premium that has to be paid. Let there be no smoke and mirrors treatment about the nature of this scheme. When we came to office in 1998 we were The scheme is based on insurance premiums confronted with a shortfall in funding for the paid to private insurance companies, not the compulsory third-party scheme. The former Government. The Government simply coalition Government was acutely aware of oversees the scheme and collects the these needs and failed to act. The coalition did premium with the vehicle registration fees on not have the courage or the responsibility to act in the best interests of Queensland road behalf of the insurance companies to ensure users. As it did when it first came to office, the that the scheme is properly funded. Government has acted promptly and openly to The insurance companies involved with ensure the ongoing viability of the scheme. this arrangement had sought quite significant Despite the cuteness of the Opposition's increases, which caused the Government charge of reckless revenue raising, this is some concern. In some cases those increases plainly an act of responsibly addressing a were of the order of $80. The actual increase genuine need. in the premiums to which this disallowance It is true, as has been pointed out by a motion relates is well below that sought by the number of speakers, that demands on the insurance companies—in some cases by up to scheme are increasing. The number of claims 50%. The original claim had an 8.5% profit is increasing quite significantly, driven to some margin built into it. extent by the entrepreneurial activities of The Labor Government recognises the some—and I stress some, not all—members value of every dollar that makes it into the of the legal profession. Such demands have pocket of Queensland workers. Accordingly, placed enormous pressure on the level of the Government took action to reduce the premium required to sustain the fund. profit margin available to the insurance The increasing demands on the scheme companies quite significantly by reducing it to have been recognised, and to this end the levels applicable in 1994, namely, 6%. That Government has put in place a team of noted has reduced significantly the amount of professionals to thoroughly review all aspects premium that would otherwise have applied. of the scheme. The aim is to ensure that the Through making the insurance companies scheme is the most beneficial mechanism for shoulder some of the burden, the Labor ensuring access to fair compensation for Government has ensured that Queenslanders Queenslanders who are injured in road will pay the absolute minimum increase that is accidents. I, along with other members, look possible. Let us be honest about this increase. forward to the findings of this committee later No Government would announce an increase in the year. if there were other alternatives. However, It is fair to say that this is a given. Every decisive action needed to be taken in order to Queenslander legitimately expects that if they maintain the viability of the fund and to are injured in a road accident they will not be preserve the access of Queenslanders to fair left without appropriate access to compensation. compensation to assist them to recover and The Government does not shy away from move on with their lives. This is a minimum its responsibilities to the people of requirement for equity in any community. For Queensland. The scheme must remain viable. the scheme to provide fair access for all 1638 Motor Accident Insurance Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1999 29 Apr 1999

Queenslanders it must be properly funded. We disallowance motion, because the members cannot provide the basic equity if the scheme opposite know only too well that if they did, the does not have the money to deal with all the people of Queensland would see them for injured people whom it exists to protect. what they are. If they were prepared to go Governments cannot stand by and allow along with a $52 a year increase put forward fairness to be eroded by an unfunded by the Insurance Commissioner, then the scheme. The Government could not stand by people of Queensland would have every and allow the door to be shut on the last 10% justification for asking, "What has changed?" of claims made in the financial year simply Three years ago—in 1996—the member because the scheme has negligently been left for Caloundra was very compassionate when in an unfunded state. The scheme must be she said, "$66." What did she say to the funded to ensure that it has the capacity to motorists? "They got off lightly"! That is what provide assistance when such assistance is she said at the time. At the time, the people of required. Queensland did not think that they got off lightly at all. Had the members opposite gone The independent actuarial advice the other way and declared their colours and received by the Government indicates that, at said, "A $40 a year increase is unwarranted", its present level, if left untouched, the scheme then they know—— would have fallen short of that capacity. Action needed to be taken, and the Government has Mrs SHELDON: I rise to a point of order. I taken that action. This disallowance motion find the words of the Treasurer offensive. He amounts only to a disavowal of the legitimate referred to me saying that people "got off expectation of every Queenslander that if they lightly". I never said such a thing. I ask him to are injured in a car accident they will be withdraw. entitled to fair compensation. It is also a Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Mickel): disavowal of the basic fairness that the Order! The member has asked for a community expects. It is a disavowal—or an withdrawal. attempt at disavowal—of the Government's Mr HAMILL: Mr Deputy Speaker, I am responsibility. troubled here because I was actually quoting Hon. D. J. HAMILL (Ipswich—ALP) from the Hansard of 1996—a direct quotation (Treasurer) (5.19 p.m.): After listening to this attributed to the former Treasurer. It stands tirade from the Opposition I am still at a loss to there in the Hansard and there was no know exactly what the Opposition wants. The objection made by the then Treasurer at that Opposition has used all sorts of colourful time. language this afternoon in saying that it is Mrs SHELDON: No doubt it is a direct seeking to disallow the premium increase for quotation from the Treasurer. I find what the compulsory third-party insurance, but on what Treasurer has implied and said offensive. grounds? Is it that the Opposition is saying that the increase is not high enough? Is the Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I ask the Opposition saying that the Government has Treasurer to withdraw. acted irresponsibly because we have not only Mr HAMILL: Mr Deputy Speaker, I spurned the claims of the insurers but we have understand that the former Treasurer, the also rejected the recommendation of the member for Caloundra, is taking some delayed Insurance Commissioner? Did I hear the action offence. I withdraw accordingly. Opposition suggest that it was irresponsible of We have the Opposition members not us to reject a $52 a year increase in daring to say that no increase is warranted. compulsory third-party insurance? They know only too well that the insurance Did they say that it was irresponsible for companies have made out a case for an us to call upon the insurers to take a little bit of increase. In fact, the Leader of the Liberal the pain and see their profit margins restored Party, in his immediate response to the to the levels that they were at in 1994 when announcement that there would be an the current scheme was put in place? No, they increase in compulsory third-party insurance, did not! Did the Opposition say that there actually seemed to suggest that the insurers should be no increase in compulsory third- would not be happy and that a further increase party insurance premiums? Did one speaker would be necessary. from the Opposition say that no increase was Where do the Opposition members stand warranted? No, they did not! They did not on this matter? They stand all over the place, have the gumption or the courage to actually in the same way that their repeated claims this state the grounds upon which they were afternoon do not gel very well with their opposing this proposition and moving this statements on the record. I refer again to the 29 Apr 1999 Motor Accident Insurance Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1999 1639 comments of the member for Caloundra. A recommendations made to us were exactly the couple of days ago in the House, the member same as those that the actuary made to him. for Caloundra accused me of claiming that Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! What compulsory third-party insurance premiums words is the member finding offensive? That were a tax. She reiterated that claim in her will assist me. speech this afternoon. Mrs SHELDON: His suggestion that Dr Watson: As did your Premier. I—and the Treasurer did mention me—was Mr HAMILL: I take the interjection from supporting a profit margin increase for the the member for Moggill. Again, I refer to the insurance companies. That is untrue. I find it very record of the debate on this matter in this offensive. I ask him to withdraw it. place three years ago. Allow me to immodestly Mr HAMILL: I withdraw in order that I can quote myself. I stated— continue my speech. What I will say—— "This is an insurance cover. We have always believed and held to the view that Mrs SHELDON: No, I ask for it to be the fund needed to be adequate to withdrawn unequivocally. maintain the level of payments that it Mr HAMILL: I withdraw. would need to bear as claims were made Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The against it." Honourable the Treasurer has withdrawn. The I did not say a tax; I said "an insurance member for Caloundra will resume her seat. cover". Only the other night and again today Mrs SHELDON: In a sort of a manner, Mr the member for Moggill, who has suddenly Deputy Speaker. become so self-righteous in these matters, talked about compulsory third-party insurance Mr HAMILL: Allow me to make the point premiums as a tax. Yet the same member for that in 1996 the coalition Government Moggill, in the debate in which I recognised presided over an increase in compulsory third- CTP for what it is—an insurance premium— party insurance of $66 a year. It is interesting stated in relation to compulsory third-party to note that the Ministers in that insurance— Government—who I presume also included the then Treasurer, the member for "... when the Government increases the Caloundra—in agreeing to the premium premium, we are not talking about a tax increase of $66 a year also agreed that the or a Government charge, rather it is a profit margin for insurers should increase from premium paid to private insurers just like 6% to 7.5%. any other form of insurance." Mrs SHELDON: I rise to a point of order. I ask: who has changed their tune? Certainly it The Treasurer has said exactly the same thing is not the member for Ipswich, but I cannot say using slightly different words and has turned the same for the members for Moggill and around the sentence. It is untrue. I still ask for Caloundra. it to be withdrawn. I know that there have been all sorts of Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The aspersions cast at the member for Brisbane member has asked for a withdrawal. Central, the now Premier. However, let the record bear out his views in that same debate. Mr HAMILL: It is not untrue, but anything The substantive matter that the member for that I have—— Brisbane Central raised in that debate three Mrs SHELDON: It is untrue. I find it untrue years ago was the matter of the profit margins and offensive. I ask for it to be withdrawn. that were being accorded to the insurers. When the member for Caloundra supported a Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Treasurer $66 a year increase in compulsory third-party has been asked to withdraw. insurance premiums in 1996, she oversaw an Mr HAMILL: If anything that I have said is increase in the profit margin for insurers rising personally offensive to the member for from 6% to 7.5%. It is also worth noting this Caloundra, I withdraw it. However, what is not afternoon that, among the bids that were untrue is that the coalition allowed the insurers received this year from insurers, they again to increase their profit margin to 7.5% in 1996. sought a further increase in the profit margins. By 1998—— Mrs SHELDON: I rise to a point of order. Mrs SHELDON: I rise to a point of order. The Treasurer is deliberately misleading the By direct inference, again the Treasurer is House. I find the words that he is saying quite referring to me. I ask that it be withdrawn. It is offensive. In no way did we support any profit offensive and untrue and I ask him to margin for the insurance companies. The withdraw. 1640 Motor Accident Insurance Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1999 29 Apr 1999

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! There is clear that adjustments to premiums should no point of order. The member will resume her take place by April so that they could be in seat. place by July. Of course, the very things that Mr HAMILL: By 1998, under the coalition the member for Caloundra adhered to in 1996 Government's compulsory third-party scheme, were thrown out the window in 1998. Had the the profit margin for insurers had risen to 8.5%. member for Caloundra and the Government of This year, in their bids for a further increase, a which she was a member—— 9.5% profit margin was sought. In 1996 when Mrs SHELDON: I rise to a point of order. I we were in Opposition, it was unacceptable to find what the member is saying untrue and us to allow a 25% increase in the profit margin. offensive. They do not relate at all to 1998. The core objection that we had to the Mr HAMILL: I have not said it yet. proposals of the Insurance Commissioner went to this very issue of the profit margin accorded Mrs SHELDON: The Treasurer said that to the insurers. Our decision to reject the profit they were different and they were not. We sat margin of 8.5% has meant that the premium by exactly the same situation. that has been arrived at is substantially less Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The than that which had been recommended by member will come to her point of order. the Insurance Commissioner. In fact, that is Mrs SHELDON: I ask for the comments to how we have been able to protect the interests be withdrawn. of the battlers. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The When the member for Moggill asks, honourable member has asked the Treasurer "What would the battlers now say to the to withdraw. Premier, Mr Beattie?", I can tell him that the battlers would say, "Thank goodness that the Mr HAMILL: I withdraw anything that I Premier, Mr Beattie, and his Government are have said that causes the honourable member now presiding over the scheme." Otherwise, for Caloundra offence. I go on to say that had they would have copped it in the neck again, the member for Caloundra and her just as they copped it in 1996 when the Government acted on the Insurance coalition was more than prepared to give the Commissioner's report, even if they had not insurers an extra dollop of gravy for running acted on it lock, stock and barrel as was their the compulsory third-party insurance scheme. practice, there would have been a $13 That is the core of the debate. increase effective from 1 July last year. The compulsory third-party insurance Mrs SHELDON: I rise to a point of order. scheme is an important scheme and it needs What the member is saying is untrue and to be properly funded. We need to ensure that offensive. I did act on it. I asked for a review the premiums are adequate to meet the just as the Treasurer is doing. I congratulate claims that are being made against the the Treasurer on following my initiative in doing scheme—the claims that have to be paid out that. What the Treasurer is saying is untrue by the insurers. It has been thus since 1936, and offensive and I ask for it to be withdrawn. and while this Government is in power it will Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The remain thus. We will not go down the member for Caloundra has asked the irresponsible path that has been canvassed, Treasurer to withdraw. indeed demonstrated, by the coalition in its recent custodianship of the compulsory third- Mr HAMILL: I would not wish to offend party insurance scheme in Queensland. the member for Caloundra. Nothing could be more irresponsible than what Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I thank the was perpetrated, not by act but by omission, Honourable Treasurer and ask him to by the coalition Government last year. continue. At the time of the election, no action Mr HAMILL: I think it is worth while whatsoever had been taken on the Insurance making the point—— Commissioner's report that had come into the Mrs Sheldon: In that case, you wouldn't hands of the coalition Government, whether mind withdrawing the comments. that be in late 1997 or early 1998. May the very words of the member for Caloundra in Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The 1996 come back to haunt her. At that time, honourable member for Caloundra is out of the member for Caloundra outlined the order. procedures that were necessary in order to Mrs SHELDON: I rise to a point of order. I ensure the viability of the scheme. At that asked that the words of the member be time, the member for Caloundra made it quite withdrawn and he has not withdrawn them. 29 Apr 1999 Motor Accident Insurance Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1999 1641

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! My funded scheme is to draw away any protection understanding is that the Treasurer has at all from those who have suffered injury upon withdrawn it. our roads, whether they be passengers or Mr HAMILL: I have often observed that drivers of vehicles, where their road trauma accuracy was never one of the great qualities has been the result of the negligence of of the member for Caloundra. Her extensive others. Therefore, the claim size is increasing experience before the Members' Ethics and and the frequency of claims is increasing. In Parliamentary Privileges Committee as addition, with the decline in interest rates, the Treasurer bore testimony to that. It is very funds that are invested by the insurance noteworthy that with all of that extensive claims in what is a long tail business are not experience, she is now a member of the generating the same rate of returns. However, Privileges Committee. Her extensive at the same time, wages and medical experience is being brought to bear in the expenses are increasing. All of those things service of the Parliament. impact upon the quantum that will be the subject of compensation. Had the former Government acted on the In relation to the criticisms that I have Insurance Commissioner's report last year— levelled at some in the legal profession who even if it was not lock, stock and barrel, as it was wont to do—there would have been a $13 have been drumming up claims on the no win, no pay principle, it is worth noting that since a year increase proclaimed for 1 July last year. 1994 some $500m has been paid out on It was with horror last year that I saw that a Government that proclaimed such rectitude claims under compulsory third-party insurance in Queensland. Over that period, in excess of with respect to financial management had $60m has been paid out in legal expenses. neither the guts nor the gumption to act upon what was vital to ensure the integrity of the Therefore, more than 10% of the total quantum paid out under the scheme has gone compulsory third-party insurance scheme in into the pockets of the lawyers. I am saying this State. For that reason, in September last that, through reviewing the scheme, we should year one of the first acts that I had to be doing everything we can to ensure that the undertake as Treasurer was to put the scheme right and to apply a $3 surcharge to make up moneys being paid out of the scheme go to the people who are injured to address their for that period when the scheme had been left needs for compensation and rehabilitation, unfunded by the very irresponsibility that the coalition demonstrated in the run-up to the last rather than lining the pockets of the middlemen. That is an important principle and election. For the member for Toowoomba I have asked expressly that the committee of South to come into this place and not only get the figure of last year's increase wrong but to review address it. The disallowance motion should be rejected by the House. feign indignation, suggesting that this Government has increased the premiums Time expired. twice in the space of 12 months for no good Question—That Dr Watson's motion be reason, I find most breathtaking indeed. agreed to—put; and the House divided— A number of factors are forcing up the AYES, 42—Beanland, Black, Borbidge, Connor, premiums. The member for Gladstone alerted Cooper, E. A. Cunningham, Dalgleish, Davidson, the House to the difficulties of trying to pare Elliott, Feldman, Gamin, Goss, Grice, Healy, Hobbs, away all of the issues that are considered by Horan, Johnson, Kingston, Knuth, Laming, Lester, the actuaries in this regard. I will run through a Lingard, Littleproud, Malone, Mitchell, Nelson, Paff, few of them, because it is important that we Prenzler, Quinn, Rowell, Santoro, Seeney, Sheldon, Simpson, Slack, Springborg, Stephan, Turner, understand exactly what are the factors that Veivers, Watson. Tellers: Baumann, Hegarty are driving up the premiums in the scheme. NOES, 44—Attwood, Barton, Beattie, Bligh, Boyle, Some ask: how could it be that with the Braddy, Briskey, Clark, J. I. Cunningham, D'Arcy, road toll decreasing there is such pressure for Edmond, Elder, Fenlon, Foley, Fouras, Gibbs, Hamill, a premium increase? I was going to say Hayward, Lavarch, Lucas, Mackenroth, McGrady, "sadly", but certainly it is not sad that there is a Mickel, Mulherin, Musgrove, Nelson-Carr, Nuttall, decline in fatalities. However, we are not Palaszczuk, Pearce, Pitt, Reeves, Reynolds, Roberts, Robertson, Rose, Schwarten, Spence, Struthers, seeing a decline in the number of claims being Welford, Wellington, Wells, Wilson. Tellers: Sullivan, made by people affected by road trauma. Purcell After all, compulsory third-party insurance Pair: Bredhauer, Pratt schemes are established to protect people suffering road trauma. To depart from a fully Resolved in the negative. 1642 Meat Industry Amendment Standard (No. 1) 1999 29 Apr 1999

MEAT INDUSTRY AMENDMENT STANDARD the Livestock and Meat Authority of (No. 1) 1999 Queensland—LMAQ. Disallowance of Statutory Instrument Prior to 1993, safety and hygiene Hon. T. R. COOPER (Crows Nest—NPA) standards were maintained through an (5.45 p.m.): I move— inspectorate-based system whereby qualified meat inspectors assessed meat quality on a "That the Meat Industry Amendment largely visual basis. As technology and our Standard (No. 1) 1999 (Subordinate understanding of food safety have improved Legislation No. 53 of 1999) tabled in the both in Australia and abroad, new and more Parliament on 13 April 1999, be effective methods have been developed to disallowed." ensure food quality. These have been based As most honourable members would around the principles of quality assurance. know, the Queensland meat industry has a In simple terms, that means ensuring the long and proud history. It is comprised of the quality of the product and minimising the risk beef, sheepmeat, chicken and pork industries of contamination at every stage of the food and, in later years, it has grown to include the production chain. The Queensland meat deer, emu and goat industries. It is worth industry has been a leader in the adoption of some $1,600m to the Queensland economy in quality assurance since it was first introduced terms of export and domestic markets. through the QLMA in 1993. That program, Collectively, these industries are Queensland's called Q-Safe, has been instrumental in the largest primary industries. The meat industry is development of the industry's impeccable also significant in that these industries are record. By his own admission, the Minister for represented in every region of the State and Primary Industries has conceded that the are one of this State's largest employers. It Queensland meat industry is a leader in meat provides jobs on the farm and in processing, safety. In fact, it has led the nation and most retailing and distribution. other food groups in the adoption of Since Queensland was first settled, the internationally recognised quality assurance meat industry has striven to improve its principles. productivity and the quality of its product. Mr Palaszczuk interjected. These efforts have stepped up over the years, Mr COOPER: That is exactly right. But the and particularly in the last decade, as the Government does not have to charge through industry has embraced new technology and the nose to do that. It has to spread its costs. better management techniques to improve its Everyone in this State is benefiting from competitiveness. In fact, our meat industry is improved standards of hygiene. Therefore, up with the world's best and, arguably, is the everyone should meet their share of the cost. world's best. That is what we are saying. It should not all be One area in which the meat industry has put on the butcher. That is where the Minister certainly led the way has been in its continual is wrong. A 315% increase in some and considerable efforts to improve meat circumstances—from $280 to $881—is grossly safety and hygiene standards. The meat unfair. It is wrong. industry has recognised that food safety is By last year, every single butcher shop, paramount in the minds of consumers and it slaughter yard and meat processor had has met that need. In fact, retail surveys have adopted the Q-Safe program. That is a shown that food safety now ranks as a higher tremendous achievement and I pay tribute priority than price in the minds of consumers. again to every single butcher, slaughterman The Queensland meat industry has an and meat processor. But that has not come exemplary record in terms of meat safety and cheap. Most honourable members would be hygiene. We have not had a Garibaldi old enough to remember the butcher shop of incident. We have not had mass food old, with the wooden chopping block and poisonings such as those in the United States. sawdust on the floor. Those days are now long In fact, since 1993 I am unaware of any gone. Recently, I was in a butcher shop in instance of food poisoning from meat Sydney. They said, "Thank heavens we don't purchased through a butcher shop. In live in Queensland." They still have a bit of Queensland, safety and hygiene standards in sawdust on the floor and use wooden the meat industry have been administered by chopping blocks and so on. Queensland is so the Queensland Livestock and Meat far out in front. However, as I said, that has Authority—QLMA—under the auspices of the come at a massive cost. We cannot keep current Meat Industry Act since 1993. Prior to loading that onto the butcher. That is where that, the meat industry was administered by this is so grossly unfair. 29 Apr 1999 Meat Industry Amendment Standard (No. 1) 1999 1643

If we look inside any Queensland butcher responsibilities of meat safety and hygiene; we shop or meat processor, we will not see a stick restructured and decreased the size of the of timber anywhere. Instead, we will see board; we asked for a business plan; we stainless steel and more stainless steel. resumed Government's rightful contributions to Behind the counter we will see a trained the QLMA to help it ensure meat safety and professional who will know more about safety hygiene for Queenslanders; and we and hygiene standards than anyone in this guaranteed the financial security of the QLMA. House ever will. Each of those butchers has That was never under question. spent thousands of dollars upgrading his shop The QLMA never made a profit, nor to comply with Q-Safe. In spite of their should it. It is not a company; it is a service achievements, they have not been rewarded provider to the people of Queensland, and the with more efficient QLMA administration and people on the other side of the House should cheaper fees, as they were promised when Q- know that. On taking office, the Minister Safe was introduced. sacked the highly qualified, extremely well Instead of having their efforts recognised regarded and politically independent board to and rewarded, they have been penalised. In appoint his own political adviser. At the time fact, the Beattie Government has now moved the Minister made much of the Government's to introduce massive new fees—a decision obligation to funding food safety and hygiene. which has broken the Premier's pre-election But through the new fees, it has shown that it promise not to increase taxes and charges was only ever lip-service. It tried hard to hide it, above the CPI. These fees will range up to but the truth remains that the Beattie 315% above those paid less than one year Government will not fund its rightful share ago when the Borbidge Government left office. towards maintaining meat safety and hygiene. We have heard a lot of rot in recent weeks Mr Palaszczuk: We've done it. from the Minister and the acting Minister, the Mr COOPER: When the Minister says that member for Mount Isa, and even the Premier he has done it, all I can keep saying is: go in their attempts to justify these massive new back to the butchers; they are the ones who fee increases. If Government members do not know and they are the ones who are going to believe that this is happening, they should ask tell him right across the State. the butchers. They are the ones who know. What the Government did not tell us was They are the ones who are writing the cheque. that the 8% increase was only the annual When they write the cheque, they feel it. They know exactly how much more they are paying. accreditation fee. Where previously under the Borbidge Government the cost of audits was Since the day dot, Government at all included in that fee, this Labor Government levels has usually acknowledged that it has a has now introduced a charge of $100 per role to play in maintaining food safety and hour. Those cost increases come on top of the hygiene standards. This was also the case for QLMA's scrapping of a 30% rebate in the QLMA until former Primary Industries September last year. So in July last year when Minister Ed Casey set about dismantling the a Category A butcher employing between 3 DPI, sacking DPI officers and even went to the and 10 people, producing fresh meat and extent of thieving the State Government's smallgoods, sat down to write his cheque to annual $500,000 contribution to maintaining the QLMA, he filled it out for $280 flat— meat safety and hygiene. At that time, the everything included, not one cent more. QLMA was running both the old meat This year, under the Beattie inspectorate system and introducing the Q- Government's new meat tax, that same Safe program—in effect, two costs being butcher will be up for $881 for exactly the funded from a budget that was $500,000 in same level of service that he received last the red. That is where the trouble started. year. Even those top Category C butchers Despite repeated pleas from industry, requiring only one audit per year—the Casey and then Gibbs, who followed him, apparent concession that the Minister awarded ignored their obligations to fund food safety. In the industry—will face an increase from $280 desperation, the QLMA tried to develop other to $431 per year, an increase of upwards of income streams through a consultancy 200%. If anyone doubts me, I will now table business, through research and development the new fee schedule and a comparison with and by running down its assets. Predictably, what the same butchers and processors paid the financial position deteriorated. When the last year. It is there in black and white for all to Borbidge Government took office in 1996, the see. Perhaps the Minister would like to look at QLMA was in desperate trouble, and we set it himself. It is absolutely damning. about fixing it. We got it back to its core Mr Palaszczuk: The 1st of July? 1644 Performance of Ministers 29 Apr 1999

Mr COOPER: I am saying that the other side of the House has butchers in their difference between what they paid last year electorates. They will be watching tonight to and what they pay this year is very emphatic; it see how their local member votes. If they vote is clear and they know it. They are the poor for an increase of over 300% in those beggars who have to pay it. butchers' meat tax, they will hear from them. It Mr Palaszczuk: You're wrong. is their chance now to reject it, and so they should reject it. Mr COOPER: I am not wrong; the Minister is wrong. His political policy adviser has sold Whoever votes against this motion will be him a pup and he is going to pay the price for voting against small business and jobs in their that. That is a pity. own electorates—make no mistake about that. The people will let their members know; they Instead of the Minister's Government do not have to listen to me. The Beattie living up to its claims about the Government's Government was supposed to be a joint responsibility for food safety and hygiene, Government obsessed with jobs—a it is ripping the money out of the mums and Government for all Queenslanders. These fees dads of the meat industry, because that is who prove that that is all rhetoric. I urge all these fees will hurt hardest—the small family members to put their electorates first—put their butcher, the small family slaughterman and butchers first—and vote this motion down. the people who work for them. While the big supermarkets simply factor the increase into Debate, on motion of Mr Cooper, their margins, the butchers either pull their adjourned. belts in yet another notch or just shut up shop. Some honourable members might be PERSONAL EXPLANATION wondering why I started my speech with a Queensland Health history lesson. I did it for a very good reason. I wanted to try to illustrate to all members here Mr NELSON (Tablelands—IND) just exactly what the meat industry has been (5.59 p.m.), by leave: Today I said that a raid through to get to where it is now—the efforts was conducted by officers of Queensland that butchers and meat processors have Health on the newspaper the Bowen made, the thousands of dollars that they have Independent, when actually the raid was spent. They have made their industry the carried out on the Coral Coast Employment leader in food safety at a time when Agency. I rectify that for the House, as I had competition for the consumer dollar has never inadvertently misled it. been tougher. The supermarkets with their massive buying power and competitive pricing PERFORMANCE OF MINISTERS have placed enormous pressure on the small retailers, and we all know that. Mr SLACK (Burnett—NPA) (6 p.m.): I move— What an absolute kick in the guts it is when, after all their effort and all the expense "That this House condemns the to achieve the highest standard, this Beattie Government for the disastrous Government now hands them this massive performance of its Ministers, particularly meat tax! While their neighbour the fish and Ministers Elder, Barton, Gibbs, McGrady chip shop or the baker pay their annual $140 and Palaszczuk." to the local council for the maintenance of their This Government is very strong on safety and hygiene standards, the butcher will rhetoric. It is great at making promises, but it is be paying his $881. It is small wonder that dreadfully bad at delivery. We are having this these hardworking people are so angry with debate tonight so that the people of this Beattie Government. It is small wonder Queensland, who were promised so much by that my colleagues and I have been inundated Labor and who have been delivered nothing, with phone calls and letters. It is small wonder apart from hot air, can have their say. that in just a couple of weeks I was able to The member for Capalaba, the self- collect over 2,500 signatures on a petition. It is proclaimed "Mr Fix-it" of Queensland politics, small wonder that small businesses wonders promised maximum grunt when he was why they bother. running for office. In office for 10 red tape Queensland cannot afford to lose one bound months, all he has delivered is more small business or one more job, and maximum groan. That is what his rural and regional Queensland cannot afford to departmental officers are saying around the lose one more small business or one more job. water coolers. In office he has delivered But that is what will happen if this disallowance nothing. In the major project area—a key area motion is not successful. Every member on the of the grunt department of which he is the 29 Apr 1999 Performance of Ministers 1645 political head—he promises us the Chevron ajar. Once again, present performance does project. Let me make it clear: the coalition not match past rhetoric. welcomes the prospect of Chevron and will In May 1997, when the now Minister was applaud if it eventuates. in Opposition, he made a speech to this Apart from that, in the major project area House in which he thundered about red tape what have we seen since the change of reform. Honourable members will remember Government? We have seen hold-ups. We the red tape reduction program we instituted in have seen bureaucratic shuffling. We have Government through my colleague the seen the giant Surat Dawson project put on member for Noosa. the backburner—the single most important Mr GIBBS: Mr Speaker, I rise to a point of agricultural and resource expansion project we order. I point out to the House that the Deputy have going in this State. I say "we have going" Premier is not ensconced in 111 George because we, the coalition, got it going—as we Street. That happens to be my office. did Dascom, as we did Boeing, as we did Mr SPEAKER: Order! Century, as we did Qantas' new operations in Brisbane, as we did Ernest Henry, as we did Mr SLACK: Honourable members will with Shell, as we did with north-west gas and remember the red tape reduction program we Stuart oil shale, and so on. We did this in instituted in Government through my colleague several instances on an ongoing basis—taking the member for Noosa. The business over the reins from previous Governments. community remembers it, too—fondly—as something that was actually working, actually What Queensland needs is continuity. getting somewhere, and actually delivering The people want results. They want a future. promised benefits to the business community, They do not want political footballs; they want and particularly to small business, through the the real thing. What Queensland does not first one-stop shop for licensing and regulation. need is grunting and roaring that produces The member for Capalaba thought it was not more and more hot air and fewer and fewer working. He was wrong, of course—and he balloons to rise with it. knows it. On 2 March this year I asked the Deputy One thing alone demonstrates with Premier a question on notice about the absolute clarity the feet of clay that the estimated expenditure and associated person Minister has brought to the process of hours for his portfolio and its entities in terms Government. In March 1998 the then Minister of the capital works program. His answer was for Tourism and Small Business, the member very revealing. The member for Capalaba for Noosa, introduced the Retail Shop Leases replied that, while capital works expenditure Amendment Bill into this House. In March this had thus far been low—his answer was tabled year, the current document was introduced on 1 April, an appropriate date in the into this House by the Deputy Premier. And circumstances—acceleration was now yesterday, 12 months after its original arrival, occurring as negotiations concerning major the second reading took place. projects were finalised. What should seriously concern This Minister has had 10 months in office, honourable members and the people of and "Mr Grunt" is still trying to find the Queensland is that all of the work that accelerator. It is the same with power costs. It preceded the presentation of this document is the same with water storage infrastructure. It has now been under way for nearly two years, is the same with roads. I am talking about all yet only now are we getting to the crux of the of Queensland, as the Minister should be matter, to the real business of this House, talking about all of Queensland. which is to make these amendments law. Can it be that the grunt department is just The member for Capalaba has been too big for the member for Capalaba to Minister for 10 months—10 months in which, in handle? He does have a lot on his plate. Aside relation to this legislation, he has produced from major projects and trade, upon which we three pages. Where has he been? What was will not touch tonight, he also has business. He he doing, given that this is legislation that was has things such as red tape—the reduction of labelled best practice by the Property Council it, not the creation of it—and the Small of Australia in March last year? I will lay odds Business Council. It seems that these things that he will not have a satisfactory answer to may also have become lost in the black hole that. that, according to departmental legend, opens We all appreciate that the Minister has up to swallow things whenever the door to the been busy. He has had to manage the ministerial suite at 111 George Street is prised transition to Government. He has had to move 1646 Performance of Ministers 29 Apr 1999 into his new offices. He has had to paint the better direction is desperately needed in the foyer, appoint a phalanx of new officers, chase Minister's office. It does not take much to work the Y2K bug, and gallivant around the State out that Queensland needs much more than reopening all sorts of things. But the real work high level rhetoric if as a community we are to must go on as well. work through our present problems and create I have a message for the Minister for the better, richer future that the people of "Red Tape". Red tape is the single most Queensland deserve. The business invasive and debilitating aspect of Government community certainly knows this. It is already today where business is concerned. It is red convinced that there is a lot that is not tape reduction that is required, not red tape happening in this State. Even the dogs are production. On his red tape reduction barking about who is to blame for that: "Mr performance to date, I think he would have Five Per Cent" and the self-styled runt with trouble navigating his way to a Labour Day grunt. march—we will all be watching him with interest We have some time before the people of on Monday—let alone assaulting bureaucracy Queensland get the chance to correct the or producing business legislation. historic—I nearly said "hysteric"—failings of this It does not end there. There is also the Government: the Government that constantly matter of the Small Business Advisory Council claims it is the can-do Government; the board. That is one of the things the Minister Government that consistently proves the has not made an announcement on. Tonight I theory that empty vessels make most noise; can put a smile of the faces of Queensland's the Government that, through the Minister for long-suffering business people on that score. State Development and Trade, so amply The Minister has not announced it but the demonstrates that there is no substitute for Motor Traders journal has. It is right here. The action and that there is no action. chairman is none other than the Minister's Time expired. parliamentary secretary, the member for Mr HORAN (Toowoomba South—NPA) Sunnybank—just what the small business (6.10 p.m.): I take great pleasure in seconding community needs: another Left Wing pollie this motion. Last night, the debate was about pointing the way ahead. the dunces class, and tonight it is about those It will be small wonder if they conclude he who are in grave danger of sliding into it. We will be pointing the way ahead to disaster for are witnessing a declining performance of the small business, the vital sector of Beattie Government just 10 months into its Queensland's economy that simply will not fit term of office. Its Ministers inherited everything into the union straitjacket that this Government in good order, particularly the Minister for wants to put everyone in. There is a much Police. With the recruitment system that he better chairman on the new board—Angelo inherited, all the hard work had been done, all Efstathis, managing director of Queensland the systems had been put in place, and the Pine Company. He is someone from the real numbers of graduates were increasing. Now world. I do pay tribute to the Minister. At least we are starting to see a declining performance. he has now named a board to represent small The Police Minister, Mr Barton, likes to business at senior Government level. It is just tout himself as the Minister who gets his hands a pity that it took him 10 months to remember on the levers, but what we are seeing that this is a vital part of his job. increasingly is a Minister with his hands well While I am on my feet, I announce to the and truly off the levers. Yesterday in this House another late appointment from the Parliament, members were talking about police Minister for "Grunt"—that of John Dawson, stations in and around Ipswich. The Minister chief executive officer of the Bank of spoke about how there had been an internal Queensland, as chair of the revised Red Tape review of the position and the status of some Reduction Task Force. The Minister has not seven or eight police stations and Police Beats told us that yet, but we welcome this in the Ipswich area. The Minister admitted that appointment. It is better late than never. I the first he knew about it was when he read welcome the Minister back to the land of the the press clippings. Here we have a major living. review in and around one of the major cities of It does not take much to work out that Queensland, but this Minister—with his hands business in Queensland—big business and off the levers—does not know about it; he had small business—needs the Department of to read the press clippings to find out what is State Development and Trade to work with a happening in his own department. great deal more speed than has been evident Earlier this week there was an escape so far. It does not take much to work out that from the Townsville Correctional Centre farm. 29 Apr 1999 Performance of Ministers 1647

Two prisoners drove out in a four-wheel-drive administrator and Director-General of vehicle, fully loaded with fuel. Suddenly, in Education as the director-general of prisons. today's Courier-Mail, we have an explanation As I said in a speech in Parliament earlier this by Mr Kevin Corcoran. There was no week, that is like putting a policeman in charge explanation by the Minister. The Minister has of the Education Department. It makes no his hands off the levers. Just like everything sense whatsoever, particularly in relation to that involves this Beattie Labor Government, something as important as prisons, where we there is always a spokesman. When the going must have people who have a lot of gets tough, poor old Tom is nowhere to be experience in prison management and prison seen, and a spokesman comes out and wears administration. But the Police Minister denies the flak. everything. He is not interested. So what did we hear? Driving out of the What about the issue at Ipswich? It was prison in four-wheel-drive vehicles is now no important that the reputation of those police longer allowed; they are going to drive out in was preserved at all times when the issue of tractors. I suppose that the warning to the strip searching was raised. We could have had people of Townsville is going to be: if you see a good, quick, preliminary inquiry into that a tractor driver going through Townsville, it which would have said, "Things are okay, but it might not belong to the city council. Just is progressing further to the CJC, just in case." check; it could be prisoners. On Saturday But what happened? The Minister took his night, we had prisoners going out to the hands off the levers, and absolutely nothing rubbish dump in the dark. If the Minister had happened. his hands on the levers, he would certainly Time expired. know what was happening. Hon. J. P. ELDER (Capalaba—ALP) Where were the levers when it came time (Deputy Premier and Minister for State to make a decision on a jail at Inglewood, Development and Minister for Trade) Roma or Yarraman? The Minister got rolled by (6.15 p.m.): At the end of this week we have the Premier. The Minister knows that the best ended up with a ridiculous motion—a lame case that was put forward was that for the motion from a lame Opposition, which has had Yarraman/Nanango area. But in a cynical nothing better to do all week. political decision, the Premier wanted the jail to The best measure of how Governments go to Maryborough alone because he wanted can perform and how Governments can to try to win back that seat from One Nation. achieve is the unemployment level in this So good government went out the window, State, and the unemployment level in this and the opportunity to spread the economic State is 7.8%—down from 8.6% at the same benefit of three 200-bed jails amongst the City time last year and down from the high levels of Maryborough and the districts of Inglewood, that existed when members opposite were last Yarraman and Roma was lost. Instead, there in Government. So if they want to judge us, let will be an additional 400 beds at Woodford. them judge us on their measures: what they What are we going to end up with at achieved in Government. They left this State Woodford? It will be the biggest high-security with blackouts and an unemployment level of prison in Australia—1,000 beds. Members talk 9%—end of argument. Unemployment is it, about quality of security and quality of jobs are it. That is where we have succeeded, rehabilitation. But how on earth are we going and that is where members opposite failed in to achieve that with a prison institution as large Government. and as substantial as that? It is easy to talk about some of the The proactive support group has been individual departments. We inherited a downgraded. That group represented one moribund Tourism, Small Business and decent opportunity to create a standard of Industry Department—"moribund" according to excellence in how we deal with security, special a report that members opposite had. We events and special security occurrences in our amalgamated that department with the former prisons. It was an opportunity to deal with the Economic Development and Trade drug issue and to maintain a group of Department, which was not performing, and specialists who could look in from the outside ended up with the Department of State to see what might be happening and, in that Development, which brings together the way, lift the standards in our prisons. But that Coordinator-General and Treasury. Now we group has been disbanded. have a department that is delivering. What else have we seen? We are seeing We have delivered on major projects. We the pending appointment of a highly have delivered with call centres—Stellar experienced schoolteacher, educational Communications—Citibank and IBM, which are 1648 Performance of Ministers 29 Apr 1999 establishing their Asia-Pacific regional have not been out there. I spoke at an headquarters here in Queensland. Other major infrastructure conference today, and we international investment has come from received a round of acclamation for the work National Foods, Parmalat, Indus and that we have done in our first 10 months. Solutions—software providers. They have all There was not a whimper about what has come to Brisbane since we have been in gone on since members opposite were last in Government. None of them were attracted by Government. members opposite. I am using the criteria of We are a happy lot on this side of the members opposite. House, but that is not the case amongst If members opposite want to talk about members opposite. We have Nats, Libs, One criteria for small business, all they have to do is Nation—five nations. The Leader of the look at the Yellow Pages survey. What does it Opposition is under pressure from the rats and show? Business confidence is at its highest the vipers up the back of the Chamber, and it level for the past five years—a 19% increase in will not be too long before they come down on profitability and a 10% increase in the work him. It is a waiting game for the Leader of the force levels in small business. That is the best Opposition. There are no problems on our side measure of this Government. Whether I of the House. Look at the Liberal Party. Look announce publicly our dealings with councils or at Dr Watson. He says that he has some whether I write to them and do it quietly is problems. My word he has some problems! irrelevant, because the best measure is how Mr Horan interjected. they view the Government's performance. I rest my case with the Yellow Pages survey. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Toowoomba South! Look at what we are doing in relation to regional development. Regional development Mr ELDER: I have to applaud Gail organisations funded by this Government are Austen. For once someone in the Liberal Party located in Townsville, Mackay, Gladstone and spoke the truth. She said that the Liberal Party right across the State. That includes providing is full of factions. The classic quote of the year three-year funding—as the member for appeared in the Courier-Mail. She said, "I've Gregory and the Federal member for Maranoa had to work through all that crap within the would know—to remote regional boards. The Liberal Party to get an endorsement." That is former coalition Government did not do that. what she said: "all that crap within the Liberal We have provided that certainty for those Party"—— regional boards. We have provided regional Opposition members interjected. development opportunities in those and other Mr SPEAKER: Order! I cannot even hear cities, funded through our first Budget. We are what the member is saying. getting out there and working within this State. We are providing job opportunities. Mr ELDER: She said, "All it is in the Look at what we have done in the trade Liberal Party is numbers, not credibility." For sector. The former Government did not worry once someone in the Liberal Party has been about fireproofing it. We have put in place an honest enough to say that it is full of factions—— international business cadetship scheme, the Asia Link Program, the Queensland Trade Time expired. Assistance Scheme and provided export Mr HEALY (Toowoomba North—NPA) advice. (6.19 p.m.): I rise to support the motion moved Mr Slack: How many people have you by the member for Burnett, and in doing so I got in cadet schemes? wish to highlight the disastrous performance of Mr ELDER: I am pleased to hear the the Beattie Labor Government and the Opposition spokesperson knocking a program Minister for Tourism, Sport and Racing in the that provides an opportunity for young people handling of the TAB privatisation fiasco. in Queensland. The Queensland Industry As many members would realise, we have Development Scheme has assisted 65 just begun the most important and exciting companies to date. All of that is a measure of period for thoroughbred racing in this how we have performed since we have been State—the beginning of the annual in Government. Just in relation to the Olympics Queensland Winter Racing Carnival. This is a alone, $66m worth of contracts have been time when the racing industry comes alive in secured through the Sydney office since we this State and when the nation's best have been in Government. Opportunities are horseflesh gathers for some of the most thriving for the Sydney Olympics. So prestigious and lucrative prizes on the Opposition members cannot tell me that we Australian racing calendar. 29 Apr 1999 Performance of Ministers 1649

At the start of the carnival last Saturday, We certainly remember the words of the at the Courier-Mail Classic, the talk at Premier a few weeks ago when he said— racetracks around south-east Queensland was "If we can't get agreement with the not about the future champions of the turf; the Queensland Principal Club on this issue talk was about the botch that this Government we will simply deal directly with the has been making of TAB privatisation. individual clubs." Before I go on, I want to make a point about a letter to the editor written by the I am led to believe that this arrogant exercise Premier which appeared in today's Courier- has already begun. The bottom line is that if Mail. The letter was in response to a Courier- the Minister is not going to attempt to broker a Mail editorial of 24 April. The Premier is trying deal with the QPC—if he is not going to to justify the Government's position on TAB continue to negotiate— privatisation. Part of the letter reads— A Government Member: You're better on "It is not my TAB. It is owned by the radio. people of Queensland, who have not Mr HEALY: I was great on radio. If the extracted one cent of profit from it in its Minister is not prepared to negotiate, and if he many years of operation." is going to deal with the clubs on the most That statement clearly shows just how out of important issue to affect the racing industry in touch this Government is if it takes that 150 years, what does he need the QPC for? attitude. The TAB is not owned by the This morning I asked a question of the taxpayers of this State—it never ever was. It is Minister. It was a very simple question. It was owned by the racing industry of this State. not all that hard. I simply asked whether the Let us go back to a bit of history. In 1961, Minister was planning to abolish the QPC—yes the then Deputy Premier of the day, Tom or no. He refused to answer the question. Hiley, announced a plan to assist the racing What is the industry saying today? Let us industry by diverting a proportion of the money take one example. I refer to an article in the invested in betting for the use of the race Sunshine Coast Daily. The article reads in clubs. The Government had a minor role. No public funds were to be used—and they were part— not—and the establishment costs were sought "The Sunshine Coast racing from private sector financing. The racing community is baffled by the stalemate industry did all that. Since that time it has between the State Government and enjoyed a net profit from the TAB and the Queensland Principal Club over the TAB's money goes back to the racing industry. proposed privatisation. The TAB is industry owned. It is not like Owners and trainers are frustrated by the electricity industry, or Telstra, or the high cost of starting horses at Queensland Rail. It is owned by the racing Queensland meetings, with many opting industry. It is only right that the industry group to send runners to more lucrative that should be given the most consideration in southern events." any negotiations over a future privatised TAB Minister Gibbs says that the bottom line has is the racing industry, and in particular the main player, the thoroughbred racing industry. been reached and there is nothing more that the Government can give. I say this to the But what has happened in the last couple Minister: he should start living up to his of months? The main player, the thoroughbred reputation as a head kicker. Go back and talk racing industry, through its governing body, the to Treasury. I am sure that there are people in Queensland Principal Club—the democratically Treasury who either do not care or do not have elected representative body of the a clue about the importance of the racing thoroughbred racing industry set up by Minister industry. I know that the Minister cares—— Gibbs—dares to suggest that the TAB privatisation package offered by this Time expired. Government is not going to secure its future Hon. T. A. BARTON (Waterford—ALP) for at least the next 15 years. It dares to (Minister for Police and Corrective Services) disagree with a Government, a Premier and a (6.25 p.m.): If that is the best shot that those Racing Minister who will not even acknowledge opposite can come up with, I feel sorry for that the racing industry deserves every them, because it is best described in the words consideration in a TAB privatisation deal. of the previous speaker, Neil Turner: it is like Remember the words of the Racing being flailed with a wet lettuce leaf. If those Minister last year: "The industry is too greedy." opposite think that we are not putting up a 1650 Performance of Ministers 29 Apr 1999 better performance than they did when they In Corrective Services we made up the were in office, they have not been around for shortfalls. We put $1m into the basic the last 10 months. equipment needs. The prisons have Hummers Let us look at some of the achievements which are useless and which the prisons did that this Government has made in regard to not want. Correction officers did not have flak prisons and the Police Service. With regard to jackets which enabled them to go to perimeter the Police Service, we went to the public with a incidents. They did not have two-way radios. promise that we would enhance community They did not have camera surveillance that policing by putting Police Beats into place. We worked. This Government has provided all of are putting in 12 this financial year. A number those things. of those Police Beats are already open. The Not only are we training hundreds of 12 Police Beats will be at Trinity Beach, additional prison officers for the expansion that Rasmussen, Kelso, South Townsville, Garbutt, is going to occur; we have also put on an extra Slade Point, Kallangur, Bray Park, Eagleby, 50 and they are already in place in the prisons. Urangan, Riverview and Redcliffe. Those This has been successful because the prisons opposite are jealous because they were not are now far more secure. We are moving capable of doing this. The local communities drugs out of the prisons at a massive rate. love these Police Beats. We have stopped the sell-off of Arthur This Government is putting in six Gorrie and Borallon and the privatisation of shopfronts at Garden City, Springwood, Rockhampton. We have provided an increase Capalaba, Booval, Woodridge and Redcliffe. A of $8m for the prisons budget over and above further four will be put in in the next financial what was budgeted for by the coalition. The year. Those shopfronts have been promised General Manager's Drug Task Force has and financed. Shoppers and supermarket already achieved more than 160 significant owners love them and want more of them. I drug busts in prisons this financial year. We am even being approached by Opposition have put in six sniffer dogs and we are putting members for Police Beats and shopfronts. in a further six. We also have five drug detection machines on order. We are putting in additional police stations that were not budgeted for by the We have completed the restructuring of coalition. The new police stations will be at prisons. I can tell the shadow Minister that I Gracemere, Beerwah—where the land has get my hands on the levers at midnight on been purchased—and Morningside. Friday night and, boy, am I looking forward to it. I want to make sure that the prison system We have run 33 forums around the State is even more effective than it is now. in relation to the Crime Prevention Task Force. The public and community interest bodies are This Government is committed to lapping it up because they know that it is providing 900 additional cells in prisons. simply not good enough to respond to crime; it Mr Horan: You'll pull the levers and they'll is necessary to do something positive about it. walk out the doors. Opposition members are turning up to those Mr BARTON: I'll take the interjection. forums and they are appreciative of what is Quite frankly, during the last 12 months when being done because of the comments made the coalition was in Government, 53 people to them by people in their electorates. escaped from prisons, including 13 high- I wish to refer to police numbers. This security prisoners, one of whom was Brendon Government promised 317 additional police Abbott who ran up more air miles and got this year. On current trends, we are going to more frequent flyer points than Mal Colston did deliver approximately 40 more than that. In its in the same period of time. During the time last year of office the coalition promised an that this Government has been in office, only extra 239 police officers. I believe the coalition 23 prisoners have escaped and they have all actually provided a few more than that. If been walkaways from open custody facilities. those opposite want to draw comparisons with That matter has been explained in this place what we are delivering in relation to police and I am not going to go into it any further. numbers, I can inform them that we are As I said, this Government is committed delivering far bigger increases in police to providing 900 additional cells. The shadow numbers and they are already on the ground. Minister is jealous of this because the coalition Those police are already improving the clear- had planned to provide 600 additional cells. up rates. That is why the numbers of prison The shadow Minister has been out saying, cells are being increased. This Government "We should not have put it in Maryborough." has budgeted more for the Police Service than Now he wants to kill Woodford. the coalition did for this financial year. Time expired. 29 Apr 1999 Performance of Ministers 1651

Mr ROWELL (Hinchinbrook—NPA) electricity industry. Why was he not picked to (6.29 p.m.): I rise to support the motion moved be chairman of the board? Why did the by the member for Burnett. One of the most Minister pick a lame duck former Treasurer for important commodities in this State is the position? Why did the Minister do that? electricity. If we do not have power to Maybe the Minister can respond to my generate—— questions. This issue is important, because Mr Mr Gibbs: You are hardly a bright spark. De Lacy is going to drive Ergon Energy and the future electricity distribution capacity of this Mr ROWELL: The member is not much of State. It is extremely important that, if the a doer himself. We do not have much to worry Minister is determined to go down that track, about with the Minister. He sits there glum and he has somebody competent to do that, but he does not know what to do with himself. he does not have that. There are a few other The important issue is that we have to things that I would like to mention about the keep the lights on. There is no question about boards. There were good people on those that. The industry has to work. I am afraid that boards who had good local knowledge. People in the very near future we are going to have in business were driving those boards. Where major problems. When we were debating the are they going to end up? On the rubbish tip! Coal Mining Safety and Health Bill and Mining No notice is going to be taken of the and Quarrying Safety and Health Bill, we heard requirements of regional areas. from the choir of Government backbenchers The members opposite talk about the about how great this Minister for Mines and former Government ripping off the electricity Energy is. For him it is the second time industry. With that $850m, we built schools around, and he is mucking it all up again. and police stations. Education and all of those From the early 1990s up to 1996, no power other areas of Government responsibility were stations of any consequence were built. As a very strongly supported. What did the result, we are getting to a point at which we members opposite do? Between 1990 and desperately need some base load power 1996, they ripped $2.5 billion out of the stations. They are not coming on stream fast system. What did they do with $1 billion of it? enough, and the Minister is really responsible They gave it to their mate, Paul Keating, to for that. prop him up. Poor old Paul! Where is Paul now? He is on the scrap heap. Nobody wants What is the Minister doing about the to know Paul, or his piggery, or anything else. Tarong Power Station? There is supposed to Yet the members opposite supported him. be an extension of that power station at a cost They propped him up. of $1.4 billion, but nothing is happening. This can't do Government is in action again. It Of course, we also have the debacle of cannot achieve anything. When it comes to the power supply in the Daintree. I do not doing anything, the Minister is in a straitjacket. know why we cannot supply power across the He talks a lot, but when it comes to pulling the Daintree. At present, the capability exists to do levers, although he might be pulling them, that. When I was up there, I saw power poles there is nothing connected to the end of them. that were probably 25 years old. Some minor Nothing is happening. It is just a hand device extensions are required, but this can't do that is not moving anything whatsoever. It is Government is not going to get involved in important that the expansion of the Tarong doing that. It has a political axe to grind with Power Station goes ahead. We are awaiting the people up there who want electricity. I do eagerly for an announcement for that to not know why it cannot supply it to them. The happen. former Government put in a scheme. We were going to reduce the number of overhead What happened with the regional boards? powerlines to a reasonable level. But no, those They have been collapsed. The whole six of members opposite do not want to take any them are going down the gurgler. Whom do notice of that. we have chairing that process? The former Treasurer, Mr De Lacy! The Government could What is happening with Chevron? have picked somebody much, much better for Chevron is critically important for the the job. I do not agree with the process that distribution of gas from the PNG area. the Minister has undertaken. Why did he not Mr Elder: Where in PNG? talk about Tom Pyne or Professor Peter Arlett Mr ROWELL: PNG. The member as being chairman of the organisation? Tom opposite probably has not been there and Pyne has a lot of knowledge of the electricity would not know what it is all about. industry. He was chairman of FNQEB. Professor Peter Arlett is also well versed in the Time expired. 1652 Performance of Ministers 29 Apr 1999

Hon. R. J. GIBBS (Bundamba—ALP) survival in his business of horse-trading is the (Minister for Tourism, Sport and Racing) destruction and ruination of QRIS in (6.35 p.m.): I welcome the opportunity to be Queensland. That is what Baxter is after, and able to speak for five minutes to this motion. the member is walking hand in hand with him. Firstly, the performance of the member for He wants to rob the breeders of this State and Toowoomba North this evening reminded me the racing industry of one of the most of that hit parade song of some years ago, innovative schemes that has ever been Video Killed the Radio Star. In the case of the established in Australia. member, it is "Parliament Killed the Radio It is not often that I get to talk about Star". myself, but I can talk about myself for two I want to make some brief comments in minutes. I will tell members about the relation to what the member said about the outstanding record of my portfolio since Labor TAB. Because this debate is probably not the has been in Government. Last year, the very time to hold a discussion about the issue, I will first thing that this Government did for the simply say that last Saturday at Doomben I tourist industry was allocate an additional $5m attended the opening of the Winter Racing to get a master campaign going in New South Carnival. As the member would be well aware, Wales and Victoria to get back our share of the Brisbane Turf Club has come out solidly in the domestic tourism market. Today, what do support of the Government's stance in relation the tourism figures reveal? Record figures for to the privatisation of the TAB, particularly in Queensland! Queensland is now dominating relation to the package that has been offered the local tourism market. Queensland gets to the QPC. In relation to this issue, the 28% of the share of the domestic market, member might even have a look in his own compared to New South Wales, 27%, and backyard because he would also be aware Victoria, an abysmal 16%. Queensland also that in Toowoomba support is also very gets 65% of the total international market of strong—— tourists coming into Australia, because we An Opposition member interjected. beefed up our overseas campaign through all of our offices overseas. Queensland has 70% Mr GIBBS: No, not just through Neville of the backpacker market. Stewart. The support is very strong in Toowoomba as well for the package that has This financial year, $92m is to be spent been offered by this Government. on sport and recreation—a record budget for that area of the portfolio. This Government has The member also should get his historical reinstated the Community Sport and facts correct, because he is a million miles off Recreational Facilities Program, which the beam. The facts of what the member alluded previous Government abolished. We will spend to have been checked out. The TAB is not $35m on that scheme over four years. owned by the Queensland racing industry. However, I have bad news for my colleagues Legal opinion backs that up. on this side of the House. I hope that it sends Mr Healy: Who owns it? a clear message to the members opposite. Mr GIBBS: The people of Queensland Out of the $5m that this Government has own it. It is a semi-Government instrumentality. allocated to areas throughout Queensland There was never a time in the history of this under the minor facilities development State when, as the member said, it was scheme, $1.5m of that funding went in Labor- financed by race clubs or anybody else to first held electorates and $3.5m to conservative get it off the ground. That happened in electorates. The members opposite are doing Victoria. It did not happen in Queensland. In very well out of this Government, and so are Queensland, it was Government money that their constituents. Under the Youth established the Queensland TAB, not money Employment Scheme, we have a youth from the Queensland racing industry. employment training unit. That is a wonderful scheme that we have initiated throughout the The other day on the radio I heard the departments. member also allude to the support that he has received. Basically, the member's support Time expired. comes from that charlatan who gets around Hon. T. R. COOPER (Crows Nest—NPA) and poses as a horse-trader or dealer, and (6.40 p.m.): I support the motion, although it is that is the member's old mate with whom he is with some regret because most people seem now arm and arm, Ian Baxter. Mark my words, to think that Henry is a good bloke. It is the the industry needs to understand very quickly advice that he gets that I have a problem with. that the reason Baxter is arm in arm with the He has a major problem with some of his member is that the only hope that he has of advisers, be they political advisers or whatever. 29 Apr 1999 Performance of Ministers 1653

That is a tragedy, because the Minister for months. Those new fees will see jobs lost and Primary Industries has been sold a pup on businesses close their doors. Despite the many occasions. I do not think he deserves widespread concern, the Premier and Primary that; he deserves better. Industries Minister are apparently too busy to I have always thought that the current meet with the meat industry representatives. Minister for Primary Industries is a cut above What has happened to the supposed open previous Ministers, namely Mr Gibbs—can and inclusive government? members believe it—and Ed Casey. During the We have seen industry institutes start to six years of its administration, the Goss falter as the Minister succumbs to the Government tore the heart out of rural and resistance of the bureaucracy and Labor's regional Queensland and it tore the heart out closed shop policy. Those institutes were one of the Department of Primary Industries. The of the most exciting concepts in the modern people of the bush will never forget the delivery of research, development and treatment afforded to them by the Goss extension services to primary industries. Government: the railway closures; the Chaired by respected and accomplished courthouse closures; the sacking of 700 industry representatives and administered by a hardworking DPI officers and the borrowing of board of industry and Government expertise, $7.5m to pay them out—a debt that the they epitomised open government. They were Borbidge Government was left to pay off; the to give primary industries a say in where the theft of the State Government's annual research dollars should be directed to get $500,000 contribution to maintaining meat more bang for the taxpayer's buck. It has been safety and hygiene standards through the only 10 months since the Beattie Government QLMA; and the service cutbacks. The list is took office and those institutes have been run endless. The people of the bush will never off the rails. So far, the chairman of the forget that and nor should they forget it, Farming Systems Institute and another board because the Labor leopard never changes its member have resigned in frustration. The spots. Queensland Grain Growers Association is When the Borbidge Government took calling for an external review. Queensland farm office in 1996, the Department of Primary organisations are fast losing confidence in the Industries was in an emaciated and wretched Beattie Government. state. It was punch-drunk from the ongoing Instead of directing his energies towards assaults on its annual budget as Labor fixing the very serious problems within the frantically tried to prop up its support base in Department of Primary Industries, which affect Brisbane and the major provincial cities. We the department's ability to meet farmers' set about returning the DPI to what it should needs, too often the Minister chooses to play be. Former Ministers Perrett and Rowell cheap politics. I must clarify that: it is not replaced 700 sacked staff, not in the Brisbane necessarily the Minister but some of his office but in the field where they were needed. minders who are doing that. Some of his We set about restoring the budget to levels boofheaded minders have no idea whatsoever that better reflect the contribution of primary about respect for constituents or anyone else. industries to this State, providing a $30m Those sorts of people are giving the Minister a boost in two and a half years. very bad reputation, and that is a tragedy. When the coalition left office in mid 1998, Every Minister in the Beattie Government, the Department of Primary Industries was back including the Deputy Premier, blames on track. The people of the bush recognised somebody else. They blame someone on this our achievements and they remember them. side, they blame the Feds, they blame anyone They have watched the Beattie Government but never themselves. One of the problems carefully, and so they should. Unfortunately for that Government members have is that they the bush, the honeymoon period has come to cannot recognise when they are making an end. We are already witnessing this mistakes and causing problems. They listen to Government's return to the failed policies and stupid advice from boofheaded advisers. the ministerial incompetence that is so Time expired. reminiscent of the Goss administration. Hon. T. McGRADY (Mount Isa—ALP) The promise to the member for Nicklin not (Minister for Mines and Energy and Minister to increase taxes and charges above the CPI Assisting the Deputy Premier on Regional has been broken. Under the Beattie Development) (6.45 p.m.): I am delighted to Government's new QLMA fee schedule, the participate in this debate. Firstly, I congratulate fees paid by butchers and meat processors the member for Hinchinbrook on his elevation have jumped by up to 300% in less than 12 to a very high office in this Parliament. I also 1654 Performance of Ministers 29 Apr 1999 thank the Leader of the Opposition for making that we have done to date in the electricity that appointment. industry will stand us in good stead in the It is the height of hypocrisy for the years ahead. members opposite to talk about responsibility One of the first things we established was in the mining and electricity industries. Let us that, under the coalition regime, no work had look at some of their records in those very been done in relation to power stations. The important areas. I turn to a few of the issues first thing we did was set up a task force. We raised by the member for Hinchinbrook in his sent in the team. It has come up with new role as Opposition spokesman for Mines recommendations. We now have an and Energy. There are a lot more issues that implementation unit. Last year this State was we have to look at tonight. on the verge of blackouts 17 times, all In various press and radio interviews, the because of the policies of the former coalition honourable member has raised the plight of Government. Opposition members have a small miners and referred to problems brought hide supporting a motion condemning five about by native title legislation. Should I have Labor Ministers in this place. What I am saying to remind those opposite that when they were tonight is that we understand the problems in in Government they tried to bury their heads in the industry. The actions that we have taken to the sand over native title? They tried to ignore date will resolve many of them. We do not it in the hope that it would go away. Of course need the member opposite ranting and raving it did not go away. They lost the plot. They about retrenchments up and down the State. placed a freeze right across the mining The honourable member would not have a industry. What happened? No leases or clue about how the electricity industry in this permits were issued and mining companies State works. had to close down. Union Mining in the north Time expired. of this State closed its doors and threw its Hon. H. PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) workers onto the scrap heap. Members (Minister for Primary Industries) (6.50 p.m.): opposite will never be allowed to forget that. Unfortunately, the stunt that the Opposition is The very first piece of legislation that the indulging in tonight can only be described as Beattie Labor Government introduced into the an act of breathtaking hypocrisy. As part of a Parliament was aimed at resolving the native can-do Government, I have been doing the title issue. The only hold-up now is with the job that the Borbidge Government failed to do Opposition's Tory mates in Canberra, because and I have been dealing successfully with the they will not agree to the legislation that we difficult issues that it left in the back paddock. have put forward. The deregulation of the dairy industry, The member for Hinchinbrook criticised which was started and not finished by the what the Government is doing in the electricity previous Government, was one of the first industry. This man criticised the appointment matters dealt with. Late last year, I brought of Keith De Lacy, which he referred to as "jobs legislation into the House to amend the Dairy for the boys". When one reads the list of Industry Act. That legislation embraced the appointments that were made under the broad aspirations of the industry. Chief among coalition Government, it is like reading the those was the preservation of the farm gate Who's Who of the coalition, with the Martin price. It also included the extension of market Tennis, the Mrs Nelsons and so on. I say to milk entitlements Statewide. That not only met the member: Keith De Lacy's appointment has the wishes of the dairy industry but also been received with great enthusiasm not just provided security and certainty for people who in Cairns but right across regional Queensland. work in it and for rural communities. And I did Considering all the errors and mistakes that with the support of my able and dedicated that the members of the coalition made during staff. their two and a half years in power—it wrecked In response to the outbreak of sugarcane the Queensland electricity industry; it ripped smut in the Ord River district of Western over three quarters of a billion dollars out of Australia last year, I met the concerns of the the industry and sent men and women onto Queensland sugar industry head on by the unemployment scrap heap—they have a forming and personally chairing the Sugarcane hide to say that we will cause job losses in the Smut Task Force. That eminent body of electricity industry. If there had not been a industry leaders, scientists and senior change of Government, members opposite departmental officers is still playing an active would have sacked 3,000 people from the role in protecting the interests of the Queensland electricity industry, and the former Queensland sugar industry against the threat Minister has admitted that. I say this: the work of sugarcane smut. In fact, the task force met 29 Apr 1999 Meat Industry Amendment Standard (No. 1) 1999 1655 at Parliament House this morning. That was Produce Marketing Act 1964, under the achieved only with the help and the dedication chairmanship of former DPI director Roly of the staff in my office. Nieper. Following rounds of comprehensive Another major concern for the $2 billion consultation with industry and growers, I will be sugar industry, especially in the far north, is the taking the proposal to Cabinet shortly. falling c.c.s. levels. This means that our One of my earliest decisions was to sugarcane crops are losing their sweetness, reverse the previous Government's with potentially disastrous long-term nonsensical decision to set aside an early consequences. I took the initiative to put in closure date for the Queensland Abattoir place the Wet Tropics Cane Sugar Solutions Corporation. I could not have done that project. This has given local producers a say in without the help, dedication and ability of my the direction and the application of research staff. I could go on about this all night, but I will into the c.c.s. problem. However, with the not do so. In conclusion, the honourable industry facing a series of major ongoing member for Crows Nest stands condemned for issues, including falling world prices, I took the his disgusting attack on the honest and further step as Minister of putting in place an hardworking public servants employed in my industry-wide body with direct access to office. The terms that he used were disgraceful Government at the highest levels. and he stands condemned for what he has At the end of last month, the Sugar said. Industry Development Advisory Council, known Question—That Mr Slack's motion be as SIDAC, held its first meeting. That body agreed to—put; and the House divided— consists of representatives from across the AYES, 38—Beanland, Black, Borbidge, Connor, industry, with every sugar-growing region in the Cooper, Dalgleish, Davidson, Elliott, Feldman, Gamin, State represented on it. It has given the sugar Goss, Grice, Healy, Hobbs, Horan, Johnson, Knuth, industry a level of access to Government that it Laming, Lester, Lingard, Littleproud, Malone, has never had before. Mitchell, Paff, Prenzler, Quinn, Rowell, Santoro, This is a Government with its sleeves Seeney, Sheldon, Simpson, Slack, Springborg, Stephan, Veivers, Watson. Tellers: Baumann, rolled up. It is making the hard decisions; it is Hegarty not taking a step backward from any hard decisions. I have progressed the long-stalled NOES, 47—Attwood, Barton, Beattie, Bligh, Boyle, Brands Act in order to get rid of the barbaric Braddy, Briskey, Clark, E. A. Cunningham, J. I. Cunningham, D'Arcy, Edmond, Elder, Fenlon, Foley, practice of cheek branding and rib branding, Fouras, Gibbs, Hamill, Hayward, Kingston, Lavarch, which damages hides and lowers their quality. Lucas, Mackenroth, McGrady, Mickel, Mulherin, This move is now being hailed by industry Musgrove, Nelson-Carr, Nuttall, Palaszczuk, Pearce, groups such as BIDAC as a great initiative. I Pitt, Reeves, Reynolds, Roberts, Robertson, Rose, have also initiated reviews of both the Meat Schwarten, Spence, Struthers, Turner, Welford, Industry Act and the Fisheries Act. Wellington, Wells, Wilson. Tellers: Sullivan, Purcell Opposition members interjected. Pair: Bredhauer, Pratt Mr PALASZCZUK: Members opposite Resolved in the negative. love hearing about this! Sitting suspended from 7.01 p.m. to The review of the Meat Industry Act 8.30 p.m. follows the appointment of an administrator to the QLMA in recognition of the parlous financial state in which the authority found MEAT INDUSTRY AMENDMENT STANDARD itself thanks to the indecisiveness of the (No. 1) 1999 previous Government. Disallowance of Statutory Instrument A review of the Veterinary Surgeons Act Resumed (see p. 1644). will commence shortly. In addition, I have Mr JOHNSON (Gregory—NPA) obtained approval for the drafting of the (8.30 p.m.): I genuinely regret having to rise in Animal Care and Protection Bill to replace the the House tonight to join in this debate to archaic and wholly inappropriate Animals protect the interests of families in rural and Protection Act. I intend to introduce this Bill in remote Queensland. At the outset, I say that I the spring session of the Parliament. second the motion moved by the Honourable I have expedited the development of the Russell Cooper, the member for Crows Nest, new Sugar Industry Bill following the delivery of that the Meat Industry Amendment Standard the Sugar Industry Review Working Party's (No. 1) 1999 (Subordinate Legislation No. 53 report last year. This impressive list goes on. I of 1999) tabled in the House on 13 April be have commissioned a review of the Farm disallowed. 1656 Meat Industry Amendment Standard (No. 1) 1999 29 Apr 1999

I had honestly hoped that the Beattie than the butchers. The beef industry is the Labor Government had learned its lessons backbone of many rural and remote areas and from the mistakes of the Goss Labor regional communities, be it the producer, the Government in the first six years and two transport operator, the slaughterhouse months that it was in power from 2 December operator or the retailer, and from there the list 1989 through to February 1995. The Labor goes on. The jobs flow on from those retail Government at that time broke the hearts and outlets, yet these industries are the latest souls of many small businesses in rural and victims of the vindictive and cruel onslaught by remote Queensland and regional Labor. Queensland—and south-east Queensland for The Minister has announced that the that matter, too. This Beattie Labor remote area service funding for servicing by Government came to office as a result of the Queensland Livestock and Meat Authority fraud—and I mean fraud in the first degree. It is to be abolished. What the member for fraudulently claimed that it could keep all its Crows Nest has said here tonight is absolutely election promises and not increase taxes, fees true. The Minister is a decent bloke, but he is or charges. Frankly, everyone with an ounce of letting his bureaucrats and bad advice destroy commonsense knew that it could not and his reputation. I have to say from the outset within 10 months knew that it had blown it, and that the Minister should lead from the front blown it totally. and show that he has the guts and the ability Where did it start its money grabbing? to deliver. You guessed it, it started right in the heartland Mr Hamill interjected. of rural and remote Queensland—in the real bush. That is the area where the wealth Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr D'Arcy): generation capacity of this State lies. Order! It has been a long week and, I suspect, a fairly long dinner. Honourable members will Mr Hamill: Why? just get on with it. I also ask the Treasurer to Mr JOHNSON: Where or why? The address people by their correct title if he wants situation here has come about because of the to shout across the Chamber. policies that the Treasurer has embraced, the Mr JOHNSON: Give him a 124, Mr ramifications of which he does not understand. Deputy Speaker. Their ultimate effect is being felt right here and Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I will give the now. As I just said, the wealth generation member a warning under 123A if he keeps capacity of this State does not lie here on the that up. coastal areas; it starts in the rural areas where the dollars are generated, whether it be Mr JOHNSON: I am trying to get on with through primary industry, mining or some other it, Mr Deputy Speaker. industry. I have to say that the people out Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: The member will there are the ones who have been doing it just get on with his speech. hard. The Labor Party certainly did not listen Mr JOHNSON: This follows upon the during the first six years that it was in Beattie Government's increases of 300% in Government, and it is not listening now. fees being paid by meat retailers and I still have the copy of that sanctimonious slaughter yards. Last year a category A letter of agreement that the Premier signed butcher paid a total of $280 for QLMA with the member for Nicklin. Unfortunately, the accreditation and all safety and hygiene member for Nicklin is not in the Chamber audits. Now the Beattie Government wants tonight. I ask the member for Nicklin to once these people to pay $881, or an increase of again read that letter and have the guts to 315%. What do they get for this increase? admit that his trust has been betrayed. The More services, more audits? No, they simply Treasurer knows that and the other members pay more off the Beattie Labor Government on the other side of the House know it, too. I Bankcard arrears. That is exactly what they are suggest that businessmen around this State asked to do. get a copy of the advertisement taken out by In fact, butchers were encouraged to sign Labor during the election campaign which up for quality assurance under the Goss Labor shows the supposed validation of its Budget Government with the promise of large fee proposals by a major accounting firm. Those reductions that would follow from self- businessmen should just check who is doing regulation. Quality assurance was going to all their books. but dispense with meat inspections. All that At this very moment there is no better the industry had to do was put the money up example of small business in the country front and, in a couple of years, they would be towns across the State that are doing it hard saving money. This is a familiar story for many 29 Apr 1999 Meat Industry Amendment Standard (No. 1) 1999 1657 small businesses—not only butchers, but all all honesty and sincerity: he is respected out small businesses throughout the length and there. He does have credibility. He should lead breadth of Queensland. Who are the winners from the front and show some guts and here? It is big business. With the demise of leadership on this issue. small country butchers and small country There are many more things that I would abattoirs, Coles, Woolworths and Franklins are like to say, but time does not permit. We are going to be the ultimate winners here. Yes, talking here about sparsely populated areas of you guessed it, they will be the winners at the the State. In many of these places something expense of the small country butchers. less elaborate than an abattoir is needed and These tax increases are nothing more will be needed for many years to come to than a tax on food, and surely this is supply meat to these country outlets. Many something that the Treasurer will take up here. country slaughterhouses, mostly class 3, have He talks about the GST being a tax on food; closed simply because with the upgrading that is a real slander on those small business requirements they are not viable, and the few operators crying out against taxes. I ask the that are left will have short lives. This is a Premier or the Treasurer: where is the callous approach. compensation package from Labor for all of us I say to members on the Government who are going to have to pay more for fresh side of the House: please support Russell meat in rural and country Queensland? Where Cooper and the Opposition in making this a is the compensation for the pensioners, the reality, so that we do not have to pay these unemployed and the battlers? The battlers increases. At the same time, the Government here are the rural butchers who at this very has adopted the policy that the accreditation moment are fighting for survival. Their shops fee now covers the costs of one audit per are on the verge of closing. annum. Additional audits required under the What about the old jobs, jobs, jobs cry of audit frequency table and penalty audits will be the Labor Government—those frauds on the charged at the rate of $100 an hour. In the other side of the House? These ridiculous example of a butcher shop employing three increases are already costing jobs in rural and persons, which is the A audit category of one remote Queensland. They will destroy small audit and two partial audits per year, the real businesses—family businesses. In Emerald in increase in fee payments is able to be seen. my electorate, the McCosker family used to This type of shop will face an increase in employ 50 people in their slaughterhouse and charges from $400 to $731 per year—an serviced many small butcher shops around increase of 82.7%. I ask the Minister to rural Queensland. That number is down to 30. support the capping of the additional audit Kelly Davis and his wife, Lyn, in Blackall charge at $100 per audit, rather than $100 an employ nine people and service some nine hour. other outlets, but after round one under Labor Mr MULHERIN (Mackay—ALP) a lot of those people—those small country (8.40 p.m.): I rise to speak against the butcher shops—have been closed down or disallowance motion moved by the Opposition their slaughterhouses have been closed down. and to in turn highlight the Beattie Now we see round two. Government's strong commitment to the meat I say to the member for Nicklin—he is in industry in this State. This Government the Chamber now—that this is his chance to recognises the importance of the meat show guts and determination and stand up for processing industry in Queensland. More than these people in rural and remote Queensland 15,000 Queenslanders are directly employed and so avoid round two, when we would see by the industry. It is Queensland's largest rural big business—the AMHs and the CMGs— industry. It is an economic mainstay of many become the people who deliver meat to rural rural and regional communities across the and regional Queensland. State. The small end of the meat industry, retail In recent years there have been a butchers and slaughterhouses killing fewer number of abattoir closures and consequent than 200 cattle kill equivalent per week, were job losses in regional Queensland due to coaxed into quality assurance by the Labor industry rationalisation. This Government has a Government under Ed Casey. I say to the strong commitment to jobs and last year the Minister tonight that this is his best opportunity Deputy Premier and the Minister for Primary to stamp his approval and his leadership on Industries unveiled a comprehensive strategy this Department of Primary Industries and to for the meat industry. The strategy included: also save these country and remote butcher the formation of a meat processing industry shops from imminent demise. I say to him in task force; the establishment of the 1658 Meat Industry Amendment Standard (No. 1) 1999 29 Apr 1999

Queensland meat processing development and it is in the best interests of the meat initiative to provide a single entry point for the industry. The coalition refuses to accept that industry to access Government funding of up fact. When it was in Opposition during the to $20m over three years; and confirmation Goss years, the coalition tried to undermine that the Government would exit the meat the efforts of industry and the Government to processing industry and do so in a way that achieve the highest possible standards. would enable all Queensland Abattoir In February 1995, my predecessor and Corporation contracts to be met. The then Minister for Primary Industries, Ed Casey, Government's strategy aims to safeguard jobs, was forced to respond to yet another shameful build sustainable new jobs, develop value- slur on meat safety from the coalition. It is adding processes for the 21st century, develop important to note what Ed Casey said on that a robust competitive processing sector, occasion. He said— enhance our meat processing performance and attain world's best practice. "The first consideration of the Queensland Government is public health This Government's commitment to the and the second is the protection of the meat processing industry is in stark contrast to reputation of our product on intensely the do-nothing approach of the former competitive international and local Borbidge administration. When it was in power, markets." the former Borbidge Government refused to act. Its refusal to act was in spite of advice That is the difference between Labor and the from its own Meat Processing Consultative coalition on meat safety. Unfortunately, the Committee warning that the do-nothing hard work of our meat industry and the Goss approach could result in the closure of up to Government on meat safety has been 17 abattoirs and the loss of 5,000 jobs in the undermined by the Borbidge Government. It next five years. The Borbidge Government had was undermined so comprehensively by the this report for more than four months and it did coalition Government that, in its final weeks nothing. before losing office, the then Minister for Primary Industries, the member for The coalition believed shutting the QAC's Hinchinbrook, was advised that the situation at doors and hoping for the best was good the QLMA could have serious trade enough for Queensland's meat processing implications for Queensland meat both industry, a direct employer of more than internationally and domestically. Bearing in 15,000 Queenslanders. In contrast, this mind that advice, did the member for Government moved swiftly on the report and Hinchinbrook shore up funding for the QLMA? put a comprehensive strategy in place. This Of course he did not. Did the warning of the strategy will allow Government and industry to closure of 17 abattoirs and the loss of 5,000 work closely together to generate new jobs in five years stir the coalition into action? opportunities and give fresh momentum to Of course it did not. This Government has meat processing in Queensland. inherited a disgraceful legacy in the meat This Government's commitment to the industry and we are addressing it. meat industry also means that it is committed Mr Johnson: Do you understand how the to the Queensland Livestock and Meat meat industry works? Authority. The primary function of the QLMA is Mr MULHERIN: Yes, I do. to ensure that the wholesomeness and integrity of meat is maintained by a quality Mr Johnson: You are talking about big assurance accreditation system, provided abattoirs. We are talking about what is under the Meat Industry Act 1993. This quality happening with country butchers. assurance system, introduced under the Mr MULHERIN: At the end of the day, if former Goss Government, firmed the quality is not maintained it will damage our Queensland's position as a national leader in international reputation. We only have to look meat safety. In fact, Queensland's lead has at what happened at Garibaldi's to see how been followed by other States such as Victoria, that has affected smallgoods. We are New South Wales and South Australia. addressing it not only in the best interests of Quality assurance is critical to the meat the 15,000 Queenslanders employed directly industry. The Beattie Government is and the thousands more employed indirectly in committed to providing the highest possible the meat industry, but for all Queenslanders. meat safety standards. This Government I return to the previous Government's own believes meat safety is too important to ever Meat Processing Consultative Committee be compromised. A high standard of meat report, Meat Processing Industry at the safety is in the best interests of consumers, Crossroads. This was its own committee. It 29 Apr 1999 Meat Industry Amendment Standard (No. 1) 1999 1659 included two members of the then QLMA Now, back in Opposition, the coalition board—its chairman, Mr Richie Goldup, and refuses to talk about meat safety. It wants to board member Mr Bob MacLeod, the talk about everything but meat safety. executive director of the National Meat Members of the coalition have focused much Association, Queensland division. of their time and energy on the QLMA The member for Surfers Paradise administrator, Bob McCarthy, who was announced his Cabinet's approval to form this appointed by this Government following the committee following the closure of Nippon dismissal of the QLMA board. Mr McCarthy's Meats' Bowen meatworks in the Mackay brief was simple: ensure that the QLMA was sustainable. He advised the Government what region in November 1997. It is interesting to it needed to do to ensure that the QLMA was note that, with De-Anne Kelly and sustainable—in other words, fix up the mess representatives of the Cattlemen's Union and the former Borbidge Government created. the meatworkers union, I led a delegation to the then Premier at the Community Cabinet I want to focus on the issue of meat meeting in Mackay and lobbied the Premier to safety and the meat industry in this State, but I set up this task force. The only reason he will indulge the coalition and talk about Bob acted was that, when he came to Mackay at McCarthy. The member for Crows Nest claims that time, Borthwicks had closed down the Mr McCarthy is a Labor lackey because he Bakers Creek plant. The Borbidge Government served under the current Minister for Primary did not go anywhere near the—— Industries for a short period after this Government won office. How does a Labor Mr Johnson: Why did they close them lackey serve under former Deputy Prime down? Minister Doug Anthony, ex-Federal Primary Mr MULHERIN: Why did they not go to Industries Minister John Anderson and one- Bowen? The meatworks there was closed for time New South Wales National Party Leader nearly 12 months before the coalition even Ian Armstrong? Those men are the triple A looked at doing something for Bowen. We package of National Party icons. They are the have acted. best the members opposite have got to offer and Mr McCarthy worked for them. At the time of the announcement, the But the real problem with what the task force was due to report back no later than member for Crows Nest has been saying is in 31 January last year. It reported back in early fact that Mr McCarthy served under the February last year. In late March, the then Borbidge Government. He was chairman of Primary Industries Minister, the member for the Queensland Fisheries Management Hinchinbrook, told the Courier-Mail that the Authority's Trawl Management Advisory report's recommendations would be Council. The fact of the matter is that Bob considered by his department and the offices McCarthy is well respected in industry circles. of the then Premier and the then Treasurer. His expertise has been sought by both sides of They considered it. They considered that the politics because he is a leading economic and best course of action was inaction. financial management consultant who has It is important to note what the committee extensive commercial experience in the grain, said in one of the opening sections of its report coal, live cattle, meat, sugar and fertiliser entitled Facing Reality: Executive Summary industries. Mr McCarthy has had several years' and Recommendations. It states— experience in the meat processing industry, both in Australia and abroad. His services have "The committee believes that the been sought by the World Bank. Queensland Government can be positive in its responses to problems facing the I briefly detail some of Mr McCarthy's processing sector and is optimistic that experience for the benefit of the members of the Government will take a favourable this House. Mr McCarthy served as a senior view of the committee's recommended agricultural trade negotiator for the Federal strategy which follows." Government, primarily responsible for meat access arrangements for Australian exporters The fact of the matter is that the former into the United States, Japan and Europe. Mr Borbidge Government ignored the whole McCarthy oversaw the Australian Wheat report, just as it ignored meat safety. It is Board's $3 billion marketing and shipping obvious that the previous coalition operations. Mr McCarthy has been appointed Government did not care about meat safety, to senior board positions in a number of nor did it appear too concerned about the Government and private sector organisations, impact such an attitude would have on this including chairman of the Australian Meat and State. Livestock Industry Council and chairman of the 1660 Meat Industry Amendment Standard (No. 1) 1999 29 Apr 1999

Rural Industries Research and Development These businesses and the jobs that they Corporation. To top it all off, Mr McCarthy is a provide are important to the survival of every grazier. rural community. It cannot be repeated often Mr SEENEY (Callide—NPA) (8.50 p.m.): I enough in this Parliament that every job in a am pleased to rise to support this disallowance rural community is very important to that motion moved by the member for Crows Nest. community's very survival. Every job loss has a I have no doubt that it has the support of the flow-on effect that threatens the rest of the whole of rural and regional Queensland. Every community. It means fewer kids at the school rural community is tonight supporting this and the loss of a teacher. The whole thing disallowance motion moved by the member for snowballs. Every job is very important in a rural Crows Nest. As I said in my first speech in this community. This regulation will further weaken House nearly 12 months ago, my electorate, the viability of every country butcher and every more than many others in this State, is made slaughtering business and, by extension, the up of relatively small communities, and those communities in which they operate will be communities are made up of many small poorer for it. This regulation will do so on a family-owned businesses. totally false premise of protecting people's health. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr D'Arcy): I want to state clearly how pathetic it is to Order! There is too much audible conversation see the Minister for Primary Industries, who is in the Chamber. For such a small number of ultimately responsible for this proposition—and members, they are very vocal. I ask them to the Premier, too—trying to justify this burden give the member for Callide a fair go. on small businesses by emotive statements Mr SEENEY: As I was saying, most of my about meat safety and people's health. This electorate is made up of relatively small has nothing to do with meat safety; it will do communities, and most of those small nothing for meat safety, and it will do nothing communities are made up of many family- to decrease any threat to people's health. owned small businesses. Most of those The Minister said in his press release of 7 businesses will never make their owners rich. April— In fact, many of their owners accept the fact that they probably own no more than the "Queenslanders have a right to people whom they employ. They continue to guaranteed food safety." struggle to keep their businesses going to He is dead right. We would all agree with that. provide jobs for themselves and their Every Queenslander has a right to food safety. employees, who in many cases are members Of course everybody agrees with that. The of their own families. They give the lie to the country butchers across Queensland have Labor myth that businesses have unlimited provided high standards of food safety for money, unlimited money to pay fees such as many years. They are doing that now. They, those that are being imposed upon country as a group, have set a commendable example butchers. These people continue on with their to other sectors of the food industry in businesses against the odds because they are continually improving and upgrading their part of the communities in which they operate. premises and their procedures. They, as an They know that they are providing a service industry, have embraced quality assurance, and making a contribution to the community most often at considerable cost to their generally, and they can feel justifiably proud of individual businesses. One business that I that. know of in a small town in my electorate has This regulation, which we on this side of spent $60,000 on QA in the last three years to the House are suggesting be disallowed, will get their premises up to a standard that is attack and threaten the vulnerable position of second to none and that sets an example to those small businesses that are involved in the other food industries. fresh meat trade. Just about every town has a The Minister's pathetic attempt to justify local butcher and an associated slaughter this regulation somehow implies that country yard. Almost without exception, they are small butchers are currently threatening the right that family-owned operations that employ a couple consumers have to safe food. Nothing could of people. This regulation puts those jobs at be further from the truth. The Minister's risk. With a couple of jobs at risk in each implication belittles and ignores the industry's community, combined with the changes that record. The Minister goes on— are being mooted to the meat inspection "The Beattie Government is requirements that these businesses must determined to ensure the meat safety meet, the threat is very real. program works." 29 Apr 1999 Meat Industry Amendment Standard (No. 1) 1999 1661

The unavoidable inference, once again, from for Gregory pointed out earlier in this debate the Minister's statement is that the current that it is the same tired old approach of the meat safety program does not work effectively. Goss Government. They just do not Again, nothing could be further from the truth. understand how rural communities work. They The current meat safety program works do not understand the effects of the decisions extremely well, and it is years ahead of those that they make on all of those communities in other food industries. out there that are north of Noosa and west of This Government's move to apply a Toowoomba. The great bulk of Queensland is massive increase in fees and charges can only totally left out of the decision-making contribute to a lessening of the ability of small- processes that Labor Governments follow. business operators to maintain the current That is their record. That is the record of the standards. Massively increasing fees by up to Goss Government. And this is a continuation 300% in some cases will do nothing to improve of the same old tune. This regulation is totally those already excellent standards, and it is unjustifiable. I urge the House to support the fraudulent for the Minister to make such disallowance motion that has been moved by claims. We have a Minister who knows nothing the member for Crows Nest. about the industry. He goes out into rural Mrs LAVARCH (Kurwongbah—ALP) Queensland and presents a warm and cuddly (9 p.m.): I rise to speak against the teddy bear image. It is a Winnie the Pooh disallowance motion. What we have heard so approach—no threat to anybody. But the far in this debate from members opposite is Minister is being duped and, unfortunately, he the same old rhetoric that we get from is being fooled by the people who are advising members of the National Party. Members him. know the rhetoric: with hands on their hearts I suggest that the current Minister for the National Party members say that they are Primary Industries knows nothing at all about looking after the battlers in the bush, that they the issues. He does not understand, and he are standing up for small business and how cannot understand, the implications and the only they know about primary industries. What end result of the decisions that he is taking. He a lot of rot! The National Party members have does not understand, he cannot understand or conveniently failed to tell this House and the he will not understand the realities of rural people of Queensland the facts about the Queensland. This will do nothing to enhance QLMA. the already high standards that country One of those facts is that this butchers have already achieved. I salute them. Government inherited a disgraceful meat Mr Johnson: The bureaucrats are running industry legacy from the coalition's the show. It's obvious. administration. It was a legacy which, had it not been addressed, would have destroyed Mr SEENEY: Absolutely! The bureaucrats the future meat trade both domestically and are running the Minister. As I said, it is Winnie internationally. How would those opposite the Pooh. The people behind the Minister explain that to their constituents in the bush? It have made this decision. is a legacy which, had it gone unchecked, Tonight I want to salute all those small would have compromised the meat safety businesspeople out there who have built up standards of Queensland. It is a legacy which their businesses and who have achieved a would have had serious health risks for all remarkable and an admirable record in food Queenslanders. It is a legacy that this safety—an admirable record in providing a Government is addressing in the interests of safe, nutritional product to the communities in providing the best possible meat safety which they operate. This regulation will do standards for Queenslanders. nothing to improve that, it will simply add On Tuesday night, the member for Crows another intolerable cost burden to small family- Nest claimed in this House that the Borbidge owned businesses. These proposals are an Government got the QLMA "back on track". Is attack on small business. They are an attack it not interesting that the member for Crows on the jobs that they provide and, therefore, Nest is the third Primary Industries spokesman they are an attack on the communities for the National Party this year? I do not know themselves. whether the member for Crows Nest speaks to Once again, it is the same old story. the former member for Barambah, the former There is not one member opposite who Minister for Primary Industries, Trevor Perrett, understands how rural communities work. or whether he speaks to the member for There is not one member opposite who Hinchinbrook, but if he does I would hope that understands the effects of these types of they have explained the real situation to him. I regulations on rural communities. The member expect from the honourable member's 1662 Meat Industry Amendment Standard (No. 1) 1999 29 Apr 1999 contribution tonight that this has not blueprint for the meat processing industry. If happened. If the member for Crows Nest is the member believed this, why did he and his listening, for his benefit I will explain the real colleagues ignore this report? The MPCC situation to him. report made 22 recommendations for the On 11 February 1998—two days before meat processing industry. One of those he was dumped as Primary Industries recommendations dealt with the Queensland Minister—Trevor Perrett wrote to the QLMA Livestock and Meat Authority. It was ignored. chairman, Richie Goldup, referring to a For the benefit of the member for Crows Nest meeting regarding QLMA's projected financial and members opposite, I will remind them of position for the last financial year. I seek leave that recommendation. It was as follows— to table this letter. "The Queensland Government Leave granted. should provide CSO (community service obligation) funding of up to $550,000 per Mrs LAVARCH: In this letter he says— annum to the Queensland Livestock and "In the meeting, my officers Meat Authority (to be reviewed every two explained to you that it would be very years) to meet the cost of activities which unlikely that Queensland Treasury would cannot be met from the QLMA's fee base fund QLMA $0.55m for C.S.O activities. (notably policing and enforcement under With this in mind, QLMA's expected loss the Meat Industry Act, Legislative Review, for the 1997-1998 financial year is—" Remote Area Servicing and Domestic and listen to this— Market Promotion)." "$2.25m." We had the member for Surfers Paradise, the Leader of the Opposition, claiming that his On 14 May last year—the day the last Government met its community service Borbidge/Sheldon Budget was handed down obligations. Let us canvass this a bit more. I and only days before the election was will read into Hansard an extract from the called—the new and soon to be old Primary minutes of the QLMA board meeting from Industries Minister, the member for March last year. I seek leave to table that Hinchinbrook, wrote to the QLMA. Do document. honourable members remember this? I seek leave to table this letter to the QLMA dated 14 Leave granted. May 1998. Mrs LAVARCH: In the minutes, after Leave granted. lamenting the Borbidge Government's rejection of a CSO request in the mid-term Mrs LAVARCH: In this letter the member budget review, the QLMA board meeting went for Hinchinbrook admitted that the QLMA on to record as follows— faced "potential insolvency". The member for Hinchinbrook was forced to admit it when the "A subsequent submission for C.S.O QLMA board started to get nervous about the funding for the QLMA was included in the board's personal liability if the QLMA was recent M.P.C.C report to the Premier (the trading insolvent. If that is what the member member for Surfers Paradise). for Crows Nest means by "back on track", I It was noted that there had been no would not want him to do my tax return for written response from the Minister, but next year. verbal advice had been received to say There is no doubt that the legacy this that Cabinet had rejected our request for Government inherited from the Opposition was financial assistance." disgraceful. As we all know, the former What this says is that the previous Borbidge Borbidge Government adopted a very Government refused to fund the QLMA. The dangerous do nothing approach to the meat coalition Government put meat safety at risk processing industry. This was despite a and threatened consumer confidence and warning from its own Meat Processing public health. That was the legacy of those Consultative Committee of 6 February last year opposite. that if the Government did nothing up to 17 The Beattie Labor Government believes abattoirs would close and 5,000 jobs would be that meat safety is too important to be risked. I lost over the next five years. I have a copy of want to return to the MPCC report. I think it is the Meat Processing Consultative Committee worth repeating the recommendation. It was report and I seek leave to table it. as follows— Leave granted. "The Queensland Government Mrs LAVARCH: Interestingly, the member should provide C.S.O (community service for Crows Nest has claimed that this report is a obligation) funding of up to $550,000 per 29 Apr 1999 Meat Industry Amendment Standard (No. 1) 1999 1663

annum to the Queensland Livestock and consequences politically, but would be of Meat Authority (to be reviewed every two major detriment to the future trade of years) to meet the cost of activities which meat"—— cannot be met from the Q.L.M.A's fee Time expired. base (notably policing and enforcement under the Meat Industry Act, Legislative Mr ROWELL (Hinchinbrook—NPA) Review, Remote Area Servicing and (9.09 p.m.): I think that it is extremely Domestic Market Promotion)." important that we acknowledge what is happening here tonight in terms of this The committee attached a comment to each disallowance motion, because the meat of its recommendations. It is important to note industry is a very vital industry for Queensland. that the comment attached to this If we travel throughout the length and breadth recommendation regarding the Queensland of Queensland, we find a variety of meats Livestock and Meat Authority says— being processed. Certainly, the processing "The committee has a major concern side of the meat industry is extremely that Q.L.M.A will not be able to properly important and if we are going to make any fund the activities nominated above from inroads into the export market, we have to its proposed new accreditation fee make sure that we have a good, safe product. structure, even without any moratorium on I think that it is important that the industry fee increases as proposed in recognises the need for the HACCP in terms of recommendation C.2. meat safety. The inability of Q.L.M.A to effectively Certainly, the QLMA has had a very enforce the Act from its current revenue chequered history. The meat industry has base potentially represents a significant gone right away from having the large wooden food safety risk, especially in the area of blocks that were in the old butcher shops to illegal slaughtering. now having a lot of stainless steel, which is very clean. Of course, those upgrades have The damage that would be caused cost a lot of butchers a lot of money. I support to the Queensland meat processing this disallowance motion that has been moved industry from a 'Garibaldi' type food by the shadow Minister. poisoning, and the likely media reaction to one, hardly needs any elaboration." Mr Reynolds: Rather sheepishly. Let us put this in perspective. The previous Mr ROWELL: Who is the sheep? I would Government's own committee told it that if it like to dispel a lot of the untruths that have did not fund the QLMA it threatened to expose been uttered. Last year, when the Minister Queensland to a significant food safety risk. sacked the highly qualified and widely Those opposite ignored that recommendation. respected QLMA board, he cited financial mismanagement and claimed that the QLMA What has the Labor Government done? was $1.8m in debt. However, in what is This Government has devoted $800,000 in becoming a regular occurrence, the Minister's funding to the QLMA this year alone. This is press secretary did not let the facts get in the far in excess of what those opposite wanted to way of a good yarn. The board refuted the do. We have had a crackdown on illegal meat Minister's claims, as did the Opposition. processing. We have also provided extra funds Unaudited accounts showed that the QLMA for a meat safety enforcement unit which, in had liquid assets of $1.64m, net assets of only four months, has examined 175 cases. A $170,000 and no borrowings. Contrary to the number have already been prosecuted. Minister's assertions, as at 30 June 1998 the The legacy of the Borbidge Government QLMA was solvent—a fact confirmed by the does not stop here. There are other damning independent legal advice. reports. I would like to finish with a briefing A Government member: What about the note that was sent to the member for memos you received when you were the Hinchinbrook when he was Minister for Primary Minister? Industries. In that briefing note the Mr ROWELL: I thank the member for ramifications of ignoring the recommendations prompting me. I will talk about the memos. of the consultative committee are quite The Minister was forced to correct his earlier damning. The briefing note is dated 21 April claim and stated that the QLMA was actually 1998. It states— operating at a loss. There is quite a bit of "The prospect of Q.L.M.A being difference between the two situations. I do not made insolvent by the actions of know if the Minister really understands Government would not only have serious business, but that is the situation. 1664 Meat Industry Amendment Standard (No. 1) 1999 29 Apr 1999

How did that situation come about? intense competition from the big supermarket Because Ed Casey and the Goss Government chains, which are currently knocking about a were not content to rape and pillage the DPI lot of businesses. Many business are doing it budget but also they extended their tough. It may be okay for the Minister to sit destructive path to the QLMA. Historically, the there and wave his hands around and pick his QLMA received an annual $500,000 nose, but the fact is—— contribution from the Queensland Government Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr D'Arcy): to fund its share of maintaining safety and Order! A bit more parliamentary decorum, hygiene standards, and rightly so. That was please. necessary. However, Labor saw the QLMA as another hollow log from which it could pull Mr ROWELL: I am simply stating the fact, money to fund its pathetic attempts to shore Mr Deputy Speaker. up its electoral support. In desperation, the A Government member: Get your hand QLMA was forced to begin diversifying its out of your pocket. activities and run down its assets to try to make up the shortfall. Mr ROWELL: I have to keep my hands in my pockets when the members opposite are Labor tries to claim the high moral ground around, because if they had half an and mislead the public into thinking that they opportunity, they would fleece me of are funding their fair share. It does not. The everything that I have. The Borbidge Borbidge Government set about fixing the Government knocked back the fee rise. QLMA's business structure. When I became Minister, that work was well under way. We Mr Cooper interjected. restructured the authority. We resumed Mr ROWELL: With the members opposite funding the QLMA. In 1996-97, we contributed on the loose, I would be very, very unsafe if I $383,750 and in 1997-98 we contributed did not have my hands in my pockets. $320,000. So members opposite should not Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr D'Arcy): lie about the previous coalition Government's Order! There has been enough frivolity. Could commitment. Despite that, after six years of the member for Hinchinbrook please get on budgetary abuse at the hands of the Goss with his speech. Government, the underlying financial problems remained. As Minister, I instructed that a team Mr ROWELL: If it is a crime to stand up of independent auditors examine the QLMA's for small business and jobs, then the coalition financial position. They did so and endorsed stands guilty as charged. There is no question the Government's belief that it had a about that. However, the Borbidge community service obligation to fund meat Government did not ignore the problem and it safety and hygiene. That was absolutely did not ignore the recommendation of the essential. Tonight, many people have independent auditors or the report by the endorsed that obligation. As we have also MPCC. heard tonight, that finding was endorsed by a Mr Hamill: Who's that? report of the Meat Processing Consultative Committee—a report that the Minister has Mr ROWELL: That is the meat processing adopted, or claims to have adopted. committee. The Borbidge Government has been Mr Hamill: Just checking. criticised for failing to agree to the introduction Mr ROWELL: I thought that I would let of a new fee schedule that would have the Treasurer know, because I know that he is resulted in fee rises for butchers and slaughter not the full bottle on this process. That is what yards—fee rises that are nowhere near the it is all about. The Treasurer is a bit like the magnitude of those that this Beattie Minister, he does not know much about Government now stands ready to implement. I primary industries. want to expand on that matter, because we Mr Johnson: A sausage short of a are of the opinion that, under this barbecue. Government, there are to be fee rises of something like 300%. Yes, the Borbidge Mr ROWELL: Yes, a sizzler short on the Government did reject fee rises. Why? barbecue. It was important to fully understand Because it knew that butchers and meat the issue. At that time, I requested that the processors were doing it tough. The Borbidge director-general, whom the members opposite Government knew that they had spent sacked and which I am very disappointed thousands of dollars on upgrading their shops about because Roly Nieper was a very good and facilities. The Borbidge Government knew director-general—— that they were battling to compete against Mr Cooper interjected. 29 Apr 1999 Meat Industry Amendment Standard (No. 1) 1999 1665

Mr ROWELL: No, the Minister would not seeking to put fee increases on small butcher know who he was. However, the former shops. I will cite those letters for the director-general carried out an audit and an honourable gentleman, who was an absolute assessment to make sure that there were no disgrace as a Minister. In an Opposition bereft other outstanding debts. On top of the of any talent, he is the only one capable of Borbidge Government's annual contributions, it making a Lazarus come back. However, there guaranteed the financial security of the QLMA, is no shadow of a doubt that he is a Lazarus and the letter in which we did so has been with a charisma bypass. tabled previously in this House. I did not notice The member for Barambah paid the whether the member for Kurwongbah proper and appropriate price for his mentioned that letter in her speech. The incompetence. QLMA was not bankrupt. It made a trading loss, and little wonder after carrying two food Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr D'Arcy): safety systems for five years and after the Order! Was the member seeking leave to table Goss Government ceased funding the those documents? Government's annual $500,000 contribution. Mr MICKEL: Yes. There was no need to sack the board and Leave granted. appoint the Government's Labor lackey. There was no need for these new fee increases. All Mr MICKEL: I refer now to a departmental that was needed was for the Beattie briefing note of 21 April 1998 headed Government to maintain the commitment "Pending Insolvency of the Queensland provided by the Borbidge Government. Livestock and Meat Authority". At that time, Instead, the Beattie Government ignored its the member for Hinchinbrook was the Minister. funding responsibilities, and now it is set to Point 4 of that briefing note, which is rather strip the cash registers of small businesses alarming, states— throughout Queensland. "The Authority's cash position is likely Mr Pearce: Give us some examples. to allow for operation to 30th June, 1998 but the Authority will be insolvent as of Mr ROWELL: I would like to really expand 30th June 1998 unless its equity position on the matter as it affects small business, is immediately resolved." because I think that it is absolutely crucial. I will give the member opposite one example of a Insolvent! That is a complete and utter businessman in Innisfail, who used to be a disgrace. The former Minister sold out the Labor supporter. He said to me, "After talking authority and placed at risk the health of all to Peter Beattie"—— Queensland meat consumers. He placed at Time expired. threat the hard-won reputation of Queensland primary producers. However, it gets worse. Mr MICKEL (Logan—ALP) (9.19 p.m.): This should not be a disallowance motion; it On the back of the briefing note, which I should be a censure motion. We should be assume the honourable gentleman would not censuring the member for Hinchinbrook for have read, a note states that the future trade ignoring the QLMA's pleas for assistance for of meat from Queensland, both domestically many years. It absolutely escapes me how the and internationally, faces some major Minister has sat here patiently for the past detriment. In other words, the honourable couple of hours. The economic vandals of the member was willing to place at risk not only the QLMA, the member for Hinchinbrook and hard-won reputation of the primary producers other Ministers of the former Borbidge but also our international trade. Where does Government sat mute and absurd whilst the he get off coming in here with this economic vandalism that they wreaked on the disallowance motion? QLMA raged around them. Under the In a letter dated 13 May 1998, Mr Richie coalition, the QLMA was riddled with conflicts Goldup wrote to the member for Hinchinbrook, of interest and any attempt to place the referring to the member's letter of 7 May 1998. authority on a sound financial footing was He stated— blocked. "With respect all members view your I cite two letters that were written to the response as being quite unsatisfactory former member for Barambah, one dated 27 and are most disappointed that the June 1997 and the other dated 11 July 1997. I position remains unresolved." seek leave to table those letters. They show in irrefutable terms that the QLMA outlined to the Further, Mr Goldup stated— then Minister the parlous state that the QLMA "All members of the Authority are had been left in. As the letters state, it was most concerned as to our ongoing ability 1666 Meat Industry Amendment Standard (No. 1) 1999 29 Apr 1999

to properly discharge our duties and For goodness' sake, where has he been obligations as members of the Authority." hiding? Mr Lucas: What did they do about it? Mr Mulherin: In a log. Mr MICKEL: Nothing! It was an indecisive Mr MICKEL: I do not like to use do-nothing Government. For 12 months intemperate language in reference to the concerns were raised and the authority honourable gentleman. As every businessman pleaded for some action—any action—to be knows, once a customer is lost, it is damned taken. What did the do-nothing incompetent hard to win them back. The former Minister put coalition Government do? Absolutely nothing! that at risk at a time when Australian meat The same coalition that squandered $14m on producers were doing it tough. the Connolly/Ryan inquiry allowed the authority In 1998, the QLMA was pleading with the to fold up through indecision. member for Hinchinbrook for help. Indonesia is our biggest market for live cattle, buying This authority protects the health 390,000 head a year. However, in 1998 when standards of Queenslanders. It was affected to our markets were under threat, the market the stage where it could not discharge its shrank to 50,000 head. That put enormous responsibilities to, for example, carry out the pressure on other sectors. In its most recent inspection of butcher shops to ensure that March edition, ABARE stated that good there is not an outbreak of the E. coli food prospects for export to Japan and the United virus that afflicted South Australia in 1995. At States in 1999-2000 are expected to that time, the National Meat Processors contribute to an increase in Australian cattle Association reported a decline in sales of prices. At a time when those markets were the between 20% and 90%. The honourable victims of contaminated Australian meat, the gentleman opposite says, "We are worried member for Hinchinbrook—the guilty man— about small business." With a decline of 20% placed that under threat. to 90%, they would not have to worry because there would not be any left. That incident Let us not overstate our export underscores how craven, indifferent and improvement in the United States, because callous members opposite were to allow their producers are doing it tough. ABARE notes indecision to carry on for 12 months. Now they that beef demand in the Pacific rim market, are crying crocodile tears about butcher shops. the destination for 90% of Australia's beef exports in 1998, is expected to be subdued The South Australian incident followed an over the medium term. At least as a result of incident in the United States in 1993, when the actions of this Government and this meat exported from Australia claimed the lives Minister, we have reduced the risk of that of four children. As a result, the United States fragile market being undermined because of Government informed Australia that it would meat contamination scandals. increase surveillance of Australian meat to Tonight we have heard that the taxpayers ensure that no E. coli contaminated meat should not pay for the increase. It is the old entered the United States. Over the years, story that the Government should pay for it other countries have used the stories of and not the taxpayer. This is National Party Australian contaminated meat as de facto economics. The offending butcher shop that embargoes against the Australian product. requires more inspections to bring it up to a Over the years, we have had the roo in the proper health standard simply should pay stew, chemical residue problems—— more. How else can we establish an incentive Mr ROWELL: I rise to a point of order. for one to get up to standard? Why should the The member is misleading the House. The butcher who is obeying the rules have to QLMA has nothing to do with exports. subsidise the one who is not? Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! There is That service has to be paid for and the absolutely no point of order. The member will splendid indifference of the member for resume his seat. Hinchinbrook—the guilty man—meant that the QLMA was reduced to insolvency. It had to sell Mr MICKEL: Again we see a its buildings and its cars. It is no wonder that demonstration of the extreme incompetence the people in the bush have lost faith in the of the member for Hinchinbrook. His briefing National Party. It is no wonder that the note talks about detriment to international National Party has lost seats. The party that trade. That is what I am talking about: was supposed to protect the interests of the international trade to the United States and people in the bush ratted on them and ignored Japan; our quality export markets. He could them. It is no wonder that at the last election not get his head around that in three months. the National Party received the lowest primary 29 Apr 1999 Meat Industry Amendment Standard (No. 1) 1999 1667 vote since its formation. Of course, their Department or their local government salvation is the Labor Party. We will restore the authority? QLMA to financial viability after the bankruptcy The Queensland meat industry has the that the National Party has plunged it into. finest reputation and the best record in Time expired. Australia for safety and hygiene standards. Every other State is following our lead. The Mr SPRINGBORG (Warwick—NPA) Minister has conceded that himself. By his own (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (9.29 p.m.): admission, meat safety is not threatened. So Tonight we have heard the desperate rantings why is it necessary to increase these fees? It is of a Government that is trying to defend the because the Beattie Government cannot indefensible. We have heard the rantings of a justify the increases and instead it has resorted Government that cannot keep its word, that will to a baseless scare campaign about food not stand up for small business and jobs, that safety to try to convince the media that it had is not interested in rural and regional to step in to safeguard the public—the oldest Queensland and that has already lost all trick in the book. credibility. The Premier was caught on the run on Honourable members would remember ABC radio and could not justify his that this Government took office based on the Government's fee increases. He launched a support of the Independent member for shameful attack, as did other members in this Nicklin. Fundamental to that support was a debate tonight, on the meat industry and written commitment by the now Premier that alleged that it was responsible for poisoning taxes and charges would not be increased people. The Premier's comments have above the CPI. That promise was broken when reverberated around the meat industry and it increased the fire levy. It was broken again have been heard by every single butcher and when the Government increased compulsory meat processor in this State. In trying to dig third-party insurance premiums and it has now himself out of a political fix, his attack has been shattered by the introduction of these insulted every single butcher and every single massive new fees that the Opposition seeks to meat processor in this State. In one fell swoop, overturn tonight. he has single-handedly tarnished the Tonight I have been waiting to hear just reputation of the meat industry and every one incredible explanation by Government Queenslander who has an investment in it. His members as to why these fee increases are comments and his Government's QLMA fees justified, but I have not heard one single valid have undermined their livelihoods. His explanation. All I have heard is the usual half- spineless attack will always be remembered. truths, untruths, misinformation and The Beattie Government has made much misrepresentation that we have come to of an apparent $800,000 contribution to the expect from the Beattie Labor Government. Queensland Livestock and Meat Authority. It We have heard the Government's clumsy has tried to sell this to the industry and to the attempts to denigrate the administration of the public as funding its fair share towards meat Queensland Livestock and Meat Authority safety—its community service obligation. But under the previous Government and the let us look at that claim. Importantly, $200,000 previous board. The financial position of the of that $800,000 is for remote area service. QLMA has been misrepresented and The Minister knows that that is important, as manipulated by the Government in an attempt do other members on both sides of the to suit its tax agenda. Chamber. The fact is that that $200,000 has Honourable members interjected. never been under threat until now. In two years, that funding will cease, leaving butchers Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr D'Arcy): and meat processors in rural and remote areas Order! The crossfire in the Chamber is to shoulder the full cost of funding QLMA unacceptable. I call members to order. officers. The remainder of that $800,000 has Mr SPRINGBORG: We have heard the been dedicated to the enforcement of illegal absolute furphy that these huge increases are slaughtering. somehow necessary to maintain meat safety In spite of its rhetoric, the Beattie and hygiene standards. Members should be Government is not contributing one cent under no illusion, these fees are not about towards helping butchers and meat processors guaranteeing the quality of meat. If that were to maintain safety and hygiene standards. the case, why is it also not necessary to That cost is being passed on to every single increase the fees that bakeries, fish and chip butcher and processor in the form of the new shops and fast food outlets pay to the Health QLMA fees. But the Government has tried to 1668 Meat Industry Amendment Standard (No. 1) 1999 29 Apr 1999 be very clever. It has claimed that the increase and loan refinancing, he engages in is only 8% based on CPI. Yes, annual scaremongering. This is a Minister who to date accreditation fees have been increased by has enjoyed significant goodwill from primary only 8%. However, the crucial factor which the producers. But it seems that he is fast putting Government has tried in vain to suppress is himself in a position where he cannot be that, whereas every audit used to be included trusted. in the annual accreditation fee, only one audit This is a Government which cannot be will now be included in the accreditation fee. trusted. The Beattie Government claims to be For any additional audits, the QLMA requires obsessed with jobs. It claims to be a butchers and processors to pay $100 per hour, Government for all Queenslanders. These and that will increase the cost significantly. massive increases in QLMA fees are not the The fact remains that, under the actions of a Government which is genuinely Government's own laws, some 70% of concerned about jobs. They are not those of a Queensland butchers require more than one Government which is genuinely governing in audit. Some 70% of butchers will pay not just the interests of all Queenslanders. These fees the 8% increase and not just the extra 30% are an attack on small business and jobs. I after this Government scrapped their rebate, appeal to honourable members to put their but a 38% increase on their accreditation plus electorates first. This motion is not about $100 per hour for every additional audit this playing politics, it is about recognising the Government requires. In simple terms, a meat industry's achievements in relation to category C butcher employing between three safety and hygiene standards. It is about and 10 people requiring only one audit per standing up for small businesses, in particular year who paid $280 last year will now pay the small and long-term family butchers who $431—an increase of not 8% but 65%. A operate in all of our electorates. It is about category A butcher employing the same standing up for their jobs. number of people who paid $280 last year will Tonight it was distressing to hear now pay $881—an increase of 315%. members demonising the meat industry in this When pressured by the Opposition, the State with all their talk about Garibaldi, safety Minister claimed that he had made a concerns, bad meat and so on. We have a concession for small family butcher shops. He fine meat industry in this State. Our butchers announced that he had capped the cost of are leading the nation with respect to QA. audits at $100. But again this Minister tries to However, tonight in the Parliament mislead the Parliament. The average time Government members referred to Garibaldi. taken for audits for those small butchers is one Members opposite know that that diminishes hour. So the big concession is no concession the community's confidence in our meat at all. industry in this State. Mr Palaszczuk: No, it's not. You're Time expired. wrong. Mr PEARCE (Fitzroy—ALP) (9.39 p.m.): I Mr SPRINGBORG: When the Minister rise to speak against this disallowance motion. sums up later on, he will have the opportunity Today I want to make four points on this to set the record straight, if he does not feel important matter. I will argue that the QLMA's that it is right. However, that is right. financial position required the increases that This Minister continues to try to mislead. we are now debating. I will point out that the This is the same Minister who claimed in people who are currently most strident in their today's Queensland Country Life that he alone criticism of this fee schedule were in fact had opposed Federal Government-driven supporters of the same measures when they change to make exceptional circumstances were on the board of the QLMA. I would assistance harder to get—the same Minister suggest, therefore, that the fees and charges who has been exposed by the minutes of the are necessary and that those who oppose ARMCANZ meeting, the member for Crows them are doing so because of their own Nest and the Federal Minister for Agriculture. private agendas and not on the merits of the He did not oppose the changes at all. He case. I will analyse the fees and show that supported the decision. Instead of working to they are not unfair. improve Queensland's own woeful assistance I will try to explain the QLMA's financial schemes under which only 70 out of 129 situation. I turn firstly to the QLMA's financial farmers secured QRAA assistance following situation when this Government came to office the floods which caused $500m in damage, and, indeed, since early 1997. In the Auditor- he plays politics. Instead of pushing his General's report of 14 November 1998, he Cabinet to scrap stamp duty on crop insurance notes— 29 Apr 1999 Meat Industry Amendment Standard (No. 1) 1999 1669

"There is considerable uncertainty which I can now table, one finds the following whether the Queensland Livestock and note at the end of the meeting. Under the Meat Authority will be able to continue as heading "appreciation", it says— a going concern." "Members indicated their The QLMA's financial situation can be appreciation of being given the summarised in a few key figures. It had an opportunity of discussing the business operating loss for 1997-98 of $1.82m and a plan in such depth and felt they had a net equity deficit of $212,000 for the same better understanding of the application of year. Without the significant financial the document." contribution made by the Beattie Government This is not because the board did not realise to the ongoing requirements of the QLMA, the the implications of the changes. At the new fee schedule and the charges for audits, previous board meeting on 4 June, the this situation could not be corrected. Food minutes note a meeting with Mr McLeod safety is too important to let the meat regulator wearing his other hat as executive director of go bankrupt. It is only fair that the industry pay the NMA at which Mr McLeod noted the its share. effects on small butchers and the frequency of Certain individuals have been leading a audits. Indeed, in the May 1998 edition of the campaign against the means instituted to put NMA journal, Knife and Steel, Mr McLeod the QLMA back on track. They have attacked advised his members of the new schedule. the decision to implement the new schedule of The commentary on the schedule contained fees and to charge for additional audits. They none of the histrionics that we see today from have come up with spectacular statistics about Mr McLeod. It noted that the NMA wanted supposed fee increases. Two critics are Bob lower audit fees and private sector involvement McLeod of the National Meat Association and in the auditing process, but it was not the Leonard Poulter of Lenard's Butchers. What doom and gloom assessment we see today. these two have in common is that they were So back in mid 1997 Bob McLeod and both former QLMA board directors and they Len Poulter knew about these changes. They have both had a road to Damascus were briefed on them, they understood them experience in relation to these proposals. and they understood the implications and When these two men were on the board decided to back them. Now, they are attacking of the QLMA, they were in favour of what the the same changes. The road to Damascus Government has now done. I will now take has had a profound effect upon these members for a short trip along this road to gentlemen. I suggest to the House that the Damascus. By 1997 even this board realised fact that both these men were removed from the need to make a number of decisions to their board positions when the Minister acted repair the QLMA's disastrous financial last year is what has caused their private road situation. These were contained in the QLMA's to Damascus conversion. They are attacking 1997 business plan, delivered to Minister what they previously supported, not because Perrett on April Fools' Day 1997. This plan what is being done is wrong, because they recommended a new fee schedule from the know it is not, but because they are bitter Government. The schedule would increase about their removal. That is the simple truth of accreditation fees above CPI levels. Also, the it. There is no noble cause, no deep concern schedule provided for one free audit, but a for the industry, just plain and simple personal cost of $100 per hour for each additional audit bitterness. One would expect better. would be imposed. It would contain substantial Another example of this is Mr McLeod's decreases in fees for some accreditation use of percentage figures for fee increases holders and increases for others. This is just which mask another change of heart on his what we are debating today—this very same part. I refer to the 30% discount that the board schedule, albeit with some concessions for ultimately gave to some accreditation holders smaller operators. It was already in the process in 1996. This reduction in fees was made in before we came into Government. anticipation of the new schedule receiving According to the minutes of the board Government approval and coming into force. meeting held on 24 July 1997, the new board However, the reduction was given before the went through the business plan, the fee corresponding increases in other areas were increases and the charges for audits. Mr introduced. The reduction was also given, McLeod and Mr Poulter were at that meeting. even though it was not formally approved by If there were problems, if there were the previous Government. So those discounts objections, that was the time to raise them. If were illegal. This unilateral decision and the one looks at the minutes of that meeting, pre-empting of the new fees cost the QLMA in 1670 Meat Industry Amendment Standard (No. 1) 1999 29 Apr 1999 excess of $600,000. The board realised its not supposed to be in place. The fee should mistakes as delays occurred in implementing have been $1,500. Under this Government it the new structure—as they should—because will be $1,401. It is actually going down, not up this was costing the QLMA $80,000 per as the members opposite are trying to tell us, month. which is misleading. The argument that they The chairman twice wrote to the Minister have been putting forward here tonight is that mentioning the removal of the 30% discount we do not care about small business. as well as implementing the new fee schedule. Time expired. Eventually, in 1998 the board voted to remove Hon. H. PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) the 30% discount, but the damage had been (Minister for Primary Industries) (9.49 p.m.): I done. I want to give a few examples, because rise to speak against the disallowance motion I have heard some members quoting figures moved by the Opposition. I thank all members here tonight, in particular the member for for their contributions, but especially members Callide, who talked about a friend of his who on this side of the House, because their had spent $60,000 upgrading his shop to a contributions are worthy to be noted by standard. He has accreditation; he should be anyone who has any interest in meat and food congratulated because he is obviously a good safety in Queensland. businessman who was concerned about his business and concerned about the quality of I will address key points made by meat that he provides to the consumers. In honourable members in due course, but first I that situation, that family has nothing to worry begin by restating that this Government is about because the only increase that they will committed to the highest standard of meat have is the $23 increase. If it is not up to safety. It is this commitment from this standard, then they pay the audit fee, but Government that will overcome the appalling these people have demonstrated that they legacy of the Borbidge Government. As we can do it. It will cost them $23, not the stupid have heard from a number of members on this figures that the members opposite have been side of the House, the QLMA could not talking about. continue on the way it was going under the I just want to give a couple more previous Government. It was on the brink of examples. We have to remember that this insolvency. We have heard that from former 30% fee we have been talking about is illegal. Borbidge Government Ministers, independent What the people opposite have been doing is consultants' reports commissioned under the using the 30% discount, looking at the new fee previous Government, the QLMA board itself and the Meat Processing Industry Task Force which will come into force as at 1 May 1999 formed by the Borbidge Government. and then trying to work out the statistics and percentages. They are wrong because those The QLMA is Queensland's meat safety fees were illegal, and I will give some regulator. Its job is to ensure that the examples. The fee for a butcher wholesomeness and integrity of meat is shop—smallgoods—employing one to two maintained by a quality assurance employees should be $300, not the $210 accreditation system provided for under discount because that was illegal. We have legislation. It is not the job of the QLMA to increased that fee to $323. For 3 to 10 lobby Governments to try to get them to meet employees, with the 30% discounted fee which their own community service obligations. was illegal because it was not approved by the Unfortunately, under the former Borbidge Government, it was $280. The real fee should Government and the former QLMA board have been $400. We have put it up to $431, a there was a flow of correspondence on the $31 increase on what the real fee should have subject of the financial mess that the authority been. For a shop with 26 to 50 employees, the was finding itself in and the previous discounted rate was $2,100—the illegal one, Government continually refused to offer the which should not have been in place because funding that it was obliged to provide. it was not approved by the Government. The Two independent consultants' reports fee under the schedule should have been were commissioned to examine the financial $3,000. Under this Government, it will be strife of the QLMA. Both of those reports were $2,586. It is actually going down. It is one of extremely damning. Both reports supported the 16 fee schedules that are going to go the claims of the QLMA board at that time. down. The coalition's neglect, shown by its refusal on Let us look at slaughter yards. I have not a number of occasions to meet the community got time to list them all, so I will go straight to 6 service obligation funding, undermined meat to 10 cattle per week. The fee was $1,050 with safety. The member for Crows Nest the 30% discount, which was illegal and was unfortunately denies it. 29 Apr 1999 Meat Industry Amendment Standard (No. 1) 1999 1671

Mr Rowell: Minister—— incident occurred in South Australia. There Mr PALASZCZUK: I will come to the have been a number of incidents in recent member for Hinchinbrook in a moment. The years involving meat, oysters, peanut butter member for Crows Nest should be aware of and, just recently, again in South Australia, the Meat Processing Consultative Committee orange juice. People have died and others report, which his Government received more have fallen seriously ill due to food poisoning than four months before it lost office. The in this country. Not only are there serious committee made its recommendations to the public health concerns but also there are Government to meet its community service concerns for consumer confidence and trade, obligation of up to $550,000 per annum to the both domestically and internationally. QLMA. It made the recommendation on the The former Minister, the member for grounds that the community service obligation Hinchinbrook, was warned at length on this funding would meet the cost of activities which matter. He approved the briefing note referred could not be met from the QLMA's base to by the honourable member for Logan, funds. The report states that these activities which stated clearly the implications for include— Queensland of his own incompetence and the "Notably policing and enforcement collective incompetence of the Borbidge under the Meat Industry Act legislative Government. I will refer to the briefing note review, remote area servicing and one more time. It states— domestic market promotion." "The prospect of QLMA being made Policing and enforcement are critical roles, but insolvent by the actions of Government the previous Government would not deliver the would not only have serious CSO funding needed to pay for these consequences politically, but would be of activities. major detriment to the future trade of meat from Queensland both domestically This Government, in the space of 10 and internationally." months, has delivered $800,000 in funding to the QLMA for this year alone. That is more This Government has acknowledged than was recommended by the coalition's concern in the wider community that the Meat Processing Consultative Committee, but Borbidge Government's refusal to adequately our Government is committed to meat safety. fund the QLMA had opened the door for illegal The previous Government was urged by its meat processing activities. In response to that own Meat Processing Consultative Committee concern, the QLMA, under its administrator, a to meet its community service obligation man highly regarded within the meat industry because it was concerned about the not only in Australia but also internationally, implications of the QLMA's financial position formed the meat safety enforcement unit. The on food safety. It is worth hearing the unit, which will investigate and prosecute illegal comment of that committee again. It states— meat processing activities in Queensland, is being funded by this Government. "The committee has a major concern that QLMA will not be able to properly Mr Rowell: Isn't it a fact that the Goss fund the activities nominated above from Government took $500,000 away from the its proposed accreditation fee structure." industry? The committee continues— Mr PALASZCZUK: I am not going to waste my time listening to drivel from the "The inability of the QLMA to honourable member for Hinchinbrook. The effectively enforce the Act from its current honourable member for Hinchinbrook is a revenue base potentially represents a failed Minister for Primary Industries. He is significant food safety risk, especially in bitter and sad that he is not standing in my the area of illegal slaughtering. place now, being able to finally deliver the The damage that would be caused important reforms that this Government is to the Queensland meat processing producing. industry from a Garibaldi type food This Government has acknowledged poisoning, and the likely media reaction to concern in the wider community that the one, hardly needs any elaboration." Borbidge Government's refusal to adequately I do not need to remind all honourable fund the QLMA had opened the door once members of the Garibaldi tragedy, which again for illegal meat processing activities. In claimed the life of a four-year-old girl. That response to that concern, the QLMA, under tragedy attracted enormous publicity and our administrator, formed the meat safety damaged the smallgoods industry here in enforcement unit. I had to repeat that for Queensland, even though the Garibaldi honourable members because it is a very 1672 Meat Industry Amendment Standard (No. 1) 1999 29 Apr 1999 important point. This unit, which will investigate rural and remote areas, including basing more and prosecute illegal meat processing activities staff in those areas. in Queensland, is being funded once again by Mr Littleproud: Then why are the this Government. In its four months of butchers going broke? operation, the unit has dealt with 175 complaints—resolving more than two-thirds of Mr PALASZCZUK: Because they have these cases already—recommending 35 been sold a pup. That is why they are jumping prosecutions and prosecuting 10. up and down. Members opposite have sold them a pup. Here is the important point, and this is the point that has been missed by honourable I also note the concern raised about the members opposite. If one undermines the performance of members of the former QLMA QLMA, one undermines consumer confidence, board. I have only one comment to make. I and then one exposes the community to risk believe that the former QLMA board was of food safety breaches. Again, if one frustrated by an incompetent Government. I undermines the QLMA, one opens the door believe that a public airing of the financial for non-accredited meat processors and illegal difficulties of the QLMA by the board surely meat processing operations. This Government would have sparked even the Borbidge is firmly closing the door on that. Government into action, but it did not. I now want to correct Opposition claims It has been highlighted tonight just how about the level of increases. The accreditation committed the Beattie Government is to the fees have been increased by up to 8%, in line meat industry in this State. with increases in the consumer price index. Mr Cooper: You've got a funny way of This means that a small one to two person showing it. butcher shop that attains and maintains the Mr PALASZCZUK: The meat industry highest quality assurance standard will pay an directly employs more than 15,000 extra $23 per annum. For those operators—I Queenslanders and indirectly employs am sure that honourable members in this thousands more. If the honourable member place would not like to see this happen—who for Crows Nest had been in the Chamber a fail to achieve the top meat safety standard, little earlier, he would have heard the reasons. there will be follow-up and penalty audits. The The previous Government adopted a do- first full audit is included in the accreditation nothing approach despite the industry's fees for operators. For small one and two difficulties with recent abattoir closures and person butcher shops, small slaughterhouses subsequent job losses. The previous and poultry processors, the audit cost will be a Government adopted a do-nothing approach flat $100. despite its own Meat Processing Consultative The honourable member for Warwick Committee's warning that, by adopting such claimed that an audit would take about an an approach, 17 abattoirs could close and 500 hour. I believe that he is wrong. I believe that it jobs could be lost over the next five years. But will take between one and a half and two this Government has a strong commitment to hours. That is the information that has been jobs, and last year the Deputy Premier and I provided to me. For larger meat processors, unveiled a comprehensive strategy for the the fees for follow-up audits will be charged at meat industry. It is important in the context of $100 per hour. this debate that I elaborate on some of that According to the National Meat strategy. Association's own records—and this is The strategy included: the formation of a important—these new accreditation fees, in 16 Meat Processing Industry Task Force; the of the 30 categories, have in fact decreased establishment of the Queensland Meat compared with the 1995 level. Of course, the Processing Development Initiative to provide a honourable member for Fitzroy very eloquently single entry point for the industry to access explained that issue to the House. Government funding of up to $20m over three This Government is providing $800,000 in years; and confirmation that the Government funding this year to get the QLMA back on would exit the meat processing industry and track after it was driven into financial disarray do so in a way that would enable all by the Borbidge Government. This includes Queensland Abattoir Corporation contracts to $200,000 in remote area servicing. In addition, be met. the QLMA will be looking at its Mr Cooper: How much has been spent? operations—and I ask honourable members to You could have used that on these meat listen to this—with a view to better servicing charges. 29 Apr 1999 Meat Industry Amendment Standard (No. 1) 1999 1673

Mr PALASZCZUK: The member would be Business Queensland on 23 April. The article surprised by how much money has been begins— spent. This Government's strategy, with that "Queensland food retailers and their injection of $20m, aims to safeguard jobs, representative bodies are pushing hard build sustainable new jobs, develop value for regulation of the industry to fall under adding process for the 21st century, develop a a single authority." robust competitive processing sector, enhance our meat processing performance and attain I welcome these comments. Obviously, the world's best practice. This Government's retailers can value the importance of food commitment to the meat processing industry is safety. Unfortunately, it appears that it is only in stark contrast to the do-nothing approach of the members of the Queensland coalition who the former Borbidge Government. do not value food safety. The members of the Queensland coalition stand condemned for The stark contrast in commitment to food their position on food safety—unlike the safety is also self-evident. Despite advice Federal Minister for Agriculture, Mark Vaile, urging it to clean up the mess that it had who is proposing a similar concept to what I created at the QLMA in the best interests of am working through with the Department of not only the meat industry but the consumers Primary Industries at present. of Queensland, the Borbidge Government did Mr Cooper: You took a stand. nothing. It wanted to play Russian roulette with food safety. Well, food safety is too important Mr PALASZCZUK: If the honourable to be compromised. It is too important to be member for Crows Nest waits until the minutes gambled with. How many Garibaldi tragedies of the ARMCANZ meeting are finally ratified by do we have to have for coalition members to all the Ministers who attended and finally understand the importance of meat safety? distributed for publication, he will then see my This Government believes that all support of Minister Mark Vaile in relation to this Queenslanders have a right to food safety, issue. He will then be able to see my and we are determined, as a Government, to opposition to the exceptional circumstances ensure that meat safety programs work provisions. As the Minister from Queensland, I effectively. was the only person who took a stand—and a justified stand—because I believed in what I I turn now to an issue that was raised in was saying. I was out there fighting for our the Blair review of food regulation. An article in rural constituency who, at present, are the 16 February 1999 edition of the Bulletin suffering enormous difficulties. I cite in sums up the findings of the Blair report. The particular the grain industry and the sugar article stated— industry. The honourable member for Crows "Blair cited 120 Acts and regulations, Nest stands condemned for attacking the numerous federal departments and Queensland Minister for Primary Industries and agencies, 40 State and Territory his standing up for the rural constituency of agencies, 700 local governments and 90 Queensland. national food product standards involved I will not leave a stone unturned in my in the agri-food business." fight to right the wrongs that the previous To address the urgent need to reduce Government committed on our rural duplication in the area of food safety under the constituency in Queensland. When the portfolio of the Department of Primary honourable member for Crows Nest and the Industries, I have asked the department to honourable member for Hinchinbrook look at examine the concept of combining the food the backbenches and see the One Nation safety regulatory functions for high-risk animal members, maybe then they will remember the protein products under the jurisdiction of a mistakes that they made with their own rural single regulatory agency. This can be achieved constituencies, because they have been primarily by incorporating the food safety roles replaced by the One Nation members. And and functions of existing bodies within the because of the way in which they are going Primary Industries portfolio, namely, meat, now, and the way in which they are opposing dairy and seafood. The model that I am this regulation, they will stand condemned and discussing with the department adopts a their vote will plummet even further. staged approached to reduce duplication of Question—That Mr Cooper's motion be functions yet ensures proper coverage of agreed to—put; and the House divided— matters that are contained within my portfolio. AYES, 41—Beanland, Black, Borbidge, Connor, It is a proposal which I note has the interest of Cooper, E. A. Cunningham, Dalgleish, Davidson, food retailers. I refer to the article titled "Food Elliott, Feldman, Gamin, Goss, Grice, Healy, Hobbs, retailers pushing for a single watchdog" in Horan, Johnson, Kingston, Knuth, Laming, Lester, 1674 Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1999 29 Apr 1999

Lingard, Littleproud, Malone, Mitchell, Nelson, Paff, bounds. Previous speakers have detailed the Prenzler, Quinn, Rowell, Santoro, Seeney, Simpson, extremes of this Government. It is all about Slack, Springborg, Stephan, Turner, Veivers, ordinary people in the community—the Watson. Tellers: Baumann, Hegarty battlers—the very people that the Premier and NOES, 44—Attwood, Barton, Beattie, Bligh, Boyle, his Labor Government purports to represent. Braddy, Briskey, Clark, J. I. Cunningham, D'Arcy, These are the good and decent people who Edmond, Elder, Fenlon, Foley, Fouras, Gibbs, Hamill, are trying to earn a living in these very difficult Hayward, Lavarch, Lucas, Mackenroth, McGrady, times. Life would be great for those people Mickel, Mulherin, Musgrove, Nelson-Carr, Nuttall, Palaszczuk, Pearce, Pitt, Reeves, Reynolds, Roberts, who do not own a car or enjoy a piece of steak Robertson, Rose, Schwarten, Spence, Struthers, or own a block of land. Surely there would not Welford, Wellington, Wells, Wilson. Tellers: Sullivan, be many things that are as important to Purcell people trying to have a go as wheels, a steak Pair: Bredhauer, Pratt and a bit of dirt. Resolved in the negative. If it were not so serious it would be quite hilarious. The fire levy increase of 14% has widespread implications. Not only does it QUEENSLAND FIRE AND RESCUE impact on mums and dads, on urban blocks, AUTHORITY AMENDMENT REGULATION on vacant blocks and on rural blocks, but it (No. 1) 1999 also impacts on commercial properties Disallowance of Statutory Instrument including churches, small corner stores, schools, butcher shops and sporting venues. Mr MALONE (Mirani—NPA) (10.15 p.m.): All of these things are cornerstone services I move— and businesses within our community. "That the Queensland Fire and Most honourable members in this House Rescue Authority Amendment Regulation would have noticed that small businesses in (No. 1) 1999 (Subordinate Legislation No. our communities are going through tough 63 of 1999) tabled in the Parliament on times with unfair trading practices. Most 27 April 1999, be disallowed." honourable members would also have heard It is an absolute shame that the Opposition the phrase "the straw that broke the camel's has to endeavour to keep the Government back". I suggest to fellow members that a 14% accountable after the Premier's "cross my increase in the fire levy could be just that heart and hope to die" letter to the member for straw. Nicklin assuring him that there would be no I wonder how many small businesses new taxes or increased taxes if he supported would be able to justify a 14% increase in rent. the formation of a Labor Government under There would be a massive outcry and it would Mr Beattie. There is no doubt that ordinary be claimed that it is foul play. We have a voters must feel disillusioned with Government in Queensland that is doing that Governments when, in election mode or in very thing. All honourable members who have forming a Government, politicians promise all run a business would understand that as an things to all people, but as soon as they get themselves into power they go back on their increase in rents or other charges 14% in one promises. They seem to get their butts on the year is unacceptable. Treasury leather and forget about the people At this point, I have to say that I have the they represent. highest regard for the staff and the volunteers However, this Labor Government goes of the emergency services. The officers, staff one step further. It not only breaks its original and the auxiliaries of the QFRA are at the very promise but it continues to portray in the top. Quite often, the work that they perform media and elsewhere that it is a Government within our communities means the difference which is caring, battler-friendly, accountable— between life and death. They are out there and all the other feel-good, God-fearing words when the going gets tough. As we all know, that the media junkie Premier has at his the Labor Government commissioned its own disposal. However, at the same time the report into the financial operations of the QFRA—the PricewaterhouseCoopers saga as Premier has his hands in people's pockets and we have come to know it—and it highlighted is ripping out cash left, right and centre to the fact that 20% of all call-outs—— appease his Budget-challenged Government. The three major issues that we are Mr Schwarten interjected. discussing tonight are compulsory third-party Mr MALONE: The member should just insurance, the meat inspection fees and the listen. The report highlighted the fact that 20% fire levy. The Premier's thirst for cash knows no of all the call-outs were for rescue operations 29 Apr 1999 Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1999 1675 and that there was insufficient funding for this prudent planning and careful budgeting, the component to be sustainable. board was heading in the right direction and The Minister is keen to lay the blame for needed only a little more time to successfully underfunding on the coalition Government. steer the debt-ridden Titanic on to its proper However, even in this one area it can be seen course. Time is of the essence, and was of the clearly that the Goss Government handed the essence. Anyone in this House with even the responsibility for rescues to the fire service slightest amount of business sense would find without allocating additional funding. This is it difficult to argue that point. Indeed, the just the tip of the iceberg. Questions such as coalition Government was so committed to community service obligations and fair achieving that complete turnaround that it assessments of dues to be levied on approved an additional $3.8m in funding in the properties that have the protection of the mid-year Budget allocation to address this Crown must be addressed. This matter was long-term underlying debt. raised in the PricewaterhouseCoopers report. The PricewaterhouseCoopers report, Government owned corporations and which was in the hands of the Labor Government instrumentalities are huge Government prior to this year's Budget, landowners in Queensland. The coalition indicated a number of areas which had to be Government recognised this and other addressed in order to achieve a meaningful shortfalls relative to funding. outcome. Yet these issues were not even Firstly, it recognised that Emergency canvassed in the Government's Budget Services has to be run in a commercial and papers for 1998-99. However, I believe that accountable manner in order to achieve a what is of great concern to all thinking people sustainable and ongoing leading-edge service. is that in having the Minister brood over this To achieve that, the QFRA board was infamous report for almost nine months, the established and in its short life was turning slick chick that hatched was nothing more than around and achieving in terms of addressing a simple grab for cash from the pockets of the longstanding and entrenched debt, which hardworking Queenslanders. Many times the was the hallmark of the Goss Government. Minister has stood in this House and crowed about the findings of this report. Who in this House could forget the facade of the Minister for Emergency Services in the I refer again to that infamous report. It is Goss Government outside this place quite interesting to note that, in recent letters addressing a public demonstration by the to the editor around the State, the Minister is Queensland Fire Service over staffing and critical of me for not attending a briefing on pay? I can remember it clearly, and I am sure that report. I recollect that, during the last that there are others in this House who also sitting of Parliament, the Minister made an remember it. offer to brief the Leader of the Opposition. However, at that time the Opposition Leader Mr SCHWARTEN: I rise to a point of was on leave due to illness and I believe that order. What the firefighters of the day were the Deputy National Party Leader made an complaining about was the underfunding of offer to attend in his absence, which I the service, which has been addressed by this understand was refused. Sadly, I have to Government and this Minister. inform the House, as I believe that the Minister Mr SPEAKER: That is not a point of may have been misinformed, that I have never order. received an invitation to participate in a briefing by either the Minister or her staff. Mr MALONE: I can clearly remember the Unfortunately, I have had to respond to the very high esteem in which those firefighters Minister's personal attack on me in order to held the Minister after he addressed them that uphold my good name. I have to say that I am day. It was well documented in the media for particularly disappointed in the way in which several days. I think that we all still remember the Minister has handled this matter. that. It is interesting to note that in the report, Mr Schwarten: I was there; you weren't. commissioned by the Labor Party and paid for Mr MALONE: I was there, too. As I said, by the taxes of Queenslanders, there are the coalition recognised these shortfalls and some very interesting highlights relating to the gave the officers of the fire service their first amalgamation of fire boards when the Goss real pay increase in quite a long time. I know Government came to power. There was $57m many in the service who recognise and worth of debt. The report goes on to say that acknowledge that. The coalition was also in this hindered the operations of the QFRA to the process of increasing staff levels and, I some extent. No doubt that is quite an might add, without increasing fire levies. With understatement. 1676 Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1999 29 Apr 1999

It is also interesting to note that, during able to form Government in this State. I have the period of the former Labor Government, to say that if I was in the same position, with despite all the promises that were made in the Leader of the Labor Party promising relation to the amalgamation of the boards certain things in a much publicised document, little effort was made to reduce significantly the I probably would be swayed. The member for debt levels in the QFRA's trust fund. However, Nicklin must feel a right royal git. He has been it seems to me that at no time has this Labor- sold out, used and spat out. generated report, the PricewaterhouseCoopers As I recall, the member for Nicklin agreed report, advocated an increase of 14% in fire to support the Labor Party in securing levies as the single answer to the problems of Government because of a promise that there the QFRA. would be no increases in taxes and charges. Mr Schwarten interjected. Tonight before the House are three Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Minister! Order! disallowance motions that are all about increases in taxes and charges. Only a few Mr MALONE: There certainly was a months after Labor secured Government in its suggestion of multiple scenarios and multiple own right following the Mulgrave by-election, solutions to the debt situation. One would the Labor Government said to the member for have to say that it was all so easy for Labor to Nicklin, "Thank you, buddy. We sucked you in go out and put its hands into the pockets of and we are going to spit you out. We do not ordinary Queenslanders to prop up its inability need you any more. You are irrelevant." to properly address this debt. Of course, more importantly, we have seen the Minister give Mr Schwarten: What an insult. into the power players of the Labor Party by Mr HEALY: You're joking! I am nearly sacking the board and handing the running of convinced that the member for Nicklin honestly the QFRA back to the bureaucrats within the believed that the Labor Party would be true to department. Roll on Yes, Minister. its word. I hope that the member for Nicklin Mr HEALY (Toowoomba North—NPA) has learnt a valuable lesson, which is to never, (10.29 p.m.): I second the motion of ever trust the Labor Party. disallowance moved by the shadow Minister Here we go again: through this for Emergency Services. I have to confess that disallowance motion, the coalition is standing being a member of the Opposition is up for the very people whom the Premier becoming tedious, because on this side of the ardently promised to support—ordinary House we seem to be constantly fighting the Queenslanders. Despite that promise, the very thing that, during the election campaign, latest rise of 14.3% in the fire levy will impact the Premier promised that he would not do, across-the-board. There is not a Queenslander which was to burden Queenslanders with new whom this levy increase will not affect. Small or increased taxes. and large businesses will be hit. Every Mr Schwarten: Will you claim these words Queensland land-holder will be whacked. are your own? Every church hall, every kindergarten and every school will be slugged. We know where Mr HEALY: I notice that the Minister for most of those businesses and institutions will Public Works and Minister for Housing is not source the income to cover that additional on the speaking list tonight, although he has cost: their clients, parishioners and students. been quite vocal by way of interjection. I Every single Queenslander will be contributing, suggest that he should place his name on the either directly, indirectly or both, to this speaking list. He should get up and say additional levy that the Labor Party promised something. I am interested in knowing whether would never happen. They promised that to the Minister for Public Works and Minister for the member for Nicklin. They said, "We will not Housing has got enough gumption to stand in increase taxes and charges." this House and defend the increases in charges and taxes that have been part of this Mr Davidson What did he say when they Labor Government as demonstrated in the did that? three disallowance motions that have been Mr HEALY: The member for Nicklin said moved tonight. If he wants to get on the that he would support the Labor Government. speaking list, he should do so. Let us hear He supported the Labor Government and now what he has to say. the chickens have come home to roost. The member for Nicklin has been sold an Accountability was another promise that absolute pup. How well we remember the the Premier made to the Queensland reasons that prompted the member for Nicklin community. I would like to know how the to support the Labor Party, ensuring that it was Premier accounts for appointing a reputable 29 Apr 1999 Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1999 1677 and highly expert financial consultant to interjected, and you did not pull him up or warn review the position of the Queensland Fire him once. and Rescue Authority, quite possibly at Mr SPEAKER: I did. a substantial cost to the community, and then completely ignores the Mr DAVIDSON: We want some recommendations of that experienced consistency during this debate. authority. In its comprehensive report, Mr SPEAKER: There is a difference PricewaterhouseCoopers clearly identified that between somebody who is interjecting and the current dire financial position of the somebody who is not only interjecting but also Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority was a interrupting his own colleague's speech. In this direct result of previous Labor Government House, as a matter of courtesy, when a mismanagement and its total disregard for the colleague is speaking other members do not future of our emergency services by failing to have a conversation across the Chamber. It is maintain appliances and equipment. a disservice. If the member does not believe The Goss Government's restructure of the that that is the correct thing to do, he is old Queensland Fire Service created an allowed to dissent from my ruling. amalgamated debt level of approximately Mr DAVIDSON: I do not dissent, but I ask $57m. To date, the net repayment of these you to be aware that the member for loans is $43m. Rockhampton has sat in this Chamber for half Mrs Rose interjected. an hour and interjected, and he was not Mr Schwarten interjected. brought to order once. Mr Veivers interjected. Mr SPEAKER: I am aware of that. I actually stopped the Minister. I told the Mr HEALY: That is an exceptional Minister to cease interjecting. If the member achievement on paper but deplorable when for Noosa had listened to me, he would know one considers that it has been achieved at the that I stopped the Minister, just as I am saying expense of new equipment, new fire stations, to the member for Southport now—— additional staff and the implementation of effective business systems. Mr DAVIDSON: I rise to a point of order. I did not rise on a point of order in relation to the Mr Veivers interjected. Minister; I rose in relation to the member for Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Rockhampton. He was not warned once for his Southport will cease interjecting. One of his consistent interjections. colleagues is speaking. The member will show that colleague the courtesy of allowing him to Mr SPEAKER: He is not here. I have warned him twice. Clearly, too many people speak. have had too much raspberry juice tonight. We Mr HEALY: The coalition Government are all hyped up. recognises these aberrations. In 1997 we established the Queensland Fire and Rescue Mr VEIVERS: I rise to a point of order. I Authority to provide the service with the basis take umbrage at what you have just said, Mr for developing a long-term solution to long- Speaker. I have not had any raspberry juice or term problems. Now we find that the Premier is anything else. I was taking umbrage at what not only ignoring the recommendations of his the Minister was saying and I was interjecting advisers by increasing the fire levy by 40%—— very clearly. I take great umbrage and I ask that you withdraw those comments, Mr Mr Veivers interjected. Speaker. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member Mr SPEAKER: I am talking about for Southport. He will cease interjecting. He will everybody. show his colleague some courtesy by allowing him to continue his speech. This is the Mr VEIVERS: I would ask you to withdraw member's final warning. that comment, Mr Speaker. It was insulting to this particular member. It is untrue. Mr LITTLEPROUD: I rise to a point of order. It is a matter of consistency. For the last Mr DAVIDSON: I rise to a point of order. 10 minutes, the member for Rockhampton has Mr SPEAKER: The two members will interjected—— resume their seats. Mr SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Mr VEIVERS: I beg your pardon, Mr Mr DAVIDSON: I rise to a point of order. Speaker, but you suggested that we had been For half an hour the member for Rockhampton having plenty of raspberry juice. I know what has sat in this Chamber and consistently the implication of that is. 1678 Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1999 29 Apr 1999

Mr SPEAKER: No, not at all. I am talking Government's commitment to the fire service about people being hyped up on raspberry even further. I continually meet with rural fire juice. brigades and rural volunteers throughout my Mr VEIVERS: I take umbrage at that electorate. The need for new stations, vehicles because I have not. and equipment is a constant theme. Recently, this Government demonstrated its Mr SPEAKER: The member will resume commitment to improving conditions in rural his seat and allow his colleague to continue his fire brigades. Last week I met with the rural fire speech. brigade at Westwood. We spoke about the Mr HEALY: I congratulate the former provision of a shed in which they could store Minister for Emergency Services, the their fire appliance. Again, it was a pleasure to Honourable Mick Veivers, for the way that he speak with Rural Fire Division volunteers who administered that portfolio. I had a fair bit to do were dedicated to providing a service that so with the former Minister at that time. His many people in rural Queensland rely on. I contribution to the portfolio was absolutely was able to advise them on how we might be exemplary. That contrasts with the way that able to obtain a shed for their new vehicle. the current Labor administration is handling Tonight I am pleased to say that in the the portfolio of Emergency Services. We find next few weeks there will also be three new not only that the Premier is ignoring the rural brigades in central Queensland. One of recommendations of his advisers by increasing those will be at Alton Downs, in my electorate. the fire levy by 14% but also that he has Another will be at Baralaba, which is in the effectively strangled any chance that the electorate of the member for Callide and will, Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority Board after the next election, be in my electorate. had of developing a strategy to manage that The third new brigade will be at Turkey Beach. vital service into the 21st century. The State Those new brigades will be provided as part of Government's decision to increase the urban approximately $4m in funding under the rural fire levy by $14 represents another broken fire fleet enhancement program. Under that promise by the Beattie Labor Government. program, 34 new fire appliances have been Time expired. delivered in recent months, and a further 41 will be rolled out across the State by June, Mr PEARCE (Fitzroy—ALP) (10.39 p.m.): I taking the total number of appliances delivered rise to speak against the motion for this year to 97. disallowance. Here we go again, a Labor member from a rural electorate standing in this I am proud to have been a part of Labor place to defend the need to properly fund rural Governments, under Premiers Goss and and urban fire services. When it was in Beattie, that have ensured a turnaround in the Government, the coalition cut Government quality of fire vehicles and equipment provided funding to rural and urban fire services; in to people in rural areas. I know that members Opposition, it wants to disallow increases that opposite agree with me, but they will not speak will ensure ongoing quality in respect of fire up. I would like to see them having the service delivery to people in rural Queensland. courage to acknowledge that. They know as well as I do that we have delivered and that People living outside major city centres the rural fire brigades appreciate what a Labor rely on the Rural Fire Division and auxiliary Government has done for them and are very firefighters to come to their aid when buildings concerned about what the Opposition is doing catch fire or bushfires strike. It is wonderful to tonight. see that the Rural Fire Service, its army of volunteers and the auxiliary firefighters will be Another 69 rural fire brigade vehicles are the winners out of the new urban fire and in the pipeline for next year. We are not community safety levy. This Government stopping at that. We will have one of the best understands how vital rural volunteer and equipped rural fire brigades in the nation, and auxiliary firefighters are to so many rural and it is all because a Labor Government regional communities. It has placed special appreciates and understands what they do emphasis on increasing the rural fire budget in and their need for proper equipment. Those fire appliances will go a long way towards recognition of the sterling job performed by enhancing the rural fire brigade fleet. Some of almost 50,000 volunteers right across the brigades receiving new vehicles have been Queensland. operating with trucks that are between 20 and Auxiliary firefighters also benefit from this 30 years old. This is scary. We have to look year's record $209m budget for the back only a few years to see which former Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority. The Government allowed this disgraceful situation QFRA rescue package will take this to develop. 29 Apr 1999 Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1999 1679

Those brigades will now be able to better purchases. We are delivering on our policy to protect their communities from the devastation boost expenditure on new equipment to the of bushfires. Rural fire volunteers in my district tune of $100,000, and safety gear to the tune and across the State were consulted widely on of $50,000. As a former miner and union the final design and equipment layout of the delegate, I am acutely aware of the need for new vehicles. So the people who will be using improved safety for the people who actually the vehicles and who know their requirements perform the job. The deaths of five volunteer have had the opportunity to have input into firefighters in Victoria in December last year the design of these vehicles. Credit has to be were a tragic reminder of the importance of given for that. That is the way to do this. There protecting our rural firefighters. Every time they is nothing worse than having bureaucrats—the are called to fight a blaze they take a people who live in Brisbane who go home to dangerous risk for the sake of the safety of their leafy suburbs every afternoon—trying to their community. design vehicles when they do not understand Rural fire brigades around the State are the demands in rural areas. As I said, it makes on full alert at the moment as the dry winter good sense to have the people who are using months approach. Rural volunteer firefighters the equipment having an input into the design know that the heavy rain and flooding of the equipment on which their survival may experienced throughout much of this State this hinge. Throughout the construction process of year has left a large amount of fuel on the the vehicles, we have asked volunteers what ground, which has the potential to create large was best for them. We believe consultation is and destructive fires. Over the past couple of the best way to ensure the safety of weeks, in my electorate I have spoken to land- volunteers. If they know of a better, safer way holders and people in rural fire brigades. of performing a task, we will certainly listen to Central Queensland is facing a huge crisis. them and modify their equipment to suit their Over the past couple of weeks, the grass has needs. dried out because of the strong south-easters. The budget allocation for rural vehicle A very dangerous situation is developing. I replacement complements a sizeable increase hope that landowners, the rural fire brigades, in general funding for the Rural Fire Division of Queensland Rail, Main Roads—all of those $3m over three years. A plan to consolidate people—start to think positively about where base funding for the Rural Fire Division took we are heading in relation to the coming shape when we were in Opposition. We are summer. We face a major problem. There is a now in Government and it is being lot of fuel out there and it does not take much implemented. In 1992, base funding was for a fire to get away. around $2.6m. Under Labor Party policy, it will The firefighters also know that people out reach $11m this year. This multitude of grants there have been complacent about the and top-ups will be consolidated. Then we danger. If everyone is complacent, that can intend to enhance fire service funding even prove a deadly mistake for everybody. That is further. why so much of the work is in averting the Our rural fire volunteers deserve the best danger before it happens through hazard and, under this Government, they will get it. reduction burning. Hazard reduction burns For as long as I represent a rural area, I will be minimise the danger to our army of volunteers, speaking to the Minister and making sure that just as they minimise the risk to property. she is listening and doing what is needed out Labor Governments have always been aware there. We said that we would boost funding for of the dangers associated with fighting wildfires the construction of rural fire stations. We have and structural blazes. In fact, Labor has a long delivered on that promise by boosting history of supporting rural volunteers. This subsidies for rural fire stations by 60%. Only equipment includes not only new vehicles but last week the new $85,000 Allora Fire Station also the issuing of free overalls, helmets and was officially opened. That station is a joint other personal safety equipment which is all services facility—another positive move—with important if these people are to do their job. both auxiliary firefighters' and rural firefighters' I am very pleased that each new rural fire vehicles housed in the one premises. That is vehicle provided by this Government will be only one of numerous rural and auxiliary fitted with more than $1,400 worth of facilities opened around the State this financial additional equipment, including a first-aid kit year. And it is not over yet; we are going to and a fire blanket. A simple thing such as a fire keep doing this. blanket, which is so important, will finally be We said that we would buy more land for provided to these people. This additional new rural fire stations. This year's Budget funding for vehicles, station construction, included an extra $100,000 for land firefighting and safety equipment means that 1680 Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1999 29 Apr 1999 our rural volunteer and auxiliary firefighters will Goss Labor Government! This has come back be better able to protect Queenslanders and to bite it. What has happened? The Labor themselves. Party bites the taxpayer to fund its Early this year the Government introduced mismanagement of six years. the State's first rural fire brigade manual. Not only has the Premier completely Brigades in my area, such as at Gracemere, reneged on his pre-election promise not to Dingo and Bluff, tell me that the manual fills a increase taxes or charges at a rate above the gap in guidelines and procedures for brigade CPI, but he has ridden roughshod over his members, making their administrative duties commitment to the people of Queensland to easier and less time consuming. manage the business of Government in an Time expired. efficient, cost-effective manner. He has completely ignored the recommendations of Mr MITCHELL (Charters Towers—NPA) his appointed experts and turned straight to (10.49 p.m.): I am pleased to rise to support ordinary Queenslanders—the battlers, the the disallowance motion moved by the workers—to solve his problems. member for Mirani. It is not only frustrating but downright shameful that I must stand in this As other members on this side of the House tonight and debate this motion for the House have already indicated tonight, the disallowance of a fire levy increase. In the Premier's scheme to slug the average PricewaterhouseCoopers report on the Queensland community highlights his Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority, complete lack of integrity and his total inability commissioned, I might add, by the Beattie to manage this State. While he is racing Government, the issue of fire levies as a around the State running regional Cabinets, contribution to the current and prospective attending forums and requesting deputations state of the QFRA finances is listed last in from Queensland communities, he is totally every section of the report. Of the eight key ignoring the advice and recommendations of issues identified by the professional, highly his highly paid advisers. experienced financial consultants as being Mrs Edmond: You are not going to pass contributing factors to the financial problems of the same speech around. the QFRA, the issue of fire levies is listed last. In fact, under the heading "Main Causes of Mr MITCHELL: I beg your pardon. the Deterioration in the Financial Position", While he is holding media conference which appears on page 10 of the Beattie after media conference, making gratuitous and Government commissioned report, the issue of apparently generous funding grants to fire levies does not even rate a mention. community groups with one hand, he is On the same page of this report, the grabbing every opportunity possible to delve eminently qualified practitioners recommended into the pockets of those same needy people three options to redress this situation and with the other. This is the only way that Labor generate sufficient funds. They were: an knows how to balance its books. Rather than annual compounding increase in the levy of implementing and managing Government 3.8%—not 14%—above the CPI for five years, business according to best practice principles, then reverting to annual CPI adjustments; an he is solving his management problems by annual compounding 4.5% decrease in penalising ordinary Queenslanders. operational expenditure for a period of five In 1997 when the coalition Government years; or some combination of both variables. established the Queensland Fire and Rescue Nowhere in the 90-page document have I Authority, it was recognised that the found any advice or even reference to the organisation required a total overhaul. It was blanket 14% increase as proposed by this acknowledged that the Goss Government had Minister. completely ignored adequate funding Let us have a look at the background allocations for the upgrade and replacement of from the PricewaterhouseCoopers report. The buildings and equipment. It was accepted that QFRA was established on 24 February 1997 wage and salary rates for our fire and rescue as a result of the Staib review in 1996, which workers were in desperate need of significant recommended a restructure of the old Labor catch-up increases. The Borbidge Government QFS. The diagnosis of the funding shortfalls understood that, to make sure that every points out that the service was underfunded Queenslander had access to a service which for a number of years. Leivesley believed that met the needs of its communities, a major the fire service was underfunded by $40m; overhaul and restructure was required. Staib believed it was approximately $30m. Now the Beattie Government has brought Who was in Government in those years? The a halt to sensible, sustainable restructure and 29 Apr 1999 Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1999 1681 turned to the ordinary Queenslander to provide emergency services reach and lead the world's a quick-fix solution which will make the Premier best practice standards. What I do dispute, look good when the QFRA books are though, and censure is the need for the inspected. His solution is not to follow the supposedly caring, battler friendly, accountable recommendations of his appointed Government passing the buck of its independent advisers; his solution is not to responsibility and its management to the follow the advice of the council of the QFRA community. What I abhor is the total lack of management and board; his solution is to respect that this Government has paid to every strike out at ordinary Queenslanders, including Queenslander by assuming that they would the people who work for the service. accept a 14% increase without question. Anyone who has ever been in business Here we have it again: when the going and has been associated with business or gets tough and the Labor Government cannot corporate organisations knows that the budget enough, the battler, the worker and the implementation of new initiatives takes time, home and landowner have to pay the dump. particularly when the organisation is attempting Tonight we have heard the slug on third-party to overcome years of mismanagement. Before insurance for these people to drive their own members on the other side of the House jump car, a slug to have a steak meal and a slug on up and down and declare that it was the people to run their own abattoirs in their small coalition Government that caused the communities and a slug on the protection of situation, they should think about this: the the home and belongings for a service of the amalgamation of the fire boards under the QFRA. This is all on top of the increase in land Goss Government from 1992 to 1995 saw the valuations, which will also be added to their fire service inherit approximately $57m in debt. rates come August this year. Local In addition, loans were taken out to fund the government, the collector of rate payments, shortfalls in the change of funding from the will cop the brunt of the anger of taxpayers for insurance-based system to the property-based all these additional imposts created by this system. The net repayment of these loans to can't do Labor Government. date is $43m. This has severely hindered Before I finish, I wish to take this attempted improvements to fire service opportunity to thank all those members right delivery and contributed to the drain on the across Queensland—there has been a great State fire service trust fund, through which the representation in Charters Towers—of the QFRA operates. QFRA, ambulance and emergency services for The Labor Government's solutions to their support of the Leukaemia Foundations' these situations is to stop purchasing Shave for a Cure day. It was a tremendous equipment and allow our appliances to effort by all for a very worthy cause. continue to operate beyond their life A Government member interjected. expectancy, stop maintaining this ageing equipment, stop land acquisition planning for Mr MITCHELL: I declined the offer, yes. the placement of new fire stations and stop Ms STRUTHERS (Archerfield—ALP) employing the staff required to ensure (10.58 p.m.): Let me say from the outset that, effective management of business services. if the firemen's calendar with those hunky Now it has come up with an even better bodies made enough money, maybe we solution: make every Queenslander pay for its would not have to introduce this levy. But even recurrent mistakes; dump its pre-election those hunky bodies are not enough to raise promises; convince the Queensland the funds that are needed for the fire service in community that this appalling increase in the Queensland. fire levy is not its fault; lay the blame at the There is a common perception that feet of the previous coalition Government, firefighters do simply that—fight fires. While which sought long-term solutions to these that may have been true in the past, it is long-term problems; increase the fire levy by certainly not the case now. Over the past 10 14% now; and, when the next election comes years, their roles have changed progressively, around, hope that the community has and communities across Queensland are safer forgotten that the Beattie Government forced places thanks to that transformation. In my them to provide the solution to this area of Archerfield and throughout the State Government's and the Goss Government's the proactive side of the Queensland Fire and mismanagement of essential services. Rescue Authority—fire education and fire A fire levy increase of 14% is unjustifiable. safety—is increasingly coming to the fore. The No-one in this House denies that the QFRA funds allocated for these activities are an requires additional funding and resources. essential investment in the safety of Nobody here will argue against ensuring our Queenslanders. 1682 Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1999 29 Apr 1999

In 1995, 27 people died in house fires in It is a message they know the children will take Queensland—a shocking 27 deaths. That into their adult lives. tragic waste of life fell to 11 in 1996 and then There are a multitude of worthy and to five in 1997. Last financial year, four people successful fire education and public safety died in domestic fires in Queensland—the programs taught by our firies. Each year lowest figure for more than a decade. The taxpayers foot the bill for deliberately lit fires at QFRA aims for zero preventable fire deaths. It schools and other Government owned is up to every one of us in this place to help it properties. According to statistics, many of achieve that worthy goal. these fires are lit by children and teenagers. While one fire related death is one too Deliberately lit fires not only cost many, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence Queenslanders millions of dollars each year that the dramatic improvement has been but also endanger lives—the lives of our brought about by the hard work of firefighters. children and our family members. Last year There is little doubt that it is linked to fire almost 1,000 fires in Queensland were set by education and fire safety programs juveniles. One hundred and fifty-five schools implemented by our firies in the cities, towns were partially or severely damaged by fires, and rural areas of Queensland. including Macgregor, Jindalee, East Brisbane No longer do firefighters sit in stations and Capalaba in the Brisbane south area. waiting for the siren to sound to prompt them Most of these fires were set by children or into action. They are seen every day out teenagers. More than 100 children are there—in schools, conducting public charged with lighting bush and structural fires awareness programs, raising the profile of the each year. One 14-year-old boy started nearly fire service, completing safety checks and a thousand fires over a three-year period. It is advising people about where best to position a miracle that he was not hurt or that he did fire alarms. The aim: to reduce death and not hurt other people. property damage. And it is working. But we I am sure members would agree that cannot become complacent. Our firefighters these statistics are alarming, but of even will not let us become complacent. They will greater concern is evidence that child fire continue to push a simple but very effective setting can lead to adult arson. The QFRA has message: be prepared and take precautions developed a program aimed at breaking the to reduce the fire risk. But to do this, they need fire setting habit in young children with a fire proper funding. fascination program. They are to be The QFRA must be adequately applauded for this initiative. The Fight Fire resourced. This Government is doing just that. Fascination program, aimed at older primary The Emergency Services Minister, Merri Rose, schoolchildren, is part of the QFRA's proactive has seen to that. The funding rescue package approach to public safety and awareness. gives the QFRA financial security. It gives Around 30 firefighters have been specially Queenslanders and Queensland's firefighters trained to deliver the Fight Fire Fascination security. The $25.5m in additional funding program to children right across the State. The which will be generated by the levy increase Government allocated $33,000 for their will allow the QFRA to maintain its high quality training. Firefighters have already worked with service delivery. Just as importantly, it will a number of children who have been identified enable the fire service to enhance its fire as fire setters. They spend time counselling safety and education role. the children and their parents in the home. I Do members recall the heroism of seven- am delighted to say that to date they have year-old Moranbah youngster James Mallon? had a 97% success rate with the children they James was named the first Queensland junior have counselled. They have worked with firefighter after he led his two little brothers, children as young as three and as old as 16. Macauley and Patrick, and three-year-old Those firefighters involved with the program sister, Anna, from their burning home to believe it works because children have a safety. James' actions proved that the QFRA natural respect for firefighters. Fire Ed program works. It saves lives and it will This year firefighters plan to expand the continue to do so. The program targets 40,000 Fight Fire Fascination program by going into Year 1 youngsters a year. There are now kids schools and talking to older primary school such as James in cities and towns across the students. They will talk to them about good State, thanks to the Fire Ed campaign fires and bad fires, what happens when you firefighters have taken into schools. They are light a fire and how fire should be used as a keen to get the message across to young kids. tool, not a toy. 29 Apr 1999 Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1999 1683

Like all members of the House, I am Mr HEGARTY (Redlands—NPA) greatly disturbed by the number of fatal car (11.08 p.m.): It is an indictment of this accidents involving young Queenslanders. Government that the Opposition has had to Firefighters are no strangers to car accidents. move this disallowance motion tonight. It will Mr Mickel: Exactly right. be an indictment of each and every member opposite—all 45 members opposite—if they Ms STRUTHERS: The member for Logan fail to support the coalition's motion. It will be is right on the ball with these issues. He knows an indictment because they will have made a what goes on in his area and he knows that conscious decision to break a key election firefighters play an important role in Logan. promise. Firefighters are concerned by the number It is no secret that Peter Beattie and his of road accident rescues. They are called to Labor Party team went to the State election those that involve young, inexperienced drivers last year with a commitment to all quite often. In the last financial year, fire crews Queenslanders that taxes and charges would responded to twice as many road accidents as not increase above the inflation rate. They did they did five years ago. In total they not give that commitment only once but on responded to almost 4,000 rescues, a vast numerous occasions in various parts of the majority of which were road accidents. State. When they fell one seat short of being This year the QFRA plans to show Year able to form a Government, in a desperate 12 students the horrors of road accidents and effort to receive his support Mr Beattie the devastating effect they can have on reiterated that commitment in a letter to the people's lives. The Road Awareness and member for Nicklin. Ten months have now Accident Prevention program, RAAP, has passed and the Beattie Labor Government is been trialled in the south-east corner of the just itching to break its promise. State and is targeted at Year 12 students. The QFRA is to be applauded for this initiative, Mr SPEAKER: Order! This is actually which has already been well received by repetition. I heard this speech from the teachers, parents and past accident victims previous Opposition speaker. Is this speech a who have been part of the program to date. copy? The RAAP program is just one of several Mr HEGARTY: No, Mr Speaker. We are of QFRA public safety initiatives geared towards like mind. This is a very important issue. This is teenagers and adults. original intellectual property. The package of goodies provided by Mr SPEAKER: Order! It really is yours? I firefighters does not stop there. Later this year will let the member continue. the QFRA will launch another fire safety Mr HEGARTY: The Opposition has come education program, this one targeted at senior forward with this motion tonight to ensure that citizens. The Retire Ed program will use retired the credibility of Parliament and of all its firefighters as peer group educators because members remains intact. of their wealth of experience in dealing with domestic fires. The Retire Ed program will Mr Speaker, you can imagine how much provide advice on safe evacuation plans for of a shock it was to all Queenslanders when elderly people maintaining an independent they awoke several weeks ago to hear the lifestyle, as well as information on the correct announcement that the urban fire levy was to installation of smoke alarms and potential fire increase by 14%. They were not only shocked hazards around the home. by the price increase, they were not only shocked by the broken promise but they were Today the QFRA is about more than just also shocked by the sheer magnitude of the putting out fires. Each year it takes a more dishonesty being peddled by those members proactive approach to public safety. This opposite. approach is paying dividends. Lives are being saved. This shows the effectiveness of public The State coalition is adamant that there education programs run by our firefighters. The is no need for a 14% increase in the fire levy, 27c a week increase in the urban fire levy will just as we are adamant that there is no need ensure that programs such as those I have for the Beattie Government to introduce a hike outlined will be expanded. Twenty-seven cents in butchers' fees by up to 300%, or a further a week extra is a small price to pay for peace $40 rise in the compulsory third-party of mind, a small price to pay to ensure the premiums. We are equally adamant that the service is properly funded into the millennium, Beattie Labor Government must be made to and a small price to pay to save Queensland adhere to the commitments it gave all lives. This disallowance motion cannot be Queenslanders, just as we are adamant that accepted. Queenslanders' lives are at stake. the member for Nicklin must also adhere to the 1684 Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1999 29 Apr 1999 document he signed with Mr Beattie last year. It is very obvious why the Minister never The member for Nicklin signed a contract with released the report. She never released the Mr Beattie that went far beyond relating just to report because it did not back her claim that the people of Nicklin. That contract related to an increase in the fire levy was necessary. The the people of Queensland. And tonight the increase in the fire levy has nothing to do with member for Nicklin will be given the opportunity some imaginary debt in the QFRA's finances. to decide whether he will honour the signature Even the Beattie Government's own Budget he inscribed or whether he will join the Premier papers confirm that the trust fund had an by leaving a dark stain of dishonesty and $18m surplus. Instead, the Minister's decision deceit right across the pages of Hansard. to increase the fire levy is a direct result of the When the previous Borbidge Government Beattie Government's failure to provide left office, we also left in place a trust fund for enough finances in its 1998-99 Budget to the Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority maintain an adequate fire service. This which had a surplus of $18m. And when we increase is nothing more than a money grab left office, we also left an economy and a aimed at trying to get the Government off the Treasury which were the envy of every other hook for taking responsibility for funding the State. But in the 10 months since Labor took Fire and Rescue Authority. office, that economy and that Treasury have It is important to note that the 14% hike in obviously deteriorated significantly. the fire levy impacts not just on households; it Several weeks ago, the Minister for also impacts on every commercial operation, Emergency Services made the announcement every voluntary club, every private school and that all householders in Queensland were to child-care centre and every hospital in cop a major hike in their fire levies. When the Queensland. There is no end to the lengths to Minister made that announcement, she kept a which this Government will go to scrape straight face and said that the increase was together a few extra dollars in direct necessary because the QFRA trust fund contradiction of a commitment it gave to all would be facing a debt of over $100m. The Queenslanders. Minister claimed that the debt had been The actions of the Labor Party tonight are identified in a report commissioned from PricewaterhouseCoopers which had been the very actions that have damaged the completed last year. Indeed, it had been reputation of mainstream politics. On the one completed before Mr Beattie and the hand we have Mr Beattie claiming he wants to Treasurer had handed down their first Budget. rid Queensland of the One Nation influence and that he wants to rid Queensland of the So if the report showed that an increase in the cynicism in which many people hold politicians, fire levy was necessary, why did the increase yet it is these very actions—these actions of not appear in the State Budget when it was blatant dishonesty—that in fact fan the flames handed down last September? Or was the of discontent. It is these actions—a blatant Minister being just a little bit too loose with the contradiction—which foster resentment of our truth when she claimed that the increase was political process. It is Mr Beattie and his 45 necessary as a result of this so-called members sitting opposite who give so many independent inquiry into the QFRA? Queenslanders yet another reason to be Equally, the Minister needs to explain why disenchanted with the political system. the people of Mulgrave were not told about the pending increase in the fire levy. After all, And even though the coalition wants no the so-called independent report, as the bar of this rampant dishonesty, the fact Minister herself claims, was completed well remains that all politicians—politicians as a before the Mulgrave by-election was held. The whole—get tarnished by these actions which Minister needs to further explain why she sat Mr Beattie insists must be carried through. on the report and refused to release its Well, there is an opportunity tonight to put a contents for nearly nine months. The Minister stop to that dishonesty. There is an needs to explain why she refused to provide opportunity tonight for all 45 members the Opposition with a copy of the so-called opposite to put the fundamental principle of independent report. She also needs to explain honesty ahead of party politics, and there is an why she refused a request from the Estimates opportunity for them to put their fundamental committee to receive a copy of the report. commitment to their electorates ahead of party After all, the Estimates committee made it very politics. As a Parliament, we must oppose the clear that it wanted a copy of the report to rise in the fire levy. We have it in our power to ensure that the State Budget allocations for do so. It is simply a matter of whether or not the Fire and Rescue Authority were indeed the members of the Labor Party have the will suitable. to do so. 29 Apr 1999 Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1999 1685

The Minister has made claims in various to ensure the continued funding of our newspapers that the failure to raise the fire magnificent Rural Fire Division, which protects levy tonight will result in the Government some 93% of this State. Next year, that will having to downgrade fire services. That claim cost an additional $25m. That is not my is a monumental indictment on the Minister's estimate; it is identified in an independent management of her portfolio and raises the audit of the QFRA finances as necessary to question: why can Labor not afford to keep the enable the QFRA to continue delivering fire services operational at existing levels services of the quality and level demanded by without increasing the fee when the previous Queenslanders. coalition Government was able to do so? And The Beattie Government is a Government if the member for Nicklin is adamant that he for all of Queensland. That is why we have believes the Minister's claim that the QFRA taken responsible steps to ensure the financial was facing a debt, then he must also explain: security of our fire service. That is what sets us why did he refuse a full Treasury costing of the apart from those opposite. We are willing to coalition's policies and the Labor Party's make the hard decisions—the decisions which policies when he was offered that opportunity are in the best interests of our fellow by then Premier Rob Borbidge? Queenslanders. It is as clear as day that this Government The motion before the House tonight is a has engaged in a monumental deceit, and it is farce—an absolute farce. It is transparent— as clear as day that it is about to endorse a completely transparent. Once again, complete backflip on a key election promise. Opposition members have put petty politics All members have a duty tonight to oppose above public safety. They have absolutely no that backflip by supporting this disallowance shame. This debate tonight shows that the motion if there is to be any credibility left in this members opposite are a joke. The fact that we Queensland House of Assembly. are even in this Chamber debating this motion Mr MUSGROVE (Springwood—ALP) proves beyond any lingering doubt that the (11.16 p.m.): I must say that I find it absolutely coalition will do anything to hide its own extraordinary that the member for Redlands incompetence in Government. Everyone talked about the needs of his electorate. If he knows that the Opposition was aware of where actually went out into his electorate and to the the fire service was heading—down the bay islands he would see the appalling state of financial tube. Those opposite were told so in the capital equipment on those islands. He two of their own reviews. What did they do? would see equipment not 10 years old or 15 Not a thing! Zilch! Those opposite ignored a years old, but 20 and 40 years old. By massive problem when they had an obligation standing up here tonight in support of this to look after Queenslanders. They were willing ludicrous motion, he is supporting the ongoing to compromise the safety of every Queensland wasting away of the capital equipment of the child and every Queensland adult. Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority in his Now those opposite seek to overturn a own electorate. I know many of the auxiliary course of action set in place by this firefighters—— Government which will ensure the viability of Mr HEGARTY: I rise to a point of order. I the QFRA well into the future. It will ensure that find that remark from the member for the QFRA is put firmly on the road to financial Springwood untrue and offensive and I ask recovery. It will ensure that we can continue to that it be withdrawn. deliver high-class fire services. It will ensure that firefighters continue to preach their fire Mr MUSGROVE: Precious petal! I education message in communities across the withdraw. State. Mr Palaszczuk: There's no need to. With the record of those opposite—and in Mr MUSGROVE: I will withdraw. It is late. particular the member for Southport—I guess He is getting precious. the present situation should come as no surprise to anyone. It is par for the course. It is This financial year the Beattie no secret that the former Minister, the member Government has allocated $209m to the for Southport, loves a round of golf. Perhaps Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority. So he should have spent more time securing the that those Neanderthals opposite can financial position of the QFRA and less time on understand, that means it costs more than the course. $200m a year to run our fire services— $200m-plus to ensure that a fire truck pulls up Mr Palaszczuk: He is not a bad bloke. outside my house or other members' houses Mr MUSGROVE: You are quite right. or the houses of other Queenslanders; $200m Gee, I feel bad about it, too. I really do not like 1686 Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1999 29 Apr 1999 having a go at someone when they are not Authority will be able to improve its service to here. If the member for Southport is listening, I the people. Queensland firefighters have been encourage him to come into the Chamber. in turmoil because of constant reviews and There is more to come. He is not a bad bloke. changes to the service. Under this He is an amicable bloke, but he could not run Government there has been stability. a chook raffle. Firefighters—both urban and rural—can now As others have said, the fire and concentrate on their job of protecting life and community safety levy increase is a small price property. The Labor Government will give them to pay. Without this levy, the QFRA trust fund the tools with which to do the job. This would be insolvent within two years. It would Government is committed to properly funding be $118m in the red within six years if the and resourcing the fire service. Government took no action. These issues We have provided a whopping budget—a were brought to the attention of the previous whopping $10m more than those scrooges Minister, the member for Southport, and to the opposite were willing to allocate before they attention of the previous board in April 1997. were booted out of office. Labor recognises A Government member: What did they the contribution of the Queensland Fire and do? Rescue Authority and its many thousands of staff—permanent, part-time and voluntary. Mr MUSGROVE: Nothing. Under the previous Government, in order to prop up the Mr Wilson: A great mob. QFRA trust fund, capital expenditure had to be Mr MUSGROVE: A great mob. diverted into recurrent expenditure to the Queenslanders are fortunate to have such extent that 45% of appliances are older than dedicated people protecting them and their 15 years—a lot of those are in the electorate property. The Opposition left the fire service of Redlands—which is the industry shuddering towards financial oblivion. The recommended standard. Capital money was QFRA deserves better, and the people of pumped into current expenditure while the Queensland deserve better. Our firefighters whole fleet was wasting away. need to know that this Government will look Members opposite have repeatedly after them. And we will! We will look after them asserted that the trust fund's closing balance so that they, in turn, can look after us and as at 30 June 1998 was $18.7m. If members preach the fire awareness message. opposite want to get out an abacus, or maybe The fire service is as close as phoning the take off their shoes to help with the counting, I nearest fire station or calling in to chat to the will go through how that money was already local brigade member. The first Beattie expended. It was expended in the following Government's Budget paved the way for a manner: $3.6m to complete capital works significant enhancement of fire services. In the projects; $3.5m to equipment and appliances urban division there is additional funding for on order; $700,000 to grants and subsidies for safety equipment, including breathing rural fire brigades; and $3.4m to general apparatus upgrades, 1,200 extra turnout coats expenses such as telephones, training and the and boots for auxiliaries and urban search and year 2000 compliance costs—a total of some rescue equipment. This Government has set $11.2m. The remaining $7.5m was required to aside $10m for the purchase of 69 new urban fund increased salary and wage costs as a fire trucks to be spread where they are most result of policy decisions of the previous needed throughout the State. This Government. The closing balance for 1998-99 Government recognises how vital the Rural is estimated to be a mere $490,000, which is Fire Division is to so many communities that manifestly inadequate for an organisation as we are elected to represent. important and as large as the QFRA. Time expired. The bottom line in all of this is that when Hon. B. G. LITTLEPROUD (Western the Nationals get into power we know that the Downs—NPA) (11.27 p.m.): In rising to support fire service is going to get into serious financial this motion of disallowance tonight, I must say trouble. I remember when the Bjelke-Petersen that it comes as no surprise to me that the regime left office. How big was the deficit at motion has been moved. The 14.3% increase that time? It was $50m. We have heard in the fire service levy is Labor to a tee. My first members opposite wax and wane about the experience with a Labor Government ongoing repayment of that debt. It was the anywhere in Australia was Gough Whitlam's coalition's debt. The authority was on the way Government in 1972. We all saw the reckless to financial oblivion again. ideology of that man and his Government. It is to the great credit of Minister Merri Since then I have witnessed the Governments Rose that the Queensland Fire and Rescue of Hawke, Cain, Bannon, Burke, Goss and 29 Apr 1999 Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1999 1687 now Beattie. There are certain things that are decided to march on Parliament House. I can characteristic and common to these Labor still remember the morning, before the bells Governments. They are strong on theory, had rung, when Tommy Burns came up to me strong on rhetoric, hopeless in management and said, "Brian, are you going to go down to and public money is no expense. I will repeat the rally?" I said, "I will be down there, Tom." those four issues: strong on theory, strong on He said, "I am going, too." I could see it in his rhetoric, hopeless in management and public eyes. He reckoned that he could take on those money is no expense. fellows. He had charmed people all over the We are in this House tonight to talk about backblocks of Queensland, he had charmed two things. The first is a rise that is well above them down at Wynnum and he thought that the consumer price index. The second the firefighters would be no trouble. The concerns integrity. We must remind the people member for Surfers Paradise came to the rally, of Queensland that the Premier of too. Queensland—a very pious man—wrote to the Tom insisted on speaking first. He started member for Nicklin and gave him an his normal, pretty forceful sort of attack, and assurance in order to gain Government. The tried to talk a bit of reason to the people. I can Premier told the people of Queensland on the tell members that the firefighters were not in hustings that there would be no new taxes and that sort of mood. They started to interject on no rises. Where is the integrity in that? Tom a bit and got under his ribs to the extent that he changed colour in the face and was I am going to make a prophecy tonight. rather rude to them. I will not mention in the Public money is no expense. When the House what was said, but it is sufficient to say election came up some eight or nine months that for years people remembered what Tom ago the call went out. We were told that there said to the firemen that day, and their feelings would be a free ambulance service for all did not subside. senior citizens. We all thought it was a great idea. The people who were going to benefit Of course, the firefighters were keen to from that service voted for the Labor Party. explain what they were on about. So we gave However, the catch is still to come. What is them an assurance and said that, yes, there Labor going to do now? Is it going to reduce had not been a wage rise for a long, long time. services in order to meet the extra cost? I bet There was also a morale problem in the that down the track somewhere there will be a service, probably because of some of the hike in Ambulance Service fees. I put that on personnel. Of course, by the time the election the record because it falls into the pattern of came around, we had gained their confidence. being strong on theory, strong on rhetoric, It was pretty well known that the firefighters hopeless in management and public money is were prepared to march and make statements no expense. Labor believes in getting elected saying that the coalition looked like giving the at any expense. fire service a much better deal than it ever received under the Goss Government, I want to talk about my own personal especially under Tommy Burns. experiences. In 1995 Tom Burns, the Deputy Premier, was Minister for Emergency Services. That brings me to the next issue that I The current Minister for Public Works and want to raise. A number of times now in this Minister for Housing, the member for House the Minister for Public Works and Rockhampton, was Mr Burns' sidekick down Minister for Housing has made an allegation here in Brisbane. He was helping to make the that I did something illegal in my dealings with place run. I came in as shadow Minister for the Queensland Firefighters Union. He claims Emergency Services, having previously been that there was a memorandum of shadow Minister for Corrective Services. I can understanding co-signed by the Firefighters tell honourable members that it was not long Union, Rob Borbidge and me. I can tell the before there was communication between the members of this House that there was no people in the fire union and myself. They were memorandum of understanding. I can tell talking about a lot of unhappiness— them exactly what happened. In common with unhappiness about their wages, unhappiness other members who receive letters from lots of about morale and leadership, and they were organisations, I received a letter outlining not getting a very good hearing from the something like eight or nine different issues Minister. that the Queensland firefighters wanted me to comment on. So I looked at the coalition's The former Minister, Mr Burns, had a policy and I was able to write back to them reputation of going anywhere in Queensland stating in general terms what we intended to and charming people off their feet. As the do about all of those points mentioned in the tension grew during 1995-96, the firefighters letter. I signed the letter and Rob Borbidge, 1688 Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1999 29 Apr 1999 the former Premier, signed the letter and we no new taxes and no increases in taxes and sent it back to the union. There was no co- then come up with something such as this signing by the Firefighters Union, there was no increase of 14.3% in the fire levy. collusion; it was a matter of straight I notice that lots of small rural fire brigades correspondence to me and we sent a letter in my area have benefited to the tune of back to them. Yet the Minister for Public Works something like $8,000 or $9,000 because they and Minister for Housing has made allegations were given water tanks and pumps that can about this matter. I can tell the honourable slide onto appliances. These tanks hold 1,500 members of this House that there is no truth litres. A lot of the funding for those tanks came whatsoever to those allegations. I find it from the Gaming Machine Community Benefit offensive that those allegations should be Fund, and those rural fire brigades were made so many times. So now it is on the thankful for that. I think that a lot of those record that that is exactly what happened. tanks were also given to the fire brigades in The member for Fitzroy referred to the the urban/rural interface along the east coast number of appliances that have been of Queensland. There is a growing demand for commissioned so far during the term of the fire services in the urban sprawl. People are Beattie Government. I think that the member moving out of urban areas into the forests that mentioned 34. Anyone who understands what surround our cities. That creates one hell of a went on after the change of Government problem. We have been lucky enough to would know that, by and large, the Beattie escape the problems that have occurred in Government took over the Budget that had South Australia, Victoria and New South been put forward by Premier Borbidge. In fact, Wales. However, it is to the credit of that on the day that the Budget was brought down, Gaming Machine Community Benefit Fund I can recall overhearing the Premier and that it has been helping those rural fire Deputy Premier, who were walking down the brigades. However, it is important to realise hallway just behind me after the Budget had that the planning to acquire these big been produced saying, "That is a pretty good appliances has, in fact, been ongoing for quite Budget, isn't it?" It was, because the former some time. Minister, the member for Southport, had been It is also interesting to notice that missing successful in negotiating with Cabinet to get from the speakers list is the former executive some extra money to try to improve things for officer of the Queensland Firefighters Union, the Queensland fire service. The reality is that the member for Sunnybank, who also went lots of those things are now occurring. It is down to that rally held by the firefighters in good to see that. It is all being done with front of Parliament House. He was not very public money. Although these things are well received by his former members. I thought occurring during the term of the Beattie that he might have liked to speak to this Government, credit needs to be given to the disallowance motion. member for Southport who, in fact, did wonderful things to try to inject more money I reiterate that I support this disallowance into the fire service. motion put so ably by the member for Mirani against the increase in fees, firstly because Previously, I heard the Minister interject they are well above the increases in the CPI; about the time in the 1980s when Martin Tenni was the Minister. I will admit that, at that time, and, secondly, it is a breach of a promise there was one big mess. A fellow from given to the people of Queensland when the Tasmania came to Queensland and election was held and also to the member for introduced a system of levies without properly Nicklin, who helped Labor form Government. trialling it. We got into a hell of a mess. Mr WILSON (Ferny Grove—ALP) However, we were big enough to say that it (11.36 p.m.): I rise to strongly oppose this could not work the way it was, and we put disallowance motion. The people in the Ferny aside some funds for that until it was all sorted Grove electorate and in the suburbs of the out. It was a mess, and it took a while to work north-west of Brisbane know only too well how out. However, I can tell members that the valuable the Queensland Fire and Rescue member for Southport was working Service is to our safety and to the safety of our consistently at getting more money for the fire loved ones, our homes and other properties. service to get things on track. Hopefully, the The Samford Rural Fire Brigade is staffed by a Government will continue on in the same way large, dedicated contingent of well-qualified and we will get things right. However, I ask the volunteers and is well known throughout the Government to please not go to the people of Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority as Queensland when an election comes around being at the leading edge of fire and rescue in and make promises that there are going to be a rural setting. There is tremendous 29 Apr 1999 Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1999 1689 community support for the proactive approach Foundation's Shave for a Cure event. They of the brigade. The long-established Arana helped to raise more than $1m for bone Hills Fire Brigade is staffed by highly regarded marrow cancer research. They have been professionals who play a vital role in our long-time supporters of the burns unit at the suburbs. They, too, are very much seen as the Royal Children's Hospital in Brisbane, raising community's friend at all times, not just in hundreds of thousands of dollars over the times of danger or tragedy. These vital local years. These men and women do not sit services can be sustained only if the QFRA is around their stations and wait for a fire, they kept financially sound and viable, not just now, are out there every day helping their but in the long term. community in an endless number of ways. I On a State level, the QFRA is going heard one firefighter describe his role as that through an evolution. It is changing from a of a guardian angel. I could not agree more. service that merely responded to fires to the Mr BEANLAND: I rise to a point of order. more proactive organisation that it is today. It Madam Deputy Speaker, I draw your attention is a service that not only fights blazes but also to the state of the House. is actively involved in educating the community Quorum formed. about fire safety and prevention as well as providing road accident and other rescue Mr WILSON: That is part of the more services. Every day, our firefighters, be they proactive approach of the Queensland Fire urban, full-time, part-time or rural volunteers, and Rescue Authority. Our firefighters revel in attend highly dangerous incidents involving not the opportunity to do more for their just fires, but gas leaks, chemical spills and communities. Over the past decade or so, toxic fumes. Whatever task they are carrying rescue work has become a major part of a out, whether it is responding to structural fires firefighter's job. They are often the first on the or wildfires, rescuing people trapped in blazing scene at road accidents where people may be buildings or cutting victims from the mangled trapped, and they are now undergoing wrecks of road accidents, firefighters save extensive training in urban search and rescue, lives. trench rescue, high angle rescue, vertical In September last year, we saw them rescue, swift water rescue and confined space called to remove from a Brisbane city building rescue. a canister believed to contain the deadly In addition, they are actively involved in legionella bacteria. In February this year, managing chemical spills and hazardous firefighters from Innisfail and Babinda rescued materials. When people watch the evening seven people out of fast-flowing rapids at news and see figures in spacesuits attending Josephine Falls. There are countless other chemical incidents, they should know that stories of rescues carried out by firefighters those people are our firefighters. When one during the February/March floods that thinks about the highly toxic concoctions that devastated so many Queensland industry uses, one can begin to understand communities. They also pitched in to help in the level of danger that our firefighters are the massive clean-up in the wake of the exposed to every day. This Government floods, some of them the worst this century. redirected $300,000 to front line operations Every week in the newspapers around the after abolishing the fire and ambulance State there is a litany of good and sometimes boards. Around $36,000 of that was spent on heroic deeds performed by firefighters. There six new chemical suits for stations around the are stories of firefighters delivering babies, State. reviving smoke inhalation victims, cutting The impact of road accidents on the motorists out of car wrecks, comforting a QFRA has grown significantly in the past few young mother whose child has just died in a years. Most people would not be aware that road accident, and mopping up after severe firefighters attend more than twice as many flooding in many parts of the State. A number road accidents as they did less than five years of our firefighters are now in New South Wales ago. In 1997-98, fire crews responded to as part of our Queensland army battling to 3,969 rescues. The vast majority of those were prevent the spread of the highly virulent road accidents. In comparison, crews Newcastle disease outbreak in the heart of the responded to 1,899 rescues in the 1993-94 central coast's poultry industry. Many of those financial year. This financial year, more funds men and women who volunteered their time to have been committed to purchasing and help our southern counterparts had bald upgrading road accident rescue gear around heads, not because they think that baldness is the State. The savings made from the a fashion statement but because so many of abolition of the fire boards took that level of them have taken part in the Leukaemia funding even further. Around $35,000 of the 1690 Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1999 29 Apr 1999

$300,000 in board savings was spent on Every day some Queenslander additional road accident gear alone. somewhere needs the QFRA, but right now This Government is well aware that the QFRA needs us. It needs this rescue enhanced training, equipment and skills are package to maintain the high level of service essential for firefighters to be able to adapt to that it provides to us. Will we be here for them their ever-changing role. Many people would today so that they can be there for us today, not know that close to 100 QFRA staff are now tomorrow, the day after that and the day after recognised as being trained to a high level in that? They are our guardian angels. Without urban search and rescue. This training will proper Government support for the fire service, enable Queensland firefighters to join a every single Queenslander would be a great national force that can be called on in major deal worse off. emergencies such as the Thredbo landslide With all members of the Beattie and potential bomb explosions such as the Government, I intend to stand by the brigades one that occurred in Okalahoma a number of throughout Queensland, especially the years ago. It is also likely that their services will brigades at Samford and Arana Hills. We can be required for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. all afford 27c a week. We cannot afford lives and property to be lost unnecessarily. In the last Budget, this Government committed close to $400,000 to new search Hon. M. ROSE (Currumbin—ALP) and rescue equipment for the fire service. That (Minister for Emergency Services) (11.45 p.m.): money was spent on 138 rescue harness and This disallowance motion shows the absolute ropes packs, which have been placed on contempt that members opposite have for the urban fire appliances throughout the State. It safety of Queenslanders. I place on the record is planned to train every permanent firefighter the fact that the shadow Minister who moved in Queensland to a basic level to use vertical this disallowance motion is not in the Chamber rescue equipment. at this time and certainly was not in the Chamber during the last speech. We recognised the need to move quickly in providing our firefighters with the necessary Members opposite are playing Russian skills and tools to deal with major incidents. roulette. They are gambling with the lives of Only last year we saw how vital this training Queenslanders. The cheap political stunt that was when the Opal Centre building in Fortitude they are playing here tonight is going to Valley collapsed. Our firefighters undertook the backfire on them. It will blow up in their faces. I search for people trapped on the site. Again want Queenslanders to be left in no doubt that incident highlighted the dangers whatsoever that Opposition members—every associated with being a modern-day firefighter. single one of them—are willing to compromise the safety of their fellow Queenslanders. That While firefighters have always carried out is exactly what a vote for this ridiculous rescues, this is the first time that there has disallowance motion means. been such a focus on training officers. It This motion has been brought by those means that whenever those officers attend an opposite to cover their own incompetence and incident of any kind, they will be able to hypocrisy. They do not seem to understand respond efficiently and safely. That will be simple economics. They have implied that the another string that they can add to their $18m that was left in the bank after they were already impressive bow. Firefighters also kicked out of office was going to be sufficient undergo first-aid training. Lives have been to run a $200m organisation. They were, and saved because firefighters were able to attend still are, poor economic managers. The to a sick or injured patient in the absence of an purchase of industrial harmony by employing ambulance. 135 firefighters was bought on credit The independent report that was card—buy now and pay later. What was their commissioned last year from chartered plan to enable them to pay later? They did not accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers showed have one! The economic genius from that unless the fire and rescue levy was Southport, with the active complicity of the increased, the QFRA would be insolvent. The member for Caloundra, simply did not have a alternative to a 27c a week levy increase would plan. The former Treasurer has told us as be to sack firefighters, close stations and much. They just ran bills up on the slate. I compromise on equipment and training. This wonder how they were going to get Treasury to Government was not willing to do that. This wipe the slate clean for their petulant Government is fully aware of the job that our promises. firefighters do for every member of this Now members opposite would have this Chamber and for every Queenslander. House reject a move by the Government to 29 Apr 1999 Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1999 1691 ensure the safety of Queenslanders living in How much attention did it pay to its own communities right across the State. The report? Virtually none! Throughout the term of Opposition wants to jeopardise the safety of Government of members opposite, the our firefighters—urban permanents and part- situation deteriorated, with unfunded initiatives time and rural volunteers; the 50,000 people piling up—enterprise agreements, restructuring who collectively protect life and property. and new head office positions—all without any This motion is a scandalous abuse of the regard for the financial health of the fire Westminster system. Every single member in service. It was completely irresponsible. this House should support what the In 1997 we had the Masters report—a Government is doing to ensure the financial report which rang alarm bells yet again. That security of our fire service. It is no secret that report was kept secret until we tabled it in the the Government inherited an appalling legacy House for all Queenslanders to see. Members from the coalition. I have said it before and I opposite were warned as early as April 1997 will say it again: the QFRA was a financial that the QFRA trust fund was heading into the basket case when we came to Government. If red, according to consultant Paul Masters, by the QFRA was a private company, it would the end of the 1999 financial year. Just to have been insolvent. Shareholders would have refresh the memories of those opposite, I will voted out the board—the Opposition Leader, quote from Masters. He stated— the former Treasurer and the former Minister, "Budget predictions indicate the the member for Southport. Luckily, the QFRA will be in a deficit financial situation shareholders—the people of Queensland—did by the end of the 1999 financial year." exactly that. It was left to us to repair the Again, he stated— damage and we accepted the challenge that those opposite refused. "... urgent action will need to be taken to correct the deteriorating situation." Just two nights ago I took great pleasure in informing the House that we had turned "Urgent action"! He stated further— around the disastrous mess that was the "Whatever options are adopted, it is Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority under essential urgent action be taken to stop the coalition. On Tuesday evening I found it the deteriorating financial position." incredible that members opposite would even Members opposite cannot hide from the truth. put their heads up on this issue, considering The shocking truth is that they did absolutely their appalling record. I gave them a nothing. What is it about the word "urgent" guarantee that every time they put their heads that they do not understand? up, we will lop them off. Come in spinner! Here they are again; they are gluttons for In relation to the coalition's actions during punishment. its term in Government, the report states— "All of the actions have again begun Three separate reviews of the fire service to drain the resources of the state fire highlighted the need for action. Two of those services trust fund through which QFRA reviews were undertaken when the coalition operates." was in Government. Those reports all said that the fire service needed additional funding or it Yet the Leader of the Opposition, with his would go broke. Staib, Masters, hand on his heart, states that the QFRA was PricewaterhouseCoopers: it is there in black financially healthy when they left Government. and white for all to see. It was not. No way! It was headed towards bankruptcy and insolvency. The former I am amazed that the coalition continues Government was going to have to close fire to pursue this matter when it has been shown station doors and sack firefighters. so clearly to be negligent in its responsibility to the fire service during its term in Government. One of the first things that I did when I Its irresponsibility extends back to the became Minister was commission an beginning of its short-lived term. The Staib independent financial audit of the QFRA report, which it commissioned, reported in trust fund. Respected auditors 1996 that additional funding was needed to PricewaterhouseCoopers discovered a address the ageing vehicle fleet, refurbish financial crisis which would have plunged the buildings and provide better equipment. It authority into debt by next financial year. The stated— review revealed some staggering and shameful facts. High among them was that the "Funding must therefore be former Minister and former Government were addressed as a critical priority for the acutely aware of the problem. When it comes future." to credibility, I would rather accept the word of 1692 Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1999 29 Apr 1999 a respected auditing firm such as The shadow Minister should ask the Leader of PricewaterhouseCoopers than that of those the Liberal Party. opposite. I am confident that the rest of Mr Schwarten: The speech of his tonight Queensland feels the same. will be given to every fire officer in Queensland. Just to refresh the memory of members Mrs ROSE: I will save the shadow opposite—and I know this will make them Minister the trouble of making sure that a copy squirm in embarrassment—I will now quote of his speech goes to every fire station from the PricewaterhouseCoopers report. It throughout the State. We might also distribute stated— a copy of the speech of the member for "A continuation of the QFRA's Western Downs, because he admitted that the operations on the current basis will lead to fire service was one big mess under the reduced effectiveness and insolvency." National Party. I thank him for his honesty. Insolvency! Our fire service was going broke. Our rescue package will help to protect The report told us that if we did not do communities across the State. It will also something now our fire brigades and ensure the future financial security of our fire firefighters would not have been able to service. As my colleague the member for protect our communities to the standard that Archerfield noted, the proposed 27c a week Queenslanders have a right to expect. What increase in the fire and community safety levy else did the report indicate? It stated— is a small price to pay for peace of mind. That "There is little evidence to suggest is less than the cost of a local phone call or a that action has been taken to rectify the postage stamp. But how much is a life worth? Very little, if we consider what the Opposition is major financial issues. Political issues have stalled action that should have been trying to do here tonight! That levy increase will taken by the board ... the capital of the allow a $25.5m annual injection of additional organisation is being eroded as funds are funds into the Queensland Fire and Rescue used for recurrent expenditure." Authority. Every cent will go into improving fire services to Queensland communities. Every It was a litany of economic and political firefighter and everyone else in the community mismanagement. Members opposite will know that members opposite oppose that mortgaged the financial future and viability of injection of $25.5m into the QFRA. the fire service. The alternative to the minor increase was With their unfunded 1995 election to sack firefighters, close fire stations and promises in respect of additional firefighters, compromise on equipment and training. That with their refusal to make adequate provision is what members opposite proposed—to do to fund the enterprise agreement, with their nothing and compromise people's safety. We refusal to fund the recommendations of the will not be a party to that unpalatable scenario. Staib review, which the QFRA board Queenslanders' lives are worth more than that implemented without worrying where the to us. We will not compromise the safety of money was coming from, the coalition Queenslanders. This package will ensure that demonstrated a breathtaking level of financial an improved standard of fire protection is irresponsibility. delivered and that the QFRA is properly Mr Malone interjected. funded into the 21st century. Mrs ROSE: I note the comment by the The House has heard how the additional shadow Minister that he had not had a briefing funding, on top of the record budget afforded on the PricewaterhouseCoopers report. So to the fire service by this Government, will allow that the facts are on the record, I point out that the QFRA to expand fire safety, education and my office was contacted by the Leader of the prevention programs. It will be able to focus on Opposition's office requesting a copy of the the full range of rescue services, from road report for the Leader of the Opposition. This accident to building collapse and swift water was after the announcement. I said that I was rescues, as well as responding to chemical more than happy not only to provide him with spills and incidents involving toxic materials. a copy of the report but also to organise for The funding boost will allow the QFRA to officers of my department to give him a significantly boost its ability to protect briefing on it. As it turns out, he was ill and the communities in respect of fires, rescues and Leader of the Liberal Party attended the other emergencies. briefing in his place. The shadow Minister will The winners out of all of this are have to take up with the Leader of the Liberal Queenslanders. The levy increase is Party why he did not tell the shadow Minister transparent, and even the blinkered members about the briefing or invite him to participate. opposite can see where the money is 29 Apr 1999 Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1999 1693 going—back into our fire services, back into Queenslanders deserve this. A vote for protecting firefighters and Queenslanders in this motion tonight is a vote to rob them of this communities across the State. Even before right. It is a vote to downgrade our fire service, tonight the Opposition showed its true colours. to downgrade fire protection, and to increase It showed people just how low it will stoop to the inherent risks of fire. The truth is that the cover up its embarrassment. It has peddled coalition's idea of funding for the 38-hour week untruths and innuendo right throughout the was, in the 1998-99 year, to approve $4.842m length and breadth of the State. The Leader for the implementation of the 38-hour week for of the Opposition and the member for Mirani firefighters. Its own Forward Estimates are the chief culprits. They cannot be trusted. document revealed that funding was They have proven that before and they are "regarded as temporary" and needed to be proving it again tonight. recovered in 1999-2000. That means that it Members opposite seek to make a big was a loan—and that loan was repayable by deal out of not being able to see the the QFRA. No provision was made for funding PricewaterhouseCoopers report. There was in the out years, being 2000-01 and 2001-02. absolutely nothing sinister about that. Unlike Do honourable members know how much those opposite, I was determined to resolve money the Opposition allocated for the 135 the problem. The PricewaterhouseCoopers additional firefighters? $250,000 for 135 report contained a range of funding options, firefighters! and I did not trust the Opposition not to distort An Opposition member interjected. the situation and play political games, and my mistrust was well founded. Its sheer hypocrisy Mrs ROSE: I have a copy of the Budget was revealed by the fact that, when I offered documents. Does the member opposite want to brief the Opposition on the report, as I said to see the Budget documents? Here it is— before, it was so disinterested that only the 1996-97, $250,000. There was no allocation in member for Moggill turned up. As I said, the the following years. Where was the money member for Mirani was very conspicuous by going to come from? his absence. The Opposition is willing to Mr BORBIDGE: I rise to a point of order. I compromise on safety; it is willing to use draw the Minister's attention to the last Budget Queenslanders as pawns in its petty political of the coalition Government, which budgeted games. How it can sit here tonight and expect that expenditure. the rest of this Parliament to be duped into supporting its motion is beyond Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Dr Clark): comprehension. Order! There is no point of order. This Government has put the fire service Mrs ROSE: I am happy to table the on a secure financial footing. We have been documents. Even if honourable members up front from the start; we made the tough believe the spurious claims of the Opposition decision; we did the responsible thing; and we spokesperson that these initiatives were resolved the funding issue. We did what those funded, where was the money going to come opposite—if they had the best interests of from? Once again it was to come from eating Queenslanders at heart—should have done, into capital outlays, something that is clear and they all know it. The facts are these: it will from the coalition's own Budget documents, cost $209m to run the QFRA this financial which show that total capital outlays were to year—$209m to provide the standard of fire decrease by $4.4m between 1997-98 and cover and fire education that Queenslanders 1998-99. Any member on the opposite side of deserve. Next year it will cost another $25m if the Chamber who votes for this disallowance we are to maintain or improve the service motion is voting against the safety of delivery, if we are to accelerate the Queenslanders and is voting against—— replacement of the ageing QFRA fleet, if we Mr Littleproud: We're voting on principle; are to train our firefighters—full-time, part-time you're telling lies. and rural volunteers—to high levels, if we are to provide protective clothing for and Mrs ROSE: So the member opposite safeguard the 50,000 firefighters who protect objects to an additional $25.5m injection into lives and property across the State, if we are to the fire service. properly equip our firefighters, if firefighters are Mr Littleproud: I'm objecting to people to continue to enhance their fire education and not keeping a promise. fire safety programs, and if they are to reach out to teenagers on the verge of taking to the Mrs ROSE: The member objects. That is roads to explain the need for caution behind what we will make sure that the Queensland the wheel. community knows—— 1694 Special Adjournment 29 Apr 1999

Mr LITTLEPROUD: I rise to a point of order. The Minister is being mischievous. I will put it on the record that I am objecting to a Government that does not keep its promise. Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order. Time expired. Question—That Mr Malone's motion be agreed to—put; and the House divided— AYES, 39—Beanland, Black, Borbidge, Connor, Cooper, Dalgleish, Davidson, Elliott, Feldman, Gamin, Goss, Grice, Healy, Hobbs, Horan, Johnson, Knuth, Laming, Lester, Lingard, Littleproud, Malone, Mitchell, Nelson, Paff, Prenzler, Quinn, Rowell, Santoro, Seeney, Sheldon, Simpson, Slack, Springborg, Stephan, Veivers, Watson. Tellers: Baumann, Hegarty NOES, 47—Attwood, Barton, Beattie, Bligh, Boyle, Braddy, Briskey, Clark, E. A. Cunningham, J. I. Cunningham, D'Arcy, Edmond, Elder, Fenlon, Foley, Fouras, Gibbs, Hamill, Hayward, Kingston, Lavarch, Lucas, Mackenroth, McGrady, Mickel, Mulherin, Musgrove, Nelson-Carr, Nuttall, Palaszczuk, Pearce, Pitt, Reeves, Reynolds, Roberts, Robertson, Rose, Schwarten, Spence, Struthers, Turner, Welford, Wellington, Wells, Wilson. Tellers: Sullivan, Purcell Pair: Pratt, Bredhauer Resolved in the negative.

SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH (Chatsworth— ALP) (Leader of the House) (12.12 a.m.): I move— "That the House, at its rising, do adjourn to a date and a time to be fixed by Mr Speaker, in consultation with the Government of the State." Motion agreed to. The House adjourned at 12.14 a.m. (Friday).

R. G. GILES, ACTING GOVERNMENT PRINTER, QUEENSLAND—1999