20 Oct 1998 Legislative Assembly 2495

TUESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 1998 "IN THE MATTER of The Electoral Act, 1992 IN THE MATTER of the election of One member of the Legislative Assembly for Mr SPEAKER (Hon. R. K. Hollis, Redcliffe) the electoral district of Mansfield in the read prayers and took the chair at 9.30 a.m. State of Queensland BETWEEN: FRANCIS EDWARD ASSENT TO BILL CARROLL Assent to the following Bill reported by Mr Petitioner Speaker— AND: ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF QUEENSLAND Transport Legislation Amendment Bill. First Respondent AND: PHILIP GERARD REEVES TSUNAMI DISASTER, PAPUA NEW GUINEA Second Respondent Mr SPEAKER: Order! I have received a ORDER correspondence from the Speaker of the Papua New Guinea National Parliament. I will JUDGE: Mackenzie J. read that correspondence— Date of Order: 21 September 1998 "Dear Speaker Hollis Document initiating this hearing: Hearing ... IT IS ORDERED that: It is with much pleasure that I wish to 1 . The petition be dismissed. inform you that I have received the 2. The question of costs be reserved. Motion of Condolence on the Tsunami 3. Submissions with respect to costs to Disaster which was passed by your be in writing and served on the other Parliament. parties and delivered the Associate It is heartening to know that there are to Mackenzie J no later than 4.00 pm friends who share with us our sorrow as on 25 September 1998. well as our happiness. 4. Any reply to be in writing and served As has been the case over many years, on the other parties and delivered to the people of Queensland and indeed the the Associate to Mackenzie J no later people of Australia have stood by us in than 4.00 pm on 29 September both good and bad times. 1998. Please accept our appreciation and Prepared in the Office of the Registrar." convey same to the mover of the motion, Mr SPEAKER: I lay upon the table of the Honourable P. D. Beattie, Members of House a copy of that order. your Parliament and the people of Queensland for the money and other humanitarian assistance which they sent OMBUDSMAN for the Tsunami Disaster victims. Annual Report I will be tabling the Motion of Condolence Mr SPEAKER: Order! Honourable when our Parliament meets on, Tuesday, members, I have to report that today I have 29th September 1998. received the annual report of the Queensland Ombudsman for 1997-98. I table the said Yours sincerely report. (Sgd) JOHN T. PUNDARI, MP PETITIONS Speaker of the National Parliament" The Clerk announced the receipt of the following petitions— ELECTORAL DISTRICT OF MANSFIELD Maryborough Hospital Mr SPEAKER: Order! I have to report that I have received from His Honour the Judge of From Dr Kingston (35 petitioners) the Court of Disputed Returns the following requesting the House to take the appropriate order— action to ensure that full and adequate 2496 Papers 20 Oct 1998 hospital services and facilities are retained in 15 October 1998— Maryborough and that the plans for the Board of Architects of Queensland— hospital redevelopment be restored to those Annual Report 1997-98 promised before the election. Board of Professional Engineers of Queensland—Annual Report 1997-98 Legal Ombudsman—Annual Report Persecution of Egyptian Christians 1997Ð98 From Mr Fenlon (59 petitioners) 19 October 1998— requesting the House to voice to the Egyptian Estimates Committee A—Report No. 1 Government the House's concern about the October 1998 mistreatment and persecution of the Christians Estimates Committee A—Report No. 2 of Egypt and the Egyptian Government's lack October 1998 of action in regard to the correction of these Estimates Committee A—Additional injustices. Information volume Estimates Committee B—Report October Far North Queensland Electricity Board 1998 From Mr McGrady (144 petitioners) Estimates Committee B—Additional Information volume requesting the House to instruct the Far North Queensland Electricity Board to return to their Estimates Committee C—Report October previous practice of annually pruning the trees 1998 beneath the powerlines or to put their Estimates Committee C—Additional powerlines underground. Information volume Estimates Committee D—Report October Petitions received. 1998 Estimates Committee D—Additional PAPERS Information volume Grain Research Foundation—Annual PAPERS TABLED DURING THE RECESS Report 1997-98 The Clerk informed the House that the Surveyors Board of Queensland—Annual following papers, received during the recess, Report 1997-98 were tabled on the dates indicated— STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS 24 September 1998— The following statutory instruments were tabled Public Works Committee—Annual Report by The Clerk— 1997-98 Animals Protection Act 1925— Tertiary Entrance Procedures Authority— Animals Protection Amendment Regulation Annual Report 1997-98 (No. 1) 1998, No. 275 1 October 1998— Building and Integrated Planning Amendment Electoral Commission of Queensland— Act 1998— details of polling at the State General Proclamation—repeal part 4 of the Election held on 13 June 1998 schedule to the proclamation made under 5 October 1998— the Act on 26 March 1998, No. 269 Trustees of the Eagle Farm Racecourse— Commissions of Inquiry Act 1950— Annual Report 1 July 1997 to 31 March Commissions of Inquiry (Forde Inquiry— 1998 Evidence) Regulation 1998, No. 278 6 October 1998— Commissions of Inquiry (Forde Inquiry— Quorum) Regulation 1998, No. 277 Parliamentary Criminal Justice Committee—Annual Report 1997-98 Community Services (Aborigines) Act 1984, Community Services (Torres Strait) Act 1984— 8 October 1998— Community Services Legislation Queensland Investment Corporation— Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1998, Annual Report 1997-98 No. 274 Queensland Investment Corporation Crimes (Confiscation) Act 1989— Investment Trusts—Financial Statements Crimes (Confiscation) Amendment 1997-98 Regulation (No. 1) 1998, No. 267 Queensland Investment Corporation— Education (General Provisions) Act 1989— Statement of Corporate Intent 1997-98 Education (General Provisions) Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority— Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1998, Annual Report 1997-98 No. 273 20 Oct 1998 Ministerial Statement 2497

Education (School Curriculum P-10) Act 1996— Public Service Act 1996— Education (School Curriculum P-10) Public Service Amendment Regulation Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1998, (No. 2) 1998, No. 256 No. 280 Tow Truck Act 1973, Traffic Act 1949, Electricity Act 1994— Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994, Electricity Amendment Regulation (No. 3) Transport Operations (Road Use Management) 1998, No. 260 Act 1995— Forestry Act 1959— Transport Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1998, No. 254 Forestry Amendment Regulation (No. 3) 1998, No. 263 Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act 1995— Forestry Regulation 1998, No. 264 Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Forestry (State Forests) Amendment Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1998, Regulation (No. 1) 1998, No. 281 No. 261 Gaming Machine Act 1991— State Counter-Disaster Organisation Act Gaming Machine Amendment Regulation 1975— (No. 3) 1998, No. 279 State Counter-Disaster Organisation Health Act 1937— Regulation 1998, No. 255 Health (Drugs and Poisons) Amendment MINISTERIAL RESPONSE TO A Regulation (No. 3) 1998, No. 259 PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE REPORT Indy Car Grand Prix Act 1990— The following response to a parliamentary Indy Car Grand Prix Amendment committee report, received during the recess, Regulation (No. 2) 1998, No. 265 and was tabled by The Clerk— Explanatory Notes and Regulatory Impact response from the Minister for Transport Statement for No. 265 and Minister for Main Roads (Mr Integrated Planning Act 1997— Bredhauer) to a report of the Travelsafe Committee entitled Brisbane's Citytrain Integrated Planning Amendment Network—Part One—Safety of the Rail Regulation (No. 2) 1998, No. 272 System and Infrastructure Proclamation—repeal part 4 of the MINISTERIAL PAPERS schedule to the proclamation made under the Act on 26 March 1998, No. 271 The following papers were tabled— Integrated Planning and Other Legislation (a) Minister for Communication and Amendment Act 1998— Information and Minister for Local Government, Planning, Regional and Rural Proclamation—the provisions of the Act Communities (Mr Mackenroth)— stated in the schedule commence 12 October 1998, No. 270 Report of the Local Government Electoral Interactive Gambling (Player Protection) Act and Boundaries Review Commission on 1998— possible changes to the external boundaries of the Cities of Ipswich and Interactive Gambling (Player Protection) Brisbane and the Shires of Boonah, Regulation 1998, No. 258 Laidley and Esk Proclamation—the provisions of the Act (b) Minister for Employment, Training and that are not in force commence 1 October Industrial Relations (Mr Braddy)— 1998, No. 257 Local Government Act 1993— WorkCover Queensland— Local Government Finance Amendment Annual Report for 1997-98 Standard (No. 2) 1998, No. 276 Statement of Corporate Intent for Mineral Resources Act 1989— 1997-98. Mineral Resources Amendment Regulation (No. 4) 1998, No. 268 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Native Title (Queensland) State Provisions Act 1998— Queensland Audit Office Proclamation—the provisions of the Act Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central— that are not in force commence 30 ALP) (Premier) (9.37 a.m.), by leave: The September 1998, No. 266 Public Accounts Committee of the 48th Nature Conservation Act 1992— Parliament tabled the report of its Review of Nature Conservation (Protected Areas) the Report of the Strategic Review of the Amendment Regulation (No. 8) 1998, Queensland Audit Office on 23 April 1998. No. 262 That review was a statutory requirement of the 2498 Ministerial Statement 20 Oct 1998

Financial Administration and Audit Act. The the first being next Monday. During this overall findings of the strategic review were process, we will be in there fighting hard for favourable and indicated that the Queensland. management and operational changes Let me now detail how Queenslanders will implemented over the past five years had led suffer if the GST is imposed on them. The real to significant improvements at the Audit Office. question is: what will Mr Howard's and Mr The strategic review was undertaken under the Costello's 10% goods and services tax do to new legislation introduced in 1993. This the price of the basic food groups? Let me complex and detailed review was not shed some light on this very important issue. completed until July 1997. An equally complex Peter Costello's own costings, his forecasts— and detailed review by the Public Accounts backed up by figures from Treasury—have Committee of that report was not completed predicted an average increase in the price of for another eight months and was delivered on fruit and vegetables of 5.7%. What an 23 April this year. outrage! The Government is required to respond to I table the relevant page of that the committee report, and I use this document for the information of members. opportunity to announce to the House that a Under Mr Howard and Mr Costello, apples and detailed response by the Government is in the oranges will cost 5.7% more. Bananas and advanced stages of preparation and will be pears will cost 5.7% more. Potatoes and provided to the Clerk as soon as possible. carrots will cost 5.7% more, as will lettuce and tomatoes—all the basic salads. How can a MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Government claiming to be helping out the battlers tell us that essential foods will cost at Goods and Services Tax least 5.7% more? The GST is a disincentive to Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central— eating healthy food. ALP) (Premier) (9.39 a.m.), by leave: On 13 The Queensland Heart Foundation has November I will be attending a Special already identified serious problems with our Premiers Conference in Canberra. The children's diets. The foundation says 40% of meeting has been called by the Prime Minister primary school age children do not eat fruit to discuss the Commonwealth's planned and at least 27% of primary school children do changes to the taxation system. I table the not eat fruit or vegetables. It has reported Prime Minister's letter of invitation. serious problems with childhood and I advise the House that I have written to adolescent obesity, with up to 50% of the Prime Minister indicating that Queensland Australian children recording high cholesterol will continue to vigorously oppose a GST. We levels. When we look at the trends being oppose a GST and the Commonwealth's reported, consider the effect a 10% goods and proposed tax reforms because they could services tax will have on our children's health. have an adverse impact on Queensland and If children already prefer fatty foods, what the people of Queensland. The State's service incentive is there to encourage them to eat industries, in particular hospitality and tourism, well if it is cheaper to eat takeaway than it is to could be hurt. As well, a GST would raise have an apple? How can Australian parents questions about financial equity and encourage proper eating habits if they cannot distribution of funds between the States. Any afford to buy the food? The GST is a tax on proposal to introduce a GST has to recognise our children's health. that Queensland is a low-tax State and that Furthermore, any change in the nation's Queenslanders should not have to subsidise eating habits has severe economic other States for their higher taxes. I also have implications on Queensland's farming to consider social equity and the impact on the communities—something about which I would disadvantaged. I table my letter to the Prime have thought members opposite would be Minister, clearly setting out Queensland's concerned. I am happy to fight for the farmers position. even if the members opposite are not. Mr Despite our opposition to a GST and Speaker, I will look after the farmers—don't planned tax changes, I will be attending the 13 you worry about that! November meeting, along with the Treasurer, As I said, any change in the nation's David Hamill, to ensure that Queensland is not eating habits has severe economic short-changed, and officials from the Premier's implications for Queensland's farmers, Department and Treasury will be involved in particularly on the Darling Downs and in north preliminary meetings, prior to 13 November, Queensland. And what of our rural and 20 Oct 1998 Ministerial Statement 2499 indigenous communities? How will this affect hiding behind the exemption provided by the them? The high costs of freight to rural and Act. Others are selling the product in ignorance remote areas has already pushed fruit and of the fact that it contains a potentially lethal vegetable prices through the roof. This tax will percentage of alcohol. My department's Liquor make that situation much worse. This 10% tax Licensing Division has written to all wholesale on the poor will damage the work we have distributors of these products as well as some done in improving the living standards and retail outlets who stock these essences conditions in our indigenous communities. All advising them that unless the sale of the the vital education programs in place to teach product is for cooking purposes, a licence is people how important it is to eat the right food required under the Act. The Government is will be compromised, because this sector of also taking action to amend the regulation to the community will not be able to afford it. ensure that the sale of cooking essences In short, this is a tax on our children's without a licence is restricted to where bottle or health that will also hurt rural and indigenous container sizes do not exceed 50 millilitres, or, communities and Queensland's hardworking in the case of vanilla essence, in containers up farmers. It is an unfair impost on Australians to 100 millilitres, except in the case of sales to who deserve much better from their leaders. I bona fide caterers. This will ensure that urge the Australian Democrats in the Senate essences for domestic cooking purposes and Senator Brian Harradine to stick to their remain available from supermarkets and public commitments and defeat the GST in the delicatessens, but larger quantities which are Senate. obviously marketed as a substitute beverage are only available from a licensed establishment. In the interim, I place all parties MINISTERIAL STATEMENT on notice that should my department's liquor licensing investigators discover any sign Alcoholic Food Essences whatsoever of these products being sold as Hon. R. J. GIBBS (Bundamba—ALP) substitute beverages, action to the fullest (Minister for Tourism, Sport and Racing) extent that the law provides will be taken (9.43 a.m.), by leave: I rise to bring to the against offenders. attention of the House an issue which is of increasing concern to me and the Government. In recent times, a marketing MINISTERIAL STATEMENT trend has emerged where alcoholic food Japanese Economy essences are being packaged for sale in containers as large as 500 millilitres, which Hon. D. J. HAMILL (Ipswich—ALP) may be readily mixed with water to produce a (Treasurer) (9.46 a.m.), by leave: Last week, palatable drink imitating liquor products such accompanied by senior executives of the as rum, whisky, ouzo and the like. Queensland Treasury Corporation, I met with senior bankers, economists and business The Liquor Act and regulations detail leaders in Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo. particular sales of liquor which are not required These business leaders are not up-beat about to be licensed. One of these exemptions short-term prospects for the region. In fact, allows the sale of alcoholic cooking essences if while official Japanese Government figures the essence is not used as a beverage or to suggest economic growth this financial year of manufacture a beverage. This commonsense negative 1.8%, Japanese economists expect exemption allows the sale of cooking essences growth in the current fiscal year to plunge as in supermarkets, delicatessens and other low as negative 3.2% and, at best, in the next stores. However, availability of these new year "recover" to only zero growth. generation cooking essence products from supermarkets and delicatessens, combined This, in the second largest economy in with a retail price from as little as $4.60 per the world and Queensland's largest single bottle, has made the product attractive, trading partner, is not good news for the global particularly to minors. Unfortunately, these economy nor for us. If the $A900 billion bank essences may have an alcohol content as rescue that the Japanese Government is high as 80%, which is sometimes not detailed proposing is successful, if America does not on the bottle label and which may result in a slip into recession and if there is not a dangerous cocktail for young people. worldwide credit crunch, there are reasonable prospects for recovery for Japan. Elsewhere in It has come to my attention that some the region other leading economies such as unscrupulous shopkeepers are marketing those of Singapore and Hong Kong are now these essences as a liquor substitute, whilst convinced that Japan will not lead any regional 2500 Ministerial Statement 20 Oct 1998 economic recovery, and are themselves world of uncertainty and a region of negative downgrading growth forecasts. growth, with Taiwan and China the only Already there has been a flight of capital glimmers of light. But secondly and most from developing economies which has importantly, Queensland is better placed than impacted negatively on the ability of our most to weather the economic storm and be trading partners in the region to stimulate their well positioned to grow strongly as the region economies. Already there has been a marked recovers. tightening in credit markets, and in some countries we have seen substantial asset MINISTERIAL STATEMENT deflation. Words such as "bleak" are often used by economists in the region to describe Queensland Arts Council School Touring the short-term economic outlook. Program Furthermore, we are kidding ourselves if Hon. M. J. FOLEY (Yeronga—ALP) we think that we are immune to the economic (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and contagion gripping our region. However, Minister for The Arts) (9.50 a.m.), by leave: Queensland has fared better than most. In Last week I had the pleasure of launching the fact, Queensland is proving itself remarkably Queensland Arts Council School Touring resilient in troubled economic times. Our Program, which takes live performances of forecast economic growth rate this year of drama, music, history, dance—all key areas of 3.5%—although down on recent years—is the the curriculum—into classrooms from Torres envy of the region. The Queensland Treasury Strait to Goondiwindi. Next year, this program Corporation—the body which raises debt on will bring the arts to life for 650,000 behalf of State Government instrumentalities— Queensland school students in their own is able to offer investors seeking a safe haven towns and communities. Those 650,000 bonds which are rated AAA by Standard and students will see 50 separate performances on Poor's and Moody's and are backed by the each school day—that is 5,400 guarantee of a Government with negative net performances—that will enhance their learning debt. This makes the QTC—like the by bringing to life everything from the works of Government that guarantees its debt—almost Shakespeare to the history of their own nation unique in the region. and its federation. Queensland's future economic growth will All of these 650,000 Queensland be underwritten by a Government which is students will get equity of access—whether committed to strong and sustainable levels of they live in Annerley, Atherton, Alpha, Aramac infrastructure spending—spending which will or Aurukun. Whether their school has 15 or create jobs and increase the wealth of all 1,500 pupils, they are each charged just $3 Queenslanders. Most importantly, our future per head. No wonder this scheme is hailed as will be underwritten by being an increasingly a world leader—the best in Australia. The outward looking and constructive member of Australia Council's National Magazine, our region. Much of our current economic Lowdown, in August wrote— growth is—some would say surprisingly— "The magnitude of such a program is underwritten by continued high levels of unequalled anywhere in Australia." exports to Asia. This is because with a lower Australian dollar and efficient industries our It pointed out that the closest thing to it, commodity exports are attractive to our Victoria's School Touring Program, operates regional partners who are trying to trade their for 103,000 students, less than a sixth of way out of difficulty. Our low cost of operations Queensland's 650,000 participants— allows us in many cases to replace lost price "Equity of access"— premiums with increased sales volumes. is— The world economy is in uncharted waters. Japan's Government is running a "the cornerstone of the program, asking massive deficit spending program in an students for just $3 to attend a attempt to salvage its economy, while the US performance, regardless of geographic Federal Reserve has twice cut interest rates in location. A student on Saibai Island, 3 an attempt to stave off slowing growth in the kilometres from the coast of Papua New world's largest economy. My recent visit Guinea pays for and receives the same through the region was at times a very standard of performance that a student in sobering experience, but there were two key a metropolitan school does." points that need to be stressed. Firstly, we are The Queensland Arts Council underwrites entering very tough economic times—in a a loss on each remote and rural tour because 20 Oct 1998 Ministerial Statement 2501 that, realistically, is the cost of guaranteeing the member for Nicklin said he would like to equity of access for all children in a State as see it trialled when the concept is fully vast and decentralised as Queensland. It costs developed. I agree and I thank him for his thousands of dollars now to tour even small considered response to the idea. Also on ABC troupes of performers to schools in remote radio last week, the member for Warwick said regions. For example, the Queensland Arts the out-station idea had merit and that jailing Council pays $10,000 to $11,000 to get a two- some offenders can be counterproductive. He person team to the Torres Strait. went on to further say— Those who would demand cuts to arts "But I'm not opposed to the principle funding are, in effect, seeking to wind back of taking non-violent or non-sexual opportunities for children in rural and remote offenders out of our jails and leaving our areas. It is equally disturbing to envisage the jails for people that have caused or prospect of a goods and services tax with its conducted serious crimes and are of a inevitably adverse effect upon the arts industry general threat to our community. I mean I and the cost of touring arts programs. At every don't have a problem with that." level, the GST will impact on every artist taking This type of bipartisan support for such a part. Every actor, every performer, as service worthwhile aim has to be applauded, and I am providers, will face a mountain of paperwork sure that the member for Broadwater, Allan and a 10% hike in the cost of costumes, sets, Grice, supports his shadow Cabinet colleague, materials, accommodation and meals on tour. as does the rest of the House. Far too often in Such costs pose a threat to the accessibility this House, both sides attack each other just which should characterise the arts in our for the sake of opposing the other's policy society. position. It is pleasing to see these differences put aside, especially when it involves the touchy issue of offender rehabilitation and MINISTERIAL STATEMENT prison sentence management. Out-stations Program for Aboriginal As we develop the out-station idea further Offenders and others aimed at reducing the number of Hon. T. A. BARTON (Waterford—ALP) non-violent, non-sexual offenders from (Minister for Police and Corrective Services) spending time in our jails, I look forward to (9.52 a.m.), by leave: Last week I attended the consulting further on these issues and look Aboriginal Coordinating Council in Cairns. forward to the continued support of the During discussions with Aboriginal leaders, I coalition and the member for Nicklin. said we had to look at creative ways of reducing the disproportionately high number of indigenous inmates in the State's jails. One of MINISTERIAL STATEMENT the ideas I raised was to use the out-stations Riversleigh Fossil Area program as the first option for young, non- Hon. R. J. WELFORD (Everton—ALP) violent, first-time offenders. (Minister for Environment and Heritage and Currently, out-stations are used as a final Minister for Natural Resources) (9.55 a.m.), by step in the rehabilitation process after leave: One of the most unique areas in offenders have served time in institutions. At Australia is the Riversleigh section of the Lawn the out-stations, offenders are placed under Hill National Park in northern Queensland. This the responsibility of community elders and fossil-rich, World Heritage listed area is leaders to complete their parole period. The recognised internationally as one of the few program, if you like, is a specialised parole remaining places on earth where we can look process. into our past with any certainty. For the past As I made clear to the Aboriginal three years, unsuccessful attempts have been Coordinating Council, I was floating the idea of made to acquire some 800 hectares of land out-stations as a point of discussion. Certainly, surrounding the Riversleigh homestead to add more work has to be done on the concept to the World Heritage listed area. Not only is before it could even be considered a firm this proposed additional area fossil rich, but it proposal. However, I must say I have been contains many important Aboriginal cultural overwhelmed by the positive response about sites, including rock art, burial, spiritual sites my out-station idea. The member for Nicklin, and dreaming tracks. Peter Wellington, and Opposition Justice Last month I visited the Lawn Hill National spokesman and member for Warwick, Park and met with tribal elders from the Lawrence Springborg, both gave qualified Waanyi people, whose links with this land can support to the out-station idea. On ABC radio, be traced back some 17,000 years. The 2502 Ministerial Statement 20 Oct 1998

Waanyi people currently own 49% of this tract Our Government sees this as a significant of land. The other 51% is owned by the symbol of reconciliation. The purchase of the Pasminco mining company. Just prior to my land surrounding Riversleigh homestead will visit, the sixth meeting of my Waanyi provide protection for the future. It is a unique ministerial advisory committee was held at site where conditions have been ideal to Musselbrook to discuss, amongst other things, preserve fossilised samples of species long the Waanyi people's attitude towards the since extinct. But it is equally significant that management of this land—land which has we are able to negotiate this purchase and considerable history and significance for these involve the Waanyi people. They have a very people. The meeting of this advisory deep and very real understanding of this land, committee advanced the possible sale this part of Queensland. considerably, with a leading role played by We expect that in the next six months we Waanyi tribal elder, Peter O'Keefe. will formalise purchase of this land. With the When I arrived at Lawn Hill National Park, help of the Waanyi people, we will develop a Mr O'Keefe and other members of the Waanyi management plan that protects its important tribe welcomed me onto the land and we values while enabling the economic potential spent considerable time discussing the of the region to be fulfilled. I have also Aboriginal people's great affinity with this part indicated to the Waanyi people that I will of Queensland. I am pleased to inform the review the name of the Lawn Hill National Park House that the Waanyi people have now to give it an Aboriginal name appropriate to agreed to negotiate the sale of these 800 the region, which is of such significant hectares surrounding the Riversleigh importance to the Aboriginal people. homestead to enable the land to be added to There is an opportunity for environmental the World Heritage estate. This is a and cultural interpretive tourism and, similarly, considerable breakthrough after many years of enormous potential for employment for young talks. In addition, the chief executive of Aboriginal people. This is a unique opportunity Century Zinc, Mr Ian Williams, has indicated to complete the landscape and involve the his company will not stand in the way of the local people in protecting and managing this sale if that is the desire of the Waanyi people. land. I now anticipate this land will be purchased for protection by the State and MINISTERIAL STATEMENT added to the World Heritage estate. At the Food Safety same time, it is my intention that the Waanyi people play an active and key role in the Hon. H. PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) management of this land. Scientists have (Minister for Primary Industries) (10 a.m.), by dated Aboriginal occupation of this part of leave: There is no more fundamental issue for Queensland back some 17,000 years and the primary producers around the world than the Waanyi's deep affinity with and understanding issue of food safety. The food our farmers of the cultural significance of the land is a rich produce must be safe—their livelihoods, their resource for all Australians. markets and their consumers depend on safe food and fibre. The public health responsibility In my discussions with Mr O'Keefe, we of our primary producers is critical. agreed there would be opportunities for Queensland primary producers have Aboriginal people to act as cultural rangers in worked very hard for many years to meet their the proposed new section of Riversleigh to food safety and public health responsibilities, pass on their vast knowledge of and and our second-to-none image as a "clean connection with this land to both international and green" producer is evidence of that hard visitors and Australians who visit this unique work. For instance, our meat industry is part of Queensland. I have also advised the recognised as one of the world leaders in food Waanyi people that we would assist them in safety. This has involved the introduction of their plan to settle back on this land. Mr hazard analysis and critical control point quality O'Keefe expressed the hope that many of his control and quality assurance programs as people, currently living at Doomadgee, would tools for management. I notice some be able to renew their cultural ties and return members opposite nodding their heads in to live at Lawn Hill and Riversleigh. The agreement. That worries me because the Waanyi elders see this as an important step in former Borbidge Government left the giving their younger generation a better Queensland Livestock and Meat Authority, the understanding of the land, of the spiritual sites, body charged with the responsibility for food the story places and the dreaming tracks. safety, with a $1.845m loss. 20 Oct 1998 Ministerial Statement 2503

A report by independent business by leave: Queensland is facing what is consultants found as at 30 June this year that potentially its worst storm and cyclone season the QLMA had liquid assets amounting to for many years. The Bureau of Meteorology $1.3m and it would be expected that the has advised that our predicted weather pattern authority would exhaust its funds somewhere is similar to that of 1974, the year of the between December this year and March next disastrous Brisbane flood and a season in year. With a current deficiency of equity of which 16 cyclones crossed the coast. One of $200,000, the report concluded that the those cyclones was Wanda, which caused the QLMA is technically trading as insolvent. What Brisbane flood and also decimated beaches a legacy for a body as important as the QLMA. on the Gold Coast. The beach destruction was Among the main points for the QLMA's caused by massive seas whipped up by a poor trading results the consultants found, relatively minor storm surge associated with firstly, a failure to get Cabinet approval for new Wanda. Sea levels in some places rose by half fees in March 1998 and implementing new a metre and inundated the foreshores. rebated fees prior to their being approved; Every cyclone has an accompanying and, secondly, a failure to convince the then storm surge. A storm surge occurs when the Government that there is a community service cyclone crosses the coast. We have been obligation beyond that serviced by industry fortunate that those surges rarely cross the itself. This is Government inaction at its worst. coast in populated areas. We have been just This is a Borbidge Government back-seat job as fortunate that when they have crossed it of epic proportions. has been at low tide. The consequences of The Queensland Livestock and Meat such an event at high tide is frightening. Authority was formed under the Meat Industry Unless we are prepared, this could be a Act 1993 with responsibility for ensuring meat disastrous summer. safety regulation in Queensland. Its role is a The Meteorology Bureau and the very critical one. At Government and industry Emergency Services Division of my insistence, the QLMA has developed and department agreed on the need to conduct implemented the industry adoption over a four- storm awareness campaigns much further year period of Q-Safe, a new quality assurance south this season. The southernmost centres accreditation program that represents world previously have been the Wide Bay and best practice in food safety management. Mackay areas, but this year the experts say Instead of assuring the future of this body, the that the effects could be felt in a much wider previous Government let the QLMA sink into a area. $1.8m loss. Statistics worldwide show that prepared I can inform the House today that Cabinet and aware communities are the ones that has approved the course of action I propose, suffer least in natural disasters such as which is to appoint an administrator. The cyclones, floods and severe storms. administrator, whom I have yet to appoint, will Complacency is the greatest killer. Heavily report to me on what action and funds will be populated coastal areas such as the Gold required to provide a sustainable QLMA. The Coast and Sunshine Coast are not immune appointment of an administrator does not from the ravages of a cyclone's tentacles. After reflect on the integrity of the board members; the long years of drought caused by the El they have served the QLMA well. However, the Nino effect, Queensland's weather pattern has appointment does reflect on the inaction of the swing back to the La Nina pattern, which previous Government. As well as the brings greater cyclone activity and appointment of the administrator, I will initiate corresponding deluges. While this can be a review of the Meat Industry Act to start soon. good news for our farmers, it means that there This review is required under the provisions of is a need for people living in urban coastal the legislation. The members opposite can areas to make themselves aware of strategies nod in agreeance as much as they like, but to protect their property and safeguard their they must also have a reality check from time families. That may be as simple as cleaning to time and shake their heads in disgust at out gutters and pruning tall trees near homes. what they did not do. People should check their backyards for potential missiles such as wheelie bins and kids' swings. Even pot plants and a child's toy MINISTERIAL STATEMENT can be deadly. Severe Storm Season The freak storm that lashed Brisbane, Hon. M. ROSE (Currumbin—ALP) Warwick and the south-east last week, leaving (Minister for Emergency Services) (10.04 a.m.), in its wake a massive multimillion-dollar 2504 Private Members' Statements 20 Oct 1998 damages bill, showed just how vulnerable we Committee F relating to Estimates of are to the forces of nature. It was a miracle expenditure referred to it and contained in the that no-one was killed or seriously injured. The Appropriation Bill, together with additional fury uprooted huge trees and plucked information provided to the committee. branches from trunks and transformed them into missiles. Iron sheeting was ripped from roofs at the height of the storm. ESTIMATES COMMITTEE G Queensland has one of the most effective Report disaster management systems in the world. Mr LUCAS (Lytton—ALP) (10.09 a.m.): I Our distinctive cyclone siren has now been lay upon the table of the House the report of adopted nationally as the standard early Estimates Committee G relating to the warning signal for major disasters. Last week, I Estimates of expenditure referred to it and officially opened the new State Disaster contained in Appropriation Bill No. 2 1998. I Coordination Centre at my department's also lay upon the table of the House additional Kedron Park headquarters. This centre will information provided to the committee, help us direct resources to where they are including the Hansard transcript of the public needed as quickly as possible in the event of hearing held on 8 October 1998. I commend major incidents. the report to the House. A key component of our disaster management system is preparedness. An NOTICE OF MOTION ounce of calm and commonsense preparation now could save the burden and heartache of Water Storage, Irvinebank; Electricity major property loss and injury. My Industry department's Emergency Services Division will Mr NELSON (Tablelands—ONP) work closely with councils to get the message (10.09 a.m.): I give notice that I will move— across. A range of brochures is available with "That the Minister for Mines and helpful information about how to prepare for Energy will formally apologise, and allow storms, floods and cyclones. They are as close adequate compensation to be paid to, as local SES units and local councils. We the Operators of the Irvinebank State cannot prevent storms, floods and cyclones, Treatment Works. He must also but we can and we must be prepared when contribute meaningfully to government they hit. decisions which ensure that Queensland has adequate and secure power, SCRUTINY OF LEGISLATION COMMITTEE generated by projects, which create infrastructure with the most attractive Report benefit cost streams, which are long Mrs LAVARCH (Kurwongbah—ALP) lasting, which have high salvage values, (10.08 a.m.) I lay upon the table of the House and which create the highest number of the Scrutiny of Legislation Committee's Alert long term and permanent jobs across the Digest No. 8 1998 and move that it be printed. maximum number of regions and Ordered to be printed. industries."

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE E PRIVATE MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Report Electricity Industry Mr MULHERIN (Mackay—ALP) Hon. R. E. BORBIDGE (Surfers (10.08 a.m.): I lay upon the table of the House Paradise—NPA) (Leader of the Opposition) a report of Estimates Committee E relating to (10.10 a.m.): Today I take the opportunity to Estimates of expenditure referred to it and place on the public record the efforts of the contained in the Appropriation Bill, together coalition over a considerable period to make with additional information provided to the sure that the problems in the power industry in committee. this State were addressed properly after the former Minister, who is now the new Minister, left the incoming coalition Government in ESTIMATES COMMITTEE F February of 1996 with 37 megawatts more power at Barcaldine—his sole achievement Report during his period in office as Minister for Mr ROBERTS (Nudgee—ALP) Minerals and Energy under the previous Goss (10.09 a.m.): I table report No. 1 of Estimates Government. 20 Oct 1998 Private Members' Statements 2505

An Opposition member: What about was Mr Carroll and the coalition that gave One Eastlink? Nation preferences which ensured that it won Mr BORBIDGE: I will come to Eastlink. 11 seats in this Parliament. Had they not done so, as the recent Federal election illustrated, The reality is that in 1991 the QEC One Nation would be an irrelevant force. warned the Goss Labor Government that if it did not proceed with Tully/Millstream Much has also been expressed about the Queensland faced the prospect of blackouts in actions of my booth workers. I find it mighty 1997. The coalition became the Government offensive and defamatory to many of my in February 1996. In March 1996, some three family members and friends that it is implied weeks later, we called tenders for the electricity they acted improperly. At no time did they or generating units at Townsville, which this did I want them to give the appearance of Government now admits will resolve the representing anyone other than me. Anyone problem in January of next year when they who knows my family and friends would realise come on stream. that the very last thing they would want is to pretend that they were part of One Nation. I In respect of Eastlink, the Government hope this brings a bit of balance to the has been caught out, because by its own argument. I sincerely thank everyone who has admission it would not have been on line until contacted me to offer support and January 1999. That is what the Estimates congratulations. I also express thanks for the committee was told. However, Powerlink personal support that my family and friends Queensland said that it was unable to have given me over the past three months. I speculate on other actions which may have look forward to representing the people of the been initiated later by affected parties. The Mansfield electorate over the next three years. reality is that there would have been a legal challenge to Eastlink. It was handled Time expired. disastrously. It would have been subject to judicial review. There is no way that it would have been up and running by January of next Member for Nicklin year. What the coalition did—— Mr QUINN (Merrimac—LP) (Deputy Time expired. Leader of the Liberal Party) (10.14 a.m.): On the previous sitting day, 18 September, the member for Nicklin asked a question without Mansfield Electorate notice of the Education Minister concerning Mr REEVES (Mansfield—ALP) the purchase of a block of land adjoining the (10.12 a.m.): I am pleased to inform the Maleny State High School. In his question, the House that, contrary to media speculation at member for Nicklin clearly sought to give the the time of the court case, I am still here and impression that something underhanded or here to stay to represent the people of the improper had occurred when he claimed that Mansfield electorate. After continuing to read an agreement had been reached with the and listen to hypocritical statements regarding property owner on 29 June, and to use his my win, I believe I must now bring some truth words, on "the very day the coalition lost to the argument. Government". Fact 1: Judge Mackenzie ruled that the The Queensland Government Gazette preference cards used were legal and that my shows that the Government changed hands result would stand. Fact 2: Mr Carroll, my on 26 June, when the member for Brisbane Liberal opponent, used a preference card Central was sworn as Premier and Minister for which had no Liberal Party recognition. Our Education. On 29 June, the Minister for card clearly stated that it was from the ALP. Education was the member for Murrumba. Fact 3: If the people do not want political More than anyone else, the member for Nicklin candidates to lobby for preferences, we would was responsible for the change of have to get rid of the entire preferential Government. He was the central player—the system. This would result in the adoption of king maker. It defies belief that he could have the first-past-the-post system. Failure to do this forgotten this date. will continue the situation whereby candidates The fact of the matter is that the member rightfully must be able to lobby for preferences. for Nicklin knew the date but wilfully misled the Fact 4: Our aim was to ensure that One Nation House to cover his own discredited tracks at did not gain the balance of power in the Maleny State High. On 4 September, just two Queensland Parliament. Had the Liberals won weeks before his disgraceful dorothy dixer, he this seat, One Nation would have gained the applauded the Labor Government's balance of power in this Parliament. Fact 5: It announcement of a $700,000 deal to buy the 2506 Private Members' Statements 20 Oct 1998 additional land for the school. He could not get emotionally, spiritually and socially from close enough to the Education Minister when contact with the Christian Brothers. There are the announcement was made in his own others whose husbands or sons have similarly electorate. They even issued a joint media been assisted. statement to mark the occasion. The only If one relied only on media reports, one problem was that the local community did not would have thought that the Christian Brothers like it, and they told him so in no uncertain were a group of organised child abusers. That terms. is a lie. They are not. Members of this House So in order to get himself and his Labor have been convicted of corruption or child mates off the hook, the member for Nicklin abuse, but that does not make every member slunk in here a fortnight later with his past or present of this House corrupt or an outrageous claim that the coalition finalised abuser. the land deal three days after Labor took There was no report in the Courier-Mail office. And all this from a so-called about this great event; yet if 20 people had Independent—the Parliament's self-appointed been demonstrating outside the cathedral, conscience who preaches to all other that of course would have been written about. members about the need to lift standards in In common with many other thousands of this House! However, he was correct on one Queenslanders who sent their support, we issue. He said that there was a smell about express our support for the Christian Brothers. this whole issue. It is the stench of a sanctimonious hypocrite. Time expired. Time expired. Queensland Livestock and Meat Authority Hon. T. R. COOPER (Crows Nest—NPA) Christian Brothers (10.18 a.m.): The Minister for Primary Mr SULLIVAN (Chermside—ALP) Industries has announced that he has (10.16 a.m.): Tuesday, 13 October 1998 will dismissed the highly qualified and widely be remembered for two things: one was the respected board of the Queensland Livestock storm that hit Brisbane, particularly the inner- and Meat Authority and will replace it with an northern suburbs; the other was the ceremony administrator. For the benefit of members, I held at St Stephen's Cathedral. Despite the point out that the QLMA is the statutory inclement weather and traffic chaos, a packed authority responsible for meat safety and cathedral saw all seats taken, with people hygiene in this State. The actions that the lining the side aisles, three to five deep at the Minister has taken stand to jeopardise side doors and 10 to 15 deep at the front Queensland's reputation as a supplier of doors. Why were these people there and who wholesome meat. were they? They were there to support and When the coalition came to office in early show solidarity for the congregation of 1996, we were soon made aware of the Christian Brothers. There were men and deteriorating financial position that the QLMA women of all ages—past and present students faced. Why was it in such a bad state? That and parents of students, members of was because the former Minister, Mr Ed Parliament, the judiciary, business people, Casey, recklessly stole the $500,000 per year office workers and labourers. They were there contribution that the Queensland Government to say to the Brothers, "We are with you. We gave to ensure the health and hygiene of support you." Queensland meat for Queenslanders. Labor I table a speech given by my Brother Tom was not content with just raping and pillaging Kruger on behalf of the Christian Brothers in the DPI. Ed Casey and his Cabinet mates which he acknowledged the truth that abuse of were dead set on pulling money out of children by some of the Brothers had occurred anywhere they could find it, including the over the years. He also acknowledged that the QLMA, which shares responsibility for vast majority of the 4,000 Christian Brothers Queenslanders' welfare. who taught in Australia were and are good, When the coalition came to office, we honest, hardworking and dedicated men. The were soon made aware of the QLMA's spontaneous applause from the congregation deteriorating financial position and promptly supported Brother Kruger and his confreres. instigated a review of the QLMA, in More than two million young people have conjunction with the stakeholders. On receiving been taught by the 4,000 Christian Brothers in the findings of that review, we sought to Australia. There are a number of members in address the problem immediately. We focused this House who have benefited educationally, the QLMA solely on meat safety and hygiene, 20 Oct 1998 Private Members' Statements 2507 we restructured and decreased the board size local Lions club, a talented young woman, and we asked the QLMA for a business plan. Miss Jean Fry, rose to the challenge and set in We resumed the rightful financial contributions place an extremely successful fundraising to the QLMA to help it ensure meat safety and campaign benefiting local community projects hygiene for Queenslanders, and we and medical research in Queensland. Jean Fry guaranteed the financial security of the QLMA. endeavoured to make a difference. She Those financial contributions are one of the represented her local area and then went on Government's community service obligations. to win an award for her fundraising The new board, to its credit, has achievements. This achievement is a performed admirably under very difficult benchmark any person would be proud to circumstances, and I pay tribute to it. Now, reach. Jean Fry is a special person—a person despite this, the Minister for Primary Industries with an intellectual disability. Congratulations, has seen fit to reward it with the sack. The Jean. Government has chosen to shirk its Through the support that is very much a responsibilities to Queenslanders, just like it did part of SHARE, the Bayside Respite Care in the Goss days. Now we see that Mr Association and the Horizon Foundation, Beattie's minority Labor Government has people with disabilities are able to break learnt nothing. It has failed to consult the through their personal glass ceilings to realise stakeholders, it has failed to consider the their ambitions through new opportunities and requirements of the meat industry and it has a strong network of friends brought together by failed to have regard for Queensland these agencies. I recognise the efforts of consumers. The Minister will regret this these people and the organisations they decision. support for the impact they have had on countless individuals in the broader community. Disability Services; Miss Lions Competition Time expired. Mr BRISKEY (Cleveland—ALP) (10.21 a.m.): The Beattie Government's $30m a year increase in funding for disability services Water Storage, Irvinebank is no token increase or minor adjustment to allow for economic forces, it is a major injection Mr NELSON (Tablelands—ONP) of funds to a sector which has demonstrated a (10.23 a.m.): According to a letter from the need for some time. This decision will mean a Minister for Mines and Energy dated 25 great deal to the many people with disabilities August 1998, the State is trying to gain and their families, not to mention the many exclusion from the Irvinebank State Treatment carers and community-based workers who Works (Sale and Operation) Act 1990 for the work and live in my electorate. Ibis Dam. It is nothing short of theft. It is unfair, it is underhanded and, in layman's terms, it is What gratifies me most about this wrong. package is that it aims to strengthen the partnership Government has with the valuable It appears that the reason for this community agencies that already exist in our exemption is to deprive the operators of the community. These organisations provide Loudon Mill access to the water they need to assistance to the many people with physical maintain their operation. Seven years of and intellectual disabilities who currently live, political interference has shut down the work and make significant personal operation and caused substantial financial contributions to our local areas. The damage to the whole community. It is also community-based agencies which serve the plainly obvious that the dam will be sold to the Redland Shire have made a real difference to Mareeba Shire Council for the sum of $1, many people with disabilities. They have without any thought of fair compensation to provided accommodation support, recreational the operators of the mill. options, employment and training, respite How can anyone justify this treatment— care, personal encouragement and motivation especially a Government which is all about and other life-style support programs. jobs, jobs, jobs? This act has taken the jobs of It takes the ingredients of confidence, independent miners and mill operators and concern for people in the community and has affected countless other flow-on jobs entrepreneurship to make it as a successful throughout the tablelands. The whole attitude entrant of the annual Miss Lions Competition. of the Department of Mines and Energy is not With the support of SHARE, the Special consistent with the jobs orientation of the Housing Association of Redlands, and the Beattie Government. 2508 Private Members' Statements 20 Oct 1998

I add that the family at the centre of this New Hospital, Capricorn Coast saga are immigrants from the former Hon. V. P. LESTER (Keppel—NPA) Yugoslavia. They came here to escape (10.26 a.m.): I preface my comments by communist oppression and for a better way of stating that a number of Ministers opposite life. They thought they had found that better have indeed given courteous replies and tried life here in Australia, but our benevolent and to be helpful in response to issues raised by highly sensitive Government has found it in its heart to oppress these people further. This Opposition members. I now comment on the country is not so equal and not so free. Health Minister's response to representations Government members have the hide to call made by me to put a new hospital complex for me intolerant! the Capricorn Coast on a five-year plan. This was done after representations made to me by a number of senior medical people in the area. Bundaberg Electorate To my surprise and to the surprise of Mrs NITA CUNNINGHAM (Bundaberg— everybody, through a letter to the editor I was ALP) (10.24 a.m.): My electorate of got stuck into in no uncertain terms for simply Bundaberg was recently fortunate to be the doing my job. fourth centre in Queensland to host a The people of the Capricorn Coast are Community Cabinet meeting. I commend the very disappointed at the attitude of the Premier and his Ministers and staff on the time Minister in trying to play politics, when all I was they so willingly gave to the hundreds of doing was adhering to the representations that people who took the opportunity to attend. I had made. This is indeed a very shabby Cabinet meetings had been held in effort on the part of the Minister. It is not in any Bundaberg on two other occasions during the way condoned by the people. They really do last seven years, but neither of these gave the not appreciate this type of behaviour. All we public the opportunity to participate. Premier asked for was a listing on the five-year plan. Beattie and his Government deserve We spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in congratulations for their initiative and maintenance when we were in Government. It determination to take Government to the is time for a new hospital. people and to listen to the people. The Minister wants to play politics. It is a In Bundaberg, more than 130 formal most ordinary effort. I am sure even the deputations were heard, and most of these Premier would not be very happy with her people went home very pleased with the performance in trying to politicise the issue of informal and friendly atmosphere and satisfied people's health. We are simply doing our best with the positive results. Numerous groups received good advice or were successful in for our people, yet the Minister chooses to obtaining funding commitments, the largest politicise things. She has made an absolute being $2.7m for much-needed building mistake. All will be forgiven if she turns around expansion at the CQU Bundaberg campus and puts this project on the five-year plan. and $350,000 to bring facilities at the Bucca There is no big hurry; it just needs to be put on rowing venue up to world class and to provide the plan. Other Ministers have tried to help, yet a training venue for the Australian Olympic this Minister wants to play politics. It is no rowing team. wonder she gets herself into strife, as she did in Maryborough and other places. She ought During this Cabinet meeting in to lift her game. She should act better. Bundaberg, Queensland's first state development centre was officially opened by Time expired. the Premier and the State Development Minister, Jim Elder; the Honourable Matt Foley announced a $500,000 boost to regional arts Education Funding funding; Minister Merri Rose opened a rural fire Mr WELLINGTON (Nicklin—IND) (10.28 shed at Wartburg; and other Ministers visited a.m.): On 8 October I attended the Maleny various departments. Three Ministers were State High School Parents and Citizens briefed at the proposed Coonarr coal port and Association meeting, at which the association some inspected the site, and Minister Rod requested that I raise in Parliament two Welford stayed on for an extra day to visit the matters of specific interest to the school new Walla Weir, which was full and overflowing community. The school parents and citizens for the first time, and to inspect farms and association requests, firstly, that the farming procedures. In all, it was a very busy Queensland Government seriously review and two days which was much appreciated by the amend the system of subsidisation of school people of our entire region. projects so that the limit of $200,000 is altered Time expired. upward to $400,000 in response to the 20 Oct 1998 Questions Without Notice 2509 mounting costs of major capital works, such as examples of supply shortfall should therefore multipurpose buildings. Secondly, it requests have been offset by electricity from Eastlink. that the Queensland Government consider So in other words, who was responsible and amend its practice of providing school for the delay in Eastlink? Who was responsible facilities, such as multipurpose student activity for the delay in the connection of power which centres, to new schools only. Older schools would have given us 500 megawatts? Who? experience inequity when confronted with the The answer is: the Leader of the Opposition responsibility of funding these facilities and his Government! Do I have any themselves whilst newer schools receive them confidence in the Minister? You bet I do! Let as part of their original establishment. us go to what Powerlink says. Honourable Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time for Private members should not take my word for it. What Members' Statements has expired. did the Powerlink chairman say to the Estimates committee? Mr Jardine said— QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE "I can confirm that, because the timetable of Eastlink would have it going Minister for Mines and Energy through its commissioning phases now." Mr BORBIDGE (10.30 a.m.): I ask the In other words, it would have been on route Premier: does he have total confidence in the and available to provide services right now. He ability of his Mines and Energy Minister to says, "I can confirm that." Let us look at this. It handle his portfolio in respect of the current says very clearly—— power crisis when his Minister has been described in court under oath by a Mr BORBIDGE: I rise to a point of order. I superintendent of police as "irrational"? table a document provided to the Estimates committee which proves that the Premier is Mr BEATTIE: Let me deal with these misleading the House. It is an answer from the questions in order. To the first question, the deputy director-general of that department. answer is: yes. I should draw to the attention of the House that the second question is a Mr BEATTIE: Mr Speaker, there is no matter of sub judice. Let me deal with the point of order. Let me table the transcript from issue—— the Estimates committee in which the chief executive officer of Powerlink says it would A Government member: That's right. have been available. The Leader of the Mr BEATTIE: That is quite right, it is a Opposition is responsible. matter of sub judice. Let me deal with the Time expired. issue in relation to power. The issue of power is very simply this. People out there are not particularly interested—and, frankly, nor am Minister for Mines and Energy I—in the politics. People want certainty of power, and my Government has a strategy to Mr BORBIDGE: I direct a question to the deliver it. It is that simple. Minister for Mines and Energy, described recently by a superintendent of police in sworn Mr Borbidge: It's your fault. evidence as "irrational"—— Mr BEATTIE: The Leader of the Mr BEATTIE: I rise to a point of order. Opposition says it is our fault. Let us talk about This is a matter of sub judice. This is a serious fault. Let us have a little bit of nonsense point of order. In the interests of the fair politics, which the Opposition Leader loves running of this Parliament, I sought not to getting into. One of the things that the object to the previous question from the previous Government did was to scrap Leader of the Opposition. This matter is before Eastlink. That is what it did. Let us look at what the courts. The decision has been adjourned. the position in relation to Eastlink was. To It is sub judice and, under those meet supply requirements in 1999, the Goss circumstances, is not a proper matter before Government commissioned the construction of the Parliament. a 500 megawatt interconnector between Queensland and New South Wales. The Mr SPEAKER: The matter is sub judice; it construction of Eastlink would have been is before the courts. completed when? On 1 October 1998 and fully Mr BORBIDGE: Mr Speaker, I will not operational on 1 January 1999! From 1 refer to the court case. I refer the Minister for October 1998 commissioning power would Mines and Energy, who has been called many have been available as a source of power in things, to his statement to the Estimates situations of extreme power loss. The recent committee that— 2510 Questions Without Notice 20 Oct 1998

"You know as well as I know that, Mr BEATTIE: I thank the honourable when you select the chair of a committee, member for Chermside for his question. As all you normally do so in the main to get the members would know, he has a considerable recommendations that you are looking racing community in his area. for ..." The position is very simply this: yesterday I ask the Minister: in light of this extraordinary the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Racing admission, what credibility can possibly attach brought a detailed submission to Cabinet. He to the looming report to him which supports his briefed Cabinet in relation to the TAB and its widely contradicted claim that the current future, including possible privatisation. He power crisis in Queensland is a result of poor subsequently then briefed the caucus. Both equipment maintenance? the Cabinet and the caucus noted that this Mr McGRADY: The person who was matter will, in fact, be debated at the party's selected to do this report for me has spent a conference in Maryborough in November. I whole lifetime in the Queensland electricity have signalled to the Cabinet and the caucus, industry. The person concerned has the as has the Minister, that we will be arguing for greatest respect of people on all sides of the privatisation of the TAB for the long-term industry. I have not received the report. I have interests of betting in this State. It will be a received a summary of the report. Let me matter for the conference. We will accept the inform the House that I have total confidence decision of the conference and we will put the in the person who was employed to do this position very clearly to that meeting. report and, rather than members opposite It is important, I think, that we do set attempting to score political points, I would clearly on the record for the purposes of this suggest that the time is now right for them to debate that the profits of the TAB are, in fact, join with us in resolving a problem which this distributed as prize money to the race clubs of State has. this State; they are not provided to the Mr Borbidge: Your mess. taxpayer. The Queensland taxpayers receive the benefits from a wagering tax. That Mr McGRADY: It is all very well for wagering tax will, in fact, be charged on the members of the Opposition to say, "It is their TAB whether the TAB is in corporatised form, fault", or it is someone else's fault; I am saying in its current form or in a privatised form. So that this Government has a plan and a that money will be going to the taxpayers. strategy, but above all else we inform the people of Queensland exactly what we are It is well known that, as a matter of proposing to do. There are no secret deals philosophy, my Government does not support going on. Whenever there is a tight situation, as a general principle privatisation of essential we inform the people of this State. Just last services. That is why, prior to the last election, week I invited every media outlet in we made it clear that we were opposed to the Queensland to come to Mary Street. We laid privatisation of the electricity industry in the the cards on the table. We explained in detail same way that we are opposed to the what the situation was. I understand now that privatisation of railways, ports—the essential the people who represent the Queensland services in this State—water and those sorts of media have a far better understanding of the areas. However, when it comes to a betting true situation with regard to power in this State institution, my view is very clearly this—and I and the problems. will be putting this to the conference: I do not If the Opposition wants to spend the rest believe that taxpayers' money, which should of the week blaming, blaming, blaming, we be going into essential services such as have plenty of ammunition that we can come education and health, should be put into a back with. But the important thing is that this betting institution. It is that simple. Government has a plan, this Government has In terms of the job security issue—I have a strategy, and I believe that we are on the had discussions with the Australian Services right track. Union. The job security issue is one that both the Minister and I have taken very seriously. There will be ongoing discussions with the ASU Queensland TAB to protect employment opportunities. We are Mr SULLIVAN: I refer the Premier to the of the view that there will be jobs growth out of media debate about the future of the TAB in a privatised TAB; not only will existing jobs be Queensland. I note that there is some protected, there will be jobs growth as a result controversy about the job security of workers at of it. I invite members to inform themselves the TAB and I ask the Premier to explain what about the TAB and what is happening in his preferred option is. Victoria and New South Wales. It is a very 20 Oct 1998 Questions Without Notice 2511 competitive market. Therefore, the TAB in is determined to put a GST on food and a Queensland needs to be competitive to whole range of other goods and services; and, protect the Queensland punter and to protect secondly, a Government that is determined the future of the TAB. that Queensland should get fair compensation for the taxes that we do not levy. Why should we be subsidising the removal of financial Callide C Power Station institutions duty around the country—a tax Dr WATSON: I refer the Treasurer to his which we do not have here? written ministerial direction to CS Energy of 28 All of a sudden, Opposition members are July when, as a shareholding Minister, he making some noise in relation to tax and tax conspired in the Government's bid to halt reform. How many times, when they were in construction of the $800m Callide C Power Government, did they refuse to share with the Station by demanding that the chair of that Parliament their strategies in relation to the Government owned corporation cooperate with financial arrangements of the State? Time and a second review of contracts with Shell Coal. time again we asked them to declare their In the letter of 28 July, the Treasurer position in relation to a GST and the Federal urged the head of CS Energy, Mr Harley, to Government's tax policy, but they would never communicate with Mr Fryor of his department. come clean. It has taken a little while, but the Or in simple terms, the Treasurer was trying to cat is now out of the bag. Thanks to a former pull the plug on a desperately needed power senior Minister of the Borbidge Government, station. I ask: why has this secret ministerial we now have an exposition on exactly what direction not been gazetted, and when is the the tax strategy of the coalition Government Treasurer going to table the letter? really was. Mr HAMILL: I reject outright the claim of a The member concerned tells his local conspiracy to pull the plug on Callide C. It is community that the Queensland Government wrong in fact. The assumptions that the could not afford, within its current revenues, member has made are quite wrong. the services and so on. That is why, according Mr Borbidge interjected. to that member— Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the "To finance this overspending Opposition will allow the Treasurer to answer millions were stripped from the electricity the question. industry, and Suncorp/Metway was partially privatised." Mr HAMILL: And why is it improper that, as a responsible shareholding Minister, I would This mob opposite said that there was no seek details of contracts which are being asset stripping for the recurrent budget. What entered into by Government owned is more, that same member said— corporations that fall within my area of "The Queensland government responsibility? should now be brave enough to abandon the promise 'no new state taxes' and Goods and Services Tax undertake a complete review of our state taxes and charges so we can develop a Mr PURCELL: I refer the Treasurer to the better fund raising strategy ..." forthcoming Premiers Conference and negotiations on the introduction of a goods He goes on— and services tax, and I ask: what is the "Queensland cannot afford to pass Queensland Government's position on the up this opportunity to use GST as a focus issue of tax reform? for a new state revenue raising strategy." Mr Johnson: You love it, don't you? Tell Who is the author? the truth. Mr Littleproud: It's me! Mr HAMILL: I hear the honourable member for Gregory interjecting. It is about Mr HAMILL: There he is. There is the time that Opposition members did come clean author. It is the member for Western Downs. I about their policy in relation to tax reform. But thank the member for Western Downs for before I get into that, I want to make it coming clean on exactly what their strategy absolutely clear that the Queensland was. Talk about the silence of the shams! Government goes to the Premiers Conference There they are, exposed by their now-retiring in November with two fundamental objectives: colleague as to exactly what their secret firstly, to make sure that Queensland is not agenda was. short-changed by a Federal Government that Time expired. 2512 Questions Without Notice 20 Oct 1998

Callide C Power Station for simply seeking the facts. We sought the Mr HORAN: I refer the Minister for Mines facts, we got the facts and we made the and Energy to his written ministerial direction to decision based on the information we CS Energy of 28 July, as a shareholding received. Callide C will go ahead based on the Minister of the Queensland electricity supply information that we have received. industry, to achieve a second review of the Time expired. contracts between CS Energy and Shell in relation to the Callide C power project. I also refer to the fact that this direction was Light Metals Industry ostensibly to achieve "a proper understanding Mr MICKEL: I ask the Deputy Premier of the status" of those contracts, and I ask: and Minister for State Development and has the Minister's memory of this secret Minister for Trade: can he advise the House of ministerial direction to CS Energy improved any progress in the development of a full light since the Estimates committee process, when metals industry in central Queensland? he was 90% sure that no such direction had Mr ELDER: I thank the member for his been issued? Does he now recall it? Why was question. He is a new member of the this secret ministerial direction not gazetted, as Parliament who on my committees has taken required by law? a keen interest in project development. In Mr McGRADY: When a new Government relation to this project, there has been comes into office, I think it is important that the significant development. The mineral wealth of Ministers in the various portfolios try to get an central Queensland is well known. However, in understanding of what deals have been done the past, we have not value added to the by the previous Government. Prior to election degree that we should have. It is the value day, the coalition had a Cabinet meeting in adding that creates long-term sustainable jobs Nanango. After the Cabinet meeting, the then in this State. We have had processing of Premier and his Ministers indicated to all who bauxite into aluminium at Gladstone. We have were prepared to listen that there was going to seen the development of magnesite deposits be an extension to the Tarong Power Station. at Kunwarrara. That received massive coverage in the Since my early days as an Industry electorate, which eventually fell for the National Minister, I have had a long association with the Party. At the same time, the people who lived Australian Magnesium Corporation, because it in the area and, in particular, the work force was involved in one of those projects that I and the business community, were led to thought was worth supporting because of the believe that all this had been signed and opportunities for well-paid, long-term sealed at the Cabinet meeting. sustainable jobs. Since coming to office, I The facts were that the extensions to have had continual contact with the project Tarong have never, ever, ever, ever received and have had my department working closely any endorsement by the board. A feasibility with that company. I am pleased to say that it study was going on then, and it is still going on has now decided to move ahead with that today. So no decision was ever taken by the project. I can inform the House that it has board at Tarong. That is the first thing. chosen the Stanwell Power Station site near I now come back to Callide C. The facts Rockhampton as the preferred location for its are that one of the responsible Ministers of the smelter. incoming Government wanted to find out It will now begin a major feasibility study exactly what the status was. Therefore, we did into an $800m smelter at the Stanwell site. the right thing by simply asking what the This has been a three-stage process. The first position is. We received the information—— stage was the development of the pilot plant Mr Borbidge: Twice. at Gladstone. The second stage determined the site of the major facility. The third stage is Mr McGRADY: I do not care whether it to move ahead with the feasibility study to was one, two, three, four or five times. The determine whether it can establish and ramp bottom line is that we received the information up the viability of the project. If that plant goes which we required. In this Parliament, I made ahead—and at this stage every indication that the ministerial announcement that the Callide I have shows that it will—it will be an exciting C Power Station would go ahead. Callide C is prospect. That plant will start production in late going ahead, and Callide C will go ahead as 2002 and move to full production in 2004. per the original plan. That will mean many long-term jobs in central What Opposition members are trying to Queensland: 1,000 will be employed in the do today is to criticise the Treasurer and myself construction phase of the project and, once 20 Oct 1998 Questions Without Notice 2513 the project is fully operational, we will see 300 side of the Chamber. November will become jobs in that region. The multiplier effect for a somewhat easier. We will then move into the light metals industry is something to see. That Christmas period and into January and on will drive the die-casting industry. We are through the year when the situation should be talking about opportunities in central a lot easier. Queensland from this project of thousands of From day one, I determined that if ever downstream jobs in and around Gladstone there were a problem in the supply industry I and Rockhampton. That is what central would inform the people. The same tight Queensland has been looking for and needed situation existed 17 times last year and the for a long time. That will take Queensland into people of Queensland—to use a pun—were a new strata of industry. In the new kept in the dark. I want to give an assurance to millennium, Queensland will become the light the people of Queensland and to this metals headquarters of the world. We have Parliament that I will keep the people informed been working on those projects across of the true situation. The bottom line is this: we Governments over the past 15-odd years. This have a plan; we have a strategy. I believe that is the most exciting development we have this Government is going down the right path. I seen for some time. can assure the people of Queensland that we Time expired. know where we are going.

Power Crisis Government Advertising Policies Mr MITCHELL: I refer the Minister for Mr PEARCE: I refer the Premier to Mines and Energy to repeated statements by comments by the Opposition Leader on ABC Mr Gordon Jardine of Powerlink that the radio on 12 October when he made current Queensland power crisis is an issue of allegations about this Government's demand and supply based on the inadequacy advertising policies. I ask: was there any truth of current generating capacity. I also refer to at all in the allegations? How does this the Minister's repeated claim that the problem Government's record compare with that of the is with maintenance. I ask: who is lying to the coalition Government? people of Queensland—Mr Jardine or the Mr BEATTIE: I am delighted to take that Minister? question because I would like to talk about Mr SPEAKER: Order! That term is power. The Leader of the Opposition said on unparliamentary. 12 October on ABC radio that we were starting an advertising campaign for Stanwell power, Mr MITCHELL: Who is not telling the truth which appeared to be just the start of Labor's to the people of Queensland—Gordon Jardine spending. That was a very clear accusation. or the Minister? He really hurt my feelings. What is the truth? Is Mr McGRADY: In all the dealings that I that true? The answer is: no, it is not true. have had with Mr Jardine, I have never yet What Government was in power when those found him to tell untruths. I can say that the ads were authorised? The Leader of the same applies to yours truly. It is all very well for Opposition wanted some letters tabled. I am the Opposition to try to attach blame to one happy to table two letters and another side or the other, but let me tell them this: the document. That will expose the hypocrisy of people out there in voter land do not care who the Opposition in relation to power. was responsible; all they want is a reliable Letter one is dated 6 April 1998. That power supply. That is what this Government is letter from Stanwell Corporation Limited is to all about. That is what we intend to deliver. Mr Keith Cogzell of Grantley Cogzell Benn, an advertising agency. The letter states— As I said in my reply to the previous question, last week I invited all the media to "Dear Mr Cogzell, come into my office where we gave them a Stanwell Corporation intends to briefing. When I say "we", I mean Mr Jardine— appoint a creative advertising agency to for whom I have the greatest respect—Mr manage its advertising program for a Coulter from the Department of Mines and period of eight months (from May 1998- Energy and me. At no time during that briefing January 1999)." did we try to blame anybody. We simply gave the facts as they are. The facts are these: it is Honourable members should remember the true to say that, in the next week or two, the date. The letter continues— situation is tight. The situation is tight, but that "Your firm is invited to provide a is certainly not of the making of those on this submission outlining your credentials as a 2514 Questions Without Notice 20 Oct 1998

suitable creative advertising agency for This matter has been going on for this project. approximately 10 years. When I saw a copy of ... the member's motion that he proposes to move tonight, I went through my notes to see Your response is expected to be if I had a brief. It was all crumpled up and submitted by close of business pulled out. In fact, the brief is so old that I Wednesday 22 April 1998." must discuss its heritage value with one of the In case members have forgotten the date, other Ministers. here Stanwell is seeking an advertising agency The situation is that, in my brief life as the well before the State election. I table that letter former Minister for Minerals and Energy, this for the information of the House. was a constant matter. On a number of The second letter, also from Stanwell occasions, Chris Lewis, who is the Mayor of Corporation Limited to Keith Cogzell, is dated Mareeba, and members of his council met with 20 May 1998—before the State election. me. I have met the gentleman and his son. I Mr Schwarten: Who was in Government then left the portfolio, and for two and a half then? years my predecessor was involved in the matter. I came back to the portfolio—to the Mr BEATTIE: "Who was in Government same office, the same pot plants, the same then?" indeed. pictures on the wall, the same people working The letter states— for the department, and the same briefs—and I said, "For heavens's sake, hasn't this been "I am pleased to inform you that your sorted out yet?" However, the problem is that agency has been selected to manage when Ministers of both political Stanwell Corporation's advertising persuasions—— program for a period of eight months. The period outlined in the brief was 6 May Mr NELSON: I rise to a point of order. I 1998-6 January 1999." find this incredibly patronising. I would like the question to be answered. Answer the However, due to delays the time was question! extended. I table that letter for the information of the House. Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order. The honourable member will resume his The third document is approval of the seat. script for the ads, which were approved on 15 June 1998. Mr McGRADY: I will keep it simple. When a Minister of either the coalition or this side or Mr Schwarten: Who was in power then? the department write letters, there seems to be Mr BEATTIE: "Who was in power then?" a problem in getting replies. They simply do indeed: the now Leader of the Opposition! The not reply to correspondence that is sent. Let Leader of the Opposition has been exposed me say this: the next time I go to Cairns, I will through these documents. He is not only being be more than happy to meet these dishonest publicly in relation to power but also gentlemen. However, I want a resolution to this being grossly dishonest in relation to his problem, because this matter has been going attacks on me and my Government. This is on for 10 years under three different Ministers. typical of this Opposition's attack on power. Its We all cannot be out of step. Three Ministers attack on power has as much credibility as dealing with the issue suggests that there is what the Leader of the Opposition said an something wrong. ABC radio, and that is zilch. Time expired.

Water Storage, Irvinebank TABCorp Mr NELSON: I ask the Minister for Mines Mr REEVES: I refer the Minister for and Energy: can he explain the reasons for Tourism, Sport and Racing to last the exclusion of the Ibis Dam from the Wednesday's Toowoomba Chronicle which Irvinebank State Treatment Works (Sale and reported that the privatised Victorian TAB, Operation) Act 1990? Why is no thought given TABCorp, looks certain to be named as the to the future of the people affected by the financial backer of the Toowoomba changes made to that Act? Clydesdales Rugby League Club, and I ask: Mr McGRADY: I thank the member for does the Minister have any concern that the the question, and I note that this is part of the Government's decision to award TABCorp a motion that he proposes to move tonight. I Queensland gaming licence will allow it to turn understand that the member is relatively new. local sporting clubs into mini-casinos? In 20 Oct 1998 Questions Without Notice 2515 particular, what impact will TABCorp's entry into is, the shadow Minister for Racing in this State, the Queensland gaming industry have on the who has been party to putting this deal Queensland TAB? together with the Victorian TAB—— Mr GIBBS: I thank the honourable Mr HEALY: I rise to a point of order. That member for the question. This was a matter is untrue. I have not been party to any deal that I referred to in another place some weeks with the Victorian TAB. I ask the Minister to ago when we were being questioned in withdraw that. It is simply not true. I have not relation to departmental budgets. There are a been the chairman of the Clydesdales for number of very important issues here. Of three months. course, the first one is that, in its wisdom, the Mr Gibbs: The member is the chairman previous Government decided to allow eight of the club. gaming machine operators into Queensland. The disappointing fact about that is that the Mr HEALY: No, I am not. Government sold those gaming machine Time expired. licences, would members believe, for the princely sum of $250,000 each—$250,000 to gain a gaming machine licence in Power Blackouts Queensland! However one of the most Mr DALGLEISH: I ask the Minister for disturbing aspects of this matter is that one of Mines and Energy: will he outline the the operators that that Government sold a contingency measures that will be gaming licence to was none other than the implemented to overcome the power blackouts Victorian TAB—to come into Queensland and that would appear to be inevitable during compete against our own TAB! periods of peak load? Since then, VicTAB has gone to 10 clubs Mr McGRADY: I thank the honourable in Queensland, eight of them surf-lifesaving member for that question. Naturally, I am clubs, and offered them deals to build new, delighted to respond. Let me say that the palatial clubhouses for them at fairly low question is relevant, as the answer to it is what interest rates and then to take about 25% off the punters out there are waiting for. They the top of the poker machine profits as part of want to know what the Government is doing, the repayment of the loans. That is a and we are prepared to tell them. disgraceful, ordinary piece of work in itself. First of all, a structure has come in from However, it gets worse. Every time people from the west, which will bring another unit at Queensland go into one of those clubs and Tarong on stream, I think, on Friday afternoon. play the machines in those clubs, they are This is a massive piece of equipment. Today, I putting money directly back into the pockets of want to pay tribute to the people in the the Victorian TAB—into prize money for racing Transport Departments of the various States in Victoria, into prize money for improvements to clubhouses in that State—against the best through which this equipment went. They did a interests of Queensland. tremendous job and got the equipment here eight days earlier than anticipated. We expect The amazing facet of this problem is that the unit that has been down at Tarong to be one of the clubs that is just about to enter into back on line around about Friday lunchtime. a contract with the Victorian TAB is no other than the Clydesdales Rugby League Club in The other thing that is very, very important Toowoomba, which is located less than one is the commissioning of the Calvale to Tarong kilometre away from the Toowoomba Turf transmission line. That should be done by the Club. Guess who is the chairman of the end of November. That brings power from Clydesdales Rugby League Club—the person central Queensland down to the south-east who has been involved in putting together this corner of the State. That should alleviate many deal with the Victorian TAB, against his own of the problems. On top of that, generation interests, against his own State, against his capacity and supply will be increased with the own racing club, against his own city? None commissioning of the 283 megawatt power other than the shadow Minister for Racing! station and also the 158 megawatt power station, which Transfield is developing in Mr HEALY: I rise to a point of order. That Townsville. is untrue and I ask that it be withdrawn. It is fair to say that for Queensland to Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Minister will meet its needs we have to generate withdraw the words that the member finds approximately 200 megawatts of additional offensive. power each year, and the State is on track to Mr GIBBS: I will withdraw whatever it is do this. For the benefit of all members I table that the member finds offensive, but here he this document that details exactly our plans 2516 Questions Without Notice 20 Oct 1998 and proposals. I also table this document for 30 countries. This year the number of the interest of members. Anybody who wants countries receiving broadcasts of the event a copy can have one. This document gives the has increased to 195. That growth factor alone graphs of the true situation. If the elected proves that the financial investment from representatives of the people of Queensland Governments of all persuasions has been a are really to assist the State at this point in responsible one. The State Budget simply time, this is the information that they must could not provide the money to buy such have. advertising in those countries. I will clarify one point that was raised here I place on record my appreciation of the again this morning: I spent two or three years role of the chairman of the IndyCarnival, Terry of my political life trying to get the Jackman, and his board. They have done an interconnector between Queensland and New outstanding job this year. In a sense of South Wales. We all know the history of that bipartisanship, I say to the Leader of the and I do not propose to go over it again and Opposition that I appreciate the role that he again today. I noticed that when I paid tribute played this year. It is has been healthy that the to Mr Gordon Jardine before, the former politics has gone out of it at long last. Premier nodded in agreement. I will quote This has turned into a great event for what he said at the Estimates—— Queensland. This year saw the race grow and Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Honourable mature in a way that we have never seen Minister's time has expired. before. We are currently negotiating with CART Mr McGRADY: I table the document. to look at the possibility of extending the contract beyond the year 2000. I am confident that this will happen. I thank the 1,300 Gold Coast IndyCarnival volunteers who gave their time to be at the Mr HAYWARD: I ask the Minister for event over the four days. That was a Tourism, Sport and Racing: will he advise the sensational performance. Of course, the Parliament of any preliminary results posted by departing chief executive, Tony Cochrane, has the 1998 Gold Coast IndyCarnival and do done a great job in the past four years and I those results mean that there is a long-term congratulate him for that. Although some future for the event in Queensland? honourable members may have a philosophical difficulty with the expenditure at Mr GIBBS: It certainly does bode well for times, the overall results achieved are great for the future of the event. Of course, the results Queensland. from the weekend will not be fully known until the end of October. However, some of the figures that we have are fantastic, considering Electricity Industry the fact that only a month ago I reported to Mr SEENEY: I refer the Minister for Mines the Parliament and Cabinet that we were and Energy to successive statements by looking down the gun barrel of a $1.5m loss. It power industry representatives that, in relation looks as though the event will make to all major equipment failures in the approximately $200,000 in profit this year. Queensland electricity industry since 1995, On an overall basis, last year the crowds maintenance was not an issue in any of these numbered 226,130; this year 243,553 people failures, and I ask: in the face of the total attended over the four days. That is an rejection by industry of your lack of increase of more than 9%. General ticket sales maintenance theory, why do you persist with generated $3.9m compared to $3.1m last it? year. Corporate sales reached $7.850m this Mr McGRADY: I refer the member to the year, which is an increase of $1.1m on the net debates and the discussions that we had in sales last year. Early estimates of the event this Parliament some 12 months ago when the indicate that direct spending in the then Opposition proved, through documents Queensland economy equals approximately that were tabled, that there was a problem with $50m. The impact of this spending is a lack of maintenance in the three State- estimated to be equivalent to approximately owned power stations. I did what I believe to 650 jobs. The value-added benefit to the Gold be the right thing and simply commissioned a Coast region was $30m, which was equivalent task force to look into the three power stations to 530 jobs. in the State. The task force has given me a The media coverage of the IndyCarnival summary of its report. The full and final report event has continued to grow. In 1991, will be presented to the Premier and myself coverage of the event was distributed to only some time this week. The full report will not be 20 Oct 1998 Questions Without Notice 2517 made public for one simple reason, that is, the Mr BEATTIE: Someone has to do it. That confidentiality of parts of the report. The whole bid is an important one. When the Leader of purpose of commissioning the report was to the Opposition was Premier, he also went to find the true and accurate picture of the Paris. Maybe those on the other side want to situation in Queensland's power stations, and trivialise this, but I do not want to trivialise it then for the Government and the industry to and I will not. Expo 2002 is an exciting take the necessary actions to ensure that the opportunity for this State. It is not a laughing present problem does not happen again. matter; it is a serious matter. The previous One of the problems that I foresaw some Government made a bid for it and had our 12 months ago was the deliberate attempt by support. I note the support of the Leader of the industry, obviously with the support of the Opposition for our bid. This is not a matter Government, to retrench people left, right and of humour; it is a matter of substance for the centre. Members will recall during the various State. It will create employment opportunities debates that we had in this Parliament that we and help us to put Queensland on the world indicated that between 2,000 and 3,000 jobs map. could be lost from the Queensland electricity When I was in China last week, I held industry. That was never denied by the then discussions with the China Council for the Government spokesman. Promotion of International Trade—the In line with the motion that will be debated CCPIT—which is China's representative body tonight, I say this: the last thing that I want to on the BIE. The director, Mr Liang Xinhua, see is men and women from the electricity gave two indications and commitments to me: industry being thrown onto the unemployment firstly, that China would support Queensland if scrap heap when, in my opinion, there is proof there was a vote at the BIE; and, that the maintenance program has not been secondly—and this is the exciting part—that properly carried out. The member for Callide China would be a participant at Coomera. comes from an area that relies upon a major China's exhibit at Expo 1988 was one of the power station. I invite him—and I expect most exciting. I was delighted to have those him—to join with us in resolving the issue. assurances. There are certainly difficulties along the road in this matter, but Queenslanders need to understand that we Expo 2002 will do everything we can to get Expo 2002. I Mr FENLON: I refer the Premier to recent have had full cooperation from John Moore, media reports that the Philippines is the former Federal Minister. He has written to considering not staging Expo 2002. I ask: will me about it previously. We have been in the Premier confirm that the State constant contact in relation to the matter, and Government will revive Queensland's bid to we have the full support of the Federal host the Expo on the Gold Coast? Government. Mr BEATTIE: The answer is: yes. I notice that there are a number of experts wandering Remote Area Power Scheme around who seem to know how this process is Mr JOHNSON: I ask the Minister for going to be determined. Indeed, this morning Mines and Energy: will he please explain to that legendary columnist Dennis Atkins this House and to the people of the Barcoo seemed to have it all worked out as well. Shire, whom I represent, and the people of the The truth of the matter is that there is no Boulia Shire, whom he represents, his decision determination of the process yet, in that the to scrap the coalition Government's Remote Philippines has not formally withdrawn. They Area Power Scheme, which would have have been given the baton and while they provided the benefit of supplying power to the have it we are not in a position to take it from people of those two remote western shires? them. We have indicated to the Federal Mr McGRADY: I thank the honourable Government and to other appropriate sources member for the question. A similar question that, yes, Queensland is interested in the bid was directed to me during the Estimates and we will do everything we can to secure the hearings, and I was delighted to take it. When bid. However, until such time as the Philippines I became the Minister back in 1992, one of the relinquishes its interests, we are not in a first decisions I made was to conduct a pilot position to secure it. I have signalled that we scheme in the Shire of Boulia to see what we will do everything we can to revive the bid. I could do to try to improve the power supply for have signalled publicly that, if it is appropriate, those people on remote and isolated stations. I am prepared to go to Paris to secure that bid. I got together four people, including one lady Opposition members interjected. who came from one of the properties in the 2518 Questions Without Notice 20 Oct 1998 area. We also called for people to offer to Police numbers are growing at a rate not seen allow their property to be used for the pilot since the first years of the Goss Labor scheme. Four independent people were Government. This year alone, numbers will selected to trial the scheme on their properties. grow by at least 317 officers. This is the first My ministerial colleague Rod Welford was year that growth will exceed the average the chairman of the task force that supervised needed for the Police Service to reach its 2005 the whole scheme. A great deal of money was target of 9,100—many more than were put in spent by the Government on that pilot place under the previous Government. To scheme. Without naming the property, I will achieve this 2005 target, we will ensure that give honourable members an example of the we will have a net gain of between 300 and benefits. Whereas the people on this property 400 new constables each year. But there is used to drink Sunshine milk, they now drink one difficulty, and one difficulty only, with fresh milk. Whereas they used to drink a cool having so many new officers being put through stubbie, they now drink a cold stubbie. the training program, and that is that those Whereas they used to use fans of a night- enormous increases sometimes can mean time, they now have airconditioning. that we may have a shortage of experienced officers as the relatively new officers begin to Upon becoming the Minister after the outnumber those experienced officers already recent State election, I discovered that $5m in the service. had been allocated to bring grid power to some of the properties in Boulia. When I read One of the many ways in which we can the Budget papers of the former address this issue—and we are doing so Government—the Budget that was never effectively—is through the induction of passed by this Parliament—I noted that $5m experienced police officers, better known as was to be spent in this financial year. I asked "retreads". Last week I attended an induction the question: "But what happens next year, parade for 22 police retreads at the Oxley the year after and the year after that?" The Police Academy. The utilisation of the previous reply I received was, "Tom gave some experience of these officers from jurisdictions commitment and he threw in $5m." across the country and indeed across the world is vital to the Queensland Police Service. I have left $1m in that particular Vote. As old hands at police work, they are expected Bringing grid power to the isolated properties to rise quickly through the ranks to senior of Barcoo, Boulia and other remote places positions and become tomorrow's leaders for around Queensland would cost approximately the many batches of new recruits as they $94m. If the previous Government had been come through over the next three years. Their sincere, it would have allocated $5m this year, recruitment in this State comes at a time when X amount of money next year and so on. That most other Police Services in Australia are never happened. What I am saying to the contracting in size. member and the people of the Barcoo, Boulia and other places is that $1m is there. Some The Queensland Police Service is time this week I will be having a meeting with expanding—and I repeat: expanding—at a the chief executive officer and the mayor. I rate not seen since the Goss years. Two now have an Office of Sustainable Energy in officers inducted came from as far away as my department, which has $10m allocated to New Zealand and South Africa. One was a it. I assure this House that that will be a priority police superintendent in South Africa. Along of the work of this new office. with those recruited from other States, they realise that their career prospects and chances of advancement are better in Queensland. Police Numbers Areas right throughout Queensland will Mrs ATTWOOD: I ask the Minister for benefit from the placement of those 22 Police and Corrective Services: could he recruits. The Gold Coast will receive five; please advise the House whether the Beattie Logan district, one; Cairns district, two; Government is on track to achieve the police Rockhampton, two; Maryborough, one; number targets committed to by Labor prior to Redcliffe, two; Toowoomba, one; metropolitan the recent election? In particular, could the north, four; and metropolitan south, four. The Minister please advise on any recent placement of those recruits comes on top of graduations and their benefit to Queensland? the participants in two recent induction Mr BARTON: The Beattie Labor parades, one from the Oxley Police Academy Government is well on the way to fulfilling its of 135 and one from the north Queensland election commitment of providing 1,061 campus in Townsville of 36, who are already additional officers over the next three years. working in police stations right across 20 Oct 1998 Matters of Public Interest 2519

Queensland, and there are a lot more yet to a matter of privilege suddenly arising. This come. morning in question time the Leader of the Opposition repeatedly asserted that I gave a Electricity Costs direction to the board of CS Energy in relation to the Callide power project. He further claimed Miss SIMPSON: I refer the Minister for that the alleged direction was in secret Mines and Energy to an announcement by the correspondence. On both counts the Leader former Minister for Mines and Energy of the Opposition has misled the House. I refer regarding the coalition Government's decision to section 133 of the Government Owned to reduce electricity costs for patients requiring Corporations Act, which states, inter alia— home oxygen support and kidney dialysis. I also refer him to concerns raised by patients "A GOC's board must— who are justifiably angry that these reductions (a) keep the shareholding Ministers have not yet been passed on by his reasonably informed of the Government. I ask: why has he delayed the operations, financial performance introduction of this very important initiative? and financial position of the GOC Mr McGRADY: I agree entirely with what and its subsidiaries, including the the member is saying. Negotiations are taking assets and liabilities, profits and place between my ministerial colleague's losses and prospects of the GOC department and mine as to how this scheme and its subsidiaries; and will operate, and we hope to be able to make (b) give to the shareholding Ministers a joint announcement in the not-too-distant reports and information that they future. require to enable them to make informed assessments of matters Surf-lifesaving Movement mentioned in paragraph (a)" Mr WILSON: I ask the Minister for In order to expose the Leader of the Emergency Services: could she inform the Opposition's latest conspiracy theory, I now House of the accuracy or otherwise of a recent table a copy of the so-called secret letter, newspaper report which suggested that there signed by the Honourable Minister for Mines was no link between the surf-lifesaving and Energy and me as shareholding Ministers. movement and the rate of drowning deaths? The letter was sent to Mr G. N. Harley, chairman of CS Energy Limited. I table the Mrs ROSE: Any suggestion such as that letter. As honourable members can now see, contained in a front-page article of the Gold the letter sought information from CS Energy. Coast Bulletin last week that our thousands of It contained no direction to the CS Energy surf-lifesavers have no impact on the number board. As I stated this morning, the letter was of beach drownings is ludicrous. Tens of written pursuant to my responsibilities as a thousands of Queenslanders and visitors to shareholding Minister, pursuant to section 133 our State owe their lives to our surf-lifesavers. of the Government Owned Corporations Act. I The fact that there has not been a drowning will continue to do my duty as a responsible death between the flags on a patrolled beach Minister under that Act. in Queensland speaks volumes for the work of our surf-lifesavers. Anyone suggesting that they are not a main contributing factor to this MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST proud statistic is living in a dream. Surf- Power Supply Industry lifesavers have saved more than 71,000 lives over the past 60 years on Queensland Hon. R. E. BORBIDGE (Surfers beaches. Last year alone, they saved 2,819 Paradise—NPA) (Leader of the Opposition) lives on our beaches. They also performed (11.32 a.m.): That is the answer the 55,937 preventive actions before a rescue was Opposition was seeking in question time that needed, 18,033 first-aid treatments and 42 the Treasurer was unable and too incompetent live-saving resuscitations. to provide. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time for Mr HAMILL: Mr Speaker, I rise to a point questions has expired. of order. The Leader of the Opposition continues to mislead the House. I answered the question I was asked by the honourable PRIVILEGE member for Moggill by saying that I was Callide C Power Station carrying out my responsibilities as the Hon. D. J. HAMILL (Ipswich—ALP) shareholding Minister. The Leader of the (Treasurer) (11.30 a.m.): Mr Speaker, I rise on Opposition's claims are false. 2520 Matters of Public Interest 20 Oct 1998

Mr SPEAKER: Order! We are debating How did we go from being a State where the issue now. traditionally there has been a workable reserve Mr HAMILL: The Leader of the plant margin to one in which we can now count Opposition's claims are false, they are spare megawatts on our fingers? We have the offensive and I ask that they be withdrawn. problem because the last time the Labor Party was in power in this State it ignored repeated Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Honourable warnings that unless it took firm decisions in Leader of the Opposition will withdraw. 1991 there would be a power shortage in this Mr BORBIDGE: I didn't ask the Treasurer State from 1997. That highly specific and a question this morning. expert warning was given by the then Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Honourable Queensland Electricity Commission to the Leader of the Opposition will withdraw the Government-appointed task force, then words that the Treasurer finds offensive. examining whether to proceed with the Tully/Millstream project. Mr BORBIDGE: I will, but I did not ask the Treasurer a question this morning. The facts are essentially and briefly these. In December 1989, Labor inherited a plan for Mr HAMILL: I ask the Leader of the the future security of electricity supply in this Opposition to withdraw the remarks that he just State which, left alone, ensured reliability of made. I gave a clear answer to the member supply until about now. The National Party for Moggill this morning. I did not suggest that Government of the mid to late 1980s had the Leader of the Opposition asked me a committed to construction of the 1,400- question. I said that he repeatedly asserted megawatt coal-fired station at Stanwell and wrong information. That is for the record. had committed to the construction of 600 Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Honourable the megawatts of peaking power at Leader of the Opposition will withdraw those Tully/Millstream. Stanwell was planned to words. come on line as needed through the first half Mr BORBIDGE: I think he should see an of the 1990s and Tully/Millstream in about analyst, but if he is upset I will withdraw. The 1997 to meet what was then expected to be a status of the Queensland power supply shortfall in peak generating capacity. So in industry needs to be accurately described to 1989 the conservatives had the bases covered the people of this State. They deserve to and for Queensland power consumers right must know the truth behind the fact that we through to the end of this decade. That is have a Government which cannot guarantee precisely the sort of planning that has to be to keep the lights on. engaged in. I do have some empathy with the view Labor stopped Tully/Millstream in that Queenslanders do not care how we have February 1990 and then for years ignored the gotten into this situation but that they want the warnings that if it did not replace that capacity problem fixed. We are only going to get the the State would have a power crisis towards problem fixed if the Government of the day the end of the 1990s, and most likely from understands what the problem is, because 1997. The fact is that the amount of time only then can it take the appropriate action. If needed for major new generation projects is it gets the problem wrong, and therefore the seven to eight years for coal, about six years answer wrong, we will be in for not only a tight for gas and about three years for distillate. summer but a tight situation for years, with In 1991 Labor did nothing. In 1992 Labor blackouts becoming a standard part of life in did nothing. In 1993 Labor did nothing. In this State. 1994 Labor did nothing. In 1995 Labor That is precisely the direction in which this panicked. It finally worked out that it had Government is heading. It tells us that the placed the State in a position where a power problem is maintenance and the structure of crisis from at least 1997 was a certainty, and it the industry. That is nonsense! Only the finally cobbled together a few projects, none of Minister for Mines and Energy and a trade which was ever going to have any impact on union affiliated with the Labor Party is on that the 1997 crunch period, which were always tram. That assertion is denied by the industry going to be too little, too late for 1998. whenever it is put up. It is in fact a deliberate The QEC warnings of 1991 were untruth to try to divert attention from the real absolutely right. The peak load of last summer cause of the problem, which is that there is left reserve capacity of some 18.6%, or fully simply insufficient generating capacity to about 10% less than the amount of reserve handle peak demand. That is the pathetic capacity the QEC had long warned was the situation our State is in. absolute minimum for a reasonable level of 20 Oct 1998 Matters of Public Interest 2521 confidence. We have equipment failing—not We have an inspector of police in court because it is not properly maintained but describing the Minister for Mines and Energy because it is being asked to work too hard for as "irrational". The same description fits the too little. We are measuring reserve capacity in Deputy Premier in regard to his intervention in a number of megawatts that can be counted respect of the electricity industry in this State. on one's fingers. That is the situation and it is The same description fits the Government in important to establish, because if the problem relation to the Callide/Tarong/Chevron is not acknowledged—this Minister will not equation. This is Labor amateur acknowledge the problem—then it will not be interventionism at its very worst. I just say to fixed. the Minister and to the Government that they In the medium and longer term the will not fix the problems that we have today by problem will get worse, not better. I generously ignoring the problems that Queensland restrict that danger period to the medium and experienced in the early nineties. the longer term, because in the shorter term We have seen admissions that this the coalition's cavalry is coming to the rescue. Government tried to stop Callide C. It called for Unlike Labor, the coalition acted immediately the contracts and the lawyers said, "You on coming to office. Within three weeks we cannot stop it." So this Government called for had called tenders for 400 megawatts of the contracts again and it went to other power that will come on stream hopefully in lawyers to see if it could stop Callide C, and it January, which will start to rebuild reserve could not. We are seeing a Government that is capacity to a viable margin. playing favourites, a Government that is prepared to intervene—to intervene We cannot alter the situation in the artificially—in the electricity generating capacity interim, but from the very first year over which of this State to play commercial favourites for we had any influence whatsoever as the Chevron project. generators of power we did. Next year another 303 megawatts of power resulting from Time expired. coalition tenders will come on stream at Oakey, with another 500 megawatts via Multiculturalism Westlink from 2001. Also, 840 megawatts from the CS Energy/Shell project, for 840 Mr NUTTALL (Sandgate—ALP) megawatts at Callide, will start to come on line. (11.42 a.m.): Today I would like to present to the Parliament a definitive statement about But the very great and the very real the progress to date of the Multicultural concern is that we are already seeing from this Queensland Policy. When in Opposition, we second Labor Government this decade the said that there had to be a new direction in exact same irresponsibility towards the power multicultural affairs in this State. Within a few industry that it displayed first time around. In weeks of Government, a new Multicultural 1990, the project it moved to stop— Queensland Policy had been developed and Tully/Millstream—was a 600-megawatt project. launched by the Premier in August at the In 1998 the project it wanted to stop was Multicultural Community Leaders Forum held 840 megawatts at Callide C and the expansion in Brisbane. at Tarong. The Callide project was committed The new policy is about access. All when we left office and is crucial for security of Queenslanders should enjoy equitable access power supply in this State from 2001 or 2002. to services and programs. It is about If Labor was to stop that project, as it participation. All Queenslanders should enjoy twice tried to do on the instructions of the de equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities facto Premier, the member for Capalaba, then to participate in, contribute to and benefit from it would have to replace those megawatts, and all aspects of life in Queensland. It is about the same goes for Tarong. This Government cohesion. All Queenslanders should share wants to stop that project as well and will have responsibility for the continuing development a much better chance because it is at the of Queensland as a cohesive, harmonious feasibility stage. The Premier has explained his society. reasons very candidly. Callide and Tarong, he The State Budget identifies a total budget said, would produce relatively cheap electricity, allocation to Multicultural Affairs Queensland of but the Premier, playing commercial favourites $3,793,000 for the financial year 1998-99. This and trying to pick winners, favours more includes an allocation for the management of expensive power from another project which the Multicultural Affairs Queensland program might or might not proceed even if he were and the Yungaba administration program. A successful in stopping Callide and/or Tarong. total of $1,443,000 has been allocated to the 2522 Matters of Public Interest 20 Oct 1998

Multicultural Affairs Queensland program, own budgets to meet the following core which is made up of a local area multicultural principles of this policy. One of the keys if not partnership, and that is some $525,000—and I the key aspect of the policy is community will expand on that program in a later consultation. Since I became the speech—multicultural assistance programs, Parliamentary Secretary with carriage of some $445,000; and the ethnic school Multicultural Affairs for the Government, I have program of some $130,000. Other grants assumed an inclusive approach. By this I include the International Year of Older Persons mean that I have had an open-door policy to program, $150,000; the National Accreditation meet with both individuals and community Authority for Translators and Interpreters groups in relation to what the policy covers subsidy, $64,000; Commonwealth/State joint and, for that matter, what the policy does not research, $9,000; the Ethnic Community cover. Council of Queensland, a grant of $100,000; Can I just share with you, Mr Deputy and the Arts Council, $20,000. The remainder Speaker, some of my experiences to date is allocated to: Yungaba, $581,247; and the such as the day three community women put Office of Multicultural Affairs Queensland to me that they wanted this Government to $1,767,706. ensure that equitable outcomes needed to be I have established the interdepartmental a focus for a multicultural Queensland and that committee on multicultural affairs, chaired by issues relating to settlement of newly arrived the Director-General of the Department of the migrants and racism be addressed. Moreover, Premier and Cabinet. The interdepartmental they said that the Government, communities committee, which has already met, works to and service providers should develop culturally ensure consistency in implementation of the inclusive programs and services to ensure that principles and strategies of the Multicultural newly arrived immigrants are taken into the Queensland Policy across Government. Of fold of our society and are not subjected to particular importance to me will be what racism or discriminated against. While visiting a agencies deliver for regional multicultural learning support facility for newly arrived Queensland. Through working parties chaired immigrant students, the point was made to me by relevant portfolio representatives, the that racism also exists within the multicultural committee also develops supporting strategies community and that collectively we have to including those on multicultural opportunities in help the multicultural community to deal with trade, investment and business. With this in this particular aspect of intraracism. mind, the Government is calling together Another perspective I see as critically leading business people from the Queensland important to the new policy is that of including multicultural community to meet and work the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander through a range of ideas and initiatives which community as part of the Queensland can lead to more jobs for Queenslanders. multicultural fraternity. Clearly, though, I mentioned before Government Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people agencies. The new policy includes the Charter are special to this place. With my colleague of Public Service in a Culturally Diverse the Honourable the Minister for Aboriginal and Society, which has been endorsed by this Torres Strait Islander Affairs, I want to ensure Government and by Ministers at the that Aboriginal and Torres Strait people feel Commonwealth, State and Territory levels and that they can be part of multicultural by local government leaders. Government Queensland and share the fruits of a service providers in Queensland need to have Multicultural Queensland Policy. As the a reporting mechanism in place which ensures Premier indicated at the Multicultural they are accountable for implementing the Community Leaders Forum in August, the policy, for example, on an annual basis Government is committed to doing something reporting on what and how they have achieved about racial vilification. To this end, work is well under this policy. The Office of Multicultural under way to either amend legislation under Affairs Queensland—the Public Service—has the current Anti-Discrimination Act or possibly been given more strategic responsibility by me write new legislation for the Parliament. I will to work with all Government agencies. keep honourable members informed of this MAQ, better known as Multicultural Affairs matter as it progresses. Queensland, will assist these agencies to Let me say that since June I have met implement the new policy and monitor other with 91 delegations, most of which have come agencies. Under the policy, all Government from the multicultural community, including agencies are expected by this Government to those I met with at Community Cabinet provide the necessary resources from their sessions around the State. I am also well into 20 Oct 1998 Matters of Public Interest 2523 a schedule of meetings with a number of lord Government departments are often heavy- mayors about how the policy will assist local handed, unfair and unjust in their decisions. In government authorities to access funds under the Army, we had an RSM who was there, for the Local Area Multicultural Partnership all intents and purposes, to protect the men Program of this policy. The LAMP Program from the officers. He was there as a buffer. implements the major strategic component of And trust me; I used him quite often. This the cultural diversity support strategy. system has worked in the Army for centuries I am also in the process of inviting key and provides not only a buffer for the common multicultural community representatives to soldier but also a buffer for the officers from work with me in a multicultural task force to the soldiers themselves. monitor the implementation of the Multicultural I believe that the Minister responsible for Queensland Policy. This task force would a Government department should take on the complement the work done by the role of an RSM and act as a buffer between interdepartmental committee on multicultural the people and his department. As an elected affairs. I am looking to the Ethnic Communities member—a member who was put there by Council of Queensland to assume a far more people in his electorate—he should have comprehensive leadership role under this some sort of feeling about what the people of policy. Queensland are going through, and he should There are specific areas of need under provide a service to the people of Queensland the policy which need to be addressed. These in interpreting their feelings to the department. include: support for new and emerging He should be there to ensure that citizens are multicultural groups to access legal and justice protected from what they perceive to be a cold services, health, education, housing, training and sometimes heartless Public Service in and employment and other areas; and their pursuit of economic rationalism. recognition of the special needs of women Today, when giving notice of a motion, I from diverse backgrounds. I believe that the listened to some interjections from Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland, Government members to the effect that what I together with other lead multicultural was saying was really damaging stuff. I am not community organisations, can assist to build here to damage the Government. I am not the capacity of communities to more here to try to do any underhand and nasty participate in the new policy. Through the stuff. I am here to get answers for people in provision of funding under the policy, the my electorate. What I sought today was an Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland answer to a question. As the Minister for Mines can also help the Government to assist these and Energy clearly stated, this has been an new and emerging organisations to actively issue for many, many years—a lot longer than participate in the consultation and planning 10 years. No resolution has been obtained by that Government agencies, including local him or by previous Ministers. Both sides of the government, undertake to improve their House are implicated in this. I asked for an service delivery capacity. answer. I did not come in here to move a In conclusion, I have to say that, like the motion of no confidence in the Government. I Premier, I am fully committed to did not come in here screaming and yelling. I multiculturalism. We have to send a clear asked for some answers, and I asked for some signal to all Queenslanders—and to all fair treatment. Australians, for that matter—and overseas that This is why people are dissatisfied with our State is about strength in cultural diversity. their Government. This is why the voters of Significantly, the multicultural community Queensland turned against both parties at the throughout Queensland has warmly received last State election. That is why 1.2 million the new Multicultural Queensland Policy, as I people in Australia voted against the current hope all members of this Parliament have party system in this country. The simple fact is done. that the people are dissatisfied with the lack of accountability. Today the Minister made an outrageous statement that the people are not Water Storage, Irvinebank interested in who is to blame. That is one of Mr NELSON (Tablelands—ONP) the most incredible things that I have heard (11.51 a.m.): Fair and equitable treatment by here today, and I have heard some pretty Government departments is totally necessary incredible things. The fact is that the people for the public to have faith in their system of are interested in who is to blame. The people government. Currently, people have no faith in are seeking answers, and they are seeking our system, and one of the reasons is that those answers because they are hurting 2524 Matters of Public Interest 20 Oct 1998 directly from the decisions made by Mr NELSON: I should not argue with the Government in the pursuit of economic Chair. However, there are a few members—but rationalism. To say that they do not want to I should not be so—— know who perpetrated these acts and that Mr Hamill: Presumptuous? they want the situation resolved is partly true. Yes, they want the situation resolved and they Mr NELSON:—glib as to lump everyone want it resolved fairly and justly. That is when I into the same bag. I am sure that there are come to another important fact. members of the Government—because we all know that the Labor Party is factional—who do Yes, the Government may have a legal listen, who do care and who do have some leg to stand on in doing what it is doing. I genuine interest in this issue. accept that, legally, yes, the Government may have a point—although I would like to see that I want to put it on record here and now, debated by a QC. But the simple fact is that before we debate that motion tonight, that all I what the Government is doing is not fair. seek—and this is totally pertinent to the When people come to my electorate office, I subject matter of this Matters of Public Interest do not ask them where they are from, what debate—are some answers and some fair and they do or anything like that. I listen to their just treatment. This is not going to bring down case and I ask myself: is it fair, or is it not fair? any Ministers or cost the Government votes. And nine times out of 10, the cases that they As a matter of fact, the people who brought bring to me are simply not fair. If a citizen of this to me are staunch Labor supporters. this country cannot expect fair treatment from Anyone can look at the record of voting in his or her Government and cannot expect Irvinebank and see that. The simple fact is that answers and situations to be resolved in less it is going to provide some fair treatment for than 10 years by successive Governments and the people of my electorate. Not only that, it by different Ministers, then what are we? We might wise up some of the hard hearts sitting are not a Government for the people, of the opposite and on this side of the House. people, by the people; we are a ruling I am here as a messenger from the dictatorship that goes about heavy-handed people of Queensland and the people of actions, making decisions with total disregard Tablelands—like it or not—and so are the for people's feelings and what they are going other 10 members sitting around me. Our through. message is that what is going on in this country is not working. The people are not This is especially pertinent in the township happy. That is blatantly obvious to me, of Irvinebank—a once-thriving town that lived regardless of politics, and it is blatantly obvious on the tin mining industry, which was supplied to many people—1.2 million people in the by independent miners; it had nothing to do Federal election and 428,000 people in the with big business. It was totally people State election. The numbers are there. The driven—jobs, jobs, jobs and all that sort of attitude is there. What they are saying is, stuff. It was in the heart of the Atherton "Wake up and listen. Hear what we have to Tableland in an incredibly remote and rural say. And in the Matters of Public Interest area. That area has been totally and utterly debate, please provide to us the Government destroyed, not by economic rationalism or by a that we deserve." I also want to put on record loss of income or by a loss of markets; it has that, if the Government does not do this, if it been totally destroyed by Governments. That continues to take away people's jobs, if is what it is all about. That is why One Nation is economic rationalism drives people to here today. But I am continually amazed that unemployment queues, if people can no no-one listens. Even right here and right now, I longer hope for any sort of guaranteed could be talking to the walls. No-one is success in their future, and, on top of all the listening. That is why I was sent here to this hardship that they already have to deal with, if Parliament. they have their political voice taken away from Mr SULLIVAN: I rise to a point of order. I them, as a person who has studied history, I was listening very carefully to the member for ask: what are the outcomes of that? Every Tablelands. single time people have had that done to Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Reeves): them, the outcomes have been horrendous for Order! There is no point of order. the Government and for the country that has imposed those things onto the people. Mr NELSON: There probably is a point of I bear a second warning to this order. Parliament: do not continue to harass, deride An honourable member: Don't argue with and denounce the vote for my party, the vote the Chair. against the party system, the vote against 20 Oct 1998 Matters of Public Interest 2525 economic rationalism, the vote against became Jim rather than my Greek name privatisation and the vote against the current Dimitri. Throughout my years at school, direction of successive Governments in this university and the workplace, it became country and do listen, because, if members fundamentally important for me to belong. As continue to ignore the people of this State and a result, I wanted to contribute and play a the people of Australia who are discontented meaningful role in shaping the cultural, social and not happy with what is going on in their and economic fabric of my adopted country. country, members risk a lot more than a loss at There can be no doubt that one's culture an election or a loss of votes; they risk the is shaped by one's environment. It is my belief ultimate sacrifice any Government can pay, that cultural differences are skin deep only. that is, the loss of control over the attitudes of Cultures simply derive from different life the people of this country and the loss of experiences. During the 1970s, the process of direction of this country as a whole. assimilation was replaced by one of Personally, I will not stand here and watch integration. That led to the bipartisan support my democracy and a country of which I am an for the policy of multiculturalism. Back then, as incredibly proud citizen be destroyed by now, those opposed to multiculturalism made Government attitude and Government their voices heard. In 1979, six years after inaction. I ask for answers to my questions, not integration had been accepted and rhetoric. I do not expect to be patronised and multiculturalism endorsed nationally, the then put down; I expect answers to legitimate Queensland Minister responsible for migrant questions. I expect them not as a member of affairs, Norm Lee, attacked multiculturalism. Parliament but as a citizen who votes and who He used the very arguments that are being expects the Government to be totally open, used today. He argued that— transparent and accountable. "We shouldn't have two kinds of Australians—those born here and those Multiculturalism from overseas who make no effort to slot into our community. They remain more Hon. J. FOURAS (Ashgrove—ALP) involved with their own ethnic background (12.01 p.m.): Recently I attended a function at than with their own heritage." the Italian Centre to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the acceptance of the policy of In another comment Norm Lee said— multiculturalism in Australia. We celebrated 25 "Some migrants are confused, years of cultural diversity, increasing social spending all their time in their own ethnic harmony and a sense of belonging. Twenty- groups, speaking their own native five years ago, the policy of multiculturalism language always, and making no effort to received bipartisan support from both sides of live like ordinary Australians." the Commonwealth Parliament. Today, the fabric of multiculturalism is under serious In 1979 as the member for South threat. It is threatened by the advent of One Brisbane I made a speech in the Queensland Nation, which is creating social division focused Parliament to rebut those claims, a rebuttal on the issues of cultural diversity and race. that I think is still very relevant in the current That has led to the scapegoating both of political climate. I said— immigrants and the policy of multiculturalism. "What is the Minister saying? Is he Social cohesion is also threatened by saying that all migrants should adopt the Government policies that stress global language and culture of Australia? Is he competitiveness and a competition policy that virtually ascribing to assimilation rather has been embraced irrespective of its impact than integration? on citizens and society and that has led to the Does he not understand that cultures acceptance of increasing levels of evolve and enrich themselves by drawing unemployment and sharply declining levels of on the resources of other cultures around job security. them? In any case, can the Minister Throughout my political career I have define to me what Australian culture is? been a staunch defender of multiculturalism. Migrants who come to Australia make a For 25 years, multiculturalism has succeeded conscious choice in doing so. They want in addressing the questions of settlement, to belong. They want to be Australian. cultural diversity and social cohesion. During They want to contribute to making this a the 1950s and 1960s, the official Government great nation. They accept that their first policy for migrants was that of assimilation, duty as Australian citizens must be to that is, of becoming similar. It was generally Australia. But an Australian-Italian is accepted. An indication of that is that I willingly simply that. He cannot stop being Italian 2526 Matters of Public Interest 20 Oct 1998

and become Australian as the Minister harmony and a sense of belonging. It is stated. important to understand that Pauline Hanson We live in a nation that is a migrant and One Nation have not caused social unrest nation in that forty percent of our but capitalised on it. An article written by Bob population are the products of post war Ellis in the Sydney Morning Herald commented migration. We have come together, the on the substantial One Nation vote in the 1998 new and the old, to build a new Australian Queensland election. I have heard many times society. in this House that over 400,000 Queenslanders voted for One Nation. Bob Ellis If this society is to work and become reflected on the split personality of One Nation. great we must learn to respect each He called one half the savage half and the other's ideas, cultures, and lifestyles. other the civilising half. He said that the We can learn from each other, and savage half is obviously associated with guns, make choices of what to accept from our Aborigines, hanging and putting Asians on a own culture." boat and sending them home. The civilising half voted for One Nation as a protest against During 1979, Norm Lee, then the Minister economic rationalism that favours profit over responsible for migrant affairs was also quoted people. Globalisation and competition policies as saying that he saw no room in Australia for reject the economic goal of equity in favour of a multilingual society as it created divided the single goal of efficiency. Such economic loyalties. I responded to that in Parliament by rationalism is used to justify higher saying— unemployment levels, destroys job security, "If we force migrants to reject their has created havoc in regional Australia and, as language, we will deny them the dignity a consequence, has impacted very adversely that they desire so much. Taking away on our society and social cohesion. their language says to them that they It has been estimated that fewer than have nothing worthwhile to contribute. It 30% of Australian workers are globally forces migrant communities defensively in competitive. That means more than 70% do upon themselves." not have the available skills to compete It is only with the short-sighted policies of successfully in a globalised market. For those assimilation that we create in Australia exactly workers, Government must play a protective the situation of hate and suspicion in which role in shielding them from a loss of income Norm Lee in 1979 and since 1996 Pauline and social capability. It is unfortunate that the Hanson and her One Nation Party expressed bosses have declared war on their workers and their fears of the creation of divisiveness. that they are winning. The greed of the shareholder is immeasurable in today's world. With regard to concerns being expressed It is the job of Government to protect those then and now about language, I said in my who cannot protect themselves from the 1979 speech that we cannot accept impact of globalisation and competition policy multiculturalism unless we accept with new forms of Government intervention multilingualism. We would be saying that all we which will deliver economic certainty and social have to gain from other cultures is a few inclusiveness. recipes, some exotic dances and cheap labour. It would reduce multiculturalism to The increasing inequities of wealth pizzas, the Zorba dance and factory fodder. distribution that the developed world has experienced during the past two decades must The backlash against multiculturalism not be allowed to continue. We cannot gained substantial momentum in 1996 with continue with that disparity of wealth, with the the election of Pauline Hanson. The year 1996 top end of town getting all the cake and was a year of distressing social division that people having great difficulty with their job focused on the issues of cultural diversity and insecurity. The pursuit of the common good, race. The pathetic leadership shown by John respect for human dignity and a fair go should Howard during that time has led to the be part of any civilised agenda. Now more continuing questioning of the benefits of than ever, political leadership is vital to multiculturalism. encourage economic certainty as well as a The opponents of diversity need to common commitment to mutual understand that the aim of multiculturalism is understanding, respect for diversity, tolerance to break down the us-and-them syndrome and a great pride in being Australian. People rather than to divide. The role of need to understand that economic inequality multiculturalism is to create a cohesive society and economic security have the propensity to that values unity in diversity, community divide Australians—not a discriminatory 20 Oct 1998 Matters of Public Interest 2527 immigration policy that gives Asians equal acting Labor Leader, Jim Elder, made a formal access to Australia nor the level of immigration complaint to the CJC. The first I was aware of that creates jobs rather than destroying the this complaint was a front-page story in the jobs of those already in Australia. Courier-Mail the following April. In that article, People such as refugees who have the head of the Official Misconduct Division, Mr already lost one home should not be Michael Barnes, was quoted as the "CJC threatened with the loss of their new home. It spokesman" who confirmed that "there was an saddens me that refugees have been ongoing investigation into the matter." particularly targeted by One Nation. The half a It is Liberal Party tradition that a Minister million refugees who have already come to under investigation by a judicial or semijudicial Australia have helped to make our country body such as the CJC should stand down. stronger, richer and more interesting than it Owing to the media coverage and in the best otherwise would be. Our view of refugees interests of my family and the coalition, I not should not turn solely on calculations of self- only stood down but also resigned from my interest. We are supposed to stand for human portfolio. On the basis that it has caused my liberty and we must sometimes defend our resignation as a Minister of the Crown, principles at a cost to ourselves. members, in common with me, would have In conclusion, the detractors of cultural assumed that the investigation into this diversity claim that it is not the role of consultancy would have been expedited—that Government to fund separate "tribes". Nor it would have been completed quickly and the should it be. However, opponents of diversity findings announced publicly. need to understand that the aim of That was not the case. Members may multiculturalism is to break down the us-and- recall that the complaint was made in them syndrome rather than divide. The role of December 1996. It is now October 1998— multiculturalism is to create a strongly cohesive almost two years since the complaint was society that enjoys community harmony and made. What is of most concern to me, and has a sense of belonging—a society has been since the newspaper article committed to one Australia; a multicultural appeared, is the fact that, ever since, Barnes Australia which, in every sense, Australia truly has been in charge of the investigation. Right is. from the start I have complained of Barnes' involvement in this investigation and the inexcusable delays. Through my lawyer, I CJC Investigation into Allegations of brought to Mr Clair's attention Mr Barnes' direct Misconduct by Member for Nerang involvement in the story leaking to the press Mr CONNOR (Nerang—LP) (12.10 p.m.): I and Barnes' political affiliations. I also detailed rise to inform this House that the CJC has to the CJC Senator Abetz's complaint that Mr finally conducted its investigation concerning Barnes had misled a Senate committee by the alleged appointment of Pat O'Connor as a concealing his membership of the Labor consultant. I table a letter from the CJC to that Lawyers Association. That is dealt with in effect. Members may remember that on 24 Senate Hansard of 31 May 1995. Barnes April last year I resigned from my ministerial said— portfolio as a direct result of an article that "I am not a member of the Labor appeared on the front page of the Courier- Lawyers and am not and never have Mail. That article was headed, "Minister faces been a member of any political party." CJC misconduct investigation over I table the relevant passages of Hansard. consultancy." The article stated— Barnes has since personally acknowledged his "Housing Minister Ray Connor's role past membership of the Labor Lawyers in a controversial consultancy deal for a Association, and I am informed that Mr Barnes former government adviser will be was not only a member of the Labor Lawyers investigated by the Criminal Justice Association but also held executive positions. Commission." Even after Mr Clair's attention was Members may also recall that, in turn, brought to these facts, he was not prepared to there followed in the Parliament a series of remove Mr Barnes from this investigation. So allegations by members opposite. Those we have a long-term, senior member of the allegations could be summed up generally as Labor Lawyers Association involved directly in being that the consultancy was a sham and the leaking of sensitive information to the that the payment of Mr Patrick O'Connor was media that brought about the demise of a simply laundered through a solicitor's trust coalition Minister. In turn, Mr Barnes was account. Unbeknown to me at the time, the placed in charge of an investigation into the 2528 Matters of Public Interest 20 Oct 1998 same Minister. It was not only totally my— inappropriate that a Labor operative be "career over the edge, towards the back investigating this matter but also, given bench and, most probably, on to the Barnes' involvement in the leaking of the political scrap heap." information, it was incomprehensible that he would be allowed to continue. Throw in Mr So what the CJC spent almost two years Barnes' performance before the Senate investigating, even if it had found it to be true, committee and the whole thing is absurd. Is it would not have amounted to official any wonder that Barnes dragged this on for misconduct on my part. I will sum up the two years? matter. Mr Barnes, a Labor operative who was directly involved in the leaking of this There is now a new twist to all of this. investigation to the press, proceeds to Even if the events that were complained of investigate me. Mr Barnes and his were proven, they did not—and I repeat, they subordinates then spend almost two years did not—constitute official misconduct on the and, quite obviously, spend hundreds of times part of any elected official. That is not just my more than the original consultancy cost advice; that is the opinion of the CJC itself. investigating an alleged act that, even if they The questions are: when did the CJC become had found that it had been true, would not aware of this and why did it take almost two have constituted any unlawful conduct or years for it to come out? official misconduct on my part. I have languished on the backbench now The CJC has not found that the for approximately 18 months as a direct result consultancy was a sham. The consultancy was of this matter. I have had to face a party an election commitment and the matters that preselection and an election with the public the CJC investigated did not give rise to perception that I was under investigation by suspicions of official misconduct. The the CJC for improper conduct. On a number of consultancy was of low cost—$10,000—and occasions, Mr Clair was informed of the urgent was awarded and conducted totally in need to have this matter finalised. A dozen or accordance with the State Purchasing Policy. more letters have gone each way between my However, the most important questions still lawyers and the CJC trying to expedite the remain unanswered. Why did I lose my finalisation of this investigation. Only now, Ministry as a result? Why did the CJC allow when there are days to go before Mr Clair Barnes to spend almost two years retires as chair of the CJC, is this matter being investigating this matter? finalised. One wonders why all of a sudden there is some urgency. It is now only reasonable for Mr Barnes to stand down, as I did, from any position at the I have now made a formal complaint to CJC while the PCJC investigation is under way. the PCJC about the issues surrounding this Hopefully for him, the PCJC will not take two investigation. Did Mr Barnes have the advice years to investigate his involvement in this that there was no case to answer locked in a investigation and the leaking of the information safe? Is this another case like that of the to the Courier-Mail. Carruthers inquiry, when Messrs Cooper and Borbidge were put through a multimillion-dollar witch-hunt while the CJC also had similar Average Age of Members of Parliament advice locked in a safe? Has the CJC's much- belated completion of the inquiry into this Mr MUSGROVE (Springwood—ALP) matter more to do with Mr Clair's retirement? (12.18 p.m.): I welcome the announcement Are they afraid that the incoming chairman today of the new Federal shadow Cabinet. I may have an attitude totally different from the think members will agree that it is a youthful, way in which this matter was handled? reinvigorated team poised to take Government at the next election. In particular, it has a very Probably the most concerning aspect of strong representation from Queensland Labor this whole sorry affair is that the CJC had not members. Clearly, that new shadow Ministry, only not found any evidence to prove that the having an average age of 45, is the future of consultancy was improper but also that, even if Australia. In comparison, despite a substantial the events that were alleged were true, it reshuffle, the tired old Howard Government still would not constitute official misconduct. The has an average age of 50. In this place, the leaking of this story to the press ended my average age of members, calculated from ministerial career. According to the Courier- data published in the biographical guide to Mail, the publication of the investigation— members that was distributed to electorate "... was enough to tip"— offices recently, is 48.1 years. 20 Oct 1998 Matters of Public Interest 2529

The member for Tablelands has or she would be replaced by a somewhat older complained long and loud about this place member. Sadly, we all know what that means: being ageist, particularly when the Speaker, as we grow old, we are not quite up to the the Honourable Ray Hollis, was elected to his responsibilities of our office at a certain high office. Of course, he was elected to that point—some members more than others. Our high office because of his experience and memories may fail us. For example, the many years of good service to this place. I rise member for Southport cannot remember to inform members that this is in fact not the whether or not he was aware that the case as far as Labor members are concerned. Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority trust The average age of Government members is fund was heading for a $118m deficit. 45.95 years, compared to the average age of Thankfully, the member for Surfers Paradise, coalition members which is 51.78 years. On the Leader of the Opposition, has put him out average, Labor members are some five years to pasture, dumping him from the frontbench younger than members opposite. before he forgets how to tie his shoelaces. I Mr Briskey: And more intelligent, too. am sure that members can see the problem facing the Leader of the Opposition. From his Mr MUSGROVE: And, dare I say, possibly own party he must choose between members a little more good looking, energetic and who are past their use-by dates and those who enthusiastic with a genuine vigour for are starting to reek. government. The average age of Liberal Party Mr Briskey: And caring. members in this place is 51, compared, once Mr MUSGROVE: Indeed. Clearly, this is a again, with the average age of Labor Government for today and for the next members of 45.95 years. Members may well millennium. This is a Government of energy wonder how Liberal Party shadow Ministers and enthusiasm, not a Government that is stack up against their backbench. Does the past its prime and waiting to be put out to Liberal Party leader, the member for Moggill, pasture. I trust that members of the coalition face the same dilemma as his National Party will lobby the Howard Government to ensure counterpart, the member for Surfers Paradise? that there are enough nursing home places for The answer is: yes and no. The Liberal Party in them in the not-too-distant future. this place is generationally and intellectually A Government member: They'll have to static. The average age of Liberal Party pay. members is 51. The average age of Liberal shadow Ministers is 51 precisely. Mr MUSGROVE: Indeed they will. Of course, members of the National Party are Mr Hamill: It's a small sample. somewhat more mature than the rest of us, Mr MUSGROVE: The average age of with an average age of 52.08 years. However, Liberal backbenchers is also 51. When they had better not hobble off to retirement calculating those figures to the second decimal too soon because, while National Party place, I was struck by the homogeneity of shadow Ministers have an average age of Liberal Party members. As of 8 October, how 48.08 years—somewhat older than their Labor could the average age of Liberal Party shadow counterparts—the National Party backbench, Ministers, the backbench and all Liberal Party that is, the future of the National Party, is a members generally be precisely 51.00? The very fatigued 56.45 years. That is honourable Treasurer has hit the nail on the unbelievable. The future of the National Party head. I checked the figures, I rechecked them in this place, its backbench, is some eight and I came up with the same result: 51.00. As years older than the current shadow Ministry. I am sure the Treasurer would appreciate, that Mr Hamill: Is this a regression analysis? is statistically quite unlikely. How is it possible? The answer is that there are so few Liberal Mr MUSGROVE: I will come to that. I was Party members left in this place. Of course, the pleased that during the Estimates member for Clayfield, who is having a nice yak Committee B hearing the Minister for at the moment, lost his little youth wing in the Emergency Services informed members that last State election, including the barrel boy CPR training will be made available to all from Springwood. I am sure he looks forward members as part of the CPR 2000 initiative. I to a good conference as he faces that loss. inform members of the coalition that I will put petty politics aside and avail them of CPR While the National Party may have a should they require resuscitation. I wish backbench that is starting to dribble, at least it members opposite good health in their old has enough members to achieve a bit of age. If a member of the National Party shadow diversity. Of course, some members are Ministry were to drop off, chances are that he particularly keen to cling to their youth long 2530 Industrial Development Amendment Bill 20 Oct 1998 past their prime. I must say that I chuckled created in Queensland. Nationally, some when I saw that the member for Hervey Bay 239,600 jobs were created. During Labor's used his electorate car allowance to purchase term of office from June 1998 to August 1998, a great big Corvette. Unfortunately the the number of employed persons in member is not present, but I wish him well in Queensland actually decreased by some his great big car that contrasts so well with his 1,800 people, while nationally the number physical and mental attributes. Some of us go increased by some 65,000. doorknocking and some of us have street The point is that this Government has stalls, but the member for Hervey Bay just turned its back on the jobless in this State. We goes cruising. have seen that already after its four short Of course, the member for Tablelands months in office. How soon it forgets its claims that the Government is ageist for not election commitments and undertakings to the allowing him to become Speaker in his first people of this State. If the Premier had been Parliament at the tender age of 25 years. As serious about this matter, instead of being a the youngest member of the Government and, media junkie, trying to get a headline at every may I also say, the youngest member of a turn and making statements in the media, he mainstream political party that is not in fact a would have got on with the job of encouraging company, I can tell him that the important the private sector to create long-term jobs. The thing to remember in this place is that we are a Government's Capital Works Program is $25m diverse group of representatives of the less than that contained in the former coalition Queensland community. I hope that the Government's May Budget Capital Works member will not find it condescending or ageist Program. From this Government we are seeing when I say to him: sit down, listen and you a lack of commitment to long-term job creation might in fact learn something. at a time when we should have such a commitment. The former National/Liberal coalition Government had that commitment. Unemployment As the jobless figures blow out, we see that Mr BEANLAND (Indooroopilly—LP) (12.28 this Government lacks that commitment. p.m.) In the few minutes remaining, I rise to Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Mickel): comment on the current unemployment Order! The time for the Matters of Public situation in this State. It is rather ironic that Interest debate has expired. after four months in which this Government has been in office, we face a situation where unemployment in Queensland has risen INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT considerably to 9.2% for September. Of BILL course, prior to the Government taking office, Hon. J. P. ELDER (Capalaba—ALP) all we heard from the Labor Party was jobs, (Deputy Premier and Minister for State jobs, jobs. Each morning the Premier, then the Development and Minister for Trade) Leader of the Opposition, told us that the first (12.30 p.m.), by leave, without notice: I thing he would be thinking about each move— morning when he woke up was jobs, and the "That leave be granted to bring in a last thing he would be thinking about each night before he went to sleep was jobs. Of Bill for an Act to amend the Industrial course, very little more has been heard about Development Act 1963." the situation since that date. Motion agreed to. Instead of getting on with creating jobs in the State, we have seen a blow-out in the First Reading jobless figures. It is quite alarming when one considers that unemployment in Queensland Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and has risen from 8.6% in August to 9.2% in Bill, on motion of Mr Elder, read a first time. September, which is 0.3% higher than the 8.9% figure recorded in 1996 when the former Second Reading National/Liberal coalition Government came to office. That Government generated more jobs Hon. J. P. ELDER (Capalaba—ALP) than anywhere else in Australia. In fact, 39.2% (Deputy Premier and Minister for State of new jobs generated in Australia were Development and Minister for Trade) generated in Queensland. During the (12.31 p.m.): I move— coalition's term of office between February "That the Bill be now read a second 1996 and May 1998, some 94,000 jobs were time." 20 Oct 1998 Industrial Development Amendment Bill 2531

The Industrial Development Amendment compromised. Each estate has a strategic Bill is an important initiative aimed at development plan which defines the types of supporting the establishment of businesses in industry to be located on the estates. This Queensland and, through them, providing jobs ensures that mutually supportive and for Queenslanders. As part of our policy appropriate industry structures can be statements before the last election, we gave a developed on the estates and will facilitate the commitment to "ensure the provision of development of clusters of businesses to gain efficient infrastructure, including serviced maximum leverage for business growth and industrial land, which effectively meets the sustainability and job creation. changing needs of industry"—Business and My department continues to address Industry New Directions Statement. The market gaps and strategic planning failures. introduction of this Bill affirms this The establishment of a commercialised Government's commitment to promoting business unit to deliver property services has business development in this State and maximised returns to Government on the meeting its election promises. Property Services Group assets, which are The Bill seeks to amend the Industrial valued at around $320m. Commercialisation Development Act 1963 by removing redundant also provides the levels of accountability in the provisions, making the methods of dealing in use of these assets which the public of industrial land more efficient, and streamlining Queensland demands. the manner in which associated funds are Whilst the majority of the amendments handled. The primary objective of the Industrial are aimed at cleaning up the Act and Development Act was to enable the granting removing redundant provisions, there are a of financial and certain other land-based forms number of important amendments which seek of assistance to industry in Queensland. to— However, it is an old piece of legislation and has required significant amendment to bring it clarify and increase the flexibility of my up to date, eliminate unnecessary and powers as the corporation sole of the redundant provisions and provide the basis for Minister for Industrial Development so that the efficient and accountable administration of the powers adequately reflect the stated the industrial estates. objective and practices of the corporation; For example, the Industries Assistance provide an expanded definition of Board was dissolved in 1986 by operation of "industry" to reflect contemporary industry the Queensland Industry Development structures and to enable the siting of Corporation Act 1985. As a result, the capacity supporting infrastructure, such as to provide loans and loan guarantees under information technology; and the Industrial Development Act has not been establish a revised Industrial Estates available since July 1986. The removal of Construction Fund in accordance with the provisions such as these will not only bring the Financial Administration and Audit Act Act up to date; it will also be a more focused 1977 and remove the Estates and clear legislative framework for my Maintenance Fund to simplify financial department's land-based services under the systems and to increase accountability Industry Location Scheme. and transparency in the administration of A key feature is the expansion of the the corporation's funds. definition of "industry". This will mean greater It is my view that the adoption of the flexibility in the administration of the scheme, amendments to the Industrial Development allowing a wider range of businesses to locate Act by this House will result in a more efficient or expand on the industrial estates, creating and effective arrangement for the diversity and jobs and ensuring that the administration of the industrial estates in businesses located there are able to access Queensland. These estates represent a services and facilities not previously provided sizeable Government asset and foster the on the estates, such as banking services. The development and expansion of industry in this changes are particularly important to support State. Consequently, it is essential that they the effective development of the technology be managed in the most efficient manner parks which need a broader range of possible. The objective of the Industry supporting infrastructure to enable them to Location Scheme is to ensure that business become technology hubs for the State. and industry is encouraged to locate in Care has been taken in developing the Queensland because appropriately zoned land broader definition of "industry" to ensure that and infrastructure is available at a competitive the strategic positioning of the estates is not cost. It is my firm belief that these 2532 Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 20 Oct 1998 amendments will enable us to achieve this up and management of women with objective. I commend the Bill to the House. abnormalities and monitoring. Debate, on motion of Mr Beanland, Cancer of the cervix is a condition where adjourned. the cells of the cervix go through a number of changes before developing into cancer. During this stage the disease can be treated and HEALTH AND OTHER LEGISLATION cured in most cases. Early cell changes on the AMENDMENT BILL cervix can be detected by the Pap smear test Hon. W. M. EDMOND (Mount Coot-tha— before they develop into cancer. Cervical ALP) (Minister for Health) (12.36 p.m.), by smears will detect abnormal cell changes leave, without notice: I move— which are precursors of cervical cancer. Appropriate management can then be carried "That leave be granted to bring in a out. Bill for an Act to amend the Health Act 1937 and other various Acts." Screening for cancer of the cervix using the Pap smear has been available in Australia Motion agreed to. since the 1960s. However, the majority of cervical screening occurred in an opportunistic First Reading way, without well-defined coordination within and between the various components of the Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and screening process. This unstructured approach Bill, on motion of Mrs Edmond, read a first has resulted in screening rates which are lower time. than desirable, particularly among indigenous women, older women and women from rural Second Reading and remote communities. Hon. W. M. EDMOND (Mount Coot-tha— In 1988 the Australian Health Ministers' ALP) (Minister for Health) (12.37 p.m.): I Advisory Council established the Cervical move— Cancer Screening Evaluation Steering Committee. This committee was charged with "That the Bill be now read a second reviewing existing efforts to prevent cancer of time." the cervix in Australia, evaluating pilot projects Cancer of the cervix is one of the most under way in various States and Territories and preventable and curable of all cancers. Despite presenting options for change. All Australian this, 350 Australian women die each year from States and Territories, with the exception of invasive cancer of the cervix, and a further Queensland, currently have fully operational 1,000 women undergo treatment for various Pap smear registries. The Queensland Pap forms of the disease. It has been estimated Smear Register will be similar to other registries that if every woman in Australia had a Pap in all significant respects. smear every two years, more than 90% of This legislation seeks to achieve a cancer of the cervix could be prevented. Most balance between maximising the participation women who develop cancer of the cervix either of Queensland women in the Pap Smear have never had a Pap smear or have not had Register and accommodating privacy concerns a Pap smear for many years. by ensuring that women are made aware of Experience interstate and overseas has their right to opt out of the register should they demonstrated that the most effective proven choose to do so. Therefore, this Bill proposes method of intervention to reduce the incidence that women will automatically be included on rate and deaths from invasive cervical cancer the register unless they make a request to the is through adopting an organised approach to contrary. cervical screening of women at risk. Pap smear In recognition of the importance of registries provide an essential element in the protecting the privacy of women whose infrastructure of an organised approach to the information is held on the register, the prevention of cervical cancer. One of the main legislation imposes statutory duties of objectives of this Bill is to establish such a confidentiality on the employees of register in Queensland. An organised Queensland Health, Pap smear providers and approach to cervical cancer screening and pathology laboratories involved in collecting prevention requires that all aspects of the Pap smear information and maintaining the screening pathway are carried out effectively register. There are substantial penalties for and reliably. This includes recruitment and individuals or organisations who do not comply recall, Pap smear taking and reporting, follow- with this duty of confidentiality. 20 Oct 1998 Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2533

The Queensland Pap Smear Register will public, and in research projects on the causes, be a central database of Pap smear results in treatment and prevention of cancer. Queensland. The register will contain the The transfer of the Queensland Cancer results of all Pap smears, normal and Register to the Queensland Cancer Fund will abnormal, and, where relevant, the results of be of significant benefit to cancer research related histology or other clinical management. because the Queensland Cancer Fund has The register will provide a reminder service to undertaken to establish a Cancer women overdue for a regular screening Pap Epidemiology Research Unit and to provide smear and act as a safety net for women with funding for the research unit of at least abnormalities detected through screening. It $200,000 per year. The allocation of this level will also maintain an accurate and complete of resources to epidemiological cancer history of Pap smears and cervical biopsies for research will optimise data usage and analysis Queensland women. in Queensland. Similar arrangements have The register will assist individual women been in place in New South Wales and Victoria by providing a back-up reminder service and for many years and, as a result, these ensuring that women are aware of registries have been able to publish more recommended follow-up action if a cervical timely data than Queensland can currently abnormality is detected. In addition, it will provide. provide accurate and comprehensive The Bill recognises that personal health screening histories to health practitioners information such as that stored on the Cancer involved in the woman's clinical management Register is sensitive and private and that the and laboratories interpreting a woman's smear right to collect this information is accompanied and making clinical management by a responsibility to protect the privacy of this recommendations. information. While allowing the Queensland These services are expected to increase Cancer Fund to maintain the register, the Bill the number of women who regularly participate places strict duties of confidentiality on the in cervical screening, improve uptake of Cancer Fund, limiting the fund's authority to recommended follow-up and provide release identifiable data. information to allow health practitioners and In the day-to-day management of the pathology laboratories to make more informed register, the Queensland Cancer Fund will only decisions regarding the clinical management be authorised to disclose information in two of their patients and clients. circumstances. The first is to permit the release This Bill includes another amendment to of information back to parties who have the Health Act which is also an important provided information to the register in order to element in the fight against cancer. The ensure the accuracy and integrity of the purpose of this amendment is to improve the register data. The only other situation in which management of information relating to cancer the Queensland Cancer Fund will be permitted currently collected by Queensland Health by to release information from the register will be transferring responsibility for the daily if the information is in a form which does not maintenance of the Queensland Cancer identify any individual. Any other disclosure of Register to the Queensland Cancer Fund. identifying information would first require the The Queensland Cancer Register was authorisation of the chief executive. established in 1982 in response to the need The third major amendment proposed in for Statewide information on cancer, which was this Bill has arisen in response to the identified by community, State and national restructure of Queensland Health in 1996. It organisations such as the National Cancer rationalises the division of statutory powers Clearing House, the Queensland Institute of within the department between the Chief Medical Research and the Queensland Cancer Health Officer and the chief executive. This will Fund. The main aim of the Queensland ensure that the statutory powers conform with Cancer Register is to collect data to describe the current organisational arrangements in the nature and extent of cancer in Queensland Health. Under the amendments, Queensland. the chief executive, who is the accountable The data from the Queensland Cancer officer for Queensland Health under the Register is integral to the fight against cancer Financial Administration and Audit Act 1977, is because it is used in the planning of cancer also fully accountable for public health matters, treatment and prevention services, monitoring which are a core function of the department's survival times of cancer patients, assessing the activities. The Bill proposes that the chief outcomes of treatment, education of health executive will be responsible for all public professionals and members of the general health powers and functions, except the 2534 Consumer Credit (Queensland) Amendment Bill 20 Oct 1998 declaration of public health emergencies and technical error in the drafting of the Dental the establishment of public health inquiries, Technicians and Dental Prosthetists Act 1979 which will be the responsibility of the Minister, to permit the enforcement of the Dental on advice of the Chief Health Officer and chief Technicians and Dental Prosthetists By-Law executive. 1992 by the Dental Technicians and Dental To ensure the delivery of public health Prosthetists Board of Queensland. I commend services is overseen by an appropriately the Bill to the House. qualified medical practitioner, it is proposed to Debate, on motion of Miss Simpson, establish a second high level statutory position adjourned. under the Health Act 1937—the Manager, Public Health Services. The legislation requires this position to be occupied by a medical CONSUMER CREDIT (QUEENSLAND) practitioner. AMENDMENT BILL The licensing of private hospitals will Second Reading remain with the Chief Health Officer, in order to Resumed from 18 September (see avoid any suggestion of a conflict of interest if p. 2430). the chief executive were to license such Mr DAVIDSON (Noosa—LP) (12.49 p.m.): facilities which may be in competition with The Opposition will not be opposing this Bill, public sector facilities for which the chief given that the former Attorney-General and executive is responsible. The Chief Health Minister for Consumer Affairs introduced it into Officer position will continue to be a statutory the House earlier this year. We understand position providing high level medical advice to that there is some urgency for this Bill to be the Minister and the director-general on health passed, given that the deadline is 1 November issues, particularly ethics, research issues, this year. It has taken some time, I quality and standards. The Chief Health Officer understand, to have all States and Territories will continue to be a member of the Medical agree to this legislation. I note that Western Board, the Queensland Institute of Medical Australia has drafted its own legislation and Research Council and the Radiological has since passed that legislation, but we will Advisory Council. not be opposing the Bill. We support the These amendments will greatly enhance Minister in her endeavours to ensure that the the effective and efficient delivery of public Consumer Credit (Queensland) Amendment health services by Queensland Health and Bill is passed and we applaud her for promote the full integration of policies in public reintroducing a Bill that was introduced health, community health and acute care. previously by the former Attorney-General and Finally, the Bill makes a number of machinery Minister for Justice and Consumer Affairs. and minor amendments to various Health Hon. J. C. SPENCE (Mount Gravatt— portfolio Acts to ensure the effective operation ALP) (Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait of those Acts. Islander Policy and Minister for Women's The Bill contains minor amendments to Policy and Minister for Fair Trading) the Nursing Act 1992 relating to notification (12.51 p.m.), in reply: I thank the shadow arrangements for nurses notifying the Minister for his support. I am very happy to Queensland Nursing Council of changes in a acknowledge the hard work done by the nurse's particulars. It also contains an previous Minister for Consumer Affairs, Mr amendment to correct an anomaly in the by- Beanland, in framing this legislation. As the law making power under the Speech shadow Minister said, there is a sense of Pathologists Act 1979. When an amendment urgency, and I thank him for his support and was made to the by-law in 1995, an error for the opportunity to introduce this into the occurred omitting the requirement for Parliament today. Governor-in-Council approval when making by- Motion agreed to. laws. A retrospective amendment is therefore required to correct this error. Committee There are also a number of machinery amendments included in the Bill, such as the Hon. J. C. Spence (Mount Gravatt—ALP) repeal of provisions relating to food and other (Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait services within the Health Services Act 1991 Islander Policy and Minister for Women's following the finalisation of the sale of the Policy and Minister for Fair Trading) in charge Wacol frozen food facility. A machinery of the Bill. amendment is also required to overcome a Clause 1, as read, agreed to. 20 Oct 1998 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 2535

Clause 2— Amendment Bill 1998. It will be doing so for Ms SPENCE (12.52 p.m.): I move the quite a number of fundamental reasons, following amendment— including that the provisions of the amendment Bill represent the breaking of a "At page 6, lines 8 and 9— promise made by Mr Beattie, Mr Braddy and omit, insert— the Labor Party, when in Opposition, in relation '(2) Sections 4, 8(3), 9, 13, 14, 16(3), to the method of funding training initiatives 18(1) and (2), 20, 22, 31(1), 34, 35(3), within the building and construction industry. 36(2), 46, 50, 51, 60, and 65(3) to (6) The amendment Bill seeks to change the commence on 1 November 1998.'." objects of the Bill in a most fundamental manner and in a way that runs contrary to the Mr BEANLAND: I do not want to hold up objects of the original Act, which received proceedings, but could the Minister just explain bipartisan support. The proposed the difference between this amendment and amendments threaten to undermine the long- what was contained in the Bill that came into term actuarial soundness of the fund and will the House? I say that because I have just inevitably lead to increases in the levy in the received this amendment and I am sure that future. the shadow Minister has also. I would just like an explanation of the differences. It will only There also exist within the building and take a moment. construction industry considerable differences of opinion in relation to the alleged skill Ms SPENCE: Certainly. The sections shortage within the building and construction enumerated in Clause 2(2) of the Bill are those industry. There exist considerable differences which are to commence on 1 November. They within the building and construction industry as bring the special transitional regulations to how the industry can best go about containing Division 3 of Part 2, the Consumer addressing this alleged skill shortage. There is Credit Regulations 1995, into the Consumer considerable division within the building and Credit Code to make them permanent. In construction industry as to how any surplus effect, this amendment includes three within the Portable Long Service Leave Fund additional sections which are also to should be used in the overall interest of the commence on 1 November. They are section building and construction industry. For 31(1), section 50 and section 65(3). They are example, some significant sections of the special transitional regulations. Section 67(3) industry believe that any surplus should be amends section 61 of the Code to reduce the used to further reduce the rate of the levy, with number of days notice which must be given to a view to reducing the cost impositions on the a debtor in the event of repayment charges industry and, through this, reduce the price of from 30 to 20. housing, particularly housing for first home Amendment agreed to. buyers. Clause 2, as amended, agreed to. The Opposition will also contend that the Clauses 3 to 6, as read, agreed to. Government has no mandate and, indeed, Bill reported, with an amendment. sought no mandate to amend this Act of Parliament as it is proposing here today. There has been no meaningful consultation with the Third Reading industry in relation to the amendments, and it Bill, on motion of Ms Spence, by leave, is claimed that there has also been no read a third time. consultation with the Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Board Sitting suspended from 12.56 p.m. to prior to the announcement by the Minister. Of 2.30 p.m. course, those are just a few of the many other reasons that the Opposition will be outlining in BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY terms of its attitude towards this amendment (PORTABLE LONG SERVICE LEAVE) Bill. AMENDMENT BILL In the time available to me, I wish to Second Reading elaborate on the stated reasons for opposing the amendment Bill. In doing so, I will in some Resumed from 6 August (see p. 1735). cases refer briefly to issues which will then be Mr SANTORO: The Opposition will be taken up more extensively by other speakers opposing most strenuously the amendments on the non-Labor side of Parliament during contained in the Building and Construction their contributions. I wish to particularly refer to Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) statements made by the Honourable the 2536 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 20 Oct 1998

Minister in his second-reading speech and, in then Opposition Leader—made a commitment doing so, again appeal to him and the Labor to the building and construction industry that— Party to do the decent thing in this place, that "When elected, the Government will is, to be intellectually and factually honest introduce a package of initiatives which about what they say not only in relation to the would revitalise the industry and stimulate issues which are being canvassed within this the creation of new jobs." amendment Bill but also about other issues which they may raise. I say this because, in his What the Minister conveniently fails to state is second-reading speech, the Honourable the the commitment made by the then Opposition Minister makes statements which seek to as to how—and I stress "how"—such a either rewrite history or to ignore history. In package of initiatives should be funded. addition, he demonstrates himself to be extremely miserly in giving credit to the In the abovementioned speech on 13 coalition Government's performance and October 1997, the then Leader of the achievements in the area of training and, in Opposition informed the Construction 2001 particular, to the support which the Conference of the following— Borbidge/Sheldon coalition Government gave "I am pleased to announce to you to training initiatives within the building and today that Labor will introduce a modest, construction industry. tightly targeted, training levy equal to Honourable members who have been in 0.05% of construction costs within six this place for some time will recall that both in months of coming to office. The levy will Opposition and in Government, both within the be collected by the Building Industry Long Parliament and outside of the Parliament, I Service Leave Authority to maximise acknowledged—and continue to acknowledge compliance and be administered by frequently—those good things that were done Construction Training Queensland. A by the previous Goss Labor Government. 0.05% training levy, combined with the Unhappily for Queensland, I was not able to existing long service leave levy of 0.5% do so with great frequency. However, when I would equate to the previous rate of long was able to do so, I paid credit where credit service leave levy of 0.2% which was was due. being collected from the construction industry up until July 1997." Mr Welford: Name an example. Mr SANTORO: One example was the The then Leader of the Opposition went on to bipartisan support that the Opposition gave to say— the then Goss Labor Government when the "In reality, the training levy simply Act that this Government is trying to amend offsets the reduction and the long service today was introduced. We thought that it was leave levy so there is no net impact on a reasonable thing to do. In fact, we gave the cost structure of the industry credit for that and transformed that credit into compared to its position four months ago. support for the Bill. So if the honourable Around half of the $4 million raised member does not want to demonstrate his through the levy would be used as relative immaturity, he should listen and learn incentives to employ apprentices." how good politics should be acted out. That was a very firm commitment which was Unfortunately, what is being again reiterated by the then Leader of the demonstrated not only in this amendment Bill Opposition in a speech which he made to the but also right throughout the range of the new Parliament, when he said that— Government's initiatives and statements is a very cynical attempt to deny credit to the "Labor will introduce a modest, tightly coalition Government and to rewrite history. I targeted training levy equal to 0.05% of do not believe that this augurs well for the the construction cost." Government's stated intention to restore faith He went on to state further that— and trust in the way that this place operates and improving people's perception about the "... this has the support of the essentially honourable nature of what we, as construction industry." elected representatives, are and, indeed, A similar commitment was made by the then should be all about. shadow Minister for Employment, Training and The Honourable the Minister, in his Industrial Relations—now the Minister—to second-reading speech, stated that in October another construction industry conference, last year the Honourable the Premier—the when he said— 20 Oct 1998 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 2537

"Labor will introduce a modest, tightly Irrespective of what the Minister says, a targeted training levy in the building and very sizeable section of the building and construction industry." construction industry remains strongly opposed to the introduction of a training levy. It is for Of course, what the Labor Party did in this reason that the Minister has avoided Opposition was to make a very strong introducing a training levy per se and is going commitment to the introduction of a training about raiding the reserves and funds of the levy. It is instructional, in view of the Beattie Portable Long Service Leave Fund. By doing Labor Government's abandonment of such a so, he has still managed to offend the same commitment, to briefly look at why the then sizeable part of the building and construction coalition Government was, and remains, industry that he would have offended had he opposed to such a levy. The reasons were imposed his promised training levy. I believe quite simple. that that is something the Minister will come to First and foremost, the introduction of a regret. I will elaborate on that point shortly. training levy did not, and still does not, enjoy Irrespective of which way he goes, the Minister total building and construction industry proves himself to be a loser. support. A very large component of the Another reason that the Minister has not building and construction industry—this proceeded with the introduction of a training component mainly represented by the Housing levy is that training levies in other States have Industry Association and other associations of a mixed record of achievement. That is an independent contractors—remains totally issue on which other speakers on this side of opposed to the introduction of a training levy, the House will elaborate later in the debate. and it is particularly for this reason that the They will speak about the dangers inherent in then Goss Labor Government, during its six the provision of training funds from levies on years in office, did not introduce such a levy builders and the construction industry that are despite the very strong, regular and constant similar to those being proposed by this prompting by some sections of the building Government. The fact is that such milking and construction industry for it to do so. That operations do not have a good record in was its track record in Government. relation to real achievement. As experience in We on this side of the House became Western Australia and other jurisdictions extremely cynical when we heard the Minister indicates, they are at risk in relation to actuarial in his second-reading speech state— soundness. Where highly prescriptive interventionist Governments are concerned, "Regrettably, the rhetoric espoused primarily their only benefit is that of public by my Opposition colleagues while they relations tools. were in power came to nothing because Honourable members who exist outside their words were not supported by policies the ambit of the Labor whip—and that is a and programs of substance. They majority of members in this place—would want constantly refused to heed industry advice to be very sure of the Government's genuine regarding the need to produce a training expectations for the scheme that it proposes levy." before they accept the veracity of the When the Minister makes those statements, arguments put forward by the Minister. They he proves himself and his Government to be will want to be sure that sufficient emphasis is hypocrites, because for six years in placed by this Government on the strategic Government they also constantly refused to needs of the industry in this State. They will heed the so-called industry advice regarding certainly want to be assured that the specific the need to introduce a training levy. I would interests of organisations represented on the say to the Honourable the Minister and his governing body of the scheme are not overly Labor Party that they refused to take such emphasised. In short, honourable members advice for a very good reason, the same will want to see the colour of the Government's reason that the coalition Government took into money on this amendment. They will not be consideration, that being that industry support impressed if it is simply another Labor stunt for a training levy was very much divided. It is promoted in the interests of the ALP and its that sort of attempt to rewrite history and to mates. I will come back to those issues denigrate former Governments that brings the throughout the remainder of this contribution. practice of politics into disrepute. The Minister Other speakers will also refer to them. and his advisers should be very conscious of I have been discussing the first reason that when they compile their rhetoric for future that the Opposition will not be supporting this contributions in this place. amendment Bill, that being the Government's 2538 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 20 Oct 1998 breaking of a promise to fund its training This amendment Bill changes that initiatives via a training levy—a promise that fundamental object of the Act that the was made very easily in Opposition for the Government is seeking to amend in a way not sake of cheap politics. But now, in the hard originally intended by the Goss Labor cold reality of Government, it is easily and Government and in a way that hitherto has quickly abandoned by the minority Beattie always been opposed by the union Labor Government in favour of an even more movement, the Labor Party and, of course, gruesome funding method that, in turn, the Building and Construction Industry constitutes the second major reason that the (Portable Long Service Leave) Board. It is Opposition will oppose this amendment Bill. probably appropriate during a debate such as Of course, I am talking about the this to mention that when I was the Minister amendment Bill's intention and attempt to responsible for the administration of this change the objects of the Bill in a most particular Act that the Government is seeking fundamental manner and in a way that runs to amend I sought to put my toe in the water. contrary to the objects of the original Act, At the urging of some of the larger elements which, during the original debate of 28 within the building industry, I put to the November 1991, received bipartisan support portable long service leave board at a meeting within this place. The fundamental object of that perhaps the coalition Government should that Act was to provide for an equitable and consider siphoning off funds from the Portable efficient system of portability of long service Long Service Leave Fund the way that the leave in the building and construction industry. Minister is seeking to do now. As the word got The proceeds of the portable long service around that that had been floated—not as a leave levy as administered by the Building and matter of intent or policy or as a matter that we Construction Industry (Portable Long Service would do so irrespective of opposition—the Leave) Board were meant to be utilised for the reaction by union representatives on and off provision of retirement benefits for employees that board to that suggestion was enormously within the building and construction industry. against it. I had conversations with some I think it is fair to say that, at the time that members in this place on the opposite side of that particular Bill was being put through the the political fence who have a very genuine House, the Opposition was lobbied strongly. interest in the building and construction Strong representations were made to the industry. They said, "If you want a bloody nose Opposition by various entities within the from us, if you really want the union movement building and construction industry, particularly to mobilise—particularly those involved in the employers, that it not support the Bill. We building and construction industry—you touch weighed up those representations very, very the fund that provides for retirement benefits carefully in Opposition. It is fair to say that the for our workers." then Goss Labor Government expected the Owing to the position of the then then coalition Opposition to oppose the Opposition during the years of the Goss Labor introduction of a portable long service leave Government and its rationale for supporting commission underlined by statutory force the portable long service leave provisions that within this place. We did not do that, because were legislated at that time, we decided that we saw merit in what was being proposed. we would honour those commitments, that we From a personal point of view, given that would not interfere with the fund in the way members of my family have been involved for that this amendment Bill is seeking to do. I a lifetime within the building and construction hope that the ordinary members of the union industry as builders labourers, as people whom movement, particularly those unions that are that Bill—which is now the Act that the involved with the building and construction Government is seeking to amend—sought to industry, can hear of this contribution and of target, I saw the sense of incorporating within the way that their union representatives on the legislation provisions for portable long service portable long service leave board are selling leave to be paid to workers within the building out. It is no good the Minister or members and construction industry, given the itinerant opposite saying that they agreed because the nature of that industry and the often fund has sufficient funds, because in his impossibility of workers within that itinerant second-reading speech the Minister could industry accessing portable long service leave guarantee only that the levy would not go up provisions. We did that despite very strong for a certain number of years. He commits representations from our traditional himself to only a certain number of years. On constituencies and our traditional supporters, behalf of the Opposition, I go on the record to because we thought that there was merit in say that when the coalition returns to the proposal. Government, if because of the provisions that 20 Oct 1998 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 2539 are contained in this Bill there is pressure on actuarial soundness of the fund. This us to maintain the level of benefits that that admission is contained in the Minister's fund is paying, we will think very, very seriously second-reading speech, which I quote very about succumbing to pressures to increase the deliberately for the information of honourable levy. members— In this debate we give fair warning to the "Independent actuarial analysis Minister and to the other members opposite shows that the transfer of moneys from that the coalition will not be bulldozed into the Building and Construction Industry supporting an increase in the levy because of (Portable Long Service Leave) Authority the raise that this Government is initiating on surplus and the reduction and that fund and because of the other provisions rationalisation of the long service leave which it hopes to get passed, including an levy and threshold will avoid any increase increase in the eligibility criteria for itinerant of the long service leave levy for a period workers within the building industry and an of 11 years." increase in the quantum of benefits that are That is what the Minister said. He does not say paid to those workers. We go on the record to that it will be self-funded indefinitely, he does say very strongly that we will not be not say that beyond 11 years there will be no bludgeoned or blackmailed into implementing this Labor Party policy if it is passed by this need to increase the fund; he just says "11 Parliament. We will not keep on slugging those years". This admission, tucked away towards components of the building and construction the end of the Honourable the Minister's industry that resent totally what this second-reading speech, illustrates clearly the amendment Bill represents, which is a very difference between the approach of the strong departure from the original objects of coalition Government and that of the minority Beattie Labor Government when it comes to the Act and a deliberate raid on the fund, the administration of the portable long service which is supposed to be providing secure leave levy provisions contained within the Act retirement benefits for workers within the that the Labor Party is trying to amend and building industry, and which the union displace today. movement is allowing to occur without not even a whimper of an objection. We go on the In fact, it was the coalition Government's record and give that warning to members plan to phase out the long service leave levy in opposite, particularly those who have at heart total within a few years. Experience in other the interests of those whom they seek to States, including and particularly New South represent and those whom they claim—in a Wales, shows that, given the relatively high mealy-mouthed manner—to represent, level at which the levy was pitched originally, particularly in this case, the workers in the the fund has accumulated sufficient funds to building and construction industry. In their make it self-sufficient in terms of meeting its hearts they believe that this should not be obligations to retired workers within the building going ahead and may even consider siding and construction industry. The abolition of the with the Opposition to defeat this inequitable levy would have been welcomed by industry as amendment Bill that the Minister has put a much-needed reduction in cost and, in turn, before them which, unfortunately, either would have been greeted by building and deliberately or unwittingly—probably both— construction industry services as a move that they have decided to swallow. would have lowered the total cost of building Obviously, by now honourable members and construction activities. opposite will appreciate that I believe that this However, we have an admission that this amendment Bill represents a cynically blatant raid on a hollow log—a sacred ALP motivated raid on one of the union and union hollow log—will eventually require movement's and the Labor Party's most not only the maintenance of the portable long sacred hollow logs on the basis that there service leave levy in perpetuity but also an exists within the Building Industry Portable increase in this levy in 11 years' time. If the Long Service Leave Fund sufficient excess Minister believes otherwise—or if his advisers reserves to justify this raid and to use some of believe otherwise, they should advise the the proceeds of the portable long service leave Minister to say that—obviously the levy will be levy for purposes other than those that were kept in perpetuity and there will be no increase originally intended and legislated for by the Act beyond 11 years. Even putting aside the still that is being amended. What is most worrying undefined impacts of the amendments that about this particular aspect of the amendment are being put forward in terms of the eligibility Bill is that, on the Minister's own admission, and the quantum criteria—I have not seen this very move undermines the long-term much evidence in this place or anywhere else 2540 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 20 Oct 1998 of the impacts of those additional changes, constituency. It is no wonder that many union including the amendments which were members continue to walk away from a union circulated just before lunch—we do not really movement that is increasingly not representing know what financial impacts those their legitimate interests. I know also—and I amendments are going to have. However, have intimated this before—that there are even without those as yet untested impacts, several Labor members in this place who in and putting aside those untested impacts, let their heart of hearts agree with what I am the Minister guarantee to this place that the saying. It is a pity that a strict and thoughtless levy will be kept in perpetuity and that it will not adherence to party loyalty does not enable be increased. Or maybe the Minister should be them to express views which I know they hold honest and elaborate further on what he said dear. in his second-reading speech, that is, that I now wish to turn to an issue raised early beyond 11 years there is the suggestion that in the Minister's second-reading speech, and there will be an increase. That is the challenge that is the debate in relation to the alleged lack to the Minister; if he does not come up with a of skills within the building and construction response, he will be judged by the words that industry. In his speech, the Minister quoted he uttered in his second-reading speech and statistics that seek to justify the proposition by what he undoubtedly will fail to utter in his that skills shortages exist within the building reply. and construction industry. I and the other When I was Minister, the advice that I was members of the Opposition resent the receiving from the board was that the levy slant—indeed, the overt suggestion—in the would soon be able to be eliminated. However, Minister's speech that for some reason the the advice that the now Minister is receiving skills shortages that have been talked about from the actuaries, and presumably from the today are the result of inaction by the coalition board, is that this Minister and his Government. I will again quote directly from Government's meddling with the portable long the Minister's second-reading speech— service leave levy arrangements will necessitate the maintenance of a levy and, "The statistics speak for themselves. indeed, an increase further down the track, In 1996-97 around 2,000 apprenticeships particularly beyond 11 years. This is a were required to maintain the current level shameful indictment on a Government that is of skills in the industry. After drop-outs prepared to raid hollow logs, which in this case and recommencements, only 796 are hollow logs sacred to the very people apprentices remained." whose interests it is supposed to be looking Of course, the Minister was not candid enough after, that is, the itinerant workers within the to admit that the figures he was quoting for building and construction industry. In doing so, 1996-97 were impacted upon overwhelmingly the Government shamelessly acknowledges by the policies of the Goss Labor Government the need to maintain a levy and also to in the preceding six years. increase it down the track. This is a Again I quote from the Minister's speech, reprehensible action and one of the major and honourable members opposite should reasons the Opposition cannot support this listen very carefully to this— piece of dishonest trickery by this Minister and his Government. "Between 1993 and 1996, spending In reality, we have the imposition of a on training in the industry fell from 1.63% training levy by stealth, the undermining of the to 1.38% of gross payroll nationally. This pool from which the retirement benefits of amounted to $14m, a fall of workers in the building and construction approximately 30% investment in training industry are derived and the alienation of a by employers. In Queensland we accounted for $8m, or 56% of the major section of the building and construction national decline." industry that has seen and will continue to see through the Minister's cynical manoeuvring in Again, the Minister very conveniently managed order to deliver on a promise made to eliminate from his thoughts and the words thoughtlessly during a desperate election that he uttered in his second-reading speech campaign when anything was said by the then the fact that the period that he is talking about Beattie Labor Opposition in order to win votes. was the period that the Labor Party was in What is even more shameful about all of this is Government. Part of that time was also when the way in which the union movement has Labor Party policies impacted significantly rolled over in order to suit the political upon the level of spending and the convenience of its Labor mates in the development of a training culture within the Parliament. The union has also betrayed its building and construction industry, and indeed 20 Oct 1998 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 2541 elsewhere within the economy where that money and real resources into this area which training culture had to be developed. It is this was recognised as a very important type of misrepresentation and innuendo that component of the Queensland economy. That brings much discredit upon the Minister and was done. However, I also find regrettable the his rationalisation in support of the statement made by the Minister, which I have amendments that we are debating here today. quoted previously in this debate and I again Like all other major commentators on quote— training within the building and construction "Regrettably, the rhetoric espoused industry, the Minister should acknowledge that by my Opposition colleagues while they there is broad agreement that training levels were in power came to nothing, because within the building and construction industry their words were not supported by policies fluctuate according to the economic and and programs of substance." activity cycles within the industry and that, during the most violent fluctuations of the That statement shows the meanspirited side of activity cycles during the past ten years, it was the Minister, who again refuses to a Goss Labor Government that was in power. acknowledge the contribution that the coalition He should also acknowledge that it was the State Government made to the funding of the Minister's then Government that had the training needs of the building and construction opportunity to do something significant to industry in this State. reverse the cycles and their impact. That a Putting aside the massive and record considerable amount of money was put into level Capital Works Program that the coalition the building and construction industry by the Government put in place for three consecutive previous Government, and that this Budgets, there can be no serious doubt raised contribution was maintained and indeed by the Minister or anyone else in relation to the augmented by the coalition Government is extent and the quality of policies that were perhaps one of the reasons why during the implemented by the coalition Government, past 12 months we have seen a slow but sure which significantly assisted in helping the and steady increase in the number of building and construction industry to meet its apprentices and trainees who are being training needs. In fact, on behalf of the employed within the building and construction previous coalition Government, I could boast industry. I am happy to give the previous Goss much about many initiatives including: the Labor Government some credit for the upturn coalition Government's support for the Federal that is occurring now, as I give the Government's new apprenticeship initiative, Government of which I was a member some which encouraged work-based training, and credit. In the interests of honesty and more flexible and short-term training accountability, the previous Minister should arrangements; the introduction of vocational have done the same. His departmental education subjects into the school curriculum, advisers have told him precisely what I have which means that young people can attain stated in this place. real, practical skills while still attending school; A comparative study of apprenticeship the establishment of one-stop apprenticeship new approvals across all industry groups over centres; and during the term of the previous the last four years will tell the Minister that Government the allocation of $10m to the although all industries have experienced a Construction Training Centre. I divert drop in apprenticeship new approvals, the momentarily to again place on the record that building sector experienced the largest the Budget of the coalition Government decrease over the period 1994-95 to 1996-97, allocated substantial funding to that which are predominantly years of Labor construction and training centre, yet in all of his Government in Queensland. However, the rhetoric and media releases the Minister takes Minister also knows—and if he does not it is it on board as a new initiative. That his own fault and undoubtedly means that he Construction Training Centre was funded very has not read the brief—that this negative trend handsomely by the previous coalition has reversed and the building industry has Government. begun to experience a significant increase in I also mention—and Government new approvals. There has been a 33.3% members should listen very carefully to this increase for the period 15 September 1997 to when doubting the contribution of the previous 14 September 1998, when compared with the coalition Government to the training needs of same period in 1996-97. The industry, which is the building and construction industry—the being so heavily criticised for its lack of training very substantial financial contribution to the capacity, is pulling out because the previous overall training needs of the building and two Governments had the foresight to put construction industry through the State 2542 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 20 Oct 1998

Training Profile. Under coalition policies, the case now and it will continue to be the case as building and construction industry received he sits down at tables and uncomfortably tries 11% of the total publicly funded training, even to justify the statements that he has made in though that industry employs 8.4% of the this place and the statements that he will State's work force. Those statistics and those undoubtedly continue to make, unless he initiatives, which are only a few of the vast comes to his senses. In fact, I am able to state range of initiatives that we introduced, clearly confidently and openly that during my time as demonstrate the bona fides of the the Minister for Training there existed between Borbidge/Sheldon coalition Government in the building and construction industry and the relation to the building and construction coalition Government extremely good relations industry. Those initiatives occurred within the that saw much good achieved when it came to current Minister's area of responsibility. the development of training within that In other areas of ministerial responsibility industry. I say again: let us give credit where colleagues of mine at the time introduced credit is due and let us not simply seek to initiatives such as Construction Queensland. destroy the record of achievement in an area The previous Government allocated on a of Government policy which should be yearly basis 150 unit dwellings from the public essentially bipartisan. housing program for group training schemes, Perhaps the most plausible aspect of the something that has also been duplicated in Minister's speech is that statement in which he the Labor Party's policy. The only difference is says— that for a while the Labor Party sought to "While I do not contend these portray it if not as a new initiative then certainly initiatives will be panacea, resolving all the as an initiative that goes beyond the industry's skills problems overnight, they commitment of the coalition. are a positive step in the right direction, My colleagues on this side of the House ensuring a strong skills base is developed will speak shortly in a critically constructive to take this industry into the 21st century." manner about the ALP policies, as well as the This qualification by the Minister is a wise one, policies of the coalition in relation to the for I believe that even early in his term as a building and construction industry. I place on Minister for Training he has come to realise the record the fact that the above that developing a training culture not just in the achievements were the result of a joint and building and construction industry but indeed cooperative effort between Government and throughout the entire economy will be one of the industry, including—and I give credit where his more daunting and challenging tasks. That credit is due—the trade union movement. I do is because, as the FitzGerald Commission of not wish my statements to be misconstrued as Audit found, up to and including 1996 there my wanting to take all of the credit for those had been a great neglect of the training needs achievements in training in the building and of a growing Queensland economy by construction industry. It was, it still is and in the Governments on either side of the political future it will be a cooperative effort. Nothing fence for over a decade. The Honourable the that the Minister or his lackeys say will bring Minister should not forget that this period any credit on this Government other than that included six years of very hard Goss Labor which it earns within the very tough Party Government. The Minister will soon environment of the building and construction come to realise that throwing money at a industry. People like me will hang around. training problem is not the simple solution that People like me will make sure that we keep the Minister and his advisers may think it is. this Government accountable, not just in this Mr Schwarten: Throwing no money at it is place but also in the community, and no answer, either, and that is what you did. particularly within the building and construction industry. The Minister can say whatever he Mr SANTORO: I take that interjection from wants in his reply and the propaganda can the Minister. flow; however, we will circulate these Mr Schwarten: How many people have statements, including the one I am now you trained? making, broadly and widely. We will allow the Mr SANTORO: We trained a record people within the industry to judge the number of people, as I have outlined in this previous coalition Government and our attitude place. We had allocated $2.5m per year— towards the industry. recurrent annual funding—within the coalition's If the Minister persists in seeking to rewrite final Budget to fund initiatives in the building history and cynically deny credit and distort the and construction industry. If the honourable facts, he will not be taken seriously. That is the member had been listening, he would be 20 Oct 1998 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 2543 forced to acknowledge that our record is a very So far the only evidence that we have distinguished one. seen in this place that the Minister is seeking The Minister should take heed of the to impact in any real manner on training in this advice tendered to the Opposition and State is the regressive and negative impact undoubtedly to the Government by the that he had on the training culture when he Housing Industry Association. I quote from a took out of the ambit of Queensland presentation by Mr Warwick Temby, the Workplace Agreements industrial Director of the HIA in Queensland, who arrangements that could be worked out for stated— part-time apprenticeships for people at school under the age of 18. I have received many "There is no evidence that it is a representations from schools and group shortage of funds that is generating the training companies that regard that action by training problems in the building industry. the Minister as being a very regressive one HIA's view is that these real training issues which significantly compromises group training confronting the building industry should schemes and the ability for young people be addressed in a strategic way before under the age of 18 to get into school-based any additional funds are allocated. and part-time apprenticeship arrangements. I Some of the issues that need to be think it is a disgrace for a Government that is addressed are slowly being dealt with. so concerned about equipping young people These include more flexible training and the work force generally with real skills and packages and contracts of training and particularly assisting young people coming out the development of rigorous systems of of schools to abolish provisions which enable recognition of informally acquired skills. those young people to get into school-based However, the other vital issues yet to part-time apprenticeships. That will make it be addressed include— very hard for them to access the labour market the inflexibility of the industrial because they lack the skills that they otherwise relations system to respond to the would have had. change in relativities in the wages It will be interesting to see what industrial between apprentices and arrangements the Minister is beginning to contractors; facilitate in order to make up for that collapse the need for employees to take of arrangements that he so proudly boasted of some responsibility for the funding of when he got some amendments to the their own training needs; previous Government's industrial relations legislation through this Parliament. Those the need for the training bureaucracy questions are unanswered within the work to recognise the enormous amount force. Group training schemes, schools, of informal training that occurs in the individual employers, several members—not building industry; and many, but at least two members—of the union the financing of the TAFE sector and movement have confided that. I am not saying private providers." that just for the sake of saying it. They regret Honourable members who are fair in their the inflexibility that is now in the IR legislation assessment of the previous Government's as a result of the removal of those flexible efforts in the area of training will appreciate provisions in the coalition's legislation. that most of the issues and matters that are The Opposition also takes considerable referred to in the above representation of the exception to another statement made by the HIA were being dealt with by the previous Minister which again reflects his loose use of coalition Government with considerable force words and facts. He stated in his speech— and policy integrity. "... we have taken this action to assist the Some of those issues require the industry meet its skills needs because we application of goodwill and the cooperation of would not and could not sit idly by and the union movement if they are to be resolved watch skills shortages develop at a time of in the best and long-term interests of the record unemployment, particularly for building and construction industry and in young Queenslanders." particular its employees. It remains to be seen In using this statement to justify the just how progressive the Minister and his amendments that the Minister is trying to push Government will be in tackling the through the Parliament, he is again, in a very abovementioned and other difficult areas of convenient way, to put it at its kindest, utterly policy if the issues confronting training and the and totally ignoring the achievement of the building and construction industry are to be coalition Government in the area of addressed seriously. employment and unemployment. 2544 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 20 Oct 1998

It is a matter of record that on 11 June, office in February 1996. More will be said just two days before the last State election, the about the comparative employment policies coalition Government was able to make the and creation under non-Labor and Labor following boasts— Governments by other speakers during this that 97,700 new jobs have been created debate. in Queensland since the coalition came to Let me assure all honourable members Government; opposite that, as they implement their that a record number of Queenslanders industrial relations policies, workers on that date were in employment—an all- compensation policies, environmental time record level of 1,616,100; protection agencies and anti-training policies, including this one, and as the unemployment that Queensland's employment growth for rate becomes more and more elusive in terms the year to May 1998 was 4.3% of that 5% target, we will come into their compared with a national growth rate of electorates—each and every one of their 2.1%; electorates—and we will remind the people in that Queensland's growth and full-time those electorates very directly just what employment accounted for 33.2% of all hypocrites and what cynically motivated full-time employment growth in Australia individuals members opposite were when they while new part-time jobs in Queensland cynically exploited the public psyche and represented 41% of the national total; promised a 5% unemployment rate and that youth unemployment for the month employment growth when they knew that the of May 1998—the month before the policies that they were going to the election election, as measured on 11 June—had with could not achieve that rate. fallen to 25.3%, the lowest rate since July Often what we say in this Parliament does 1996; and not get reported, but I will make one promise that the coalition Government in March during this debate: we will remind each and 1998 gave Queensland its lowest every one of the constituents of members unemployment rate, 8.3%—the lowest opposite of this, and they will have to squirm since July 1990—in more than seven unless they desist from implementing policies years. such as the one that they are implementing today. Then with bipartisan support we actually How the Minister can therefore make the may get employment growth and the statement in his second-reading speech that unemployment rate in this State trending in he again made during the recent Estimates the right directions. All the talkfests, all the committee hearings is beyond my community forums, all the invitations to comprehension. I could be forgiven if I had community people, including in particular small allowed myself to descend into the depths of business, to come to meetings and to give cynical despair. But I did not do so, for I regard them advice about the unemployment rate it as my duty, as indeed do all members of the and to give them advice about how they can coalition, to set the record straight whenever lower unemployment in an endeavour to gain Ministers such as the Honourable the Minister their interest in terms of creating jobs will not for Employment, Training and Industrial be assisted by amendment Bills such as this Relations do not get it right, either and by the Government's intentions to amend inadvertently or deliberately. Acts of Parliament such as the Workplace It is important also to record in this debate Relations Act and other legislation put through the stark contrast between the coalition's this place. We will make them suffer because achievements and Labor's last term in office, of the cynical way that they went to the when 58,000 Queenslanders lost their jobs electorate and duped people into believing and unemployment soared by 65%. In fact, that they had the policies and the vision to the last Labor Government gave Queensland create more jobs and to get the its highest unemployment rate—11.1% in July unemployment rate and the employment 1992—since the Great Depression. creation rate trending in a way that is In fact, the Goss Labor Government favourable to the community, particularly to presided over a disgraceful increase in the those tens of thousands of people who are unemployment rate from 6.7% in December seeking employment. We will absolutely worry 1989 to 9.4% in December 1990, and the the hell out of members opposite because we number of unemployed under the Labor Party are going to do it. increased from 94,100 in December 1989 to I now wish to turn my attention to the well over 160,000 when the Labor Party lost administration of the fund, including the 20 Oct 1998 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 2545 establishment of a Building and Construction the House of the outcomes of the Industry Training Fund and its administration aforementioned review by Coopers and by Construction Training Queensland. I have Lybrand. In fact, during the course of this several concerns with the arrangements debate or during one of the breaks, I would proposed by the Honourable the Minister and I appreciate receiving a copy of the do know that some of these concerns are, in aforementioned report, together with a fact, held by a number of associations in the detailed briefing so that the concerns that building and construction industry as well as by have been expressed to me about possible people involved with the provision of building conflicts of interest and doubts about the and construction training within TAFE ability of the CTQ to administer the Building Queensland. and Construction Industry Training Fund can I think that it is fair to say that there is be assessed by me on behalf of the considerable disquiet within the industry about Opposition in the context of the findings of the Construction Training Queensland obtaining aforementioned report. what virtually amounts to monopoly control of I have requested copies of this report the provision of training for the building and through questions on notice and through construction industry in Queensland. This correspondence to the Minister but a copy has control is being partly vested in Construction not been forthcoming. I suspect that the Training Queensland by the provisions of this Minister has something to hide, that that amendment Bill as well as by a policy decision report, in fact, is not complimentary to the which, if it has not already been made, is soon organisational and administrative set-up which to be made to transfer all building industry the Minister is attempting to establish and that training currently undertaken by Yeronga TAFE that is why he will not release that report. That to BIGA, the group training scheme is something that will come back to bite him, administered by Construction Training and unfortunately it will come back to bite the Queensland. parties who are part of the apparatus that the The training by BIGA is conducted at the Minister is setting up. Queensland Construction Industry Skills Centre Having said this, I give notice to the at Salisbury and it was in response to the Minister and the Government that I intend aforementioned concerns that earlier on this moving an amendment during the Committee year as the Minister for Training I stage of this debate that, if a Building and commissioned independent consultants Construction Industry Training Fund is, indeed, Coopers and Lybrand to undertake a review of established after consideration of this the operations of the Construction Industry amendment Bill by the Parliament, such a Skills Centre with a view to, amongst other fund be monitored not just by independent things, ascertaining the degree of compatibility trustees but also by the Queensland Auditor- between the current vocational education and General. I see this as being an essential training policy and practice and the amendment, particularly when honourable Queensland Construction Industry Skills Centre members consider the comments that the Project and also reviewing the founder's previous Auditor-General made in his annual commitment to achievement of the aims and report and other reports about the past objectives of the Queensland Construction administration of CISC under the previous Industry Skills Centre Project. Labor Government. I see this as being The concerns that had been expressed particularly relevant in view of the fact that I about CISC centred around allegations that believe that the Minister, his officers and his the skills centre and associated interests have colleagues have publicly treated the somehow strayed from the initial objectives parliamentary process, including the process and commitments which led to the creation of that we are going through here today, and the centre. This report was completed towards members of this House with absolute utter the end of the coalition's term in Government contempt. and is now in the possession of the new I refer honourable members to the Government. I understand that it raises inclusion on page 7 of the 1998-99 Draft questions and concerns which might well Training Plan of Construction Training impact on the way that this House views the Queensland of a clear indication that the Minister's intention to vest the administration of results of this debate have been well and truly the fund to Construction Training Queensland. pre-empted. The document states that the This issue will be elaborated upon further trustees of the fund have established a by other speakers on this side of the management agreement with Construction Parliament. I would ask the Minister to inform Training Queensland—CTQ. In other words, 2546 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 20 Oct 1998 the trustees have obviously been chosen, I think it is obvious to honourable perhaps secretly by the Minister and his members opposite. I have heard them advisers, and have set up their own squealing, whingeing and complaining, mainly arrangements prior to 23 September when this because we have been hitting the mark. There training plan was printed. are people out there who have provided us In passing on that particular point, I say with information, who want to assist us as we that it is no wonder that people such as me assist them to look after their industry. We know that those opposite are upset because become fairly obsessive about what the they know that we know. Minister does in terms of the accountability of this place when members of Parliament, We will continue to pursue this Minister including shadow Ministers, are treated with and this Government in the interests of utter contempt. All that I can say is that we will transparency, openness and accountability just work harder and we will become even and, in this particular debate, in the best more obsessed with getting the truth out. interests of the building and construction There are plenty of people out there within the industry, which was neglected by the previous industry and the community who will assist Labor Party administration and which is now people like me. Eventually members opposite heading down the same track under this new will have an uncomfortable time in those seats Minister and this new Government. and, as a result of that discomfort, they will not Mr PURCELL (Bulimba—ALP) be in those seats for any longer than they (3.30 p.m.): I rise to support the initiatives deserve to be, and that is not very long at all. contained within the Building and Construction I draw the attention of all members to the Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Hitchen review of the training levy operating in Amendment Bill. I wish to comment on some Western Australia. This review indicated the remarks made by the previous speaker, the absolute necessity of ensuring that those member for Clayfield. The previous speaker administering training levy funds were said that industry does not really support the independent of the specific interests of initiatives taken by this Government with member organisations. Consequently, the regard to the moneys being made available for Western Australian Government advertised training. To my knowledge there is only one extensively for expressions of interest from association that does not agree. suitable people who could fill roles on the I have been lobbied by the industry over a board established to manage the funds. Mr long period, including when the member for Braddy, the Minister, it appears, would rather Clayfield was Minister. He will remember that I rely on a much less transparent process. Who spoke to him about this matter. I will not are these trustees who apparently have canvass the discussions we had on this matter already been chosen and what management because they are confidential and I will not agreements have they already drawn up with betray confidences, but I know from what he their parent organisations? They are questions said that there is only one association in the which the Minister should answer in his reply. building industry opposed to this at the Perhaps they will be answered by the moment, that is, the HIA. That is one honourable member for Bulimba, who I have association in an industry that would have been noticing has been rearing to go; I will around 22 or 28 associations representing listen very carefully to the contribution of the various people. One association is opposed to honourable member for Bulimba, who knows it and its opposition at the moment is that I respect his views. I may not always lukewarm at best. It is starting to bleed off. agree with them, but I respect his views When this proposal starts to become a reality, because at least they are sincerely held. He the opposition really is not there at all. has been in the industry—and more so than The member for Clayfield also said that anybody else in this place. there was bipartisan support for portable long Not only has this pre-emptive action service leave when it was introduced into this occurred but, within the department, the House. I take that comment with a grain of salt Minister has also approved the development to a certain extent because I was not a and wide distribution of a leaflet that describes member of this place when that measure was the issue of this levy and its financial introduced, but we certainly had the numbers management as a fait accompli. Again, this here. We did not need the support of anybody utter contempt for the Parliament and the else. parliamentary process I do not think gives The construction and building workers in much credit to the Minister or those people on this State waited for 20 years on the coalition the other side who support him. Government—particularly the Liberal Party, 20 Oct 1998 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 2547 which made commitment after commitment to Rocklea. It has not put up its share, but I am the trade union movement and to the workers sure that it will when the industry turns. It will of this State and then welched in the run put up its hand and make good. I assure the home to the judge. As soon as it got into House that trade unions have certainly done Parliament, it walked away from us and left us their part with regard to putting money into like a shag on a rock—for 20 bloody years! training in this State. Mr Santoro: Oh, come on. Nobody trained builders labourers in this Mr PURCELL: It's not "Come on" at all. State until the builders labourers put their own Every State in the Commonwealth had it training centre together. They have put up before Queensland did. That was through the millions of dollars, along with the CFMEU, to efforts of the coalition Government and the train unskilled people for this industry. The HIA. The HIA was the only group opposed to it reason we have millions of dollars worth of then, as it is opposed to this, so what credibility problems at the Gold Coast at the does it have? What does it care about workers moment—there are concrete cancers and and training? It wants low-skilled, low-paid buildings falling to pieces—is that no training workers in its part of the housing industry. It was done to create skilled labourers and so does not want people trained, because it will forth. Buildings are just falling to pieces. I have to pay them more money! It just wants to suppose I should not complain, because it is put more money in its skyrocket. Any assertion making work for builders labourers, but it is that the HIA opposes this along with costing owners millions of dollars. employers, if there are others, I take with a It is no secret that the building and grain of salt. construction industry is currently experiencing a For you to say in this place now that there shortage of skilled labour and will continue to is not a skill shortage indicates that you do not do so if measures are not taken to address the know this industry. Down my way they are decline in apprentices entering the industry paying $100 an hour for a fully qualified and to provide additional continuing training for boilermaker to do work—$100 an hour! And those workers currently employed in the we haven't got a skill shortage? You are living industry. Along with the industry, this on another planet. Government is concerned at the sharp decline in training and at the high rates of withdrawal Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Dr Clark): from apprentice training programs. Without Order! The member will remember to address improvements in training outcomes, industry his remarks through the Chair. will not be able to generate an adequate Mr PURCELL: He is living on another number of qualified tradespersons in the planet. The member should come out and talk building and construction industry to ensure its to those who employ people and are looking future viability. for skilled workers at the moment. We are a Over the period 1993 to 1996, the net importer of skilled labour when we should building and construction industry experienced be an exporter. We are importing skilled a national decline in training efforts by people, because we do not have enough employers of around 30%. Of particular alarm people here to do the work. I will give one bit is that Queensland is disproportionately of credit to the Opposition. represented in this national decline, Mr Santoro: Give us the figures on skills contributing over half, or 56%, of the decline. shortages. Employment of building and construction apprentices in Queensland is a major issue for Mr PURCELL: I will. I have some figures. I this State. will give them to the member. He will read them and weep. The previous Minister did Apprentices in the building and make moneys available for training for the construction industry have been dropping out building and construction industry. of training courses at an overall rate exceeding 40%. In addition, it is estimated that Mr Santoro: Lots of money. Come on, approximately 60% of the work force does not give credit. achieve any form of accredited training Mr PURCELL: I just said that the member qualifications. I can say that the vast majority did make moneys available. I can assure him of form workers in this town when I came into that the trade unions made money available this place—in excess of 80%—were builders also. They gave their share. The group that fell labourers with nail bags on. They were not down the most was the employers. It has been tradesmen or carpenters; they were builders pretty tough for them. I am talking now labourers with nail bags on. Good on them. particularly about the training centre at They got very proficient at putting up decks 2548 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 20 Oct 1998 and they worked very hard. They went up onto all Government construction projects. This the tradesmen's rate and we let them go out policy will require that 10% of all employable of the builders labourers union. They become hours for capital works projects, including skilled and proficient at doing something from contracted housing work, will be undertaken by repetition, not from any training or from efforts apprentices and trainees. This is expected to made by anyone else. result in an estimated 900 additional The Government is also mindful of the apprenticeships over three years. fact that Queensland needs to plan for the In addition, the Government has set a expected drain of skilled construction target to employ 6,500 additional apprentices employees to interstate construction projects, and trainees in public sector agencies, particularly in the lead-up to the 2000 Olympic including local government. It is expected that, Games in Sydney. This is already happening. of these, approximately 500 will be apprentices The skilled trainees, particularly in the high and up to 90 would be employed in the skilled areas, are bled off. That is why such a building and construction industry. A further high premium is being paid for highly skilled initiative of Government will see an additional boilermakers and so forth. 600 apprentices employed over a period of The industry requires plans to sustain four years in housing projects under the itself, adjust for emerging technologies, meet Housing Industry Trade Training Program its skilled trade shortages and build its viability. administered through the Department of Yet until now, it has not been doing this. Housing. So it is fair to say that this Notably critical in this State are the trades of Government is acting quickly and putting its painting, plastering and bricklaying—trade commitments to jobs and training up front to shortage areas that are currently impacting on assist in revitalising training and employment the profitability of Queensland projects and opportunities in the building and construction thereby the viability of businesses and the industry. Queensland economy and our community. Another positive initiative that emerges The Government's strategies are from these initiatives to assist the building and designed to arrest the unacceptably high construction industry is the improvements that levels of attrition from training and the low will result from workplace health and safety in take-up rate of apprentice training. To this end, the industry. It was the previous coalition our commitment is to offer the industry support Government which moved the collection of the through the creation of incentives and workplace health and safety notification fees initiatives that will replenish this vital work force. on building and construction work to the In response to these issues, the Government Portable Long Service Leave Authority to has moved quickly since taking office to work increase the compliance rate within the in close cooperation with industry to revitalise industry. This move facilitated increased training and to start to correct the skills compliance but, up to now, these shortage situation before there is further and arrangements have resulted in much possibly irreparable damage. It is vitally confusion within the industry, particularly with important that an industry training fund is the two different thresholds and levy rates that established—a fund that will inject on average are applied on building and construction $5.4m per annum into training incentives and activity. initiatives for the building and construction With the introduction of an all-in rate of industry. Through this initiative the 0.2% for both portable long service leave and Government is creating new opportunities to workplace health and safety fees, with a train and incentives to continue to train, and common leviable threshold of $80,000, the giving a conviction to this industry that it can Government will be able to employ an invest from its own resources into its own additional 15 workplace health and safety future. inspectors in the construction industry. The The establishment of the training fund is previous speaker was trailing his coat when but one of a raft of initiatives which talking about raids on portable long service Government, in consultation and cooperation leave. He knows as well as I do that the best with the industry, is assisting to intervene in way to collect money in our industry is the way these trends. In addition to the creation of a in which it has been collected for the portable training fund, which is expected to boost long service leave. The member recognised training by up to 3,000 apprentices over three that when he collected more money for the years by supporting employers to take up occupational health and safety officers. He additional training effort, the Government is certainly would agree—if he was not on the also committed to enforcing the 10% policy for other side of the House—that that would be 20 Oct 1998 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 2549 the way to collect it for training people within workers who supply labour, this will mean that the industry, too. they will access long service leave entitlements In the 1997-98 financial year, the Division for the first time ever in Queensland and rectify of Workplace Health and Safety investigated some of the inequities with portable long five fatalities and 101 serious bodily injuries in service leave schemes in other States. That is the building and construction industry not before time. When this scheme was first throughout Queensland. As a result of these mooted, I thought that those people who investigations, the division issued 616 worked for cash in hand, PPS workers or warnings, 866 improvement notices and 340 itinerant workers should always have been in prohibition notices. The incidence rate of injury that scheme, because they never had an and disease in the Australian construction opportunity to get any benefits other than the industry, based on workers compensation cash that they get in their hands, such as long data, is 12.8 occurrences per 100 service leave and other entitlements that other employees—far higher than the all-industry workers get. I believe that the Labor average of 2.6 occurrences per 100 Government will be able to improve the employees. In fact, it is 49.2% higher than the scheme and the conditions for those people all-industry average. Honourable members covered by portable long service leave. should note that these figures are extremely Most importantly, this Bill will contribute to conservative, given that the data does not the employment of a future generation of cover those persons who are engaged in the young Queenslanders. And that is principally industry but operate within the definition of what Governments should be on about. "worker" under the workers compensation Working together with industry and with the legislation. The previous Minister knocked out support of industry, this Government is getting probably 80% of the workers of this State from on with the job. coverage of workers compensation. Therefore, Mr HEGARTY (Redlands—NPA) those figures would not be picked up in (3.47 p.m.): I rise to speak against the portable workers compensation. long service leave amendment Bill, which is We thus have an unacceptably high rate another regressive act of the minority of accidents and injuries in an industry which occupants of the Treasury benches that runs employs up to 8% of the Queensland labour directly counter to the real interests of force. From these amendments, the proposed Queensland and Queenslanders. Specifically, I increase of a workplace health and safety fee want to speak about the dangers inherent in of 0.125% and a threshold rate of $80,000 is the provision of training funds from the sort of anticipated to raise approximately $14m in the levy on builders in the construction industry 1998-99 financial year in comparison to being proposed by the Government. The fact $12.7m in the previous year. Of this, is that such milking operations do not have a approximately $1m will be spent on the cost of good record where real achievement is employing an additional 15 workplace health concerned. As experience in Western Australia and safety inspectors, representing an and other jurisdictions indicates, they are a risk increase of nearly 40% in the number of to actuarial soundness and, where highly inspectors. This increase will start to address prescriptive, interventionist Governments are the concerns that there is a significant non- concerned, primarily of benefit as public compliance in this industry, which in turn leads relations tools only. to unacceptably high rates of injuries. Our aim Honourable members who exist outside is to achieve a significant reduction in the the ambit of the Government Deputy Whip's amount of injury and illness occurring in the area of operations—a majority of members in building and construction industry with a this place—would want to be very sure of the corresponding reduction in costs that then flow Government's genuine expectations for the onto the wider community through health and scheme that it proposes before they accept rehabilitation systems. the veracity of the arguments put forward by The other initiatives contained in this Bill, the Minister. They will want to be sure that including the improvements to portable long sufficient emphasis is placed by this service leave entitlements to building and Government on the strategic needs of the construction workers, will assist in reducing industry in Queensland. They will certainly want some of the inequities currently experienced in to be assured that the specific interests of the this industry. Greater access to entitlements— organisations represented on the governing down from 15 to 10 years—will mean that body of the scheme are not overly more employees will actually get to realise their emphasised. In short, honourable members leave benefits. In addition, for those PPS will want to see the colour of the Government's 2550 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 20 Oct 1998 money on this amendment. They will not be Our proper course is to create a training impressed if it is simply another Labor stunt regime in Queensland that is appropriate to promoted in the interests of the ALP and its the circumstances of the State and the mates. exigencies of the times. It is true that in the Every member of this House desires to mishmash of policy and spending see genuine and high levels of employment responsibilities that currently exists between growth in Queensland for Queenslanders. It the States and the Commonwealth—and on bears repeating at every available opportunity which we await with heightened anticipation that it is not solely on the Government some sign of genuine Commonwealth interest benches that this fundamental desire finds in resolving effectively—training policy is in expression and overwhelming interest in substantial measure dependent on Federal finding employment opportunities—far from it, initiatives. However, it is also the case that the as the 60% of Queenslanders who did not federated nature of this country means that it vote for the Government well understand. is possible for a State to avoid the pitfalls identified in a policy that has been The argument is about method. It is implemented elsewhere. about achieving genuine outcomes—real outcomes. It is not about unrealistic targets. It The intent of most industry-based training is not about bulking up the public sector in an funds and the levy arrangements put in place attempt to get as near as possible to the to support them is to provide greater outstretched handful of fingers that the opportunities for enhancing the skills of the Premier lit upon as his percentage existing work force and employee mobility. The unemployment aim. The issue of training and new operating environment created by the apprenticeships is too important to be used as presence in Canberra of a coalition a political football. Genuine private sector jobs Government takes training and growth is the aim of all sensible players in apprenticeships substantially further down the Government and the national debate road to real progress than was previously generally. However, we have seen very little possible. The key role of private providers in from the lacklustre Government opposite and the training sector as an integral leading certainly from the Minister most directly element in the program—rather than an concerned, the honourable member for afterthought adjunct that some on the Labor Kedron, that inspires confidence in an side of politics think is the proper role for the outcome that every Queenslander could private sector—has been cemented into place cheer. through the ANTA National Principles for Group Training. The risk is that, in pursuing the policies it claims to be pursuing, policies that are Federal and State initiatives that impact designed to create large numbers of on training and which might create flow-on apprenticeships and traineeships—an effects for funding as proposed by legislation objective we on this side of the House now being debated include new overwhelmingly support and, in fact, in apprenticeships encompassing the vital Government pursued as a primary principle of user choice. They include industry- objective—this Government will instead take based traineeships and entry level training Queensland back to the industrial and job support services in which the role of those creation policies of Labor's failed past. bodies is to promote, market and increase the number of apprenticeships. They include the The people of Queensland deserve better expansion of group training schemes under than to have foisted on them a version of which Governments are to consider expanding apprentice subsidy schemes that have missed their purchasing arrangements according to the target set for them elsewhere. That regional needs and priorities. experience elsewhere has resulted in findings that the quantum of funds required has led to Our task in Queensland is to create an excess of applications over budgeted funds mechanisms that work best for available for training schemes. In other words, Queenslanders. It is simply not the case that they were a good idea but impossible to make the Bill now before the House will do that. As happen on the level of funding available. We my colleague the member for Clayfield pointed must avoid a situation arising in Queensland in out earlier in his contribution to the debate, the which a similar unfortunate outcome results Bill proposes amendments to the existing from the Government's well meaning—if also legislation that will undermine the long-term politically convenient—desire to play a role in actuarial soundness of the building and creating employment for young construction industry Portable Long Service Queenslanders. Leave Fund. 20 Oct 1998 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 2551

The need to establish a training levy is not equity in comparison with construction value. disputed on this side of the Chamber—far from There may be many reasons for that failure of it. The coalition in office introduced legislation correlation, but it is an even bet that what is to establish one. The minority Labor taking place in the construction industry is the Government's amending legislation proposes same technology-based driving down of to destroy that sensible initiative by the tired employee numbers that is a feature of every old ploy of finding a hollow log and raiding it. It other industry. According to a new report by does so in the face of considerable industry the National Centre for Vocational Education debate over what level of apprenticeships and, Research, tradespeople were the second consequently, funding are required to service lowest growth group in Australia in the past 10 industry needs. That is the rub. This years, with a growth rate of just 6.4%. Government is obsessed with job creation. There is no argument that we need more Mr Purcell: It certainly is. tradespeople. There is no argument—on this Mr HEGARTY: Good on it; so it should side of the House at any rate—that as a State be! and as a nation we need to give more The coalition Government was also emphasis to training people for jobs that obsessed with job creation—and with great accord with their aptitudes. Traineeships and effect, as we have seen by the record of our apprenticeships are integral parts and time in office when Queensland created 40% absolutely fundamental elements of any policy of all new jobs created in Australia. But we see to boost practical, trade-based training for clearly now what we have suspected since this long-term employment for young people. Government came to office in June. It is However, it is essential that traineeships and obsessed with creating numbers to assist the apprenticeships are planned for and funded Premier with his 5% unemployment plan—the on the basis of the likely rate of demand for plan that started off as a promise, became a the skills imparted by the training. In the history target and then was sent off to the never- of Federal and State Governments, we have never land of wish-list politics. seen numerous examples of training schemes with no likelihood of a meaningful job at the In relation to the Building and end of the period of training. In other words, if Construction Industry (Portable Long Service the Minister meddles with the facts—and the Leave) Board and the amending legislation we fact in this case is that there is a definite limit are debating today, we see a further example to the number of building and construction of this smoke and mirror administration. We industry entrants—he is likely to come a are looking at another expensive mirage. What cropper. When the Government's political is proposed is the exact reverse of good policy. misadventure impacts adversely on the In office, my colleague the member for industries it is charged with supporting and Clayfield initiated a 25% reduction in the long promoting, it is doubly culpable. service leave levy on builders and construction companies. Since the fund was established in As studies elsewhere have indicated and 1992, there have been several other as commonsense should indicate even to reductions because the fund was people such as those opposite who have oversubscribed. Too much money was being allowed themselves to become obsessed with committed. That created circumstances in their own fanciful forecasts, the primary driver which, based on actuarial advice, the projected of apprenticeship numbers in the building and long-term levy rate was forecast to be 0.15%. construction industry is the level of industry activity. Here in Queensland construction is a The risk with the legislation now before far larger component of the State economy the House is that, as has been seen with experience elsewhere, over time this de facto than in any other jurisdiction. We know that. We have had record growth in Queensland tax on the building and construction industry over a number of years. This is a happy will have to rise to meet unfunded outcome for our role as Australia's growth requirements in both training and its principal State, which, despite the activities of the purpose, paying for long service leave for present Government, is likely to continue. But existing long-term employees in the industry. the fact is also that such consistently higher The experience elsewhere does not give levels of activity mean the potential to use cause for hope that Queensland under this building and construction as an engine for Government—or the industry under the Government employment growth targets is ministerial guidance of the member for significantly limited. Kedron—is any closer to perfection than ever. Studies in other jurisdictions indicate that Mr Purcell: Do you know how many apprenticeship numbers consistently fall below apprentice chefs we are going to be short in a 2552 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 20 Oct 1998 few years time when the Games are on? You Further, the Minister stated— would want to wait until the Games got here to "While it was widely acknowledged train them, wouldn't you, you goose? You that the industry was facing a skill have to train them now. shortage, specific skills gaps needed to Mr HEGARTY: The member should go on be documented." a diet and reduce consumption. I have been Mr Santoro: So is it fair to say he has not talking about the perception, underlined by a got a clue what he is talking about? strongly held view within sections of the industry, that a skills shortage exists within the Mr HEGARTY: One would be led to that building and construction industry. It would be conclusion. reasonable to expect that the Government, Mr Santoro: Skills shortages and which is trying to push through this nobody—neither the member for Bulimba nor amendment Bill, would have some definite the Minister—has given us a figure. idea of the extent of the skills shortage in the building and construction industry—skills Mr HEGARTY: No. I think that we would shortages which the Government is seeking to at least be entitled to some statistical address. However, sadly this is not the case. information. I ask honourable members to consider As the shadow Minister has pointed out, the following. During the recent Estimates we have an admission by the Minister that he committee hearing, a non-Government is bringing on these training initiatives although member asked the Minister to provide the he and his Government really do not have a committee with detailed statistics of the actual clue as to specifically where the training assessed shortage of skilled employees in the moneys, which he is seeking to appropriate skill areas that he is seeking to address by through this amendment Bill, are to be various Government training schemes. In his directed. answer, the Minister went on to provide a list of Mr Santoro: The member for Bulimba, the entire range of industries that are eligible who was going to provide us with the figures, for training subsidies and also a list of didn't provide them either. industries with what he termed "current skills shortages". Mr HEGARTY: He is still working on his figures. Mr Santoro interjected. Mr Santoro: Is he working on the figures Mr HEGARTY: They are very touching, or his figure? but very hollow. Mr Santoro: There was nothing specific. Mr HEGARTY: In view of the apprenticeship shortages, I think that he Mr HEGARTY: No, it was a lot of rhetoric. should be working on both, but that is another Nowhere in his voluminous and not very matter. helpful answer did the Minister provide the detailed statistical information that was This is from a Government which, in required by the non-Government members of Opposition, said that it was ready to govern, the committee. To underline this dreadful lack that it knew what it had to do, and that it had a of preparation, on 14 October the Minister plan. In reality, the plan was a hastily cobbled issued a media release titled "Survey to together 10-point plan which, at best, was Identify Industry Skills Shortages." In the first meaningless. paragraph, it stated— Mr Santoro: But he is fleshing it out. "A joint government-industry survey Mr HEGARTY: Yes. At worst, it is useless of the State's top construction companies and the Government is now seeking to will identify major skill shortages in implement it on the run and without any real Queensland before more than 3,000 idea as to why it is going about implementing apprentice positions are created as part of some of its initiatives. the State Government's job initiatives." Mr Santoro: He is doing a survey. The In that release, the Minister stated further— plans are coming together. He has forums, he "Survey results will be used to target has task forces, he has Bannikoff going for it future training to meet the industry's all. needs." Mr HEGARTY: That will be very helpful in The Minister stated further— the aftermath—in the criticism—when the plan "We have to plan today to ensure fails. I conclude by saying that it is essential we've got the skills to keep Queensland that the Government give a fundamental and building and growing in the future." firm commitment to this House that its 20 Oct 1998 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 2553 proposed changes to the levy arrangements construction industry employees finally had will not financially disadvantage the long access to portable long service leave. service leave fund. It is also essential that Our scheme has been such a huge honourable members hear from this success that in the past six years over 70,000 Government a complete assurance that the employees voluntarily took up membership. building and construction industry will not be The scheme was funded initially by a levy on used as a cash flow contributor for the building and construction work. However, now Premier's political jobs figures target. If we that the fund has $144m under investment, receive those assurances, it will give us a bit the majority of its income comes from interest more confidence that this Minister and this earned through the Queensland Investment Government are genuine in their target to Corporation. Currently, that income is reduce unemployment to 5% within the term of supplemented by a modest levy set at 0.1% of this Government. However, I believe that the cost of building and construction work. The without the statistical backup information, it is reduction of red tape has led to an estimated very unlikely that the Opposition will be able to saving of over $3m for the Government. support this amendment Bill. Additionally, industry compliance has Ms BOYLE (Cairns—ALP) (4.04 p.m.): I improved, resulting in 18% more revenue from rise to speak in support of the proposed the workplace health and safety fee. Now it is changes to the Building and Construction time to pass the savings back to the industry. Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Act The changes will reduce the portable long 1991. That legislation was introduced by the service leave levy by 25% and the workplace Goss Labor Government in 1991 and took health and safety fee on building work by over effect from 1 July 1992. It created a scheme to 28%. provide building and construction industry Today, we are seeing the commitment of employees access to portable long service for this Government to support an industry that is service to the industry rather than to one vital to Queensland. This is no piecemeal employer. At that time, the concept was not commitment, no half-hearted good intention, new to Queensland; it had been promoted by no mere feeble rhetoric; this is part of a Labor back in the early 1970s at a time when comprehensive program to address problems Tasmania already had an established scheme. that were ignored or even created by the Unfortunately, although the concept was previous coalition Government and the supported initially by the then coalition dilettante Minister whom it appointed. The Government, I understand that it was Beattie Labor Government is targeting this subsequently dropped in the absence of full central industry sector across the policy support from the industry. This was regrettable spectrum to provide a tailor-made, suitable because every other State in Australia and the regulatory environment to ensure its future ACT proceeded to introduce their own success. These initiatives include the schemes. Together, they established a workplace-related policy areas of industrial national reciprocal agreement to give workers relations, employment and training, workers in their building and construction industries compensation, workplace health and safety, portable long service leave. This move had the portable long service leave and more. added advantage of maintaining their skills In the area of industrial relations, the base by encouraging workers to return to the Government seeks to introduce to the building industry after downturns and lay-offs. It is and construction industry workplace reform interesting to note that Queensland was the based on cooperation and consultation, not last State to introduce portable long service the confrontationist agenda that has been leave and we now face a disproportionately pursued by other Queensland and higher skills shortage than that of the other Commonwealth Governments. The electorate States. of Cairns, and I dare say other electorates When the Goss Labor Government also, want inclusive and cooperative workplace gained office, it did not muck around with the strategies that recognise the legitimate roles of issue: it established a working party comprising both employer and employee representatives. Government, employer and employee This Government will work within the context of representatives to consider the best long reality, not pursue some ideological agenda. service leave option for Queensland. The We will recognise what we have already that working party's recommendations were works and build on it. We understand the accepted and became the basis for the new imperative for workplace reform but we will legislation. After two decades of industry pursue this with the backup of a secure safety lobbying, Queensland's building and net. We will ensure that traditional areas of 2554 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 20 Oct 1998 coverage are maintained to minimise by $2.3m. Low-cost housing will continue to be demarcation issues. However, we will also exempt. The disparity between civil and other encourage amalgamations of employer and work is removed, at no additional cost to any employee organisations where parties consider civil construction project. Mid-range housing those to be in the long-term interests of the projects will be brought into line with all other industry. building and construction work. Twenty-five per In the area of employment and skills cent of the work currently notifiable to development, the Beattie Government's Government can now be excluded, which election undertaking was to break the means a huge reduction in red tape for the unemployment cycle. We will create a massive industry. Administration of the scheme will be increase in apprenticeships and traineeships. simplified. It will be easier for levy and fee We are going to get long-term unemployed payers to calculate their payments. Forty per people working again and we have practical cent of the projects that are currently notifiable policies to achieve this. Our policies are active to the authority will have less to pay, and that ones, where Government rolls up its shirt is without taking into account the benefits that sleeves and does not wait forever for the the training fund will produce within the market to do the work while people suffer. industry. In the State Government Capital Works Government policies include the 10% Program, as well as reinvigorating the 10% policy for Government capital works, where policy that I have already referred to, we will 10% of the labour hours in Government insist that companies that win Government construction contracts will have to involve contracts must meet conditions that show that people in training. That is already happening in they are good corporate citizens. We will move Cairns with work—and unemployment and to take into account bids from regional training positions—having commenced on the $28.5m Convention Centre extension. We are companies, emphasising regional employment recommitting to the Housing Industry Trade and regional sourcing of supplies. They will Training Program, which will build the have to have an enterprise bargaining equivalent of 150 houses a year and train 200 agreement in place, they will have to meet new apprentices a year. We are creating the their training obligations and they will have to Building and Construction Industry Training comply with workplace health and safety, Fund with the allocation of an estimated workers compensation and portable long $5.4m per annum, and $3.6m in 1998-99 if service leave requirements. Government is the this Bill is passed. It will supplement existing biggest customer of the building and training efforts to provide additional relevant construction industry and we will not be doing and needed training. At least half will go to business with shonks. We will be rewarding the employing apprentices. That will mean another people who play fair and square. 800 to 1,000 jobs per year—jobs for people The Labor Government believes in a who need jobs in an industry that needs coherent and comprehensive approach to this people. vital Queensland industry. We offer a broad program of policies that address the special In the area of workers compensation, we difficulties of an industry that is central to the have identified non-compliance in the payment Queensland community and economy. In of premiums as a major issue. In 1995-96, as particular, this Government is out to break the much as $50m—maybe even as high as unemployment cycle in this State. As a major $100m—worth of premiums were not paid. employer, this industry is a priority and this Bill The industry is concerned at the advantages is one more step in our ongoing agenda of that shonky operators are able to gain for getting Queensland back to work. themselves by not paying what they should. We will investigate the possibility of minimising Mr STEPHAN (Gympie—NPA) non-compliance by levying premiums on (4.14 p.m.): It gives me a great deal of principal contractors as a charge on projects pleasure to join in the debate this afternoon on collected by the Portable Long Service Leave the Building and Construction Industry Authority. Again it is a time for Government to (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment act to ensure that all work is covered and that Bill. The creation of jobs is one of the most all employers are on an equal footing. important roles that Government in Australia can play at this point in time. Taken as a whole, the proposed amendments provide a number of significant Mr Purcell: Hear, hear! benefits to the building and construction Mr STEPHAN: It is important. Gone are industry. Firstly, the amount paid by the the days when, upon leaving school, we could industry each year in fees and levies will drop choose where we wanted to work. Gone are 20 Oct 1998 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 2555 the days when we could safely say that we unemployed and unable to earn an income. had a job for life. We must also remember that The Beattie Labor Government has already just a month or two ago the Beattie started to head down the path of economic Government was elected on the back of a plan failure and high unemployment. to reduce unemployment to 5% over three Let us take a look at the development of years. the Construction Training Centre at Salisbury. Mr Braddy: Over five years. It is fair to say that the previous Minister for Mr STEPHAN: Yes, it stretched a little Training, the honourable member for Clayfield, after that, but that is what the Government received a great number of complaints from was talking about. Depending on who the TAFE Queensland staff concerning the Premier was trying to impress at the time, he development of the Construction Training would mention one or two different figures. Centre at Salisbury. It was because of these complaints and others from the building and The Premier's mantra was, "Jobs, jobs, construction industry, and the fact that they jobs." He said that every morning he would were being ignored by Construction Training wake up obsessed with jobs. However, I Queensland, that the previous Minister was believe that the Premier has had some bad motivated to employ Coopers and Lybrand to nights. It is not only that the Premier's assess the extent to which the project was obsession with jobs has been wanting, but he meeting current training needs and its capacity is not doing a very good job of lowering the to meet future needs. rate of unemployment. For a man so obsessed, the Premier shows little enthusiasm The complaints received specifically from and innovation. Members need just look at his TAFE fell into two major categories. The first Budget—the one that he ripped off from the was a perceived conflict of interest. The coalition Government. In this Budget, legislation setting up ITABs—Industry Training unemployment is predicted to be around Advisory Bodies—quite clearly indicates that 8.75% at the end of the 1998-99 financial their role is advisory: to assess training needs year, that is, the same level projected by the in their respective industry, advise Government coalition. And what of the monthly of those needs and provide suggestions as to unemployment figures? The Australian Bureau how those needs could best be met. TAFE of Statistics reports that unemployment in staff felt that the Construction Industry ITAB, September was 9.2%, which is 0.6% higher by insisting that TAFE students attend the than it was the previous month. That means Construction Training Centre at Salisbury, was that an additional 16,000 Queenslanders are exceeding its legislatively defined role. out of work. Yeronga TAFE teachers were particularly Regardless of how passionate it is, an incensed when it was suggested that they and obsession cannot in itself produce results. their students should all move to Salisbury, Actions themselves speak louder than words unnecessarily pay $8,000 of public moneys in and in the case of job creation, the Premier rent, leaving behind purpose-built workshops needs to take action to ensure that he has and buildings at Yeronga that the taxpayers good, workable policies. Unfortunately, the would need to spend millions of dollars gutting Premier's obsession for jobs does not extend and refurbishing before they could be used for beyond his commitment to the union other vocational education and training movement. It does not extend to accepting programs. The Minister now wishes to extend the reality that the coalition's industrial relations what many TAFE staff and others already policies were worked out to create jobs. regard as a serious conflict of interest situation During the two years that the coalition was by the ITAB, by using clause 8 of the in office, more than 91,000 jobs were created. legislation to appoint the ITAB as the legal entity to administer the public moneys being More than 91,000 Queenslanders were given siphoned from the building workers' long the opportunity to work and earn an income service leave funds. during the term of the National/Liberal coalition Government. Let us compare that with the How does the Minister justify this in terms Labor Party's achievements during its term in of the legislative role of the ITAB as a purely office. advisory body? Will he extend these additional responsibilities to other ITABs? For example, if Mr Schwarten: Three months. the tourism, fishing or transport industries Mr STEPHAN: Yes, three months. came to him with proposals for the State to Under Labor, unemployment in keep diesel fuel taxes in place once they are Queensland rose to more than 11%. That is reduced by the Commonwealth, will he entrust more than one in 10 Queenslanders the ITABs to set up training centres and utilise 2556 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 20 Oct 1998 the funds from taxing diesel fuel to stimulate by labour-hire arrangements on a needs employment and training in their respective basis and the rapid growth of group industries? No wonder TAFE staff view the training arrangements. A recent paper for current issues at Salisbury as a major cause ANTA revealed that this type of for concern. employment structure is widespread The second major area of concern by across those industries which have TAFE staff and industry groups that stimulated traditionally employed apprentices. These the decision to commission an external review changes are rapidly becoming the norm. by Coopers and Lybrand related to doubts as The main reason given by contractors to whether the Construction Training Centre surveyed for not being involved in training concept, as originally conceived, was currently was that they could not provide continuity relevant to training needs and likely to meet of employment." future needs in the industry. These doubts are It is ironic that, having abolished TAFE head shared not only by critics of the current centre office in order to decentralise vocational at Salisbury but also by many keen supporters education and training decision making, the of the centre who are committed to its Minister is prepared to embark on a process development and future relevance. which is designed to centralise all metropolitan In their September 1997 report they had building and construction training at one centre this to say about the new training environment in order to fulfil a purely political commitment. that had developed since the Construction In the face of such well-founded Training centre concept was first established— concerns, the Minister is acting in a most "... the introduction of competitive negligent and deceptive manner in attempting tendering/user choice. This was not to push this legislation through the House and around when the decisions were made to pour more public moneys into this venture build the Salisbury Training Centre. Both before members are provided with copies of these features (user choice and the report. The Minister continues to refuse to competitive tendering) are the biggest make the Coopers and Lybrand report obstacles in determining the available to the shadow Minister and the organisational role and direction of the Parliament. Every member of this House has Centre. an obligation to be fully informed about issues upon which we are required to vote. In light of ... more on the job training as part of this, the Minister needs to provide us, as training packages, easy entry to the members of this House, with sufficient training market without the huge information to assure all and sundry that the overheads associated with building sums of money that have been earmarked for colleges/skills centres by new entrants into this initiative are not going to be used to prop the training market, perceived advantages up some form of educational white elephant. of on-the-job training, the use of new training mediums, such as CDROM, CDI, Furthermore, the Minister has been Internet, Computer Based Training deceptive by omitting to indicate in his second- allowing flexible on-the-job training. reading speech that, while Western Australia has a training levy in the building and ... construction industry, it has failed to meet A clear distinction between expectations. This failure has been so severe Government as purchaser of training and that a drastic overhaul of the WA levy has as a provider through TAFE. been required. There is no evidence that the ... Minister and his advisers have learnt anything from the interstate experience. The most dynamic change that has affected training delivery is that Another relevant point concerning the construction companies and builders, situation in Western Australia is that the large and small, have a new training levy replaced the apprentice management and workplace structure. requirement in State Government contract The major effect of this is that the concept work. This information was in an information of grass roots employees is diminishing paper entitled Experiences with Construction along with the direct employment of Industry Training Levies in the Various States, apprentices and trainees. prepared in September 1995 for the Minister's predecessor. Minister Braddy has either not ... done his homework or has chosen to omit Both the employee and the from his second-reading speech any reference apprentices/trainees are being replaced to this rather inconvenient fact. Premier Beattie 20 Oct 1998 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 2557 and Minister Braddy have promised their own peril. Not only did members opposite supporters that this levy will be in place within arrest the entire capital works project, funding six months of their ascent to power. There is and programs of the Goss Government when adequate argument for this amending the now Opposition assumed Government two legislation to be delayed for a reasonable and a half to three years ago, they did nothing period of time. for the training of building and construction Time expired. workers while that tap was turned off. Mr WILSON (Ferny Grove—ALP) The building and construction industry is (4.34 p.m.): It gives me great pleasure to unique in a variety of ways. It is unique in its speak to this legislation, having been involved employment arrangements. The industry relies closely with the building and construction heavily on project-based work, with up to 40% industry in recent years. The Building and of its work being generated by the Queensland Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Government, hence, the critical impact—the Leave) Amendment Bill contains a raft of devastating impact—that the public works and reforms which will realise benefits to both capital works freeze that the previous industry and building and construction workers. Government enacted had upon the It is about time that something was done for construction industry. That is why it is critically training for building construction workers. That important that this Labor Government is lot on the other side did nothing for them and committed to the actual implementation of an now they stand up and whinge, carp and intensive Capital Works Program to help moan about the most innovative step that has revitalise the industry and the economy of this been taken in the past 10 years in this State State. It is also why, as a major employer and for training for construction workers. benefactor in the industry, Government cannot sit by idly and watch the industry decline. In particular, this amendment Bill represents a culmination of industry lobbying Over the past decade in particular, there and support for the creation of an industry- has been a reduction in the employment of funded training scheme, with the principal apprentices directly by employers, objective of building the broadest possible accompanied by the continued growth in consensus throughout industry for the reliance on subcontracting arrangements. As a establishment of this fund. So it could not be result, there has been a general reliance in the seen and promoted as a narrow sectional industry on group training companies to objective. The building of that consensus has employ and train apprentices for the industry. taken years; it has been welded together year However, even industry recognises that this is in, year out. That consensus now exists for this not enough. For the future viability and skills of fund, and that is why we are moving on it. At industry, the major players recognise that all of the same time the Bill introduces important industry needs to pull together and take amendments which will improve workers responsibility for training up future access to portable long service leave and workers—future tradespeople and skilled extend these entitlements to prescribed workers. The only way to ensure that this will payment systems workers—PPS workers—who be achieved is to establish a common industry- supply their labour only and who currently have based training fund to which all of industry will no coverage. It is a balanced Bill for both contribute to the benefit of all of industry. industry and workers. I take exception to some of the scurrilous The building and construction industry is a lies being bandied about by the Opposition. It pivotal industry in Queensland. It is pivotal to would have us believe that the Government is the employment of some 125,000 workers, raiding the Portable Long Service Leave representing around 8% of the Queensland Fund—creaming the top off its profits, taking work force. It is pivotal to Queensland's money from the workers' entitlements and economic growth, contributing almost $12 leaving the fund in a parlous financial state. billion to the State's economy. However, the That is simply empty rhetoric from the building and construction industry is facing Opposition side. Let us set the record straight. severe and critical skill shortages and has Let us look at the facts. been for some period of time, principally The training fund will be set up through a through the neglect of the previous grant from the Portable Long Service Leave Government, now in Opposition. This is Authority to a trust fund which will be something that the honourable members now administered by Construction Training in Opposition did nothing to arrest when, as I Queensland, the bipartite training advisory say, they were in Government. Instead, they body for the industry. By transferring funds via chose to ignore the cries of industry at their a grant we can get the training scheme 2558 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 20 Oct 1998 operational from day one, from 1 January It is interesting to note that the Building 1999. What this industry needs above all is and Construction Industry (Portable Long action, and action now. That deadline will Service Leave) Board, which is made up of enable us to do that. It means that we do not representatives from the industry, including the have to wait another 12 or more months while Queensland Master Builders Association, the we set up a separate levy and a separate Housing Industry Association, the Civil scheme. The reality is that industry cannot Contractors Federation, the Australian Workers afford to wait if we are to start addressing skills Union, the Australian Council of Trade Unions, shortages and training needs. and that exemplary trade union, the The simple facts are that there is Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy approximately $119m in current surpluses Union, has never supported reducing the levy within the authority, with approximately $30m rate to zero. Instead, those same in commitments for long service leave representatives, along with other industry entitlements, which are funded. That representatives and regional businesses, have represents a 5 to 1 ratio of investment versus indicated that there is a need to establish a liability. The revenue from the authority's training levy to ensure the long-term survival of investments alone will be enough to ensure the industry, estimated to cost industry in the that long service leave liabilities are met. It is order of $5m per annum in additional levies. simply untrue to say that this initiative will place They firmly support these initiatives. the funding for the authority at risk. I am Why would we then reduce the long advised through the Minister that this has service leave levy and set up a separate levy been confirmed through the authority's with all of its associated administration costs? independent actuarial advice, which is It does not make good sense. If we had commercial in confidence. chosen to establish a separate scheme to Just to set the record straight, actuarial administer a training fund—in effect imposing advice to the authority is deemed commercial an additional levy on industry—it would cost in in confidence simply because it is neither excess of $2m a year to administer, compared custom nor practice to release such with the estimated $300,000 in administration information for public debate. The right and through a one-stop collection process through proper process for scrutiny of financial the authority. When compared with the operations of an agency of Government is established $5.4m per annum in funding that through the tabling of annual reports in the is proposed for training under this initiative, this House and any subsequent debate. cost would clearly not be justifiable. The The authority also advises that the current proposal to share the proceeds from actuarial advice has indicated that the levy for the collection of the portable long service leave portable long service leave could have been levy eliminates the exorbitant administration costs. either reduced or frozen for a period and still have left the fund in a healthy state. In fact, The authority is also of the view that the the conservative estimate provided to the proposed changes are more than sustainable. authority is that the fund could have sustained It is not raiding funds or workers' entitlements; a zero levy for a period of 10 years prior to the it is simply slowing down the rate of growth of re-introduction of a levy of 0.12% to sustain the surplus excess which currently exists and current and projected liabilities. surpluses which will continue to exist in the Some may ask: so why not reduce the Portable Long Service Leave Fund. The current levy? Reduce the levy or reduce it to proposed amendments also reflect the zero for a period and we still have not Government's commitment to reducing red addressed the fundamental problems facing tape by avoiding the duplication of services the industry. Reducing the levy will not induce through having the authority as the sole employers to take on more apprentices or to collection agency, without any effect on its train their workers. This is an industry-wide core business operations. problem and only an industry-wide solution will This is not a new idea. In fact, it was the address it. coalition, supported by Labor in Opposition, Key industry and business representatives that combined the collection functions for support the establishment of an industry workplace health and safety fees with the training fund in the manner proposed. So the collection of the portable long service leave question I put to members opposite is: why levy. The only problem with its proposal was shouldn't you? Why should members of this the differing threshold rates applying between House not support a viable proposition the two, which resulted in an astonishing 30% supported by the industry players? error rate in collection, let alone the estimated 20 Oct 1998 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 2559 losses in compliance revenues through residential works. These arrangements have administrative errors. led to the clearly unacceptable error rate of We are taking a good idea, fixing the 30% in the completion of notification and existing problems and building upon it through payment forms. Needless to say, they have the concept of the one-stop shop for been the subject of numerous complaints from industry—a concept which has the majority industry. They are confusing and they are support of industry—rather than imposing the inequitable. collection of another levy or fee and imposing The proposed amendments will overcome yet another administrative and regulatory these problems by establishing a common levy function on industry. In addition, introducing a and fee rate of 0.2% and an equitable training fund instead of a separate training levy threshold of $80,000. The long service levy simply means an extra $2m spent on training rate will be reduced to 0.075%, and an outputs, not wasted on administrative costs industry-wide workplace health and safety fee and overheads. of 0.125% will be adopted throughout industry. This represents no net increase in fees and There is no raiding of employee or charges for the building and construction industry funds. Savings on these costs can be industry, a combined rate of 0.2%, or $2 into put directly into training. Training outcomes, every $1,000, on all building and construction not expensive administrative overheads, are activity within the State, and with a reduced what the industry training fund is about. It financial burden to clients of the industry to the simply makes good business sense— tune of $2.3m—a sum greatly valued by the something that this side of the House well industry. I am very pleased to say that these understands. That is what the authority, with simplified administrative arrangements, which industry representation, determined based on meet the majority support of industry, will also the financial information available to it, and allow for the employment of an additional 15 that is what the authority has recommended to workplace health and safety inspectors Government. I have already stated that this is throughout the State. They are urgently a balanced piece of legislation, based upon needed to address the unacceptably high the consensus achieved across all sectors of incidence of accidents which occur within this the building and construction industry. It is industry. balanced because it recognises industry needs, jobs for young Queenslanders and The amendments contained in this Bill are improvements in worker entitlements. long overdue. The creation of an industry training fund will generate employment for an The Bill introduces important additional 800 to 1,000 apprentices each year, amendments which will see building and in addition to providing valuable upgrading of construction workers able to access their long skills for existing workers within the industry service leave entitlements after 10 years, needed to sustain a viable future for the instead of the current 15 years. This is building and construction industry in this State. important when the average length of time The Bill also brings long service leave spent in the industry is between 7 and 10 entitlements into line with those provided in years. It will also extend long service leave other States and in recognition of the unique entitlements to those subcontractors—PPS nature of employment within this industry. workers who supply their labour—in the As I said at the outset, this is a legislative industry who currently have no coverage or move that has been based upon a consensus entitlements. reached across the industry, principally through The other positive spin-off of the the commendable work done by Construction amendments proposed to the method of Training Queensland. For a period of eight or collection of the levy and workplace health and nine years, I had the great pleasure of working safety fees is the introduction of a common as a member of the executive of that body. I leviable threshold rate. It is worth noting that want recorded in Hansard the commendable the current rates and threshold levels which and, in fact, exceptional work that has been are applied in the industry include a long done by Construction Training Queensland in service leave levy of 0.1%, a workplace health the decade of the 1990s. In fact, without and safety notification fee of 0.1% on civil casting aspersions upon any other industry works, a workplace health and safety training advisory body in Queensland, the notification fee of 0.175% on any other standards and benchmarks established by building and construction works, a threshold of CTQ far exceed most achieved throughout $120,000 for housing and a threshold of other industry sectors in Queensland. In fact, it $42,000 for commercial, civil and other establishes a pattern of work throughout the 2560 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 20 Oct 1998 industry that could be well emulated by other Mr BLACK: The member should not worry ITABs throughout industry in Queensland. about that. This is what I think. Mr Roberts: The old electrical training Mr Nuttall interjected. board did an excellent job as well. Mr BLACK: Why don't you shut up and Mr WILSON: They did. I accept that listen for a while! interjection from the member for Nudgee, who Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Reeves): would know well the excellent work done by Order! That remark is unparliamentary. I the electrical training ITAB. There are many remind the member that he should speak other ITABs. In fact, if there was ever really through the Chair. one initiative taken within the whole training Mr BLACK: I apologise. reform agenda within industry in the past 10 years, it would be the establishment of the The BCI Portable Long Service Leave ITABs. With State and Federal Government Authority currently holds sufficient funds to be representation on those bodies, we have been self-funding on a continuing basis. With this able to establish a forum throughout the Bill, the Government seeks to use this fund industry, involving employers and employees underhandedly as a vehicle to introduce its and their unions, where they have been able training levy via the back door. The money in to discuss and reach agreement on critical this fund belongs to the Queensland building training issues that need to be advanced for and construction industry workers. It does not the salvation of industry in this country without belong to the Beattie minority Government. the intrusion of various industrial relations I am not sure how the Minister for issues that ordinarily takes place in the Employment, Training and Industrial Relations industrial relations environment in this country. managed to pull this confidence trick on the We have been able to corral the issues of building workers union—how he has training and skills training within the building apparently obtained their agreement to get his and construction industry to find common hand into their cookie jar. The Portable Long agreement on how we move forward on this Service Leave Fund of Queensland building front. and construction industry workers is, quite rightly, a sacred cow. It is vital to the futures of The various industry stream committees these workers and their families. It represents that have been established under CTQ, for them the same benefits as those enjoyed particularly those with which I am most directly by workers in other industries and forms an familiar within the civil construction area, have integral part of their employment done an excellent job. I refer to the arrangements. It must not be tampered with in construction industry skills centre which has any way. If the Government wants a training been established at Salisbury. If anyone on levy, I am sure that employers would be the other side of this Chamber wants to see a positive, innovative approach to training in this prepared to contribute to such a levy, provided that the current one was discontinued and the industry, they should get themselves out to accumulated funds were preserved. that Salisbury training centre and have a look with their own eyes, instead of harping and Let us see some honesty and carping about what they want to happen in this transparency here. Let us rule off on the critical industry in relation to training. No-one existing long service levy and protect it for the will surpass the work that is being done by the benefit of those who have contributed to it. For Salisbury centre, which is looking for a the benefit of honourable members opposite, I cooperative joint venture with TAFE am referring to the group when they claim to Queensland to achieve unparalleled advances represent but have forgotten, that is, the on training within the building and construction workers. Let us implement a new levy at a industry. With the support of this legislation lower rate and let us call it what it is: a training and the Beattie Labor Government, which is levy. In that way, with a reduced levy, dedicated to jobs and training, I am sure that employers will have a greater incentive to they will achieve it. I support the legislation. employ more people, the workers' benefits will be preserved under the existing self-funding Mr BLACK (Whitsunday—ONP) accumulated fund, and the Government will be (4.54 p.m.): I rise to express my concern about more honest and open. the threat that this Bill poses to ravage the accumulated funds of Queensland building We can only assume that the proposed workers. strategy is designed to circumvent the Premier's undertaking to the Independent Mr Nuttall: Who wrote this for you? Why member for Nicklin that there will be no new don't you say what you think? taxes. A tax under any other name is still a tax. 20 Oct 1998 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 2561

One Nation will not be party to a confidence leave to the industry. The proposed trick to attempt to hoodwink the interested amendments also reduce the qualifying period parties in this Parliament. One Nation for long service leave from 15 years to 10 recommends honesty and openness. We years and make it easier for workers to accrue suggest that the Government should try it leave after 10 years' service from five yearly some time. We cannot support the rape of a accrual to daily accrual. fund which belongs to Queensland workers, Members should note that no additional and we will not support a Bill which seeks to long service leave benefit is being proposed, achieve certain ends by dishonest means. just easier and earlier access by workers to Mrs ATTWOOD (Mount Ommaney—ALP) their entitlements. Those changes allow (4.58 p.m.): The Bill before the House today is Queensland construction workers to have part of an overall reform framework whereby comparable benefits to their peers in other the Beattie Government delivers the reform so States—a very reasonable and appropriate sadly lacking in the previous administration. It provision. Why should Queensland workers be sets up a training, safety and employment discriminated against? framework for this industry, which provides employers and employees with a sound basis The Bill provides for the establishment of for moving forward into a future where the building and construction industry training competitive local and export performance will fund. The proposal is for a modest fund spell growth and prosperity for their industry. equivalent to 0.05% of leviable building and This security is based on strong skills, construction activity annually. Based on a full- enhanced commitment from the Government year building and construction activity level of through increased capital works, and greater $10.8 billion in 1998-99, that would equate to employment opportunities for young people. $5.4m of training funds. The actual funds that Our youth need to know that there is a job for should flow from this legislation will be about them when they leave school—jobs that are $3.6m based on eight months' activity in the secure. remaining 1998-99 financial year. The Beattie Government has already As this Government is working with the achieved major reforms which will benefit the building and construction industry, the fund will building and construction industry. These lead to more jobs for young Queenslanders. include the reinvigoration of the 10% policy, Over the full three years of operation of the which will provide more jobs for young fund, we fully expect an additional 2,500 to people—900 more jobs over three years; the 3,000 apprenticeships and traineeships in the expansion of the Housing Industry Trade private sector. That will virtually double the Training Program—another additional 600 jobs number of apprentices in training in that for apprenticeships; the Breaking the industry and reverse the slide in Unemployment Cycle program, which will apprenticeships evident under the previous provide subsidies to employers to employ Government. Unemployed young people in more apprentices and trainees—estimated to Mount Ommaney have told me that they are be at least 90 apprentices in the building and looking forward to having the chance to learn a construction industry in the public sector and trade under this scheme. Our opponents cry many more in the private sector; and an that we are raiding the Portable Long Service additional 15 workplace health and safety Leave Fund to pay for training. Clearly that is inspectors for this industry to improve safety in untrue and a blatant scare tactic on the the workplace. Opposition's part. The Minister has already The legislation being considered today is stated in this House and elsewhere that a key element in the Government's plan for independent actuarial advice has been the industry. By providing for increased training received that the long service leave fund will expenditure and enhanced long service leave not need to review its position for at least 12 benefits to employees, the Government is years if all the improvements are made. I providing a more stable, productive work force. might add that, during that 12-year period, the I will deal with the elements of the Bill in order. fund will have at least five reviews of its Firstly, the Bill deals with long service leave. It position as required under the existing Act. At expands the definition of "worker" to include the same time, the impost on industry will be prescribed payment system—PPS— reduced by $2.3m per year and the industry subcontractors who supply their labour and will have a far simpler system. This is really supervisors. This provision has been requested some raid: improved services and by industry for a long time and provides a far entitlements, less cost and easier more equitable application of long service administration. 2562 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 20 Oct 1998

The members of the previous facts, and does the Minister not hate it when Government should admit that they are his good story is spoilt by the facts! The embarrassed by their lack of action in this indisputable fact is that it was the Labor Party industry and acknowledge the Beattie in Government that permitted the problem to Government's action as one that will place arise; the problem the incoming coalition Queensland industry at the forefront in Government had to fix. This House will be Australia. Opponents of this legislation have interested to hear the following additional also tried to suggest that the industry does not information on the Labor Government's support the proposals. Again, that is clearly performance when last in office in relation to untrue. Industry has continued to call for the the building and construction industry. It is a establishment of an industry-based training shameful record. It is a catalogue of failure. It levy—now a fund—for at least five years. is something over which those opposite should Recent meetings around the State by officers hang their heads in shame. It is something of the Department of Employment, Training that everyone with children of an age to be and Industrial Relations, Construction Training entering the work force should be aware of Queensland and the Portable Long Service and be concerned about. Leave Authority received virtual unanimous The number of construction industry support from industry for the fund and other apprentices in training during the period 1990 changes. That support was particularly strong to 1997 fluctuated somewhat, but the in regional centres. Industry knows and variations during that period were from a low of acknowledges that those changes are to its 4,401 apprentices in 1990-91 to a high of benefit and have continued to work on 6,285 in 1994, dropping again to 5,747 in planning for the training fund over the past few 1995-96. In the last four years of Labor's months in anticipation of its availability. I previous administration, that is, 1992-93 support the Bill. through to 1995-96, apprentice and trainee Mr SEENEY (Callide—NPA) (5.04 p.m.): I, withdrawals—that is, apprentices who started too, would like an opportunity to make some their apprenticeship but did not finish—from comments about statements made by the this industry grew as follows. In 1992-93, the Minister in his second-reading speech in figure was 580. The next year, 1993-94, it was relation to the performance of the coalition 748. It leapt in 1994-95 to 1,056. In 1995-96 it Government in the policy area of vocational almost again reached 1,000 with a figure of education and training. He implied or made 907. What a sorry record; what an abject comments that indicated that he had drawn failure; what a great reason for no-one to take the inference that skills shortages within the on trust anything this Minister or this building and construction industry are a result Government says about commitment to the of inactivity on the part of the coalition future and about a vision for the future. Government during its 28 months in office. It is In the two years of 1994-95 and 1995-96, becoming an old story. Any impartial observer an average of 1,000 apprentices withdrew need look no further than the Minister's own from that industry. Within the first full year of speech to appreciate that the coalition the coalition Government, the rate of Government in February 1996 inherited the cancellations was down to just over 700. In problem created through years of Labor other words, it was down to pre-1993-94 levels. mismanagement. Similarly, the number of apprentices and Statistics quoted by the Minister show trainees in the industry who completed their clearly that between 1993 and 1996, during training fluctuated considerably. In 1992-93, the term of the late and largely unlamented there were 1,246 successful apprenticeship Goss Labor Government, spending on training completions. Two years later under Labor, that for the building and construction industry fell figure had dropped to 874—a reduction of 362 from 1.63% to 1.38% of the gross national apprentices and trainees completing their payroll. Queensland accounted for an training. Those figures clearly demonstrate the incredible 56% of the national decline. That true picture of Labor's capacity to assist happened under a Labor Government. Queensland's nation-beating building and construction industries. The figures clearly The Minister's inventiveness in seeking to demonstrate Labor's failure to assist in the deflect responsibility might work wonders in the development of Queensland when they were Labor caucus room, but it will not do in the real in office for six years and had ample world. When the Minister comes up with a opportunities to do so. The figures tell the disastrous outcome, he has no alternative but story. Their record is clear. When Labor was to cop the blame that is due. As usual, there is last in Government, it failed miserably to a big difference between the rhetoric and the address the training needs of the building and 20 Oct 1998 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 2563 construction industry. Now it has a second that every one of us who are parents of chance to do so and, apparently, it is intent on apprenticeship-age kids should be concerned doing so by scampering back to the past in about—a 50% completion rate. industrial relations law. From the figures that I have provided, it is We on this side have no cause to feel easy to see a reversal of the negative trend confidence in the Government's ability to due to the diligent and effective policies and deliver outcomes that the private sector administration of the previous coalition deserves. This legislation is certainly not the Government and the high levels of confidence best way of going about solving the problem of that that engendered in this and all other training in the building industry. For the benefit industries. Under the former coalition of this House, and particularly for the benefit of Government, in the 12 months to November members who are new to this place and who, 1997, new apprenticeship approvals for the owing to their very narrow background, may industry increased by 10.6%. In fact, a have had only the dubious benefit of a skewed comparison of the 1997 figures with those of Labor Party briefing on these issues, I would 1990 indicate a 13% growth in apprenticeships like to outline the level of completions for the industry. The former coalition achieved within the building and construction Government introduced a wide and far- industry during the coalition's first full financial reaching range of initiatives aimed at year in office. increasing the building and construction Mr Bredhauer interjected. industry's involvement in structured training. Under the coalition, part-time arrangements Mr SEENEY: The member would not were built into the system of apprenticeships know the meaning of the word. These figures and traineeships so that the number of for the 1996-97 financial year are the latest businesses that could for the first time consider statistical figures. The member should listen to employing an apprentice or trainee in their own this because he would learn something. Once right was widened significantly. The coalition again, the facts give the lie to the introduced school-based apprenticeships and Government's rhetoric. Once again, the facts traineeships that allow young Queenslanders get in the way of a good story. Those to gain relevant and useful industry experience opposite would prefer not to know, but the as well as vocational qualifications while they facts are that in 1996-97 there were 1,335 are still attending school. The coalition successful completions—1,335 successful introduced work-based delivery, significantly apprenticeships. That was an extra 461 reducing and, in many cases, eliminating the successful apprenticeships completed—461 need for apprentices and trainees to leave young people successfully completed their their own workplace to receive formal indentures, 461 more than did so in 1994-95, instruction. The coalition upgraded efforts to which was the Goss Labor Government's last ensure the application of competency-based full financial year in office, and almost 100 up training across the full vocational education on the best that Labor ever achieved in 1992- and training spectrum. All of those policies 93. So much for Labor's record of enhanced were designed to achieve positive results and employment opportunities! It prompts the they were in the process of doing so. The cautious observer of today's Labor rhetoric to figures bear that out. They were doing so in seriously question whether this party, now back accordance with a plan, and it was working. in power and back in full propaganda mode, can actually deliver anything other than hot air. Labor's disgraceful decision to raid the Can Labor deliver anything that is supported long service fund via a training levy—by using by fact? the workers' holiday pay bank—puts not only On 13 October 1997, in a speech to the the fund at risk ultimately but also it adds Construction 2001 conference, the then unnecessarily to the bureaucratic overburden Leader of the Opposition, now Premier, that successive Labor Governments informed delegates that of the 1,607 traditionally impose on private companies, apprentices who started their training in 1992, whose job is to make profits and thus build only 883, or 55%, completed their indentures. employment. If this Government is serious That is indeed a disgraceful fact, and a about increasing employment in this industry disgraceful fact of which the present or in any other industry, it must first accept that Government must be reminded often. It is a companies and all employers have to make disgraceful fact that this minority Labor profits. It is simple: no profits, no jobs. administration, as the heir to the Goss The building industry is cyclical. With the Government which so failed Queensland, must best will in the world, it is not possible to control accept a great deal of responsibility. It is a fact fully the commercial cycle in a private 2564 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 20 Oct 1998 enterprise economy. Even in a mixed successful in supporting the building and economy such as Queensland's where there is construction industries in those States. a public works component that comprises a Although in the past Governments have been greater proportion of work on hand or planned cautious, it is now time to hear this call and than exists in other larger economies without react. We need to provide an environment in our developmental needs, there is a very strict which this industry can help itself. limit on what it is possible to do to influence The training fund proposed as part of this this cycle. It is important that we build up the amendment is one positive step that the skills base in Queensland. It is crucial that this Government can take to show leadership on build-up encompasses work skills in traditional this important issue. The proposal establishes manual trades and in areas that will remain at a mechanism to transfer a modest 0.05% of least relatively labour intensive. No-one on this building and construction activity that can be side will argue with that proposition. However, levied, which in 1998-99 is estimated at $10.8 we have yet to hear a convincing argument billion, from the Portable Long Service Leave from the promoters of this legislation that the Fund to a training fund. This compares with way chosen by this minority Labor the 0.25% levy which applies in South Government, this transfer of holiday pay Australia as an example. This is a modest banked funds to an interventionist, Fabian- proposal and would equate to approximately style mechanism for social engineering, is in $5.4m in the full 1998-99 financial year. any way the right way to go. As part of this proposal, the industry has Mr ROBERTS (Nudgee—ALP) agreed with the Government that the (5.16 p.m.): I wish to address the vital employment of young people will be a priority. importance of training to the building and As part of the Government's Breaking the construction industry and the role that the Unemployment Cycle initiatives, this proposal proposed training fund can play in enhancing is estimated to result in the employment of an the industry to better reflect the skill needs of additional 800 to 1,000 apprentices per year this State into the 21st century. It was for the next three years. extremely disappointing to listen to speeches by Opposition and One Nation members in The proposed subsidies to employers will opposition to this proposition, which will assist in employing new apprentices and enhance the skills and employability of many maintaining the employment of apprentices at employees within that industry. Their risk of losing their jobs. Given the very high opposition goes also to the improvements to turnover of apprentices in this industry, this is a the long service entitlements that will flow from major feature of the fund. The subsidies this legislation. proposed will be in addition to the existing subsidies from the Commonwealth This industry contributes $11.8 billion to Government and to those proposed under the the State's economy and employs 8% of the Government's Breaking the Unemployment work force. Yet the training within this industry Cycle initiatives. All up, this Government and is falling behind the levels necessary to the industry are working together to make a maintain a skilled work force. In 1996-97, only major impact on employment for young people about 40% of the estimated 2,000 apprentices in the building and construction industry. This required to maintain the trade skills base will be a tremendous boost to the jobs of remained in training. Nationally, between 1993 young people in the industry and to those and 1996 employer expenditure on training fell aspiring to a career in building or construction. 15%—a drop of some $14m. Queensland's It will also go a long way to replacing the lost share of this drop was a disproportionate $8m, skills of those leaving the industry or being or 56% of the national decline. When one drawn south by the Olympics construction considers its potential impact on the future of program. We must ensure that Queensland is this State, this is a frightening picture. not disadvantaged by the skills shortage at a For some seven years or eight years, the time when the State needs the full advantage building and construction industry has been of a major public works program. calling for a training levy similar to those that In addition, industry has priorities in the operate in other States. As far as I am aware, areas of upskilling existing workers, re- the only opposition to that that has been establishing a business culture that expressed to any significant extent has been encourages training for the industry and from the Housing Industry Association. As promoting building and construction as a honourable members may know, training worthwhile career for young people. Upskilling funds exist already in Western Australia, South existing workers in the industry is of particular Australia and Tasmania and have been importance to ensure that those workers get 20 Oct 1998 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 2565 adequate recognition for their skills and are not I have outlined just some of the benefits disadvantaged in the skills development that will flow to the building and construction process for the industry. The civil construction industry and, in particular, to the employees sector is one where this priority is particularly from the introduction of the training fund. This strong. will be achieved with no additional costs to The commitment by industry, not just the industry and will be administered through the building and construction industry, to training Building and Construction Industry (Portable has been under a severe challenge in recent Long Service Leave) Authority to minimise years. In the building and construction industry administration costs. The fund is industry this has led to an ongoing decline in money, redistributed efficiently for the benefit apprentice numbers and a general reluctance of all participants in the industry. The by the industry to embrace new training introduction of this training fund is overdue. I opportunities. Consequently, this industry has commend the Bill to the House. been disadvantaged relative to some others in Mr JOHNSON (Gregory—NPA) terms of maintaining a skilled, stable work (5.23 p.m.): The Building and Construction force, which are two imperatives for an Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) internationally competitive industry. The Amendment Bill 1998 deserves the closest training fund will provide an improved incentive scrutiny because essentially it proposes to for employers to increase their commitment to introduce a new tax—one of the new taxes training and over time will re-establish a culture that Labor, in its dishonest campaign during that is supportive of training within the industry. the June State election, swore it would not be introducing. Recent experience within the building and construction industry suggests that there is It has been very good to hear considerable difficulty in recruiting the best Government members speaking on this Bill. school graduates into the industry. This is a When talking about creating employment and cause for concern as it means that the industry new jobs, first and foremost it must be will struggle to meet its needs into the 21st recognised that many of the people on the century. In competing with other industry other side of the House have probably never sectors for the best students, building and employed anyone. The issue of employing construction has to lift its profile as a people comes back to the factor of paying. worthwhile and rewarding career. This is Considering the depressed economy that this another priority for the training fund, which will country is currently experiencing, we should be provide funds to develop additional career very understanding of what employers are counselling materials for use in schools and at going through. We should not merely be career expos. Additionally, professional looking at what will benefit the unions. development for school career counsellors will Everybody in this House is well aware of provide added awareness of the industry and the fact that we want to create new its potential for young people. apprenticeships and we need to upgrade The development of the proposed training professional people in those fields. A while ago fund has included industry breakfasts across I heard the member for Nudgee refer to the State to ascertain employers' current industry attracting the best school graduates. feelings on the proposed priorities. The That disappoints me somewhat because while outcome of those breakfast meetings has industry is attracting the best school been extensive support for the proposal, graduates, what happens to the young people particularly from regional Queensland. who may not be in a position to take Regional industry leaders just wanted to know advantage of that situation? I hope that the how soon the new initiatives would be schemes that the Government is proposing will available. Those breakfast meetings not just pick the eyes out of the flock in the highlighted an additional area of need outside hope that the rest will do the best for of Brisbane: the need for better on-the-ground themselves that they can. The coalition is marketing of new training arrangements and about giving a fair go to all. support for employers to take on apprentices So much for Labor promises. The and trainees. The training fund can also make proposed amendments to the Building and a contribution in this area with support from Construction Industry (Portable Long Service existing industry bodies and regional officers of Leave) Act 1991 will break the spirit of the the Department of Employment, Training and Premier's promise to the people of Industrial Relations. Group training companies Queensland, if not the fact of his solemn also can play a role in the expansion of these undertaking. We are told by the Minister for new initiatives. Employment, Training and Industrial Relations 2566 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 20 Oct 1998 that the proposed amendments will create a 1992 when Mr Goss was Premier. I quote from Building and Construction Industry Training the Beattie Government's current Jobs Plan, Fund and that this fund will contribute and this is highly significant—— substantially to the provision of training for "Between 1993 and 1996, spending workers in the industry. In his second-reading on training in the industry fell from 1.63% speech, the Minister told us that the to 1.38% of gross payroll nationally. This establishment of the industry training fund was amounted to $14m, or a fall of part of Labor's Breaking the Unemployment approximately 30% investment in training Cycle election platform. by employers. In Queensland we The policy and the legislation now before accounted for $8m, or 56% of the the House is a typical Labor answer to a national decline." complex economic problem. It conforms to I say again: Queensland accounted for $8m, Labor's one-eyed view of policy, that if there is or 56% of the national decline. a problem one does not pick on the employers. Mr Santoro: During the Labor Party's time. Ms Bligh: What jobs plan did you follow? Mr JOHNSON: That is absolutely right, as Mr JOHNSON: The Honourable Minister the member for Clayfield and the former very for Families is having a little laugh to herself. good and hardworking Minister for Training For her information, as I said a moment ago, and Industrial Relations pointed out. We are in this situation we have to think of the now seeing the unions trying to dismantle the employers. Not for one half of one moment do good things that he attempted to put in place. I ignore the fact that we are talking about the That quote was from the Minister's second- public sector. However, there are two sectors reading speech to the House in August this involved: the public and the private sectors. year. That was just one of the legacies of the Mr Braddy: The MBA wants this. The Goss Government's first Jobs Plan. By master builders want this scheme. comparison, the coalition's recently completed Mr JOHNSON: The member should let term in office is celebrated by record numbers me go on. You are laying back there like a log. of apprentices and trainee commencements. We just heard my colleague the member Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Reeves): Order! I remind the member to speak through for Callide elaborate on that the Chair. achievement—1,335 apprentices in one year, or 461 more than Labor's best achievement in Mr JOHNSON: I apologise, Mr Deputy its time in office. Surely to God those figures Speaker. My point is that this is not about speak for themselves. It is about time that sucking the last drop of blood out of the members on the other side of the House employers, most of whom are currently on the started to give a bit of credit where it is due. bones of their backsides because of the They are knocking for the sake of knocking. downturn in the industry and the economy. Mr Reynolds interjected. Mr Braddy: The builders want this Mr JOHNSON: What was that again? scheme. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I remind Mr JOHNSON: I have listened to the honourable members to interject from their Minister and I know what he is saying, but he correct seats. is not listening to me. I am talking about the current downturn in the economic situation, Mr JOHNSON: Thank you for your which is something that we have to take into protection, Mr Deputy Speaker; I certainly account here. need protecting at times. The member for Townsville lives in the heart of one of the great There is nothing new about the fact that industrial cities in this country, and it will Labor cannot produce anything new. When I continue to be so if he does not wreck it. It was first read the Breaking the Unemployment your Goss Labor Government and you were a Cycle document, I was struck by two factors. member of the Townsville community—— Firstly, I was struck by the superficial nature of the Minister's considerations in addressing this Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! most worrying area of his portfolio. Secondly, I Mr JOHNSON: Mr Speaker, I will defer to had an incredible feeling of having seen this you, but I have to give my mate a serve first. It before and of history repeating itself. I refer to was them who tried to close the Townsville the many similarities between the railway workshops. The railway workshops Government's present initiatives and those of boasted somewhere between 6% and its first Jobs Plan, which was introduced in 10%—— 20 Oct 1998 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 2567

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I refer to a Mr JOHNSON: I would sit back and be previous ruling by the Speaker that members quiet if I were you. must be referred to by their party and not as Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I have "them". reminded the member a couple of times to Mr JOHNSON: I meant the former Labor direct his remarks through the Chair. My Government. We were going to see the total patience is running out. decimation of jobs in that city and the loss of Mr JOHNSON: I am very patient, too. It is the chance for young people to take not only about job security and putting people advantage of skilled employment in those into apprenticeships and into trades through great workshops by way of apprenticeships in Queensland Rail or some other private or carpentry, plumbing, sheet-metal working, public facility; it is also about the security and welding, fitting and turning and so on. quality of life that those people deserve and Mr Reynolds interjected. need. That is something that the member for Townsville is not supporting me on. It does not Mr JOHNSON: I will come back to you. matter whether we are talking about people in Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Townsville, Ipswich, Bamaga, Birdsville or Mr JOHNSON: I have not finished with wherever; they all deserve to be appreciated the honourable member yet. and to be given a fair go. In this debate today, other speakers on Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The this side of the House have elaborated on the member will direct his remarks through the coalition's excellent performance in this key Chair. area of policy delivery and outcomes, and I am Mr JOHNSON: We saved the jobs in sure others will follow. With your indulgence, Townsville. We were on the verge of putting Mr Deputy Speaker, I would like to make some those apprenticeships back in place. specific observations of the minority Beattie Mr Reynolds interjected. Government's plans for increasing apprenticeships and traineeships in Mr JOHNSON: I take that interjection in Queensland. Firstly, the plan proposes to relation to those 77 contract staff. It was in introduce 6,000 traineeships for young your Ministerial Portfolio Statements. It was Queenslanders in the Public Service over three launched in Townsville by the Opposition years. This is a rerun of the Public Sector spokesman for Trade and Economic Traineeship Quota Initiative tried by the Goss Development. I raised the issue in the House Labor Government in 1994-95. At the time, a with the Minister for Transport at the time. cross-departmental quota of 400 trainees was Because we embarrassed you into it, you have established and linked to a subsidy of $5,000 had to go back and honour your obligation. I for agencies which engaged a trainee who was have to say to you that, during my time as long-term unemployed and registered with Minister, we never had a strike in Townsville. both the CES and the Youth Employment Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I remind Service. The present Government could not the honourable member to direct his remarks meet the quota. That was despite a through the Chair. Government directive, significant promotion and the provision of substantial subsidies. It Mr JOHNSON: It was this Labor could not get its department to employ 400 Government that had to kick those whom they trainees. Let us look at the logic. The believed to be their own in the guts. We had Government has resurrected that program, two-day rolling strikes in Townsville because increased the unattainable quota fivefold, you could not deliver on your policy. You apparently withdrawn the subsidies and wanted to renege on your policy. Nothing has expects to reach the quota. Nice thinking by changed on the Government side. We will the Minister! He must have worked really hard keep reminding people that this Labor to think of that one. Government is not for the workers. It is the members on this side of the House who However, I would like to refer to a promise represent the workers. Most of us have been made by the then Leader of the Opposition, employers in the past. We understand the now the Honourable the Premier, in a speech needs and requirements of workers. You have to the Construction 2001 Conference in not got a clue when it comes to addressing the Brisbane on 13 October last year. One of the needs of people who are out there trying to great leaps forward announced by the then have a go. Leader of the Opposition was his plan to provide 150 houses per year under the Mr Reynolds interjected. Housing Industry Trade Training—HITT— 2568 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 20 Oct 1998

Program for construction by 150 apprentices workers as apprentices and the canning of per year employed by group training those who would have been employed as companies. To its credit, the achievement of apprentices as a matter of course. I might add that figure will see the Government performing that this does not equate to real only marginally below the coalition's record apprenticeship growth, and the Minister and when it was in office up to June. Though the the Government should not pretend otherwise. recent Budget has changed the By way of history, I say that traditionally State abovementioned statistical parameters, it really Governments have not entered into the was not much of a promise by the then Leader provision of employer subsidies for of the Opposition. I say well done to the apprenticeships or traineeship agreements. Honourable the Premier. Mr Braddy: What does this have to do However, the Government also proposes with the Bill? 500 new Government apprenticeships at an Mr JOHNSON: The Minister does not annual cost of $25m. Experience has shown want to know about any constructive criticism. that the public sector is largely unwilling to participate in providing apprenticeships over Rather, the State has focused on and above what is required within the work ensuring that opportunities are provided in area unless the placement is heavily areas that meet the needs of industry and subsidised. The Government has recognised enterprise. Some members would be aware this and has provided for some of this that, in the mid 1980s, the State Government subsidisation in the Budget. However, it cannot offered a small range of employer incentives be denied that to take on apprentices in which proved difficult to administer. It was also excess of what is required must lead to difficult to demonstrate effective outcomes. inefficient work practices, and this will The Minister has provided no public undoubtedly be the experience in many areas evidence that the administrative structures of the Public Service. Let us look at an necessary to overcome these pitfalls have example from the private sector. Walkers in been established. It may be of interest to the Maryborough is looking for contracts all the House to note that, under the coalition, the time. It is running 10% of its total work force as 1998 Annual Vocational Education Training apprentices. That is a fantastic achievement. It Plan made provision for large allocations in the employs some 800 people. areas of skill shortages, including cooking, Mr Bredhauer: That's why we gave him furnishing and food processing. Total the diesel tilt train that you complained about. allocations in these areas, including Mr JOHNSON: I am not complaining. I prevocational training, traineeships, am talking about breaching the tender apprenticeships and post-trade training was process. You know it, you clown! I have said it 49.2% greater than that delivered in 1996. This clearly showed a genuine and strong before and I will say it again. commitment by the coalition to help redress Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Reeves): what were perceived skill shortages in the Order! I remind the honourable member to above vital areas of the economy. speak through the Chair. To continue, the Government proposes Mr JOHNSON: I am speaking through the 9,000 additional apprenticeships and Chair, Mr Deputy Speaker. The Minister for traineeships in the private sector over three Transport wants to interject. He knows the years, and I hope that it achieves it because, if rules. I just remind him again that he breached it does, it is certainly going to be worth while. the tender process. However, we will go on. However, I doubt that the Government will Next is a $5m proposal to provide a achieve it. I find this proposal particularly $2,000 cash bonus to private sector ambiguous. Members will be aware that, on 5 employees or group training schemes for each September last year, the Federal Minister for additional apprentice employed in the areas of Employment, Education, Training and Youth skill shortages such as tourism, building and Affairs released the New Apprenticeship construction, and the metal and engineering national campaign. As part of this, industries. I have a few concerns in this regard. Queensland will receive $126m for over The Government's statements and the 50,000 apprenticeships and traineeships over Minister's public utterances do not provide a the next two years for the provision of definition of what will constitute an additional incentives to employers, apprentices and apprentice. However, there are a number of trainees. Will the 9,000 additional problems associated with making this type of apprenticeships and traineeships proposed by assessment, including substitution of existing the State Government be in addition to the 20 Oct 1998 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 2569

50,000 provided for by this Commonwealth not been able to get that firm undertaking to program? date, although the current Housing Minister With the time available I could continue, has advised me that he has that matter in but the more that I look to the Labor train. The training of apprentices is something Government's plan for our youth, the more I that we talk about a lot, and I think we need to get depressed. Clearly, the Government made ensure that anything we do is not only up of the members opposite does not have a consistent with that intent but also transparent. genuine plan to create genuine I want to thank the Minister for the access apprenticeships and trainee opportunities, let that I have been given to his officers and for alone a plan to create long-term and the briefings that they have given me. I greatly sustainable jobs. As my colleague the member value the opportunity to get up-front advice for Clayfield stated, the minority Labor from a number of his officers here and also Government's policy priorities are in direct from his office staff. I want to raise just a contradiction to its main objective—the jobs couple of matters and I seek a response from creation plan. I wish the Government well with the Minister, if possible, in his reply. its 5% unemployment target in the term of this Although I do not have a great deal of Government and thereafter. However, the one concern about the long service aspects of the thing I say is that we have to work together legislation, including the amendments that and we have to work together collectively with have been circulated, I probably have a employers and unions. This Government has fundamental concern with the proposal to take not done that to date. the training levy from the fund. Whilst I Time expired. understand all the words that the officers are Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone—IND) saying and the rationale behind it, I have a fundamental concern that has probably been (5.44 p.m.): In addressing this Bill, I want to raised on a number of occasions in the House take a couple of minutes at the beginning to while this legislation has been debated. I commend a group training program in my would just like to go through the issues, electorate. Dave Burns administers the training perhaps not in any order. scheme. The HIA wrote to me some time A Government member: He's a good ago—actually back in August—raising its man, Dave Burns. concerns. It has several, and I would be Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM: He has a big interested in the Minister's response to those heart with the young people whose training he concerns. I have no doubt that the HIA has has overseen. I know that we have talked on raised them with the Minister on a number of innumerable occasions about opportunities to occasions. One of the concerns relates to the train. Dave is a very good bloke. He has been use of the Portable Long Service Leave Fund working hard—certainly well beyond his job to fund training. The HIA does not have a description—on the group training. He has problem with training; it has a problem with the always been concerned about the amount of fundamental issue of using what is an work that parliamentarians and others in the accumulating fund for a purpose other than decision-making role invest in young people the designated purpose. and he gets very frustrated when the rhetoric It also has problems with the proposal to does not match the actions. In particular, there change the threshold. I understand that, prior has been a long-term problem—not with any to about May this year, the threshold for particular Government, but with a succession payment was $42,000. In May this year the of people who have held the portfolio—in that previous Government altered that and put in a he can see very productive opportunities for two-tiered fee-paying structure: $120,000 for training that are being lost. houses, and it remained at $42,000 for civil One of the issues that I have discussed works. The Minister may correct me on that. with the current Minister for Housing and with The proposal under this legislation is to reduce the previous Ministers is a simple allocation of the $120,000 threshold back to $80,000. I housing commission houses for the training guess one of the pluses to that change is that apprentices to work on when they are returned the higher threshold has been in for only about from private enterprise. If there was a defined five months. The HIA asserts that the new allocation of six houses a year in our area, he threshold will add $200 to the cost of an would probably put on 15 construction average new home. I would be interested in apprentices because he would know that there the Minister's comment on that. We are talking was work for them to fall back on when the about the $80,000 to $120,000 home price private enterprise training ceased. We have bracket; we are still talking about a lower 2570 Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Amendment Bill 20 Oct 1998 income group that will be affected. I would either passes or fails the person on a skills- certainly be interested in the Minister's based assessment. comments on that for the record. His officers My concern is that there be a very have already commented on some of these obvious mechanism whereby Construction matters. Training Queensland is required to allocate There is another issue on which I would training dollars equitably across the State. like the Minister's comments. The statement Because this is where a significant number of made at the Construction 2001 Conference people live, the pressure may be to give the has been quoted in this place a number of lion's share of training to the south-east corner. times. That statement certainly seemed to My region has a huge problem with youth imply that the Minister is intending to set up a unemployment and has a great need for separate levy as a training levy. This Bill in training. I am sure that is the case in a lot of effect still accumulates that same amount of regions. I am interested in the mechanism that money, but it appears that the Minister has the Minister sees will ensure that there is an shifted ground from setting up a separate levy equitable allocation of training dollars. The to withdrawing that levy from the Portable briefing from the Minister's office has clarified a Long Service Leave Fund. I would be number of issues about the structure of the interested in the rationale behind that change. training council and how it will be meeting—the The only reason given by the Minister's office fact that the final allocation of funding is was to avoid administration charges. I would signed off by the Minister—but I am interested be interested to know whether the Minister in how the Minister sees it ensuring equity in considered any other issues in changing what that area. appeared to be the original strategy. I raise two other issues. Firstly, the I guess the principle is that there be amount of revenue from portable long service transparency in the proposal. I cannot find in leave, based on the percentage formula, will the Bill that the Government has set an upper vary from year to year. It is my understanding limit. If the current proposed structure is that apprenticeships are for three years, and approved—that is, that money will be taken for 1998—it is less than a full financial year—it out of the Portable Long Service Leave is assessed that there will be $3.6m in Fund—apparently there will be no upper limit revenue. In 1999 that revenue goes up. In the on the percentage that can be extracted. It year 2000 it reduces—not to the $3.6m but leaves that fund vulnerable if the Government below the 1999 level of revenue. of the day decides to raise the percentage. At For training to be consistent and the moment it is set, but there does not consistently available to apprentices that are appear to be any mechanism to ensure that put on, funding for training must be available what is set now is inalterable. It could just in the subsequent two or three years, as is increase, as often occurs. required. If there is a fluctuation in the funds I ask the Minister for clarification of a available through the portable long service matter raised earlier today in the speech of the leave levy, how will that shortfall be made up? shadow Minister for Employment. The shadow Is the Minister intending to fund it as a Minister said that there was a proposal to community service obligation or is there the transfer all of the building industry training possibility of apprentices being put on and which is currently undertaken by Yeronga subsequently having their indentures TAFE to the group training scheme suspended or cancelled? If 50 apprentices are administered by Construction Training put on this year, those 50, plus any additional, Queensland. I would be interested in a have to be funded next year. I am interested comment on that specific issue. to see how the Minister will do that, given the Leading on from there, I raise an issue of fluctuations in the funding that will occur with concern to me. My involvement with these cycles. Construction Training Queensland has been Secondly, it is said that the Portable Long predominantly in the area of approvals for, Service Leave Fund is being used in this way say, gold cards for construction workers who because it is overcapitalised and there are have not done the course but are assessed on actuarial statistics to prove that. If a line were their skills. As far as I am aware, if people in drawn under the Portable Long Service Leave my region or in any of the regions outside of Fund and it were allowed to continue as a the south-east corner, require assessment, stand-alone fund and a new training program they have to apply to Brisbane and an officer with a similar levy system as is proposed were from Brisbane travels up, at cost, stays up in established, how long would that Portable the region, does the assessment and then Long Service Leave Fund remain self-funding? 20 Oct 1998 Water Storage, Irvinebank; Electricity Industry 2571

From the documents, I believe it would be consolidated revenue for these initiatives. This 11 years before the current excess is fully coalition found the money. We had our consumed, in which case the levy would have priorities in the right order; the Labor Party to be revisited. I understand that the Minister does not have its priorities in the right order. will be going back to the fall-back position for The Minister is either too lazy or too powerless the levy—the 0.2%. Would that Portable Long to convince the Treasury to find some money Service Leave Fund remain self-funding in from consolidated revenue. That is quite perpetuity if it were left alone and just ruled off appalling when one considers the amount of today? I have already raised the issue of the rhetoric we have from this minority cap of the percentage that will be taken from Government in relation to jobs. the fund to ensure that this training levy does I believe this is a bad omen indeed for the not continue to eat into the capital reserves of building industry of Queensland. It sends a the Portable Long Service Leave Fund. very clear signal about the economic ideal that I have asked the Minister about a number we can expect from this Government. It is of issues. I still have a fundamental problem interesting to note that even the Capital Works with the principle of using the Portable Long Program in this year's Budget is $25m less Service Leave Fund for an alternative purpose than the comparable May Budget from the without a clear definition of income and National/Liberal coalition. expenditure. I will wait to hear what the One of the important things to consider is Minister has to say in response to those what will happen if the Portable Long Service issues, particularly the cap to ensure that the Leave Fund becomes deficient in some way. funds are not eroded to the disadvantage of We have already seen what inaction and those who have contributed. failures there were on the part of the former I reiterate my support, without any Goss Labor Government to rectify the situation reservation, for the training of our young of the Workers Compensation Fund. One has people. Whether it is through this mechanism to ask the question: what will occur in relation or through a stand-alone fund where the to this fund? money is still brought from what are proposed I think it is relevant that the Minister to be the current payers but in a more indicate to this Parliament exactly what course transparent and isolated manner is a moot of action he will take if the fund does become point, but I fully support the need for training, deficient in some way or he is advised by the particularly for our young people. They are our trustees or the auditors that there are greatest resource. They are an investment— problems afoot. Will he immediately come to not for now but for the future. I think our State this House and start taking legislative action to will be the stronger for the work we do on their rectify that situation or will he sit back and allow behalf. it to get into the same parlous state as the Mr BEANLAND (Indooroopilly—LP) Workers Compensation Fund? I think that is a (5.57 p.m.): I rise to speak to this very reasonable question in view of the history of important piece of legislation, the Building and these funds. I think we have to have the exact Construction Industry (Portable Long Service position clearly indicated. A major reform Leave) Amendment Bill. Honourable members initiative of the coalition has been in this area would be aware that the previous of portable long service leave. National/Liberal coalition Government, in its Debate, on motion of Mr Beanland, 1998-99 Budget, in fact made provision for adjourned. additional recurrent funding of at least $2.5m for a range of initiatives aimed at addressing skills shortages in the building and construction WATER STORAGE, IRVINEBANK; industry. It is most regrettable that the minority ELECTRICITY INDUSTRY Beattie Labor Government did not see fit to Mr NELSON (Tablelands—ONP) (6 p.m.): retain this most worthwhile initiative in this I move— Budget. "That the Minister for Mines and We have seen here yet another saving Energy will formally apologise, and allow made but at the same time a raiding of what is adequate compensation to be paid to, now the Portable Long Service Leave the Operators of the Irvinebank State Authority, because the Labor Government Treatment Works. He must also believes it is a hollow log to fund, in this case, contribute meaningfully to government an election commitment. If the Government decisions which ensure that Queensland were truly committed to job creation, it would has adequate and secure power, have found sufficient funding from generated by projects, which create 2572 Water Storage, Irvinebank; Electricity Industry 20 Oct 1998

infrastructure with the most attractive destroyed by the previous Mines and Energy benefit cost streams, which are long Minister. The issue of whether or not that was lasting, which have high salvage values, legal is not something to be discussed here and which create the highest number of and now. However, the simple fact remains long term and permanent jobs across the that the whole concept behind this is the unfair maximum number of regions and treatment by the department. Those people industries." have tried time and time again to have their I intend to speak only to the first part of case heard on numerous levels. The answers this motion, and I intend to speak briefly. that they have received from the department Today the Minister told the House that he have been totally ignorant of the issues would quite happily speak on this subject to surrounding their situation and, again, have the Hillas, the people who used to operate the been completely heavy handed. State treatment works. I am going to hold the Maybe there is a legal precedence for the Minister to that. I ask him to tell me when he State to do this sort of thing. However, it all will next be in Cairns so that I can hand that comes down to what I said this morning: fair date on to the people concerned and they can and just treatment. We are a large speak with him. I also want to address some of organisation, and we are a State the points that the Minister made this morning. Government—— The simple fact is that those people have A Government member: You're not a tried time and time again to deal with the Government. department on numerous issues. I can present Mr NELSON: I am sorry. We make up a correspondence going right back to 1984 on Legislative Assembly that has an the subject of how they have tried to address awesome—— this issue through the Parliament. They have tried to do the right thing by answering the Mr Sullivan: A Parliament. correspondence from the department. The Mr NELSON: This Parliament, or department has not answered their Legislative Assembly, has an awesome correspondence, their allegations or their amount of power, and in exercising that power concerns about this issue; that is the crux of and making decisions we must never forget the matter. They have tried to get adequate the people who are at the receiving end of representation from the department on the those decisions. As I said this morning, it is my issues that are important to them, but they are humble opinion that the Minister should be a not receiving it. So to say that they have not buffer between the people and his been answering correspondence is a lie. The department. He should represent not only the only correspondence that they have not attitudes of his constituents but, through his answered are the heavy-handed demands for whole party, the attitudes of the people of the Ibis Dam to be handed over by them to Queensland to his department and should the Minister and his department. The Hillas give it some direction. The Beattie they do not intend to do that. They will not sign Government is jobs oriented. Therefore, it anything to that effect, because they feel that should try to make the Department of Mines that is unfair treatment, especially when no and Energy jobs oriented, too. thought is being given to their current situation. All I ask is that the Minister provide me I have had long meetings with these with a date when those people can see him, people. The simple fact is that they were not because they would dearly love to do that. given the chance to back out. They bought Hopefully, we can bring some conclusion to into this in 1984 for approximately this issue. I really would like to see this issue $120,000—or that is the figure in the original resolved. I would like a fair outcome for the agreement that they gave me. Slowly but people involved. I would like the department to surely the whole concept has deteriorated, with get what it needs out of this, too. But in the some incredibly shonky work done by the long run, I want to see some fair activity and previous Mines and Energy Minister—my some answers. That is all I ask. I do not think predecessor in Tablelands—and the repair that is too much to ask for. work that was done on the dam. Mrs PRATT (Barambah—ONP) (Deputy For all those bleeding hearts who may be Leader of the One Nation Party) (6.05 p.m.): I around the place, I point out that the dam was rise to second the motion put forward by the a heritage listed site. It was built in 1907 by a member for Tablelands. Media reports of late fellow called John Moffatt, who originally ran tend to confirm the fragility of our electricity the place. It had in excess of something like generating infrastructure. It is patently obvious 3,000 tonnes of concrete poured over it. It was that our reserve generating capacity is 20 Oct 1998 Water Storage, Irvinebank; Electricity Industry 2573 hopelessly insufficient to provide a reasonable other related benefits. Unemployment levels in buffer in times of breakdowns. We almost the Wide Bay/Burnett area are among the certainly face major disruption from power nation's highest. The construction phase would outages in the upcoming season of peak provide a much-needed boost to employment demand. Ongoing power outages cost millions in the region. There would be ongoing of dollars to industry. They cost thousands of employment opportunities as well—jobs, jobs, dollars to individuals and, quite often, cost jobs. Queenslanders their jobs and pose an The Surat Basin contains a vast quantity unacceptable inconvenience to the citizens of of high-quality steaming coal with relatively low this State. Even worse, blackouts can be life emissions. This resource is crying out for threatening to the ill and elderly. development and has the potential for major There are two decisions which must be export earnings. Initial cash flow accruing from taken by this Government. Firstly, the poor a contract to supply extra coal to Tarong would economic performance which contributes to be a great incentive to establish the the continuing corporatisation of our essential infrastructure necessary to commence the services must be controlled. Uncontrolled development of the Surat Basin and to begin obsession with profits, which inevitably a very strong export-earning operation. The accompany uncontrolled corporatisation, benefits to the Queensland economy would places unnecessary pressure on maintenance also be enormous and widespread. My schedules and ignores social costs. Apart from contention is that, while the Papua New the inconvenience factor, reduced Guinea pipeline may warrant long-term maintenance equals reduced service levels consideration as an additional power source, and reduced safety standards. Assessment of Queensland's need is immediate, and the best all such projects must include an extensive option to address that need is to embark on socioeconomic impact study. an immediate upgrade of Tarong. The second action required of this The Mines and Energy Minister Government is to immediately upgrade the apologised to the people of Queensland for Tarong Power Station. In the design stage, future load shedding. I respectfully suggest provision was made for its future expansion. that the Minister stop apologising and seize Such expansion can be accomplished the opportunity of the Tarong expansion to efficiently, quickly and cost effectively. Expert minimise the damage caused to industry and opinion considers this option to be the quickest householders due to the department's lack of way to provide an increase in our State's forethought and planning by both Labor and generating capacity. Given the current coalition Governments. extremely critical situation, surely this action is Hon. T. McGRADY (Mount Isa—ALP) the only way to ensure that the people of (Minister for Mines and Energy and Minister Queensland need not live with the fear of Assisting the Deputy Premier on Regional major power disruptions for any longer than is Development) (6.09 p.m.): I move the following absolutely necessary. amendment— I believe that the gas pipeline from Papua "Delete all words after 'That' (first New Guinea is a far inferior option on several occurring) and insert the following— counts. The time frame from inception to completion would be far too long to address 'this Parliament acknowledges the the potential problems we are faced with now. efforts of the Government and the Another factor is the very real danger the Minister for Mines and Energy in pipeline could pose to the environment and particular for their efforts to ensure especially to some of the more sensitive areas minimum disruption to power of Queensland. Add to these problems the supplies in the current tight supply fact that, under the pipeline option, we would environment. be dependent upon a foreign country for one The Parliament notes the of our most vital essential services and it establishment of the maintenance becomes patently obvious that the gas task force and the summer readiness pipeline should not be the linchpin of our programme to give maximum power generating infrastructure. Need I reliability to power supplies in the mention Bougainville and Ok Tedi? short term. It also acknowledges the The Tarong option, though, has much to plan to provide an extra 441* recommend it. Apart from the short lead time I megawatts of capacity by January mentioned earlier, which will quickly provide a 1999 and the provision of 303 much-needed buffer, there are numerous megawatts of power at Oakey, 500 2574 Water Storage, Irvinebank; Electricity Industry 20 Oct 1998

megawatts through the NSW The fragmentation of AUSTA Electric in interconnector and 840 megawatts of particular resulted in a lack of coordination. As power from Callide C, all by the year a result, we are in the process of investigating 2001, to ensure supply in the how the industry can be restructured to deliver medium term. better coordination and more reliable supplies. The further 6000 megawatts under We also moved to fast-track the consideration for the longer term will Queensland/New South Wales interconnection provide for the future energy needs once we realised how precarious the electricity of the State. The Parliament also demand/supply balance had become. We acknowledges the need for the have also moved to ensure that every effort is review of the electricity industry to made to avoid load shedding this summer. To improve the structure, particularly that end, I have established a Summer regarding distribution and generation, Readiness Project Team. That group is whilst maintaining the benefits of a ensuring that the State's electricity system is in competitive market. This Parliament the best possible position to meet the calls upon all members to cease expected record demand during the coming indulging in a culture of blame and summer months. In essence, the Summer get behind the Government's plan to Readiness Project Team is investigating the provide a continuous reliable energy best way to manage our existing generation supply to the people and industries assets to squeeze every last drop out of the of Queensland. system. While looking at maximising supplies, we are also preparing comprehensive The Parliament also commends the information to help people to use electricity Minister for Mines and Energy for more efficiently, which will help moderate seeking final resolution to the demand as well as help people to save longstanding issues surrounding the money. former Government operations at Irvinebank.' " Beyond the current situation, supply With regard to the comments by the constraints should ease as the 220 megawatt member for Tablelands, I do not believe it is Calvale-Tarong transmission line is completed appropriate for me to discuss the details of an and new plants come on stream in early 1999, individual in this Parliament. It would not be with new peaking plants at Yabulu, Mount right. Indeed, it would not be proper. I stand Stuart and Swanbank, which is 37 megawatts, ready to meet with those people again at a coming on stream in January and Boral's 75 mutually convenient time, provided that they megawatt plant at Roma coming on stream in are prepared genuinely to resolve the matter. February. In the longer term, Callide C and other projects on the drawing board totalling The politics of blame are over. The people some 6,000 megawatts will secure of Queensland are simply sick and tired of the Queensland's future. tit for tat about who is to blame. What Queenslanders require today is the knowledge Time expired. that their Government has a plan and a Mr MULHERIN (Mackay—ALP) strategy to handle the present situation. I have (6.14 p.m.): I rise to second the amendment neither the time nor the inclination to become moved by the Honourable Minister for Mines further involved in this self-defeating "blame- and Energy. To have a safe, secure and them" mentality. reliable electricity system, it is vital that we Many claims were made today by the have a Statewide transmission system capable Leader of the Opposition, claims with which I of transferring electricity from the power disagree. While the Opposition has been stations located throughout the State to harping, we have been moving swiftly to industrial and domestic consumers. Powerlink address both the current problems and to plan Queensland has responsibility for the for Queensland's future needs. In terms of the transmission system in this State. It must be immediate problem of meeting demand over able to respond quickly and to provide the this summer as well as the following summer, infrastructure needs for the industry. The we have taken a number of actions. One of transmission system is like a main highway for the first actions we took upon returning to transporting power. That is why at an early office was to set up an inquiry into stage the former Labor Government put in maintenance within the Government owned place plans to build a 500 megawatt power stations. A summary of the report of interconnector between New South Wales and that inquiry has been presented to me. The Queensland, known as Eastlink. That final report will be provided later this week. interconnector would have been completed on 20 Oct 1998 Water Storage, Irvinebank; Electricity Industry 2575

1 October 1998 and fully operational by 1 transmission system, allowing an increase in January 1999. the amount of power transmitted to the south- Mr Seeney: Rubbish! east corner. Mr MULHERIN: Is the member doubting In early 2001, the interconnector between Mr Jardine's comments? the New South Wales and Queensland electricity grids will have the capacity to bring If Eastlink had proceeded, commissioning 500 megawatts into Queensland with scope to power would have been available from 1 increase to 1,000 megawatts in the future. October 1998 as a source of power in That line, known as Westlink, is simply a situations of extreme power loss. That would postponed Eastlink by another name. This have prevented load shedding caused by interconnector was not to have been generation plant failure. The recent example of commissioned until late 2001, but on entering supply shortfall could, therefore, have been office this Government sought to fast-track the offset by the electricity from Eastlink. In all project, so it will probably be available in the probability, Queenslanders would not have 2000-2001 summer peak. had to suffer load shedding. The current Labor The Government is concerned with Government is now endeavouring to rectify the securing a reliable supply of electricity for all current constraints in the electricity supply Queenslanders. By reinforcing the State's market caused by the previous coalition transmission system, the Government will be Government. one step closer to achieving that goal. I This Government is most conscious of commend the Minister for Mines and Energy consolidating the transmission system so that on his initiatives in trying to return reliable adequate supplies of electricity can be supply to the industry. transmitted across the State's different Mr MITCHELL (Charters Towers—NPA) regions. In particular, the current priority is (6.19 p.m.): I move a further amendment to increasing the supply of electricity between the motion— central and south-east Queensland. That priority was identified by the former Labor "Delete all words after 'That' (first Government in 1995 when an interconnector occurring) and insert the following— between central and southern Queensland 'the Parliament of Queensland, was proposed. That proposal was known as acknowledging the economic the Calvale-Tarong transmission line. This future of Queenslanders relies transmission line will take power from the upon an adequate supply of Callide Power Station and transmit the power electricity, calls on the to a substation at Tarong. From Tarong it will Government this calendar year transmit it to substations located around the to place before Parliament a south-east corner. The commissioning of the blueprint that will ensure Calvale-Tarong transmission line by the end of Queenslanders have an November will reinforce the existing high adequate long term power voltage 275 kV transmission line between supply while maximising both job central and southern Queensland. opportunities for Queenslanders Mr Seeney: Tell the whole story. You and utilisation of Queensland talked about it but never built it. resources.' " Mr MULHERIN: Members opposite shut Mr Nuttall: Have you just supported down Collinsville Power Station. They do not Eastlink? have a great track record. Mr MITCHELL: It is strange that the That will increase reliability and allow for member mentioned that. In relation to the transfer of an extra 200 megawatts of planning, one of the issues that really needs to electricity to south-east Queensland. Currently, be put to bed is the planning of Eastlink. a large generation capacity is located in central Basically, every time the mercury hits 30 Queensland close to coal supplies from the degrees, members opposite dial up a new Bowen Basin. However, the demand of the date for Eastlink. In February, in an interview south-east corner of our State is greater than on Today Tonight, the then Opposition Leader the capacity generated in the south-east. had Eastlink on line in February or March. On There are limitations on the transfer 23 February on ABC radio, the current Mines capabilities of the existing interconnector and Energy Minister said— between central and southern Queensland. "Eastlink would have been up and The Calvale-Tarong line will enhance the running next week—or even this week." 2576 Water Storage, Irvinebank; Electricity Industry 20 Oct 1998

Now we have had another warm day and, subcommittee on Eastlink, which reported in once again, according to the Premier and the October 1994. On page 14 it states— Minister for Mines and Energy, Eastlink would "Allowing two and a half years for have been on line now. When it gets hot, they construction the earliest an find a new date for Eastlink. Of course, interconnection could be placed in service February, let alone March and let alone is June 1998." October are all nonsense dates, as is the claim this morning by the Premier that the former I note the reference to two and a half years for Labor Government had actually commissioned construction. The Government claims that it Eastlink. could have done it in 18 months, taking a full year off the estimates of the engineers. This The simple fact is that when Labor left was not the estimates of politicians looking for office in February 1996, it was months away a way out of a sticky problem, or the estimates from even any formal commitment to the of power bureaucrats being shoved into a project. The environmental impact study was corner by the politicians, but the estimates of not due until June of that year. No deal had the engineers. So the Government is actually been done with Pacific Power. Also, a Senate overriding the engineers' report. The report committee had been savagely critical of the went on to say— consultation process and the handling of "If route investigations were to await environmental issues, signalling massive legal problems. According to the former Labor the outcome of the Queensland capacity Government's own Cabinet documents, it was decision at the end of 1994 the earliest not going to make a decision until August date an interconnection could be placed 1996. The former Government still would have in service would be June 1999 assuming had to do a deal for power, win all the court a successful and timely outcome to the challenges and then build it. public consultation and environmental study." I know that at the moment the Let me examine that mouthful in the context Government is sensitive to the description of of "dial an Eastlink". The capacity decision was the Mines and Energy Minister as irrational, not made at the end of 1994—and this is the but the simple fact is that any suggestion that capacity decision that should have been made Eastlink would have been available at any time in 1991—it was not made until April 1995. So in 1999, let alone in 1998, is absolutely we have a four-year delay when they were first irrational. There were too many ifs and buts told about these sorts things. We have heard and too many problems. Across south-east enough of that through the media and through Queensland, protest rallies were planned. the Parliament. Then consider that the earliest Those rallies were targeting marginal seats in possible date for an interconnection was June the upcoming election. So the Labor Party was 1999, according to the engineers, which copping it from two fronts: Eastlink and the assumed a successful and timely outcome of Gold Coast motorway. public consultation and the environmental I refer to an answer that I received during study. As has already been indicated, the final the Estimates committee hearing, which EIS was not going to be before the states— Government until June. "However, Powerlink Queensland is Time expired. unable to speculate on other actions Mr HORAN (Toowoomba South—NPA) which may have been initiated later by (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (6.24 p.m.): affected parties, nor did Powerlink I second the amendment moved by the Queensland conduct any studies into the Opposition. Tonight, what hypocrisy have we feasibility of accelerating the construction seen in this House! The Minister moved his timetable." amendment to the motion and called on the So the Government knew that all of these Opposition to move away from the culture of problems existed and that Eastlink was not blame. If the Opposition does not keep the going to go ahead when it actually said that it pressure on this Government, we are going to was. There was Buckley's chance of Eastlink end up with the exact disaster that we have being ready by January 1999 even for trials, let right here and now in four or five years' time. alone for the transmission of 5,000 Throughout the mid 1980s, the Labor megawatts. An amount of 2,000 megawatts Party, particularly some former shadow might be realistic, and even that would be Ministers and Ministers—Mr Vaughan and optimistic when one considers the comments others—talked continuously about Queensland of the Government's own engineering having too much power. They blamed the 20 Oct 1998 Water Storage, Irvinebank; Electricity Industry 2577

National Party Government of the day for has to be rammed home to make sure that creating too many power stations. However, everybody understands it clearly and so the when the Labor Party came to Government it mistake is not repeated. inherited a magnificent situation: the Callide B However, there is every chance that it will Power Station was completed and Stanwell be repeated, because we now have a Labor Power Station was well on the way towards Government that, instead of making decisions completion. The Labor Party inherited an about a new base load power station that can absolutely beautiful situation. Yet what did it be started now and be finished in four years' or do? For six years it mucked around, did five years' time, such as North Tarong, absolutely nothing, and then towards late Chinchilla, Millmerran, the Darling Downs and 1995-96, in blind panic it decided to throw the the Surat Basin, which uses Queensland's own umbilical cord across the border to New South resources, workers and staff, it is trying to pick Wales in the form of Eastlink. winners in looking at all sorts of other Today, what rubbish have we heard from alternatives. The Labor Government is running the Government side in this Parliament about around looking at the possibility of getting Eastlink. It never had a chance of being in away from the level playing field, putting on an operation by 1999. When the coalition came electricity tax and having power purchase to Government in 1996, it still had six months agreements so that the people it favours can to go at least before there was any formal get projects up. Consequently, Queenslanders written commitment by the Labor Government will not only face a delay in the to Eastlink getting under way. Members should commencement of major base station projects also consider all the protests and the court but also in four years, five years or less, procedures that would have had to be Queenslanders will be paying a hidden tax in undertaken. their electricity charges because of the power Unlike Labor, which came to Government purchase agreements that the Labor and inherited a wonderful situation of about Government put in place to try to favour the 29% surplus power to allow for all of those special projects that it particularly wants to see. times of peak demand—and the experts If there is one lesson out of this, it is that reckoned that something like 28% was Labor is incapable of managing and planning required—when the coalition came to power, and making decisions to ensure that we have that surplus power was down to around 16% or base load power stations and a reserve 15% and deteriorating rapidly. It takes six capacity of around about 25% to 28% for this years or seven years to plan, construct and State to allow for those peak periods that we commission base load power stations. It takes strike. The Minister stands condemned for the about four years or five years to put in the time during which he was previously the peak load power stations. Minister when he fiddled around and did When the coalition came to Government, absolutely nothing. Now we are seeing exactly it inherited a disastrous situation. However, it the same performance from him. The criticism acted immediately and put in place the peak from the Opposition will continue. The Minister load power stations in Townsville. Tonight, the might not want to see a culture of blame, but Minister referred to those power stations in his we are going to make sure that he is made accountable and that he performs. motion. He should have recognised that those power stations were put in place by the former Time expired. coalition Government. I believe that the Mr ROBERTS (Nudgee—ALP) commencement of those power stations was (6.30 p.m.): Currently the Government is doing put in place within six weeks of the coalition everything in its power to ensure that the lights coming to Government. The former coalition stay on in Queensland. First and foremost, it is Government also had under construction the being honest with the people of Queensland peak load station at Oakey and signed about the potential shortages. A Summer contracts for Callide C. Readiness Project Team has been established The Labor Government wants to slither to ensure that the State's electricity system is away from its responsibilities and slither away in the best possible position to meet expected from any criticism. There can be only trenchant record demand during this summer period and criticism of the Minister, because he was one to inform the public so as to ensure their of the main reasons for the disastrous situation cooperation in periods where reserves are that the former coalition Government tight. inherited—the Labor culture of not having Four working groups have been sufficient or adequate reserve power supply. established and are currently investigating and That is the problem that this State faces. That implementing initiatives in the areas of 2578 Water Storage, Irvinebank; Electricity Industry 20 Oct 1998 generating capacity, system security and 1999, the commissioning of two peak load market operations, Government initiatives and power stations in Townsville and a gas turbine public relations. Those project groups are at Swanbank near Brisbane will add a further reporting to a steering committee consisting of 478 megawatts of capacity to the system, senior industry and Government officials. To increasing the State's reserves to 29%. A 75 date the specific outcomes from those working megawatt gas power station to be groups include: the coordination of work to commissioned in February by Boral will add ensure that the Tarong unit currently out of even more reserve capacity to the system. service is back on line by November of this In short, the Government has a plan now year; the rescheduling of major power to deal with the current constraints in the generation unit overhauls to ensure that all of electricity industry. In 1995, it also had a plan Queensland's capacity is available for the to cater for electricity needs into the future, month of November, which is when the supply which included Eastlink and processes to and demand situation is expected to be at its ensure the construction of peak load and base tightest; the initiation of processes to minimise load stations up to the year 2006. The Government power usage during emergency Government has planned for the future needs situations; and the implementation of a new of Queensland's electricity supply. Those plans operational strategy for Wivenhoe to allow it to were scuttled by the coalition during two years better meet the high peak demands in the of inactivity and indecisiveness in that industry. south-east Queensland region. Work is also being undertaken by the two Queensland Mr SEENEY (Callide—NPA) (6.33 p.m.): electricity retailers, Ergon and Energex, to The Government's bid to amend the motion implement demand side management before the House is so hypocritical that it would initiatives and seek interruptable supply be nothing short of laughable if the matter agreements with some of the State's major were not so serious. The Government is power users. Finally, an energy efficiency seeking to claim the credit for the coalition's campaign was put in place to provide the planning to cover up the fact that it was totally public with information about conserving incapable of any planning itself. All that it has energy over the period of tight supply. achieved is to underscore that lack of planning. Labor members were in office for six I stress that the energy efficiency long years and they did nothing. campaign is not simply a knee-jerk reaction to the current situation, but will provide the public We are told that the Government's with information that will deliver energy strategy to keep the lights on now revolves efficiency savings to all homes and businesses around 400 megawatts from the two new throughout Queensland, as well as reduce power stations that are to come on line at demand on the State's electricity system. To Townsville in the new year. It revolves around date the experience is that, with public the 300 megawatts to come on line at Oakey cooperation, it does lead to a significant in the year 2000 and the 840 megawatts at reduction in demand. Many of these initiatives Callide C currently scheduled to come on line are designed to ensure that the lights stay on in two 240-megawatt units in middle and late in Queensland over the period up to the end 2001. Everybody in this House knows that of November. However, processes designed those were all coalition projects. Everybody in and implemented over recent months will be Queensland knows that every last one was a maintained to ensure that Queensland's coalition project. Once again, the facts spoil electricity system continues to operate in an the rhetoric. The Townsville projects were the efficient and effective manner. result of tenders called by the coalition in The summer readiness initiatives are March 1996. The Oakey project was the result already delivering greater flexibility and will of the coalition calling tenders in 1997 and the deliver increased capacity as well as help to Callide C project was signed off by CS Energy reduce demand on the electricity system. By and Shell Coal before the coalition left office in the end of November, the commissioning of July, and wasn't it just as well! the strengthened Calvale-Tarong transmission There is absolutely no mystery as to why line will reinforce the existing high voltage Government members want to pinch our transmission line between central and projects. It is because they do not have any of southern Queensland. This will increase their own—not a single one. For over six years reliability and allow for a further 220 megawatts earlier in this decade when in office, they did of electricity to be transferred to south-east absolutely nothing to secure the future power Queensland. The lack of that line currently is a supplies of this State. At the end of the significant barrier to the efficient distribution of previous Government's term, despite the available supply of electricity. In January desperate calls for action from the QEC, the 20 Oct 1998 Water Storage, Irvinebank; Electricity Industry 2579 only addition to the State's power grid occurred the coalition in March 1996, and the projects when some private investors built a 37 at Oakey and Callide. megawatt gas-fired power station at It really is hypocritical for members Barcaldine. If that had not happened, the opposite to claim credit for Callide C, which is record of the Government would have shown in my electorate, given that they have that not one solitary megawatt of power that desperately tried to kill it off. We found that out was planned by the ALP was actually delivered at the Estimates committee hearing when the in its entire tenure. That is a disgraceful Minister tried desperately hard not to recall abrogation of a Government's responsibility. Is certain facts. He said that he could not recall it any wonder that the current Minister does putting the cleaners through those contracts, not want to talk about who is to blame? not once but twice. In 1991, in its submission to the Time expired. Tully/Millstream task force, the Labor Government was told clearly and unequivocally Hon. K. W. HAYWARD (Kallangur—ALP) by the then Queensland Electricity (6.39 p.m.): I support the amendment to the Commission that if it did not proceed with motion moved by the Minister. I wish to speak Tully/Millstream and build more coal, gas or to the second part of the amendment, which distillate fuelled plant by 1997, the lights would states— probably go out. However, what did the "The Parliament also commends the Government do? For the next four years, it did Minister for Mines and Energy for seeking nothing! It left it until it was too late to do final resolution to the longstanding issues anything at all about the crunch in 1997. By surrounding the former Government the time the then Government took some operations at Irvinebank." decisions in 1995, the options were pretty The member for Tablelands spoke about this light—recommissioning decommissioned plant issue tonight. It certainly has been a at Callide A and running an extension cord longstanding issue. In speaking about the over the border. Under the coalition treatment works, we need to look at its history Government, the State had turned itself into since 1981, when it first went out to tender. the most efficient generator of non-hydropower When we look at the history of the State in this country. However, throughout the later treatment works, we begin to see that nothing part of the 1980s, Queensland was reduced to is ever simple when it comes to the treatment running an extension cord over the border works at Irvinebank. In 1990 a Bill was because members opposite had ignored introduced to facilitate the sale of the State planning requirements for so long. There treatment works for $120,000. As I said, the simply was not another option open to try to treatment works were first opened—— keep the lights on and now we find ourselves in such a corner. Government members know Mr NELSON: I rise to a point of order. that we are in such a corner and the Minister That statement is untrue. The original knows that we are in such a corner, which is agreement was reached in 1984, not 1990. why he is so keen to get his apologies in first. That is deliberately misleading. The excuses keep coming. The Minister Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of says that the problem is maintenance, yet he order. knows that the problem is capacity. Everybody Mr HAYWARD: If you were listening to with half a brain knows that the problem is what I just said, I said—— capacity. The industry keeps telling Queensland that the problem is capacity. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member will There is simply insufficient generating capacity address his remarks through the Chair. in this State today to reliably meet summer Mr HAYWARD: If the member had peak demand because, in the early 1990s, the listened to what I was saying, he would know Labor Government and the current Minister that I said that a Bill was introduced into failed to take any decisions that would have Parliament in 1990. The member should read ensured that we had sufficient capacity in the the history; if he did, he would know what he is late 1990s. I know it must hurt, but the fact is talking about. The treatment works were first that if Queensland can get through the next opened in 1884, when it was owned by private couple of months without a major disaster operators. Since 1884 it has been in either resulting from that lack of planning, the State hands or private hands depending on projects that are coming on line that will start to the price of tin over that time. In 1919 it give the people of Queensland some became State owned. That was as a direct breathing space are the two power stations in result of low prices for tin at the time. The Townsville, for which tenders were called by State took over the operations basically to 2580 Water Storage, Irvinebank; Electricity Industry 20 Oct 1998 maintain small miners in the Herberton district. will to some extent offset the outflow of profits Theodore was the acting Premier at the time, from foreign owned ventures. In particular, as because Ryan was out of the State, and an exercise I address the relative benefits of Theodore took the initiative to acquire the the Chevron and SUDAW projects. Both Irvinebank State Treatment Works. In the late projects have significant foreign equity. 1920s it reverted to private enterprise and in Indeed, most of the companies involved in 1934 the State Government assumed control. Chevron can be traced back to one banking In 1981 it went out to tender. By about dynasty in the USA. July 1983, Mr Hilla was declared the successful On 5 August, the Premier stated that the tenderer. We are now 15 years on. A lot of Chevron pipeline was the most important job things have gone on in that time. There was creator in Queensland. I take it he meant the Irvinebank State Treatment Works (Sale Chevron and the Comalco project at and Operation) Act of 1990, which is what I Gladstone, which needs cheap power. Thus in was referring to before. I thought the member relation to Chevron and SUDAW and the would have made some effort to at least look associated Nathan dam, I ask the Minister for up the history of this plant. That associated a comparison of the benefits of both projects, agreement required Mr Hilla to apply for a including: firstly, a 20-year cost-benefit mining lease covering the State treatment analysis; secondly, the life of each project; works and the associated infrastructure. It also thirdly, the number of long-term jobs and required that he provide bulk water to the incomes; fourthly; the sensitivity of the township of Irvinebank. From recollection, it Comalco project to energy cost; fifthly, the also required the Water Resources salvage value of the infrastructure; sixthly, a Commissioner to direct in the interests of risk assessment; and, seventhly, consideration safety that work be carried out on the Loudon of the carbon credits or debits. Perhaps these and Ibis Dams. That was what the 1990 Act of studies have been done. Certainly, such this Parliament required. I am sure that the comparative studies are demanded by Minister at the time thought it was coming to international funding agencies when they are some conclusion. But, of course, it has not, considering projects in other developing because Mr Hilla has never fully complied with countries. the agreement conditions. In his original The May 1998 report titled Moving Energy application for the mining lease, he sought to Forward released by Tom Gilmore defined the apply conditions which were outside the terms Government's changing roles. It identifies that of the agreement, which was the special Act of although market signals are now the key Parliament in 1990. drivers of the energy sector the Government A lot of time and effort has gone into this. retains an important role in providing a Importantly, the amendment moved tonight by planning framework. Within this framework the the Minister states— key objective is to ensure that all "The Parliament also commends the Queenslanders enjoy maximum benefits and Minister for Mines and Energy for seeking that these benefits are shared equitably. final resolution to the longstanding issues Dissemination of information is identified as surrounding the former Government being important to ensure consultation and an operations at Irvinebank." integrated decision-making process. As I said, it has been tortuous—— With the advent of Executive Government and the increasingly gladiatorial style of our Time expired. Westminster system, it is becoming Dr KINGSTON (Maryborough—ONP) increasingly difficult for backbenchers to play a (6.44 p.m.): I wish to question the current meaningful role in decisions so important to methods of prioritising energy projects. I hope I the future of our State. If one were to compare can assume that currently those projects that these two projects—Chevron and will efficiently create the greatest benefit to the SUDAW—from a relatively uninformed and most Queenslanders with the longest benefit cynical position, I suggest that the answers to streams are regarded as deserving higher the earlier questions may be along the priorities. following lines. I suggest that during this time, when most Question 1: benefit-cost flows—SUDAW Queenslanders are experiencing a decline in wins, with longer benefit streams in both their socioeconomic status, project agriculture and power. Question 2: life of each assessments need to include socioeconomic project—again, SUDAW, because of irrigation. impact studies. A positive socioeconomic flow- Question 3: jobs—again, SUDAW, in terms of on to the maximum number of Queenslanders man years of employment because of the 20 Oct 1998 Water Storage, Irvinebank; Electricity Industry 2581 irrigation component. Question 4: sensitivity to provision of reliable and independent energy cost of the Comalco project—I cannot information on energy efficiency and energy even guess. But let me ask: why is the ore conservation measures in the home, in from the Century Zinc mine to be sent to an schools and in businesses; the provision of old plant in Europe for refining and not to energy efficient house plan assessments; the Gladstone? Question 6: risk assessment— promotion and the facilitation of increased Chevron, as the history of Bougainville and Ok commercial applications of sustainable energy Tedi do not argue well for security of technologies; renewable energy programs, investment and supply. Question 7: carbon such as the recently launched solar hot water credits—a cynic could argue that we are rebate scheme; the monitoring of future trends converting a currently unusable oilfield in PNG and challenges in the energy sector as they into a viable field by assuming responsibility for relate to sustainable energy objectives, and the associated carbon debits. develop and implement appropriate response With the adoption of more transparent strategies—— and more participative government, many of Time expired. the suspicions and concerns of the rural Question—That Mr McGrady's electorate will be allayed and we will be amendment be agreed to—put; and the become a more cohesive egalitarian society. I now ask: how has the Premier come to his House divided— decision that Chevron is the most important AYES, 41—Attwood, Barton, Bligh, Boyle, Braddy, job creator in Queensland? Can he also Bredhauer, Clark, J. I. Cunningham, Edmond, Elder, assure us and Comalco that heavy reliance on Fenlon, Foley, Fouras, Gibbs, Hamill, Hayward, Chevron is free of risk? I look forward to Lavarch, Lucas, Mackenroth, McGrady, Mickel, Mulherin, Musgrove, Nelson-Carr, Nuttall, receiving some meaningful answers. Palaszczuk, Pearce, Reeves, Reynolds, Roberts, Mr NUTTALL (Sandgate—ALP) Robertson, Rose, Schwarten, Spence, Struthers, (6.48 p.m.): In cooperation with Queensland's Welford, Wellington, Wells, Wilson. Tellers: Sullivan, generators—Tarong, Stanwell, CS Energy—as Purcell well as Energex and Ergon, this Government is NOES, 41—Beanland, Black, Borbidge, Connor, embarking on a public campaign to raise Cooper, E. A. Cunningham, Dalgleish, Davidson, awareness of the significant economic and Elliott, Feldman, Gamin, Goss, Grice, Healy, Hobbs, environmental benefits that can be gained Horan, Johnson, Kingston, Knuth, Laming, Lester, from conserving energy. That is an issue that Lingard, Littleproud, Mitchell, Nelson, Paff, Pratt, we need to discuss. Prenzler, Quinn, Rappolt, Rowell, Santoro, Seeney, Simpson, Springborg, Stephan, Turner, Veivers, Commencing in early November, the Watson. Tellers: Baumann, Hegarty energy conservation campaign will send a Pairs: Beattie, Sheldon; Briskey, Slack clear message to the community that energy conservation and efficiency can deliver The numbers being equal, Mr Speaker significant cost savings to both consumers and cast his vote with the Ayes. business. It will also raise awareness that Resolved in the affirmative. improving energy efficiency offers the most immediate way of reducing environmental Question—That the motion as amended impacts of energy use and energy related be agreed to—put; and the House divided— greenhouse gas emissions. However, the AYES, 41—Attwood, Barton, Bligh, Boyle, Braddy, Government is not just looking at short-term Bredhauer, Clark, J. I. Cunningham, Edmond, Elder, measures. The energy conservation campaign Fenlon, Foley, Fouras, Gibbs, Hamill, Hayward, is part of this Government's broader strategy to Lavarch, Lucas, Mackenroth, McGrady, Mickel, achieve efficiencies in energy production and Mulherin, Musgrove, Nelson-Carr, Nuttall, Palaszczuk, Pearce, Reeves, Reynolds, Roberts, use in order to secure a sustainable and Robertson, Rose, Schwarten, Spence, Struthers, reliable energy future for this State. Welford, Wellington, Wells, Wilson. Tellers: Sullivan, To help meet this challenge as well as its Purcell commitment to improving community NOES, 41—Beanland, Black, Borbidge, Connor, awareness in renewable energy and energy Cooper, E. A. Cunningham, Dalgleish, Davidson, efficiency, the Government has decided to Elliott, Feldman, Gamin, Goss, Grice, Healy, Hobbs, establish an Office of Sustainable Energy. This Horan, Johnson, Kingston, Knuth, Laming, Lester, new office will play a significant role in Lingard, Littleproud, Mitchell, Nelson, Paff, Pratt, delivering a range of new energy services and Prenzler, Quinn, Rappolt, Rowell, Santoro, Seeney, programs to Queenslanders. The Office of Simpson, Springborg, Stephan, Turner, Veivers, Watson. Tellers: Baumann, Hegarty Sustainable Energy will be providing any number of important services which will include Pairs: Beattie, Sheldon; Briskey, Slack 2582 Adjournment 20 Oct 1998

The numbers being equal, Mr Speaker commitment and the decision by the cast his vote with the Ayes. previous Government." Resolved in the affirmative. I sought the assurances in the Parliament again on 16 September during the debate on the Transport Legislation Amendment Bill, ADJOURNMENT when I again stated in the Parliament— Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH (Chatsworth— "On 4 August I asked the Minister ALP) (Leader of the House) (7.03 p.m.): I whether he would expedite his decision move— and thereby provide some assurance to "That the House do now adjourn." my constituents that the sale of the land is going ahead. ... my constituents require the Minister to Leckie Road Connection take some action. The sale of those Mr SANTORO (Clayfield—LP) (7.03 p.m.): properties will certainly reaffirm the new I wish to this evening raise an issue which, Government's attitude towards the because of the decision by the Minister for decision of the previous Government to Transport and Main Roads, will again become sell those properties. I ask the Minister to contentious within my electorate of Clayfield. I be kind enough to address that issue in am referring to the Leckie Road connection as his reply." a transport corridor which, because of its very The Minister responded that he would reply to existence, represents the very real threat of a the questions raised during the consideration motorway or major road being built through of the earlier mentioned Bill at a more prime residential areas of my electorate. appropriate time. On 5 October I wrote to the The existence of this transport corridor Minister and, amongst other things, said to has for many years cast a pall of uncertainty him— over the suburbs of Wooloowin, Kalinga, Eagle "I also enclose for your consideration Farm, Lutwyche and parts of Clayfield. It the Hansard record of a speech which I depressed real estate values and inhibited the delivered in the Parliament on 16 willingness and ability of local residents to buy, September 1998. You will recall that in sell and, most importantly, renovate their your reply to the contributions made by family homes to better suit their lifestyle. In Members, you mentioned that you would recognition of these factors and in response to be replying to our representations in due the aborted attempt by the previous Goss course. I will be grateful for your views and Labor Government to construct a motorway responses to the issues which I raised in utilising the Leckie Road connection, the my speech." coalition State Government, at my urging, earlier this year made and implemented the To date I have received no reply to my decision to sell off the Leckie Road questions either in the Parliament or in my connection. This was, of course, a pre-election correspondence, which says plenty about the promise and I was proud that it was being Minister's manners and lack of professional delivered. courtesy as well as his unwillingness to assist the community I represent in the Parliament. I This decision by the coalition Government remind him that when I was a Minister I always was greeted with appreciation and enthusiasm responded to his correspondence with by the local community. However, the courtesy and promptness. Government changed in June this year and I immediately sought the assurance of the new During the Transport and Main Roads Government and the new Minister that the Estimates committee hearings on Thursday, 1 coalition's decision to sell off the transport October, Minister Bredhauer, in response to a question from the hard-working shadow corridor would be honoured. I sought these Minister, Vaughan Johnson, said— assurances on 4 August 1998 when I stated in the Parliament— "The Leckie Road corridor is an important issue. We have no intention to "... I want to place on record my desire proceed. A number of properties were and that of my constituents to have that indicated for sale." process of selling off that corridor expedited and concluded as quickly as He went on to say— possible. I ask the new Minister for "I was subsequently approached by Transport to act with due haste and the Minister for Public Works and diligence in terms of maintaining that Housing, who indicated to me that he had 20 Oct 1998 Adjournment 2583

a need for some public housing, based protest action movements are all about emergency housing, etc. in that area—I in the electorate of Clayfield, courtesy of its am not exactly sure what the needs were. local member working closely with the local He asked us if we were able to identify community. three or four properties in that area that we might be able to make available for public housing purposes. TABCorp In the process, essentially we have Mr REEVES (Mansfield—ALP) got the best of both worlds, in my view. (7.08 p.m.): I rise to bring to the attention of Those properties will continue to be used the House a burning issue which threatens to for residential purposes, which is an corrupt the club industry throughout indication that we do not intend to Queensland. For years we saw club after club proceed with the east-west corridor, the go broke because we did not have pokies in airport motorway corridor. At the same Queensland. We saw the northern New South time we have been able to fulfil a need for Wales clubs get richer by having public housing. Whilst the houses were Queenslanders spending money in their clubs. not sold to the bidders, we have been Why was this allowed? Because the Bjelke- able to make sure that those houses Petersen Government complained about the continue to be used for residential corruption that would occur if pokies were purposes." played in Queensland. This was a disgraceful answer which All of this changed when the Goss Labor represents yet another betrayal by the Labor Government introduced pokies into Party, and in particular by this Minister, of the Queensland. That Government also put in people I represent and a total cave-in to the place the most stringent checks and balances "build new roads at any cost" culture. to ensure that the fears of corruption would As long as these properties and the never be realised. However, this has all Leckie Road connection remain in the hands changed. We now have a piece of legislation of the Government and the department, the presented and passed by the coalition threat of a major road or motorway will remain. Government. So we had one coalition It condemns my constituents to more Government saying, "Let's not have pokies uncertainty and more anguish; they do not because of corruption", and we had the most deserve this treatment, particularly in view of recent coalition Government violating the Goss the fact that the coalition Government had Labor Government legislation and opening the delivered to them the pre-election promise and door for corruption within the industry. was selling off the Leckie Road connection. The introduction of license monitoring This decision by Minister Bredhauer and operators commenced in August 1997. Recent the minority Beattie Labor Government again developments have seen many of the club puts the prospect of a motorway fairly and industry's worst fears realised. The coalition squarely back on the agenda. I call on the Government's love of following "Kennett's Minister to immediately proceed in finalising Kingdom" has resulted in starting a process the sale of the Leckie Road connection as which could see the total destruction of the commenced by the coalition Government. I club industry as we know it. The legislation, again reaffirm my personal commitment and and now the Machine Gaming Commission, that of the coalition to sell off the Leckie Road allows the licensed operators to enter into connection. contracts with clubs, which includes taking a I have spoken to the shadow Minister, the large cut of their income. These operators, honourable member for Gregory, who assures instead of being the protectors of the industry, me that my determination has his total are now the predators. I should say that, at the support. I place the Honourable the Minister moment, there appears to be only one that is for Transport on notice that, unless he delivers giving the rest a bad name, that is, on the coalition promise, there will be uproar in TABCorp—the publicly listed company which is the northern suburbs. If he thinks previous owned by the Victorian TAB. This company Ministers Elder and Hamill had a pretty hard has offered clubs what appears to be the deal time, he does not yet know what is coming. I of a lifetime when, in reality, it will turn out to will activate the community of the northern be the club con of the century. TABCorp offers suburbs of Brisbane and this Minister, to his organisations a club which TABCorp controls, and his Government's detriment, even apparently through its own directors and own compared with the previous Goss Labor managers. Clubs will be required to pay a large Government, will find out just what community- percentage of income back to TABCorp. 2584 Adjournment 20 Oct 1998

I shall summarise my concerns. The We as a Government need to ensure that activity that TABCorp is undertaking is purely this ability of licensed machine operators to entrepreneurial, based on the way it is licensed become investors, managers and profiteers in to operate in Victoria, and is contrary to the the club industry—and the hotel industry for white paper which led to the Gaming Machine that matter—ceases. Failure to do so will leave Amendment Act 1997. The way it approaches us open for corruption in the club industry. If the deal, the offer is that it takes 25% of we allow this to continue, members of the machine revenue before any costs or taxes hotel industry will rightfully ask the question: are taken out. Therefore, the club wears all the why should they not get the same costs. TABCorp also wanted 10% of profit from consideration as the licensed machine gaming before interest and tax costs were operators and have the same amount of deducted. Again, it is absolutely creaming the pokies as clubs do? The community benefit we gaming income from the operation. presently get from the club industry is threatened if we allow this privateering to Anyone with any knowledge of the continue. The short-term benefit will result in operation of clubs will recognise the basic fact long-term destruction. that gaming is what makes the most profit. Other operational areas like food and entertainment are subsidised by gaming. Parthenium Weed Profits from gaming allow clubs to maintain Hon. T. R. COOPER (Crows Nest—NPA) their commitment to support community (7.13 p.m.): I rise to speak about parthenium facilities and sport, as well as charities and weed, which is spreading right throughout the local bodies. Normally, a new club will offer central part of Queensland. It has spread facilities in which the local community can already into New South Wales and other participate. In normal cases, function rooms States. I spoke about this subject in this place and entertainment areas are used by in about March 1984, and the problem still charitable and community organisations for exists. The way in which this weed has spread activities such as bingo. There are no plans in is incredible, as are the efforts that have been any of TABCorp's developments for any made through all sorts of measures—chemical function facilities which would be available for and biological—to try to control it. I have this type of activity. This whole scenario is very recently returned from a trip to Charters scary for the future of the industry. If this Towers, Clermont and Emerald, where anyone predator, motivated by profit and profit alone, can see that this weed has blossomed like is allowed to get a foothold in Queensland nothing on earth. using these tactics, then the public's perception of clubs will suffer immense I wish to acknowledge Scott Dearden and damage. his wife from Rolleston in Queensland. Scott is the project officer for the Parthenium Action TABCorp has been involved in—to put it Group, which has provided me with good kindly—unsavoury tactics. Recently, it became information. The work that they are doing must involved with the Ipswich Jets at the Hotel Cecil be acknowledged. I also acknowledge site. It is my understanding that TABCorp first Councillor David Bridgman, who has put approached another Ipswich sporting forward some ideas for controlling this weed. I organisation regarding the building and am concerned that the funding which that managing of a club. The club rightfully went particular group has received in the last three and sought legal advice from a firm of years from the national Landcare program has solicitors, Rose and Jensen. It is my been cut. They received about $73,000 over understanding that the club received advice the past three years to fund the control of that the deal offered should not be taken up. parthenium. That funding has been cut, and The next venture TABCorp decided to take up all funding now comes under the Natural was the Ipswich Jets at the Hotel Cecil. It is my Heritage Trust. Recently, when the project understanding that this was done after group applied for $88,000, they were told that approaches by the hotel owners to get funding was not for weed eradication. In fact, it TABCorp involved. Lo and behold, the hotel is for weed eradication; creeping lantana owners just happen to be the solicitors firm, managed to get through. Parthenium weed Rose and Jensen. If this is the way TABCorp does cross over into other States. Therefore, I and the kind of unscrupulous people they wish am going to make an effort to ensure that the to be involved with operate, warning bells funding is distributed properly, because should be sent to all those clubs thinking of productivity right throughout that area has going with TABCorp. been cut dramatically. 20 Oct 1998 Adjournment 2585

India has recently made some comments for this year is all those people have ever about this issue. India has parthenium, which asked for. But that has been knocked back, starts in the Himalayas and covers virtually the and those people are unable to continue the entire country. Today we have wheat export work that they have been doing. Therefore, contracts with India totalling 2.325 million quite obviously, we do have serious problems. tonnes. So far we have shipped 1.3 million Parthenium also creates health problems, tonnes, with another shipment due after July. such as dermatitis and many other conditions The Indians have said that they will not renege that have been caused among primary on the contract, but they will insist on new producers in that area. Surely we can make quarantine standards relating to weeds. An people sit up and take notice. I acknowledge Indian delegation identified seven noxious those people who have done that work in the weed species in Australian wheat shipments— past. one of which was parthenium, which grows Time expired. from the snow line of the Himalayas to the southern tip of India. The alarm bells should be ringing when a country that has parthenium Automatic Teller Machines from one end to the other does not want to Mr MICKEL (Logan—ALP) (7.18 p.m.): buy our wheat because of parthenium weed Several weeks ago, I raised the issue of contamination. That is a worry. access to automatic teller machines in my Some of the methods of control need to electorate. Briefly, for the benefit of be spelled out, because a lot of work has been honourable members, I said that as banks are done in this regard. Parthenium was first withdrawing their services from suburban and discovered around Toogoolawah in 1955 and rural areas, they should provide the same again at Clermont in 1964. Since then, with a quality of service as that which existed season like we have just had, it is controlling a previously. Most automatic teller machines massive area of the State. Some insects are cannot be accessed by wheelchair-bound being used to control the weed. Zygogramma people. They find it impossible to key in their is a leaf defoliating beetle like a ladybird, codes, and therefore the service is simply except that it is cream and black. The epi- unavailable to them. Also, there are few blemma is the stem-galling moth—a Mexican services from automatic teller machines moth that was introduced in about 1983-84. offered to visually impaired people. In addition, The listronotus is a stem-boring weevil. The many people find that the deposit system for smicronyx is a weevil that lives in the seed. cash or cheques is not accessible, often due Carmenta is a new one. It is a wasp that to the malfunction of the machine. So in that ringbarks the root ball from the plant. That case there is no service at all offered to those does sound like a very good and promising people. biological control. It is something to watch. In effect, the banks simply pull out—as Now that insects have plenty to operate on, I they have done in the suburban areas in my believe that they will be able to control that electorate—leaving customers with an inferior spread. service to the one that existed previously. Members should not forget the prickly Tonight I will point out that the ATM system pear, which dominated Queensland and much operating at Marsden in my electorate leaves of New South Wales from about 1840 through people quite vulnerable. I will explain why. Last to the 1940s, when cactoblastis was week, the bank that adjoins my electorate introduced and became very successful. It is office was robbed. Since then, a security guard still successful today in clearing country of that has been posted outside the premises. I support that enhanced security for those particular weed problem. Puiccinia Abrupta is a people. However, just 50 metres along the rust that appears in the winter. That is also very good in the right conditions. We have shopping centre, people have to queue up for many types of control that we need to the automatic teller machine service, which is encourage. completely exposed to the roadway and to everything else. It is only a few metres from I want to come back to the funding the roadway and the car park. If the banks can aspect. If a Federal Government—of whatever find the money for a security guard—as I said, political persuasion—cuts off funding for I support that—after a bank has been robbed, Landcare projects such as this, every one of then they should enhance the security for us has to make a massive effort to allow those people using automatic teller machines at any people who are trying to control parthenium time of the day. The elderly, mothers with weed in Queensland to make every attempt children in prams and other everyday folk who possible, and to fund them properly. $88,000 simply line up currently place themselves at 2586 Adjournment 20 Oct 1998 risk. Their hard-earned cash can be stolen been lobbying for a rehabilitation unit and an from them easily. acute spinal unit in north Queensland. The The machine at Marsden should be fully association has more than 1,500 members enclosed so that people can carry out their throughout Queensland, some of whom have transactions not only in privacy but also in been identified as currently having personal complete security. I know the Police Service and lifestyle assistance needs. Currently, has been calling for greater security for people people with disabilities and their families have accessing ATM machines. It is time the banks to reach crisis situations before there is any recognised their responsibility to people, likelihood of assistance being provided. Most started treating their customers as people and of the families in crisis receive no support. provided improved security access for people When families do try to cope without using ATM machines. People are finding that assistance, they often become more and more there is no shortage of fees and charges from isolated from assistance and services, leading banks, but there has been a simultaneous to extreme stress and family breakdowns. decline in bank services and safety offered as Although the recent changes to the the bank fees and charges have increased. It Medical Aid Subsidy Scheme have improved is no wonder that small communities are its selection of aids and appliances to the organising protest meetings about the loss of consumer, the funding for such equipment for services. It is no wonder that people are replacement and backup are scant or looking to other alternatives like credit unions nonexistent in some regions. The introduction in southern States to step in and fill the gap of preventive equipment, such as standing left by the decline of the banks. frames and exercise equipment, needs to be examined to reduce the heavy cost of The fact is that on weekends—and, I am readmission to hospital. That type of afraid, on weekdays for Marsden customers— people have no choice but to use ATM equipment has the capacity to reduce machines. They should have a choice about hospitalisation and reduce the large cost to the safety. Banks should regulate their own health system. activities as part of a quality assurance for their State Government funding policies, customers and install safety measures to particularly capped hour limits for personal and protect their customers. Customers should not lifestyle assistance, do not recognise the be lining up like the ducks in a sideshow alley difficulty of recruiting workers who live 200 waiting for some thug to knock them down and kilometres or more away from the client. Urban have their hard-earned savings taken off them. service models are not appropriate for rural It is time that a bit of old-fashioned decency and remote areas. The only spinal injuries unit and courtesy returned to the banking system, in Queensland is in Brisbane, necessitating that is, the view that the customer comes first. families outside of Brisbane being separated I invite the banks to trial a safety first program for months at a critical time in their lives. A at the Marsden Park Shopping Centre and spinal injuries unit located in Townsville would give that hardworking community something alleviate the stress of long-term dislocation for back after the banking services have been north Queensland people and would enable stripped away from them. In that way, the health-care services to be accessed prior to banks would be returning some service to crisis point. those people, a service that will provide safety Members of the Paraplegic and for them. We are not asking for anything more Quadriplegic Association have been promised than has been provided at the bank just 50 a rehabilitation unit in north Queensland for metres away. After it was robbed, a security the past six years, and still they are no closer guard was installed. I want to safeguard all to gaining that type of unit. In November 1995, those people who are using ATM machines the then Minister for Health announced the who currently are vulnerable and who currently acceptance of the recommendations by the are exposed to any thug who wants to pull up consultants reviewing the need for a in a car park. rehabilitation unit in north Queensland. Capital funds had been allocated to the project to commence in August 1997. It appears that Rehabilitation and Acute Spinal Units, North even if space is allocated to a rehabilitation Queensland unit and an acute spinal unit at the Kirwan site, Mr TURNER (Thuringowa—ONP) those units will not be operational until well (7.23 p.m.): I am glad to see that the Minister after the new Townsville hospital is completed. for Health is in the House. Since 1990, the In spite of the acceptance of the Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association has recommendations by the consultants and the 20 Oct 1998 Adjournment 2587 allocation of capital funds by previous Broadhurst, Kim Wilson, Bill Firth and the Governments, there are no hard signs of any board of directors was recognised in 1995 progress towards the development of a when MRAEL was named Ansett Australia physical rehabilitation and an acute spinal unit Employer of the Year (Training Agency). As in north Queensland. With the construction of well as the 670 young apprentices and the new Townsville hospital already under way, trainees employed, MRAEL itself employs 63 now is the perfect time to finalise that long, staff in seven offices in the Mackay and ongoing issue. A physical rehabilitation unit Townsville region and has a turnover of $12m. and an acute spinal unit are desperately The importance of the many local needed in north Queensland now. If the sponsors of MRAEL's awards presentation Minister for Health were listening, she would cannot be underestimated. All are essential to take note. the continuing recognition of young apprentices. Special mention must be made of Mackay Region Apprenticeship Employment the sponsorship by Northern Building Society Limited of the Apprentice of the Year Award. The Northern Building Society has contributed Mr MULHERIN (Mackay—ALP) (7.26 p.m.): On Monday, 12 October I had the sponsorship since the first awards night in privilege, along with my parliamentary 1986. That is 13 years of continuous sponsorship. I am also proud to be a sponsor colleague the Minister for Employment, of MRAEL's awards with the Tim Mulherin Training and Industrial Relations, Paul Braddy, to attend the 13th Annual Awards Night of shield for the best trainer, being won this year Mackay Region Apprenticeship Employment by an old school mate, Kerry Woodman of Limited, or MRAEL as it is commonly known. Woodman's Mitre 10, a local hardware and In addition to the pleasant duty of presenting building supplier. This year's Apprentice of the the various awards, the Honourable Minister Year is 23-year-old Nathan Welch. Nathan, also inspected and officially opened MRAEL's who obtained an OP of 1 in Year 12, studied new skills centre. Built totally by supervised law for a year but became disenchanted with apprentices at a cost of $1.8m, the skills that profession and decided he would prefer to centre includes a training kitchen, bar and work with his hands. Nathan is a diesel fitter restaurant for the hospitality industry as well as with Carlisle Tractors in Mackay. He has just a computer room and general training rooms. finished his four-year apprenticeship and has been offered a permanent position with When MRAEL first hosted an awards Carlisle Tractors. His supervisor has stated that presentation in 1986, two excellence awards he was an outstanding apprentice, the best he were presented and host employers had been had had in 30 years. Nathan is the son of well- found for 19 apprentices. This year, 23 awards known Mackay residents Bill and Toni Welch. were presented in recognition of the company's 670 apprentices and trainees Bill is an organiser with the Metal Workers working throughout the Mackay region in over Union and a member of the ACTU Mackay 40 different trades with 635 host employers. A Provincial Council. I am sure that he and Toni group of Mackay people with limited financial are proud not only of their son but also of the support and a loan of $6,000 from the ACTU fact that it was a loan from the ACTU Lend Lend Lease Foundation established MRAEL in Lease Foundation that helped with the initial October 1985 in order to fulfil a need to establishment of MRAEL. I would like to offer provide a better skilled work force. Through the Nathan my sincere congratulations on his indenturing and training of apprentices and wonderful achievement. My congratulations trainees by positioning them with host also go to the executive and board members employers, MRAEL is able to place young of MRAEL for the dedication and commitment Queenslanders in employment and train them they have shown and continue to show to the for the future. future of the youth of the Mackay region. The excellence of training provided by Motion agreed to. MRAEL under the leadership of Peter The House adjourned at 7.30 p.m.