Hansard 5 Oct 2000
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5 Oct 2000 Legislative Assembly 3473 THURSDAY, 5 OCTOBER 2000 department of Minister Doug Slack when the coalition was in Government. At 11.49 a.m. yesterday, Minister Elder rose on a matter of privilege to correct his original statement. He Mr SPEAKER (Hon. R. K. Hollis, Redcliffe) said— read prayers and took the chair at 9.30 a.m. "During question time today I did say that Lee Bermingham worked on the staff of the then Minister Doug Slack. I need to PRIVILEGE correct the record. It was, in fact, Minister Mr Speaker's Ruling Davidson." Hon. T. R. COOPER (Crows Nest—NPA) This statement is untrue. Lee Bermingham (9.32 a.m.): I rise on a matter of privilege. was never employed by me. He was never a Yesterday the member for Southport was member of my ministerial staff. The Deputy removed from this place by Mr Speaker under Premier has misled the House. Standing Order 123A (3). I, too, was removed from this place under Standing Order 123A (3). Mr ELDER: On the matter of privilege: I When I made inquiries yesterday of the clearly said yesterday in answer to the Deputy Opposition Whip as to whether I could question that when I came into the Ministry of return to vote, he sought advice from the Clerk State Development he was working in the who in turn sought advice from Mr Speaker. Mr Department of State Development. He was Speaker, you said that the member for employed by the Minister for DBIRD and Southport could return to vote but the member worked in the regional development section of for Crows Nest could not. Could I have an DBIRD under Minister Davidson. explanation as to why I was denied a vote in Mr DAVIDSON: I rise to a point of order. this place? The Deputy Premier clearly said that Lee Mr SPEAKER: Yes. The member for Bermingham worked on my staff. As I said, he Southport was removed from this House under never worked on my ministerial staff. As Standing Order 123A (2) and the member for Minister, I never employed the staff of the Crows Nest was removed from this place under department; he was a departmental staffer. Standing Order 123A (3)—sorry, it is the other Mr ELDER: On the point of order: I correct way around. That was very clearly what I said the record. He did not work on the member's at the time. staff but in his Ministry. Mr COOPER: Mr Speaker, if I may suggest, perhaps there is then a correction required to the Hansard, because Hansard RULING ON QUESTIONS ON NOTICE records Standing Order 123A (3) for both of Mr SPEAKER: I must advise honourable us. members this morning that I have ruled out of Mr SPEAKER: I am sorry, but I very order a number of questions on notice. Having clearly said it. I made different rulings on both consulted with the Clerks, I can only conclude members. that these pro forma questions are substantively the same as those ruled sub Mr COOPER: So Hansard got it wrong? judice yesterday. Mr SPEAKER: I think so. Very clearly I Mr BEANLAND (Indooroopilly—LP) said to you— (9.36 a.m.): I move— Mr COOPER: Mr Speaker, would you mind making the correction? "That Mr Speaker's ruling be dissented from." Mr SPEAKER: Yes, I will make the correction. I am very happy to. Mr COOPER: Thank you. PETITIONS The Clerk announced the receipt of the following petitions— PRIVILEGE Alleged Misleading of House by Deputy Premier Vegetation Management Bill Mr DAVIDSON (Noosa—LP) (9.34 a.m.): I From Mr Hobbs (85 petitioners) rise on a matter of privilege. Yesterday in requesting the House to rescind the question time the Deputy Premier made a Vegetation Management Bill 1999 statement that Lee Bermingham worked in the immediately. 3474 Ministerial Statement 5 Oct 2000 Voluntary Euthanasia Queensland Investment Corporation Investment Trusts— From Mr Turner (30 petitioners) requesting the House to introduce legislation Financial Statements for 1999-2000 so that, in appropriate circumstances, a (b) Attorney-General and Minister for Justice medically-assisted or induced quick and and Minister for The Arts (Mr Foley)— peaceful death at the request of and in the Report on the extension of the Public interests of a patient, becomes an available Trustee Regulation 1989 for a period of 12 option in medical practice. months pursuant to s.56A(2) of the Statutory Instruments Act 1992 Report on the extension of the Status of Dunkley's Coaches Children regulation 1989 for a period of 12 From Mrs Pratt (242 petitioners) months pursuant to s.56A(2) of the Statutory Instruments Act 1992 requesting the House gives financial support to Dunkley's Coaches for the continuation of the Report to the Legislative Assembly under Toowoomba to Hervey Bay and return s.56A(2) of the Statutory Instruments Act 1992 relating to the Continuing Legal passenger and freight coach service. Education Rule and Queensland Law Society Act 1952. Sunshine Coast, Dental Services From Miss Simpson (508 petitioners) MINISTERIAL STATEMENT requesting the House to call on the State Pit Bull Terriers Health Minister to employ more dentists and provide additional funding to the public dental Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central— service on the Sunshine Coast to reduce these ALP) (Premier) (9.37 a.m.), by leave: There unacceptable waiting times. have been a number of horrific attacks on people by pit bull terriers in Australia. Recently, an elderly Queensland woman was severely Orchestras mauled. I was asked yesterday if the Queensland Government would consider From Mr Foley (2 petitioners) requesting taking action in relation to pit bull terriers on a the House keep the Queensland Philharmonic Statewide basis. My answer to that is yes. We Orchestra and the Queensland Symphony will look at what, if anything, can be done to Orchestra separate so that both can continue curb these vicious attacks. As members know, in their best suited pursuits and that the QPO this is normally the responsibility of local continues with the chamber orchestra government. performances in rural Queensland and that no reduction in the number of QPO players or of Over the centuries, these dogs were bred concerts given by the orchestra as a separate to kill. They were bred specifically for their entity. strength and fierceness. However, it is clear from the Internet that American pit bull terriers are still being bred specifically to kill. There are Dairy Industry Internet sites in the United States containing From Mr Rowell (1,433 petitioners) graphic reports detailing how one pit bull killed requesting the House to call on the Beattie another bite by bite. Proud breeders advertise Labor Government to provide a fair and how they have deliberately bred their dogs reasonable assistance package to help dairy from the fiercest and strongest lines. They are farmers and rural communities adjust to the bred to kill other American pit bull terriers of a impact of dairy industry deregulation. similar weight over and over again. They are nothing more than killing machines. It is plain Petitions received. there is no place in our suburbs for killing machines such as these. PAPERS Also on the Internet is a site owned by the Australian Dog Breeders Registry. The site MINISTERIAL PAPERS says, "We are the only registry for the The following papers were tabled— American pit bull terrier in Australia." It has a (a) Treasurer (Mr Hamill)— direct link under the title of Interesting Reading Queensland Investment Corporation— to the Pit Bull Reporter in the United States. In the Pit Bull Reporter one can read how a Annual Report for 1999-2000 "perfect southern gentleman" named Statement of Corporate Intent for Boudreaux has bred fighting dogs for more 1999-2000 than 35 years and can read a bite-by-bite 5 Oct 2000 Ministerial Statement 3475 account of an hour-long dog fight involving Council. We are continuing this close one of his champions, or so-called champions. collaboration, which will eventually result in As I say, there should be no room in our 3,000 jobs at the precinct. We have already society for these fighting dogs. worked closely together to resolve According to the Internet, other infrastructure issues. Governments have found it difficult to define a The Gold Coast Marine Precinct will grow pit bull. One answer used in the United States to become the centre of the marine industry is defining dangerous dogs as including on the Gold Coast and the largest of its kind in American pit bulls and any dog exhibiting the Australia. Ultimately it will occupy 250 hectares appearance and characteristics of that breed. of land and earn tens of millions of dollars a Since June, France has required all attack year in export income. I recently had the dogs, including pit bulls, to be sterilised. The pleasure of inspecting it. The precinct is one of law is aimed at eliminating dangerous dogs only two sites in the south-east corner of from the country within 10 years. Queensland available for the development of Countries which have banned pit bulls are water-based industries, the other being Clunies Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Holland. In the Flats near the Brisbane River mouth. USA there is a variety of laws aimed at dealing Already the precinct is an important with pit bull terriers. In one ordinance, contributor to the local economy. More than 60 dangerous dogs must be leashed and hectares have been developed and $65m muzzled when not confined to the owner's invested here by Riviera Marine, Quintrex, property, and owners must carry $100,000 of Gold Coast City Marina, Coomera River liability insurance.