PROOF ISSN 1322-0330

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

Hansard Home Page: http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/hansard/ E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (07) 3406 7314 Fax: (07) 3210 0182

Subject 51ST PARLIAMENT Page Friday, 9 June 2006

PROCEDURE ...... 2453 Speaker’s Statement—Panel of Temporary Speakers ...... 2453 PETITIONS ...... 2453 TABLED PAPER ...... 2453 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS ...... 2453 Iraq, Death of Civilian ...... 2453 Water Supply ...... 2454 Water Infrastructure, Environmental Management ...... 2454 Water Infrastructure ...... 2455 The Dreaming Festival ...... 2455 Springfield ...... 2456 Trade and Investment Mission ...... 2456 Smart Awards ...... 2458 Smart Awards ...... 2458 Tabled paper: Copy of ministerial statement by Hon. A Bligh titled ‘Smart Awards winners’...... 2458 Brawler Van ...... 2459 Tabled paper: Copy of ministerial statement by Hon. J Spence titled ‘Brawler Van Results’...... 2459 Brookside, Food Poisoning ...... 2459 Tabled paper: Copy of ministerial statement by Hon. S Robertson titled ‘Sizzler Restaurant Investigation’...... 2459 Fuel Sales Grants Scheme ...... 2459 Freedom of Information ...... 2460 Tabled paper: Copy of ministerial statement by Hon. L Lavarch titled ‘2004-05 Freedom of Information Annual Report’...... 2460 PROCEDURE ...... 2460 Speaker’s Statement—Executive Secretary to the Clerk ...... 2460 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS ...... 2461 Ambulance Service; Child Restraints ...... 2461 Tabled paper: Copy of ministerial statement by Hon. P Purcell titled ‘Opposition Attack on Queensland Ambulance Service’...... 2461

L J OSMOND N J LAURIE CHIEF HANSARD REPORTER CLERK OF THE PARLIAMENT Table of Contents — Friday, 9 June 2006

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE ...... 2461 Gabriel, Mr C ...... 2461 Walker, Ms S ...... 2461 Water Infrastructure ...... 2462 Queensland Health, Maternity Services ...... 2462 Tabled paper: Transcript of radio interview on 8 June 2006 between John Miller and Dr Gino Pekararo relating to the birth of a stillborn child in transit between Emerald and Rockhampton Hospitals...... 2463 Identity Theft ...... 2463 Nullinga Dam ...... 2463 Ethanol Industry ...... 2464 Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme ...... 2465 Police Housing ...... 2465 Gladstone, Fundraising Auction ...... 2466 Out of the Box Festival ...... 2466 Ambulance Service ...... 2466 Tabled paper: Copy of memorandum dated 26 May 2006 from Darren Stewart, Area Stores Officer, South Western Region, Queensland Ambulance Service, to all QAS South Western Area Stations, relating to exhaustion of stocks of certain patient care items...... 2467 ORDER OF BUSINESS; SITTING HOURS ...... 2467 APPROPRIATION (PARLIAMENT) BILL; APPROPRIATION BILL ...... 2467 Second Reading (Cognate Debate) ...... 2467 Tabled paper: Copy of letter, dated 8 June 2006, from Jo Gillies to Mr Messenger regarding Manager, Miriam Vale Shire Council...... 2483 PRIVILEGE ...... 2491 Matter Raised—Alleged Threat by Member ...... 2491 APPROPRIATION (PARLIAMENT) BILL; APPROPRIATION BILL ...... 2491 Second Reading (Cognate Debate) ...... 2491 Tabled paper: Copy of newspaper article in relation to the proposed Wolffdene Dam...... 2527 Tabled paper: Copy of a newspaper photograph...... 2527 Reference to Estimates Committees ...... 2545 SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT ...... 2545 ADJOURNMENT ...... 2545 Water Infrastructure ...... 2545 Hinton, Ms L ...... 2546 Wintersun Festival; World Environment Day ...... 2546 Woodridge Electorate, Volunteers ...... 2547 Traffic Control Certificates ...... 2548 Thuringowa Electorate ...... 2549 Tabled paper: Non-conforming petition relating to traffic lights at the Mt Low/Bruce Highway turn off...... 2549 Miriam Vale Shire Council ...... 2549 Tabled paper: Letter, dated 8 June 2006, from Cherrie Lowe to Mr Rob Messenger MP relating to St John Ambulance Hall—Welcome Creek...... 2550 Bundaberg Base Hospital ...... 2550 Office of Fair Trading ...... 2550 Indigenous Communities ...... 2551 ATTENDANCE ...... 2552 09 Jun 2006 Legislative Assembly 2453 FRIDAY, 9 JUNE 2006

Legislative Assembly Mr SPEAKER (Hon. T McGrady, Mount Isa) read prayers and took the chair at 9.30 am.

PROCEDURE

Speaker’s Statement—Panel of Temporary Speakers Mr SPEAKER: Honourable members, in accordance with standing order 11, I advise that, following the resignation of the member for Cunningham from the panel of temporary speakers, I have appointed the member for Keppel to the panel.

PETITIONS

The following honourable members have lodged paper petitions for presentation—

Baroon Pocket Dam Mr McArdle from 65 petitioners requesting the House to cease any plans it has to construct a pipeline drawing water from the Baroon Pocket Dam to Caboolture without prior consent and full consultation with the people of the Sunshine Coast.

Vegetation Management Miss Simpson from 481 petitioners requesting the House to revise the Integrated Planning Act 1997, to ensure the outcomes will include the protection that is currently provided for native vegetation by the Vegetation Management Act 1999 being extended to apply to urban as well as non-urban native vegetation across Queensland regardless of whether the vegetation is in the South East or elsewhere in the State.

Traveston Dam Miss Elisa Roberts from 15,353 petitioners requesting the House to take all necessary action to protect the lives and homes of the people of the Mary Valley, who are threatened along with unique and endangered species of animals by the Queensland government’s proposal to build a dam on the Mary River at Traveston crossing.

Gympie, Proposed Dam Miss Elisa Roberts from 334 petitioners requesting the House to withdraw any plans for a dam in the Gympie Electorate.

Sumner Park Industrial Estate Mr Caltabiano from 433 petitioners requesting the House to call on the State Government to promptly secure a second exit south east of the Sumner Park Industrial Estate directly onto the Centenary Highway, in cooperation with the Brisbane City Council.

TABLED PAPER

MINISTERIAL PAPER TABLED BY THE CLERK The following ministerial paper was tabled by the Clerk— Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Mrs Lavarch)— • Freedom of Information—Annual Report 2004-05

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Iraq, Death of Civilian Hon. PD BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier) (9.34 am): The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed that, tragically, a 34-year-old Queenslander has been killed by a bomb blast in Iraq, some 300 kilometres outside of Baghdad. He was working as a civilian. The Queenslander was killed on the roadside yesterday, on 8 June. DFAT reports that consular staff in Iraq are consulting his employer at the moment. Consular officers in Australia are providing support to his family. Our thoughts are with them at this most difficult time. If the Queensland government can provide any assistance to the family, we certainly will. Opposition members interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Premier has a very important announcement and there are too many members talking. 2454 Ministerial Statements 09 Jun 2006

Mr BEATTIE: As I was saying, consular officers in Australia are providing support to his family. Our thoughts are with them at this most difficult time. If there is any way that the Queensland government can assist his family, we will. On behalf of all members, I would like to pass on our condolences to his family. Water Supply Hon. PD BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier) (9.35 am): Our government is doing more than any other government in Australia to help ensure water supplies for future generations. We are investing hundreds of millions of dollars in new dams, new weirs, new pipelines, recycling, desalination and a raft of education and conservation measures, and I will be announcing some more of those on Sunday at our party conference. One of our key initiatives is a new dam proposed for the Mary River at Traveston. This dam is essential for the south-east corner of our state, one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, and it is especially vital for the Cooloola region as well as the Sunshine Coast—for the local area as well. Wherever we decide to locate a dam, it will cause angst and anger in the community directly affected and that is totally understandable. Nobody wants to lose their property to a dam. I understand that, but we need to ensure that we provide for the future needs of Queensland. I understand that and I want to be very clear that I am sympathetic to their concerns, which is why we will treat everyone properly and fairly. However, this dam is too important for the future of the south east. We are going to build two dams in the south-east corner of Queensland. Those two dams are going to be built. I want to reassure the affected community that we will work with them to make sure we do what we can to address their needs and concerns. Yesterday I announced a number of key measures related to addressing the environmental concerns of local residents following a meeting with the member for Noosa, attended by the Deputy Premier and the minister for water, Henry Palaszczuk. These measures include the establishment of a committee of local members of parliament to facilitate consultation on processes and actions to minimise the social and environmental impacts of the proposed dam. The minister for water, Henry Palaszczuk, will chair this committee. I have invited the members for Noosa, Gympie, Nicklin, Glass House, Maryborough and Hervey Bay to join. I understand that the minister rang them yesterday and I understand that they have all agreed. In addition, I have also agreed to the appointment of an independent community guardian to represent the views of the community. This will be a well-known and respected Queenslander and we expect to be in a position to make the announcement of that appointment by the end of this month. These two initiatives are in addition to a number of stringent measures we will put in place to minimise any environmental impacts of the dam. As I said, no matter where we decide to locate a new dam, it will be a tough decision. However, tough decisions are what Queenslanders demand of good government. We will build this new dam on the Mary River. It is absolutely vital for securing future water supplies not just for the local community but for the south-east corner. I know that the member for Noosa has been struggling with this decision over the last few days, and I understand her circumstances and I respect them, but I want to make it very clear: the government is not struggling with this decision. We are going to build a dam on the Mary River because it is needed for the future growth of this state. While I will be sympathetic and understanding and we will listen to her view in relation to these matters, we need to clearly understand that this dam is going to be built. This dam is going to be built, and I want everyone to clearly understand it. We will work with the local community, we will bend over backwards to ensure that there is appropriate compensation, we will work in the most consultative way possible and we will listen to the local community, but this dam needs to be built for the future of this state. Water Infrastructure, Environmental Management Hon. PD BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier) (9.39 am): As I have indicated, a lot of work we undertake will obviously depend on the final catchment and design of the dam on the Mary River. However, I can guarantee that we will put in place a number of stringent measures to minimise any environmental impacts of the dam. Environmental flows of water will be maintained at approximately 85 per cent, and water quality and the impact on fauna and flora will be closely monitored. We can also guaranteed that a fishway will be part of any dam development. We have already successfully incorporated one of the world’s most advanced fishways into the Paradise Dam in the Burnett. It has been in operation for several months now and has successfully been transporting fish, including Queensland lungfish, across the dam wall. It is for upstream fish movement and combines engineering excellence and Fisheries scientific expertise with a well-researched understanding of native fish behaviour. We have also developed a turtle hatchery at Paradise Dam. That is something we will look at for the Mary River as well. The hatchery allows the turtle eggs to be incubated until hatched and grown to a certain size when they can be released safely into the wild. 09 Jun 2006 Ministerial Statements 2455

We will also ensure that areas of ecological significance impaired by the dam are replicated outside the area subject to inundation. At Paradise Dam we planted over 100,000 trees to replace those affected by inundation. We will undertake a similar program around the site of the proposed dam at Traveston, doubling the amount of native vegetation affected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! Will members please stop talking and listen to what the Premier has to say. Mr BEATTIE: We will ensure we meet strict state and Commonwealth environmental requirements. We will set the bar high when it comes to environmental concerns related to the building of the dam, a dam that is absolutely vital for securing water supplies for south-east Queensland.

Water Infrastructure

Hon. PD BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier) (9.41 am): On another matter relating to water, I now turn to water security in south-east Queensland. On many occasions I have advised parliament of the priority my government is giving to future water supplies in south-east Queensland. Today I can inform the House about a number of steps being taken to ensure these projects are delivered on time and on budget. A project board is being set up under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act to oversee and fast-track development of three key water infrastructure projects: the western corridor recycled water pipeline, the southern regional water pipeline and the Gold Coast desalination plant at Tugun. The board’s priority will be to manage negotiations associated with the three projects. This will ensure that we deliver these projects as quickly as possible. An initial immediate allocation of $357 million has been earmarked to support these essential water supply projects while management and financing arrangements are finalised between the state and local governments. We anticipate our final equity contribution to these projects may be more than this. These projects are critical for water security for the region and we need to make sure funding arrangements are locked in so they will be delivered on time. Cabinet has endorsed the board membership, and upon the Governor’s approval I will announce the names of those on the new board. We are absolutely committed to making these water projects happen and we will be asking local councils to step up and put their equity contributions on the table. Moving on to the new dams on the Mary and Logan rivers, I can also announce that my government has just committed an initial $8.6 million over six months to fund the operations of a new company dedicated to their construction. To be called Queensland Water Infrastructure Pty Ltd, the company will carry out a detailed impact assessment of the two proposed dams and obtain the environmental and other approvals necessary to allow construction to commence. In other words, this measure will fast-track the processes. It is estimated that some 20 people will be employed full-time by the company. Over the next 5½ years the company is expected to have a budget of $100 million to manage the development of the dams through to final completion. We will finalise this at the midyear review. In setting up this company, I again reassure the House that my government will do whatever it can to minimise the disruption to people’s lives and the environment affected by the dams. A CEO and board of directors will be nominated shortly. When these appointments are finalised I will make them public. The total value of these initiatives, almost three quarters of a billion dollars, is my government’s down payment on water security for south-east Queensland. This is about fast-tracking and delivering.

The Dreaming Festival

Hon. PD BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier) (9.44 am): I am pleased to announce to the House that the Queensland government is providing significant sponsorship of $250,000 for The Dreaming—Australia’s International Indigenous Festival. When it was held last year it attracted an audience of some 10,000 visitors and generated an estimated $540,000 for the local economy. I seek leave to have details incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. “The Dreaming” is on this weekend, from June 9th to 12th, and showcases performances, exhibitions and talks, promising to build on the success of 2005 with a bigger program and growing reputation. The aim of “The Dreaming” is to deliver a vibrant, diverse and entertaining arts and cultural program which promotes Indigenous music, performance, visual arts, and literature. Presented by the Queensland Folk Federation, the festival is being sponsored by my Department, along with Arts Queensland and the Queensland Indigenous Arts Marketing and Export Agency.

I wish the Queensland Folk Federation, creative director Rhoda Roberts and all the volunteers every success. 2456 Ministerial Statements 09 Jun 2006

Springfield Hon. PD BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier) (9.44 am): More than 30,000 people could call the boom area of Springfield home over the next 10 years. Our government is planning now for the expected population growth. That is why we included the Springfield transport corridor in the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan. I am pleased to announce today that Sinclair Knight Merz has been appointed as the successful consultant to deliver an extensive planning study of road and rail projects in the area. The planning study will cover a combined passenger rail and road corridor to meet the expected growth at Springfield and along the western corridor. I seek leave to have more details incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The planning study will give us an understanding of where road and rail could be built within the corridor, how they could be configured together, where the proposed railway stations could be located, how much it will cost and how long it will take. A detailed study is the first step towards an integrated transport system for the Western Brisbane and Ipswich region. Transport plans for the region include $300 million to extend the passenger rail line from Darra to Springfield. In addition, $440 million has been allocated to duplicate the Centenary Highway between the Ipswich Motorway and Springfield. The Springfield Transport Corridor will be one of the first joint rail and road project planning studies to be undertaken in Queensland and would build on previous studies of the Springfield to Darra rail corridor. The study is being conducted on behalf of Queensland Rail and Main Roads. The study will consider options from a previous taskforce study in 2000 which included a 13 kilometre spur line with four stations possibly at Richlands, Forest Lake, Stepham and Springfield and the road near Darra Station and crossing the Centenary Highway, Ipswich and Logan Motorways. Mr Speaker, Sinclair Knight Merz was selected to conduct the study because of their strong technical expertise and their understanding of stakeholder and community issues. The study outcomes will include environmental approvals and community engagement along with a Business Case and designation of the land for community infrastructure. Trade and Investment Mission Hon. PD BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier) (9.44 am): The economies of Russia and China are booming and I am determined that Queenslanders will share in their growing prosperity. So on Sunday I am leading a trade mission to boost trade and investment with these economic powerhouses. I seek leave to have incorporated in Hansard my ministerial statement and also a general statement of my itinerary for the trade mission from 11 to 21 June. Of course, the itinerary is subject to change. Leave granted. In the first ten months of this financial year Queensland’s overseas goods exports to Russia grew 223.9 percent compared to the first 10 months of 2004-05—from $46 million to $150 million. In the first 10 months of this financial year Queensland overseas goods exports to China grew 58.6 per cent compared to the first 10 months of 2004-05—from $1.4 billion to $2.2 billion. They are big numbers, and it’s the logic of those numbers that is driving our trade and investment ambitions in Russia and China. We have been building our relationship with Russia for years. In August the Gold Coast will again host the Australian-Russian Business Opportunities Congress—the sixth such congress on the Gold Coast since 1998. Trade is directly responsible for one in every five jobs in Queensland and more trade means more jobs, so on this mission I’ll be highlighting investment opportunities in the Smart State. Our mission coincides with Australia Week in Moscow—the most important Australian trade promotion in the Russian market this year. I’ve been asked to open the event and am delighted to use it to profile Queensland and the Queensland businesses that are strongly represented there. I will also meet the Moscow City Government Mayor to explore some exciting options for the mutual benefit of Moscow City and Queensland. I will be meeting the Chief Executive of RUSAL—already the largest Russian investor in Queensland with a 20 per cent stake in the Queensland Alumina Limited refinery in Gladstone. And in St Petersburg I will be opening up new frontiers for business in the Leningrad region. China is already Queensland’s third largest export market and I remain committed to expanding and strengthening our relationship. In Beijing I will meet with the China Huaneng Group; The Harbin Power Engineering Company; the China International Trade and Investment Corporation; and the China National Development and Reform Commission—the agency that provides approval for all major overseas investment projects made by Chinese corporations. And there’s a lot, lot more. It is a busy schedule but an exciting one with great opportunities for Queensland. 09 Jun 2006 Ministerial Statements 2457

Premier’s Trade Mission to Russia and China 11-21 June 2006 Sunday 11 June 2006 Depart Brisbane late afternoon Monday 12 June 2006 Arrive in Moscow mid afternoon Briefing with Australian Ambassador Tyson Tuesday 13 June 2006 Meet with Russian Academy of Business Meeting with Dr Luchansky Site visit to Australia Week in Moscow Tradeshow. Meeting with Mayor Luzhkov Premier and Mayor Luzhkov to attend the inaugural meeting of the Russia Australia Business Forum. Official opening of Australia Week in Moscow by Premier Beattie, Mayor Luzhkov and Ambassador Tyson Press conference with the Premier, Mayor Luzhkov, Ambassador Tyson, BHP, RUSAL and Firepower. Dinner with Dr Alexander Livshits, RUSAL representative. Wednesday 14 June 2006 Interviews scheduled with Australian media Meeting with SUAL—Brian Gilbertson CEO—former head of BHP Official reception hosted by Mayor Luzhkov Meeting with the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs or representative Official Queensland Government Reception Function hosted by BHP Billiton (major sponsor) Thursday 15 June 2006 Meeting with RUSAL regarding the company’s existing investment in Queensland and opportunities for greater investment Meeting with Norilsk Nickel (Mincom) with Mr Ralph Tavakolian (Tav) Morgan, Deputy Chairman of the Board—Deputy Director General. Reception hosted by the Russian Academy of Business to include 20-30 leading Russian business leaders Depart Moscow—arrive St Petersburg Friday 16 June 2006 Meeting with the Governor of the Leningrad region Governor Valery Serdyukov. Meeting with Mr llya Klebanov, authorized representative of the President in the North West Federal District, and his Deputy Mrs Lyubov Sovershaeva Meeting with the Leningrad Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Saturday 17 June 2006 Leningrad Chamber of Commerce function Depart St Petersburg Arrive Moscow Depart Moscow. Sunday 18 June 2006 Arrive Beijing Briefing with Commissioner QGTIO China. Attend business dinner Monday 19 June 2006 Meeting with CITIC Group Meeting with Chalco Meeting with Mr Wu Bang Guo (Chairman of the National Peoples Congress) or Mr Hua Jian Min (Secretary General of the State Government)—the meeting time and person will not be confirmed until the day before. Premier attends pre reception meetings Queensland Reception hosted by the Premier Meeting with Huaneng. Tuesday 20 June 2006 Meeting with Harbin Power Engineering Co. Ltd. Alternative time for meeting with Mr Wu Bang Guo (Chairman of the National Peoples Congress) or Mr Hua Jian Min (Secretary General of the State Government)—the meeting time and person will not be confirmed until the day before. Meeting hosted by HE Mr Ma Kai, Director General of the China National Development Reform Commission Visit to Aviation Australia’s Airbus Training Centre Beijing International Airport Depart Beijing Wednesday 21 June 2006 Arrive Brisbane. 2458 Ministerial Statements 09 Jun 2006

Smart Awards Hon. PD BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier) (9.45 am): Last night, along with three of my ministerial colleagues, I had the honour of rewarding Smart State businesses for their innovation and achievement at the fourth annual Premier of Queensland’s Smart Awards held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Some 900 people attended. There are some brilliant companies out there. I congratulate the winners. I seek leave to have the details incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. It was fitting the evening was held during Queensland Week, as we celebrate unique people, places and achievements of this great state. These important Awards are about recognising and rewarding the commitment to innovation that is driving our industries and our economy forward. I congratulate the six category winners I presented last night, including Smart Award of the Year winner Runge Limited. 2006 Premier of Queensland Smart Award Winners The Premier of Queensland’s Smart Award of the Year—Runge Limited, Brisbane Food and Agribusiness—Botanical Food Company—Gourmet Garden, Montville Large Manufacturing and Mining—CH4 Gas Limited, Moranbah Rising Star—Magnetica Limited, Eight Mile Plains Science, Innovation and Technology—Panbio Limited, Sinnamon Park Services—Runge Limited, Brisbane Small-to-Medium Manufacturing and Mining—Brisbane Display and Shopfitting Pty Ltd, Crestmead.

Smart Awards Hon. AM BLIGH (South Brisbane—ALP) (Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for State Development, Trade and Innovation) (9.45 am): Our government is committed to making Queensland the Smart State of Australia. It never ceases to impress me how far our innovative Queensland companies have run with the concept. What is setting Queensland companies apart is their commitment to exploiting niche opportunities, creating unique products and services that fill a specific need that cannot be matched anywhere in the world. That is what is going to keep us competitive and ahead of the pack. We have just got to be smarter; hence, our emphasis on innovation. As we have heard from the Premier, last night the cream of our Smart State crop was acknowledged at a gala evening at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Premier of Queensland’s Smart Awards are about recognising and rewarding the commitment to innovation that is driving our industries and our economy forward. The awards are now in their fourth year and have become one of the most prestigious events on the Queensland business calendar. The awards are also about celebrating. We celebrate those firms, regardless of size, putting Queensland on the world stage. We celebrate new breakthroughs in technology and management philosophy. We celebrate that great entrepreneurial spirit we have amongst Queensland businesses that strive to give every new idea a go. The 2006 Smart Awards attracted 97 applications, all of them outstanding. The figures were up by almost 40 per cent on last year. That is a strong indication of the growing importance of these awards to Queensland’s business community. This year the judging chair, Professor Dennis Gibson, and his panel of distinguished judges identified many companies that were close to taking out the major award in each category. That speaks volumes about the quality of business in this state. As much as we would love to recognise each and every innovative company, there can be only one winner and Queensland’s smartest company in 2006 is Runge Ltd. Runge has distinguished itself as one of the world’s premier suppliers of mining services. For over 23 years it has remained at the forefront of new technologies and software development and now boasts offices in Brisbane, Singleton, Johannesburg, Calgary and Santiago. Runge epitomises what a smart Queensland company is all about: it is innovative, it invests in research and development, it is world class and it has a team of outstanding people with skills and expertise unmatched in the world. This company’s commitment to innovation also won it first place in the Smart Awards services category. All winners across the award’s five categories have been presented with $10,000, while Runge has received an additional prize of $10,000 in travel from Qantas. We thank Qantas for its sponsorship of these awards. Congratulations to Runge and all of the other winners. I encourage all successful companies to take advantage of the many new opportunities that will open up to them as a result of attracting such prestigious recognition. Tabled paper: Copy of ministerial statement by Hon. A Bligh titled ‘Smart Awards winners’. 09 Jun 2006 Ministerial Statements 2459

Brawler Van Hon. JC SPENCE (Mount Gravatt—ALP) (Minister for Police and Corrective Services) (9.48 am): Last week I unveiled the latest tool for police to take drunk and violent hooligans off Brisbane’s streets— a new $123,000 ‘brawler van’. This heavily modified Mercedes Benz Sprinter van can carry up to eight prisoners and five police officers and is the first of its kind in Queensland. The van was put to use on the streets of Brisbane and the Valley last weekend. I want to update the House on the results from its first weekend in use. Between Thursday night and Sunday morning, the brawler van was used to give 47 offenders a one-way ride to the Brisbane city watch-house. For example, on Friday night the van responded to a large disturbance in Albert Street which resulted in the arrest of seven people for public nuisance offences. In that event, all offenders were transported in just one trip. This is one of its major benefits. In the past, up to three paddy wagons would have been needed to transport this many people, requiring at least six police officers. On Saturday night, the brawler van attended a large disturbance in Caxton Street where eight offenders were arrested. Again, all were transported in the one trip. Later in the night, the van responded to a violent disturbance on George Street, where two offenders were arrested. One of the offenders sustained injuries during a struggle with the police. As the van is fitted out with video surveillance cameras, the arrest was captured on film. This is another major benefit, as this film can be produced in the event that a complaint of assault during the arrest process is made. In this particular arrest, capsicum spray was used. The van’s onboard 60-litre water tank and hose meant that both offenders could be given immediate after-care after they had been sprayed. Although the van has only been in operation for one weekend, police tell me that its value is enormous. It is already saving police resources and police time by enabling more officers to stay on the beat instead of transporting offenders to the watch-house. The van also helps another recent Brisbane policing initiative—the speed processing system, which is reducing the time spent by police to have offenders charged in the watch-house by up to 90 per cent. Police are determined to make our entertainment precincts safer, and that is why the brawler van will be back on the road tonight. Tabled paper: Copy of ministerial statement by Hon. J Spence titled ‘Brawler Van Results’. Brookside, Food Poisoning Hon. S ROBERTSON (Stretton—ALP) (Minister for Health) (9.50 am): I rise to update the House on the health investigation into illnesses developed by people who had dined at a Sizzler restaurant. On Monday Queensland Health was notified about a number of cases of suspected gastroenteritis involving people who had eaten the previous day at Sizzler’s Brookside restaurant. My department’s Brisbane North Population Health Unit began an immediate investigation to determine the nature and cause of these illnesses. Human samples from affected persons were submitted to Queensland Health laboratories for examination. I am advised that bacteriological testing of these samples has failed to show any evidence of food-borne pathogens. All specimens were also tested for viruses. One sample has, however, returned positive for norovirus. Norovirus is currently prevalent in the community and is generally spread by person-to-person contact. Common symptoms usually include nausea, vomiting, gastroenteritis and some stomach cramping. I am told that the illness is usually brief, with symptoms lasting about one to two days. A total of 43 samples of food and environmental swabs, including utensils, door handles and other surfaces, from the Sizzler restaurant were also submitted for examination. I am advised that the test results to date have not shown levels of food-borne pathogens sufficient to cause illness. Testing is continuing and results may not be available for several weeks. The cause of the illness in the people affected has not yet been conclusively determined. The characteristics of the illness in those affected are consistent with a viral cause. The presence of norovirus in one sample supports this possibility. I will update the House again once Queensland Health laboratories have completed their analysis of samples. Tabled paper: Copy of ministerial statement by Hon. S Robertson titled ‘Sizzler Restaurant Investigation’. Fuel Sales Grants Scheme Hon. PT LUCAS (Lytton—ALP) (Minister for Transport and Main Roads) (9.52 am): I want to comment on the closure of the Fuel Sales Grants Scheme on 1 July 2006 as outlined in the most recent Commonwealth budget. The Fuel Sales Grants Scheme currently provides a subsidy for purchases of petrol and diesel in regional and remote areas and was originally introduced to maintain regional and metropolitan price relativities with the introduction of the GST. Under this scheme two non-metropolitan zones—regional and remote—are eligible for the subsidy. What did the National Party have to say about this? Nothing! The regional zone, which is outside of metropolitan areas and east of the Great Divide, is eligible for a subsidy of 1c per litre while the remote zone, which is west of the Great Divide, is granted 2c per litre. 2460 Procedure 09 Jun 2006

Brisbane and the Gold Coast are classified as metropolitan, but areas affected are Cairns, Townsville, Caboolture, Dayboro, Deception Bay, Victoria Point and then south to the Gold Coast but not including the Gold Coast. In other words, those in the electorate of the member for Redlands have been dudded and there is no money from the federal government for road funding out of the recent budget. Additionally under the scheme, where fuel has been sold consistently in a remote area for more than $1.20 per litre, an additional subsidy of 1c per litre of fuel sold may be received. Under the Commonwealth government’s proposed arrangements, the scheme will cease. As Queensland is the most decentralised of all mainland states with approximately 35 per cent of the population living outside the south-east Queensland region, this will only further disadvantage people already suffering the burden of high fuel costs due to their remote location. Typically, this would impact on an average eligible motorist in regional Queensland driving 25,000 kilometres a year by about $29 annually and in remote Queensland by about $57 annually. If fuel prices in remote areas remain above $1.20 per litre, then this increases to an estimated $86 annually. The closure of this scheme is estimated to save the Commonwealth government about $265 million in 2006- 07 and $270 million a year thereafter. Funding from this program is to be diverted into AusLink but, as I have indicated previously, Queensland does not get anywhere near enough Commonwealth government funding to support the road infrastructure needs of the state. I say to people in regional Queensland: what do they get in return for the regional fuel subsidy being abolished? What do they get in Gladstone? What do they get in Townsville? What do they get in Caboolture? What do they get in Redlands? The Commonwealth justification was to put it into road funding, but what would people on the Gold or Sunshine coasts say, not to mention other parts of Queensland, where again they have no money for the M1? The federal government collects $14 billion in fuel tax and returns 16c in the dollar to roads.

Freedom of Information Hon. LD LAVARCH (Kurwongbah—ALP) (Minister for Justice and Attorney-General) (9.54 am): The 2004-05 freedom of information annual report, which I have tabled, is the 13th prepared under section 108 since the act’s commencement in 1992. It represents a significant whole-of-government endeavour. All agencies subject to the act have, throughout the year, collected and recorded detailed information about their operations under the act for inclusion in this report. The reporting period ushered in some significant amendments to the act with the passing of the Freedom of Information and Other Legislation Amendment Bill on 26 May 2005. These amendments are summarised in this report. Agencies faced significant challenges in ensuring the smooth integration of these legislative changes but have risen to the challenge admirably. In 2004-05, 11,334 applications for access to documents were received by state government, which is an increase of 305 applications from the previous year. Local councils receive around 10 per cent of all FOI applications in Queensland. In 2004-05 the Brisbane City Council and the Gold Coast City Council received the highest number of applications at 352 and 241 respectively. This year Queenslanders were granted access either in full or in part to 87.8 per cent of the documents requested. This translates into access being granted to 1,196,545 pages, an increase of 34,063 pages over the previous year. For close to 50 per cent of FOI applicants, FOI is free because there are no fees or charges for seeking access to one’s own personal information. Processing charges for non-personal applications were introduced in 2001. In 2004-05 the 7,164 non-personal applications resulted in a total of $396,806.95 being collected in fees and charges. I thank all of the people in state and local government who have contributed to this report. Tabled paper: Copy of ministerial statement by Hon. L Lavarch titled ‘2004-05 Freedom of Information Annual Report’. Interruption.

PROCEDURE

Speaker’s Statement—Executive Secretary to the Clerk Mr SPEAKER: Honourable members, today is the last day that Sandy from the Clerk’s office, who is standing to my right, will be serving in this parliament for 12 months. She is going to Melbourne. Because she has so much to do with all honourable members, I thought it appropriate that she come to the bar of the parliament so that we can all wish her all of the very best for the next 12 months. Honourable members: Hear, hear! Mr SPEAKER: And I have embarrassed her. She did not know about that. 09 Jun 2006 Questions Without Notice 2461

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Resumed. Ambulance Service; Child Restraints Hon. PD PURCELL (Bulimba—ALP) (Minister for Emergency Services) (9.57 am): The opposition hates ambulance officers. In its latest chapter of unfair and unfounded criticism, the member for Chatsworth has hit another low. During the debate on his failed private member’s bill in the House on Wednesday night, the member for Chatsworth made wild and scurrilous statements. He alleged that there is not a 100 per cent guarantee that our ambulance officers fit child restraints correctly. Our hardworking and trusted ambulance officers offer a great service to the community. For the honourable member to publicly infer, under privilege in this House, that it is done haphazardly or inappropriately is offensive and nothing short of dangerous. The QAS staff who do the free checks on child restraints and who install them as part of the baby capsule hire service go through a comprehensive training program. The QAS is recognised statewide as the benchmark for quality service in child restraint fitting, and I believe it is the best in Australia. Each year the QAS fits 10,000 capsules, which accounts for about 20 per cent of the state’s average annual rate of 50,000 births. The QAS also does about 5,000 checks annually. The motivating factor for these services is saving the lives of our youngest Queenslanders. If members of the public cannot turn to the Queensland Ambulance Service, who can they turn to? Can the people turn to the Liberal Party? I think not. The member for Chatsworth is trying to con and scare the public with unfounded and unsubstantiated claims that child restraints installed by ambulance officers are unsafe. The opposition’s constant attacks on our ambulance officers are in conflict with the views of the greater community who voted ambulance officers as the most trusted people in the community. I hope the member for Chatsworth’s constituents notice the contempt their member shows for our ambulance officers. The Beattie government loves our ambulance officers. We will continue to show public support and gratitude to them with record funding and excellent working conditions. People will never hear any member on this side of the House criticising our wonderful ambulance officers. Tabled paper: Copy of ministerial statement by Hon. P Purcell titled ‘Opposition Attack on Queensland Ambulance Service’.

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Gabriel, Mr C Mr SPRINGBORG (10.00 am): My question is to the Minister for Health. I refer to insane killer Claude John Gabriel, who killed Janaya Clarke, and his latest application for release, the fifth in five months. As the minister is aware, this is causing ongoing and enormous stress to the Clarke family. Instead of making excuses and continuing to victimise the victims, when is the minister going to fix his failing laws to ensure that the Clarke family and others are not put at further risk? Mr ROBERTSON: Obviously, we all feel for the mother in this particular case. I am advised that there will be a hearing of the Mental Health Review Tribunal next week at which the patient’s application for the return of his limited community treatment will be considered. As I advised the House in the last sitting week, I have announced a review into the Mental Health Act relating to these provisions. That review is being put together as we speak and an announcement will be made as to how that review will be conducted. As I say, whilst we all feel for the mother in this particular matter, those issues will be debated fully and analysed as part of that review, which will be completed, as I announced previously, by the end of this year. Walker, Ms S Mr SPRINGBORG: My further question is to the Minister for Health. I refer to the case of Mrs Walker, who was discharged from Emerald Hospital after it was found that her baby was dead and in a breech position. Can the minister confirm that she was discharged and told to find her own way to Rockhampton only because of his government’s penny-pinching policy and the fact that a hospital transfer would have meant that a nurse would have had to accompany Mrs Walker in the ambulance and that that would have cost his government too much money? Mr ROBERTSON: The advice that I received, and as I advised the House yesterday, was that there was no decision made on the basis of cost; it was a decision made by the clinicians as to the most appropriate way, in their view, to deal with this particular matter. 2462 Questions Without Notice 09 Jun 2006

Water Infrastructure Mr FINN: My question is to the Premier. How are investigations into the dams on the Mary and Logan rivers proceeding? Mr BEATTIE: I thank the member for Yeerongpilly for his question. As I have outlined already to the House, my government is pushing ahead with plans and projects to ensure that south-east Queensland has all the water that it needs to grow and thrive. Investigations are now well underway on the proposed locations for dams on the Mary and Logan rivers. Part of our reason for ensuring that this process proceeds quickly and thoroughly is that we know that the lives of many families and individuals are being disrupted by the uncertainty, which we regret. But we need to move on. We will make the decision on whether Wyralong or Tilley’s Bridge becomes a site for the new dam on the Logan River as soon as possible—and, as I have indicated, that should be at the end of June, the beginning of July. The people living along the Logan River are quite rightly concerned and by early next month at the latest they will have the certainty that I have talked about. In the meantime, my government continues to negotiate with people suffering hardship or wanting to sell their properties in areas affected by both dams. The first hardship urgent case has been settled already. Ninety-nine written requests for acquisitions or expressions of interest to sell have been received and passed on to the land acquisitions team. The land acquisitions team has progressed 39 of these cases and the remaining 60 are being processed. Seventy-five per cent of people applying had their property on the market when the government’s announcement about the dams was made on 26 April. Fifteen valuations have now been completed and five valuers are undertaking field inspections this week. We will move as quickly as we possibly can. With regard to the investigations into both proposed dams, I can report to the House that in relation to Traveston, Golder Associates has been appointed through SunWater to conduct an environmental scan of remnant vegetation and work has been done. To date, no cultural heritage findings have been made at the site and drilling is continuing. At Tilley’s Bridge, drilling is still continuing. Site investigations have confirmed that there are no cultural heritage issues within the investigation area. Golder Associates has been appointed through SunWater to conduct an environmental scan of remnant vegetation and work has begun. Geologists are still on the site of the proposed dam area and work is continuing. The ground survey for the Tilley’s Bridge site has been completed. I will continue to report back to people as investigations continue into the proposed dam sites on both the Mary and Logan rivers. Again, I assure everyone affected by this decision that we will give them certainty as soon as possible. I want to make this point again: I know that this is difficult for the people living in the Traveston area and the site that is being examined at Tilley’s Bridge. The facts of life are that, tragically, we need to make these decisions to build these dams for the future needs of all Queenslanders. We will ensure that people are properly compensated and we will deal with the environmental and social issues to the best of our ability. I know that this is a difficult time, but I ask all of those Queenslanders possibly affected by this to work with us in the total interest of all Queenslanders. Queensland Health, Maternity Services Mr QUINN: My question is directed to the Minister for Health. I table a transcript from radio yesterday where AMA spokesman Dr Gino Peccaroro said that he had met with the minister last year about the way in which pregnant women are transferred around the state but that nothing has happened to improve the system. Dr Peccaroro said that the minister had not come back to him about it. When is the minister going to improve the way in which his government treats these women? Mr ROBERTSON: I am sure that the member would be aware of the significant reforms that are underway with respect to the provision of maternity services in this state. My predecessor announced a review into maternity services, which was conducted by Professor Cherrell Hirst. If any members opposite care to look at the challenges of the provision of maternity services, particularly in rural and remote Queensland, that exhaustive report into maternity services, called Rebirthing, is available on the Queensland Health web site. Since that report was published, I have already announced and advised this House of the creation of a working party headed by Professor Hirst to implement the recommendations of her extensive report. If I recall correctly, that maternity services steering committee, which comprises key maternity stakeholders, also involved Dr Peccaroro. So in terms of the discussions that were had with Dr Peccaroro, shortly after I became health minister I thought that the most appropriate way in which to involve him and his expertise was to put him on the maternity services steering committee. That committee is developing the detail around the establishment of the cooperative centre for mothers and families, identifying a set of key performance indicators and, importantly, developing a risk management framework and enhancing consumer participation through the development of information resources, such as a comprehensive web site and a survey of consumers, and designing the 09 Jun 2006 Questions Without Notice 2463 development and evaluation of demonstration sites for models of care which offer enhanced choice and options for women and their families. Dr Hirst has convened working groups to develop strategies to provide advice on risk management, key performance indicators, consumer information, Indigenous birthing in rural settings and the design of rural clusters of care. In answer to the question asked by the member for Robina, yes, we are getting on with the job. We are involving clinicians such as Dr Peccaroro on that maternity steering committee. I may have this wrong, but I understand that Dr Peccaroro has since stepped down from that working party. My commitment to involve experienced clinicians such as Dr Peccaroro is proven by my selection of Dr Peccaroro to be on that stakeholder working party. Tabled paper: Transcript of radio interview on 8 June 2006 between John Miller and Dr Gino Pekararo relating to the birth of a stillborn child in transit between Emerald and Rockhampton Hospitals.

Identity Theft Ms MALE: My question is to the Premier. Can the Premier advise the House what initiatives are being undertaken in Queensland to tackle the worldwide problem of identity theft? Mr BEATTIE: I thank the member for Glass House for the question. I know, along with the Attorney-General and I, that the member has a particular interest in this matter. Up until a few years ago the idea that a person could have their identity stolen was mostly found in novels and movies. Unfortunately, owing to globalisation and rapid international information flows, it has now become a frightening reality. People are shocked that someone has stolen their most precious possession—their name—and is using it for criminal purposes. A 2003 study by the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre found that identity fraud costs around $1.1 billion each year in Australia. Internationally, the figure could be as high as $2 trillion. In 2004, the Queensland Crime and Misconduct Commission said that identity fraud was the fastest growing category of fraud both in Australia and overseas. Types of identity theft include taking identification documents from garbage bins or letterboxes, credit card skimming, hacking into computers and forging documents such as driver’s licences. Stolen identities can then be used for further criminal acts such as financial fraud, drug trafficking, terrorism, tax avoidance or to gain access to citizenship or medical services. Identity theft is a real and growing problem, and we need to ensure that Queenslanders are protected from it. That is why I am pleased to announce that our government will create a new offence of identity theft under the state’s Criminal Code. The Attorney-General and I have discussed this at some length and I have asked her to bring a proposal to cabinet. This will make us only the second Australian state after South Australia to have an offence specifically targeting identity theft. Currently law enforcement agencies cannot act against identity theft offences such as credit card skimming until a further offence such as fraud is committed. Creating a new offence of identify theft will allow police to act sooner, without waiting for further crimes to occur. The offence will be broadly defined to ensure it withstands rapid technological advances and evolving criminal practices. There are a number of issues to be considered in developing the new law—and the Attorney will do this when she brings a submission to cabinet. Firstly, a separate offence of identity theft avoids the problem that police cannot act against problems such as credit card skimming until a further offence is committed. Sometimes an identity is stolen in Queensland to commit fraud interstate or overseas, so a further offence is never committed here in Queensland, hence no prosecution. Secondly, a separate new offence also could cover non-financial identity theft, such as activities designed to harass or intimidate a victim. Thirdly, the government will also look at allowing a court to issue a certificate to identity theft victims, allowing them to begin repairing damage to their reputation, such as adverse credit ratings. This is becoming a growing problem. The Attorney and I have discussed it at some length. We believe that this new offence needs to be created. The Attorney will get a submission to cabinet and we will do it as quickly as we possibly can. You will be aware, Mr Speaker, that there are some brazen thieves who want to brag about these things. We are going to stop them. Time expired. Nullinga Dam Ms LEE LONG: My question is to the Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Water. Now that building dams is back on the Beattie government’s radar screen, will the minister now consider construction of the Nullinga Dam on the Walsh River in the Tablelands electorate to secure the future water supply and prosperity of the tablelands and the far north? Mr PALASZCZUK: Just as the Queensland government is progressing regional water supplies in south-east Queensland and the state’s central region, we are working on a strategy for the far north as well. Last year our government announced that work was to get underway to develop a regional water 2464 Questions Without Notice 09 Jun 2006 supply strategy for far-north Queensland. This strategy requires a partnership with local councils—and I must say that we are receiving that. The Cairns mayor, Kevin Byrne, has been very supportive of this process. This week the mayor of Cairns urged the government to consider building a parallel pipeline with the gas pipeline from Papua New Guinea that could carry water from Nullinga Dam to the state’s south east. This proposal is interesting, but I do not believe it to be very realistic. The mayor of Cairns does have the opportunity, through the regional water supply strategy, to raise this issue if he is serious about pursuing it. In developing the regional water supply strategy, work will be done on whether Nullinga Dam can go ahead. I need to point out to the House yet another blunder in the opposition’s water infrastructure policy. In responding to an interjection from the member for Thuringowa in parliament yesterday, the member for Callide said of the Ross River Dam— Is there a dam there, member for Thuringowa? Has he been out to the site and seen the dam? How much water is in it? Quite obviously, the member for Callide is unaware of the Ross River Dam. Mr SEENEY: Mr Speaker, I rise to a point of order. This is becoming too pathetic. This is too pathetic. The minister is misquoting me, obviously. I was questioning whether the member for Thuringowa knew where the Ross River Dam was. I find the minister’s pathetic attempt offensive and I ask that it be withdrawn. Grow up, Henry. Grow up. You’re a big boy. Mr PALASZCZUK: It hurts, Mr Speaker. Mr SPEAKER: Member for Callide, I warn you under standing order 253. Minister, will you withdraw? Mr PALASZCZUK: I certainly withdraw. We all know that this dam is the 12th largest dam in Queensland. It is the major source of water for Townsville and Thuringowa cities. It is now 35 years old. Let me put it in simple terms for National Party members so that they can understand—and, sadly, the member for Clayfield is not here: ‘There’s a dam in there. There’s water as well. We support an upgrade. More good news stories to tell. Open your eyes, read inside, here’s a dam full.’ Mr SPEAKER: Minister, please. Time expired. Ethanol Industry Mr WELLS: My question is to the honourable the Deputy Premier. I refer to Queensland’s nation- leading role in the uptake of ethanol. Is she or her department aware of coalition support for Queensland initiatives? Ms BLIGH: I thank the honourable member for the question and for his support for the ethanol industry. I am very pleased to draw to the attention of the House some recent comments from Senator Barnaby Joyce. He said— I am also rather perplexed to understand how it is that the nuclear power debate can receive such concerted attention while the ethanol and biofuels issue is left lagging. I look forward to the Prime Minister displaying the same level of leadership on ethanol in the near future. I agree with those comments. But I was intrigued to see Nationals Senator Ron Boswell, whom we all know is a great proponent of ethanol, issue a press statement earlier this week in which he claimed that the Commonwealth fleet is leading Australia in the uptake of ethanol fuels. In the month of March the Commonwealth fleet used 62,000 litres of ethanol, while in the current month Queensland fleet cars are using 200,000 litres of ethanol. Either Senator Boswell has trouble understanding the word ‘leading’ or he does not understand that 200,000 is a bigger number than 62,000. Senator Boswell is not the only person having trouble with words and figures on that side of politics. Anybody who had the misfortune to come across so-called Budget Paper No. 4 would only have to have a quick look at it to see that it contains no fewer than two spelling errors, two grammatical errors and, in its own report on numeracy, a mathematical error. Mr Copeland interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Member for Cunningham, I warn you under standing order 253. Ms BLIGH: Of course, the authors were actually educated in the Queensland education system under the previous Bjelke-Petersen government! Earlier I outlined to the House the trouble that those on the other side of politics have had with understanding words such as ‘majority’ and ‘unanimous’ and the way that the Liberal Party has redefined the entire meaning of the word ‘mood’. I further draw to the attention of the House that when the unfortunate truth about the absence of any party room vote was put to the Leader of the Opposition last week he dismissed any concerns about this being an untruth by saying, ‘That was just word play.’ 09 Jun 2006 Questions Without Notice 2465

So when you say that black is white and white is black, the coalition believes that to be word play. I thought I would look up the dictionary to see what ‘word play’ means. It states— Word play is the witty use of words, especially punning. When you say something is true when it is not true, that is not witty and it is not punning. It was not word play. It was not punning. It was not even cunning. Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme Mr SEENEY: My question without notice is to the Minister for Health. Can the minister confirm that when pregnant women are turned away from the Emerald Hospital because they are too high a risk and told to go to Rockhampton, the best assistance the government can offer is $28 in the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme? When Mrs Walker was discharged from Emerald Hospital and told to find her own way to Rockhampton and subsequently gave birth on the side of the Capricorn Highway, did the minister pay her $28? Mr ROBERTSON: The premise of the question is wrong. If the member is in fact referring to the provisions of the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme, then the amount payable— Mr Hobbs interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! Member for Warrego, I warn you under 253. Mr ROBERTSON: I have previously announced in this place that I had undertaken a review of the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme. When those maternity services at Emerald unfortunately needed to be reduced as a result of staff shortages—and I went through the reasons for that earlier this week as well as the measures currently being taken to recruit new doctors to Emerald, which is having positive results—we put in place provisions to ensure the ongoing care of pregnant women who would otherwise have used Emerald Hospital. Those provisions are detailed in documents that are provided to expectant mothers during their period of care at Emerald Hospital, and they indicate to them that when the time comes and they get closer to term they need to go to Rockhampton, more likely than not, as the next major hospital. In the case of the mother who had that tragic outcome that we all now know about, those documents were provided to them, as I understand it, back in February. They provided them with appropriate support should that have eventuated for their— Mr Seeney: Twenty-eight dollars. Mr SPEAKER: Order! Member for Callide, you have already been warned under 253. One more outburst from you and you will leave the chamber. Mr ROBERTSON: In direct answer to that, no, it is not $28. Police Housing Mrs REILLY: My question is to the Minister for Police and Corrective Services. The minister yesterday spoke about the record amounts that have been invested in police infrastructure in the last two financial years. Can the minister tell the House what is being done about police housing, in particular for those officers who are based in very remote parts of Queensland? Ms SPENCE: I thank the member for Mudgeeraba for her question and her interest in this issue. The Police Service owns 750 houses and units throughout the state. In the past two years I have travelled a lot around Queensland, particularly through remote parts of the state, and I have talked to police officers about their housing requirements. I have seen the best and worst of police housing throughout the state. I am pleased to say that over the last two years I have been able to convince CBRC to provide the Police Service with an additional $6 million to upgrade its police housing, and that is on top of the $1½ million it spends every year anyway on upgrading police housing. So we have put more money into this area. As well, I have been encouraging the Police Service to dispose of its properties in parts of the state where it no longer requires police housing and use that money to invest in more police housing in remote western Queensland, in the cape and the Torres Strait, in particular. It has meant that it has sold houses in places like Kelvin Grove and on the Gold Coast. The Police Service recently sold a block of units on the Gold Coast at Kirra. It has sold houses at Ipswich, Eagleby and Maroochydore—places in the state where police housing is no longer required. What it has done is invest more money into purchasing houses in western Queensland. I know, for example, the member for Gregory appreciates the extra police housing in places like St George, Cunnamulla and Charleville; I know the member for Cook appreciates the extra police housing in the Torres Strait; and I know the member for Mount Isa is very pleased that we have just purchased a 30-bedroom motel complex in Mount Isa. So we have been able to do that kind of purchasing in places where we really do need more police housing. It might surprise members of the House to hear that there is one member of parliament who does not agree with this policy. 2466 Questions Without Notice 09 Jun 2006

Mr Beattie: Name him. Who would that be? Ms SPENCE: It is the member for Caloundra. The police recently sold a property for $1.25 million in King Street, Caloundra. It had sweeping ocean views, it was 100 metres to Shelly Beach and it can never be built out. What is it going to do with that $1.25 million? It is going to reinvest that money and buy police houses in western Queensland. The member for Caloundra was out there in the media criticising the police for selling this old house in Caloundra. He obviously does not agree with our policy of investing in police housing in western Queensland. This Liberal-National Party coalition has got a lot of issues to sort out. The government tends to focus on the big picture issues that divide the coalition— daylight saving, tree clearing et cetera—but even on these smaller issues, such as police housing and providing for public servants in western Queensland, the coalition cannot agree. Gladstone, Fundraising Auction Mr CALTABIANO: My question is to the Attorney-General. On Tuesday, 6 June, the member for Gladstone raised serious issues in this place of potential fraud in relation to the Labor Party candidate’s conduct in Gladstone. This candidate at a charity fundraising event for the Gladstone Volunteer Marine Rescue, Gladstone Legacy and the Gladstone and District Prostate Cancer Support Group produced forms for the sale of charity auction items that made cheques payable to the ALP New South Wales branch. Has the minister asked for a full investigation of these very dubious practices? Has the Electoral Commission of Queensland been notified of the potential for fraud? Has this candidate’s Labor endorsement now been withdrawn? Mrs LAVARCH: I encourage the member for Gladstone or the member for Chatsworth to refer those matters directly to the Electoral Commission. Out of the Box Festival Mr REEVES: My question is to the Minister for Education and Minister for the Arts. As a father of a nearly four-year-old, I am interested in learning about the Out of the Box Festival, which is one of the few festivals in the world dedicated to the three- to eight-year-olds, receiving acclaim both within Australia and overseas for its early childhood arts program. With the 2006 Out of the Box Festival about to start next week, can the minister reveal what we can expect to see at this year’s landmark festival? Mr SPEAKER: Minister? Mr WELFORD: Sorry, Mr Speaker. Mr Hopper: Where are your keys? Have you got your keys? Mr WELFORD: That’s a good one. I thank the honourable member for the question. Out of the Box is the only arts festival in Australia for three- to eight-year-olds and is one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the calendar for many children, their families and teachers. At this year’s festival, which is held next week from 13 to 18 June, more than 60,000 children, parents and carers will be entertained and creatively challenged by 126 workshops and 178 performances. For many of the children, this is their first experience of the arts, and the festival activities will help to foster a lifelong appreciation for culture and community. The ingenuity of the festival, which is held every two years, is that it combines the arts with important educational themes. This year’s theme—transformations—relates to the challenge of sustainability. Children are increasingly aware of this challenge, particularly as it impacts directly on them through messages in water-saving campaigns and their growing awareness of how today’s actions will shape the future of our planet. Our government has supported Out of the Box as a children’s festival from its beginnings in 1992. This year the government increased its financial contribution by $200,000, bringing the total to $700,000. An additional $82,000 will fund an Artist in Residence Project, involving 400 primary school children across seven schools. Delivering an event on this scale takes dedication, expertise and creativity; for this, I must commend the commitment of the festival’s directors both previous and current. Their vision is realised over the festival’s six days through the hard work of more than 800 adults, including 320 artists and performers. Out of the Box delivers high-quality arts based learning programs and, most importantly, it provides an environment where learning is fun, creativity is explored and children are encouraged to reach their full potential. I commend all those involved in developing the Out of the Box Festival and I encourage members to make their communities aware of it. Ambulance Service Mr MALONE: My question without notice is to the Minister for Emergency Services. When I revealed a week ago that financial restrictions placed on area stores meant that more than 40 ambulance stations across the south-west area could be left short of vital drugs and equipment, the minister told the media— There is no truth that QAS restricts any supplies. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2467

I table a memorandum dated 26 May 2006 to all stations in the south-west area from the area stores officer which says— Owing to the current financial restrictions placed on area stores the following stock items have been exhausted and we are unable to supply the following patient care items. I am unaware when this stock will be available. Is it the minister’s turn to wear the L-plates today? Tabled paper: Copy of memorandum dated 26 May 2006 from Darren Stewart, Area Stores Officer, South Western Region, Queensland Ambulance Service, to all QAS South Western Area Stations, relating to exhaustion of stocks of certain patient care items. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time for questions has expired.

ORDER OF BUSINESS; SITTING HOURS Hon. JC SPENCE (Mount Gravatt—ALP) (Acting Leader of the House) (10.31 am), by leave, without notice: I move— That the lunch break for this day’s sitting be from 1.00 pm to 2.30 pm. Motion agreed to.

APPROPRIATION (PARLIAMENT) BILL APPROPRIATION BILL

Second Reading (Cognate Debate)

Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill Resumed from 8 June (see p. 2445). Ms MALE (Glass House—ALP) (10.31 am): It gives me great pleasure to rise to support the Appropriation Bill 2006. The Hon. Anna Bligh, in her first budget as Treasurer, has delivered a strong blueprint that delivers infrastructure and services to every Queenslander. It is a budget which is building tomorrow’s Queensland today. This budget builds investment through tax cuts and it builds services and infrastructure with record spending. It does this against the background of proven responsible economic management. The Queensland economy is one of the strongest in the world and the strongest in Australia. For many years we have delivered the lowest unemployment rate seen in Queensland in decades. Queensland is definitely the engine room of Australia, and this is demonstrated through record spending on infrastructure and high business investment and confidence. To make the comparison, Queensland has net financial assets of $5,155 per capita, while other states have average net financial liabilities of $111 per capita. This year, the Queensland economy has grown by 3.5 per cent, compared with 2.5 per cent nationally—the 10th consecutive year in which Queensland has outperformed the rest of Australia. Today’s budget enhances Queensland’s position as a state with one of the most competitive tax arrangements in the country, with per capita state tax collections on average 15 per cent lower than in other states. From 1 January 2007, we will abolish hire duty and unquoted marketable securities duty at a cost of $16.5 million, growing to $33 million in a full financial year. From 1 July this year, the tax-free threshold for payroll tax will increase from $850,000 to $1 million. Some 600 employers who would have been liable to pay this tax in 2006-07 will now not be required to pay and a further 4,000 employers will receive payroll tax reductions. This reform makes Queensland’s payroll tax threshold one of the highest in the country and means that approximately 90 per cent of Queensland businesses will not pay any payroll tax. I would like to say at this point that the businesses in the Glass House electorate are very appreciative of this particular move. From 1 July 2006, the tax-free threshold for residents who pay individual land tax will be increased from $450,000 to $500,000. This will mean that more than 5,000 individuals who would have paid land tax next year will no longer do so and 15,000 others will benefit. A new first homeowner transfer duty concession for the purchase of vacant land, encouraging Queenslanders to invest in their own home, has been introduced in this budget. This benefit is worth over $1 million, growing to $2.2 million thereafter. As I said, these reforms are welcomed by Glass House residents and businesses alike. In October last year the Beattie Labor government announced our health action plan, which committed more than $6.4 billion in additional funding over the next five years for more medical staff, more services and better facilities. Today, the government further strengthens this commitment by increasing the investment in the health action plan to $9.7 billion in just over five years. This is the single largest injection of funds into Queensland’s health system in the history of this state. 2468 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

I am pleased that this budget has delivered $1.58 million to begin work on the Caboolture Ambulatory and Community Health Centre to integrate acute health care, primary care and other non- government services, with a total cost of $20 million. In addition, the budget allocates $15 million to commence Sunshine Coast land acquisitions to enable construction of a $5.4 million Sunshine Coast Ambulatory and Community Health Centre, with a total cost of $30.72 million. There is an allocation of $1.2 million, from a statewide commitment of $39 million, for enhanced cardiac services in the Redcliffe-Caboolture Health Service District, including employing an additional cardiologist, purchasing equipment and enhancing the cardiac rehabilitation service. The Sunshine Coast Health Service District will receive $1.45 million to improve cardiac services. I seek leave to have the rest of my speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. Mental Health services will receive a boost with $1.31 million to support community mental health services in the Redcliffe- Caboolture Health Services District through the employment of additional specialist mental health staff and $96,000 for a Mental Health Intervention Team to work with police and ambulance officers to de-escalate situations involving people with a mental illness and avert the development of crisis situations. $5.44 million for new cancer services across the region from $63.8 million for the treatment and care of cancer patients across the state. $873,000 to enhance neonatal services at Redcliffe Hospital including commissioning 2 neonatal costs and support staff. $503,000 in additional funding for the Redcliffe-Caboolture Health Service District to target health system pressure points and to provide immediate relief to health service areas. $187,000 in additional funding for Indigenous health programs. More than $1 million to non-government organisations for a range of community health services; $4.75 million to begin the expansion of the Caloundra Health Service; and $1.93 million to community organisations under Home and Community Care program, which provides support and maintenance services for eligible people at home. Jobs, Jobs, Jobs I am thrilled to see that the Glasshouse-Caboolture Area will receive one of the 10 new Skilling Solutions Queensland customer service centres that the Government has committed to establishing in 2006-07 under the recently launched Queensland Skills Plan. The Glasshouse-Caboolture Skilling Solutions Queensland customer service centre will provide face-to-face advice, information and assistance on training and career opportunities to people in Glasshouse and the North Coast Region. Glasshouse will also share in more than $1.84 million allocated to the North Coast Region in 2006/07 to increase the number of trades apprenticeship training places and the number of Certificate IV and above training places. A total of 1,660 additional trades apprenticeship training places and 1,280 additional Certificate IV and above training places will be created in the North Coast Region by 2010. The total Government Contribution to this initiative for the North Coast Region is $12.44 Million over four years. Glasshouse will also share in $8.5 Million in recurrent funding to create an estimated 1,557 jobs through the Government’s Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative throughout 06/07; and $79.3 Million in 06/07 for more than 5.6 million hours of vocational education and training in the North Coast Region. Education At its heart, this Budget recognises the fundamental importance of investing in our schools and in our school children. Funding for education is at record levels. This Budget increases recurrent spending on Queensland schools to a record $5.17 billion, 8.6% higher than last year. Capital spending also increases by 9.2% to a total of $497 million. This Budget provides funding for prep facilities, additional teachers and teacher aides, further roll out of technology to create smart classrooms, the support needed to ensure that children with disabilities can reach their potential and new programs to ensure the success of our “learning or earning” reforms. I think everyone in our community would agree that children need quality schools and classrooms. It is pleasing that my requests to the Minister about additional funds for some of my older schools is being met through what is obviously the centrepiece of this Budget—$1 billion of capital works to be spent on Queensland’s schools over the next five years. The new program—Tomorrow’s Schools—Providing for a Smarter Future—will involve parents and school communities in an unprecedented way in planning for the future of Government schools in local areas. I have already written to all of my state schools to tell them about this new initiative so we can get in early in planning for the works that are needed. My electorate has a number of older schools where the maintenance budget has struggled to keep up with the problems. This funding will certainly mean school renewal on a large scale. As part of this program, the government is making available $50 million in capital grants in 2006-07 for state school communities for minor capital works. Schools and their Parents and Citizens Associations will be able to make submissions to access these funds for local projects. Queensland’s Catholic and Independent schools will also benefit with a one-off allocation of $100 million this financial year to assist these schools meet the demands of the future. The Budget allocates funding for Glasshouse schools which fulfils the 2004 election commitments including final funding amounts of: • $150,000 to Elimbah State School to continue works associated with additional amenities. • $180,000 to Tullawong State High School to continue works on additional amenities. • $7,000 to Tullawong State School to finalise works on four new classrooms. • $180,000 to Caboolture State School to continue a major classroom upgrade to support science initiatives. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2469

There is also: • $139,000 through the Triple R Maintenance Program for projects including repainting at Tullawong State High School and roofing at Caboolture State School. • $44,000 for high priority maintenance including flooring at Tullawong State High School and Tullawong State School, the playground at Elimbah State School and the tuckshop at Caboolture State School. • $13,000 for targeted maintenance of buildings at Elimbah State School and external surfaces at Maleny State High School. Law and Order The Budget has delivered $800,000 to replace the Woodford Police Station with a total cost of $1 million as well as $500,000 to commence delivery of the new Police District Headquarters in Caboolture with a total cost of $9.5 million. In addition, further police funding for the Region included: • $620,000 for Stages 2 and 3 extensions to the Caboolture Police Station and Watchhouse with a total cost of over $1.5 million • $13,000 in continued funding for the purchase of LiveScan fingerprinting technology at the Caboolture Watchhouse at a total cost of $166,000. This technology allows immediate processing and cross checking of a national database to assist in identifying offenders. Police funding in the Region includes $68,000 in continued funding for a Sunshine Coast Tactical Crime Squad, to be utilised by the Hinterland, which targets known crime hotspots with a strong emphasis on investigating property crime and drug offences. The establishment of a new probation and parole service across Queensland and continued funding of the regional Tactical Crime Squad are also features. This year, the operating budget of the Queensland Police Service will grow by $122 million to support new initiatives, including 350 extra sworn police officers and better police computer systems to cut response times and solve crimes faster. Emergency Services Nine new paramedics have been allocated for the North Coast region as part of the Government’s fulfilment of three year commitment to recruit 240 extra paramedics across the State at a total cost of $35.9 million. Transport and Roads Funding in key transport and main roads areas included: • $16 million for construction of additional rail track infrastructure in 2006-07 for Caboolture to Beerburrum, from a total of $278 million by 2009. • $30.72 million for further construction of Caboolture Northern Bypass on the D’Aguilar Highway at a total cost of $54 million. • $7.97 million for intersection improvements and duplication from two to four lanes of part of Beerburrum Road, Caboolture, at a total cost of $14 million. • $100,000 towards replacing bridges at Six Mile Creek and King John Creek, on Beerburrum Road, at a total cost of $7 million. • $40,000 to construct an off-road shared pedestrian/bikeway bridge at Lagoon Creek crossing, Tomlinson Road in Caboolture Shire. • $120,000 for construction and widening of Pumicestone Road, Caboolture in conjunction with Council. • $1.54 million to complete pavement overlay on sections between Grundon Lane and Appaloosa Drive, on Maleny- Kenilworth Road, at a total cost of $1.75 million. • $1.2 million towards repairs, strengthening and widening between Red Road and Moffats Road, on Glasshouse Mountains Road, at a total cost of $5 million. • $70,000 to construct bus set-down facilities and parking area at Glenview State School in conjunction with Caloundra City Council. • $1.2 million towards duplication from two to four lanes of Glasshouse Mountains Road between Landsborough and the Caloundra interchange on the Bruce Highway at a total cost of $150 million. • $200,000 to construct Old Gympie Road (Beerburrum-Landsborough): Gympie Street South (Ngungun Street to Landsborough-Maleny Road) in Caloundra, to two-lane sealed standard in conjunction with Caloundra City Council. • $220,000 to replace the bridge at Harper Creek on Ahern Road near Maleny in conjunction with Caloundra City Council. • $200,000 to complete installation of traffic signals at Caloundra Road, on Glasshouse Mountains Road, at a total cost of $550,000. • $150,000 to upgrade Roys Road, Beerwah in conjunction with Caloundra City Council. Community—Children and Families Glasshouse will benefit from: • $2.56 million to continue to provide intensive levels of care within foster carers’ homes to children/young people with complex and some extreme support needs at a total cost of $5.70 million • $517,000 to continue to provide foster care to 103-112 children/young people with moderate to high support needs by a departmentally approved foster or relative (kinship) carer in the carer’s home in the Caboolture and Redcliffe Child Safety Service Centre catchment area, at a total cost of $155 million. • $442,000 to continue to assist in the prevention of Indigenous children entering the care system at a total cost of $1.33 million • $1.1 million to commence construction of 8 medium density units at Beerwah with a total cost of $2.61 million. • $513,000 to support people with disabilities and their families 2470 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

• $58,000 in ongoing funding to the Beerwah and District Youth Access Centre to provide services for young people at a total cost of $173,000 • $639,000 in ongoing funding to the Caboolture Domestic Violence Service to provide counselling and support for victims of domestic and family violence with a total cost of $1.92 million. • $282,000 in continued funding for the Caboolture and Kilcoy Home Assist Secure program, which provides free information and advice about home maintenance and security. • $147,000 in ongoing funding to the Breakthrough Community Housing Service under the Community Rent Scheme to provide short and medium-term accommodation to public housing applicants in need of immediate housing at a total cost of $976,000. • Road and drainage grants to provide assistance towards the cost of capital works association with the construction— Caboolture Shire Council $110,000 and Caloundra City Council $336,000. • This Budget provides a doubling in the maternity leave entitlement of Queensland public sector workers from six weeks to twelve weeks. A new entitlement of up to two years unpaid leave can now be taken by either parent to help families in these important early years. • Many government services are delivered in partnership with non-government organisations. In recognition of their vital role, the level of indexation applied to grants to these groups will rise from 2.5% to 3.4% in 2006-07. Sport and Recreation Sport and recreation activities in the Glass House electorate have received a welcome boost with the latest round of local grants funded in today’s State Budget. We are committed to helping more Queenslanders discover the many benefits of an active, healthy lifestyle. The Budget has provided $245,389 for local projects and initiatives, under various programs administered by Sport and Recreation Queensland. Minor Facilities Program—Total $142,911 • $72,060 to the Caboolture and District Lawn Tennis Association to upgrade four tennis courts including fencing at Centenary Lakes Park, Caboolture. • $39,600 to the Wamuran Branch Little Athletics Centre to install two light towers for little athletics, cricket and hockey. • $31,251 to the Maleny Tennis Club to upgrade an existing grass tennis court to artificial grass. Local Government Development Program—Total $50,000 • $30,000 to the Caboolture Shire Council to develop a recreational trails strategy for the Caboolture Shire. • $20,000 to the Caloundra City Council to develop a master plan for the Beerwah Sportsground. Club Development Program—Total $45,249 • $4,000 to the Maleny Junior Rugby Union to conduct a series of come-and-try days. • $4,000 to the Sunshine Coast Motor Cycle Club to develop a five-year business plan to support motor cycle activities at Conondale. • $4,000 to the Sunshine Coast Cycling Club to conduct a come-and-try day for cycling at Caboolture. • $3,987 to the Caboolture Lions Junior Australian Football Club to accredit coaches and officials and conduct first aid training. • $3,860 to the Maleny and District Horse and Pony Club to conduct instructor training. • $3,800 to the Glasshouse Hinterland Australian Football Club to develop a five-year strategic plan to support Australian football at Landsborough. • $3,695 to the Sunshine Coast/Gympie Rugby League Referees Association to accredit officials. • $3,400 to the Tibros Netball Club to develop a five-year club development plan to support netball at Glass House Mountains. • $3,206 to the Suncoast Hinterland BMX Club to conduct a come-and-try day and a coaching clinic for BMX at Mooloolah. • $3,109 to the Caboolture Shire Pony and Hack Club to conduct training in first aid and financial management to support pony club at Moodlu. • $2,443 to the Caboolture Australian Football Club to conduct sports trainer and strapping training. • $2,128 to The Maleny Gym to conduct instructor training. • $1,838 to the Maleny Rangers Soccer Club to accredit coaches and officials and conduct first aid training. • $1,783 to the Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia (Caboolture Branch) to conduct both instructor and first aid training. Indigenous Community Development Program—Total $7,229 • $7,229 to the Nungeena Aboriginal Corporation for Womens’ Business to conduct an aquatics fitness program at Beerwah. The Beattie Labor Government has provided more funding for sport and active recreation than any other state or territory government in Australia. Just last month, the Premier announced a number of new programs at the Obesity Summit to encourage increased physical activity and healthier nutrition. This includes the Community Partnerships Program, which will provide $10 million over the next three years to help councils, schools, childcare centres, Indigenous organisations and other community groups establish their own obesity-busting programs at the local level. These grants represent a significant investment in the wellbeing of our community and I believe it is money well spent. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2471

Tourism It has been pleasing to see this Budget includes a $4 million funding boost to Queensland’s 14 Regional Tourist Organisations, and the Sunshine Coast would share the $1 million a year for four years windfall. The new funding highlights the Government’s commitment to, and support for, tourism, and we get a great return on this investment. The tourism industry provides jobs for around 140,000 Queenslanders—many of them in our region. Sunshine Coast Tourism plays a vital role in development and marketing of our magnificent tourism product and the new funding is just reward for their tremendous work. Infrastructure Our Government has invested unprecedented, record amounts in infrastructure to build this State. This year a record $8 billion in capital works was undertaken. The Government will now further increase the investment in capital works projects for 2006-07. For the first time ever, Queensland’s capital works budget is forecast to exceed $10 billion. Our capital program is the largest per capita program in the country. It is critical that the Government plans for infrastructure across the whole State. The South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program and the recently announced Blueprint for the Bush provide all Queenslanders with a clear map for infrastructure provision wherever they live. Importantly, almost 60% of the State’s capital program will occur outside the Brisbane region. Water This Budget also meets the challenge of securing future water supplies for Queensland. We have announced, and funded, comprehensive strategies for addressing both sides of the issue—ensuring water supply and managing water demand. The Government has announced plans for two mega dams in South East Queensland. We will allocate $200-300 million from the Queensland Future Growth Fund to accelerate these projects. A separate amount of $69 million has already been set aside for water-related land purchases in 2006-07. We will spend $8 million to bring forward construction of pipelines connecting dams in South East Queensland so water is better shared across our region. The Government is also working with local governments and communities to manage demand and make sure we are smarter in our use of water. In South East Queensland, $32 million is available over three years to help address leaking water mains. We will also promote water efficiency with $20 million for water efficient devices and advice to home owners and industry in South East Queensland. Conclusion The Beattie Labor Government’s record of strong budgets is delivering dividends for the people of Queensland. We have funded essential services, we have put record amounts of funding into health, education, police, infrastructure and disability services. We are a government with heart, a government that supports its public service and works to ensure all residents have access to quality services across the spectrum. Mr Speaker, time does not allow me to detail all the achievements across the state in the twenty-five departments that make up the Queensland Government, but I am happy to provide details on request. Mr Speaker, this is a Budget that builds Queensland and I commend it to the House. Mr CHRIS FOLEY (Maryborough—Ind) (10.35 am): I rise to participate in the budget reply, as it is commonly known. Maryborough did pretty well. Last year I was very critical of the government for giving beggar-all to Maryborough, but this year I have a somewhat wider smile on my face. Looking at the capital outlays in the 2006-07 budget for Disability Services Queensland, there is an outlay of $1.957 million. The area of disability services in Maryborough is large. Unfortunately it is a growing area. We have a number of families who continue to make representations to my office, in particular in the area of children with disabilities and the struggles that they face to get appropriate support in terms of transport, schooling and other issues. This allocation is a very welcome injection of funds. In the area of Emergency Services there is an allocation of $332,000 to be spent in the 2006-07 year for upgrades to the Maryborough regional office. That is a rather iconic building in the centre of Maryborough just up the street from my office, and those funds will certainly be very welcome. We also look forward with some degree of enthusiasm to the retaining of shared services. I have made representations on behalf of people from Emergency Services who have felt insecure about their jobs and the potential relocations as a result of the Shared Services Initiative. That $332,000 is very welcome. In terms of the Maryborough Hospital, I am disappointed to see that there will be only $837,000 spent in the 2006-07 year. We have constantly lobbied as a community for better facilities for the Maryborough Hospital, including a CT machine. The last time that we secured that promise it was broken on the basis that there was no business case for that particular service. Try telling that to the people of Maryborough who are urgently in need of those services. However, on the positive side, the health minister is coming up for a meeting with community members of the working party and we will certainly in that instance be able to put our case again to the health minister and to see what his future plans are for the hospital. 2472 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

In terms of the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, the Maryborough Courthouse has received an allocation of $2 million—$500,000 in the 2006-07 year with another $1.5 million to be spent beyond that. The courthouse is a very historic building and part of our Wharf Street precinct, which is an absolutely beautiful area and becoming an incredible tourist drawcard. The courthouse looks sensational now; it will be even better in the future. There is another $2.908 million to be spent in this budget year, which is a shared budget item with my colleague the member for Hervey Bay, on the Hervey Bay road. People are highly critical of that road but I think it is a good road. I do not know what everyone is complaining about. Any extra money spent on it will only enhance the road. Someone cheekily put up a sign which reads ‘Maryborough—Hervey Bay’s best kept secret’. We will continue the argy-bargy about that, I am sure. These two areas are completely different but complementary, and we look forward to the upgrading of the road between them. In terms of the minor facilities grants, the Curra Country Club has been given a $15,245 grant to construct an outdoor half-size basketball and netball court. Curra is a fantastic community and the country club is a central focus of that community. Very small communities like Curra often feel they are overlooked when it comes to sporting facilities or any other facilities. A cash injection of this kind for those sporting facilities will be very welcome. It is a great, fun-loving community. I have enjoyed the visits I have had to Curra, especially to the Curra Country Club. The Doonvilla Bowls Club is the envy of most bowls clubs in that it is absolute riverfront land. It is located on Lennox Street on the banks of the Mary River. It is a wonderful bowls club that not only has all of the knights in shining armour but also very regularly invites other community people to come and bowl for social functions, work parties et cetera. Under the Local Government Development Program, Maryborough City Council has been granted $10,000 to develop a master plan for Boonooroo and the Tuan foreshore and recreation reserves. They are communities along that coastal strip that are struggling with issues such as erosion, particularly in places like the Tuan foreshore. Also, siltation is becoming a major issue. My concern with the Mary River Dam is that, if we block it up, the siltation issues with the Great Sandy Strait will continue to worsen. A $15,000 grant is provided for a master plan for Schultz Park and the Tinana recreation reserve. That is an area that is used very extensively for cross-countries and different sporting activities. Some $99,594 has been provided for the construction of a walkway and cycleway through Pioneer Park in Maryborough. Our community is really starting to shine, and all of these things develop the quality of life for Maryborough and help underscore what a fantastic place it is to raise a family and start a business. There are many people in my electorate who are involved in the Indigenous Community Development Program. The Maryborough Aboriginal Corporation for Housing and Cultural Development has been granted $7,400 to conduct a carnival for touch football in Maryborough. I pay tribute to Joe Marsh, who runs a program called Kawhun Wooga, which acts as a very important interface between Indigenous young people who sometimes get themselves into strife. But Joe is there as a leading light in the community, to be a great example and liaise between community leaders and police. He does a magnificent job. I urge the government to continue to properly fund that organisation. I have raised a few concerns about funding, but I want to put on the public record that that is an organisation well worth funding. Due to some of the funding cutbacks it has received, it has had to dip into its own pockets for volunteers to pay for their petrol, which is getting dearer by the minute, and also for mobile phones for communicating with each other. These are volunteers who can be called out at 2, 3, or 4 o’clock in the morning if a young Indigenous person gets arrested. They provide a very important interface between the community at large and the Indigenous community. Under the Club Development Program, 21 organisations—and I will not list them all, for the sake of time—received amounts ranging from $1,073 to $4,000, which is a total of $74,964 to assist with their club development. Let me wind up by paying particular tribute to the minister for transport for the very generous and ongoing business we have received for EDI Rail. We love the EDI Rail contracts. Keep them coming. It is a major employer in Maryborough and a major stimulation to the economy. We have done very well in rail contracts, for which I am grateful. Just to throw in a tiny barb, it makes a nonsense of the fact that an Independent cannot get anything for their electorate. I think this is a very fair budget. We would have liked more for the hospital. We would have liked more detail on the hospital, but we will be meeting with the health minister next week to look at those issues and iron them out. All in all, I think it is a great budget for Maryborough. Mrs ATTWOOD (Mount Ommaney—ALP) (10.44 am): Families in the Mount Ommaney electorate will welcome this year’s budget, as a strong emphasis has been placed on extra funding for health and education. It is about helping those people who need it the most. I relish my role in representing my electorate to the highest levels of government and going in to bat for everyday families to achieve a better quality of life, better education opportunities for their children, improved health services and increased job choices. I make good use of my time in parliament 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2473 to lobby ministers to meet our many and varied local community needs and to provide supporting infrastructure for the people in my local suburbs. The Premier, ministers and the new Treasurer have responded by delivering a minimum expenditure of at least $14,183,105 in funding for the benefit of residents in my electorate. On behalf of these residents, I thank them for their efforts. In this budget there is a focus on the key priority areas of health and education as well as longer term plans to boost the electorate’s skilled workforce. It is imperative that we build on the facilities in the area to ensure that our young people have the opportunities to get the jobs of their choice and to ensure that they are well placed to be the leaders of tomorrow. The budget is forward thinking in that it looks forward to a future healthy and well-informed workforce which is highly educated and extremely skilled. Health funding has received a major boost in the greater Brisbane area, with $18.3 million to the Mater Hospital, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, and the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital to reduce elective surgery waiting lists; $1.77 million in additional funding for cancer treatment at the Princess Alexandra Hospital including appointment of an oncology specialist and expansion of the radiation oncology service to reduce waiting lists; $7.2 million for enhanced cardiac services in the QEII, Princess Alexandra Hospital and Mater Hospital health service districts including employment of an additional cardiologist and other cardiology staff, opening another four cardiology beds and undertaking additional cardiac surgery; and $1.74 million to support community mental health services in the QEII, Princess Alexandra and Mater Hospital health services districts through the employment of additional specialist mental health staff. Mount Ommaney will also share in 20 new paramedics for the greater Brisbane region as part of the 2004-05 commitment to recruit 240 extra paramedics across the state over three years at a total cost of $35.9 million. In addition, the Queensland government will be recruiting 144 new ambulance officers across Queensland at a cost of $35.3 million over three years and 35 new communications officers at a cost of $12.4 million over four years. In education, as most residents know, I am passionate about our schools and visit them as often as I can. My local schools have been targeted with funding for significant upgrades to amenities which include $89,000 to Corinda State School to continue an electrical upgrade, with a total cost of $92,000; $50,000 to Corinda State School to continue a major classroom upgrade to support arts initiatives, with a total cost of $436,000—$36,000 was spent last year on planning this upgrade; and $375,000 to Jamboree Heights State School to continue a major resource centre upgrade to support ICT initiatives, with a total cost of $736,000. This builds upon the $73,000 allocated last year to commence planning for this project. Further funding includes $37,000 to Middle Park State School for various covered areas; $99,000 through the Triple R Maintenance Program for repainting at Jindalee State School, Middle Park State School and Mount Ommaney Special School, reticulation at Jamboree Heights State School and roofing at Jindalee State School; and $4,000 to Corinda State High School for targeted maintenance of buildings. I seek leave to have the remainder of my speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. We need to think beyond basic education to the long term job market and find a way to overcome current shortages in skills among the workforce. Under the Government’s Queensland Skills Plan, Mt Ommaney will share in more than $7.59 million allocated to the Greater Brisbane Region in 2006/07 to increase the number of trades’ apprenticeship training places and the number of Certificate IV and above training places. A total of 6,630 additional trade apprenticeship training places and 6,320 additional Certificate IV and above training places will be created in the Greater Brisbane Region by 2010. The total government contribution to this initiative for the Greater Brisbane Region is a massive $52.9 Million over four years. Madam Deputy Speaker, Mt Ommaney will also share in: • $26.4 million in recurrent funding to create an estimated 5,523 jobs through the Government’s Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative throughout 06/07; and • $326.6 million in 06/07 for more than 21 million hours of vocational education and training in the Greater Brisbane Region. Lifestyle programs: I am pleased to say that the Budget has paid special attention to the area’s sporting and recreational clubs which are important to the lifestyle of the community and families. Sport and recreation clubs throughout the Mount Ommaney electorate will be assisted to increase physical activity opportunities through a wide range of planning, participation and education and training initiatives. Y-West in Jamboree Heights are always offering innovative low cost programs to people in the community. They have recently successfully completed the first Centenary Weight Loss Challenge program allowing a number of enthusiastic entrants to lose a lot of weight to permanently change their lifestyle. I’m extremely pleased a major sporting facilities grant of $381,725 will go to Michael Tsaimis’ crew at the Jamboree Heights YMCA to construct an extension to the Sports Centre incorporating a 25 x 20 metre activity space. In addition, more than $3,380 in funding to accredit both coaches and officials to support gymnastics at the Jamboree Heights YMCA. I would like to congratulate the Centenary Canoeing and Rowing Club on expanding into rowing at private schools and they also received $4,000 to accredit coaches to support rowing at Jindalee. 2474 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

Other funding for the Mt Ommaney electorate includes: Transport and Main Roads • $5 million to continue construction of a third train track between Corinda and Darra with a total cost of $90 million • The major program to improve disability access to the Oxley and Corinda Railway Stations has been completed and further works undertaken to upgrade the platforms for easier boarding on the train. This Budget brings improvements to stations, including waiting areas and hearing loops, as part of $47.7 million to make it easier for people with a disability to use trains • $60,000 for bus set-down improvements at Corinda State High School • $400,000 towards traffic signal controller upgrades throughout the metropolitan area, at a total cost of $2.51 million • Part of $3 million for electrical safety audits at various locations throughout the metropolitan area, at a total cost of $5 million. Power poles will be inspected throughout Mt Ommaney to comply with the new Electrical Safety Act and repairs done as necessary • $900,000 for concept planning between the Ipswich Motorway and Toowong roundabout, on the Centenary Highway, at a total cost of $3 million. Construction of the “four lane link” to bypass the Kelliher Road lights is progressing well. This will eventually relieve traffic congestion at the Ipswich Road end of the Centenary Highway. • Construction of the missing link on the Western Freeway bikeway between Centenary Bridge and the Fig Tree Pocket turn-off is currently nearing completion. There has been $48,700 allocated towards planning for bikeway network extensions at various locations in the Brisbane area. Energy: As you know, Mount Ommaney suffered badly during the electricity breakdowns about fifteen months ago. Last year Powerlink and Energex began work to establish a multi-million dollar electricity substation on Monier Road. This initiative should ensure no more blackouts or brownouts for local residents. This Budget monies have been allocated to include: • $642,000 to continue establishing a new electricity substation in the Sumner area with a total cost of $9.64 million • $5.7 million to continue rebuilding the switchyard at the West Darra/Riverhills electricity substation with a total cost of $27.3 million Communities: to strengthen and build better community spirit and improve infrastructure in Mount Ommaney: • $600,000 to complete construction of 5 seniors units with a total cost of $1.16 million • $75,000 to the Sherwood Neighbourhood Centre for community support services at a total cost of $226,000 • The Sherwood Police Station was recently replaced and operational staff numbers have been increased to 18. • $33,000 in ongoing funding to the following organisations for child care services: Corinda State School After School Care; Good News, Jamboree Heights State School and Middle Park State School Outside School Hours Care; and to the Jindalee State School Age Care Program • $80,000 to the Sherwood Neighbourhood Centre to provide counselling and support services for families at risk of homelessness with a total cost of $241,000 • $50,000 to complete construction of medium density units with a total cost of $2.1 million. • The establishment of the police beat to cover Jindalee Homebase, Jindalee North and Windemere will be finalised this year. This will adjoin the existing established police beat at Oxley. Hours of service at the Mount Ommaney Police Station have been expanded to 10.30 at night and patrol cars now operate out of the station on a 7 x 24 hour basis. Madam Deputy Speaker, I would like to thank all of those volunteers who put so much of their own time into being involved in a variety of community groups representing seniors, P &C associations, child care, service clubs, action and environmental groups. These volunteers assist others in their local area and provide an invaluable contribution to the community in which they work and live. Madam Deputy Speaker, I commend the Bill to the House. Mr KNUTH (Charters Towers—NPA) (10.48 am): In speaking to the Queensland budget 2006-07, I welcome the extra funding for disability services, with a total operating budget of $633 million. This funding boost, I hope, will help provide new and improved services such as access to speech therapists and social workers, and I will continue to lobby for a 24-hour respite care service in Charters Towers. However, it is imperative that funds allocated for capital works and disability budgets are actually spent. The government budgeted to spend $40 million last financial year but spent only $6.8 million. This means that the most vulnerable in our society are missing out on necessary funding. We need to ensure that the funds are managed so that the net benefits to disabled Queenslanders are maximised and not lost through layers of bureaucracy and that on-the-ground services are delivered. There are many families who are still struggling to get access to occupational therapists, speech therapists, social workers and respite services. Respite facilities are desperately needed in regional and rural Queensland. It is also important to ensure that our special education units are equipped and regularly upgraded and wheelchair access is provided. I welcome the $6.65 billion to be injected into Queensland Health in the long term and the overdue pay increases for doctors and nurses. While encouraged by the increase I am still disappointed that greater incentive packages were not provided to encourage health workers to work and live in rural and regional areas. There is a long way to go to fix the health crisis and to see maternity services and medical surgery returned to the bush. It is paramount that incentives are provided. What the people in these regions want is to be able to access services in the towns they live in. They are looking for general surgeons, obstetricians, anaesthetists, occupational therapists and other 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2475 specialised practitioners. They want to have their babies in their home towns. This is the bigger picture. This is what people are looking for but they are not seeing it. The maternity wards at Moranbah, Claremont, Alpha, Aramac, Richmond and Hughenden have been closed down. There are no maternity services there. It is absolutely ridiculous to expect pregnant mums to travel 800, 900 or 1,000 kilometres to give birth to their babies and stay in motels for up to three weeks. Mums were able to have their babies in their home towns 10 or 15 years ago. This is the year 2006 and they cannot. I ask the minister to open the maternity wards in the rural towns that I have just mentioned. This is a very important issue. The Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme is also important. We cannot afford to have pregnant mums who are 400 or 500 kilometres away from the nearest hospital spending three weeks in a motel before they give birth. It is a very dangerous scenario. I hope this issue will be addressed. It was disappointing that there was no increase in the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme. This is an ongoing issue and has been raised numerous times through petitions and by other members of parliament. The subsidy is still a lousy 10c per kilometre which is the same as it was 15 years ago. As fuel prices keep rising and more and more health services are removed from rural areas, patients are travelling further and further and more frequently to access health services that were once provided in their home towns. It is costing patients, especially the elderly, an arm and a leg to travel these distances. Given all the red tape they have to go through to access this subsidy it is only a pittance. Some $6 billion has been injected into the health system and yet we cannot increase the patient travel subsidy. It is the same as it was 10 years ago. This is a joke. The government should put its money where its mouth is. It should put money upfront and show rural and regional Queensland that it actually gives a damn about them. It has taken away their services, it has closed down their hospital, medical and maternity services and now people are travelling thousands of kilometres. The government is only prepared to pay them a pittance. With this $6 billion injection it is a great opportunity to be able to increase this patient travel subsidy. I welcome the funding of $400,000 to upgrade the bathrooms at Eventide. It is good news for our aged-care facility. I reiterate that I will continue to push to upgrade the Eventide Pandanus unit to a high- care dementia unit. This is a very important issue. This is a wonderful facility for Charters Towers and the surrounding district. We are unsure whether the aged-care facility will be privatised or off-loaded. I vehemently oppose any plans to off-load that facility. This aged-care facility is very important to the residents of Charters Towers and surrounding districts. We have an ageing population. It has come to the point where we have quite a large number of dementia patients who have been on waiting lists for up to two years for dementia specific units in Townsville and also the Tablelands. This is putting a lot of pressure on their families. We have a wonderful aged-care facility that was built in 1929. The Pandanus Unit was once going to be upgraded to a dementia specific unit. Rather than upgrade it the government closed that unit down and moved the 20 beds to Townsville. This is absolutely ridiculous. We have a facility there. Our elderly people are on waiting lists for two years and are putting much strain on their family members. When they do get the opportunity to get into places in Townsville or the Tablelands they are separated from loved ones. We have a facility available. I call on the minister to be understanding. He is big-noting himself about what a great job his wonderful government is doing for health services. We want to see him put his money where his mouth is and provide dementia care in the facility that is available in Charters Towers. I notice that there was funding for an additional 350 police officers across the state. I call on the minister for police to ensure that the mining town of Tieri receives the services of a police officer. I have raised this issue a number of times. It is not good enough for police to patrol once or twice a week. The township of Tieri is looking at a mining boom. We had a police officer. He is now on leave and is about to retire. They have not replaced him. We have police officers patrolling the area once or twice a week. This is no longer a low-priority area. They say that this is a low-priority area and there is no need to have a permanent police officer there on a daily basis. This is absolute nonsense. These mining towns are booming. We have lots of contractor camps and many contractors from other towns throughout Australia living in these contractor camps. They are not necessarily a part of the community. They work in the mines. Children are crossing the road to go to school. There are concerns about the safety of those children. It is very important that a police officer is provided for the township of Tieri. I have raised this time and time again. We want a police officer in the town of Tieri. Some $35 million was allocated for 144 additional paramedics across Queensland over a four- year period. Ambulance officers save countless lives and provide a wonderful essential emergency service. However, the Charters Towers ambulance service has been hit hard by roster reforms and the closure of our night time service which did not have the support of the community. I hope that additional paramedics will be provided—and I hope the minister is listening to this—to Charters Towers so we get our night time service back. 2476 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

Last year, on behalf of the residents of Charters Towers, I tabled a petition comprising over 3,000 signatures calling for the government to take action to rid the city of Charters Towers of virus-carrying smelly flying foxes. We are not asking for much. We are just asking that the government consider the quality of life of residents—who include nursing mums, the sick, the frail, the elderly—before this smelly pest. There are still thousands of flying foxes living and screeching amongst residential homes. Once again I state that the people should not have to continually put up with this filth. In the Treasurer’s budget speech she stated that the government has released a 10-year Blueprint for the Bush to build sustainability, livability and the prosperity of all rural Queenslanders. The blueprint commits more than $150 million over the next four years to a range of initiatives that will assist rural communities. If the Treasurer is genuine about livability, the Treasurer should urgently recognise the rights of Charters Towers residents to have a livable community. The Treasurer should allocate funding under the Blueprint for the Bush plan to secure the services of two National Parks and Wildlife Service officers to either be employed by the EPA or likewise the state government provide the funding for the local council to employ two rangers on a permanent basis to be responsible to move the bats all day every day until the bats are completely driven away. This is about having staff available to continually disturb the flying foxes until the flying foxes get the message that Charters Towers is not a welcoming place. It is not right for residents to live with noisy, smelly, virus-carrying, stinking flying foxes. Once the bats are removed, employees can freely— Government members interjected. Mr Messenger: Would you want your children living in that condition? Would you have your child living with those viruses? Government members interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Lee): Order! Honourable members, the member on his feet has a couple of minutes to go. Let us let him finish. Mr KNUTH: I challenge anyone to live every day with thousands of screechy, smelly, virus- carrying flying foxes above their homes and the ticks and creepy crawlies on the floor that they bring and then call on the government for help, only to have it say, ‘If you don’t like it you can find a house and move elsewhere.’ Ms Male interjected. Mr KNUTH: It is true. This is the position: to move the bats there has to be a vet on site to assist the wounded flying foxes when they are being moved. How ridiculous is that! How stupid is that! Have members ever heard such nonsense as having a vet on site, and the process has to stop at 9 o’clock in the morning because the bats will stress out. This is the problem. Once the bats are removed, employees can freely be seconded to work for the parks and wildlife department or the local city council whilst still being available on call to manage the flying foxes as they attempt to return to the city centre. This is very simple and is not much to ask for. The small amount of funding will provide relief to residents, who have put up with this scourge for six years. This is about putting the quality of life of residents before vermin. This method is not too drastic and it should not upset the conservation movement that the state government is so frightened of. This funding is only crumbs compared to the $60 million that the government will spend on yet another footbridge. I ask the Treasurer, Premier and minister for environment to show understanding to the local Charters Towers residents and take the initiative to provide this funding so that residents can enjoy the quality of life Charters Towers has to offer. Residents cannot wait another two years for a bat habitat, and there is no guarantee that the bats will locate to that position. This is about doing something now. I welcome road funding of $5.5 million that was provided to upgrade the Gregory Development Road from Cape River to Greenvale. This has been an ongoing issue, and this road has caused a lot of accidents and has been referred to as a deathtrap and a billygoat track. The extra funding will not benefit the region. However, this road should have been completed years ago. I also welcome the massive funding injection of $11 million to upgrade the Flinders Highway between Hughenden and Charters Towers, up $4.5 million from last year. This is good money well spent, and sealing and upgrading these inland highways will help breathe life into these rural communities. I also welcome road funding of $13.5 million that has been allocated to improve sections of the Peak Downs Highway. This road has caused a lot of accidents. It has been a catastrophe. While more funding should have been delivered, the extra funding will no doubt benefit the mining companies. It is disappointing that little funding was made available to seal the Hughenden to Lynd road or the Kennedy Development Road, which the media has called the worst road in Australia. We keep hearing this myth that because a limited number of people use this road it does not justify upgrade. This is a myth. If the government had the foresight or vision to seal the Kennedy Development Road, it would open up the west for transport to southern markets, increasing tourism and the safety of residents in this region. Hundreds of thousands of cattle were trucked out of this area last year, and the road condition is deteriorating. The road is of regional significance. It is a future inland highway from Cairns to Melbourne 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2477 and the north link from the Atherton Tablelands to Hughenden and centres south and west. It will alleviate traffic congestion from the coast, provide increased tourism, provide economic benefits for transport companies, open up southern markets, breathe life into the communities and help alleviate the infrastructure problems the south-east corner faces from the large influx of people moving into the area each month. The significance of Porcupine Gorge alone is good reason for the government to consider this a priority. The Cairns and Hughenden chambers of commerce, the Richmond-Flinders shire and the general public are behind this project and call on the government to seal this road. An issue that I have spoken about many times before relates to the desperate need for a solid, reliable water supply for the township of Moranbah. In light of the announced funding of $129 million to complete the Burdekin to Moranbah pipeline, which I support, I ask the minister: when the pipeline is completed, will the minister guarantee to the residents of Moranbah a constant, reliable water supply without the community having to beg the mining companies for its fair share of water allocation? As members would be aware, this project is not fully funded by the state government. This funding has mostly been contributed by the mining companies, yet the state government is giving people the perception that it is building the pipeline—and no doubt this is a desperate measure. This is an issue that I have raised time and time again in parliament. That is, the mining industry has the potential of closing down if the water issues are not resolved. The state government has a moral responsibility to ensure that residents are provided with a reliable water supply. Residents are sick of being on water restrictions, and this has been going on since way before the water crisis in the south-east corner. When we take into account the cost of $260 million to complete the Burdekin Dam compared to the $300 million to build this pipeline, three dams could be built at this price. SunWater has identified a number of dam sites, including the Isaac River, and the estimated cost of the dam is $50 million. The Urannah Dam site is another site that has been identified. I have said many times over that the south-east corner is having infrastructure problems because of the large influx of people moving into the area each month. This problem could be solved if the government focused more on infrastructure development in rural and regional communities. We need to encourage people to stay and move to the bush. That is why we need these dirt roads sealed, water infrastructure and other incentives to provide jobs and keep people in the bush. Mrs MILLER (Bundamba—ALP) (11.06 am): Working hard for the people in my electorate has always been my top priority. Day after day I make representations, telephone, lobby and nag—basically do whatever I can to ensure that our electorate gets its fair share of government services direct to our community. I have always been on the front line, making sure that our schools, hospital and community healthcare services, police, roads, bus and rail services, among other things, are delivered and funded at optimal levels. Planning our infrastructure is very important in our growing community, and I am actively involved in planning discussions at the state government level, making strong representations on behalf of our community. As always, I have provided detailed information on the 2006-07 budget in the Bundamba electorate on a suburb-by-suburb basis. Swanbank will be allocated its share of $110 million towards the western corridor recycled water scheme to the Swanbank Power Station. This is an extremely important project for water management, and I look forward to working with the community on this project. Some $447,000 has been allocated to install trial speed awareness signs at various locations along the Cunningham Highway, starting at Ipswich. Swanbank has been at the heart of the Ipswich coalmining industry over many generations, and it is very important that our city retain its coalmining heritage. The CFMEU coalmining division and Queensland president Andrew Vickers have been very generous in their support of the Ipswich Historical Society and its coalmining history projects. Andrew has just been elected unopposed as the CFMEU national vice-president. He lives in our electorate. He is an inspiration to all workers in our community, and we are very proud of him. Miners’ cottages have been refurbished, an Ipswich coalmining history kit for schoolchildren on Queensland has been developed, and retired miners have been actively involved in school arts projects—all with my strong personal support as I am a proud coalminer’s daughter. These projects have also been supported by our Beattie Labor government, especially the Department of Employment and Training. Our community looks forward to working with the CFMEU and Andrew Vickers, Ian Wilson and retired coalminers on our coalmining history projects. Bremer TAFE is headquartered at Bundamba and has a budget of $27 million. It has a staffing establishment of approximately 310 full-time equivalent staff. As my region grows, capital investment for Bremer TAFE has been earmarked by the government for future years. Currently, that TAFE is developing markets in food processing, retail, transport and distribution. It has campuses at Bundamba, Goodna and at the University of Southern Queensland campus at Springfield. Significant funding has been allocated to increase the number of certificate IV and above training places to meet shortages in higher level occupations. My electorate will receive its share of the 6,320 additional training places. There will also be an increase in the number of trade apprenticeships offered. Ipswich will receive one of 10 new Skilling Solutions Queensland customer service centres, which will provide face-to-face information and advice on training assistance and career opportunities. Breaking 2478 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006 the Unemployment Cycle training initiatives will continue in my electorate. Since I was elected as the state member for Bundamba, approximately $4 million has been allocated to these training and employment programs. People now have jobs! High-priority maintenance money has been allocated to Bundamba State Secondary College. Also, money has been allocated for reticulation works and roofing works. Roofing works will also be undertaken at Bundamba State School. Targeted maintenance of hard external surfaces at both the Bundamba Primary School and the Bundamba State Secondary College will be carried out this financial year. An amount of $694,000 has been allocated for asphalt resurfacing between Bundamba Creek and South Station Road. An amount of $40,000 will be spent to complete renewal works in Bundamba Department of Housing properties. The Bundamba Railway Station will gain a new station building and refurbishment of the old station building this financial year. Works are expected to cost approximately $750,000. Works undertaken at Blackstone State School in preparation for the prep year have cost over $100,000. Prep year begins in 2007. Blackstone State School has a new toilet block, costing about $375,000, and a new multipurpose court so that students can play basketball or netball. The Urban Renewal Program of the Department of Housing in Bundamba has now finished upgrading 129 dwellings at a cost of $3,131,560. The Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme, which will cost $110 million, will affect residents of Ebbw Vale and Bundamba, particularly those living near the Ipswich Knights Soccer Club at Ebbw Vale. The community will be fully consulted regarding the proposed works and the pipeline will be placed underneath the ground. Work at Ebbw Vale is expected to last for some six months, dependent upon weather conditions. Ebbw Vale will see further works being undertaken at Grenadier Circle. Residents will recall the very generous donation by Powerlink of two houses to community organisations, the Lions Club and Goodna Neighbourhood House. An amount of $188,030 has been allocated to provide work at those houses. Lions House has been used already not only for Lions Club meetings but also for community meetings such as Main Roads consultation processes. I seek leave to have the remainder of my speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. Dinmore • $1 million will be spent for preliminary works at River Road, Dinmore, on the Ipswich-Cunningham Highway connection, at a total project cost of $86 million. A further $44,000 has been allocated to complete concept planning on this road. • Dinmore Railway Station is a major Park and Ride station. Numerous commuters park there as they come off both the Warrego and Cunningham Highways. A car park extension at the station is being planned to cater for a growth in rail passengers. • $5 million of Federal funding has been allocated to the Queensland Government to commence a planning study—yes, another one, between Dinmore and Gailes. The people in my electorate—where the Ipswich Motorway begins, are heartily sick of such studies. The Prime Minister, John Howard, for the first time came to our electorate to, of all things, launch a developer’s “slogan” at Springfield, yet he did not even mention the Ipswich Motorway once, and he certainly came with no money for an upgrade. He has treated the people of Ipswich with contempt. • In relation to Dinmore, it is great to see residents using the Noel Street Reserve park, located at the corner of Brisbane Road, Buchanan Street and Noel Street. Powerlink’s Community Benefits Program funded this park for the benefit of the community. It included the plants and shrubs, construction of a pathway, shade structure, seating in the park and street planting. Powerlink and our Beattie Labor Government are committed to providing benefits to local communities living close to transmission line projects. • Dinmore State School already has a state of the art prep year building on site. This building replaced the old preschool building at a cost of $460,000. • Urban renewal (a Department of Housing program) has been completed in the suburb of Dinmore. Twenty-seven houses have been fully refurbished at a cost of $1,054,847. • Community renewal, also a Department of Housing initiative, has been completed in the Dinmore/Riverview suburbs at a cost of $5.6 million. These Labor government initiatives have almost rebuilt the entire suburb, with new car ports, kitchens and laundries in the houses and funding for arts programs, outdoor courts at the school, refurbishment of Dinmore Murri Baptist church being funded by our government, to name but a few of the projects strongly backed personally by me on behalf of the community. Queensland Health funded the garden at Dinmore State School, which is growing well, with produce being used in the school tuckshop. Riverview • The new railway bridge, made from concrete to replace the rickety old wooden bridge, continues at a cost of $5.3 million. This work is expected to be completed later this year. The new heightened bridge will allow better access to the Salvation Army nursing home and retirement village by emergency service vehicles. • The Riverview Family and Individual Support Service will receive its share of $151,000 for community support services. • Operation Kinder Community, a much loved organisation founded by Reverend Dell Foreman, will receive $59,000 to provide an early intervention and family support service. • $52,000 has been allocated to Ipswich City Council to construct a skate park at Maculata Family Park at Riverview. There will be skating, rollerblading and BMX at this park, courtesy of Queensland Government funding. • Riverview State School has received some $40,000 for minor works on two existing preschool classrooms in preparation for the new prep year in 2007. • The Urban Renewal Program in Riverview has been completed. 234 houses have been refurbished at a cost of $7,895,308. Community renewal has also been completed in this parliamentary term in Dinmore/Riverview, with 61 projects completed, at a cost of $5.6 million. Our government fully supports the Riverview community. Some highlights of funding I have been able to secure on behalf of the community include: 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2479

• Riverview State School bus; • $600,000 for a new oval at Riverview State School; • Riverview State School arts programme; • Old Ipswich Road connection road, which links Riverview with Collingwood Park, making it easier for residents to shop at Redbank Plaza. This road is used by many Riverview people on a daily basis and has made the suburb a great place to live; • The Department of Communities, Queensland Health, and the Department of Employment and Training continue to fund the Riverview Neighbourhood House in various ways. Redbank • Our Beattie Labor Government has just about rebuilt the suburb of Redbank with: • a new ambulance station, and an additional ambulance launched a couple of weeks ago by the Minister, • a new police rail squad based at Redbank Rail Station, plus a new ticket office. New car park, lifts, footbridge and disability compliance upgrades will be completed soon; • continued upgrades at the Safety in Mining Testing and Research Station (SIMTARS) based at Redbank; • ongoing work at the QR workshops; • the Redbank State School has, over recent years, also been refurbished. • $97.8 million has been allocated to continue with the manufacture of coal wagons for the freight train fleet, $22.65 million to continue with the upgrade of twenty-four diesel locomotives at a total cost of $56.79 million; • $7.1 million will be spent to continue the re-engineering and overhaul of City trains at Redbank, with a total cost of $68.8 million; • Minor refurbishment of an existing preschool classroom, costing some $20,000, has been made at Redbank State School for the prep year. Collingwood Park • Collingwood Park State School is a great Queensland Government school. $240,000 has been allocated for works associated with the prep year starting next year. Unfortunately, the school has become caught in media hype concerning the illegal parking of some parents and the conviction of one parent in the Ipswich courts. I want to place on record my total support for Collingwood Park State School, and, in particular, its principal, Jon Simpson, the teaching staff and also the police officers who patrol the parking at the school. I want to point out to all parents that illegal parking will not be tolerated. Also, some elected representatives, not me, provided media comment on this particular case to the detriment of this great school and the police officers. I put on notice those elected representatives to stop meddling in areas outside their jurisdictions, stop meddling to get their names in the papers, on radio, or television, and let the justice system take its course. These people now have egg all over their faces, and I hope it will take a long time for them to scrape it off. These elected media tarts will be judged most severely by their constituents in due course, as the ruler will go over their performance on delivery of services in their areas. Respect for police, respect for fellow motorists, respect for children’s and parent’s safety, and respect for the rule of law are important in our community. No-one sends their child to school with the risk of illegal parking, nor with a filthy-mouthed parent abusing police officers whilst undertaking their duties. As a past parent of this school, and on behalf of the law- abiding citizens of our electorate, justice has now been done. Approximately $240,000 has been allocated to Collingwood Park State School for the prep year. This work has included the extension of two existing classrooms and refurbishment of two existing preschool rooms. This builds on our commitment to the Collingwood Park community. • The Redbank/Collingwood Park sports complex, opposite Redbank Plaza Shopping Centre, is our Beattie Labor Government’s monument to our local people and our commitment to sport and recreation. Our government fully funded this complex at a cost of some $2.4 million and a further $100,000 for the outside courts. • The community garden at Westphalen, of Duncan Street at Collingwood Park, is providing fruit and vegetables for local families. This was fully funded by Queensland Health at a cost of $200,000. People should eat two fruits and five vegetables each and every day to keep healthy. Redbank Plains/Bellbird Park • $377,000 will be spent at Redbank Plains State School to continue a major classroom upgrade to support science and technology initiatives. Work has begun on this project, with a total budget of $767,000. • $183,000 has been allocated to Kruger State School to continue its electrical upgrade. Moneys have also been allocated for targeted maintenance of hard external surfaces at Kruger State School. • A further $5,000 has been allocated to Redbank Plains State High School to continue its electrical upgrade. The total cost of this project is $34,000. • $257,000 has been budgeted for intersection improvements at the Redbank Plains Road/Keidge’s Road, and Jones Road. I look forward to working with residents on these plans. • $167,400 will be spent towards the upgrading of the intersection of Redbank Plains Road and School Road, with a total Queensland Government contribution of $267,400. • Powerlink intends to provide assistance to Kruger State School, in particular its tree-planting program. • Kruger State School was allocated $190,000 for refurbishment of two existing preschool classrooms and major refurbishment of two existing classrooms so that prep year could get off to a great start in 2007. • Redbank Plains State School has received $210,000 for major refurbishment of three existing classrooms and minor refurbishment of one preschool classroom for the prep year. • I have requested the Minister for Transport investigate the possibility of extending the passenger railway line from Springfield to Redbank Plains. 2480 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

Goodna/Gailes • Money has been allocated for high priority flooring at Goodna State School, and there will also be repainting of the school this year. • $8 million has been allocated toward concept planning for the Western Brisbane Transport Network Investigation. This is a concept plan only, but this preliminary work is important. • $351,000 has been allocated to continue to provide specialist foster care services for four children aged 12-17 years old with complex and extreme needs in the Goodna area. • Counselling and support services provided by the Goodna Youth Accommodation Service has been allocated $496,000. • The Goodna Integrated Family Support Service will receive $248,000 out of a total cost of $743,000. • The Goodna Family Support Program will receive its share of $151,000 for community support services. • $95,000 will be spent by The Base at Goodna to help young people develop skills to participate positively in the community. The Base is an excellent community organisation, under the leadership of its president, Andy Mather. • $614,000 will be spent to provide residential foster care for four young males aged 12-17 years with complex needs and one with moderate needs at a total cost of $1.84 million. • Planning to upgrade the bus/rail interchange at Goodna is well under way. • $45 million in Federal funding to our government has been allocated towards constructing the Logan Motorway Interchange—at a total cost of $160 million. Some preliminary works will start by Christmas time this year. Traffic management devices will also be installed. • Work continues on the construction of a new 160MVA/33KV substation at Goodna. The work is designed to support the zone substations in surrounding areas. The project, costing $38.2 million, is expected to be completed, weather permitting, early in 2007. • The Goodna Community Health Centre, Disability Services, Department of Child Safety and Goodna Police continue to provide professional services in our community, fully funded by our Beattie Labor Government. • Goodna State School was allocated $60,000 for minor works of existing preschool classrooms in preparation for the prep year in 2007. Working with the school community in preparing for prep year has been very important. The Goodna prep classes will remain off site, in Stuart Street, in accordance with the wishes of the school community. • The Urban Renewal program in Goodna is near completion, with 236 houses being refurbished at a cost of $17,128,276. • Community renewal has also been completed in Goodna/Gailes at a cost of $5.9 million, with 73 projects being funded. I have written to the Minister for Housing seeking urban renewal in the Gailes area. Camira/Springfield/Springfield Lakes/Brookwater • The new Springfield Lakes State School will receive $11.51 million, with classrooms now under construction. • Woodcrest College will receive a financial allocation for maintenance of flooring and moneys have also been set aside for the hiring of two buildings. • In this budget, $11.75 million has been allocated toward construction of the South West Arterial between Springfield and Yamanto. It will be a new, sealed, two-lane road, with a total cost of $270 million. • I am delighted that $75,000 has been allocated to upgrade lighting for rugby league and touch football at the Bob Gibbs Oval. This money will go to Ipswich City Council for works to be undertaken this year. • The Bremer Institute of TAFE has co-located with the University of Southern Queensland at Springfield. Programs currently being delivered include Adult Tertiary Preparation subjects in psychology, language and learning, accounting, computing, maths and English. Other Diploma courses, Certificate IV and III courses are run dependent on sufficient enrolment of students. • The Springfield College was allocated $189,175 for construction of a pick up and set down area, and also $186,000 for internal road and headworks changes. • Queensland Health continues to support the Springfield community through its Springfield Women’s group and new Men’s group. • Woodcrest College, a Queensland Government State School, received over $440,000 to extend four existing classrooms and minor refurbishment of two existing preschool classrooms in the planning for the prep year beginning in 2007. • John Holland has been appointed in an Interim Project Alliance to fast track final feasibility of the duplication of the Centenary Highway and the new passenger railway line to Springfield. Dependent upon contributions by the Springfield developer, work could begin in 2007. The Queensland Co-ordinator General is involved in this alliance. Since I have been elected to Parliament, Woodcrest College has been completed, Springfield College has been expanded with financial assistance of the government, St. Augustine’s Catholic College at Augustine Heights has powered ahead with our government’s strong support, Staines Memorial College has received approval and is up and running, the new Springfield Lakes State School is currently under construction. A new fire station at Camira has been built, the Centenary Highway extension completed to Springfield, a new police beat opened at Springfield Lakes. The new Springfield to Yamanto road has been funded in this budget and the new Darra to Springfield railway line has been fast tracked, dependent on a contribution from the developers of Springfield. The Department of Housing has been actively purchasing homes in the Springfield and Springfield Lakes areas. In recent months, six houses have been purchased in Springfield Lakes for public housing tenants and I have requested the department to purchase more four bedroom homes. In conclusion, I think that it is clear to everyone in the electorate of Bundamba that I have worked like a dog, seven days a week, to ensure that our community grows and prospers, not just in government services and infrastructure, but that we grow as a community, that we grow spiritually, that we care for the elderly, sick, disabled, youth and the unemployed. By working together as a community, our area continues to be a great place to live. Mr MESSENGER (Burnett—NPA) (11.12 am): This budget is an admission of eight years of Labor neglect. This budget represents the Labor Party trying to play catch-up after historically losing three by-elections in a row. There is the ugly smell of desperation about this budget. The Treasurer and other members opposite have tried to disguise this ugly smell with the perfume of slick rhetoric. Time 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2481 after time we have heard echoing around this chamber the words ‘It’s a record budget, it’s a record spend.’ As the member for Beaudesert pointed out, since 1989 every government can claim that its budget represents a spending record. The question is: where is the money being spent? Fundamentally, this budget has a big hole. That hole is a mile wide. Everyone can see it. It is a $3 billion hole. Even the most fiscally challenged member can see that there is a $3 billion hole in this almost $29 billion budget. It represents a 10 per cent hole in the budget. This government has not properly budgeted for the Premier’s promise to build his megadam on the Mary River near Gympie. This dam will be an absolute environmental disaster. This dam will be an absolute social disaster. This budget proves that this dam will also be an absolute financial disaster. The Premier is good at putting projects and infrastructure on the state’s bankcard—on the never-never—but the true cost of this dam is nowhere to be found in this document or in any other document that the Premier has presented to this House. People do not have to be financial geniuses to work out that the Premier’s monstrosity on the Mary River will cost the state at least $3 billion, with 7,600 hectares to be flooded at an estimated average cost of $30,000 per hectare. The land buyback will be greater than $2 billion. If the cost of the pipeline, the rerouting of roads and the public infrastructure that will be flooded by the Premier’s dam are added, we see that the true cost of this dam will be close to $3 billion. There goes the projected $2.8 billion surplus in this new Treasurer’s budget. This budget is a pathetic and dishonest attempt at political catch-up from a tired, arrogant government that is looking down the political barrel of an election that has a couple of figures that are going to haunt this Premier and his Labor colleagues: zero three-cornered contests. The swagger has gone out of the walks of the Labor members for Mudgeeraba, Broadwater, Redlands and Hervey Bay, because they know that they are facing one of the strongest cohesive Liberal and National Party conservative campaigns. To borrow a phrase from the Prime Minister, the Premier and his new Treasurer are trying to fatten the pig on market day. This budget is an admission of eight years of Labor neglect. Combined with the strongest Liberal and National Party coalition in the history of Queensland politics, this budget is ultimately— Honourable members interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr English): Order! While honourable members of this House take a breather, I would like to welcome into the public gallery students, staff and parents from Robina State School in the electorate of Robina, which is represented in this House by Mr Bob Quinn. Mr MESSENGER: Ultimately, this budget is hope for the conservative side of this House. This Labor budget provides Queenslanders with a choice as to whether they will accept it or not. Very shortly we will have an election. At that election the families—the mums and dads of Queensland—can have a say on who they trust to fix their health system, who they trust to provide a public education system that works, who they trust to get their priorities right and actually deliver services. This budget is not worth the paper that it is written on. We have learned the hard way not to trust this Premier and his government. As witnessed by the Bundaberg Hospital royal commission, we have learned that this Premier and his government are literally prepared to sacrifice Queenslanders’ lives in order to prevent a cover-up being exposed and the resultant bad news released so that they can remain in power. They will do anything to remain in power. No falsehood is too deceitful. No cover-up is too outrageous for this Labor government. I am truly amazed by the ability of those opposite to be able to close their eyes and sleep at night. The members opposite collectively have the blood of at least 13 victims of Patel on their hands. Mr LEE: Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise to a point of order. Those comments are a reflection on most people here. I certainly find them offensive and I ask that they be withdrawn. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr English): Order! They were not directed at you personally. Mr MESSENGER: Because they supported the cover-up, not once have they asked the hard questions of their political leaders. Yesterday I questioned the Attorney-General over this government’s special mediation and compensation process for Patel victims—a process that requires an elderly woman to be subjected to some very silly questions relating to body piercing, tattoos, sexual relationships, whether she was a bankrupt and whether she was sexually molested as child. After hearing the words straight from a Patel victim about how they are being made to feel as though they are to blame— Mr Terry Sullivan interjected. Mr MESSENGER: The member for Stafford is on very shaky ground. Through you, Mr Deputy Speaker, I suggest that the member for Stafford is the most least qualified to comment on Patel patients since he led the charge— Ms Nolan: ‘Most least’? 2482 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

Mr MESSENGER: The least qualified since he led the charge vilifying me when I brought this subject up in parliament. Did the Attorney-General in her answer give an undertaking to investigate these very disturbing facts? Did she give an undertaking to investigate this special mediation process? Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I have given you some leniency. I will give you a short period of time to come back to the budget. Mr MESSENGER: In speaking to the budget, I would like to say that there are no additional funds allocated for the special compensation process or enough money being set aside so that Patel victims receive fair and just compensation. We need look no further than the environment portfolio to discover one of the many great Labor untruths. The Premier does not care about the environment. He does not care about the votes. He really only cares about the votes that are attached to the issue of the environment. In the nuclear debate we had two days ago, he exposed his true feelings. I would have to agree with the Queensland Greens environment spokeswoman Juanita Wheeler, who said earlier this year that Mr Beattie’s only concern about uranium mining was whether it would affect the coal industry, not whether it was bad or good for the environment. That is what the debate was about. Labor, the supposed great champion of environmental protection with a budget of almost $29 billion and with a projected massive surplus of $2.8 billion, has allocated a whopping 1.01 per cent, $294.488 million, to the protection of our environment. Just to put that in context, that means that, for the 4,081,043 people who are expected to populate this state by June 2007, $72.15 per Queenslander will be spent on environmental protection. Three budgets ago in 2003-04, according to Parliamentary Library research, with a population of 3,801,039 and a total spend of— Mr WALLACE: Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise to a point of order. I just want to know whether the member for Burnett is the same person who added up the figures for the coalition budget papers? Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Mr MESSENGER: Three budgets ago in 2003-04, according to Parliamentary Library research, with a population of 3,801,039 and a total spend of $379,002,000, this government spent $99.71 per Queenslander on environmental protection. When compared with 2003-04 figures, this budget shows an intention by this Labor government to decrease expenditure on environmental protection by 38 per cent per capita. Mrs Miller: Why don’t you talk about the Burnett? Mr MESSENGER: The environment under this Labor government has been neglected and is in a state of disrepair. Feral pigs, wild dogs, imported pests and weeds are threatening the biodiversity of our native flora and fauna, and this state government is putting the responsibility back on local governments and landowners. It is shirking its responsibility. If the member would like me to talk about the Burnett, I would be only too glad to. In my own backyard, waterweeds are threatening the ecosystems, threatening iconic endangered species in the Burnett and Kolan rivers. This government has the audacity to rake in more than $40 million in profit from the government owned corporation SunWater yet will not do anything substantial or significant to try and solve this problem. This government is prepared to watch while more than 500 hectares of waterweed infest our rivers. This government prefers to do nothing when faced with obvious environmental damage—for example, salt intrusion from ill-designed prawn farms in north Queensland—and then overreact, such as banning horse riding in state forests, to what would appear to be minimal or insignificant environmental damage. This policy is repeated all over Queensland, where the schizophrenic management of the environment has left many people in the communities shaking their heads in disgust. As well as a real decrease in funds available for environment protection and management, the Labor government has decreased the total staff numbers. Under staffing by employment type, as at June 2005 the head count of total staff was 2,331. According to this year’s ministerial portfolio statement, the estimated actual staff number is 2,111—a decrease of 220 employees, or approximately 9.4 per cent. Who is going to manage and protect the extra land from feral pests and weeds which is supposed to be acquired under future developments? There is allocated in this budget $23 million for land acquisitions in south-east Queensland and the Cape York Peninsula. Everyone knows that in Cape York alone there are more than 20 million feral pigs, yet there is nothing in this budget which gives me the confidence that this government is trying to fix this substantial and significant environmental problem. A 2005 report written by a JCU PhD candidate and commissioned by the Wilderness Society highlights the underrepresentation by Indigenous people employed as rangers, being only five per cent ‘while 60 per cent of the resident population in Cape York Peninsula is of Indigenous descent’. The Wilderness Society makes the following valid points: a key to the successful long-term management of national parks and other protected areas on Cape York Peninsula is the greater involvement of traditional owners and Indigenous communities in park management. Indigenous knowledge and 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2483 involvement are urgently required to maintain healthy ecosystems and fauna and flora population in Cape York Peninsula’s protected areas. QPWS would do well to increase the number of Indigenous identified positions in both ranger and administrative roles and Indigenous liaison ranger staff within Cape York Peninsula in recognition of the rights and interests of the traditional owners. Traditional owners could be contracted to perform natural resource and other management tasks within their country. I call upon the minister to increase the numbers of Indigenous employees within the EPA. We have a coalition vision to establish a water-recycling project incorporating a program towards zero ocean outfalls to be achieved over an eight-year period. Queensland has 32 ocean outfalls which release approximately 422 million litres per day of semitreated effluent into our pristine estuary systems and along the state’s coastline. It is the coalition’s long-term vision to eliminate ocean outfalls through a zero ocean discharge policy and the implementation of recyclable water projects. The Queensland coalition government, when elected, will inject $300 million into water-recycling initiatives to ensure that more waste water is recycled for agriculture, business and industry use. I note that the regional budget statements are for broad districts. The Wide Bay-Burnett district includes the electorates of Burnett, Bundaberg, Hervey Bay and Maryborough. There are no budget statements based on electorates. I think that for clarity there should be budget statements based on electorates. The amounts actually spent in the regions are not recorded fully in the budget papers. The capital statement gives an actual figure for each portfolio but not for each district. In relation to Education, there does not appear to be any capital expenditure in the Burnett. In relation to Emergency Services, I am grateful for the $110,000 for the redevelopment of the Miriam Vale fire station and $700,000 to purchase rural operations land for an auxiliary station in Agnes Water. In relation to Employment and Training, there is going to be a redevelopment of the TAFE in Bundaberg. I am appreciative of the money that is being given for that—over $2 million. In Agnes Water, there is the reinforcement of the Ergon Energy electricity supply, which is a project that I have been hounding the minister about since I was elected. Brownouts and blackouts have continued at Agnes Water and they will not be fixed until we have that substation. Agnes Water is in a difficult position because both electricity and water are in short supply. I have to congratulate the Agnes Water and 1770 communities and the Miriam Vale Shire Council. The council is proactive. Since 1993, it has had a policy of compulsory rainwater tanks, which has gone a long way to alleviating the water problems the towns are facing, but it desperately needs to look at other options of getting fresh water, and desalinisation is one of those options. Desalinisation can never be an option until there is a reliable electricity supply, and the $19.2 million to be spent on the reinforcement of the electricity supply is welcome. While I am on the subject of the Miriam Vale Shire Council, I want to address one other issue. The Miriam Vale Shire Council is in many ways, as I have mentioned, a progressive council. It has been going through a few tough issues around staff employment. I have referred a number of issues to the CMC. I would like to table a statutory letter of declaration from Jo Gillies, the architect making serious allegations about senior staff at the Miriam Vale Shire Council. I have forwarded a letter on to the CMC— Mr WALLACE: Madam Deputy Speaker, on a point of order: I believe this is a budget debate; I do not know what it has got to do with corruption at the Miriam Vale Shire Council. Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms Jarratt): There is no point of order. Mr MESSENGER: I urgently call on the CMC and the local government minister to investigate this very serious issue. There are many capital expenditure issues in the Wide Bay-Burnett area that I wish to speak about. I am happy for the Environmental Protection Agency to spend money on the office upgrades in the Great Sandy National Park, but I do note that we have missed out in the area of health. There is no expansion of the health services in the Bundaberg Hospital, no upgrade of services at the Bundaberg Hospital—except for a $1.5 million electrical upgrade—there are no new beds and there are no upgrades to the maternity service, which has to deal with another 350 births because of the closure of the private healthcare facility in Bundaberg. Bundaberg Hospital has five birthing suites, with only three operating at the moment. The hospital could reopen two of those birthing suites, because the number of births in Bundaberg Hospital has increased from 500 births per year to 850 births per year, which is placing an enormous strain on the maternity services. There is no enhancement of renal services at Bundaberg and no upgrade of staff accommodation. Tabled paper: Copy of letter, dated 8 June 2006, from Jo Gillies to Mr Messenger regarding Manager, Miriam Vale Shire Council. Time expired. 2484 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

Mrs DESLEY SCOTT (Woodridge—ALP) (11.33 am): I must say it is a pleasure to be able to bring this debate back into positive territory. Crafting a major economic document such as the annual budget for the state of Queensland requires a great deal of delicate balance, and I congratulate the Treasurer and those involved in bringing this document to the House. The word which is being used is ‘visionary’, and I believe at this time in the development of this state a visionary outlook is required. There is a vital need to keep our economy strong, and this budget delivers on that. It is plainly demonstrable that the Smart State initiative has attracted huge investment in research and development. Many professionals have been attracted back to the state to engage in such areas as medical and biological sciences, and our resource sector continues to grow. A strong economy provides jobs, and in all sectors this state is booming. This huge growth brings about great challenges to increase services and also to train sufficiently skilled workers to cater for this growth. This budget has responded to the need for additional skills training and provides $1 billion in its Queensland Skills Plan. We all have the echoes of the opposition ringing in our ears when the Premier dared to forecast an unemployment rate of five per cent for this state. The figures are there for all to see. In fact, the Treasurer has now updated that figure and our unemployment is now 4.9 per cent. Queensland has led the way, with 25 per cent of the job creation figures in Australia. While I acknowledge that the electorate of Woodridge has an unemployment figure just over 10 per cent, I consider this as a great opportunity for the constituents of my electorate. A total of $801 million will be invested in vocational education and training reforms, $300 million of which is for capital works. Breaking the Unemployment Cycle has been a fantastic success in Logan, enabling many of our long-term unemployed, mature age people and refugees and migrants to gain valuable skills and training, with a high percentage gaining full-time employment. This budget will build on those successes. School based apprenticeships in the Logan area are increasing rapidly, and we have the highest rate of youngsters in Australia accessing this most successful training. Apprenticeship training has undergone a review and some of these courses will now be delivered in a shorter period. Industry has an urgent need for skilled tradesmen, and in this budget $600 million over four years will be available for apprenticeship training, an increase of almost 40 per cent. I am glad to see an initiative to market apprenticeship training, as I am very aware that many of the students who are now in our high schools need to turn their career focus to this area. In many ways, our Logan Institute of TAFE has been such a success that it is bursting at the seams. Under the directorship of Mr Greg Harper, the institute has been very responsive to the needs of local industry and commerce, as well as offering both English classes and certificate level training for migrants, refugees and long-term unemployed people involved in Community Jobs Plan training. It has offered flexibility in its courses to accommodate local needs and taken an active role in the Education and Training Reforms for the Future. A new alignment will shortly take place with our TAFE colleges which will mean that the non-trade areas of Yeronga, Moreton and Logan institutes will be combined and many of the trade subjects will be transferred to the Acacia Ridge campus of the Trade and Technical Skills Institute. An allocation of $48.5 million will be invested in the Acacia Ridge facility. I have no doubt that this huge injection of funds in the area of employment and training will have a very marked, positive outcome for many in my electorate. Job creation and skills training is the secret to an independent, happy and fulfilled future for many who have not been able to engage in paid employment to this time. I would now like to turn my focus to education. First, I would like to say that the future of our children is in very safe hands. As I visit the schools in the electorate, the passion and devotion of our teachers, principals and indeed the whole school community, including other staff members and P&Cs, is remarkable. I want to say to all teachers that they are highly valued, and I welcome the initiatives in this budget which will assist them in their sometimes daunting task. Many schools in my area have had older buildings which have sometimes been condemned and removed, but many still in existence are in great need of upgrade. The $1 billion for school renewal and upgrades over the next five years will offer great opportunities. I welcome many of the individual funding allocations for such things as painting, flooring, reticulation and roofing and the continued funding for two resource centres at Marsden State School and Harrisfield State School. There has been huge capital investment to accommodate the statewide commencement of prep year in 2007. It is good to see an additional staffing allocation of 100 teachers for the prep year and also another 150 teachers to reduce class sizes. Funding is also provided for additional computers, cabling, electrical safety switches and the accelerated removal of asbestos roofs. The success of the Education and Training Reforms for the Future in my electorate has seen many young people re-engaged in education, training or school based apprenticeships, and some into employment. The innovation and flexibility seen throughout the diverse range of programs was recently highlighted in a showcase at the Logan Entertainment Centre with many of the non-government partners as presenters. It was truly inspiring. Arranged by Ms Bev Worrall and supported by Ms Kerry 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2485

Holst, our District Director of Education, it highlighted the very devoted and innovative people involved in this tough end of the education sector. I seek leave to have the rest of my speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. An additional $2m for support services, continued funding for 113 youth support coordinators, and $5.9m in grants for local initiatives. What doesn’t appear in the budget is some of the additional activities schools undertake on their own such as the Primary Schools which are running playgroups onsite to engage with the mothers with 0-5 yr olds. This will form a great relationship prior to the children starting prep, a social network of support for young mums and will enable parenting, nutrition, budgeting information to be given. In many ways our schools are the hub of our community and these measures will strengthen our community a great deal. Mr Speaker: I would now like to address health issues in Logan. Any suggestion by the opposition health spokesman or a Logan City Councillor who has his eye on state government issues rather than his paid position, that our hospital is in trouble is plainly wrong and has not only offended staff at our hospital, but also many in our community. We have a fine hospital with great, dedicated staff which offers exceptional services. Our Health Minister, Hon Stephen Robertson, was recently on hand to launch a $3.2m MRI facility which will mean Logan residents will no longer have to travel to either Brisbane or the Gold Coast for Scans. The budget contains an ongoing amount of $5.494m (part of $11m) for the Emergency Department upgrade, $965,000 to support mental health services to employ additional specialist staff, $1.08m to enhance cardiac services and $300,000 for a new cancer outreach service from PA Hospital. Of great significance is an amount of $5.22m for a trial in Logan-Beaudesert for a Chronic Disease Strategy. Health promotion and early intervention will save our health budget huge amounts and this message is so important. It is good to see this government making funds available aimed at reducing smoking in young women. This government has now increased the initial funding for the Health Action Plan from $6.4m to $9.7m. It will mean more doctors, nurses and allied health professionals, and more funding to help reduce surgery wait times. We are serious about ensuring our health services are efficient, patient-focused, delivered within an appropriate time frame and available to all. Mr Speaker: Community Renewal has made a greater difference to our facilities and services in the Woodridge Electorate than any other program, and I am happy to say that there is funding in this budget of $1.37m for it to continue both in the new area of Marsden/Crestmead as well as the existing areas of Woodridge/Kingston. As well as this program of innovation, a further $4.28m will be spent upgrading existing Department of Housing homes. $997,000 will also be spent upgrading ATSI accommodation, and $488,000 to continue the work of Logan and Beenleigh Home Assist Secure Program. This budget increases funding for disabilities, with $496,000 locally to support people with disabilities and their families and $336,000 to support adults in the community. Many of our local sporting associations such as Junior Cricket, the Logan Netball Association and the PCYC have received funding as well as increased funding for child safety, foster carers and assistance for Indigenous families to prevent children entering the child care system. Funding for roads and noise barriers also continues, while our continuity of supply of electricity has been well addressed. Mr Speaker: This is a great budget for the entire state. It will continue much of the good work in my own electorate and I commend the Treasurer once again for the vision and balance and the equity displayed in the carve up of funding. Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms Jarratt): I welcome to the chamber teachers and students from St Joseph’s Primary School in Tweed Heads, New South Wales, who are not represented in the chamber but are nonetheless very welcome. Mr ROGERS (Redcliffe—Lib) (11.40 am): I rise to speak to the Appropriation Bill 2006. I am very pleased to respond on behalf of Redcliffe as it has been many years since such a response has been made in this House. The current Labor government has been under extreme pressure in the past year to redeem itself for the atrocious mismanagement of state services. Unfortunately, this budget simply reveals to Queensland what has not been achieved by the government in the past year. As this is the government’s ninth budget I would have expected it to prove that the money allocated last year had been appropriately and effectively spent, especially at a time when infrastructure has suffered from serious underspending. One of the major problems of this budget is that it has revealed and confirmed to Queensland that 127 capital works projects due to be finalised this year are still unfinished. Clearly, the infrastructure underspending that has come to be a characteristic of the government continues. I was amazed when looking through the budget at the amount of money that was spent on reports, studies and other planning. I was also amazed at how much was actually not spent on doing things. This budget shows that $200 million has not been spent on health, which equates to Queensland’s hospitals being deprived of 400 beds. It shows that $34 million has not been spent on disability services and that $43 million has been popped into the Labor government kitty and not spent on public works. Public housing waiting lists continue to grow appallingly, yet the Beattie Labor government neglected to spend $36 million of what it budgeted in the last year. This budget has revealed that most health related capital works and building projects promised in the 2005-06 budget have not been delivered. Given the current crisis, the shocking $200 million underspend of the Health budget is unforgivable. Queensland’s faith in the government has been abused and taken for granted. The government’s failure to deliver is shameful and the people of Queensland have again been misled. While the government has played the blame game, $200 million has been sitting in the coffers waiting to be spent. This government is so disorganised and inefficient that of the $115 million budgeted last year for the construction of community health projects only $23 million worth was ever constructed. One of the critical failures of this state government is a failure to deliver health infrastructure. This budget delivers little or no relief to patients on long waiting lists. Only last week a report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare showed that Queensland was short by 700 hospital beds. 2486 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

This budget fails to deliver capital works necessary to provide the extra 700 beds Queensland hospitals are short of. In fact, if one looks through the capital statement for health capital works on pages 80 to 85 one sees something truly extraordinary: a situation where the vast majority of capital works promised in last year’s budget and budgeted for were never delivered, including $200 million for much-needed health projects. This would be enough money to build and operate for a year 400 of the 700 hospitals beds. Looking down the list of projects in last year’s budget, particularly community health centres, primary healthcare centres, hospitals and emergency departments, I found something that most Queenslanders would find hard to swallow. Despite a diligent search I was unable to find a single capital works project in the dozens listed that was fully delivered as promised. That is, not one was delivered as promised. Some bear particular comment. Firstly, there was an array of emergency department upgrades— at Gympie Hospital, Logan Hospital, Redland Hospital, Robina Hospital, Dalby Hospital and even the hospital in my own electorate of Redcliffe—none of which was delivered. I will come back to Redcliffe later. Is it any wonder that we have a crisis in emergency departments when in this state every single emergency department project budgeted for the last year was not delivered in its budgeted entirety? This budget continues to deliver little relief for our crippled emergency departments. I want to make reference to a couple of these projects. Firstly, there was $50 million allocated in the previous budget for the 2005-06 year to upgrade Prince Charles Hospital, developing a new emergency department and other hospital services. Of the almost $51 million budgeted for last year only $28.5 million was spent. That makes the Prince Charles Hospital the No. 1 loser, with over $22 million remaining unspent from last year’s budget. It is no surprise, therefore, that the government has broken its promise to the people of Aspley and surrounding suburbs—that is, to deliver a fully functioning emergency department. It is no surprise that the government has tried to sneak this decision past local residents with minimal comment. It is no surprise that the director of emergency medicine at Prince Charles Hospital was transferred out to another Queensland hospital. The government made an array of feeble excuses as to why the Prince Charles Hospital upgrade has not proceeded when it has promised dozens of health capital projects and not a single one has been delivered. The government’s inability to manage services is on show. All I can say to the government is that this is pathetic. This performance on delivering vital health care is so bad that the member for Algester in her earlier speech resorted to the vernacular. It is very obvious that when it comes to health, in particular capital works to provide capital health infrastructure as detailed by my colleague the member for Moggill yesterday, this government could not organise a booze-up in a brewery. The prize for runner-up in the unspent capital project category goes to the Robina Ambulatory and Community Health Centre. The government had allocated $10 million to build this much-touted health centre and yet not a cent was spent—absolutely nothing at all. This is another pathetic performance in actually delivering on promises for the people of Queensland. The government is relocating the Riverton centre. This is a unique centre in Queensland of vital importance to mothers with young babies who are having problems. Last year the government allocated $6.5 million for that relocation, yet it spent just over $1.5 million. All in all, we have almost every health capital project not being completely delivered and in some cases nothing being delivered at all. We have a $200 million black hole of promised hospital and health centre infrastructure that just did not happen. You cannot blame one-off factors or anyone else when the failure is so widely systematic. Surely with the massive increase in health staff, staffing budgets and so forth the government has the organisational staff to get its act together and get on with the job. However, as with other issues in the Health portfolio, it failed dismally. This budget confirms that public dental services in Queensland are in crisis. General dental clinic patient treatment declined by a dramatic 19 per cent. There has been a massive decline in the number of people being able to access general dental treatment, even with a huge funding boost for outpatient services. Yet again this reveals to Queensland the extent to which the Beattie Labor government cannot manage or get the priorities right for health. Even our schools are suffering with the decrease in public dental services, with 40,000 fewer treatments being completed in Queensland. Under the Beattie Labor government public dental, mental health and hospital projects have been neglected and have suffered underspending. In the past year fewer general dental clients were seen, acute in-patient time frames blew out and capital outlays were underspent. Even with more money, fewer services have been provided by the Beattie Labor government. Of the $154 million of hospital projects promised in last year’s budget, only $81 million was actually delivered. Mental health projects have suffered enormously at the hands of this government. Out of the $11.5 million promised last year for mental health projects only $3.5 million was actually delivered. No wonder we are having enormous difficulty keeping up with mental health services, emergency department services and community health projects. It is because this government cannot deliver on capital works. It keeps breaking its promises. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2487

Based on the history of this government, Queensland cannot possibly believe that the Beattie Labor government will deliver on its promised projects in this year’s budget. In my electorate of Redcliffe—such a beautiful place—the 2006-07 state budget has shamefully revealed once again that the Beattie Labor government has no intention of delivering on its promises to the people and they have yet again been neglected. This has been going on for 17 years. Despite promises in the recent by-election campaign to duplicate the Houghton Highway, if one looks in this year’s budget papers one sees that no allocation has been recorded in black and white. While the duplication is listed in the 2006-07 Roads Implementation Program as an approved allocation of $9 million with a further $136.5 million in future years, the funding fails to be noted in the budget documents. That is a significant spend and it is simply not there. It cannot be seen. The minister has discussed the $9 million towards the Houghton Highway duplication; however, the project is not listed, even though much smaller and less costly projects are. There are projects of $100,000. There are press releases that say that the Houghton Highway is going ahead, but I cannot find any reference to it in the budget papers. I just do not know what is going on. Mr Reeves: That is obvious. That is true. Mr ROGERS: I do not know what those opposite are hiding. The people of Redcliffe deserve a mention. I cannot see why the government would hide such a large project. It would appear that the Houghton Highway has been put on the backburner yet again with no real commitment listed visibly in this year’s budget. I turn now to the railway. Members have heard me speak about the railway. The Redcliffe railway has been promised by several governments and never delivered. The idea for the railway was originally suggested in 1896. The current rail corridor extends from Petrie to Kippa-Ring. Queensland Transport has owned most of the land for the railway since 1978. Although the government says that it is protecting the corridor, it claims it will develop a bus link in the rail corridor to Petrie. A busway in the rail corridor will be less economically viable and less cost-efficient. If the government’s short-sighted bus corridor plan proceeds, displacing the rail corridor, we will never be able to have rail as a problem transport option in Redcliffe because there will simply be nowhere for the tracks to go. As the borders of the communities between Redcliffe and the Gold Coast reduce, it is important to allow rail infrastructure to link these communities. Every day the traffic congestion is shocking on the Houghton Highway, the Gateway Motorway to the Brisbane CBD and to the south of Brisbane due to lack of infrastructure spending. This year Transport spent only $163 million, leaving exactly that— $163 million—for the government to still spend. Why would the government fail to deliver this when there is money in the kitty? I would welcome this missing $163 million to be spent on rail to Redcliffe and the actual delivery of the Houghton Highway duplication. The government talks of a bus corridor. The bus corridor is certain to be a loss-making exercise, capable of moving less than half as many passengers while costing as much or more than a railway. The railway is a far better long-term investment. However, either way the government has neglected to invest in this area. There has been no mention of the bus corridor in the recent budget. Other than the construction of the transit lane to nowhere at Kippa-Ring, no significant funding has been delivered in Redcliffe for too long. We have a transit lane to nowhere. We have a stretch of road with a transit lane that starts part way along. It also finishes before getting out the other end. It does not do anything except give people more room to park their cars in the traffic jam. This is ridiculous—a transit lane that takes people nowhere. I do not think it is a transit lane at all. Finally, we have a commitment to upgrade our emergency department. I told members I would be back. Once again, this is a major catch-up by the Beattie Labor government to upgrade facilities in Redcliffe which are overdue. This was actually a pork-barrelling exercise in the lead-up to the 2004 general election. We are still waiting for soil to be turned on this project. We have money in the budget that is just not being spent. I hope staffing resources will be provided to operate this department at Redcliffe Hospital and that it is not like the Prince Charles Hospital, where the implementation is being staged due to a lack of support services. Fortunately, in Redcliffe the school where my parents met, the Humpybong State School—they met there during World War II in grade 1—will receive a classroom upgrade to support practical learning initiatives. That is the one thing I did find was actually going to happen in Redcliffe. However, one of the major issues that teachers in my electorate have is the need for specific behaviour management facilities. I have received deputations and letters from teachers and members of the Queensland Teachers Union in this regard. I would have been really impressed if funds had also been allocated to enable the refurbishment of the old Humpybong preschool to allow this important part of education to be implemented. I would have been thrilled to also read out a long list of offerings in this budget for the people of Redcliffe, as I have heard so many other members do, but yet again we have been ignored. This government has failed Redcliffe again. The Beattie Labor government’s legacy of inactivity and neglect has been drawn out and Queensland has suffered. This government is not interested in investing in Queensland. It has the money; it just fails to spend it. Why is $429 million missing on Queensland’s 2488 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006 capital outlays? Why would the government underspend when it can mention only two convention centre projects as achievements? Where has all of the money gone? Queensland has the money to improve health, transport and infrastructure, yet after eight budgets and the pressure of a looming election the Beattie Labor government has neglected to spend. If Queensland could mark the report card of the Beattie Labor government right now, a big ‘F’ would appear on the page. The tragic underspending and missing investments of this government for the past eight years have left Queensland without hospital beds and the people of Redcliffe without infrastructure, effectively isolating our community. We could call it the island state of Redcliffe, we are that neglected in any form of infrastructure spending and transport. These spending shortfalls are unforgiving and a true reflection of this government’s limited capabilities. In the past eight years the Beattie Labor government failed to deliver on its promises to the people of Redcliffe and the rest of Queensland. Queensland wants to see achievements and they want to see them now. We are sick of hearing about infrastructure and investment promises which simply do not eventuate. Hon. NITA CUNNINGHAM (Bundaberg—ALP) (11.54 am): I rise with a great deal of pleasure to support the appropriation bills 2006 that will follow on the Beattie Labor government’s tradition of fiscal responsibility. The Beattie government already has a proud record of economic management, with the Queensland economy now outperforming the rest of the states with 3½ per cent growth. Business investment is estimated to surpass the $25 billion mark for the first time and unemployment is expected to remain around five per cent—the lowest for 30 years. The increase in funding for the health action plan to $9.7 billion over five years will provide more doctors, nurses and allied health workers, more services, more hospital capacity, more equipment, better technology, shorter waiting times and better facilities—delivering on our commitment to build the best possible health system for Queensland. Queensland Public Service workers will welcome the new maternity leave entitlements. The Disability Services budget of $633 million marks an increase of 186 per cent since we gained office in 1998. The Department of Child Safety funding has almost tripled in the last three years and this year will establish two new residential therapeutic facilities and new services for Indigenous children. The Queensland Police Service will get an extra 350 police officers this year, making that an increase of almost 3,000 in the last three terms. Another 144 ambulance officers will be added to the service over three years and 35 new communication officers will start this year. The budget provides over $100 million for the rebuilding effort in north Queensland following the cyclone in March. Rural Queensland will benefit from $150 million over the next four years for a range of Blueprint for the Bush initiatives. Another reform that will be welcomed, especially in my electorate, is the payroll tax changes, releasing some 600 employers across the state from paying payroll tax in the 2006-07 year, and a further 4,000 employers will have their payroll tax reduced. That is great news indeed for business and for jobs. This budget also brings some land tax relief for residents. The sum of $1 billion is being invested in our schools over the next five years. P&C members are welcoming the changes in applications for funds. To address the infrastructure needs, Queensland’s capital works budget will exceed $10 billion for the first time ever. The good news for regional Queensland is that 60 per cent of that capital program will be outside the Brisbane region. For my electorate of Bundaberg, this year’s budget will give a very welcome economic boost to our schools, our roads, our hospital, our city council and numerous community services as well as local clubs and groups. Some $3.1 million will be spent this year on completing the planning and starting the construction of our massive $42 million ring-road that will take heavy vehicles out of residential areas and provide safe pedestrian crossings for students of St Luke’s College, East Primary and Kalkie schools. It will include 14.3 kilometres of new road, an overpass over the main north-south rail line, a number of smaller bridges and traffic lights at major crossroads. Another $3.5 million will fund traffic lights and upgrading at eight of our busy intersections to make our city roads safer. The city council in Bundaberg now has state funding approved for three major projects, almost $2 million for the Hinkler Hall of Fame, $3.8 million for the Turtle Interpretive Centre and $1.5 million for the proposed aquatic centre. This financial year should see these projects commence. The council will also receive $287,000 for three walkway/bikeway projects. Contrary to the comments of the member for Burnett in this debate, Bundaberg’s Base Hospital will indeed benefit from this budget. For our hospital, we will see the flow-on benefits from the $9.7 billion health action plan committed by the government to build a better health system over the next five years. For Bundaberg’s hospital specifically, apart from the electrical upgrade, we will have an extra $765,000 for enhanced cardiac services, $391,000 to employ additional specialist mental health staff, $390,000 for new cancer services and $113,000 of additional funding for Indigenous health programs. Bundaberg certainly has concerns about the shortage of skilled workers, particularly in the building industry, so it has been a real coup for Bundaberg to get one of the 10 Skilling Solutions service centres that were announced in this budget, and I look forward to seeing that take shape. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2489

As well, our TAFE college will be boosted with $2 million from the state and federal budgets for redevelopment of the Bundaberg campus. Another six Bundaberg schools have gained capital works funds in this budget following on from unprecedented building works at our schools in my three terms in this parliament. Some of those schools had been waiting for many years for their buildings. Indeed, one had correspondence dating back to 1984 requesting the replacement of a toilet block that was in a dangerous position for children. It now has that new toilet block as well as a covered area and is very happy with the results and, of course, very happy with our government. For our schools there is also $153,000 in this budget to continue the school based police officer at Kepnock State High School, which is very important. Foster care, child support, disability support and community support groups in Bundaberg will be funded in excess of $3 million this year. To support this government’s healthy lifestyle initiatives, 27 of our local sporting groups and clubs have gained almost $117,000. That will provide training, equipment and facilities that they would otherwise not be able to afford. It gives me a great deal of pleasure to work with those groups. Some $800,000 in this budget will start the construction of a new electricity substation to cater for the development needs of our growing city. Twelve new public housing units will be built at a cost of $3 million and another 12 valued at $3.46 million will be underway with this year’s budget allocation of $300,000. As well, the upgrading and servicing of public housing in my area in this financial year will exceed $2.7 million. I am delighted to speak in support of the Appropriation Bill. As I will be retiring from this parliament at the end of this term, this will be my last budget. What a great budget it is for Queensland. What a great budget it is for my electorate of Bundaberg. I congratulate the Treasurer, the Hon. Anna Bligh, on her first budget and the Premier and ministers on their commitment to bring together a budget that will benefit all Queenslanders. It will deliver quality services, set the pace in building infrastructure for the future, confirm this government’s sound economic management, provide a better quality of life for all Queenslanders and place our state on a solid pathway for the future. This budget is indeed another fine example of this government’s commitment to govern for all Queenslanders. On behalf of my constituents in Bundaberg, I thank the government for its support and look forward to the completion of the many projects for Bundaberg that have been funded in this budget. I commend the bill to the House. Dr DOUGLAS (Gaven—NPA) (12.02 pm): Overall the budget looks sound on the surface, but so did last year’s when it was first tabled. This government’s biggest mistake is that it does not spend what it allocates. Our beautiful state is in trouble in three vital areas—health, water and transport. This is not the time to boast about a massive surplus. The people of Queensland waiting on category 1 surgery waiting lists and worry where their next drink of water is going to come from do not care about a surplus. This year do the right thing by Queenslanders and spend every cent. If the government truly cares about getting the state back on track it will cough up. I cannot not mention that the Beattie Labor government’s priorities seem to be way off track. When this government had the opportunity to invest in infrastructure it did not do it. A recently published independent IPA report showed that the $50 billion raised in GST revenue across Australia did not go into capital infrastructure but went into public sector salaries. This is not good enough. We have had a property boom, a commodities boom, a people boom, yet we now have water restrictions, we are borrowing money for capital investments, we have a crisis in health and, sadly, we have a state government in denial. But still the Treasurer has championed this budget as a building budget. Tell this to the people of the Gold Coast. One of the fastest growing areas in the country has been ripped off. Gold Coast residents pay their fair share of GST, yet they are getting virtually no new infrastructure from the Beattie Labor government. Surely I do not need to remind those opposite that our population is predicted to almost double in the next 20 years. We have thankfully been allocated $1.1 million for a Nerang ambulance station. I ask the government to start work on it immediately. The Premier’s media stunt on the site during the Gaven by-election must be followed up by a sod turning ceremony very soon. The allocation of $3.3 million for the Pacific Pines West State School is welcome. The school will struggle to get up in this financial year as there are no roads leading to the site and the developer is in control of those roads. The fire station at Nerang that the government conveniently cannot remember committing to during the by-election—surprise, surprise—has not received any money. The Gold Coast is the jewel in Queensland’s crown and those opposite have grossly neglected us in this budget. If they continue to do this we will go backwards fast. This is not the time for Mr Beattie to leave his loyalties at Logan. The Gold Coast is suffering at present, especially from a health perspective. Our reputation of being a thriving modern city is in danger. 2490 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

Gold Coast doctors and nurses are hanging in there, working under extreme pressure hoping they will be thrown a lifeline by this government. They were given nothing but scrap money. What a lousy way to reward our hardworking health providers. How much further are those opposite going to push these special people? Trust me, they are at the end of their tether. This is not about bridges and roads; we are talking about people’s lives. The problem is very bad. I am warning the government to stop now and readdress its spending today. Forget that I am a member of the opposition. I am speaking as a concerned doctor and father. The Gold Coast health system is failing and it needs urgent attention. I will not take pleasure in standing here in 12 months time and saying, ‘I told you so,’ when tragedy after tragedy is reported in the media. I want to avoid the situation which is literally staring us in the face. We do not have time for community consultation. It is obvious that the government is using this to buy time. This is a critical stage. It must commit to a new Gold Coast Hospital now—commit the money right now and get on with the job. I cannot put it to Mr Beattie any other way: Gold Coast health is failing so quickly that it will soon be beyond rescue. Day in and day out health professionals and suffering residents are calling my office pleading with me to plead with the government for a new hospital right now—not in 12 months time— anywhere on the Gold Coast. Give us the whole operational surplus. This is not the time to play politics. Do those opposite have any idea— Ms Croft interjected. Dr DOUGLAS: The member has no idea of the problem. Do those opposite have any idea how impossible it is to provide even basic care to an area the size that is served by the Princess Alexandra Hospital in a hospital 40 years old and one-third the size of that hospital? Not spending $200 million of the $574 million allocated for health last year is obscene when people are suffering because of the government’s mismanagement. What sort of sick joke is it to suggest that the proposed new Gold Coast Hospital could be a public-private partnership with no allocation of money in this budget? By not listening those opposite are telling me that they want me to dig up the dirt and make these horror stories public. I am a professional who does not want to stoop to this level, but if they do not act soon they will leave me no choice and I will do it every time I am here. This is how concerned I am. Mrs Reilly interjected. Ms Croft interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr O’Brien): Order! The member for Mudgeeraba and the member Broadwater will cease interjecting please. Dr DOUGLAS: How many statistics do I have to give them? Our category 1 patients are increasing. This is ludicrous. Obstetricians—the most humble, quiet of doctors—are screaming out for help. They cannot keep up with the demand. When these doctors speak out we know there is a serious problem. Every month a new birth— Honourable members interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The member for Gaven has the call. Dr DOUGLAS: Every month a new birth record is set on the Gold Coast. Last month the rate increase was—wait for it—27 per cent. This skyrocketing trend continues every month and the government responded by delivering two new birthing suites valued at $800,000. I welcome any money but please, Mr Beattie, this is insulting. The money did not even touch the sides of the problem. It gets worse. The maternity ward was allocated $2 million. Mr Rickuss interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Lockyer. Dr DOUGLAS: I want to know what happened to the other $1.2 million. Those opposite owe these doctors an explanation. Sick patients at home have no voice. I am their voice. They cannot wait any longer. Stop smiling. Come down and see this tragedy unfolding. My wife and the Premier’s wife—both were young country women—came down to Brisbane and trained as nurses. They knew a medical system where there was no such thing as bypass, no such thing as a waiting list, resident registrars saw sick patients straightaway and consultants were willing to work as honouries to care for patients in public hospitals. Our standards were world class. We now resemble a Third World country when it comes to health. In transport, only $164 million was spent out of $279 million budgeted. How do we believe that $301 million will be spent in this year? Gaven needed rail duplication, and I thank the government for finally coming to the party. I am curious to know why the two vital bridge overpasses—one at the Coomera bridge and one at Nerang—that will have to be built for this duplication have failed to make it into the budget. As far as I can see, this is an engineering impossibility. There is a vague reference to the Stapleton to Nerang via Helensvale connection road. This is a road that the government shelved originally because the community did not want it. Why has it suddenly reappeared? 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2491

Finally, as a doctor I remain deeply concerned about this government’s addiction to gambling. This budget forecasts $881 million in gambling taxes—$582 million from poker machines alone. In the first year of the Beattie Labor government it was $117 million. This is a fivefold increase. But the plot thickens. Tabcorp, the biggest poker machine operator in Australia, is in the process today of mounting a significant takeover of UNiTAB. UNiTAB is the sole licensee of wagering in Queensland. If successful, Tabcorp will effectively control all wagering in Australia. It also owns casinos in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Townsville. Tabcorp has been granted exemptions from the Liquor Act as well as policing and land rules by this government in recent times. The Deputy Premier has stated that she has no objection to the takeover of Tabcorp. Who benefits from all of this? Victorians! Queenslanders lose their money and their jobs. Ultimately, if Tabcorp has to surrender the monopoly on wagering in Australia it will probably raise somewhere between $3 billion and $4 billion by selling it by tender. Why are we allowing this when the government is having to borrow $4.7 billion in this budget? Who loses? We do, and it does not make any sense whatsoever. People should not be fooled by the Beattie Labor government’s brilliantly scripted sell of this budget. If they are sick, they may or may not get treated. If they are worried about water they should be warned: it is going to get worse. The young are going to be taxed heavily for years to come to pay for state borrowings estimated to reach $35 billion by 2010. Members should not forget that Paul Keating did the same thing and paved the way for John Howard’s record time in power. Labor MP after Labor MP in this House today and yesterday has blamed the federal government for every failing of this government. Our strong budget position is due to the federal coalition running a strong national economy. Do not ask for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. Mr FENLON (Greenslopes—ALP) (12.12 pm): It is very sad to have just listened to the exposition of ‘Dr Henny Penny’ of the sky falling in here in Queensland and his apologetics for the worst excesses of the old National Party. It just shows that that is exactly where those opposite would like to return in Queensland. A government member: Back to the future! Mr FENLON: Yes, back to the future. It is very sad that we have such an exposition of a magnificent budget in Queensland and we can see that all we are going to get from the other side is negativity upon negativity. I am very pleased as a government member to be able to see a great budget being implemented in my area that will impact so well on the families of Greenslopes. First of all in the area of health— Interruption.

PRIVILEGE

Matter Raised—Alleged Threat by Member Mr WALLACE (Thuringowa—ALP) (12.13 pm): I rise to a point of order. The member for Gaven has just threatened me within the chamber. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr O’Brien): Then you should write to the Speaker regarding that.

APPROPRIATION (PARLIAMENT) BILL APPROPRIATION BILL

Second Reading (Cognate Debate)

Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill Resumed. Mr FENLON (Greenslopes—ALP), continuing: Health services in the Greenslopes electorate have received a multimillion-dollar boost from the Beattie government’s budget. Specifically, it has targeted services at the Princess Alexandra, QEII and Mater hospitals. The budget outlines an additional $1.77 million in funding for cancer treatment at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, including the appointment of an oncology specialist and expansion of the radiation oncology service to reduce waiting lists. In addition, there is $7.2 million from the statewide commitment of $39 million for enhanced cardiac services at the QEII, Princess Alexandra Hospital and Mater health service districts, including the employment of an additional cardiologist and other cardiology staff, opening another four cardiology beds and undertaking additional cardiac surgery. Health is the government’s priority, and the government has put its money where its mouth is in this budget. The budget has also allocated significant new funds in relation to education in the Greenslopes electorate. It is imperative that our kids have the best facilities possible so that they can achieve the best education, and this budget certainly addresses that. The new schools funding for the Greenslopes 2492 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006 electorate includes, for example, $1.6 million to Wellers Hill State School to continue works on additional amenities with a total cost of $1.5 million; $45,000 to Holland Park State School to continue works on additional amenities with a total cost of $305,000; $51,000 to Holland Park State School for new sports courts; $25,000 for the Triple R program for roofing of the Cavendish Road State High School; and $36,000 for targeted maintenance of buildings at Holland Park State School and Wellers Hill State School and external services at Cavendish Road State High School—all great establishments. The budget also reflects the government’s commitment to boosting and building the electorate’s and Queensland’s skilled workers base. Under the government’s Queensland Skills Plan, Greenslopes will share in more than $7.59 million allocated for the greater Brisbane region in 2006-07 to increase the number of trades apprenticeship training places and the number of certificate IV and above training places. A total of 6,630 additional trades apprenticeship places and 6,220 additional certificate IV and above training places will be created in the greater Brisbane area by 2010. The total contribution by this initiative in greater Brisbane is $52.9 million over four years, and that is certainly doing what we really are here for in my view for local families—that is, putting kids in jobs. Greenslopes will also share in $26.4 million for recurrent funding to create an estimated 5,523 jobs through the government’s Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative and $326.6 million for more than 21 million hours of vocational education and training in the greater Brisbane area. We are also looking after our sports and recreation clubs. There is $62,308 for local project initiatives under programs administered by Sport and Recreation Queensland. This includes the fact that First Contact Aboriginal Corporation for Youth will receive over $46,000 under the community development program to conduct annual sports carnivals at Camp Hill at a cost of about $117,000. Easts Rugby Union will receive $4,000 to conduct a coaching clinic at Coorparoo, and the Queensland Australian football umpires association will receive a further $4,000 to accredit officials and conduct sports medicine training at Coorparoo, as well as nearly $4,000 for Coorparoo Juniors Australian Football Club to accredit coaches and officials. We are also looking after emergency services in the area, and Greenslopes will share 20 new paramedics in the greater Brisbane area. We are also recruiting 144 ambulance officers across Queensland at a cost of $35.3 million over three years and 35 new communications officers this year. Greenslopes has also received tremendous funding boosts in terms of transport. The South East Busway will receive a further $7.1 million in maintenance—that is, $3.94 million to continue the station upgrades and intermodal works; $3.9 million under the METRIP initiative to continue station safety; and of course the eastern busway will receive $2.2 million to continue work on the busway between Buranda and Capalaba, including the staged delivery of the bus priority. The total cost is $953.47 million. This project is responding to the concerns of my electorate. Over many years people have been knocking on my door saying that we need to have solutions to the traffic along Old Cleveland Road, which has been building significantly. Owing to the development that has occurred throughout the Redlands, there is great congestion along Old Cleveland Road and something has to be done. We have a suburban busway solution. I trust that the minister will listen to the concerns of my community and ensure that that busway has a very low physical impact on the suburbs of the Greenslopes electorate by putting as much of the busway as possible underground. That way, the busway could go through the suburbs and my constituents could have access to this great new facility. My electorate also received $2.98 million to continue the construction of noise barriers along metropolitan railway lines and a further $9,635 to complete an indented bus set-down area for the Marshall Road State School. This is a great budget that will have very good impacts on the suburbs of my electorate. In so many areas it is a budget that lays the foundation for Queensland’s future. I would particularly like to acknowledge the importance of the infrastructure development programs in Queensland. As I talk to the various business communities in Queensland, I can say that over recent years they have been calling for these infrastructure development programs. I congratulate the Treasurer on responding to this call from the business communities and on bringing a great budget to this parliament. I commend the bills to the House. Mr RICKUSS (Lockyer—NPA) (12.21 pm): As has been highlighted by opposition members who have spoken already in this debate, again the government does not have its priorities right with this budget. While this government is in power, state taxes continue to climb. In the eight years of this government state taxes have increased from $4 billion to $8 billion. How can the government claim that it has reduced taxes when, in fact, it has doubled them? Mrs Desley Scott: That is because our population has grown. Mr RICKUSS: Queensland’s population has not doubled. Come on, the member should get real. Mr Finn interjected. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2493

Mr RICKUSS: The government says that Queensland’s population increases by 1,000 a week. I doubt that. The federal Liberal-National Party government has managed to stimulate the economy out of being the basket case that it was under a federal Labor government in the early 1990s. By stabilising the economy, the federal government has reduced Australia’s unemployment rate to five per cent. In 2000 the Howard-Anderson government introduced the GST. That has been a boon for the state government in that it has improved its financial position. This year the government received almost $8 billion in GST funding as well as a bonanza from gaming machines. The state government has also benefited from increases in duties tax, land tax, payroll tax and gambling tax. Yet this government is still borrowing heavily to build infrastructure. Federally, the economy is about as good as it gets. Any government is fortunate to have such a wonderful set of figures to help it out. This government has squandered those rivers of revenue. The situation is a bit like a new small business being flush with money when it has good cash flow. Instead of putting some of the money away for further investment in the business and to pay for the tax bill, the money is spent on a flash paint job, some fancy brochures and surplus staff. The catch-up in infrastructure that this budget provides is needed. Let us hope that this government delivers on that. One of the big problems with the last two Labor governments was their inability to realise that the extra people moving into Queensland would increase our need for water— one of life’s essentials. The Beattie government’s failure to plan for water infrastructure shows how incompetent it is at managing infrastructure. When the minister for natural resources was in opposition he, along with former member Len Ardill, tabled a dissenting report into the building of the Wolffdene Dam. In that report the minister stated that Brisbane would not need extra water infrastructure until 2050. That just goes to show how out of touch the minister has been all along. The National Party government report of that time stated that, in a worst-case scenario, that water infrastructure could be needed by the year 2000. What did the Goss government do on coming to power? It stopped the Wolffdene Dam and then proceeded to do absolutely nothing. The Lockyer electorate is a growing area—not only in terms of vegetables but also in terms of population. There are almost 30,000 constituents on the electoral roll. Therefore, I will continue to bring to the attention— Mr Cummins interjected. Mr RICKUSS: Bye bye, Chris. See you later. I will continue to bring to ministers’ attention the fact that the area should be placed on a priority list to receive infrastructure programs and maintenance and improvements in services. I thank the ministers for listening to any positive ideas about projects that I bring forward. I receive a good hearing and I thank them for that. It is disappointing that the budget of the department of primary industries has been cut. It is a very important department for the rural industries in the Lockyer electorate. However, it is good to see in the budget an allocation of $11.8 million for the Gatton campus of the UQ School of Animal Studies. Also, $1.5 million has just been spent on a horse complex at Gatton. Queensland Racing is still in discussions with Professor Wayne Bryden of the School of Animal Studies over a great opportunity for Queensland Racing to have a state-of-the-art university facility involved in testing and assisting the racing industry. I urge the minister for racing to not neglect the expertise at the UQ Gatton campus. A liaison between Queensland Racing and that campus would surely be beneficial to both groups. It is good to see that SunWater is going to spend some money on the underperforming assets in the Lockyer to terms of cleaning out the weirs in association with DNR. Some of the weirs fall under the control of DNR and some of them fall under the control of SunWater. That project would be of great benefit to the underground aquifers in the Lockyer. I urge the Minister for Education to make sure that his department provides services to assist with the population growth that the Lockyer electorate is experiencing. As Greenbank State School is a very large school with a capped enrolment and Flagstone State School, which is less than 10 years old, has almost 700 pupils, a new school in Greenbank’s Pub Lane area will be needed in the near future. I ask the minister to make sure that the planning for that school is well advanced. In the schools in my electorate there are over 100 asbestos roofs that still require replacement. I realise that the Asbestos Roof Replacement Program is ongoing, but this is an enormous number of roofs that need to be replaced. I know that Lockyer State High School alone has 15 roofs that need replacing. I ask the minister to ensure that this program continues at the rate at which it has been going. I realise that air-conditioning the schools in my electorate is a way off, but I encourage the minister to start to think outside the circle and assist those schools in my electorate in putting in air conditioning. The schools in the Lockyer plains areas are at a disadvantage in that the area experiences very high humidity and high temperatures. At times that makes conditions at the schools very uncomfortable to work in. So if the local communities could receive dollar-for-dollar funding from the government for air conditioning in schools, that would be great. The budget also provides a new stage for the Flagstone Community College, which is great. Flagstone Community College is a growing school. I think it has almost 900 pupils now. Gatton State School is one of the oldest schools in my electorate. Some of its infrastructure needs refurbishment. It is 2494 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006 good to see money allocated in this budget to be spent on the school’s toilet block. That school also has a good water recycling project. It received almost $100,000 from the government to put in some water tanks so that the ovals can be irrigated and the garden can be watered with water captured from the roof. It will be great when that project comes to fruition. The Centre for Native Floraculture at the UQ Gatton campus was allocated $1.69 million from this budget. Its previous budget allocation was a bit over $2.2 million. Hopefully, that allocation will be enough to sustain the people in the native floraculture centre. It probably requires more money spent on it. It is a great asset to the local community. There are some very inventive farmers there who are exporting rice-flowers to Japan. They have actually placed worldwide patents on those flowers. The native floraculture industry is a great industry. It is a sustainable industry that is involved with our state forests and national parks. Some money has been allocated from the budget for a walking track in Gatton, which is greatly appreciated. I also urge the Minister for Emergency Services to realise that the Lockyer electorate is a fast-growing area that will require an increase in Emergency Services numbers in Gatton. The Flagstone Creek area is also a fast-growing area. There is a requirement for an emergency services centre in that area that could hold police, fire and ambulance services and also the SES. I urge the minister to talk to the Beaudesert Shire Council, the member for Beaudesert and me about this issue. It would be a great outcome for the whole area if we could get an emergency services centre there. Plainlands is another area that needs emergency services facilities. Plainlands is quite interesting as it is situated at an intersection on the highway to Toowoomba. Woolworths has built there and a federally funded overpass has just been built for $15 million. The area is really going ahead. Emergency services facilities are needed at Plainlands so that the police can access the highway and for the growing community on the northern side of the highway. The police station at Gatton is quite overcrowded because they also do a lot of licensing there. I have urged the transport minister to accept that Gatton needs to have a stand-alone Queensland Transport office. The police cannot function properly because a lot of their time is taken up with Queensland Transport type work. The community is growing so quickly that it could sustain a stand- alone Queensland Transport office at Gatton. That would be a great asset to the community. I have been talking to the minister for local government about SCAP funding. She has announced that a press release is going out today to advise all small councils that SCAP funding is now open for applications. I am very pleased to hear that because that funding has not been available for two years. Coominya, which is one of my smaller communities, can see the water in Wivenhoe Dam but it has not had town water and it needs some SCAP funding to assist with getting town water. It would be great to see Coominya get town water. Hopefully Coominya will put in an application for town water as soon as applications for SCAP funding open. I urge the transport minister to keep encouraging the second Toowoomba Range crossing. That is sorely needed. The range crossing is in my electorate. I have also encouraged the federal government to fund the second range crossing. I have written to federal members and asked them to make sure that we get funding for that second range crossing. I am sure that Minister Lucas understands the importance of that second range crossing—getting the B-doubles and extra heavy transports out of the main street of Toowoomba. I am sure the transports would be willing to pay a sizeable toll to save themselves an hour trip up the Toowoomba Range and also to save a lot of wear and tear on their machinery. Mr Reeves: Do you really think you are going to get money out of the feds when they don’t put money into the Gateway or the Ipswich Motorway? Mr RICKUSS: I think that this second range crossing is more important than the Gateway. That is my own opinion. Mr Hopper: Of course it is. Mr RICKUSS: That is right. The member for Darling Downs was travelling behind one of my constituent’s B-double semitrailers up the Toowoomba Range when it exploded and caught fire. The semitrailer was almost brand-new and it burnt to the ground. Mr O’Brien: Is the state government to blame for that, too? Mr RICKUSS: No, it was not to blame for that. But, unfortunately, the overheating as it dragged up the range probably was to blame. So the sooner we get a second range crossing the better off we will be. I also encourage the transport minister to do something about the electrification of the rail line through the cutting of Little Liverpool Range just near Grandchester. Then electrification can be extended at least to Gatton and, if possible, further on to Toowoomba, although I imagine that that will have to come after the second range crossing because the rail tunnel will be larger and longer. I note that there is funding for the fruit and vegetable industry in the statewide funding from the departments. There is also a refurbishment of SunWater and the walking track. I hope that this government can manage to stay on track and get some of these infrastructure programs up and running. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2495

Mr PEARCE (Fitzroy—ALP) (12.34 pm): It is a pleasure for me to rise in this place to speak in support of the Appropriation Bill. With such a large rural mining electorate with more than 20 separate communities, it is impossible for me to cover all aspects of this budget and what it means for the people I work for. But I will touch on some of the important big-ticket issues—as well, I will mention some of the budget allocations that will benefit the electorate of Fitzroy and the people of central Queensland. I will also talk about some projects that I intend to focus on and lobby the Treasurer and government ministers for inclusion in future infrastructure planning. In saying that, I want to congratulate the Deputy Premier and Treasurer for bringing to this parliament a budget that is about economic stability and quality of life for Queensland families. Again, it is a true Labor budget. It is a budget with a heart that delivers real improvements to people’s quality of life, but one that is also economically sound. It is a good feeling to be part of a government that cares about families and a government prepared to address those issues that impact on families. One of the most important outcomes of being part of a government which continues to be a responsible economic manager is that by being responsible economic managers we create an environment which encourages industry development, people migration and jobs. For me, my greatest satisfaction is the knowledge that as a government we are creating opportunities for people to have a job—to work and support their families and to be able to determine their own future. The Treasurer has, in her second reading speech, told the parliament that our economy is one of the strongest in the world—our resource sector is booming, our employment rate is close to a 30-year low, infrastructure and business investment are at record highs and our balance sheet is one of the strongest in the nation. That is an outstanding report card. It gives the state credibility and will act like a magnet, drawing more and more investment and migration to our great state. One of the real heartaches for our government has been health and the problems that have developed as a result of the shortage of doctors and specialists. No-one in the government has refused to acknowledge that health could have been managed better, that they could have acted sooner to get on top of the issues. But what has happened is that the Premier has shown true leadership by taking up the challenge to get our health system to a standard that meets the expectations of the people. It is not an easy task because there are wide-ranging influences that will determine the time frame for us to lift the system to where it should be. In October last year, the Premier announced the most wide-ranging program of reform to health care in the history of the state—$6.4 billion was committed over a five-year period for more medical staff, more services and better facilities. That $6.4 billion has now been increased—the investment in the government’s health action plan has now been allocated $9.7 billion. That is an increase of 24 per cent on last year’s allocation. The level of funding is a clear indicator of our government’s real commitment to making this state’s health system the best. There is not one member on this side of the parliament who fails to acknowledge that there is a lot to be done in recruiting and retaining doctors, specialists and other health workers in Queensland Health, putting in place the checks and balances that are required for us to get it right. But we are spending the dollars increasing salaries, purchasing the equipment, changing the structure and relocating or cutting jobs from Queensland Health’s bureaucracy. There is still a lot of hard work ahead for the Minister for Health, Stephen Robertson, who is doing an outstanding job. But as a government we are focused and we will get it right for Queensland. I seek leave to have the remainder of my speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. Education is always a service of government that grabs the attention of parents because the standard of education delivered in the class room is what determines the future of their children. So they are interested in what we are doing to education. With students from the Fitzroy electorate accessing more than sixty schools across central Queensland, it is important that I spend a few minutes on what is in the budget for education. One new initiative is the $1 billion extra—and it is important to note that it is extra funding—$1 billion extra over five years for modernisation and building new schools. This funding will give the people an opportunity to look closely at their local schools—the condition of building, space available and identify what needs to be done to improve the school learning environment. • $427 million will be spent on a capital works program during this financial year. • There is also $50 million for a school Community Development Fund for state schools for small projects like library and science lab upgrades. • The budget has earmarked $28.8 million to support school discipline programs and promote positive student behaviour. • 224 more teachers for growing enrolments and 150 extra teachers to help reduce class size targets in years 4-10 to 28 students. • Non-state schools have welcomed with great excitement a $100 million one-off contribution to improve facilities. • $173 million to literacy and numeracy initiatives. 2496 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

The Fitzroy electorate is the power house for our booming coal industry, and it continues to expand. The state will actively support all 44 mining petroleum projects—21 are expected to get to the construction stage during the year. There is good money for roads—I have identified around $37 million earmarked in this budget for important road projects. Some of these projects have been completed or partly completed with funding being identified over several budget time frames. Some of the initiatives include: • $502,000 for strengthening and widening between Washpool Creek and Breakspear Street, on Gavial-Gracemere Road, at a total cost of $1.148 million. • $383,000 to repair and strengthen sections between Norwich Park and German Creek turnoff (30-39.2km), on Dysart- Middlemount Road. • $165,000 to pave and seal Mt Stuart-Bedford Weir Road (15.3-20.1km) in Broadsound Shire. • $100,000 to complete pavement recycling on sections between 150-170km, on Fitzroy Developmental Road (Dingo-Mt Flora), at a total cost of $200,000. • $20,000 to construct bicycle paths in Blackwater on Duaringa Shire. • $14,000 to construct a bikeway at Bouldercombe School (stage two) in Fitzroy Shire. • $5,000 to construct a bikeway between Singleton Street and Dysart Primary School in Broadsound Shire. • $395,000 to lay bitumen on the steep Blackdown Tableland Range Road in the Blackdown Tableland Forest Reserve. • $250,000 to continue redevelopment of the Mimosa Creek recreation area in the Blackdown Tableland National Park at a total cost of $555,000. I will spend a few minutes on the Blueprint for the Bush. This blueprint is a 10-year plan to build on a strong Queensland. Some interesting statistics to come out of the Blueprint for the Bush document highlights the contribution of a small percentage of the Queensland population to the wealth and prosperity of the state and nation. Only 16 per cent of Queenslanders live in rural Queensland. The industries that lie within these communities account for two-thirds of our exported goods and 80 per cent of our exported revenue. As at June 2006, approximately 660,000 (16.4 per cent) of the state’s four million people were projected to be living in rural Queensland. By 2026, the population of the bush is expected to increase to around 800,000. In 2005, just over half of the population of rural Queensland lived in large towns or regional centres with more than 10,000 people. 37.6 per cent of rural Queenslanders lived in settlements of fewer than 200 people and 49.4 per cent lived in towns of less than 10,000. • The blueprint is about this Beattie government formalising its recognition of the importance of rural Queensland to the state’s wellbeing. • What we have now is a plan in partnership with AgForce and the people to move Queensland forward to build infrastructure, create jobs, and enhance liveability in towns, so that families can enjoy quality of life. Unlike the National Party, who are prepared to sell off their assets and liabilities to the Liberal Party, our government is out there linking government with grassroots rural Queenslanders. Unlike the National Party, who were turning their backs on traditional supporters, the government has demonstrated a real commitment to building on a strong Queensland, working with our most valuable resource—the people, the primary producers and support communities. The blueprint is a reason for government and grassroots Queenslanders to step forward to work in partnership to build on the strengths of this great state. As a regional member, it is rewarding to see such a large proportion of capital spending—60 per cent in fact—be earmarked for areas outside the southeast corner. Capital outlays look like being greater than $10 billion—that’s up around $1.9 billion or 23 per cent on last year. That sort of spending ensures that 73,700 people will have full-time jobs. It means that roads, rail infrastructure and energy infrastructure will continue to grow, keeping pace with development of the regions. For example, $85 million will be expended on further rail upgrades. • Thirty-five coal locomotives and 1,150 coal wagons will cost $1,972 million. • $88 million over three years to widen 71 kilometres of the Dawson Highway between Gladstone and Moura. • $350 million over three years to replace 100 timber and older concrete bridges across the state. • There are school buildings to be upgraded. $379,000 targets maintenance at Blackwater North, Dysart High, Woorabinda Primary, Blackwater High and Duaringa State School, is to repair maintenance on its swimming pool. This is positive spending for the central Queensland region. Building on our strengths—securing quality rail and road links as transport networks capable of taking our regional industries into the future. While there are many projects that have been funded completely or partly completed, we can’t stop. We have to look forward and plan for the future to do the work that builds on the good work being done by the government ministers. I want to bring to the attention of ministers several projects that I consider important to the further development of the region, projects that need to be considered in the next round of planning for infrastructure projects. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2497

I will be knocking on doors to ensure that these projects are on the table for consideration, projects like: a high level bridge over the Dawson River at Baralaba; bitumen seal on a 30-kilometre gravel section of the Woorabinda-Bauhinic Road; two narrow bridges on the highway south of Wowan; more overtaking lanes or widening of the Capricorn Highway west of Rockhampton; a second bridge at the Yeppen crossing south of Rockhampton to improve traffic conditions. In order to improve access to sport and recreation in my electorate: I support a partnership arrangement with mining companies and local government to build indoor multipurpose sport centres in Dysart and Moura, and I will be working with the community to get these two projects underway; we could also consider a partnership arrangement to deliver a youth multi-purpose centre at Gracemere; with the rapid development of Gracemere, it is time to give serious thought to the construction of a high school for the town. Local governments in the region will get their share of grants and subsidies from the $700 million allocated for four new programs. • $65 million over five years from July 2006 to assist councils to reduce water consumption and minimise water loss. • $60 million over three years to assist with environmental health infrastructure. • $25 million over five years to encourage collaboration between councils and help build service capacity. • $5 million for piloting of better ways to encourage programs to address environmental issues related to water and waste management. Mental health has long been understated as a community health issue, so it is pleasing to see that under the Health Action Plan there is an increase of $201 million over five years to help address mental health issues. • $18 million for an extra 195 mental health positions. • $11.6 million to take the pressure off existing community and acute mental health services. Under the Health Action Plan, there will be an increase in funding of $44.5 million for renal services. $3.2 million to fund for more patient treatment. Availability of police is always an issue, so an extra 350 sworn police officers for the 2006-07 year is good news. The Police Service budget has been increased to $1.3 billion with the following allocations being made: • Capital allocation for 2006-07 is $197 million, which includes 700,000 for a major upgrade of the Mount Morgan Police Station. • Police numbers will reach 9,728 by September next year—this is up 300 since the Beattie government was elected. • $94 million for a new computer system to link into existing data bases. • $12.7 million for more policing hours for traffic enforcement. With a crisis in the lack of skilled and trained workers, the state government in this budget kick-starts a skills plan with $979 million in investment in jobs and training to skill up a workforce for Queensland. The government has set a goal to create 4,256 additional training places during this financial year, increasing to a total 17,000 extra trade training places each year. Because of the government’s Breaking the Unemployment Cycle implemented in October 1998, 1,000 people have got jobs. The Disability Services budget for this coming year increases by $113.5 million. This means that disability services is now around the $634 million, the biggest ever for this department. The primary industry sector will receive the Industry Development Benefit from $203 million. $22 million for the continuation of the joint state federal government funding AAA Farm BIS program. Monies are available for concessional loans under the Pipes Scheme to provide assistance to rural producers in the development of land care projects. I welcome the piloting of a new model for industry engagement by partnering with the Department of Employment and Training in a rural labour and skilling strategy. The last thing I want to mention at this time is the good news of late, that being the announcement that the state will invest $300 million in the future development of cutting-edge clean coal technology. Our coal industry is important to the long term sustainability of the regions and to the state of Queensland, so we need to be doing our utmost to improve technology, which will ensure that our levels of greenhouse gas emissions are minimised and help create an entirely new international export market for this technology. Also, the Blueprint for the Bush includes approximately $80 million for two new projects recently announced as part of the Queensland future. Growth Fund—raising the Eden Bann Weir on the Fitzroy River in central Queensland and building a new weir at Rookwood. These two projects alone are expected to deliver up to 86,000 megalitres per annum for future growth in Rockhampton, Yeppoon and Gladstone as well as help fuel our booming coal export and minerals industries. Eden Bann Weir is an existing weir situated on the Fitzroy River 52km north-west of Rockhampton (27km west of the small town of Yaamba). The weir supplies water for the Stanwell power station near Rockhampton. The seven metre high mass-concrete weir is capable of being raised a further four metres in stage 1. The next stage will involve installing a two metre inflatable dam on top of the raised stage. Rookwood, 54km west of Rockhampton on the Fitzroy River near Gogango, has been identified as a potential site for a weir as part of the Central Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy. The exact site is yet to be determined. My role as an elected member in this place is to be the link between the people I work for, my constituents, and the government. My job in communicating the needs of the people in a highly competitive environment is always a challenge. Sometimes I forget that, as a government, we govern for all of Queensland, and, while our region makes an enormous contribution to the state’s economy, living in Queensland means that we share our wealth across this huge state. But this will not stop me from stepping forward to argue for projects to improve liveability and sustainability in the Fitzroy electorate and central Queensland. I commend this Appropriation Bill to the House. 2498 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

Hon. CP CUMMINS (Kawana—ALP) (Minister for Small Business, Information Technology Policy and Multicultural Affairs) (12.39 pm): I wish to sincerely congratulate the Treasurer, Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Trade and Innovation on a positive, proactive, business-friendly, family- friendly, intelligent budget. South-east Queensland is recognised as the fastest growing region in Australia, with around 1,000 people moving to the region each week. The Sunshine Coast is a majestic place in a truly beautiful state, as more people are quickly discovering. Some of the highlights for my area that I am very proud to have fought strongly for and achieved include: $27.7 million, of a total cost of $189 million, to finalise planning and design and begin construction of additional lanes and interchange upgrades to the Sunshine Coast Motorway between Maroochydore Road and Pacific Paradise; planning for public transport, with $5 million to investigate, plan and acquire land for a rail service between Beerwah and Maroochydore; $550,000 for a planning study for the construction of a bus corridor and bus stations between Caloundra and Maroochydore, which has a total estimated cost of $140 million; and $33.7 million for subtransmission upgrades on the Sunshine Coast by Energex. Due to the time constraints that face us all, I seek leave to incorporate my speech in Hansard. Leave granted. Sunshine Coast residents will be interested in how we are building a better health system. Through the Health Action Plan, we are committing $9.7 billion in just over five years to build Australia’s best health system. The Government is committed to properly reforming the Queensland health system. The 2005 Action Plan marked a new start with the biggest single injection of funding in the State’s history. In 2006-07, the health budget of $6.65 billion represents a 24% increase over the 2005-06 Budget. • $3.73 million toward the treatment and care of cancer patients. • A $1.45 million commitment for enhanced cardiac services. • $907,000 to support community mental health services by employing additional specialist mental health staff. • $15 million to acquire land on the Sunshine Coast and construction of a $5.4 million Health Hub and Community Health Centre. As a result of funding increases for health services, the region will receive an increase of more than 165 staff and 35 beds. While the Australian Medical Association predicts as a nation Australia is 1,800—one thousand eight hundred—doctors short, we will continue to fund Queensland Health with a record budget. To continue improving health care and strengthening services to the Sunshine Coast community we will appreciate • $25.4 million in increased funding for workforce training and recruitment initiatives for medical, nursing and allied health staff. • $12.3 million to improve access and meet growing demand for renal services. Our Government is continuing its support for people with disabilities and their carers with a $22.81 million commitment to the Sunshine Coast. The Beattie Government continues its support for services provided by community groups on the Sunshine Coast with funding including: $1.25 million toward domestic and family violence prevention; $835,000 to establish a Youth Justice Service; $759,000 for early intervention and family support services; and $409,000 for child care facilities and services. We are providing ongoing housing and housing-related services to support low-income families and individuals on the Coast, including: • $20.87 million for new and upgraded public housing and to purchase land for future construction. • $4.32 million for community housing programs and services to address crisis, transitional and long-term housing needs. Realising the Smart State through education, skills and innovation is our platform and we will continue to drive economic growth by utilising innovation and skills through the Smart Queensland: Smart State Strategy 2002-2015. Initiatives on the North Coast include: • $3.6 million to establish a technology business accelerator at the University of the Sunshine Coast. We are committed to providing high-quality education facilities to support Queensland’s growing population Parents and the grandparents of school age children will be very interested in our deserving capital works for Coast schools program, through which we will see: • $2.94 million investment in Chancellor State College including $2 million towards the sports hall, $500,000 to continue planning for the new performing arts area and $440,000 to continue the fit-out of the manual arts area. • $5 million to continue planning of stage two construction at Meridan State College. Queenslanders enjoy a lifestyle with a high level of community participation in a range of sporting activities with $900,000 to construct an indoor multi-sport facility at Sippy downs. Get Set for Prep Year is a Must, and as a government we are strongly committed to ensuring the Smart State’s future. Prep Year will begin in 2007 to give our children the best education possible. Preparatory Year will be available at all State schools from 2007 to help Queensland kids make a smooth transition to Year 1. Replacing preschool, it will lay the foundation for success at school by developing a positive approach to learning; independence and confidence; thinking, problem-solving and language skills; physical abilities; and early literacy and numeracy. To prepare for the intake of eager young students, the Queensland Government is undertaking one of the largest building programs in education history. Across the State, $106 million will be spent on building and upgrading classrooms and other facilities, with 69 schools offering Prep Year in the North Coast region. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2499

Law and order on the Sunshine Coast is seeing funding increases and as a local Government member I am proud we are investing in major funding initiatives to boost our police service, with the number of police officers across Queensland reaching 9,728 by September 2007 through the creation of an extra 350 police officer positions. This will more than meet the Government’s commitment to maintain police numbers at or above the national average police-to-population ratio. The Government is providing funding for services and infrastructure to enhance community safety. • $4.5 million over two years for a new police station at Sippy Downs, as well as $68,000 in continued funding for the Kawana Waters Tactical Crime Squad which targets known crime hotspots with a strong emphasis on investigating property crime and drug offences. Other emergency services also benefit by: • $9 million as part of a $35.3 million three-year commitment to recruit 144 new ambulance officers across Queensland. • Seven new paramedics for the region, fulfilling the Government’s $35.9 million election commitment to recruit 240 extra paramedics statewide over three years. Improving the Sunshine Coast road network has always been one of my highest priorities. Efficient and integrated transport networks are essential for the ongoing development of the Coast, major transport infrastructure initiatives include: • $77.26 million towards duplicating the Sunshine Motorway between Sippy Downs and Pacific Paradise, including the second Maroochy River Bridge. • $37.2 million to upgrade Maroochydore Road between the Bruce Highway and Martins Creek through Kunda Park. • $16 million toward project design and land purchases to construct a second rail track from Caboolture and Beerburrum. Creating real jobs and assisting businesses on the Coast will continue with local industry to benefit from 2006-07 State Budget funding including: • $27 million to develop industrial land in the Caloundra West area. • $20.2 million to develop existing land holdings at Coolum. • $4.92 million to develop industrial lots within the Yandina Industrial Estate. • $4.2 million to develop the former Boral Hardwoods sawmill site near Cooroy. Main roads across the Sunshine Coast, including the electorate of Kawana are seeing major funding, including: • $37.2 million to upgrade Maroochydore Road between the Bruce Highway and Martins Creek through Kunda Park. • $34.5 million toward duplication from two to four lanes between Sippy Downs and Kawana Arterial. • $13.17 million towards constructing a section between 0-5.0km to new sealed two-lane standard, on Caloundra- Mooloolaba Road. • $9.1 million towards interchange improvements at Mooloolaba Road-Maroochydore Road, Sunshine Motorway. • $2.83 million for miscellaneous works on Nicklin Way. • $1.02 million for traffic management devices between Sippy Downs and Kawana Arterial on the Sunshine Motorway (Tanawha—Mooloolaba). • $900,000 towards planning between Creekside Boulevard and Mooloolah River interchange. • $600,000 towards planning for Mooloolah River interchange, on the Sunshine Motorway. • Under the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS), the following state government contributions are provided for local government projects: • $270,000 to construct Dixon Road, Buderim, to new four-lane sealed standard. • $270,000 to construct Dixon Road, in Maroochy Shire, to two-lane sealed standard. • $37,000 for bus set-down improvements at Chancellor State School, Scholars Way. • $25,000 for intersection improvements in Tanawha Tourist Drive-Ilkley Road, Tanawha. Queensland’s Safer Roads Sooner will see new initiatives funded from net camera-detected offence revenue (speed camera fines) • $80,000 for the improvement of traffic signals at the intersection of Nicklin Way, Palkana Drive and Kawana Island Boulevard in Caloundra City. • Centre median barrier along Sunshine Motorway at Karawatha Drive Overpass. With unemployment at its lowest level in Queensland in 30 years we are experiencing a skills shortage. Launched in March 2006, the $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan is the Government’s strategy for responding to skills shortages across Queensland. This strategy aims to ensure the vocational education and training sector meets the skills challenges facing the North Coast region. In 2006-07, the plan will deliver: • $871,000 for new trade apprenticeships as part of a $5.62 million plan to provide 1,660 extra training places in the region by 2010. • $974,000 for new Certificate IV and above training places as part of a $6.82 million plan to provide 1,280 additional training places in the region by 2010. The Beattie—Bligh budget in summary will see stronger economic growth to maintain low unemployment. Queensland’s economic growth is forecast to strengthen to 4¼% in 2006-07 and exceed growth in the rest of Australia for the 11th consecutive year. Employment growth is expected to exceed the rest of Australia in 2005-06 and 2006-07 at 3% and 2½% respectively. As a result, Queensland’s year-average unemployment rate is forecast to remain at 5%—around the 30-year low, and slightly below the national rate (5¼%) Strong finances include a general Government operating surplus of $245 million is forecast in 2006-07. 2500 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

The State’s net worth is budgeted to grow from around $96 billion at 30 June 2006 to over $107 billion by 30 June 2010. Queensland maintains its tax competitiveness, with Queenslanders to pay an average of 15% less State tax than taxpayers in other states and territories in 2006-07. Delivering on our priorities includes improving health care and strengthening services to the community. As part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to the Health Action Plan, an investment of almost $6.4 billion in just over five years was announced in 2005 to relieve pressure on health services delivered across the State. Through the 2006-07 State Budget, funding for Queensland Health will grow by $9.7 billion over the five years. Increased recurrent funding of $128 million and $6 million in capital funding will be invested over four years to enhance disability services in Queensland. More than $21 million is committed over the next three years to help fight obesity. Protecting our children and enhancing community safety as the Beattie Government is providing funding for an additional 350 sworn police officers across the State by September 2007, bringing the total number of sworn officers to 9,728 and meeting the Government’s commitment to maintain police numbers at or above the national average police-to-population ratio. Also an additional $35.3 million is provided over three years to recruit 144 additional ambulance officers and $12.4 million over four years to improve ambulance call response times at communication centres. Realising the Smart State through education, skills and innovation with a record of $1 billion will be invested over five years in Queensland’s education system, directed at planning, modernising and refurbishing school facilities across the State. The $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan sets out initiatives to transform and modernise the State’s vocational education and training system. I would also like to touch on the multicultural side of my portfolio and there’s good news for multiculturalism in Queensland. We all know that cultural diversity is an important part of modern-day Queensland; socially, culturally, and economically. This budget will help us further strengthen multiculturalism in Queensland. Some of the highlights include: • Over $1.3 million for the Multicultural Assistance Program for festivals, events and projects; • $1 million for local governments for the continued support of the Local Area Multicultural Partnership; • $1.055 million to community based organisations for Multicultural Community Workers Program initiatives;• • $700,000 for the popular Queensland Multicultural Festival and Premier’s Multicultural Photographic Awards; • $700,000 for the continued implementation of the Muslim Community Engagement Program, including an Islamic Awareness Week; and, • Development of new strategies; including the Diversity Means Business Strategy to promote economic gains from diversity and strategies to assist African and Pacific Islander communities. And as well as those initiatives, the Government will also be developing a Community Relations Strategy under the Multicultural Queensland-making a world of difference policy announced last year. I’m pleased to announce that this year’s Queensland Multicultural Festival will be held at Roma Street Parkland on Sunday 15th October. This year’s headline acts are Middle Eastern musician, Lior, Tongan Australian singing sensations, Vika and Linda Bull, and Chinese musician, writer and master chef, Guo Yue. There’s also a new addition to the festival, Diversity Writes, which will be hosted by our new multicultural champion, Brisbane author Nick Earls. It will present recitals of international literature in English and original languages against a backdrop of traditional ethnic and Indigenous music. Diversity Rocks, an education program for students in years 5 to 9, will be held again this year, and will link with curriculum activities in arts, music, studies of society and other subjects. Nick Earls will also be involved in Diversity Rocks through a "Rites of Passage" workshop, exploring transformative moments in history, portrayed in literature and practised in other cultures, as well as in the Australian context. This is the third year of the festival, which was developed by the Beattie Government to highlight the importance of cultural diversity in the Smart State. Our harmony and inclusiveness is cause for great celebration and I’m proud that our Government is funding this free event to showcase cultural excellence in the arts, music, cuisine, literature and dance. The first two festivals have drawn combined crowds of more than 75,000 people to Roma Street Parkland, and I have no doubt that this year’s festival will be a great success. I am also pleased to announce a State Government-funded project helping migrants and refugees gain employment has been expanded to assist an additional 90 people. The Multicultural Development Association has received an additional $99,510 to assist the extra people on the Migrant and Refugee Employment project. The project, which began in November last year, has received a total of $169,510 to help 150 people. The project was such a success last year that we continued our support for another year and increased the number of the participants in order to meet the needs of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Last year more than half the participants gained jobs or further training. The project addresses the barriers facing migrants and refugees trying to enter the workforce. The year-long project will examine individual skills and training needs, including literacy and numeracy, Australian work culture, occupational health and safety, job-search skills, work placements and referral to TAFE and other training providers. The State Government’s Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative has helped create over 104,000 jobs for Queenslanders since 1998, so it really is a successful program. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2501

Mr HOPPER (Darling Downs—NPA) (12.40 pm): I would like to touch on the positives and the negatives of what my electorate has received in this budget. I am very pleased to announce that Dalby Hospital will receive $9.8 million. We lobbied the previous health minister, Gordon Nuttall, very hard and we met with Mike Keran, the district director, and Colleen Rasmussen, the DON at Dalby. We did a tour of that hospital and Gordon came out, and I know that the minister did put that funding in place and these are the fruits of that visit. So it is great to see that the outpatients, maternity and emergency sections will receive money; that is really good to see. There will be two new ambulance officers for the Darling Downs region, $6.6 million for public housing across the Darling Downs region and $16 million for the New England Highway from Highfields to Crows Nest. That is a massive growth area in Queensland. There is a four-lane highway going in at Highfields, but my electorate goes from Highfields to Crows Nest and it will be great to see that road upgraded. There is $324,000 to the Dalby State School for the administration building, and that is a carry-on from $745,000 previously. One good thing is the $9.5 million provided for the reinforcement of the power supply to the Dalby region. That is good to see with the summer storms coming up and because it is a growth area with the mining going into the electorate. There is also $6.5 million to be put towards land acquisition for the Toowoomba bypass. I know that there is going to be a lot of acquisition in the Charlton area with the industrial estate being put in, working with Jondaryan shire and the Toowoomba City Council. A lot of those people have been discussing prices for their land with the acquisition. They have to move home and it is hard to put a figure on exactly what that compensation should be. There is also $220,000 for the new police station at Oakey. Unfortunately, many projects in the Darling Downs electorate were not successful. I have worked tirelessly to secure each of them and I will continue to do so on behalf of the electorate. I will touch on these later in my speech, but they involve the upgrade of the Warrego Highway from Dalby to Miles, east of Warra; the upgrade of the Warrego Highway from Toowoomba to Dalby; the Bowenville-Norwin Road upgrade; air conditioning for all our state schools; the removal of asbestos from our state schools; and the provision of two police liaison officers in Dalby. I am devastated by the government’s apparent disregard for rural Queensland. This will be the fourth year in a row that the budget of the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries has suffered a fall. In 2005-06, the DPIF spent $336 million; however, for the 2006 budget year, its estimated expenditure is $308 million, thus verifying a steady downward trend. Here is the history of the DPIF’s budget funding to date: in 2002-03, the DPIF had a budget of $352 million; in 2003-04, it was $345 million; in 2004-05, it went to $337 million; in 2005-06, it went to $336 million; and now the budget estimate is $308 million. So what do we have? We have a DPIF with its resources being sucked dry. These are our electorates, these are our people, these are the resources that our rural producers need and it is just disgusting to see that this department has been sucked dry and its money is going into other departments. This government regards this department as a very minor part of government, and that will certainly change after the next election. The government’s record in itself defies the Premier’s claim that he would ‘look after the bush’. He is running around with the blueprint having a great time. The government has the backing of AgForce, but where is the guts of it? The proof is in the pudding, and this department has a definite lack of funds. We need the minister to argue in cabinet for this department, but so far we have not seen it under Palaszczuk or Mulherin. The water issue, which is of great concern to everyone, particularly in the south-east, has been totally neglected in this budget. After months of hearing the government claim it is about to build new water infrastructure in south-east Queensland, the state budget confirms that very little has been allocated to start building a single dam. While there is nothing new to boost water supplies, Labor’s planned water taxes—which would rip millions of dollars out of rural and regional economies and cost irrigators up to $8,000 a year—are still on the agenda. I cannot believe that the Beattie government has the audacity to continue to build on the last eight years of neglect of the water infrastructure. Does it not really see or understand what is going on here, or is it simply a matter that the government does not give a ‘dam’ literally about rural and regional Queensland? Let us see what the electorate says after the next election. I will return to those things that we missed out on and some of the things that we received. We have liaised with the Oakey Police Station on a number of occasions, and the funding was allocated. A prefabricated building will be placed on site during the next few weeks, and police have today relocated to the ambulance station. I have fought very hard to get two police liaison officers for Dalby. At least the current police minister, Ms Spence, has had the decency to tell me that I cannot get them; every other police minister has just let that issue drag along. She advised us in a letter I received on 26 April that the request was unsuccessful due to other policing priorities in the Dalby district. We have at least 800 Indigenous people living there now, and that number is increasing. These police liaison officers do a great job. When there is a function on or if there is a blue, these liaison officers move in so that the police officers do not have to come, and the situation settles down. The Indigenous people respect 2502 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

PLOs, and we definitely need them. The police minister has said that we can get them from the Goondiwindi district, but quite often there is no time to get them from another district. That is just one issue I have been on the bandwagon about. I want to talk about the lack of service providers—for example, psychiatrists and psychologists— in Dalby for mental health patients. A visiting psychiatrist has been secured for the region and is based in Dalby. A telemedicine outreach service based in the Brisbane office is available for emergency cases. We have lost the principal radiographer and ultrasonographer for the Northern Downs Health District. That is devastating for Dalby. Other towns like Warwick have private practices which local GPs send their patients to—but not Dalby. When people break their bones or have problems, they have to go to the hospital and use the hospital’s health services. So that service has been withdrawn, and it is very sad for the district. I have spoken with Mike Keran and he will speak with the minister about this. There are currently negotiations with another provider. Dental services are in very high demand in our area. I am pleased to see that we have secured a dentist for another 12 months. Also, all the physiotherapist positions are currently filled, so that is good. We have recently had another fatality on the Warrego Highway between Dalby and Miles. There have been two fatalities on the one section just east of Warra, and it is horrific. I have taken the fight on very hard. We have had 12 very desperate accidents there. The road is simply too thin. The shoulders of the road are too steep and semitrailer drivers would rather take the side mirrors off their trailer than move off the road. That is exactly what is happening there and there have been a number of fatalities. I have made representations to Bruce Scott, because it is a federal road, to Warren Truss, to Jim Lloyd, to Paul Lucas and to Gil Heaton, the district director. I tabled a petition in parliament this week with 1,675 signatures, and I do not take that lightly. There were 1,675 people in that little area who were willing to put their signatures on the petition to say that the lack of maintenance on that highway is having a devastating effect. We are here to save lives; that is exactly what this is all about. The federal government told me that the state government is totally in control of the allocation of funding and that that funding has been put through the AusLink program. But that funding is not coming to that section of road. We have to fight very hard to upgrade this section of road. I congratulate Maurie Kingston from Dalby, who lost his daughter-in-law a month ago on that stretch of road. He has taken up that fight hard. He has come to me, he has been to Bruce Scott and he is in the paper all the time. Imagine losing a loved one. She was the mother of two little darling kids. It is absolutely horrific when a beautiful life is snatched away so suddenly. In relation to the widening of the existing pavement of the Warrego Highway from Toowoomba to Dalby there was an allocation of $2.2 million. The federal government had previously allocated $4.9 million. The amount of $2.8 million has been spent to date. This has been going on for a long time. The government has to get its act together, get this funding in place and do something about these roads. New work was scheduled for May, June, late 2006 and early 2007. On 1 March I asked a question on notice and the minister responded that under the new five-year AusLink agreement there was no new money committed to the western rural National Highway. Yet the money that is there is not being distributed and spent properly. We have to seriously look at this. Our schools need air conditioning. The Dalby State High School is right on the Warrego Highway where trucks stop at the traffic lights and then take off. In the hot summer months every window on the western side of that school is open as wide as it can be to try to get a bit of air circulation in those classrooms. Because of the noise of the trucks stopping at the traffic lights outside the school and then taking off, the teachers cannot hear themselves think. They are not only hot but also going deaf. Members would be aware of the amount of transport that travels on that road. Something needs to be done. If we could air-condition those rooms, those windows would be shut and it would be a comfortable learning environment in our state school system. This is one of the schools that we definitely have to look at air-conditioning. I have already touched on the removal of asbestos. There is a farmer named John Cleary who lives on the Bowenville-Norwin Road. John has come to me on many occasions about this road. I have made many, many representations to try to get it fixed up. It is a state road. An initial representation was made on 27 January 2004. The last ministerial response was 10 November 2005 and it stated that this road was delegated as a local road of regional significance with funding and priorities decided by regional road groups—in this case the Eastern Downs Regional Road Group. The estimated cost is $1.7 million to government, and it stated that this is outside of the RRG scope of affordability. What it is saying is that this is a road that is no good but it cannot afford to fix it. Why is it governing Queensland if it just pushes things aside? It is simply not good enough; it is unacceptable. This is going on all the time in relation to our state government roads. The Kaimkillenbun Road going into Dalby is in a mess. It is very costly for councils to build roads on self-mulching black soil. As soon as it gets wet the road moves because the soil expands and contracts with the moisture. It is very hard to put a base down and very expensive. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2503

We have a problem in relation to our rural fire brigades. Sometimes when there is a major accident or a fire our rural fire brigade officers are called on to undertake traffic control. The officers have to do a traffic control course and become registered traffic controllers to be allowed to go out and control traffic during a rural fire or an accident. We have been told that they have to pay to do the course. If a person wants to be a volunteer firefighter, they have to pay to do the course so they can have this little piece of paper to say that they are good enough to say ‘stop’ to a car instead of letting it drive through a smoke or fire hazard. The cost of that course for 10 volunteers amounts to $1,931.50— that is $99 per person plus 85c a kilometre. It is costing around $200 per trip. The cost would need to be met through fundraising efforts within the community. Rural fire brigades generate income from the proceeds of barbecues and dances, and that money comes from the community itself. It is a service provider that the state government has to take responsibility for. I believe that these payments should be met; it is as simple as that. I have forwarded representations to Pat Purcell, the Minister for Emergency Services. If he is listening now, I hope he will take heed of that. The Dalby Agricultural College is in my electorate. Recently there has been massive job shedding there. There used to be 120 staff members working at that college and it is now down to about 60. The morale in the college is slipping away. It is very, very hard. I have worked closely with the principal and I worry about its future. The minister has to look at our rural based training and see what is going on. We have taken it to the minister in the past. Enrolments have slowed, as has capital works funding. We have to seriously look at it. It is a great institution. It has a 100 per cent job placement rate. What other training system has those sorts of figures? I heard the member for Charters Towers give a very, very good speech in relation to our Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme. The opposition has called for a review, seeking an increase of 10c to 20c per kilometre on the existing rate. I have also done a lot of media in relation to this issue. We have people close to us who have to tap into these things. Representations have been made by me on eight separate issues in relation to the School Transport Assistance Scheme. We need an increase in funding allocation. In closing, 1,500 people a week move to Queensland. I challenge members to stand up in the Annexe and look across the freeway and ask themselves what infrastructure they can see that this government has put in place in eight years. All they will see is the fruits of what the opposition did when it was in power. Mr Reeves: Get real. Mr HOPPER: Absolutely. We built Queensland. If I was a member of the Labor Party I would hang my head in shame, because they will go down in history as being one part of this useless government. There has been no infrastructure, a footbridge and a football stadium. We have got a puddle that those opposite call Paradise. That was implemented by us. Those opposite had to continue on and build it. That is the only dam that has been built by this government. What did Sir Joh do? Look at the Bowen Basin, the Burdekin and the electric train system. We built the South-East Freeway. What can members see that this government has done? Mr WALLACE: I rise to a point of order. It was the Hawke Labor government which funded the Burdekin Dam. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Fouras): There is no point of order. Mr HOPPER: I have listened to this rabble before many, many times. The truth is that we are hitting a raw nerve here because we are sitting opposite members who are part of a government that has done nothing. Mr Cummins interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Mr HOPPER: Some of these speeches may have been government members’ last contributions to their political career, because if the Premier calls an election they will not be here; they are gone. There is going to be a big clean-out. I know that the member for Kawana will be looking for another job for sure. In relation to the Gympie dam that we have all heard so much trash about in the last couple of months, $50 million has been put in this budget for land acquisition. If the dam is not built it is not a bad investment, because that land is only going to go up in value. It is not costing anything. There is no real money put forward for water in Queensland at this moment. This Gympie dam is just a sham. If the government does not build this dam—say for some reason it is not allowed to and work does not progress—it has destroyed the lives of 960 farmers and families that live in that area because their place is worthless now. They cannot sell it; they cannot do a thing with it. The real estate industry in that area has had it and the dairy industry will be had it. This is a farce and a joke. It is a continuation of the governance that we have seen over the last eight years. Sitting suspended from 12.58 pm to 2.30 pm. 2504 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

Mr REEVES (Mansfield—ALP) (2.30 pm): It is my pleasure to speak in support of the Beattie government’s ninth budget. Tuesday, 13 June marks the time that I have been lucky enough to have been the member for Mansfield—eight years I will have been the member for Mansfield. Government members interjected. Ms Keech: You have been a fantastic member. Mr REEVES: I take those interjections—all of them. As I said, this is the Beattie government’s ninth budget. I would like to congratulate the Treasurer on handing down her first budget, a budget which undoubtedly will deliver great results for the families of Queensland. I know that residents in the Mansfield electorate in the suburbs of Upper Mount Gravatt, Wishart, Eight Mile Plains, Mansfield, Mackenzie, Rochedale, Rochedale South, Burbank, Sheldon and Carindale will share in the benefits of this budget which will build a better Queensland. This budget has especially advanced on two of the state government’s key priorities: improving our health system and investing in education. The Beattie government has been more committed to improving health services than any other government in the history of our state. Our health system continues to improve with the exceptional leadership of this government. On behalf of the residents of the Mansfield electorate, I commend the Premier and the health minister for their leadership and commitment to making our health system the best in Australia. In this budget, all Queenslanders will reap the benefits of that commitment. This year’s record Health budget has boosted health funding by 24 per cent to $6.65 billion. In this budget, funding for the health action plan has mushroomed from $6.4 billion to $9.7 billion over five years. Improving our health system involves much more than increases in funding; it requires leadership and a plan to get things done. Under the health action plan, this government has promised and delivered more doctors, more nurses and more allied health professionals. Actions speak louder than words, and I am proud to be a member of a state that is acting and getting results for Queenslanders. This government promised 300 more doctors by December this year—272 have already been appointed. This government promised 400 extra allied health staff by December this year. We have not only met but exceeded this commitment, with 413 allied health staff already appointed. This government promised to recruit 500 extra nurses by this December and we have doubled that amount already, with 1,082 nurses already appointed. Clearly, the health action plan was rightly named. It is more than just promises; it is a plan of action to improve health services in our state. In the 2005-06 financial year, $17.6 million in ongoing funding saw 16 additional hospital beds open at the Mater Adult Hospital, 12 at the Mater Children’s Hospital, six at the QEII and six at the Redland Hospital. This budget further builds on last year’s commitment. This budget will provide funds to continue improving health services for the residents in the Mansfield electorate. Residents in Upper Mount Gravatt, Wishart, Eight Mile Plains, Mansfield, Mackenzie, Rochedale, Rochedale South, Burbank, Sheldon and Carindale will all share in the benefits of $24.91 million to provide new public patient services at the Mater Mothers and Mater Adult hospitals; $8 million to the PA Hospital for 12 additional in-patient beds—eight beds are surgical and four are for high-dependency patients; $7.2 million from a statewide commitment of $39 million for enhanced cardiac services at the QEII, PA and Mater hospitals; and $5.4 million for new cancer services at the QEII, PA and Mater hospitals, establishing in-patient palliative care services at QEII and enhancing PA bone marrow transplant services. Residents of Rochedale South will benefit from the funding boost given to the Logan Hospital in this budget. This budget provides $300,000 for the refurbishment of the Logan oncology ward and $5,494,000 towards a $7,460,000 upgrade of the Logan Hospital emergency department. Sheldon residents will be pleased to hear that this budget has provided significant funding for the Redland Hospital. In this budget, $7,065,000 towards a total of $11,550,000 has been allocated for an upgrade of Redland Hospital’s emergency department, and $3.57 million has been put towards a total $3.87 million upgrade of the renal dialysis at the Redland Hospital. This government takes the health of Queenslanders very seriously, and the residents of the Mansfield electorate are the big winners from this commitment. The health action plan is not only getting things done now to improve our health system but also preparing for the future. The state government has made a commitment to promote and encourage healthier lifestyles for Queenslanders. Notably, the state government has provided $21 million over three years to combat the growing problem of obesity. As chair of a review into the level of physical activity in schools, I know that this government’s priority of improving Queensland health extends beyond improving health services to improving the actual health of Queenslanders. This commitment to improving the attitudes that Queenslanders have about their health is part of the government’s total commitment to improving the overall health of Queenslanders. There is no doubt in my mind that encouraging healthier lifestyles among our children today will pay big dividends in the future—a future where more and more people are realising that Queensland is the best place in the world to live, work and raise a family. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2505

The $9.7 billion health action plan is about thinking ahead and not only trying to address today’s problems but also preventing problems from arising in the future. Under the plan the state government has promised to put pressure on Canberra to ensure that Queenslanders receive the 325 extra medical places that Queensland, as the fastest growing state in Australia, needs. I would like to join with the 314 other Mansfield electorate residents who signed a petition earlier this year to get more Commonwealth funded training places for doctors in urging the Premier and health minister to continue fighting for Queenslanders to ensure that we are not forgotten when Canberra allocates training places for doctors. This government is also lending a helping hand to tomorrow’s health professionals today. Tomorrow’s Mansfield electorate residents will benefit from this government’s commitment to provide 50 Griffith University bonded medical scholarships, 300 diploma of nursing placements for student nurses at Queensland TAFEs and 362 internships to graduating medical students. I am proud to be part of a government that is providing more educational opportunities for tomorrow’s doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. Conscious that my throat is about to expire, I seek leave to have the remainder of my speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. Smart State Investment in Education This Government has invested more in the education of Queenslanders than any government before it. Education in Queensland has its strongest ally in the Beattie Labor Government. This commitment to education is clear in this Budget’s historic Tomorrow’s Schools funding package for education. This Budget will provide up to 224 more teachers to meet growing enrolments and an extra 150 more teachers to bring class sizes down to 28 for students in Years 4-10. This government is committed to improving the classroom experiences for students and this Budget will do just that by putting more teachers in our schools. Next year will also see a revolution in Queensland education with the introduction of prep year classes in both state and non-state schools. This represents a significant change in primary school education in our state. To prepare for this change, this Budget has allocated $106 million in funding for the single largest school building program in the history of Queensland. The program will refurbish or build 1,600 prep year classrooms in state schools. Next year will be a huge year for education in Queensland and an exciting time for families with children born in the first half of 2002. Tomorrow’s Schools will lay the foundation for a record $1 billion in funding over five years for our State’s education system, including a five-year $850 million capital works program for state schools. What is perhaps the most historic aspect of this program is the unprecedented level of consultation with Parents and Citizens Associations and local community groups that the program sets out. Working with P & Cs In the 2006-2007 year alone, $20 million has been allocated for planning and designing work which will involve consultation with P&Cs. I enjoy working with all the P&C and P&F groups in my electorate and I have no doubt that the views of the Mansfield State School, Mansfield State High School, Mount Gravatt East State School, Mount Petrie, Rochedale State High School, Rochedale South and Rochedale State School P&Cs will have invaluable input into the capital works at their respective schools. I know that the P&Cs in my electorate will also be very much interested in the $50 million School Community Development Fund for state school communities announced in the Budget. With the Fund designed to support small projects that improve the learning environment, I look forward to endorsing submissions from local state schools. From my experiences with supporting grant applications, I know that the projects will be innovative and highly valuable for school communities. I congratulate the Education Minister on providing this opportunity for school communities to have a say in the development of their school. Non-State Schools Share in Education Investment Under this Budget, non-state schools will receive $368.7 million in recurrent funding and a further $46.8 million in capital assistance. Furthermore, the State Government recognises the need that Catholic and non-state schools have for capital assistance and as a result in 2005-2006 these schools will share in a one-off payment of $100 million to further assist with capital assistance, external infrastructure and the increasing demand for information and communication technologies. Non-state schools play a highly-valued role in our community and this is no more evident than in the Mansfield electorate. Brisbane Adventist College, Christian Outreach College, Redeemer Lutheran College, Sinai College, St Catherine’s Catholic Primary and St Peter’s Primary School are highly respected in the greater Brisbane community and will all share in the state government’s commitment to investment in education. As a former non-state school student, I highly value the important role non-state and Catholic schools play in our community and I am sure this funding boost will assist them to further meet the needs of their students and school communities. Mr Speaker, as this investment in non-state schools shows, the State Government is committed to improving education in all Queensland schools. 2506 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

Major Funding for Local State Education Parents and students in the Mansfield electorate will undoubtedly benefit from the Budget’s investment in education. Local residents who attend TAFE in our area will appreciate the $9.82 million in funding committed to the $25 million refurbishment of the Mt Gravatt Campus of the Moreton TAFE. Once again, local schools are big winners in the Budget. Rochedale State School will receive: • $810,000 for an upgrade of the administration area; • $333,000 for a major classroom upgrade to support practical learning initiatives; and • $194,000 to continue installation of a sewage disposal system with a total cost of $207,000. Mansfield State High School, Mansfield State School, Mount Gravatt East State School and Rochedale South State School will share in $74,000 for targeted maintenance of buildings. $61,000 will be given for high priority maintenance related to a classroom at Wishart State School and flooring at Mansfield State School and Mount Gravatt East State School. Under the Triple R Maintenance Program, $37,000 has been allocated for repainting at Rochedale South State School and Rochedale State School. Local schools are clearly better off under this Budget. Local Transport and Main Roads Improved Local residents will all benefit from this Budget’s investment in local transport and roads infrastructure. The jewel in the crown of the State Government’s commitment to improving public transport in South East Queensland has been the Busway Network. As the number-one ticket holder on the South East Busway, I have witnessed the Busway network rapidly improve services and help patronage levels soar to all-time highs. In this Budget, $7.1 million towards a total of $39.03 million in maintenance works will be spent on the South East Busway. Additionally, $33.5 million has been allocated for the construction of a two-lane Eastern Busway Corridor connection from Buranda to Boggo Rd to the Green Bridge—or possibly the Go-Betweens Bridge—accessing the University of Queensland. Local Police and Emergency Services Strengthened The State Government is committed to making our communities safer. No Government has been as committed to improving safety and security in the Mansfield electorate as the Beattie Labor Government. In this Budget, Upper Mount Gravatt will receive funding for a makeover— • $2,000,000 of total project cost $3,000,000 will be spent on the Upper Mt Gravatt Police Station Refurbishment. • $962,000 of total $2,998,000 will be spent to fund the relocation of the Mt Gravatt fire station to Wishart. This relocation will see the introduction of a brand new, state-of-the-art facility which will improve response times in our rapidly growing local area. Local residents will also share in 20 new paramedics for the Greater Brisbane Region as part of the 2004-05 commitment to recruit 240 extra paramedics across the State over three years at a total cost of $35.9 million. Budget Builds Stronger Suburbs This Budget also puts funding towards building our suburbs. In the Mansfield electorate, local residents will benefit from smart and shrewd government which will pay dividends both now and into the future. Eight Mile Plains residents will be pleased to hear that $909 000 has been allocated in this Budget to install noise barriers on the Gateway Arterial on sections between the South East Freeway and Mt Gravatt- Capalaba Rd. Carindale residents are also big winners in the Budget. Highlights for Carindale residents include: • $2.7 million for the Belmont to Murarrie Reinforcement 275v powerline • $2,414,000 of total project cost of $2,530,000 for a new Ambulance Station at Carindale Mr Speaker, this Budget provides real results for the residents of the Mansfield electorate. However, the people will decide on the success of this Budget. I will continue working hard to ensure that the residents of the Mansfield electorate continue to get the very best from this Budget and the State Government. Hon. J FOURAS (Ashgrove—ALP) (2.37 pm): Today in the debate on the 2006 appropriation bills I want to address issues such as state debt, expenditure by state governments, the role of the federal government and the ownership of infrastructure projects. Federal Minister Minchin’s attempt this week to contrast increases in state debt with his own good management is an obvious ploy but, sadly, it misses the point. Nowhere in the law of economics does it say that government debt is bad. It is appropriate if spent on infrastructure but obviously wrong if spent on recurrent expenditure. The Howard government has wasted the fruits of the resources boom, choosing to put more money in voters’ pockets rather than tackle the challenges facing governments. Howard claims that borrowings by states, estimated at $50 billion during the next five years, are threatening increases in inflation and thus an increase in interest rates. What absolute nonsense! The 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2507

RBA, when announcing its last interest rate increase, named structural issues such as limited spare capacity and the scarcity of suitable labour as undesirable elements. The problem with capacity constraint results from underinvestment in ports, roads and rail facilities. There is no doubt that Australia’s capacity to grow with continued low inflation would have been enhanced had there been higher federal government investment in infrastructure. This is the major reason that Australian interest rates are amongst the highest in the industrialised world. At the last federal election John Howard promised to keep interest rates low. Our interest rates are amongst the highest in the industrialised world because of the economy we are running. Due to the scarcity of skilled labour, people with skills and training are able to achieve higher wages and their bosses will use the strong economy to pass on the high costs of labour through higher prices. John Howard has castigated the states for wasting their GST windfalls by increasing the number of services they provide. What hypocrisy! What windfalls? Queensland got about $300 million extra GST revenue this year. How does this compare to the flood of money into the federal coffers? The revisions to the Commonwealth budget estimates are the result of anything but cabinet decisions. These revisions of the Commonwealth estimates since the 2002-03 budget was handed down have given the federal government $97.5 billion in extra resources over the last four consecutive forward estimate periods. In those four years the federal government got an extra $97.5 billion. Policy decisions by the Howard government over the same period were projected to cost $98.8 billion. This is the result of revenue forgone through tax cuts or additional expenditure. In other words, the Howard government has spent every dollar plus an additional $1.4 billion that the resources boom dropped into its lap over the past four years. Had the revenue windfalls that have come the government’s way as a result of the commodities boom been used in ways that would strengthen the capacity of the Australian economy to withstand the inevitable eventual downturn in commodity prices then there would be fewer grounds for concern that every dollar of this windfall has dissipated. Saul Eslake, the ANZ Bank’s chief economist, said he had to confess— I genuinely struggle to think of anything of lasting value that has been done with it. He was referring to the $97.5 billion in additional funds the federal government has had over the past four years. Chris Richardson of Access Economics has calculated that between 2002 and 2006, a four-year period, the commodities boom and other factors have given the Commonwealth $47 billion extra to spend next year alone. In the pre-election year it will have $47 billion with which to pork-barrel the electorate again. Chris Richardson came to the same conclusion as Saul Eslake when he stated— Relatively little of it— that is, the $47 billion— will be spent where it will deliver most benefit to our future. The federal government castigates the states for funding infrastructure debt and for expending funds on their services. The Howard government is the one guilty of handing money to voters and not spending it sensibly. During a 14-year cycle of good economic conditions Australia has been turning out too few tradespeople. This is because of an inadequate system of shared responsibilities. No-one has the clear responsibility to ensure that enough apprentices are trained. Unemployment is now at a record low level of 4.9 per cent. That is to be welcomed. That is great. Unfortunately, the 550,000 people unemployed or the 1.2 million people not in the labour force but wanting to work do not have the skills required by an industrialised economy. This is the problem with all this nonsense. Unfortunately, Howard’s WorkChoices might find work for a few ‘Bills’—the poor unemployed out there who were given work to do under reduced conditions and at reduced pay. That will not fix the malaise of a manufacturing sector which is disappearing before our eyes. A recent example is that of the food manufacturing sector. Homebrands are now displacing the Australian produced products on our grocery shelves. These products are overwhelmingly coming from overseas. This is frightening for the long-term future of not only our manufacturing industry but also our primary producers. It is a disgraceful that this situation will continue. I do not know what the National Party is doing in this regard. I do not know whether it support its Prime Minister. Certainly nobody seems to be worrying about the fact that our country will be without a manufacturing base in the future. We signed a free trade agreement with America. We removed primary produce from that. My brother is in the Greek parliament and he says that people in Europe are laughing about the free trade deal we did with America. It is a joke. Martin Fel, a former director of the Industries Assistance Commission, recently stated that the failure to create infrastructure for the future is an act of economic vandalism. Our conundrum has been that we want low taxes but we also like balanced budgets and freedom from debt. This contradictory outcome has been achieved by running down government payments for infrastructure maintenance and running down government funding for new infrastructure. 2508 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

The changes have been attractively packaged and presented as rational, cost-effective processes. That is how they have been sold by all the think tanks that have been funded by industry to the tune of tens of millions of dollars a year. They create a public opinion that is false. We are told that the tollways will be faster and the utilities have eliminated cross-subsidies. The workforce has been dramatically reduced. Of course there are hidden costs. I do not have time in this debate to go into them. People are losing their jobs. The choice between public and private borrowings for the creation of operating assets is a no- brainer. That is my ideological and economic position. We will have to pay the public debts created, but we will pay a lot less than the price the private financing market would set with the excessive financial intermediary margins. That is the bottom line. There is no free lunch. It is not easy. Over the past four years the Beattie government planned to borrow money for infrastructure projects but a string of billion-dollar budget surpluses, such as $3.3 billion in 2003-04 and $3.9 billion in 2004-05, has meant that we have not had to draw upon the loan. That is why it has not become an issue. The issue of using debt to fund publicly owned infrastructure is to be lauded in this Treasurer’s first budget. The long overdue recognition by state governments that public debt is a useful instrument of policy and not a sign of failing economies should be applauded. The New South Wales government’s Cross City Tunnel fiasco discredits the idea that there is a free lunch available from public-private partnerships. This is obviously a case where reliance on debt financing would have been far more sensible. There is no doubt about that. I think the New South Wales government might pay a very big price for its incapacity to manage. What did we get from giving our airports to Macquarie Bank? Its CEO gets $20 million plus a year. What is the public benefit of doing things like that? We have been told that that is the way to go. With regard to the proposed sale of the Snowy Mountains hydro system, nobody gave any thought to the way water rights would be sorted out. The pot of gold theory of asset sales is flawed, but it is widely regarded among our high-profile economic writers. Complaints about the government having capital locked up in the Snow Mountains hydro system that could be used to fund schools and hospitals are nonsense. The Snowy Mountains hydro system is an income-generating asset. Assuming that the market value of the Snowy Mountains hydro system is equal to the value of future return of sale would make no difference to the net worth of its owners. Of course, with the constraints that were going to be put on it we would not have got that value for it. The people in New South Wales and Victoria would have been worse off. It became something like a fire sale. The restrictions that political realities would have placed on the private owner would have undoubtedly meant that the sale price would be less than the market value. Such a fire sale would have made schools and hospitals less affordable, not more affordable. The state debt of New South Wales as a result of their current budget would be about nine per cent of gross state product—very affordable. There is a place for a range of ownership structures for infrastructure. I admit that. My philosophy, my ideology about public ownership is not sacrosanct. The appropriate balance depends on many different factors such as regulatory frameworks, the willingness of private investors to put equity at risk and the capacity of governments to properly manage long-term contractual arrangements. But for too long we had smarties like the Macquarie Bank playing state governments off a break, and thank God Queensland has not gone down that road with PPPs. As this will be my last speech on the budget as a member of parliament, I say that we should consider very seriously not going down that road with those sharpies. Governments would better manage this balance when the obsession with reducing debt is replaced with a careful analysis of their fiscal position. I had a look at our balance sheet in this budget, and what do we have? We have financial assets totalling $27.3 billion and investments of $21.3 billion. Our super liability is only $16.2 billion, so we have a net balance of financial assets. The net worth of Queensland in 2005-06 is $83.3 billion. There is no net debt. In 2005-06 it is $5.2 billion. Borrowings will go from $17.9 billion in 2005-06 to $34.9 billion in 2009-10. Our net worth by then is going to go up to $107.4 billion. Let us have a look at the so-called great economy where Mr Costello has paid off Labor’s debt. What do we have? The federal government has a super liability of $96 billion. It has a current net worth of minus $12 billion, and it has very little left to sell. States like New South Wales and Queensland have an increasingly valued asset like electricity. If those states ever wanted to put that asset on the market, they would get a better price in the future than they would get now because energy resources will be much more valuable. With regard to our debt as a percentage of GSP—I have not worked it out; I am not sure how I could, to tell you the truth, because I have not seen it anywhere—it is just so minuscule that it is a joke that we should be having a debate in those terms. It is shameful of Minchin, Costello and Howard to be coming out with that economic nonsense. But of course we do not have economists in this country who would pull them apart as they should, because they are all funded by these think tanks which pay their wages. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2509

It is true though that the Beattie government has allowed spending to grow at a more rapid rate than any other state. Spending in public sector wages is to grow by 10 per cent. I am going to defend that. As a former executive of the Public Sector Union before I came into the parliament and a person who really believes in the reality, we have had for too long an historical base of low wages and much lower staffing levels. Nobody on this side of the parliament, unlike the other side, would argue that we need to address that problem. Nobody would do that. The additional spending is premised of course on the principle that the public sector job market has become more national and consequently Queensland has to pay competitive wages and provide competitive working conditions. We found out that lesson. It was rather expensive and politically very difficult with regard to our doctors and our nurses, but we are learning it, and so we should. Moreover, Queensland has a rapidly growing population, particularly young families, with a growing demand for education and health services. That is why in this budget there has been a 24 per cent increase in health up to $6.6 billion and nearly a nine per cent increase in education. Our program to build infrastructure, rail, ports, water et cetera of $10 billion this year has been extremely well received. I want to conclude my last budget speech by talking about education. I am very proud of the education program in this budget. When I was first elected in Ashgrove there was the Building Better Schools project where primary schools were rejuvenated, and I think how wonderful that money was to help them. Then there was the Secondary Schools Improvement Program. The schools in my electorate were just shoddy before both of those programs. Ultimately, the quality of education is very important because it goes hand in hand with the environment that children are in. Spending $1 billion in the next five years and refurbishing Queensland schools will be great. The Gap High School got $3.1 million a few years back which changed the whole attitude of that school. That is important. Although I was sent to a Southport private school—it was not my fault; I had a great-uncle who was a bachelor and he had to board me—my children went to a state school. I want to conclude by saying something that I have felt for a long time. I do not have any problem with $100 million being given to the Catholic and independent schools for capital works this year. That is fair enough, and I know that many Catholic schools do it tough. Parents say to me that they send their children to independent schools—and some of them cannot even afford it—because of values. What these parents say they want most, more than academic performance, is a school that reinforces the value and culture of their home. They want their school to instil discipline and respect for others and for their children to be nurtured with care. What parent does not want this for their child? It is my view that the values argument is outdated. I suspect that in this debate ‘values’ is in fact code for something else. It is a word that in many instances stands for not bucking the system, a word that stands for people like us, a word that stands for the status quo. I know that The Gap State High School community, as do other schools in my electorate, espouses universal values. Those schools want their students to respect themselves, their environment and the rights of others. They know and I know that we all value honesty, integrity, fairness and courage. I know, as they know, that we all encourage teamwork, creativity and we do have a commitment to our community. As well as this, I also know that The Gap State High School takes all comers and still has the best educational outcome of all schools in the district. The spirit of egalitarianism engendered by a school community is not only appealing but also rewarding, and I think that that is important. I congratulate the Treasurer for the money that she is making available to create a school environment that will give real choice to parents. Those parents will not have to pay to send their kids to school. This will give a real choice to parents who place the values of their children as highly as those parents who send their kids to private schools. I commend the Treasurer for that, and I commend this budget to the people of Queensland. Mr FRASER (Mount Coot-tha—ALP) (2.56 pm): This appropriation is worthy of the support of this parliament. It is a visionary judgement that evinces careful consideration and a capacity to balance and calibrate the myriad needs of the society we seek to serve in this place. And it is being opposed by the members opposite reflexively, unthinkingly, typically and pitifully. If ever there was a budget reply that deserved at least 30 minutes preparation, it was this one. Against the context of the last 10 days, one could have reasonably expected a considered effort—tailored, substantial and perhaps even bullish. What this parliament received was drivel. It was gasping, bombastic, breathless tripe. It had all the benefit of the thought invested in a press release without a spellcheck. It was economically illiterate, singularly lacking in coherent policy substance and I think highly underreported. I am thinking of distributing it in my own electorate. In other places in other times leaders of the opposition have faced the challenge to deliver substantial policy vision in a considered manner. Yesterday we witnessed an enfeebled trail of dribble. It had all of the policy substance and insight of a DL card. The central charge of members opposite is this: we benefit from high GST receipts and high state taxes. It is therefore easy to construct a budget and they should be given a go. Even if any of that was true, it would not be easy enough for them to pull it off. They for the second time in a row seek to answer a full set of budget papers with a pamphlet—and this time with an innumerate insert. 2510 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

Policy weakness offends me, but I do not feel the compunction to press home the point here. That is for the so-called team behind the Leader of the Opposition to prosecute. My inclination is to leave him in the job. Let me, in the nature of a second reading speech, remark upon the contribution of the opposition before I turn to the substantial benefits delivered to my electorate by this appropriation. Let us start with the claims that we live in a high-tax state. The present Leader of the Opposition and indeed his fellow pallbearer, the present Leader of the Liberal Party, talked about the nominal dollars per capita of taxation. Let us start with this fact: it is well recognised by people who go past the executive summary of documents that the truest measure of the taxation burden is the ratio of tax to wealth or tax as a percentage of gross state product. If more money is being created, more wealth being generated, then all things being equal, the nominal dollars of taxation revenue should increase. Same rates, bigger pie, higher figure—simple stuff really. In fact, all things being equal, an increasing nominal tax dollar per capita figure is a healthy sign. It demonstrates growth. Budget Paper No. 2 from last year’s budget has a ratio of 4.7 per cent. And this year’s budget? The answer is 4.4 per cent. It is dropping. Moreover, it is well below the national average. It was last year, and it is again in this year’s reported figures. The opposition members are attempting to craft a message—not a policy, just a message—that they would be better managers. Last week, their leadership proved definitively that they cannot count and this week they confirmed it. Before we get them crying about the figures, they should know that these are ABS data, not Queensland Treasury data. To reinforce the point, the same table in Budget Paper No. 2 sets out that the taxation effort of Queensland, that is, a criterion determined by the Commonwealth Grants Commission relating to revenue capacity, is 85.8 per cent. And what, pray tell, was it last financial year? It was 86.9 per cent. It is dropping also. The next charge against the government relates to the receipt of GST revenue. Firstly, our side of politics opposed the GST root and branch because of its inequitable, iniquitous quality: its shamefully disproportionate burden on the vulnerable, low or fixed income Australians and Australians who live outside of capital cities—a constituency which, it must be said, was once represented by a National Party that stood for something more than a tummy tickle could buy. Next, the claims about being awash with federal government GST largesse do not ring true. These dissembling arguments are equally advanced by those opposite who are either economically ignorant or premeditated deceivers. If the GST was meant to be a replacement tax for each and every state source of revenue, why did the original IGA, even prior to its corruption by the Democrats, propose to continue Commonwealth specific purpose payments? Why do they continue to this day? Because the GST could not ever and never will provide the revenue base to deliver the services demanded and by this continuing provision we know that it is demonstrated that even the Commonwealth government acknowledges the point. Moreover, the schedule for the abolition of taxes contained in the budget documents has, in reality, nothing to do with the GST or the original IGA. Only Danny Denuto, solicitor-at-law, could divine that vibe from the original agreement. We completed each and every one of our obligations under the IGA when debits tax was abolished with effect from 1 July last year. It is worth making explicit that the changes we made to payroll and land tax in this budget are well beyond the IGA. These taxes were not even part of the IGA review list, that is, they were totally outside the agreement. That further program, as set out in table 5.8 in the budget papers, is a function of our federalism rather than the GST itself. It is a program worth supporting given the nature of the taxes on the slate, but it is one that should be soberly assessed against a broader debate on our financial federalism. It has long been my view, and I flagged this on the first occasion that I stood in this place, that Australian federalism is imperilled by the present financial arrangements. The centralising tendency at play within the Commonwealth is institutional and deep rooted. The present Prime Minister’s hubris has served as a catalyst for acceleration of this tendency. In my view, the imbalance is now so great so as to render this rickety architecture in danger of falling over. We are never going to rise out of the cycle of political violence between state and federal governments while we have such a large disparity between the responsibilities for service provision and sovereign revenue capacities of the two levels of Australian government. This debate is not new but the pressures loaded into it are increasing and need our urgent attention. I have wondered here before, and I do so again, whether the GST is in fact a poison pill for Australian federalism. It is time for a national debate on this front and I commend the publication of Taxing Australian Federalism by a former Treasurer in this place, the Hon. David Hamill. The problem is now fully exposed; its resolution less clear. I believe that it is worth debating the reservation of a proportion of income tax to the Commonwealth, for argument’s sake 20 per cent, with the states thereafter able to set tax rates that are calibrated to the requirements of their constituencies. Other taxation revenues, such as corporate tax, could remain with the Commonwealth. This would also permit the states to give back the GST and all its dripping odium, the undemocratic notion that through a form of fiscal bullying one level of government should be able to deny the mandate of another. States seeking population growth and business investment could low ball, while growth states requiring heavy infrastructure investment would be able to raise this revenue. Furthermore, we can harness the capacity to promote efficiency that is inherent in competitive federalism. The debate about 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2511 the income tax take of the Commonwealth has shamed them into piecemeal reform that has barely addressed bracket creep. True tax reformers should embrace the potential of arrangements that promote a closer alignment between revenue capacity and service responsibility, removing the perverse incentives inherent in such an imbalance. They should also, by definition, embrace the potential, for such arrangements to promote efficiency within the tax system. By the way, it would also remove the lightweight federal Treasurer from the need for any policy effort on his part. I seek leave to have the remainder of my speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. I also want to address the outright cant about the modest borrowing undertaken to fund capital investment. What’s most offensive about the members opposite whining on this point is that many of them know, or should know better. Let’s put this in perspective, at its full expression, this program will put a call on operating revenues of 2% to service this debt. I don’t know about the members opposite but I would be much more comfortable with an interest bill of 2% in my house. They say they are the great builders, they haven’t got a clue. Borrowing to fund capital investment is not only prudent, to do otherwise would be irresponsible. Burdening the present taxpayer with the bill for infrastructure investment that will serve future generations is inequitable. It has been the other side of the intergenerational equity coin which I have addressed on occasion within this place. Consistency and intellectual honesty compel this view. The voodoo economics practised by those opposite are breathtakingly erratic. Turning to my electorate of Mount Coot-tha, this is again a budget that will be, and indeed has been, well received by the enlightened citizenry that I have the rare privilege to represent in this place. While prudent fiscal management is demanded, and deserved, by my electors, the need for local services and infrastructure is also a present and is also well served by this Budget. Chiefly, the Budget through the allocation toward cycling initiatives will fund the construction of a safe crossing at the Toowong Roundabout. The government has set aside $4 million to construct this important piece of community infrastructure—important to my community and the broader community also. Cyclists are growing in number, and rightfully, in voice and I thank both the local Bicycle User Group and Bicycle Queensland for their support in my campaign for funds on this matter. The final design will is contingent upon detailed engineering feasibilities but it is most likely to be a bridge to the west of the roundabout from Anzac Park over to the front of the Mount Coot-tha Botanical Gardens. This has been an issue for a generation within my community and I am pleased to be a part of bringing it to a resolution. This is in fact why I stood for parliament in the first place. Not this bridge, of itself, but to represent vigorously and forcefully, the needs of my local community. More than fifty people turned up to the announcement last week at 2pm on a weekday in Anzac Park with the Minister for Transport and that clearly evinces the depth of support in the community for this project. Staying down in Toowong, the Budget also provides funding for the mighty Toowong Soccer Club to completely revamp their presently modest clubhouse facilities. This issue was also first raised with me as a candidate and I am pleased to see it funded. I have worked closely with club members and met with them and talked with them about this project for some time. I pay tribute to their President Paul Freeburn and Greg Raeside amongst others for their work on the application and to Mark "Marcus" Middendorp for his splendid advocacy. I rightfully look forward to catching up with them all on Monday evening at their World Cup function at the Brisbane Senior Citizens’ Centre where the cry will be uniform "No Guus, No Glory". The Budget also provides additional funding for the Preparatory Year. This is timely and wise; it proves the worth of this government. A responsive, listening government that takes on board the views of the community. I am an unashamed champion for the schools of my electorate and in that regard am a P&C junkie. Invariably P&Cs are populated by many community minded, able parents who despite being consumed in the same time-poor milieu in which we all struggle are rising above that challenge and giving of themselves to their local school. Last week the Minister for Education and the Arts visited my electorate to conduct a productive roundtable on the Preparatory Year implementation which was attended by parents and staff from across the schooling sectors. The message at that meeting was clear in relation to infrastructure and I cannot heap praise enough on the timeliness of the appropriation to the Minister for Education by the Treasurer, who I cannot help but remind the House is a former Minister for Education. I have been a regular advocate on this matter and I commend their actions in this regard. Prep is a huge and worthwhile innovation, undertaken at great expense for all the right reasons. I look forward to being a part of its successful implementation. Within that regard, and before I depart Toowong, it must be said that the decision by the Minister to retain Toowong State Pre-school within the Toowong State School landholdings is entirely welcome and further evidence of his, and the government’s responsiveness and perspicacity. Transport matters are always dominant within the inner city. It has been my experience that people’s views are for the most part coloured by the domicile. Anyone who drives past the Kennedy Terrace intersection along Jubilee Terrace knows it’s dangerous. Local residents do, the local Neighbourhood Watch does and the crash statistics prove it. Work will soon commence on a project announced in the Roads Implementation Program to install a dedicated right hand turn lane, provide pedestrian refuges and adjust the alignment. I have strongly advocated for this work and again remark upon the responsiveness of the Ministry in this regard. The RIP also saw a significant beachhead in addressing the congestion that visits locals at the intersection of Coopers Camp Road and Simpsons Road with MacGregor and Jubilee Terraces at Bardon. This was an issue that was raised with me by locals in forceful terms and has been the subject of large petitions. I said at the time that my priorities were to fulfil commitments to address pedestrian safety at MacGregor Terrace and at Toowong Roundabout. The lights are up on MacGregor Terrace and as I’ve detailed, the funding for a crossing at Toowong has now been secured. With the funding for safety improvements at Jubilee and Kennedy Terraces also now secured, this matter is certainly a priority and the Budget brings forward $400 000 for this project. In essence the length of Road from where MacGregor Terrace commences at Latrobe Terrace, through to Coopers Camp Road operates as an elongated intersection. It is constrained by its geography and the heritage listed garden walls. This project, announced last year, was welcomed by constituents. The money allocated in this budget will pay for planning works and engineering assessments on how to address this part of the road. In particular it is likely that the roundabout at Latrobe Terrace will be replaced by a signalised intersection with a dedicated left hand slip lane into Latrobe from MacGregor Terrace. Another key issue is the limited access from Coopers Camp Road into Jubilee and MacGregor. There is a significant traffic island here which contains many utilities. Detailed planning is required to shift those services should it prove desirable and feasible to remove that island to provide for better access here through the addition of a slip lane to turn left into Jubilee, for example. Any work to address this stretch of road will be expensive and it’s vital that we get it right, and vital that the community gets every opportunity to put its views. Local schools benefit considerably. Beyond the Preparatory Year funding which I have already referenced, the provision of a $1 billion capital works program, over and above the normal programmed works, is welcome to say the least. Our schools are the hub of local community life. They are a powerful centrifuge for binding and building social capital within city life. They need and deserve this program, a program which seeks properly to engage with those communities in planning and providing for upgrades and rebuilding. In particular there is over $140 000 in dedicated works funding at schools within my electorate budgeted for this 2512 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006 year. That is, over and above, the estimated cost of $15.64 million which is the tab for the running of my six state schools in a year. Funding is included for electrical upgrades at Petrie Terrace, repainting at Rainworth, flooring at Milton and works and Ithaca Creek also. Beyond the very significant announcement of the funding to redevelop the Toowong Soccer Clubhouse, there is also funding to the historic McIlwraith Croquet Club for works on their playing lawns which comes on top of a recent grant to undertake building works on their much-loved but much in need clubhouse. In addition Toowong Bowls Club is making a concerted effort to improve its facilities and the budget provides just over $10 000 to install shade. Lang Park PCYC and Wests Junior Rugby League, amongst others, also receive funds. The Budget also provides $9.17 million for the redevelopment of the Roma Street Fire and Ambulance Station which is underway at present. In that precinct also, the Budget again holds $12 million for the provision of the eastern infrastructure associated with the stadium redevelopment. At long last we see a DA before Council which will facilitate this construction. It cannot happen soon enough, in my view. Our money is lined up, ready to roll. The limits of this debate prevent a full exposition of the benefits of this Budget to my electorate. In particular the health budget increases are beginning to make a real difference on the ground in providing health services and in our hospitals. The provision of community health services is vital in any government’s attempt to promote health rather than only curing sickness. That’s the real task for government and its one I look forward to advancing further within my electorate in the very near future. I commend not only the Appropriation Bills, but also their author. Hon. TS MULHERIN (Mackay—ALP) (Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries) (3.03 pm): I rise to speak in support of the 2006-07 state budget that was handed down on Tuesday. This budget is proof of the Beattie government’s commitment to building an even better future. It is a budget that delivers on the Queensland Labor government’s priorities of health care, transport and infrastructure, community services, education and creating an environment in which this state’s diverse and thriving economy provides jobs and opportunities for Queenslanders. Billions of dollars have been allocated in capital works for our state’s schools, to transform the training, vocational and educational system, to improve our health services, to ensure tax competitiveness and to create employment. I congratulate the Treasurer Anna Bligh on her first budget. It is responsible, innovative and ensures that the Smart State will grow even stronger. My electorate of Mackay and the region, also represented by my good friend and colleague the member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt, have yet again fared extraordinarily well from this budget. Hundreds of millions of dollars including more than $160 million for water and electricity projects, more than $50 million on employment and training, more than $20 million for transport and roads as part of a total commitment of $107 million, $19.7 million for communities, $8.39 million for health and more than $1 million for Mackay schools will either directly or indirectly benefit one of the fastest growing and developing regions in Queensland. A centrepiece of funding for Mackay is the government’s commitment to training and employment. This is no quick-fix, bandaid solution. It is a determination by this government to create future employment opportunities and equip our young and unemployed to best take advantage of those opportunities. Almost $6 million in funding for the development of a specialist trade campus is a huge education and training boost for Mackay. The $5.96 million allocated will go towards a total cost of $37.1 million for the specialist trade campus, which will be part of the Central Queensland Institute of TAFE. This will provide a huge boost in addressing the current skills shortage throughout Queensland and particularly in central Queensland. Schools in the Mackay region will benefit from a raft of statewide initiatives, including a $1 billion program to update the state’s learning environment. Capital works expenditure and additional teachers and teacher aides will benefit all Queenslanders. Specifically in Mackay there will be $350,000 to the Mackay District Special School to continue upgrading the administration area with a total cost of $777,000; $34,000 to Andergrove State School to continue a major classroom upgrade to support ICT initiatives with a total cost of $722,000; $5000 to Mackay North State High School to continue works on a new external kiln house with a total cost of $83,000; $5000 to Mackay State High School to continue works on a new external kiln house with a total cost of $83,000; $5000 to Pioneer State High School to continue works on a new external kiln house with a total cost of $83,000; $6000 to Pioneer State High School towards continuing to air-condition classrooms under the Cool Schools program with a total cost of $11,000; $34,000 to Slade Point State School towards continuing to air-condition classrooms under the Cool Schools program with a total cost of $63,000; $225,000 to Victoria Park State School to continue replacing the toilets with a total cost of $552,000; $140,000 to Mackay District Special School to continue upgrading special education facilities with a total cost of $637,000. I seek leave to have the remainder of my speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. $44,000 to Pioneer State High School to continue upgrading special education facilities with a total cost of $450,000; $420,000 to Mackay North State School for a relocatable Special Education Unit; $62,000 for repainting at Mackay North State School; $15,000 for targeted maintenance of external surfaces at Pioneer State High School and $46,000 for high priority maintenance on flooring at Mackay West State School and Victoria Park State School. But this is a Budget that goes beyond the classroom. To elaborate further on skilling and training. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2513

Under the Government’s Queensland Skills Plan, Mackay will share in more than $888,000 allocated to the Mackay-Whitsunday Region in 2006-07 to increase the number of trades apprenticeship training places and the number of Certificate IV and above training places. A total of 780 additional trades apprenticeship training places and 590 additional Certificate IV and above training places will be created in the Mackay-Whitsunday Region by 2010. The total Government contribution to this initiative for the Mackay-Whitsunday Region is $6.36 million over four years. Mackay also will share in: • $4.05 million in recurrent funding to create an estimated 706 jobs through the Government’s Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative throughout 06/07; • $38.2 million in 06/07 for more than 2.3 million hours of vocational education and training in the Mackay-Whitsunday Region and • $1.9 million to continue establishing an additional Skilling Solutions Queensland customer service centre to provide unequalled access to information on training and career opportunities across the State at a total cost of $3.77 million. In a region such as Mackay, which includes the coal-mining belt of the Bowen Basin, the largest single coal mining area in Australia, and a thriving sugar industry, infrastructure, transport and main roads are crucial to continuing prosperity. This is recognised in this Budget by the Beattie Government. Funding includes: • $9.07 million for works at Mackay Seaport including $2 million to develop vacant land in the industrial precinct, $2 million to develop vacant land in the marina precinct, $1.47 million to enhance existing port facilities, $1.2 million for stage 2 of the Harbour Road bridge replacement and $1 million to continue acquisition of land for a port access corridor; • $1.5 million towards widening to four lanes between Sams Road and Barnes Creek Road, on Rockleigh—North Mackay Road, at a total cost of $11 million; • $1.5 million towards replacing Hospital Bridge, on Mackay Bypass Road, at a total cost of $24 million; • $1 million towards duplication of Forgan Bridge over the Pioneer River, on Mackay—Slade Point Road, at a total cost of $50 million and • $4000 to connect traffic signals at various intersections in Mackay. Health, as has been previously canvassed by both the Premier and Treasurer, will be boosted by a massive $9.7 billion state-wide over five years. The Budget allocates $36.6 million to open an additional 170 hospital beds across Queensland—including eight new beds at Mackay Hospital. Health funding includes planning for the future needs of this growing region through: • $2.19 million to begin construction of a purpose-built community-based transition/rehabilitation facility to enable integration of the community based rehabilitation/transitional care teams with inpatient rehabilitation services at Mackay Hospital; • $1.7 million for development of a clinical resources annex at the Mackay Hospital to accommodate clinician’s offices and meeting rooms, which will create space for additional beds in the surgical and medical wards; • $589,000 to support mental health services in the district through the employment of additional specialist mental health staff; • $495,000 for enhanced cardiac services, including establishing a new cardiologist position and employing a nurse specialising in heart failure and • $54,000 in additional funding for Indigenous nutrition program. Mackay’s strong and proud sporting history has also been recognised with: • $45,383 minor sporting facilities grant to the Mackay Golf Club to install fixed automated irrigation to four golf fairways; • a $100,00 minor sporting facilities grant to the Mackay Lions Soccer Club to install lighting to competition standard to a soccer field at Andergrove and • more than $59,000 in funding to local sport and recreation clubs throughout Mackay, to help increase physical activity opportunities through a wide range of planning, participation and education and training initiatives. In funding for police, $18,000 is allocated to continue work on the new Mackay North Police Station and $13,000 in continued funding for the purchase of LiveScan fingerprinting technology at the Mackay watch house. This technology will allow immediate processing and cross checking of a national database to assist in identifying offenders. $60,000 also been earmarked to continue replacement of the Sarina Police Station and $106,000 in continued funding for the Mackay-based Tactical Crime Squad which targets known crime hotspots with a strong emphasis on investigating property crime and drug offences. The Budget delivers $201,000 to Mackay Tourism to encourage tourists to the region through destination-based marketing. The region will also receive a share of $1 million a year over four years in new initiative funding for tourism marketing and development. Mackay also is a strong and thriving community. This Budget offers: • $834,000 to continue to provide intensive levels of foster care within carers’ homes to children/young people with mainly complex and some extreme support needs at a total cost of $1.04 million; • $515,000 to continue to provide residential foster care for 4 young people aged 12-17 years with moderate to complex needs in the Mackay area at a total cost of $1.55 million; • $394,000 to continue to assist in the prevention of Indigenous children entering the care system at a total cost of $1.18 million; 2514 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

• $286,000 to continue to provide foster care to 76-83 children/young people with moderate to high support needs by a departmentally approved foster or relative (kinship) carer in the carer’s home in the Mackay Child Safety Service Centre catchment area, at a total cost of $500,000; • $235,000 to continue to provide care to 25-27 Indigenous children/young people with moderate to high support needs by a departmentally approved foster or relative (kinship) carer in the carer’s home; • $199,000 to continue to provide short-term respite foster care, including hourly or overnight care by a substitute family/ relative within the respite carer’s home at a total cost of $349,000; • $6.6 million to support people with disabilities and their families, including $2.38 million in general funding to non- government organisations for various services, $1.61 million to support adults in the community and $603,000 to support people finishing school with the transition to adult life; • $6 million capital grant to the Mackay City Council towards the continuing development of a convention precinct and redevelopment of the adjacent Mackay CBD, with a total cost of $38 million; • $2.6 million to complete construction of 10 medium density units for public housing with a total cost of $2.8 million; • $1.12 million to complete renewal of approximately 11 existing senior units at Mackay with a total cost of $1.19 million; • $970,000 under the Accommodation Program for the new Mackay Youth Justice Service Centre, which provides supervisory, rehabilitative and reintegrative services to young offenders on community based orders and young offenders released from detention; • $600,000 to complete construction of 2 detached houses under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Program at a total cost of $654,000; • $515,000 in ongoing funding to the following organisations for community support services: Andergrove/Beaconsfield and South West Mackay Neighbourhood Centre, George Street Neighbourhood Centre Association, Lifeline—Mackay/ Whitsunday, Mackay Regional Council for Social Development Ltd and Relationships Australia—Gambling Help Mackay; • $400,000 to commence construction of 8 seniors units with a total cost of $2.54 million; • $115,000 in ongoing funding to the following organisations for child care services: Andergrove Outside School Hours Care, Eastside Outside School Hours Care, George Street Neighbourhood Centre, Mackay PCYC, Mackay PCYC— Impact Teenage Adventure Program and St Francis Xavier After School and Vacation Care Program; • $123,000 to the Community Housing and Information Centre to continue providing a tenant advocacy and advice service with a total cost of $362,000 and • $123,000 in ongoing funding to the Community Housing and Information Centre under the Community Rent Scheme to provide short and medium-term accommodation to public housing applicants in need of immediate housing at a total cost of $663,000. This Government also is committed to the Burdekin to Moranbah Pipeline at a total cost of $270 million. In this Budget, $129.35 million has been allocated to continue that expansion. There also is $25.5 million to continue increase in the capacity of the electricity network supplying the Mackay region with a total cost of $51.4 million and $8.8 million to continue construction of a new electricity substation to reinforce electricity supply to Mackay with a total cost of $15 million. Previously I mentioned Budget-specific funding towards the Mackay Convention Centre precinct. The Queensland Government also has played a key role in this exciting project, details of which were announced yesterday by the Mackay City Council. The 1800-seat Convention Centre, construction costs for which will come entirely from a grant provided by this Government, will allow Mackay to be a key player in the lucrative convention and business market. The Convention Centre, which will be adjacent to the Mackay Entertainment Centre, is earmarked to begin construction in late 2007. Complimenting the Convention Centre will be an Aquatic Lagoon at Caneland Park. In a tropical climate, as was the case in Townsville when the Strand was developed including a water feature, the aquatic lagoon will become a focal point for families, tourists and locals alike. Mackay is a vibrant, progressive region and the Budget injections and co-operation between council and the Beattie Government ensure an exciting future. As well as being a very proud Member for Mackay, I also in December last year took the reins as Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries. It is a portfolio I coveted as a regional Member and one that has proven everything I expected it to be. It would be remiss of me in supporting the 2006-07 Queensland Budget, not to speak of the gains made by the stakeholders to industries which contribute $11 billion to our state. Firstly I should thank the Treasurer for a 5 per cent or $11 million increase in the Queensland Government’s core investment in primary industries and fisheries. State Government input this year will total $227.8 million. I also would take this opportunity to repeat and place on record, again, what many on the other side of the opposite side of this House either have great difficulty comprehending or choose to ignore, regarding the primary industries and fisheries Budget. Repeated claims that the DPI&F budget had been slashed from $381 million in 1997-98 when Labor came to power down to just $308 million in 2006-07 are simply wrong. Firstly the 1997-98 budget for the Department was $371 million, including $95 million for Forest Production. In May 1998, the then Borbidge Government handed down its 1998-99 budget, which allocated $371 million for the department. The Borbidge Government then called an election, which it subsequently lost, without first seeking approval of its proposed budget. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2515

In September 1998, the Beattie Government handed down its budget, which allocated $381 million, including $90 million for Forest Production. A comparison between the 1997-98 and 2006-07 budgets for the department must acknowledge significant changes, such as: • the introduction of accrual accounting from 1999-2000 has meant the presentation and basis of accounting for budget papers has changed and • DPI Forestry, a commercial business unit of the department since 1995, also reported in 1999-2000 as a separate entity within the department’s budget papers. Prior to 1999-2000, DPI Forestry was consolidated with the parent department; listing it as Forest Production. It would not be feasible to adjust the 1997-98 budget estimates to the accrual accounting basis that has been used in framing the last seven budgets. However, if the 2006-07 budget for DPI&F ($308 million) and budgeted expenses of the new established Forestry Plantations Queensland for the coming financial year ($84.2 million) are added together (as was done in the 1997-98 budget of $371.1 million) the total allocation for 2006-07 budget would be $21.2 million higher than was the case in 1997-98. There have been a number of other changes between the 1997-98 and 2006-07 budgets, such as the end of the papaya fruit fly eradication campaign and the start of the fire ant and citrus canker eradication campaigns. However, the fact is DPI&F is delivering for primary industries with much greater effect than was the case under the Borbidge Government. Total expenditure of $308 million is planned for DPI&F in 2006-07. This includes $227.8 million invested by the Queensland Government, an increase of $11 million or 5% over the 2005-06 Budget. The Department’s budget includes revenue from other sources including research and development corporations, Commonwealth and other state biosecurity contributions and various fees and charges. Progress made by the ongoing eradication programs for fire ants and citrus canker means that some $15.6 million less will be required from funding partners. Total expenditure of $308 million includes $203 million for industry development, $61.6 million for biosecurity and $42.6 million for fisheries. Nothing in the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries is done on an ad-hoc basis. Everything we do and every dollar we spend is aimed at our goal of achieving greater profitability and sustainability across all primary industries. The clear goal of the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries is to create an environment in which a gross value of production of $14.4 billion can be reached by 2010-11. The Department of Primary Industries, Queenslanders, including the people of Mackay, are extremely well-placed for the future by the 2006-07 state budget. This is a budget that builds on a stable platform for the future of the Smart State. I commend the bills to the House. Mr FINN (Yeerongpilly—ALP) (3.08 pm): It gives me great pleasure to rise to speak in support of the Appropriation Bill, which provides the framework for the 2006 state budget. This budget builds on the strength of the Queensland economy that has been guided so well by the Beattie Labor government since 1998. At the outset, I congratulate the Treasurer and Deputy Premier for bringing down her first budget and delivering one of those classic Labor budgets that focuses on service delivery essential to Queensland families, particularly in health, education, transport, jobs, child safety and disabilities. Not only does this budget deliver in spades on those Labor heartland service areas, it continues the economic management strength of this government that has seen Queensland economic growth outstrip national growth for 10 consecutive years and projects this performance to continue. I have listened to some of the opposition members’ contributions with their negative spin and doomsaying. That is about all they are. Queensland has a AAA rating, its growth is outstripping national growth, it has a 4.9 per cent unemployment rate and this budget delivers a raft of tax cuts for business and first-home buyers. Yet the members opposite say that this is a bad budget. Does anyone other than the opposition think that the Queensland economy is in a bad shape? I have listened to some of the opposition members’ contributions with their negative spin and doomsaying, and that is all it is. We have our AAA rating, we are outstripping national growth, we have a 4.9 per cent unemployment rate and the budget delivers a raft of tax cuts for business and first-home buyers, yet they say it is a bad budget. I do not think there is anyone other than the opposition who thinks that the Queensland economy is in a bad shape. What I have heard the opposition do in this debate is attack a budget that includes $9.7 billion spending on health; $1 billion to rebuild schools; $600 million for water infrastructure; $825 million for rail infrastructure; $100 million for emergency assistance, like drought and cyclone assistance; more police and ambulance officers; better maternity leave provisions; and a $245 million surplus. I guess I should not be surprised. Whilst we work, they whinge. Many speakers in this debate have outlined the strengths of the budget and the big-ticket items that define the government’s vision and direction. Today I will comment in much detail on the benefits of these initiatives to my electorate of Yeerongpilly. In light of the fact that I have provided sufficient entertainment for my colleagues this week— 2516 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

Ms Nolan: The ayes have it. Mr FINN:—I seek leave to have the remainder of my speech incorporated in Hansard—and I am sure the ayes will have it! Leave granted. Health There is no reason for electors in my electorate to be concerned about access to quality health care. This budget which contains funding to health of $9.7 billion across Queensland, a doubling of health funding between 1998 and 2007, includes several initiatives for local health services. This budget will deliver more doctors, nurses and allied health professionals, more services, more capacity in our hospitals, more equipment and technology, shorter waiting times and better facilities for the people who need them. The QEII hospital which is in my electorate and the PA Hospital just outside my electorate provide excellent services to residents in my local suburbs. Some of the specific initiatives of benefit to residents in my electorate include: • $18.3 million from increased statewide funding of $27 million, to hospitals including Princess Alexandra and QE II Hospital to reduce elective surgery waiting lists; • $1.77 million in additional funding for cancer treatment at the Princess Alexandra Hospital including appointment of an oncology specialist and expansion of the radiation oncology service to reduce waiting lists; • $5.4 million for new cancer services in health service districts including the QEII and Princess Alexandra districts with the establishment of an inpatient palliative care service at the QEII and enhancing the Princess Alexandra Hospital’s bone marrow transplant service; • $7.2 million, from a statewide commitment of $39 million, for enhanced cardiac services will include allocations to the QEII and Princess Alexandra districts; • $1.43 million, from a statewide commitment of $18 million, to support community mental health services in the Princess Alexandra Hospital health services district through the employment of additional specialist mental health staff; • $1.16 million to address the complex needs of homeless people with mental illness and/or substance abuse problems in the QEII, Princess Alexandra and Mater Hospitals health service districts through mobile clinical outreach teams; • $136,000 in additional funding for Indigenous health programs in the QEII, Princess Alexandra and Mater health service districts; and • $3.3 million in additional funding to provide additional intensive care and high dependency beds in the southern area to support elective surgery and emergency admissions as part of a $36.6 million initiative to open 170 extra beds across the state. These initiatives show the Beattie government’s commitment to improve health services for the people of Yeerongpilly and the people of the entire state. Education This budget brings the most significant new injection of capital works spending ever seen in Queensland’s schools, going beyond reforms to date to ensuring the best possible learning environments for our children. Two local schools in the Yeerongpilly area will receive much needed funding with $183,000 allocated for repainting at Yeronga State School and for roofing at Yeronga State High School. These schools are old schools and will benefit from this support Other local schools will share in record funding for education, with a massive $5.17 billion of the budget directed to Queensland schools, while capital spending is being increased by 9.2 per cent to a total of $497 million. This fantastic injection of funds into local communities across the state and will produce real results for students throughout Yeerongpilly. The programs to provide funding for P&C projects and the massive capital injection to rebuild schools provide great opportunities for improvements at local schools. Transport and Roads This budget delivers another record investment, $3.98 billion allocated to projects across Queensland to improve transport and road infrastructure. Yeerongpilly residents will benefit from a great deal for the region’s roads and transport networks. Some local Main Roads highlights include: • $4.5 million to continue improvements at Beatty/Balham roads intersections, on Griffith Arterial, at a total cost of $10 million; • $2.31 million towards installation of traffic management devices between the Ipswich Motorway and the Gateway Motorway, on Griffith Arterial, at a total cost of $5 million; • $1.5 million for works between Marshall Road and Suscatand Street, on the Ipswich Motorway, at a total cost of $16.54 million; For every $1 million spent on roads in Queensland there are 17 jobs created in road construction and related industries. This budget’s allocation to road infrastructure will continue our successes in achieving low levels of unemployment in Queensland. We’re creating jobs, backing business growth with the infrastructure that industry need and we’re protecting a way of life that makes Yeerongpilly such a great place to work and live. This budget also includes rail upgrades across south-east Queensland that will benefit rail users residing in Yeerongpilly. In addition, there will be improvements made to train stations, including waiting areas and hearing loops, as part if a $47.7 million to make it easier for people with a disability to use trains. Community Safety The Yeerongpilly community will also benefit from vast amount of new funds injected into the Police and Corrective Services with this budget continuing to reflect the government’s firm commitment to public safety and law and order. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2517

This year, the operating budget of the Queensland Police Service will grow by $122 million to support new initiatives, including 350 extra sworn police officers and better police computer systems to cut response times and solve crimes faster. Crime levels in Queensland are continuing to fall and the Beattie government is ensuring that police have modern facilities to work in, by boosting the capital works budget by $112.9 million over four years. The budget also prioritises road safety a priority, with $12.7 million to be used to fund more policing hours on traffic enforcement in a bid to help reduce road deaths and road trauma. The government will also recruit an additional 144 ambulance officers over three years and employ another 35 communications officers across Queensland next year to improve ambulance call response times. Sporting Groups Local sporting groups are also big winners in this budget with major allocations for capital as well as support for club development and training. This is a very important component of the budget because sporting clubs and organisations are in many ways the lifeblood of the community Locally the Australian Hellenic Sports and Cultural Association has been allocated almost $752,909 in a major sporting facilities grant to construct a multipurpose activities centre, remodel the existing kiosk/amenities and construct a soccer field. Other allocations to local sporting groups include: • a $38,000 minor sporting facilities grant to the Tarragindi Bowls Club to install four light poles to one green for lawn bowls at Tarragindi; and • a $63,000 minor sporting facilities grant to the Yeronga Football Club to upgrade lighting to 100 lux on two playing fields to support Australian football at Leyshon Park, Yeronga. In addition, more than $22,000 in funding goes to local sport and recreation clubs throughout Yeerongpilly, to help increase physical activity opportunities through a wide range of planning, participation and education and training initiatives. Social Housing Housing is an important issue in our community and in true Labor tradition this budget has not forgotten those most in need. $700 million will be spent across Queensland, including a $472.7 million capital works program to expand supply and enhance the standard of social housing dwellings. There are many areas of social housing in our local area including a concentration in Coopers Plains. This area is being targeted under the state governments social housing strategy with new housing stock that is better suited to today’s social housing needs. This budget continues our commitment to social housing with budget initiatives including additional funds for new programs to support some of our state’s most vulnerable people, including nearly $40 million over four years for 70 units of accommodation to enable people with spinal cord injuries to leave hospital and $20 million to improve housing in Indigenous communities. The budget also commits $20 million in 2006-07 to provide additional housing for people with mental illnesses, as part of the whole-of-government response to the Council of Australian Governments’ initiative to improve the mental health system. Conclusion This budget delivers on the Beattie government’s vision and economic management strengths. It is a budget that takes the state forward with commitments to the infrastructure and services essential to managing the demands of a growing population. People are coming to Queensland in their droves both for the sunshine and our gangbuster’s economy and this budget gives confidence to all Queenslanders that the Beattie Labor government and Treasurer Bligh have the commitment and economic skills to maintain and improve the great way of life in this state. I commend the Appropriation Bill to the House. Mr SHINE (Toowoomba North—ALP) (3.10 pm): It is a pleasure to rise in this debate and support the appropriation bills before the House, which encompass the budget for 2006-07. As has been said, this is an outstanding budget and it beggars belief that some members of the opposition, although not all, have found fault with it. The reason that it beggars belief is that this is the 10th year in a row that Queensland has outperformed all of the other states. Unemployment is below five per cent or thereabouts; it is certainly below the national average. We have maintained our AAA financial rating. Our tax rates are competitive and we have ended up with a $2.856 billion surplus, notwithstanding the fact that spending is up eight per cent, to a record $28.8 billion. It is obvious that the key expenditure items in the budget relate to those of health and education. Health expenditure, building on the mini-budget of last year, has increased by 24 per cent on last year’s budget. Clearly, the health action plan has to be properly resourced. This budget puts tangible support behind that action plan. The other area of key importance in this budget is education. It is terrific to see the very large investment in the future of our children, the future of this Smart State. In this budget $1 billion over five years has been allocated for the renewal of our state schools. A sum of $100 million has been allocated in the next financial year in extra capital payments to the non-state school system; we will see 470 new teachers; $20 million has been allocated to ancillary matters associated with the preparatory year introduction—for example walkways, children’s playgrounds and so on; and $50 million has been allocated to P&Cs to adopt various projects that they would otherwise have to raise the money for themselves. Another positive aspect of this budget that is particularly attractive to the business world has been the lifting of the payroll tax exemption and the land tax exemption. These measures certainly place Queensland in a very competitive position as we relate to other states in the Commonwealth. We have heard the stories coming out of New South Wales, where new taxes have been applied in recent years rather than taxes being lifted or lessened. 2518 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

There is spending on infrastructure in terms of capital investment, 60 per cent of which will be spent outside of the Brisbane area. That is positive from the point of view of a regional member of parliament. This keeps us in line with the trend that has been established over the number of years that I have been in parliament which demonstrates that this government is, indeed, a government for all of Queensland, not just for the Queensland metropolitan area. The capital expenditure last year was $8 billion. This has increased this year to $10.1 billion in terms of infrastructure support. In the area for which I am the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communities, Disability Services and Seniors, I was very pleased to see that an extra $160 million has been allocated to the portfolio. This represents a 17 per cent increase in the Communities portfolio and a 22 per cent increase for Disability Services Queensland. It is great to see that those who are truly in need of support from this government are once again being heavily and tangibly supported by this government. Also within the portfolio, two matters which I have had something to do with in terms of assisting the minister are the Blueprint for the Bush—$153 million over a four-year period, a third of which comes out of the budget of this portfolio—and the Strengthening NGOs project, which is again recognised tangibly by expenditure in this budget. I congratulate the Treasurer and the government generally for the splendid financial circumstances in which Queensland finds itself. These things do not just occur by accident. I also congratulate the government on the substantial increases in funding to both the Department of Communities and Disability Services Queensland. The budget reflects very favourable interest in the region from which I come—that is, Darling Downs and West Moreton. For example, the budget provides $359.8 million to continue construction of CS Energy’s Kogan Creek power station; $15.96 million to improve the New England Highway; and $8.39 million to support services provided by community groups, including child care and domestic and family violence prevention. Outside the Toowoomba area, $8.14 million is provided to continue the Miles Hospital redevelopment; $7.3 million for the Dalby Hospital; $6.64 million for new and upgraded public housing and to purchase land for future construction; $6.14 million in Queensland government funding to improve the Cunningham Highway; and $1.64 million to continue work on the Queensland College of Wine Tourism. One of the major areas that I was seeking support for is the establishment of a Skilling Solutions centre in Toowoomba. I am grateful that that is now the case and is reflected in the budget, along with $1 billion to be spent under the Queensland Skills Plan. I seek leave to have the remainder of my speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. Education is the great winner in this year’s budget. Statewide there is an extra $1 billion for renewal of state schools over four years and hundreds of extra teachers together with the introduction of the preparatory year. In my area the list is impressive. For example, to benefit is the University of Southern Queensland. $1.43 million is to be spent on funds for the Centre of Excellence in engineered fibre composites. Darling Downs and West Moreton region for school capital works expenditure is $5.85 million and includes: • $303,000 to continue electrical updates; • $297,000 upgrade to special education facilities at Harristown State High School; • $250,000 for classroom upgrades to support multimedia institutions at Wilsonton State School; and • maintenance and other significant expenditure on Highfields, Toowoomba East and Rockville State Schools. Earlier this year, non-state schools substantially benefited in my electorate. Mary McKillop Catholic School second stage was opened at Highfields at a cost of $2.5million principally funded by the state government. $137,300 was granted to the Toowoomba Preparatory School and $180,000 to Holy Name School both for preparatory needs. I congratulate all principals, staff and school communities of all schools in my electorate, both state and non-state. Rightfully, Toowoomba has the expectation of being Queensland’s prominent centre for education and therefore great credit goes to all in Toowoomba and Highfields who contributed to it. I do raise, however, the need for a positive learning centre to be provided especially for primary and middle year students. I have made representations to the Minister for Education in this regard recently. Let us now turn to Health. Here, the government has addressed the need for more hospital beds in Toowoomba by providing in the budget for an additional 24 beds. This is a most significant measure costing in capital terms $2 million and $3-4 million per year in recurrent funding. I congratulate the Treasurer and thank her and the Health Minister for listening to my representations over many months. It is also very pleasing to see that Toowoomba shares in the extra state wide funding in other areas. Toowoomba is to receive increased funding that includes: • $1.74 million for cancer care; • $792,000 for cardiac services; and • $307,000 to support community mental health services by employing additional specialist mental health staff. Illustrative of the fact that this Beattie Labor government is one for all of Queensland. I note the considerable amounts to be spent on health in National Party electorates. For example: • $8.14 million in Miles; • $7.3 million in Dalby; and • $922,000 in Warwick. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2519

It is particularly gratifying to learn of the large sums to be spent in my electorate and indeed in the region from the portfolio of Transport and Main Roads. This includes: • $3 million for continuation of work already started on the New England Highway at Highfields; • $1.4 million for improvements at the intersections of Ruthven Street and Jellicoe Street and Ruthven and North Streets; • $0.5 million for widening of the highway north of Highfields; • $246,000 for improvements to intersections of Ruthven and Griffiths and Ruthven and Campbell Streets; • $31,704 for a bikeway at Champagne Crescent, Wilsonton; • $30,000 for a bus set-down and car park at Highfields State School; and • $564,000 to complete the widening and sealing of the Cabarlah-Meringandan Road. As Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communities, Disability Services and Seniors, I was particularly pleased to see the amount being spent in Toowoomba North from this portfolio. Expenditure includes: • $823,000 to fit out the Toowoomba North Child Safety Centre; • $7.2 million to support people with a disability and their families including $2.02 in general funding for Non Government Organisations for various services; • $1.72 million to support adults living with a disability in the community; and • $1.10 million to support people with a psychiatric disability. I note $3 million has been allocated to upgrade public housing dwellings in the region. Reliable electricity supply is a must for Toowoomba North and Highfields. It is great to see $3.9 million to continue reinforcement of electricity supply to Toowoomba and $2.5 million for Highfields. Other community areas to benefit are: • $1.3 for the new Toowoomba Youth Justice Service; • $975,000 to upgrade Aboriginal and Indigenous dwellings; • $685,000 for projects to assist Lifeline, Harlaxton Gambling Help Network, Gambling Help Toowoomba and South West, Harlaxton Neighbourhood Centre, Lifeline Community Support and Development and The Advocacy and Support Centre; • $400,000 for six medium density units; • $260,000 for a multipurpose building at Commonwealth Oval; • $214,965 to the Toowoomba Bridge Club for new premises; • $201,000 to the Toowoomba and Golden West Regional Tourism Association; • $174,000 to the Advocacy and Support Centre; • $74,000 to the Toowoomba Older Peoples Action Program Inc.; • $15,000 to the Wilsonton Heights Neighbourhood Centre for further construction; and • $42,000 in ongoing funding to the following organisations for child care services: Breakaway Toowoomba, Fairholme College After School Care, Highfields State School P&C Association Outside School Hours Care, Holy Name Outside School Hours Care, Toowoomba East State School After School Care, Toowoomba North After School Care and Wilsonton After School Activities. On the jobs front, Toowoomba did very well indeed. I made representations to the Treasurer and Minister Barton to see if we could obtain for Toowoomba a permanent full-time Skilling Solutions Queensland customer service centre. This was achieved. In total our region will receive $6.1 million to create an estimated 1,008 jobs through the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle program. A staggering $59.7 million will be invested in over 4.1 million hours of vocational education and training. An amount of $2.7 million in capital expenditure will be used to further relocate all of the TAFE facilities to the Bridge Street Campus and $1.34 million to finish off the new TAFE building in Bridge Street. Finally Emergency Services have done well, especially at Highfields with the allocation of $1.41 million to continue the work to provide fire and ambulance stations. Police in Toowoomba have benefited from funding of $106,000 for the Toowoomba based Tactical Crime Squad targeting property crime, and drug offences as will fingerprinting technology at a total cost of $166,000. I thank the government in general and the Treasurer in particular for the consideration given to Toowoomba North. Not only this year but throughout the last five years I have had the honour of representing the constituents of Toowoomba North. Ms STONE (Springwood—ALP) (3.18 pm): It gives me great pleasure to rise and speak in support of the state budget that invests heavily in education, health, infrastructure and essential services for all communities, and I am delighted to say that Springwood did not miss out. I want to congratulate the Treasurer on her first budget. I especially applaud her investment in education. In order to achieve economic prosperity, we must invest in education. Education can overcome disadvantage and provide opportunities for a better quality of life for individuals and communities. I also applaud the additional opportunities that will be presented to parents and the local community to participate in the planning of future facility requirements. The Treasurer has delivered a good budget for all Queenslanders. I heard the Liberal leader, the honourable member for Robina, say in a radio interview, and I have heard many other Liberal members say in this chamber, that it was Canberra that made it a great budget. Firstly, they are right: It is a great budget. However, I really do not understand the part about Canberra making it a great budget. If Canberra threw bucketloads of money at Queensland, as they have stated, then I want to know: where is the Commonwealth funding for housing? Where is the planning and money for major infrastructure that the federal government should be delivering to Queenslanders? Logan City Council and the 2520 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006 residents of Springwood are asking: where is the Commonwealth government money for the upgrade of the Pacific Motorway? The federal budget was about getting Peter Costello on the road to the Lodge while Queenslanders were once again ignored—especially Queensland motorists who were short-changed on road funding. There is no doubt that Logan motorists are paying for the $800 million roadworks to the Hume Highway. Springwood motorists are asking why the federal government is giving New South Wales $1.6 billion over 10 years in matching funding for the Pacific Highway south of the border and nothing to the upgrade that we need in Logan City. But I am not going to stand here and whinge like the Liberal and National party members. Unlike them, I will continue to lobby the federal government. I will continue to lobby on behalf of my constituents for our fair share of Commonwealth government road funding for the upgrade of the Pacific Motorway. This budget provides many benefits for the residents and businesses in the Springwood electorate, and I look forward to informing them of these positive details. There are so many benefits I hardly know where to begin. I am very happy to inform the House that this budget provides a capital works and community services boost of over $72 million that faces up to the challenges of population growth in Logan. I would like to speak in detail on the specifics pertaining to my electorate, but I ask that the remainder of my speech be incorporated into Hansard. Leave granted. Education The Budget had a huge focus on education and school facilities. I’m delighted—and I’m sure the parents of every school aged child will be too—that the Budget puts such a focus on our schools. Our school facilities are vital to the future of this electorate and the future of the entire state. Parents and employers want an education system that meets today’s challenges. Young people leaving school today need to have the skills and knowledge that will allow them to succeed in a rapidly competitive and changing environment. Education and training are recognised as crucial to the Government’s vision of a Smart State. "The new program, Tomorrow’s Schools—Providing for a Smarter Future, a $1 billion investment over five years, will ensure schools are equipped for the future and will involve parents and school communities in an unprecedented way—in a hands-on way in planning for the future of Government schools in local areas. The program also recognises there are schools in need of extra assistance for small projects that make all the difference. To meet this need, Tomorrow’s Schools will begin with a School Community Development program of $50 million in the 2006-07 year, to fund small priority capital works projects for government schools, with projects selected on the advice of parents. I welcome this new program as it means parents & citizens groups will be asking parents to put their hands in their pockets for fundraising less. This program aims to improve a school’s learning environment such as library and science lab upgrades. I look forward to working with the Chatswood Hills State School community as I know upgrading their library is a priority to them. Slacks Creek State School is over 130 years old and is the oldest school in my electorate. Just like any other building with age comes wear and tear so I am looking forward to working with the school community on applications to obtain funding from this new program for the projects they determine as a priority for the school. I also look forward to assisting all the schools in the Springwood Electorate to apply for our fair share of funding from this program. Funding for schools in the Springwood electorate announced in the Budget delivered by Treasurer Anna Bligh include: • $479,000 (including $67,000 for fit out) to Shailer Park Primary and State High Schools to continue a major classroom upgrade to support middle schooling with a total cost of $1.66 million. • $7,000 for repainting under the Triple R Maintenance Program and $37,500 (total State Government contribution of $50,000), to complete construction of a roadway car park at Kimberley Park State School. • $39,000 for targeted maintenance related to external surfaces at Springwood Road State School • $134,000 for high priority maintenance to classrooms at Shailer Park State High School, Springwood Road State School and Springwood State High School, flooring at Kimberley Park State School, Shailer Park State High School, Shailer Park State School and Springwood Central State School and the tuckshop at Springwood State High School. The budget isn’t just about State Schools; Queensland’s Catholic and Independent schools will also benefit with a one-off allocation of $100 million this financial year to assist these schools meet the demands of the future. This is a new investment in children’s classrooms and learning environments and the funds are in addition to existing school capital programs. The Budget includes employing more than 470 additional teachers. This includes up to 100 teachers who will join our existing early years educators to staff the new Prep year, 150 teachers to complete our commitment to reduce class size targets in Years 4-10 from 30 to 28 students and up to 224 additional teachers to meet growth in student numbers. I know that these additional teachers will be welcomed by the community. In readiness for the introduction of the Prep year, there will be an extra $20 million to enhance State primary schools including covered walkways. Once again there are a number of schools in my electorate that have lobbied me for covered walkways and I look forward to supporting them in their application for funding. There will also be an immediate one-off payment of $500,000 to the Creche and Kindergarten Association to assist with their capital program. Currently there is exciting growth and historic changes to education in Queensland. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2521

2007 will be a landmark year with the introduction of a full-time Preparatory Year in state, Catholic and Independent schools to better prepare children for school. This budget provides $106 million for new and refurbished Preparatory Year classrooms in state schools and $11 million in grants to state schools for Prep resources such as books and indoor play equipment. This will be very warmly received in the community as I have had many parents and educators discuss with me that they would like to see more play equipment supplied. The Beattie Labor Government will continue the provision of new technologies in our schools and in 2006-07, the Government will invest approximately $84 million, which includes $21.4 million from the four-year $56 million Smart Queensland strategy. There will also be $28.6 million to support the Government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening school discipline and promoting positive student behaviour. A new four year, $37.9 million commitment to support students with disabilities in State and Non-state schools. The Budget also contained an important focus on skilling and training Queensland’s future workforce. Springwood will share in more than $7.59 million allocated to increase the number of trades apprenticeship training places and the number of Certificate IV and above training places. The government recognises and values the extremely important role teachers and staff play in driving this education excellence and this budget invests more than $40 million in professional development for State School teachers and teacher aides. I thank school volunteers for the fabulous work you do in the electorate in ensuring the schools are well maintained, and are an enjoyable learning environment. Education represents a $6.9 billion investment. Join this with health and combined they make up 48% of budget spending. Sports and Recreation Springwood’s sports and recreation clubs have not been overlooked in the Budget. • A $46,800 minor sporting facilities grant to Club Rochedale Rovers Soccer to construct a new training field including irrigation and install irrigation to a second field to support soccer at Underwood Park. This grant will assist in the development of junior sport at this strongly supported club. It will also assist the senior teams in their endeavours to win the competition. I thank the executive committee and the many coaches, managers and volunteers that assist this club in providing a healthy activity to young people in our area. • A $100,000 minor sporting facilities grant to the Loganholme Soccer Club for construction of an amenities building with change rooms to support soccer and Shailer Park netball at Cornubia Park. Mr Speaker, I know just how important this grant is to these two clubs. As growing clubs in the area they are in need of these important and vital amenities. I thank the executive committee members for their hard work to ensure juniors have a safe environment to enjoy their sport. I thank the coaches, managers and volunteers, many of whom are also involved in other community and voluntary organisations throughout the electorate, for their hard work and the valuable time they put into making these clubs successful. • A $48,461 minor sporting facilities grant to the Springwood Suns Cricket Club to install two light poles to one cricket oval and upgrade irrigation for two Rugby Union fields at Homestead Park. Once again two fine clubs that go to the heart of our community in their dedication to developing junior sport. I thank all executive members, coaches and managers, and volunteers for their contribution to their clubs and to local sport. More than $18,000 in funding will go to local sport and recreation clubs throughout Springwood, to help increase physical activity opportunities through a wide range of planning, participation and education and training initiatives. I often hear from sporting groups in the area just how important and useful this money is to their volunteers. There is no doubt it is the hard work of volunteers that keeps local sport going and this type of funding assists them in their roles. I look forward to hearing the wonderful positive stories from many sporting club volunteers throughout the electorate. Roads In the Springwood electorate only two roads come under the control of the State Government. As part of the national highway, the Pacific Motorway is a road of national importance and has traditionally attracted 50/50 State/Commonwealth funding. So you can imagine my constituents disappointment at the Commonwealth refusing to fund the badly needed upgrade of the M1 through the Springwood electorate. The Federal Government even acknowledges on their website that the Pacific Motorway is part of their AusLink road network. The State Government has started planning and design to upgrade the Pacific Motorway, including the section the runs through Logan City, and has put $392 million on the table to start work. The Federal Government refuses to commit one cent of funding. Canberra grabs $14 billion in fuel excise from motorists every year but it puts less than 16 cents in every dollar back into Australian roads. Canberra partly funded the Pacific Motorway when it was upgraded in the late 1990s. Canberra is giving NSW $1.6 billion over 10 years in matching funding for the Pacific Highway south of the border. There is no doubt Canberra is giving Logan City motorists a raw deal. Once again, I join with Logan City Council and call on the Federal Government for funding for a very important project in the Springwood Electorate. Beenleigh-Redland Bay Road is the other State controlled road and I am pleased that the State Government has committed funds to both. It should be noted that all others are under the control of the Logan City Council. • $3.44 million to complete duplication from two to four lanes between Cairns Street and Bryants Road, on Beenleigh— Redland Bay Road (State Controlled), total cost $8.36 million. Currently this project is underway and I know that it has caused some inconvenience to residents and businesses in this area. I say to these people thank you for your patience. When this work is finished it will be a great benefit to our area and I thank you for your cooperation and patience during this difficult time. 2522 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

• $3.3 million to continue a 4.5 km extension of the South East Busway (State Controlled) through shoulder bus lanes between Eight Miles Plains and Springwood with a total cost of $31.81 million. • $485,000 to install traffic signals at Logandale Boulevard/Brindabella Street, on Beenleigh—Redland Bay Road. This is fantastic news to my electorate. I have continued to strongly lobby for these traffic lights on behalf of the community and I am very pleased to inform the House that this project will now be brought forward and the Logandale residents can look forward to the traffic lights being turned on before Christmas this year. This is great news for all motorists using Beenleigh-Redland Bay Road and Logandale Blvd. Other works for the electorate include: • $484,000 for asphalt resurfacing between Magill Street and Chatswood Road • $80,000 for intersection improvements at Rochedale Road/Springwood Road. Health It is obvious the Liberal Candidate for Springwood has not even read the Budget documents. If he had he would know about the huge boost to health and Logan Hospital and our health district has certainly been included in this boost. I place on record my thanks to the staff at Logan Hospital and all our hospitals in the State. I can’t think of any other country I would rather be treated in if I was ill. Springwood electorate highlights include: • $5.4m to complete a $11M upgrade at the Emergency Department Logan Hospital. • $5.22 million to trial a place-based Chronic Disease Strategy in the Logan-Beaudesert Health Service District, including liaison with GPs. • $1.08 million to enhance cardiac services in the Logan-Beaudesert Health Service District—employing a cardiologist, enhancing the cardiac rehabilitation service and establishing a chest pain assessment unit. • $965,000 for additional specialist mental health staff in the Logan-Beaudesert Health Service District. • $1.4 million to community organisations under the Home and Community Care program providing support and maintenance services for eligible people at home to prevent early admission to residential care. The Beattie Labor Government is implementing a $9.7 billion Health Action Plan to improve health services and recruit more doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. The comprehensive Health Action Plan also contains a commitment to recruit 300 doctors, 500 nurses and 400 allied health professionals by December this year. We are ahead of schedule and already have more than 1000 new staff working in our health system. The Beattie Labor Government are also pushing the Prime Minister for an extra 325 undergraduate places in medicine courses in Queensland—to provide the doctors we need for the future. Mr Speaker, all governments have to constantly work at improving health services and that is what we will continue to do. Recently the Logan Hospital received a new Magnetic Resonance Imaging Unit, fully funded by the Beattie Government. This will ensure better care for patients in the Logan and Beaudesert region. I joined the Health Minister Hon Stephen Robertson at the official opening of the $3.2 million unit. I am pleased to tell the community that more than 3,000 patients would be referred to the unit for an MRI scan in its first year of operation. This new facility at Logan Hospital means patients will no longer need to travel to Brisbane or the Gold Coast for magnetic resonance imaging. It will also help clinicians to provide faster and more accurate diagnosis which will translate to faster and better care for patients. Good news for the community. I recently opened the Medical Equipment Hire Service at the Logan Hospital. The service will be coordinated by Red Cross volunteers. Mr Speaker, I am very pleased that this service has commenced as I know what an important service this is. Convenience and affordability is something that has to be considered when supplying this service and the Red Cross has certainly made it both. I thank the Red Cross for their involvement in this very important service. These wonderful volunteers do so much for our community and this is just one example of their great work. I received correspondence from administrator, Rita Malone, and I read part of it, "We are grateful to the State Government for supplying this new and up-to-date equipment to the Logan Hospital." I too am very pleased the State Government recognised the need in our community and has provided this valuable equipment. The service will provide up to six months hire for medical equipment including wheelchairs, crutches, wheelie walkers and overtoilet seats and of course hardship will be taken into account. What a wonderful service by wonderful people. Police This budget also commits more police on the beat. It provides for another 350 more police officers. I recognise the $135,000 in continued funding for the Logan/Gold Coast Tactical Crime Squad which targets known crime hotspots with a strong emphasis on investigating property crime and drug offences. I thank all the police officers in my electorate for their hard work and dedication to keeping our community safe. Big spending to tackle pests and weeds, manage fires and buy land to add to national parks are features of the Queensland Government’s allocation of $294 million to the Environmental Protection Agency. National parks and native wildlife will be better protected and presented as a result of this budget. Queensland’s national parks are for people to enjoy and the state government’s $55 million for capital works will include spending to improve facilities for park users. The Environmental Protection Agency will continue to work with the community, industry and government to reduce water and energy consumption and promote eco-efficiency." 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2523

Special funding for koala protection was announced and I acknowledge the $527,000 towards the Koala Conservation Implementation Package, a partnership with local governments across the state to ensure the survival of the koala in the long term, particularly in South East Queensland. The Budget allocates $2.1 million over four years to help stop the decline of the koala population in Queensland, especially in South East Queensland. Tax Reform I want to finish my speech by speaking in support of the tax breaks that will be received by business, land owners and first home buyers. Up to 90 per cent of Queensland employers will not have to pay payroll tax as the Beattie Government’s State Budget increased the tax free threshold from $850,000 to $1 million. About 600 businesses which would have been part of the payroll tax base into 2006-07 would be affected when the new tax free threshold is introduced from July 1. A further 4,000 employers will pay less payroll tax. This is good news for business and for the employees of these businesses. I know that I had represented the business people who had lobbied me for this tax break and I am very pleased the Treasurer has listened and announced these changes. In addition, further cuts will apply to land tax and first home owners will be eligible for a new transfer duty concession. There is still more great news and benefits, however my time has run out. I will ensure that the Springwood electorate is well informed about those benefits I have not been able to highlight. Mr Speaker—I finish by saying—A budget that has everything and no matter where you reside in Queensland you are not forgotten. I commend the bill to the house. Hon. PD PURCELL (Bulimba—ALP) (Minister for Emergency Services) (3.20 pm): It is a pleasure to rise to speak in this budget reply for 2006-07. I congratulate the Deputy Premier and Treasurer, Anna Bligh, on her excellent first state budget. What an outstanding debut she has made. Under the Beattie Labor government, Queensland is growing from strength to strength. Queensland has high economic and employment growth, which this government is ensuring that all Queenslanders benefit from. In my own electorate of Bulimba, the estimated unemployment rate is an average of 3.7 per cent, which is a true reflection of what a terrific job the Beattie government is doing. Residents of the Bulimba electorate of all ages will receive significant benefits from this budget with a major boost to schools in the electorate, along with a major funding injection in health services. In order to achieve the best education for our kids, it is crucial we provide them with the best facilities. I am particularly proud of this government’s ongoing commitment to education. The Tomorrow’s Schools program consists of $900 million over five years to modernise state school facilities. With $50 million towards immediate improvements in Queensland’s state schools and $100 million to the non-state school sector, this budget ensures that Queensland students remain in the best educational system in Australia. A further $850 million will be spent over five years on a better buildings program for our schools. I will be writing to all my parents and citizens associations and parents and friends associations offering my assistance to work with them to implement these important programs. In the interests of time, I ask that the remainder of my speech be incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. I believe that the educational initiatives in the 2006-07 state budget have the potential to provide the greatest long term benefit to our state’s future and will ensure that Queensland continues to remain the smart state. Bulimba State School will receive $3.65 million to continue works on additional accommodation at the school. There will also be $54,000 for building hire, and $92,000 to continue redevelopment of their oval and sports area. Bulimba State School is one of the oldest schools in Queensland and is in now in its 143rd year of educating young Queenslanders as well as having students who are 5th and 6th generations to attend the school. The school’s principal, Michael Zeuschner, has provided continuity of leadership and planning at the school for the past 11 years. Michael and his very supportive, talented and devoted staff have worked to see it become one of Brisbane’s most sought after state primary schools. The key to its success is working together and building a partnership with the local community and businesses. The success of Bulimba school is no longer a close kept secret. The school has an international reputation and has even received enquiries from parents while still residing overseas, who before moving their family to australia, wish to ensure they purchase within the school’s catchment area. Along with a passionate commitment to the environment, Bulimba’s students are 60 to 70 points above the state’s average on literacy and numeracy. It is the only school I am personally aware of in a predominantly English-speaking suburb which is teaching Italian to students from years 1 to 7. The teachers have proven that this stimulates the children’s brains and enhances their love of learning. It is commendable for school principals to move through the educational ranks by making career moves. However, the overall results at Bulimba prove that a committed principal with long tenure at the one school can, and does, make a difference. Another school in the Bulimba electorate to benefit from this budget is the Murarrie State School. 2524 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

While much smaller than Bulimba Sate School, Murarrie places just as much emphasis on learning. The school focuses on a wide range of activities with a particular emphasis on the multicultural aspects of Australia. In this budget Murarrie State School will receive funding towards their cultural research centre. The centre will benefit not only benefit the students, but the entire community. When completed it will have the capacity to seat approximately 100 people and provide a versatile asset to the school community, enabling it to also be used as a workshop area, an open area drama stage and viewing platform. I congratulate the principal, Tina Gruss, and her dedicated staff and the school community on their initiative and hard work in bringing this project to reality. Additional funding in this budget will provide much needed maintenance in our schools. The Bulimba electorate also provides the facilities for an active, healthy lifestyle with an emphasis on sport. We are proud to claim Hockey Queensland as one of our residents with the state hockey centre located at Colmslie. This budget will ensure that state hockey centre can continue to host major competitions up to national and international levels. In addition, the club development program recognises and supports the diversity of sports in the Bulimba electorate by providing funding to: • Morningside Australian Football Club; • Rivercity Outrigger Canoe Club; • Brisbane Outrigger Canoe Club; and • Cannon Hill District Netball Association. I congratulate all these organisation on their successful applications. The record level of health funding provided in this budget will be of benefit to every resident of the Bulimba electorate who has or will have a need for medical services. Residents in the Bulimba electorate will share in: • $24.91 million for new public patient services at the Mater hospitals • $5.4 million for new cancer services at the QEII, Princess Alexandra and Mater Hospital health service districts • A further $1.77 million for extra cancer treatment at the P.A. including expansion of oncology services • $3.3 million in extra funding for additional intensive care and dependency beds in the southern area • $7.2 million, from a statewide commitment of $39 million, for enhanced cardiac services at the QEII, P.A., and Mater Hospital districts • $310,000 to support community mental health services • $1.16 million to address the needs of homeless people with a mental illness and/or substance abuse issues. Meanwhile, as part of the budget’s record transport funding, in the Bulimba electorate there will be: • Rail noise barriers as part of a seven-year, $19.7 million project to reduce noise along metropolitan train lines; and • $9.8 million for site preparation and construction of warehousing at the port of Brisbane’s Colmslie estate. Community development in Bulimba also gets a boost through: • $71,000 in ongoing funding to seven child care services; • $78,000 in ongoing funding to the Cannon Hill family support service to provide a community centre-based development and support service with a total cost of $234,000; • $127,000 in ongoing state/ commonwealth funding to the gateway community group to provide counselling and support for people at risk of homelessness with a total cost of $381,000. Under the government’s Queensland Skills Plan, Bulimba will share in more than $7.59 million allocated to the greater Brisbane region to increase the number of trade apprenticeship training places and the number of certificate IV and above training places. Bulimba will also share in $26.4 million in recurrent funding to create about 5,500 jobs through the government’s Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative; and $326.6 million in 2006-07 for more than 21 million hours of vocational education and training in the greater Brisbane region. In addition, the Bulimba region will benefit from funding for new and upgraded ambulance stations, including: • $2.4 million for the completion of the new Carindale ambulance station; and • $2.7 million towards the construction of the replacement Balmoral ambulance station. Mr Speaker, this budget is a wonderful result for Bulimba, and for the state as a whole. There can be no doubt that the beattie government is once again showing its commitment to Queenslanders. Hon. LD LAVARCH (Kurwongbah—ALP) (Minister for Justice and Attorney-General) (3.22 pm): It is with great pleasure that I respond to the 2006 state budget as the member for the electorate of Kurwongbah. Firstly, I congratulate the Treasurer on her first budget. This budget provides substantial funding to the Beattie government’s key priority areas of health, education and infrastructure. In short, the Beattie government is delivering a better standard of living for all Queenslanders and is building for Queensland’s future. The economic forecast for Queensland is looking very rosy indeed. Queensland has experienced economic growth of 3.5 per cent, compared with 2.5 per cent growth nationally. On top of this, Queensland’s economic growth has outperformed the national average for 10 consecutive years. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2525

Unemployment is at a 30-year low at five per cent. This figure is lower than the Australian average of 5.2 per cent. We also had those great figures delivered yesterday. These figures are a result of responsible fiscal management by the Beattie government over the past eight years. While these figures are positive, they are only numbers and will never tell us anything about the fabric and wellbeing of our society. Former US Attorney-General Robert Kennedy summed this up perfectly— Gross national product measures neither the health of our children, the quality of their education, nor the joy of their play. It measures neither the beauty of our poetry, nor the strength of our marriages. It is indifferent to the decency of our factories and the safety of our streets alike. It measures neither our wisdom nor our learning, neither our wit nor our courage, neither our compassion nor our devotion to country. It measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worth living, and it can tell us everything about our country except those things which make us proud to be part of it. The Beattie government is not only interested in the financial figures; we are also interested in the human outcomes that will flow from this budget. We are fiscally responsible, but we also have a heart and we are determined to improve the quality of life for all Queenslanders. I am delighted to announce to the House some of these ‘human outcomes’ in my electorate as a result of the Beattie government’s 2006-07 budget. in light of the time, I seek leave to incorporate the remainder of my speech in Hansard. Leave granted. Education— Our children are our future. Never let us underestimate the importance of nurturing and educating our children so that they are well equipped for the future. This budget is taking bold steps in providing new and innovative funding initiatives to improve our schools. On Tuesday the Treasurer announced the $1 billion Tomorrow’s Schools package which is in addition to existing capital expenditure on school infrastructure. One facet of the package is to provide $50 million in capital grants in 2006-07 to Queensland state school communities, through a submission process by schools and their Parents and Citizens’ Associations. I am very excited about the prospect of giving P&Cs more say in where money is spent in state schools. In addition, the Beattie Government will be employing almost 375 more teachers state-wide to cope with increasing student numbers and also to reduce class sizes. On a local level over $430, 000 has been provided for special projects such as additional classrooms at Bray Park State Primary School and Bray Park State High School and additional amenities at Eaton’s Hill State Primary School. Local Sporting Grants— In this year’s budget the Beattie Government has prioritised the funding of local sporting clubs—an approach that I am absolutely delighted with. Thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Beattie Government the Dayboro and District Soccer Club will be constructing a new soccer field to be used for club matches. Special mention should go to the President of the Dayboro and District Soccer Club Ray O’Donnell who has worked tirelessly on the planning of the soccer field. Also the mighty Albany Creek Crushers Junior Rugby League club received $49,490 to install three light towers so that games could be played under lights. I am the patron of the Albany Creek Crushers and cannot wait to watch the footy under lights. Thanks to the President of the club, Brad Stranks, for his hard work in planning the project. Mr Speaker, this budget is providing for Queenslanders and is building Queensland’s future. Infrastructure— With 1500 people moving to Queensland every week, it is essential that infrastructure is put in place to handle the rising population numbers. The Kurwongbah electorate is one of the major growth corridors in south-east Queensland. In the Pine Rivers Shire, where Kurwongbah is centred, it is expected population numbers will increase 38 000 over the next ten years. Mr Speaker, this budget provides for the future. $2.7 million will be spent on the widening of Eaton’s Crossing Road from two lanes to four lanes between South Pine Road and Queen Elizabeth Drive. This road will ease traffic congestion experienced by motorists in and around the multitude of new housing estates in the area. Mr Speaker, one of the largest capital infrastructure announcements from this budget is the construction of the Pine Rivers Courthouse and watch-house. $3 million over two years has been put aside to complete the $11 million Pine Rivers Courthouse. Also $6.6 million to continue construction of a new watch-house in Strathpine. As the Attorney-General I am very excited by this project and cannot wait to see the area obtain a dedicated justice facility. Over the past few years there has been an increase in the number of first home owners in Kurwongbah. Young families and couples are flocking to Kurwongbah to enjoy cheaper house prices and quality services. However, buying your first home is a very large commitment and can often be financially crippling. Many of my constituents would be very pleased with the Treasurer’s announcement on Tuesday of a new first home owner transfer duty concession for the purchase of vacant land. This concession will encourage first home owners in Kurwongbah to invest in their own home. I would like to commend the treasurer on a fine budget and thank her for investing in Kurwongbah. The residents of Kurwongbah can be assured that the Beattie Government is responsive to their concerns and is always working to improve their quality of living. This budget has succeeded in managing for strong finances, delivering quality services and securing growth and prosperity through productivity. It is this budget and the governance of the Beattie Government that will provide for the residents of Queensland, and the residents of Kurwongbah, a valued and vibrant region of Queensland. Mr LIVINGSTONE (Ipswich West—ALP) (3.25 pm): I rise in support of this great Labor budget. I am sure I speak for everybody on this side of the House when I say how proud we are of this budget. I would like to congratulate the Treasurer on her first budget; I am sure it is the first of many to come. I think I speak for everyone here when I say that we have a sound financial position. Our economy is growing at 3½ per cent compared to 2½ per cent on a national level. No other state can boast net 2526 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006 financial assets of $5,155 per capita. The average net financial liability across the other states is $111 per capita. Health care has been one of the most controversial issues in the past year, but with funding of $6.65 billion for this year alone the health action plan will see more doctors, nurses, allied health workers and equipment and facilities provided to Queensland health precincts. If we only listened to the opposition, we would swear that everything in the health area was negative. Opposition members are against everything. I would like to quote a couple of articles out of the local paper in my area that put things in a different light to the negativity we see from the other side. Mrs Webber wrote— In light of the current health care crisis and recent publicity my family and I would like to publicly acknowledge the wonderful care that was given to my late husband Charles, whilst he was a patient at ward 7C at Ipswich Hospital. I would also like to thank them for the care and support for myself and my family during this difficult time. A second letter was from Dorothy Toohill. She stated— Roses to the staff from the Ipswich Dialysis Unit for their care and concern and the warm welcome they gave to me as I started my treatment there. I think it was worth sharing some of those letters with members. Disability services funding has increased by a massive 186 per cent, providing much needed assistance with community services, respite care and people who have to cope with a disability. In the area of child safety, we have had a massive increase in funding also. The number of children in care now continues to grow. It is really encouraging to see that we have already implemented 85 per cent of the recommendations set down by the Crime and Misconduct Commission. The community as a whole will benefit from an additional $122 million for the Queensland Police Service to provide new initiatives and allow for an additional 350 police officers. Of particular interest on the local level is the allocation of funds in the Ipswich area for a new legal precinct. There is funding already allocated for a new courthouse. Combined with an additional $3.9 million—of a total of $15.84 million—that will provide a new police station and watch-house, representing a total project value of around $90 million. In the area of education, again this is a very exciting budget. I think it is the most exciting budget in education since I came to parliament. There is $5.2 billion to be spent on education, with an additional 470 teachers. Most importantly for people like me who live in areas where there are a considerable number of older schools, the provision of $1 billion for a refurbishment program is fantastic. Also $100 billion will be provided for our other independent schools. That will really go a long way to helping in that area. The urban renewal program that we have undertaken in housing has been successful and to bring that into the education area in some of those schools is fantastic. Some of the schools in my area have done reasonably well in the area of the Triple R program. There will be repainting at Ipswich State High School, Tivoli State School and reroofing at Marburg State School. There is $85,000 for maintenance on flooring to be shared between Amberley, Karalee, Leichhardt, Tivoli and Walloon State Schools. In the area of targeted maintenance, $138,000 will be spent between the schools of Clarendon, Haigslea, Ipswich State High School, Karalee State School and Rosewood High School. That will certainly be appreciated by those schools. It is important to note that an additional 144 ambulance officers will also be employed over the next three years, along with 35 communication officers over the next year to improve response calls. I will certainly be making sure that we get our share of those in the Ipswich district. The area of water has been quite controversial for a period of time. In an area like Ipswich West, which takes in a lot of the Lower Lockyer, the farming community is really concerned. Those sitting opposite are always talking about building dams and criticising us for what we have or have not done in that area. Certainly when one looks at the Gympie area and the site of the Traveston Dam, there is nowhere better, in my view, to build a dam than there and I have no doubt we will go ahead with that shortly. Those opposite talk all the time about the Wolffdene Dam. I have a couple of paper clippings here that I will table. In one we have a photo of a person by the name of Bob Quinn, a Liberal; Angus Innes, the then leader of the Liberal Party; and the Liberal premier of New South Wales, Nick Greiner. It is titled ‘Liberals launch their attack on four fronts’. I will not go into the four fronts; I will, however, mention one. The article states— Liberal leader Angus Innes has vowed his party will not enter any coalition with the Nationals unless they agree to scrap the electoral gerrymander—and cancel plans to build the Wolffdene Dam.

... And he promised that if a Coalition government was formed on the Liberals’ terms there would be no chance of it later reneging on the issues of electoral reform and abandonment of the Wolffdene Dam. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2527

Then there is a headline in large print ‘No compromise’ and under that it states— If the Nationals tried to do that, the Liberals would simply pull out— And walk away, he said. We will not compromise. We have made these two very important undertakings and we will stick to them. Before the Nationals even contemplate a coalition there will be these two things they have to come to grips with. The problem with the last five years of the previous coalition was that we tried too hard to keep the show on the road—we compromised too much. But now we are not going to crawl back into coalition. That was in 1989. He stated in this article they had compromised too much in the last five years; that goes back to about 1984 when obviously the coalition was starting to fall apart. He said that the National Party had failed in its attempt to destroy the Liberal Party and now it had to accept that if it was to survive it had to change its ways. He goes on to say— We are committed to stopping the Wolffdene Dam and we won’t be persuaded to alter or modify that stance. That is the Liberal Party. That is the same coalition that lectures us about the Wolffdene Dam. There is no doubt that we need more dams and water in the state and this government will do everything possible, as quickly as possible, to achieve that. I seek leave to have the rest of my speech incorporated in Hansard Leave granted. Water Southern regional water pipeline alliance from Wivenhoe to Gold Coast. Western corridor recycling water scheme, stage 1 recycled water from treatment plants at Oxley, Wacol, Goodna and Bundamba to Swanbank Power Station, and possibly stage 2 from Gibson Island and Luggage Point to Tarong Power Station. Stage 1 alone will result in a reduction of about 15% of water consumption from Wivenhoe Dam and a healthier Moreton Bay, and provide a more reliable future water source. A desalination plant at Tugun, can connect to southern regional water pipeline. Pipeline will be able to pump water both to and from Wivenhoe Dam. $50 million allocated for feasibility study for two proposed dams at Traveston or either Tilley’s Bridge or Wyaralong. $32 million will be spent in south east Queensland over 3 years to cover leaking water mains. $20 million for water efficient devices and advice to home owners and industry. In the area of skilled workers $800 million will be invested in developing the skills of Queenslanders over next four years through trades training places. In the area of infrastructure our capital works budget is expected to exceed $10 billion, making it the largest per capita program in the country. This will incorporate energy projects, roads, ports, and rail. Tabled paper: Copy of newspaper article in relation to the proposed Wolffdene Dam. Tabled paper: Copy of a newspaper photograph. Ms LIDDY CLARK (Clayfield—ALP) (3.33 pm): I would like to begin by congratulating the Treasurer on her first budget. It is a budget that demonstrates not only a thorough grasp of the complexities and intricacies of state economics, but also shows an awareness of, and responsiveness to, the needs of Queenslanders. It not only addresses the concerns of business and the private sector but also speaks to the human face of Queensland, targeting the areas of importance to families such as health and education and all with an eye to the future of our great state. It is a budget that propels the Smart State and maintains the vision for growth and development. It is a budget of cohesion, a synthesis of economic, cultural and social concerns with a unity of direction and a clear sense of purpose. Those who label it as a pre-election budget are obviously either too blind to recognise how it fits into the developmental flow that this government has driven from day one or, like the opposition, are so concerned with their own narrow petty concerns and grasping greed that they refuse to acknowledge that this budget is more than an economic blueprint; it is a multifaceted conceptual design for a state embracing its future with dynamic verve and creativity. I have no doubt the opposition will come to the table armed with nit-picking petulance, but it is easily dismissible as its recent debacles have proven it no more than slavish puppets of their federal masters. I am pleased beyond measure that this budget recognises the need for strong leadership on areas of popular concern, particularly health and education. The allocation of $9.7 billion to the improvement of health services shows that we are prepared to heed the public call and raise the bar beyond a mere cosmetic quick fix. An examination of the details of that allocation clearly shows that this is a well considered and articulate plan to ensure that health in Queensland becomes a benchmark by which other states and even other countries measure their own efforts. The $1 billion capital works program for schools has deeper ramifications than the benefits of infrastructure and construction upgrades. The commensurate improvement to the learning environment of Queensland children will ensure that they are given the opportunity to fully engage and participate in their education with the obvious flow-on benefits to impact on our state for generations to come. 2528 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

I am also thrilled to see the huge positive outcomes for small business which will result from the reforms to payroll tax. The raising of the threshold is a marvellous incentive to small business and creates further investment opportunities from the tax savings, providing both an economic boost and employment opportunities. As the member for Clayfield I am, perhaps, most pleased by the recognition the electorate receives. For too long Clayfield was struggling under the stagnating burden of the tag ‘blue ribbon conservative seat’. The comfortable malaise under conservative rule has been replaced by a dynamic and growing electorate that has become a key component of this government’s strategy with a vigorous business community and a progressive social environment. This budget delivers plenty to Clayfield. While time does not permit me to list every single gem in the glittering array of growth-stimulating benefits, I would like to draw the attention of the House to some of the many highlights. In the vital area of health, from a generous allocation of $9.7 billion Clayfield will receive $10.22 million for enhanced cardiac services in the Prince Charles and Royal Brisbane hospital districts; $7 million to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital to reduce elective surgery waiting lists; $5.5 million to continue the new purpose-built community health centre at Nundah; $3.6 million as part of a plan to enhance neonatal services in south-east Queensland; $550,000 in additional funding for the Prince Charles Hospital health service district to target health system pressure points and to provide immediate relief to health service areas; $2.82 million to support community mental health services in the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital health services district through the employment of additional specialist mental health staff; $1.86 million to address the complex needs of homeless people with mental illness and/or substance abuse problems through mobile clinical outreach teams; and $159,000 in additional funding for Indigenous health programs in the Prince Charles and Royal Brisbane Hospital health service district. I want to point out that, although I have just read a list of figures to the House, it is the fact that the budget provides clear assistance to sensitive areas such as Indigenous and mental health that shows the government’s commitment to health is not just a numbers game, but a genuine and compassionate addressing of our state’s needs. It is this compassion in the midst of the economic imperatives that give any budget its parameters. That is the hallmark of all this government’s budgets. I again applaud the Treasurer for maintaining the proud Labor tradition of not diminishing the importance of social and community needs in the face of macro-economic pressure It is this commitment by this government to the community structures of our state that will see Clayfield benefit in many ways, including $307,000 in ongoing funding to the Nundah Community Centre and Wooloowin Community Centre for community support services; $74,000 in ongoing funding to the Youth Advocacy Centre to provide an early intervention and family support service; $11.49 million to support people with disabilities and their families and $94,000 in ongoing funding to the Community Living Association to provide a support service for young people through the education system. These programs and more are testament to the fact that this government and this budget recognise that the pursuit of quality of life must be available to all and that any Queenslander deserves assistance in overcoming any impediment to that pursuit. The budget reflects that spirit of inclusion, compassion and fair access for all. Make no mistake though, for while this budget has a distinctly human face, the economic necessities which underpin a growth oriented budget are just as well catered for and that impact is keenly felt in Clayfield. Apart from the small business benefits I outlined earlier, employment and training initiatives include $5.28 million in shared funding to Aviation Australia to continue providing a training centre of excellence to sustain the growth of the aviation industry in Queensland and $2.67 million for redevelopment of the Eagle Farm trade campus as part of the new Trade and Technician Skills Institute. I could go on. I could list the multitudinous benefits in terms of transport and infrastructure, schools and employment initiatives, but I do not want to lose sight of the forest behind a catalogue of impressive trees, for this budget slots neatly into a furthering of the future design for Queensland. I choose the word ‘design’ in this context because surely in the 21st century we have progressed beyond the short-term cause and effect theory which drove budgeting in the past. Gone are the days when a five-year plan was a long-term goal. The modern budget is about shaping a future. Beyond the greed driven rationalism of the eighties and nineties, when the economy was driven by maximising short-term acquisition, comes the forward-thinking responsibility which realises that future outcomes are a valid concern. What this budget achieves so beautifully is a sense of a smoothing of the path to that future. The needs of the day are interwoven with the dreams of the future. It is a budget for a now which holds the potential seeds of an imminent future. That future is a prosperous and dynamic Queensland with a thriving cultural and social identity supported by economic growth and responsibility. This budget is a taste of that future, and on behalf of a joyous electorate of Clayfield I commend it to the House with wholehearted enthusiasm. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2529

Hon. DM WELLS (Murrumba—ALP) (3.40 pm): I welcome the budget, and I seek leave to have the remainder of my remarks incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The tradition of Parliament allows great latitude in Budget speeches. Members may speak not only on the Budget, which, in this case, has been very thoroughly covered, but on any other matter as well. Setting the Queensland Syllabus is a function of the Queensland Studies Authority, which is an independent authority. The Beattie Government’s intention in drafting the Queensland Studies Authority legislation was to ensure that the Authority would be truly independent and that the syllabus would not be subject to the whims and whimsy of the government of the day. Schools should not be agents for the propagation of ideas laid down by governments and this is the vehicle for achieving that objective. This doesn’t mean, of course, that governments and legislators cannot express opinions about curriculum. It just means that when they do so, they do not wield the big stick of compulsion and merely express ideas that will be assessed on the basis of their merit by the education community. It is in that spirit that I offer the following thoughts about the Senior English Syllabus. The most complimentary thing I can say about that syllabus is that it has extremely valuable side effects. I table the syllabus. It is written in the tortured prose of critical literacy ideology. I note on p. 5 under the heading “Affective Objectives”, it reads, “While these are not formally assessed for summative purposes, it is important that students develop positive attitudes in relation to texts, language and literate practices in terms of: • enjoying: experiencing and expressing thoughts and emotional reactions; • engaging: participating effectively in activities that involve connecting with people, feelings, places, ideas, issues and events; • relating: respecting and valuing cultural similarities and differences; • appreciating: valuing the world(s) in which they live in order to understand better the worlds of others; • playing: experimenting with the flexible nature of language, exploring its possibilities and creating desired effects.” “While these are not formally assessed” it says. I suggest that all that is important about the written and spoken word is excluded from the province of assessment. What is assessed? Just the capacity of the student to do critical literacy. Specifically, what is assessed is: • knowledge and control of texts and their contexts; • knowledge and control of textural features; • knowledge and control of the constructedness of texts (page 5 No. 7) What this means for senior students is that, first of all, they have to get used to speaking in jargon like that of the dot points above and much worse. They have to stop thinking that a “discourse” is something you say and come to believe that it refers to “the cultural and social practices through which individuals and groups use language.” (page 2 syllabus M.S.W. work programs version). So apparently a discourse is not the words, it’s the practices. If you can make this leap of faith and believe that the study of English is not primarily about language, then you are ready to accept this bit of sociology as a key part of a course that masquerades as literacy. The aforementioned “texts” come in “genres” which are “conventionalised, staged, purposeful language interactions that occur among and are recognised by those who participate within a culture and are based on shared knowledge and practices” (p. 2 ibid.) In other words, recipe books are different “genres” from sonnets, but they are both “texts” for the purposes of critical literacy. As such, they are culturally relative. With the sociological preoccupation of the critical literacy ideologue, it is not surprising that the focus then becomes the attribute rather than the substance and the syllabus and therefore the entire school community goes racing off on the tangent of determining the cultural context of a “text” instead of assessing its literacy quality. Sociology is a perfectly good discipline. I would applaud its being taught. But sociology is not English. Perhaps sociology ought to be offered as a subject. The Authority should perhaps consider this, along with whether it is purveying sociology dressed up as English. Perhaps the cuckoo should be given its own nest. Having established—or perhaps more accurately having laid down as definitionally true—that everything from the poetry of Tennyson to the transcripts of the evening news are “texts”, the critical literacy ideologues proceed, relying on the fact that they have affixed them with the same label to subject them to the same treatment. “Tests” of all kinds are to be “deconstructed”. This faintly violent metaphor refers to “a critical method that exposes gaps and contradictions in a text. It aims to show that the assumptions and structures a text relies on for its meaning are not as stable or trustworthy as they seem.” (Literacy Terms, A Practical Glossary, 2nd edition, Chalkface press 2005). Thus the end result of our children’s literacy eduction is anticipated to be the exposure of the work of poets, novelists, dramatists and authors of various other “genre” as “unstable” and “untrustworthy”—a rather nihilistic medicine to administer to youthful idealists. The result might be that the collected works of Shakespeare could be seen as merely what you might expect of a white anglo- saxon protestant male genius writing at the turn of the 16th century. 2530 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

The writings of Descartes could be dismissed as merely what you would expect of a catholic male renaissance man operating in the context of a patriarchy. Such devastating revelations are not news. We knew all that. So did Shakespeare and Descartes. It leaves out the important question: what about what they said? Was Descartes right? Does Shakespeare illuminate the human condition? Literacy studies should not be about sociology, although we might well bear the historical and social origins of an author in mind to understand his or her writings. They should be about truth and beauty, the extremities and the possibilities of human experience, the lilt, the cadences and the music of the English language, the hopes, the aspirations and the nadirs of human life. These are the stuff of a worthwhile course of English studies. To apply the techniques of critical literacy to the “texts” (including this syllabus) of the critical literacy ideologues, critical literacy texts are simply what you would expect of disillusioned and cynical technocrats operating at the beginning of the computer age in a culture that sought to reduce everything to quantifiable units and thus turn the arts into sciences. The ultimate problem for the critical literacy theorists is that their position is self-contradictory—cultural relativism at its very heart. Deconstructionists are not looking for truth or beauty, for hope or inspiration, for catharsis or elation, but simply to lay bare the cultural assumptions of a work and thus “deconstruct” it. There is, for the deconstructionist, no universality and no transcending truth. If someone tells you that nothing is true and wants you to believe it, don’t. If they are right, then it follows they are wrong. The ideology of critical literacy is self-contradictory and should be abandoned. Section 22 of the Act says that if the Minister considers that there is a matter relevant to the Authority’s functions, the Minister may refer the matter to the Authority for investigation and the Authority must report. I invite the Minister to refer this speech and the matters I have raised to the Authority. Even organisations that are set up to be independent of government should be accountable. Mrs REILLY (Mudgeeraba—ALP) (3.41 pm): I want to thank the member for Murrumba, because he has just given me a couple more minutes that I probably did not have. I am very pleased to speak in support of the Appropriation Bill 2006. It is the Deputy Premier and Treasurer’s first budget, and I want to begin by congratulating her and her staff on the delivery of a budget which will continue to make Queensland the envy of all other states and territories. Queenslanders already know that this is the best place to live and work, to invest and to learn, and it seems that most Australians know it, too, with 1,500 people a week moving to our state, most of them to south-east Queensland. While that could normally be put down to the great weather, it is not just our relatively mild winters that attract southerners from other states; it is primarily our economic position which encourages business investors, employers and workers alike to our Smart State. There are some who have not noticed this, like the federal member for Moncrieff, Steven Ciobo, who recently told ABC Radio listeners that Queenslanders were worse off now than before the Beattie government was in power but that Australians are better off now than before the Howard government came to power. I need to analyse this inane, nonsensical comment for a moment, because drawn to its logical conclusion Steven Ciobo must actually be claiming that Australians other than Queenslanders are better off than they were 10 years ago. But, if that were the case, 1,500 people a week would be moving out of Queensland and running off to New South Wales and Victoria. Is that what is happening? No. In fact, it is the reverse. Queensland’s forecast population growth for 2006-07 is two per cent compared to the rest of Australia at 1.25 per cent. So how are Queenslanders supposedly worse off? Is it in the area of employment? No, because Queensland’s unemployment rate is below five per cent and Queensland has been leading the way for the rest of the country to follow for decades. Unemployment is the lowest it has been in 30 years and lower than it was eight years ago, when it was around 10 per cent. In fact, we have created 405,900 jobs for Queenslanders since we came to government. What about our economic growth? It is the major factor driving job growth. Has it outperformed the rest of the country? Yes, it has for the past nine years and it is now at 3.5 per cent—a whole percentage point higher than the Australian figure. Growth in the Queensland economy is forecast to strengthen to 4¼ per cent next year. Does this mean that Queenslanders have a better standard of living? Yes, it does because, despite higher interest rates and oil prices, household spending is forecast to continue to grow for the second year in a row. What about our export market? If you are an Australian business and you are looking to expand into the lucrative export market, should you bring your business to Queensland? Yes again, because the value of Queensland’s exports last year grew by 35 per cent as opposed to 13.4 per cent in the rest of Australia. Business investment surged 16.5 per cent over 2005-06 and Queensland overtook New South Wales in total value of investment projects for the first time in December 2005. What about in the area of taxes? Queenslanders pay less tax per head than every other state, at $1,927 per head compared with New South Wales at $2,451. This is the only way to compare taxes across the country today—not 10 years ago or 100 years ago, before we went to decimal and tax was paid in shillings and carried in hessian bags. we cannot travel back in time; we can only travel across states, and that is what Australians are doing: travelling to, moving to and settling in Queensland in their droves. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2531

What about homeowners? Are those moving to Queensland more likely to get a better deal from the government when buying a home? Yes again, because stamp duty in Queensland for houses between $250,000 and $1 million is the lowest in Australia. With this year’s budget commitment to include first-home buyers purchasing a vacant block on which to build their home in the first homeowner’s stamp duty concession, even more Queenslanders will be better off as they save thousands on stamp duty. That is a budget policy allocation that will be very welcomed by my constituents in Mudgeeraba, which has many greenfield sites and new estates popping up all the time and providing affordable opportunity for young people to buy their home or to buy their first block of land and build the first home of their choice. Until now they have been discriminated against in the area of this concession. I thank the Treasurer for bringing that forward. Homebuyers and first-home buyers are now better off, but it does not end there because the payroll tax reform contained in this budget will increase the tax-free threshold for payroll tax from $850,000 to $1million. So 600 employers who would have had to pay payroll tax in 2006-07 now will not have to, and a further 4,000 employers will receive payroll tax reductions. This will continue our position as the state with the lowest payroll tax and mean that some 90 per cent of businesses will not pay any payroll tax. This is clearly good news for business, particularly small business, the job generators of the country, but it is especially good news for workers and job seekers in this state because payroll tax is a clear disincentive to employment. How does the Beattie government’s spending on infrastructure compare to federal government spending on capital projects? With this bill, the 2006 budget, we provide a blockbuster infrastructure spend—a record commitment at $10.1 billion—representing 5.46 per cent of gross state product compared to the federal spend of 1.06 per cent of gross domestic product. Having soundly put the member for Moncrieff’s ridiculous assertion well and truly to bed, I would now like to turn to some other features of this fantastic budget, which is building Queensland’s future and planning for the future of Queensland. We as a government are looking ahead while the opposition only looks behind. It just looks over its shoulder thinking, ‘What old ideas did some of our old National Party or Liberal Party mates have in the past?’ They are desperately grasping at those ideas because they have no idea what they are going to do tomorrow. This government has both eyes fixed on the future and, with the record capital works boost for Queensland schools, we will ensure that Queenslanders continue to get the very best education and the very best start in life. I seek leave to have the remainder of my speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The centrepiece of this year’s budget is a $1 billion investment in school renewals and school upgrades—the most significant new injection of capital works spending ever seen in Queensland. This is something that parents and teachers throughout my electorate have been asking for ever since I was elected. The Beattie Government has already built a new school in Mudgeeraba, the state-of-the-art Clover Hill State School in response to growth and demand, but the hinterland also has many older schools which could do with some upgrading. The other thing many parents have always asked is for more say, more input into the kinds of capital works projects and building upgrades their school needs. The new program will involve parents and school communities more directly in planning for the future of Government schools in local areas. The program will begin with a School Community Development fund of $50million in 2006/07 to fund small priority capital works projects for state schools with projects selected on the advice of parents. Our Catholic and Independent Schools won’t miss out either, and I want to add that I have many fine Independent Schools in my electorate who work very hard to raise money to pay for capital projects. They will benefit from an allocation of $100 million this financial year to help them meet the needs of the future. The Gold Coast Bulletin’s Peter Cameron claims that the Premier and Treasurer have given up on retaining the tricky seats of Broadwater, Burleigh and Mudgeeraba. I’m sure the Members for Broadwater and Burleigh will more than capably detail the budget allocations to their electorate so I won’t cover those. He further claimed that the Robina electorate is the big winner with the $34 million commitment needed to complete the accident and emergency and intensive care unit at the Robina Hospital—a project on which I, and the Minister, Stephen Robertson, turned the sod only a few weeks ago! Is Peter Cameron suggesting that only people from Robina will use the new A&E or access the services at this hospital? Does he see the Pacific Highway, which is all that separates Mudgeeraba from what was east Mudgeeraba and is now Robina, as some sort of force field stopping people from the west of the highway visiting the hospital? Of course, that’s not the case, and it’s in fact the case that my constituents, and those of Burleigh will be major beneficiaries of these new facilities. It’s also a fact that from the day the Government acquired the Robina Hospital from the previous private owners, I and my colleague from Burleigh, Christine Smith, were banging on the Minister’s and Premier’s doors seeking a commitment and funds to build the A&E, on behalf of our constituents, and that this outcome was an election commitment we both gave. That new facility will open in early 2007 and I’m sure the Member for Robina won’t mind sharing with the residents of Mudgeeraba and the Gold Coast Hinterland. As for funding for specific projects in Mudgeeraba, I’m very pleased to see the injection of $2.8 million to the Mudgeeraba Special School for new classrooms and improved facilities and services. 2532 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

This very important school provides quality education and support services in a most innovative and nurturing environment for children with very complex special needs from throughout the western and southern Gold Coast. Demand for places at the school is continually growing, and students come from many areas outside the electorate. There is also $41,000 in funding for high priority maintenance related to flooring at the William Duncan and Worongary State Schools. The Mudgeeraba Junior Australian Football Club has been allocated a grant of $100,00 to install six light poles at Allan Nielsen Park at Carrara and the Gold Coast City Council will receive $306,750 for a multipurpose outdoor skate park at Arthur Earl Park in Nerang, including a basketball half court, volleyball court, cycle and walkway and stage. Health is of course, the major centrepiece of this budget. Last year we committed $6.4 billion in additional funding over the next five years to the Health Action Plan and this year’s budget brings that to $9.7 billion. This year we will spend $6.65 billion on health, an increase of 24% on last year. But what does all this mean? It means more doctors, more nurses and more allied health professionals. It means that doctors and nurses will be better paid than ever before, and it mean more services, more capacity in our hospitals, more equipment and technology and shorter waiting times. $9 million is going to the Gold Coast hospital to reduce elective surgery waiting lists. There’s $3.62 million for neonatal services in SEQ, $4.5million for new cancer services on the Gold Coast, $2.57 million towards enhancement of haemodialysis services, $1.74 million to support indigenous health, mental health and home and community care. Of course, the Government has already announced that a brand new hospital will be built next to Griffith University and planning is well underway for what will be a state-of-the-art tertiary level hospital with massive teaching and research capabilities. Planning is also underway for a new Robina Community health hub which I’m also sure my constituents in Mudgeeraba will welcome. Roads are always a focus in fast-growing are like Mudgeeraba, and throughout the Gold Coast and this Government continues to be the only one with a firm commitment to building roads, alleviating congestion and improving safety for drivers on the Gold Coast. While the Howard Federal Government ignores the Gold Coast, with nothing in the Federal Budget for the region, we are spending record amounts on new roads, reaching almost $4 billion for the state. When it comes to the Gold Coast we can see the work in progress everywhere, in my electorate especially with works on Goodings Drive and Nerang Broadbeach Road. There are projects and works underway to the tune of over $35 million in the Mudgeeraba electorate. Funding for improvements to Worongary Road has increased by another million dollars to a total of $2.5 million and discussions are ongoing about the long-term future of this road and scope of works required and who will undertake them. But most significantly in local roads funding is the money allocated by this government towards the planning and design for the Pacific Highway upgrade between Nerang and Tugun, and the related interchanges. This is in addition to the $392 million already committed, on the table, ready to go, for the construction of these works as soon as matching funds from the Federal Government is received. The funding includes: • $2.5 million to complete planning to widen to six lanes between Nerang and Stewart Road, on the Pacific Motorway, at a total cost of $5.3 million • $2 million towards planning for interchange improvements at Mudgeeraba, on the Pacific Motorway, at a total cost of $30 million • $1.5 million towards planning for interchange improvements at Somerset Drive (northbound) off-ramp and Reedy Creek (southbound) off-ramp, on the Pacific Motorway, at a total cost of $10 million • $2.7 million for asphalt resurfacing, pavement reconstruction and noise barriers at a total cost of $8.66 million on the Pacific Highway If the Federal Government can give New South Wales $1.6 billion for the Pacific Highway, they give Queensland the funds to complete the upgrade the Gold Coast desperately needs. There’s also recognition in this budget that while Queensland is the best place in Australia to live, some people are still doing it tough and so there’s funding for housing, communities and disability services –all areas hopelessly neglected by coalition governments in this state but continually increased under the Beattie Government. Mr Deputy Speaker, this is a fair budget and a good budget, it’s a budget with vision, it’s a blockbuster building budget with massive record infrastructure spending. But it’s a fiscally responsible budget, which despite borrowings for capital works produces a $2.85 billion surplus, the fourth consecutive surplus for the Beattie Government. Once again I congratulate the Minister and her staff and staff of the Treasury department and commend the bill to the House. Hon. JC SPENCE (Mount Gravatt—ALP) (Minister for Police and Corrective Services) (3.47 pm): It is an honour to represent the people of the Mount Gravatt electorate in this parliament. While my duties as police and corrective services minister occupy much of my time and attention, I am always mindful that my job as the representative of the constituents of the Mount Gravatt electorate comes first. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2533

The 2006 budget will benefit all Queenslanders and the people of my electorate in particular. The Beattie government’s responsible economic management of the past eight years has ensured that this state has a healthy economic climate, where industry continues to grow, jobs continue to flourish, prosperity is secured and our standard of education is increasing. Queensland is in an enviable position. Our economy is one of the strongest in the world, our resource sector is booming, our unemployment rate is close to a 30-year low, at five per cent, and infrastructure and business investments are at record highs. This year, the Queensland economy has grown by 3½ per cent compared with 2½ per cent nationally—the 10th consecutive year in which Queensland has outperformed the rest of Australia. More importantly, growth in the Queensland economy is forecast to strengthen to 4¼ per cent next year to again exceed the national average. Business investment is estimated to surge by 16½ per cent this year, and it is forecast to increase next year to surpass $25 billion for the first time. This represents a level of business investment twice that of only five years ago. Strong communities and strong families rely on quality services. Paramount among these is quality health care. In October last year the government announced the most wide-ranging program of reform to health care in the history of this state. The government has delivered by far the largest Health budget in Queensland’s history, injecting a massive $9.7 billion into our health system over the next five years. This represents a 25 per cent increase on last year. In this year alone we will spend $6.65 billion on health—an increase of 24 per cent on last year. QEII Hospital at Nathan will benefit from the $15 million plus which has been provided for new cardiac, cancer and urology services in Brisbane’s south. This budget also addresses the complex needs of homeless people with mental illness and/or substance abuse problems in the QEII, PA and Mater hospitals health service districts through an additional $1.7 million for mobile clinical outreach teams, the employment of additional specialist mental health staff and transcultural mental health services. As well, $136,000 in additional funding has been allocated for Indigenous health programs in Brisbane’s south. More doctors, nurses and allied health staff will be employed through a further 50 bonded medical scholarships at Griffith University, 300 nursing preregistration placements and internships for medical graduates and $25.4 million in workforce training and recruitment initiatives. Schools in my electorate are also big winners in this year’s budget. As a former teacher this continued investment in education is close to my heart. Over the next four years around $800 million will be invested in developing the skills of Queenslanders. Major initiatives include an additional 17,000 trade training places and an additional 14,000 certificate IV and above training places to be available each year by 2010. For the greater Brisbane region this means 6,630 additional trade apprenticeship places and 6,320 certificate IV or higher level training places each year by 2010. In addition, a $300 million major capital works investment program will commence to modernise the state’s network of TAFE industries. Of this, around $46 million is allocated this year. Local jobs and training are also targeted with a $10.5 million allocation towards the redevelopment of outdated facilities at the Mount Gravatt Moreton Institute of TAFE. Funding for education is at record levels. This budget increases recurrent spending on Queensland schools to a record $5.17 billion, some 8.6 per cent higher than last year. Capital spending also increases by 9.2 per cent to a total of $497 million. We are rising to the challenge of delivering to our children the best possible learning environments. We do this because Queensland children are competing against the world. Our children need world-class schools and classrooms. That is why the centrepiece of this budget is the most significant new injection of capital works spending ever seen in Queensland’s schools. We are making a $1 billion investment in school renewal and school upgrades over the next five years. The new program, Tomorrow’s Schools—Providing for a Smarter Future, will involve parents and school communities in an unprecedented way in planning for the future of government schools in local areas. The program recognises that many of our schools are in need of extra assistance for minor projects that make all the difference. To meet this need, Tomorrow’s Schools will begin with a school community development program of $50 million in the 2006-07 year to fund small priority capital works projects for government schools, with projects selected on the advice of parents. The program will then see $850 million invested in modernising and refurbishing Queensland government schools, again in consultation with parents. There are many capital works projects funded for schools in my electorate next year, including funds to extend the existing hall at Macgregor State High School, money to continue to build on the upgrade of the major resource centre to support ICT initiatives at Robertson State School and funding for an outdoor learning and games area to be built at Warrigal Road State School. School maintenance has also been targeted, with Triple R Maintenance Program funds to repaint Macgregor State School and Mount Gravatt State School. The budget has also set aside funds for building maintenance at Mount Gravatt State School and Robertson State School, maintenance to external surfaces at Runcorn State High School and Runcorn State School, classroom maintenance at Mount Gravatt State High School and Sunnybank Special School, flooring at Runcorn State High School and Sunnybank State High School and maintenance to the tuckshop at Warrigal Road State School. 2534 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

Queensland’s Catholic and independent schools such as Clairvaux MacKillop College, St Agnes Catholic School, St Marks Lutheran Primary School and St Thomas Moore College will also benefit with a one-off allocation of $100 million this financial year to assist these schools meet the demands of the future. Of course, our greatest assets are our teachers and our children. Each of the schools in my electorate, and there are 21 of them, are engaging in innovative programs and quality education. I seek leave to incorporate the rest of my speech in Hansard. Leave granted. Police and Emergency Services Mr Speaker, we are fortunate in this State to have one of the best Police Services in the world. The quality of our police officers is second to none. It is a great privilege to be their Minister and to work along side them. I am very aware that police need sufficient numbers of officers and they need modern tools and technology to enable them to do their job. I was very pleased to be able to deliver a big increase in the Police Budget. This year our Police Service has a budget of $1.3 billion. With this money we will be able to fund an additional 350 police officers; we will be able to put large amounts of money into rolling out a new police computer system which will help police retrieve and exchange information quickly and securely. We will be able to purchase new police vehicles, build new police stations, police beats, watch houses and police housing. We have got a good story to tell in terms of law and order in this state. For the 4th consecutive year in a row, our crime rate has fallen substantially and our police officers have effective partnerships with the Queensland community which will ensure that crime continues to fall in this state. Mr Speaker, I was pleased to deliver police spending of $3 million to refurbish the Upper Mt Gravatt Police Station; and a further $76,000 to fund the South Brisbane Tactical Crime Squad which will target known crime hotspots with a strong emphasis on investigating property crime and drug offences. The Government is building a new Mt Gravatt Fire Station on the corner of Mt Gravatt Capalaba Road; Newnham and Dawson Roads at Wishart and more money has been allocated in the budget this year to complete that station. Transport and Main Roads Our Government has invested unprecedented, record amounts in infrastructure to build this State. This year a record $8 billion in capital works was undertaken. For the first time ever, Queensland’s capital works budget is forecast to exceed $10 billion. Our capital program is the largest per capita program in the country. It includes $2.86 billion for energy projects, $2 billion for roads, and $856 million for ports and $838 million for rail. These projects fundamentally underpin economic growth in the State. Capital spending represents 5.5% of our Gross State Product and compares with the Federal Government’s investment in infrastructure of only 1.1% of Gross Domestic Product. Mr Speaker, my constituents will benefit from $7.1 million directed towards maintenance works on the South East Busway, at a total cost of $39.3 million. $467,900 will be spent on bikeways next to the Pacific Motorway, between Nathan and Logan Road in Brisbane, at a total cost of $5.8 million. Further funds have been allocated towards asphalt resurfacing between Kessels Road and the Pacific Motorway (outbound), on Nathan Connection Arterial. $215.3 million will be spent to upgrade track on the Citytrain network and to provide additional Citytrain rolling stock to significantly improve services for commuters between the Gold Coast, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. $51.8 million will be spent to improve access, safety and security at Citytrain stations and carriages. $20 million towards integrating bus, rail and ferry services, ticketing and fares, including the public transport smartcard. $33.5 million towards building the $216.6 million Eastern Busway between Buranda and the new GreenBridge. $3.3 million to continue planning the $953.5 million Eastern Busway and the $812.2 million Northern Busway. $10.3 million to expand the South East Queensland cycle network. Commencement of major works on Queensland’s largest single road project, the $1.6 billion Gateway Bridge duplication. Sporting Clubs Our local sporting clubs will be delighted with the recurrent funding being directed to local sport and recreation clubs throughout the Mt Gravatt electorate under the Club Development Program. This Program provides grants to help fund a range of healthy life-style initiatives, including come-and-try days, accreditation of coaches and officials, first aid training and strategic planning. Some examples of how this money will be used include $4,000 to the Sunnybank Junior Rugby Club towards the accreditation of coaches to support rugby union at Sunnybank in 2006-07. $4,000 to the River City Hornets Basketball Club towards the accreditation of coaches as well as conduct first aid training to support basketball at Mt Gravatt in 2006-07. $4,000 to the Mt Gravatt Australian Football Club towards the accreditation of both coaches and officials to support Australian Football at Mt Gravatt. $4,000 to the QEII Track Club to develop a facility needs study and proposal to support athletics at Nathan. $3,000 to the Runcorn Rockets Basketball Club to conduct a series of come and try days for basketball at Runcorn. $2,000 to the Mt Gravatt Junior AFL Club towards the accreditation of both coaches and officials to support Australian Football at Mt Gravatt. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2535

$773,000 was announced in last year’s budget under the Major Facilities Program for the Sunnybank Junior Rugby Club. To date $331,000 has been spent with a further $442,000 in this year’s budget to construct a rugby union field incorporating irrigation and lighting; the construction of a club house to incorporate change rooms and amenities. Environment The Beattie Government believes that we have a duty of care to protect, manage and revitalise Queensland’s unique environment. To this end, today’s Budget provides $20 million to acquire high environmental value properties in South East Queensland. It also provides $2.1 million over four years for conservation and management of koala habitats. Now we have some very strong environment groups in the Mt Gravatt electorate including the Mt Gravatt Environment Group and the Bulimba Creek Catchment Group. Both of these organisations have a good number of volunteers who work very hard restoring, replanting and rejuvenating environmentally significant parts of our suburbs and I’d like to take the opportunity today to put my thanks to them on the public record. Mr Speaker, this week I attended the final meeting of the Toohey Forest Protection Society. This society which was established in 1984 unfortunately closes on the 30th June. The members of the Toohey Forest Protection Society have achieved what they set out to do 22 years ago and that is protect Toohey Forest and there are now other environment groups who will take up this challenge on our behalf. I have worked very closely with the Toohey Forest Group for the last 16 years and it was with a tinge of sadness that I thanked Mr Rob Simson and the other members for their huge contribution to our community last Wednesday night. Families Mr Speaker, I am proud to be a member of a government that continues to recognise the needs of those families and individuals living with a disability. As a former Minister for Disability Services, I know that money to buy services and support can make a real difference to people’s lives. As Minister for Disability Services I was able to deliver large budget increases to the sector. This budget again delivers large increases. An additional $128 million in recurrent funding and $6 million in capital funding over 4 years and will be made available in this Budget, increasing total spending to $633 million. This represents a 22% increase on the previous year but a massive 186% increase on the disability services budget we inherited in 1998. The new funds improve community services and accommodation support and deliver better respite care services for children and adults with a disability. Our government values families as the fundamental building block of our society. We also recognise society is changing, in work patterns and in parenting roles and responsibilities. Family life is busier and more demanding than ever. We understand these changes need new initiatives, new ideas and flexibility. This Budget is the first that provides a doubling in the maternity leave entitlement of Queensland public sector workers from six weeks to twelve weeks. A new entitlement of up to two years unpaid leave can now be taken by either parent to help families in these important early years. As part of our maternity action plan, new parents and young families will benefit as the first three of our new family support hubs are established this year. These new services, to be established by Queensland Health, will provide care and assistance to mothers during their pregnancy and after the birth of their baby. Water Mr Speaker, the people of my electorate appreciate that right now we are experiencing the worst drought in over a hundred years. I know that there are many many people in my electorate who pride themselves on having fine gardens and lawns and are very interested in what the Government is planning with regards to water infrastructure. This Budget also meets the challenge of securing future water supplies for Queensland. The Government has announced plans for two mega dams in South East Queensland and two weir projects in Central Queensland. We will allocate $200-300 million from the Queensland Future Growth Fund to accelerate these projects. A separate amount of $69 million has already been set aside for water-related land purchases in 2006-07. We will spend $8 million to bring forward construction of pipelines connecting dams in South East Queensland so water is better shared across our region. The Government is also working with local governments and communities to manage demand and make sure we are smarter in our use of water. Recycling will play a critical role and $100 million has been committed for a recycled water pipeline in the western corridor of South East Queensland for industrial users. In South East Queensland, $32 million is available over three years to help address leaking water mains. We will also promote water efficiency with $20 million for water efficient devices and advice to home owners and industry in South East Queensland. Rural areas will also receive $12.8 million to promote efficient water use. Conclusion Mr Speaker, I am very proud of what I have achieved in the Mt Gravatt electorate. The schools in my electorate look much better today than they did a decade ago because we have been putting the money into capital works and maintenance. Class sizes have been reduced and next year all the schools will start a prep year. The Mt Gravatt Police Citizens Youth Club and the Hibiscus Sporting Centre continue to provide excellent activities for our young people and for all the community. Our sporting clubs are growing in membership and government has been able to provide them with funds to improve their grounds and club houses. We have a large number of Seniors Organisations, including two hard working Meals on Wheels groups who are able from time to time to get funds from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund and provide their members with extra support and benefits. 2536 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

My electorate is the multicultural hub of Queensland and we are enriched by the diversity, skills, entrepreneurialism and new ideas of people from many different countries. The Beattie Government supports multiculturalism and provides funding for different festivals, awards, and particularly projects that build positive community relations and development. Mr Speaker, the suburbs I represent are strong, vibrant and healthy communities. This budget will improve on our strengths and build a great future for our children. Hon. RJ MICKEL (Logan—ALP) (Minister for Energy and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy) (3.54 pm): The state budget presents another opportunity for me to argue and continue to argue for infrastructure for the fast-growing area of Logan that I have the honour to represent. It is a chance to place on record in this House the local concerns, the thrill of working with our dynamic community and bring their concerns to the attention of this House. There are three major pieces of infrastructure that I need to highlight today. The first of course is water. In the budget there are two initiatives. The water pipeline that is planned is going to run through parts of my electorate and will link up with the Gold Coast. Whilst the final route has not been determined I want to continue to work with local residents on this. The pipeline will help distribute water to areas of need in the great south east. It is an important part of the strategy on water that has been outlined by the government. The important part of this pipeline is that it will have a reverse pumping capacity so that water can be distributed throughout the state. The second water initiative is the water recycling option which is under investigation for industry use. It is one I argued consistently for when I was in another portfolio. It does have exciting potential. It has been seen in the city of Gladstone. It is one that we are keen to work with and make sure happens so that our fresh water is used for the essentials of life and industry can take the advantages of water recycling. The third part of that water strategy is the dam that will be finalised on the Logan River. There are two sites under consideration for that. I wait, as do the local residents, eager to find out which of those options is in the best interests of the whole state. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge that much of the responsibility for water currently rests with the local authorities. Logan City Council, for example, has collected millions of dollars from water rates. It would be interesting to see how much it has allocated and reallocated from those millions of dollars into upgrading the water infrastructure within the city. The second infrastructure program that I want to highlight my passionate concern for is the upgrade to the Mount Lindesay Highway. I am pleased to welcome the fact that work outside and alongside the Park Ridge State School has started. We have been working with the local school community to secure a safe and better outcome for the children and parents at the school. I am pleased that the car park is underway. I will see the first part of the service road which will make that intersection with the service road and Park Ridge Road much safer for the children and for the parents who use it. At the same time I wish to bring to the House’s attention the construction that is well underway now of the service road from Granger Road to Carter Road in the Munruben area. That will benefit the people in Munruben. The feedback I have had from the local residents is positive. That will continue to improve safety for motorists and their passengers in that area. The consultation phase for the Mount Lindesay Highway upgrade is just about complete. But I want to place before this House today the concerns of the local residents and business operators in Park Ridge. They are calling upon the Logan City Council to make a solid financial commitment to the upgrade of Jedfire Street between the Park Ridge Tavern and the local shops and the need to have a local street behind the Park Ridge shops connecting to Park Ridge Road. This is essential infrastructure because it will avoid, once construction of the highway starts, the rat running that does occur through the Park Ridge shopping centre at the moment. I call on the Logan City Council today to cooperate with the main roads department to secure funding for those essential local roads. The local business developers would want me to point out to the community and to the House that they ceded large tracts of land to enable these local streets to be there. All they seek to have is that money used for the streets that they want. The other vital piece of infrastructure is the $16 million upgrade of the electricity network to be undertaken from Browns Plains to Crestmead. The House is aware that the area is undergoing rapid residential growth. But I am pleased to report that the Crestmead Industrial Estate is also expanding and creating jobs where they are needed—that is, locally. I commend Mr David Kemp and the hardworking staff from Brisbane Display and Shopfitting Pty Ltd who won one of the Premier’s Smart Awards last night in the small to medium manufacturing and mining sector. The awards are a triumph for this firm and highlight the quality of the businesses that now operate on the Crestmead Industrial Estate. I want to also highlight to the House the extraordinary commercial and retail growth that is occurring in the Logan West area. Indeed, Browns Plains has kept the economic promise it always had. It is now the significant hub for not just population but also public transport, the retail sector and the service sector. Just to highlight the service sector and the importance it plays in the local area, I recently 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2537 opened the $6 million extensions to the Greenbank RSL, which is a major employer and a leader in the clubs industry in Queensland. I congratulate the CEO of the RSL, John Limbrick, his board and all associated with the project—the architects, the builders and of course the staff who work there. This is another key notch in Logan West’s development. I add that the club is of key note and of key importance to the local clubs and community groups that are serviced by that RSL in the area. One particular club that will now get the benefit of its expertise—and I notice in the budget that it also receives funding for a project—is the Greenbank Sport and Recreation Club. This is one of the largest fields we have, catering for such a young population. It is good to see that the RSL and now the community itself through the Greenbank Sport and Recreation Club will receive funding in this budget. One of the other initiatives that I want to highlight from the budget is the targeting of Logan West schools for the upgrade and maintenance program—that exciting development that was announced in the budget where there will be a massive infrastructure program over the next few years whereby we can look forward to the ideas of the community and the school P&Cs bringing those concerns to me as the local member and from me to the government to make sure that their concerns are directly taken to government and that those priorities that are so essential to the life of those communities are brought to the attention of this House. This is the 10th consecutive year of growth in the Queensland economy, and I would be remiss if I did not say that along with that growth there has been job development, but we have also seen a federal government asleep at the wheel when it comes to skills. That is why we have a national skills shortage. That is why this budget is essential in what it delivers to the training of young kids to make sure that they get the skills and the apprenticeships that they need to make sure that this tardiness of the federal government is not repeated. I happen to have a view that university education is important but so, too, is the securing of an apprenticeship and a skill, because those things help drive economic development. I congratulate the Logan TAFE for what it is doing, but it is working hand in glove with the local high schools, both government and non-government, to deliver not just quality education but also that spectacular training opportunity that is afforded in this budget. Miss ELISA ROBERTS (Gympie—Ind) (4.02 pm): I rise to speak in response to the Beattie government’s 2006 budget and outline what it will mean for the electorate of Gympie. When I was first elected in 2001, one of my major concerns was the status of the Gympie public hospital. At the time of my election the hospital had been left in a state unfitting for both the staff and the recipients of care alike, and I was determined that I would do everything in my power to lobby the government to bring it back to its former glory. I am pleased to say that we are very close to achieving that goal. In order to achieve this goal the government has provided $5 million to continue the refurbishment of the emergency services department at the hospital which will complement the new clinical services building with a total cost of $6.4 million. I have said previously in this House that in 2001 my office received at least a dozen complaints a week about the hospital’s rapidly declining services and the poor conditions in which the medical staff had to work. I am proud to say that that number has now been reduced to about a dozen per year—a great achievement in anyone’s eyes. I place on record my gratitude for the patience shown by all of the hospital staff. I sincerely hope that their work environment is more pleasant and conducive to greater service delivery. I know personally how dedicated and loyal the staff are to their hospital and its patients, and on behalf of all of those who have rallied under their care I thank them. I also want to acknowledge the tremendous work done by the district manager, Mrs Patti Scott, who has been instrumental in overseeing many of the positive changes at the hospital. I acknowledge her continued passion for health care and her ability to remain apolitical in all of her dealings with either me or the government in her endeavours to ensure the very best for the Gympie health district. The government has also provided $350,000 in additional funding for the Gympie Health Service District to target health system pressure points and to provide immediate relief to health service areas. The district has also been allocated $165,000 to enhance the cardiac diagnostic service. In addition, the Gympie Health Service District has been provided with $89,000 for its Indigenous care programs. The budget also sees $96,000 to fund a mental health intervention team, which has been established to work with police and ambulance officers in order to assist with and to de-escalate situations involving people with a mental illness with the aim of averting crisis siutations. I move on to employment and job creation funding. Whilst it is not a huge change, it is reassuring that since I was first elected, when Gympie was rated as the area with the fourth highest rate of unemployment out of 89 electorates in Queensland, and as of December 2005 when the last survey was carried out, we are now ranked at No. 11 at 6.8 per cent. Whilst the rate of unemployment is nowhere near where we would like it to be, it is certainly a step in the right direction for our electorate. In order to increase our employment numbers, the Wide Bay-Burnett region will receive approximately $8.7 million to create an estimated 1,195 jobs. Whilst this may only equate to about $1.74 million if the government distributes the funding equally amongst the five electorates in the region, 2538 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006 it should create approximately 239 jobs for my electorate. In addition, $60 million will be invested in over 3.7 million hours of vocational education and training in the region over the next year. Once again, should the funding be split equally that should mean about $12 million for the Gympie electorate. The Wide Bay region will also see $737,000 allocated for the Queensland Skills Plan to increase the number of certificate IV and above training places to meet shortages in higher level occupations. Some 700 additional training places will be created in the region by 2010, depending upon demand, at a total cost of $5.16 million. One area of funding which I am particularly pleased about is the $659,000 to meet the increased demand for trades apprenticeships by increasing the number of training places. Some 850 additional places will be created in the region by 2010, once again depending on demand, at a total cost of $3.3 million. There is a definite requirement for apprenticeship places in the Gympie electorate. The 2006 budget has also included the following for education within the electorate: $460,000 to Gympie South State School to continue upgrading the administration area; $310,000 to Jones Hill State School to continue works associated with additional amenities; $213,000 through the Triple R maintenance program for repainting at Rainbow Beach State School; reticulation at Gympie State High School and roofing at Kandanga State School; $159,000 to Mary Valley State College to continue an electrical upgrade; and $112,000 to Gympie Central State School to continue an electrical upgrade. There is also $110,000 for maintenance of building structures at Gympie South State School, Kandanga Creek State School and Noosa District State School and to replace hard external surfaces at Chatsworth State School, Cooroy State School, Monkland State School and Noosa District State High School. An additional $88,000 has been allocated to six schools within the electorate for high-priority maintenance such as classrooms at Cooroy State School, James Nash High and Pomona State School. This funding will also cover new flooring at James Nash State High, Kandanga State School, Kia Ora State School and Rainbow Beach State School and a playground at Cooroy State School. Finally, $41,000 will be provided to James Nash State High School to continue a major classroom upgrade to support its multimedia initiatives. Earlier in my speech I spoke about the Gympie Hospital as being one of my major concerns at the time of my election in 2001. I was also passionate about ensuring that the Gympie police got a new station. My record shows how hard I lobbied to ensure that this station was built sooner rather than later and that the government appreciates the great need for a larger and more modern station so that our local police can carry out their duties in an appropriate environment. Along with the Gympie Hospital, this station is one of my proudest achievements. This week’s budget sees $1.86 million allocated to continue the replacement of the station and watch-house, with a total cost of $10 million. In acknowledging the fantastic work that our emergency services do on a day-to-day basis, words can rarely convey just how highly these personnel are regarded. So it is wonderful to be able to show our appreciation of their work in a practical sense. This has occurred in the Gympie electorate with an allocation of $78,000 to continue with the replacement of the Gympie Ambulance Station. In addressing the funding which has been allocated to roads within the Gympie electorate, I must again bring to the attention of the House the continued pain, both financial and social, which residents are facing as they continue to live in the dark as to the future of their homes due to the delay in locating a bypass route. Not only are people in my electorate facing their homes being resumed for a proposed dam; there are many who will face the same resumption when a decision on the federal highway is made. I also note that $69 million has been allocated for land acquisitions for a one-year period for those who will have to give up their properties. I sincerely hope that if the dam goes ahead there is a lot more money allocated in next year’s budget for land acquisition, because $69 million is only a drop in the ocean when it comes to the numbers of people who will need to be bought out at both Logan and Mary Valley. I know for a fact that my constituents will not accept anything less than the true market value of their homes if they are forced to give them up. On the issue of the damming of the Mary River and water scarcity in this state, I must comment on the hypocrisy of the National Party regarding this issue. A few days ago the National Party had a go at me for not being here to vote against the Traveston Dam. Whilst every vote in this House has been purely symbolic over the past two terms due to the huge majority that the Labor Party has, I find it incredible that I am damned—pardon the pun—for not being here. Whilst we are all aware that the members of the National Party rarely know who they are or what they believe in or stand for, or even which party they belong to, they have the audacity to question my actions. I have been steadfastly opposed to the Traveston Dam since it was made acutely apparent that the people in the valley were vehemently opposed to its construction. On 9 May this year the member for Callide said in this House—

Nothing has been done with regard to the Traveston project and nothing has been done with regard to the Rathdowney project. Yet the government has identified them as its preferred options. I urge the government to get on with it and build the options that can be delivered and delivered quickly. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2539

I am a bad person because I missed a division, yet the National Party is urging that the Traveston Dam be fast-tracked! If the National Party’s stupidity was not so frightening, it would be funny. These people want to govern this state, yet they forget from one day to the next what they support and what they do not. The National Party members did not begin to care about the Gympie electorate until they lost her. I take it is a compliment that they are trying so desperately hard to undermine me, because if I was doing a lousy job they would not have to bother. No wonder the Liberals begged me to join them. The National Party albatross around their neck has made them a laughing-stock. Whilst the Liberal Party is associated with the National Party, it will continue to lack any form of credibility in this state. My advice to the member for Chatsworth, who just sits in the chamber shaking his head in embarrassment, is to get rid of the lot of them and start over again with a completely new party. The government has provided $1,736,514 for roads within the electorate, not including the bypass, which is federally funded. However, to quote the Queensland minister for transport— Minister Truss was caught out. He said recently when playing politics that he would have allocated the money for the Gympie bypass had the Traveston Dam investigation not been announced. That is wrong, wrong and more wrong. What happens with AusLink each year in the budget process is that the federal government provides, for the life of the AusLink plan, its indicative cash allocations for each major project in Queensland. There is no allocation for the building of a Gympie bypass. That budget was framed many weeks before the Traveston Dam issue was raised by the Premier. But it is not in there. So the honourable Minister Truss has duped his own electorate. He has played with people’s lives and he has just left them hanging with no regard for their future or mental wellbeing. Mr Lucas stated further that the proposed dam will affect only about nine kilometres of the total 65-kilometre bypass route and that this excuse is nothing more than a distraction and an attempt to get the federal government off the hook in terms of funding this vital piece of infrastructure. On a more positive note, Gympie will receive $469,000 to continue to provide residential foster care for sibling groups of up to four to six children with moderate to high support needs or, in the case of no sibling group, emergency and respite placements for up to four young people aged 12 to 14 years with complex needs in the Gympie area at a total cost of $1.41 million. Foster-carers will also receive $309,000 to continue to care for around 67 children and young people with moderate to high support needs by departmentally approved carers within the Gympie child safety service centre catchment area. An amount of $3.47 million has been allocated to support people with disabilities. That allocation includes $1.71 million in general funding to non-government organisations and $383,000 to strengthen the ability of families to care for members with high or complex support needs. Of vital importance is respite. This budget has allocated $380,000 specifically for respite services. In addition, $643,000 has been provided as part of ongoing state-Commonwealth funding to support people at risk of homelessness. The government also has provided the electorate with just under $1 million for non-profit organisations, day-care facilities, clubs and community facilities. This budget, along with the budgets of the last few years, has proven that, with a member who actually cares, one can achieve anything. The services and infrastructure that my electorate has received since my election are better than the average person could expect. The National Party cannot argue with that. The Nationals and their campaign arm, the Gympie Times, spend their lives digging for dirt and telling blatant and petty lies in order to try to take the focus off all the good things that I have achieved for my electorate so that their ex-manager may get a look-in at the top job in town. But no-one can deny that this is another extremely positive budget for the people of the Gympie electorate. Ms NOLAN (Ipswich—ALP) (4.15 pm): This budget balances a reasonable tax take with high- quality service provision. Queenslanders will pay on average $1,927 in state taxes per person—15 per cent less than the average of other states. Their money will fund a 24 per cent increase in health spending, a $10.1 billion infrastructure program and the latest instalment in the 186 per cent boost in disability services funding which has been delivered since the Beattie government was elected in 1998. John Kenneth Galbraith famously described politics as the art of choosing between the disastrous and the unpalatable. The challenge in Queensland politics is to choose which services must be delivered, to collect the minimum amount of tax necessary to deliver those services, and then to justify those priorities to the people whose money we are spending. The National Party opposition members have failed to meet this challenge. In standing in this place over the past two days and arguing that they will deliver lower taxes and more services and infrastructure, this hillbilly opposition has deliberately chosen the disastrous. In his budget reply yesterday—a reply he had not even bothered to write ahead of time—the Leader of the Opposition argued that the state tax take was too high, despite the fact that it has fallen from 4.56 per cent of gross state product under the Borbidge government to 4.3 per cent this year and will fall to 4.1 per cent of gross state product by 2009-10. Mr Springborg said that land and payroll tax should have been reduced sooner, but he went on to argue for more funding for DPI, for health and for infrastructure. Indeed, not content to stop at just funding more state services, he thought that he would have the money to even weigh into Commonwealth responsibilities. So he offered up, apropos of 2540 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006 nothing, that he might even fund the Ipswich Motorway—a position that has been directly contradicted in his comments to the Courier-Mail on 14 November last year by his colleague the Leader of the Liberal Party. What economic illiteracy! The headline story of this budget is a $10.1 billion infrastructure package. The next story is education. The budget provides a new $1 billion package to improve the physical environment for schools. It also provides for 426 new teachers to get the prep year up and running this next year. A good education system is the one thing that can make a difference in the chances in life for Queenslanders. What better example of the need for education reform could there possibly be than the Queensland opposition? The documents prepared by the opposition around this budget are an embarrassing example of illiteracy and appalling numeracy. They put together an education document titled Labor’s failing the three Rs. What does the document say? Under year 3 numeracy, it says quite rightly that the Queensland government’s target was to achieve a 90 per cent pass rate. It also says, quite rightly, that the actual target achieved was 91.4 per cent. What does that say to honourable members? Mr Terry Sullivan: They passed. They reached their goal. Ms NOLAN: It certainly suggests to we numerate types over here that that would constitute a pass. But, no. What does the opposition have to say? Labor failed. I can understand that you do not do percentages until about grade 5 at primary school, but I would still have expected this opposition, the best resourced opposition in Queensland’s history— Mr Terry Sullivan: But the laziest. Ms NOLAN: But the laziest—to understand that when we are aiming for 90 and we pick up 91.4 that constitutes a pass. So then I had a look at the document the opposition has entitled The Beattie Budget Sting or, cheekily, ‘Budget Paper No. 4’. How did the opposition score for literacy? Let us take a squiz at this. It states— In the year just gone, Labor raked in $400 million more in state taxes than they had budgeted for. I did a bit of primary school grammar. The words ‘than they had budgeted for’ sound to me an awful lot like a hanging preposition. Let us look at the spelling. There are two spelling errors in this document, which the opposition has not even bothered to proofread before sending off to the printer. There is this— Because Labor has failed to build for our future, they will no increase their borrowings. Of course, there is a spelling error there, but that is also a sentence that begins with a conjunction. The opposition is more progressive then we might have thought. While the traditional rules of grammar might have been that one did not start a sentence with a conjunction, a more modern understanding suggests that in some circumstances it is okay. So we can give the opposition some credit for being progressive. At least that is what I thought until I read the Leader of the Opposition’s budget reply. He talked about education and he had two cunning plans to fix things up. His first suggestion was that people were confused by the documents put out by the education department and so he had a cunning strategy to simplify them. His second suggestion was a hoary old chestnut: to bring back the cane. His government is going to indemnify teachers who might abuse or harm children from any damage they might cause. So what are they going to do? They are going to make it easy and bring back the cane. This is the kind of analysis that we get from this opposition. This is the kind of dumbed down incompetence that we have come to expect. This is an excellent budget. It is a visionary budget. It is a budget in which the numbers add up and the sentences make sense. I expect that that is the least we can achieve and, indeed, we have delivered much more. But even that is far more than we can get from this opposition. Mr TERRY SULLIVAN (Stafford—ALP) (4.22 pm): For the 15th time and the last time I rise to give my speech on the budget. I have been honoured and proud to have spoken on behalf of the constituents of Nundah in 1991 and 1992, Chermside from 1992 to 2001 and Stafford from 2001 to the present. I am sure that my colleagues will welcome the next member for Stafford, Stirling Hinchliffe, when he gives his speech on the next budget. I can say to the people of Stafford and to members of this parliament that I am confident that Stirling will win the seat and that he will be an excellent representative for the people in the electorate. For those who might not know Stirling, he is a self-employed property industry analyst who lives locally with his young family. He is a real local who attended Craigslea primary and high schools and he has lived in the area since he was about four. At age 35, Stirling already has a track record of local community involvement, including being the founding president of the Chermside and Districts Historical Society. Stirling and his wife, Megan, who is the volunteer president of the Craigslea P&C Association— and took on the harder role of fete convenor—have three children aged eight, six and 11 months and reside in West Chermside. I have seen Stirling with his children and he and Megan are lovely parents. They have beautiful kids and I know that my colleagues will get to know the family in the coming years. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2541

As well as 15 years active service within the Labor Party, Stirling brings a wide range of work experience from the private sector and from government at all three levels. So next time look for someone who has a better understanding of finances than I have, someone who is taller than I am, someone who is younger than I am and someone who has more hair than I have. I do not wish to speak so much of the numbers in the budget, because they speak for themselves. I want to speak about the people behind the figures. Firstly, Anna Bligh and Peter Beattie have done an excellent job in balancing the financial responsibility with good social justice values. This is an excellent Labor budget because it targets building Queensland more generally but helps specifically those who need the greatest help. In my electorate $50 million will go to complete the redevelopment of the Prince Charles Hospital. That money will expand the local emergency capacity, provide 120 additional beds and increase operating theatres and renal dialysis facilities. The people at the Prince Charles Hospital are among the best health professionals in the world—medical, nursing and allied health staff. I am disgusted, particularly with the member for Moggill, at the way in which in recent months he has belittled and tried to pull down the reputation of that world-class facility. For more than 50 years people have worked hard to build the reputation of that hospital, and for his own grubby political purposes the member for Moggill is prepared to rip it down. He will not succeed. Dr Lesley Clark: Shame. Mr TERRY SULLIVAN: I accept the interjection from the member. It is a shame because the people who work there and the patients deserve better from the person who wants to be the alternative health minister. There is excellent support in this budget for disability services. I want to pay a special tribute to that wonderful group in Trouts Road. There are four special families there now, in addition to an original family, who have children with significant intellectual and physical disabilities. They are a fantastic community and I just love those families tremendously. My first career was that of a teacher. I am thankful and commend the Treasurer for her $1 billion building program that will come in over the next five years. Just as the Goss government is known for having rebuilt the health system after 33 years of neglect by the opposition, so the Beattie government will be known, among other things, for rebuilding the education system. The challenges are probably greater in rebuilding an education system. It is going to be difficult, but I know that the Treasurer and the education minister will be up to the challenge. I want to thank people at Burnie Brae, the Chermside and District Senior Citizens Centre—people like Kevin Rouse, Al Fielding and his wife, Gwen, and Judy Schubert, who have done such a fantastic job for many years helping our older citizens. The money that is going into the sports complex at Shawsportz reflects the great leadership that people like Fraser Allom, Paul O’Brien and Ken Mogg from the Kedron Wavell Services Club have given. It is the people behind the figures who really count. With respect to housing, I will accept any money that the minister for housing wants to give me for public housing, for new housing, for refurbished housing or for aged-care facilities. We particularly have a need for aged-care facilities and I support the Blue Care facility in my electorate. In concluding, this is a great Labor budget because it has something for all Queenslanders but has more for those in greater need. I am proud to have represented people from my electorates in previous years. I look forward to my successor doing an even better job. Hon. AM BLIGH (South Brisbane—ALP) (Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for State Development, Trade and Innovation) (4.28 pm), in reply: The 2006-07 Queensland budget is one of the strongest in Queensland’s history. This budget continues our government’s tradition of strong fiscal management and it grasps the opportunity to build the Queensland of tomorrow. This budget delivers tax cuts to encourage investment and growth. It delivers the largest Capital Works Program in Australia, with a $10.1 billion investment. It delivers the largest ever Health budget, with a health action plan funding increase from $6.4 billion in extra funding over five years to $9.7 billion. It delivers record spending in some of the key areas of social service delivery, particularly in areas of police, disability services, child safety and others. One of the centrepieces of this budget is the new investment—and a very large investment—of over $2 billion in education and skills. This includes a $1 billion investment in Tomorrow’s Schools—a program to rebuild, renew and refurbish Queensland’s schools—and a $1.1 billion investment in the Queensland Skills Plan, which will see new training places and new training facilities. Both of these combined will ensure that we have the highly knowledgeable and skilled workforce which is required in a modern, globally focused economy such as the one we are building and creating here in Queensland. The pay-off for our responsible fiscal management and our determination to drive our economy further is reflected in the cold, hard numbers outlined in this year’s budget. We have an economy that grew a full one percentage point faster than the rest of the nation last year and it is expected to do so 2542 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006 again in 2006-07. We have unemployment at a 30-year low. Business investment is growing at 25 per cent in 2005-06, and a further eight per cent next financial year is forecast. It is expected to surpass $25 billion for the first time and overtake New South Wales for the first time. Our exports grew by almost 40 per cent over the last year. Net financial assets for Queenslanders are now at $5,155 per person, versus the average liabilities of $111 per person in other states. There is an underlying surplus of $1.72 billion this year, with healthy surpluses forecast in each of the budget’s outyears. Most importantly, we retain our prized AAA credit rating. I do not want to spend too much time on the response made by the Leader of the Opposition to this budget because, frankly, I do not think it warrants it. I have rarely heard a worse speech than the budget reply speech delivered by the Leader of the Opposition. It can be described as nothing short of appalling. As one of my colleagues said to me while he was speaking, ‘You would think he might have taken the trouble to write something,’ and I could not agree more. As for the so-called Budget Paper No. 4, probably the less said about it the better, except to say that it really is the mark of what I would describe as sandpit politics. It looked like something that was written by the Young Nationals—its content reflected that level of thinking—and I do not think it was a serious attempt to analyse a very complex budget. It was therefore of little surprise that as the Leader of the Opposition delivered his budget reply speech he could not hold the attention or interest of his own members, and in fact his frontbench at various points left the room. If I could have, I probably would have done the same thing. Probably the most concerning part of the opposition responses that I heard over the last two days is that, almost without exception, every member of the National Party and Liberal Party who stood up to make a speech in the budget debate had a common theme—and the common theme was this: there should be fewer taxes and fewer borrowings but there should be more services and more infrastructure, especially in their electorates. So they got up and said, ‘We should have far less tax and we should have had bigger tax cuts.’ If we have bigger tax cuts, it means we reduce revenue. Opposition members said, ‘Under no circumstances should we be borrowing. This is a terrible thing to do.’ In other words, whether it is borrowing or taxes, we should reduce our revenue. Then when we have reduced the revenue, we should be delivering more services and we should be building more infrastructure. The National Party has a magic pudding approach to this. I am tempted to say that it seems to be taking on the One Nation approach to this—and members would remember that the One Nation approach was to basically print money—because that is the only way this policy would work. The only commentators who are saying that the Queensland government should be borrowing less money are on the other side of this chamber. No serious economic commentator in the country would agree that we should be more lowly geared. The borrowing undertakings in this budget over the period of the forecast out years will mean that the amount of our spending that we are using to service debt on those borrowings will rise from one per cent of our total budget to two per cent. I would be very surprised if there was anybody in this chamber whose mortgage costs them two per cent of their revenue. I would very much like to be in that position, but unfortunately I am not. Further, we currently are geared at about 15 per cent in terms of the level of borrowing. This new borrowing will take us to about 25 per cent. There would be very few major companies in the country with a level of gearing that low. In fact, if our budget was the average mortgage, the bank would be begging us to take on more investments. Our banking advisers would be remiss if they did not take us aside and start suggesting an investment unit, because it would be irresponsible to leave a balance sheet in that position. As I said, it was a pathetic attempt to analyse our budget and I honestly think people deserved better. I know that others have mentioned Terry McCrann’s comments, but I do not want to be remiss and leave his comments out of my budget reply because I could not agree with him more. In relation to the borrowings, he said that Queensland’s already good budget position just got a whole lot better but he believed that we should borrow even more for infrastructure. Somehow opposition members seem to believe—and it was a constant theme in their responses—that the Howard government is responsible for our economic position by showering us with cash. First of all, I will not go over the entire litany of the many missed funding opportunities from the Commonwealth for Queensland, but this year’s federal budget is instructive. As members will recall, it did not provide one extra cent for roads between the border with New South Wales and Townsville. But there was some $800 million for the Hume Highway—the Sydney to Canberra to Melbourne main drag—and that is on top of AusLink not providing one dollar for rail in Queensland north of the Brisbane River. We did not hear any of that from that side. They confront the largest infrastructure spending in Queensland’s history in this budget and say, ‘It’s not enough,’ but they are absolutely deafening in their silence about the neglect by their own counterparts in Canberra. 09 Jun 2006 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2543

When opposition members talk about the GST, anyone would think it was money that John Howard took out of his own pocket and gave to Queenslanders as an act of charity. I think it is useful to remind those opposite that the GST is actually made up of taxes that are paid by Queenslanders. They do not belong to John Howard, they do not belong to Peter Costello and they do not belong to the federal government, whether it is a Labor or a Liberal federal government. They belong to Queenslanders. These are the taxes that are paid by residents of this state, and Queenslanders are entitled to see the appropriate share of those taxes come back and be spent on services and infrastructure. It is useful to remember that the GST replaced a number of other state taxes that were being paid by Queenslanders. Comparing GST revenue in excess of the guaranteed minimum amount is an oversimplified way of looking at the impact of the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Reform of Commonwealth-State Financial Relations, known as the IGA. Critically, it does not account for the differences in tax regimes prior to the abolition of those state taxes. I do think it would be very helpful in understanding the difficulties in relation to horizontal fiscal equalisation if members of the opposition, particularly the shadow Treasurer, took an opportunity to get a full briefing on what is happening in the allocation of those funds nationally and what is likely to happen over the next four to five years, when we will see Queensland’s share in relative terms drop. I also refer the member for Surfers Paradise to the intergovernmental agreement itself. He somehow believes that our payroll tax cuts were part of that agreement. He could not have been more wrong. Payroll tax has never, ever been a part of the intergovernmental agreement on taxes, and it is certainly not a part of it now. Our payroll tax decisions have nothing to do with that agreement. Let me turn to tax. The Beattie government has a first-rate record in maintaining our prudent tax settings. Our tax take is 15 per cent below the average of other states and this budget ensures that we will remain the nation’s best payroll tax regime. The payroll tax cuts that were delivered in this budget by the lifting of the threshold are certainly some of the strongest that we have seen for some time. Treasury records only go back to 1979. The $150,000 lift from $850,000 to $1,000,000 in the threshold is the largest single lift in the threshold since records have been kept. The last time that there was a lift in the tax-free threshold on payroll tax was in 1998 under the then conservative government of which the member for Robina was a member and it was a decision to lift the threshold from $800,000 to $850,000. Any criticism from those opposite about our payroll tax reforms are, frankly, barely credible. Our land tax reforms cement last year’s very significant changes to land tax and make sure that we stay ahead of the movement in property values and maintain the value of those reforms last year. The Leader of the Opposition tried to pin this notion that Queensland and our government was somehow involved in large tax increases. Members saw that in the papers that it circulated indicating that the tax take in Queensland is almost double what it was in 1997-98. What it does not talk about is the inflation during that time, the economic growth rates in that time and it does not talk about the population growth in that time. With the strong economic growth experienced in Queensland one would expect tax collections to grow. We are reinvesting that revenue in infrastructure and our people. All I can say about those tables that were circulated is: shonky tables, shonky numbers; can’t count, can’t add up. Let us look at the best measure of tax take. The state’s tax take is a percentage of gross state product. It was 4.56 per cent in 1997-98 and that is higher than this financial year, when it is down to 4.3 per cent, and higher still than what it will be in 2009-10 at about 4.1 per cent. Probably one of the most astonishing claims from members opposite in relation to this budget was a press release put out by the member for Robina in which he said the only good things about this budget were the ones that were actually his ideas. He claimed credit because he said that in his budget reply speech last year he had suggested the lift in the threshold of payroll tax from $850,000 to $1 million. I know that the member for Robina will be devastated to know that when I came to put together this budget I did not actually go and read his budget reply speech from last year. Mr Quinn: I am hurt. Ms BLIGH: The member will be devastated; my colleagues will be astonished. I am very happy to give a commitment that I will in future take that as my starting point! The Queensland business community has, in fact, been suggesting this lift in the threshold for some time. I have spoken to a number of senior representatives of the business organisations that represent the Queensland business sector and I do not think it does the member for Robina any good to be taking credit for ideas that were really someone else’s and which he used in his budget speech last year. We have been accused of not delivering infrastructure and projects. Again let us look at the big picture. Last year the coalition criticised us saying that we would never, ever deliver an $8 billion program in capital works. This year we have delivered $8.2 billion of capital works. When members hear the naysayers from the other side claim that it cannot be done, that we will never do it, that we did not do it this year et cetera, they should just be aware that in this regard those opposite are completely and utterly wrong. 2544 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 09 Jun 2006

The coalition must never drive a car, never catch a bus or a train or visit a port if it thinks that no infrastructure has been delivered. Just a small sample of spending includes the $380 million South East Busway; the $230 million, 110-kilometre Bauhinia rail line connecting to Xstrata’s new mine at Rolleston—finished two months early and open to trains in 2005, the longest rail line built in Queensland for the past two decades; in far-north Queensland, the $110 million Cooktown Development Road delivering a fully sealed link between Cairns and Cooktown that was opened in April this year; the $90 million port of Brisbane expansion, which was also finished six months early and opened in 2005; and the $47 million expansion of the RG Tanna terminal, which was completed in 2005. We have heard a lot this week in relation to a question by the opposition on Tuesday asking me to name eight projects. It has claimed all week that I named only four. I would like to revisit that question for the benefit of members and as I read these out members might like to count them. I talked about the Paradise Dam. Government members: One. Ms BLIGH: I talked about the energy projects. Government members: Two. Ms BLIGH: The Gold Coast Convention Centre. Government members: Three. Ms BLIGH: The hospital rebuilding program. Government members: Four. Ms BLIGH: The prison building program. Government members: Five. Ms BLIGH: The new Juvenile Justice Centre. Government members: Six. Ms BLIGH: The Strand in Townsville. Government members: Seven. Ms BLIGH: And the Cooktown Highway. Government members: Eight. Mrs Reilly: You even had to use your second hand. Ms BLIGH: I do accept that I did have to use my second hand. Can’t count, can’t add up, can’t subtract, can’t divide, can’t multiply. Mr Livingstone: They do know how to divide. Ms BLIGH: True. I take the interjection. They do know how to divide. In fact, they are experts at long division. In relation to the $10 billion capital program for this year, this government will deliver this program. We will not do anything that we could expect to see from the opposition such as freezing capital works. Not only will we deliver the program, we will build things properly. Probably one of the most staggering and frankly breathtakingly hypocritical statements that I have heard from some of those opposite was their constant referral to the state of our schools and the money that we are spending on them. People in this chamber should be under no illusions: the reason Queenslanders will be spending $1 billion on refurbishing some of Queensland’s oldest schools is the way that they were built in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s by the former Bjelke-Petersen government. There is not a member in this chamber, in my view, who has visited as many Queensland schools as I have. I am the longest serving education minister since Lyn Powell in the early 1980s. I have been to more schools than I have had hot dinners. What I can tell members is that those schools built in the late 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s were built on the cheap with the cheapest, nastiest materials that could be found. More corners were cut than members could believe. They were built in the most tight- fisted way and our schools now live with the consequences of that. We are fixing it up. The schools that will get the most out of this money are the schools that were built by the other side of politics. There are so many errors in the claims from those opposite that I do not have time to go through all of them, but there is one that I think it is important to correct. The opposition has continually claimed that the department of primary industries budget has been slashed from $381 million when it was in government to $308 million in this financial year. This claim is again comprehensively wrong. The Borbidge government’s budget of 1998-99 allocated $371 million for the department, including $95 million for forest production. The Borbidge government then called an election and lost without 09 Jun 2006 Adjournment 2545 seeking approval of its budget. In September 1998 the Beattie government delivered its budget which allocated $381 million. The $381 million was actually allocated by the Beattie government and not the Borbidge government. That included $90 million for forest production. The other reality, of course, is that DPI Forestry, a commercial business unit of the department, began reporting in the 1999-2000 year as a separate entity within the department. It is not strictly possible to adjust the 1997-98 budget estimates to accrual accounting. However, if the 2006-07 budget for DPI of $308 million and the budgeted expenses of the new established forestry plantations of $84.2 million are added, what one gets is a total allocation that is $21.2 million higher than that which was left by the Borbidge government. Any suggestion that there has been some cut in funding is out by some $21.2 million. Again those opposite can’t count, can’t add up, can’t subtract, can’t multiply. A government member: And they can’t spell. Ms BLIGH: There is a spelling problem as well. Can I conclude by thanking all members for their contribution. This has been a process that has certainly given me an opportunity to delve into the activities of a range of government departments. What I see is people committed to building Queensland; people working hard to get the best out of the services that they provide to the people of Queensland. What this budget does is deliver to those departments and those departmental officers right across Queensland the extra funds that they need to keep doing that job and doing it as well as they can. We can feel very proud of this budget. This budget is going to make a difference to Queenslanders. I look forward to standing here next year and outlining how we have spent the $10 billion. Hopefully, I will be able to stand here and say we went beyond it, as we did this year. I look forward to the support of members, at least on this side of the House, to continue building Queensland. Question put—That the bill be now read a second time. Motion agreed to. Reference to Estimates Committees Mr SPEAKER: Order! In accordance with the order of the House on 21 April 2006, the bills are referred to the estimates committees.

SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT Hon. AM BLIGH (South Brisbane—ALP) (Acting Leader of the House) (4.50 pm): I move— That the House, at its rising, do adjourn until 9.30 am on Tuesday, 8 August 2006. Motion agreed to.

ADJOURNMENT Hon. AM BLIGH (South Brisbane—ALP) (Acting Leader of the House) (4.50 pm): I move— That the House do now adjourn. Water Infrastructure Miss ELISA ROBERTS (Gympie—Ind) (4.50 pm): I wish to place on record once again my views regarding the proposed Traveston Dam. I feel it is my responsibility to place these views on record so that the people I represent have access to an accurate account of where I stand. My role is to carry out the wishes of my constituents, and it is clear that thousands of people do not want a dam at Traveston so it is my job to ensure that this government is aware of that fact. It is unfortunate that the local newspaper, the Gympie Times, is blinded by its intention to discredit me rather than present honest and accurate reporting to the people of the electorate. For the record, and those responsible for ‘our view’ in the Gympie Times, I have not chosen the easy way out of anything. I have been fighting and I continue to fight on behalf of my electorate and I provide continuous updates to the Premier and the minister for natural resources, along with asking questions on behalf of people who contact me. For the smart alec at the Gympie Times who wrote of my farce in explaining whether or not I have a boyfriend, had they asked me or even read what I had said in the House they would know that what I said was just in response to questions asked of me by the National Party’s media representative, Cathy Border. I am becoming used to the personal attacks against me by the Gympie Times and the National Party, but I must say in the House that what I will not tolerate is attacks on my staff. One of my staff 2546 Adjournment 09 Jun 2006 members was left in tears today because the Gympie Times rewrote a portion of a press release she had written. When she rang the reporter who wrote the piece, he argued with her until she had to hang up in tears. This is the behaviour of a weak and despicable person.

Again, as for an easy way out, I have not got out of anything and they know it. It would be a lot easier for me to throw in the towel, but this electorate needs me. They need someone who is there purely for them. The Gympie Times has been reduced to nonsensical waffling when it comes to me. I do not expect them to change their views in respect to me, but their readers deserve truth and honesty, not biased, self-serving reporting. I say to my constituents: if you really want to know what is going on with your member and your electorate, come to the source—me—not a misogynist newspaper with a deputy editor whom the current National Party candidate asked me once to provide him with a reason to sack. There are three witnesses to this including the candidate’s previous regional manager. Who is talking about a farce?

Hinton, Ms L Hon. DM WELLS (Murrumba—ALP) (4.53 pm): It is a little celebrated fact that a large number of Queensland primary schoolchildren and a significant number of secondary students are studying philosophy. In over 25 Queensland schools we can find students regularly discussing issues such as, ‘What is a thought?’ or ‘What is it to know something rather than merely believe it?’ ‘Does everyone have the right to be respected?’ These students can be seen practising the Socratic virtues of asking searching questions, giving reasons for what they say, exploring disagreements constructively, following the argument to its logical conclusion and seeking the truth.

Some 460 teachers have been trained to level 1 through the face-to-face course Getting Started and the online course Learning to Think—Philosophy in the Classroom. The teacher whose vision and energy has sparked this philosophical renaissance is the charismatic principal of Buranda State School, Lynne Hinton. As a result of her activities, which began with a hypothesis that acquainting primary schoolchildren with philosophical issues and the philosophical method would lead to lifelong educational benefits, she began teaching philosophy at Buranda in 1997.

In a very short period of time, her staff noticed improvements in the children’s academic results and in their behaviour in the playground. By 2004 in the Queensland year 3 literacy and numeracy tests, Buranda children were averaging between 575 and 590 on number measurement, space, reading, writing and spelling. The state average was between 530 and 535. Meanwhile in the playground, instead of kids running to the teacher and saying, ‘He hit me,’ it is more often the case that their kids run to the teacher saying, ‘He has a different opinion to me but he is not prepared to justify it.’

The remarkable achievements of Lynne Hinton and her highly motivated staff have received national and international acclaim. Their methods have been adopted in Queensland schools of all kinds, mainly primary schools in the state system but also state high schools and schools in the Catholic and independent systems. Lynne Hinton’s online course has been accessed in all states of Australia, in New Zealand, Canada, the United States, Singapore and Iran. Buranda State School was featured by UNESCO in Paris on World Philosophy Day in November last year.

In 1997 Lynne Hinton planted a very fertile seed when she began teaching philosophy to children. That seed has become a robust sapling. It is now up to Education Queensland to formulate a policy framework that will ensure that this sapling becomes a tree in whose shade generations of Queenslanders will grow broadened minds.

Time expired.

Wintersun Festival; World Environment Day Mrs STUCKEY (Currumbin—Lib) (4.56 pm): The month of June, despite being the bearer of winter chills for many areas, is a welcome sign in the Coolangatta precinct. ‘No vacancy’ signs go up in our hotels, motels and resorts that enjoy the influx of guests who flock to the Wintersun Festival each year. Commencing on Friday, 2 June with the Wintersun Ball, which marks the official opening, the festival continues through until the evening of Monday, 12 June, winding up with the Best of Wintersun concert at Kirra sportsground.

The ball, held at Twin Towns on the state borders, was a fabulous affair. A perfectly themed showroom paid homage to this colourful and memorable era, and guests were privileged to be entertained by Johnny Preston of hit song Running Bear fame and Herbie Armstrong, son of the famous Louis. 09 Jun 2006 Adjournment 2547

Since its inception in 1988, Wintersun has gone from strength to strength and is recognised on the global stage as the world’s biggest rock and roll nostalgia festival. The 11-day event is sponsored by the Gold Coast airport, which is to be commended for its participation and assistance with Wintersun, which brings so much great tourism business to our twin towns of Coolangatta and Tweed Heads. Each year the festival breaks its own records and this year is no exception. More than 1,000 hot rod, classic and custom car entries are predicted to turn out this weekend for the display on Sunday in Griffith Street, Coolangatta. I heard that there are plans to set a world record for the most numbers of rock-and-roll dancers at one time. A chock-full program of activities and events ensures that rock-and- roll fans and car enthusiasts will be in their element. Festival organiser and southern chamber of commerce president, Barry McNamara, really puts his heart and soul into this major production. I want him to know that the people of the southern Gold Coast are genuinely grateful for his herculean efforts. On Sunday, 4 June I was invited along to ‘The Do’—an event to celebrate World Environment Day, held on the banks of picturesque Currumbin Creek. Organised by key environmental group Gecko, based in my electorate, the event was once again this year an enormous success. ‘The Do’ is a free day of learning about our planet through environmental encounters that seek to promote earth caring, worth sharing through the concepts of community building and sustainable lifestyle practices. Our parklands were studded with activities including an eco-art gallery, workshops, community information, relevant trade displays and plenty of music for young and old. A highlight of the day was the award ceremony which was preceded by a ‘Welcome to Country’ by the Nyulejum Aboriginal dancers. The Environmental Citizen Award was bestowed upon Lyn Wright for her longstanding dedication and involvement with Friends of Federation Walk. Palm Beach Currumbin High student Ella Horton was awarded the Environmental Student of the Year, whilst a group award was presented to Mudgeeraba Special School senior students for their efforts. Interaction with cultural elders, local community organisations, schools and businesses is all a part of the philosophy that together we can do something for the environment—a noble and timely sentiment indeed when one sees all of the development, appropriate and unfortunately otherwise, taking place in Currumbin. Gecko is to be congratulated for its commitment to spreading awareness of the need to protect and nurture our environment. Woodridge Electorate, Volunteers Mrs DESLEY SCOTT (Woodridge—ALP) (4.59 pm): There is one ingredient which I would hasten to say is present in every healthy community—that is, the wealth of volunteers. In the electorate of Woodridge we have them in abundance. So it was very fitting that, as a celebration for Queensland Day, I held a function at our Logan Recreation and Sports Club to recognise a number of our faithful volunteers and several professionals who have made a very considerable contribution to community life in Logan. Mr Jim Murphy has been a public servant for 42 years and has been at the Woodridge office of the Department of Housing for 24 years. Jim is a true gentleman and has helped literally thousands of people and mentored many departmental workers along the way. Principal of Woodridge primary, Garry Molloy, plays a leading role in fostering understanding of our many cultural groups and Indigenous issues. Fran Van Gilst, who has taught at Woodridge primary since 1974—32 years—has taken a leading role in the teaching of English as a second language and has helped many other teachers to better understand their role. Wendy Clark works as a tenancy advocate at Youth and Family Service and my office simply could not do without her services. She has so much understanding of the issues of homelessness and her knowledge and skills are excellent. I have spoken in this place about the YMCA Shed where at-risk young people are nurtured, mentored and given skills to re-engage in either education or training leading to employment. Michelle Venables is the driving force at this facility and has a passion for these young people. Speaking of passion, Mr Dennis Howard, principal of Marsden primary, has been in the teaching profession since 1965. He has made such a difference to many young lives, but also has been the source of inspiration to so many teachers. Dennis has been a principal in Logan for many years and is soon to retire. He will be missed so much and we wish him and his family well. Roxanne Zoring has been secretary, registrar and the font of all knowledge, history and protocol at Woodridge North primary for 22 years. She is the person everyone wishes they could have on staff. There is little she cannot do. Ken Kennedy, who is principal at Woodridge high, is truly an inspirational leader and has a very big heart for his students. He is a wonderful educator, communicator, highly principled and a true leader in every sense of the word. 2548 Adjournment 09 Jun 2006

Sergeant Rachel Whitford is a police officer extraordinaire. As manager of the Logan PCYC, we have seen an increase in programs, facilities upgraded and a real enthusiasm right through all of the workers and volunteers. The youngsters are the beneficiaries. Janet Poole is in the library section of Logan City Council’s community services and is one of those workers who wears many hats. Janet has been a disability consultant, is a member of LANDS Transport board of management, involved with the Kingston East Neighbourhood Group, on the management committee of MultiLink and an accredited adult literacy volunteer tutor to name but a few of her passions. These workers are typical of many in Logan city who put in so much of themselves everyday to make a difference in the lives of so many. I seek leave to incorporate the rest of my speech in Hansard. Leave granted. I would now like to mention our volunteers who are simply amazing people. Ruth Fels (37 yrs service), Peggy Griffiths (aged 88 with 14 yrs service), Beryl Head, Margaret Jones (15 yrs), Joan Newton (19 yrs), all volunteer at Trinder Park Nursing Home and all contribute 2 or 3 days a week Julie Casey (10 yrs), Darryl Fraser (16 yrs), Ken Neller (30 yrs and Local Controller) and Craig Guy (10 yrs) from Logan State Emergency Service Adrienne Magee, Maureen Stewart, Lois O’Connor, Glenda Macartney, Logan Women’s Health & Wellbeing Centre Shirley Allen (20 yrs), Cynthia Waters (10 yrs) and Jenny Schramm (10 yrs) from Woodridge High P & C Ass Lindy Taylor, 18 yrs at Woodridge North Primary School, P & C, Tuckshop, Parent Support Michelle Lee, Harris Fields State Pre-school Noel Wain (15 yrs), Gordon Love (many yrs) Scouting Assoc (Logan Dist & Woodridge) Peggy Tideman, NUTCHA & Aboriginal & TI Corporation Deborah Spires, Care Unlimited, Work for the Dole, Emergency Relief Maree Ryan, ACCES Services, Driver, Tutor, Mentor and support Della Matthews, Gospel Lighthouse, 5 Brekky Clubs in local high schools Mark Anderson, Mark Lawerence Logan City PCYC Norma Kawak, Marvellous Mature Women Julie Holden, Ray Fletcher, Woodridge Kingston Lions Club, Henry Warland, Neville Kindt, Y Care "The Shed" (Woodwork artist), Rosalind Morris, LANARTA, tenancy support and tutor, Jim & Pam Cole, Logan Central Respite Centre Bryony Casey, Logan City Youth Orchestra, founding member 22 yrs Ann Langley, Norma Smith, LANDS Community Care These are wonderful, selfless volunteers who enjoy what they do and make our community a far better place. They represent thousands who each week attend to a myriad of tasks in most facets of life and I would like to say thankyou on behalf of my community. Traffic Control Certificates Mr HOPPER (Darling Downs—NPA) (5.02 pm): I would like to bring to the attention of the House details of my concern about the outrageous charges being levied against rural fire brigades in respect of the government’s requirement for all volunteers to obtain a traffic control certificate. I was recently contacted by a constituent who is appalled at the cost involved in gaining these certificates for his particular rural fire brigade. My constituent was quoted the cost of gaining an emergency control certificate at $99 per person and for a Main Road’s certificate it is $74.15 per person, plus travel costs of 85 cents per kilometre which equates to $200 in this particular instance. The total cost to obtain the necessary certificates for 10 volunteers would cost this rural fire brigade $1,931.50. It is not only rural fire brigades that need to obtain these certificates; it is also a requirement for SES members. Here we are calling on these volunteers to help us in our time of need and the next moment we are charging them for a certificate to allow them to do their job. How ironic is that. Help me and I will charge you. These volunteers are heroes and the government is treating them with disrespect. The government should be providing these certificates at no cost to them and out of gratefulness for the job they undertake. Only last weekend, 3 June, this particular rural fire brigade was called to assist in the control of a fierce bushfire, which was rapidly approaching a town boundary. Without a moment’s hesitation these volunteers were on hand and subsequently saved this small rural township, which was about to face evacuation. This was a mighty effort considering this blaze had already burnt out 50 hectares of bushland and jumped the New England Highway. These volunteers do not consider themselves to be special or doing anything outstanding; they just get on with the job at hand. It is imperative that these volunteers receive the necessary training to undertake their job to the best of their ability. However, the cost of this training should not be a financial burden on the community. It is the volunteer’s intention to service and help the community, not to drain it financially. All these rural services rely on fundraising efforts from their local community. Fundraising should be used to upgrade and provide additional equipment. This particular brigade has just spent $2,400 of hard-earned funds to upgrade its communication systems. This is the type of expenditure that the community is only too happy to support. They feel that they are getting value for money as they can physically see the purchase, which is not the case with respect to the supply of certificates. It is the respect and gratitude from their community that keeps these volunteers committed to their duties. Perhaps the government could learn from this community support and provide training for these volunteers at no cost. Currently the cost involved in gaining the appropriate certification is merely milking the rural communities of their funds. These organisations do not ask for a lot but they do deserve 09 Jun 2006 Adjournment 2549 a fair go. I call on the minister to abolish all charges for training and certification for these outstanding community members. When a fire breaks out they have to get out and quite often control traffic, SES and rural fire brigades. Now they are told that they have to go and get a certificate—a piece of paper— to say that they are capable of doing a job. They are charged to do it. It is disgusting and stinks and should not happen.

Thuringowa Electorate Mr WALLACE (Thuringowa—ALP) (5.05 pm): Can I say again what a pleasure it is to see you in the chair, Madam Deputy Speaker Barry. I have spoken in this parliament before about the high population growth rates being experienced in my electorate of Thuringowa. That growth is no more apparent than in the area which is called Thuringowa’s northern beaches. This growth has brought its benefits and its problems, and perhaps the biggest problem impacting on northern beaches residents is the state of the Commonwealth funded Bruce Highway. The section of the highway between the Woodlands shopping centre and Veales Road has been especially notorious and indeed quite dangerous. The intersection of the highway and Mount Low Parkway is especially treacherous. This busy road junction claimed the life of a passenger in a taxi last September when the vehicle collided with a motorcycle. I am saddened to report to the House that another person was killed just north of the area earlier this week. Clearly, something needs to be done. The local community, Thuringowa City Council and I are right behind the push. We are working together to get funds from Canberra to upgrade the highway in this section to four lanes along with associated traffic lights. I would like to table a copy of a non-conforming petition organised by Yabulu resident Julie Sivic. The petition has some 1,068 names and calls for the urgently needed roadworks. Julie deserves the congratulations and support from our entire community for all her hard work. Indeed our local weekly free paper, the Sun, carried an article this week about this wonderful petition. Hardworking journalist Kerri-Anne Mesner organised for Thuringowa mayor, Les Tyrell, to take the petition to Canberra next week when he meets with the federal roads minister to try to get some funds for the road. I too have sought residents’ comments posting a letter out to them after the federal budget which promised $220 million for upgrades of the Bruce Highway between Townsville and Cairns. To say the least I have been inundated with support from local residents. As of this morning I have received close to 550 responses ranging from letters, phone calls to emails. All support urgent works to the road. All tell of near misses for themselves and their families. It is clear that something needs to be done, and done quickly. I therefore reiterate my call for the federal government to urgently meet its obligations and provide the approximately $30 million that is needed for this upgrade. Let us get cracking and fix up this problem before anyone else is injured or, God forbid, killed. Tabled paper: Non-conforming petition relating to traffic lights at the Mt Low/Bruce Highway turn off.

Miriam Vale Shire Council Mr MESSENGER (Burnett—NPA) (5.08 pm): Earlier today I tabled a statutory declaration from Jo Gillies, architect, regarding a very serious matter involving alleged misconduct by the CEO of the Miriam Vale shire. As previously stated, I have written to the CMC, Ombudsperson, the local government minister and Miriam Vale Shire Council asking that an investigation be carried out as soon as possible. Tonight I also ask that the CEO of Miriam Vale shire be stood aside pending the results of this investigation. I do not do so lightly, but these are very serious allegations. I table a letter from registered nurse Cherryl Lowe, who writes to me about the pending sale of the St John Ambulance hall at Welcome Creek, a township in my electorate of Burnett. Cherryl and the majority of my community oppose the sale of the St John Hall at Welcome Creek. I have spoken before in this chamber about this issue. It is a valuable community asset owned and paid for wholly and solely by my community, including the land, which was donated, the hall itself and $18,000 in cash which was raised for the maintenance, repair and upgrade of the facility. Tonight I ask that the St John Ambulance board reinvestigate this proposed sale, consider the considerable community outrage and stop the sale. The community has held meetings with the CEO and explained their history and needs and—this is according to Mrs Lowe—when confronted by community members the CEO agreed in 2005 to approve the refurbishment plans if they were submitted within six months. The plans were submitted within four months and he did not even acknowledge them. He changed his mind and again said that he was selling the property. 2550 Adjournment 09 Jun 2006

The community is now concerned that there may have been some financial mismanagement at the St John Ambulance in Queensland and that this may be the reason why the hall is being sold to raise the money. Last week Mr Errol Carey, the St John Ambulance Queensland CEO, had the hall valued by a local real estate agent in order to sell the property. The community is devastated and has asked Cherryl to forward to me on its behalf a letter explaining the situation, which has been done. It has also requested to seek help from our Premier, Mr Peter Beattie, to save this community asset. The property was, as I said earlier, donated, developed and maintained by a rural community. St John Ambulance Queensland has not contributed any financial assistance to the property and St John Ambulance Queensland also holds right now the $18,000 raised by the community to refurbish this hall. Tabled paper: Letter, dated 8 June 2006, from Cherrie Lowe to Mr Rob Messenger MP relating to St John Ambulance Hall—Welcome Creek. Time expired. Bundaberg Base Hospital Hon. NITA CUNNINGHAM (Bundaberg—ALP) (5.11 pm): I want to place on record that, while our Bundaberg Base Hospital continues to be criticised by the opposition, it is indeed progressing very well. A report I received on 9 May shows that our hospital has gained 11 new medical staff since January, and I believe the Premier gained another two doctors for Bundaberg during his recent visit to the UK. Our department of emergency medicine remains fully staffed, without the shortages being experienced in some other hospitals—private as well as public. Our obstetrics service has gone from strength to strength. In fact, just recently our base hospital took over delivery of all births in Bundaberg, Burnett and outlying areas at very short notice following the closure of the private hospital’s maternity ward. This transition, with less than two weeks warning, was handled incredibly well by our team of obstetricians and some 37 midwives. Major orthopaedic surgery recommenced in April and, with the return of Dr Chaudry this month to continue working with Dr Robinson, we are hoping to significantly reduce our waiting lists in non-urgent category 3 orthopaedics in coming months. The adult in-patient mental health service is still awaiting the arrival of its new director, whose application is in the hands of the Royal Australasian College of Psychiatrists—not the government—and his commencement date is dependent on that college’s very slow processes. However, because we hear so much in Bundaberg about our mental health unit being closed, I stress that it is only the adult in-patient service that is closed. All other mental health services have continued to operate. New telemetry equipment has been installed this quarter, enabling patients who present with chest pain to be monitored by ICU staff from admission. The new CT scanner is due to arrive within weeks, and work on purchasing our new computerised radiography equipment is well underway, enabling X-rays to be largely a thing of the past as all radiography images become digital. Recruitment continues very strongly, and I am advised that our Bundaberg Base Hospital expects to be fully staffed within weeks, which will be an amazing result when there is a national and, in some specialties, an international shortage of medical staff—both private and public. This week’s budget will bring even more staff, equipment, facilities and the extra services identified in my speech earlier today. On another bright note, our renal clinic has just celebrated its 10th birthday. Prior to its establishment, patients had to travel to Rockhampton and Nambour for dialysis. But after intense lobbying, our first four chairs were announced by the health minister in the Goss government—the Hon. Peter Beattie—and during his terms as Premier our renal unit has grown to now have 13 chairs. Morale is certainly rising in our hospital. Many patients and their families are glowing in their praise of the treatment they are receiving. To all of our hospital staff, I say well done. Office of Fair Trading Mr ROWELL (Hinchinbrook—NPA) (5.14 pm): I rise to highlight the extremely poor treatment received by Mr Alan Stiller from two government agencies—the Office of Fair Trading and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland. In March 2005 Mr Stiller paid $23,000 for a new commercial slasher for use on his farm. The machine was delivered by the Rockhampton based manufacturer, Palm Implements Pty Ltd, in June 2005. When assembled on Mr Stiller’s property, the machine was found to be so dangerous that it could prove lethal to anyone attempting to operate it. The Rockhampton Office of Workplace Health and Safety condemned the machine and issued a defect notice for major rectification work to be done by the manufacturer before the machine could be used. The manufacturer had so far refused to comply with the notice. Mr Stiller contacted the Office of Fair Trading, which one would naturally expect would have an interest in the matter. The lack of interest by that department in assisting Mr Stiller was staggering. When Mr Stiller lodged his complaint, the minister’s office replied that there was no breach of the 09 Jun 2006 Adjournment 2551 legislation and that it considered that Mr Stiller’s complaint was a contractual dispute and that he should pursue the matter in a court. The fact is that Mr Stiller paid $23,000 for a new item that was not fit for its purpose, was dangerous, was not manufactured in accordance with its advertised specifications and was delivered without warranty. Because of the government’s disinterest, Mr Stiller has been forced into the further expense of seeking legal advice. Even in doing this, he had to suffer the frustration of trying to obtain inspection reports from the Office of Workplace Health and Safety and the Office of Fair Trading through the freedom of information process. The FOI section of the Workplace Health and Safety Office advised him that it did not consider that the application related to his personal affairs and demanded payment of application fees before doing anything. One gets the strong suspicion that this government is not interested in pursuing the everyday rights of rural people. If this case happened to be about a Brisbane CBD trader who was accused of short-changing consumers by selling underspecification toilet rolls—for example, 499 sheets to the roll instead of 500—then I can almost guarantee that Fair Trading inspectors would be swarming like flies. The minister would no doubt be crowing about how effective her department was in preventing rogue traders from ripping off consumers. Time expired. Indigenous Communities Mr O’BRIEN (Cook—ALP) (5.17 pm): I am compelled to comment about violence in Indigenous communities and the debate that has been reignited following the visit by the federal Indigenous affairs minister, Mal Brough, to a remote Northern Territory community a few weeks ago. Following the visit he released a statement to the world which essentially restated the problem: there is violence in Indigenous communities and it affects women and children. He made forthright statements that he was going to fix the problem. Within three days of issuing the statement he had backtracked and buck-passed this insidious issue back to state and territory police services. There was no mention of the Commonwealth’s desertion of providing infrastructure such as housing in these communities—nothing. I was pretty angry about the debate and I am not convinced the proposed symposium will do more than rehash information that exists in the public domain throughout the Commonwealth. Although I think Minister Brough should just undertake a literature review, I am glad that the Queensland government has decided to participate in the meeting. It was in this context that last Thursday, on behalf of the Minister for Public Works, Housing and Racing, I was very pleased to open the new Northern Peninsula Women’s Shelter in Bamaga. It is a fantastic facility that will serve the needs of that community for many years. I congratulate Josephine Mooka, President of the NPA Women’s Shelter ATSI Corporation, and her committee for their efforts on bringing the project to fruition. The NPA family resource centre should also get a plug, in particular Paddy Nona and Amanda Williams, who do a fantastic job in delivering quality human services in the region. Part of the services that the new facility will be offering is a family counselling service that seeks to support families as they go through troubled times. It occurred to me while I was opening the facility and looked at some of the people working in the field of domestic violence how wrong were the comments of the federal minister. People such as Andrew Marchant, the local police sergeant, who is on the front line of this issue, works every day. I think it would behove the minister to talk to people such as Andrew. Other people such as the ambulance officers and other service providers deserve support from the federal government, not a restatement of problems. The Beattie Labor government has been at the forefront of making the hard decisions in dealing with domestic violence in Indigenous communities. The introduction of alcohol management plans has been politically hard. Time and time again, however, I met people in communities who believe that it was the right decision. This week’s budget saw the announcement that a police station will now be built in Wujal Wujal. It means that every Aboriginal community on Cape York, except the small town of Mapoon, which is serviced from Weipa, now has a permanent police presence. I thank the minister for that. If Mal Brough really wants to make a difference to the lives of Indigenous people, he should put money into Indigenous housing. Again, this is an area where the state takes the lead, but how much more fruitful our endeavours would be if the federal government made a more appropriate contribution. This is a difficult matter and there are no easy answers, but I hope that the federal government can build on the work of the Queensland government and, more importantly, the work being done by people on the ground. Time expired. Motion agreed to. The House adjourned at 5.20 pm. 2552 Attendance 09 Jun 2006

ATTENDANCE Attwood, Barry, Beattie, Bligh, Boyle, Briskey, Caltabiano, Choi, Clark E, Clark L, Copeland, Croft, Cummins, Cunningham E, Cunningham N, Douglas, English, Fenlon, Finn, Foley, Fouras, Fraser, Hayward, Hobbs, Hoolihan, Hopper, Horan, Jarratt, Johnson, Keech, Knuth, Langbroek, Lavarch, Lawlor, Lee Long, Lee, Lingard, Livingstone, Lucas, McArdle, McGrady, McNamara, Male, Malone, Menkens, Messenger, Mickel, Miller, Mulherin, Nelson-Carr, Nolan, Nuttall, O’Brien, Palaszczuk, Pearce, Pitt, Pratt, Purcell, Quinn, Reeves, Reilly, Reynolds, Rickuss, Roberts E, Roberts N, Robertson, Rogers, Rowell, Schwarten, Scott, Seeney, Shine, Simpson, Smith, Spence, Springborg, Stone, Struthers, Stuckey, Sullivan C, Sullivan T, Wallace, Welford, Wellington, Wells, Wilson

GOVERNMENT PRINTER, QUEENSLAND—2006