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 FIRST SESSION OF THE FIFTY-SECOND PARLIAMENT Page Tuesday, 25 November 2008

ASSENT TO BILL ...... 3639 Tabled paper: Letter from Her Excellency the Governor to the Speaker, dated 13 November 2008, advising of a bill assented to...... 3639 SPEAKER’S STATEMENT ...... 3639 Answers to Questions on Notice ...... 3639 PETITIONS ...... 3639 TABLED PAPERS ...... 3640 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS ...... 3642 Bedford Weir, Child Drowning ...... 3642 South-East Storms, Damage ...... 3643 Motion to Take Note ...... 3644 South-East Queensland Water Grid ...... 3645 Traveston Dam ...... 3647 Tabled paper: Letter from Managing Director, Marsden Jacob Associates to the CEO Queensland Water Infrastructure of 12 September 2008 regarding comments from the opposition in Queensland parliament on 11 September 2008 regarding the impact of pumping costs on relative cost of Traveston Crossing Dam and desalination plant...... 3647 Tabled paper: Letter from the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts to the CEO Queensland Water Infrastructure regarding Decision on approval—Queensland Water Infrastructure Pty/Ltd/Water management and use/Teviot Brook near Boonah/QLD/ (EPBC Reference: 2006/3157)...... 3647 Bedford Weir, Child Drowning; Fabridams ...... 3648 South-East Queensland Storms, Recovery Assistance ...... 3648 South-East Queensland Storms, Economic Impact ...... 3649 South-East Queensland Storms, Recovery Assistance ...... 3649 South-East Queensland Storms, Recovery Assistance ...... 3650 South-East Queensland Storms, Recovery Assistance ...... 3651 South-East Queensland Storms, Recovery Assistance ...... 3651 Tabled paper: Report from Residential Tenancy Authority detailing storm damage to properties...... 3651

M F REYNOLDS N J LAURIE L J OSMOND SPEAKER CLERK OF THE PARLIAMENT CHIEF HANSARD REPORTER Table of Contents — Tuesday, 25 November 2008

PERSONAL EXPLANATION ...... 3652 Correction of Error in Record of Proceedings ...... 3652 SCRUTINY OF LEGISLATION COMMITTEE ...... 3652 Report ...... 3652 Tabled paper: Scrutiny of Legislation Committee Alert Digest No. 13 of 2008...... 3652 Tabled paper: Submission to the Scrutiny of Legislation Committee in relation to the Summary Offence Act 2005 (Qld) by Alastair McAdam...... 3652 MEMBERS’ ETHICS AND PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGES COMMITTEE ...... 3652 Report ...... 3652 Tabled paper: Members’ Ethics and Parliamentary Privileges Committee Report No. 93—Matter of privilege referred by the Registrar on 21 July 2008 relating to the alleged failure by the Premier to register a benefit received in the Register of Members’ Interests...... 3652 QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE ...... 3652 Traveston Dam; Recycled Water ...... 3652 Traveston Dam; Recycled Water ...... 3653 Traveston Dam ...... 3654 Traveston Dam ...... 3655 Recycled Water ...... 3656 Traveston Dam ...... 3656 South-East Queensland Storms, Recovery Assistance ...... 3657 Children’s Hospital, Bed Numbers ...... 3657 South-East Queensland Storms, Recovery Assistance ...... 3658 Midyear Budget Review ...... 3659 Water Supply ...... 3659 SES Volunteers ...... 3660 White Ribbon Day ...... 3660 Recycled Water ...... 3661 White Ribbon Day ...... 3661 Citytrain Network ...... 3662 Far-, Tourism ...... 3662 Cuff, Mr S ...... 3663 Year of Physical Activity ...... 3663 MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST ...... 3664 Recycled Water ...... 3664 South-East Queensland Storms, The Gap ...... 3666 Tap Girls ...... 3666 Royal Children’s Hospital, Relocation ...... 3667 Australia ...... 3668 Lockyer Electorate, Maintenance ...... 3669 Tabled paper: Emails dated 30 June 2008 and 22 October 2008, letter dated 3 April 2008 and undated photo relating to the Forest Hill-Fernvale Road and the Lockyer Creek Bridge...... 3669 White Ribbon Day ...... 3670 Natural Disasters ...... 3671 Education and Training Reforms for the Future ...... 3672 Maryborough, Flight Training School ...... 3673 White Ribbon Day ...... 3673 MINISTERIAL PAPER ...... 3674 Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Review of Criminal Code ...... 3674 Tabled paper: Department of justice review of section 280 of the Criminal Code...... 3674 PROPERTY LAW AND ANOTHER ACT AMENDMENT BILL ...... 3675 First Reading ...... 3675 Tabled paper: Property Law and Another Act Amendment Bill 2008...... 3675 Tabled paper: Property Law and Another Act Amendment Bill 2008, explanatory notes...... 3675 Second Reading ...... 3675 CORRECTIVE SERVICES AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL (NO. 2) ...... 3676 First Reading ...... 3676 Tabled paper: Corrective Services and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2008...... 3676 Tabled paper: Corrective Services and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2008, explanatory notes...... 3676 Second Reading ...... 3676 SUMMARY OFFENCES AND OTHER ACTS AMENDMENT BILL ...... 3678 Second Reading ...... 3678 Consideration in Detail ...... 3682 Clauses 1 to 9, as read, agreed to...... 3682 Third Reading ...... 3682 Long Title ...... 3682 Table of Contents — Tuesday, 25 November 2008

JUSTICE (FAIR TRADING) LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL ...... 3682 Second Reading ...... 3682 Consideration in Detail ...... 3693 Clauses 1 to 3, as read, agreed to...... 3693 Clause 4, as read, agreed to...... 3694 Clauses 5 to 11, as read, agreed to...... 3694 Clause 12, as read, agreed to...... 3694 Clause 13, as read, agreed to...... 3694 Clause 14, as read, agreed to...... 3694 Clause 15, as read, agreed to...... 3695 Clauses 16 to 22, as read, agreed to...... 3695 Clause 23, as read, agreed to...... 3696 Clause 24, as read, agreed to...... 3696 Clause 25, as read, agreed to...... 3696 Clauses 26 and 27, as read, agreed to...... 3696 Clause 28, as read, agreed to...... 3696 Clauses 29 and 30, as read, agreed to...... 3696 Clause 31, as read, agreed to...... 3697 Clauses 32 to 59, as read, agreed to...... 3697 Division: Question put—That clause 60, as read, stand part of the bill...... 3698 Clause 60, as read, agreed to...... 3698 Clauses 61 to 64, as read, agreed to...... 3698 Clauses 65 to 107, as read, agreed to...... 3698 Schedule, as read, agreed to...... 3698 Third Reading ...... 3699 Long Title ...... 3699 MOTION ...... 3699 Order of Business ...... 3699 EMERGENCY SERVICES LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL ...... 3699 Second Reading ...... 3699 Tabled paper: Letter, undated, from Ron Trim, Chairman, Neurum Rural Fire Brigade to Mr Malone MP, member for Mirani, in relation to the Neurum Rural Fire Brigade...... 3701 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ...... 3703 Bedford Weir, Child Drowning; Fabridams ...... 3703 EMERGENCY SERVICES LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL ...... 3704 Second Reading ...... 3704 MOTION ...... 3716 Order of Business ...... 3716 MOTION ...... 3716 Revocation of State Forest Areas ...... 3716 MOTION ...... 3718 Revocation of State Forest Areas ...... 3718 MOTION ...... 3720 Order of Business ...... 3720 EMERGENCY SERVICES LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL ...... 3720 Second Reading ...... 3720 Consideration in Detail ...... 3734 Clauses 1 to 3, as read, agreed to...... 3734 Clause 4, as read, agreed to...... 3735 Clauses 5 to 7, as read, agreed to...... 3735 Clause 8, as read, agreed to...... 3736 Clauses 9 to 15, as read, agreed to...... 3736 Clause 16, as read, agreed to...... 3736 Clauses 17 to 24, as read, agreed to...... 3736 Third Reading ...... 3736 Long Title ...... 3736 ADJOURNMENT ...... 3736 Traveston Dam ...... 3737 Year of Physical Activity ...... 3737 ecoBiz ...... 3738 Cawarral Rural Fire Brigade ...... 3738 The Kakakios Family ...... 3739 Tabled paper: Copy of media article titled ‘Family takes sporting rumble to the big smoke’...... 3739 Schipper, Ms J ...... 3739 Hughenden Hospital, Operating Theatre ...... 3740 Traffic Congestion Forum ...... 3740 Burma, Human Rights ...... 3741 Heit, Mrs P ...... 3741 ATTENDANCE ...... 3742 25 Nov 2008 Legislative Assembly 3639 TUESDAY, 25 NOVEMBER 2008

Legislative Assembly The Legislative Assembly met at 9.30 am. Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr English, Redlands) read prayers and took the chair. Mr Deputy Speaker acknowledged the traditional owners of the land upon which this parliament is assembled and the custodians of the sacred lands of our state.

ASSENT TO BILL Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr English): Honourable members, I have to report that I have received from Her Excellency the Governor a letter in respect of assent to a certain bill, the contents of which will be incorporated in the Record of Proceedings. I table the letter for the information of members. The Honourable M.F. Reynolds, AM, MP Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Parliament House George Street QLD 4000 I hereby acquaint the Legislative Assembly that the following Bill, having been passed by the Legislative Assembly and having been presented for the Royal Assent, was assented to in the name of Her Majesty The Queen on the date shown: Date of Assent: 13 November 2008 “A Bill for An Act to refer certain matters relating to water management to the Commonwealth Parliament, to repeal the Murray-Darling Basin Act 1996 and to amend for particular purposes the Land Act 1994, the Land Title Act 1994, the Water Act 2000 and particular water resource plans” This Bill is hereby transmitted to the Legislative Assembly, to be numbered and forwarded to the proper Officer for enrolment, in the manner required by law. Yours sincerely Governor 13 November 2008 Tabled paper: Letter from Her Excellency the Governor to the Speaker, dated 13 November 2008, advising of a bill assented to.

SPEAKER’S STATEMENT

Answers to Questions on Notice Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr English): Honourable members, standing order 114 requires that answers to questions on notice shall be supplied to the Table Office within 30 calendar days. Where the 30th day is not a working day, the longstanding practice that has been adopted is that the answer should be provided by the next working day. An answer is deemed to be tabled when it is received by the Table Office and its receipt is noted by the Clerk or their nominee. I wish to advise honourable members that, due to the intervening Christmas-new year closure period, answers to questions on notice asked this week and next week are required to be supplied to the Table Office by Monday, 5 January 2009.

PETITIONS

The Clerk presented the following paper petitions, lodged by the honourable members indicated—

Kunda Park Industrial Estate, Zoning Mr Dickson, from 133 petitioners, requesting the House to ensure that the Kunda Park industry estate is rezoned from its present core industry status to light and green industry zoning that will be safe for the environment, residents’ health and compatible with the present ‘tourist-attractive’ amenities of the Sunshine Coast.

CoastConnect; Aerodrome Road and Alexandra Parade Miss Simpson, 3 petitions, 853 petitioners in total, requesting the House to oppose the CoastConnect transit lanes and the proposed removal of on-street car parking along Aerodrome Road and Alexandra Parade and to support better public transport solutions without this impact.

Dows Creek State School Mr Malone, from 678 petitioners, requesting the House to conduct a full review and assessment of the decision to close Dows Creek State School and to keep the school open for 12 months in order to give the community time to conduct recruitment initiatives. 3640 Tabled Papers 25 Nov 2008

Hughenden Health Centre Mr McArdle, from 433 petitioners, requesting the House to immediately recommission and upgrade the operating theatre at the Hughenden Health Centre and to appoint a flying surgeon to service regional and rural areas of North West Queensland.

The Clerk presented the following e-petitions, sponsored by the honourable members indicated—

Adoption Laws Mr Dempsey, from 212 petitioners, requesting the House to include section 39 of the Adoption of Children Act 1964 in the current review of Queensland’s adoption laws.

Raines Road, Upgrade Mr Messenger, from 15 petitioners, requesting the House to immediately allocate funds sufficient to upgrade and seal Raines Road, Sharon, in the electorate of Burnett, for the safety of all motorists to prevent further accidents or loss of life on this dangerous road. Petitions received.

TABLED PAPERS

PAPERS TABLED DURING THE RECESS The Clerk informed the House that the following papers, received during the recess, were tabled on the dates indicated— 14 November 2008— 4627 Department of Education, Training and the Arts—Annual Report 2007-08 4628 Queensland Museum—Annual Report 2007-08 4629 Library Board of Queensland—Annual Report 2007-08 4630 Queensland Art Gallery—Annual Report 2007-08 4631 Queensland Performing Arts Trust—Annual Report 2007-08 4632 Training and Employment Recognition Council—Annual Report 2007-08 4633 Australian Agricultural College Corporation—Annual Report 2007-08 4634 Training Ombudsman—Annual Report 2007-08 4635 Southbank Institute of Technology—Annual Report 2007-08 4636 Queensland Studies Authority—Annual Report 2007-08 4637 Non-State Schools Accreditation Board—Annual Report 2007-08 4638 Department of Employment and Industrial Relations—Annual Report 2007-08 4638A Department of Employment and Industrial Relations—Annual Report 2007-08, Erratum 4639 Q-COMP Workers’ Compensation Regulatory Authority—Annual Report 2007-08 4640 Q-COMP Workers’ Compensation Regulatory Authority—Statistics Report 2007-08 4641 QLeave Building and Construction Industry Portable Long Service Leave Authority—Annual Report 2007-08 4642 Contract Cleaning Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Authority—Annual Report 2007-08 4643 Queensland Workplace Rights Ombudsman—Annual Report 2007-08 4644 Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry—Annual Report 2007-08 4645 Tourism Queensland—Annual Report 2007-08 4646 Department of Tourism, Fair Trading and Wine Industry Development—Final Report 1 July 2006 to 30 September 2007 4647 Department of Main Roads—Annual Report 2007-08 4648 Department of Main Roads—Financial Report 2007-08 4649 Queensland Motorways—Annual Report 2007-08 4650 Queensland Motorways Management Pty Ltd—Annual Report 2007-08 4651 The Gateway Bridge Company Limited—Annual Report 2007-08 4652 Logan Motorway Company Limited—Annual Report 2007-08 4653 Port Motorway Limited—Annual Report 2007-08 4654 Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation—Annual Report 2007-08 4655 Department of Child Safety—Annual Report 2007-08 4656 Department of Emergency Services—Annual Report 2007-08 4657 Blueprint for the Bush—2008 Annual Progress Report 4658 Environmental Protection Agency—Annual Report 2007-08 4659 Annual Report and State of the Wet Tropics Report—Annual Report 2007-08 4660 National Trust of Queensland—Annual Report 2007-08 4661 Department of Justice and the Attorney-General—Annual Report 2007-08 4662 Department of Justice and the Attorney-General—Financial Report 2007-08 25 Nov 2008 Tabled Papers 3641

4663 Land Court of Queensland—Annual Report 2007-08 4664 Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland—Annual Report 2007-08 4665 Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland—Financial Report 2007-08 4666 Legal Aid Queensland—Annual Report 2007-08 4667 Queensland Ombudsman—Annual Report 2007-08 4668 Public Trustee of Queensland—Annual Report 2007-08 4669 Reports on the Operations of the Land Tribunals established under the Aboriginal Land Act 1991 and the Torres Strait Islander Land Act 1991—Annual Report 2007-08 4670 Legal Services Commission—Annual Report 2007-08 4671 Children Services Tribunal—Annual Report 2007-08 4672 Legal Practitioners Admissions Board—Annual Report 2007-08 4673 Legal Practitioners Admissions Board—Annual Report 2005-06 4674 Legal Practitioners Admissions Board—Annual Report 2004-05 4675 Legal Practitioners Admissions Board—Annual Report 2004-05 and Legal Practitioners Admissions Board—Annual Report 2005-06: Late tabling statement from the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland 4676 Legal, Constitutional and Administrative Review Committee—Annual Report 2007-08 4677 Department of Mines and Energy—Annual Report 2007-08 4678 Valuers Registration Board of Queensland—Annual Report 2007-08 4679 Department of Natural Resources and Water—Annual Report 2007-08 4680 Department of Natural Resources and Water—Financial Statements 2007-08 4681 Dumaresq-Barwon Border Rivers Commission—Annual Report 2007-08 4682 Gladstone Area Water Board—Annual Report 2007-08 4683 Surveyors Board Queensland—Annual Report 2007-08 4684 SunWater—Annual Report 2007-08 4685 SunWater—Statement of Corporate Intent 2007-08 4686 LinkWater—Annual Report 2007-08 4687 —Annual Report 2007-08 4688 Queensland Institute of Medical Research—Annual Report 2007-08 4689 Council of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research and Queensland Institute of Medical Research Trust—Financial Report 2007-08 4690 Queensland Health—Annual Report 2007-08 4691 Office of Health Practitioner Registration Boards—Annual Report 2007-08 4692 Chiropractors Board of Queensland—Annual Report 2007-08 4693 Dental Board of Queensland—Annual Report 2007-08 4694 Dental Technicians and Dental Prosthetists Board of Queensland—Annual Report 2007-08 4695 Medical Radiation Technologists Board of Queensland—Annual Report 2007-08 4696 Occupational Therapists Board of Queensland—Annual Report 2007-08 4697 Optometrists Board of Queensland—Annual Report 2007-08 4698 Osteopaths Board of Queensland—Annual Report 2007-08 4699 Pharmacists Board of Queensland—Annual Report 2007-08 4700 Physiotherapists Board of Queensland—Annual Report 2007-08 4701 Podiatrists Board of Queensland—Annual Report 2007-08 4702 Psychologists Board of Queensland—Annual Report 2007-08 4703 Speech Pathologists Board of Queensland—Annual Report 2007-08 4704 Queensland Nursing Council—Annual Report 2007-08 4705 Medical Board of Queensland and Office of the Medical Board of Queensland—Annual Report 2007-08 4706 Department of Infrastructure and Planning—Annual Report 2007-08 4707 Queensland Water Commission—Annual Report 2007-08 4708 Urban Land Development Authority—Annual Report 2007-08 4709 SEQ Water Grid Manager—Annual Report 2007-08 4710 Queensland Manufactured Water Authority—Annual Report 2007-08 4711 Gladstone Economic and Industry Development Board—Annual Report 2007-08 4712 Community Futures Task Force—Annual Report 2007-08 17 November 2008— 4713 Response from the Minister for Main Roads and Local Government (Mr Pitt) to a paper petition (1131-08) presented by Mr Wellington from 925 petitioners requesting an upgrade and widening of the Kenilworth-Maleny Road between Conondale and the Bill Waldon Bridge at Little Yabba Creek 3642 Ministerial Statements 25 Nov 2008

18 November 2008— 4714 Health Quality and Complaints Commission—Annual Report 2007-08 19 November 2008— 4715 Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee: Submission by the Crime and Misconduct Commission to the Committee in relation to the Three Yearly Review of the activities of the Crime and Misconduct Commission, pursuant to s 292(f) of the Crime and Misconduct Act 2001 4716 Response from the Treasurer (Mr Fraser) to an ePetition (1030-08) sponsored by Mr Moorhead from 312 petitioners regarding the compulsory third party insurance system in Queensland 20 November 2008— 4717 Penalties and Sentences and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2008: Erratum to Explanatory Notes 4718 Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee: Submission by the Queensland Police Service in relation to the Three Yearly Review of the activities of the Crime and Misconduct Commission, pursuant to s 292(f) of the Crime and Misconduct Act 2001 4719 Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee: Submission by the Queensland Police Commissioned Officers’ Union in relation to the Three Yearly Review of the activities of the Crime and Misconduct Commission, pursuant to s 292(f) of the Crime and Misconduct Act 2001 4720 Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee: Submission by Queensland Health in relation to the Three Yearly Review of the activities of the Crime and Misconduct Commission, pursuant to s 292(f) of the Crime and Misconduct Act 2001 4721 Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee: Submission by the Department of Emergency Services in relation to the Three Yearly Review of the activities of the Crime and Misconduct Commission, pursuant to s 292(f) of the Crime and Misconduct Act 2001 4722 Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee: Submission by Incorrections in relation to the Three Yearly Review of the activities of the Crime and Misconduct Commission, pursuant to s 292(f) of the Crime and Misconduct Act 2001 4723 Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee: Submission by the Department of Main Roads in relation to the Three Yearly Review of the activities of the Crime and Misconduct Commission, pursuant to s 292(f) of the Crime and Misconduct Act 2001 STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS The following statutory instruments were tabled by the Clerk— Exotic Diseases in Animals Act 1981— 4732 Exotic Diseases in Animals (Acarine and Varroa Mites) Amendment Notice (No. 1) 2008, No. 371 Mineral Resources Act 1989— 4733 Mineral Resources Amendment Regulation (No. 5) 2008, No. 372 Nature Conservation Act 1992— 4734 Nature Conservation Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 3) 2008, No. 373 Water and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2007— 4735 Water and Other Legislation Amendment (Postponement) Regulation 2008, No. 374 Building Act 1975, Plumbing and Drainage Act 2002— 4736 Building and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2008, No. 375 Gaming Machine Act 1991— 4737 Gaming Machine Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2008, No. 376 Electrical Safety Act 2002— 4738 Electrical Safety Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2008, No. 377

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Bedford Weir, Child Drowning Hon. AM BLIGH (South Brisbane—ALP) (Premier) (9.34 am): On Sunday afternoon at about 4.30 pm the fabridam bladder at the Bedford Weir near Blackwater ruptured, instantly sending thousands of megalitres of water rushing over the wall and down the Mackenzie River. Tragically for those swimming below the weir, there was no warning. I am sure that all members of this parliament join with me in extending our sympathies to Nelani Koefer’s family and all of the people of Blackwater. Four- year-old Nelani was caught in the flood and tragically died. Last night I spoke with Nelani’s mum, Amy, and my thoughts are with Amy today and her parents, Mick and Deb, and all of Nelani’s family and friends. Sunday’s tragic loss of their much-loved daughter and granddaughter is a reminder to all of us of the fragile hold that we have on life. The government will ensure that a thorough investigation of this tragic event is conducted. The Coroner has already begun examinations and the government will offer every cooperation and assistance in this inquiry. 25 Nov 2008 Ministerial Statements 3643

South-East Queensland Storms, Damage Hon. AM BLIGH (South Brisbane—ALP) (Premier) (9.36 am): It has been a very challenging time for south-east Queenslanders and people throughout the state. On Sunday, 16 November severe storms swept through Brisbane and the south-east of the state. This terrifying force of nature cut a swathe through suburbs to the west of Brisbane, from the north to the south. Suburbs of The Gap, Keperra, Ferny Hills and Arana Hills took the brunt of the weather. Homes lost their roofs, trees fell and property was destroyed. I visited the area early on Monday morning and, like Queenslanders watching on their television screens, I was shocked by what I saw. This storm has caused damage to over 4,000 homes, with many now classed as unlivable. Family homes have been totally devastated. The storms claimed their first life when a young man died in floodwaters in a drain system in Chermside on that Sunday. Nature had taken a terrible toll, but more was still to come. Storms and heavy rain came on Wednesday night, battering the Ipswich, Brisbane and Toowoomba areas. By the morning of Thursday, 20 November, Gatton alone had reported up to 250 millimetres of rain. The storms claimed a second life—a woman who died when the car she was travelling in was swept away by floodwaters at a crossing on Laidley Creek. Flooding has occurred across Ipswich, Brisbane and the Inner City Bypass was closed. But nature was not finished with us yet. On Thursday evening the first severe thunderstorm warning for the Emerald region was issued at 5.35 pm. The small town of Blackwater suffered hail and wind damage to over 130 homes and schools. I visited the area on Friday along with the local member, Jim Pearce, and for the second time that week I was genuinely shocked by the severity of the damage caused. By Friday of last week, Brisbane had seen 232 millimetres of rain, Ipswich 264 and Blackwater 54. The cost of last week’s severe storm has been huge in financial terms and, much more worryingly, in terms of human hardship. To date over 18,000 insurance claims have been registered to the value of over $175 million. This has been one of our most difficult times, but the response of the community is something that all Queenslanders can be proud of. Over 25,000 calls were made to the SES hotline in the week after the storms hit. Between 250 and 400 SES volunteers have been involved on a daily basis contributing an estimated 25,200 volunteer hours of effort. At the peak of the disaster on Thursday, 20 November, over 1,500 Emergency Services and Australian Defence Force personnel were involved in storm damage operations. They completed almost 5,000 jobs across Queensland, including 1,500 tarping jobs since last Sunday. These efforts have been almost superhuman. Volunteers came from north Queensland, and outside the state from both New South Wales and Victoria. Over 200 QFRS officers and 850 Defence Force personnel played their part. The efforts of these volunteers and our emergency workers and our Defence Force personnel have been nothing short of magnificent. The numbers that I have outlined here this morning tell something of the scale and magnitude of what has happened, but they do not tell the stories of human hardship and bravery that I and other members of the House on both side of politics have witnessed over the past week. Energex and Ergon workers toiled through more than one night in torrential rain to restore power to homes while their own families stayed at home and worried for their safety. At one stage more than 30 kilometres of powerlines were down and on the first night of the storms alone damage to power poles blacked out over 80,000 houses. SES workers put their lives on hold for a week to give something back to the communities they love. I think I speak for all Queenslanders when I say thank you to each and every one of them for their service and for their sacrifice. The fact is that we just could not have got through it without them. A feature of these storms has been how well all levels of government have come together to respond when needed. I have to say that the Minister for Emergency Services, Neil Roberts, did an outstanding job of coordinating efforts. The member for Ferny Grove, whose own electorate was savaged very severely, did a sterling job in managing the restoration of power through his responsibilities as minister for energy. The member for Ashgrove, Kate Jones, deserves a special mention for her tireless work on the ground with storm victims. Across Queensland, 13 local government areas have been declared under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements. The efforts of these local governments have been outstanding. Each and every one of them responded swiftly and appropriately to the disasters that were facing their region. I would like to give particular credit to Lord Mayor Campbell Newman, who worked tirelessly for the people of Brisbane. I particularly mention his prompt contact with Enoggera army barracks early on Monday morning, which ensured that we had Army personnel on the streets by Monday afternoon. In that regard, I also thank the Prime Minister and particularly the acting Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, with whom I spoke early on Monday morning and who acted swiftly to put in place the disaster declarations necessary for us to ensure that people could get hardship relief and who ensured that protocols were put in place to authorise the Army deployment. As Premier, I visited each of the five recovery disaster centres in south-east Queensland and I met many people who are doing it very tough. They are doing it tough now and they are facing what can only be described as, I think, a very difficult Christmas. We are now working to provide them with the 3644 Ministerial Statements 25 Nov 2008 support they need. The Premier’s appeal that was launched last Wednesday now stands at just over $917,000. We have seen a total of 4,885 applications for personal hardship, totalling more than $2.6 million. That is 4,800 people who have needed some help to get through this in financial terms. There is no doubt it has been a very challenging time for Queensland, but I am very proud of this state and I am very proud to say that Queenslanders have proven themselves to be up to the challenge—proven themselves to be equal to one of the most significant disasters, particularly that our capital city has seen, for possibly three decades. We will now move into the recovery stage. The minister for public works has worked with the Insurance Council to ensure that we can put in place a task force to oversee the rebuilding. That will be chaired by John Gaskin, the President of the Master Builders Association, who brings to the task his experience from the recovery efforts after the Mackay floods. But we know that for those people who are waiting for their homes to be rebuilt after this disaster, they face some really tough times. There is never a good time for something like this to happen, but they will feel it particularly hard as we go into the Christmas period. I know the thoughts of everybody in this House are with those people who suffered this damage. We look forward to them having a time over Christmas to share with their family and we will be their holding their hands as they go through what is likely to be a difficult period in the aftermath of these storms. I conclude by repeating my heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped in ensuring that we were able to cope with this disaster.

Motion to Take Note Hon. AM BLIGH (South Brisbane—ALP) (Premier) (9.43 am): I move— That the House take note of the statement. Mr SPRINGBORG (Southern Downs—LNP) (Leader of the Opposition) (9.44 am): Firstly, I thank very much the Premier for the opportunity that she has provided me, on behalf of the opposition, to be able to rise this morning to reflect upon the extraordinarily tragic events that we have seen in the past week across much of Queensland. It has brought home to us the reality of what is a very serious storm season. One would certainly hope that it is going to end very soon and that it is not going to cause any more damage or tragedy that we have seen in recent times. On behalf of the opposition I pass on to those people who have been so personally affected and, in some cases, so tragically affected by the loss of life our heartfelt thoughts and condolences—not only for those people who lost their lives in floodwaters in south-east Queensland but also in the tragic events at the Bedford Weir. Also, buried in among this we must not forget the fact that there was a tragedy at a home in Ascot where a number of people were taken hospital. Just over 20 people were seriously injured when a balcony collapsed and there was the loss of a life at a time when there should have been great celebration for a school community. Many areas of Queensland have been affected in the past week by these serious storms, notably suburbs around Brisbane, in Ipswich, the Lockyer Valley, Beaudesert, Blackwater and even to an extent there was storm damage in my own electorate of Southern Downs in and around Warwick. At times like this, there can be criticism of the response but from what I have seen in my visits to the recovery centres and the communities it has been a very good response from those people who have been involved. Indeed, the other day I was in the electorate of the honourable member for Ashgrove, Kate Jones, and we were talking with people out there. I would like to commend the government agencies that have been involved. In many cases those agencies were headed by the Department of Communities. They did an absolutely wonderful job. Emergency services responded exceptionally well, as did Energex and Ergon. In many cases, those workers put their own lives at risk by going out there during a quite turbulent storm to ensure that people could have some basic amenities restored to their lives. As well, the Department of Public Works and other departments continue to do work to assist people with their recovery. We should also acknowledge the role of the various councils throughout Queensland, because they play a very important role. The Premier has acknowledged the coordination across the various government agencies, because in many cases the councils, particularly in smaller communities, are the first port of call for activation to work with the SES and even to assist with regard to call centre operations. I pay tribute to them. Non-government agencies also did what they do so very well in the role that they play. The Salvation Army, Lifeline, the Red Cross and the St John’s Ambulance all played an absolutely fantastic role. Their efforts showed how much we appreciate them and why we appreciate them. The other day at the Ashgrove recovery centre I was talking to some of the Sallies there. One gentleman told me an anecdote about how he was in the supermarket the day before and was purchasing some goods and groceries to assist people in need. A woman leant over and asked what they were for. He said, ‘These are for people who have been affected by the storms.’ She said, ‘That’s on me’ and swiped her credit card for $240. That showed the generosity of the community, and we have seen so much of that. 25 Nov 2008 Ministerial Statements 3645

I acknowledge the contribution of the federal government in that Centrelink has worked so well as part of the recovery and the defence department called in the Army. The volunteers continue to do an extraordinarily impressive job. Also, the community generosity is something that I think will warm our hearts at this time of very great difficulty. I met a number of people on my visits to the recovery centres at Rosewood and Ashgrove. One thing that really struck me, particularly with those people who were affected, was how appreciative and grateful they were for the support that was being offered to them and the response that was coming from the government agencies, the volunteers and those people who came from interstate to assist. As the Premier said, many people from non-affected areas around Queensland came to help out as did also people from interstate. These people who were affected were extremely patient. They were very grateful. I could not find a single person who said that they were the worst affected. On every occasion when talking to people they said that somebody was worse affected than them, even though their house may not be fit to live in anymore. That demonstrates the level of resilience that people have in these times of adversity and disaster. The recovery team are extremely dedicated and compassionate and have carried out their job with extraordinary professionalism in these difficult times. It does concern me that people want to criticise. There may be some legitimate areas of criticism, but the overall magnitude of the problem and the need to respond have to be kept in perspective. Before anyone can legitimately criticise there does need to be a proper process of evaluation of the response. The proper questions do need to be asked. Maybe procedures can be improved but that is the learning experience that comes from each of these natural disasters and the way that we should respond. The final thing that I will touch on is the issue of recovery. I acknowledge the government putting in place a recovery team in relation to building headed by John Gaskin, who is very eminently qualified by the Master Builders Association. The minister for public works and housing and I were at the Master Builders Association last night for its Christmas celebration. This was a very hot topic. They were talking about how they can assist in the recovery process. I acknowledge the role and contribution of the insurance companies. Whilst there is a lot of pressure and a lot of concern now, it can take a long time for insurance claims to be settled. The honourable member for Hinchinbrook informed me yesterday that the last of the Cyclone Larry insurance claims were not necessarily settled until about July of this year. As the pressure is coming off, insurance companies need to make sure that those needs are properly met in a timely way. There will also be an ongoing need for counselling and support. As we saw earlier this year in Emerald, often it is when the adrenaline wears off and attention goes away from people that they fall in a very deep heap of personal despair and the post-traumatic stress starts to build. Ongoing counselling and support and neighbours looking out for each other need to be carried forward. As the Premier said, it will be quite a bleak Christmas for many people. I think we need to bear that in mind and provide any assistance that we possibly can. We all know people who are affected by this. My own personal assistant suffered very serious structural damage to her own home. There are many people like that and we should keep those people in our thoughts. With resilience, compassion, commitment and plain hard work I am sure we will be able to weather it. Our hearts and thoughts go out to all of those people as they go through this very difficult time. Question put—That the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to. South-East Queensland Water Grid Hon. AM BLIGH (South Brisbane—ALP) (Premier) (9.52 am): I inform the House today of some key developments in the construction of the south-east Queensland water grid. This morning we have received approval from the federal Minister for the Environment for Wyaralong Dam to proceed. The 103,000 megalitre dam will be located on the Teviot Brook within the Logan River catchment about 14 kilometres north-west of Beaudesert. When constructed, this dam will put up to an extra 21 million litres of water every year into our supply system when it is operated in conjunction with the recently completed . This is good news, and now that we have received the tick of approval we can get on with the job. We expect bulldozers on site early next year and the project is due for completion by the end of 2011. This is a significant milestone and it takes us one step closer to securing the future of water supply in south-east Queensland and is another major new infrastructure project for our state. I also have news in relation to Traveston Crossing Dam. As members would be aware, the Queensland Coordinator-General has been assessing the environmental impact of this project in line with his statutory obligations under law. Through this process it has been identified that the catchment, including the dam location, has suffered significant disturbance as a result of clearing and cultivation practices over many, many years. It is estimated that approximately 85 per cent of the study area has been cleared of native vegetation over that time. The Coordinator-General has raised 3646 Ministerial Statements 25 Nov 2008 concerns about the impact on habitat and achieving necessary rehabilitation and offsets for threatened species, including the Australian lungfish, the Mary River cod, the Mary River turtle and the southern barred frog. While no decision has yet been made, the Coordinator-General has formally advised Queensland Water Infrastructure that he believes a number of mitigation measures are required to minimise the impact on flora and fauna prior to the construction of the dam. All major projects disturb their environment and require rehabilitation work after the construction is complete. As a general rule, mitigation and rehabilitation is undertaken after the construction of a major project. However, the Coordinator-General met with me on 13 November and advised that should he approve the project it would need to include these measures and without these measures the project was unlikely to receive federal government approval. In response, the Coordinator-General has provided this recommendation to Queensland Water Infrastructure and we have now received formal advice from the CEO of Queensland Water Infrastructure that this work can be undertaken but that it will delay the construction of the Traveston Crossing Dam. Initiatives such as rehabilitating riparian habitats will take time. For example, Queensland Water Infrastructure has already indicated previously that approximately two years is required after the establishment to ensure at least 90 per cent of any planted seedlings survive. It has also noted that approximately five years is required after planting to ensure the habitat is suitable for fauna. As a result, QWI has indicated it will urgently consider the advice from the Coordinator-General and advise us of new time frames for the construction and completion of the dam. However, it is expected that developing and proving the effectiveness of the measures will result in a delay in construction of at least several years. While I am obviously disappointed in this delay, this is a statutory and independent approval process in which I cannot and will not intervene. I do, however, reiterate that the government remains committed to the Traveston Crossing Dam and we will do everything in our power to see it built. It is a good site for a dam. With the recent rain, Traveston Crossing would be full and overflowing again for the ninth time in six years. Opposition members interjected. Ms BLIGH: I reiterate: with the recent rain, Traveston Crossing would be full and overflowing again for the ninth time in six years. The recommendations of the Coordinator-General are designed to protect vulnerable species and to give the dam the best chance of gaining federal approval. If delaying by a couple of years improves the chances of getting this dam approved then that is a step that we will take. By following the course of action that I have spelt out, it is clear that we will have a much better chance of getting the project approved by both the Coordinator-General and the federal government. The necessary work to riparian areas will involve and require further discussion and consultation, particularly with rural landholders. Riparian zones are obviously on the creeks and they will need some work. There will need to be some further consultation to ensure that the damage that is currently happening to fauna in this area can be arrested and stopped in order to allow the dam to go ahead. Obviously a delay in the construction of the Traveston Crossing Dam has implications for the entire water grid. Over the past few weeks, like others in this House I have been listening to the views and the concerns of people in south-east Queensland about purified recycled water. It is clear that people believe that recycled water is a good insurance policy in the event that our dams plummet to low levels. But it is equally clear that people are uneasy about recycled water as a constant part of our water supply system. I have been listening to these concerns over the past few weeks against the backdrop of a possible delay in the Traveston Crossing Dam. The government has an overriding responsibility to ensure that we have the water we need. But we also have a responsibility to ensure that people have confidence in our water supply. Here in south-east Queensland we have successfully and dramatically cut our water use. We did this by working together—by making sure that people understood the need to change and helping them to make the changes that were necessary. We need to keep that community goodwill and we need to keep building on that partnership. Many things have changed since January 2007 when we announced that, with dams at perilously low levels, we had no choice but to cancel the proposed referendum on purified recycled water and push ahead with every available water source. First, we have dramatically cut our water use from approximately 180 litres a day per person to approximately 140 litres per person per day and we have maintained that over a very long period of time. Secondly, as we have all seen dramatically in the last few weeks, it has rained. In January 2007 combined dam levels were at 22 per cent; now they are at just more than 45 per cent. Thirdly, of course, our water grid has become a reality. More than 400 kilometres of pipeline has been laid connecting our water resources and water storage areas, allowing us to move water around. Our desalination plant is complete and I look forward to being at the ‘desal day’ on Sunday on the Gold Coast. Wyaralong Dam has been approved and construction is about to start, and purified recycled water is supplying our major power stations and has been for some time. 25 Nov 2008 Ministerial Statements 3647

In light of all those changes and confirmation yesterday of a delay in the Traveston Crossing Dam, today I will ask the Queensland Water Commission to provide urgent advice on whether the 40 per cent trigger that it identified in January 2007 for the introduction of purified recycled water is still sound. We set out to drought proof south-east Queensland and it is clear that we are well on the way to achieving that. Our water grid is well on the way to being finalised. The people of south-east Queensland deserve the benefit of that water grid and they deserve the benefit of the rain that we have experienced. We can now source water from every possible available source and we will use it wisely and carefully. The Queensland Water Commission will provide urgent advice. I look forward to advising the House of that advice as soon as possible.

Traveston Dam Hon. PT LUCAS (Lytton—ALP) (Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning) (10.01 am): The Bligh government remains committed to building the Traveston Crossing Dam to help secure south-east Queensland’s long-term water supply. As confirmed by Marsden Jacob, Traveston remains the most cost-effective, additional water solution for the region, and I table that report. Tabled paper: Letter from Managing Director, Marsden Jacob Associates to the CEO Queensland Water Infrastructure of 12 September 2008 regarding comments from the opposition in Queensland parliament on 11 September 2008 regarding the impact of pumping costs on relative cost of Traveston Crossing Dam and desalination plant. Indeed, I am advised that following the rains over the last week Traveston would once again be full and overflowing, which is the ninth time a dam on the Mary River would have filled since 2002. As the Premier has indicated, the Coordinator-General is still considering the environmental impact assessment and has not approved the project. However, following discussions with Queensland Water Infrastructure, the state government now intends to begin a number of vital environmental mitigation measures ahead of construction of the dam. This will provide greater certainty about the establishment of new habitat and use by species of interest. Given the current condition of the Mary River and surrounds, those measures are vital. Past clearing of native vegetation and farming in the Mary River catchment has resulted in significant loss of habitat for important freshwater species. Opposition members interjected. Mr Gibson: It’s the farmers fault! Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Callide, member for ! Miss Simpson: No-one believes you. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, member for Maroochydore! Mr Horan interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Toowoomba South, I warn you under standing order 253. Mr LUCAS: This just shows how little those opposite care about the environment. Look at all the crocodile tears people like the member for Gympie can shed! Past clearing of native vegetation and farming in the Mary River catchment has resulted in significant loss of habitat for important freshwater species. A total of 85 per cent of the study area for the Traveston Crossing Dam project has previously been cleared of native vegetation, predominantly through agricultural practices, but we are turning that around. Already, QWI has undertaken a 20 hectare trial forestry plantation ahead of a two million tree carbon offset. Federal government approval of Wyaralong Dam—and I table that approval letter—shows that major projects can be delivered in a way that reduces their impact on the environment. Early next year bulldozers will be on site pushing dirt, with the project due for completion by the end of 2011. Tabled paper: Letter from the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts to the CEO Queensland Water Infrastructure regarding Decision on approval—Queensland Water Infrastructure Pty/Ltd/Water management and use/Teviot Brook near Boonah/QLD/Wyaralong Dam (EPBC Reference: 2006/3157). The decision to delay the start of construction of Traveston and begin mitigation measures before construction of the dam wall shows we are committed to getting this right. Important sustainability and mitigation measures that could be undertaken before dam construction include constructing a freshwater species conservation centre to be operated by the University of Queensland, with particular emphasis on field and laboratory research into the Mary River turtle, Mary River cod, Queensland lungfish and other listed species. It would also include a program of works to ensure the quality of the Mary River and ongoing catchment management through the creation of new habitat, and rehabilitation and enhancement of existing habitat. The Mary River catchment has suffered from more than 100 years of development that has caused irrevocable damage, much of it from farming. Much of that development and farming took place with almost total disregard for the environment and for species like the Queensland lungfish, the Mary River cod and the Mary River turtle. Opposition members interjected. 3648 Ministerial Statements 25 Nov 2008

Mr LUCAS: The National Party is now running true to form. Its support for the environment did not last very long, did it? Water quality in the Mary River catchment already ranges from slightly to moderately impacted, with high levels of nutrients, bacteria and turbidity due primarily to agricultural activities, but also drought. The studies and research undertaken for the project indicate one of the most critical factors affecting the continued presence of the Mary River turtle is accidental damage through trampling by cattle. Opposition members interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members on my left, the Deputy Premier has the call. Mr LUCAS: Those opposite were interested in the environment for about 10 minutes, when it suited them. They are back to true form on dams. Likewise, the key issue in relation to the southern barred frog has been cattle grazing and the impacts of vegetation loss due to farming practices, in particular in swampy areas. This is the terrible legacy farming has left the Mary River catchment. However, thanks to higher dam levels and the security of supply that the Bligh government is delivering through the water grid, the Gold Coast desalination plant, the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project and the Wyaralong Dam we can take this decision responsibly. Today’s decision strengthens our resolve to build the Traveston Crossing Dam and corrects many of the environmental mistakes of the past. Bedford Weir, Child Drowning; Fabridams Hon. CA WALLACE (Thuringowa—ALP) (Minister for Natural Resources and Water and Minister Assisting the Premier in North Queensland) (10.06 am): As the Premier mentioned, on Sunday evening a four-year-old girl was tragically killed after water from the Bedford Weir suddenly flooded downstream. I am sure I speak for all members of parliament in expressing my deepest condolences to the young girl’s family. I know this will be a very difficult time for them. The release of water was a result of a rapidly deflating rubber fabridam. I am advised that the occurrence is the first of this sort involving a rubber fabridam being used on one of the state’s weirs. SunWater uses these fabridams at four weirs in Queensland and there have not been any incidents of a serious nature in the past. The fabridam at Bedford Weir has been in place since 1997 and SunWater advises it has a design life of between 15 and 20 years. SunWater has regular maintenance and inspection programs in place, including three monthly, six monthly and annual checks. I am advised by SunWater that during a visual inspection last Tuesday it was cleared and that it also passed a comprehensive mid-year annual inspection. Therefore, it is extremely concerning that this incident has occurred without warning. I have ordered SunWater to provide a comprehensive engineer’s report into the event as a matter of urgency and to conduct a review of inspection processes. SunWater’s senior dam safety engineers are conducting an investigation, as well as senior dam safety engineers from the Department of Natural Resources and Water. Yesterday SunWater conducted inspections on fabridams on all of its other sites. These did not identify any risks. The water levels at the remaining three weirs is very low, with a combined total of just 2,000 megalitres. Although I have been advised that the risk is minimal, public safety is paramount. I have ordered SunWater to undertake a communication strategy and erect public signs around the remaining weirs, warning the public not to swim in the areas immediately downstream. Any and all recommendations from the inquiries by the Coroner, SunWater and our Department of Natural Resources and Water engineers will be taken very seriously, and we will take any steps necessary to ensure the protection of human life. South-East Queensland Storms, Recovery Assistance Hon. NS ROBERTS (Nudgee—ALP) (Minister for Emergency Services) (10.08 am): Over the past week people in south-east Queensland, the and central Queensland have witnessed storm activity the likes of which has not been seen for 25 years. Following the initial storms on Sunday, the joint state-Commonwealth Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements were activated for eight local government areas including Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Scenic Rim, Ipswich, Gold Coast, Somerset, Logan City and the Sunshine Coast. Storms later in the week triggered NDRRA activation for another five local government areas—Toowoomba, Southern Downs, Lockyer Valley, Dalby and the central highlands. Thousands of homes and businesses were damaged, with up to 50 homes rendered unliveable. Tragically, three people lost their lives in areas affected by flooding over the past week, and our hearts and prayers go out to their families and friends. The SES was inundated with calls for help. Since Sunday afternoon, more than 20,000 calls were made to the SES hotline132500. Around 20 per cent of the total calls to the hotline since it was established around 17 months ago were made in a three-hour period on Sunday evening. 25 Nov 2008 Ministerial Statements 3649

Over 4,900 SES jobs have been completed in affected areas, including over 1,500 tarping jobs in south-east Queensland alone. Between 250 to over 400 SES and Rural Fire Service volunteers have been involved in the clean-up every day and they have contributed in excess of 25,200 hours of voluntary work. They have been supported in the clean-up and recovery efforts by staff from local councils, Energex and Ergon, Defence Force personnel and state government agencies, including the departments of Communities, Public Works, Main Roads, Queensland Health, Corrective Services and of course my own Department of Emergency Services, in particular Emergency Management Queensland and the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service. Every day an average of 350 Australian Defence Force personnel came to the aid of residents, as did charity groups such as the Red Cross, Lifeline, the Salvation Army, St John Ambulance and many other local community church groups and organisations. Our emergency services were at the forefront of the response activities. Officers from Emergency Management Queensland, the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service and the Ambulance Service provided valuable coordination, information and support to field staff and volunteers. The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service urban search and rescue teams conducted around 6,000 rapid damage assessments in the Brisbane region, and QFRS swiftwater rescue teams conducted around 40 rescues in very dangerous conditions. The events of the past week demonstrate how unpredictable Mother Nature is and how important it is to have a strong, coordinated disaster response system. I join with all members in thanking the more than 1,500 staff and volunteers who helped Queenslanders in need during these tragic events. South-East Queensland Storms, Economic Impact Hon. AP FRASER (Mount Coot-tha—ALP) (Treasurer) (10.12 am): Last week’s storms tread a devastating path through south-east Queensland and beyond. Along with the damage to personal property, a significant amount of state owned infrastructure and resources also bore the full brunt of the storms. With recovery operations ongoing, it is not yet possible to fully determine the impact the storms will have on individual agencies and ultimately on the state budget—a state budget already facing pressure from the fallout of the global financial crisis. Therefore, we have taken the decision to delay the major economic statement, which will incorporate the midyear review, to accommodate this latest pressure as well as the likely changes to Commonwealth-state financial relations that will be the subject of the treasurers council and COAG scheduled for Friday and Saturday of this week in Canberra. At a time when governments are managing the effects of the global financial crisis, Queensland is now faced with a damage bill already estimated to be close to $60 million and expected to climb. Preliminary estimates reflect damage across many sectors of government. The Department of Main Roads has already reported a damage bill of around $20 million—$14 million worth in metropolitan Brisbane alone. That includes $120,000 in revenue forgone from waiving the tolls on the Gateway Bridge during peak hour on Thursday. The Department of Communities similarly is faced with costs of over $21 million. Energex has provided an early estimate in the vicinity of $7.5 million, while many schools have also suffered, with damage expected to exceed $6 million across 136 schools. There has also been damage to ambulance stations, rail infrastructure and other public assets. All of these costs are likely to rise as government works to fully calculate the extent of the damage across all agencies. Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements payments to local governments alone already total $40 million this financial year as we meet the long-tail costs of past events, in particular the widespread flooding across the state from January this year. Extreme weather events like the one we have experienced can be unpredictable in their scope. Similarly, not one economist, nor one government anywhere in the world, foreshadowed the extent to which the global financial crisis would rip through economies regardless of size or stature. Once again Australians have woken up to hear of further extraordinary events—the crisis facing Citigroup and the UK’s aggressive fiscal moves. While there is still no way to define when the fallout will bottom out, there is clarity on who is best qualified to manage Queensland’s economy through these tough times. It was this government that rescued Queensland from the ravages of unemployment when we came to office, and it will be this government that is prepared to do what it takes to maintain our economic prosperity into the future against the full force of the global financial storm. South-East Queensland Storms, Recovery Assistance Hon. LH NELSON-CARR (Mundingburra—ALP) (Minister for Communities, Minister for Disability Services, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth) (10.14 am): The on-the-ground recovery response continues in the wake of the devastating storms which uprooted suburbs and traumatised many Queenslanders. We have 3650 Ministerial Statements 25 Nov 2008 community recovery centres at Everton Hills, Ashgrove, Ipswich, Narangba, Rosewood, Keperra and Blackwater. We are providing personal support and emergency financial assistance, with more than 6,659 hardship payments totalling in excess of $3.5 million. Individuals can receive up to $165 per person and up to $765 for a family of five or more. Means- tested financial assistance is available to those uninsured who have lost essential household contents or whose homes have been damaged structurally. As of the close of business yesterday, the department had received 391 applications for essential household contents assistance and 29 applications for structural grants. This next stage of assessing and repairing homes and communities will take time and patience, as people go through the process of organising quotes and setting about rebuilding their lives. Along with teams from my department, Lifeline Community Care and the Red Cross doorknocking some 363 homes, there are many people and organisations who have joined the recovery effort to help their fellow Queenslanders. Volunteering Queensland has taken 524 calls from those keen to lend a volunteering hand. There have been amazing acts of kindness, too, and good stories that I trust will stay fondly in memories for a long time. The Salvation Army put on a free sausage sizzle at Ashgrove, and there was the good Samaritan in Everton Hills who made sure a wallet was returned to its rightful owner. Then there are the food parcels, clothing donations, businesses supplying free coffee and the Red Cross trauma teddies. Members of the Muslim community of Kuraby joined members of the Uniting Church in outreach activities. And then there are all the staff behind the scenes, working long hours and serving Queenslanders in need. I have to say from my visits to each of the centres that I cannot believe how amazing these people are and how they manage to stay emotionally above a lot of the fear and the trauma that is presented to them. They are wonderful people. I am very proud to be associated with them. The Bligh government takes action and is planning the future with passion, drive and unity. As we enter the next phase of rebuilding after the devastating storms, I commend the collaborative spirit between agencies and community partners and the goodwill of the people of Queensland. South-East Queensland Storms, Recovery Assistance Hon. JC SPENCE (Mount Gravatt—ALP) (Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport) (10.17 am): All Queenslanders have been shocked by the destruction caused across the state by the recent storms. Once the extent of the damage caused became evident, Queensland Corrective Services and Queensland police made available a number of work crews comprised of low-risk prisoners and police recruits to assist in the clean-up work. Up to 200 police recruits from the Oxley academy have assisted the SES in clearing debris from around fallen powerlines as well as in doorknocking homes in the area. These recruits will continue to be made available to the disaster management centre for as long as they are required. In addition to the recruits, uniformed police have also contributed to the QPS response. Extra patrols were rostered in storm affected areas. Police also staffed 20 intersections that had lost traffic lights through power cuts. Extra police from the other metropolitan regions were joined by officers from the Public Safety Response Team, the Railway Squad, the mounted police and the dog and bike squads in maintaining public security and safety. Clean-up assistance by low-risk prison work crews carries on a long tradition of ‘giving back to the community’, begun in 1991 during the Charleville floods—of Corrective Services work camp crews providing valuable labour in the community at a time of need. Immediately upon receiving a request from the disaster management centre on 17 November, I authorised the deployment of three supervisors and 15 low-security prisoners from the Darling Downs Correctional Centre. At present there are 40 male and female prisoners and six supervisors working in and around The Gap area, clearing fallen trees and flood debris from parkland and walkways. The prisoners are using chainsaws and vehicles supplied by the Darling Downs Correctional Centre. The work has been so constant that several chainsaws have been returned to Darling Downs for major servicing. Female prisoners from the Helena Jones centre worked in Ipswich over the weekend sandbagging the SES headquarters. A group of male prisoners and their supervisors performed similar work at Rosewood. The QCS work crews from Darling Downs have considerable expertise in this kind of work, having assisted in the clean-up at Innisfail following Cyclone Larry as well as more recently working in Mackay following devastating floods in March this year. I have visited The Gap-Keperra area on a number of occasions over the last 10 days, and I am pleased to say that the police recruits, the prisoners and their supervisors are all doing an absolutely outstanding and vital job. Not only are the prisoners providing much-needed labour; they are very publicly giving back to the community against which they have offended in the past. The work that has been performed by all involved in the storm response is a real example of how this government is able to act immediately in response to unforeseen emergencies. 25 Nov 2008 Ministerial Statements 3651

South-East Queensland Storms, Recovery Assistance

Hon. GJ WILSON (Ferny Grove—ALP) (Minister for Mines and Energy) (10.20 am): The past week has seen some of the most violent, consecutive storms on record to hit south-east Queensland and other parts of the state. The response from Energex and Ergon Energy has been nothing short of magnificent. I want to acknowledge the professionalism and dedication of the field crews, the staff in contact centres taking calls for help, and the staff in control centres and out in the hubs planning and delivering what can only be described as an unbelievable recovery effort. As a resident of the north-western suburbs of Brisbane, I personally witnessed many Energex workers working on for many hours, knowing that their own families and homes were without power or flooded. Words cannot convey my admiration for what they did. They put the needs of others above their own. The massive size of the task they achieved is hard to comprehend. Around 365,000 homes and businesses had lost power since the first storm struck on that Sunday. By Friday morning, just 60 homes were awaiting reconnection. An Energex worker best summed up the extreme nature of Sunday’s storm when he said that it was the worst storm he had encountered in over a quarter of a century. More than 6,000 lightning strikes were recorded at the height of the storm, with wind gusts up to 130 kilometres an hour, heavy rain and hail. It was a potent mix. It cut a devastating path of destruction, bringing down hundreds of power lines. Ergon crews also worked around the clock repairing power lines and restoring power on the Darling Downs, the South Burnett, the Fraser Coast and central Queensland. It is not a nine-to-five job and, as we have all seen this past week, it can be hazardous. For that alone, we owe them our thanks. We have all learnt from this past week that it is not a matter of ‘if’ summer storms strike; it is a matter of ‘when’. It was good to know that Energex and Ergon were ready for action, ready to tackle whatever nature threw at the state’s electricity network. That is simply because good governments, responsible governments, plan for the future.

South-East Queensland Storms, Recovery Assistance

Hon. RE SCHWARTEN (Rockhampton—ALP) (Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology) (10.22 am): Q-Build has played a leading role in the clean- up after the devastating storms which hit south-east Queensland and the central highlands last week. More than 100 Q-Build trades personnel were involved in remedial works arising from the storms. As well as working to repair damage to state assets, Q-Build crews visited more than 1,250 private residences providing assistance including the removal of fallen trees, stacking of debris and repairs to make homes safe and weatherproof. Ahead of the anticipated storm activity on Saturday, Q-Build also helped to establish community evacuation centres, stockpiling bedding including mattresses, pillows and blankets to service up to 300 people. With regard to the Department of Housing, more than 640 departmentally owned and funded properties from Brisbane’s north-west suburbs, Ipswich, the Gold and Sunshine coasts and central Queensland have sustained damage of some description. This damage ranged from roofs blown off or houses damaged by fallen trees through to flood-damaged floor coverings, broken windows and the loss of electricity. The department responded immediately to the mammoth task of making properties safe as quickly as possible and finding, where necessary, alternative accommodation for its tenants. The day after the devastating storms on 16 November, departmental officers went door to door, doorknocking tenants to identify and prioritise damage. Where properties were unlivable, the department arranged alternative accommodation either in another departmental property or in a hotel. In one such instance, a family of two adults—one in a wheelchair—and their two children were moved from their home in Keperra into a hotel overnight while electricity was restored and other storm damage repaired. The Department of Housing has hit the ground running on repairing the damage to its dwellings, and I am confident that the damage will be repaired in a timely manner. I thank all of those departmental personnel who have gone beyond the limits of their normal professional roles. The RTA received more than 40 inquiries through its call centre about the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords with regard to storm damage to properties. I table a list of those for the interests of honourable members.

Tabled paper: Report from Residential Tenancy Authority detailing storm damage to properties. Finally, I want to acknowledge the efforts of BSA general manager, Ian Jennings, and his team for promptly setting up the recovery centre. I also want to thank BSA chair and Queensland Master Builders president, John Gaskin, for again stepping up to the plate to chair the recovery task force, and the insurers for their cooperation and their timely responsiveness. 3652 Questions Without Notice 25 Nov 2008

PERSONAL EXPLANATION

Correction of Error in Record of Proceedings Mrs STUCKEY (Currumbin—LNP) (10.25 am): I refer to my statements in the debate on the Health Practitioner Regulation (Administrative Arrangements) National Law Bill on 13 November 2008 in the Record of Proceedings on page 3593. The Record of Proceedings has noted me as stating, ‘The ADF notes a number of other issues in Professor Duckett’s work, including a rapidly decreasing demand for medical and allied healthcare services.’ A subsequent review of the audio of my speech indicates that I referred to ‘a rapidly increasing demand’ which I understand to be the correct reflection of the content in the Australian Doctors Fund submission to the government prior to the debating of this bill. While this error in the transcription was not discovered in time to prevent its publication in the weekly Hansard, I am informed that a correction will be made to the internet publication of the Record of Proceedings. I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to the Australian Doctors Fund for any unnecessary concern caused by this unintended mistake.

SCRUTINY OF LEGISLATION COMMITTEE

Report Mrs SULLIVAN (Pumicestone—ALP) (10.26 am): I table the Scrutiny of Legislation Committee’s Alert Digest No. 13 of 2008. In addition, I table a copy of the submission received by the committee regarding the Summary Offences and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2008. Tabled paper: Scrutiny of Legislation Committee Alert Digest No. 13 of 2008. Tabled paper: Submission to the Scrutiny of Legislation Committee in relation to the Summary Offence Act 2005 (Qld) by Alastair McAdam.

MEMBERS’ ETHICS AND PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGES COMMITTEE

Report Mrs LD LAVARCH (Kurwongbah—ALP) (10.27 am): I table report No. 93 of the Members’ Ethics and Parliamentary Privileges Committee titled Matter of privilege referred by the Speaker on 21 July 2008 relating to the alleged failure of the Premier to register a benefit received in the Register of Members’ Interests. I commend the report and the committee’s recommendation to the House. Tabled paper: Members’ Ethics and Parliamentary Privileges Committee Report No. 93—Matter of privilege referred by the Registrar on 21 July 2008 relating to the alleged failure by the Premier to register a benefit received in the Register of Members’ Interests.

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Traveston Dam; Recycled Water Mr SPRINGBORG (10.27 am): My first question without notice is to the honourable the Premier. I note the Premier’s statement to the House today that she has backed down on Traveston Dam and backed away from recycled sewage being put into our drinking water, and I ask: will the Premier confirm today that she now supports the LNP position that recycled sewage and medical waste in our drinking water should be the Armageddon solution only and that she got it wrong when it comes to what the people of south-east Queensland will really put up with? Ms BLIGH: I thank the honourable member for the question. As usual with the questions from the Leader of the Opposition, the premise is completely false. This government has not taken one step backwards in relation to the Traveston Crossing Dam. We are absolutely determined that this dam will go ahead. My announcement this morning that the conditions that are being contemplated by the Coordinator-General can and will be met in order to give this dam its best chance of a full approval not only by the Coordinator-General here in Queensland but also by the federal government— Mr Seeney: Peter Garrett told you he was going to say no, didn’t he? Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Callide! Mr Seeney interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Callide, I warn you under standing order 253. Ms BLIGH: This is a reflection of our determination that not only is this dam needed and we will build it but, as we have said all along, it will only go ahead if it meets the environmental requirements. That is exactly what we will do. 25 Nov 2008 Questions Without Notice 3653

What the EIS is showing us—and members heard all of the raucous interjecting when we talked about it this morning—is that, as we all know, there are vulnerable species in this catchment area. Why are they vulnerable? Because this river system is a degraded river system and it needs to be rebuilt. That will require the restoration of riparian zones so that breeding areas in those creeks and tributaries downstream— Opposition members interjected. Ms BLIGH: They just hate science. Mr Seeney interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Callide, please. Ms BLIGH: Here we see the National Party at its antiscience best. We have had the most comprehensive environmental study done of this area. It is telling us what needs to be done. That is what the science says. That is what we will do. Mr Springborg interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition! Mr Messenger interjected. Mr Hinchliffe interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Burnett, Leader of the Opposition and I think the member for Stafford, settle down. I call the Premier. Ms BLIGH: Equally, the science on recycled water is absolutely rock solid. The illogicality of those opposite stands to be judged by everybody. On the one hand they say it is unsafe and we should not drink it and on the other they say that it is fine to drink if there is an emergency. They do not know where they stand on this. They do not know whether they are Arthur or Martha on anything. They are incompetent when it comes to taking hard decisions. Those opposite are absolutely incompetent when it comes to making the tough decisions. Traveston Dam; Recycled Water Mr SPRINGBORG: My second question without notice is also to the Premier. Have the Premier’s backdowns on Traveston Dam and recycled sewerage in our drinking water today more to do with protecting the environment or health or is it ultimately because of the results of polling on recycled water by both the Water Commission and the ALP in Brisbane last week? Ms BLIGH: I thank the honourable member for the question. Again, his questions, as always in this House, are based on an absolutely false premise. Mr Springborg interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition, you asked the question and the Premier is answering it. I call the Premier. Ms BLIGH: There has been no backdown by the government on the Traveston Crossing Dam. The people of south-east Queensland want this dam. They understand it is necessary for their long-term water security. This dam would have filled and overflowed nine times in the last six years. What people need to understand about those opposite is that they do not want this dam. What they do want to put in place is a huge desalinated water program. What does desalinated water cost? That is what they will not tell the people of south-east Queensland. It will cost up to three times or more the price of water out of a dam. They will not tell the people of south-east Queensland what their water bills would be under Lawrence Springborg. Make no mistake, under Lawrence Springborg’s plan the price of water would rocket through the ceiling. Lawrence Springborg does not care about the bills of ordinary families. Lawrence Springborg does not care about the household water bills. The Leader of the Opposition does not care about the bills that families are paying. Opposition members interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members on my left! Mr Schwarten interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the House! I call the Premier. Ms BLIGH: The Leader of the Opposition’s plan for water includes the most expensive form of water not only in financial terms—and the hit it would have on households— Miss Simpson interjected. 3654 Questions Without Notice 25 Nov 2008

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Maroochydore, I warn you under standing order 253. Ms BLIGH: It would be the most expensive water in terms of the energy that it uses. The Leader of the Opposition wants to contribute to increased energy use and increased carbon emissions. He wants to charge the households and families of Queensland more for their water. If he had any honesty he would tell people what he is going to do to their water bills. What is the Leader of the Opposition going to do with the water bills? Mr Gibson interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Gympie, I warn you under standing order 253. I am calling for order. You have asked the question and the Premier is answering it. I call the Premier. Ms BLIGH: The people of south-east Queensland understand how important this dam is even if Lawrence Springborg does not. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Premier, please identify members by their correct titles. Ms BLIGH: The Leader of the Opposition may not care about the water security of south-east Queensland but the people who live here understand we need this dam. We need to get the dam right to make sure that it can be built. That is exactly what we will do. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Before calling the honourable member for Glasshouse, I acknowledge in the public gallery staff and students from the Bundaberg East State School in the electorate of Bundaberg, represented by the honourable Jack Dempsey. I call the honourable member for Glasshouse.

Traveston Dam Ms MALE: My question without notice is to the Premier. Can the Premier advise of the process involved in environmental impact statements, particularly in relation to the construction of the Traveston Crossing Dam? Ms BLIGH: I think it is important to understand today, with the announcement in relation to the recommendation of the Coordinator-General, that what we have seen here is proof that environmental impact statements work to protect the environment. There has been a lot of scepticism and cynicism about whether EIS processes do take the environment into account. There are really three outcomes from an EIS process. They are: firstly, the project is approved; secondly, it is approved with conditions; or, thirdly, it is rejected because its impact cannot be mitigated. What the Coordinator-General has advised is that he believes this dam can be approved with conditions. The proponent of the dam, Queensland Water Infrastructure, advised formally yesterday that conditions can be met. What it means is that in this case the conditions require us to take mitigating strategies and put them in place prior to construction starting. But make no mistake, what we will see from the Coordinator-General is either a formal rejection or a formal approval. An approval with conditions is an approval. While there may be a delay, it will be a delay caused by the conditions of an approved dam. That is what this process does. It happens in major projects in the private and public sector all the time. I know that if we get this approval we will have crossed the first hurdle in the approval process for the dam. Yes, the federal government will have to make its own assessment. That is not an assessment I can influence. It will have to act under the provisions of its own legislation. We know from the EIS— because it has been thorough, because it has looked at the science, because it has been carefully and rigorously undertaken; the protection of the environment has been at the heart of the work that has been done—that there are vulnerable species— Mr Johnson: Mike Horan ran 120 cows there for seven years and they never stepped on one turtle! Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Gregory! Ms BLIGH: I take the interjection from the member for Gregory because it captures everything we need to know about the Queensland National Party. Mr Johnson interjected. Ms BLIGH: That is their level of science. Mike Horan watched 120 cows and he never saw them step on a turtle. The scientists are wrong. Who needs an EIS? Who needs scientists? We have ‘professors’ Horan and Johnson on the job. What we see as a result of the EIS is that it is a process people can have confidence in. Time expired. 25 Nov 2008 Questions Without Notice 3655

Traveston Dam Miss SIMPSON: Mr Deputy Speaker— An opposition member interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! A member of your own party is on her feet. I call the member for Maroochydore. Miss SIMPSON: My question is to the Premier. Given that Traveston Crossing Dam was never due to provide water until 2013, five years away, and following today’s revelations that the construction of Traveston Crossing Dam will have to be delayed by several more years, will the government now adopt the LNP’s climate proof water policy and instead build a desalination plant on Bribie Island— Mr Lucas interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Deputy Premier! Miss SIMPSON: I will ask my question again. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I could not hear the question. I call the honourable member for Maroochydore. Miss SIMPSON: Given that Traveston Crossing Dam was never due to provide water until 2013, five years away, and following today’s revelations that the construction of Traveston Crossing Dam will have to be delayed by several more years, will the Premier now adopt the LNP’s climate proof water policy and instead build a desalination plant on Bribie Island which can guarantee pure water in under three years? Ms BLIGH: It is very hard to know where to start. How can those opposite say that the most energy-intensive form of producing water—desalination—is climate proof? How can they climate proof— Honourable members interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition! Deputy Premier! Ms BLIGH: The Liberal National Party’s idea of how to climate proof the south-east is to put more carbon emissions into the atmosphere. That is how it wants to do it. That is its clever, tricky plan. It wants to have as much of our water supply as possible coming from desalination. What the member for Maroochydore will not tell people is what that does to our greenhouse gas profile. What she will not tell people and what the Leader of the Opposition will not tell Queensland households is what it will do to their water bills. I will tell them what it will do to their water bills: it will send them through the roof. There is nothing— Honourable members interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Clayfield! Deputy Premier! I call the Premier. Miss Simpson interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Maroochydore, you have been warned formally under standing order 253. I call the Premier. Ms BLIGH: What we have on this side of the House is a comprehensive water strategy that has water supply from a range of sources that not only gives us water security and insurance in our back pocket but also manages the cost for ordinary people. It gives them a broad source of water supplies— from quite expensive options like desalination as a good insurance policy to dams, which are significantly cheaper. Everybody understands that, except of course the Liberal National Party. What it means is that we can manage the cost of that for ordinary families. It may have escaped the notice of the Liberal National Party, but there is a global financial crisis happening and many families are going to be doing it tough, not just now but also into the future. Our government cares about the financial pressures on working families and we will continue to put in place water security that does not put water bills into the stratosphere like the Liberal National Party wants to do. The more water from desalination that we have, the more money people need to pay for it. Of course, the other question that the Liberal— Honourable members interjected. Ms BLIGH: What we see from the Liberal National Party is a strategy that says that we should have desalinated water plants across the length and breadth of Queensland with no care for how much people have to pay. It does not care about the household bills of ordinary people and it has been dishonest. It has been profoundly dishonest. It has never told people how much its water policy costs. Before it goes out there, it should tell people how much its plan is going to contribute to their water bills. 3656 Questions Without Notice 25 Nov 2008

Recycled Water Ms PALASZCZUK: My question without notice is to the Premier. Can the Premier outline the benefits of taking the time to work in community partnerships to address concerns related to the introduction of purified recycled water? Ms BLIGH: I think it is self-evident in terms of everything that has been achieved in managing water here in the south-east part of the state over the last two years—and I have to say that it is an outstanding example to the rest of the country of what can be achieved—that none of it could have been achieved without the community. It was the people of south-east Queensland who understood the challenge as our dams started to get lower and lower in the worst drought on record, and their response to that crisis was nothing short of magnificent. They completely changed their household habits and their personal habits, right down to how long they spent in the shower. Those habits have now become entrenched as part of our lifestyle, and people feel proud of the fact that they are using water efficiently and they will never go back to the old ways of wasting water. We have also seen them do a magnificent job of taking up the rebates that were on offer, using the four-minute shower timers and working with their families to make sure that people were not wasting water. Particularly as the minister responsible for introducing many of those restrictions and asking people to make the changes, I understand just how important it is to bring people with you. I understand the importance of people having confidence in their water supply and of ensuring that people are working in partnership with each other and with the government. I have not had to do polling on this issue; I have been listening to people. People are talking to me. Unlike the Liberal National Party, I and my team are out there all of the time talking to people. They are out on street stalls. They are out in their community groups. They are out in their school P&Cs, and of course people are talking to us about this. There is no doubt—and I made that clear this morning—that there is a growing unease about this being a permanent part of our water supply regardless of our water balance circumstances. In light of all of the changes over the last 18 months since January 2007, I have asked the Water Commission to provide advice on what an appropriate trigger would be and whether the 40 per cent trigger, in light of all of the changes, remains a sound trigger to activate the allocation of recycled water. I make no apologies for listening to people. That is my job—firstly, to maintain water security and, secondly, to bring people with us and make sure that they have confidence. The people of south-east Queensland have done an outstanding job of saving water, and they deserve the benefit of that. They have done an outstanding job of becoming more water efficient, and they deserve the benefit of their efforts. We have all seen the rain, and the people of south-east Queensland deserve the benefit of that, too. Traveston Dam Mr GIBSON: My question is to the Premier. I refer to the Premier’s announcement that the construction of the Traveston Crossing Dam will be delayed by several years while mitigation measures are carried out. As the Premier would be aware, the cost of the various projects that make up the south- east Queensland water grid have already blown out by more than $2 billion and the cost of the Traveston Crossing Dam currently stands at $2 billion. Premier, what further budget blow-outs can we expect as a result of today’s announcement? How will this impact on ordinary Queenslanders’ water bills? Will the Premier now finally scrap this disastrous project once and for all? Ms BLIGH: I thank the member for the question. It is a fair question and I am very happy to answer it. Obviously there will need to be a lot of discussion and consultation between the Coordinator- General and Queensland Water Infrastructure to determine exactly and precisely the nature of the conditions that will have to be met, but preliminary estimates—and I stress that they are preliminary— are that over the next two years or so the mitigation requirements are likely to see expenditure of somewhere between $100 million and $150 million. But the member should be aware that these were already costed into the budget of the dam because they were mitigation strategies that would have been undertaken at the other end of the construction cycle. There was always going to be a requirement to do rehabilitation and mitigation work. This condition is that it be brought forward rather than done at the other end of the dam construction timetable. This does not in any way contribute to any significant changes or any changes of any magnitude in the cost of the dam. What it does is change the time frame. It is pretty straightforward: in the sequence of construction, either you build the dam and then carry out the necessary rehabilitation work, mitigation strategies and restoration work or you do as much of that as you can at the beginning and then you build. So it is still roughly the same time frame but you bring forward that other work at roughly the same costs. So our strategy of ensuring that our water supply here in south-east Queensland is not only secure but also affordable is maintained by having two dams in the mix. If you have to replace a dam the size of Traveston with water tanks, as was the original policy by those opposite— Mr Lucas: Kooky! 25 Nov 2008 Questions Without Notice 3657

Ms BLIGH: Absolutely kooky. But if you have to replace it with a desalination plant, you would be looking at a desalination plant close to three times the size of the one at Tugun. It would use a massive amount of electricity. It would have to be run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It would cost a fortune. What it will do to the household bills of ordinary families should not be underestimated. Of course, nobody on that side has done the work and no-one is prepared to be honest with the people of south- east Queensland. What does their water-from-one-source—water from the ocean—policy cost? What will it do to household bills? That is what those opposite need to be honest about. What are the environmental impacts of using such a high-energy, intensive form of water? You have been sneaky on this issue since the last election. It is time for you to come clean— Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Premier, please direct your comments through the chair. Ms BLIGH: You could not be more open than this government has been about our intention to build the Traveston Crossing Dam. We went to the last election with that policy. We have kept everybody up to date with the details and we will continue to do so. Time expired. South-East Queensland Storms, Recovery Assistance Mr WENDT: My question is the to Minister for Emergency Services. Can the minister advise the House what recovery operations the SES has undertaken since severe storms lashed south-east Queensland a week ago? Mr ROBERTS: I thank the member for the question because he and other members from all sides of the House throughout Queensland who represent affected areas would have seen the fantastic efforts and contributions made by SES volunteers in particular but also Queensland Fire and Rescue Service volunteers in terms of our rural fire brigades. I also want to make mention a little later of many other community organisations. We had many volunteers out in the field supporting communities in need. It is hard to come to a precise figure of the number of people who were involved in this clean-up effort, but if we involve both the full-time people and the volunteers, it could be anywhere between 2,000 and 3,000 individuals who have been out in these communities supporting people in terms of cleaning up the debris, putting tarps on the roofs and helping them to get on with their lives. Over the past week or so it would be fair to say that both the State Emergency Service and indeed our rural fire service volunteers have gone into overdrive. We have had between 250 and 400-odd SES volunteers out in the field every single day. In addition, we had rural fire brigade volunteers. We had up to 70 to 80 people in chainsaw crews out every single day of the week cutting down trees and clearing debris so people could get on with their lives. Our ‘Orange Angels’ as we call them, have been out there all hours of the day and night supporting these communities. I want to recognise not just those from across Queensland—and we had people from far-north Queensland and around the Brisbane area—I also welcomed contingents from New South Wales and Victoria. I spoke to the mayor of Charleville last night. Four of his volunteers put up their hands immediately and came down to help these communities. Everywhere all over Queensland the SES volunteers and rural fire volunteers have put up their hands to support these communities. As I indicated this morning, the SES hotline went into overdrive on Sunday night. Over the past week volunteers have put in excess of about 20,000 volunteer hours into the community. I want to move on from the SES and the rural fire brigades, because I think we all acknowledge the fantastic job they did. I want to spend a moment now talking about some of the other volunteer organisations that do a tremendous job in supporting our communities, particularly in times of disaster. I particularly want to pick out the Red Cross. Ms Spence: They were magnificent too. Mr ROBERTS: As the minister said, they made a magnificent effort. Since Cyclone Larry, where the Red Cross put literally hundreds of volunteers into north Queensland, it has become an integral and essential part of our disaster response and recovery efforts. The Red Cross, working with the Department of Communities, which does a fantastic job with our recovery centres and our evacuation centres—they work hand in hand—is an essential ingredient. Senior representatives of the Red Cross now sit with us on our State Disaster Management Group committee meetings. I want to pay tribute to the Red Cross and indeed all the other community organisations for their fantastic response. Children’s Hospital, Bed Numbers Mr McARDLE: My question is to the Minister for Health. The current combined total overnight beds for both the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Mater Children’s Hospital is 225. Is it not true that under the new proposed Queensland Children’s Hospital plan there will actually be fewer overnight children’s hospital beds? Is this how the Beattie-Bligh government plans for growth? 3658 Questions Without Notice 25 Nov 2008

Mr ROBERTSON: In terms of the figures that the member refers to, I think it is appropriate to indicate what our commitment was when we went to the last election with respect to the Queensland Children’s Hospital project. This is a project that allegedly the opposition claims to support, but it has done everything possible to undermine it at every step of the way for the most base and political means possible—the most base and cynical possible means. We have in place a planning process. Our commitment was for a 400-bed children’s hospital. We have a planning process in place involving clinicians from both sites: the Mater Children’s Hospital and the Royal Children’s Hospital. Understandably, during that process, as I discovered just last week when I attended a function organised by the member for Brisbane Central, there are still—I suspect a minority—some individuals who retain concerns, and some of them are legitimate and some of them may not be, about that detailed planning process. It is fair to say that not everybody will get everything they want. Whilst that may disappoint some individuals, at the end of the day we will have a world-class children’s hospital adjacent to the Mater Hospital at South Brisbane. It will be a Queensland Health public hospital and, as we have reported just recently, there will be no involvement by the Mater organisation on a day-to-day level. Whilst it was originally proposed that it may share positions on the board, it has chosen not to take up that offer. As a result it will be a hospital run wholly and solely by Queensland Health. We have on board now a head of major public hospitals office who is providing a new focus—a real focus for how this project develops. We saw that with the very successful forum that took place a couple of months ago whereby the vast majority of clinicians from both the Mater Children’s Hospital and the Royal Children’s Hospital endorsed the creation of a single children’s hospital. Whilst opinions remain split as to its location—and understandably so—the important thing is they have dedicated themselves to the planning process to make sure that the end result that we achieve meets the needs of our most vulnerable young Queenslanders, and they are our sickest kids who will utilise that facility. In addition, we have announced a commitment to establish a paediatric emergency network throughout south-east Queensland. So it cannot be suggested in any way that families on the north side will be adversely impacted by the location of the new hospital on the south side of Brisbane. Time expired. South-East Queensland Storms, Recovery Assistance Ms NOLAN: My question is to the Minister for Mines and Energy. In the wake of last week’s storms, Ergon and Energex crews worked around the clock restoring power to thousands of homes and businesses. It was a tremendous achievement. I ask the minister: was the damage confined to overhead powerlines? Mr WILSON: I thank the honourable member for the question. Not at all. Indeed, many homes in some parts of The Gap, where there is underground power, lost supply for 24 hours or more. It appears it can take far longer to repair underground powerlines as, firstly, the fault has to be identified and, secondly, repairs have to be undertaken. In this particular instance, overhead powerlines across south- east Queensland feed into underground powerlines. So when they are knocked out by violent storms, power is lost for everyone. We have to put this issue of the storms and underground powerlines into proper perspective. This was the biggest storm in 25 years in this area. It was wild weather. There were over 6,000 lightning strikes against the network in the south-east corner. There were cyclonic winds, driving rain and hail. There were 365,000 customers knocked off the grid. What does the Leader of the Opposition say about all this? His position is that we must be undergrounding all the powerlines throughout Queensland. Mr Schwarten: What would that cost? Mr WILSON: What a pie in the sky promise! Do members know how much that would cost? Thirty-five billion dollars! This reckless, irresponsible promise of $35 billion being spent would send electricity prices through the roof to the sky. It would cost every man, woman and child $8,000 per annum. What services would he cut to deliver it? Would he shut down schools, put all the hospitals that we are building on the backburner, slash the roads budget? Make no mistake, colleagues, Queensland is facing tough global economic times and Queenslanders need a responsible government that plans for the future. Even when it comes to underground powerlines the Nationals and the Liberals cannot agree. I know there should be no surprise about this eventuality but that is the case. Liberal Lord Mayor Campbell Newman told the Australian only last week, ‘Frankly, I don’t think it’s practical.’ What a man of eminent common sense. All the Leader of the Opposition can ever do is offer division and plenty of that, but then the occasional thought bubble thrown in for good measure. What we offer is a plan for the future. We are taking action now building Queensland for tomorrow. 25 Nov 2008 Questions Without Notice 3659

Midyear Budget Review Mr NICHOLLS: My question is to the Premier. Can the Premier confirm that all directors-general were ordered to a crisis meeting with the Under Treasurer yesterday and told that they had to find $1 billion in cuts across departments by five o’clock this afternoon in order to avoid the budget going into a deficit? Will the Premier guarantee to the people of Queensland that these cuts will not be in front-line doctors, nurses, teachers and police? Ms BLIGH: I am very pleased to answer this question. As members know, we are in the process of finalising our midyear budget forecasts and, yes, there are very tough financial circumstances facing Queensland, just as they are facing every state, the Commonwealth of Australia and major countries around the globe. The United Kingdom is now in recession forecasting deficits and negative growth, as is the United States and major economies right throughout the Western world. We have said on many occasions that, while Queensland is a fortress, it is not immune and we cannot expect to ride out this financial crisis with no impact. Has the Under Treasurer been talking to directors-general about making sure there is no fat out there that should not be getting trimmed? Of course he has. What would the member opposite expect him to be doing? That is the job of the Under Treasurer. What I have made absolutely clear is that one of the priorities for us to protect is our infrastructure program, because that is a job creation program and keeps the economy moving. When we come out of this economic downturn we do not want to find that the infrastructure needed to come out of that downturn has not been built because it has been delayed by this crisis. That will not happen. We will be quarantining our infrastructure program. Similarly, we expect to see continued population growth and that will continue to require expansion of our front-line services. I have said many, many times that front-line services will be protected. Just as every major company in this country is looking at its expenditure and tightening its belt, just as every household in this country is looking at its expenditure and tightening its belt, people have a right to expect the Queensland government to do the same and that is what we will do. If there is fat out there that needs to be trimmed we will find it and we will cut it, because we want to look after front-line services and we want to look after our infrastructure program. What we will not do is implement the Leader of the Opposition’s plan for massive job cuts across the public sector. He never wants to say it in this chamber, but he goes out to business groups and he stands up and he says, ‘We will slash the public sector and we will do it by natural attrition.’ That means, ‘We will not replace people.’ That is 12,000 jobs a year! That is the secret Springborg plan for the Public Service and he is too ashamed to go out there and tell them. He will not be up-front. He will not say it in this House but he says it in the boardrooms, he says it at large business lunches. He is on the record and he has never denied it.

Water Supply Mrs SULLIVAN: My question is to the Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning. Can the Deputy Premier inform the House about the importance of the consultation and detailed technical and scientific investigations being undertaken to determine future water supplies for south-east Queensland? Mr LUCAS: I thank the honourable member for the question; she is interested in reliability of water supplies, unlike the rocket scientists across the chamber. Good science and commitment to public consultation is what this government is about. That is why we have a 50-year water strategy; that is why we are out there talking about what we want to do for the future. Who could forget the brief interregnum when Ray Hopper was in charge and we got the Dirty Harry view of water policy: you pray for rain and hope it comes. Our desal policy is for 50 years into the future—not just the present but what we are going to be doing 50 years into the future. What did the members opposite do? They had a look at a few sites and thought Bribie Island would be a good idea. They actually consulted ‘professors’ Horan and Johnson. That lack of consultation was not lost on people like the Mayor of the Moreton Regional Council, Allan Sutherland. Local residents have a right to feel upset about the way this plant was landed in their backyard. Who could forget the member for Burnett and what he said about Agnes Water. He says one thing about Agnes Water, another thing about something else. Let us have a look at what the opposition itself says about these things—this hopeless, divided joke of an opposition. A local resident, Shane Moon, revealed in the local newspaper, the Caboolture News, that he is not happy with his own party’s policy. He said in the Caboolture News earlier this month in relation to desal and Bribie Island— It certainly is something we may need to look at, but it needs more research and more consultation and everyone should be able to make an informed decision. 3660 Questions Without Notice 25 Nov 2008

Who would Shane Moon be? The Liberal National Party candidate for Pumicestone. Those opposite cannot even get their own local candidate on side. Such is the embarrassment of policy kookiness on the other side of the House that they cannot even get on side the one local person who would be selling it to the local community. We had the false premise from the member for Maroochydore. She is not even a professor like the members for Toowoomba South and Gregory. She would be flat out teaching at the preschool with her intellectual analysis. What did Marsden Jacob—the company which has undertaken the EIS for the Traveston Crossing Dam—say about desal? They said— Comments made by the Opposition focus on the impact of pumping costs (assuming a $30 per tonne carbon price) on the comparative economic cost of Traveston Crossing Dam and a desalination plant. ... The issue was directly examined and taken into account in modelling undertaken by Marsden Jacob Associates. Key findings of their modelling were that if carbon credit costs are not taken into account Traveston Crossing Dam is $345 million cheaper. If they were taken into account at $30 per tonne, Traveston Dam Crossing would be $460 million cheaper. In fact, modelling undertaken by Marsden Jacob shows that the energy intensity of desalination is much greater than water supplied from Traveston Crossing Dam, even if it is located closer to Brisbane. The member opposite is a fraud. The member for Gympie misled the House on this point.

SES Volunteers Mr MALONE: My question without notice is to the Minister for Emergency Services. SES volunteers from across Queensland and even interstate helped out the victims of the recent floods and storms. We must all commend them for their efforts. Can the minister explain to the House what his government is doing for the SES volunteers who reportedly are having their pay docked or even losing their jobs because they are helping out? Mr ROBERTS: I thank the member for the question. I think everyone in this House would agree that if any employer docked the pay of an SES volunteer or sacked an SES volunteer for helping out in the recent floods they would be absolutely condemned. I have heard some talkback radio this morning about the impacts on SES volunteers. Indeed, the government, as part of a partnership arrangement with local councils, provides significant support to the SES. Our budget this year is $12.5 million. It has almost doubled over the past few years. One of the steps we have taken to support employers—and I do urge any employer to take note of this—is that the Treasurer, in collaboration with other states, has recently introduced payroll tax harmonisation legislation which provides a payroll exemption for employers who allow their SES volunteers and indeed other emergency response volunteers to claim that against their payroll liability. We acknowledge that we need to be providing what support we can to the SES. We do that through a range of means. We provide direct funding to Emergency Management Queensland, we provide support to councils with the contributions they make, we fully fund SES volunteers with all the training that they need, we fully equip them in terms of their uniforms at a cost of between $1,000 and $1,200. If we need to bring SES volunteers from interstate or indeed from different parts of Queensland we will fully fund their travel and pay for their accommodation. Again, if any employer is docking an SES volunteer’s pay, particularly because of recent events, they will not get much support from the community. I would ask them to reconsider that course of action and provide our volunteers with the payment that they deserve. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Before calling the honourable member for Yeerongpilly, I would like to acknowledge in the public gallery staff and students from Bundaberg East State School in the electorate of Bundaberg, represented by the honourable Jack Dempsey.

White Ribbon Day Mr FINN: My question without notice is to the Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Women. Can the minister inform the House of the relevance of White Ribbon Day to child safety? Mrs KEECH: I thank the member for the question. Today, 25 November, is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. I thank all honourable members who are supporting the day by wearing white ribbons. In particular I pay tribute to the member for Yeerongpilly, who is a passionate and proud ambassador for White Ribbon Day, as is the Leader of the House, the member for Rockhampton. White Ribbon Day is not only a reminder about the damaging effects of domestic violence on women but also a day to remember the equally damaging effects on children who witness violence in their own homes. Too often children are the silent victims of domestic violence. On White Ribbon Day it is very important that their tiny and innocent voices are heard. 25 Nov 2008 Questions Without Notice 3661

The Bligh government’s Toward Q2 strategy provides for a fairer Queensland that seeks to reduce the incidence of domestic violence and abuse against women and children. Sadly, the incidence of violence against women remains too high. Research shows that one in three Australian women has experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence against them since the age of 15. Unfortunately, too many children witness the violence that takes place in their own homes. Domestic violence is an issue for more than one-third of the families that come to the attention of the Department of Child Safety. We like to think of children as being resilient when it comes to their experience with abuse. We like to think that they can bounce back quickly after they have been removed from abuse. However, the research shows that this is not quite the case. Violence and abuse traumatises children and stays with them for a lifetime. Living in a home where the mother is subjected to violence affects the way children understand their world, the people in it and their place in it. Too often the effects hinder their learning, relationships and emotional development. The memories of witnessing violence cause children to constantly relive their fear and confusion. Today is a strong reminder not only to work together to eliminate violence against women and to remember the impact on children who witness that violence but also to recognise the very important public servants who every day seek to reduce violence against women. Today I pay tribute to agencies such as child safety, police, emergency services and justice, as well as our domestic violence and health systems. White Ribbon Day also allows courageous men to show their commitment to stopping violence against women and children, such as the men who marched in Cairns on the weekend. Recycled Water Mrs PRATT: My question is to the Premier. With regard to recycled water, it is a possible breakdown in the system and the failure to stop contaminated water from entering the main water supply that is of most concern to those being asked to drink recycled water. If recycled water must be utilised, will the Premier instruct the department to install a holding area for the water to be held in for a period of several days and to undertake testing at a point before it is released into the dam to allay people’s fears? Ms BLIGH: I thank the member for the question. I would be very happy to organise for the member to have a full briefing on the operation of the entire system. It is a large and very complex project. In fact, I would be very happy to organise for her or any member of the House to have a tour of the facility. It is important to understand that, on average, the water that goes into the Wivenhoe system from the recycled plant will be in the dam for close to six months at any given time. The water is tested at the plant. It then goes into the dam where it sits for six months. Then it is tested when it goes through the Mount Crosby plant. There is a series of checkpoints to ensure that— Mr Springborg interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition, an Independent member has asked a question and the Premier is answering. Please cease your interjections. Ms BLIGH: Given that the Liberal National Party’s policy is to include this water in our drinking supply, it is important that they along with others— Opposition members: Ha, ha! Ms BLIGH: That means that people may well be drinking it. That is their published stated policy. I think it is important that everybody has a full appreciation of how the facility will work. As I said, I would be very happy to organise a tour and a comprehensive briefing for the member. Effectively, the water is held in the dam itself, which is in fact the sixth barrier. It then goes through the Mount Crosby treatment plant along with all the other dam water. Because of the size of , it takes between six and nine months to get from the Bundamba plant through to the Mount Crosby part of the system. White Ribbon Day Mr WEIGHTMAN: My question is to the Minister for Communities, Minister for Disability Services, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth. As it is White Ribbon Day, can the minister outline any initiatives of the Department of Communities to specifically target the tough issues of domestic and family violence prevention? Ms NELSON-CARR: I thank the member for this very timely question on White Ribbon Day 2008. This day started in 1991. It was begun by a few men on the second anniversary of the mass murder of 14 women in Montreal. The date of 25 November was then declared by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It is also very timely that a man should ask me this question when, whether we like it or not, the violence is mostly perpetrated by men against women. The white ribbon campaign raises awareness of domestic and family violence in every area, regardless of how remote a community might be. Sadly, domestic and family violence continues to be an insidious form of violence against women, and it knows absolutely no postcode. 3662 Questions Without Notice 25 Nov 2008

The Bligh government is taking action, and it stands strongly committed to prevention activities and to developing responses to help Queenslanders who are affected by domestic and family violence. Right now, as I speak, Queenslanders are being asked to have their say on a new domestic and family violence strategy, because domestic and family violence just does not seem to go away. This strategy is yet another example of our commitment to grappling with the very difficult issues of taking action now for a better future. Feedback for this particular strategy must be returned by 19 December. I can also announce $748,558 in funding for domestic and family violence services in Roma, including counselling services for women, for men and for children. A sum of $43,386 per annum over the next three years has been allocated to the North Queensland Domestic Violence Resource Service, court support services, Mount Isa. I am pleased to announce $566,757 in funding per annum over three years for the Domestic Violence Resource Service in the Mackay region to provide regional service integration, counselling for children and women and court support for women. In addition, we provided non-recurrent funds of $47,500 per annum over two years to Australia’s CEO Challenge for activities associated with White Ribbon Day across this state. In 2008-09, almost $15 million has been allocated under the domestic violence prevention key funding area and $15.5 million for women and children escaping domestic violence under the homelessness key funding area. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could allocate that money somewhere else as opposed to the victims of this insidious disease in our society, domestic violence? On this special day I encourage men and women to wear a white ribbon with pride as part of this global stance condemning all forms of violence against women. Citytrain Network Mr LEE: My question was to be to the transport minister. He is not here, so I will refer my question without notice to the Premier. Premier, I refer to the minister’s answer to my question on notice of 8 October 2008 in which he explained that the government has no plans to decommission any Citytrain units over the next five years. Premier, as trains age they become less reliable, inefficient and more prone to breakdowns. Since the government plans to subject commuters to inefficient older trains for at least the next five years, when will the government invest in enough trains to allow for the retirement of older inefficient train units without compromising services? Ms BLIGH: I thank the honourable member for the question. The government’s strategy in relation to maintaining as many trains as possible on the Citytrain network is very straightforward. Firstly, we have a very large commitment to additional train sets on the network. We are delivering a new, I think it is, three-carriage set on the network at a rate of one a month every month for the next two years—so 24 over the next two years, on average one a month. Some of these are already on the network and they are already making a difference with new services. Secondly, the member is right. Like everything else, over the life of a carriage it will require increased maintenance, it will require refurbishment and eventually it will need to be retired. There are a number of programs to ensure that the carriages on our network are up to the job. They are subject to major refurbishments to ensure that they get maximum life out of them. Mr Lucas: They’re stainless steel. They’ll last forever. Ms BLIGH: I take the interjection from the Deputy Premier, who is the acting minister for transport at the moment, who makes the very valid point that our train carriages are made out of stainless steel. Mr Lucas: They’re made to last. Ms BLIGH: We have actually moved on from the steam trains with the wooden carriages that had a much more limited life in the very exposed weather conditions. The stainless steel carriages that we now have on our system have a very long life. They do from time to time need major refurbishment. They get that when they need it. So the strategy is clear: put as many trains as we can on, make sure we are looking after the ones that we have, and make sure we are bringing on new ones—and that is what we are doing. Far-North Queensland, Tourism Mr WETTENHALL: My question is to the Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry. Last week the opposition leader made some comments about the far-north Queensland tourism industry and economy. Can the minister outline what the Bligh government is doing to support the tourism industry in far-north Queensland in contrast to the Liberal National Party’s policy? Ms BOYLE: I thank the honourable member for the question. During this hard time for tourism all over the state, but especially in tropical north Queensland, the member for Barron River has been working closely with the industry to make sure it is given all the assistance possible by the Bligh government. Speaking of the opposition leader and his recent visit to Cairns, I was indeed interested to hear him say on radio that the tourism industry in the tropical north should diversify its markets. I thought that a lot of nonsense. Does he not know how many markets the industry is already working in? Its diversification plan is well known. But I thought I should be reasonable and check the National Party’s 25 Nov 2008 Questions Without Notice 3663 web site for its tourism policy before I got too hot under the collar. So I did that. In fact this is the web site policy on Friday of last week—no policies of any kind; no tourism policy. ‘Site maintenance! thank you for coming back soon.’ Why would you come back soon? What a lot of nonsense the opposition leader was spruiking about tourism in tropical north Queensland. The markets in which tropical north Queensland is already working include Japan, New Zealand, the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Korea, China, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan. All of those markets are markets in which the mention of Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef is a key trigger to their interest in tourism, not only for the tropical north but also for all of Queensland. We were absolutely amazed by those comments by the opposition leader in one sense but not in another. In fact when opposition members came to town for the sitting of regional parliament I have to say that Cairns was dismayed by how ill briefed they were and how off the pace they were in terms of issues not only in the tourism industry but also for business and the region’s development in general. Further, it is really clear that the opposition leader and others on the team should study our tourism policies and recognise that it is not just market diversification that is essential these days but also tourism segmentation behind the market diversification that is essential—for example, for the tropical north it is the backpackers, it is the adventure tourism market, it is families who need a stress break, it is high-end people wanting a weekend away from their busy jobs and their dense urban environment, and it is always ecotourism that will be the drawcard. There is no doubt that tourism has been doing it hard this year all over the state of Queensland and in fact Australia. But there is good news coming. The message that the opposition leader needs to spruik in Cairns and the tropical north is that there are good prospects ahead. Time expired. Cuff, Mr S Mr CRIPPS: My question without notice is to the Attorney-General and the Minister for Justice. Why has your government allowed convicted paedophile Stephen Henry Thomas Cuff, who pleaded guilty to three counts of rape and 14 counts of indecent dealing of a child under 12, to live 80 metres from a kindergarten in Ingham, particularly now that he has appeared in the Ingham Magistrates Court on 13 November and pleaded guilty to failing to comply with reporting conditions in relation to his prior conviction, claiming that he had ‘honestly forgotten to report to police and had thrown his reporting documentation away’ only to receive a $750 fine? Attorney, how many chances will this child sex offender be given by your government? Mr SHINE: As to where people who are on parole or probation or in the hands of Corrective Services reside is certainly not a matter for my portfolio. As to the penalties handed out by the courts from time to time, clearly if the prosecuting service—be it the police or other services—are dissatisfied with any result, it is open to them to lodge an appeal. The magistrates in all of these circumstances are best placed to formulate appropriate penalties, taking into account all of the circumstances of the cases. I am not aware of the particular circumstances of the case to which the honourable member refers. If he wishes to give me those details, I will be happy to look at it further, but I will do so with the caveat that I have indicated that the area of responsibilities are limited in this regard. Year of Physical Activity Mr BOMBOLAS: My question is to the Minister for Education and Training and the Minister for the Arts. Can the minister outline for the House how state schools have embraced 2008 as the Year of Physical Activity? Mr WELFORD: I thank the honourable member for his question. As members know, in October last year I declared 2008 the Year of Physical Activity in Queensland schools. This is part of our government’s Q2 vision to create the healthiest state in Australia. Helping address obesity and the lack of physical activity in young people is one of the priorities of the Year of Physical Activity. Members will be pleased to hear that a range of events conducted throughout this year have supported this initiative and in our schools have ignited extraordinary interest in physical activity and its benefits not only to the physical health of our students but also to their learning in school. In May the Commonwealth Bank Year of Physical Activity conferences were held in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and Townsville, with more than 500 teachers from around Queensland attending. Featured speakers in the fields of health and wellbeing, physical activity and improved learning participated in these conferences. Many schools showcased their whole-of-school physical activity initiatives at the conferences and in their respective communities throughout the year. The Suncorp SunWise Smart Moves Challenge was run between May and October, and 40 class groups around the state recorded short movies which were displayed on our Department of Education, Training and Arts web site. 3664 Matters of Public Interest 25 Nov 2008

Winning schools were awarded monthly prizes. In the Energex move-a-thon poster competition, schools recorded their students’ physical activities outside of school hours over a six-week period. This competition received more than 280 entries from 170 schools around the state. In semester 2, 2008, 16 physical activity workshops were held across regional Queensland. These helped increase teacher confidence and competence in organising safe physical activity in our schools. Over 240 teachers took part. I would like to identify a number of other activities that were highlights of the year. Upper Coomera State College involved its senior students undertaking recreational studies in developing programs to share with prep students. The school also hosted a week-long sports expo for approximately 1,400 students from prep to year 12. Mount Isa Special School used interactive whiteboard technology to display stretching techniques, and the entire school joined in parachute activities and aerobics work- outs on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Forest Lake State School teachers integrated maths and physical activities to excite students and focus learning in this area. Everton Park State School had a timetabled sports program called PowerUp to cater for all fitness levels and interests. Wondall Heights State School won a state award for its approach titled ‘Better health equals a better life’. The Year of Physical Activity has been an exciting year for students and teachers in our schools, and next year—the Year of Creativity—will be even better. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr English): Order! That concludes question time. I would like to acknowledge in the public gallery staff, students and parents from Blackwater State School in the electorate of Fitzroy, represented in the chamber by the honourable Jim Pearce. MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST

Recycled Water Mr SPRINGBORG (Southern Downs—LNP) (Leader of the Opposition) (11.31 am): In 2004 we had an election called ‘to save the kids’. Needless to say, several years later we are still going through many of the problems which were identified at that particular time including placement and deaths of children in care in Queensland. Fast-forward to 2006 and the former Premier, Peter Beattie, called an election to fix the problems of water in south-east Queensland and to fix the health system. What has changed in that time? Well, absolutely nothing. Now what we are seeing is the current Premier, who was hand-picked by Peter Beattie—Anna Bligh—will call an election at some time in the future on the basis that she will want to fix water and health in Queensland. What I am saying is that the more things change with this government, the more they stay the same. The more things change with this government, the more they stay the same because the health system since the 2006 election has continued to be in crisis, even though the Minister for Health does not want to mention the c-word. What we have seen in parliament today is a complete unravelling of the government’s water policy. We might remember that the government went to the last state election promising to build a $9 billion water grid. Traveston Crossing Dam was going to be a part of that. Putting recycled sewage and hospital waste into our drinking water supplies were going to be a part of that. Going out there and stealing from the Gold Coast City Council—its Tugun desalination plant—was going to be a part of that. The Premier is going to open that on the weekend. Taking water from the Redland City Council was a part of that. Stealing water from the Sunshine Coast was a part of that. That was the government’s water policy. Fast-forward to today. What we have had is ‘Backflip Beattie’ and today we have had ‘Backdown Bligh’ but with far less panache. We have seen today’s Premier trying to emulate her predecessor when it comes to backflips and backdowns, but the panache is absolutely missing. We have a government whose water policy is completely in tatters today. It is absolutely incoherent and is falling apart. If we look at what has happened in the last few weeks, we have seen the sand shifting under the feet of the Premier and the Deputy Premier of Queensland such that they have incoherently changed their policy on purified recycled water. A couple of years ago, when they were looking at putting recycled sewage and hospital waste into our drinking water supply, they said that it would be an ‘Armageddon solution’. They said that it would happen only if they had a referendum of the people of south-east Queensland. What was one of the first actions of this government? It decided that no longer did we need the referendum. It was gone— forgotten about. It becomes the personification of the nonperson. No longer do we even talk about that. It is in the dim past. No longer did we have the Armageddon solution. They were then ramping up the percentage at which recycled water would be put into the water supply. No longer was it going to be 20 per cent; it was going to be 40 per cent. Then it was going to be routinely put into our water supply in south-east Queensland. Indeed, the other day when the Premier was asked on radio why recycled sewage and hospital waste should be put into our drinking water supply when our dam levels are increasing she said that it is a perfectly good time to put it in there because then it can be diluted more. The question people are asking across Queensland is: if it is so good, why do you need to dilute it? 25 Nov 2008 Matters of Public Interest 3665

It is also an interesting point that the microbiologists are nowhere near as enthusiastic about putting recycled sewage and hospital waste into our water supply as are the engineers, who look at it from a purely technical view. We have seen expert after expert in the past couple of weeks, from the National Health and Medical Research Council to those right around the country, coming out saying, ‘Be very careful about this.’ The only ones who continue to say that it is a great idea to drink recycled sewage and hospital waste are the hand-picked and financed experts that have been put in place by this government. It is no mistake that other countries around the world do not do this routinely, because there are significant public health risks. Even though it may be theoretically possible, if something goes wrong in the system then you risk contamination of your entire water supply. Didn’t we have some doozies in here today from the government? We now have the Deputy Premier proffering the fact that when you put this water into the dam by some amazing stance of physics it stays separated from the other water for six months. It does not mix up. It actually stays separated for six months so it does not mix. It knows there is a demarcation line between recycled sewage and hospital waste and that water which is in Wivenhoe Dam, and then at some time after six months it suddenly says, ‘Time to mix up, boys. Time to mix up.’ That is what they have said here today. Their policy is incoherent and it is reactive. Let us look at what has happened since the 2006 election. There has been $9 billion spent by this government and there is not one new drop of water which they thought of themselves. They have taken some from the Sunshine Coast, they have taken some from the Gold Coast and they have taken some from Stradbroke Island, but there is not one new drop, because today we have seen them walk away from the Traveston Crossing Dam. Traveston Crossing Dam was never, ever designed to be built. Traveston Crossing Dam was always designed to relieve a policy pressure point for this government at the last state election. The water engineers have advised against this on environmental, social and economic grounds since 1974 because of the depth of it—it is a big evaporation pond—and because of the inundation of some of the best dairy country in all of Queensland, not to mention the environmental consequences downstream. Those opposite may criticise this side of parliament for a lot of things, but we have a proven record of dam building. They may want to criticise, but we have a proven record of dam building—unlike this government. Not only that; we recognise when there is a growing water crisis and we are prepared to do something about it. From 2003 through to 2004, before the government even recognised there was an issue, we were warning that with population growth something would need to be done. The Minister for Health, who was the then minister for natural resources, said, ‘Not a problem, no worries; we are going to fix it with demand-side management.’ Well, what a situation has evolved since then. This morning in the parliament we saw them blaming cows. Those turtles have been happily going along that river system for a lot of years—cohabitating with those cows, resting on the logs in the middle of the river—and they are still there. The thing that the environmentalists are concerned will affect them is the inundation of their habitat by this dam. What has really happened here is that the government is trying to get itself out of a particular pickle by constructing and shifting blame to somewhere else. With regard to purified recycled water, this government was polling last week, as was the Water Commission. This is poll driven. It is nothing more than poll driven. There is not one element of sincerity in this and it just proves that this government is not capable of listening to the people of south-east Queensland. We have heard all sorts of nonsense in this place this morning about desalination and how it is going to be greenhouse unfriendly and costly. The Premier is going to the Gold Coast on the weekend to open a desalination plant. Guess what? Those opposite have got plans for another three desalination plants including at Kawana and elsewhere on the Sunshine Coast. Where is the power going to come from for those plants? Is it just going to materialise out of space? The big difference between the LNP and this government is that we have said that our desalination plant, which is modular, is going to be powered by green energy and it is going to be built on government land. That is the big difference. Look at the ripper from that mob over there who cancelled the Wolffdene Dam under Kevin Rudd and Wayne Goss in the 1990s. How many times would that have filled up in the last year? It would have been built. This government is thrashing around like a stranded fish that has no idea what it is doing. There is a clear choice for the people of Queensland when it comes to the LNP and this government. We actually have a coherent water policy and we understand what needs to be done. On the issue of recycling, we agree with the former Premier that something like that should be considered in an Armageddon situation only. The difference is that the Armageddon situation will not be reached under an LNP government. We have our other water capture technologies and desalination plants. It will not need to be triggered. If we had stayed in government, the recycling pipeline would have been built in the 1990s and the water would have been available for industry and agriculture. Peter Beattie knocked it on the head for seven years. That is this government’s commitment to recycling and to the environment. Clearly, what we have here is a situation where we are proven dam builders, we understand water, we know what needs to be done— Time expired. 3666 Matters of Public Interest 25 Nov 2008

South-East Queensland Storms, The Gap Ms JONES (Ashgrove—ALP) (11.41 am): Sunday, 16 November 2008 will be etched in the history of The Gap for generations to come. In The Gap’s sesquicentenary year we have celebrated the many achievements of our community during the past 150 years and marvelled at how far we have come. The Gap is one of those rare suburbs that has managed to grow and develop while retaining the country town feel and beautiful greenery and tree-lined streets that we all love. But in the last nine days we have faced challenges that seem unfathomable to our community as we now drive down stark streets with damaged street signs and thousands of fallen trees. The terrifying force of nature cut a swathe right across our suburb—houses lost their roofs, trees fell on homes, fallen power poles and powerlines blackened our homes and destroyed communication towers, faulty telephone lines isolated us, and businesses and churches were destroyed. Thousands of local residents sustained damage to their homes. For many families, and in particular children, it was the most terrifying experience of their lives. I have heard stories of near misses as trees fell onto the roofs of children’s bedrooms and families huddled in downstairs laundries and bathrooms as the tornado hit. Considering the widespread destruction throughout the area, with corrugated iron wrapped around powerlines like liquorice, the reality that not one life was lost is a miracle and we are immensely grateful. Last Monday morning I joined the Premier in walking some of the most devastated streets in the suburb, including Elgata, Weemala and Yoorala streets, to see firsthand the destruction. I know the Premier was shocked by what she saw. While the SES started working throughout the night, the recovery effort was in full swing by Monday morning. I want to acknowledge the hard work of the Premier, the Lord Mayor and the emergency services workers who have worked extremely closely together to deliver a coordinated and rapid response to the recovery effort. Between 250 and 400 SES volunteers are helping every day. The rural fire brigade volunteers, Emergency Services staff and Energex, Ergon, Q-Build, Education Queensland and BCC staff helped with the clean-up effort. I want to acknowledge the Prime Minister’s effort as well. He visited The Gap on Tuesday morning and immediately made available Australian Federal Police officers and extra Australian Defence Force personnel to assist with the efforts already underway. I would like to particularly record my gratitude to the hundreds of Army officers from the Enoggera Barracks who helped with the recovery. I know that seeing them on our local streets as early as we did really made people feel secure. Despite these early efforts, storms and heavy rain came again on Wednesday night, flooding many homes that had survived the Sunday night devastation. This added to the overall toll, both in financial terms and in terms of human hardship. To ensure that we provided assistance to the people of this community, on Tuesday we established a community recovery centre at the Ashgrove Baptist Church. The recovery centre is a one-stop shop to help victims of the storm get assistance and rebuild their lives. In total, more than $3 million in personal hardship assistance grants has been handed out since Tuesday. I would like to acknowledge the efforts of all of the public servants, community volunteers, groups and agencies who have helped at the recovery centre at the Ashgrove Baptist Church every day since last Tuesday. In particular, I thank Pastor Kevin Bird and the Ashgrove Baptist Church members for opening their doors to us and keeping us extremely well fed, serving tea and coffee and homebaked goodies. I would also like to acknowledge Ron Luxford from the Salvation Army and all of his colleagues for serving lunch and dinner to thousands of people throughout the last week. I thank the staff and volunteers from the following organisations: Red Cross, Lifeline, Centrelink, Queensland Health, St Vincent de Paul, St John Ambulance and Community. Staff from the Department of Communities have also worked tirelessly day and night to ensure that everyone was seen to. I would like to acknowledge Linda Studley, Glen Knights, Kyle Bassett, Michael Ramalli and Pat Lovell from the Department of Communities as well as staff from the BSA, Housing, RTA and the Insurance Council. In finishing, most of all I want to thank the community of The Gap for pulling together and working to ensure that no-one was left alone during the difficult days we have experienced. The Gap is already a close-knit community, but through this devastation I know that we will be even closer and together we will get through the coming months. Tap Girls Ms BARRY (Aspley—ALP) (11.46 am): My speech today is on women in Queensland. One of the most amazing women that we have in Queensland today is the member for Ashgrove. I note by her passion that she has been working really hard for her local community. Kate, we all thank you. The women that I particularly want to talk about today are women in our workforces. I can tell the House today that employers in Queensland have a huge opportunity to tap into an untapped workforce if they are keen to get on board with the Queensland government. In an environment where Queensland is facing a severe skills shortage it is imperative that employers look to women and girls to be their 25 Nov 2008 Matters of Public Interest 3667 future workers. To help them do this, a number of innovative programs are coming out of our TAFE system. They are leading the way in encouraging women and girls to undertake non-traditional trade courses. Members may remember that earlier this year I launched, on behalf of the minister, the Girls with Spark program in far-north Queensland. That was a program specifically for female apprentice electricians. In September 2008, the Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE announced another new project designed to promote careers in construction for women. It is entitled Tap Girls. The project provides employment pathways for 15 women to commence plumbing apprenticeships in far-north Queensland. Tap Girls will commence delivery in February 2009 at the Cairns TAFE campus and involve 16 weeks of intensive plumbing, prevocational training, industry placement and culminates in a full-time apprenticeship employment with local plumbing contractors. The students, whom a number of female MPs met at the Cairns regional parliament, are enrolled under the VET Revenue General for the commencement of their training. They will be assigned to employers. They will be transferred to User Choice funding at that time. The project is delivered in partnership with Construction Skills Queensland which has again contributed considerable funds. This time it has contributed $150,000 towards the cost of running the program. Those funds will be used to cover the program fees, uniforms, tool kits and wage subsidies for participating employers. TAFE will coordinate all aspects of the project, including training resources, trainers and employment. It comes at no cost to the participants. The project was developed by Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE specifically to address skill shortages in the far-north Queensland plumbing sector. I think there is only one female plumber in far-north Queensland. It provides employment pathways into traditional blue-collar trades for women. Currently, women account for two per cent of the entire blue-collar workforce in north Queensland and that is far too little. Tap Girls will certainly help improve this. As I said, it follows on from the Girls with Spark program which is a similar program delivered by this fantastic tropical north Queensland TAFE and at that time Construction Skills Queensland placed 13 women into electrical apprenticeships. However, a lot of improvement is needed to continue to get women into trades. In 1997 there were only seven per cent of women in engineering occupations and in 2007 that number is eight per cent. In science based occupations they represented 32 per cent in 1997, and in 2007 women comprised some 48 per cent of the entire scientific workforce. Mining and construction has gone from five per cent in 1997 to 11 per cent in 2007, and in construction in particular it has gone from two per cent of all workers to seven per cent. Initiatives such as Women in Hard Hats, Tap Girls and the Girls with Spark program are showing fantastic results, but what tells the real story is the fantastic feedback that we receive from employers about the quality of work that these women and girls deliver and the enthusiasm that the participants record in these non-traditional trades. Honourable members, if we are to really address the skills shortage and help women take advantage of the financial remuneration arising out of these shortages, we need to use the end-of- school speeches that we give to encourage women and girls to enter the financially rewarding non- traditional trades and to talk to employers about the great workers that they will have if they take on more women.

Royal Children’s Hospital, Relocation Mr McARDLE (Caloundra—LNP) (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (11.50 am): There have been many calls made to me by a number of Queensland residents and health practitioners—doctors, nurses, Queensland Health staff and allied health professionals—about the significant cost and short-, medium- and long-term impacts of the Beattie-Bligh government’s decision to shift Queensland’s major paediatric centre from the north side of the Brisbane River to South Brisbane. Of greatest concern are the significant financial cost and the adverse impacts on high-quality public paediatric services and support facilities at the Royal Children’s Hospital, including its colocation with the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. What we are talking about here is a plan to break up something that is not broken in a hospital system that is lumbering from one crisis to another. We are talking about breaking up the existing centre of paediatric excellence, together with its support infrastructure, and moving it piece by piece across the river to reassemble it. The Beattie-Bligh government wants to destroy the major public paediatric hospital which currently handles most of the major paediatric patient care for sick Queensland children. To my knowledge, there are no publicly available documents that conclusively support the Beattie-Bligh government’s political decision to destroy the Royal Children’s Hospital. I am surprised and assume that Labor members opposite, especially the member for Brisbane Central, are just hoping that all of this will happen without too much fuss. Ms Barry: There is so much information. 3668 Matters of Public Interest 25 Nov 2008

Mr McARDLE: There will be fuss, and the LNP candidate for Brisbane Central, Mark Wood, as well as a number of other LNP candidates will be out there fighting to protect the Royal Children’s Hospital. The Queensland Children’s Hospital Consultation Forum report from 6 September 2008 notes— Eleven out of the 19 criteria were rated high for the Herston campus. Seven out of the 19 criteria were rated higher for the South Brisbane campus and one criteria was rated equal. In relation to the 14 components of quality, the Herston campus was rated higher for 10 out of the 14 and the South Brisbane campus was rated higher for four out of the 14 components. It is important to note that, while the forum report notes the South Brisbane site was somehow better suited for construction and had a better shape, developing the Herston site had similar site costs and the Herston site was a better choice in terms of site location. It is also important to note that many people at the forum felt the Beattie-Bligh government had made a political decision and the forum was merely something it was forced to do after the fact. The question in favour of the Beattie-Bligh government’s decision to move the mountain to the Premier’s doormat was loaded against saving the Royal Children’s Hospital. The Royal Children’s Hospital is Queensland’s major tertiary paediatric teaching hospital—the state’s leading paediatric public hospital for the last 130 years. The Beattie-Bligh government should explain why it wants to break a public institution that has continued to provide Queenslanders with excellent services so it can replicate it on the other side of the river. I think most Queenslanders would probably agree with the conventional wisdom of earlier generations. Separating the state’s major children’s hospital from the state’s major women’s hospital just does not seem right. I am also concerned at the rumour that the health minister will shortly make an announcement about the Queensland Children’s Hospital and unveil its glossy master plan. However, the big question will be: how many children’s hospital beds will be created by closing down the Royal Children’s Hospital? We now know that the project costs have already blown out towards $2 billion, and this is before the master plan has even been released! Of course, there will be a cleverly constructed political narrative. The Beattie-Bligh government will talk about the need for a centre of paediatric excellence. There is no argument about that. In fact, the LNP has long argued this position. What the Beattie-Bligh government cannot say is that this proposal, including the master plan that it may soon unveil, is the product of community consultation. It is not. The Beattie-Bligh government cannot claim that it has the support of the overwhelming majority of health professionals and the wider Queensland community. It does not. While there is overwhelming consensus on the need for a centre of excellence in paediatrics, including a state paediatric plan that links into and integrates other paediatric services across Queensland, there is a major concern about the location of this project and why the Royal Children’s Hospital, which has saved countless numbers of young Queenslanders for a very long time, will be sacrificed for some obscure political face-saving objective. Along with the countless numbers of doctors and academics, the Queensland Nurses Union has raised its concerns about the process used in naming the preferred site for this facility and expressed those concerns two months ago when it stated— It appears that the driving factor for the new hospital being located at the Mater Hospital is the colocation with the Mater Private Children’s Hospital. Given the comparatively small number of private beds that will be provided in the new facility the QNU believes that if this is the case it will be a case of the tail wagging the dog. The LNP will fight to protect the Royal Children’s Hospital. Australia Ms JARRATT (Whitsunday—ALP) (11.55 am): Once in a lifetime a movie is made that seeks to paint the character of a nation and that holds the potential to alter the destiny of a country. The Baz Luhrmann epic Australia is such a movie. Along with a relative handful of privileged people, I was fortunate to be present at the premiere of this amazing movie in Bowen, where parts of the epic were filmed. I was very proud to represent the Premier on the night and to be amongst the first in the world to watch a movie that spoke to so many parts of the Australian psyche. The movie has romance, drama, humour and action. It captures the spirit of the larger-than-life characters who actually still live in the far- flung corners of this country. Some of our best actors including Jack Thompson, Bryan Brown and David Wenham were called upon to deliver the roles that make this movie a quintessentially Aussie experience. Many who have seen the movie agree that the real star is 12-year-old Brandon Walters, who plays the character Nulla. Nulla and his grandfather, played by David Gulpilil, were for me standouts in the movie who, under Baz Luhrmann’s directorship, provided a social anchor for the movie that was both challenging and uplifting. The movie also depicts the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese—an event that brought World War II to the shores of this country. This part of the movie was filmed in Bowen, so it was incredible to see such a familiar vista transformed into a scene of fiery Armageddon. The movie does of course have a special place in the hearts of the people of Bowen, who saw their sleepy foreshore transformed to represent the Darwin waterfront. Many residents took their place beside Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman as extras for the movie while others formed a fabulous brigade of volunteers showing visitors around the set and helping the cast and crew in many and various ways. 25 Nov 2008 Matters of Public Interest 3669

I am also proud that our government showed its faith in this movie through a $500,000 contribution. It has been money well spent—a great investment in a movie that will repay the state many times over. In a rare opportunity, Baz Luhrmann has given his blessing for Tourism Australia to feature the movie Australia in a major international campaign to lure tourists to our shores. The advertising campaign has been rolled out around the world in cinemas, on television, in print and online. According to the federal Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson, this campaign will be the highest profile and most sophisticated campaign ever undertaken by Tourism Australia. The federal government is investing around $40 million in the campaign, which will have major benefits for tourism in this state. Apart from dedicated advertising campaigns, the movie has also generated a great deal of media interest in all aspects of the movie’s making, including the locations in which it was filmed. In this regard, the pay-off has already begun, with Bowen being featured in Sydney’s Sunday Telegraph last weekend as well as in a host of other newspaper, magazine and online articles. While I know the world is full of sceptics, I believe this movie will be a huge international success and the catalyst for a resurgence of interest in tourism for our state. Ms Boyle: Bigger and better than Gone with the Wind. Ms JARRATT: Absolutely. I take that interjection from the minister. One thing is for sure: when the visitors arrive we have a plethora of world-class experiences and destinations for them to explore. While I congratulate everyone who became a finalist or who won a category in the state tourism awards, I want to pay special credit to a large number of our Whitsunday entrants who became finalists this year, because it has been one of the toughest years they have had for a long time. I like to compare the tourism industry to the graceful swan: it is all polished and attractive on the surface, but the little webbed feet are paddling at 100 miles an hour to keep it afloat. That is what it has been like for the tourism industry this year. So it is a huge credit to so many operators in the Whitsundays that they have reached the finals in this year’s tourism awards. Special credit must go to Greg and Naomi McKinnon and their extended family for their outstanding win in the tourist and caravan park category of this year’s awards. Their BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, or the frog caravan park as locals know it, provides a real oasis for the weary traveller or the family on holidays. It is the friendly service that is offered by that caravan park that tops off the whole experience for them. This was a well-deserved gong for the McKinnons in a very competitive field. The other special mention must go to the wonderful volunteers from the Proserpine museum for their high commendation in the heritage and cultural tourism category. This was a just reward for a group of dedicated and hardworking volunteers who have become the custodians of local history in the Whitsundays. The Proserpine museum is a magnificent facility and a must-see for all visitors to the area. In conclusion, I simply congratulate all the entrants in this year’s state tourism awards and wish the very best of fortune to those who will represent this state in the national awards later this year. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Hoolihan): Order! Before calling the member for Lockyer I would like to acknowledge in the gallery students and teachers from Blackwater State School in the electorate of Fitzroy, represented in this House by Mr Jim Pearce.

Lockyer Electorate, Maintenance Mr RICKUSS (Lockyer—LNP) (12.01 pm) I rise to speak about a matter of public interest, particularly for those in the Lockyer electorate. Before I start I table four pages of documentation. Tabled paper: Emails dated 30 June 2008 and 22 October 2008, letter dated 3 April 2008 and undated photo relating to the Forest Hill-Fernvale Road and the Lockyer Creek Bridge. Last week, as did a lot of other areas of south-east Queensland, the Lockyer Valley experienced some quite heavy rainfall—anywhere from six to eight inches across most of the Lockyer Valley and a bit further east in the Rosewood-Marburg area it was up to 10 or 12 inches and more. The rain was really appreciated. Unfortunately, there was a death in the Lockyer Valley when a person misjudged some water in a flooded stream. Unfortunately, a lady died in that flood water, and that is a shame. The Lockyer Valley is a flood plain and it must be managed continually. I want to highlight today the fact that for 10 months this year I have been raising issues about the Lockyer Creek and dish drain water and culvert water creating problems in the Lockyer Valley. I started raising this issue with the Department of Main Roads in February this year. I had a meeting with the minister on 13 February. Since then I have corresponded with the department on numerous occasions, the date of the last correspondence being 22 October at 10.26 am. In that correspondence I stated— I refer to our discussions this morning in relation to a box culvert drain on the Forest Hill-Fernvale Road outside Qualischefski’s gate that is also washing away the Lockyer bridge. 3670 Matters of Public Interest 25 Nov 2008

Unfortunately, what I advised—and what the locals had told me about—came to pass. The bridge washed away. While the river was still in flood, one of the Energex trucks tried to cross the bridge. The Energex blokes were just doing their jobs, sneaking around trying to see if there were any fallen powerlines. As they crossed the bridge, the truck disappeared into about 30 feet of water. The two people in the truck were lucky to escape with their lives. The fact remains that if maintenance had been carried out by the main roads department on some of the box culverts and the dish drains, some of these problems would never have arisen. The problems on the Warrego Highway occurred simply for the fact that the department is not paying the Lockyer Valley council enough money to help it maintain those drains. It is part of the state’s responsibility. Therefore, now what was probably a $5,000 to $10,000 job of maintaining the drain in the Lockyer Valley has turned into a $500,000 job to repair the end of a bridge that was washed away and which almost cost the lives of two Energex workers. These Energex workers, Mark Dallow and John Gardiner, were very shaken when I came across them. They were suffering from shock. They had been under the water—and particularly John, who was a bit late getting out of the water because he was half trapped—and were lucky to survive. I congratulate them on their cool headedness in getting themselves out of that situation. Brian Guthrie was also there. Their manager, Mark Lukritz, came as well. I saw the Minister for Emergency Services in the chamber a few minutes ago. Unfortunately, he has now left. Local knowledge has to come into play with some of these issues. The ambulance was having trouble getting through to these gentlemen when they were sitting on the road in a state of shock because it could not get past the flooded stream. Part of that problem was due to a lack of local knowledge. I ended up ringing the ambulance direct and telling them how to get there using some of the back roads. This is a real problem. People have to listen to good local knowledge. There are vast areas in our state. Local members of parliament or the local council know about issues relating to their areas and know what is going to happen. The departments have to start listening to some of that local knowledge. Unfortunately, this issue cuts right across Queensland. There is just not enough common sense used in some of these departments. Like I say, I have a list of emails and letters that I have written to Main Roads about the possibility of this bridge washing away. It was washed away and it almost cost the lives of these two Energex workers. I really sympathise with the Energex workers. They were out there trying to do their job. The SES workers, the Energex workers, the rural firies and the police have all been involved in those sorts of issues that occurred in the Lockyer Valley. They must be commended for that. They did a great job. The local council workers were out working in the rain and at night—all of that sort of thing. It is really up to the departments to fund the maintenance of these areas properly—to fund the maintenance of roads and to fund the maintenance of powerlines so that they can withstand some of the situations.

White Ribbon Day Mr O’BRIEN (Cook—ALP) (12.06 pm): Today I rise in the parliament to speak out against violence against women and to support White Ribbon Day for the elimination of violence against women. On Sunday, along with the member for Leichhardt, Jim Turnour, and the mayor of Cairns, Val Schier, I took part in a march along the Cairns Esplanade that was organised by Billy Ross to help the fight against violence. About 100 people were in attendance at that rally—mostly men. As has been explained earlier today, White Ribbon Day was established by a handful of Canadian men in 1991 on the second anniversary of one man’s massacre of 14 women in Montreal. They began the white ribbon campaign to urge men to speak out against violence against women. In 1989, the United Nations General Assembly declared 25 November the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the white ribbon has become the symbol for this day. From 2000, the Commonwealth government’s Office for Women ran awareness activities on the international day. In 2003 the Australian branch of the United Nations Development Fund for Women began a partnership with men and men’s organisations to make this a national campaign. In 2003, 10,000 white ribbons were distributed. Today, hundreds and thousands of white ribbons will be worn by men and women right across Australia in all fields of endeavour—men and women in the field of sport, in the Defence Force, in the police and by the men and women of parliament in this House. The campaign continues to go from strength to strength and now boasts more than 230 white ribbon ambassadors Australia-wide. As well, more events are being planned across the country and more organisations and individuals are participating year upon year. 25 Nov 2008 Matters of Public Interest 3671

On Saturday, Billy Ross was trying to get 1,000 men to the march. Unfortunately, he was a bit short of the target. But, as the song goes, from little things big things grow and as we get more ambassadors on board and start spreading the word, I am sure we will reach Billy’s target of 1,000 men. I want to speak briefly about some of the fantastic things that are happening in my electorate to address domestic violence in communities. For several years in the community of Mapoon there has been a men’s group, coordinated by Ricky Guivarra. This men’s group confronts the tough issues relating to domestic violence. The men in that group speak to each other about domestic violence and support each other through hard times. That group is trying to reduce and eradicate domestic violence and harm against children in the community of Mapoon. These men are doing a wonderful job and they are not scared to confront these tough issues. The men’s group in Hope Vale is taking young men out to country and talking to them—trying to teach them not just about the country and about stories but also about their relationship with women and how they can respect women and lead better lives in their community. Recently there has been a men’s group established in the Northern Peninsula Area, and I am expecting great things from that group as well. The white ribbon is not a badge of purity or a badge of perfection. It does not mean that the wearer has perfect relationships. It means that this man believes that violence towards women is unacceptable. It is a visible sign that the wearer does not support or condone the use of violence against women. Everyone can show their commitment to ending violence against women by wearing the white ribbon. One of the themes of this year’s white ribbon campaign is to get men to talk to their sons about violence against women and try to teach their sons appropriate behaviours. I do not often raise the subject of my family in political discussion. I try to lead a very private life when it comes to my family. The white ribbon campaign particularly speaks to me given that my son is six and he copies everything that I say and everything that I do. The need for me to be a good role model for him and to teach him to have positive relationships with women has become very important for me in recent years. That is why I have signed up to become an ambassador for the White Ribbon Foundation. I want to use my time here today to speak out against violence and not to condone silence by those that perpetrate domestic violence and violence against women and children. Natural Disasters Mr MALONE (Mirani—LNP) (12.11 pm): I commend the member for Cook on his excellent speech. ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going’ is a proverb we have all heard. Unfortunately, in the last few years we have seen circumstances across Queensland where that proverb has applied. We had Cyclone Larry in north Queensland in Innisfail, the floods in Mackay in February and the horrendous storms in Brisbane over the past week or so. Quite frankly, the support from people who come forward to help people in those circumstances is amazing. I have heard some of the stories here today and I commend those people who are involved. The reality is that we have a great group of volunteers right throughout Queensland—right throughout Australia, for that matter—who are concerned enough to put their lives on hold for a few days to jump on an aeroplane, drive or travel by whatever means are at their disposal to get themselves to those areas of disaster to help out. They do not ask for any recompense, they do not ask for any pats on the back and quite often they themselves are in difficult situations. I recollect that after the floods in Mackay we had many volunteers, not only SES workers, out there working when their own houses were also destroyed. I would like to put on record today the great admiration all of us have for those people who do that. As Australians we should be very proud of the people who come forward in a circumstance where there is risk of life and limb and certainly where people are in distress. The recent storms here in Brisbane are a typical example. It was dangerous. There were roofs to tarp, powerlines down and timber everywhere. It was very hard to get access to the streets. People were in distress. Yet we had people flying, driving or coming by whatever means they could to help out. It is not just the volunteers and the SES but also the Red Cross, the CWA, St John Ambulance and all the people who make up our community. I am immensely proud to think that we as Australians, and more particularly as Queenslanders, have those people in our community. I really do get upset from time to time when I see on TV somebody complaining that they have some water in their house, their plasma TV is not working or they have minor damage and they have made an emergency phone call and nobody has answered. The reality is that it is an emergency situation. Quite frankly, I think we are returning to a time many years ago when it was common to have major storms in the south-east corner of Queensland. It has been 20 to 30 years, and indeed in my area 50 years, since we have had a cyclone. I suspect we may be moving back to a situation that was in place 20 to 50 years ago whereby we are going to get more severe cyclones and experience more frequent storms such as we had in Brisbane. I think there has to be an evaluation of where we are heading. 3672 Matters of Public Interest 25 Nov 2008

After the recent storms I inspected The Gap. As a person from the bush, I was quite amazed to see the size and the number of gum trees through that suburb. I congratulate Campbell Newman for taking the stand that we have to have a review of gum trees in the suburbs—not just in Brisbane but right throughout Queensland. They call them widow-makers. They do not call them widow-makers for the fact that they are going to stand up in a bit of wind. They are very, very dangerous. Quite frankly, even without wind limbs will peel off. We have had numerous instances where people in camping sites sleeping under gum trees have been killed. With a bit of wind they are lethal missiles. As soon as limbs come off those trees they wipe out the powerlines, they damage roofs and with wind and rain they can blow a house apart, particularly in a cyclone. There has to be further evaluation in terms of our environment. There has to be appropriate vegetation. We have to have management skills to make that happen. We are endangering people’s lives unless we do that. I congratulate Campbell Newman for raising that difficult subject. The reality is that it is also the backyards and boundaries where— Time expired.

Education and Training Reforms for the Future Mr MOORHEAD (Waterford—ALP) (12.16 pm): I rise today to celebrate the education revolution that has gone on in Queensland schools over the last six years with the visionary Education and Training Reforms for the Future package released in 2002. Modernising our education system over the last six years has not just been about ensuring modern technology is available for staff and students— giving students 21st century tools that will provide a 21st century education. These reforms saw the introduction of the prep year in 2007, a focus on ICT, numeracy and literacy in the middle phase of learning, and the introduction of the ‘earning or learning’ requirement ensuring that until a child turns 17 years old they must be participating in education, training or full-time work. Six years on, Queensland schools are preparing our young children for the workforce and further education, whether those students are moving into full-time employment, apprenticeships, the VET sector or university. Who would have thought even six years ago that high schools would be presenting awards for the apprentice of the year and the trainee of the year at speech nights, traditionally a celebration of those students studying physics, maths C or modern history? Who would have thought that at some local schools in my electorate a majority of students would be graduating from schools with an Australian Qualifications Framework education? The ETRF reform package has seen a new school environment providing a multitude of career pathways for students. When the state government is making it compulsory for young people to be earning or learning until the age of 17, there is an obligation on Queensland schools to ensure that in our senior phase of learning the opportunities are relevant to the career aspirations of all Queensland young people. When I visit the schools of my electorate, I see our local schools delivering on this commitment. These schools have seized this opportunity with gusto. Marsden High has a partnership with the Housing Industry Association to provide construction tradespeople of the future. This will only grow when Marsden High is one of the first technical and trade centres funded by the Rudd government. Beenleigh State High School has worked hand in hand with Cheryl Taylor and the Beenleigh Regional Industry Training Network as well as the local chamber of commerce to see a range of apprenticeships, traineeships and job opportunities available for young people. Loganlea State High School has developed strong local partnerships with local businesses such as Delfin Woodlands that not only provide opportunities for work experience in landscaping and construction but also provide the school with a printing press for the development of skills in the graphic arts. These reforms are also popular with the parents of my electorate. Parents are amazed at the range of subject and training options now available to their children while at our schools. Parents can see their child take career pathways that are tailored to stretch their child. Parents welcome the opportunity for children of all talents and abilities to grow and develop in this inclusive school environment. Grades 11 and 12 are no longer the property of those people seeking to go to university. Today in our school system grades 11 and 12 are preparing people for all forms of work, vocational education and training, and also university opportunities. The Queensland government’s Toward Q2 strategy sets a goal for a smart Queensland in 2020 that will build upon the important reforms of the ETRF package. Q2 targets will focus this government on delivering three-quarters of Queenslanders between the age of 25 to 64 with certificate 3 or higher qualifications by 2020, an increase from the current level of 50 per cent. Six years on, the ETRF reforms have delivered not only a new prep year but also a modern senior phase of learning, providing a wide range of career pathways for today’s young people. The legacy will be carried on towards 2020 with the Toward Q2 vision of a smart Queensland, providing opportunities for all young Queenslanders. 25 Nov 2008 Matters of Public Interest 3673

Maryborough, Flight Training School Mr FOLEY (Maryborough—Ind) (12.20 pm): I rise to bring to the attention of the House a very disappointing development in my electorate. We were looking forward to the new flight training school being built in Maryborough, which would become a major aviation hub providing significant job opportunities, the training of 200 pilots and a $60 million initial infrastructure spend. This morning I spoke to the minister about the project, as the state government has also promised to contribute money towards this project. A project of this size can create a ripple that rolls onto other projects. It would reinvigorate our area, which has struggled in recent times. Everybody acknowledges that Maryborough is a fabulous place to live, but we need a greater diversification of industries. Obviously it was with dismay that when I woke up this morning I read Flight Training Adelaide has withdrawn its development application, which had been with the Maryborough council and the Fraser coast council for 12 months. I immediately got on the phone and spoke to representatives of the flight training group. They expressed their dismay at how the Fraser coast council had been less than enthusiastic to the point of obstructionist and that certain councillors have made it their business to make sure that the program is scuttled. Obviously those sorts of things do nothing for the harmony of the Fraser coast region. Maryborough residents no longer have a regional passenger air service. We have to drive to Hervey Bay in order to fly to Brisbane. There is a massive expansion going on at the Hervey Bay airport at the same time that Hervey Bay councillors and others within council oppose this project. You do not have to be Albert Einstein to work out that a company with the breadth and depth of experience of Flight Training Adelaide will simply take its money elsewhere if a council is anything less than absolutely enthusiastic about a project such as this. This is a big infrastructure spend. It deserves our absolute priority. I have written to the minister, the Hon. Desley Boyle, and this morning in the chamber I spoke to her about this issue. She is as enthusiastic as I am to see that this project gets back on track to really assist our region become an aviation hub. The project will bring many good things to Maryborough. I have fond memories from my own pilot training. I did my ab initio training at Maryborough airport, which has a fantastic runway. It has the best runway in the whole area. For trainee pilots one of the great features about it is that it has no mountains to bang into if you are not careful. It is an extremely safe area and a great place to train because there is not too much traffic. It has all the facilities of much bigger aerodromes, but with very little traffic. That reduces significantly the costs of pilot training, because you do not spend a lot of time sitting with the engine running and the flight time ticking over waiting for clearance. I acknowledge that some in my community have raised the issue of noise. The airport has been there since World War II. Anyone choosing to live in the area would know full well that the airport is there and at any time it could have a different profile in terms of its usage. In addition, many councils—and why wouldn’t they—would happily roll out the tea and bickies and say, ‘You beauty; you can have it here.’ Just to the north of us is the aviation centre of Bundaberg, which would welcome the flight school with open arms. Some of the residents of Maryborough who talk about noise mitigation do not realise that the school could go to Bundaberg. One of the great things about Maryborough is that you can draw a straight line from it, through the Sunshine Coast where you enter radar control zones—in fact, I did my own radar controlled endorsement flying into that airport—to Brisbane airport. If the school is located at Bundaberg, the residents of Maryborough will hear all of the over-flight noise of the planes from the training school, but they will not see any of the economic benefit. I am not against Bundaberg and I wish the residents of Bundaberg well, but this is a Maryborough project. The directors of Flight Training Adelaide have told me that Hervey Bay airport would benefit because of the landing instrument system upgrade. Clearly, putting this project into Maryborough will continue to open up the whole region. The Hervey Bay airport has been a spectacular success, but it would do no good to clog it up with a training school. I urge the minister and all concerned to try to get the project back on track.

White Ribbon Day Ms NOLAN (Ipswich—ALP) (12.25 pm): As other members have said, today is White Ribbon Day, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. White Ribbon Day was started by a handful of Canadian men in 1991, on the second anniversary of one man’s massacre of 14 women in Montreal. The campaign they started urges men to speak out in opposition to violence against women, as I note the member for Cook has just done very eloquently. In 1999 the campaign went international under the auspices of the United Nations, and in Australia it has been enthusiastically embraced. By 2005, 250,000 Australians were marking this day by wearing a white ribbon to work and a range of community organisations, including the White Ribbon Foundation, were running community events to promote the idea that violence against women is simply unacceptable. Tonight I will speak at a white ribbon function hosted by Australia’s CEO Challenge, a fantastic Brisbane-based organisation 3674 Ministerial Paper 25 Nov 2008 initially started by Jim Soorley that creates partnerships between corporations and domestic violence NGOs like women’s shelters and counselling services. Australia’s CEO Challenge is taking the campaign against domestic violence to the boardroom tables where the message is needed just as much as it is anywhere else in the community. In Australia we think of ourselves as a sophisticated society, but domestic violence remains a shocking scourge. While the under reporting that characterises domestic violence makes it hard to definitively say how many people are affected, we do know that the 2005 ABS personal safety survey found that 5.8 per cent of women, that is more than one in every 20, reported that they had experienced domestic violence just in the previous 12 months. Sixty-four per cent of those incidents occurred within the home and only 36 per cent were reported to police. The Bligh government is passionately committed to the elimination of violence against women. With the Premier having a lifetime of commitment to this cause, both within and outside the parliament, no-one should be surprised by the vigour with which the government is pursuing this goal. Right now the government is developing a new five-year strategy to target domestic and family violence. Last month the ministers for communities, police and women jointly released a consultation paper and now we are actively seeking public feedback to inform the next stage of our strategy. The government’s consultation paper presents a range of concrete proposals in five key areas: prevention, early intervention, early identification, connected support services, perpetrator accountability, and system planning and coordination. We have asked for community views on the possibility of a sustained social marketing campaign against domestic violence and on mechanisms for better identifying possible victims early through Queensland Health emergency departments and antenatal clinics. We understand the need to better connect existing support services and are seeking community feedback on case coordination teams. Those teams would work together from one office, but would include staff from police, child safety and possibly domestic violence NGOs. Perpetrator accountability is appropriately a focus, and options presented include developing less traumatic ways for victims, usually women, to present evidence and better use of ouster orders whereby the perpetrator, not the victim and children, is forced to leave the family home. Finally, in system planning and coordination, the consultation planning paper suggests a new Queensland government domestic and family violence coordination unit and improved research. Consultation on these options is open until 19 December. I have been to a number of the consultation sessions involving both public sector workers involved in domestic violence and people from Queensland’s very strong non-government domestic violence sector. I have been extremely impressed by both the professionalism and the passion of the many people who work across Queensland in responding to domestic violence. We genuinely seek those people’s wisdom and their expertise from the field. As I said, they have until 19 December to provide formal feedback to the government. But we genuinely seek their views in putting together a strategy for the next five years in order to move towards the imperative aim of stamping out or eliminating domestic violence against women. Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms van Litsenburg): Order! The time for matters of public interest has expired.

MINISTERIAL PAPER

Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Review of Criminal Code

Hon. KG SHINE (Toowoomba North—ALP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland) (12.30 pm): I seek leave to— Mr Johnson: Are you coming to western Queensland before Christmas? Mr SHINE: Is that an invitation? Mr Johnson: Yes. Mr SHINE: I would be delighted to accept it. I will check my diary. Mr Johnson: I’ll have cold lemonade on tap for you. Mr SHINE: Thank you very much. I seek leave to lay on the table of the House the department of justice review of section 280 of the Criminal Code. Leave granted. Tabled paper: Department of justice review of section 280 of the Criminal Code. 25 Nov 2008 Property Law and Another Act Amendment Bill 3675

PROPERTY LAW AND ANOTHER ACT AMENDMENT BILL

First Reading Hon. KG SHINE (Toowoomba North—ALP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland) (12.31 pm): I present a bill for an act to amend the Property Law Act 1974 and the Duties Act 2001 for particular purposes. I present the explanatory notes, and I move— That the bill be now read a first time. Question put—That the bill be now read a first time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a first time. Tabled paper: Property Law and Another Act Amendment Bill 2008. Tabled paper: Property Law and Another Act Amendment Bill 2008, explanatory notes. Second Reading Hon. KG SHINE (Toowoomba North—ALP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland) (12.31 pm): I move— That the bill be now read a second time. This bill amends the Property Law Act 1974 and the Duties Act 2001 following the acceptance by the Commonwealth government of the referral of power from Queensland for financial matters arising from de facto relationship breakdowns. This bill represents the ultimate stage in the longstanding campaign by de facto couples to have access to the Family Law Act 1975 for the determination of their financial and property rights arising from a relationship breakdown. Having regard to time constraints, I seek leave to incorporate the balance of my second reading speech in Hansard. Leave granted. The key effect of the Commonwealth taking up the referral from Queensland will be that, upon the commencement of the de facto amendment bill, the Queensland legislation relating to financial matters arising from a de facto relationship breakdown (which is most of Part 19 of the PLA) will be excluded from operation. Those de facto partners whose relationship has broken down after the de facto amendment bill commences must apply for a property division under the FLA and can no longer apply under the PLA. Currently, de facto couples who separate in Queensland must access two different jurisdictions to have disputes resolved. Disputes about the division of property are dealt with in Queensland courts under Part 19 of the Property Law Act 1974 (the PLA) and disputes about children are dealt with in the Federal Family Law Courts under the Family Law Act 1975 (the FLA). In 1993, the Queensland Law Reform Commission reported that the Federal Family Law Courts were the most suitable forum to hear and determine financial disputes which arise on the breakdown of de facto relationships. Since then this issue has been debated in many other forums, including the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General, where the failure of the previous Commonwealth government to agree on a suitable referral from the states in relation to de facto couples’ disputes halted the progress of this necessary reform. On 10 November 2008, the Family Law Amendment (De Facto Financial Matters and Other Measures) Bill 2008 (the de facto amendment bill) was passed by both houses of the Commonwealth parliament. This bill amended the FLA allowing for the Commonwealth’s acceptance of referrals from states in relation to financial matters arising from de facto relationship breakdowns. The Labor Party has long been committed to assisting de facto couples. In 1999, following the failure of the Commonwealth’s acceptance of a suitable referral from the states about de facto property, the Queensland Labor government enacted amendments to the PLA that provided for de facto couple property rights, including rights following a relationship breakdown. In 2002, the Queensland Labor government passed the Discrimination Law Amendment Act 2002 that comprehensively reformed Queensland legislation to give people in de facto relationships the same rights and responsibilities as married people where possible. In 2003, the Queensland Labor government passed the Commonwealth Powers (De Facto Relationships) Act 2003 (the referral act) that referred to the Commonwealth the power for financial matters arising from de facto relationship breakdowns. The commencement of this referral act was delayed until such time as the Commonwealth government agreed to accept a suitable referral of powers from the states. This government arranged for the commencement of the referral act on 24 October 2008 following the current Commonwealth government’s agreement to accept the referral in relation to same-sex as well as opposite-sex de facto relationships. There will be significant advantages to Queensland de facto couples by the Commonwealth taking up the referral from Queensland. Advantages include the provision of a predominantly nationally consistent financial settlement regime that will minimise jurisdictional disputes. 3676 Corrective Services and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 25 Nov 2008

Also, the Federal Family Law Courts have experience in relationship matters and have procedures and dispute resolution mechanisms more suited to handling family litigation than the state courts. Counselling and mediation are provided to separated couples as part of the family court jurisdiction. Queensland de facto couples will benefit from savings in both costs and time as they will be able to have both their child-related and property matters heard together. De facto couples will also have access to courts that may make orders relating to superannuation splitting and orders relating to the maintenance of a party. Part 19 of the PLA will continue to apply to de facto relationships that broke down prior to the de facto amendment bill commencing (except where the couple have chosen to opt into the FLA). This bill amends the PLA to clarify the relationship between the PLA provisions and the FLA provisions and how the PLA provisions will operate after the de facto amendment bill commences. The bill also amends the Duties Act 2001 to clarify the current exemptions on certain dutiable transactions arising from breakdown of de facto relationships, which will now fall under the duty exemptions in the FLA. I commend the bill to the House. Debate, on motion of Mr Langbroek, adjourned.

CORRECTIVE SERVICES AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL (NO. 2)

First Reading Hon. JC SPENCE (Mount Gravatt—ALP) (Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport) (12.33 pm): I present a bill for an act to amend the Corrective Services Act 2006 and the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 for particular purposes, and to repeal the Sporting Bodies’ Property Holding Act 1975. I present the explanatory notes, and I move— That the bill be now read a first time. Question put—That the bill be now read a first time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a first time. Tabled paper: Corrective Services and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2008. Tabled paper: Corrective Services and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2008, explanatory notes. Second Reading Hon. JC SPENCE (Mount Gravatt—ALP) (Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport) (12.33 pm): I move— That the bill be now read a second time. The Corrective Services Act 2006 is the most modern corrective services legislation in Australia. The Corrective Services and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) will keep Queensland that step ahead. The bill makes a number of important amendments to the Corrective Services Act 2006 to improve safety and security in correctional centres. The key amendments made by the bill include prohibiting prisoners from selling prisoner artwork, providing the chief executive with the ability to ban visitors from correctional centres, ensuring visitors provide information for biometric scanning systems, placing limits on money kept in prisoner trust accounts, abolishing grants of resettlement and reintegration leave of absence to prisoners and giving parole boards more time to make parole decisions. The bill also makes a number of amendments which will clarify the interpretation of a number of provisions, including provisions relating to the parole boards, the victims register, the ability of prisoners to travel overseas to assist with trials abroad and to repeal an obsolete piece of sporting legislation. I seek leave to have the rest of my second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. I will now address the specific provisions of the Bill. Prohibition of the sale of prisoner artwork I am against prisoners profiting from their time in prison by selling their artwork privately. This kind of activity is highly offensive to victims and law-abiding citizens. This bill places a prohibition on the private sale of artwork created by prisoners in custody. The government makes this change because victims and victims’ families have become distressed when prisoners profit from their time in prison through the sale of artwork. New provisions will restrict how prisoners can deal with their artwork while in prison. 25 Nov 2008 Corrective Services and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 3677

A prisoner may part with their artwork by: handing out their artwork for safe keeping to a recipient in the community; entrusting it for sale by Corrective Services as part of the Prisoner Art Program; making a gift of artwork to friends or family; or donating their art to Corrective Services. Gifts of artwork will require the approval of the chief executive to ensure that the gift is not being made in circumstances in which it is likely to be sold. Recipients of artwork may arrange for private secure storage if they do not have sufficient room at their residence. However, if the item goes on public display at a gallery, the recipient may be liable for an offence because they have parted with possession of the artwork. The bill is also clear that where a prisoner or their associates on the outside try to get around these provisions by charging excessive fees for delivery of artwork, they will be potentially liable for an offence. Visitor provisions The bill also makes changes in relation to visitor access to prisons. The bill clarifies that access approval can be suspended or cancelled where a visitor’s conduct poses a threat to the safety and security of a correctional centre. Visitors who fail to abide by the rules by bringing in prohibited substances will be banned from entering correctional centres and charged with an offence. The bill also makes other changes for personal visits. The bill enables the chief executive to grant interim approval to personal visitors pending receipt of information required to fully assess the visitor’s application. Visits that are granted under this provision will, however, be non-contact visits. The bill clarifies the ability for the chief executive to suspend access approval for personal visitors for up to one year. Access will be suspended where Corrective Services have information that a visitor may be a risk to the safety and security of the prison. The bill also addresses some technical matters which have arisen since the commencement of the Corrective Services Act 2006—for example, the requirement for law enforcement officers, emergency services officers and child safety officers to submit an application to enter a corrective services facility is removed, as is the requirement for legal practitioners to have their criminal histories assessed before entering a facility. The bill also ensures that commercial visitors will be granted urgent access to perform maintenance and repairs as required, providing the chief executive does not consider the visitor poses an immediate risk to the security and good order of the facility. Biometric scanning The bill reinforces the ability of Corrective Services to apply biometric scanning at its correctional centres. Biometric scanning is a technology that has been progressively introduced in Queensland prisons to assist in the processing of visits. The bill provides that visitors must comply with the requirement to provide their fingerprints to be scanned and securely stored on the biometric system. The requirement extends to every staff member, up to and including the Director-General and all visitors to centres including members of the judiciary and members of Parliament, including the Minister for Corrective Services. Each time a visitor enters and exits a prison the visitor must present their finger for scanning to confirm their identity. The biometric system allows officers to process visitors efficiently and importantly confirms the identity of the person entering and exiting the centre. Biometric information collected is kept securely and is not made available to other agencies. It is simply not possible to reconstruct a person’s fingerprint as the biometric system records an algorithm rather than an actual fingerprint image. Prisoner Trust Accounts The bill also makes amendments in relation to a prisoner’s trust account, that is, the bill places restrictions on the money that is held by Queensland Corrective Services on behalf of the prisoner for their use within a prison. It allows the chief executive to place caps on the total amount a prisoner may hold in his or her trust account and the amount that can be placed into the account at any one time. Prisoners require money to be held in trust by the department, as they spend it on things such as toiletries, underwear, shoes and cigarettes in the prison buy-up. Accordingly Corrective Services holds this money on behalf of prisoners, so that it does not circulate within the prison. However, if some prisoners become aware that another inmate has access to a substantial amount of money, those prisoners may unduly pressure the inmate to pass it on or transfer it to another account, including bank accounts on the outside. If a deposit exceeds the allowed amount, or will cause the account to exceed the allowable balance, it will be returned to the depositor. Where the deposit is from an anonymous depositor, and cannot be returned, the prisoner will be asked to nominate another person to receive the money. Victims Register The bill also improves the rights of victims by making clarification to provisions relating to Queensland Corrective Services’ Victims Register. The new provisions will make it clear that the victims of offenders being supervised under the dangerous prisoners legislation are eligible to be registered and receive important information. This bill seeks to clarify specific points about the operation of the Victims Register to ensure it continues to fulfil its purpose of providing timely and accurate information to victims of crime. 3678 Summary Offences and Other Acts Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008

Parole decisions The bill extends the time the Parole Board can take to consider a matter, moving from 120 to 180 days. Parole boards have an enormous responsibility and the decisions they make are difficult and often complex. It is not unusual for boards to require a significant amount of time in order to make their decisions. This is largely due to the amount of information that boards consider when assessing an application for parole. The time taken to obtain and consider this information often exceeds the 120 days which is currently stipulated in the Corrective Services Act 2006. In order that sufficient time is provided to the parole boards to make this important decision, an amendment is being made to increase the time frame for making a decision from 120 days to 180 days. Where the Parole Board defers making a decision to obtain further information they must determine the application within 210 days. To ensure that applications for parole can be considered prior to a prisoner’s parole eligibility date, an application for parole may now be submitted 180 days prior to eligibility date. The bill also makes related changes to repeal the deemed refusal provision in section 193(5) of the Corrective Services Act 2006. With the new amendments, should the time frames be exceeded by the Parole Board the courts will continue to have the jurisdiction to hear the offender’s parole application. The Judicial Review Act 1991 will continue to apply in these circumstances so the Parole Boards will be able to justify the delay where a prisoner seeks a judicial review of their decision-making process. Leave of absence and resettlement leave of absence The bill will also abolish resettlement and reintegration leave of absence which has become outdated since the introduction of evidence based reintegration programs that are delivered in correctional centres. Resettlement leave of absence has been available to prisoners serving periods of imprisonment of eight years or more who are not sexual offenders. This type of leave must be approved by the Queensland Parole Board and allows an offender to leave the centre for a short period of time and stay at an approved residence. The prisoner must return to the centre, usually within a few hours. This bill repeals the provisions of the act which allow prisoners to be granted resettlement leave of absence. Existing programs will continue until completed but no new programs will be able to be approved. I am aware there are some interest groups who oppose the removal of resettlement and reintegration leave, believing these to be a useful tool for prisoners to reintegrate into the community. However, these forms of release were introduced at a time when prisoners needed to leave a correctional centre to arrange bank accounts, social security and look for employment and accommodation. Since this time, Queensland Corrective Services has made enormous improvements in its capacity to offer a range of programs that address the key reintegration needs of prisoners. The bill also provides for transfers of Queensland prisoners to foreign jurisdictions to assist in criminal trials and investigations. This amendment brings Queensland into line with New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. This amendment will ensure that prisoners serving sentences for state offences can be granted leave of absence to give evidence or assistance in a foreign jurisdiction as requested by the Commonwealth Attorney-General under the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1987 (Cwth). This transfer is not for a holiday and if the prisoner is given approval to provide assistance they will be subject to strict conditions and under the supervision of police or corrective services authorities. Prisoners who do not comply with the conditions of the approval will face prosecution and are liable to be sentenced to further imprisonment. Finally, the bill also makes a minor change to sports legislation and repeals the Sporting Bodies’ Property Holding Act 1975. The act was established to provide a vehicle for unincorporated sporting bodies to hold property through trusts. Since the enactment of the Associations Incorporation Act 1981, all relevant sporting bodies in Queensland have become incorporated under either State or Commonwealth Law. The Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation is confident that no sporting bodies are using this legislation. Further, legal advice received from Crown Law on 6 March 2006 indicated that the repeal of the act would not affect the legal ability for these affiliates to own land acquired under the act, or to divest it in the future, as the original land acquisition was undertaken in accordance with the law of the day. The act is therefore redundant and may be repealed. Debate, on motion of Mr Johnson, adjourned.

SUMMARY OFFENCES AND OTHER ACTS AMENDMENT BILL

Second Reading Resumed from 11 November (see p. 3369), on motion of Ms Spence— That the bill be now read a second time. Mr JOHNSON (Gregory—LNP) (12.36 pm): I can say at the outset that the opposition will be supporting the Summary Offences and Other Acts Amendment Bill. It is a very responsible piece of legislation. It covers a series of problems that the government is trying to address and it creates some new objectives in other legislation that has been passed by this House. 25 Nov 2008 Summary Offences and Other Acts Amendment Bill 3679

It is very interesting reading some of the comments in the CMC report Policing public order—a review of the public nuisance offence paper, which was tabled in the parliament on 23 May 2008. The introduction of infringement notices for public nuisance offences, as the minister says in the second reading speech, will decrease the necessity for offenders to be taken into police custody for relatively minor offences. This will allow police to process the offence notice in the street or at the local hotel or in a public park or wherever it may be. Those people will cop the fine and hopefully move on. If they do not move on then police do have the power to move them on to somewhere else, like the local lockup. The important thing is that it will allow the police to stay more on the beat rather than be tied up back at the office doing unnecessary paperwork. Another good aspect of this amendment bill is that watch-house keepers will be able to process some of these people in question rather than the arresting officer doing the processing. That will allow those officers to get back out on the beat to do what they do best and that is policing the community and not getting stuck in an office processing paperwork. I commend the minister and the government on this because I believe it is going to reduce paperwork for police and it is certainly going to reduce work in the court system. I believe it is also going to lead to a better community, because people will have to cop that fine or that penalty notice in the local park or the local pub and hopefully they will think twice about committing the offence. In reality, this is about trying to tidy up our state and, as the minister says, make our state one of the safest in the Commonwealth. I want to reflect on some of the comments in the CMC report. It talks about what language may constitute an offence. Our public places are there for people to utilise and to enjoy. They are family places. They are places where old people can go and relax and so on. This public nuisance business is getting out of hand. There is no doubt about that. This report that has been brought down by the CMC is a very well documented report. I think it is one that will have a lot of effect in the future in relation to implementation of policy relative to the safety of our communities at large. An issue that the CMC addresses here—and I know that the police have addressed it on numerous occasions—is language or behaviour directed at police. Again, this is about putting in place an environment where police can be safe in their workplace. They do not have to tolerate louts who want to spit on them, abuse them or direct comment that is certainly untoward. I think this is one piece of legislation that will go a long way towards making a difference in our communities at large. As I just mentioned, the CMC includes offences relating to resisting police, obstructing police, disobeying a direction or assaulting police. I cannot emphasise enough the importance of penalties that should be imposed on people who blatantly—and I mean blatantly—abuse police for the sake of getting a thrill. That may be their kick for the day or for the week. I do not think the law can be tough enough on these people. I believe our police are doing a great job. Every day they don that blue uniform they do not know what is in store for them. I think the safer the environment we can make for them to work in, the better. They should know that they can go about their duties and have the backing of the government of the day and the community at large. I see that the minister has increased the penalties. There is now a maximum of two penalty units where an infringement notice is issued for the offences in question, whether it be public urination or whatever. This is about tidying up our community. I have had some people say to me, ‘What if you get in a jam and you’ve gotta go? You’ve gotta go.’ I say, ‘I know you’ve gotta go. We’ve all had to go sometimes.’ I am not backward in going when I have to go, regardless of where it is, and the law, I know, will cover that. I am a bloke, not a girl. I do not know how the girls get on, but no doubt it is a different ball game. We cannot go out there and make a mockery of this. At the end of the day, this is about making our communities better places. Whilst our young people are a great mob of people, some of them, especially the young blokes, do not give a continental. They think the world is theirs and they can do what they like. I think this piece of legislation will certainly tidy some of this up. The Police Powers and Responsibilities Act has been amended to allow watch-house police officers to issue those infringement notices which I touched on earlier. While the watch-house officer will be there doing their work in the confines of that watch-house, again, this will release our arresting officers from having to go back to the station and process the person whom they have just arrested. That paperwork could take anything up to an hour, and that means we have officers off the beat. This is about keeping officers on the beat. I think for that aspect alone it is a very good piece of legislation. It is also giving watch-house officers something else to do in relation to their workplace. I know that this is a trial, but I think it should go beyond a trial. The minister referred to it in her second reading speech as a trial, but I think if it is made law it will help tidy up the community. This legislation will make that element of our community which we see outside nightclubs and so on after a late night aware of their responsibilities, and I think it will improve our communities. A lot of people here in Brisbane—and I have seen it in coastal areas—who are walking home after a movie or after a night at a restaurant or a nightclub are accosted by louts. We need to get rid of that element from our communities. We have to make our communities safe so that people want to participate and enjoy those communities like everyone else does. I think for people who want to cause chaos, who want to be smart alecs, their time is up with this piece of legislation. 3680 Summary Offences and Other Acts Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008

Another good thing is that police will record the tickets issued on QPRIME. If these people are repeat offenders, then police will be able to enforce the law and process them through the court. If a person has had one or two warnings and the officer in question gets to know them, that person should learn the hard way by going through the system that has been put there to impose the heaviest penalty appropriate. I think that people going about their business have had enough of people causing disruption and being a general nuisance. I believe this legislation will correct a lot of that, and it will make our communities a lot better as a result. Another area in this legislation which the minister has touched on is clause 9, which adds noise from sporting events regulated by the Major Sports Facilities Act 2001 to a schedule of nuisance regulated by other laws. This was dealt with under the pollutions act, and the sport provisions were not included in that bill. I do not know whether the minister forgot to do it or whether it was overlooked, but I believe this is an important function for venues like Lang Park—or Suncorp Stadium—where we hold events other than sporting events. Again, I think this is a good aspect of this legislation. The objectives of the legislation are to add an additional offence to the Summary Offences Act, to trial a system whereby a police officer may issue an infringement notice rather than push the offender through the court system, and to correct a legislative mistake in the recently passed Environmental Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 2008. There is not much more I can say about this other than to congratulate the minister on these corrections. This is about police being able to deal with that smart-arse element, I suppose you can call it, and bring them to heel instead of putting them through lockup or through the court system. It is with much pleasure that the opposition supports the amendments to this police legislation. Mr BOMBOLAS (Chatsworth—ALP) (12.47 pm): I rise to speak briefly to the Summary Offences and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2008, a bill which supports the trial of ticketing of public nuisance offences in the South Brisbane and Townsville police districts. The bill is in response to the legislative recommendations of the Crime and Misconduct Commission, the review of the public nuisance legislation, and to ensure that special events at Suncorp Stadium can continue. I would first like to talk about the public nuisance issue. The offences for which an infringement notice may be issued will be public nuisance, a new offence of urinating in a public place and two associated offences. The associated offences are obstructing a police officer in the performance of his or her duties, and contravention of a direction, which will be limited to a person failing to state his or her correct name and address. A watch-house police officer will be authorised to issue and serve an infringement notice on an offender who is in a watch-house for a public nuisance offence. This is an extension of the existing powers to serve a notice to appear on behalf of an arresting officer. Queensland Transport will be the administrative authority responsible for the fines associated with the infringement notices. As QT handles payment of fines in relation to traffic infringement notices, it has the existing structure to receipt fines. Police officers will also utilise the QT infringements notice which will require the police officer to particularise the behaviour constituting the offence. In preparation, the Queensland Police Service has created new crime codes to separately record the various types of behaviour that constitute public nuisance behaviour. The QPS has created a specific crime code for a public nuisance offence that involves offensive, obscene, indecent or abusive language. This accords with the CMC recommendations. During the trial, the Queensland Police Service will utilise the QPRIME system to record the issue of public nuisance infringement notices. The issued infringement notices will not be recorded on a person’s criminal history. This will be of benefit to public nuisance offenders who avoid the necessity to attend a court to answer a charge. A person receiving a ticket for a public nuisance related offence during the trial will still be able to elect to seek to have the offence dealt with through the court. This may be of particular comfort to vulnerable people who choose to access the court related diversion programs in place of paying a fine. The Police Service is supporting the diversion programs by ensuring relevant public nuisance offenders receive information about the diversion programs at the time of the serving of the infringement notice. I must agree with the opposition spokesman, the member for Gregory, that the legislation will help streamline policing procedures, ultimately freeing up our hardworking police officers to continue on with their front-line duties. It means that offenders will be processed quicker and more succinctly, allowing police to get back on the street again. I commend the bill to the House. Hon. JC SPENCE (Mount Gravatt—ALP) (Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport) (12.51 pm), in reply: I thank all members for their contributions today. The bill before the House primarily deals with the ticketing of public nuisance offences. We have certainly heard extensively about how these new laws will operate. 25 Nov 2008 Summary Offences and Other Acts Amendment Bill 3681

Policing in the 21st century is becoming increasingly complex and difficult. Excessive alcohol and drug consumption, coupled with an emerging party culture, are key ingredients to the challenges facing police. This is particularly true of policing public order offences. The demands on police time continue to increase along with higher expectations from the community to address threatening or nuisance public behaviour. The introduction of the public nuisance offence was about giving members of the public confidence that police would better respond to public concerns, particularly in relation to drunken behaviour, by tightening laws around disorderly conduct. The CMC found alcohol is the single highest causal factor of public nuisance, involved in three-quarters of cases. Understandably, when the public nuisance offence was introduced there was some concern that the new offence may adversely impact the most vulnerable groups in our society by making them targets for this offence. I am pleased that the CMC’s report found that, while they have always been overrepresented, since the introduction of the new offence this overrepresentation has not increased. I thank the shadow minister for reading the CMC report and for understanding the complexity of these issues. In fact, the CMC found that, on balance, the public nuisance laws are being used fairly and effectively in the sense that police are taking action to respond to the messages being sent by the broader community. We have been very fortunate that over the last seven years overall crime in Queensland has decreased by 24 per cent. This year alone, rates have decreased by five per cent. However, the fear of crime continues to be high. I think highly visible drunken and nuisance behaviour contributes significantly to this perception. That is why the Bligh government is committed to increasing police numbers and returning more police to front-line duty. For the term of this government we have increased the number of police officers by 583 to over 9,900. Since 2005-06 we have returned more than 300 police officers to the beat through our comprehensive civilianisation program. We are always looking at innovative new ways to release police from any unnecessary paperwork and administrative burdens. There are a number of key benefits for operational policing as well as for the members of the public. The ability to ticket public nuisance offences is providing another flexible option for police in dealing with public order offences in addition to the existing suite of options which includes arrest, issuing a notice to appear, issuing a warning or issuing a move-on direction. Police can still arrest people should the circumstance warrant it. However, in less serious cases a ticket can be issued, removing the person’s exposure to the court system and reducing the chance of a criminal conviction being recorded for a potentially minor offence. I think this is of particular benefit to vulnerable minority groups and will assist in reducing their overrepresentation in the court system. In 2007-08 there were over 26,000 public nuisance offences. Given the sensitivities and logistics of such a dramatic change, a trial will be conducted from 1 January 2009 in the Townsville and South Brisbane districts. Under the current processes, it is estimated that approximately 1½ police officer hours are spent dealing with one public nuisance offender. The anticipated time savings, with the ability to issue an infringement notice to a public nuisance offender, are expected to be up to one hour per offender who does not need to be arrested. This will enable police officers to attend to other policing tasks in a more timely fashion and reduce the paperwork required in processing people through the current process. The QPS reported that in the trial areas of the South Brisbane and Townsville districts alone there were over 2,600 public nuisance offences over the last year, translating to an estimated saving of over 150 police hours per month. Our government is also aware of the financial impacts tickets could have on our vulnerable groups in society, particularly because they are overrepresented in public nuisance offences. In recognition of the vulnerability of minority groups, the Commissioner of Police is also developing written instructions applicable to the trial reaffirming that when dealing with a person for a public nuisance offence the police officer should give initial consideration to diverting the offender to a non-government agency prior to taking police action. In the event that a ticket is issued, during the trial it will be recorded on QPRIME and not on the person’s criminal history. This recording process will allow police officers to identify where a person has received a number of fines for public nuisance related behaviour and other alternatives may be explored. This information will help in the assessment of the effectiveness of the trial and allow for the development of strategies for vulnerable groups. This trial has the potential to improve the Police Service’s client service delivery which can only be of benefit to the Queensland community. I note that the shadow minister would like to see this trial statewide and permanent. I think the trial is going to be very important in allowing the police to assess the workability of the system before we make the decision to extend it statewide. Police want this option and I support them in that. Public nuisance offences are often highly visible offences which occur in busy public areas. There is no doubt that these types of behaviour offences contribute to people’s fear of crime. The ability to write a ticket for minor public nuisance offences is another practical step to keep police out on the street 3682 Justice (Fair Trading) Legislation Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008 detecting and preventing crime. The bottom line is that the ability to ticket public nuisance offences will save police time. It will also allow for the identification and development of meaningful strategies aimed at keeping vulnerable groups out of the court system. I look forward to the evaluation of the trial. Finally, my sincere thanks to my staff, Simon Tutt and Fred Gwinn, and to Inspector Greg Thomas, Acting Inspector Mark Crowe, Senior Sergeant Elizabeth Lowcock and Sergeant Rachael Chan from the Queensland Police Service for their work on the Summary Offences and Other Acts Amendment Bill. Question put—That the bill be now read a second time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a second time. Consideration in Detail Clauses 1 to 9, as read, agreed to. Third Reading Hon. JC SPENCE (Mount Gravatt—ALP) (Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport) (12.59 pm): I move— That the bill be now read a third time. Question put—That the bill be now read a third time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a third time. Long Title Hon. JC SPENCE (Mount Gravatt—ALP) (Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport) (12.59 pm): I move— That the long title of the bill be agreed to. Question put—That the long title of the bill be agreed to. Motion agreed to. Sitting suspended from 1.00 pm to 2.30 pm. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr O’Brien): Order! Before calling the member for Toowoomba South, I recognise in the public gallery staff and students from the Brisbane Grammar School in the electorate of Brisbane Central, which is represented in this parliament by Grace Grace. Welcome to the parliament.

JUSTICE (FAIR TRADING) LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL

Second Reading Resumed from 14 May (see p. 1620), on motion of Mr Shine— That the bill be now read a second time. Mr HORAN (Toowoomba South—LNP) (2.31 pm): I rise today to speak to this important bill, the Justice (Fair Trading) Legislation Amendment Bill 2008, which was presented to the House on 14 May this year. This bill makes various amendments to an array of acts that fall within the portfolios of Attorney-General, Justice and Fair Trading. The amendments to 16 acts serve the dual purposes of clarification and improvement of the acts. These amendments may take the form of minor wording or titling corrections and are housed in the bill’s schedule, which is titled ‘Minor Amendments’. These minor amended acts mentioned in the schedule include the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997, the Building Units and Group Titles Act 1980, the Commercial and Consumer Tribunal Act 2003, the Liens on Crops of Sugar Cane Act 1931, the Residential Services (Accreditation) Act 2002, the Retail Shop Leases Act 1994, the Retirement Villages Act 1999 and the Travel Agents Act 1988. Further and more substantial amendments are dealt with throughout the clauses of this bill. These more substantial amendments are to the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997, the Churches of Christ, Scientist, Incorporation Act 1964, the Commercial and Consumer Tribunal Act 2003, the Fair Trading Act 1989, the Introduction Agents Act 2001, the Partnership Act 1891, the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000, the Residential Services (Accreditation) Act 2002, the 25 Nov 2008 Justice (Fair Trading) Legislation Amendment Bill 3683

Retirement Villages Act 1999—and in terms of a pecuniary interest I declare that I am a director of a retirement village—the Second-hand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act 2003, the Security Providers Act 1993, the Tourism Services Act 2003 and the Travel Agents Act 1988. It has been foreshadowed that this bill amends a variety of departmental acts in a number of ways. Chiefly, these amendments are: for the purposes of improving the CrimTrac system in sharing information for the purposes of compelling agencies seeking reports to pay for them, rather than the Office of Fair Trading paying for that particular information; secondly, for improving the licensing procedures of Fair Trading regulated bodies; thirdly, regarding the Churches of Christ, Scientist, relating to the winding up of what is called the Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Brisbane; fourthly, the incorporation of early stage venture capital limited partnerships in attracting investments into Queensland; fifthly, allowing a register of undertakings to be published on the Office of Fair Trading web site; and, sixthly, ensuring consistencies in the implementation of the Consumer Credit (Queensland) and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2008’s part 4 amendment of the Security Providers Act 1993. The CrimTrac system was established as an executive agency under the Commonwealth Public Service Act, in the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s portfolio. In greater detail, the utilisation of the CrimTrac system in the implementation of the various licensing systems of the Office of Fair Trading bodies in Queensland would provide a more expeditious, industrious and effective process in the issuing of licences to organisations that are formed under the variety of amended acts that I have listed, and those acts include the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act, the Residential Services (Accreditation) Act, the Second-hand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act, the Security Providers Act, the Introduction Agents Act, the Retirement Villages Act, the Tourism Services Act and the Travel Agents Act. Consequently, amendments have been made to these acts reflecting these policy changes. Generally speaking, the amendments that are made to each of them are very similar. In two or three cases there are some additional differences. Principally, the amendments will institute new processes whereby the recovery of costs in the provision of criminal history reports is ensured. The reports are requested from the police commissioner to assist in the assessment for eligibility of licensing or registration under any of the Fair Trading related acts. The fees charged under the proposed amendments are envisaged as being in the order of present fees and charges being recovered under transitional provisions pursuant to the temporary arrangement having been in place since 1 July 2005. This requirement comes as a result of a Cabinet Budget Review Committee decision to have a user-pays regime for criminal history reports. The Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Brisbane was founded under the Churches of Christ, Scientist, Incorporation Act 1964. The number of the church’s entity churches has dwindled over the years and consequently only one member remains. This has provided for a stalemate whereby, pursuant to the act, the incorporated body cannot form the necessary quorum to wind itself up. The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Brisbane, which is the parent church, would see the transfer of all of the second church’s assets to the Christian Science Trust in Australia. Whilst this winding up may not occur pursuant to the 1964 act, it will be required to be facilitated by this act. The assets of the remaining member of the church will be transferred to the trust in accordance with the wishes of the parent church and presumably it will be the single remaining member church. The Partnership Act 1891 is amended in this legislation because Queensland is a part of a national venture capital incentive scheme which encourages international investment into the growing Australian venture capital investment sector by providing tax exemptions and capital gains concessions for eligible participants, and I presume that it also encourages investment by Australian organisations. I ask the Attorney to clear that matter up as well if possible in his summing-up speech. I presume that is right, because in order for Queensland investors to take advantage of the new investment vehicle the Partnership Act 1891 will need to be amended to allow the new investment vehicle to be registered under the act. AusIndustry provides us with a concise definition of what an early stage venture capital limited partnership is. The early stage venture capital limited partnership, or ESVCLP, program is aimed at invigorating Australia’s venture capital sector by making available to fund managers a world-class investment vehicle. A venture capital fund registered as an ESVCLP will be entitled to flow-through income tax treatment and a complete tax exemption for income, both revenue and capital, received by its partners, whether resident or non-resident. So that really clears up the question I asked about being resident or non-resident. In order to qualify for registration as an ESVCLP, a fund must be a registered partnership with no more than $100 million in committed capital and must invest in businesses with total assets not exceeding $50 million. Immediately prior to investment an ESVCLP must also divest itself of any holdings once the total assets of the investee exceed $250 million. As the income will be exempt from tax, investors will not be able to deduct investment losses. As I mentioned earlier, this bill contains a number of amendments to other acts. These amendments are made for a variety of reasons. The honourable the Attorney-General stated that the amendments are necessary at the behest of providing clarity, consistency and certainty. I will proceed to 3684 Justice (Fair Trading) Legislation Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008 illustrate the amendments that this bill makes to the relevant acts. The Commercial and Consumer Tribunal Act 2003 is amended to clarify the fact that the chief executive of the Commercial and Consumer Tribunal may register decisions of the tribunal and can make submissions in relation to the claim fund under the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000. The amendments will also provide certainty in respect of the period within which to commence an appeal in relation to the claim fund under the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000. The Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000 is amended to repeal a requirement for an approved financial institution to be prescribed by regulation. At present, a licensee is required to open exclusively trust accounts with approved financial institutions, which are defined as financial institutions that have been prescribed under a regulation and which have entered into an agreement with the chief executive. These agreements regulate the payment of interest on amounts held in the licensee’s trust accounts. I have some concerns regarding the accountability process for these trust accounts. These accounts are going to be for public trust moneys. We are seeing another check and balance being removed and that is the check and balance of a regulation coming before this parliament when this parliament has the ability to move for a disallowance. We are dealing with public moneys. It is important that every accountability method is there in legislation. Whether or not people feel that it is a nuisance or an encumbrance, I think it is important to maintain accountability, especially with public trust moneys. This bill amends the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 to omit a provision that is inconsistent with the appeal provisions of the act. This amendment will ensure that, as a result of recent amendments, the act will provide that an appeal on an adjudicator’s order on a question of law in a dispute which is not a complex dispute may be made only to the Commercial and Consumer Tribunal rather than to the District Court. Presently, the act inaccurately refers the right to appeal on an adjudicator’s order to the District Court on a question of law. The bill makes amendments to the Fair Trading Act 1989 to clarify that the register of enforceable undertakings can be published on the department’s web site. The publication of the register on the Office of Fair Trading web site will facilitate greater public access to the register of enforceable undertakings. This amendment comes in light of recent legal advice received by the Office of Fair Trading indicating that Fair Trading does not at present provide the facility for the record to be published. This amendment will certainly make the register a lot more open and accountable. The amendment to the Security Providers Act 1993 clarifies that the list of disqualifying offences includes stalking. This particular amendment introduces that offence to the list. Previously, that offence was omitted, so this amendment corrects that. The amendment further concretes the notion that the chief executive can take interstate offences into consideration when the chief executive is making decisions about licensing under the Security Providers Act. The amendments to the Travel Agents Act 1988 correct drafting anomalies where a loophole was identified. In combating this loophole, clause 106 has been drafted to provide a clear authority to the Commissioner for Fair Trading to request a criminal history report from the Commissioner of Police in relation to licensees and licence applicants. In relation to the amendments to acts that relate to licensing, the Office of Fair Trading needs to assess applications for licensing and registration in a timely fashion. In the interests of expeditious approvals, low-risk applicants may, without a criminal history report having been received from the Commissioner of Police, be granted approval. Potentially, internet licensing and registration renewals could effectively be granted immediate approval once the low-risk applicant completes the online application process. However, the Office of Fair Trading must be satisfied that the applicant was low risk. As I understand it, basically this amendment allows that licensee to commence operating under that licence but it would still be subject to a formal criminal check. The applicant has gone through the process, the office has expedited the licensing process and if anything were to be turned up by the formal criminal check, which is more lengthy, then that licence would be in grave doubt and other consequential actions for the incorrect filling out of that low-risk application would come into play. Further, a number of acts are amended to ensure that action may be taken where false and misleading statements are made on licence applications and renewals. Basically, that is what I just mentioned. False claims may relate to whether the applicant has a relevant criminal history. Those amendments relate to CrimTrac. As I said, this bill makes adjustments to a substantial number of acts. The bulk of those amendments relates to how the CrimTrac process occurs in the various licence and licensee applications that come before the Office of Fair Trading. In particular, the amendments create a user- pays system for all of those applications. As I said, the bill also addresses the issue of the investment of trust funds, which I have some concern about but, generally speaking, I commend the bill to the House. 25 Nov 2008 Justice (Fair Trading) Legislation Amendment Bill 3685

Mrs CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone—Ind) (2.47 pm): I rise to address the Justice (Fair Trading) Legislation Amendment Bill. I want to raise a couple of points in relation to several amendments. This bill makes amendments to a number acts, one of which is the Fair Trading Act, which will be amended to permit the publication of the register of enforceable undertakings on the Office of Fair Trading web site. I welcome this greater access by members of the community who are interested in understanding more clearly any organisation or company that they may be interested in becoming involved with. Oftentimes people are caught out, usually because of a lack of information. Not everybody will take up this opportunity, but for those who are interested in gaining an in-depth understanding of companies or people who they are going to be dealing with, this additional access to information is welcome. This bill also makes amendments to the security providers licence. One of those amendments is really curative. The offence of stalking has always been a matter that would remove a person’s eligibility for a security providers licence. But, because of changes to the Criminal Code, this situation was altered unintentionally. I am sure everybody in the community believes that that type of behaviour is inappropriate for someone who is intending to provide security for either a company or functions. I note that the bill will also ensure that offences committed interstate which, if they were committed in Queensland would be disqualifying offences, will also be disqualifying offences in Queensland. I do not think anyone would disagree with the intention of this legislation. I commend the minister for that. Behaviour interstate is behaviour that could well occur in our own state. People who provide security, either for functions or for companies, are in a significant position of trust and it is vital that their behaviour be beyond question. The previous speaker dealt with the purpose of amendments to the Churches of Christ, Scientist, Incorporation Act. There are also some changes to allow people involved in establishing national venture capital to have access in Queensland to incentive schemes. Certainly in my electorate there is a great emphasis on capital raising. I am certain that those who are involved in seeking capital and also those companies that may be interested in investing in some of the major projects in my electorate will welcome these changes. I initially had some concerns in relation to the issue of a criminal history check and cost recovery. I note, however, that the recovery of costs will only apply—and I would ask the minister to confirm this— to the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act, the Residential Services (Accreditation) Act, the Second- hand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act, the Security Providers Act, the Introduction Agents Act, the Retirement Villages Act, the Tourism Services Act and the Travel Agents Act. My initial thought when I heard about cost recovery was that it could include people who are doing voluntary work under blue cards, et cetera, even though that is a different jurisdiction. I ask for confirmation from the minister that those people who are acting, often on a voluntarily basis, will not have this cost recovery laid at their feet. We are certainly in a situation nowadays where we are wanting volunteers who are appropriate people to the areas that they want to volunteer in. Any additional costs laid at their feet will be a disincentive for them to be involved. I notice that part of the changes in the criminal history check will be that low-risk applicants will not have to go through the process. Part of the process will include the applicant making a statement in their application form that they continue to have no relevant criminal history. I would be interested to hear from the minister whether there will be any random audits of those statements to make sure that people are doing the right thing or whether it will be a reactive situation where those statements will only be reviewed when a person is found to have made false or misleading statements. I look forward to the minister’s response. I support the legislation. Mr MOORHEAD (Waterford—ALP) (2.52 pm): I rise to support the Justice (Fair Trading) Legislation Amendment Bill 2008. I will make only a few comments related to three specific parts of the bill which I believe are of interest to the people I represent. The first issue that I wanted to raise was the provision in the bill that provides that the Office of Fair Trading will now be able to publish on its web site undertakings given to that office. Generally I would assume that these undertakings would result from investigations into practices by businesses and traders that may not necessarily result in a prosecution but result in undertakings that will ensure that that practice does not happen in the future. This is a case of buyer beware of these people because these are people who have been found to be engaged in less than desirable practices in the past. It gives people an opportunity to research the person they are dealing with and to look at their track record to find out whether they are people of honour and integrity. This provision is an important tool for consumers. There is a similar provision currently on the Building Services Authority web site where consumers, before they enter into a building contract, can find a history of a particular contractor’s interaction, for want of a better term, with the Building Services Authority. By doing this, people who are contracting with those contractors can do so with their eyes open to what practices may have occurred in the past. This is a simple but important reform as it ensures that consumers in Queensland can take advantage of the information held by the Office of Fair Trading to discover the history or practices undertaken by a trader. The bill will also amend the Security Providers Act by ensuring that a person who has been convicted of stalking will be disqualified from holding a licence as a security provider. How apt that this provision is being debated on White Ribbon Day, a day when people can come together and speak out 3686 Justice (Fair Trading) Legislation Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008 against domestic violence. While not necessarily solely used in cases of domestic violence, stalking is an insidious offence that, while less obvious than brutal assaults and assaults directly to the person, results in people living in fear of physical violence. Because of the nature of this offence I believe that the community would not accept a person with this conviction being put in a position of trust as a security provider. The provisions in the Security Providers Act will ensure that offences committed interstate are considered when making the decision to provide a licence. This is an important step to ensure seamless regulation transition across borders. It will also mean that there are no loopholes or opportunities for people who might have a disqualifying offence in one jurisdiction obtaining a licence in the other jurisdiction. The bill also updates the provisions of numerous bills in relation to criminal history checks. The two that I wanted to raise particularly were the Residential Services (Accreditation) Act and the Retirement Villages Act. People might question why we are requiring people who are accredited under these acts to undergo criminal history checks. It is a recognition of the important position of trust that people who are accredited under these acts hold. Under the Residential Services (Accreditation) Act or the Retirement Villages Act, people in those positions of trust are often dealing with older people, frail people and people who may well be vulnerable to sharp practices. Up-to-date criminal history checks ensure that the residents of those residential services and retirement villages are being treated fairly and are not the subject of sharp practices. With those few comments, I commend the bill to the House. Mrs MILLER (Bundamba—ALP) (2.57 pm): I am pleased to support the Justice (Fair Trading) Legislation Amendment Bill 2008. I would like to contribute to the debate on this fair trading legislation as many people in the Bundamba electorate feel ripped off and powerless in relation to consumer matters, but I will come back to that later. I am very pleased that the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 will be amended to make it absolutely clear that the right of appeal of an adjudicator’s order for disputes that are not complex in nature will be to the Commercial and Consumer Tribunal. It is important to note that this is an appeal on a question of law. I am also pleased that the Fair Trading Act will be amended to permit publication of the Register of Enforceable Undertakings on the web site of the Office of Fair Trading. This will give greater access to the people of Queensland, as previously access could only be granted by personal inspection—a Noah’s Ark inspection regime. The Security Providers Act will also be amended to include stalking as a disqualifying offence. This is a simple consequential amendment. Riverview Neighbourhood House is holding a security training course starting early in 2009 for those eligible for training and also eligible for a licence. It is very important that security officers are very well trained. Furthermore, a number of departmental acts will be amended to allow the chief executive or the Commissioner for Fair Trading to obtain a written criminal history report from the police commissioner. The chief executive will be able to recover the reasonable costs of obtaining such a report. The purpose of this amendment is very important. It will assist officers in determining an applicant’s suitability for licensing or for registration. In relation to the fair trading issues that I spoke about earlier, money is tight in the community of Bundamba and people are struggling to pay their rent or pay off their houses, cars and other items. However, they do know when businesses are ripping them off and they know when they have had unfair and poor service. In the last few months one issue of concern to me has been the number of complaints I have received about telecommunications companies such as Telstra and Optus. I know of people who have purchased mobile phones like new the iPhone and the i-mate and the phone may work but the internet does not or vice versa. Telstra is of no assistance at all. Having been forwarded to call centre after call centre after call centre, it appears to me that these telcos are simply playing ‘pass the complaints parcel’. Service is atrocious, both at the shops and on the phone. Constituents have told me that they have had first-hand experience of this and they are sick of it. I call on Telstra and the other telcos to get their act together and provide decent service to their customers, both at their shops and on the phone. These days most people do not have the time to spend hours trying to purchase a phone and then spend even more time trying to get those phones working. Whilst I realise that this is mainly a federal issue, probably there is not a single person in this House who has not received complaints from constituents in relation to telcos. If there is anything that the minister can do to assist the millions of frustrated Queenslanders in dealing with telecommunications problems, I am sure that the people of Queensland would be extremely grateful. In any case, they are grateful to the minister for fair trading for his efforts to ensure the protection of the consumers of this great state of Queensland. I commend the bill to the House. Mr MESSENGER (Burnett—LNP) (3.01 pm): I rise to make a small contribution to the debate on the Justice (Fair Trading) Legislation Amendment Bill 2008, which the LNP supports, except for a number of clauses that we have concerns about and that the shadow minister noted in his speech. The 25 Nov 2008 Justice (Fair Trading) Legislation Amendment Bill 3687 bill makes amendments to a number of departmental acts, with many acts being amended to correct minor wording or title errors. Such changes have been made to the CrimTrac licensing system; the Churches of Christ, Scientist, Incorporation Act 1964; and the Partnership Act 1891. Other acts that are to be amended under the legislation include the Commercial and Consumer Tribunal Act 2003, the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000, the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997, the Fair Trading Act 1989 and the Security Providers Act 1993. As much of this legislation affects Queensland small business, it is appropriate that we reflect on the importance of small business to Queensland. According to library research, in the financial year 2003-04 the number of commencing non-employing business enterprises was 47,538. By June 2007, 30,441 had ceased being operational. This represents a decline of 64.03 per cent over the three-year period. That is why, especially in the current operating environment, it is imperative that in this place we pass legislation that will not have an adverse effect on small businesses. For commencing business enterprises with one to 19 employees the figure was 19,107, of which 7,377 had ceased being operational by June 2007. That represents a decline of 38.6 per cent over that three-year period. Figures such as these support the 2006 offer by CPA Australia to work with the Queensland government. CPA Australia is concerned about the real lack of awareness in the business community about the government initiatives, training programs and resources available for small business. This needs to be addressed as a matter of priority. CPA Australia is keen to work in partnership with the Queensland government to deliver a communication strategy for this information. There are an estimated 216,000 small business enterprises operating in Queensland employing approximately 610,000 people. The small business sector also employs over 50 per cent of all persons employed in the private sector and contributes 39 per cent of the state’s industrial gross product. The legislation proposes changes to the CrimTrac licensing system to ensure the cost of processing criminal history checks is recoverable by initiating a user-pays system in line with a December 2004 Cabinet Budget Review Committee determination. This will mean that agencies seeking criminal history reports will be required to pay for them, rather than the Office of Fair Trading. I note that since July 2005 a provisional arrangement has been in place for the recovery of these costs. This will improve the licensing procedures of Fair Trading regulated bodies. The licensing system will be altered to incorporate licences granted under a number of acts. The licensing system will provide the means for the possible implementation of electronic renewals and applications for low-risk licences. I understand that under the legislation the Office of Fair Trading will be able to charge people who apply for licences, and this relates to a number of licences across a number of different sectors such as property agents and motor dealers, second-hand dealers, security providers, introduction agents, retirement villages, tourism services and travel agents. In effect, people will be charged a fee for a written report on their criminal history. I am worried that this could be another input cost levied on small business. I would like to know how much the government is projecting to raise with this added charge. I ask that because in Queensland we are only just beginning to appreciate how desperate this government is for revenue. It has a distinguished history of wasting taxpayers’ funds and spending Queensland families’ money on the wrong projects. Ultimately what is motivating the government to pass this legislation is that it is desperately seeking cash. I note that the legislation amends the Churches of Christ, Scientist, Incorporation Act 1964. The Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Brisbane, a body corporate constituted under the Churches of Christ, Scientist, Incorporation Act 1964, has a sole remaining member. This has provided for a standstill whereby the incorporated body cannot wind up. The amendments allow for the winding up of the entities incorporated under the act. The legislation amends the Partnership Act 1891. Early stage venture capital limited partnerships are being integrated into the Partnership Act to allow Queensland businesses and entrepreneurs to utilise that Commonwealth investment vehicle. The venture capital market has grown exponentially through various tax breaks given by the state. Those breaks are said to ensure big investments in Queensland businesses and make for a positive growth environment for overseas investors. While the LNP will be supporting this bill in general, through the shadow minister we will be looking long and hard at clauses 60 and 64, which allow the chief executive, not the minister through parliament, to enter into agreements with financial bodies. I think alarm bells should be ringing, as this removes the requirement for regulation when establishing a trust fund to hold moneys, ultimately leading to a lack of accountability. If there is one thing that we should expect from the government, it is accountable, representative and transparent government. That is a right that all Queenslanders should enjoy, but once again, unfortunately, recent history has shown that we have not seen that standard from this government. Further amendments will ensure fast and efficient licensing systems by approving low-risk applicants without a criminal history report having been received from the Commissioner of Police. The explanatory notes use the example of internet licensing and registration renewals that could possibly be granted immediate approval following the applicant completing the online application process should the Office of Fair Trading be satisfied that the applicant is low risk. 3688 Justice (Fair Trading) Legislation Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008

In closing, I would comment briefly on the Office of Fair Trading. Within my community there is a perception that the Office of Fair Trading, while well intentioned, is largely a toothless tiger. We really need to address that issue. On a number of occasions constituents of mine have complained about inaction on their behalf. In closing, I support the bill. Mr LANGBROEK (Surfers Paradise—LNP) (3.09 pm): I also rise with pleasure to speak briefly to the Justice (Fair Trading) Legislation Amendment Bill. I note the support proffered by the shadow Attorney-General, the member for Toowoomba South. I note the contribution made by him and his queries about a couple of clauses that he has issue with—clauses 60 and 64. I note that the bill makes amendments to a variety of fair trading legislation. There are changes to the CrimTrac licensing system. The relevant acts will be amended to provide a specific head of power to enable the chief executive or the Commissioner for Fair Trading to recover the costs of obtaining criminal history reports. This bill amends those acts for the following reasons. The first is the improvement of the CrimTrac system, particularly in information sharing and licensing. Agencies seeking criminal history reports will be required to pay for them rather than the Office of Fair Trading. This relieves financial burdens on the Office of Fair Trading by implementing a user-pays system. As stated in the explanatory notes, as the honourable member for Burnett quoted, the Cabinet Budget Review Committee in December 2004 determined that a user-pays regime was to be implemented by affected agencies for employment and licensing purposes by 1 July 2005. To implement this directive on an interim basis, the Office of Fair Trading has utilised section 36(2) of the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1977 to enable the chief executive to recover the reasonable cost of obtaining criminal history reports further to licence or registration processing. I also note that the bill will improve the licensing procedures of the Office of Fair Trading regulated bodies. The licensing system will be altered to incorporate licences granted under a number of acts. The acts included are the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000, the Residential Services (Accreditation) Act 2002, the Second-hand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act 2003, the Security Providers Act 1993, the Introduction Agents Act 2001, the Retirement Villages Act 1999, the Tourism Services Act 2003 and the Travel Agents Act 1988. The licensing system will also provide the means for a possible implementation of electronic renewals—I note that that is in the case of people who are renewing licences who do not have particular histories that may be of concern to the department—and applications for low-risk licences. The legislation also incorporates changes to the Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Brisbane, under the Churches of Christ, Scientist, Incorporation Act 1964. The church does not have enough members to facilitate a quorum to wind up the enterprise under the act. This bill will provide those means. The bill will allow for the incorporation of an early stage venture capital limited partnership in attracting investments into Queensland. The venture capital market has grown exponentially through the various tax breaks given by the state of Queensland. These breaks are said to ensure big investments in Queensland business and make for a positive growth environment for overseas investors. The bill will also allow a register of undertakings to be published on the Office of Fair Trading web site. It provides for openness of executive decision making. Current provisions do not allow for this. It will also ensure consistencies in the implementation of the Consumer Credit (Queensland) and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2008, Part 4—Amendment of Security Providers Act 1993 to ensure drafting consistencies. This bill is wide-ranging in some ways in terms of the acts that have to be amended to achieve the purpose of the overall bill. I look forward to hearing the debate in consideration in detail. I note that there are also amendments to the Travel Agents Act 1988. Mr HINCHLIFFE (Stafford—ALP) (3.13 pm): The Justice (Fair Trading) Legislation Amendment Bill amends a range of fair trading legislation. Those acts have been referred to by other speakers during this debate, so I will not read out that extensive list one more time. One of the most significant changes arising out of the legislation before the House relates to the CrimTrac system. To ensure that consumers are adequately protected, a range of licences issued by the department of justice require a criminal history search to be undertaken to make sure that only appropriate persons receive those licences. The amendments before the House provide for the reasonable costs associated with obtaining these reports to be recovered by the Office of Fair Trading. I want to address the comments made by the member for Burnett in this context, referring to those issues about providing for reasonable costs to be recovered by the Office of Fair Trading. The member for Burnett seemed to have some great fear that this was some sort of Trojan Horse for a whole raft of new charges. If the member for Burnett looked closely at the nature of those operations of the Office of Fair Trading at the moment, he would see that the reality is that the costs have already been passed on to applicants under an administrative arrangement set in place by the department since 2005. So there is no increased cost to applicants through the formalisation of this process. I wish to set the minds of some members of the House at ease over that matter. 25 Nov 2008 Justice (Fair Trading) Legislation Amendment Bill 3689

Applicants for licences are strictly scrutinised to ensure that they are suitable people. As I said, that is the purpose of this process. When they apply for their licence to be renewed, I think it is appropriate that in low-risk cases the applicant who has already gone through that criminal history search process be allowed to apply and state that they have not had a criminal conviction. I think that is an appropriate low-risk management strategy. To ensure adequate protection for consumers, severe penalties apply where a false statement is made. That is an important guarantee for consumers and the general public. The bill also makes some amendments to the Commercial and Consumer Tribunal Act. The Commercial and Consumer Tribunal is an important tribunal undertaking a range of work relating to a wide variety of jurisdictions. Service of documents is an important part of the functions of the tribunal. It is a complex task to balance the need to inform people of proceedings against them with allowing matters to come before the court if a person is evading service to prevent an action being heard against them. These amendments provide that, if it is required, substituted service can be effected in the same way as under the uniform civil procedure rules. For instance, there is now a requirement for substituted service of originating process under the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act, PAMDA. They also allow for substituted service of documents where personal service or other service required under an act proves impractical. The safeguards in these provisions are that an application must be made to the tribunal outlining why service in accordance with the act is impractical. The tribunal may impose such steps as it deems appropriate for bringing the document to the attention of the person other than by service. There is also an amendment relating to the date on which a decision takes effect in relation to a PAMDA claim fund hearing. At present a difficulty has arisen because, where both parties are not present when a decision of the tribunal is handed down, the section provides that the decision takes effect when the party not present is served. If service is difficult—as I mentioned earlier, some people try to make it difficult—the decision will not take effect. The practical effect of this is that the time for allowing an appeal, which is 28 days after the decision takes effect, does not start to run if there is no service and that leads to an open-ended appeal process. These amendments provide that the decision takes effect from the time the decision is published, which means that the parties have 28 days from that day to lodge an appeal. So parties who have interest in appealing need to make themselves available for that service. The PAMDA fund allows for people who have suffered loss as a result of actions of a dealer or agent to claim against the fund. The act as it currently stands allows parties to a matter to register a decision by the tribunal for enforcement purposes. There may be situations where it is appropriate for the chief executive of Fair Trading to be able to register a decision of the tribunal, particularly where the claimant has been paid out of the fund, and an order made against the agent or dealer. The chief executive should have power to enforce the order against the offending party to ensure that the moneys are repaid to the claim fund; otherwise moneys end up being paid out of the public purse. These amendments allow the chief executive to register a decision by the tribunal for enforcement purposes. They also allow the chief executive to make submissions before the tribunal in relation to claim fund matters. As a claim against the PAMDA fund involves public moneys, it is appropriate for the chief executive to be able to make submissions about who is responsible for a claimant’s loss and who should reimburse the fund for moneys paid out to a claimant. The Office of Fair Trading brings all types of actions against traders who breach the act. Some result in prosecutions; others take a less formal approach and include such actions as enforceable undertakings. This allows the department to take action against a trader who enters such an undertaking and then breaches it. The purpose of these undertakings is to provide protection for consumers—that is the fundamental element of this legislation to which these amendments are being made—and to ensure the widest possible effect of such undertakings. These amendments allow the department to publish the details of enforceable undertakings entered into on the department’s web site. Greater access to information will lead to better informed consumers. I commend the department on this initiative. It is an example of the Smart State in action. Members of the public will be able to search the register before entering into an agreement with a trader. It helps with that old byword of caveat emptor, that buyers beware and that they beware with the best possible information. Having this information available on the department’s web site is of assistance in that regard. I note the comments made by the member for Surfers Paradise when he referred to the introduction of provisions with new venture capital incentive schemes that provide certain tax exemptions and capital gains concessions for eligible participants. The vehicle for such arrangements is an early stage venture capital limited partnership. There was no specific provision in our Partnership Act 1891 for such a vehicle—unsurprisingly—to deal with these arrangements. So this amendment before the House today is being made to the definition section to provide that, for the purposes of part 4, the definition of early stage venture capital limited partnership has the same meaning as it does in the Commonwealth’s Venture Capital Act 2002, which was created last year in the Commonwealth’s new 3690 Justice (Fair Trading) Legislation Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008 tax law amendments which were passed by the Australian parliament. As I say, the amendments to the Partnership Act will now allow the registration of these entities into a framework for registration of these venture capital limited partnerships. Finally, I want to turn my attention to the amendments being made to the Churches of Christ, Scientist, Incorporation Act 1964, which provided a legal framework for the establishment of the church. The amendments are important, and we need to understand the historical context of the fact that this act—Churches of Christ, Scientist, Incorporation Act—exists in our statutes. This was legislated for in a time prior to the Associations Incorporation Act. At the time separate pieces of legislation were passed to allow the incorporation of various entities. As has been mentioned by a number of members in the second reading debate, there is only one remaining member of this Second Church of Christ, Scientist. As a consequence, there are not sufficient members to constitute a quorum to enable winding up of the church. Therefore, we must make arrangements in these amendments for the property of the Second Church of Christ, Scientist to be transferred to the Christian Science Trust in Australia. Also, importantly, to ensure we do not have this problem again in the future, the provisions of the Associations Incorporation Act are being applied as if the church were being wound up by an order of the Supreme Court, and that will be applied to the First Church of Christ, Scientist as well. To ensure that no-one is placed in this position again, amendments are being made to deem that Associations Incorporation Act provisions apply to the remainder of the acts of the church. This will allow for both voluntary winding up and a winding up upon application to the Supreme Court should that become necessary. I think it is clear that this is a good example of where we need to have appropriate legislation that catches all people. The fact that we now have the Associations Incorporation Act and that that can be more broadly applied and used to capture these sorts of organisations I think is entirely appropriate. This is an important, if piece-by-piece, reform to the provisions that are made for a range of different organisations in our community. On that note, I commend the bill to the House. Mr NICHOLLS (Clayfield—LNP) (3.24 pm): I want to touch on a few matters that are covered in this bill, dealing with many acts as it does. As the member for Toowoomba South outlined earlier today, we will be supporting the majority of the amendments proposed in the legislation. I have a particular interest in the proposed amendments relating to the Second Church of Christ, Scientist and the Churches of Christ, Scientist, Incorporation Act 1964. The amendments will allow the Second Church of Christ, Scientist as opposed to the First Church of Christ, Scientist to be wound up. It, in fact, has only one member left: Mrs McClelland, I think, who from memory lives at Brighton. The reason I know that is that the main asset of the church is in Vine Street, Clayfield, around the corner from the Clayfield Memorial School of Arts and behind the Wagner Road preschool. It has been abandoned for many years. It gets graffitied quite regularly, and it is also used as a way of getting into the playground for the child-care centre and into the school of arts. So the winding up of it actually cures a longstanding problem that has been around for probably four or five years. Mr Shine: Parking’s not a problem. Mr NICHOLLS: Parking is a big problem—not on Sundays but at 8 am most other times with all the mums dropping their kids off. It is also busy on Anzac Day because that is where the Clayfield- Toombul branch of the RSL meets. Mr Horan interjected. Mr NICHOLLS: I take that interjection from the member for Toowoomba South. The second plate collection is something that is a speciality of the Catholic Church. Us Anglicans do not quite know how to cope with the second one when it comes around. We have run out of money by that stage because we are so generous the first time around. The other problem with the Second Church of Christ, Scientist and the property in Vine Street was that it was rapidly approaching the stage when it would have been sold up for rates, because I do not think the rates had been paid for some considerable time. I had written to the sole remaining trustee on a number of occasions to see if we could help but never got any contact. I have been contacted by a number of community groups which also wanted to access the building. It is quite a substantial building. It is a very heavy-set building in the style of that church but it would have some use in our part of the world as a community hall. It had been previously used by the Front Row Theatre group, which staged one production there in 2003. So this is obviously a good move. Following on from the comments made by the member for Stafford, I understand the necessity for it— that is, the Associations Incorporation Act not being in place at the time and the necessity to put in place other arrangements in case it occurs again in the future. I also want to deal with the amendments to the Partnership Act 1891. Those amendments are about making changes to enable the operation of the early stage venture capital limited partnership scheme, which was a great scheme put up in 2007 by the former Howard government. It was one of the many good schemes that the Howard government put up in order to encourage investment, and to 25 Nov 2008 Justice (Fair Trading) Legislation Amendment Bill 3691 enhance investment and development in future schemes. It follows on the repayment of Labor’s $96 billion debt, the 20 per cent real wages growth, the reduction in unemployment to record lows of 4.2 per cent and the upgrading of our credit rating to AAA status after it had been downgraded twice before. This is just another part of the great legacy of the Howard government including the magnificent surpluses that are now being used by the Rudd Labor government in order to prop up the economy. I thought people might be a bit interested to know a little more about the early stage venture capital limited partnerships and what they do. They enable people to invest funds. They are aimed at stimulating Australia’s venture capital sector by making available to fund managers a world-class investment vehicle. A venture capital fund registered as an early stage venture capital limited partnership will be entitled to flow through income tax treatment—that is, the partnership itself does not become a taxing point for income tax and there is a complete tax exemption for income, both revenue and capital, received by its partners whether resident or non-resident. They are fairly significant advantages for registration as an early stage venture capital limited partnership. To qualify for registration a fund must be a registered partnership with no more than $100 million in committed capital and must invest in businesses with total assets not exceeding $50 million immediately prior to investment. It must also divest itself of any holdings once the total assets of the investee exceed $250 million. As the income will be exempt from tax, investors are not able to deduct investment losses. The incentive scheme encourages international investment in the growing Australian venture capital investment sector by providing tax exemptions and capital gains concessions for eligible participants. On 21 June 2007 the tax laws amendment act commenced. As members can see, there are some quite handsome benefits from registration in this scheme. As partnerships are creatures of state and territory legislation, the Queensland Partnership Act needs to be amended to enable the incorporation of these special purpose partnership arrangements. That is what the legislation in front of us does. Notwithstanding the world financial crisis, I do hope that there are sufficient people out there who are entrepreneurial in spirit and who have access to and can raise sufficient funds so that they can continue to invest in venture capital projects in Australia. Without the entrepreneurs and the value that they bring and the risk that they take, Australia will be worse off. We will not be able to develop jobs. We will not be able to develop new industries, whether they be in ICT or in any other spheres of endeavour. It is vital that we maintain access to investment funds. By providing these benefits at the federal level, which this amendment coincidentally assists, we will be doing that. So I commend that particular amendment to the House. The third issue I want to deal with is the amendments to the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act, the Residential Services (Accreditation) Act, the Retirement Villages Act, the Second-hand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act, the Security Providers Act, the Tourism Services Act and the Travel Agents Act. These amendments relate to the ability to get a criminal history through CrimTrac. The other issue, which was raised by the Attorney in his second reading speech, is the provisional licensing of people who require a CrimTrac history search but where there is a delay in obtaining it. It is disappointing that we need this legislation. There have been many delays. As the Attorney said in his second reading speech— A number of departmental acts will be amended to permit the chief executive or the Commissioner for Fair Trading to obtain a written criminal history ... He goes on— Due to the need for the Office of Fair Trading to assess applications for licensing and registration renewals expeditiously, approvals may now be granted to ‘low risk’ applicants without a criminal history report having first been obtained. This will then allow for a speedier process. I want to bring to the attention of the House a matter that was referred to me 10 days ago. It relates to an already licensed electrician of longstanding who was seeking a licence in order to be able to install security devices. Members may recall that we passed legislation in this House in relation to licensing people who are providing or selling security devices, whether they be alarms or security grills or other things. There was a need to do that. Part of that process was obtaining a criminal history through CrimTrac. It also included, although there was a lot of debate about it, people who are already licensed electricians. A licensed electrician who already has a number of qualifications and has demonstrated skill in installing electronic devices still has to go through the process under the Security Providers Act if they want to install security equipment. What has occurred as a result of the introduction of that requirement is that there are delays with licensing. So people in small business who have made an application to obtain a licence to install this equipment have had to wait, in some instances, up to eight weeks in order to get their licence. The person I refer to already holds an electricians licence. Having gone through that process, having made an application for a security providers licence under the relevant legislation, having been visited on a Wednesday by officers of the Office of Fair Trading asking, ‘Have you made an application?’ and having told those officers that he had made an application, his wife was visited by another set of 3692 Justice (Fair Trading) Legislation Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008 officers on a Friday asking that she fill in an application. Here we have a complete absence of coordination in the Office of Fair Trading in relation to these new licences. It is a shame that this legislation adds another bureaucratic burden to small businesses at a time when they are already doing it tough. The officers from the Office of Fair Trading said, ‘You cannot carry out your lawful business’—that he has been doing for 20 years, mind you—‘unless you have this licence.’ I think it is a disgrace that that has occurred. He has subsequently received his licence. In my opinion—and in the opinion of most reasonable people—that delay is too long. The two visits by the two separate groups of inspectors on two separate days is overkill, particularly when advice had already been provided to the department that the application had been made and particularly when he is a longstanding, upstanding member of the small business community in Acacia Ridge who has been installing these devices for 20 years plus. I relay that story to the House in the hope that the Attorney may take some action in relation to such cases so that they do not occur again. Small businesses do it tough at the best of times, but to have additional bureaucratic interference in the way they go about their business does not reflect well at all on the department’s reputation or this legislation. Obviously, we need that additional change to allow that provisional licensing to occur. Hon. KG SHINE (Toowoomba North—ALP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland) (3.36 pm), in reply: I thank all honourable members for their contributions. At the outset, I thank the departmental officers who have worked so well to bring this bill before the House today. The Commercial and Consumer Tribunal Act 2003 has been amended to allow the chief executive to register decisions of the tribunal in relation to the claim fund established under the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000. The amendments will also enable the chief executive to make submissions in relation to the claim fund and provide certainty in relation to the period in which to start an appeal. A minor amendment to the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000 has been made to repeal a superfluous requirement for an approved financial institution to be prescribed by regulation. This change does not affect consumer protection as these institutions are already required to enter into an agreement with the chief executive prescribing how interest from their trust accounts is to be paid into consolidated revenue. The Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 has been amended to make it clear that in disputes which are not complex the right of appeal of an adjudicator’s order on a question of law is to the Commercial and Consumer Tribunal and not to the District Court. The Fair Trading Act 1989 amendments allow the register of enforceable undertakings to be published on the Department of Justice and Attorney-General’s web site. This will enable greater public access to the register. The amendments made to the Security Providers Act 1993 clarify that the list of disqualifying offences for a security providers licence includes stalking and allows the chief executive to consider interstate offences which if committed in Queensland would be disqualifying offences under the act for licensing decisions. Changes to the Churches of Christ, Scientist, Incorporation Act 1964 now enable the winding up of entities incorporated under the act, specifically the Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Brisbane which is a body corporate constituted under the act. The new early stage venture capital limited partnership investment vehicle which was created within the Australian government venture capital incentive scheme is now accommodated by the Partnership Act 1891. This scheme encourages international investment into the growing Australian venture capital investment sector by providing tax exemptions and capital gains concessions for eligible participants within this scheme. The new investment vehicle provides for the creation of an incorporated limited partnership for use under the Commonwealth Venture Capital Act 2002. A number of departmental acts have also been amended to permit the chief executive to recover the associated costs of obtaining criminal history reports under each relevant act. Previously, the Office of Fair Trading has utilised section 36(2) of the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1977 as an interim measure to enable the chief executive to recover the reasonable costs of obtaining criminal history reports which assist in determining an applicant’s suitability for licensing or registration. The relevant acts are as follows: the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000, the Residential Services (Accreditation) Act 2002, the Second-hand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act 2003, the Security Providers Act 1993, the Introduction Agents Act 2001, the Retirement Villages Act 1999, the Tourism Services Act 2003 and the Travel Agents Act 1988. These acts contain either a registration or licensing requirement for persons wishing to carry on relevant businesses or occupations for which background probity checks are required. The honourable member for Toowoomba South questioned whether the amendment to the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000 to repeal a superfluous requirement for an approved financial institution to be prescribed by regulation will remove necessary checks and balances in relation to safeguarding public funds held by these institutions. These amendments were identified by the Office of Fair Trading as a means of further streamlining its operation and making its core legislation more practical and efficient. 25 Nov 2008 Justice (Fair Trading) Legislation Amendment Bill 3693

Under the act, a licensee must only open trust accounts with an approved financial institution. An approved financial institution is prescribed under a regulation and must have entered into an agreement with the chief executive. These agreements regulate the payment of interest on the whole or part of amounts held in licensees’ trust accounts. Given that the obligations of an approved financial institution are specifically prescribed under this agreement, the additional existing requirement for the financial institution to also be prescribed by regulation offers no further consumer protection and may safely be repealed. If the approved financial institution does anything to breach the terms of their agreement with the chief executive, this agreement may be voided or the chief executive may enforce the terms of the agreement to make the institution compliant. As such, it is the agreement and not the regulation which offers the best consumer protection. In relation to CrimTrac amendments to facilitate the online renewal of licences, the member mentioned that a formal criminal history check will still be undertaken. This is not correct, as the purpose of the declaration which applicants for licence renewals are required to make is to avoid the necessity for a further criminal history check to be carried out on renewal when one was done when the applicant first applied for their licence. I will remind the member that under those amendments the chief executive may take strong action, including the suspension or cancellation of a licence, where the applicant for renewal of a licence makes a materially false declaration about their criminal history. The honourable member for Gladstone inquired whether these CrimTrac amendments, in relation to recovering the cost of obtaining a criminal history report, would impact on volunteers such as persons applying for a blue card. I can assure the member that these amendments only relate to the acts of parliament mentioned in the bill which concern business licences and registration and certainly not volunteers. The member for Gladstone also asked whether there would be random checks of declarations made by applicants for licences in relation to their criminal history and whether they would be undertaken. Although no checks will be made at the time the application for renewal of a licence is processed, compliance officers from the Office of Fair Trading regularly conduct compliance audits of licensees in addition to following up on consumer complaints, and such action will continue. The honourable member for Burnett asked whether the CrimTrac amendments will impose additional costs on the community. These amendments will ensure there is a specific legislative basis under the various acts for the chief executive to recover the reasonable cost of obtaining a criminal history check from the applicants for licences or registration. Applicants already pay these costs as part of the application fee and the amendments do not increase the amount that they will be charged. As such, I can assure the member that these amendments do not impose any additional costs on the community. I thank all honourable members for their contributions and indeed for their support of the bill, and I have pleasure in commending the bill to the House. Question put—That the bill be now read a second time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a second time. Consideration in Detail Clauses 1 to 3, as read, agreed to. Clause 4— Mr HORAN (3.46 pm): Clause 4—and, in fact, clauses 5, 6, 7 and 8—relates to the issue of body corporate and the matter of reference to appeal an adjudicator’s order to the District Court on a question of law. The explanatory notes state— Under the act, orders of an adjudicator in relation to disputes that are not complex disputes can now be appealed on a question of law only to the Commercial and Consumer Tribunal. I understand that it is a normal procedure that matters on a question of law would normally go before a judge and in this case we are, if you like—I do not say it in a derogatory way—watering it down to the tribunal. People have confidence in a judge in matters of law, and it is qualified people who are on the tribunal. They normally would be solicitors or barristers or have other qualifications, but I have a concern about whether in haste, for saving costs or time and so forth, we are lessening the judgement on a matter of law. I would be interested to hear the Attorney-General’s opinion on that. Mr SHINE: The honourable member mentioned the question of cost, and of course that is the real benefit of this change—that is, that the costs will be a lot less to the parties involved. Appealing to the tribunal obviously is a less costly exercise than a formal application to the District Court. He has picked it in one in terms of raising the question of cost as being the outstanding reason why this amendment is made. Mr HORAN: I also raised the issue as to whether that is an adequate judgement on a matter of law. The explanatory notes say ‘providing it is not a complex dispute’, but normally people do like to see matters sorted out before a judge. The main thing that I am seeking is that we are providing people with an adequate level of judgement on a matter of law by going to a tribunal, not to a judge. 3694 Justice (Fair Trading) Legislation Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008

Mr SHINE: I understand the underlying point the honourable member is making. There is a difference between the concept of a complex dispute and a non-complex one. It might be informative to understand that difference. Matters that are complex disputes are defined in the dictionary to the BCCM Act and include examples such as a dispute about the transfer of a letting agent’s management rights, which is financially significant, about a claimed or anticipated contractual matter, about the engagement of a person as a body corporate manager or caretaker, or about a caretaking service contractor for a community titles scheme, or about the authorisation of a person as a letting agent for a community titles scheme. All of those matters are of some consequence from a financial point of view and, therefore, are regarded as being complex. Another example of a matter for which an application may be made for an order of the tribunal or specialist adjudicator is for the adjustment of a lot entitlement schedule. These schedules prescribe the rights and responsibilities of unit owners. An order of the tribunal or a specialist adjudicator about a complex dispute can be appealed on a question of law to the District Court. Non-complex disputes can be many and varied. They can range from disputes about by-law contraventions relating to noise, pets, rubbish or parking through to disputes about contraventions of the act, the conduct of meetings and ballots, the more day-to-day types of disputes that arise between people in units whereas those that are dealing with more complex matters, dealing with significant financial investment and consequences, are matters that are more appropriately dealt with by a judge. It is better that we do not clutter up the courts—even if people could afford to get there in the first place—with disputes about pets and minor issues such as noise, rubbish and parking. That is the reason for having the two definitions. Clause 4, as read, agreed to. Clauses 5 to 11, as read, agreed to. Clause 12— Mr HORAN (3.52 pm): This clause refers to the servicing of documents. It comes under part 4, titled ‘Amendment of Commercial and Consumer Tribunal Act 2003’. The clause states that a document may be served under this act by the usual process of leaving it at, or sending it to, the licensee’s address in the register of licences. The clause states further— If personal service of a document is required under this Act, or under an empowering Act for the purposes of this Act, personal service may be effected in the same way as an originating process that is required to be served personally under the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 may be served. I would like to hear an explanation from the Attorney-General as to what that second part of the clause means. Is this clause endeavouring to ensure that under the Commercial and Consumer Tribunal—and in bills that we have debated in this House recently we have put more and more responsibility on that tribunal—we are basically setting up a whole system of serving of documents based on a process that would happen in a court or is it setting up its own particular system as a tribunal? I note that a large number of matters now go before the Commercial and Consumer Tribunal. The serving of documents is going to be a very large business under the operations of the tribunal. I ask for some clarification on the matter of the serving of documents. Mr SHINE: This clause refers to the serving of documents in relation to matters that come under this section of the act. All it states is that where you serve documents with respect to matters before the tribunal, they are to be served as per the original process. For example, the application is served in the same way as the originating process in the Supreme Court, that being a writ, or in the Magistrates Court, that being a plaint and summons. In the usual course, that is served personally on the person. It is nothing more remarkable than that. Clause 12, as read, agreed to. Clause 13, as read, agreed to. Clause 14— Mr HORAN (3.55 pm): Clause 14 amends section 53 to provide that the chief executive may apply to the tribunal to be included as a party in relation to a PAMDA claim fund matter. What would happen if, in the investigation into a third party, the investigation or prosecution went against the chief executive? Would the state government be putting money back into the fund? Mr SHINE: If the commissioner is party to an action, the commissioner would be subject to the direction of the court and any order of the court. If an order for costs were made against the commission, the commissioner would have to pay them. Clause 14, as read, agreed to. Clause 15— Mr HORAN (3.57 pm): This clause makes quite a reasonable change to the decision making of the tribunal, particularly as it relates to appeals, as I understand it. The clause provides that a decision of the tribunal takes effect when the decision, or the order of the tribunal, is published. I think the act states 25 Nov 2008 Justice (Fair Trading) Legislation Amendment Bill 3695 a definitive time in which to commence an appeal. Now, whether or not the people were there at that particular hearing, the time in which to appeal applies from when the decision is made. If people want to appeal, the time in which to do so starts from the day the decision was brought down. Mr SHINE: The clause clarifies the period from which the 28 days runs. This amendment will now provide for a definitive time period in which to commence an appeal for PAMDA claim fund matters. The need for such an amendment was identified as a result of a recent District Court decision which highlighted the potential for open-ended appeal periods under the act. Where both parties to the CCT dispute are present at the time that the decision is handed down, the appeal period starts from that time. However, if one of the parties is not present when the decision is handed down, the appeal period does not commence until that party is served with a notice of the decision. In many situations where a party is not present when the decision is handed down, that party is the licensee whose noncompliance gave rise to the dispute and who has either fled the jurisdiction or changed address thereby making subsequent attempts to serve them with the decision difficult or impossible. The amendments will only change the situation where one of the parties to a dispute is not present when the decision is handed down. In such cases the appeal period will commence upon the decision once the decision is published. Given that both parties would have been served various notices throughout the dispute and would therefore be aware of there being a dispute hearing, publishing the decision is a fair way of notifying an absent party of the decision in such a hearing. Again, that is probably consistent with what happens in most trials or court jurisdictions. Clause 15, as read, agreed to. Clauses 16 to 22, as read, agreed to. Clause 23— Mr HORAN (4.00 pm): Some members of the House have spoken on this particular clause and the fact that it provides that the Commissioner for Fair Trading may publish the information contained in the Register of Undertakings on the department’s web site where there has been some particular problem or a proceeding against a business or an organisation undertaken by the Office of Fair Trading. I ask the Attorney-General whether, when this information goes up, it will actually state what the particular offence was, what the fine or the punishment was and what remedial action has been asked of the organisation? Is that the sort of information that will be on the web site? Take the example of a show bag at the Ekka where there has been a particular problem identified by the department. Would the web site state what the problem was, what the result of the hearing was and any undertaking given by the organisation? Mr SHINE: What will be shown will be the undertaking itself. An enforceable undertaking is one of many remedies available to the department for breaches of legislation that the department is responsible for enforcing. Other enforcement options include infringement notices, public naming and prosecution. The more serious the alleged breach, the stronger the enforcement action. For example, when a trader breaks the law they may enter into a formal agreement to change their business practices or to take other action such as corrective advertising by a certain date or face further enforcement action. Failure to comply with the terms of an undertaking is itself a serious offence that can result in either a court order being obtained or prosecution action being commenced in the courts. I confirm that the undertaking in its entirety is published. Mr HORAN: This clause also states that the Commissioner for Fair Trading may publish the information. If it is that important that it be published why is it only ‘may’? By being ‘may’ it does leave it open that it does not have to do it. Obviously it is at the discretion of the Commissioner for Fair Trading as to whether he publishes that information. I have heard speakers from both sides of the House talk about the importance of this register and how it will provide information to people. If the wording of this is ‘may’, obviously there will be times when the commissioner will not do it. What would be the reasons for the Commissioner for Fair Trading not publishing the information that should go up on this site? Mr SHINE: My advice is that the information that would not be published would be information that is not relevant to consumer protection. What the Office of Fair Trading is concerned about is, of course, matters relating to consumer protection. All of those matters that are relevant to consumer protection that may be the subject of an enforceable undertaking would be published. Matters that are not may not be. Mr HORAN: I am wondering what sort of things would not be. The Office of Fair Trading is there for consumer protection. I would like to hear examples of matters that would not be about consumer protection. Would it be matters to do with why someone was not granted a licence, for example, as a result of a stalking conviction that was introduced as a disqualifying offence in the Security Providers Act? I would like some concrete examples. Mr SHINE: An example of non-consumer protection type information might be something of a technical nature such as the failure to advise of a correct home address or some minor particular of that nature which does not have any relevance to consumer protection. The honourable member himself in asking the question made some suggestions where it may not apply with which I do not disagree. 3696 Justice (Fair Trading) Legislation Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008

Clause 23, as read, agreed to. Clause 24, as read, agreed to. Clause 25— Mr HORAN (4.07 pm): Clause 25 deals with licence applications in relation to amendment of the Introduction Agents Act. Many of the clauses throughout the balance of the bill are somewhat similar and are mainly about how the application should be made and so forth. I am presuming that it is within this clause and other clauses of a similar nature where the low-risk assessment system is being provided so that if a low-risk applicant makes an application it can be processed subject to the formal check of the criminal history. I note that the minister in his summing-up did say that the low-risk applications would only be for renewals, those people who already had an application, but I want to clear up whether the low-risk applicants are people who are renewing or are applicants they consider to be low risk and who could commence work with that particular licence subject to the criminal history check being undertaken. In other words, is it totally restricted just to renewals or is it other low-risk applicants? Mr SHINE: I do not think this is the appropriate clause to address that issue. I am happy to address it at the appropriate time. Clause 25 refers to the accompaniment of an application by the application fee and the costs of obtaining a report about the criminal history. It does not refer to the matters of low risk that the honourable member was referring to. As I understand it, that is dealt with in clause 28. Perhaps that might be the appropriate time to address it. Mr HORAN: I thank the Attorney-General for his answer. We will address that when we get to clause 28. I want some assurance that the inclusion of this clause and similar clauses throughout the legislation will not add to the costs. I note that for a number of years charges for criminal history checks have been made through an administrative process. We are now changing from a charge that is based on an administrative process to a charge that will be based on a prescribed fee payable, I presume, to the police commissioner for the use of the CrimTrac system and the services provided by the police in accessing that CrimTrac system. By changing from an administrative process to what is proposed under this clause of the legislation, will there be any increase in the costs of obtaining an approval or check? Mr SHINE: As I understand it, the cost that we are talking about here is imposed by CrimTrac, so whatever way we order our affairs, whether it be administratively or legislatively, will not change the price that they charge. My understanding is that the answer to the honourable member’s question is no. Clause 25, as read, agreed to. Clauses 26 and 27, as read, agreed to. Clause 28— Mr HORAN (4.12 pm): As the Attorney-General pointed out, this clause deals with low-risk applications. I want to clear up this matter. Is this the only case where low-risk applications are accepted? Although it does not relate to this department, in relation to blue card applications sometimes departments may have a policy whereby in certain circumstances low-risk persons are allowed to commence work if they are under supervision, although they are still subject to the completion of the formal checks. During the debate low-risk applications were referred to. Does that refer only to renewals or does it also refer to applications that are considered to be low risk? Perhaps the person getting the licence wants to commence work immediately or maybe a licensed employer needs them to commence work and therefore they are provided with the approval on a low-risk basis, although they are still subject to the formal CrimTrac check. Mr SHINE: My understanding is that the low-risk approach is appropriate to a renewal process because the licensee has already been a licensee, as opposed to an altogether fresh or new application where the person has been unknown to the authorities. It makes sense, in terms of efficiency and early determination of an application, for it to be treated in that low-risk fashion. Clause 28, as read, agreed to. Clauses 29 and 30, as read, agreed to. Clause 31— Mr HORAN (4.14 pm): Basically this clause defines the early stage venture capital limited partnership and therefore is an important clause. One would hope it will bring some additional venture developments to our state. Seeing that this has been put in place by his department, I ask the Attorney- General if he is aware of pressure for the scheme, is it a scheme that is developing interest or is this being done purely in case someone comes along? In other words, is there a line-up of people wanting to move into one of these early stage venture capital schemes? Mr SHINE: The best way of answering this question is to refer the honourable member to the remarks of the honourable member for Clayfield, who indicated that this was a project of the Howard government that he supported strongly and felt was a positive thing for Australia and, indeed, 25 Nov 2008 Justice (Fair Trading) Legislation Amendment Bill 3697

Queensland to adopt, as does this government. The early stage venture capital limited partnership is a new investment vehicle within the existing Australian government venture capital investment scheme. In order for Queensland investors to take advantage of the new investment vehicle and therefore make Queensland an attractive location for international venture capital investment, the amendment will allow partnerships seeking to utilise the new investment vehicle to be registered under our Partnership Act 1891. An incorporated limited partnership may only be registered if it is a venture capital limited partnership or Australian fund of funds partnership within the Commonwealth Venture Capital Act 2002 or is recognised as a venture capital management partnership under the Commonwealth Income Tax Assessment Act 1936. As to how many people might be interested in participating under this legislation, whether they are lined up and how many are lined up is beyond my knowledge. Clause 31, as read, agreed to. Clauses 32 to 59, as read, agreed to. Clause 60— Mr HORAN (4.18 pm): We are now dealing with an amendment that relates to the agreements made with financial institutions regarding the investment of trust funds. From memory, it particularly relates to the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act. In previous legislation we have looked at this act and the ways in which funds could be accessed for particular investigations to take place and for the costs of those investigations to be accessed from the fund during the process of investigation, rather than at the end of it. The clause that we are looking at now amends the act to remove the requirement for the financial institution to be prescribed by regulation to be an approved financial institution for the purposes of a licensee opening a trust account. It is sufficient if the chief executive has entered into an agreement with the financial institution and this agreement has been approved by the minister. Basically, we are removing the necessity for a regulation to be brought before this parliament, which can provide additional checks and balances, openness and accountability. Once a regulation comes before the parliament, it can be perused by both sides of the House and, if necessary, someone can move that it be disallowed. Then there can be a debate about whether or not it should be disallowed. I note that the minister made some comments in his second reading speech about the fact that the financial institutions that we are talking about here had previously been approved and had previously been prescribed by a regulation before this House. I would like a little more detail on that. Is the minister saying that there is a list of financial institutions that can be invested in by these trust funds that comes before this House? Has that list come before this House? I presume this is for trust funds of licensees that come under the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act. But I would like some detail and description about the original process of regulation. Has it occurred? How many institutions were listed, for example? That may not be readily available. I want to be absolutely certain that they have come under the purview of this parliament. Mr SHINE: The honourable member is right. It does refer to the PAMDA legislation. The PAMDA regulation merely lists the names of the institutions which have been approved—just the names. In contrast, the agreement with the chief executive prescribes the terms which the institution must comply with to retain that status. Those terms reflect requirements under section 410 of PAMDA and include payment of interest on trust accounts, auditing requirements and an obligation to keep the chief executive informed of the amounts held in the licensees’ trust accounts. The chief executive is the person best placed to assess the suitability of an applicant to fulfil the obligations contained in the agreement. Members of the opposition have queried whether the removal of the scrutiny of the parliament is in the best interests of the public. I can assure members opposite that the chief executive, although acting independently, is still answerable to me in the performance of her duties. If a decision made is not appropriate in respect of a financial agreement, I as the relevant minister am answerable to the House and ultimately to the people of Queensland. This is, I believe, an appropriate chain of accountability and responsibility. Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms Darling): Order! Before calling the honourable member for Toowoomba South, I acknowledge in the public gallery Matthew Pattingale and Jasmine Pattingale from the electorate of Logan, represented in this place by the Hon. John Mickel. Welcome. Mr HORAN: The minister basically said that under the PAMDA arrangement there is a list of names of institutions. Has that list of names been before this parliament in the form of a regulation? That is one thing. Then he went on to say that the chief executive sets out the terms that have to be complied with and the various guidelines for institutions to get approval. The minister said that the chief executive was best placed to do this. That is probably true in many cases, but I do not think that is any reason to circumvent the placement of regulations before this parliament. Most regulations that are placed before this parliament go through, but there are cases where disallowance is moved and it gives this parliament an opportunity to debate it. 3698 Justice (Fair Trading) Legislation Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008

I think the most important part of my query at this stage is: has the list of institutions that can be invested in been tabled in this parliament as a regulation or will that simply not happen in the future? Will it be a procedural matter within the department through the chief executive and the chief executive saying to the minister, ‘These are the institutions that I have approved,’ and it will not come before the parliament? Mr SHINE: I am unable to tell the honourable member whether the list has been before the parliament. One assumes that that would only come about if there were a disallowance moved with respect to that regulation, I would have thought. I repeat that the present PAMDA regulation merely provides that a list of names that prescribe financial institutions is given. There is no obligation under the present requirement imposed in respect of the financial institutions in the regulation. Those obligations are contained in the agreement and therefore the protection to consumers is contained in the agreement, not by naming a financial institution in a regulation. This is what we have to remember and keep at the forefront when dealing with legislation of this nature. It is consumer protection legislation and what is in the interests of the consumers is really what our concerns should be. Mr HORAN: I take the point that it is consumer legislation. Consumers—in this case it might be motor dealers who contribute to the PAMDA fund—want to be sure that their moneys invested in a trust fund are invested in the absolute best way. There is an onus of responsibility on this parliament and the executive of the parliament to see that that happens. The notes to this clause clearly say that this provision is going to remove the requirement for the financial institution to be prescribed by regulation to be an approved financial institution for the purposes of a licensee opening a trust account. It has been the practice by law, by regulation, that a financial institution would be prescribed. So I would presume that whatever institution was used in the past for the investment of funds was prescribed in a regulation and it was there for the parliament to, if you like, check and if there was disagreement for whatever reason—it could be that someone in this parliament may have a reason for believing or have some knowledge that that institution would not be the best or the wisest choice—then there was an opportunity to disallow it. If we read the notes on clause 60, we are definitely taking away that requirement for the financial institution to be prescribed by regulation. We will be watering it down—and I do not say this with any disrespect to the chief executive. The system that was there will be brought back to a system whereby the chief executive enters into agreement with the financial institution and this agreement will be approved by the minister. We are taking away that additional check and balance that was already there. It would have gone through that process purely to develop the background to the regulation before the regulation was tabled in this parliament, and we are taking away that particular check. Mr SHINE: I do not want to labour the point, but what we are trying to achieve here is a greater degree of flexibility. As I said in my summing-up, this is to repeal a superfluous requirement. It is true that we are removing this requirement. There is no doubt about that. We are doing that because it is a superfluous requirement for an approved financial institution to be prescribed by regulation. It will remove unnecessary checks and balances in relation to safeguarding public funds held by those institutions. These amendments were identified by the Office of Fair Trading as a means of further streamlining its operations and making its core legislation more practical and efficient. Under the act, a licensee must open trust accounts only with an approved financial institution. An approved financial institution is prescribed under a regulation and must have entered into an agreement with the chief executive. These amendments regulate the payment of interest on the whole or part of an amount held in licensees’ trust accounts. Given that the obligations of an approved financial institution are specifically prescribed under this agreement, the additional existing requirement for the financial institution to also be prescribed by regulation offers no further consumer protection and may safely be repealed. Let me repeat that: given that the obligations of an approved financial institution are specifically prescribed under this agreement, the additional existing requirement for the financial institution itself to also be prescribed by regulation offers no further consumer protection and may safely be repealed in the view of the government. Division: Question put—That clause 60, as read, stand part of the bill. AYES, 52—Attwood, Barry, Bligh, Bombolas, Choi, Croft, Darling, Fenlon, Finn, Fraser, Grace, Gray, Hayward, Hinchliffe, Hoolihan, Keech, Kiernan, Lavarch, Lawlor, Lucas, McNamara, Miller, Moorhead, Mulherin, Nelson-Carr, Nolan, O’Brien, Palaszczuk, Pearce, Pitt, Purcell, Reeves, Reilly, Roberts, Robertson, Schwarten, Scott, Shine, Smith, Spence, Stone, Sullivan, van Litsenburg, Wallace, Weightman, Welford, Wells, Wendt, Wettenhall, Wilson. Tellers: Male, Jones NOES, 25—Copeland, Cripps, Cunningham, Dempsey, Dickson, Flegg, Gibson, Hobbs, Hopper, Horan, Johnson, Knuth, Langbroek, Lingard, Malone, Menkens, Messenger, Nicholls, Pratt, Simpson, Springborg, Stevens, Stuckey. Tellers: Rickuss, Elmes Resolved in the affirmative. Clause 60, as read, agreed to. Clauses 61 to 64, as read, agreed to. Clauses 65 to 107, as read, agreed to. Schedule, as read, agreed to. 25 Nov 2008 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 3699

Third Reading Hon. KG SHINE (Toowoomba North—ALP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland) (4.37 pm): I move— That the bill be now read a third time. Question put—That the bill be now read a third time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a third time. Long Title Hon. KG SHINE (Toowoomba North—ALP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland) (4.37 pm): I move— That the long title of the bill be agreed to. Question put—That the long title of the bill be agreed to. Motion agreed to.

MOTION

Order of Business Hon. KG SHINE (Toowoomba North—ALP) (Acting Leader of the House) (4.38 pm), by leave, without notice: I move— That government business order of the day No. 3 be postponed. Question put—That the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to.

EMERGENCY SERVICES LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL

Second Reading Resumed from 7 October (see p. 2845), on motion of Mr Roberts— That the bill be now read a second time. Mr MALONE (Mirani—LNP) (4.39 pm): It is with great pleasure that I rise today to speak to the Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill. I indicate to the parliament that the opposition will be supporting this piece of legislation. Before making comments to the legislation, I would again like to congratulate all emergency services workers right throughout Queensland, particularly QAS and QFRS officers. They do a magnificent job. The problems they have are not necessarily from their customers. Sometimes in terms of management there are issues as well. I congratulate all of those officers, particularly for their work at The Gap and other areas around Brisbane. Returning to the bill, I would like to make a few comments in relation to where we have got to in order to have this bill come before the House. It is informative to think back over the role and the rollout of emergency services, particularly the QAS since the 1998 election. It was a promise of the Labor government, and Premier Beattie made the statement leading up to the 1998 election, that there would be free ambulance cover for seniors, Seniors Card holders, pensioners and their dependants. That promise was brought into effect, but unfortunately at that time there was very little in the way of support in terms of finance to effect that promise. Basically, that is the start of this, culminating in this legislation today. What happened as a result is that QAS officers found that they were getting substantially more calls, their workload increased dramatically and they came under extreme pressure. There was then a need to recruit and train more ambulance paramedics and acquire more vehicles. There was quite an extensive blowout. In 2001 we saw the introduction of community ambulance cover which was $90 per meter. That was collected by Energex and Ergon through power bills. There were some huge issues associated with that. Even today people are paying multiples of this fee, levy or tax—whatever people would like to call it—which is now over $100 per meter. The community ambulance cover created another issue for the Ambulance Service. People understood that they were paying for a service, therefore they deemed that they should use the service. Again, the number of calls to the service blew out. People called 000 and utilised the service as a taxi. It was a very difficult issue to work through. Consequently, we have got to 3700 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008 the stage where this legislation is before the House basically to overcome the situation where people use 000 in a way that was never intended. People were calling an ambulance in situations where there was no need for a 000 call to be made. There is a history. From my perspective and that of the opposition, we have a piece of legislation before the House that will in some way overcome this issue. I will go through what the legislation will actually achieve. The purpose of the bill is to make amendments to the Ambulance Service Act 1991 and the Fire and Rescue Service Act 1990. The amendments are to bring into effect some of the recommendations of the Queensland Ambulance Service audit which was done some time ago. They deal with addressing false 000 calls. The amendments also clarify confidentiality requirements for Queensland Ambulance Service employees. The amendments to the Fire and Rescue Service Act 1990 are to abolish the Rural Fire Advisory Council and transfer that responsibility to the Emergency Services Advisory Council. They deal with addressing false calls to the QFRS. These amendments are consistent with those being made to the Ambulance Service Act 1991. In relation to the amendments to the Ambulance Service Act, clause 4 provides paramedics with the option of treating a patient on site rather than going straight to hospital, and then not necessarily transferring them to hospital. That is certainly the crux of this legislation. It is a very sensible provision. It raises issues concerning the ability and the responsibility of paramedics to judge whether or not they can leave that person at home or at the site where they are being treated and not actually transport them to hospital. I would certainly like to hear what the minister has to say in respect of how that judgement will be made. It must be in consultation with a medical officer of some sort. I do note that most of our paramedics are highly trained and have the ability to make that determination. If a false diagnosis is made, who is responsible? Is that the responsibility of the paramedics or will the Ambulance Service cover that issue? The opposition is very supportive of this provision. I think it will actually make some huge differences in terms of the number of ambulance vehicles we see banked up at hospitals. Certainly from a health point of view, this will overcome a lot of the concerns in terms of admissions to emergency wards in hospitals. We are very supportive of that provision. It will enhance the ability of the service to deliver to the community. It is certainly a step in the right direction. Clause 5 amends the role of the commissioner. The commissioner will now not be required to prepare an annual strategic plan. There is certainly some duplicity in that regard. Quite frankly, that is a step in the right direction. People have more to do than write reports. I have always been an advocate of clear thinking in that respect. The same provisions exist for the commissioner of the fire service. The reports will now be done by Emergency Services rather than by the commissioner. Clause 6 inserts a new section to impose fines and to establish an investigative unit within the QAS—and the QFRS—to curb the rising number of false 000 calls. Again, this is a step in the right direction. We do not need bureaucratic, overbearing investigative officers making life difficult for people. Certainly there will be issues from time to time where 000 is called accidentally. People who are not fully aware of the circumstances may make a 000 call or make a 000 call on behalf of another person. That may or may not be judged to be a call that should have been made. I would like the minister to address those issues. There is a $7,500 maximum penalty through SPER. The clause establishes a new team to conduct investigations and collect evidence. As I understand it, the police will not be involved in these investigations. As members would be aware, currently police are involved in fire investigations. The provisions of the bill will mean that police will not be involved. As I said before, there is a possibility that people with intellectual or other impairments may be unduly penalised. I would like the minister to assure the House that those people will not be negatively impacted upon by the actions of overbearing investigative officers. By the same token of course, we are in a position of trying to eliminate as much as possible frivolous 000 calls. Clause 11 of the bill makes significant changes to the confidentiality exemptions. It gives the opportunity for QAS paramedics to relay information in terms of the health requirements of their patients et cetera. They will be able to communicate with agencies such as Health, the Police Service and Veterans Affairs in a variety of circumstances to allow information sharing, and that obviously goes hand in hand with the ability of paramedics to treat and leave—that is, treat people in their residence and leave them. As I said, we are totally supportive of that move as long as there is not the situation that people who absolutely need medical attention are left in their residence. I ask the minister what protocols will be put in place to ensure that does not happen. This legislation mirrors the issues for both the QFRS and the QAS, except for the abolition of the Rural Fire Advisory Council, which will be folded into the Emergency Services Advisory Council. I have some concerns about that. We will not be opposing it, but there is a realisation around the state that rural fire services are a different animal to mainstream firefighting units and they do need their voice to be heard. I am not sure that we are heading in the right direction with this measure, but I will take that 25 Nov 2008 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 3701 under advisement. As I said, we will accept the situation as has been put forward in the legislation. However, I certainly want to ensure that rural fire people are listened to in terms of their requirements for the 92 per cent or thereabouts of the Queensland countryside that they protect. Their views should be heard within the QFRS and within Emergency Services. As I said, the opposition will be supporting the legislation because it is quite sensible legislation. However, there is one other matter that I want to raise while I am on my feet, and that is the Neurum Rural Fire Brigade. I have a letter that I will table, and I am sure that the minister is aware of the situation. It appears that the Rural Fire Service is keen on closing down a group of volunteers. My information is that it has 10 trained people, 10 other active people and another five support people. In this day and age in Queensland there would have to be some extraordinary reason why the minister and the department would be interested in closing down a fire service that has that level of support. I want to know the reason that is happening, so I table that letter so the minister can look at it. Tabled paper: Letter, undated, from Ron Trim, Chairman, Neurum Rural Fire Brigade to Mr Malone MP, member for Mirani, in relation to the Neurum Rural Fire Brigade. With those few words, we support the legislation and will not be opposing any of the other measures that I talked about. Mr MESSENGER (Burnett—LNP) (4.53 pm): I gladly rise to support and make comment on the Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2008, the purpose of which is to make various amendments to the Ambulance Service Act 1991 and the Fire and Rescue Service Act 1990 which address false calls and non-emergency calls to the 000 emergency number. According to Parliamentary Library research, during the 2007-08 financial year there were 523,000 urgent incidents attended by the QAS and on average each day the QAS responds to about 2,000 incidents. I note that the level of demand for the Ambulance Service is much higher in Queensland than anywhere else in Australia. It is unfortunate that there is a high rate of false calls to our emergency number. I think about that and I think about the reasons for it, and I keep coming back to the ambulance levy that was imposed by this government on our community in order to provide a free service. The problem first started then. Before that we had a service that people used to—and they still do—respect, but now they have come to expect that service when they ring, and perhaps some people do not think enough before they ring 000. However, that is understandable, though. One of the main purposes of this bill is to support the expanded scope of the role of paramedics to provide treatment or alternative referral paths where ambulance transport to a medical facility is not necessary. Under the Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2008, this will be achieved by amending the definition of ambulance service and adding referral functions to the functions of this service. In speaking to this legislation I want to praise, commend and marvel at the work of emergency services personnel. Unfortunately, the Burnett has had our fair share of emergencies, and two that immediately spring to mind are the Childers backpacker hostel fire and the tilt train derailment. Within both of those emergencies, the full gamut of emergency services were mobilised. It amazes me when I think of the volunteers who willingly give up their hours and the community spirit that they display—that is, people in the SES and the rural fire brigade like Garry Allen from the Burnett Heads Rural Fire Brigade, Pat Denham, who is an ambulance officer, and Gary Cotterill in Bundaberg. All of these people and the volunteers associated with these people from Childers, Woodgate, Bingera and all the way through to Agnes Water and Turkey Beach are very valuable members of our community and are very respected. I remember watching many of them at work, because in a previous lifetime I was a cameraman for Channel 7 and went out and covered the fires and saw the rural firefighters and their leaders in trucks. They were well-put-together crews who were very well led and very professional and they always put the safety of the people whom they were trying to protect first and themselves second. I also want to commend their families for supporting these volunteers who are out there on the front lines, fighting fires or wading across rivers and rescuing people. It should also be mentioned that all governments in Australia are making plans based around climate change. Because of climate change, we should be strengthening and increasing the capacities of our emergency services. We are only to get more wild weather events with the climate change that is happening. Whilst speaking about ambulance officers, I also think of the Cairns parliament and— Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr English): Member for Burnett, I have given you a couple of minutes to make some general observations. I ask you to come back to the specifics of this bill, please. Mr MESSENGER: Certainly. This bill, the Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill, amends a whole range of things. However, I think the conversations that I have had with ambulance officers are pertinent to this bill because ultimately this bill— Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: You may; I do not. Please come back to the specifics of this bill. 3702 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008

Mr MESSENGER: Thank you for your direction, Mr Deputy Speaker. The difference between ambulance officers and nurses can also be seen in this bill, because the ambulance officers who are employed by the QAS often work unsupervised and alone. They were offered a 13 per cent pay rise over three years while nurses received 24 per cent. I think this government has failed in two important areas. It has failed to value and it has failed to protect our emergency services workers who fundamentally are affected by this bill. The policy objectives of this bill are to clarify the confidentiality requirements for ambulance employees and third parties, including providing for disclosure in a range of appropriate circumstances; to abolish the Rural Fire Advisory Council; to remove the requirement of the commissioners of the QAS and the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service to prepare an annual strategic plan; and to clearly articulate the discretionary nature of Queensland Ambulance Service community service education functions. I believe that this state government has not valued our dedicated, hardworking ambulance officers. It has made them fight tooth and nail for fair conditions. They have had to resort to stop-work meetings— Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr English): Order! Member for Burnett, this is your final warning. Please come back to the specifics of this bill or I shall sit you down. Mr MESSENGER: Thank you for your direction, Mr Deputy Speaker. Clause 20 refers to the powers of investigation officers, and it is to that clause that I will speak. Recently, I corresponded with the Minister for Emergency Services regarding the state of the emergency services at the Woodgate Community Hall in relation to emergency helicopter lighting there. Certainly, if there was an accident involving a helicopter landing at night in response to a call from the emergency services workers, there would be many investigation officers there. I would once again like to take this opportunity to remind the minister that the Woodgate community is calling on him to provide some emergency services lighting at the community oval so that the helicopters, three of which have landed at night in the past three years, are able to land with a degree of safety. There are a number of special considerations for the Woodgate community. Woodgate has a high proportion of retired— Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Burnett, resume your seat. Mrs MILLER (Bundamba—ALP) (5.02 pm): I am very pleased to speak to the Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2008. I would like to add my support for this very important bill. When members of the community are sick or injured and are cared for and transported to hospital by the Ambulance Service, they expect that the circumstances of their transport and the details of their condition will be treated with the greatest of respect and will be kept in confidence. At the same time, patients have a right to expect that paramedics will pass on the full details of their state of health and the treatment that has already been given to them to the staff of the hospital to which they are transported. They also expect that appropriate information will be given to relatives and friends so that they can take the necessary action to attend the hospital and so on. This giving of information presents a difficult balance for paramedics and one that they deal with on a daily, if not an hourly, basis. The government is to be commended for the confidentiality provisions of this bill, which provide much greater clarity for patients and paramedics on the status of patient information and the circumstances in which such information can be released. This is both a protection for our paramedics and a comfort for patients and their families. I note that the provisions also make clear the details that can be released to support the operation of the service in matters such as funding arrangements, medical research and complaint management. That there is also substantial consistency between these provisions and those of the Health Services Act 1991 is also to be commended. The Springfield Land Corporation, under its agreement with this government, will provide land to the Department of Emergency Services for the new Springfield Ambulance Station. Negotiations are continuing well and, on behalf of the community of my electorate, I look forward to seeing this land handed over early next year. Whilst this handover is still being finalised, I am advised that the Department of Emergency Services is continuing to finalise the predesign works and other elements of this project to get this facility built as soon as possible. The Springfield Ambulance Station will be a welcome addition in the electorate of Bundamba. It will provide services to the residents of Springfield, Springfield Lakes, Brookwater, Augustine Heights and Redbank Plains. Additional paramedics and ambulance officers will be employed at this new station. New ambulances will also be deployed in the area. 25 Nov 2008 Ministerial Statement 3703

Mr MESSENGER: I rise to a point of order. Madam Deputy Speaker, in relation to Mr Deputy Speaker’s previous ruling about relevance and drifting from the bill, I ask you to make a ruling on relevance in this particular speech. Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mrs Kiernan): Order! The member has been afforded an inconsistency for a few minutes prior to being asked to come back to the bill. Mrs MILLER: I refer to the confidentiality elements of this Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill. I would like to talk about the ambulance officers at the Redbank Ambulance Station, who deal with confidentiality matters as much as possible. In late October, the Redbank Ambulance Station welcomed two new diploma student paramedics and they were told about the confidentiality arrangements as they relate to this bill. The two new diploma students will undertake training in relation to these confidentiality provisions. A replacement ambulance vehicle for the Redbank Ambulance Station will be delivered over the next few weeks. I am sure that the confidentiality arrangements will be written all over the front of the ambulance vehicle. A renovation of the station building for security purposes is also underway. With an increasing number of people moving to the area, the Redbank ambulance officers have never been busier. Just today, from 6 am to 4 pm the Redbank ambulance officers, who are very well aware of the confidentiality provisions, dealt with a huge volume of cases. In that 10-hour period, those dedicated ambos were called to 27 cases—an average of nearly three cases per hour. Our ambos at Redbank are hardworking and dedicated men and women who are devoted to providing an excellent service to the community. They also deserve gold stars for their commitment and dedication to the job and for their professionalism. In conclusion, I want to talk about the amendments in this bill that relate to the rural fire brigades. I would like to say that last week I was very honoured to be at the briefing for the Ripley Valley rural fire brigade. That briefing was about deploying the rural fire brigade officers to help with the clean-up work at The Gap. I say to Jim Runham and Matt and all the other men and the women of the Ripley Valley rural fire brigade that they have given an absolutely fantastic service. The Goodna SES also helped out with the floods and the storms. I would like to say that the Goodna SES has done a remarkable job in relation to the storms and floods in my area. I would also like to say thank you to the Goodna RSL club, which supports the Goodna SES. The SES also supports the Goodna RSL club. I thank the minister for this bill. I commend the bill to the House. Debate, on motion of Mrs Miller, adjourned.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

Bedford Weir, Child Drowning; Fabridams Hon. CA WALLACE (Thuringowa—ALP) (Minister for Natural Resources and Water and Minister Assisting the Premier in North Queensland) (5.08 pm), by leave: Following the tragic incident at Bedford Weir in central Queensland on Sunday, SunWater is deflating the weir’s fabridam to allow for a full independent investigation. The fabridam is expected to be completely deflated by late today to the fixed crest level so engineers will be able to get beneath it for inspection. As I advised the House this morning, SunWater has taken precautions at the three other fabridams it operates in Queensland. These fabridams are Mirani and Dumbleton weirs near Mackay and the Claude Wharton Weir near Gayndah. SunWater operational staff conducted preliminary visual inspections of these fabridams on Monday and advised that no risks were identified. Regardless, I directed SunWater to erect signage at public access points surrounding these weirs to warn the public not to swim in areas immediately downstream. This has now occurred. Following further discussions today, SunWater has this afternoon decided to take the further precautionary measure of deflating all the remaining fabridams while water levels are relatively low. These bags are currently containing just 2,000 megalitres combined. Deflating the bags will allow SunWater engineers to undertake thorough internal inspections of the remaining fabridams. The deflation is being undertaken gradually overnight. These gradual deflations pose no threat to public safety. Indeed, these precautionary measures should serve to alleviate any concerns about the operation of these fabridams, particularly during the current storm season that has already devastated parts of Queensland. Public safety continues to be the overriding priority for SunWater and this government. SunWater has also undertaken an assessment of the water supply impacts that would result by deflating the bags on these weirs. These impacts are expected to be minor given the small volumes of water currently being stored. The immediate priority for SunWater is to assist the investigation at Bedford Weir. However, SunWater has taken precautions at its other fabridams and believes the latest precaution to deflate the bags on the other weirs is in the best interests of public safety and public confidence. 3704 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008

EMERGENCY SERVICES LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL

Second Reading Resumed from p. 3703, on motion of Mr Roberts— That the bill be now read a second time. Ms NOLAN (Ipswich—ALP) (5.10 pm): I rise to add my support to the Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2008. I only want to speak briefly and in particular I want to focus on the elements of the bill that relate to emergency services. The bill gives effect to a number of elements of the audit of ambulance services which was publicly undertaken last year. That review identified that resources needed to be redirected towards efficient front-line services. The bill does that in a number of ways. The first is that it expands the role of paramedics by allowing them to refer patients to other forms of medical care if it is the case that they can be treated in the home. Previously when paramedics went out to a job they had to collect the person and take them to the hospital if they were going to get further medical care, but that is not always necessary. What this bill does is allow paramedics to refer people to other forms of medical care which can be undertaken in the home, thus sometimes avoiding an unnecessary patient transport. The bill also strengthens the mechanisms the Ambulance Service has available to punish false callers, including by allowing the service to issue infringement notices for false calls. I think the community broadly is horrified by abuses of our emergency services. We all understand that there could well be a point at any time where we will need the ambulance to be available to us and not to be tied up with someone who is abusing those emergency services. As a result, I think there are two elements: one is that community respect for emergency services officers is enormously high; the other is that community tolerance for abuse of those services and abuse of those people is rightly very low. I think we should have no tolerance at all for people who tie up emergency services with 000 calls. I was very disappointed recently to see a case reported in the media in which a man who was in the back of an ambulance that was waiting at a hospital—I think it was Cairns—assaulted the paramedics who were caring for him. The union responded by being critical of the government about the fact that the ambulance was waiting at the hospital. There might well be an issue to be discussed there, but should the first response not be to simply say that assaulting a paramedic is quite simply unacceptable in any circumstance? It is not a reasonable response to having to wait in line. I think we always need to make the point that these are tremendously hardworking and valuable staff who provide a service to all of us at any point in time, and abuse of those services and abuse of those paramedics is simply not acceptable under any circumstances. Ipswich people do very much value their ambulance services, knowing that at any time we might need them. Accordingly, work is about to begin early next year on the new Ipswich ambulance station which will be built on the corner of Thorn and Garden streets. We have come to an arrangement with the Ipswich City Council to purchase what is currently its works depot. The council has moved out of that works depot now and our ambulance staff have moved out of their old ambulance station at Raceview into the other Ipswich ambulance station at North Ipswich ahead of the co-location at the new site on the corner of Thorn and Garden streets. I am very pleased to advise the community that work will start next year. When we have a new ambulance station in central Ipswich it will bring together the staff from the existing Raceview and North Ipswich stations. It will give us one major regional headquarters that has better access to arterial roads than do either of the current two stations. This will mean much better facilities for those valued staff and it will also, overall, mean better response times for the people of Ipswich. I am pleased to advise the community that work on that station is now only months away, with construction set to begin early next year. I commend the bill to the House. Ms LEE LONG (Tablelands—ONP) (5.15 pm): I rise to contribute to the debate on the Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2008. The objectives of this bill are to bring in recommendations from the Queensland Ambulance Service audit report and particularly recommendations expanding the role of paramedics to provide treatment or alternative referral paths where an ambulance transport to a medical facility is not necessary. There are also amendments dealing with false calls, enshrining the fact that the Ambulance Service’s community education role is discretionary and relating to the abolition of the Rural Fire Advisory Council. The proposal to expand the role of paramedics to provide treatment or alternative referral paths where ambulance transport to a medical facility is not necessary has, I suspect, been phrased very carefully. Research on the bill reveals that what this really means is that calls for ambulance help will be subject to clinical triage, referral paths over the phone, and decisions made about whether an ambulance will or will not be sent. I believe this is fraught with danger. The triage diagnosis will be undertaken by phone. The person making the triage decision will, I expect, have nothing to go on other than the verbal description of the caller, may be extremely distraught themselves and is highly likely to be medically a layperson. I believe this proposal in relation to referral paths by the Bligh government 25 Nov 2008 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 3705 runs the risk of ambulances not being sent when they should be—a far, far worse result than sending an ambulance that is found to be not needed. This would be a betrayal of the people of Queensland, especially as so many of us are now forced to pay ambulance taxes through our electricity accounts— the compulsory ambulance levy, a tax some are paying multiple times. Just a few years after that was introduced we are now being told that referral paths—over-the- phone decisions about not sending an ambulance when an emergency call is made—are the way to go. What kind of problem is this bill aimed at addressing? Research shows that during 2006-07 the QAS identified 2,378 calls to 000 as possibly false calls. There were an additional 5,658 incidents where an ambulance arrived but found no patients at the scene. We are all aware of instances where communication breakdowns have meant ambulances turning up late, being delayed for lack of local knowledge or being held up ramping up at hospitals. There could be all sorts of reasons why patients were forced to make their own way for help. Taken all together, we are looking at something like 8,000 questionable calls which the service itself says are not necessarily all nuisance calls. That is a significant number that would have absorbed resources better used elsewhere. However, a little further research puts it into a different context. Those 8,000 problematic calls were out of a total number of responses for the same period of 824,700—less than one per cent. To cope with the problem of one per cent of calls, this government is proposing to filter every call through this telephone triage process, and instead of sending ambulances it wants, in at least some cases, to refer callers to the 13HEALTH call centre. What a First World service we have! I would say it is a disgrace. We are paying for a first-rate emergency ambulance response service, not a telephone referral to a call centre that is often hundreds if not thousands of kilometres away, especially for those in rural areas. Bring us back the good old government departments and get rid of the failed corporatised user-pays services where the user pays and pays and pays, but gets less service than they used to. For example, who will be responsible when a child who has taken a fall and has internal injuries that are not apparent to a lay person is triaged by a telephone referral path as not requiring an ambulance because the internal bleeding may not be apparent? Will it be the parent who is not trained and could not describe the situation in medical terms, will it be the officer battling to make a clinical decision via the telephone or will it be this government? I believe it should be the Bligh government whose policy created the situation in the first place. The explanatory notes show that the officer will be covered under protection of liability. How will the system cope with meningococcal, where a quick response is vital but early symptoms can be hard to pick let alone describe over the phone? The lethal risks of this telephone referral path triage system are enormous, especially compared to the nuisance call problem affecting, at most, less than one per cent of Queensland Ambulance Service responses. The number of proven false calls is negligible and I am horrified that the amendments will turn QAS officers into investigative officers similar to police officers. I believe that if any investigations should be carried out, they should be carried out by police officers and not ambulance officers. After all, the whole point of this legislation is supposed to be ensuring that ambulance resources are spent on providing first response ambulance services and not quasi-police duties. I also believe having a QAS officer on the doorstep demanding answers and interrogating people is not acceptable. That is not their role. We run the risk of destroying the terrific public profile of our ambulance officers by turning them into another group of Bligh revenue raisers. I am horrified that a maximum penalty of 10 penalty units or $100 each will apply, which is a possible fine of $1,000. The risk of this alone may well make some people too fearful to ring even when they honestly do believe they need an ambulance. I do not support a system that will mean inevitably ambulances will not be sent when they should be. There are plenty of examples of communication problems arising resulting in a communication centre sending ambulances to the wrong addresses, and that involves something as simple as navigation. It is wishful thinking to believe telephone referral and triage paths will be any more effective. Generally our ambulance officers do a wonderful job despite a lack of resources, staff and support provided by this government. They are being used as a de facto answer to the abysmal shortage of hospital beds, staff and resources. I would like to make special mention of the ambulance officers who work across my electorate and who, through their dedication and professionalism, serve the community in an exemplary manner. Since I have been the local member for the Tablelands we have been very fortunate to have had opened many new ambulance centres and certainly the community and officers are thankful for the improved facilities. The high regard in which the service is held in my area is entirely due to the individual efforts of those officers. Given the high level of training and qualifications of our ambulance officers, I believe it is quite reasonable for the public to take their minor ills and chills to the local ambulance station, where trained paramedics could either provide minor necessary aid or confirm face-to-face whether the hospital or a higher level of care is a more appropriate response. Other matters dealt with in this bill include the abolition of the Rural Fire Advisory Council. I take this opportunity to thank the minister for the two new fire stations at Malanda and Yungaburra that he opened recently. The amendments to the legislation will transfer the functions of the Rural Fire Advisory 3706 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008

Council to the Emergency Services Advisory Council, with the goal of reducing administrative duplication and creating a more integrated service. The work done by the volunteer rural fire brigades around Queensland is invaluable. In my electorate the brigades carry out vital preventive burns and battle bush and grassfires, saving property and lives. They do all this while fundraising to help pay for their own volunteer activities. I am concerned that the proposal in the bill to eliminate the Rural Fire Advisory Council may result in the rural brigades losing their recognition and identity in the upper levels of Emergency Services management. It would be far more productive to ensure that this government better met its own fire control obligations. For example, the Department of Natural Resources and Water has less than 10 on-the- ground fire control positions covering all of Queensland north of Bowen. I believe the number may be as low as eight. This means that a few officers have impossible workloads and that proper fire management practices cannot be carried out due to a lack of staff and resources, creating additional problems and putting a greater burden on the volunteer rural fire brigades. I believe that resolving issues such as this will provide better and more practical help, rather than rearranging advisory committees or boards. I conclude by making it clear that I am a very strong supporter of the paramedics and staff of the QAS, the volunteers of the rural fire brigades and all Emergency Services personnel who work in my electorate. Without our volunteers a greater burden would be placed on the Bligh government. It is the policies and decisions of this government that are at the heart of the crisis in these services. This government needs to get its policies right, instead of leaving us with overworked and undervalued Emergency Services personnel. Ms STONE (Springwood—ALP) (5.25 pm): I rise to add my support to the Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2008. The Queensland Ambulance Service responds to calls from members of the Queensland community across all levels of seriousness, from minor injuries or illnesses to serious and life-threatening emergencies. In some instances patients are transported to emergency departments at hospitals when they could have received appropriate care in their homes or been referred to another health service. Certainly paramedics in Springwood tell me that all the time. They agree with that statement and they want something done. I am not too sure whether the member for Tablelands has spoken to her paramedics, but certainly my paramedics have called for this response. Demand for ambulance transport is at an unprecedented level and paramedics work hard to ensure that Queenslanders receive the best possible care. Staff in hospital emergency departments take over that care when patients are brought through their doors. Therefore, their workloads are impacted upon if we do not check what is happening in ambulance call centres and make sure that appropriate patients are taken to hospitals. It is critically important that all possible avenues are explored to support our dedicated officers in continuing their life-saving work. Members of the Springwood subbranch LAC have been very vocal in voicing their concerns to me regarding the level of demand on paramedics, especially as that relates to the number of instances where alternative services could have been the most appropriate response, allowing paramedics to attend to more critical cases. On a number of occasions with the minister I have raised this issue on their behalf. Recently at a ceremony to hand over a new ambulance vehicle at the Springwood Ambulance Station, officers had the opportunity to speak with the minister and put forward their views in regard to this matter. In one of the many drop-in stops that the minister has conducted all over the state, he visited the Springwood Ambulance Station. Again officers were able to put forward their views and discuss this issue with him. Today I am very happy to stand in this House and inform them that they have been heard and action has been taken. On top of its other recommendations, I note that the Queensland Ambulance Service audit report, which was commissioned by this government, identified the need for an expanded scope of role for paramedics to provide treatment or alternative referral paths where ambulance transport to a medical facility is not necessary. This will include establishing agreements and MOUs with after-hours GP services to provide bulk-billing services. Once again, paramedics have told me that they certainly feel that this needs to be done. The bill will amend the Ambulance Service Act 1991 section 3D(h) by inserting the function of referring a person to another health service. This provides legislative support for the recommendation of the Queensland Ambulance Service audit report for the expanded scope of role for paramedics to provide treatment or alternate referral paths where ambulance transport to a medical facility is not necessary. I certainly applaud this response by the government. I also applaud the work being done by Marcia Love, OIC Springwood Ambulance Station and her team at the station. They do a fantastic job. Another matter that the Springwood LAC subbranch has raised with me on a number of occasions is the inappropriate use of the 000 number. Mrs Ruby Green has been a very strong advocate for a penalty to be served on people misusing the 000 service and wasting the time of highly skilled paramedics. Mrs Green has called for penalties for false 000 calls and a campaign to educate people on when to call an ambulance. I am happy that the representations I have made on her behalf 25 Nov 2008 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 3707 have been heard and that the government has taken a very strong stand on this issue. Infringement notices will be issued to those who make false calls and waste valuable ambulance and fire service resources. Many of us in the House would have seen the 000 education advertisements on TV and heard them on the radio. I have to say that I quite liked them. I think they gave a very important message in a light-hearted and yet very practical way. Hopefully the message will be taken on board and people will start thinking about the appropriateness of the call before they make it. What we do not want to see is people who really do need an ambulance hesitating to call for one. So it is important to note that genuine mistakes will not be penalised. I am sure that there will be times when people honestly believe the illness or injury is of a serious nature and that their concern is genuine, and they should not be penalised. I believe a balanced framework does exist in this bill. Madam Deputy Speaker Kiernan, I ask you for a bit of leeway as last week was a very traumatic and stressful time for people of The Gap and other areas affected by the severe storm weather. I ask for leeway to acknowledge the hard work of SES volunteers during this time. This year I had the pleasure of attending the 2008 SES state rescue competition on the Sunshine Coast on behalf of the minister. I met SES volunteers from around the state. They certainly display a strong commitment to training and professionalism. They are highly skilled people who give their all to keep our community safe, whether it is a local incident or a large-scale natural disaster like we saw last week. The fact is that it is very comforting to know that they are there to call when we need them in these situations. During SES Week I also attended the south-east region SES Week awards and presented awards to SES volunteers who have gone beyond the call of duty to help their community. I congratulate all the people who were acknowledged on the night. I am sure that most of those people were very busy last week helping and are still busy today helping those affected by the storms. Before returning to the bill, I would just like to acknowledge the families of the SES volunteers because without their support to their loved one we would not have them going out there doing this valuable work. I want to particularly acknowledge Logan SES member Brett McDonaugh and his family at this time when his youngest daughter, Amy, is facing her own challenges. This little five-year-old was recently diagnosed with leukaemia. I am sure that Amy’s determination will see her beat this with a full recovery. Her SES family have come together to give love and support. Amy, you are in our prayers. I also want to acknowledge the work of paramedics and fire officers during last week’s severe storm and recognise the work they do in times of natural disaster. In returning to the bill, I applaud the government’s response and the work that is being done to develop the most effective response to 000 callers. The amendments proposed in this bill underpin that work and have my full support. I thank the minister for the time he has spent at the Springwood Ambulance Station, talking with LAC members, talking with paramedics. I also thank him for the time he has given me and the member for Woodridge in listening to us speak about our concerns for a new Woodridge Fire Station and bringing that project forward. I look forward to keeping the House updated on the progress of that project. I commend the bill to the House. Mr WENDT (Ipswich West—ALP) (5.32 pm): I was going to take the opportunity to congratulate the member for Mount Isa on her illustrious rise to the office of Deputy Speaker, but she stepped down a few moments ago. I rise today in support of the Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2008. Before I go on to that, I join other members in this House who have had an opportunity to speak to mention the fine work done by our men and women of the rural fire brigades, the Queensland Ambulance Service and certainly our SES volunteers in the Ipswich area and rural surrounds. They have done a fabulous job in the last week or so. They have actually been down here in Brisbane helping out as well. I pass on my congratulations to all of those people. Unfortunately, as we know, the Queensland Ambulance Service and the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service are the target of thousands of false or unnecessary calls each year. Some of the common or minor complaints that I have been told about by QAS paramedics—they have been called to silly and sometimes crazy house calls—include things like bleeding pimples, sleeplessness, ant bites, hunger, earache or toothache, and of course minor cuts. Mr Deputy Speaker Hoolihan, as you and I would realise, these are absolutely ridiculous reasons why you would call an ambulance and we need to do something about this sooner rather than later. Whilst officers in communication centres are working to dispatch ambulances and fire appliances to emergencies within their community, some unfortunately are also being distracted and delayed by those individuals who think it is smart or funny to ring 000 when no emergency exists. In some instances, vehicles are even dispatched under lights and sirens at high speeds to respond to non- existent emergencies. This of course makes the vehicle and crew unavailable to respond to real emergencies as they arise but also, importantly, it puts the crew and the community more generally at risk from unnecessary high-speed responses. These are certainly things we do not want to see. In cases like this, a strong response from the government is needed to address irresponsible false calls, and I feel that the amendments laid out in this bill will send a strong message that there are serious penalties for those who waste the resources of the ambulance and fire services and place 3708 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008 others’ lives at risk. For example, penalties will be increased for false calls to the Ambulance Service, with the new penalty being 100 penalty units. This equates to $7,500 or one year’s imprisonment. In fact, I think that is a bit lenient. In some respects I would like to see that boosted more. I know that some might not agree with that. I believe that the penalty should more appropriately reflect the seriousness of this issue and as such will provide more of a deterrent to potential false callers, I hope. Additionally, it will be possible to address false call offences through issuing an infringement notice which will mean that offences can be dealt with more promptly and conclusively, which is a great idea as well. Nevertheless, it should also be pointed out that the Department of Emergency Services is looking at more practical methods of reducing the number of nuisance calls. This is something I like. With this in mind, I was pleased to note on 14 September 2008 during Ambulance Week that the QAS launched a community education campaign which focused on the importance of only ringing 000 for genuine life-threatening emergencies. I am advised that this approach was adopted in the United Kingdom in recent times in response to escalating demand in that country and it is reported as reducing inappropriate usage from 23 per cent to 21 per cent. So they have had the same problems there, as I presume they do all around the world. This campaign promotes the key message of: why call an ambulance when it’s not really needed and your pharmacist, doctor or 13HEALTH could provide a better service instead? While this is a statewide campaign using television, radio and print advertisement, it will mainly focus on the south-east corner, where the demand pressure is greatest, including Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and of course my area of Ipswich. To ensure this campaign is as successful as possible, I am aware that the QAS has also commissioned the Roy Morgan Research group to conduct a three-part study to track the effectiveness of the 000 community education and advertising campaign. Happily I can report that preliminary results have shown a high awareness in the community of this campaign, with the result that most do understand that an ambulance should only be used in an emergency situation. When we talk to our local ambulance people, particularly in my rural areas like the Lowoods and the Rosewoods—there is Brian at Rosewood and Bob at Lowood; they have three vehicles and about four or five staff each— Mr Bombolas: Bob and Brian? Mr WENDT: Bob and Brian; that is right. I thank the member for Chatsworth. They are good blokes and they do a fabulous job. There are not only blokes there but ladies there as well who do an equally good job. They go out to some pretty horrendous scenes. They are on a knife edge when they get those calls sometimes late at night. They are on call, as members would appreciate. I think they are on a knife edge when they turn up at houses or car accidents not knowing what to expect. I think it must be a very stressful position to be in. Mr Bombolas: Always expecting the worse. Mr WENDT: That is right. They are always expecting the worse. When I speak to these people I am absolutely amazed at their courage and what they do. So when I hear that people are dialling 000 and making false claims in relation to an horrific accident or— Mr Bombolas interjected. Mr WENDT: That is right—in relation to a bleeding pimple, as the member for Chatsworth would be aware. It is criminal to find that people can drag resources away at that stage. I believe that introducing this legislation will go a long way to helping our emergency services personnel to concentrate on those emergencies that are the most important. I commend the bill to the House. Mr ELMES (Noosa—LNP) (5.38 pm): I rise to speak on the Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2008. As the shadow minister said in his presentation, the opposition agrees with the bill’s general position. In line with the QAS audit report’s recommendations, I would like to make the following points. Part 2, clause 4 talks about encouraging, where possible, the referral of patients who would otherwise go to hospital to be taken to their GP or to other health centres and providers. Obviously this is something that needs to be encouraged. Paramedics need to be given the authority to do this, to be able to make those judgement calls. Also, newcomers in either a suburban station or a regional city or town need to be educated about appropriate addresses of local GPs, seven-day-a-week medical centres and things of that kind. I do not have a problem with paramedics treating patients, but if this is to happen they must be able to continue to receive high-quality training and education. We have already seen that our paramedics and, similarly, our Fire and Rescue Service personnel are under great stress. In the last sitting of parliament I made a presentation to the parliament where I talked about 12-hour shifts being undertaken by our ambos. I also mentioned the fact that no meal breaks were being given in some instances because of the work they were doing. For all of this, our ambos and our firies are being paid in the vicinity of $25 an hour. For the work they do, this is a great strain on them personally. They have to make life-and-death decisions, and obviously anything that the government and the minister can do that eases the burden on them is very worthwhile. 25 Nov 2008 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 3709

What concerns me is that, if they are treating people who have called an ambulance to a particular location, what happens if some complication arises after treatment? In an earlier presentation we heard that they were covered, but anything that the minister can say to reassure them that that is the case and that allows them to be able to make those judgement calls I am sure would be appreciated by them. Another thing that has been put to me at different times by members of the Queensland Ambulance Service is that, if people were taken to hospital, then a situation could come about—I am just adding this in as a point of discussion—where if they were admitted then that would be fine and there would be no charge. But if they were not admitted—and by this I mean not admitted by doctors and specialist personnel at hospitals—then some charge for the QAS presentations and transportation could be made. That is another way of making sure that the number of frivolous calls sending our ambulance officers and paramedics around the place willy-nilly could be brought under some sort of control. I cannot help agreeing with the recommendations outlined that see a reduction in expenses by phasing out services like baby capsule hire and fitting, community education and training, the CPR for Life program, the Prime Safe Program, mining services, sports and special events services, and other commercial contracts. We have many organisations in Queensland—the St John’s Ambulance Service being one—that should be encouraged to take up those roles and ensure more of our highly trained ambulance personnel are available to do the more important jobs that exist around the state. Something mentioned to me by some ambos whom I come into contact with is that when some of the training does take place it seems to be done with a handout of a book and a DVD, and they are supposed to go home, have a look at those things, come back and be able to put those things into place. I think there is a great need for more face-to-face education that allows our paramedics to come into contact with highly trained professionals; that allows that interaction on a personal basis; that allows them, in turn, to go out and do their job even better than what they do at the moment. I notice that clause 6 of the bill seeks to minimise the rising number of false calls to the 000 service, which is to be encouraged. As has been pointed out, the government has already done some work on an advertising campaign that is currently underway. However, I doubt whether there is a man, woman or child in Queensland who does not know instinctively that the 000 service is there for emergencies and nothing else. I absolutely encourage, as does the opposition, the fining of people who make malicious calls, although when looking at the penalty—and my colleague, the member for Ipswich West, was talking about increasing the fine above $7½ thousand—combined with the flurry of increases in fines that seem to be happening at the moment not just regarding the Ambulance Service but across the broad spectrum, I wonder whether some of this has something to do with revenue raising as against something that is worthwhile. On the other hand, the concern that we are also talking about here is the QAS personnel administering the penalty system. Again, I would like some sort of an assurance that somewhere down the track we do not have similar fines for people who contact their local ambulance station demanding transport to hospital when it is clearly not warranted. I think, as everyone in the parliament does, that our concerns, regardless of which side of the House we come from, lies with the concerns of the front-line operational staff of the QAS and the QFRS. As I mentioned previously, they are under more than enough stress and strain. We do not have anywhere near enough of them. In many cases, their pay and conditions are well below those of other states and territories. The issuing of fines—as I have touched on before and got a bit of a ragging from some on the other side—I believe is the preserve of the Queensland Police Service. In closing, I heard one of the government members refer to drop-in calls that the minister does at various places around the state. I invite him to come to Noosa at any time and to drop in and talk to our paramedics. I also invite him to look at the deplorable state of the Noosa Heads Fire Station, which has water running down the inside of walls. There are parts of the building that should be condemned. As I have said, and as the shadow minister said at the outset, the opposition supports this bill. I know that the minister tries very hard to make sure that the money goes into all the parts of the state that it should. I encourage him to spend some time in Noosa and spread a bit of the cheer our way. I commend the bill to the House and congratulate the minister for the steps that he has taken. Mrs CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone—Ind) (5.47 pm): I rise to speak to the Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill and to express some concern in relation to the direction that these services will be taking. At the outset, I would like to place on the record my appreciation and certainly the appreciation of the vast majority of people in the community for the services provided at Gladstone, Calliope, Boyne Island and Mount Larcom. Not all of the personnel are paramedics. Many of them have not reached that status but they are very competent ambulance officers and all provide a wonderful service. But it has changed over the years. Not that long ago an ambulance officer retired from Calliope who regularly performed blood pressure checks for older people who lived in Calliope and who did not have access to a vehicle. There 3710 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008 certainly was no medical service there. There is now a GP. That provided them with the information in relation to their immediate health. He retired and that service is no longer available. I believe there would be many at Calliope who perhaps do not have that ready access and that regular check-up. He was an old school ambulance officer, I have to say, and a good one. This bill, however, proposes to change significantly, I believe, the role of ambulance officers and particularly paramedics. I think overwhelmingly the intention is to deflect from ambulance officers the responsibility to transport people. Perhaps I am looking inaccurately at the changes but it appears to me that more and more ambulance officers, particularly paramedics, will be directing potential patients to private GPs when in the past they would have been transported to the local hospital. I can see some real difficulties in that, particularly for older people who may not follow up if a paramedic tells them that they do not need to be transported to the hospital and that they could go and visit a GP. They will not do that. They will accept that they are not really ill, they will not get any attention and, as a result, their health may deteriorate. I am not for one minute underestimating the problems that the QAS faces with calls that are mischievous, vexatious or malicious. I cannot stand here and even begin to understand the mentality of someone ringing 000, whether it is ambulance, police or fire, when it is not an emergency. I can understand people ringing who are agitated and highly stressed—perhaps the situation is not quite as serious as they see it at that time—but I cannot begin to understand people making a hoax call. Those people do need to be dealt with and they need to be dealt with quite severely, because there is the very real potential that the time they take out of those emergency services is time lost to someone who is genuinely in need. The previous speaker, the member for Noosa, talked about the ability of paramedics to direct people to GPs and seven-day medical centres. I say again that in rural and regional Queensland there are many towns that do not have seven-day medical centres. People in those towns will be relying on the local hospital or the local public medical clinic to provide their health needs when they feel critically or seriously in need. The current Minister for Emergency Services is a very practical man with both feet firmly planted on the ground. However, once the legislation is in place it will be so easy to hark back to the changes in this legislation and say, ‘It is now government policy,’ or, ‘It is now Ambulance Service policy.’ The member for Noosa also talked about phasing out services such as blood pressure checks and baby capsule hire. He said that he hoped that other services like St John Ambulance would pick them up. But what if they do not? Many families in this financially stressed time that we live in will not be able to afford to buy a compliant baby capsule. My kids have grown up— Mr Roberts: Member for Gladstone, we will continue to provide baby capsule hire services; that’s clear. Mrs CUNNINGHAM: Thank you for that, because that is not the impression I was given by a previous speaker. It certainly is important in terms of safety. Families need to be able to access affordable, safe, approved methods of transport for such very precious little ones. The explanatory notes to the bill state that changes to the Ambulance Service Act will clearly articulate the discretionary nature of the QAS community service education functions in accordance with recommendation 3.3 of the Queensland Ambulance Service audit report. I am again assuming that that is in relation to some of the educational processes. Some firefighters in the Fire and Rescue Service had established private businesses to provide, on their days off, to large and small companies, training that the fire service was not providing at the time. They have recently been directed that those services must cease because QFRS is going to provide those services. This seems to be the direct opposite of what is happening in the Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill in relation to the Ambulance Service. I think the directive given to members of the Fire and Rescue Service this year is reprehensible. There are a number of firefighters who have established businesses and have invested significant amounts of money, aboveboard and in good faith, in a market that was not filled by the Fire and Rescue Service. They are being treated abominably at this point. The audit report also stated in recommendation 2.1 that it proposed the implementation of an integrated demand management strategy to reduce demand pressures on the organisation and its staff. I can hear a bureaucrat writing that. Part of this strategy was to put in place alternative referral paths for those callers who are identified as not requiring the attendance of an emergency ambulance, and it goes back to that opportunity for paramedics to make diagnoses, often over the phone, and to refer people to GPs and to other medical services. A number of years ago people turned up at hospitals for all sorts of medical treatments, not just emergencies. That was where they went for their medical treatment. They waited for a period of time and they saw a doctor and they were treated for colds, flus, cuts, bruises and all sorts of things. Over time we reached the point at which a previous health minister, Minister Edmond, said that we have only 25 Nov 2008 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 3711 emergency services hospitals. She intimated that we had always only had emergency services hospitals, and that was untrue at the time. It was misrepresenting the reality. I can see that these changes will bring about a quantum shift not only in the relationship between ambulance officers and the community but also within the ambulance ranks themselves. I think that their understanding of their role will change, and I believe that their relationship with and the fondness that they have within the community will also change. Recommending that people ring 13HEALTH looks fine on paper. However, constituents have told me of occasions when they have called 13HEALTH and were required to hold for 30 to 40 minutes. They had to hang up because they could not afford to hold on that long. I have heard that from more than one gentleman. It seems to me that that is going to place out of the reach of many people access to immediate health opportunities. Again, I refer to my earlier comments regarding the strengthening, if you like, of penalties for making false calls. I do not have a problem with that where calls are made vexatiously or maliciously. I acknowledge that in the minister’s second reading speech he stated— The guidelines will also state that, in making a decision about whether to issue an infringement notice, the particular circumstances of people with an intellectual or psychological impairment should be taken into consideration. They not only should; they must be taken into consideration. I also believe that the individual ability of a person without an identified intellectual or psychological impairment to assess their own health or the health of a family member should be taken into consideration. Some people are much more sensitive and overreactive. In saying that, I am not saying that they are false, vexatious or malicious; they are just more reactive, and that needs to be taken into consideration. The way that this objective is marketed will determine whether people actually do ring for an ambulance. At times people may not because they will be frightened by the consequences as they perceive them to be. We have seen the ads on the TV already where there is a staged contact with the ambulance and I think the question is asked, ‘Is an ambulance really necessary in this circumstance?’ If people are thinking straight they could probably answer that objectively and accurately. But if they are under pressure or stressed they will probably say yes when maybe they should say ‘maybe not’. They are the circumstances that paramedics will have to take into account. I think it is putting a huge burden on paramedics who fundamentally want to help but will be having to make these other value judgements that will perhaps make their jobs less easy for them to carry out. I have no doubt that there are paramedics and ambulance officers—in fact all of them maybe— who support the principles of this bill, but we also have to understand that a lot of people who will make these calls will not be doing it for the wrong reasons. It would be tragic for any of them—even one of them—to be issued with an infringement notice and impede their freedom to call for an ambulance at some future time. I am keen to listen to the minister’s summing-up. I do have high regard for him and for his concern for the community. I understand that there have been significant changes to the confidentiality requirements or the exemptions in this bill. My reading of those are that they are all appropriate and welcome. Certainly, the exchange of information between appropriate entities and individuals is very important in ensuring not only proper service but also a handover of information to ensure the continuation of services to whatever stream of health or support is necessary, and indeed to the police and other services. I again put on the record my respect for ambulance officers, both paramedics and general ambulance officers, and their support staff. I would hate to see them put in the position where they are required to make decisions that impede their own understanding of their role and that may undermine the relationship that has been established over a long period of time between the community and ambulance officers. Any change in that in a negative way would be very disappointing and unacceptable. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Hoolihan): Order! Before calling the member for Aspley, I acknowledge the presence in the gallery of the student leaders and principal from Kingston College in the electorate of Woodridge, which is represented in this House by Mrs Desley Scott. Ms BARRY (Aspley—ALP) (6.00 pm): I, too, rise to support the Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2008—a bill that gives effect to the accepted recommendations that arise from a recent audit undertaken by the Queensland Ambulance Service, an audit that focused on ensuring that we continue to make sure that vital front-line services are our priority and to ensure that our hospitals and indeed our patients are not subjected to unnecessary hospital attendance where that patient can be given either treatment by an attending paramedic or referred to another health service such as a GP or a seven-day clinic. Before I go on to the bill, I want to respond to some of the comments made in relation to this bill from people like the member for Tablelands. I get really disturbed by people who come into this place and talk about their great respect and admiration for our health professionals like the Queensland Ambulance Service. I do not have any doubt whatsoever that the member for Tablelands and others have anything other than great respect for ambulance officers, but what is really disturbing to me is that 3712 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008 they do so and they make comment on bills such as the one the minister has brought before the House today in ignorance of the changing face of healthcare delivery and indeed come to this place with a very outdated frame of reference about the work that people like our Queensland Ambulance Service officers actually provide. Health has changed and the Queensland Ambulance Service has changed over the years. In particular, the way that the Queensland Ambulance Service delivers care has changed incredibly. I am sure that members would know that not that many years ago paramedics had a very limited capacity to provide assistance to people either in their homes or at the scenes of accidents. Today’s paramedics are incredibly highly trained. They are particularly trained in healthcare assessment and delivery, so the capacity for Queensland Ambulance Service officers to provide both timely and appropriate non-hospital care is well and truly part of the new modern healthcare service that we have. Indeed, I am confident and I know that the minister is confident that so well prepared are these officers that they are quite capable of assessing a person’s care needs and making an appropriate decision that in fact a person does not need to go to a hospital and that their families do not need the stress of that person being picked up and taken to a hospital. I spent many years as a community and a hospice nurse and I can say that things have changed incredibly just in the time that I have been in this place. I can advise honourable members that anything that avoids an unnecessary visit to a hospital can be of huge benefit to patients, particularly the elderly and those people who find movement away from their homes into a very busy and distracting place like a hospital exceptionally confusing and distressing. People who are post surgical or recently discharged from hospital often have worries. They do not necessarily need to go back into hospital. They come home with well-researched discharge material and ambulance officers can make those assessments. People receiving palliative care do not need the unnecessary stress of being picked up and moved to a hospital because the Ambulance Service is not given any legislative capacity to make decisions otherwise. Many people are prepared and in fact prefer to be either treated at home or at a local alternative service rather than undergo the rigours of going to a hospital. So the minister and I are extremely confident that our current Queensland Ambulance Service officers do have the skills to make those decisions in the best interests of patients. I also want to make some comments about referral services over the phone. The use of the telephone to provide healthcare assessments has been going on for years and years and years. I can remember working in a number of little hospitals where we would pick up the phone and make notes about mums who would ring us to ask us about whether they should give their children Panadol and things like that, and the member for Tablelands talked about meningococcal. All over this country, particularly in our rural communities, communication is going on between people and healthcare professionals about healthcare assessments. Healthcare assessment is not just what you see. In fact, the majority of it is what you hear. It is the questions that you ask, not just what you see, because often in health care you do not see too much at all that is different about a person. It is the inquiries that professionals make that draw forth the information that is so vital in making a healthcare assessment. Like I said, I just get a little frustrated at people who make commentary in this place about how fantastic a job people like our ambulance officers do but then in their ignorance have failed to keep up in actual fact with the very professional and skilled work that they actually undertake. I think it is an insult to them, quite frankly, and I would love to see people come in here a little bit more prepared a little more often. With those few words of my particular rant said, I note that the bill also puts in place a strategy to reduce the false number of 000 calls. It is incredibly disappointing, as you yourself said, Mr Deputy Speaker Wendt, that there are so many false calls to 000. Those people who waste the call centre’s time that have the potential to put lives at risk should be dealt with in the strongest of ways. Equally, we need to continue the campaign, as we have seen on our television screens over the last few weeks, where the community is given advice that they do not always have to ring 000. One of the biggest problems that people face when they come face to face with somebody having a crisis in health is that they panic and sometimes it is just a little bit of information they need so that they can say, ‘Look, in actual fact what I don’t need is an ambulance. What I need to do is to take my child or my family member down to the local doctor for care.’ The bill also deals with the issue of the community education capacity of the Queensland Ambulance Service and it ensures that a proviso is put in place that the service for such things as first aid and CPR is one that can occur where the service can reasonably be provided by the Queensland Ambulance Service. I know that there are some concerns in the community about this, but I have to say that I really strongly support the view that people first and foremost want the Queensland Ambulance Service to provide front-line service. The education of the community on such things as cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid is important, but the truth is that there are already many providers that make this service available. With the advent of such things as the internet, technology access, first-aid courses across many community groups and many businesses making this advice available—they take this activity on board—the community is better served by the Queensland Ambulance Service having discretion in relation to this role delivery. 25 Nov 2008 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 3713

The bill also applies really sensible but sensitive provisions to the disclosure of patient information, where such disclosure meets the legislative requirements. It is also a requirement to improve patient, community and family care. I want to commend the minister and his department on the extensive work that they have done in relation to this provision to ensure that there be good communication between ambulance officers and other services to have the best outcomes for people. I also commend the minister on his and the cabinet’s decision to ensure that the patient transfer scheme remains in the hands of the public sector. I was lobbied strongly on this matter on behalf of Aspley constituents who work for the Queensland Ambulance Service. During my discussions with both members of the patient transfer system and paramedics I was incredibly impressed by the evolution of the patient transfer system over the years and, in particular, the professional approach taken to education and professional development by the Queensland Ambulance Service. The PTS offers a range of services by specially qualified staff. It provides a high standard of care to Queenslanders who require non-acute transportation services. Members of the PTS, after completing a certificate III in non-emergency patient transfer, also participate in extensive community based professional development and they do this continually throughout their working years. This commitment to professional development is what ensures that the patient transfer system team can safely and passionately care for sick Queenslanders. There were concerns that any privatisation of this service may result in a decline in the attention being paid to professional development and the capacity of the PTS to meet the escalating, complex healthcare needs of its clients. By way of example, currently the PTS offers a code 1 stand-by service whilst an acute ambulance is on its way. This assistance can and certainly does mean that lives are saved and it requires a high degree of skill on the part of the officers to monitor and comfort the patients around them. I recall one of my constituents, Vicki Mein—who the minister will remember was an exceptionally strong advocate during the course of the LHMU’s campaign to impress upon the minister how important this service was—talking about receiving calls from people who were close to where she was delivering patients. Those people were having cardiac arrests and heart attacks and, in fact, the PTS officer was the first person to be on scene and they were able to participate in caring for the patient whilst the acute ambulance arrived. The PTS transports patients to and from outpatients, including those people who are undergoing such things as radiotherapies and wound treatments, and particularly children. Whilst those people do not fall within the acute category, they are often elderly or frightened and they rely heavily on the skill and the compassion of the PTS officers to get them ready and to settle them following transportation. The PTS is a strong partner of the acute sector and I was very impressed to see how much support the acute sector of the Queensland Ambulance Service gave to the PTS. They impressed upon me and also to the minister the importance of the PTS in relieving the load of the acute sector by being able to transport patients with complex care needs who are stable in nature but for whom their conditions must be monitored closely. Again, these are elderly people or people undergoing regular renal dialysis. The partnership also provides an important step-down opportunity for those paramedics from the acute sector who may be, for various reasons, taking a break from the acute sector and assists people in return-to-work programs whilst also giving the PTS staff an opportunity to utilise the valuable skills of those workers. The public nature of the PTS provides a natural link for those workers seeking to upgrade skills to join the acute ambulance sector. That will, of course, address skill shortages now and in the future. I was impressed by the number of workers I spoke to who were keen to go on to be ambulance officers, paramedics, nurses and doctors. The decision by the minister to not accept privatisation is commendable. It was certainly welcomed by the hardworking QAS staff in my electorate. It is all too easy to deal with tough financial times by taking an axe to the public sector under the glib guise of reducing pencil pushers and such other derogatory terms used for public servants. Unfortunately, for people like the patient transport service officer, with the spectre of an LNP government such an axe hangs over our Public Service. A vital service like the PTS can become a victim to a party that lacks the vision to look beyond the slash-and-burn mentality that has served them in Health so well in the past. With the LNP commitment to cut 12,000 Public Service jobs if it is elected, it is of real concern to me and to all members on this side of the House that the PTS privatisation will be back on the agenda. I call on the LNP to tell us if the PTS is set for the axe from the Public Service if it gets into office. In comparison, this decision by this minister to listen to the people on the need to ensure that this service remains in public hands is a good one and is one that is delivered by our Bligh government. I commend the bill to the House. Mrs SULLIVAN (Pumicestone—ALP) (6.14 pm): I rise to speak in support of the Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2008, which was introduced into this chamber last month by the Minister for Emergency Services, the Hon. Neil Roberts. At the outset, I would like to take this 3714 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008 opportunity to thank Minister Neil Roberts for recently taking the time to visit the Meldale rural fire brigade volunteers. There was talk of amalgamating—in fact, it was more than just talk—the Meldale rural fire brigade with the one at Donnybrook, but when I put their case to the minister he understood the great need and desire for the Meldale residents to retain their only community service. The minister showed great compassion and understanding and assured the volunteers that they were very worthwhile and made a valuable contribution not only to Meldale but also to the wider community. I can certainly recall when the Meldale rural firefighters came to Bribie Island one year and helped put out rather large fires that were threatening the community. The minister’s visit was welcome. The Meldale rural fire brigade volunteers really appreciated having someone who actually listened to them. The Meldale rural firefighters can now continue to play, like others, an essential role in protecting rural communities such as Meldale. I want to mention the role of the Rural Fire Advisory Council and, in doing so, say that it has been a champion of rural fire brigades. It provides ongoing, invaluable advice to the minister about the operation of brigades and the broad range of rural fire issues. I fully support the work done by the council and firmly believe that it should continue. One amalgamation that I support is amalgamating, or joining, the Rural Fire Advisory Council with the Emergency Services Advisory Council. I commend the government on recognising the important work done by both of those bodies and in taking this step to join them. Amalgamating the functions of the councils will reflect the integrated service that is delivered by the Department of Emergency Services. It will place rural fire issues on the table with the full range of emergency services matters. The continued membership of the Emergency Services Advisory Council by former Rural Fire Advisory Council members will ensure that there is a smooth transition to the new arrangements and that rural fire matters will continue to receive the attention they fully deserve. I want to thank all the Emergency Services staff who helped in the recent storms. My electorate was indeed lucky as the residents and their property sustained very little damage. However, my electorate falls within the newly amalgamated Moreton Bay Regional Council. Three councils— Redcliffe, Pine Rivers and Caboolture—were amalgamated. Unfortunately, parts of Pine Rivers and Redcliffe were ravaged by the powerful storms. A comment made by the deputy mayor, Councillor Greg Chippendale, is worth repeating here. He said that because of the amalgamation, areas that were affected were serviced quicker because they had access to many more resources than before. He said that when parts of Redcliffe were hit, the council called on all of the emergency services and volunteers in other parts of this large council. He described it as being much more effective and residents are very grateful that the Moreton Bay Regional Council acted so swiftly, just as the state government Emergency Services and Energex did. That goes to show that when you have some cooperation, particularly between levels of government, you get things done and in a very quick and effective way. I commend this bill to the House. Mrs PRATT (Nanango—Ind) (6.19 pm): I rise to speak to the Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2008. The amendments to the Ambulance Service Act 1991 are to bring into effect the recommendations of the Queensland Ambulance Service audit report by providing legislative support for an expanded role for paramedics to provide treatment or alternative referral paths where an ambulance transport to a medical facility is not necessary. Before I continue I add my recognition to the emergency services personnel who worked so hard during the recent storms dealing with the damage that occurred. I must say that I am quite happy to see us get back to normal storm seasons because I remember them as a child. Mr Pearce: We are not going back that far, are we? Mrs PRATT: I am old. Getting back to the bill, I would like to speak to the bill on two counts, one in relation to false calls and the other in relation to the referral paths. I know for a fact that there was a 000 call made not too long ago from an elderly pensioner who was recently widowed. They asked him was it an emergency and he said it definitely was; he wanted to know what temperature to put the roast on. They asked if it was an emergency and he said it was; he didn’t know how to operate the stove, his wife was dead. He was deadly serious. That was an emergency for him. The 000 number does receive a lot of non-emergency calls and it is unfortunate, but I do not think that we will stop that in the short term. This also happens with the ambos and fire brigades. Recently I was talking to one of my local ambulance officers and he informed me that a false call-out he had had was to a man who had a fleabite. The man panicked because he had a fleabite. For all intents and purposes it could have been a spider bite. He did not know what it was. The ambo did tell him that it was a fleabite and he need not worry. Mr Lawlor: Didn’t he know the difference between a fleabite and a spider bite? Mrs PRATT: It was the case that he was not aware of the difference between a fleabite and a spider bite, but something biting him in bed in the middle of the night I think scared the heck out of him. The truth is that there have been times when ambulance personnel in my electorate have been called out because someone is incredibly lonely. They tried very, very hard to get the ambulance officer to stay for a cup of tea when it was found out that it was not an emergency. 25 Nov 2008 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 3715

Recommendation 2.1 of the audit report proposed the implementation of an integrated demand management strategy to reduce demand pressures on the organisation and its staff. Part of this strategy was to put in place alternative referral paths for those callers who were identified as not requiring the attendance of an ambulance. This strategy also proposed to adopt an expanded scope of role for paramedics to enable greater assistance to be provided to patients who may be able to be treated in their own homes, thus avoiding an ambulance transport to an emergency department. I know that the member for Aspley talked about living in the past. I will digress just a little bit. As a child and up into my teens and early marriage, in a rural community our first port of call was to the ambulance station. It did not matter if it was a big splinter or whether stitches were needed. The ambulance station would look at a person and then direct you on. A referral system is not necessarily a bad thing. Prior to Wendy Edmonds’ tenure as minister people used to go to the hospital and were prepared to wait for long hours. Simply being in that facility gave them security in a situation they could not handle and therefore the best place to be was where they could obtain some medical help in the event that they actually needed it. Here we are proposing that ambulance personnel suggest to the person who rings that they go to a seven-day medical centre or their GP that day or, if it is at night, the next day or perhaps they need to go to hospital. They will make that judgement call. I am not for one minute saying that they are not capable of doing that, but I do believe that it is a difficult thing to do over the phone. I know that we have phone conferencing with medical specialists and although we know paramedics are highly trained, they are not exactly medical specialists. We do not have seven-day medical services in our particular area. The nearest one would be Toowoomba, a fair way away. As for going to the GP the next day, if a person is new to our area—we are getting a lot of people coming to the town—most of the GPs in my area have closed their books. It becomes a very difficult and stressful ordeal for the persons involved in these instances. I believe that the referral path is fraught with danger. I believe many people are not capable of describing a situation. I know of a recent instance where a young baby choked on a bit of banana. One of the persons present threw up their hands in horror and raced outside and left it to others because they could not face it. They did not know what to do. Another one raced to ring 000. In the meantime the mother, thank goodness, got the banana out of the child’s throat. The child would have probably died if she had not been there. The point is that people do not necessarily recognise symptoms. When they are asked all the right questions they can still make a mistake in identifying symptoms. They could just panic and say it is an emergency and they need somebody, or they could say they can handle it and try to be brave and kid themselves as to their own competency. One way or another, it will not be them that suffers but the patient. I believe that is the potentially dangerous situation that could arise. It was mentioned that in 2006-07 the Queensland Ambulance Service identified 2,378 calls as possible false calls. The data also indicated a further 5,658 code 1 and 2 incidents where paramedics entered ‘unable to locate’. There are several reasons for that. There will be the ones that most of us believe already: they were indeed false and no-one was at that particular premises or that vacant lot or wherever it may have been. I know in rural areas there are instances where ambulances do not get to the right address. There might be Walnut Close and Walnut Parade, or something along those lines. There might be Barambah Creek Road and Barambah Road—two totally different addresses. This is a significant issue in the bush. There might be Creek Crossing No.1, Bridge Crossing No. 2 and Bridge Crossing No. 6. Those situations cause issues in rural areas. Some of those instances of ‘unable to locate’ may be due to those circumstances. It may also be that people do not recognise the cost of the call-out because they have already paid their levy. The person they called the ambulance for was okay and they all decided to go home after a drink. That could be the case, too. There are many reasons for it. People need to be educated that perhaps out of courtesy they should ring back and say that they do not need an ambulance after all. It is difficult to judge what is right and what is wrong in this situation. I do understand the minister’s reasoning for bringing in this particular provision. As other members have said, services have changed. The Ambulance Service has expanded over the years and changed from when I was a child. It will change again when I am an old person. To date I have not needed the Ambulance Service and hopefully I will not in the future. I do have concern with regard to the calls. I can see a situation arising where an ambulance officer will say that a person really does need to come to hospital and fellow officers might say they do not really need to come, they have saved this many call-outs on this particular week, that officer has not saved any, what is he doing wrong. Is he just being extra careful? Is he getting the bad cases? I have to wonder whether any pressure will be put on that particular ambulance officer. If all the other ambulance officers have been able to cut back on call-outs and refer people to various places, they might ask why the heck can’t he. I think there is a possibility of that happening. I support the amalgamation of the Rural Fire Advisory Council and the Emergency Services Advisory Council. I believe this is well and truly appropriate. It was a doubling up of services. Those councils work together all the time and I believe it will be more efficient. I support this bill but I do have many reservations. With those few words, I wait to hear from the minister. Sitting suspended from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm. Debate, on motion of Ms Croft, adjourned. 3716 Motion 25 Nov 2008

MOTION

Order of Business Hon. AI McNAMARA (Hervey Bay—ALP) (Acting Leader of the House) (7.30 pm): I move— That government business orders of the day Nos 3 to 15 be postponed. Question put—That the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to.

MOTION

Revocation of State Forest Areas Hon. AI McNAMARA (Hervey Bay—ALP) (Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation) (7.31 pm): I move— 1. That this House requests the Governor in Council to revoke by regulation the setting apart and declaration as state forest under the Forestry Act 1959 of the area as set out in the Proposal tabled by me in the House today viz—

Description of area to be revoked

Domville State Forest (SF229) Area described as Lot 1 on plan SP154312 and containing an area of about 10.8 hectares as illustrated on the attached sketch marked “A”.

Mount Maurice State Forest (SF281) Area described as Lot 203 on plan SP178621 and containing an area of about 0.3253 of a hectare as illustrated on the attached sketch marked “B”.

Wonbah State Forest 2 (SF381) Area described as Lot 65 on plan SP172064 and containing an area of about 14.49 hectares as illustrated on the attached sketch marked “C”.

2. That Mr Speaker and the Clerk of the Parliament forward a copy of this resolution to the Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation for submission to the Governor in Council. The Environmental Protection Agency manages 419 state forests covering more than three million hectares across Queensland. With such a large and dispersed estate, there is the occasional need to revoke the dedication of small areas to correct boundary inconsistencies or historic incursions, achieve more effective management boundaries through land exchanges or allow essential public infrastructure actions such as road realignments or railway upgrades. I only support the revocation of land from the state forest estate for an alternative use if it can be demonstrated that the proposed use is in the broader public interest and there is no practical alternative to the proposal. Careful consideration has been given to each of these proposals and, in each instance, consultation has occurred with affected state and local government agencies and stakeholders. Native title issues have also been considered in relation to the above proposals and, in each case, it has been determined that the action may proceed. I will now outline the background for each proposal and the offsetting arrangements that will be implemented where appropriate. Firstly I wish to talk about the Domville State Forest near Millmerran. The proposal is to revoke about 10.8 hectares from the forest, covering an existing rifle range currently used by three different shooting clubs. The area has been an operating rifle range since at least 1914, well before the timber reserve was declared in 1933 and the subsequent state forest dedication was made in 1975. Such a use is incompatible with the management principles for a state forest and is a potential liability for the EPA. There are no significant conservation values affected by this proposal. Following revocation, land will be leased under the Land Act 1994 to the Millmerran and District Rifle Club, which has utilised the range since 1914. Securing rifle ranges was a government initiative following the Commonwealth-state firearms buyback scheme. No compensation is sought as the rifle range predates the state forest and the small recreational clubs using the facility would not have the means to secure either land or money to compensate the state. The Mount Maurice State Forest near Calliope is another revocation being moved. This action is for the revocation of about 0.3253 hectares from the state forest for a land exchange with a neighbouring landholder. The area to be revoked is the eastern section of a small knoll, which is suitable for a building site and has limited conservation value. In compensation, the landholder has entered a written agreement to make 0.8381 hectares of undisturbed forest land available for addition to the state forest, and to pay all survey and transfer costs. The land offered in exchange is red soil country with spotted gum, ironbark and rainforest species adjoining the state forest. 25 Nov 2008 Motion 3717

The Wonbah State Forest near Mount Perry is also affected in this revocation. This proposal is for the revocation of an area of about 14.7 hectares of cleared land from the state forest for exchange with an area of undisturbed forest on adjoining freehold land. The land was part of an expired grazing selection that was added to the state forest in 1978 and had been cleared prior to its addition. The cleared area has no conservation value and it would be difficult and expensive to rehabilitate. The adjoining landholder has agreed to make 67.75 hectares of adjacent undeveloped forest land available for addition to the state forest, and to pay for survey and associated costs. An honourable member interjected. Mr McNAMARA: I take the interjection from the honourable member. In each of these cases there has been exemplary consultation and cooperation with adjoining landholders. Far from being any sort of diminution of the state’s natural estate, these revocations amount to both good conservation outcomes and good land management outcomes. I place on the record my thanks to all of those landholders who have played such a constructive role. Revocations from state forests and, indeed, national parks always attract some attention, but it is my contention—and I welcome the support of the opposition in this—that such revocations can be in the public interest, provided that they are properly thought through. There are undeniable and unavoidable impacts of historical decisions, land accretions, boundary changes and, of course, essential infrastructure that require such upgrades. The Bligh government is committed to expanding our natural estate and, indeed, as part of our Q2 policy position has committed to expanding our protected areas by 50 per cent by the year 2020. It is our aim to ensure that we advance our protected state areas and end up with more and better land under management. That is undoubtedly the case. Native title issues have been dealt with in each case. I commend all of these operations to the House. I welcome the support of the opposition. I suggest that all members join me in supporting the revocations by regulation of the parts of the state forest specified in the proposal currently before the House. Ms JONES (Ashgrove—ALP) (7.38 pm): I rise to second the minister’s motion. Mr GIBSON (Gympie—LNP) (7.38 pm): I rise to support the motion moved by the minister today. Every member of the House is aware of the importance of our natural resources. Our state forest reserves are the key jewel in Queensland’s crown of natural resources. The responsibility of any government to care for and maintain our natural resources is one of the greatest responsibilities that it can have. As every member of this House is aware, the people of Queensland value their natural resource assets, treat them with great reverence and expect the government of the day to do the same. As the minister has pointed out, revocation motions are occasionally a necessary part of the government’s spectrum. As he has indicated, and we support him wholeheartedly on this, the revocation power should always be used with great care in consideration of our natural resources. I commend the minister for his consultation with all stakeholders involved in this, and I commend him for getting what is clearly a great deal for Queensland. Not only have those land parcel exchanges achieved some sensible outcomes; it is very clear that the state has benefited from this just in the sheer hectare component. That is always good value for the area. I note the exchange with regard to the Millmerran and district rifle range. It is a very sensible move. I know there are many rifle ranges throughout Queensland that are well used by our members. It is something that we can look at in other areas. If there is a need to bring that about in other areas, I think it would be well received. As the minister quite rightly pointed out, those clubs have a long tradition—indeed in this case from 1914, which is an incredible achievement—but they would not have the asset base to bring about those types of changes. The opposition is happy to support this motion. We feel that it provides a greater value for the state. We commend the government for its approach on these matters. Hon. AI McNAMARA (Hervey Bay—ALP) (Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation) (7.40 pm), in reply: I thank the members for Ashgrove and Gympie for their support of this motion. I particularly acknowledge the kind words of the member for Gympie. I assure him that there are some further outstanding issues in relation to rifle ranges which I am keen to resolve as soon as possible. Indeed, some of the matters which we are setting about resolving here tonight have been hanging around for a few years. It is my intention to continue to reach into the too-hard basket and resolve issues where possible. I commend the motion to the House. Question put—That the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to. 3718 Motion 25 Nov 2008

MOTION

Revocation of State Forest Areas

Hon. AI McNAMARA (Hervey Bay—ALP) (Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation) (7.41 pm): I move—

1. That this House requests the Governor in Council to revoke by regulation under Sections 32 and 70E of Nature Conservation Act 1992 the dedication of protected areas and forest reserves; and to change by regulation under Section 33 of the Nature Conservation Act 1992, the boundaries of four protected areas to permit the dedication of the removed areas as another class of protected area as set out in the proposal tabled by me in the House on 9 September 2008, viz—

Description of area to be revoked

Parts of Curtain Fig National Park Area described as Lot A on plan CN500/103A and containing an area of and Curtain Fig Forest Reserve about 0.371 hectares as illustrated on the attached sketch marked “A”.

Part of Ferntree Creek National Park Area described as Lot 136 on plan SP197064 containing an area of about 0.2837 hectares as illustrated on the attached sketch marked “B”.

Parts of Great Sandy National Park Area described as Lot 50 on plan SP215027, Lot 62 on plan SP215039, and Great Sandy Resources Lot 64 on plan SP215043, Lot 51 on plan SP215024 and Lot 29 on plan Reserve SP218805 containing an area of about 21.6833 hectares on the attached sketch marked “C”.

Parts of Homevale National Park and Area described as Lot 2 on plan AP14082 and Lot 4 on plan AP14082 Homevale Resources Reserve and containing an area of about 65.2 hectares as illustrated on the attached sketch marked “D”.

Parts of Lakefield National Park Area described as Lot 1 on plan AP12177 and Lot 17 on plan SP171831 and containing an area of about 224.16 hectares as illustrated on the attached sketch marked “E”.

Baldwin Swamp Conservation Park Area described as Lot 209 on plan CK3655 and containing an area of about 18.6 hectares as illustrated on the attached sketch marked “F”.

Part of Hallorans Hill Conservation Area described as Lot 1 on plan CNS05/145 and containing an area of Park about 0.279 hectares as illustrated on the attached sketch marked “G”.

Part of Mon Repos Conservation Area described as Lot 1 on plan SP149042 and containing an area of Park about 0.1578 hectares as illustrated on the attached sketch marked “H”.

Part of Mount Cooroy Conservation Area described as Lot 21 on plan SP115865 and containing an area of Park about 1.12 hectares as illustrated on the attached sketch marked “I”.

Part of Smithfield Conservation Park Area described as within Stations a-b-c-d-a on plan SP201275 and containing an area of about 0.0569 hectares as illustrated on the attached sketch marked “J”.

Part of Beerwah Forest Reserve Area described as Lot A on plan AP6215 and containing an area of about 0.749 hectares as illustrated on the attached sketch marked “K”.

Part of Rollingstone Forest Reserve Area described as Lot 1 on plan AP14634 and containing an area of about 22.8289 hectares as illustrated on the attached sketch marked “L”.

Bingera National Park Changing the boundaries of parts of Bingera National Park described as Lot 1 and Lot 2 on plan AP14640 and containing an area of about 38 hectares as illustrated on the attached sketch marked “M”.

Homevale National Park Changing the boundaries of part of Homevale National Park described as Lot 1 on plan AP14639 containing an area of about 19.45 hectares as illustrated on the attached sketch marked “N”.

Tamborine National Park Changing the boundaries of part of Tamborine National Park described as Area A on plan NPW879 containing an area of about 2.27 hectares as illustrated on the attached sketch marked “O”.

Dularcha National Park Changing the boundaries of part of Dularcha National Park described as Area A on plan NPW950 containing an area of about 1.079 hectares as illustrated on the attached sketch marked “P”.

2. That Mr Speaker and the Clerk of the Parliament forward a copy of this resolution to the Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation for submission to the Governor in Council. 25 Nov 2008 Motion 3719

Careful consideration has been given to each proposal, and in each instance detailed consultation has occurred with affected state and local government agencies and stakeholders. Native title issues, I am pleased to inform the House, have been considered in relation to the above proposals, and in each case it has been determined that the action may proceed. I will now for the benefit of the House outline in some detail the issues in relation to these revocations. The revocations include part of Curtain Fig National Park and Curtain Fig Forest Reserve. This proposal is for the revocation of about 0.351 of a hectare from Curtain Fig National Park and about 0.02 of a hectare from Curtain Fig Forest Reserve for road dedications over existing formed roads. It will enable the Tablelands Regional Council, who currently maintain the road, to have legal ownership of their existing responsibility. In exchange, an area of about 8.033 hectares of mature forest on undeveloped road dedication will be made available for addition to the park. Part of Ferntree Creek National Park will also be revoked. The intention is to revoke about 0.2837 of a hectare from Ferntree Creek National Park and dedicate it as public road over an existing formed road, and to allow for upgrade of the road to give controlled access to the proposed Sunshine Coast Regional Council waste management facility. In exchange, an area of about 0.6097 of a hectare of an adjoining undeveloped road dedication will be made available for addition to the park. Parts of Great Sandy National Park and Great Sandy Resources Reserve are also affected in this revocation. This proposal gives effect to land tenure recommendations from the Noosa North Shore planning study, which has agreement from government agencies, the Sunshine Coast Regional Council and community representatives. About 4.66 hectares of Great Sandy National Park and about 2.96 hectares of Great Sandy Resources Reserve are to be revoked for dedication as public road over several sections of existing constructed road, giving council legal control over roads that they have been managing for many years. About 14.07 hectares of the resources reserve is to be revoked and added to the existing camping and recreation reserve under the trusteeship of the council. In exchange, about 177 hectares of closed, undeveloped roads, council freehold land and unallocated state land will be made available for addition to the park. Parts of Homevale National Park and Homevale Resources Reserve will also be revoked. About 44.6 hectares of Homevale National Park and about 20.6 hectares of Homevale Resources Reserve are proposed to be revoked for road openings over existing roads which are being maintained by Isaac Regional Council. An area of about 106.5 hectares of undeveloped road dedication will be closed and made available for addition to the park. Once again, it is almost a two-for-one addition to the park while at the same time recognising the responsibilities and rights of Isaac Regional Council. Mr Deputy Speaker, parts of Lakefield National Park, particularly dear to your heart, I know, are part of this as well. This proposal gives effect to the final stages of a tenure resolution program for the former Marina Plains holding, part of which was added to Lakefield National Park in 2005. About 154 hectares covering an existing road in the park is proposed to be revoked and opened as a road, and about 235 hectares of unconstructed road in the park are to be closed and dedicated as additions to the park. An area of about 70.6 hectares containing part of the old Marina Plains homestead, airstrip and other infrastructure is proposed to be revoked and granted to the adjoining Yintjingga Land Trust, which will secure the social and economic base that the Marina Plains homestead precinct provides to the Yintjingga people. The Baldwin Swamp Conservation Park is also part of this proposal. There is a proposal for revocation of the Baldwin Swamp Conservation Park of about 18.6 hectares, for declaration as an environmental reserve to be managed by the Bundaberg Regional Council. This park in urban Bundaberg is in a flood mitigation area. It is contiguous with eight Land Act 1994 reserves totalling about 63 hectares which are managed by council as an urban green space and passive recreation area along a drainage line leading to the Burnett River. The council and the Department of Natural Resources and Water approached the EPA seeking transfer of the conservation park to reserve for community purposes for amalgamation with the other reserves, benefiting the community through uniform management of an urban green space. The proposal has the support of the Baldwin Swamp Advisory Committee, the Wide Bay Burnett Conservation Council and the local member, Mr Jack Dempsey MP. I recommend that the parliament approve the revocation by regulation of the parts of the protected area and forestry reserves specified in the proposal. Ms JONES (Ashgrove—ALP) (7.52 pm): I rise to second the minister’s motion. While I am on my feet, since everyone was disappointed with my short contribution earlier, I would like to commend the minister for the great work he is doing in the portfolio. I had the pleasure of the minister being in my electorate last night talking to the St John’s Wood Sustainability Group. One of the points he made very clearly to the congregation was that one of the best ways to address climate change is to reserve our green spaces and national parks, and ensure that we keep them for future generations. It is an absolute pleasure to be here in the House to see him putting his words into action. I am delighted that I am part of this process. Thank you very much. 3720 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008

Mr GIBSON (Gympie—LNP) (7.53 pm): I rise to provide the opposition’s support to this motion. As the minister has pointed out, it is always a serious matter when we revoke any parts of our national parks because we recognise the value of them. They are not only highly protected sanctuaries for native flora and fauna in our state; they are also subjected to recreational use. In some cases where they are close to highly populated areas, they get a great deal of natural use in those areas. The opposition supports the views and the approach that the government has taken and recognises that, as was being detailed by the minister, this is a common-sense approach. Obviously a lot of time has been taken to get to this point. As the minister mentioned in his comments, nine national parks, five conservation parks and two forest reserves are affected by these revocations. I note that, in many of the cases that he listed, there is a net increase. Again, that can only be good for Queensland, for its biodiversity and for the recreational opportunities that are coming from those changes. Listening to the minister explain some of those points, I was encouraged to hear that some of these are very practical approaches. The land that is being excised in Lakefield National Park will have some very practical values not only for road use but also for the Indigenous people in the area—and I will not even try to pronounce the name of the Aboriginal land trust—who I am sure will be able to make some great use out of those lands that are coming across into that area. It is always a serious issue when we are trying to balance biodiversity and protecting the natural wonders of our state along with the pressures that all of those areas face as our state continues to grow. I can say with a great deal of confidence that what the minister has put forward to the House tonight is a very level-headed approach. It is obviously done with the best interests of the state in mind in determining these outcomes. It has obviously taken a great deal of time to bring them to the parliament. I would like to restate what I mentioned earlier: any revocation motion should be treated with great care and consideration before it is passed. Revoking the protected status of our state’s natural assets is not a power that should be exercised lightly. It is one that should always return a greater benefit for the state than the area that is lost. I am quite confident that in this case that is clearly occurring. I thank the minister for the work, and I look forward to the areas that will be included in these national parks becoming part of the estate. I commend the motion to the House. Hon. AI McNAMARA (Hervey Bay—ALP) (Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation) (7.56 pm), in reply: I thank the honourable shadow minister for the support of the opposition. It is pleasing to see this motion going through with bipartisan support, and I thank him for that. I thank the honourable member for Ashgrove for her kind words. It was indeed an honour to visit the St John’s Wood group last night—a very passionate local group doing fantastic work, supported very ably by their dedicated, hardworking local member. I commend the motion to the House. Question put—That the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to.

MOTION

Order of Business Hon. AI McNAMARA (Hervey Bay—ALP) (Acting Leader of the House) (7.56 pm): I move— That government business order of the day No. 3 be postponed. Question put—That the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to.

EMERGENCY SERVICES LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL

Second Reading Resumed from p. 3715, on motion of Mr Roberts— That the bill be now read a second time. Ms CROFT (Broadwater—ALP) (7.57 pm): I rise to speak in support of the Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2008. This bill provides for the recommendations of the Queensland Ambulance Service’s audit report that was announced by the government in September of 2007. This audit was announced to investigate the increasing demand on the service and its staff, to investigate the funding of the service and the opportunities to ensure front-line service delivery is well resourced and managed. 25 Nov 2008 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 3721

The bill provides for amendments to address the increasing problem of false calls to the Ambulance Service. In his second reading speech, the minister revealed that in the 2006-07 period the Queensland Ambulance Service identified 2,378 calls as possible false calls and that that data collected by the Queensland Ambulance Service also indicated that 5,658 code 1 and 2 incidents where paramedics were unable to locate a patient when they arrived at a provided address were also recorded. This bill addresses this issue by making false calls amenable to infringement notices. This amendment certainly meets the expectations of the community. I talk with many community groups and individuals about the good work of the Queensland Ambulance Service. Ambulance officers are held in high regard for the work that they do, but their work and service are also valued, and residents understand how busy they are each night. Residents I speak with are also angered that the Queensland Ambulance Service is called by residents for frivolous issues, nonemergencies and what are regarded as false calls. From many of the conversations I have had with ambulance officers, some of these examples include calling an ambulance for a headache. There have also been incidents where an ambulance has been called because someone’s light bulb has blown and needs to be changed or someone’s pet has become sick. I am sure that many of the residents with whom I speak will agree that the government’s action in debating the bill tonight is certainly what needs to occur to address this issue. The government is increasing the maximum penalty for the Queensland Ambulance Service false call offence. This has increased to 100 penalty units or one year imprisonment. The provision for the false calls is also extended to include the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service for which this bill provides that fire crews cannot be falsely requested to attend car crashes, entrapments and hazardous material incidents where no fire or rescue has been needed or identified. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the minister for recently visiting the Runaway Bay Ambulance Station to meet ambulance officers and a number of community representatives. During this time the minister explained to the community representatives the need for this bill, the demands that our extraordinary hardworking ambulance officers face each day and how much the Ambulance Service has changed over the years. Many of the community representatives who attended this event were able to talk with ambulance officers. They were also able to have a look inside one of the new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter ambulances that were presented to the ambulance station by the minister earlier this year. From talking with the ambulance officers and having a look at the vehicle, the residents had an opportunity to understand how much the Ambulance Service has changed, to the point at which the resources that these ambulance officers have in their ambulances now are quite extraordinary as is the level of study that ambulance officers undertake to ensure that people in our community are in the safest hands when they call for an ambulance. I would like to extend my thanks to those ambulance officers who were present that day talking with my constituents and community representatives. In particular, I would like to make special mention of Henry Winzar, who was the officer in charge at Runaway Bay Ambulance Station, and Jane Newton, who is now the acting officer in charge. They do a fantastic job. In the past they have been able to get out to the community and talk with Neighbourhood Watches about the issues that they face every day and the work that they do. However, we have noticed increasing demands being placed on the Ambulance Service with an increasing number of people moving to Queensland and our ageing population. I think that residents really feel that the misuse of the Ambulance Service is very unfair, given that we make a contribution and that the Ambulance Service is there to assist people in their time of need. Such frivolous calls to the Ambulance Service are really quite unnecessary. It is only a small number of people, but it certainly takes a big chunk out of the Ambulance Service’s time. It makes those officers attending those sorts of calls angry because their time could be better spent responding to someone who really needs their support and their expertise. I would also like to take the opportunity to talk about the changes in this bill that amalgamate the Rural Fire Advisory Council. The rural fire brigades and their staff of dedicated volunteers play an essential role in protecting rural communities across Queensland from the effects of fire. These volunteers are community members who give up their time and put themselves on the line to protect local communities and support their neighbours in times of emergencies. Every year coming up to the Christmas summer period we see the fantastic work that they do. I would like to take this opportunity to mention the fantastic staff at the Wasp Creek Fire Station. Charlie and Christine and the team work really hard to support residents living on South Stradbroke Island. The work that they do has been invaluable to those residents. I would like to thank them very much for their volunteer efforts. The Rural Fire Advisory Council has long been the champion of rural fire brigades and has provided invaluable advice to the Minister for Emergency Services about the operation of brigades and the broad range of rural fire issues. I fully support the work done by the council and I believe that it should continue. I commend the government and the minister for recognising this important work and taking this important step of amalgamating the Rural Fire Advisory Council with the Emergency Services Advisory Council. 3722 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008

I would like to mention a very good friend of mine who sits on the minister’s Emergency Services Advisory Council, Mrs Eda Beck. She has been doing that work for a very long time. She is a fantastic lady. Many people in this House know her and know the work that she does. I actually knew Eda from when I worked at Griffith University when I did the timetabling. Every time Eda sees me she asks me when I am going back to timetabling at Griffith University because it was a hard job and it required talking with the lecturers about which times and rooms they wanted. Eda was one of those ladies that I was always very happy to work with. Many in this House know of her dedication in assisting the minister in her capacity as a member of the Emergency Services Advisory Council as she has been doing it for many years. I congratulate her on that work. Amalgamating the functions of the councils will reflect their integrated service delivered by the Department of Emergency Services and will place rural fire issues on the table with the full range of emergency services matters. The continued membership of the Emergency Services Advisory Council by former Rural Fire Advisory Council members will ensure that there is a smooth transition to the new arrangements and that rural fire matters continue to receive the attention they fully deserve. I am pleased to support this bill. I commend it to the House. Mr WEIGHTMAN (Cleveland—ALP) (8.06 pm): I rise to speak in support of the Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2008. I am particularly pleased to speak in support of this legislation because it comes, in part, as a result of the first actions taken by this government when the member for South Brisbane became Premier 14 months ago. The legislation brings into effect the recommendations of the Queensland Ambulance Service audit report, which the Premier requested in September last year. That report highlights some important facts about the Ambulance Service and the work of paramedics in Queensland, which I am pleased to see addressed in this legislation. This legislation provides a framework for expanding the scope of the role of paramedics to allow for referral to other treatments where emergency transport to a medical facility is not the best course of action. In the past this has been a point of contention with regard to tying up paramedics’ time needlessly. This is also an important consideration in the overall scheme of things as it relates to easing pressure on other departments. I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate the ambulance officers who work tirelessly in my area. They provide a very good service to the people of Cleveland and Birkdale. I would also like to recognise the great work of the Cleveland LAC and the newly formed Birkdale LAC and the work they are doing to support their respective stations. They play a very important role. Another good outcome from this legislation is the way in which this bill works to ensure that resources are focused on the front line, an important priority that this government takes seriously and one that will provide an enhanced community outcome. I am particularly interested in the inclusion of the relevant sections that introduce an investigative officer. This person’s role will primarily be the investigation of false complaints. Providing the necessary investigative powers will again ease the workload of other departments. Certain offences will be specified relating to the failure to comply with requests as authorised by the bill. We all know that false calls distract officers from possible life-threatening situations and impose a financial burden on the QAS. The inclusion of these sections will act as a deterrent as well as give the QAS the means to pursue and investigate any false 000 calls. In particular, I also want to note the high level of consultation evident in the supporting documentation of this bill. Contemporary research in public sector management is now consistently showing us that the best way to serve the public is through effective collaboration between departments. It is pleasing to see that JAG, the Queensland Police Service, Queensland Health and Disability Services Queensland were all consulted in the preparation of this bill. One thing I want to thank the minister for, as did the member for Aspley, is the retention of the essential patient transport service within the QAS. I was asked by many people to ensure that the government did not pass this important part of the QAS to private providers. Many of the wonderful QAS workers in my area were also adamant that the PTS should remain within the realms of the QAS. The minister’s decision to keep the PTS under the umbrella of the QAS was a good decision under the current circumstances and one that I am sure QAS workers in my area will be pleased with. We on this side of the House are committed to the responsible management of services of government, particularly those which impact on people’s health. That means managing finite resources in a responsible manner. It means prudent planning for the future and it means setting goals and then establishing responsible methods of achieving them. This bill demonstrates once again the way this government is working to maintain Queenslanders’ way of life. I congratulate the minister and his staff for making these changes, and I am pleased to speak in support of the bill today. I commend the bill to the House. 25 Nov 2008 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 3723

Mrs STUCKEY (Currumbin—LNP) (8.11 pm): I rise to speak on the Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2008, brought into the House by the Minister for Emergency Services on 7 October this year. As the honourable member for Mirani and shadow minister for emergency services has already indicated, the LNP will be supporting this bill. The principal objective of the bill is to amend the existing legislation covered under the Ambulance Service Act 1991 and the Fire and Rescue Service Act 1990. I am pleased to see that the Labor government has finally stepped in to protect these dedicated individuals who are out there serving their communities at all hours of the day and night. Mind you, it has been suggested to me by several front-line emergency workers that some of these amendments may not have been necessary if more forethought had gone into the Community Ambulance Cover Bill 2003, a bill that has raised literally hundreds of millions of dollars for this government. These amendments will bring into effect the recommendation of the Queensland Ambulance Service audit report, a report that deals with inappropriate use of resources through a framework of addressing false 000 calls and clarifies confidentiality requirements for ambulance employees. The amendments to the Fire and Rescue Service Act 1990 recommend the abolition of the Rural Fire Advisory Council and enable false calls to be dealt with in a consistent manner as established in the Ambulance Service Act 1991. Firstly I want to focus on the amendments to the Ambulance Service Act 1991. This legislation, as I have already mentioned, is designed to deter false or frivolous calls and abuse of the system by those who do not require this service and provides the ability to serve infringement notices on those members of the public who seek to abuse the service in this manner. Disarmingly, during the 2006-07 period the Queensland Ambulance Service identified 2,378 calls as possible false calls. This shamefully high number translates to countless hours of precious ambulance officer time wasted on selfish individuals who in some strange or perverse way think it funny to dial 000. Collected data also indicates a further 5,658 code 1 and code 2 incidents were attended by paramedics who subsequently entered ‘unable to locate’ on their report forms, meaning that no patient was found at the scene when the paramedics arrived. No doubt some of these calls were hoaxes and a further sign that some people in our neighbourhoods either do not realise the danger they may be causing to a legitimately ill patient or just do not care what happens to them. The maximum penalty for the QAS false call offence has been increased to 100 penalty units. At $75 per unit, this is a hefty fine, and so it should be—otherwise it is one year’s imprisonment—to reflect the seriousness with which this offence is viewed and to bring it into line with the existing penalty in the Fire and Rescue Service Act 1990. Speaking recently in my electorate office with some ambulance officers who were Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union representatives, I was further enlightened as to the nature of some of the calls that they receive. One not infrequent example revealed how the communications system for analysing and prioritising calls could still be misleading and people could still abuse this overworked service by giving incomplete information. I was told that often when people phone for help they say that they are breathless, which quite correctly rates as a high priority. Yet when the ambulance and paramedics arrived at one residence recently, the caller had stubbed their toe and became breathless running to the phone to call the ambulance. Other times patients who have called in with chest pain are packed for hospital by the time help arrives as they failed to tell the communications centre that they had had this chest pain for some 10 years. Chest pain and breathlessness are of course potentially life-threatening symptoms and should be taken seriously, but there will always be people who exaggerate their symptoms in order to get faster treatment. It is understandable that experienced officers are sick of these calls which have nothing to do with any emergency. I listened to the argument put up by the honourable member for Tablelands, who is worried that callers requiring urgent attention may be too frightened to call for fear of their symptoms not being taken seriously. However, tales of ambulance officers being called to pick up a pizza or to pop down to the chemist for some sort of performance-enhancing medication are indications of some of these time wasters who warrant this legislation. There is, however, no intention to use these provisions in cases where people have a genuine belief that the ambulance and fire services are needed, even if that belief is not borne out by the actual severity of the illness or injury. I understand the genuine concerns that Disability Services Queensland has put forward on behalf of its clientele who, due to psychological or intellectual impairments, may not have the capacity to understand the consequence of their actions. Since my election as the member for Currumbin in 2004 there have been a number of instances where I have had meetings with disgruntled Gold Coast ambulance officers. In 2006 over 80 furious ambulance officers gathered outside my electorate office to protest about the proposed new roster reforms. They believed these reforms would place more stress upon them and their families and result in even more overtime and loss of meal breaks. I was happy then, as I am now, to advocate strongly for fairer conditions for all of these dedicated workers in the emergency services field. What a pity this government did not put more thought into the effect that the 2003 legislation, which introduced the ambulance levy, would have on the demand for service. Safeguards should have been implemented then to ensure that this essential service was not misused in the first place. 3724 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008

In adopting this blanket approach, with some residents paying two and three levies, it is not surprising to learn that thousands of calls are not legitimate. People feel as though they have a right, because they are paying for it, to use the ambulance for non-urgent reasons. That would usually make sense: if you pay for something, you expect to get something in return. Our local ambulance committee—and we have heard tonight from many people applauding their local ambulance committees—the Coolangatta-Burleigh Heads branch, which was based at the Bilinga station over many years, raised countless thousands of dollars and purchased numerous items for the Queensland Ambulance Service. I have been with the minister when he has presented some of these items such as defibrillators to our Ambulance Service. Sadly, though, due to dwindling committee members and volunteers, it decided to disband last year. One of the reasons members of that committee cited was the new ambulance levy that was introduced in 2003. They believed that people were less inclined to give donations of money or time as they were hearing the message that as all Queenslanders were already paying for this service why should they give more, especially when there were so many other needy causes vying for a donation? In fact, a recent survey conducted within the industry revealed that almost 80 per cent of emergency services employees thought that their current pay is exceedingly inadequate to their cost of living. This explains the high level of anger that front-line emergency services workers feel towards the Bligh Labor government. At another meeting recently members of the LHMU were telling me about a stop-work protest in Brisbane on 3 November, and the ambulance officers who were in attendance told me that the minister said that they were greedy and asked them what they were worried about, saying that they had job security. Mr ROBERTS: I rise to a point of order. I find those words offensive and untrue and I ask that they be withdrawn. Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mrs Kiernan): Order! The member will withdraw. Mrs STUCKEY: I withdraw. The LHMU told me that the minister went on to say there are lots of people waiting for jobs. Mr ROBERTS: I rise to a point of order. I find that offensive and untrue and I ask that it be withdrawn. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: The member is to withdraw. Mrs STUCKEY: I withdraw. Mr Roberts: I was at the meeting. You weren’t there and I didn’t say those things. Mrs STUCKEY: In putting forward the thoughts and wishes of the union tonight, I will be very keen to let them know that the minister certainly feels that he has been misrepresented. Recommendation 2.1 of the Queensland Ambulance Service audit proposes the implementation of an integrated demand management strategy to reduce demand pressures on the organisation and its staff. This recommendation also allows for alternative referral for non-urgent transfers, or determining that patients are able to be treated in their own homes and thus not requiring ambulance transport for treatment in an emergency department. The amendment provides for legislative support for the expanded scope and role of paramedics to provide treatment or alternative referral pathways where ambulance transport to a medical facility is not required. That will undoubtedly serve to free up the backlog of non-urgent case transportation to hospitals, help to relieve the critical issue of ramping of ambulances at emergency departments and, hopefully, free up our highly qualified paramedics to deal with more urgent front-line medical emergencies. In supporting this amendment, I echo the sentiments of the shadow minister with regard to the liability of paramedics who make a diagnosis and/or referral that leads to a negative consequence for the patient. Part 2 of this bill, which contains amendments to the Fire and Rescue Service Act 1990, also deals with false calls in a consistent manner by reflecting the framework for addressing these deceptive calls and further deterring the number of false calls with the imposition of infringement notices. During this debate we have heard many accolades for the wonderful assistance that was given by our volunteer and other emergency services personnel during the recent disasters. I would like to take a moment to applaud the untiring work of our rural firies in the Currumbin electorate. The Tomewin, Currumbin Valley and Tallebudgera Valley brigades are all volunteer rural fire brigades. Many of their members are long-time residents who know more than a bit about fires and who between them have hundreds of years of experience. People are drawn to the tranquil lifestyle that the valleys offer and, as our population grows, so does the need for more volunteers to keep our homes and bushland safe. The Minister for Emergency Services, like his colleagues, mentions over and over that the Bligh government’s major priority is front-line service providers, yet there is no doubt that the culture of bullying and low morale continues. Emotions and frustrations overflowed at the recent sitting of parliament in Cairns when ambos and firies from across Queensland, appalled at this government’s shabby treatment of them, protested loudly both inside and outside the venue. 25 Nov 2008 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 3725

I found the comments of the member for Aspley interesting, as she called for the LNP to make a commitment to keeping the PTS if it was elected to govern Queensland. What about her government’s record and commitment to keeping officers, when many ambos have indicated that they are considering alternative employment or retirement rather than continuing to work under intolerable conditions? If I were an ambo, a firie, a nurse or a police officer, I know which team I would be backing. A report undertaken recently by the EMSPA organisation, which is the Emergency Medical Service Protection Association, stated that over 58 per cent of Queensland Ambulance Service employees were actively seeking other employment options. This was attributed by over 80 per cent to poor management and over 70 per cent to low morale. It is to be hoped that in some way this legislation is going to be able to reduce those figures. I ask members on the other side of the House, when drafting legislation in the future, to seriously consider the long-term ramifications of amendments to emergency service provisions to ensure that this problem, which was largely borne out of a revenue-raising exercise, will not impact further on our emergency services or our personnel. As one paramedic and union representative told me last week when I asked him if he thought this legislation would have any effect, we won’t know until it’s put to the test. With those words, I commend the bill to the House and re-enforce the LNP’s commitment to emergency services—our front-line heroes—unlike those opposite, who have treated them shabbily for years. Dr FLEGG (Moggill—LNP) (8.24 pm): I rise to speak to the Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill. I would like to begin by saying a few words about the Brookfield Rural Fire Service. The Brookfield Rural Fire Service had two crews manning two trucks at The Gap during the storms last weekend. I would like to pay tribute to the work of some of these wonderful volunteers who gave up their time to assist people in need. Mr Peter Mulkearns, who is a long-serving member of the Brookfield Rural Fire Service, spent two full days assisting with the clean-up at The Gap. Mr Don Steele, Lauren Prenkner and her father, Paul Prenkner, joined in with the two teams. In particular, I would like to note Mr Alan Weiss, who is something of a legend in the Rural Fire Service at Brookfield. Alan is 80 years of age. He has been a member of the Rural Fire Service for the better part of 50 years. He is a wonderful volunteer who has given his time and service for his community. I understand that he is to be recognised on Queensland Weekender at 5.30 pm this Sunday. Brookfield has not had a fire so far this year, I guess partly because we have had a bit of water, but it would be a mistake to assume that the Rural Fire Service there has therefore had a quiet time. As well as assisting in the clean-up after the storms, the Brookfield Rural Fire Service has to attend to some 22 kilometres of firebreak around the Brookfield area. Alan Weiss and his other volunteers will be out this weekend going up and down those 22 kilometres of firebreak to clear all of the trees that fell as a result of the storms that we had in the area. They will also be there doing their training, maintaining their equipment and their station, responding to storms and preparing for the other natural disasters that can occur. I think it is an appropriate time to stop and reflect on the wonderful contribution that these people make in their own time and, to a significant extent, at their own expense. They do not particularly want any thanks, but I think we should stop and thank them for what they have done. All they want is to serve their communities and they have done that fabulously well. Shortly it will be announced by the government that the fire station at Cedarleigh Road at Kenmore will be closed and a new fire station will be built on Pullenvale Road. I spoke to the local firies in relation to that and it would be fair to say they are fairly excited about getting a new facility. I am quite sure that a new facility will assist. I note that the next closest fire station is at Taringa, so that new fire station at Pullenvale Road will still be servicing the Kenmore-Chapel Hill area. The officers attached to that station will obviously confront some pretty serious problems if there is a fire emergency in those areas during the morning peak hour traffic when Moggill Road is virtually impassable. In relation to other aspects of the bill, I concur with the comments by the member for Currumbin. I think it is a pretty sad reflection that we are debating a bill in parliament that will punish people for making false calls to emergency services, but I think that is probably a reflection of the sort of thing that a tiny minority of people in our community are prepared to do. Given the fact that a false call may tie up equipment that might otherwise be needed in an emergency, anyone who engages in this sort of activity poses a significant threat to others in the community. A slightly more difficult aspect of the bill, of course, is the changing role of paramedics, the triage of patients and the right being given to paramedics to make a decision not to pick up certain categories of patients who they consider do not need transportation to hospital. Once again, it is a sad reflection that we have to introduce these sorts of measures. We have seen in recent years a lot of pressure put on our emergency services and paramedics. They are in many respects more highly trained than they have been previously. There is a common-sense element in some of these cases whereby paramedics would be given the right and the opportunity to direct a patient to be treated at home, attend a local medical centre or seek some other form of treatment. It does put an extra onus on paramedics. 3726 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008

We read in the press from time to time that somebody has met a misadventure shortly after having been seen in a public hospital or in a private doctor’s room or elsewhere. I have no doubt that we will be hearing of cases in the future where something has happened after paramedics have attended but not transported a patient to a hospital. That is the nature of the sort of service that health professionals provide. There are elements of unpredictability. Some of these events that occur shortly after a visit to a public holiday, shortly after a visit to a GP or, soon to be, shortly after an attendance by a paramedic are things that are either unrelated or were not foreseeable at the time. It does create the impression in the minds of patients themselves and their families that the failure of a hospital to admit them, the failure of a paramedic to transport them to hospital, the failure of a GP or other health professional to refer them to a hospital was the event that caused them harm. There will be issues with this piece of legislation, but there is an element of common sense. If we have a highly trained workforce of paramedics we have to be prepared to allow them to make decisions in relation to some patients, even though some may end up in controversy. As the member for Currumbin said, there are occasions—I certainly experienced it in my professional life—where people do call ambulances for basically trivial reasons. Any chat with paramedics would involve the telling of the stories that I and others have heard. I accept that this is a necessary piece of legislation. It will put a lot of onus on paramedics. There is no doubt, the minister may care to take note, that there will be occasions that become controversial; where something unforeseen subsequently happens and the presumption or allegation will be that this was as a result of somebody not being transported. That is an inevitable consequence of what we are doing here today, but it does not necessarily negate the necessity to do what we are doing. With those few words, I thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. Mr CRIPPS (Hinchinbrook—LNP) (8.33 pm): I rise to make a contribution to the debate on the Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill. The purpose of the bill is to make various amendments to the Ambulance Service Act 1991 and the Fire and Rescue Service Act 1990. The amendments to the Ambulance Service Act are to bring into effect the recommendations of the Queensland Ambulance Service audit report. The amendments propose to put in place mechanisms for dealing with inappropriate use of resources through a framework for addressing false calls and clarify confidentiality requirements for ambulance employees. The amendments to the Fire and Rescue Service Act are to abolish the Rural Fire Advisory Council and to deal with false calls in a consistent manner by reflecting the framework for addressing false calls established in the Ambulance Service Act. The objectives of the bill are to, amongst other things, give effect to recommendations from the Queensland Ambulance Service audit report by providing legislative support for the expanded scope of the role for paramedics to provide treatment for alternative referral paths where an ambulance transport to a medical facility is not necessary; enhance the enforcement framework to deter false calls by providing for infringement notices increasing the penalty in the Ambulance Service Act to align with the penalty provided for in the Fire and Rescue Service Act and inserting provisions for investigation officers with appropriate investigative powers; abolish the Rural Fire Advisory Council and transfer the functions of that council to the Emergency Services Advisory Council which will combine the functions of the councils and facilitate the integrated delivery of emergency services to the public by the Department of Emergency Services; and specify that the Emergency Services Advisory Council will provide advice on disaster management matters and clarify that individual emergency service commissioners will no longer provide separate annual reports but the Department of Emergency Services will prepare an annual strategic plan covering all of the emergency services. I would first like to make some remarks in relation to the management of the Queensland Ambulance Service, particularly in relation to staffing and resources, which is certainly relevant to a bill that is discussing the results of the Queensland Ambulance Service audit report. The funding for the Queensland Ambulance Service has been a matter of ongoing contention since the state government introduced the community ambulance levy in 2003. This was meant to guarantee a funding stream for the QAS that would provide for its current and future needs, which have become more and more demanding since this compulsory levy was introduced. Our ambulance officers work extremely hard in very difficult circumstances and we often hear about those difficult circumstances during various debates in this House. I cannot look past a very serious situation that occurred in my electorate of Hinchinbrook earlier this year when a student paramedic was left in charge of the Cardwell Ambulance Station for approximately seven hours on Monday, 12 August. This situation attracted a considerable amount of public attention in north Queensland and caused concern in the community about the Queensland Ambulance Service. I understand that the officer was rostered on because another officer had called in sick only 20 minutes before the shift began. In that case, and I have been assured by the minister that this is the case, I can certainly understand that that would put the local and regional management of the QAS in a difficult situation as far as finding a replacement qualified paramedic at such short notice. However, the real concern is that the student paramedic was left to attend the Cardwell Ambulance Station alone and unsupervised for seven hours without being relieved or assisted. That has also been confirmed by the Minister for Emergency Services. That is not acceptable in my view. It was reported at the time that it is 25 Nov 2008 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 3727 a longstanding practice for student paramedics to attend stations alone, although that was rejected by the minister in his correspondence to me in relation to this matter. Certainly such a practice would not be in line with community expectations. I am concerned that the Queensland Ambulance Service rostering system appears to be very fragile in my region to the extent that it cannot cope with a qualified paramedic at a station calling in sick without resorting to unqualified students to cover shifts. Of course, if it had been the choice between a student paramedic and no assistance at all, I would certainly choose to be attended by a person who had some training. I accept the point made by the minister in his reply to me that the student paramedic involved is due to graduate as a qualified paramedic in December 2008. Technically speaking, the student was not a legally qualified paramedic and certainly was not in August 2008. Therefore, the Cardwell Ambulance Station was officially unattended for that seven-hour period. To his credit, the Minister for Emergency Services acknowledged that the situation that occurred in Cardwell was not ideal and must be avoided. Measures must be taken to ensure that such a situation does not arise again in Cardwell or in any other Queensland ambulance station. I would like to make it quite clear that I admire the student paramedic who was forced into that unenviable situation in Cardwell in August and I hope that they were not discouraged by the incident. Training to become a professional paramedic as a career choice involves a lot of responsibility. Ambulance officers, indeed all of our emergency services personnel, including police officers, Fire and Rescue officers and SES volunteers do outstanding work for the community and they are to be congratulated and thanked by all of us. The work of local ambulance committees is crucial for the ongoing delivery of ambulance services to Queensland communities. This is a fact that reflects very well on the commitment and generosity of local ambulance committee members and the communities that support those committees. But it does not reflect very well on the state government that local ambulance services have to rely more and more on LACs to obtain equipment for their local ambulance officers to use on duty. This situation is spelt out quite clearly in the annual reports of the Department of Emergency Services. Since the 2005-06 annual report was released, contributions from local ambulance committees to the operating revenue of the QAS have more than doubled from $511,000 in 2004-05 to $1,267,000 in 2005-06. In 2006-07, the LAC contributions have stayed well above the $1 million mark at $1.165 million, and in 2007-08 LACs again contributed over $1 million to the operating revenue of the QAS with donations totalling $1,081,000. To their ongoing credit, local ambulance committees have responded to the increasing requirement for them to provide funds to the local ambulance service by more than doubling their contributions in the financial year 2005-06 from the previous year and maintaining those annual contributions above $1 million ever since. Clearly, local ambulance committees are determined that their ambulance officers should have the best possible equipment and resources which they need to deliver high-quality ambulatory services in the community. I take this opportunity to recognise the efforts of the very active and dedicated LACs in my electorate of Hinchinbrook, including those in Innisfail, South Johnstone, Silkwood, Tully, Mission Beach, Cardwell, Ingham, Halifax and the northern beaches area of Townsville City, which has an ambulance station at Black River. I know that the ambulance officers at those stations also appreciate the strong support and friendship they get from the LACs. I turn now to the amendments in the bill that facilitate the abolition of the Rural Fire Advisory Council. Rural fire brigade volunteers do an absolutely outstanding job in our communities. The folding of the management of rural fire brigades into the more broadly based Emergency Services Advisory Council will cause some concern for those involved in rural fire brigades. Indeed, the Auditor-General of Queensland report to parliament No. 3 2008 titled Management of rural fire services in Queensland—a performance management systems audit prompted some responses from Queensland rural fire service volunteers in my electorate of Hinchinbrook, which I hope the minister will accept in good faith. Firstly, the observation was made that the Queensland Rural Fire Service is being funded as a division of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service. Volunteers in the Queensland Rural Fire Service in my electorate have argued that this needs to change. The Queensland Rural Fire Service previously received its own budget allocation and this was felt to be a successful arrangement. Many of the observations that have come to me are from volunteers in smaller class 1 and class 2 rural fire brigades rather than larger class 3 and class 4 rural fire brigades. The major differences between class 1 and 2 rural fire brigades and class 3 and 4 rural fire brigades are that class 1 and 2 rural fire brigades do not collect levies and are usually made up of rural landowners or are attached to small towns or villages, while class 3 and 4 rural fire brigades regularly collect levies, usually through the local government authority, and have a station for the storage of their equipment. A major criticism of the Auditor- General’s report from volunteers in my area is that it appears to make no distinction between class 1 and 2 rural fire brigades and class 3 and 4 rural fire brigades. Volunteers in my area feel that this is inappropriate when the different classes of brigade are, in fact, quite different in structure, responsibility and capacity. 3728 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008

With respect to the forward planning and risk management comments made by the Auditor- General in the report, the volunteers in my area have commented that the systemic problems experienced in this area of the Queensland Rural Fire Service are due to a lack of administrative support provided to those regional or district committees by the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service. In respect of the brigade funding and resourcing comments made by the Auditor-General, the volunteers in my area have stated that these comments relate to class 3 and 4 brigades only, as class 1 and 2 brigades are not funded. Class 1 and 2 brigades even purchase their own equipment, although some of this equipment is subsidised. Since the Queensland Rural Fire Service has received its funding through the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, it is perceived that funding has dwindled. Volunteers in my area have indicated that increased bureaucracy in the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service has seen a greater share of funding used for administration, resulting in less funding for the QRFS, particularly in respect of assisting class 1 and 2 brigades to purchase equipment. On this point particular concern has been expressed by volunteers in my area that larger tanks with the capacity to hold large volumes of water have been removed from the list of equipment available for subsidies for class 1 and 2 brigades. As fighting traditional bush and grassfires requires large volumes of water, this disadvantages class 1 and 2 brigades. With respect to the comments on training made by the Auditor-General, the volunteers in my area have stated that any move to impose compulsory training requirements for volunteers at class 1 and even class 2 brigade level would be negatively received by existing volunteers and would probably result in a number of volunteers discontinuing their service with little prospect of replacing them with new volunteers. Volunteers in my area have agreed that an appropriate threshold for expecting QRFS volunteers to undertake compulsory training would probably be where the brigade they are attached to collects levies to fund the activities and equipment of the brigade. Such levies create an obligation on the brigade to deliver a standard of service to those paying the levy, which logically may require training of volunteers. The Auditor-General makes the observation that some Queensland Rural Fire Service brigades are reporting that only 50 per cent of the incidents they attend are traditional bush or grassfires. The volunteers in my area think this reflects the weakness of the Auditor-General’s report that I mentioned earlier in respect to the report making no distinction between class 1 and 2 brigades and class 3 and 4 brigades. While volunteers in my area agree that class 3 and 4 brigades may only report 50 per cent of incidents they attend are traditional bush or grassfires, for class 1 and 2 brigades this figure is still in the vicinity of 90 per cent, reflecting the more rural nature of class 1 and 2 brigades. The volunteers in my area indicate that, in terms of voluntary training offered to all classes of brigades, the nature and extent of training offered should be matched with assessed levels of risk faced by volunteers. For example, volunteers in my area consider the bush and grassfires in southern Queensland, where Queensland Rural Fire Service brigades can encounter crown fires, to be more risky than those encountered by volunteers in north Queensland. I note that the shadow minister for emergency services, the member for Mirani, has indicated that the LNP opposition will support the bill, but I hope the minister will take on board the concerns that I have raised in relation to the QAS and the QRFS. Ms DARLING (Sandgate—ALP) (8.46 pm): I rise to speak in support of the Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2008. Tonight many previous speakers have highlighted the waste of ambulance and fire service resources when responding to frivolous or false calls. The primary function of the Queensland Ambulance Service is an emergency service that responds to life-threatening and serious health complaints in a quick and efficient way. The service also offers a patient transfer service, which I know is valued by the patients. The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service is a highly organised body that dispatches its emergency service vehicles to react to threats of fire, hazardous materials and vehicle incidents. Both services do a tremendous job under pressures of a growing population and, in the case of the south-east corner of Queensland, dense residential and business development. Following the comprehensive audit of the Queensland Ambulance Service, many recommendations were made to improve the service delivered to Queenslanders. The amendments to false call provisions are designed to address instances in which ambulance and fire resources are unnecessarily diverted from genuine life-saving work. These amendments are not designed to deter serious requests for assistance. In 2007-08 the Queensland Ambulance Service provided around 880,000 responses to incidents. That equates to one response every 35 seconds, which is 57,000 more responses than in 2006-07. I am pleased that the Queensland government is providing an additional 250 new ambulance officers this financial year. I know that sometimes people, particularly older members of the community, do not want to be a bother and often hesitate before asking for assistance. It is essential that Queenslanders feel comfortable calling 000 for emergency assistance. GPs and medical professionals can feel confident in recommending that patients call the ambulance when they experience certain symptoms. Queensland residents can also feel confident in knowing that their emergency calls for assistance will be treated 25 Nov 2008 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 3729 seriously. I congratulate our highly professional staff working at the emergency call centres. Staff members are highly professional when dealing with people who are often calling in a state of distress and I would like to pay tribute to them. If callers respond honestly, the emergency operators are experienced in asking the right questions and quickly ascertaining the extent of the emergency. Guidelines have been developed that take into consideration legitimate reasons or circumstances where an infringement notice for a false call should not be issued. The audit also recommended that an integrated demand management strategy be developed to reduce demand pressures on the Queensland Ambulance Service and its staff. Amendments in this bill tonight will also enable the ambulance officers to make choices, such as treating the patient in their own home or referring the patient to other services. Queensland Health’s 13HEALTH line is now providing valuable advice to people all over the state and it has been embraced by families and individuals alike. For example, in September 2008, 13HEALTH addressed 15,264 calls and 16,457 calls the month before. The ability to refer callers to a range of services, including the professional advice offered by the 13HEALTH service, will not only free up ambulance officers to attend to life-threatening situations but also offer timely advice to callers. Conversely, if people are unsure if their needs are urgent enough to warrant a call-out by ambulance officers, they can call 13HEALTH first to get free advice. 13HEALTH staff will advise if an emergency response is required. It is just as important to note that 000 is not the number to call if a cat is stuck in a tree. There are wonderful volunteer services and the RSPCA who can assist with something that is trivial to keep our fire and rescue services free for emergency situations. I know that my local fire and rescue personnel who operate out of the Sandgate station are spending more and more of their time attending to motor vehicle incidents. They respond rapidly to assist injured people and make sure that the site is safe and secure and at no risk of fire or explosion. I would like to pay tribute to all of our local firies who work tirelessly for the local community. In my electorate, the Fire and Rescue Service attends to house fires, lots of scrub fires that sadly we get around summertime and many other emergencies, and they are highly valued in the local community. Recently the emergency services minister and I had the opportunity to thank the local paramedics at the Sandgate Ambulance Station and the local ambulance committee for all their hard work. It is our responsibility to ensure that they have the most professional framework to assist them in dispatching their duties, and I am pleased to support this bill. I would quickly like to pay tribute to our wonderful SES workers and energy workers who also attended to people all over south-east Queensland and further north in the recent storms. I also pay tribute to Emergency Management Queensland and thank it for its work, and I thank the minister and his staff for putting together this fabulous bill. Congratulations. I commend the bill to the House. Hon. NS ROBERTS (Nudgee—ALP) (Minister for Emergency Services) (8.52 pm), in reply: Before I sum up and deal with a number of the issues that have been raised, I want to place on the record my appreciation to my departmental officers for all the work that they did in preparing this bill and the support that they provided me throughout this process. Congratulations and well done. There were a number of significant issues raised during the second reading debate. I would like to address some of those at the outset and then pick up some of the individual issues raised by particular members. A number of comments were made about community ambulance cover. The member for Mirani indicated that it commenced in 2001. It in fact commenced in 2003. The significant point about the community ambulance cover scheme, contrary to a lot of the propositions put by members opposite, is that it is not the goose that laid the golden egg. This year it provides 28.5 per cent of the total funding provided to the Ambulance Service—28.5 per cent. The overwhelming majority of the funding provided to the service is provided directly by government. I think that is something which is misunderstood greatly in the community. People feel that the ambulance levy basically funds almost the entirety of the Ambulance Service. Again for the record, 28.5 per cent is the proportion of funds it provides this year. A number of other members referred to a couple of the key aspects of the bill. There are two key issues: one dealing with false calls and one dealing with minor calls that the Ambulance Service receives and the initiatives that we are putting in place to manage that demand. Audit recommendation 2.1 talked about putting in place alternative referral paths for those callers who were identified as not requiring a direct ambulance response. It also talked about adopting an expanded scope of role for paramedics. That leads to the issue of ‘treat and leave’, as has been referred to. It is important to understand how the secondary triage system, which is all about identifying those callers who do not actually require an ambulance service, will work. The proposal that the Ambulance Service has put together talks about three phases of implementation of that secondary triage system. It is called the secondary triage and referral system, or STAR. It has been broken down into STAR 1, STAR 2 and STAR 3 for simplicity. 3730 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008

The first stage, STAR 1, includes the implementation of clinical deployment supervisors in our call centres. That has currently been implemented at both the Brisbane call centre and the south coast call centre. They are qualified paramedics. They oversight the calls that are coming in and assist the call takers in ensuring that the appropriate resourcing is sent to the incidents that are coming in. That then enables a system which will support secondary triage as the system evolves. STAR 2 builds on that foundation by identifying and enhancing referral pathways to external services including 13HEALTH, Queensland Health services and mobile GP services. Again, the next stage of the secondary triage system is to put in place those alternative referral paths where the call takers will refer those calls which might not require an ambulance service to another group of call takers who will essentially be paramedics and/or nursing qualified people. They will then have the capacity to refer them on, if appropriate, to those other support agencies. STAR 3 is the next step, which will be developed in the context of how STAR 1 and STAR 2 evolve. That will be where paramedics will have the opportunity in appropriate cases to treat and leave patients if required. I note that a number of members have raised concerns about that, and they are legitimate concerns. Obviously the treat-and-leave or treat-and-refer protocols will need to be very, very strict. There will need to be appropriate training and appropriate parameters put around those particular opportunities that paramedics will have to ensure that people are not left in a condition where they would otherwise have been transported. I can assure the House that that is an issue which is being very seriously considered by the service. For example, where a similar system operates, I understand, in New South Wales, they identify a specific and designated range of injuries where that treat-and-leave or treat-and-refer protocol applies. It is not just across-the-board; it will be clearly defined and very strict protocols will be put in place. We will be working with Queensland Health and, indeed, the medical community to ensure that all of those protocols are appropriate. I move on quickly now to the false call provisions. The determination of false calls is an issue of significance. The Queensland Ambulance Service will be developing guidelines for officers to provide clarity about when and how infringement notices should be issued. Those guidelines will also include a false call referral path which will ensure a consistent approach to identifying and dealing with suspected false calls. These guidelines will take account of all of the individual circumstances including the caller’s age and mental health. The issue of people with an intellectual impairment or an inability to make a clear judgement has been raised by a number of speakers. The guidelines will clearly place an onus on the person who will be pursuing the investigation to take those matters into account. The bill does contain legislative safeguards requiring that an investigative officer must investigate any lawful excuse offered by a person before issuing an infringement notice. The bill also states that an infringement notice must not be issued where a person has a lawful excuse—for example, where the person calls for an ambulance service under the mistaken belief that another person is sick or injured. On this basis, notices will not be issued to people who have a genuine belief that the ambulance service is needed even if that belief is not borne out by the actual severity of the illness or injury. I think that does address many of the particular concerns that have been raised by members in the House tonight. I advise the House and urge the public not to be fearful of calling 000 in the event of an emergency. People will not be issued with infringement notices for calling the QAS under the mistaken but genuine belief that ambulance transport was required. Again, this is not about issuing infringement notices to those people who genuinely but maybe mistakenly believe that an ambulance was required. This is about genuinely dealing with those people who make false and malicious calls. With regard to people with mental disability, consistent with what I have said earlier, prior to issuing an infringement notice the individual circumstances of the person will be taken into account. That includes, as I have said, any intellectual or psychological impairment. The Queensland Ambulance Service has a memorandum of understanding with the Queensland Police Service and Queensland Health called the mental health intervention program for handling mentally ill people or patients. The QAS also has a mental health intervention program coordinator in each region. This coordinator ensures that habitual callers of 000 who are known to be mentally unwell are adequately and appropriately handled. In addition, the guidelines to be developed by QAS will take into account the mental health intervention program that I have mentioned. This will ensure that the circumstances of a person with an intellectual or psychological impairment are taken into account when dealing with allegations or false calls. Currently the Queensland Police Service investigates and makes decisions to prosecute false calls for ambulance services. The introduction of an infringement notice provision, which is provided by this bill, will reduce the reliance on the Queensland Police Service in dealing with false calls. The QAS intends to involve the Queensland Police Service in false call matters where the circumstances of the incident are so complex that they require the expertise of a police officer in undertaking the investigation. Where the matter concerns a serial false call offender, the QAS will refer to the Queensland Police Service for prosecution. 25 Nov 2008 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 3731

A number of speakers have raised a concern that it will be paramedics who will be conducting the actual investigations. The position has been adopted by the QAS that we will be using the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service compliance section to initiate the infringement process on behalf of the Queensland Ambulance Service. Of course, where complex matters arise, they will be referred to the Queensland Police Service. With respect to the Rural Fire Advisory Council, while the bill will result in the abolition of the Rural Fire Advisory Council it will also amend the existing functions of the Emergency Services Advisory Council to ensure that the council advises the minister about preparing for and responding to fire in rural areas including the operation of rural fire brigades. The council will also advise the minister on matters concerning fire safety and fire preparation, and the reduction of fire danger in rural areas. The amalgamation of the councils reflects the structure of the Department of Emergency Services, which provides an integrated ambulance, fire and emergency management response throughout Queensland. The previous Rural Fire Advisory Council apparently had nine members, eight of whom have been appointed to the Emergency Services Advisory Council, thus ensuring an effective transition and that the voice of the rural fire sector will be heard on that council. As I have indicated, I firmly believe that the rural fire sector is very strongly represented on this council, and that was always the intention. With respect to individual submissions by members, the member for Mirani raised a number of issues. In particular, he attributed the increase in demand on the Ambulance Service to the community ambulance cover levy, and that is a big call to make. Mr Malone interjected. Mr ROBERTS: Well you made a point, but in particular a number of speakers have made a claim that the community ambulance cover levy has been the driver behind the significant increase in demand in ambulance services in Queensland. As I have said, that is a big call to make. When I look at the figures for demand growth in New South Wales, Victoria and other states, the growth that they are experiencing—indeed, the rate of growth and the profile of their growth—is very similar to ours. As the shadow minister and others would be aware, Queensland has a CAC levy. The other states have a similar system to what we had, which was a subscription based scheme. So I do not think there is solid ground to argue that the CAC levy is the driver of demand, because the other states do not have it and their demand growth is basically identical to the demand growth that we are experiencing here in Queensland. The member for Mirani also raised the need for a rural fire voice to be heard on the new amalgamated committee, and I think I have dealt with that. There was very strong representation on that committee, and that will continue. The member did acknowledge the need for the bill, and I thank him for his support and the opposition for its support. He raised a question about the judgement of paramedics in determining false calls. As I have indicated, it will not be the role of a paramedic to be the actual investigating officer. That will be a task undertaken by the compliance section of QFRS and the police, but certainly paramedics may be in a position to provide information during that investigative process. However, we do not want to make paramedics in a sense the enforcers of this legislation. They are there to fix people up. That is and will continue to be their primary role. The real investigative role and enforcement of that will be through the compliance section of QFRS, and the act provides for the commissioner to assign that duty to that particular area. With respect to the member for Burnett, he raised an issue about helicopter landing at Woodgate. I have written to him in relation to that issue recently. He also raised the issue of the demand in Queensland. Again, I have addressed that in terms of the CAC levy and the fact that the demand profiles here are very similar to the other states. He also talked about the need to strengthen the capacity of our emergency services. Again, I would add that over the last two budgets in terms of resourcing we have provided funding for an additional 505 ambulance officers. That is the biggest single increase in the service’s history. Those people have been rolled out across the state helping paramedics respond to significant demand. The member for Bundamba raised the issue of the new ambulance station to be built at Springfield. We are finalising those arrangements. That land will ultimately be provided to us by Springfield—the developer—and that issue is in hand. She also indicated her support generally for the bill. The member for Ipswich raised the strong intolerance in the community, and indeed her own view, about the abuse of 000 and the assaults that are occurring on paramedics. As members are aware, we did pass legislation in this House recently to address that issue. She also referred to the new Ipswich station, which will also be servicing the current Deputy Speaker’s electorate. She also raised issues about secondary triaging, which I have also dealt with in some detail. The member for Tablelands raised some concerns about secondary triage and the risk of telephone triage. I think the member for Aspley dealt with that issue quite adequately. She also raised concerns about who will be doing the investigations. I think I have made it very clear that we are not going to be having ambulance officers out there with ticket books. They are there to treat patients. It will 3732 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008 be the QFRS compliance people who undertake that role. She raised issues about protection for genuine but mistaken callers, and I have addressed that. She also thanked the government for the two new auxiliary stations that we have recently opened at Yungaburra and Malanda. The member for Springwood also raised concerns about the number of false calls and the consequent waste of valuable ambulance resources. I have been down to meet with the member for Springwood and members of her LACs on a couple of occasions. I particularly mention Ruby Green, whom the member mentioned. Ruby, as we know, has been a very strong advocate, as the member for Springwood has brought to my attention, for stronger penalties for false calls, and we were able to talk to her about that on my recent visit. The member for Springwood also noted the benefits of the secondary triage system. The member for Ipswich West again raised legitimate concerns about false calls and minor complaints, but he also made a very important point which is important in terms of this bill because a number of members lumped everything together. That is, there are two key issues this bill deals with in terms of demand management and false calls. One is simply false calls. There are provisions there to streamline the infringement process and increase the penalties, but then there is the second issue of the minor calls that ambulance officers attend to. They are not one and the same thing. We are not going to fine people because an ambulance attends a minor call. The fines are for deliberate and malicious false calls. We certainly want to minimise the number of minor calls—in fact, eliminate as many as possible. It is that second issue, the minor calls, that these demand management initiatives are being put in place for. They are things like the secondary triage system which I have referred to, the treat and refer or treat and leave protocols which will be the STAR 3 component of the secondary triage arrangement, and also the 000 awareness campaign, which is about informing the community when it is appropriate to call 000. So there are two clear issues—false calls and minor calls—and the bill provides provisions to deal with both separately. The member for Noosa raised issues about what would happen if there was a complication after treating a patient. Again, in terms of that STAR 3 component of the secondary triage—‘treat and leave’ or ‘treat and refer’—very strict protocols will be put in place. As I have indicated, in New South Wales they actually identify the specific range of injuries that the treat-and-refer or the treat-and-leave protocols will refer to. If people have chest pain they will not treat and leave them; they will take them in. It will be those injuries which are clearly able to be assessed within the training and competencies of the paramedic. They will leave them if necessary or refer them somewhere else. It is not going to be willy- nilly; it will be very strictly controlled and very strict protocols will apply to that situation. The member also noted the involvement of police. I think I have made it clear that we will be referring complex calls to police. The member also indicated support for the fines for the false call provision. He did raise an issue of paramedic numbers. I think I have addressed the point in response to some comments he made in the media recently. Again I reiterate that since community ambulance cover was introduced on 1 July 2003 the government has funded an additional 1,008 ambulance officer positions, including 250 in this budget and 250 in the last budget which we actually expanded to 255. So there have been 505 additional ambulance officers over the last financial year—the biggest single increase, an advancement in resources, to the Ambulance Service in its history, and I think that needs to be acknowledged. The member for Gladstone raised concerns about the alternative referral system. I think I have dealt with that quite adequately. She seemed to imply that it is all about referring people away from the Ambulance Service. It is not about referring people away; it is all about us providing the most appropriate medical care to the people who call us. If the most appropriate response is an ambulance and a paramedic, that is what people will get. However, if the most appropriate response is to talk to someone in 13HEALTH or some other medical service, then that is what we will be referring them to. The member for Gladstone also referred to fire officers engaging in businesses which are in competition with QFRS activities. I have written to the member about that issue. She talked about rural areas where there is no access to seven-day medical centres and the like. Obviously, the secondary triage system will only be implemented where there are alternative referral pathways. We are not going to implement an alternative referral pathway in a tiny community with one doctor or no doctor. Again I make the point that the secondary triage system and the alternative pathways will only apply where they are available and those arrangements are put in place. The member for Gladstone also raised concerns about dealing with mentally ill people. Again, I think I have covered that. That is a specific requirement. We will be taking note of those particular conditions and people will have that appropriately considered in the infringement notice process. Being a former nurse, the member for Aspley made another very valuable contribution. She noted the changing face of health delivery and also very strongly supported the secondary triage system. Again, she raised a valid point—and I am not a medical person so I cannot be authoritative on this issue—that the questions that are asked are sometimes more important than what they can see. 25 Nov 2008 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 3733

Therefore, telephone inquiries about a person’s condition can actually give a lot of information. Provided the protocols are right, it can be a very useful system. She supported the confidentiality amendments in the bill and also made comments supporting the government’s decision not to pursue the contestability of the patient transport service. The member for Pumicestone again gave her support for the amalgamation of both the Emergency Services Advisory Council and the Rural Fire Advisory Council and also made comments about her strong support for rural fire brigades in her electorate. The member for Nanango was one of the members who was actually blurring the distinction between the two issues I referred to earlier. We have provisions in the bill dealing with false calls and we have initiatives within QAS dealing with minor ailments that people are calling about. They are two issues I have dealt with. She raised concerns about the fact that in rural and remote areas there may not be the alternative referral pathways, and I acknowledge that. They will obviously not be implemented in places if they do not have them. The member also raised an issue about addressing—getting the appropriate address—for both ambulance and fire. In terms of addressing, I would encourage the member and her constituents to work with their local council. It is the councils that provide the information through the Department of Natural Resources and Water. They produce the information that we then use in terms of our computer aided dispatch system and our dispatching. If addresses are confusing then that issue needs to be directly raised with the council, and I would encourage her to do that. That then helps us in terms of our response. Sometimes they are very difficult to find. Anything that can clarify that would be greatly appreciated. The member for Broadwater raised concerns about the trivial nature of some calls and the waste of ambulance resources. I want to acknowledge her strong advocacy on the improvements through the last budget that we announced for the Runaway Bay Ambulance Station. She also took the time to praise the work of her ambos and fire and rescue officers. She also supported the amalgamation of the two advisory councils and praised Eda Beck, the Chair of the Emergency Services Advisory Council. I can only concur wholeheartedly with her remarks. Eda has made a magnificent contribution to the Emergency Services Advisory Council. I am very pleased that she has been reappointed as chair of the new amalgamated body. The member for Cleveland focused on the role of investigation officers and also noted his concern about false calls and the impact on service delivery. He also acknowledged the decision of government in terms of retaining the patient transport service, which I know was very much welcomed by patient transport officers. The member for Currumbin made the comment that the community ambulance cover levy ‘rakes in millions of dollars for the government’. It, in fact, does bring in millions of dollars but, as I have indicated, only 28.5 per cent—that is a significant amount, but it is not the lot—of the total QAS budget is what the CAC levy brings in. It is not the goose that laid the golden egg that the member seems to be suggesting. Only 28.5 per cent of the budget is provided by the CAC levy. I need to keep saying it because it has been misrepresented in the community on many occasions, particularly by those opposite. The member also referred to the false calls and minor calls and the impact they have on responses. I acknowledge that positive contribution. She also implied as well, unfortunately, that the CAC is behind the increase in demand, and I think I have dealt with that. She should go down to New South Wales or Victoria and look at what is happening in terms of their demand growth. It is all the same, and they do not have a universal CAC levy as we do. However, we are basically mirroring each other in terms of the demand growth. The member did raise some issues about wages and conditions for ambulance officers and made a number of untrue claims about a meeting that I attended with the ambulance officers following a protest last week. She also made a claim along the lines that ambulance officers are leaving in droves. That is absolute nonsense. In fact, the separation rate for the Queensland Ambulance Service is around 4.2 per cent. The public sector separation rate is about 6.9 per cent. So we are well under the general public sector separation rate and we compare very favourably with other states in terms of our separation rate. The member for Moggill talked about the Brookfield Rural Fire Brigade and also acknowledged the support that they gave during the floods. Again I join with him in thanking them for that. I also acknowledge the work that they do in Brookfield communities. He also talked about the new replacement fire station to be built on Pullenvale Road. I thank him for that acknowledgement. He accepted the need to punish false callers, saying that it was a sad reflection on our current circumstances, which in many respects is true. He also noted the changing role of paramedics, particularly in relation to secondary triage and the treat-and-leave protocols. 3734 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 25 Nov 2008

The member for Hinchinbrook talked about a number of provisions in the bill and also talked about staffing and resources issues. Again, he raised the CAC levy. I have to say it again—28.5 per cent. Hopefully people will think about that and memorise that figure. He talked about the student paramedic at Cardwell. Of course—and I have acknowledged this to him—that is not a desirable situation. It is not in fact QAS policy to have student paramedics working on their own and that is not normal operating procedure, and I did acknowledge that. Of course the QAS works very hard to ensure that that does not occur. He also raised the issue of LACs and the funding that they provide. Of course LACs are still very relevant. Some people have claimed that their relevance has reduced as a result of the CAC. I do not agree with that and in fact the figures show that their relevance to the Ambulance Service continues to strengthen given the fundraising that they undertake. In fact, they are all about providing resources over and above those essential and necessary items that the service provides. In terms of budgeting, I note for the member’s benefit that we have increased the Queensland Ambulance Service budget by 11 per cent this year which was a significant increase. In terms of the member’s comments about rural fire brigades, I note that we funded the provision of 11 brigade training and support officers last year—that is, those people who directly liaise with the brigades to help them survive. We appointed another six earlier this year and another three will be rolled out, so we now have 20 brigade training and support officers who will be supporting rural fire brigades in the field. Finally, the member for Sandgate raised false call provisions and how they operate. She talked about the professionalism of our call takers and dispatchers. She talked about the demand management initiatives, particularly secondary triage and treat and leave. She also commented on the waste of valuable resources from minor calls and false calls and took the time to recognise the role of her LACs. I also thank her for again acknowledging all of those volunteers who worked and helped people during the storm. Question put—That the bill be now read a second time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a second time. Consideration in Detail Clauses 1 to 3, as read, agreed to. Clause 4— Mr MALONE (9.22 pm): The minister has explained this reasonably well, but I want to get it on the record to ensure that we are on the same page. I note that STAR 1, 2 and 3 are actually part and parcel of the alternative pathways et cetera. The problem I have of course, Minister, is that the first time it goes wrong is the time that it is going to really hit the fan. When a person who has been through the whole referral system is left at home and something happens, whether they get worse or their condition changes, it is not going to be blamed on anybody else bar either the paramedic or the Ambulance Service. That needs to be tied down very tight in terms of being able to ensure that the person who decides to leave the patient at home or referred on an alternative pathway is spot-on, that it is fully covered and that there are no kickbacks. There have been many instances across Queensland that we do not have time to go into, but I refer to the issue raised by the member for Hinchinbrook in terms of the trainee paramedic left in charge of the Cardwell station. Had that trainee paramedic gone to a call-out and had to either treat or leave, I am sure there are ways and means of covering that up or getting a proper referral. I am really concerned that if this is stuffed up the QAS in particular will get blamed, but I am also concerned about the paramedic who has made the choice of either treating or leaving. I know there is the referral process back to the call centre, but we have heard mixed messages and calls that are not being received properly and of course a misinterpretation of a symptom could even be a situation that we could have concerns about. Just for the record, can the minister indicate to the parliament that he is certain that the whole situation is covered and that there will not be a case where a person is left inadvertently in a situation where their life is in jeopardy. Mr ROBERTS: I think the simple answer is that, as I have indicated, the secondary triage system is being developed in three phases and the third phase after the development of the first two that are implemented—the second stage being the actual ability to refer people to alternative providers such as medical practitioners, psychologists or whatever and 13HEALTH— Mr Malone: Have you ever tried to get into a doctor in a small country town? Mr ROBERTS: I made the point very clearly that where there are no alternative pathways the secondary triage system will not be implemented. It will only be implemented where there are alternative pathways available. So the second step of implementing above what we have already done is to put in place those referral pathways. What we currently do have is clinical deployment supervisors within call centres, but we have also upgraded our protocols for dispatch as well and then there are the alternative 25 Nov 2008 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 3735 referral pathways. The next stage is then this issue of treat and leave or treat and refer. I made it perfectly clear that of paramount importance to us is obviously to look after the patient to ensure that they are properly cared for and receive the appropriate treatment. But of equal concern to the Queensland Ambulance Service is to protect the paramedics. We do not want to put paramedics in a position where they are making judgement calls which they may feel uncomfortable about. Of course, they are protected as an employee from legal liability if they are operating responsibly, but looking after the paramedics is of paramount importance. Of course, we have not developed the system fully. That will be developed in light of STAR 1 and STAR 2, but it will have very strict protocols about when and under what conditions a paramedic can treat and refer or treat and leave. As I have indicated, one of the models we are looking at is what occurs in New South Wales where they have specifically identified the coded injuries where this can occur. It might be a cut finger, for example, or a particular type of injury. If a person has chest pain, it will not apply. They will be treated as they normally are. It will only be where the paramedic within the scope of their training, their competencies and their professionalism can make that judgement. I acknowledge the point is an important point. I just reiterate again that of primary concern to us in implementing this will be protection of the patients and protection of the paramedics who will be in that position to make those judgements. Clause 4, as read, agreed to. Clauses 5 to 7, as read, agreed to. Clause 8— Mr MALONE (9.27 pm): Clause 8 deals with false calls. This issue was raised during the second reading debate and the minister has gone through it quite extensively. But, again, I want to see it on the record in a more simplified manner. In this House we have introduced legislation that has implemented enforcement personnel, and I refer in particular to the vegetation management bill. Under that bill, there are enforcement officers with all sorts of powers, and certainly far more powers than the enforcement people have under this bill. There is no doubt that there are people who are abusing the 000 system and I have no sympathy for those people whatsoever, and the minister should be assured of that. However, I have some real concerns that if indeed the publicity from people either being prosecuted or being fined becomes excessive there will be people who are vulnerable in our society who will not call for an ambulance, and I have seen it before. Elderly people in particular will say, ‘No, we won’t call an ambulance because maybe we don’t need it or we’re concerned that it will be regarded as a false call or somebody else needs it more than we do.’ We have gone through all of that. I hope that the legislation and the direction from the minister will be to go all out on people who blatantly use 000 in an inappropriate manner, but I think there has to be a recognition that, quite frankly, you can overstep the mark. I would like the minister to go over the provisions in regard to that matter. I understand—and it is not clear in the legislation—that officers from the QFRS will be the prosecuting officers. Is that right? I understand—but it is not that clear in the legislation—that the cases will be passed through to QFRS prosecution officers. Mr Roberts: They will do the investigation. Mr MALONE: When you look at the bill, out of the 17 or 18 pages of the bill, about 10 pages deal with putting in place investigative officers—those provisions that enable them to do their job. So in this bill there is a fair bit of emphasis on disciplinary issues in terms of QAS and QFRS investigative officers. We cannot say that the enforcement is a minor part of the bill; it is quite a substantial part. I am trying to get a reassurance that it is not going to be over the top. I assure the minister that he has my full support if he is going to crack down on people who inappropriately use the 000 number. But, as other members in the House tonight and earlier in the day have indicated, there are people who panic. As I said earlier in my contribution, there are people who ring on behalf of another person and they do not necessarily know the history of that person’s illness. There is a whole range of things that concern me. I guess I am highlighting some of the issues that I am concerned about in respect of the enforcement and investigative powers of the people who are going to be employed under the legislation. Mr ROBERTS: I will reiterate some of the comments that I made earlier. This is all about targeting those people who deliberately and falsely make 000 calls. It is not about those who genuinely but mistakenly make a 000 call, and I made that clear a number of times. We understand that there will be people who have a genuine, but possibly mistaken, belief. They may make an assessment that is absolutely mistaken. This bill is not about pursuing those people; this bill is about pursuing the deliberately false and malicious calls. The member raised an important issue. Indeed, it was an important consideration when we developed the 000 awareness campaign, because the last thing that we want to do is to discourage someone who genuinely needs an ambulance from calling 000. So in the development of this legislation and the guidelines that will go along with it, very careful attention was, and will be, paid to ensuring that 3736 Adjournment 25 Nov 2008 we target only those people whom we need to target. Indeed, with the 000 awareness campaign, we crafted that as best we could to try to get the message through to people to think about when it was necessary to call 000. We did not want to frighten people out of calling 000. Again, all I can do is reiterate that that is the clear intent. The guidelines will clearly contain provisions and guidance to investigative officers that those people with genuine but mistaken beliefs will not be caught by these provisions. Clause 8, as read, agreed to. Clauses 9 to 15, as read, agreed to. Clause 16— Mr MALONE (9.33 pm): Clause 16 relates to the ESAC encompassing the functions of the Rural Fire Advisory Council. The minister made comment towards the the end of his summing-up that the RFAC will have five members on the ESAC. Mr Roberts: Eight. Mr MALONE: I was not aware of that. Did the minister say eight? Mr Roberts: There are eight former members on it. Mr MALONE: I guess that alleviates some of my concerns. My other concern is that further down the track—in five years time—that may not be the situation. There is nothing in the legislation that I can see that says that that will be an ongoing feature of the advisory council. I am strongly of the view that there are unique issues in relation to rural fires, as the minister would well recognise, that need to be taken into consideration. As I said when speaking in support of the bill, I have some concerns about that. We will be keeping a good eye on the functions of the advisory council to make sure that it is not diluted or that the role of the Rural Fire Service is not disregarded in the ultimate wash-up. I needed to raise that issue. It is one of the concerns that I have with the bill. We are supporting the legislation, but I need to make my concerns known to the House. Mr ROBERTS: All I can do is again assure the member and the other members of the House that, obviously, we want to have very strong representation from the rural fire sector, and that will continue. The bill does not specifically outline the representation from each sector, but the intent of the amalgamated body is to clearly have appropriate and strong representation looking after the interests of each of those groups. I have 35,000-odd rural fire brigade volunteers and about 1,500-odd brigades and they will always have very strong representation on this committee. Mr Malone: I will be the first to know, will I? Mr ROBERTS: Yes, that is right. Clause 16, as read, agreed to. Clauses 17 to 24, as read, agreed to. Third Reading Hon. NS ROBERTS (Nudgee—ALP) (Minister for Emergency Services) (9.36 pm): I move— That the bill be now read a third time. Question put—That the bill be now read a third time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a third time. Long Title Hon. NS ROBERTS (Nudgee—ALP) (Minister for Emergency Services) (9.36 pm): I move— That the long title of the bill be agreed to. Question put—That the long title of the bill be agreed to. Motion agreed to.

ADJOURNMENT Hon. NS ROBERTS (Nudgee—ALP) (Acting Leader of the House) (9.37 pm): I move— That the House do now adjourn. 25 Nov 2008 Adjournment 3737

Traveston Dam

Mr GIBSON (Gympie—LNP) (9.37 pm): What an amazing day it was in this parliament— ‘Backdown Bligh’ at her best. I used to think this Premier would stand for something. I thought she had courage. I thought she had the conviction of her beliefs. Whilst I may not have always agreed with her political beliefs, I thought she would stick to them. Today we saw that the Premier lacks the courage to make the tough decisions.

This morning the right decision to make would have been to cancel the Traveston Crossing Dam. Clearly, the Coordinator-General has some serious concerns about it. But this Premier lacked that courage. This Premier took the easy option of deferring a decision. That is not good enough. The lives of the people in the Mary Valley have been left in limbo for too long. For the past 2½ years they have struggled under the pressures of this government and its proposed dam. Now they find themselves living in limbo for another three to four years. This is not good government. It is not good enough.

I represent all of the people in my electorate. I recognise that there are those who indeed support the dam. There are those businesses who have in the last few months skilled and tooled up in preparation for a dam to go ahead, only to now find that they have been betrayed. There are those unemployed in my electorate who have taken on courses—the long-term unemployed, Indigenous unemployed—who have made a transition in the hope of getting a job, only to find themselves kicked in the guts by this government because it will not make the right decision to move forward. All of those groups have been conned today.

The Coordinator-General obviously has very serious concerns. The Coordinator-General is asking this government to take remedial action before the dam is built. That shows how serious the impacts will be. It is not the farmers who are of concern here; the Coordinator-General’s concerns lie with this Labor government and its proposal to build a dam. What we saw from the Premier and the Deputy Premier today was a Dr Jeckyll and Mr Hyde approach to desal. They say, ‘Desal is bad but it is good. We can have desal in Tugun but not on Bribie. We can have desal at Agnes Water but not somewhere else.’ We know that this government has been looking at alternative sites. It is time for us to stop the political games. It is time for us to do what is right. Traveston Crossing Dam did not stack up. It never has; it never will. There is no need for this dam to go ahead. There are alternatives that will supply water security for south-east Queensland. I urge this government to have the courage to stand up and make the right decision to scrap the Traveston Crossing Dam once and for all.

Year of Physical Activity

Mr HINCHLIFFE (Stafford—ALP) (9.40 pm): Following the Minister for Education’s comments to the House this morning about the Year of Physical Activity, I would like to report on the contribution of one school in my inner northside electorate. During 2008 the iconic Stafford State School community has undertaken a ‘jog around Australia’. This initiative involves students completing 500-metre laps of a set course and accumulating kilometres towards a progressive school tally to equate jogging right around the Australian mainland. Weather permitting, students jog or walk around the oval for a period of approximately 15 minutes each morning. As well as contributing towards the overall school tally of kilometres, students have their own distances recorded which count towards individual milestone awards. Along the way, the whole school’s progress has been tracked on a large map outside Principal Bruce Jeffs’s office. The local community is kept informed of this progress through regular updates on the school’s changeable sign at the very high profile intersection of Stafford and Webster roads. To date, the school has run a combined distance of 15,165 kilometres around Australia, with just under 1,000 kilometres left to go until they collectively arrive back at Stafford. As of this week, on the map they have just passed through Sydney. This is a really fantastic effort for a school of only 300 students. Over 100 students have reached the 50-kilometre club milestone, almost 50 students have reached the 100-kilometre club, seven have reached the 150-kilometre club and one year 4 student has so far surpassed the 200-kilometre club mark. Stafford State School staff tell me that since commencing the ‘jog around Australia’ in early February students are noticeably fitter and more active, while concentration levels of students during morning sessions have also improved. I congratulate year 3/4 teacher David Sandilands, who proposed the concept to the school community as a means of embracing the two hours of weekly physical activity policy and as a way of celebrating the Year of Physical Activity. I also acknowledge the commitment of Principal Bruce Jeffs to the Year of Physical Activity. Mr Jeffs is facing a serious health issue and I know that Acting Principal Lee Martin will bring the whole school home to Stafford on the map over the next couple of weeks. 3738 Adjournment 25 Nov 2008

ecoBiz

Mr ELMES (Noosa—LNP) (9.43 pm): I rise tonight to speak about some good environmental news in the Noosa electorate. I recently had the pleasure of attending an awards ceremony here in the parliamentary precinct in which three Noosa organisations were recognised for their successes in the ecoBiz partnership program. I congratulate the minister, Andrew McNamara, on this excellent initiative between councils and the EPA which aims to help Queensland businesses and industries achieve resource-efficient practices that are good for both their financial bottom line and the environment. In these times of increased vigilance over the use of our resources, it is good news indeed to know that there is a simple, financially viable way of examining energy, water and materials usage and then doing more with less. The ecoBiz program provides this simple methodology which defines resource costs in terms of units of production by using specifically designed software. The business can then highlight areas of improvement as well as calculate payback periods. There are a total of 29 Noosa companies participating in the ecoBiz program, and I would like to congratulate the three organisations that have recently been recognised. Halse Lodge, a Heritage Trust listed backpacker accommodation lodge which services over 37,000 bed nights per year, has shown a 24 per cent reduction in water usage by installing simple yet effective low-flow devices. Recycling habits have changed through the education of staff and guests, and greenhouse gas reduction overall is six tonnes per year. Financially, Halse Lodge is saving 26 per cent in waste and 16 per cent in water costs per guest per night. The Tewantin Noosa RSL provides an outstanding commitment to around 200,000 patrons per year. The RSL has been achieving significant financial savings, including a 27 per cent reduction in waste and recycling costs. Their most outstanding achievement is a 1.3 million litre reduction in consumption of potable water per year. According to Phil Stevenson, the CEO, the club has been working with the program for 18 months and is delighted with the results. Noosa Care Inc. is responsible for the management of the Carramar Home for the Aged, and their property manager, Greg Crawford, has informed me that they have achieved a saving of 43 per cent in water usage per resident per day, which is an extraordinary statistic. All these savings have occurred through simple steps such as changing light globes, recycling office paper, educating staff and mulching garden beds. I am proud of these remarkable businesses, as well as the others that have been participating in the Noosa Electorate. It proves yet again that even in poor economic times environmental responsibility improves the business bottom line and benefits everyone.

Cawarral Rural Fire Brigade

Mr HOOLIHAN (Keppel—ALP) (9.46 pm): This afternoon and tonight we have heard much about our rural fire brigades. Tonight I would like to tell the House about a rural fire brigade in my area. Last Saturday I attended at the Cawarral Rural Fire Brigade and represented the minister at the opening of its new shed. This brigade, which is halfway between Rockhampton and Yeppoon, has 34 members, 23 of them active. It has one medium attack vehicle, one light attack vehicle, two trailers and five slip-ons which can be used on a private Toyota or similar vehicle.

The shed was actually funded by moneys from the Rural Fire Brigade and Emergency Management Australia, but I think the credit in this instance should go to the Cawarral community, which raised approximately $74,000 to put up this shed. It has four bays and can fit a full urban appliance, and hopefully at some future time Cawarral will become an urban brigade.

It was most noteworthy that at the opening of the shed I was very honoured to be able to speak to the widow of Duncan McDonald, who was one of the founders of the Cawarral Fire Brigade. He served on the brigade from 1951 until his death in 2007. He not only served on the brigade but also was a shire councillor and was very active in the community. The Cawarral brigade was very gracious and in actual fact has agreed to name the shed the Duncan McDonald Shed. Duncan McDonald’s widow was there. It is very noteworthy to some of the people who live to a very great age in our area that Mrs McDonald’s father, Tom Poole, who is 101, attended just to see what was happening. It is also fairly noteworthy that Tom still drives his own motor vehicle.

The Cawarral Rural Fire Brigade had an open day. All in all it was a great day. The Salvation Army Emergency Unit provided a sausage sizzle and drinks. There were approximately 300 people there. It really is a credit to the hard work of these brigades that go about looking after rural areas in the state of Queensland. 25 Nov 2008 Adjournment 3739

The Kakakios Family Mrs PRATT (Nanango—Ind) (9.49 pm): Parents often worry about how they will manage to give their sport-talented children opportunities to attend competitions, and I frequently have parents come to my office in search of grants that might help them. Imagine having 10 children aged two to 13 years, the four eldest of whom qualified to represent Queensland at the Australian Open and National Taekwondo Championships held in Sydney in September. The story of Esk’s Kakakios family and the impossible task they faced finding sufficient funding to take 10 children to Sydney, because they could not leave the younger children at home, was given to the Courier-Mail and a well-written article appeared in the paper. I table a copy of the same. Tabled paper: Copy of media article titled ‘Family takes sporting rumble to the big smoke’. What was not told was the incredible response that the family received from the community of Esk and areas further afield. The saga turned into an unstoppable juggernaut. Through the publicity first initiated by the Courier-Mail, local papers and local radio stations, the family drew the attention of a couple of TV shows. Four kids from the family of 10 who were trained in the Esk CWA hall competed against major training clubs from all metropolitan and regional areas of Australia, as well as international clubs from London, USA, Malaysia, Korea and New Zealand. Nearly 2,000 competitors took part in what was described by the tournament’s media coordinator, Jane McLaughlin, as the largest ever Australian open taekwondo tournament. This would have been enough to frighten the boldest athlete, but not the Kakakios kids. I am extremely proud to tell the House that not one ounce of the effort, funding or other assistance that contributed towards getting those children to Sydney was wasted. Nine-year-old John Kakakios, a yellow belt, won a gold medal and national champion in pairs poomsae and a bronze medal for individual poomsae. Ten-year-old Michael Kakakios, also a yellow belt, won a gold medal and national champion in pairs poomsae and two bronze medals for individual poomsae and sparring. Petra Kakakios, a blue belt, won gold and national champion in pairs poomsae, a bronze for individual poomsae and silver for sparring, and 13-year-old Stephen Kakakios, also a blue belt, won gold and national champion in pairs poomsae and silver for sparring. I would like to finish by naming and applauding all those who helped the four children achieve their dreams. Before I do, I will read a few words from Mrs Kakakios herself. She states— As a mother to see the children compete for the first time has been especially wonderful. I am proud beyond belief of who they are as persons, their sportsmanship and their strength and endurance with the additional pressures of the media coverage. Thank you, Brisbane Valley, for helping us fulfil this opportunity and thank you, Dorothy, for initiating all and supporting our cause. The Esk pharmacy predominantly sponsored the children, as did Barry and Sue Trewin from Distinctive Pools, Peter Dutton MP, Golden Arrow Grazing Company at Tara, Valley FM, the Esk news agency, Thoroughgoods Fruit and Vegetables, the Exchange Hotel, and the Toogoolawah and Esk District Co-op IGA, which allowed collection boxes to be displayed. All of the community can be proud of the support they gave this wonderful family. Schipper, Ms J Ms BARRY (Aspley—ALP) (9.52 pm): Recently I was at a function with Olympic golden girl and former Pine Rivers high school student Jessicah Schipper. Everyone who has even a passing interest in sport knows that Jess is an outstanding butterfly swimmer. What is less well known is what a humble, brave and honourable young woman she is. Tonight in the House and on the parliamentary record I want to pay tribute to her. Jess, whose nickname is ‘Sparrow’, made her debut for Australia at the 2003 World Championships in Barcelona, and since then has competed at the Athens Olympics in 2004, taking home a gold medal at her first Olympics in the 4x100 metre medley relay, having swum the butterfly leg in the heats of the event. At the 2005 World Championships in Montreal, Jess won silver in the 200- metre butterfly. I am sure that all members will remember that Jess was robbed of the gold medal in that race, as the Polish swimmer awarded the gold did not touch the finishing wall with both hands. But Jess took that as the true champion that she is, and went on to take the gold in the 100-metre butterfly and the 4x100 metre medley relay. Next she collected two individual gold medals and a silver, as well as taking gold as part of the world-record breaking medley relay team at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Then, of course, in August 2006 Jessicah set a new world record in the women’s 200-metre butterfly on the opening night of the Pan Pacific Championships. She also took the gold for that same event, as well as the silver in the 100-metre event, behind her good friend and fellow Australian Libby Lenton. That was at the 2007 World Championships. Then we come to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Jess arrived in Beijing as the pre-eminent female butterfly swimmer of the previous three years. But, as Jess herself tells in a recent interview in the Weekend Australian magazine, sometimes things don’t always quite go to plan. As she said, athletes can’t afford anything to go wrong, but in Jess’s case plenty went wrong. Jess gamely won bronze in both 3740 Adjournment 25 Nov 2008 her individual events: she came third behind Libby Lenton in the 100-metre after a previous malfunction with the zipper on her new Speedo racing suit, and then third behind two Chinese competitors in the 200-metre race. Later, of course, everyone was to learn that Ken Wood, her coach and mentor of 10 years, had sold Jess’s training program to the Chinese swimmer who broke Jess’s world record and took the gold. However, Jess proudly brought home a gold medal from Beijing which she won as part of the fabulous world-breaking 100-metre medley relay team. Jess has been recognised with an Order of Australia Medal awarded for services to swimming; all of this for a young woman who turned 22 last week. Jess conducts her life with grace and dignity. She is a quiet achiever with a wonderful family to whom she credits her success. Jess, you are indeed my hero and the hero of many here. You are a wonderful role model for young women everywhere. Hughenden Hospital, Operating Theatre Mr KNUTH (Charters Towers—LNP) (9.55 pm): I would like to bring to the attention of the House a concern shown by residents of Hughenden and western Queensland, expressed in a petition that will be tabled by the shadow minister for health. The petition calls for an immediate recommission and upgrade of the operating theatre at the Hughenden Hospital to relieve the pressure on the Townsville Health Service District for elective and minor surgeries. It also calls for Queensland Health to prioritise the appointment of a flying surgeon to service regional and rural areas of north-west Queensland. The question demands to be asked: in 2008, why are health services across rural Queensland being reduced rather than increased? Why is it that a once world-class health system has buckled under consecutive Labor governments to the point where rural and remote Queenslanders no longer have access to the medical treatment that was available to them many years ago? The closure of the operating theatres in both Hughenden and Richmond has outraged western Queensland. The theatres in both Hughenden and Richmond provided assurances to the residents that urgent medical attention would be available for people living in western Queensland if they faced life-threatening situations. Mr Hoolihan interjected. Mr KNUTH: No, operating theatres in Richmond and Hughenden were closed five weeks ago by the Labor government. You would know about this. I cannot believe that you have not taken a stand against this. Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms Darling): Order! The member for Charters Towers will direct his comments through the chair. Mr KNUTH: This is another kick in the guts for regional Queenslanders. The Townsville Hospital is already struggling to cope with increasing pressures, but now it also has to accommodate patients who were easily accommodated in rural hospitals. The minister has stated that the theatres were closed due to the fact that they were old, did not meet sterility requirements and would not have passed accreditation. This can only be construed as an admission that this government cares so little about the health and wellbeing of rural Queenslanders that it could not be bothered funding the resources required to meet accreditation. Rural patients have been severely disadvantaged by these closures. The discriminated patients in rural Queensland will now have to painfully endure either a 900-kilometre round trip in an ambulance to the nearest surgeon or a flight with the Royal Flying Doctor Service only to be placed in a bed, chair or trolley in the emergency ward of whichever city hospital has the time, personnel or resources needed to medically assist them. The LNP has made a statewide commitment to bring back to regional and rural centres medical services that have been withdrawn by Labor—and I hope that the Labor Party makes the same commitment. The LNP realises that rural and regional hospitals have the capacity to provide better services and are determined to see them properly resourced. This will relieve pressure on the major hospitals and boost health services across the state, for the benefit of all Queenslanders. Traffic Congestion Forum Ms van LITSENBURG (Redcliffe—ALP) (9.58 pm): Last week I had the privilege to bring three community leaders from Redcliffe—Collin Springer, President of the Seaside Traders; James Green, Manager of 99.7 FM; and Ken Leonard, President of Kippa Ring Lions—to the minister for transport’s congestion forum. After a launch by the Premier and a keynote speech by George Hazel, an international expert on congestion, community leaders from different parts of south-east Queensland had the opportunity to discuss a variety of congestion issues. Through discussion it became clear that there are a variety of ways in which infrastructure and public transport services can be facilitated to streamline the increasing density of traffic. The Bligh government is currently engaged in delivering an unprecedented amount of transport infrastructure around south-east Queensland including upgrades to the Gateway Motorway, the airport bypass, the northern busway and, of course, that piece of infrastructure dearest to my heart, the duplication of the Houghton Highway. 25 Nov 2008 Adjournment 3741

The new bridge will indeed be a congestion buster for my constituents in Redcliffe because breakdowns on the bridge will no longer mean hours of delay once the bridge is completed. The T2 lanes on the bridge will speed up bus journeys into the city and the Northern Busway, when it is completed, will halve the time it takes for buses to reach the Brisbane CBD. This will increase the number of people using public transport into the city even higher than the 30 per cent increase at the introduction of the TransLink program. The Gateway upgrades and airport bypass will also decrease the congestion for many commuters in my electorate once they are completed. There are still many other transport needs on the peninsula. I would like to thank constituents who returned the transport surveys from my Commuter News so I know what the people of Redcliffe are wanting from their transport system. Their responses give me and the Bligh government important information about what people need for an improved transport system for Redcliffe. This congestion forum is an integral part of the Toward Q2 plan for the future. It signals our intention to develop effective transport systems that are the basis of a strong economy and a fair community in which everyone can move around easily. In striving for a fairer community, Minister Mickel and the Bligh government have recorded the local transport issues and global ideas of community leaders from right across south-east Queensland to inform policy directions. The Bligh government has a history of delivering transport infrastructure in Queensland and it will continue to do so into the future.

Burma, Human Rights Dr FLEGG (Moggill—LNP) (10.01 pm): Today I was thrilled to chair a forum to look at the issue of human rights abuse in Burma, our neighbour within our region. These human rights abuses were highlighted by the recent cyclone where virtual genocide by neglect saw the death of in excess of 130,000 people. But it only highlighted the fact that for years people, particularly from the Karen ethnic group, have endured forced relocation and mining of their villages so that they could not return, have been subjected to forced labour, rape, military force against innocent villagers and many of them now live in refugee camps. For anyone tempted to say that this is out of left field for a Queensland state MP, hundreds of ethnic Karen people have now settled in Brisbane under humanitarian provisions of the Australian immigration act. Those people who have settled in Brisbane have largely had a background in refugee camps within Thailand. One camp alone had 140,000 refugees—most of them have been there for 10 years, not permitted to work, no access to education and traumatised by what has happened in their homeland. The other important aspect for Queensland is that we discovered a major untold story, and that is the heroic actions of a number of local Queenslanders who, with no desire to have any praise or reward, have gone out to help some of the world’s most mistreated people. Those people include: Nathan Willis, a nurse and now a director of Partners Relief and Development Australia, an organisation that is responsible for putting 2,500 teachers in place in Burma to teach 50,000 children and that was instrumental in getting 30 medical teams in after the cyclone—he is a young man whom my son describes as just a decent Aussie bloke; Inga Miles, a young Brisbane resident who spent months organising shipping containers of donated goods to go to the refugee camps; Tamla Paw Dwell, a translator and a leader of the ethnic Karen community; and Rick Plumb, a Brisbane real estate agent who has sacrificed much of his time in his business to work on accommodation, employment, education and transport for ethnic Karen people from Burma to help them make this massive adjustment to live in our Brisbane community. These are people who have made a massive personal contribution simply to help their recovery. I want to thank those members of parliament who attended today: Acting Speaker John English— Speaker Mike Reynolds was unable to attend due to sickness—John-Paul Langbroek, Phil Gray, Ken Hayward, Stirling Hinchliffe and Senator Russell Trood was represented. This is not just our region. We do not talk about this just because we have a duty of care to them as human beings. But Karen refugees are part of our Queensland community. Time expired.

Heit, Mrs P Ms NOLAN (Ipswich—ALP) (10.04 pm): I rise to inform the House of the wonderful life of Mrs Pam Heit, nee Wilson, who was born in Ipswich in 1942 and lived there her whole life before her unexpected passing just last week. Pam grew up in Newtown alongside her three sisters, Peggy, Janice and Yvonne, and went to Silkstone State School. She worked as a shop assistant before marrying Neville and having four sons—Rodney, Shaun, Dean and Wayne. Three of the boys were triplets and so Pam at one stage had four sons under two. Such frantic motherhood obviously taught Pam some great organisational skills because as the boys grew up Pam became an extraordinarily active community worker. 3742 Attendance 25 Nov 2008

Pam was a talented cook and became involved as a community worker and caterer in St Paul’s parish, where her funeral was held; Coalstars Soccer Club, where she was made a life member; the ALARA Association, a local disability service provider; St Edmund’s College; Ipswich Hospice; Claremont Special School; S-Troupe, which is a drama group for young people with disabilities; and the South Street Club. Pam was an active committee member of the Ipswich Community Care Fund, the group initially established by the late Ipswich Mayoress Glenis Nugent. Pam was the Community Care Fund’s archivist and an event organiser running fundraising bus trips and the group’s annual money tree raffle. She also distributed motel toiletries collected by members of the group to local care agencies. Yesterday’s Queensland Times summed Pam up when it reported, ‘Pam’s friendliness and positive outlook touched everyone who met her and she will be sorely missed by the Ipswich Community Care Fund volunteers and the wider Ipswich community.’ More importantly, though, Pam was at the centre of a large and loving family. At her funeral her nephew said, ‘We are a big family and a strong family because we are made up of people like Pam.’ I knew Pam through her sister Peggy Frankish, who is also a remarkable contributor to Ipswich community life. Peg is a friend of mine and volunteers in my office. She arranged for Pam to cater for some of my local community morning teas. I remember Pam as a capable and friendly woman, the sort of person who gave you the strong impression that beneath the surface lay a great well of strength. I extend my sympathy to Peggy and Pam’s family. Pam Heit will be very sadly missed. Question put—That the House do now adjourn. Motion agreed to. The House adjourned at 10.07 pm.

ATTENDANCE Attwood, Barry, Bligh, Bombolas, Boyle, Choi, Copeland, Cripps, Croft, Cunningham, Darling, Dempsey, Dickson, Elmes, English, Fenlon, Finn, Flegg, Foley, Fraser, Gibson, Grace, Gray, Hayward, Hinchliffe, Hobbs, Hoolihan, Hopper, Horan, Jarratt, Johnson, Jones, Keech, Kiernan, Knuth, Langbroek, Lavarch, Lawlor, Lee Long, Lee, Lingard, Lucas, McArdle, McNamara, Male, Malone, Menkens, Messenger, Miller, Moorhead, Mulherin, Nelson-Carr, Nicholls, Nolan, O’Brien, Palaszczuk, Pearce, Pitt, Pratt, Purcell, Reeves, Reilly, Rickuss, Roberts, Robertson, Schwarten, Scott, Seeney, Shine, Simpson, Smith, Spence, Springborg, Stevens, Stone, Struthers, Stuckey, Sullivan, van Litsenburg, Wallace, Weightman, Welford, Wellington, Wells, Wendt, Wettenhall, Wilson