Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

TUESDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 1983

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

Papers 29 November 1983 189

TUESDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 1983

Mr SPEAKER (Hon. J. H, Warner, South) read prayers and took the chair at 11 a,m.

ASSENT TO BILL Assent to the Appropriation Bill (No. 2) reported by Mr Speaker.

PAPERS The following papers were laid on the table, and ordered to be printed— Reports— State Govemment Insurance Office () for the year ended 30 June 1983 and Area Water Board for the year ended 30 June 1983 Water Quality Council of Queensland for the year ended 30 June 1983 Bowen Harbour Board for the year ended 30 June 1981 Bowen Harbour Board for the year ended 30 June 1982 Harbour Board for the year ended 30 June 1982 President of the Industrial Court of Queensland for the year ended 30 June 1983 Noise Abatement Authority of Queensland for the year ended 30 June 1983 Department of the Valuer-General for the year ended 30 June 1983 Department of Mapping and Surveying for the year ended 30 June 1983 Department of Welfare Services for the year ended 30 June 1983 Department of Children's Services for the year ended 30 June 1983 Comptroller-General of Prisons for the year ended 30 June 1983 Queensland Probation and Parole Service for the year ended 30 June 1983 Parole Board for the year ended 30 June 1983 Board of Trustees of the Queensland Museum for the year ended 31 December 1982 Board of Tmstees of the Twelfth Night Theatre Building Tmst for the year ended 30 June 1983 Department of Sport for the year ended 30 June 1983 Films Board of Review for the year ended 30 June 1983 Literature Board of Review for the year ended 30 June 1983 Queensland Art Gallery for the year ended 30 June 1983 Queensland National Parks and WildUfe Service for the year ended 30 June 1983 Queensland Performing Arts Tmst for the year ended 30 June 1983 Queensland FUm Corporation for the year ended 30 June 1983. 190 29 November 1983 Papers

The following papers were laid on the table— Proclamations under— Surveyors Act Amendment Act 1983 District Courts Act 1967-1982 National Parks and WildUfe Act 1975-1982 Prisons Act 1958-1969 Orders in Council under— Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1979 Hide, Skin, and Wool Dealers Act of 1958 Explosives Act 1952-1981 Electricity Act 1976-1982 and the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982 Harbours Act 1955-1980 Harbours Act 1955-1980 and the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982 Harbours Act 1955-1982, the Airport Act 1981 and the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982 ' Industry and Commerce Training Act 1979-1983 Elections Act 1983 Supreme Court Act 1921-1979 District Courts Act 1967-1982 Friendly Societies Act 1913-1978 Liquor Act 1912-1982 Real Property Act 1861-1981 Collections Act 1966-1981 Justices Act 1886-1982 Magistrates Courts Act 1921-1982 Real Property Act 1861-1981 Judges' Salaries and Pensions Act 1967-1980 Fauna Conservation Act 1974-1979 Land Act 1962-1983 National Parks and Wildlife Act 1975-1982 Regulations under— Harbours Act 1955:1982 Queensland Marine Act 1958-1979 Canals Act 1958-1979 Pollution of Waters by Oil Act 1973 Constmction Safety Act 1971-1982 Factories and Shops Act 1960-1983 Industry and Commerce Training Act 1979-1983 Industrial ConciUation and Arbitration Act 1961-1983 Inspection of Machinery Act 1951-1982 Motor Vehicles Safety Act 1980 Weights and Measures Act 1951-1983 Surveyors Act 1977-1983 Fire Brigades Act 1964-1983 Fire Safety Act 1974-1982 Elections Act 1983 Companies (Application of Laws) Act 1981 Money Lenders Act 1916-1979 Public Trustee Act 1978-1981 Bills of Sale and Other Instruments Act 1955-1981 Auctioneers and Agents Act 1971-1981 Business Names Act 1962-1979 C^sh Orders Regulation Acts, 1946 to 1959 Railway Proposal 29 November 1983 191

Invasion of Privacy Act 1971-1981 Co-operative and Other Societies Act 1967-1978 Building Societies Act 1886-1976 Co-operative Housing Societies Act 1958-1974 Friendly Societies Act 1913-1978 Liquor Act 1912-1982 Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages Act 1962-1982 Recording of Evidence Acts, 1962 to 1968 Building Units and Group Titles Act 1980 Property Law Act 1974-1982 Art Unions and Amusements Act 1976-1981 CoUections Act 1966-1981 Associations Incorporation Act 1981 By-laws under— Harbours Act 1955-1982 Queensland Museum Act 1970-1979 Rule under the Coroners Act 1958-1982 Third Programme^Qiieensland Law Reform Commission Reports— National Trust of Queensland for the year ended 30 June 1983 TotaUsator Administration Board of Queensland for the year ended 30 June 1983 Queensland Trotting Board for the year ended 30 June 1983 Control Board of Queensland for the year ended 30 June 1983 Racing Association for the year ended 30 June 1983 Queensland Turf Club for the year ended 30 June 1983 Downs and South- Racing Association for the year ended 30 June 1983 Racing Association for the year ended 30 June 1983 Rockhampton Jockey Club for the year ended 30 June 1983 Brisbane Market Tmst for the year ended 30 June 1983 Public Defender for the year ended 30 June 1983 Law Reform Commission in Relation to an Examination of the Imperial Statutes in Force in Queensland The Union-Fidelity Tmstee Company of Australia Limited incorporating the Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Account as at 28 Febmary 1983 Queensland Law Reform Commission for the year ended 30 June 1983 Perpetual Tmstees AustraUa Limited for the year ended 30 June 1983 Queensland Trustees Limited for the year ended 30 June 1983 Housing and Building Societies Advisory Committee for the year ended 30 June 1983. Mr SPEAKER: Order! While Ministers are on their feet, I require sUence in the Chamber.

RAILWAY PROPOSAL North Cbast Line Hon, D, F. LANE (Merthyr—-Minister for Transport) laid on the table the working plan, section and book of reference for constmction of a railway deviation between 29,6 and 31.7 km, North Coast Line, together with the report of the Commissioner for RaUways thereon. The commissioner's report was ordered to be printed. 192 29 November 1983 Ministerial Statements

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS New PoUcies and Functions of Ministry of Industry, Small Business and Technology Hon, M. J. AHERN (Landsborough—^Minister for Industry, Small Business and Tech­ nology) (11.15 a.m,), by leave: Mr Speaker, I intend to take only a few minutes of the time of the House to detaU a major reorganisation of my department which I am sure will be of interest to all honourable members and to the industrial, small business and technological sectors of the Queensland economy. I have arranged for the statement to be distributed to honourable members. Attached to my statement is a position paper that details the reorganisation of the department and the ramifications and benefits to those individuals, organisations and business houses involved. Central to the reorganisation are new initiatives—^financial and otherwise—^which are intended to further assist the manufacturing, smaU business and technology sectors. It must be apparent to all honourable members that the manufacturing industry in Queensland is experiencing severe competition from interstate and overseas firms. Since taking over the portfolio of Minister for Industry, Small Business and Technology, I have been concerned at the problems of the manufacturing industry. New measures of Government support are necessary. I am confident our new assistance programs will go a long way towards helping the manufacturing industry in Queensland meet its outside competition. There is an acknowledged need for certain industries to modemise equipment and processes, to improve quaUty control and to update financial, management and marketing skills. The reorganisation of my department wUl provide a new range of advisory services to industry as weU as direct financial assistance in certain cases. The new advisory services to be provided include— Provision of general advice and Uaison services to manufacturing industry in regional areas of Queensland; Provision of speciaUst advice and information on financial, management and marketing operations, production processes and new technology, and domestic and export market potential; and Provision of advice on individual industry trends and general economic conditions. My department's revised financial assistance programs wiU include— Provision of land on Crown industrial estates; Provision of factory buildings for pioneer industries and for high technology, high value added industries, for example, computer software development; and Provision of guarantees to private lenders so as to ensure funds are available to a particular firm for— Capital programs for new industry estabUshing in Queensland or for established industry wishing to expand; Extra working capital needs required on expansion or setting up in Queensland; Capital needs of firms purchasing new technology and new plant and equipment to become more competitive; and Working capital needs of exporters. In addition, increased financial assistance wiU be available in approved cases for— Subsidy towards the cost of locating from outside of Queensland to Queensland; A subsidy towards freight costs on products to be exported; and Help with the cost of developing export markets. Further, the Government wiU provide up to $10,000 towards the cost of consultants' investigations into the feasibility of a firm establishing or expanding in Queensland, developing new products, purchasing new technology and modern equipment and developing an export market. In Une with the Government's pre-election poUcy guide-Une, special emphasis wiU be afforded to smaU business and technology over the next three years. The Govemment has honoured its pre-election commitment of estabUshing a Ministry of SmaU Business, and I expect to be in a position within the next few months to announce additional initiatives for this particular sector of the economy. Ministerial Statements 29 November 1983 193

In relation to the technological sector, Queensland is determined not to miss the boat. AustraUa is fast establishing itself as a major technological innovator, and the Queensland Govemment aims to make our State the most attractive to the so^caUed sunrise and high-tech industries. Once again, I expect to be in a position within the next few months to announce further initiatives in this regard.

Queensland's Free Public Hospital System Under Medicare Hon. B. D, AUSTIN (Wavell—Minister for Health) (11,19 a,m,), by leave: I rise to speak on a matter of cmisiderable concem not only to all honourable members but also to all Queenslanders—that is, the disgraceful treatment of Queensland's free public hospital system under the new Medicare funding arrangements. Opposition Members interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members wiU listen to the Minister in sUence. Mr AUSTIN: Ever since the ALP first unveiled its plans for Medicare, it has been clear that Queensland's free hospital system would suffer. The ALP's poUcy stated that the Medicare block grants would "compensate the States for revenue lost as a result of the aboUtion of charges for pubUc hospital accommodation and public hospital inpatient and outpatient care". This meant that every other State would receive compensation from the Federal Labor Govemment for making its hospitals free but Queensland, which already had a free hospital system, would receive virtually nothing. When I exposed this gaping hole in the Medicare policy before the last Federal election, the ALP, in a desperate bid to save face, promised Queensland a special grant of around $100m, supposedly to make up for what the previous Govemment had done to Queensland. What utter hypocrisy! Here we had a policy setting out clearly in black and white that Queensland was the only State not being paid for its free hospital system and the ALP had the hide to criticise others for their hospital funding policies. Nothing more has been said about the special grant of $100m, and Queensland is still being penaUsed for having the only free public hospital system in the country. But when it comes to taking the C^eensland tax-payers' money, suddenly we are being treated the same as those in other States. Although Queensland is the poor relation when it comes to the hand-outs for its hospital system, its tax-payers are stiU expected to dig into their pockets for the extra health tax as those in other States. I wonder whether that's what is called "redistribution of wealth" under sociaUsm? Queensland is being told, "You've always provided a free hospital system so you can keep on picking up the tab while we use your money to set up free hospital systems in other States". And yet Labor's Medicare policy states, not once, but twice that "payment of the health levy wUl provide all citizens with non-means-tested access to public hospital accommodation and to treatment by hospital staff without direct charge" I venture to say that there has never been a policy document for a national scheme which so totally discriminates against one State. When the States were first summoned to Canberra to learn of their Medicare entitlements, the discrimination against Queensland was there for all to see. For its public hospital system which cost $660m a year, Queensland was to get a paltry $37.8m or $15.10 per head of population. In comparison, the other States were to get an average payment of $49.60 per head, more than three times the payment to (Queensland. Even the new Federal Labor Government, drunk on victory euphoria, could not explain that discrepancy, although it tried everything from using mbbery figures to making personal attacks on me and on others. But that did not work. So, on the eve of the Premiers (Conference, the architect of Medicare (Dr Blewett, PhD) suddenly found an additional $35m a year for Queensland, with no explanation of how it had been calculated or why Queensland deserved it. That raised Queensland's payment for its hospital system from the meagre $15.10 per head to the present offer of $29. However, that offer is still a far cry from the average of almost $50 per head being paid to other States, when one remembers that all Australians are being forced to pay the same 1 per cent tax. 194 29 November 1983 Ministerial Statements

Despite several meetings on the Medicare grants since the Premiers Conference, involving the Prime Minister, the Federal Treasurer and the Federal Health Minister, Queensland remains at a serious disadvantage compared to other States under Medicare. In a full year, Queensland stands to lose $52m. Over the first five years of the planned Medicare agreement that figure wiU be $260m, or over a quarter of a biUion dollars. Is it any wonder that the Hawke Govemment is spending miUions of dollars trying to seU the scheme in Queensland? Is it any wonder that aU the ALP wants to talk about is what happended under Eraser and not what wiU happen under Hawke. Is it any wonder that Queenslanders think they get a pretty raw deal from Canberra? Queensland tax-payers can be certain of one thing—^they will not get any help from the Queensland ALP in reversing the discrimination under Medicare. Throughout this whole sorry episode, the stooges and hypocrites in the Queensland ALP have aided and abetted their colleagues in Canberra in trying to con Queenslanders into believing that Medicare will not rip them off, that the 1 per cent tax is fair and equitable, and that they will not have to worry about health insurance any more. This issue has exposed the Queensland ALP for what it reaUy is. It is a bunch of gullible sheep who do not have the brains or the intestinal fortitude to stand up for their feUow-Queenslanders. Members of the ALP are as shaUow and false as their leader, who claims to be concemed about public accountability, but never demands some decent accountability from his Labor colleagues in Canberra who are now deUberately trying to bleed the Queensland public hospital system dry. The latest champion of Medicare to arrive on the scene is the honourable member for Stafford, who has given us the best example yet of the Queensland ALP's insistence on pushing the Canberra line irrespective of how it discriminates against the people of this State, In an attempt to explain away the disgraceful treatment of his feUow-Queenslanders by his mates in Canberra, this honourable member has preparM .his own thesis on the topic. In the same way as his Canberra colleagues, the honourable member for Stafford tried to fool us with figures; but, unfortunately for him, he is only fooUng himself. To show all honourable members how rubbery his figures are, let me point to the list of benefits which he claims will be coming back to Queensland under Medicare, Opposition Members interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members will Usten to the Minister in silence, I have already asked them to do so. Opposition Members interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I wUl warn honourable members under Standing Order 123A if they do not come to order, Mr AUSTIN: He includes an amount of $llm for administrative costs. What a joke! The honourable member for Stafford bases his whole case on figures supposedly showing that Queensland gets more back from Medicare than it puts in, and he includes in what Queensland will be getting back $llm in administrative costs, I do not think that even his PhD colleague in Canberra, Dr Blewett, would have the nerve to try that one! To cap it aU off, the honourable member tries to have two bob each way at the end of his thesis. After telling us all what a great thing Medicare wUl be for Queenslanders, he says he hopes "Mr Hawke and Dr Blewett are able to find additional funds foi; Queensland," The trouble with the Queensland ALP members is that they cannot accept that they have been sold out by their mates in Canberra over Medicare after all the promises leading up to the last Federal election. The is not interested in promises or fairy tales any more. What Queensland wants is its fair share of the Medicare cake, and I for one intend to see that we get it. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I direct the attention of Ministers to the fact that in future I would like ministerial statements to be shorter. Opposition Members: Hear, hear! Ministerial Statements 29 November 1983 195

Investigations into Alleged Voting Irregularities at State Election Hon. N. J. HARPER (Auburn—Minister for Justice and Attorney-General) (11.28 a.m,), by leave: In an attempt to shift attention from misleading statements which he has been making in regard to votes cast in the electoral district of Maryborough at the recent State election, the secretary of the Australian Labor Party has made far-reaching and unsub­ stantiated accusations questioning the integrity of many officers within the Justice Department, Those officers accept a responsibility to conduct State elections in an efficient and unbiased manner, free from poUtical interference. Having regard to the number of votes cast, the diverse areas within the State and within electoral districts, and the declaration of the polls, I believe that the conduct of the State election held on 22 October 1983 set a record for efficiency. In contrast to the AustraUan Labor Party, I congratulate those officers of my department who were responsible for the conduct of the State election—free, I repeat, of any influence of a political nature by myself as the Minister of the Crown responsible for the Elections Act. As is always the case, some people endeavoured to obtain political mileage by way of public complaint about electoral rolls or voting procedures. On 2 November 1983 I wrote personally to each of those candidates at the election who recorded sufficient votes to have the statutory deposit refunded, asking to be advised of complaints which came to their attention as a result of the election. As a result, I have received responses from only 32 candidates of 240 addressed. However, in the majority of cases, substantiated complaints were few in number and relatively minor in nature. There were some reports of what I would consider abnormally high section 45 votes. For instance, in the Surfers Paradise electoral district, some 1 975 such votes were cast. As the result of a most serious complaint to the police, I, in my capacity as Attorney- General, provided the Commissioner of Police with an authority to obtain from the Speaker of the Parliament the ballot-papers which he held in regard to the election for the electoral district of Stafford. I understand that poUce investigations are proceeding into what are undoubtedly very serious charges. Late last Friday afternoon, I became aware that three absentee votes cast for the electoral district of Maryborough had not been included in the count prior to the return of the writ for that electorate. The circumstances surrounding this occurrence are of extreme concern to me. The retuming officer for the electoral district of Maryborough received by post on 21 November 1983 two declaration envelopes (Form 21) purporting to contain two absent votes received by the retuming officer for the electoral district of Albert and one declaration envelope (Form 21) purporting to contain one absent vote received by the returning officer for the electoral district of Landsborough, The returning officer for the electoral district of Landsborough has advised verbally that this declaration envelope was mixed up with other electoral material received by him after poUing day. He reaUsed that 12 ballot-papers were missing when he was completing Form 46, which is the account of ballot-papers issued to a retuming officer, required to be furnished to the Chief Retuming Officer. When the account did not tally, he instUuted an immediate search of all the electoral material and located the declaration envelopes containing the misplaced ballot-papers. Only one of the misplaced declaration envelopes was for the electoral district of Maryborough. He dispatched that declaration envelope to the retuming officer for the electoral district of Maryborough. A written report on this matter is ibeing prepared by the returning officer for the electoral district ol Maryborough. A written report on this matter is being prepared by the returning officer for the electoral district of Landsborough, The retuming officer for the electoral district of Albert has advised that the two declaration envelopes were accidently mixed with the declaration envelopes containing section 45 votes taken at the same polUng place. As soon as he located them he dispatched them to the returning officer for the electoral district of Matyborough, A written report is being prepared by the retuming officer for the electoral district of Albert, 196 29 November 1983 Ministerial Statements

The returning officer for the electoral district of Maryborough did not open the envelopes, as he had declared the poll on 2 November 1983 and he was satisfied that such votes could not affect the result of the election. Immediately he received the declaration envelopes, he advised each of the candidates that he had received the envelopes. He also informed the Chief Returning Officer, in writing, and the Qerk of the Parliament, also in writing. The returns accounting for the number of ballot-papers issued have been completed by 69 retuming officers, and no other discrepancies have been discovered. The remaining 13 returns are expected this week. It should be understood that these returns to the Chief Retuming Officer are quite distinct from forms that accompany the return of ballot-papers to the Clerk of the Parliament. It is apparent that the absentee votes in question were overlooked through unintentional mistakes made by the two retuming officers and that the sinister accusations of the secretary of the Australian Labor Party have, as usual, no substance whatsoever. Mr R. J, GIBBS: I rise to a point of order. Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to Standing Order 108A, which states— "A Minister of the Crown, by leave of the House, and so as not to intermpt any other business may make a Statement relating to" Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order. Mr R. J. GIBBS: Mr Speaker, it is very important. Mr SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Mr R, J. GIBBS: "At the conclusion" Mr SPEAKER: There is no point of order, Mr R, J, GIBBS: I am raising a matter in relation to a Standing Order of this Assembly, Mr SPEAKER: I am aware of the Standing Order to which the honourable membei has referred. I ask the honourable member to resume his seat. Be seated! Mr WRIGHT: I rise to a point of order. Mr Speaker, you did not even listen to the point of order that was being put, because the member had not put it. How can you rule on something that has not been put? Mr SPEAKER: There is no point of order, Mr WRIGHT: You had not heard it. Mr R. J. GIBBS: Mr Speaker, I rise to a further point of order. Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order. Mr R. J. GIBBS (Wolston): I move— "That the member for Wolston be further heard." Mr SPEAKER: I ask the honourable member for Wolston to remain seated. Mr R. J. GIBBS (Wolston): I move— "That the member for Wolston be further heard." Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the honourable member for Wolston under Standing Order 123A. If the honourable member rises on a point of order again, he will be asked to leave the Chamber. Opposition Members interjected. Mr WRIGHT: I rise to a point of order. Mr Speaker, the honourable member for Wolston moved that he be further heard, which is a formal motion. I believe that Standing Orders require that you put that motion. Ministerial Statement 29 November 1983 197

Question—^That the member for Wolston be further heard—^put; and the House divided— Ayes, 30 CampbeU Hartwig Veivers Casey Kruger Warburton Comben Mackenroth Wamer, A. M. D'Arcy McElligott Wilson Davis Milliner Wright De Lacy Prest Yewdale Eaton Scott Fouras Shaw Tellers: Gibbs, R. Smith Goss Underwood Burns Hamill Vaughan Price

Noes, 47 Ahern Harvey Newton AUson Henderson Powell Austin Innes RandeU Bailey Jermings Row Bjelke-Petersen Katter SimjKon Booth Kaus Stephan Borbidge Knox Stoneman CahUl Lane Tenni Chapman Lee Tumer Cooper Lester Wharton Elliott Lickiss White FitzGerald Lingard Gibbs, I. J. Littleproud Glasson McKechnie Tellers: Goleby Menzel Gunn MUler McPhie Harper Mimtz Neal Resolved in the negative.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Riots at Brisbane Prison Hon. G. H. MUNTZ (Whitsunday—Minister for Welfare Services and Ethnic Affairs) (11,44 a,m,), by leave: I wish to inform the House that the Brisbane Prison is secure and has retumed to near normal routine following the riots on the night of Monday, 21 November, The situation at the prison basically returned to normal on the night of Tuesday, 22 November, when prisoners in the yards involved in the riots and fires surrendered to prison officers. The majority were locked in alternative cells, which became avaUable by the transfer of inmates to other prisons. However, over 100 cells were made unusable as a result of the riots. It was not possible to arrange alternative accommodation for all prisoners, and those in yards six and seven remained there. These prisoners rebarricaded themselves in yard six on Thursday night but removed the barricades on Friday moming and co-operated with prison officers during their relocation on Friday afternoon when altemative cell accommodation had been obtained. In an incident on Saturday, two prisoners climbed onto window ledges in F block, where they were visible from Annerley Road, and shouted to people, including media representatives, outside the prison. Security was not at risk. The allegations that they made misrepresented the situation inside the prison and were designed to gain media and pubUc reaction. 198 29 November 1983 Personal Explanation

There appears to have been a deliberate, co-ordinated attempt to dismpt normal prison routine, with the Prisoners Action Group working with prisoners inside the prison. I can only condemn people who would risk the welfare of prisoners, prison officers and the general public by setting up a situation which must increase the tension inside the prison. Mr Kennedy of the Prisoners Action Group and Mr O'Gorman, a self-proclaimed civil rights monitor, have consistently made statements which have inflamed the situation at Brisbane Prison. They have advocated an eroding of discipline in Queensland prisons. This cannot happen, otherwise we will find ourselves in the same situation as the southern States where prison riots have resulted in loss of life. The first priority of a prison system—secure custody—^is not being maintained in many cases in southem gaols. This financial year, there has been a prison escape in New South Wales every two days. There has only been one escape in Queensland since July, compared with 94 in New South Wales. The Queensland jirison system considers the human factor with wide-ranging educational and work-skills programs which give the opportunity for rehabilitation. However, as with any large body of people, discipline and conforniity are necessary for orderly conduct. The riots aUegedly started over the quality of food but this soon became a minor issue, with far more unrealistic demands being made by prisoners. The Queensland Govern­ ment will not negotiate with prisoners on demands. Justified requests will be given consider­ ation through normal channels. I wUl ensure that aU measures necessary to retain Queensland's top record of secure custody of prison inmates is maintained. Identifiable participants in the riots wiU be prosecuted with the full rigour of the law. Investigations are now proceeding. It is time that Mr Kennedy, Mr O'Gorman and others in the socialist Labor camp and independent camps stopped crying out for civil rights of convicted criminals and started thinking about the civil rights of their victims and the other law-abiding citizens— the taxpayers of this State—^who will now have to pay for the damage caused during last Monday night's riots. A comprehensive review of the Queensland prison system began in January this year with the aim of upgrading methods of providing secure and humane containment. Extensive programs have been provided to increase the expertise of prison officers. The review team has visited all prisons to learn the opinions of prison officers, and seminars have been held for senior ranks. Programs for prisoners are currently being planned. The benefits of this review are long term. I could not end this statement without commending the action of the prison officers to a man, especially the Chief Superintendent (Mr Bill Deischel) and other senior officers during the crisis. The success of the actions and judgment of these officers is shown in the fact that this difficult and dangerous situation was resolved without serious injury oi loss of life. Their work is only made more difficult by the mischievous statements of Mr Kennedy, Mr O'Gorman and other Labor and independent spokesmen who urge the Government to give in to prisoners' demands. It is time that these people realised that we are deaUng with hard-core offenders who will use every means to manipulate the system if possible. However, I am pleased to report that, despite these inflamatory statements, the situation at Brisbane Prison is secure and has returned to near normal, thanks to the efforts of a group of professional and dedicated men.

PERSONAL EXPLANATION Mr MACKENROTH (Chatsworth) (11,48 a.m.), by leave: Page 6 of the "Sunday Sun" of 27 November carried an article by Steve Bishop entitled, "Parliament's a roaring success!" This article was not a roaring success with me. It stated that I pleaded three times with other members to allow me to shout insuUs at the new member for Pine Rivers (Mrs Chapman) during her maiden speech. I should like it placed on record that at no time have I interjected on a member's maiden speech, and that last Thursday afternoon when the member for Pine Rivers made her maiden speech I was in my office on the 13th floor of the Parliamentry Annexe. Questions Upon Notice 29 November 1983 199

I understand that last week was Mr Bishop's first attempt at covering proceedings in ParUament. It appears from his article that his task was to denigrate and ridicule ParUament. I should hope that, in the future, he may possess the ability to get his facts straight when reporting matters relating to me. For his information, I sit on the left-hand side of the Speaker, in the front row, six seats from the end.

PETITIONS The Clerk announced the receipt of the following petitions—

Protection of Federal System From Mr White (17 signatories) praying that the will protect our traditions, institutions and the Federal system. Ban on Publications Concerning Motor-cycling From Mr Powell (119 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland wUl remove the ban on certain publications concerning motor-cycling. Petitions received.

BEHAVIOUR IN CHAMBER Mr SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members, I have now had an opportunity to assess the standard of members' general behaviour during the first week of the session. There are some matters which I wish to draw members' attention. These are— (a) Persistent interjections across the chamber which sometimes include Ministers; (b) The apparent disregard of the Chair when "order" is called; and (c) The tendency by a few honourable members to make disorderly remarks. I remind honourable members that this behaviour transgresses the Standing Orders. Members ought not to be under any misapprehension that such behaviour will continue to be tolerated, Accordmgly, I issue to all members a general warning that disorderly conduct wiU not be given latitude from now on. Let me remind honourable members again that, when I rise in my place, all members will be seated and remain silent. Any transgression of this order will be formally dealt with. Members continuing to seek to flout the Standing Orders will receive one personal warning and then will be dealt with accordingly.

QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE Questions submitted on notice by members were answered as follows— Aboriginal Ownership of Land Mr Stephan asked the Premier and Treasurer— With reference to a statement in "The Sunday Mail" of 20 November in which it was stated that the Federal Govemment is endeavouring to aggregate Aboriginal land in Queensland and the fact that the Aboriginal Development Commission now owns or has laid claim to 47 per cent of the Northern Territory— (1) How much Queensland land is presently under the control of Aboriginal departments. Federal and State? (2) How much Queensland land has been bought recently or is being negotiated by the Aboriginal Developmait Commission? (3) What effect will this poUcy of a separate State within a State have on development, disease control or defence in an emergency situation? Answer— (1 to 3) Land in Queensland, identified for the use and benefit of the Aboriginal people while such need continues, approximates 3 million hectares. It is not possible to identify Commonwealth Aboriginal Affairs Department controlled land because of the 200 29 November 1983 (^estions Upon Notice

multiplicity of quango-type ownerships. However, I should point out to the honourable member that the Commonwealth-sponsored Aboriginal Development Commission has embarked upon a land acquisition spree, using tax-payers* money, in an endeavour to tie up as much land as possible not only in Queensland but throughout AustraUa. Recent studies have shown that although there would only be approximately 150000 Aboriginal people throughout Australia—1 per cent of the population—virtually 12i per cent of the land surface of Australia has been alienated or is subject to claim as a separate apartheid development. This is roughly equivalent to four times the size of the State of Victoria. I inform members of this House that in parts of the Northem Territory, such as Arnhem Land, signs are appearing "No white man permitted here". This practice and policy can only be described as a creeping paralysis on AustraUa as a whole. What is more frightening is that, in the Northern Territory at least, the seas up to 2 km out from the shore of Aboriginal lands can similarly be tied up and, in fact, some areas already have been declared Aboriginal land out of bounds to white people. Tax-payers should note that in the 11 years of Commonwealth intrusion in Aboriginal Affairs from 1972 to 1983, $1.4 biUion has been appropriated by the Commonwealth Department of Aboriginal Affairs, and this does not include the amounts received virtually at gunpoint by Aborigines with their demands for mining royalties. There are, of course, other large amounts contained in the Votes of the Commonwealth Departments of Education, Employment, Housing, and Health, which caimot be readUy identified. At the present time, a total of 48 per cent of the Northem Territory land mass has either been alienated or is subject to claim by Aboriginal people, and already 20 per cent has gone. It is understood that approximately 90 per cent of the total land area of the Northem Territory is technically vulnerable to this type of legal raid with, quite obviously, the blessing of the Commonwealth socialists. It certainly does not project a rosy picture for the future of an emerging State. Last week in C^berra senior academics, lawyers, senior Federal pubUc servants and the Federal Minister for Aboriginal Affahs held a conference at the AustraUan National University. The conference was convened at taxpayers expense and discussed what advantages in the establishment of an Aboriginal state within a State could be expected from intemational law. It is noteworthy that considerable support for the concept of a separate State was evident at the conference. The use of the word "nation" to describe the suggestion was freely used. Let me say this: the policies being implemented now in AustraUa by the Labor Government in Canberra can lead only to the establishment of Aboriginal states and the separate apartheid policies practised in South Africa, I want to assure the honourable member that my Government will have no part of the policies being espoused by the sociaUsts in C^anberra and on the opposite side of this House, My Govemment does not support the form of apartheid and separate development for the Aboriginal people that the ALP promotes. The vast majority of Aboriginal and Islander people seek equal participation and fellow citizenship, enjoying all the rights and privileges as Queenslanders while accepting the same responsibiUties. This is the policy my Government will continue to espouse.

2. Motor Vehicle Inspection Stations Mr Casey asked the Minister for Transport— With reference to statistics relating to the Motor Vehicles Safety Act 1980 in each of the last three years— (1) (a) What was the number of approved inspection stations? (b) What was the number of approved examiners? (c) How many approvals of inspection stations and examiners were cancelled or suspended in accordance with section 41 of the Act? (d) How many appeals were lodged in accordance with section 42 and of these how many were successful? (2) How many (a) full-time and (b) part-time inspectors does the department employ to police the Act? (3) How frequently are inspections made of approved inspection stations? Questions Upon Notice 29 November 1983 201

(4) How many complaints have been received regarding faults found contrary to the certificates of roadworthiness in each year since the Motor Vehicles Safety Act came into operation? Answer— (1) (a) 1981—1479 1982—1 537 1983—1 623 (b) 1981—5 400 1982—5 744 1983—6 175 (c) In respect of inspection stations— 1981— 3 1982—11 1983— 5 In respect of examiners— 1981—21 1982^20 1983—12 (d) Two appeals were lodged, both unsuccessful. (2) (a) 54 (b) nU. (3) On a regular basis dependent on the particular inspector's work-load. (4) 1980—264 1981—223 1982-219 1983—258.

Overseas Trips by Ministers Mr Prest asked the Premier and Treasurer— (1) How many overseas trips were undertaken by State Cabinet Ministers between 1 July 1982 and 30 June 1983? (2) Which members of Cabinet went on overseas trips? (3) Which countries were visited by each delegation? (4) Who was in the company of that member on each trip? (5) What was the total cost of each trip? (6) How much was paid out of (a) departmental funds and (b) private funds? (7) How were these costs divided between (a) fares, (b) accommodation and (c) sundry? (8) Have reports been made by each Minister for each visit as to the purpose of such trip and the results gained? (9) Will these reports be tabled in Parliament? Answer— (1 to 9) I am surprised that the honourable member is not aware of the fact that when a Minister of the Crown travels overseas, notification appears in the Govemment Gazette. If he is so concerned about travel by Ministers of the Govemment during the twelve months to 30 June 1983, I suggest that he finds the time to examine the Government Gazettes for that period. He should also study the Auditor-General's report to the Legislative Assembly on the audit of the departmental accounts, which wiU provide him with details of ministerial expenses for the period in question. 60854—8 202 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

4. Ill-treatment of Disabled Infants Mr Prest asked the Minister for Health— (1) Are recent claims by Mr Justice Kirby, which indicate that disabled infants are sedated and left to starve to death, tme? (2) What protection do these infants have under the existing laws of this State?

Answer— (1) I am advised that there is no evidence that in Queensland hospitals or institutions under the control of my department disabled infants are sedated and left to starve to death. (2) Section 26 of the Hospitals Act 1936-1983 provides that the function of the board shall be the treatment of the sick, and the term "treatment of the sick" includes child welfare. In respect of State legislation in relation to this matter, the question should be referred to my colleague the Minister for Justice and Attomey-General.

5. Jury Service by Doctors Mr MilUner asked the Minister for Justice and Attomey-General— With reference to the recent announcement that doctors will be called upon for jury service in the future— (1) Is he aware that a doctor in a solo practice situation, if called upon for jury service would be unable to provide continuing care to patients as required by the Medical Board? (2) WUl this decision again be considered to aUow doctors exemption from such service, thereby ensuring that the care and safety of patients is not jeopardised? Answer— (1 & 2) The jury system is an integral part of British justice, but for some time there has been concern that the exemptions that have been granted from service on a jury may have resulted in some juries being non-representative of the general community. This results in claims that a person who is facing a criminal charge is not always dealt with by a jury of his peers. Approval was given to a submission by my predecessor to amend the Jury Act 1929-1982 to remove from exemption for jury service persons in a number of categories of employment. As a result of discussions in which I have taken part, it is my intention to have further consideration given to the question of jury service, including the need for exemption of certain occupations. Mr WHARTON: I seek leave to have incorporated in "Hansard" an answer to a question asked by the member for Chatsworth on 25 November 1983. Mr SPEAKER: Order! Because today is a day aUotted to the debate on the Address in Reply, I cannot allow the honourable gentleman to do that. Questions not answered will appear on the Notices of Questions tomorrow. At 12 noon. In accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 17, the House proceeded with the debate on the Address in Reply.

ADDRESS IN REPLY Resumption of Debate—Second and Third AUotted Days Debate resumed from 25 November (see p. 186) on Mrs Chapman's motion for the adoption of the Address in Reply. Mr R. J. GIBBS (Wolston) (12.1 p.m.): I welcome the opportunity to participate once again in a debate on the motion for the adoption of the Address in Reply, At the outset, I thank the electors of Wolston who so sensibly returned a Labor member Address in Reply 29 November 1983 203 to represent them in Parliament, Labor's vote in the Wolston electorate was 64,4 per cent, and today I swear my aUegiance to the 64,4 per cent of the Wolston electors who returned me to this Assembly to represent them. Last Wednesday I was one of those who sat in the late Legislative CouncU CSiamber and heard the Governor's Opening Speech—or, should I say, the Premier's speech, because it was written on his behalf. Those present witnessed the same old, tired and tardy scene and once again heard that the Queensland ParUament would abide by the Westminster system. So that people can have no doubt that the Westminster system does not apply in the Queensland ParUament, and so that honourable members can be made au fait with my intention in rising to a point of order earlier this morning, I shaU state what my proposed point of order was going to be. Before that, however, I point out that today was the first occasion in my six years in this Assembly on which I saw a member of Parliament threatened with a warning under Standing Order 123A for daring to take a further point of order. To say the least, that is extraordinary. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member is reflecting on the Chair. He will withdraw that remark immediately. Mr R. J. GIBBS: I withdraw the remark, Mr Speaker. It was not meant as a reflection on the Chair. I shall read to the House and for the benefit of the media what is provided by Standing Order 108A. The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, in his ministerial statement conceming voting in the electorates of Maryborough and Stafford, made some very serious allegations against the Australian Labor Party. Standing Order 108A provides— "At the conclusion of the Statement, the Minister may move 'That the House take note of the Statement' and, if so, the Leader of the Opposition or his nominee shaU be given equal time to reply to the Statement either immediately, or at some later time, but so as not to intermpt any other business." So the Minister for Justice could have moved that the House take note of his statement. I and my Opposition colleagues—and, I am sure, sensible members on the Government side—beUeve that, because of the seriousness of the implications contained in the Minister's statement, he should have been prepared to debate it on the floor of the House, thereby allowing Opposition members the courtesy of replying to it. When rising to take my point of order earUer this morning, I intended to ask that the matter be debated, Mr Casey: That is a rule of practice in the House of Representatives, Mr R. J. GIBBS: That is absolutely correct. Unfortunately, even though that practice is written into the Standing Orders of this Parliament, it is obvious that it does not apply. I now want to raise a matter that is of vital concem not only to my electorate and the city of Ipswich but also to Queenslanders as a whole. I would not be raising it today if it had not been for my examination earlier this moming of a judgment handed down recently in the Supreme Court of Queensland. Having read that judgment, I feel absolutely compelled to raise the matter now. I make a public call for the immediate dismissal from the Queensland PoUce Force, or, alternatively, the transfer from Ipswich, of one Sergeant Jack Paff, who is assigned to the Traffic Branch in Ipswich. On 18 November 1983, Mr Justice Derrington, in his judgment, found that poUce officer to be a liar, a fabricator, a coward, a trespasser, an assaUant and a harasser. It all came back to a case involving his harassment of two people by the name of Maulud who were renting a property from that honourable gentleman at Torwood. In June 1983, the sergeant of poUce who owned the premises agreed verbaUy that those people could move in and rent the premises from him. In June 1983 he sold the house. On 21 June 1983 he issued to the defendants an illegal notice to quit. On 22 June he performed an Ulegal act by gainuig illegal entry into the premises of those two persons. From the premises he removed a refrigerator, a black and white television and other furniture. On 23 June he once again broke and entered the premises. He stole a 204 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

colour television belonging to those persons. I might add that Mrs Maulud's wedding ring also went missing at the time, and it has never been recovered. Because Mr and Mrs Maulud were so distressed, the matter was r^xwrted to Sergeant Des Melksham of the Torwood police. Lo and behold, would honourable members beUeve that some hours later the stolen and missing colour TV set was not only recovered but also retumed to those two persons? There was no record of either a break and enter charge or a stealing charge relating to the property of those two persons. On 24 June, when that woman was in the house on her own and clutching a small child, that same fine police sergeant. Sergeant Paff, once again broke and entered the premises and threatened the woman. He said that if she and her husband did not vacate the premises he would contact some of his cronies within the police force and have them beaten up. I repeat that that took place while the woman was holding a small child. The poUce sergeant then kicked and smashed furniture on the premises. He turned off the electricity, discoimected the gas supply and chained up the downstairs section of the property. By this time, naturaUy enough, Mr and Mrs Maulud were in extreme fear for their safety. The foUowing Monday they once again complained to the Torwood police. Lo and behold, as they were about to enter the Torwood Police Station, who should be standing on the footpath outside, threatening them with violence as they entered, but Sergeant Paff. He was stUl standing on the footpath when they left the Torwood Police Station to return to the rented premises and to vacate the property. They packed their goods into a vehicle and immediately began to leave. As they were leaving that property, which they had rented from this worthy gentleman, their departure was blocked by the sergeant's car across the gutter. The sergeant then physicaUy pulled one Abdid Latif Maulud from the motor vehicle and, in front of his wife and child, slapped him across the face. In case honourable members should have any reason to believe that I am pursuing a personal vendetta against that gentleman, I shaU make a brief reference to what was said in court about the sergeant. In his judgment, Mr Justice Derrington, referring to the sergeant, stated— ",.. he embarked upon a campaign of harassment to get them out of the house ,.. the defendant has been shown to be completely unreliable,.. The disturbing thing is that when circumstances changed and the plamtiffs refused to move, his disposition changed and his conduct became very bad indeed. It is apparent to me that he has also engaged in deceptive conduct to avoid the ramifications of his actions, even in the conduct of his case. At the preUminary appUca­ tion stage before me, he manifested strong signs of deceitful conduct. During his evidence I find that he was deliberately devious and his evidence, in part, was contradictory." Mr Justice Derrington further commented— " because of my considerable discomfort in beUeving anything that he or his wife have said, I don't know where that increduUty should stop". They are scathing words. Surely the Minister for PoUce cannot leave a person, who has been so described by a justice of the Supreme Court, in a position of responsibiUty in the Queensland Police Force. In addition, I point out that he owms the property at Mackintosh Street, MUton; he owns another home, another allotment; he has a coUection of vintage cars and he also has—get this—a registration to issue certificates of roadworthiness. I can only assume that he has acquired this magnificence of property from very generous overtune payments, to say the least. One would have to say that during the recent election campaign the Govemment very effectively deceived the majority of the public in Queensland in stating that it did not believe in high taxation and increased Gfovemment charges. That was in spite of the fact that three weeks before the election every person who uses the rail commuter services in this State discovered, on arrival at his local raUway station, that fares had increased by 30 per cent. I have in my hand a document that was locked away in a safe in the offices of the Queensland Government and not released during the election campaign. This part of the document contains something Uke 36 pages which relate totally to the increases in charges and costs for the legal profession and other associated areas throughout Address in Reply 29 November 1983 205

Queensland. They include settling lists, the filing of documents, attendances at the court, administration, appeals and taxation of costs and there are increased charges for the registration of bUUard tables, playing bingo, court fees, building societies—^there is no end to them! These 36 pages of increases aU relate to my shadow Ministry, yet during the election campaign there was not one word of the intended increases contained in this document, which vary between 5 per cent and 35 per cent. Very interestingly, one of the areas in which charges have been increased is the hotel industry. I never cease to be amazed that the Queensland Hotels Association bleats when there is any mention of licensed clubs being permitted to sell take-away bottled liquor to their members. When the introduction of poker machines is mentioned that association is to the fore to criticise particularly the Labor Party in this State. Very rarely do I hear of any criticism from the QHA of C^eensland Government policies, and the proof is in the pudding or, should I say, in the document. It contains two pages of increased charges for the hotel industry and I have heard not one murmur from the QHA and I have not heard one murmur from one Dick McGuire, better known as "Mr Meccano", because he fits all situations and puts the pieces together for the Govemment. I wish to make one thing very clear to Mr McGuire. In the past he has come to the Labor Party and has said to me personaUy that he is desirous of ascertaining Labor Party policy on the hotel industry. Although on numerous occasions he has been given the undertaking that the Labor Party is eager to have discussions with the QHA on matters vital to the liquor industry, he has never retumed to accept that undertaking or to issue an invitation to the Labor Party. I now firmly beUeve that the QHA is ahnost a secret conclave, because the only people who play a role in the QHA are the licensees or owners of the hotels that have the big, drive-in bottle shops or liquor marts, because that is where the money is. If one travels around the State and talks to ordinary publicans, many of whom are mnning mum and dad businesses, one finds that at present they are virtually on their knees. They have enormous problems, but the QHA does not give a damn about them. In spite of two recent increases in the price of beer, many hotels in Brisbane, Ipswich and country areas are still selling the product at a discount of 2c a bottle. They have to do so because it is the only effective way in which they can compete with the giant liquor barns and take-away bottle shops sponsored and looked after by the QHA. I emphasise that those sponsored hotels are the only ones that will be affected by any change in the licensing laws to allow or clubs to sell a few bottles of beer to their members. The Labor Party supports such a change, and will continue to do so. The sooner the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General realises that every time he makes a statement on the subject he wUl get whacked by the Premier, the better. He has spoken on the subject three times since the election, and he is becoming an embarrassment to his party colleagues and the Govemment. I was amused by the reference by the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General in a ministerial statement this moming to the fact that he had sent a letter to aU candidates prior to the election. I have the letter here; all honourable members know it exists. It asked candidates to list any complaints they received in relation to the electoral roll on election day. It was a clumsy and devious attempt to attack what has become a very serious administrative problem. Most candidates do not keep records of complaints made to them about the electoral roU on election day; but, coincidentally, I did a Uttle checking on the electoral roU, as I know other members did. I can produce in the Chamber today solid evidence of three cases that need investigation. They make obvious the shocking state of the Queensland electoral roU. The first case relates to a gentleman named Arthur James Tabke, a former organiser for the Australian Workers Union. That gentleman died two months prior to the 1980 State election but, lo and behold, he is still registered as a voter in my electorate and entitled to cast a vote despite the fact that he has been dead for more than three years. I have here a photostat copy of the roU, which I wUl table if necessary. I also have a smaU cardboard notice issued by the Minister stating that if a person happened to be in London on election day provision had been made for him to vote in person at the office of the Agent-General for Queensland. An address at which a vote could be cast was provided. A Mrs Frances Stubbs, a constituent of mine, complained to my office a number of weeks ago that she had received a letter asking why she had not cast a vote at the recent State election. At the time, she was in London. On 28 September she went to 206 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

the office of the Agent-General in London at Australia House, the address given on this piece of cardboard, and was told, "Sorry, we can't give you a vote because you are not on the roll." But she is! She is a registered voter in the Wolston electorate and appears on the 1983 roU. Annie Sophie Jackson went to vote on 22 October but was refused a vote because, it was said, she was not on the roll. She was told that she could sign for a sectional vote; but because she was upset—many people tend to become upset when confronted with this problem—she said that she would not do so. Her name has been on the electoral roU since 1954, She has lived continually at the same address since then, I have here a photocopy of the 1983 Wolston electoral roll showing that this woman, Annie Sophie Jackson of River Road, Dinmore is a person registered to vote, I have given only three of what I believe could be hundreds, thousands or perhaps hundreds of thousands of cases in Queensland. When I looked at the report tabled in Parliament last week by the Auditor-General conceming Electoral Office expenditure I thought it pathetic that about $309,(XX) was not spent, I came to the conclusion that if the $309,000 had been spent on checking enrolments properly and preparing up-to-date, computerised rolls, the Queensland voting system would be in a far healthier state than it is. (Debate interrupted.)

DISTINGUISHED VISITORS Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Row): Order! I apologise for intermpting the honourable member. Will honourable members please welcome, on behalf of the Queensland Government, the Premier of Guadalcanal, the Honourable David Rosalio, and the Minister for Lands, Energy and Natural Resources of Guadalcanal Province, Eric Seri, who are seated in the Speaker's gallery. Honourable Members: Hear, hear!

ADDRESS IN REPLY Resumption of Debate Mr R. J, GIBBS (Wolston) (12,23 p,m.): I hope, Mr Deputy Speaker, that you take note of the fact that that cost me one minute's speaking time, and that it should be added to my 40 minutes. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I remind the honourable member that I apologised when I interrupted his speech. His remark was uncalled for and I ask him to withdraw it, Mr R. J. GIBBS: I withdraw it. This aftemoon, I am paying attention to the activities and the role of the Minister for Justice and Attomey-General. It is important that some of the statements he made early in his career as Attomey-General should be looked at in detaU. A number of weeks ago without any consultation with the Federal Govemment and very little consultation with his departmental officers—other than one person whom I shall not name today but may do so at a later time—he made one of the most ridiculous attacks that I have ever heard on the proposed establishment by the Federal Government of a national crimes authority in Australia. That authority is an absolute must if there is to be a combined effort by the Sates and the Commonwealth to combat organised crime, particularly the activities of organised dmg rings in this nation. The Minister said that he would not support it and that the Queensland Government would not support it. The first reasons he gave for opposing it were that it was an erosion of the State rights of Queensland and, lo and behold, that it was an erosion of people's civil liberties. That is the first time I have heard a Queensland Minister use those words. What an amazing statement by a Queensland Minister! Address in Reply 29 November 1983 207

In case the Minister happened to convince any of his colleagues or the people in this State that the estabUshment of a national crimes authority would be a dangerous thing for Queensland, I should like to make the House aware of some of the extensive safeguards that are to be built into the legislation. They are— "Organised crime" precisely defined and limited; The excuse of self-incrimination wUl apply to natural persons (that is, natural citizens of Australia); Hearings to be in private if public hearing would prejudice the subsequent fair trial or the safety or reputation of a person (in which case he will be guaranteed that it will be held in private); Evidence given at pubUc hearings to be ordered "not pubUc" if pubUcation would prejudice the subsequent fair trial or the safety or reputation of a person; No protection in defamatory law for any report of authority hearing; Search warrant applications to be supported by affidavit and warrants to be limited to specified things; Legal and financial assistance to be available to witnesses in appropriate cases; The NCA to be under the jurisdiction of the Federal Ombudsman; Periodic judicial audits of the working of the authority to be held; and The authority to be subject to a five-year sunset clause. Those important safeguards wiU be buUt into the legislation. They will provide a guarantee. When the Minister for Justice and Attomey-General made that statement about not supporting the authority, it became obvious that he had not read any of the reports other than that one piece of advice that was given to him by a person within the pubUc service. The legislation wUl contain a clause providing that the responsibility will be direct to the relevant State Minister, and from that Minister to the State Parliament, in the case of specific references involving investigation of that State's law. What more could possibly be built into a legislative program? In other words, any investigation in C^eensland by the national crimes authority would be carried out with the consent of, and in consultation with, the State's Attomey-General. The matter would rest on his shoulders. He would have a responsibiUty to report direct to the Parliament on the activities of the authority. So safeguards are buUt into the proposal, I am amazed that the Government is not prepared to support the estabUshment of such a national crimes authority. I reiterate what I have said in this Assembly previously: I wonder why the National Party, which is now in Govemment in its own right, is not prepared to support the establishment of a national crimes authority. During the run-up to the last State election, the members of the National Party made accusations against my party about its attitude to the use of illegal drugs in this State. On many occasions we have drawn the attention of this Chamber to the activities of certain people in Queensland involved in the Ulegal mnning of hard drugs—and we were talking about heroin. Before the recent State election, the National Party referred to the hard, tough line that it would take with dmg peddlers in Queensland. Yet, when the Govemment has the opportunity to join with the other State Governments and with the other Attorneys-Cieneral to discuss the guide-lines for the national crimes authority, it rejects the proposal out of hand, I wonder why. Is it, as some of my colleagues have impUed in this Assembly previously, that there is some sort of a link between the National Party and organised crime in this State? Is that the reason why the Govemment does not want to participate in the establishment of such an authority? I suggest to honourable members and to the pubUc that perhaps that is one of the reasons why the Govemment does not want to enter into discussions on the establishment of such an authority. I ask honourable members to cast their minds back to the Eraser Govemment— I know that that is hard for Govemment members to do—and to its proposal to set up a national crimes commission. The Queensland Government said that it might be prepared to accept such a commission set up by Mr Eraser. It was happy to accept the Supreme Court judge who was appointed to chair that commission, the Honourable Sir Edward WiUiams from Queensland. Suddenly, because of a change of govemment in Canberra, the Queensland Govemment changed its mind about the establishment of such a commission. 208 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

In the remaining minutes available, I wish to make a small reference to a matter that needs to be aired. I am not being critical of the way in which the Honourable Sir Edward Williams conducted the Commonwealth Games; but in the past I have been critical of i)eople in high judicial positions accepting other appointments not of a judicial nature. Those people are appointed to positions of authority to do a job on behalf of the community, and the only way in which they can effectively carry out their duties is to devote their full time to that job. Only last week the fourth report by the Salaries and AUowances Tribunal was tabled in the House. That report referred specifically to the Judges' Salaries and Pensions Act. I am not critical of the salaries or the superannuation benefits that are paid to judges. A number of aK>ointees to the position have had to forgo lucrative careers at the bar. In order to attract the best people to those jobs, salaries and benefits must be attractive. The report reveals that the salary for a justice in the Supreme Court of Queensland wUl rise from approximately $75,000 to $79,0(X) and that of a District Court Judge in Queensland from over $63,000 to approximately $68,000. So members of the judiciary in this State are not being paid a small amoimt of money. But lo and behold, only two weeks ago the Chief Justice of Queensland (Sir Walter CampbeU) asked Sir Edward WUUams to preside over a criminal sittings. The Chief was told that Sir Edward would be unavaUable. The reason for unavaUabiUty at that time was not known, I understand that a special minute or Order in Council, signed by a Mmister, enabled Mr Justice WUUams to take leave. That minute was signed at a time when the Queensland judiciary was overburdened with a backlog of cases in the Supreme Court. That minute was signed so that this fine gentleman could attend a race meeting in Japan caUed the Intemational Cup. That is utterly deplorable. I say again that at the time of the Eraser Government in Canberra, Sir Edward WilUams was appointed Chairman of the National Crimes Commission, as it was then known. The Labor Party in this State wiU have nothing to do with his lobbying for a position of authority, and I wiU be relaying my opinion to the Federal Attomey-General. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Row): Order! I make it clear that the honourable member is not to criticise Sir Edward Williams. Mr R, J. GIBBS: I am not criticising him, I am criticising the fabric of the judiciary in this State, I now tum to another pertinent point, which was made by Mr Justice Kirby, a gentleman for whom I have great admiration and respect. When he was giving one of six Boyer lectures on ABC radio, he made some of the most relevant comments on judicial appointments that I have heard. He said— "The Commonwealth and the States should estabUsh a national judicial institute in consultation with the judiciary. Such an institute should train magistrates and tribunal personnel as weU as judges. The replication of specialist judges from specialist barristers, with only the most occasional external stimulus, is the surest formula, for narrow tunnel vision, resistance to reform ideas and complacent self- satisfaction." I totally agree with those comments because I believe that there is an urgent need in Queensland to look at the appointment of people to the bench in this State, I do not beUeve that I would be out of order if I say again that one of the problems in Queensland is that appointments to the bench are too often made on the basis of political favouritism and not in the best interests of the judiciary. Consequently, the best people are not always appointed to those positions, Mr Jusice Kirby went on to say that these attitudes have no proper place in a modern AustraUan court-room, Mr Lee: You mean Uke Mr Justice Murphy? Mr R, J. GIBBS: I will take that interjection, I have a very high regard for Mr Justice Murphy. Mr Lee: He was a poUtical appomtee. Mr R. J. GIBBS: Let us leave poUtics out of it. Address in Reply 29 November 1983 209

Mr Justice Kirby has never been identified with any poUtical party in his judicial career in Australia. I was called to order for casting some aspersions on a member of the judiciary, but the comment by the honourable member for Yeronga casts aspersions on one of the most prominent and respected members of the Australian judiciary. The report goes on to say— "Mr Justice Kirby said judges in Australia traditionally had been chosen from a 'relatively narrow class of successful middle-aged male barristers. In our judges we need a mixture of the traditionaUsts and the reformist.'" No sensible, thinking, progressive person could argue against that point of view, Mr Justice Kirby went on to say— "InstitutionaUsing orthodoxy or, worse still, judges choosing judges, is quite the wrong way to procure a bench more reflective of the diversity of our country," Mr Justice Kirby's remarks are extremely relevant and should be taken into account by the Attomey-Creneral of this State, Some time ago, alarm was expressed by the community and the judiciary as well as by members of Parliament concerning the appointment of the Chief Justice in Queensland. Regrettably, it can be claimed that certain members on the Government side of the House were guilty of blatant political interference in the appointment. One of the outstanding and memorable statements at that time came from the former Attorney-General, Mr Sam Doumany. He said that, if the person whom he recommended for appointment was not accepted, he would resign. Well, Mr Doumany did not resign. But, by God, did not the electors of Kurilpa treat him in the correct and deserved fashion! I pass now to the Auditor-General's Report on his Audit of the Departmental Accounts Subsidiary to the Public Accounts, In doing so, I do not cast any reflection on the Auditor- General, After all, he is forced by the manner in which the Government conducts its financial affairs to compile his report in a particular fashion. Unlike Queensland, every other State has programmed budgeting, which allows facts and figures to be available to members of ParUament, who know exactly where money has been or will be spent. That is a matter on which my colleague the Deputy Leader of the Opposition wUl comment at a later stage. In relation to my shadow portfolio, I can remember numerous occasions on which I have stood in this Chamber and called for a report on the activities of certain people who conduct illegal businesses in Queensland. On those occasions I criticised the Government for the fact that those people had not filed required returns or had evaded tax, and I was howled down by Government members, who claimed that I did not know what I was talking about. But now, lo and behold, for the first time ever it is pointed out in the Auditor- General's report that 2 500 businesses in Queensland were prosecuted for failing to lodge a return of their business activities or for failing to register their name. It is imperative that members of Parliament be made aware of the names of the companies involved and the names of the directors of those companies, so I appeal to the Minister for Justice to make that information avaUable. If necessary, I will ask for it by way of a question. It is my hunch that the dupUcity and association of some of the persons involved in those companies will be a great embarrassment to the National Party, I would be remiss if, in the remaining four minutes at my disposal, I faUed to mention the lead-up to the recent State election and particularly the activities of some members of this Parliament, I am sure that members on both sides of the House are absolutely appalled at the activities of one member who, in the last week of the election campaign, indulged in a deliberate campaign to torpedo his elected leader. Since the commencement of this sitting, Opposition members have been totally unimpressed with the gang of six members of the Liberal Party who are left on the back benches. They went to a State election and spoke firstly about parUamentary reform, AH honourable members remember their approach to parliamentary reform. However, this morning they were not prepared to support the Labor Party in this House on a challenge to the Standing Orders, So much for their enthusiasm about parliamentary reform! Honourable members wUl remember the allegations made by their then leader, the member for Redcliffe (Mr White), about the corruption that existed in this Government. We have been back in this Parliament for two weeks. I stUl have not seen him stand 210 29 November 1983 Address in Reply on the floor of this House and make a contribution. At this stage he has stiU not, as a former Minister, revealed to the ParUament where the corruption Ues. I beUeve him; I think that it does exist. However, I wish that he would verify that for me. I believe that one of the shameful episodes in which those members have involved themselves took place last Thursday when the Opposition moved on the floor of this House for certain changes to be made to the Elections Act and a motion that involved a condemnation of the two former members of the Liberal Party (Messrs Lane and Austin) for their very shabby treatment of the electorates they represent. On that occasion the Liberal members were not prepared to support the Opposition's attempt to move a motion for parliamentary reform by way of an amendment to the Elections Act which would have made it mandatory for any person, whether he be Labor, Liberal or National, who performed in the way that they did—changing poUtical parties after having been elected to this ParUament as candidates on behalf of a certain poUtical party—to contest a by-election. If any honourable member is big-headed enough to beUeve that he is elected to this ParUament on a personal vote, he should think again. The cold, hard fact is that every member is elected because of the party that he or she represents. When a member changes his party, it is absolutely essential that he should have to contest a by-election. He should go back to his peers and see what they think of him. Mr ALISON (Maryborough) (12.43 p.m.): Mr Deputy Speaker, it is with pleasure that I rise to speak to the motion for the adoption of the Address in Reply to the Opening Speech of His Excellency the Governor of Queensland, Sir James Ramsay, so ably moved by the honourable member for Pine Riyers. I express my personal loyalty and also that of the people of Maryborough to Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. I take this opportunity to thank the people of Maryborough for honouring me again with their confidence to represent them in this Parliament, I pledge myself to work for the benefit of the people of Maryborough as well as for the benefit of the Queensland community generally, I would like to make some comments on the behaviour of certain Opposition members last week. During the six years that I have been absent from this Assembly, it is fair comment that the conduct of some honourable members opposite certainly, has not improved. I was appalled at the conduct of certain of them last week. I could have been excused for thinking that I was at an annual general meeting of the Painters and Dockers Union. Is it any wonder that from time to time the media gives this ParUament a roasting on the conduct of members. Honourable members, generaUy speaking, deserve criticism when they carry on in such a manner. I hope that that is the last we see of it. Mr Lee: Only Labor members! Mr ALISON: The honourable member is correct; but it reflects on the whole House. Before dealing with a matter that is of serious concern to the whole of Australia, I refer briefly to certain important projects and other matters affecting my electorate. One of the major projects in my electorate is the Lower Mary River Irrigation Scheme to which I referred in my maiden speech in September 1971. Work commenced in 1978. The barrage on the Mary River and the work associated with Tinana Creek has been completed. By January 1984 pipelines wiU be completed along both banks of the Mary River below the barrage to supply water to the farmers in those areas. By December of next year, the construction of civil works for the Owanyilla pump station and diversion channel from the Mary River across to Tinana Credc will be completed. By September 1985, instaUation of pumps and electrical works at the OwanyiUa pump station will be completed and operational. The construction of the Walker's Point reticulation system and pump station wiU be carried out during late 1985 and 1986, and the construction of the reticulation works and pump station in the Main Roads area will follow during 1987, When completed, the irrigation scheme wiU be of tremendous advantage to cane farmers, in particular, and I have no doubt that, as a result of its implementation, other crops wUl be planted. My second subject relates to Maryborough being the timber city of Queensland. It has native hardwoods as well as softwood forest plantations. At present, the timber industry in Maryborough is looking forward to a very bright future, especially with the improving outlook for the housing industry. In past years, the cut from the native forests in the Maryborough district has been approximately 70 000 cubic metres a year, Address in Reply 29 November 1983 211 although more recently, because of the depressed level of building activities, the figure has been slightly less than that. The Eraser Island contribution is approximately 23 500 cubic metres of native forest per annum, I will refer to that later in my speech. The area around the city of Maryborough contains one of the largest softwood plantations in Australia—the Toolara-Como, Tuan and Wongi State Forests. At March 1983, those forests covered 60 000 ha. The Forestry Department aims to establish a total plantation resource of approximately 70(X)0ha in the Toolara-Como/Tuan area and 11000 ha at Wongi, with the object of attracting an integrated wood-based industry to the area. The city of Maryborough looks forward to those proposals to give it a much needed boost, Ekono Oy is the leading partner in a consortium to be known as the Nordic Pacific Forest Company Ltd,, which is currently undertaking a feasibility study into the establishment of a newsprint mUl with a production capacity of 180000 tonnes per annum to be sited near Maryborough, The firm has given notice that it is considering three potential sites within 20 km of Maryborough, It has untU AorU next year to make a firm investment commitment to that project. The firm has indicated that, when completed, the paper mill wUI generate permanent employment for some 300 people, and one can assume that there would be additional indirect employment of 57 per cent, which means additional employment for approximately 470 people. That would be very welcome in my electorate. In addition, the State Government desires to establish a sawlog processing industry concurrently with the pulp/paper industry in the /Maryborough area. One of the options avaUable would be for a sawmill to begin operating in 1985, processing 80 000 cubic metres a year and increasing to 160000 cubic metres a year by 1989. A sawmill of that capacity would provide permanent direct employment for approximately 1(X) people. So one can see that Maryborough's future certainly lies with the timber industry. Logging of native forests on Eraser Island provides about 50 per cent of the hardwood cut by the two major Maryborough sawmiUs. Unfortunately, certain people would like to stop logging of Eraser Island. One such body is the Eraser Island Defence Organisation, the so-called conservation group with the avowed aim of stopping logging on the island. Fortunately, the National Party policy is quite clear; it fully supports the very conservative management of the logging industry on Eraser Island by the Forestry Department. On the other hand, ALP policy is also very clear. It wants to make virtually all of Fraser Island a national park, which would wipe out the logging industry. When in Maryborough shortly before the election, the Leader of the Opposition made it quite clear that, under a Labor Govemment, he could not see the logging industry on Fraser Island continuing for more than 20 years. There is a great deal of misconception about the logging industry on Fraser Is'and, and I shall make a few comments that might help to clear the air in regard to harvesting and other procedures adopted by the Forestry Department, The harvesting of timber on Fraser Island dates back to 1867, though hardwood timber was not cut tUl after the tum of the century. It is considered that Fraser Island is large and diverse enough to accommodate many needs, including those of the Maryborough sawmiiUs; that recreation, conservation and timber production can exist side by side; and that, in a way, forestry operations add to the diversity of Fraser Island. About 50 per cent of all the hardwood sawlogs for the Maryborough district come from Fraser Island, as I mentioned earlier, as does about 8 per cent of the total State hardwood supply. About 26 per cent of the island is covered by State forests. The first step to efficient management is to measure the resource. So far, only the timber resource on Fraser Island has been assessed quantitatively. An inventory survey in 1957 counted and measured the trees by species on more than 300 randomly located areas, to estimate the total amount of standing timber. From this was calculated the amount of timber that can be harvested without reducing the total growing stock. The inventory surveys are repeated periodically to check earlier calculations and to allow for changes in the harvesting practice. A second inventory survey on Fraser Island has recently been concluded. Trees on research areas are measured periodically to determine the rate of growth by species and size classes. This information is required to calculate the volume that is added to the resource each year. Other experiments determine the rate of growth of trees when spaced at various distances. An unthinned forest reaches a stage where no net growth occurs—that is, young trees can grow only after old trees die. 212 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

Many so-called conservationists have difficulty with that concept. They seem to think that forest will reach its peak in a natural state if it is fenced off so that everybody is kept out and no farming occurs. They are quite wrong, because a forest left in such a state would degenerate over a period. Research by outside organisations and post-graduate students is being encouraged— for example, studies on nutrient cycling, sedimentation in lakes and the life-cycle and feedmg habits of small anunal Ufe. The two Maryborough sawmills to which I referred are permitted to purchase up to 24 0(X) cubic metres gross measure of hardwood timber per annum. That quantity has been calculated from the recent inventory as being available annually for 60 years under a set harvesting practice, and longer—^perhaps indefinitely—if the large trees are regularly replaced by young ones, I hope that some of my learned Opposition friends grasp that fact. Local forestry officers select the sale areas and mark each tree to be cut. That is literally what happens. Not one tree on Fraser Island is cut by a logging contractor unless it has been marked by the Forestry Department to be cut. The less vigorous shorter-boled trees are selected for cutting first; the more vigorous larger-boled trees are retained at a set spacing. Individual sale areas are generally less than 100 ha in size, and scattered through the State forest area. Vegetation changes quickly and the sale area is broken by country unsuitable for logging. Forestry officers check the logs after cutting to ensure full utUisation. The aim is to cut over an area once every twenty years or longer. Hoop pines are cut only if they are damaged. The stumpage payable depends on the sale price of sawn timber, distance from mill to market, and the cost of extraction, including the size, defect and frequency of occurrence of timber in the bush, the amount of undergrowth and topography. The sawmills are responsible for cutting and extracting the timber. The Forestry Department has the professional obligation to ensure that mature and harvested timber is replaced on State forests with young trees. This regeneration program cannot stop at every suggestion of a cessation in timber production or at every forecast of a drop in timber requirement. Forestry is very much a long-term venture and cannot work on stop^gap measures. The three main hardwood species on Fraser Island are blackbutt, satinay and bmsh box. The replacement of mature satinay and brush box occurs quite adequately in nature, but young blackbutt trees germinate and grow only after some form of drastic disturbance such as a destructive wild fire. On managed forests these destmctive wild fires have no place. Unless dying or harvested blackbutt trees are replaced, the blackbutt forest will end up as brush box thickets. Only the moister, more sheltered areas will eventually (in several hundred years) change into tall satinay/brush box forests with a rain forest understorey. The two methods by which young blackbutt can be replaced are by simulating a wild fire on a small contained area or by planting. The former practice is called regeneration burning and has been used since the early 1930s, An area adequately stocked with seed trees but lacking in young regrowth is selected. The undergrowth is pushed or bmshed and the area burned when a good seed crop is ripe. Merchantable trees are harvested and non-merchantable trees ring-barked. Unless young blackbutt seedlings are given maximum overhead Ught their growth will be poor. The effectiveness of ring-barking is enhanced by applying a diluted solution of Tordon to the frill with an oil can, I should say that the regeneration burning technique is no longer used on Fraser Island, The practice currently preferred to regeneration buming is enrichment planting. Snig tracks are widened after logging and the site is generally disturbed wUh a dozer. Mechanical soil disturbance has been found to have a similar effect to soil sterUisation by buming. Blackbutt plants of Fraser Island seed are raised in small peat containers then outplanted in the openings no closer than six metres from a retained tree. The plants are given a starter dose of fertiUser, By this method each hectare is enriched with two to three hundred young blackbutt plants. Again the non-merchantable large trees are raised at the phytophthora-free nursery at Toolara under expert supervision, rather than on Fraser Island, Enrichment planting is preferred to regeneration buming because resuUs are usuaUy more certain, competing weed growth is less in the absence of fire and the cost of spacing dense regeneration does not have to be met. Overall initial growth is better with enrichment planting. Address in Reply 29 November 1983 213

I hope those few comments wiU clear the air a Uttle about what really goes on at Fraser Island relative to the regeneration of hardwood forests. The Maryborough Police Station was buUt about 80 years ago. It is completely inadequate for the number of poUce officers using it and the equipment in it. The Works Department is doing its best by providing partitions and so on, but I have already approached the responsible Minister to have the Maryborough Police Station listed for very early replacement. The whole of the poUce establishment should be looked at, including the lock-up. The TAFE College at Maryborough shares facilities with the Maryborough High School. That is a completely inadequate and unsatisfactory arrangement for both the TAFE coUege and the high school. I propose to make a detailed submission to the Minister for Education and the Minister for Works and Housing about resiting the TAFE college so that the whole area may be available for the Maryborough High School, In that way better faciUties will be avaUable for the students at the Maryborough High School, Maryborough has a serious shortage of Queensland Housing Commission homes and duplexes. I should not think that Maryborough is the only city with this problem. Last week, Maryborough had 60 outstanding applications for two-bedroom homes or duplexes. I have approached the Minister for Works and Housing to get something done in a hurry about providing a substantial number of duplexes and a certain number of Housing Commission homes. Successive Federal Governments, both ALP and Liberal, have caused the greatest division in history among the people of Australia relative to land and mineral rights for Aborigines. It may be recalled that a constitutional referendum was held in 1967. [Sitting suspended from I to 2.15 p.m.} Mr ALISON: Before the luncheon recess I was referring to the divisiveness in the Australian community created by problems with land and mineral rights. I was about to refer to the 1967 referendum. One of the two elements dealing with the Aboriginal part of the referendum was aim«i at altering section 51 (26) of the Constitution, which was origiriaUy worded— "The people of any race, other than the aboriginal race in any State, for whom it is deemed necessary to make special laws." It was proposed to omit the words, "other than the aboriginal race in any State". By so doing the CJommonwealth would be enabled to include those people as part of its legislative prerogative. The second element concemed the omission of section 12 of the Constitution, which stated— "In reckoning the numbers of the people of the Commonwealth, or of a State or other part of the Commonwealth, aboriginal natives shaU not be counted." After ratification by the referendum, omission of this section was achieved by the Constitution Alteration (Aboriginals) Act 1967. The actual question in the referendum was— "Do you approve the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled— 'An Act to alter the Constitution so as to omit certain words relating to the people of the Aboriginal race in any State and so that aboriginals are to be counted in reckoning the population'." The Australian electorate overwhelmingly voted in favour of this second Constitution question with a majority vote registered in all States and with an overall AustraUan majority of 4 656 106 votes. This was the most successful referendum vote recorded by Australian electors. I make that point to substantiate the claim that the Australian people are not racist by nature. The overall Australian vote was 10 to 1 in favour of the referendum question proposed by the then Federal Govemment. It is completely ludicrous to say that the members of the Australian non-black population are racist when they talk about problems with the poUcies on land and mineral rights which are espoused by various Federal Governments, I refer to an article in "The Courier-MaU" of 30 May 1967, simply to give the House an idea of the political cUmate at the time regarding the whole Aboriginal question. It reads— "Calls for action to implement the 'yes' vote on the aboriginal question in last Saturday's referendum came from three widely separated sources yesterday.

In Liberal New South Wales M,P, Mr, W, C. Wentworth said the Govemment now should consider immediate action to make Saturday's vote effective. 214 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

The Brisbane leaders are Mrs. Muriel Langford, secretary of the One People of AustraUa League (OPAL) and Pastor Don Brady, of West End Methodist Mission, Both said the vote merely 'opened the gate' for further developments. 'One people' Mrs. Langford said that now aboriginals wanted to be treated 'just like anybody else.' They did not want charity or treatment as a special kind of people, 'Now, accordmg to law, there is only one people—^the Australians,' she said. Pastor Brady said discrimination against aboriginals by employers and landowners would have to disappear as part of progress. A public relations campaign on behalf of all coloured people living in Australia was being planned, he said. Fair and dark would have to get together to resolve differences and misunderstandings. First steps appeared to be:— Formation of an adult education centre to deal with the problem of ill-educated country aboriginals seeking jobs in the city. Setting-up of an employment agency and information centre in South Brisbane. Talks with employers and landlords to remove the last vestiges of discrimination. The holding of seminars and meetings with university staff and aboriginals to discuss the heritage of native people and their future in this country. 'There is a lot of work to be done.' Pastor Brady said. 'Aid States' Mr. Wentworth said future Federal policy on aboriginals should be referred to a standing or select committee of Parliament. He said the Federal Govemment could grant to each of the States for the year 1967-68 assistance equal to 25 per cent of their annual expenditure on aboriginal advancement, provided they maintained their own votes for expenditure during the year. This grant could be for one year only, pending the working out of a policy of Federal aid on a more-considered basis. 'It seems to me that this proposal should be made to the States without delay so that they can start to lay their plans for 1967-68,' he said. Mr. Wentworth said the aborigmal people themselves should be involved as sooi^. as possible in discussions about their future so their real wishes could be known." I read that article at length to give honourable members an idea of the reasonableness and light that was prevalent at the time in the relationship between the Aborigines and other Australians. No-one could claim that anything in that article from "The Courier- MaU" reflects a radical or extreme attitude. Unfortunately, the Australian community now has problems in that relationship. From 1972 the relationship between white Australians and black Australians has gone right off the rails, moving from calm and reasonableness to discrimination against white Australians. Federal Governments have given black Australians unheard of rights and privileges not requested for white Australians. Mr Whitlam started this divisiveness; Mr Fraser did not have the sense or the courage to stop it. Under Bob Hawke, rampant discrimination is causing deep resentment and divisions between white and black Australians. Mr FitzGerald: What wiU happen in the Northern Territory? Mr ALISON: Much has already happened in the Northern Territory. Over 30 per cent of the Territory has now been alienated and placed in the hands of black AustraUans. I can understand why members of the ALP are upset about these matters. Their policy on the Aborigine is well-known. Mr Borbidge: They are dividing the nation. Mr ALISON: They are, and their poUcy is very clear. Mr Menzel interjected. Mr ALISON: They will lose the Northem Territory election on that very point. Mr Davis interjected. Address in Reply 29 November 1983 215

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Row): Order! The member for Brisbane Central will cease interjecting. Mr ALISON: An ALP State Government in Queensland, by carving up Queensland freehold land, would work hand in hand with Mr Hawke to create an atmosphere in which black Australians would be opposed to white Australians. The present problem need not, and should not, have arisen. Prior to 1972, the great majority of white Australians wanted to help the Aborigines either to assimiUate into our modern Australian community or, if they so desired, to continue living their traditional way of life. Now, as then, white Australians did not oppose Governments' setting aside sufficient appropriate areas of land to enable Aborigines to continue their traditional way of Iffe forever, if they so desire. However, Mr Hawke is not justified in giving Ayers Rock to the Aborigines or in setting a target of 10 per cent of AustraUan freehold land to be given to the Aborigines over the next five years. Mr Borbidge: That is one acre in 10. Mr ALISON: That is correct—for just on 1 per cent of the population. The great majority of people still want to help the Aborigines take their place in the AustraUan community. However, for the last 11 years successive Labor and Liberal Federal Govemments have made massive special payments to and on behalf of Aborigines and have granted Aborigines control over some 30 per cent of the Northern Territory, Aboriginal councUs and committees have been set up and have been given mineral rights that have resulted in their receiving income of many milUons of dollars, some of which has filtered through to the Aboriginal people. Mineral rights will result in massive wealth for Aboriginal communities. Vast tracts of land in the Northem Territory are under the sole control of Aborigines, White Australians cannot travel through them without a special permit from the Aboriginal council controlUng the land. I am referring to Australia, and not to some foreign country, Mr Borbidge: The implications for defence, quarantine and health are very serious. Mr ALISON: That is quite correct. I congratulate the Premier on his statement this morning that a full-scale battle would develop between the Queensland Govemment and the Federal Government to sort this matter out once and for aU. Some time ago the Premier warned that the placing of vast tracts of land solely under Aboriginal control would bring aU sorts of trouble, apart from resentment from white Australians. For example, control wUl be lost over quarantine, iUegal immigrants and the entry of drugs into Australia, to name only a few potential problems. Mr Katter: But the vast majority of them want to be Queenslanders. Mr ALISON: That is correct. It is the stirrers and so-called do-gooders, aided and abetted by ALP members, who are causing the problems. As an example of the woolly thinking of the poUticians and bureaucrats in Canberra, I refer to the budget of the Federal Department of Aboriginal Affairs for 1983-84, which provides $r85m for spending solely on and on behalf of Aborigines, Aborigines have every right and access to every faciUty provided by aU Govemments, just as white Australians do, and this expendUure of $185m is just over and above what Aboriginal AustraUans would receive by way of social welfare, health services, and so on, from other Federal Government departments and the other two tiers of govemment. In case someone caUs me racist—it is not a matter of being racist, I have many Aboriginal friends. I am not attacking Aborigines; I am attacking the ridiculous system that was begun by the Whitlam Govemment, was carried on by the Fraser Government and is now being perpetuated by Mr Hawke. Unfortunately, through discriminatory thinking on the part of politicians and bureau­ crats in Canberra and quite stupid government from Canberra, Australia is being divided into two peoples: the white Australians and the elite black Australians, with the black Australians having rights and privileges, including land and mineral rights, that are completely unheard of for white Australians. 216 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

Unfortunately, the damage is done, and I foresee a political backlash against the Federal Government if it does not come to its senses and see what it is doing to the AustraUan people. I foresee that the non-black Australian voters will demand of the Federal Government that these discriminatory practices cease forthwith. If they do not, the Federal Government will pay the penalty at the ballot-box. The Australian people cannot expect the ALP Federal Government to stop the discrimination; its poUcies will not aUow it to do so. It wUl be up to the Queensland Government and a future National-Liberal Federal Government to redress the situation and to treat all Australians as one people, thereby bringing an end to the unnecessary divisiveness that now exists in the community, Mr GOSS (Salisbury) (2,28 p.m.): May I say at the outset how proud and pleased I am to represent the people of SaUsbury in this House. On behalf of the electors of SaUsbury, I extend, as have speakers from both sides of the House before me, the customary offer of loyalty to the Crown—^and, indeed, to all those institutions and values that have made Australia such a fortunate country, I thank aU those people who worked so hard to support me in the Salisbury campaign and, in particular, my campaign director and committee, the members of the Ckwpers Plains and Sunnybank branches of the Labor Party, some of whom are in the gallery today, the Labor Lawyers Association and all my family, especially my parents and my wife, Roisin. Salisbury is a diverse electorate, in many ways a result of typical Queensland electorate boundaries. It includes all or part of SaUsbury, Coopers Plains, Acacia Ridge, Algester, Calamvale, Sunnybank, Sunnybank HUls, Stretton, Runcorn, Runcorn Heights, Fruitgrove, Kuraby and Woodridge. I wUl be working hard over the next three years to represent the interests of SaUsbury electors and, with my coUeagues on this side of the House, the interests of aU Queenslanders. What we are committed to, for SaUsbury and for Queensland, is govemment of fair and open administration with social, economic and traditional legal justice for all Queenslanders. Queensland is a State of great wealth, rich in both natural resources and talent, yet impoverished in its system of govemment and the way in which it provides for its people. With each passing year, powerful interests accme more power, and patronage and favouritism increase—at the expense of the Uving standards and freedoms of average Queenslanders. I tum now to certain matters of great concern to myself and to my constituents. These include— (a) the urgent need for a new high school in the Runcorn/Sunnybank HiUs area; (b) the lack of funding and need for better planning for the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital; (c) the lack of police protection and assistance for most of the electorate; and (d) poor economic planning, which has led to severe problems in the Salisbury electorate in the manufacturing sector, highlighted at the GMH plant at Acacia Ridge and (Commonwealth Enguieering at Salisbury. It is hard to understand how a State Government could perform as badly as this one on so many fronts at the same time. Of course, the Government has continued to paint an attractive economic landscape and has continued to talk up the economy; but basicaUy it has ridden along on the back of the resources boom. This aspect of the Queensland economy has been fortuitous and inevitable. This Government's administration has been irrelevant to this boom and/or without benefit to the great majority of Queens­ landers. Instead, a weU connected and select few have derived great benefit. The education of our young people should be one of the highest priorities of any Government tmly interested in its children and the future of this country. I wiU be doing all in my power to advance the opening of a new high school in my electorate. The Government has land purchased and available for this purpose at two sites at Runcorn and Sunnybank Hills. The primary schools in the electorate are excellent schools well supported and supplemented in funds and facilities by hard-forking parents and citizens. 1 commend these people for their selfless attitude and not just for their ongoing work but also their recent special effort in drawing a compelling submission to the Minister. Address in Reply 29 November 1983 217

However, in contrast, the present high schools servicing this area and adjoining electorates are Sunnybank High and Macgregor High, both of which are badly overcrowded. I suggest that they carry double the recommended numbers for such high schools. I hope that, in the interests of all of the children of all those electorates, the representatives of the electorates of Mansfield and Mt Gravatt wUl work with me, in a co-operative spirit, to overcome this problem. Indeed, I can assure them that their constituents would certainly be grateful if they did, because children at those schools would no longer have to endure overcrowding and associated problems, as they do at present. The Minister for Education has now received a detailed submission. I hope that he has read it. It is supported by statistics from a representative group of parents and citizens from aU three electorates. I implore him to give careful consideration to their plea and to their earnest endeavours. Also high in the priorities of any Government should be the health of its citizens. The QE II Hospital at Salisbury is underfunded and understaffed. Over the next three years I will seek, by positive representation, to draw attention to the health needs of the people of SaUsbury. I join with the Australian Medical Association in its condemnation of the Govemment's decision to take away all the remaining QEII Hospital reserve land for an industrial technology park. That retrograde step wUl deny the people in my electorate, the electorate of Mt Gravatt and surrounding areas, basic public hospital faciUties and will preclude in the future the provision of other facilities such as maternity, children's and psychiatric services. Heaven knows we wiU need more psychiatric services after another three years of National Party government! What makes the Government's decision even more dubious and suspicious is that plenty of land is available in the area. I urge the Govemment when considering this matter to listen to the views of the local community, local organisations, local members of Parliament and the Australian Medical Association, and to give those views priority over special favours for southern-based finance companies. SaUsbury, like many other parts of Brisbane and Queensland, is without ready access to police protection, especially outside normal working hours, A Labor Govemment will increase police numbers, AU that the National Party does is promise increased police numbers. I am honoured to have been appointed Opposition spokesman on police matters, and I intend to work for increased poUce numbers and improved facUities. Some of the conditions under which police work in this State are nothing short of disgraceful. Those conditions only reduce poUce efficiency, FoUowing the recent scandal about the Police Air Wing, the ability of the poUce to effectively deal with crime in outlying areas of this State, particularly in the north. Has been taken away. In any case, two of the planes that were purchased were highly unsuitable for police work and more suited to ferrying Ministers round the State. That is the Government's attitude to crime in this State, and particularly to the severe drug problem that exists in the north, I am pleased to have had an opportunity to meet with the Police Commissioner (Mr Lewis) and his senior officers and also separately with the police union executive. I am confident that contact with such men wUl ensure that I am better equipped to carry out my role as Opposition spokesman. However, I sound a note of warning and urge the poUce force to guard against further attempts by the Premier to manoeuvre the police into a partisan political position for his own dubious political motives. For it is both the community and the image of the police force which suffer when the Premier gives illegal and improper directions to the police force, whether* they be to prevent citizens from exercising basic rights of free speech and assembly, or whether they involve vexatious and spiteful investigations against his political opponents. In this regard reform is required of certain sections of the Traffic Act, an Act which would bring joy even to the heart of General Jaruselski. I am sure that Lech Walesa, if he lived in The Gap, rather than Gdansk, would undoubtedly join the long list of Queens­ landers who have fallen foul of the Traffic Act. 218 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

On the economic front, Salisbury has suffered from the poor economic planning of this Gbvernment, When times were good the Government could have—^should have—laid the foundations for a strong manufacturing sector so that we would have something to fall back on when the resources boom faltered. As a consequence SaUsbury has seen the great engineering institution of Commonwealth Engineering tragically winding down. We have heard the announcement of the closure of the GMH plant at Acacia Ridge, This Govemment claims to have created a more favourable economic climate than that of southern Labor States, yet GMH and Malleys are relocating in those selfsame Labor States. The Premier travels to Europe next week in the hope of interesting another manufacturer in taking over the GMH plant. I wish him luck, but how reaUstic is his proposal? What is needed is a long-term solution and his measure will not achieve that. Queens­ land is wealthy in natural resources and talent and should be turning to the development of the local manufacturing industry rather than contracting work out to such places as South Korea, The Premier complains loudly and often about foreign aid to our Asian neighbours yet, one could observe with some irony, he seems to be doing his share when it comes to their manufacturing sector. There is a yawning gap between what this Grovernment says and what it does; between the flowing promises and the actuality; between the expensive public relations brochures and the truth. As T. S. Eliot said of "The Hollow Men", so I say of the National Party front bench— "Between the idea And the reality Between the motion And the act FaUs the shadow." In the area of traditional civil rights, there is the continuing disgrace of the failure of the Government to reform the law relating to the liberty of the citizen and poUce powers. The 1977 Lucas committee report remains unimplemented and is a discarded rag doll that is ocassionally thrown round when some new outrage surfaces. To overcome the notorious and well-recognised practice in police interviews of verballing by a small number of police officers, the central recommendation of the report was to provide for tape recording of all police interviews. After the Lucas committee report was handed down, the Government appointed yet another committee to emasculate the Lucas committee recommendations, and that was the effective end of the Lucas committee report. In recent times, however, the PoUce Department and the Queensland PoUce Union have seen that tape recording of interviews can be beneficial and efficient. Interviews are tape recorded by sections of the police force already, for example the Fraud Squad, but wider implementation is important to the rights of the citizen and respect for the police. I urge the police union to think again about the Lucas report proposals to abolish the right to sUence or the right not to incriminate oneself, a right which is a foundation of our way of life, of our kind of democracy. Similarly, the right of police to detain cUizens without arrest and without charge for an unUmited period is also objectionable and, as has been said by the president of the Queensland Bar Association, these recommendations sound "like something you would find in a South American dictatorship or a Soviet bloc country" That there is almost a universal condemnation of such powers was evident at the time of the introduction of the Commonwealth Games Bill. The then Police Minister (Mr Hinze) endeavoured to introduce detention without arrest, but this proposal was subsequently withdrawn, owing to widespread public indignation. In the light of that debate, the Govemment's subsequent attitude to this issue this year shows nothing more than contempt for the views of the average citizen and for his traditional rights. Notwithstanding the overwhelming rejection last year of such measures as detention without arrest, the Government tried again, with the Queen Street Mall legislation, to introduce detention without arrest, and public outcry again forced the withdrawal of that measure, I caU on the Minister for PoUce to state positively that the Government will not try again. I do so because I am concerned that, first, the Government had tried to get in the front door with the Commonwealth Games Act, then it went round and tried to get in the back door with the Queen Street Mall legislation. Being rebuffed twice should have been enough, but these burglars of our basic freedoms then tried to climb in the side window with the Law Courts and State Buildings Protective Security Address in Reply 29 November 1983 219

Act only one week after the rejection of the Queen Street MaU proposals. If I were not a civU libertarian I would have these burglars detained for an unlimited period in some convenient place—to use the words of their own proposed statutes. On the other hand, how does one compare that attitude with the attitude of this Government when the individual citizen has a grievance against the Govemment or some other powerful interest? In the radioactive sand issue the Government avoided its responsibility, the companies involved avoided any liability, and the citizens were left to fend for themselves. Instead there was a farcical system of low interest loans drawn on the instmction of the responsible Minister so that they were very difficult to obtain. There were requirements for so much personal information that applicants were deterred. I chaUenge the Minister for Health to tell this House how many loans have been approved, and of what value. Such examples highUght the gap—^the shadow—^between the laws that this Government is prepared to pass to regulate the freedoms of its citizens and the absence of regulation when it comes to jwwerful interests. This Big Brother mentality, involving as it does a disregard for the individual, must be changed. Perhaps the CJovernment's mentality is aptly described by the words of the American actor, James Cagney, who said— "Steal a buck and they put you in jail, Steal a mUlion and they call you sir!" What is also needed in Queensland is the right of a citizen to chaUenge the fairness of Government decisions. Decisions affecting specific rights of individuals are made every day by the Government through statutory boards. Ministers and departmental officers. I believe that such decisions should be made in accordance with the principles of natural justice. Those principles are not mere rhetoric; they mean that when decisions are made affecting a citizen's liberty, property or legitimate expectations, he has a right to a fair hearing, free from any reasonable suspicion of bias. These rights are very important where citizens are most vulnerable as, for example, in the case of chUdren. But children's rights are little respected in this State. When a chUd appears before the Children's Court charged with, say, the unlawful use of a motor vehicle, the court wiU decide whether or not to put the child into the care and control of the Director of Children's Services, However, once a child is placed in care and control the real decision-making power as to what happens to the child—whether he or she is sent to Westbrook or some other institution, or even released—is taken out of the court's hands and given to the "hidden court" of departmental discretion. The child or parent has no statutory right to a fair hearing. In this respect, I suppose it is pleasing to note that the Govemment's White Paper on Family Welfare Legislation proposes the right to a fair hearing in such cases. I look forward to seeing the details of that legislation, which has been promised since 1979 but is still not available in detailed form. That leads me to the subject of prison reform. For the outcasts of society—^the prisoners and those detained in mental hospitals—the absence of natural justice, in terms previously reefrred to, remains an open scandal. The Parole Board, for example, sits in secret, gives no right of appearance, gives no reason for its decisions, and then there is no right to appeal. For two years, on behalf of the Labor Lawyers Association, I have been making positive suggestions on reforms of the parole system. But, despite a ministerial promise in February 1982 to review the system, there is no evidence of government action. On 16 May this year I warned the Queensland Govemment that unless it took positive steps to reform this aspect of our prison system, it would face serious unrest and bitterness in prisons, and, sadly, that prediction has come tme. In spite of that, the Minister refuses to take any positive initiative. He has simply decided to act tough, kick heads and do nothing. Last Friday he lashed out at the Labor Lawyers Association for supporting the prisoners; yet that organisation had issued no statement. One must question his control of himself and of his portfolio.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Row): Order! The honourable member is making certain reflections on the Minister. I ask him to withdraw those personal remarks. Mr Casey: The Minister can always make a reply. 220 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

Mr FOURAS: I rise to a point of order. My understanding is that the Chair cannot, on behalf of another member, seek a withdrawal. It must be requested by the member who feels that he has been misrepresented. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I made my ruling under Standing Order 120, which provides— "A Member shall not digress from the subject-matter under discussion, or comment upon expressions used by another Member in a previous Debate of the same Session; and aU imputations of improper motives, and all personal reflections, shall be deemed highly disorderly." I consider that there have been personal reflections, and I ask the honourable member to withdraw them. Mr GOSS: Out of respect to your office, Mr Deputy Speaker, I comply with your request. A tribunal is needed to review administrative decisions of State Govemment departments and instrumentalities. That mechanism should be as informal as possible and accessible to citizens in all parts of the State, Action is needed in the area of criminal convictions, A fundamental aim of a demo­ cratic society should be to assist offenders to fuUy rehabilitate themselves and to have the opportunity to play a useful role in the community. At present, the stigma of conviction lasts a Ufetime, preventing many who committed petty offences in their youth from ever engaging fully in jobs or public life. I would like to see certain criminal convictions expunged from the record after a period of years, varying with the gravity of the offence. Those who are fortunate enough to be given probation or a bond, thereby avoiding a conviction for life, are in a more favourable position to fully rehabiUtate themselves; but the others bear for life the scar and stigma of that conviction. Thus, a 17-year-old youth convicted of shop-lifting may be debarred for life from a variety of professions, careers and opportunities. The suggestion that Queensland introduce a system of expunging of criminal records after a certain period was well received when first raised by me over a year ago; yet such a simple measure remains unimplemented. Society cannot afford the luxury of thousands of law-abiding citizens being excluded from fiUl participation in pubUc life because of the sins of their youth. Such a form of rehabiUtation costs nothing. Many individuals and groups are disadvantaged and discriminated against for various reasons, A just and caring society should be ever vigUant to use the law to ensure that such citizens are not treated unfairly. In the case of chUdren born out of wedlock there is a pressing need to unify the court system. It is an anachronistic disgrace that under the guise of State rights the Attorney- General maintains a separate State court to hear custody and access questions conceming children born out of wedlock, even where the brothers and sisters of those children are the subject of contemporaneous hearings in the Family Court, a Federal court which, because of its extensive counseUing and associated facUities, provides a much better service than the State Supreme Court to the citizens of Queensland. No single group has been more discriminated against by this Govemment than the Aboriginal and Islander people. In November 1980, prior to the last State election, the Premier promised to repeal the notorious Aborigines Act and the Torres Strait Islanders Act. They remain in force today. Not only have these Acts attracted widespread criticism from Aboriginal and Islander groups, but also they have been roundly criticised by successive reports of the International Commission of Jurists on these three main grounds— Violation of human rights as expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on CivU and Political Rights; Excessive delegation of law-making power out of the hands of Parliament and into the hands of the executive; and A patent lack of consultation wUh the Aboriginal and Islander community. There is a manifest need to end this paternalistic administration and to replace it wUh legislation that aUows for secure land rights, effective community participation and local government by Aboriginal and Islander communities. All cUizens, be they migrants or indigenous people, should be protected by legislation from discrimination on the basis of race. Address in Reply 29 November 1983 221

The majority sector of our community is women. Discrimination against women is similarly untouched by Queensland law, yet there is abundant evidence that Queensland women do not enjoy full equaUty of opportunity in regard to matters of employment, super­ annuation and even access to credit. Instead of expressmg support for Senator Ryan's legislation, Queensland Govemment figures have tumed their back on rational debate in favour of the hysterical and misleading cacophony opposed to the most elementary recognUion of the rights of women. Is it unreasonable to expect that these changes cannot occur? Have we become so deadened in our imagination that we no longer have the courage to create a just society to carry through with any one or all of these reforms? All of these goals are within our reach. However, I do not contend that law reform is the whole answer, for relations between human beings represent more than mere bundles of legal rights. We see here the absence of positive legislation to correct the situation and to introduce these reforms. On the other hand, when it comes to the freedoms and traditional rights of Queens­ landers we see a battery of restrictive and negative legislation from this Govemment, We should all heed the remarks of a very distinguished Australian who said— "Law can and must and wUl evolve to solve and meet the changes in social, industrial and international relationships taking place in the world today, 'Law and order' is one of today's important political issues. There is a danger, however, that we try to achieve too much order with too little law, by by-passing the processes we have inherited from those eight centuries of experience and hard fought battles against tyranny. The people of Queensland look to the law to defend their rights." These warnings against the excesses of executive government, unchecked by the traditions of law, were made by none other than the representative of the Crown who presides over the Executive Council—His Excellency Commodore Sir James Maxwell Ramsay, KCMG, KCVO, CBE, DSC, Governor of Queensland—^when speaking at the official opening of the Law Courts at Brisbane on 2 September 1981. Many people opposite talk about others wanting to impose radical philosophies and values on our society. That is not us. We on this side of the Chamber stand, as we always have, for economic justice and traditional rights, traditional safeguards against the excesses of the State, It is those opposite who seek to take away the freedoms which our society holds so dear, to take away fair competition in favour of selfish patronage. They are the radicals. They are the ones who seek to impose radical new rules foreign to the Australian democratic tradhion. They must be resisted! I am one of a generation of Queenslanders whose adult life has never known any system of government other than the present unresponsive and shambling machine. Too long a period of arrogant and unresponsive mle can numb the mind and deaden the heart. We must work hard to overcome this. For the people of Salisbury and Queensland I pledge my efforts towards a goal of a more just, fair society—socially, economically and legaUy. I thank the people of Salisbury and my suroorters for their confidence and for the opportunity to work towards that goal. Mr LINGARD (Fassifern) (2.56 p.m.): I make this maiden speech with the thought that it should be an outline of my personal thoughts and aspirations. I relate these feelings without any concern about whether they are contentious and open to criticism or, for that matter, whether they are in line with my own party's policy. This speech is a statement of my ideals, which I want to become reaJity. First of all, on behalf of all the people of Fassifern, I express continued loyalty and affection to Her Majesty C^ieen Elizabeth II and to His ExceUency the Govemor. The people of Fassifern wish to acknowledge also their sincere appreciation for the magnificient work by Mr Sel Muller for the past 15 years. At all times he has worked dUigently for the benefit of everyone and has maintained his sense of humour and civility. He can certainly relax in retirement knowing that he earned the respect of everyone with whom he came into contact. As Speaker of the House he eamed simUar respect, and due comment has already been made by the party leaders. I convey congratulations from Mr Muller and myself to Mr Speaker on his appointment. I remind the House that Mr Muller's retirement ends a period of 48 years in Queensland politics for the MuUer family. For a period of 33 years Sel MuUer's father also was the member for Fassifern. 222 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

The electorate of Fassifern has been held by Country Party and National Party members since 1873. As long as I work hard and weU, I am confident of holding it for a very long time. First of all, I accept that I am very fortunate. I belong to a party which has an absolute majority for the first time in its history. It takes over fiUed with enthusiasm and the hopes of the people of Queensland who supported it. I come into the magnificent splendour of this House with all the restoration completed. Previous members have had to put up with the trauma and turmoil of restoration. The magnificence of this House is a credit to all concerned, and the Parliamentary Annexe supplements the splendour of the House. I congratulate those people who made the initial decisions and had the foresight and determination to carry out the project. They have left for everyone who comes into the House the fruits of their labour. Many of them barely had the chance to take advantage of the great work they completed. Surely even Opposition members have to accept that. I appeal to the new backbench members of the Opposition to show a positive attitude at times when quite obviously some great achievements have been made. All I have heard from the Opposition is snarl, grumble and whinge since I came here. I was disai>pointed that my neighbouring member for Salisbury fell into that trap. We are part of a State which is bursting with confidence and the belief that we are not only different from the rest of Australia, but also better than it. We do not have a country or State which is beset by war or civil disturbance. We do not have an economic crisis. Our only limitation is the ability of the 82 of us to plan our projects and see them implemented. Over the next two decades, the way clearly is open for this Government to achieve advancements in social, cultural and economic areas which will make these golden years for following generations. If we are determined that Queensland wiU become the cultural, economic and sporting centre of the nation, we can do it. Events such as the last Commonwealth Games show that people wiU support us. But let us not wait for people to come forward and beg for schemes. No Government achieves great things by simply supporting initiatives. Govemments must initiate initiatives. Success brings support in all aspects of life. When a school wins the rowing championships, all of its students want to be rowers. If it wins the , they aU want to play league. If it puts on a magnificent musical, there is no trouble getting people to participate in the foUowing years. That is the motivation on which we must capitalise. Cultural centres, sporting venues and entertainment centres must be built, and private enterprise must be encouraged. Anyone who continues to adopt the negative attitude of ridiculing these advances, as I have heard done in this House already, will not receive the support of the people. Just as honourable members are receiving the benefits of the decision to restore this House, so, too, will children who are presently attending primary school receive the benefit of the decisions that we as members make. The price of facing the cynicism of the Opposition is hardly relevant or worthy of comment. I base those conclusions on my previous career as a high school principal. When 1 went to Kingston seven years ago, it was to open the high school in that area. When 1 resigned last month, the school had become Queensland's largest high school, with 1847 students and 147 on the staff. It was a champion school for landscaping and gardens and it had absolutely no vandaUsm, Not a desk or a chair was marked. No other school in Queensland can make those claims. It was the only Queensland school with a new drama theatre, gymnasium, -pool and music centre, together with almost every othei luxury. It was a school that depended on the personal pride of parents, staff and students- it was not a school that depended on the welfare state mentality that is creeping into Australian society. Swwnmmg-pools, grandstands and gymnasiums cannot be built bv sitting back and asking for Government hand-outs. The school developed an amazing sense of pride and achievement. It was indeed a Queensland show-piece in an area that was considered by many to be a very difficuU area. Such results cannot be achieved unless one is prepared to fight—fight for the best and with the best. When I started the school, I had ideals that were simUar to those that I have now When I finished, I was not disappointed. I have left something that people wUl enjoy Address in Reply 29 November 1983 223 and appreciate. Within six months people may forget that I was there. However, the tangible evidence will remain, and I know in my heart that, because I was determined and was prepared to overcome criticism, things were completed. The last six months have seen the departure of some magnificent personalities from this Parliament, New members such as I do not know where they sat or what they did. Their memory has almost gone already. That wUl happen in the future to every one of us. We have no option; we must act in a positive way and get things done in the short time that we have to serve the people, I will support any initiative to make Queensland the best cultural centre in Australia. After that we will see who else we can beat. My famUy have already enjoyed the cultural development in this State, but much more must be done before we as members can be satisfied. My wife, Alison, is well known for her ability as a professional singer and her involve­ ment in the theatre. We have three very young children and we believe very strongly in the future of the family unit, I register my disgust at the Opposition's criticism of the family unit and at its ridicule of the Government's desire to declare next year the Year of the Family. It is part of the welfare mentality to demand that misbehaving children be placed in an institution and taken away from a family situation. Institutions are not the answer for those children, who, usually, are the victims of broken families, poor control or personal abuse. History shows that the family unit has been the most successful method of raising children. I appeal to the Minister for Welfare Services and Ethnic Affairs to make greater use of the foster parent scheme. In our society there are many wonderful, loving people who either have no children or have seen their children grow up to the age at which they leave home and who would accept the challenge of looking after wayward children as long as all costs were paid by the Government. I put it to the Minister that there is a much better chance for children living in such a situation than there is for children who are placed in institutions. Of course, a minority of children stUl need professional corrective services. My interest in and desire to promote sport comes from playing for Queensland in Rugby League and . I have won a State athletics title, played Slade Shield , pennant golf and competition snooker. I have coached A grade Rugby League in Brisbane and Rockhampton. Since 1971, I have worked on ABC television and radio, 1 have been Chairman of Sport in south-east Queensland, and I will support this Government in any project such as the Commonwealth Games or the Olympic Games, The State can never have enough faciUties for sport and recreation. It must grasp every opportunity to provide initiatives in sport. World-class faciUties must be built. If they are, the State will never regret the decision, I have taught in both primary and secondary schools, and I was a master in a private school in Brisbane. I have university degrees in both Arts and Education, I was the youngest high school principal appointed to that position, and subsequently I became the youngest president of the State Secondary Principals Association, I have served on national executives and made formal presentations to the Federal Government. These positions have made me realise what a magnificent system of education we have in Queensland. My first request to the Minister for Education will be the appoint­ ment of a specialist media person to show the people of this State the marvellous things our children are doing. I also remind the public that unless our teachers are supported in their attempts to impose strong discipline and control, we will end up with a very poor public school system. Attempts by politicians to undermine school rules and corporal punishment must be prevented. Not only must we ensure that children have the facilities to achieve the very best general education; we must also ensure—in fact, demand—that children take advantage of their opportunities. I pledge my support for both the private and public educational bodies. I support the demands by private schools for Govemment finance. However, I warn the private school systems that if they continue to be very selective in the students they accept, in addition to pushing their discipline problems back into the public school system, they negate their demands. 224 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

In 1975 and 1976 I lived on the Aboriginal and Islander settlement of Bamaga at the tip of Cape York. Consequently, I know the people of that area and the Torres Strait Islands. I am proud to say that I have been formally adopted into the family of the present leader of the area, so I have a genuine concern for their social and cultural ideas. I welcome the opportunity to make contributions in those areas. Most of all, I believe in very strict care, control and discipUne in every aspect of society. I have joined the National Party because I agree with its policies and because I have been impressed by its strong stand on issues such as the Springbok tour, the 36-hour week, the teacher class size issue, and street marches. My experience as a high school principal has shown that only when those in control exercise strict care, control and discipUne does a society have the ability to aUow people the freedom to practice different Ufe-styles. I put it to the people of Queensland that, with so many ethnic and cultural groups in our society, so many philosophies of how one should live, and so many demands by unions for fewer hours and more money, a govemment must have very strict care, control and discipUne to allow every individual the chance to live a satisfying and fulfilling life. To explain my concept of care and control, let me give two examples of two very concerned parents and their children. In the first instance, the parents set the rules; they monitor the aims and goals for their children; they provide the essentials the children need; and they show great passion and love. As the children grow older, they challenge the rules set by their parents. However, the parents will not relax on their basic mles and standards. The children are forced to obey and are made to strive to do their best. That, is the first example. The second example is of two parents who still exercise care and control and set the rules, standards and goals for their family, but relax these rules when conffict occurs. Usually we see the children expressing the "I want this" and "I want that" attitude and finally receiving these things from their parents just to keep the peace. More and more. Governments must adopt the role in the first example and ensure that, even at the risk of conffict, the decision for the best of society must be enforced. The "welfare State" syndrome or "cargo cult" concept of the second example must be prevented. To allow something such as marijuana simply because people want it is not a caring attitude that a Government should adopt. What a pitiful attempt that was by the Opposition to gain the votes of the young people before the last election! Mr Deputy Speaker, did they not quickly stop it when they saw that society did not support its attitude? I beUeve that there are three parts of a child's discipUne. The first part is as a toddler, when he is told by his parents not to do something. No explanation is given, and he must obey—"Don't go down the stairs."; "Don't mn across the road," The personality of some chUdren is such that they obey; but others need physical punishment to make them observe the basic rules set by their elders. Once a child shows that he can obey in this way, he moves to the second stage where parents discuss the reasons for the mles that he has to obey—for example "Don't stand up in the bus because when it stops the momentum will make you fall forward." He understands, and he obeys. Finally, when he has passed through that stage, the parents and society will allow him to make his own decisions. The three stages are very important and I beUeve they should be reflected in the society in which we live. It is important that a govemment exercise this same discipline with the people that it must govern. However, as it is important that the people obey the mles that wiU be laid down, it is just as important that the Govemment allow the people to move to the freedom to do their own thing. Govemments and poUticians are usuaUy reluctant to promote such a disciplined and controlled approach. I have based my opinions on personal experience and I state that the end result of such an approach is the personal freedom, enjoyment and satisfaction that we all desire. Far too many people want to reach the last stage without observing the first. Address in Reply 29 November 1983 225

I am proud to represent Fassifern and promise the electors my wholehearted support. The seat of Fassifern extends from the southern areas of Brisbane to include approximately 18 000 people from the urban areas of Logan City through to the New South Wales border, with another 13 000 people in mral areas. In the east it includes the beautiful areas of Tamborine, Canungra and Beechmont, and, in the west, the splendour of the Boonah district. I am sure that the members of this House will understand the many complex issues of such an area, I do not intend to Ust all the worries and problems of the electorate. It has all the difficulties that any urban and rural area can present. However, these difficulties are small compared to the briUiance of the mountainous areas of the south and the spectacular development and growth of the north. As the urban development of Brisbane and Logan City moves south towards the Gold Coast, the shires of Boonah and Beaudesert will take over the role of the salad bowl of Brisbane. They wiU exi)erience spectacular growth, which wiU benefit all of my constituents. Naturally many people in Tamborine, Beaudesert and Boonah will continue to fight for the mountainous and rural tranquility they experience now. I wiU need to monitor closely the development that undoubtedly wiU continue over the next 20 years. The Government has made magnificent contributions to education in the northern areas of the electorate. The high schools of Kingston and Loganlea are probably the most beautiful in the State. The new high school at Mabel Park, which will be ready for next year, wiU add to the impressive list and a high school at Browns Plains wiU open in the near future. Primary schools are developing even more rapidly. The Browns Plains State School opened this year and the one at Marsden will open next year. The northem area experiences the problems of social and cultural growth typical of most sateUite areas. Unemployment has added to that difficulty and is my greatest concem. People genuinely searching for employment cannot find work and I am committed to providing assistance for them. Similarly, the rural section has many farmers who are experiencing low economic conditions. People must realise that the beef, grain and milk industries are not as lucrative as once they were and that the requests of these people are genuine. The problems are the same as those outlined by the member for Condamine. In conclusion, I wish to record my sincere thanks to those who assisted in my campaign. I have thanked them all personaUy and have written to them, but it was a magnificent team effort led by Ralph Schwarz, Alun Preece and Ian Thomas. My wife, Alison, has been marvellous. She has been part of Queensland politics since the National Party name change in 1974 and I am sure that she will continue to show her influence, I hope that in 20 to 25 years' time I can stand in this Parliament and look back on this speech, which now might be regarded as idealistic, I hope that many developments wUl be carried out simply because I had the determination, courage and tenacity to see them ithrough. Mr PRICE (Mt Isa) (3,14 p.m.): Mr Deputy Speaker, at the outset I congratulate you on your appointment and Mr Speaker on his election. To use an expression of a champion of the people and as one of the tardier "maidens" who appear before you, I express the hope that I shall do nothing in the future to upset unduly the even tenor of your ways and those of Mr Speaker. I come to be here after a Ufe-time of association with the Labor movement and a dozen years in the Australian Labor Party in Mt Isa. That organisation has been extremely generous to me in providing opportunities to develop whatever talents I may possess. I place on record my appreciation for being given those opportunities. I wUl not eulogise or philosophise on this august Chamber or its illustrious record. I am here to represent my constituents. I am sure that honourable members will not be disappointed if a Cook's tour is not on my agenda. My electorate has problems, and I mean to air them now and aim for their solution in my term of office. I represent Mt Isa, an electorate that contributes more to the economic welfare of Queensland than any other electorate in the State; yet it has the worst roads and the highest prices in Queensland, inadequate Govemment housing and inadequate health and welfare services, and it is faced with blind bureaucratic bungling under this State Govemment administration. The Government has been so busy pandering to the needs of its precious 226 29 November 1983 Address m Reply southern electorates in which it hungers for power that it has all but ignored an electorate that helps form the basis of the Queensland cattle industry and provides huge intemal revenue through mining. The north west has the world's largest single mine producing silver and lead, that same producer being among the worid's top 10 producers of copper and zinc. As a resuU of Govern­ ment neglect, the people of the north west have been unhappy with the performance of successive coaUtion govemments. They see a general contempt and quite blantant neglect sunply because they do not command sufficient voting power. On 22 October they expressed their feeUngs by removing from office a Queensland Cabinet Minister. It was not so much that I won with a handsome majority over a Cabinet Minister; it was more that the people of Mt Isa wanted to see the Government defeated. It was the Labor Party that recognised, through its policy for the north west, that the people of north-west Queensland faced inherent and unique problems because of their remoteness and isolation. However, I am not here in this State legislature only to criticise the elected Government of Queensland; I am here also to plead with the Government on behalf of the people of the great north west. I do not wish to be simply a voice on the floor of the House, speaking only for home consumption and votes at the next election; I want to convince all members that people in the north west do not enjoy all the advantages taken for granted by electors in the major coastal and metropolitan regions. A responsible govemment should strive for social equality in the basic areas of heaUh and welfare, housing, education and transport. At this point, I remind honourable members of the National Party's commitments to the north west during the election campaign. There were not very many, but I must emphasise that the commitments made were commitments by the National Party, not by the former member on the basis of his re-election. The National Party still holds a healthy 45 per cent support in Mt Isa. I suggest that if it wants to build on that support it should keep its election promises. One of the election announcements of the former Minister for Health was a plan for a regional mental health service to provide for the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of patients, covering the areas of child, adolescent and family psychiatry, and including accommodation for a drug and alcohol treatment service. That armouncement was made on 5 October, more than one month after the Labor Party had given a similar election commitment. It was heartening to see that commitment to the health of the north west before the election. I sincerely hope that it was not a hollow promise. A series of investigations by the health authorities established that there was a great need for such a regional service. Mt Isa is no longer the single man's town; it is a family-oriented city. Because of its size, remoteness and climate there are many instances of break-down of the family unit. The Govemment could go a long way in combating these problems by immediately giving the go-ahead for the proposed psychiatric unit. The former member for Mt Isa may no longer be in the House, but the Minister for Health (Mr Austin), most assuredly is, I remind him that on 23 June he made a commitment to the people of the Mt Isa electorate that in Cabinet he would support plans for such a psychiatric unit. Today I urge the honourable gentleman to honour that commitment. In addition, on 21 September there was an armouncement of an end to the delays and bungling that for years have plagued the $12m redevelopment of the Mt Isa Base Hospital. The long-promised extensions were to be brought forward three years, with a start being made by December 1984. This inadequate hospital has 152 beds, with a daily in-patient average of 93,2. In one year, more than the total population of Mt Isa has needed to use this hospUal's faciUties. In one year alone, 53 607 passed through out-patients—and the population of Mt Isa is approximately 27 000, I urge the Government to honour that commitment, I have talked at some length on the issue of health projects in Mt Isa, The disadvantages that nurses in my electorate face must also be highlighted. They have lobbied for increased educational facilities so that they may update their knowledge without having to leave their homes and families. What they seek, and what I support, is the establishment of an external study program so that they may continue lo be the professionals that the community expects them to be. Address in Reply 29 November 1983 227

I also point out that the Government has yet to complete stage 2 of the nurse/patient dependency research project. Once again I urge the Govemment to fulfil its obUgation to the community and those who service that community. The National Party's election promises on air-conditioning for Govemment homes, pre-schools and primary and secondary schools concerns me deeply. How we can expect people to live and children to learn in temperatures that soar into the 40s for months on end is totally beyond my comprehension. We were told that the Government had already approved air-conditioning for five schools in Mt Isa, Qoncurry and Camooweal. I have since discovered that in one school, only the library wiU be air-conditioned. To date, the work has not been completed in any school. With the advent of summer this year, school examination time caused parents and teachers to throw up their hands in desperation. Good performances cannot be expected from chUdren who sit in class-rooms in buildings designed for coastal regions that are hot enough to curl up the end of their plastic binders. Incredible as it may seem, one ultra-modern block is serviced by fans that circulate ultra-hot air, and the students cannot understand why their performance is low. Desperate parents were telephoning me in an attempt to have the examinations held in alternative private premises. That problem will remain as long as the Govemment continues its abysmal showing in this field. Portable air-conditioning units are being lent by parents so that their chUdren can enjoy some measure of comfort during exams. I now quote from yesterday's edition of the "North West Star", a Mt Isa newspaper, to indicate what is happening in this field. This appears on page 5— "Temperatures in Year 8 classrooms at Kalkadoon High School are being monitored to check the effectiveness of newly-installed portable air-coolers.

"President of the Parents and Citizens' Association Mr Geoff Rooke said the loaning project was a temporary measure to relieve the hot working conditions at the school. 'We've got to do something because the situation is so drastic' he said. 'The really hot weather knocks the students. They are not able to concentrate on what they are doing.'

'The total education atmosphere is affected very much because of the heat. The only effective time to teach is in the morning.' He said children went home worn out and tired. *I wouldn't work in an office in this climate which was not air-conditioned.' 'I don't think the people who make the decisions have any experience of the heat. Unless you have experienced these things you can't understand.' Mr Rooke said the association had tried to arrange for relevant govemment representatives to come to to experience the summer heat. 'We've tried to get them up here but they always come during the winter.'" The parents and teachers are united on this matter. Stronger action than the dismissal of a Minister can be contemplated should nothing be forthcoming on this issue. I ask the Government to give our kids a fair go. Despite all of these matters, this electorate has produced, out of adversity, the best in every field of endeavour. Our kids are the best and they have proved it time and time again, but the basic facility of a temperate room in which to study is denied them. Today, I urge the Govemment to meet its commitment on school air-conditioning. The National Party is also bound to study the feasibility of air-conditioning Housing Commission and other Government houses. Honourable members cannot for one moment imagine the tension and social implications which burden families that are forced to Uve in homes without air-conditioning in 40-degree heat. Mt Isa's only family support worker has told me of the burden of visiting a maximum of three homes a day in summer and seeing the young children in those homes with sweat trickling down their faces, not understanding why they listlessly sit round with no wish to do anything at all, let alone homework. Before the election I successfully lobbied for Labor Party policy to include a commitment to air-condition Government homes in the hot, dry, north-west areas of the State. I now urge the Government to consider imposing a voluntary levy on any Govemment tenant 228 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

who wishes to have a home air-conditioned. By my calculations, a levy of under $10 a week would off-set the cost of air-conditioning humidifiers over a 10-year period. After that, the levy would pay for aU the maintenance. Units could be provided through the State Stores Board. Ducting and installation could be provided by local contractors, thus increasing employment opportunities and helping small business. As for cooling the heated tempers of Govemment tenants—^the effect would be remarkable. The people! of the north west are politically aware. They are not naive, nor will they accept Government complacency. The initiatives needed for the north west have been ignored for too long. The result has been that the area remains isolated. The communities of the north west do not have access to the public service departments which make decisions affecting their day-to-day Uving. Therefore, on behalf of my electorate, I implore the Govemment to adopt the poUcy of decentraUsation about which it has so often talked. One such area of decentralisation is the administration of education in regional centres. It is ludicrous to have education in the north west administered from Longreach. There is no direct air, maU or raU Unk to Longreach and the road link is one of the worst in Queensland. Naturally, I would like to see north-west education administered in Mt Isa; but the more practical move would be to have a northern region based in , which has good communication Unks with Mt Isa. Whilst on the subject of education I wish to draw the attention of honourable members to staffing difficulties in schools. To attract more experienced teachers, the Government must provide incentives. Apart from any financial incentives, improved teacher housing is weU overdue. Teachers are forced to Uve in non-air-conditioned, cramped units while not teaching in their non-air-conditioned schools. For many years I was a teacher in smaU country schools. BeUeve me, the lot of the remote area teacher has not improved at all. I urge the Govemment to re-examine the Queensland Teachers Union's teacher incentive transfer scheme for staffing country schools and, under concensus, to begin implementing the recommendations of that merit-filled document. In education, nowhere is it more important than in the north west to have more teachers, smaller class sizes, more remedial teachers and more speech therapists, as indicated by the National Party prior to 22 October. In junior sport, the Govemment committed itself to the provision of travelUng grants for regular intercity competition. Today, I urge the Government to honour that pledge. Whilst I am on sport—^the Minister for Racing (Mr Hinze) promised Mt Isa a wood-chip racing track. However, I have discovered that that was just another example of his blowing copious quantities of hot air. Be that as it may, we would still Uke to get our new track. Problems with water supply are not pecuUar to Mt Isa. The dry, remote areas of the State are constantly plagued by simUiar problems. The citizens of Cloncurry are now confronted with a potentially unattainable dream. Near what was once the town of Mary Kathleen is a body of water knowm as Lake Corella. The people of Cloncurry need that water because they have no surface water supply and rely on less than adequate and unreUable bore supplies. The cost of a pipeline from Lake Corella is estimated at $6m. The 2000 citizens of Qoncurry cannot support the necessary interest and redemption payments. They could, however, support pumping costs, because, once started, the water would gravity-feed the reticulation system. If the State Govemment cannot pay the fuU amount for that pipeline, a joint State/Federal contribution would be the most logical arrangement. Alternatively, Lake CoreUa could be left to deteriorate in the desert when the quality of life in Cloncurry could be enhanced by the provision of water from it. I urge the Govemment to seek a doUar for doUar grant from the Federal Government to ensure that that large water supply, which Ues untapped and wasted, is used for the benefit of those who so desperately need good water. Cloncurry certainly does not have an adequate water supply. On 23 September, the Minister for Health and the Minister for Water Resources and Maritime Services announced ui a joint statement that State Cabinet had under­ taken "to give serious consideration to the water pipeUne proposal". It is now time for the Government to give that proposal its serious consideration. Address in Reply 29 November 1983 229

Water is one of the most contentious subjects in the north west today, and Mt Isa badly needs a water-treatment plant. It has been alleged that certain types of bacteria in the water supply have carried illnesses into many Mt Isa homes, and recently the Department of Health carried out a survey. It is an arguable point, because from time to time in most tropical areas people suffer from iUnesses related to bacteria carried by water. Any city the size of Mt Isa should have a water-treatment plant. At present, 27 000 people Uve upstream from a water supply that is only chlorinated, and Mt Isa is not even on the priority Ust for water resources grants from this Govemment. If the State Government cannot pay an estimated $5m towards the cost of a treatment plant in Mt Isa, I expect it to go in to bat for Mt Isa at Federal level. The Govemment could do that by putting its case at the top of the shopping list for a one-off grant from the Federal Govemment and at the top of its priority list for Federal water supply grant money. Whether the health of the citizens of Mt Isa is affected by iUnesses caused by bacteria carried by water could be debated from now till etemity. The fact is that every city should be supplied with treated water. Because of that, I look forward to discussions on the subject with the Mmister for Water Resources (Mr Goleby). It is the Govemment's duty to do what is best for the citizens of Mt Isa. Very few of the more privileged members in this Chamber have ever had to wait for anything much, least of aU a home. Before the election on 22 October, 120 families in Mt Isa were waiting for housing commission homes; now there are about 160, What I find most disturbing about that fact is that 60 per cent of applicants represent single- parent famUies, We Uve in times when such a situation is becoming increasingly acceptable—and, if not acceptable, a fact of life. We cannot judge these people, nor can we discriminate against them in any way. Single-parenthood should not carry a stigma. There are many who have lost a wife or a husband or who have been divorced or separated. We cannot ignore the unfortunate social phenomenon of broken homes, and it is the community's duty to provide for all Australians. That is why I proposed that the Grovernment, through the Queensland Housing Commission, should provide low-cost, two-bedroom, self-contained units for the single-parent famiUes least able to pay. The National Party in (jovemment has not been known for its humanitarian approach to those in need. On this one issue it could prove to me and to my electorate that we are wrong in our assessment of it. The status and contribution of women in my electorate is priceless. They are prepared to take on the task of raising families, teaching children and providing the backbone in many service industries and in health and welfare care. Recognition of their contribution in isolation is not evoked through a patronising ideal. Alongside the male population of my electorate, they strive to achieve better conditions, higher standards of health and welfare services, improved education faciUties and improved housing. So their combined contribution to this State's economy and development does count for something. Their intrinsic value to my electorate should not go unrecognised. It is for that reason I submit that this Government establish a position of women's adviser to the Premier and lend its support to the Federal anti-discrimination legislation. Local govemment in isolated areas is becomingly increasingly difficult. The Mt Isa City CouncU is seeking financial assistance by way of specific grants to enable it to build a water-treatment plant. It already has the State's highest rates and the added burden of interest and redemption payment on a $5m loan is just not on. The council seeks additional grants or other financial assistance to further reduce the debt outstanding on the Lake Julius scheme. It seeks additional funds for the upgrading of roads in north-west Queensland, It seeks alterations to the guide-Unes of the Local Govemment Grants Commission so that local authority undertakings are included in its consideration for the distribution of funds to local authorities. It seeks increases in the income tax sharing proportion through an amendment to the Local Government (Personal Income Tax) Act 1976 to preserve the real value of grants to local authorities from one year to the next. It seeks the removal of sales tax on freight in order to reduce the burden on isolated communities and the removal of zone allowance increases in order to encourage diversification of industry and decentraUsation together with the development of the State. 230 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

In Cloncurry, a new shire hall and, more importantly, a study of the pipeline from Lake Corella to the township are the principal needs. Those are matters that I intend to take up with the State and Federal Ministers for Local Govemment. New and old members present today may recall that the former coalition Govemment raised the matter of a register of foreign ownership of land. I shaU quote from successive letters on the subject from opposing members of this House to a north-west shire councU and the National Party Minister for Lands. Firstly, Mr Bob Katter, Jnr, wrote to the Minister as follows— "Once again I write to you urging most forcefuUy that large areas belonging to absentees in the ^ be resumed when they expire, or where we have an ability to resume, that we do so either in part or in whole of the lease and redistribute the land among existing landholders who simply have blocks so small they cannot make a go of it. Altematively, the blocks could be made available for new settlers. I feel, however, that it is not a very desirable circumstance that men who have lived here for two or three generations, should be stmggling along on blocks, some of which are smaller than 100 square miles—" which sounds a lot. However, as some of the country in the area carries only one or two beasts to the acre and sometimes less, it is not a large area— "whilst there are large absentee leases, usually poorly tended and poorly run. No country will go forward with the soil not belonging to he who tills it. I have had meetmgs with the Gulf Developmental Council, a very influential group which will as years go by, I am confident, make a big contribution to our State and country's moving forward, developing and reaUsing on the potential which exists. These people need every support and their decision on how land should be developed in the Gulf, should be the ultimate determinate of Govemment policy, in my opinion. It has been stressed to me very strongly that huge areas of land still are being held down by southern absentees and foreign concerns and this is a highly undesirable situation and should be rectified as soon as possible. This is a viewpoint which I, personally, back very strongly." Secondly, a letter dated 6 September 1983 in reply to the council of the shire of Burke from the member for Lytton reads— "Thank you very much for your letter of the 26th August. I support resumption of expired leases owned by absentee leaseholders. Whenever I fly over the Gulf or drive through it I am amazed that the National Party who profess to represent country people have allowed this practice to continue for so long. They have been in Government since 1957 and in that time our control of our own country has decreased. More and more foreigners have bought land, many of them buying the land without even seeing it. In fact many of them never even come to AustraUa. The National Party failure to implement a Foreign Land Register so we can find out who owns this State and country of ours, is probably the biggest sell-out of country people in the poUtics. One wonders what they have to hide. Yes, I support the letter from Mr Katter, It's a pity that these letters only re-surface at election time." There seems to be some degree of consensus, and I now look to the new Minister for Northern Development and Aboriginal and Island Affairs for his support on this issue. It has been squashed once. Let us see once and for all just who owns what and where our development is going. One smaU issue I would like to mention particularly is next year's centenary celebra­ tions for the township of Camooweal, Tiny Camooweal has loyally fulfiUed its role in the establishment of a great history for this State, It has contributed to two world wars and has participated in historic events that have been of such significance that they have drowned the name of the towm, Camooweal has been a trading centre in Qantas country since 1884, It is situated on the Georgina River, on the border of the Northern Territory, and it has served the catitle and aviation industry all that time. Taking its name from the Aboriginal word for Address in Reply 29 November 1983 231 a strong wind—maybe that is the starting-point for the National Party—ironicaUy it has been associated since 1925 with commissions urging the continuation of the rail arm from TownsvUle to Darwin, I personaUy take this opportunity to congratulate this smaU township and I beUeve that it behoves this House to recognise, in a concrete manner, Camooweal and its role in the development of the State, I leave its form to the House, FinaUy, one National Party election statement will st^y blowing in the strong wind of Camooweal, That is the commitment to study the feasibility of that rail link between Mt Isa and Darwin, I do not wish to knock the theory of northern development. However, that election promise was not even rhetoric; it was a political gimmick. I urge the Govemment to save any money it had put aside for such a doubtful venture. The Govemment would be better off giving it to the Minister for Racing (Mr Hinze). He may be able to invest it in the less dubious sport of kings. Many other problems confront north-west people, mainly because of their isolation. In smaU communities, such as Momington Island, Doomadgee and Burketown in the north, Camooweal in the west, Qoncurry in the east and Boulia, Dajarra and Duchess in the south, there are similar problems. They deal mainly with roads, water, education, communications, and prices of consumables. In time, the individual problems of those towns will be brought to the attention of the relevant Minister and the Govemment on the floor of the House. I do not intend to be an idle member, because I believe in democracy. For a community to have good government, it must have an effective Opposition, I intend to be as effective as my resources allow. I do not beUeve that, because the Govemment is my opposition, I should actively hate my oponents. I seek cordial relations with the democratically elected body to ensure that it is the State and my electorate which benefit. That is why we are here! I do not wish to sound ChurchUlian in my first address to the House. However, one of Churchill's famous quotations springs to mind— "No-one pretends that democracy is perfect or all wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government, except all those other forms which have been tried from time to time." In Queensland, more than in any other State in Australia, democracy has been severely tested. I conclude this address with a word of warning to the Government and to my friends and colleagues within the Labor Party, An inactive Government is not moderate; it is weak and weak Governments seldom survive, Mr NEWTON (Caboolture) (3,46 p,m.): It is with pleasure that I pledge my loyalty and that of my constituents in the electorate of Caboolture to our Most Gracious Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II, to her successors and to her representative. Sir James Ramsay, It is indeed an honour to be elected as a member of this Assembly, and I take this opportunity to thank the electors of Caboolture for the confidence they have placed in me, I thank also the members of my campaign committee, who worked many long and tiring hours to assist me. I cannot allow this occasion to pass without reference to Des Frawley, the former member for Caboolture, who first served the people of Murmmba and then the people of Caboolture, as well as all Queenslanders, with loyalty and dedication. He gave devoted, full-time representation for the past 11 years, and I sincerely tmst that I can carry on where he left off. I must also mention a former member for part of my electorate and also a former Speaker of the House, Sir David Nicholson. I was chairman of his electorate council during part of his term in office, and it was a great honour for me to have Sir David present at the swearing in ceremony last Tuesday. I congratulate you, Mr Deputy Speaker, on your appointment, and I ask that you pass on my congratulations to Mr Speaker on his election to that high office, one of the most important and demanding positions in Parliament. I would like now to introduce myself to the House, I was born in, grew up in and was educated in the Caboolture area. My parents were both from pioneering famUies, the Newtons and the Zanows. I worked on the family dairy farm, then leased land 232 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

in the Upper Caboolture area, I now own 310 acres of that land and manage a successful tropical fruit farm and grazing enterprise, so the problems associated with farming are well known to me and have been a valuable experience in my life. My wife, Margaret, and I have four chUdren and are well aware of the responsibiUties of parenthood. We both believe that the family unit is an institution that should be preserved at all costs. We have always been involved with community activities. As a family, we are deeply involved in local service, church, school and sporting bodies. I am closely involved in aU areas of need in the electorate through Meals on Wheels and youth organisations. I have also been a member of Apex for 23 years and have been awarded a life membership. I am totally committed to the continuing orderly development of the Caboolture electorate, which is now enjoying an unprecedented population boom. The Caboolture electorate has an area of 2 025 square kUometres. Principal areas include the townships of Bribie Island, Beachmere, Beerwah, Caboolture, Dayboro, Golden Beach, Deception Bay and Woodford. The enrolment on the State electoral roll has grown from 21 000 in 1980 to 28 000 in 1983. Electrification of the rail system to Caboolture is certain to cause a significant population increase. Work is already under way on the upgrading of the stations between Petrie and Caboolture. Electrification of the raU line to Caboolture is expected to be completed by 1986, and I fully support the Government's policy on future northern urban rail electrification. Education has always had number one priority in the Caboolture electorate, and this is evidenced by an expenditure of $6,103,018 on schools in my electorate in the past three years. My first official duty as the member for Caboolture was to be present at the official opening by the Hon. L. W. PoweU, Minister for Education, of the Golden Beach State School. That school opened at the beginning of the 1983 school year and was constructed at a cost of $1,047,037. Most developing areas in the electorate have a high concentration of young married couples with young children and this will create a continuing need for more pre-school education facilities. A pre-school was opened at Burpengary in 1982. By 1983, enrolments were sufficiently high to warrant another building, which is now being provided. New housing estates have been opened at Beachmere, and a primary school should be built there in the near future. The Government has acquired land in Caboolture for the establishment of a TAFE college and, because of the increased number of young people attending the TAFE coUege at Bald Hills, the construction of a college in Caboolture should become a reality in the not too distant future. I hope to see the construction in Caboolture of a new community health building as well as planning for a cottage hospital. Modern medicine has prolonged the life expectancy of the populace, and more pensioner units should be provided for the many retired people who wish to live at the seaside and in semi-rural areas of the electorate. Having recently inspected the police stations at CabooUure and Bribie Island, I believe that their upgrading should be given a high priority. The siting of a police station in the Burpengary/Deception Bay area is being investigated and, wUh the population boom, must become a reality in the near future. Whilst I was a Government representative on the Caboolture Fire Brigade Board I saw the upgrading of the Deception Bay Fire Station. Planning is almost complete for the constmction of a fire station on Bribie Island at a cost of $250,000. I wUl work towards having other stations built in the electorate to service the increased population. Primary production has always played a very important role in the development of the electorate of Caboolture and it is the lifeblood of Dayboro, Mt Mee, Woodford, Peachester and Beerwah. As the Caboolture area has became more urbanised, primary production has gradually diminished. Dairy farmers supply the Brisbane market as weU as the factories at Caboolture and Woodford, whose butter, yoghurt, flavoured milk and cheese have become famous Australia-wide. Bjelke blue cheese is one of the Caboolture factory's most famous products. Because of the proximUy of the Brisbane markets at Cannon Hill, the 169 beef cattle producers have played an important role in the area. The electorate supplies 214 tonnes of tobacco annually, and 2 748 tonnes of vegetables to interstate and local markets. The Address in Reply 29 November 1983 233

Oboolture electorate is one of the largest producers of tropical fmit in Queensland, wUh 26 655 tonnes being sent from the area annually. I have been approached by fruit growers to help halt the importation of both fresh and canned fruit. As I am involved in primary production I am aware of the difficuUies besetting primary producers and aim to work to alleviate their problems. Primary production costs are soaring, particularly because of th6 increases in sales tax and the fuel levy imposed by the Federal Labor Government. The Labor Government in Canberra is intent on eliminating the primary producer. The Caboolture electorate is now reaping the benefits of a reforestation program commenced 46 years ago. Employment in the timber industry should increase foUowing the rebuilding of Wilkinson's sawmill, which was severely damaged by fire earlier this year. The electorate is unique in having such a variety of tourist attractions. There is a scenic drive from Dayboro, through Mt Mee to the Glass House Mountains and then on to the swimming and surfing beaches at Bribie Island. Golden Beach also offers exceUent swimming beaches and boating facilities. Deception Bay and Pumicestone Passage are excellent for boating and fishing, and the beauty of the sunset observed from Bribie Island is unsurpassed. The Corbold race track at Caloundra, which is nearing completion, will encourage more visitors from southern States for the milder winter racing season. At this i)oint I must congratulate the Minister for Racing (Russ Hinze) for his great encouragement of the racing industry. Many studs and racing stables have been set up in my electorate because of the prospect of the new track and the closeness of the Brisbane tracks, I must express my appreciation to the National Party Government for its foresight in creating better prospects for small business. Small business is a major factor in the employ­ ment of young people in the growing Caboolture electorate, I look forward to the Gov­ ernment's small business legislation being brought before the House. The four-lane highway that travels through the electorate to the Caloundra turn-off will be completed by 1985. It should alleviate the hazards experienced by motorists on that badly congested road. When approaching the town of Caboolture from the south along Morayfield Road, a pleasant sight in the form of the Centenary Lakes and sports complex has often been commented on by visitors to the area. The only thing marring this approach is the sudden jolt the motorist experiences when travelling along a wide road and finding a very narrow bridge and then a wide road on the other side. Many people in the Caboolture electorate cannot understand why the roads on both sides of the bridge should be widened and the bridge left narrow, creating a build-up of traffic waiting to cross the bridge. The sports complex and Centenary Lakes are major achievements for a town the size of Caboolture, Co-operation between the State Government and the Caboolture Shire CouncU has been the contributing factor to a sporting complex that is the equal of any complex in a town of similar size in Queensland. A wide variety of sporting activities are catered for in the complex. Many good sportsmen and sportswomen use the facilities at the complex, but the most notable of them is Ron Grant, This notable athlete deserves a mention in my maiden speech for the stamina and endurance he showed in his recent record-breaking run around Australia. Ron Grant is a man of whom every citizen of Caboolture is proud, and I am proud to call him a friend. The fisheries research station at Deception Bay wUl play an important role in the implementation of the marine park that has been proposed for parts of Pumicestone Passage and environs. This park wiU guarantee the future of the passage, fish-breeding grounds wiU be maintained and the scenic value of the passage wiU be preserved. As I mentioned earlier, tourism plays a major role in the Caboolture electorate. Its potential is unlimited, and, with the passage to be designated a marine park, the future of tourism in the area is guaranteed. I pay tribute to the service organisations in the electorate of Caboolture for their valuable contributions in various areas, both to the electorate and to Queensland in general. I have tried to point out to members in my maiden speech how the electorate has grown and prospered under National Party representation. It will continue to do so as I work as part of the National Party team under the leadership of the Honourable Joh Bjelke-Petersen for the continuation of good government in Queensland. 60854—9 234 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

Mr PREST (Port Curtis) (3,58 p.m,): I pledge my aUegiance and the loyalty of the people of the electorate of Port Curtis to Her Majesty the Queen, I express my disgust at the suggestion that Her Majesty should step down to enable Prince Charies to become King, especially whUst this gracious lady is stiU doing her duty so weU, It is distressing to read that Her Majesty cannot live on $7.65m a year and that she has asked for an increase in the royal allocation. It appears that we all have problems sunilar to those experienced by the workers, the pensioners and the unemployed, but their pleas faU on deaf ears. They do not get the same immediate response to a request for financial assistance to enable them to maintam their standard of living. I congratulate the Governor, Sir James Ramsay, and Lady Ramsay on the excellent job that they are doing. They have certainly won the respect of the people of Queensland, PersonaUy, I feel that the Govemor's tolerance was pushed to the limit by the actions of the former National-Liberal Govemment, I hope that the present Govemment acts a little more responsibly in the interests of Queensland and Queenslanders as a whole, without indulging in self-interest, as did the former Government. The actions of the present Govern­ ment are yet to be seen. However, doubt must remain in the minds of honourable members and members of the public, because some Ministers whose past actions left much to be desired are still members of (Cabinet, They cannot be trusted. Organisations such as the raUway unions and the nurses union, and the unionists themselves, wUl have to be very cautious about proposals put to them. They will have to treat with suspicion anything proposed by these Ministers, Today, members heard a number of Ministers make ministerial statements in justification of their actions. They could have achieved the same end by making press releases, thus ensuring that question-time would not be wasted. I was interested to hear the Minister for Health (Mr Austin) speak about the Medicare scheme that is to be introduced by the Federal Labor Government, I am certain that the Federal Labor Government has come to the rescue of the State Government in the matter of free hospitaUsation. On 3 August 1982, in his Opening Speech, the Governor said— "Despite rising costs and the loss of Commonwealth funds, my Government will continue with the free hospital system," So it was not the Labor Government that took away funds from the free hospital system in Queensland; it was the Fraser Government prior to 3 August 1982, Mr Speaker, I congratulate you on your election. I assure you of our support in having Parliament conducted in an orderly and dignified manner, particularly in Une with the Westminster system of government and in accordance with our Standing Orders. I congratulate and welcome the newly-elected members of this Assembly. Life in Pariiament can have many pleasant moments provided we never forget that we represent people from all walks of life and that we must strive to improve their lives at all times, not just at election-time, I remind the newly elected members on the Govemment side that, because of the Premier, they must be prepared at all times for the eccentric investors, the cancer quacks and the foreign miUionaires who might seek their assistance so that they can continue their criminal and fraudulent activities in Queensland, as they have done in other places, I wish to record in "Hansard" my appreciation to those wise people of Port Curtis who supported me when they made their decision to retum me as their parliamentary representative. The majority of electors in Port Curtis know that the National Party continues to make election promises that it will never keep, and I shall expand on some of those promises later in my speech. During the election campaign the National Party endeavoured to use schoolchildren for political gain. To me, that is despicable but it is something that people in my electorate have become accusjtomed to from tory parties and tory candidates. The Premier tried his hardest to get a known person or known persons to stand against me. Eventually, he had to settle for a stooge who, might I say, made a contribution to consolidated revenue by failing to gain sufficient votes to have his nomination fee of $250 refunded. The National Party paid money from the Bjelke-Petersen Foundation to stooges to make press statements that they hoped might enhance the prospect of their winning the seat of Port Chirtis. It was aU to no avail. At least the majority of the electors of Address in Reply 29 November 1983 235

Port CXirtis showed that they do not subscribe to dictatorship, such as that in Queensland today. The Govemment is headed by a dictator. Unfortunately, the wise electors of Queensland have to try to cope with the problems that will flow into our community because the anti-Labor voters in our community were like sheep and followed the leader, not realising where they were going or what the end result might be. The result was that we now have a stronger than ever dictatorship mle in this State. Talking about a dictatorship—we have already found that the Premier does not accept the electors' decision as final. He was reported in the press as insulting the member for CaUide (Mr Hartwig), the member for Mt Isa (Mr Price) and the member for Cook (Mr Scott). As weU, he is pursuing an issue, or a non-issue, with, the member for Stafford (Dr Murphy). Ministers have already been told to toe the Une. They have been told that they have no right to make public statements about the views of the departments under their control or about any matters involving amendments to Acts under their control. They have been told that they must not make statements unless they speak first to the Premier and he allows them to do so. If they do not obey, they will lose their keys to the LTD cars and other perks of office. The Minister for Lands, Forestry and PoUce (Mr Glasson) told the Queensland Police Union that he was not aware that the police planes were to be placed under the control of Beryl Young. He was not consulted about the matter. He leamed of the decision after it had been made by Beryl Young and the Premier over a nightcap—or was it while they were at Heron Island some little time ago? The poor Minister for PoUce was not consulted, nor was his opinion sought. However, the decision is final. We read in the press on 13 November that the police planes were being used as taxis. The usage of aU Govemment aircraft is being abused. The Premier and his pilot went to Heron Island on 4 November last year. The plane was parked at the Gladstone airport from 4 November to 7 November—a period of approximately four days. The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (Mr Harper) said that changes would be made to the Liquor Act to allow bowls clubs and golf clubs to seU take-away bottled liquor. That would put all sporting clubs on an equal footing. But because of the financial support given by the Queensland Hotel Association to the Bjelke-Petersen Foundation, the Premier bowed to its pressure and reprimanded Mr Harper. If Mr Harper wants to keep his LTD and perks, he ought not to make statements until he is told to by the Premier. Sporting clubs can be assured that the Queensland Government is the best that money can buy, and money paid into the Bjelke-Petersen Foundation by the Queensland Hotel Assoc­ iation will ensure that no changes opposed by that association will be made to the Liquor Act. The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General encountered a further problem when he said that he would do something about the unsatisfactory state of the electoral rolls. He was forced to puU his head in and keep his mouth shut until the Premier told him to speak. The Minister wrote to all honourable members in the foUowing terms— "Some criticism has been leveUed through the media at the accuracy of Electoral Rolls used in the State Election held on Saturday, 22nd October, 1983, WhUst much, if not most, of this criticism is unfounded, I desire to have legitimate complaints thoroughly investigated. Accordingly, I would appreciate your advice as to complaints which came to your attention as a result of the election. In particular, it would be appreciated if substantiation could be given to suggestions such as dual enrolment of the one person, enrolment of people at fictitious addresses or removal from the roll of people who have maintained a long-standing residential qualification at one address," This morning the Minister stated that only 32 members had replied to that letter, I am one of them, I thanked him for his letter, and said— "It is amazing just how many complaints were received on Election Day, from people whose names had been erased from the Roll and who have lived at the same address for some time," I told him of two people who had dual enrolment. One was a candidate at the election. Her numbers were 6 367 and 17 450. She had the right to vote twice. An amazingly large number of complaints were received on election day from people whose names had been erased from the roll even though they had lived at the same address for some time. 236 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

I told the Minister that it would have been far easier for him to gain the information that he was seeking from the returning officers through the section votes claimed. How­ ever, 80 per cent of the voters concerned would not have made the effort to claim a section vote because of the red tape. In many cases, inexperienced presiding officers do not inform voters of the options available to them, and some electors leave the polling booths without casting a vote. Booth workers would have had sufficient time on election day to record the names and addresses of persons whose names had been erased from the rolls and, accordingly, refused a vote. In that way, more positive results could have been achieved. We are waiting to see what comes out of the suggestions made by the Minister for Justice and Attorney- General. However, I feel quite certain that this problem will recur at the next general election. I have received from the returning officer in my electorate a letter that indicates that about 20 people have voted twice. Those people emphatically denied that that was true. That situation has been brought about by the presiding officer's crossing out a name above or below that of the person claiming the vote. Some action should be taken to overcome the carelessness that exists. I firmly believe that it was not necessary for the Minister for Justice and Attorney- General to send the letter seeking that information. He should have enough experience to know that the problems arising from the electoral roUs have existed for quite some time. As has been stated, approximately 150000 people are not on the electoral rolls. Problems do exist with the electoral rolls, particularly the State electoral roll. Why is it that electors who have lived in the same area all their Ufe find that their names have been stmck off the roll? An explanation should be given as to why that happens. Such an explanation could be given if the Minister was sincere in his desire to overcome the problems, to bring the electoral roll up to date and to keep it up to date. As I am talking about elections, I shall comment on section 111 of the Elections Act. I would ask how many charges were laid against candidates who, it was claimed, had violated that section, which deals with the authorisation of every article, report, letter or other matter commenting upon any candidate of a i>olitical party or the issues that are submitted to the electors being printed or published in any newspaper, circular, placard, sign and so on. In one instance, "The Gladstone Observer" published a letter from C, J, Dittman, Dawson Highway, The Dawson Highway runs from Gladstone to beyond Springsure, a distance of hundreds of kUometres, If the editor of the paper accepted that as the postal address of the writer, he was paying a compliment to Australia Post. The Minister should be examining that section with a view to ascertaining what goes on in relation to dud letters. Further, one of my opponents had an unauthorised sign. The Act provides a penalty for the display of an unauthorised sign. Is the law to be enforced, or, if not, will that provision be deleted from the Act? I leave the matter with the Minister, but I assure him that at some time in the future I will be asking him a question concerning the number of persons who were charged for breaches of the Act and the penalties that were imposed upon them. I turn now to another matter, that of the road toll. The Government is reported in the press as expressing concern, but it is only toying with the problem. In Queensland two laws exist: one for the tories, who are given protection and against whom the law is not applied; the other for people who are not National Party supporters and against whom the law is applied. I have in mind drunken drivers and drivers who leave the scene of the accident, and particularly those who are National Party supporters and who know whom to pay off in order to have a charge dropped and are therefore able to get off the hook. I want to cite one case in particular. On 17 August this year I wrote to the Minister for Police after I had read a report in "The Gladstone Observer" to the effect that the driver of a badly damaged and overturned LTD had disappeared from the scene of its collision with a Honda motor cycle on the previous aftemoon. The article reported— "A Gladstone police spokesman said that the motor-cyclist received minor leg injuries and the accident occurred on the Boat Creek Road about two kilometres from the intersection of Hanson Road past the power station, at about 2.30 p.m. Address in Reply 29 November 1983 237

The spokesman said police wished to interview the car's driver and would appreciate him coming forward. They would also be interested in hearing from witnesses to the accident," It was not a problem to ascertain the name of the owner of the car. I wrote to the Minister for Police asking what action had been taken by the Gladstone police, who was the owner of the LTD, what was his occupation and was the owner the driver of the vehicle at the time. I also asked how many charges had been laid against the driver and, if the matter had not been dealt with by that time by the court, when was it expected that it would be brought before the court, I also asked for any other relevant information that had been obtained in connection with the accident. On 24 August I received an answer in which the Minister said that he was making inquiries. That is all I have heard. From my own observation and from what I have been told, the owner of that vehicle is a solicitor in the city of Gladstone. He is also a member of the National Party. Endeavours are being made to have the inspector of machinery issue a report indicating that the new LTD had a mechanical defect. Even though that vehicle had a mechanical defect, the driver could still be charged with leaving the scene of an accident. However, because he is a National Party supporter and a solicitor, the law does not apply to him. That is unfortunate. In today's society we have two laws. Honourable members heard the member for Salisbury say that if a person is in trouble over a dollar, he is in trouble; if it is $lm, he is called "Sir" I am stUl awaiting a report from the Minister, How can we expect people to be happy and willing to abide by the law when they know that the law is being applied only to certain sections of the community? I feel sorry for those persons responsible for applying the law, such as the police, who have their authority overruled by a member of the Government because the offender is a National Party supporter. I give credit to the majority of police, but it is unfortunate that because of theur habits some persons will sell their rights for a couple of cartons of beer. One will always find that there is one person who wiU bring discredit to a group as a whole, and the police force is no exception. Three Ministers, including the Minister for Police and the Minister for Justice, said that the Government was going to crack down on underage drinkers and that there would be a blitz on the motorist. It has been indicated that patrols are planned for the Gold Coast, especially during the Christmas period, and that there will be a blitz on drug-drivers—^people who for some reason take medications and at the same time drive motor vehicles. The Minister for Transport said that that type of offence occurs particularly during the Christmas holidays. I believe that if people are breaking the law, they do not break it for only one period of the year. The law must be enforced at aU times. It is only after pressure is appUed to the Govemment and when it sees that the Act is not being complied with that it comes to the party and tries to do somethmg about it. I welcome the establishment of a police district based in Gladstone. I welcome Inspector Eugene Murphy who has come to Gladstone from Redcliffe. I am quite certain that he wUl find that there are some problems that must be overcome. Mr Col Chant has said that criminal activity could increase in 1984 in Gladstone because Gladstone Police Station will not be obtaining any more men for at least another 12 months. The police force in Gladstone is understaffed now. The police officers are unable to carry out all the work under their control. During the election campaign the Government recognised that there was a great shortage of police. Now that the election is over, we are told that no extra police wiU be allocated for another 12 months to the new police district that has been established in the Gladstone area. As a new poUce district has been established, alterations and additions had to be made to police headquarters in Gladstone. Those alterations and additions were carried cut without consultation with those in authority in the area and without consideration being given to the need to make life bearable in that station. No air-conditioning was iostaUed in the extensions. The louvre windows have no flyscreens. The station operates on a 24-hour basis. As Gladstone enjoys a tropical climate, insects are very bad. 238 29 November 1983 Address in Reply especially at night-time during the summer months. Irrespective of where police are located, suitable accommodation and working conditions should be provided. Those facUUies have not been provided in the new additions at Gladstone. More police are required to combat the problems m society today. The police are fighting a losing battle with the drug problem. High-grade heroin is available in (Queensland and the tightenmg of drug help programs in three other States has caused a huge increase in the number of registered hard-dmg addicts in Brisbane. However, there has been no increase in the Drug Squad. My leader (Mr Wright) spoke on that last week and I am only reinforcing what he said. If this Government is sincere in its efforts to stamp out the trafficking of hard dmgs in this State, it has to provide more men. Those involved in dmg-pushing are taUing the police round; they know exactly what the Drug Squad is doing and are one step ahead. The only thing that is growing, and growing alarmingly, in Queensland is serious crime. In fact, crimes in Queensland have increased by 20 per cent. No doubt that has been brought about by the economy, the problems of the unemployed, and other problems in society, as well as the fact that Queensland does not have a sufficient number of poUce to carry out the job effectively. I now tum to the problems of those involved in small business, who have been the concern of the Australian Labor Party for many years. When I entered this House in 1976, one of the first questions that I asked related to the rentals charged to the small business people in the Kem/SGIO complex in Gladstone, Now a small business such as a take-away store pays between $26,000 and $29,000 in annual rental because the rental is a percentage of the turnover of the business. However, it does not end there. When the lease is drawn up by the owners of the complex, the cost of that preparation is also based on the tumover of the business. That is a great rip-off. After all, the only thing in the contract that has to be changed is the amount of the turnover. No matter in what part of the complex a smaU business is situated, the same conditions apply. I do not see why the solicitors should be able to charge, in the case of a small business, $400 or $500 to draw up an agreement and, in the case of a family business, which has a little larger turnover, $800 or $900 to draw up the same type of agreement. Next year is to be the Year of the Family. Unless the Budget that is to be presented next Thursday contains something sensational, the Year of the Family wUl be a joke. Nowhere in the Govemor's Opening Speech was mention made about the 10 (XX) people m this State who are waiting for Housing Commission houses or how the Government intended to create jobs for the 100 (XX) unemployed—^that is the 100 000 who are recognised as being unemployed. No mention was made of any proposal to curtail the rising costs of essential items. I remind honourable members that during the wage pause the price of over 4000 essential items in this State increased. The Govemment has no proposal to fix the cost of rental accommodation which, at present in the market-place, is between $80 and $100 per week, with a maximum of $120, even for Housing Commission houses. A committee, headed by Senator Bjelke-Petersen, is to be established, I wiU not criticise the members of that committee because I am sure that those who are appointed wiU do the best possible job. However, if no provision is made in the forthcoming Budget to increase the housing allocation so that more homes can be built to adequately house people, to do something in relation to rising costs and to provide jobs, that committee will have a very hard job. On 20 February this year I read that Queensland housewives have had to pay more than most Australians for meat, milk, bread and butter. A newspaper article on that date reads— "The latest figures will give a further beating to Queensland's frozen pay packets.

They show a continuation in a trend when prices of 2 200 items soared by Ic and 7c at the end of February, But rising food prices should stabilise with the wage pause, Brisbane Chamber of Commerce president Mr Len Hancock said yesterday. He said some prices would creep up in spite of the pause.

The survey revealed Brisbane meat prices were the third highest in Australia. Consumers were paying $4.69 kg for lamb chops, compared to the Melboume price of $3.82. Prices in Sydney were even lower at $3.73 kg. Address m Reply 29 November 1983 239

Milk prices in Brisbane were also above average. The city had the second highest price for milk, with a 600 ml container costing 80c. The Brisbane price for milk was topped by Darwin where shoppers pay 20c more for most items," On 18 September a survey was published showing a comparison of the prices of essential goods in Queensland, The following table shows the increases— 1979 1983 Petrol per litre 25c 45,9c Bread per loaf 60c 86c Rump steak per kg $3.96 $6.83 Butter per 500 grams 94c $1.58 Milk per 600 mL 28c 42c Surely members must be concemed about such increases. If something is to be done to ensure a happy family unit, jobs must be provided—^there must be full employment—either purchase or rental housing must be avaUable at a reason­ able price and goods and services must be available at a cost that allows a family to live at a reasonable standard. If families are not provided with an acceptable standard of living, the committee that is to be appointed will be wasting its time and our money, and there will be a continuation of broken homes, separation of families, an increase in chUd abuse, an increase in the number of neglected children, continuing demands on welfare services and an increase in the crime rate. Unfortunately, far too often when adults face problems, if they cannot cope they seek a solution by partaking of alcohol and become involved in minor criminal offences. Of course, under this Government, families face many problems, and alcohol is not a solution. It only brings further discredit to the famUy, If 1984 is to be the beginning of a successful and meaningful attempt to help the family, this Government has to do something positive. If all families are to enjoy life they must have adequate housing and full employment and be properly fed and cared for. Prior to the election the former Minister for Health (Mr Bertoni) wrote to me—no doubt for political reasons—as follows— "As Minister for Health, I am interested in leaming of any initiatives which would assist in improving the range of services and facilities designed to cater for the health needs of this State, To this end, if you have any ideas or thoughts which you believe would assist in providing improved health care services in your area, I would be pleased if I could be advised accordingly as soon as possible." I wrote back, saying— "Thank you for your letter of 5 September 1983, I am quite certain if you could take time to check Health Department records^ you would be aware that Glad­ stone Hospital, at the present time, had under construction a 120 bed wing, which will take accommodation to approximately 170 beds, an increase on the present number. In line with the increased bed accommodation, I see an increase in staff being a major consideration, for which I understand, the Gladstone Hospitals Board has made application. Additional Doctors would be a distinct advantage, as lengthy delays occur at Outpatients when the Doctors on duty at Outpatients are called away to casualties or other emergencies. The other immediate problem in this Electorate, is the Maternal and Child Welfare Clinic," Mr Austin, who was the Minister for Health before Mr Bertoni, knew all about that. He had received a deputation and promised a maternal and child welfare sister to give assistance. In a letter dated 18 August 1981, the then Minister (Mr Austm) said that the provision of an additional sister for Gladstone would ibe given a high priority and that she would be provided in the not too distant future. To date, that additional staff has not been suppUed, Durmg the election campaign, the Minister asked what was required, but his department knew some years before because promises had been made, I do not know whether I should accept the contents of these letters as sincere or simply as material used for election purposes. 240 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

I said that with the increased accommodation I could see an increase in staff being a major consideration. We were told that if we could not be supplied with a bigger maternal and child welfare centre, a sister could visit the major shopping complexes in the electorate. The Minister for Works and Housing (Mr Wharton) made many promises during the election campaign to enhance the prospects of the National Party candidate for Port Curtis, I am pleased that he acknowledged some problems in our schools. He promised to take positive action to rectify them, but did not do so. He chose to use our schoolchUdren for party political purposes by going to the press at election-time and telling deliberate lies. He said that these matters had been drawn to his attention only by the National Party candidate, when he knew fuU well that, over a period, he had signed letters indicating his intention to do certain work at the schools when money became avaUable, His action, and that of the National Party, to use schoolchildren for poUtical purposes is despicable. Let him do something positive in the schools now. Let him keep his election promise and provide the Boyne Island school with the tuckshop and the library that are long overdue—faciUties that he referred to and promised during the election campaign in an effort to prop up his party's candidate. Now that the fighting is over, let him get on with the business. The Minister should give the Tannum Sands State School an area in which the chUdren can play sport. It should not be the sole responsibility of the parents and citizens association to raise sufficient funds, with subsidies, to provide a play area and oval. Recently this school was officially opened by the Minister for Education (Mr Powell), It is in its first year. Play areas and ovals should be provided by the Govemment before a school opens, C^n anyone imagine a private school opening without an oval or a play area? Of course not! During the election campaign, the Minister for Works and Housing (Mr Wharton) chose to call tenders for the construction of an oval and sporting facUities, This school, with some 900 chUdren in attendance, has been operating for three years and has no sporting fields or facilities, I have now been advised that an oval and courts wUl be constructed, I hope that the facUities will be available in the early part of the 1984 school year, because the school will have an additional grade—^Year 11—bringing the total attendance to more than 1000, It is estimated that, in 1985, some 1250 students will be attending the Toolooa High School, At the present time, more than 300 high school students are conveyed daily by bus to Gladstone from the Tannum Sands/Boyne Island area, iBecause this region is developing, the Govemment should give priority to building the first stage of a secondary school at Tannum Sands, It will be in the best interests of the students to have this school ready to accept Year 8 students in 1985 and develop the school by adding a grade a year for the next five years. Because it is in the interests of the students, it should be the aim of the Govemment to commence construction of this school now and not let it become an election promise or bribe in 1986, The Boyne Island/Tannum Sands area, which is about 20 km from Gladstone, is growing rapidly. Its size and population are such that Government agencies should be provided. The people Uving there are inconvenienced by having to go to Gladstone to pay money to various Govemment departments. Facilities for making pajmients should be provided in their area. The smelter at Boyne Island has made a wonderful contribution to sport in its area, just as Queensland Alumina has done in the city of Gladstone, The company is trying to get enough financial support to build a hall, such as a PYC-managed hall, in the Tannum Sands/Boyne Island area. Any applications for assistance by the groups engaged in this project should be approved. Other members have said that industries in their areas play an important part in the , Of course, aU members realise the contribution that Queensland Alumina makes to Queensland, It is one of the biggest bauxite-processing operations in the world. There is also the smelter operation at Boyne Island. In the limited time at my disposal, I wish to pay my respects to the family of Fred Arthur Rogers, who passed away on 4 July 1983. We all know the wonderful contribution Address in Reply 29 November 1983 241 that he made during his lifetime to local government, not only in Queensland but throughout Australia, Anyone who has been involved in local government for any length of time would recognise the contribution that he made. People in local government have differing poUtical views; but Fred Rogers treated every person the same. He worked very hard, not in the interests of Fred Rogers or his own shire of Stanthorpe, but for all local authorities and for people who work within local authorities in Queensland. It was a very sad day when we learnt of the passing of Fred Rogers. He was a well-respected man. Those people who were fortunate enough to spend some time with him would have gained a lot from the knowledge that he was able to impart. To Mrs Rogers and her family, I convey my sincere sympathy in their sad loss. Mr STONEMAN (Burdekin) (4,38 p,m,): Mr Speaker, may I, at the outset of my address, pledge the continuing loyalty and affection of myself and my constituents to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, through His Excellency the Governor Sir James Ramsay, and assure His Excellency that it is my belief that support for the Crown, the Commonwealth and the flag has never been stronger in the electorate of Burdekin and, indeed, in the whole of this State, May I also congratulate you, Mr Speaker, on your election as Speaker of this Legislative Assembly, along with wishing all members of the State ParUament a fmitful term of office, I rise to speak today with both pride and humility: pride in having been elected to represent the great electorate of Burdekin and be a part of the Government of Queensland; pride because I am a member of the ruUng National Party, which is governing in its own right for the first time in the State; pride because of the honour of serving under a Premier of such unparalleled stature as Johannes Bjelke-Petersen and his team; and pride because the Government of which I am a member has a determination to uphold the principles of free enterprise and personal endeavour, coupled with loyalty to God, Queen and country. Similarly, I am today also filled with a great humUity: humility because of the respon­ sibility given me by the electors of Burdekin; humility because of the awesome responsibiUties we collectively undertake as part of the Government of this State; humility because of the wisdom of those who have sat in this Assembly during its history; and the humility I believe all Christians must feel regardless of the personal goals they achieve and which are but a small part of our service to God and country. My presence in this Chamber was made possible by the tremendous support given by the electorate over the years to the previous member for Burdekin, the Honourable Val Bird, and the positive manner in which he was able to represent their interests so productively in this Chamber and in the Govemment generaUy under the umbreUa of the National Party, I take this opportunity to place on record my acknowledgement of the work done by Val Bird in the Burdekin, The monuments to his achievements are there for all to see—such institutions as the Burdekin Rural Education (Centre, the Burdekin TAFE coUege, still under construction, the Home HiU Hospital, the Department of Primary Industries headquarters, the regional headquarters of the Queensland Water Resources Commission, the replacement or upgrading of practicaUy every school in the electorate and the new pensioner units. It was fitting that the new—^for Australia—and somewhat unusual weir that was completed earlier this year on the Haughton River near Giru was named the "Val Bird Weir" The tremendous crowd that gathered for the official opening of the weir by the Minister for Water Resources and Maritime Services (John Goleby) was a tangible indication of the esteem in which Val Bird has been, and is, held in that part of the State, My first close contact with Val Bird came during his term as Minister for Education. The dedication and understanding he extended to my organisation and the many disadvan­ taged families throughout the isolated areas of this State brought home forcefully to me the fact that men with responsibilities such as Val Bird had as Minister for Education are not merely sensitive and concerned; they never lose with the fact that politics is about people and their very best interests. The people of the Burdekin and I wish both Val and Valma Bird every hapiness in their retirement and assure them that their contribution to the electorate wiU never be forgotten. 242 29 November 1983 Address m Reply

SimUarly the positive leadership given to this State by our Premier is something that is both acknowledged and deeply admired by the people of the Burdekin, This great man has no area of more fervent support than that found in the Burdekin, as shown by the recent function held in Ayr when almost 10 per cent of the electorate turned out to pay tribute to the Premier and his Cabinet at a National Party function, I cannot over-emphasise my appreciation of the support given me and my electorate by the Premier, Senator Florence Bjelke-Petersen and aU the members of the previous National Party Government during my campaign. It would be more than remiss of me if I omitted to recognise the work done during the most recent campaign and, indeed, campaigns over the years. Some have made contributions that mere words cannot fully express. At the very top of the list stands Ian Freshwater. He was the campaign director for every State election during the parliamentary career of Val Bird and now has successfully directed yet another campaign in the face of what some people suggested was an impossible task. His knowledge and understanding of the electorate, his sensitivity to matters of importance and his abUity to recognise non-events long before others make him a person of outstanding qualities. Coupled with these abUities, Ian Freshwater has probably one of the most complete understandings of sugar production at the practical level in the nation and I look forward to utilising his perception in both areas of expertise for many years. Virtually aU forms of successful human endeavour are based on team-work, and poUtics is no exception to that observation. I pay tribute to the support given by Lloyd Mann of Home Hill, In fact, he could be said to be the father of the National Party in the Home Hill area, as weU as the father of junior sport and many other commumty- based endeavours in the Burdekin, The team-work co-ordinated under the branch leadership of Don Pengelly in Ayr, Lindsay HaU in Qare/Millaroo/Dalbeg and Adam Pierotti and Eric Le Feuvre in Giru, as weU as the women's section led by Beth Honeycombe and the Young Nationals under Mike Hoey, was paramount in bringing the whole operation together, NaturaUy I must thank also all those people throughout the electorate who supported the National Party and me to achieve the overwhelming result in the Burdekin electorate, I come to this Chamber with a background firmly based on primary industry and raral community involvement, I am very proud to say that my involvement in primary industry has covered a wide range of commodities, including grain and lamb production in New South Wales and wool, beef and pasture production in Queensland. The electorate of Burdekin produces almost 20 per cent of Australia's sugar. It is the centre of Queensland's rice production, having the only rice mill in the State, and produces approximately 20 per cent of the national output. It has a rapidly expanding small-crop industry and has a significant input into the beef and grain industries. As well, there are unique tourist attractions, many of which are as yet generally unknown. I commend the work being done by the Ayr and Home HiU Chambers of Commerce, under their chairmen John Dwyer and Tudge Haller, in boosting commercial and tourist activities in the region. Two of the major thrusts are in proposals for an upgrading of small-boat facilities through the constmction of marinas and the creation of what is known as the "tourist triangle". The "tourist triangle" is based on the completion of a sealed road link between Ravenswood and Clare so that an all-weather road wUl link TownsviUe, Ravenswood, the Burdekin Dam and the Lower Burdekin communities. I not only commend this initiative but also totally support it and pledge to work positively for its completion. If the Burdekin has a fault, it is an almost total reliance on primary production generally and sugar specificaUy, With low incomes and high costs such as are being presently experienced, the district suffers dramatically in terms of cash flow and job prospects. The creation of the "tourist triangle" is one positive answer to that problem. Another answer is to broaden the industrial base of the region. Presently several local companies manufacture various types of equipment; but, with the advent of the Burdekin Dam, the operation of the Burdekin TAFE College and the proximity of coal mines, there is great scope for a considerable enlargement of industrial output. I commend the initiative of such businessmen as Graham Haller of "OUdrive", near Home HUl, who has recognised and entered this field. Address in Reply 29 November 1983 243

The most exciting project for the immedate future in the Burdekin is the constmction of the Burdekin Dam. The efforts of the Queensland Govemment to provide in excess of $20m to date for initial roadworks and infrastructure are to be highly commended. The Queensland Water Resources Commission, under its Minister, John Goleby, and Commissioner, Don Beattie, is doing a tremendous job in this huge undertaking, and the recently opened regional headquarters of the QWRC in the Burdekin by the Premier is tangible evidence of the importance that the commission places on the Lower Burdekin development area. With these exciting prospects must also come words of caution, as developments in areas such as that available for irrigation in the Lower Burdekin must be guided wisely and cautiously. The history of closer settlement throughout much of Australia has been one of rough and rocky roads, and it would be to overlook the obvious if one were to believe that there are not many problems to be overcome in this development. I firmly believe that the Government has a responsibiUty—which it is accepting, I hasten to add—to ensure that the farmers who take up the new farms created by the irrigation project are not condemned to financial and physical hardships that end in personal and community disaster. There is a tendency in some quarters within the community to believe that all farmers are wealthy, that life on the land is a bed of roses and that the drawing of a block is akin to winning the Casket. Let me assure you, Mr Speaker, that nothing could be further from the truth in an age of uncertain world markets and a continuing expectation by the Australian public that cheap primary products are a basic right. No sector of the Australian community has been hit harder than those in mral areas— both farmers and those servicing farmers in small towns and villages—^by the inflationary wage and price spirals that we have experienced during the last 10 years. Primary producers throughout this nation are working harder than ever before to maintain production, and this means that not only the menfolk but also the womenfolk are having to take the place of workers who are either unable to be found or not able to be employed because of limited cash flow. Before my wife and I left the inland, she was typical of many who had to be mother, wife, station cook, teacher for the children and general rouseabout as well. The debt that this nation owes the men and women on the land and in rural towns and communities is enormous. Although AustraUa may no longer ride on the sheep's back specifically, it certainly stUl does ride firmly on the back of the most efficient band of primary producers in the world. There wiU be increasing fluctuation in demand for aU types of export commodities, but one thing is certain: in the long run there wUl always be a need for everything that the farmers of the Burdekin, the State and the nation produce. Against that background, Mr Speaker, I retum to the development of the Lower Burdekin and urge everyone concemed in the process of decision-making not to be swayed by those who want to carve the land into as many small farms as possible. No-one benefits in the short, medium or long term under that type of narrow thinking. The farmer is condemned to a life of poverty or early bankmptcy. Those who do survive are not able to provide for future generations and thus provide the new generation of vital producers. Because battling farmers cannot afford to employ anyone, the young man or woman looking for rural employment will not find it. The grocer, the machinery supplier, the butcher and the car salesman will not make sales, except for a few vital necessities to battlers. The shire rates will not be paid regularly. There wiU be a constant battle with the bank manager, and vice versa. Inevitably, the bigger and established farmers will absorb the man-made battlers, but only after much heart-break and propping up by Governments and the community as a whole. Mr Speaker, far better that those who undertake the pioneering of new land such as the Lower Burdekin irrigation area do so with the knowledge that there will be room to move; that they will be able to diversify if necessary; that they wiU be able to produce enough to get through the sticky patches (and we can be assured that these will be many); and that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I look forward with tremendous enthusiasm to being a part of this development under a free enterprise system so vital in this day and age of uncertainty. 244 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

This nation was founded by hard-working immigrants, largely of British stock, and the Burdekin has its fair share of descendants of those early settlers: people such as the Mann family; Frank Hansen, who has been deUvering cane to the Pioneer Mill since 1914, and still is; the Jack family; the Burkes; the Coxes; and the Milburnes. From the Ravenswood/Mingela area we have Jo Delaney, from the famous Imperial Hotel; Harry Qarke, MBE, from Mingela; the Knuths; the Affords—the list goes on. Similarly, the Burdekin has a tremendous percentage of hard-working people who came from humble beginnings in countries such as Italy, Sicily, Greece, Spain and Russia. All of those wonderful people blend together to make the Burdekin the wonderfully productive and cohesive region that it is. It grieves me to read of plans proposed by the Federal Government to change the flag our men fought under and migrated to; that God is to be removed from the oath of allegiance; that the Queen is no longer relevant to our country; that the Victoria Cross is to go; that there will be no Queen's Medal for shooting; and that so many firmly based traditions are being torn up and thrown out the window by a few modern-day trendies. This is not what the people of my electorate want to happen. This is not what those of British, ItaUan, Greek and Spanish descent—all Uving in the Burdekin; all Australians- want to take place. I give a solemn undertaking that I wiU fight to the bitter end the dismantling of those traditions upon which this nation was based. I assure honourable members that that end wUl not be what the socialists and the repubUcans desire. During my campaign I constantly highUghted my personal commitment to Christian ethics and way of Ufe, together with support for the maintenance of the family unit as our society's most precious commodity. If anyone is able to show me that these very ideals are not under severe attack by the proposals to dismantle traditions bred in the foundations of this nation and supported by the mUUons who have adopted this country, to put it in simple terms, I wiU eat my hat. My coming to this seat was largely brought about by association over many years with that wonderful organisation the Isolated Children's Parents Association. That organis- tion can be said to be truly intersystemic. It genuinely has no poUtical affiUations and knows no barriers of colour, creed or race. It has only one very simple goal: to provide access to appropriate education for those who are disadvantaged geographically. I am proud to have risen to the position of Queensland president of that great organisation and to have served at the federal level. The men and women who continue the work of ICPA deserve the support of every person in this Chamber; they certainly have mine The right of access to education cannot be over-emphasised in our society, and I deplore the actions of those who seek to reduce the role of non-Govemment schools, which provide not only a choice of education but also access to education for those who have no choice. If that seems a paradoxical statement, may I note that there are many children throughout this State who have to Uve away from home once they have finished primary schooling. There is no option for the vast majority of these students other than to attend boarding schools run by non-Grovemment organisations. The replacement of these schools, as suggested by some people, would place a tremendous impost on the whole community. Contrary to the statements that the community is losing by Govemment support for non-Grovemment schools, it is in fact gaining very considerably. If the State had to provide education for aU children, the average finance available per student in the State system would be considerably lessened.

I commend this Government's support of non-Oovemment schools throughout Queensland and condemn the creeping destruction of such schools by the Federal Govemment's policies, with their thin end of the wedge attack. Educationally disadvantaged students, Uke physically and emotionally disadvantaged children and adults, deserve the constant and special attention of the whole of the community. I am sure I am supported by many members in this, especially the members for Gregory, Warrego, Flinders, Mt Isa and Cook, all of whom have famUies living in very isolated circumstances. Electorates such as my own have smaUer numbers of these famiUes but, nevertheless, they exist in virtually every electorate. The greatest area of my activity in the field of education has been, and wiU continue to be, support of the State education system. I am proud to be involved in taking part Address in Reply 29 November 1983 245 in trials using the proposed domestic satelUte and in such areas as the rationalisation of isolated education aUowances. I have the highest regard and support for the Education Department and for the teachers of this State. The wealth of this State and its capacity to create jobs Ues in constantly seeking to search out new areas of production and in constantly making progress through new ventures that create jobs and, therefore, pay their own way. We cannot have a continuation of fewer and fewer productive people looking after more and more non-productive people. I acknowledge and agree that our elderly must be looked after. Those less able and not able to fend for themselves must be helped. However, I am appalled by the sight of able-bodied men and women trying to halt progress by throwing themselves in front of tractors in Tasmainia, then moving on to Roxby Downs and so on. Who knows—their next target might be the Burdekin Dam! But more than likely it could be the proposed uranium mining venture at Ben Lomond, which is in my electorate. I do not profess to be a mining expert or an expert on environmental matters, but I do claim to have a bit of common sense, and I suggest that those who say uranium should not be mined because people might make bombs out of it should think a bit further. Because people might make bullets out of lead, why is not lead mining stopped? Because steel is used to make the casing for bombs, and to make cars, which continue to kill and maim, iron-ore mining should be banned. If that line of thinking is carried to its logical conclusion, I suggest that we should stop making people because they really make the bombs. I do not say, "Mine and be damned!" However, if the creation of jobs and the improvement of the quality of Ufe of those in the community, particularly those less fortunate people who are unable to work or to find work, are to continue, then people cannot continue to throw themselves in front of progress or the nation's income. If that happened in Russia, a person would be sent to the salt mines. In some other countries a person would be shot. The development of mines such as Ben Lomond should be made with extreme care. If there is a real danger to the production and environment of the region, even greater care should be taken before final decisions are made. The Lower Burdekin is downstream from the Ben Lomond mine and I have had expressions of concern from political supporters and opponents aUke. But let concem or opposition be based on fact and understanding, not emotion and ignorance. I am presently planning a visit to the Ben Lomond mining area and have invited as many of my constituents as is reasonable to come with me to look at the area and hear for themselves the basis of the proposal and the meaning of the recently released environmental impact study. In the meantime I support the initiative taken by this Government in not standing in the way of job creation and export doUars. However, of far greater importance to my electorate and its people is the production of the farmers in the following four mill areas: the Invicta Mill area, whose suppliers are led by Rocky Wassmuth; the Pioneer Mill area, whose suppUers are led by Joe Bugeja; the Kalamia MUl area, whose suppUers are led by Dick Hughes; and the Inkerman MiU area, whose suppliers are led by Vince Sorbello. I do not think that these men, or leaders such as Les Searle, chairman of the Burdekin District Clane Growers Association representing coUectively over 750 farmers, and the proprietors of those four mUls, will stand by idly if there is any suggestion of danger to the Lower Burdekm farming area. As I mentioned earlier, these farmers produce 20 per cent of the nation's sugar. I can assure one and all that they are a force to be reckoned with, and rightly so. Finally, I pay tribute to two groups of people. One group plays a major part in the Ufe of the Burdekin; the other plays, and has played, a major part in my life. The people of the Lower Burdekin form probably one of the most community-minded and cohesive groups it would be possible to find in this State. Many people comment on the wonderful facUities available and spirit of togethemess prevaUing in the Burdekin, and I certainly endorse those sentiments. The shire councU, led so ably by its chairman, Dr John Trace, must surely be one of the most capable and progressive to be found anywhere. They are supported by almost countless service and sporting organisations that continually work together for the betterment 246 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

of the whole community. Recent splendid examples have been the input into the Burdekin theatre/memorial hall complexes; the Burdekin Library, due for completion shortly; and the Lower Burdekm Home for the Aged, with a new appeal being launched earlier this month by Senator Florence Bjelke-Petersen to add a nursing unit for those no longer able to cope alone. A very recent further example was the CecU Carmody Parish HaU/Big Birds Nest, which I had the great honour to officially open last week-end. This splendid facility was made financially possible by the benevolence of the late C. K. Carmody, a man known throughout Queensland, and his family, together with an army of helpers who weighed in both physicaUy and financially. The remarkable thing is that the haU is buUt in the grounds of the CathoUc Church, but people of all religions worked together to make possible the wonderful hall and centre. To my mind, this effort says perfectly what the Burdekin is all about—community self help. Last, but certainly not least, I wish to publicly thank my mother, Nancy Stoneman, for her love and support over the years, and to acknowledge the part played in my upbringing by my deceased father, Charles Stoneman, as well as George Stoneman, who sponsored my entry into Queensland some 24 years ago and has supported me in so many ways since. To my wife, Joan, and my four children, Alison, Jenny, Libby, and Peter, I can only say simply, "Thank you from the bottom of my heart." I thank you, Mr Speaker, and honourable members, for your indulgence today. Mr McELLIGOTT (TownsvUle) (5.4 p.m.): I have the honour to represent the electorate of Towmsville, which is one of the more diverse of the electorates in the State. The electorate completely surrounds the city of Townsville and yet incorporates the irmer city suburbs and Magnetic Island. I pledge my allegiance and that of my constituents to Her Majesty the Queen, and I join with aU other members in congratulating you, Mr Speaker, on your election to your high office. At the outset, I wish to pay my respects to the former member for TownsvUle, Dr Norman Scott-Young, not so much as a politician, for I do not believe that he made a lasting impression in that sense, but more for his long and distinguished service to the residents of TownsvUle in the medical, local government and, finally. State parUamentary areas. Dr Scott-Young was medical superintendent of the Towmsville General Hospital for a long period—17 years, I think—during which he eamed a reputation as a surgeon of extremely great skUl. He also showed himself to be a man of compassion. It could truthfully be said that Dr Scott-Young should not have stood for re-elction on this occasion. It could be said that, like many prize­ fighters, he fought one fight too many. On behalf of the electors of TownsvUle, I thank Norman Scott-Young for his contribution. I am honoured to have been elected to represent the seat and I thank the electors for their vote of confidence. I thank my campaign director and the army of helpers who assisted with financial support and with the many aspects of electioneering. I particularly thank the Ross River Branch, the Bohlevale Branch, the North Ward Branch and the Magnetic Island Branch of the AustraUan Labor Party. I trust that I will be able to Uve up to their expectations as a representative of this great party which has given so many fine representatives to this House. I come to this place after having served as an alderman on the Townsville City Council for some seven and a half years—^the last three as deputy mayor. I have been privileged to serve with the late Perc Tucker and latterly with Mike Reynolds—two men who have given very distinguished service as mayors of the northern capital. In fact, the record of the Townsville CUy Council under Labor administrations since 1976 has been widely acclaimed. It has been noticeable that many non-Labor candidates for State and Federal office have sought to gain political mileage by attacking the record of the councU, to their detriment. Put simply, the TownsviUe councU has the strong support of the community. Now that I have estabUshed my credentials to speak about local government, I want to mention the concern being felt in local govemment circles in Queensland at the trend to more and more government interference in the affairs of local authorities and to attacks on their autonomy. Although some of the smaller shire councils might appreciate the assistance of their masters, I assure you, Mr Speaker, that many large councils throughout Address in Reply 29 November 1983 247 this State are very efficiently administered by councillors dedicated to the job and with a sense of direction for their local community. In these situations, it seems to me that the less interference by large Government, the better. In recent years the Queensland Government has forced a ward system and preferential voting on local authorities. It has also made changes in the method of electing mayors. In recent weeks the Government announced that it intended to establish a tribunal to take the decision-making away from councils—in some instances in the matter of building permits. Later, it was foreshadowed that a similar tribunal would be established to deal with town-planning approvals. It seems to me that local government should be encouraged to assume a more meaningful role in the development and the progress of cities and towns. The proposals that have been made will discourage them. I suggest that this State and its local authorities would be better served by the initiation by the Government of a State development control plan to provide development guide-lines for those areas of the State with potential for development. Such a plan would be created by a commission comprising planners, developers and conservationists. The plan would be subject to public scrutiny and objections in exactly the same way as the development control plans presently produced by the local authorities. This proposal would not seek to dictate to councils. Rather, it would involve them in producing a blueprint for their future and would, I believe, receive their total support. I referred earUer to the diversity of the Townsville electorate. In addition to its suburban areas, it includes the whole of the Thuringowa shire, which, in itself is a mixture of rapidly expanding urban development and also includes a large rural component. As happens in many cities on the coast of Queensland, the growth of Townsville is overflowing into the neighbouring shire, so that some 25 000 people who give their address as Townsville are residents of the shire. This rapid growth has meant an immediate and urgent pressure for Government services and facilities. Community pressure has been for such basic amenities as a fire station, poUce station, ambulance centre, hospital and schools. Although I am pleased to say that some of these things have already been provided, continued growth has already created more demand. This is especially so in the area of education where student numbers will exceed desirable levels at Kirwan High School as early as next year. The Kirwan High School has been open for only four years. The recently announced decision to build a maternity hospital at Kirwan has not been weU received locally, although it is gratifying that changes have been made to try to accommodate the wishes of the community for additional facilities. The attempt to try to ease overcrowding at the TownsvUle General Hospital by simply picking up the maternity section and relocating it at Kirwan suggests that the end result wiU be two substandard facilities. The preferred altemative, which has been promoted extensively locally by doctors and other people who should know, was to establish a second community hospital to provide the whole range of medical facilities for the western suburbs and, at the same time, upgrade Townsville General Hospital as the regional specialist hospital to serve all of north (Queensland. I regret that the Govemment has not taken that option. The other matter about which I wish to speak that relates particularly to the Thuringowah shire is the Ross River Dam and, in particular, the decision of the Townsville City Council to proceed with the so-called Stage II of that dam. This decision was unavoidable, given that the Queensland Government was not prepared to commit itself to finance the pipeline from the Haughton River to TowmsviUe to give the city access to water from the Burdekin Dam, and I do not imply criticism of the Govemment for that decision. Townsville cannot afford to wait until the year 2000 or beyond to increase its water supply, so that Stage II became obvious once it had been clearly established that it could proceed with safety. It was disappointing that the chairman of the shire (Cr Dan Gleeson) chose to stand for election at the request of the National Party and, during the campaign, chose to make some wild statements about the safety of the dam. The decision by the councU to proceed with Stage II of Ross River Dam in no way reduces the importance of the Burdekin Dam to the future of TownsviUe, The decision to build the dam is the most important decision ever made to ensure the future development of the north and follows decades of lobbying and poUtical grandstanding, I am personally proud of the fact that it was a Labor Government that first proposed this 248 29 November 1983 Address in Reply magnificent scheme, and it is the Hawke Labor Government in Canberra that has guaranteed its completion. Future generations will remember and respect this commitment to the north. I would like now to quote some figures to show why the pipeline from the Burdekin Dam is not an ahernative to Stage II of the Ross River Dam at this time. The capital cost to the TownsviUe City Council of the Burdekin pipeUne is some $28.3m, assummg a 20 per cent subsidy from the Queensland Government. This compares with $14.4m for Stage II, with the same 20 per cent subsidy or, at best, something over $5m, with a one-third subsidy from the State and one^hird from the Commonwealth, There are good and valid reasons why the Government might commit itself to a one-third subsidy. Probably the most important comparison, however, relates to the annual operating costs. Operating costs for the Burdekin scheme would be of the order of $12.3m per year, compared to $2.8m for the worst case for Ross River, or just over $lm in the best case. The vast difference is brought about, of course, by the fact that the Ross River Dam belongs to the Townsville City Council, so it is not required to buy the water, A critical cost in the case of the Burdekin pipeline is the so-caUed standing charges to be imposed by the Queensland Water Resources Commission. This amount is estimated at almost $6m per annum and, in addition, the council would have to meet the annual interest and redemption on its share of the cost of the pipeline, as well as the pumping costs. The best case for Stage II has been estimated to mean an increase in water rates of 12,3 per cent on 1982-83 levels, and the worst case, 34.3 per cent. The Burdekin option represents an increase of 168.1 per cent. Not surprisingly, the Townsville City Council has decided to proceed with Stage II. It is estimated that Stage II wUl meet TownsvUle's requirements untU about the year 2000, at which time the city wiU require further supplementation of its water supply and this wiU, of course, come from the Burdekin Dam. At that time, given projected population growth, the city will have a sufficient number of rate-payers to meet the cost of the Burdekin pipeline. Speaking of projected growth raises two matters that are of continuing concern to the future of Townsville, The first relates to the contuiuing saga of the TownsviUe casino. It seems to me that TownsvUle has been let down badly, not so much because of the difficulty in securing equity partners, but by the lack of any positive direction by the Queensland Govemment. Much harm has been done by the feeUng of uncertainty that has been a feature of the past two years since the announcement of a licence to a TownsviUe operator was announced. It seems to Townsville business interests that the best course of action would have been to re-call tenders for the TowmsviUe Ucence, once it was known that the Drayton people could not proceed, A number of alternative tenderers could have proceeded immediately. In the interests of business confidence, it is essential that some positive direction be taken at the earliest possible time. Only last week we heard of the problems confronting Industrial Builders, who have now gone into receivership. The firm of developers and the investors who, at the time of the announcement of the casino for Townsville, had confidence in that decision and invested large sums in the city have been let down by the faUure of that early promise. The other matter that I wish to raise is the virtual collapse of the steel fabrication industry in TownsviUe. I am concerned at the closure of Rheem Australia Ltd and Steel Mains Pty Ltd in the last few months. Although those firms are not in my electorate, they do provide jobs for workers from throughout the city. Closure of these firms means loss of jobs and disruptions to families. Of course, there is no easy answer and the attempt to place the blame with the Townsville City Council and the Thuringowa Shire CouncU is not being realistic. One positive step that the Queensland Govemment could take would be to increase the preference to north Queensland firms over those in south Queensland in respect of north C^ieensland projects. However, I caution against the widespread use of preference as it works against the basic principle of competitive tendering, with a resulting adverse effect on rate-payers and customers. It is to be hoped that the works associated with the Burdekin Dam may give a much-needed boost to this industry and to industry generaUy in north Queensland, Of course, TownsvUle has in recent times devoted much energy to the encouragement of a tourist industry. The city sees great value from this industry. There has been tremendous co-operation among the various promotional bodies in the city to try to expand in Address in Reply 29 November 1983 249 this area. The support given by the whole community to the Barrier Reef World Bicentennial Project has been quite remarkable. Honourable members will recall the petUion signed by some 22 000 people that was presented to the previous Queensland Parliament. The project has met with success in that both the Queensland and Common­ wealth Governments have given their support to it. This unique man-made attraction will certainly represent a boost to interest in, and an understanding of, the Great Barrier Reef right round the world and wUl certainly add to tourist interest in north Queensland. It is important to note that Barrier Reef World is not seen as an alternative to the reef itself but rather as an interpretative centre which wiU whet the ai>petite for the real thuig. It has been said that it will be an artificial reef; it wUl be anything but that. It wHl be only the second re-creation of a living coral reef on land in the world and will be in a unique situation that is easily accessible to tourists, educational groups and others. The proposal involves the construction of a massive walk-through aquarium in which living coral will be established. Visitors will have the opportunity of walking through the aquarium and sampling something of the attractions of the Grreat Barrier Reef. Doug Tarca's Reef Link is attracting a tremendous amount of patronage and support. That indicates the amount of interest in the reef. Reef Link is a unique experiment which is showing every indication of success. Permanent platforms have been anchored on the Great Barrier Reef, Doug Tarca has constructed a semi-submersible vessel that wUl sit just below the water-line so the people can view the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef in lounge-room comfort. It can be said that the jewel of TownsvUle's tourist industry is Magnetic Island. It forms part of my electorate and is certainly a special place serving, as it does, the residents of TownsviUe as well as an increasing number of tourists and an expanding permanent population. It is the only island off the coast of (^eensland that has a treated water supply. The quantity of water available to the island will be substantially increased as the result of the dupUcation of the underwater pipeUne from the mainland. This wUl certainly lead to more development on the island. The one real disadvantage faced by residents and visitors to the island is the point of access at Picnic Bay, The Picnic Bay jetty is exposed to the prevailing winds, and its antiquated pedestrian ramp makes boarding and leaving the ferry harzardous in most weather conditions. This poses a particular problem for the elderly and the handicapped and makes the evacuation of sick or injured very difficult. In fact, the movement of sick and injured is a matter of real concem to island residents and it gives them a feeling of real insecurity. You may be able to imagine, Mr Speaker, the problems of getting a critically injured or seriously iU person from a wet and sloping ramp into a vessel bobbing about in the water. And, of course, this could all be happening at night in the rain. I pay a real tribute to the ambulance officer on Magnetic Island (Mr Arthur Katthagen) for the way in which he has coped with this situation, and to the various boat-owners and helpers who have rendered assistance to him. However, it is not a situation that should be allowed to continue. People on the island have endeavoured to resolve the problem themselves and have formed a committee to raise money to buy a boat. To the present, there is no guarantee that a vessel wiU be available when needed, and the ambulance officer has had to depend on trawler-owners and the like to come to his assistance. The unavailability of a boat is only one of the problems, though, and there are stiU the difficulties of loading the patient, particularly a stretcher case, onto the boat. A proposal was put forward to constmct a floating breakwater in Picnic Bay comprising some 300()0 tyres. I am happy to say that that proposal was rejected. It would have created a real eyesore, and it would not have made any real contribution to solving the problem. The proper solution is the constmction of a stiU-water harbour at Picnic Bay. I propose that the Queensland Government accept responsibUity for the constmction of a breakwater from Hawkins Point to create the still water. I am sure that there would be sufficient commercial interest to provide a small boat marina and ferry terminal to complete the facility. The cost of the breakwater approximates $2m, which is not a large sum considering the demand for the facility and its multipurpose capability as a tourist faciUty, small boat harbour and emergency point of evacuation. 250 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

The next subject I want to talk about has State-wide connotations. I believe that an urgent need exists to review the basis of land valuation and, more particularly, the use of the unimproved value of land in calculating local govemment rates. This is not a new subject; it has been canvassed at local government conferences in the past. However, in recent times in TownsvUle, and, I am sure, in other parts of the State, the inequality of the system has been highlighted. Earlier in my speech I referred to the Townsville casino. As I said, the effect of that announcement on land values in the Townsville area was quite extraordinary. Values escalated, particularly in the North Ward/Belgian Gardens area and in the inner city, where one property value increased by 60OO per cent. Unfortunately, this was also reflected in the unimproved value set by the Valuer-General in the revaluation of the city. This caused substantial increases in rates in these suburbs, even though some owners had lived in their homes for many years and had no intention of selling or building units. In the Woodstock area, which is a rural area some 30 km from TownsvUle, lots were subdivided for residential purposes and sold for vastly inflated prices. However, these values were transposed on to neighbouring mral properties, even though the owners had no intention of subdividing and wished to retain the property for primary production, as it had been, in some cases, for decades. Again the increase in rates was substantial as a result of the increase in the unimproved property value. The final example relates to land in the Murray Sporting Complex, which is Crown land that is leased to various sporting organisations in the Towmsville area. Lessee sporting organisations pay rates to the TownsviUe City CoimcU, but, foUowing the revaluation, then: rates increased substantiaUy, again because land sales in the area were very much taken into account, even though the land in the sporting complex cannot be sold for residential purposes. In each of these examples the properties were valued at their potential value, even though there were good and valid reasons why the properties cannot be used for those purposes. The result, of course, is to place a severe rate burden on the owners. One area of concem that is common to all north Queenslanders is the feeling that we are a long way from the seat of government. This is a fact geographicaUy, but it also permeates through aU sections of the community from business organisations to sporting bodies. It is a state of mind. I suppose it can be compared with the way that Tasmanians feel about the mainland or Western Australians feel about the east. This concem gives rise to the call for a new State for north Queensland, and the number of people who subscribe to that ideal is surprising. There are a number of very vocal and visible proponents of the idea, but very few people in north Queensland would flatly reject the idea. It has wide appeal, I suppose that I am Uke the majority; I support the ideal, but I do not expect to see it happen in my Ufe-time, One of my functions in the Parliament is to try to ensure that north Queensland is not forgotten, I would argue, in fact, that in many areas there needs to be positive discrimination in favour of north Queensland. I believe that decision-making in the public service needs to be decentraUsed to a much larger extent. During my recent efforts to establish an electoral office, I was amazed at the extent to which decisions, which were basically minor and very local, still had to be made in Brisbane. The North Queensland Games are scheduled to be held in Townsville during Easter 1984. This is an attempt by north Queenslanders to ensure that their young people have the same opportunities to participate in major sporting events as those who Uve in the south-east corner of the State. That represents the sort of positive discrimination to which I have referred. That particular effort to create opportunities for north Queensland should have the support of the central Government in Brisbane, I was disappointed that the Governor in his Opening Speech made few specific references to north Queensland, This is in contrast to the firm commitments given by the Federal Government in a wide range of areas. To give credit where it is due, though, I noted with pleasure the move of the Department of Welfare Services to decentralise its services and, in particular, that the Department of Children's Services is to be regionalised. This is welcome news. Address in Reply 29 November 1983 251

The final matter that I wish to raise is one that I am sure is of concem to all members, and especially to new members. I have found—and I am sure that other new members have also found—that the single most regular request for assistance that I receive is for welfare housing or low-cost accommodation. The lack of this most basic of human necessities is the cause of very real anguish to many of our constituents. The availabUity of rental housing stock is lower in Queensland than in any other State, Lack of adequate housing and the incidence of homelessness has reached crisis proportions in Queensland. People on above-average incomes can still manage to purchase a home and exercise choice and control over their housing situation. It is those on lower-than-average wages, or social security benefits and pensions, who have been severely disadvantaged. People living on below average weekly earnings can no longer afford to repay housing loans. Private rents in Brisbane, Townsville, and, I am sure, elsewhere in Queensland, have increased by over 50 per cent in the last four years. The average rent for a three- bedroom house is $100 per week, with a range of $85 to $130 per week. Two-bedroom flats are renting for an average of $80 a week, with a range of $70 to $90, Those rents now comprise about 60 per cent of the weekly income of a family on the guaranteed minimum wage and about 65 per cent of that of a family on unemployment benefits. Quite simply, people on benefits and pensions cannot afford to move into a rented house because landlords insist on bonds, usually comprising four weeks' rent, and another two weeks' rent in advance. The incidence of Queenslanders who are homeless and who stay in hostels and houses provided by welfare agencies is on the increase, I have found in Townsville—and I am sure that it is true also in Brisbane and other areas—that the loss of low-cost housing is one of the prices that must be paid for progress. Some of the housing stock that would have been regarded as of poor quaUty has now been removed and replaced by fine-looking and, in many cases, very expensive structures. Nevertheless, the housing stock with which we were not very impressed was providing low-cost housing to many Queens­ landers. As I have said, that has been lost as the price of progress and development, I mentioned earUer that the performance of Queensland in the area of low-cost housing is not good enough. In 1981-82, Queensland spent only $13,60 per head of population on public rental housing compared with $68,75 in Tasmania, $60,50 in South AustraUa, and $37.30 in Westem AustraUa, the other States spending between $20.30 and $25.45 per head. The Queensland Housing Commission's waiting-list for rental accommodation grew from 4 640 on 1 July 1980 to 9 983 on 31 May 1983, with appUcants having to wait two to three years to be housed. Queensland is the lowest per capita spender on public housing in Australia, provides the lowest rental stock per head of population and, next to Tasmania, accommodates the fewest number of people in public housing. Some other facts that astounded me—I am sure they will astound other honourable members—come from the 1981 census. It revealed that in 1981 some 80 Queensland dwellings housed four families, 1 099 dwelUngs housed three families and a massive 29 209 households housed two famUies, Added to this is the staggering number of people who are accommodated each night in hostels for homeless men and in women's and youth refuges. The only way that this problem wiU be overcome is by a firm commitment from the Government to the construction of many more rental houses. Smgle person accommodation must not be forgotten, either, as youth homelessness is now an unfortunate fact of Ufe. Although I strongly support the ideal of the family unit there are many cases—too many, in fact—of the break-down of the family. If these young homeless are to realise their potential in life, they clearly need security of accommodation. I give my commitment to work hard for the people of TownsviUe and for the people of Queensland, I conclude by sincerely thanking my wife and family for their support during the election campaign and, indeed, through aU the years of my involvement in pubUc life, I am sure aU monourable members will agree that pubUc life imposes Umitations and hardships on our famiUes, so I sincerely thank my family for their support. Mr McPHIE (Toowoomba North) (5.33 p.m.): It is with great pleasure that 1 speak in support of the motion for the adoption of the Address in Reply, so ably moved by the honourable member for Pine Rivers and seconded by the honourable membei for Greenslopes. As the newly elected member for Toowoomba North, I pledge my allegiance and that of the electors to our Most Gracious Sovereign Queen Elizabeth H 252 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

of AustraUa and to her most worthy representative in Queensland, His Excellency the Governor. I extend my congratulations and thanks to His Excellency for the enlightened program of his Government, which he detailed in his speech to open the Forty-fourth Parliament. I join with my coUeagues in congratulating Mr Speaker on his election to that high office. With all the electors of our garden city, Toowoomba, I share pride in the recc>gnition of his good self and know full weU that, as demanded by tradition, he wiU bring dignity and honour to the position. I also record my sincere thanks for the kindness, consideration and willing assistance extended to me by Mr Speaker's staff in these early days of my parliamentary career. I wish that such courtesy and thoughtfulness were a way of Ufe today. The electors of Toowoomba North have extended to me the privilege of representing them in ParUament, I make no apology for the abmpt departure of the previous representative, Dr John Lockwood, but I acknowledge and give credit to the many projects with which Dr Lockwood was able to assist Toowoomba during his time in office, I am very conscious of the trust placed in me and of my responsibilities to the people of Toowoomba North. It is my intention to serve them to the best of my abiUty during my time in Parliament. To this end I have already resigned my pre-election appointment as a licensed investment consultant and will devote my fuU time to my parUamentary and electorate duties. I stress that this representation is for all the electors in Toowoomba North, irrespective of their political persuasions. I wish to place on record my sincere appreciation and thanks for the support of the National Party electors in Toowoomba North on 22 October and for the great work and support of my campaign committee during the campaign, especiaUy that of my wife and children. It is thus an honour indeed to be here today as their representative and as a member of the Government of this State. In this regard I assure the Premier, Deputy Premier, Ministers and my parliamentary colleagues of my absolute loyalty and dedication to the job ahead, I am one of three National Party members representing the city of Toowoomba. AU of us are well-qualified and able men for this task. In my own case, I grew up in Toowoomba and worked there as the third generation of a family stock and station agency firm, I later farmed a smaU brigalow block between Chinchilla and Jandowae and then, when prevented from continuing that vocation following an accident, I served in the Royal Australian Air Force for a number of years. The city of Toowoomba is fifth in size in our State—^well ahead, I might mention, of the northern city of Caims. First settled in 1852 by the Alford family, Toowoomba today has a population of some 80000 people, with weU over that number in the immediate hinterland, and the city growth is continuing apace. The city and its surrounding areas provide a most complex and pleasing variety of primary and secondary industries, educational faciUties, and commercial and Govemment undertakings, to produce a vigorous and vibrant community servicing a large part of southern Queensland. If I may, Mr Deputy Speaker, I would like to dwell briefly on but a few of the more significant aspects of the city. Primary industry is surely the very life-blood of Toowoomba with the city being the main centre for the vast and rich agricultural areas with all their grain, dairy, pig and machinery needs. It services, too, many of the sheep, cattle and horse-raising areas nearby and further west, and is the centre of a large horse- raising industry. The massive Purrawanda cattle lot-feeding undertaking which is on the westem edge of the city tums off 60 000 fat cattle per year. The Harristown saleyard complex is one of the major cattle markets of the Commonwealth, long since eclipsing Brisbane's Cannon HUl as Queensland's main centre, and surely in time will approach the record of the old Newtown saleyards of my grandfather's day, which can still claim world record figures for horse sales. A note of caution is due here, however, in regard to primary industry, as soil erosion damage is making significant inroads into much of our valuable land. It is perhaps a paradox that when drought-breaking rains do come to our parched fields, as occurred earlier this year, the greatest erosion frequently occurs. We have talented men within the Department of Primary Industries who will, I am sure, be fully utilised by the Government in addressing this problem as a matter of urgency. Address in Reply 29 November 1983 253

Transport plays a significant role in Toowoomba's life, for major road networks radiate from the city to most of inland Queensland and interstate, while a rail infrastructure based on Toowoomba covers much of south-western Queensland and extends into New South Wales, Future development in the coal areas to the west of the city and continued increases in road transport operations will, I hope, necessitate a positive attempt by the Government in the near future to solve the problem of providing a suitable rail route up the range, and an accessible bypass route for heavy transports. Education is possibly Toowoomba's largest industry. There are many exceUent State and private schools established within its boundaries. A number provide boarding facilities for children from the west, I find it most difficult to understand the present program of the Federal Labor Government of discriminating against certain independent schools by reducing Government funding on a selective basis, generally aimed at the very schools that have carried out successful and energetic self-help programs over the years as far as in-house finances are concerned, I am pleased that our National Party Government in Queensland is continuing its program of assistance to all schools, A unique opportunity exists in Toowoomba for two significant community projects to bo advanced during the term of this Govemment, One is the development of the new showground site on the western edge of the city in the Jondaryan shire, which is in the Cuimingham electorate. There, the Toowoomba-based Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland has an unparaUeled opportunity to build the most modern and attractive showground complex in Australia. Assistance has already been provided by the Govemment and further assistance will, I am sure, also be provided for the supporting and anciUary facUities. Present Govemment plans for the existing showground site in the city centre provide for the establishment of new TAFE facilities to supplement those in existence. I look forward to examining the master plan for this development when it is released by the Honourable the Minister for Education. I see a magnificent opportunity for his department to provide modern facilities landscaped into an already attractive urban setting, of which any city in Australia would be justly proud. The Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education is Toowoomba's largest and most significant educational facility. Its record of achievement is an enviable one. Surely the time is fast approaching when this institute must receive full university recognition and status, Toowoomba also has a number of excellent hospitals. The Toowoomba General Hospital is one of the best hospitals outside the capital. It is a hospital in which continuing development is taking place. I believe that the Govemment will be providing a much-needed new services wing there shortly. I understand that the possibility of basing a flying ambulance service in Toowoomba is being actively pursued. Toowoomba has a sound secondary industry base ranging from long-established under­ takings such as the Southern Cross Foundry, with its associated complex, the extensive railway workshops. Defiance Flour MiU, the K R DarUng Downs factory, and a number of seed and grain operations, to the new undertakings on the State-sponsored industrial estate such as Stahman Farms Pecan Processing Plant, Brazier's new brickworks, Maddco target rifle barrel factory and Wildman's building tmss works. The media is well represented, too, by "The Chronicle" and TV Channels 10, 4 and 5A. All are part of a secondary industry complex costing tens of miUions of doUars. They provide employment for many of Toowoomba's inhabitants and contribute significantly to the State's eamings. I complunent past National Party-led Govemments on their enlightened policies for decentralisation of industry and the estabUshment of industrial estates. I wUl certainly support all moves to continue free-enterprise progress and development within our State, free of the unnecessarily inhibiting and restrictive regulatory processes found in the Labor- governed States. The future of Toowoomba is, of course, assured. An enterprising city councU is actively examining a plan to provide the city centre with a mall which will not only revitalise this central business area and complement the new Heritage BuUding Society office and commercial complex, but will also help regulate traffic flow and make the city centre one of pride to all who live in the city. Development will continue be it commercial, industrial or residential because the people, many of whom are from the south, are still moving to the city to settle. 254 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

In time, I am sure the Toowoomba City Council wiU be praised for its foresight in providing additional water-storage facilities for this city with the constmction of the Cress- brook Dam, Whatever the difficulties in constructing or financing this project, history will show it to be a timely undertaking and one in which the final balance sheet, whatever the cost, will be well in favour of the city, I commend to the National Party Government serious consideration of providing additional funds, as required, to assist in the finalisation of this project. Moving on from Toowoomba itself, I draw the Government's attention to two areas which left lasting impressions with me during my years of service in the Royal Australian Air Force. The final three years of this service was spent at reasonably senior level in the Department of Defence in Canberra. There I became aware of a surprising amount of unnecessary duplication of work within that and other departments and a definite tendency for proUferation in that regard. Further, I found committees were formed for every conceivable need—often, apparently, just to check or endorse what an earlier committee had decided. Surely this is an abrogation of responsibUity and a costly and time-wasting indulgence we can ill afford in present economic circumstances. Imagine my dismay when, in my first week in ParUament, I found Labor Party members seriously proposing the formation of six new committees to undertake work already well covered by existing bodies. If results from a department or committee are not of the required standard or do not provide the required information, surely the answer is to amend terms of reference or instructions to ensure that the required end resuhs are achieved, not to unnecessarily add yet another committee to those already in existence. But perhaps members of the Opposition cannot see this, for the record of their pMl;y, federally and in other States, seems to be one of constant inquiries and creation of new committees to involve their Govemment in everything under the sun, at added costs in time, manpower and materials—all paid for from the tax-payer's purse. No wonder taxes in other States are higher than those in Queensland and their budgets are not balanced as ours is. FinaUy, as a recently serving officer in the RAAF, where there was a deep loyalty to traditional values and standards, I ask just what is being done in this country of ours by the present Federal Government. I ask this because I am concemed, the people in my electorate of Toowoomba North are concemed, as, too, are most people throughout Queensland and the rest of Australia. I ask it in this House, for sitting opposite are the State members of the same Labor Party that holds Federal office. As an example of what I am saying, I point out that a relatively simple item in the press the other day mentioned that the historically named medal for champion shot in the army wiU no longer be knowm as the Queen's Medal. Why was that name changed? Why is the use of our Sovereign's title in the name of this medal unacceptable to this Commonwealth Govemment? Why, too, is the oath of allegiance for naturaUsation purposes to be changed by the deletion of reference to "God" and "the Queen"? What is wrong with reference to them in the existmg oath? If anything is wrong, I suggest that it is in the minds of those who are bringing these proposals forward. They are the ones who are out of touch with the thinking of tme Australians, both old and new, for they are the ones who reject our flag, talk of a repubUc and blindly support communist-sponsored United Nations accords in preference to our own traditional laws based on British justice and the Westminster system of Govemment. They are the ones who have no right to govern in this State or anywhere else in this nation. I am proud and honoured to have been able to stand here today as a member of the National Party Government and suport these traditional values, to speak in favour of this motion of loyalty, and to again affirm my allegience to God and the Queen. Mr VEIVERS (Ashgrove) (5.49 p.m.): Looking at the time, I think that I am now a tme night-watchman. Let me say initially how delighted I am to be the AustraUan Labor Party representative for the seat of Ashgrove. I am the first Labor member to represent the Ashgrove area since 1957. Until that year, the area had been represented for 16 years by the late Bert Tumer. When he was the Labor member for the area, the seat was knovm as Address in Reply 29 November 1983 255

Kelvin Grove. The seat of Ashgrove takes in a large part of the area that was previously in the electorate of Kelvin Grove. I am delighted to represent a fine electorate comprising many fine people. I thank them for their expression of confidence in electing me as their representative. I pledge my loyalty to them and my endeavours will be on their behalf. I congratulate you, Mr Deputy Speaker, on your appointment to a very important office in this ParUament. I ask you to convey my congratulations to Mr Speaker on his election. I extend my congratulations to all new members. No doubt, like me, they are finding it quite an experience. I extend my best wishes to them for a successful parliamentary career. As is the custom I, as a loyal Queensland and Australian citizen, pledge my loyalty to the institution of this ParUament. As honourable members know, a great deal of pressure is placed on the wives and families of politicians. Persistent telephone calls are among the interruptions to normal family routine. I thank my wife, Robyn, and our family for assisting me and for putting up with interruptions during the course of what was a very intensive, and uhimately successful, campaign. My family leamed during the course of the campaign that one has to deal with three types of dogs: dogs that bark, dogs that bite and dogs that do both. I am grateful that the dog that bit the Premier lives in his electorate and not in Ashgrove because I am fearful of what it would have done to me, I thank members of the Labor Party organisation for running an extremely successful campaign and for their assistance to me in the electorate of Ashgrove, In particular, I thank my own campaign committee and my campaign director, as well as his wife, who would have experienced the same difficulties my wife did during the course of the campaign. I also thank the many loyal and wiUing party members who made my campaign the success it was. I pay a tribute and offer my thanks to the staff of Parliament House, Since the election, I have found them to be not only extremely courteous but also very helpful. They have a difficult job, particularly with new members. From time to time they are put under a great deal of pressure and doubtless some members demand much from them. On my experience so far, I have nothing but praise for the staff and I record my personal thanks for their assistance, courtesy and co-operation. Years ago I was told the story that when a person enters politics he must begin to count, and the counting does not stop from then until he finally retires from politics. Indeed that is very true. I assure honourable members that my sporting career has trained me to be able to count. In the days when I was first contending for selection in the Australian team, teams were announced over the radio in alphabetical order. With the name Veivers, and knowing that no other contenders had surnames commencing with W, X, Y or Z—^those were the days before Doug Walters came into the side—I had to learn to count. If the matches were to be played in Australia, I had to be able to count to 12; if the team was going overseas to play matches, I had to be able to count to either 16 or 17. So, I can count to 12, 16 or 17. After the announcement of a team, people would ring me up to congratulate me and ask me, "Who else made the side?" I would reply, "Quito frankly, I cannot remember. I was only counting." It is a great honour and privilege for me to a member of the Queensland Parliament, to be in a position to serve the people of this great State and perhaps to realise an ambition to make a meaningful contribution to the welfare of the people of Queensland. Like me, no doubt all new members feel a sense of pride and responsibUity. PoUtics is aU about ideals and philosophies, but members should continually remind themselves that most of all it is about people—their problems, their fmstrations, thei< endeavours and how we can help. As we know from history, ParUament evolved as a meeting-place where people could speak and solve communal problems, where justice could be done, where laws could be made to help the weak and where the basic rights and freedoms of people were protected. It is timely to prod our minds and ask whether that is still the purpose of this House. 256 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

I remind myself that I was elected by the people of Ashgrove—all the constituents of Ashgrove—to do that very job on their behalf. I am here to represent them in those ideals and aspirations and to present their case in this Parliament. Each member has such a responsibility. Unfortunately, Parliament has lost the respect of far too many people in the com­ munity. I do not intend to go over ground that has already been covered in earlier debates. However, I will comment on the issue because it is important for all members to think about what this ParUament means. Too many people have lost faith in what it does mean. Too many people are prepared to bypass it as a means of solving their problems. In recent years the chief culprit has been the Government of Queensland itself. I can remember that in the early part of my election campaign I walked into a back yard in which three young fellows aged 19, 20 or 21 were standing round repairing what appeared to be an old motor. As I walked over to them, one of them pointed at me and said, "You're not a poUtician, are you?" I repUed, quite tmthfuUy, "No, I am an aspiring one." He tumed to me and said, "WeU, all politicians should not be taught to swim." I asked, "Why do you say that?" He said, "Well, if they are not taught to swim, they can be taken for a long walk on a short pier." That comment reaUy is a very sad commentary on the way young people feel about the institution of Parliament. Does it indicate the reason why young people are sceptical of ParUament and why they are reluctant to enrol? [Sitting suspended from 6 to 7.15 p.m.] Mr VEIVERS: Before the baUs were removed for the dinner recess, I was speaking about young people and their reaction to and image of this ParUament. I ask: Is that one of the reasons why so many of them are becoming apathetic and negative towards their fellow citizens? The fact is that they feel let down by Govemment and society. If their frustrations then turn to a loss of hope, we have fertUe ground for the development of aU the unsavoury social problems in our society. Recent Queensland Governments have refined to the nth degree executive-style government and Cabinet domination of this Parliament. I shall quote from an editorial in the Brisbane "Telegraph" on 27 March 1983. It is indicative of many comments that have been made in recent years. It states— "The present Queensland Government has often treated the Parliament as a troublesome irrelevance to the real business of Government and Development." It was the present Minister for Health, who is in the Chamber at the moment, who crystallised his own and the Government's attitude when earlier this year he was quoted as saying— "I think any Member of Parliament when he first enters Parliament expects that at some time he might become a Minister. I believe it is part of our obligation to achieve the ministry, as Cabinet rather than Parliament is where the Govemment of the State takes place." Today we saw a very good example of that executive-style government when question-time was reduced to about seven minutes. I thought that was very, very poor. I put to Government members that this is the chaUenge that they face: every member of this Assembly has the responsibUity to make the Government accountable to the people of Queensland through this Parliament. I turn now to my electorate of Ashgrove. The problems that exist in the electorate of Ashgrove are similar to those experienced in other urban metropolitan electorates. I wUl not refer to them because they are common to a number of electorates in the Brisbane region. Unemployment, particularly the high level of youth unemployment, is the problem that concerns me most. The Ashgrove electorate is changing in the sense that many famUies now have children looking for work or embarking on a professional career. The fact of the matter is that job and career opportunities are very limited in this State. Almost 20 per cent of young people cannot find a job, and Queensland is the only State that does not have a job-creation scheme. Earlier this year $16m of Commonwealth money was given to the State for job-creation programs. It was supposedly placed on the short-term money market and not used for the purpose for which it was allocated. Address in Reply 29 November 1983 257

However, I must compliment the honourable member for Condamine, who, during his maiden speech, referred to the unemployment problems in his electorate, which is a rural one. He is obviously aware of the seriousness of the situation, I am sure that he would agree with me when I say that sustained high levels of unemployment are not only economically serious but also have disastrous social consequences. We may differ on the solutions to those problems, but at least there is common ground for recognition. Unfortunately, too many people do not even recognise the problems and the consequences of unemployment. They are usually the ones who have secure jobs, who are highly paid and who have the rather tragic Australian attitude of, "I'm all right. Jack, and to hell with the rest of you!" We must try to solve that problem. There do not seem to be any immediate or magic solutions to the problems of unemployment in this State and country. Surely the first step has to be for all levels of Government—Commonwealth, State and local—^irrespective of their political make-up, to co-operate in an effort to produce some tangible and positive results and achievements. I now wish to make some comments in relation to sport, recreation and leisure activUies in this State, Because of my background, I imagine that honourable members are not surprised about that. I have not only been involved as a player in a particular sport over the years; I have also been an administrator. I have been involved in a number of capacities with other sports—^in a playing capacity and by direct involvement in trying to sort out their problems. Many people tend to ignore the importance and value to society of recreational and leisure pursuits and what they mean to the physical health, and especially the mental health, of the community. Psychologists remind us that the human body and mind need physical activity for their well-being. The tensions and aggressions that build up in human beings need an outlet. Leisure activities, through some form of sport or recreation, what­ ever it may be, provide an answer to these problems, Queenslanders, I believe, are sports fanatics. Look at the way in which they supported the Commonwealth Games, Those Games are something of which each and every one of us should be proud, and I am sure that we are. But as honourable members from country electorates on both sides of the House know, Queensland has a massive problem in developing its talented sportsmen and sportswomen. The Government has never really recognised the problems of distance and climate. A junior side consisting of 14 members was selected from the far-north Queensland area to participate in an intrastate carnival to be held in Brisbane, Six of the lads selected in that side had to withdraw because their parents could not find the $350 to send them to compete in the carnival. The real tragedy was that four of those six happened to be the best players in the side. Most junior sports in Queensland alternate the venue of their intrastate carnivals between the country and Brisbane, so that the young participants from the metropolitan area have exactly the same problem in that their parents have to contribute substantially when the youngsters travel from here to Rockhampton, Townsville or wherever the competition may be held. However, the Government can spend $15m on the development of a magnificient complex—I suppose I could call it a palace—^at Albion Park, $l,5m on upgrading the Deagon training track, and thousands and thousands of dollars on racing faciUties aU over the State. I note that in his maiden speech the honourable member for Roma congratulated his own Government on the race-track improvements and development that had taken place in his electorate. He said that by doing that the Government had improved the quality of life. That is commendable; but I would be prepared to debate with him that an equal amount of money spent on other sport and recreation activities would improve the quality of Ufe tenfold. I ask honourable members not to get me wrong; I am not against racing. Many people support and depend for their livelihood on galloping, trotting and greyhound racing and need modern, up-to-date facilities. Racing is also a recreational outlet. But this Government seems to have gone overboard to support what is commonly called the sport of kings, particularly when last year it collected almost $30m from TAB betting tax and book­ makers' turnover tax. That does not include the ,5 per cent of totalisator turnover, fractions and unpaid dividends which go into the Racing Development Fund, They amounted to $7,5m last year. 258 29 November 1983 Address m Reply

One wonders where it is all going to end, with the Minister for Racing—^I am sorry he is not present tonight—announcing new harness racing projects at the Gold Coast, TownsvUle, Rocklea and Ipswich, estimated to cost about $4m each. No doubt more money will be expended on the development of the Sunshine Coast racecourse. At present sport and recreation are administered by two departments: the Department of Sport, which is part of the portfolio of Tourism, National Parks, Sport and The Arts, and the Department of Welfare Services and Ethnic Affairs on the recreation side. Because involvement with sport means votes, there has always been a hassle in previous coalition agreements between the National and Liberal Parties over which party took which Ministry. Other States have one Ministry responsible for both mainstream competitive sports and the recreation side of leisure. If one Minister is responsible, programs such as "Life. Be in it,", which are of national importance, can then be effectively organised and promoted, I suggest that the Government give serious consideration to combining sport and recreation so that an upgraded department can get on with the job of really assisting those activities in this State. The Government now has the opportunity. Let us see what it can do. The present Department of Sport does an exceUent job in its limited role of co-ordination, but it is really only a department for receiving applications for subsidies and aUocating available funds along the guide-lines laid down by the Govemment. It is a clearing-house. A Queensland sport and recreation council needs to be set up, with regional advisory councils feeding into it. There is presently a Sports Advisory CouncU, but I believe its role needs to be upgraded, as it would be under the proposals I now intend to put forward. The role of a department of sport and recreation would be to— (1) Foster, promote and develop sport, recreation and leisure activities in Queensland, (2) Provide the necessary support in these areas, in consultation with sporting bodies. (3) Administer the allocation of budgeted funds on a fair and equitable basis, as determined by the department, and to administer the Queensland Sport and Recreational Council. (4) Promote the need for all Queenslanders to participate in some form of sport, leisure or cultural activity whether it be competitive or non-competitive, individual or team, skilled or unskiUed, (5) Educate the community, irrespective of age or sex, that participation in one form of sport or another, recreation or leisure activity is essential for physical and mental health, (6) Ck)-operate with other levels of Government in the pursuit of these aims, (7) Liaise with other Government departments, particularly the Education Depart­ ment—there needs to be substantial improvement in this area—to assist in the implementation of sport and recreation poUcies. I refer here particularly to TAFE colleges, which are responsible for conducting some of the coaching courses throughout Queensland. They again, are hamstmng by avaUable resources and the quality of the people avaUable to conduct the courses. This is certainly a very valuable role for the colleges to undertake. The next point would be— (8) Assist sporting organisations to train and develop coaches under the existing National Coaching Accreditation Scheme. We experience many problems in Queensland in this matter because of distances and costs. I do not have sufficient time tonight to go into the amount of time involved in completing the courses, but a great deal of assistance is needed in this area. The final point would be— (9) Provide some research assistance to sport and set up or co-ordinate a system of helping sports with a supply of resource material. By that, I mean films, video tapes, a sporting library, or somewhere where those involved in sport can get information and help for their talented people. What happened to the sports house proposal that was raised by a National-Liberal Govemment about six years ago? We have heard nothing about it since then. I hope it will not be akin to the Redcliffe railway line proposal. Address in Reply 29 November 1983 259

The crying need in Queensland is for more and improved facilities. In my capacity over the last six years of State Director of Coaching for the Queensland Cricket Association, I have travelled extensively throughout the State. I am not talking only about cricket. I was also the president of the State Directors of Coaching Association—an all-sports body. My counterparts in all other sports would confirm that sporting facilities generally in this State are sadly lacking. Today, other honourable members have made comments about that matter. What do visitors to sporting grounds see on a Saturday moming? Quite often they see ladies in old, shabby, wooden canteens selling cups of tea, drinks, pies and sausage rolls to make a dollar for their clubs. The night before, their husbands were probably up at the local pub or club selUng tickets in chook or meat raffles for the same purpose. Quite often, after they have paid for everything else, junior clubs do not have enough money at the end of the season to pay for a coat of paint on their buildings. That would not take into account playing or oval improvements. Last year, because of the Government's poUcy, subsidies for facility development decreased from 33i per cent of the expenditure of a club to 20 per cent. It should be borne in mind that the clubs have to raise the money before any financial assistance is given. It is 11 years since the Government introduced its sporting assistance scheme, with financial help for administration, directors of coaching, sporting teams, sports seminars and so on. At the time, the scheme was the first of its kind in AustraUa. The Govemment of the day should be congratulated for it. It was, and still is, the basis of a good concept for assisting sport in Queensland. However, the need is greater than ever. As I said previously, the Govemment has not fully recognised Queensland's unique problems. The spending of $3m to $4m a year on sport and recreation in this State is akin to a drop in the ocean. It scarcely scratches the surface. The Govemment claims that its per capita spending in Queensland is higher than that in any other State m AustraUa, The Government is very good at patting itself on the back, particularly in this area. The drawing of such a comparison is not vaUd because a dollar spent in Victoria, South AustraUa or Western AustraUa goes so much further because those States do not have the logistic problems of distance and conditions experienced in Queensland, I call on the Government tonight to completely review its approach to sport and recreation in Queensland, and not just to pat itself on the back, I ask it to reconsider its aUocation of resources, I ask it not only to give our young people the best environment in which to participate and to enjoy their recreational activity but also to give those who have the skills and talents the opportunity to reach the top. As I said at the outset,. I am firmly convinced that Queenslanders are tremendous lovers, supporters and followers of sport. We want them to participate in sport and to enjoy it. We want them to succeed if they have the ambition to do so. One never knows but, if we do the right thing, surely one day we might even win the Sheffield Shield, I thank honourable members for the courtesy that they have extended to me in listening to my speech in silence, I wish to reinforce my earUer comments by thanking my family and my constituents for the sincere, enthusiastic and tremendous support that they have given to me. I assure them that I have no intention of letting them down. Mr BORBIDGE (Surfers Paradise) (7.37 p.m.): Firstly, I take the opportunity to express my loyalty and that of my electorate to Her Majesty the Queen and to her most worthy representative in (Queensland, the Govemor, Sir James Ramsay. The Governor and Lady Ramsay lead a very hectic Ufe. They carry out their viceregal duties with a great deal of dignity and dedication. Mr R. J. Gibbs interjected. Mr BORBIDGE: The comments being made by the honourable member do bun no credit. He attempts to denigrate the monarchy and all that it stands for in AustraUa today. I join with other members in congratulating Mr Speaker on his elevation to that high and honourable office. I trust that his tenure will be a long and happy one. I also extend my personal congratulations to those members elected to the Forty-fourth Pariiament of Queensland, particularly those who took their place in this Parliament for the first time. 260 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

I extend my sincere appreciation to the electors of Surfers Paradise for the over­ whelming vote of support that they gave me at the recent election, and to all those people who worked so hard to achieve that result. The increase in the National Party's primary vote, from 42 per cent to 56 per cent, demonstrates the very close political relationship that the National Party has forged with the Gold Coast. I listened with interest to the comments that the honourable member for Ashgrove made about sport, I shall comment on some of them, I understand that in 1972 the Queensland Government was the first in Australia to estabUsh a Department of Sport, I understand also that Queensland leads Australia in per capita expenditure on sport and on providing incentives for sport. This year the allocation is about $3.6m, which represents an increase of approximately 8 per cent on the previous year's allocation. Mr McKechnie interjected. Mr BORBIDGE: The Minister says that that performance cannot be matched by Labor Governments in any other State in Australia. Mr McKechnie interjected. Mr BORBIDGE: The Minister indicates that the member who made those comments has retreated from the Chamber. The area that I represent, probably epitomises the private enterprise ethic to a greater extent than any other part of Australia. That spirit forms the foundation of the National Party majority Government. Despite the forces at work denigrating the free enterprise system in Australia and throughout the rest of the world, no system of government has achieved so much and been maligned by so many. The result of the State election, which reflects the view of the people of Queensland, wUl be a springboard for the antisociaUst forces around AustraUa. Mr R. J. Gibbs: You got 38 per cent of the total vote. Mr BORBIDGE: The honourable member for Wolston always has a great deal to say about his side of politics. Mr R, J. Gibbs interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Row): Order! Constant interchange in this Chamber between members will not be tolerated. If a member interjects and his interjection is accepted by the member on his feet, the reply will be taken; but I will not tolerate constant interchange, Mr BORBIDGE: Members of the Opposition are not as good at Ustening as they are at talking. The National Party was successful at the election because of its ability to deliver in Government and because of the strong, positive leadership it gives the people of Queensland and AustraUa. I express concern at the growing threat from the left that is demonstrated almost daily by the Federal Labor Govemment, The sociaUst intention of the Labor Party in AustraUa is demonstrated by the abolition of the Queen's Medal, the uncertainty about the Victoria Cross, the dismantling of the school cadet system, the moves to drop allegiance to the Queen and reference to God from the citizenship oath, efforts to change the flag and attempts to subvert the Commonwealth Constitution and downgrade the rights of the States. Opposition Members interjected.

Mr BORBIDGE: Honourable members opposite can say all they like. They campaigned at the State and Federal elections in front of the Australian flag; now they want to replace it. A Government Member: That is what you call sociaUsm. Mr BORBIDGE: The Minister is dead right. Mr Booth: It was shocking to see them campaign in front of the Australian flag. Address in Reply 29 November 1983 261

Mr BORBIDGE: I agree with the honourable member for Warwick. He always demonstrates an ability to size up a situation. It was a great shame and a great disgrace. The election in Queensland was of national significance and the result will start a movement that wiU affect Parliaments in every mainland State. Queensland continues to out-perform the rest of the nation in every major area of Government endeavour. Members of the Opposition criticise the Government's economic performance, but I remind them that Queensland is the only State with an Al plus PI international credit rating. Queensland continues to set the pace and the standard for Australia, despite the economic problems that beset the economy, Mr Davis interjected. Mr BORBIDGE: I remind the honourable member who interjects every time a member of the Government is positive about the State of Queensland that over the past three years Queensland generated 45 000 new jobs—11 times the national average. In the same period. New South Wales under a Labor Government lost 42 000 jobs, Victoria under a Labor Govemment lost 10000 jobs and South Australia under a Labor Government lost 15 000 jobs. It is not an accident that last year 1 005 people per week moved into Queensland to live, invest, work, employ and expand. In that three-year period, Queensland's population continued to increase at double the national average, retail sales increased by 34 per cent, building approvals rose by 63 per cent, and manufacturing increased by 26 per cent. The last three years have seen 59 OOO new business names and 38 000 new companies registered in Queensland. The views that I am expressing tonight are shared by the business community. On 13 November, "The Sunday Mail" quoted the president of the Brisbane Chamber ol Commerce (Mr J. K. Howes) as stating that Queensland is rapidly becoming the State behind a large number of national brand companies. He was quoted as saying that many southern companies were moving their operations to (Queensland because they could save money. Mr Davis interjected. Mr BORBIDGE: For the benefit of the honourable member for Brisbane Central, I quote that one company predicted that it would be able to save up to $100,000 simply by conducting transactions in Queensland, and the reason for that was that the State taxes in Queensland are low. Mr Davis: Who was that? Mr BORBIDGE: Mr J. K, Howes, the president of the Brisbane Chamber of Commerce. If the honourable member for Brisbane Central is trying to denigrate the Brisbane Chamber of Commerce or its president, he is showing his ignorance. Mr Howes went on to say— "Queensland is regarded as the opportunity State. That is why so many people are moving here," Opposition Members interjected. Mr BORBIDGE: Members of the Opposition can cry out all they like and they can try to talk down the (Queensland Government's performance and the State's economic recovery, but the facts speak for themselves. Over the past two years, aU that I have heard in this House from members of the Opposition is doom and gloom—^nothing constructive, nothing positive. The people of Queensland take offence at that type of negative attitude on the part of members of the Opposition. As Opposition members seem keen to question my views, I shall quote another assessment, A recent survey conducted by the Metal Trades Industry Association showed that for every $100 paid in wages, Queensland employers have to set aside $34, whereas in New South Wales the indirect cost of labour is $40 and in Victoria it is $41. The survey confirmed that this type of advantage, brought about by the overall lower rate of State taxes and charges imposed in Queensland, gives local firms a competitive edge over businesses in other States. Because these indirect charges on labour are lower, Queensland companies in the metal trades industry can employ more or higher qualified staff with their pay-roU dollar to promote greater productivity. Altematively, it means that a Queensland firm with a staff structure identical to that of a southem firm 262 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

wUl have a pay-roU 6 per cent lower than that of its interstate competitor. That mdicates one thing: performance on the part of the Queensland Govemment. Not only is the impost on business lower in Queensland; it is becoming relatively lower all the time. Over the last two years, indirect labour costs in Queensland have increased by only 9 per cent, whereas in New South Wales they have risen by 12.2 per cent and in Victoria by 13.4 per cent. Today I was interested to read a statement by the Deputy Premier on the Queensland economy. Mr Gunn: It is going very well. Mr BORBIDGE: As the Deputy Premier says, it is going very weU indeed. He announced that in the September 1983 quarter, the number of new dweUings approved in Queensland was 7 622, which represented a 13.2 per cent increase over the figure of 6 732 for the same period last year. The Queensland building materials supply industry reported an improvement in market demand during the first four months of 1983-84. An upturn in demand for alumina had occurred, which resulted in the Gladstone refinery's operating at above-rate capacity during the September quarter. The value of Queensland's overseas exports for the first two months of 1983-84 stood at $956.3m, which is 12.1 per cent higher than the figure for the corresponding period of 1982-83. The value of the State's overseas exports for 1982-83 was $4,467,6m, which was only 1.2 per cent lower than for 1981-82. They are boom years. Coal production for the first 10 weeks of 1983-84 was estimated to be 8.144 miUion tonnes, a 13.2 per cent increase on production for the same period last year. Coal production in 1982-83 was estimated at 35.8 milUon tonnes, a 4.48 increase on 34.3 million tonnes in 1981-82, The value of mineral production in the State of Queensland other than gold, coal and precious stones for 1982-83 was $757.7m, a 13.1 per cent increase on the previous year. In addition, the estimated value of retail sales in Queensland in the September quarter was 7.7 per cent higher than in the same period last year. I rest my case. The figures speak for themselves. The Government is showing that it has the ability and the determination to give an example to the rest of AustraUa in regard to economic recovery. The process is well under way. From time to time people are very keen and very anxious to denigrate the Gold Coast, Indeed, in this Chamber from time to time members of the Opposition seize every possible opportunity to knock the Gold Coast or to try and pull the Gold Coast a peg or two down the ladder, I shall enlighten the House about the major development projects that are presently under way. They include the Jupiters/Conrad casino project, which will cost $175m. At present four cranes are on site. It is the largest single privately financed construction project in Australia today. It has been made possible because of the Government's initiative in regard to casinos. The Paradise Centre stage 2 development will cost $50m. Fisherman's Wharf has recently been completed at a cost of $12m. The Magic Mountain development at Miami will cost $llm. Stage 2 has commenced on the Scarborough Fair shopping centre at Southport, at a total cost of $50m. Another Government project, which will cost a little under $20m, is stage 2 of the Gold Coast Hospital. The fact is that there are probably more major development projects under way now on the Gold Coast than in any other part of Australia, The Queensland Govemment has set the mood for a substantial recovery and boost of confidence in the business sector. Our reputation as the lowest-taxed State in Australia is being appreciated by a growing number of people labouring uneasily under the socialist administrations of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, In Victoria Labor was elected on a platform promising no increases in State taxes or charges; the same promise made in the Queensland election campaign by the Leader of the Opposition, What happened in Victoria? After one year in office the Labor Govemment had increased State taxation by 27 per cent whilst the average wage had increased by 8.5 per cent. Labor took office in Victoria with a budget surplus of $6m. Within 12 months it turned that surplus into a disastrous budget deficit of $135m. Mr Menzel: What is happening with the uranium projects? Mr BORBIDGE: We know all about the uranium. As the honourable member for Mulgrave interposes, what is happening with uranium is a national disgrace. Mr Gunn: Do you know that Victoria has a 1 per cent surcharge on pay-roll tax? Address in Reply 29 November 1983 263

Mr BORBIDGE: The Deputy Premier would be in a position to know just what the Labor Governments are doing when they have the opportunity to occupy the Treasury benches. Not only do they have the highest taxes and State Government charges in Australia, but also they are now putting surcharges on those taxes. After 12 months of Government, by which time Mr Cain had turned a $6m surplus into a $135m deficit and increased State taxation by 27 per cent, he had to introduce another Budget—^this year's Budget—in which he increased State taxation by a further $200m. In two years. State taxes in Victoria have increased by weU over 40 per cent. That is shocking, I am sure that the people of Victoria, New South Wales, South AustraUa and Westem Australia will pass judgment in due course. The job-creation policies of Labor in government are also worthy of note. Between April 1982 and April 1983 private sector employment in New South Wales slumped by 66 000 jobs and the number of public servants increased by 8 900. That speaks for itself. Tourism continues to emerge as Queensland's industry of the future. It remains the backbone of the Gold Coast economy. It is significant that in the period 1979-1982 the number of visitors to Queensland from interstate increased by 22.29 per cent. More than 25 per cent more visitor-nights were spent in Queensland in 1982 than in 1979. Over that three-year period interstate visitors spent an extra 8.4 per cent visitor-nights per year touring the State. In the same period Queensland had an increase of 16.9 per cent in the number of overseas visitors, compared with 1.2 per cent in Victoria and an actual decline in real terms of 1 per cent in New South Wales. Queensland had a 25.2 per cent increase in total visitor-nights compared with the national average of 14.1 per cent— nearly double. Intemational visitors spent $83.91 per day, interstate visitors $45.89 per day, and Queenslanders $35.82 per day, touring the State. During 1982, tourism attracted $485,205,000 from outside the State into the Queensland economy. The Leader of the Opposition is on public record as wanting to tax them. Mr Davis: That is untrue. Mr BORBIDGE: I personally cannot think of a greater incentive to people to hoUday elsewhere than to bring in a tourist tax. The honourable member for Brisbane Central says that that is not true. He obviously did not hear the Leader of the Opposition on a talk-back program on 4GG on the Gold Coast some time ago when he publicly advocated tourist taxes in the State of Queensland. Last year, interstate visitors spent $318,339,000, international visitors $166,866,000, and Queenslanders $387,680,000 which adds up to a record tourist expenditure of $872,885,000. Of that, about $252m was spent in the Gold Coast region. The Australian Bureau of Industry Economics has calculated that every dollar spent by an Australian tourist is worth $2.60 to the economy and every dollar spent by an international visitor is worth $2,50, That calculation resulted in an economic impact last year of $2.25 biUion, which wUl become more important and more relevant as resource development throughout the State of Queensland eases over the next few years. In the period 1971 to 1982, tourist related jobs grew by 3.3 per cent, compared with a 2.3 per cent growth in all Queensland jobs. In June 1982, proposed industry investment stood at $2,383m, which exceeded that in every other State in the Commonwealth of Australia. Far wider recognition should be given to the importance of the tourist industry. Many honourable members, particulariy on the Opposition benches, may not be aware that in this State tourism generates some 100000 jobs. That is more jobs, more employment opportunities, than the entire national motor vehicle manufacturing industry, which is subsidised by the Federal Government through tariff protection to the tune of some $13,0(X) per worker per year,

I pay tribute to the Minister for Tourism, the Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation, its chairman, Sir Frank Moore, its board of directors, and those very capable people who work so hard and perform so effectively for the tourist industry in this State. There is no doubt that Queensland is the national pace-setter in the tourist industry. Mr Davis interjected. 264 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

Mr BORBIDGE: The honourable member for Brisbane Central made some comment from the far side of the Chamber. His knowledge of the tourist industry is nil, or close to nil. Since the Tourist and Travel Corporation came into being in 1979, 20 000 additional jobs have been generated throughout the industry. The State's tourist industry continues to grow. Mr DAVIS: I rise to a point of order. Normally I would let that go. The member for Surfers Paradise suggested that I made a remark to him. I did not make a comment; I was only laughing at the fact that he made this speech three years ago. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Row): Order! I wiU not listen to a speech by the honourable member for Brisbane Central, either. I am not taking a point of order on the issue. I suggest that the member for Brisbane Central refrain from interjecting. Mr BORBIDGE: As I said before. Opposition members can give it, but they cannot take it. I was making the point that since the inception of the Tourist and Travel Corporation in 1979, about 20(X)0 additional jobs have been generated in the tourist industry in Queensland. The rate of growth is twice the national average, and the Govemment's policy of providing a climate in which entrepreneurs can invest, expand and employ augurs well for the future. The Labor Party poUcy of abolishing the Queensland Tourist and Travel Corjwration would, quite simply, cost jobs, destroy industry investment and plunge tourism in Queensland back into the Dark Ages. Labor's commitment to do away with the corporation came at a time during the election campaign when their own Labor colleagues from the Westem Australian Government were studying just how successful the Tourist and Travel Corporation had been, and its method of operation. The Westem Australian Labor Government is expected to replace its own Department of Tourism with a new body based on the Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation. That shows how well informed Opposition members are when it comes to the future planning and development of what wUl be this State's major industry. Several matters are inhibiting the potential growth of tourism in Queensland. The industry must work with the Govemment to secure a review of the structure of penalty rates. I conamend the Minister for Employment and Industrial Affairs and the Minister for Tourism, National Parks, Sport and The Arts, who are in the House tonight, for the positive steps they have taken in that regard. There is little doubt that the existing penalty-rate structure is inhibiting job creation and threatening job security. Mr Yewdale: I think you should have been a Minister instead of Don Lane. Mr BORBIDGE: The honourable member for Rockhampton North does not appear to be aware of the fact that the Federal Minister for Tourism, the Hon. J. J. Brown, and, I understand, the Federal Minister for Industry and Commerce, Senator Button, are on public record as expressing concern at the effects of the existing penalty-rate system as it applies in Australia. I commend the Minister for Employment and Industrial Affairs for examining the problem, and I hope that the more realistic members of the Opposition support him and the Government in its examination of the system- It is important that the Budget allocation for the Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation be increased substantially. Members should know that the contribution of tourism to State Government revenue through taxes and charges is estimated to be about $110m per year. When revenue-sharing arrangements with the Commonwealth Government are taken into account that figure increases to approximately $21 Im a year. Increased financial assistance for regional tourist authorities, based on the National Party's conference proposal for two-tiered funding, should also be examined. That would consist of a base grant and an incentive-based subsidy scheme to encourage local industry support for regional tourist authorities. More intemational airlines need to be attracted to Queensland, despite the policies of the present and former Federal Govemments. Successive Federal administrations have much to answer for in attempting to continue the Sydney/ entry access. The Gold C!oast Visitors and Convention Bureau recently completed a submission for direct air services Address in Reply 29 November 1983 265 between the Gold Coast and New Zealand. Qantas has previously expressed mterest in such a proposal, but it has appeared to back-track since certain commitments were given in a letter form to the Federal member for McPherson (Mr Peter White) some 18 months ago. The master plan of the Federal Department of Transport for the Coolangatta Airport acknowledges its future intemational potential. The present Federal Govemment and its predecessor let Queensland down badly on the number of international airUnes operating into this State. Canberra has a very full and deep moral obligation to consider mtemational air services for the Gold Coast and other parts of Queensland on the Unes of the trans-Tasnian service that was granted to Hobart without reservation. I submit to the House that AustraUa's tourist capital deserves better treament than it has been receiving in this matter. New Zealand remains the biggest single overseas source of visitors to the Gold (Toast. It accounted for 47.3 per cent of the total number of night stays by international visitors in 1981. The Gold Coast remains the only single Australian destmation that attracts New Zealanders in large numbers—an estimated 34000 in 1979—not currently served by direct flights. I find the arguments against a direct service between the Gold Ck)ast and New Zealand, on a limited weekly basis, both contradictory and unconvincing. We have the runway, we have the terminal and we have the Federal poUce—we have aU the basic infrastmcture required. The market exists and the fact is that it is being considerably mconvenienced. I submit to the House that many international visitors simply wiU not put up with the hassle of finding their way from Brisbane to the Gold Coast when they can fly direct from Auckland to Honolulu, Nandi, Noumea or a host of other destinations that are in direct competUion with the Gold Coast. Our hand is strengthened considerably by the proposed purchase by Qantas of Boeing 767 aircraft, as well as the airline's intention to fly into Cairns as well as Townsville. My friend the honourable member for Mulgrave Is very pleased about the effect that those international ffights will have on North Queensland. I welcome the ready examination by the Minister for Tourism and his predecessor of the prospect of direct services between North Queensland and the Gold Coast to aUow us to lock in on a package basis with those intemational flights which, in the very near future, wUl be operating into North Queensland. I commend the submission of the Gold Coast Visitors Bureau and table the document. Whereupon the honourable member laid the document on the table. In dealing with small business, I emphasise that I am of the view that the early introduc­ tion into the Parliament of retail shop lease legislation is essential. As a member of the committee that examined this problem in the previous ParUament, I must emphasise how important this legislation wUl be. The figures released by the Australian SmaU Business Association indicate that 90 per cent of all enterprise in Australia, 55 per cent of private sector profits and taxes, 60 per cent of private sector employment and 90 per cent of all job creation in Australia are generated by small business. I welcome the Govemment's decision to have a Minister who is directly responsible for small business. I welcome also the Premier's announcement during the election campaign that the Government will proceed with the creation of a Queensland development corporation. If we look back on the record of the Queensland Govemment over the last few years, we see that it is second to none in the assistance that it provides to small business. I refer to the fine work being done by the SmaU Business Development Corporation, to the assistance offered through the Department of (Commercial and Industrial Development, to our low tax stmcture which makes it so much easier for people to do busuiess in Queensland, and to the many initiatives that will be offered by the Govemment in the coming months. From time to time Opposition members criticise our performance relative to small business. I say to them: look at the i>erformance of Mr Wran, Mr Cain, Mr Bannon and Mr Burke. They have done very Uttle. In the very complex area of retaU shop leases, the South AustraUan Government has finaUy arrived at the stage that we reached two years ago by producing a discussion paper. The facts are simple. The (^eensland Govemment's record relative to small business is very good. It is certamly not the role of a private enterprise Govemment to socialise retail shop leases, but I submit to the House that it is our moral obUgation to ensure that normally accepted business ethics and practices are observed and that certain unethical and unacceptable practices are dealt with. I welcome the announcement this moming by 60854—10 266 29 November 1983 Address in Reply the Minister for Industry, Small Business and Technology about pending Government initiatives in the development of high technology industries in Queensland. The Government is demonstrating its desire to meet the problems and the challenges that wiU face Queensland during the rest of 1983, the Ufe of this Parliament and beyond. The election of the National Party Govemment in this State has resulted in increased investment, increased confidence and a growing population. Queensland is standing out as a low-tax island against the high-tax and high-regulation policies of the Labor-controUed mainland State Govemments. I look forward to the Budget that the Premier and Treasurer wiU bring down this Thursday because I am sure of one thing: it wiU put to shame every other Budget on the continent of AustraUa. We wiU continue with our commitment to lower taxes, giving people in this State the incentive to get out, do their own business and expand. I am confidait that the Budget that wiU be handed down this week wiU consolidate that trend at a time when every other Govemment on mamland Australia is adopting the reverse strategy. The Budget will highlight that trend. I remain of the view that Queensland will continue to generate most of Australia's future wealth, prosperity and job opportunities. Together with my Govemment colleagues, I look forward to being a part of that process. Mr YEWDALE (Rockhampton North) (8.14 p.m.): It is my pleasure to participate in the Address in Reply debate. At the outset, I express my appreciation to the electors of Rockhampton North for giving me the opportunity to represent them again for a further term. In all modesty, I beUeve that my constituents have recognised the efforts that I have made on their behalf for almost 12 years. I commit myself to continuing to be available in the electorate on a full-time basis. I extend my thanks also to the many people who contributed financiaUy and physicaUy to my campai^, which I beUeve functioned very efficiently in aU respects. Although it is difficult to single out any one person associated with the campaign, I thank my campaign director, Mr Gary Gibson, and Mrs Glenevie Jensen, who contributed to the campaign right up to the election. I turn to the procedures on polling day. The State Electoral Office used the Berserker State School and the Park Avenue State School as poUing booths. Because the State primary schools are part of the Government's operations, it can use them en polling days. Both of the schools were constructed in about the 1920s and have high-set wooden buildings. Middle-aged and aged people find it very difficult to climb steps at the schools and then find their way along lengthy wooden verandahs to the rooms in which they are to cast their votes. At the last Federal election, the Commonwealth Electoral Office hired a hall in North Rockhampton on ground level—a new building—to cater for voters, the poll clerks, and the presiding officer in a manner that was both effective and efficient for the 12 hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day. I appreciate that in some small country towns the only faciUty suitable for a polling booth may be a community hall; but in the provincial cities better facilities are available, and the electorate of North Rockhampton is no exception. I see no reason why the State Government should not investigate this situation. The responsible Minister should take note of the problems. I intend to raise the matter with him in correspondence. I refer now to two specific incidents that occurred on election day. At one poUing booth in North Rockhampton, approximately 30 people from about 15 families were not on the roll. Although they had been residents in the area for many years, their names were placed on the roll for the electorate of Rockhampton. The voters concerned were given a sectional vote by a courteous and conscientious presiding officer, and they had to fill out an electoral enrolment form so that they would be placed on the correct roll. That should not have been necessary; it is not good enough. It is said that human errors occur in the compilation of electoral rolls, but the electoral office has a computer system. Although employees from the electoral office are courteous and responsive to inquiries, they should be responsible for carrying out their jobs in an efficient manner. It is inexcusable that voters should be removed from the roll and forced to re-enrol on election day. The second incident was more poUtical in nature. A constituent of mine presented himself at a polUng booth to cast his vote and was told that he was not on the roll and therefore could not have a vote. He retumed to his home, telephoned my home Address in Reply 29 November 1983 267 and was able to contact me later. I advised him to retum to the polUng booth and ask for a sectional vote from the presiding officer. He did that, but the presiding officer still refused him a vote. He then went back home and contacted me again later in the day, still within voting hours. I told him to go back to the presiding officer, to tell the presiding officer that he had spoken to me and that I had suggested that he be given a sectional vote. My constituent returned to the polling booth. Although I suggested that he refer to me in his conversation with the presiding officer, he decided to adopt his own tactic in order to obtain a vote. He informed the presiding officer that he had spoken to the National Party candidate in Rockhampton North, who suggested that he should receive a sectional vote. The presiding officer did not hesitate; he gave my constituent a sectional vote. The point I am making is that not only did my constituent exert some sort of poUtical pressure on the presiding officer by using the name of the National Party candidate, but on top of that he had to return to the polUng booth three times to obtain a sectional vote. I am not sure who was responsible for the education and training of the presiding officer concerned, but either he was not well informed as to his responsibiUties or he was not capable of carrying out his responsibilities as presiding officer. I intend to take that matter as well as the first matter up with the Minister for Justice and Attomey-General, who has requested members to submit complaints about what happened on election day and about the condition of the electoral roU. Whereas in the first instance the people involved were treated with courtesy and common sense, in the second instance it was unnecessary for the presiding officer to act in the way that he did. Over many years this Government has completely neglected its responsibiUties in respect of the electoral rolls of Queensland. It continues to avoid the very pertinent matter of the introduction of a dual enrolment card. I am conscious of the fact that that matter has been ventilated in this House on many occasions. I am also aware that a previous Minister for Justice, Mr Lickiss, went to some trouble and Government expense to examine the matter of a dual enrolment card and that he was in the process of recommending to Cabinet, and subsequently to ParUament, that a dual enrolment card be introduced, when the Premier and other National Party Ministers saw fit to reject that Liberal Minister's proposal. The dual enrolment card was thrown on the scrap-heap. Queensland is the only State in AustraUa that does not have a dual roll. Obviously the experience in other States is that a dual roll is in the best interests of both the voter and the State Electoral Office. Obviously fewer errors and problems occur with a dual roll. The newly appointed Minister for Justice has publicly ventilated the question of a dual roll. However, his latest public statement seems to indicate that he is backing away from the issue. He has contradicted his earUer comment and now claims that he has not particularly voiced his approval of a dual roU. The point is that most people to whom I and other members have spoken are in agreement that it is in the best interests of a smooth-flowing election procedure to have a dual roll. Federal electoral offices are established in the major provincial cities. For example, Rockhampton has had an Australian electoral office for many years and it services the central Queensland area quite weU. People can approach the AustraUan electoral office in Rockhampton on a personal basis. In contrast, people who approach the court house for service and advice conceming State electoral matters are not given the same type of service, because electoral matters form only one small portion of the functions of the court house staff. Voters are obliged either to maU their electoral cards or to deUver them to the court house and to obtain them from the court house for the purpose of fiUing them out and resubmitting them. With the co-operation of AustraUan electoral offices a smoother operation would result in the matter of electoral enrolments. I turn now to local govemment elections, which in 1982 in Queensland, particularly in provincial cities, were subjected to what I shaU term the imposition of a ward system by the Minister for Local Government (Mr Hinze). I might add that he imposed the ward system on those authorities without consultation with the local authorities through the mayor, the aldermen, the shire chairman or whoever else might have been involved. Those persons controlling the councU were 268 29 November 1983 Address in Reply elected democratically by the people in that provincial city. It could seem that the voters were quite happy with the system and that the people who were controlUng the shires and provincial cities were reasonably happy with the system, as it had been operating for many years. I do not think that it was detrimental to the fimction of the cities. That action has been taken by the Government through its local govemment Ministers, When one talks about wards and elections, one also has to talk about the gerrymander. It is a word that is commonly used by many Queenslanders. It is a word that most Queenslanders are aware of as it has been ventilated by all sorts of people, including Ministers when they have defended the Govemment's actions in respect to boundaries, Retuming to the ward sj^stem in Rockhampton—the Minister drew up the boundaries in consultation with certain National Party persons in the central Queensland area, particularly in Rockhampton, It was reported in the press that the Minister spoke to National Party members in Rockhampton, Mr Gunn: They are the only people in Rockhampton with brains, Mr YEWDALE: If the honourable gentleman aUows me to finish what I am saying, he wUl find that most of the people with brains did not cast a vote for the candidates who stood for the National Party in the city council elections. Despite the efforts of the Minister for Local Govemment (Mr Hinze) the people went to the polls. The most gerrymandered division in North Rockhampton is Division 2, The sole candidate from the National Party was elected in that division. It is in a fairly affiuent area. It is the better class of suburb that contains the better class of building and probably the higher-ranking resident. Approximately 2(X)0 people living in it were eligible to vote. The population of the divisions that were established by the National Party, which it could not and did not win, was approximately one and a half to two times that 2 000, so the other divisions contain 3 000 or 4 000 people. The divisions themselves were approximately one and a half to two times larger than Division 2. So the National Party gerrymander did not achieve the d^ired result in Rockhampton. The result of this blatant action by the National Party was to get the residents of Rockhampton to change the control of the council. For a period of approximately 20 years, Rockhampton has had a Civic Independent council led by Mayor Pilbeam, Under the system introduced by the Minister for Local Government the Labor Party won the mayoralty and control of the city councU. Rathei than obtain the desired result, he obtained the opposite result; the councU is in the control of the Labor Party in Rockhampton. It_is also pertinent to point out that the performance of the Labor CouncU has been a Godsend to the city, and the community has benefited tremendously under its control. From day to day letters are written by residents to the editor of the local newspaper pointing out how pleased they are with the progress that is being made by the new mayor and council. Returning to the State elections—many Ministers continue with a pattem that has developed during previous elections. National Party candidates throughout the State are advised before the duly elected representative of the people of Govemment decisions on expenditure. The Minister for Works and Housing is the worst offender. This ridiculous action has not benefited the Govemment candidate. The Minister for Works and Housing has been, and continues to be, the biggest villain. For several years the people associated with p. and c. associations have been fully aware of what has been happening and have openly and publicly criticised the Government's childish approach to facilities for children's education. However, those actions did not affect my result at the election. In fact, in most cases my margin increased. It has reached the stage that the Rockhampton "Morning Bulletin" is now chaUenging statements made by National Party candidates. Mr Muntz: We know that it is biased. Mr YEWDALE: I do not beUeve that. I can tell honourable members a bit about that. That newspaper has challenged National Party candidates on the source of their informa­ tion. I have been asked when I received communications from the Minister and it has always been shown that the National Party candidates have received the information at least several days—sometimes it is weeks—^before I have. Mr Gunn: They are on the ball. Address in Reply 29 November 1983 269

Mr YEWDALE: They are on the ball in the sense that they get it pubUshed, but they are not on the ball if they think that they can convince the voting pubUc that that is responsible action by a National Party candidate who has yet to be elected, when the sitting candidate has already been elected by the people of the electorate. Mr Prest: That is using kids for poUtical purposes. Mr YEWDALE: As the honourable member for Port Curtis points out, that is using kids and their school facilities for political purposes. Mr FitzGerald: What are you doing now? Mr YEWDALE: I am criticising the actions of a Government that uses any means it sees fit to try to denigrate its opponents and present its candidates in the most favourable light. However, the Government does that only prior to an election when the baskets of goodies are brought out. In my opinion and in the opinion of all other members of the Opposition and of the people in the community, the Premier and his Cabinet should service the State on the basis of need rather than pork-barrel for ulterior motives. Mr Gunn: When you first came in here you did not whinge at all. Now you whinge, whinge, whinge. Mr YEWDALE: I wUl continue to expose the actions of a cormpt Government. I now turn to the subject of housing and I intend to give the Minister for Works and Housing another bucket. I am aware that many other members have raised this subject. I am very concemed about the continuing long list of applications for housing in Rockhampton and, in particular, Rockhampton North, and I am very concerned that it has not been reduced over many years. In fact, there has been an increase in the number of famUies seeking accommodation. The Government and the Minister have a responsibility to reduce these numbers by paying special attention to those areas where large numbers of applicants are not given consideration, Mr Gunn: He is in the Chamber now; be careful. Mr YEWDALE: Last week he got a few serves and, if he wants to have another go now, I will give him some more. The Government has not given attention to those areas where large numbers of people require housing. Before I was rudely intermpted by the Deputy Premier, I was about to say that I am aware that the Government of the day is not able to satisfy all the demands of the community. If it was, it would have to use a bottomless barrel of money, because it is just not possible to satisfy everybody's demands. However, it is reasonable to suggest that some special consideration should be given to long waiting-Usts of people who are looking for housing, particularly in major provincial cities, which have a fairly large population. Before the Minister entered the Chamber I was refem'ng to the long waiting Ust in the Rockhampton Housing Commission office. It has been Uke that for many years and has not been reduced at all; in fact, I beUeve that it is increasing. The Minister is not doing enough in the area to try to reduce those numbers. Mr Wharton interjected. Mr YEWDALE: The Minister can say what he Ukes. I believe that there has been some discrimination. I can only say that the numbers are not being reduced sufficiently Mr Wharton interjected. Mr YEWDALE: I am arguing that Rockhampton is a case in point. It is my responsibUity to argue for Rockhampton, the city in which I live, and Rockhampton North in particular. AU that the Minister is doing is allowing the real estate agents and landlords throughout Queensland to reap a continued bonanza with high rents and high bonds. Many people cannot move into accommodation simply because they cannot raise the amount of the bond. In addition, rents are too high. The Govemment takes no interest in the high level of rents being charged in this State. They are completely uncontroUed. I do not beUeve that the Mmister is sincere when he allows that position to prevail throughout the State. I am sure that the same position applies in Townsville, Mackay, and Maryborough—wherever populations are relatively 270 29 November 1983 Address in Reply large—where people are demanding assistance to obtain accommodation. Unfortunately, they are not getting it because accommodation is not being provided in sufficient volume. Obviously most of the people who go to their local member or to the Housing Commission are from low-income groups, are unemployed or are peiKioners. Mr Menzel: Why don't you help them? Mr YEWDALE: What an inane remark! UnlUce a Minister or Govemment member. Opposition members are not in a position to have money made avaUable. Anyone except the stupid member for Mulgrave would know that. We can only pass on representations as they are made to us. The answer is to write directly to the Housing (Commission setting out the problem or, in some cases, even talking to or writing to the Minister. But I beUeve in dealing directly with the commission rather than the Minister because in that way a lot of red tape can be cut. The Govemment is to be condemned for its treatment of the people of (^eensland in respect of pubUc accommodation. I think that criticism is valid, and it is time the Govemment got off its butt and did something about it. Mr WHARTON: I rise to a point of order. What the member said is not tme. The Government does not need to get off its butt. Opposition Members interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Row): Order! I warn the honourable member under Standing Order No. 123A. Mr YEWDALE: That is the weakest point of order I have ever heard. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Would the Mmister ple^e state his point of order? Mr WHARTON: My point of order is that what the honourable member said is untrue and I ask him to withdraw it because we have not needed to get off our bums to attend to it. Mr YEWDALE: I crave your indulgence, Mr Deputy Speaker. Is the Minister in a position to be able to take a point of order for a criticism of the Govemment? I do not think that he is. I criticised the Govemment, not Mr Wharton. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I understand that the Minister is takmg a point of order on his own behalf. Mr YEWDALE: He is not the Government. I said that the Govemment is to be condemned for its inactivity. Opposition Members mterjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The Chamber wiU come to order. Whilst I am on my feet no-one wUl rise. I ask the Minister to make clear his point of order on his own behaff, and I wiU decide whether or not it is vaUd. Mr WHARTON: Mr Deputy Speaker, I made the point that the honourable member condemned the Govemment and said that it was not doing its job and should get off its butt. I object to that. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! There is no valid point of order. Mr YEWDALE: I took the trouble to check on one instance in which the Government, through the actions of the Premier, sited the power station at Tarong. At the time it was known pubUcly that all of the advisers to the Govemment and the Premier said that it should definitely go to Millmerran. Mr Gunn: That is rubbish. Mr YEWDALE: It has been proven over and over again that it should have gone there. The fact is that the Premier wanted it at Tarong and it was sited there. That cost the people of Queensland $3(X)m. Is it not a shame that that $300m was not spent on housing? Government Members interjected. Address in Reply 29 November 1983 271

Mr YEWDALE: So that Government members may be able to settle down, I will now deal with how emergency services operate in Queensland compared with other States. We regularly have media reports about people getting into serious problems off the coast of Queensland, either because of bad weather or breakdowns. Quite often drownings and serious injuries are involved. When people at sea caU for assistance, sea and air support is provided, but the supportive services do not have the necessary equipment and personnel. Usually, when a call for assistance is received, a plane is sent out to spot the vessel in trouble, A radio signal is sent to shore and a vessel is sent out to bring in those in trouble, to assist those who are injured or to search for those who are lost at sea. In no instance are medicaUy trained personnel sent out. Valuable time is lost in transporting victims to the shore for treatment. I am informed that in New South Wales the Government provides an emergency service whereby helicopters are available 24 hours a day. Competent divers, who are skiUed in dropping from helicopters at sea level to assist people, are avaUable. Doctors are avaUable to board any disabled craft. When a helicopter is caUed out it goes to the spot from which the call is made and, on arrival at the scene, a diver is dropped into the sea to assist those in the water. They are then hauled aboard the helicopter where a doctor is waiting to treat them. Those in distress are taken to the shore. In many instances that results in the saving of lives. If the Govemment is concemed about emergencies off our coastline it should be looking at other systems so that lives may be saved. I have grave reservations about people going to sea in unsafe craft in all kinds of weather. They should not be at sea and if they get into trouble and need assistance we have no option but to provide it. That is the humane approach, and it is the one that wiU continue to be adopted. We just cannot educate people not to put to sea in unfav­ ourable weather. Unforeseen circumstances arise, and people get into trouble. The Govemment should consider the position in New South Wales. I do not want to hear the comment that that is the Wran Government. I am being practical, sincere and constmctive in suggesting that the Government should look at what happens in New South Wales. Perhaps the Minister for Lands, Forestry and Police, who is in the Chamber, might inquire of his counterpart in New South Wales about what happens with air-sea rescue in that State—^what the facilities are and what the survival rate is. We are certainly a long way behind in that regard. Recently—^I cannot recall the exact date—an incident occurred off the coast of Queensland in which people were thrown from a boat into the water. By the time the rescuers reached them, two of the people had been taken by sharks, or had drowned. If that incident had occurred off the coast of New South Wales, a diver would have been dropped from a helicopter to assist the survivors in the water, or a boat would have been sent out to pick up the survivors. I leave that matter in the hands of the Govemment. During the present session I shall be taking the opportunity to bring forward more information on that matter. Another complaint that I raise tonight relates to the portfolio of the Minister for Works and Housing, I refer to the Builders Registration Board, Unfortunately, when people for whom homes are built present their complaints to the board, those complaints are dealt with by personnel in the board. The appeal is from Caesar to Caesar. In other areas of Government operation, such as the Police Claims Tribunal or the Local, Government Court, people have an opportunity to present their complaints to an independ­ ent body. If the case presented to the Builders Registration Board is not as strong as it should be, it is probably because of the person's inability to present it in a better light. After he presents his case, the personnel on the board examine it and ehher uphold the complaint—investigate the complaint and do something about it—or reject it, saying that it is not valid and that nothing can be done. Many people are becoming really disgrantled about the Builders Registration Board. They want some other body that can give an independent decision, I am not suggesting that the representatives of the Builders Regis­ tration Board in the various areas are incompetent to such a degree that they cannot inspect a buUding and present a report. They only make a report; h is for the people in the Builders Registration Board in Brisbane to make the decision. It is also pertinent for me to refer to what happened in this Chamber this morning. We saw four Ministers—the Minister for Industry, Small Business and Technology (Mr Ahern), the Minister for Health (Mr Austin), the Minister for Welfare Sen^ices and Ethnic Affairs (Mr Muntz) and one other Minister—rise to their feet to make ministerial statements. 272 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

They have a right to make ministerial statements. They have their statements prepared, their press officers distribute the statements to the media, which is quite legitimate, and then they read the ministerial statements in this Chamber so they are recorded in "Hansard" Mr FitzGerald: Don't you agree there should be a statement to the House on prisons? Mr YEWDALE: If the Minister wishes to make a statement on prisons, h would seem to me that he has an opportunity to do so at some other time. He should not deprive honourable members. Government and Opposition aUke, of the opportunity to ask questions and to receive answers. This morning, about 45 minutes—I cannot be completely accurate—— Mr Wharton: You are not accurate. Mr YEWDALE: I wiU concede that it might have been only 30 or 35 minutes; but, for the sake of argument, let us say 40 minutes, Mr Menzel interjected. Mr YEWDALE: The member for Mulgrave agrees that it was a disgrace. He agrees with me. The Minister does not agree with me, I ask him to listen to what the member for Mulgrave says. Mr Gunn: Max, we do not agree with you. Mr YEWDALE: The honourable member for Somerset may not agree with that, but the member for Mulgrave is entitled to his opinion. Because of the ministerial statements, 40 minutes was taken from the time aUotted to back-benchers to ask questions. That is because the Govemment does not want to be asked questions. The Govemment's ploy is to deUberately waste the time of the House during question-time. You people were instrumental in formulating Standing Orders. At the whim of the Premier, you deUberately had them altered to deprive us of the opportunity to ask questions. We were asking three questions, but now we can ask only two. We were hoodwinked by the Standing Orders 0>mmittee and you have hog-tied us under the Standing Orders. Now you go further by using the Ministers to make ministerial statements. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Row): Order! The honourable member wiU address the Chair, Mr YEWDALE: Government members are provoking me. I have to keep changing the subject, because they keep whinging and niggling. If I discuss a subject that they know nothing about, they keep quiet. I would like to speak in defence of consumers in Queensland, in particular those in my electorate. Day after day, the residents in Queensland provincial cities are approached by door-to-door salesmen who want to clad their homes with some new materials, sell encyclopaedias, or photograph their children—anything one can name, they do. Mostly those salesmen are crooks, spivs and smarties, and consumers are being hard sold into signing a contract for home cladding or encyclopaedias. Recently I learned of a famUy, in which the mother and father were illiterate and the children were slow learners, that was sold almost $900 worth of encyclopaedias, The manager of Encyclopaedia Brittanica in Sydney has permitted me to retum the books and he wUl write them off. The salesman imposed himself on that family. The principal of the school that the children attend rang up and described the incident, I realise that the Govemment cannot stand at everybody's gate and defend him or control every criminal and door-to^door salesman in the community. Members of the Opposition have been teUing the Govemment in writing and in this Chamber that although these criminals and door-to-door salesmen go into Uquidation or out of business, they form a new company, which the Government permits to register, and they go back to what they were doing before. The Government is perpetuating a system of crooks and spivs who are touching the community, and the consumers association is not doing anything about it. Govemment members should get off their butts and do something about it. Although members of the Opposition tell the Govemment that it should do something, it casts advice aade. It is not concemed about the little people who are being got at by the spivs and crooks. AU that Address in Reply 29 November 1983 273 concerns the Government is the coal-mining companies, the big monopolies, people such as Mr Iwasaki and the people that the Govemment believes can make a contribution to the Bjelke-Petersen Foundation. Mr FITZGERALD (Lockyer) (8.55 p.m.): It gives me pleasure to participate in the Address in Reply debate and to support the motion moved by the honourable member for Pine Rivers and seconded by the honourable member for Greenslopes. I ask you, Mr Deputy Speaker, to convey to Mr Speaker my congratulations on his election to that high office. The House wUl be weU served by the presence of Mr John Warner as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland. I have known John for some time, and it gives both me and the residents of Toowoomba and the surrounding areas a great deal of pleasure to see the member for Toowoomba South elected as Speaker. I consider his election a compUment to him and to the area that he represents. In supporting the motion, I pledge my loyalty and that of the constituents of the Lockyer electorate to Her Majesty the Queen. I will convey that message to the Govemor when the Address in Reply to His Excellency's Opening Speech is delivered to him next Thursday morning. As weU, I pledge my loyalty to all the electors of Lockyer, I emphasise "all" the electors. It was with regret that this morning I heard an Opposition member, the honourable member for Wolston, pledge his loyalty not to the Queen but to the 64.4 per cent of the electors of Wolston who elected him. In contrast, I pledge my loyalty to all the electors of Lockyer, Although I was elected by 61,61 per cent of the electors of Lockyer, I hereby pledge that I will work for the betterment of all the electors of Lockyer, I might not agree with all of them politically; no doubt, not all of them will agree politically with my view on every matter. Nevertheless, having been elected to represent them, I believe that I have the duty and responsibUity to do so to the best of my abiUty. Mr Randell: That has been the approach of all National Party members. Mr FITZGERALD: That is so. The honourable member for Mirani has expressed similar views. Next, I extend a welcome to all the new members who have been elected. Today and last Friday, members heard a number of maiden speeches. This House contains 22 new members, and they represent a fair proportion of the 82 members who sit in this place. I extend to aU those new members a hearty welcome. No doubt we will not always agree, but comradeship and understanding that aU members have for one another, together with a sense of fair play, will prevail. A (jovernment Member: There are not many Opposition members here. Mr FITZGERALD: I can understand that Opposition members would not like to stay in the Chamber to listen to a Govemment member speaking. I thank the electors of Lockyer for placing their confidence in me as their representative. As well, I thank my party supporters who worked very hard during the election campaign. The result mdicated that I obtained one of the largest swings for any sitting member. No doubt that was because of a number of factors, one being the support that I received from local people, my local campaign team and my wife and family. I am indebted to them and thank them very much for their efforts in supporting me. The election results were quite outstanding. The electors exercised a choice as to which party they wished to have in government in Queensland for the next three years. There is no doubt that the electors of Lockyer wished the National Party to be the party in government in Queensland over that period, and their decision was influenced by the type of government that they had previously. They probably considered also the way in which they thought the Australian Labor Party would govern for the next three years, and then placed their confidence in a National Party Government. The Government won a resounding victory. The second reason may have been that the people were reasonably happy with the representation they had received from me as their member. I accept it as a vote of confidence, and I thank them for the confidence that they placed in me. Mr Menzel: They had had a gutful of Bob Hawke. 274 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

Mr FITZGERALD: I know that there were other factors involved, as the honourable member for Mulgrave points out. There was a great deal of dissatisfaction with the Federal Labor Government. People thought that if Queensland was going to be governed by a socialist Government, they could begin drawing comparisons between what happened in Queensland and what happened in other States. In my opinion, the credibility of the Leader of the Opposition was questioned and was found wanting, particularly in the electorates around Toowoomba. I am pleased to welcome to this Chamber the member for Toowoomba North (Sandy McPhie). He is a member of the National Party and the first National Party member for Toowoomba North. It is great to see that the electorate in Toowoomba has placed its confidence overwhelmingly in the National Party members for the area. In the past, and particularly during the election campaign, a great deal of criticism has been made about the number of days and hours that this Parliament has sat. 1 think it was the member for Salisbury who said during his maiden speech this moming that the Queensland ParUament rarely meets, that that is indicative of the type of government in Queensland, and that the Government does not respect the House, He spoke in that vein for some time, I have gone to the trouble of extracting some figures. Although I agree that this Parliament has not met regularly, particularly during the latter part of 1983—.the reasons are weU documented; there was an election—^it is obvious to everyone that we are sitting now and that the Parliament will sit almost continuously untU Christmas. In the years 1981, 1982 and tiU 10 August 1983, the House having risen on 9 August, the Queensland ParUament had sat for a total period of 130 days. In that same period, the New South Wales Parliament sat for 121 days. The people have been told that the Queensland Pariiament sits very rarely. Therefore, a comparison should be made between the sittings of our Parliament and those of the other Parliaments in Australia, The Victorian Parliament sat for 144 days; the South Australian Parliament sat for 139 days; the W^tem AustraUan ParUament sat for 136 days; the Tasmanian Parliament sat for 129 days; and—wait for it—the House of Representatives in AustraUa sat during 1981, 1982, and tiU 10 August 1983, for 128 days. The argument that the Queensland Parliament never sits has been bandied about from one end of the State to the other. It has been suggested that the Queensland Govemment governs this State without reference to the Parliament. I ask the newspaper editors and those who have been going to the press to draw comparisons with the other States to see whether Queensland really is different. Reporters such as Jack Stanaway, who regularly wrote for "Sunday Sun" Mr Booth: Is he the same Jack Stanaway who was secretary to the Leader of the Opposition? Mr FITZGERALD: I have been informed that he is the same Jack Stanaway who was the secretary to a former Leader of the Opposition. I understand that he has accepted a position with the Prime Minister's Department in TownsviUe. An Honourable Member: Two former leaders. Mr FITZGERALD: Two former leaders. Obviously he did not have a very good track record in producing winners. Every second or third article in the "Sunday Sun", such as the article in that news­ paper on 27 March 1983, stated— "It must be puzzling why 82 members of Queensland Pariiament bother to meet at all." The articles are always in that vein. I ask honourable members: Having in mmd the figures to which I referred earUer, is Queensland different from any other State when it comes to the number of parliamentary sitting days? I could go through aU the other figures that I have in front of me, but they all tell a similar story. During the election campaign, from one end of Queensland to the other, the Opposition, supported by reporters such as Jack Stanaway, berated the Government and told everyone how rarely it faced the ParUament and that it was Address in Reply 29 November 1983 275 not willing to face the Parliament. However, the people of Queensland have passed judgment on that. The Parliament wiU be sitting, and I am sure that members are wiUing to serve their electorates. A member of Parliament has a number of functions and I think it behoves us to check those functions so that we can explain to our constituents what the introduction of legislation into this House means. It does not mean that a Govemment department has suggested legislation to a Minister and it is introduced. It means that members of the Minister's committee have undertaken an in-depth study of the legislation and have worked very, very long hours to select the legislation to be introduced. An Opposition Member interjected. Mr FITZGERALD: I am on four committees and I will expand on them during the Estimates debate. The prmcipal role of the members of the Legislative Assembly is to legislate. That means that legislation must be properly prepared. Today I heard an Opposition member say that the Bjelke-Petersen Government does not support Senator Susan Ryan's Bill. What form is that Bill now in? I believe that 53 amendments have been proposed. That is indicative of legislation with some merit which has been ill-prepared, ill-conceived and will probably meet a suitable fate. If legislation needs to be continually amended and if legislation unacceptable to members of the Govemment is introduced, how much homework has been done on it? I find it very, very difficult to support any legislation that has not been properly prepared. When legislation is introduced into the House and it lays on the table, the Opposition committees study it to decide whether the Opposition wUl support the legislation or present a contrary view. At the expiration of three years the electors have an opportunity to decide whether they have confidence in the Government that they elected to legislate and govem. When some Opposition members entered this C3iamber after the last election, I felt that they were of the opinion that they were the Govemment. I say to them that the people made the clear choice of a National Party Govemment. Much criticism is often made of members of ParUament for voting along party lines. The fact is that we on this side have been elected to govern and the members of the Opposition have been chosen to be in Opposition. I say now that each member has a right to speak his own mind and to vote accordingly. However, we all realise that, as we are elected as a member of a party, we have a right to represent that party and to put forward our own points of view. Even tf a member does not agree with his party's philosophy on a particular point—I know Opposition members delight in it—he has an opportunity to put forward his pouit of view in the party room. Quite often he puts it forward in this Chamber. However, we have been elected as a National Party Government and the people of Queensland expect us to govern. Everybody knows how 82 independents would govem the State. That would be totally impossible and there would be election after election. Queensland does not want what happens in Italy and what happened in France prior to de GauUe. An example of that has been the polarisation of the two political parties that today form the Opposition and the Govemment. People made the choice between the ALP and the Bjelke-Petersen National Party Govemment. The choice was quite easy to make. Those of us who are members of a political party realise that in order to provide an effective Government or an effective Opposition we must have a united approach to legislation. I do not see that as being weak. It is obvious what the electorate expects. The plain fact is that legislation would not be effective if it was made in this Chamber by 82 independent members. A number of other points have been made by Opposition members during this debate on the Address in Reply. One raised the question of Queensland's unemployment figures. He blamed the present Government for the state of the economy. Mr Davis: That's true. Mr FITZGERALD: The member for Brisbane Central agrees with me. The position is that unemployment in Australian is at an extremely high level. It has been for some time, and it is getting worse. Naturally enough, Opposition members decided to blame Queensland's high unemployment level on the National Party Government but they failed to look over the other side of the Tweed River. They failed to consider the position 276 29 November 1983 Address in Reply in the rest of Australia, The Minister for Employment and Industrial Affairs has been doing his best to keep the Opposition and the people of Queensland informed about the true position, A press release of Friday, 11 November 1983, stated— ". , . statistics which show that Queensland has the second lowest rate of unemployment in Australia," Mr Davis: Oh! Mr FITZGERALD: The honourable member can check the figures himself. The release continued— "Queensland's unemployment has dropped for the third month in a row and the unemployment rate of 8,8 per cent compares with a National Average of 9,3 per cent." Do Opposition members blame the Queensland Government for an unemployment figure of 8.8 per cent when the rest of Australia averages 9.3 per cent? Mr Comben: What was it at the same time last year? Mr FITZGERALD: It is an AustraUa-wide problem, and I wiU go into detaU if the honourable member cares to bear with me. I wiU give him the Australian position last year and the year before, and I will give him the Queensland figures for this year and last year, and he can compare them. I will not go into the number of people who came to Queensland seeking employment. Most fair-minded people would agree that migration should be taken into consideration when comparing unemployment levels in different States. The facts are plain, and even the new member would recognise that there has been a migration of job-seekers into Queensland over the past couple of years. I certainly would grant him that much. My figures come from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and relate to the percentage rates of unemployment in Australia in October 1981 and 1982, and are shown in the following table- 1981 1982 % % Australia 5.5 7.7 New South Wales 4,9 8.2 Victoria .. 5.2 7.0 Queensland 5.3 6.9 South Australia 8.1 8.4 Western Australia 5.6 8.1 Tasmania 7.1 11.5 In October 1982 the Queensland figure was 6.9 per cent, yet we stUl got into trouble from the Opposition who claimed that it was the fault of the National Party-led Govemment. No mention was made of the fact that the Australian average was 7.7 per cent. The Tasmanian figure was very high, but it is such a small State that h should not be taken into consideration. Opposition Members interjected. Mr FITZGERALD: Surely Opposition members do not want me to give the figures for the Australian Capital Territory and the Northem Territory. They can read the Uterature of the Australian Bureau of Statistics as weU as I can. The latest figures for October 1983 are reasonably interesting. According to the Minister's press release, the unemployment rate was up to 8.8 per cent. The Bureau of Statistics figures that I received from the Pariiamentary Library showed that the rate was 8.8 per cent. The Australian figure was still 9.3 per cent. Queensland has a lower rate of unemployment than the rest of Australia. Admittedly, Victoria's unemployment rate was 8.3 per cent, which was a vast improvement. Unemployment in New South Wales increased to 10.4 per cent, in South Australia it stood at 10 per cent and in Western AustraUa it was 9.2 per cent. I rest my case on the unemployment level in Queensland compared with those in the rest of Australia. I suggest that honourable members should also take into consideration the migration of people to Queensland, According to the Minister, almost 30 000 vacancies were filled in Queensland during the September quarter. Those figures can be checked. An Opposition Member interjected. Address in Reply 29 November 1983 277

Mr FITZGERALD: I have previously cited Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, and Opposition members said that they would be checked. Queensland was the best place for employment for the 15 to 19-year-olds. Very high unemployment prevails in that age bracket. It is said that school-leavers find it difficult to get jobs, but Queensland is the best place for them to do so. Unemployment in Queensland in this age group is the lowest in AustraUa but, at 19.9 per cent, is certainly far from satisfactory. It is a disaster, but Queensland has delivered the goods. I remind Opposition members that when they debate statistics they should not quote merely the figures for Queensland but should look at the whole situation. The people of Queensland were not fooled by the Leader of the Opposition during the election campaign. They elected a Government which will be a soUd, stable Government. They gave a vote of confidence to the Premier and the National Party. I intended to discuss matters in my electorate in greater detail but I agreed to keep my speech reasonably short. During the Budget debate, I will be talking about some of the other problems in my electorate. I thank you for your indulgence, Mr Speaker, and trust that Mr Deputy Speaker passed my personal congratulations on to you on your being elected to the high office of Speaker of the House. Mr DAVIS (Brisbane Central) (9.18 p.m.): The electors of Brisbane Central pledge their loyalty to the Crown. I take this opportunity to thank the electors of Brisbane Central for their overwhelming support which resulted in a 5i per cent increase in mv vote. I gained 60 per cent of the primary vote. A Govemment Member: Why do you keep your hand in your pocket? Mr DAVIS: I have to do so when there are Cabinet Ministers whom I do not trust. I take this opportunity to congratulate you, Mr Speaker, on your election. Later in my speech I will deal with some aspects of the election. I also convey to you, Mr Speaker, the best wishes of the electors of Brisbane Central. I have a point to make about some of the voting figures quoted by the honourable member for Lockyer and others and how great was the win of the National Party. I thank the members of the Parliamentary Library staff for providing me with a break-down of voting in the electorates. The magnificent win by the National Party was a result of its gaining only 38.8 per cent of the vote, with which it won 41 seats. The National Party received a 6 per cent swing on the 1980 result. The Labor Party gained a 7 per cent swing, received 44 per cent of the vote, but won only 32 seats. And we were told that we were rejected! We always hear this hue and cry from Government members. Mr Gunn: We didn't contest all the seats. Mr DAVIS: That does not make any difference. If the National Party had contested the other 10 seats, its percentage of the vote, instead of going up, would have gone down. The National Party tried to get a candidate to stand for Brisbane Central It placed three advertisements in the newspapers. In the end the National Party said, "No way in the world will we run in Brisbane Central." In the last Parliament I said that I would not accept the change of name to "National Party". To me its members wiU always be "Country", and all that that typifies. Mr Lester: You must not be able to read. Mr DAVIS: The Minister would be a classic example of "Country". I congratulate the newly elected members on both sides of the Chamber. The delivery and the content of their speeches were extremely good, but I shall make one observation: It is aU right for National Party members, such as the members for Lockyer and Surfers Paradise, to be given party briefs. I think that the Minister for Employment and Industrial Affairs will admit that he gave a political brief to the member for Lockyer, Mr LESTER: I rise to a point of order. I find that remark offensive, and I ask that it be withdrawn. It is not true, Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no pomt of order. 278 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

Mr DAVIS: All I was doing was giving advice, particularly to the newly elected members. We on this side of the Chamber noticed that newly elected member after newly elected member of the National Party read from a party brief. The member for Surfers Paradise continues on the same line that he has been foUowing for the past three years. Time and time again he gets up and refers to the tourist poUcy that he has been enunciating in this Chamber. He hardly ever changes the figures. As a matter of fact, I and other Labor members would like to get rid of the Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation. At present, all that it is doing is providing jobs for the boys and the girls. I noticed recently that Mr David Jull, a former Liberal member of the Commonwealth Parliament, was appointed to the corporation. Previously, Mr Kevin Caims, another former Liberal member and Minister of the Commonweahh Parliament, was appointed to it. With all due respect to the corporation, it is merely being used to provide jobs for the boys. Mr Casey: Jull is over at the races in Japan with Mr Hinze. Mr DAVIS: That is a classic example of what I am saying. This corporation, which was supposed to be the be-all and end-all in encouraging tourism, is merely providing jobs for conservative people. Mr Speaker, following your elevation to that high office, I am sure you would agree that the Standing Orders covering the election of Speaker need to be changed, I and my coUeagues on this side of the House found the election of Speaker to be a shocking exercise. We are supposed to vote in a secret baUot, but time after time members of the National Party would move to the Government side of the Chamber to record their votes. I suppose it was pre-arranged. I am told that the day before the election they had to practise for three hours where to put their crosses to ensure that there was no mistake. Time after time a Cabinet Minister looked over the shoulders of back-benchers to ensure that they voted according to their party line, I repeat that reporters in the press gallery cculd see how they voted. For future ballots, Mr Speaker, you should devise a form of ballot that would ensure its secrecy. My comments are directed also to the nomination of Chairman of Committees, who is responsible for the conduct of the House in your absence. Appointment to the very high office of Chairman of Committees should not automatically follow nomination by Mr Speaker. A number of Gk)vernment members have referred to Aboriginal land rights. The member for Maryborough in particular followed the typical National Party line. Mr Prest: National Party? Mr DAVIS: Yes, I am referring to the National Party, Since 1969, when I first entered Parliament, a hatred of the black race has emanated from the National Party in any consideration of land rights, Mr Menzel: That's rubbish, Mr DAVIS: That is the cold, hard truth. Mr Menzel: No, Mr DAVIS: I see it time and time again. National Party members have always adopted the same attitude. They continually refer to the good blackfellow who is never a problem. He is never a problem as long as he says, "Yes, Sir" and "No, Sir". An Opposition Member interjected. Mr DAVIS: Yes, it has always been the same sort of attitude, I have heard it before from the member for Maryborough, I heard it from the member for Merthyr in 1970 It is always the point of view expressed by the radicals. It is a shocking attitude In my opinion, the white race in this country owes a great deal to the Aboriginal race. Mr AliscMi: Tell us about the ALP policy. Address in Reply 29 November 1983 279

Mr DAVIS: The ALP wUl give land rights to Aborigines. What is wTong with giving black people a right to their land in Queensland? What if they muck it up? A great number of people in the National Party have done so with their farms. What if the Aboriginal people fail after they are given land rights? What have we got to lose? We owe the Aborigine something. If a National Party cow-cocky had a bad season, he would be crying and whinging in this House for support from the (Government. I repeat that the Labor Party supports land rights and certainly does not take the conservative, racist line of members on the other side. Mr Menzel: Do you beUeve in giving them freehold? Mr DAVIS: I have just outlined Labor policy. Members opposite have read it thousands of times. For those who have not read it, our policy is always available, and public. We do not try to hide it. We do not run away from our policies, contrary to the attitude adopted by the National Party. I refer now to how the National Party runs away from its poUcy. Early this year, at a meeting of Federal and State Transport Ministers, the Federal Minister for Transport made a statement in which he suggested that if there was accord between States they may have a system of eUminating registration fees and third-party premiums. The next thing, the Premier of Queensland came out loud and clear saying, "There is no way in the world that we will touch that sort of policy. It is dead against what we support." In 1980—^prior to the National Party's convention this year—a. National Party committee under the chairmanship of the former Minister for Tourism, National Parks, Sport and The Arts, who recently got the boot, came out with a poUcy supporting the elimination of registration, nominal defendant and third-party fees and their replacement by a more efficient fuel tax, which would be designed as a replacement and not as an additional tax. So much for the National Party's poUcy! The National Party pubUcises its poUcy as a manifesto but then does not support it. I will take the point made earlier by the honourable member for Mulgrave. The Labor Party makes its poUcy public and it sticks by it. I do not like using this debate for the purpose of raising parochial matters, but 1 take this opportunity to mention the modernisation of Brisbane Central Railway Station under the Sheraton Hotel complex. Escalators wUl be installed. The instaUation of escalators at railway stations has received the support of the Australian Labor Party on many occasions. Their installation is in keeping with the practice adopted at modem railway stations throughout the nation. In contrast, the Bmnswick Street RaUway Station stiU lacks escalators, even though they were promised in 1970 by the then Treasurer (Sir Gordon Chalk) when he made a deal with the SGIO conceming that complex. Since then, three or four Ministers for Transport have come and gone. Most if not all of them with the exception of the present incumbent were Liberal Party Ministers. As I have said, escalators stUl have not been installed in that complex. Anyone who uses the Bmnswick Street RaUway Station wiU know that a person almost needs an alpine axe to get up the steep stairs. Since the advent of electric trains, pedestrian traffic through Brunswick Street Station has increased tremendously. Aged persons find it most difficuU to climb the very steep and high stairs. I turn now to the matter of the National Party's expenditure of something like $2m on the last election campaign. Govemment Members interjected. Mr DAVIS: I am sorry, $2.1m. The National Party spent money, and that is fair enough. However, I do object to some of the tactics that were adopted by certain National Party candidates. In some Brisbane areas they were going to schools and giving children little toy tmcks and vehicles containing policy documents to take home to their parents. That is going a little too deeply into the cesspit of dirty tricks. Mr Prest: They were aU made in Japan, too. Mr DAVIS: They certainly would not have been made in Queensland. This Govemment does not support Queensland industry. 280 29 November 1983 Address in Reply

A large amount of money was spent by the National Party from that bogus organisation the Bjelke-Petersen Foundation, Recently I was talking with a group of children and the conversation got round to what they would Uke to be later in life. Some said they would like to be doctors, others said they would like to be lawyers and others said they would like to be tradesmen. One child, however, who was fairly poUtically motivated, said that his father would put $5,000 into the Bjelke-Petersen Foundation, I asked "Why would he do that?" The lad replied, "If he puts $5,000 into the Bjelke-Petersen Foundation and earmarks it for me, I will get some rapid transition and it wiU be an open door to anything I require." I said that basically that would be a fairly good joke. Honourable Members interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I do not wish to interrupt the honourable member's edifying speech, but I remind those honourable members who are intermpting that if they wish to comment they must remain in their correct seats. Mr DAVIS: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I suppose that that $5,000 investment would be a pretty good one, because honourable members have seen what has happened to National Party Minister after National Party Minister. The member for Albert is a classic example. He readily admitted that he donated $5,000 to the Bjelke-Petersen Foundation. What happened? Two months later he was a Minister! Mr Casey: The member for CalUde came a gutser, didn't he? Mr DAVIS: There are a couple of examples. A couple of other members put in only $10, in the beUef that they would obtain a Cabinet position. It just serves them right for being mean and miserable. Apart from the amount of money that was spent by the National Party from the foundation on election advertisements, a considerable amount of Government money was spent on advertisements and that ridiculous show that is shown on Channel 7 on a Sunday night which nobody in his right sense would watch, Mr Lester: It has the best ratings in Brisbane, Mr DAVIS: Ridiculous! When the Minister comes on, he will be as high-rating as Barbara Bowers. The last time that I criticised the Government's press officers was when the honourable member for Redcliffe was the Minister for Welfare Services. I criticised the amount of money that was spent on 2 000-odd press hand-outs that poured from him in a month. The following month we did not receive any hand-outs. However, it was a waste of money. To be quite tmthful, I would Uke the Government to save the couple of hundred dollars, or whatever the amount might be, that is spent on the precis of press releases handed out to Opposition members. Those precis give the Opposition an indication of the brainstorms who occupy Cabinet positions. On 14 November the Minister for Tourism, National Parks, Sport and The Arts (Honourable P. R. McKechnie) released the following statement— "Mr McKechnie told Central Queensland residents not to expect the decision on the Camarvon Gorge." In another press release, the foUowing statement appears— "Cricket Support Mr McKechnie would face two of Australia's fastest bowlers this week in a promotion to encourage more people to watch the State's Sheffield Shield." Mr Lester interjected. Mr DAVIS: I do not know whether I have a press release from the Minister for Employment and Industrial Affairs. They are so funny. Mr Mackenroth: His were printed backwards. Mr DAVIS: Yes. That is very good. In yet another release, the Minister for Environment, Valuation and Administrative Services appeals to Queenslanders to fight one of the most annoying forms of pollution, which is unwanted noise. They are issued endlessly. Builders' Reg, and Home-owners' Protection Act, &c.. Bill 29 November 1983 281

Mr Mackenroth: Read them all, Mr DAVIS: I could not bore the House that long with them. A Government Member: Wind up, Mr DAVIS: I will not wind up until I find what that brainstorm who is the Minister Assisting the Treasurer had to say. He said, "There will be painting at the Laidley school." I was looking for in-depth economic arguments. Mr Gunn: Is it true that the worst three years of your life were Grade I at the opportunity school? Mr DAVIS: No. I am glad that the Minister has mentioned that. I did not mind the opportunity school. It was quite good. Before a recent caucus meeting, it was pointed out that, with the introduction of the member for Aspley and the member for Toowong, with their higher education, the average intellectual school age of the National Party is now Year 3. Mr Gunn: That is better than nothing. Mr DAVIS: Before their arrival, because of the qualifications of the members for Somerset and Bumett, it was Year 2, I wanted to make that point because I had thought that the Deputy Premier and Minister Assisting the Treasurer would have had reams and reams of expert information, Mr R, J, Gibbs: He used to be the Minister for Education, Mr DAVIS: That is right, he was. However, I did think that he would have had information from the IMF and supplied us with the gold standard and all those sorts of things. However, the information that he gave the House concemed the painting of the Laidley school and a bridge near the Wivenhoe Dam, Mr Gunn: I got 90 per cent of the vote there. Mr DAVIS: I am glad that the Minister has raised that point, because I notice that at the last election his vote dropped by over 10 per cent. The fact that the deputy leader of the National Party, who is also the Deputy Premier and Minister Assisting the Treasurer, received 10 per cent fewer votes shows just how popular he is. In conclusion, I thank the electorate of Brisbane Central for showing such wise judgment. Mr Milliner: A wise choice. Mr DAVIS: Yes, it was a wise choice. I am pleased to say that my vote increased by 5i per cent whereas some honourable members were not as lucky and theirs dropped by over 10 per cent. Debate, on motion of Mr Wharton, adjoumed.

BUILDERS' REGISTRATION AND HOME-OWNERS' PROTECTION ACT AMENDMENT BILL

Second Reading—^Resumption of Debate Debate resumed from 24 November (see p. 118) on Mr Wharton's motion— "That the Bill be now read a second time." Mr MACKENROTH (Chatsworth) (9.42 p.m.): Firstly, I place on record that the OpposUion has agreed to debate this Bill tonight even though, on the second occasion on which the Bill has been introduced, it has not lain on the table for two clear sitting days. The Opposition realises that the Bill was first introduced last August but, for some reason, at that stage the sittings of ParUament stopped suddenly. On this occasion the Opposition has agreed to go outside the Standing Orders and debate the Bill. This is not to be taken as a precedent and the Opposition does not want to be 282 29 November 1983 Builders' Reg. and Home-owners' Protection Act, &c.. Bill confronted with the Govemment introducing a great deal of legislation very close to the end of the session and expecting the Opposition to forgo the provisions of that Standing Order. The amendments to the BuUders' Registration and Home-owners' Protection Act, as the Minister stated in his second-reading speech, are fairly simple and straightforward. The one regarding the superannuation scheme is extremely straightforward. The House should be concemed with the amendment dealing with those who may be registered as house-builders, because that is a retrospective amendment. Although the amendment simply transfers the reference to a guarantee or indemnity from a schedule of the Act into the main body of the Act, the fact is that last year the Government bungled this matter when it amended the Act. As I read the BiU, the amendment provides that builders will not have to pay $250 stamp duty on the guarantee but rather a nominal stamp duty of $4, On this occasion the Opposition wUl not divide on the question of retrospective legislation, but it is concemed about retrospective legislation. I hope that we see no more of it and that, in future, retrospective legislation is not introduced to overcome the mistakes made by the Govemment, which is simply all that this Bill does. I wish to speak on a number of matters to do with the BuUders' Registration and Home-owners' Protection Act. My first point is the board's failure to do its job properly. The Builders Registration Board has been given very good consumer legislation to administer. The legislation provided for the board is such that, used properly, it would give consumers very good protection. The unfortunate thing, as I have said in this House on previous occasions, is that the Builders Registration Board is just not prepared to act properly when it comes to looking after consumers. The board's job should be to regulate builders and protect consumers but it does neither, and I will prove that as the debate goes on. The board is simply a quango. It is unforunate that the upper echelon of this quango have become power-drunk and are now more interested in the lurks and perks of their job than in looking after people. The board is not accountable to this Parliament and is not prepared to be accountable. Last week I asked the Minister for Works and Housing a question regarding figures in the 1981-82 annual report of the Builders Registration Board. Part of the Minister's answer read— "It is not considered necessary to expand on the tabled information to satisfy the whims of the honourable member, who appears to have set himself up a self- appointed public accounts committee. I have the utmost confidence in the chairman, members and registrar of the Builders Registration Board and the manner in which they conduct their activities." Unfortunately, I do not have that confidence. As for the Minister referring to me setting myself up as a self-appointed public accounts committee, I draw to his attention the statements that have been made by the Premier regarding a public accounts committee. During the election campaign, when the Opposition talked about a pubUc accounts committee, the Premier said that a pubUc accounts committee was not needed in Queensland because the 82 members of Parliament themselves could in fact look at the accounts of the departments, that they themselves were public accounts committees. Unfortunately, the information suppUed by the Builders Registration Board—this applies to all the quangos and, indeed, all Govemment departments—is not sufficient for us to be able to look properly at what money is being expended, what it is being expended on or, indeed, whether it has been expended wisely. In my question last week I asked— "What service is provided to the board by Electronic Data Processing Pty Ltd and what is the break-down of the payment of $59,619 from the insurance fund?" In 1981-82 Electronic Data Processing was paid $84,112 from the general fund and $59,619 from the insurance fund, a total of $143,731. I wanted to find out what service was provided by Electronic Data Processing. At this stage the best that I have been able to come up with is that Electronic Data Processing is the SGIO and that the SGIO is providing simple computer storage for the Builders Registration Board. The Minister can correct me if I am wrong. Builders' Reg. and Home-owners' Protection Act, &c.. Bill 29 November 1983 283

So what we have is the Builders Registration Board paying some $143,731 to the SGIO in one financial year for computer storage. I have been able to ascertain that the staff of the Builders Registration Board are keying the information from their terminal into the computer storage, so the money is simply for computer storage. I would like to know how much storage capacity—^the Minister might give it to me in megabytes—is being supplied to the Builders Registration Board for this sum of money. It seems incredible that, with its type of operation and the type of information it would need to store, the board would need to spend that much money to lease storage capacity for one financial year. That sort of money would be able to buy a computer sufficiently large to look after the needs of the board for at least 10 years. Once again, the Minister can correct me if I am wrong. The Minister's advisers are in the lobby. They could tell me the storage capacity needed. If the Minister is not prepared to release that information I can only believe that a scandal surrounds the amount of money paid to Electronic Data Processing. I asked the Minister a simple question about the travel undertaken by members of the board. For the year 1981-82, the sum spent from the general funds was $23,733, and the sum spent from the insurance fund was $17,977, making a total of $41,710 spent on travel in the 1981-82 financial year. Maybe the Minister could have given me a simple explanation about the money spent on travel. Because he is not prepared to do so I can only assume that the money was spent on holiday jaunts for staff members of the board. Because the Minister is not prepared to give the information, what else can I believe? Mr Borbidge: Prove it. Mr MACKENROTH: Last week I asked the Minister to teU me what the money was spent on, but he was not prepared to do that. A public accounts committee would be able to determine what the money for travel was spent on, and what the money paid to Electronic Data Processing was spent on. That proves the value of a pubUc accounts committee. A member of Parliament cannot do the job of a public accounts committee when he does not get the required information or when the necessary information is not at his disposal. I will raise this matter again in the Adjournment debate later in the evening when I deal with accountability of the Housing Commission. The main problem with the Builders Registration Board is that it will not act when arbitration has been sought by a builder. When a dispute arises, builders immediately invoke the arbitration clause in a contract. When the arbitration clause is invoked the Builders Registration Board claims that it can no longer be involved in inspecting alleged faults or acting as a mediator. I should like the Ministers to show me where the Builders' and Home­ owners' Protection Act states that the Builders Registration Board or its inspectors cannot act when an arbitration clause is invoked by a builder. I have studied the Act closely but I can find no reference to arbitration in it. Builders are becoming very wise about this easy way to get round the Builders Registration Board. They are inserting in all contracts a clause referring to arbitration. If they use the standard contract of the Queensland Master Builders Association, the person named as the arbitrator is the president of the Queensland Master Builders Association. That means a members of the Queensland Master Builders Association asks for an arbitrator who is the president of the Queensland Master BuUders Association. When the arbitration clause is invoked, the Builders Registration Board will not take action. The clients have to go to arbitration, which is very costly. Some have found that legal expenses for arbitration cost $20,000. If the arbitration does not favour the complainant, the Builders Registration Board simply wipes its hands of the matter because it has been to arbitration. That is a very slick, dishonest way to get round the provisions of the Act. It is a further indication that the Builders Registration Board is shirking the responsibUities that is is expected to exercise on behalf of the consumers who are supposedly protected by the Act. I shall taUc a little about the actions of the board and the type of activities in which it engages. I refer to a former building inspector, Mr F. W, Brunn, who was sacked by the board earUer this year, supposedly for doing work as a builder outside working hours. I believe that that person has been very grievously and seriously hurt by the Builders Registration Board. 284 29 November 1983 Builders' Reg, and Home-owners' Protection Act, &c.. Bill

In my opinion, inspectors of the board should not engage in building work; but the point in question is whether the board believes that. When Mr Brunn was employed by the board, he was handed a document setting out the conditions of his employment. Nowhere did it state that he could not engage in outside building work. It stated only that if he was unsure of something, he should ask his seniors. When Mr Brunn decided that he would build a house for a friend, which he could do because he was stUl a registered builder, he notified his seniors, namely, Geoff Anderson, who was the senior building inspector for metropolitan Brisbane, and Ray GrUfiths, who was the acting senior inspector for the country area, of his intention to build. Neither of them raised any objection to his building the house, so he went ahead and built h. After the house had been built, he received a letter on 11 July 1983. It said— "Dear Mr Brunn, I have become aware of the fact that, while employed as an Inspector by the Board, you have entered into building construction for another. This action on your part is in breach of the condition of employment, made clear to you at the time of your appointment, that you not act as a builder while in the Board's employment. Your appointment with the Board is therefore terminated with effect from the close of business, Uth July 1983. Yours sincerely, A. Nicholson REGISTRAR" I have a statutory declaration from Mr Brunn that at no time was he advised verbally that he was not allowed to engage in building work. In fact, I have statutory declaratons from other members of the board who are building inspectors, who have engaged in building work outside their occupation and against whom no action has been taken. The other point that should be made is that the conditions of employment did not state that Mr Bmnn could not engage in building work. The most amazing and ridiculous part of this man's sacking was a memorandum to all board staff that was released on the following day, 12 July. Under the heading "Out-of-Hours Activities incompatible with Staff Responsibilities", it reads— "The employment of Mr F. W. Brunn was terminated this moming because of his involvement in an activity which was incompatible with his responsibilities as a Board Inspector. All staff should be aware that we have responsibilities to the Board and to the public which prevent us from engaging in activities outside working hours which might result in a conflict of interests. This is not to say that participation in outside activities is discouraged. However, if any member of the staff is uncertain as to whether a conffict of interests or responsibUities could result from involvement in any private activity, it would be advisable to discuss the matter with your Section Head." The memorandum was signed by R. J. Johnson, the assistant registrar. That memorandum, which was sent to all staff, states that they cannot do outside work, but it is not to say that they cannot do outside work. If they are unsure, they should go and see their departmental head. That is exactly what Mr Bmnn did before he began work on this project. Something else must have happened for him to be sacked. I have a copy of a Form 9 that was submitted to the BuUders Registration Board by Frederic William Brunn. It stated that he was going to build a house, and that 13919 was his registration number. The insurance premium was accepted by the Builders Registration Board, and no action was taken at that stage. Approximately six weeks before Mr Bmnn was sacked, LilUan Clarke, the administration manager of the Board, asked him whether he would be interested in carrying out a project for the board for a fee. That project was to build a cabinet that could be converted into a bar in the boardroom. Its main feature was that it would not look Uke a bar but would blend in with the other furniture. C^n honourable members believe that members of the Builders Registration Board are concerned about Queensland consumers when, in the early part of this year, their main interest was in having a bar buUt in the boardroom so that they could booze up before and after their meetings? I have spoken to Mr Brunn, and I believe that he was sacked because he was too interested in doing his job properly. Mr Brunn inspected a house that someone had complained about. The complaint was that the mortar was crumbling between the Builders' Reg. and Home-owners' Protection Act, &c.. Bill 29 November 1983 285 bricks. After his inspection of the house, Mr Bmnn recommended to the Board that the builder rectify the fault. That particular builder was a friend of the Registrar of the Builders Registration Board, Mr Nicholson. Mr Nicholson challenged Mr Bmnn and told him to forget about it, Mr Brunn was not prepared to do that and the board was not prepared to take any action, so Mr Bmnn was sacked. That incident demonstrates that the Registrar of the Builders Registration Board is directing inspectors to neglect reports on shoddy and unsafe workmanship because the buUders concerned are friends of his. I would like to know whether any pressure was appUed to Mr Nicholson by any other buUders to sack Mr Bmnn because he was working as a builder. I want to discuss the insurance provision of the Builders' Registration and Home-ovmers' Protection Act. The Leader of the Opposition wUl refer to one case that needs action by the Minister for Works and Housing, because it is quite evident that the Board wiU take none. The three forms relating to insurance in Queensland are Form 9, Form 10 and Form 11. Form 9 is completed by the builder and lodged with the local government authority or the Builders Registration Board so that insurance is taken out when the premium is paid. The builder is required to give Form 10 to the owner of the house, or, if it is a spec home, to the person who buys the house. Form 10 advises them of their rights under the insurance provisions of the Act. Form 11 is an appUcation form on which a person appUes to the board for a certificate as to the existence of his insurance cover. People have to pay $5 to find out that they have insurance cover. Most insurance companies give their client the insurance policy. The board, however, does not do that. People have to pay to obtain their cover. Those three forms would probably be the forms that the Builders Registration Board uses most when it provides insurance cover for people. Under the Act, every house in Queensland that is built by a registered builder must be covered by insurance. That means that approximately 100 000 of these forms go through the board each year. Imagine the confusion in the minds of the builders and the consumers, I shall read portion of a transcript of a conversation between Mary Smith and Mr Nicholson of the Builders Registration Board in reference to those forms. The transcript reads as follows— "Mary: I would like you to explain the forms that are required for the Insurance premiums. Mr, N,: What forms? Mary: Forms 9, 10 and 11, Mr, N.: There is no mandatory Insurance certificate sent out. The Board issues nothing, Mary: Nothing to the Builder, Mr, N,: No, nothing to the Builder, Mary: What happens after the Builder is required to send out a Form 9, Mr, N.: Nothing happens after that, Mary: On completion of Form 9 and the premium of $55,00 as it was or $90,00 as it is now—^the Board is deemed to have entered into a House Purchaser's Agreement. Mr. N,: Yes, provided it is a registered builder. Mary: Can you tell me, what Contracts the Board classifies vaUd? Mr. N.: We do not see the Contracts," No reference is made at all to which contracts are valid or not vaUd under the Act, No doubt the Leader of the Opposition will refer to that aspect later. The transcript continues— "Mary: Please tell me what happens to Forms 9, 10 and 11. Mr, N,: Form 10 is the builder's responsibility," For the first time, Mr Nicholson is right. The transcript continues— "Mary: What happens if the builder does not issue a form 10 to the owner? Mr, N.: I would say that certain action would be taken by the board." 286 29 November 1983 Builders' Reg. and Home-owners' Protection Act, &c.. Bill

He does not say, "Certain action wiU be taken by the board." Next— "Mary: What is the writing on forms 9, 10 and 11? Mr, N,: I do not have them here," I will leave out some portions. Next— "Mary: The form that goes to the owmer—is it form 10? Mr, N,: I cannot say," Here we have a situation in which the registrar of the board cannot even tell a person who asks him a question whether Form 10 is sent to the owner of the house. And remember that I have just said that probably 100000 of these forms go out each year. The registrar of the board should know what the Act provides. With reference to Form 10, the transcript continues— "Mary: What happens if the registered builder does not prepare a form? Mr, N,: Nothing," If Mr Nicholson read the Act, he would find that it provides for a $500 fine on a builder who does not send out a Form 10, I ask honourable members to inquire from any of their constituents who have bought a house since the insurance provision was inserted into the Act how many of them have received a Form 10 from their builder, I suggest that 95 per cent of builders are not issuing Form 10 to theh clients; yet nothing is done by the board. The transcript continues— "Mary: Is it correct—^that if a claim is made, does the claim form have to be made in writing within a specified time? Mr. N.: I don't know. Mary: You have made a statement that once the owner engages a registered buUder, that the owner is covered by insurance whether a form 9 is completed or not. Mr. N.: I don't know." Later— "Mary: You are not going to teU me what proceedings the Board takes action, if the Builder does not fiU in a Form 9, Mr. N,: I am not going to divulge the proceedings we go through, Mary: I would still like to find out what action the Board takes. Would there be a large percentage of Builders not filling out Form 9? Mr, N,: I don't know—I have no idea, Mary: I have numerous phone caUs and that would be at least forty to fifty (40/50) phone caUs between March and July from people stating that they were not covered even though they had engaged a registered builder, Mr. N.: That could be so. Mary: Even though they had signed a Contract between a registered builder and themselves nothing was done to issue the mandatory insurance cover. Mr. N,: That may be so." We have a situation in which a registration board has been established. Insurance provisions exist within that legislation. The responsibility for the overaU enforcement of the Act has been given to a board. The board employs a person who is responsible for the day-t

State of Queensland, to ensure that there is no shoddy workmanship and to ensure that there are no fly-by-night operators. That was my understanding of the reason for the introduction of the Builders' Registration and Home-owners' Protection Act. When those persons made a complaint to the board, the board, to its credit, conducted an inquiry. The board notified Mr and Mrs Mulcahy in the following terms— "It was the Board's decision to adjourn the Inquiry to a date to be fixed. However, Mr Higgins has been requested to carry out rectification work within three (3) months from the date of this letter. Mr Higgins has also been requested to employ the services of a competent qualified person to advise him in the method of rectification of your dweUing." That is an instance of a builder who has been registered by the BuUders Registration Board, and has been required by the board to employ someone to teU him how to do his job properly. Of course, the builder undertook rectification work. The people were not completely happy with the work. What does the board say to them then? It says— "In the event that any minor items remain outstanding, I advise that these . are, in the Board's opinion, not sufficiently serious to warrant further action at this time." The letter is signed by Mr Nicholson. He is saying that any further complaints are not sufficiently serious to warrant further action at this time. He has said that before a complaint has been made. He is telling the people not to bother to complain again because no action will be taken. The final crunch to this particular case comes at the end of a letter sent to Mr and Mrs Mulcahy on 3 August, referring to work that had been undertaken. It says— "As the rectification required by the Board had been completed to its satisfaction no further action was taken in regard to its inquiry." It must be remembered that that inquiry was conducted into the competence of Mr Higgins to perform work as a registered builder. In February 1983 the board considered that Mr Higgins was not competent enough to rectify his own faults and that he should employ a competent person to tell him how to do the work. As soon as that competent person told him how to rectify those faults, the board decided that, as the work had been carried out, it would not take further action. What the board has done is aUow that person loose to imdertake buUding work for more Queenslanders and to do the same thing again. If that person was so incompetent that major structural changes were required to rectify his faults and that the BuUders Registration Board required him to employ someone to tell him how to fix the faults, surely that person is not competent to be employed as a registered builder in Queensland. Action should have been taken to deregister him, but once again the members of the board stuck their heads in the sand. They are not concerned with problems. I am sure that the members of the board would like buUders to pay their registration premiums once a year, pay the insurance premiums each time they buUd a house and leave the board alone for the remainder of the time. The board members would also like consumers to leave them alone so that they can sit out there in their office in Sherwood Road, Toowong, and undoubtedly sip port in the new bar that has been put into the boardroom. They are certainly not concemed with looking after the interests of consumers. On the occasions that this legislation has been debated in this Parliament, the Minister has said that the intention of the legislation was to look after the ordinary consumer. If the Govemment were interested in looking after the ordinary consumer, it would place a consumer representative on the board and not have the board representative of self- interested, self-seeking people, which is now the case. A Govemment Member interjected. Mr MACKENROTH: If the honourable member wishes me to continue, I have cases of malpractice by the board and instances in which the board has not done its job. I could continue to speak until tomorrow moming. To conclude, I simply say that, although the amendments before the House are minor, I hope that the Minister fulfils the responsibilities that have been given to him by the, Parliament and dhects the board to operate under the provisions of the Act. I 288 29 November 1983 Builders' Reg. and Home-owners' Protection Act, &c.. Bill

have heard other members raise questions about the Builders Registration Board and, undoubtedly, when major provisions in the Act are amended later, the Minister for Health wiU vote with us because on previous occasions he has tried to amend the Act by himself. As I stated at the commencement of my speech, the Opposition will not oppose the provisions of the BiU, but it is very concemed at the practice of bringing in retrospective legislation. Whereupon the honourable member laid the document on the table. Mr WRIGHT (Rockhampton—Leader of the Opposition) (10.19 p.m.): I rise to join the Opposition shadow spokesman on this matter and do not oppose the amendments introduced by the Minister. However, I wish to raise matters that pertain very directly to the Builders Registration Board. The member for Chatsworth raised the case of a person who complained to the Builders Registration Board. I also wish to raise a matter that has been given some pubUcity. I refer to the EtheU case, which is well known to the Minister. Some time ago I wrote to him and asked him to use his discretionary power under the Act to overmle the board. For the information of members, I wish to outline this case because it is symptomatic of some of the problems that exist when these so-caUed quasi-autonomous non-govemmental organisations, or quangos, are given so much power that a Minister is not game to intervene on behalf of an ordinary citizen. This case concerns a service pensioner who receives approximately $152 per week and who, because of the incompetence of people on the board, has lost $18,000. When the BuUders' Registration and Home-owners' Protection Act was introduced it was supported by members of this Assembly because we believed it would protect home-owners. The concept was simple. It was one of a person paying a reasonable insurance premium and, within a period of three to six years and on various bases of minor or major complaints, being able to lodge a claim for some type of redress. I want to deal with the case of a person who signed a home purchase agreement on 20 October 1980. It was a cost plus contract and the contract period was approximately 16 weeks. The upper limit of that contract $40,000. As I said, Mr EtheU, a service pensioner, believed that he had engaged a registered builder and therefore felt that he was covered in every way. BuUding permit no. 1993 was issued on 10 October 1980, The plans and speci­ fications were sent to the Widgee Shire CouncU on 22 September, a few days earlier. The most important point is that the compulsory building insurance premium of $55 was paid on 10 October 1980, The receipt was endorsed by the clerk of the court at Gympie and the Builders Registration Board accepted payment of that insurance premium, I want members to consider this point. The owner paid the premium. It was accepted by the Builders Registration Board and a receipt was issued for that payment. If members refer to the terms of the Act they would surely believe that Mr EtheU was protected, because there are thousands of potential home-builders in this State doing nothing more than paying the premium, getting the receipt showing proof of payment, and believing that they are covered. But that is not the case. In this instance the builder did not send the appropriate forms to the Builders Registration Board but he still commenced to build the house. Unfortunately, after 14 weeks little had been done. In fact, after 15 weeks little had been done, and when the 16 weeks specified in the contract exphed it was quite obvious that Mr EtheU was in grave trouble. He finaUy had to go to another builder and pay an additional $18,000 to have the house completed. Having paid the premium and believing that he was covered by the Builders' Registration and Home-owners' Protection Act—it says "Home-owners' Protection Act"—Mr EtheU forthwith sent a claim to the Builders Registration Board because he beUeved that he was covered. He claimed that the builder had failed to complete. Having a knowledge of the Act, Mr Deputy Speaker, you would know that that is one of the grounds for a claim. He simply claimed compensation from the BuUders Registration Board for the $18,000 payment over and above the $40,000 that he had agreed to pay. That was in August 1981. It was not until AprU 1982 that he realised that he was getting nowhere. So in August 1982 he went to a solicitor. He was finally advised that the claim had been rejected. The grounds were that the contract Mr EtheU entered into was a cost plus contract, and the Builders' Reg. and Home-owners' Protection Act, &c,. Bill 29 November 1983 289

Builders Registration Board said that that was not vaUd within the meaning of the Act. There is nothing in the Act that says a person cannot enter mto a cost plus contract. Nothing! Not one clause! Not one reference! But for some reason Mr Nicholson or the Builders Registration Board determined that this man had no right of claim. One would hope that because of certain clauses in the Act the Minister would have intervened. Members know that he has the discretionary power to do so, but he did not intervene. No reason has been given. There is nothing in the Act that says a person cannot enter into a cost plus contract. It was suggested that the owner was in fact an owner-builder, but that suggestion was disproved when photographs were produced showing the builder's registration number on the front of the house. So again the claim was not forfeited on that basis. One wonders why a situation can develop in which a person pays his premium, meets the terms of the Act, meets the requirements in law and stUl loses $18,000. As the honourable member for Chatsworth pointed out, the people involved in making the decision do not understand the law or are totaUy incompetent. This is not the only complaint against the Builders Registration Board, People have continually come forward claiming that they cannot get redress from the board. They have complained about the board's allowing a builder whom it has criticised time and again to come back and continue to make a mess in attempting to overcome a problem. In one instance in Rockhampton, a driveway was torn up on three occasions, but the board still said that the original contractor had to go back to do the work. Something is seriously wrong. I come back to the original case I mentioned, I ask the Minister to use his power to over-rule the people who are making the decisions. The person involved in that instance is not on a ministerial salary of $70,000 a year; he is a service pensioner on just over $150 a week. He cannot afford to lose $18,000 or suffer the trauma that he was put through simply because a builder was not prepared to fulfil the terms of the contract. If that is the way the Act works, it should be totally revamped; more importantly, the board should be reinvestigated. If the Minister did his job, he should look closely at the decisions made by the board. I ask him to review sensitively the case to which I have referred. If the man concemed is to fight, it will cost him a mint of money to try to get justice. The legislation that the Minister introduced was designed to protect people so that bodgie builders would not tender for homes and not complete them, and that if that happened, grounds for compensation would be available if the people met the terms of the Act. The man concerned in this instance has met the terms. He has paid his premium. He was not an owner-builder, irrespective of what has been suggested. Whether or not it was a cost-plus contract is not pertinent in this instance. I am not arguing the amendments that have been proposed, but I do ask the Minister to make the Act work effectively. It was very important consumer legislation. Members on both sides of the House endorsed it, believing that it was in the interests of the builder and of the consumer. It is not working because of the Builders Registration Board. I ask the Minister to investigate this matter and to intervene on behalf of Mr EtheU. Mr CASEY (Mackay) (10.28 p.m.): I support the comments made by the two Opposition members who have preceded me and, in doing so, I draw the attention of the House to the fact that the Builders Registration Board, which administers this Act, is not doing its job properly for the people of Queensland. I shall cite only two examples of the numerous com­ plaints that I have received. One concerns the purchaser of a home, the other a man who wanted registration as a builder. They will prove that the operation of the Act is mitigating against all the people who are covered by it. I cannot speak about what is happening in Brisbane, the administrative centre, but in country areas the board is considered to be an absolute farce. Country people believe that it is a real choke on the activities of the people purchasing houses and those who are trying to become registered builders. People who purchased a house late in 1980 told me that immediately after the purchase they saw obvious faults in the structure. They were assured that they were covered by their home-owners protection insurance and that action would be taken by the Builders Registration Board if the builder did not correct the defects at his own cost. At the time, their relationship with the builder was reasonable. He gave them all the assurances in the world when they approached him about the defects. That was the last they saw of him. About six months later they approached the Builders Registration Board in Rockhampton. They were assured that papers would be sent to them, that the matter would 290 29 November 1983 BuUders' Reg, and Home-owners' Protection Act, &c.. Bill be investigated and that the inspector would investigate it when next he came to Mackay. Unfortunately, they did not inquire about when that next time would be. They are still waiting for him. Up to a few months ago, when they came to see me about the problem, they StiU had not seen an inspector. They foUowed the matter through. They received further papers and fUled them out, but still nothing happened. They called to see me and I wrote to the registrar Papers were sent to them so that they could lodge an official complaint and get a reply. The reply was very terse. It indicated that the builder was registered with the board but that no insurance policy had been taken out on their buUding. It took about three years before they could get some satisfaction from the board, I understand that at one time the inspector supposedly visited Mackay but could not find the buflder. That was probably the case, because he could have been 180 km away in Glenden or in the hinterland building other houses. Builders, particularly if they have been doing some shonky work, will not sit round waiting for the inspector from the Builders Registration Board to come from Rockhampton to investigate a complaint. That is the way in which the scheme is being administered. One inspector, perhaps with an offsider, is trying to cover a vast growth area of Queensland extending from Mackay to westem Queensland and from Rockhampton to Bundaberg. He just cannot cover that area, CJonsequently, people's complaints are being completely ignored, A second case relates to a man who was a building contractor in New South Wales for about 20 years. Earlier, we heard the member for Lockyer repeat parrot fashion what the Premier, Ministers and other members of the National Party have been trying to say for so long—^that, because of the good National Party Govemment, people are coming to Queensland from New South Wales, Victoria and other States in great droves. This man did not come from New South Wales to Queensland for that reason. His daughter married a man in north Queensland and he decided that because Mackay was such a beautiful place he would live there. He wanted to live in semi-retirement, so he decided to build three flats. He intended to occupy one flat and rent the other two. What happened? He went along to the local authority and found out the mles and laws in Queensland. It wanted to know his registration number. As an ovmer- builder he could have buUt a house for himself but he could not buUd a block of units as a commercial enterprise to assist him to become semi-retired. During the 20 years that this man spent in the building trade in New South Wales, he trained many apprentices. At one time he had 15 or 16 other tradesmen working for him. He was the first to admit that initially he had not qualified as a tradesman and that he had moved into the building game from another sphere. However, he knew more about the buUding industry than many people who have been engaged in it for a lifetime. If this man had been in Queensland when the old builders registration deal first came into being he would have been allowed to register under the grandfather provision. Some people who were engaged in shonky building work throughout the State were registered by the board simply because they were covered by that provision. The fun started when this man tried to build a block of flats so that he could move into semi-retirement. The board claimed that he was not properly qualified. That was an amazing claim, particularly when one considers some people who have been registered m Queensland. This man had to write to the board so that it could leam exactly what his qualifications were. He did that. Every time he wrote to the board he seemed to just miss a meeting and would have to wait another month or until such time as another meeting was held. The board's reply was that he certainly knew his work but, in order to become qualified in Queensland, he would have to sit for an examination. After 20 years as a builder he was required to sit for an exam! He was told by the inspector from Rockhampton that he could do the exam in two months' time, which was the next time that the inspector would be in Mackay. It did not matter to the board that the builder was inconvenienced and had to stay in a motel or with relatives untU he could sit for that exam. The real problem is that the administration of the board cannot be streamlined. The provisions that are being added to the Act are supposed to aid the administration of the board, but it already seems to be bogged down. Builders' Reg. and Home-owners' Protection Act, Sec, BUI 29 November 1983 291

The builder was told that he could sit for the exam in Brisbane but that he would have to wait for a couple of months. So he waited for the inspector from Rockhampton to retum to Mackay. But the inspector had to delay his visit to Mackay for another month or so because of bush fires or floods out west, so the exam was delayed again. When he finally sat for the exam, the inspector told him that he had done a good job with the paper and that his answers were spot on. When the builder asked whether he would get his certificate, the inspector said, "No, this has got to go to Brisbane again." The paper had to go before a board meeting in Brisbane. It arrived one or two days after a board meeting had been held so his certificate was further delayed. That buUder was inconvenienced because it took five months before the board sent out his certificate. Over that time costs had increased. He considered returning to New South Wales because he was so disgusted with the registration procedures in Queensland. Reciprocal arrangements with the other States should apply so that a person who is accepted as a buUder in another State is accepted as a builder in Queensland. Surely people who want to come to live in Queensland should not be subjected to these procedures every time they apply for registration. I say again that if one lives in the bush in Queensland, one has to put up with it, even though Queensland has a National Party Government. The situation is getting worse. The day the name was changed from "Country Party" to "National Party" the country people of Queensland went down the chute.

Mr MILLINER: (Everton) (10,38 p,m,): I join wUh my colleague the honourable member for Chatsworth in opposing the retrospectivity embodied in this legislation to clear up the mess made by the Government through its incompetence, I also express my concem at the activities of the Builders Registration Board. When people build a home, they beUeve that they are protected by the Builders Registration Board because the builder is registered by that board and assumed to be competent. People enter into contracts believing that they are covered by the insurance offered by the Builders' Registration and Home-owners' Protection Act but far too often that is not correct. The plight of a couple who entered into a contract with a builder beUeving that they would get the house of their dreams has been drawn to my attention. The AustraUan dream is to own one's home. Mr and Mrs Farrance entered into a contract with a Mr Tavener to have a house constructed at Rochedale. They hoped to retire to this house and, because of a medical condition, it was to be low set and constructed on a concrete slab. However, the completed house is virtually high set because it requires steps for entry from all sides. The owners of the house decided that they would take the problems to the Builders Registration Board. Later the matter was referred to arbitration, and that really caused some problems. As a result of the arbitrator's decision, which was not in their favour, the people are now facing an increased pay-out on the house. The contract price for the house was $36,770.40. The clients paid to the builder progress payments amounting to $3,500, As a result of the arbitrator's decision, the couple were then forced to pay to the builder the amount of $11,500, which was determined by the arbitrator. As weU, the couple had to agree to costs to bring the fill to the levels required by the contract, which amounted to $2,000, The cost of the house to the clients was $11,729.60 over and above the contract price. That involved considerably more than the couple had budgeted for when they entered into the contract.

The evidence that was placed before the arbitrator causes concern about what happens at the BuUders Registration Board. It is not prepared to take to task buUders who fail to do the right thing by their clients. The board was set up after problems had been encountered with jerry-building. In this case expert evidence was given to the arbitrator by an architect. After he inspected the premises he came to the conclusion that the builder had deUberately tried to cause a dispute. By doing that, the builder got into the arbitration system and had the arbitrator mle in his favour. It is unfortunate that the arbitrator was appointed by the Master Builders Association. It is a matter of Caesar appealing unto Caesar. 292 29 November 1983 Builders' Reg, and Home-owners' Protection Act, &c.. Bill

The foundations of the dwelling were not up to standard. An underpinning contractor was brought in to have a look at the foundations, and he wrote the foUowing letter to Mr and Mrs Farrance— "At your request, we had dug a pit at the above residence and have discovered that below the existing foundation, there is approximately 75 mis of loose material. In our own opinion, to rectify the problem of the movement of the patio, will requure an underpiiming of the existing foundation to the depth of 1.2 metres below ground level. Our price for the job wiU be $2780-00. Hoping this price is to your satisfaction." Two qualified people, the architect (Mr Ferguson) and the underpinning contractor, clearly indicated the problems that were associated with the house. However, when the couple took the matter to the Builders Registration Board they did not have much luck. On 4 July 1983 they received the following letter from the Builders Registration Board— "I acknowledge receipt of your letters dated 24th June, 1983 and 29th June, 1983, and attached documentation, the contents of which have been noted. I also wish to confirm your discussion with the Board's Senior Building Inspector Mr. G. Anderson on the 1st July, 1983, at which time you were advised that as your arbitrator's award dealt with the items of complaint referred to the Board and your builder had correctly determined the building contract, the Board was unable to require your builder to carry out any rectification and there was no breach of the warranty as provided by the House Purchaser's Agreement on insurance, regrettably the Board was unable to be of any further assistance to you in this matter. As no further action can be taken regrettably the file must now be closed." Where do the people go to now? They have a biU for $11,700 over and above the contract price. That bill does not include the legal costs associated with taking the case to arbitration. Initially, they had a solicitor, whose fees were $350. He was not able to continue to handle the case. That comment is not a reflection on him. Their new solicitor charged a fee of $2,840, which included counsel's fees of $1,820. The fee for the architect's report and attendance at arbitration was $1,375, and the contribution to arbitration costs amounted to $600. The total is $5,165. The experience that those people had in trying to have the home of their dreams constructed was, in fact, a nightmare. It is about time that the BuUders Registration Board and the Government protected consumers from the practices that have been taking place. When people enter into contracts, they are not experts in that area, and they must rely on the protection afforded to them by organisations such as the Builders Registration Board. I hope that the Minister wUl take action to ensure that the provisions of the Act are complied with so that people obtain satisfaction, receive compensation and are not forced to make massive pay-outs. As I said, the people to whom I referred have had problems, and those problems have not ended with the board's just closing the fUe. They now wish to become subcontractors and sublet the work so that the house may be completed, but cannot obtain an answer from the Builders Registration Board as to whether they wUl be allowed to do that. As honourable members would know, if a person becomes an owner-builder, he must provide a certificate to indicate that he wiU not sell the house within six years. The Builders Registration Board wUl not give the persons concemed any indication as to whether it wUl permit them to go on as owner-builders so that the house may be completed. It is time that the Builders Registration Board got its act together so that protection may be afforded to consumers. Mr BOOTH (Warwick) (10.46 p.m.): I commend the Minister for introducing the amendments to the Builders' Registration and Home-owners' Protection Act. They are designed to make a couple of necessary corrections, and honourable members should be pleased that the Minister has introduced them. Mr Mackenroth interjected. Mr BOOTH: The one about the superannuation brings it into Une with the guide-lines for other superannuation funds. I would be surprised if the honourable member does not want that to be done. Opposition members do not want to talk about the BiU; they are interested only in nit-picking. Builders' Reg. and Home-owners' Protection Act, &c., BUI 29 November 1983 293

Reference has been made to retrospectivity. The retrospectivity is for only a short neriod If the legislation had not been retrospective, stamp duty would have to be paid, and the Opposition would have complained about it. It wants to have a couple ot bob each way. In this instance, the OpposUion will not get away with it. The member for Mackay said that the board did not afford protection to anyone. However he said that anyone who comes to Queensland and wants to build a house is told "Go straight ahead." I do not think that he can have it that way. If a person com'es to Queensland, it is only right that we should know whether he is capable of building a house. Of course, he wiU be aUowed to buUd if the board approves his registration. A Govemment Member: A block of flats is not a house. Mr BOOTH: That is correct. A block of flats is a commercial undertaking. Even if it was a house, we would want to know whether or not the buUder was capable of building it The Government has every right to have the BiU passed and to make the proposed amendments to the Act. I am sure that the Minister will be able to answer the specific questions that have been raised by members and wiU take the opportunity to do so when he speaks. It might have been better if members of the Opposition had discussed the actual amendments instead of going off on target. Other opportunities will be available for discussion of the matters raised by the Opposition. If they have specific instances Mr Fouras interjected. Mr BOOTH: I do not know about that. Specffic amendments are under discussion, but some Opposition members saw fit to go off on a tangent. They wanted to talk about anything and everything but the Bill. They did not really cover themselves with glory. One can lift up a large bundle of documents and say, "These are aU complaints against the board." They might be complamts; but that is not to say that they are proven comi^aints. The board has many tasks. Many derogatory remarks were made about quangos. It seems to be the fashion in this Chamber for Opposition members to slate the quangos, Mr Mackenroth: You know all about quangos. You were a member of one once, weren't you? Mr BOOTH: I was, too. I was proud of the work that I did on boards. Nothing went wrong with the boards with which I was concemed. The honourable member can look at the records and see for himself. At no time did they have any problems, I am proud of my record and quite prepared to defend it. It is not my intention to waste the time of the House. I simply say that the aim of the Bill is to make two necessary adjustments, which it wiU do. Both the buUders and the consumers of Queensland want the provisions contained in the BUI. I see no reason for the extra expense that would be involved if this Bill was not passed. The Opposition thought it might be able to embarrass the Government, but this BiU makes everything quite dear. It is an exceUent BiU which I commend to the House.

Mr D'ARCY (Woodridge) (10.51 p.m.): When public buUdings in this State can collapse on schoolchUdren, the Minister for Works and Housing leaves members of the House wondering. I refer to events of 8 November at the Slacks Creek State School when the ceUing of one of the 10 demountable buildings at that school coUapsed. The Minister is aware that in this State building is totally within his jurisdiction. Whereas constmcticMi by private builders is totally within the province of the Builders Registration Board, building by the Works Department is the responsibiUty of the Minister. The Minister claimed that the building in which the ceiling collapsed is only 12 years old and has been moved only once, but my information is that it is 18 years old and has been moved three times. Four employees of the Works Department were needed to Uft this section of ceiUng. It was fortunate that the ceiUng coUapsed at lunch-time when no children were in the room. I asked the Minister quite a sane, sensible question about what happened. Mr Lingard: In your electorate they were probably on the roof. 294 29 November 1983 Builders' Reg. and Home-owners' Protection Act, &c.. Bill

Mr DARCY: They might have been. The honourable member taught children from my electorate. He has the same scant regard for their safety as the Minister and the Govemment. That is displayed by the number of times demountable buUdings are shifted. The cdlings of these demountable buildings are pop riveted. The Minister's department has totally ignored this important facet of demountable buUdings. Not oiU^y in my electorate but in the whole of Queensland the Govemment adopts the poUcy of constructing demountable buildings in this way and transporting them round the State. Instead of giving a serious, sensible answer to my question, the Minister for Works and Housing gave a flippant reply to the people of Queensland. All members are directly affected by his answer. The Minister's answer was totally flippant and, because it affected the chUdren of the State, totaUy irresponsible. If officers of the Minister's department prepared that answer, he should seriously consider their regard for his Ministry. If they prepared that answer for the Minister to deliver in this House, they regard him as a fool. Although I do not say that the Mmister should start sacking pubUc servants, he should place those officers under close scrutiny, teU them to answer such questions seriously and to have a total regard for the health of the children of Queensland. In his answer the Minister said that he did not think any child would have been seriously hurt. The principal of the school and the departmental inspector who inspected the buUding told me that if chUdren had been in the building at the time they would have been killed. The Minister must have been told the same thing, or he is lying to me now. Mr Wharton: No. Mr D'ARCY: What is he saying? Mr WHARTON: I rise to a point of order, I am not lying to the honourable member, I ask him to withdraw the words, Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Minister asks that the comment be withdrawn, Mr D'ARCY: I take it that he was not lying; he was deliberately misleading the House. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I asked the honourable member to withdraw his comment. Mr D'ARCY: I withdrew the comment. The comment that I make is that the education officer and the Works Department officer involved gave me information that directly conflicted with the information the Minister gave me in the House. So I wiU leave it to you, Mr Speaker, to work out who is misleading the House—the Works Department officer who spoke to me on the site or the Minister. I received conflicting information. The fact is that at Slacks Creek on 8 November if chUdren had been in the class-room at the time they would have been kUled, The Minister gave me a frivolous answer about the way in which that incident was treated. I expected a serious answer in this House because an accident had occurred in an old buUding that had been transferred throughout the State. That concerns me. There are 10 demountable buildings at that school I know that they have all been checked. I expected the Minister to teU me that. But he had to play the jolly joker instead. I want to know about all the other demountables in Queensland schools. Mr Wharton: They are being checked. Mr D'ARCY: Are they? Why did the Minister not give me that proper answei earlier? Mr Wharton interjected. Mr D'ARCY: Rubbish! The Minister is not serious about this subject. It is a subject about which he should be serious, because the accident was a warning. He has already been warned about these demountables. He has been told how unhappy Opposition members are about them, but he is not prepared to come to terms with the very problems Mr Wharton: I have, but not with the way you put it up. Mr D'ARCY: Why give me such a flippant answer? I do not understand the Minister. Builders' Reg. and Home-owners' Protection Act, &c.. Bill 29 November 1983 295

We are deaUng with the Builders Registration Board. Mr Wharton: That's good. Mr D'ARCY: The Minister will not be happy with what I have to say about it, either. Various members have referred to the operation of the Act. It does not protect the builder, the cUent, the contractor or the subcontractor. It does not even protect banks, finance companies or councils. What does it do? It was introduced by this Govemment as a sop to the people, in an endeavour to have them believe that something was being done about the building industry so that they would be protected. The Act does not protect anybody; it is an absolute farce. I had to take a case to Mr Nicholson after I had taken it to the Minister, who said, "Oh, we'll fix it up", but had not done so. A chap in my electorate has been building homes for 20-odd years, but when he sat for the examination recently he could not pass it. The building supplies people and I have seen the houses he has buUt. He is still buUding houses, even though he has not passed the examination. Everybody knows that this guy is buUding houses. Do his cUents have any protection? He has buUt hundreds of houses in the past 20 years and has received no complaints, but he cannot obtain registration. His partner has retired. This chap is quite wealthy from his work over the years but, because he could not pass the examination, he had not been registered. But I know he is still buUding houses. How are his cUents to be protected? They have not needed protection for the past 20 or 30 years. A grandfather provision should have been inserted in the Act. Members of the Opposition say that the cUent is not being protected. Obviously, on the cases reported, that is so. The Government is looking after the boardroom bar, the Builders Registration Board and superannuation for members of the board, but what is the board doing? What is this legislation all about? Those are the questions the Minister has to answer. After the recent boom, member after member referred to builders who had gone broke and owed money everywhere. What did the board do about them? LUce Pontius Pilate, it washed its hands. It did nothing about builders who owed money. It knew nothing about their bad debts. It did not want to know about the credibiUty of buUders who were prepared to build properly and pay all of their debts. At the same time, it was not interested in the builders who skipped town, many of them without Australian citizenship. The board does not care whether a German, a Lithuanian or a man of another nationality is a builder. Anyone can come to Queensland, become registered and start building houses. He can then skip the country owing money to many people, and who cares? What is the Act aU about? The Minister must answer that question for the benefit of the people of Queensland. Even Govemment members are starting to question the Act. The Minister intends to spend money on the members of the board, and he is asking us to accept that they are credible when all honourable members know that, in their electorates, when a building is under constmction, the board is an absolute farce, the Act is a farce and the Govemment is a farce. The Minister has no concept of what is happening in the building industry, but he is asking us to support a fiasco, another quango which has no teeth, and one to which the Minister is not prepared to give teeth. The Minister caimot blame the public servants. He introduced this farcical legislation. He is responsible for it, and he is asking us to support a minor change in the legislation to give members of the board superannuation. That is totaUy farcical when the Minister is not prepared to give the people of Queensland who want to build, or want to be involved in the building industry, a decent Act that we can understand. Mr SIMPSON (Cooroora) (11.3 p.m.): I support the proposed amendments. It is strange that Opposition members who agree with the legislation can criticise the whole concept. They do not seem to reaUse that the original legislation was designed to protect a person who wanted a home built and that, obviously, all buUders in the State are not perfect. The whole idea of the original legislation was to give some degree of protection to people who wanted homes built. Perfection cannot be achieved overnight. Tonight, we are also looking at the fact that stamp duty was found to be applicable, although it was not the intention of the original legislation. A proposed amendment will correct that anomoly so that only a nominal cost will be incurred. At the same time 296 29 November 1983 Builders' Reg, and Home-owners' Protection Act, &c.. Bill superannuation for board members wiU be legitimised. It seems that Opposition members have accepted that. When they criticise the performance of the Minister or the Govemment when an attempt is being made to improve the builders' situation, it is obvious that they are looking at the matter in the wrong context. The right context would be to look at what we had before and consider how bad it would be without the legislation. It is all very w eU to relate only one side of cases which have not been perfect. The Government's record in housing is outstanding. On a per capita basis, it is buUding more welfare homes than any other State Government. People in Queensland should be made aware of the tremendous work being done in the housing field by the Govemment not only to create jobs and to employ more apprentices but also to provide homes for the people who need them, MR JENNINGS (Southport) (11.6 p.m,): This is an important little BUI because it affects so many people, I do not think that anyone would disagree with me when I say that the purchase of a home is the biggest outlay that a couple will make in their lifetime. It has been the first rung on the ladder of affiuence for so many young people. Obviously the member for Woodridge has difficulty in reading. He asked what the BiU is all about. The Minister's second-reading speech makes quite clear what the BiU is aU about. The member for Woodridge said that the Builders Registration Board is a farce. It is not a farce. It is one of the most important boards in Queensland. I know that many people would Uke there to be no regulations; but it has been proved that the BuUders Registration Board is important. It protects many newlyweds and young couples with famUies in the most important purchase that they wUl ever make. The member for Everton said that people are not protected by the Builders Registration Board, That is not so. The member for Woodridge also said that when fly-by-night builders leave the State people are not protected. I know of cases where a buUder has left the State, leaving people in difficult circumstances. I have taken those cases to the Builders Registration Board, and the particular faults in the houses have been fixed. To say that the Minister is not serious about the Builders Registration Board is quite wrong. I am sure aU members would agree with me when I say that he is one of the most diligent Mmisters. I have not heard any member say that the Minister has not taken up a matter that has been put to him, looked into it and done something about it. For the member for Woodridge to criticise the Minister in that regard is quite wrong. It is certainly typical of someone who is being critical and not constmctive in any way. The member for Woodridge referred to a particular builder who has built hundreds of houses but cannot obtain registration. There has to be some method for registering people. I know buUders who are very proud to be registered; in fact, most of them are. Sure, there is the odd builder who is not proud to be registered. The point is that this board has been established and it is guaranteed by the Government. I ask anyone to give me an example of a genufne case that has not been taken up by the board. The member for Woodridge taUced about a ceUing that dropped. Recently, a smular thmg happened in a school in my electorate, but it was not the builder's fault. Sure, after a storm, the ceUing dropped; but the builder had built it in accordance with the design. It was a design fault. Mr Scott: Claudie is looking daggers at you. Mr JENNINGS: No, he is not. He is all right. The BuUders Registration Board is important. It deals with many individual cases. Opposition members are crUical of it. If the facts are presented correctly, the Builders Registration Board does the job. It protects people. That is what our Ciovemment is all about. It is what the BUI is all about. I deny completely all that has been said by the member for Woodridge. Never has the Minister been more diligent, enterprising or productive in any area than he has in relation to the legislation now being discussed. I congratulate him and compliment him on the work that he is doing. Builders' Reg. and Home-owners' Protection Act, &c.. Bill 29 November 1983 297

Hon. C. A. WHARTON (Bumett—Minister for Works and Housing) (11.10 p.m.), in reply: At the outset, I thank the honourable member for Chatsworth and the Opposition generaUy for agreeing to the resumption of the second-readmg debate on this occaapn, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Orders that it should Ue on the table for two full sitting days. However, the legislation was previously presented to the ParUament in its present form, and has had considerable airing. It is not an extensive BUI. However, I thank the member for Chatsworth for his consideration. I sincerely thank members on both sides of the House for their genial acceptance of the amendments. Most members are in general agreement with the BiU. I appreciated their comments, which have been constmctive and helpful. Legislation should be amended from' time to time to meet changing circumstances. It is desirable that such amendments be acceptable to aU affected sections of the industry. Before commenting on specific matters raised by honourable menibers, I take this opportunity to comment upon the operation of the Builders Registration Board of Queensland, which has provided substantial and increasing protection to Queenslaiid home-owners since its inception. The board's insurance schenie, designed to help home-owners who employ registered builders to constmct their homes, has, since it came into being in October 1977, provided financial assistan,ce worth more than $2.8m. At the same time, it has helped many more home-owners who have laid CQmplaints with the Board by having builders rectify building faults. The value of such rectification work benefiting home-biiyers is estimated to be approximately $2m annually. Since the insurance provisions came into being in 1977 the board has approved 731 claims worth a total value of $2,822,118. At present la further 65 claims, worth an estimated total value of $256,700, are being considered by the board. Last financial year, through the insurance scheme, the board approved 214 claims from home-owners and, through these approvals provided assistance worth a total value of $887,661. The value of assistance during that year 1982-83 represented an increase of more than 55 per cent on the previous year, more than nine times the value of assistance provided in the first full year of operation of the insurance scheme back in 1978-79. The board has, during the same time, handled literally thousands of complaints from within both the house and general building area. Since it came into being, the board has received a total of 11617 complaints and to date it has finalised aU but 340 of those cbniplaints. These figures clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of the Builders Registration Board and its officers in administering the: consumer protection elements of this Act. However, the inference should not be drawn from these figures that the building industry in Queensland is inefficient. On the contrary, the majority of registered buUders are very competent and examples of their work are evident throughout the State. I have the utmost confidence in the chaimian, members and registrar of the Builders Registration Board and the manner in which they conduct their activities. To alleviate any concern over the retrospective aspects of the legislation I advise the honourable member for Chatsworth that it was never intended that duty would be assessed on the instmments of indemnity and guarantee. Administrative arrangements were therefore made so that any instrument lodged with the board since the enactment of the legislation introducing the instmments would be assessed at nominal duty. The amendment Act was l>roclaimed on 13 January 1983, and clauses 5 and 4 (2) give effect to the administrative arrangements. WUh respect to the quesion asked in the House last week by the honourable member for Cliatsworth, every statutory board has computer faciUties and the Builders Registration Board is no different. It has facilities comparable with those of other boards of simUar size. With respect to travel expenses, it has the whole of Queensland to cover. The Opposition should get its thinking out of the horse and buggy days. The honourable member for Chatsworth has intimated that in some cases arbitration proceedings under a contract are preventing the board from processing insurance claims under the Act. I consider that it is reasonable to wait until arbitration proceedings have 60855—11 298 29 November 1983 BuUders' Reg. and Home-owners' Protection Act, &c.. Bill been completed. Until that has happened, T can not see how the board can determine any recompense for loss or damage that may be due under the insurance provisions of the Act. The honourable member for Chatsworth also expressed concern over the cost of arbitrating disputes between owners and builders. The Builders Registration Board is not intended and is not structured to arbitrate contractual disputes between owners and builders. The main functions of the board are— (a) to register builders in the State of Queensland; and (b) to extend to eligible home-owners the protection of House Purchasers Agreement under the provisions of the BuUders' Registration and Home-owners' Protection Act. It is agreed that arbitration can be a costly process to which some buUders and owners will tum in cases of dispute. However, this aspect of arbitration is quite outside the board's jurisdiction. The board already has a role as a low-cost conciUation tribunal in the housing industry as an alternative to arbitration or litigation in defective work situations. Arbitration clauses found in most contracts are not mandatory, and although the philosophy of consumer protection is defended, it is suggested that there is a point at which the consumer should be prepared to protect his or her own interests by seeking legal advice before signing any contract. That is, the consumer, by agreement with the builder, can delete or amend arbitration provisions to make them more acceptable, or possibly rely on common law remedies and the insurance provisions of this Act. It is not tme to say that it is almost standard practice for builders to invoke arbitration clauses in order to circumvent the insurance provisions of the Act whenever a dispute arises. Since the inception of the board, some 11 000 complaints of defective work have been finalised. The number of disputes that go to arbitration or litigation would represent a minor percentage of the overall number of complaints made, and, therefore, it is incorrect to say that the arbitration clauses are being invoked immediately a dispute arises. The board considers each complaint and exercises its discretion as to whether to continue investigation when arbitration or litigation has been entered into by one party or another. As a general rule, the board will assume the role of inferior tribunal. This course of action is taken where any directions issued by the board would be seen to pre-empt or influence any decision likely to be taken by the arbitrator or court. In reply to the allegations made against the board and its registrar—^the board has not been advised by any owners that they have not received a Form 10, and it is obvious that it cannot act without that information. The honourable member for Chatsworth suggested also that, in the main, the members of the board work in the construction industry and have a vested interest. Of course they have to come from the constmction industry. That is what the Act is all about. I consider that the present composition of the board is fair and reasonable, that is, one representative from the Govemment, three representatives of the building industry, one representative from the insurance industry, one trade union representative, one representative from a building society or a co-operative society, and one architect. The honourable member for Chatsworth also made mention of a complaint by a Mr Mulcahy of Aspley, the builder being D. E. Higgins. The board required the builder to supply an engineer's certificate as to the stmctural efficiency of the roof framing, which is a normal function in view of the complexity of the roof stmcture. The honourable member for Rockhampton has raised the matter of Mr EtheU and his claim for compensation under the insurance provisions of the Act. Notification of claim was received on 8 July 1981. However, a full resume of claim was not received until 18 August 1982. Mr Ethell's claim was then referred to the board's soUcitors for advice as the contract had no fixed price. Being cost plus, there was no base against which to assess a loss. Additionally, to be entitled to a claim for payment for non-completion, it must be shown that the contract has been determined for reasons other than the fault of the purchaser. That was not the case in this instance. Builders' Reg, and Home-owners' Protection Act, &c,, BUI 29 November 1983 299

Mr EtheU's claim was therefore rejected on 27 August 1982, and the following reasons were given— (a) There was no breach of the warranty as required under the Act; (b) The contract determination did not show fault on the part of the builder within the contract terms; (c) Being cost plus, there is no base against which to assess a loss; and (d) The claimant had in writing completely discharged the builder of all responsibility, thereby destroying any remedy the board may have had against the builder. Although Mr EtheU had paid an insurance fee, contrary to his beUef, payment of the statutory insurance fee does not establish insurance cover. Cover is provided automatically under section 69 of the Act whether or not the fee is paid, provided the claimant has contracted with a registered builder. Mr EtheU has argued since his claim was rejected that the board failed to establish an insurance cover even though the fee had been paid. It has been pointed out to him on many occasions that this is not the case, that a contract with a registered builder automatically establishes cover. However, in his case, for the reasons previously mentioned, Mr EtheU, by his contract and actions, is not entitled to an insurance payment for the loss claimed. The matter was investigated by the ombudsman in October 1982, after which a clear­ ance was given to the board's actions. Mr Ethell has also been to the police, and the board received a letter from the Queensland Police Department dated 31 October 1983, advising that it had investigated the complaint made to them by Mr Ethell, and was of the opinion that the dispute should be resolved by civU litigation. In his recent correspondence to the Minister, Mr Ethell advised that he has commenced action through the courts to have the board admit an insurance cover. In this regard, examination of the contract Mr Ethell made with the builder has led the board to believe that Mr EtheU was in fact an owner-buUder. Advice from the board's soUcitors is that the contract is a departure from the normal building contract and gives the proprietor a broad scope of powers over the builder, his subcontractors and the works themselves. Many of the powers were those normally ascribed to the builder. These powers led the board's solicitors to the conclusion that Mr EtheU may well be an owner-builder. This conclusion, coupled with the fact that the contract was cost/plus, led the board to conclude that there was no breach of the insurance warranty, and that the owner had by letter destroyed any remedy the board may have had against the buUder. It was in the light of these facts that Mr Ethell was advised that the board had not entered mto a house purchase's agreement in relation to his constmction. Although Mr EtheU paid to the board the insurance fee which in fact should be paid by a registered builder, it is important to note that once a purchaser has provided evidence that he has a valid insurance claim under a contract with a registered builder, the insurance cover exists whether or not the insurance fee has been paid. The Act requires the builder to pay a fee for each job he performs as a registered builder. This funds the insurance scheme. The Act automatically provides cover for aU valid claims against registered builders. Payment or not of the fee is incidental, Mr Ethell paid the fee on behalf of his builder but, because of the complications previously mentioned, he was advised in his Form 12 that a house purchaser's agreement had not been entered into. In answer to the honourable member for Mackay, it seems as though he is not in accord with his coUeagues who seem to think the board is not doing its job and he lambastes them for ensuring that only competent people are registered. In reply to the honourable member for Everton, the facts behind the complaint made by Mr Farrance are that the dispute between the owners and builder regarding the levels of the home constructed at Lot 13, Ancona Street, Rochedale, was referred to arbitration with both parties being legally represented. The arbitrator's award took into consideration the following issues— (a) The house was not constructed as a low-set house; (b) The builder did not excavate the site sufficiently to provide a low-set house; 300 29 November 1983 Mining Titles Freeholdmg Act Amendment BiU

(c) Completion of the house and rectification of defects; and (d) Provide steps to the patio or bring in fiUing. After these matters were decided at arbitration, the owners are not entitled to seek further compensation from the board's insurance scheme for matters covered in the arbitration settlement. The board also investigated a complaint in relation to cracks which have appeared in a section of brickwork. Contrary to the owners' belief, the cracks were not caused by subsidence of the footings. Therefore, there is no basis for a claim under the insurance provisions relating to subsidence and settlement. In my reply to the honourable member for Chatsworth, I covered the arbitration matters raised by the honourable member for Everton. I thank the honourable member for Warwick and the honourable member for Cooroora for their remarks in support, which specifically related to the BUI as opposed to Opposition members who saw fit to take this opportunity to taUc about all matters apart from the Bill, I shaU refer to some statements made by the member for Woodridge, Far from being unconcemed about the safety of the children of this State—and the honourable member knows this—the Works Department took immediate steps at the Slacks Creek State School and other schools. That was reported in the press some days ago, I am having those buildings checked. The ceUing system is one used not only in schools but also in offices and commercial buildings. To date, no other loose panels have been discovered, I thank the honourable member for Southport who, unUke the Opposition, recognises that the Act provides the consumer with adequate protection but at the same time cannot protect him against everything. To do so would increase costs and stifle development, I commend the Bill to the House, Motion (Mr Wharton) agreed to. Committee Clauses 1 to 6, as read, agreed to. Bill reported, without amendment.

Third Reading Bill, on motion of Mr Wharton, by leave, read a third time,

MINING TITLES FREEHOLDING ACT AMENDMENT BILL Second Reading—Resumption of Debate Debate resumed from 24 November (see p. 120) on Mr I. J. Gibbs's motion— "That the Bill be now read a second time." Mr VAUGHAN (Nudgee) (11.27 p.m.): From what the Minister said when he introduced this Bill, its purpose is to make it easier for lessees of miners' homestead perpetual leases and the holders of business areas and residence areas in the mining areas of the State to freehold their leases or areas should they so desire. The reason for this is, as the Minister indicated, that very few applicants for freeholding of miners' homestead perpetual leases, business areas, or residence areas have pursued their applications because the valuations that have been determined in accordance with the provisions of the Mining Titles Freeholding Act have been much higher than the holders of these tides expected. I am not surprised that this has been the case as, when the Mining Titles Freeholding legislation was before the Parliament in March 1980, I stated in the second-reading debate that my inquiries indicated that there may not be very many people who would choose to avail themselves of the provisions of the legislation. What this BUI does is change the present method of determing the value of the land concerned to bring it into line with the methods contained in the Land Act. The Minister has explained that under an amendment to that Act in 1981, the capital values of certain perpetual leases were determined for all time on the values that existed as at 31 December 1980. The effect of the Bill is that instead of the Minister having the unimproved value determined by approved valuers from the Lands Department and submitting this valuation to Mining Titics Freeholding Act Amendment BiU 29 November 1983 301

the Wardens Court for final determination, the valuation will be that made by the Valuer- General under the Valuation of Land Act existing as at 31 December 1980. The Minister also explained the concessional valuations of land used exclusively for primary production and said that usually they do not relate to miners' homesteads. While this Bill contains only nine clauses, its contents do contain significant changes for persons contemplating freeholding their mining titles. Whilst I have some reservations about the change in the method of determining the unimproved value of land comprised in a mining title, in view of the 1981 amendments to the Land Act I acknowledge the necessUy to remove the anomalies that have been created. As we are dealing with the question of freeholding of mining titles, I want to take this opportunity to air a recent event which has caused, and is continuing to cause, deep concern and discontent to the people on the central Queensland gem-fields. The event to which I refer is the freeholding of rich gem-bearing areas of the Anakie gem-fields. I am in receipt of advice that, unbeknown to people on the gem-fields, on 28 October 1982 and 17 March 1983 the Land Administration (Commission issued deeds of grant in respect of two areas on the gem-field. One area was known locaUy as Goanna Flats and the other area was to the east of an area known as the Sultana Reward claim. I am advised that the areas are rich shallow sapphire-bearing fields which have been proclaimed restricted areas for hand-mining only. Under the provisions of the Mining Act, those areas over which freehold title has been granted are now private land, notwithstanding that situated in them are three residence areas and eight dwellings on registered mining claims, as well as other mining claims held by miners Uving elsewhere on the gem-fields. I want to know—and the people on the gem-fields want to know—how freehold title was granted over land located in a designated mining-field. The amendments are supposed to set out the conditions under which persons holding mining titles can freehold those titles. In accordance with the provisions of the Bill, the Minister for Mines either rejects or approves an application to freehold, taking into consideration such things as whether or not aU or part of the land may be required for mining purposes, public purposes or the development of the State. Yet, apparently freehold title was granted over two large areas of the central Queensland gem-field without consultation with or approval having been obtained from the Minister for Mines or the Mines Department. How did that happen? Further, freehold title has been granted over large areas of this rich mining-field despite the fact that when, in 1981, subsequent to the introduction of the Mining Titles Freeholding Act, the holder of a mining title in this area appUed to freehold, he was advised by the Minister for Mines that his application was rejected on the grounds that the subject land was within an area considered to be potentiaUy gem-bearing. I ask the Minister to explain, if he can, why the holder of a mining title had his application to freehold rejected in 1981 because the subject land was within an area considered to be potentially gem-bearing, while freehold title over two much larger areas of the same mining-field was granted in 1982 and 1983. I understand that freehold title was offered to the holder of the land in question. I understand also that the capital value of the land was substantially reduced prior to freehold title being granted. I inform the Minister that the areas are perpetual lease selections 2 976 and 2 977. The Minister might also advise, again if he is able to—what is the position of the mining tenements now that it is private land. In conclusion, as it is a rich gem-bearing area, I ask the Minister to revoke the freehold titles. I wiU be extremely interested in the Minister's reply. Mr EATON (Mourilyan) (11.34 p.m.): The freeholding of miners' homestead leases has been a sore point in the mining fields of north Queensland for many years. In this instance I am referring specifically to the tin fields. Originally a miner could peg a small claim and was then allowed to take out a miner's homestead perpetual lease as a living area. One reason was that the miner paid only for the area that he was working. Another was that underground-mining waste had to be dumped away from the area under lease. However, in far-north Queensland tin was mined by the alluvial method, which is a different type of mining altogether. In Herberton, Irvinebank and Mt Garnet many homes were built on miners' home­ stead perpetual leases or miners' homestead leases. In the past few years people who had spent their lives in the area wanted to freehold their claims, I have received 302 29 November 1983 Mming Titles Freeholding Act Amendment BiU complaints that the cost was too great. Those people wished to retire in the area where they had spent a great many years, and they wanted the satisfaction of knowing that their land was freehold. Other problems have now surfaced and I draw the Minister's attention to problems I foresee with miners' homestead perpetual leases. On the Herberton mining field, a conflict has arisen with the owners of miners' homestead perpetual leases, the size of which ranges from one acre to about 90 acres, because grazing rights are being given in the form of short-term leases such as occupational licences. Eariier this year, in the Mt Garaet/Hot Sprmgs district, three areas were put up for auction. People want land because it is becoming very scarce in Queensland and the rest of Australia Prospective owners are over-bidding to acquire land. When a piece of celluloid with the mming claims and mining leases printed on it is superimposed on a grazing lease area, quite often very little of that area is found to be free of minmg leases or mining daims. Conflict arises because no further lease or claim may be taken out by an applicant without permission in writing to the effect that there is no objection from the lessee and that aU compensatory arrangements have been made. In my electorate, some of the compensatory rents, as they are called, are very reasonable, being only $5 or $10 a year; but other conditions are placed on people wishing to take up claims or leases. The person holding the occupational licence always objects in the Wardens Court to any miners' homestead perpetual leases being granted. The miners are up in arms in the belief that this is mining country, not grazing country, although cattle can be grazed in certain areas. Because of the area taken up in claims and leases, there is conflict between the Lands Department and the Mines Department. The Lands Department issues grazing leases. The two responsible Ministers will have to come to a compromise so that satisfactory arrangements can be made. In several areas in my electorate, I have tried to keep the peace by talking to people who wish to take up long-term leases because banks and other financial institutions are not interested in short-term leases. If financial institutions are to lend money, they want to know that a man can service his debts. On the other hand, the miners claim that any person who gets sufficient land on a mining field under an occupational licence, an occupational lease, or even an agricultural lease, can make more money from the ground in the short-term by way of compensatory payments from miners to whom he grants permission to stake a claim than he would ever make from grazing cattle on the area. The miners have no objection to the granting of grazing rights similar to the rights given in State forests. The person who gets those grazing rights cannot live on the area, fell trees or do anything but use the area for grazing. The miners have asked me to see whether I can get the Government to agree that if grazing is to be allowed on mining fields, it will be allowed under grazing rights that will have no effect on the mining field. I can understand that the graziers want continuity of leases, or long-term leases, so that they may plan for the future. That is what causes the conflict. The Minister for Lands, Forestry and Police and the Minister for Mines and Energy wUl have to get their officers to look into these difficulties to see whether they can reach an agreement under which one department wUl not override the other. Too often, conflict occurs. It is well-known throughout Queensland that in a gazetted mirung field neither department can enter, lock, stock and barrel, as it were. Permission has to be obtained from the Lands Department if someone wants to take up certian mining areas, and permission has to be obtained from the Mines Department if someone wants to take up land for grazing purposes. Grazing land or agri­ cultural land in mining fields cannot be freeholded. These problems will have to be investigated and, as I said, the Ministers who are responsible will have to get together. I merely wish to draw their attention to the problems, and I will be pleased to furnish information that they may need if they decide to investigate them. Mr STEPHAN (Gympie) (11.40 p.m.): Bearing in mind the consistent representations that I have made ever since I entered this Assembly, I have much pleasure in supporting the Bill, which deals, in particular, with the freeholding of miners' homestead perpetual leases. It provides for the freeholdmg of land at a much more reasonable cost. The Act that was passed in 1980 provided an opportunity that was not available previously to freehold land. The Labor Party, when it was in Government in Queensland, believed that nobody should be allowed to freehold land in this State. The Act was written Mining Titles Freeholding Act Amendment BiU 29 November 1983 303

in such a way that it was almost impossible to freehold land unless it was changed to a special lease and then converted to freehold. It was a very expensive and time-consuming procedure. The 1980 Act improved the situation, but an anomaly still existed. There is a difference between a miner's homestead perpetual lease and a miner's homestead lease. On the Gympie mining^eld, quite often leases of each type are situated side by side. In many instances they were bought at about the same time, A miner's homestead lease, which is a fully-paid-up lease, can be freeholded at minimal cost. Mr Davis: That is the same speech you made 12 months ago. Mr STEPHAN: No, it is not. The honourable member would not remember what I said 12 months ago. I am not sure that he would even know what a miner's homestead lease is. As I was saying, a miner's homestead lease can be freeholded at minimal cost. The valuation used when freeholding a miner's homestead perpetual lease is the one existing at time of freeholding, and, in some instances, the cost could mn into a few thousand dollars. If an applicant wishes to pay cash for the conversion, he can greatly reduce the cost. The valuation used in the calculation is 51.24 per cent of the existing valuation. I know that many people in the mining fields want to freehold their land. I say that because I know of the representations that I have received from older people who want to leave their land to their children under a freehold title. Mr Scott: What size blocks would they be? Mr STEPHAN: Homestead blocks of half an acre, a quarter of an acre or 27 perches. But those are not the only areas that people want to leave to their children under a freehold title. People have an urgent desire to freehold land for a reasonable and sensible price. Over the last couple of years, the valuation of land in not only my own area but throughout the State has increased enormously. By being asked to convert at existing market value, the holder of a lease is, in effect, being asked to pay for the land twice: first, when the right to occupy is purchased from the previous holder—it is really only a lease—and also when existing market value has to be paid. That is when problems arise. It is why so many people are concemed and upset about the Act. I congratulate the Minister and the department for having the Act amended and for paying heed to the representations that I have made over a long period. Much interest has been shown in the legislation and many people are waiting for assent to be given to it. I noted the comment of the member for Nudgee that great interest would be expressed in the freeholding procedure. It is my considered opinion that it wUl be enthusiastically received by holders of the miners' homestead perpetual leases. In the Gympie mining field, 1200 blocks are under such tenure. There are also blocks in the Charters Towers and Mt Isa fields. They are the three larger areas affected by the legislation. Mr Scott: Will the Government be increasing staff to handle these new freeholding arrangements?

Mr STEPHAN: In my opinion, the Government will not be using Christmas staff. The BiU wUl not be assented to until next year, so we would not need to look at Christmas staff to process the applications. Mr Scott: I did not mention Christmas staff.

Mr STEPHAN: I am concerned about the number of applications filed with mining wardens that have not been proceeded with. I am more concerned about them than with matters that wiU be finalised under this legislation. It is with great pleasure that I support the Minister's introduction of the legislation 1 commend him on the steps that he has taken. 304 29 November 1983 Mmmg Titles Freeholding Act Amendment BUi

Mr PRICE (Mt Isa) (11.47 p.rh.): The member for Oyrriprfe niade some very rdievant comments. Doubtless the township of Gympie has problemsl similar to those in Mt Isa with regard to leases. In Mt Isa, for example, a special lease was taken up l^ Mt Isa Mines on which a suburb was buUt. As time went by Mt Isa Mines reconverted most of those quarter-acre blocks that were subdivided from^ ^he original sitecikl, lease and about 99 per cent of the people opted to take the fi'eiehold' tenure that was Offered! Some people did not. One gentleman was trying to sell liis house on one of the blocks but had difficulty because the special lease had only a veiry short period to rtlh before it expired. He could not get a guarantee from the Mines Department that the lease would be renewed. The department did indicate that there were no current problems wUh the lease and that he would continue to hold it and own the house. However, the sale was dropped because the gentleman concemed could not get i^ guarante© from the Lands Department, in this case, that the lease would be renewed.. , I do not think that the provisions of the BiU are far-reaching enough. I agree with the member for Gympie that another anomaly exis^ and J am surprised that the Minister for Mines and Energy has overiopked it/n The Mining Titles Freeholdirig Act has many advantages and it is, perhaps, simide to administer. I would not want to see the Act as a whdle changedii However, ih la region such as Mt Isa, where the city has grown out of-the minmg field and valuations have soared, the Act does not seem to cater weU raiough for the market forces of private enterpnse, > , ,i i For various reasons, the city of Mt Isa has a large tumover in its-citizenry j, and work-force. A high percentage of the people j^^ho settle in Mt Isa run intp the honiestead perpetual lease system for the first time. As the member for Gympie'mentioned,' valuations soar quickly. Certainly they/have done so over recent years in which, mainly as the result of National Party; govemment in (Queensland, inflation has been rampant and prices of homestead blocks in Mt Isa and throughout Queensland have risen. Already burdened with the highest rates in Queensland—property searches prior^ to sales do not include the Wardens Court—a new honae buyer finds hioaself saddled with an additional $100 or more and the knowledge that he is, really only leashig his riiewl:y acquired home. At present, real estate is booming in Mt Isa and values are as high as if not higher than those in Brisbane. It might be claimed that that is occurring simply because the cost of building is higher. The added burden of an involuntary 20 per cent hike in rates and a potential valuation increase by the warden every 10 years mean that values can be literally thousands of percentage points higher than previously. In, other words, the system becomes an imposition. A land-owner, after paying what he considered to be the fair market value for his block, wiU find that it can again be purchased,' if he so Wishes, on appUcation for a valuation to be determined by the warden. Thenjj and only then, can he call the land his own. Either the market is cheating or the Government is capitalising on the ignorance of home-buyers in an etemal fund-raising venture. : J I suggest that, as a first step, the Minister take the word "perpetual" out of the leases and return to the MHL system. At least the unsuspecting buyer would then have a count-down on his ownership, and the pro rata valuations in the free market can he taken into account. Hundreds of home-buyers would be benefiting now, and enterprise and development in our area would be rewarded. Mr INNES (Sherwood) (11,54 p.m.): I rise to speak briefly more on generil matters of principle than on details, which have been adequately covered by members who have in their areas people with leases of the type referred to in the BiU. The broad princii>les have been canvassed in passing by two of the previous speakers. Obviously it is in the public interest that publicly owned lands are exchanged or transferred for a proper amount of money. The BiU refers to public proper^ and therefore to public money. In the second-reading speech when the BiU was previously before Parliament, reference was made to legislation that covers the freeholding of other property^ and analogies were drawn. The previous speaker referred to the fact that inflation affects Mining Titles Freeholding Act Amendment BiU 29 November 1983 305 miners' homestead leases or miners* homestead perpetyal leases just as it affects other )^d^ Indeed, that is the real world. Anyone who bought a property within the last 10 years khpws about inflation. The period of 10 years was the relevant period in the Land Act yntU the cut-off date in 1980. For instance, people on the Gold Coast acquired leind ^orth $100,000 for $5,000 because the relevant valuation had been done approximately 9i years eariier. A 10-year period was involved, and therefore some people had the benefit of valuations taken nine years before. Valuable properties on the black soU of the Darling Downs, such as those in the Dalby district, had the benefit of 9-year-old valuations.

i;i'/ Mr Scott: Wliat sort of tenures?

Mr INNES: They were perpetual homesteads and, further out on the Downs, grazing homestead^ leases. Vast amounts of money can be involved. Some people gain the benefit of the enormous inflation, such as the 1 000 per cent that has taken place in 10 years. That very feature of the 1980 legislation is referred to ifa the Minister's second-reading speech as one of tln^i anomalies to be corrected. He said that capital values as determined by a mining warden are assessed at 10-year intefvals,' hence they vary greatly throughout the State. One would have thought that the most precise value was the contemporaneous value. Thiat is the value calculated on the basis of a current valuation at the time that the person decides to freehold!. I understand that the legislation involves the use of the Valuer- General's period of valuation. If I recollect correctly, the period is seven years, so there is a possibiUty of a 7-year inflation situation which could be as high as 700 pfer cent so that if (me is trying to achieve equity, perhaps one faUs. From the practices adopted under the Land Act, we know that discounts are available for payment of cash. In the case of grazing homestead leases, the discounts can be up to 60 per cent. Extremely valuable tracts of land in this State have been freeholded for greatly discounted and greatly out-of-date flgures. Obviously, people who have benefited woulfj not complain. The system is available. Everyone would avail himself of it. He could not be criticised or condemned. One principle involved is that whatever system is achieved, freeholding is desirable. I accept that principle. People wish to have the security of their own land. They wiish to raise finance against it to do all the things they can do if they have a clear title. In the case of the mining tenures, to which reference has been made, obviously we are coming more to the domestic and commercial use that will be a special consideration, particiilarly in relation to raising domestic mortgages or whatever.

An additional principle is.the accountability of public money which is involved. That is a matter which should not be passed without comment. Statements have been made which would suggest that anomaUes exist, I do not find it a very persuasive argument to be told that people who want to freehold find that the land values are greater than they expected. That is the cpipplaint of everybody who tries to buy a house in the metropolitan or urban areas of Queensland. Values are always higher than one wants to pay or expects to pay. However, that is the real world. That is the free enterprise world. Free enterprise Governments must he in the business of obtaining a reasonable return on what they own. Furthermore, there are some virtues in the leasehold system. Perhaps the virtues are more directly seen in the rural area. If one looks at the origin of the lease system, one finds that it very frequently involves a desire to develop land, or that there was some social purpose, such as the soldier settlement scheme. A person was given a greatly reduced rental to get him onto the land and into business to develop the land. The conditions involved were frequently a very inajor financial burden. When the end of a 30-year lease is reached, a person has had a discounted rental but he has contributed a great deal of value in terms of improvements under lease conditions. When that 30 years is up, perhaps the basis of rental should be reviewed totaUy. Perhaps if it were reviewed and a fairer or a more commercial rental was considered, the Government would be left with two altematives. ^It either would have more money for freeholding or rental. If somebody; felt that the rent was too onerous, there would be more land avaUable to go round. The inadequacies and the problems of ^e Young Farmer EstabUshment Scheme would not be so great iif there was more land on the market over which the Grovernment had some control. 306 29 & 30 November 1983 Mining Titles Freeholding Act Amendment BiU

[Wednesday, 30 November 1983] Further, I refer to the Land Act under which the Government could put conditions in the lease covering such things as erosion, overstocking and overgrazing. Under the Land Act it is perfectly legitimate to do that and the Act provides a ready vehicle to do it. Once the land is freeholded and the Government proposes the same sort of restrictions, one rightly meets the objection that the Government is taking steps to interfere with somebody's property rights. The leasing system has some virtues now, as it did when it was started, AU the systems must be studied to see whether they have any potential virtues, I do not say that those arguments apply with the same force to the miners' homestead perpetual leases, but from time to time this, like the bases of valuations, should be considered. Simply because something exists in the Land Act, the same criteria should not necessarily apply to a mining homestead perpetual lease, although one can understand those who say that the people under that tenure are worse off. Indeed, as the Minister's argument reveals, the basis of freeholding under the Land Act could have been considered more closely. Mr SCOTT (Ck)ok) (12,1 a.m.): I am concerned about the further effect that this Bill will have in delaying appUcations to the Mines Department, I ask the Minister whether he knows of any steps that can be taken to speed up these processes. Delays cause concern to people who are hoping to achieve their change of tenure and often take certain steps well before they should. They then try to exert pressure to expedite the changes through the department. That is quite an important question. The legislation relating to miners' homestead perpetual leases has caused concern on two occasions in the Cook electorate. I know that the Minister is aware of them and once again I put pressure on him and his Government to come to grips with the question of who is responsible for the development of areas in which miners' homestead perpetual leases are held. I refer to the Walsh River and the Rossville areas. I know that councils invariably object to applications for leaseholding in those areas. The matter that I raise is not strictly relevant to the legislation before the House, but in this House there are very few opportunities to extract answers from Ministers. Once again I ask him what actually will be done to make Ufe a little easier for people who have taken up leases over a long time and have paid their leasehold charges. They might be tenants of the Crown but they are meeting their commitments, whereas the Government simply is not meeting its commitments. As the Minister knows, a problem has arisen with the higgledy-piggledy development in these areas. That indicates a great deal of lack of foresight on the part of the department over the years, which is a shame, I imagine that officers of the department are charged with the responsibility of expediting mining and not so much Uving areas. When it comes to the planning of a new town such as Moranbah, the problem is handed over to the Department of Local Government so that the town is laid out on town- planning principles and people who provide services such as water and electricity reticulation can have an input at the time of planning. However, in other areas that are just as important as Moranbah a ribbon or very loose type of development has been allowed to take place over the years. When will the Government change that? That is a fairly simple question to which the answer is not that difficult. The Govemment has been evading its responsibiUties and I ask it to come to grips with the matter. The question of objections is an interesting one. The department has two views on it, I mention two miners' homestead perpetual lease appUcations, No, 865 and No, 866, in the names of Pat Killoran and FeUcity Taylor, about which the department wrote to the Mareeba Shire Council directing it to withdraw its objections. The councU is quite puzzled about why it should be required to withdraw its objection in those two cases. It would like to know whether there has been a change of policy on the part of the department. Those two instances are also relevant to my earUer question about the way in which the processing of these claims can be speeded up, because, interestingly enough, they were processed in about eight days, I am not claiming that the people I am referring to were favoured in any way by the department. Perhaps the paperwork just happened to slip through much more easily than is usually the case. Mining Titles Freeholding Act Amendment BiU 29 & 30 November 1983 307

Finally, I want to query the department's method of developing the Rossville leases and the manner in which it prevented any leases being granted in that area, I brought considerable pressure to bear on the Minister and he was good enough to make further concessions. Apparently people are now obtaining leases. They seem to Uke to have references from me, and I am rather interested to know whether in 10 or 20 years I am going to be presented with the bill for the leasehold charges of a backslider. I am pleased to see the Minister smile. As he is in a good mood, he might give me a considered answer. Is he going to change the method of allowing those leases? AU joking aside, I suggest that it is essential that people be allowed to Uve in those areas. It is part and parcel of the development. Just because the Govemment cannot get its act together and cannot decide whether these Uving areas should be handled by the Mines Department or by the Lands Department is not good enough reason to stop ordered development by decent people. Many young people with trade and other very good qualifications want to move into the area. They are clearly the right sort of citizens to develop it. I understand that it is a long time since the Minister visited Rossville. I urge him to go there and have a look at what is happening. It is not a dmg-infested place, as some members opposite have tried to imply. There may be people who should not be granted leases; but there are ways of determining that other than by insisting that they should be provided with references from a couple of reputable citizens. There is a Police Department in this State, and if there are people who should not be given leases, or who should not be mnning through the very nice open forest country and rain forest country—it is not that I do not know the difference; it varies from ridge to ridge—surely it could determine that. The Minister should turn his talents in that direction and have the problem sorted out so that development can take place in a reasonable way. It is what people in the area want, and it is what should happen. Hon. I. J. GIBBS (Albert—^Minister for Mines and Energy) (12.8 a.m.), in reply: I thank members for the constructive debate on this subject. It has historic origins, and one wonders whether there should be a complete change in some of the areas because in many cases the historic reasons for which they were set up are no longer relevant. An Opposition Member: Would you publish a Green Paper on it? Mr I. J. GIBBS: We do not like green paper; we like white paper. The honourable member for Nudgee referred to the gem-fields, particularly Goanna Flats and Sultana Reward, which have been freeholded. The owners of those properties have for many years had the right to automatic freeholding without advising the Mines Department or anyone else. That was done, perhaps unfortunately, and now we have a lot of work ahead of us to try to overcome the problem that has arisen. A number of people have constructed buildings and invested quite a bit of money on improvements to claims in various areas. I have spoken to quite a few of them, but some are not known to me. I have told them that they should not spend that sort of money until they have security of tenure. We are now faced with the problem of overcoming those investments. We have gone a long way down the track in doing that. Our overall attitude is designed to protect the small miners and preserve mining as a whole as much as possible. We have had officers there in contact with the people. A great deal of work has to be done. I assure the honourable member that we are proceeding in the right direction. In the long term we will have a more permanent solution in that area, and we have started negotiations with the property-owners. Mr Vaughan: Why was the appUcation to freehold the mining title rejected in 1981 yet, subsequently, the application to freehold the grazing lease was granted? Mr I. J, GIBBS: I can only say that the automatic freeholding had been avaUable for many years. It was freeholded without reference to us, and there was a right to do so. We wiU overcome the problem and we will set that area up in a way that wiU be quite satisfactory to everyone. It is embarrassing that some of these people spent so much money on claims when they did not have security. That was a bad move on their part. They should have gone a stage further and got proper rights to the areas so that they would be secure. 308 29 & 30 Noverribef 1983 Mining Titles Freebpldwig Act Ai?iendn?ent BiU-

The property-owner has been very co-operative since the freehelding of thatj land. I have talked direct by telephone to a few of the people concemed. They have received, good txh operation. We think that with that co-operation and wUUngness we will overcome the, problems that have occurred. The honourable member for Mourilyan referred to wohies in his area. I should say that, at aU times, we try to protect the mining field. In mariy instances, it is impossible to freehold without affecting the mining field in some way or other. We regUlariy object td freeholding on many mining fields. We would prefer the miners t6 select much smaller areas. That would make the job much easier for us. Some of them are trying to releasb quite big areas to freeholding. That would achieve the same result as that to which the horiourable member for Nudgee referred. A very real problem arises in those circumstances. Of two successive speakers, one told us to do something which we were already jdoiijig^ and the other told us that we should be doing something else which, i$ similar to wh^t.h^, already happened in the area. We would have the same disastrous result if we adopted Iheijr, suggestioiis. Mr Scott: Do you take notice of the evidence they might provide, in regardi to mineralr isation? Mr I. J. GIBBS: We take notice of the department on the mineralisation in the various areas. Mr Scott interjected. Mr I. J. GIBBS: We have very good advisers in the Mines Departm^t.-They are specialists in the job. They are the people of whom we take notice. The member for Gympie said that this BiU wiU help to,overcome many of the problems in his area where there are miners' homestead perpetual leases and mineiris' homestead leases side by side with large differences in valuation. It wUl overcome many of the problems. The horiourable member for Mt Isa referreid to freeholding and valuations every 10 yjears.' The horiourable member for Sherwood basically answered his comments. As a wh6le, I thmk the system has Worked Very well in Mt Isa, It should be remembered that the peOj^le a:re selling the homes and the improvements, that the land goes with the lease and that, itt-^fact, the land has never been purchased. Public land and public money are involved," and we have a responsibility to the people who have an interest in the land on a lease basis. That applifes to any sort of lease that the Government jgrants. I think that the member for Sherwood put that matter into its proper, context. The member for Mt Isa represents a party that has a policy of non-freeholding of land. Of course, our policy is to freehold land. Anybody ^ho has the opportunity to freehold land in the manner oif which the honourable member speaks is very foolish not to do so. If peopl,e^ continue to sell land without ever paying anything for the land and only a smaU amount for rent, they deserve all they get, I have no syiripathy for those people. The land policy in Mt Isa has worked very weU for many years, and I am sure that it wiU continue to do so. The member for Cook referred to the RossviUe area and to other areas that are of, concern to him. He talked about some disorientated, higgledy-piggledy development; We have been talking to the Lands Department about a lot of that development. In the lojig term, I do not know whether the Mines Department should continue as an actual develppefn of land that is not actually in, a mineralised area. The honourable member referred also to the police. The police in the electorate of Cook have been very co-operative. As the honourable member Imows, I was jui his area recently, and I talked to the police quite seriously about this matter. We have a very good relationship with the police in tUatriarea, We want to ensure that j^eople who go to that ar<^ are gdtiiiine and want to form part of the town and not become involved in some kind of altemative^ Ufe-style. I do not believe that those types of people should be allowed to gather in large'' numbers on miners' homestead lease land, take advantage of a particular situationr and>iu)t' carry ou^ the, necessary improyetnents. I thank honourable members for their contributions to the debkte,:' The many points' that have been raised wiU be considetedi 'I'point oUt to the member for COdk^thiSt Fha've' Mines Regulation Act Amendment BiU (No. 2) 29 & 30 November 1983 309 had a lot of correspondence conceming some problems in his area and that we are working hard and resolutely to overcome them in order to make his electorate an even better one than it is now. Motion (Mr I. J, Gibbs) agreed to. Committee Clauses 1 to 9, as read, agreed to. Bill reported, without amendment. Third Reading Bill, on motion of Mr I. J. Gibbs, by leave, read a third time,

MINES REGULATION ACT AMENDMENT BILL (No, 2) Second Reading—^Resumption of Debate Debate resumed from 24 November 1983 (see p. 121) on Mr I. J. Gibbs's motion— "That the BUI be now read a second time," Mr VAUGHAN (Nudgee) (12.21 a.m.): The Bill amends the Act in two ways. Firstly, it increases the penalties in those sections dealing with faUure to comply with an inspector's requisition and failure to exhibit regulation and special rules. The penalties have been increased from $100 to $1,000—a substantial increase, but an understandable one since this is the first increase in the penalties since 1964, I am interested to know why the penalties have not been increased in 19 years and ask the Minister to give an explanation in his reply. The second part of the Bill, which deals with the coUection of statistical information, is timely. As a result of the Bill, mining companies will in future submit the informaton on the basis of a financial year. I personally welcomed the announcement made some time ago that in future the annual report of the Mines Department would be produced on the basis of a financial year because the information contained in that report could not be compared with information in other reports such as the annual report of the Queensland Coal Board, which is an exKemely comprehensive document. I welcome the legislation. Mr EATON (Mourilyan) (12.22 a.m.): I will comment briefly on the Bill. Some aspects of the legislation worry me. I direct my comments to the tin industry. At the conclusion of his second-reading speech, the Minister referred to agencies such as the Queensland Coal Board and the Queensland Treasury. In excess of 90 percent of the $32m worth of tin produced in Queensland last year came from north Queensland. In the light of that, north Queensland deserves more consideration from the Mines Department than it has received in the past. Because coal production is worth hundreds of millions of dollars, the importance of tin-mining has been down-graded. Many would say that it has been neglected. The Bill will be subject to regulations that come into force after it becomes law, I am concerned, as are officers of the Mines Department, about the serious plight in the tin- mining industry brought about by the system of quotas. Many men and their families have been forced to leave north Queensland through the introduction of the quota system. They were not allocated enough to survive on. That is a matter of Federal regulation, not State legislation. Before the allocation of quotas, miners were called on to produce records for the previous 12 months. Miners involved in the industry for years have sold their metal but have not submitted records to the department. One need only peruse an annual report of the department to discover the number of returns submitted. It could be safely said that hundreds of miners in Queensland did not submit returns. Nobody knows how much tin they produced or where it was sold. That wiU have to be covered by the regulations after assent is given to the Bill. To emphasise my point—and it must be borne in mind that we are governed by the overseas market—I refer to a statement appearing in "The Cairns Post" on 23 November 1983 "The Foreign Minister, Mr Hayden, yesterday signed the agreement of the Association of Tin Producing Countries, joinmg six other countries in what is essentiaUy a marketing cartel. However, the rationale behind Australia's membership is as much diplomatic as it is commercial, wUh three members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) pressing Australia to join. 310 29 & 30 November 1983 Mines Regulation Act Amendment BiU (No. 2)

Federal Cabinet approved AustraUan signature on November 14, subject to minor reservations, and final approval was given by the executive council only in the last day or so." That emphasises that it was a diplomatic exercise, as much as it was a trade exercise. It does not augur weU for the industry as a whole. The article goes on to say— "Malaysia, the world's largest tin producer, was the driving force behind the formation of the ATPC. Other members of the association are Indonesia, Thailand, BoUvia, Nigeria and Zaire. These countries, together with Australia, account for about 95 per cent of western world tin production." Honourable members would appreciate the importance of keeping records in Australia, and particularly in Queensland. Queensland has faUen down on the job by not having any records. It is known that a good deal of monkey business went on in the tin industry. People avoided paying income tax. Some of the workers who held miners' leases were paid ux tm, which they later sold on the black market, thereby avoiding income tax. Furthermore, they did not have to pay workers' compensation. The previous Federal Government was unconcerned about the welfare of tin-producers. As in the case of aU problems that arise, the Uttle fellow goes dowm the drain first and the big one survives. People were unable to produce records, such as the annual report of the Mines Department, to show that they had produced tin; so, because they had no tin quota and were unable to obtain one, they had tO sell their claims or their leases. In my electorate many people complained that, although the Federal Govemment was changed, the bureaucrats were not. They are receiving the same types of letters written by the same bureaucrats. They can tell that from the wording of those letters. I should Uke the Minister to assure the House that the people in the industry will be required to keep good records on a State basis and that the regulations wiU be enforced for the long-term benefit of the tin industry. Mr HAMILL (Ipswich) (12.28 a.m.): Obviously the Bill is very important to the mining industry. It deals with regulations that govern the operation of mines and the inspection of mines. I realise that it deals with non-coal or metalUferous minmg activities. However, under the Coal Mining Act simUar provisions provide for the regulation of the coal-mining industry. As the Minister knows, no regulation alone can adequately cover the operation of an industry, particularly in relation to safety—and the Act deals with mine safety in some detaU. A combined approach is necessary, and not merely at the administrative level. The Bill deals with penalties and the inspection of mines. There needs to be an attitude on the part of the employers as weU as the departments to ensure mine safety through the use of appropriate machinery. It is interesting to note that the Minister's department honoured the undertaking that it gave a couple of years ago to estabUsh a mine-testing research station at Riverview, Commendable work is being done there to bring about safety under this Act and the Cbal Mining Act, The Bill could have referred to a couple of points such as mines inspection. It deals with penaUties associated with the lack of compliance on the part of mines with reasonable requests by, and the activities of, inspectors of mines. The Act lays down special procedures for the inspection of mines when the mining warden is unable to undertake that work. Earlier I said that certain parallels could be drawn with the Coal Mining Act. One point that is worthwhile raising, and a point to which the Minister might give his attention at a future date, is an anomaly that exists under the Coal Mining Act, Although the present Mines Regulation Act provides for alternative methods of inspection, under the Coal Mining Act there is an anomaly because inspections in coal mines may be done only if the inspector has five years' experience in underground employment. The underground employment requirement is inappropriate and it is certainly an impediment to operators of open-cut mines. Returning to the BUI—another matter that the Minister might examine is the requirement under section 46 of the substantive Act that no female be employed underground in a mine except with the approval of the chief inspector. If the Minister were moving in Mines Regulation Act Amendment Bill (No. 2) 29 & 30 November 1983 311 the direction of equal opportunity and no discrimination, that is one provision that he might examine. Again, the parallel might be seen m the Coal Mining Act with its more stringent prohibition of female employment underground. Although I recognise the dangers attendant—and, of course, the Mines Regulation Act is designed to take away those dangers that exist in the mining industry—^the opportunity should not be taken away from females to engage in the industry. As to the Bill before the Chamber at present—it provides that statistical returns be now provided for the financial year instead of for the calendar year, as in the Act. I suggest that the Minister's amendment is most appropriate and will be a worthwhile contribution to the future running of the industry. Hon, I, J, GIBBS (Albert—Minister for Mines and Energy) (12,32 a,m,>, in reply: The member for MourUyan referred to tin quotas and to the problems in the tin industry and related them to records. The Mines Department keeps perfect records based on the producers' input. The recent downturn in the world economy affected the use and market for tin. Queensland's latest figures were provided to Canberra so that Queensland quotas would be protected. Some of the people in north Queensland represented by the honourable member found that there was a great shortage of quota because of their own basic dishonesty in not providing proper returns. In fact, their actions could be deemed to be theft based on non-payment of royalties, and illegal mining may be taking place in some areas, I hope that the people to whom the honourable member referred quite sincerely learnt a lesson from that. They have received what they deserved. Steps were taken quickly to overcome the problem. Visits to Canberra were made in an attempt to explain the situation, I believe that some problems were overcome, I know that the honourable member does not condone the sort of behaviour to which he referred. He referred to the behaviour kindly as "monkey business". I refer to it a little more strongly than the honourable member. There is a lesson to be learnt in the industry, which is an important industry. The International Tin Agreement, to which Australia is a party, is important, even though the honourable member may refer to it as diplomatic. Perhaps the honourable member can remember the early days when the price of tin was low. Since then the price has been higher, even though some cuts in quotas have been made. The cuts were more lenient to the smaU miners. I hope that it is not very long before the tin industry reaches the high standard and high productivity that it achieved previously. Because of the International Tin Agreement, tin cannot be stockpUed; producers must stop producing it. That is one of the problems that is encountered. If the matter is logicaUy analysed, that is probably the best approach. The department will be working on that, I assure the honourable member that the department's records wiU continue to be accurately based on the information it has. The department will endeavour to acquire the records that are not provided so that the tin industry can be maintained in a better condition, not necesarily for the sake of the Govemment or the Mines Department, but for the industry itself, I think it deserves that. The member for Ipswich spoke about mine safety, among other things. He praised the decision to build the testing and research station. There is no doubt that he wiU be invited to its opening. He referred also to discrimination against the employment of females underground. There are very good reasons for the stand taken, partly historic and partly union-based, I witnessed underground mining in America, where legislation had forced the employment of 20 per cent more female underground miners. However, because of the effect on the many people who are already in that work-force, this would not be a good time to introduce such a measure in Queensland, The present employees would not want to be relocated. In open-cut mines many females are employed driving big tmcks and other machinery and are doing very good work. I do not know what the future holds, but that matter wiU have to be considered from time to time, I thank all honourable members who contributed to the debate. The Bill contains niinor amendments but it will have very wide implications and will result in the whole industry working much better. Motion (Mr I, J. Gibbs) agreed to. 312 29 & 30 November 1983 Adjournment

Committee Clauses 1 to 4, as read, agreed to. Bill reported, without amendment.

Third reading Bill, on motion of Mr I. J. Gibbs, by leave, read a third time.

ADJOURNMENT Hon. C. A, WHARTON (Burnett—Leader of the House): I move— "That the House do now adjoum." Importation of Unsafe Motor Vehicles Mr SMITH (Townsville West) (12,41 a,m,): Australia was one of the world leaders in the implementation of sensible road-safety innovations. It was one of the first countries to make compulsory the fitting and wearing of seat-belts. It imposed strict design mles that cost the manufacturers a fortune, reduced the range of vehicles available to the public and significantly increased the cost of those vehicles to the buyer. A tolerant market resented the cost and resented the mles imposed on it, but, as AustraUans often do, they were prepared to cop the cost even though, generally, people thought at the time that the design rules would not affect them but might protect somebody else. There was then a period during which manufacturers of quality vehicles, traditional suppliers of the Australian market, could not import their vehicles because, although in many respects they may have been, in terms of quaUty, superior products, they could not be sold or registered because in some smaU respect they did not comply with the Australian Design Rules. Enter now the enterprising Japanese, concemed with expanding their trade opportunities but not concerned about the safety of individual AustraUans or the health of the Australian vehicle manufacturing industry. The market-place was flooded with imported Japanese light commercial vehicles, both forward-control vans and four-wheel-drive vehicles, and more recently four-wheel-drive vehicles in the forward-control configuration. IncidentaUy, such vehicles attract only a 25 per cent import duty. The Japanese units are, to give them proper recognition, quality products for the purpose for which they were originally designed, and I stress the latter aspect. The point is—and it has to be understood—that these vehicles are imported at a tax rate far below that applying to recognised passenger vehicles. SuperficiaUy, the units represent exceUent buying as de facto passenger vehicles and, as a result, one finds people who would hardly know what a gum tree looks like or where to find an unsealed road the proud owners of four-wheel-drive vehicles complete with all the popular gadgetry such as quartz driving Ughts, bull-bars and so on. The traditional Australian station sedans and panel vans of aU sizes have been swept from the market-place by these imported commercial Van derivatives masquerading as legitimate passenger vehicles. Members might ask why not let the market-place be the determining factor in which vehicles the public buy and drive. The fact is—and this is the point of my raising the matter tonight—that in some instances the imported vehicles are highly dangerous in terms of their road-holding quaUties and their ability to protect their unsuspecting occupants. They are not designed to the same stringent mles as are recognised for passenger vehicles. For instance, they do not have the same side-door strength, there is a high risk of steering column intrusion, and seat-belts and seat-belt mountings generaUy are not up to passenger vehicle standards. Suppliers of these vehicles include Mitsubishi, Subam, Suzuki, Mazda, Toyota, Daihatsu and Honda. They found and exploited a loophole in our regulations, which were inadequate to prevent the importers of these units from bringing them in for use as passenger vehicles. The AustraUan Transport Advisory CouncU, which includes the Federal and State Transport Ministers, wiU belatedly decide at its next meeting in February what should be done about the problem. The fact is that by the time ATAC brings down a new set of regulations hundreds of thousands of these vehicles, every day getting older and older and potentially more dangerous, wiU be traveUing the highways and by-ways of AustraUa, and inevitably producing a significant increase in the already too-high road camage. Adjournment 29 & 30 November 1983 313

There is a place and a ready market for this type of vehicle, provided it is built to the same rigid safety standards as vehicles that presently have to compete on unequal terms with the less safety oriented imports. It is because of the market intmsion of the forward-control vans and four-wheel-drive vehicles that the Acacia Ridge plant wUl close, not for the reason given by GMH, If the importation of light commercials is placed on a proper basis by applymg the correct standards, there will be no reason why the concept of the plant at Acacia Ridge becoming a major local builder of commercial vehicles buUt to appropriate specifications cannot become a reality, I stress the pomt that it is now up to the Minister for Transport. (Time expired.) Imperial Awards Mr KAUS (Mansfield) (12.46 a.m.): Mr Speaker Mr Scott: Is this speech about the Queen's Medal? Mr KAUS: Part of it is and part of it is about something else that I am very proud of. As all honourable members know I am the very proud holder of an Imperial medal or decoration. On behaff of the many thousands of Australians who are also proud recipients of these awards I voice very strong reaction to the recent high-handedness of the Federal Government in discontinuing the presentation of the Queen's Medal for the army shoot. I am sure that Opposition members as well as other members know that, every year, we have a Queen's shoot, as well as the army shoot. Every year, in August, between 500 and 700 people shoot for the Queen's Medal, I was appalled by the recent suggestion that such a renowmed and treasured award as the Victoria Cross was to be abandoned. That is an insult to the many Australians who fought for this country in the world wars and since then. The suggestion detracts from the memory of our glorious heroes who, at the cost of their lives, won the freedom that we enjoy today. The memory of those men is cherished lovingly by thousands of Australian families. I suggest that the Hawke Government back off from meddling with tune-honoured, respected traditions. Personally, I believe that this action is very childish. It is recognised throughout the civilised world that this sort of action smacks very much of the new, independent. Third World, socialist countries which lose no time, after gainmg independence, in removing every possible trace of imperial occupation. Perhaps I could understand such unseemly haste and ingratitude on the part of people who have emerged only recently from barbarism, and in so many instances are influenced by their new socialistic masters in Russia or China. However, I expect more responsible, dignified and loyal actions from a Commonwealth Government that has been so closely aligned with Great Britain and Her Gracious Majesty Queen Elizabeth. It may be that none of the responsible Federal members have been the recipients of any of these badges or awards. They are aU young men who have not been around too long. They have not experienced comradeship during war-time. In the Ught of the number of telephone calls, letters and so on that I have received—I do not know if other members have had the same experience Mr Davis: I have received none. Mr KAUS: The honourable member has not received any? He is living only in the present. Mr Scott: You are a good, straight shooter. Mr KAUS: I know that. Most of the people to whom I have spoken do not accept this Federal meddling. One wonders how many more inroads are to be made into our traditions, accepted standards of behaviour and codes of conduct. (Time expired.) Queensland Housing Commission Accoimts Mr MACKENROTH (Chatsworth) (12.51 a.m.): I wish to reply to a ministerial statement that the Minister for Works and Housing made last Friday. In it he referred to comments that I had made the previous day in the debate on the Appropriation BUI, He demanded that I apologise to the House and withdraw insinuations of misappropriaton concerning his Ministry, the Commissioner of Housing and his staff, and also the Auditor- General, 314 29 & 30 November 1983 Adjournment

Since last Friday I have studied the report that was tabled by the Auditor-General and I StiU firmly beUeve that the accounts of the Queensland Housing Commission have been dealt with wrongly and have been presented to this Parliament wrongly. In fact, yesterday I telephoned the Auditor-General's office and spoke to the Deputy Auditor- General about this matter. Although he agreed with me that the amount should have been placed in the column that I suggested, he was not prepared to put that in writing. He said that he would investigate the matter but that he was not prepared to provide me with an answer. We have the situation where a Minister has asked me to apologise to him for the claims that I have made, yet when I ask the Auditor-General to say whether I am right or wrong, he is not prepared to give me an answer. I beUeve that I am right. Section 25 of the Financial Administration and Audit Act states— "Unforeseen expenditure. Where a determination is made by the Govemor in Council, on the recommendation of the Treasurer, that expenditure should be made from the public accounts for which— (a) there is no appropriation

the Governor in Council may authorize that such expenditure be made in advance of appropriation and charged as unforeseen expenditure to such fund of the pubUc accounts and under such heading of expenditure as he directs." The money that was allocated from the wages-pause funds earlier this year should have been treated in the Queensland Housing Commission funds as unforeseen expenditure; indeed, in the same way as the Works Department treated money that was allocated from the wages-pause funds. The departmental accounts from the Department of Works show that all money spent by the Works Department under the wages-pause program was treated as unforeseen expenditure, yet the Queensland Housing Commission has treated the expenditure as a subdivisional transfer. There is a reason for doing that and it is the reason that I was trying to get to last Thursday. The reason is so that the Government can make the accounts of the Queensland Housing Commission look better for the year 1982-83. In the last column in the table there is a lapsed appropriation of some $73,777,102 for that year. If the amount allocated from the wages-pause had been treated properly and correctly, as provided by the Financial Administration and Audit Act, the lapsed appro­ priations for the year would have totaUed $85,6m. The Minister knows that, since the new housing scheme came into being, I have continually criticised it because the Minister did not spend the money that he claimed he spent last year. Previously, I have referred to the fact that the then Treasurer (Dr Edwards) stated on an ABC radio program that $80m of the $100m which was to come from the Public Service Superannuation Fund was to go into the interest subsidy scheme. After a couple of months, that decision was turned round so that the $80m was to go into the commercial scheme. On 28 October last year, when I asked the Minister a question in the House, he said that $88.6m of that $l(X)m was to go into the interest subsidy scheme. On 25 November when the Minister answered the question, he said that the amount of $277m provided in the Appropriation Bill included $100m for home-ownership finance during 1982-83, It was specifically provided for commercial lending. When the scheme was announced for Queenslanders in July last year, the amount was $20m. It grew to $80m and then to $88.6m. The Minister tells us now that all of the $100m was allocated for commercial lending. Mr Wharton interjected. Mr MACKENROTH: That is what the statement says,

South-East Queensland Driver Education Centre Mr STEPHAN (Gympie) (12.56 a.m.): I will depart from what has become normal procedure in the Adjournment Debate and pay a compliment to some of the hard-working community organisations in Queensland, I refer particularly to the south-east Queensland driver education centre, Mr Davis: You have mentioned that before. Adjoumment 29 & 30 November 1983 315

Mr STEPHAN: Yes, I have mentioned it before. Extensions have been made to the centre which reflect an increase in the interest of the community towards this type of centre. It is a very successful enterprise and its success should give encouragement to groups wishing to establish similar centres in other areas. The driver education centre was originally established as a local Rotary club project. It expanded into a combined Rotary clubs project and now is a service club and community project. The community supports it fairly well. Primary school children and secondary school children have utiUsed the facilities at the centre for their pre-driver training. If during the course of their training the students begin to understand the capabilities of cars and of the drivers of cars, it is possible that the road toll will decrease—and that is the aim. The centre's faciUties are being extended. Over 1km of straight road has been constmcted near the Six-Mile Creek, It wiU enable people to be taught how to pass, as safely as possible, other cars that are traveUing on the road. Plans are on the drawing-board for the construction of a skid-pan, because even experienced drivers—let alone the inexperienced—encounter problems when driving in wet conditions. Over $200,000 has been spent on the centre to date. The latest project is to build a new administration block, $130,000 has been provided from the wage pause scheme—not the Community Employment Program—for its construction. In addition, contributions have come from the Gympie City Council, the Widgee Shire Council, service clubs and the general public. The general pubUc have supported the project as well as can be expected with finance raised by way of door-knocks. An interesting point is that within the last couple of months the Apex club had a country and western round-up and, from the proceeds, made a donation of $10,000, Mr Davis interjected, Mr STEPHAN: If the honourable member for Brisbane Central is happy to take part in such a function and raises $10,000, we will be happy to accept his donation. We might even erect a plaque acknowledging his donation. As well, 300 Lloyd Rees prints are being sold, and it is expected that their sale will raise in the vicinity of $70,000 for the project.

Cape Tribulation National Park Mr De LACY (Cairns) (1.1 a.m.): Today, on receipt of a telex from the director of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Douglas Shire Council will begin moving bulldozers into the Cape Tribulation National Park to commence constmction of a road from the Daintree River to the Bloomfield River, and, by so doing, they are doing their little bit to destroy the last piece of tropical, humid, lowland rain forest that exists on mainland Australia, It is an act of economic lunacy. The work wiU have catastrophic consequences for the environment, and I chaUenage the notion that the council has the acceptance of the majority of the people in the area. My question is: Why do this, if there seems to be no justification on any grounds? Conveniently, I have here some material that was prepared by the Australian Conservatioii Foundation which, as honourable members know, is an organisation committed to the improve­ ment of Australia and a very reputable organisation. It says— "This road, if constructed in permanent form, will faciUtate the massive environ­ mental destruction that has already commenced between the Daintree River and Cape Tribulation, The clearing of irreplaceable and scientifically important lowland rainforests of the region for pastoral and residential interests must cease. The eastern coastline of Australia south of Cairns has already been so desecrated by development interests that, surely, Australia has a responsibility to protect such important coastal regions as the Daintree area National Park," As there seems to be no obvious justification, the question that we must ask ourselves is: Are there some particular individuals who stand to benefit? To answer the question, I shall briefly trace the history of this road. Over the years a certain group of people have been interested in constructing the road. I refer to the Cape Tribulation Development League, of which a principal is George Quaid, a developer. He and another very famous developer in that area, Mr Pedersen, have extensive real estate interests in the area In 316 29 & 30 November 1983 Adjournment

1976 they pushed this road from Cape Tribulation to Bloomfield. It is now the road that has been gazetted. They pushed it iUegally, and they did it ostensibly to enabe them to drive cattle along it. I am advised that no cattle were ever driven along it. The road was illegal. In fact, officers of the Forestry Department suggested it was illegal and that prosecutions should be lodged. However, no charges were ever laid. In 1978, this Ulegal road was gazetted. So the illegal road became legal. In 1981 the Government recognised the significance and importance of his particular tract of land and declared it a national park. Unfortunately, the area that had been gazetted as a road was left as a road easement and was not included in the national park. This caused many misgivings among people who were concerned for the national park. In a press release issued today, the Minister for Tourism, National Parks, Sport and The Arts said that the road would be for the benefit of people in north Queensland. I wish that he would let the people of north Queensland decide what was for their benefit. It is certainly not for my benefit; it is certamly not for the benefit of most of the people in Caims whom I have the honour to represent. Mr Scott: Do you think there is an ulterior motive in opening the road up? Mr De LACY: I am suggesting that there must be an ulterior motive, Mr I, J. Gibbs: The Douglas Shire wants it very badly. Mr De LACY: The Minister suggested today that the road would be used to catch drug-runners and people who were peddling wildlffe. I suggest that if the Govemment continues its present policies, there will not be any wUdlife in this country to peddle. Recently I spoke to some tourists in Caims. They were aghast at the proposal. They are starting to realise how important the national park will be from a tourist's point of view. If they can construct a walking track in that particular area, it can attract visitors from all round AustraUa, (Time expired.)

References used by Member for Mt Gravatt during Election C!ampaign Mr HENDERSON (Mt Gravatt) (1,6 a.m.): During the tune allocated to me m this Adjoumment debate, I wish to discuss an issue that was raised during the State election. Mr Scott interjected. Mr HENDERSON: If the honourable member for Cook had a mouth transplant, perhaps what he said would make sense. I wish to discuss an issue that was raised during the State election campaign by the Leader of the Opposition. I shall outline to this Chamber the sequence of events as they unfolded. I feel that these events will help honourable members understand fully the issues involved. I might add that the honourable member for Greenslopes found herself in a similar situation to the one that confronted me, so my explanation may also assist her in some way. It is common practice for an individual who applies for a job to present character or professional references to his possible employer. It is true that some people choose to ignore references. It is also true that some possible employers place great credence on references, especially if they are written by highly respected citizens. The honourable member for Greenslopes and I resolved therefore to begin our campaigns with a reference written by that celebrated Queenslander Senator Florence Bjelke-Petersen. Senator Bjelke- Petersen very kindly prepared a reference for each of us. Each reference was written on one piece of Senate notepaper. The originals were then taken to Assembly Press at Slacks Creek, copied and duplicated in sufficient numbers to be distributed throughout the electorates. They were not placed in envelopes, nor were they posted. They were simply folded and placed in letter-boxes by our supporters. All of the costs—and I stress "all"— were met by our resp^ective campaign committees. Not Ic of tax-payers' money, apart from the cost of two sheets of Senate notepaper was spent in this undertaking. To my utter disbelief, I read in "The Courier-MaU" a few days before the election that the Leader of the Opposition claimed that we spent "thousands and thousands of dollars of tax-payers' money". I might add that I saw the same claim repeated on television Ministerial Statement 30 November 1983 317 when I saw my letter of introduction displayed by the honourable Leader of the Opposition. I have in my possession for any honourable member who may care to read them copies of the letters distributed in the Mt Gravatt electorate, I state here and now that the assertions made by the Leader of the OpposUion in "The Courier-Mail" and on television are unmUigated distortions of the tmth. I might add that the media did not even have the courtesy to ask me to comment on any of the issues raised. Well could I ask: Why? Let us be honest. The Leader of the Opposition and the media owe both the honourable member for Greenslopes and me an apology. Once again the Leader of the Opposition has been caught with his pants down. His flashy press conferences have been exposed as parades of fantasy. The honourable member for Greenslopes and I have had our excitement levels aroused by the prospect of an unqualified apology from the Leader of the Opposition, This is not asking too much. After all, he is an honourable man and a disciple of tmth, is he not? Motion (Mr Wharton) agreed to. The House adjourned at 1,10 a.m. (Wednesday).