Queensland Parliamentary Debates [Hansard] Legislative Assembly WEDNESDAY, 10 APRIL 1985 Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy 5064 10 April 1985 Ministerial Statements WEDNESDAY, 10 APRIL 1985 Mr SPEAKER (Hon. J. H. Warner, Toowoomba South) read prayers and took the chair at 11 a.m. PAPERS The following papers were laid on the table, and ordered to be printed— Reports— Public Service Board for the year ended 30 June 1984 Queensland Fish Board for the year ended 30 June 1984. The following papers were laid on the table— Order in CouncU under the Industrial Development Act 1963-1981 and the Local Govemment Act 1936-1984 Regulations under the Superannuation Tmst Funds (Protection of Employee Entitlements) Act 1984 Statute under the Griffith University Act 1971-1984. MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Electric Train Collision, Beenleigh Line Hon. D. F. LANE (Merthyr—Minister for Transport) (11.3 a.m.), by leave: I have to report to Parliament that I have now received the report of the board of inquiry into the causes and circumstances surrounding the collision of electric train 1A07 and electric train 1706 on the Trinder Park to Kuraby section at approximately 6.45 a.m. on Saturday, 23 March 1985. The board of inquiry was chaired by Mr J. Paull, permanent way engineer, Brisbane. The board, as a requirement of the Railways Act, consisted of three officers appointed by the Commissioner for Railways and three representatives elected by the employees. The board met continually from Monday, 25 March 1985, until 3 April 1985, and called 34 witnesses. They included the surviving crew members, passengers on the two trains, and technical officers attached to the Department of Railways. As part of its inquiry the board inspected the site of the collision at Trinder Park and also inspected at Kuraby one of the trains involved in the collision and the control centre at Mayne. The members of the board took the opportunity to observe the performance of a train-driver and the operation of automatic warning-system equipment. Unfortunately, a train-driver and a passenger lost their lives and 31 passengers and crew members were injured in this tragic accident. The board of inquiry reported that, at the time of the accident, the permanent way or track was in good condition and there were no defects that would contribute to the accident. The two three-car units were in good working condition and had been subject to fortnighUy mechanical and electrical inspections on 11 and 14 March 1985. Damage caused to the track in the accident was minor. Honourable members are only too aware of the ultimate cost in life and injuries that resulted from this accident. They should be aware that the financial cost to the rolling-stock and other equipment will be $788,403, which wiU include $750,000 to repair the rolling-stock. The report draws attention to the fact that, in conjunction with the interlocked signalling system, an automatic warning system is installed in the driver's cabin to give him audible and visual indications of the status of approaching signals. The system used on the Brisbane suburban network for the electric trains is virtually identical with that Ministerial Statements 10 April 1985 5065 used by British Rail, where trains mn at up to 160 km per hour under the same system. The automatic warning system operates by placing magnets between the tracks approximately 80 metres from the signal. When the train passes over the magnet, a distinctive audible signal is given and a visual indication appears in the driver's cabin. It was estimated in evidence given to the board that the impact speed at the point of collision was at least 80 km per hour. That was the combined speed of the two trains. According to the findings of the inquiry, visibility at the time of the accident was good and no evidence was found of the presence of alcohol or dmgs. Exhaustive testing of the signaUing equipment, including the automatic waming system, was carried out immediately after the accident by qualifed technical officers and no defect was found. I draw the attention of the House to the fact that this matter is still subject to investigation by police and, in fact, a copy of all the depositions and the board of inquiry report has been passed on to investigating police. I have also given a copy of the board of inquiry report to the Minister for Justice and Attomey-General, who has ordered that a coronial inquiry be held. The collision at Trinder Park was one of the most serious in the history of Queensland Railways. It would be remiss of me to fail to comment on the efforts at the accident site of not only railway employees but also local residents and emergency service organisations, including the Salvation Army, the fire brigade, ambulance services, police. State Emergency Service personnel and hospital staff. Every attention was afforded to those injured in the collision and, through the efforts of the people I mentioned, train services were restored with a minimum of delay. It is in the public interest for me to make this statement to the House today because there has been far too much uninformed comment. That must not be allowed to undermine the confidence of the public in the suburban rail system. That confidence is still well placed, and the findings of the board of inquiry reinforce all the assurances that have been given. I gave a public undertaking that I would make the findings of the board of inquiry public as soon as possible. However, because of the serious nature of the findings and the general situation, as a matter of course, I sought the advice of the Acting Solicitor- General (Mr Roy Sammon) in order to make sure that the legal rights enjoyed by the people involved were not jeopardised in any way. The advice given to me by him, upon which I am bound to act, was that tabling of the full findings in the House at this time may prejudice any future legal proceedings. Therefore, in faimess to all parties, I do not propose at this time to supply further information. The matter is in the hands of the appropriate authorities. APM and Pine Rivers Community Credit Union Limited Hon. N. J. HARPER (Auburn—Minister for Justice and Attorney-General) (11.8 a.m.), by leave: Recently, there have been various mmours conceming APM and Pine Rivers Community Credit Union Limited. Rightly, the matter was raised with me by the honourable member for Pine Rivers (Mrs Yvonne Chapman). I have decided that it is desirable to reassure the House and, through it, those persons who have investments in this credit union in regard to any concem that these mmours may generate. I confirm that inquiries are being made into an alleged misappropriation of approximately $30,000 from the funds of the credit union. This matter has been referred to the CIB Fraud Squad and the auditors of the credit union are engaged in an extensive examination of its accounts to verify the extent of the shortfall. Members of the credit union should not be concerned for the security of their investments, as the auditors have advised that all losses together with costs incurted are 5066 10 April 1985 Australian Constitutional Convention covered by the fidelity insurance policy required to be maintained under section 89 of the Co-operative and Other Societies Act 1967-1978. Investors may be further reassured by the existence of the savings protection fund administered by the Queensland Co-operative Credit Union League Limited, This fund was established for the purpose of ensuring that credit union members were protected against losses, AUSTRALIAN CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION Hon. C. A. WHARTON (Bumett—Leader of the House): I move— "That whereas by resolution of 20 October 1972 the Fortieth Parliament of Queensland acknowledged that it was expedient it should appoint delegates of that Parliament to attend a Convention to review the operation of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia and that it should appoint 12 members of that Parliament as its delegates and provide for alternate representation from a further 12 named members; and whereas the intention of that resolution was reaffirmed by subsequent Parliaments; and whereas on 15 March 1985 the Executive Committee of the Australian Constitutional Convention resolved, inter alia, that the size of State Delegations to the Convention should be reduced by decreasing the number of delegates and alternate delegates; and whereas the Convention to review the operation of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia has not concluded its business; therefore this Parliament now resolves— (1) That for the purposes of the Convention— (a) Eight members of the Forty-fourth Parhament be appointed as delegates to the Convention to review the operation of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia and to continue the work already undertaken in this regard; (b) The eight members appointed by the Parliament of Queensland shall be the Honourable Sir Johannes Bjelke-Petersen, KCMG, MLA, the Honourable W. A. M. Gunn, MLA, the Honourable N, J. Harper, MLA, Mr G. Alison, FCA, ACIS, MLA, Mr T, J, Bums, MLA, Mr E, D. Casey, MLA, the Honourable Sir William Knox, MLA, Mr N, G, Warburton, MLA, (2) That each appointed member of the delegation continue as an appointed member whilst a member of this Parliament or until this Parhament otherwise determines. (3) That the Honourable Sir Johannes Bjelke-Petersen, KCMG, MLA, be leader of the delegation and that the Honourable W. A. M, Gunn, MLA, be deputy leader, (4) That for the purposes of the Convention— (a) Four members of the Forty-fourth Parliament be appointed as alternate delegates.