Legislative Assembly 473 19 October 1995

THURSDAY, 19 OCTOBER 1995 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Australian Tourist Commission Hon. T. J. BURNS (Lytton—Deputy Mr SPEAKER (Hon. J. Fouras, Ashgrove) Premier and Minister for Tourism, Sport and read prayers and took the chair at 10 a.m. Youth) (10.03 a.m.), by leave: I wish to advise the House that I have arranged to meet with the Commonwealth Minister for Tourism to REGISTER OF MEMBERS' INTERESTS express my concerns over the management of the Australian Tourist Commission. Report Honourable members would be aware of my Mr SPEAKER: Order! Honourable public comments about the commission and members, I lay upon the table of the House its advertising. The Asian advertising served as the seventh report on the Register of final proof to some sections of the industry of Members' Interests. ATC management bias against Cairns in particular and Queensland in general. Before my recent visit to the QTTC's PETITION highly successful Asian offices, I was handed The Clerk announced the receipt of the a copy of an ATC annual operation plan for following petition— Japan for 1995-96 marked "Not for Circulation". In Issue 5, on page 4, the ATC states— High School, Tannum Sands "Work will continue to persuade From Mrs Cunningham (761 carriers particularly Qantas, to review signatories) requesting that the House urgently existing scheduled services so that Cairns consider alternate sites for the proposed State hub is de-emphasised, QF22 reverted to High School at Canoe Point, Tannum Sands. a night run and CNS services ex Tokyo switched to day runs. The unilaterally observed KIX/BNE/SYD pattern should be STATUTORY INSTRUMENT amended to incorporate KIX/SYD/BNE variations or BNE back to back." In accordance with the schedule Further, under the heading "Aviation circulated by the Clerk to members in the Development", the stated aim of this plan is to Chamber, the following document was "promote schedule rationalisation of existing tabled— services to Cairns and Brisbane". The specific Dairy Industry Act 1993— objectives of the ATC plan include the rescheduling of current flights from Japan- Dairy Industry (Market Milk Prices) Amendment Order (No. 1) 1995, No. 274. Brisbane-Sydney to Japan-Sydney-Brisbane, reducing flights to Cairns, rationalising flights to Brisbane and converting current night flights OFFICE OF SPEAKER into Cairns from Japan to day flights. It appears that the ATC sees Cairns as having a Statement of Recurrent Expenditure so-called accommodation problem—that is, Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH very high occupancy—and it proposes to fix it (Chatsworth—Leader of the House) by reducing the number of planes to Cairns by (10.02 a.m.): I lay upon the table of the House sending them to Sydney. What a strange way the statement of recurrent expenditure in of addressing tourism growth, especially when summary format for the Office of Speaker for the ATC is charged with promoting Australian 1994-95. tourism! It would appear that ATC managers and senior executives believe that the answer to PAPER the QTC's and the Cairns Port Authority's great The following paper was laid on the success in having more planes flying direct to table— Cairns from Asia and Japan is to de-emphasise the hub and to have them fly to Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, Sydney's congested airport. Its other answer is Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for to make the tourists fly during the day so that the Arts (Mr Foley)— they arrive in Cairns during the night; in other Queensland Election 1995—Statistical Returns. words, forcing the tourists to lose a day in 19 October 1995 474 Legislative Assembly

Cairns by having them sitting in an aeroplane The ATC's management is represented in for at least seven daylight hours. some Asian centres, where Queensland has When competition with Asian and US its own QTTC offices, by general sales agents holiday destinations is based on claims that whose job is to represent Australia and Australia is too far and too costly, how will the Australian tourism. One agent representing ATC proposals help Australia? Without fail the ATC and Australia has accepted an during my talks with airline executives and appointment to represent Victoria—and is paid wholesale and retail travel executives in Asia, to do so. A second is under consideration. they said that a positive selling point was that How is that for a conflict of interest! Cairns was closer to most Asian departure When someone calls that agent for points than Hawaii, without the extra burden of advice about Australia, do we think that as the crossing the dateline. The ATC's answer to agent for Victoria he would give information that is to fly people to Sydney with flight about Queensland—Australia's premium times—ex Hong Kong—of eight and a half tourism State—first, or would he do the job hours, or fly them during the day so that they that he is paid to do by Victoria? How ATC's lose a day of their holidays. senior management can allow such a conflict No-one can understand why the ATC to occur is beyond me. However, it reinforces sees its role as being to de-emphasise the my determination to stand fast in my demand Cairns hub. I will be asking who gives the ATC that Queensland gets a fair go from the ATC. I staff the right—without consulting with the certainly will not accept the attitude of ATC QTTC or the Queensland Government—to chief Jon Hutchison, who dismissed plan to reduce direct flights to Queensland. Australiawide complaints in the magazine Traveltrade by saying, "It's our money and we A Government member: Or the local can do what we like with it." member. Mr BURNS: Or the local member, who I have another document which shows has never heard of it, either. Who gives the that the ATC bias is the worst-kept secret in ATC the right to seek a rescheduling of other the Australian tourism industry. An industry international flights to our State? What about peak body, the Tourism Task Force, reported Brisbane? The ATC proposal would see the in August to its Victorian members of its efforts Kansai-Brisbane-Sydney flight overfly Brisbane to "push for more southerly images in the and go on to Sydney and then come back to ATC's generic advertising", which is described Brisbane—in other words, see Queensland as "already an emerging trend". It is already last. How would that help the Gold Coast, an emerging trend all right! I wonder how they which is a major Japanese tourist destination? knew this in August when Queensland was not How would it help Brisbane or Sunshine Coast consulted on the campaign. tourism? How many Japanese tourists would Recently, I launched another good we lose from our well-known theme parks, Queensland wine, Preston Peak. Those in the beaches and shopping outlets with all that know in the industry accept that there are extra flying and airport waiting time added to some quite good wines now being produced their journey? north of the border. A Queenslander on ATC managers have put forward these holiday in Scotland picked up A Taste of proposals as their airline operational plan for Australia, a very colourful publication, from 1995-96—and I repeat: with no consultation within a large circulation publication titled Good with the QTTC. It has been suggested to me Housekeeping. She was very disappointed to that the board may have rejected the plan, find that there was no Queensland product and that is the advice that I get now that I featured, and rang the publisher only to be have raised the issue. However, I say that it told that the copy for the magazine was has to go further than that and we have to supplied by the Australian Tourist Commission. challenge some of the management Upon her arrival back in Australia, she phoned objectives of senior ATC management. The the Australian Tourist Commission and managers and marketers who devised that questioned it about the fact that Queensland plan also devised the Asian advertising was not included, only to be told that campaign that mostly promotes Sydney. Queensland did not have any wineries. In its edition of 4 October, the well- I do not believe that Governments should respected trade magazine Traveltrade interfere in the day-to-day running of the described the advertisements as "presenting tourist industry. Our job is to help those no WA images, little footage of Victoria and thousands of tourism operators who have put only three segments of Queensland in the 30 their money and time into this industry. The second Asian commercial". But that is not all. less Government interference the better. I Legislative Assembly 475 19 October 1995 want the ATC and the QTTC to work together management and dispute resolution for the benefit of tourism. We want to work provisions will come under a new Community with the ATC and we want it to work with us. Land Management Act. Titling aspects will be The ATC cannot be allowed to play favourites; handled under amendments to the existing it must consult with all sections of the industry, Land Title Act, which I hope to present to the Australiawide. The arrogance of its senior House before the end of this year. All planning managers in dismissing the concerns of those elements will initially be dealt with under who have put their own money into the amendments to the present Local industry as some form of parochialism cannot Government (Planning and Environment) Act be allowed to continue. and later will come under the proposed The ATC board is dominated by southern Planning, Environment and Development interests with only one Queensland Assessment Act. This major rationalisation and update of strata titling legislation will give representative. I will not be asking the Federal reassurances to owners and occupiers, such Minister to interfere in the day-to-day running as older people moving into retirement of the board or the industry but to take on villages, and will deliver workable regulations board our concerns and demand that the ATC for developers of new and more diverse types board ensure that its staff work with of projects, including joint residential and Queensland, not against us. I will be asking for shopping complexes, marinas, time-share greater Queensland representation on the board in future, because we are Australia's apartments or whatever. most successful tourism State. As I said, the three-part package will replace the Building Units and Group Titles Act 1994. However, in order to accommodate the MINISTERIAL STATEMENT immediate needs of the industry, I intend that Building Units and Group Titles Act any essential minor amendments will be made to the Building Units and Group Titles Act Hon. K. V. McELLIGOTT 1980 whilst the new legislative package is (Thuringowa—Minister for Lands) (10.10 a.m.), being developed. As much of the preparatory by leave: I wish to advise the House of a new work and discussion is already well in advance, legislative approach to the management of I hope to have the legislation in Parliament building units and group titles in this State. early in 1996. This proposed new approach has received a very positive response from groups which have The four years of consultation that been consulted over it, including the legal preceded the BUGTA 1994 legislation have fraternity and the home units industry. not been wasted, as the information and advice obtained will be utilised in the new Members may be aware that the Building package. This legislation will have an impact Units and Group Titles Bill 1994 was passed on the day-to-day living of a significant and by this Parliament but it has never been growing number of Queenslanders. By dealing proclaimed. It has been widely recognised that with the more technical aspects of titling and there are a number of deficiencies in that Bill. I approvals in other legislation, we will retain in remind members that when the Building Units the proposed Community Land Management and Group Titles Act was passed in December Act the day-to-day matters that impact upon last year, my predecessor made the point unit dwellers and occupiers of group title during the debate on this complex piece of arrangements. This approach has met with legislation that— unanimous support from all sections of the "Closer scrutiny of the Bill for actual industry, which found previous legislation to be operative purposes will undoubtedly bring complex and difficult to understand. forth further matters that will have to be addressed." SELECT COMMITTEE ON Since taking up the Lands portfolio, I PROCEDURAL REVIEW have consulted widely with the affected parties. As a result, the Government has Appointment and Terms of Reference decided to overhaul the laws relating to strata Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH title by departing from a generic piece of (Chatsworth—Leader of the House) legislation like BUGTA 1994. BUGTA 1994 will (10.13 a.m.), by leave, without notice: I therefore be abandoned. The new move— arrangements will be accommodated by three Acts of Parliament. This new approach, which "(1) That a Select Committee, to be has been approved by Cabinet, will mean that known as the Select Committee on 19 October 1995 476 Legislative Assembly

Procedural Review, be appointed to PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE OF inquire into, and report by 30 March PUBLIC WORKS 1996 on the following matters: Annual Report (a) the sessional orders which provide for the method of operation of the Mr D'ARCY (Woodridge) (10.16 a.m.): Estimates Committees with particular Pursuant to the Parliamentary Committees Act regard to: 1995, I table the annual report of the Public Works Committee for 1994-95. The report (i) the number of estimates provides the Parliament with details of the committees that are required; activities of the committee of the Forty-seventh (ii) the span of portfolio Parliament during the last financial year. It also responsibilities for each summarises recommendations made on a committee; wide range of issues associated with capital (iii) the scheduling of the estimates works and details responses made by hearings including the Ministers to the committee's desirability of conducting recommendations. concurrent hearings; I take this opportunity to recognise the (iv) increased opportunities for the work of the members of the previous questioning of public servants; committee: its Chair, Ms Judy Spence; the Deputy Chair, Mr Len Stephan; and members (v) the desirability of question and the Honourable Peter Beattie, Mr Bruce answer time limits; Davidson, Mr Graham Healy, Mr Terry Sullivan (vi) scope and extent of and the Honourable Margaret Woodgate. I questioning; and commend the report to the House. (vii) the documentation available to the estimates committees; SCRUTINY OF NATIONAL SCHEME (2) That the committee consist of 7 LEGISLATION AND THE members of the Legislative Assembly DESIRABILITY OF UNIFORM of whom 3 shall be nominated by the SCRUTINY PRINCIPLES Leader of the Opposition. (3) That Mr Speaker be ex officio a Discussion Paper Member and Chairman of the Mr J. H. SULLIVAN (Caboolture) committee. (10.17 a.m.): I lay on the table a discussion (4) That the following members be paper titled "The Scrutiny of National Scheme appointed to the committee: Messrs Legislation and the Desirability of Uniform Beanland, Bredhauer, Fitzgerald, Scrutiny Principles". This paper was drafted by Lingard, Mackenroth, Welford. a working party of representatives from each of the scrutiny committees nationally in (5) That the committee have power to response to the difficulties being encountered call for persons, documents and with national scheme legislation. The other things, to move from place to discussion paper was officially released at the place, and to meet and transact fifth Australasian and Pacific conference on business in public or private session delegated legislation and second Australasian notwithstanding any prorogation of and Pacific conference on the scrutiny of Bills the Parliament. in Darwin on 6 July. It has been printed and (6) The Chairperson of the committee or distributed in each jurisdiction by the the Deputy Chairperson when acting committee of that jurisdiction and has as Chairperson, shall have a subsequently been tabled in a number of deliberative vote and in the event of jurisdictions. an equality of votes shall also have a Due to the intervening election period and casting vote. recent establishment of this committee, this (7) That the foregoing provisions of this paper is only now being tabled. Copies of the resolution, so far as they are paper have already been widely distributed in inconsistent with the Standing Queensland pursuant to a resolution of the Orders, have effect notwithstanding previous committee, and a copy has been anything contained in the Standing sent to all members of the House. I take this Orders." opportunity to thank the Ministers and Motion agreed to. members who have tendered submissions. Legislative Assembly 477 19 October 1995

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE lot to convince a number of the players in the Labor Party State President game of that. Mr Borbidge: That report says that your Mr BORBIDGE (10.19 a.m.): I refer the package is not right. Minister for Primary Industries to widespread concern within the Government—reflected in Mrs EDMOND: The honourable the Young report and by the Vice-president of member asked a question, I will give him an the Australian Labor Party—over the conflict of answer. interest in the Minister's dual positions as party The cost of common law needs to be president and a senior Minister, and I ask: will curtailed at the bottom end of the scale where the Minister now heed these concerns and the benefit flows not to the injured worker but stand aside as President of the Labor Party at to the professionals, and the Government is this weekend's State Council meeting? doing that in two ways. The first is by putting in Mr SPEAKER: Order! I advise the the proposal an option so that injured workers Minister that, as this matter is not covered by with claims for smaller amounts for minor his portfolio responsibilities, he is not obliged injuries will be encouraged to take increased to answer the question. statutory benefits rather than going on to common law; and the second factor is Mr GIBBS: I will respond in the way that removing the cost indemnity law, which means the question deserves to be answered. In the that the Workers Compensation Board will not words of the great quiz champions of the be paying out all the legal fees and the cost of world: "Bzzzt—pass!" common law at the bottom end of the scale will thus be considerably reduced. Workers' Compensation I understand that one of the criticisms that the Government has been subjected to from Mr BORBIDGE: I will tell Alice! I direct a the newly found friends of the workers question to the Minister for Employment and opposite is that it did not fully implement the Training—that is you, Wendy. I refer the recommendations of the Workers Minister to the Premier's claim in Parliament Compensation Board last time. What was the yesterday that her workers' compensation one thing that the Government did not package will restore the scheme to a fully implement that the board wanted last time? It funded basis. I ask the Minister: how does she was to severely limit common law at the reconcile those comments with actuarial bottom end of the scale—to remove access. advice from the Workers Compensation Board—which I now table—which shows that a Mr Santoro interjected. premium increase even at the upper end of Mrs EDMOND: The member for the range proposed would be adequate only Clayfield is the one who has run around saying with a restriction on common law access of 20 that last time the Government did not fully to 25 per cent? I further ask the Minister: who implement the board's recommendations. The is telling the truth—the Workers Compensation Government did not. It did not cut access to Board actuaries or the Premier? Will the common law. The honourable member for Minister now admit that, based on this report, Clayfield has been saying that the Opposition her proposals are fatally flawed and could lead would not cut access to common law and then to a blow-out of a quarter of a billion dollars in Opposition members turn around and ask why three years? the Government did not do it three years ago. Mrs EDMOND: I thank the honourable What a fraud! The member for Clayfield member for the question. I thought I was should tell the workers what a fraud he is. He never going to get a go. is still attacking the workers and their rights. Mr Johnson: We're all waiting. Mrs EDMOND: If honourable members Job Creation opposite will quieten down, I will give them the Mr LIVINGSTONE: I ask the Minister answer. What I have always said in this House for Business, Industry and Regional and every other time I have spoken about this Development: can he inform the House how issue—and one of the hardest problems I economic growth in Queensland over the past have had is to get members opposite and five years compares to that of other States other people to understand the complexity of and nationally? this issue—is that the Government had to do Mr HAYWARD: I thank the honourable something about the high cost of common law member for that important question, because claims at the bottom end of the scale. It took a by most recognised economic measures 19 October 1995 478 Legislative Assembly

Queensland has outperformed every other Queensland is expected to have the "highest State in Australia. rate of job creation over the next five years." Total employment in Queensland has What is most important and what Opposition increased by 14.5 per cent since 1989. That members hate the most is that this document compares with a growth rate of 6.2 per cent further states— nationally, 5.6 per cent in New South Wales, ". . . another feature of the survey results and 0.2 per cent in Victoria. Of the 624,000 was the continued high ranking given to jobs created nationally since 1989, about 30 Queensland for the conduct of its per cent, or about 199,000, have been economic policy." created in Queensland. Between 1989 and This confirms for people in business that 1995, manufacturing jobs have increased by Queensland's Government has got it right. It 10.7 per cent. Over that same period, 18,000 has had it right for last five years, and the extra jobs have been created in this State—to expectation is that over the next five years the be contrasted to New South Wales, where Government will have it right as well. about 55,000 jobs were lost in the manufacturing sector, and in Victoria, where 58,000 jobs were lost. Caloundra Police Station Importantly, private capital investment in Mrs SHELDON: In directing a question Queensland has increased by 18.8 per cent to the Minister for Police, I refer to the rape of during this period, and that has to be a 22-year-old man who was fishing at contrasted with an increase of 2.8 per cent in Diamond Head in Caloundra on Monday night New South Wales and a negative 14.8 per of this week, and I ask: why is it that when this cent in Victoria. man went to the so-called 24-hour Caloundra Police Station it was closed? Why was this As everybody knows, Queensland has the man, who is now awaiting blood tests and lowest payroll tax in Australia—5 per cent— receiving counselling, forced to go to the fire and that compares with something between 6 station to receive help, and does not this case per cent and 7 per cent in other States. highlight the Minister's failure to provide even Queensland has a significantly higher payroll basic police protection for Queensland tax threshold. residents? The most important thing that Mr BRADDY: In relation to police distinguishes Queensland from other States is stations which are manned or have people on that Queensland business pays on average duty for 24 hours or fewer hours, there is a 41 per cent less in total taxes than any other system whereby if the officers are on duty—— State. The significance of that is that when a Mrs Sheldon: You said it was a 24-hour business is making a decision whether to police station. expand in Queensland or relocate from somewhere to Queensland, the obvious and Mr BRADDY: Frequently it is more most important thing it needs to consider is important to answer a call out to do work than the recurrent costs, those day-to-day costs to sit behind a desk, and adequate notices are which in the end influence their bottom line left so that people can contact alternative most significantly. police stations. Mrs Sheldon: 24 hours? That is the reason why companies such as the snack food giant Smiths made the Mr BRADDY: 24-hour police stations. decision to relocate from New South Wales to On occasions when emergencies arise Queensland. In the end, it is the recurrent officers will go out to do work rather than sit costs, the day-to-day running costs, which are behind a desk. so important. Mrs Sheldon: 4.30 p.m. it closes. What Opposition members really hate is Mr BRADDY: I repeat that officers will the way this Government's policy has been so go out to do work—this is the concept of a successful. The recently released June 1995 24-hour police station. The officers will actually survey of business and economic performance do the work rather than sit behind a desk. and prospects in Australian States confirmed They then make adequate arrangements the policy of this Government. It stated— whereby notices are displayed advising where "Over the next five years, to direct phone calls and reports. Queensland is ranked as having the In relation to the other aspects of the highest overall economic prospects of any honourable member's question, I have not Australian State." received any advice at this time. I will have a Legislative Assembly 479 19 October 1995 look into it and I will notify the honourable "has decreed that the Queensland member. Country Women's Association must pay payroll tax." I have made the point previously that the Country Women's Association CWA has a liability because of the way the Mr T. B. SULLIVAN: I refer the legislation is written. That legislation was not Treasurer to comments by the member for designed by the Queensland Labor Callide that question the motives of the Government; it was designed by a National Country Women's Association in its Party Government. However, I gave a negotiations with the State Government over guarantee that the CWA would not pay payroll its payroll tax liability, and I ask: can the tax, and that guarantee is unequivocal. I give Treasurer inform the House whether the CWA that assurance to Mrs McCauley and to the gave any undertaking to the Government to Cooktown Local News. I think that publication defer any public campaign until after the State has demonstrated a political bias by running election? stories on 12 October after I had given a commitment in this House on 12 September Mr De LACY: It is a pretty outrageous and we had circularised a document to that proposition to imply that the CWA would effect to all CWA branches in Queensland on conspire with the Government for political 20 September. It does not say much for the purposes, yet the reference that the Cooktown Local News that it cannot accept honourable member made to comments by the facts. the member for Callide were contained in a most august column called the "Callide Column" in the Central Telegraph, signed by Workers' Compensation Di McCauley, MLA. Among other things, Mrs Mr LINGARD: I refer the Minister for McCauley said— Employment and Training to the limited ". . . I do think it's a pity that the hierarchy information that she has presented to the of the CWA waited so long to make their Parliament in relation to her plan to restore the concerns public. They knew about the workers' compensation scheme, and I ask: problem in February, but they didn't go does her proposal also include a plan to make public until after July! Could it have had employers pay the first five days of something to do with the July State compensation or income maintenance, which Election?" will be at great cost to jobs? Does it exclude access by workers to claims at common law in In my view, that is an outrageous slur on all relation to stress and access to psychological women who belong to the CWA in overlay for whole-of-person impairment Queensland. The CWA has been looking after claims? the interests of women and children in country Queensland for the best part of 70 years, and Mrs EDMOND: The package that we I have never heard anybody suggest that it have prepared is an outline only. We are would play politics. I think it is just dreadful that working on some of the finer details. However, anybody would imply that. If Mrs McCauley I can say that we are considering including in has any integrity, she will apologise to all those that proposal an option of a five-day excess women. for employers. It seems to me only fair that those employers whose workers are having In the same column, Mrs McCauley accidents should bear some of the increase in seemed to imply that we have not made a premiums rather than imposing the increase in decision in respect of exempting the CWA premiums across-the-board. What the from payroll tax. Another column was drawn to honourable member is suggesting is that we my attention in another august journal, the should increase premiums equally for every Cooktown Local News, which said, "CWA employer, even those who are working hard under threat". on workplace health and safety issues to Mr Beattie: I don't get that. reduce the number of accidents. This optional excess would be similar to the excess that is Mr De LACY: No. It is not even in the applied to every car insurance policy and other library. The article states— insurance policy. Employers have to assess whether it is worth their while to make "As from July 1995 the Queensland Labor Government"— improvements in health and safety in the workplace for their workers and cut down on and it seems as though members opposite the incidence of injuries—— have got a thing about Labor Governments— Mrs McCauley interjected. 19 October 1995 480 Legislative Assembly

Mrs EDMOND: As I am sure Mrs At that stage there was some falling off in the McCauley would realise, this benefits the negotiations. employers, and it also helps to eliminate the I go to great pains to point out that the minor injuries that occur in the workplace. I accusation made yesterday by one particular think that is a positive step. It puts the onus on gentleman, namely, that no notice was given, the employers to make the right moves. is incorrect. Those people have known for the last two years that ultimately Pumicestone Passage would be closed to commercial Pumicestone Passage fishing interests. They then acquired the Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: I refer the services of Coopers and Lybrand to prepare a Minister for Primary Industries to media reports log of claims to be presented to the about the decision to close Pumicestone Government in terms of what they believed Passage to commercial fishing, and I ask: can would be a fair and equitable compensation the Minister inform the House of the facts payment. about the extent of prior consultation with I am advised that the claim that was commercial fishermen? What special presented to the Government at that stage arrangements is the Government considering was grossly inflated, considering the income to provide ex gratia payments to those source that was available to those people from fishermen? net fishing of the Pumicestone Passage. For Mr GIBBS: I thank the member for the example, from 1991 to 1994 their total question, because I know that he has been average yearly return was in the vicinity of involved in this issue for quite some time. $280,000. Half of that—an amount of $140,000 each year—resulted from what was Mr Littleproud interjected. pulled directly from Pumicestone Passage Mr GIBBS: No, he did not do that at all. itself, primarily in the form of mullet catches in The member identified a number of nets. On average, $140,000 per year amongst relevant issues that need to be made very those professional fishermen amounts to clear, particularly for the Leader of the Liberal $14,000 a year for each of them. Of course, Party who, in her customary manner, jumped there is a variable in that depending on the in boots and all without even understanding time that they spent fishing and the areas that the basics of what occurred yesterday. The they netted. Some would earn more than Leader of the Liberal Party should be asked $14,000; some would earn considerably less. publicly whether or not she supports the But it must be remembered that those people closure of the Pumicestone Passage to have multi-endorsement licences which allow commercial fishermen. I believe that she them to net mullet virtually anywhere in the would be very surprised by the support for its bay, and those multi-endorsement licences will closure, not only from the conservation continue to apply. movement, but more importantly—— For the benefit of members on the other side of the House, I point out that mullet do Mrs SHELDON: I rise to a point of not swim into the Pumicestone Passage only; order. Am I allowed to answer the question? a lot of them prefer to be in the sea. Mr SPEAKER: Order! Of course not. Consequently, using the very same Mr GIBBS: The member would be equipment, those fishermen will be able to go surprised, because a large group of her from one side of the island—I will say this constituency, that is, recreational fishermen slowly so that the members opposite can and women, are in favour of what has taken absorb it—to the other and drop their nets. place. So that the honourable member is They will still be able to catch plenty of mullet. aware of the processes that have occurred In order that those people are treated in a fair thus far, I shall outline the facts. This has been and equitable manner, Cabinet decided that a an ongoing process for some two years. process of ex gratia payments would be During six months of that process there was negotiated for them, and I encourage them to some very close consultation with the take advantage of that offer as quickly as Queensland Commercial Fishermen's possible. I am keen to see those people Organisation and the 11 people who were assisted in the best way possible by this professional fishermen in that area at that Government. I stress that it will be a time. About 18 months ago, those 11 negotiated process to ensure the best deal professional people decided to seek recourse possible for all of them. to legal advice and brought in a legal Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Minister is practitioner to handle the case on their behalf. debating the issue. Legislative Assembly 481 19 October 1995

Mr GIBBS: I am making a point about a university exercise, just too far from the railway number of misinformed statements made station as the Logan Motorway is a major yesterday by the Leader of the Liberal Party. barrier, and has no adjacent facilities. I ask: Misinformation has been peddled in relation to why has the Government ignored the the purchase of certain areas of land relevant preferred site and selected the unsuitable to this entire package; yesterday they were Meadowbrook site in contradiction to this key described by the Leader of the Liberal Party Government report? as "small blocks of land scattered all over the Mr HAMILL: I thought I adequately place." For the honourable member's dealt with this matter and the honourable knowledge, I point out that the key areas to be member for Merrimac yesterday. As he has purchased or reserved for public use include: popped his head up again, I may as well have 1,826 hectares of freehold land on Bribie another go. In the selection process for a new Island, which is currently under pine plantation; campus for Griffith University, a number of 253 hectares of freehold land on the north submissions were received. In fact, about 41 bank of Glass Mountain Creek and separate submissions were received. For the Pumicestone Passage and located information of the member for Merrimac, I approximately three kilometres west of point out that they did not all point to the Donnybrook; 113 hectares of freehold same site. In fact, some 20 sites were land—— considered in the process. Even the member Mr Burns interjected. for Merrimac could probably conclude that, if Mr GIBBS: Yesterday, I made the point 20 sites were under consideration, there may that I was absolutely thrilled with the way that have been some differences of opinion across the Minister has taken to the Tourism portfolio. various agencies and people who put forward He has just returned the compliment, and I am suggestions. very honoured by that. Mr Elder: That's asking too much. As I was saying, 113 hectares of land on Mr HAMILL: I probably am asking too the south bank of Glass Mountain Creek—— much to expect the member for Merrimac to Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Minister is comprehend that point. debating the issue. He will conclude his After that process, a working party answer. He has spent six minutes on it. comprising not only a representative from the Mr GIBBS: I will conclude with three Department of Housing, Local Government more points. The package also includes: 300 and Planning but also representatives from a hectares of freehold land south of Golden number of other departments and, Beach at the mouth of Halls Creek as it flows interestingly enough, including representatives into Pumicestone Passage; 226 hectares of of Griffith University—obviously, they have a vacant Crown land behind Golden Beach at point to make in respect of where their new Caloundra, which incorporates tea-tree campus will be located—concluded that the wetlands and is critical to the protection of Meadowbrook site was the best site to meet water quality in the Pelican Lakes the variety of criteria under consideration. I list development; and, finally, another small parcel those criteria again for the member for of 1,090 hectares of wildflower heathland or Merrimac, because I know that he does not wallum country immediately north of Woorim really believe in his heart that the people of on Bribie Island. They are the facts. Because Logan City should have access to a university of the shortage of time, I would be happy to campus in their locality. enlighten the member further if she would like Mr Livingstone: The same as Ipswich. to have a private discussion with me. Mr HAMILL: The very same attitude has been expressed by members of the Griffith University, Meadowbrook Site Opposition in relation to the University of Mr QUINN: I refer the Minister for Queensland campus at Ipswich. Indeed, that Education to the report by the Department of attitude has been displayed by them time and Housing, Local Government and Planning to time again when opposing the Government's the Griffith University Site Selection Working commitment to widening people's access to Party, which I now table. That report indicates higher education. that the Meadowbrook site selected by the For the benefit of the member for Government for the new campus cannot be Merrimac, let it be recorded that the site supported because it is strongly at odds with chosen at Meadowbrook is some 56 the regional planning framework, relatively hectares—larger than the site which, judging isolated, at odds with the social intent of the from his question, the member would appear 19 October 1995 482 Legislative Assembly to favour. The Meadowbrook site would not I am told—and the Opposition should involve the resumption of surrounding houses, listen to this—that a number of people who and I presume the member for Merrimac want to try to find out the facts for themselves would be quite happy about that. The site is in are being intimidated against taking part in close proximity—1.8 kilometres—to the any consultation. Some of the Powerlink team Loganlea Railway Station and, I would have who have been involved in this project tell me thought, is considerably better than a number that they are aware of at least one confirmed of the sites that were supported by the Liberal case, and others through hearsay, of and National Party Governments for university land-holders pulling out of the consultation campuses in the past. It is conveniently process because of stress and harassment by located on the east-west transport access in phone calls and threats night and day by Logan City. Furthermore, it is close to the some of the people involved in the protest Logan TAFE campus, which provides groups. The people concerned have to live in significant benefits for community amenity. It is this area and are loath to come forward about also close to the Logan Hospital. It is the it. This intimidation has come from the very choice of the Logan City Council, Griffith people who are saying hypocritically that University and the Queensland Government, no-one has been consulted. Obviously, by and the people of Logan will benefit. these standover tactics, they have no intention at all of letting anybody be involved in consultation. Eastlink Recently, I discovered that one lady, who Mr PURCELL: I direct my question to is a prominent member of the protest group, the Minister for Minerals and Energy. There even told one of the Powerlink employees that has been some debate recently about the she would kill him—presumably for merely proposed Eastlink transmission line. A Senate trying to do his job. The officer involved does inquiry has been told that there has been very not want to make a big issue of this, but could little consultation. I ask: can the Minister tell us members imagine the outcry if those roles about the consultation process his department were reversed? has undertaken? Mr Johnson interjected. Mr McGRADY: I am aware of some of Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for the concerns among people who could be Gregory! affected by this transmission line. I point out that that concern is being caused quite Mr McGRADY: I will repeat it again: we deliberately by some—and I emphasise the have a situation in this State in which a word "some"—people in the protest groups. prominent protester has threatened to kill a This transmission line is no different from public servant. If members opposite condone many others of the same class that have been that action, shame on them. They ought to be in place in the State for the past 20 years. ashamed of themselves. There has been no outcry over the other I take such intimidation and threats transmission lines and, in fact, there is nothing extremely seriously, and I intend to take to justify that type of outcry. further action. I inform this House that, as far as this Government is concerned, there has The difference with this line is that we been plenty of consultation. Consultation is still have some people from some of the groups taking place and will continue to do so. who are deliberately and consciously trying to frighten people, to make sure that they have some concerns about transmission lines. Griffith University Site Selection Extensive consultation about this proposal has Mr BEANLAND: I refer the Minister for taken place and any fair-minded person would Education to a report from the Department of have to acknowledge this fact. Thousands of Housing, Local Government and Planning to people right around the affected area have the Griffith University Site Selection Working participated in this consultation process. This Party, which states— process is continuing with the people in the area who are going to be directly affected by "In a similar situation regarding the this proposal. At this stage of the consultation, location of a university site in the Western we are discussing the concerns of those Corridor, the Government decided support people such as land use, compensation and for the Regional Framework was of such where the transmission line should go, and we significance that the decision was made are ensuring that it has the least possible to locate the new university in the key impact. regional centre of Ipswich." Legislative Assembly 483 19 October 1995

I ask: why has the Government accepted its hectare site that we have earmarked for the own regional planning advice on the Ipswich University of Queensland. This site is like site and rejected it in the case of the new Meadowbrook in that it does not require any Griffith University campus? Are future resumptions of any surrounding housing. It is decisions on university sites going to be made also a site that is in close proximity—as is on a similar ad hoc basis? How can there be Meadowbrook—to the railway station, in close any confidence in the site selection process proximity to a TAFE college and in close when key Government reports are ignored? proximity to a hospital. Mr Johnson interjected. I suggest that the Government has been Mr HAMILL: Mr Speaker, I am happy to absolutely consistent in selecting sites for new deal with both inquiries if I may. university campuses that will provide the maximum amenity to the community and the Mr SPEAKER: No, just answer the maximum access to the community. question. Mr De Lacy: Do you think that Mr Mr HAMILL: I will answer the question. Beanland is saying that every time a With respect to the question that was posed departmental official makes a by the member for Indooroopilly regarding the recommendation, we're honour bound to views expressed by officers of the Department accept it—we've got no alternative? of Housing, Local Government and Planning, I think I have addressed that matter adequately Mr HAMILL: In response to the in answer to the earlier question asked of me Treasurer, that may be how Mr Beanland by the member for Merrimac. However, let me perceives the process of government, but in reiterate one point, that is, that the site that each of these cases, the Government was favoured by officers of that department received a number of submissions containing would have meant—— a variety of views. As a responsible Government, it weighs up what is in the Mr Mackenroth: That was their view, community interest and makes the right not mine. decision. Mr HAMILL: I take that interjection from the Minister. That site favoured by those officers would have meant a restricted site that Pumicestone Passage would not have allowed Griffith University to Mr PERRETT: I refer the Minister for expand in Logan without resuming adjoining Primary Industries to his announcement housing. yesterday that commercial fishing would be We could have fallen into the same trap banned in Pumicestone Passage from that the coalition laid for the site of the Griffith tomorrow, and I ask: when did he University on the Gold Coast, which I outlined officially—and I repeat, officially—advise the yesterday. Over a period, they gnawed away fishermen who will lose their livelihoods of his at the university site made available on the decision? Simple question; simple answer. Gold Coast such that now the Gold Coast Mr GIBBS: My instruction was that the campus of the Griffith University claims—as people who were to be directly affected by this was claimed by the member for Southport decision were to be officially advised on the yesterday—that the site is restrictive. The day that I was to make the announcement, Government chose not to go down that path and that would have been yesterday. but instead chose a site that had all the attributes that I outlined previously in my answer to the question asked by the member Administrative Services Department for Merrimac. That site would allow for Griffith Projects, Remote and Regional Areas University to grow in order to service the Mr DOLLIN: I ask the Minister for Logan/Redlands/Beaudesert area. Administrative Services to outline the projects With respect to the site that the undertaken by the Administrative Services Government has chosen to support the Department designed to service Queensland expansion of the University of Queensland in in remote and regional areas of the State. Ipswich, the honourable member for Mr MILLINER: I thank the honourable Indooroopilly would be very interested to know member for that question, and I also that that site has a number of similarities to acknowledge his very keen interest in the Meadowbrook site. Meadowbrook is 56 promoting the delivery of services within hectares in size; the Ipswich site is 57 hectares provincial and country Queensland. The in size. The Ipswich City Council has donated member has a very proud record of a further 10-hectare site to add to the 57- approaching me on a regular basis requesting 19 October 1995 484 Legislative Assembly that services be provided in the Maryborough Reef. Also, the early sugar industry has area. contributed to the cultural legacies of the The Administrative Services Department Kanakas, the Maltese and the Italian has done a number of things to provide communities, closely followed by the coming services to provincial and rural Queensland. I of our Irish, German and, of course, Chinese will give a couple of examples: recently, immigrants. Project Services, which is part of the At this stage, I would like to take the Administrative Services Department, and opportunity to thank a number of people who which is responsible for providing technical assisted me in the recent campaign. From the advice on building matters such as Premier and Mike Kaiser to my local architectural, engineering and quantity organisation, I would like to thank each and surveying matters, has now been located in every one of those people. I would also like to regional parts of Queensland, so when that thank every member of the Whitsunday the department is engaging in projects in community who has put trust in me for the those parts of Queensland, that expertise is next three years. on the ground and can make decisions that affect the local community in consultation with This last election was a particularly the local community. That is a very important interesting one. Although it was a very busy initiative by Administrative Services. time, it was interesting in terms of the people who stood for election. In 1989 when I stood, On a wider scale, the department has a member of one of the opposing parties told done a couple of other things to provide me that a woman would never win the seat of services to remote Queensland. Recently, Whitsunday because of the agricultural Optus changed the transponder on its satellite industries there. The 1995 election was which meant that people in remote parts of exciting in that nominations were lodged by Queensland would not have been able to four women and one man, who stood for the receive television signals. As a result, this Democrats. The other exciting part about the Government was instrumental in providing election—and what made it a far nicer election those people in remote parts of Queensland for me—was that three of those women were with the ability to continue to receive television indeed friends, and I may cop some flak from services. I am very pleased that the some of my own party members for what I am department was responsible for providing a about to say. system whereby some 2,600 domestic satellite decoders could be upgraded. That was carried Debbie Perske, the National Party out at a total cost of $260,000. candidate, is a local business woman. Anni Philp, who stood for the Green Party, is also Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time for well-known locally for her work with homeless questions has expired. and sexually abused students. The three of us are indeed friends, as Anni and Debbie were ADDRESS IN REPLY both constituents of mine. Therefore, it was with a great deal of pleasure that the three of Fourth Allotted Day us were able to find some common ground Debate resumed from 17 October (see during the campaign. I hope that after things p. 432). settle down a little, Debbie, Anni and I can get Mrs BIRD (Whitsunday) (11 a.m.): together and talk about things that are of Today, I take great pleasure in speaking to the mutual interest. motion moved for the adoption of the Address Debbie Perske, of course, is closely in Reply. In doing so, I would like to draw the involved in the sugar industry, as the business attention of members to the electorate of she owns and works in supplies the sugar Whitsunday, which is as diverse in geography industry. Women in the sugar industry, as and demographics as it is in industry. The most people would be aware, do more than electorate encompasses coalmining at 50 per cent of the work. They work in the fields Collinsville, horticultural, fishing and beef cattle and they run the family. It is the women who industries in Bowen, the sugar industries of are the sounding board for all conflicts and Proserpine, North Mackay and the northern depressions within all families and they act as beaches, and the tourist industry of the a taxi service for their children, as do women in Whitsunday coast and, of course, the 74 many rural towns. They live with the constant islands of the Whitsundays. Mine is a fear of unemployment and conflict, particularly particularly beautiful electorate. It is as in mining communities they are dealing with surrounded by national parks and, of course, the potential for disasters. I have the greatest has wonderful accessibility to the Great Barrier respect for these women and I think that most Legislative Assembly 485 19 October 1995 people would understand that their lives are girls' network, we must set an example and set not easy and are sometimes very lonely. The standards now. women's canegrowers network was I want to spend some time talking about established during the drought to bring women the electorate of Whitsunday. Many people together to see what they could do to support would be aware that for some time Collinsville one another. That group has now gone on to has been deteriorating since the previous bigger and better things and from it has come Government closed the power station. Since a lot of well-educated, well-informed and, that time, we have seen continuing losses of indeed, very confident women of whom I am jobs in the mines. Obviously, morale within the very proud. community is fairly low. This Government has Earlier in this debate the member for always committed itself to the reopening of Mount Gravatt, Judy Spence, raised in this that power station and we are now well on the place a problem that she was experiencing in way to seeing it opened. However, Collinsville terms of harassment and intimidation by some will need more than the opening of the power men. I also abhor that sort of behaviour. station, it will need the development of other Clearly, since that time the situation has industries. Indeed, it was on this basis that I deteriorated, assisted, of course, by the went to the former Minister, Jim Elder, to ask support of some women in this place. Those him to hold a Futures Workshop in the region. female members are saying that the The Futures Workshop was to investigate comments are an overreaction, that the possibilities to arrest the decline. It was also problem does not exist, and that in many intended to get people's feelings on what cases they would welcome and invite such could happen in the region. The workshop was comments. I remind those members that a tremendous success. It produced many sexism and harassment, like domestic different options for the residents of violence, is fairly selective. Because it does not Collinsville, and also encouraged other people happen to some does not mean that it is not to take up residence in Collinsville. occurring. It is not wise to turn a blind eye It was obvious from the energy and ideas simply because one cannot see it. generated at the Futures Workshop that the This behaviour is indeed an indication of residents have a genuine love of the region deeper and far more serious problems. By and are concerned about the community. accepting and encouraging these leers, They were searching for a trigger for survival sniggers and innuendoes, members are and growth. As a result of those meetings, a sending out very mixed messages as to how whole range of committees was formed, which we as women want to be treated. On the one will be formally used as banners to promote hand we are saying that discrimination in the industry in the region. Committees were set up form of molestation and physical and sexual to promote aquaculture, agriculture, attacks is totally unacceptable but, on the tourism—and fossicking tourism in particular— other hand, that a little bit is okay—that is, in and community development. Of particular the form of the sniggers, sneering and interest is fossicking tourism. The region has a innuendo that go on in this place. It is not number of fossicking areas that attract tourists. acceptable, but, as we have heard in this The region needs to link up with the other place, it is sometimes invited. fossicking areas in Queensland in order to Is it any wonder, then, that men—even offer a comprehensive fossicking tour of male judges—become confused? We need to Queensland for those who enjoy fossicking. make it clear: when we are offended we must As to the coal industry—with the re- say, "Do not do it." We must make males get opening of the power station and new mines, the message that when we say "no", we do there seems to be potential for growth in this not mean "maybe" or "sometimes" or even "a industry. However, the region is not depending little bit", not even in this place. Some male totally on coalmining for the growth of members also need to reflect on their Collinsville. I ask members to keep an eye on inadequate reactions to change and consider Collinsville to see what happens in respect of what they are doing to at least attempt to its growth; I suspect that we will see a lot of adjust their thinking to accepting female growth. Already tomato growers from Bowen, members as equals. The future generation of who were experiencing some salt intrusion in young women deserves better. They do not the soil in that area, have moved to the want to be constantly seen as victims, but Collinsville region, and the product they are there is no way they would accept the sort of growing there is a far superior and disease- behaviour that some women in this place have free product. As long as we can get water to to accept. If we are to be mentors to these the region, that industry will expand young women, if we are to be a part of the old enormously. Also, there has been some 19 October 1995 486 Legislative Assembly interest in citrus growing—an industry which those national parks. This is an attraction of seems to have great potential in the the area to international visitors in particular. Collinsville region. Interestingly, most of the visitors to our region Of course, the significant industry in that arrive not by plane but by car. About 85 per area is coal production. The forecast is for a cent arrive by car. The roads in and out of the 20 per cent increase in Australia's coal region are of great importance, as is exports, and the region wants to be a part of accommodation. Tourist industry input in this that growth. Tremendous opportunities for State has to be acknowledged. Interestingly, expansion exist in that industry. The prime interstate visitors are spending short-break reason behind the Government's decision to holidays of between one and three nights' lift its program of new mines for the Bowen duration. However, it is also relevant and Basin is world demand. Abundant fossil fuel important to note that holidays of four to wealth is lying just below the surface in the seven nights' duration have grown at a trend region. Coal production is destined to lift of 4 per cent per year. With a doubling of Australian export earnings and maintain the direct flights into Australia—an increase of country's standard of living. 14.5 per cent—Whitsunday has played a significant role in this growth. Queensland In spite of this outlook, Collinsville has generated over $360m in 1993-94 from continued to wind down. Job losses and the conferences and conventions. The sum of closing of a second mine next year make $115m was expended on accommodation, things difficult. There is an element of urgency dining and shopping. That is the direction in in relation to starting up other industries in the which we are hoping to head in the region. There is more to coalmining than just Whitsundays. Not only are we going to digging up coal—especially for miners. The depend on our national parks and beautiful issue is about more than just wages. Safety is natural environment but also we intend to host also of paramount concern, especially in the conventions. alien environment found just below the surface. Potential tragedy is ever present. Air, It is probably timely to raise the subject of lighting, fuel and other life-support facilities are our inbound tourism market, as trends confirm essential. Without these, a climate for disaster the increase in Asian visitors to Queensland. can develop quickly. Coupled with these Japan was responsible for about 37 per cent necessities is the knowledge that help and the of the international market to Queensland in surface are indeed a long way away. That is the 12-month period ending May 1995, with why the Mines Rescue Brigade is held in such the Hong Kong, Malaysia and Taiwan markets respect by miners, their families and the also growing at greater than the national operators of mines. These are the people average. The highest growth rate in who, when everyone is headed out of a mine international visitors came from South Korea, to safety, are on their way in to help and offer and that is where we are directing our efforts. every assistance they can. They risk their Those visitor numbers grew by 87 per cent. safety to assist fellow workers trapped by gas This is obviously a market that Whitsunday explosions, fire—even flood—and any other must tap into, and all local operators are disaster that may occur. They learn first aid, directing their efforts to accommodating the rescue techniques and firefighting methods. needs of all Asian visitors to ensure that they However, most importantly, they learn about return to their own countries with the teamwork and the absolute necessity of being impression of having had a happy holiday in able to rely on fellow team members. Mines the Whitsundays. Rescue Brigade officers do not have a nice The Whitsundays did very well in the job, and regular practice and training are a latest State tourism awards. They took out constant reminder that their job is shadowed nearly a quarter of all the available categories. constantly by danger. It is comforting to know Whitsunday tourism operators and the that the mines rescue workers are ready to Whitsunday Visitors and Convention Bureau offer top-class professional help if needed. picked up seven awards out of the 29 It would be remiss of me not to mention categories. No other individual area in the tourist industry. Whitsunday has far and Queensland has ever won so many awards. away the greatest potential for tourism growth The Whitsunday Visitors and Convention in this State. It has 74 islands that are Bureau outstripped the achievements of every gazetted as national parks, and the region is other regional authority by taking out the surrounded to the north, south, east and west tourism association awards. In other by national parks, including the largest categories, a hands-on approach to teaching national parks in Queensland. Rare and and learning helped sway the judges at the endangered species have been found in Queensland tourism awards towards the Legislative Assembly 487 19 October 1995

Whitsunday College of the Great Barrier Reef The sugar industry is the backbone of the Institute of TAFE. The institution is only three region. In 1987 in Proserpine, about 943,000 years old, but the college did extra well. The tonnes of sugar were harvested. The average college director, Jean McCubben, said that c.c.s. at that time was 13.3. In 1994, that staff always stayed abreast of industry training figure was exceeded and 1.5 million tonnes trends and the needs of workers in the tourist were harvested. At that stage, we had a c.c.s. industry. Some of the students at the college of 15.1. This year, the harvest is expected to actually spend time on the islands for work yield 2 million tonnes, although some rain has experience as part of their training program. recently fallen which may have an impact on Those students have flown ahead with respect that figure. To date, approximately 1.8 million to skills and quality of performance. Some of tonnes have been harvested. The sugar them are now going to Japan. We are very industry has a multiplier effect, bringing about proud of our achievements with Whitsunday $400m to the region. The industry is indeed TAFE, but we are also proud of the the backbone of the region. Given the achievements of the islands in respect of the ongoing expansion in the industry and the awards that they received. current sugar prices, the harvest may be even For the third year in a row, Hayman Island larger next year. However, most people are was selected as Queensland's best resort. The confident that the current price will not be five-star Great Barrier Reef resort island also maintained next year. received the national best resort award as far Sugar producers in the Whitsunday region back as 1993. The resort, which is owned by are now starting to engage in value-adding Ansett Australia, was reopened in 1987 after activities. The establishment of the refinery in undergoing a mammoth 20-month Mackay is one particular example. Another development and facelift that set Ansett back example is offering tours of the mills and the about $300m. Many people would recall farms. Agritourism is now starting to take off. It Fantasea Cruises. It has also won previous is saddening to visit some of the business awards and excels in many of the tours that it establishments in the capital cities and offers to the reef. For example, it always has a discover that souvenirs such as bags of sugar biologist on board, it always takes deep-sea and sugar sticks are being imported for sale in divers, and it offers an educational experience the local regions. We ought to be participating as well as an enjoyable day out. The tourism in the souvenir market at a greater level than awards went off very well for Whitsunday this is presently occurring. Comparatively speaking, year. that aspect of the industry probably reaps only Wherever there are tourists and people a small amount of money, but it gives the having an enjoyable time, there is always the sugar industry the publicity and profile that it need for a rescue service. The Whitsunday deserves. Volunteer Marine Rescue, which was formed The Canegrowers organisation, recently, this week signed contracts for the particularly the Proserpine branch, has major construction of a new 10-metre, purpose-built input into decisions of national importance. It rescue boat for the area. The construction of has input into a range of bodies including the the new boat, to be built by Cougar Cat on the National Farmers Federation, the Queensland Gold Coast, is to start immediately. It has Farmers Federation, the National Fires Board, been in the planning stage for several years. the Great Barrier Reef Consultative The new boat will eventually be equipped to Committee, the Australian Irrigation Council handle medical evacuations and protracted and the Workers Compensation Board—a search and rescue and will be capable of major topic of discussion among canegrowers assisting police, ambulance and the State at present. Our chairman, Kelso Greenwood, Emergency Service as required. The purchase is a member of the State council of of the new boat, costing in excess of Canegrowers and is also deputy chairman of $165,000, has been made possible by a the Sugar Research and Development dollar-for-dollar subsidy from the State Corporation. That body was established under Government via the State Association of Federal Government legislation and is Air/Sea Rescue. A lot of work has also been responsible for developing an annual research done by the local organisation in attracting and development program for funding of donations, particularly from the islands and research projects of benefit to the sugar some of the mainland resorts, and running industry. In 1994, a $9.44m program of raffles. Tourism operators have also assisted research was approved. It is funded by a levy to make the project become a reality. I offer on production and a matching Government my thanks for the efforts of all of those people. grant. 19 October 1995 488 Legislative Assembly

Research into canegrowing and breeding experience to get a good-sized mackerel on varieties is conducted by the Bureau of Sugar deck. Bowen's mild climate favours fishermen Experiment Stations. Growers fund research and women, but at times the prevailing south- and development in the industry through the easters can keep the boat fishermen onshore Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations and the for days at time. Sugar Research and Development We are starting now to move into the live Corporation. Proserpine growers contributed fish export market. That activity is starting to approximately $337,000 to those be favoured by the fishermen because of its organisations last season, and they also ability to get live fish to the overseas market funded the Proserpine Cane Protection and fairly quickly. Under that activity, there is one Productivity Board. The Proserpine sugar mill boat—a mother ship—which holds the stock makes a similar contribution to those on board with water flowing through the boat, organisations. Canegrowers Proserpine's and smaller boats supply that larger boat with mission is to provide representation, live fish. The live fish are then transported in a leadership and services at a local level while large bin to the mainland, where they are also promoting unity in the interests of its sterilised and then shipped to Townsville or members. Cairns for export. The wealth of the Bowen region comes Bowen has many creeks which are good from the land and the sea. The region has for hand fishing. We have had some become known as north Queensland's salad experience with some rogues who tried to net bowl because of its flourishing horticultural and the creeks, but the Department of Primary small-crops industries. Many people associate Industries has now moved in and has quickly the name of Bowen with delicious tomatoes isolated those people from the genuine and the Bowen mango. Bowen also supports fishermen. It is not surprising to catch some the north Queensland beef industry with its mackerel a few kilometres out just off the Borthwicks processing plant at Merinda. During mouth of the river. Barramundi are also this year's export season, that meatworks available there in ample supplies. The prized hopes to process about 800 head a day. barramundi mostly bite at the end of the There are about 50,000 Bowen mango trees storms, and there have not been too many of in the region. those lately, so they are now in fairly short Mr Schwarten: I hope you bring a box supply. Other species such as mangrove jack, down next time. trevally, bream, grunter and flathead are also to be found, but everyone wants to catch Mrs BIRD: It is just about mango season! barramundi. We are now looking to aquaculture within We hope to soon see the development of the Bowen region. Recently a firm named value-adding ventures in the mango industry. Coorama decided to expand into exporting The capsicum-growing industry, from which the prawns. The company plans to establish one Bowen region does very well, has already of the largest prawn aquaculture operations in developed such measures. Through Queensland and associate it with the tourist computerisation by a small number of industry through restaurants and educational processors, the capsicum industry is now able services. to select the best of the capsicums and slice, dice and then quick-freeze them for export. Bowen also has a salt works, and that is Those diced capsicums are then exported to unique in Queensland. Japan, which many people may find Time expired. surprising. Our quantity of exports of diced Mr LINGARD (Beaudesert—Deputy capsicum to Japan supplies only 1 per cent of Leader of the Opposition) (11.30 a.m.): I am its pizza market. The Japanese are great pizza delighted to join the debate on the motion for eaters. We look forward to expanding that the adoption of the Address in Reply to the industry. Bowen does not supply the full Governor's Speech and I assure Her domestic market, but we look forward to being Excellency of the support of the residents of both able to export and to supply the domestic the electorate of Beaudesert. The matter capsicum market. which I wish to bring to the attention of all Bowen is also a mecca for fishermen. It is members of this Parliament is one which I becoming well known for sport fishing. If any believe has very serious implications for all member has ever fished for mackerel, they will members of Parliament. A lady has written to understand that it is probably one of the the Premier of Queensland, Mr Goss, greatest sport fishing challenges. Mackerel criticising what is occurring on the Camira give quite a battle, and it is quite an bypass. Mr Deputy Speaker, you know that Legislative Assembly 489 19 October 1995 both you and I attended to listen to a members of Parliament do in the future when deputation from this group of people. In writing a letter is received which contains what might to the Premier, this lady has criticised the be considered a personal reference? What Government, obviously; she has criticised the happens to the motion moved yesterday by Department of Transport; and she has the Leader of the House and agreed to by the criticised a person who is doing the House? I am talking about the protection of resumptions for the Department of Transport. persons, which was the subject of yesterday's That type of letter is similar to many which all resolution. The second last paragraph of that of us receive as members of Parliament. resolution states— However, in this case, the Premier distributed "A document presented to the the letter to the Department of Transport, and Legislative Assembly . . . shall not contain a person from the Department of Transport anything offensive in character; has taken defamation action. Yesterday, this lady was served with a summons for $10,000. and shall not contain any matter the In summary, this is a letter to the Premier publication of which would have the criticising what the Government is doing at the effect of: Camira bypass, criticising the Department of (i) unreasonably adversely affecting or Transport—— injuring a person." Mr FOLEY: I rise to a point of order. I Let us look at the actual words that were used. ask, Mr Deputy Speaker, that you consider Let us look at what might happen if a member whether the honourable member is going into of this Parliament said that a person in the the area of sub judice. The honourable community is a bully or uses bullying tactics. I member has referred to a matter currently use the word "bully" specifically because that before the court. I ask the Chair to consider is what this defamation action is about. Let us whether the honourable member is say that a person tomorrow writes to the trespassing into an area of sub judice. Speaker and says, "I am not a bully; he is a bully." Let us say that the word used is "bully". Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr What happens with the letter to the Speaker Palaszczuk): Order! The honourable member before it becomes part of Hansard and part of for Beaudesert did say that the person in the record of this House? question has been served with a summons for defamation. In the mind of the Chair, that I want to outline the particular incident means that the matter is before the court. I will which has brought this subject to the allow the honourable member to give an Parliament today. As the Deputy Speaker explanation and then I will call on the Clerk. knows, there has been a great community reaction to the Camira bypass—— Mr LINGARD: There has certainly been no date set for any court action. This is a Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Could simply a summons for this person to decide I suggest that during this debate the whether she is going to pay the $10,000. honourable member for Beaudesert not refer to the Deputy Speaker but to the member for Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I will Inala. take the advice from the Clerk. There is no Mr LINGARD: The member for Inala point of order. The member may continue. was the person who attended the Camira Mr LINGARD: I have a concern for all bypass community protest. During that protest, members of Parliament now. What confidence I was approached by many people who were can people now have in writing to members of most concerned because they had bought Parliament? If we are to receive a letter from their properties after having visited the any member of the community which may Department of Transport and being told that contain statements which may be derogatory no bypass was envisaged there. That was a to a person, what do we do to that letter? Do fair comment from the Department of we refer it on to the Minister? In this case, the Transport, because the Government had letter has been put through the Department of made no firm decision or comment. So Transport by the Premier, resulting in this unfortunately some people had bought defamation action. properties that are affected by the Camira What happens when a Minister or a bypass. This lady and her family were one of Premier distributes this sort of letter? What the families affected, so she wrote a letter to happens with the mediation which a Minister Mr Goss and sent copies to Mrs Sheldon and or anyone can carry out when a person has a Mr Borbidge. Members should not forget that concern? Quite clearly, from here on where is this letter is going to perhaps cost her $10,000 the confidentiality? If in the next 20 days this in 20 days. The letter commences this person has to pay $10,000, what do we as way—— 19 October 1995 490 Legislative Assembly

"Dear Mr Goss She continues— I am bringing to your attention the "I am begging you to payout the still existing situation of families torn apart money to these property owners, without by your resumption of acreaged argument, on the proposed by pass road. properties for Forrest Lake and Springfield These people should not have to go to Developers on the Camira Bypass. court or expect part payments to satisfy Do you really know the truth of what Government greed, all for the sake of non goes on and what happens to these Australian developers." people?" She was referring clearly to the Springfield There are no problems at this stage. The letter developers. She stated— continues— "I am urging you please to do the "Your representative"— right thing." who I will call Mr X— I would have thought that that was a fair letter to the Premier of Queensland about the "who bullies and uses standover tactics Camira bypass, but it is a letter that has to humiliate and degrade the owners in caused her to now be involved in a $10,000 his way." defamation action. That is the comment which could cost this lady Solicitors Quinlan, Miller and Treston $10,000 because the Premier has distributed wrote to that lady. Their letter stated— this letter to the Department of Transport. She "We have received instructions to act continues— on behalf of"— "Many of these people were self Mr X— employed. Not one property owner wanted to move from the area. I hope "in relation to the above letter which you you understand that." forwarded to Mr Wayne Goss . . . on 10 August 95. That is fair comment, but, again, a comment which forms part of the defamation action. Your letter contains a number of She continues— comments which can be considered to be highly defamatory of our client. Your "It would be impossible for your accusations that our client bullies property spokes person to know the proper worth owners and uses stand-over tactics to of all houses and the value of business humiliate and degrade them have the conducted on properties." potential to affect our client's reputation in That is the second comment that forms part of his profession and his standing in the the defamation action. The lady continues— community. By publishing such material to "Another family is now a divided the Premier"— family, with terrible stress caused by your a simple letter to the Premier— Government for well over a year now. You ". . . you have in fact caused that material yourself said 'no person should be to be distributed within the Department of disadvantaged'. What a load of hogwash! Queensland Transport . . . " You want people to vote for you. Goodness me! These people signed up How the heavens are we ever going to carry for another property expecting you to do out our job as members of Parliament if that the right thing in paying them their rightful comment is taken to the extreme? How can I worth. Now they pay $2000 per month to be assured that any letter of mine to the the Commonwealth Bank and have a Premier which might contain the word "bully" whole . . ." will not result in that sort of action? I will read that portion of the letter again. It stated— I will not go any further because the member for Inala will clearly know whom I am talking "By publishing such material to the about. She continues— Premier . . . you have in fact caused that material to be distributed within the "These people have not asked for a Department of Queensland Transport and million dollars only what they should ultimately published to a number of our rightfully get." client's colleagues and superiors. Those words form the third part of the . . . defamation action. She continues— In view of the serious nature of this "Mr X disputes lots of things he matter, our client requires you to effect an knows very little about." appropriate retraction immediately. Your Legislative Assembly 491 19 October 1995

retraction should outline that comments also requires you to retract other which you have made in relation to our comments contained in your letter which client cannot be reasonably can be considered defamatory. substantiated . . ." . . . I will read that portion again. The solicitors' In an effort to resolve this matter as letter stated— soon as possible, the following steps "Your retraction should outline that should be undertaken:- comments which you have made in (a) You should provide our client with a relation to our client cannot be reasonably full and proper retraction of the entire substantiated and you should apologise letter you forwarded to Mr Goss . . ." forthwith." The next communication the lady received, That is fair enough. Maybe at that stage they which was received two days ago, was a were giving that lady a chance. The lady wrote summons for $10,600. That summons back to the legal firm and stated— stated— "The statement contained in my "If you admit the claim you may pay letter to Mr Goss of 10th August last, the total amount to the Plaintiff, his 'Your representative . . . bullies and uses Solicitor, or to this Court. stand over tactics', cannot be reasonably substantiated and accordingly is If you dispute the Plaintiff's Claim or if withdrawn." you have a counter-claim you must file an Entry of Appearance and Defence and/or That is her apology. She stated that they any counter-claim with the Registrar. could not be reasonably substantiated and If no action is taken by you within were accordingly withdrawn. She did not seek twenty clear days from the date of legal opinion—an older lady would not expect summons, judgment may be given to—so she added the following comment— against you." "My statement was designed to The summons lists the costs involved, convey the fact that . . . is not a including the claim of $10,000, professional compassionate person." costs, service and travelling costs. So that lady I am not quite sure what her interpretation of is now up for $10,600. that comment was. She certainly advises me My plea to Premier is to intervene in this that she tried to say that she was not saying most ridiculous situation. It is a ridiculous that the man was a bully, but she was trying to situation because, as the solicitors said, the say that the man was not a compassionate Premier distributed the letter to the person. Her letter further stated— Department of Transport—as clearly all "Please ensure that the retraction in Ministers would distribute letters—and from the above terms is forwarded to Messrs that we have this defamation action. Goss, Sheldon & Mr Borbidge." Mr Santoro: If the Premier has That was her apology. Immediately she distributed the material and it is published, do received a letter from the solicitors, which you think that he is liable to action also? stated— Mr LINGARD: Regardless of the "We refer to your letter dated the 5th member for Clayfield's comment, there is of September 1995. Our client"— certainly a need for the Premier to intervene that is, Mr X from the Transport Department— and resolve this situation. Clearly, if the lady is responsible for $10,000 and it is paid, one can "has had an opportunity to peruse same imagine what might happen to us as members and has instructed us that he considers of Parliament in the future. the retraction contained in that letter to be entirely unsatisfactory for the following I turn now to the Aboriginal health reasons:- strategy. Alcohol and substance abuse is one of the most pressing issues confronting 1. Your purported retraction does not Aboriginal communities today. It is an issue properly retract the comments you made that has far-reaching consequences for in respect of our client which we illustrated Aboriginal people and one that should be to you, ie, 'Your representative . . . who central to the Government's health agenda. bullies and uses standover tactics to But is it? Apparently it is not in Queensland. humiliate and degrade the owners in his The Goss Government has failed completely way.' Not only does our client require you to address this issue in its new health strategy. to properly retract that comment but he The Government's Aboriginal and Torres Strait 19 October 1995 492 Legislative Assembly

Islander Health Policy Implementation Mr Baird questioned why the Government's Strategy is remarkable for its distinct lack of so-called consultation process only partially attention to the drug and alcohol issue. This included the Aboriginal and Islander State omission—along with the conduct of the Tripartite Forum, which is the peak advisory consultation process—has caused an absolute body on health issues to the Health Minister. furore within the Aboriginal community. Mr Baird quite astutely asked: what is the use Leading the charge against the Government is of such a body if its advice is not sought on the Aboriginal Coordinating Council—a peak such a matter? Similarly, the ACC is critical of body representing the 15 Aboriginal the fact that it was only given an eleventh-hour communities around the State. opportunity to comment on the health The ACC is so angry at the Goss strategy, and that the Government made no Government's failure to implement drug and attempt to consult with existing community programs, the Aboriginal and Islander Health alcohol programs that a group of Aboriginal Worker Education Program and the Torres health workers are taking their quest for Strait health sector. funding support overseas. The group's fundraising mission to the United States in Hackles have also been raised over November has been underwritten by the World funding for the training of existing health Health Organisation. What a damning workers, which the Government claims indictment on this Government! What an received minimal or no training despite the international embarrassment for Queensland! efforts of existing and successful ATSI training What a shameful response from this and support programs. The ACC also Government to the health needs of the questions the cost effectiveness, the impact Aboriginal community. Both the Premier and evaluation and the long-term future of the the Health Minister have been approached to Government's proposed pilot projects. From a rectify the matter and to implement grassroots project management point of view, it says that consultation over Aboriginal health programs. the projects are too many and too big and will The Government's response to this request be impossible to monitor effectively. has been less than accommodating. I will In his letter, Mr Baird asked the Premier— quote Lloyd Fourmile, Chairman of the Aboriginal Coordinating Council, who stated— "Could the proposed approximate $3.5m be spent and get a better return "Mr Les Baird of the ACC has made for each dollar? Or is the taxpayers' every effort to resolve this crisis by money going to be wasted reinventing the negotiating with the Queensland wheel to duplicate services? Is the Government, but his voice has fallen on Government building another big black deaf ears. He has come to the conclusion bureaucracy?" that the Government has no intention of The Government intends to develop, at going any further than simply paying lip taxpayers' expense of $250,000, a curriculum service to our health crisis. Just what does development pilot that will duplicate its current it take for the Government to live up to its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health election promises? Does the Government Worker Education Program, which the want us to seek offshore funding? Does Aboriginal community has claimed is the best the Government have such a cash crisis in the country. It is sheer bureaucratic lunacy, that more Aborigines must die for their and it is funding that could be spent on more mistakes?" important health issues such as alcoholism The Aboriginal community sees through and drug abuse projects. the Premier and this Government. It realises The heart of the ACC's concern is that the that there is a huge chasm between what it Government's plethora of programs will be a says it will do and what it does. The Aboriginal white elephant and that they will serve as a community has found out—to its cost—that publicity platform for the Goss Government when the Goss Government consults, it without achieving anything substantial. Clearly, consults when it likes, how it likes, and to its the Government should go back to the own agenda, and that as long as everybody drawing board. It should institute something else agrees with the predetermined approximating genuine consultation rather Government position everyone is a winner. than the Clayton's and subversive process that In a letter dated 13 September, the it is employing currently. aforementioned Mr Les Baird wrote to the For the new health strategies and service Premier. The letter was a stinging reprimand approaches to be effective, the consultation for the Goss Government's handling of and development stages must be inclusive Aboriginal health policy implementation. In it rather than superficial. The ACC as a Legislative Assembly 493 19 October 1995 representative body put forward a number of implementation strategy. The ACC says that commonsense recommendations in an the projects and the implementation strategy attempt to make the Government more needed to have a bottom-up plan taking into responsive to the health requirements of the account what Aboriginal and Islander people Aboriginal community. Broadly, those want, not what the Goss Government thinks recommendations included the establishment they want. The ACC again criticised the of an ATSI forum to discuss existing health Government's failure to respond to the original programs and to prioritise funding to existing questions put to it, particularly questions about services on a community-needs basis; how the proposed pilot projects would link into Aboriginal community control and participation existing projects. in health services development and provision; To conclude on this topic—having just focusing the health effort into eight key completed a brief visit to Aboriginal development areas rather than 24 over a two- communities in far-north Queensland, I can year period; revising the Government's understand their frustration with a Government implementation strategy by the State Tripartite that purports to have Aboriginal and Islander Forum Committee; and distributing the funding interests at heart. The Aboriginal and Islander to grassroots community health services. communities do not want to be the Premier's Mr Baird states in his letter— political pawns; they want a voice and they "Community input, participation and want to be heard. This Labor Government, to implementation is the only culturally its discredit, is not listening. appropriate initiative that will have an In the final few minutes, I would like to impact on re-addressing this situation. make some comments about the Public Trust Community-controlled initiatives without Office. Not many people realise that the last Government intervention and control is financial report of the Public Trustee showed the key. We have been frustrated at that there was a $40m cash credit in the implementing our beliefs and appropriate common fund. That fund, according to the last mechanisms for far too long because of financial report, was making at least $12m a the bureaucratic belief, 'We know best' year. Obviously, there is at least $50m sitting attitude." in the common fund of the Public Trustee. There is most definitely a concern among the Having thrown down the gauntlet, the people working with the Public Trustee that Goss Government failed to meet the this Government will grab that $50m, just as challenge. Instead of a Government that the Carr Government did on Tuesday when it listens, the Aboriginal community saw more of the Goss style of old: they were beaten over delivered its Budget and grabbed $39m not the head with the Government's policy. The from what it called the common fund, but from reply from the Premier's office rejected outright what it called the surplus fund. the need for further consultation and the No doubt, the Auditor-General's survey will Director-General of Health, Dick Persson, and the PSMC report did try to separate the offered to personally discuss issues with Mr common fund into money that belongs to Baird if he considered this to be important. In clients and money that belongs to the funds of turn, the ACC and Mr Baird, totally incensed at the office. There is no doubt whatsoever that the Government's offhand treatment of their this Government is trying to grab that money urgent concerns, wrote back to the Premier, from the Public Trustee. There is most and in that letter they stated— definitely a political agenda. There is also no doubt that there are concerns about the Public "Your reply is of even greater Trust Office. Certainly, there is concern about concern and it now appears that the the social services liabilities and there is most Aboriginal Coordinating Council's urgent definitely a concern about the rates of return concerns regarding the ATSI health policy to clients. However, we have to remember that implementation strategy are of little those matters are controlled by regulation. concern to you or your Government. It Anyone who has ever dealt with the Public appears we are given the run-around by Trustee knows how exasperating it can be your senior Health officials." when money is held for six months and The correspondence again slams the charges are made for that. However, we have consultation process by saying that to ask this Government, "Are you genuine Queensland Health consulted ATSI people up about maintaining a Public Trustee that to a certain point. It states that the provides protective management to the public bureaucratic doors closed on community of Queensland?" Is the Government consultation when a consultant was engaged concerned and prepared to maintain a Public to fully develop the 24 projects for the Trustee that will provide a service to all people 19 October 1995 494 Legislative Assembly in Queensland? The people of the Public Trust Prescott and Anna Henderson for the Office believe that the Government does not hundreds of hours which they dedicated to my want to provide those functions that do not campaign. I also thank Derek Hume, Barry give a viable return. How can the Public Aubrey, Peter Nicholls, Leo Giddens and Dan Trustee offer a viable service when it is dealing Morgan for their extraordinary help during an with older people who are worried about exciting and demanding campaign. To all the conveyancing and enduring powers of others who assisted with pamphlet drops, attorney? How can those people in the Public worked at railway stations and information Trust Office possibly be expected to make a booths and performed all the tedious financial return because of the number of campaign chores, let me say that I very much hours and the amount of work that they must value all the work that they did. I remember it spend in dealing with older people? all and I say a sincere "thankyou". Already, the Government has removed I look forward to the contribution of my 16- the conveyancing service from the Public month-old son, Andrew, to my future Trustee. Quite clearly, there is a problem with campaign efforts within my electorate. He did powers of attorney and enduring powers of not see a lot of his father during the first seven attorney and the amount of assets that must months of this year, but I guess that's politics. be taken from a person if that person grants May I congratulate you, Mr Deputy power of attorney to the Public Trustee. It is Speaker, and, in his absence, Mr Speaker, on also quite obvious that there are concerns your elections as Deputy Speaker and about the provisions of the Trade Practices Act Speaker. I ask for and am confident of your and the conflict that might be generated by fair and efficient presiding over proceedings the recommendations of the Hilmer report. within this place. Mr SANTORO (Clayfield) (11.58 a.m.) Over the past three years the Labor Party Firstly, I reaffirm my allegiance to Her Gracious has unleashed a torrent of half-baked and Majesty and urge the continuation of our retrograde proposals which my constituents present system of Government, especially the protested against. Tollways, police station supremacy of Parliament over the tyranny of a closures, the reduction in Government divided and morally bankrupt Labor Party, services, massive increases in Government which thinks it can dictate to the people of this charges, the ongoing crises in hospitals, fire House as it does to its own members and to and ambulance services, ill-conceived the public service. politically correct legislation and rapidly Secondly, I want to place on record my increasing crime rates are the hallmarks of the appreciation of the honour the voters of second Goss Labor Government. It should Clayfield have once again bestowed upon me have come as no surprise, then, that the by allowing me to represent them in this anger, frustration and impatience of the voters House for another term. I pledge to my exploded on election day. constituents my loyal representation of their On 15 July my share of the two-party interests in this Parliament and beyond. In preferred vote increased by over 10 per cent doing so, I undertake to seek to represent to reach 64.16 per cent. Labor's share of the them in a non-political and always constructive vote decreased from 45.92 per cent to only manner, wherever possible giving this 35.83 per cent. Having regard to the pathetic discredited Government the opportunity to performance of the Labor Party since 15 July, quietly abandon its dastardly plans and visions I predict that that will drop lower—much lower. before it inflicts pain, frustration and suffering on the lives of my constituents and those of An interesting trend in my electorate, and their loved ones. However, if the Goss that of many others, was the preference flow Government ever wants a fight as I seek to of minor parties, especially the Australian defend the rights and liberties of my Democrats. Over the past decade most constituents, it will get one. commentators have assumed that Democrat preferences favour Labor by a margin of two Thirdly, I also wish to thank my family and to one. In fact, it was a common argument in many friends, both within the Liberal Party and the week after the election that the people beyond, for their magnificent assistance and who deserted Labor really did not vote for the loyalty—qualities that ensured my re-election conservative parties. That well-known Labor to this place a few months ago. apologist at the University of Queensland, Dr Those who assisted me are too many to Paul Reynolds, released a study less than two name, but at the risk of causing offence by weeks after election day claiming that most omission I particularly wish to say a special persons deserting Labor directed their vote to thankyou to my wife Letitia, Peter Lang, Clive a fringe party rather than the coalition. I Legislative Assembly 495 19 October 1995 received 65.01 per cent of all Democrat pushed by the AWU. Who replaced Geoff? preferences in my electorate. In other words, None other than Ken Davies! two out of three Democrat voters who chose to It was interesting to read Malcolm distribute their preferences voted for the Mackerras' post-election analysis of Mr Davies' Liberal Party. performance. He said— This was not unique to Clayfield. In "Within a few days, Davies was Springwood, the Democrat-cum-Independent rewarded with an elevation to the Ministry. candidate, Peter Collins, gained an impressive The man who had been a mere 3,342 primary votes. How were his preferences backbencher since 1989 is now the distributed? Honourable members opposite Minister for Emergency Services and may be interested in knowing that, after Consumer Affairs in the Goss eliminating all other candidates and Government. However, if Davies has a distributing their preferences, when it came bouquet from his party, he gets a brickbat time for Collins' preference distribution 702 from me. His seat provided a massive 9.4 went to Molly Robson, the doomed Labor per cent two party preferred swing to the member, and 3,196 went to Luke Woolmer, Liberals, as can be seen by comparing the victorious Liberal candidate. That was a the pre-election and post-election margin of more than four to one. This helps to pendulums. Notice how Mundingburra "fill out" what the commentators did not say, declined from a 9.5 to a 0.1 per cent which was that the voters who cast their ballot swing required to lose. That was the for a third party candidate overwhelmingly eighth biggest swing against Labor in the gave their second preferences to the Liberal or whole election." National Party candidate. That says a lot about the mood in the community. It makes a I will return shortly to the electoral performance mockery of the line, run shortly after the of other Goss Ministers. election, that there was a protest vote and that Then there is poor old Dean Wells. Mr people really did not want to vote against Wells was another member of the Wayne Goss and Labor. Independent faction. Apparently, he was In fact, the voters were much more hopeful to the end that the Premier would deliberate and calculating than that. The prop him up, but he did not count on the fact overwhelming mood in the electorate was to that his pathetic handling of the Criminal Code punish Labor for its policies and for the Bill and associated legislation had given his arrogance shown by this Government. There non-aligned factional mate, Matt Foley, the was a distinct feeling that Labor had failed opportunity to rev up his ongoing lobbying to ordinary Queenslanders, that service delivery become Attorney-General. was coming apart at the seams and that a Mr T. B. Sullivan interjected. change of administration and direction was needed. Most Queenslanders have had a Mr SANTORO: The honourable gutful of Labor, and, in fact, I would suggest member for Chermside dares to compare the that many people who voted Labor actually Independents in the Labor Party with the held their nose. Now these people obviously Opposition member for Gladstone! The good feel betrayed by Labor's post-election antics voters of Gladstone rejected the Labor and are now indicating that they would vote member for a candidate who is infinitely saner conservative if another election was held. and far more astute and ethically inclined than Labor Party members in this place will ever be. I would respectfully suggest to honourable members opposite that the tide is out for Mr FitzGerald: The member for Labor. Its credibility is gone; its aura of Chermside only got 6 per cent. invincibility is gone; its total reliance on Wayne Mr SANTORO: That is the record of the Goss has been proven to be misplaced; its honourable member for Chermside! In fact, if factional underbelly has been exposed. The we have a look at the document to which the factional genie is out of the bottle and the honourable member for Lockyer is referring, venomous character assassination, which the we will see that the seat which the honourable Labor Party is renowned for, is running member for Chermside previously described overtime. Already we have seen how the so- as "safe Labor" is all of a sudden—— called "Independents" have been targeted by the factional Mafia bosses and relegated to Mr FitzGerald: Marginal! the political dustbin. Fortunately some, but by Mr SANTORO: I was going to say "fairly no means all, factional non-performers were safe", but the member is right—it is marginal. I dumped. Poor old Geoff Smith got his tap on note that last night the honourable member the shoulder and jumped before he was for Chermside had a go at several members, 19 October 1995 496 Legislative Assembly including me, the member for Aspley and the very near future, I will table a document in this alderman for McDowall, Jim Wilding. The Parliament. member for Chermside tried to insinuate that Poor old Dean Wells—after his pathetic somehow or other we had done something handling of the Criminal Code and associated wrong. He threw our names into his speech, legislation—had given his non-aligned but he never delivered. The honourable factional mate Matt Foley the opportunity to member attacked an individual, and I will not rev up his ongoing lobbying to become comment on the rights or wrongs of what he Attorney-General. So Dean, too, got the tap said. on the shoulder and jumped before he was Everything the member said about Zenia pushed. That was the independent Belcher is absolutely right: she is an members—or what was left of them. However, outstanding lady who is sincere, hard working of course, there was the farce of the Socialist and dedicated to the Liberal Party. She Left and Labor Left infighting. Interestingly, pegged him back 6 per cent. What the when one turned on the 7.30 Report one honourable member for Chermside will not tell heard how Paul Braddy reportedly described the House is that during the campaign he the poor member for Mount Gravatt as lazy abused her, intimidated her and treated her and, therefore, unsuitable for Cabinet. I do not like a second-rate citizen. agree with that; I do not believe that the Mr T. B. SULLIVAN: I rise to a point of honourable member for Mount Gravatt is lazy order. The member for Clayfield is lying when or unsuitable for Cabinet. I would have voted he makes that accusation. That is not true and for her ahead of some of the other drongos in he knows it. Cabinet. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr It is interesting, too, how the Premier Palaszczuk): Order! The honourable member personally vetoed the member for Cook. for Chermside will withdraw the term that he Apparently he is too far to the left for used in reference to the honourable member Wayne—or could it be that the member for for Clayfield. Cook would stand up to his principals and not say "Yes" to every dictate of the Premier, the Mr T. B. SULLIVAN: I withdraw. He is Office of the Cabinet and the AWU? On this misleading the House by making false and matter, I give the last word to Alice Cavanagh, untrue statements. Vice-President of the Labor Party, who wrote Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The to supporters on 3 August—and she has honourable member for Chermside finds the written to them since—saying— words—— "Unfortunately, we as a Party have Mr SANTORO: Even though the failed our first test. We were unable to put honourable member has not asked that I together a Cabinet which included the withdraw, I will withdraw unconditionally. widest possible range of Party views and However, I remind the honourable member for opinions. Instead the dominant Chermside that every time he mentions my powerbrokers"— name in this place in a dishonest way, I will rise and defend myself. honourable members should read here "Bob Gibbs, Paul Braddy, Terry Mackenroth and Jim Mr T. B. Sullivan: Look at me when Elder"— you say that. "chose to belittle and denigrate the Mr SANTORO: I will look at the member dissenters"— through you, Mr Deputy Speaker, because I have respect for the Chair. However, as I look read here "the Socialist Left faction"— at him I will say this: I will obtain a signed "They used threats, intimidation and statement from Mrs Zenia Belcher—and table exclusion to force rigid containment. In it in the Parliament—detailing what the short, they opted for business as usual." member did to her during the campaign. I will then distribute copies of that statement in the Alice hit the nail on the head when she said, electorate of Chermside at the appropriate "We cannot afford to continue to fail." I am time. My prediction to the honourable member sure that the enduring monument to this for Chermside is that he will not be here next Government will be its continual failure. Alice time around. Let me remind the member— Cavanagh also opined— again through you, Mr Deputy Speaker—that "Our decision makers demonstrate every time he gets up in this place and tells an their belief that the superiority of their own untruth, he will cop it and cop it badly. In the view-point must remain intact. This Legislative Assembly 497 19 October 1995

continues to completely overshadow even exceeding thirty-two years, a record period the most basic instinct of self of opposition for a major political party. It preservation." is not surprising that the Labor Party I am sure that most people would agree that sought to explain its repeated defeats in Wayne Goss and his factional allies have not terms of a gerrymander operating against learned a single solitary thing from 15 July, it." and that they are deep in Charles Bronson So much for the propaganda. But what about "death wish" territory. the reality? Mackerras then said— However, I wish to return to discussing the "At no election has Labor ever failed 1995 election and, in particular, what it says to win office when it won a majority of the about the legitimacy and capacity of Labor to aggregate two-party preferred vote. govern for the next three years and the Moreover, whenever its primary vote electoral system which returned it to the exceeded fifty per cent, it was able to win Treasury benches—for the time being at least. more than sixty per cent of the seats." Mr SCHWARTEN: I rise to a point of In no election between 1957 and 1986 did the order. Under Standing Order 141—this is Labor Party win more than 50 per cent of the tedious and repetitious. We have listened to two-party preferred vote. For the benefit of the this for days and days now. House, I will inform honourable members what Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr the two-party preferred vote for Labor was in Palaszczuk): Order! There is no point of order. successive elections from 1960. It was as follows: 1960, 44 per cent; 1963, 46.4 per Mr SANTORO: The only member whom cent; 1966, 47.7 per cent; 1969, 47.7 per honourable members on this side of the cent; 1972, 49.2 per cent; 1974, 38.5 per Chamber think indulges in tedious repetition is cent; 1977, 45.4 per cent; 1980, 45.3 per the honourable member for Rockhampton. I cent; 1983, 46.6 per cent; and, 1986, 45.9 per do not think that he really likes what I am cent. It can be accepted without need of saying—something for which I can forgive him, further comment that the Labor Party was in because it is not good news for him. Opposition for 32 years in this State because The 1995 State election was a watershed the majority of voters did not want it. In spite of in modern Queensland politics. It was not the this, time after time it and its apologists realigning election that many Labor apologists constantly harped that it was robbed of predicted; it was an absolute devastation. Government and that somehow the However, the election was important in conservative Governments of this State were another respect, that is, it was a throwback to illegitimate. Surprise! When Labor won 54.2 the old days when the Labor Party won per cent of the two-party preferred vote in Government but not a majority of votes. This 1989, it romped home with 54 seats and a Government is the natural successor to the majority of 19 over the coalition. At that time, Forgan Smith, Hanlon and Gair Labor no-one said that with 54.2 per cent of the vote regimes. Not only were those Governments Labor should not govern. Around came 1992 arrogant, lacking reforming zeal and and a new electoral system. Labor again won dominated by the AWU and factional Government, but with a swing of 0.4 per cent powerbrokers; they also profited from electoral against it. Labor's share of the vote dropped systems that entrenched Labor in power. to 53.8 per cent and the coalition's share In an article titled "An Evaluation of the increased to 46.2 per cent. Again, Labor won Electoral Reforms" contained in a book 54 seats, retaining its 19-seat majority. Again, prophetically called Keeping Them Honest, nobody said that Labor should not govern published by the University of Queensland when it obtained more than 53 per cent of the Press in 1992, Malcolm Mackerras made vote. some interesting comments on the This leads me to the recent 1995 election, Queensland electoral system prior to the 1992 which will go down in history as the most unfair State election. election in Queensland since 1950, when Ned Government members interjected. Hanlon introduced the zonal system and rorted the general election. Labor recorded a Mr SANTORO: Government members 7.1 per cent swing against it, dropping from should listen carefully. 53.8 per cent to 46.7 per cent of the vote. The Firstly, Mackerras made this obvious coalition vote increased from 46.2 per cent to point— 53.3 per cent—almost as high as the Labor "Labor was out of power from August vote in 1992, when under this electoral system 1957 to December 1989, a period of just it had a majority of 19 seats. In the past, such 19 October 1995 498 Legislative Assembly a position would have had the pundits in a Honourable members should recall that lather, complaining bitterly about the iniquity of the overall swing against the Labor Party was gerrymandered electoral boundaries. Did the 7.1 per cent. These figures may be just slightly "electoral fairness" industry not maintain the askew—and only slightly—because the final rage Australiawide during the 1980s with Electoral Commission figures were received claims that Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen governed this morning. However, their substance and Queensland with only 39 per cent of the vote? their overwhelming force do not change. Of However, there was not a similar outpouring of the 15, four recorded swings against them of passion and protest when the "Gossmander" less than 7.1 per cent. The best performer was saw Labor retain power in Queensland with by far the member for Mount Isa, who had a only 43 per cent of the vote. swing against him of only 1.2 per cent. In fact, he and the member for Hervey Bay were the I wish to return to discussing the only Labor candidates in Queensland to performance of individual Labor Party achieve that feat. The other performers were candidates at the last election. Commenting Warren Pitt, who received a 3.7 per cent swing on the performance of those Labor against him and lost his seat; Jim Elder, with a candidates, Mackerras, in an article in the 5.9 per cent swing against him; and Terry Australian of 21 August, made one of the few Mackenroth, with a 6.9 per cent downturn. The sensible assessments of the election result. rest of the Labor ministerial team were He stated— decisively—— "The party as a whole and every one Mr Radke: The swing is against them. of its candidates"— Mr SANTORO: Absolutely—these are with the exception of 10 whom he named— swings against those Ministers. I am now going to have a look at the real performers in "should be ashamed. They remain in the Labor Party. The Premier himself recorded office for one reason only—sheer good an 8.4 per cent swing, and his deputy, the luck." honourable member for—— In spite of all of this, the Labor Party here Mr FitzGerald: Against him? and elsewhere has the gall to challenge in the Mr SANTORO: Against him. These are High Court the Western Australian electoral all swings against the sitting Ministers. I want system as being unfair. I make no comment to make that clear. on the system in Western Australia, but I can tell the voters of Queensland that we have an The Premier's deputy, the honourable electoral system that allows a party that member for "foot in mouth disease", received achieves less than 47 per cent of the vote to an even higher rebuff of 8.5 per cent. The be in Government and a coalition with more Treasurer managed to reduce—— than 53 per cent of the electorate supporting it Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr to be deprived of its mandate to govern. This Palaszczuk): Order! The Chair has called the third Goss Labor Government is illegitimate. It House to order. does not have a mandate to govern or the Mr SANTORO: Thank you, Mr Deputy internal unity to produce the goods. Speaker. An analysis of how Ministers in the former Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I ask the Goss Labor Government performed on honourable member whether he used the election day highlights the illegitimacy of this term "foot in mouth disease" in reference to Government. I wish to speak about the an honourable member of this House. Ministers, who are the public face of the Mr SANTORO: I did. Government. They are the standard-bearers, the people who fly the flag, and the people in Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I ask the respect of whom most of the Government's honourable member to withdraw the term. performance is judged. Of the 18 Ministers Mr SANTORO: Certainly; I will withdraw who served at the end of the former the term. Government, two—Ed Casey and Anne The Treasurer managed to reduce his Warner—did not recontest their seats. In majority from 11.2 per cent to 2.4 per cent—a addition, Paul Braddy switched from swing even greater than the previous two Rockhampton to Kedron. If one discounts swings of 8.8 per cent. His electorate surplus is those electorates and concentrates on the 15 now almost in the red! The Rhodes scholar outgoing Ministers who did recontest their from Ipswich obviously needs to start counting, seats, it is interesting to note how they for the people of Ipswich turned on him performed. savagely. His majority plunged from 17.8 per Legislative Assembly 499 19 October 1995 cent to 6.5 per cent—a swing of 11.3 per cent. commentators but high-ranking Labor In fact, he was one of the three Labor politicians and administrators, and they have Ministers who got double-digit downturns. The been made since 15 July about this hapless Dean Wells received a 9 per cent Government. Soorley publicly worried that rebuff, and even this looked good compared Labor would implode. His fears are proving with that star ministerial performer Glen "I'm in more and more realistic with the passing of Labor Unity" Milliner, who received a 10.6 per each day. cent downturn in support. The newly installed Labor is no longer fit to remain on the Attorney-General and Minister for almost Treasury benches, and I am convinced that everything else, Matt Foley, was down by 8.8 the shambles which calls itself the third Goss per cent; and Ken Hayward was down by 8.1 Labor Government—and slowly but surely it per cent. Poor old Geoff Smith had his margin will cease to be referred to as "the Goss Labor trimmed from 11.2 per cent to 1.8 per cent—a 9.4 per cent turnaround. Finally, Molly Robson Government"—will not be a burden on this paid the ultimate price for the ill-fated southern State for much longer. tollway, recording a mind-boggling 19.5 per Before I conclude, I wish to refer to cent swing, and managing to turn Springwood another matter of considerable public interest, from a Labor majority of 8.7 per cent to a that is, the affairs of the Queensland Liberal majority of 10.8 per cent. Professional Credit Union, which have now In short, where the Executive members of reached the stage at which serious this Government—and we are talking about intervention is necessary. Here is a credit the public face of the Labor Party—faced the union with solid support by State public people, they turned against them servants, some of whose directors have been comprehensively. Only the relatively good involved in matters relating to suspicious performances of backbench members in seats superannuation deals. The credit union board such as Hervey Bay, Currumbin, Sunnybank has appeared before the Senate committee and Maryborough—and I give credit to the on superannuation and now finds itself before honourable member for Sunnybank, who has the Senate committee of privileges accused of been craving for that little bit of victimising Senate witnesses. attention—saved this Government. If the fate Members may recall that I addressed of Goss and his 17 Ministers was solely some of these issues on 12 April 1994 in this dependent on their own acceptance by the House, and it now appears that the situation people, this Government would have been has deepened. The previous matter that I overwhelmingly rejected, both in terms of dealt with was the unusual withdrawal of funds seats and votes. from the QPOA superannuation fund in 1987, As I have said, this Government has no which named Mr Rutherford, Mr Martindale, credibility. In comparison, Mackerras also Ms Kinder and Mr Daly as beneficiaries of this pointed out that every Labor candidate in a fund. This credit union board's saga of National/Liberal seat copped a drubbing. No incompetence includes extremely serious sitting coalition member received a swing allegations of Commonwealth and against them on 15 July. The election was not Queensland taxation evasion, and all of this in an example of a high protest vote but rather a a credit union supported by the savings of comprehensive rejection of this Government, public servants who are all PAYE taxpayers its style, its policies, its Cabinet Ministers and and are not able to play tricks such as evade its continued fitness to govern. Jim Soorley, income tax on long service leave and annual Labor Lord Mayor of Brisbane, wrote to the leave. That is what the QPCU board has done. Premier on 27 July saying— I understand that it has paid the general manager, Mr Gordon Rutherford, his long "The reality is that the State service leave and annual leave without one Government was perceived as vindictive cent of income tax being deducted, and as and intolerant by people inside and well Mr Rutherford has not retired but rather outside the party." continued his service. Mr Soorley even outlined the fears held by party members by stating— Some members of the QPCU are concerned and have lodged motions, but I am "All were afraid that they would be advised that the Queensland Professional stood over and oppressed if you had a Credit Union has taken legal advice and significant win." disallowed 12 duly lodged notices of motion "Continue to fail", "stood over and oppressed", for the forthcoming AGM on 26 October 1995. "threats, intimidation and exclusion"—these The board of the QPCU obtained legal advice are not comments by coalition members or as to the admissibility of notices of motion. 19 October 1995 500 Legislative Assembly

This is the reaction of a siege mentality, not a I call on the Minister for Industrial friendly society of shareholders. What is the Relations to investigate the conversions in Queensland Office of Financial Supervision relation to superannuation. I have tabled doing? Absolutely nothing, I have been documents which I believe the Minister and advised. Previously, QOFS has been the Treasurer should take a very close look at. approached by the shareholders, and they This is an issue which relates to accountability were treated shabbily and dismissed without and to the operation of certain Government any competent inquiry. To add insult to injury, departments. The Ministers and members of QOFS breached the confidentiality of the the Government should take sufficient interest shareholders. to ensure that the concerns of the members of The report of the chairperson of the that union are addressed. I thank the House QPCU, Mr Cec Lee, to the AGM to be held on for its indulgence. 26 October 1995 is a joke. Mr Lee says that there is nothing that might emerge in the Hon V. P. LESTER (Keppel) affairs of the credit union that will unduly (12.29 p.m.): I thank the people of Keppel for burden its progress. Does this not contradict returning me with such an extraordinarily good corporate governance, when it is obvious increased majority. I now hold that seat with a that this credit union has several matters 10 per cent margin or better. However, I will pending that could well influence the credibility have to keep working as hard as I possibly of such an organisation? Allow me to tell can—just as I have over the last three years. It members what is likely to occur. The board of is evident that the people generally want a the QPCU has a potential tax evasion member who will stand up and fight for them. problem, as it was the board which approved An analysis of the election results obtained by the payment for Mr Rutherford as an employer coalition members and by Labor members contribution. The amount transferred was reveals that those who did best were the ones approximately $77,000, which when grossed who stood up and fought for their constituents. up incurs a tax liability of $72,000 plus interest Generally, those members who merely went penalties accruing at almost $1,000 per along with the run of things did not do so well. month. A penalty of $25,000 could be At present many people in the community are imposed for failing to comply with the group hurting. When those people visit their local tax provisions and payroll tax of some member, that member has to give their $10,000. All up, this could be in excess of representations the highest level of attention. $130,000. The electorate of Keppel is in a growth What assurance do the members of the credit union have that the board of the QPCU area. It takes in the north-eastern part of will deal with this matter competently, when Rockhampton; it continues up through the the motions for the AGM are not even Glendale area to The Caves; it then moves accepted? I wish to table for the information of through the Nerimbera area, Cawarral and honourable members and others who have a Mount Chalmers through to the Capricorn public interest in this matter those particular Coast. I believe that over time this is going to motions. Will the Treasurer give an assurance be the real growth area in Rockhampton and that the board members and the general along the Capricorn Coast. There are massive manager, Mr Rutherford, are held responsible developments in the Norman Road and for the moneys outstanding as mentioned Parkhurst areas, moving out to The Caves. above and that the persons responsible will The Capricorn Coast area is going ahead at pay from their own personal funds? Will the approximately 4 per cent a year. Treasurer please inform the House of his The area has some up-market concepts, actions to date and the proposals he might such as the magnesite plant; the University of have to persuade the QOFS to attend to the requests of members of this credit union? Central Queensland; the Koorana Crocodile Otherwise, it could be said that the Financial Farm; the Capricorn Cabins; the Dreamtime Institutions Code of 1992, set up by the Centre, which is just outside my electorate, but Treasurer, is a Clayton's code—a code you is particularly well run by the Aboriginal have when you do not really have one, or at community; the Capricorn Resort; and the two least one that is not very effective. Will the meatworks, which have had an indifferent Treasurer also give a commitment to the production year. I believe that the three State House that the QPCU board, through QOFS, members in the area are doing their best to will be compelled to allow proper and put the people first. Of course, we are not informative debate on motions set forth by its always going to get on all the time, but I think shareholders on time at the AGM on 26 between the three of us the people are being October 1995? reasonably well served. Legislative Assembly 501 19 October 1995

The Central Queensland University has People who are educated at that really been the success story in central university go out into the community and Queensland in the last decade. employ others. This morning, in the share Mr Campbell: The good citizens of market section of the paper I read the Bundaberg. comments by Gordon Barrett, an economist with Henderson Charlton. I will not say what he Mr LESTER: That is all part of it. I am was talking about in particular, but he was not going to knock Bundaberg, and no doubt commenting on various shares. I recall the member will speak very appropriately on attending one of the graduation ceremonies at the subject. I noticed on a video link-up the university, and I remember his name promotion that the member for Bundaberg coming up. He now obviously has a very good was there doing his job, as he should have position with that company. Only a few years been. I will be specific. That occasion was for ago, I paid him to cement my driveway. He the renaming of the university, calling it the has gone a fair way up the ladder since University of Central Queensland. I am not just then—from cementing driveways to holding a making comments without knowing what I am business degree and giving advice on the talking about. stock market. I expect his next role will be to We are going to lose Professor Jeff make sure he gives the right advice. Wilson who, to be fair, has been the driving Mr FitzGerald: You must have paid him force behind the enormous expansion of the well. Central Queensland University. He comes across initially as an unassuming person, a Mr LESTER: I think I paid him fairly well; very polite person who always seems to have he did a good job. That is what life is all about: time to talk to people, yet he is a real dynamo a fair day's work for a fair day's pay. when it comes to getting the job done and Mr Foley: Except in Western Australia. doing the necessary lobbying. He is probably Mr LESTER: I am concentrating on the the greatest lobbyist I have ever seen. People electorate of Keppel, and I think we would all do not realise that he is lobbying them until do very much better if we commented on our they are finished with him—or until he is own electorates—and Mr Foley's results prove finished with them, might be a more that. appropriate way of putting it. The Koorana Crocodile Farm run by the That university has seen enormous Lever family is yet another rather unique expansion in engineering, nurse training, tourist attraction in Australia. Mr Lever and his business, and right across all faculties. We wife Lillian have been all over the world wish Professor Wilson all the very best when promoting crocodile skin products. They he leaves us next year for yet another certainly have a thriving business, but it has university that is expanding, one in Victoria. If very heavy overheads. They do an enormous his replacement is as good, then we will amount of work to promote central continue to do very well. The expansion has Queensland. I wish them continued success in not centred around only Professor Wilson. The the future. Chancellor, Stan Jones, has worked very well, as have others, including the students union, The owners of the Capricorn Caverns, like which at this university is very responsible. I the Lever family from the Crocodile Farm, believe that under the students union have recently won very important business stewardship it will do very well. Certainly, the and tourist awards. Ann Augustine and her president of the students union is pursuing the family have really transformed the causes of the university and the students. caves—Olson's Caves, as they were known— in central Queensland to a very up-market The sports complex at the university place to visit. I read in recent days that people needs to be promoted. Without going into all can do real exploring in these caves. They do the detail, members of the public will now be not just have normal tours through the cave able to use the heated swimming pool. The areas; visitors can now go right down into the university has involved the public as much as bowels of the caves. It is a more adventurous possible, and that has probably contributed to type of ecotourism that will be a little more its success. The public are invited to lots of exciting. Tourists are now looking for different lectures and functions run by the university. things, and the Capricorn Caverns operation is Mr Schwarten: That university is the proving that. biggest industry in Rockhampton. I want to compliment the people who run Mr LESTER: That is without doubt; the Dreamtime Centre, which I think is in Mr there is no question about that. Schwarten's electorate. 19 October 1995 502 Legislative Assembly

Mr Schwarten: Very proud to have it to be overcritical, but at one point during the there, too. past couple of weeks, the Police Service in Mr LESTER: So the member opposite Yeppoon was down to three police officers out ought to be. of an establishment of 12. During the campaign prior to the 1989 election, Mr Mr Schwarten: And so are you. Mackenroth, the then shadow Police Minister, Mr LESTER: I am, yes. It is probably visited Yeppoon and promised a 24-hour one of the best organisations that I have ever police service, which would have required seen. The person in charge is a former Army about 18 police officers, to be functioning very major, and God help anyone in that place who soon after the election if the Labor Party was steps out of line. I can remember the occasion elected. That figure is a far cry from the three of the opening of the extension to that that we were down to recently as a result of complex. It was time to start the function and sickness, resignations, holidays, training our Federal member of Parliament was late. courses and people being transferred and not Somebody said, "You can't start yet, the replaced. That is an unsafe and very sorry Federal member of Parliament is late." He situation that cannot be excused. said, "The Federal member knows what time it A number of very serious complaints have is due to start. She should be here." He been made of hooligan behaviour outside started without her. That is obviously the way nightclubs, particularly on Saturday nights. The that he runs the business and that is probably Police Service seems to be placing too much the reason that they are now doing so well emphasis on the need for organisations to and that a lot of conventions are now being employ their own security guards. I remind the held in their convention centre. Police Service that it has a duty of care and Mr Schwarten: Booked out to till should not be imposing the costs of security Christmas. officers on organisations. If an argument takes place on a street outside a nightclub and a Mr LESTER: Yes, that is right. security officer is involved and hurts I turn now to the Capricorn Resort. I know somebody, then that officer will discover that that some members opposite might not be he—or sometimes she—is in all sorts of keen on that resort, but they should not trouble. So police officers, who have more comment because a senior Cabinet Minister powers than security officers, are needed. had a holiday there recently. Recently, that I suggest to the Government that it is a resort has improved its performance and I very wrong decision to shift our Emergency believe that it is good value. The guests are Response Unit. Some very capable people are well looked after and the prices they pay are being sent to Cairns and Brisbane, and we are not quite so high as those at the Mirage being left without sufficient staff for that unit. resort, yet the swimming pool is almost as big, Five officers are involved plus some who work the golf courses are probably better, the part time. Recently, that unit has been accommodation might not be quite as good responsible for a number of drug busts. One but is just about as good, and the food is bust seized drugs valued at $7.5m, and roughly the same standard. The guests another seized drugs valued at $5m. I think receive all that for approximately a third of the that it would have been clear merely from an cost of the Mirage resort. economic viewpoint that it would be sensible I turn now to the meatworks. All I can say to keep the emergency response officers in is that it is up to everybody—bosses and the area. workers—to show goodwill. The meat industry On a number of occasions the emergency is under enormous pressure: the Americans response officers have been needed. To are dumping meat onto the Japanese market transport them into the area can take—in the and onto our market. Cuts of beef can now be very best conditions—at least five hours. bought in Rockhampton for $2.90 a kilogram However, I am told that sometimes when they which, reportedly, are better and cheaper than are rung in Brisbane they are involved in other the cuts we can usually buy in Rockhampton. jobs and therefore they are not available The meat industry has a huge problem. That straightaway. I foresee very severe problems comment applies also to the grain industry, resulting from the lack of drug surveillance because American grain is now being dumped officers in the area. It is their nose-to-the- in our markets. For different reasons, the wool ground attitude that has helped to break a industry is also not running too well. number of drug rings recently. I turn now to some other areas of concern Mr Schwarten: There was a very to me, one of which is policing. I do not want successful operation the other day. Legislative Assembly 503 19 October 1995

Mr LESTER: That is right, so the officers Mr Schwarten: It's a shame we can't need to be kept in the area. I really do not get the specialists to come there, through. fathom what is going on. Those officers have Mr LESTER: That is a problem, and I kept their noses to the ground and over the suppose it is due to the fact that, as the past couple of years they have seized drugs specialists and other people who work in that with a total value of $14m. If they are hospital tell me, that hospital needs more up- removed, their noses will not be to the ground to-date equipment. The Minister has indicated and local police officers do not have the that he is working on that problem. If we can necessary training in surveillance and combat. make the hospital more attractive for When one examines the training requirements specialists to work in, I believe that they will of a drug unit, one finds that those officers come. That has to be our priority and we have need to spend X number of hours firing pistols. The ordinary policeman fires only a few to work particularly hard at that. I reiterate to rounds a year. I know whom I would prefer to the Parliament the issues confronting people have defending me. Ordinary police officers in the Birubi area. I will not say in this have their role to play, and we need specialist Parliament what all of those problems are, but police officers locally to cover emergencies. I am concerned about them, and work needs The distance between Cairns and Brisbane is to be done to solve them. too great for it not to be covered by a I turn to Fire Services, and I point out that specialist service. we have not been given an assurance that we I turn now to health. I thank the Minister will retain our permanent officer at Emu Park. for Health, Peter Beattie, for visiting Councillor Owens and I have had a meeting Rockhampton recently and taking the time to with Mr Grassi and he indicated that he will not visit me and a number of my constituents. give a guarantee that Emu Park will not One of the problems that I discussed with him become a volunteer fire service. Mr Grassi has been resolved positively: a young lad who indicated also that one or two other larger had a problem is going to be operated on next areas are covered by volunteer fire services. Tuesday. I have to say that we fought for a long Mr Foley: A very caring Minister. time to get an ambulance service at Emu Mr LESTER: He did treat me very well; I Park. Initially, that service relied on volunteers. have to say that. A great number of other However, it was always difficult to keep the issues need to be dealt with. At times, some volunteer officers because we did not have a Ministers have not treated me as caringly. In permanent ambulance officer to continually fact, one of them is not here any more. It was update their training. Now that a permanent nice to be looked after, treated courteously ambulance officer is stationed at the Fire and given due credit in front of my Service building—I agree that is the sensible constituents for what I have tried to do. The thing to do—we are getting more honorary constituents were pleased with the Minister ambulance officers and there is now and with me. I think we can achieve what is somebody there to train them. needed without having one heck of a brawl Although Mr Grassi is a keen fireman and about it all the time. Really, it is the people a good man who does his best, we are not who matter. going to lie down on this issue of having a The Rockhampton Base Hospital still has permanent firefighter stationed at Emu Park. a number of problems. The Minister visited We believe that, shall I say, a "general" is that hospital so he is aware of them, and I ask needed to continue to give the training to the him to work on them. I would still like to see volunteer officers. I hope that the Government the Yeppoon Hospital able to operate in a takes note of the fact that we will not wear it much more independent manner. I might be a and that there will be World War III if any effort bit old fashioned in my thinking, but I would is made to take that officer away from us. We love to see the time return when one could get will not let up. If we have to, we will march in one's appendix or tonsils removed or have a the streets. Generally there seems to be quite hernia operation at the Yeppoon Hospital. I a problem with the staffing levels of the Fire think that would be a great step forward. Service, and I ask the relevant Minister to Currently, a rumour is circulating that more and address that matter. We have had some more specialist services will be based in extraordinarily good performances by our Brisbane. I hope that that rumour is incorrect emergency services—the firefighters and the and that, because we are an important ambulance officers—in competitions overseas. regional area, we in Rockhampton will be They are doing particularly well. Recently, a given our specialist services. I think too many little effort was made in Rockhampton to services can be based in Brisbane. recognise those people. 19 October 1995 504 Legislative Assembly

Mr Schwarten interjected. being carried out on those narrow parts of the Mr LESTER: I do not think that we are road. I think one has to be reasonable about arguing too much about that. I have done all what one pushes for. Obviously, my the research on the Thozet Road location, and constituents and I are happy with the work that the member has not heard much comment has been done, bearing in mind that work will from me about it. Probably, the logical thing to be done on the Yeppoon Road near The do is what is going to be done, and that is to Oaks service station. That part of the road will construct a combined Ambulance Service and be widened and a passing lane will be added, Fire Service building out near the Dreamtime which is very, very necessary. There are Centre. It is a more central location—only a terrible traffic jams on that road. Ultimately, we couple of minutes away from Thozet Road will have to construct a four-lane highway to and near The Caves. That is all to occur in the Yeppoon, or at least provide more passing future. However, the sooner it all happens, the lanes, because the road is just becoming so better—and then we can argue about whether busy. or not there is a need for a facility at Thozet However, good roads do not necessarily Road. That would be the way to go. However, stop accidents. We have had an horrific we need very efficient fire and ambulance accident on the new section of road. One services. Particularly with the construction of could not fault the road; it is perfect. Yet five the road further north, we need to make sure people were killed and one person suffered an that we are well positioned to meet current horrific injury on that road. That has caused demand, as well as the demands of the one heck of a lot of grief, claiming three future. people from the Capricorn Coast Rugby Union While I am speaking about this matter, I Club. We are still not absolutely certain as to must say that at some point the North what happened. I am not going to make any Rockhampton Police Station should be moved observations in Parliament about what really into that new area. I could never quite work went on. I think I know what went on, but I out why we have two stations that are located could be wrong and it would be unwise for me within a stone's throw of each other. However, to talk about it. All I can say to people is, "For I would not suggest that we shift the station at God's sake, be careful when you are driving Lakes Creek, because it is needed very much. and forever be ready because you never I have been receiving a lot of comment know, even if you are a careful driver, when from business people about workers' somebody may go careering towards you. You compensation. They do not want to get yet have to know what to do." another bill but, if things continue to go on as Another issue relates to the schools in my they are, it would seem that there is going to electorate. Generally speaking, I am be no limit to workers' compensation reasonably happy with the progress of premiums. To some extent, the Government education standards in the Keppel electorate. has itself to blame because some little time We have had a lot of work done at the ago it meddled with the Act. Now, it is seeing Yeppoon State High School and there is work the consequences of that meddling. At least being done at the North Rockhampton State when I was the Minister responsible for High School. Of course, the Frenchville school workers' compensation I did keep the fund in is forever going to remain a problem. It is a credit. At that time Queensland had the lowest particularly well-run school, and that is premiums in Australia, and I believe that probably part of its problem. A lot of people injured people received a reasonably good want to send their children to it. However, payout from the fund. If the Government because of the increase in population, we meddles with the system and tries to improve really have to move the school to a new site in the benefits, it is in all sorts of strife. Too often German Street before too long so that we can the bearers of the cost are the people who ease the enormous congestion at that school. have the quietest voices. In this particular In recent times, I have had a meeting with the case, they are the small-business people. P & C and, after I got officers from the I am grateful for the work that has been Administrative Services Department and the done on the Emu Park Road. I was given a Education Department to the area, certain commitment that substantial work would be commitments have been given. Between us, done on that road between Rockhampton and we gave them a little bit of a needle and told Emu Park. Already, the work has progressed them that they have to perform a bit better, east from Nerimbera and work will be and I think they have. They just get a little bit undertaken up to the railway line crossing forgetful at times. So we are reasonably happy before too long. Currently, an emergency in that regard. program of extending the road shoulders is Time expired. Legislative Assembly 505 19 October 1995

Sitting suspended from 12.59 to was wasteful and destructive to human dignity. 2.30 p.m. Mr Hayden has walked away from that. He Mr STEPHAN (Gympie) (2.30 p.m.): It now realises that that is terribly impractical. I gives me a great deal of pleasure to say, on do not know whether Government members behalf of my constituents in Gympie, that we took any notice of him or tried to guide his recognise the Queen and that we are proud to hand. be Her Majesty's loyal subjects. I also pay due Mr T. B. Sullivan: Is that the same Mr recognition to the office of Governor of this Hayden that the Federal coalition criticised the State and I assure the Governor of my support other day? and that of my constituents in the Mr STEPHAN: It could be the same Mr development of policies that will lead to the Hayden. He was the Federal Labor Party betterment of this great State. leader. He has seen the light regarding As you are very well aware, Mr Deputy democratic socialism. Government members Speaker, we have just had an election. Some cannot walk away from that. of the comments made about the election are Mr T. B. Sullivan: They criticised the interesting. A fellow by the name of Bill Eaton, Queen's senior representative. who is a true believer in the Labor Party, was quoted in the Courier-Mail as saying— Mr STEPHAN: Members of the Federal coalition questioned certain expenditure. I do "The Labor Party is in danger of not believe that they openly criticised the losing its direction. It is torn between Governor-General. these types who want a brothel on this corner, homosexuals over there, a casino A recent article in the Courier-Mail about on that corner with an abortion clinic, and Bob Gibbs was headed "Handling the Hate those who still want to lock up their Factor". Government members obviously do daughters." not want to work together. They try to smile at one another at times, but deep down there is Mr McElligott: Where is this an intense hatred of one faction for another. happening? That seems to be the overriding factor driving Mr STEPHAN: Bill Eaton is a colleague this Government on. of the Minister. Surely the Minister would not Mr T. B. Sullivan: Have you been disown him. He certainly was one of the more visiting some of those farms outside Gympie? respected Labor members of this Parliament. A better member defeated him, but that is the Mr STEPHAN: No. I do not have any way it goes in politics. Mr Rowell is an plants, or palms, or anything of that nature. I outstanding member of this Parliament. can see that members of the Government are having trouble coming to grips with the Another newspaper article quoted the situation in which they find themselves at comments of six members of the Labor Party present. It will be very interesting to see what about the recent election. The member for happens over the next couple of months. Chermside, Terry Sullivan, said, "People had only one scorecard to mark and that was In the past couple of months, Mr Kaiser ours." Margaret Woodgate, a new Minister, seems to have had some sort of influence was quoted as saying, "It's been worse." over Government activities. I am not sure According to Wendy Edmond, the election whether the Government told him where he result was a "loss for women". Dean Wells was went wrong or asked him what direction it quoted as saying, "Goss stopped worse rot." should take. Mr Kaiser says that Labor is a Gordon Nuttall's comment was, "I worked very democratic party; however, a balance must be hard." It appears from those comments that struck. Government members did not fare too Government members are trying to think of well in the last election. excuses rather than reasons as to why they Mr T. B. Sullivan: We've just won the did not do very well at the last election. election—we've just won. Bill Hayden, a Federal Labor leader, has Mr STEPHAN: The election just won almost seen the light. He told the media why with 47 per cent of the popular vote! Is the he walked away from democratic socialism. He member telling me that the Government has said that he would not have believed it himself the popular support of Queenslanders? The that, after 35 years as a Labor MP, he would Government did not win a thing! Government take this kind of action. He had been deeply members are sitting on that side of the House committed to the faith of democratic socialism, by default. believing that the bigger Governments were, Mr Livingstone: Fifty per cent of the the better for the people, and that competition seats! In 50 per cent of the seats you failed. 19 October 1995 506 Legislative Assembly

Government members interjected. I will highlight a couple of other problems Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr that Queensland is facing at present. I refer to Bredhauer): Order! The House will come to unemployment. Unfortunately, the recently order. I call the member for Gympie. released unemployment figures for the Wide Bay/Burnett region were almost the highest of Mr STEPHAN: I point out to the all unemployment figures in this State. I am Government members who are interjecting very disappointed about that. Anyone visiting that if the Government had got 53 per cent of the business houses in the main street of the vote and did not win the election, they Gympie would learn that there is great concern would be protesting. They would be saying, in the community about unemployment and "We've been robbed". the extra charges that the Government is Mr Livingstone: Your third-worst result imposing on business. As a result, business since 1957. confidence is non-existent. Mr STEPHAN: Fifty-three per cent is the Mr Nunn: You pay to get into the street third-worst result? If the Government gave us in Gympie. You've got to have a ticket. our rightful place in this Chamber, we could Mr STEPHAN: What is the honourable live with that, but it would not be game to do member trying to say? that. Government members are already talking about adjusting boundaries. I suppose there Mr Nunn: That's what's wrong with the are very good reasons for such thoughts to be town. going through their minds. Mr STEPHAN: Is the honourable member trying to suggest that people in Mr Beattie has been one of the Gympie cannot drive their cars in the street? Government's better performers. He and I The honourable member is wrong. There were both members of the Public Works certainly is concern on the streets of Gympie. Committee during the last Parliament, so I If the Government got its hands out of the know his capabilities. Mr Beattie has said that pockets of businesses and allowed them to it is going to take five years to fix the problems get on with their work—something which they in the Health Department. Over the last six are able to do very efficiently when permitted years the Government has made a fairly to—businesses would be better off. substantial disaster out of Health. Under the previous National Party Government, the Let me consider and compare some health system operated very efficiently. In just figures. In 1989, there were 94,000 six years this Labor Government has been unemployed in this State. In September 1995, able to ruin the health system. At least before the figure was 157,000. I suppose that the 1989 the Health Department was able to Government is pleased that there has been a provide services. In Gympie, unless people 67 per cent increase in unemployment in this needed specialised treatment, they could be State over the past six years! I point out that attended to at the local hospital. People are those figures do not take into account the now being told, "No, we don't offer that unemployed people in programs such as service. You have to go to Nambour or Newstart and Jobsearch, who are not making Brisbane." That is the policy direction in which a contribution to the economy. Those people this Government is heading. However, it is not are being trained or reskilled. In Gympie alone, the direction in which my constituents want to 2,700 people are participating in such head. schemes. However, those people have not been included in the unemployment statistics. Mr Ardill: That's rubbish! Given those high numbers of unemployed Mr STEPHAN: It is not rubbish. The people, I do not doubt the problems being honourable member must have a short faced by many business houses throughout memory if he cannot remember that that was this State. the position. I turn now to workers' compensation, The Government is stealing Opposition about which members have spoken this policies. I refer particularly to the actions of the morning and yesterday. This Government has Minister for Health, Mr Beattie. That is all right; an inability to manage money. It spends more the Opposition does not mind sharing its than it raises through fees and charges. The policies, but out of courtesy the Government Government is making it more difficult for should admit that it is stealing them. The business operators to pay their workers' Government is finally realising that the compensation premiums. For example, last Opposition's policies are far better than week a fellow told me that he is paying a anything that this Government has put premium of $16,000 per year. That premium forward. increased to $27,000 in one year— Legislative Assembly 507 19 October 1995 representing about 15 per cent of his total That gives members an idea of the payroll. He also operates a business in Government's interest in primary industries. Tasmania, where he pays only 6 per cent in Clearly, it is not prepared to support them. The premiums—as opposed to 15 per cent in article states further— Queensland. That is a tremendous difference. "The specific purpose levies collected That money is being transferred from his from the fruit and vegetable growers in pocket into Government coffers. Queensland has risen from $440,000 in Mr Schwarten: Government coffers— 1990 to $1.296 million this year." he's obsessed with them! That money is paid by fruit and vegetable Mr STEPHAN: The member for growers, who know that they will get no Rockhampton might laugh. support from this Government. It is a pity that Mr Schwarten: I'm not laughing at what the Government is not seeing its way clear to you said, I'm laughing at you. give industries assistance so that they have adequate research facilities to keep up with Mr STEPHAN: The honourable member developments in the rest of the world. The can laugh at me all he likes; he is also Government must realise that Queensland is laughing at his constituents and others who competing with many other parts of the world, are making a contribution to this State. It is a including America, which subsidises its primary pity that he does not recognise these production and exports its products to our problems. country in direct competition with our I realise that roads are not solely the producers. I am not saying that we should be responsibility of the State Government, but our offering the same levels of subsidies as those roads are another sad story. The Government offered to producers by the American has decreased significantly the amount of Government. funding for road maintenance. I refer to the Mr Johnson: Like pork from Canada. roads for which the Department of Main Roads is responsible and, in particular, the roads Mr STEPHAN: Pork is another example. north of Nambour. Although roadworks are For instance, 30 per cent of the pineapples being undertaken at Eumundi and Yandina, consumed in Queensland are imported. Such one has to look very hard to find any other practices hardly offer support to our primary roadworks between there and Maryborough, producers, and it is no wonder that they are and that is not good enough. In many becoming very concerned about their viability. instances, the State Government is assisted I turn now to forestry issues. This by a fifty-fifty subsidy paid by local authorities Government seems to believe that it can lock towards road maintenance. up the forests yet still have enough timber to Mr Schwarten: There have been more harvest for the domestic market. A couple of roadworks done in your area in the last five years ago, $2 billion worth of hardwood was years than in the previous 30. imported to this country. This year, $3 billion worth of hardwood will be imported. That Mr STEPHAN: I dispute that. More timber is supplied from South East Asia and roadworks might have been done in some neighbouring Asian countries, which can ill parts of Brisbane, but there certainly have not afford to harvest that quantity of timber, let been more roadworks undertaken in country alone export it to Australia. As some areas of this State. The Government cannot commentators have stated, it is outrageous twist the figures and pat itself on the back. that the growing of one crop which Australia Other sectors of Government cannot produce in sufficient quantities to meet responsibility are of concern to me, including the domestic demand should be subject to so primary industries. For example, I refer to the much uncertainty. That uncertainty has been Government's lack of contribution towards created by the policies of this Government. funding for research. An article in my Timber production is a slow process, but given possession states— 10 or 15 years it could be a viable proposition "Governments have for a number of for some. However, no-one will run the risk of years been cutting back on the amount of investing a million dollars in the industry—— money that is made available to carry out Mr Johnson interjected. research projects. Mr STEPHAN: Were such people given The rural industries have suffered encouragement, timber production certainly cutbacks and have been told by would be a viable proposition, but no-one will governments that research must be plant a crop against the background of the industry funded." proposed tree-clearing guidelines and other 19 October 1995 508 Legislative Assembly restrictive regulations. With a stroke of the In recent times, the Eastlink project has pen, the Government could declare that a been a major subject of discussion. Opposition certain plantation will not be allowed to be members have highlighted the major harvested. In my view the Government is disruption that the project is causing to adopting the wrong approach in that regard. landowners in its path. In the past couple of The Government is neglecting to take into months, an unbelievable case has come to account the ability of the forest to regenerate. my attention. A constituent of mine has a I have stated in this House previously that the number of SEQEB installations running natural life cycle of a forest is birth, growth, through his property. He intended to go away death, decay and then rebirth. If the for a while, but he wanted to ensure that Government does not allow certain trees to be SEQEB workers could still access his property. harvested, it is interfering with the natural At the same time, he sought to ensure that his processes of a forest. In the meantime, new cattle were secured and that the gates would growth is being prevented from coming not be left open. My constituent approached through and the current shortfall in the SEQEB and said that he would buy a lock to domestic market will continue. Were the put on his gate, to which he would give Government to treat cattle in the same way as SEQEB a key. He was astonished to be it is attempting to treat timber, no cattle advised that he would be required to pay a producers would remain in this country. There charge of $30 for SEQEB to supply a lock to would be many mature-aged cattle but no which both he and SEQEB could have a key. producers. My constituent asks: why does he have to pay SEQEB $30 to allow its workers to access his Mr Johnson interjected. property when he could purchase a lock for a Mr STEPHAN: Producers are not much lower price and give a key to SEQEB? sending cattle to the meatworks at present; Mr Littleproud interjected. that is the problem. In respect of the forestry industry, once again the Government is Mr STEPHAN: That is exactly what this following the wrong path. person asked: why should he have to pay a fee to provide access to his own property, I turn now to subcontractors. when all that is required is a lock that both the Unfortunately, a large number of owner and SEQEB can utilise? I have written subcontractors are experiencing difficulties in to the Minister for Minerals and Energy obtaining payment for work carried out. The outlining this case, and I will be interested to State Government is one of the major hear his response. contributors to that problem. It is failing to pay moneys owing to contractors, who in turn are I want to comment on the recently unable to pay subbies. I would be very established Scrutiny of Legislation Committee interested to find out how many building and the first issue of Alert Digest tabled earlier companies have gone into receivership in this week. The continued appearance of Henry Queensland in the past couple of years. I VIII clauses in legislation never ceases to pose another interesting question: how many amaze me. The Alert Digest deals with firms have been working on State Government legislation dating back to 1964, and the use of projects at the time of going into receivership? such clauses has been common since that How many subcontractors and suppliers have time. The former Subordinate Legislation been left unpaid as a result of the closure of Committee frowned very heavily on the use of those companies? Henry VIII clauses, but that practice continues. I am disappointed that that is the case. I note The attitude being adopted by the that one section of the document states— Government in this regard is not good enough. It is not good enough to say to the "The Committee refers the continuing subbies that they have to carry the can when breaches of the fundamental legislative their operations are collapsing around them. In principles (the use of Henry VIII clauses) my electorate in the past couple of years, to the attention of Parliament." particularly in the last 18 months, there have The document notes further that the use of been many examples of such collapses. It is a Henry VIII clauses is the subject of a report to sad indictment on a Government—regardless be presented to Parliament by the committee of which Government might have been in 1996. I hope that the members of this involved—that this has been allowed to occur. House will take note of that report. The subbies themselves are not the only ones I note also that the committee has sought to suffer; their families are also suffering. We advice from the relevant Minister as to whether cannot ignore this problem, and insufficient persons are detrimentally affected by the emphasis is being placed on rectifying it. retrospective application of another piece of Legislative Assembly 509 19 October 1995 legislation examined in this edition of Alert David Alan Low, who served in this House for Digest. some 27 years until he retired in 1974—a Time expired. remarkable term when one notes that for the first 20 years of that term he was also Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Chairman of the Maroochy Shire Council. Bredhauer): Order! I call the member for Mansfield. I remind honourable members that My father's grandparents, Matthew and as this is the member's first speech in the Ellen Carroll, emigrated from Ireland in 1866 to Parliament, it would be appreciated if he could become two of the first European landowners be extended the customary courtesies. in Nambour, while my mother's great grandparents, James and Christina Low, had Mr CARROLL (Mansfield) (3 p.m.): In emigrated from Scotland in 1853 to become my first address to this House as member for two of the first settlers in the Maroochy River Mansfield, I pledge my loyalty and that of my district just a little to the north. constituents to Her Majesty, the Queen, and the State of Queensland. My own studies of family and Queensland history make me very proud to be a I congratulate the Speaker and the Queenslander and anxious to ensure that this Deputy Speaker on their re-election. State continues to be a place which rewards The south side metropolitan seat of strong, hard-working families. I shall oppose Mansfield was first contested in 1972. Now social experiments and any other departure occupying some 88 square kilometres, this from our strong Christian heritage. The seat includes the suburbs of Upper Mount churches were a significant influence in the Gravatt, Mansfield, Mount Gravatt East, development of our customs and we need to Wishart, Mackenzie, Rochedale North and ensure that we not only maintain but Burbank, along with parts of Eight Mile Plains, strengthen that heritage. Macgregor, Mount Gravatt, Chandler, I began working part time when I was 10 Belmont, Carindale and Capalaba West. It has years old and learnt much in all sorts of work greatly diverse styles of housing ranging from from shop assistant to pineapple picking and compact, rented, mobile homes, and four bee-keeping. I managed to study at the large van parks, through all sorts of strata-titled University of Queensland by courtesy of a units and solid post-war homes to many Commonwealth scholarship and spent million-dollar residences on the east side vacations working in a smallgoods factory, acreage properties. then labouring in the heat on the Fairbairn The first member for Mansfield, a Dam project in central Queensland during distinguished World War II serviceman, Bill another break. I went on to graduate with pass Kaus, held the seat for the Liberal Party for degrees in commerce and law, and then five terms, and then the National Party gained admission as a solicitor of the member, Mr Sherrin, represented Mansfield Supreme Court of Queensland in 1976 and with distinction for one term until the change of the High Court of Australia in 1977. Government in 1989. I am grateful to the I was privileged to train as an articled law substantial majority of the nearly 26,000 voters clerk with Messrs Flower and Hart, one of this in Mansfield for trusting me to represent their State's oldest and most respected law firms. interests in this House from 15 July onwards. Then, having an aptitude for family law, I Born in Brisbane of working class parents, enjoyed 18 years general practice at Upper I was fortunate while growing up with my two Mount Gravatt as a partner in the firm younger sisters and younger brother to reside Bennett, Carroll and Gibbons. I feel confident in various parts of Queensland from Boonah in that my experience of people gained through the south to Thursday Island in the far north. I the 8,000 divorce cases and many other legal have fond memories of those times with my matters which I handled has rendered me able hard-working parents, Val and Jack Carroll, in to understand the hopes and aspirations of a happy family. Sadly, my father died in 1981, people from all levels of society. but I enjoy the support of a wide family I am sure that is why I felt comfortable network, especially grandmother, Alma Low, doorknocking more than 8,500 homes and up at Yandina, a mentor/uncle in John Low, businesses in the past year. We need to firmly and my favourite uncle, a Catholic priest, keep our feet on the pavements of our Father Pat Carroll, up in Townsville. electorates if we hope to provide our One of my earliest recollections is of time constituents with equal opportunities and spent with my grandfather, Ted Low, assisting justice through Government that is sufficiently in local campaign work for his brother, the then responsive. Parliamentary democracy, with its Country Party member for Cooroora, the late present sound constitutional structure, is the 19 October 1995 510 Legislative Assembly best system to allow expression of the hopes certain offences, regardless of who imposes and aspirations of free people. that conviction. That system must ensure that Liberalism, with its emphasis on the it is the criminal who pays, not the rest of this individual and enterprise, is the political State's law abiding, tax-paying silent majority. philosophy best suited to handle new, Such a system must force prisoners to changing and challenging social and work something like six days per week for 12 economic conditions. I believe that competitive hours per day not only to pay the enterprise, the free choice of consumers in the compensation bill but also the cost of market place and individual effort will maximise maintaining the prisoner. In case it is not economic growth, personal satisfaction and obvious, Mr and Mrs Average Working national prosperity. Queenslander are tired of working those hours I enjoy a close working relationship with themselves while being taxed heavily by all my coalition colleagues and acknowledge the levels of Government, while daily battling significant help of their Mansfield branch barricades of red tape, threats of green levies, members, especially Mr Ken Wilson, in my green audits and the lopsided workplace laws. recent successful election campaign. On any When they arrive home from all that, they find view, this essential partnership will strengthen their home burgled or a family member the as we sharpen focus on our mutual vision for a victim of some disgusting crime. Any offender prosperous Queensland that nurtures private caught then seems to receive legal aid, enterprise and its workers, especially in small occupy expensive accommodation, dodges businesses and primary industries. The engine any obligation to meet any part of the criminal room of this State's economy must be quickly compensation award and then is out on the restored. street in no time grinning at the hapless victim. Often the prisoner receives a pension and I have no doubt that State institutions much more help than the victim, though the should be restricted to only those endeavours latter, along with you and me, bear all these which historically have been left to the public costs. This rot must stop! sector, especially those that meet community There also needs to be real consultation service needs. I take a dim view of some with agencies such as the Australian Institute senior public servants creating cosy private of Criminology, the CJC, the Litigation Reform businesses for themselves under the guise of Commission, and victims-of-crime groups who semi-Government enterprise. need to know that they will be heard. There are some rare, justifiable Active participation in the life and exceptions for competition to private enterprise government of the Wesleyan Methodist under the mantle of State institutions such as Church of Australia and my local South Gate reformative industry for prisoners. Society Wesleyan Methodist Church has given me a cannot afford to continue rewarding criminals personal burden to promote proper and useful with short stays in expensive motels. Criminals education. should bear the full cost of their crimes. As the only lawyer on the coalition benches, I have As a member of the National Board of positive views for reform in these matters. Administration of that Church and Chairman of the Board of Managers of its Melbourne Even while coalition members continue to theological college, I do as much as I can to sit for a little longer on the Opposition side of promote the growth of conservative the House, I want to work closely with my evangelical Christian education in this country. parliamentary colleagues on the Government That includes several years' work with the side to bluntly address the seriously high crime Brisbane broadcasting company Family Radio wave buffeting Queensland. I look forward to Limited, which is still fighting repression by the serving on the Legal, Constitutional and Australian Broadcasting Authority. A full-time Administrative Review Committee. I pay tribute Christian broadcasting licence for Brisbane is to the excellent work done by its predecessor, long overdue. Family Radio could begin the Parliamentary Criminal Justice Committee. running a licensed station next week, with its There is no doubt that a thorough reform 20 years' experience and the wide support of this State's laws in relation to the that it enjoys from Brisbane churches. On that compensation payable to victims of crime, note, I acknowledge the wonderful community penalties and sentences and corrective work done by many churches and church services is overdue. The kid gloves have to be schools in the electorate of Mansfield. There is thrown away. Queensland urgently needs laws a concentration of larger evangelical churches that will better provide awards for victims of in my electorate, giving it the reputation of crime through the court system in relation to being the centre of Queensland's bible belt. Legislative Assembly 511 19 October 1995

Serving as chairman of the first project by the Mount Gravatt Senior Citizens, community council at the Mount Gravatt TAFE who meet there weekly; the previous members College raised my awareness of the valuable of the Mount Gravatt Memorial Hall role of our tertiary education institutions. These Association; and the State Department of are incubators for the practical tertiary training Tourism, Sport and Racing, as it was known essential to restarting small industry in last year. The Showground Trust has recently Queensland. I recently witnessed the embarked upon another exciting project to commencement of a new training partnership move the Evans Deakin building from the at the Moreton TAFE College—previously Construction Training Centre site at Salisbury known as Mount Gravatt—when the Toyota over to our showgrounds. My fellow trustees, motor company handed to the college two along with our many other volunteers, new cars, along with other more valuable contractors, local donors and community equipment and technical knowledge. I pay stakeholders, are proud of these projects that tribute to the exceptional initiative and recycle solid, grand old buildings to serve as decades of hard work by Ray Best, the director community centres. of the college, and his devoted staff. Rare I was pleased to see the showground geniuses like these people must be trust, in partnership with the Minister for recognised and supported. Moreton college— Tourism, Sport and Youth, committed to youth which, as I said, was previously known as development in the Mount Gravatt district, Mount Gravatt TAFE College—has a much of which is in the Mansfield electorate. I remarkable record for progress in various pay tribute to the vision of the Minister and his fields, especially automotive technology, advisers, such as Lance Haines and Peter computer-aided drafting, fashion and Johnston, who recognise the role of a Youth hospitality training. Development Worker at Mount Gravatt to At about the same time as my serve The unmet needs of our valuable youth. introduction to the TAFE college system, I was Already the trust has a track record of appointed in 1989 as a member of the first assisting the Friends From Care organisation Mount Gravatt Showgrounds Trust and soon and others in youth development work on afterwards I was elected chairman. Pursuant Brisbane's south side. The Brisbane City to a 1988 Act of this Parliament, the trust is to Council Youth Arts Program provided develop and manage the Mount Gravatt previously "written-off" young people with life- Showgrounds for showground, park and changing training and encouragement. My recreation purposes. I am sure that most earlier years as a coach of young footballers honourable members would remember the 15 and cricketers has shown me that investment years of public fuss and extensive litigation, of time and effort by understanding people will ending with the decision of the Privy Council ensure that our future can be safe in the which recognised the existence of the trust hands of these young people we mould. now preserved by that Act. Working as a family lawyer, I have seen I pay tribute to Arthur Scurr, MBE, his the tragic effect of suicide in troubled families, family and friends for their wisdom and but suicide by young people is costing perseverance in battling to see the correct Queensland dearly. I want to improve suicide result. Mr Scurr recently completed six years of prevention and support services for youth and very effective service on the trust. During that their families. Although many Scouting, Girl period, we have reshaped the grounds and Guides, sporting and church youth groups in added valuable improvements. the Mansfield electorate are occupying, I recognise the long tradition of the training and encouraging young people, a annual Mount Gravatt Show. It is the only district youth development worker is essential. "country show in the city" held on the last Public health issues stood head and weekend in July each year at the shoulders above the many local issues in the showgrounds. I am sure that the hardworking Mansfield electorate this year. The QE II Show Society, with president Bob Goss and Hospital at Nathan must be reopened and his team, will continue to adapt to changing have its equipment restored as a district interests in the district and that the show will hospital, possibly having emphasis in always be a local feature. maternity cases. It should never have been The new Mount Gravatt Memorial Show closed. I note that the hardworking local Hall at the grounds is the renovated stock and Hospital Auxiliary has raised about $1.2m for station agents building that were moved from medical equipment there. I can tell the House the Cannon Hill saleyards. I recognise the that the people in the five electorates valuable financial assistance provided for the surrounding this valuable hospital—Mansfield, 19 October 1995 512 Legislative Assembly

Mount Gravatt, Archerfield, Sunnybank and for junior high school students needing extra Springwood—are unhappy with the present help, and at the two State special schools in facade of health services there. They will be the Mansfield electorate oppose the de- carefully watching for application of the new institutionalisation programs in Education, QE II policy announced by the Health Minister, Health and Family Services for the social cost Mr Beattie, on Monday. is too high. I am convinced that the program It is a pity that so much time and money must be reviewed forthwith. We shall always was wasted in the last four years while need these facilities. On this point, I note that confusion reigned before our coalition policy a petition containing almost 12,000 signatures was adopted. The ambulance officers told to was presented to this Parliament this week divert past that hospital, the sick and injured calling for a halt to headlong de- who could be more comfortably treated there institutionalisation which is tipping profoundly nearer to home, and those on surgery waiting handicapped people out into the community, lists have not happily stood by while QE II lay causing havoc among our citizens, including under-utilised and novices tinkered with a blind citizens. This same deinstitutionalisation crumbling health system. is also apparently justifying the early release of dangerous criminals from other institutions— I shall take honourable members back to the gaols. education for a moment to share some clear messages from my constituents. Firstly, the I pledge my backing for the many people parents and teachers of the six State primary supporting retention of full-time institutions, schools in the Mansfield electorate and three particularly those who care for people with others across the road on its boundaries disabilities, such as the Basil Stafford home. demand immediate reform of the Language There is no way that all adults with disabilities Other Than English Program and the changes can be dumped into the community, even with to Student Performance Standards. They are the novel support systems that have proven breaking under the strain of these, overlaid unworkable in other Australian States and upon normal teaching, interrupted by both overseas. My experience as president of the neutralised disciplinary power and integration Queensland Foundation for Blind People Inc. of pupils with special needs unmet. for several years, and consultation with other working folk with disabilities leaves me in no I welcome the announcement by the doubt about these issues. Furthermore, we Minister for Education yesterday in this House must do more for people with disabilities in in response to pressure from the coalition that relation to post-school options. Last month, I there will be some extra help for disabled tabled in this Parliament a petition from children being pushed into State primary concerned parents and friends of young schools. There is a clear cry for additional people with disabilities at the Eight Mile Plains review so that teachers can get back to Special School. training disciplined, able pupils in the basic three R's with appropriate help for struggling Let me colour in a little more of the picture students. of Mansfield. There is a 35-hectare technology park at Eight Mile Plains, the popular Garden Secondly, the two State high schools and City shopping centre and the adjacent Upper Seton College in Mansfield can certainly utilise Mount Gravatt regional business centre. We funds earmarked for community centres by the have the smartly refurbished Mount Gravatt Premier shortly before the election. Rochedale Plaza shopping centre, five suburban High School particularly can use some of that shopping centres, and the usual corner stores money to complete its large assembly hall. I and petrol stations. Further up on Old think it feels forgotten down there on the Cleveland Road, which is the northern southern boundary of our electorate. boundary, the electorate includes the historic As with the proven prototype at Mansfield Belmont Rifle Range, now owned by the High, such a facility is in high demand as a Queensland Government, where many community centre for sport, recreation, public thousands of sporting shooters, service worship and teaching purposes outside school personnel and competitors train regularly. This usage. The parents and teachers at world-class venue sees international and Rochedale High claim that the Koala national competitors almost monthly, Secretariat grants unfairly favoured schools in sponsored by the Queensland Rifle the Springwood electorate with nearly $1m Association and the Sporting Shooters earlier this year ignoring Mansfield electorate Association of Australia. schools. Right next door at the Sleeman Sports Thirdly, the parents and teachers of Seton Complex, the Brisbane City Council is College, run by the Catholic Education Office proceeding with improvements catering for Legislative Assembly 513 19 October 1995 tourists in an ecotourism park. Down toward playing with easier projects like local area the southern boundary of the electorate, the plans outside my electorate. The strong, active residents of Wishart, Burbank and North Southside District Chamber of Commerce and Rochedale struggle with this city's landfill dump I are pleased to see that the cumbersome at Rochedale, while others are left uncertain ship seems to be changing course. We have about whether or not the nightmarish South recently been assured that some interest and Coast Motorway plan has really been some funds for this long neglected Upper abandoned. Mount Gravatt plan have now been allocated. In Chandler, Burbank, MacKenzie and My constituents look forward to final public Rochedale on the east side, anxiety is rising consultation on the new plan early next year. over the ROSS policy. In Rochedale and Eight We have a sizeable light industrial estate in Mile Plains, competition brews between those the electorate in the suburb of Mansfield that who want to preserve the unique flower needs this large commercial centre nearby. growing, chicken production and market Membership of the legal profession these gardening patch of fertile land with artesian days is no fun, as the Premier has reminded water on the one hand, and on the other hand us recently. However, I am proud of my those who think a higher use will be its profession and look forward to representing it subdivision and sale for close residential in this House. I am tired of seeing it regularly development. The Departments of dragged out as the whipping boy where others Environment and Heritage and Primary are to blame. We often forget all the pro bono Industries will have to become more interested work, the free consultations and community in that significant issue for that part of this city. work done by many esteemed lawyers in this The passage of increasingly heavier traffic State. I will have more to say on that in the around the clock along the Griffith Arterial future. Road and concern about alterations to traffic At the home turn now, I want to make a flow from the new Port Road to the north, the couple of personal remarks. My strong Capalaba bypass to the north east, the Christian faith is very important to me. I know Southern Bypass to the south, and the South that I am among a clear majority of the Coast Motorway have kept agitated home honourable members who share that strength, owners on the alert. Their anxiety was not so I am not unique. I could not let this eased with the announcement on 13 occasion pass, however, without honouring September that the Daisy Hill Forest would be God, the one who hears our prayers at the saved from "that road". Queensland Transport beginning of each day's business here—that is bought 28 properties in the path of the tollway not a formality only. As the PNG Consul, Mr before the election, has bought 27 more Tom Palume, said to us at the parliamentary since, has reached agreement on the price it prayer breakfast yesterday, God has a plan for will pay for another nine, and continues to us and we should be keen to serve him. With negotiate for more. All of us should be all my human failings I am encouraged by troubled by what appears to be an Executive many friends in our Christian churches, Government that creates its own particularly in the electorate, and my self-perpetuating work. Queensland Transport interaction with people of all other faiths in that executives refuse to eradicate uncertainty electorate, such as the Jewish people, the about their plans, but happily dish out public Sikhs and Moslems, who share conservative funds to silence people who say the family values and the worship of the one God uncertainty has ruined property values. The with us. Government land bank grows while civil servants create work for themselves. I look forward to a constructive working relationship with all honourable members. We I mentioned the south side business have all come here with basically the same centre at Upper Mount Gravatt, which has altruistic objectives. I trust honourable been planned for some 20 years as one of the members now know a little more about where I four regional business centres for this city. am coming from. It is that background that That concept was embraced by all SEQ 2001 leads me to again congratulate the member and Brisbane 2011 reports, yet for five years for Cleveland on the motives declared in his the Department of Local Government and the speech in this House about the deplorable Brisbane City Council have deliberately standard of some material aired on television forgotten to work on a proper development for young viewers. plan for that important precinct. Until a year ago, when my election campaign began, the Finally, I thank my election campaign Brisbane City Council was left without committee, especially director, Gail Chiconi, correction to divert its limited resources to who I am pleased is in the gallery today, 19 October 1995 514 Legislative Assembly treasurer, David Greig, Don Cameron, Liberal territory. Thirdly, all the liabilities are fully Leader, Mrs Sheldon, Santo Santoro, Jarred funded." Oberhart and Jim Barron, among others. They Those were the words of the Minister for were joined by several hundred people in Justice and Attorney-General, who was then three local Liberal Party branches of the Minister responsible for workers' Mansfield, Burbank, and Wishart/Sunnybank compensation. What were the Minister's own Young Liberals. Two other Liberal councillors, words in regard to the three great principles Graham Quirk and Graeme McDougall, whose that underpin our workers' compensation wards intersect in my electorate, also system? Let me take them one at a time. The cheerfully provided other invaluable first principle was: "All liabilities are fully assistance. The staff and partners of my law funded." Those were the Minister's own words. firm, especially secretary Tanya Morgan, were That first principle is now long since dead. In always most helpful, but my secret weapons the Government's optimistic estimates, it will were my family. My sons Andy and Tony now be at least another five years before the have a stronger work ethic, while my daughter, Workers Compensation Fund again becomes Joanne, who is also a solicitor, and her fully funded. For 32 years under the previous husband Guy not only worked long hours on National Party Government, the fund was fully the campaign but also took over other funded. After five years of Labor—and, as commercial interests for me. My wife Joan always, after many, many warnings—the continues to be a great mate, social organiser scheme is no longer fully funded. The and hard worker. I thank her for her faith in me Government simply cannot help itself. As I will and support in this new career. demonstrate later in my speech, in 1990, Mr CONNOR (Nerang) (3.29 p.m.): following the major changes that it instituted to Queensland's most senior law officer, the workers' compensation, the Government was Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, is warned that this exact problem would occur. charged with culpable negligence in his I turn now to Mr Foley's second great handling of workers' compensation. As the principle of workers' compensation, namely: Minister formerly responsible for workers' that Queensland has "the lowest average compensation, this culpable negligence premium of any Australian State or Territory." should be seen for exactly what it is, a serious For decades, workers' compensation offence, an offence that will affect every premiums have been very low. After being worker in Queensland. Not only will it increase routed by successive Labor Governments, the cost of employing people in Queensland other States have deemed it necessary to and hence limit the economic growth of this increase substantially workers' compensation State, but also the common law rights of every premiums. Even with escalating premiums in Queenslander will be limited as a result of this other States, as a result of the Goss Labor man's action or lack of action. Matt Foley's Government, this Minister and the substantial name, if he is guilty of these charges, will go increase in average premiums, Queensland down in infamy as the man who cost the will be unable to compete with other States ordinary workers of Queensland their most and will no longer have the lowest workers' basic of rights: the proper and full protection of compensation premiums of any State. the courts against wrongdoing. Yesterday, the Premier stated that we can This man, if shown to be guilty—and I expect premiums in this State to be about the intend to do that today—should be judged average of the States' premiums. But that accordingly. He is charged with knowingly does not include the surcharge. The issue of allowing workers' compensation to run down, the merit rebate is still in question, as is the become overly expensive and undermine the additional cost of the first five days of any basic tenets of a sound workers' claim being incurred by the employer. So the compensation scheme—and I quote from the first two of Mr Foley's three great principles are Minister's own words during the debate on the no longer correct. Workers' Compensation Amendment Bill in As for the third principle—until the Premier November last year— stepped in, the Minister who is now ". . . the three great principles that responsible for workers' compensation, Wendy underpin our workers' compensation Edmond, made a clear statement of fact on system here in Queensland. Firstly, we the 7.30 Report that both premiums would are the only State that retains for injured increase and access to common law claims workers unlimited access to the common would be reduced. Only as a result of direct law right to sue for negligence. Secondly, intervention by the Premier was Mr Foley's this State has the lowest average third great principle not publicly, or directly, premiums of any Australian State or dumped. Members still do not even know the Legislative Assembly 515 19 October 1995 finer points of that deal. However, I believe result of ripping off the fund over the last six that in some roundabout way the rights of the years to the tune of $130m—and these are individual worker have been eroded the QCCI's figures—if that money was repaid substantially. I know that there will be as at 1 July, the fund would not be in the red. limitations. As Mrs Edmond said, for injuries On the Minister's figure of $118m, it would not such as a sprained thumb, a broken toe, or be in the red. Therefore, one of the basic something of that order, people would lose tenets that Mr Foley maintained as the basis their indemnity against costs incurred in court. of our system, that is, a fully funded Workers Whichever way one looks at it, that represents Compensation Fund, would not be a problem. an undermining of the common law right of The Minister could also consider—but I know every Queensland worker until—— that this is all too hard—calling a moratorium Mrs Edmond: And you're telling me that during which the Government would not the employers will oppose any restriction to continue to rip off the funds from the workers' common law? Is that what you are saying? compensation pool. That would make it a lot easier for the Minister to balance the books. Mr CONNOR: I did not hear what the Minister said. Mrs Edmond: It would save $5m a year. Mrs Edmond: Are you saying that the employers have asked you to come in here Mr CONNOR: Whether it is $5m or and oppose any restriction to common law? Is $10m a year, the fact is that, over the last six that what you are saying? years, the Government has ripped off $131m. That is according to the QCCI's figure. Mr CONNOR: No, I have not said that. Mrs Edmond: Rubbish! For the last six years, the Minister's Government has been responsible for this Mr CONNOR: So the QCCI is talking legislation. The Opposition, when it was in rubbish? I will let the QCCI know that it is Government, did not get the Workers talking rubbish. Compensation Fund into this position; the Mrs Edmond: Seventy-five over five. Government did that. The Minister's predecessor, Mr Foley, got it into that position. Mr CONNOR: The Minister could consider paying back that amount. Mrs Edmond: I'm just asking you, The Minister should throw in a little bit of because the employers are saying you've sold interest for having the use of that money. She them down the drain. should also not forget that the public service Mr CONNOR: We did not sell them has had the advantage of using that fund down the drain. The Government has reached without paying for it. The public service simply the exclusive conclusion that the only way in repaid the cost of the statutory claims at the which it can fix the Workers Compensation end of the year. What about its share of Fund is to raise the premiums—the amount workplace health and safety payments and all that the employer has to pay—or limit the other things that have been pulled out of common law rights. the pool? The public service has not paid its Mrs Edmond: I said both. share. The Minister should also consider repaying some of that money, too. But that is Mr CONNOR: That is right; the Minister all too hard, because in some way or another said both. Now she has cut the employers that might affect the bottom line of the loose and, as a result, industry in Queensland Consolidated Fund. will be absolutely devastated. Instead, the Minister is determined to I am not blaming this Minister; she is the make sure that the employers of Queensland sucker who had to take over the responsibility directly, and the workers of Queensland of the Workers Compensation Fund. I am not indirectly, pay for the mistakes of the former blaming her; I am blaming the Minister who Minister and the Government. The Minister is usually sits near her. He is the one who is going to force employers to make a sacrifice culpable. I only wish he was present in the and make those payments. The employees Chamber so that he could take his medicine. I will make those payments indirectly by losing would take interjections from him as well. I jobs. Granted, those jobs will be on the invite the Minister for Justice and Attorney- fringes; but as a direct result of lumping General into the Chamber to debate this together the whole cost of getting the fund issue. If he has the courage, he will come into back on track by imposing higher workers' the Chamber. compensation premiums, there will be a The Minister for Employment and Training dramatic undermining of the viability of also forgets one other important matter: as a employing people in Queensland. That will be 19 October 1995 516 Legislative Assembly demonstrated over the next year or two by a I mentioned before—for such organisations as skyrocketing unemployment rate in the Division of Workplace Health and Safety. Queensland as industry deserts Queensland There we have the hard and indisputable and heads for areas that perhaps—as a result evidence of the maladministration of workers' of conservative Governments—are greener compensation. The question arises: was it pastures. foreseeable? I return to what Mr Foley did while he was I will digress for a moment by saying that the Minister responsible for the Workers if a board of directors or the chief executive of Compensation Fund. He is further charged a private insurance fund oversaw a situation with having actively gone about ensuring that like this, I have no doubt that the Australian the information about the undermining of the Securities Commission would come in and Workers Compensation Fund and the charge them. It is only that those involved unfunded liability of $118m as of 1 July did not have the protection of being a Government come out before the last State election so that authority that that has not happened. If this the Queensland taxpayers and workers could was a private operation, the directors, probably be the judge. On this issue, the jury can the chief executive, and possibly the Minister consist only of the people of Queensland—the as the chairman of the board, in effect, would Queensland workers and the victims. How all have been charged by the Australian would this Minister for Justice plead? Of Securities Commission. course, he would plead not guilty. He has said Mrs Edmond: What a load of that no-one could have predicted the nonsense. enormous surge in common law claims. Mr CONNOR: It is nonsense, is it? The The Premier is saying the same thing. In Minister should not even be in that position if some ways, it would be probably more she does not understand the obligations of a worrying if the Government were telling the director to the Australian Securities truth, because that would show a level of Commission. If the Minister had any incompetence that we certainly cannot afford understanding whatsoever of the in Queensland. But if, as I suspect, it is not, responsibilities of a director, she would know then that shows a wilful attempt at covering up that in these circumstances he would have what is going on in Queensland before the been charged. State election. What evidence is there to show that the Minister should be found guilty of Mrs Edmond: You are saying that the culpable negligence in relation to workers' employer representatives on the board should compensation? Firstly, we know—and the be charged. Government has admitted—that as at 1 July, it Mr CONNOR: The board is responsible was $118m actuarially underfunded. for the funds. Secondly, we know that while the former Mrs Edmond: There are employer Minister was in charge of this portfolio the representatives; there are union average rate of workers' compensation went representatives. from 1.4 per cent to 1.7 per cent. What else Mr CONNOR: They are still responsible. do we have in the prima facie case against the Minister of the Crown? We know that, as a Mrs Edmond: I will tell Mount Isa Mines result of increases in both statutory and you want their employees locked up. common law claims, he also brought in a Mr CONNOR: Not at all. I am saying demerit system increasing the cost of workers' that to allow an insurance fund to get into this compensation to employers with poor claims position, to say nothing—— records. We have seen common law claims Mrs Edmond: For heaven's sake! I blow out, according to the current Minister, but have been accused of saying too much; now I might add that we still have not seen the you are saying I said nothing. board's annual report. What does the Minister have to hide? Why will she not release the Mr CONNOR: You are saying nothing? report? Is it because she does not want a full Mrs Edmond: We put letters out to and proper debate? everybody. According to the Minister, we have seen Mr CONNOR: I am talking about after an approximately 50 per cent increase in 15 July. Does the Minister understand whom common law claims in one year. We have also the real shareholders of the Workers seen funds drawn from the workers' Compensation Fund are? Does she know compensation pool for what are commonly who, in the end, will pick up the tab when all regarded as normal Government services—as else fails? The real shareholders are the Legislative Assembly 517 19 October 1995 taxpayers of Queensland, because they that is about now I think— underwrite this. The fund is operated by the "those workers will scoop into the coffers Government and it is all underwritten. to get out a few more dollars to pay for Mrs Edmond: The employers pay the injuries"— contributions. or whatever— Mr CONNOR: It is still underwritten by "and there will not be any money the taxpayers of Queensland. When they went there . . ." to the polls they had a right to know, because they were deciding who was going to be I wonder how I could have predicted that five steering this ship for the next three years. years ago, and yet the Minister could not have predicted it a year ago. Further I said— They had a right to know and the Minister did not tell them. I am saying that the previous "Queensland has a shrinking pool of Minister knew. I will show now that it was funds, and yet it is going to increase predictable and it was predicted. substantially the benefits for injured workers. The Minister should be honest What information did this Minister have to about the legislation. If he is going to draw on? Was it predictable and was it increase the benefits for workers, then the predicted? Those are the two most essential premiums to employers must be questions that need to be asked when looking increased to properly fund those at the proof of the culpability of the Minister benefits." and the board. Was he blameworthy? Was he reprehensible in the manner in which he dealt Members who were present at the time with this issue? Predicability is one of the may recall that one of the first things the Goss key questions that needs to be answered. To Government did was to substantially increase do this I go back to 23 October 1990, five the benefits, substantially broaden the years ago, when the Minister's predecessor, definition of work related injury, extend the Mr Warburton, was responsible for workers' time benefits could be received—which, I compensation. I will quote from the debate on might add, it is now looking at turning the Workers Compensation Bill, the first back—and at the same time reduce the legislative change to workers' compensation premium rate, hence dramatically undermining that the Goss Government implemented. I the viability of the pool. One did not have to might add, this goes very much to the heart of be Einstein to predict what would happen. It the question of the predicability of the blow-out was not long before my predictions and those of workers' compensation. I quote from my of industry were proven correct, because the speech in that debate of five years ago— funds started to blow out almost straightaway and remedial action was required. It was a "I have grave concerns that the bandaid measure at best, but the figures will direction in which these proposed show that the Workers Compensation Fund changes will lead Queensland is the same continued to haemorrhage. direction in which Victoria has moved." Mr Dollin: Give us your policy. You That was five years ago. I am doing my best haven't got one. to resist saying, "I told you so." I further said— Mr CONNOR: I will take that inane "The Queensland scheme will go interjection, because if the member had been exactly the same way if these proposed listening earlier, he would have heard my changes are implemented. solution. He is obviously not listening. Why I am so concerned is that at the As was stated by the Queensland same time as Queensland is experiencing Chamber of Commerce and Industry in its a 4 per cent reduction in workers' most recent submission in relation to workers' compensation premiums—and that is compensation, dated 4 October 1995— admitted in the Budget papers—it is increasing the spending of the pool." "The problem confronting the Workers' Compensation Board is clearly I doubt Government members would able to be identified. The 48.7% increase remember five years ago, but the Government in common law claims in 1994-95 bumped up the ability to claim and stretched represents a continuation of a trend which out the amounts that could be claimed—then was identified by the Workers' it reduced the premium. That was absolutely Compensation Board in its report in crazy stuff. This is what I said five years ago— 1991." "Three or four years down the In less than a year after the conversional track"— changes to workers' compensation in 1991, 19 October 1995 518 Legislative Assembly the Workers Compensation Board identified made as a result of the tribunal's decision the blow-out. Again quoting the Queensland was unreasonable and insufficient, and if Chamber of Commerce and Industry— he or she decided to make a claim "The Chairman of the Board, in a through the courts system but failed to letter to the stakeholders"— attain a greater amount, he or she would be responsible for the legal costs, which is in 1991— generally the typical situation in the "clearly identified that more drastic insurance industry. But Dawson Petie, on remedial action would be required if action behalf of the Trades and Labor Council, was not taken at that time." rejected that position." Of course, it was not taken. At the time, I had this to say— Quite clearly, four years ago the board "It simply comes down to the fact itself was highlighting the problems associated that the Premier knows that if Queensland with the fund and identified the blow-out, keeps going down this track, we will be hence showing the predicability of our present going right down the track of all the rust situation. It goes further. The Workers belt southern Labor States and that there Compensation Board presented a briefing would be nothing but trouble. But, in paper to the Goss Government in February common with all the other Labor 1992. The briefing paper found common law Governments, the Goss Government did claims had increased by 9.5 per cent to more not have the intestinal fortitude to take on than 30 per cent between 1981 and 1990, the unions in this regard. Eventually this and that, if immediate action was not taken, Government will take them on, but it will remedial steps in the future would need to be be too late—too late for the State, and more drastic. We are now seeing the result of too late for the Government. In common that with the drastic actions that are occurring. with most of the other Labor States, the In July 1993, another warning to the Goss Government will let it go to the predicability of the problem became known, stage at which it effectively becomes non- and it really is the ultimate in showing the viable . . ." predicability of the problem. In fact, it proves I said that almost two and a half years ago. conclusively that not only was the blow-out in Clearly, in June 1993, almost two and a half common law claims predictable but also that years ago, the Government knew that workers' the Government and the Minister clearly compensation common law claims were understood what it was and were trying to do blowing out. It had two warnings from the something about it. I might add that this was board. It had figures showing quite clearly that over two years ago. common law was the cause of the blow-out. I will quote from my contribution to the Not only that, the Government initiated a July 1993 debate on the motion for process to limit this blow-out. However, disallowance of the Workers Compensation because the Trades and Labor Council Amendment Regulation (No. 1). For the determined that it was not prepared to accept benefit of those members who do not recall the Government's proposal, the common law the debate, I point out that it concerned a claims continued to blow out and the substantial increase in average premiums for Government allowed it to happen. So much workers' compensation. I stated— for the Government's suggestion that it could "About a month ago, the General not have predicted the blow-out! Secretary of the Trades and Labor The Government had another warning Council, Dawson Petie, said that he was two and a half years ago. However, this time it not prepared to reduce workers' access to was specifically directed at the blow-out in workers' compensation claims." common law claims. And so we saw the Further, I stated— Government make some minor changes to "Through a working party which the legislation. In September 1993, three included many sectors of the community, months later, the debate on the Workers' the Government recommended that Compensation Amendment Bill went ahead. I workers' compensation—the access to a remind the Minister, Mr Foley, of what I said in common law claim through the courts— that debate. I stated— should be available, but only after a "I would also like the Minister to set a person went through a tribunal and an time frame within which the matter of the offer was made. If the employee, the blow-out of common law claims should be injured worker, felt that an offer that was addressed. As I said, if we do not do Legislative Assembly 519 19 October 1995

something about that, we will follow That is what I was saying two years ago. I Victoria's path." continued— That is what I said more than two years ago. "All the Government has done is This story about a lack of predicability—for delay the payment of those claims, hence example, Mrs Edmond saying, "We didn't the increase in non-current liabilities within know"—is quite obviously untrue. I remind the workers' compensation annual report." members that Victoria, under Workcare and That was what I said two years ago. We had a the Cain/Kirner Government, ended up with an two-thirds increase in claims, the Government unfunded liability in workers' compensation of increased the premiums by 13.5 per cent, and $4 billion. yet it cannot understand why it blew out. Quite In November 1993, another two months clearly, even after the remedial action of a later, after the remedial action was 13.5 per cent increase in the premium rate undertaken, further information became across-the-board, it can in no way have available that quite clearly showed that the compensated for the massive blow-out in problem was still there. I stated in the claims in the previous two years of almost Parliament in the debate on Appropriation Bill two-thirds. A 60 per cent plus increase in (No. 2) the following in relation to workers' claims was to be offset by only a 13.5 per cent compensation— increase in premiums! Quite clearly, at best "If this Government allows it to blow the Government was using a bandaid out as every other Labor Government measure; at worst, it was being totally cynical has, Queensland's manufacturing sector and was purely trying to keep the lid on a will shrivel up and die. The only industries massive problem before the next State that will be left in Queensland will be election. That was two years ago, more than those that cannot be transplanted easily. 18 months prior to the last State election. If the Government does not stop the blow We move along to November 1994, just out in claims of almost two-thirds in the over a year ago and approximately eight last two years . . ." months before the State election. I quote from Two-thirds in two years; it was two years ago the debate on a further Workers' that I said that. Compensation Amendment Bill. During the second-reading debate, I stated— Mr Hayward: What do you think your leader has been saying—you just pay it out of "One of the most worrying aspects of consolidated revenue? the annual report"— Mr CONNOR: Had the Minister been which had only just been released at that here earlier during my contribution to the stage— debate, he would know that I have already "is the dramatic escalation in suggested a way of resolving the situation. Commonwealth settlements—an increase However, the Minister was not here, or was not of 27.4 per cent. Common law claims are listening—one or the other. the very appropriate claims of employees Mr Hayward interjected. against their employers where there is Mr CONNOR: I will not take an inane some degree of negligence on the part of interjection, if the Minister is not bothering to the employer." listen. That is what I said. Further, I stated— Back in 1993, I continued— "These claims must be rigorously ". . . the Government can expect to wear watched to ensure that they do not go in the blame for the demise of industry and the same direction as the southern the associated jobs. It is as simple as States, forcing a dumping of employees' that. Queensland cannot continue to common law rights. That is most have growth in claims of this magnitude imperative. without premiums going up Successive Labor Governments in commensurably. As we have seen, the southern States, through their Government has increased the average incompetence and incompetent treatment rate"— of workers' compensation, have allowed that is, the premium rate— them to become non-funded and non-viable, resulting in the collapse of the "by 13.5 per cent, yet at the same time, schemes and the dumping of employees' claims have blown out by two-thirds in the common law rights. All of these common last two years." law rights were dumped under Labor 19 October 1995 520 Legislative Assembly

Governments, not conservative According to the document released this Governments." morning by the Electoral Commission, at That is what I said nine months ago. Again, several booths in Callide the National Party the Minister was warned and again the polled in excess of 91 per cent of the vote at Minister did nothing. This is little more than the last election. But I make it clear that I eight months before the election, just on a represent all the electors of Callide, not just year ago. The annual report quite clearly the National Party supporters. showed a blow-out. This was on top of a Because Callide is such a large electorate two-thirds across-the-board increase in claims and it is hard to get around, it is sometimes that had been offset by only a 13.5 per cent difficult for city members to appreciate the increase in premiums. On top of that, there sorts of problems encountered by its elected was a further 27 per cent increase in common member. I was interested to read an article law claims. recently about women who travel alone in The Government, the Minister and the vehicles and what they should do if they get Premier were warned many times in into trouble. Apparently if a woman's car confidential reports, public reports and briefing breaks down she should make a lot of noise notes from the Workers Compensation Board, but not leave her car. My car broke down the the QCCI and so on. The Government other night when I was an hour from home acknowledged that it had a huge problem and two hours from the function that I had when it initiated negotiations with the unions attended. I was a long way from anywhere. If I back in 1993. That is what proves that it knew had sat in the car and made a lot of noise, about the blow-out. That is what proves that it nobody would have heard me—except the was predictable. That proves that not only was kangaroos and the starving cattle. That is the it predictable; it was predicted. It also proves difficulty that one faces in a situation like that. that the former Minister, Matt Foley, was guilty Fortunately, the Mobilenet is expanding and I of incompetence and culpable negligence in was just within its range. It was half past 12 at his dealings with workers' compensation. night, but luckily I was able to ring up and ask someone to come and get me. Those are the Time expired. sorts of problems that one faces. I try not to Mrs McCAULEY (Callide) (3.59 p.m.): put myself in that position. I try to have a car This is my fourth contribution to a debate on that is very reliable, but it does not always work the motion for the adoption of the Address in that way. Reply. I take this opportunity to pledge my At present, almost the entire Callide loyalty to maintaining the present stable electorate is affected by drought. It is difficult system of Government that we enjoy in this to find the words to describe what that means country and to reassure my constituents that I to that area. Earlier in the year, wheat crops will continue to vigorously represent my were planted in many areas. All of those electorate and their concerns both inside and wheat crops—apart from the irrigated ones— outside this House. have failed. There is little grass anywhere in The electorate of Callide is large. In fact, it the electorate. There is not even enough is the sixth-largest in the State, comprising grass to burn in hope of summer rains. There some 71,000 square kilometres. Along is just bare dirt in many places. The roadside Highway 17, the electorate covers the towns of verges have been eaten off. The kangaroos Wowan, Biloela, Monto, Eidsvold, are enormous, and they are coming closer Mundubbera and Gayndah, and Biggenden and closer to the roads because the only towards the coast. In the Dawson Valley, the green vegetation for them to pick is right along electorate stretches from Baralaba, Moura, the edge of the bitumen. That applies for Theodore, Taroom and Wandoan to Rolleston miles and miles. From Wowan to the and halfway to Springsure. It covers a huge Biggenden area, things are bad. area, and it takes a lot of time to travel around All the water storages in my electorate are it. My electorate also has the largest empty or near empty. The new Kroombit Dam percentage of National Party members per has never been filled. It has been built for four head of population in the State. Members of years, but it has never been opened because my own party often ask me why this is so. I do it has never had water in it. The Wuruma Dam not have the magic answer to that question, is empty. The level of the Callide Dam is very except that it is predominantly a rural area. low—less than 20 per cent. That is the Those electors are obviously real thinkers and situation throughout the electorate. Things are very articulate people who have chosen wisely not looking very bright at all. If city members and well. In fact, my home town of Biloela has believe that the drought has ended, they really the largest National Party branch in the State. should visit my electorate. Legislative Assembly 521 19 October 1995

This dreadful drought has continued for at Another aspect of the drought is the sand least five years in some places, and longer in troughing that people in the Burnett area have other places. Despite those conditions, this been carrying out in an effort to obtain water Government has just increased water charges for their orchards. Orchardists are in a very and rates for 1995. That information was invidious position, in that if their orchards die tabled in the Parliament this week. The they cannot just plant another crop next year increase in charges for the Callide Valley is when it rains. It takes seven years for fruit more than 20 per cent and, in some cases, trees to reach maturity and before decent much more than 20 per cent. I do not mind crops can be harvested from them. If the the Government charging more for water use orchardists lose those crops, they face a over the announced allocation, but I believe seven-year lull. They really are in a no-win that increasing the announced allocation costs situation. Last week, I visited Ken Loakes' by more than 20 per cent—and to a place at Mundubbera and had a look at where somewhat lesser extent in the Dawson he was sand troughing in the Burnett River. He Valley—is an indictable offence when people had to get two Komatsu dozers and a sand are struggling so much. There is no point in excavator. Every time people do that sort of charging for water and hoping to deter people thing it costs them $2,000 at least. In excess from using it. They cannot use it, because it is of $100,000 has been spent by growers in the not there; it is simply not there to be used. Burnett region on sand troughing in an attempt to obtain water. They dig a big hole, Not only has this Government increased the water seeps up from the riverbed, and water charges and rates, it is also imposing a eventually they get a nice little well of water 600 per cent increase in some areas for stock- which keeps them going. watering facilities. Two of those facilities are located in a certain shire in my electorate. The In previous years, the National Party man who looks after one of those facilities, Government did not charge growers for that which is situated on a bit of ground that was water. It said, "Righto. You would not be doing resumed from his property, has been carting that if you were not in dire straits. We know it water to that facility since January this year. costs you a lot of money to do this in the first That watering facility is used by stock travelling place, and we will not charge you for taking through that district. The agreement which has that water." After all, those people are now been in place since the 1960s is that the paying for an allocation of water that they are landowners maintain that facility and derive a not receiving. As I said before, the Wuruma benefit through using that water. That is fair Dam is empty. Those growers are not enough. For that, they were charged $30 a receiving their water allocation from the year. In reality, the Government should be Burnett River, but they still have to pay just the paying the landowners, because they are the same. As I said, those people were not ones who look after the facility. In some places charged for that water in the past, but this the shire councils look after stock-watering Government is now charging them for it. I have written twice to the Minister about this facilities, but in these particular cases the matter, and he flatly refuses to alter his ways. property owners themselves do that. He says, "No, we are going to charge you, and As I said, the property owner to whom I that is all there is to it." That is unfortunate, referred has been carting water to that facility and it shows a lack of understanding of the since January this year. He has just built a problems faced by people in that particular dam at a cost of $3,400 to maintain the region. If the Boondooma Dam pipeline is facility. That money came out of his own finished and there can be a release before pocket. Now the Government says, "We are Christmas into the water storages in my going to charge you $215 for the privilege of electorate, that may well save some people. I using the facility. Next year the charge will go certainly hope that it does, because conditions up to $300, and it may eventually reach $800- are very difficult. odd." That is absolutely unrealistic. I just I again wrote to the Minister about cannot believe that the Government is thinking desilting existing weirs in the Callide Valley. I along those lines and intending to do that sort received a very pompous reply from him, the of thing. It is simply not on. I will be talking to gist of which was that the end users must the Minister about that and trying to make him contribute. I am sure that the end users would see the light. It is one of those very foolish be happy to contribute if they could—if they ideas that somebody obviously thought would were getting any money out of their properties be a bit of a money maker, but it is simply not at all—but at the moment very few of them are on when we are suffering such a severe making any money at all; it is simply a matter drought. of trying to hang in there and hope for rains 19 October 1995 522 Legislative Assembly that may not come this season. If only the Let me just say that I think that time when desilting of the existing weirs could continue— people worked six and a half hours a day are some of which has been carried out, with long gone—even if it is heavy and hard work. tremendous results for recharging the Even the mining industry works longer than six underground aquifers—the benefits in the and a half hour days. It is simply not on to try produce that would result would certainly to say that meatworkers can work only six and outweigh any money that the Government a half hours a day. would be forced to contribute. Gordon Collie goes on to state— I wrote also to the Minister about "Achieving change in the additional water storage in Queensland. Once meat-processing culture has been again, the reply referred to the user-pays painfully slow." principle. The thrust of the proposal by the Government before the election about building And it will be more painful as the time goes a large dam on the Dawson River was: "Yes, on. It seems to me it is about time we will build this multimillion-dollar project. We meatworkers were dragged, even if it is kicking are going to spend all this money and we are and screaming, into the twenty-first century, going to build this big water storage on the because we are simply not making any Dawson River, and that is great." After the headway at all. The meat processors operate election, the Treasurer backed right away and on a very skinny profit margin. Recently at the started talking about the project being a good Cattlemen's Union forum held in Rockhampton investment for the Government in that it would to talk about the future of the beef industry it reap returns from it. If the Treasurer is was stated that a $15 a head saving at expecting to see monetary returns in his meatworks would make an enormous pocket from such capital investments, I can difference overall. I am quite sure that is true. assure him that it will not happen. If water The Cattlemen's Union put out some users are forced to pay fully for such facilities, interesting statistics on this subject. The beef they will never be built, because they cost in industry's contribution to Australia's gross the vicinity of $70m to $90m. It is simply not a value of production rose from $2.5 billion in feasible proposition for primary producers to 1980-81 to $4.4 billion in 1993-94. This is a foot the bill for such projects. Let me, however, big industry that I am talking about. I cannot state my unequivocal support for more water understand how the Federal member for storages in this State. That is part and parcel Capricornia, Mrs Marjorie Henzell, can come of the coalition's policy, and it is something out and attack AMH for trying to make things that I support very strongly. more efficient, more equitable and more competitive by world standards. Before I leave the concerns of primary producers, I want to touch briefly on the In relation to meat processing costs—60 situation with AMH and the Rockhampton per cent to 70 per cent of the cost gap meatworks. Rural reporter Gordon Collie wrote between Australian processors and a good article in today's Courier-Mail competitors is due to external factors such as concerning the problems that the beef- distance to market, type of cattle processed, producing industry has been experiencing, lack of Government support, and so on. We particularly in the Rockhampton area. It cannot do anything about the fact that in states— Australia there are long distances to be travelled. However, 30 per cent of the cost gap "Countless studies and reports have is addressable by the processors. This means tried to determine why Australia is labour reform. It would mean an additional struggling to match overseas margin of $50 a head. Therefore, we simply competition." have to bite the bullet and get into it. Another And Australian producers are struggling to clear message that I got from the seminar, match overseas competition. Our processing and others may disagree with me, is that our costs are far in excess of those of the United niche is in grass-fed beef. Certainly we do turn States and New Zealand—far in excess. All of out good grass-fed beef. It is our strongest these reports, including the Booz-Hamilton market. The hamburger trade in Asia is report, have according to the article— growing and perhaps we should learn to stick ". . . identified the meat processing sector with it. as hopelessly inefficient by offshore Before I leave the beef industry, I want to standards. Antiquated abattoirs have say also that quality assurance has been labour forces locked into a rigid piece-rate causing a lot of anxiety and straight out anger or tally system which has produced a among beef producers because they cannot standard 6.5-hour working day." really see where the quality assurance Legislative Assembly 523 19 October 1995 program is leading them, except into their fencing contract was apparently to keep "the offices to do a lot of paperwork that they do brumbies and the scrubbers" out of a certain not have time to do. I am not talking about frog habitat, which seems a rather ludicrous chemical usage in the beef cattle industry, thing in the first place. But the point that because that has to be fully documented, interests me is that the forestry officer who was anyway. When I talk about quality assurance, I in charge of this tender said that it was am talking simply about the quality assurance drought money that was being used. The job program. As one of the beef producers said to is worth in the vicinity of $50,000 to $60,000. If me, the only test in beef cattle should be taste it is drought money that is being used for this and tenderness. I am sure that is fair enough. sort of nonsense, I intend to get to the bottom Someone the other day was telling me he of it. I have asked a question on notice of the was trying to become accredited for grain-fed Minister. I want to know what it is all about. It is beef. He had a 60-acre paddock that he put absolutely ludicrous that that sort of money his cattle into. It had a hill in it; they could get can be taken from drought funding and used out of the wind when they needed to; they on something like that. had shade trees but, no, that is not good In the health area, I was pleased to hear enough. He has to fence that 60-acre from the central regional director the other day paddock into much smaller lots before the DPI that the Theodore and Moura Hospitals report, will accredit him to be able to produce which was the cause of major meetings and a grain-fed beef. It is a nonsense. There is no lot of anxiety in those towns earlier this year, more money in beef producers' pockets at the has been totally scrapped and that the end of the day but there is a lot more anxiety, consultation process will start from the a lot more paperwork and a lot more things grassroots, which is what should have that they do not need to cope with. happened in the first place. People in those areas are not going to accept any On environmental issues—the downgrading of their hospital facilities. It is Environmental Protection Act has not really quite foolish in an area such as Moura, where impacted on shires yet. But environmentally there is a mine operating 24 hours a day, to relevant activities such as concrete batching, try to downgrade hospital facilities. It is not on. motor vehicle workshops and boarding kennels will all have to be licensed by March Another and very urgent aspect of health next year. That is when those proposals will funding is HACC funding. I know the problems affect small businesses throughout the Callide that that funding is designed to address are electorate because a fee will be attached to endemic right throughout the State. The same that program. It will cost people to upgrade to problems have been faced by a lot of other the standards required and people do not people. In the Biloela area there is a have that money to spare. They perhaps even desperate need for support services to keep do not even have the will to do it and will our aged and infirm in their own homes for as simply close up shop and go away. long as possible. We have a large number of elderly people who, with a bit of help, will be I might also mention that I have been able to end their days in their own homes. approached by one of my councils for a They need help to mow their lawns, to do the deputation to the Minister for Environment and heavy cleaning and those sorts of things, Heritage and I have been told there is a nine- combined with a Meals on Wheels service, will week wait. That is something that has never keep them happily in their homes. The happened before. I have always had access relatives can pick up all of the extra pieces and to Ministers with deputations, particularly usually that keeps them quite mobile and deputations from councils, which are really in quite happy in their homes. the same line of work that we are. I believe that a nine-week waiting list is simply wrong. It However, that service has been reduced has to be looked at. It is not the way to run in my town—and it is a not a big service; it was Government. one and a half hours a week. It is going to be reduced now to something like less than one Another aspect of the environmental hour a fortnight, so it is not really big bikkies. issue which came to my attention recently was The budget for it is only $18,000 a year, but it a tender that was put out for a fencing provides 60 services. The need is for 80 contract up in the Kroombit Tops area. It is a services, which does not involve a large beautiful national park area. It is a very remote amount of money, but for goodness' sake, area of my electorate. It is not easily accessed provision of that service will keep those frail and is certainly not on the beaten tourist trail aged in their own homes, and I believe that is by any means, although there is now a small the way to go. I have heard this Government tourist resort up there, and that is great. This say that is the way to go, so it has to put its 19 October 1995 524 Legislative Assembly money where its mouth is and do something "We have been advised by the SES about this. The only place for those frail aged controller that funding for serviceable to go if they cannot stay in their own homes is equipment for the unit is virtually the Wahroonga Retirement Village, which has impossible to obtain through normal a waiting list for both the hostel and nursing Government channels." home care of some 30 people. So that is out. Let us hope that a vehicle never hits a train in That means that hospitalisation is the only the central Burnett area. other option for these people. If this is happening right across the State, I am sure I turn now to fire services. The the Minister for Health is aware that that Mundubbera Rotary Club made a telling point means he is going to have to increase his about fire services when it said— Health budget considerably. "Recently, the local fire brigade unit Those people will be in hospital. They do attended an accident involving a person not want to be in hospital, and they do not falling off a horse and suffering a broken need to be in hospital. A decent increase in leg. This was on a Saturday afternoon the HACC budget is needed. There was a and involved travel of some 50km one 6 per cent increase this year, 3 per cent of way. No fire was involved. The unit which went to quality assurance, award travelled out so that they could log an restructuring—all that sort of stuff—so only 3 incident and thus receive funding which is per cent flowed on to client services. I am not based on the number of call-outs. We talking about a huge amount of money, but believe that this is a total waste of an increase is needed. It is not a matter of the resources and should there have been a Government having cut the budget; it has house fire in Mundubbera whilst the unit simply not kept the budget in line with the was out fundraising, dire consequences demand for services. I understand that the could have resulted." request for that type of assistance in the central region would total about $1m. The I have not had a chance to talk to fire brigade budget figure is $80,000; so that is a hell of a officers in Mundubbera to ascertain whether or difference. Mr Beattie has to do something not that is correct; but if it is correct, it is a sad about this. I have written to him asking that he indictment on this Government that it forces do something about it, and I am sure that he fire brigade officers to go to such lengths to will try. He not only has to try, but he has to fundraise. Never before has that sort of thing succeed. That is most important. happened. It is a lot of nonsense, and it should not happen. People in those areas The Mundubbera Rotary Club has written should not have to do that sort of thing, to me outlining its concerns about the local leaving the town without a fire brigade. hospital. The club mentioned cars being given to the medical superintendent at the Mr Schwarten: They don't have to do hospital—a scheme introduced by this that sort of thing. That's wrong. It's not true. Government. The club believes that is Mrs McCAULEY: That is what the unnecessary and is upset that that sort of Rotary Club of Mundubbera has told me, and package is provided. I know that it was that is what I am passing on to the Minister. provided by the Government as a pre-election promise, which cost about $25m and involved I refer now to police services. Two police some 700 cars. That scheme will certainly officers have gone from Biloela. There is also have to be evaluated. The main issue raised a vacancy in the CIB because one detective by the Mundubbera Rotary Club that concerns has left. Three police have been lost from the me is the lack of funding for the State Moura area, which is a huge area to cover. Emergency Service. In its letter, the club Moura has a 24-hour coalmine, and it should stated— not be without the services of five policemen. The current manning levels for the area allow "Lack of funding for the State for five policemen, but it has only three. The Emergency Service was highlighted last police officer in a one-officer town in my area week when Rotary members attended a recently went on holidays, and there was no mock multiple person accident involving a replacement. The nearest police were 30 vehicle and a train. During the course of minutes away. If people think that home this procedure both the generator used invasions do not happen in rural areas and for lighting and the hydraulic jaws of life that people in the bush are safe, let me tell failed." members opposite what happened to some It is a good thing that it was only a mock people in the Theodore area the week before exercise. The letter continued— last. Legislative Assembly 525 19 October 1995

Gunny and Loye Hewitt are well known in people a great deal of harm. Had he got them that area. Gunny is a councillor on the Banana upstairs, he would have killed them; I really Shire Council. He is the brother of Neville believe that. He is a violent and very Hewitt, the former member for Auburn. dangerous person. Recently, he and his family had the biggest After his first escape from Etna Creek, and most successful Hereford bull sale when he was recaptured and put back into probably in Australia. He and his wife are in gaol, where was he sent? He was sent to the their sixties. They are not weight-lifters by any minimum security prison at Wacol where he means. They were going to bed one night simply drove a tractor up to the fence, raised when Loye heard a noise on the patio. She the bucket, jumped over, and off he went. went to investigate and found that a table had What is going to happen to that man now that been knocked over, so she went to turn on the he has been recaptured? I might add that the light. As she did so, a man appeared in a police picked him up at Redbank. He gave balaclava and gloves, pointed a rifle straight at them a false name and they let him go; so her and told her to go upstairs. To stop that that was a sad indictment on them. happening, Gunny saw the man with the gun, rushed down the stairs and tackled the fellow. My concern is that justice in this State has I should probably tell members opposite what lost its way. What is going to happen to that happened in Gunny's words. He said— prisoner, who is a very dangerous man and obviously will create mayhem if he is freed "When I came to the door and saw again? Will he eventually go back into the rifle just inches from my wife's chest, I minimum security? How much extra time will realised I had to do something to save he have to serve because of the act that he her before he forced us upstairs, so I had perpetrated on the Hewitts? Probably not a charged him, forcing the gun barrel down. great deal! He will probably be out again We wrestled for a few seconds before he before we can turn around—if he has not had me on the floor and commenced escaped. There is something wrong with the kicking me and stomping on my head, prison system. As Gunny said at the bottom of bursting open a stitched sun-cancer his statement about this incident— wound. "I feel that a person with his My wife, thinking that I would be convictions should never have been killed"— allowed on minimum security, and trust it his wife is about the size of Mrs Sheldon— does not happen again." "went for the gunman and started That is really an understatement from punching into him, causing him to drop someone who has suffered badly at the hands the rifle. She succeeded in forcing him of a man who should never have been away from me. allowed out of gaol and who I hope is kept there for many years to come. . . . I am disappointed that this half hour has The gunman then drew a knife gone so quickly and that I do not have time to cutting my wife's hand, but he then ran discuss other very interesting issues that off." concern my constituents. I have mentioned a While his wife picked up the gun and waited few of the most important ones, but there are for him to come back, Gunny somehow a lot more. I could certainly talk for another managed to crawl upstairs to phone the half hour, if I was allowed to. It is unfortunate police. He was in hospital for some time with a that I cannot discuss those other issues today. cracked bone in his knee, severe ligament Let me say, however, that I will to the best of damage, a split forehead and multiple bruising my ability, represent my electorate in these on his face and kidney area. That rifle was issues as they arise. loaded. Time expired. The offender had worked on that Debate, on motion of Mrs Gamin, property. He had been found guilty of murder adjourned. for a drug crime in the Rockhampton area some years previously. He had escaped from Etna Creek Prison and was arrested in the COMMONWEALTH POWERS Northern Territory on drug charges and armed AMENDMENT BILL robbery charges. The rifle that he had was Hon. M. J. FOLEY (Yeronga—Minister loaded. He was wearing a balaclava and for Justice and Attorney-General, Minister for gloves and had a knife in his belt. Nobody can Industrial Relations and Minister for the Arts) tell me that he did not mean to do those (4.30 p.m.), by leave, without notice: I move— 19 October 1995 526 Legislative Assembly

"That leave be granted to bring in a resulting or constructive trusts, unjust Bill for an Act to refer to the enrichment or unconscionable conduct by the Commonwealth Parliament certain other partner, promissory or proprietary matters about de facto relationships, and estoppel, restitution, equitable lien, or the like. other matters." Consider, for example, the case of a Motion agreed to. woman who has lived as the de facto spouse of a man for 15 years and raised three children. Upon the break-up of the de facto First Reading relationship such a woman under current law Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and may have no entitlement if the house is in the Bill, on motion of Mr Foley, read a first time. de facto husband's name. If she brings a court action to get a property settlement, her non-financial contribution by the way of child Second Reading care and housekeeping is very unlikely to be Hon. M. J. FOLEY (Yeronga—Minister taken into account. Such a situation is unfair for Justice and Attorney-General, Minister for and requires remedy in the interests of justice. Industrial Relations and Minister for the Arts) New South Wales, Victoria and the Northern (4.31 p.m.): I move— Territory have already enacted remedial "That the Bill be now read a second legislation. South Australia and Tasmania time." have some statutory rights for de factos. The ACT introduced a Bill in April 1994. Western The growth in the number of couples Australia is expected to release a draft Bill living together in de facto relationships has soon. been one of the significant recent changes in the structure of Australian family life. Should However, there is a pronounced lack of they continue at the growth rate indicated by uniformity in the legislation proposed or comparison of the last two census years, 0.8 enacted by States and Territories. There are per cent per annum, the current percentage of several alternative methods available to Queensland couples living as de facto enable de facto partners to resolve financial partners will by now have reached 12 per cent, and property disputes following the breakdown 74,700 couples—almost 150,000 of the of their relationships. Three methods were State's adult population. considered. The first method was a referral of power to the Commonwealth. The second Before the Goss Government came to method was to use the forum of the Standing office, de factos in Queensland had few legal Committee of Attorneys-General (SCAG) to rights. However, aided by the Queensland Law seek uniform legislation. The third method was Reform Commission, the Goss Government for Queensland to enact its own legislation. has addressed the legal problem of de facto couples in a number of areas, namely, access The first alternative was chosen for to the Family Court for custody and several reasons— maintenance arrangements for ex-nuptial A referral would ultimately result in the children; amendments to the Common Law conferring of jurisdiction on the Family Practice Act 1867 to give Queensland de Court for the handling of de facto factos, who lose their spouses, the same disputes; rights to commence legal proceedings to sue There is wide support for bringing de facto for negligence as people in traditional property cases under that court's marriages; provision in the Anti-Discrimination procedures as the court currently deals Act 1991 to recognise de factos and prohibit with child custody and access issues discrimination in a number of areas including involving de facto couples; work, education and the provision of goods and services; a new presumption of parentage Family law practitioners are familiar with based on a de facto relationship created by the procedures of the Family Court and the Status of Children Amendment Bill 1995 have found them to work satisfactorily; currently before the House. This will result in considerable savings to Like married couples, de facto partners litigants as the Family Court has sometimes experience breakdown of their well-developed case management relationships. No specific statute governs their procedures and a wealth of experience situation. They are obliged to seek relief under with its specialist judges, conciliation the general law, claiming entitlement under registrars and mediators; some common law remedy in contract or It will result in a more predictable seeking equitable relief upon such grounds as approach to judicial interpretation, leading Legislative Assembly 527 19 October 1995

to more likely negotiation between parties Maintenance; to settle their disputes. Declaratory, injunctive or other relief In addition, on 16 December 1993 the including declaratory relief about the Commonwealth Attorney-General, Michael existence or non-existence of a de facto Lavarch, initiated the most far-reaching reform relationship. process in family law since the introduction of It should be noted that rather than the Family Law Act in 1975. As part of that preparing a separate Act, Parliamentary reform process, Mr Lavarch also announced Counsel has amended the Commonwealth that the Commonwealth was seeking a referral Powers (Family Law—Children) Act 1990. That of powers on de facto legislation. The Act currently refers power to the Commonwealth legislation will confer Commonwealth in relation to ex-nuptial jurisdiction on the Family Court. The children. In this Bill, that Act is renamed the Commonwealth does not foresee any costs for Commonwealth Powers Act 1990 and is the States and Territories from such a referral. divided into four parts. The new structure of It is anticipated that several other States will the Commonwealth Powers Act 1990 will ultimately refer power to the Commonwealth. accommodate any future referrals of power. Tasmania and the Northern Territory are This satisfies the program to rationalise the actively pursuing a referral. South Australia Queensland statute books by reducing the has indicated an interest in doing so. number of statutes and keeping all related A referral of power will also avoid the initial acts in one place. and recurrent costs of implementing in the For these reasons, the Government State courts a scheme equal to that provided moves this Bill. I commend the Bill to the by the Family Court with qualified conciliators House. and mediators. In addition, the Family Court Debate, on motion of Mr Beanland, already has jurisdiction in relation to the adjourned. children of de facto relationships as a consequence of a referral of that power by Queensland in 1990, pursuant to the COASTAL PROTECTION AND Commonwealth Powers (Family Law— MANAGEMENT BILL Children) Act 1990. It therefore makes sense Hon. T. A. BARTON (Waterford— that the Family Court would handle de facto Minister for Environment and Heritage) property. Accordingly, the Government has (4.37 p.m.), by leave, without notice: I move— determined that a referral of power was the most appropriate way of achieving the policy "That leave be granted to bring in a objective. Bill for an Act about the protection and management of the coast, and for related The proposed law refers to the purposes." Commonwealth Parliament power to legislate in relation to the resolution of financial matters, Motion agreed to. including disputes about financial matters, arising out of the de facto relationship First Reading between de facto partners other than because of death. "Financial matters" is defined to Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and include matters about property or Bill, on motion of Mr Barton, read a first time. maintenance. "Property" is defined to include, amongst other things, a prospective claim or Second Reading entitlement under a scheme or fund providing superannuation, resignation, termination, Hon. T. A. BARTON (Waterford— retirement or similar benefits. Superannuation Minister for Environment and Heritage) is frequently one of the major "assets" of a (4.38 p.m.): I move— couple, married or de facto. Contributions to "That the Bill be now read a second the fund are made from family finances during time." the relationship in the expectation that the Queensland has the most beautiful coast eventual benefits will be enjoyed by them on earth. However, we risk spoiling our coast both. through a million small decisions. Most The proposed law includes the following decisions are well intentioned and on their own matters in the reference— would not be considered a big threat to the coast. But the lack of a plan for the coast Agreements between de facto partners; means development is haphazard, sometimes Financial adjustments; ugly, and, increasingly, is denying ordinary 19 October 1995 528 Legislative Assembly

Queenslanders access to and enjoyment of This Bill embodies the spirit of this policy and is the coast. a major plank in fulfilling the "Reclaiming the The Coastal Protection and Management Coast" election commitments. The objects of Bill will be Queensland's first comprehensive this Bill are to— legislation for protecting the coast. It has been provide for the protection, conservation, written to ensure that Queensland's coast is rehabilitation and management of the preserved and managed in accordance with coast, including its resources and the wishes of the people of Queensland. It biological diversity; accommodates development in the coastal zone, which is environmentally sensitive, but have regard to the goal, core objectives prohibits environmental vandalism and the and guiding principles of the National destruction of the natural beauty of the coast. Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable The object of the legislation is to protect and Development in the use of the coastal manage Queensland's coastal zone while zone; allowing for development that improves the provide, in conjunction with other total quality of life, now and in the future, in a legislation, a coordinated and integrated way that maintains the ecological processes management and administrative on which life depends. framework for the ecologically sustainable The new Act will be binding on everyone, development of the coastal zone; and including Government departments and encourage the enhancement of statutory authorities. The approvals process knowledge of coastal resources and the will be fully integrated with the Integrated effect of human activities on the coastal Development Approvals System (IDAS) being zone. developed in the Government's Planning and Development Assessment Bill. For businesses In particular, one of the objects requires which are proposing environmentally sensitive that use of the coastal zone has regard to the developments, this will offer the major goal, core objectives and guiding principles of advantage of streamlining the approvals the National Strategy for Ecologically process. This streamlining will not, however, Sustainable Development. involve cutting corners or fast tracking, and the One of the guiding principles of the National community will be fully involved in the Strategy is— assessment of environmental and social impacts. Until PEDA is enacted the existing "Where there are threats of serious approvals provisions of Beach Protection, or irreversible environmental damage, lack Harbours and Canals Acts will remain. of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing At the heart of the new Act will be the measures to prevent environmental development of a State Coastal Management degradation." Plan and a series of more detailed regional coastal management plans. In the The Intergovernmental Agreement on the development of the Bill, there has been Environment in May 1992 defines this guiding widespread public consultation, starting with principle as the "precautionary principle". For the Green Paper on a Coastal Protection the purposes of the Coastal Protection and Strategy in 1991. Further consultation took Management Bill 1995, the precautionary place with the draft Coastal Protection Bill in principle is taken to have been applied when, 1993. This Bill also takes into account the wherever practicable, decisions are based objectives of the final report from the Coastal on— Zone Inquiry in 1993 and the Commonwealth (a) careful evaluation to avoid serious or Government's coastal policy, "Living on the irreversible damage to the Coast", released in May this year. environment; and During the lead-up to the State election (b) an assessment of the risk-weighted this year, the Premier and the then Minister for consequences of the various options. Environment and Heritage released "Reclaiming the Coast". This visionary policy's The objects of the Bill will be achieved aim is to— through— provide for the orderly development of provision of State and regional coastal Queensland's coast in a way which management plans, which include preserves its natural beauty and protects objectives for coastal management and the ecological processes upon which living guidelines for decision making and things depend. protection of key areas; Legislative Assembly 529 19 October 1995

using other relevant legislation including zone management in Queensland being the recently released Planning, carried out by other State and Commonwealth Environment and Development Government agencies and local government. Assessment Bill (PEDA Bill); The advisory council will also liaise with and provision of a proposed State Planning have regard to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Policy and Guidelines which will be Islander people and generally have regard to incorporated into local government existing tenures, interests in and rights to the planning and decision making; and land. community consultation. CPAC will oversee planning of the coastal However, effective coastal management zone and will promote integration of coastal must be delivered at the local level and this planning with other Government planning Government recognises the key role of local initiatives such as integrated catchment government in this. The Bill provides for local management (ICM) and natural resource government to be closely involved in all stages planning; local government planning schemes; of planning and implementation of coastal and Commonwealth marine parks. The management. The Government will provide membership of CPAC will be a chairperson support for local government in this role. and eleven other members chosen for their experience in and knowledge of coastal zone The term "coast" means many different management and the composition is outlined things depending on the context in which it is in the Explanatory Notes to the Bill. There will used. The coast is not just where the sea be representation from conservation, tourism, meets the land—this is the foreshore. Coastal industry, fishing and Aboriginal and Torres management focuses on the coast, which is Strait Islander interests. defined as all areas within or neighbouring the foreshore. However, activities which occur in The Bill also makes provision for the State areas outside the coast can affect the coast Coastal Management Plan, which will give and therefore need to be considered in general effect to many of the coastal policy coastal management. This wider area is prescriptions of the Government outlined in referred to in the Act as the coastal zone. The "Reclaiming the Coast". It will also include the coast is defined in section 6 as, "all areas criteria for development assessment that will within or neighbouring the foreshore." apply when the approvals process is provided "Neighbouring" means near; therefore, the by the proposed planning, environment and definition of the coast is not prescriptive. Areas development assessment legislation. The will be considered to be near the foreshore State plan will also establish the regions for when there is a clear link with the foreshore. the more detailed planning based on coastal On the seaward side, this includes all biogeographic regions, not administrative Queensland coastal waters. On the landward regions which are so often inappropriate for side, this includes areas influenced by sea coastal management purposes. water or salt spray, the movement of sand or A draft State coastal management plan is the drainage of waters into tidal areas. due to be released next year for public Therefore, the following areas are covered by consultation and a final plan will be prepared the definition of "coast" under the Act— after that. The State plan will be reviewed at communities comprised of salt-tolerant least every seven years. If the review identifies vegetation such as mangroves, tidal the need, a draft plan will be published for marshes, coastal casuarinas, coastal public comment. banksia, coastal heath; It is the Government's intention that local dune systems; government planning schemes will be the coastal wetlands; major avenue for implementation of coastal rivers and creeks subject to tidal influence planning in local government areas. A State up to the highest astronomical tide; and planning policy for the coast will be produced as the primary tool for the introduction of the any other area clearly affected by a State's coastal management principles into coastal process. local government planning schemes and This legislation establishes a Coastal decision making. The State planning policy will Protection Advisory Council (CPAC) to promote contain matters which need to be addressed the objectives of the Act and to advise the in local planning schemes. The State coastal Minister on coastal management issues. This management plans will go further to include Statewide advisory council will, as far as marine areas and State land, aspects of land practicable, monitor the integration of coastal use and intergovernmental arrangements, all 19 October 1995 530 Legislative Assembly of which are outside the scope of local governments, industry, tourism and government planning schemes. conservation groups and with Aboriginal and Regional coastal management plans will Torres Strait Islander interests. This will be be prepared for parts of the coast as soon as through a two-stage formal consultation practicable. They will establish management process and by the formation of a regional requirements for the coastal zone in each consultative group. Coastal plans must be region. They will identify key coastal sites that reviewed at least every seven years. will be used in determining the boundary of It is the intention of the State Government control districts. These key areas requiring that the provisions of regional coastal special management and development management plans will be translated into controls are selected using criteria based on appropriate provisions in local government the Coastal Protection Strategy Green Paper planning schemes. Inconsistencies between a and may include areas of significant regional coastal management plan and a local ecological, cultural, heritage or scenic values, government planning scheme should be and areas of importance for the maintenance resolved through consultation with local of coastal processes. government. However, the State Government One of the most important functions of will have the power to amend planning schemes where this is necessary to meet its the regional plan will be to determine the requirement of practical consistency of these boundary of the control district, as this is the schemes with regional coastal management area in which coastal development controls will plans. This power to amend is limited to apply. I will outline details of control districts planning schemes prepared under the existing later in this speech. Local Government (Planning and The regional plans will also take a detailed Environment) Act 1990 and will not apply to look at land uses and land management any schemes prepared under the proposed practices within control districts and the policy Planning, Environment and Development framework that applies outside control districts. Assessment Bill. All land-holders whose land is The regional coastal management plans also affected in this way will be notified. Again, the offer business the benefit of early identification compensation provisions would apply if of areas which may be suitable for existing rights are lost. environmentally sensitive development, while To ensure that the planning process can also identifying no-go areas. If a business proceed quickly, the Goss Government has were tempted to look at developing in one of allocated $5m over the next five years for the no-go areas, it would save time and coastal planning. Priority areas for regional money by not bothering to approach the State planning are the wet tropical coast, the Government or local government, because it Whitsunday coast, the Great Sandy coast and would know that the area has already been the south-east Queensland coast. The coastal assessed as not available for development. legislation provides that the Minister will Where areas have been designated for appoint a regional consultative group to assist development, or there are existing in the preparation of a regional plan. development rights, a building setback line Wherever practicable, to facilitate the can be designated and developments will integration of planning initiatives carried out by have to occur behind this line. Setback lines State Government departments and agencies, will be determined in relation to the area's regional consultative groups established under vulnerability to erosion or foreseeable natural the Act would be linked to any existing hazards and the location of existing regional planning advisory groups or forums developments in the area. If the imposition of established under the auspices of the a building line or other land use requirements Department of Housing, Local Government under a regional plan are viewed by the court and Planning. The regional groups will be as a prohibition, then the compensation formed when a regional plan is to be prepared provisions of section 86 will apply. for a particular coastal region. Representation In areas covered by a regional plan that for these groups will include members from are landward of a control district, local relevant local government, tourism, governments must have regard for the conservation, industry and Aboriginal and provisions of the regional plan. However, the Torres Strait Islander interests. Representation plans will be of a policy nature only outside of may also be sought, where appropriate, from control districts. The regional coastal regional State Government agencies and from management plans will be developed in full the commercial and recreational fisheries consultation with the general community, local industry. Legislative Assembly 531 19 October 1995

Regional consultative groups are to However, the assessment of the coast's advise the Minister about the preparation of vulnerability to erosion will also need to include regional plans and to make recommendations an assessment of the likely impacts on coastal on coastal issues and management strategies land due to sea level rise caused by what is and on areas which require special coastal now commonly referred to as the greenhouse management to achieve ecologically effect. It is not intended that under this Bill sustainable development of the coastal zone. there will be any retrospective provisions or The chairperson of each regional consultative development controls. Where development group will be nominated by the Minister. The has been previously approved, this legislation legislation provides that the regional will not modify those approvals by the consultative groups may be provided with introduction of new conditions such as land departmental services necessary for them to surrender. For the purpose of clarifying the perform their functions. transition arrangements for this provision, a This Bill includes a provision allowing for rezoning will be considered to be approved if it the declaration of control districts. Control has been approved by local government and districts will normally be declared through a meets all existing State Government regional plan, but may be declared by requirements, but has not yet been gazetted. regulation in an area that does not yet have a The exposure draft of the coastal regional plan if the Minister considers the area legislation, which was released for public needs protection. In an emergency situation, comment, contained an approval process for the Minister can declare a control district by coastal development. Under the integrated notice. For example, in areas without a development assessment system (IDAS), the regional plan, if a foredune was being approval process has been deleted from this removed and exposing neighbouring Bill and will be incorporated in the planning, properties to the risk of tidal inundation during environment and development assessment the next cyclone and no other means were (PEDA) legislation. In the interim period available to prevent this, an emergency between the dates that the coastal legislation declaration would allow for a coastal protection and the new planning legislation become law, notice to be issued requiring work to stop. existing approval processes will continue. This When a control district is declared, all means that the separate existing statutes— land-holders within the control district will be the Beach Protection Act 1968; the Canals Act notified. Control districts will cover all of 1958; and those provisions of the Harbours Queensland's coastal waters as well as Act 1955 dealing with works in tidal water—will adjoining land up to defined maximum limits remain in force. By the date of the PEDA which are set out in clause 48 of the Bill. legislation becoming law, the above statutes Control districts will be used to delineate that will be repealed and the relevant approval part of the coastal zone over which the State provisions will be consolidated into a single Government wishes to exercise some control and integrated process in the PEDA concerning the type of future development for legislation. Based on the proposals in the these areas. This is needed to ensure that the exposure draft of the PEDA legislation, the development of Queensland's coastal areas department administering the coastal conforms with the Government's commitment legislation will be a concurrence agency or to ecologically sustainable development and development manager for a development in a allow our future generations to enjoy what is control district, depending on the one of our greatest assets—the "coast". circumstances of the particular development. Local government would be development The criteria to be used to determine the manager where private land was involved extent of each control district are outlined in under the current proposal. the Bill. Control districts will be of primary importance on undeveloped areas of the It is intended that the Department of coast and areas where there is a clear need Environment and Heritage will be development for coastal management, such as areas prone manager for development applications to erosion, key biological sites, cultural sites or involving works below high-water mark. The areas needed for public access. department will be a concurrence agency for land-based development within a control The Beach Protection Authority has district. Under the planning legislation, already developed a well-recognised proposed developments will be assessed methodology for determining the erosion against planning criteria and the object of that potential of Queensland's beaches through legislation. As a development manager or the calculation of erosion prone area widths. concurrence agency the Department of This methodology will continue to be used. Environment and Heritage will take account of 19 October 1995 532 Legislative Assembly the object of the coastal legislation in For land within a control district, the assessing the development application. This coastal Bill allows the chief executive to issue will involve taking account of all relevant notices—termed "coastal protection notices" coastal, social, environmental and any other and "tidal works notices". Notices will be issued relevant parameters to ensure that to prevent the continuation of an activity which development complies with the ecologically is having a significant effect on coastal sustainable development of the coastal zone management, or to remove works situated and its resources. below high-water mark that have been To enable the Government's policy on abandoned or are in need of urgent repair. It coastal management to be implemented as should be stressed that notices shall only be soon as practicable, this Bill contains issued as a last resort option. Where such an consequential amendments to the Beach activity is leading to a coastal management Protection Act 1968. One of these problem or where there is a need to remove or amendments will allow the Governor in Council repair works located in tidal water, then the to place a land surrender condition on any department will first seek to remedy the development application involving the problem through consultation and discussions rezoning of land which is susceptible to coastal with the land-holder or owner of the works. erosion—termed "erosion prone area" in the Notices will be issued where such discussion Beach Protection Act 1968. This amendment cannot resolve the dispute. is consistent with the Government's policy of The Coastal Protection and Management maintaining public access to the coast, and Bill provides appeal provisions against the protecting vulnerable coastal land from issuing of a notice where the person receiving inappropriate development. It is intended that the notice feels aggrieved or believes the a similar land surrender provision will be notice is unreasonable in the circumstances. incorporated into the Coastal Protection and Coastal Protection Notices will not be used to Management Act by the planning, modify existing conditions of development in a environment and development assessment way which would constitute a withdrawal or legislation. modification of an approval. However, they Cabinet decided in November 1994 as a may be used to control irresponsible matter of policy that neither compensation nor construction practice being used to build appeals against land surrendered as a result approved works. As an example, unnecessary of subdivisions, opening or closing of a road, damage to vegetation or dune systems may or change of use of the land will be allowable. attract a notice where the developer refuses to The land surrender condition will not apply to act in a responsible way. In addition, the Bill "as of right" development but deals with those provides for the court to order someone to types of special development applications stop offending against the Act. where the owner of land is seeking increased An action by the court can be initiated by development rights over the land. That is, it is the Minister, the chief executive, someone only triggered by an application by the owner whose interests are affected by the matter or and will lapse if the owner does not proceed someone else with the leave of the court—that with the application. It must be realised that is, the court grants standing to a third party. the existing Beach Protection Act 1968 has The court must be satisfied that the third party had land surrender with no compensation meets certain conditions to ensure that the provisions for many years. It is fundamental to provision of third-party rights is not abused. the coastal protection strategy that vulnerable The legislation makes provision for the court to coastal land be returned to public ownership. award costs. Where the courts decide that an The Departments of Housing, Local application for a restraint order is made in a Government and Planning and Environment frivolous or vexatious way, the opportunity and Heritage will jointly put out an advice to would be open to the court to award costs local governments regarding changes to against the person who brought the action. It administrative processes for rezoning is expected that third-party rights will be applications resulting from this amendment. granted under the planning and development There will be a joint submission to the assessment legislation to allow third-party Governor in Council from the Ministers for appeals against decisions of the Queensland Housing, Local Government and Planning and Government and local governments. Environment and Heritage when a rezoning The compensation provisions in the application involves land surrender. coastal Bill relate to a prohibition of an existing Remember, these arrangements are interim lawful use by the declaration of a coastal until the PEDA legislation is law and there is management plan or a control district. These one streamlined process. compensation provisions have been drafted Legislative Assembly 533 19 October 1995 based on the compensation provisions "That the Bill be now read a second contained in the recently released public time." exposure draft of the PEDA Bill. The exposure The objective of this Bill is to amend the draft of the PEDA Bill provides for down-zoning Environmental Protection Act 1994, the Health with limited compensation provisions for "as of Act 1937, the Sewerage and Water Supply right", consent, preferred and discretionary Act 1949 and the Wet Tropics World Heritage developments. One of the main eligibility Protection and Management Act 1993. This criteria for compensation is that owners must Bill has been drafted to achieve the lodge an application with the local government recommendation of the Public Sector within two years of the change of zoning. Management Commission to transfer the However, the coastal Bill only provides responsibility for waste from Queensland compensation for existing development rights, Health to the Department of Environment and not potential development rights such as Heritage. This transfer of waste responsibility consent developments. Consent development will strengthen the role of DEH as the lead does not carry automatic rights in the same agency for the environment in Queensland. way as "as of right" developments. A consent This Bill will be necessary for an interim period land use category only represents a possible until 31 December 1996, when the increased development right subject to the Environmental Protection Policy for Waste is development application meeting all other completed. social and environmental factors. Because a regional coastal management plan deals To effect this transfer of waste primarily with the environmental management responsibility, it was necessary to amend the of the coastal zone, it is considered that a Health Act 1937 by repealing those sections consent development should not be entitled to that dealt with the removal, collection and compensation. The coastal Bill also includes disposal of refuse and transferring the compensation for loss of rights for rural intention of these sections into the activities. The prohibition of an "as of right" Environmental Protection Act 1994. These rural activity should attract the same right to amendments will remove Queensland Health compensation as the loss of an "as of right" from the approval process for waste activities. development. As no specific application is However, it will still play an integral role in required for rural activities an alternate trigger providing advice on public health issues for the consideration of compensation has associated with waste management. been included, that is, application to the chief The proposed amendments will retain a executive. number of local government functions, I commend the Bill to the House. especially in relation to local government's Debate, on motion of Mr Slack, approval of persons who may carry out waste adjourned. removal and transport within the respective local government area. While such local government approval is necessary to conduct ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION waste activities, this may be seen as a AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) monopoly in that local governments alone can Hon. T. A. BARTON (Waterford— determine who operates waste activities in Minister for Environment and Heritage) their respective town or shire. Therefore, in (5.09 p.m.), by leave, without notice: I move— accordance with the requirements of the National Competition Policy, this matter will be "That leave be granted to bring in a addressed as part of the public consultation Bill for an Act to amend the period of the Environmental Protection Policy Environmental Protection Act 1994 and for Waste when a public benefits test will be other Acts." carried out. The Queensland Treasury's Motion agreed to. National Competition Policy Unit has agreed to this process. First Reading It should be noted that this Bill will be for Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and an interim period and the Bill has a sunset Bill, on motion of Mr Barton, read a first time. clause dated 31 December 1996, when it is anticipated that the Environmental Protection Policy for Waste will be ready to commence. Second Reading This Bill will basically improve the approach to Hon. T. A. BARTON (Waterford— waste management in Queensland. Primarily, Minister for Environment and Heritage) for the first time, private ownership of landfills (5.10 p.m.): I move— will be possible, thus opening up waste 19 October 1995 534 Legislative Assembly disposal to the private sector in line with the magnificent conservation values are properly National Competition Policy. This move raises managed. I commend this Bill to the House. the question of proper and safe management Debate, on motion of Mr Slack, of these landfills. I can assure the honourable adjourned. members of the House that, under the Environmental Protection Act, strict and rigid controls are in place for landfill management, ELECTRICITY AMENDMENT BILL whether it is under public or private ownership. Mr GILMORE (Tablelands) (5.17 p.m.), Under the Environmental Protection Act, the by leave, without notice: I move— onus of environmental protection on landfills and other waste activities will be on the "That leave be granted to bring in a operator or the licence holder. Bill for an Act to amend the Electricity Act 1994." The amendment of the Sewerage and Water Supply Act 1949 addresses the issues Motion agreed to. raised in the Criminal Justice Commission's investigation into the improper disposal of liquid waste in south-east Queensland. It will First Reading increase the penalties, providing a maximum Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and penalty of 1,000 penalty units for the Bill, on motion of Mr Gilmore, read a first time. discharge of prohibited substances into sewerage or stormwater drainage, the discharge of trade waste into stormwater Second Reading drainage, or the discharge of trade waste into Mr GILMORE (Tablelands) (5.18 p.m.): I sewerage without the local government's move— permission. This will prevent such actions "That the Bill be now read a second becoming a means for circumventing time." environmental protection legislation. Also as part of this process, it will increase the The introduction of this Bill gives the maximum penalties allowed in the standard Parliament the opportunity to provide a sewerage and water supply laws under the Act guarantee to electricity consumers in from 40 penalty units to 165 penalty units. Queensland, both domestic and industrial, Apart from their conversion to penalty points in that tariff equalisation will continue in late 1992, the maximum penalties under Queensland. The Electricity Act of 1994 these standard laws have not been increased provides— since 1981. This Bill will reinforce the improved "The Minister may act to maintain controls to ensure that Queensland's equalisation of price throughout the State environment will continue to be protected. for customers to whom a particular tariff Another part of this Bill refers to the Wet applies." Tropics area and an amendment to the Wet The amendment proposed to the Act ensures Tropics World Heritage Protection and that the Minister must act to maintain Management Act 1993. I should point out to equalisation of prices. The amendment is honourable members that the draft Wet important as the Government has committed Tropics Plan has been developed to put Queensland to the national electricity grid forward a number of options on the which will commence in 1999. According to Mr management of this important conservation Hilless, the Chief Executive of the Queensland area. The plan identifies a need to have Transmission and Supply Company, the delegation mechanisms in place for decisions national electricity market is based on five key under the Wet Tropics Plan. This amendment principles: freedom of choice; non- will expand the Wet Tropics Management discriminatory access to the grid; merit order Authority's ability to delegate decision-making dispatch-based generator bid prices; non- powers to other State agencies and local discriminatory barriers to entry by participants government. This amendment will assist in or to interstate trade; and uniform and cost- placing the Wet Tropics Plan in line with the effective grid pricing. Hilless went on to principles of the Integrated Development explain— Approval System, IDAS. "In general terms, (customers) will be Under the amendments, the Queensland able to seek unique solutions for their Government will continue to ensure that strict individual electricity supply and service controls are maintained for the protection of needs, and the successful distributors will Queensland's environment and that our be those who have developed a Legislative Assembly 535 19 October 1995

competitive advantage in the provision of pending blow-out from June 1992, yet did those solutions. nothing to stop the haemorrhaging of funds to The advantage will be reflected in save its political hide. their depth of understanding of their The Bill before the House proposes a customers' needs and by offering legislative requirement which puts an products and services that outshine their obligation on Government to act to maintain competitors' in terms of price, quality, equalisation of electricity prices. It endeavours flexibility and reliability. to shut the gate before the horse bolts. The Examples would be more choices of Bill is a preventative measure. It removes the pricing options and provision of equivocating "may" for the Minister to maintain equipment to customers to ensure that equalisation of price throughout the State, any special requirements for higher than replacing it with an obligation for the Minister normal quality electricity supply are met." to maintain tariff equalisation. The amendment proposed to the Act requires that The fifth principle requires analysis. Mr the Minister must act to maintain equalisation Hilless used words such as "competitive of prices. The Government should support this advantage", "outshine their competitors in amendment if it is genuine about its policy terms of price", and "choices of pricing stance on tariff equalisation. options". It is quite clear from what Mr Hilless is saying in this statement that uniform pricing The Minister for Minerals and Energy, will be eclipsed by competition between speaking before the Estimates Committee E, suppliers. The fifth principle of uniform pricing on 6 June 1995 stated— has fallen away and been replaced by "I want the committee to be fully "competitive and cost effective grid pricing." aware and under no illusions at all that Before the electricity pricing mechanism of tariff equalisation is an integral part of this tariff equalisation is eroded by a decision of Government's policy." the Executive Labor Government without The Minister further stated— reference to the Parliament, it is imperative that action be taken to provide a legislative "I want it stressed loudly and clearly requirement that the Government maintain that tariff equalisation is part and parcel of equalisation of price throughout the State. our Government's policy, and I do not want it to be interpreted in any other way, Tariff equalisation did not occur by chance. In shape or form." 1935, William Forgan Smith's Labor Government appointed a royal commission on Despite these words, the Minister subtly electricity. In appointing the commission, the demonstrated the lack of commitment to tariff Government of the day stressed the need for equalisation in a recent comment on Late coordinated and planned development of the Edition regarding Eastlink. Firstly, he took electricity industry. The two main aims of the umbrage at a Senate committee's inquiry into 1936 royal commission and subsequent the construction of the Eastlink power line legislation were to extend electricity supply to project. He stated— rural areas of Queensland and to work towards "I take exception to senators . . . all uniform prices throughout the State. Uniform coming here to interfere with the domestic pricing, the second aim of the royal political decision of this State." commission, was a consistent objective over the next five decades. He further stated— The fulfilment of that long-term aspiration "What we have to understand is the was accomplished in 1986 by successive reasons for Eastlink, and this has been coalition Governments. It was a hard-won lost . . . policy achievement and not without pain for There's $750m to be given to customers. For the coalition parties, tariff Queensland by the Federal Government if equalisation has the same absolute policy we participate in the competitive exercise commitment as the full actuarial funding of which is going on." long-term liabilities such as superannuation, On the one hand, the Minister takes workers' compensation and motor vehicle exception to a Senate committee inquiring into third-party insurance. the high voltage power lines across this State's The Goss Labor Government cannot lay agricultural lands but is quite relaxed about the claim to the full actuarial funding of the Federal Government dictating the policy Workers Compensation Fund following the direction of energy supply in Queensland. recent revelation of a $120m shortfall in the There is no consistency in the Minister's fund. The Goss Government knew of the argument. The difference is that the senators 19 October 1995 536 Legislative Assembly did not have $750m in their pockets and were maintain". On the one hand, the Minister talks listening to reasons why Eastlink should not about a policy of tariff equalisation, but there is proceed. The bottom line is that the Federal a difference between talking about a policy Government is offering a $750m incentive to commitment and actually being obliged to act join the "competitive exercise", namely, the to maintain price uniformity throughout the national marketing grid which enables this State. The Treasurer, in an interview in the Government to get out of an embarrassing electricity supply magazine of 20 July 1995, supply problem after 1998. The Minister acknowledged the policy of equal tariffs. He further stated— went on, however, to confirm that the policy "We will go into Eastlink because it has to blend with corporatisation. In other means cheaper and more efficient words, the corporatised bodies, such as electricity for the people of this State and electricity authorities, have to be competitive will enable this State to continue to grow and the corollary is that the user-pays principle and prosper. applies. The Treasurer, in an interview in the electricity supply magazine, further stated— Going into Eastlink does not necessarily mean that there will be cheaper and more "We have got a policy in Queensland efficient electricity for the people of this State. of equal tariffs and there is quite a bit of What Eastlink means is that this Labor work to be done. We have to work Government has had to put Queensland into through a lot of issues in respect of that. the "competitive exercise" not for the good How do we pay authorities to deliver reason of participating in the competition electricity at a uniform price but also policy reforms but because of its failure to provide incentives for efficient delivery? ensure supply for 1998 and beyond. As stated Those things are not impossible but before, Eastlink is a $750m aphrodisiac for the there are some fairly difficult methodology Government and a face-saver for the Labor and conceptual issues that we have to Government to alleviate a shortfall of power work through. towards the end of the century. That is what it means. We have established a policy, now we have got to see how we can blend The competitive energy edge that that policy with the principle underlying Queensland had at the beginning of the corporatisation. We think we can do it. It is 1990s has gone. It has been eroded by this just a bit more difficult than in some other Labor Government's failure to maintain the States." planning momentum it inherited in 1989. Instead of being in the position to sell power, The Treasurer went on to state, however— what is this Labor Government having to do? "We make no apology for the fact all To maintain sufficient supply it has to buy components of the electricity industry power from the national marketing grid. The should generate commercial rates of concern is that this new "competitive exercise" return and pay an appropriate dividend on that this Government talks about will mean that." that tariff equalisation will be sacrificed—that it Commercial rates of return, sale and lease- will be whittled away in the same way that the back of generating units, and national grid-like Workers Compensation Fund was eroded. contestable markets point to the fairly difficult The current Electricity Act of 1994 does methodology and conceptual issues that the not place an obligation on the Minister or Government has to work through. The fear is AUSTA to maintain tariff equalisation. The that in working through the difficult Electricity Act of 1976 to 1988, section 64 (3), methodology and conceptual issues equal states— tariffs may be the victim. The Treasurer, "In determining the prices to be paid speaking on the Appropriation Bill, on 31 May for electricity, the commission shall at all 1995, was more positive on the issue of equal times have regard to, and proceed tariffs, stating— towards, the objective of progressively "The Government will now explicitly equalising throughout the State the prices fund tariff equalisation for domestic to be paid by consumers to whom a consumers throughout the State, at a full particular tariff applies." year cost of $70 million." In this Act, there was an obligation on the It seems from what the Treasurer said then commission to "at all times have regard" then that tariff equalisation is Government to the equalising of tariffs. The new Electricity policy, but uniform prices do not sit well with Act of 1994 does not insist on that duty. It is his Government's commitment to the national watered down to the "Minister may act to electricity grid. It is a matter of regret that we Legislative Assembly 537 19 October 1995 cannot accept the words of the Treasurer and generation occurs. Remote areas will face the Minister for Energy that "tariff equalisation further industrial development isolation and will is part and parcel" of Government policy. become uncompetitive. With such vastness It will be recalled that the Premier and the and decentralisation comes a greater cost Treasurer gave similar positive commitments burden for the provision of essential services. to full actuarial funding of long-term liabilities In all areas of service and utility provision, the such as workers' compensation in From ultimate goal should be equalising service Strength to Strength and Leading State. The access and cost equalisation across the State. commitments ultimately were nothing but Electricity tariff equalisation provides the platitudes. The people of Queensland cannot benchmark for the realisation of this take the Government at its word. The achievable benefit. The Bill offers the Minister's words before the Estimates Parliament a chance to ensure that all committee and the Treasurer's words in the Ministers, regardless of party political electricity supply magazine are not sufficient. persuasion, must act to maintain uniform There needs to be a legislative requirement to pricing. For more than half a century, tariff make it a responsibility of the Minister to act to equalisation was a controversial matter. The maintain tariff equalisation. big step towards tariff equalisation occurred in 1977 with the re-organisation of industry. The Government can ease concerns about the future status of uniform prices by In introducing the new Electricity Bill in supporting this Bill. Failure to do so will 1976, the then coalition Minister for Mines and underscore existing concerns that the Energy, Ron Camm, said— Government lacks commitment to its policy "One of the objects of the legislation stances. The Government has suffered much is eventual equalisation of tariffs damage arising from its failure to uphold and throughout Queensland. be honest about the first element of its The concept of eventual equalisation financial management strategy to fully fund of tariffs throughout Queensland is merely long-term liabilities such as superannuation that the electricity consumer in and workers' compensation. The Government Queensland is entitled to the benefit of has lost credibility on that policy issue. the State's ample resources of cheap coal The Government has little standing in the whether he lives in Cairns or Corinda, in non-metropolitan areas for its commitment to Blackwater or Birdsville." service delivery after five years of It should be noted that the Labor Opposition rationalisation. There is concern throughout at that time agreed that "electricity costs be Queensland that tariff equalisation will be cut reduced", but did not agree with the modus out of the rural areas in the same way as the operandi of achieving equalisation. The Labor courthouses, teachers, police officers, etc. Opposition's preferred option was a "subsidy There is genuine concern throughout the scheme to level electricity costs." According to north, the far north and rural and western the Labor Leader at that time, Tom Burns, the areas that tariff equalisation will be chopped scheme was to be implemented by— around to the extent that it is irrelevant. ". . . subsidising the power distribution As stated before, equalisation of tariffs authorities in country areas so that they was finally achieved in 1986—-some nine could charge the same price as that years ago. Over that time all Queenslanders charged in the city of Brisbane." have benefited from the equalisation of tariffs, There is one outcome clear, if a subsidy did such as the development of secondary and exist when Labor came to power in 1989, it tertiary industries across the length and would not exist now. As said before, it would breadth of the State. There have been new have been cut along with other services to the industries, jobs and opportunities. In north, far- rural areas of this State. It should be noted north and western Queensland, uniform that the Labor Opposition in 1976, which pricing is sacred. The loss of tariff equalisation, consisted of just 11 members, spoke against if it occurred, would cause electricity prices to the Bill on the third reading. The Labor rise by 20 per cent or more in areas such as Opposition of 1976 at that time did not make Cairns, Charters Towers, Townsville and other the tough decision which was necessary for areas of the State that are distant from major the entire State. The Labor Government of generators. today, like the Labor Opposition of 1976, is The inevitable result will be a retraction of unable to make the tough strategic decisions industrial and domestic development to those for Queensland's future development. Instead areas in central and south-eastern of progressing Queensland it has had to put Queensland where the majority of electricity its hand out to the south to supplement power 19 October 1995 538 Legislative Assembly supply and in so doing put in jeopardy a key policy—tariff equalisation. This Bill gives the Parliament the opportunity to ensure that tariff equalisation remains the benchmark from which Queensland can develop. I commend the Bill to the House. Debate, on motion of Mr Hamill, adjourned. The House adjourned at 5.33 p.m.