VICTORIA PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) FIFTY-THIRD PARLIAMENT SECOND SESSION Legislative Council Volume 438 Autumn 1998 (From 17 February to 22 April 1998) Internet: http://www.vicnet.net.auivicnetlvicgov/parl/parliahtml By Authority: Victorian Government Printer The Governor His Excellency the Honourable Sir JAMES AUGUSTINE GOBBO, AC The Lieutenant-Governor Her Excellency Professor ADRIENNE E. CLARKE, AO The Ministry [AS FROM 6 JANUARY 1997] Premier, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for the Arts ................................ The Hon. J. G. Kennett, MP Deputy Premier and Minister for Agriculture and Resources .............. " The Hon. P. J. McNamara, MP Minister for Education .............................. " The Hon. P. A. Gude, MP Minister for Industry, Science and Technology ......... '" The Hon. M A. Birrell, MLC Minister for Health and Minister for Aged Care ........................... " The Hon. R. I. Knowles, MLC Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Minister for Corrections ........................... " The Hon. W. D. McGrath, MP Minister for Finance and Minister for Gaming. .. The Hon. R. M. Hallam, MLC Treasurer and Minister for Multimedia ................. " The Hon. A. R. Stockdale, MP Minister for Small Business and Minister for Tourism. .. The Hon. Louise Asher, MLC Minister for Transport ............................... " The Hon. R. F. Cooper, MP Minister for Roads and Ports ......................... " The Hon. G. R. Craige, MLC Minister for Housing and Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs .......... " The Hon. A. M. Henderson, MP Minister for Tertiary Education and Training and Minister assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs. " The Hon. P. N. Honeywood, MP Minister for Planning and Local Government ........... " The Hon. R. R. C. Maclellan, MP Minister for Youth and Community Services ............ " The Hon. D. V. Napthine, MP Minister for Sport and Minister for Rural Development .................... " The Hon. T. C. Reynolds, MP Minister for Conservation and Land Management ....... " The Hon. M. T. Tehan, MP Attorney-General, Minister for Fair Trading and Minister for Women's Affairs ...................... " The Hon. J. L. M Wade, MP Parliamentary Secretary of the Cabinet ................... The Hon. Rosemary Varty, MLC Members of the Legislative Council FIFTY-THIRD PARLIAMENT - SECOND SESSION President: The Hon. B. A. CHAMBERLAIN Deputy President and Chainnan of Committees: The Hon. P. R. HALL Temporary Chairmen of Committees: The Honourables G. B. Ashrnan, B. W. Bishop, Jean McLean, D. A. Nardella, B. T. Pullen, E. G. Stoney and C. A. Strong Leader of the Government: The Hon. M. A. BIRRELL Deputy Leader of the Government: The Hon. R I. KNOWLES Leader of the National Party: The Hon. W. R BAXTER Deputy Leader of the National Party: The Hon. R. M. HALLAM Leader of the Opposition: The Hon. T. C. THEOPHANOUS Deputy Leader of the Opposition: The Hon. M. M. GOULD Member District Party Member District Party Asher, Hon. Louise Monash LP Hartigan, Hon. WiIliarn A. Neville Geelong LP Ashman, Hon. Gerald Bmy Koonung LP Hogg, Hon. Caroline Jennifer Melbomne North ALP Atkinson, Hon. Bruce Nonnan Koonung LP Katsambanis, Hon. Peter Argyris Monash LP Baxter, Hon. William Robert North Eastern NP Knowles, Hon. Robert lan Ballarat LP Best, Hon. Ronald Alexander North Western NP Lucas, Hon. Neil Bedford, PSM Eurnernmerring LP Birrell, Hon. Mark Alexander EastYarra LP Luckins, Hon. Maree Therese Waverley LP Bishop, Hon. Barry Wilfred North Western NP McLean, Hon. Jean Melbomne West ALP Boardman, Hon. Blair Carneron Chelsea LP Nardella, Hon. Donato Antonio Melbowne North ALP Bowden, Hon. Ronald Henry South Eastern LP Nguyen, Hon. Sang Minh Melbowne West ALP Brideson, Hon. Andrew Ronald Waverley LP PoweU, Hon. Elizabeth Jeanette North Eastern NP Chamberlain, Hon. Bruce Anthony Western LP Power, Hon. Pat Jika Jika ALP Cover, Hon. lan James Geelong LP Pullen, Hon. Barry Thomas Melbourne ALP Craige, Hon. Geoffrey Ronald Central Highlands LP Ross, Hon. John William Gameliel Higinbotham LP Davis, Hon. David McLean EastYarra LP Smith, Hon. Kenneth Maurice South Eastern LP Davis, Hon. Philip Rivers Gippsland LP Smith, Hon. Wendy Irene Silvan LP de Fegely, Hon. Richard Strachan Ballarat LP Stoney, Hon. Eadley Graeme Central Highlands LP Eren, Hon. Tayfun Ergun Doutta Galla ALP Strong, Hon. Christopher Arthur Higinbotham LP Forwood, Hon. Bill Templestowe LP Theophanous, Hon. Theo Charles Jika Jika ALP Furletti, Hon. Carlo Angelo Templestowe LP Varty, Hon. Rosemary Silvan LP Gould, Hon. Monica Mary Doutta Galla ALP Walpole, Hon. Douglas Thompson Melbowne ALP Hall, Hon. Peter Ronald Gippsland NP Wells, Hon. RonaId James Herbert Eurnemmerring LP Hallam, Hon. Roger Murray Western NP Wilding, Hon. Sue deCarteret Chelsea LP Heads of Parliamentary Departments Council - Clerk of the Parliaments and Clerk of the Legislative Council: Mr A. V. Bray Assembly - Clerk of the Legislative Assembly: Mr P. J. Mithen Hansard - Chief Reporter (Acting): Ms C. J. Williams Library - Librarian: Mr B. J. Davidson Parliamentary Services - Secretary: Ms C. M. Haydon OPENING OF SESSION Tuesday, 17 February 1998 COlJNCIL VICTORIA His ExceUency addressed the following speech to both houses of Parliament: PARL~NTARYDEBATES Mr President and honourable members of the (HANSARD) Legislative Council: Second session of fifty-third Parliament Mr Speaker and members of the Legislative Assembly: Legislative Council I have called you together today as we reach the Tuesday, 17 February 1998 midpoint of this term of Parliament in order to focus our attention and that of all Victorians on our objectives over the short time remaining of the OPENING OF SESSION 20th century. The separation of the 53rd Parliament into two sessions presents us now with the opportunity to Second session of fIfty-third Victorian Parliament opened. review our progress and achievements since the initial election of my government in 1992. This is also a Proceedings commenced 2.32 p.m. fitting time to take a fresh look at our direction ahead. The government's priority will be to ensure the goals of PROCLAMATION its first phase of development are met by 200 1. It will design a blueprint for Victoria's advance into the FoUowing proclamation read by Clerk: 21 st century for presentation in the year 2000. Proroguing Parliament and fixing the time for holding second session of the fifty-third Parliament of Victoria My government has rebuilt Victoria's inheritance in the past five and a half years. Given the state's dramatically By the Governor of the State of Victoria improved performance today, the agenda for this The Parliament of Victoria, being adjowned until the day and session of the Parliament will see a marked change in hour fixed by the President of the Legislative Council and the emphasis. Speaker of the Legislative Assembly respectively, I, James Gobbo, Governor of the state of Victoria, acting wxier section I am pleased to inform all Victorians my government 8 of the Constitution Act 1975 and all other powers vested in will apply expanded criteria to the budget process, me, prorogue the Parliament until Tuesday, 17 February 1998, and fix Tuesday, 17 February 1998 at 2.30 p.m. as the legislation brought before the Parliament and initiatives time for the commencement and holding of the next session of the government. Each new measure and each of Parliament, for the despatch of business at the Parliament expenditure proposal will be required to undergo the Houses, Melbomne. test of social advantage. This signals the next important The honourable the members of the Legislative Council and step forward for Victoria. Budget programs, legislation the members of the Legislative Assembly are required to give and initiatives will be tested against four measures - in their attendance at that time and place. what way they might improve outcomes in education, increase job opportunities, encourage safe, healthy Given under my hand and the seal of Victoria on 20 January 1998. lifestyles and build confident and cohesive communities. James Gobbo, Governor All my government's endeavours have been building By His Excellency's Command, up to this point. The social advance of Victorians will be the central criterion in determining our state's future 1. G. Kennett, direction. The government will focus on consolidating Premier. Victoria as the kind of place that we are able to look on with pride as providing the ideal home, lifestyle and GOVERNOR'S SPEECH workplace of the 21st century. Usher of Black Rod announced approach of The government's approach will lead Victorians as they His Excellency the Governor. strive in their own lives and local communities, admittedly at times with great difficulty, to improve His Excellency entered chamber accompanied by suite. their position and the general environs of their lifestyle, and so to balance their own interests with those of an Legislative Assembly members, with Speaker, attended in increasingly demanding world. We need therefore to response to His Excellency's summons. examine what we need to do as a partnership of GOVERNOR'S SPEECH 2 COUNCIL Tuesday, 17 February 1998 Victorians to strengthen the freedom and independence acknowledges still more needs to be done in the years we enjoy, create a more vibrant sense of community, ahead. and mould a cohesive, caring society. We need to work at ways to ameliorate the uncertainty that some feel in Extensive reform ofjustice and the safety of Victorians an era of such runaway change. These