5 Apr 2001 Legislative Assembly 351 THURSDAY, 5 APRIL 2001 Mr SPEAKER (Hon. R. K. Hollis, Redcliffe) read prayers and took the chair at 9.30 a.m. PETITIONS The Clerk announced the receipt of the following petitions— Western Ipswich Bypass Mr Livingstone from 197 petitioners, requesting the House to reject all three options of the proposed Western Ipswich Bypass. State Government Land, Bracken Ridge Mr Nuttall from 403 petitioners, requesting the House to consider the request that the land owned by the State Government at 210 Telegraph Road, Bracken Ridge be kept and managed as a bushland reserve. Spinal Injuries Unit, Townsville General Hospital Mr Rodgers from 1,336 petitioners, requesting the House to provide a 24-26 bed Acute Care Spinal Injuries Unit at the new Townsville General Hospital in Douglas currently under construction. Left-Hand Drive Vehicles Mrs D. Scott from 233 petitioners, requesting the House to lower the age limit required to register a left-hand drive vehicle. Mater Children's Hospital Miss Simpson from 50 petitioners, requesting the House to (a) urge that Queensland Health reward efficient performance, rather than limit it, for the high growth population in the southern corridor, (b) argue that Queenslanders have the right to decide where their child is treated without being turned away, (c) decide that the Mater Children’s Hospital not be sent into deficit for meeting the needs of children who present at the door and (d) review the current funding system immediately to remedy this. PAPERS MINISTERIAL PAPER The following ministerial paper was tabled— Hon. R. J. Welford (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice)— Queensland Law Reform Commission— Report No. 55 Part 2—The Receipt of Evidence by Queensland Courts: The Evidence of Children and Part 2A—Summary of Recommendations. NOTICE OF MOTION Members of Parliament, Ethical Standards Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.33 a.m.): I give notice that I will move— That this House adopt the Statement of Fundamental Principles, contained in Part 2 of the proposed Code of Ethical Standards for Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, and recommended by the Members' Ethics and Parliamentary Privileges Committee in its report tabled last year. The Statement of Fundamental Principles is consistent with my Government's commitment to constitutional reform, good government and ethical conduct, and consists of the following six important principles— 1. Integrity of the Parliament The public's confidence in the institution of Parliament is essential. Members are to strive at all times to conduct themselves in a manner which will tend to maintain and strengthen the public's trust and confidence in the integrity of Parliament and avoid any action which may diminish its standing, authority or dignity. 2. Primacy of the public interest Members are elected to act in the public interest and make decisions solely in terms of the public interest. Members also have a continuing duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties as they arise, and to take steps to avoid, resolve or disclose any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest. 352 Ministerial Statement 5 Apr 2001 3. Independence of action Parliamentary democracy requires that members make decisions, and be seen to make decisions, in accordance with the public interest and not because they are under any financial obligation or influence. Therefore, members are not to place themselves under any financial obligation to outside individuals or organisations, including the executive government, that might influence them in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities, and must act at all times in accordance with rules set down by the Parliament for outside appointments. 4. Appropriate use of information In the course of their duties members often receive information which is either confidential or prized (that is, not available to the general public). Members are not to misuse any confidential or prized information, particularly for personal gain. 5. Transparency and scrutiny It is vital to parliamentary democracy that the public has confidence in the integrity of the decision–making process of Parliament. To ensure transparency, public scrutiny and public confidence, it is necessary that each member disclose their pecuniary interests on a continuing and ad hoc basis when the need arises. 6. Appropriate use of entitlements Members are provided certain entitlements to assist them to discharge their duties and responsibilities. Members are to ensure that they comply with any guidelines for the use of these entitlements. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Roma Street Parkland Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.36 a.m.), by leave: There is a big day of celebration planned for Brisbane tomorrow when stage 1 of the $72 million Roma Street Parkland is officially opened by the Minister for Public Works and me. It is an event that I am eagerly looking forward to, because this project has turned a virtual wasteland into the heart and lungs of Brisbane. This has been a tremendous project that has transformed the old railway yards into a beautiful people's place that will be an irresistible magnet to local residents and which will put us on the map internationally. It has been a big project which, at its peak late last year, employed 250 people. Their efforts have created a truly unique asset for present and future generations of Queenslanders. The state government has spent $72 million to develop the Roma Street Parkland on 16 hectares covering the former rail yards and the existing Albert Park in Brisbane's CBD. I urge all members to get out and see the parkland for themselves. It features a spectacular garden containing displays of subtropical foliage and flowers, a massive water wall and other water features and a one hectare lake. There is also a 250 metre pedestrian bridge linking the parkland with the CBD via Albert Street and an activity precinct with provision for a market plaza, as well as future retail and food outlets. Other features include a lookout and bridge crossing the fern gully, a boardwalk linking the Spectacle Garden and Parkland Boulevard and provision for a pedestrian bridge linking the parkland to Petrie Terrace. The Roma Street Parkland is being developed in partnership with the Brisbane City Council by the state government. To give the House some idea of the scope of this project, the transformation of the Roma Street Parkland site has involved the shifting of enough soil to cover the Gabba cricket ground to a height of two metres. This parkland is the largest subtropical garden in a city centre anywhere in the world. Workers have planted 1,200 mature trees, 100,000 shrubs, 1,800 unique species such as grass trees, staghorn and elkhorn, and 350 palms. Close to 300 Queenslanders nominated a name for the new parkland, with Roma Street Parkland or variations being the most popular. Wherever one lives, they can 'virtually' visit a special Roma Street Parkland through a web site—www.romastreetparkland.com— which features a tour of the parkland and an interactive model of the project. The Roma Street Parkland will be officially opened at 10 a.m. tomorrow by the minister and me. On Friday night there will be a concert at the parkland which will feature people such as Christine Anu and George, a local band. This is proof we are delivering on our commitments. For years governments dithered over the redevelopment of the Roma Street Parkland. This government delivered. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Goodwill Games Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.39 a.m.), by leave: Queensland has an enviable and much-deserved reputation for staging big events. The 5 Apr 2001 Ministerial Statement 353 Commonwealth Games in 1982 are still talked about as one of the best and friendliest games ever. World Expo in 1988 was another triumph for the state, and now we are lining up to do it all again with the Goodwill Games in 2001. Indeed, later on this year Queensland and Brisbane will host CHOGM. It is clear that both the Queensland and Australian business communities have great faith in our ability to stage such major events. Yesterday as Premier I represented Queensland at a special event, the 2001 Goodwill Games combined sponsors launch. It was clear from both the number and the quality of sponsors in 2001 Team Goodwill, the collective name given to sponsors of this major international sporting festival, that business is anticipating another Queensland success. They in turn help to make the games successful, because these companies' promotional support of the Goodwill Games will bring greater exposure to Queensland as a major international destination, whether it be for a holiday or for a major event. I have to say: I am impressed by the diverse range of Queensland and national companies sponsoring the games. Their support offers an array of markets for promoting the Goodwill Games, which will translate to further promotion of Brisbane and Queensland, nationally and internationally, in an unprecedented way. With the Goodwill Games set to be broadcast to millions of households around the world, the international exposure for Brisbane will be enormous. In fact, 450 million households worldwide will be able to see the Goodwill Games. Queensland has never before had that level of exposure. From 29 August to 9 September the Goodwill Games will bring more than 1,300 athletes to Brisbane for 12 days of spectacular sporting action across 14 sports. The games will generate 18,000 bed nights in 16 Brisbane hotels. They will create 2,000 jobs and pump $170 million into the local economy. As I said, they will be beamed to 450 million households worldwide.