19 Jul 2000 Legislative Assembly 2125 WEDNESDAY, 19 JULY 2000 abolish the current State Government Fuel Subsidy Scheme. Petitions received. Mr SPEAKER (Hon. R. K. Hollis, Redcliffe) read prayers and took the chair at 9.30 a.m. PAPERS MINISTERIAL PAPERS The following papers were tabled— PRIVILEGE (a) Minister for Health (Mrs Edmond)— Brisbane Light Rail Project Report under the provisions of s.56A(4) Hon. S. D. BREDHAUER (Cook—ALP) Statutory Instruments Act 1992 (Minister for Transport and Minister for Main concerning extensions to the expiry of Roads) (9.31 a.m.): I rise on a matter of certain health subordinate legislation privilege. I refer to a matter raised in (b) Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Parliament by the member for Gregory Islander Policy and Minister for Women's yesterday. The process used for the Brisbane Policy and Minister for Fair Trading (Ms light rail was two stages commencing with an Spence)— expression of interest, which yielded a short list Report on official visit to Canada and the of four consortia who were then invited to United States. submit a detailed proposal for evaluation in accordance with the project brief. The brief documentation does include references to MINISTERIAL STATEMENT tenders but, as I advised the House, it was not Childers Backpackers Hostel Fire an open tender process and at all times the Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central— Government reserved the right to reject any or ALP) (Premier) (9.33 a.m.), by leave: The all of the detailed proposals. tragic fire at Childers on 23 June cost 15 young lives and caused terrible trauma to the PETITIONS families and friends of those young people as well as to the survivors and, of course, to the The Clerk announced the receipt of the people of Childers. It also exacted an following petitions— emotional and economic toll on the people of Childers. Petford Training Farm The people of Childers have shown From Mr Beanland (40 petitioners) incredible strength, compassion and sensitivity. requesting the House to call on the Minister for Today, on behalf of the Parliament and the Families, Youth and Community Care to people of Queensland, I want to pass on our reconsider the decision to cease funding for thanks to the people of Childers for their the Petford Aboriginal Training Farm and fortitude and the way that they have handled reinstate financial support and assistance. this crisis. I join with the local member, Doug Slack, who made appropriate comments yesterday. They have opened their hearts to Land, Mount Gravatt-Capalaba Road, the survivors of the fire and to the families of Wishart those lost in the tragedy. They conducted a From Mr Reeves (2,178 petitioners) dignified and moving memorial service just requesting the House to recognise that the days after the tragedy, and I think we would all land located at 305 Mt Gravatt-Capalaba agree—I know that the member for Road, Wishart is heavily timbered and the sale Bundaberg, the Leader of the Opposition, the and subsequent development of this land will Leader of the Liberal Party as well as my not only result in the destruction of this ministerial colleague Stephen Robertson were bushland but will also be contrary to the there—that that memorial service was a key reasonable expectations of residents, part of the healing process. The people of particularly given that the land is zoned Special Childers have supported and comforted each Uses—Education. other during this difficult time. My Government appreciates and acknowledges the efforts of the people of Fuel Subsidy Scheme Childers. We also want to extend a hand in From Dr Watson (321 petitioners) these difficult times. The State Government requesting the House to call on the Premier of has placed a message of condolence to the Queensland, Hon. Peter Beattie MLA, not to families of the victims in the Guardian 2126 Ministerial Statement 19 Jul 2000 newspaper in Britain at a cost of approximately part of that. We would hope that all $20,000, although we have not received the Queenslanders and all Australians donate bill yet. That is part of the healing process and, generously to assist that community. As well, of course, we are doing what we can to ensure the business support function of the that British backpackers and their families Department of State Development will help know that Queensland and Australia are safe assist those businesses directly affected by the destinations to visit. I made considerable effort fire. I have arranged for the mayor to talk to while in Britain and Ireland to convey that the Deputy Premier a little later today. message to the British and Irish people. While The people of Queensland will not forget I was in Britain, as I indicated, I spoke to two of that tragedy that has touched Childers. As part the families who had lost loved ones in the fire. of our commitment, I table a copy of a letter I That was one of the most difficult things I have have written today to the mayor which spells had to do as Premier, but I believe it was out the details of the assistance package and important to do so on behalf of the State. the assistance that we will continue to provide I advise the House today that we have to this community. I want to conclude by also provided assistance to six families of saying that the people of Childers have shown those who lost their lives in the fire by helping that they are great Australians and great them to travel to Queensland, that is, the Queenslanders. They have shown that great families of the deceased. There have been quality that all Australians have, that in one family from Japan, one from Ireland and adversity they bind together as a community; four from Great Britain. We have discussed from that strength they support one another, with Qantas and British Airways a cheaper air and they have done Queensland proud. fare. We are, in fact, paying that cheaper air Again, on behalf of this Parliament, I thank fare, and I thank Qantas and British Airways them for what they have done. for their assistance in this matter. I have written to the Mayor of Childers, Bill MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Trevor, this morning and I had a long Investment in Queensland discussion with him last night as well, advising him of the State Government's assistance to Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central— help the people of Childers rebuild their ALP) (Premier) (9.40 a.m.), by leave: Over the community. I indicated to the local member, past two years, since coming to office, my Doug Slack, last night privately that I would be Government has created 82,700 jobs. Today I making this statement today spelling out the want to spell out where some of those jobs assistance. We will contribute $25,000 towards have come from and where some of those the cost of erecting a memorial in Childers, new jobs will be in the future. Our focus and I spelt out to the House yesterday the remains clearly on jobs, despite what some of details of that. In addition, there will also be the doomsayers say. As part of my $25,000 paid in compensation to the Isis Government's strategy, we will continue to Council for hosting the memorial service and promote Queensland around the world as the associated costs. The council moved quickly to best place in which to live and invest. provide support for the backpackers in terms of This morning I spelt out very clearly to a food and accommodation and there were business breakfast which was addressed jointly associated costs. We are contributing $25,000 by the Treasurer and I that we are keen to see to the council for those costs as well as any this partnership between the Government and costs associated with the memorial service. the private sector which will deliver jobs. It is In addition, temporary accommodation for particularly pleasing that a lot of these backpackers visiting Childers will be investments are largely in industry sectors established. One of the key points the mayor representing the new economy, particularly in has made to me is that they need temporary telecommunications and IT. Our strategy is to accommodation to assist in putting up embrace the jobs of tomorrow, particularly in backpackers as part of the picking season. biotechnology and IT, as well as enhancing That will be at a cost of $75,000 from the the traditional industries such as primary State Government. We will provide that. To industries, mining and tourism. That is one ensure ongoing support, we will assist in the reason why the Mining Centre of Excellence establishment of an appeal fund to be has been established at the University of managed by the council. There are always Queensland. legal requirements that have to be met here. I Since we have come to office, the indicated to the mayor that we felt that he and Government, through a number of the council should run it and that we would be departments, particularly the Investment contributing the funds I have referred to as Division in State Development, is working in 19 Jul 2000 Ministerial Statement 2127 association with overseas offices and the State was happy to give the small acknowledgment Development Centres to attract investment to that those opposite are entitled to. I did it with Queensland and has been successful in grace. I was prepared to give them a small attracting a large number of new investments. acknowledgment. It was only a tiny speck and They include: AAPT, the national headquarters we have turned it into a mountain; that is the for mobiles, 381 new jobs; Austar difference.