Legislative Assembly 2780 21 August, 1990 NOTE: There could be differences between this document and the official printed Hansard, Vol. 315 TUESDAY, 21 AUGUST 1990 ———— Mr SPEAKER (Hon. J. Fouras, Ashgrove) read prayers and took the chair at 10 a.m. ABSENCE OF THE CLERK Mr SPEAKER: I have to inform the House of the unavoidable absence of the Clerk of the Parliament, who is attending a funeral this morning. ASSENT TO BILLS Assent to the following Bills reported by Mr Speaker— Appropriation Bill (No. 1); State Housing (Validation of Regulations) Bill; Picture Theatres and Films Act Repeal and Other Acts Amendment Bill; Liquor Act Amendment Bill; Land Act Amendment Bill; Jury Act Amendment Bill; Irvinebank State Treatment Works (Sale and Operation) Bill; Explosives Act Amendment Bill; Corrective Services (Validation of Regulations) Bill; Coal Mining Act Amendment Bill. ASSENT TO BILL Appropriation Bill (No. 1) Mr SPEAKER: I have to report that on 8 August 1990, I presented to His Excellency the Governor Appropriation Bill 1990-1991 (No. 1) for the royal assent and that His Excellency was pleased, in my presence, to subscribe his assent thereto in the name and on behalf of Her Majesty. LANDSBOROUGH AND SHERWOOD BY-ELECTIONS Return of Writs Mr SPEAKER: I have to inform the House that the writs issued by me on 5 July 1990 for the election of members to serve in the Legislative Assembly for the electoral districts of Landsborough and Sherwood have been returned to me with a certificate endorsed thereon by the returning officers of the elections, on 28 July, of Mrs Joan Mary Sheldon and David Anthony Dunworth, Esquire, to serve as such members. Members Sworn Mrs Sheldon and Mr Dunworth were introduced, took the oath of allegiance, and subscribed the roll. PETITIONS The Deputy Clerk announced the receipt of the following petitions— Goondiwindi Hospitals Board From Mr Springborg (184 signatories) praying that the present structure and budget of the Goondiwindi Hospital Board be maintained. Legislative Assembly 2781 21 August, 1990 Agricultural Spraying From Mr Sullivan (15 signatories) praying for provisions to protect human health from agricultural oversprays in rural residential areas. Redevelopment of Victoria Park From Mr Beattie (93 signatories) praying that the proposal by the Royal Queensland Lawn Tennis Association and Brisbane City Council to redevelop Victoria Park be rejected. Use of Horticultural Chemicals From Mr Campbell (336 signatories) praying for legislation to provide for appropriate training, protection and licensing of users of horticultural chemicals. Bread Industry Committee Act From Mr W. K. Goss (91 signatories) praying that the existing Bread Industry Committee Act including penalty provisions be retained. Enforcement of Fisheries Rules From Mr W. K. Goss (46 signatories) praying for the appointment of more fisheries inspectors and for an increase in penalties for breaches of the rules. Literature and Film Boards of Review From Mr W. K. Goss (509 signatories) praying for the maintenance of the Literature and Film Boards of Review and for a continuation of controls outlawing the sale of all pornographic matter. Dental Technicians From Mr W. K. Goss (499 signatories) praying that legislation be amended to allow qualified dental technicians to deal directly with the public. Licensing of Firearms From Mr Sullivan (44 signatories) praying that a licensing system for firearms be not introduced until public debate and alternative courses of action are investigated. Daylight-saving From Mr Harper (11 signatories) praying that daylight-saving be not reintroduced in future years. Petitions received. PAPERS The following papers were laid on the table, and ordered to be printed— Reports for the year ended 30 June 1989— Registrar of Co-operative and Other Societies Registrar of Commercial Acts on the administration of the Building Societies Act 1985-1987 Registrar of Commercial Acts on the administration of the Credit Societies Act 1986-1987 Registrar of Commercial Acts on the administration of the Credit Act 1987. Legislative Assembly 2782 21 August, 1990 The following papers were laid on the table— Orders in Council under— Financial Administration and Audit Act 1977-1988 Parliamentary Members' Salaries Act 1988-1990 Queensland Law Society Act 1952-1988 Prisoners (Interstate Transfer) Act 1982-1989 Harbours Act 1955-1989 Canals Act 1958-1989 Explosives Act 1952-1988 Coal Mining Act 1925-1989 Petroleum Act 1923-1988 Regulations under— Crimes (Confiscation of Profits) Act 1989 State Transport Act 1960-1990 Traffic Act 1949-1985 Motor Vehicle Driving Instruction School Act 1969-1985 Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Act 1984-1988 Motor Vehicles Control Act 1975-1988 Motor Vehicles Safety Act 1980-1989 Tow Truck Act 1973-1985 Queensland Marine Act 1958-1989 Explosives Act 1952-1988 Gas Act 1965-1988 Mining (Fossicking) Act 1985 Petroleum Act 1923-1988 Reports for the year ended 30 June 1990— Mediation Panel of the Retail Shop Leases Act Chairman of the Retail Shop Leases Tribunal By-laws under the Harbours Act 1955-1989 Notification under the Gateway Bridge Agreement Act 1980-1985. MOTION OF CONDOLENCE Death of Mr F. J. Waters Hon. W. K. GOSS (Logan—Premier, Minister for Economic and Trade Development and Minister for the Arts) (10.13 a.m.), by leave, without notice: I move— "1. That this House desires to place on record its appreciation of the services rendered to this State by the late Francis John Waters, AM, a former member of the Parliament of Queensland. 2. That Mr Speaker be requested to convey to the family of the deceased gentleman the above resolution, together with an expression of the sympathy and sorrow of the members of the Parliament of Queensland in the loss they have sustained." The death recently of Frank Waters marked the end of an era in Queensland politics. He was the last surviving member of the Forgan Smith Government, having served in this House from 1932 until 1938 as the member for the former seat of Kelvin Grove. Legislative Assembly 2783 21 August, 1990 I think that it is fair to say that Frank Waters was in the classic mould of Labor Party politicians of that era: largely self-educated, remarkably well read and utterly dedicated to getting a better deal for the working class—the battlers who were at that stage fighting their way back from the savage impact of the depression. It has been said by no less than the distinguished Labor historian, the late Dr Denis Murphy, that under different circumstances Frank Waters could have been the Premier of Queensland. His political career came to a premature end in 1938 and, as a result of internal party ructions, he failed to gain re-endorsement. He was expelled from the party in 1941 over his stand in a row involving medical aid to Russia. Frank Waters' resilience and commitment to the labour movement saw him readmitted to the party in 1956, and he was a prominent delegate to numerous State ALP conventions and Federal party conferences throughout the 1960s and into the 1970s. Nevertheless, Frank Waters will be remembered most for his career and for his contribution as a union-leader. After war service he turned his talents to the union movement. He had started his working life as a PMG telegram boy. He served as secretary of the Queensland branch of the Postal Workers Union from 1946 to 1972 and also as Federal president of that union from 1961 until his retirement in 1973. He served for 26 years as State secretary and for 12 years as Federal president—a remarkable record of service as a union-leader. He was an outstanding industrial tactician, and as the leader of a major public sector union was involved in many struggles to improve wages and conditions for his members. In retirement, Frank Waters retained an active interest in the Labor Party and union affairs and continued to make a valuable contribution behind the scenes in Queensland. Frank Waters was a true Labor man and a true union-leader—a description that is a most fitting epitaph for a person with his record and one that I am sure the members of his family and those who knew him and who remember him will long cherish. I did not know Frank Waters well, but I had met him on a number of occasions. All of those who knew him, and those whom I met, spoke highly of him. It was in fact officially recorded that he was unable to attend the recent centenary dinner held by the Labor Party on 1 August. It certainly would have been great if he could have been there, but his failing health did not permit it. On behalf of the Government of Queensland and the Queensland Parliamentary Labor Party in this House, I extend sincere condolences to his family. Hon. T. J. BURNS (Lytton—Deputy Premier, Minister for Housing and Local Government) (10.17 a.m.): Frank Waters was a mate of mine. I lived with Frank through the turmoil in the Labor Party after the split, served with him on the Federal Executive of the Labor Party, and served with him in the Queensland Central Executive of the Labor Party when I was secretary and he was an official. I knew him as a mate and a good bloke. His passing was a sad day for the labour movement. As the Premier said, Frank Waters is a part of history. On the day on which he was elected, both Frank Nicklin and Vince Gair were also elected to the Parliament. He was one of the great characters of the Parliament and one of the great characters of the labour movement. Today when I look around the Parliament, after my few years here, and I see the changes that have come about with members using written speeches and notes, I think of the fellows who made up the labour movement who gained their education by going to the libraries, working at night and on the weekends trying to improve themselves.