11 Mar 2003 Legislative Assembly 327 TUESDAY, 11 MARCH 2003 Mr SPEAKER (Hon. R. K. Hollis, Redcliffe) read prayers and took the chair at 9.30 a.m. ASSENT TO BILLS (Sgd) Peter Arnison GOVERNOR Message No. 1/03 The Governor acquaints the Legislative Assembly that Bills intituled: "A Bill for an Act to amend certain local government legislation" "A Bill for an Act to amend the Queensland Building Services Authority Act 1991, and for other purposes" "A Bill for an Act to amend the Weapons Act 1990 and for other purposes" "A Bill for an Act to amend the criminal law, and for other purposes" "A Bill for an Act to amend various Acts as a consequence of the Commonwealth enacting the Financial Services Reform Act 2002 (Cwlth), and for other purposes" "A Bill for an Act to amend the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997, and certain other Acts", having been passed by the Legislative Assembly, and having been presented for the Royal Assent, were assented to by the Governor, in the name of Her Majesty, on the Fourth day of March, 2003. The Governor now transmits the Bills to the Legislative Assembly, to be numbered and forwarded to the proper Officer for enrolment, in the manner required by law. Government House, Brisbane 11 March 2003 PRIVILEGE Queensland Thoroughbred Racing Board Hon. M. ROSE (Currumbin—ALP) (Minister for Tourism and Racing and Minister for Fair Trading) (9.33 a.m.): I rise on a matter of privilege. The Crime and Misconduct Commission has totally vindicated the selection process used to establish the Queensland Thoroughbred Racing Board. The total clearance came after exhaustive investigation by the CMC of a host of poisonous and conspiratorial claims from the members for Toowoomba South and Warrego and certain vested interest participants in the thoroughbred racing industry. This whole sordid saga demonstrates the depths to which these people will stoop to protect their privileges and derail reforms that make racing a modern and vibrant industry. The CMC findings remove once and for all ill-founded doubts over the legitimacy of the QTRB. The CMC did, however, express some concern relating to conflicts of interest on the part of industry appointed selection panel members. I agree with their comments but, unfortunately, governments are constrained by the quaint national rules of the Australian Racing Board in having to include industry representatives in any major decision-making process. Many of the false, grubby and continuing attacks by the member for Warrego, the member for Toowoomba South and others focused on their belief that Bob Bentley was not on the reserves list. The CMC's view of this was— Mr Bentley was always one of these three, whether they be called reserves...or anything else. The CMC summed up the background to its investigation by saying— ...concerns and allegations have been raised with the CMC, usually not in the sense of the provision of direct evidence but as inferences and suspicions about possible explanations attaching to events relating to the industry and persons involved in it. Judges warn jurors every day of the danger of accepting uncorroborated allegations as evidence and yet former Supreme Court judge Bill Carter stood up at a public meeting and declared the selection process corrupt, even though he had none of the facts at his disposal. It was hardly the judicious conduct one would expect from such an eminent figure. The member for Toowoomba South, the 'beaten favourite' as some wags have so indelicately dubbed him, referred this matter to the CMC. He and his Racing predecessor, the member for Warrego, should hang their heads in shame and embarrassment. Their juvenile actions backfired badly. If they had a shred of honour, they would apologise publicly for their actions and the damage they have done to the Queensland racing industry. I will not be holding my breath. 328 Papers 11 Mar 2003 PETITIONS The following Honourable Members have lodged Paper Petitions for presentation— Ningi Bypass Mrs Carryn Sullivan from 2483 petitioners informing that the people of Ningi and Bribie Island unanimously reject the proposal to upgrade Bribie Island Road to four lanes through Ningi Township and that urgent consideration be given to determining a suitable bypass route and funding be provided for acquiring the rights for a corridor and developing this as a bypass of Ningi Township. Pine Rivers Shire, Bus Services Mr Wilson from 154 petitioners requesting the House to provide all assistance necessary to ensure there are adequate bus services in the Hills District of Pine Rivers Shire and adjoining suburbs of north-west Brisbane by ensuring adequate bus services on weekends and public holidays; at night on weekdays; and to increase the frequency of the existing bus services. Gold Coast Harbour Vision Project Mr Lawlor from 149 petitioners requesting the House to advise the Gold Coast City Council that the House will not agree to the recommendations contained in the "Gold Coast Harbour Vision 2020 Project—Report No. 1" and is against any commercial development of the Broadwater (including Wavebreak Is) and the western foreshore and any further reclamation. The following Honourable Members have sponsored E-Petitions which are now closed and presented— School Airconditioning Program Mr Hobbs from 213 petitioners requesting the House to immediately provide funding for a School Air Conditioning Program (similar to the programs in North Queensland), for schools such as the St George State Primary School, who do not have air conditioning, and wish to participate in such a program. Mackay-Bucasia Road Ms Jarratt from 27 petitioners requesting the House to upgrade the section of Mackay-Bucasia Road between Eimeo Road turnoff and Mackay-Habana Road turnoff to four lanes by June 2004. PAPERS PAPERS TABLED DURING THE RECESS The Clerk informed the House that the following papers, received during the recess, were tabled on the dates indicated— 3 March 2003— Government response from the Premier and Minister for Trade (Mr Beattie) to Public Accounts Committee Report No. 62 entitled Review of Audit Reports—Establishment of Public Sector Entities 4 March 2003— Government response from the Minister for Transport and Minister for Main Roads (Mr Bredhauer) to Travelsafe Committee Report No. 38 entitled Public Transport in South East Queensland 6 March 2003— Gas Retail Market Business Rules made by the Honourable Terry Mackenroth MP, Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Sport on 9 August 2002 10 March 2003— Report on outcomes of the review of the Agricultural Standards Act 1994 STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS The following statutory instruments were tabled by the Clerk— Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000— Police Powers and Responsibilities Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2003, No. 28 Health Act 1937— Health (Drugs and Poisons) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2003, No. 29 Fisheries Act 1994— Fisheries Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2003, No. 30 Fisheries Act 1994— Fisheries Management Plans Amendment Management Plan (No. 1) 2003, No. 31 Electrical Safety Act 2002— Electrical Safety Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2003, No. 32 11 Mar 2003 Ministerial Statement 329 Health Practitioners (Special Events Exemption) Act 1998— Health Practitioners (Special Events Exemption) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2003, No. 33 Consumer Credit (Queensland) Amendment Act 2002— Consumer Credit (Queensland) Amendment (Postponement) Regulation 2003, No. 34 Consumer Credit (Queensland) Act 1994— Consumer Credit Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2003, No. 35 Private Health Facilities Act 1999— Private Health Facilities (Standards) Amendment Notice (No. 1) 2003, No. 36 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Bali Memorial Service Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.37 a.m.): On 20 October last year St Matthew's Church at Holland Park held a requiem service for the victims of the Bali bomb attack. The Rev. John Milburn wrote to me on 19 February enclosing a memorial book signed by the congregation. I told him that I would be pleased to table the memorial book in parliament. I table the memorial book. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Trade Mission to India, the United Arab Emirates and Singapore Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.38 a.m.): I table a supplementary report to the report I tabled last time parliament sat on my visit to the United Arab Emirates, India and Singapore. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Australian Catholic University Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.39 a.m.): At lunch time today I will open the Australian Catholic University's new campus at Banyo. The Australian Catholic University is to be congratulated on the move and on the innovative approach it takes to education which embodies our Smart State vision. Students at the university not only learn work related skills; they are also taught how to think. And in the knowledge based economy of the 21st century, being able to think critically and creatively will be vital to success. That is what our commitment to innovation is all about. The university's relocation from Mitchelton to Banyo will enable it to offer courses in business and information systems, visual arts and design, the creative arts and social sciences in addition to teacher education and nursing. The new campus will also cater for more students, with the university expecting to increase enrolments from the current level of 2,600 to 5,000 by the end of this decade. The university also offers online education to students throughout Queensland, interstate and overseas, something we are keen to encourage under our export education program. My government applauds the university for the smart approach it is taking to education. We have contributed $6 million to the $34.5 million redevelopment of the former Banyo seminary. Other funding has come from the federal government, the university, Catholic Bishops of Queensland and donations.