Legislative Assembly 10007 27 October 1994 THURSDAY, 27 OCTOBER 1994 sell us something just as we have sat down to have our evening meal. Quite often, the direct marketeer has used a list that has our personal details on it, yet most of us have no idea that our Mr SPEAKER (Hon. J. Fouras, Ashgrove) details are on that list. read prayers and took the chair at 10 a.m. Many people would be appalled to learn that if they subscribe to a magazine, enter a competition in their local newspaper or join a PETITIONS club, their details could end up on a list without The Clerk announced the receipt of the their knowledge and that the list could be freely following petitions— rented or sold to direct marketeers. Some of the consumer lists freely available in Australia include consumers by ethnic origin, elderly people, adult Penalties and Sentences video buyers, slimming magazine subscribers, From Mr Beanland (2 493 signatories) and conservative political activists. praying that the Parliament of Queensland will Some ridiculous examples of lists available take action to ensure (a) that there be in the United States for sale or rental include punishment, not reward, for perpetrators of women 35 to 44 years with teenagers, a cat and violent crimes; and (b) that there be truth in an interest in astrology; Seventh Day Adventists sentencing with no parole. with more than one telephone; clergy in affluent postcodes; and Scotch drinkers who have Fishing and Recreation, National Parks purchased sensual clothing. From Mr Stoneman (393 signatories) Mr W. K. Goss: Wouldn't you agree that if praying that the Parliament of Queensland will you need both Scotch and sensual clothing it is withdraw and amend current legislation so as to pretty hopeless. provide for continued public access to waters in Mr BURNS: Things are pretty tough, all national parks for fishing and recreation. right. There is a list available; we should try to get Petitions received. a copy of it! The working party sought comments from consumer and industry groups and relevant PAPER Government agencies before presenting its The following paper was laid on the table— report to the Ministerial Council on Consumer Minister for Justice and Attorney-General and Affairs in July of this year. I am pleased to say that Minister for the Arts (Mr Wells)— the ministerial council, which I chaired, approved the release of the report for public comment. I Criminal Justice Commission—Annual now table a copy of the report for the information Report for 1993-94. of honourable members. Any member of the public wanting a free MINISTERIAL STATEMENT copy of the report can ring the ministerial Sale of Mailing Lists council's secretariat on (06) 250 6803. The Hon. T. J. BURNS (Lytton—Deputy community will have until 9 December 1994 to Premier, Minister for Emergency Services and make comments on the working party's report. I Minister for Rural Communities and Consumer encourage all interested persons to take the time Affairs) (10.03 a.m.), by leave: As members may to make a contribution to the debate on this be aware, the Ministerial Council on Consumer important issue. Having read the report, I wish to Affairs decided in July 1993 to establish an indicate my general support for the thrust of the officers' working party of representatives from working party's recommendations. consumer affairs agencies throughout the country to review the sale of mailing lists from a MINISTERIAL STATEMENT national perspective. Mailing lists are lists of names and addresses, and sometimes other Annual Economic Report personal details, of consumers. Hon. K. E. De LACY (Cairns— Direct marketeers and other parties use Treasurer) (10.05 a.m.), by leave: As I these lists to contact those consumers directly. foreshadowed last week in tabling the June Consumers may be contacted in a number of quarter State Accounts, I am now able to present ways. For example, I am sure most of us here the first Annual Economic Report prepared by have received personally addressed junk mail or Queensland Treasury. This report is the third and annoying telephone calls from someone trying to final volume in a new series of end of financial 27 October 1994 10008 Legislative Assembly year reporting documents introduced as part of State's economy. International tourism income the Goss Government's reforms involving has grown six-fold over the past decade. presentation of the State Budget prior to the The outlook for the Queensland economy is commencement of the Budget year. I will take one of continuing strong economic growth. this opportunity to briefly draw honourable However, the composition of that growth is set to members' attention to some important trends in change. In particular, investment in housing is the State economy. expected to make a much smaller contribution to As Queenslanders are acutely aware, much growth after three very strong years. At the same of the State has been gripped by drought since time, business investment is expected to play a 1991. Despite one of the longest periods of much larger role in Queensland's economic continuing drought on record, the Queensland expansion in 1994-95. Following growth of 5.3 economy has achieved remarkable growth in per cent in 1993-94, business investment is forecast by Treasury to grow by 19 per cent in production and employment, particularly when the current financial year. compared with the rest of Australia. Cumulative growth in the Queensland economy since the The Reserve Bank's latest moves on trough of the recession in 1990-91 has been interest rates have been largely anticipated in 16.7 per cent, compared with 6.6 per cent for the Treasury's forecasts, with the investment plans rest of Australia. If not for the drought, of the business sector expected to be Queensland's growth would have been 18.7 per underpinned by high profitability and strengthened balance sheets. While the cent. deterioration in the drought since the Budget Over that same period, Queensland has has made forecast growth of 5.4 per cent more become the new home for 136 000 migrants difficult to achieve in 1994-95, a range of from other States, their average age being just compensating factors have come into play. An 32 years. In other words, most new improving international economic scene augurs Queenslanders have come here to work and be well for commodity prices and demand for our educated, not to retire. The Queensland exports. economy has continued to generate Perhaps most encouraging of all, trend jobs—122 700 of them in fact in the last three employment growth of 5.4 per cent in the year to years. To put that performance in context, the September quarter is running well ahead of Queensland has produced four out of every ten the Budget forecast of 3.8 per cent. As a result, new jobs in Australia in that period. the trend rate of unemployment is expected to edge below 9 per cent by the end of this While the past few years have been difficult calendar year. ones for our traditionally strong agricultual and mining sectors due to drought and world While clearly the Queensland economy has recession, over the same period two other been the leading engine of growth in the important sectors of our Australian economy in recent years, we cannot economy—manufacturing and tourism—have rest on our laurels. The Goss Government is come of age under the policies of the Goss committed to a wide-ranging program of micro- economic reform. Through our policy of Government. The size of Queensland's corporatisation, industry in this State is set to manufacturing industry now exceeds the benefit from significant reductions in energy and combined size of the agricultural and mining port charges. Through the Queensland industries, with the State's share of national Infrastructure Financing Fund, we will ensure that manufacturing employment now standing at 16 business investment is not hampered by per cent, just short of our population share. infrastructure constraints. Through our pre- While manufacturing employment continues to eminent financial position, we will maintain and fall in the rest of Australia, manufacturing enhance our substantial tax advantage. employment increased by 4.8 per cent in I have great pleasure in tabling for the Queensland in the year to June 1994. benefit of all members the 1994 Annual Tourism has recovered strongly from the Economic Report. boom-bust cycle of the late 1980s. Tourism MINISTERIAL STATEMENT contributed $3.4 billion to gross State product in Overseas Visit 1993-94—20 per cent higher than the so-called boom year of 1988-89. Tourism exports reached Hon. E. D. CASEY (Mackay—Minister for a new record high of $2.7 billion, with Primary Industries) (10.11 a.m.), by leave: I wish international tourism for the first time matching to report to the House on my recent visit with a interstate exports as a source of income for the primary industry trade delegation to a number of Asian countries, namely, Hong Kong, China, Legislative Assembly 10009 27 October 1994 Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and Singapore. business agencies. The importance of The purpose of the visit was to undertake a joint Government to Government as well as industry to Government/industry mission which would— industry negotiations are seen as a key factor in renew or establish contacts at ministerial and success. Unless our homework is done senior official level; thoroughly at all levels of Government in these countries—local, provincial and central—it is facilitate contacts for representatives of likely that long delays and unnecessary major Queensland agricultural industries; frustrations will be placed in the way of success.