Queensland Parliamentary Debates [Hansard] Legislative Assembly THURSDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 1987 Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy Papers 12 November 1987 4063 THURSDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 1987 Mr SPEAKER (Hon. K. R. Lingard, Fassifem) read prayers and took the chair at 10 a.m. PETITIONS The Clerk announced the receipt of the following petitions— Central Place Development From Mr Beanland (38 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland will ensure that the Brisbane City Council's town-planning processes will prevail especially in relation to the proposed 107-storey Central Place development. Balance between Public Ownership and Private Enterprise From Mr Beanland (1 886 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland will take action to repeal the Land Act and the Integrated Resort Development Act so as to maintain a balance between public ownership and private enterprise, particularly on Barrier Reef islands. Withdrawal of Section of Land Act Amendment Act From Mr Comben (1 380 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland will withdraw that section of the Land Act Amendment Act 1987 which allows land to be leased in perpetuity for tourist development purposes. By-pass Road Linking New England and Warrego Highways to Bruce Highway From Mr Sherlock (38 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland will publish plans for public examination of the proposed city by-pass road linking the New England and Warrego Highways to the Bmce Highway. Cut-backs in Teacher Aide Hours From Mr Beard (1 327 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland will take action to reverse the Budget decision on cut-backs in teacher aide hours. Petitions received. PAPERS The following papers were laid on the table, and ordered to be printed— Reports— North Queensland Racing Association for the year ended 30 June 1987 Water Quality Council of Queensland for the year ended 30 June 1987 Report and Financial Statements of the Queensland Coal Board for the year ended 30 June 1987 Miners Pensions Tribunal for the year ended 30 June 1987 Queensland Cultural Centre Tmst for the year ended 30 June 1987 Brisbane Market Tmst for the year ended 30 June 1987 Hen Quota Committee for the year ended 30 June 1987 Sunny Queen Egg Farms for the year ended 30 June 1987 Queensland Commercial Fishermen's Organisation for the year ended 30 June 1986 4064 12 November 1987 Questions Upon Notice Department of Primary Industries for the year ended 30 June 1987 Queensland Fire Brigades Employees' Superannuation Plan for the year ended 30 June 1987 Rural Fires Board of Queensland for the year ended 30 June 1987. The following papers were laid on the table— Order in Council under— Industrial Development Act 1963-1981 and the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982-1984 Regulations under— Racing and Betting Act 1980-1987 Architects Act 1985. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Use of Kenaf in Production of Newsprint Hon. N. J. HARPER (Aubum—Minister for Primary Industries) (10.05 a.m.), by leave: During the debate on the Estimates of my department, and at other times, mention has been made of the potential of the Burdekin irrigation area and of a crop known as kenaf, which my department is co-operating with private enterprise in developing. Yesterday I received a copy of an American newspaper, the Bakersfield Californian. According to the editorial, this paper never saw a forest. It was crafted from kenaf fibre that was harvested from an irrigated field in the Rio Grande valley of Texas. I table a copy of that paper because I believe it is of interest to honourable members in this Chamber. I believe—and the Queensland Govemment believes—that there is a tremendous potential for the development of kenaf as an altemative crop in north Queensland. It has the potential to produce a very high-quality, strong paper. I draw the attention of honourable members to this illustration of its capacity to produce a full run of newspapers in America. Whereupon the honourable member laid on the table the document referred to. PRIVILEGE Reopening of "Black hole" at Brisbane Prison Mr WARBURTON (Sandgate—Leader of the Opposition) (10.07 a.m.): I rise on a matter of privilege. The Minister for Corrective Services, Administrative Services and Valuation, Mr Neal, is reported as intending to reopen the Boggo Road gaol block known as the "Black hole". As that action can be described only as barbaric, I advise the House that I intend to refer the matter to the Human Rights Commission today. QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE 1. Royalties on Export Coal Sir WILLIAM KNOX asked the Premier and Treasurer— "(1) Is he aware that the New South Wales Government has given royalty relief to export coal miners in that State in order to meet worid market competition? (2) Is the Queensland Government considering royalty or freight rate relief for existing export coal miners so that they may hold and expand their market share?" Sir JOH BJELKE-PETERSEN: (1) Yes. Questions Upon Notice 12 November 1987 4065 (2) Cabinet recently approved substantial changes to the Govemment's export coal rail freight concession scheme, providing major additional concessions for the industry. The revised arrangements provide for substantial immediate rail freight reductions for major mines built since 1978 and future escalation of freight rates for these mines at only half the normal rate. This is estimated to benefit the Queensland export coal industry to the extent of $850m in today's dollar terms over the next 10 years. This is in addition to the existing rail freight concession scheme that has already been given to the industry and was introduced in 1984, which has resulted in concessions of $ 190m to date and will result in further concessions estimated at $180m over the next few years. There is provision for the new freight rates to increase more than the half-escalation rate if export coal prices increase to a pre-determined extent above the prices applying in early 1986. The "pre-determined extent" aUows for the first part of any price increase to be retained by the coal company to cover cost increases with 75 per cent of the remainder of any price increase also staying with the company. The revised scheme arrangements were determined in consultation with the coal industry and were designed to give the maximum possible relief while at the same time providing a reasonable level of protection to the State's revenue base. The Government recognises that the new arrangements will mean a substantial loss to the State in terms of coal freight revenue forgone. Nevertheless, it recognises the difficulties currently being faced by the coal industry because of price reductions and has been determined to support the industry to the maximum extent possible. The new arrangements have been accepted by the Queensland Coal Association, which thanked this Govemment and me very much. 2. Work in Return for Dole Payments Mr ALISON asked the Minister for Family Services, Youth and Ethnic Affairs— "With reference to the reported statement by Mr Justice Ambrose in the Supreme Court on 26 October that the country's payment system to the unem­ ployed and others had contributed to street crimes in Brisbane and that society, in its wisdom, had contributed to a particular person's lifestyle in receiving social security payments without being obliged to do anything productive or useful— (1) Is there much tmth in the reported comments of the leamed Judge? (2) Would it not be best for our Community—particularly young unemployed people—if the Federal Govemment introduced a scheme whereby people on the dole had to do something productive in exchange for the dole?" Mrs CHAPMAN: (1) I thank the honourable member for his question and for bringing this matter to my attention. I concur completely with the reported statement by Mr Justice Ambrose Mr R. J. Gibbs interjected. Mrs CHAPMAN: I hope that the honourable member has not been gambling illegally again. As I was saying, I concur completely with the reported statement by Mr Justice Ambrose that the welfare mentality in Australia today is contributing to crime and to a life-style of receiving social security benefits without being obliged to do anything productive or useful. It is both significant and encouraging to see someone in such high office speak out on this matter. The honourable member would recall that I have spoken about this on a number of occasions and there is no doubt that young people in particular would welcome the opportunity to do some work in the community in retum for the dole. Public opinion polls have shown that up to 90 per cent of young unemployed people would be prepared to do this. 4066 12 November 1987 Questions Upon Notice (2) The matter, of course, is one for the Federal Govemment, and I hope others will follow the judge in trying to bring the present Labor Govemment in Canberra to its senses. The hand-out mentality started in the disastrous Whitlam years in the early 1970s and the Hawke Govemment has encouraged it further. It was interesting to hear the present Labor Govemment's Treasurer in Canberta, Mr Keating, admit this on national television and radio earlier today when he blamed Australia's current economic ills on the Whitlam Govemment and the inadequate policies of his own party. The concept of people having to do something constmctive for the dole has been highly successful and widely accepted in the United States and other overseas countries. It is not only good for the individual in terms of self-esteem, pride, discipline and the development of skills but also is advantageous for the community as far as public attitudes and support services are concemed.