Legislative Assembly 4955 21 November 1990 NOTE: There could be differences between this document and the official printed Hansard, Vol. 316 WEDNESDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 1990 Mr SPEAKER (Hon. J. Fouras, Ashgrove) read prayers and took the chair at 2.30 p.m. AUDITOR-GENERAL'S REPORT Brisbane City Council and Associated Bodies Accounts Mr SPEAKER: I have to report that I have received from the Auditor-General his report on the books and accounts of the Brisbane City Council and associated bodies for 1990-91. Ordered to be printed. PETITIONS The Clerk announced the receipt of the following petitions— Fencing of Swimming Pools From Mr Borbidge (31 signatories) praying that the Parliament will not legislate to force owners of existing swimming pools to separately fence their pool when it is within a residential block with perimeter fencing. Milk-vendors From Mr Briskey (284 signatories) praying that milk-vendors be allowed to continue to operate and that price widening be not increased. Decriminalisation of Homosexuality From Mr De Lacy (147 signatories) praying for the decriminalisation of homosexuality. A similar petition was received from Mr Foley (440 signatories). Travel Concessions for Tertiary Students From Mr Foley (1 651 signatories) praying for the introduction of half-fare travel tickets for tertiary students. Petitions received. PAPERS The following papers were laid on the table— Orders in Council under— Stamp Act 1894-1990 Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982-1989 Superannuation (State Public Sector) Act 1990 Coal Mining Act 1925-1990 Mineral Resources Act 1989-1990 Mining Act 1968-1986 Mining (Fossicking) Act 1985-1990 Legislative Assembly 4956 21 November 1990 Petroleum Act 1923-1988 Education (General Provisions) Act 1989 Regulations under the Pay-roll Tax Act 1971-1990 Rules under the Lotto Act 1981-1984 Report of the Mortgage Secondary Market Board for the year ended 30 June 1989 Reports for the year ended 31 December 1989— Gold Coast College of Advanced Education Board of Trustees of the Ipswich Grammar School Reports for the year ended 30 June 1990— Treasury Department Stamp Duties Office Mortgage Secondary Market Board By-laws under— Harbours Act 1955-1989 and the Cairns Airport Act 1981-1987 Harbours Act 1955-1989 Harbours Act 1955-1989 and the Port of Brisbane Authority Act 1976-1989 Railways Act 1914-1989 Proclamation under the Queensland University of Technology Act 1988-1990. BUDGET DOCUMENT Amendment to Estimates of Receipts and Expenditure Hon. K. E. De LACY (Cairns—Treasurer) (2.34 p.m.): I lay upon the table of the House an amendment to the Estimates of Receipts and Expenditure, Budget Paper No. 2. The amendment relates to the transfer of the Bureau of Regional Development from the Treasury Department to the Department of Business, Industry and Regional Development. Whereupon the document was laid on the table, and referred to Committee of Supply. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Gold Coast Indy Car Grand Prix Hon. K. E. De LACY (Cairns—Treasurer) (2.36 p.m.), by leave: I wish to inform the House of the status of preparations for the 1991 Gold Coast Indy Car Grand Prix. Honourable members will be aware that last month the Paris-based motor sports controlling body FISA refused to sanction the race. However, as I have repeatedly said, the race was going to go ahead next March, with or without FISA sanction. That situation has not changed. Nevertheless, it was considered desirable that we do everything in our power to secure a sanction. We have a genuine desire to avoid an unnecessary and unproductive controversy in Australian motor sport. Our desire at all times was to enhance motor sport in Australia, not to cause problems. Further, the Gold Coast race promises to be one of the great motor sport events in the world. It was considered important that all of those people who have a genuine love for motor sport be allowed to participate in the race. I was determined to leave no stone unturned to give them this opportunity. We entered into a range of negotiations, primarily with the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport—CAMS—and also with the highest level representatives from both FISA and CART. Legislative Assembly 4957 21 November 1990 I would like to acknowledge the untiring and genuine efforts of a number of people closely associated with CAMS and motor sport in Australia in assisting us to reach a compromise. Unfortunately, international forces beyond our control means that we have been unable to reach a reconciliation within the time-frame available. Everything has its price, and the price for a FISA sanction was too high. The major sticking point was the issue of whether the race would be a fully fledged round of the Indy World Series or a non-points race. At the end of the day, both the Indy car controlling group, CART, and the partners in the Gold Coast Indy Car Grand Prix Company, considered this too high a price to pay. I have decided that enough is enough. It is important that all systems be put on go for our race, which is only four months away. My decision has the full support of the members of CART. I pay tribute to the goodwill of those people who genuinely tried to get a resolution of this impasse. I am sorry that we were not successful, because it means that CAMS will not be able to participate in our event. However, although we have not been successful in effecting a full resolution, the time and energy spent in seeking this has not been wasted because both parties now have a much greater understanding of each other's positions. This augurs well for the future. It is now time to get on with the job. We have the world's fastest cars; we have support races; we have the organisational structure; we have the backing of the people of the Gold Coast; and we have the most spectacular motor racing venue in the world. They are all the ingredients for a successful race. The President of CART, Mr Bill Stokkan, has told me that the Indy race teams have all pledged to come to the Gold Coast for the race. The team sponsors are also eager to use the race as a showcase for their products through the television coverage that will reach more than 40 countries. Preparations for the race are well advanced. Road improvements, which will benefit citizens of the Gold Coast in the long term, and track preparations are progressing on schedule, but already the CART specialists—who inspected the circuit two weeks ago—have given the Gold Coast track an A++ rating. Mr Elliott: That's a bit like your credit-rating, is it? Mr De LACY: Yes, similar to our credit-rating. That is the top international rating—in other words, the best track in the world. As to the support events—there has been good news this week. I am pleased to inform the House that Australian motor racing identity Bob Jane yesterday signed contracts to provide the Gold Coast Indy Car Grand Prix crowd with a taste of speed with two teams of superpowered sports sedans—Nascar and Auscar. Other events on the program include races by members of the Porsche Club and the Super Karts event. Last week, Bob Minnikin was appointed as general manager to the event. Mr Minnikin's outstanding contribution to the success of both the Brisbane Commonwealth Games and World Expo 88 make him uniquely qualified to ensure the success of this event. A large number of experienced marshals and officials have already volunteered to assist. The critical officials will come from CART. The Gold Coast Indy Car Grand Prix has received unprecedented international media coverage because of the dispute between CART and FISA. Mr Cooper: That is one way to get media coverage. Mr De LACY: Exactly—more publicity than money could buy. It is now our intention to convert that exposure into ticket sales. As I said earlier this year, the State Government decided to back this event because of its potential to— 1. attract millions of dollars into the economy of the Gold Coast; and 2. promote the Gold Coast to a worldwide audience. That still remains our primary motivation. Legislative Assembly 4958 21 November 1990 I would like to appeal to all Queenslanders, and to all lovers of motor sports, to get behind the event. Over recent months, a number of individuals, and a number of media outlets, have been unnecessarily negative about the race. It is time now to close ranks. We owe that to the Gold Coast, and to Queensland. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Land Rental Increases Hon. A. G. EATON (Mourilyan—Minister for Land Management) (2.42 p.m.), by leave: Today, I am proud to publicly release the review into land policy and administration in Queensland. It is the first major review of land policy in this State for 30 years and will provide the Government with the basis for a modern land policy to take Queensland into the next decade. There is no doubt that this review is long overdue. It is an indictment on previous Governments that land policy has not moved in line with this State's changing economic and social base. Instead of a clear and comprehensive Land Act, Queensland currently has a complicated and confused administration system of our greatest asset—Crown land—which is simply not acceptable. As custodians of the land, Governments owe it to all Queenslanders to ensure that its management is not open to abuse and manipulation. Despite premature criticisms by members of the Opposition, the review committee has shown great dedication in producing a comprehensive document.