RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS - Queensland Parliament

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGSHansard Home Page: http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/hansard/

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FIRST SESSION OF THE FIFTY-SECOND PARLIAMENT Page

PROOF ISSN 1322-0330

Subject

Tuesday, 3 June 2008ASSENT TO BILLS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 1803

Tabled paper: Letter, dated 21 May 2008, from Her Excellency the Governor to Mr Speaker advising of assent to bills on 21 May 2008. .............................................................................................................................. 1803

MOTION OF CONDOLENCE ......................................................................................................................................................... 1803Bishop, Mr BE .................................................................................................................................................................... 1803

SPEAKER’S STATEMENTS .......................................................................................................................................................... 1806Order of Business ............................................................................................................................................................... 1806Royal Flying Doctor Service ............................................................................................................................................... 1806

PETITIONS ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 1806TABLED PAPERS .......................................................................................................................................................................... 1807MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS ........................................................................................................................................................ 1809

Tugun Bypass .................................................................................................................................................................... 1809Fuel Subsidy Scheme ........................................................................................................................................................ 1810Suncorp Queenslander, Young Queenslander and Community Spirit Awards .................................................................. 1811

Tabled paper: 2008 Queenslander of the Year list of finalists. ............................................................................... 1811Tabled paper: 2008 Young Queenslander of the Year list of finalists. .................................................................. 1811

Water Supply ...................................................................................................................................................................... 1811Tabled paper: Photograph endorsed ‘Traveston Crossing Bridge yesterday afternoon 4.45 pm June 2 2008’. .... 1812Tabled paper: Photograph endorsed ‘Traveston Crossing Bridge January 5 2008’. .............................................. 1812Tabled paper: Copy front page of The Courier-Mail dated 25-26 August 2007 and endorsed ‘Traveston Crossing Bridge August 2007’. ............................................................................................................. 1812Tabled paper: Photograph endorsed ‘Traveston Crossing Bridge this morning June 3 2008’. .............................. 1812

Townsville Hospital, Cardiac Services ............................................................................................................................... 1812Mount Isa, Lead Levels ...................................................................................................................................................... 1813Emergency Services, Severe Weather Conditions; Atherton Fire Station ......................................................................... 1813

Tabled paper: Copy of report, dated 5 May 2008, by Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, titled ‘Assessment of Ionising & Non-ionising Radiation Levels at Atherton Fire Station, Queensland’. . 1814

Electricity Prices ................................................................................................................................................................. 1814Drug Driving ....................................................................................................................................................................... 1814State Education Week ........................................................................................................................................................ 1815Primary Industries and Fisheries, Research ...................................................................................................................... 1815

M F REYNOLDS N J LAURIE L J OSMONDSPEAKER CLERK OF THE PARLIAMENT CHIEF HANSARD REPORTER

http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/hansard/

Table of Contents — Tuesday, 3 June 2008

Homelessness ....................................................................................................................................................................1816Social Housing ....................................................................................................................................................................1816Road Safety, Motorcyclists .................................................................................................................................................1817Gateway Upgrade Project ...................................................................................................................................................1817Children in Care, Transition to Independent Living .............................................................................................................1818Strawberry Farms, Seasonal Workers ................................................................................................................................1818Security Provider Industry ...................................................................................................................................................1819

SCRUTINY OF LEGISLATION COMMITTEE ................................................................................................................................1819Report .................................................................................................................................................................................1819

Tabled paper: Scrutiny of Legislation Committee Alert Digest No. 7 of 2008. .......................................................1819QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE ...................................................................................................................................................1819

Fuel Subsidy Scheme .........................................................................................................................................................1819Fuel Subsidy Scheme .........................................................................................................................................................1820

Tabled paper: Copy of letter, dated 1 November 2007, from the Under Treasurer, Mr Gerard Bradley, to Commissioner C W Pincus QC, Fuel Subsidy Inquiry, relating to the Queensland Fuel Subsidy Scheme. .......1820

Queensland Antismoking Campaign ...................................................................................................................................1821Fuel Subsidy Scheme .........................................................................................................................................................1821Road Infrastructure .............................................................................................................................................................1821Fuel Subsidy Scheme .........................................................................................................................................................1822Regional Queensland, Infrastructure Projects ....................................................................................................................1823Fuel Subsidy Scheme .........................................................................................................................................................1823Reserve Bank, Inflation .......................................................................................................................................................1824Fraser Coast Health Service Delivery Plan .........................................................................................................................1825Corrective Services, Capital Works Projects ......................................................................................................................1825Fuel Subsidy Scheme .........................................................................................................................................................1825Brough, Mr M ......................................................................................................................................................................1826Office of the Director of Public Prosecutors ........................................................................................................................1827

Tabled paper: Copy of report titled ‘Review of issues associated with the recruitment and retention of prosecutors in the Queensland ODPP’. ..................................................................................................................1827

Mount Isa, Green Spaces ...................................................................................................................................................1827Patel, Dr J ...........................................................................................................................................................................1828Victim Support Service .......................................................................................................................................................1829South East Queensland Regional Plan ..............................................................................................................................1829Languages Other Than English ..........................................................................................................................................1830

MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST ................................................................................................................................................1830Queensland Economy ........................................................................................................................................................1830Airport Link ..........................................................................................................................................................................1832Smart State Strategy ..........................................................................................................................................................1833

Tabled paper: Copy of a document titled ‘Grants: Smart State Premier’s Fellowships, $250,000 per year for five years’...........................................................................................................................................................1833Tabled paper: Copy of a document titled ‘Most recent National and International Research Alliances Program grants—round 2 (about to award round 3)’. .............................................................................................1833

Queensland Justice System, Delays ..................................................................................................................................1834Tabled paper: Copy of page 13 of the Townsville Bulletin, 17 May 2008, containing article titled ‘Prosecution in overload’ .........................................................................................................................................1834

Queensland Week, Kedron-Wavell Services Club ..............................................................................................................1835State Budget .......................................................................................................................................................................1836Domestic and Family Violence Awareness Month ..............................................................................................................1837Warrego Electorate, Coal Seam Gas Development ...........................................................................................................1838Organ Donation ..................................................................................................................................................................1838Cattle Ticks .........................................................................................................................................................................1839State Education Week ........................................................................................................................................................1840

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ...........................................................................................................................................................1841Mount Isa, Lead Levels .......................................................................................................................................................1841

Tabled paper: Copy of a report (endorsed ‘draft’), dated June 2000, titled ‘Metals in soils and surface water in the vicinity of Mt Isa’. ................................................................................................................................1841

HEALTH LEGISLATION (RESTRICTION ON USE OF COSMETIC SURGERY FOR CHILDREN AND ANOTHER MEASURE) AMENDMENT BILL .................................................................................................................................1841

First Reading ......................................................................................................................................................................1841Second Reading .................................................................................................................................................................1841

FISHERIES AMENDMENT BILL ....................................................................................................................................................1843First Reading ......................................................................................................................................................................1843Second Reading .................................................................................................................................................................1843

MINING AND OTHER LEGISLATION (SAFETY AND HEALTH FEE) AMENDMENT BILL .........................................................1844First Reading ......................................................................................................................................................................1844Second Reading .................................................................................................................................................................1844

Table of Contents — Tuesday, 3 June 2008

APPROPRIATION (PARLIAMENT) BILL; APPROPRIATION BILL ............................................................................................ 1846Messages from Governor ................................................................................................................................................... 1846

Tabled paper: Message, dated 30 May 2008, from Her Excellency the Governor recommending the Appropriation (Parliament) Bill. ............................................................................................................................... 1846Tabled paper: Message, dated 30 May 2008, from Her Excellency the Governor recommending the Appropriation Bill. ................................................................................................................................................... 1846

SPEAKER’S STATEMENT ............................................................................................................................................................ 1846ABC Cameraman in Chamber ............................................................................................................................................ 1846

DISTINGUISHED VISITORS .......................................................................................................................................................... 1846REVENUE AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL ...................................................................................................... 1846

First Reading ...................................................................................................................................................................... 1846Second Reading ................................................................................................................................................................. 1847

APPROPRIATION (PARLIAMENT) BILL ...................................................................................................................................... 1848First Reading ...................................................................................................................................................................... 1848Second Reading ................................................................................................................................................................. 1848

BUDGET PAPERS ......................................................................................................................................................................... 1848Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Budget Speech—Budget Paper No. 1. ................................................................ 1848Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Budget Strategy and Outlook—Budget Paper No. 2. .......................................... 1848Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Capital Statement—Budget Paper No. 3. ............................................................ 1848Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Budget Measures—Budget Paper No. 4. ............................................................ 1848Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Queensland State Budget 2008-09 at a glance................................................... 1848Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Budget Highlights................................................................................................. 1848Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Service Delivery Statements—Book 1................................................................. 1848Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Service Delivery Statements—Book 2................................................................. 1848Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Service Delivery Statements—Book 3................................................................. 1848Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Service Delivery Statements—Book 4—Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland........................................................................................................................................ 1848Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Regional Budget Statement—Darling Downs and West Moreton. ...................... 1848Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Regional Budget Statement—Far North Queensland.......................................... 1848Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Regional Budget Statement—Fitzroy. ................................................................. 1848Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Regional Budget Statement—Greater Brisbane.................................................. 1848Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Regional Budget Statement—Mackay-Whitsunday............................................. 1848Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Regional Budget Statement—North Coast. ......................................................... 1848Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Regional Budget Statement—North Queensland. ............................................... 1848Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Regional Budget Statement—South Coast. ........................................................ 1848Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Regional Budget Statement—Western Queensland. .......................................... 1848Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Regional Budget Statement—Wide Bay-Burnett. ................................................ 1848Tabled paper: South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program 2008-2026. .......................................... 1848

APPROPRIATION BILL ................................................................................................................................................................. 1849First Reading ...................................................................................................................................................................... 1849Second Reading ................................................................................................................................................................. 1849

ADJOURNMENT ............................................................................................................................................................................ 1858ATTENDANCE ............................................................................................................................................................................... 1858

03 Jun 2008 Legislative Assembly 1803

TUESDAY, 3 JUNE 2008

Legislative Assembly

The Legislative Assembly met at 9.30 am.Mr Speaker (Hon. MF Reynolds, Townsville) read prayers and took the chair.Mr Speaker acknowledged the traditional owners of the land upon which this parliament is

assembled and the custodians of the sacred lands of our state.

ASSENT TO BILLSMr SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have to report that I have received from Her Excellency

the Governor a letter in respect of assent to certain bills, the contents of which will be incorporated in theRecord of Proceedings. I table the letter for the information of members.The Honourable M.F. Reynolds, AM, MPSpeaker of the Legislative AssemblyParliament HouseGeorge StreetBRISBANE QLD 4000I hereby acquaint the Legislative Assembly that the following Bills, having been passed by the Legislative Assembly and havingbeen presented for the Royal Assent, were assented to in the name of Her Majesty The Queen on the date shown:Date of Assent: 21 May 2008

“A Bill for An Act to provide for the safety and reliability of water supply and to amend other Acts for particular water relatedpurposes”“A Bill for An Act to amend the Aboriginal Land Act 1991, the Land Act 1994, the Land Court Act 2000, the LocalGovernment (Aboriginal Lands) Act 1978, the Native Title (Queensland) Act 1993 and the Torres Strait Islander Land Act1991, for particular purposes”“A Bill for An Act to amend the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities (Justice, Land and Other Matters) Act1984, the Liquor Act 1992, the Local Government (Aboriginal Lands) Act 1978, the Local Government Act 1993, the LocalGovernment (Community Government Areas) Act 2004 and the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 for particularpurposes, and to repeal the Indigenous Communities Liquor Licences Act 2002”“A Bill for An Act to improve the efficiency and management of energy use, and the conservation of energy, by particularbusinesses and other activities, and to amend the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999, the Electricity Act 1994, theMineral Resources Act 1989, the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999, the Petroleum Act 1923 and thePetroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004 for particular purposes”“A Bill for An Act to amend the Gold Coast Motor Racing Events Act 1990 to facilitate motor racing events in Townsvilleand in other places in Queensland”“A Bill for An Act to amend the Environmental Protection Act 1994, and for related purposes”“A Bill for An Act to amend the Queensland Competition Authority Act 1997”“A Bill for An Act for the management of mass transit services in south east Queensland, and to amend the Public ServiceAct 1996, the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994, the Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994, the TransportOperations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 and the Transport Planning and Coordination Act 1994 for particularpurposes”“A Bill for An Act to amend the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 and the Transport Planning and Coordination Act 1994,and to amend other Acts and repeal an Act administered by the Minister for Transport”

These Bills are hereby transmitted to the Legislative Assembly, to be numbered and forwarded to the proper Officer for enrolment,in the manner required by law.Yours sincerelyGovernor21 May 2008Tabled paper: Letter, dated 21 May 2008, from Her Excellency the Governor to Mr Speaker advising of assent to bills on 21 May2008.

MOTION OF CONDOLENCE

Bishop, Mr BEHon. AM BLIGH (South Brisbane—ALP) (Premier) (9.32 am): I move—

1. That this House desires to place on record its appreciation of the services rendered to this State by the late Bruce EdwardBishop, a former Member of the Parliament of Queensland.

2. That Mr Speaker be requested to convey to Mr Bishop’s family the above resolution, together with an expression of thesympathy and sorrow of the Members of the Parliament of Queensland, in the loss they have sustained.

1804 Motion of Condolence 03 Jun 2008

Bruce Edward Bishop was born on 25 August 1925 in Maffra, Victoria and was educated at theRomsey state school and Geelong College. He went on to serve in the Royal Australian Naval VolunteerReserve from 1943 to 1946, and it is reported that he was on board HMAS Hobart in Tokyo Bay for theJapanese surrender in 1945. Upon leaving the Navy, Mr Bishop worked in the State ElectricityCommission in Victoria until 1955 and also worked for an international fundraising organisation thatassisted churches to raise money.

Like so many other Victorians, in 1959 Mr Bishop moved to Queensland where over the years tocome he was to play an important role in civic life on the Gold Coast. From the early 1960s, Mr Bishopworked as a menswear retailer in Surfers Paradise. He became very active in the Surfers ParadiseChamber of Commerce and was a member of the Liberal Party. From 1973 to 1988, Mr Bishop servedas an alderman on the Gold Coast City Council, undertaking the role of chairman of the health andparking committees at various times.

Mr Bishop was elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly in 1977 as the member forSurfers Paradise. In his maiden speech he addressed the House about a variety of issues relating to thetourism and travel industries, stressing how important both industries were to the people of the GoldCoast. Mr Bishop also spoke in favour of the government researching the establishment of a casino onthe Gold Coast, of the need to address local transport and traffic congestion issues—a man before histime—and of the pressures on the local police force especially during peak holiday times, together withparking and beach protection matters.

As honourable members know, I grew up on the Gold Coast. I have very clear memories as ayoung girl growing up in the 1970s, while Bruce Bishop was a councillor and member of this assembly,that Bruce Bishop was a household name on the Gold Coast. He was someone who was a constantoutspoken champion for the Gold Coast at a time when it was going through a period of very rapiddevelopment. Members would also be aware that Mr Bishop was defeated at the state election in 1980by the National Party candidate, the Hon. Rob Borbidge, who of course went on to become Premier ofQueensland. I extend my sympathy and that of this House to Mr Bishop’s family on their very sad loss.

Mr SPRINGBORG (Southern Downs—NPA) (Leader of the Opposition) (9.35 am): I rise to speakon the life and times of Bruce Edward Bishop, a successful Gold Coast retailer, Liberal Party stalwartand MLA for Surfers Paradise from 1977 to 1980. Born in Maffra, Victoria in 1925, Bruce Bishop waseducated at Geelong College. He served in the Royal Australian Navy from 1943 to 1946 and, as anable seaman on board HMAS Hobart, he was in Tokyo Bay in 1945 for the Japanese surrender. After thewar, Bruce Bishop worked for the State Electricity Commission in Victoria before moving to Queenslandin 1959.

At Surfers Paradise he established a successful menswear business, joined the Surfers ParadiseChamber of Commerce as well as the local branch of the Liberal Party. Bruce Bishop had a tough, no-nonsense style and was passionate in all of his activities, especially as a local alderman on the GoldCoast City Council. Despite being a ‘Mexican’, Bruce Bishop was especially passionate about workingto develop the Gold Coast into Australia’s premier tourist destination. His retailing interests flourished.He opened other menswear stores at Broadbeach and Southport, an early video rental store and muchlater a very successful furniture hire business.

In 1970, Bruce Bishop was elected President of the Surfers Paradise Chamber of Commerce. Heloved the role and was elected president a record six times. His business interests prospered in parallelwith his political career and, after successful terms as a local alderman, he won the seat of SurfersParadise in 1977 and served for a term before the seat was won by a young Rob Borbidge in 1980, whowent on to become Premier of Queensland.

In his maiden speech to this House, Bruce Bishop spoke of the growth of the Gold Coast and theneed for governments to recognise the importance of the tourism industry as an employer and wealthgenerator. He called for better research and statistics on tourism. He called for recognition that a touristdollar was a ‘fresh dollar’ to the Queensland economy. He spoke about the multiplier effect that eachtourist dollar spent generated, and that was $2.40 for each dollar that was spent in the community. Hewas a passionate advocate for a casino on the Gold Coast. Interestingly, he wanted a European stylecasino and not, in his words, a ‘Las Vegas poker machine operation’.

Bruce Bishop was also a passionate advocate for better government services for the GoldCoast—better roads, better public transport, especially between Surfers Paradise and Brisbane, andbetter fire and ambulance services. Out of state parliament in 1980, Bruce Bishop again applied hisenergy to his business interests. He again became president of the chamber of commerce and reignitedits work in promoting the Gold Coast as the nation’s tourist capital. Bruce Bishop retired from public lifein 2004 and spent his final years at Mount Tamborine. He died on 20 May after a short illness, aged 82.Our condolences go to his partner, Narelle Robberson, his sons Danny and Simon and their families.

Mr McARDLE (Caloundra—Lib) (9.38 am): I rise to speak on the passing of Bruce EdwardBishop, a Gold Coast businessman, Liberal Party member and MLA for Surfers Paradise from 1977 to1980. Although a Victorian, Bruce took to life on the Gold Coast through successful retailing ventures,the chamber of commerce and the Liberal Party. He was absolutely passionate about the Gold Coast

03 Jun 2008 Motion of Condolence 1805

and passionate about promoting it as Australia’s premier tourist destination. He served the Gold Coast,its people and its businesses with great dedication through the Gold Coast City Council, through theLiberal Party as a local MP for a term, but, more particularly, through the Surfers Paradise Chamber ofCommerce as its president for a record six terms.

Bruce was born in Maffra in Victoria in 1925. He was educated at Geelong College and enlisted inthe Royal Australian Navy, serving from 1943 to 1946. He was a seaman on the HMAS Hobart, and wasin Tokyo Bay in 1945 for the Japanese surrender. Bruce moved to Queensland in 1959 and establisheda successful menswear business. Through the business, he joined the chamber of commerce and theLiberal Party. Bruce understood the value of the chamber of commerce. He was passionate about itswork, and in 1970 he was elected president. As I have mentioned, he held that position a record sixtimes. Through the chamber of commerce and his business interests and through the Liberal Party,Bruce built personal support to successfully run for council, and he served as an alderman on the localcouncil from 1972 to 1977. At the same time his business interests flourished and he stepped up to winthe state seat of Surfers Paradise in 1977. He served for a term, for the seat was won by Rob Borbidge,who went on to become Premier of Queensland.

Bruce was a tireless worker and advocate for the Gold Coast and for tourism. He especiallypromoted the value of tourism and developing the Gold Coast and its region. Bruce understood tourismand what he called the ‘fresh dollar’ of tourism and its multiplier effect—how each tourist dollar spentgenerated around 2½ times that in the broader community, making jobs and creating further wealth.Bruce will be remembered for his no-nonsense style and tireless advocacy of the Gold Coast andtourism. He championed the Gold Coast having a casino and lobbied strongly for better governmentservices, better roads, better fire and ambulance services, and a better share of the wealth that theregion generated.

After a long and very successful life in business and public affairs, in 2004 Bruce retired to MountTamborine, and after a short illness he passed away on 20 May aged 82. I would like to put on recordthe appreciation of all members of my party for Bruce’s years of service for the people of the GoldCoast. We pass on our condolences to Bruce’s partner, Narelle Robberson, his sons, Danny and Simon,and their families.

Mr LANGBROEK (Surfers Paradise—Lib) (9.41 am): Bruce Bishop died on 20 May 2008 aged82. He was born on 25 August 1925 in Maffra, Victoria. His first foray on the Gold Coast was in 1959when he arrived in Surfers Paradise to work with Father Shannon, who people have told me had amemorable temper, from St Vincent’s Church in Surfers Paradise, and this was much to the chagrin ofBruce Bishop’s father, who was a staunch Presbyterian minister. After he finished with the church, Bruceopened menswear stores in Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Southport. Over the years he becamerenowned for his unique fashion style and has been attributed as the author of the Gold Coast casualboardroom style. His entrepreneurial spirit also led him into the video rental business as well as havinginterests in camera shops and furniture hire companies.

Mr Lucas: A safari suit with short pants!

Mr LANGBROEK: They were memorable days. An active member of the Liberal Party, in 1969Bruce ran as the candidate for the seat of South Coast, held by Russ Hinze, who years later would haveseveral heated run-ins with him in the party room. I can assure you, Mr Speaker, that it is a much calmerplace nowadays. It was the first three-cornered contest in Queensland, and traditionally conservativesbanded together to beat the Labor Party, or try to defeat the Labor Party, but in this case the Nationalsforged a deal with Labor which led to his narrow defeat. It did not quell his desire to serve the people ofSurfers Paradise and the Gold Coast, and he was elected President of the Surfers Paradise Chamber ofCommerce in 1970.

He was instrumental in developing Surfers Paradise into a premier holiday destination, whichboosted the Gold Coast economy to what it is today—Australia’s sixth largest city. Bruce was wary ofthe coast’s infamous white-shoe brigade, who marched into south-east Queensland with their ‘developat all costs’ mentality. He wanted to develop the Gold Coast but he wanted to do it in a balanced andappropriate way, so in 1973 he ran for local government and won the division of Surfers Paradise. In1977 he decided to try his hand at the state seat of Surfers Paradise, which back then was held by SirBruce Small. It was considered an unwinnable fight. As the former mayor of the Gold Coast, Sir BruceSmall was regarded as unbeatable. Yet, Bruce Bishop managed to secure a spectacular victory,commencing what would become a colourful parliamentary career.

In parliament, Bruce Bishop vigorously harassed the Bjelke-Petersen government. He was one ofthe rebel ‘ginger’ Liberals who rolled Sir Joh. In fact, Bruce and his Liberal colleague in the neighbouringSouthport seat, Peter White, were seen as the black bishop and the white knight. I think it would be fairto say that their election and their many robust contributions to debate were not always welcomed by SirJoh. Bruce was never afraid to speak out about what he believed in, even if it meant ruffling a fewfeathers.

1806 Petitions 03 Jun 2008

In a tribute to Bruce, close friends and former political foes described him as the bulldog type:once he had his teeth into an issue, he rarely let go. That tenacity earned him a lot of respect from allsides of politics. Unfortunately, his parliamentary career came to an end when he lost his seat to ayoung Rob Borbidge in 1980. He remains as one of the most underrated and underrecognisedachievers in the history of the Gold Coast. He was one of the founding fathers of the Gold Coast, whichenjoys a strong tourism economy thanks to his vision.

After stepping out of the public limelight, Bruce enjoyed a quite retirement on Mount Tamborinewith his partner, Narelle Robberson. He re-emerged briefly in 2004 during the debate over council’s planto sell off the transit centre and the adjoining Bruce Bishop Car Park, named after him for hiscontribution to the coast. In his old age, Bruce maintained that development should not come at the costof sustainability. Until his dying day, Bruce wanted the Gold Coast to become a world city.

Bruce died last month after a short illness. Today our thoughts and sorrow go out to his partner,Narelle, and sons, Danny and Simon, and their families. I am honoured to pay tribute to Bruce Bishop.There have been only five members for Surfers Paradise since 1972. Bruce and I are the only twoLiberals to have held Surfers Paradise. As I said in my maiden speech in 2004, I certainly hope myachievements will be looked on as favourably as Mr Bishop’s. Bruce Bishop came into parliament to doa job, not to get a job. Vale, Bruce Bishop.

Question put—That the motion be agreed to.Motion agreed to. Whereupon honourable members stood in silence.

SPEAKER’S STATEMENTS

Order of BusinessMr SPEAKER: In accordance with sessional order No. 4, the order of business will now resume

and question time will commence one hour from now, at 10.47 am.

Royal Flying Doctor ServiceMr SPEAKER: Honourable members, I am pleased to advise the House that I have approved the

parliament partnering with the Queensland Royal Flying Doctor Service, QRFDS, to raise awarenessand funds for this valuable organisation during the upcoming regional sitting of parliament in Cairns inOctober this year. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the QRFDS. In 1928, the very first flyingdoctor took off from Cloncurry to answer a call for help from the remote town of Julia Creek. In 2008, wecelebrate the spirit of Queenslanders whose courage continues to inspire the QRFDS to provideexcellence in aeromedical and primary health care across Australia.

PETITIONSThe Clerk presented the following paper petitions, lodged by the honourable members indicated—

Regent TheatreMr Finn, from 1,019 petitioners, requesting the House to review the status of the Regent Theatre and ensure all historicallyimportant parts of the Regent be properly heritage listed.

Electricity Retailers, Wage NegotiationsMs Nelson-Carr, from 148 petitioners, requesting the House to resolve the wage negotiations dispute at Energex, Ergon Energyand Powerlink Queensland, by way of a wage offer that reflects markets rates and that these Union members receiveretrospective payments.

Southport, Light Rail StationMr Lawlor, from 344 petitioners, requesting the House to move the planned light rail station from the front of Southport StateSchool to a location in Wardoo Street.

Mudgeeraba-Tugun, Electricity NetworkMrs Stuckey, from 3,873 petitioners, requesting the House to intervene in the proposed Mudgeeraba to Tugun power networkupgrade and ensure the powerlines are placed underground.

Walkerston, BypassMr Reynolds, from 203 petitioners, requesting the House to remove the fifth option from Department of Main Roads options inrespect of the Walkerston bypass.

Sumner Park, Bullockhead StreetMr Hobbs, from 328 petitioners, requesting the House to maintain the Bullockhead Street access to Sumner Park until a safealternative entry and exit from Sumner Park is established.

03 Jun 2008 Tabled Papers 1807

Thornlands, Traffic LightsMr English, from 230 petitioners, requesting the House to install traffic lights at the intersections of Beveridge and ZiegenfuszRoads Thornlands.

Parrearra, Bus StopMr Dickson, from 118 petitioners, requesting the House to construct a bus stop outside Island Point Villas on Kawana Way,Parrearra.

The Clerk presented the following e-petitions, sponsored by the honourable members indicated—

Thornlands, Traffic LightsMr English, from 296 petitioners, requesting the House to install traffic lights at the intersections of Beveridge and ZiegenfuszRoads Thornlands.

Keating, Dr DMr Messenger, from 197 petitioners, requesting the House to charge Dr D Keating with official misconduct and attempted fraud.

Bus TicketsMrs Attwood, from 278 petitioners, requesting the House to retain the Ten Trip Saver bus tickets and examine other ways to givecommuters more flexibility in the use of tickets.

Currumbin Wildlife SanctuaryMrs Stuckey, from 109 petitioners, requesting the House to separate the operation, management and control of the CurrumbinWildlife Sanctuary from the National Trust of Queensland.

Mount Isa, Leichardt RiverbedMrs Kiernan, from 111 petitioners, requesting the House to encourage Mount Isa City Council to adhere to the previous council’splans for the redevelopment of Leichardt riverbed between Isa and Grace Streets.Petitions received.

TABLED PAPERSPAPERS TABLED DURING THE RECESSThe Clerk informed the House that the following papers, received during the recess, were tabled on the dates indicated—16 May 2008—

• Clean Energy Bill 2008: Explanatory Notes for Mr Wilson’s Amendments

• Response from the Minister for Main Roads and Local Government (Mr Pitt) to an e-petition (903-07) sponsored by MrsReilly from 411 petitioners requesting the construction of more fenced dog exercise areas

• ANZ Trustees (Limited) (Formerly ANZ Executors and Trustee Company Limited) and its Controlled Entity—FinancialReport for the year ended 30 September 2007

20 May 2008—

• Response from the Minister for Main Roads and Local Government (Mr Pitt) to a paper petition (971-07) presented by MrStevens from 150 petitioners requesting sound barriers on the eastern side of Bermuda Street, from Monaco Street toPoinciana Boulevard, Broadbeach Waters

• Response from the Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries (Mr Mulherin) to an e-petition (1019-08) sponsored by MrLingard from 259 petitioners regarding the proposed federal horse levy

• The University of Queensland—Annual Report 2007: Appendices

• Response from the Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology (Mr Schwarten) toan e-petition (905-07) sponsored by Mrs Reilly from 771 petitioners regarding renewable energy sources in governmentbuildings

• Quarterly Report to the Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations (1 January 2008 to 31 March2008)—Activities carried out by the Queensland Workplace Rights Office

• Response from the Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation (Mr McNamara) to an e-petition (974-07)sponsored by Mr Weightman from 592 petitioners regarding the decline of the Koala Coast koala population and theprotection of koala habitat in rural and urban areas

21 May 2008—

• Response from the Minister for Communities, Minister for Disability Services, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander Partnerships, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth (Ms Nelson-Carr) to a paper petition (1042-08)presented by Ms Palaszczuk from 73 petitioners regarding the Portuguese Family Centre based at Carole Park and theirweekly broadcasts on Ethnic Radio Station 4EB FM

23 May 2008—

• Crime and Misconduct Commission, Policing Public Order: A review of the public nuisance offence, May 2008

• Response from the Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations (Mr Mickel) to a paper petition(1024-08) presented by Mrs Scott from 2,708 petitioners requesting an hourly, weekday bus service between Beaudesertand Browns Plains

1808 Tabled Papers 03 Jun 2008

26 May 2008—• Members’ Ethics and Parliamentary Privileges Committee: Government Response to Report No. 86—Mid-Term Review:

Registration of Interests, from the Premier (Ms Bligh)28 May 2008—• Response from the Minister for Health (Mr Robertson) to an e-petition (1007-08) sponsored by Mrs Cunningham from

3763 petitioners regarding water fluoridation29 May 2008—• Response from the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland

(Mr Shine) to two paper petitions (1036-08 presented by Mr Hayward from 95 petitioners and 1037-08 presented by MrsSullivan from 485 petitioners) requesting mandatory minimum sentences for unlawful assaults against persons performingtheir lawful duty

• Members’ Ethics and Parliamentary Privileges Committee: Report No. 89—Matter of Privilege Referred by the Speaker on1 May 2008 Relating to an Alleged Deliberate Misleading of the House by the Treasurer

• Members’ Ethics and Parliamentary Privileges Committee: Statement to Members by the Treasurer (Mr Fraser) in relationto Members’ Ethics and Parliamentary Privileges Committee Report No. 89

30 May 2008—• Broadcast of Parliament Select Committee: Inquiry into the Queensland Parliament Video Broadcast System, Report No.

1, May 2008• Broadcast of Parliament Select Committee: Submissions 1 to 18 received in relation to the inquiry into the Queensland

Parliament Video Broadcast System, and DVD attachments to submissions• Broadcast of Parliament Select Committee: Transcripts of public hearings held on 2, 8 and 29 April 2008 during the inquiry

into the Queensland Parliament Video Broadcast System• Response from the Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation (Mr McNamara) to three ePetitions (1010-

08 sponsored by Dr Flegg from 498 petitioners, and 1016-08 and 1047-08 sponsored by Mr Finn from 844 petitioners and294 petitioners, respectively) regarding plans to redevelop the Regent Theatre, Queen Street, Brisbane

• Response from the Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation (Mr McNamara) to an ePetition (1011-08sponsored by Mr Weightman from 46 petitioners) and three paper petitions (1040-08 and 1039-08 presented by MrEnglish from 1513 and 76 petitioners, respectively, and 1033-08 presented by Mr Weightman from 1920 petitioners)regarding the Moreton Bay Marine Park zoning plan review

STATUTORY INSTRUMENTSThe following statutory instruments were tabled by the Clerk—Urban Land Development Authority Act 2007—• Urban Land Development Authority Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2008, No. 103, and documents, dated 14 April 2008,

titled ‘Section 35—Amendment of Development Scheme: Northshore Hamilton Urban Development Area Interim LandUse Plan’ and ‘Section 35—Amendment of Development Scheme: Bowen Hills Urban Development Area Interim LandUse Plan’

State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971—• State Development and Public Works Organisation (State Development Areas) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2008, No.

125Professional Engineers Act 2002—• Professional Engineers Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2008, No. 126Community Ambulance Cover Act 2003, Duties Act 2001, Fuel Subsidy Act 1997, Land Tax Act 1915—• Revenue Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2008, No. 127Local Government Act 1993—• Local Government Amendment Regulation (No. 3) 2008, No. 128Aboriginal Land Act 1991—• Aboriginal Land Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2008, No. 129State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971—• State Development and Public Works Organisation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2008, No. 130Tow Truck Act 1973, Transport Infrastructure Act 1994, Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act 1995, Transport Operations(Marine Safety) Act 1994, Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994, Transport Operations (Road Use Management)Act 1995—• Transport Legislation (Fees) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2008, No. 131Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995—• Transport Operations (Road Use Management-Vehicle Registration) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2008, No. 132State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999, Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994—• Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) and Another Regulation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2008, No. 133Plant Protection Act 1989—• Plant Protection Amendment Regulation (No. 4) 2008, No. 134Timber Utilisation and Marketing Act 1987—• Timber Utilisation and Marketing Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2008, No. 135

03 Jun 2008 Ministerial Statements 1809

Legal Profession Act 2007—• Legal Profession (Society Rules) Amendment Notice (No. 2) 2008, No. 136Consumer Credit (Queensland) and Other Acts Amendment Act 2008—• Proclamation commencing certain provisions, No. 137Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act 2000—• Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2008, No. 138Integrated Planning Act 1997—• Integrated Planning Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2008, No. 139Building and Construction Industry Payments Act 2004, Domestic Building Contracts Act 2000, Queensland Building ServicesAuthority Act 1991—• Queensland Building Services Authority and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2008, No. 140Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995—• Transport Operations (Road Use Management-Driver Licensing) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2008, No. 141Plant Protection Act 1989—• Plant Protection Amendment Regulation (No. 5) 2008, No. 142Drugs Misuse Amendment Act 2008—• Proclamation commencing remaining provisions, No. 143Drugs Misuse Act 1986—• Drugs Misuse Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2008, No. 144Legal Profession Act 2007—• Legal Profession Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2008, No. 145Fisheries Act 1994—• Fisheries (Asian Bag Mussels and Asian Green Mussels) Quarantine Repeal Declaration 2008, No. 146Plant Protection Act 1989—• Plant Protection (Approved Sugarcane Varieties) Amendment Declaration (No. 1) 2008, No. 147

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Tugun BypassHon. AM BLIGH (South Brisbane—ALP) (Premier) (9.51 am): As Gold Coast members know, on

Sunday I joined thousands of locals officially commissioning the $543 million Tugun bypass. Thousandsof Queenslanders braved the threat of wet weather to come and inspect the state government’s latestcongestion-busting project.

Mr Lucas interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! Deputy Premier, would you mind not interjecting. The Premier is right

beside you and I would ask you not to interject. I call the Premier. Ms BLIGH: My government is spending $1.6 million every hour of every day of every week

building and rebuilding the infrastructure that Queensland needs. At Sunday’s event I got the chance toget feedback from the people who are making that investment—the taxpayers of Queensland. Thepeople who will use this new road every day were out there on Sunday and they told me that the Tugunbypass will make a huge difference to their daily lives, saving them both time and fuel.

As everyone knows, unfortunately the rain means that motorists may have to wait a little bit longerto use the bypass. The wet weather—

Mr Springborg interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition!Ms BLIGH: The wet weather meant that Main Roads was unable to undertake line marking

associated with the traffic switch for Monday. For the benefit of those ignorant people opposite who areyelling out, I can advise the House that this line marking of necessity—and the former minister for mainroads opposite would know this—on every major road is work that can only take place at the last minute.It is these lines that switch the traffic direction from the old road to the new road. It would obviously beunsafe to open the new road without the final markings and ridiculous to put the new markings on beforethe road is trafficable. I note the nodding of a former minister for main roads the member for Gregory. Heat least understands a major project when he sees one.

My advice is that the weather has now cleared and the final line marking is occurring as we meetthis morning. Weather permitting, it is anticipated that the Tugun bypass will be open to traffic today.Today, I thank the people of the Gold Coast for their patience over many years as this road was plannedand constructed. I particularly thank those people who live in and around this bypass whose lives wereinevitably a bit disrupted by the construction process—and I met many of them on Sunday. I especiallythank them for their goodwill as Mother Nature has conspired in the last 24 hours to test their patienceone last time.

1810 Ministerial Statements 03 Jun 2008

It has been a long, hard road to get here, but what a road we have as a result. The bypass willmean that the drive from the New South Wales border will be without a single set of traffic lights fornearly 270 kilometres—all the way to Gympie. This will cut up to 20 minutes off the travel time betweenCurrumbin and Tweed Heads, reducing it to about five minutes.

Despite the best efforts of the recent rain, this project is on budget and six months ahead ofschedule.

Mrs Stuckey interjected.Ms BLIGH: I note that the member for Currumbin takes the first possible opportunity to knock the

workers on this project. I pay tribute to the workers on this project. They have delivered a great outcomeand they have delivered it ahead of time and on budget.

The Tugun bypass will carry between 35,000 and 40,000 vehicles every day, with daily traffic setto rise to about 60,000 cars a day by 2017. The new route is expected to save $59 million in avoidedaccidents over 30 years and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 3.5 per cent by 2017.

This is a project that is good for everyone—for the long-suffering motorists and residents of thesouthern Gold Coast, for those who travel into Queensland as part of their annual holidays, for thosewho rely on this route as part of a major freight route on the eastern coast and for the environment. It didtake time to get that right. Tackling congestion is a top priority for our government. Despite all theobstacles, the Queensland government was determined to get this bypass built and we committed$423 million to its construction. As everybody knows, our New South Wales counterparts failed to kick ineven a single cent. However, the federal government did contribute $120 million, and I thank it for that.

Our government’s main roads department will spend more than $13 billion on roadworks over thenext five years as we plan for the future and we build tomorrow’s Queensland today. Queensland is thefastest growing state of Australia and the Gold Coast our fastest growing region. The Tugun bypass hasbeen built to cater for this growth. The people of the Gold Coast deserve it. I look forward to seeing boththem and other Queenslanders driving on it in the very near future.

Fuel Subsidy SchemeHon. AM BLIGH (South Brisbane—ALP) (Premier) (9.56 am): Our government understands the

financial squeeze that the global problem of rising petrol prices is placing on Queensland families. Thatis why we are determined to make sure that our Queensland petrol subsidy goes directly into thepockets of motorists. We have announced a plan to force petrol stations to cut the full 8.354c per litresubsidy from the price charged at the pump.

This new scheme is aimed at stopping oil industry rorts of the subsidy and putting the moneystraight into our motorists’ pockets. A point-of-sale ID system will be provided to Queensland licenceholders that will entitle them to have the full 8.354c per litre deducted at the checkout. A bar code stickeron Queensland drivers licences is one option for this, but we will, of course, examine all options to makesure we get the best system possible.

I understand that there are fears that the new scheme will have a negative impact on drivetourism and the trucking industry. That is why I invite bodies such as the Transport Workers Union andthe Queensland Tourism Industry Council to get involved in the consultation process that we will nowundertake with industry. I am very confident that we can work through their concerns.

Let us not forget that this subsidy was introduced for one reason. It was introduced to make petrolcheaper for Queenslanders. Sadly, it appears that too often the real winners have been the oilcompanies and we want to put a stop to that. My government set up the fuel commission of inquiry,chaired by Bill Pincus QC, to find out whether Queenslanders were getting the full benefit of thescheme. In November, Mr Pincus put beyond doubt that up to $100 million a year of the subsidy was notmaking it into the pockets of motorists. That is simply not good enough.

The system that we have proposed means that there can be no argument that the full 8.354c perlitre subsidy is being deducted from the retail price. When he delivered his report Mr Pincus said that weshould abolish the scheme. He has said so again since we announced our proposals. Queenslandhouseholds are under real financial pressure with rising interest rates and the increasing price of petroland groceries. I will not kick them when they are down and I will not abolish the petrol subsidy.

The commission proposed a complex scheme of setting a benchmark price for petrol and thenpaying the subsidy only partially when prices were above that price. That system could easily result ineven less of the subsidy being passed on to motorists and, with more than 1,800 petrol outlets, was anincredibly complex and onerous scheme to administer. We assessed the proposal and concluded that itis simply not practical. It is not the best way to pass on this subsidy to our motorists. We will be workingnow with key stakeholders, especially the MTAQ and the RACQ, to establish the system and undertakedetailed costings. Once this series of discussions takes place, it will take some time obviously to get thetechnology into service stations. Ideally, we aim to have the scheme rolled out by Easter 2009 and wewill need to work intensively with industry to get viable technology rolled out to Queensland’s 1,800service stations.


Suncorp Queenslander, Young Queenslander and Community Spirit AwardsHon. AM BLIGH (South Brisbane—ALP) (Premier) (9.59 am): One of Queensland’s greatest

attributes is its people. Extraordinary Queenslanders are what makes this state such a great place tolive. Whether they are in the public eye or quiet achievers, they deserve our recognition and ourgratitude.

On Sunday here at Parliament House I had the great pleasure of naming wotif.com founderGraeme Wood as the 2008 Suncorp Queenslander of the Year. From his simple and innovative idea,Graeme has grown wotif.com into a global company with a team of over 160 employees world wide. Butmuch more than this, wotif.com has simply revolutionised the travel industry in Australia in the process.It has made booking online a reality and puts us in a very competitive global position. Wotif.com,Graeme Wood and his team are a fine example of what the Smart State means—taking the besttechnology and applying it to one of our oldest and strongest traditional industries. But it is hiscommunity generosity that is truly remarkable and worthy of our recognition. Graeme Wood hasdonated more than 10 per cent of his net worth to the Queensland community through his foundation,the Graeme Wood Foundation. Some of the biggest beneficiaries of Graeme’s generosity are youngQueenslanders. His business success and his philanthropy for the benefit of young Queenslanders area real inspiration and, frankly, I hope that the example Graeme Wood sets is one that will be followed byother senior businesspeople in our state. I congratulate Graeme on being awarded this high honour.

Two other deserving Queenslanders were also honoured. Homa Forotan was named 2008 YoungQueenslander of the Year and Karen Bartlett the 2008 Suncorp Community Spirit winner. Since arrivingin Queensland as a refugee from Afghanistan in 2005, 21-year-old Homa has been an inspirationalexample of a driven and successful young Queenslander. Despite the very limited education that thisyoung girl received in Afghanistan, Homa went on to achieve remarkable academic results at YerongaState High School, achieving an OP1. Anybody who has a teenager who has been through the year 12process knows what a competitive environment the OP system is. For a young girl to have arrived as arefugee from Afghanistan and achieve an OP1 is quite remarkable and speaks to not only herdetermination but also the opportunities that Queensland and Australia provide. Homa regularly speaksat schools around the state to encourage tolerance and acceptance. She tutors refugee students andshe is currently studying biotechnology at the University of Queensland. Her personal strength anddetermination make her an outstanding young Queenslander, and I congratulate Homa on her award.

Similarly, the Community Spirit winner, Karen Bartlett, is making a significant contribution toimproving the lives of mothers and their children suffering the consequences of substance abuse. Karenpersonally founded the rehabilitation centre called Fresh Hope with the aim of creating a live-in, familyoriented rehabilitation centre that allows mothers and their children to live together during rehabilitation.It is very worthwhile work and she also is an inspiration to the rest of us in her commitment.

Mr Horan: A great job.

Ms BLIGH: I take the interjection from the member for Toowoomba South. She does a great joband the work she does in that region is outstanding. While there could only be one winner in eachcategory, all nominees were deserving of recognition. For the benefit of the House and members, I tablea list of the finalists in the 2008 Suncorp Queenslander of the Year Awards.Tabled paper: 2008 Queenslander of the Year list of finalists.

Tabled paper: 2008 Young Queenslander of the Year list of finalists.

Water SupplyHon. PT LUCAS (Lytton—ALP) (Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning)

(10.03 am): I want to update the House on the unexpected but very welcome boost to south-eastQueensland’s water supply from unseasonal rain in recent days. Our best rain in months has so fartaken the combined south-east Queensland dam level to just under 38.5 per cent, an increase of around1½ per cent on last Friday’s level. SEQWater informs me that this equates to an extra two monthssupply of water in our dams, a very welcome boost during our worst drought on record. However,SEQWater will continue to monitor inflows through today and into the coming days to see whether ourdams will reach 40 per cent or just fall short. I want to make it clear that the south-east remains on level6 water restrictions. If our dams do reach 40 per cent, this will trigger the Queensland WaterCommission’s process for a cautious easing of restrictions from level 6 to high-level restrictions.

The Queensland Water Commission has chosen 40 per cent because it provides a buffer of twowet seasons. Even with worst-case rainfall through to the end of the 2009-10 wet season, the WaterCommission’s modelling shows our dams would still be around 25 per cent. At 40 per cent, Target 140would be replaced by a new personal target of 170 litres, an extra 30 litres per person per day. UnderTarget 170, residents can wash vehicles; clean external surfaces of houses, buildings, materials andequipment; and water gardens and plants using a hand-held hose with a trigger or twist nozzle for 30


minutes a week between 4 pm and 4.30 pm. For odd-numbered houses, this will fall on Saturdays andfor even-numbered houses on Sundays. They will also be allowed to bucket-water gardens on any daybetween 4 pm and 8 am and use a bucket for cleaning at any time.

Of course, 40 per cent full is still 60 per cent empty, and the drought is far from over. Under theQWC’s drought exit strategy, it is not until dam levels hit 60 per cent that we move back on to permanentconservation measures or Target 230—not that the people of south-east Queensland need reminding.They continue to lead the way through this drought by saving water at home. Last week residents usedan average of 127 litres per day, well down on the current target of 140 litres per person, for yet anotherweek. The Bligh government is doing its bit by getting on with the job of building the water grid. Thefinish line is now in sight on the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project and the Gold Coastdesalination plant. I should also point out that this rain has once again proven the value of the TravestonCrossing Dam. Heavy falls since Thursday mean the dam would be full and overflowing for the sixthtime in six years had it been built in 2002.

Opposition members interjected.Mr SPEAKER: Order!Mr LUCAS: This photograph I have here was taken yesterday, just downstream of the dam site. I

table that photograph. It shows the Traveston Crossing bridge underwater again, as it was in Januarythis year—and I table a photograph showing that—and August last year. I also have here a photo of itthis morning, with the water levels still rising. Tabled paper: Photograph endorsed ‘Traveston Crossing Bridge yesterday afternoon 4.45 pm June 2 2008’. Tabled paper: Photograph endorsed ‘Traveston Crossing Bridge January 5 2008’. Tabled paper: Copy front page of The Courier-Mail dated 25-26 August 2007 and endorsed ‘Traveston Crossing Bridge August2007’.Tabled paper: Photograph endorsed ‘Traveston Crossing Bridge this morning June 3 2008’.

This is the biggest of the three occasions, with the Mary River flowing at 50,000 megalitres perday near this bridge.

Opposition members interjected.Mr SPEAKER: Order!Mr LUCAS: Isn’t it funny, Mr Speaker, that we are on level 6 water restrictions and the opposition

opposes dams! That is what it thinks of the people in south-east Queensland, and the Liberal Party iscomplicit. That 50,000 megalitres equates to 14 Olympic swimming pools per minute. Since Thursdaymorning, the Bureau of Meteorology has recorded rainfall in the Traveston Crossing Dam catchment of396 millimetres at the Baroon boat ramp, 313 millimetres at Maleny and 334 millimetres at the Obilookout. In comparison, SEQWater has recorded falls ranging from 19 to 109 millimetres in theWivenhoe catchment, 61 to 194 millimetres in the Somerset catchment and 116 to 168 millimetres forNorth Pine. The Traveston Crossing Dam’s catchment consistently captures coastal rainfall even indrought conditions. Whenever one looks at the Bureau of Meteorology rainfall weather site one will seewhy Traveston is needed. Without doubt, it is the most reliable remaining site for a dam in south-eastQueensland.

Townsville Hospital, Cardiac ServicesHon. S ROBERTSON (Stretton—ALP) (Minister for Health) (10.08 am): I have very good news

for cardiac patients in Townsville and other parts of northern Queensland. I am pleased to announcetoday the appointment of one of Australia’s leading cardiothoracic surgeons as the new director ofcardiac surgery at Townsville Hospital. He is the Queensland trained Dr Robert Tam, who willcommence duties in Townsville next month. Dr Tam’s appointment represents an important step towardsthe resumption of cardiac surgery at Townsville Hospital. It means the hospital now has the seniorleadership required to return the cardiac surgery unit to a safe and sustainable service.

It has taken much longer than I would have liked, and for that I apologise to the people of northQueensland. But patient safety is and will remain the top priority for this government, and that is whyI am certain we did the right thing last November when we made the very difficult decision to suspendcardiac surgery at the hospital on the advice of senior doctors, who considered those services at thetime neither safe nor sustainable despite repeated attempts by management to resolve theinterpersonal disputes within that unit.

Today, however, we begin the process to resume cardiac surgery at Townsville Hospital in thenear future. Having secured the appointment of Dr Tam to head the unit, the Townsville district will nowprogress to re-establish clinical staff to work around him to gradually bring the unit back to full capacity.The full re-opening quite rightly needs to occur in stages, but we have achieved a major milestonetoday.


I am informed that Dr Tam is a cardiac surgeon of the highest quality. He has led a distinguishedcareer in Brisbane for many years. He currently heads the department of cardiothoracic surgery atGreenslopes Private Hospital, he is a senior cardiothoracic and transplant surgeon and surgicaleducation supervisor at the Prince Charles Hospital. Dr Tam is also a senior consultant surgeon at theMater Private Hospital in Brisbane. Dr Tam was one of the surgeons involved in Australia’s first everheart-lung-liver triple transplant operation in Brisbane in 2003. He also performed the first heart-lungtransplant in Queensland in 1999 and other unprecedented complex procedures.

I welcome Dr Tam on board. Along with all honourable members, I look forward to the fullresumption of comprehensive and sustainable cardiac services at Townsville Hospital as soon aspracticable.

Mount Isa, Lead LevelsHon. AI McNAMARA (Hervey Bay—ALP) (Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and

Innovation) (10.10 am): Last week, assertions were made by a Darwin scientist that there had been astate government cover-up about information relating to lead levels at Mount Isa. I am pleased to advisethe House that these assertions have been proven false by the academic’s own university. The head ofthe mineral program at Charles Darwin University, Professor David Parry, has contacted theEnvironmental Protection Agency to confirm that claims by Dr Niels Munksgaard were unfounded. DrMunksgaard had claimed that the Mount Isa Mines panel assessment study on sulfur dioxide, which ispublished on the EPA web site, did not include metal concentration and isotope data on lead producedby the university’s laboratory.

In an email to the EPA, Professor David Parry, the leader of the Tropical Futures: MineralProgram at Charles Darwin University, corrects what he calls ‘a degree of misunderstanding’surrounding the whole issue. The email supports the EPA’s original response that Dr Munksgaard’sinvestigation was separate to the one from which he claimed his results were excluded. The EPA wasinvolved in conducting a panel assessment study into sulfur dioxide emissions. The scope of the reportdid not include lead or other metal levels.

Professor Parry was the senior author of the separate report referred to by Dr Munksgaard, titledMetals in soils and surface water in the vicinity of Mount Isa, which was done for Mount Isa MinesLimited, not the EPA. Professor Parry also scotched suggestions of selective editing of the emissionsand the environment report prepared by university researchers for the MIM panel assessment study.

Professor Parry said the published version of the emissions and the environment report, whichhas been on the EPA web site since 2001, is a ‘complete and accurate copy of the original report thatwas submitted to the panel assessment study’. Professor Parry says his university’s metals report wascommissioned by MIM at the time of the panel assessment study, but he did not know if there was anyintent to have it included in the study. In fact, he suspects it was never submitted to the panelassessment study. The EPA has now asked Xstrata, the current owner of Mount Isa Mines, for a copy ofDr Parry’s separate report so that it can be assessed.

I am committed to ensuring that all relevant documents are available in considering the bestresponse for dealing with the ongoing issue of living with lead in Mount Isa. I find it regrettable thatunfounded allegations were made that the EPA hid a document when my department was never given acopy of it and, to this day, still does not have it.

Emergency Services, Severe Weather Conditions; Atherton Fire StationHon. N ROBERTS (Nudgee—ALP) (Minister for Emergency Services) (10.13 am): I begin by

thanking our full-time and volunteer emergency service workers for their tireless efforts during thecurrent severe weather conditions across south-east Queensland. Since late last week, areas ofsouthern Queensland and the Wide Bay region have weathered severe weather conditions. While thoseconditions are expected to ease, severe weather warnings remain current and Emergency ManagementQueensland is continuing to monitor conditions today. Flood warnings were reissued this morning.These warnings cover Mary River, Mooloolah River, Mountain Creek and Paynter Creek. The Bureau ofMeteorology predicts that the Mary River will peak at about 10.5 metres at around 7.00 pm tonight.

State Emergency Service crews have been busy since late last week. There have been 1,044calls for assistance to the SES hotline 132500 since last Thursday. In addition, yesterday fire and rescuestaff performed six swift-water rescues. I urge residents to stay safe and stay out of floodwaters and tonot walk, swim, drive or ride through them. Tragically, during the floods earlier this year three people losttheir lives in floodwaters. We want the rain from these storms but with as little pain and loss as possible.

Last night, staff of the Atherton Fire Station were briefed on the results of the Australian RadiationProtection and Nuclear Safety Agency’s—or ARPANSA—testing on the site. The testing wasrecommended by a Queensland Health study into the incidence of cancer among current and formerstaff at the station. There have been five reported cases of cancer among current and former staff overthe past 15 years.


The ARPANSA report concluded that the extremely low frequency magnetic fields were low incomparison with levels found in homes and offices; that ambient levels of radiofrequencyelectromagnetic radiation from external sources were low in comparison with levels found in capitalcities and very far below Australian and international health standards; that concentrations of naturallyoccurring radon gas were not able to be detected, indicating levels considerably less than the averagevalue in Australian homes; and that the levels of the gamma-ray dose rate were consistent with naturalbackground radiation from the ground and from building materials and were generally low. The study didfind an exception to this generally low level in the south-west corner of the lecture room where a modestincrease in level was observed. The report indicates that this modest increase was traced to an obsoletesmoke detector, probably containing radium, kept for demonstrations. This smoke detector has beendisposed of in accordance with ARPANSA recommendations.

While the ARPANSA testing has identified no issues of concern, the results of the SIMTARStesting on the site have not been received. Once received, these results will also be provided to staffand released publicly. Studies into the incidence of cancer among firefighters in Queensland and acrossthe country are also progressing. The Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council isdue to meet on 19 June to consider the proposal from Monash University for a national study into theincidence of cancer among Australia’s firefighters. Queensland has already indicated its support for thisproposal. I can also advise that Monash University is being consulted about the methodology for theQueensland study.

The government takes this issue very seriously and we are committed to implementing allrecommendations from the Queensland Health study. I table a copy of the report for the information ofthe House.Tabled paper: Copy of report, dated 5 May 2008, by Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, titled‘Assessment of Ionising & Non-ionising Radiation Levels at Atherton Fire Station, Queensland’.

Electricity Prices

Hon. GJ WILSON (Ferny Grove—ALP) (Minister for Mines and Energy) (10.16 am): I am pleasedthat the independent market regulator, the Queensland Competition Authority, has accepted thegovernment’s very strong argument that its proposed seven per cent increase in electricity charges wasexcessive. Queensland families are under increasing financial pressure. That is why we sent two strongsubmissions to the QCA to hammer home our concerns. I am convinced that without our forcefularguments the increase would have been a lot higher.

The QCA has announced a 5.38 per cent increase to take effect from 1 July this year.Queensland is not alone. New South Wales has been hit with a 24 per cent increase over three years,the ACT is facing the prospect of a 10 per cent rise, and Tasmania and Victoria have had 17 per centincreases.

The Bligh government does not turn its back on the battlers. That is why we have come up with aconsumer action plan to help ease the financial burden for pensioners and low-income earners. Weknow people are doing it tough and we want to do all we can to ease the strain. Even though theincrease is a lot less than last year, and lower than the seven per cent increase the QCA flagged earlierthis year, it is still going to hurt households on a tight budget.

We will increase the state government’s rebate for pensioners and seniors to match the priceincrease. We will spend $450,000 over three years to fund a consumer advocate service for QCOSSand other consumer groups. This is about giving pensioners and low-income earners in particular avoice—a say in their future. We have given a record $650 million to Ergon Energy to subsidise the costof electricity for households and businesses in regional Queensland where they would otherwise pay alot more for their energy than consumers in the south-east corner would pay. We will produceEnergyWise kits for pensioners, seniors and low-income earners with tips on how they can save energyand money.

We will continue to do what we can for these people, no matter where they live, so that they haveaccess to affordable electricity. We are on the side of consumers and we will continue to look after theinterests of everyday Queenslanders, especially those people who are doing it tough.

Drug Driving

Hon. JC SPENCE (Mount Gravatt—ALP) (Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport)(10.20 am): Random roadside drug testing by Queensland police is taking dangerous, drugged-updrivers off our roads. Since this government introduced the random roadside drug testing program on 1December last year, more than 5,800 tests have been conducted on drivers across the state with 77drivers returning positive tests showing the presence of illicit drugs—speed, ice, ecstasy or cannabis—in their systems.


This is a rate of one for every 75 Queensland drivers caught putting the lives of other road usersin danger. The 77 positive samples have been sent to the Queensland Health laboratory for legalconfirmation, with all samples tested so far confirmed as positive. There are currently 31 matters beforethe courts. Nine offenders have already been found guilty of drug driving. These offenders are facingtough penalties for their reckless behaviour.

In January this year, a Brisbane magistrate fined a male driver $300, disqualified him from drivingfor two months and placed him on six months probation after the man pleaded guilty to drug driving.Another male driver who pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court in March was dealt a hefty$1,000 fine and disqualified from driving for six months. Another two drivers have been detected twiceby roadside drug testing since 1 December 2007. Those matters are currently before the courts. Whenordering punishments the courts are taking into account the offender’s history and other circumstancessurrounding the individual case. These penalties serve as a strong warning to all drivers that we take azero-tolerance approach to driving under the influence of illicit drugs.

The use of these drugs while driving significantly affects motorists’ skills and reaction times,hindering the functions they require to drive safely. We are determined to catch these people who are amenace on our roads. The roadside drug testing unit has conducted 33 operations with regional policein the past six months. The operations have targeted a range of traffic areas: in metropolitan Brisbaneand the Gold Coast; in regional areas like Millmerran, Toowoomba, Gin Gin and Maryborough; and innorth Queensland tourist spots like Proserpine and Airlie Beach. The message is clear to driversthroughout Queensland that they can be drug tested by police in any part of Queensland and anyonecaught breaking the law will face the consequences.

State Education WeekHon. RJ WELFORD (Everton—ALP) (Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the

Arts) (10.21 am): The Bligh government is securing Queensland’s future by investing in the education ofour youngest Queenslanders. We have much to celebrate in our state schools and that is exactly whatwe did last week during State Education Week 2008. State Education Week is a time to focus on thetremendous achievements occurring in our state schools and to celebrate the many talents of ourextraordinary students. It also provides an opportunity to applaud our principals, teachers, teacher aidesand support staff for their commitment, enthusiasm and dedication. The popularity and success of theMy Favourite Teacher competition, for example, continued this year, with more than 4,000 studentscasting a vote for their favourite teacher. I was delighted to meet one of the 39 My Favourite Teacherwinners in Townsville at our community cabinet last week, Heatley State School year 5 teacher LeighRintoul.

Two other events during Education Week highlight the opportunity for prominent Queenslandersto participate in state education. High-profile Queenslanders went back to the classroom as part of thePrincipal for a Day and Back to School programs, giving students an insight into different careers andsharing their school memories. Among the principals for a day were Queensland Governor and soon-to-be Governor-General, Quentin Bryce, and Boeing Australia’s managing director, David Withers.

State Education Week was also a great opportunity to announce the regional winners ofdevelopment grants for outstanding school programs in the Showcase Awards for Excellence inSchools. Bringing the week to a grand finale was Creative Generation—State Schools Onstage 2008,with three sell-out performances at QPAC culminating in the final performance on Saturday night whichI attended. These performances attracted standing ovations for the extraordinary talent that wasexhibited by students across the state. It was truly a wonderful showcase of our incredibly talented stateschool students. The professional stage show featured more than 550 young people from some 65schools across Queensland and some of Australia’s best entertainers. To top it off, six of our CreativeGeneration performers have been selected to go to Sydney as part of the final 100 in the Australian IdolTop 100 Week in July.

State Education Week provides an opportunity for everyone to see first-hand what is happening inour schools and to celebrate excellence in state education. I look forward to celebrating with ourstudents and teachers again next year as we recognise the extraordinary contribution that state schoolsmake to a great education in our state.

Mr SPEAKER: It is with pleasure that I welcome teachers and students from the Albany CreekState School in the electorate of Everton, which is represented in this House by the Minister forEducation and Training, Mr Rod Welford.

Primary Industries and Fisheries, ResearchHon. TS MULHERIN (Mackay—ALP) (Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries) (10.25 am):

Queenslanders continue to impress that we are indeed the Smart State. In Primary Industries andFisheries this is reflected on a daily basis such as at the DPIF Queensland Agricultural BiotechnologyCentre located at the University of Queensland St Lucia campus, where our scientists are involved in


research examining the development of single-dose, cost-effective, easy-to-administer, easy-to-storeveterinary vaccines that do not have to be injected. As a leader in livestock industries research, DrsNeena Mitter and Tim Mahony are aiming to find a way in which vaccinating thousands of livestockcould become as simple as a squirt up the nose or a drop in the feed.

Sherwood based scientist Dr Dane Panetta is another example of DPIF smart science. DrPanetta received the Dan Hess Lectureship Award for his presentation on weed eradication at theUniversity of California. Dr Panetta’s invitation came from the California Department of Food andAgriculture after scientists heard an address by him in Australia. Dr Panetta spent almost two weeks inthe US state participating in a weed eradication science workshop, presenting to academics andstudents at UC’s Davis campus and inspecting field eradication sites.

At Green Island, DPIF is playing a key role in developing a national million-dollar rock lobsteraquaculture industry at a hatchery built on Green Island last year especially for experimental researchinto larval rearing of planktonic oceanic species of rock lobster. The lobster research is part of a$16 million national project known as the Rock Lobster Enhancement and Aquaculture Subprogramcoordinated by the Fisheries Research Development Corporation and with industry investment.

To top it off, a Queenslander, Ms Ros Smerdon, has won the RIRDC rural women’s awardnational title. Ms Smerdon and her husband, Kerry, are part of a third generation farming business whichgrows avocados, custard apples and macadamias. She has been working with fellow growers todevelop new value-added avocado products and is the chair of Nature’s Fruit Co., a grower ownedcooperative, and is vice-president of the Australian Custard Apple Growers Association. Queensland isthe Smart State. It is not a cliche; it is a fact.

HomelessnessHon. LH NELSON-CARR (Mundingburra—ALP) (Minister for Communities, Minister for Disability

Services, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Minister for Multicultural Affairs,Seniors and Youth) (10.27 am): The Bligh government is working closely with the Rudd federalgovernment, as well as non-government organisations and the wider community, to addresshomelessness. In Queensland, the Responding to Homelessness Strategy has allocated $235.5 millionover four years, from 2005-06, to establish new and innovative responses. The Department ofCommunities continues to successfully implement its commitments under this strategy, including$56.5 million over four years to address homelessness and public intoxication issues. It also includescrisis accommodation, service hubs, early intervention services and HPIQ—Homeless PersonsInformation Queensland—a 24-hour telephone information and referral service.

I formally welcome the release of the Rudd federal government’s green paper on homelessness,Which way home? A new approach to homelessness. This important paper seeks to promote publicdiscussion about homelessness, look at options for reform of our service system and look atsuggestions as a way forward. In calling for this green paper, new strategies on wraparound supportpolicies, access and linkage to support and early intervention initiatives are some of the most significantmatters being addressed.

Public consultations occur tomorrow in Townsville and in Brisbane on 10 June. This will enablecommunity members to contribute and I encourage stakeholders and interested members of the publicto attend and provide input into this important process.

Ms Struthers: Regional Queenslander Heather Nancarrow is involved in that.Ms NELSON-CARR: That is right, and I am very glad to have her as chair of the domestic

violence committee.We are asking interested members of the public to attend and give us their input into this very

important process. A white paper will then be set out on the federal government’s response to the greenpaper. It is due to be released in September 2008 and is aimed at providing a national plan of action forthe years leading up to 2020. The Queensland government will submit a robust and comprehensivesubmission to the green paper because it is only in partnership with our federal colleagues that we canmove forward to address this very serious problem in our community.

Social HousingHon. RE SCHWARTEN (Rockhampton—ALP) (Minister for Public Works, Housing and

Information and Communication Technology) (10.30 am): I rise to update the House on the efforts of theDepartment of Housing to boost the supply of social housing in Queensland. Since January, thedepartment has completed the construction of 650 new units of accommodation right across the state.That means putting an affordable roof over the head of at least 1,000 people who are eligible for socialhousing. At the same time, the department has started or continued the construction of a further 310units of accommodation. This construction activity is valued at more than $180 million. Over the sameperiod, the department purchased 234 established dwellings at a cost of more than $49 million. A totalof 26 development sites have also been purchased at a cost of more than $10 million. Those sites will


be used by the department in the future for more social housing. I am informed the potential yield forthese sites is up to 143 units of accommodation. These investments have pushed the total number ofdwellings owned and funded by the department to 65,230. They have also allowed the Department ofHousing to help more than 1,800 new households into social housing since January this year.

As well as boosting the supply of social housing, the Department of Housing is in the process ofimplementing a new client intake and assessment procedure, which I have insisted upon. The newprocedure replaces the current waitlist system to ensure that assistance goes to those in greatest needfirst, which is a simple and time-honoured Labor philosophy. Leveraging the Bligh government’s strongrelationship with Kevin Rudd, my department is working with the federal government to bring itspromised National Rental Affordability Scheme to fruition. As many as 10,000 of the initial 50,000dwellings to be built under the federal scheme could be built here in Queensland. That would provide awelcome boost of affordable dwellings in the private rental market. The efforts of the Department ofHousing demonstrate this government’s iron-clad commitment to ease the housing affordability stresson Queenslanders.

Road Safety, MotorcyclistsHon. RJ MICKEL (Logan—ALP) (Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial

Relations) (10.32 am): The number of people killed or injured in motorbike crashes is a serious roadsafety issue and one the Bligh government is committed to addressing in close cooperation with thecommunity. In Queensland during 2007, there were 75 motorbike-related fatalities representing 20 percent of all fatalities on Queensland roads. This is despite motorbikes making up only four per cent of allvehicles on Queensland roads.

Recently a consultation paper was launched to stimulate discussion and gain public opinion onways to reduce this alarming trend. This consultation paper is a direct outcome of two previous roadsafety initiatives, the 2006 Queensland Road Safety Summit and a 2007 Parliamentary TravelsafeCommittee inquiry. Riders, trainers, motoring and community groups were invited to have their sayabout proposed motorbike safety initiatives and make suggestions using the on-line electronic responsesheet or return a hard copy to Queensland Transport. The consultation paper made it clear that whilesome proposals may not be either popular or ultimately feasible, the consultation process has been asignificant step towards creating a safer environment for motorbike riders. The result of the consultationwill be used to develop a motorbike safety strategy for the future. By the closing date for theconsultations last Friday, 30 May, I am advised that more than 1,800 responses had been received.

The next step is for the submissions to be reviewed by highly regarded road safety expertProfessor Barry Watson, who works with the Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety—Queensland. It is expected that his report will be completed in late July and provided to QueenslandTransport for the development of a motorbike safety strategy. This is a timely endeavour given thesignificant and continuing rise in motorbike registrations. In March 2008, there were 573,591 currentmotorbike class R and RE licence holders and 141,851 registered motorbikes or slightly more than fourpercent of all registered Queensland vehicles. This is an increase of more than 14,000 registrationscompared with the same period last year. The popularity of motorbikes is certain to continue to growgiven their lower on-road costs compared with other vehicles. The consultation is an important steptowards enhancing safety for motorbike riders and reflects the Queensland government’s commitmentto improving road safety for all Queenslanders.

Gateway Upgrade ProjectHon. FW PITT (Mulgrave—ALP) (Minister for Main Roads and Local Government) (10.35 am):

Last week the $1.88 billion Gateway upgrade project—Queensland’s largest road and bridge projectcurrently under construction—reached another major milestone. During a project inspection the Premierand I announced that Queensland Motorways Ltd and the Leighton Abigroup joint venture, thecontractor responsible for delivering the project, had reached an agreement to extend the scope of theproject. The extension will involve the upgrading of a one kilometre section of the Gateway Motorwaynorth of the new airport interchange, including a 740-metre bridge over the Kedron Brook flood plain. Inthe original design, the section from the Gateway Bridge to the airport interchange was to be six lanes,moving to four lanes at the Kedron Brook Bridge. Six lanes will now be provided through this area northto the existing motorway at Nudgee Road. These new lanes will provide improved access to and fromthe airport at no expense to the taxpayer. They will be delivered as part of the Gateway upgrade projectusing $10 million worth of savings that have been achieved during construction of the project.

Progress on the second Gateway Bridge is ahead of schedule and work on the first full approachspan was completed in less than two months. The bridge is well on its way to providing significantcongestion-busting benefits to south-east Queensland motorists, offering an additional six lanes and apedestrian cycle path over the Brisbane River by 2010. It is part of the massive infrastructure programthat the Bligh government is undertaking as we spend $1.6 million every hour of every day to buildtomorrow’s Queensland today.


I am also pleased to advise the House that the federal government has recently come on boardwith regard to the Gateway Motorway, committing $6 million to the Gateway Motorway North PlanningStudy. This project will develop options to upgrade the section of the Gateway Motorway betweenNudgee and the Bruce Highway at the Pine River. After years of recalcitrance from the Howardgovernment, it is refreshing that we now have a government in Canberra that recognises the importanceof the Gateway Motorway to this region. I have no doubt that the good relationships between the Ruddgovernment and the Bligh government has contributed to this situation and I will be working to ensurethat Queenslanders continue to benefit from these relationships.

Children in Care, Transition to Independent Living

Hon. MM KEECH (Albert—ALP) (Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Women) (10.37 am):The Bligh government recognises that the transition from adolescence to adulthood is a difficult one forany young person, even in the most ideal family settings. For those who have suffered abuse andneglect at the hands of their parents, the very people trusted to help and support them on thischallenging journey, the transition can be so much harder. Those young people make the change fromfamily life to independent living without some of the support networks and safety nets other youngpeople take for granted. That is why the Bligh government is improving services and investing heavily inprograms designed to replicate those support networks for young people, to ease the pressure ofmaking often difficult life changes.

In partnership with my colleague John Mickel, and the Department of Employment and IndustrialRelations, recently my department launched a $1.5 million plan to provide a mentoring program foryoung people transitioning out of state care. The pilot program will help young people leaving foster carein Brisbane’s southern and western districts by providing mentors to help them to develop life skills andfind work. We want to encourage those young people to undertake further education or employmenttraining. We are also running a new workshop program designed for young women transitioning fromcare.

The Bligh government’s Department of Child Safety and the Office for Women have committed$25,000 to the CREATE Foundation to run a five-day development workshop for 20 young womenleaving care in the Logan and west Brisbane region. Young women who have grown up in unstableenvironments need the Bligh government’s assistance in education and seeking employmentopportunities. Often those women are more likely to be homeless, in jail, dependant on socialassistance or have mental health issues.

That is why I am pleased that the Bligh government’s new program CREATE will enhance theleadership, education, employment and health of these young women. These women will also besharing what they learn with other young people via on online blog on CREATE’s ‘leaving care’ web site.These development workshops address recommendations arising from the CREATE report card 2008,Transitioning from care. This investment shows that the Bligh government is listening to young people incare and working hard to improve services and ensure better outcomes for Queensland’s mostvulnerable young people.

Strawberry Farms, Seasonal Workers

Hon. D BOYLE (Cairns—ALP) (Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry)(10.40 am): The Bligh government is tackling the issues in the too-hard basket. For more than 10 yearsthe federal coalition ignored the strawberry farmers of Queensland as a seasonal labour shortagethreatened their industry. Yet in only six months the Bligh and Rudd Labor governments have been ableto secure a better, fairer deal for strawberry farmers. The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship,Senator Chris Evans, announced last Friday that three postcodes in the Caboolture area would betemporarily included in the working holiday visa program to meet their labour needs in the upcomingseason. The Nationals were obviously too busy planning the Liberal Party takeover to listen to theirregional constituents. Members can be assured, however, that the Bligh government is securing thefuture for farmers by listening and responding.

Effective immediately the Caboolture strawberry farms will be defined as ‘regional’ to help thefarmers attract seasonal labour for their upcoming harvest. This expansion is for 12 months while areview of regional visas is finalised by the state and federal governments. This gives a strong incentiveto working holiday visa holders to work the Caboolture strawberry farms because if they undertake atleast three months of work for a primary producer in regional Australia they may be eligible for a secondworking holiday visa. Second working holiday visa applications can be made in or outside Australia.Applicants must meet the same criteria as for the first working holiday visa, including being agedbetween 18 and 30 years at the time of application—though that may change—and not havingdependent children, as well as having done at least three months seasonal work in regional Australia.

03 Jun 2008 Questions Without Notice 1819

We recognise that the strawberry industry is extremely important to the Caboolture region’seconomy. While Springborg and friends continue to do the numbers on each other, the Bligh Laborgovernment has been doing the numbers too—4510, 4512 and 4516 are the postcodes of the farmerswho asked for help, and we are the ones who gave it to them.

Security Provider IndustryHon. KG SHINE (Toowoomba North—ALP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and

Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland) (10.42 am): The recent death of a man on theGold Coast has brought renewed focus on regulation within the security provider industry. The Blighgovernment has already recognised the need for increased regulation in this sector and is currently inthe process of introducing new licensing and compliance requirements. These changes will raise thestandards for people entering and working in the industry and will also cover parts of the industry thathave not been licensed before. Some key changes have already come into effect including increasedpenalties which were implemented on 1 July 2007 and increased probity checks for those applying fornew or renewed licences in the industry.

Fines for breaching the Security Providers Act 1993—for example, by working as a security guardwhile unlicensed—are now up to $37,500 for a first offence, which is five times more than the previouspenalty. Repeat offenders face fines of up to $75,000 for individuals or 18 months imprisonment, andcompanies can be fined five times the amount for individuals. We can now consider criminalintelligence, a person’s unrecorded convictions within the last five years and other backgroundinformation when assessing whether an applicant is suitable to work in the industry. This has led to morethan 100 licence applications being rejected in the last 12 months. We have also introduced minimumtraining requirements for all those wishing to obtain a licence as a bodyguard, security officer, crowdcontroller or private investigator. This includes refresher training courses for those wishing to renew theirlicence.

From 1 July the third stage of our overhaul of the security industry will come into force with a newlicensing regime for sectors of the industry which were previously not regulated. From that date peopleand businesses installing or servicing security equipment, monitoring and operating control rooms,providing in-house security to their employers and providing security advice must be licensed or theycan face serious fines. This new system will help increase the regulation of the industry and help us tofurther identify and remove those individuals who should not be working in security. Queensland alreadyhas the toughest security provider laws in Australia, but we have anticipated further issues and havemoved to solve these problems through further regulation.

Mr SPEAKER: Honourable members, that concludes ministerial statements.

SCRUTINY OF LEGISLATION COMMITTEE

ReportMrs SULLIVAN (Pumicestone—ALP) (10.44 am): I table the Scrutiny of Legislation Committee’s

Alert Digest No. 7 of 2008. Tabled paper: Scrutiny of Legislation Committee Alert Digest No. 7 of 2008.

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Fuel Subsidy SchemeMr SPRINGBORG (10.45 am): My question without notice is to the Treasurer. I refer to the

government’s announcement of changes to Queensland’s fuel tax rebate scheme. Under the GSTagreement, transitional provisions provided for the $541 million Fuel Subsidy Scheme as it operates inQueensland. The Queensland government’s share of GST revenue was set with that allocation as partof the formula, and GST receipts in Queensland have increased since then. As the government isreceiving more than the $541 million a year it costs to provide a rebate on all fuel sold in Queensland,will the Treasurer tell the House how much money the government will now pocket as a windfall from itsinterstate tourism and transport tax?

Mr FRASER: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question, despite the fact that it isentirely misguided. We do not expect to see any savings out of the scheme that we will put in place. Infact, we believe that what the scheme will do is provide an ability to deliver to Queensland motorists the$100 million identified by the Pincus Fuel Subsidy Commission of Inquiry that was not being passed onto Queensland motorists.

1820 Questions Without Notice 03 Jun 2008

I am not sure why the Leader of the Opposition now believes that it is his role to advocate for themotorists of New South Wales and Victoria as opposed to the motorists of Queensland. I know that he isseeking to find a little bit of traction out there in the voting public. As he merges and demerges, as hehas his candidate who did not succeed as his candidate, the Leader of the Opposition is looking to findsomeone out there to support his quest for the future. It seems now that the people he is seeking to findto support him are in fact the motorists past the Tugun bypass—those people in New South Wales andVictoria—believing that they are the people who should be worthy of the money allocated by theQueensland government.

The fact is that we do spend around $550 million on the state Fuel Subsidy Scheme. We do thatto provide 8c a litre relief to Queensland motorists. We do that because we believe that, in the context ofrising fuel prices, we need to provide the best system to deliver that 8.354c per litre to Queenslandmotorists. This guarantees that it does not go to the oil companies, the retailers or the wholesalers. Thisputs it in the hands of Queensland motorists.

There will be no savings to government out of this. We believe that there will be animplementation cost in the order of $20 million, but we will spend that money to make sure that everylast cent of the subsidy scheme in Queensland, including the $100 million that is not making it at themoment, gets through to the motorists of Queensland. This side believes that it is the motorists ofQueensland who should benefit from the fuel subsidy, not the residents of New South Wales andVictoria.

Fuel Subsidy Scheme

Mr SPRINGBORG: My second question without notice is also to the Treasurer. I refer to myprevious question, and I ask: will the Treasurer tell the House, as predicted by Under Treasurer GerardBradley in his letter to the Pincus inquiry, what price rises and therefore inflationary impacts the changeto the fuel tax rebate will have on Queensland goods and services? I table the letter.Tabled paper: Copy of letter, dated 1 November 2007, from the Under Treasurer, Mr Gerard Bradley, to Commissioner C W PincusQC, Fuel Subsidy Inquiry, relating to the Queensland Fuel Subsidy Scheme.

Mr SPEAKER: I call the Treasurer. That letter can just be shown to the Treasurer.

Mr FRASER: The point that is being made in the Under Treasurer’s letter is clear, and that is thatthe Australian government at the time of introducing the GST arrangements thought it appropriate thatstates should keep in place a fuel subsidy scheme. What we have announced is that we are keeping inplace the Fuel Subsidy Scheme.

Mr Springborg interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition, you asked the question.

Mr FRASER: Commissioner Pincus put forward a view that we should abolish the scheme. Onday one we said no. On day one we said that we believed that the scheme needs to stay in place.

The Under Treasurer’s letter points out that, subsequent to the GST arrangements being put inplace, other states—namely, Victoria—have removed subsidies from motorists that were available inVictoria. What is the Queensland government proposing to do? It is proposing not to abolish thescheme. We are the only state that is providing it direct to Queensland motorists. Those opposite arethe only people who do not believe that it should be Queensland motorists who get the benefit of thescheme. The Leader of the Opposition’s first question said that it should go to Victoria and New SouthWales and his second question said, ‘Why don’t we do like Victoria and abolish the scheme, full stop?’

This is the most extraordinary claim to make about a fuel subsidy scheme. It was, after all, put inplace in response to a High Court decision and it was put in place to provide for the fact thatQueensland historically never had a fuel tax like other states.

Mr Springborg: What’s the inflationary impact of the changes?

Mr FRASER: There is no inflationary impact from the changes, because every last cent of thesubsidy will go through to the motorist. Every last cent of the subsidy will go through to the people whoare struggling with rising costs. Those people who need relief from the rising price environment that weoperate in are the motorists of Queensland. The scheme we are putting in place will guarantee that theyget the full benefit of that scheme.

This side of the House has a view that when we run a fuel subsidy scheme it should not be up tous to make sure that a truckie can fill up on the Darling Downs and drive down and subsidise the cost ofgroceries in Melbourne. What we believe is that the subsidy should stay here in Queensland. We are notrunning a charity; we are here for the people of Queensland. We are representing Queenslandmotorists, not the residents of Victoria and New South Wales.


Queensland Antismoking CampaignMs JONES: My question is to the Premier. Can the Premier update the House on the success of

Queensland’s antismoking campaign? Ms BLIGH: I thank the member for the question and for her genuine interest in this issue, which is

a serious matter in terms of public health. Queensland has Australia’s toughest antismoking laws. Morethan 3,400 Queenslanders die every year as a result of smoking, and smoking related hospitaladmissions cost us more than $217 million each and every year. That is why I was very pleased to hearthat Queensland had been named the joint winner of the 2008 AMA-Australian Council on Smoking andHealth National Tobacco Scoreboard Award. Queensland won, in part, due to Queensland Health’sQuitline and a new Fresh Start antismoking campaign.

This program was designed and implemented by public health and media specialists inQueensland Health. I congratulate those talented public servants who have applied their best efforts torunning some of the best antismoking campaigns in the country. The program Nobody Smokes HereAnymore is an award-winning program that works. What does it do? It encourages people to phone theQuitline to get the help they need to give up smoking. Similarly, the people in Queensland Health whowork in this area design products that encourage women, for example, to have breast screeningundertaken on a regular basis. What has this shown us over the last decade? It has shown that morewomen are undertaking early and regular breast screening than ever before and this is having an effecton rates of detection, treatment and cure.

It is the people who design these programs, the people who are putting their best efforts intosaving lives and making a difference in our community by effective social marketing campaigns, who arethe subject today of disparaging criticism from the opposition and from some media outlets. It is theopposition and media outlets who are entitled to ask questions about the operation of departments likeQueensland Health. Who on earth do they think answers these questions? When someone from theRockhampton Morning Bulletin rings the Rockhampton Base Hospital and asks a genuine, legitimatequestion, do they think we should take a doctor out of the operating theatre to answer the question?Absolutely not. Of course, a number of our hospitals employ people to answer the questions that peopleare entitled to ask—and so they should, and they will keep doing it.

This is part of a long-running campaign against the public servants of Queensland. We saw it inthe last sitting with the continued suggestion from the Leader of the Liberal Party that people who arethe subject of any old accusation, whether they are a police officer or a teacher, should immediatelyhave their salary cut. It is an attack on the Public Service. What do we see this morning? We see thosepeople who are out there winning national awards in campaigns that are saving lives being the subjectof criticism from those opposite.

Fuel Subsidy SchemeMiss SIMPSON: My question is to the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice. I refer to the

Premier’s announcement on Sunday of the new fuel tax rebate scheme based on Queensland licences,and I ask: given the potential impact on interstate trade, what advice has the minister received on theconstitutional validity of the proposal?

Mr SHINE: It is not my function to give legal advice to the House. My function as the first lawofficer is to advise the government in relation to matters generally.

Mr COPELAND: I rise to a point of order. The question clearly asked what advice had hereceived. It is not asking for a legal opinion, as the minister is asserting.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order.

Road InfrastructureMr FINN: My question without notice is to the Premier, and I ask: can the Premier provide the

House with an update on the recent progress in congestion-busting infrastructure projects in south-eastQueensland?

Ms BLIGH: I thank the honourable member for the question. I have taken the opportunity thismorning already to talk about the Tugun bypass, officially commissioned on Sunday. What this willmean, as I said, is that you can drive from the New South Wales border to Gympie, some 270kilometres, without a single traffic light. This is an extraordinary and significant congestion-bustingproject that will take 20 minutes or longer off the trip at the southern end of the Gold Coast.

Further, on 19 May the Inner Northern Busway, a $333 million investment, opened to buses. Whatthat busway does is offer more services and save commuters again another 20 minutes potentially oninner-city roads at peak hour. It takes buses off the road and puts them underground, thereby freeing uptraffic for vehicles on our roads. It is a much better outcome for commuters. Anybody who has beendown in that busway would agree that it is a world-class facility.


On 19 May I also announced a consortium, BrisConnections, as the preferred bidder to buildAirport Link and two other projects associated with Airport Link. Airport Link is a significant congestionbuster, taking 18 sets of traffic lights out of the trip between the CBD at Bowen Hills and the airport. Thenext phase of the northern busway is part of the project, giving residents on the north side the same sortof dedicated busway that we have seen so successfully operate on the south side of the river.

Finally, there will be an important new flyover at the airport roundabout, breaking the trafficcongestion there after the next round that we will see in July next year, when we see the upgrade of theGateway Motorway have that effect. So there are three projects costing $4.8 billion, building the largestPPP project in Australia—the largest transport project undertaken in the country. That will make anenormous difference to travel on that side of Brisbane.

It is not only new roads that will help us solve congestion. We need people to change behaviourand we need to get them out of their vehicles whenever that is reasonably possible. So I was verypleased to join with the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Campbell Newman, and officially open the new bikewayand see bikes going into the new bikeway and the new cycle centre. It is a $7 million investment, withthe state contributing $4 million. It will make a difference to those people who can ride their bikes towork. That is why I have announced another two—at 80 George Street and the Neville BonnerBuilding—to ensure that public servants can have the same access to those sorts of facilities.

Let me add something to the continued criticism from those opposite about our petrol scheme.Those opposite may want to be apologists for the petrol companies, who we know have been pocketing$100 million of our taxpayer funds; we will not.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! It is with pleasure that I welcome to the public gallery today teachers andstudents from Oakey State School in the electorate of Darling Downs, which is represented in thisHouse by Mr Ray Hopper.

Fuel Subsidy Scheme

Mr NICHOLLS: My question is directed to the Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment andIndustrial Relations. I refer to the Premier’s announcement on Sunday of the new fuel tax rebatescheme based on Queensland licences. Minister, has Queensland Treasury modelled the extra cost tointerstate truckies of this new tax rebate scheme? If not, has the minister now called for such details ofthe costs?

Mr MICKEL: This government makes no apology for giving a first to Queensland motorists. WhenQueensland motorists and Queensland taxpayers are paying for a fuel subsidy I find it quiteunremarkable that Queensland motorists should benefit from it. Why will those opposite not supportthat? The Queensland taxpayers are paying for it. Why would Queensland motorists not benefit from it?

What are the Einsteins opposite working on? Who is giving them the advice this week? What wasthe tactics committee working up this morning? Here was the tactics committee this morning saying,‘Listen, what we want is New South Wales and Victorian motorists benefiting from our tax scheme.’ Whywon’t those guys ever stand up for the people who matter—the people of Queensland?

The merger has not gone well. The new plan is for the Leader of the Opposition to merge withNew South Wales. That is what this is about—that is, to merge with the struggling Liberal Party ofVictoria. That is what the fuel policy is about. It is not about Queensland motorists for the opposition. It isabout a merger plan for New South Wales and Victoria. The members opposite are hopping in early andsaying, ‘They should benefit from our tax scheme.’ In the end, the Queensland government will stand upfor Queenslanders. The other point I want to make as transport minister is that this—

Mrs Menkens: Why are you not doing it now?

Mr Lucas: It’s a voice from Victoria!

Mr MICKEL: The redistribution has not been kind to the member for Burdekin. Did members hearthat voice? She is running for Victoria. For goodness sake, I make no apology for this aspect of thisscheme that has been praised by the Treasury. If a person is currently driving without a drivers licencethen they will not have a drivers licence to present to get the fuel subsidy. Is that not a great initiativetoo? What it means is this: people who are currently driving with disqualified licences will not benefitfrom the scheme.

Members want to talk about the go card. I am more than happy to talk about it. I will give theHouse some figures on the go card. Today there are 66,000 go cards out there. Are they all wrong too?New South Wales and Victoria, whom those opposite seek to represent, do not even have one. Domembers want to know how many trips there have been? Two million journeys on the go card. Theywant to know how much top up there has been. Some $5.9 million, and New South Wales and Victoriacannot produce anything.


Regional Queensland, Infrastructure ProjectsMrs SULLIVAN: My question is to the Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and

Planning. Can the Deputy Premier advise the House of the economic benefits that major infrastructureconstruction can bring to regional Queensland? Is he aware of any comments about the benefits thatnew projects can bring to regional Queensland?

Mr LUCAS: I thank the honourable member for the question. The honourable member isassiduous in supporting both economic and social infrastructure in her region. Infrastructure does notjust bring benefits in terms of bricks and mortar. A number of recent studies have shown that visitors toexisting dams generate significant boosts to local economies. It is estimated that there are more thanone million visitors to the Wivenhoe, Somerset and North Pine dams each year.

Mr Messenger interjected.

Mr LUCAS: This is typical of those opposite. They want to argue about a dam that cannot be builtbut they have no interest in building one now. That is very good policy. We will talk about what wouldhave happened in the 1950s. That would have been really good policy as well.

The CSIRO estimates that visitors to lakes and waterways in Australia contribute between$243 million and $529 million to local economies. A study by Rolfe and Prager of three Queenslanddams found annual economic benefits in the visitation sense for the Bjelke-Petersen Dam of 1.1 million,Boondooma of 3.2 million and Fairbairn of 4.5 million. Given the proximity of the proposed TravestonCrossing Dam to the Sunshine Coast, there is a ready market for 300,000 residents of 3.3 milliondomestic and international visitors per year.

It is not just the state government that believes dams can benefit local economies. In 2004 themember for Warrego talked up a dam on the Burnett River, saying—That is the sort of thing that the government can do to increase the economic base of the state ... We would like to see much moreput in there.

The member for Cunningham agrees—we do not know whether he is taking over fromMr Hopper—and in 2005 he said—If we look at places where water infrastructure is put in place, places like Emerald, where in that case we simply added water withthe Fairbairn Dam, the economic benefit to that particular area was absolutely immense.

The member for Gregory also agrees. So if it is good enough for Emerald, if it is good enough forthe Burnett River, if it is good enough for Wivenhoe and Esk, if it is good enough for the Somerset andNorth Pine dams, why is it not good enough for Gympie?

Do members know the really sad thing? The member for Gympie is here again. Last time we sathe embarrassed the whole of the opposition front bench. In my 12 years here none of them ever walkedout when there were serious issues confronting their electorates or other places. The member forGympie walked out, embarrassed the Leader of the Opposition and then claimed after the event thatthere was some other reason. If the member for Callide was the Leader of the Opposition he would havebrought him in publicly like he did with the member for Burnett.

The real problem at the moment is that there are certain elements in Gympie who are cultivating aclimate of fear when it comes to people who dare to say that they are in favour of the dam. We have hadcertain councillors threatening to defund the Area Economic Development Board because it had the gallto consider accepting money from Queensland Water Infrastructure in relation to the construction of thatdam. That is the climate of fear that is operating up there. We say this: this is a $1.6 billion project thatwill have enormous economic benefits locally. Get behind it and support it.

Fuel Subsidy SchemeMr MESSENGER: My question without notice is to the Minister for Tourism, Regional

Development and Industry. I refer to the Premier’s announcement on Sunday of the new fuel tax rebatescheme based on Queensland licences. Can the minister detail the modelling by Queensland Treasuryon how much this will impact on domestic driving tourism, interstate driving tourism and the so-calledgrey nomad industry in Queensland?

Ms BOYLE: I thank the member very much for the question. I am pleased to have the opportunityto talk about this issue so far as it affects Queensland tourism. The hard fact for Queensland tourism—in fact, for Australian tourism—is that we are in a difficult position at the moment. That is not at all aboutdrive tourism; it is about aviation fuel and fuel prices and changes being made by airlines around theworld. Qantas and Jetstar are amongst them. I have to say to honourable members—I wish I did not—that there may be further bad news ahead.


The bit of good news we have in Queensland is that to date drive tourism has remainedunaffected by petrol prices. There is good surveying of tourists that indicates that in fact the petrol priceis not determining whether New South Wales or Victorian tourists want to drive to the tip of the cape.They still want to drive to the tip of the cape and they still are. There is no basis for scaremongeringabout that form of tourism.

I have to say that generally I agree with Daniel Gschwind, the CEO of the Queensland TourismIndustry Council, but on this occasion I do not. I wonder whether he got caught short by the mediawithout having thought the issue through. I think it is highly unlikely that any New South Wales, Victorianor other Australian tourists will be in any way affected in terms of their visit to Queensland because ofQueenslanders keeping the petrol subsidy for Queenslanders. But I ask Daniel, the QTIC and anyothers in the industry who may be concerned to please provide a submission. The Premier hasindicated that she will look at it closely. I certainly will be. The evidence is not there to support thatscaremongering.

There would be some honourable members who are well aware of how many countries protecttheir own and whose governments provide a subsidy to their own tourism facilities. Do members know—I dare say some will—that when people visit Europe they pay one price for tourism if they are membersof the European Union and they often pay more than twice the price if they are not a member of theEuropean Union? Does that stop Australians or others going to visit the countries of Europe? No, ofcourse it does not. It is important in the end that we get our fuel subsidy for Queenslanders.

Reserve Bank, Inflation

Ms STRUTHERS: My question without notice is to the Treasurer. With the Reserve Bank meetingthis afternoon as it grapples with inflation in the economy, can the Treasurer advise what the stategovernment is doing to assist improving the productive capacity of the economy?

Mr FRASER: I thank the member for Algester for her question. It is a fact, of course, that theReserve Bank is meeting as we speak and its announcement is due this afternoon about where itbelieves monetary policy should head. Our government has a clear view that the tightening engaged inby the Reserve Bank has gone far enough. We believe that there remains a very solid case for it toremain sitting tight where it is. We do not believe that there is a case for an interest rate rise as a resultof its meeting this afternoon, and that remains our view. We do believe in the Reserve Bank’s task ofinvesting in infrastructure to increase the productive capacity of our economy. That is the way toovercome the inflationary pressure points that exist in the Queensland economy and in the broadernational economy. What we need to do is stick to our guns, stick to our mettle, stick to the path that wehave been on for the last couple of years—that is, investing above our weight into infrastructure such asrail, ports and electricity networks to ensure that we have the economic infrastructure in place so thatour state can grow as best it can.

However, today we have seen from the opposition a notion that the people that it should seek torepresent are those people south of the border. As it proposes a national fuel subsidy scheme funded bythe Queensland taxpayer, we say that we will hand down a budget this afternoon for the Queenslandtaxpayer, and it will include a continuation of the Queensland Fuel Subsidy Scheme for the Queenslandtaxpayer. On the front of aligning with matters in New South Wales, it has long been a convention, andan accepted practice on both sides of this parliament, that the opposition is provided with an early copyof the budget papers. This is usually provided at 1 pm. I intend to stick by that convention and I will beproviding an advance copy of the budget papers to the opposition.

Ms Bligh: It’s good enough for every other shadow Treasurer.

Mr FRASER: The shadow Treasurer, however, believes that he should be entitled to go to themedia lockup, to be briefed by Treasury and to be briefed by other stakeholders—

Ms Bligh: Someone else to do his job for him.

Mr FRASER: In fact, it is not our job to help the shadow Treasurer read the budget papers. Theshadow Treasurer will get them early. He will get them and he will be able to read them. It is not up to usto tell him all about it. I will stick by the convention that has long existed. If he wants to align with NewSouth Wales, what happens in New South Wales is that the shadow Treasurer is handed a set of budgetpapers about five minutes before the Treasurer gets to his feet. This has to be the best resourced andlaziest opposition there is. I take great offence that an accepted convention on both sides of theparliament is being trashed by the shadow Treasurer. If he wants to do away with the convention, thenI am more than happy for that to happen. I believe that we are providing a fair opportunity to theopposition. We will provide the budget papers early and I recommend them to you, Dr Flegg, becausethey are a ripper of a read.


Fraser Coast Health Service Delivery Plan

Mr FOLEY: My question without notice is to the Minister for Health. The residents of the FraserCoast were promised a health service delivery plan by the minister and his former director, UschiSchreiber, some two years ago and then again in December 2006 by area manager Terry Mehan. Butstill no comprehensive service delivery plan has been delivered. Minister, as we are growing old andgrey waiting, I ask: why has it taken so long to provide this plan? Is the minister aware that a localvolunteer group is so sick of waiting that it is fundraising to get a private plan done?

Mr ROBERTSON: This question has been adequately answered in the local press over the lastcouple of weeks by the district manager. I assume the member has read the local paper in terms of herresponse. My advice to the local councillor would be to save his money.

Corrective Services, Capital Works Projects

Mrs MILLER: My question without notice is to the Minister for Police, Corrective Services andSport. Can the minister explain to the House how the massive capital works projects of recent years inCorrective Services are helping to secure Queensland’s future?

Ms SPENCE: I thank the member for Bundamba for the question. Over the last decade this Laborgovernment has been refurbishing, rebuilding and building new prisons throughout the state in order tobuild a safer Queensland. I think I can confidently say that Queensland has one of the best prisonsystems anywhere in the world. We have had no escapes from secure custody for over a decade andwe have the lowest recidivism rates of any state in Australia. I think we have a good story to tell,because this government has spent the money on building new infrastructure. We have also spentmillions of dollars every year on building new perimeters and replacing the perimeters in our prisons.We also have very good prison officers in this state who do a very good job of looking after inmates.

I am pleased to announce today that, having just spent $110 million on refurbishing Sir DavidLongland and opening it as the new Brisbane Correctional Centre and providing 216 additional beds,that prison will take its first prisoners from next Monday. As well, having just spent $55 million building180 additional beds at Arthur Gorrie, prisoners will move into those new cells next week. But that is notall. As members would be aware, we are building a new women’s prison in Townsville. We are spending$130 million to get 150 beds in a brand-new women’s prison in Townsville, and that prison is on time. Itwill be completed next month. As well, the Townsville men’s prison is on track. We are spending$142 million there. We are building an additional 144 beds in that prison, and those beds are due tocome on line this December. But that is not all. We are planning 300 additional beds for Lotus Glen.Those beds will be built outside the perimeter. The perimeter will then be changed to expand that prison,and we expect that project to be completed by 2011.

Members would be aware that we have already secured the 600 hectares of land in the Gattonprecinct to build the prisons of the future. We are definitely planning for future Queensland governmentsso that they will not be left in the position of having a shortage of land for this capacity in the future. Thefirst prison we expect to build in the Gatton precinct will be a 300-bed women’s prison followed by anadditional men’s prison. I think that all members of this parliament should be proud of the efforts of thisLabor government over the last decade in putting that money into infrastructure so that futureQueensland governments can be very sure that they are not going to have the overcrowding problemsof the past, nor are they going to have the escapes that we have seen under Liberal-National Partygovernments.

Fuel Subsidy Scheme

Dr FLEGG: My question without notice is to the Treasurer. I refer to the Treasurer’sannouncement with the Premier on Sunday of the new fuel tax rebate scheme based on Queenslandlicences. Treasurer, will the savings generated by restricting access to those who present a Queenslandlicence be passed to Queensland motorists by, if necessary, increasing the level of the rebate to ensurethe whole $540 million goes to Queensland motorists, or is the real agenda just another windfall for thisgovernment?

Mr FRASER: I thank the shadow Treasurer for the question. As I have said publicly, we do notbelieve that there will be savings realised out of the Fuel Subsidy Scheme. There will be an extra cost ofsome $20 million to implement it and to operate that system. Over time if there is any evidence thatthere is a saving to be made, then we would naturally provide that back in support of Queenslandmotorists. This is not an exercise where we are seeking to save money. This is an exercise where weare seeking to spend money to get it through to the Queensland motorist.


I find it passing strange that somehow the opposition on this occasion has decided to take theside of motorists from other states, interstate trucking companies and the oil companies, as opposed toputting it into the pockets of Queensland motorists. I am not sure what washed over it in this morning’stactics meeting, but as it happens we believe that the scheme we will put in place will deliver the subsidythrough to Queensland motorists.

One of the other favourite themes of the shadow Treasurer is to talk about debt. While I am on myfeet, I might just quote some comments made by a few key stakeholders about this government’sapproach to responsible and prudent debt financing of long-term infrastructure.

Commerce Queensland states—With Queensland’s public debt at manageable levels there is opportunity for State Government flexibility in its fiscalconservatism—

that is ours—to reshape public policy regarding investment in State infrastructure and its management.

Queensland is now potentially in the position to increase public sector borrowing to finance much needed capital for infrastructure.

The Property Council of Australia states—The Property Council has long advocated the disciplined use of public debt to fund public infrastructure on the basis of threefacts—it spreads the burden across the entire community, that is all beneficiaries, it spreads the burden across severalgenerations, not just today’s homebuyers and it is funded at a lower economic and social cost than alternatives.

There used to be an occasion when the Liberal Party in this state stood up to the National Party,there used to be an occasion when the Liberal Party in this state had some semblance of sense in itseconomic policies and there used to be an occasion when the Liberal Party in this state agreed withCommerce Queensland and the Property Council. But what we see now is a complete abandonment.The Liberal Party has gone to full jingoism on economic policy. At the same time it has completelyswapped tack to go to full jingoism on behalf of the New South Wales and Victorian fuel buyers. TheLiberal Party is off with the troglodytes over there and with the Victorian and New South Walestaxpayers over there. Find the common thread of the economic policy of that merged entity over there.The merged army is coming over the hill ready to save the state of Queensland. What rot!

Brough, Mr MMr WETTENHALL: My question is to the Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and

Communication Technology. Will the minister advise the House of any initiatives by the former federalminister for families, community services and Indigenous affairs, Mal Brough, which resulted in goodoutcomes for Aboriginal Queenslanders?

Mr Springborg interjected. Mr SCHWARTEN: I take the interjection from the Leader of the Opposition. I congratulate him on

his aim this morning. He has shot himself in both feet. All his shadow ministers are equally good atshooting their feet off this morning as well. I cannot wait to get back to Rocky. I will be on Michael JBailey in the morning telling the people of Mirani—the people the member for Mirani holds incontempt—that the local member wants to give their fuel subsidy to the people of New South Wales. Icannot wait to get on radio to do that.

But I come back to Mr Brough. I have no doubt that Mr Brough will bring to the presidency of theLiberal Party the same level of duplicity that the Leader of the Liberal Party brings to his position. Thereality is that he is a bloke who would have us believe that in matters Indigenous he led Australia. I seethat he is trying to get his beak in on the federal government’s action. I notice today that Mr Brough hassuggested that $270,000—or somewhere near that figure—would build houses in Aboriginalcommunities in the Northern Territory. Guess what the real cost was? It was $900,000.

Let us have a look at Queensland, because the honourable member asked a question aboutQueensland. The member will know this, because this matter relates to some of his constituents.Certainly, this matter also relates to the member for Tablelands. They have been very well treated byMr Brough! They certainly will not forget the fact that he defunded 96 community housing organisationsthroughout Queensland—some 2,000 households, probably 10,000 people. He just hung them out todry. He cut and run away from them and left them to—guess who?—the Queensland taxpayer to fix itup. This is the bloke who is going to be the president of the Liberal Party in Queensland. No wonder hegot the spear out of his electorate! Obviously, the people there saw through him for his duplicity.

Of course, the other thing he did was go up to three communities—he just picked threecommunities—and offer them variously $14 million or $10 million for a whole range of things. Guesswho had to enforce it? The Queensland government. Guess where the money came from? Out of freshair. It was unfunded. So the current Rudd government has to clean up the mess that Brough has leftbehind.


I wish him well in the Liberal Party. They are welcome to him. This is the bloke who has createdthis great aura about himself, but when you dig a little bit closer to the bone you find what a duplicitousfraud he really is. That is exactly what has happened in Queensland. He left 2,000 Aboriginal familieshigh and dry. He has left that mess for the Queensland government and the Rudd federal government toclean up. That is the sort of bloke who is leading the Liberal Party in Queensland. As I say, they are verywelcome to him. Certainly, the next time the member for Tablelands writes to me about this matter shewill not have forgotten the fact that daily people come into her office—people such as the woman withseven children who we recently housed and who was one of his victims.

Mr SPEAKER: I have pleasure in welcoming to the public gallery today another group of teachersand students from Oakey State School in the electorate of Darling Downs, which is represented in thisHouse by Mr Ray Hopper.

Office of the Director of Public ProsecutorsMr McARDLE: My question is to the Attorney-General. I table the damning review of the Office of

the DPP which warns of potential miscarriages of justice as a result of chronic underfunding. Tabled paper: Copy of report titled ‘Review of issues associated with the recruitment and retention of prosecutors in theQueensland ODPP’.

The acting director of the DPP said—... if the DPP breaks, then the whole system of justice fails ... Yes, it is a crisis, I can’t think of another word for it.

Will the minister accept full responsibility for the crisis in the Office of the DPP? What will he do to fix it? Mr SHINE: What I can say is that the officers of the DPP do a sterling job in Queensland in

relation to prosecutions in all jurisdictions.Ms Bligh: Isn’t this the one they wanted to sack? Mr SHINE: That is right. I take the interjection from the Premier. Only a short time ago the

previous director was vilified by the member and other members opposite. Yet today he takes a differentstance.

The remuneration and the retention of staff at the ODPP are, of course, matters of concern to meand are matters I raised with the former director, Her Honour Judge Clare. I asked her office to preparea comprehensive report on those issues for my consideration, because the efficient operation of thecriminal justice system is so fundamental to our system of democratic government. That report made anumber of suggestions as to areas where improvements could be made or where alternative systemsmay help to improve the operation of the system. These matters have been looked at in the context ofthe entire operation of the justice system in Queensland. So a number of different matters are currentlybeing reviewed.

One such matter relates to the jurisdiction of the various courts for criminal offences. At present,certain matters can be dealt with in the Supreme Court or in the District Court. Often it is at the electionof the defendant in which court the matter is dealt with. My department is looking at ways in which attimes those matters, particularly pleas of guilty, may be able to be dealt with in the Magistrates Court,thus reducing pressure on the DPP. My office is undertaking consultation with the relevantstakeholders—the Law Society and the Bar Association—in relation to that matter and they will presentthe results of that review to me for further consideration.

I note that the report also pointed out differences in salaries between what prosecutors are paidhere in Queensland and what they are paid in other states. The adequate remuneration of all staff is, ofcourse, very important. But in the present fiscal climate it would not be responsible to look atprosecutors’ salaries by themselves in isolation. The comparison in numbers of matters dealt with by theQueensland DPP and DPPs in other states is not as simple as it might first appear, either. For example,the types of matters that the New South Wales DPP dealt with are only the most complex 40 per cent ofmatters that Queensland’s DPP deals with. The other 60 per cent of matters dealt with in Queenslandare committals in the Magistrates Court and minor charges that are no longer dealt with in the highercourts of New South Wales. The point is that a straight comparison of numbers is, in fact, misleading.We are not necessarily comparing apples with apples.

The DPP handles a vast array of matters, ranging from simple pleas of guilty in the MagistratesCourt to lengthy and involved fraud or murder charges in the Supreme and District courts and, ofcourse, the Court of Appeal.

Mount Isa, Green SpacesMrs KIERNAN: My question is to the Minister for Main Roads and Local Government. The

minister recently approved funding for a special initiative to improve green spaces for children in MountIsa. Could the minister outline how this initiative will benefit the Mount Isa community and any otherinitiatives that have been recently funded for the north-west of Queensland?


Mr PITT: I thank the member for Mount Isa for her question. The recent redistribution haspotentially offered her an electorate that may be the size of France, but I can think of no-one better inthis House capable of representing such a huge area in regional Queensland. I also understand themember’s passion for the city of Mount Isa. I lived there for a couple of years. The member certainlymisses no opportunity to advocate on behalf of her constituents and that part of Queensland.

The children of Mount Isa at this point in time are the subject of some interest concerning theirsafety and wellbeing. In the last couple of weeks the government has decided to embark upon aprogram whereby we will provide $1 million for the Green for Kids initiative. That initiative will addressthe public spaces where children gather and play like council parks and gardens, other public spaces,school grounds, sporting facilities, child-care centres—any area in which we find young childrencongregating and playing. The types of projects that this fund will cover include top dressing to promotegrass growth, in places where it is appropriate the laying of artificial turf and also, of course, sealingareas to suppress dust and dirt in Mount Isa. The aim of the program is to provide a healthierenvironment for the children of Mount Isa. I thank the member for the input she had in helping us to putthis program together.

The Department of Local Government funds a number of other initiatives in the north-west. MountIsa will get more than $190,000 through the latest funding round of Our Place, Our Future, an initiativeof the Blueprint for the Bush. Our Place, Our Future aims to strengthen and enhance relationshipsbetween rural constituents and the urban areas of Queensland and also to build the networks andsupport that are needed to attract and retain skilled workers. Two of the projects in that program are$59,702 to the Mount Isa Agricultural Show Society to enable it to provide resources for a number ofcommunity events in the region and $57,525 for the Mount Isa Tourism Association to employ a projectofficer to implement a tourism strategy plan.

Over the last 12 months, $3 million in funding has been provided. There has been $310,000 forthe Buchanan Park cultural precinct. The Mount Isa rodeo will move into the centre of the Isa. It is amagnificent complex. It can conduct not only rodeo events but also major concerts and other events ofthat nature. There has also been $132,723 in road and drainage grants and $25,292 for the assessmentof landfills. During the recent cyclones at the turn of the year, $1.6 million was provided as emergencyfunding for flooding and damage from cyclones and other events.

Patel, Dr J

Mr DEMPSEY: My question is directed to the Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport. Itis over three years since Jayant Patel was flown to the United States by the minister’s government.News reports today indicate that, due to more bungling by this Labor government, his extraditionhearing will be delayed for another three weeks. Can the minister confirm that she was in the UnitedStates representing the Queensland government at the time of the documents arriving? Why did theminister not personally ensure that the documents received were up to the required standards?

Ms SPENCE: It is indeed sad that the member is a former police officer. It shows such a limitedunderstanding of the legal process.

Honourable members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Springborg interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, I will warn you in a moment. I am saying something.You can clearly hear me saying it. I remind members on both sides that the minister has been asked aserious question. Let us allow her to answer it.

Ms SPENCE: Firstly, I would like to make the point that the issue of the timeliness of the provisionof documents is not an issue that has concerned the United States Department of Justice. I understandit is quite pleased with the timeliness of the documents from Australia. It is an issue that has been raisedby Dr Patel’s defence. It is not unusual for defence lawyers to beat up a storm about issues such as this.Is that not part of the legal process throughout the world?

I really would not take this issue as seriously as obviously the opposition has or, indeed, somemedia organisations have. The reality is that our Queensland Police Service provides documents to ourdepartment of public prosecutions and it provides the documents to the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department in Canberra. That is the process. The suggestion that our Queensland PoliceService provides documents directly to the United States is a false one. That is certainly the impressionthat the defence lawyers in America have tried to create and obviously a lot of media organisations havetried to pick up on it. But it is an entirely incorrect and false assumption on their part and shows either alack of understanding of our legal system here in Australia or merely an attempt by the defence in thePatel case to create a smokescreen, as it would.


I advise that the hearing in the United States yesterday was procedural in nature, despitesuggestions to the contrary. Mr Patel did not seek bail and nor was he granted bail by the court. Heremains in custody and there is currently no bail application before the court. I am limited in what I cansay as the matter is currently before the courts and I am mindful of my obligations to ensure that theQueensland government does not say anything that may prejudice the chance of a successfulextradition. I encourage the opposition to also be mindful of that fact in their comments on this matter.

Victim Support ServiceMr LEE: My question is to the Minister for Health. I refer the minister to the new victim support

service which the state government established to help victims of crime committed by people with amental illness and I ask: can the minister update the House on the service’s first few months inoperation?

Mr ROBERTSON: I thank the member for the question. Early this year I had great pleasure inlaunching this new service as part of our government’s major mental health reforms. For the first time,Queensland has a dedicated service for the exclusive purpose of supporting victims of crime where theperpetrator has a mental illness.

Often when an offender is diverted away from the criminal system and into treatment becausethey are mentally ill, their victims quite rightly have questions about how their case is being handled byauthorities and can seek counselling and support to help them through their ordeal. This is exactly whatthis victim support service is all about. In the first three months of operation it already has some 100victims on its register and has provided them with appropriate information and support. Depending ontheir individual circumstances, some of them will receive ongoing assistance.

We are spending some $4.6 million in establishing and running the service, which will be based inboth Brisbane and Townsville. It is allowing victims to be kept informed about their offender’s status andgeneral location. This information is monitored and updated on an electronic register managed by thedirector of the Mental Health Branch. Victims are now applying for information through classified patientinformation orders and forensic patient information orders. Information from the register is beingprovided to victims directly by victim support coordinators. New systems for information sharing havebeen established between the director of the Mental Health Branch, the Mental Health Review Tribunal,the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Mental Health Court and mental health services.

One of the immediate concerns has been a streamlining and coordination of services to victimsthroughout Queensland. The Brisbane office has eight staff including four victim support coordinatorswho are currently providing information and support to victims throughout Queensland. Support caninclude practical interventions, counselling or referral to more specialist services. Outreach services arealso being provided in Toowoomba, Townsville and Cairns. A Townsville office is currently beingestablished, with permanent staff expected to commence by the end of June, and a Cairns office hasalso recently been established to help visiting Townsville staff manage far-north victims including thosein Indigenous communities.

Significant consultation and training has occurred with the police, most notably the effectivetransfer of information to the victim support service. Queensland is now a recognised leader in this field.Our experience in establishing this new service has seen three interstate conferences acceptQueensland Health abstracts relating to victim and forensic mental health issues, and our government isnow striking a better balance between the rights of offenders with a mental illness and the rights of theirvictims.

South East Queensland Regional PlanMr WELLINGTON: My question is to the Premier. First, I thank the Premier for her assurance that

the media cameras will remain on the floor of parliament. My question is in relation to the terms ofreference for the review of the South East Queensland Regional Plan and I ask: will the Premier ensurethat the important issues involving waste disposal and resource recovery will be considered togetherwith her already announced 11 key terms of reference?

Ms BLIGH: I thank the honourable member for his question and for his interest in the South EastQueensland Regional Plan. He represents a part of the south-east corner of our state which, if it is notprotected by good planning, could very easily fall victim to serious overdevelopment to the detriment ofthe people he represents and very precious environmental areas in his electorate. My understanding isthat the terms of reference have now been finalised, but that does not in any way preclude the sort ofissues that can be raised by either the member himself or any of his constituents. The terms ofreference are available and I am happy to provide them to the member.

I can confirm that one of the key issues that the current review highlights is sustainability. Issuessuch as waste management and water recycling are critical to the overarching issue of sustainability.The review contains a quick and easy to use feedback sheet that invites comment on how highly peoplerate various parts of the plan’s components. However, if any issues that are key to the member or his

1830 Matters of Public Interest 03 Jun 2008

area are not listed, there is a space to outline those issues. Certainly I can confirm that all submissionson the specific issues in the terms of reference and broader issues associated with them will beaccepted.

This consultation process is very genuine in nature. We have accelerated the review of the planbecause we want to ensure that it is adequately placed to meet the big challenges. We want to ensurethat the population projections that underpin the plan are as up to date as they can be. We want toensure that issues such as climate change are incorporated in some of the development planning areas.We want to ensure that now that people have some experience of the whole planning process and whatit might mean for their areas in terms of infill in the urban footprint, they have an opportunity to comeforward with ideas on how to do things better and how we can avoid urban sprawl.

I encourage the member. One of the specific terms of reference does refer to strengthening thesustainability framework and, in my view, the issues that the member has raised this morning well andtruly fall within that broad category. However, whether it is the issues raised this morning or other issuesthat his constituents bring to his attention, all submissions will be accepted. The responsible minister,the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning and Deputy Premier, will personally meet each and everymayor. If the member would like a consultation meeting held in his area, we can make sure that thatoccurs.

Languages Other Than EnglishMr WELLS: My question is to the honourable Minister for Education and Training and Minister for

the Arts. I refer to the fact that we live in an increasingly global society with trade and close links toforeign business partners becoming increasingly important. I refer also to the Rudd government’s planto increase the number of students studying Asian languages. I ask the sensei: what is the Blighgovernment going to do to ensure that students have access to learning languages other than Englishand thereby securing Queensland’s future? Terima kasih.

Mr WELFORD: I thank the honourable member for his question and respond to him inIndonesian: kembali. I thank him for the question. The study of languages other than English is stronglyvalued by government. Members would be aware of my keen interest in promoting the study of foreignlanguages in our schools. We want to give students the opportunity to explore foreign cultures andforeign languages as much as possible. Notwithstanding the limits on the number of foreign languageteachers available in our schools, we are trying to expand the opportunity for students to accesslanguages through special regional programs that are being developed.

Regional Languages Other Than English education plans are being developed to help coordinateaccess to foreign language education in both primary and secondary schools. For example, primarystudents studying Spanish will know that they can continue to study that language at a high school intheir area. Each region can also make decisions about which year levels they want to focus on. In thepast, most students have studied foreign languages between the ages of 11 and 13 while in years 6 to 8in primary and early secondary schools. Some schools may want to introduce it at an earlier stage, forexample even in prep, to engage children in a familiarisation with languages. There is flexibility acrossthe 10 education regions of the state to implement these kinds of programs.

We are also developing e-learning programs for students in years 8 to 10 in Mandarin, Japanese,French and German. We are also adapting vocational education and training courses to providemodules in Mandarin, Japanese, French and German for the commencement of 2009. Anyone who hasseen the Prime Minister speaking to Chinese leaders or Chinese students in their own language canappreciate how useful it is to communicate in another language. That is why we are working with theRudd government to support his National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools Program.Languages funding will be boosted to $62 million over three years to give Australian school students thelanguage skills they need to engage with their Asian neighbours.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time for questions has expired.

MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST

Queensland EconomyMr SPRINGBORG (Southern Downs—NPA) (Leader of the Opposition) (11.46 am): Last week

Queenslanders saw a snapshot of the sort of budget that will be brought down by the Treasurer later thisafternoon. We will see a big taxing, big borrowing, low service delivery budget that will build on theunderperformance of this government in Queensland over the past 10 years. In recent days we haveseen a government that is desperate to put its hands deeper and deeper into the pockets of strugglingQueensland taxpayers. Let us look at some of the major and quite insidious tax grabs have beenmentioned in the past few weeks.

03 Jun 2008 Matters of Public Interest 1831

Queensland boaties and fishermen who like to enjoy themselves on the weekends will haveAndrew Fraser jumping out of their bait boxes. The Treasurer has said that there will be an increase ofbetween $15 and $360 in Queensland boat registration. Is that justified in any way? It is simply a greedyand insidious revenue grab by the state government. Only a year or so ago both the former Premier andthe current Premier, who was then the Treasurer, introduced electricity retail competition in Queensland,saying that prices would not go up because there would be competition in the market. What did we see?An 11.5 per cent increase and then a suggested 7.5 per cent increase. The other day the Minister forMines and Energy said that there would not be an increase of 19 per cent, but only 17 per cent. Whatlucky Queensland taxpayers we are under this government! First of all we were promised a zero percent increase, then it was going to be a 19 per cent increase and now we are told that we should begrateful that, because the government is so good, the increase will be only 17 per cent.

The real source of much of Queensland’s great economic boom is the mining industry, whichreturns to this state about $3 billion in royalties alone. That does not include the flow-on advantages toour economic prosperity that come from stamp duties, payroll tax and land tax. Under this governmentthat industry is going to be slugged an additional $500 million in a two-tiered royalty system. Membersshould make no mistake about it: this government is in desperate financial crisis and it needs to slip itshands deeper and deeper into the pockets of struggling Queensland taxpayers.

The real whammy came last weekend when we saw the Premier and the Treasurer say at a pressconference that they were going to rejig Queensland’s fuel tax rebate scheme. Being named a fuelsubsidy scheme is a misnomer; it is a fuel tax rebate scheme. The reason we have this fuel tax rebatescheme in Queensland is that in 1997 the High Court struck down what were assumed powers thatcertain states had with regard to the collection of excise. That meant that Queensland’s historical no-fuel-tax position was compromised in that negotiation process with the federal government which wasundertaken to ensure that the other states could maintain their traditional fuel excise base.

Queensland wanted to maintain its position of historically having no fuel tax, so the arrangementsthat were put in place at that time by the Borbidge-Sheldon government were quite innovative. A fuelsubsidy scheme was introduced whereby the tax would be collected in Queensland, as it had to beunder the constitutional provisions. The Constitution does not allow the federal government to punishone state or put a disproportionate tax on one part of its Australian citizenry over another, so the tax hadto be collected in Queensland. The money went through to the federal coffers and then came back tothe state government, and the state government handed that back to Queensland motorists. This isindeed a fuel tax rebate scheme which maintains Queensland’s historic low-tax position and alwaysassumes that this state does not and should not have a fuel tax.

Over the last few years this government has repeatedly fiddled with this scheme and has made asimple scheme far more complicated under the guise of trying to stamp out so-called rorts. When thegovernment made changes a number of years ago and latterly, all it wanted to do was ensure it wasgoing to be more difficult for people to get what they were entitled to so that the government couldactually get more in its coffers and put less in the pockets of motorists in Queensland, who have alwaysbeen advantaged by Queensland’s historic position of not having a fuel tax. Let us look at the reason itwas maintained that way. The state government in Queensland has always understood the tyranny ofdistance in a state that covers 1.7 million square kilometres. Transport costs can be much greater in astate that is as decentralised as Queensland, where we need to move goods and services—commodities such as food and clothing, for example—from Mount Isa to Brisbane.

Let us look at the issue of tourists. This morning we saw a moribund misunderstanding on the partof this state government of the impact that its scheme will have on interstate transport operators andalso interstate tourists, who really do make a significant contribution to Queensland. Queensland hasalways maintained an historical no-fuel-tax position to ensure there was an advantage to conductingcommerce in Queensland and that the tyranny of distance was overcome, regardless of where themotorist or transport operator came from. This government exposed in this parliament this morning thatits scheme was plucked out of thin air. There was no serious policy development, consideration,deliberation, consultation or appropriate talk amongst its own members about the real impact of doingthis. There was no consultation, no deliberation, no financial or economic modelling and nounderstanding of what the social impacts are going to be. The government plucked this scheme out ofthin air because it simply wants to be able to raise more revenue or retain more revenue for itself.

What we have seen now under this government is that it has gone from an oil company rort to astate Labor government rort. This is a state Labor government rort. It is giving a false idea to motoristsout there that they are indeed going to be better off. The Premier said the other day, ‘This will be assimple as turning up and we’re going to put a sticker on your licence. You’re going to have a bar code.’The Premier stood up here this morning and said, ‘Well, a bar code could be one of the options that wemight possibly look at. Now we’re going to have a consultation process with the Motor TradesAssociation.’


We heard the government today say that there is going to be no impact on the transport industry.Hughie Williams, who is an icon of the transport industry and the Transport Workers Union, says thatthere will be an impact on the transport industry, the trucking industry, which we rely on to takecommodities interstate and bring them back in. I do not know whether this government realises this, butyou often have to fill up your truck in Queensland because of the extraordinary distances that you travel.If you want to make a round trip from the border to Mount Isa and back—

Mr Horan: From the tablelands down to Melbourne and bring a load back.Mr SPRINGBORG:—or from the tablelands to Melbourne or whatever the case may be, you are

looking at 4,000 kilometres at least, going backwards and forwards across the state. In effect, under thefalse pretence of continuing to collect this transitional money—this money which has been madeavailable through the Commonwealth government, through the GST arrangements because it has hadto consider Queensland’s position of not having a fuel tax—the government is now only going to paythat money to those people in Queensland who can actually demonstrate that they are Queenslandmotorists with a Queensland licence. If you come from outside of Queensland—if you are transportingfood or other goods into Queensland—you have no chance of being able to take advantage of therebate, and the government is going to pocket the difference. In Queensland this was always aboutmaking sure that the distances within this state were overcome and the difficulty of doing business inthis state was addressed.

The other thing is that the tourism minister could not explain to us what the impact will be on drivetourism. What about the grey nomads and the distances that those people who want to drive throughQueensland have to travel? There has always been a competitive advantage. This government doesnot understand competitive advantage. We already know that people are now driving less because offuel price increases. When they are now daunted by the distances across this state, are they going todrive around Queensland? No, they are not. More people will stay home. More people will toursomewhere else outside of Queensland because of the distances involved. That will have an impact onour tourism industry and on the downstream service sector, not to mention increased costs with regardto the delivery of goods and services in this state.

We also do not know what the administrative costs will be on small business in Queensland orwhat the impact will be on independent fuel retailers. Can you imagine the difficulties for the checkoutgirl or boy behind the counter at the fuel station when somebody goes in there to get fuel, a loaf of breadand a bottle of milk and they do not have their licence? They will have to explain to the customer thatthey will not be able to get their 8.354c a litre subsidy? What a lot of rot!

Airport LinkMr HINCHLIFFE (Stafford—ALP) (11.56 am): Since the last sitting, the Queensland government

has announced the largest road project in Australia with the progress of the Airport Link underground tollroad, the Windsor to Kedron section of the northern busway and the airport roundabout upgrade. As thePremier highlighted this morning, Airport Link will allow motorists to travel between Bowen Hills and theairport roundabout in as little as six minutes and will bypass up to 16 sets of traffic lights. The Windsor toKedron section of the northern busway will be part of a wider Brisbane network that will almost halveaverage bus travel times and save 20 minutes on a peak-hour journey. The airport roundabout upgradewill allow motorists to save 10 minutes travelling to and from the airport and remove one of Brisbane’sbiggest bottlenecks, which I know many members have commented on before.

I am also pleased to advise the House that, alongside the main infrastructure that is so vital to thedevelopment of congestion-busting policies of this government, BrisConnections—the successfulconsortia for the Airport Link-northern busway project—has included a range of community and socialbenefits in its designs. One outstanding achievement is an increase in Brisbane’s parkland of almost40,000 square metres, including turning the infamous Toombul car park—the one that many memberson the north side would appreciate is where shoppers are warned that parking might be a problem inextreme flood conditions; I have always thought that those signs should be changed to: ‘This car parkfloods at the drop of a hat’—into parklands. That car park, which does flood at the drop of a hat, will beturned into parklands along Schulz Canal for the enjoyment of the whole community. More thanone million new plants and 5,400 new trees will be planted within the corridor to enhance the innernorthern suburbs’ green space and streetscapes. This will support and enhance the wonderful greenelements of that corridor that already exist. I make mention of Pop’s fig only to support its important roleas an icon to the local community of the inner northern suburbs.

A key benefit for cyclists and pedestrians is the fantastic new pedestrian crossing under the busyLutwyche Road, which is part of the Lutwyche busway station design. This will be a much safer, simplerand more convenient crossing and is a direct response to safety concerns raised by the community inplanning for these projects. This innovative design will remake, I contend, the suburb of Lutwyche withgenuine connections on a human scale across Lutwyche Road—something that has been missing for anumber of decades. Further, this crossing allows connection of the existing bikeways east of Lutwyche


Road to both new and existing pathways that connect the extensive and popular Kedron Brook bikeway.Connecting through to the proposed Kedron Park busway station which will also service Kedron StateHigh School and the growing Queensland Emergency Services complex.

There are also new cycle connections between Clayfield and Toombul Shopping Centre andToombul Railway Station. I am confident that these major improvements will encourage more people toget active and healthy by walking and cycling, and gaining access to an outstanding public transportsystem being extended through the northern busway to the north side of Brisbane.

City North Infrastructure, or CNI, the special-purpose vehicle charged with delivering the threeprojects, has opened a visitor information centre at 109 Gympie Road, Kedron. The centre is staffed bya team of project specialists from CNI and BrisConnections who are busily advising the communityabout our plans for these projects including the changes to the reference design. It is already a verypopular location on the north side for those who are very interested in this extremely important projectand I would encourage everyone, especially those locals who have not been there yet, to get out andlook at what the projects mean for them.

Smart State StrategyMs DARLING (Sandgate—ALP) (12.01 pm): The Smart State Strategy has well and truly put

Queensland on the world stage and boosted our local economy. Queensland now boasts a diverseeconomic base. The Smart State Strategy has assisted our traditional industries to adapt to globalchanges in markets and has nurtured many new industries. The Smart State vision is of a state whereknowledge, creativity and innovation drive economic growth to improve prosperity and quality of life forall Queenslanders.

The strategy and accompanying funding have focused on establishing state-of-the-art educationand research facilities. We have created new industries and jobs in aviation, biotechnology,manufacturing and creative industries. Under the leadership of Anna Bligh, the government has beenmonitoring the progress of the strategy, and the 2007 progress report acknowledges the manyachievements of that strategy. This is not a static process, and the government sought public feedbackso that we can not only build on these achievements but also refocus our energies to make sure that ourresearchers are supported and to ensure that our new industries are sustainable, job-creating industriesinto the future.

Smart State Strategy Queensland’s Smart Future 2008-12 overhauls many of the previousstrategy’s programs and launches new initiatives. I am particularly thrilled that the Bligh Laborgovernment will invest more money to support the people who dedicate their time and energy todiscovering the next breakthrough. As Premier Anna Bligh explains perfectly, we are moving from bricksto brains and the next phase of the Smart State Strategy will see the trebling of our investment inpeople.

The Queensland government has provided the infrastructure that has driven the growth in thisstate, having helped to build 36 new institutes including world-class research institutes such as the BrainInstitute, the Queensland Institute of Medical Research and the Institute for Molecular Bioscience. Thecommercialisation focus of many of our institutes is securing our smart reputation by attractinginvestment and developing partnerships to ensure that our discoveries are delivered to market asquickly as possible for the benefit of consumers and patients.

I enjoyed meeting many outstanding researchers and students during a recent visit to theUniversity of Queensland with my colleagues the member for Inala and the member for Woodridge, whoboth share my enthusiasm for our growing bioscience and medical research industries.

Mrs Scott: It was a great visit. Ms DARLING: It was an excellent visit, and we thank them for their hospitality. Since the start of Smart State, more than $860 million has been invested in buildings. The Bligh

government will now spend $43 million on scholarships, fellowships and other research grants in thenext strategy from 2008-12 including a new health and medical research program. I welcome the focuson our talented and innovative individuals. I will table for the information of members a list of recipientsof the Smart State Premier’s Fellowships over the last three years who have received $250,000 per yearfor five years.Tabled paper: Copy of a document titled ‘Grants: Smart State Premier’s Fellowships, $250,000 per year for five years’.

I would also like to table our list of the most recent national and international research alliances programgrants in round 2, which details some of the very exciting programs that are being worked on throughoutQueensland.Tabled paper: Copy of a document titled ‘Most recent National and International Research Alliances Program grants—round 2(about to award round 3)’.


The Bligh government is also providing operational funding for research facilities. For example,the Mater Medical Research Institute and the Wesley Research Institute will receive operational fundingof $2.19 million over three years to help meet overhead costs so that the institutes can get on with theiressential research schedule. MMRI is currently working on a prostate cancer vaccine and WRI isinvestigating bone cancer and undertaking research that could help diabetes sufferers better managethe disease. This is amazing research that will have a significant impact on the lives of thousands ofQueenslanders and people worldwide. I would like to take the opportunity to thank our dedicatedacademics, researchers, students, businesspeople and government departmental staff who workcollaboratively to bring these innovations to fruition.

The Queenslander of the Year 2008 Wotif.com founder, Graeme Wood, has been recognised thisweek for his excellence in business and his determination to give back some of his success to thecommunity. The Graeme Wood Foundation supports research projects and provides scholarships aswell as many community initiatives. Our Young Queenslander of the Year, Homa Forotan, is a great rolemodel for young Queenslanders and following her achievement of an OP1 she is now studying aBachelor of Biotechnology at the University of Queensland. What a tremendous journey she hasundertaken since arriving as a refugee in 2005.

A five-minute speech does not offer nearly enough time to talk of the incredible people,innovation, research and discovery in Queensland, but I would like to finish by congratulating thePremier on the new refocused Smart State Strategy 2008-12.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr English): I would like to acknowledge in the public gallery a group ofstudents, staff and parents from Robertson State School in the electorate of Mount Gravatt, representedin the chamber by the Hon. Judy Spence.

Queensland Justice System, Delays

Mr McARDLE (Caloundra—Lib) (12.06 pm): The Beattie-Bligh government has delivered yetanother crisis to Queensland. This time we have gridlock in the state’s justice system. I have beenapproached by a considerable number of legal practitioners, members of the public and other interestedparties with regard to their concerns about inefficiencies within our state’s justice system. Theseconcerns are overwhelmingly backed up by the Australian Productivity Commission’s Report ongovernment services 2008 released earlier this year. The report reveals that 34,000 criminal mattersand 35,000 civil matters were caught up in the Beattie-Bligh government’s justice gridlock.

This government has delivered for Queensland the worst court congestion problem in Australia.The Report on government services 2008 found that our Children’s Court had a backlog of 2,243 cases,with 29.9 per cent of Queensland youth offenders waiting more than six months for a court case and13.2 per cent of youth offenders waiting more than one year. Add to this the Queensland minister foryouth’s answer to a question on notice which revealed that 73 per cent of young offenders in the state’sjuvenile detention centres were on remand. Not surprisingly, there are growing numbers of legalpractitioners including the acting director of the Office of the DPP, who claimed the current situation issystematic of a justice system in crisis.

I now table a copy of claims made by the DPP’s acting director to the Townsville Bulletin wherethe DPP acting boss stated—You have to remember that the DPP is the hub of the criminal justice system, and if the DPP breaks, then the whole system ofjustice falls ... Yes, it is a crisis, I can’t think of another word for it.

Tabled paper: Copy of page 13 of the Townsville Bulletin, 17 May 2008, containing article titled ‘Prosecution in overload’

I do not believe that the interests of justice are well served by underprepared, inexperienced andoverburdened legal practitioners undertaking some of the most difficult criminal matters in our justicesystem. Similarly, nobody’s interests, innocent or guilty, are served by painfully long and drawn-out waitsto access the court system for justice. For this reason, I believe that the Queensland parliament mustconsider major reform to both our law and our administrative processes in this state to ensure ourstate’s justice system not only delivers justice but is seen to do it in a timely way. We need to considerpractical and cost-effective reforms that will deliver greater efficiencies in the administration of justicebut do not compromise justice outcomes. The numbers themselves tell the story. Money spent on courtadministration was $173 million in Queensland for 2006-07 compared with $348.5 million in New SouthWales and $213 million in Victoria.

This Labor government has designed by policy, by poor planning and by serial neglect a justicesystem that cannot adequately represent the interests of victims and the broader community. The LaborParty’s political formula for a series of crises has always been to commission another report, acommittee or an inquiry. Not so surprisingly, the Queensland Attorney-General did just that earlier thisyear.


Because this should be a public document, I took the liberty of releasing the ‘Review of issuesassociated with the recruitment and retention of prosecutors in the Queensland ODPP’ last month. Itwas a scathing report which I tabled earlier for the consideration of all members of parliament andthrough this place the wider Queensland community.

This report recommends that funding to the Office of the DPP be increased by $5.9 million eachfinancial year for the next three years. This is less than 10 per cent of the $70 million that the Beattie-Bligh government spent on advertising in 2007. This government’s recent blitz of all those full page adswith the glamour shots of the Premier or the saturation advertising on prime time TV would suggest thatthe Beattie-Bligh government is spending record amounts on self-promotion that should be goingtowards reducing the increasing queues in our courts, on our roads, at train stations and in ourhospitals.

You do not have to read too far into the DPP’s own assessment to find out just how poorly servedQueenslanders are by this government’s management of the justice system. At page 1 of the report itstates—The recent premature appointments of inexperienced lawyers is eroding the professional base and heightening the risk ofmiscarriage of justice issues.

The DPP’s review speaks volumes about the Beattie-Bligh government funding priorities. I ask allhonourable members to take note of page 33 and keep it in mind when the Treasurer hands down hisbudget later today and then consider whether the Attorney-General is an effective advocate for ourstate’s failing justice system. On page 33 it states—The current funding model gives the impression that funding for criminal matters in Queensland favours the accused rather thanthe victim or the community as whole.

The criminal justice system in this state is in absolute chaos and the acting DPP was quite right to call itan absolute crisis.

Queensland Week, Kedron-Wavell Services ClubMs BARRY (Aspley—ALP) (12.11 pm): Queensland Week is a time when we should stop and

celebrate the people, the places, the organisations and businesses that make Queensland the greatstate that it is. It is a time when we as members can use the special forum of the Queensland parliamentto record for perpetuity those people whom we are particularly keen to acknowledge during this specialweek of celebrations.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the service of the Kedron-Wavell ServicesClub. Whilst I know that many members have spoken in this place about the club, I am cognisant of thedifficult times and, at times, ugly media that the club became embroiled in during the recent BrisbaneCity Council elections. I want during Queensland Week to acknowledge this great Queensland club andto make it clear that I am very grateful for the incredible work that the Kedron-Wavell Services Club doesfor my community. I wish to say thank you to them for their commitment to making the Brisbane northside a more caring, healthier and happier place to live.

The Kedron-Wavell Services Club is a generous community club, giving to its community overand above its regulatory obligations. During 2007 the club donated over $800,000 to 70 differentcommunity and charitable organisations. Clubs like the Aspley View Club, the Smith Family, Legacycare, AFL juniors, the Wildlife Preservation Society, Netball Queensland and Kedron-Wavell hockey aresome of the clubs that have benefited from the club’s generosity.

Mr Hinchliffe: Just some. Ms BARRY: Absolutely. I take the interjection from the member for Stafford who, like me, is a very

strong supporter of a club that is in his electorate. The one that I am particularly delighted with is the club’s support of the QUT professorial chair of

nursing aged care. This is the first chair of aged care nursing in Australia and it is this partnershipbetween Kedron-Wavell Services Club and QUT that is a sign of Kedron-Wavell Services Club’scommitment to and vision for older people in this community. This support is worth over $350,000.

The club also supports its amazing subbranch whose volunteers work tirelessly to care forveterans and their families. It is no surprise then that the Kedron-Wavell Services Club this year won theClubs Queensland best community service award for the second year in a row.

The club also commits to the training and employment of people in the hospitality industry. Inresponse to the Queensland skills strategy, it opened in May 2006 a very professional registeredtraining organisation that trains people to deliver quality hospitality skills, reflective of the standards setby the club in many of its own fantastic restaurants and services. I opened the Kedron-Wavell ServicesClub registered training organisation in May 2006 and have watched it help many workers and manyother businesses deliver quality hospitality training since that time.


During the recent Brisbane City Council elections it was with real disappointment that I watchedKedron-Wavell Services Club defend itself against many false claims by political candidates in themedia with respect to its management of the Shawsportz Ltd operations. Shawsportz was created afterthe Kedron-Wavell Services Club was asked by the then Brisbane City Council to accept the leases of anumber of sporting fields in order to keep those sporting clubs operating and to keep young people inparticular playing sport. The club has invested over $19 million in these facilities. These facilities supportover 240 teams play sport.

The Kedron-Wavell Services Club took the difficult decision to place Shawsportz intoadministration following the decision by the club that it could no longer take sole responsibility forbearing the increasing burden of the costs of operating so many clubs with so little support from theBrisbane City Council. This was a prudent and responsible decision by the club and allows thiscommunity club to remain financially strong.

I wish to express to the club my thanks for their hard work in the Shawsportz facilities and I call onthe Brisbane City Council to show real commitment to the cost of sporting teams and to help those manyclubs and volunteers across the city that work so hard to keep Queenslanders playing sport. I also callon our government to continue and improve on the support that we provide to the many clubs andvolunteers in our sporting arena.

Kedron-Wavell Services Club is a great club and it deserves special acknowledgement duringQueensland Week for its commitment to our community. I would in particular like to thank Mr PaulO’Brien who is the current president of the club, Mr Chris Satori the secretary/manager and all thosefantastic subbranch volunteers and all the club men and women of the Kedron-Wavell Services Club forbeing great Queenslanders.

State BudgetDr FLEGG (Moggill—Lib) (12.16 pm): In the media I saw photos of the Treasurer about to bring

down his budget tied up in rope. It reminded me of another politician who was depicted in fish-netstockings, not just perhaps because of the ambiguity of the picture. Long may these images of theTreasurer be repeated. It is an extraordinary claim on his part that he is impotent in this budget setting todeliver for Queenslanders. This is not a budget being delivered in a recession or with declininggovernment revenue. This is a boom time budget. We have the Treasurer depicted in the media boundup in ropes and impotent to deliver what Queenslanders want delivered. How on earth does one delivera deficit budget in economic times like this?

Ms Grace interjected. Mrs Sullivan interjected.Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr English): Order! Member for Brisbane Central! Member for

Pumicestone! Dr FLEGG: Property prices are booming, payroll tax is going through the roof, minerals and

mining right across-the-board are booming. Yet we are confronted with a deficit budget and a Treasurerwho depicts himself bound and impotent to deliver what Queenslanders need.

This budget is about three things. It is the DDT budget. It is about a deficit, it is about debt and itis about tax increases. We have seen a whole range of taxes increased over recent days—from EPAfees to the inflation producing heavy vehicle user charges and a whole raft of others. But nothing topsthe half billion dollar grab from the coal industry—a grab that sends a terrible message about what itcosts to do business here in Queensland.

It makes little sense because much of it will end up being taken off our GST revenue. It tellsbusiness that there is uncertainty with regard to investing in this state. It tells business that thegovernment does not understand business and it does not understand boom and bust mineralsindustries that have to earn across the cycle in good times and bad. It says that we have a governmentthat does not understand that the capital cost of building a mine in this state has doubled or that the costof running a mine has skyrocketed.

It also begs the question which every business wishing to set up in this state will have to seek toanswer: who is next? This was just a desperate grab to try to keep the state budget out of deficit. Sowho is next? Is it coal seam methane? Is it metals? That is one more question that people will now haveto answer before they invest in this state. Any company considering exploring or spending hundreds ofmillions of dollars to invest in Queensland will now have to have regard to that sovereign risk. We heardthe Treasurer quoting some business groups with regard to the issue of debt. He certainly did not quoteany of the business groups that commented on his tax grab on the coal industry.

We also heard an amazing statement—and I want to reiterate this in Hansard—from theTreasurer, in answer to my question this morning, that there would be no saving from his fuel cardscheme. Does he not realise that people do forget their licences and that there are people currently in


Queensland who do not have Queensland licences? I predict that there will be a $100 million saving inthis measure, and I will hold the Treasurer to his statement in this place this morning that he wouldreturn that money to Queensland taxpayers.

Finally, I want to note the appalling attack by the member for Rockhampton on Mal Brough,somebody who actually showed that he cares about Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders and for firsttime did what people have been calling on governments to do, and that is to protect children inIndigenous communities. I see the federal government wanting to put pornography back into thosecommunities. For too long people have not done anything because they do not think there are any votesin Aboriginal affairs but—

Time expired.

Domestic and Family Violence Awareness Month

Mrs SULLIVAN (Pumicestone—ALP) (12.21 pm): I recently read an article that describeddomestic violence as a complex pattern of behaviours that may include, in addition to physical acts ofviolence, sexual and emotional abuse. Under Australian law, the term ‘domestic violence’ refersexclusively to violence committed by a heterosexual partner and includes physical injury, intimidation orsexual harassment, wilful damage to property, indecent behaviour without consent, or a threat to commitany of these acts. However, from a health perspective, domestic violence can be better understood as achronic syndrome characterised not only by episodes of physical violence but also by the emotional andpsychological abuse that perpetrators use to maintain control over their partners.

Last month I was invited to a coordinated statewide candle-lighting ceremony organised by theQueensland Domestic Violence Services Network to acknowledge the beginning of Domestic andFamily Violence Awareness Month. The ceremony remembered those who had lost their lives and lovedones left behind because of domestic and family violence. It highlighted the experience and the journeyof those who have been affected by violence and abuse in their lives. This Queensland-wide campaignis aimed at raising awareness of domestic and family violence across the community. Every year thefirst Wednesday in May is set aside for Remembrance Day. Communities from the Gold Coast to Cairnswere called on to light candles simultaneously to draw attention to domestic and family violence.Community and police support in this ceremony is particularly important to the victims of domestic andfamily violence. This year Inspector Mike Brady, representing the Caboolture police district, highlightedthe effect of domestic violence on not only the community but also Queensland police officers and theirfamilies.

Domestic and family violence takes a considerable toll on Queenslanders’ lives each year. Onaverage it accounts for 27 per cent of all homicides in Australia. In the nine years from January 1994 toDecember 2002, the Queensland Police Service recorded 154 cases of homicide relating to spousaldomestic violence. The victims included six children. In the Metropolitan North Region alone, for the2006-07 year there have been over 2,400 reported incidences of domestic and family violence. Up to60 per cent of the time of the police can be used up by these issues. In some areas the estimated totalannual cost of domestic violence to the Australian economy is around $8.1 billion. I want to take thisopportunity to thank coordinator Estrella Herzog at the Caboolture Regional Domestic Violence ServiceInc. and her team for their excellent work in this field and for allowing me to be part of the localceremony to light a candle as a symbol of healing to brighten the path of life’s journey.

While events like the candle-lighting ceremony bring attention to domestic violence and itsvictims, there is still so much silence on this issue. The Department of Communities continues toallocate funding to domestic and family violence programs. Almost $30 million is provided for a range ofprograms, including some designed to raise the level of awareness of domestic violence in ourcommunities. I recently launched the Want to Know a Secret campaign. Its aim is to ensure that familiesand children from culturally and linguistically diverse—or CALD—backgrounds receive information onservices and support to prevent violence in the home and to promote equitable access to governmentand non-government services for CALD families and children experiencing violence in the home.

Apart from the Caboolture Regional Domestic Violence Service, there were a number of otherparticipating organisations involved in what I believe was a necessary campaign. These included theQueensland police force, the state government Department of Communities, the council, Bribie Islandneighbourhood centre and the Department of Housing’s Community Renewal through its CommunityAmbassadors Program, or CAP. CAP has a group of volunteers acting as community ambassadors whorepresent the Filipino, Maori, Samoan, Russian, Papua New Guinea, Sudanese, Indonesian andSpanish-speaking communities. I wish to commend the steering committee including project officerSergeant Marie Stephenson, Estrella Herzog, Jo-anne Buchanan and Patricia Rios for their dedicationand commitment to working together to break the cycle of domestic and family violence.


Warrego Electorate, Coal Seam Gas DevelopmentMr HOBBS (Warrego—NPA) (12.25 pm): Today I am pleased to have the opportunity to talk

about the development of coal seam gas in my electorate. I want to talk about the enormous size of thisproject, the speed of development and of course its value to not just the region’s economy but also thestate and nation. New technology has allowed coal seam gas to be extracted, and of course we havestolen a march on the world. The world is now focusing on this area and there are many big playersinterested in making takeover bids for Australian companies. However, while this development iswonderful, there are also a number of issues.

In the first stages of exploration there is a lot of traversing of landholders’ land. During theproduction phase big wells are drilled and then evaporation ponds are built for the water. An enormousamount of water comes out of these gas wells in the first instance, and that probably lasts maybe 30years. In fact, some wells do not even have water in them but the majority do and the water diminishesover time as the gas comes out. Then of course there is the export of this product. In this particularinstance there will be a pipeline to Gladstone. It will cost nearly $5 billion to set up that pipeline as wellas the export facility where the gas is frozen and then put on to big refrigerated ships and sent acrossthe world to run power stations.

While there is this enormous development going on, landholders themselves are expressingsome concern because of the speed of this development. In the past when there were pipelines, lines orwhatever the case may be going through their properties, there was time for adequate consultation.However, there is a rush on at present. With the support of the government, most of these companiestend to want to put pipelines, roads and so forth on precleared freehold land that is owned by thelandholder. Developers stay away from state forests in most cases where in fact they would be able toput pipelines through state forest using some of the existing roads and tracks. That is an issue that hasbeen of great concern.

One big problem that landholders are finding relates to environmental issues with regard toevaporation ponds. Quite a considerable amount of salt is in some of these water supplies. Some watersupplies are good and some are bad in terms of high levels of salt. These are the questions people wantanswered: what sort of rehabilitation will be done on these sites? Exactly how will that occur? Will layersof soil be put over the top which will then be compacted? Will it be a contaminated site in the future? Willthere be any impacts on landholders? Some of these issues need to be spelt out.

With regard to compensation, there does not seem to be enough compensation coming throughto landholders. Landholders do not think the companies are paying enough in terms of the loss of valueto the overall scale of the operations on people’s properties, and of course that varies. Somebody mighthave a pipeline through their place with little impact. Others may have many wells. I know one personwho has five production wells being drilled within sight of his house. Of course, the noise of the drillingand the activity on the roads are obviously issues for that family. Better information must go out to thosepeople. Recently at a meeting people said they could not get enough information from the department’sweb sites and that there were not enough people in the department who could advise people as to theirrights and what is happening.

There is also concern about the amount of water that is being used—and I am talking aboutprobably several hundred megalitres a day—and whether that water is coming from the artesian basin. Ihave been advised by the department that that water does not come from the artesian basin. Yet someof those wells are not very deep, so it might be.

The big rush is on. Landholders do not know who has mining leases over their properties. Thedepartment does not take credit cards to conduct searches. So there are some issues that have to beaddressed.

Organ DonationMs STRUTHERS (Algester—ALP) (12.30 pm): Australia has one of the world’s best records in

clinical outcomes for organ transplants. For example, health practitioners in Queensland havepioneered developments in heart, lung and kidney transplants. However, Australia’s rate of deceasedorgan donation has failed to keep abreast of demand for transplantation. At any time, more than 1,800Australians are waiting for an organ transplant. That is 1,800 people who are suffering daily with achronic disease. The average waiting time for a transplant is about four years, but waits of up to sevenyears are not uncommon. On average, one Australian dies each week while waiting for a transplant.

When I was appointed by the Premier to the organ and tissue donor select committee, I checkedon my donor registration. I had assumed that because a number of years ago I ticked the ‘yes’ box to bean organ donor on my drivers licence that I was an organ donor. Let me tell members that that system isobsolete. It is no longer the system by which people can register their interest to be an organ donor. Ireally urge people to think about their responsibility, their interest and their goodwill in wanting to be anorgan donor and check that they are registered.


The Australian Organ Donor Register, which is administered by Medicare Australia, is, in fact, theonly national register for organ and tissue donation. The state based register through the drivers licencesystem run by Queensland Transport does not exist as a system for us in Queensland anymore. Thenational register ensures that consent or objection to donating organs and/or tissue for transplantationcan be verified 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by authorised medical personnel anywhere inAustralia. That timing is critical. It is so important for people who want to be donors that their familyunderstands their wishes. One of the problems or barriers to organ donation in Australia is thatsometimes in the grief surrounding someone’s death or imminent death family members disagree andoverride a person’s wish to be an organ donor. So it is critical that all of us have that conversation withour families, partners or close friends and let them know of our desire to donate.

Last week I attended the launch of Kidney Awareness Week in the city mall. This launch was awonderful opportunity to promote this very important message about our need for people to check theirregistration to be an organ donor and also the very important message that many chronic diseases suchas kidney disease can be preventable. I commend the Kidney Support Network of Queensland for thegreat work it is doing in promoting those messages. That network is supporting a lot of members aroundthe state—people such as Janelle Colquhoun, who called on the Premier to set up this selectcommittee. Janelle is a very courageous woman. She is a great lady who lives daily in pain andsuffering. A few weeks ago Janelle got the call to go to Westmead Hospital. Obviously, she was full ofanticipation and anxiety but, I guess, she also had some excitement about the fact that finally there wasa donation possible for her. She got all the way down to Sydney with her partner—and let me tellmembers that is difficult as Janelle is hearing impaired and has significant issues in travelling—only tobe told that there was not a proper match. These people need our support. They are suffering a greatdeal. I urge members to really consider their own responsibilities in this regard and to promote theimportance of organ donation among their local communities.

Let me tell members a few facts and figures specifically about kidney diseases. They are notpretty figures. Every day of the year between 40 and 50 Australians die from kidney failure. Alarmingly,kidney failure is increasing in the Aboriginal population at a faster rate than in the non-Aboriginalpopulation. As at 31 December 2006, 15 per cent of the 9,000 people who were receiving dialysis inQueensland were on the transplant waiting list and the majority of those people were aged under 55years. So I am not talking about diseases that affect older people solely; they are affecting youngerpeople as well. The good news is that for those who receive a kidney transplant the survival ratefollowing transplant is extremely high. Ninety-five per cent of recipients are still alive after one year and90 per cent are still alive after five years.

In our $10 billion Health Action Plan we have allocated $45.5 million in additional funds for renalservices over five years. It is so critical that this support be continued, it is so critical that people focus onprevention as well as cure and it is so critical that all of us consider our responsibilities and think aboutothers and sign up to be an organ donor.

Cattle TicksMrs PRATT (Nanango—Ind) (12.35 pm): This past hour in parliament has been dedicated to

raising matters of public importance. It is appropriate that in this debate the people of Queensland areacquainted with the threat that the Queensland government is posing to chemical-free beef eaters. Ihave to ask the government: what exactly is its intention regarding the tick-free line—a line which, alongwith other benefits, ensures chemical-free beef in an age when ‘chemical free’ and ‘clean and green’ arethe catchcries of our nation?

It has been brought to my attention by several producers that approximately 46 properties in thetick-free area in the South Burnett have become reinfected with ticks after a long, hard and costly battleto attain tick-free status. However, it is the additional reports that DPIF is not equipped to deal with theoutbreak and is therefore doing very little to uphold the law concerning reinfection that is mostdisappointing. It costs producers approximately $4 per head per treatment every three weeks over atwo-year period to be granted tick-free status. That is a substantial monetary cost. It takes a lot ofsacrifice for them to achieve tick-free status. So if there were no recognised benefits to producersbecoming tick free, they would not have shown any interest in doing so. But producers achieving tick-free status is also a major benefit to consumers who then do not have to worry about the possiblechemical residue of acaricides. For those who do not know what acaricides are, I point out that they aretick and mite poisons that are used to eradicate these bloodsucking and stock-debilitating pests. To nothave to use these chemicals is a major benefit to the animals, to the industry and to the beef consumeralike.

However, the hard-won battle to be tick free can be jeopardised by one person’s failure to comply.It is the responsibility of DPIF to ensure that properties in a tick-free area are not lit up by anirresponsible stockholder’s belligerent attitude not to comply. DPIF needs to enforce compliance if it isnot given willingly. But the cutbacks in the department make it impossible for it to do that. I will tellmembers why. With some 46 properties reinfected, not only do these properties have to be attended to


but also the first- and second-removed properties have to be monitored. Members may not think that isa hard job to do with appropriate staff numbers. But there is only one stock inspector to cover that entirearea. With the paperwork involved, he is unable to cope. He needs at a minimum two more full-timeinspectors to help him uphold the quarantine laws concerning tick reinfestation.

Over the years cattle ticks have cost the cattle industry many hundreds of thousands of dollars.The motivation to eradicate the pest was sufficient for approximately 500 producers in my electorate tostate in writing to the government their desire to push back the tick line. Yet it appears they have had tostruggle tooth and nail for support from a primary industries department that has its budget slashedevery year. With the pending closure of some 30 biosecurity offices throughout Queensland, thosedepartmental budget cutbacks will only get worse. Since the outbreak of equine influenza, the resultantshutdown of the equine industry and the domino effect that had on associated industries we have beenhearing much about biosecurity. Yet the government is still slashing biosecurity services, therebyensuring a vulnerability in our defence network.

Now there exists a real possibility that, with the re-emergence of the cattle tick into tick-free areas,the beef industry in those areas will be crippled. That will have flow-on effects on the hide industry, andthere is a tannery in Murgon; the abattoir industries in Kingaroy, Kilcoy and Murgon as, hopefully, theabattoir will reopen there; the butchery industry; the beef export industry; and all the other associatedvalue-added industries. When it comes to biosecurity and rural industries this government is all talk andno action. It might talk the talk but when it comes to walking the walk the government might as well stillbe wearing nappies, because it is a long way from taking an effective first step.

The government may bewail the apparent lack of benefit for its input into the DPIF’s involvementin cattle tick control, but there is one major unseen benefit—that of animal welfare. If the cattle tick isallowed to reinfect Queensland there are producers who will not be bothered to treat their cattle at all.Even now, cattle loaded with ticks come through the saleyards, but how many more will there be if wedrop the tick line? The sight of an animal dying with tick infestation is one not easily forgotten. Producersin my electorate are beginning to believe rumours that the government has no intention of maintainingthe line and is prepared to let it go. I ask the minister to verify whether this is true or not. If it is, how willthis government compensate those who have outlaid so much in time, energy and money to giveconsumers the additional security of chemical-free beef?

State Education WeekMr MOORHEAD (Waterford—ALP) (12.40 pm): Last week saw State Education Week, a great

opportunity to celebrate the success stories of our state primary and high schools and the quality ofeducation they are providing to our state’s children. As the son of a teacher, I was brought up with astrong belief in the opportunities that education can provide. I strongly believe that the greatestopportunity that our children have, particularly those from working families such as in my electorate, isthe education provided by our local state schools.

These local state schools have such a great story to tell. The state government’s South CoastRegional Showcase Awards were announced on Wednesday, 26 May at Griffith University’sMeadowbrook campus. The showcase awards are the most prestigious awards for state schools andhigh schools. With the help of the award sponsors, the showcase awards provide both recognition forexcellence in education and a development grant to support ongoing programs. The contribution of theaward sponsors is not just financial; they are a key part of getting the great stories of our schools intothe broader community. I thank the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the showcase 2008 sponsor, aswell as Network Ten, RACQ, the Queensland University of Technology, RemServ and TechnologyOnefor their ongoing support of the showcase awards.

Edens Landing State School in my electorate was recognised for innovative initiatives anddedication to continuous improvement. Principal Geoff Mill and his team were joint winners in both theearly years and the middle years categories for excellence in education. The school’s initiative, ‘AnUnrelenting Focus on Literature’, was a joint winner in the early years section. This initiative has putliteracy front and centre for children in the years from prep to grade 3 and has seen the school’s nationaltesting results with an average above the national benchmarks. For grades 4 to 7, Edens Landing StateSchool was a joint winner of the middle years award for excellence with ‘Connecting for Success: TheBest Way to Get There is Together’. This initiative ensures that children are well prepared for thetransition to a local high school for their secondary schooling.

At a recent meeting of the Edens Landing P&C association there was discussion about thegraduate teachers joining the school. I was very impressed that the school and the P&C saw graduateteachers as a great opportunity to expose the school to the latest developments in teaching techniques.The awards also recognised the Logan Healthy Schools program put together by Marsden State HighSchool, Woodridge State High School, Loganlea State High School, Mabel Park State High School andKingston College. This initiative ensures that schools are promoting healthy lifestyles among students,an important prerequisite to learning and development. As we all know, students find it difficult to learnwhen their health is not in a great state.

03 Jun 2008 Health Legislation (Cosmetic Surgery for Children) Amendment Bill 1841

The ENABLE group of schools, the 10 high schools of the Logan-Albert-Beaudesert district, werealso recognised for their collaboration and focus on school leadership. These schools are workingtogether to meet the challenges of educating our future leaders. I know that Desley Scott, the memberfor Woodridge, would join with me in supporting these great schools and the invigoration that they aregiving to the school leadership teams across this group. This team of schools come together on aregular basis to discuss how the school leaders in the teaching staff can provide new and innovativecurriculum to engage students and to deal with the behaviour management practices that schools arecurrently facing.

I wish our local schools well as they progress to the state finals of the showcase awards. I amsure that they will do well. I hope that many come out as state winners for the excellent initiatives thatare coming out of our local schools.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

Mount Isa, Lead LevelsHon. AI McNAMARA (Hervey Bay—ALP) (Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and

Innovation) (12.44 pm), by leave: In a statement to the House this morning I referred to a report done in2000 about lead and other metal levels in Mount Isa. The report was the subject of allegations of acover-up. As I mentioned this morning, the report in question was done for Mount Isa Mines back in2000 and was never provided to the Environmental Protection Agency. I wish to inform the House thatthis morning I received a copy of the report. The cover of the report bears the word ‘draft’. I am advisedthat is because it was never finalised and represents the original, unedited research findings.

In keeping with my statement this morning that I am committed to ensuring all relevant documentsare made available, I now table a copy of the report. I will also ensure that the document is madeavailable on the EPA web site as soon as technically possible.Tabled paper: Copy of a report (endorsed ‘draft’), dated June 2000, titled ‘Metals in soils and surface water in the vicinity of Mt Isa’.

HEALTH LEGISLATION (RESTRICTION ON USE OF COSMETIC SURGERY FOR CHILDREN AND ANOTHER MEASURE) AMENDMENT BILL

First ReadingHealth Legislation (Cosmetic Surgery for Children) Amendment Bill

Hon. S ROBERTSON (Stretton—ALP) (Minister for Health) (12.45 pm): I present a bill for an actto amend the Public Health Act 2005, the Radiation Safety Act 1999, the Dental PractitionersRegistration Act 2001 and the Medical Practitioners Registration Act 2001 for particular purposes. Ipresent the explanatory notes, and I move—That the bill be now read a first time.

Question put—That the bill be now read a first time.Motion agreed to.Bill read a first time.

Second ReadingHon. S ROBERTSON (Stretton—ALP) (Minister for Health) (12.45 pm): I move—

That the bill be now read a second time.

The health and wellbeing of Queensland’s children and young people is of paramount concern tothis government. The age related provisions in this bill relating to cosmetic procedures and the use ofsolariums will help protect young Queenslanders from potentially harmful health outcomes.

The bill will amend the Public Health Act 2005 and the Radiation Safety Act 1999 in order toachieve two important objectives regarding health outcomes for children. Amendments to the PublicHealth Act will protect children from problems associated with higher risk, invasive, cosmetic procedureswhere these procedures are not in the child’s best interests. Amendments to the Radiation Safety Actwill protect children from the potentially harmful effects of UV exposure through the use of solariums.Our young people are vulnerable to social and peer pressure and a desire to conform to stereotypesand cultural norms. Just last year a popular Australian magazine aimed at teenage girls reported thatone-quarter of its young readers would consider getting cosmetic surgery if they could. In a separatesurvey the same year, Mission Australia found that body image was a major concern for one-third of

1842 Health Legislation (Cosmetic Surgery for Children) Amendment Bill 03 Jun 2008

15,000 young people aged between 11 and 24 who were polled on this subject. It is increasingly clearthat the presence of cosmetic surgery in advertising and TV shows has added to age-old pressuresaffecting our children about their appearance.

Last year, the Premier told this House that doctors were reporting an increase in adolescentpatients inquiring about and demanding cosmetic surgery. These social pressures appear to becontributing to an increase in young people asking about cosmetic procedures for purely aestheticreasons. This is a trend that the Bligh government wants to tackle now. The good news is that a youngperson’s self-image tends to change with age and maturity. The government recognises that decisionsmade by young people to enhance physical aspects of their appearance with cosmetic surgery may beregretted later on. These legislative amendments are underpinned by a need to protect our youngpeople from procedures where they may not fully understand the risks or limitations. Given the time, Iseek leave to have the remainder of my second reading speech incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.The amendments to the Public Health Act will make it an offence for a person to perform, or offer to perform, certain cosmeticprocedures on children, other than where it is in the child’s best interests.

Higher risk, invasive cosmetic procedures that will be prohibited, include: face lifts, tummy tucks, eyelid surgery, breastaugmentation and the attachment of porcelain veneers to the front surface of teeth.

But there will be occasions, Mr Speaker, when these procedures are justifiable on medical grounds, and in these cases, thelegislation will provide an exemption from this offence.

Exemptions may include surgery to correct a congenital abnormality, or, a residual physical deformity as a result of an accident orburn.

The over-riding principle in such circumstances will be the best interests of the child.

That is, a person performing, or offering to perform, a cosmetic procedure will not commit an offence if the person believes, ongrounds that are reasonable in the circumstances, that the procedure is in the best interests of the child.

Mr Speaker, you may also be aware from the media that brokerage and advisory services have emerged as a part of the cosmeticindustry in Australia.

I understand that such services aim to help people find a cosmetic solution suited to their needs, and in doing so, may look to theindustry within Queensland, interstate or overseas.

The Bill will make it an offence for a person to procure, or offer to procure for payment, a cosmetic procedure on behalf of a child.

This offence is specific to these brokerage and advisory services.

It does not apply to cases where a registered health practitioner makes a clinical referral to another practitioner—for example, if aGP makes a referral to a plastic surgeon who performs a particular type of cosmetic procedure.

The Bill will also ensure that the chief executive of Queensland Health can report an alleged contravention of the cosmeticprocedure offence to a relevant body such as the Health Quality and Complaints Commission and the practitioner’s registrationboard.

This will enable disciplinary procedures to be considered if a practitioner was found to have performed a procedure incontravention of the legislation.

Authorised persons under the Act will also have the power to enter a place to monitor compliance with the new cosmeticprocedure offence provisions.

Mr Speaker, Queensland has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world.

As 80% of skin damage associated with skin cancer occurs in the first 18-21 years of life, it is evident that regulating children andyoung people’s access to solariums can contribute to an overall reduction in UV radiation exposure.

As members of the House may be aware, the solarium industry in Queensland is currently self-regulating.

Operators can choose to voluntarily adhere to the Australian Standard for the operation of solariums, which includes arequirement to obtain consent for anyone under the age of 18.

Research commissioned by Queensland Health last year found that 44 percent of the 200 solarium operators in Queensland set aminimum age of 18 years for access to a solarium.

However, 15 percent of operators permitted users as young as 15 years to use solariums for cosmetic purposes.

The use of solariums by young people has come under scrutiny by all Australian governments, Mr Speaker, leading to a call fornationally consistent regulation of the solarium industry.

The amendments to Queensland’s Radiation Safety Act have been introduced to address this issue, pending the adoption of thebroader national model.

This matter is being progressed through the Australian Health Ministers’ Conference.

Work is being undertaken to develop a national model that could be incorporated into the National Directory for RadiationProtection in accordance with AHMC’s decision of 1999 that jurisdictions seek uniformity in radiation protection practices acrossAustralia.

Mr Speaker, I can advise the House that over 80 percent of operators backed moves to regulate the use of solariums by peopleunder the age of 18.

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The Cancer Council Queensland and the Australasian Solarium Association are among those who support the steps being takenby the Bligh Government.

The Radiation Safety Regulation 1999 will be amended to set out the circumstances where people under 18 years of age will notbe permitted to access solariums in various commercial settings, for example:

• use of solariums at a sun tanning clinic;

• access to solariums as part of an incentives package offered by a gymnasium;

• access to coin or token operated solariums at commercial premises, such as gymnasiums;

• hiring a sun tanning unit to a young person for use at home.

The maximum penalty for contravening this prohibition will be 400 penalty units, or $30,000 for an individual and $150,000 for acompany.

The development of a Bill such as this involves extensive consultation with stakeholders. I would like to take this opportunity tothank all those stakeholders who were involved with the development of the Bill.

This Bill will protect the health of young Queenslanders and ensure that our youth are not resorting to surgical quick fixes toimprove their appearance.

I commend the Bill to the House.

Debate, on motion of Mr Langbroek, adjourned.

FISHERIES AMENDMENT BILL

First ReadingHon. TS MULHERIN (Mackay—ALP) (Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries) (12.48 pm): I

present a bill for an act to amend the Fisheries Act 1994 for particular purposes. I present theexplanatory notes, and I move—

That the bill be now read a first time.

Question put—That the bill be now read a first time.

Motion agreed to.

Bill read a first time.

Second ReadingHon. TS MULHERIN (Mackay—ALP) (Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries) (12.48 pm): I

move—


The Fisheries Amendment Bill 2008 will amend section 14 of the Fisheries Act 1994 to addressresource management and sustainability matters related to Aboriginal traditional and Torres StraitIslander customary fishing. Fourteen years ago parliament enacted section 14 of the Fisheries Act,which expressly recognised and protected the important rights of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islandersto fish in a traditional way. I now propose to amend that legislative protection.

Whilst I am firmly of the view that traditional rights to fish in Queensland waters should continue tobe protected by explicit statutory provision, recent concerns about impacts on sustainability have shownthat we need to take a fresh look at section 14 in order to get the balance right. We need to ensure thatall fishing, whether traditional or not, is done in a sustainable way, so that future generations ofQueenslanders can enjoy abundant natural fisheries resources. Hence these proposals are designed tostrike at the immediate threat to sustainability—fishing with commercial-style apparatus under thebanner of traditional fishing. This threat is particularly exacerbated where this type of fishing is carriedout in waters closed to all other persons on sustainability grounds.

This bill seeks to ensure that the strong connection between fishing and a traditional way of life ismaintained but balanced with the long-term sustainability of Queensland’s fisheries resources for futuregenerations. Currently section 14 effectively exempts Indigenous people in Queensland from theprovisions of the act which regulate where and with what apparatus people can fish in accordance withtradition or custom. These exemptions from regulation are much broader than the provisions of theCommonwealth’s Native Title Act 1993. It is important to note that section 14 was and is intended byparliament to be a special measure designed to confer a positive legislative benefit on the state’sAborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, so that they are able to engage in traditional fishing, subject toregulation. In this regard, it remains the government’s intention to secure the adequate advancement of

1844 Mining and Other Legislation (Safety and Health Fee) Amendment Bill 03 Jun 2008

Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders, through ensuring the protection and preservation of traditionalfishing practices but in a sustainable way. In the interests of time I move that the rest of my speech beincorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted. The amendments seek to reduce the risk of exploitation of fisheries resources by limiting traditional and customary fishing topersonal, domestic and non-commercial communal use. This definition clearly excludes the commercial sale of fish. In addition,the type, size and number of fishing apparatus that can be used will be limited to recreational fishing apparatus, further reducingthe risk of potential commercial use of fisheries resources. Catching fish for personal, domestic and non-commercial communalpurposes does not warrant the use of commercial apparatus.The bill will also deal with those areas in Queensland where all fishing activity is prohibited. These areas are closed to preventover-fishing where fish spawn or aggregate as juveniles to protect fish during vulnerable stages of their life cycle. The governmentproposes to extend 15 such closures to traditional and customary fishing activity and the bill will provide the means to do this by aregulation. Within Indigenous communities across Queensland, there is a diverse range of fishing practices because of the varietyof traditional and customary associations with fishing. As a result of the practical difficulties of reaching state-wide agreement with Indigenous people across Queensland to establish afisheries management plan, it is proposed to remove the wording ‘or management plan’ in section 14(2). To ensure consistencyand certainty across Queensland, it is considered that the more appropriate mechanism for any capacity to regulate these mattersshould be by way of a regulation, rather than management plan, and this is still provided for under the proposed wording of section14(2). The capacity to make a regulation that expressly applies to acts done under Aboriginal tradition or island custom wouldallow stronger limitations to be imposed to address any emergent resource sustainability issues that may arise in the future. Forexample, bag and size limits, including restrictions on no-take species, or the addition of other areas in Queensland closed totraditional and customary fishing, may be imposed by regulation under section 14(2). The bill also addresses a practical issue concerning consultation when a regulation change is proposed. The current wording ofsection 14 requires agreement to be reached through cooperation. This requires a reasonable attempt to achieve a meeting ofminds which, in practical terms, is unlikely to be achieved through negotiation on a state-wide basis, when taking into accountsuch diverse Indigenous groups and their needs. Consultation requirements under the Statutory Instruments Act 1992 concerningpeople affected by any proposed restriction by a regulation would remain. The bill also redrafts section 14 of the act so that it is clear that it is intended by parliament to operate as a defence provision. Aswith all defences, it is incumbent upon the defendant to establish the defence on the balance of probabilities, before theprosecution must negate the defence beyond reasonable doubt. This amendment is proposed to remove all doubt as to therequisite burdens of proof in a prosecution where section 14 is raised by the defendant. The government recognises thatceremonial and cultural events may require a larger supply of fish. In these circumstances individuals may apply for a GeneralFisheries Permit to use fishing gear of larger dimensions than permitted under section 14. No fees would apply for the permit anda letter of support from a traditional owner or elder group would be required to accompany the permit application. In practice, the bill is designed to affect Aboriginal traditional and Torres Strait customary fishing, as the proposed amendmentsare intended to limited traditional and customary fishing to personal, domestic and non-commercial communal use, restrict wherefishing can take place and the type of apparatus that can be used. That being said though, the Indigenous fishing exemption forregulated fish would still apply, that is, outside the 15 specified closed waters, traditional fishing may still occur. Torres StraitIslanders who live inside the Torres Strait Protected Zone will not be affected by the proposed changes, as customary fishing inthis region is managed under the Commonwealth’s Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984.Mr Speaker, I believe this legislation provides an appropriate balance between the sustainable management of Queensland’sfisheries resources for future generations and the traditional and customary fishing practices of Indigenous people in Queenslandand it explicitly recognises the ongoing traditional and cultural association Indigenous people have with fishing. I commend the Billto the House.

Debate, on motion of Mr Horan, adjourned.

MINING AND OTHER LEGISLATION (SAFETY AND HEALTH FEE) AMENDMENT BILL

First ReadingHon. GJ WILSON (Ferny Grove—ALP) (Minister for Mines and Energy) (12.51 pm): I present a

bill for an act to amend the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999, the Explosives Act 1999 and theMining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999 for particular purposes. I present the explanatorynotes, and I move—That the bill be now read a first time.


Second ReadingHon. GJ WILSON (Ferny Grove—ALP) (Minister for Mines and Energy) (12.51 pm): I move—


The mining and quarrying sector is one of the most important industries in this state, especially asan employer in rural and regional areas. This is an industry in boom. It is an industry experiencing highcoal and mineral prices and strong market demand.

03 Jun 2008 Mining and Other Legislation (Safety and Health Fee) Amendment Bill 1845

There has been a significant increase in the number of new mines opening which is set tocontinue in coming years. The resources industry workforce has grown by 51 per cent over the past fiveyears from 21,841 to in excess of 33,000 workers today. This is a major contributing factor in thesignificant population shift to regional Queensland from other states and overseas.

The national skills shortage is impacting on the mining, quarrying and explosives industries withan increase in less experienced workers, including from the contracting sector. This government iscommitted to maintaining a high standard of mine safety and health for all these workers. Thiscommitment requires an expansion of safety and health services to ensure the 33,000 men and womenwho work in this potentially hazardous industry enjoy safe and healthy workplace conditions.

There is a clear community expectation that industry meets safety and health compliancestandards. It is also a reasonable expectation that companies should contribute to the safety and healthof their workers. It is not unreasonable that the mining industry pay for safety services under a user-paysprinciple, in line with other industries. This is an industry in which some companies are showingsignificant increases in profits and where the increased costs of production are growing at a much lesserrate. There are times when it is important for government to help industry get established. During aboom time there should be a stronger commitment and focus on monitoring and ensuring safety andhealth standards by industry.

The number and severity of injuries and incidence of occupational illness, together with thenumber of near misses or high potential incidents has been well documented in the past few years. Inresponse, the government has recently increased the number of unannounced audits and inspectionsacross the industry by the mines and explosives inspectorates. However, the Department of Mines andEnergy must further expand its watchdog role to cope with the demands of a booming industry and itsincreasing workforce. The role of government in making sure the mining, quarrying and explosivessectors are safe and healthy workplaces has been funded by all Queenslanders since the inspectorateswere established over 100 years ago.

The Queensland community’s funding of this role should not have to keep up with a boomingworkforce and a booming industry. The time has come for industry to contribute to the cost of the MinesInspectorate ensuring the safety and health of mines employees is monitored for compliance. This is nota new concept. Inspections and audits of petroleum and gas operations are already funded fromindustry fees and licences in Queensland. New South Wales has had a mine safety levy in place sincelate 2005.

This bill will, therefore, implement a safety and health levy, a small levy per employee on industryper year, to ensure safe and healthy working conditions in the mining, quarrying and explosivesindustries. The annual charge will be calculated on the basis of employment information for the previousyear and the cost of the full range of safety and health services. Employment data is currently providedto my department which can be used for this calculation. These requirements will be rationalised toavoid additional data requests from industry.

Consideration has also been given to the financial impact of the levy on very small operations.Accordingly, the levy per employee for operations with 10 or fewer employees will be significantly less.In the first year of application, the levy will only apply for three-quarters of the year, that is, from 1October 2008 to 30 June 2009, and will be based on the number of employees as at 30 June 2007. Forthe part 2008-09 year the levy for operations with 11 or more employees will be approximately $603 peremployee, which is three-quarters of the full 2008-09 levy estimated at $804. For operations with 10 orfewer employees the levy will be $75 per employee, which is three-quarters of the full 2008-09 levy of$100.

The expected revenue in the first part year of the levy operation is $19.5 million. A full year levy, incurrent dollar value, is expected to be around $26 million. In comparison, for the financial year 2007-08,New South Wales raised $19.5 million through its mine safety levy, which equates to approximately$1,100 per employee based on 18,000 people employed in the industry at that time. The levy will bereviewed and published annually and will be adjusted according to employment figures and servicecosts. The revenue generated from the levy will fund existing operations of the mines and explosivesinspectorates and the expansion of safety and health services to the industry as follows: theappointment of seven new specialist mines inspectors, two investigators, an occupational hygienist,statistician and health surveillance manager; improvements to the safety and health performancereporting as recommended by a recent independent review; five additional scientific staff for the Safetyin Mines Testing and Research Station or SIMTARS, which will allow this important safety unit tomaintain and extend its world-class efforts in improving mine safety and health.

The legislation that has been placed before the House for its consideration today will allow thecost of essential safety and health services to be recovered from the mining, quarrying and explosivesindustries. These industries benefit directly from the state’s provision of these safety and healthregulatory and compliance services. I commend the bill to the House.

Debate, on motion of Mr Messenger, adjourned. Sitting suspended from 12.59 pm to 2.30 pm.

1846 Revenue and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 03 Jun 2008

APPROPRIATION (PARLIAMENT) BILL

APPROPRIATION BILLMessages from Governor

Messenger admitted to the House and presented to the Speaker messages from Her Excellencythe Governor.

The Speaker read the following messages—MESSAGEAPPROPRIATION (PARLIAMENT) BILL 2008Constitution of Queensland 2001, section 68I, QUENTIN BRYCE, Governor, recommend to the Legislative Assembly a Bill intituled—

A Bill for an Act authorising the Treasurer to pay amounts from the consolidated fund for the Legislative Assembly andparliamentary service for the financial years starting 1 July 2008 and 1 July 2009.

GOVERNOR(sgd)30 May 2008

MESSAGEAPPROPRIATION BILL 2008Constitution of Queensland 2001, section 68I, QUENTIN BRYCE, Governor, recommend to the Legislative Assembly a Bill intituled—

A Bill for an Act authorising the Treasurer to pay amounts from the consolidated fund for departments for the financialyears starting 1 July 2008 and 1 July 2009.

GOVERNOR(sgd)30 May 2008Tabled paper: Message, dated 30 May 2008, from Her Excellency the Governor recommending the Appropriation (Parliament)Bill.Tabled paper: Message, dated 30 May 2008, from Her Excellency the Governor recommending the Appropriation Bill.

SPEAKER’S STATEMENTABC Cameraman in Chamber

Mr SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have given permission for an ABC camera operator to bein the chamber alongside the network pool cameras to film during the budget speech. I have also givenpermission for the same operator to film from the gallery.

DISTINGUISHED VISITORSMr SPEAKER: It is with a great deal of pleasure that I would like to recognise in the gallery today

a former Treasurer of the government of Queensland, the Hon. David Hamill. Honourable members, I also take this opportunity to welcome to the public gallery teachers and

students from the Jubilee Primary School in the electorate of Gaven, which is represented in this Houseby Mr Phil Gray.

I also take pleasure in welcoming to the public gallery today the SEALS group from the SherwoodNeighbourhood Centre in the Mount Ommaney electorate, which is represented in this House byMrs Julie Attwood.

REVENUE AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILLFirst Reading

Hon. AP FRASER (Mount Coot-tha—ALP) (Treasurer) (2.33 pm): I present a bill for an actto amend the Duties Act 2001, the Land Tax Act 1915, the Pay-roll Tax Act 1971 and the Petroleum andGas (Production and Safety) Act 2004 for particular purposes. I present the explanatory notes, and Imove—That the bill be now read a first time.


03 Jun 2008 Revenue and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 1847

Second Reading

Hon. AP FRASER (Mount Coot-tha—ALP) (Treasurer) (2.34 pm): I move—That the bill be now read a second time.

The Revenue and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 amends the Duties Act 2001, the LandTax Act 1915 and the Pay-roll Tax Act 1971 to give effect to revenue initiatives announced in the state’s2008-09 budget. Amendments are also being made to the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety)Act 2004. I seek leave to have the remainder of my second reading speech incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted. With effect from 1 July 2008, the Bill amends the Duties Act 2001 to:

• bring forward the full abolition of mortgage duty;

• provide further concessions for home buyers by increasing the caps for the home and first home concessions from$320,000 to $350,000, with a further increase in the first home concession cap to $500,000 from 1 September 2008; and

• introduce a simpler, fairer and more competitive transfer duty rate structure with fewer rate bands and an increase in thetop marginal rate from 4.50% to 5.25%.

The new transfer duty rate schedule and increased home concessions will mean less duty on most transactions. Around 75% oftransactions in 2007 would have attracted less transfer duty under these arrangements. From 1 July 2008, a person purchasingtheir own home, other than their first home, will save up to $750 on current rates. A first home buyer will save up to a further$1,650 from 1 July 2008, increasing to $9,500 from 1 September 2008.

The home concession increases ensure that Queensland transfer duty on the purchase of a home or first home up to $1.5 millionis lower than in any other jurisdiction (or equal where no duty is payable).

The transfer duty changes are financed through the higher duty rates applying to high value properties.

Following a 2005 review by all States and Territories under the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Reform of Commonwealth-State Financial Relations, the 2005-06 State Budget announced that a number of duties imposed under the Duties Act 2001 wouldprogressively be abolished. Mortgage duty was to be abolished in two stages, with an initial 50% reduction from 1 January 2008and full abolition on 1 January 2009. The initial halving of mortgage duty was implemented on schedule. In this year’s Budget, Iwill announce that the Government will bring forward full abolition to 1 July 2008. Full abolition will further benefit Queenslandhomebuyers, investors and businesses and will cost approximately $190 million in 2008-09.

Queensland has experienced strong growth in land values for a number of years. In recent Budgets, the Government hasmoderated the land tax impact of rising valuations by regular review and adjustment of land tax rates. In last year’s Budget, a newconcession of a 50% cap on land valuation increases was introduced to further ameliorate the impacts. These changes are on topof three yearly averaging of values for land tax purposes. Consistent with this review process, further changes to the land tax rateswill be announced in this year’s Budget.

The Bill revises and simplifies the land tax schedule from 1 July 2008, reducing the number of rate bands for both residentindividuals and companies, trustees and absentees. It maintains the current thresholds of $600,000 for resident individuals, thehighest of any state, and $350,000 for companies, trustees and absentees which remains competitive. In addition, theamendments in this Bill reduce the tax payable at the land tax thresholds from $1,200 to $500 for resident individuals, and from$2,250 to $1,450 for companies, trustees and absentees.

The land tax changes are estimated to provide $17 million in land tax relief in 2008-09. Approximately 88% of resident individualland tax payers, that is around 15,000 taxpayers, with taxable land holdings up to $1.8 million (after averaging and capping), willbe better off as a result of the changes. Around 17,500 companies, trustees and absentees with taxable land holdings up to$750,000 (after averaging and capping) will be better off.

Queensland currently has a competitive payroll tax threshold of $1 million and a highly competitive payroll tax rate of 4.75%.Currently the statutory deduction of $1 million phases out at the rate of $1 for every $3 the annual payroll exceeds $1 million, withthe deduction cutting out at wages of $4 million.

The Government has adopted a policy of seeking to ameliorate the effective marginal payroll tax rate immediately above theexemption threshold to reduce the impact of payroll tax on medium sized businesses. This Bill therefore amends the Pay-roll TaxAct 1971 to change the phasing-out formula to a $1 in every $4 rate, rather than $1 in every $3, so that the deduction does not cutout until taxable wages exceed $5 million. This change is estimated to provide $20 million in pay-roll tax relief in 2008-09 and willbenefit all businesses with taxable wages between $1 million and $5 million. The Government will seek to progress this phase-outthreshold as capacity allows each year.

Overall, this package of revenue measures will cost $157.4 million in 2008-09 but will ensure that Queensland continues toprovide a competitive tax environment. Per capita, Queensland state tax is estimated at $2,342 in 2008-09, compared to anaverage of $2,616 for the other states and territories.

In addition to the revenue legislation amendments, the Bill also amends the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004.The amendments propose to reduce the frequency of lodgement of petroleum royalty returns from monthly to quarterly.

This initiative will reduce red tape and align the frequency of lodgement for petroleum royalty returns with that of coal and baseand precious metals under the Mineral Resources Regulation 2003.

Mr Speaker, I commend the Bill to the House.

Debate, on motion of Dr Flegg, adjourned.

1848 Budget Papers 03 Jun 2008

APPROPRIATION (PARLIAMENT) BILL

First Reading

Hon. AP FRASER (Mount Coot-tha—ALP) (Treasurer) (2.35 pm): I present a bill for an actauthorising the Treasurer to pay amounts from the consolidated fund for the Legislative Assembly andparliamentary service for the financial years starting 1 July 2008 and 1 July 2009. I present theexplanatory notes, and I move—That the bill be now read a first time.


Second Reading

Hon. AP FRASER (Mount Coot-tha—ALP) (Treasurer) (2.35 pm): I move—That the bill be now read a second time.

I introduce the appropriation bill for the Legislative Assembly and the Parliamentary Service for2008-09. The government remains committed to the independence of the Legislative Assembly and thisextends to the means by which public moneys are appropriated to ensure its continued functioning. Weare therefore adhering to the convention that the Legislative Assembly’s appropriation be contained in abill separate from the Appropriation Bill for the other activities of government. The Appropriation(Parliament) Bill will provide the necessary funds to ensure the continued operations of the LegislativeAssembly and the Parliamentary Service. Mr Speaker, I commend the bill to the House.

Debate, on motion of Dr Flegg, adjourned.

BUDGET PAPERS

Hon. AP FRASER (Mount Coot-tha—ALP) (Treasurer) (2.36 pm): Mr Speaker, I lay upon thetable of the House the following documents: Budget Speech; Budget Strategy and Outlook; CapitalStatement; Budget Measures; Queensland State Budget 2008-09 at a glance; Budget Highlights;Service Delivery Statements books 1 to 4, including statements for the Speaker of the LegislativeAssembly of Queensland; regional budget statements; and the South East Queensland InfrastructurePlan and Program 2008-2026.Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Budget Speech—Budget Paper No. 1.Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Budget Strategy and Outlook—Budget Paper No. 2.Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Capital Statement—Budget Paper No. 3.Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Budget Measures—Budget Paper No. 4.Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Queensland State Budget 2008-09 at a glance.Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Budget Highlights.Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Service Delivery Statements—Book 1.Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Service Delivery Statements—Book 2.Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Service Delivery Statements—Book 3.Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Service Delivery Statements—Book 4—Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland.Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Regional Budget Statement—Darling Downs and West Moreton.Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Regional Budget Statement—Far North Queensland.Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Regional Budget Statement—Fitzroy.Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Regional Budget Statement—Greater Brisbane.Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Regional Budget Statement—Mackay-Whitsunday.Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Regional Budget Statement—North Coast.Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Regional Budget Statement—North Queensland.Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Regional Budget Statement—South Coast.Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Regional Budget Statement—Western Queensland.Tabled paper: Budget 2008-09: Regional Budget Statement—Wide Bay-Burnett.Tabled paper: South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program 2008-2026.

03 Jun 2008 Appropriation Bill 1849

APPROPRIATION BILL

First ReadingHon. AP FRASER (Mount Coot-tha—ALP) (Treasurer) (2.37 pm): I present a bill for an act

authorising the Treasurer to pay amounts from the consolidated fund for departments for the financialyears starting 1 July 2008 and 1 July 2009. I present the explanatory notes, and I move—That the bill be now read a first time.


Second ReadingHon. AP FRASER (Mount Coot-tha—ALP) (Treasurer) (2.37 pm): I move—


Mr Speaker, ‘the duty of placing before the [House] the annual review of the finances of the Stateand the Estimates for the current year imposes, on this occasion, a more difficult task than usual’.

So began the Budget Speech in 1915. It serves also to introduce the Budget of 2008-09.It is my unique privilege to present the first Budget of the Bligh Government.It is a Budget that sets a course for a government determined to meet the challenges of the

future.This is a Budget that looks beyond tomorrow and out to the horizon.It describes our priorities and reflects our commitments.To delivering front line services.To building infrastructure.To delivering a massive boost to our health and hospital system.To helping out Queenslanders most in need—the vulnerable and the elderly.To tackling climate change.And to improving housing affordability for the next generation.It is a Budget that looks beyond today to the Queensland of the future.We have framed this Budget against challenging times. An unprecedented credit crunch hit global

finances as the fall out from the US sub-prime mortgage crisis washed around the world.And our drought stricken state was soaked by flooding rains.Interest rates were hiked and smashed demand in the economy, as demand for services and

infrastructure escalated in our growing state.We are facing these challenges, meeting them head on and charting a course for our future.Economic and Fiscal OutlookMr Speaker, Queensland has a strong economy, strong population growth, a strong balance

sheet and a strong future. However, the modern Queensland economy is strongly enmeshed in theglobal economy.

The slow down in global economic growth has hit our nation, at the same time as inflationpressures have produced higher interest rates. We are not immune.

Nationally, economic growth is now estimated to be 3½% in 2007-08, down from previousforecasts.

Australia’s economic growth is forecast to slow further in 2008-09—down to 2¾%.Queensland is again outpacing the national economy. Our estimated growth for 2007-08 is 3¾%

and in contrast to the nation, we are forecast to gather pace and grow at 4¼% in 2008-09.This will be the thirteenth year we have outpaced the national rate of economic growth.While jobs growth slows nationally, our economy is set to deliver a year average rate of

unemployment that is the lowest in a generation—and it is forecast to stay there, at 3¾% in 2008-09.This will be the fifth straight year Queensland’s unemployment rate has been well below the

national average and is the lowest rate of unemployment in 34 years.Employment is forecast to grow at double the national rate.

1850 Appropriation Bill 03 Jun 2008

It is not just the quantum of our growth, it’s the composition of our growth that is the real story.Business investment in Queensland is forecast to grow by 9¼%. Real business investment will havedoubled to $36 billion over the last six years.

While the cost of the flood has included mine and export disruption in 2007-08, the breaking ofthe drought and rising agricultural prices are expected to result in a recovery in farm incomes and seeour primary industries make a strong contribution to growth. Reforms to the Department of PrimaryIndustries and Fisheries will support this growth.

Our resource industries are experiencing unprecedented prosperity.While mining and agriculture represent just 12% of the output in the modern Queensland

economy, they will play a strong role in achieving exports growth of 4¼% in the year ahead.This is the strongest rate for four years and benefits from export infrastructure expansions coming

on line and improved weather conditions.Mr Speaker, the demand for further infrastructure investment comes at a challenging time. In

2008-09, for the first time, Queensland will receive less than a per capita share of GST revenue. We willbe a donor State.

At the end of the Budget’s forward estimates in 2011-12, Queensland will have had a cumulativeloss in GST funding of more than $1.8 billion since the 2004 Review of the Methodology by theCommonwealth Grants Commission.

In addition, by 2011-12, the revenue forgone from the abolition of State taxes will be over$1.3 billion.

Together this curtails our capacity to meet the funding challenges before us.I am a strong supporter of the Federal Treasurer’s initiative to engage in a comprehensive review

of Federal, state and local taxation. The financing of our federation is the dominant fiscal challengebefore our nation and the time to address it is now.

The quest for reform is a task that begins at home and the Bligh Government is taking a freshapproach to reform of the Queensland public sector with changes designed to deliver real savings thatcan be redeployed to frontline service delivery.

We are creating a new Public Service Commission, committed to reducing the number ofgovernment boards and statutory bodies, creating one amalgamated Civil and Administrative Tribunal,and have established the Expenditure Review Committee.

We have applied a productivity dividend to the non-service delivery areas of government and areredeploying the $80 million in annual savings to frontline service delivery.

Our amalgamation of the Service Delivery and Performance Commission and the Office of PublicService Commissioner has already generated savings of $1.5 million.

This Budget reallocates these savings to neonatal equipment and night vision goggles in rescuehelicopters and to the Healthy Hearing Program for indigenous children.

One of our first acts as a new government was to comprehensively audit the QueenslandAmbulance Service, where we identified $12.2 million worth of savings to be returned to frontline servicedelivery.

It is a record budget for the Ambulance Service of $455.7 million, including 250 additionalambulance officers and 145 new ambulances.

We will continue this task and expand it across government as we strive to achieve the best valuefor the Queensland taxpayer.

Housing AffordabilityMr Speaker, our decade of unprecedented prosperity has not been enjoyed by everyone.Many young Queenslanders have been locked out of the great Australian dream by a property

market that has risen beyond their reach.Housing affordability can not be solved by any one act by any one government. But we can assist,

and we will.Through sweeping changes to our stamp duty regime any Queenslander seeking to break into

home ownership through buying a first home under $500,000 will not pay one red cent of stamp duty.We will immediately raise the first home owner concession to $350,000 from the start of the

financial year and then to $500,000 by 1 September this year.We will bring forward and abolish in full mortgage duty on day one of the start of the new financial

year.


We will extend the principal place of residence concession available to all home buyers to providefurther savings of up to $750.

These reforms will mean that a Queensland couple looking to take out a mortgage and purchasetheir first home—whether they are in the growth suburbs of the Gold Coast or the booming city ofMackay—will save up to $9,800 on a $500,000 home.

They will not pay one cent of stamp duty on the purchase price, and not one cent of duty on theirmortgage.

We are proposing to abolish the First Home Owners Grant and reform duty rates for homesabove $1 million to finance the cuts aimed at the Queenslanders who are seeking to break in to theproperty market.

Our reforms mean that for every home purchase under $1 million—whether first homes or tofamilies upgrading to a new home—Queenslanders will pay the lowest stamp duty in the country.

This reform is at the core of our Budget and at the core of our beliefs as a Government.I also announce further tax reform to reduce the impact of higher land values on tax liability, with

cuts to threshold payments for land tax and a simplification of the rate schedules.We have the highest threshold in the nation for resident individuals and our top marginal rate of

1.25% is lower than any other State.In this Budget we will add to our competitive regime which sees the number of land tax payers in

Queensland equal to about one-third of that of other major states. In Queensland a couple could own a home on land worth more than $1 million and three or four

other average priced properties before being liable for land tax.Tax payable at the land tax threshold will be reduced from $1,200 to $500 for resident individuals

and from $2,250 to $1,450 for companies, trusts and absentees, which will ensure that the majority ofland tax payers will benefit from our reforms.

On the supply side, this Budget will assist with housing affordability through the planned releaseof $125 million in 2008-09 from the Queensland Future Growth Fund for social housing, as well as$9.5 million for the Urban Land Development Authority.

HealthMr Speaker, every government around the world of every persuasion faces the challenges of

health service delivery. With an ageing population and rapid technological advancement, health costsare ever increasing.

We are facing up to this challenge with the single biggest injection ever into our health andhospital system. A massive boost of $1.2 billion will take the Health budget to a record $8.35 billion in2008-09.

The capital works component of the Health budget tops more than $1 billion.This Budget provides funding for the commencement of the new Mackay hospital and the

redevelopment of the Cairns and Mount Isa hospitals. These projects are being funded by the sale ofCairns and Mackay airports together with the sale of our 12% stake in Brisbane Airport.

More than $200 million is allocated towards our program of building three new tertiary hospitals inthe south east corner: the Gold Coast University Hospital, the Queensland Children’s Hospital and theSunshine Coast Hospital.

$55 million will commence the $240 million expansion of the Robina Hospital on the Gold Coast.A funding injection of $7 million this year will go towards an expansion of the Emergency

Department at the Townsville Hospital, while $10 million is also provided to bring on line more beds aswe fulfil our election commitment to Townsville.

The upgrade of the Rockhampton Hospital Emergency Department will continue, and more than$15 million will be spent on the Yeppoon Hospital Redevelopment. A new community based careinitiative will be piloted at Toowoomba Hospital.

The Budget also allocates $200 million over four years to sustain increased elective surgeryactivity and to relieve pressure on other essential health services.

Other new funding provided includes:• $54.9 million over four years to meet the increased demand for medical aids, together with

increased subsidies for clients of the Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme• $45.6 million over three years for new health technology and equipment with a further $3.9 million

over three years to enhance the Tele-Radiology Network to enable Queenslanders in regionaland remote areas access to rapid response radiology reporting

• $35.8 million to employ 50 new nurse practitioners over four years and train more nurses to workin neonatal intensive care units and special care nurseries


• Enhanced Maternity Care—$9 million over four years has been allocated to support the trial of apatient-focussed nurse-led, community-based midwifery model of care in rural and outer urbansites.Dental health is a priority of the Bligh Government and we are also allocating $14 million over

three years to acquire nine new mobile dental clinics and refurbish the existing fleet.We will also provide $26 million over the next four years in support of our decision to fluoridate

public water supplies—the single most important preventative health measure undertaken for ageneration, which will benefit generations to come.

Assisting our ElderlyMr Speaker, the generations of Queenslanders who have completed their working life and now

rely on fixed incomes find the cost of living particularly challenging.The Budget implements our commitment to introduce a Pensioner Water Subsidy Scheme for

eligible pensioners in the south-east corner to reduce the impact of increased water price rises in thefuture. This scheme, at a cost of $50 million over four years, will provide a rebate of $40 this year, risingto $100 in 2010-11.

This scheme is in addition to the Pensioner Rate Rebate Scheme which applies across the stateand provides up to $180 off local government rates charges.

To assist with rising energy costs the Government funds its commitment to introduce a$2.96 million Reticulated Natural Gas Rebate Scheme for pensioners and seniors. Around 50,000pensioner and concession card holders will benefit from the rebate, which we will index by CPI.

Today I announce the allocation of $10.6 million to increase the pensioner and seniors electricityrebate by $20 to $165. The increase in the rebate at 13.8% is more than double the announced 5.3%increase to electricity prices and demonstrates our commitment to assisting our elderly Queenslanderswith rise in the cost of electricity.

Mr Speaker, many Queenslanders have a need for ongoing care and with an ageing populationthis proportion of the State’s population will grow. To assist our seniors, the Government will change anumber of State tax arrangements that apply to Queensland’s aged care facilities and affectQueensland’s aged persons.

We will make aged care facilities, under the Commonwealth’s Aged Care Act, exempt from landtax.

We will extend the principal place of residence land tax exemption when the owner is absent dueto illness or care requirements—a situation often encountered by the elderly.

These changes will ease the burden on many older Queenslanders and will be subject toappropriate safeguards to ensure the benefits reach their intended recipients. The value of these taxreforms is calculated at $5 million in savings to older Queenslanders.

Climate Change and the EnvironmentMr Speaker, dealing with climate change is not only the dominant environmental challenge of our

time, it’s the dominant economic challenge before us.Pricing carbon, calibrating climate change into our economy, will have ramifications for

generations to come. Denying and doing nothing is not an option to be contemplated.The Budget will fund a new service, the ClimateSmart Home Service, to assist households to

meet the challenges of climate change.The service is modelled on the successful the Home WaterWise Service—and we will make this

new service available State-wide.The new ClimateSmart Home Service—funded through the Queensland Climate Change Fund—

will assist Queensland households with curtailing energy use, reducing greenhouse gas emissions andsaving money on energy bills.

Residents will receive over $250 worth of value for a $50 fee which will include the installation ofa wireless energy monitor, providing up to 15 compact fluorescent light bulbs, a water efficient showerrose per household and a comprehensive energy audit.

Climate change will have disproportionate impacts on different households and on differentlocations.

Accordingly, $7.25 million has been allocated over four years for the ClimateSmart HomesRebate Program to provide financial incentives for households and small business in isolated andremote areas of the State to implement energy conservation measures.


The Budget also provides the $50 million planned for the Queensland Renewable Energy Fund tosupport the commercialisation of new technologies as well as the $50 million planned for the SmartEnergy Savings Fund.

The Funds will support Queensland businesses to implement energy efficient technologies inbuildings, appliances and industrial processes.

The Funds will reduce greenhouse gases, and save business money.Other environmental initiatives funded in this Budget include:

• the $17 million for a structural adjustment package for commercial fishers affected by the MoretonBay Marine Park Zoning Plan, to secure the long term health of the bay,

• $12 million for land management under the new Cape York Peninsula Heritage Act, and• over $60 million in additional funding over four years for an expanded State-wide compliance

program for environmentally relevant activities, including on industrial sites.Indigenous QueenslandersMr Speaker, governments through history have struggled to improve the circumstances of our

Indigenous population.Determined as we are to confront this challenge, our government is tackling the root causes of

disadvantage and trauma.A new regime to tackle alcohol abuse and reduce harm, including divesting local councils of

canteens to break the link between alcohol profits and council coffers, is being supported by more than$58 million in funding over four years.

This allocation will deliver new alcohol and drug detoxification and rehabilitation programs,diversionary activities, family support programs and greater enforcement of alcohol restrictions as wellas compensating councils for lost revenue from canteen closures.

We are also providing $40 million over five years, commencing in 2007-08, for the Cape YorkWelfare Reform initiative, an investment in breaking the cycle of generational disadvantage.

We are increasing our funding to those most in need—indigenous children. We will provide$21.5 million for facilities for pre-Prep programs for children aged between three and a half and four anda half in indigenous communities.

More than $13.6 million will be allocated to build and operate four residentials to house childrentaken into care with another $10.4 million to operate safe havens for indigenous children affected byfamily violence.

The success of the PCYC program in indigenous communities will be built upon with an injectionof $7.6 million over four years.

We don’t want to just repair damage, we want to provide a future for our indigenous population. Ahealthy future, a safe and economic future that recognises unique cultures.

New funds will support improved land management and tenure reform to promote economicdevelopment and enable the provision of essential infrastructure on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderlands.

An additional $4.7 million will be provided over three years to support the growth anddevelopment of the vibrant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts industry—a pathway to prosperityfor the future.

Safer Queensland CommunitiesMr Speaker, prosperity provides opportunity. Opportunity allows for potential, and we aspire to

safe and supportive communities to nurture that opportunity.This Budget sees funding to the Queensland Police Service increase by $134 million to

$1.57 billion in 2008-09, a 9% increase.An extra 200 police will ensure we maintain our election commitment to having a police to

population ratio at national levels. An initial $3.5 million over four years is provided to the Office of theDirector of Public Prosecutions to increase the number of prosecutors. An assessment of futureresourcing of the DPP is an early priority this financial year. The State Coroner also receives a fundingincrease.

Construction on the new $600 million Supreme and District Courthouse in Brisbane willcommence.

In addition, this year sees construction start on the new South East Queensland CorrectionalPrecinct near Gatton with $196 million in this Budget.


The $445 million expansion of Lotus Glen Correctional Centre in Far North Queensland will alsocommence and $11.4 million is allocated for the purchase of land and detailed planning for increasedyouth detention capacity at the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre in North Queensland.

Transport Infrastructure and Congestion BustingMr Speaker, strong population and economic growth, particularly in South East Queensland, is

putting increasing pressure on our roads and public transport. It’s adding to costs within the economy,and costing commuting families precious time.

We are in the midst of the single biggest program of infrastructure upgrades: roads, tunnels,busways, bridges, extending and duplicating rail-lines.

It’s a program that reaches across the State.As we speak, cars are travelling along the $543m Tugun Bypass, opened in the last hour—6

months ahead of schedule.250 buses are running beneath our city centre through the $333m Inner Northern Busway tunnel,

opened ahead of schedule.Queenslanders can see the $980 million we have spent on the Gateway Bridge duplication and

upgrade so far, and we will spend half a billion more this year as the bridge climbs above the ground.You can see the $68 million we have spent on the Houghton Highway duplication, and we will

spend $150 million in this Budget as the bridge stretches over to Redcliffe.You can see the $52 million on the Caloundra Road upgrade. We will spend $27 million to finish it

this year. And we’ll finish the Pacific Paradise interchange and David Low Way access on the SunshineMotorway with $32 million this year on top of the $52 million we’ve already spent.

You can see the $21 million spent building the new Hospital bridge in Mackay, and we’ll spend$11 million this year to finish it along with $66 million on the Forgan Bridge.

You can see the $76 million spent on the Townsville Ring Road already, and we’ll finish it off thisyear with $42 million in this Budget.

This year we will ramp up our spend on transport infrastructure to service the Western Corridor—the growth corridor of the south-east corner.

We will allocate $200 million to the widening of the Ipswich Motorway.A massive $254 million will see the work on the Darra to Springfield transport corridor—

duplicating the Centenary Highway and duplicating the rail line to enable the extension to Springfield. Twelve new three car train sets will arrive this year as the Budget funds $162 million over the next

four years for an order of 58 new three car units for future years. That’s more train carriages on the lineto cope with demand increases.

More than $168 million will be pumped into the TransLink public transport system to pay for moreservices including funding for 90 new buses for Brisbane this financial year.

$10 million will be set aside next year to pursue strategies including proven initiatives whichpromote public transport, cycling and walking.

Delivering on InfrastructureThe Budget’s record $6.968 billion transport and roads capital works program heads up the single

biggest infrastructure funding program ever financed in this State.This year the capital budget is a massive $17 billion—up 21% on last year’s budget.That’s $17 billion to be invested over the next 12 months across our state.To put that in perspective, on average other states will spend $733 per person on capital works in

2008-09. This budget provides for Queensland to spend $1,541 per person: more than double.Today Mr Speaker, following a major review, the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and

Program for 2008-2026 is released.The Plan provides for expenditure of $107 billion over the period with the highlights including:

• $83.5 billion on road, rail and public transport • $8 billion on water infrastructure• $3.5 billion over five years on energy projects, and• $12 billion in social and community infrastructure.

A massive task—the $9 billion Water Grid has a watershed year. More than $2.2 billion is beinginvested in this Budget to finish: • The $900 million Southern Regional Pipeline to be fully operational by the end of November • The $2.5 billion Western Corridor Recycled Water Project to be completed in December


• Stage 1 of the Northern Pipeline Interconnectors to be completed by December, and• the $1.2 billion Gold Coast Desalination Project at Tugun to be fully operational by January 2009

and we will continue the work on other vital projects such as the Traveston Crossing Dam.An improved export performance for next financial year comes on the back of capacity

enhancements in export infrastructure, including our $5.4 billion Coal Transport InfrastructureInvestment Program.

We have already invested $96 million in the expansion of the Abbot Point Coal Terminal to 21mtpa which opened in November. We have already announced approval for the next stage through to 25mtpa at a further cost of $95 million and today I announce that we will double capacity at Abbot PointCoal Terminal to 50 mtpa in a massive $818 million project.

This investment, supported through the Future Growth Fund, is an investment in exports. It’s avote of confidence in our resources sector and demonstrates our commitment to acceleratingexpansion.

We have also given the green light to a $107 million project to upgrade the Mount Isa rail link toimprove export efficiency for the Northern Minerals Province.

This year QR will invest $400 million on the Jilalan Yard Upgrade in central Queensland, andmore than $300 million on upgrading the locomotive and wagon fleet.

The booming Bowen Basin will be further supported with a $150 million commitment to roadsbuilding, including an upgrade to the Dawson Highway at the Calliope Range and work on theLeichhardt Highway to improve flood immunity and safety.

As our economy powers forward, our energy sector will invest $3.1 billion in the statewidenetwork as we build for growth.

Mr Speaker, we are right in the middle of the resources boom, and that requires a boom ininfrastructure spending. We are committed to sustaining that prosperity, and for all of Queensland toshare in that prosperity.

State Royalties Reform PackageMr Speaker, the people of Queensland, as the owners of the resource, should receive a fair share

of the resource value of our minerals.The mining industry is experiencing boom times at the moment—suggesting our mineral wealth

has been undervalued in the past.The Government has examined all of Queensland’s royalty arrangements, many of which have

been in place for many years.Profitability of mining is soaring as is the value of Queensland’s mineral wealth. Coal prices in

particular are sharply increasing, trebling in some cases. There is also an expected moderation in pricesin future years.

Recent significant increases in contract prices for export coal have greatly increased the value ofour coal resource. This Budget introduces a coal royalty rate structure designed to increase the return tothe Queensland community as the value of coal increases.

A new two tier royalty for coal is to be introduced. The current 7% rate will apply to the value ofcoal produced by a mine below $100 per tonne and a higher 10% rate will apply to the value of coalabove $100. Should coal prices drop below $100, the existing 7% rate will apply.

New arrangements for base metals—which have also experienced sharp increases in value of upto 469% since 2000—will also be implemented.

These new arrangements will ensure Queenslanders receive an appropriate return for theirmineral wealth, help sustain the infrastructure to sustain export growth and help sustain thecommunities growing with the growth in mining.

Our reforms will also make the clean coal levy deductible for royalty purposes, and backdate thatto 2007. This recognises the need to focus on calibrating climate change into our economy, to meet theimperative of sustainability.

A range of new spending—from construction of a new drill core facility in Mount Isa to additionalmining inspectors to additional specialist staff at SIMTARS—demonstrates our commitment tosupporting the ongoing prosperity of our resources sector.

Growing the Queensland EconomyMr Speaker, with this infrastructure spend and our fiscal strategy aligned to the State’s economic

outlook, we are charting a course for future growth.We have long maintained not only a lead on other states when it comes to growth and to capital

works, but also when it comes to our taxation regime. As we meet the challenges of financing improvedservices and our infrastructure spend, we seek also to maintain our competitiveness.


Small to medium sized businesses stand to benefit from the total abolition of mortgage duty andland tax reforms outlined earlier.

Queensland currently has a highly competitive payroll tax regime—among the highest thresholdsin the country—at $1 million—and the lowest tax rate in country—of 4.75%. Roughly 1 in 10 businessesin Queensland pays payroll tax.

Today I announce a further reform, and a policy commitment to seeking to adjust this setting eachBudget I deliver.

The current threshold phases out at $4 million. This will be increased to $5 million from 1 July2008. This change will benefit over 40% of employers currently paying payroll tax.

Queensland will retain its competitive tax status with per capita state tax estimated at $2,342 in2008-09 compared to an average of $2,616 for the other states and territories.

It affirms our competitive edge, as we finance the biggest expansion in our State’s history.Budgeting for SurplusesMr Speaker, as Members will be aware, Queensland has financial assets set aside to meet future

employee superannuation and other obligations. These funds are invested with Queensland InvestmentCorporation.

While the intention is that these funds earn a long term average rate of 7.5%, the actual returnshave fluctuated between minus 5% and plus 21% over the past seven years.

The returns on these investments are not available for other purposes. However, movements ininvestment returns have had a significant impact on the Budget’s headline operating balance, althoughnot its capacity to fund services.

The Government has decided to transfer the financial assets set aside to meet future employeeand other obligations to the Queensland Treasury Corporation.

The transfer will allow Queensland to remove the earnings volatility from the Budget’s netoperating balance in the General Government sector. The funds will continue to be reported in theReport on State Finances, tabled in the Parliament annually and signed off by the Auditor-General.

This change has been discussed with ratings agencies, Moody’s and Standard and Poors, whosupport the move and have confirmed this reform will not in any way jeopardise our AAA credit rating.

Last year’s Budget forecast an operating surplus of $268 million for 2007-08. This was reviseddown to $213 million at the Mid Year Economic and Fiscal Review, which noted explicitly that ourinvestment earnings were then below the 7.5% long term average assumed in that report, and inBudgets before it.

The headline estimated actual outcome for 2007-08 is a deficit of $995 million. This is due to thebuffeting of our investment returns from the fallout of global financial turmoil with returns to mid-May of2% rather than the long term average of 7.5% achieved.

The estimated actual result for the 2007-08 underlying surplus is $272 million, marginally abovethe original Budget forecast.

The Budget I present today, with a record infrastructure spend, with a record injection into ourhealth and hospital systems and with our tax reforms to stamp duty and other taxes paid for, is framedwith a surplus in 2008-09 of $809 million, the second highest budgeted surplus in a decade.

The strength of that forecast is very much built on the upside from our resources sector, andaccordingly the forecast surpluses are moderating over time as prices are expected to moderate.

The strong surpluses I am budgeting for in 2008-09 and 2009-10 will greatly assist in funding ourrecord capital program.

Under our legislated Charter of Social and Fiscal Responsibility, responsible borrowings may onlybe undertaken for investment in capital expansion—like long term infrastructure.

We will continue with our strategy of modest, responsible and economically appropriateborrowings in this Budget.

Our interest expense on Budget in 2008-09 will be just 1.5%. It will grow modestly as we expandexponentially to average 2.4% of revenue over the full forward estimates forecast period.

In fact, our planned borrowings of $2.9 billion in 2008-09 are significantly lower than we forecastfor 2008-09 in last year’s Budget and at the Mid Year Review. Estimated net borrowings on Budget of$2.9 billion will finance the $6.65 billion capital program in the General Government sector.

Every business I know, every family I know, would love to have an interest expense of just 1.5%of revenue. This fiscal strategy underpins our economic strategy and its soundness is demonstrated inour continued prosperity.


Our Government Owned Corporations will also undertake responsible borrowings—underpinnedby commercial undertakings. They do as other businesses do. They will have a capital structure thatrecognises their operating environment.

Our financial assets will continue to exceed our financial liabilities in the Budget Sector: the fact isthe Queensland Budget has no net debt. Our debt levels are sound, responsible and we maintain ourAAA credit rating. We equally maintain a critical assessment of our balance sheet, with a constantguiding principle of seeking maximum advantage for the Queensland taxpayer.

And looking to the future Mr Speaker, we passionately believe in opportunity, in giving every child every chance to prosper.It’s not just economics—its our passion.We are funding for growth and for the future.Our investment in education and training tops $6 billion for the first time.We will expand our teaching and teacher aide workforce by 270 this coming year, as we meet the

task of educating the next generation of Queenslanders.The Budget provides for a $100 million 2 year injection into school maintenance through the

Tomorrow’s Schools initiative.That will spike maintenance spending, recognising that many of our schools are older than our

federation. As anyone who owns a Queenslander knows, with heritage comes obligation.Beyond the normal capital program funded each year for education, we are funding two new

schools both on the northern parts of the baby booming Gold Coast. $56 million will build a new primary school at Western Oxenford and a new High School at

Ormeau. In fact, three of the four new schools to be funded in this Budget are on the Gold Coast.The fourth school—a new primary school in the North Lakes area—will be in addition to an

announced primary school in Ormeau around Norfolk Village.The students of these new schools will enter a system graduating a generation of school leavers

moving into an employment market not seen before.That requires an investment in skills, in post school qualifications. Our future lies in the Smart

State. That’s where our economic future lies—in skills enhancement, in investing in human capital.The Budget recognises the immediacy of the skills challenge—with additional funding of

$43.4 million over four years to increase apprenticeship and traineeship training places with over 7,500places in 2008-09.

The Budget provides $50 million over two years, commencing in 2009-10, for the development ofspecialist trade campuses at Acacia Ridge, Mackay and Townsville.

While we arm ourselves with the skills in demand, we need also to look beyond immediatedemands and look to the future over the horizon.

Not just in skills development, but in the demands of our community. Of an ageing population, of acommunity with changing expectations and changing demography.

Of a Queensland community where the most common type of household is no longer parents andthe kids. The makeup of homes throughout the State will dramatically change with couples withoutchildren and lone persons households overtaking couples with children by 2011.

Where we will live longer, have fewer children, and later. Where medical technology will greatlyenhance quality of care for illness, while rates of illness are expected to greatly increase.

Our abiding commitment to increased disability services funding goes to the core of ourGovernment’s beliefs. This year we will increase the budget for Disability Services Queensland to$1.23 billion—a 14% increase.

This Budget will provide Disability Services Queensland with $99 million over four years toincrease early intervention and other support services available to people with a disability inQueensland.

This is about supporting people with a disability—and their carers, their families—to avoid crisis.To provide for sustainable living in the most nurturing environment, within their own homes and

amongst their loved ones whether their disability is physical or mental—this funding is not about leastdollar cost, it’s about least cost to individuals and their families.

We will also increase the budget for the Department of Child Safety—which will be $592 million in2008-09.

More than $15 million is allocated to recruit 40 new frontline child safety workers along withadditional support for existing workers at the coalface.

1858 Attendance 03 Jun 2008

An additional $14 million is allocated for family early intervention services to help avoid theincalculable human cost of family breakdown and harm to children.

Across Government we face the challenge of meeting the demands from growth—in everyservice, and in every way.

As we seek to meet that demand we are quarantining funds for front-end solutions that can avoidall the costs of back-end fixes—both human and economic.

I announce a $70 million allocation over four years for a new Prevention and Early InterventionIncentives Pool.

The funding will be allocated to departments on a contestable basis for innovative projects wherethere is the potential to improve longer term outcomes—not in immediate raw dollar terms, but in thecurrency more relevant to our central beliefs as a Government: in the avoidable human cost of suffering,breakdown, abuse or harm.

The fund will be an incubator of policy innovation and looks beyond the immediacy of thisParliament’s challenges and focuses on a longer term view. We are investing today, for the benefit of ourtomorrows.

ConclusionMr Speaker,this Budget funds the frontline services to meet today’s demands.It funds a record injection into our health and hospital system.It is delivering on infrastructure today for tomorrow.It smashes stamp duty for Queenslanders trying to break into home ownership.It looks to the future challenges of a growing State with a global outlook.It confronts the central challenge of our times: climate change and its impacts on the household.It provides for Queenslanders to receive a fair share of our resource value.It uses that dividend to provide services and infrastructure for all Queenslanders.This Budget recognises our circumstances—smack bang in the middle of an unprecedented

boom. The decisions we make as a community right now matter. We are charting a course for growth, for

a new Queensland not even imagined just a few short years ago.It is the first Budget of the Bligh Government. It lays down our priorities for the future well beyond

electoral cycles.We look to the longer term and to the need to invest now and take on the huge tasks before us.We look forward with confidence, commitment and courage as we seek to include all

Queenslanders in our bright future.I commend the Bill to the House. Debate, on motion of Mr Springborg, adjourned.

ADJOURNMENTHon. RE SCHWARTEN (Rockhampton—ALP) (Leader of the House) (3.19 pm): I move—

That the House do now adjourn.

Question put—That the House do now adjourn.Motion agreed to.The House adjourned at 3.19 pm.

ATTENDANCEAttwood, Barry, Bligh, Bombolas, Boyle, Copeland, Cripps, Cunningham, Darling, Dempsey,

Dickson, Elmes, English, Fenlon, Finn, Flegg, Foley, Fraser, Gibson, Grace, Gray, Hayward, Hinchliffe,Hobbs, Hoolihan, Hopper, Horan, Jarratt, Johnson, Jones, Keech, Kiernan, Knuth, Langbroek, Lavarch,Lawlor, Lee Long, Lee, Lingard, Lucas, McArdle, McNamara, Male, Malone, Menkens, Messenger,Mickel, Miller, Moorhead, Mulherin, Nelson-Carr, Nicholls, Nolan, O’Brien, Palaszczuk, Pitt, Pratt,Reeves, Reilly, Reynolds, Rickuss, Roberts, Robertson, Schwarten, Scott, Seeney, Shine, Simpson,Smith, Spence, Springborg, Stevens, Stone, Struthers, Stuckey, Sullivan, van Litsenburg, Weightman,Welford, Wellington, Wells, Wendt, Wettenhall, Wilson

Documents

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS - Queensland Parliament