QUESTIONS ON NOTICE - parliament.qld.gov.au · 21 Apr 1998 Questions on Notice 639 QUESTIONS ON NOTICE ... (2/4/98): (1) (2) & (3) ... (2) The Employment Security Policy has proven

21 Apr 1998 Questions on Notice 639

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE1425. Building Better Schools Program,

Ashgrove Electorate

Amended answer by Minister for Education. See alsop. 5177, 31 December 1997

Mr FOURAS asked the Minister for Education(25/11/97)—

With reference to the Building Better Schools Programwhich was instigated in 1995—How much has been expended under this excellentprogram at State primary schools in the AshgroveElectorate namely (a) Ashgrove State School, (b)Payne Road State School, (c) Oakleigh State School,(d) Hilder Road State School and (e) Newmarket StateSchool?

Mr QUINN (5/3/98): Education Queenslandhas expended $1,554,343 on the Building BetterSchools program at Ashgrove, Payne Road, Oakleigh,Hilder Road and Newmarket State Schools.

1 . Kajabbi, Construction of School

Mr McGRADY asked the Minister forEducation (3/3/98)—

With reference to the people of the township ofKajabbi who are attempting to secure theestablishment of a school for their children and asthere are currently 18 children in Kajabbi of which 12are of school age and as the establishment of theschool has received not only my support but also thesupport of the Mayor of the Cloncurry Shire Council—

(1) Will a school be built in Kajabbi?(2) Is a major factor against the establishment of a

school that the mining operation of Mt Cuthbertrelies on a fly-in fly-out workforce.

(3) Is he aware that only one family in the townshiphas a child with direct association with the mine?

(4) What other factors are holding back a decisionto provide a school for Kajabbi?

(5) When can the people of Kajabbi expect a finaldecision from him on this matter?Mr Quinn (15/4/98):

(1) Consideration of the need to provide schools inparticular areas is undertaken by EducationQueensland which then makes a recommendation tome.Education Queensland, in considering the need forschools, operates within the context of state strategicplanning and applies appropriate service standards.This government has established a framework forstrategic planning which is now being incorporated inthe service standards used by EducationQueensland. The case for a school at Kajabbi will be analysed byEducation Queensland in this context. Anyrecommendation to me will then be made from thatperspective, and take account of the availability offunds and priorities for their use.

(2) No.(3) Yes.

(4) Education Queensland is monitoring the situation.It has not recommended a school. A decision will bemade once a recommendation is received.

(5) The situation is being monitored. I do not expect arecommendation from Education Queensland for aschool unless there is some material change to theexisting situation.

2 . Premier's Office, Staff Designationsand Salaries

Mr BEATTIE asked the Premier (3/3/98)—What is the name, designation and salary range ofeach of the staff members currently included in thestaffing complement of the Premier's Office, includingany departmental liaison, administrative or mediaofficer attached to the Premier's Office.

Mr Borbidge (2/4/98): Staff of the Office of thePremier are listed in the phone listing for theDepartment of the Premier and Cabinet.

There are no Departmental liaison, administrative ormedia officer attached to the Office of the Premier.

The Office is staffed with fewer personnel than wasthe case under the former Labor Premier, but in similardesignations.

3 . Public Housing

Mr NUTTALL asked the Minister for PublicWorks and Housing (3/3/98)—

With reference to his department's policy not toconstruct public housing dwellings where the landcomponent is in excess of $100,000—

(1) When was this policy introduced?

(2) Will this restrict the areas throughout the State,and in particular in the Brisbane metropolitanarea, where public housing can be constructed,therefore impacting with a higher density ofpublic housing in certain suburbs and not in more"affluent" areas?

(3) Will he explain why it would not be in theinterests of fairness or equity to tenants andother applicants to build public housing in areaswhere the land component is in excess of$100,000, particularly when the land is already inthe ownership of the Department of Housing?

Dr Watson (2/4/98): (1) (2) & (3) Thedepartment has no formal policy in place which puts adollar limit on the purchase of land. As the premise isfalse, the remaining questions are not relevant.

4 . Home Help Services

Mr HAMILL asked the Minister for Health(3/3/98)—

With reference to the provision of home helpservices—

(1) What is the budget for home help for each ofQueensland Health's districts?

(2) How many people receive home help in each ofQueensland Health's districts?

640 Questions on Notice 21 Apr 1998

(3) What was the budget for home help in 1996-97and how many Queenslanders received servicesunder the scheme?

Mr Horan (1/4/98):

(1) The total home help funding under the CoalitionGovernment is now $124 million, compared with $101million under the previous Goss Labor Government,an increase of almost 25% in just two years under theCoalition Government.

(2) Currently, home help services are provided to94,000 Queenslanders, a significant increase on the73,400 people who received assistance in 1995 underthe previous State and Federal Labor governments

(3) Refer to (1) and (2).

5 . Public Service, Employment Security

Mr FOURAS asked the Premier (3/3/98)—

With reference to the policy of "Employment Securityfor the Queensland Public Service" championed bythe Premier in September 1997, and also to the draftOrganisational Change Guidelines prepared by theOffice of the Public Service on 10 October 1997—

(1) Will he confirm that the work being undertakenby the Office of the Public Service, driven byChief Executives of a number of departments,and in particular the head of Treasury, DrMcTaggart, is a retreat from the commitmentsgiven by the Premier in September 1997; inparticular, does the document, on page 3, givethe "green" light to significant outsourcingproviding there are savings of more than 10 percent; if so, what impact will this have onemployment security for Queensland's PublicServants?

(2) Is it a fact that the turmoil facing theGovernment on Public Service security is adirect result of the fact that the Premierdeliberately and surreptitiously took asubmission to Cabinet on Public Serviceemployment which does not have supportacross Government, that he did it in the absenceof the Treasurer and the Treasury is nowdictating Government policy on the PublicService?

Mr Borbidge (2/4/98):

(1) The final version of the Organisational ChangeGuidelines referred to by the Member for Ashgrovewere approved by the Government on 15 December1997. These were prepared by the Office of the PublicService following extensive consultation within thepublic service and with the unions, and apply to allGovernment Departments, including the teaching,health, police, fire and ambulance services.

One of the principles of the Employment SecurityPolicy was that further outsourcing of governmentservices would be limited to those situations wherethe public service workforce could not attain anacceptable level of service delivery and value formoney.

The Guidelines reinforce this principle, requiring thatthe public service workforce be given sufficientopportunity and support, over a reasonable time

period, to achieve best practice performancestandards.

Consistent with the Government's intention ofrestricting further outsourcing, the Guidelines requiretwo stringent tests be met before an existingGovernment service is considered for outsourcing.The first is aimed at ensuring that any outsourcingwhich is approved will provide a reasonable return forGovernment (set at a minimum of $200,000 per annumin net avoidable costs); and the second considers thecost performance of the in-house workforce (whichmust exceed the cost of an alternative serviceprovider, including all workforce transition costs suchas Voluntary Early Retirement payments, by morethan 10%).

Rather than giving a "green" light to furtheroutsourcing, the Guidelines actually place significantbarriers to further outsourcing of Governmentservices. These require Cabinet approval, and will notbe approved unless there are real and demonstrablereturns to the Queensland community.

(2) The Employment Security Policy has proven to bevery effective. Since its introduction, noredundancies have been approved by the PublicService Commissioner, and public servants areassured of maximum employment security.Full consultation has occurred across the publicservice and within Cabinet.

6 . Rockhampton Airport

Mr PEARCE asked the Minister for NaturalResources (3/3/98)—With reference to the proposed extensions to theRockhampton Airport runway and the WaterResources Commission's 'Rockhampton FloodManagement Study—November 1992' whichrecommended that "no new development of aresidential, commercial or industrial nature bepermitted in designated floodways", and given that theextended runway will be across designatedfloodways, with possible impacts on flood levels,velocity and direction—(1) What safeguards will he insist on to ensure that

the health and safety of residents in the floodimpact zone is protected?

(2) Will he ensure that residents in the flood impactzone are compensated where it is proven thatthe constructed extended runway was theprobable cause of changes in flood movementand levels, therefore causing damage toproperty?

Mr Springborg (30/3/98):

(1) At the outset it should be noted that the FitzroyShire Council is the responsible approval authority forRockhampton City Council's proposals for theRockhampton Airport extensions. Those extensionsare located within the boundaries of the Fitzroy Shireand Rockhampton City Council is seeking approvalfrom the Fitzroy Shire under the Local Government(Planning and Environment) Act 1990.

Furthermore my Department of Natural Resources hasno legislative authority to deal with overland floodflows on the Fitzroy River floodplain as this locality is


not a designated area for those purposes under theprovisions of the Water Resources Act 1989 nor hasthe local government introduced local laws for suchpurposes under the Local Government Act 1993.

As required under the Local Government (Planningand Environment) Act 1990 the Rockhampton CityCouncil prepared an Environmental Impact Statement(EIS) which has examined flood impacts. The FitzroyShire Council has now requested further detailedinformation on key issues addressed in this study,including flooding, following a number of concernsraised by Government agencies and objectors to theTown Planning Consent application.

In response the Rockhampton City Council will beundertaking further studies including mathematicalmodelling of flooding as an extension of previousmodelling developed for the 1992 Rockhampton FloodManagement Study.Clearly the responsibility for the approval processrests with the Fitzroy Shire Council which will need toconsider the impact of flooding as further informationbecomes available. My Department's officers areavailable to provide advice if required by the FitzroyShire Council.(2) For this development the Fitzroy Shire Council canaddress matters of concern through the TownPlanning Consent process to safeguard residentsagainst impacts of flooding or to ensure appropriatemitigation measures are employed. The need toconsider issues relating to compensation areeffectively part of that process.

7 . Commercialisation of Schools

Mr BREDHAUER asked the Minister forEducation (3/3/98)—With reference to the review committee establishedunder Mr Pat Comben to investigate thecommercialisation of Queensland schools—

(1) What are the terms of reference of the reviewand what deadline has been placed on thecommittee to report to the Minister?

(2) Is Mr Comben being paid $1,250 per meeting toundertake this review plus travel andaccommodation costs; if not, what are the termsof his engagement including the term of hisappointment?

(3) What allowances, including meeting costs,travel and accommodation, are provided forother members of the committee?

(4) What is the total budget allocation for the work ofthis committee?

(5) Will he guarantee that the full report andrecommendations will be made available to thepublic?

Mr Quinn (15/4/98): (1) The Terms of Reference of the task force reviewingthe use of state schools for commercial purposes areas follows:

To examine existing government anddepartmental policies and frameworks relating tocommercial activities in schools;

To define the nature of "commercial activities" inQueensland state schools;

To investigate the extent of commercialactivities currently being undertaken within or byQueensland state schools;

To consult with key stakeholder and clientgroups and with other education systems;

To seek the advice of other relevant governmentdepartments, including Crown Law;

To develop, and submit for consideration by theMinister, a draft policy on commercial activitiesin Queensland state schools.

(2) No. Mr Comben is being paid substantially lessthan the $1,250 per meeting you have suggested.

The work expected of, and agreed to, by Mr Combeninvolves not only meetings of the task force but alsoextensive research, communication, discussiongroup convening, developmental and writing tasks,and planning between meetings. The term of MrComben's engagement will depend largely upon thecomplexity of the issue once further research hasbeen undertaken by officers of Education Queenslandand the continuing input of all members of the taskforce is obtained.

(3) Other members of the task force—involving union,principal, parent and community representatives—donot receive payment or allowances of any kind fortheir services.

(4) The total budget allocation for the work of thiscommittee, including printing and distribution of thereport, teleconference and telecommunication costs,and travel, totals $11,500. It is not expected,however, that this budgeted amount will be expended.

(5) I look forward to receiving, then sharing the fullreport and recommendations of Mr Comben's TaskForce with all members of the public. I am sure that, aswell as the printed version to be distributed widely, theunion, parent, principal and community members ofthe Task Force will assist in its dissemination withintheir own interest groups.

8 . Fraser Coast Health Service, VehicleFleet

Mr DOLLIN asked the Minister for Health(3/3/98)—

With reference to reports that the Fraser Coast HealthService employs a fleet of about 150 Commodoremotor vehicles throughout the region—

Is this correct; if not, will he advise the correct numberof vehicles in the fleet and the total monthly hire cost?

Mr Horan (1/4/98): This information isincorrect, the total number of Fraser Coast districtcommodore motor vehicles is 62 at the standardgovernment lease rate, well under half the 150 motorvehicle figure quoted by the Honourable Member.

Most of these motor vehicles are provided to staff, asper the requirements of the Medical and Allied HealthIndustrial awards.


9 . Inala Electorate, Remedial Assistancefor Students

Mr PALASZCZUK asked the Minister forEducation (3/3/98)—

With reference to the concerns of parents in myelectorate whose children were picked up in the year 2diagnostic net in 1996 as being in need of additionalremedial assistance and as these children are now inyear 4 and the children's' parents' claim that follow upremediation in year 4 is non-existent due mainly tofunding cuts in 1997-98—

Will he give his immediate attention to this seriousproblem, investigate and offer an explanation and asolution as soon as is practicable?

Mr Quinn (15/4/98): Schools were providedwith approximately $5.3 million in 1996 to supportthose children identified in the Year 2 Diagnostic Netas needing additional assistance in literacy and/ornumeracy.

This funding increased to $5.4 million in 1997. Therehave been no funding cuts as suggested by theHonourable Member.

The continuation of support for these children in Year4 and beyond would be undertaken by supportteachers (learning difficulties) and through otherprocesses identified in the school intervention plan.(i.e. the continuation of Support-A-Readerintervention)

The implementation of the Appraisement process forstudents with learning difficulties and learningdisabilities from mid 1998 will provide a process formodifying the curriculum to meet the needs ofstudents with literacy and numeracy difficulties.

The modification of the curriculum for these studentswill enable them to operate more successfully in theclassroom and may lead to additional support in theirliteracy and numeracy learning.

It is expected that such a process would be availablefor all primary students with learning difficulties andlearning disabilities in 1999.

10 . QIDC, Mortgage Documents

Mr SCHWARTEN asked the Minister forNatural Resources (3/3/98)—

With reference to a report in the Weekend section ofthe Courier-Mail of Saturday 28 February, whichstated that the QIDC has just inserted a clause in itsmortgage documents that the receipt of a Native Titleclaim can be an event of default—justifyingforeclosure—

(1) Is this correct; if so, what consultation occurredbetween his office, his department and QIDCover this matter, and when?

(2) Does he support this position being adopted bythe QIDC; if so, why?

(3) Does he believe that the QIDC, as part of thenew Suncorp/Metway superbank, is still asource of reliable "patient" finance to the ruralsector; if so, why?

Mr Springborg (30/3/98): (1) I am unaware of any consultation between myoffice or my department and the QIDC in relation tothis matter.

(2 & 3) These questions relate to issues falling outsidethe responsibilities of the Natural Resources portfolioand would be addressed more appropriately by themanagement of Suncorp-Metway, a publicly listedcompany of which QIDC is part.

11 . Power Stations, Reports of Faults

Mr MULHERIN asked the Minister for Minesand Energy (3/3/98)—

With reference to the recent crisis in the powerindustry—(1) How many plant fault reports have been issued

in the last 12 months at Tarong, Swanbank,Wivenhoe, Callide, Barron Gorge, Kareeya andStanwell power stations and Mackay, MiddleRidge and Rockhampton Gas Turbines?

(2) What percentage of these faults at each ofthese power stations have been repaired?

(3) When will the outstanding work at each of thesepower stations be completed?Mr Gilmore (3/4/98):

(1) The entities which own and operate the generatingplant referred to are Government OwnedCorporations. While owned by the Government, theseentities are autonomous corporations operating on acommercial basis and in a competitive environment. Itis not appropriate for the Government to get involvedin day to day management issues nor is it appropriateto publicly disclose commercially sensitiveinformation such as that sought by Mr Mulherin.

(2) As I have already stated, this information iscommercially sensitive and it is therefore notappropriate to publicly disclose these details.

(3) Again, as I have stated previously, this informationis commercially sensitive.

12 . Hamilton Island Gun Club, Theft ofHandgunsMr BARTON asked the Minister for Police and

Corrective Services and Minister for Racing (3/3/98)—

With reference to the theft of 23 handguns from theHamilton Island Gun Club on 3 January which includedan Uzi machine pistol and other high tech handguns—(1) At what stage is the investigation into this

incident?

(2) Were these weapons being held in accordancewith the law and stored in compliance with thelaw?

(3) Has anybody been charged with holding theweapons illegally?

(4) Has anyone been charged with the theft of theweapons?Mr Cooper (2/4/98):

(1) There are still two lines of investigation currently inprogress which detectives are following up. There are


no firm suspects for this offence and all informationfrom the public has been acted on to the fullest.Special Crime Circulars have been distributed to allpolice establishments containing a photograph andcomprehensive description of all the stolen weapons.

(2) All the firearms held by the Hamilton Island GunClub were appropriately licensed and registered underthe Weapons Act 1990. The Hamilton Island Gun Clubis an approved Shooting Club under Division 4 of thislegislation. The firearms were stored in a manner thatsatisfies the requirements of Section 60 of theWeapons Regulation 1996. The stolen firearms did notinclude an Uzi machine pistol. The firearm originallylisted as an Uzi machine pistol is an Uzi model IsraeliMilitary Industries 9 mm semi-automatic pistol. It is aUzi submachine gun look alike but is approximatelyone third the size and semi-automatic only. This typeof firearm is often used in metallic silhouette targetcompetitions.(3) All the firearms were Category H weapons and heldlegally. Therefore, no one has been charged withholding the weapons illegally.

(4) To date, no persons have been charged with thetheft of these weapons.

13 . Townsville General Hospital, KidneyTransplantsMr McELLIGOTT asked the Minister for

Health (3/3/98)—

As Garry Laffin, John Strange, Jason Betts and JimWebster are patients at Townsville General Hospitalwho receive dialysis treatment three times per weekand as they have been waiting for transplants for twoyears and more—(1) Have there been only three transplants to

Townsville/Thuringowa patients in the pasttwelve months; if so, what action will he take toincrease the number?

(2) When can these four patients realisticallyexpect to receive transplants?Mr Horan (1/4/98):

(1) Figures are kept by dialysis centre—not by citiesor electorates. In 1997, the North Queensland regionsupplied 25% of cadaver kidneys and had 23% oftransplants. This was made up of Townsville/Mackay10, and Cairns 11 patients transplanted in the pasttwelve months.

Allocation of cadaver kidneys is not made on ageographical basis. Allocation of kidneys is based ontissue matching and time on the waiting list. Thematching of donor and recipient kidneys is mostimportant. There is a national register. Where there isa perfect match, priority will be given withinAustralasia, not necessarily just in Queensland.Where two patients have "equal matching" the kidneyis given to the patient who has been longest on thewaiting list.

(2) The average time on the waiting list (for a cadaverorgan) is three years. This is due to the shortage ofcadaver donors. The low percentage of the populationwho offer their organs for donation after their deathcontinues to be a major concern. As a consequenceof the downturn, the Renal Transplant Program of the

Princess Alexandra Hospital has had to activelypromote living donor transplantation over the pastthree years. Living donor transplants have increasedfrom less than 3% to now 20% of all transplantationsperformed.Patients who are fortunate enough to have a matchingliving donor (almost always a relative) can often betransplanted much earlier.

14 . National Pollutant InventoryMr MILLINER asked the Minister for

Environment (3/3/98)—With reference to the recent decision of the NationalEnvironment Protection Council to list only 36pollutants on the National Pollutant Register—(1) Did he support a higher number of pollutants

being included on the register, the 36 thateventuated, or fewer, and how does he justifythis position?

(2) What are the 36 pollutants that did make it on tothe register?

(3) Does the USA have some 650 pollutants on theirregister?

(4) Did the environment movement in Queenslandinitially seek a minimum of 100 pollutants to beincluded and highly reluctantly saw the worstcase scenario being approximately 65pollutants?

(5) Which Queensland industry leaders andassociations pressured him to reduce the levelof pollutants to the figure of 36, on what basisdid they justify such an approach and on whatbasis did he accept their position?

(6) Does he believe this outcome is a responsibleone in light of the CJC's Matthews Inquiryfindings; if so, on what basis does he arrive atthis position?

(7) Isn't this just yet another example of theNational Party's headlong lurch to their pastrecord of environmental vandalism?Mr Littleproud (26/3/98): The member for

Ferny Grove is echoing the negative, anti-businessstance of his colleague, the Labor environmentspokesman and member for Everton, with the tone ofthis question. I would think that other colleagues suchas the member for Mount Isa would not agree with thisanti-industry stance.(1) However, the National Environment ProtectionMeasure (NEPM) for the National Pollutant Inventory(NPI), which was agreed to unanimously by theNational Environment Protection Council (NEPC) at itsmeeting on 27 February 1998, is the result of adetailed consultation process. Interested groups andindividuals had the opportunity to contribute to thedevelopment of the NEPM through several phases ofconsultation. I support the consultation process.I would point out that the list of 36 substances appliesonly to the first two years of implementation. From thethird year onwards, the list will be expanded to 90substances. Additionally, a comprehensive review ofthe NEPM is planned to commence in October 1999 totake account of early implementation experience. Thelist will be re-examined as part of this review.


(2) The 36 substances on the list to be reported in thefirst two years of implementation are:

Acetone; Arsenic & compounds; Benzene;1,3-Butadiene (vinyl ethylene); Cadmium &compounds; Carbon monoxide; Chromium (VI)compounds; Cobalt & compounds; Cyanide(inorganic) compounds; 1,2-Dibromoethane;Dichloromethane; 2-Ethoxyethanol;2-Ethoxyethanol acetate; Ethylene glycol(1,2-ethanediol); Fluoride compounds;Glutaraldehyde; Lead & compounds; Mercury &compounds; Methanol; Methyl ethyl ketone;Methyl isobutyl ketone; Methyl methacrylate;Nickel carbonyl; Nickel subsulphide; Oxides ofNitrogen; Particulate Matter 10.0 (m;Polychlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons; Sulphurdioxide; Sulphuric acid; Tetrachloroethylene;Toluene (methylbenzene); Toluene-2,4-diisocyanate; Total Nitrogen; TotalPhosphorous; Trichloroethylene; Xylenes(individual or mixed isomers)

(3) I am advised that for the 1997 reporting year, theUSA register contains 581 individually listedchemicals and 28 chemical categories (including 2delimited categories containing 39 chemicals).(4) This question should be better directed to theQueensland environment movement.

(5) Queensland industry leaders and associationswere included in the consultations, and madesubstantive contributions. All submissions from bothQueensland and other State and national bodies wereconsidered in reaching the final wording of the NEPM.

(6) The NPI is not designed to be an enforcement tool.It is a process for making information about emissionsavailable to the public, industry and government. Itseeks improved environmental performance throughaction by companies and individuals providingrelevant information.

Appropriate responses to the findings of the CJC'sMatthews Inquiry are being made through ongoingimplementation of the Environmental Protection Act1994, including the development of the EnvironmentalProtection Policy for waste management, and wastetracking regulations.

(7) The Commonwealth, all States and the NorthernTerritory fully supported the approved version of theNPI. (The Australian Capital Territory was in caretakermode.) The NEPM for the NPI is a major breakthroughin environmental management in Australia. For thefirst time, the community will have free access toinformation about emissions to the local environmentfrom a wide range of sources. Government andindustry policy makers will also have much moreinformation on which they can base decisions aboutemission reduction strategies. Coalition governmentsbelieve environmental issues are better dealt with byconsideration of social and economic factors which isdifferent from the 'over the top' enforcer attitude ofLabor.

15 . Power Stations, Repair of FaultsMr ROBERTSON asked the Minister for Mines

and Energy (3/3/98)—

With reference to television reports on 24 Februaryduring the power crisis which indicated that workers atone of the failed power stations offered to workovertime to effect repairs but management turnedthem down—

(1) Is this true; if so, at which power station did thisoccur?

(2) How did management at this station justify thisaction?

(3) If contractors were preferred to full-time staff,what was the justification for this bias?

(4) How many units were out of action at theGladstone Power Station during this crisis andhow long had this been the case and why?

Mr Gilmore (3/4/98): (1) Management of the three Government OwnedCorporations which own and operate the Stanwell,Swanbank and Tarong power stations have advisedme that employees at those power stations workedovertime on all essential repair items to expedite thereturn to service of the failed generating units.However, overtime was not worked in non-essentialareas. I am not aware of the arrangements at theprivately owned Gladstone Power Station.(2) In view of the answer to the earlier question, thisquestion is irrelevant.

(3) Contractors are used to supplement the efforts ofthe permanent staff at the power stations, particularlywhere specialist skills are needed. Employees andcontractors involved in repairs to the failed generatingplant worked through the night when necessary, toexpedite its return to service.(4) As Gladstone Power Station is privately owned, Isuggest you refer your question to the owner oroperator of that Station.

16 . Bulimba Electorate, Power Supply

Mr PURCELL asked the Minister for Mines andEnergy (3/3/98)—(1) Will he supply the interruptions to power supply

in the Electorate of Bulimba for the years 1996,1997 and till the present date?

(2) Will he break these interruptions of power intothe suburbs they occurred in, the time theyoccurred, how long interruptions occurred forand the reason for interruption of supply?Mr Gilmore (3/4/98):

(1) The Queensland State Parliament, Electorate ofBulimba is supplied by radial 11kV feeders which areconnected to ENERGEX's Bulimba, Hemmant,Murarrie, Queensport and Camp Hill zone substations.These are extensive feeders which supply areas bothinside and outside that electorate. It is possible forENERGEX to supply some summary details ofinterruptions to the feeders supplying power to theElectorate of Bulimba.

(2) The attached table contains the available summaryinformation for the feeders generally supplying theElectorate of Bulimba that sustained power supplyinterruptions in the period. There are a total ofthirty-five feeders supplying electricity to installations


in the Bulimba Electorate. Only seventeen of thesefeeders sustained interruptions. Data for the supplyinterruptions occurring on 23 & 24 February as a resultof load shedding is not included.

17 . Petrie Bypass

Mrs LAVARCH asked the Minister forTransport and Main Roads (3/3/98)—

With reference to the proposed Petrie by-pass andfurther to his answer to Question on Notice No. 600—Has the route location and impact assessment studybeen commenced?

Mr Johnson (2/4/98): As I advised in myanswer to your Question on Notice of 4 June 1997, thecommencement of the study is dependent uponconfirmation of the potential viability of the route inPine Rivers Shire Council's Shire TransportationStudy.

As Council has not yet completed its study, a decisionon the priority of a route location and impactassessment study of the Petrie Bypass has not yetbeen taken. I am advised that Council is not able tonominate a completion date for its ShireTransportation Study.

Consequently, I cannot advise when the Departmentof Main Roads may commence a study on the PetrieBypass.

18 . Construction of Schools, HealthHazards

Mr BRISKEY asked the Minister for Education(3/3/98)—(1) What departmental policies exist with respect to

disturbances/occupational health andsafety/environmental health hazards caused byconstruction and/or renovation of schoolbuildings/classrooms when such work is beingundertaken while classes are being conductedadjacent or nearby the construction site?

(2) Are conditions imposed on contractors tominimise the problems identified in (1) as amatter of course in such contracts?

(3) What departmental monitoring takes place toensure compliance with all relevant guidelinesand policies concerning occupational healthand safety/environmental healthhazards/disturbances, etc?

(4) When a given project is being scheduled, is aplan forwarded to schools for consultation withteaching staff with respect to educational needs(and the disturbance impacts upon them) prior tothe final scheduling of the construction?Mr Quinn (15/4/98):

(1) & (2) The standard Department of Public Worksand Housing Specification, Special Conditions ofContract and Australian Standard General Conditionsof Contract (AS2124-1992), which forms part of allbuilding contracts undertaken for EducationQueensland are very specific on these issues. Underthe statutory requirements under the contract, thecontractor is bound to conform to the following—

(a) Work Place Health and Safety Act 1995(b) Building Code of Australia

(c) Contractor's Site Area/Temporary Safety Fence

(d) Dust and Noise Control

(e) Australia Standard—

General Conditions of Contract (AS2124-1992)

Clause 15 Protection of People andProperty

Clause 17 Damage to Persons andProperty

(3) The Department's Project Manager, which in mostcases is the Department of Public Works andHousing, monitors construction activity to ensurecompliance with conditions of contract. The SchoolPrincipal as the accountable officer on site forEducation Queensland is also responsible forensuring no activity takes place which compromisesthe operation of the school.

(4) During the construction planning stage of a projectthe school community is consulted through thePrincipal as to the impact on the educationalenvironment of the school. Obviously all projects andschool sites are different and the impact on theeducational environment can vary widely. Where thework impacts significantly on the schools functioningor risks the health of students it is normallyprogrammed to be executed out of school hours.

19 . Industry Licensing Requirements

Mr WELFORD asked the Minister forEnvironment (3/3/98)—

With reference to his recent decision to exempt some2,500 industries from licensing requirements underthe Environmental Protection Act—

(1) How can bitumen plants be exempted when itwas his Government who only recentlysuccessfully prosecuted one of the few bitumenplants in Brisbane for pollution violations?

(2) How can timber processing plants be exemptedwhen one of the State's mass circulationnewspapers is currently running a series ofarticles on possible serious health effectsstemming from the CSR particle-board factory inthe Gympie area and which his department hasadmitted is being too overworked to properlyinvestigate?

(3) How can battery recycling plants be exemptedwhen a serious land and water contaminationissue in the Oxley district was discovered only inrecent years and involved the intelligencedebilitating heavy metal, lead?

(4) How can waste tyre dumps and recycling plantsbe exempt when it was his Government thatregarded this problem as being so serious as towarrant a consumer based tax in the 1996/97Budget?

(5) Isn't this just yet another example of theNational Party's headlong plunge back to itsdays of environmental lunacy?


Mr Littleproud (26/3/98):

(1) Bitumen plants remain level 1 environmentallyrelevant activities under the Environmental ProtectionRegulation 1998 until 1 July 1998 when they becomelevel 2 environmentally relevant activities. Conditionswhich are necessary or desirable may be applied tolevel 2 activities. The potential for heavy metalcontamination from recycling operations is lowbecause the recycler needs to recover all lead andlead product in order to maximise the economic returnfrom his endeavours. The Government has notprosecuted any operators of bitumen plants inBrisbane. However, Brisbane City Council recentlyprosecuted a company Bituminous Products Pty Ltd,for causing unlawful environmental harm. Theprosecution did not involve a breach of the conditionsof any licence.

(2) Timber processing plants are not 'exempted' fromlicensing requirements under the EnvironmentalProtection Regulation 1998. Environmentally relevantactivities Numbers 66 and 67 apply.

(3) Battery recycling remains an environmentallyrelevant activity (Item 77 of Schedule 1 of theRegulation) in a similar manner to Bitumen Plants(refer to answer to Question (1)).

(4) 'Waste tyre dumps' are not exempted fromlicensing requirements under the EnvironmentalProtection Regulation 1998 (Environmentally RelevantActivity 84 refers). Tyre recycling remains anenvironmentally relevant activity under the newRegulation in a similar manner to Bitumen Plants (referto answer to Question (1)).

(5) Quite frankly such inflammatory unsubstantiatedaccusations reflect badly on the questioner. Heshould remember that the impractical heavy handedactions of the Goss government's environmentministers contributed in no small way to its demise.With inane questions like this, there is every likelihoodthe questioner will continue to be regarded as anenvironmental extremist.

20 . Water Environment Protection Policy

Mr HOLLIS asked the Minister for Environment(3/3/98)—

With reference to the use of 'on the spot' fines by hisdepartment under the provisions of the WaterEnvironment Protection Policy—

(1) How long has the Water EPP been in force?

(2) Didn't his EPP give Department of Environmentofficers the power to impose 'on the spot' finesfor breaches of this EPP and, therefore, theEPA?

(3) How many 'on the spot' fines have been issuedby the department in this time; if none, how doeshe explain this?

(4) How does he counter the accusation that thissort of environmental performance is an almostexact replay of the non-enforcement of theClean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the NoiseAbatement Act under the previous NationalParty Government?

Mr Littleproud (26/3/98):

(1) The Environment Protection (Water) Policy, 1997,was approved by the Governor in Council and notifiedin the Gazette on 5 June 1997.

(2) Justices Amendment Regulation, 1997, (No 2),gazetted on 20 June 1997, gives authorisedDepartment of Environment officers powers to issue"on the spot" fines for certain breaches of Part 6 of thePolicy.

(3) Four fines have been issued to date byDepartmental officers.

(4) The Policy came into force in mid-1997 withsubsequent administrative, public notification, andinternal training arrangements put in place toimplement the "on the spot" fine system. This systemis now fully operational. Given the vigorousprosecution record of the Department of Environmentsince commencement of the Environmental ProtectionAct in 1995 which has resulted in substantial Courtimposed fines, the implicit accusation is factuallyincorrect and reflects poorly on the proponent of thequestion.

21 . Royal Children's Hospital, ManometryTesting Facility

Mr LUCAS asked the Minister for Health(3/3/98)—

With reference to manometry testing facilitiesavailable for children—

(1) Is the only manometry testing facility availablefor children in the Brisbane area at the RoyalChildren's Hospital?

(2) Has this equipment been out of service forseveral years; if so, for what reason is it out ofservice and why?

(3) If the equipment is out of service, will it bereplaced and when?

(4) What alternative arrangements have been made(since the time that the equipment has been outof service) for children requiring the benefit oftesting through this facility?

Mr Horan (1/4/98): Manometry is themeasurement of pressure and is done in various partsof the body, such as lungs, oesophagus, rectum, andurinary tract.

If the Honourable Member specifies what kind ofmanometry he is referring to, I will obtain a promptresponse from the Royal Children's Hospital on hispoints of concern.

22 . Families, Youth and Community CareDepartment, VERs

Ms BLIGH asked the Minister for Families,Youth and Community Care (3/3/98)—

With reference to the significant number ofexperienced and skilled staff of the Department ofFamilies, Youth and Community Care who haveaccepted Voluntary Early Retirement packages(VERs) since 20 February 1996—


(1) How many staff, at what level and in whichprogram area, have taken VERs to date?

(2) How many of these staff have been re-engagedby the department as consultants or projectofficers since they accepted a VER?

(3) In each case, at what level was the employeeengaged prior to their VER and at what hourlyrate were they re-engaged as consultants?

(4) In each case, for how long was each employeere-engaged?

(5) In which division was each employee originallyengaged and in which division were they re-engaged?

(6) What has been the total cost to the departmentof these VERs and the funds expended on re-engagement of these staff?

Mrs Wilson (2/4/98): I am advised that:

(1) The attached list provides details of the number ofstaff, their level and in which program they wereemployed who have accepted VERs since 20February 1996.

(2) Three (3) employees have been re-engaged asproject officers. One (1) further employee has beenre-engaged as an independent consultant.

(3) The consultant was previously employed at theAO6 level. Her consultancy services were provided atthe rate of $50.00 per hour. Each project officer wasoriginally employed at the AO5 level and all have beenre-engaged at the AO5 level.

(4) The consultant was re-engaged in one instance forapproximately 55 hours and on another occasion forapproximately 15 hours. The project officersrecommenced on 11 August 1997, 13 November 1997and 8 December 1997 and remain current employees.

(5) The consultant was previously employed in theHuman Resources, Finance and Property ServicesProgram Area. She was re-engaged once in thisprogram area and on a separate contract in the SouthWest Queensland Region. The project officers wereoriginally employed in Protective Services andJuvenile Justice, Disability and Community ServicesDevelopment. They have been re-engaged in Families,Community Care, and Youth program areas.

(6) The total cost to the Department of these VERsreferred to in questions 2 to 5 was $132,336.48. Thetotal funds expended on re-engagement of these staffto date is $46257.65.

23 . QIDC, Mortgage Documents

Mr HAYWARD asked the Deputy Premier,Treasurer and Minister for The Arts (3/3/98)—

With reference to a report in the Weekend section ofThe Courier-Mail of 28 February to the effect that theQIDC has just inserted a clause in its mortgagedocuments that the receipt of a Native Title claim canbe an event of default justifying foreclosure—

(1) Is it true; if so, when was this decision taken?

(2) Was she, her office or officers of Treasury, orthe Government's Native Title Unit consulted by

the QIDC before this claim was inserted; if so,did they support the decision and on what basis?

(3) Does she personally believe that the receipt of aNative Title claim can be an event of defaultjustifying foreclosure; if so, on what basis?

(4) Will she take this matter up with the QIDC as amatter of urgency?

Mrs Sheldon (2/4/98): (1), (2), (3) and (4)QIDC is part of a publicly listed company and operatesunder the corporations law. The Government is ashareholder in Suncorp-Metway Ltd., of which QIDC isa part. The matters you have referred to arecommercial matters for Suncorp-Metway. It is notappropriate for the Government, as a shareholder, tobecome involved in commercial matters of thecompany. Your questions should be directed torepresentatives of the management ofSuncorp-Metway.

24 . Yeronga Corso, Public Access BoatRamp

Mr FOLEY asked the Minister for Transportand Main Roads (3/3/98)—

With reference to his department's consideration of aproposal for a public access boat ramp at the site ofthe South Queensland Power Boat Club on YerongaCorso—

(1) Is he aware of the serious concerns of Yerongaand Fairfield residents over the negative impactof such a development on noise and trafficproblems in local streets and on nearby reachesof the Brisbane River as well as the likelyadverse effect on the amenity of the local area?

(2) Will he provide an estimate of the number ofboats likely to use the proposed public accessboat ramp if approved?

(3) Will he give an assurance that his departmentwill not grant any approvals necessary for theproposed public access boat ramp?

Mr Johnson (2/4/98):

1. The proposal for a public boat ramp at the site of theSouth Queensland Power Boat Club on the YerongaCorso was put forward by the Boating IndustryAssociation of Queensland as an alternative sitefollowing removal of the Kangaroo Point boat ramp. Ata public meeting held on 15 February 1998, the localresidents voiced their concerns over the possibleimpact of a public boat ramp. As a result of theseconcerns, the BIAQ are no longer pursuing theproposal and Queensland Transport will look at otheralternatives.

2. Parking capacity for 18 car trailer units wasproposed.

3. Queensland Transport provides recreationalboating facilities where there exists an identified needand public and local government support. As the localresidents have expressed a desire for a public boatramp not to be located at the site, and the proponentsof the project are no longer pursuing the concept,Queensland Transport has removed the proposal fromthe Maritime Infrastructure Program.


25 . Palm Beach Community Health Centreand Dental Clinic

Mrs ROSE asked the Minister for Health(3/3/98)—

With reference to the nearly completed Palm BeachCommunity Health Centre and Dental Clinic—

(1) When will the health centre open?

(2) When will the dental clinic open?(3) How many people on the dental waiting list at the

Southport clinic will be moved across to the PalmBeach clinic waiting list?

(4) Is there a geographical boundary for peoplewishing to access (a) the Palm Beach DentalClinic and (b) the health centre?

(5) How many patients are expected to be treatedweekly at the Palm Beach Dental Clinic?

Mr Horan (1/4/98): (1) It is anticipated that the health centre will open bymid July 1998.

(2) The Dental Clinic will open once staff are fullyrecruited.(3) When fully operational, Palm Beach Dental Clinicwill represent approximately 21% of the Gold CoastDistrict service capacity.

(4a) Patients will be encouraged to utilise resourcesclosest to their place of residence. The District HealthService will endeavour to ensure that the workload isappropriately distributed throughout the District OralHealth Services relative to resources.(4b) The District Health Service does not envisageapplying a rigid geographical boundary for peoplewishing to access the Palm Beach Health Centre.However, efforts will be made to try to even out theworkload between the two Community Health Centres.(5) The Palm Beach Dental Health Service isexpected, when fully operational, to seeapproximately 250 patients per week.

26 . Moura, Ammonium Nitrate Plant

Mrs CUNNINGHAM asked the Minister forEconomic Development and Trade and MinisterAssisting the Premier (3/3/98)—

With reference to his facilitation role for theestablishment of a new Ammonium Nitrate Plant forMoura—

(1) What infrastructure contribution was made bythe Queensland Government?

(2) What consideration or investigation was made ofthe impact of this decision on long termproduction sustainability in both the Moura andGladstone regions?

Mr Slack (27/3/98): (1) The Queensland Government has not made anycapital contributions towards roads, rail, water,sewage disposal, gas or electricity to the site. TheProponent, Queensland Nitrates Pty Ltd, will paythese capital contributions towards infrastructure.

These matters were dealt with as part of the ImpactAssessment Study process and as part of the

development application to Banana Shire Councilwhich it approved in the early part of 1997.

(2) The Proponent applied to the Government underthe Queensland Investment Incentives Schemeguidelines for an assistance package in November1997.

After consideration of a number of matters, includingthe economic impact of the proposal in the region, thecommercial viability of the project, and the net growthin the coal industry, approval was given on 30 January1998 by the Honourable the Minister for Tourism,Small Business and Industry for a financial packagewhich is the subject of a commercial-in-confidenceagreement between the State and the Proponent. TheProponent accepted this offer on 10 February 1998.

The Proponent has agreed to enter into an agreementwith the State of Queensland which will include awritten undertaking to:

commission and commence operation of anammonium nitrate plant at Moura by 30 June2000;

employ 58 persons by 30 June 2000.

27 . Eel Traps

Mr CAMPBELL asked the Minister for PrimaryIndustries, Fisheries and Forestry (3/3/98)—

With reference to a turtle killed in eel traps in theBurnett River on 26 January and subsequentinvestigations made by the departmental staff thatfound (i) although it is illegal to set 6 eel traps over theweekend, because the licensed eel trapper said he didnot set the traps the department would not take anyaction and (ii) the eel traps should be modified toexclude turtles—

(1) Will he (a) advise why all eel traps are notmodified to exclude turtles and (b) takeimmediate action to have all eel traps modified?

(2) Have any prosecutions been made againstlicensed eel trappers for killing turtles or otherprotected aquatic animals?Mr Rowell (20/3/98): Eel traps are not modified

specifically to exclude turtles or other air-breathinganimals. However, all eel traps must contain a pocketwhich extends from the trap to enable air-breathingnon-target species such as turtles to reach thesurface of the water. The Fisheries Regulation 1995specifies that the trap's pocket must be at least sixmetres long and that the end of the pocket must beattached to a float to allow trapped animals access tosurface air.There have not been any prosecutions made againstlicensed eel trappers for killing turtles.

28 . Remedial Assistance for StudentsMr ARDILL asked the Minister for Education

(3/3/98)—

With reference to the hasty decision to implement achange to the diagnostic net from year 6 to year 5,without making transitional arrangements to pick upthose students in year 6 in 1998, who clearly have notbeen tested previously—


(1) Will he reconsider the situation as a matter ofurgency to assist students who will obviouslynot cope with the high school curriculum in theyear 2000?

(2) Will he take urgent action to provide funding forschools to provide remedial assistance tostudents in year 6, who have been deprived ofthe tests and the remedial action which wouldhave been identified as necessary to their futureeducational potential?

Mr Quinn (15/4/98): (1) & (2) The decision toimplement a Year 5 Test in 1998 was made by Cabinetin response to the National Literacy and NumeracyPlan and on the recommendation of the QueenslandSchool Curriculum Council (P-10). This Plan, whichhas been agreed to by all State and Territory Minstersfor Education, requires the implementation, from1998, of state based assessment programs in Years 3and 5 against nationally agreed literacy and numeracybenchmarks.

I am aware that on 19 February 1998, the QueenslandSchool Curriculum Council made a recommendationthat 'universal, statewide, rigorous' assessment ofstudent performance in Year 7 against the nationalbenchmarks in literacy and numeracy be based on acensus test from 1999, and in accordance with theEducation (School Curriculum P-10) Act 1996 thatsuch test be made an approved test under regulation.

It is intended that Cabinet will consider thisrecommendation in the near future, with a view toensuring that no student exits primary school withoutparticipating in a statewide literacy and numeracyassessment process.

The introduction of Appraisement in 1999 will alsoenable teachers to implement standardisedassessment tasks for students with learningdifficulties and learning disabilities. The appraisementprocess will help to determine student strengths inliteracy and/or numeracy; determine barriers tolearning; develop quality education programs thatmeet students' individual learning needs; andestablish and maintain home/school relationships.

29 . Northgate Railway Station

Mr ROBERTS asked the Minister for Transportand Main Roads (3/3/98)—

With reference to Northgate Railway Station—

(1) Does he acknowledge the urgent need foradditional car parking facilities situated awayfrom the residential area adjacent to the station?

(2) What is the current status of planning to provideadditional parking at the station?

(3) Is he aware that on any week-day up to 150vehicles are parking on residential streetsaround the station causing safety hazards andinconvenience to local residents?

(4) Has he acted on my previous suggestion that aninvestigation be made on the feasibility of co-locating a parking facility on land currentlyoccupied by Australia Post on the Toombul Roadside of the station?

Mr Johnson (2/4/98): (1) Yes.

(2) Planning layouts and cost estimates for multi-levelcar parking have been prepared.(3) Yes, I am aware that a significant number of motorvehicles are parked in the streets to the west of thestation. However, QR is evaluating options to addressthis issue.

(4) The property occupied by Australia Post isconsiderable and fully developed as the mailexchange building, a truck staging area and employeecar park.

Advice from locals indicates that at peak mail periodsduring the year the existing staff car park cannotaccommodate demand and the overflow fills theadjoining street.The area is quite distant from the suburban platformand would require the construction of a newpedestrian footbridge which would comply with currentaccess codes.

In QR's experience this is not a customer friendlysolution for accessing the station.Any further investigation of options involving theAustralia Post land are not practical.

30 . Road Safety Near Schools

Mr T. B. SULLIVAN asked the Minister forPolice and Corrective Services and Minister forRacing (3/3/98)—With reference to the road safety concerns ofparents, teachers and students in streets close toschools—

Will he address these concerns by taking steps suchas (a) reviewing the times for the 40km per hour toapply (as many motorists consider the 7am—8amperiod to be unreasonable because so few studentsare around schools at this period and hence motoristsare learning to ignore the warnings), (b) introducingthe system of yellow flashing lights to warn that thelower speed limit is in operation, (c) developing thepractice of more regular police patrols around schoolsto enforce traffic regulations and (d) approving theuse of speed cameras in residential areas so that "rat-runners" and other offenders can be identified andmade to pay the penalty for their unsafe drivingpractices?

Mr Cooper (2/4/98):

(a) This is a matter outside the ambit of my portfolioand would be more suitably addressed by the Ministerfor Transport and Main Roads.

(b) This is a matter outside the ambit of my portfolioand would be more suitably addressed by the Ministerfor Transport and Main Roads.

(c) Traffic Co-ordinators in police regions throughoutthe State will be requested to examine the frequencyof police patrols around school areas at times whenstudents are arriving and departing. (d) Speed Cameras will be introduced into localgovernment areas by the end of 1998, subject toCabinet approval. The introduction of Speed Camerasinto local government areas may not address the


issue of "rat-runners" and other offenders as indicatedin the question, as "rat-runners" do not necessarilyexceed the speed limit. Speed Cameras may not bethe most appropriate means of addressing the issueof speeding vehicles in urban areas after theintroduction of the 50km per hour speed limit.

All issues concerning the enforcement of traffic lawsrelating to speeding in urban areas will be consideredprior to the introduction of Speed Cameras and the50km per hour speed limit in these areas. Tocomplement existing traffic law enforcement tools, thePolice Service will soon introduce laser speeddetection devices which can be either manuallyoperated, or attached to an image capture device. It isexpected this equipment will be more suitable foroperation in 50km per hour speed zones.

31 . Citytrain; Pinkenba Rail Line

Mr ELDER asked the Minister for Transportand Main Roads (3/3/98)—

With reference to his answers before EstimatesCommittee C in relation to questions concerning thepurchase of additional rollingstock for the CitytrainNetwork and when asked whether there would be anyexpansion or improvement in the timetable for thesuburban network over the next 2 years the onlyanswer supplied was that 12 out of the 30 3-car setswould be used to provide additional morning andafternoon peak train services and no new serviceswere outlined out of peak, nor any services on linesnot currently in use and to the re-opening of thePinkenba line in January which was first reported inthe Northern News on 9 July 1997 where aspokeswoman for him was quoted as saying thatQueensland Rail "would obtain passenger carriages"and undertake other work to re-open the Pinkenba lineearly in 1998—

(1) Where will the extra carriages come from andwhy was he unable to outline this announcementbefore the Estimates Committee and theParliament?

(2) What impact will the use of carriages on this linehave for other suburban services, especiallygiven his statements concerning the desperatelack of rollingstock on the suburban network?


(1) Doomben services were provided by extendingCleveland and/or other existing services. In order toprovide the required services Citytrain used a loco-hauled stainless steel set train for one service due toinsufficient electric carriage availability. Rollingstockmaintenance procedures are being modified which willfree up one three car set, insufficient for most peakhour services or other corridors, but which will providemore than enough capacity to replace the loco-hauledset from April 1998.

Re-introduction of Doomben services was beingconsidered only as of September 1997, with adecision pending the outcome of community research,and/or evaluation of the associated costs of providingrail services. This process only enabled a firmdecision to be made in December 1997.

(2) No other services are being reduced or withdrawnas a result of Doomben services at their current level.However, insufficient rollingstock exists to increasethe number of Doomben rail services beyond thecurrent level without affecting other services.

32 . Helicopter Rescue Services

Mr WELLS asked the Minister for EmergencyServices and Minister for Sport (3/3/98)—

With reference to previous Question on Notice No.1394 regarding the quarterly operations report of theDepartment of Emergency Services, Division ofAviation Services for April-June 1997 and theclassification of "other"—

(1) How many times in the last twelve months didhelicopter rescue services have to leave "other"work to attend rescues?

(2) To which helicopter services did this occur?

(3) What kind of "other" work were they doing?(4) What were the helicopter response times in this

situation?

Mr Veivers (2/4/98):

(1) For the period 1 January 1997 to 30 December1997, there were 12 instances when the communityhelicopter rescue services had to leave "other" workto attend rescues.

(2) This occurred 11 times in the case of EnergexCommunity Rescue at the Sunshine Coast and 1 timefor RACQ CareFlight at the Gold Coast.(3) Energex Community Rescue were on routine surfpatrols on 10 cases and in one case, EnergexCommunity Rescue responded with their back-upJetRanger which was conducting a charter for theDepartment of Primary Industries (Forestry). In thecase of RACQ CareFlight, this provider wascompleting an engine check during scheduledmaintenance of the aircraft.

(4) The response time is the time taken from when thehelicopter is told to respond to an incident, until it isairborne. The target response time for communityhelicopter providers is 30 minutes or less.

For 8 of the 11 tasks above, Energex CommunityRescue had an immediate response when theirhelicopter was called away from surf patrols. On 2occasions they had to return to base from a surf patrolto reconfigure the helicopter and achieved responsetimes of 11 minutes and 5 minutes respectively. On 1occasion, when the Energex Community RescueLongRanger was down for maintenance, the Serviceresponded with their JetRanger helicopter (notrequired under the Service Agreement) which was on acharter flight. The JetRanger experienced a delay of45 minutes to refuel and pick-up a medical team.

The task undertaken by RACQ CareFlight during amaintenance check flight had an 18 minute responsetime due to the need to return to base to reconfigurethe helicopter.

33 . Queensland Nickel Agreement ActMr McELLIGOTT asked the Minister for

Natural Resources (4/3/98)—


With reference to Queensland Nickel IndustriesLimited who have now advised the TownsvilleThuringowa Water Supply Board of its bulk waterrequirements and as the company proposes toincrease the current allocation from 6 megalitres to 12megalitres per day with the bulk requirement beingincreased to 20 megalitres per day by the year 2001which would be the total requirements for thecompany—Will he accelerate changes to the Queensland NickelAgreement Act to remove the company's power ofveto to the issue of domestic bore licences toresidents of Rupertswood and the Black River plains?

Mr Springborg (30/3/98): The Member forThuringowa would be aware that the QueenslandNickel Agreement Act provides the Company with anentitlement to establish bores and take 8638megalitres of groundwater per annum. Under thisentitlement, the Company established bores in theearly 1970s in the vicinity of the Black River. Thegroundwater resource in the area proved to becapable of supplying only a portion of the Company'sentitlement. The Company fully utilises the availableresource. As a result my Department has been unableto allocate additional groundwater to residents in thearea of the Company's bores.

As the groundwater resource has proved to beincapable of supplying the company's full needs thecompany now obtains almost one-third of its needsfrom the Townsville Thuringowa Water Supply Board. Iunderstand that the company and the board havebeen discussing the option of the companyprogressively increasing its supply from the Board. Atthis stage I understand these discussions arecontinuing.Any changes to the Queensland Nickel AgreementAct are matters for my colleague the Honourable theTreasurer Joan Sheldon. Should it be possible torevise the water supply arrangements included in theAgreement act as a result of the discussions betweenthe company and the board, these matters would, Iensure be included in any revision of the AgreementAct.

34 . Princess Alexandra Hospital, SurgicalProcedures

Mr BEATTIE asked the Minister for Health(4/3/98)—With reference to the Princess Alexandra Hospitaloperating theatre statistics for the months of April andMay 1997—

(1) What numbers of major and minor bookedsurgical operations were undertaken in publicwards of the hospital?

(2) What numbers of major and minor emergencysurgical operations were undertaken in publicwards of the hospital?

(3) What numbers of major and minor bookedsurgical operations were undertaken inintermediate wards of the hospital?

(4) What numbers of major and minor emergencysurgical operations were undertaken inintermediate wards of the hospital?

Mr Horan (2/4/98): The Princess AlexandraHospital no longer has designated intermediate wardsand no longer classifies surgical procedures as majoror minor.

35 . Business Franchise Fees

Mr HAMILL asked the Deputy Premier,Treasurer and Minister for The Arts (4/3/98)—

With reference to the Comparative Statement ofreceipts and Expenditure for the Consolidated Fundas at 31 December 1997 and in relation to tobacco,liquor and fuel franchise fees collected by theCommonwealth in lieu of the State—

(1) As tobacco franchise receipts totalled $45.337mand receipts in lieu totalled $171.161m for thehalf year, only 38 per cent of the estimated$566.8m to be collected in 1997-98, does thisrepresent a serious revenue shortfall and wasthe Budget estimate grossly in error?

(2) When will Queensland receive payment from theCommonwealth of funds in lieu of liquor franchisefees and will that payment/those paymentsensure that the Budget estimate of revenuetotalling $139.925m in 1997-98 will be met?

(3) What payments have been made to the Statefrom the Commonwealth in lieu of fuel excise andinto which fund are these monies paid for thepurpose of distribution under Queensland's FuelSubsidy arrangements?

Mrs Sheldon (3/4/98):

(1 & 2) Estimated Budget receipts for 1998-99 weredetermined prior to the High Court decision on 5August 1997 regarding State business franchise fees.As a result of that decision, safety net arrangementshave been agreed with the Commonwealth that involvetiming differences and hence cash flow issues to bemanaged in the context of the 1998-99 Budget. On anongoing basis, safety net payments are sufficient toreplace the previous franchise fee revenue.

(3) As at 31 January 1998, an amount of $189.2M hadbeen received from the Commonwealth for fuel safetynet payments. These monies have been paid into theFranchise Fees Compensation Fund.

36 . Police Resources

Mr HOLLIS asked the Minister for Police andCorrective Services and Minister for Racing (4/3/98)—

With reference to his Ministerial Statement of 3 Marchregarding police numbers—

(1) What were the total police numbers as at 31January?

(2) What was the total number of commissionedofficers as at 31 January?

(3) What was the total number of Sergeants andSenior Sergeants as at 31 January?

(4) What was the total number of Senior Constablesas at 31 January?

(5) What was the total number of Constables andFirst Class Constables as at 31 January?


Mr Cooper (2/4/98): (1) 6697 police officers.

(2) 292 commissioned officers.(3) 416 Senior Sergeants and 1587 Sergeants.

(4) 2142 Senior Constables.

(5) 2260 Constables. There is no rank of First ClassConstable.

37 . Eventide Nursing Home, BrightonMr NUTTALL asked the Minister for Health

(4/3/98)—

With reference to this Government which hascontinued to slash the funding and services atEventide Nursing Home, Brighton and as the staffnumbers have been slashed to such a level that thecare of patients is now at a critical level andconsidering that it was the decision of this currentGovernment to slash $4m from the budget of Eventideover three years—

Is he now prepared to admit that he was wrong andthat Eventide is now in desperate need of an urgentfunding boost to restore its staffing numbers to a levelwhich will ensure that the care and well-being of theresidents will be guaranteed?

Mr Horan (2/4/98): The Honourable Memberobviously has a selective memory, as it was theprevious Goss Labor Government in 1995 who signedan agreement with the previous Federal LaborGovernment to reduce funding Eventide Sandgateand other State Government Nursing Homesaccording to the Commonwealth fundingarrangements for all nursing homes. This effectivelyclosed 437 nursing home beds across Queensland.In an effort to rectify the disgraceful mess left by theHonourable Member's Labor colleagues, failed HealthMinisters Mr Beattie and Mr Elder, the CoalitionGovernment currently provides Eventide Sandgate6% more care hours than the Commonwealthrecommended levels. In 1997-1998 the State Government allocated toEventide Sandgate additional funds equal to 28.4% ofits Commonwealth funding. That is, Eventide has abudget 28.4% greater than a nursing home of its sizein the community or private sector would receive.

38 . Fish Kills, Dawson River and BedfordWeir

Mr SCHWARTEN asked the Minister forEnvironment (4/3/98)—With reference to fish kills regularly occurring inQueensland rivers and streams—

(1) What is the cause of the latest kill on theDawson River following previous kills on theVictoria Creek near Ingham?

(2) When was this latest kill reported?

(3) How many and what types of fish were killed?(4) What water sampling was taken, when and under

whose direction?

(5) What pollutants or contaminants were identifiedand when was an investigation of their sourcecommenced?

(6) Who has been or is to be prosecuted for causingenvironmental harm; if no one, why not?

(7) What fish were killed at the recent fish kill at theBedford Weir?

(8) What was the cause of the Bedford Weir kill?

(9) Why has no action been taken against thenegligent agents responsible for this disgracefulepisode?

(10) Who is the proponent of the Nathan Dam on theDawson River?

(11) Who has responsibility for the impactassessment process for the dam?

(12) Is the answer to Questions (10) and (11) thesame body responsible for managing theBedford Weir?

Mr Littleproud (26/3/98): (1) The pathology report found that the cause of deathof the fish sampled was poisoning by endosulfanpesticide.

(2) 3 February 1998.(3) About 1,000 fish of a wide variety of species andsizes including saratoga, bony bream and catfish.

(4) Water and fish samples were taken from four siteson 4 February 1998 by Department of Environmentofficers acting under the direction of the RegionalManager (Environment).(5) Laboratory analyses of water and fish samplesfound endosulfan, profenefos and methomylpesticides as well as the herbicides prometryn,diuron, flumeturon at levels above the laboratorydetection limits. The investigation into the source ofcontaminants was commenced on 4 February 1998and is continuing.(6) Investigations are continuing.

(7) Department of Primary Industries (Fisheries)reported to the Department of Environment that fishkilled included yellow belly, sleepy cod, barramundi,black bream, eel-tail catfish, fork-tail catfish, bonybream and banded grunter.(8) to (12) Refer to question No. 50 asked on 4 Marchand answer, and to my colleague the Minister forNatural Resources, with regard to these matters.

39 . Strathpine Shopping Centre, PoliceBeat Shopfront

Mrs LAVARCH asked the Minister for Policeand Corrective Services and Minister for Racing(4/3/98)—With reference to the newly opened Police BeatShopfront at Westfield's Strathpine Shopping Centre(for which the Strathpine and Pine Rivers communitythank the Queensland Police Service)—

As a result of having a Police Beat Shopfront has thePetrie district now had taken away a general dutiespatrol vehicle?


Mr Cooper (2/4/98): The Police Beat Shopfrontat Westfield's Strathpine Shopping Centrecommenced operations on 23 February 1998 and willbe officially opened on 25 March 1998. It is staffed bytwo police officers and an Administrative Assistant.The Shopfront is not allocated a police car and novehicle has been reallocated from Petrie or elsewhereas a result of the Shopfront being established. If theShopfront staff require a vehicle for any purpose,such as to transport a prisoner, a local police car ismade available. Car crews patrolling the area alsoregularly visit the Shopfront and the Shopping Centreas part of their objective-driven patrols. This providesa highly visible police presence at the ShoppingCentre.

40 . Pine Ridge Conservation ParkMr WELFORD asked the Minister for

Environment (4/3/98)—

With reference to the Pine Ridge Conservation Park atRunaway Bay on the Gold Coast—(1) What is the current area of the park and what

conservation values does it contain?

(2) What effect does the existence of a former GoldCoast City Council landfill adjacent to the parkhave on the integrity of the park?

(3) What are the contents of this landfill?

(4) Why has the Gold Coast City Council recentlydug trenches into the park from the formerlandfill?

(5) What authority did his department give for thisincursion on the park and what impacts does ithave?

(6) What proposals are there for sections of thepark to be excised for road widening, pedestriantracks or other human uses?

(7) Is the landfill being de-watered, including the useof underground pumps and what contaminantsdoes this water contain and where is the wastewater being disposed to?

(8) Why have the drainage pipes at the northern endof the park been plugged and what impact doesthis restriction on the natural ingress of tidalwaters have on the park?

(9) What action has he taken to ensure the actionsof the Gold Coast City Council or any other bodydo not adversely affect or compromise theenvironmental values of the park?Mr Littleproud (2/4/98):

(1) Pine Ridge Conservation Park currently protects atotal area of 110.54 ha. This land was set aside toconserve the only remaining example of natural dunevegetation that once occurred over much of the GoldCoast lowlands. In summary, the conservation values of Pine RidgeConservation Park include:

contributing to the maintenance of biodiversityof the Gold Coast's coastal lowlands;protection of a diverse native bird population(103 species representing 41 families out of 91families of birds in Australia); and

protection of a significant stand of Blandiflordiagrandiflora (Christmas Bells) which is aprotected species in Queensland. This stand ofChristmas Bells is the only viable remnant of thespecies on the Gold Coast.

(2) The presence of the landfill and associatedcontaminated land issue do not appear to havecaused any detrimental environmental impact on floraand fauna in the Conservation Park. An area near thesouthern boundary of the Park, which was used forlagoon disposal of grease trap and septic tank wasteup to decommissioning in 1979, was included in thePark when it was formed. This disturbed area hassince supported the growth of the Christmas Bells.The former refuse tip site provides a significant bufferzone to the southern Park boundary which in effectserves to protect the Park's values/integrity.

(3) The landfill was mainly used for disposal of generalmunicipal refuse, that is domestic andcommercial/industrial refuse. A grease trap and septictank waste lagoon area was on the original site; aswas a hospital waste incinerator.

(4) The Gold Coast City Council did not recently digtrenches into the Park. The Council undertookmaintenance of the existing earthen surfacestormwater drain in June 1997. The purpose of thismaintenance was to reshape the drain to alleviatesections of the drain holding stagnant water. Theincursion into the Park occurred due to the Council'sworks crew being unaware of the change to thesouthern boundary as a result of 2.739 ha of landbeing added to the Park in 1993.

(5) The Department of Environment was not informedabout, and consequently did not approve, thereshaping of the 50 metre section of the drain withinPine Ridge Conservation Park. However, given thenature and apparent beneficial intent of the workundertaken, a request to the Department prior to theevent would have been considered favourably. Theenvironmental impact on the Conservation Parkresulting from the reshaping of the drain is quiteminimal, considering that the drain already existed.

(6) There are no current proposals for sections of theConservation Park to be excised for road widening orpedestrian tracks. Arrangements were made betweenthe Department of Environment, the Department ofTransport, the former Department of Lands and theGold Coast City Council in 1989/90 for the excision ofa strip of the Conservation Park (9.5 metres) to allowfor duplication of the existing road. In August 1990,when Labor was in government, the Department ofLands approved the excision of this 9.5 metre strip ofland from the Conservation Park, providing that theDepartment of Transport covered all associatedcosts. The Council concurred with this approval. TheDepartment of Lands also advised that it had noobjection to the construction of a bicycle/pedestrianpath within the Conservation Park "... provided that alldue care is taken not to unduly disturb the establishedvegetation".

(7) The Department has been advised by Council thatthe landfill is not being dewatered.(8) Drainage pipes at the northern section of the Parkhave been in place for many years. The pipes mayappear 'plugged' in as much as they are fitted with


tidal flap gates to allow freshwater to drain from thePark while preventing tidal water from flowing into thepipes. The Park is a purely fresh water environment—tidal waters would not have entered the Park in its pre-settlement history. Development of residentialsubdivisions and the construction of canals in theimmediate vicinity of the Park prompted theinstallation of these drain pipes and flap gates toensure no tidal waters enter the Park.(9) The Park is being managed for the followingvalues:

maintenance of the diversity of fauna and flora;conservation of cultural values on the Park;provision of recreational opportunities that arecompatible with other Park values; anddevelopment of an education and interpretationplan to service the needs of all users.

The Department of Environment is currently solemanager of the Pine Ridge Conservation Park.Trusteeship negotiations are ongoing, with the Councilrecently agreeing to be the sole trustee.Once these negotiations have been finalised, thetrustee of the Park will be obliged to ensure that anyaction in the Park will be in accordance with theobjectives and strategies as outlined in themanagement agreement. With regard to the possible effects from the adjacentlandfill site, the Department of Environmentrecommended in April 1997 that Gold Coast CityCouncil undertake a contaminated land study of thearea to assess potential health and environmentalmatters and address public concerns. The studyobjectives were to assess land and watercontamination and develop remediation and sitemanagement strategies to deal with any potentialhealth and environmental concerns and identifysuitable land uses.Additional work was requested by the Departmentfollowing assessment of the initial report. The siteinvestigation has recently been completed and hasbeen forwarded to the Department for review.Groundwater testing results presented to theDepartment do not show evidence of seriousenvironmental harm or health risk. The normalcontaminated land procedures are being followed indealing with the site.

41 . Positive Parenting StrategiesMr FOURAS asked the Minister for Families,

Youth and Community Care (4/3/98)—With reference to her Ministerial Statement of 4 Marchtitled "Positive Parenting Strategies"—(1) What is the cost of this initiative in 1997-98?(2) What is the source of funding for this initiative?(3) What is the anticipated cost of the initiative for

1998-99, its first full year of operation?Mrs Wilson (3/4/98): I am advised that the

answers to the Honourable members questions are—(1) $150,000.(2) Departmental Growth Funds. (3) $200,000.

42 . Maryborough Hospital

Mr DOLLIN asked the Minister for Health(4/3/98)—

Why are the citizens of Maryborough being forced toaccess services at Hervey Bay which were until veryrecently available at their own hospital inMaryborough?

Mr Horan (2/4/98): Services at Maryboroughhospital have been significantly upgraded under theCoalition Government and no Maryborough patient isbeing forced to access services at Hervey Bay.

Elective Surgery waiting times for both theMaryborough and Hervey Bay hospitals arecoordinated by the Fraser Coast District HealthService and patients are offered the first availableappointment irrespective of site. Patients then havethe choice of accepting or declining and awaiting thenext available appointment at the site of their choice.Both hospitals deliver surgery on time for bothCategory 1 and 2 elective surgery patients.

43 . Queensland Levels of StudentPerformance

Mr BREDHAUER asked the Minister forEducation (4/3/98)—

With reference to the Queensland Schools CurriculumCouncil newsletter Interlink Number 4 April 1997 whichsays trialling of the Queensland Levels of StudentPerformance would occur in terms 2 and 3 of 1997 andthat following external evaluation in term 3 a reportwould be provided to him in term 4 for decision on thefuture of QLSP—

(1) Has he received the report from QSCC?

(2) Is the report publicly available; if not, why not?

(3) What decisions has he made about QLSP orwhen will decisions be made?

Mr Quinn (15/4/98):

(1) The report of the external evaluation of the trial ofQueensland Levels of Student Performance (QLSP)was completed at the end of October 1997 andpresented to the Queensland School CurriculumCouncil at its 20 November 1997 meeting.

Council was requested to consider the report duringthe period December 1997 C January 1998 andprovide strategic responses to the Office of theQueensland School Curriculum Council by 24 January1998.

The Office was to provide a synthesis of alldocumentation relating to the trial of QLSP andhighlight the strategic issues and conclusions forreporting to the Minister. Consequently, it is intendedthat I receive a report from the Queensland SchoolCurriculum Council.

(2) When the report has been received and examined,consideration will be given to its dissemination andpossible publication.

(3) Decisions about QLSP will be made followingreceipt and examination of the report.


44 . Natural Resources Department, Cost ofMeeting at Camooweal

Mr McGRADY asked the Minister for NaturalResources (4/3/98)—

With reference to the meeting in Camooweal andorganised by his department—

(1) What was the purpose of that meeting?

(2) What was the total cost of the meeting and whatwas the (a) cost of transport to and fromCamooweal, (b) cost of any consultants and (c)cost of food for the participants?

(3) Were any attendance fees paid?

(4) What was the cost of hire cars?

(5) Will he give a break down of any other costs.


1. As part of the Century Mine Agreement, theQueensland Government allocated $400,000 for thefunding of Aboriginal Land Act claims over Lawn HillNational Park. This meeting was necessary to helprationalise the various disparate claims on behalf ofthe Waanyi people over this land and to provideinformation to the various Waanyi groups on thenature and processes of claims under the AboriginalLand Act 1991 and Native Title claims.

The meeting was organised by officers of mydepartment and included representatives of theAboriginal Land Tribunal and the National Native TitleTribunal. For many of the numerous Waanyi peopleattending, it was their first opportunity to be directlyinvolved in the claims process.

Preliminary estimates indicate that about 150 Waanyipeople attended on each of the three days of themeeting. Many people arrived the day before anddeparted the day after the meeting.

Although impacted by adverse weather the meetingachieved its objective of establishing a singlemechanism for dealing with the funding of all Waanyiclaims over the Lawn Hill National Park.

2. The total cost of the meeting was approximately$110,000.

(A) The cost of transport to and from Camoowealwas approximately $67,100 and comprised:

$9,300 for domestic air travel

$40,050 for air charter and

$17,750 for bus charter.

(B) No money was expended on consultants.

(C) The cost of food for participants wasapproximately $35,000.

3. No attendance fees were paid.

4. Two 4-wheel drive vehicles were hired at a cost ofapproximately $1,800 with a further $3,000 estimatedexpenditure on the reimbursement of private vehiclecosts.

5. Although all accounts are yet to be finalised, inaddition to the costs already outlined, it is estimatedthat approximately $3,000 was expended onaccommodation costs.

45 . Queensland Health, Staff TrainingMrs EDMOND asked the Minister for Health

(4/3/98)—

With reference to the training offered to staff by hisdepartment—(1) How much has been budgeted for staff training in

1997-98 and how much has been spent so far?

(2) How much has been spent on training providedby external training providers?

(3) Who were the consultants and what form did thetraining take?

(4) What criteria have been used to select theseexternal providers?

(5) Are all of the training programs approved by theVocational Education Training and EmploymentCommission and accredited by the AccreditationCouncil; if not, will the training be accreditedthrough them and when?

Mr Horan (2/4/98): (1) As training budgets form part of the generalallocation to individual District Health Services, it isnot possible to estimate the total amount spent ontraining.

A recent survey across the department indicated thatover 2,000 courses are offered to Queensland Healthstaff, who numbered 63,000 in 1996/97. This is inaddition to those provided by academic institutions,colleges and professional bodies.

(2) A considerable proportion of the training forQueensland Health staff is provided by externalproviders. Tertiary hospitals have direct links withuniversities to ensure appropriate training for medical,nursing and allied health professionals. The TAFEsector also provides many courses aimed at preparingand maintaining the skills of the health workforceincluding training for Enrolled Nurses, Assistants-in-Nursing, and staff in technical staff operationalstreams.

The Queensland Health Management DevelopmentProgram has been developed by the QueenslandUniversity of Technology in partnership with theUniversity of Southern Queensland and the SouthernQueensland Institute of TAFE.

(3) Queensland Health has a register of threepreferred providers of organisational developmentconsultancies: Response Consulting Pty Ltd, Deloitte& Touche Consulting Group and the Centre forLeadership and Learning, who were selected by apanel of Queensland Health managers following apurchasing process. Other consultants have alsoprovided advice in District Health Services. Thisprocess is District driven and not coordinated byCorporate office.

(4) External providers are chosen according to theguidelines in the State Purchasing Policy. Specificcriteria are set depending on the nature of the serviceto be provided and as such vary from provider toprovider. (5) For university courses the issue of accreditation isnot applicable. All TAFE courses and courses fromother institutions are accredited under nationalrecognition arrangements. Information on all of the


internally provided courses would be difficult toobtain. Many of these are delivered by NurseEducators and Staff Training Units but may not beaccredited.

46 . Burnett Shire Council

Mr CAMPBELL asked the Minister for LocalGovernment and Planning (4/3/98)—

With reference to my Question on Notice No 1315 on19 November 1997 regarding the alleged transfer of a$500,000 loan and non-compliance with properfinancial reporting requirements by the Burnett ShireCouncil and the subsequent information she providedin a letter dated 21 January which states "This newinformation while not necessarily contradictingcouncil's previous advice and my answer to yourQuestion on Notice, does however raise questions asto whether the loan raising was properly authorised bythe council and also whether the receipts of the loanfunds were properly recorded and disclosed incouncil's financial statements."—

(1) As this issue has been raised with her and herdepartment by Burnett Shire ratepayers as earlyas late 1996/early 1997 will she explain why herdepartment has not been able to report on thismatter?

(2) Does her department have the resources toenable such a simple investigation to be carriedout; if not, why not?

(3) Has her department abrogated itsresponsibilities by not ensuring the properfinancial reporting of Burnett Shire finances werefollowed; if not, will she ensure the properinvestigations are carried out immediately toprotect the interests of the residents of theBurnett Shire?

Mrs McCauley (6/4/98):

(1) A search by my Department of its files indicates anallegation of the possible transfer of some loan fundswithout proper authorisation appears to have beeninitially made in correspondence received in lateSeptember 1997. The first specific reference to thealleged transfer of the $500,000 roadworks loanappears to be in correspondence received by theDepartment in November 1997 after receipt of yourQuestion on Notice (Number 1315) of 19 November1997.

(2) My Department, as is normal practice, soughtadvice from the Council. The Department regarded theCouncil's explanation of the circumstances assatisfactorily indicating the loan had not beentransferred. That view remains unchanged. Asindicated in my answer to your previous Question, theloan of $500,000 forms part of the Council's $3Mexpenditure on roadworks in 1995/96. It is not unusualfor councils to expend from available revenue or cashreserves during the year and organise theirborrowings toward the end of the financial year to'replace' the cash previously used. This enables, forexample, the replaced funds to be used for theiroriginal purpose. This type of cash management isquite legitimate.

(3) The Department has not abrogated itsresponsibilities. In fact, following new advice from theCouncil's Chief Executive Officer on a different issue(the original authorisation of the loan) discussionstook place between the Department, the Council'sChief Executive Officer and the Queensland AuditOffice on the matter. The Council acted on advicegiven in these discussions, following which theAssistant Auditor-General—Audit wrote to the Councilon 3 February 1998 stating "All appropriate measuresappear to have been taken to resolve this matter andno further action is required by the Council at thistime."On a general note, I would add that while the primaryresponsibility rests with councils to ensure—

(a) their financial statements accurately reflect thetrue position of the council; and

(b) the legal requirements relating to financialmatters are observed

The Auditor-General is appointed by Parliament as theauditor of all local governments in Queensland. It isnot the function of myself (as Minister) or myDepartment to duplicate the role of the Auditor-General.

The Auditor-General provides me, as Minister, with acopy of his annual audit report of each council at thesame time he provides the report to a Council.Councils then respond to the Auditor-General onproposed action to remedy any shortcomings.Significant matters are followed up with councils bymyself or the Department.

47 . Ambulance Service ActMrs BIRD asked the Minister for Emergency

Services and Minister for Sport (4/3/98)—

With reference to the assault committed on a femaleambulance officer prior to Christmas 1997 in whichshe was seriously injured and indeed received apunctured lung and to the fact that the AmbulanceService elected not to use the protection of theprovisions of the Ambulance Service Act to bring aprosecution against the assailant, on the grounds thatthe assailant was understandably distressed, andwas in any case not seeking to attack the ambulanceofficer—

What is the Government's practice on the use of theprotective provisions of the Ambulance Service Actand in what circumstances will he use theprosecutorial discretion?

Mr Veivers (3/4/98): The assault on theAmbulance Officer at Murgon was incorrectly reportedin the media.

The Officer was injured when the assailant, inattempting to continue to attack his victim,accidentally struck the Officer. The injuries shereceived did not prevent the Officer from continuingwith her patient care duties.

After the patient had been delivered to the hospital,the hospital doctor examined the Officer. She wasdiagnosed as having soft tissue injury to the chestand did not suffer a punctured lung as was reported inthe media.


Section 46(1) of the Ambulance Service Act applies topersons who wilfully obstruct or hinder any personacting under the authority of the Act. Use andenforcement of the provision of the Act is a matter forthe QAS and Queensland Police. Use of the provisionis dependent upon the Ambulance Officer at thescene reporting wilful obstruction or hindrance to thepolice. In the first instance the Act instructs Police torequire the person to leave and, if necessary, toforcibly remove the offender. Police may also arrestwithout warrant a person committing an offence ofwilfully obstructing or hindering.If the Government received clear evidence that theseprovisions of the Act had not been applied it wouldexercise its powers to give instructions to the Boardof the QAS to take appropriate action under thelegislation.In this instance it was the clear opinion of thosepresent that there was no wilful intention to obstruct orhinder the Officer in administering care to the patient.No further attacks were made on the AmbulanceOfficer due to enforcement of subsection (3) of theAct by Police. The provisions of the Act weretherefore complied with.Due to the assailants distressed state at the time ofthe incident, and following consultation with police,the Officer also declined to take the matter further.Without the agreement of the assaulted Officer to laya criminal charge against the offender, a successfullyprosecution would be difficult.

48 . Townsville, Policing During FloodsMr MULHERIN asked the Minister for Police

and Corrective Services and Minister for Racing(4/3/98)—With reference to the recent disastrous floods inTownsville—(1) How many police were on duty during the worst

of this flooding, how many received overtime andat what cost and does he believe this was asatisfactory response to this crisis?

(2) Were several new 4WD police vehicles whichwere in Townsville at the time not put to useduring the floods out of fear they would bedamaged and does he condone such practicesat such critical times?Mr Cooper (2/4/98):

(1) Rain fell consistently in Townsville from the earlyhours of the morning of 10 January 1998. Flooding didnot occur to any great extent until that night. Thefollowing is a list of the number of police, hours of dutyand overtime incurred:Date Shift No. No. Hours

Police Civilians O/T10/1/98 1600-2400 14 2 17.510/1/98 1800-0200 6 1 1110/1/98 1900-0300 1 0 210/1/98 2200-0600 8 1 11.511/1/98 0000-0800 10 0 1111/1/98 0600-1400 0 2 011/1/98 0800-1600 11 0 011/1/98 1000-1800 4 0 011/1/98 1200-2000 1 0 011/1/98 1400-2200 5 1 0

TOTAL 60 7 53

As well as the figures indicated above, a number ofofficers and civilians attended the station andperformed duty in their own time without claimingovertime. The response was considered adequatebearing in mind the logistical problems of membersbeing recalled to work through flood waters.

(2) There were two new 4WD vehicles at the policegarage in Townsville that could not be used becausethe keys were held by the Officer in Charge who couldnot physically get to the garage due to flood waters.Two new 4WD vehicles were at the Radio andElectronic Section in Townsville being fitted out priorto being placed into service and these vehicles wereused during the floods.

49 . Wynnum Police Division, ReportedOffences

Mr LUCAS asked the Minister for Police andCorrective Services and Minister for Racing (4/3/98)—

With reference to the suburbs of Wynnum, WynnumWest, Manly, Manly West, Lytton and Lota which resituated within the boundaries of the Wynnum PoliceDivision—

(1) For the period 1 July 1996 to 30 June 1997, howmany offences were reported respectively foreach of the following offences (a) assaults(excluding sexual), (b) sexual offences, (c)robbery, (d) breaking and entering, (e) otherproperty damage, (f) motor vehicle theft, (g)stealing (excluding motor vehicles) and (h) drugoffences?

(2) For the period 1 July 1997 to 28 February 1998how many offences were reported respectivelyfor each of the offence categories outlined in (1)above?

Mr Cooper (2/4/98): (1) TYPE OF OFFENCE—NUMBER

(a) Serious Assaults—96(b) Sexual—75(c) Robbery Offences—30(d) Break and Enter Offences—728(e) Property Damage Offences—534(f) Steal Motor Vehicle Offences—194(g) Stealing (Excluding Motor Vehicles)—628(h) Drug Offences—350

(2) TYPE OF OFFENCE—NUMBER (a) Serious Assaults—75(b) Sexual—36(c) Robbery Offences—16(d) Break and Enter Offences—438(e) Property Damage Offences—351(f) Steal Motor Vehicle Offences—104(g) Stealing (Excluding Motor Vehicles)—272(h) Drug Offences—278

50 . Fish Kill, Bedford Weir

Mr PEARCE asked the Minister for NaturalResources (4/3/98)—

With reference to the recent malfunction of theinflatable crest on top of the Bedford Weir on the


Mackenzie River, near Blackwater, which contributedto a fish kill below the weir—

What action has the Department of Natural Resourcestaken to ensure that the inflatable crest does not failagain and when will a fish ladder or some other similarmechanism be installed at the weir to assist in themovement of fish into the weir and beyond?

Mr Springborg (30/3/98): The fish stranding atBedford Weir occurred on the first testing of inflatabledams and when there was a significant flow going overthe weir. The inflation rate was initially as specified butonce the dams started to rise, water pressure abovethem decreased allowing them to move to full heightrapidly unexpectedly shutting off water flow to thenorth side of the streambed and stranding fish awayfrom the main flow channel.

Investigations are under way to determine whetherthis problem can be avoided in future by varying theoperating arrangements.

Consideration will also be given to some works whichwould prevent fish stranding should a recurrenceoccur.

My Department has also reached agreement withDepartment of Primary Industries (Fisheries) andDepartment of Environment that a fishway will now befitted to Bedford Weir.

Recent research has clearly demonstrated the needfor a fishway and its design commenced some weeksago. I expect that construction of the fishway willoccur during the drier months of 1999.

Similarly, it is now proposed to fit a fishway onBingegang Weir downstream of Bedford Weir.

51 . Beenleigh Indoor Sports Centre

Mr BARTON asked the Minister for EmergencyServices and Minister for Sport (4/3/98)—

With reference to the $1.2m grant to the Gold CoastCity Council for the construction of the BeenleighIndoor Sports Centre, for which tenders have nowbeen called by Gold Coast City Council for a site at thecorner of Milne Street and Beenleigh-BeaudesertRoad—

(1) What conditions and guidelines apply to theprovision of this grant by his department?

(2) What conditions and guidelines apply forconsultation with the community on the siting ofthis facility?

(3) What sports and sporting groups or othercommunity facilities will be accommodated inthis facility?

(4) What guidelines or conditions apply forconsultation with sporting groups on the use ofthis facility?

(5) Who or what organisation will be responsible forthe management of this facility?

(6) Does this grant replace the $1m grant committedby the Goss Labor Government for the "TimeOut" youth centre at Doug Larsen Park atBeenleigh which was cancelled by the currentGovernment?

Mr Veivers (3/4/98): (1) The 1997-1999 National Standard Sport FacilitiesProgram is focused towards the development offacilities appropriate for the conduct of regional tonational competitions. Applications received underthis program are assessed on the demonstratedcommunity need, the financial viability of the project,the eligibility of the applicant and other sources offinance to complete the project. The application forthe Beenleigh 4 court indoor centre was submitted bythe Gold Coast City Council. The Gold Coast CityCouncil has identified the need for a facility inBeenleigh through its previous planning studies.Council is to provide 50% of the funds towards theconstruction of the project. The facility is to bemanaged along similar lines to the Runaway Bayfacility.

(2) The community consultation involved in the sitingof this facility is the responsibility of the Gold CoastCity Council. The assessment process for the 1997-1999 National Standard Sport Facilities Programconsidered the level of community consultation asone component of a number that were required toestablish funding priorities.

(3) Indoor court sports including Basketball, Netballand others will be accommodated in this multipurposecentre. It is expected that the centre's major sportinguser groups will be identified in the local community.

(4) It is the responsibility of the Gold Coast CityCouncil to consult with all relevant and potential usergroups including local sporting organisations.(5) The Gold Coast City Council has indicated that thefacility will be managed along similar lines to theRunaway Bay facility. At this time specificmanagement arrangements have not been determinedfor the facility. The Office of Sport and Recreation isawaiting confirmation of the proposed managementstructure and arrangements.

(6) I am advised that there are no records of any fundsallocated by the Goss Labor Government for the "TimeOut" Youth Centre at Doug Larsen Park at Beenleigh.The subsidy for the Beenleigh Indoor Sports Centre isprovided specifically for the development of sportingopportunities in the Beenleigh area.

52 . Building and Construction Industry(Portable Long Service Leave) Act

Mr PURCELL asked the Minister for Trainingand Industrial Relations (4/3/98)—

With reference to the Building and ConstructionIndustry (Portable Long Service Leave) Act 1991which requires an employee to have accrued aminimum of 10 years service credits before longservice leave entitlements are due and does not allowthe authority or himself any discretion in allowingservice credits to be paid to members of the schemewho don't qualify because they retire (65 years orolder), are injured and can't work in the buildingindustry or leave Australia never to return or diebefore the required credits of 10 years (2200 hours)are accrued—When will he vary the Act to allow these deservingworkers the right to claim their long service accrued


credits after long years of service to the buildingindustry?

Mr Santoro (2/4/98):

"The objective of the Bill is to provide for anequitable and efficient system of portability oflong service leave in the building andconstruction industry.

...

Entitlement to long service leave correspondswith the benefits available under the IndustrialRelations Act 1990. This means that workersqualifying for leave in this industry are not atan advantage over employees in otherindustries." (emphasis added)

[Hon. N. G. Warburton, Second ReadingSpeech, Hansard, 13 November 1991, pp 2879-2880]

Under the legislation introduced by the Labor Party,the entitlement was to be equitable and correspondingto that available to other deserving workers who hadentitlements under the industrial relations laws. Isupported this in the House at the time (Hansard, 28November 1991, pp 3397-3401) and I continue to doso.I am advised that the tripartite Building andConstruction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave)Board has recently rejected a notion such as isadvanced by the honourable member.

I do not intend amending the Act in the way suggestedby the honourable member, which is not supported bythe Board or his own Party, thereby putting theseworkers at an advantage over employees in otherindustries.

53 . Energex, Memo to Mines and EnergyDepartmentMr HAYWARD asked the Minister for Mines

and Energy (4/3/98)—

With reference to a memo from Energex to hisdepartment regarding sewerage failure as a result ofpower blackouts in Queensland—(1) How did this memo find its way to the media and

what was the justification in releasing such aninternal document?

(2) Was Lord Mayor Soorley alerted to Energex'sconcerns before the memo was released to themedia; if so, how and when?

(3) Does he reject the Lord Mayor's assertion thatthe memo and its release were a "fraudulent"politicisation of Energex by the StateGovernment; if so, on what basis?

(4) Does he reject Councillor Soorley's assertionthat on the first day of the blackouts (23February) 20 sewerage pumping stations eredown at one time, and more than 119 of the 197pumping stations in the city were affected; if so,on what basis?

(5) Does he reject Councillor Soorley's assertionthat there were 10 sewerage overflows inBrisbane on this day which causedconsequential environmental harm, or does he

support the claim by Energex that load sheddinghad only caused an overflow at Murarrie; if so,will he release publicly the information he basesthis position on?

(6) How does he react to the claim in The CourierMail on 27 February attributing to a senior Liberalsource, that he was a "dud" and had actedarrogantly on this issue?Mr Gilmore (3/4/98):

(1) I do not know how the memo found its way to themedia.(2) I do not know when the memo found its way to themedia. However, I am advised that Energex officersheld discussions with Brisbane City Council officerson Monday 23 February 1998 about the problems withthe sewerage network arising from interruptions to theelectricity supply.

(3) Most definitely. As stated earlier, I do not knowhow or when the memo found its way to the media.(4) While a number of sewerage pumping stations mayhave been without power for a period of up to twohours as a result of the load shedding on 23 February1998, I understand that, on that day, Brisbane CityCouncil officers advised Energex that only threelocations were critical enough to be excluded from theload shedding.(5) I am advised by Energex that, to its knowledge,Murarrie was the only location in the Brisbane CityCouncil area where there was sewerage overflow as aresult of the load shedding on 23 February 1998.Immediately this was known about, the relevantelectricity feeder was excluded from future sheddingand discussions were held with Brisbane City Councilofficers about other potential problem areas. Inaddition to Murarrie, only two other locations wereidentified by Brisbane City Council officers as critical,namely at Darra and the Control Centre at Newstead.Both of these locations were excluded from loadshedding as soon as they were identified. BrisbaneCity Council officers advised Energex that all othersewerage locations were capable of operating withoutelectricity for periods of up to two hours. While thiswas considered not be a problem during the rotationalload shedding that occurred on 23 and 24 February1998 when Energex planned for average poweroutages of one hour with a maximum outage of twohours, the fact that there is only a two hour reserve atsewerage locations is considered by Energex to be asignificant problem in the event of unforeseeninterruptions to the electricity supply such as outagescaused by storm damage. Energex simply cannotguarantee that a two hour period without supply wouldnever be exceeded. Given the public health andenvironmental issues involved, Energex intends toraise its concerns with Brisbane City Council officersat an operational level.

(6) I do not put much store in unsubstantiated storiesin The Courier-Mail, supposedly quoting a source thatcan't or won't be identified.

54 . Townsville MeatworksMr SMITH asked the Minister for Training and

Industrial Relations (4/3/98)—


With reference to the demolition of the Ross Rivermeatworks in Townsville—

(1) Is asbestos from the works blowing acrossTownsville being used as landfill and even beingburnt; if so, what is he doing to address thismatter?

(2) Have workers been instructed to smashasbestos-cement sheeting and crush it withbobcats; if so, is this consistent with hisdepartment's guidelines for the safe disposal ofasbestos; if not, what is he doing to address thismatter?

(3) Is water being used on site to prevent thedischarge of dry asbestos fibres; if not, whynot?

(4) Have fires been deliberately lit on site incontravention of a fire permit now revoked by theRegional Fire Inspector?

(5) Has rubble from the site, including asbestosbeen used as fill along the banks of Ross Riverand is the Port Authority aware of this dumping?

(6) Will he give a guarantee that all asbestos-cement sheeting has been removed intact, keptwet and bagged before being buried at a councilapproved site; if so, which council site has beenused and what numbers of sheets have beenaccepted to date?Mr Santoro (2/4/98):

(1) There is no evidence to suggest that asbestosfibre from the meatworks is blowing across Townsville.Neither is there evidence that asbestos-cementsheeting is being used as land fill or being burnt.(2) Workplace Health and Safety Inspectors aresatisfied that the asbestos-cement sheeting is beingremoved by the most practical method and inaccordance with the relevant Code of Practice.

(3) Yes.(4) That question is one for the Minister for EmergencyServices and Minister for Sport.

(5) That question is one for the Minister for LocalGovernment and Planning.(6) I cannot give such a guarantee. The roof is around47 years old and very brittle. Broken exposedsheeting is being kept wet until bagged or stacked andwrapped. The demolisher has been given notice towrap and seal a stockpile of sheeting stored infertiliser bags in an enclosed shed. There has been nodisposal at a council approved site to date.

55 . Police Service, Corrective ServicesCommission and Office of Racing,Staff TrainingMr NUNN asked the Minister for Police and


With reference to the training offered to staff by hisdepartment—(1) How much has been budgeted for staff training in

1997-98 and how much has been spent so far?





Mr Cooper (2/4/98): Queensland Corrective Services Commission

(1) $131,800 has been budgeted for staff training in1997-98 and $39,074.40 spent so far.

(2) $29,694.52 has been spent on training provided byexternal training providers.(3)

(i) Relational Management—This training wasprovided by T Burke (Public/PrivatePartnerships Pty Ltd consultant) and consistedof lectures and small group work, relating tochange and corporatisation issues.

(ii) Cultural Awareness—This was provided by KenWano of Queensland Corrections (QCORR). Itcovered cultural diversity, indigenousfundamentals, Royal Commission into AboriginalDeaths in Custody, Modern Indigenous Societyand effective communication with indigenouspeople.

(iii) National Correctional Service (Standards)Advisory Committee—This consisted of designand development of a national training packagefor corrections based on endorsed competencystandards. A pilot is currently under way.

(iv) Work Health and Safety—This was provided bySite Safe/National Training Council andconsisted of a lecture, group work,questionnaires, assessment and courseevaluation.

(v) Information Technology—This was provided byMicro Systems Australia Pty Limited andconsisted of information technology knowledge,lectures and information sessions and newinformation about Solaris Systems.

(vi) Corrections Health Commission Seminar—Thiswas provided by several specialist speakers inregard to inmate health and consisted of aCorrections Health Seminar, lectures andsyndicate group work.

(vii) Indigenous Sexual Health—This was providedby the Corrections Health Commission andconsisted of lectures, interactive learningprocesses which included videos.

(viii) Ending Offending—This was provided by theQueensland Corrections (QCORR) andconsisted of information sessions and groupdiscussions based on an training package called"Ending Offending".

(ix) Rehabilitation Coordination/WorkCover—Thiswas provided by Working Edge and consisted ofthe role and function of the rehabilitationcoordinator.


(x) Outsourcing—This was provided by KMSTraining and consisted of lectures, group workand a one day program with Outsourcing as thesubject.

(xi) Mediation Course—This was provided byQueensland University of Technology andconsisted of mediation processes used in theFamily Law and other Courts.

(4)(i) Relational Management—Expert knowledge of

corporatisation.(ii) Cultural Awareness—Expert knowledge and

skills. Chosen because accredited to conductthe program with the OPS.

(iii) National Correctional Service (Standards)Advisory Committee—General knowledge andexpert knowledge of participants.

(iv) Work Health and Safety—Expert knowledge.(v) Information Technology—Expert knowledge and

new information regarding the Solaris System.(vi) Corrections Health Commissioner Seminar—

Expert and professional knowledge.(vii) Indigenous Sexual Health—Expert knowledge

and skills.(viii) Ending Offending—Expert knowledge and skills.(ix) Rehabilitation Coordination /WorkCover—Expert

knowledge and skills.(x) Outsourcing—Expert knowledge and skills.(xi) Mediation Course—Expert knowledge and skills.(5)(i) Relational Management—Is an interstate

program and will not be seeking accreditation.(ii) Cultural Awareness—Yes, approved by DTIR.(iii) National Correctional Service (Standards)

Advisory Committee—Yes, ANTA and VETECapproved. Accredited through State TrainingAuthorities and State Registration Authorities.

(iv) Work Health and Safety—Yes, approved by VETand DTIR.

(v) Information Technology—No, it is a specialistsoftware package and will not be seekingaccreditation.

(vi) Corrections Health Commissioner Seminar—No,it is a seminar and not a program and thereforeaccreditation is not appropriate.

(vii) Indigenous Sexual Health—No, it is a seminarand is not a program and therefore accreditationis not appropriate.

(viii) Ending Offending—No, it is a therapeuticprogram and is not required to seekaccreditation.

(ix) Rehabilitation Coordination/WorkCover—Yes,approved by DTIR and WorkCover.

(x) Outsourcing—No, it is an interstate programconducted by a private firm and therefore it isunlikely to be accredited.

(xi) Mediation Course—It is a university courseconducted by Queensland University ofTechnology and will not be seeking VETaccreditation.

Queensland Police Service(1) Budgeted: $4,581,350; Expended: $3,384,349 (asat 28 February 1998, exclusive of salary and wages)(2) $551,670(3) The names of consultants engaged and the formsof training provided by them are shown under (a) and(b) respectively in the following list of QueenslandPolice Service training programs:STAFF MEMBER TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT—(a) Hewlett-Packard, Success Solutions, Applied

Multi-Media, AUUG (Australian Unix UsersGroup), Ideal Media, Fujitsu, ALC Training, DGAConsulting, Pollack Partners, GMB Researchand Development, Sybase Australia,Polymorphic Solutions, Odyssey Training,Proactive Services, Unlimited Corporate Events,International Network Services, AppleComputer, Southbank Institute of TAFE,Moreton Institute of TAFE, MacPeople, Mincom,A Michelle Moynihan Pty Ltd, DPI CorporateServices, Northpoint Institute of TAFE, BrisbaneInstitute of TAFE, KPMG and Department ofTreasury

(b) Computer training, computer workshops,specialist courses, workplace reform, stressawareness, sexual harassment referral officertraining, selection panel training, communicationroom operators courses, information technologytraining, cultural awareness training, projectmanagement, handling difficult clients, qualitycustomer service, stress management, conflictmanagement, communication skills, telephonetechniques, understanding behaviour, panelconvenors workshop, career planning, reportwriting, job application skills, equal employmentopportunities, first aid tuition, CPR, recordsmanagement, and managing performance

MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM—

(a) Problem Based Learning (PBL). TheManagement Development Program did not useany private or external providers.

(b) Instructional design, problem based learning,assessment marking, examination supervisionand module writing

INVESTIGATIONS AND INTELLIGENCE TRAININGPROGRAM—(a) Ithaca TAFE College(b) Training in methods of cutting and rejoining

motor vehicle bodies during the Auto TheftCourse and Stolen Motor Vehicle Course

ASSESSMENT CENTRE—(a) Saville Holdsworth Limited(b) Course work with resources providedREGIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING—

(a) Department of Training and Industrial Relations,James Cook University, Commercial SkillsCentre, Community Justice Program, TrainingQueensland, Pacific Institute, TAFE, Universityof Queensland, Queensland AmbulanceService, Fred Prior Institute, Work CoverQueensland, Queensland University ofTechnology, National Institute of Forensic


Science, Griffith University, QueenslandTreasury, Logical Solutions, Federal Bureau ofIntelligence, Price Waterhouse, CPA Society,Michelle Moniyhan Pty Ltd, DPI CorporateServices, Comtech, Hewlett Packard, SuccessSolutions, Applied Multimedia, Ideal Media,Fujitsu, and MAC People

(b) Skills acquisition, computer training, clientservice, mediation course, personal excellenceseminar, health seminar, first aid, projectmanagement, personal development, marineengine driver course, workplace health andsafety, video and photo course, scientific officercourse, Vietnamese language skills, finance,accounting, sexual harassment training,selection panel training, and multimediapresentation training

PROVE PROGRAM—

(a) Australian Institute of Police Management,Driessen, QUT, Bremner TAFE and SuccessSolutions

(b) Police management, cross cultural training, andskills acquisition

QUEENSLAND POLICE SERVICE ACADEMY [NORTHQUEENSLAND CAMPUS]—

(a) PBL and Queensland Police Service courses

(b) PBL, PSE maintenance program, SAPR3 andworkplace health and safety course

CONSTABLE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM—

(a) Griffith University

(b) Development of Civil Law Module

SPECIALIST SUPPORT—

(a) South Australian Police Service, QUTManagement Development Program, FranklinQuest, Sports Medicine Association, Royal LifeSaving Society, Smith and Wesson Academy,Department of Transport and Success Solutions

(b) Management development, lifesaving skills,resuscitation, kinesiology course, firearms,heavy vehicle course, pistol coaching, firearmstraining, close quarter combat and projectmanagement

(4) External providers undergo a competitive selectionprocess. Selection criteria include such matters asprice, provider qualities/qualifications, value formoney, curriculum content, reputation, productquality, product suitability, location, and recognisedexperience.

(5) The requested information is set out under eachprogram as follows:

STAFF MEMBER TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENTPROGRAM—

The TAFE courses accessed have either in-housecredentials or VETEC and/or Accreditation Councilaccreditation. Courses and workshops provided byexternal agencies, in general, do not have thesecredentials. Courses offered by the QueenslandPolice Service, with VETEC and/or AccreditationCouncil accreditation, include:

CNCAB016 Certificate in Workplace TrainingDiploma of Public Administration (accessedthrough the Open Learning Institute of TAFE)

It is proposed that current and future training coursesand workshops delivered by the Queensland PoliceService will have DEETYA (Department ofEmployment Education Training and Youth Affairs)approval and will be Accreditation Council (AustralianNational Training Authority) accredited. This proposalis due for implementation by 2000.

MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM—Negotiations are taking place with tertiary institutionsfor recognition of studies at Post Graduate Level.

INVESTIGATIONS AND INTELLIGENCE TRAININGPROGRAM—Courses offered by the Queensland Police Service,with VETEC and/or Accreditation Councilaccreditation, include:

Detective Training Program—Advanced DiplomaIntelligence Officers Course—AdvancedDiploma

ASSESSMENT CENTRE—

There is no proposal for this type of training to beaccredited.COMPETENCY ACQUISITION PROGRAM—

Negotiations are taking place to have CAP accredited.This process is expected to be completed by June1999.REGIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING—

The TAFE courses accessed have either in-housecredentials or VETEC and/or Accreditation Councilaccreditation. Courses and workshops provided byexternal agencies, in general, do not have thesecredentials.

PROVE PROGRAM—

Australian Institute of Police Management is anaccredited tertiary provider. A project is under way tohave this program accredited.QUEENSLAND POLICE SERVICE ACADEMY [NORTHQUEENSLAND CAMPUS]—

Courses and workshops provided by externalagencies, in general, do not have these credentials. Aproject is under way to have this program accredited.FIRST YEAR CONSTABLE PROGRAM—

Training programs are not accredited through VETEC.Negotiations are taking place to have this programaccredited.CONSTABLE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM—

A project is under way to have this programaccredited.SPECIALIST SUPPORT—

Courses and workshops provided by externalagencies, in general, do not have these credentials.Office of Racing

(1) Due to Office of Racing's small size, staff trainingis not separately budgeted for but undertaken on an"as required" basis. Total amount spent to date in1997/98 for staff training is $6,540.


(2) Total amount spent on training provided byexternal providers to date in 1997/98 is $6,540.

(3) Consultant details and form of training provided istabled below:

Consultant—Form of TrainingInterface Training—Practical/Classroom

Hewlett Packard—Practical/ClassroomUniversity of Canberra—Theory/Classroom

Pollack Partners—Practical/Classroom

National Association of Testing Authorities(NATA)—Theory/Classroom

(4) All external training consultants were selected inaccordance with Queensland State PurchasingGuidelines.

(5) It is understood that training provided by NATA andUniversity of Canberra is VETEC approved andaccredited. One-day courses on standard softwarepackages (eg Excel and Word) provided by InterfaceTraining and Pollack Partners are believed not to beapproved or accredited. Office of Racing is unawareof any requirement for such training to be accredited.

56 . Families, Youth and Community CareDepartment, Staff Training

Ms BLIGH asked the Minister for Families,Youth and Community Care (4/3/98)—With reference to the training offered to staff by herdepartment—

(1) How much has been budgeted for staff training in1997-98 and how much has been spent so far?




(5) Are all of the training programs approved by theVocational Education Training and EmploymentCommission and accredited by the AccreditationCouncil; if not, will the training be accreditedthrough them and when?Mrs Wilson (3/4/98): I am advised that:

(1) The budget allocated through the HumanResources Branch for the current financial year is$895,100. Year to date expenditure is $616,300.(2) $40,600 for contracted training.

(3) Name of Consultant—Type of Training

Management Solutions—Development of policy skillsERSIS—CDATA96 and Map Info Training

Eric Fenn and Company (organised by HRM)—ConflictManagementWorkskills Advancement Corporation Caboolture(Course conducted at NIL cost to Department)—Independent Grocery Retail Traineeship (10 Aboriginalemployees)

Food Store (John McDonald)—Training of RetailStores staff

VICTRIX Educational Management ResourceConsultants (Course offered through HRM)—Management Training (3 staff)

Penny Gordon—Review and Planning Day

John White—Youth CrimeTop Office Personnel—Excel Training

Dr Phil Harker—Organisational Change by ChoiceLyn Varsin-Coad—Physiotherapist—Manual handlingtechniques—RCOs

Queensland Fire Service—Fire Safety Training—RCOsRed Cross—First Aid Training—RCOs

Hans and Kristine Kwasny—Salary sacrificing SACSAward—CROs

(4) Departmental guidelines for the Use ofConsultants.

(5) The Departmental strategy is to link all appropriatetraining opportunities to National Competencies andVETEC accredited programs.

57 . Moorvale Shopping Centre, Police BeatShopfront

Mr FOLEY asked the Minister for Police andCorrective Services and Minister for Racing (4/3/98)—With reference to the longstanding community interestin establishing a Police Beat Shopfront facility at theMoorvale Shopping Centre, Moorooka—

(1) Is he aware of the strong desire by Moorookaresidents and businesses to have such a facilityestablished to help in combating crime?

(2) What action has been taken to establish such afacility?

(3) What further action will he take to establish sucha facility?Mr Cooper (2/4/98):

(1) Members of the Moorvale business communityhave been lobbying for a police beat shopfront to belocated in the shopping centre for several years.Interest in the proposal increased in 1996 following aviolent armed robbery in the area. Previous adviceindicated the overall crime statistics for Moorookawere no higher than those of other suburbs in theMetropolitan South Police Region. As such, the PoliceService considered that the establishment of ashopfront in the Moorvale Shopping Centre was notwarranted. Current crime statistics indicate a declinein crimes being reported in the immediate vicinity ofthe shopping centre. Moorooka Police Station islocated a short distance from the shopping centre andprovides an adequate police service to the area.(2) and (3) At this stage no action has beenundertaken to establish a shopfront within theMoorvale Shopping Centre. The AssistantCommissioner, Metropolitan South Police Region, ispresently conducting a strategic resource evaluationfor the entire Region. This evaluation will includeconsideration of the future locations of police stationsand police beat shopfronts within the Region. Whenthe evaluation is finalised, the AssistantCommissioner will arrange for a meeting with all


stakeholders to discuss any proposals arising fromthe project.

58 . Sandgate Road, Boondall, Speed LimitMr ROBERTS asked the Minister for Transport

and Main Roads (4/3/98)—

With reference to the 70 kph speed limit on SandgateRoad in the vicinity of Boondall State School—(1) Why won't the department respond to the

genuine concerns of parents for their children'safety by lowering the speed limit to at least 60kph?

(2) Why won't the department accept thejustification for this proposal given that its ownrecords show that motorists regularly travel atover 80 kph past this school?


(1) The principal aim of Main Roads speed zoningpolicy is to regulate traffic flow and reduce accidents.Parallel with this requirement is the need not to restrictdrivers at locations where higher speed limits can bepermitted in safety.

Sandgate Road is constructed to a high standard andthe arbitrary imposition of a speed limit which did notreflect the road environment would have a very lowlevel of compliance. Before the introduction of speed cameras in 1997,Main Roads commissioned consultants to conduct areview of speed limits on all State-controlled roadswithin the Metropolitan District. During this reviewprocess, a number of factors were taken into accountsuch as accident rates, vehicle speeds, roadgeometry and abutting land use. The results of this review indicated that theappropriate speed limit for Sandgate Road was 70kilometres per hour. Consequently, Main Roads willnot be reducing the speed limit on Sandgate Road atthis time.

(2) As mentioned previously, part of the speed reviewprocess includes the consideration of existing vehiclespeeds. A number of surveys are conducted atvarious sites along the subject section of road todetermine average vehicle speeds. This value isdirectly linked to the final speed limit.

Obviously if average vehicle speeds have beenrecorded around the 70 kilometre per hour mark, thensuch a limit is considered to be a safe and appropriatespeed by the motoring public. Motorists travelling significantly above the postedspeed limit run the risk of being caught by one of themobile speed camera units which regularly monitorSandgate Road. It is unlikely that reduction in theposted speed alone will reduce the incidence ofirresponsible individuals travelling at dangerousspeeds.

59 . Helicopter Rescue Services

Mrs ROSE asked the Minister for EmergencyServices and Minister for Sport (4/3/98)—With reference to the tax deductions and exemptionsavailable to helicopter rescue services—

(1) To what tax benefits are helicopter rescueservices entitled?

(2) Will he comprehensively list these entitlements?


(1) The helicopter rescue services provided by theDepartment of Emergency Services in Brisbane,Townsville and Cairns are Government services andas such are entitled to the same tax benefits as otherGovernment Departments.

Each of the Community Helicopter Providers (CHPs) isan autonomous charitable body providing a service forthe benefit of their community. The CHPs haveadvised me that due to their status as "publicbenevolent institutions", they are eligible under item140 in the First Schedule to the Sales Tax(Exemptions and Classifications) Act, for exemptionsfrom paying sales tax on goods for use and not forsale. Public benevolent institutions are also eligiblefor an exemption from the payment of fringe benefitstax in accordance with Section 57A(1) of the FringeBenefits Tax Assessment Act 1986. Exemptionsunder those Acts are granted by the CommonwealthGovernment.

If CHPs wish to apply for an exemption from payingstamp duty, they can do so in accordance withSection 59E of the Stamp Act 1894. The granting ofexemptions from the payment of stamp duty is a StateGovernment responsibility and the CHPs must applyon each occasion when wishing to claim theexemption. Exemption from stamp duty can beclaimed for policies, of insurance, and/or thepurchase of motor vehicles.

(2) CHPs receive the following tax benefitentitlements:

RACQ CareFlight (Gold Coast) receivesexemption from sales tax, fringe benefits taxand stamp duty;

Energex Community Rescue (Sunshine Coastand Bundaberg), the Capricorn HelicopterRescue Service (Rockhampton) and the CentralQueensland Helicopter Rescue Services(Mackay) receive exemptions from sales tax.These organisations do not provide fringebenefits to any employees and accordingly havenot applied for a fringe benefits tax exemption.

60 . Primary Industries Department, StaffTraining

Mr PALASZCZUK asked the Minister forPrimary Industries, Fisheries and Forestry (4/3/98)—

With reference to the training offered to staff by hisdepartment—







Mr Rowell (20/3/98):

(1) 4% of the salary budget has been budgeted fortraining in 1997/98. This is equal to $5.1m.

For the period July to December 1997, the Departmenthad expended approximately $1.37m on training anddevelopment. Training expenditure in the second halfof this financial year is projected to be greater thanthat reported for the period to December 1997.Reporting lags including those for the Studies andResearch Assistance Scheme and the effect ontraining activity of the establishment phase of the newDPI Institutes will result in a higher level ofexpenditure in the remainder of the financial year.

(2) External training comprises approximately 34% ofall training and development undertaken by DPI staff.This figure incorporates courses conducted byexternal providers specifically for DPI staff andexisting training and development programs (includingprofessional conferences) accessed by individualsand groups of DPI staff.

$33,535.32 was expended on courses specificallydesigned and delivered for DPI by external trainingproviders and organised through the CorporateServices Agency (CSA).

(3) The following consultants conducted coursesspecifically for DPI staff :

Business Training; How to get that Job; In housepresentation; Opening Learning Institute; GroupFacilitation; In house presentation; OpeningLearning Institute; Workplace Effectiveness; Inhouse presentation; Opening Learning Institute;Advanced Marketing; In house presentation;Opening Learning Institute; CommunicationSkills; In house presentation; Opening LearningInstitute; Workplace Trainer; In housepresentation; Morley Consulting ; JobApplication Writing; In house presentation;Morley Consulting; Progression Applications; Inhouse presentation; Morley Consulting;Effective Business Writing; In housepresentation; Monrob; Introduction to Microsoft;In house presentation; Michelle Moynihan;DPI—Sexual Harassment; In housepresentation; Officer's Refresher course

In addition to the above, DPI staff attended existingtraining and development courses, conferences andworkshops conducted by over 200 external agencies.(For example, Australasian Pacific ExtensionConference, Copyright Seminar for Librarians—whichwere attended by individual DPI staff.)

(4) Open Learning Institute and Morley Consulting areon the list of approved providers under Standing OfferArrangement Number 13. The evaluation criteria usedfor determining preferred providers included:

The supplier's technical and commercialcompliance with the Terms of Reference;

The ability of the supplier to offer flexibledelivery;

The ability of the supplier to provide delivery,post-program service, upgrades on a long-termbasis;

The supplier's relevant experience and generalreputation for work competency;The supplier's demonstrated ability to achieveand evaluate satisfactory training outcomes;

Registration of provider and recognition oftraining programs;

Value for money; andThe supplier's quality assurance system

Business Training and Monrob were selected inaccordance with the Queensland Government's StatePurchasing Policy "Instructions for the engagementand use of consultants".Michelle Moynihan, who has provided SexualHarassment Training to the department over a numberof years, was initially selected in accordance with thethen existing government policy on engagement ofconsultants and has continued to provide ongoingservices in this specialist field.(5) Not all DPI training programs are accredited.

The DPI Corporate Standard for Training andDevelopment states " where relevant, programs whichreflect relevant competency standards and lead to arecognised qualification should be accessed." Asmentioned above, one of the evaluation criteria forassessing "Standing Offer Arrangements"incorporated recognition of training.

Those programs conducted for DPI by the OpenLearning Institute have been accredited and approvedby VETEC and nationally recognised.

Where programs contracted by DPI incorporatecontent which could lead to a recognised qualification,external training providers who conduct accreditedprograms would be preferred over those providerswhose programs were not accredited.

61 . Ambulance Board, Cost of Meetings

Mr WELLS asked the Minister for EmergencyServices and Minister for Sport (4/3/98)—

(1) Will he itemise all the meetings of the AmbulanceBoard which have taken place since itsestablishment, together with the locations ofthose meetings?

(2) Will he itemise the costs of those meetings,including the costs of air rickets, hotelaccommodation and meals?

(3) Will he itemise particularly the cost of dinnersheld in Townsville on 15 December 1997 and atthe Quay Hotel in Brisbane on 18 December1997?

(4) Did Board members resident in south eastQueensland book in at the Quay Hotel to stayovernight on the occasion of the dinner, and willhe itemise the costs to the taxpayers of suchpersonal arrangements?


(1) The Board of the Queensland Ambulance Servicehas met eleven (11) times since its inauguration on 16


July 1997. Nine (9) of those meetings have been heldin Central Office, Brisbane, one (1) meeting was heldin the Townsville Region and one (1) meeting was heldin the Greater Brisbane Region.

(2) The costs of these meetings are as follows:Meeting fees—$11,880.00

Air Travel—$20,962.55

Accommodation/meals—$2,334.85Country members of the Board are conscious of costsand when in Brisbane regularly stay with relatives atno cost to the Ambulance Service.

(3a) The dinner in Townsville was an evening meal forMembers of the Board and Board secretarial staff, towhich, the Regional Executive Director for NorthernRegion, was invited. Costs were:

Food—$247.00

Beverage—$140.50(3b) The dinner in Brisbane was the first opportunityfor Members of the Board to meet and hold informaldiscussions with all the newly appointed Directors.

This was immediately preceded by a two hour formalmeeting which clarified roles and strategic plans forQAS.Costs of the dinner were shared between the Boardand the Service.

Costs to the Board were:Food—$257.43

Beverage—$76.50

(4) One Member of the Board from South EastQueensland stayed overnight at the Quay Hotel onthe night of 18 December 1997. The meeting/dinnerextended late into the evening and the Member faceda two and a half hour drive home, including unsealedand unfenced country roads. Cost of accommodationand breakfast was $109.00.

62 . Fire and Rescue Authority, StaffSelection Process

Mr BRISKEY asked the Minister forEmergency Services and Minister for Sport (4/3/98)—With reference to the Francis Report into cronyism inthe selection process for the senior officers in the FireService and, in particular, to the Francis finding thatthe selection process was flawed and that only alimited number of appointments under that processwere overturned and also to demands by the SeniorOfficers Association that since the panels involvedused the same selection criteria in the selection of allappointees, that the selection process for all 34applicants should be conducted again, a demandwhich Francis, the "independent reviewer", refused toentertain—(1) If the process was found to be flawed, isn't it the

case that the process must be flawed for allcandidates whether or not any appeal is lodgedagainst a successful candidate?

(2) Was the so called "independent reviewer" whorefused to entertain this demand for selectionequity, also involved in setting up the selectionprocess?

Mr Veivers (3/4/98): (1) The FPO 4 selection and review strategy clearlyoutlines that only those employees who lodge arequest for a review can be considered. Thereforeregardless of the outcome of the review (even if therewas a deficiency in the process) only thoseappointments which were reviewed can be impacted.This is consistent across Government in relation toemployees' right to appeal/review selection decisions.(2) The selection process was developed andimplemented in consultation with various experts inthis field (outlined below) and that best practicerecruitment and selection processes whichencompass the principles of fairness, equity andnatural justice were applied.Internal

Internal Senior Management of then QFS,including Commissioner, seven AssistantCommissioners and nine officers from the HRServices area of the Department of EmergencyServices.

ExternalIan McGaw—Executive Director, Equity &Resolution, Office of Public ServiceAlan Hough—A/Director, Grievance HearingDivision, Office of Public ServiceRepresentatives of the IndustrialOrganisations—United Firefighters Union andthe Senior Officers Association

63 . South East FreewayMr ARDILL asked the Minister for Transport

and Main Roads (4/3/98)—With reference to the restrictions on access nowplaced on Brisbane motorists attempting to join theSouth East Freeway, particularly at Logan, Mains andMarshall Roads, which are intended to enhance thejourney of Gold Coast motorists during peak hours—(1) Is he aware that this is now increasing traffic on

Brisbane "surface" roads?(2) Will he take urgent action to provide safer

access on these roads, such as the Mt LindesayHighway (Beaudesert Road) by providing rightturn arrows at traffic lights and otherimprovements to these roads?Mr Johnson (3/4/98):

(1)Traffic flow at the Logan, Mains and Marshall Roadson-ramp are metered as part of Main Roads' trafficcontrol and safety strategy for the South EastFreeway. Ramp metering has been implemented onthe freeway since 1987.Ramp metering or other entry restrictions also operateat the following locations on the South East Freewayand Pacific Motorway:

Cornwall Street Buranda inbound on-rampSports Drive Underwood inbound on-rampParadise Road Slacks Creek inbound on-rampLoganlea Road Slacks Creek inbound on-rampStanley Street Woolloongabba outbound on-rampMarquis Street Greenslopes outbound on-ramp


The basic objective of the Department's trafficmanagement strategy for the freeway involves theestablishment and maintenance of free-flowconditions on the Freeway with priority access beinggiven to public transport.A staged traffic management scheme for the Freewayhas been implemented and provides for a wide rangeof measures designed to improve traffic flow andsafety. Accident rates tend to increase markedly inunstable freeway flow conditions. The scheme hasinvolved the provision of extra traffic lanes, rampentry and exit control and improved incidentmanagement facilities. By-pass lanes have beenconstructed at ramp meters to provide priority topublic transport. Ramp metering has been used in a number ofcountries for some time now with a notable degree ofsuccess. As a result of their operation, the trafficcarrying capacity of the freeway is increased duringpeak hours, thus increasing the efficiency of the totalroad network.The ramp meter signals operate when the freewaytraffic flow is approaching capacity. The ramp signalsare individually controlled by a central computer whichmonitors the traffic flow and congestion level at eachsegment of the freeway and regulates the ramp meterrates in an attempt to prevent the flows fromexceeding critical levels. In free flow conditions, themaximum throughput of vehicles is higher than forstop-start congested flow. A shift of freeway flowconditions into congestion results in reduced flow,increased travel time, accidents, pollution, vehiclewear and fuel costs. Travels times become lesspredictable due to the increase in traffic incidents.Since completion of the major elements of thescheme, the department is continuing to closelymonitor conditions on the freeway. Significantimprovements have been recorded in peak traveltimes and there has been a reduction in accidents.Travel demand management strategies, as outlinedabove, clearly are necessary to keep abreast ofcongestion problems on major arterial roads such asthe freeway. Therefore, Main Roads strongly supportsinitiatives to increase car pooling and the use of publictransport.(2) Main Roads has briefed a consultant to examinethe operation of traffic signals on Beaudesert Roadbetween Mortimer Road and Granard Road. Afterconsultation with local community and stakeholders,the consultant has completed his report and MainRoads has determined a preferred arrangement of turnprohibitions, additional turning arrows and signalchanges. This will provide safe, protected turns foraccess to localities to the east and west ofBeaudesert Road, while eliminating minor turningmovements which are safety hazards.The proposal also discourages "rat running" alongPostle Street. By redistributing the turning traffic, thetraffic load at each intersection is more balanced andan adequate level of service along Beaudesert Roadis maintained.I am advised that this proposal will be circulated tohouseholders and relevant stakeholders before 20March 1998 to provide a further opportunity forcomment and feedback to the Department.

Subject to the results of this consultative process, itis expected modification of the signals will commenceby June this year.

64 . Medical Aids Supply Service

Mr T. B. SULLIVAN asked the Minister forHealth (4/3/98)—

With reference to his department's Medical AidsSupply Service—

(1) Why is he saying there is no financial crisis whenconstituents who request assistance for sickelderly relatives are told by senior staff thatMASS ran out of money over the Christmasperiod and that constituents would have to waitmonths for assistance?

(2) Why have northside residents not receivedassistance from MASS when he promisedindividuals families that he would personallyintervene to assist those families?

Mr Horan (2/4/98):

(1) There is no financial crisis affecting the MedicalAids Subsidy Scheme. The amount of funds allocatedto the scheme has been increased by over $2 millionsince the Coalition State Government cant to office.

(2) In two recent cases of northside residents aboutwhom the Member may be referring, one has beenapproved for the supply of aids while the other hasbeen referred to an expert clinician for reassessment.

Total home help funding under the Coalition StateGovernment is now $124 million, compared with $101million under the previous Goss Labor Government,an increase of almost 25% in just two years under thecurrent Government. Home help services are providedto 94,000 Queenslanders, a significant increase onthe 73,400 people who received assistance in 1995under the previous State and Federal Laborgovernments.

65 . Mount Isa Mines, Fatalities

Mr McGRADY asked the Minister for Minesand Energy (5/3/98)—

With reference to fatalities at Mount Isa Minessituated at Mount Isa, Queensland over the past twoyears—

(1) How many fatalities occurred at that mine?

(2) What recommendations were made as a result ofthe Mining Warden's hearing?

(3) How many of those recommendations have beenimplemented?

(4) What is the status of those recommendationswhich to date, have not been implemented?

Mr Gilmore (3/4/98):

(1) Five.

(2) Recommendations made as a result of each MiningWarden's hearing were—

(a) Recommendations of the Warden's Inquiry intothe death of Glen Burrows on 4 June 1996 madeon 5 December 1996—


(i) Safe Work Procedures should bedeveloped and implemented with input, andin cooperation with, a vertical cross sectionof the workforce affected by, andcompetent in, the work to be performed.

(ii) Safe Work Procedures should include auditmechanisms.

(iii) Company Safety Management Systems beexpanded to include training for a widecross section of the workforce in relation toHazard Identification and RiskManagement.

(iv) That a specific training module on HazardIdentification be included in the Inductionand Refresher Training for all employees.

(v) A means of tracking work carried out onitems of equipment or delineated areas ofstructure be instituted.

(vi) We are concerned about the level of non-compliance with present Regulations, minesite rules and standard work procedures.We strongly believe that management andall persons employed should comply withthese rules and procedures and work inaccordance with the methods in which theywere trained.

(b) Recommendations of the Warden's Inquiry intothe death of Wayne Jackson on 6 October 1996made on 18 June 1997—

(i) Where a vertical edge will be used as abackfill/tipping location, a stop log shouldbe constructed in accordance with aprocedure developed using a recognisedrisk management process.

(ii) Backfilling and tipping into stopes is to becarried out by competent personnel onlyand in accordance with the proceduredeveloped by the above process.

(iii) Supervisors allocating tasks should ensurethat those carrying out the tasks are fullyaware of the risks involved, have thecorrect equipment and are aware of thecorrect procedures to carry out the task.

(iv) Supervisors must frequently audit use ofcorrect equipment and procedures andmust take appropriate action when non-compliance is observed.

(v) Communications between management andemployees must be improved to ensurethat the commitment to an understanding ofsafe operations is mutual. It isrecommended that a working groupconsisting of a cross section of all levels ofemployees be established to identifybarriers to effective communications anddetermine means of removing thesebarriers.

(vi) Current redrafting of Standard WorkInstructions should continue. Formalauditing procedures should be implementedto ensure that the Standard WorkInstructions are soundly established,maintained and observed.

(c) Recommendations of the Wardens' Inquiry intothe death of Barry Rooks on 27 October 1996made on 29 April 1997—

(i) Clearly defined Minimum Support Rulesshould be developed and implemented forthe Deep Copper Mine.

These Minimum Support Rules shallspecify—

Maximum drive widths;

Maximum distance from the face tothe last line of effective support;The number, type and pattern of thesupports required;

Safe work procedures for theinstallation of these supports.

(ii) Safe work procedures should be developedand implemented with input from, and incooperation with, a vertical cross-sectionof the workforce affected by, andcompetent in the work to be performed.

Safe work procedures should include auditmechanisms.

(iii) That an Industry Group consisting ofrepresentatives from the Deep Copper MineManagement Team and EmployeeRepresentatives with input from theDepartment of Mine's Inspectorate,investigate, select and implement aneffective rock bolting system.

An effective rock bolting system shouldprovide immediate protection for personsengaged in the installation process andeffective support for persons employed onother duties in the face area.

(iv) That the Getman Scissor-lift Platform andother devices, used to elevate persons befitted with falling object protection andguard rails as required by Part 7.32.1 ofThe Metalliferous Mining Regulations of1985 (as amended).

(d) Recommendations of the Warden's Inquiry intothe death of John Barber on 4 June 1997 madeon 5 February 1998—

(i) Physical Barriers—Substantial physicalstructures or barriers should be installed toprevent mobile equipment falling into openstopes or hazardous openings.

(ii) Job Instruction—A formal task or jobinstruction process should be implementedfor work in hazardous areas, for examplewithin 20 metres of open stopes.

This instruction should include an easilyunderstandable and up-to-date plan or jobsketch which clearly shows the locationand job specifications. The original jobinstruction should be maintained by thesupervisor and a copy issued to theemployee.

(iii) Job Inspection—All jobs in hazardousareas should be inspected by thesupervisor prior to the issuing of a job


instruction. This inspection should includean assessment of the likely hazards andhow these hazards are to be controlled.

(iv) Hazard Assessment—Management shouldactively promote and enforce the need toformally assess hazards at thecommencement of every new job andprovide employees with appropriate trainingto enable them to identify and assess suchhazards.

Once trained, employees should undertakethorough and ongoing checks of theirworkplace and equipment to identifypotential hazards and implementappropriate controls.

(v) Competency of Supervisors—Managementshould implement a formal process toensure the ability of supervisors tocompetently undertake their duties.

(vi) Visibility around Hazardous Openings—Wherever possible suitable lighting shouldbe installed to effectively illuminate theedge of hazardous openings.

Where mobile equipment is to operate in thevicinity of hazardous openings theselection of equipment should includeconsideration of both operator visibility andequipment lighting.

(e) Recommendations of the Warden's Inquiry intothe death of David Stratton on 19 June 1997made on 30 November 1997—

(i) The operator of the KomatsuExcavator/Loader or similar unit shallmaintain a twenty-five (25) metre exclusionzone around the machine.

(ii) A person shall not enter the exclusion zoneof an operating machine until theycommunicate with and receive the approvalof the operator.

A person shall not enter the zone within theswing radius of the machine unless theengine speed is reduced to idle and theimplements lowered to the ground.

(iii) The Mines Inspectorate should inconjunction with Industry continueinvestigations into the feasibility anddevelopment of improvements in operatorvisibility and movement warning devices formobile plant.

(iv) Machines fitted with modifications thatrestrict the operators view should besubjected to a risk assessment to ensurethat operating practices do not placepeople at unacceptable risk.

(3) Of the 26 recommendations all have been eitherfully or partially implemented.

(4) Many of the recommendations are of a genericnature rather than being specific. Implementation ofsuch recommendations involves continuous andongoing effort with introduction of processes toimprove safety.

Action has been taken at MIM Ltd's Mount Isaoperation to either implement the recommendations orintroduce processes to implement therecommendations in all cases.

The status of the recommendations which had notbeen fully implemented on 5 March 1998 is—(a) Recommendations of the Warden's Inquiry into

the death of Glen Burrows on 4 June 1996 at theMIM Ltd Copper Concentrator made on 5December 1996—

Recommendation(i) Safe Work Procedures should be

developed and implemented with inputfrom, and in cooperation with, a verticalcross section of the workforce affected by,and competent in, the work to beperformed.

Implementation CommentsMIM Ltd's Safety Health and Environment(SH&E) Management System definesSH&E Site Procedures across theoperation. The SH&E Site Proceduresendorsement/approval process involves avertical "slice" from the organisation.Whilst many procedures have beenimplemented, this process is ongoing.

Recommendation

(iii) Company Safety Management Systems beexpanded to include training for a widecross section of the workforce in relation toHazard Identification and RiskManagement.

Implementation CommentsTraining modules have been developed andextensive training carried out. This isongoing throughout the mine.

Recommendation

(iv) We are concerned about the level of non-compliance with present Regulations, minesite rules and standard work procedures.We strongly believe that management andall persons employed should comply withthese rules and procedures and work inaccordance with the methods in which theywere trained.

Implementation CommentsCompliance is a condition of employment atMIM Ltd.

Education about legislation, rules andprocedures is continuous an ongoing.

(b) Recommendations of the Warden's Inquiry intothe death of Wayne Jackson on 6 October 1996in the MIM Ltd Lead Mine made on 18 June1997—

Recommendation(iii) Supervisors allocating tasks should ensure

that those carrying out the tasks are fullyaware of the risks involved, have thecorrect equipment and are aware of thecorrect procedures to carry out the task.


Implementation CommentsThere is continuous and ongoing monitoringof compliance with Standard WorkInstructions which include correct use ofcorrect equipment.

Recommendation

(iv) Supervisors must frequently audit use ofcorrect equipment and procedures andmust take appropriate action when non-compliance is observed.

Implementation Comments

Supervisors are required to carry outaudits. This is continuous and ongoing.

Recommendation(v) Communications between management and

employees must be improved to ensurethat the commitment to an understanding ofsafe operations is mutual. It isrecommended that a working groupconsisting of a cross section of all levels ofemployees be established to identifybarriers to effective communications anddetermine means of removing thesebarriers.


Standard communications programsbetween management and employees arespecified in MIM Ltd's SH&E ManagementSystem.

The extensive communication meetings arepart of an ongoing program.

(c) Recommendations of the Warden's Inquiry intothe death of Barry Rooks on 27 October 1996 inMIM Ltd Deep Copper Mine made on 29 April1997—

Recommendation

(ii) Safe work procedures should be developedand implemented with input from, and incooperation with, a vertical cross-sectionof the workforce affected by, andcompetent in the work to be performed.Safe work procedures should include auditmechanisms.

Implementation CommentsMany Standard Work Instructions withaccompanying audit mechanism packageshave been developed.

This process is ongoing.Recommendation

(iii) That an Industry Group consisting ofrepresentatives from the Deep Copper MineManagement Team and EmployeeRepresentatives with input from theDepartment of Mine's Inspectorate,investigate, select and implement aneffective rock bolting system. An effectiverock bolting system should provideimmediate protection for persons engagedin the installation process and effectivesupport for persons employed on otherduties in the face area.


MIM Ltd purchased a new Tamrock rockbolter in 1997 which allows remoteinstallation and grouting of rock bolts. MIMLtd personnel investigated new equipmentoverseas and a new Atlas Copcomechanised rock bolter has been orderedfor delivery in 1998.

Evaluation of the equipment will be ongoingwith Mines Inspectorate input.

Recommendation

(iv) That the Getman Scissor-lift Platform andother devices, used to elevate persons befitted with falling object protection andguard rails as required by Part 7.32.1 ofThe Metalliferous Mining Regulations of1985 (as amended).


Technical, structural and practicaldifficulties exist concerning fitment offalling object protection to platforms andelevating baskets, and are not arequirement of the Regulations.Investigations to provide protectioncontinues.

Use of equipment to remotely install rockbolts will considerably reduce the exposureto the hazards which existed at the time ofthe accident to Mr Rooks.

(d) Recommendations of the Warden's Inquiry intothe death of John Barber on 4 June 1997 in theMIM Ltd Deep Copper Mine made on 5 February1998—

Recommendation

(i) Physical Barriers—Substantial physicalstructures or barriers should be installed toprevent mobile equipment falling into openstopes or hazardous openings.


Substantial barriers in the form of concreteor muck stop logs are routinely used.

All downward openings are barricaded andsignposted.

Installation of barriers is continuous andongoing.

Mines Inspectorate monitoring shows goodresponse to this recommendation.

Recommendation

(ii) Job Instruction—A formal task or jobinstruction process should be implementedfor work in hazardous areas, for examplewithin 20 metres of open stopes.

This instruction should include an easilyunderstandable and up-to-date plan or jobsketch which clearly shows the locationand job specifications. The original jobinstruction should be maintained by thesupervisor and a copy issued to theemployee.


Implementation CommentsA Permit to Work system with associatedStandard Work Instruction has beenintroduced for some tasks adjacent to openstopes. Plans and job sketches with clearinstruction are being issued to performwork in hazardous area.This system continues to be developed.

Recommendation

(iii) Job Inspection—All jobs in hazardousareas should be inspected by thesupervisor prior to the issuing of a jobinstruction. This inspection should includean assessment of the likely hazards andhow these hazards are to be controlled.

Implementation CommentsSupervisors formally assess jobs inhazardous areas. The Permit to Worksystem which involves supervisors andemployees is being extendedprogressively.

Recommendation(iv) Hazard Assessment—Management should

actively promote and enforce the need toformally assess hazards at thecommencement of every new job andprovide employees with appropriate trainingto enable them to identify and assess suchhazards.Once trained, employees should undertakethorough and ongoing checks of theirworkplace and equipment to identifypotential hazards and implementappropriate controls.

Implementation CommentsFormal training in hazard assessment iscarried out for all employees. Refreshertraining will be given as required.

The ISAFETY system of daily writtenreports on workplace safety is beingpromoted extensively.

Recommendation

(v) Competency of Supervisors—Managementshould implement a formal process toensure the ability of supervisors tocompetently undertake their duties.


A formal review of the selection process forand the training requirements and trainingcontent is under way.

Recommendation

(v) Visibility around Hazardous Openings—Wherever possible suitable lighting shouldbe installed to effectively illuminate theedge of hazardous openings.Where mobile equipment is to operate in thevicinity of hazardous openings theselection of equipment should includeconsideration of both operator visibility andequipment lighting.

Implementation CommentsInstallation of lighting in many areas isimpractical due to blasting. Barricading,signposting and painting are usedextensively.The Permit to Work system includesassessment of suitable equipment.

(e) Recommendations of the Warden's Inquiry intothe death of David Stratton on 19 June 1997 atthe MIM Ltd Scrap Yard made on 20 November1997:Recommendation(i) The operator of the Komatsu

Excavator/Loader or similar unit shallmaintain a twenty-five (25) metre exclusionzone around the machine.

Implementation CommentsSIMSMETAL, contractors involved in theoperation at the scrap yard, has developedimproved procedures to avoid the situationwhich arose in the fatal accident.These procedures will be monitored.

Recommendation(ii) A person shall not enter the exclusion zone

of an operating machine until theycommunicate with and receive the approvalof the operator. A person shall not enter thezone within the swing radius of the machineunless the engine speed is reduced to idleand the implements lowered to the ground

Implementation CommentsSIMSMETAL, in conjunction with MIM Ltd,has developed improved procedures whichavoid the situation causing the fatalaccident and have improvedcommunication systems. Radiocommunications are to be maintainedbetween truck drivers and loaderoperators.

Recommendation(iii) The Mines Inspectorate should in

conjunction with Industry continueinvestigations into the feasibility anddevelopment of improvements in operatorvisibility and movement warning devices formobile plant.

Implementation CommentsMines Inspectorate is involved instandards committees and conferencesconcerning movement warning devices. Nospecific action has yet been takenconcerning operator visibility.

Recommendation(iv) Machines fitted with modifications that

restrict the operators view should besubjected to a risk assessment to ensurethat operating practices do not placepeople at unacceptable risk

Implementation CommentsThis is ongoing and can only beimplemented case by case.


66 . State Public Servants, MaternityLeave

Mr HAMILL asked the Deputy Premier,Treasurer and Minister for The Arts (5/3/98)—

With reference to the issue of six weeks maternityleave for State Public Servants—

(1) What amounts were paid under this scheme in1996-97 and what has been paid to date in 1997-98?

(2) To how many public servants were theseamounts paid in each year?

(3) Will she give an undertaking to the House thatshe supports the scheme and that she willcontinue to do so into the future?

Mrs Sheldon (6/4/98): (1, 2 & 3) Responsibilityfor the government's policy in relation to maternityleave for State Public Servants is a matter for theMinister for Training and Industrial Relations.

67 . Humpybong State School

Mr HOLLIS asked the Minister for Education(5/3/98)—

With reference to the amalgamation of HumpybongState School with Humpybong Infant School aboutwhich promises were made on the Government'sbehalf to P & C groups and to the school communitywhich included (a) new library/resource centre, (b)covered walkways linking the two campuses, (c) newstaffroom for the increased teaching and ancillarystaff and (d) a new combined tuckshop servicing bothcampuses—

(1) Is he going to provide for these facilities in the1998-1999 Budget?

(2) What is the timeframe for construction andcompletion of these facilities?

Mr Quinn (15/4/98): The only project promisedto the Humpybong State School as a directconsequence of the amalgamation was a new modularbuilding. This was completed for the commencementof the 1998 school year.

However, I have announced that the followingprojects, valued at $575,000, will proceed, as soon aspossible, to boost facilities and services for thisschool:

upgrade of several classrooms, includingenclosure of verandahs

construction of a covered walkway linking theupper and infants' sectionsextension to the administration facility to createmore staff offices and student sick bays

installation of fibre optic cabling to providecomputer access to the Internet and to link theresource centre with the administrationintegration of the two schools' previoustelephone systems for easier communication

conversion of spare classroom to reference areafor teachersgeneral upgrade in resource centre, includinglighting, painting and other repairs.

68 . Wide Bay TAFE Institute, MarketingDivisionMr DOLLIN asked the Minister for Training and

Industrial Relations (5/3/98)—With reference to the decision to move the marketingdivision of the Wide Bay Institute of TAFE to HerveyBay—(1) What is the reason for this move?(2) How many jobs are involved in the marketing

department?(3) Will there be any job losses as a result of the

move?Mr Santoro (2/4/98): The Marketing Unit for

the Institute, which has a staff of three, has beenlocated at Hervey Bay for the past two years and hasnot and is not moving to or from anywhere.(1, 2 & 3) There has been no decision, no move, nojobs moved, and no jobs lost.

69 . Main Street ProgramMr PEARCE asked the Minister for Local

Government and Planning (5/3/98)—With reference to the Department of LocalGovernment and Planning's Main Street Program andas she would be aware, an amount of $30,000 wascommitted to Mount Morgan Shire Council under theMain Street Program with this funding to be provided in$10,000 allocations over a three year period and as itis alleged that the Mayor of Mount Morgan is advisinglocal residents that the Main Street Program is unableto be completed because the State Government hasnot yet handed over all the funds, as promised—What payments have been made under this programto Mount Morgan Shire Council, on what dates werethese payments made and do these paymentsrepresent the full allocation of funding as originallycommitted?

Mrs McCauley (27/3/98): The Main StreetProgram is not administered by my Department.Accordingly I am unable to respond to this question.The honourable member should note that the MainStreet Program is administered by the Department ofTourism, Small Business and Industry and as such,he should address his question to the Ministerresponsible for that portfolio.

70 . National Parks and Wildlife Service,Staff MoraleMr BEATTIE asked the Minister for

Environment (5/3/98)—With reference to tensions within his department thatare having particularly damaging effects on NationalParks and Wildlife Service staff located in his AnnStreet headquarters—(1) Did the entire head office staff of the service

hold what virtually amounted to a stop workmeeting mid-afternoon on 4 March; if so, whatdrove them to this point?

(2) Was part of their grievances the on-going unfairpressure these people are under from himself,his office and his Director-General?


(3) Has he instructed his senior departmental staffto target these staff for retribution and how doeshe justify this instruction?

(4) Are we to believe that minor delays in Ministerialcorrespondence and occasional errors in thepreparation of subordinate legislation aresufficient justification for the quite pointedvictimisation these hard working staff arecurrently receiving?

(5) What does he intend to do to address this matterbefore the discontent spreads to the regions andhamstrings his administration?

Mr Littleproud (12/3/98): (1-4) No.

(5). See 1-4.One would have thought that an Opposition Leaderwould have more significant issues to occupy his mindthan office gossip. However, I am advised that centraloffice members of the Queensland National Parks andWildlife Service met over afternoon tea on 3 March(not 4 March) at the invitation of the Director of thatSub-program.

This was a routine meeting, one of the frequentmeetings which are held with staff and supervisorsthroughout the Department, to ensure that the effortsof the Department's highly motivated and creativestaff are coordinated to achieve the best outcomesfor all.

This particular meeting allowed discussion on anumber of administrative matters associated withproviding the best possible service to government.One of the matters discussed was the need for staffto focus on producing work of a high quality whichreflects their substantial professional abilities. Staffhighlighted a number of issues which, as is always thecase with such matters, have been brought to theattention of senior management of the Department.

A suggestion that I would ask senior officers of thisprofessional and highly motivated Department toexact retribution on staff members simply becausethey have made suggestions on ways to improve thefunctioning of the Department, or that they would evenconsider doing that, is mischievous and does notdeserve further comment.

71 . Public Works and Housing Department,Staff Training

Mr ROBERTS asked the Minister for PublicWorks and Housing (5/3/98)—






(5) Are all of the training programs approved by theVocational Education Training and Employment

Commission and accredited by the AccreditationCouncil; if not, will the training be accreditedthrough them and when?

Dr Watson (6/4/98):

(1) The department has an annual training budget forthe 1997/98 financial year of $5,658,873 and againstthis budget, as at 28 February 1998, approximately$2,422,275 has been spent on staff training.

(2) Approximately $2,178,056 has been spent onproviding training by external providers.(3) The department has engaged the services of alarge number of consultants and organisations toprovide a wide range of specific and general training.The form of training provided was courses,conferences, conventions, forums, informationsessions, seminars and workshops.

(4) Training providers have been selected inaccordance with the State Purchasing Policy. (5) Where appropriate, the department uses trainingprograms that are accredited by the VocationalEducation Training and Employment Commission(VETEC), including the provision of apprenticeshipsand traineeships. The department uses accreditationas one of the measures for assessing the quality oftraining offered by external providers. Often,however, training is conducted as "one-off" shortcourses and is specifically tailored to the businessneeds of the particular business units. This type oftraining is not appropriate for accreditation.

A considerable amount of the training provided withinthe department is at a level equivalent to post-graduate levels and is therefore not appropriate foraccreditation within the VETEC system.

72 . Natural Resources Department, StaffTraining

Mrs LAVARCH asked the Minister for NaturalResources (5/3/98)—








1. There is no dedicated budget towards staff training.Operational areas include an unspecified componentof their operational budget for training activities. Theinclusion is dependent upon a number of factorsincluding nature of project, workforce skillrequirements and local access of training providersand activities. These amounts are at the discretion of


local management and not specified per se in budgetforecasts or allocations.

$747,669 has been spent on training from 1/7/97 to28/2/98. This figure excludes salary and travel costsof staff attending training activities and attendance atconferences and seminars. 2. The Department has spent $572,363 on trainingprovided by external training providers.

3. Attachment A lists the names of external providersand the media used to deliver training activities (whereinformation is available).As identified in the attachment, training was deliveredthrough a variety of media including workshops,computer based training, lectures and distanceeducation using technology such as the internet.

4. The Department is party to a StandingOffer/Preferred Supplier Arrangement for Corporatetraining activities, which is administered by CorporateServices Agency. The Standing Offer/PreferredSupplier Arrangement is in accordance with theQueensland Government's State Purchasing Policy.

Criteria used in selecting providers under thisarrangement include:I. The Supplier's technical and commercial

compliance with the Terms of Reference

II. The ability of the supplier to offer flexibledelivery

III. The ability of the supplier to provide delivery,post-program service, upgrades on a long termbasis

IV. The suppliers relevant experience and generalreputation for work competency

V. The suppliers demonstrated ability to achieveand evaluate satisfactory training outcomes

VI. Registration of Provider and Accreditation ofTraining Programs

VII. Value for moneyVIII. The Supplier's Quality Assurance system

The Corporate Services Agency, on behalf of theDepartment, coordinates and brokers training underThe Standing Offer/Preferred Supplier Arrangement.The Preferred Suppliers include Open LearningInstitute, TAFE, Morley Consulting, MacQuarieHouse, Stolar Training, Terry Coman & Associates. Ininstances where the preferred supplier is unable tomeet training specifications, procurement processesin accordance to Queensland Government's StatePurchasing Policy are adhered too.

Training activities to address immediate and localexigencies are determined and coordinated by localmanagement and comply with the Department'spractices for procurement processes in accordancewith Queensland Government's State PurchasingPolicy. In these instances, combination of several ofthe following criteria are used:

IX. The Supplier's technical and commercialcompliance with the training specificationsprovided

X. Suppliers demonstrated ability to achieve andevaluate satisfactory training outcomes

XI. The suppliers relevant experience and generalreputation for work competency

XII. Flexibility in delivery

XIII. Value for money

XIV. Timeliness of the training (available whenrequired)

XV. Local access

5. A significant number of training programs isprovided by organisations such as Universities, TAFEColleges, Open Learning Institute through theCorporate Services Agency which deliver VETECapproved programs.

Training courses delivered to meet short-term andindividual needs are focused on skilling staff ingovernment specific internal systems and processesor provide knowledge required to meet immediateworkplace needs. Some of these programs are notand need not be accredited.

73 . Economic Development and TradeDepartment, Staff Training

Mr SCHWARTEN asked the Minister forEconomic Development and Trade and MinisterAssisting the Premier (5/3/98)—







Mr Slack (3/4/98):

(1) The Department of Economic Development andTrade's 1997-98 revised budget for staff training is$262,300. Actual expenditure (as at 6 March 1998) is$108,642.(2) As at 6 March 1998, the Department has spent$108,642 on external training providers in the 1997-98financial year. This includes training run in-house byexternal training providers as well as staff attendanceat external training programs, seminars andconferences.

(3) Major training providers used include DGRConsulting, Management Technology Education,Management Effectiveness Pty Ltd, BusinessTraining Group Pty Ltd, and QUT ContinuingProfessional Education Unit.

(4) The Department selects training providers inaccordance with the State Purchasing Policy,Departmental strategic objectives, business unitrequirements and individual development needs.


Potential providers are required to evidence theirability to meet these specific requirements throughthe delivery of their service. A consideration of "bestfit" with business unit needs and of "value for money"is undertaken before engaging the provider.

(5) The Department utilises both VETEC approved andnon-approved providers in the delivery of its trainingrequirements.The criteria used to identify appropriate trainingprovision for the Department rests heavily onspecifically identifying business requirements andaccurately addressing them in services contracted.Occasions have arisen where non-VETEC approvedproviders have most closely met the "best fit" and"value for money" considerations.

74 . Premier's Department, Staff Training

Mr BRADDY asked the Premier (5/3/98)—With reference to the training offered to staff by hisdepartment—





(5) Are all of the training programs approved by theVocational Education Training and EmploymentCommission and accredited by the AccreditationCouncil; if not, will the training be accreditedthrough them and when?Mr Borbidge (6/4/98):

(1) 1997/98 revised budget: Department of thePremier and Cabinet (excluding Ministerial Offices)$287,300, Ministerial Offices $79,000, total $366,300.Actual expenditure (as at 28 February 1998):Department of the Premier and Cabinet (excludingMinisterial Offices) $210,286, Ministerial Offices$37,455, total $247,741.

(2) To date, the Department has spent $48, 617 onexternal training providers in the 1997-98 financialyear.(3) For the purpose of this question, an 'externaltraining provider' is considered to be a Private SectorTraining provider who has conducted 'in-house'training for the agency.

These details have been collected utilising availabledata from centralised financial records. It should benoted that decentralised purchasing arrangementsacross the Department do not necessitate recordingof all engagements through these records. Thisprocess will be refined under the new SAP financialsystem where it will be a requirement to raise acommitment purchase order for every consultancyentered into.

There were no consultants listed on the Departmentalrecords provided. There were six training providerswho were engaged as contractors. They were:Management Technology Education (Software

Training), Business Training Group Pty Ltd (WrittenCommunication Training), St. Johns AmbulanceAustralia (Workplace First Aid Training), Rowland(QLD) Pty Ltd (Media Training), Arthur Anderson(Accrual Accounting Training) and GMB Research andDevelopment (System Administration Training).

Training was conducted as 'in-house' workshops.Course content was tailored specifically to the needsof the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and itsstaff.

(4) The Department selects training contractors inaccordance with the State Purchasing Policy,Departmental Strategic objectives, Business Unitrequirements and individual developments needs.Potential providers are required to evidence theirability to meet these specific requirements throughthe delivery of their service. A consideration of 'bestfit' with business unit needs and of 'value for money' isundertaken before engaging the contractor.

(5) The Department utilises both VETEC approved andnon-approved providers in the delivery of its trainingrequirements.The criteria used to identify appropriate trainingprovision for the Department rests heavily onspecifically identifying business requirements andaccurately addressing them in services contracted.Occasions have arisen where non-VETEC approvedproviders have most closely met the 'best fit' and'value for money' considerations.

75 . Education Department, Staff Training

Mrs ROSE asked the Minister for Education(5/3/98)—







Mr Quinn (15/4/98):

(1) The amount set aside across the wholeDepartment specifically for registering at trainingcourses in 1997-98 is $1.976 million. To the end ofFebruary $0.905 million has been spent.

In addition, the Centre for Teaching Excellence andthe Centre for Leadership Excellence develop andcoordinate courses and packages to meet the trainingneeds of teachers and public servants across thewhole Department. The operational budget for thesecentres during 1997-98 is $8.023 million(approximately 22% of this money had been expendedby the end of February).


Grants to schools for training in relation to preschoolcurriculum guidelines totalling $1.667 million havebeen paid in 1997-98. The training is provided by 3consortia—

James Cook University;

Queensland University of Technology and theEarly Childhood Teachers Association; and

University of Southern Queensland, CentralQueensland University and the Lady GowrieCentre.

Grants are provided to schools, but it is the individualschool's decision on when it avails itself of the trainingand by which provider.

Grants to Leading Schools for professionaldevelopment totalling $0.217 million have been paid in1997-98. A budget of $0.470 million has been setaside for key teacher training in the Year 2 DiagnosticNet, and is due to be paid as grants to schools in April.

(2) The amount identified as being paid in 1997-98 toexternal training providers (to the end of February) is$0.793 million.

(3), (4) & (5)

Provider—Amaya & AssociatesService—Facilitate forum & conduct evaluationCriteria—Ability to fulfil terms of brief, previousexperience, cost effectiveness, qualificationsVETEC Accreditation—NoProvider—Williams Pacific ConsultingService—Leadership development trainingCriteria—Experience with cultural transformationprocess in large organisation, capacity to provideindependent strategic advice, value for moneyVETEC Accreditation—No

Provider—Erik FrangenheimService—Facilitate conference for LOTE beginningteachersVETEC Accreditation—No

Provider—Dr Marie Brennen (UCQ)Service—Facilitate conference for CommunityParticipation Unit, pre- & post-conference tasksCriteria—Previous experience/expertise in schoolcommunity development & professionaldevelopment/trainingVETEC Accreditation—Now obtaining certificationfrom VETEC—by April 1998

Provider—Griffith UniversityService—Students with Challenging Behaviour andAutism (30-hour course)Criteria—Departmental tender procedures followedVETEC Accreditation—NoProvider—COMTECHService—Systems Technician Training in NT 4.0Admin. & Core TechnologiesCriteria—Request for Offer distributed to suppliersVETEC Accreditation—Yes

Provider—Success SolutionsService—Workshops for Information Managementstaff on estimating, task monitoring & control, etc.Criteria—Request for Offer distributed to suppliersVETEC Accreditation—Yes

Provider—Mallard ConsultantsService—Consulting Skills Program—a two-dayworkshop on a Client Service ModelCriteria—Based on experience/selection by SunshineCoast Regional Education OfficeVETEC Accreditation—No

Provider—Pollak Partners SunriseService—SMS Finance—computerised "hands on"course & training manualsCriteria—Part of contract for Computerised SchoolAdmin. ProgramVETEC Accreditation—Yes

Provider—Gold Coast Institute of TAFEService—Basic Accounting in Schools—face-to-faceor remote training with manualCriteria—Invitation to offerVETEC Accreditation—YesProvider—4C 1997 ConferenceService—Multimedia Professional DevelopmentCriteria—Appropriate, available

Provider—Australian College of EducationConferenceService—Update on School Based ManagementCriteria—Availability

Provider—Australian Exhibition ServicesService—Effective Marketing DisplaysCriteria—Appropriate, excellent priceProvider—Griffith UniversityService—ADOBE AfterEffects for video designCriteria—Appropriate, timely opportunity

Provider—Image WordService—Frontpage; Windows95 training; MicrosoftAccessCriteria—competitive pricing, availability, satisfactoryinterview, proven service record VETEC Accreditation—Unknown; (unknown)Provider—QISEO ConferenceService—Network with Senior Education OfficersCriteria—Availability

Provider—Robert King—Rob Thomsett & Associates.Service—Project Management—tailored groupsession over three days.Criteria—proven service record, competitive pricing,international expertise, satisfactory interview, abilityto tailor to client needsVETEC Accreditation—No (consultancy customisedfor OAU requirements)

Provider—Southbank Institute of TAFEService—Photoshop software for graphic artmanipulation—group session over two daysCriteria—leaders in the field, competitive pricing,availabilityVETEC Accreditation—Yes

Provider—Southbank Institute of TAFEService—Category 2 trainer—group session overeight daysCriteria—leaders in the field, competitive pricing, metrequirements for category 2 training accreditation,satisfactory interviewVETEC Accreditation—Yes

Provider—WWW7 ConferenceService—Web design and programmingCriteria—Appropriate, rare opportunity


Provider—National Schools NetworkService—Middle Years of SchoolingPrimary/SecondaryCriteria—Standards Framework for ProfessionalDevelopment and Training, Draft StandardsFramework for TeachersVETEC Accreditation—No

Provider—SPELD and University of Queensland(7 presenters)Service—Managing the education of students withlearning disabilitiesCriteria—Draft Standards Framework for ProfessionalDevelopment and Training, Draft StandardsFramework for TeachersVETEC Accreditation—No

Provider—Dr John MunroService—Literacy across the curriculum in the lowersecondary yearsCriteria—Draft Standards Framework for ProfessionalDevelopment and Training, Draft StandardsFramework for TeachersVETEC Accreditation—No

Provider—Dr John MunroService—Literacy and numeracy in the lowersecondary yearsCriteria—Draft Standards Framework for ProfessionalDevelopment and Training, Draft StandardsFramework for TeachersVETEC Accreditation—No

Provider—QUT and Early Childhood teachers Assoc.Service—Delivery of modules to supportimplementation of the Preschool CurriculumGuidelinesCriteria—Education Queensland procurementsprocess, Standards Framework for ProfessionalDevelopment and TrainingVETEC Accreditation—No

Provider—JCUService—Delivery of modules to supportimplementation of the Preschool CurriculumGuidelinesCriteria—Education Queensland procurementsprocess, Standards Framework for ProfessionalDevelopment and TrainingVETEC Accreditation—No

Provider—Partnerships for Learning (CQU, Crecheand Kindergarten Association, Lady Gowrie ChildCentre, USQ)Service—Delivery of modules to supportimplementation of the Preschool CurriculumGuidelinesCriteria—Education Queensland procurementsprocess, Standards Framework for ProfessionalDevelopment and TrainingVETEC Accreditation—No

Provider—QUTService—Graduate Certificate in Education(Computers in the classroom)Criteria—Education Queensland procurementsprocessVETEC Accreditation—NoProvider—UQService—2 units to skill alternate program teacherswho work in the area of behaviour management

Criteria—Education Queensland procurementsprocessVETEC Accreditation—No

Provider—QUTService—Graduate Certificate in Education(Mathematics Education)Criteria—Education Queensland procurementsprocessVETEC Accreditation—NoProvider—USQService—2 units to upgrade the skills of GuidanceOfficers in the field to accredit them to conductPsychoeducational AssessmentCriteria—Education Queensland procurementsprocessVETEC Accreditation—NoProvider—QUTService—Graduate Diploma in Education (Informationprocessing and technology)Criteria—Education Queensland procurementsprocessVETEC Accreditation—No

Provider—Universities throughout AustraliaService—Tertiary inservice project provides financialsupport to upskill teachers in a range of priority areasthat have been identified as shortfallingCriteria—Courses matched to priority areasVETEC Accreditation—No

76 . Training and Industrial RelationsDepartment, Staff Training

Mr FOURAS asked the Minister for Trainingand Industrial Relations (5/3/98)—







Mr Santoro (2/4/98):

(1) The target set by the Department of Training andIndustrial Relations for staff training and developmentfor 1997-98 is 2.5% of total salary expenditure, this isa total budget of $9.4M. The actual expenditure for thefirst six months of 1997-98 was $3,590,374.

(2) To date the Department of Training and IndustrialRelations has spent $1,437,686 on external trainingproviders.

(3) Major external consultants are Cross Tech Pty Ltd,Mellish & Associates, Ian Ferguson & Associates,Macquarie House Pty Ltd, SGS International


Certification Services Pty Ltd, Romtec, Dennis LongConsulting, and Stace Management Networks.

The training was delivered in a variety of waysdepending on the requirements of individual businessunits. The method of delivery undertaken was in-house training, conferences, seminars, facilitatedworkshops, action learning and self-paced learningpackages.

(4) External providers are selected in accordance withthe State Purchasing Policy. Evaluation criteria areestablished and are included in the tender documentfor each training service required. A selection panel isestablished and rates each proposal against thecriteria. The most meritorious proposal isrecommended. In some cases the Department mayuse the Standing Offer Arrangement available throughthe State Purchasing Council.

(5) Not all training programs in a GovernmentDepartment are accredited through the AccreditationCouncil of VETEC.

The accreditation process is a voluntary one andgives rise to nationally recognised qualifications orstatements of attainment. The Accreditation Councilaccredits courses based on endorsed industrystandards, and in the absence of these relies uponindustry to determine the competencies to beachieved.

Training programs offered within the Department areoften of an experiential/action learning nature and aredifficult to accredit due to the differing outcomes thatwould be sought by the individual and the Department.The nature of the accreditation process is not ideallysuited to leading edge developmental staff trainingprograms that are not assessable against a set ofstandards.

77 . Emergency Services Department, StaffTraining

Mr De LACY asked the Minister for EmergencyServices and Minister for Sport (5/3/98)—








(1) The Department of Emergency Services (includingthe Statutory Authorities) staff training budget for1998 is $13,385,844. The Department of EmergencyServices expenditure on staff training to 28 February1998 was $5,001,891.

(2) The Department of Emergency Services (includingthe Statutory Authorities) expenditure on trainingprovided by external providers amounts to$1,088,083.

(3) It is too onerous a task to list all consultants whoprovided training and the form of training undertaken.For example there are in excess of 200 externalproviders providing training to staff of the Department.(4) The criteria used in selecting an appropriatetraining or individual development seminar are basedon the appropriateness of course content; standingGovernment arrangements; the reputation of thepresenter and/or the presenters past performance asdetermined via our course evaluation process andtheir cost competitiveness with other trainingproviders. For example, the external providersselected for aviation training are those used by mostaviation companies and are accredited by AviationStatutory bodies.

(5) Where appropriate, training programs are approvedby the Vocational Education Training and EmploymentCommission and accredited by the AccreditationCouncil.

78 . Tourism, Small Business and IndustryDepartment, Staff Training

Mr NUNN asked the Minister for Tourism, SmallBusiness and Industry (5/3/98)—







Mr Davidson (6/4/98):

(1) The amount of $739,117 has been budgeted by theDepartment of Tourism, Small Business and Industryfor staff training and development in the 1997/98financial year. At the end of February 1998, $344,887had been spent.

(2) $171,334

(3) Consultants used for in-house training include PDEAustralia, Eric Fenn & Associates, Ken Gilbert &Associates, Jim Wood Computing, PA Holland &Associates, Business Training Group, NetworkAustralia, Image Media Services and Centre forLeadership for Excellence.

(4) External trainers are selected through processeslaid down in the State Purchasing Policy.(5) No, accredited and non-accredited training is usedas appropriate to meet the business needs of thedepartment.


79 . Mines and Energy Department, StaffTrainingMr McELLIGOTT asked the Minister for Mines

and Energy (5/3/98)—With reference to the training offered to staff by hisdepartment—(1) How much has been budgeted for staff training in

1997-98 and how much has been spent so far?(2) How much has been spent on training provided

by external training providers?(3) Who were the consultants and what form did the

training take?(4) What criteria have been used to select these

external providers?(5) Are all of the training programs approved by the

Vocational Education Training and EmploymentCommission and accredited by the AccreditationCouncil; if not, will the training be accreditedthrough them and when?Mr Gilmore (3/4/98):

(1) Total departmental training budget is $283,084.Total expended to date is $222,334.(2) Total expended on external training providers is$169,660.(3, 4 & 5) Please see details in the attacheddocument.

80 . Local Government and PlanningDepartment, Staff TrainingMr MULHERIN asked the Minister for Local

Government and Planning (5/3/98)—With reference to the training offered to staff by herdepartment—(1) How much has been budgeted for staff training in





Vocational Education Training and EmploymentCommission and accredited by the AccreditationCouncil; if not, will the training be accreditedthrough them and when?Mrs McCauley (6/4/98):

(1) Budgeted: $121,500; Year to Date Expenditure:$51,400 (end February 1998)(2) $47,500(3) Please see attachment A(4) All purchases of external training provision are inaccordance with the State Purchasing Policy(5) Approvals for staff to attend training programsconducted by external training providers are based onthe relevance of the course material to businessneeds. Short courses of 0.5 to 2 days duration areregarded as appropriate. Such courses are notusually accredited.

81 . Transport Department and Main RoadsDepartment, Staff Training

Mr J. H. SULLIVAN asked the Minister forTransport and Main Roads (5/3/98)—






(5) Are all of the training programs approved by theVocational Education Training and EmploymentCommission and accredited by the AccreditationCouncil; if not, will the training be accreditedthrough them and when?Mr Johnson (6/4/98):

(1) The Department of Main Roads and QueenslandTransport's annual budgets for training in 1997-98from external providers amounts to $4.5 million.Expenditure to the end of February 1998 amounted to$2.82 million. In addition, up to the end of February1998, $528,000 in assistance has been providedunder the Study and Research Assistance (SARAS)Scheme.(2) All of these amounts relate to external trainingwhich is largely of a developmental nature. Havingsaid this, a significant amount of internal training of anoperational nature is conducted, including technicalsymposia comprising professional developmentcomponents; however, the cost is not identifiedseparately as it forms part of internal operationalbudgets.(3) The training provided by external providers giventhe size and diversity of responsibilities coverstechnical, management, professional development,systems and financial management and is given by awide range of providers.

(4) All providers are selected on an open, competitiveand value for money basis, in accordance with theprinciples and requirements of the State PurchasingPolicy.

(5) The training function in both Main Roads andQueensland Transport is managed by individualbusiness units which select and offer training coursesbased upon individual and business needs.Some of the courses that are offered within MainRoads by external providers are competency basedprograms that have VETEC or VETAB accreditation.Other courses are by tertiary institutions such asTAFE (where courses are VETEC accredited) oruniversities.

82 . Environment Department, StaffTraining

Mr PURCELL asked the Minister forEnvironment (5/3/98)—







(5) Are all of the training programs approved by theVocational Education Training and EmploymentCommission and accredited by the AccreditationCouncil; if not, will the training be accreditedthrough them and when?Mr Littleproud (26/3/98):

(1) $1,042,500 was budgeted for staff training in1997/98.

Expenditure to 27 February 1998 was $774,060(2)$314,060 has been spent on training provided byexternal training providers at the time of compilation.

(3)No training has been identified as having beenprovided by consultants. In some instances, external contractors haveprovided training services for the Department. Thecontractors have mostly provided internal, course-based training for departmental employees.

(4)The criteria used to select external trainingproviders have varied, as providers have beenengaged to provide different types of training. TheQueensland Government purchasing guidelines havebeen adhered to in all instances. Course content andproposed training processes, cost, reputation/serviceexperience and availability in particular locations atspecified times are amongst the criteria considered inany decision to select an external training provider.

(5) Wherever possible, external training providersengaged to deliver safety-related training areaccredited training providers and the training isVETEC approved and accredited.

However, there is an extensive range of useful andeffective training which need not be VETEC approvedand accredited. Training programs provided byexternal training providers in a range of other areas asdiverse as computer software training, driver trainingetc. are examples.My department has officers in many locations acrossthe State and in some instances accredited training isnot available, nor is it cost effective or feasible toaccess. Accreditation in itself is not a guarantee ofeffective training outcomes, as delivery of accreditedprograms by different external providers across theState can be inconsistent in quality.Where VETEC approved and accredited training isavailable, appropriate, cost effective and essential forthe task, it will be used.

83 . Treasury Department, Staff Training

Mr ROBERTSON asked the Deputy Premier,Treasurer and Minister for The Arts (5/3/98)—

With reference to the training offered to staff by herdepartment—(1) How much has been budgeted for staff training in





Vocational Education Training and EmploymentCommission and accredited by the AccreditationCouncil; if not, will the training be accreditedthrough them and when?Mrs Sheldon (6/4/98):

(1) Queensland Treasury's total budget for stafftraining and development for 97/98 is $1.6M. At end ofFebruary, $0.798M had been spent.(2) The majority of this total training budget has beenspent on external training. This includes training run inhouse by external providers as well as staffattendance at external training programs, seminarsand conferences. Additionally, internal staff conducttraining programs to induct new staff and increaseawareness of anti-discrimination and sexualharassment as needed. (3) Major consultants used in-house include BusinessTraining Australia, Eric Fenn and Co, Oliver andLangford, Insight Training, Delta Technology, HelenGietzel Training, Stolar Training Systems, NetworkAustralia, Melissa Agnew Training, ImprovedCommunication Skills and Mellish and Associates. (4) Training providers conducting in-house coursesare selected in line with Government guidelines forselecting external consultants including as a minimuma Request For Offer and selection against key criteria.(5) Queensland Treasury utilises both VETECapproved and non approved providers in the deliveryof its training requirements.Since the criteria used to determine appropriatetraining delivery for Treasury Department restsheavily on identifying specific business requirementsand ensuring that the Department's needs areaddressed, there have been occasions where nonVETEC approved providers have most closely met the"best fit for the organisation" and "value for money"considerations as outlined in the State PurchasingPolicy.

84 . State Government, Election PromisesMr ELDER asked the Premier (5/3/98)—

With reference to the fact that he repeatedly says thathis Government has implemented 90 per cent of thepolicies promised at the last election—Will he furnish the list of policies showing the 90 percent which he alleges have been achieved and the 10per cent which have not?

Mr Borbidge (6/4/98): I would draw theHonourable Member's attention to the 1st AnnualReport and other published documents which outlinethe many achievements of the Coalition Government.


85 . Sun Metals Zinc RefineryMr WELFORD asked the Minister for


With reference to his answer to Question on Notice No1338 of 1997 regarding the Sun Metals Zinc Refineryat Stuart—

(1) Why were trees cleared on the development siteburied or burned instead of mulched as specifiedin the projects environmental plan?

(2) Was this environmental plan considered as partof the environmental authority granted by thedepartment; if not, why not?

(3) Will he now admit that he misled Parliament byasserting that "environmental guidelines are notbeing ignored"?

(4) How many other elements of the environmentalplan does he propose to ignore or deny exist?

(5) Does the IEMS not reflect or take account of theenvironmental plan which has been breached; ifnot, why not?

(6) In view of his allegation that the Member forEverton is "negative", does he now understandthe difference between negativity andaccountability for Ministerial incompetence?

(7) When will he apologise to Parliament and theMember for Everton?Mr Littleproud (26/3/98):

(1) Under the heading "Recycling" in the wastemanagement plan prepared by Sun Metals Corporationfor the construction phase of the development, it wasclearly stated that:

"tree wastes from site clearing will be chippedand stockpiled for future use in landscaping"

and that: "dead trees, exotic pest species and treestumps will be stockpiled and burnt".

Firstly, tree clearing has been limited to those areaswhere access is required for construction purposes.Other areas remain untouched.Where tree clearing has occurred approximately 3000cubic metres of tree waste has been produced bymulching. This mulch is now stockpiled on site forfuture use in landscaping. This volume of tree wasterepresents a significant proportion of the trees felledthat were suitable for recycling.

There are times when it is not practical to chip allwaste such as large tree stumps that are too large tobe chipped, or dead trees, tree roots and tree stumpsthat are contaminated with soil because these rapidlydeteriorate the efficiency of the chipping equipment.As a result these types of waste were either burnt orburied on site.

It is sound environmental management practice todestroy exotic pest species by burning so as to limitthe potential for such species to propagate. (2) Yes. It is a requirement of the company'senvironmental authority that it comply with theobjectives and management measures contained inthe environmental management plan developed for theconstruction phase of the development.

(3) No. The Department is not ignoring environmentalguidelines.

(4) The other elements of the environmentalmanagement plan detail the management ofstormwater run off, noise, dust, waste and culturalheritage issues.

I have never denied the existence of thesemanagement plans and have never ignored theirexistence.

(5) No. The requirement that Sun Metals develop anintegrated environmental management system (IEMS)is a statutory requirement for the carrying out ofmultiple environmentally relevant activities at one ormore sites, under a single licence.

The IEMS does not encompass the environmentalmanagement plans that were developed for theconstruction phase of the project since there are noenvironmentally relevant activities being carried outon the site by Sun Metals Corporation at this time.

The IEMS is being developed for the operationalphase of the development when the environmentallyrelevant activities commence.

(6)There is no doubt whatsoever about myunderstanding the difference between negativity andaccountability. By allowing 2500 businesses to movefrom an annual licence to an approval only, yetsubject these businesses to the full force of theEnvironmental Protection Act is accountability. TheMember for Everton's motion of disallowance of theRegulation that makes this possible is anti-businessand ignores assessment of risk analysis and reeks ofnegativity on his part. The business sector will nodoubt be fully aware of the Labor Party's plans to onceagain impose unrealistic regulations and will resistyour party at the next election because of thisunrealistic attitude.

(7) See (1) to (5).

86 . Wynnum Police Division, JuvenileOffences

Mr LUCAS asked the Minister for Police andCorrective Services and Minister for Racing (5/3/98)—

With reference to the Wynnum Police Division for theyears 1995-96, 1996-97 and to date in 1997-98—

(1) How many juveniles have been (a) charged and(b) cautioned under the provisions of theJuvenile Justice Act (for offences against theperson, against property and other offences)?

(2) How many convictions have been recorded andwhat is the nature of the offences involved?

(3) Of persons who have been dealt with for graffitiand similar offences, (a) how many persons(adults and juveniles) have been involved, (b)what was the general nature of the penaltiesinvolved (eg fine, community service, jail,probation) and (c) of those offered probationand/or community service conditional uponcleaning up graffiti, how many successfullycompleted their order and how many werebreached for failure to comply?


Mr Cooper (6/4/98):

(1)(a) During 1995-96 288 juveniles were charged with762 offences and 602 juveniles were cautioned for1,106 offences.

(b) During 1996-97 278 juveniles were charged with734 offences and 612 juveniles were cautioned for1,672 offences.

(c) During the period 1 July 1997 to 8 March 1998 105juveniles were charged with 251 offences and 377juveniles were cautioned for 609 offences.

(2) The requested information is not readily availableto the Queensland Police Service and this questionshould be directed to the Honourable DenverBeanland MLA, Attorney-General and Minister forJustice.

(3)(a) Graffiti offences for period 1 July 1995 to 8March 1998:

Adults—14 offenders for 78 charges

Juveniles—49 offenders for 68 charges

(b) The requested information is not available to theQueensland Corrective Services Commission and thisquestion should be directed to the Honourable DenverBeanland MLA, Attorney-General and Minister forJustice.

(c) This information is not readily available to theQueensland Corrective Services Commission. Incalender year 1997 the local community correctionsoffice reports three offenders were supervised onprobation and community service orders relating tooffences of wilful damage. All three were returned tocourt for failure to complete their order.

87 . Wetlands, Funding and Management

Ms SPENCE asked the Minister forEnvironment (5/3/98)—

With reference to the State Government grant of$250,000 to a proposed foundation to managewetlands—

(1) Was he consulted about this funding?

(2) What is the source of the funding and wheredoes it appear in the 1997-98 Budget papers?

(3) Who are the members of this foundation andwhat is its name?

(4) Will the work of the foundation be confined toany part of Queensland or does its charterextend to other parts of Australia and whatQueensland wetlands will be affected?

(5) Who appointed the foundation steeringcommittee and how will the future membership ofthe committee be appointed?

(6) Under what funding program was this grantgiven?

(7) What other organisations or individuals havereceived funding for wetlands management orresearch?

(8) Why was there no public tender or call for publicsubmissions for this allocation for funding forwetland research?

(9) Does he support this pork-barrel approach toenvironmental funding whereby $250,000 isallocated to one yet-to-be-created organisationwhile dozens of other local environmentorganisations collectively receive only$190,000?

Mr Littleproud (26/3/98): The Honourable Member has not identified theorganisation which is alleged to be the beneficiary of aState Government grant. In these circumstances I amunable to answer the question.

In addition I reject any allegation of pork barrelling andfind it hypocritical in the extreme for a member of theformer Goss government to make accusations of porkbarrelling.

That administration had refined the process to an artform and the Hon. Member was party to it.

88 . Queensland Rail, Security Cameras

Mr T. B. SULLIVAN asked the Minister forTransport and Main Roads (5/3/98)—With reference to the announcement during the weekending 28 February that Queensland Rail would hireofficers to monitor security cameras on the BrisbaneMetropolitan Rail Network and to the fact that thereare some 115 stations on the Metropolitan Networkand a further 21 on the Inter-Urban Network todestinations such as Nambour and the Gold Coast—(1) How many security cameras are there, on

average, at each station including car parks andsurrounding areas?

(2) Given that accepted industry standards suggestthat one person can properly monitor no morethan forty such cameras, how many staff at anyone time will be required to monitor the hundredsof cameras needed to surveil all metropolitanstations?

(3) What is the total budget for this project brokendown into capital, staffing and ongoingoperational expenses?

(4) Will the service be provided within QueenslandRail or contracted out to a private provider?Mr Johnson (6/4/98):

(1) On average there are 10 security cameras at eachstation.(2) Advice from a reputable security consultantindicates there is no Australian Standard relating tothe number of cameras one individual may monitor.However, the accepted practice is to prioritiselocations for viewing at particular times during thecourse of the day and conduct guard tours. Theproposed number of QR officers to proactively monitorthe security cameras will meet the above standardsecurity practice.Other factors which affect monitoring practices are:

whether the signalling is time lapse or in realtime;if real time and the system is in sequential mode,the system will have problems if it does notfurther have a capability to record all of thevisions from all cameras while the sequences


are being monitored, in case something ismissed by the monitoring person;

should there be a response to an emergency at aparticular location; then this would dictate thededication of resources until the emergency wasover;

the speed of the signal back from a multiplexsystem.

There are two systems a Multiplexer and Super-VHSVCR available for monitoring.

(3) The total estimated budget cost is $400,000.

Staffing costs are estimated to be $180,000 perannum.Ongoing operational costs, including maintenancecosts, CCTV tapes and dubbing costs are $200,000per annum.

(4) The service will be provided within QueenslandRail.

89 . Main Roads Department, StaffordRoad-Airport Corridor

Mr NUTTALL asked the Minister for Transportand Main Roads (5/3/98)—

With reference to his Department of Main Roads longheld desire to build an East-West connector linkingStafford Road to the airport—Has the department purchased or consideredpurchasing any land or undertaken any other planningactivities linked to further development of thisproposal during the last two years; if so, what land hasbeen purchased and what planning or other work hasoccurred?

Mr Johnson (6/4/98): Over the past two years,the Department of Main Roads has not purchased,and is not in the process of purchasing, anyproperties in the transportation corridor betweenStafford Road and the airport. In addition, no furtherplanning has been undertaken on the corridor overthat period other than activity by the private sectorassociated with the Brisbane Airport Rail Link in thearea between Toombul and the Airport.

The decision to dispose of properties acquiredpreviously in the corridor between Lecke and KentRoads was publicly announced on 12 March 1998.This decision will ensure that the East-WestConnector will never be constructed.The Integrated Regional Transport Plan (IRTP) forSouth East Queensland, endorsed in 1997 by StateCabinet, articulates this Government's vision for thetransport system in the region. The IRTP clearlyindicates that this road is not needed.

90 . Justice Department, Staff Training

Mrs BIRD asked the Attorney-General andMinister for Justice (5/3/98)—






(5) Are all of the training programs approved by theVocational Education Training and EmploymentCommission and accredited by the AccreditationCouncil; if not, will the training be accreditedthrough them and when?Mr Beanland (8/4/98):

(1) The total amount budgeted across all Divisions ofthe Department, the Electoral Commission and AntiDiscrimination Commission for staff training for 1997-98 is $826,650. Total expenditure across theDepartment to date has been $431,652.00.(2) $214365

(3) There is a total of 57 providers which delivered awide variety of training across the Department ofJustice and Attorney-General, Electoral Commissionand Anti-Discrimination Commission. Ten providersregularly used by this Department are:Company:Type of Training—Accreditation

Odyssey Training: Software training—Not accreditedat this stageQld Treasury: Financial/Budget—Accredited

Office of Public Service: PSM Course—Accredited

DTIR: Cross Cultural training—AccreditedNetwork Australia: Management Development—Notaccredited at this stage

Park Road Group: Coping with Change and StressManagement—Not accredited at this stageCullen Egan Dell: Designing and assessing Jobdescriptions—Accredited

MTE:Software training; Information writing; Teambuilding—Currently in process of accreditationBusiness Training Group: Time management;Business writing skills—Not accredited at this stage

QDEV: Negotiation Skills—Accredited(4) Providers were selected according to theguidelines outlined in the Financial ManagementStandard, State Purchasing Policy and Departmentalfinancial guidelines.

(5) Where appropriate VETEC approved courses werechosen. Many courses have not been VETECapproved as they were tailored to meet specific needsof Divisions or the Department and it was not seen aseconomical to undergo an accreditation process atthe time.

91 . Dr K. LevyMs BLIGH asked the Minister for Families,

Youth and Community Care (5/3/98)—

With reference to the recent transfer of Dr Ken Levy,the Deputy Director-General of the Department ofJustice and Attorney-General to the staff of herdepartment—


(1) To what position has Dr Levy been appointed?

(2) On what terms and conditions has he beenemployed including salary level, existence ofcontract or otherwise, length of any contract andany special terms of the contract?

(3) What are Dr Levy's duties and responsibilities?

(4) Where does the position occupied by Dr Levy fitin the organisational chart of the department?(eg which positions report directly to Dr Levy andto whom does he report?)

(5) What, if any, changes have been made to theduties and responsibilities of the Director-General and Deputy Director-General of herdepartment, as a result of Dr Levy'sappointment?

Mrs Wilson (6/4/98): I am advised that:

(1) Dr Levy has not been appointed to any position inthe Department of Families, Youth and CommunityCare.

(2) Dr Levy is on attachment from the Department ofJustice for a period of up to three (3) months, althoughI have agreed with him that there is an expectationthat his role would probably be completed by 30 April1998. He is attached on his existing contract with theGovernment. He is a Senior Executive Service Level 4officer and no special or additional allowances arepayable and no variation to his salary or terms ofemployment have been made or will be made. The onlypractical effect is that the Department of Families,Youth and Community Care will reimburse theDepartment of Justice for Dr Levy's costs while in theDepartment of Families, Youth and Community Care.

(3) His role is to help the Department of Families,Youth and Community Care to develop its interfacewith my ministerial office, it is planned that he will:

(a) advise on legal and administrative policy mattersfor which I am responsible.

(b) assist as an interface between myself and theDepartment with respect to policy aspects oflegal, accounting, managerial and effectivenessissues of the responsibilities of the portfolioduring his secondment; and

(c) gain a statewide view of potentially difficultissues for myself as Minister to address at anappropriate time, with respect to policyinitiatives, legislative reform or resourcingimbalances.

(4) The work being undertaken does not fit formallyinto the Department establishment as it is a temporaryrole in the Nature of a Senior Executive Level Project.

(5) Dr Levy's role is a special and short-term one, itdoes not involve any executive decision making.Consequently, it has not affected the duties andresponsibilities of the Director-General or DeputyDirector-General of the Department of Families, Youthand Community Care.

92 . Mr W. Jenkins

Mr PALASZCZUK asked the Minister forPrimary Industries, Fisheries and Forestry (5/3/98)—

With reference to the launch of the Department ofPrimary Industries and Hungry Jack's campaign tohighlight rural production in Queensland, at which hesaid that it was vital primary industries establishedalliances with food retailers, marketers andprocessors to explore different ways to get it'smessage to consumers—

(1) Will he explain why a Mr Bill Jenkins, in hisefforts to gain support for a potato promotion,had the door slammed in his face by the previousMinister for Primary Industries, the HeavyProduce Committee, the Fruit and VegetableGrowers and the Department of PrimaryIndustries?

(2) Will he make contact with Mr Jenkins toascertain whether Mr Jenkins' promotion "SportsPotatoes" is now being embraced by industry inAustralia and overseas?

(3) What is the difference between the HungryJack's campaign and the Sports Potatocampaign?

Mr Rowell (20/3/98): (1) Nobody slammed the door in Mr Jenkins face. Theprevious Minister and the Department listened intentlyto Mr Jenkins, thoroughly discussed his SportsPotato promotion proposal and sought the advice ofthe Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers HeavyProduce Committee—the peak industry bodyresponsible for representing and promoting the potatoindustry in Queensland. The Department advised MrJenkins that it would give the promotion considerationif the idea was supported by this peak industryorganisation.

The Heavy Produce Committee of the QFVG advisedthe Department that it could not support the Jenkinspromotion. The Committee said it was inappropriate foran industry organisation to commit grower funding orendorsement to a program that was highly commercialand profit motivated. The Department advised MrJenkins that, under these circumstances, it was not ina position to offer endorsement or financialassistance.

(2) The Heavy Produce Committee of QFVG recentlyadvised the Department that it has not embraced MrJenkins promotional campaign and is unlikely tochange its position in the future. It is industry MrJenkins has to convince about the value of hisprogram. The Department wishes Mr Jenkins well andcongratulates him on any success he achieves withhis promotion interstate or overseas.

(3) The difference between the Hungry Jack'scampaign and the Sports Potato campaign is verysimple—the Jenkins Sports Promotion proposal wasrejected by industry and the Hungry Jack's promotionwas unanimously supported by industry as a majorbreakthrough in increasing public awareness andunderstanding about the economic importance andbenefits of primary industries.This view is reflected by the president of theQueensland Farmers' Federation, Lex Buchanan whodevoted his entire column in Queensland Country Lifeon 5 March to praising the DPI-Hungry Jack'sinitiative. Mr Buchanan said—"QFF has been workingto get this important message across to the


community and I congratulate Hungry Jack's and theDPI for this approach."

93 . Princess Alexandra Hospital,Psychiatric Unit

Mr FOLEY asked the Minister for Health(5/3/98)—

With reference to the report on psychiatric services atthe Princess Alexandra Hospital which failed toaddress a number of patient deaths and seriousinjuries but highlighted staff shortages, low staffmorale, poor security and low standards of care—(1) What measures has he taken to fully investigate

the increasing public concern about the unit?

(2) What more has to be revealed before he initiatesa full, open, independent inquiry?

Mr Horan (3/4/98):

(1) In late 1997, following a request from the PrincessAlexandra Hospital and District Health Service (PAH &DHS), a review of the Integrated Mental HealthService at the PAH & DHS was undertaken. Thisdemonstrates an open and honest approach by theHospital Administration into identifying and rectifyingissues within their service.

The review made 13 recommendations forconsideration by the PAH & DHS. Following receipt ofthe report, a Project Manager was appointed toevaluate and facilitate implementation of therecommendations.

The recommendations identified the need to reviewthe model of care, the physical environment of theinpatient unit, roles of various levels of nurses withinthe service and the nursing management, levels ofstaffing within the service, inpatient access to staff ofspecialised disciplines, quality assurance, and themanagement and leadership of the service.

Four working groups have been formed to analyse,evaluate and recommend strategies to address therecommendations.

These groups commenced on the 24 February 1998,and comprise members of all health professionsinvolved in delivering care, from both inpatient andcommunity settings, as well as consumerrepresentation.

A number of strategies have already beenimplemented as a matter of urgency, including:

a review of the assessment of patients onadmission to the inpatient unit and of the level ofobservation carried out;

an acceleration of the redevelopment programfor the inpatient unit, with design of the area inan advanced stage;

a reorganisation of Consultant Psychiatristrosters, which has provided additionalConsultant presence on weekends and accessafter hours; and

the appointment of a Clinical Nurse Consultant toprovide specialist psychiatric advice andsupport within the Emergency Department afterhours.

The working groups are systematically workingthrough the other recommendations to identify andimplement strategies to address the issues raised.

(2) The PAH & DHS is addressing therecommendations contained within the recent reviewin a swift and effective manner. This has been anopen, honest and mature managerial response to theissues identified. Moreover, there is wide consultationand involvement of consumers and staff. There isnothing to be gained by duplicating the presentreview.

94 . Mon Repos, Marine Eco-tourism CentreMr CAMPBELL asked the Minister for


With reference to the Centenary of Federation fundingfor projects of national significance and theapplication for funding of a marine eco-tourism centreat Mon Repos Bundaberg and in view of theimportance of eco-tourism in Queensland and theneed to develop protocols and managementstrategies for sustainable eco-tourism industries—

(1) Has he supported this project for funding?(2) Will he support the implementation of a

management committee of communityrepresentatives to expand the scope of the MonRepos centre?

Mr Littleproud (1/4/98): (1) Yes.

(2) Mon Repos continues to have and hold strongcommunity interest and involvement, including thelocal volunteers who assist so admirably in theprovision of visitor services during the turtle watchingseason.The direct financial support for turtle research byBundaberg Rum, and turtle-friendly street lightingprojects by the Burnett Shire Council are highlyvalued.

There is merit in the concept of a locally basedcommittee to advise in relation to the ongoing future ofthe centre. I will ask my Department to consider thesuggestion further.Should Centenary of Federation funding be approved,such a committee could expand to the role suggested.

95 . Corrective Services Commission,Hummer Armoured Vehicles

Mr BARTON asked the Minister for Police andCorrective Services and Minister for Racing (5/3/98)—With reference to his announcement of the purchaseof six (6) hummer armoured vehicles for use asperimeter vehicles at Queensland correction centres,a decision reportedly taken in opposition to therecommendations of the Mengler Report into the SirDavid Longland Prison escapes and to hisannouncement of the provision of new weapons forprison officers—(1) Is the decision on new armoured vehicles

contrary to the recommendations of the MenglerReport?


(2) On what basis was that decision made?(3) What weapons are attached to, or will be carried

in or on the new hummer armoured vehicles?

(4) What range will those weapons have?(5) What potential dangers exist for neighbouring

residents by the use of these new weapons?

(6) What precautions will be put into place to protectresidents from these potential dangers?Mr Cooper (2/4/98):

(1) No, the provision of additional armoured perimetervehicles was canvassed in the Mengler report.However there was no recommendation against suchvehicles. What Mr Mengler recommended was in factthat careful consideration be given by the Commissionprior to committing to the purchase of additional orupgraded armoured vehicles. In response to thisincident the Commission considered a range ofoptions and views including the observations of MrMengler and made a balanced decision to approve theprocurement of additional armoured vehicles. As wenow know this escape was not an isolated incidentand the decision of the Commission has been justifiedas an armed assault on a correctional centre wasreplicated shortly after at the Borallon CorrectionalCentre. (2) The purpose in providing armoured vehicles of thistype is to preserve the life and safety of those officersresponsible for patrolling correctional centreperimeters. In the light of two separate armed attackson correctional centre perimeters it must now berecognised that there is a responsibility to provide a fitfor purpose vehicle to conduct perimeter patrols.(3) In the interests of public safety I do not think itadvisable to go into detail with regard to the type orrange of weapons which will be provided in or on thearmoured perimeter vehicles. The element of surprisehas been in the favour of the criminal element up tonow and I am advised that additional information wouldnot be in the best interests of security.

(4) I am prepared to make those details available tothe Honourable Member if there is a justifiable reasonto do so and the question is asked out of more thancuriosity.

(5) The advice of the specialist areas of theQueensland Police Service has been sought by theQueensland Corrective Services Commission indetermining the most suitable weapons for use atcorrectional centres. The final choice of weapons willtake into consideration all the relevant factors withrespect to the surrounding locations of thecorrectional centres.

(6) My Government has supported the formation of aspecialised Proactive Support Group which willcomprise a highly trained body of staff that cancontribute to the maintenance of security and theintegrity of the correctional system through theprovision of a strong audit function which will supportCentre management through the delivery ofspecialised training to operational staff at correctionalcentres. Only properly trained and appropriatelyqualified staff will be authorised to perform dutiesinvolving weapons at correctional centres.

96 . Princess Alexandra Hospital, CardiacUnit

Mrs EDMOND asked the Minister for Health(5/3/98)—

With reference to often repeated promises toestablish a cardiac unit at Brisbane's PrincessAlexandra Hospital which he said would be operationalby mid 1997—

(1) How many of each of these procedures for open-heart surgery, diagnostic catheterisation,coronary angioplasty and electrophysiology andpacemaker procedures have been performed inthis new unit?

(2) What was the final cost of the unit?

(3) Has the unit operated within budget; if not, whatwas the amount of the over-run?

(4) What was the full salary package, allowancesand conditions offered to the incoming directorof the unit and how does this differ frompackages offered to other senior medical staff?

(5) What is the current staffing profile of the unit?Mr Horan (3/4/98):

(1) The Unit will open shortly, the delay has beenmainly due to immigration arrangements for the newdirector.(2) Until the Unit is opened, no final costing isavailable.

(3) See (1) and (2) above.

(4) The Director is expected to take up duty on orabout 12 May 1998. His salary package will be inaccordance with the Senior Medical and ResidentMedical Officers' Award.

(5) It is anticipated that the staffing profile of the Unitwill comprise a Director, two Visiting MedicalSpecialists (2 sessions/week), Registrar and RMO.Full time Anaesthetist (Director), two Visiting MedicalOfficers and a Registrar. Nursing staff will be providedfor Cardiac Theatre, ICU and Ward.

97 . Tourism, Small Business and IndustryDepartment, Industry SupportMr HAYWARD asked the Minister for Tourism,

Small Business and Industry (5/3/98)—

(1) Why has his department abandoned its "industrywide" focus in its activities, eg scrapping thefood processing project?

(2) Does he believe that such projects have nobenefit for Queensland?

Mr Davidson (6/4/98): (1 & 2) The Departmentof Tourism, Small Business and Industry continues toprovide focused, strategic support to a range ofindustry sectors including the food manufacturingsector through its regional Business Centre network.

98 . Telesystems; School ComputerSoftwareMr BREDHAUER asked the Minister for

Education (5/3/98)—


With reference to the approval given by his Director-General, Frank Peach, to expend $185,326 onsoftware provided by computer company Telesystemstwo months after that company arranged for Mr Peachto attend a conference in San Francisco—

(1) Will he guarantee that the State purchasingpolicy was fully complied with in relation to thistransaction?

(2) Were tenders called for the software package tobe piloted in Queensland schools; if so, howmany companies responded?

(3) If tenders were not called, was approval given toexempt the transaction from the Statepurchasing policy and who gave that approval?

(4) What processes were used to seek and/orevaluate alternative suppliers for this type ofeducation software so that an exemption couldbe sought and who conducted the evaluation?

(5) Can no purchasing order be located in respect ofthis transaction; if not, at what point was theapproval given to fund the transaction?

(6) Has he given any direction to the Director-General in relation to dealing with this companyat any stage in the past?

(7) Does he as Minister still have confidence in theDirector-General of Education?

Mr Quinn (20/4/98):

The Opposition frequently seeks to claim the highmoral ground on issues of natural justice, so I find itastonishing that the honourable member would askthese questions after making his unsubstantiatedallegations of corruption under the protection ofparliamentary privilege.

It is a matter of public record that ever since thisgovernment announced its Leading Schools programlast year, the Director-General has been subjected tosustained personal (and in some cases, quiteimproper) attacks by yourself and other seniormembers of your party.

I am at a loss to understand this vitriolic treatment,given his excellent record under governments of bothpolitical persuasions. The honourable member wouldhardly need to be reminded that Mr Peach wasappointed to his present position by a LaborGovernment, and deservedly so.The honourable member would also be more awarethan most that past allegations have been referred toindependent investigating authorities such as theCriminal Justice Commission and the Office of thePublic Service, with no adverse findings.In the past, I have given no credence to persistentrumours that the Queensland Teachers' Union hassought an undertaking of reprisals against theDirector-General and other senior officers ofEducation Queensland in the event that there is achange of government. Now, I am not so sure.

I note that you have offered no information whichwould support your allegation of corruption. Myinquiries on your behalf have been met withdepartmental assurances, independent of Mr Peach,that there is absolutely no basis or justification forsuch a serious and defamatory charge.

In response to your specific questions, I understandthat it was the late Mr Max Sawatski who arranged forMr Peach to be invited to the conference in SanFrancisco, not Telesystems. I am further advisedthat:(1) The State Purchasing Policy was complied with inrelation to this transaction.(2) Tenders were not called for the software packageas it was a sole supplier arrangement.(3) On the recommendation of the former DeputyDirector-General (Corporate Services), the Director-General approved the purchase as a sole supplierarrangement.(4) The assessment of whether this purchaseconstituted a sole supplier arrangement wasconducted by the former Deputy Director-General(Corporate Services) and was based on experience inthe purchase of computer assisted learning systemsfor pilot in schools in the then Peninsula Region andan evaluation of computer assisted learning systemsconducted elsewhere.(5) No purchase order was generated in respect of thistransaction. Approval was given prior to payment ofthe initial invoice.(6) No.(7) Yes.

99 . Ambulance Service, Response TimesMr WELLS asked the Minister for Emergency

Services and Minister for Sport (5/3/98)—With reference to his answer to Question on Notice No1472 dated 6 November 1997—If he cannot provide me with the document I asked forin the format to which I referred, would he kindlyprovide me with the documents to which he referred inthe format in which he can provide them?

Mr Veivers (6/4/98): The AmbulanceIntegrated Management System (AIMS) is collating arange of response and activity statistics for theQueensland Ambulance Service (QAS) which willenable it to monitor and improve response capabilityto various demands for service.The information relative to response times is collatedfor critical examination on an annual basis. The QAShas found that monthly analysis lends itself tomisleading indicators as data is subject to a number ofvariable factors that average out over the collectionperiod. Complete data collation is two months inarrears.The QAS publishes the data in the Annual Report as acomposite of both metropolitan and rural responses. The response indicators currently used by QAS arebased on the British ORCON Standards and are:

50% of metropolitan code 1 cases responded towithin 7 minutes95% of metropolitan code 1 cases responded towithin 14 minutes50% of rural code 1 cases responded to within 8minutes95% of rural code 1 cases responded to within18 minutes


Ambulance Service Melbourne currently aims for:50% of code 1 cases responded to within 10minutes

90% of code 1 cases responded to within 16minutes

The QAS is cooperating with other AustralianAmbulance Authorities to determine a nationalstandard for response times.

The QAS continues to monitor its response todemands for service by gathering a range ofstatistical data that will assist it in determining staffinglevels and locations, vehicle types and numbers andservice locations.

100. Acacia Ridge Police StationMr ARDILL asked the Minister for Police and


When will he take action to bring the actual number ofuniformed police at Acacia Ridge up to establishmentto enable prompt attention to complaints such asthose occurring at night and weekends and also tofollow up on the number of invasions of residentialgarden sheds and industrial premises?

Mr Cooper (2/4/98): As at 11 March 1998Acacia Ridge Police Station had the following stafflevels:

Authorised strength—26

Vacancies—4

Actual strength—22Three First Year Constables, who are surplus to theabove staff numbers, are also allocated to theStation. Because of staff absences arising fromleave, transfers and training courses, there willalways be some fluctuation in staffing levels at suchestablishments. However, every effort is made tokeep staffing numbers at Acacia Ridge Station asnear as possible to full strength and action is beingtaken to fill the four current vacancies.

101. Redcliffe Hospital, Intensive CareUnit

Mr HOLLIS asked the Minister for Health(17/3/98)—

With reference to the development of the RedcliffeHospital—

(1) What is the completion date for the IntensiveCare Unit presently under construction?

(2) What is the estimated completion date for the fullredevelopment?

Mr Horan (15/4/98):

(1) Construction to be completed 10 June 1998;commissioning completed 17 June 1998.

(2) Construction work completed by 3 September1999; commissioning completed by 17 September1999.

102. Maryborough TAFE Institute

Mr DOLLIN asked the Minister for Training andIndustrial Relations (17/3/98)—

(1) As the marketing department of MaryboroughTAFE has been transferred to Hervey Baywithout one word of consultation with the TAFECommunity Council, will he confirm or denyreports that the total management ofMaryborough TAFE College is underconsideration for transfer to Hervey Bay as well?

(2) Will he consult with the council regarding anyfurther proposed transfers of management or willhe continue to use them as a rubber stamp as inthe past?

Mr Santoro (2/4/98): I refer the honourablemember to my answer to Question on Notice No. 68.

(1) There have been no discussions and there are noplans relating to the transfer of the total managementof Maryborough TAFE College to Hervey Bay.

(2) As Minister, it would be improper for me to proposeany transfers of personnel or functions. Suchoperational issues are the responsibility of seniorInstitute and Departmental managers.

I would expect these managers to consult Instituteand College Councils if such a change were beingcontemplated, but I reject the honourable member'sslight on the valuable role played by Institute andCollege Councils when he suggests that they aretreated as rubber stamps.