Full transcript - Final - 23 May 2023

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23 May 2023

2023_05_23_WEEKLY

CW PITT SPEAKER

NJ LAURIE CLERK OF THE PARLIAMENT

JM MATHERS CHIEF HANSARD REPORTER

ISSN 1322-0330

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

Hansard Home Page: http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/hansard

Email: hansard@parliament.qld.gov.au Phone (07) 3553 6344

FIRST SESSION OF THE FIFTY-SEVENTH PARLIAMENT

Tuesday, 23 May 2023

Subject Page ABSENCE OF SPEAKER ....................................................................................................................................................1453 ASSENT TO BILL ................................................................................................................................................................1453

Tabled paper: Letter, dated 17 May 2023, from Her Excellency the Governor to the Speaker advising of assent to a certain bill on 17 May 2023. .........................................................................1453

ACTING SPEAKER’S STATEMENTS ..................................................................................................................................1453 Panel of Temporary Speakers .........................................................................................................................1453 Absence of Members .......................................................................................................................................1454 Opposition, Appointment ................................................................................................................................1454

Tabled paper: Letter, dated 22 May 2023, from the Leader of the Opposition, Mr David Crisafulli MP, to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Hon. Curtis Pitt, regarding the appointment of the member for Lockyer, Mr Jim McDonald MP, as Acting Deputy Opposition Whip. .............................................................................................................................1454

Smart Pups .......................................................................................................................................................1454 Parliamentary Friends of Latin America .........................................................................................................1454 Clerk of the Parliament ....................................................................................................................................1454 School Group Tours .........................................................................................................................................1454

APPOINTMENTS .................................................................................................................................................................1454 Changes in Ministry .........................................................................................................................................1454

Tabled paper: Extraordinary Queensland Government Gazette No. 9, dated 18 May 2023, regarding changes to the ministry. ...................................................................................................1455

PETITIONS ...........................................................................................................................................................................1455 TABLED PAPERS................................................................................................................................................................1455 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS ..............................................................................................................................................1457

Nash, Ms I .........................................................................................................................................................1457 Hospitals, Infrastructure ..................................................................................................................................1457 Cost of Living; Kindergarten ...........................................................................................................................1458

Table of Contents – Tuesday, 23 May 2023

Motor Neurone Disease................................................................................................................................... 1459 Aviation Industry, Sustainability .................................................................................................................... 1459 Great Barrier Reef Arena ................................................................................................................................. 1459 Coal Royalties .................................................................................................................................................. 1460 Kindergarten .................................................................................................................................................... 1461 Health System .................................................................................................................................................. 1461 Housing ............................................................................................................................................................ 1462 Digital Services ................................................................................................................................................ 1462 Domestic and Family Violence ....................................................................................................................... 1463 Youth Justice ................................................................................................................................................... 1464

MOTION .............................................................................................................................................................................. 1464 Amendments to Standing Orders ................................................................................................................... 1464

ACTING SPEAKER’S STATEMENT ................................................................................................................................... 1466 Visitor to Public Gallery .................................................................................................................................. 1466

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE ........................................................................................................................................ 1466 Attorney-General and Minister for Justice ..................................................................................................... 1466 Youth Justice ................................................................................................................................................... 1467 Health Services ................................................................................................................................................ 1468 Youth Justice ................................................................................................................................................... 1468 Acting Speaker’s Ruling, Question Out of Order .......................................................................................... 1469 Housing ............................................................................................................................................................ 1469 Crime ................................................................................................................................................................ 1470 Housing ............................................................................................................................................................ 1470 Forensic DNA Testing ..................................................................................................................................... 1471 Path to Treaty .................................................................................................................................................. 1472 Trad, Ms J ........................................................................................................................................................ 1473 Kindergarten .................................................................................................................................................... 1473 Youth Crime, Appeal of Sentence .................................................................................................................. 1474 Health Infrastructure ....................................................................................................................................... 1474

Tabled paper: Photograph depicting satellite hospital opening. ....................................................... 1474 Telestroke ........................................................................................................................................................ 1475 Social and Affordable Housing ....................................................................................................................... 1475 Police Service, Integrity .................................................................................................................................. 1476 TAFE ................................................................................................................................................................. 1476 Attorney-General and Minister for Justice ..................................................................................................... 1477

MOTION .............................................................................................................................................................................. 1478 Business Program ........................................................................................................................................... 1478

Division: Question put—That the motion be agreed to. ................................................................... 1482 Resolved in the affirmative. ............................................................................................................. 1482

MONITORING OF PLACES OF DETENTION (OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE) BILL ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 1482

Second Reading .............................................................................................................................................. 1482 Tabled paper: Bundle of emails from the member for Toowoomba North, Mr Trevor Watts MP, regarding requests to visit Brisbane Watch House. ......................................................................... 1482 Tabled paper: Article from ABC Investigations, dated 13 May 2019, titled ‘The Watch House Files’. ................................................................................................................................... 1482

Consideration in Detail.................................................................................................................................... 1487 Clauses 1 to 14, as read, agreed to. ............................................................................................... 1487 Clause 15— .................................................................................................................................... 1487 Tabled paper: Monitoring of Places of Detention (Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture) Bill 2022, explanatory notes to Hon. Yvette D’Ath’s amendments ..................................... 1487 Tabled paper: Monitoring of Places of Detention (Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture) Bill 2022, statement of compatibility with human rights contained in Hon. Yvette D’Ath’s amendments. .................................................................................................................................. 1487 Clause 15, as amended, agreed to. ................................................................................................ 1487 Clause 16— .................................................................................................................................... 1487 Clause 16, as amended, agreed to. ................................................................................................ 1487 Clauses 17 and 18, as read, agreed to. .......................................................................................... 1487 Clause 19— .................................................................................................................................... 1487 Clause 19, as amended, agreed to. ................................................................................................ 1487 Clauses 20 to 31, as read, agreed to. ............................................................................................. 1487 Schedule 1, as read, agreed to. ...................................................................................................... 1487

Third Reading .................................................................................................................................................. 1487 Long Title ......................................................................................................................................................... 1488

CORRECTIVE SERVICES (EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND SECURITY) AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL ............................................................................................................................................................. 1488

Second Reading .............................................................................................................................................. 1488 Tabled paper: Letter, undated, from the Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, Hon. Mark Ryan, to the member for Southern Downs, Mr James Lister MP, and the member for Theodore, Mr Mark Boothman MP, regarding the statement of reservations contained in the Education, Employment and Training Committee Report No. 31. ................................................................................................................................ 1496

Table of Contents – Tuesday, 23 May 2023

MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST ......................................................................................................................................1497 Palaszczuk Labor Government, Performance ................................................................................................1497 Palaszczuk Labor Government, Performance ................................................................................................1498 Leader of the Opposition, Performance ..........................................................................................................1499 Palaszczuk Labor Government, Performance ................................................................................................1500 Kenmore, Road Infrastructure; Gold Coast Light Rail ...................................................................................1501 Palaszczuk Labor Government, Ministry ........................................................................................................1502 Path to Treaty ...................................................................................................................................................1503 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Value ..........................................................................................................1504

Tabled paper: Document, dated 23 May 2023, titled ‘Crossbench Statement on Olympics Funding, 23 May 2023’. ...................................................................................................................1504

Cairns Marine Precinct, Investment; Cairns TAFE .........................................................................................1505 Minister for Housing ........................................................................................................................................1506 Reimagining Workforce; Liberal National Party, Candidates ........................................................................1507

Second Reading ...............................................................................................................................................1508 Tabled paper: Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022, amendments to be moved by Mr Nick Dametto MP. .....................................1511 Tabled paper: Article from WA Today, dated 10 May 2023, titled ‘Premier labels FASD “an excuse” as 50 juveniles spark 12-hour riot at Banksia Hill’. ..............................................................1511 Tabled paper: Article from the Courier-Mail, dated 26 April 2017, titled ‘Inadequate staff training to blame for Cleveland Youth Detention Centre riot, report finds’. ....................................................1511

Third Reading ...................................................................................................................................................1520 Long Title ..........................................................................................................................................................1520

WASTE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL .............................................1520 Second Reading ...............................................................................................................................................1520

Tabled paper: Document, undated, titled ‘Proposed five-year roadmap for action on single-use plastic items’. ...................................................................................................................................1523 Tabled paper: Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023, amendments to be moved by Mr Sam O’Connor MP. ......................................................................1525 Tabled paper: Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023, explanatory notes to Mr Sam O’Connor’s amendments. ..................................................................1525 Tabled paper: Document, undated, titled ‘Engagement of Anacta and Anacta’s donations to the ALP’. ..........................................................................................................................................1548 Tabled paper: Document, undated, titled ‘Infrastructure investment program—Australian Government committed projects as at 2023-24 Budget’. ..................................................................1548

ADJOURNMENT ..................................................................................................................................................................1551 Coomera Connector .........................................................................................................................................1551 Bundaberg Electorate, Health Care .................................................................................................................1551 Toowoomba South Electorate, Charities ........................................................................................................1552 Recreational Fishing ........................................................................................................................................1552 Royal Flying Doctor Service, Dental Service ..................................................................................................1553 South Ripley Satellite Hospital; Ipswich Show ..............................................................................................1554 Public Service Delivery ....................................................................................................................................1554 Ipswich Show ...................................................................................................................................................1555 Kimball Family ..................................................................................................................................................1555 State Schools, Infrastructure...........................................................................................................................1556

ATTENDANCE .....................................................................................................................................................................1556

23 May 2023 Legislative Assembly 1453

TUESDAY, 23 MAY 2023 ____________

The Legislative Assembly met at 9.30 am.

ABSENCE OF SPEAKER The Clerk informed the House of the unavoidable absence of Mr Speaker.

Mr Acting Speaker (Mr Joe Kelly, Greenslopes) read prayers and took the chair.

Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Honourable members, I respectfully acknowledge that we are sitting today on the land of Aboriginal people and pay my respects to elders past and present. I thank them, as First Australians, for their careful custodianship of the land over countless generations. We are very fortunate in this country to have two of the world’s oldest continuing living cultures in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples whose lands, winds and waters we all now share.

ASSENT TO BILL Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have to report that Mr Speaker has received

from Her Excellency the Governor a letter in respect of assent to a bill. The contents of the letter will be incorporated in the Record of Proceedings. I table the letter for the information of members. The Honourable C.W. Pitt MP Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Parliament House George Street BRISBANE QLD 4000

Dear Mr Speaker

Date of Assent: 17 May 2023

I hereby acquaint the Legislative Assembly that the following Bill, having been passed by the Legislative Assembly and having been presented for the Royal Assent, was assented to in the name of His Majesty The King on the date shown:

A Bill for An Act to establish the First Nations Treaty Institute to prepare a framework for treaty negotiations with Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to support Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples to participate in treaty negotiations, to provide for the establishment of the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry to inquire into the continuing impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and to amend this Act, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities (Justice, Land and Other Matters) Act 1984 and the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990 for particular purposes

This Bill is hereby transmitted to the Legislative Assembly, to be numbered and forwarded to the proper Officer for enrolment, in the manner required by law.

Yours sincerely

Governor

17 May 2023 Tabled paper: Letter, dated 17 May 2023, from Her Excellency the Governor to the Speaker advising of assent to a certain bill on 17 May 2023 [667].

ACTING SPEAKER’S STATEMENTS

Panel of Temporary Speakers Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Honourable members, I inform the House that, in the absence of the

Speaker and in accordance with standing order 12(2), I nominate the member for Cook to act as Deputy Speaker. I also inform the House that I have appointed the member for Mundingburra, Mr Les Walker, to the Panel of Temporary Speakers. Both appointments are for the duration of the Speaker’s absence.

1454 Appointments 23 May 2023

Absence of Members Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have received advice from the following

members that they will be absent from this week’s sittings of the House: the Speaker and member for Mulgrave, the member for Cooper, the member for Currumbin, the member for Gregory and the member for Maiwar. The members’ notifications comply with standing order 263A.

Opposition, Appointment Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Honourable members, the Leader of the Opposition has advised me of

the appointment of the member for Lockyer as the Acting Deputy Opposition Whip for this sitting week due to the absence of the member for Currumbin. He has dressed up for the occasion! I table the correspondence. Tabled paper: Letter, dated 22 May 2023, from the Leader of the Opposition, Mr David Crisafulli MP, to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Hon. Curtis Pitt, regarding the appointment of the member for Lockyer, Mr Jim McDonald MP, as Acting Deputy Opposition Whip [668].

Smart Pups Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Honourable members, today we will be joined by Lynchie, Faith, Atom,

Asha and Kelly, who are the 2023 cohort of ‘smart pups’ visiting Parliament House. Smart Pups is a not-for-profit charity organisation based on the Sunshine Coast which specialises in providing trained service dogs to assist children with special needs. We will be joined on the Speaker’s Green at 1.30 pm by the founder of Smart Pups, Patricia McAlister; Diana McMurtry from Smart Pups Boots; and patron of the organisation, Dawn Fraser AC, MBE. Members are invited to come along to pat a puppy and take selfies to promote this very worthy cause.

Parliamentary Friends of Latin America Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Honourable members, hola! That is the Latin American and Spanish

word for ‘hello’. Today the Queensland parliament has the immense privilege of hosting the 2023 Hola Networking Expo. This evening in the Premiers’ and Speakers’ Halls over 300 participants will attend a significant engagement and trade event being co-hosted by the member for Clayfield and me, as the chairs of the Queensland Parliamentary Friends of Latin America. We will be joined by the ambassadors of Ecuador, Cuba, Chile and Peru. Over 20 business stalls will be held to provide opportunities for local organisations interested in engaging on matters such as skilled migration, partnering and customer opportunities. I encourage all members to attend and show their support for this growing cultural and trade relationship. In my experience, the development of personal connections is the best way to build lasting relationships between our regions.

Clerk of the Parliament Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Mr Clerk, as he has come to be known, is celebrating his birthday today.

I am told this is not a birthday that comes with a significant number, although they all seem significant to me. Nonetheless, because the Clerk is spending his birthday here with us all, on behalf of the House I extend our warmest wishes for a very happy birthday. Where else would you want to be!

School Group Tours Mr ACTING SPEAKER: I advise members that we will be visited in the gallery this morning by

students and teachers from Edens Landing State School in the electorate of Macalister and Iona College in the electorate of Lytton.

APPOINTMENTS

Changes in Ministry Hon. A PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) (Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic

Games) (9.36 am): I lay upon the table of the House the Extraordinary Queensland Government Gazette of 18 May 2023 which outlines changes to the ministry since the parliament last met. I seek leave of the House to have the details of all the changes to the ministry made on 18 May 2023 incorporated into the Record of Proceedings.

Leave granted.

23 May 2023 Tabled Papers 1455

Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that on 18 May 2023, in accordance with the Constitution of Queensland 2001, Her Excellency the Governor appointed—

The Honourable Shannon Maree Fentiman MP, to be Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women;

The Honourable Mark Craig Bailey MP, to be Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services;

The Honourable Yvette Maree D’Ath MP, to be Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence;

The Honourable Leeanne Margaret Enoch MP, to be Minister for Treaty, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Minister for Communities and Minister for the Arts;

The Honourable Meaghan Alana Jenkins Scanlon MP, to be Minister for Housing;

The Honourable Dianne Elizabeth Farmer MP, to be Minister for Employment and Small Business, Minister for Training and Skills Development and Minister for Youth Justice;

The Honourable Craig Daryl Crawford MP, to be Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Seniors and Disability Services; and

The Honourable Leanne Maree Linard MP, to be Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science and Minister for Multicultural Affairs.

In addition, on 18 May 2023, in accordance with section 24(1) of the Constitution of Queensland 2001, Her Excellency the Governor, acting by and with the advice of the Executive Council, appointed—

Bart John Mellish MP to be Assistant Minister to the Premier for Veterans’ Affairs and the Public Sector;

Brittany Louise Lauga MP to be Assistant Minister for Health and Regional Health Infrastructure;

Julieanne Claire Gilbert MP to be Assistant Minister for Education; and Lance Richard McCallum MP to be Assistant Minister for Energy. Tabled paper: Extraordinary Queensland Government Gazette No. 9, dated 18 May 2023, regarding changes to the ministry [669].

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

Youth Justice

Mr Purdie, 7,066 petitioners, requesting the House to undertake a number of initiatives to address sentencing and the ability to obtain bail under the Youth Justice Act and for this legislation to be known as Angus’s Legislation [670].

Renewable Energy

Mr Andrew, from 2,177 petitioners, requesting the House to halt its pursuit of renewable energy targets and conduct a publicly transparent evidential analysis of wind and solar projects against alternative clean energy like nuclear that would utilise Australia’s vast reserves of uranium to reduce CO2 emissions and secure affordable, clean power [671].

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

Police Service, Commissioner

1,810 petitioners, requesting the House to note the findings of Independent Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Service responses to domestic and family violence and terminate the Police Commissioner’s appointment [672].

Housing, Grants

603 petitioners, requesting the House to include apartment buildings in the criteria for financial assistance from Queensland State Government whether through the extension of the existing Resilient Home Grants or a specific grant to meet their needs [673].

Petitions received.

TABLED PAPERS PAPERS TABLED DURING THE RECESS (SO 31) The Clerk informed the House that the following papers, received during the recess, were tabled on the dates indicated—

15 May 2023— 636 Health and Environment Committee: Report No. 32, 57th Parliament—Tobacco and Other Smoking Products

Amendment Bill 2023: Erratum 16 May 2023— 637 Protocols for the execution of search warrants and other requests for documents by the Queensland Police Service on

the premises of a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly 638 Protocols for the execution of search warrants and other requests for documents by the Crime and Corruption

Commission on the premises of a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly

1456 Tabled Papers 23 May 2023

18 May 2023— 639 Response from the Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning

and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympic and Paralympic Games Infrastructure (Hon. Dr Miles), to an ePetition (3851-23) sponsored by the member for Mermaid Beach, Mr Stevens, from 385 petitioners, requesting the House to entreat the Gold Coast City Council to not remove the last sanctuary in Lake Hugh Muntz and to maintain its ongoing sustainability

640 Response from the Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment (Hon. Dick), to an ePetition (3862-23) sponsored by the Clerk under provisions of Standing Order 119(4), from 1,321 petitioners, requesting the House to do all in its power to address the decision of the Office of Queensland Revenue to include doctors operating under contract as employees and provide an exemption to contracted general practitioners to allow them to practice in medical centres without added tax expenses to the centres

641 Response from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services (Hon. Bailey), to an ePetition (3845-22) sponsored by the Clerk under provisions of Standing Order 119(4), from 709 petitioners, requesting the House to ensure a total ban on approving off-premise billboards and begin to phase out all off-premise billboard advertising in Queensland

642 Response from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services (Hon. Bailey), to an ePetition (3852-23) sponsored by the member for Ninderry, Mr Purdie, from 359 petitioners, requesting the House to improve the safety of the intersection at Kuran Street and Bradman Avenue, Maroochydore

643 Response from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services (Hon. Bailey), to an ePetition (3861-23) sponsored by the member for Hinchinbrook, Mr Dametto, from 1,929 petitioners, requesting the House to expedite upgraded road infrastructure in the northern suburbs of Townsville

644 Response from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services (Hon. Bailey), to an ePetition (3876-23) sponsored by the member for Toowoomba North, Mr Watts, from 462 petitioners, requesting the House to construct a north-south transport corridor between Toowoomba and Highfields and to link Boundary Street to Old Goombungee Road as an urban traffic corridor

645 Response from the Minister for Communities and Housing, Minister for Digital Economy and Minister for the Arts (Hon. Enoch), to an ePetition (3870-23) sponsored by the Clerk under provisions of Standing Order 119(4), from 1,695 petitioners, requesting the House to take some action to help a large number of Queenslanders to find suitable accommodation, including working with local councils to search for housing that is sitting empty

19 May 2023— 646 Response from the Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement

(Hon. de Brenni), to a paper petition (3890-23) presented by the member for Mirani, Mr Andrew, and an ePetition (3820- 22) sponsored by the Clerk under provisions of Standing Order 119(4), from 1,392 and 4,882 petitioners respectively, requesting the House to halt planning of the proposed Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro project within the Pioneer Valley

647 Transport and Resources Committee: Report No. 29, 57th Parliament—Inquiry into Coal Mining Industry Safety, government response

648 Legal Affairs and Safety Committee: Report No. 48, 57th Parliament—Inquiry into Support provided to Victims of Crime 649 Response from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services (Hon. Bailey), to a paper

petition (3892-23) presented by the member for Burnett, Mr Bennett, from 580 petitioners, requesting the House to commence construction of the already-identified Queensland State Government Priority 1 Project for Walkers Point, Woodgate boat ramp

22 May 2023— 650 Economics and Governance Committee: Report No. 45, 57th Parliament—Subordinate legislation tabled between 22

February 2023 and 28 March 2023 651 Overseas Travel Report: Report on overseas visit by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly (Hon. Pitt) to Gibraltar 17-

20 April 2023 to attend the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s Executive Committee Mid-Year Meeting TABLING OF DOCUMENTS (SO 32) STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS The following statutory instruments were tabled by the Clerk— Fisheries Act 1994: 652 Fisheries Quota (Regulated Coral Trout) Amendment Declaration 2023, No. 36 653 Fisheries Quota (Regulated Coral Trout) Amendment Declaration 2023, No. 36, explanatory notes 654 Fisheries Quota (Regulated Coral Trout) Amendment Declaration 2023, No. 36, human rights certificate Health Practitioner Regulation National Law and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2022: 655 Proclamation commencing certain provisions, No. 37 656 Proclamation commencing certain provisions, No. 37, explanatory notes 657 Proclamation commencing certain provisions, No. 37, human rights certificate Acts Interpretation Act 1954: 658 Acts Interpretation (Fee Unit) Amendment Regulation 2023, No. 38 659 Acts Interpretation (Fee Unit) Amendment Regulation 2023, No. 38, explanatory notes 660 Acts Interpretation (Fee Unit) Amendment Regulation 2023, No. 38, human rights certificate

23 May 2023 Ministerial Statements 1457

Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995: 661 Transport Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2023, No. 39 662 Transport Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2023, No. 39, explanatory notes 663 Transport Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2023, No. 39, human rights certificate Penalties and Sentences Act 1992: 664 Penalties and Sentences (Penalty Unit Value) Amendment Regulation 2023, No. 40 665 Penalties and Sentences (Penalty Unit Value) Amendment Regulation 2023, No. 40, explanatory notes 666 Penalties and Sentences (Penalty Unit Value) Amendment Regulation 2023, No. 40, human rights certificate

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Nash, Ms I Hon. A PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) (Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic

Games) (9.38 am): Yesterday we paid tribute to First Class Firefighter Izabella Nash who tragically lost her life on the front line. It was a deeply moving and emotional memorial—heartbreaking for Izzy’s family, her partner Bec, her parents, her friends and the firefighting community. It was especially so for those who worked side by side with her at Acacia Ridge where Izzy was stationed and who loved and respected her so much as a person and a firefighter.

Speaking to them yesterday and seeing the heartache in their faces and voices reinforced just how special Izzy was. That sadness extends across the wider Queensland community, the rest of Australia and even overseas, so shocked and saddened by our loss. It was also a celebration of an extraordinary person—a loving and much-loved lover of life. The words honest, resilient, faithful, trustworthy, devoted and stubborn, in a nice context, were used by all to describe her.

Izzy’s attitude to life and her family and friends reflected her attitude to her job as a firefighter stationed at Acacia Ridge. The memorial heard stories of Izzy’s bravery, her devotion to duty and her care for the community and those she protected as a first responder.

I am sure that all in this House join me in passing on their condolences to Izzy’s family, her friends and the entire firefighting service. Our hearts continue to be with them all at this difficult time. Izzy’s courage and the courage of all of our fallen fire and rescue personnel will never be forgotten and reminds us all of the bravery of first responders who put their lives on the line each and every day they go to work to protect and save the lives of Queenslanders.

Hospitals, Infrastructure Hon. A PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) (Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic

Games) (9.39 am): This government has embarked on the biggest hospital building program Queensland has ever seen. More than $2.5 billion worth of contracts have been awarded so far. These will deliver 897 additional beds across Queensland.

Today I can announce the awarding of $1.17 billion in tenders to deliver another two major hospital expansions. The expansions of QEII and Ipswich hospitals will deliver extra beds. The $465 million QEII Jubilee Hospital expansion will deliver 112 additional beds and significantly boost capacity for in-demand elective surgeries, helping to meet growing demand on Brisbane’s south side. A further 200 beds will be added from the $710 million Ipswich Hospital stage 2 expansion which includes a new purpose-built acute clinical service building, a new emergency department, six additional operating theatres, satellite medical imaging services and a new central sterilisation service department.

These are in addition to four projects announced earlier this month: the $530 million, 112-bed Logan Hospital stage 2 expansion; the $350 million, 249-bed PA Hospital expansion; the $250 million, 128-bed Mackay Base Hospital expansion; and, when we were in Cairns, the $250 million Cairns Hospital expansion, delivering another 96 beds.

Our Health and Hospitals Plan invests a record $9.78 billion to deliver: three brand new hospitals, the new Queensland Cancer Centre which is so important for families; and 2,220 new beds for Queensland. That is the equivalent of building not just one, but two more hospitals the size of the state’s biggest, the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

Only yesterday the health minister and I visited the new Ripley satellite hospital. It will be one of the first to open later this year.

1458 Ministerial Statements 23 May 2023

Opposition members interjected. Ms PALASZCZUK: They don’t like satellite hospitals. Government members interjected. Ms PALASZCZUK: They don’t like it. That is right. It will be one of the first to open later this year,

catering for up to 490 walk-in patients a week, which of course relieves pressure on our other hospitals. We know the pressures on our hospitals. Building three brand new hospitals and expanding 11 others is real action to relieve these pressures.

Cost of Living; Kindergarten Hon. A PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) (Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic

Games) (9.42 am): The Queensland economy is strong. We said that our strong health response to COVID would result in a strong economic recovery and that is exactly what is happening. There are 228,500 more Queenslanders in work today than there was before COVID, more than any other state. Unemployment is at 3.8 per cent, two percentage points lower than its pre-COVID level. Exports are up by 49 per cent on last year. Private investment is up. What does this mean for Queensland? It means that—

Mr Hart: Everything is fine. Nothing to see here. Ms PALASZCZUK: Member for Burleigh, I would not be interjecting. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Premier, comments through the chair, please. Mr Dick interjected. Ms PALASZCZUK: That is right. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Order, members! Members on my left, the Premier is delivering a factual

ministerial statement. As has been the practice of the Speaker, these will be heard in silence. Ms PALASZCZUK: It is always good to remind the member for Burleigh and the member for— Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Order, Premier! Honourable members interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Order! Ms PALASZCZUK: We are building the Tugun satellite hospital. I have inspected that one as

well. It is coming out of the ground and it is going to be open soon, too. Honourable members interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Members, I just called the House to order and you are immediately

interjecting. Premier, your comments will come through the chair. That does not assist. Members, I would like to get to question time without placing members on warnings, but I do want the House to remain orderly.

Ms PALASZCZUK: It means that as we confront the rising cost of living, our government is in a position to help. It means providing: the $575 in rebates on power bills that we have already provided; rebates in the hundreds of millions for pensioners including $372 off power, up to $200 off rates and $174 off car rego; the $120 off water; and the 50 per cent off public transport fares in South-East Queensland. As we approach our state budget, there will be more.

One idea we are taking to the people of Queensland—another cost-of-living pressure—is in relation to kindy. We are having a conversation with Queenslanders about extending free kindy for all, which would mean 48,000 children could receive the vital early childhood benefits of kindergarten without adding to the cost-of-living pressures for their families. We know this is a big issue out there. The early years are so important for our children.

As mothers told me over the weekend, it would mean they would contemplate more paid work, further helping their families. It would also further boost our economy. Employers currently have 85,000 jobs for which they have no workers. Free kindy for all would give parents the opportunity to take some of that work. I want to hear from more Queenslanders about this idea. The Treasurer and I will have so much more to say about the upcoming budget further easing the cost of living for families across our state.

23 May 2023 Ministerial Statements 1459

Motor Neurone Disease Hon. A PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) (Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic

Games) (9.45 am): The government helps Queenslanders in ways both big and small. Over the weekend, I attended the Walk to D-Feet MND, or motor neurone disease, with the Minister for Health and the Minister for Education. MND is a progressive neurological disorder with no cure or effective treatment. Each day another two Australians are diagnosed.

At the walk on Sunday, I met Jo who has the disease. She is described by everyone as a force and an MND warrior. Jo is an inspiration to all. Jo was a nurse, working to care for others when she was diagnosed four years ago. She said she worked at the PA Hospital. MND might have impacted Jo’s body, but it certainly has not impacted her mind or her fight and determination for her community. Incredibly, Jo has raised more than $130,000 to help her fellow sufferers, to make their lives easier.

It is why I was so delighted to announce to Jo and everyone at the event that our government is donating $250,000 to boost the support networks of MND in Queensland. I know, based on the heartfelt reaction this small donation received, how important these small amounts of money are to changing the lives of Queenslanders. It is even more important for those families to know that they are not alone. I encourage everyone to support MND Queensland in whatever way they can.

Aviation Industry, Sustainability Hon. SJ MILES (Murrumba—ALP) (Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development,

Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympic and Paralympic Games Infrastructure) (9.47 am): At the outset, I add my condolences to those expressed by the Premier to the family and friends of Izzy Nash. It was a moving service yesterday and reminds us of the sacrifices our first responders make every single day.

When it comes to decarbonising our skies, Queensland is the place to invest. As we move towards a decarbonised future, the world’s airlines have committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. They can only do this by using sustainable aviation fuel. During Australian Renewable Fuels Week, we have taken the next step to getting this vision on the runway and making Queensland the home of sustainable aviation fuel. I am pleased to announce to the House today that the Queensland government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Qantas to collaborate on further developing a sustainable aviation fuel industry right here in the Sunshine State. In Australia, Qantas is targeting 10 per cent of its fuel to come from sustainable sources by 2030 and around 60 per cent by 2050. Right now, all of this sustainable aviation fuel is imported from overseas.

With our rich supply of feedstock and skilled workforce, Qantas understands that Queensland is internationally recognised as an ideal location to establish an Australasian SAF supply chain. The Palaszczuk government’s commitment to sustainability has given Qantas the confidence to trust us as a sustainable aviation fuel hub because we have set the state up for success with the right mix of investment, government support and industry collaboration.

Members will recall that in March the Palaszczuk government announced support for Jet Zero Australia to start a feasibility study for a new biorefinery in Queensland which could produce up to 100 million litres of sustainable aviation fuel a year. We have also partnered with Ampol and ENEOS which will assess the feasibility of delivering an advanced biofuels manufacturing plant at Lytton. In Central Queensland, Oceania Biofuels is building a commercial aviation fuel biorefinery in Gladstone. I have no doubt sustainable aviation fuel made right here in Queensland will be powering planes across the globe in the years to come.

Great Barrier Reef Arena Hon. SJ MILES (Murrumba—ALP) (Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development,

Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympic and Paralympic Games Infrastructure) (9.49 am): On Saturday I had the pleasure, on behalf of the Premier, of officially opening the $25.3 million Great Barrier Reef Arena at Harrup Park in Mackay along with the tourism minister and the member for Mackay. It was a special honour to unveil the Tim Mulherin Green, which was named in honour of the former member for Mackay who was a champion for his region and especially the arena project.

1460 Ministerial Statements 23 May 2023

Thanks to shared investment by the Queensland and Australian governments, the fantastic arena at Harrup Park can now host 10,000 spectators for sporting games and 20,000 for concerts. In the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games it will be our regional venues like this one that play such a critical role in fostering local talent and attracting visitors to show them just how great regional Queensland is.

Coal Royalties Hon. CR DICK (Woodridge—ALP) (Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment) (9.50 am):

The Palaszczuk government’s progressive coal royalties are delivering for regional Queensland and they will for many years to come. Our responsible new royalty tiers give Queenslanders their fair share when coal prices are high. They provide certainty to Queensland coalminers when prices are low. It is this certainty from our progressive coal royalty regime which has Queensland coalminers investing in the future of the industry and they are investing now. They are investing to ensure we will continue to mine the best steel-making coal in the world.

Recently we have seen announcement after announcement of new investments in the industry. BHP has sought approval to extend the life of its Peak Downs metallurgical coalmine near Moranbah by 93 years—that is 93 years. None of us will be around at the end of that lease, but the legacy from our progressive coal royalties will still be here. Just imagine the profound way these royalties will have shaped our magnificent state over the next 93 years. BHP’s investment shows the faith the company has in our government’s ability to support the future of Queensland coalmining.

The interest from buyers in the Daunia and Blackwater mines that BHP has decided to sell is extraordinary. From initial reports those two mines were worth a combined $2 billion. Today there are reports they might sell for as much as a combined $9 billion. Peabody is reportedly one of the interested parties and Peabody has also invested in the future.

Opposition members interjected. Mr DICK: How rude! Opposition members interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Order! The House will come to order. Mr DICK: Rude! Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Treasurer, I will manage the House. Mr DICK: Peabody has also invested in the future. They have committed a substantial

investment to redevelop North Goonyella. The federal government intends to approve Bowen Coking Coal’s Isaac River metallurgical coalmine. Pembroke continues to develop its Olive Downs coalmine. Whitehaven is progressing its Winchester South mine and Coronado has indicated ongoing expansion plans related to the Curragh Mine.

We are seeing that confidence and investment flow into jobs in regional Queensland. The latest Queensland Mines Inspectorate data shows the number of workers in our coalmines has continued to increase. As of 31 December 2022, 40,778 workers were working in Queensland coalmines—and I want to pay tribute to each and every one of them—extracting the wealth of the earth for the people of our state. That is up 7.4 per cent since the end of June when the new tiers were introduced and up 12.7 per cent for the year.

Our mining companies and communities should be bullish about the future of the industry. This is because we continue to see a sustained period of high coal prices. Throughout 2022 and early 2023 we have seen unprecedented metallurgical and thermal coal prices. This has generated extraordinary revenue and profits for coal companies. Queensland exported a record A$83.5 billion in coal in 2022, almost double the previous record of $44.3 billion in 2018, and exceptional returns to our coal producers have continued in early 2023. The premium hard coking coal price averaged about US$326 million per tonne across the first four months of 2023 while the mid-range thermal coal price averaged about US$126 per tonne. Although global prices have moderated somewhat recently, they are still higher compared with long run average prices.

I want to be clear: with exceptionally high coal prices delivering record profits for our coal producers, our progressive royalties regime is ensuring that Queenslanders get their fair share. We are seeing more investment and more jobs in the industry and an ongoing positive outlook for the sector. That is a win for our resources sector and a win for our mining communities, all facilitated by our government’s progressive coal royalties.

23 May 2023 Ministerial Statements 1461

Kindergarten Hon. G GRACE (McConnel—ALP) (Minister for Education, Minister for Industrial Relations and

Minister for Racing) (9.54 am): Since the start of 2023 the Palaszczuk government’s Kindy for All program—$1 billion plus investment over five years—has been delivering free or cheaper kindy for more than 40,000 Queensland families, providing real cost-of-living relief.

Last sitting I provided examples in and around Cairns of the families who are loving free kindy, and back in Brisbane we are hearing the same stories. At Durack C&K in Inala, for example, 39 families now have access to free kindergarten, saving them up to $4,770 a year, or $119 each week which goes back into their pocket. Amina, a parent at the centre, said— Free Kindy means I don’t have to worry about what kindy costs. I can use the savings towards other things to help my family.

Another parent from Durack, Ruta, whose son Aron is enrolled, said— Free kindy is a huge support. The savings help with everyday items.

A parent at Albany Creek, in the electorate of Everton, Brittney, shared— Being able to send our child to kindy, at no cost to us, is honestly the most amazing gift. We are very grateful.

In Townsville we heard of a single mother of two who wanted to return to work but the cost of kindy was a barrier. She said— Now that I can access free kindy I can go back to work and have more money to give my children healthier meals for school and at home.

On the back of the great success of Kindy for All, we now want to explore the next step of free kindy for every Queensland family to help with the cost of living and ensure every child gets a great start. We currently have around 58,000 children at kindy. Under our Kindy for All program, 14,000 already receive it for free and another 26,000 receive reduced fees. However, there are another 8,000 kids who could be enrolled in kindy who are not.

For those who have gone to kindy, we know it makes a real difference when they start school. That is why we want every child in Queensland to experience these great benefits. It is time to close the gap. In racing parlance, I think it is a perfect trifecta: good for families, good for children and good for the economy, particularly in supporting working families.

As the Premier announced at the weekend, we want to know what Queenslanders think, particularly if cost is a barrier to sending their kids to kindy. Already we have received almost 700 formal responses and thousands of comments on social media. This is just another example of the Palaszczuk government listening to our hardworking Queensland families and providing significant cost-of-living relief.

Health System Hon. SM FENTIMAN (Waterford—ALP) (Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance

Services and Minister for Women) (9.58 am): It is wonderful to rise today to update the House on the very important work being done across Queensland’s health system. Last year the Palaszczuk government committed a record $23.6 billion towards investing in our health infrastructure, our services and our workforce, and aren’t our frontline health workers just amazing? It has been a real privilege to get out and about and meet so many of them in my first few days as health minister.

Through our Health and Hospitals Plan we are investing over $9.7 billion to build three new hospitals, to expand 11 others, deliver a new cancer centre and roll out seven satellite hospitals—and aren’t those satellite hospitals going to be game changers for local families who will be able to receive health care closer to home? This is the largest health capital program in the country, delivering—wait for it—3,378 more beds.

Today I am pleased to say that we are taking an even bigger step forward. Today we are announcing that Besix Watpac has been awarded the tender for the $710 million Ipswich Hospital stage 2 expansion.

Opposition members interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Members of the opposition, there is far too much noise. I am having

trouble hearing the minister making her ministerial statement. You have three days of parliament coming up in which to scrutinise the new ministers. I would have thought you would want to hear what the ministers have to say to assist with that scrutiny.

1462 Ministerial Statements 23 May 2023

Ms FENTIMAN: There is just so much excitement around our infrastructure plan for health! Today we are also announcing the $465 million tender for the QEII Jubilee Hospital expansion. Together, these expansions will deliver 312 new hospital beds and support 2,800 construction workers. Jobs and health—what a wonderful announcement.

This announcement comes just days after I visited the Mackay Base Hospital, on my very first day as health minister, to announce that Besix Watpac was also successful in securing the $250 million tender to expand that hospital, delivering 128 new beds across paediatric, medical and surgical wards and creating over 600 construction jobs in the Mackay community. All of this follows the $1.17 billion in contracts announced earlier this month to expand the Logan Hospital, the PA Hospital and the Cairns Hospital.

This means that in May alone the Palaszczuk government has awarded $2.55 billion in contracts—a historic investment in the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders. This investment, importantly, will take pressure off our emergency departments. It means new operating theatres. It means that every Queenslander can receive the high-quality health care they deserve closer to home. That is what we are about: health care closer to home. I am so proud that our government is leading the nation with our investment in health.

Housing Hon. MAJ SCANLON (Gaven—ALP) (Minister for Housing) (10.02 am): I stand here today as

Queensland’s new housing minister, acknowledging the enormity and responsibility of this role. Our government knows how important it is to have a roof over your head—for education, for employment and for a child’s future. I am the beneficiary of having two parents who lived in government housing. In my time in this place I have heard from people across our community about their own housing stories. I have sat down with Carmel and Kay, both social housing tenants on the street down the road from where I went to kindy. I have heard from Gary, who has recently moved into a newly built social home in Varsity Lakes, from young renters and from owners feeling the pinch of interest rate rises on their family home. These are the people I will be working hard for every day.

Queensland is, of course, the most beautiful place to live. A lot of people have moved here over the past few years, and who can blame them? Interstate migration coupled with the impacts of natural disasters, the RBA’s continued interest rate rises and the significant supply chain issues being felt across this country have made conditions tough. To build thousands of new social and affordable homes, we cannot leave any stone unturned.

My message to industry, members opposite, community housing providers, tenants groups and First Nations communities is that my door is open. I will work with anyone who has innovative ideas, and I will be focused on rolling out our record investment in social and affordable housing—13,000 new homes. Our government already has a very proud track record of delivering 4,400 additional social and affordable homes across Queensland, and right now 647 homes are under construction. That is, on average, 10 homes a week built since we were elected. Yesterday we announced nearly 30 new potential sites to build more housing and increase supply.

I know that Queenslanders are struggling, and I am ready to hit the ground running for them. I have been boots on the ground with Micah Projects, and I have seen how they are supporting the most vulnerable people in our community. I visited the construction site of the former Yeronga TAFE, where 75 new social and affordable homes will be delivered. I have spoken to the new federal housing minister about how we can get the best deal for Queensland. My commitment is: that is what I will do every single day.

Digital Services Hon. MC BAILEY (Miller—ALP) (Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital

Services) (10.04 am): Last week I had the privilege of taking on greater responsibility within the Palaszczuk government. As part of the changes I was appointed by the Premier to the portfolio of digital services, an area that is crucial to a modern economy. The Palaszczuk government is committed to delivering good jobs, better services and a great lifestyle, and harnessing the opportunities of the digital economy is at the heart of achieving those objectives.

There is a lot happening in the digital services space. I acknowledge the work of my predecessor, the Minister for Communities, in this area. The Queensland Government Customer and Digital Group has over 1,600 employees across 96 locations across the state. Our specialised cybersecurity unit, established in 2016 by this government, last year blocked 1.6 billion malicious activities. They play an

23 May 2023 Ministerial Statements 1463

important role in protecting Queenslanders, our public assets and our data. The First Nations contact centre pilot in Cherbourg is going from stride to stride. Opened in April last year, the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport worked with the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council, the community and TAFE Queensland to facilitate a three-year pilot with Fujitsu Australia. Fujitsu provided paid employment from day one, and it is now the No. 1 centre for customer service in the Asia-Pacific region for Fujitsu. Well done, Cherbourg. It is a fantastic effort. We love your work.

This week I am meeting with NBN Co and Telstra to be briefed on the status of digital connectivity in regional and remote Queensland communities. Providing regional and remote communities with better connectivity is crucial to closing the digital divide and to providing better social and economic outcomes for communities. We are also continuing to work on the implementation of Our Thriving Digital Future through the first 2023-2026 action plan. This is supported by the Palaszczuk government’s $200 million commitment over the next three years to accelerate Queensland’s digital economy. The Queensland digital licence, which is rolling out by postcode in Townsville right now before going statewide later this year, is an important move forward.

Mr Minnikin interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Member for Chatsworth, you are warned under the standing orders. Mr BAILEY: Our technology for the digital licence is the first of its kind in Australia. It is compliant

with the ISO standards, making it compatible with systems across the world, and is much more secure than versions interstate, which have encountered substantial problems. Wherever we can, we look at new ways to use technology to improve customer service across Transport and Main Roads and across the whole of government. As the Minister for Digital Services, I will continue to prioritise and to invest in improving our future.

Domestic and Family Violence Hon. YM D’ATH (Redcliffe—ALP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the

Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence) (10.07 am): It is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, with the theme being ‘It’s in our control to end coercive control’. To do this, we must have the mechanisms in place to achieve change, and that is what the Palaszczuk government has committed to do. That is why I am very pleased to be standing here as the Attorney-General to provide an update on the progress of the Specialist Domestic and Family Violence Court rollout—a signature reform of the Palaszczuk government.

I was very honoured to officially open the Southport Specialist Domestic and Family Violence Court back in 2017, following a successful trial. At that time, the Palaszczuk government committed $69.5 million over four years, with ongoing funding for Southport and the rollout of the specialist model to Beenleigh, Townsville, Mount Isa and Palm Island. Following a positive evaluation of Southport and the findings and recommendations of the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce, the Palaszczuk government has continued its investment in the Specialist Domestic and Family Violence Court response, with a commitment of a further $60.4 million last year. The continued investment is based on evidence from the 2021 independent evaluation of Southport that showed that the model prioritises the safety of victims and their children, holds perpetrators accountable and promotes changes in attitudes and behaviour. I am excited to share with the House that plans to establish two additional domestic and family violence courts, in Brisbane and Cairns, are well underway.

We have been working with stakeholders including court staff, police prosecutors, Legal Aid Queensland and women’s and men’s court support services to get this specialist model in both locations ready to start in the next three months. In talking to magistrates last night at their annual conference, they are eager for the expansion of these proven and successful courts.

I am pleased to report that the Court Link program, which was also set up in the first term of the Palaszczuk government, continues to deliver benefits for vulnerable Queenslanders in locations across the state. This program connects defendants with support to address their social needs, including housing support, mental and physical health needs, and drug and alcohol treatment. The program, which has been operating in eight locations, was recently expanded to Pine Rivers, and I know that the member for Pine Rivers is very excited about that expansion.

The specialist courts and programs operating in the Magistrates Courts throughout the state support some of our most vulnerable Queenslanders, with the aim of keeping victims safe while also reducing offending behaviour. Their continued operation and expansion reflects the collaboration between government and non-government stakeholders, providing a modern and evidence-based court response.

1464 Motion 23 May 2023

Youth Justice Hon. DE FARMER (Bulimba—ALP) (Minister for Employment and Small Business, Minister for

Training and Skills Development and Minister for Youth Justice) (10.10 am): It was a great honour to be asked by the Premier to take on the portfolio of youth justice again. We know that youth crime is an issue of great concern to many Queenslanders, in particular those who have been victims of crime. My key priorities will be to target serious repeat offenders, support community safety and tackle the complex causes of youth offending. Community safety and community confidence must bookend everything we do in youth justice.

Queenslanders need to know they are safe from serious offenders, which is why earlier this year we passed new legislation, the Strengthening Community Safety Act, which enacted some of the toughest laws in the country and it was excellent to see that this was supported by both major parties. Although it is early days to see the longer term results of that new legislation, it has been pleasing to see some early figures: 12 serious repeat offender declarations, 299 charges of breach-of-bail conditions, six conditional release orders longer than three months and 17 charges for young people using social media while offending as an aggravated offence.

We also need to have measures in place that will stop young people from offending in the first place or, if they have offended, to stop them from doing so again, and so it was fantastic as my first announcement in the role to travel to Toowoomba on the weekend to announce the first of the new round of five youth co-responder programs. The Toowoomba program started last Thursday and in the coming weeks we will see new programs running out in Ipswich, Mount Isa, Hervey Bay and South Brisbane. This new raft of programs is on top of eight co-responder programs already in place across the state in Townsville, Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton, Moreton, Brisbane North, Logan and the Gold Coast. Collectively across all of those sites, our teams have interacted with almost 60,000 young people with a 95 per cent average compliance in their interactions with the co-responder teams, including compliance with bail conditions and orders. This is a program already making a difference, with police and youth justice workers partnering in a 24/7 approach to stopping young people from offending.

We know that many young people in the system have been exposed to one or more issues such as DV, homelessness, poverty, substance abuse, mental health issues, disengagement from education and other factors. Together police and youth justice staff are engaging with at-risk young people like these at local parks, shopping centres, on the street, in their homes and referring them to the services that can help them. Sometimes it is as simple as taking them somewhere so they have a bed to sleep in and food in their bellies; sometimes it is intensive follow-up with drug and alcohol rehab services, mental health services and other programs. Brooke Sanders, the team leader for the Toowoomba program, told me that since the program started just last Thursday their team has already provided support to more than 20 young people. Well done to that mighty team and all co-responder team members across the state.

This government understands the impacts of youth crime. It is why we are determined to continue tackling the complex causes of crime. Change takes time, but we are seeing strong results like these from this and other prevention programs and we commit to building on the existing strong foundations to keep Queenslanders safe.

MOTION

Amendments to Standing Orders Hon. YM D’ATH (Redcliffe—ALP) (Leader of the House) (10.14 am), by leave, without notice: I

move— That schedule 6 of the standing rules and orders of the Legislative Assembly be amended in accordance with the amendment circulated in my name, effective immediately.

________________

SCHEDULE 6—PORTFOLIO COMMITTEES (1) In accordance with s.88 of the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001, the following table establishes the Portfolio

Committees of the Legislative Assembly and identifies their primary areas of responsibility; and (2) A reference to a Minister is deemed to include departments, statutory authorities, government owned corporations and

other administrative units reporting to the Minister and parts thereof that report to the Minister with respect to the Minister’s responsibilities as set out in the Administrative Arrangements.

23 May 2023 Motion 1465

Portfolio Committee Area of Responsibility Ministers Oversight Responsibility

Economics and Governance Committee

Premier and Cabinet Olympic and Paralympic Games

Treasury, Trade and Investment

Tourism, Innovation and Sport

Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment

Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement

Auditor-General

Integrity Commissioner

State Development and Regional Industries Committee

State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning

Agricultural Industry Development, Fisheries and Rural Communities

Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water

Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympic and Paralympic Games Infrastructure

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities

Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water

Independent Assessor

Education, Employment and Training Committee

Education, Industrial Relations and Racing

Employment, Small Business, Training, Skills Development and Youth Justice

Minister for Education, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing

Minister for Employment and Small Business, Minister for Training and Skills Development and Minister for Youth Justice

Health and Environment Committee

Health, Mental Health, Ambulance Services and Women

Environment, Great Barrier Reef, Science and Multicultural Affairs

Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women

Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science and Minister for Multicultural Affairs

Health Ombudsman

Transport and Resources Committee

Transport, Main Roads and Digital Services

Energy, Renewables, Hydrogen, Public Works and Procurement

Resources

Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement

Minister for Resources

1466 Questions Without Notice 23 May 2023

Portfolio Committee Area of Responsibility Ministers Oversight Responsibility

Legal Affairs and Safety Committee

Justice and Attorney- General and Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence

Police, Corrective Services, Fire and Emergency Services

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence

Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services

Electoral Commissioner

Information Commissioner

Ombudsman

Queensland Family and Child Commission

Community Support and Services Committee

Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts

Housing

Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services

Minister for Treaty, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Minister for Communities and Minister for the Arts

Minister for Housing

Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Seniors and Disability Services

Family Responsibilities Commission

Question put—That the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to.

ACTING SPEAKER’S STATEMENT

Visitor to Public Gallery Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Members, I wish to acknowledge in the gallery the YMCA youth member

for Greenslopes, Hayes Butler-Dupuy, who is spending the day shadowing me. I want to thank all members of parliament for all of the support you give to the YMCA youth members.

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Question time will conclude today at 11.15 am.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Mr CRISAFULLI (10.15 am): My question is to the Premier. The Premier said that it would take a

very serious issue to remove a minister from cabinet. When the member for Redcliffe was health minister, Queenslanders suffered the highest ambulance ramping in the nation, a doubling of the elective surgery waiting list, a regional maternity crisis, surgical crises in Mackay and Caboolture and the failure of the DNA lab. Can the Premier explain why the Attorney remains in cabinet?

Ms PALASZCZUK: I support the Attorney-General. As I have said, I have clearly listened to Queenslanders and they want government to respond to the issues of housing, health and youth justice. I find it ironic that there does not even seem to be a shadow minister for youth justice. I am yet to see who the shadow minister for youth justice is, so that is how serious those opposite take these matters.

What we will see in next month’s budget is once again record funding for health. The opposition leader knows and members of this House know that the health portfolio is a huge portfolio, but this government is determined to ensure that Queenslanders get access to good quality health care. We also recognise that there are national issues when it comes to housing, health and youth crime, and Queenslanders are not immune to these pressures. That is why we will continue to work to ensure that Queensland gets its fair share of funding when it comes to these issues.

23 May 2023 Questions Without Notice 1467

As I have said previously in this House, finally we have a federal Labor Prime Minister who is prepared to listen and we have already seen the flow of funding coming through to Queensland. The announcement that GPs will get paid extra time and rebates for Medicare will ensure that more Queenslanders will get access to see their GP and that will ease the issues—the pressures—with our emergency departments.

Mrs Frecklington: Nothing’s changed. Ms PALASZCZUK: Nothing has changed in the LNP—I take that interjection—because it is the

same old story. It is the same old— Honourable members interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Order! Ms PALASZCZUK: It is the same old LNP, the same LNP— Honourable members interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Order, members! Honourable members interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Order! Members, I have been trying to gain your attention, but you

cannot hear me over your interjections. I will start to warn people. Ms PALASZCZUK: The same faces from the Newman government are still there. Mrs Frecklington interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Pause the clock. Member for Nanango, you are warned under the

standing orders. Ms PALASZCZUK: They might recycle the leaders over there, but it is the same old team. They

are all still there. We will continue to listen to Queenslanders and respond.

Youth Justice Mr CRISAFULLI: My question is to the Attorney-General. With Queensland in the grip of a youth

crime crisis, does the Attorney-General regret making changes to criminal justice laws in 2015? Mrs D’ATH: I am sure the Leader of the Opposition has educated himself around the fact that I

am not responsible for the youth justice legislation. Opposition members interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Order! Pause the clock. Members, the Attorney is being directly

responsive to the question asked and you have not given her a chance to answer before you start interjecting.

Mrs D’ATH: The question is asked of the wrong minister. I am not responsible for youth justice, but I am happy to address the question because in doing so I can point out the failures of the opposition. When we came to government in 2015, we had to rebuild all of the diversionary measures that were taken away, the staff numbers that were gutted out of the system, the youth justice conferencing that was scrapped—

Mr Crandon interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Pause the clock. Member for Coomera, you are warned for yelling

across the chamber. I have made it clear that I want order in the chamber. Mrs D’ATH: They scrapped programs such as Skilling Queenslanders for Work that make a

difference in getting young people into employment and give them greater opportunities going forward. They scrapped the Murri Court. We know that all of those programs make a difference and divert people away from the youth justice system.

I remember as Attorney-General, with the minister for training and skills, walking into the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre. I have heard them talking a lot about how in youth detention centres you have to have programs to educate the kids and get them on the right path. In 2015, the minister for training and skills and I, as Attorney-General, visited the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre and we found the brand new trade training centre in that facility sitting empty. I asked, ‘Why are you not utilising this facility and training the kids and giving them skills?’ We were told that it was because they pulled the funding and were not delivering training.

1468 Questions Without Notice 23 May 2023

When those on the opposite side talk about youth justice I recall the failed boot camps. Millions of dollars were wasted when the recidivism rate was higher than normal. The former attorney-general wasted $15,000 on helicopter flights instead of jumping in a car to drive to the boot camp, as I did. He wasted $15,000—taxpayer dollars—on helicopters so he could go, in his brand new RM Williams, lean on a fence next to a horse and talk about how great the program was.

I remember it all and I relish the opportunity to come back as Attorney-General and remind the LNP of the failures when they were in government. We know what they would do if they came back to office because the member for Chatsworth has already let the cat out of the bag. They would scrap billions of dollars—and that includes funding for all of the diversionary programs—all over again.

Health Services Mr McCALLUM: My question is of the Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic

Games. What action is the Palaszczuk government taking to further improve the health care available to Queenslanders and is the Premier aware of any other approaches?

Ms PALASZCZUK: Yesterday I was very delighted to join the member for Bundamba, the member for Ipswich and the health minister at the Ripley satellite hospital. The member for Bundamba knows that the Ripley area is one of the fastest growing areas in the state. Every time I go there I see more streets filled with houses. Young families are moving in. Adjacent to the Ripley satellite hospital is a beautiful school that was built by this government.

Mr Lister: You closed them in my electorate. Ms PALASZCZUK: We looked after the water in your electorate— Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Through the chair, Premier. Honourable members interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Order. The House will come to order. Ms PALASZCZUK: What Queenslanders want is health care closer to home. We know that those

opposite do not support our satellite hospitals. They are happy to stand outside a satellite hospital, but it is this government that is delivering, in an Australian first, seven satellite hospitals across the south-east. The public are looking forward to them opening.

Just last June we turned the first sod on the Ripley satellite hospital. Yesterday, we saw the progress as the hospital nears practical completion. It will be opened by the end of the year. I have been to Tugun, where a satellite hospital is under construction. I am going to the Redlands shortly, where construction is going well, as it is with the Caboolture, Kallangur and Bribie Island projects. Those satellite hospitals are being built by this Labor government. Those opposite cut frontline services; we are rebuilding frontline services. The tenders have been let for the QEII and Ipswich hospital expansions. We are expanding the bed capacity in our hospitals. We are doing what we said we would do. Queensland is a big state and we are doing the big hospital builds.

Mr Bleijie interjected. Ms PALASZCZUK: I hear the member for Kawana. He is becoming quite hysterical. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Pause the clock. Member for Kawana, you are warned under the

standing orders. Ms PALASZCZUK: There is a reason why those opposite are on the opposition benches and we

need look no further than the member for Kawana. Please, do a press conference every single day. We love it and focus the election—

(Time expired)

Youth Justice Mr NICHOLLS: My question is to the Attorney-General. When removing breach of bail for youth

offenders in 2015, the Attorney-General said, ‘The Palaszczuk government is committed to reducing youth crime and holds the safety of the community as its highest priority.’ What responsibility does the Attorney take for the daily occurrence of cars being stolen, homes being broken into and Queenslanders being injured at the hands of repeat youth criminal offenders?

Mr HINCHLIFFE: Mr Acting Speaker, I rise to a point of order. The Attorney-General has already provided advice to those opposite around the appropriate responsibilities in relation to the Youth Justice Act. I seek your guidance as to whether this has been directed to the correct minister and if it could be ruled out of order.

23 May 2023 Questions Without Notice 1469

Mr POWELL: Mr Acting Speaker, I rise to a point of order in response to the point of order made by the member for Sandgate. I refer to a media release of 1 December 2015 in which the member for Redcliffe is quoted as saying, ‘The Palaszczuk government is committed to reducing’—

Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Member, which standing order are you referring to? Mr POWELL: I am responding to the member for Sandgate. Government members interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Order! The House will come to order. Member, you do not engage in

debate during points of order. If you have a standing order to refer to I will take your point of order. I will take advice in relation to the point of order of the member for Sandgate.

Member for Clayfield, ministers can only be asked questions in relation to the portfolio that they currently hold. I ask you to clarify what in your question actually relates to the Attorney-General’s current portfolio?

Mr NICHOLLS: Yes, Mr Acting Speaker. The administration of justice in the Criminal Code in this state, including the prosecution of criminals under the Criminal Code, clearly falls within the portfolio of the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice with control of and responsibility for the courts in this state.

Acting Speaker’s Ruling, Question Out of Order Mr ACTING SPEAKER: I will take some advice. Member for Clayfield, thank you for that

clarification. The question you asked clearly related to the portfolio of youth justice. I rule the question out of order.

Housing Mr MARTIN: My question is of the Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

What action is the Palaszczuk government taking to tackle the national issue of housing, and is the Premier aware of any alternative approaches?

Ms PALASZCZUK: I thank the member for Stretton for the question. He is a very strong supporter of ensuring that people in his electorate have social and affordable housing. As we know, these housing pressures are being felt across the nation. Queenslanders are feeling the housing pressures. Numerous interest rate rises and tens of thousands of people moving to Queensland are putting incredible strain on people in our state not only to purchase properties but also in terms of the rental market. That is why we took the measure to limit rent increases to once a year.

We know that there is always more to do. As of 30 April 2023, we have supported over 5,000 families with more than 74,000 nights of accommodation through $54 million allocated from the immediate housing response. We have also assisted over 1,200 families and individuals to stay in their homes through the $11.7 million allocated for tenancy sustainment. We have also supported 2,300 people through additional after-hours homelessness outreach services in Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Townsville and Cairns. We have funded 87 emergency relief organisations and three food relief organisations—OzHarvest, Foodbank and SecondBite—to provide direct support for Queenslanders.

We acknowledge that Queenslanders are doing it tough and that the cost-of-living pressures on Queensland families are real. That is why we have made the largest investment in housing. I thank the Treasurer. I think the Treasurer would agree that the next budget will focus on the cost of living and what more we can do to improve the lives of families in this state. There is not a member on my side of the House who does not understand the cost-of-living pressures across Queensland.

Recently, I was delighted to join with the housing minister and the Deputy Premier in terms of the urban renewal that is happening at Yeronga. Through a land audit, the Deputy Premier and the housing minister have identified parcels of land that will be available for either social and affordable housing or mixed-use development. Mixed-use development is also critical, because it looks at a combination of private investment, social and affordable housing and retirement villages at home, so that people can live longer in their communities. We will continue to listen to Queenslanders and we will continue to respond to the cost-of-living pressures that families are experiencing.

(Time expired)

1470 Questions Without Notice 23 May 2023

Crime Mr JANETZKI: My question is to the Attorney-General. When she was last in the portfolio the

Attorney proudly introduced changes which moved 17-year-olds into the youth justice system. Given the high number of recent murders and serious crimes allegedly committed by these now adult offenders, does the Attorney take any responsibility for the crime crisis gripping Queensland?

Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Member for Toowoomba South, I would ask you to clarify whether the question being asked relates to legislation contained within the minister’s current portfolio.

Mr JANETZKI: Yes, under the Criminal Code, Mr Acting Speaker. Ms GRACE: I rise to a point of order. First, I query whether that response is correct. Second, the

question contained a lot of imputations and allegations. I think the question should be ruled out of order. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: There are no imputations in the question. I will take some advice. I am

going to allow the Attorney-General to answer the question; however, if the matter is not within her current portfolio responsibilities then the Attorney-General is within her rights to point that out to the House.

Mrs D’ATH: This certainly was a decision made while I was responsible for youth justice as well as the attorney-general and minister for justice. In relation to the line of questioning of the opposition today, it is pretty clear that the Leader of the Opposition is not so much interested in the portfolios that I hold as he is in me.

Mr Janetzki interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Pause the clock. Member for Toowoomba South, we had a lengthy

exchange of points of order before we got to the answer. I have given the Attorney-General latitude in relation to your question. She is choosing to try to answer that question, which I think is helpful. You have interjected within 20 seconds. I warn you under the standing orders.

Mrs D’ATH: I am starting to feel that the LNP and the Leader of the Opposition have an obsession with me, as opposed to the portfolios that I hold.

Opposition members interjected. Mrs D’ATH: Those individuals who keep saying, ‘Change the laws,’ also voted for the laws only

a matter of weeks ago. They say now, ‘We’re not happy because we don’t know what to play politics on now, so we’re just going to go back and talk about this.’ If members of the LNP continue to be so interested in me as the member for Redcliffe, maybe they want to find a candidate for Redcliffe to run against me. The Leader of the Opposition made such a fanfare of bringing his caucus out and doing a whole retreat there for a few days. They were going to go doorknocking but it was too hot, so they just did a little bit of letterboxing instead. They made the point of saying that they were opening nominations because they wanted to get a candidate—

Mr Crisafulli interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mrs D’ATH:—before Easter. Easter has come and gone. Where is the candidate? What

happened? I heard they had someone lined up because I had convinced them I was not running. That fell over when they found out I was running again. The current federal member for Petrie got so desperate that he posted on his public Facebook page that nominations were open for Redcliffe—

Mr Lister interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Pause the clock. Member for Southern Downs, you are warned under

the standing orders. Mrs D’ATH: The post was, ‘If anyone wants to run for Redcliffe’—here is the kicker—‘come join

the LNP.’ They do not think anyone within the party right now is good enough. They are calling on someone out there—anyone out there—to join the LNP so that they can nominate to run in Redcliffe. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has personally declared himself the ‘patron’ for Redcliffe. That is what he said at his fundraising event when he went out there. He is a pretty poor patron for Redcliffe if he cannot even find a candidate to run against me.

Housing Ms PUGH: My question is of the Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure,

Local Government and Planning and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympic and Paralympic Games Infrastructure. Can the Deputy Premier advise the House how the Palaszczuk government is delivering more housing for Queenslanders and is the Deputy Premier aware of any alternatives approaches?

23 May 2023 Questions Without Notice 1471

Mr Mander interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Before I call the Deputy Premier, member for Everton, you are warned.

The Speaker has made it clear that people are not to use the space between a question being asked and answered to interject. You are warned.

Dr MILES: I thank the member for Mount Ommaney for her question and for her interest in ensuring that we continue to see more and more houses built in her fast growing area of our region. As we heard from the Minister for Housing during ministerial statements, the Palaszczuk government is delivering more homes for Queenslanders. In fact, since we were elected we have delivered 4,300 new social houses and we have plans to deliver thousands more. That is 10 new social houses every single week and it is 10 more every single week than those opposite delivered in three years. It means that every single year we build more social houses than the 429 those opposite cut in their three years at the helm.

We are also working to unlock thousands of new lots for development. We are working with local governments to assist them to release more land for development, including through reviews of regional plans. We are supporting those local governments that have failed to deliver housing plans, including Redland City Council. We are reviewing the urban footprint to identify which land is currently under-utilised and can be unlocked, particularly in the south-east.

We have announced massive new priority development areas, including the urban renewal project that will be anchored by the Gabba redevelopment. The Premier, the Minister for Housing and I were at Parkside Yeronga where we are delivering 280 new homes and 4,000 square metres of green space—a fantastic new community hub. We have identified 27 more sites like that one.

We could not find a better contrast between the approaches of the major parties than this because Parkside Yeronga is built on the site of a TAFE that those opposite closed. Those opposite closed it, taking services from that community and cutting jobs in that community. We have taken that and we are delivering more homes and community services in Yeronga. We could do even more except for the fact that the LNP and Peter Dutton are teaming up with the Greens to block extra funds from the Australian government to the Queensland government for us to build more houses. They cut; we build. We fund; they are standing in the way of more funds for social houses here in Queensland.

Forensic DNA Testing Ms BATES: My question is to the Attorney-General. When the Attorney-General was health

minister— Mr Brown interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Member for Capalaba, the Speaker has made it clear that questions will

be heard in silence. You are warned under the standing orders. Ms BATES: My question is to the Attorney-General. When the Attorney-General was health

minister she oversaw the crisis of the DNA lab which led to thousands of criminal cases and their victims being impacted and described the opposition’s concerns as pure politicking. Can the Attorney-General update the House on the impact to the justice system of the DNA lab failings?

Mrs D’ATH: I thank the member for her question. I am glad she still has an interest in me, whichever portfolio I am in. It is questionable whether she knows much about the portfolio when she calls health workers duds. Maybe they should reshuffle the shadow spokespersons because I really do not think the shadow health spokesperson should hold that portfolio when she says health workers in the regions are duds and when she is a signed up financial member of NPAQ which is anti vaccination and misleading people on important health issues.

The health minister and I will work very closely on the important work of the DNA review—the work that came out of the Sofronoff report—and the establishment of the new body that will sit within—

Opposition members interjected. Mrs D’ATH: They just do not stop, do they? The new body will sit under Justice and

Attorney-General. An opposition member interjected. Mrs D’ATH: If I am to believe the member for Nanango that this is not pure politics, I do not know

what is, but keep going. I am pretty sure— Mrs Frecklington interjected.

1472 Questions Without Notice 23 May 2023

Mrs D’ATH: It was not you? My apologies if it was not the member for Nanango. I should have been able to pick the voice as there are so few women over there. It was one of them.

Mrs FRECKLINGTON: Mr Acting Speaker, I rise to a point of order. I take personal offence and I ask that the Attorney withdraw.

Ms Fentiman interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Minister for Health, you are warned under the standing orders. That was

disorderly. I will take some advice. Attorney, the member has taken personal offence and asked for it to be withdrawn. I ask you to withdraw.

Mrs D’ATH: I withdraw. As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted, the health minister and I are working together in relation to the DNA lab recommendations and the establishment of the new body that will sit within Justice and Attorney-General from 1 July next year. The board has been put in place. They have commenced meeting and overseeing the implementation of those recommendations.

With many of the things that the LNP like to play politics on, they love to brush over—

Opposition members interjected. Mrs D’ATH: The groans. I am trying to save my voice because I think I might get some more

questions. They love to brush over the fact that many of these things were happening under their watch as well. The cases in relation to this DNA review go back to 2008. It was happening under their watch as well and they did not know about it. For them to come and play politics with this—

Mr Mickelberg interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Pause the clock. Sorry to interrupt again, Attorney-General. Member for

Buderim, you are warned under the standing orders.

Mrs D’ATH: For them to come in here and raise these issues that clearly also cross over the time they were in government—when they did nothing and knew nothing—is extraordinary. It is what we have come to expect from the LNP because they do not talk about the time they were in government.

Path to Treaty Ms LUI: My question is of the Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment. Will the Treasurer

update the House on how Queensland’s Path to Treaty Fund provides certainty to the treaty process, and is the Treasurer aware of any alternative approaches?

Mr DICK: I thank the member for Cook for her question because this year our nation has an important choice to make—a choice about how we value and recognise the role of First Nations people in our society. The debate and referendum around the Voice to Parliament will stand as one of the defining moments in our nation’s journey. In the lead-up to that defining vote—thanks to the advocacy of members of this House, like the member for Cook, the member for Algester and the member for Bundamba—Queensland took an important step last sitting week when we were in Cairns.

As I said during my contribution on the Path to Treaty Bill, our government’s commitment to the Path to Treaty was cemented through the $300 million Path to Treaty Fund I announced in the 2021 budget. The $20 million that fund will return each year will support the treaty institute and Queensland’s Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry.

In Cairns we saw the LNP vote to support the Path to Treaty—or so it seemed, because the federal LNP in Queensland has belled the cat on the approach of the member for Broadwater. As a member of the federal LNP told the Australian newspaper just two days after that historic vote in Cairns— They are telling members that if they get into government they will repeal it and it won’t go anywhere. It is very misleading. You can’t be deceitful like that.

That is a quote about the party led by the member for Broadwater. Think about that for a second, Mr Acting Speaker. This is a party room which had Stuart Robert in it commenting on the party room led by the member for Broadwater: ‘You can’t be deceitful like that.’ Imagine that!

It takes a lot to say anything about Peter Dutton’s approach to the Voice, but at least he has been absolutely transparent about his negativity and his opposition. Now it is clear why the Leader of the Opposition refuses to make policy comments about the things he whinges about because the commitment of the Leader of the Opposition is to repeal, is to reverse, is to undo and is to cut—to

23 May 2023 Questions Without Notice 1473

unravel all the way back to that period of time that Queenslanders will never forget under the leadership of Campbell Newman, the current Leader of the Opposition’s mentor, the man from whom he takes his lead, who guided him through the cabinet to this leadership position.

When the Leader of the Opposition said, ‘It’s an opportunity I believe Queenslanders should embrace wholeheartedly,’ we now know that the LNP’s secret plan is to repeal it. That is the truth under this Leader of the Opposition. He either knows of that secret plan or he has no control over the party he leads. Either way, that is not a man who is fit to lead Queensland.

(Time expired)

Trad, Ms J Mr BLEIJIE: My question is to the Attorney-General. Will the Attorney reassess the former

attorney’s approval to fund Jackie Trad’s legal expense to hide a Crime and Corruption Commission report?

Mrs D’ATH: I will not be overriding the previous decisions of the former attorney-general.

Kindergarten Ms McMILLAN: My question is of the Minister for Education, Minister for Industrial Relations and

Minister for Racing. Can the minister update the House on early reaction to the announcement made over the weekend that the Palaszczuk government is exploring the idea of free kindy and, Minister, are you aware of any other approaches?

Ms GRACE: As a former principal, there is no-one in this House— Mr POWELL: Mr Acting Speaker, I rise to a point of order. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Pause the clock. What is your point of order? Mr POWELL: In reference to the question, I understand there was use of the word ‘you’ in the

question itself and therefore it should be ruled out of order.

Mr ACTING SPEAKER: I will take some advice. Member, can I ask you to rephrase that question if that word was, in fact, used?

Ms McMILLAN: It would be my pleasure. My question is of the Minister for Education, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing. Can the minister update the House on early reaction to the announcement that the Palaszczuk government is exploring the idea of free kindy and is the minister aware of any alternative approaches?

Ms GRACE: It sounds better the second time. Thank you very much, opposition! What a great question from our side of the House. At least we ask questions that do not go back to Jackie Trad once again! It is an obsession.

Opposition members interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: The volume of interjection is far too high. Ms GRACE: Talk about those opposite going back to the future! They have nothing at all. All they

do is desperately go back. Let me tell those opposite that we will not be relenting in informing the people of Queensland what happened during the three years of Campbell Newman’s government when they were in power in this state. If you want to go back, we will go back as well—

Opposition members interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Minister, you are being provocative. I ask you to come back to the

substance of the question.

Ms GRACE:—to the devastation of the Campbell Newman government to Queenslanders. In relation to any new or alternative approaches, there is nothing coming from those opposite.

As the member for Mansfield knows, kindy makes a real difference when students start school. You can really tell the difference between those kiddies who have gone to kindy and those who have not. Our new conversation with Queenslanders is to find out whether cost is a barrier to the 8,000 families who are not attending kindy at the moment. We want to close the gap. We want to provide cost-of-living relief. This is an amazing cost-of-living relief for these families.

1474 Questions Without Notice 23 May 2023

We have heard from almost 700 formally and had thousands of comments on social media. Many have talked about the benefits to children attending kindy: ‘Every child deserves the opportunity to learn and be ready for school.’ ‘It sets children up for lifelong learning.’ ‘I work in early childhood and I can see the difference in the children who haven’t gone to kindy.’ That is the gap that we want to close. This is a conversation we want to have. We are the party of ideas.

When I am asked about alternative approaches, I welcome the Leader of the Opposition saying he supports it 100 per cent, but it would be nice to hear something a little bit different from those opposite when it comes to any of our portfolios. All we are hearing today are questions going back to the future—questions about things that have happened in the past, questions that are nothing about the future of Queensland. Yet on this side of the House we talk about the issues that are relevant to Queenslanders—issues like free kindy, issues like education, issues like making sure that families can put food on the table and that they can look after their children in this state. Those opposite whinge and whine all the way—sometimes a little bit unhinged, I might add.

Youth Crime, Appeal of Sentence Mr PURDIE: My question is to Attorney-General. The Kimball family are living every parent’s

worst nightmare. They buried their 16-year-old son Ryan last year while the 17-year-old who caused his death walked free from the Children’s Court with no conviction recorded. Will the Attorney appeal this manifestly inadequate sentence and give Graeme, Annette and Tyson the justice they deserve?

Mrs D’ATH: As always, I would take the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to any appeals and the likelihood of success of appeals. I would say that of course it is absolutely tragic. Anyone who is a victim of crime in this state—their family, their friends, their work colleagues—feel those crimes very deeply. Our condolences go to the family in relation to that matter. Of course I will take advice on that particular matter and any recommendations on the likelihood of success of an appeal.

Health Infrastructure Ms RICHARDS: My question is of the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services

and Minister for Women. Can the minister update the House on the Palaszczuk government’s record investment in health infrastructure and is the minister aware of any alternative approaches?

Ms FENTIMAN: I thank the member for Redlands for her question and for being a tremendous advocate for getting health care closer to home for families in the Redlands. I am very proud today to stand here as Queensland’s health minister. I am absolutely committed to ensuring that every Queenslander has access to high-quality health care. That is what our nation-leading $9.78 billion investment in our health infrastructure is all about—three new hospitals, 11 hospital expansions and seven satellite hospitals.

Our satellite hospitals will make such a difference, alleviating pressure on our emergency departments and making sure that families can get the care they need when they need it. That is why I am so pleased to report that the Redlands satellite hospital reached practical completion and is due to open very soon.

Unfortunately, we know that not everyone supports our satellite hospital in the Redlands and not everyone is as passionate about this important health infrastructure, which brings important health services into people’s suburbs. We recently saw the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Kawana and the LNP candidate for Redlands, Rebecca Young, talking about the Palaszczuk government’s health investments. We heard from the LNP candidate that she was standing there on behalf of her community wanting more. I am not sure how much more she could be wanting for the Redlands community, particularly when the LNP does not support satellite hospitals. In fact, she is now campaigning for less, despite the fact that it seems she has had a complete change of heart in two months. Just a few months before she was announced as the LNP candidate, she was—

Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Minister, you will table that document. Stop waving it around. Ms FENTIMAN: I am happy to table this.

Tabled paper: Photograph depicting satellite hospital opening [674].

She was happy to stand with the Minister for Health and the member for Redlands at the sod turning of the same satellite hospital. She was more than happy to smile for a photo and say, ‘We have a wonderful facility coming to our community, and we are so grateful to the government for delivering

23 May 2023 Questions Without Notice 1475

this wonderful infrastructure.’ What a difference a few months makes. I call on the Leader of the Opposition to get behind these amazing facilities, which will take pressure off emergency departments but, more importantly, make sure that families can get the health care they need closer to home. I call on them to support these amazing satellite hospitals.

Telestroke Mr KNUTH: My question without notice is to the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services. I

raised with the previous minister several times the desperate need for a statewide Telestroke service. The minister advised it was under review. Considering that every other state has this life-saving service, will the minister now commit to implementing Telestroke throughout Queensland?

Ms FENTIMAN: I thank the member for Hill, who has been a tremendous advocate for Telestroke. I know that he has spoken to the former minister about this. I also want to acknowledge the many members in the government who have also been lobbying for this very important service, including the member for Thuringowa, the member for Mackay and the member for Mount Ommaney. More than a dozen members on this side of the House have joined with the member for Hill to deliver this important service.

There is a tremendous amount of work that has been done within Queensland Health to look at this important service. I know that, particularly for families in regional Queensland, time is critical in relation to the management of stroke. Anything we can do to get this important treatment out to families in regional Queensland will reduce long-term disability and improve outcomes. I am pleased to report that a tremendous amount of work is already underway. I look forward to updating the member for Hill and the House very soon with some good news.

Social and Affordable Housing Mr POWER: My question is for the Minister for Housing. Can the minister update the House on

how the Palaszczuk government is delivering on important new social and affordable housing for Queenslanders?

Ms SCANLON: I thank the member for Logan for the question. I know that he, like many members on this side, support social and affordable housing in our communities. It is our government that is getting on with the job. Since coming to government we have delivered 4,400 new homes and there are over 600 under construction right now.

I am pleased to update the House that in the Logan area 388 new homes have been constructed under our government. We need to look at new ways around how we unlock more supply and build more social and affordable housing, and that is exactly what we are doing in areas like the Yeronga TAFE site—an area that we know those opposite wanted to flog off when they were last in government. The Leader of the Opposition would remember that because he, along with half of the same faces on that side, were around the cabinet table when the decision was made to flog that area off. Fortunately, they did not have quite enough time and we were able to change that. We are now turning that into 280 homes, 75 of which will be social and affordable homes. As has been mentioned, we have also identified 27 additional parcels of land owned by the government where we believe there is an opportunity to build even more housing. We are getting on with the job and delivering more housing.

At the same time, we know there is an alliance of blockers in the way. On one hand, we have the Greens political party. When they are not busy blocking funding in the Senate, they are busy blocking housing in their own electorates. On the other hand we have the LNP, which is doing everything in its power to stop the federal government’s $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund. You do not need to take my word for it. Just listen to Liberal National Party senator Matt Canavan, who said when he was talking about the Housing Investment Fund, ‘Use every tactic to make sure it does get stopped.’ That is what they want: housing for vulnerable families stopped; housing for women fleeing domestic and family violence stopped; housing for vulnerable people who might have a disability stopped.

Where is the Leader of the Opposition on all of this? He says he is interested in solutions. I have a solution for him: pick up the phone and call your mate Peter Dutton and tell him to get out of the way of blocking housing in this state. The uncomfortable truth for the Leader of the Opposition is that we know he does not like rocking the boat. He does not have any new ideas. He does not have any policy solutions. He does not like having hard conversations with federal colleagues in his political party who we know are out there undermining him right now. You just need to read the Australian for all of the background noise on who is jostling for the leadership position. You just need to look at—

(Time expired)

1476 Questions Without Notice 23 May 2023

Police Service, Integrity Dr MacMAHON: My question is for the Minister for Police and Corrective Services. A First Nations

man was shot dead by police on the weekend the day after he had been in hospital for a mental health episode. This is at least the second killing of a First Nations person by Queensland police this year. When will the minister establish an independent police integrity unit led by civilians with civilian investigators to investigate deaths like this, or will police continue to investigate police?

Mr RYAN: I acknowledge the tragic circumstances. It was very confronting for all involved, whether you are the gentleman’s family, friends, the community or the first responders who were faced with that situation. We acknowledge that tragedy. There will be a full investigation around that tragedy.

With respect to the member’s question, I will check Hansard, but I think she asked me this question around the establishment of a police integrity unit in a previous sitting. I will give the same answer that I gave last time. Those particular recommendations are the responsibility of the Attorney-General. The work is being led by the Crime and Corruption Commission. The chair of the Crime and Corruption Commission is doing analysis work around the implementation of that recommendation.

The government has publicly stated that those recommendations are accepted in principle and that further work is required about how not only those particular recommendations can be implemented but also how related recommendations across other reviews can be implemented. That is why the government established a reform implementation task force and a reform body which is led by Steve Gollschewski from the Queensland Police Service, who is coordinating the implementation of numerous recommendations across numerous reviews. This is very important work because it not only will fundamentally change how police in particular deal with very important matters around domestic violence and engaging with vulnerable people but also it is connected to rebuilding and strengthening emergency services and fire services in Queensland. This fundamental reform will create a new standalone fire services department and ensure that the State Emergency Service and Marine Rescue Queensland are sustainable, well resourced and supported into the future.

This is incredibly important work, and that is why the government has taken it very seriously and dedicated significant resources to the implementation of that work. We have some very senior people leading the implementation of those recommendations. As I said before, the recommendations around the establishment of a police integrity unit are being led by the chair of the Crime and Corruption Commission, Bruce Barbour, under the responsibility of the Attorney-General. The broader suite of reform and implementation of recommendations are being oversighted by Steve Gollschewski but also with an independent supervisor. Linda Apelt did some fantastic work and now Cathy Taylor, a very well esteemed public servant, is oversighting those. The government is committed to those reforms and we will continue to work in that regard.

TAFE Mr SMITH: My question is of the Minister for Employment and Small Business, Minister for

Training and Skills Development and Minister for Youth Justice. Can the minister please update the House on the success of the fee-free TAFE program and advise if there are any alternative approaches?

Ms FARMER: I thank the member for his question and I know how excited he is about TAFE. In fact I was up in Bundaberg in November last year looking at the Bundaberg TAFE and the sites where we are going to have the new advanced manufacturing facility and the horticulture and agriculture section in December this year. They are just two of the 19 upgraded or new TAFE facilities we are building across the state. They are in Bohle, Bowen, Coomera, Mooloolaba, Robina, Hervey Bay, Toowoomba, South Bank and so many more. Everywhere you look, there is a TAFE site that is going to be upgraded or have a new one built.

Last sitting week we were in Cairns, and we had the $16 million expansion of the Great Barrier Reef international marine training college, we had the $15 million new Cairns campus, I visited the Cyber Security Training Operation Centre where that is going to be and we had the $4 million manufacturing skills lab. On top of all of these facilities where we are going to have students able to learn in world-first facilities, we have our fee-free TAFE partnership with the federal government. There are 37,000 places for Queenslanders this year, and already 32,000 of those have been taken up. We are seeing big trends in early education, IT, business and accounting.

23 May 2023 Questions Without Notice 1477

I was out with the member for Cairns at the big fair they had at the marine training college that we are upgrading for literally thousands of students, and I thought, ‘I wonder if this is one of the TAFE campuses that the LNP are going to cut,’ because we know what they do with TAFE campuses when they are in government—they sell them. They sold five. They sold Ridgeway, Ithaca, Maryborough, Tewantin and Ipswich, and they had a list of 38 other campuses that they were going to cut. I thought of all the ones I have been to, which were the ones that were going to be cut? Was it going to be Mareeba? Was it going to be Kawana? Was it going to be Alexandra Hills? The members over there know about it. Was it going to be Mount Gravatt? Was it going to be Maroochydore? Which one of those campuses were they going to sell off?

It makes you worry. If you are a student in TAFE now or if you are in a community that really relies on TAFE, you must be very afraid because they started their term with a list and we know there is now another list. We have actually heard the list that the Leader of the Opposition has got for cutting TAFE campuses, and the member over there has told us that that is just the beginning. Which one of the campuses are they going to sell now? We know that workforce shortages are one of the critical things facing the Queensland economy, and skills and training is absolutely critical. We build, and they sack and sell.

(Time expired)

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Mr LANGBROEK: My question without notice is to the Premier. Four weeks ago I asked the

Premier whether she was going to remove the health minister from her portfolio. The Premier answered ‘N-O’. What changed?

Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Premier, you have two minutes. Ms PALASZCZUK: The member seems a bit grumpy. As I said very clearly— Opposition members interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Order! Pause the clock. Members, you have asked a question. You

have not even given the Premier a chance to answer. I would have thought you would be interested in the answer if you had asked the question.

Ms PALASZCZUK: As I said quite publicly, once the Path to Treaty legislation went through, it was the trigger for me to think about making some concrete changes. I am very happy with the changes I have made because we are responding to the people of Queensland who want the government to focus more on health and housing.

Mr Stevens interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Pause the clock. Member for Mermaid Beach, you are warned under

the standing orders.

Ms PALASZCZUK: The member for Mermaid Beach should not interject because he is also on the chopping block, along with the member for Burleigh. As for the member for Maroochydore, after 30 years of being in the parliament, I would be worried if I was her.

Honourable members interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: We are almost there, folks. Let us get there and maintain order for

another 56 seconds—and for the rest of the day, in fact.

Ms PALASZCZUK: Perhaps those opposite might want to now take some time to do some policies. We still have—

Ms Bates interjected. Ms PALASZCZUK: Now we have the member for Mudgeeraba, who still has not apologised—I

take that interjection.

Mr O’Connor interjected. Mr Purdie interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Pause the clock. Member for Bonney and member for Ninderry, you are

both warned.

1478 Motion 23 May 2023

Ms PALASZCZUK: How about the opposition sit down and write some policies and do some homework. They should get on with the job of being an opposition—the most well resourced, laziest opposition.

A government member interjected. Ms PALASZCZUK: I take that interjection. Go and find some women to run. Now is the time for

that side of the House to think seriously about their own benches.

Mr ACTING SPEAKER: The time for question time has expired.

MOTION

Business Program Hon. YM D’ATH (Redcliffe—ALP) (Leader of the House) (11.16 am): I move—

1. That the following business will be considered this sitting week, with the nominated maximum periods of time as specified:

(a) the Monitoring of Places of Detention (Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture) Bill, a maximum of 1 hour;

(b) the Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill, a maximum of 2 hours;

(d) the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Amendment Bill to complete all stages by 5.55 pm on Thursday, 25 May 2023.

2. The following time limits for the bills listed in 1. apply:

(a) the minister to be called on in reply:

(i) for the Monitoring of Places of Detention (Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture) Bill, 30 minutes before the expiry of the maximum hours for that bill;

(ii) for the Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill, 30 minutes before the expiry of the maximum hours for that bill; and

(iii) for the Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill, 30 minutes before the expiry of the maximum hours for that bill;

(iv) for the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Amendment Bill, by 5.25 pm on Thursday, 25 May 2023.

3. If the nominated stage of each bill has not been completed by 5.55 pm on Thursday, 25 May 2023, Mr Speaker:

(a) shall call on a minister to table any explanatory notes to their circulated amendments, any statement of compatibility with human rights or any statement relating to an override declaration

(b) shall put all remaining questions necessary to either pass that stage or pass the bill without further debate

(d) will complete all stages required by this motion notwithstanding anything contained in standing and sessional orders.

While we are back in the Legislative Assembly in Brisbane, I would like to take this opportunity to remark on the success of the Cairns regional parliament. I am advised that over 1,700 people attended the parliamentary precinct in Cairns, as well as over 2,500 students and staff attending during the week to see their parliament in action. This was a remarkable achievement, considering there are usually only around 60 people plus schoolchildren who attend the public gallery in this chamber during a sitting week in Brisbane. I acknowledge the school students who are up there today and say hello to all of the schools visiting here at the moment.

This was the sixth time that the parliament has left Brisbane and headed north, which I am sure all members can agree is not an easy logistical exercise. I take the opportunity to thank the staff of the Queensland Parliamentary Service, the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, the Queensland Police Service, all government departments and the Cairns Convention Centre for their dedication and hard work in ensuring this important democratic event went well.

Turning to the motion before the House today, members will note that there are four bills which are the subject of the motion. The first is the Monitoring of Places of Detention (Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture) Bill which this House has been debating across a number of sitting weeks before. That is why it has only been allocated one hour to ensure its passage today. The Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill is allocated two hours for debate. The Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill has been

23 May 2023 Motion 1479

allocated five hours for debate. The Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Amendment Bill has been allocated the remaining time during this week’s sitting for debate. I note that if all of these bills are finished before 5.55 pm on Thursday we will continue on to the next bill on the Notice Paper.

All of these bills will be subjected to time parameters which will enable the minister to reply if they so desire in time for consideration in detail if there are amendments to consider. I am sure members will agree that these are sensible time parameters to allocate for these bills which will enable this Legislative Assembly to continue to work on behalf of the people of Queensland in a methodical and orderly manner.

While I live in hope that those opposite will agree, I have a feeling they might trot out their usual lines about how they want to be here all night debating legislation. However, before they do so, they might want to look at their own past and their own actions. They might want to reflect on their brief time in government and ponder whether they all stayed for the full sitting hours at that time. While I am not commenting on specifics, a recent debate which is publicly available in Hansard shows that a then cabinet minister of the Newman government who currently sits across this chamber would leave, not every parliamentary Thursday but most, after question time. This goes to show that those opposite will say one thing and do another, a bit like how Campbell Newman said there was nothing to fear and then those opposite came in and trashed the state by sacking thousands of public servants. With those few words, I commend the motion to the House.

Mr POWELL (Glass House—LNP) (11.19 am): I will use this opportunity to reflect on the recent regional sitting of parliament in Cairns and convey on behalf of the members of the LNP opposition our thanks to all of the staff, starting with the parliamentary staff who prepared and enacted that regional sitting in Cairns. They did a mountain of work to ensure that everything ran as smoothly as it did. I thank all of the staff at the Convention Centre and the various facilities that the members on both sides of the chamber and the crossbench also utilised during that time, and to the people of Cairns for welcoming us so well. It was great, particularly for those of us on this side as we went around the community and spoke about the issues that really mattered to the people of Cairns, issues like youth justice and crime, that we were very well received in terms of listening to them and advocating on their behalf.

I also want to reflect on some comments made by Mr Acting Speaker at the conclusion of the Cairns sitting where he reflected on the level of debate and the nature of the debate on the Path to Treaty Bill as it being quite a level, even, respectful and well-balanced debate on a very sensitive issue. Whilst that might have had something to do with the nature of the bill itself, I suspect what it also had was the fact that it was not a guillotined debate, that it was given the credit that it required, the time it required, the opportunity for members from all parties, from all electorates across the state of Queensland to contribute on a very important piece of legislation. Members were not trying to rush their contributions. Members were not having to give way to other members to ensure that points were made, speeches were made and therefore the debate was conducted in a manner that we have not seen in this chamber since this government brought in these business motions.

The Leader of the House has again suspected, quite rightly, that we are going to be opposing this motion. We are. Why? Because what we are seeing, having returned to Brisbane, is a return to the bad old days. We are now going to try to rush through four pieces of legislation. Admittedly, one of them, I accept, is nearly finished in terms of debate—the monitoring of detention centres—but the other three have had to come up with arbitrary time limits to ensure they are finished by the end of this week. What that means again, and I repeat it, is that opposition members do not get the opportunity to speak on legislation that they want to. I suspect government members, too. Those backbenchers waving the speaking list around and concerned that they are not going to get their opportunity to speak on the legislation, the Corrective Services bill—

Mr Tantari interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Martin): Member for Hervey Bay. Mr POWELL: Don’t look at me, member for Hervey Bay. Take it up with the Leader of the House.

You are in the same party. It is your rules. It is your motion. If members have a grief with their speaking list and the fact that the member for Hervey Bay and the member for Bundaberg are going to get guillotined, it is not the LNP opposition’s fault. Support us in opposing this motion. Come and cross the floor.

Government members interjected. Mr POWELL: Come to the light side; stop living on the dark side— Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, members!

1480 Motion 23 May 2023

Mr POWELL:—and you will get the opportunity to have your say on this legislation. I find it ludicrous that members of the backbench somehow think they are going to be guillotined by something the LNP opposition are doing. It is not the case at all. It is the government’s motion. If the member for Bundaberg and the member for Hervey Bay and other backbenchers want to ensure they get a speaking opportunity, they need to get in the ear of their Leader of the House, their ministers, their representatives around the cabinet table.

We want to ensure that we continue to have debates of the nature that we had in Cairns— respectful, democratic debates where every member in this chamber has an opportunity to have their say on the legislation they want to have a say on. Sadly, with the return to time caps on three important pieces of legislation—around corrective services, waste reduction and recycling, and tobacco and other smoking products—we are again going to find that debate is guillotined. The LNP opposition will not be supporting this motion.

Hon. MC BAILEY (Miller—ALP) (Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services) (11.24 am): It is always amusing when we get posturing and pretending from the opposition that they care about democracy. Remember their record when they were in power? They kicked the media off the premises. They kicked the opposition off the premises. They guillotined all the time. They abolished the PCCC late at night. Their record in terms of democracy and integrity are farcical and well-known. For them to come and pretend, ‘We care about democracy. What about democracy?’, it is pretty obvious—

Mr Watts interjected. Mr BAILEY: It is pretty obvious. The member for Toowoomba North could not comply with health

directives and got sacked. One of the rare times you see a frontbencher sacked from the LNP front bench, it was the member for Toowoomba North. He is not the one to be interjecting on integrity. He is the last one to be interjecting on integrity.

Mr Watts interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Martin): Order, member for Toowoomba North! Mr BAILEY: What we are seeing in the business program motion is the usual ordering of business

in this House as per other legislative assemblies across this nation and across Westminster democracies. It is a tired old debate put forward by the member for Glass House. In the tradition of the member for Kawana, they have to say, ‘We need more time to speak,’ while using up more time to speak. That is the hypocrisy of those opposite. They need more time, but ‘We are going to use up more time in debate on procedural motions.’ It is embarrassing, it is humiliating, and it shows an opposition that is without credibility.

The only time they talk about democracy is when they are in opposition. The only time they talk about democracy is when they are over there, which is actually most of the time, and that is for good reason. If they had any respect for democracy, any respect for integrity, they might have got more than one term. However, we have the same old Newman government leftovers over there running the show: the former member for Mundingburra, the member for Kawana, the member for Chatsworth, the member for Clayfield—look at them all—the member for Everton, the member for Glass House, the member for Mudgeeraba and the member for Nanango. They are the same old faces running the opposition, saying that they will be different. I do not think Queenslanders are going to buy that, and there is no difference here.

Mr Powell interjected. Mr BAILEY: I hear the member for Glass House, but I also hear the member for Kawana. It is not

like he speaks his own words, it is just a rehash of the member for Kawana. I will not take up my full five-minute slot because I want to get on with matters. We are only having this debate because it is the opposition wasting this House’s time with this ridiculous discussion and debate. You know that if they are talking about democracy in the LNP then they are in opposition. If they ever got back in power it would be game on again with throwing out integrity and throwing out democracy; that is what they do.

Let’s get on with the ordinary order of business which is usual in a modern democracy where we have hours that are reasonable, where we are not sitting until two o’clock in the morning. I do not think the community thinks it is reasonable that lawmakers should be making laws at 1 am and 2 am, let alone the opposition’s effort in that first term where half had gone to sleep and they came in here on matters in all sorts of states of undress thanks to the former member for Callide. The business item is ordinary, straightforward and reasonable. It ought to be supported.

23 May 2023 Motion 1481

Mrs FRECKLINGTON (Nanango—LNP) (11.28 am): It gives me great pleasure to rise and follow the new minister for digital deletion. I am happy to correct—

Mr BAILEY: Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise to a point of order. That is not my title. I find it personally offensive and ask that it be withdrawn.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Martin): The minister is correct. I remind the member for Nanango to use correct titles and I also ask that you withdraw.

Mrs FRECKLINGTON: I withdraw. I would suggest it is very foolish of the government to say, ‘We don’t want any form of democracy in this great state,’ and it would be very foolish of the government to say, ‘Let’s just shuffle the deckchairs around.’ That results in the opposition needing to ask more questions and spend more time on debate. I note that the Leader of the House actually started her speech by talking about schoolchildren. If the schoolchildren of Queensland want to know why the opposition is opposing this motion, it is because it is the right in the Westminster system of government to hear both sides of the House—not just the government, who think they can run roughshod over us each and every week. That is exactly what they do. They are so—

Mr Power: Why don’t you sit down and we will get on with the debate? Mrs FRECKLINGTON: I am happy to take that interjection because it is obvious that that member

needs education. Maybe that member needs to go back to school. I pity the schoolchildren in the member for Logan’s electorate. When he stands in front of a class, whether it is year 6 or even high school, and they ask, ‘What actually goes on in parliament?’, I am quite sure the member for Logan would not be able to give—

Mr Power interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, members. Mrs FRECKLINGTON: Thank you very much for your protection, Mr Deputy Speaker. I know

what the government is running right now for the new ministers and that is a protection racket, and we saw that. All Queenslanders want to know is are these ministers up to the job?

We will be talking about waste reduction here today. I can tell honourable members it is a waste of time and it is not reducing anything to recycle the ministers around those portfolios. We know we need more time for debate in this House. We have seen a couple of members opposite—we have the member for Bundaberg, who was explicit in the removal and the ripping down of Paradise Dam—

Mr BAILEY: Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise to a point of order. As absorbing as the member’s contribution is, it is not related to the business item. I ask that she be brought back to the item.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Nanango, I have provided everyone with latitude throughout this debate. Your contribution has been pretty broad. I would ask that you do come back to the motion.

Mrs FRECKLINGTON: I take your ruling, Mr Deputy Speaker. Queenslanders have a right to know what the opposition and the crossbench have to say—openness, accountability and transparency. I know the Premier has a very short memory, but what has happened in the last eight years since the day the Premier stood up and said she had been elected on the basis of openness, accountability and transparency?

An opposition member: Guillotine the debate. Mrs FRECKLINGTON: Now they guillotine the debate every week. Three bills this week will be

guillotined. I note the member for Clayfield’s earlier comments when he asked, ‘Where is the Coaldrake review, Let the sunshine in?’ Let’s let the sunshine into this parliament like we did in Cairns when we had free-flowing debate. The debate was not guillotined and it enabled not just the opposition but also the crossbench to have their say. Those crossbench members are saying they would like free-flowing debate. They may make up their mind to be added to the speaking list at the last minute. It is only just and fair that the opposition and the crossbench get as much time as possible to speak on those debates.

The tobacco bill will be guillotined at 5.25 pm this Thursday. There is no greater issue than the need—and I will not go into that debate because, of course, that would be a breach of the standing rules. However, I suggest that every member in this House would want to contribute to that debate, but it will be guillotined. The crossbench members who will want to talk on that debate will not be able to because it will be guillotined. That is because we know that the Palaszczuk government are not letting

1482 Monitoring of Places of Detention (Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture) Bill 23 May 2023

the sunshine in. They do not want any Queenslanders to know how they constantly come in here and ride roughshod over the opposition and over the crossbench. They forget it is the electors of Queensland who elect each and every member of this House. It is not always, as the Premier likes to say, ‘her’ government and ‘her’ money. It is actually Queenslanders’ money. Nearly half of this House are on this side. They have been elected by the good people of Queensland and they also deserve to have their voices heard.

Division: Question put—That the motion be agreed to. AYES, 48:

ALP, 48—Bailey, Boyd, Brown, Butcher, Crawford, D’Ath, de Brenni, Dick, Enoch, Farmer, Fentiman, Furner, Gilbert, Grace, Harper, Healy, Hinchliffe, Howard, Hunt, A. King, S. King, Linard, Lui, Madden, Martin, McCallum, McMahon, McMillan, Mellish, Miles, Mullen, O’Rourke, Palaszczuk, Pease, Power, Pugh, Richards, Russo, Ryan, Saunders, Scanlon, Skelton, Smith, Stewart, Sullivan, Tantari, Walker, Whiting.

NOES, 31:

LNP, 31—Bates, Bennett, Bleijie, Boothman, Camm, Crandon, Crisafulli, Frecklington, Hart, Head, Janetzki, Krause, Langbroek, Last, Leahy, Lister, Mander, McDonald, Mickelberg, Minnikin, Molhoek, Nicholls, O’Connor, Perrett, Powell, Purdie, Robinson, Rowan, Simpson, Stevens, Watts.

Pairs: Bush, Weir; Lauga, Millar; Pitt, Gerber.

Resolved in the affirmative.

MONITORING OF PLACES OF DETENTION (OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE) BILL

Second Reading Resumed from 11 May (see p. 1420), on motion of Ms Fentiman—

That the bill be now read a second time.

Mr WATTS (Toowoomba North—LNP) (11.39 am): I want to make a brief contribution to the Monitoring of Places of Detention (Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture) Bill 2022. In the definition, one of the detention areas that is spoken about is a watch house or a holding cell. This was of particular interest to me because the reason this protocol is being brought in is because the government will not let the sunshine in and will not be transparent around their watch houses. I table some letters dating back to 2018. Tabled paper: Bundle of emails from the member for Toowoomba North, Mr Trevor Watts MP, regarding requests to visit Brisbane Watch House [675].

In those letters I tried to gain access to watch houses so we could see how they were performing in the state. I was denied access in a not dissimilar way to access being denied to the UN committee. This should be of great concern to people because when people have offended it is only right they should be incarcerated. However, that incarceration should meet the standards of our society. There is absolutely no doubt about that. I will table the report that was delivered some six or eight months after I tried to gain access. It was put together by Four Corners in relation to the watch houses, in particular the Brisbane Central Watch House, which was being used as a child detention facility. Tabled paper: Article from ABC Investigations, dated 13 May 2019, titled ‘The Watch House Files’ [676].

There was a fair amount of denial that that is what was going on. If a committee such as the one proposed here had been in place, it had access and was able to look at those watch houses, it would have been very clear that those watch houses were being used inappropriately for the inappropriate detention of children in conditions that we would not want for anybody in Queensland.

How did we arrive at this place? We arrived at this place because of the chaos and crisis that was caused by the changes in the Youth Justice Act which then led to an overwhelming number of youth offenders having to be temporarily detained. Some of them were detained for extended periods; some of them were transported around the state. They would come from Mount Isa to Townsville to Brisbane, and they would find themselves in inappropriate facilities.

I am very interested in the bill and in making sure there is some transparency. I think it is a shame that some of that openness and transparency was unable to be vented by the opposition, which of course has the same job. The job is to make sure the executive government are acting in an appropriate way. In my opinion, during that time they were not acting in an appropriate way and they were trying to hide it. They were trying to hide a crisis. We knew that they were in chaos. We knew that there were a

23 May 2023 Monitoring of Places of Detention (Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture) Bill 1483

great deal of problems within the child safety portfolio, and the last thing they wanted to do was to air that. Having a party such as the UN come in and see some of the things going on would have been deeply embarrassing for the government. I can only assume that is the same reason I was denied access. Of course, once we all saw the Four Corners report things changed rapidly.

This government, which has caused the youth crime crisis, compounded that crisis by incarcerating these young people in conditions that were inappropriate for them. They were not getting support, nutrition, guidance or education. If the UN had seen that, it would have been damning of this government. It was clear that it was going on. The minister knew it was going on, and the minister knew that I knew it was going on. That is why I was not allowed to go in and have a look. That all blew up when a TV channel went in there and showed the video footage.

We should not be in that situation. There are bodies set up to monitor the openness and transparency of a government, even when it is in crisis. The government has caused the youth crime crisis and now it is chaotically trying to work out what it will do with these people. They are being put into inappropriate incarceration without the required support structures. The government is wondering why it is getting worse and denying the UN capacity to get in there by debating this bill much later than it should have been. It is also denying the opposition access to those watch houses.

The bill has some merit, and we definitely should not be afraid of being open and transparent. The only reason, in my opinion, that a government would find itself afraid of openness and transparency is that it has something to hide. Clearly, it was trying to hide the embarrassment that is the youth justice crisis. It is trying to hide the embarrassment of a complete lack of planning and lack of facilities as we saw 17-year-olds moved out of adult prisons and into the juvenile system. The bullying and intimidation that was going on by those near-adult offenders in the juvenile system—they were incarcerated with 12-year-olds—meant that there was great pressure on rooms. The solution was to put them in watch houses. If you are going to put people in watch houses, be open and transparent. Let people in to see what is going on. Let’s make sure it is being done properly. These kids might have done the wrong thing, but they still deserve to be treated appropriately and receive the appropriate support, guidance and help.

I recently asked a question on notice. The response outlines that fewer than five juveniles have been incarcerated in the Toowoomba watch house for over 30 days. That prompts me to ask if that is because we do not have enough facilities.

Mr Ryan: Would you let them out? Mr WATTS: No, Minister. I would not let them out. I would properly plan to ensure the facilities

are appropriate and that there is appropriate monitoring and openness—not the chaos and crisis that was created by this government with its knee-jerk reactions. It is pursuing a particular agenda that means people in my community face the possibility of encountering in their front room someone holding a machete as they had been inappropriately incarcerated in a watch house and let out because the facilities do not exist. That is the responsibility of this police minister and the former attorney-general. They created the crime crisis that has been sweeping the state. Then they did not have the appropriate facilities to incarcerate people. Then they denied people access to see what was going on in those facilities because they knew it would be damning for them.

This bill will finally allow a small amount of sunlight to shine through the cracks of the windows. This government should be embarrassed by how it has treated incarcerated juveniles. We know that it is embarrassed by the legislation it brought forward because it is busy back-pedalling. We are not sure whether it is ‘Blocker’ or the unions telling the government that it has to back-pedal and move ministers around, but we know that there is chaos and crisis. We know that the unions are steering the ship. We know that the government is having a really tough time in the polls when it comes to the youth crime crisis.

We should have appropriate facilities being appropriately monitored to make sure the executive of government is not abusing its power. Clearly, that is what has been going on for some time when it comes to youth crime in this state and how we are treating youth criminals once they are incarcerated, in inappropriate conditions. The minister knows it, and he is squawking away over there because he is embarrassed. He tried to cover it up but he has been found out on repeated occasions—

Mr RYAN: Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise to a point of order. In addition to obviously misleading the House, I take personal offence at the remarks and ask for them to be withdrawn.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Martin): Minister for Toowoomba North, the minister has taken personal offence.

1484 Monitoring of Places of Detention (Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture) Bill 23 May 2023

Mr WATTS: I withdraw. Openness and transparency are always going to be the cure when a government is in chaos and crisis. The people of Queensland need to see what is going on. In fact, the UN needs to be able to monitor what is going on. We need to have trusted bodies and trusted institutions that can look at inappropriate conditions and how they have been abused by the executive of government to incarcerate our young people. I support the bill going forward and would encourage ministers in future to allow transparency so the opposition can do its job and hold the executive to account when it is failing, in chaos and crisis—

(Time expired) Hon. YM D’ATH (Redcliffe—ALP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the

Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence) (11.49 am), in reply: I thank honourable members for their contributions to the debate on the Monitoring of Places of Detention (Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture) Bill 2022. This bill represents the Palaszczuk government’s ongoing support for the principles of the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture, known as OPCAT, and furthers this government’s commitment to upholding the humane treatment of people in detention. As members know, OPCAT is an international treaty which aims to improve how people’s human rights are protected when they are detained. Under OPCAT, the subcommittee has a mandate to visit places of detention in Australia for the purpose of examining the treatment of people detained and preparing a country report with recommendations to improve the treatment of detainees.

The bill will enable the subcommittee to carry out its mandate in Queensland by providing a standalone legislative framework to facilitate subcommittee visits to places of detention in Queensland. Importantly, and consistent with the OPCAT principles, the bill will allow the subcommittee access to places of detention in Queensland, access to relevant information to evaluate the treatment of people who are detained, and the ability to interview people deprived of their liberty and any other person who the subcommittee considers may provide relevant information. The bill also provides for protections against reprisal for people who provide information or assistance to the subcommittee.

I now want to address specific comments made by honourable members during the course of this debate. Time and again we see the opposition attempt to take the high moral ground on its human rights record, but when it came down to securing human rights in Queensland the LNP voted against the bill. When we were introducing legislation to enshrine equality under the law and the preservation of the inalienable rights of every human being, where was the LNP? Unlike the LNP, this government is committed to ensuring Queenslanders enjoy the rights conferred by Australia’s international obligations. Unlike the LNP, this government actually works hard to implement legislation such as this bill.

As pointed out by the member for Clayfield, it was the Commonwealth government that made the decision to ratify OPCAT on 21 December 2017 and it entered into force in Australia on 20 January 2018. Given this, it has been important for Queensland to work collaboratively with our federal, state and territory counterparts on the implementation of OPCAT. While we recognise that Australia’s OPCAT obligations extend to all places of detention as defined in article 4 of OPCAT, consistent with the Commonwealth government’s plan, implementation efforts have taken a staged approach. This bill is an example of our commitment to working with the Commonwealth to facilitate subcommittee visits as the first component of OPCAT. It demonstrates our strong and continued support of OPCAT.

In relation to national preventive mechanisms, NPMs, the Queensland government continues to work with the Commonwealth government to ensure there is ongoing and sufficient funding for NPMs to function effectively. Resourcing is important for effective NPM implementation. This is a separate issue to the bill and a separate component of OPCAT. I note that funding for NPMs remains an outstanding issue for most jurisdictions and that Victoria and New South Wales are also yet to nominate NPMs. At the most recent meeting of the Standing Council of Attorneys-General in April 2023, participants committed to continue to work together towards full implementation of OPCAT obligations. Noting that commitment of Attorneys-General, I am pleased to see that the Commonwealth government’s budget papers for 2023-24 state that the Australian government is providing funding to support implementation of OPCAT in each jurisdiction, and I welcome these ongoing discussions.

The member for Clayfield also commented on the fact that the Inspector of Detention Services has not yet started. The inspectorate has required an establishment period to allow for the recruitment of staff and the development of practices and procedures. This process commenced late last year. The inspectorate will commence full operation from 1 July this year. The inspector is an independent statutory appointment to oversee prisons, youth detention centres and police watch houses. While unrelated to this bill, the inspectorate has been designed to encompass key features of an NPM as outlined in OPCAT such as having a preventative visiting mandate, financial and functional

23 May 2023 Monitoring of Places of Detention (Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture) Bill 1485

independence and unrestricted access to places of detention. Both the commencement of the inspectorate’s operations and the provisions outlined in this bill shall improve our system of oversight in places of detention.

I acknowledge the contribution made by the member for Clayfield in relation to the United Nations subcommittee visit. To be clear, at the time of the inaugural visit of the subcommittee, from 16 to 27 October 2022, neither the Commonwealth nor the Queensland governments had passed legislation to implement OPCAT obligations. Regardless, the Queensland government supported the subcommittee visit and worked with the Commonwealth government and the subcommittee prior to its arrival to facilitate the visit through existing legislation, policies and procedures. Queensland agencies consistently made this support clear to the subcommittee and communicated about the existing legislative barriers that restricted physical access to inpatient units of authorised mental health services and the Forensic Disability Service.

There is no statutory basis in the Mental Health Act 2016 to currently allow the subcommittee physical access to inpatient units of authorised mental health services. The legislation was deliberately drafted to only allow for specific categories of permitted visitors to appropriately protect the safety and privacy of people with severe mental illness. These categories are outlined in the Mental Health Act at sections 281 to 283 and chapter 14. The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture does not satisfy any of those categories of permitted visitors, which is why we are introducing this bill to ensure it has appropriate access to facilities in the future.

Similarly, I am advised that the Forensic Disability Act 2011 also tightly restricts access to the Forensic Disability Service and its clients. There is no provision currently in the Forensic Disability Act 2011 that would permit entry of the subcommittee. Despite these barriers, when the subcommittee visited Australia Queensland proposed other ways visits could be facilitated such as conducting interviews remotely with patients or staff. Importantly, subject to passage of this bill, the subcommittee will be able to physically access these facilities in the event it chooses to return to Australia and OPCAT implementation is continuing.

The member for Clayfield also noted concerns raised by stakeholders during the committee process about the bill defining ‘places of detention’ rather than using the broad definition under article 4 of OPCAT. I want to be clear: places of detention are defined in the bill to provide certainty as to the procedures to be followed for a subcommittee visit to those facilities. This is consistent with the Commonwealth government’s incremental approach to OPCAT implementation. It will not prevent the subcommittee from visiting other places where a person may be deprived of their liberty. Such visits would be managed by consent and in accordance with any relevant legislation, policies and procedures. The relevant laws, policies and procedures will depend on the particular place the subcommittee wishes to visit, and there will be information provided to the subcommittee about this detail ahead of any visit. Not all jurisdictions in Australia have specific legislation to facilitate subcommittee visits. The bill also provides for a regulation that may later prescribe other places of detention, other than a private residence, as within the scope of the bill.

The member for Noosa raised that the bill should cover disability group homes and accommodation settings where people with disability reside in a group setting. She also raised whether the bill should extend to aged-care facilities, including secure dementia units within these facilities. I note that residential aged-care facilities and disability group homes and accommodation settings are primarily regulated and funded by the Commonwealth government. Given this, a nationally consistent approach may be beneficial to looking at whether to legislate subcommittee access to these places.

With respect to quarantine facilities raised by the member for Currumbin, under clause 4(1)(h) of the bill, the Governor in Council could make a regulation to prescribe other places of detention, other than a private residence, to be within the scope of the bill. This must be done in consultation with the minister with responsibility for the place to be prescribed by regulation. With respect to the Wacol precinct raised by the member for Noosa, facilities where persons are on an interim detention order or a continuing detention order under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 are captured by the bill as they are deemed to be detained in prison under section 43A(2) of the Corrective Services Act 2006.

The members for Moggill and Mirani have questioned the breadth of the discretion to restrict access to places of detention. The grounds in the bill for a responsible minister to object to a visit of the subcommittee mirror the grounds provided in OPCAT in article 14(2)—that is, national defence, public safety, natural disaster or serious disorder in the place of detention. An example noted in the explanatory notes is that a responsible minister may object to a visit to a facility that is affected by a bushfire or flood during the period of the subcommittee’s visit.

1486 Monitoring of Places of Detention (Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture) Bill 23 May 2023

Additionally, a detaining authority under clause 10 can restrict or temporarily prohibit access to all or part of a place of detention during a visit to preserve the security, good order and management of the place, the health and safety of any person in the place of detention, or to allow the conduct of essential operations.

Given the subcommittee’s itinerary is confidential, clause 10 allows a detaining authority to respond to critical incidents that may arise at the time of the visit. For example, a detaining authority may temporarily restrict the subcommittee’s access to part of a facility if a person who is detained there becomes distressed and presents a risk to themselves or the subcommittee. Any temporary restriction on access has safeguards. It must only be for the shortest period reasonable under clause 10(3) and, if exercised, a detaining authority must provide written reasons to the responsible minister under clause 10(4). Further, the operation of clause 22 of the bill provides that a detaining authority is subject to the direction of the responsible minister. This means that the responsible minister has the ability to direct the detaining authority not to restrict subcommittee access.

The member for Clayfield has questioned the government’s stance on youth justice, as did the member for Toowoomba North in his recent contribution. In response to those points, I simply say this: the member for Clayfield was the treasurer who oversaw a $170 million cut to the Department of Justice and Attorney-General and cut 507 jobs from the Department of Justice and Attorney-General. He oversaw the boot camp cost blowouts, saw $15,000 wasted by the then attorney-general and now Deputy Leader of the Opposition on helicopters to visit the failed boot camp when he could have driven, and scrapped diversionary programs.

As I mentioned not long ago during question time, when coming into government I saw the impact of their cuts to youth justice programs. I visited the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre in Townsville and saw the brand new trade training centre sitting empty. I asked the staff what it used to be used for. They said they were teaching kids, including First Nations kids from places such as Palm Island, how to rebuild outboard motors. We know that that form of transport is critical for those who live in places such as the Torres Strait, the cape and Palm Island. That sort of transport is important. Those are skills that young people can use in their communities, but the facility was sitting empty. It was a wasted facility. The training staff had been pulled, the funding had been scrapped and that amazing facility was sitting empty. I am proud that we re-established those training programs.

Today, the member for Toowoomba North talked about transparency of processes and how we need to make sure we have proper facilities and programs to look after those young people, but he did not acknowledge at all what they did when in government—and what I highly suspect they would do if returned because they have already said they have identified over $2 billion worth of cuts—and I find that extraordinary. They talk about the bodies that look at transparency. Yes, but those are the bodies that they cut funding from, including the Public Guardian. They cut that funding. We know what they did to the PCCC in the middle of the night. They talk about bodies to look at transparency, but they did everything to shut down those bodies, to quieten them and to hide information.

I find absolutely astounding the comments made today by the member for Toowoomba North and his outrage around detention centres and how youths are treated. In public they say, ‘Just lock the little thugs up’, but they come in here and say, ‘What are you doing for the young people who end up in detention? What are the programs? What are you doing to divert them from crime?’ When they were in government they scrapped every diversionary program that existed, including the Murri Court and youth justice diversion programs. It is astounding.

In conclusion, I thank all honourable members for their contributions during the debate. I thank those stakeholders, organisations and individuals who made submissions to the committee and participated in the public hearings. I thank them for their ongoing advocacy in this area. Once again I thank the committee for its oversight of the bill. The bill is an important piece of legislation that demonstrates Queensland’s support for OPCAT and helps meet Australia’s international human rights obligations. It is consistent with Queensland’s commitment to promoting good detention practices and upholding the humane treatment of people in detention. I commend the bill to the House.

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

Motion agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

23 May 2023 Monitoring of Places of Detention (Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture) Bill 1487

Consideration in Detail Clauses 1 to 14, as read, agreed to. Clause 15— Mrs D’ATH (12.05 pm): I move the following amendment—

1 Clause 15 (Subcommittee may retain, copy or take notes of information) Page 12, lines 11 to 14, from ‘if’— omit, insert—

if the detainee consents to the subcommittee doing so.

I table the explanatory notes to the amendments and a statement of compatibility with human rights. Tabled paper: Monitoring of Places of Detention (Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture) Bill 2022, explanatory notes to Hon. Yvette D’Ath’s amendments [677]. Tabled paper: Monitoring of Places of Detention (Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture) Bill 2022, statement of compatibility with human rights contained in Hon. Yvette D’Ath’s amendments [678].

Amendment agreed to. Clause 15, as amended, agreed to. Clause 16— Mrs D’ATH (12.06 pm): I move the following amendments—

2 Clause 16 (Subcommittee may interview any person) Page 12, lines 19 and 20, from ‘during’ to ‘detention’— omit.

3 Clause 16 (Subcommittee may interview any person) Page 12, line 28 to page 13, line 2— omit, insert—

unless the person consents to the interview. 4 Clause 16 (Subcommittee may interview any person)

Page 13, line 7, ‘during a visit’— omit.

Amendments agreed to. Clause 16, as amended, agreed to. Clauses 17 and 18, as read, agreed to. Clause 19— Mrs D’ATH (12.06 pm): I move the following amendment—

5 Clause 19 (Reprisal and grounds for reprisals) Page 14, line 13, after ‘safety’— insert—

or wellbeing, including, for example, intimidation or harassment of the person

Amendment agreed to. Clause 19, as amended, agreed to. Clauses 20 to 31, as read, agreed to. Schedule 1, as read, agreed to.

Third Reading Hon. YM D’ATH (Redcliffe—ALP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the

Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence) (12.07 pm): I move— That the bill, as amended, be now read a third time.

Question put—That the bill, as amended, be now read a third time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a third time.

1488 Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 23 May 2023

Long Title Hon. YM D’ATH (Redcliffe—ALP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the

Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence) (12.08 pm): I move— That the long title of the bill be agreed to.

Question put—That the long title of the bill be agreed to. Motion agreed to.

CORRECTIVE SERVICES (EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND SECURITY) AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL

Resumed from 29 November 2022 (see p. 3683).

Second Reading Hon. MT RYAN (Morayfield—ALP) (Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for

Fire and Emergency Services) (12.08 pm): I move— That the bill be now read a second time.

The closed environments of corrective services facilities and youth detention centres are some of the most complex and challenging workplaces for frontline officers in Queensland. Ensuring safety in those facilities is paramount and constantly requires new and innovative responses. As a result, this bill includes key amendments to the Corrective Services Act 2006 and the Youth Justice Act 1992. These amendments aim to ensure the continued safety and security of the custodial environment by harnessing new technologies and practices and addressing evolving behaviour.

Before I discuss the amendments in detail, I would like to turn to the report by the Education, Employment and Training Committee in respect of this bill. The committee tabled its report on 10 February 2023 and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the committee and the secretariat for its consideration of the bill. I would also like to thank stakeholders who provided feedback and submissions to the committee and express my appreciation for the feedback. The committee made four recommendations, the first being that the bill be passed. The other three recommendations made by the committee relate to matters to be confirmed or clarified. I tabled a response to these recommendations on 5 May 2023. I now will address these three recommendations.

Recommendation 2 relates to the threshold for emergency declarations. Recommendation 2 requests I confirm that the threshold for making an emergency declaration is appropriate. The emergency response amendments have been designed in response to significant recent emergency situations that present real risk to the safety and security of corrective services facilities and the people at those facilities. As a result, the bill provides the chief executive of Corrective Services with the necessary powers to declare an emergency at a corrective services facility to enable a swift and tailored response to emergency situations as they arise and evolve.

While the threshold for when an emergency can be declared has been designed to be flexible, it sets a high bar for the making of an emergency declaration regardless of the type of emergency. The chief executive must first reasonably believe that a situation exists that is likely to threaten the security or good order of a facility or the health, security or safety of a prisoner or another person at the facility. Secondly, the chief executive must be satisfied that the situation justifies making the emergency declaration. Lastly, the chief executive can only make a declaration of emergency with my approval.

The bill provides safeguards around the use of this power, including: that the power of the chief executive to make an emergency declaration is not able to be delegated; that there are strict maximum durations for the emergency declaration reflective of the risk of each type of emergency; that the declaration must be published, including the reasons for making the declaration; and that all decisions to make a declaration and any directions under a declaration are subject to the Human Rights Act 2019.

In addition to the amendments in the bill in relation to a new emergency declaration framework for the adult correctional environment, amendments are made to ensure that essential youth justice services can continue during a disaster or an emergency. The bill introduces arrangements for the declaration of temporary youth detention centres in the event that an existing youth detention centre is unsafe or its security cannot be assured due to, for instance, a natural disaster. A declaration may be made by the chief executive with the approval of the minister responsible for youth justice.

23 May 2023 Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 1489

The arrangements provide a clear framework to enable decisions that balance the best interests of young people, staff and the community. There are appropriate safeguards to ensure: that the most suitable site for a temporary detention centre is chosen; that programs, services and oversight continue to be delivered having regard to the circumstances of, for instance, the natural disaster; and that the temporary youth detention centre is compatible with the human rights of detainees, staff and other community members. Additional legislative safeguards include a requirement to publish the declaration of a temporary detention centre as soon as practicable and a requirement to notify particular entities with oversight responsibilities about the declaration including the Queensland Family and Child Commission, the Human Rights Commissioner, the Ombudsman and the Public Guardian.

The chief executive is required to regularly review whether the declaration of a temporary detention centre is still needed and whether more suitable places are available. The chief executive is required to revoke the declaration if the temporary detention centre is no longer needed. A declaration of a temporary detention centre by the chief executive is limited to a maximum of 21 days, but the bill also enables temporary youth detention centres to be declared by regulation. It is intended that these powers will be used where, due to the impact of a disaster or emergency, it is necessary for temporary detention centres to be in place for longer than 21 days. A parallel set of safeguards apply to a temporary centre declared by regulation including, for example, a requirement that the minister take action to have the declaration revoked if the permanent centre is no longer disaster-affected.

The bill also establishes contemporary arrangements for the appointment of temporary youth detention centre staff in the event that a large number of the established workforce is unavailable due to an emergency and the appointment of alternative staff is reasonably necessary for the security and management of a youth detention centre and the safe custody and wellbeing of detained children. The bill includes appropriate safeguards to ensure the safety of detainees and staff in these circumstances, such as the full application of the Youth Justice Act and the Youth Justice Regulation to the temporary staff, including the requirement for appropriate training.

The bill also inserts new provisions into the Youth Justice Act to enable restorative justice conferences to be held remotely by audio or video link during declared emergencies. Restorative justice can give victims of crime a voice and bring a young person face to face with the people they have harmed while supporting them to take responsibility and make amends. Holding conferences in person is preferable but, when this is not possible due to an emergency, it may still be beneficial to proceed with a technology assisted conference rather than delay for a lengthy period or abandon the conference altogether. Ongoing access to restorative justice during emergency situations will ensure that victims and offenders continue to be afforded the opportunity to be heard and agree on how to repair the harm in a timely manner.

Recommendation 3 relates to the use of surveillance devices for performance management. Recommendation 3 of the committee report relates to amendments in the bill that provide a clear head of power for embedded and emerging use of surveillance technology to maintain safety and monitor threats within the closed correctional environment. The use of CCTV, body worn cameras and audio recording devices at a corrective services facility is imperative to maintain the safety of corrective services officers, prisoners and visitors.

The committee recommended that I clarify whether the bill would permit recorded electronic surveillance authorised for another purpose to be used for performance management or in disciplinary proceedings involving staff. Surveillance devices enable Queensland Corrective Services to: collect, evaluate and analyse information to identify and manage risk; respond to or investigate emergency incidents; support a breach hearing or review; prosecute an offence; and deter prisoners and visitors from attempting to breach security requirements.

Surveillance devices also provide an objective source of evidence about how prisoners are treated which can be reviewed after the fact to support the humane treatment of prisoners. Use of surveillance devices enables prisoners, corrective services officers and visitors to a facility to be monitored—for example, while having conversations or undertaking activities and tasks. Footage can also be recorded and stored for future review of incidents. This does increase the extent of this impact on individual privacy; however, use of recordings in this manner is communicated to persons entering a closed corrective services facility. The entry to each custodial facility is clearly signed with a warning that video and audio surveillance devices are used at all times. This signage also advises that information may be used for the investigation of safety and security incidents or staff conduct matters.

1490 Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 23 May 2023

The bill provides that in authorising the use of a surveillance device the chief executive must be satisfied that use of the device will enhance one or more of the prescribed matters, including the safety of persons, the security of facilities, preventing corruption and detecting contraband. These prescribed matters do not include performance management or staff discipline as this is not the purpose of the use of surveillance technology. As a matter of practicality, surveillance devices are not actively monitored to assess staff performance; however, recordings are accessed retrospectively following an incident or allegation of corruption or misconduct. In this respect, the amendment does provide for the use of recordings for staff conduct matters as this relates to the purposes that monitoring can be authorised for under the bill.

Recommendation 4 relates to information sharing and foreign agencies. I now turn to the fourth and final recommendation of the committee’s report which relates to the amendments in this bill that provide for information sharing with another state or foreign country. I also note the committee’s concern raised in the report about the disclosure of sensitive information to foreign governments and would like to provide reassurance about the safeguards in place in relation to these amendments.

When offenders relocate from Queensland, including when removed or deported from Australia to another country after the completion of their custodial sentence, a receiving jurisdiction may still hold concerns about the individual. Confidential information about the offender held by Queensland Corrective Services, including any rehabilitation activities that were undertaken, risk assessments or other such information, can assist the receiving jurisdiction to determine what risk mitigation strategies might be appropriate in managing the individual under their local law.

For this reason, the bill provides a clear head of power for Queensland Corrective Services to share information with corrective services agencies in other jurisdictions. In practice, information is considered for release following a formal request by the other jurisdiction. For example, Queensland has arrangements with New Zealand to support the management of offenders under the Returning Offenders (Management and Information) Act 2015 with procedures guided by a memorandum of cooperation. If a request for information is received, a Queensland Corrective Services decision-maker considers the request and what information should be released in accordance with relevant legislation, procedures and policies.

The bill will further guide this process by creating a threshold for the release of such information. The amendments require that information released must be relevant to support the supervision or management of the offender. The delegate will therefore need to be satisfied that any information released meets this threshold. Further, the Human Rights Act requires that the decision to release the information must be compatible with human rights. This is a significant safeguard for the release of information. I am therefore satisfied that there are safeguards in place to guide this process and ensure the appropriateness of any information shared to another corrections jurisdiction, and ultimately supporting the safety of communities outside of Queensland.

I would now like to address the statement of reservation made by opposition members of the committee. The members’ statement suggests that the bill is a missed opportunity to strengthen the penalties which apply to offenders who assault corrective services officers. Corrective services officers work in a highly dynamic, complex and at times volatile environment. I take this opportunity to acknowledge their work. It is outstanding. They are outstanding public servants and we owe them a debt of gratitude for the work that they do on behalf of all of us to keep the community safe.

This government is committed to the safety of corrective services officers, which is why in 2020 we already did what the opposition members called for in their statement of reservation. I progressed amendments to double the maximum penalty for prisoners who seriously assault a corrective services officer and those opposite voted for them. The Corrective Services and Other Legislation Act 2020 amended the Criminal Code to increase the maximum penalty for the serious assault of a corrective services officer by a prisoner from seven years to 14 years imprisonment, in line with the penalty for the serious assault of a police officer. That amendment was strongly supported by the relevant stakeholders as well.

One of the opposition members actually spoke to the bill, which is why I am surprised they raised this matter in their statement of reservation. Not only did they vote for it, but one of their members spoke on the bill in relation to the doubling of the penalty. I remind that member that during their contribution they did not speak to that particular amendment. They were happy to speak on other aspects of the bill but made no reference at all to the government’s strong decision to double the penalties for those assaults. There was not one mention. In this regard, I note that the member said, ‘The bill contains a number of good measures which we will support.’ Perhaps that is what they meant when they were speaking about this bill.

23 May 2023 Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 1491

In addition to the increased penalty, this government is supporting the safety of our frontline officers through a range of other measures, including the deployment of body worn cameras, the personal issue of load-bearing vests, an increase in CCTV capability and substantial capital works which has increased the number of beds for prisoners in custodial centres. In the 2022-23 budget, millions of dollars was also provided to roll out an additional 1,000 cell cuff hatches and to purchase more than 500 additional body worn cameras for custodial officers. This government is committed to implementing the necessary actions to mitigate the risk of violence in our prisons and to ensure our officers are the best trained and equipped in Australasia.

I now turn to the other amendments in the bill that support corrective services officers and youth detention staff in responding to emerging threats and technology and ensure the closed correctional environment keeps pace with changes in a complex work area. First, I turn to the amendments in the bill relating to drones. The bill aims to tackle the use of drones at corrective services facilities and youth detention centres by creating new offences with tough new penalties to deter people from operating a drone at these locations. Drones are a significant safety and security risk to these custodial environments.

There have been over 100 incidents relating to drone incursions since 2013. For example, in November last year a drone crashed into the grounds of the Townsville Correctional Centre carrying sealed packages of methamphetamine, tobacco, cannabis and suboxone strips, with a value of around $250,000. I commend custodial officers in respect of that because they obviously intercepted that attempt to smuggle contraband into the custodial centre. Not only can drones be used to introduce dangerous items or contraband; drones can also survey secure infrastructure or be weaponised.

In the youth detention environment there is the added risk of drones being used to capture images of children. In response, the bill will introduce Queensland specific offences to tackle any operation of a drone at or above a corrective services facility or youth detention centre. The offences will carry a maximum penalty of up to two years imprisonment to deter these actions, recognising that any incursion into the airspace above or around a prison is a risk to security.

I will now move on to the second offence introduced by the bill. The bill makes it a clear offence for a prisoner to be on the rooftop of a corrective services facility or in another restricted area. Each and every time a prisoner gets up onto a rooftop it is a danger to both the prisoner and responding officers. A rooftop incursion sends a whole centre into lockdown, disrupting prisoner rehabilitation programs, education, employment and visits for all other prisoners. As this risk-taking behaviour continues to increase, it is clear that existing sanctions are insufficient to deter this behaviour. In response, the creation of a specific offence in this bill aims to further deter prisoners from climbing onto rooftops or accessing other restricted areas in the future, with a maximum penalty of up to two years imprisonment.

Next I would like to address the amendments in the bill which provide an opportunity to trial and use X-ray body-scanning technology at corrective services facilities in Queensland. The use of body-scanning technology supports the government’s response to recommendation 136 of the second report of the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce which provided that Queensland Corrective Services move to introduce non-invasive screening technology in all women’s correctional facilities. In response, the bill provides a clear head of power to use X-ray body scanners for searches conducted at corrective services facilities, supporting this government’s investment of an additional $3.35 million over four years and $11 million in capital to implement body-scanning technologies in all three secure female centres across the state.

The use of X-ray body scanners for searches will provide new and strengthened opportunities to detect contraband, offer a less invasive search method for prisoners and minimise the requirement to conduct removal-of-clothing searches following visits. This new technology presents an opportunity to further enhance the safety of correctional centres in Queensland.

Other amendments included in the bill update the prisoner security classification framework to better align with corrective services facility infrastructure and appropriately respond to risk, clarify sentence calculation issues, enable the effective operation of the Official Visitor Scheme, and update outdated terminology in relation to the provisions of services to prisoners by Queensland Health within the Corrective Services Act.

In conclusion, the amendments in this bill provide that Queensland’s correctional and youth justice systems are responsive and flexible to emerging threats and opportunities; support the ongoing safety and security of the correctional system for prisoners, young people, corrective services officers, detention centre workers, visitors and service providers; and ensure community safety. I commend the bill to the House and I encourage all members to support it.

1492 Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 23 May 2023

Mr LAST (Burdekin—LNP) (12.30 pm): I rise to contribute to the Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022. I note that this bill proposes to amend three acts and a regulation in order to: (1) modernise emergency response powers relating to corrective services facilities or youth detention centres; (2) criminalise the use of drones over corrective services facilities and youth detention centres and to criminalise entry onto or into the restricted areas of corrective services facilities; (3) provide authority to use X-ray body scanners, closed-circuit television, body worn cameras and other technologies to maintain safety and monitor threats within the closed correctional environment; (4) enhance information-sharing powers to promote prisoner health and wellbeing, and support frontline service delivery via interagency collaboration; (5) update the prisoner security classification framework; and (6) clarify sentence calculation issues to enable the effective operation of the visitor scheme and support the delivery of prisoner health services.

While the opposition will not be opposing this bill, there are several issues that I would ask the minister to clarify during consideration in detail. It is all well and good to speak about addressing issues, especially when it comes to community and staff safety, but it is action that is needed and, more importantly, it is the right actions that must be taken when they are needed, and without delay. Yet again we have a bill presented to this House that illustrates without question that this government has failed to act in a timely manner when it comes to addressing some of these issues.

In relation to youth crime, we saw rallies on the streets of towns and cities across this state and we heard victims calling for assistance. In relation to health, we saw ambulance ramping escalating and towns and cities without vital medical services. In relation to our correctional centres, both adult and juvenile, we saw confronting images and heard of staff being injured—some of them with injuries that they will carry for life. Despite all of that, this government failed in a timely manner on each of those issues and, in the case of this bill, it is the staff at those corrective services facilities and youth detention centres who bear the cost of that inaction. Whilst the need to have the necessary powers in place to ensure the safety of prisoners and detainees is obvious, it is also worth noting that we finally see a reference to the health and safety of staff and corrective services officers.

The explanatory notes to this bill highlight this government’s inaction, stating that the Youth Justice Act ‘does not provide a legislative framework to respond in the event of an emergency at a youth detention centre or include safeguards that must be considered’. I have seen firsthand the response to emergencies at these types of centres, both due to the actions of prisoners or detainees or due to extreme weather events such as cyclones and flooding. Those types of events are extremely trying for all members of the community, but the demand on emergency services is something you have to experience to fully understand. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff who work in those centres who, when faced with those situations, do their absolute best to ensure the security of those facilities and the safety of prisoners and detainees.

Whilst we acknowledge that there may be a need to temporarily relocate detainees of a youth detention centre, there are a few questions that we would ask the minister to address with regard to these potential relocations. Firstly, what protections are in place to ensure that a centre will be relocated to an appropriate locality? We have previously seen this government work on establishing a youth detention centre in the middle of Caloundra, so this question deserves an appropriate answer. With regard to the appointment of temporary staff, I would ask the minister how he proposes to ensure those temporary staff are afforded the same protections as other staff when this bill does not provide the same protections that would apply if they were employed under the Public Service Act.

I would also ask the minister what modelling or other work has been undertaken to ensure that people will actually want these temporary positions. It is a fact that staff have already been sent from Brisbane to Townsville to meet normal staffing requirements, and it is a fact that, under this government, we have seen increases in assaults in the corrective services facilities and an attrition rate in 2021-22 of 13 per cent. Given this government’s track record and the issue relating to the act temporary staff would be appointed under, Queenslanders deserve to know how this government will protect all staff, especially in times of emergency.

I move on to the criminalisation of the use of drones over corrective services facilities and youth detention centres. This is a logical step to ensure the security of those centres. The explanatory notes mention that access to a rooftop poses a risk to the prisoner, to other prisoners, to staff and to the security of the centre and also undermines community confidence. The report into the 2016 riot at the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre states that young people on a roof pose a threat requiring the Queensland Ambulance Service to be put on standby at a minimum and may require intervention by police.

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Despite all of that, this offence only applies to correctional centres and not to youth detention centres. Despite the risks and the impact on emergency services resources, deemed necessary by this own government’s report, this offence would not apply to detainees in a youth detention centre facility. This is yet another example of this government failing to ensure consequences for actions when it comes to young offenders. I also note the amendment relating to the use of drones. I quote from the legislation that has been put before this chamber— A person (the operator) must not operate, or attempt to operate, a drone at a detention centre or the land on which the detention centre is located, without reasonable excuse.

I ask the minister to clarify whether there will be a buffer zone around these correctional centres. What does that look like? What distances are we talking about? Can someone with the technology that exists today put a drone far enough into the air that it is not detectable? Can imagery from those drones be used from a neighbouring property to survey a correctional centre facility? It is very ambiguous and I think that needs to be tightened. I speak from a practical point of view.

Whilst this bill seeks to address threats posed by technology, it also seeks to embrace technology when it comes to improving the security in corrective services facilities. Body worn cameras, for example, are technology that staff in these facilities see as a valuable tool in improving security and their safety. Staff at the Townsville Correctional Centre raised this with me during a tour back in November. As the minister would know, I immediately offered my support and advocacy for implementing the transfer of body worn cameras from the Queensland Police Service to Queensland Corrective Services. I look forward to confirmation from staff that the minister’s commitment to provide that equipment by the middle of this year has been honoured.

The opportunities on offer from technology like body scanners are immense and were highlighted by Michael Thomas of the Together union who told a committee inquiry into another bill that body scanners would ensure ‘the safety and humane treatment of prisoners’. That evidence was given a year to the day before this bill was introduced but, despite the passage of a full year, what this bill will provide is—and I quote from the explanatory notes—‘a clear head of power to support a trial’. This is yet another example of this government failing to act in a timely manner and yet another example of this government failing to address safety issues affecting staff in our corrective services facilities.

Surely Michael Thomas and the staff in Queensland’s corrections facilities deserve a commitment from this minister outlining when the trial will commence, how long it will run for and, if the trial is successful, when a broader roll-out of this technology will commence.

Mr Ryan interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Hart): The minister will cease his interjections. Mr LAST: They also deserve answers to questions raised by the same union, as well as the

Australian Workers’ Union, with regard to the use of body worn camera and CCTV footage when it comes to staff disciplinary matters, especially with regard to temporary detention centre employees.

I note that the minister in his contribution talked about corruption and misconduct. If you have a look at what ‘misconduct’ under the act refers to, it is ‘inappropriate and improper conduct in an official capacity’. That is a fairly broad definition. I think our correctional centre staff throughout the state would like a lot more clarification from the minister regarding under what circumstances footage from body worn cameras will be used when it comes to the investigation of corruption and misconduct in those facilities. Does that open the door to absolutely everything or does it not?

Many times we have heard that failing to share information has resulted in tragic outcomes. It is a fact that today more than ever information is power. Queenslanders would agree that, when it comes to justice, power plays a role in keeping our communities safe. I acknowledge the benefits of information sharing when it comes to the health of a prisoner, but it is vital that we see these powers used to support frontline service delivery as promised in the explanatory notes, especially with the aim of improving community safety by stopping crime. All Queenslanders support stopping crime. Unfortunately, there are those people in our community who will only be prevented from committing crime by being held in an appropriate facility.

I note that this bill will reduce the number of classifications available to the chief executive under section 12 of the Corrective Services Act. Given the act states that a maximum security order can only be declared in limited circumstances, this change is of significant concern. Those circumstances include: a high risk of escape or attempt to escape; a high risk of the prisoner killing or seriously injuring; or the prisoner posing a substantial threat to security or good order. Those maximum security units, based on the threats posed by prisoners classified as maximum security, are deliberately designed and

1494 Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 23 May 2023

constructed to totally separate those prisoners from all other prisoners, including other maximum security prisoners. At face value at least, this amendment seems to lessen the opportunity to prevent escape and ensure the safety and security of the facility, prisoners and staff.

I call on the minister to clarify how this amendment will not make our prisons even more dangerous and how the minister will ensure that the risk to the community, especially as a result of escape, is mitigated. If the minister cannot provide those assurances and explain how safety and security in those centres will be maintained, then we will know this is yet another example of this government going soft on crime.

This bill addresses concerns raised by many people for far too long. We have seen the brave men and women who work in corrective services facilities and youth detention centres assaulted and severely injured. Especially with reference to youth detention centres, there are serious allegations that some of these injuries are handled in a manner to ensure they avoid public scrutiny. I note the minister’s comments about increased penalties. We would like to know on how many occasions the maximum penalty has been imposed on a prisoner who seriously assaults a corrective services officer.

Our communities want to feel safe, and our communities are grateful for the men and women who play a role in making our communities safe regardless of the uniform they wear. Those of us on this side of the House will always advocate for the staff who work in those centres because we know this government reduced staffing increases by 86 per cent in the 2021-22 financial year in the midst of overcrowding and increased assaults. We know that it is this government that allocated just nine extra staff to Corrective Services in 2022-23 and that, of those nine, none—zero—were custodial correctional officers.

Those of us on this side of the House will always advocate for victims of crime regardless of whether the crime occurs in a community or inside a correctional centre or detention centre. Those of us on this side of the House will hold this minister and this government to account and we will ask the questions that need to be asked. I ask the minister during consideration in detail to address the concerns I have raised in the interests of safety for our staff and the wider community.

Ms RICHARDS (Redlands—ALP) (12.43 pm): Mr Deputy Speaker, what you have just seen on show there is the typical LNP. Goodness, gracious me! If you bothered to read the report or the transcripts you would have answered half of those questions for yourself. It just shows the laziness of the LNP and the incompetence.

Mr Ryan: All in one speech. Ms RICHARDS: Exactly. Truly, if you are the shadow minister, you need to step it up. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Hart): Member for Redlands, direct your comments through the

chair, please. Ms RICHARDS: Honestly! If you read— Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Pause the clock. Member for Redlands, I just gave you a direction. You

will direct your comments through the chair. Ms RICHARDS: As I said, if the member for Burdekin had read the transcripts and the report and

listened to the contribution of the minister, he would have had most of those questions answered. I also want to touch on the debate on the business program motion earlier where we talked about the ability to debate, time frames and guillotining debates. There are four LNP speakers to this bill. Honestly, you cannot make this up.

I rise to support the Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. The Education, Employment and Training Committee undertook the examination of the corrective services bill. The bill amends the Corrective Services Act 2006, the Corrective Services Regulation 2017, the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 and the Youth Justice Act 1992. There are minor amendments to the Inspector of Detention Services Act, the Justice and Other Information Disclosure Act, the Medicine and Poisons (Medicines) Regulation, the Mental Health Act, the Penalties and Sentences Act and the Public Guardian Act.

The key objective of the bill is to modernise and update the legislative frameworks for corrective services facilities and youth detention centres in Queensland to respond to new technologies, emerging security threats and other changes in the correctional environment.

The key objectives of the bill include: to modernise how corrective services facilities and youth detention centres respond to emergencies that threaten the health and safety of people within them; to respond to new security risks by criminalising the use of drones over corrective services facilities and

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youth detention centres as well as entry onto their rooftops and other restricted areas—and we heard in the minister’s contribution about recent events and what drones are able to do in a correctional environment; to provide clear authority to use X-ray body scanners—as we heard throughout the hearings, they will be operated in a very similar fashion to what most of us experience every day if we travel through the Brisbane Airport—closed-circuit television, body worn cameras and other emerging technologies to maintain safety and security in correctional environments; to promote prisoner health and wellbeing and support frontline service delivery and interagency collaboration by facilitating greater information sharing; to update the prisoner security classification framework to better align with corrective services facility infrastructure and appropriately respond to risk—during our public hearings we heard in depth about the importance of those classifications and the ability to modernise and what that will mean in the corrective environment; and to clarify sentence calculation issues, enable the effective operation of the Official Visitor Scheme and support the delivery of prisoner health services provided by Queensland Health by updating outdated terminology within the act.

To inform the committee’s examination of the bill we called for, and received, written submissions from stakeholders; we were briefed by Queensland Corrective Services and the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs; and we heard evidence from key stakeholders at a public hearing on 23 January 2023. Those submitters included: Dr Brendan Walker-Munro, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Queensland; the Office of the Information Commissioner; the Queensland Network of Alcohol and Drug Agencies; the Queensland Teachers’ Union; the Queensland Law Society; the Queensland Human Rights Commission; the Prisoners’ Legal Service; Mr Shane Cuthbert; the Australian Psychological Society; the Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union; Sisters Inside; Together Queensland; the Office of the Public Guardian; and the Australian Workers’ Union. We had a very good cross-section of submitters and in our public hearing we heard from many of them. There were some issues raised throughout that process which we have identified in the report and to which the minister and the government responded on 5 May.

The bill raised several issues relating to human rights and the fundamental legislative principles set out in the Legislative Standards Act 1992, including: the extent to which the proposed emergency powers under the Corrective Services Act 2006 would limit human rights and whether those powers are appropriately limited and subject to adequate safeguards; whether the bill includes adequate safeguards in relation to where a temporary youth detention centre could be established and for how long—which I think responds to the member for Burdekin’s question; whether the proposed powers to use electronic surveillance and scanning searches are subject to adequate safeguards; the extent to which the proposed powers to share confidential information about prisoners would limit the right to privacy and whether such limitations are reasonable and justifiable, particularly when you consider international jurisdictions; and whether it is appropriate for prisoner risk subcategories to be prescribed by regulation. The committee was satisfied that the bill met those policy objectives, and our first recommendation was that the bill be passed. We made three other recommendations which the minister touched on.

The minister has confirmed that the threshold for making an emergency declaration under proposed section 271B(1) is appropriate and designed to better respond to significant events that have presented a real risk to the safety and security of corrective services facilities and the health and safety of people at those facilities.

The minister also clarified the permitted use of recorded electronic surveillance devices as they relate to performance management and disciplinary proceedings, noting that the bill provides that the CEO must be satisfied that use of the device will enhance one or more of the prescribed matters, including safety of persons, the security of facilities, preventing corruption and detecting contraband. These prescribed matters do not include performance management or staff discipline, as this is not the purpose for the use of these devices.

The minister has also clarified the information-sharing processes with foreign corrective agencies, in that the Human Rights Act requires that a decision to release information must be compatible with the act. This is a significant safeguard for release of information, requiring a decision- maker to consider the context and ensure that any release of information is justified, having regard to the nature of the impact on the individual’s privacy, purpose for release, any less restrictive alternatives that might be available and safeguards in place.

The minister said that the statement of reservations again shows the LNP’s laziness and that the homework is not being done. If they had done it, they would have known that the Palaszczuk government has doubled the penalty to make sure we provide the safest environment for our corrective

1496 Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 23 May 2023

services officers. If the member for Caloundra was in the chamber, I am sure he would back me in 100 per cent. He knows what the LNP did when they were in power. I am proud of the work our Palaszczuk government does to protect Queenslanders and to make our environment safe.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow committee members: the deputy chair and member for Southern Downs, the member for Theodore, the member for Hinchinbrook, the member for Stafford and the member for Rockhampton. I thank the parliamentary secretariat team, as well as the officers from Queensland Corrective Services who provided a very comprehensive response to everything that the shadow minister raised. I only wish he had paid attention to what they were saying. I also the thank the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs which also assisted the committee. I thank all of the submitters and witnesses who participated in the process. I commend the bill to the House.

Mr LISTER (Southern Downs—LNP) (12.51 pm): I rise to make a contribution on this bill. I was intrigued by the contributions of the minister in his second reading speech and the member for Redlands, the chair of the committee, in referring to the statement of reservations. In fact the minister went even further and spoke about my speech in the second reading debate on a bill that he was referring to back in 2020. If you will pardon my freedom, Mr Deputy Speaker Hart, I believe that gives me the opportunity to respond to those things since they have been brought up already.

We need to look at outcomes. The minister wrote a curious letter to me and the member for Theodore harrumphing about us raising the fact that the bill was a lost opportunity to do something about assaults on corrective services staff. He referred, as he did in here, to the doubling of the maximum penalty to 14 years imprisonment for those found guilty of that particular crime, but that is where it ends. It is all talk, because as was said very eloquently by the shadow minister, the member for Burdekin, there has been approximately no convictions where a sentence imposed was for 14 years.

This is what we see from the Palaszczuk government. We see them turning to maximum penalties as a way to hoodwink the community into thinking they are being tough on crime when in actual fact they are making no difference whatsoever. I have a copy of the letter here, which I found most amusing, and I table it for the benefit of the House. Tabled paper: Letter, undated, from the Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, Hon. Mark Ryan, to the member for Southern Downs, Mr James Lister MP, and the member for Theodore, Mr Mark Boothman MP, regarding the statement of reservations contained in the Education, Employment and Training Committee Report No. 31 [679].

I have noted upon it the answers to the questions by the minister, which were that there were 11 serious assaults on officers in the financial year 2020-21 and that in the following financial year, which was the most recent one for which we have results, there were again 11 serious assaults. In all of those 22 cases, there was not one imposition of that maximum penalty. When the minister responds to the second reading debate, I would like him to tell me how that intention to be tough on the offenders who assault prison staff sits with the fact that none of them received that extra penalty. I think if you are serious about it, you have to impose a minimum penalty. Where was he? Was he doing that?

He also said that this was not mentioned in the House at the time, and I think he was referring to me. At the time, I had my doubts about how effective that would be, but I did not realise the outcome would be as damning as this where there are multiple assaults on corrective services staff. He also said that I had said it was a good bill. What the minister failed to tell the House is that I gave a scathing account of that particular bill in this place. I criticised the government’s persistent hand-wringing over the rights of offenders—because the bill originally intended to let prisoners out early—and how that sat with a community which was dealing with difficulties with crime, including my community of Goondiwindi and lots of other places around the state. I was scathing about how they set that against clamping down on gel blasters of all things, as well as their miserable treatment of the Queensland Living History Federation in their sincere and well-documented approaches to the committee and the government seeking a special licence category for the innocuous firearms they used in re-enactments and so forth.

I am pleased I have had an opportunity to add to the record. I say to the minister that it was a bizarre thing to do to write to me and the member for Theodore, as the co-signatories of that statement of reservations, to point out that he had strengthened the law, when the minister under his own hand— I assume he had to sign this—had provided a written answer to a question put by the member for Theodore himself asking about the statistics, and it was in that particular document that we found out there had been 11 serious assaults in each of those two consecutive years.

There is nothing to be proud of there. The Together union originally mounted an industrial case outside 1 William Street, as I recall it, and I believe the member for Springwood may have been personally present there. It is extraordinary that that minister in a Westminster system remains in the

23 May 2023 Matters of Public Interest 1497

confidence of the Premier after breaching cabinet solidarity in that way. It is disgraceful that the minister would focus on a petty point like that and give no air and consideration to the victims—the hardworking corrective services officers—who work in an extremely difficult environment and are not being given the attention that society expects.

I would like to say one other thing regarding the drones. I hope the minister can shed some light on the question that the shadow minister, the member for Burdekin, put to him regarding drones. The question of drones and who can use them nearby needs to be addressed. Is a farmer who has a legitimate use for a drone in checking his cattle, looking at water points and so forth that might be near a designated corrections facility going to be banned from being able to use a drone? As the member for Theodore was remarking to me before, they can put telephoto lenses and mechanisms to eject things forward of their position for quite some distance, so there does not seem to have been enough thought put into that.

I stand by 100 per cent the comments that the member for Theodore and I made in relation to this being a missed opportunity to ensure there are tougher, effective penalties for inmates who assault corrective services officers. Rather than squabbling and trying to make a pathetic political point in here, I suggest the minister would be better off doing something about it and making sure those who are convicted of that particular offence are given a punishment which is in line with the expectations of society.

Debate, on motion of Mr Lister, adjourned. Sitting suspended from 12.58 pm to 2.00 pm.

MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST

Palaszczuk Labor Government, Performance Mr CRISAFULLI (Broadwater—LNP) (Leader of the Opposition) (2.00 pm): Queensland Health—

in crisis. Housing affordability—in crisis. Youth crime—in crisis. The only Queenslander who has just heard about the crises impacting this state for the first time is the Premier. Queenslanders are living through it, and while ministers were climbing over each other asking, ‘What job do I get next?’, Queenslanders were asking, ‘When will things get better for us?’ No rebrand, reshuffle, reheat, recycle—whatever you want to call it—is going to change it if it is the same people around the cabinet table who have led to the mess that we are in today.

People are asking, ‘Where is the help?’ The housing crisis has not just developed in the last shower; it has been eight years of underinvestment, of falling lot approvals by 33 per cent and a social housing waiting list that has gone from 20,000 to 50,000—and for two years running Queensland has spent less per head of population than any other state in the country.

My vision is a place where working Queenslanders can afford to keep a roof over their head. My vision is for a place where young Queenslanders can aspire to own a new home and where the most vulnerable can keep a roof over their head. Our solutions are infrastructure partnerships and embracing critical housing and social housing targets.

The health crisis is not new. Labor was losing control of health long before COVID. Ramping had already doubled from 15 per cent to 30 per cent, and today it is at 41 per cent. The number of patients getting elective surgery on time has reduced from 98 per cent to 78 per cent. The elective surgery waiting list has gone from 30,000 to nearly 60,000, and the number of patients waiting longer than 24 hours is up 225 per cent. Our solutions include better resourcing, better triaging, sharing data in real time and putting doctors and nurses back in charge.

The crime crisis is not something that has happened in the last week. Unlawful use of a motor vehicle is up 105 per cent. Unlawful entry is up 62 per cent. Queenslanders who have lost loved ones ask where the Premier has been when they needed her most. The government’s public sector workforce profile shows numbers of full-time-equivalent police have fallen in this state at a time when weaker laws have made their job even tougher. Our solutions are consequences for actions, unshackle the judiciary and remove detention as a last resort, and gold standard early intervention.

Health, housing, crime—these problems might be new to the Premier, but they are not new to Queenslanders. They are living through it every day. They are living through it when they go to a hospital and they see our frontline staff battered, bruised and undervalued and scrambling to keep a health service on the road. They see it when they pick up the phone after someone has been through their house, when their car is missing, and they have fewer police and weaker laws to deal with it. They see

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it when their child wants to buy their first property and when working people are forced out of their own home because they cannot afford it. They see it when the most vulnerable in our community cannot keep a roof over their head. The Premier’s solution might be to make the same people do a different job around the same table, but it is the same government that has presided over eight years of mess in this state.

In all the chaos and crisis, the government has forgotten to name a minister for youth. At a time when young people have never been under more pressure, the government forgot about young people. Young people want to aspire to buy their own home, young people aspire to get a job where they live, and young people aspire for action on climate, yet this government has forgotten a minister for youth. What a shame! Swallow your pride. Admit you got it wrong. Admit you overlooked it. Install a minister for youth in Queensland today and give young people a voice.

Palaszczuk Labor Government, Performance Mr BLEIJIE (Kawana—LNP) (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (2.05 pm): As they say in the

classics, ‘Roll on up! Roll on up! The best circus in town has arrived!’ Is it, I hear you ask, Madam Deputy Speaker, the Moscow Circus? No. The Lennon Bros Circus? No. The Barnum & Bailey Circus? No. Cirque du Soleil? No, no, no! It is the ‘Circus du Chaos’. The ‘Circus du Chaos’ has arrived in town! It has been around for a while but comes with a so-called new fresh face, a new marquee—no new faces but some of the biggest clowns, just in changed costumes. Do not be fooled by the changed new costumes. Do not be fooled by the new performances. It is the same old circus with the same old clowns.

As Bon Jovi sang, the more things change, the more they stay the same. ‘The more things change, the more they stay the same!’ As Cher said, ‘Turn back time!’ That is what the Palaszczuk government would have us believe today. They will have Queenslanders believe that they are turning back time because, as we know, the more things change, the more they stay the same!

I hear when the ringmaster, the Premier herself, changed the roles there were lots of unhappy performers in the ministry, and we hear that the underperforming ministers found out about their side- shoe shuffle when it broke on Channel 9. Absolutely! Imagine finding out in the media that you have been side-shoe shuffled out of a job. They saw it on Channel 9 when it broke that night, and then what followed, what ensued, was ministers leaking against each other, leaking against the Premier. The gossip! It was just two days of chaos. Chaos reigned supreme under the Palaszczuk government.

The latest circus act of reshuffling has the same jokers in the same deck. These are the same clowns, the same circus and the crisis circus performing the same circus act. Take, for instance, Minister Bailey, the juggler, who cannot juggle projects to deliver them on time or on budget and now he is responsible, believe it or not, for digital services. How are those emails going, mate? Delete, delete, delete!

Of course you have the mime act. Every good circus needs a mime act. Minister Crawford is the mime: he is around, but he never says a lot. The only thing we give him credit for was the Path to Treaty in Cairns two weeks ago and he got sacked because he did such a great job! They thanked him. They said in Cairns, ‘This is an amazing effort, Minister. This is what you have done,’ and then they rolled him.

An honourable member: They stabbed him in the back with a spear! Mr BLEIJIE: I take the interjection. He even presented a spear to the parliament and then the

Premier gave him credit for getting the Path to Treaty through the parliament and then turned her back and said this morning in parliament that the reason for the reshuffle was after the Path to Treaty Bill had passed, she had time to consider. Oh, no, it was not because of former health minister Yvette D’Ath and her failings. It was not because of the failings of the former youth justice minister. It was not because of the failings of the Treasurer to deal with the cost-of-living crisis or the former housing minister to deal with the housing crisis. No, no, no! It was the very successful Path to Treaty which passed parliament. That is why Minister Crawford got the sack from that portfolio.

Of course the new health minister Fentiman, the tightrope walker, has been given health. She dare not put a foot wrong or it is all over for her in the Left. There is also the knife-throwing act, the Deputy Premier—straight into the back of the new health minister. There is no-one more pleased than Yvette D’Ath to get out of that portfolio. The Deputy Premier was happy to have Minister Fentiman in the health portfolio to put a stop to her leadership ambitions.

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Then there is Minister Farmer, who talked this morning about repeat serial offenders. I was sitting here wondering whether she was talking about juvenile criminals or the Palaszczuk ministers, who are serial incompetent offenders in this government. Nothing has changed.

I feel for the backbench. I even offered to write references for a couple of them—only a couple— which they rejected. I was hopeful they would take up the cudgels, but no-one in the Labor backbench is worthy of promotion. The Premier said that herself!

Mr Tantari interjected. Mr BLEIJIE: The member for Hervey Bay should not take my word for it; he should take his

leader’s word for it because she said it herself. Minister Furner, the agriculture minister, is now sitting next to Minister Farmer—the closest he will ever get to a farmer in his life. This government is a joke. This government is in chaos. This government—

(Time expired)

Leader of the Opposition, Performance Hon. CR DICK (Woodridge—ALP) (Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment) (2.10 pm):

Three and a half weeks from now, in 23 days time, the Leader of the Opposition will have nowhere to hide. All the scurrying around, all the running around the backbench—and we see him doing that every question time—all the whingeing and whining, all of that will have to come to a grinding halt, because on 15 June the Leader of the Opposition will finally have to tell Queenslanders what he is going to do. He will have to tell Queenslanders how he will paper over the $3 billion hole left by the royalties he will blithely hand back to big coal. How will the Leader of the Opposition pay for CopperString 2032? How will the Leader of the Opposition pay for the Fitzroy to Gladstone water pipeline or the Borumba pumped hydro program?

I can tell honourable members what he will do. He will do what the LNP always does. The member for Broadwater will cut. The leader of the LNP will cut because he knows no other way. The member for Broadwater will axe all those projects and more. We know that because they released the hit list: satellite hospitals—cut; ambulance stations—cut; the Thursday Island Hospital, in the most northern part of our state—cut; and even the mental health unit that supports his own community on the Gold Coast will be cut.

We would have thought the LNP would have learnt their lesson from their last time in government. Never forget the member for Broadwater sat around the cabinet table with Campbell Newman and signed off on the closure of the Barrett Adolescent Centre which rained catastrophic consequences down on three young people and their families and they have never apologised. Now the Leader of the Opposition has cuts to mental health on his hit list.

It will not just be infrastructure that is going to be cut. We heard about the LNP’s secret plans to give a tax break to landlords as well: $600 million down the drain by indexing land tax—a free subsidy to the LNP’s mates in real estate. Who will foot the LNP’s bill? It will be everyday ordinary Queenslanders. This is not speculation; it is the inevitable path worn by the LNP’s pattern of behaviour. We know exactly what they will do because they did it last time: 1,500 nurses and midwives will be the first to go, shown the door, with wages transferred to the property sector. It will not just be nurses either. That $200 million in lost land tax supports $4 billion in infrastructure spending for our government. The $300 million Path to Treaty Fund will go as well because, as we now know, the LNP has a plan to repeal this historic piece of legislation which they voted for less than a fortnight ago. Under the current Leader of the Opposition, the LNP will not be able to help themselves.

We know the LNP’s playbook. The first thing they do when they get into government is dole out tax cuts to their preferred stakeholders. That is exactly what this Leader of the Opposition will do. That is why the Leader of the Opposition hides his plan to cut royalties. He does not want to talk about it so he can sneak it through later. It is why the LNP is hiding his cuts to the Public Service—getting out the pruning shears. That is what they call it. That is not going to wash anymore.

The member for Broadwater is on notice. He needs to tell Queenslanders what he will cut. The member for Broadwater needs to tell Queenslanders who amongst regional Queenslanders will lose their job under the LNP. The great irony of the LNP’s ideological fog is that in their heart of hearts they know the fiscal outcomes that they deliver are never as good as Labor’s. Queensland was the first of Australia’s large economies to return to surplus—a $4.3 billion surplus in 2021-22, the first year out of COVID. I can tell honourable members that this year’s surplus will be even bigger. The latest budget update shows we are going to deliver a budget surplus of $4.2 billion. That would be the largest surplus

1500 Matters of Public Interest 23 May 2023

ever delivered in Queensland history and that is no accident. We protected our jobs market, we delivered the lowest unemployment rate on record, we delivered a fiscal surplus and we are on track to deliver another one. We have slashed debt by more than 50 per cent because that is what Labor does.

Palaszczuk Labor Government, Performance Ms BATES (Mudgeeraba—LNP) (2.15 pm): I would like to start today by reflecting on some

numbers. Three terms and eight years of the Palaszczuk government and this is what Queensland gets. Fifteen per cent of ambulances were ramped when the government took office and 42 per cent of ambulances are ramped in Queensland today. There are 284,000 Queenslanders waiting to see a specialist and 59,300 Queenslanders are waiting for elective surgery. Four maternity wards are currently on bypass. Sixty thousand people live in the catchment of one of those bypass wards— Gladstone. In fact, 38 maternity units have been closed by successive Labor governments, and four health ministers will have overseen this most recent mess. Finally, there is one government which has presided over these debacles: the Palaszczuk Labor government, a government now so mired in chaos, so deep in crisis, that it has completely lost touch with the lives of Queenslanders across the length and breadth of the state.

When a government lurches from one crisis to another and when a government descends into chaos Queenslanders lose out, and the Queensland Health system is a case in point. Those opposite are only worried about themselves and their own electoral survival. They are so wrapped up in their own chaos and crisis that they cannot effectively manage our health system. That has been proven now beyond all doubt. It does not matter who sits in the health minister’s position. Whether it is the member for Woodridge, the member for Murrumba, the member for Redcliffe or now the member for Waterford, it simply does not matter. Queenslanders are destined to see the same results because nothing has really changed. New faces—none. New ideas—zero. The Premier shuffled out incapable and shuffled in hopeless.

I want to remind the House about the member for Waterford’s chequered ministerial history. The member was, without question, the worst child safety minister this state has ever seen. The most vulnerable in our society—children who have been let down by their own families—were failed by the member for Waterford. So damaging was her tenure she will forever be remembered and associated with the tragic deaths of Mason Jett Lee and Tiahleigh Palmer. This is the same member who went to Splendour in the Grass as the details of the Mason Jett Lee case were unfolding. This is the same member who admitted to washing the child safety data before releasing it to the public. We can only imagine what will happen with the health data. So bad was her tenure in that portfolio that they had to put the member into the witness protection program for failed child safety ministers: the small business portfolio.

Despite the litany of failures she presided over, now this same individual, the member for Waterford, finds herself at the helm of our health system. Heaven help Queenslanders. Heaven help Queenslanders who need and rely on and work in our health system. The member for Waterford should not be allowed anywhere near Queensland Health, yet here she is now running it and already the problems mount under her watch. The Cairns Private Hospital maternity unit is on the brink of collapse. This has all the hallmarks of the Gladstone bypass ready to play out again. We all know how that ended: 300 days of bypass and counting.

If the minister does not act now, this will be on her and it will not end well. The minister told mothers in the Cairns region yesterday not to panic. I have some news for this minister: under this government they are already panicked, and so are the staff at the public hospital. They know what a closure would do. It would overwhelm them. History will repeat itself under this government. They are scared of what could unfold in the coming weeks and months.

The situation with audiology services in Townsville is also deeply troubling. Eighty children have now been caught up in the failures of that hospital, yet the public still does not know what is going on. How widespread is the problem and have children suffered permanent harm or damage? How was the problem allowed to occur in the first place and how is the government going to stop it from ever happening again? The public have a right to know each of those things. That is why the minister needs to ensure the outcomes of the audiology review are made public. It is on the minister now to come clean about what has gone on.

The face may have changed but the problems in Queensland Health remain the same—same faces, same cabinet, same chaos, same crisis and the same Premier. Chaos and crisis reign supreme on the benches opposite, and Queenslanders and our health system are worse for it.

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Kenmore, Road Infrastructure; Gold Coast Light Rail Hon. MC BAILEY (Miller—ALP) (Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital

Services) (2.20 pm): A lecture from the member for Mudgeeraba, who lasted in the ministry for less than a year, about what a minister should be? Spare us all. ‘The same old faces’? Look at the members opposite—a dozen former Newman government ministers who have not changed in 8½ years. They are still relying on the Newman government era, including the leader. Let’s not hear nonsense and hypocrisy from those opposite.

Telling the truth is important when communicating with communities about changes, whatever the level of government. Residents in Queensland and Brisbane deserve that respect. The deliberate misleading of residents by a leader in power is simply disgraceful. When it is done using public funds raised via the rates of hardworking residents in Brisbane for obvious political gain, it is a sure sign that a politician is arrogant, has the wrong priorities and has been in power for too long. Such is the case with the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Adrian Schrinner, and his personally addressed, direct mail letters on lord mayoral letterhead, funded by Brisbane City Council rates and distributed to the residents of Kenmore and potentially many more suburbs.

The consultation on a proposal to replace the Kenmore roundabout with traffic lights saw 94 per cent of people opposed to the idea. As good governments do, the state government repurposed the $12.5 million in state funding to keep it in that local community by investing it to benefit Moggill Road users via a separated cycleway alongside the two lanes of general traffic in both directions to connect to the popular Centenary Highway Bikeway. This will physically separate cyclists from the general traffic lanes to benefit all road users and increase safety for bike riders including local kids and students in the area. However, despite recently claiming to now be a new-found supporter of active transport, Lord Mayor Schrinner has taken the extraordinary step of using ratepayer funds to write to Kenmore Hills residents in a highly misleading way. His letter is factually wrong, indefensible and highly political. It alleges that I, as the transport minister, had redirected funding to a ‘bike-only solution on Moggill Road’—clearly insinuating that Moggill Road would be used only by bike riders and not by general vehicles. Clearly, this is not accurate and is designed to deliberately mislead the people of the western suburbs about a commitment made by this government to improve active transport in the western suburbs. The letter has a QR code which is clearly designed to harvest people’s data for future political use, with the potential for more ratepayer resources and funds.

Lord Mayor Schrinner should apologise for misleading Kenmore Hills residents and immediately refund the funds incurred by the BCC for this highly political misrepresentation of facts. He should come clean and tell us which suburbs received these dodgy letters before refunding their full cost to the council. Misusing public funds for clearly party political purposes is simply wrong. It is not to be tolerated in state parliament and it should not be tolerated in local government. It seems that, after being in power for nearly 20 years, Lord Mayor Schrinner’s administration thinks ratepayer funds are its own party political slush fund for playing political games in the western suburbs. I condemn it and I call it out. If he has any decency, he will reverse this dishonest behaviour and refund those ratepayer funds to the Brisbane City Council.

While I am on my feet and I have one minute to speak, I will address a couple of things in relation to an anti light rail rally that was led by the LNP member for Burleigh and the federal member for McPherson, Karen Andrews. At this meeting, at no stage did the member for Burleigh or the federal member for McPherson, Karen Andrews, outline their own financial interests on the light rail route, or the ‘proposed light rail route’ as the member for Burleigh puts it. The member for Burleigh has a brewery on the route that he proposes and he has not told the people of that financial interest. He owns property also on the actual proposed—

Mr HART: Madam Deputy Speaker, I rise to a point of order. I find the clown’s speech to be personally offensive and I ask him to withdraw.

Mr BAILEY: Madam Deputy Speaker, within the point of order there was a term used that was very unparliamentary and I suggest that he should be called to order.

Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms Lui): I will take some advice. Minister, your comments were offensive and I ask you to withdraw.

Mr BAILEY: I withdraw. It is a fact and a matter of public record that the member for Burleigh has financial interests, and he did not disclose them to the public meeting.

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Ms PEASE: Madam Deputy Speaker, I rise to a point of order. During the point of order, the member for Burleigh made some terribly defamatory comments. He has not been asked to withdraw that; nor has he been counselled on that matter. He used unparliamentary language that everyone heard.

Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Burleigh, I ask you to withdraw the unparliamentary language used.

Mr HART: I withdraw. Mr BAILEY: The mayor and I gave a commitment to two lanes of traffic— Opposition members interjected. Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Members to my left! Order! Mr BAILEY:—Palm Beach that was not outlined to the meeting. There was a lot of misleading

information at the meeting, so it is no wonder people are feeling aggrieved by the fact that— (Time expired) Opposition members interjected. Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: I remind members that it is unparliamentary to yell insults across

the chamber.

Palaszczuk Labor Government, Ministry Mr NICHOLLS (Clayfield—LNP) (2.28 pm): I will attempt to inject some sense of decorum into

the debate given the disgraceful display by the member for Miller, who never made it beyond the rank of deputy chair in the Brisbane City Council.

Mr BAILEY: Madam Deputy Speaker, I rise to a point of order. I take personal offence at the comments from the member for Clayfield and I ask him to withdraw.

Mr NICHOLLS: I withdraw. The member for Miller never made it beyond being a deputy chair in the Brisbane City Council under the Soorley administration, which was renowned for spending taxpayers’ and ratepayers’ money on every bit of publicity it could because it was not worth it in the media. It set up Living in Brisbane—never made it. Helen Abrahams got elected. Tim Quinn said to the member for Miller, ‘Sorry. old chap. There’s no room at the inn for you.’ Do you know what he did? He packed his bag, packed up his car and drove off to find himself somewhere in the wilds of North Queensland.

That highlights the chaos and the confusion that is the hallmark of this current government. Nothing exemplifies that more than last week’s patently transparent attempt by the ringmaster of this three-ring circus called the Palaszczuk government—

Mr Power interjected. Mr NICHOLLS: I do not want to listen to ‘Beppo the clown’ here as well; I already have to deal

with the ones here in front of me. Nothing exemplifies that more than last week’s patently transparent attempt by the ringmaster of this three-ring circus called the Palaszczuk government to try and con the voting public that shuffling the deck chairs is equal to starting anew when nothing could be further from the truth. This circus is not going to be performing any new acts because the performers are all the same. There is no new talent and what talent there is is not very good. The unions and the factions see to that day in, day out.

When it comes to the areas of law and order and youth crime, the citizens of Queensland—well, at least the law-abiding ones—will have no trouble seeing through the charade. When their cars are stolen, their homes are burgled or, tragically, someone is assaulted or seriously hurt in their home or while out with friends, it will be the same faces with the same feeble excuses in a government that has for eight years set about dismantling the youth justice system. When it comes to youth justice, we now have again an Attorney-General, the state’s chief law officer, who even as recently as this morning said that she has no interest in youth justice—not her problem, ‘not my responsibility’, the recycled Attorney-General said. Rather, the witness protection program is No. 1. She was not so reticent in December 2015. Back then when she was busy watering down the youth justice laws, this is what the Attorney proudly stated— Repealing these reforms will serve to reduce involvement of children and young people in the justice system rather than lead to their future entrenchment within it.

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What have we seen? An almost doubling of the number of repeat recidivist young offenders, from 10 per cent to 17 per cent. What else did she say? She said— The future of the youth justice system in Queensland is one that values and supports the future of the children and young people it is responsible for as the most effective way to reduce the impact of offending in our communities ... I believe that this bill gets the balance right and so will our youth justice policy ...

There is no mention of the victims of crime in that particular little statement there, and how many plans and policies and backflips and changes have we seen since those words? We have had at last count seven changes of plan and five pieces of legislation all following from eight years of failure starting with the Attorney-General who has been recycled back into that position to make the same mistakes time and time again. When the drugs are being peddled to their kids or businesses are being stood over or thieves are targeting their homes, Queenslanders will be looking at the same Attorney-General who repealed the bikie gang laws with the serious organised crime legislation and who was part of the same government that sat on the review of that legislation since January this year. Attorney-General, release the report into serious and organised crime. What does it say about the effectiveness of the legislation?

When magistrates, judges and lawyers point out the delays in justice because of the failures of the Forensic and Scientific Services lab, they will be looking at the same Attorney-General who as health minister denied for over a year there was even a problem and who even as recently as this morning tried to blame the LNP when the Sofronoff report makes it abundantly clear that the problems with the testing thresholds that led to the major failures started in 2016 under Labor. When Queenslanders look at the failure of youth bail houses and the $30 million and the kids who are back on the street and the failure to the kids and the public, they will see the same Attorney-General who introduced them. They will see the same Attorney-General who did a backflip on the crime and corruption laws to jail journalists—introduced and then retracted 20 hours later. This is a government with the same chaos and the same crises. When the curtain falls on this circus, it is the same clowns!

(Time expired)

Path to Treaty Ms McMILLAN (Mansfield—ALP) (2.33 pm): I am taking this opportunity to make my contribution

to the Path to Treaty Bill given my absence due to illness during the last sitting week. I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet this afternoon. I acknowledge our elders past and present. I acknowledge you, member for Cook and Madam Deputy Speaker. I know that our future is in the hands of wonderful young First Nations leaders right across Queensland, many of whom I have had the honour of supporting during their schooling years. I acknowledge the members for Algester, Bundamba and Cook and congratulate the member for Algester as the Minister for Treaty, a role that I know she will perform with urgency, integrity, authenticity, passion and vigour. I also recognise the efforts and undeniable commitment of the member for Barron River, whose leadership ensured the success of this bill.

I am honoured to have led the critique and analysis of the Path to Treaty Bill 2023 in preparation for our collective debate in Cairns. I wish to congratulate every member of the Community Support and Services Committee and the work of the secretariat. We have all learnt so much during our journey and our experiences of the hopes of First Nations peoples. Whilst we have so much more to learn, our lives are the richer for having had this experience of leading the consultation on this bill. It is my hope that every Queenslander will experience similarly as together Queensland learns of our shared history. Mr Wallabi Kuundabah-Saunders shared these words with me when the committee visited Woorabinda in a quiet moment— When crimes go unpunished, the world becomes unbalanced.

He was referring, of course, to the injustices that First Nations peoples have suffered for more than 235 years of colonisation and the multigenerational trauma and disadvantage that has tormented Indigenous people throughout this time. Path to Treaty is our opportunity to overturn the wrongs perpetrated on our First Nations peoples by the horribly misguided iterations of the Aboriginals Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act 1897. This act advocated the displacement of Aboriginal people to reserves, regulated their employment and perpetrated the most draconian form of social engineering, unleashing a state sanctioned process of dispossession, brutality and violence. This lasted 235 years.

Injustices continue for First Nations people today—reduced life expectancy, high incarceration rates, poor health, poor education and employment outcomes and low socio-economic status. I recall moments during my teaching and school administration career where the contrast between

1504 Matters of Public Interest 23 May 2023

non-Indigenous children and First Nations children could not have been more stark. I am referring to not only the difference in educational outcomes but also the differences in the unacceptable school disciplinary absences and low school attendance rates. Sadly, these were statistics I was all too familiar with and I worked diligently every day to overcome the cataclysmic effect on school completion rates and access to further study and employment.

I specifically recall moments among many that helped to define for me this contrast. When I was principal of a low socio-economic school with a high percentage of First Nations children, I had organised a bus trip to the University of Queensland for all of my year 8 students and for the year 4 students from feeder primary schools for the children to experience university life and to build their education aspirations. Students were lining up to board the bus when a little year 4 Indigenous girl said to me, ‘Miss, I can’t go today. I don’t have my permission slip.’ I said, ‘That’s okay. I’ll give mum a call.’ The little girl responded, ‘But, Miss, you don’t understand. My mum said university is not for people like us, so there is no point in ringing mum.’ I remember this moment so clearly and recall how deeply troubled I was at the views of this little girl and the beliefs of her family.

Further, I recall having many conversations with at-risk young people about the path they were on and the decisions they were making. I often would share time with these children attempting to identify their interests and aspirations, asking what jobs interest them, what their dreams were when they finished school. Often I would get a shrug of the shoulders. I would then ask, ‘Who do you know that does a job that you might be interested in?’ Sadly, it was all too common that these young people— the most vulnerable children—would share with me that they did not know anyone who works. Sadly, this is all too common. On the contrary, for us as people of privilege in this House, it is unlikely that we know someone who does not work. These were just some of the many examples I observed in my teaching career of intergenerational trauma, the impact of racism and prejudice on self-worth and self-efficacy and the harsh impact of colonisation.

(Time expired)

Olympic and Paralympic Games, Value Dr MacMAHON (South Brisbane—Grn) (2.38 pm): This morning I joined the crossbench in

signing a joint statement on the Olympic Games that calls for a hard cap on the Olympics budget, an equivalent investment in the regions, a comprehensive plan to deal with the impacts on housing and to scrap the $2.7 billion Gabba rebuild. I table that statement. Tabled paper: Document, dated 23 May 2023, titled ‘Crossbench Statement on Olympics Funding, 23 May 2023’ [680].

It is no secret that there are a wide variety of views on the crossbench and I would say that on the vast majority of issues we do not agree. However, what we are all hearing from our constituents is that in the middle of a housing crisis, in the middle of a health and hospital crisis and in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis we should be focusing first and foremost on improving the lives of everyday people and not padding the pockets of the out-of-touch elites on the International Olympic Committee or property developers who are cashing in on our neighbourhoods and the already wealthy.

When we criticise the Olympic Games we are told by the government that we are whingeing. The Premier has said that there is no gold medal for booing, that we should be happy and grateful that we have committed to these games, and that we should be grateful for the claimed economic growth, tourism and civic pride. However, let us look at the evidence from other host cities. This evidence was conveniently left out of the KPMG economic, social and environmental analysis.

Since 1960, every Olympic Games has run over budget—every games without exception. The budget for the Brisbane games has already ballooned by about $2 billion. On top of budget blowouts, the majority of Olympic Games are money-losing events—not a generator of economic activity but a money-losing event. They are a sinkhole of public funds. Researchers from the University of Lausanne found that, for megaevents like the Olympics and the World Cup, in most cases costs exceed revenues and have a negative financial value. Those who do make money from the Olympics are the already wealthy, property developers who are cashing in, the media with lucrative advertising deals and the elites on the International Olympic Committee. Most everyday people will not able to afford to buy tickets to major events. John Coates, who is on the Australian Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee, conceded that the cost of tickets will be prohibitively expensive for most Queenslanders.

The promised tourism benefits are not backed up by evidence. These megaevents suffer from something called the ‘substitution effect’. People leave town. People who otherwise would have visited stay away because they do not want to be a part of the crowds and increasing pricing. Olympic tourists

23 May 2023 Matters of Public Interest 1505

come in and simply replace them. There is net to zero improvement in terms of tourism. The Olympic tourists tend to visit only Olympic venues within the Olympic precinct and do not go to other areas. In London, major attractions saw a drop in visitor numbers during the Olympic Games. One estimate from the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, held just a few years ago, showed that on the Gold Coast resident and visitor spending was down by five per cent.

The impact on housing from the Olympic Games is dire. Over the past three decades, about two million people have been displaced by the Olympic Games. In Sydney, people in boarding houses were displaced, house prices went up and in the Olympic corridor rents went up far beyond inflation. London experienced rent increases, price gouging and increased housing costs. Long-term housing shifted to short-term accommodation. Olympic villages tend to be privatised and offer no benefit in terms of public or affordable housing.

In my community, we are being threatened with the closure of an active state primary school and the loss of a major park and family homes for the eye-watering cost of $2.7 billion. To put that into context, $2.7 billion could build 6,000 public homes, open up 180 maternity units, build 80 schools and fund free public transport in the state for seven years. The Premier said there is no gold medal for booing, but I say to the Premier that Queenslanders are looking at this event and asking, ‘What is the government thinking?’

I ask the Premier: how do I explain spending $2.7 billion on a single stadium to the 18-year-old who is living in a tent in Musgrave Park; to the parents who call us for help to cover basic school costs for their kids; to the pensioners who are lining up for free food boxes in West End every week; to the families on the brink of housing stress if interest rates go up again; to the nurses I met a few weeks ago who are run off their feet in an understaffed emergency department; or to the families who are facing the closure of a local school? How do I look at those people and justify what the government has signed us up to? There might not be a gold medal for booing, but there sure as hell is not a gold medal for throwing Queenslanders under the bus.

Cairns Marine Precinct, Investment; Cairns TAFE Mr HEALY (Cairns—ALP) (2.43 pm): Madam Deputy Speaker Lui, it is great to see you. I believe

that the last time I spoke you were in the chair and it is good to see you there again. I want to touch on some of the things that were announced when we were in Cairns. In the

intervening period I have had the opportunity to reflect on some of them and, more importantly, to talk to people who will be involved in some of the initiatives. As we know, the Palaszczuk government is committing $27 million to road and bridge upgrades to give shipyards direct access to the Cairns Marine Precinct common user facility. A $12 million fund will be established to revamp facilities at local shipyards. This is set to enhance the Cairns Marine Precinct as the premier marine hub, creating and supporting more than 4,600 jobs.

Cairns is continuing to grow. It has always had a big tourism industry, which is a big employer. However, we need to diversify our economy and these significant investments are doing that. Without a doubt, the announcement of our investment in the Cairns Marine Precinct will cement its future as a marine maintenance leader, with a $39 million injection for road and bridge infrastructure and upgrades to local shipyards. It will fund 1.2 kilometres of road upgrades, which will increase capacity as vessels of various sizes will be able to be picked up and moved on public roads to various warehouses. I think that is absolutely fantastic.

What is more important is the feedback from the operators that we will be working with: Norship, Tropical Reef Shipyard and Austal Queensland. Those operators are big employers and they are looking for apprentices and young workers. As I said, they employ 4,600 people, with more to come. Those operators have been absolutely buoyed by this announcement. The new infrastructure will include two wharfs and a common user facility to further enhance their capabilities. The directors of each of those companies have been extremely pleased with the decision and they recognise the importance of our investment.

As Minister Farmer touched on today, Saturday two weeks ago together we attended a marine tourism event, which was absolutely fantastic. There were significant crowds, with mums and dads and their kids. We are spending $16 million to expand TAFE Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef International Marine College at Cairns. It is an incredibly busy college and we are expanding it. Not only that: TAFE Queensland and the college will partner with Maritime Safety Queensland to offer a Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Integrated Rating), which until now has been available only in Tasmania, Newcastle and Perth. Saturday two weeks ago I took my 15-year-old son to the event. He has strong intentions of getting into the marine industry, whether it be through tourism, superyachts, grey boats

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and so on. We have the infrastructure, we are investing in it and the industry is continuing to grow. The expansion of the college will be delivered by Queensland’s very own QBuild and will support up to 37 jobs, which is absolutely fantastic. There is no doubt about it: significant investment from both the state and federal governments into the Cairns Marine Precinct is absolutely fundamental to ensuring that we can provide sustainable career pathways to the young people of Cairns and that we continue to support the ongoing and important diversification of our economy.

Work has also started on the $4 million Cairns TAFE Advanced Manufacturing Skills Lab to deliver more first-class training in state-of-the-art facilities. We are investing in our future. We are investing in our children. The refurbishments will include specific automation and robotics labs to support high-end manufacturing through augmented reality and activation spaces, automation and robotics. The construction of the new facilities is well underway and we understand that the training programs are being put in place. The Cairns TAFE Advanced Manufacturing Skills Lab will be a major upgrade and will include an electrical lab and a mixed virtual reality room. This is important because as we invest in industries we need to also invest in training and to ensure that we are investing in essential infrastructure.

That is how you build a diversified economy. That is how you create jobs. That is how you give your region and, more importantly, your kids a sustainable future so that they can invest not only in their own futures but also in their town, their city and their region of Far North Queensland. Importantly, we do not want to see our kids moving south; we want them to stay in our part of the world where they can grow, learn, gain great jobs and make significant investments. This is a wonderful investment by the Palaszczuk government.

Minister for Housing Mr MANDER (Everton—LNP) (2.49 pm): As I stand I welcome the member for Gaven to the

Housing portfolio. While it is a new portfolio for her, of course, she is not a new minister. She is a recycled minister and has sat in the cabinet that has made every decision in the Housing portfolio. I compare her appointment to that of an NRL coach being appointed to the lowest ranked side from the year before such that they can only go up. You cannot get worse; you can only go up. That is the situation she finds herself in at the moment. On the weekend I read a very interesting puff piece in the Gold Coast Bulletin about the recycled minister. It is fair enough to get a soft article. She was quoted as saying something which is very telling. The article quotes her saying— I think success is making sure we deliver on what we promised to deliver.

Using the minister’s own standard, when it comes to housing this government has failed miserably. Let us look at its track record so far and put it against that measure of success. The government promised a 200-bed homeless facility at Griffith University. What happened? Nothing—fail. The government promised that its granny flat announcement would make a significant contribution to the housing crisis. What happened? Fail. The state government promised to perform a property and land audit within three months. It took six months—fail. Members opposite crow about their investment in housing, but the Productivity Commission reported that Queensland has the lowest per capita expenditure on social housing in the nation—fail.

The minister has set a reasonable standard when it comes to measuring success—a standard that Queenslanders I think would expect to be met. This minister now has a chance to show whether or not she can be successful. This is her first challenge. Twelve months ago, the Labor government promised to build a 34-unit development at Chermside, funded from the Housing Investment Fund, by September this year. I was at that site on the weekend, but the sod has not been turned. By the new minister’s own measure of success—that is, delivering what was promised—if those 34 units are not built over the next four months then she has failed and failed miserably.

In that very revealing puff piece on the weekend the minister mentioned—she has mentioned it in several interviews—that she understands the struggles of young renters because she is a renter herself. The minister failed to tell people that she happens to be on a salary of $350,000 per year. She expects that young people will think she can relate to the fact that they can hardly afford to put food on the table, let alone pay their rent, while she earns $350,000 a year plus a driver and car. It is absolutely insulting to those people. I am not the only one who thinks that. In fact, one of her very close colleagues said some pretty harsh words about people in that situation. This person is not only an MP but also a factional colleague. Not long ago, the member for Pumicestone accused some members in this House of ‘self-indulgent greenstanding … about their status as wealthy lifestyle renters’. She said— With … people … right across Queensland … suffering rental stress, this poverty cosplay is deeply offensive to people in my community and other marginalised communities across Queensland.

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To those members of parliament who fit into that category she said— I call on those members to apologise for this offensive behaviour.

These are not my words; these are the words of the member for Pumicestone, a factional colleague in her government who has already called out her behaviour. What we see of the new minister is not new; it is recycled, it is chaos, it is a circus.

(Time expired)

Reimagining Workforce; Liberal National Party, Candidates Hon. DE FARMER (Bulimba—ALP) (Minister for Employment and Small Business, Minister for

Training and Skills Development and Minister for Youth Justice) (2.54 pm): Last week I was very proud to host Reimagining Workforce, our second workforce summit that addresses the pressures that workforce shortages are placing on every sector in every region. The event is a part of our Good People Good Jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy, which we backed with a $70 million action plan. It is already delivering results. This summit was yet another success. Nearly 500 people, either in person or online, were discussing how we can think differently about recruiting and retaining workers—not only because it is right to have a diverse and inclusive workforce and to treat workers right but also because you get better outcomes if you do. As far as the workforce goes, it means you get more workers.

Dylan Alcott, the keynote speaker, challenged our thinking about employing people with disabilities. Consultant David Pick talked about the four-day working week. Geoff Smith from ASA talked about employing neurodiverse people in the IT sector. Belinda Watton from Eureka, which is part of Energy Queensland, spoke about how she deliberately targeted and achieved 30 per cent participation from females in the very male-dominated energy industry. That is a topic we are very much engaged in in the employment portfolio, because we know that there are significant barriers for women in male- dominated occupations. That is why last year I commissioned the Training Ombudsman to look at barriers for apprentices, with a focus on female apprentices in male-dominated occupations. He discovered that a lot of apprentices do not know who to turn to. They do not understand what their rights are. They find it really hard to raise an issue with their employer. We have put in place a strategy that has seen us contact over 90,000 apprentices and trainees individually. In addition, we have conducted nearly 3½ thousand workplace visits. We have launched the successful Let’s Protect Respect campaign, which has achieved more than 49 million impressions on social media.

Part of the work the ombudsman did was to identify which male-dominated sectors present the most challenges for women. They were construction, motor trades, manufacturing, furnishings, communications and utilities. I was actually thinking he possibly should have added another category. He probably should have added politics, but not all politics—just LNP politics, because the numbers on the other side of the chamber say it all. They have six women in their caucus. We could slip ‘LNP politics’ into the QTO’s report and make it apply to every single point the ombudsman made. We on this side of the House say that you cannot be what you cannot see. I can tell members what aspiring female LNP politicians see. I have spoken to young LNP women who are just totally depressed about what they see ahead of them. They see that when a female, such as the member for Nanango, is in leadership they are done over by a bloke such as the member for Broadwater, who already did over another woman to get his seat—poor Verity. They see the leader proclaiming that he is going to get more women into winnable seats and then, quick as a flash, he is not doing it. Exhibit A is Callide, one of the safest LNP seats in Queensland, where they appointed a bloke. Aren’t we lucky?

To be fair, the Leader of the Opposition has named three female candidates—for Cairns, Thuringowa and Redlands—but they are in seats the LNP does not currently hold. They are not rolled gold. It will be interesting to see what the Leader of the Opposition does in the seats the LNP holds. We hear that the member for Burleigh is talking about retiring. They could select a woman candidate, but the word is that Councillor Hermann Vorster, a bloke, will get it. There is a race on for Stuart Robert’s seat of Fadden—two blokes and a woman. Let’s hope she is successful this time, because she is one of four women done over by a bloke for the seat of Bowman when Henry Pike was preselected. Of course, it looks like the LNP is going to kick out Senator Gerard Rennick. The frontrunner is Nelson Savanh—a bloke and definitely a member of one of the boys clubs. We hear that he has senators James McGrath and David Littleproud going for him. He is a former adviser to the Lord Mayor and a former adviser to the opposition leader.

We know that the Leader of the Opposition is desperate about his women’s problem. The member for Chatsworth is desperate. The member for Clayfield is desperate. The member for Moggill is desperate. The member for Bonney is desperate. He is supposed to be the voice of social

1508 Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 23 May 2023

conscience. They are worried sick about what female voters are going to say about the troglodytes who do not support women. There are a number of members on the other side saying, ‘Don’t put women in seats; we have blokes lined up for them.’ Do you know how you fix it? You fix it by showing leadership. That is what leadership is all about. If he wants to know how to do that, he just needs to speak to our Premier. We are about equity and representing all of—

(Time expired)

CORRECTIVE SERVICES (EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND SECURITY) AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL

Second Reading Resumed from p. 1497, on motion of Mr Ryan—

That the bill be now read a second time.

Mr O’ROURKE (Rockhampton—ALP) (2.59 pm): I rise to speak in support of the Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022. The bill seeks to support the safety of corrective services staff through a range of amendments that address emerging threats and harness opportunities. This includes the threats and opportunities emerging from the use of technologies.

The bill proposes the creation of two new offences designed to improve security and deter behaviour that is presenting significant risks to the safety and security in the correctional environment. There is a new offence of being in a restricted area of a corrective services facility without a reasonable excuse. The bill defines a restricted area as the rooftop of each facility. The bill also allows for additional restricted areas to be prescribed by regulation in the future, recognising the ever changing nature of the custodial environment. A maximum penalty of two years imprisonment for accessing a restricted area ensures a safe and secure correctional environment by deterring this type of behaviour into the future and reflects the seriousness of the offence.

The House may recall the riots at the Capricornia Correctional Centre in October 2021 where there was extensive unrest. Approximately 70 prisoners broke into the garden shed and accessed mower fuel and gardening equipment. They also entered other secure areas. I would again like to put on record my thanks to all corrective services staff who were involved in that riot for keeping our community safe and bringing the riot under control without serious injuries. In mid-February I was fortunate to be at the commissioner’s unit citation presentation where these officers and staff were recognised for their outstanding work—well done.

The use of or attempted use of drones at or above corrective services facilities and youth detention centres is an area that is also addressed. The drones are already prohibited items within corrective services facilities; however, this does not prohibit drones from being flown in airspaces above the facilities.

As a government, we are committed to the safety and security of adult corrective services facilities and youth detention centres. While we have physical barriers in place such as perimeter fencing along with operational procedures like the searching of prisoners and visitors upon entry, this ensures safety at ground level. We have seen in recent years a new threat emerging over and above the perimeter fencing. Drones are being flown over corrective services facilities and youth detention centres. They present significant risk to the safety of the correctional environment and to youth detention centres as they can carry contraband, including illicit drugs, into the facility or centre. Also the drone can capture photographs and videos to survey secure infrastructure. They can also be weaponised or used to create a nuisance or distraction. For a youth detention centre a drone could be capturing footage of children.

New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia have all introduced offences to prohibit the use of drones in airspaces above or outside of a prison. New South Wales and Victoria have included offences prohibiting the use of drones in the airspace above youth detention centres. The bill will ensure Queensland is aligned with those other states by introducing a new offence to prohibit a person from operating a drone at or above a corrective services facility or youth detention centre, including the land on which the facility is located, without a reasonable excuse. The offence carries a maximum penalty of up to two years in prison, providing a strong deterrent to behaviour that threatens the safety and security of a closed correctional environment.

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The new offences also form part of the broader work agencies are undertaking to tackle the rising use of drones. For Queensland Corrective Services this includes the deployment and exploration of additional antidrone technology across the state.

The bill provides clear authority for the use of CCTV, body worn cameras and other emerging technologies to monitor threats and maintain safety in corrective services facilities. The bill will facilitate a trial of X-ray body scanners and a future roll out of body-scanning technology. The initial trial of body scanners will be at the Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre. Body-scanning technology will primarily be used to detect contraband through searches of detainees, visitors and staff members. The use of X-ray body scanners provides a less invasive means of detecting contraband compared to alternatives such as strip searches.

The use of X-ray body-scanning technology in corrective services facilities in Queensland provide the ability to improve detection and prevent contraband from entering facilities, supporting the safety of corrective services officers and prisoners. The capability of this technology expands to the detection of non-metallic objects on or inside the body. Put simply, this level of detection is something that current search equipment and methods in use cannot deliver.

The Queensland public may already be familiar with the use of body-scanning technology at airports when travelling by plane. This technology is highly effective in the detection of illegal items. I commend the bill to the House.

Mr SULLIVAN (Stafford—ALP) (3.06 pm): I rise to support the Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. This bill provides sensible changes to assist our corrective services facilities to modernise and keep up with technological advancements. It will assist corrective services in responding to emerging security threats and other changes in the correctional environment.

I will place on record, as I did in the committee stage of this bill, that my wife works under the Queensland Corrective Services portfolio as a legal professional member of the Parole Board of Queensland. This legislation creates no conflict of interest and I am comfortable contributing to the debate. It does remind me, as I have put on record before, that I do not pretend to be the smartest lawyer in any given room because I am not even the smartest lawyer in my own house.

Thank you to the minister and department for progressing these reforms. I was pleased to be part of the committee that could progress them to today’s debate. It is important across government that we keep up with technology—for public safety, for the basic rights of those in the system and, of course, for workplace health and safety for our staff. It came to us as a committee because it increases the safety of officers and it falls within the industrial relations area of our committee. This government is committed to workplace health and safety across industries. Whether it is industrial relations reforms, workers compensation or workplace health and safety across industries, it is our government that has a track record of supporting the rights of Queensland workers who dedicate their skills and hard work to serving the public.

I am proud to serve in a caucus with the members for Mundingburra and Caloundra who know this work firsthand. I thank them for their service. As a student lawyer I had experience with the then QPSU of doing commission supporting documents for out at Wacol. As a 22- or 23-year-old I had the same view as many others when presented with those workplaces—there but for the grace of God go I. I have mates from school who are now working there. Over the years I have met with AWU delegates at the facilities at Wacol, Townsville and Toowoomba. I respect the work they do and support their contribution to our community in corrections, health and youth justice.

This bill is about keeping up with technology—something we all need to do. Let us empower our state workforce to do the same. This bill provides clear authorities for more up-to-date body scanners. It is less invasive than strip searches that have previously been required. Technology has advanced. I think our approach to this as a community has shifted and it is something that we can all accept and recommend.

The bill recognises CCTV, body worn cameras and other technology and the role they can play to improve safety in correctional facilities. As the minister said in his contribution, these are facilities— let’s be frank—that can be volatile. We are dealing with people within restricted areas. Anything we can do to improve safety or to de-escalate violence when it occurs should be supported.

The bill also enables more effective emergency responses and, importantly, provides boundaries and requirements when such a declaration is made. This covers natural disasters, health emergencies, community safety emergencies and the like. I thank the minister for clarifying the threshold in such

1510 Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 23 May 2023

declarations during his contribution, recognising the request of the committee, so I thank him for that. It would have been handy if those opposite had paid attention to his speech or, indeed, read the committee report instead of trying to manufacture faux opposition to reform that should be a no-brainer.

This bill also tackles the specific issues associated with the emerging and growing industry of drones. Some opposite—again, trying to manufacture problems—pretended that this would somehow impact a farmer surveying their station or ‘a dad playing with his son and a drone’. As a side note, I am not sure why it could not be a mother playing with her daughter, but that is another point. This bill obviously is not aimed at farmers or Queenslanders playing in the park with their kids. Drones are an emerging technology that pose a real and understandable risk to the management of places of detention. It is twofold: by using electronic devices for the purposes of contraband or by surveying or possibly interfering with security of places of detention. These are serious issues. They are places of detention. Those opposite should get a grip, get on board and cut out the lame, faux opposition.

I thank the chair and members of the committee. It was quite a collegial effort in the most part. I thank the departmental staff for their briefings. They were quite detailed. Answers to questions taken on notice and the further information requested were very detailed and helpful. I thank the secretariat staff all the time because they do a great job. I would particularly like to point out their work on this bill because the content of this legislation could perhaps be seen as outside of our regular portfolio content. I thank them for going that extra mile and delivering on what is really important reform. I thank the secretariat and their staff. Again, I thank the minister and draw the attention of those opposite to the minister’s genuine remarks in his contribution which will answer any questions they raise in the debate. I commend the bill to the House.

Mr DAMETTO (Hinchinbrook—KAP) (3.12 pm): I rise to give my contribution to the debate on the Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. At the outset I want to say that the KAP supports the legislation. Anything we can do to make it easier for our corrective services staff and people working within our facilities to do their job, which is one of the toughest roles in this state, is something that the KAP will always support.

I was proud, as a member of the Education, Employment and Training Committee, to have this bill come before our committee. I commend you, Mr Deputy Speaker Lister, as deputy chair and the member for Redlands, as chair, for doing an exceptional job scrutinising a piece of legislation that we do not usually see come across our desk. It was overflow from another committee which would have been quite busy.

One of the objectives of the legislation before the House today is to make sure that flying drones in airspaces above correctional facilities is captured as a new offence under the Corrective Services Act and also the Youth Justice Act. This is not a controversial topic but it is an important change to the legislation. It will ensure that contraband—whether it is drugs, alcohol, letters coming in and out or all sorts of things that could be a negative influence within our correctional facilities—is not delivered by drones. Making sure that legislation in our state keeps up with emerging technologies is something that the KAP supports, as I think everyone in this House would too.

Another objective of the bill is to address problems relating to access to rooftops. It will now be an offence to access a restricted place such as a rooftop, because existing penalties do not deter this behaviour. The KAP will be supporting this amendment.

The use of X-ray body scanners will apply only to the Corrective Services Act. It will be trialled in the Brisbane women’s correctional facility first and then rolled out across the state. Once again, this should not be controversial. I believe that Sisters Inside spoke against this. As a committee member, I believe that most people were supportive of this important change—to have less invasive ways of checking for contraband. Weapons or anything could be taken into correctional facilities. Having X-ray facilities would be a great way of using emerging technologies to keep our staff and inmates safe.

The emergency response framework is to be updated to be able to declare emergencies for weather events and other events such as COVID. Current provisions apply only for short-term emergencies such as prison riots, not long-term emergencies. This amendment is also non-controversial. Enhancing information sharing amongst Queensland Health for health and medical purposes is a policy that I think everyone in this House should also be supportive of today.

In general, the KAP supports this legislation. As I said earlier, when it comes to drones and emerging technologies, we want to stop bad things from getting into our prisons. For a lot of prisoners across Queensland, whether they are inmates within the youth justice system or in our adult prisons, the reason they are in prison is that they have been caught up in drugs, alcohol and violence and all sorts of things on the outside. We want to make sure that we are giving prisoners an opportunity to

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reform and also to dry out if they are affected by drugs and alcohol. A lot of people who end up in prison have hit rock bottom. We do not want them to hit rock bottom only to find that there is an illicit drug trade within the walls of the prison facility that enables them to continue their habits.

Along with body worn cameras and CCTV, body scanning is another great way that our prison staff and security staff are protected not only in a situation of negative interaction between an inmate and security staff but also in a situation of outside influences like the UN wanting to make sure that we are treating our prisoners right. It goes both ways. It allows transparency by keeping an eye on what is going on in the prison system.

The one aspect of the legislation I will speak to at length today is the fact that we are about to make it illegal to access restricted areas like rooftops in an adult prison facility, and for good reason. Prisoners who find themselves on a rooftop are usually there after a riot or when there has been some disruption in the prison. It is usually the last chance prisoners have to try to reach the media to make a stance about something that has been going on within the prison or to make a statement or protest against something that got them in the prison system in the first place.

Rooftops are a dangerous place for prisoners. They could fall off a roof. That is the most dangerous thing that could happen. There are workplace health and safety standards when it comes to working on roofs. Yet, in the past it has not been an offence for a prisoner to be on a rooftop. You also have to figure out how you are going to get prisoners off the roof. This can turn into a long drawn-out siege. Without a legislative mechanism to deter them from getting on the roof, time and time again we have seen prisoners getting on a roof to make a stance. It is good that this legislation goes that far. However, I table KAP amendments—they are outside the long title of the bill but I will try to move them during consideration in detail—to extend those penalties to youth justice detention facilities. Tabled paper: Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022, amendments to be moved by Mr Nick Dametto MP [681].

We believe that children in this state should not be getting away with things that you would be reprimanded for in the adult prison system. Our amendment is pretty simple. We want to make sure that children who make their way up onto the roof to cause a scene or a riot are also dealt with by the law. We want to make sure that it aligns with other jurisdictions with regard to the way they punish children for doing such things. In Western Australia there is a similar law that stops children from getting up on roofs or creating disruptions like riots, and it comes with a 12-month maximum penalty.

The KAP will introduce that legislation because we want to make sure that children in this state are not given a hall pass, which there currently are in many of the youth justice provisions of the act. We want to make sure that children in this state understand that if they commit a crime there is a consequence and a punishment. Children at the moment are able to get up on the roof. We want to make sure that in future children who do that are punished just like their counterparts or would-be teachers in the adult system. I want to table a couple of instances where we have had riots in Queensland. In particular, we have had riots at the Cleveland Bay detention centre as well down here in Brisbane. We want to make sure they are on record. Tabled paper: Article from WA Today, dated 10 May 2023, titled ‘Premier labels FASD “an excuse” as 50 juveniles spark 12-hour riot at Banksia Hill’ [682]. Tabled paper: Article from the Courier-Mail, dated 26 April 2017, titled ‘Inadequate staff training to blame for Cleveland Youth Detention Centre riot, report finds’ [683].

This is about making our prisons safer places. We want to make sure that staff members, who do an amazing job in difficult conditions, are safe. We also want to make sure that inmates are not getting up onto roofs and then having to figure out a way to get them down. The KAP will not be opposing this legislation. We hope that after reading in detail our circulated amendments and our explanatory notes we can get support from both sides of the House, because I think that is a great way of showing not only the youth of this state that their—

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Lister): Member, can I just ask you to restrain yourself from elucidating the points of your foreshadowed amendment outside the long title of the bill and just continue with your contribution to the bill as it stands.

Mr DAMETTO: Of course, Mr Deputy Speaker; I do appreciate your guidance. The KAP will be supporting the legislation and we look forward to consideration in detail. I commend the bill to the House.

Hon. DE FARMER (Bulimba—ALP) (Minister for Employment and Small Business, Minister for Training and Skills Development and Minister for Youth Justice) (3.22 pm): I rise in support of the Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022.

1512 Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 23 May 2023

I would like to thank the committee for its examination of the bill and its recommendations. I also thank the stakeholders and individuals who made submissions and appeared as witnesses as part of the inquiry.

The bill aims to respond to new technologies, emerging security threats and other changes in the correctional and detention environment. The recent COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events have placed significant stress on the operation of our youth detention centres and our ability to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of detainees and staff. For example, during the pandemic quarantine directives were issued to almost all staff of the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre when a staff member tested positive for COVID.

These events have highlighted the need for legislation which provides for the broadest possible range of options to deal with emergency situations that present real risks to the health, wellbeing and safety of detainees, staff and visitors to youth detention centres. At the same time, the legislation must include safeguards to ensure that any departure from best practice goes no further, lasts for no longer than is necessary in the circumstances and is transparent so that vulnerable children, staff and other stakeholders can have confidence in government decision-making during emergencies and disasters.

My department regularly reviews its business continuity planning, including planning for when a disaster impacts one of our youth detention centres, but with only a small number of detention centres across the entire state, moving young people to other detention centres in the event a disaster renders one of our centres unsafe is not an option we can count on. Even when our two new youth detention centres are open at Woodford and near Cairns there may not be capacity to accommodate the transfer of a large number of additional detainees.

This bill provides a mechanism for the chief executive to declare that a youth detention centre is a disaster-affected detention centre and to declare one or more other places as temporary youth detention centres. This will enable a quick, tailored and proportionate response to emergency situations which significantly impact on the safe operation of a youth detention centre. These provisions provide the necessary flexibility to deal with various types of emergencies and disasters. It includes, very importantly, significant safeguards. The chief executive must be satisfied that a detention centre is adversely affected by a disaster. It is not sufficient for there just to be a disaster. The disaster must pose an imminent serious risk to the life, health or safety of detainees, staff or visitors which necessitates the evacuation of the centre. A disaster could be a weather event such as a cyclone, storm or flood; an explosion or fire; a chemical, fuel or oil spill or gas leak; or an epidemic. A declaration must also be approved by me as the relevant minister. These emergency powers cannot be used outside of these circumstances.

Other safeguards include: a strict maximum duration of 21 days for a chief executive declaration; publication of the declaration; and notifying oversight bodies, for example, the Queensland Family and Child Commission, the Queensland Human Rights Commission, the Ombudsman and the Public Guardian. The bill requires the chief executive to select the most suitable place to be used as a temporary detention centre. The chief executive must consider several matters, including: the ordinary uses of any places under consideration; the number of children to be detained and the programs and services required; any planning law implications; the facilities available at the places; and the impact on other places such as schools, childcare centres or aged-care facilities.

The chief executive must also consider the extent to which youth justice principles may be complied with at the place and the human rights of detainees, staff and the community. The chief executive is required to regularly review whether the declaration of a temporary detention centre is still needed and whether a more suitable place is available. The chief executive must revoke the declaration if the temporary detention centre is no longer needed. When the impact of the disaster continues for longer than 21 days, the bill provides that the Governor-in-Council may, on the minister’s recommendation, make a regulation to declare a temporary detention centre for a longer period. A parallel set of safeguards applies to the minister in these circumstances.

The bill also expands the staffing options available for youth detention centres during a declared emergency. Drawing upon the learnings of the COVID pandemic, my department has contingency plans to redeploy its own staff if large numbers of detention centre staff are unable to work due to an emergency. Where existing staff are not available, our first preference is to appoint persons under the Public Service Act, as these staff are covered by the Public Service Code of Conduct. For that reason, the Youth Justice Act provides that certain powers and functions essential for the operation of detention centres may only be delegated to Queensland Public Service employees. There may be circumstances,

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however, where this is not the best option. For instance, an interstate youth justice agency may be willing to temporarily lend skilled and experienced detention centre staff to Queensland, and in this scenario the interstate staff would retain their existing employment arrangements. Any other arrangements would be too complicated and take too long to finalise where time would be critical.

There are other matters in this bill relating to delegating powers and functions to appropriately qualified temporary detention centre employees and to drones. We see that through this bill the Minister for Police prohibits the use of drones at or above a youth detention centre. To date, drones have not been detected over youth detention centres as frequently as over adult correctional facilities. I commend the bill to the House.

Mr SMITH (Bundaberg—ALP) (3.28 pm): I rise to contribute to the bill. In doing so, I just want to place on record my thanks to our wonderful correctional staff—not only our corrective services officers but also the non-custodial staff who play an important role in keeping our communities safe by keeping the correctional facilities safe. I think that is something that we sometimes forget because we are not privy to seeing their role on the front line. Their roles within those correctional facilities keep our entire community safe by ensuring that the facility is well-managed and that they are engaging with prisoners and people who perhaps we in the community do not want to engage with. But they do it every single day, and it does play an important role in our community and our society.

I want to praise the member for Caloundra for the contributions he has provided to this House because it has opened up a new world for many of us as we have listened to him talk about his experiences in the correctional facilities as a correctional officer. He has shared some pretty stark and confronting stories about how it is for those men and women on those front lines. We commend them for their work, and we will always ensure that the Palaszczuk Labor government supports those men and women on the front line.

As I said, their role is about ensuring safety within the correctional facilities, and that is very much what this bill is about as well. One object of the bill is to modernise the emergency response framework, which is making sure we are responding to new challenges. We saw that during COVID-19 and the pandemic with the challenges that were faced within correctional facilities and youth detention centres. We need to ensure that legislation moves so we can best equip our correctional facilities and youth detention centres with the best pathway forward to ensure they can keep their staff and those who are detained within those facilities safe.

Currently, there are existing provisions for short-term emergencies, such as riots or events where there is a loss of control within detention centres and correctional facilities, and the three-day maximum declaration can be extended. The act currently does not anticipate other types of emergencies, such as natural events—and we heard previously about cyclones and flood incidents—and future pandemics, which we all want to hopefully avoid into the future.

I want to talk very quickly about the amendment that has been circulated. I will not go into detail in terms of clause by clause. It is an extension of the restricted area offence that this bill is putting forward to go into the act to ensure that adult prisoners in correctional facilities do not enter restricted areas or stage protests on rooftops. We understand that is not safe for not only those prisoners but also the staff and other prisoners as that process occurs. If a prisoner goes into a restricted area or onto a rooftop, the correctional facility goes into a lockdown. When there is a lockdown, that means prisoners miss out on what they might be entitled to. That could be day release, yard work or being outside their cell for a period of time. If a lockdown occurs, then those prisoners lose that entitlement which adds pressure, stress and anxiety which could then lead to possible dangers for our custodial staff, and that is what we want to avoid.

The two-year maximum penalty that is being put forward by the minister for adults in an adult correctional facility who enter a restricted area or go onto a rooftop is absolutely fair because those prisoners are adults and they have an understanding and they have obligations and responsibilities. They have a different form of cognitive process to minors. To suggest that a minor in a detention centre could face up to a year imprisonment if they enter a restricted area is fundamentally refusing to accept the difference in cognitive ability in a developing brain. It is absolutely ridiculous to suggest that the best thing for a young person in a detention centre—who is going through a cognitive change and is learning more about the world and about their behaviours that put them in the detention centre—who goes into a restricted area is for them to face a year imprisonment, which could potentially be longer than the actual sentence they are serving. That in no way helps the restoration of young minds to become better citizens in the community. It is absolutely outrageous that the suggestion could even be put forward.

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I will give an example from when I was a teacher. A young person I was teaching who was about 15 years old could not regulate his emotions and he acted out by punching a metal pole. We all know that we should not punch a metal pole. We know that will hurt us and that it is not correct behaviour. Adults know that. If adults want to engage in that kind of behaviour, that is a decision they have made to a certain level of cognitive ability. However, when you have a developing mind and you do not understand how to regulate your behaviour and you act out, do you really deserve to have a year in a detention centre extended on to your sentence? Is that something we want to be spruiking and promoting in this parliament when we are meant to represent all of Queensland and provide a better future for young people? I think it is absolutely disgraceful that it is even being put forward as an amendment. It is disgraceful that the Katter’s Australian Party want to put a young person who went into a restricted area in detention for a year. That is very different to adults making a decision of their own. It is absolutely poor form by those opposite in the crossbench.

While we are talking about those opposite, we should talk about the LNP’s record when it comes to corrective services. We know they do not have a good record in health care or any form of public service. We know their record when they were previously in government, with the 14,000 public servants they marched out the door. That was not restricted to non-custodial staff in our youth detention centres and prisons. The LNP talk about how they are going to be tough on crime, but how can they be tough on crime when they are sacking the people who are there to deal with young offenders and make them better citizens in our communities? That is the record of the LNP—that cut, sack, sell mentality. That mentality saw reoffending of young people go up under the LNP. They do not want to talk about that and they do not want to talk about the fact that their boot camps were utter failures. Their boot camps saw a 66 per cent rise in reoffending, and that is what the LNP are about. They want to victimise people and criminalise people even further by trying to attack them and make sure they do not actually learn how to become better citizens in our community.

It will not surprise me if those opposite in the LNP support the KAP bill because they are about punishing people even further beyond their actual sentence. We know the LNP have that record. They not only have the failed boot camps; they also sacked staff. They sacked not only youth justice staff, cultural liaison officers, social workers and welfare officers throughout the custodial and youth detention services but also 110 senior police. We can never, ever forget that the LNP’s record when it comes to crime is to sack police. It is the same as their record when it comes to health—to sack nurses and health workers. It is the same when it comes to any sort of public service that provides a benefit to our community. The LNP want to absolutely rip it apart because that is the only mentality they know.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Lister): Member for Bundaberg, I have granted you a fairly large degree of latitude, but I ask you to divert back to the substance of the bill in your contribution.

Mr Mander: I hope you took leave from teaching. Mr SMITH: It is far better being a teacher than a referee; I can tell you that. We may not be as

loved by everyone, but we are definitely more loved than referees. That is for sure. That is a universal statement. Of course our referees are wonderful; it is just that one or two had some dodgy calls.

We are talking about custodial officers and correctional officers and keeping them safe. You cannot keep correctional officers safe if you sack them like the LNP did. If you sack correctional officers, they cannot be safe in their workplace because they no longer have a workplace. That is very important to remember when we talk about this bill and the record of the LNP.

This bill looks after our correctional officers and our non-custodial service workers and ensures we have a safer community by empowering those men and women who are on that front line within those centres. We will wait and see what the LNP do around this amendment. Will they stoop so low as to start victimising children even more? That is their record so far. They cut, sack, sell and they have a bully mentality when it comes to ensuring we have a restoration of youth justice in this state. The LNP and Katter’s: for shame.

Mr BOOTHMAN (Theodore—LNP) (3.39 pm): With three minutes left on the clock, I will try to fit in as much as I can with my debate on the bill to do with emerging technologies in the corrective services area. There are a couple of concerns I would like to highlight to do with the drone situation. As an example, the northern boundary of the Stuart prison in Townsville is close to Southwood Road which is right next to the railway line. The legislation talks about being over corrective services land. The issue I have with it is you can fly a drone up from Southwood Road at quite a high altitude over that area and take photographs of the prison itself so that you could do surveillance of the prison. I do not feel that is acceptable. That is something I have expressed to my colleagues previously that this is something that the minister does need to look at. Most drones will have a height limit, but you can easily override that.

23 May 2023 Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 1515

A person who is conducting criminal activity will override that. They will be able to see in there with telescopic lenses on those drones. A lot of drones have telescopic lenses; therefore you could fly that drone up and look straight into the prison. That is my concern. That is an issue the minister does need to deal with.

Another issue the minister needs to deal with is after adjusting the sentencing penalties when it comes to assaulting corrections officers—and God bless all the corrections officers out there for all the fantastic work they do—since 2020-21 and 2021-22, still 11 serious assaults were perpetrated against correctional service staff. It was not a deterrent. How many of those prisoners received the maximum sentence of 14 years? That is the point we put in the statement of reservation. We need to protect these officers better than we are.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Lister): Member for Theodore, I ask you to take your seat, please. Under the provisions of the business program agreed to by the House and the time limit for this stage of the bill having expired, I call the minister to reply to the second reading debate.

Hon. MT RYAN (Morayfield—ALP) (Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services) (3.41 pm), in reply: I would like to start by acknowledging the contributions of members to the debate on a very important bill, the Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022. As we have heard from many members in this House, the government is committed to the safety and security of adult corrective services facilities in Queensland. I am very proud to say that this bill delivers a suite of amendments to ensure the continued and enhanced safety and security of the custodial environment while responding to emerging threats and technology.

These amendments ensure the closed correctional environment keeps pace with change in a complex work area. I am encouraged by the support shown by members of this House for the bill. This bill is also a practical example of the Palaszczuk government’s commitment to prioritising safety and backing frontline officers, as articulated in the Queensland government’s objectives for the community.

Obviously there has been a number of matters raised in the debate, and I would like to take this opportunity now to address some of those issues. I will start with officer safety. We have heard some speakers raise the issue of officer safety, and some members have even suggested that this bill is a missed opportunity to address staff safety. One of the things we should highlight—and this comes to opportunities missed—is that corrective services staff were obviously very fortunate to miss the opportunity of an elected LNP government at the last election, because the LNP went to the last election with a policy—it was there in their costings—to privatise Queensland prisons which would have led to the sacking of public servants. This government has a very proud record when it comes to public operation of—

Mr Mander interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Lister): Member for Everton! I will not be giving any informal

warnings from now on. Any members who interject like that on the minister will receive a warning under the standing orders.

Mr RYAN: In addition to that plan at the last election to privatise Queensland’s prisons, the member for Everton also said that public operations of prisons was wasteful spending. He gave a number of speeches in the parliament about wasteful spending—

Mr Mander interjected. Mr RYAN:—when it comes to the public operation of prisons. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: The member for Everton is warned under the standing orders. Mr POWELL: Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise to a point of order. Can I seek some clarification? The

member for Everton was specifically named in the contribution by the minister. My understanding was that the member for Everton was responding to that direct provocation.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I take your point of order, but I have made my ruling. Mr RYAN: We know, of course, that public operation of prisons is the best way to ensure the

safety and security of those correctional centres and the safety and security of the brave and dedicated staff who work in those centres. We are very proud of our record when it comes to one of the biggest reforms in Queensland corrections history in almost 170 years to ensure that every Queensland correctional centre is in public hands, operated by public servants. These centres are staffed by custodial correctional officers, employed by Queensland Corrective Services, the public operator of correctional services in Queensland, with better job security, better training, better opportunities and

1516 Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 23 May 2023

better and safer working conditions. We have put an end to private prisons in Queensland and every Queensland correctional facility is now focused where they should be on rehabilitation, community safety and staff safety.

Since transitioning Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre from private hands, we have increased staffing ratios and staffing numbers at that centre. We have installed additional safety measures like duress systems, alarms and biometrics. We have purchased new and better emergency response gear, improved staff amenities and enhanced infrastructure for staff security and prisoner safety.

One of the custodial officers at Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre, Bex, said that when the prison was privately operated, ‘You would be on the floor by yourself dealing with up to 62 prisoners. It was very unsafe for both staff and prisoners. You’d call for backup and there’d be no-one there.’ However, when the prison changed to public operations Bex said that the changes were dramatic; that they now have two or three officers on the floor, they now have backup straightaway, and in her words—

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Minister, can I ask you to explain how this is relevant to your bill? Mr RYAN: Of course, Mr Deputy Speaker. With respect, Mr Deputy Speaker, you were one of

the members who talked about missed opportunities. I am responding to missed opportunities to debate in the chamber. It was a missed opportunity at the last election for the LNP when it came to privatising prisons.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I will take some advice. Minister, you may continue. Mr RYAN: Bex said, in her words, now that it is in public operations, ‘It’s so much better than

what it was.’ If the LNP had their way, they would have privatised our prisons, putting all staff at increased risk every single day. For them to suggest they are defenders of staff safety is simply farcical.

By contrast, this government is committed to progressing legislative reforms that support the important roles of frontline corrective services officers and keeps the officers and the community safe. This government acted and doubled the maximum penalty for a prisoner who seriously assaults a corrective services officer to 14 years. This is a strong response to violence against hardworking custodial officers, and it is being utilised already. In fact—

Mr Boothman interjected. Mr RYAN: You would be interested to hear this. I am advised that since amending this offence,

at least 16 persons have been charged with 28 offences against this new offence. I note the members opposite have called for a minimum penalty to be added. They had the opportunity when in government to make that change but took no action. Instead it was left to this government to increase the maximum penalty to 14 years. This government—

Mr Boothman interjected. Mr RYAN: Well, at least 16 persons have been charged with the new offence on 28 occasions.

This government also introduced presumptive workers compensation laws for first responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder including for our hardworking corrective service officers, among others.

In relation to other comments made by members about the number of assaults by prisoners on corrective service officers, they have quoted some numbers in correspondence that the department provided the committee. However, the part that the members did not address was that the number of serious assaults has not increased and that the number of assaults has actually decreased as a rate since 2021-22.

Mr Boothman interjected. Mr RYAN: We will look at Hansard later and see whether I have to write separately to the Speaker

about the record. In contrast, I will run a brief history lesson from the time the members opposite were last in power. The former government closed the Darling Downs correctional centre with 180 corrections staff losing their jobs. They gutted rehabilitation programs and diversion courts. They slashed prison industry programs which were an essential component of prisoner rehabilitation. They have a history of underinvestment in centres. Due to the loss of public servant jobs during the LNP’s leadership, Queensland Corrective Services discontinued maintenance on correctional centres, ancillary services and outsourced training. These actions made our correctional environments unsafe. The LNP’s failure to plan exposed our hardworking frontline correctional officers to increased risk because the LNP’s legacy is one of ripping resources out of correctional centres and not investing in them.

23 May 2023 Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 1517

In contrast, this government has approved over $1 billion in capital works projects across Queensland Corrective Services, supporting the construction industry with an estimated 727 jobs across the design and construction phases. It is hypocritical of those opposite to talk about attrition rates when they actually sacked—

Ms SIMPSON: Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise to a point of order. The minister is not relevant to the legislation. He is just droning on and burning up time when other people want to talk. Let’s get back to the legislation.

Honourable members interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Lister): Order, members. I will take some advice and I will take it in

silence. The debate thus far has been fairly broad and a large degree of latitude has been afforded to members. I believe the minister is broadly within the long title of the bill. I would ask him to be cautious that he remains within the long title of the bill.

Mr RYAN: To inform the member opposite, who might not have heard all of the debate, many members in the debate were talking about investment in infrastructure and staff safety, which is of course directly relevant to the comments that I am making right now.

In contrast, this government is committed to attracting, recruiting, developing and retaining a highly skilled, capable and professional workforce to deliver innovative and effective corrective services to ensure Queensland communities are safe. Under this government, since 2017 the number of full-time-equivalent custodial corrective services staff has increased by almost 1,500 staff. This can be compared to the over 1,800 full-time-equivalent custodial staff that existed under the LNP. In addition, Southern Queensland Correctional Precinct Stage 2 has planned recruitment activity starting this year to fill over 600 roles across custodial operations, psychology and allied health, industries, case and sentence management, rehabilitation programs and administration.

Some members raised queries in relation to the amendments in the bill that provide clear powers in relation to emergencies at youth detention centres. In relation to how a temporary detention centre is chosen, there are several safeguards included. Factors that must be considered include the ordinary use of the space and impact on other places. The temporary centre must be regularly reviewed, including whether a more suitable space is available. In relation to the temporary detention centre staff, the safety of all staff is an essential consideration. All temporary detention centre staff members, whether Public Service employees or temporary detention centre employees, would be covered by the youth detention centre policies, including in relation to health and safety, and would receive training in detention centre operations including physical interventions and safety prior to the commencement of any duties.

I note there were issues raised about which amendments only apply to adult corrective services facilities in relation to the rooftop offence. The new offence to prohibit persons from accessing the rooftop of a corrective services facility is limited to the adult context. I am advised that youth justice uses other approaches for young people to prevent, deter and respond to these incidents and that these methods are effective. Additionally, while criminal penalties might be an effective deterrent for adults, in the youth justice detention context the deterrent effect is reduced, and the member for Bundaberg outlined significantly from his experience some of the reasons behind that.

I would now like to address concerns raised by some members in relation to the new drone offence and the proposed boundary for this offence. I would like to assure members that a neighbour living on the boundary of a corrective services facility will, in fact, be able to fly a drone on their own property without the fear of prosecution. If a person has a reasonable excuse such as a neighbouring farmer legitimately using a drone, no offence will have been committed. Furthermore—

Mr Boothman interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Theodore, you are sailing very close to the wind. Mr RYAN: Furthermore, if a person has the approval—and this is important—of the commissioner

of Queensland Corrective Services to fly a drone over a facility or to take a photo of a facility, no offence will have been committed.

In response to a member’s question about a buffer zone, page 25 of the explanatory notes, clause 15, provides the detail setting out the land on which a drone must not be operated or attempt to be operated without the approval of the chief executive of Queensland Corrective Services. Queensland’s high-security correctional centres are deliberately buffered by government landholdings to provide separation from community. These landholdings are designated as ‘community infrastructure—correctional purposes’ and, as such, prohibit—these are already existing prohibitions—

1518 Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 23 May 2023

public access without prior permission and allow Queensland Corrective Services to enact legislative control measures in the event a trespass occurs. Low-custody facilities are typically arranged in a similar fashion. However, certain facilities that provide supported reintegration activities may be placed within communities such as work camps. Nevertheless, I acknowledge the matters raised by the members and I point those members to the explanatory notes.

I would now like to turn to the issues raised in relation to the use of body worn cameras at corrective services facilities. Before I provide detail of the government’s investment in body worn cameras for Queensland Corrective Services, I can acknowledge the statements from my letter of 22 February this year to the member for Burdekin. The Queensland Police Service and Queensland Corrective Services work closely together on a large range of matters. In this case I am advised that they have already agreed to a transfer of body worn cameras to Queensland Corrective Services. I am surprised that the member raised the matter in the debate given that I wrote to him in February.

Ms Boyd interjected. Mr RYAN: He does not read his letters. Fair dinkum! This transfer will supplement this

government’s significant investment in body worn cameras for Queensland Corrective Services. After an initial rollout of over 200 cameras, this government committed funding in last year’s budget for an additional 500 cameras. The member for Burdekin did ask for an update on this commitment for new body worn cameras. I am advised by Queensland Corrective Services that all 500 units have already been delivered. On the subject of the delivery of commitments, the member for Burdekin is also now probably 700 days overdue for the LNP’s crime plan, so the member for Burdekin is coming last again.

I note the member also raised concerns about how the footage from body worn cameras will be used, including for staff discipline. This issue has already been extensively addressed in the government’s response to the committee report, tabled on 5 May 2023, and in my earlier remarks today. If members had actually read the documents which are associated with this bill, they would already have the answers.

The bill provides for the use of surveillance devices including body worn cameras to be authorised in prescribed circumstances. These prescribed circumstances do not include routine performance management of staff. Recordings are accessed retrospectively following an incident or allegation of corruption or misconduct. Responding to allegations of such conduct, including through staff discipline where appropriate, is essential to maintaining a safe and secure correctional environment. In this respect the amendment does provide for the use of recordings for staff conduct matters as this relates to the purposes that monitoring can be authorised for under the bill.

I will now turn to the concerns raised about the timeliness of the rollout of X-ray body scanners in Queensland corrective services facilities. Queensland Corrective Services is committed to providing new and strengthened opportunities to detect contraband and offer less invasive search methods in use. The importance of these non-invasive search methods is they support the government’s response to recommendation 136 of the second report of the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce, which provided that Queensland Corrective Services move to introduce widespread use of non-invasive screening technology to end the practice of strip searches in all women’s correctional facilities. The new powers also support the implementation of recommendation 20 of the Crime and Corruption Commission’s Taskforce Flaxton, an examination of corruption and corruption risks in Queensland’s prisons, by granting broader powers to search within the closed correctional environment.

I am pleased to say that the industrial stakeholder for custodial officers, the Together union, supports these important amendments. Implementing these new search methods, with revolutionary new technology not previously used within Queensland Corrective Services facilities, takes time. I thank members for raising the issue around how this technology is to be implemented and trialled in Queensland Corrective Services facilities. I point out that the technology to be used in the trial is still being investigated by Queensland Corrective Services to ensure—this is a staff safety issue—that levels of exposure to radiation will be minimal whilst ensuring all technology is subject to other regulation or laws governing the use of technology, including requirements under the Radiation Safety Act and Radiation Safety Regulation, and that Queensland Corrective Services is fully compliant and fully licensed. Radiation is an important issue when you are X-raying people on a regular basis—for staff or prisoners at a correctional centre. Queensland Corrective Services is committed to the safety of corrective services facilities and continues to enhance safety and security, and it will not cut corners to roll out this technology safely and swiftly.

23 May 2023 Corrective Services (Emerging Technologies and Security) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 1519

I would like to now address a query about the amendments in the bill to update the prisoner security classification framework within the Corrective Services Act. Some members have incorrectly asserted that the amendment to remove the maximum security classification will increase risk to safety and escapes at a corrective services facility. I can provide assurances that this is not the case. In reality, the amendment will increase the flexibility in how Queensland Corrective Services manages the most dangerous prisoners within secure facilities in response to individual risk. Rather, the bill provides for the creation of risk subcategories within security classifications which can add an additional layer of risk management tailored to circumstances. The removal of the maximum security classification from the prisoner security classification framework does not alter the risk criteria required to be considered by Queensland Corrective Services when making a maximum security order under the Corrective Services Act.

I would like to acknowledge the outstanding work by frontline staff and the service delivery they contribute in respect of community safety. The correctional system manages a multitude of security risks such as contraband; violence, including domestic and family violence; gangs; violent extremism; and the risk of escape. These risks can also impact the broader community. Through working in partnership with state and Commonwealth corrections and law enforcement agencies, Queensland Corrective Services is able to assist to prevent or reduce crime and its impacts. A key tool supporting this collaboration is the authorised sharing of information, including proactive information sharing where appropriate.

Confidential information about prisoners or corrections can assist law enforcement in preventing crime. Information about offenders can also assist other jurisdictions to manage risk where prisoners relocate. The bill supports community safety by providing clearer legislative guidance for frontline staff to share information with these agencies and support community safety. Although I have had to address a number of issues, I think I have addressed all of the issues raised by members. There were a lot of questions and obviously a lot of information. I am grateful for the interest in the bill. I commend the bill to the House and encourage all members to support it.

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

Consideration in Detail Clauses 1 to 45, as read, agreed to. Mr DAMETTO (4.04 pm): I seek leave to move an amendment outside the long title of the bill. Division: Question put—That leave be granted.

AYES, 36:

Grn, 1—MacMahon. KAP, 3—Dametto, Katter, Knuth. PHON, 1—Andrew.

NOES, 48:

Pairs: Bush, Weir; Lauga, Millar; Pitt, Gerber. Resolved in the negative. Clause 46— Mr LAST (4.10 pm): During my contribution to the second reading debate I alluded to the

provision in this bill relating to the prohibition on the use of drones on or over correctional centre precincts. I reiterate that there should be an exclusion zone similar to that which exists at airports right across Australia.

1520 Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 23 May 2023

For the minister’s benefit, the section is chapter 4 of part 101 of the Manual of Standards published by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. It could operate in a similar manner where there is an exclusion zone over a correctional centre and drones will not be permitted to operate within that exclusion zone. Around correctional centres in Queensland—and I use Arthur Gorrie as an example— there is often a footpath and a bikeway right up against the boundary fence. It is so easy for people to throw contraband drugs et cetera over the fence into that facility, and it happens now.

If this government was serious about prohibiting the use and operation of drones over correctional centres, it would pursue the exclusion zone concept to ensure that drones can not only not fly over these facilities but be prohibited from flying close enough to take detailed photographs and undertake surveillance, because it is surveillance as well that we are talking about here. If these drones are taking detailed surveillance of changing shifts and patrol patterns et cetera, as members would appreciate, that then forms intel for people who may be looking to engage in unlawful activity. I again ask the minister to consider exclusion zones over correctional centre precincts right across Queensland.

Mr RYAN: I just want to quickly respond to that. There is already an offence in the act. It is section 132 of the Corrective Services Act which prohibits the photography or taking vision of a corrective services centre, so we do not need a buffer zone because it is already an offence punishable by two years in jail.

Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Under the provisions of the business program agreed to by the House and the time allocated for this stage of the bill having expired, I will now put all remaining questions. In accordance with sessional order 4, the House must now consider clauses or remaining clauses, schedules and any amendments circulated by the minister in charge of the bill.

Question put—That clause 46, as read, stand part of the bill.

Motion agreed to.

Clause 46, as read, agreed to.

Question put—That clauses 47 to 52 and schedule 1, as read, stand part of the bill.

Motion agreed to.

Clauses 47 to 52 and schedule 1, as read, agreed to.

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

Long Title Question put—That the long title of the bill be agreed to. Motion agreed to.

WASTE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL

Resumed from 22 February (see p. 153).

Second Reading Hon. LM LINARD (Nudgee—ALP) (Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef,

Minister for Science and Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (4.13 pm): I move— That the bill be now read a second time.

The Palaszczuk government is strongly committed to reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfill, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating more good jobs in our state’s recycling and resource recovery industry. This industry currently supports some 12,000 jobs and contributes $1.5 billion to the state’s economy annually. By 2030, we want to stop 80 per cent of material from ending up in landfill and recycle 65 per cent of our rubbish. This is an ambitious but achievable target.

23 May 2023 Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 1521

Our $1.1 billion Recycling and Jobs Fund will invest in new green bins for households, contribute to statewide behaviour change campaigns and co-invest with councils and industry to deliver even more recycling infrastructure across the state.

We must also get the policy settings right if we are to succeed, and that is where this bill is so important. The amendments this bill gives effect to will embed circular economy principles into our Waste Reduction and Recycling Act. By embedding these principles, we will enable improved resource recovery and reduce the long-term environmental impacts of these products. This bill also enacts the Palaszczuk government’s commitments to remove the automatic levy exemption for clean earth delivered to a leviable waste disposal site and ban the release of lighter-than-air balloons from 1 September this year as part of our five-year action plan on single-use plastics.

I want to thank the Health and Environment Committee for its examination of the bill and its report, which was tabled on 14 April 2023. I note the committee’s report contained one recommendation—that the bill be passed—and I thank the committee for this recommendation. I also want to thank those who made submissions to the committee about the bill and those who appeared as witnesses as part of the committee’s inquiry.

I will turn now to the key elements of the bill. The bill removes the automatic levy exemption for clean earth and subsequently removes the definition of ‘clean earth’ to take effect from 1 July 2023. In removing the automatic exemption, the operator of a leviable waste disposal site can apply for an operational purposes exemption that will allow clean earth to be used beneficially for the good operation and maintenance of a landfill without the disposal levy being applied.

This bill will also provide a head of power for a ban on the outdoor release of lighter-than-air balloons commencing from 1 September 2023. Balloon releases are currently considered to be littering under the littering provisions of the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act. However, the introduction of a ban on the release of lighter-than-air balloons provides clarity and certainty for individuals, event organisers and balloon suppliers and fillers and is a preventive measure to avoid the action that leads to littering. In the lead-up to the commencement of the ban, extensive information will be provided to ensure that interested and impacted parties are aware of the ban—which is a ban on the release of lighter-than-air balloons, not a ban on balloons—and what it means to them.

The amendments in this bill will also provide a head of power in the definition of ‘waste’ to enable a thing to be prescribed by regulation to not be a waste. Further, the bill provides the things that are to be considered before the minister can recommend the making of a regulation, including consultation on the proposed change, consideration of the results of consultation and whether the proposed change achieves the objectives of the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act and the Environmental Protection Act 1994. The definition of ‘waste’ will be moved from the Environmental Protection Act to the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act. This provides a strengthened connection with, and consideration of, the circular economy and product stewardship principles and improved resource recovery outcomes as well as environmental protection considerations when considering whether a thing should be prescribed to be not a waste.

This bill will include the circular economy principle as a principle under the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act and include circular economy as a consideration in preparing a waste management strategy. Incorporating the circular economy into the legislation strengthens the connection between circular economy outcomes and their consideration for inclusion in policies, strategies and programs. Amendments in this bill will authorise the chief executive of the Department of Environment and Science to make a decision about amending or suspending a resource recovery area declaration and making a payment to a local government, including to mitigate the direct effects of the waste levy on households in a local government area.

This bill will change the review period for the state’s waste management strategy from three to five years. Changing the review date for the waste strategy gives us the ability to better assess performance against the targets and objectives of the strategy and determine the impact of implemented policies and programs in supporting progress towards the targets.

The bill will set an expiry date of 31 December 2025 for the exemption from the ban for a single-use plastic item that is an integral part of a shelf-ready product. The proposed time-limited exemption is consistent with the time frame of the National Packaging Targets where 100 per cent of all Australian packaging is to be re-usable, recyclable or compostable by 2025 and national work to phase out unnecessary and problematic plastics.

1522 Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 23 May 2023

In respect of committee consideration, the bill was referred to the Health and Environment Committee on 22 February 2023. The committee held a public briefing on 3 March 2023, which was followed by a public hearing and further public briefing on 27 March 2023. The committee’s report was tabled on 14 April and, as I mentioned earlier, it contained one recommendation: that the bill be passed. Through consideration of the various proposals in the bill, the committee also assessed whether proposed new provisions have sufficient regard to rights and liberties of individuals.

In relation to the new offence under section 99GJ(1), which is effective from 1 September 2023, this provides for a 50 penalty unit offence for releasing a lighter-than-air balloon in an outdoor setting or an indoor setting where the balloon is allowed to escape into the environment. Exemptions for this offence apply, including for the release of a lighter-than-air balloon for scientific research. The committee noted that the 50 penalty unit offence is consistent with the penalty for noncompliance with the ban on the supply of single-use plastic items, which commenced on 1 September 2021. However, it is a larger penalty than that existing for general and dangerous littering. The explanatory notes state that ‘the intent of the balloon release ban is to prevent the release action so that the balloon does not become litter’, which warrants a larger penalty to provide that deterrent. The committee commented that, given the desired deterrent effect of this offence provision and its consistency with the single-use plastic items ban, it is satisfied that the proposed new offence has sufficient regard to the rights and liberties of individuals.

Proposed new section 72VA(1) enables the chief executive to amend or suspend a resource recovery area declaration at a waste disposal site if satisfied of certain matters and after undertaking a show-cause process with the site operator. This section provides a new power for the chief executive and allows for a potential escalation of enforcement concerning resource recovery areas. Without the proposed new section, only the operator of a waste disposal site for which a resource recovery area has been declared can amend the declaration; the chief executive may only revoke the declaration. The new section allows the chief executive to amend or suspend a declaration if the chief executive is satisfied that the preconditions for declaring a resource recovery area are no longer met or where an investigation or monitoring of activities on the site is being undertaken. It enables the operator to continue operations without disruption or interruption should the results of the investigation determine no further action is required or where the preconditions for declaring the area are readily remedied. The committee was satisfied that the statutory safeguards in place mean that the proposed new section has sufficient regard to the rights and liberties of individuals.

In acknowledging the committee’s recommendation, I also confirm that I will be proposing for amendments to be moved during consideration in detail as a result of a matter that was raised in several submissions to the committee. The Waste Reduction and Recycling Act requires local governments and state government agencies to prepare a waste management and resource recovery plan and to review that plan every three years. Stakeholders identified that proposing through the bill to change the review date for the waste management strategy from three to five years left an inconsistency with the review period for the local government waste management and resource recovery plans, which remain at three years. The Department of Environment and Science subsequently identified the same inconsistency for state entity waste management plans. Proposed amendments to this bill will provide for a review period of five years for local government and state entity waste plans to align with the review period for the waste management strategy.

I would like to briefly refer to the LNP committee members’ statement of reservation. While I thank the LNP committee members for their deliberations and support for the passage of the bill, I would like to address several of the issues raised. As stated by the Department of Environment and Science, the review of the waste strategy was completed in 2022. However, prior to the draft review report being released with just two years worth of available waste and resource recovery data used to evaluate our progress towards the targets, a third year of data was to become available. With the publication of the annual recycling and waste report in December 2022, a decision was made to recast the review report to include three years worth of data, to provide a more informed picture of how we are tracking. While the outcome of including the additional year’s data made it clear that Queensland is not currently on track to meet the strategy targets, except those in the construction and demolition space, this also provides an opportunity to focus work and investment into key areas. There is certainly a lag time between the implementation of policies and projects, such as processing infrastructure investment and realising the benefit from those projects.

The Palaszczuk government is committed to working with local governments, businesses and the resource recovery industry to improve the way we manage our waste and recover our resources, and to improve the way we collect the information we need to make crucial evidence-based decisions.

23 May 2023 Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 1523

If we had not waited to incorporate the additional data when it was available to do so then the review report released with just two years of data would have shown that we were on track to meet seven of the nine targets. The decision to include the third year was promoting accountability and transparency, not hiding from it, as suggested by the LNP committee members’ statement of reservation.

In relation to the suggestion of censoring councils from making public any concerns about potential waste levy impacts, the purpose is not to restrict councils from talking about the costs and benefits of delivering improved services for communities. The purpose of provisions to prevent misinformation in relation to an annual payment, as it has always been, is to ensure that councils do not misinform householders about the application and impact of the levy on household waste. The Palaszczuk government made a commitment that there would be no direct impact to households as a result of the levy and has delivered on this commitment by providing councils that dispose of household waste at a levy or waste disposal site with an annual payment.

I would also like to thank my predecessor, Minister Scanlon, and her team for their important work in regard to the bill. I acknowledge all of the commitment she has shown to the important reforms in this area. It is a pleasure to follow her. I commend the bill to the House.

Mr O’CONNOR (Bonney—LNP) (4.25 pm): I begin by welcoming the new minister to the environment portfolio. After presiding over the youth crime crisis, I am sure that the minister was one of the happiest people following the recycling reshuffle last week. However, it hurt me greatly to see the environment portfolio tossed around like some sort of consolation-prize ministry. It shows how little Labor actually care about this portfolio. It is actually a really important portfolio, whether it is climate action, conservation or, as in the bill we are talking about, waste management. It really is important to the future of our state. By contrast, I cannot tell you how many of my colleagues on this side of the House tell me that they want my job. That is because the Liberal National Party—

Honourable members interjected. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Pause the clock. The House will come to order. Member, I bring you

back to the long title of the bill. Mr O’CONNOR: The Liberal National Party values the environment, which is why it sits alongside

our innovation and youth portfolios. We still have a youth portfolio but, sadly, I do not have a youth minister to shadow. Like the Paralympic Games debacle where the Premier admitted she got it wrong, again they forgot to put the word ‘youth’ in someone’s title. At the outset, I pass on my condolences to the Labor backbench members of parliament. It has to be really tough—

Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Pause the clock. Member, I have given a clear direction. I ask you to come back to the long title of the bill or I will sit you down.

Mr O’CONNOR: Our thoughts are with you all. As an incoming brief for the new minister, I thought I would run through the things that the former minister listed as her achievements in topics relevant to this legislation before the House. Instead of achievements, I think the better term for them would be announcements, because most of them are yet to be delivered.

Firstly, there is the $1.1 billion Recycling and Jobs Fund, which the minister forgot to mention has seen only $22 million spent in 18 months, that is, two per cent of the fund has been spent in the 18 months since it was announced. Expanding the Containers for Change scheme was done without genuine consultation with some of the people most impacted by the expansion. It also annoyed environment ministers in other states because of the lack of communication and planning, which is really important when you are talking about markets that cross borders.

I will table the five-year road map to ban single-use plastics, which I downloaded this morning. Members will note that it still has a ‘draft’ watermark across it and it uses the word ‘possible’ a lot. Not much within that road map has been confirmed. The word ‘possible’ appears 16 times. Road maps are meant to be clear outlines, especially for industry. This document gives very little certainty. Tabled paper: Document, undated, titled ‘Proposed five-year roadmap for action on single-use plastic items’ [684].

The $262½ million to expand and create new national parks is, again, an overdue announcement that looks good but more than half is not due to be spent until the final year, which is after the next election. None of that will go towards better management, which is really important when feral pigs and weeds are running rampant in our national parks.

Another achievement listed was rolling out the $500 million Land Restoration Fund—again, at a very slow pace. It is sitting at around two per cent being spent by June this year, when that fund was announced in 2019. This Labor government is all about environmental announcements, not environmental outcomes. There are several aspects of this bill which clearly demonstrate this.

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Most people do not like to think about their waste. We throw out what we throw out, we put it in the wheelie bin, we take it down to the street and then we do not think too much more about it. What happens to it afterwards and the impact it might have on our environment does not even cross the minds of most people. However, the impact of waste on our environment cannot be overstated. In the past financial year alone, 4.49 million tonnes of headline waste types went into landfill in our state— nearly 4½ million tonnes in a single year. It is an enormous amount of waste and we know that much of it will take years to break down. From households, half of our waste is organic, and that turns into methane in landfill. Methane is among the most dangerous climate change causing gases.

The bill has a number of policy objectives. It makes changes to the definition of ‘waste’, removes the automatic levy exemption for clean earth, bans the outdoor release of lighter-than-air balloons, makes amendments to suspending a resource recovery area declaration, makes changes to provisions around annual payments to local governments, brings the circular economy principle into legislation, changes the review date for the waste strategy from three to five years and provides an expiry of 31 December 2025 for the exemption from the ban on an otherwise banned single-use plastic item that is integral to a shelf-ready product. The LNP is supportive of practically all of this so we will not be opposing this legislation, but I will later move amendments to address two issues with what is before us. I acknowledge that the minister proposes one amendment that is the same as mine.

The definition of ‘waste’, while seemingly a pretty obvious thing, is important because it determines what we can recover and our overall perspective on that material or item. As we move to a more circular economy, the priority needs to be getting the most out of every material or item before it is disposed of. Moving the definition of ‘waste’ to the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act is designed to aid this perspective, and the additional mechanism to allow for a determination of waste is given in this bill. I find it disappointing to note the lack of consultation on this change with the Waste Recycling Industry Association of Queensland, WRIQ, as the peak body for the waste industry. The fact that their submission demonstrated so little engagement with them in this process of determining the definition or the new mechanism to prescribe through regulation that a thing is not a waste is concerning given how much of the waste and resource recovery industry they support and represent.

While transitioning to a circular economy is part of the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy, the introduction of circular economy principles into legislation has not been included before this time. Clauses 7 and 8 of the bill put this into place. This signifies the different perspective on resources and waste that we need to have. Boomerang Alliance raised issues with the choice of the definition of the principle as it includes subjectivity and should outline more universally accepted principles. These definitions and principles are important to get right to ensure we treat what we see as resources rather than going straight to calling these items ‘waste’. It will enable us to substantially reduce our waste and therefore our impact on the environment.

We also need a government that can work with the waste industry to get the recycling and waste infrastructure that our state needs, but this government’s record has not been good so far. The Resource Recovery Industry Development Program was launched in September 2018. It was meant to be a $100 million waste management revolution. It was to be made available over three years to develop a high-value resource recovery and recycling industry. That sounded promising; however, in July 2021 when the Recycling Modernisation Fund was proposed by the then federal government, things changed course. Despite that program having 289 applications, worth over $811 million, looking for support from the state government, less than $40 million was spent through the RRIDP. Some of that remaining RRIDP funding was recycled into the RMF, and the latest answer to a question on notice I asked about this fund shows that only $13 million has actually been spent—almost half a decade from when it was launched. I take this chance to praise the former federal assistant minister for waste reduction and environmental management, Trevor Evans. He brought in the waste export bans and was central to the creation of this industry support fund. He saw the opportunities Australia has to grow our recycling industries, to manage our own waste here while creating jobs.

It was recently revealed that tens of millions of poppers Queenslanders have collected have been shipped overseas because the government failed to figure out how to recycle them here. The former environment minister said about this— Why would anyone pay for these items, export them, just to send it to landfill?

This completely misses the point. The whole idea of the export ban is to manage our own waste and to establish industries here. Our recycling system should not rely on sending items overseas and hoping for the best. Queensland was the last state to sign up to the Recycling Modernisation Fund, and

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this massively held up this support flowing through for our recycling industry. It was delay after delay. The federal website has only just been updated to include Queensland projects—years after those in other states have started operating. Again, it goes to environmental announcements versus environmental outcomes. You cannot just announce a fund and say ‘job done’; you have to actually make sure outcomes are being achieved.

The draft waste strategy review has shown that the government is on track to reach only two of its nine targets, but when it comes to explaining why all we get is excuse after excuse. We need a government that can take accountability. We can create the infrastructure we need either by getting it built ourselves or by working with industry to give them confidence to build it, but this government’s answer is to just move the goalposts.

One of the remarkable things about the committee process for this bill was that it revealed the government is currently in violation of the current act. The minister was correct to say that the review was completed mid last year—and it was due to be completed by then—but there was also a requirement in the act to release it for consultation. That never happened. Clearly, with the numbers looking bad, the government waited for additional data in the hope that it would look better. When it did not, it went about bringing in these laws to change the act to push it out to five years. It was only after questioning from the opposition that we actually saw the draft strategy revealed and released. We can understand why they hid it, with only two of their nine targets on track to being met.

Let us look at one of those more carefully: municipal solid waste, or household waste. It was given a diversion target of 55 per cent by 2025 in the 2019 strategy. The target was established with a baseline figure of 32 per cent diversion for Queensland in 2018. Since then, what has been the progress? Are we halfway there? Are we at 43 per cent diversion from landfill? Are we at 40 per cent? No, we are not. It is not even the government’s usual snail’s pace of less than a per cent or something like that; we have actually gone backwards. For all of the government’s talk, we are now back to only 27 per cent of Queensland household waste being diverted. The chance of achieving a target of 55 per cent in just two years is completely out of reach. That is especially likely when we do not have a clear pathway forward. If we had a clear organic strategy for when we will see kerbside organic bins taking this waste, even just in the south-east, then we might have more of a chance but, once again, this government has dragged its feet and been more interested in announcements than action. The government was hiding from this reality in delaying the review. Now that we have it, we can see just how off track Labor is when it comes to recycling.

Given that the bill now pushes the review requirement out to five years, it is only logical to extend this same time frame to local governments. We have heard time and time again that if something is good enough for councils and councillors then it is good enough for state MPs and the state government. There should be consistency across the board. If the government is genuine about the fact that longer review periods allow for more analysis of the impact of the strategy, it should extend that to local governments. As I mentioned, the LNP will be moving two amendments to this bill. The first covers that issue—the minister has flagged that as well—and the second seeks to amend section 126 of the act. I table those amendments. Tabled paper: Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023, amendments to be moved by Mr Sam O’Connor MP [685].

Tabled paper: Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023, explanatory notes to Mr Sam O’Connor’s amendments [686].

When it comes to the removal of the automatic clean earth exemption, we have again seen failures of this government to work with industry and to simply communicate. Even with submissions from the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia, the Waste Recycling Industry Association Queensland, Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd, LGAQ and the South-East Queensland division of the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand all raising the issue of the clean earth exemption and how the removal of the automatic exemption will work back in March this year, months later the government still has not resolved the issue. It still appears that many of these stakeholders have not felt communicated with. We are weeks away from this being in operation, and landfill operators are still getting mixed messages on what this will mean and how it will work.

There are still questions being raised and I ask the minister in her response to clarify whether: clean earth can be used for resource recovery activities; clean earth can be used operationally; operators need to remove stockpiles of clean earth by 1 July; and if operators need to purchase clean earth for their project, will it be considered a waste? I understand the department has confirmed that

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removing the exemption is not intended to penalise operators of leviable waste disposal sites who use clean earth for operational activities; however, the message is clearly not getting through and there is still clarity needed on other operational matters. If people on the ground do not know all the answers to these questions then the government has not done its job properly. The government cannot just get up and say that they are sorting this; they need to lead.

Queensland has the lowest recycling rates of any state in the nation. Industry is crying out to work with the government on these issues and yet they are constantly left wanting. Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association Australia said in its submission— ... WMRR is compelled to address the comments in the Explanatory Notes that there has been consultation on a number of the aspects of the Bill. Regrettably WMRR must refute this statement, particularly in relation to the provisions that relate to clean earth. The reality is that since 2020, and the implementation of the waste levy, WMRR has been at pains to have the Department of Environment and Science, work collaboratively with industry (operators and local government) to address the numerous concerns held about clean earth management in Queensland, including classification and levy liability. To date these issues, remain largely unresolved, and industry was completely unaware of the proposals contained in this Bill until its tabling which is greatly disappointing for all those impacted.

Most submitters made it clear that they were not against the removal of the automatic exemption. All they wanted to know was how it would work. Clean earth is an important part of best practice management of landfills to provide daily cover and building infrastructure. The Waste Recycling Industry Association of Queensland has described it as ‘critically important for good environmental outcomes such as controlling odour, vector attraction and litter, as well as legal compliance with the conditions imposed on environmental authorities’. I will say it again: all we need is better or some communication and education about how this is going to work and a reasonable approach to ensure landfill operators are not unduly burdened. The committee report noted— The explanatory notes advise that, ‘discussions with impacted sectors will continue to ensure a smooth transmission and minimal disruption up to and following the removal of the exemption’. This is clearly not the case and I ask the new minister to urgently follow this up to ensure operators are clear about the new guidelines.

The mass release of lighter-than-air balloons can have lethal consequences for our wildlife. The LNP supports the ban on these releases, but again we urge the government to do more to educate the community on this change. It is worth acknowledging that, in large part, many of these releases happen at events of mourning and are designed to bring hope to a family or a community that is grieving. I do not think anyone wants to see these items end up in a litter stream or doing damage to our environment so careful communication on this issue is required to ensure there is clarity in the community about what is permitted and what is not permitted, particularly in such emotional situations.

When the single-use plastic ban came in there were some items that required single-use plastics like straws on poppers, forks in salad bowls and other similar things. These items were exempt to allow industry to come up with viable alternatives. This bill brings in an expiry of this exemption by 31 December 2025. This should allow ample time for industry to plan and eliminate these items without crippling their processes.

The amendments to section 73 of the bill concern annual payments to local governments. These are important administrative matters, including mechanisms for local governments to identify where there has been an underpayment and to have additional payments made without regulation and clarification that councils must use these annual payments to mitigate any direct impact on households. These are necessary and important changes. I have spoken to a number of local governments that have received underpayments and are looking forward to this simplified process.

However, the amendments to section 73DE go too far and they endanger genuine partnerships between these two levels of government. The amendment of this section was not communicated to the sector before the introduction of this bill. The need for this change was also not communicated in the explanatory notes. The government tried to sneak this in, to further silence mayors and councillors and they have been caught out. It is understandable, given this, that the LGAQ have had the reaction they did. I will read from their submission, which states— Local government, as the level of government closest to the community and the level of government responsible for imposing the State’s waste levy on its behalf, has been keen to ensure this commitment is met, particularly as the State moves to reduce the amount of advance payments to councils over the next decade, starting from June 30, in exchange for promised funding to build the industry and infrastructure needed to ensure households have access to the options they need to reduce the amount of waste going into landfill.

The LGAQ rejects any attempts to censor councils from making public any concerns about potential impacts as the sector and the State navigate the revised advance payment trajectory. This submission requests that this amendment therefore does not proceed.

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As the annual payments decrease, it is on the assumption that there will be better infrastructure and higher rates of recycling. There is a huge amount of work for councils to do to achieve this. There is also a massive requirement on the state government. We have seen how lax they have been in achieving the outcomes they set out in their own waste strategy since its introduction, so I understand the concerns that councils have with what will happen in the future.

Misinformation is one thing, but an elected representative should not feel muzzled from calling out the government of a different level where they feel they are not getting a fair share for their area. It is vitally important for our democracy. I want to be clear: we are in no way advocating for misinformation to be distributed. However, when it comes to the waste levy and what costs filter through to households, it is not straightforward and there is uncertainty about what the next decade will look like. Councillors should be free to express their frustration or to call on the government to act if they feel it is necessary or even if it is uncomfortable. They should never feel muzzled. As now tabled, the LNP will also be moving an amendment to omit this change to that section of the bill and restore it to the definition of misinformation that currently stands.

To wrap up, getting waste management right in our state is incredibly important to protect our environment because when we get it wrong the impacts are substantial and long-lasting. It can also create jobs and opportunities across Queensland and our state should be leading in this space. We need a government capable of doing more than just announcing things. The Recycling and Jobs Fund is only as good as how much is actually spent. To have that amount sitting at just two per cent after 18 months is a clear failure. The LNP will not be opposing this bill, but I will be moving the amendments I outlined to protect free speech for councillors and to ensure their review obligations do not differ from those the state government sets for itself.

Mr HARPER (Thuringowa—ALP) (4.47 pm): I rise to make my contribution to the Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023. I will start by thanking the hardworking members of the committee: the member for Pumicestone; the member for Lytton; the member for Southport, the deputy chair; the member for Mirani; and now the member for Glass House. Talk about recycling: I find it ironic that the shadow minister for environment has left the Health and Environment Committee. We welcome the member for Glass House who may well improve the attendance records, member for Bonney. We look forward to his contribution. Talk about recycling.

With the indulgence of the House, I take a moment to commend and acknowledge the previous minister for the environment, the Hon. Meaghan Scanlon, for her dedication and commitment to doing a number of things in her previous role, including introducing this bill, to tackle the real and incredibly challenging issues of protecting our environment, protecting the Great Barrier Reef and tackling climate change and to making real and constructive changes in terms of how we all in this great state of Queensland continue to address these issues for the benefit of future generations of Queenslanders. These are Labor valued principles, each based on sound, fundamental scientific evidence to make sure we look after the very planet that gives each of us life. We will continue good, sensible policies with the core aim to address the real and current issues affecting our environment such as waste and recycling. Well done, Minister. I also welcome the opportunity to work with Minister Leanne Linard, now the Minister for the Environment, who I am sure will continue to do the right thing by Queenslanders by adopting that same sensible approach.

On 22 February 2023, the bill was referred to the Health and Environment Committee for examination, with a reporting date of 14 April 2023. The committee held a public briefing on the bill on 3 March 2023, followed by a public hearing and further public briefing on 27 March 2023. The committee called for submissions on the bill for its inquiry and received 16 submissions. Submitters were broadly supportive of the bill’s aims, with divergent views about whether or not proposed reforms go far enough to secure best practice environmental outcomes. Submitters provided various suggestions for potential further reforms.

The committee has made one recommendation, that the bill be passed. The stated objectives of the Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 are to amend the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 and the Environmental Protection Act 1994 to remove the automatic levy exemption for clean earth and subsequently remove the definition of ‘clean earth’, to take effect from 1 July 2023. Some from industry or the opposition may say that there was not enough time to plan for this change. May I remind members that on 11 December 2021 our government announced its intention to remove the clean earth exemption, coming into effect on 1 July 2023, following the first stage review of the efficacy of the waste levy.

1528 Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 23 May 2023

The bill also seeks to ban the outdoor release of lighter-than-air balloons from 1 September 2023. There was a lot of support for this particular clause as well, as we heard directly from people working in the marine environment of the damage to marine animals and the environment due to this waste product that finds itself in our waterways and on the Great Barrier Reef. To clarify, the ban is not a ban on balloons but a ban on the outdoor release of any number of lighter-than-air—helium—balloons. To ensure there is a consistent message regarding this release ban, further work will be undertaken with environmental groups, local governments, balloon suppliers and retailers, and other affected organisations.

Importantly, the bill includes the circular economy principle as a principle under the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act. I will talk a little more about the circular economy principle as it essentially makes perfect sense to recycle as much as we can where we can. That can be achieved by understanding and following the waste and resource recovery hierarchy and various principles to support improved waste and resource recovery management. The proposed amendment provides for the inclusion of the circular economy principle to ensure that circular economy considerations form part of the decision-making processes.

The bill will also authorise the chief executive of the Department of Environment and Science to make a decision about amending or suspending a resource recovery area declaration. It will authorise the chief executive to make a decision about making a payment to a local government including to mitigate direct effects of the waste levy on households in a local government area.

I note that the bill will change, through the amendments, the review period for the state’s waste management strategy from three to five years. Thank you to the minister for listening to the LGAQ, who raised concerns on this issue. Importantly, the bill will set an expiry date of 31 December 2025 for the exemption from the ban for a single-use plastic item that is an integral part of a shelf-ready product.

The other policy objective of the bill is to provide a head of power in the definition of ‘waste’ to prescribe through regulation that a thing is not a waste and move the definition of ‘waste’ from the Environmental Protection Act 1994 to the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011. Consequential amendments are also required to other legislation as a result of moving the definition of ‘waste’ from the Environmental Protection Act to the waste act.

Providing a mechanism other than an end-of-waste code or approval to determine whether or not something is a waste arose out of consultation during the levy efficacy review in June 2022 and as part of the end-of-waste code review. Prescribing a thing to not be a waste through regulation provides the ability to consider several factors when deciding whether to recommend the making of the regulation without placing a reliance solely on whether a thing is suitable for the development of the end-of-waste code or approval to become an end-of-waste resource.

In conclusion, I want to give a shout-out to the Tidy Up Townsville team, who are doing a huge waste clean-up in our local government area. I congratulate them for their hard work. They are removing a lot of waste from our local waterways. I commend the bill to the House.

Mr MOLHOEK (Southport—LNP) (4.54 pm): Today I rise to address the Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023. I add my thanks to those of the chair to the members of the committee and to the secretariat for the work they have undertaken. This legislation aims to enhance our waste management practices and safeguard our environment for generations to come. While we in the LNP endorse several elements of the bill, some crucial areas still warrant further refinement and development.

The primary objectives of the bill are as follows: to provide a head of power in the definition of ‘waste’ to prescribe through regulation that a thing is not a waste; to shift the ‘waste’ definition from the Environmental Protection Act 1994 to the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011; to revoke the automatic levy exemption for clean earth and remove the definition of ‘clean earth’; to create a legal foundation for banning the outdoor release of lighter-than-air balloons; to empower the chief executive to make decisions about amending or suspending a resource recovery area declaration and issuing payments to a local government; to incorporate the circular economy principle as a tenet within the waste act; to alter the waste strategy review requirement time frame from three to five years; and to provide an expiry of 31 December 2025 for the exemption from the ban for an otherwise banned single-use plastic item that is integral to a shelf-ready product.

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The LNP is in favour of the prohibition on releasing lighter-than-air balloons outdoors. We acknowledge the detrimental impact such balloons pose to our environment and wildlife. We applaud the government’s dedication to implementing necessary measures to minimise their effects. However, we urge the government to emphasise public awareness to ensure comprehensive understanding and compliance with these new regulations.

The elimination of the automatic exemption for clean earth is another initiative that we support. However, we urge the government to collaborate with stakeholders, particularly waste management operators, to ensure that the practical implementation of this modification is handled effectively. Given the limited time until the exemption removal takes effect, it is essential for the government to closely cooperate with industry stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition.

While these aspects of the bill are positive, we must express our concern regarding the government’s failure to meet its self-imposed deadlines and targets for waste strategy assessments. This negligence not only reflects a disregard for the environment but also a lack of commitment to the wellbeing of Queenslanders. We have an obligation to hold the government responsible and to advocate for increased transparency in waste management.

The overdue waste strategy review indicates that Queensland is not on track to achieve many of its objectives. More household waste is going into landfill now than before the waste levy was announced half a decade ago. Queensland’s municipal solid waste recycling rates have also regressed from 2018, falling from 31 per cent to 27 per cent, despite a target of 50 per cent by 2025. This lack of progress raises questions about the effectiveness of the government’s waste management strategies and their commitment to a circular economy. The review identified a significant failure in public awareness, with only a quarter of Queenslanders aware that they should be reducing their waste output each year. This highlights the need for the government to do more to educate the public about the importance of waste reduction.

We also have concerns about the proposed alteration to the definition of ‘misinformation’ under section 73DE of the bill. This change, introduced without consultation with local governments, could potentially limit elected members’ ability to criticise government actions. We must safeguard the rights of elected officials to express their apprehensions without fear of reprisal. This effort to modify the definition of ‘misinformation’ highlights the government’s intention to retain power at any cost. Muzzling elected members through legislation only serves to weaken democracy and further consolidate the government’s authority. We must resist such endeavours and defend the fundamental right to free speech in our democratic system.

In light of these concerns, we recommend that government waste strategy evaluations align with the updated state time line of five years. This alignment would ensure consistency across state and local governments and guarantee a unified approach to achieving shared objectives. This measure could help address the government’s failure to make deadlines and targets.

We echo the concerns raised by the Local Government Association of Queensland regarding the broadening of the definition of ‘misinformation’ under clause 73DE of the bill. As the LGAQ stated in their submission, they reject any attempt to censor councils for making public any concerns about potential impacts. This is an issue that requires further discussion and consideration.

While the LNP supports numerous components of the Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023, we believe that improvements can be made. We call upon the government to work closely with stakeholders to address the concerns raised and ensure a smooth transition to a more efficient waste management system. By joining forces we can safeguard our environment, minimise waste and foster a sustainable future for all Queenslanders. We must also remain vigilant against any attempts by government to undermine democracy and suppress the voices of our elected officials. Our responsibility lies with the people of Queensland, and we will persist in advocating for their best interests irrespective of the obstacles we encounter.

Ms PEASE (Lytton—ALP) (5.00 pm): Happy World Turtle Day 2023! I would like to start on a very positive note, particularly after that story of doom and gloom about the terrible track record we have as the government here in Queensland. It is disappointing to sit and listen to this rhetoric that ‘everything’s bad; you’ve done a terrible job’. The Palaszczuk Labor government has introduced an exceptional amount of great environmental policy, and it is alarming to have to listen to the rot that is been rolled out by that side. Let’s not forget that this is the team that got rid of the waste levy that the Labor government introduced.

1530 Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 23 May 2023

Excuse me, Mr Deputy Speaker, there is someone filming parliament on their phone just there. They are not allowed to do that.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Krause): Member for Lytton, thank you. You may continue. Ms PEASE: I thought it was a breach of standing orders to do that. I would like to report that. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: You have raised the point and we are having a look at it. Ms PEASE: Again, happy World Turtle Day! That side over there was responsible for removing

the waste levy. Terrific work! So after all of the great work the previous Labor government did to reduce waste, Queensland then became the dumping ground for all of Australia. Companies could drive up over the border and dump all of their waste. We have reintroduced the waste levy. I will give a tiny example of some of the great things we have done: we introduced the Containers for Change scheme. That has helped so many charity organisations across Queensland. It is sensational. Those are the positive things we have done—not all the naysaying and doom and gloom—and we continue to do great things.

The Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 will amend the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 and the Environmental Protection Act 1994. The bill gives effect to a decision announced on 11 November 2021 to remove the automatic levy exemption for clean earth delivered to a leviable waste disposal site. The clean earth levy exemption has been in place since 1 July 2019, when the disposal levy was reintroduced. Between 1 July 2019 and 1 July 2022, more than 3.9 million tonnes of clean earth was delivered to leviable waste disposal sites. Removing the general exemption incentivises the re-use of clean earth over disposal.

That is really a great piece of legislation because it means that, instead of dumping good quality earth, it can be used for purposes such as resurfacing football fields and upgrading yards and foot paths in property development areas. This will also bring Queensland’s treatment of clean earth into line with levy frameworks in other states and territories. A landfill operator will be able to apply for an operational purpose exemption for using earth and material for things like landfill day cover without this earth attracting a levy liability.

The bill also gives effect to an announcement made on 1 July 2022 banning the release of lighter-than-air balloons, which will commence on 1 September 2023. As the member for Thuringowa said, it is not banning balloons; it is banning the release of helium balloons, not the balloons themselves. The bill will amend the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act to introduce a ban on the outdoor release of these lighter-than-air balloons.

I am particularly pleased about this ban. My electorate is surrounded by the magnificent Moreton Bay Marine Park, so I am particularly happy to talk about this on World Turtle Day. The Moreton Bay Marine Park is seen as Brisbane’s playground. It is a place for fishing, boating and enjoying the outdoor Queensland lifestyle. The marine park is also home to hundreds of important species. They live in a complex web, depending on each other for food and shelter. Some of these plants and animals are under pressure from human and other impacts. A number of plans and strategies are in place to ensure the long-term survival of these threatened species, including the Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan.

Moreton Bay Marine Park has the highest recorded diversity and abundance of resident and transient cetaceans in Australia. Humpback whales visit Moreton Bay Marine Park when migrating to and from their southern feeding grounds between June and October. Eight species of dolphins have already been recorded in the park including two resident species: the bottlenose and the Australian humpback dolphin. Throughout the year other species are also known to visit the marine park, including: killer whales, southern right whales, sperm whales, melon-headed whales, minke whales, common dolphins, spinner dolphins and Risso’s dolphins.

Moreton Bay Marine Park is also home to many shorebirds, which make up about 10 per cent of Australia’s bird species. Most breed in the Northern Hemisphere, and about 40,000 shorebirds migrate to Moreton Bay Marine Park each year. Many others reside permanently in the park, which is where my electorate sits. The dugong, which is the only plant-eating mammal that lives its entire life in the marine environment, also lives in Moreton Bay. They feed exclusively on seagrass, which is a flowering plant found throughout the shallow banks of Moreton Bay Marine Park. The marine park has over 120 different species of coral and is home to the turtle—Happy Turtle Day again—and the grey nurse shark.

That is why the ban on the release of lighter-than-air balloons is so important to the magnificent Moreton Bay Marine Park and all that live within it. Following community, industry and business consultation showing strong support to expand the ban on single-use plastics, a ban on the mass release of lighter-than-air balloons was announced to commence 1 September 2023. Balloons have a

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significant impact on the environment, with wildlife potentially choking on balloons if eaten or becoming entangled in strings, ribbon or foil that might be attached to them. Releasing balloons is currently a littering offence, however, it is often unclear to people. Banning the outdoor release of lighter-than-air balloons makes it clear what the offence is. It is a targeted, preventative measure to avoid this occurrence.

I would like to acknowledge the great work of the committee and the member for Thuringowa, the chair, and thank the committee secretariat. I would like to welcome and acknowledge the new minister, Minister Linard, and the previous minister. All members on this side of the House care very much about our environment and providing a safe and wonderful place for our children’s children and our children’s grandchildren. I commend the bill to the House.

Mr ANDREW (Mirani—PHON) (5.08 pm): I am pleased to rise to contribute to the debate on the Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023. It was introduced into the Queensland parliament on 22 February 2023. The bill amends provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 to better embed the goals for, and practical information of, circular economy principles.

The Queensland government has set out a number of worthy targets that are aimed at halving the state’s food waste, stopping 80 per cent of material from ending up in landfill and recycling 65 per cent of our rubbish by 2030. The amendments proposed in this bill amend the definition of ‘waste’ to allow for a thing to be declared not waste through regulation. It will also move the definition of waste from the Environmental Protection Act 1994 to the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011.

The purpose of the amendment is to provide security and flexibility for those investing in the circular economy processes and products. I support this amendment as it will ensure that valuable materials can more easily be remanufactured or recycled for other purposes. It also sends a strong signal to the waste industry that it can invest in Queensland with confidence. The removal of the clean earth levy exemption brings Queensland into line with other states, where the waste levy applies to any clean earth disposed of in a landfill or waste facility. Hopefully, its removal will incentivise its re-use in the building sector.

The bill also gives the regulator broader powers for making decisions about amending or suspending a resource recovery area, RRA, declaration. The current legislation only permits the chief executive to revoke an RRA in response to an identified compliance issue. Once revoked under the current legislation, the area must be quarantined for 12 months before it can be re-declared. Under the bill’s changes, the regulator can now suspend the RRA to investigate compliance issues on site. However, where no further action is required, the resource recovery area can then continue to operate without the current 12-month wait time. This provides much greater flexibility around compliance activities in these areas. All of these changes, whilst technical, incrementally narrow the scope for exemptions under the act. They are consistent with the Waste Reduction and Recycling Regulation 2011 which phases out exemptions on road planings from 30 June 2023, aluminium sludge from 30 June 2024 and fly ash from 30 June 2029.

The bill introduces into the waste act a specific definition of ‘circular economy’ and ‘circular economy principle’, with the goal of embedding the concept into Queensland’s legislative framework. The circular economy is also explicitly included in the state’s waste management strategy as well as local government strategic planning on waste. On paper, Queensland has committed to ambitious strategies and targets for waste avoidance and recovery which, if realised, would result in many of the targets in the Commonwealth’s national action plan being met.

In 2019 Queensland implemented its Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy, providing a strategic framework for achieving the objectives of the national waste policy. It set the following targets for 2050: 25 per cent reduction in household waste, 90 per cent recovery rate across all waste types and 75 per cent recycling rates across all waste types. This framework is underpinned by the waste disposal levy, which commenced on 1 July 2019, and covers approximately 90 per cent of Queensland’s population. As the minister stated in her introductory speech— By embedding these principles across all aspects of the products that we design, manufacture and use we will enable improved resource recovery and reduce the long-term environmental impacts of these products.

However, despite these efforts, Queensland is a long way from being on track to meet its state or national waste targets.

According to a report by Waste and Recycling Industry of Queensland titled Untangling Queensland’s waste levy conundrum, Queensland still lags behind almost every other jurisdiction in Australia on several fronts, particularly its progress toward meeting the national waste targets. Critically,

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Queensland’s targeted recycling rate is only expected to reach 65 per cent by 2030—a level well short of the 80 per cent recycling target for 2030 set out in the national action plan. To successfully transition to a circular economy, the government needs to do much more in terms of addressing the uncertainty and confusion encountered by market operators who are responsible for turning waste into a resource. This means rethinking the productivity of waste and addressing many of the regulatory gaps that are still acting as a constraint on the resource recovery activities in Queensland.

By far the biggest hurdle Queensland faces in reaching its goals on waste is the state’s major recycling infrastructure gap. According to the minister, the government is co-investing with councils and industry to deliver even more recycling infrastructure across the state. However, again, the reality is Queensland still has a long way to go if it is to achieve this. There is insufficient infrastructure capacity across every category of waste in Queensland—including plastics, e-waste, organics, paper and cardboard—to even be close to achieving the national action plan’s recovery rate of 80 per cent in Queensland. Actions to expand infrastructure capacity are now absolutely critical to ensuring that Queensland has the necessary infrastructure to realise its circular economy targets.

There is also an urgent need for further action to be taken upstream to support the whole-of-lifestyle transformation envisaged by the national action plan. To realise this potential, the government needs to play a stronger role in ensuring there are commercially viable onshore markets capable of facilitating a circular economy. It requires targeted policies to address regulatory gaps, incentives for the use of recycled materials and additional infrastructure to support resource and recycling activities. Without effective coordination between government and industry, many of the strategies and policies will be a complete waste of time. The government should be discussing with waste companies exactly what they need to boost their businesses, ensure profitability and drive investment.

Secondly, we need to rethink how recycled products should be designed and produced. The products we use and the way we use them need to be fit for a future where reduce, re-use and repair come first. Consideration should be given to legislating requirements on mandatory recycled content. New products should be made fully recyclable, made chemically safe and, ideally, made from recycled materials themselves. Next to that, we need to be looking into the issue of producer responsibility and harmonised systems of waste collection. Longstanding difficulties in closing the loop also remain, with some buyers reluctant to purchase recycled or remanufactured materials. This is compounded by the low manufacturing base in Australia, with limited local demand for recycled materials as a manufacturing input.

These findings of the National waste report released on 16 December 2022 should be used to inform the state’s future waste planning and its strategies to improve landfill management and promote circular economy opportunities. Currently, there are multiple large-scale thermal energy-from-waste facilities under construction in Australia, including here in Queensland. While the role of incineration in waste management appears to be popular at the moment, it is hardly a sustainable practice in the circular economy. At the very least, these facilities should not be using plastic feedstocks or allowed to divert investment away from the state’s much needed recycling initiatives and infrastructure projects.

A report presented at the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, stated that Australia is still dumping plastic waste in Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries, despite ending exports of raw plastic waste in 2020. Australian states, including Queensland, continue to ship plastic waste fuel, which contains toxic chemical additives, including organic pollutants and heavy metals. There are grave implications for human health in this, due to toxicity risks and hazards of waste containing toxic additives, which are amplified when burnt. The report by the International Pollutants Elimination Network shows how Australia’s plastic fuel waste is being dumped on the shores of at least eight member states. This practice is a form of waste colonialism and an embarrassing example of the complete hypocrisy of the country’s leaders. As the report states— Australia’s policy approach, while superficially appearing to take responsibility for recycling its waste instead of exporting it, is a cynical exercise in reprocessing and repackaging the same low-grade waste for export under the guise of ‘fuel’ to be burned.

The report added that the Australian waste export ban announcement in 2020 amounts to little more than a public relations exercise to maintain waste movement out of Australia and into less wealthy countries. To quote the minister’s introductory speech one last time— This is about getting things done, not just talking about them.

I would like to thank the secretariat and all of the committee. I have put my views forward.

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Ms KING (Pumicestone—ALP) (5.18 pm): The Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill is a big picture bill. It is about taking real action on waste which is essential: for our economy, because for every job in the landfill sector there are three times as many jobs in recycling; for our environment, to stop pollution going into our waterways and protected areas and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and for communities across the state. Our government places a high value on this sector, which contributes $1.5 billion to the Queensland economy each year and supports 12,000 jobs.

Our Palaszczuk government’s 2030 targets to halve food waste, reduce material going to landfill by 80 per cent and recycle 65 per cent of rubbish are tough but achievable with the real actions contained in this bill. While traditional take-make-dispose life cycles are contributing to a waste tsunami that puts Queensland’s environmental wellbeing at risk, this bill takes action to significantly shift the current policy settings. As amended, it embeds circular economy principles into our Waste Reduction and Recycling Act, seeking to ensure that all aspects of the products we design, manufacture and use contribute to improved resource recovery and a reduction in the long-term environmental impacts of our products. Importantly, it also delivers on our government’s 2021 commitment to remove the automatic levy exemption for clean earth delivered to a leviable waste disposal site, recognising clean earth as a valuable product, the re-use of which should be incentivised.

We announced the removal of the clean earth levy exemption in December 2021, allowing considerable time for the industry to respond before the removal of the levy commences on 1 July this year. Removal of the levy exemption brings Queensland into line with New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria. Project or landfill operators can continue to use clean earth as an alternative to disposal at a waste facility, and landfill operators can also apply for an operational purpose exemption where clean earth delivered to a leviable waste disposal site is used for good operation and maintenance of the site.

Suzanne Toumbourou from the Australian Council of Recycling noted that council members specifically support the removal of the automatic clean earth exemption from the waste levy. Ms Toumbourou stated, ‘Let’s not kid ourselves, recycling is an expensive exercise and it needs to be supported by legislative structures like the waste levy that drive materials away from landfill.’

This bill also meets Labor’s 2022 commitment to ban the release of lighter-than-air balloons as part of our five-year action plan on single-use plastics, with that ban on release commencing on 1 September this year. While releasing balloons currently meets the definition of ‘littering’ under the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act, taking steps to specifically ban their release provides clarity and will help prevent littering before it occurs. As the Department of Environment and Science noted in their submission, balloons have a significant impact on our waterways, they risk choking birds and snaring mammals while strings or ribbons attached can tangle and starve turtles, birds and other animal life. Let’s be clear, it will remain legal to decorate your child’s party, or the member for Bonney’s bedroom, with helium balloons. What will be prohibited is releasing those balloons.

This bill was supported right across the list of stakeholders who gave evidence. The head of corporate affairs at Cleanaway congratulated the Queensland government for legislating Queensland’s transition to a genuine domestic circular economy. Submitters were supportive of the proposal to extend review time frames from three to five years to maintain consistency across jurisdictions, and I note the amendments foreshadowed for circulation by the minister.

Waste is not glamorous, but managing it well is essential to protecting Queensland’s environment. Who can forget the dire consequences of the LNP’s ill-thought-out decision to cancel the waste levy that turned Queensland into the dumping ground of the east coast?

I thank my fellow committee members, the previous minister and our incoming minister, the member for Nudgee, and I know that she will make important contributions in this space. This bill represents an important set of next steps in our transition to a circular economy for Queensland, and I commend it to the House.

Mr LISTER (Southern Downs—LNP) (5.22 pm): I, too, wish to make a contribution to this bill. I will confine my remarks to two particular aspects. It will come as no surprise to members in this House that I am very sympathetic to the position of local government on these kinds of things.

Mr McDonald: Hear, hear!

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Mr LISTER: I take that acknowledgement from my honourable friend, the member for Lockyer, because not only is he in touch with local government, he actually was local government; he was the mayor, and a very good mayor he was, too. In all seriousness, I read between the lines in talking to councillors and councils in my neck of the woods that wherever there is change or reform in waste management, it always causes a great deal of concern on the part of councils. Inevitably, they are at the coalface—they have to make do with the regime that is put upon them—and some of the moves by a government can be interpreted with a bit of suspicion about what their future use will be.

I note the LGAQ’s concerns about clean fill and the current exemption arrangements and how some form of exemption will continue. I would just like to say to the government that this particular issue is one that does cause concern for councils. I see a friendly look from the immediate past minister for the environment and I take that as an assurance that the government has no intention to trespass upon councils in terms of the use of clean fill at their waste sites. I see a nod? No, I did not quite get that one, but we can live in hope.

I would like also to talk about the implications for free speech under this bill, and I am not the first opposition member to do so. I was thinking about Sean Dillon, the Mayor of the Barcaldine Shire. I was just discussing him with my honourable friend, the shadow minister for local government, the Member for Warrego. What happened to him was a virtuoso example of what has been happening to councillors and the fear they live under just for expressing their views, or just for operating in the democratic environment. Every Australian, every Queenslander, has a right to express their views on things, and the provisions in this bill are arbitrary, they are repugnant and un-Australian. They put even the abuses of this Labor government’s attacks on the opposition in this place with the guillotining of bills in the shade.

Honourable members interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Hart): Order, members. Mr LISTER: I would ask the government: what are they afraid of? If a council or elected

representatives wish to express to their community a political point of view, then they should be entitled to do so. It strikes at the very heart of our democratic society when the free speech of councillors is ripped away by the arbitrary—

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Pause the clock. Member for Southern Downs, resume your seat for a second. Let’s stop the cross-chamber argument. Let’s return to our own seats if we are going to interject, and let’s keep the noise down. I would like to hear what the member for Southern Downs has to say.

Mr LISTER: Thank you, sir. Ms Grace interjected. Mr HART: Pause the clock. Minister, I heard what you said. You are warned under the standing

orders. Mr LISTER: I am known for my soft voice, sir, so I appreciate your protection. We have a situation

here where the government is using the resources and the powers that it has, the access to the passage of legislation through this House by virtue of its numbers, to repress alternative viewpoints. I know the government prides itself on having been the government which emerged out of the ashes of Fitzgerald. I would remind them about what Commissioner Fitzgerald, in his seminal report on politics and governance and corruption in Queensland, had to say about this. He said— The use of public resources at any time or in any way to inhibit or suppress the expression of opposing political opinion or a criticism of any administration is wholly objectionable.

Let that be understood: it is wholly objectionable. He went on— Those in public life must accept the risk of criticism even if it is, at times, unfair, unfounded or even mischievous and couched in unflattering or abusive language.

He goes on to say— There are ample opportunities for criticism or allegations to be addressed at a political level, in the parliament and by public statement. An elected representative’s response to, or treatment of, wrong or unfair allegations is itself a yardstick for that representative’s suitability and aptitude for the role.

What is this government afraid of? Really? They are muzzling the democratically elected councillors of this state—

Ms Boyd interjected.

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Mr LISTER: I do not think this is funny. I can hear some mirthful interjections from my left. In my neck of the woods, in Southern Downs, this is of great importance and it is a disgraceful liberty of this government to legislate and further clamp down on the rights of elected councillors and their councils to speak about matters which are of a political nature. Mr Fitzgerald said— If politicians’ public statements are wrong or misconceived or mischievous or malevolent, that should be demonstrated in public exchange. The politicians and their party will suffer the political consequences. That is the only detriment which should normally be involved ...

in terms of a criticism of the government. This is no small thing. For the government to give the role of deciding what is misinformation and

what is not to a chief executive, to a bureaucrat, is a disgraceful example of where this government has gone. They will not tolerate any dissent from anyone. It speaks of two things about the government: firstly, that they would have the temerity, the bare face, to come into this place and propose to further curtail the rights of ordinary individuals and councillors to express their views is bad enough, but it also says that they are on their way out because only a government that is jumping at shadows—

Honourable members interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Hart): Pause the clock. Members, I have the speaking list here.

There is plenty of room. If you want to add yourself to the speaking list, just come and see me and I can add you straight away. Meanwhile, how about we let the member for Southern Downs have his say?

Mr LISTER: I say that a government that would stoop to institutionalising through legislation a restriction on the ability of councillors whose very councils are affected by—

Ms Leahy interjected. Mr LISTER: I take that interjection from the member for Warrego. That is the important thing here:

elected. People who have the esteem of their community have been elected to represent them on matters such as this. To say that they are not allowed to speak up or that they should be subject to the censorship of a bureaucrat—the fact that we are facing this in this House demonstrates we have reached a new low in terms of respect for the community and respect for democratic ideals. On that alone, this bill ought to be rejected. It is a disgraceful attack on the councillors whom people in my neck of the woods have elected to represent them. I say to the government that they should be very wary about what they do in government in terms of restricting the rights of others to speak. They lose the argument and they lose the justification for what they are doing by censoring those who have an opposing view.

Mr McCALLUM (Bundamba—ALP) (5.31 pm): I rise in support of the Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. I would like to begin my contribution by acknowledging the work of the former minister for the environment, the member for Gaven, and to welcome the new minister, the member for Nudgee.

This bill provides a step change, a step forward, in terms of a contemporary waste management framework for Queensland because the Palaszczuk Labor government is committed to moving towards a zero waste society through our Queensland waste strategy. There needs to be a greater focus on avoiding the creation of waste altogether and increasing re-use and recycling. We need less waste and we need more job-creating recycling, which is better for our community, the environment and the economy.

When it comes to this bill, it is really great to see that the principles of a circular economy which underpin our waste strategy are being hardwired into our legislation. When it comes to taking effective measures to reduce waste, the introduction of the waste levy by the Palaszczuk Labor government resulted in a significant reduction in the volume of waste coming into Queensland from interstate. That is why it was so very poor for Queensland to see that waste levy scrapped by the LNP when they came into government. That crippled Queensland’s recycling industry. It made it profitable to dump waste in Queensland. The LNP also cut 65 staff from the environmental regulator. By scrapping the waste levy, what the LNP did was open up the floodgates for waste to come into Queensland and no community suffered more than Ipswich.

I will refer to an old media article from 2018 which ran in the ABC. It had the title ‘Dumped waste levy recycled by Queensland in a bid to stop rubbish at the border’. An excerpt from this article states that it is the Palaszczuk Labor government reinstating the waste levy here in Queensland. It states— But the Opposition has condemned the move, saying it will be a tax on Queenslanders. Ipswich, west of Brisbane, had become a hotbed for interstate waste after the former LNP government scrapped a waste levy in 2012.

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Sometimes media reports are not entirely accurate, so let’s jump forward to February 2019 when there was a debate in this place about reinstating the waste levy in Queensland. I believe at that time the now leader of the LNP was the shadow minister for the environment and the member for Everton was very keen to back in his then shadow minister and now leader. I will read from his contribution to that debate on 13 February 2019. He stated— As has already been stated by the shadow minister, the LNP will be voting against this bill.

...

When we talk about this levy all we are talking about is a con and a sham. The Queensland Labor government is once again duping the Queensland public. Of course this is not for the environment: this is simply a tax grab.

What a difference a little bit of time makes. It is very clear that it is only the Palaszczuk Labor government that will take serious action on progress towards a circular economy here in Queensland. I commend the bill to the House.

Mr PERRETT (Gympie—LNP) (5.36 pm): I rise to speak to the Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023. This bill aims to make several amendments, including those relating to definitions, bans on outdoor lighter-than-air balloons, the circular economy, changing review time frames from three to five years and providing an expiry of 31 December 2025 for the exemption from the ban for an otherwise banned single-use plastic item that is integral to a shelf-ready product. While I do not oppose the bill, I urge the government to support the LNP’s amendments, which are to revert the definition of ‘misinformation’ to its current form and to bring local government waste strategy reviews in line with the new state time line of five years. We all know the government prefers spin over substance, spin over real and tangible action. The government loves to make environmental announcements, but when it comes to delivering and assessing progress, it runs from accountability.

The circular economy is supposed to provide incentives to reusing products rather than scrapping them. The Boomerang Alliance says this bill does not distinguish between what is a principle and what could be a practice with regards to the circular economy. In the rush to environmental credentials, the government has been lacking in its circular economy achievements. Recently we learnt that the government was secretly shipping liquid paperboard poppers overseas instead of recycling them locally. It is spin over substance.

I wonder how the circular economy applies to many of the renewable projects and policies the government touts. Solar farms cover hundreds of hectares of good quality agricultural land in the Gympie electorate with more on the drawing board. On 8 December last year there was a major hailstorm which damaged hundreds of solar panels at the Woolooga Solar Farm. There were local reports that the storm caused between $23 million and $28 million worth of damage and that 68 truckloads would be required to replace the damaged panels. One constituent wrote to me, stating— My main concern is that if there are 68 loads of equipment coming into the area to potentially replace equipment damaged in the hailstorm, then that would mean there will be 68 loads of damaged equipment going out. Where & how are these damaged solar panels going to be disposed of? ... will they contaminate soil & waterways.

The constituent went on— This is probably not the first solar farm to have damaged panels that have had to be replaced & it certainly won’t be the last.

What sort of plans are in place in Queensland to ensure that the disposal of this equipment doesn’t cause damage to our environment.

I have observed thousands of panels being replaced at the site. Only last week pallet after pallet of new panels were at the site waiting to replace the damaged ones. I would be interested to hear from the minister what procedures and policies are in place for the disposal of solar panels. As with the experience with poppers, there are serious concerns in my community that those damaged solar panels were not recycled in Queensland. Residents are concerned that the waste was either buried, causing environmental damage, or shipped interstate so that it was out of sight and out of mind.

The circular economy is supposed to help create a society which produces less waste. Under this government, Queensland is falling far behind almost every other part of Australia on the road to becoming a circular economy which produces less waste. Boomerang Alliance raised concerns that the definition of ‘circular economy’ provided in this bill is not in line with universally held views on circular economy principles that include the wording ‘products and materials should be managed so that they remain and circulate in an economy to their highest resource value’. The government is seeking to insert the words in this principle ‘for as long as they have a value or remain useful’.

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The government cannot meet its own waste strategy targets. Queensland is going backwards. It continually tries to cover up its inability to meet its own deadlines by changing the goalposts. It not only missed the waste strategy review deadline but also went so far as to change the review timeline in the act. The draft strategy review—only released after questioning by the LNP—showed that just two of the nine milestone targets are on track to be met. It found that Queensland is going backwards under Labor’s watch. The draft strategy review found that Queensland is not on track to reach the first milestone target of a 10 per cent reduction of household MSW generated per capita. It found that we are not on track to reach the 55 per cent target of MSW to be diverted from landfill. It found that we are not on track to reach the 65 per cent target by 2025 of CNI waste diverted from landfill. It found that we are not on track to reach the 65 per cent target of all headline waste diverted from landfill by 2025. It found that we are not on track to meet the MSW recycling rate target of 50 per cent by 2025.

The government said that there needs to be a longer duration between waste strategy reviews. It is seeking to change the review requirement time frame for the waste strategy from three to five years. Local governments deserve similar consideration and should be on the same time frame for their own plans. It cannot be one measure for the state government and another for local governments. I support the LNP’s proposed amendments and I support the bill.

Mr MADDEN (Ipswich West—ALP) (5.42 pm): I rise to speak in support of the Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023, which was introduced to the Queensland parliament on 22 February 2023, as well as the amendments proposed by the minister. The Palaszczuk government is focused on reducing the amount of waste that goes into landfill while bringing down greenhouse gas emissions and creating more jobs in Queensland’s recycling and resource recovery industries. The bill will amend the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 to better embed the goals for and practical implementation of circular economy principles.

The bill also amends the definition of ‘waste’. The new definition is broad and includes anything that is left over or unwanted from an industrial, commercial, domestic or other activity or surplus to the activity generating the waste. However, importantly, the new definition carves out ‘things prescribed by regulation not to be waste’ and ‘resources generated by compliance with an end-of-waste code’. The purpose of this amendment is to provide security and flexibility for those who want to invest in circular economy processes and products. Under the new definition, the pathway for repurposing different types of materials is intended to be clearer.

On 11 December 2021, the Queensland government announced its intention to remove the clean earth levy exemption to come into effect on 1 July 2023, following the first-stage review of the efficacy of the waste levy. Clean earth is a valuable product used for things like retaining walls, filling and landscaping. Introducing a levy for the disposal of this material to landfill recognises the importance of beneficial re-use of this material. Of note for landfill and waste facility operators is that an exemption may be available for landfill operators to take in clean earth and use it for good operation and maintenance of their site. This move to narrowing the scope of waste exemptions is consistent with the existing provisions of the Waste Reduction and Recycling Regulation 2011 that phase out the exemptions for road planings as from 30 June 2023, alum sludge from 30 June 2024 and fly ash produced by power stations from 30 June 2029.

The waste recovery and recycling industries contribute $1.5 billion to our state’s economy each year and support over 12,000 jobs. As the minister said so well in her introductory speech— We have set an ambitious but achievable target to halve our food waste, to stop 80 per cent of material from ending up in landfill and to recycle 65 per cent of our rubbish by 2030. That is why our $1.1 billion Recycling and Jobs Fund will be investing in new green bins for households, rolling out statewide behaviour change campaigns and co-investing with councils and industry to deliver even more recycling infrastructure across the state, because when a product is no longer useful or required for its initial purpose we want it to be re-used, recycled or remanufactured right here in Queensland.

On 1 July 2022 the Queensland government announced its intention to ban the mass release of lighter-than-air balloons, to commence on 1 September 2023, following consultation to expand the ban on single-use plastics. The bill also makes provision for the chief executive to make a decision about amending or suspending a resource recovery area declaration or making a payment to a local government. The bill makes provision to include the circular economy principle as a principle under the waste act. It will change the review date for the waste recovery strategy from three to five years, and provide an expiry of 31 December 2025 for the exemption from the ban for an otherwise banned single-use plastic item that is integral to a shelf-ready product.

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In closing, I note that in its report tabled in April 2023 the Health and Environment Committee made only one recommendation: that the bill be passed. I would like to thank the committee, the committee secretariat, Hansard and the submitters. I commend the bill to the House and support the amendments proposed by the minister.

Dr ROWAN (Moggill—LNP) (5.47 pm): I rise to contribute to the debate on the Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023. On 2 February 2023, the former minister for the environment and the Great Barrier Reef, now the Minister for Housing, introduced this legislation into the Queensland parliament, where it was subsequently referred to the Health and Environment Committee for its examination and consideration.

As outlined in the explanatory notes, this legislation seeks to amend the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 and the Environmental Protection Act 1994 in order to achieve a number of objectives including but not limited to the removal of the automatic levy exemption for clean earth and the subsequent removal of the definition of ‘clean earth’, which will take effect from 1 July 2023. This bill will also ban the outdoor release of lighter-than-air balloons, to take effect from 1 September 2023. The legislation seeks to change the review period for the state’s waste management strategy from three to five years as well as make other technical amendments.

On the subject of the review period for the state’s waste management strategy, I note that stakeholders were generally supportive of this change. However, I would like to take this opportunity to join with my colleagues and draw attention to the fact that the current Palaszczuk state Labor government has already breached the current legislation’s requirements for the first review, which was due in mid-2022. Indeed, having seemingly kept its review hidden from the Queensland public, the draft review was only belatedly released for consultation by the state Labor government after detailed questioning from the Liberal National Party’s shadow minister for the environment, the state member for Bonney.

We now know why the state Labor government tried to hide its report after it was released when it was revealed that Queensland is only on track to meet just two of its nine waste targets. It should also be noted that prior to this debate the state Labor government had failed to take the advice and recommendations of stakeholders, including the Local Government Association of Queensland and the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia, and extend the local government time frame to be in line with the proposed changes for the state government. This was always a practical and sensible suggestion, hence the amendment that has been proposed by the Liberal National Party, and it is disappointing that the state Labor government had not acted on this measure sooner. I note that section 73DE of this legislation changes the previous definition of ‘misinformation’ to include— the effect of the waste levy on the local government or households in the local government’s local government area ...

The Palaszczuk state Labor government has failed to consult with local governments on this definition change, with concerns raised that such a change has the potential to, in effect, sensor and limit the political expression of local government representatives. I note that representatives of the Department of Environment and Science attempted to clarify the provision and its impacts on local government. However, there remains uncertainty as to how this will work into the future as annual payments decrease if there is not an observed reduction in waste produced by households.

I also wish to briefly address the proposed ban on the outdoor release of lighter-than-air balloons. The Liberal National Party is supportive of such a measure, recognising that such balloons, when released into the environment, pose risks to wildlife, marine ecosystems and our environment as a whole, and there is certainly ample evidence demonstrating just how long they stay in our local waterways and ecosystems. There have also been health concerns about microplastics, so I note these environmental concerns as well as concerns with human health. With respect to microplastics, there is some research implicating linkages to certain cancers, chronic inflammation and also rheumatological and immune disorders. Whilst this measure is supported, the Palaszczuk state Labor government must ensure that there is significant community education on the detail and commencement of this change.

Before concluding my contribution today, it is important to acknowledge the significance of Queensland’s environment and how fortunate our state is to be home to the world’s greatest natural waterways, ecosystems and marine environments. Queensland is rightly the envy of states and territories across Australia—in fact, even the envy of the world. To protect and enhance our environment, positive change starts at home and in our communities. It is therefore crucial that the dedication and work done by residents across Queensland and dedicated community and environmental groups is backed by genuine leadership and not undone by the actions or omissions of any state government. It is therefore problematic that on crucial environmental protection and waste

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management strategies our state has, in some respects, gone backwards under the Palaszczuk Labor government. We know that more household waste is going into landfill now than before the waste levy was introduced half a decade ago. Queensland’s solid waste recycling rates have also gone backwards since 2018 from 31 per cent to 27 per cent despite a target of 50 per cent by 2025.

As I have said before in this House, I am a strong believer in the responsibility that we all have as elected representatives in the Queensland parliament to work with and support the genuine efforts of our local communities to conserve and enhance the environment, not just in our electorates but right across Queensland. It is a responsibility that I cherish and it certainly continues to be a pleasure and honour as the state member for Moggill to work with many wonderful and dedicated environmental groups and volunteers in my electorate who work around the year to enhance and conserve our local environment. These groups include the Cubberla-Witton Catchments Network, the Hut Environmental and Community Association, the Chapel Hill Community Garden, the Burns Parade Bushcare Group, the Sutling Street Bushcare Group, the Kholo Creek Catchment group, the Pullen Pullen Catchments Group, the Moggill Creek Catchment Group and the Karana Downs and Surrounds Community Garden Hub.

In concluding my contribution today, I want to thank all stakeholders who contributed to the Health and Environment Committee’s consideration of this legislation and all committee members, including the deputy chair, the Liberal National Party’s member for Southport, as well as the member for Bonney, who also serves with distinction as the current Liberal National Party’s shadow minister for the environment.

Mr MARTIN (Stretton—ALP) (5.54 pm): I rise to support the Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. The bill signifies the commitment of the Palaszczuk government to protecting our pristine Queensland environment by improving the way we manage waste and resource recovery. With an ever-growing population, it is important that we promote sustainable waste management practices and act as responsible custodians of the environment. This is a comprehensive and forward-thinking piece of legislation that reflects our government’s commitment to a cleaner, greener future for Queensland. The bill makes amendments to the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011. It will also make consequential amendments to other legislation as a result of moving the definition of ‘waste’ from the Environmental Protection Act to the waste act.

There are several policy objectives of this bill. They include removing the automatic clean earth levy exemption, banning the outdoor release of lighter-than-air balloons, amending the definition of ‘waste’, including the circular economy principles in the legislation and extending the review period for the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy from three to five years. The bill will also allow a head of power to amend or suspend a resource recovery area declaration, make decisions about payments to local governments where satisfied that the payment is necessary, and provide an expiry for the exemption for otherwise banned single-use plastic items that are integral to shelf-ready products.

The Palaszczuk government is committed to reducing the amount of waste that goes into landfill. We have set ambitious but achievable targets that include halving our food waste, stopping 80 per cent of materials from reaching landfill and recycling 65 per cent of our rubbish by 2030. By doing this, we can cut down greenhouse gas emissions and create more jobs in Queensland’s resource recovery industry, which already contributes $1.5 billion to our economy each year and which supports 12,000 jobs. We want that number to grow.

As part of the $1.1 billion Recycling and Jobs Fund, we will be rolling out a statewide behaviour change campaign and co-investing with councils and industry partners to deliver more recycling infrastructure across the state, including new green bins for households. One of the key pillars of this campaign is the promotion of waste reduction at the source. It is imperative that we shift our focus from a linear economy where products are discarded after use to a circular economy that emphasises recycling, re-using and repurposing. The amendments in this bill will embed circular economy principles into our Waste Reduction and Recycling Act to ensure that when a product is no longer useful or required for its initial purpose it can be re-used, recycled and remanufactured right here in Queensland. By embedding sustainable principles across all aspects of the products that are designed and manufactured in Queensland, we will enable improved resource recovery and reduce the long-term environmental impacts of these products.

I also want to acknowledge the many different researchers, universities and industry bodies and organisations that are all working towards this shared goal of reducing waste. In particular, I wanted to mention the great work of the Fight Food Waste CRC—cooperative research centre—and researchers

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like Dr Jonathan Middis, whom I met at last year’s Food Waste Summit, and Mark Barthel, the COO of Stop Food Waste Australia, who are working collaboratively with universities like the University of Queensland, QUT, RMIT and the University of Southern Queensland along with industry groups like the Australian Foodservice Advocacy Body, the Australian Food and Grocery Council and the Australian Institute of Packaging together with the Queensland government and other governments and local councils and other corporations like Woolworths and KPMG, just to name a few. It is great to see everybody working towards policies that support a reduction in waste and also importantly nationwide behaviour change to reduce food waste by half, which is also a goal of this bill.

The Fight Food Waste CRC is working on research and programs that will deliver new sources of revenue for food companies, less wasted resources through the supply chain and less food waste in landfill and more donated food to those in need, along with educational and behavioural change, and I commend their work in this area.

I conclude by congratulating the previous environment minister for her work and offering my support to the new environment minister. It is great that this side of the House has those two fantastic champions for the environment and all members of the Palaszczuk government.

Ms BOLTON (Noosa—Ind) (5.59 pm): Residents and businesses in Noosa are proudly committed to maintaining and enhancing our electorate’s natural beauty and ethos, in line with its UNESCO biosphere status, and innovating towards stability. The Noosa council, community groups, landholders, schools and individuals work closely on projects and initiatives that aim to reduce our impacts. While we are a community of recyclers, we are often stifled by legislative barriers when trying to ensure that less waste ends up in landfill.

The Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill aims to make several improvements to waste management laws in Queensland as we need to move on from the traditional take, make and dispose approach to our economy. This bill inserts a legislative objective into the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act to promote and facilitate Queensland’s transition to a circular economy and to promote activities across government, business, industry and the community that extend the lifecycle of products and materials. That is very broad, as was the support from submitters. The Waste and Recycling Industry of Queensland noted that an obstacle to progress is that there is still no clarity or single definition or understanding of the circular economy. However, we need only look to the past and compare the size of our home rubbish bins from 50 years ago to those now, and our habits define us. People of my age will remember the little bins that we used to have and now we have multiple big ones.

Firstly, the bill provides an expiry date of 31 December 2025 for the exemption from banned single-use plastic items that are integral to shelf-ready products—for example, plastic straws for juice boxes or plastic forks that come with pre-packaged salads. While this proposal was supported, the Boomerang Alliance, which does an incredible job in my community, called for it to occur earlier. However, the 2025 time frame is in line with the time frames of the national packaging targets. Importantly, we can make the change ourselves. Through the Plastic Free Noosa initiative, which the government funds, already many of our businesses have stopped using single-use plastic products.

Secondly, the bill provides for the removal of an automatic waste disposal levy exemption for clean earth delivered to a waste disposal site. The removal of the exemption will incentivise re-use over disposal and, of course, people can always bring clean earth to my house. Some waste disposal site contractors noted that this provision will materially affect them as they use clean earth as part of their operations for things such as covering waste. The department stated that the change is not intended to impact such operations and that the operators can apply for an operational purposes exemption.

In addition, the bill bans the release of helium balloons in an effort to see an end to our seabirds and marine life choking on plastic latex litter or becoming entangled in balloon strings and ribbons. I question why other balloons, which also end up in our rivers and oceans, are not included. I cannot understand why there is a differentiation. In the past few years, many in Noosa have utilised doves and other non-threatening replacements, including paper kites and balloons and giant bubble blowers, which are fabulous.

Overall, the bill makes several small and useful changes, but there is so much more we need to do, including through advocacy for recycling strategies for renewable energy products such as silicon solar panels and wind turbines at end of life. It is positive to see that the government is starting to address this with the draft E-Products Action Plan that proposes to manage utility scale PV by only providing state approval where fully funded end-of-life solutions are in place. However, this still leaves

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the question around what to do with used wind turbines. The USA Department of Energy has reported on companies that are commercialising technology to recycle fibreglass from decommissioned wind turbine blades, which should be an area to investigate. However, as always, the devil is in the detail.

In my community, the Containers for Change program has been a great success, demonstrated by minimal eligible items being picked up on Clean Up Australia Day. I have spoken with our Noosa Express Recycling team about how to encourage more recycling. One way is for all principals to get involved in the Battle of the Schools competition. The Containers for Change scheme is fabulous and it is good that it will be expanded to include beer and wine bottles. In the spirit of the circular economy, we should also focus beyond recycling, which can be problematic as shown by the collapse of the REDcycle soft plastic recycling scheme and recent reports of the export overseas of popper containers from Queensland recycling centres, which is concerning. We should not be sending our rubbish elsewhere. We need to deal with it right here.

Reducing our waste is vital. We have gone from global plastic production of a few tonnes in 1960 to 400 million tonnes now, which demonstrates how wasteful and non-sustainable we have become. Reducing includes reusing and repurposing. Once again, I ask members to remember all those years ago, when we were growing up, the tins that we stored our pens in and jars for jam. Anyone who has ever visited my home will know of my love for repurposing, from preloved building materials to furniture and clothes. Not only does it reduce waste; it provides for very interesting stories and, at times, injuries. Anyone who has de-nailed hundreds of lineal metres of timber will know what I mean.

Even though we have banned some single-use plastics, if you go to the supermarket you will see aisle after aisle of single-use plastics, from meat trays to chip bags. Yes, we have a way to go. This was highlighted in the government’s draft review of the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy that, as pointed out in a statement of reservation and tonight in this chamber, indicates that we are not keeping up with the recycling and waste diversion targets that have been set. Increased impetus is needed.

I thank the minister and the department, the committee and secretariat for their work, and all Queenslanders who participated in the inquiry. I give a very special shout-out to all of the fabulous youngsters in Noosa, including Millie from Good Shepherd Lutheran College and her Bin Buddy prototype; 12-year-old Jarrah, our Plastic Free Noosa Ambassador and Waste Warrior; and all of our organisations—there are so many that I do not have time to name them all—that do a brilliant job not only in cleaning up after us but also in helping us to reduce our very bad habits.

Mr KING (Kurwongbah—ALP) (6.06 pm): I rise to contribute to the debate on the Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023. The objectives of the bill include: removing the automatic levy exemption for clean earth from the new financial year to bring us in line with other jurisdictions; banning the outdoor release of any lighter-than-air balloons; setting an expiry date of 31 December 2025 for exemptions on shelf-ready products such as plastic straws on popper boxes from our single-use plastic item ban; enabling the chief executive to make decisions about resource recovery area declarations and payments to local government to help households manage the impacts of the waste levy costs that are passed on to them; changing the review date for the state’s waste strategy from three to five years; and enabling something to be prescribed by regulation to not be a waste.

In conjunction with the last point, this bill moves the definition of ‘waste’ from the Environmental Protection Act 1994 to the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011, the waste act. We stand proudly on our environmental protection record in Queensland, but we know there is more we can do together. That is why the bill formalises our commitment to supporting a circular economy by including it as a principle under the waste act. We want to make sure that we do not miss any opportunities to re-use, recycle and remake things here in Queensland and providing certainty of our commitment to the commercial sector is part of the plan. By prescribing a thing as not a waste we open up and minimise risk to some degree in the commercial market for recycling or repurposing that thing.

It was great to hear, in the former minister’s introductory speech, that the recycling and resource recovery industry is already supporting 12,000 jobs and putting $1½ billion annually into our Queensland economy. Work is underway to expand the list of items that can be recycled through the popular Containers for Change program—and I know that the member for Callide will be particularly happy about that—meaning more jobs and more recycling outcomes. I give a shout-out to the residents of my electorate. As I have mentioned a few times, my office hands out recycling bags and my thanks go to the Containers for Change team for our latest supply. We have many regular customers who are recycling and earning a bit of extra spending money.

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I know that there are a lot of families who deposit that money into holiday accounts or accounts for the kids. They get the kids to help recycle the bottles and cans, which sets a really good example. I also give a quick shout-out to the digital Recycling—Let’s Get It Sorted campaign, one of the great projects funded by our $1.1 billion Recycling and Jobs Fund. There are some great resources online to increase awareness about what we can put in our yellow household recycling bins.

We have set ambitious targets for recycling in Queensland, to divert 80 per cent of all waste streams away from landfill by 2030. Removing the clean earth waste levy exemption will encourage other uses for clean earth, defined as natural material such as clay, gravel, sand, soil and rock that is not contaminated by waste or hazardous contaminants. I know that anyone with a little bit of land would do their own recycling on their properties with these types of materials. I certainly do.

Sadly, we know the harm that can be done to our ecosystem, especially the deaths of animal species, by single-use plastics such as straws and balloons. To aid retailers to transition to the ban on single-use plastics—another way of reducing landfill—some exemptions were granted for plastics on shelf-ready products such as the straws on poppers or the little forks in pre-packaged salad bowls or some noodle containers. This bill signals the end of those exemptions, with an expiry date of 31 December 2025, consistent with the agreed national packaging targets time frames. I have noticed that some of these products have already transitioned to environmentally friendly options in preparation. I thank those businesses for being proactive.

I note with a little bit of remorse that future generations might not have balloons at their birthday parties, but it is right thing for us to ban their release, especially lighter-than-air or helium balloons that can travel so far from where they are released. Quite honestly, I do not know anyone who would choose a balloon over a sea turtle’s life. How appropriate that today is the International Day of the Turtle and we are talking about this! If the choice was between the turtle and the balloon, I know what most of us would choose. I am supportive of this ban, which reinforces our existing message that balloons are litter if not disposed of correctly. It is certainly a challenge to innovators out there to see if they can come up with an eco-friendly balloon in the future.

I conclude with a thankyou to the individuals, businesses, community groups and charities that have already implemented their own waste reduction strategies. This bill continues our creation and support of circular economies, returning as many forms of waste as possible to the economy, thus reducing reliance on new resources across Queensland. This keeps our commitment to mitigate the costs of the waste levy on Queensland households and increases the review period so that we can get more done with more momentum. I also congratulate the new environment minister and her predecessor for their great work on this legislation. I commend the bill to the House.

Mrs FRECKLINGTON (Nanango—LNP) (6.12 pm): It gives me pleasure to contribute to the debate on the Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. I congratulate the new minister for recycling, the Minister for the Environment, who has just left the child safety portfolio. I am sure that the new minister, recycled into the environment department, is the happiest person in the Queensland parliament after the failures we have seen over consecutive years in the child safety department. I congratulate the minister as I am sure that she is very relieved. The former environment minister is probably quite disappointed to leave a portfolio that she purported to know a little bit about but, unfortunately, has been left wanting.

Mr BAILEY: Madam Deputy Speaker, I rise to a point of order. As fascinating as the contribution is, I do not see any relevance to the bill before the House.

Mrs FRECKLINGTON: I am simply talking about recycling. We note, and I am happy—

Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms Lui): Member, I bring you back to the long title of the bill.

Mrs FRECKLINGTON: When talking about recycling and the efforts of the Palaszczuk government, I am more than happy to talk about something that is very close to the heart of every member—certainly members on this side of the chamber. I give a shout-out to Sean Nicholson, Zala, Mayor Elvie Sandow and the unflappable, incredible Andrew Beckett. These people are working so hard and go to great lengths to ensure the success of the materials recovery facility at Cherbourg. This came about thanks to the great support of the LNP and the members of the opposition. I note that it was a former LNP policy in 2016-17 around Containers for Change. We note that the Palaszczuk government adopted the LNP’s policy around Containers for Change, as it did the LNP’s policy around banning single-use plastics. I have spoken before in this chamber about the MRF.

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Ms King interjected. Mrs FRECKLINGTON: I am happy to take that interjection from the member for Pumicestone.

As I said to the member for Logan today, under the Westminster form of government that we all have the pleasure of serving in, there is a government of the day and an opposition. I understand that the member for Pumicestone might not understand that, but as a member of the opposition I am unable to deliver a government policy because I do not have the department behind me. It is unfortunate that the poor people of the Pumicestone have to have her as their member.

As we have seen for many years, the policies of the Palaszczuk government just come from the opposition benches—time and time again. I note that the policies concerning Containers for Change and single-use plastics that were voiced by the members of the opposition were adopted by the government. There are many issues that we need to talk about.

When talking about openness, accountability and transparency, I note that we have yet another piece of legislation from the Palaszczuk government that gags elected members and elected officials. I refer to the local government sector. The bill talks about gag orders.

An honourable member interjected. Mrs FRECKLINGTON: I am happy to take that interjection. The gag orders are not in the

explanatory notes. The Local Government Association of Queensland was not briefed on the gag order that has a massive impact on councils. I refer to my colleague and great mate the shadow minister for local government. There are so many councils across this state—

Ms Leahy: Seventy-seven. Mrs FRECKLINGTON: Seventy-seven local governments across this state were not consulted.

Some 500 councillors were not consulted and will be subject to a gag order, thanks to the Palaszczuk government that apparently was elected on openness, accountability and transparency. This government once again proves that it is anything but open, anything but accountable and—obviously, given this gag order—anything but transparent.

We know that this will block councils and councillors from talking to their constituents and hardworking ratepayers about the waste levy and its impact on households. The shadow minister for the environment, the member for Bonney, said that we support the notion that councillors and councils should not give misinformation around the waste levy. There should be no misinformation, but councillors and local governments will be gagged from talking about the impact on households. I suggest to this House that the No. 1 issue is the cost of living, yet the government is saying, ‘Hang on a minute. You’re not allowed to talk about the impact on households.’ That shows the tin ear of this Palaszczuk government.

An honourable member interjected. Mrs FRECKLINGTON: Of course it is cost shifting. It is cost shifting on to households. Of course

the Palaszczuk government does not want anyone else to know about that. Time and time again in this chamber we talk about the impact on households. That is exactly what that gag order will prevent.

Ms Leahy: A sneaky amendment. Mrs FRECKLINGTON: It is a sneaky amendment. Perhaps the new environment minister should

look at the LNP’s 2020 election commitments. I very proudly announced many recycling policies such as the recycling of solar panels.

We know that there are more and more solar panels coming into this state each and every day— not just on houses but on businesses and schools. We have acres and acres of solar farms going in. I note the one at Kingaroy. No-one in and around that solar farm development wants it. It is going into the beautiful town of Kingaroy. The question I am constantly asked is: what is the government doing about recycling solar panels? They have a life.

Why does the new environment minister, the former child safety minister, not just pick up the LNP’s policy and implement it? We have done the hard work. Once again, the LNP has done the policy work for the government. On behalf of the Queenslanders who are interested in the environment, please pick up this policy. We do not just come into this chamber and talk about it; we do something to make sure we recycle things such as the fine minerals out of computers. That was another recycling policy that I took to the last state election. Solar panel recycling is a must. I plead with the new environment minister to do something about solar panel recycling.

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It is wonderful that we eventually have recycling in Kingaroy. It is only since January of this year that the good residents of Kingaroy have had recycling. Every second week we can now put out our yellow bins. I promised the kids at Saint Mary’s that I would not stop until we got recycling in Kingaroy. I am very pleased that we now have recycling and yellow bins in Kingaroy.

I note that there is much more to be done by the Palaszczuk government in this space. We know that they have once again failed when it comes to the environment and meeting the targets that they set for themselves. I note that the shadow environment minister stated that we have unfortunately been recycling less since the Palaszczuk government has been in office. That is not a record. No wonder the former environment minister has been moved to housing. Oh, my goodness me. I plead with the former child safety minister, now environment minister, to listen to some of our policies and she may get ahead.

Mrs MULLEN (Jordan—ALP) (6.22 pm): I wish we could have implemented a gag order on someone, but thankfully she has finished speaking.

Mrs FRECKLINGTON: Madam Deputy Speaker, I rise to a point of order. As childish as that was, I take personal offence and I ask that the inexperienced member withdraw.

Mrs MULLEN: I withdraw. I am pleased to rise in support of the Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023. Our government has a vision for Queensland to become a zero waste society—where waste is avoided, re-used and recycled to the greatest possible extent. We also know that many in our communities are seeking to move away from the current take-make-use-dispose approach and be part of a new, more circular system that keeps materials in use for longer, extracting the maximum value from them. Our government is listening.

It is why in 2019 we developed the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy— developed in partnership with industry and local government. This has presented a fundamental shift in the way we manage waste in Queensland, recognising that we can use waste as a valuable resource to create new products, industries and jobs and disposing of it to landfill only as a last resort. It is also why we are seeking continual improvements in this relevant policy space. The bill before us supports some important intentions announced by our government.

One of these areas is around the issue of clean earth. Currently, the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act provides an automatic exemption for clean earth which is delivered to a waste disposal site accepting the waste levy. This exemption has been in place since we introduced the waste levy on 1 July 2019. The Department of Environment and Science advises that more than 3.9 million tonnes of clean earth has been delivered to waste disposal sites and reported under the clean earth exemption code in just three years.

During the parliamentary committee’s review of the bill, the department acknowledged the importance of clean earth in the good operation and maintenance of a landfill, and confirmed that removing the clean earth exemption is not intended to penalise operators of waste disposal sites who use clean earth for operational activities such as day cover, batter profiling or final capping. It is clear there is no intention to apply a levy to clean earth delivered to a waste disposal site being used for beneficial or operation purposes. That is where an operational purposes exemption can be sought so that no levy applies to them.

Another key measure through this bill, which is strongly supported by the community, is a ban on the mass release of lighter-than-air balloons, which is expected to commence on 1 September 2023 with the expected passing of the bill. While releasing balloons is considered a littering offence under the current litter provisions, the proposed ban on the outdoor release of lighter-than-air balloons prevents the action of release, so avoiding balloons becoming litter. This removes confusion for people who may be planning events and memorials and allows a consistent message to be provided. The ban is not a ban on balloons but a ban on the outdoor release of any number of lighter-than-air balloons— for example, helium balloons. The formal banning of the mass release of lighter-than-air balloons is a good initiative reflecting contemporary community sentiment.

Speaking of sentiment, it was interesting to read the LNP’s statement of reservation and their proposed amendments. I must have missed the moment the LNP became waste warriors because it is like they have collective amnesia. Do they not remember repealing Queensland’s waste levy in 2012— making us a cheap place to dump interstate waste? Who could forget the Queensland Waste Avoidance and Resource Productivity Strategy—sounds great—developed by the former LNP government which did not deliver any opportunities for the resource recovery sector to grow and prosper. It was a dud strategy that should have gone straight to landfill. This is largely because the strategy was unfunded,

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relied on the development of voluntary action plans and not underlined by a market mechanism to encourage behavioural change. The disposal of waste into landfill without an incentive to recover resources was a lost economic opportunity under the LNP.

I am also interested in their concerns about limiting the political expression of elected councillors. The department clearly advised the committee that the amendment was not intended to limit or require elected council representatives to self-sensor in relation to payments to local governments, noting— The amendment relates to, for example, where a householder may be told that there is a direct correlation between a rate increase and the application of the levy to household waste disposal—without referencing the fact of a payment to the local government to offset that cost.

That is not political expression; that is a fact. Again, the LNP must have forgotten when they included gag clauses in funding agreements for community groups when they were in power. Clearly the member for Southern Downs did when he started quoting Fitzgerald.

We know that the global economy is transforming towards a more circular model. The Queensland government is working hard to take the lead in growing the recycling and resource recovery sector and the bill before us supports these aims. I commend the bill to the House.

Ms LEAHY (Warrego—LNP) (6.27 pm): I rise to contribute to the debate on the Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023. I wish to thank the members of the Health and Environment Committee and the committee staff for their consideration of the bill. I also want to thank the industry groups and individuals who made submissions to the bill through the parliamentary committee process.

The policy objectives of the bill are to: provide a head of power in the definition of waste to prescribe through regulation that a thing is not a waste and move the definition of waste from the Environmental Protection Act to the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act; remove the automatic levy exemption for clean earth and the subsequent removal of the definition of clean earth; provide a head of power for the ban on the outdoor release of lighter-than-air balloons; provide the ability for the chief executive to make a decision about amending or suspending a resource recovery area declaration and making a payment to local government; include a circular economy principle as a principle under the waste act; change the review date for the waste strategy from three to five years; and provide an expiry of 31 December 2025 for the exemption for the ban for the otherwise banned single-use plastic item that is integral to the shelf-ready product.

It is ironic that we are dealing with legislation about waste from a government that are struggling to practice what they preach on waste in the circular economy. The Palaszczuk Labor government must explain to Queenslanders why 126 million liquid paperboard drink ‘poppers’ have been secretly shipped to India, rather than being recycled in Queensland, as promised. The LNP have exposed ‘Harry Popper’s container of secrets’. The government is collecting billions from the waste levy. However, they cannot find a way to recycle these poppers in Queensland.

The Containers for Change recycling program was sold to Queenslanders as a solution to increase recycling. I ask the new minister: how do Queenslanders know if this waste has been recycled—where is the oversight? Five years on and still no site has been built to deal with this waste. Instead, this government has shipped it overseas to India. Thousands of Queensland school kids have been playing their role in recycling only to be let down by the chaos of the Palaszczuk Labor government. ‘Harry Popper’s container of secrets’ has been exposed by the crisis and chaos in the Palaszczuk Labor government.

No-one knows waste better than the 77 councils and the one town authority in Queensland. Councils appreciate the advance payments and the provisions of the bill that will allow for adjustment to individual payments due to identified inaccuracies. Councils also welcome simplifications to the process and the introduction of the circular economy principle. However, there are concerns from the local government sector about some elements of the bill and the removal of the blanket exemption for clean earth.

Section 73DE changes the previous definition of ‘misinformation’ so that section 73DE(4)(a) will read ‘the effect of the waste levy on the local government or households in the local government’s local government area’. This amendment expands the definition to a false or misleading statement about households. This was not a previous requirement of the legislation. Further, the broadening of this section was not communicated to the local government sector ahead of the introduction of the bill; nor was it explained during the bill’s introductory speech. You would think that a government interested in transparency would actually include that in the introductory speech and would at least communicate it to the local government sector.

1546 Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 23 May 2023

What this Labor government has done is try to sneak this provision in. It is effectively gag legislation. This change has raised concerns from local governments because it limits the political expression of elected local government members. This sounds a little bit like history repeating itself. I recall the mayor of Barcaldine found himself in a similar situation in relation to freedom of speech. My question to the minister is: where is the evidence that there has been misinformation circulated regarding the waste levy? If there is no evidence then why have this massive gag clause? This Labor government is so sensitive about criticism that it places a legislative gag on elected local government officials at any opportunity—and here we see it again. This is censorship by legislation.

The LNP will seek to amend this legislation because of the gag that it places on elected local government officials. As the shadow minister has outlined, the LNP will seek to amend the legislation to revert the definition of ‘misinformation’ to its current form. Where is the evidence base that these changes are needed by the government? If there is no evidence then this is exactly what the local government sector have said—it is a gag. The Labor government should support the LNP’s amendments. If there is no evidence then there is no need to have that in place in legislation.

Currently, clean earth is automatically exempt from the waste levy. However, this expires on 30 June 2023. While most stakeholders were supportive of this change to remove the automatic exemption, a number have suggested that clean earth should instead be listed as a resource. They submitted that more work is required to ensure landfills and waste operators are ready for the change that is potentially happening in a matter of months, as there has not been clarity about how they will apply for the exemption.

Waste management operators currently use clean earth at waste disposal sites for activities including daily cover, interim cover, final capping and as construction material for access roads, bunds or additional landfill cells. It is clear from the stakeholder feedback that there is a lack of certainty about how this continuing exemption will occur and what burden will be placed on operators. Queenslanders and waste management operators do not need any increased costs or compliance during the present housing crisis. They certainly do not need any increased costs in construction because we know construction costs have escalated dramatically. The LGAQ stated in their submission— Local governments as waste management operators are dependent on the ongoing ability to utilise this material without incurring a levy liability. Local government agrees with industry operators that clean earthen material is not a waste and should not be treated as such and is required for environmental compliance of waste disposal sites.

They stated— Should there be no appetite to reconsider the definition of clean earthen material, local government and industry operators of landfill and resource recovery areas require, before the due date of 1st July 2023, a clear pathway to an operational exemption that can be granted for all current uses. As has been made clear before, the use of clean earthen fill is an operational imperative and therefore cannot be substituted with other material already in place at a landfill.

Mr McDonald interjected. Ms LEAHY: I take that interjection—3.9 million tonnes. Before I conclude I want to ask the

minister about the circular economy, especially in relation to damaged solar generation panels and damaged wind turbines. It is not acceptable that these items end up in council landfill. I would like to hear what plans the government has to deal with these panels and wind turbines when they are damaged and when they reach the end of their life. The state Labor government is approving energy generation alternatives at a great rate of knots. With this approval there is a responsibility to deal with the waste that is generated now and the waste that will eventuate for future generations.

Across my electorate I see a lot of solar generation panels and wind farms. I know that the member for Southern Downs will have a lot of wind farms in his area as well. Councils do raise with me their concerns about what will happen when these solar and wind generators reach their end of life. There needs to be some way that they can be dealt with in a circular economy so that we are not putting in place problems for future generations as we go forward with this change to the renewable energy sector.

Hon. MC BAILEY (Miller—ALP) (Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services) (6.36 pm): The protection of our environment and action on climate change are things that every MP should support and are really critical to our future. That is why I rise to support the Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 as part of the Palaszczuk government’s very strong record in terms of: acting on climate change; our renewable energy target, which has driven billions in investment; our protection of the Great Barrier Reef; our strong tree-clearing laws; and, of course, our very strong commitments to public transport. They are all part of our commitment to the environment and our commitment to acting on climate change.

23 May 2023 Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 1547

Across the world and right here in Queensland, people are becoming more conscious of the need to reduce waste and also of recycling. We know Queensland is home to some of the most important natural landmarks and features in the world. People travel here from far and wide to appreciate what we have, with five of the 16 World Heritage areas on the globe found right here in Queensland. Whether it is the Daintree, the Great Barrier Reef, Fraser Island, local parks, catchments or forests in my own electorate like Toohey Forest, Queenslanders are acutely aware of minimising their footprint on the environment.

The Palaszczuk government is committed to reducing waste and creating a circular economy. We already have a very strong record of achievement in this regard. We need to save scarce resources and to protect our environment. In my electorate of Miller, I have been on the ground with local volunteers, constituents, who do wonderful work regenerating local catchments and waterways and are a part of the Containers for Change recycling that is so successful at Rocklea.

The bill before us makes a series of changes that are effective and will benefit the local environment, parks and waterways in Brisbane and across our state. There are some good reforms in terms of definitions. The definition of ‘waste’ which currently resides under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 will be moved to the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011. The amendment provided by this bill—this is a very important point—ensures certain things can be prescribed in the regulation to not be waste. This is really important because, by doing so, it is a promotion of the circular economy and more resource recovery opportunities and it ensures they occur more often—and that is what we want.

I am especially conscious of this, as I have worked with my own Department of Transport and Main Roads to support the implementation of TMR’s Waste Management Resource Strategy with the aim of working towards our contribution to the circular economy. There is obviously a lot of construction activity in transport and main roads, with seven out of eight record budgets under this government. We have seen the positive impacts of this pioneering policy with glass, crumb rubber and other waste re-used on our road network. On the southern Gold Coast M1 upgrade the contractors won national sustainability awards by re-using clean earth on the same site—not having to remove it from the site and dumping it—and incorporating it in the upgrades. That is fantastic work. Crumb rubber makes the pavement more malleable, more flexible and gives it longer life, particularly in North Queensland where we have extreme weather events and pressures every year. You would know that, Mr Deputy Speaker, as the member for Mundingburra. These are important things in terms of what we are already doing.

The amendment before us would amend the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act to also allow for the better collection of information and details on how clean earth waste is used. Under the bill, the proposed amendments would allow operators to apply for an operational purposes exemption for clean earth use at the waste disposal site. At the moment, the automatic exemption code for clean earth waste does not provide information on the use or disposal of the clean earth delivered to the waste disposal site. This amendment would allow for the collection of better information about the beneficial use of clean earth at landfill facilities. This move also aligns Queensland with other jurisdictions and improves the consistency of levy frameworks.

In terms of circular economy principles, the Palaszczuk government’s Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy is also a formidable step that outlines a strategic priority transition to a circular economy future here in Queensland. This bill will amend the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act to include a reference to that strategy. The inclusion of the circular economy principle in the act would ensure that circular economy considerations form part of the decision-making process. As time moves on, these changes will have a lasting impact by reducing our mark on the natural beauty that makes our state and the local neighbourhoods we all love so much.

The Palaszczuk government has a very strong record on the environment. This is another move forward in terms of reform. We need a much more circular economy to reduce waste, and these provisions will promote that and assist in moving that to the next level.

Mr KRAUSE (Scenic Rim—LNP) (6.41 pm): Welcome back to the chair for you too, Mr Deputy Speaker Walker. Reducing waste, re-using and recycling is an innate part of conservative principles. We want to re-use every bit of resource as much as possible. The old saying ‘waste not, want not’ is something that is very dear to my heart. It comes from being raised on a farm, where nothing ever goes to waste. There are certainly a lot of people in the Scenic Rim electorate who relate to that.

So it was that under the LNP’s leadership from opposition—and we have seen a bit of that in the last few months as well—we saw the LNP’s policy for a container deposit scheme implemented by the government back in 2016-17 after the leadership of Tim Nicholls brought it to the public forum. There

1548 Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 23 May 2023

was also a ban on single-use plastic bags. The LNP has a strong record on promoting initiatives that reduce waste and enhance recycling. It was under the LNP that interstate dumping into Queensland, particularly into Ipswich, declined—only for it to go up in a big way again when the Labor Party returned to office in 2015. In short, the LNP has a terrific track record on waste and the enforcement of rules dealing with things like illegal dumping. In the two years and 10 months that we were in office from 2012 to 2013 the former minister, the member for Glass House, did a great job in reducing interstate dumping and enforcing the rules that applied to illegal dumping.

As other MPs have stated, this bill amends various parts of the waste laws. I want to highlight the impact that amendments concerning local government may have on freedom of speech for councils when it comes to talking about waste laws. I want to support the amendment that is going to be moved by the shadow minister which stands up for local government having their say.

Mr McDonald interjected. Mr KRAUSE: I take that interjection from the member for Lockyer, who himself had a very long

and illustrious record in local government. The changes to provisions regarding misinformation were introduced without consultation with the LGAQ and they are inappropriate in terms of potentially muzzling councils when they are talking about these provisions. I heard the member for Lytton trying to claim that the Labor government had a terrific record when it comes to waste.

Honourable members interjected. Mr KRAUSE: Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise to a point of order. There is a lot of quarrelling going on

across the chamber. If you could keep an eye on that it would be appreciated. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Walker): Order! Pause the clock. Take your seat, member for Scenic

Rim. You are not in the chair at the moment: I am. So I will control the traffic and you keep reading. If there are any interjections, I will manage those.

Mr KRAUSE: As I was just saying, I heard the member for Lytton say that the Labor Party has a great record when it comes to the environment. I would like to encourage her to tell that to the residents of Ipswich which, under a largely Labor council—and for the most part a Labor state government— became the dumping capital of Queensland. Ipswich residents still endure massive amounts of dumping. There are several new dumps proposed for Ipswich as well.

The member for Lytton can say that, but I would encourage her to have a conversation with the people who are deeply impacted by waste in Ipswich as a result of the policies of Labor administrations. There is one in court at the moment in the Scenic Rim electorate. Of course, we also have the Wanless proposal for a landfill and recycling facility. Council rejected the landfill part but they approved the recycling part, but then the Deputy Premier called in that proposal after lobbying by Anacta on behalf of Wanless. That call-in has survived a judicial review application, and I table a particular document from that judicial review decision which highlights thousands of dollars in donations made by Anacta around the time of the call-in. Tabled paper: Document, undated, titled ‘Engagement of Anacta and Anacta’s donations to the ALP’ [687].

The decision to call it in has escaped a judicial review challenge, but the process is still highly dubious. I call on the Deputy Premier to reject that dump being approved in the Scenic Rim electorate. Ipswich does not need more dumps. They are already doing more than their fair share in terms of taking waste from Queensland. I think it is 43 per cent of South-East Queensland’s waste that goes to Ipswich. I represent parts of Ipswich that are doing this heavy lifting from a dump point of view.

The Deputy Premier should reject that proposal not only because we do not need more dumps but also because the road infrastructure around Willowbank and the Amberley interchange is simply not up to scratch for such big developments. Now we have an intermodal facility proposed by the Schott review into inland rail at Ebenezer, which will put even more pressure on those roads. When it comes to more waste facilities, it is just adding insult to injury. I table a document which outlines that in the federal budget this year there are zero dollars for future projects on the Cunningham Highway for 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26—zero dollars. Tabled paper: Document, undated, titled ‘Infrastructure investment program—Australian Government committed projects as at 2023-24 Budget’ [688].

There is no way the Deputy Premier should be approving this new dump by Wanless. He has made the call-in. He should use those powers to reject that dump. Ipswich does not need more of this. The Cunningham Highway, most importantly, cannot take it.

23 May 2023 Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 1549

Mr SKELTON (Nicklin—ALP) (6.48 pm): I rise in support of the proposed Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. I would like to thank the DES, the Health and Environment Committee, the secretariat, Hansard and everyone involved in the careful consideration of this bill. I would also like to thank the former minister for environment, the member for Gaven, for all of her work in that role and welcome in the member for Nudgee as our new minister for the environment. I know she will do a great job.

I would like to give a shout-out to the member for Lytton for reminding everyone that today is World Turtle Day. I recently had a wildlife encounter with a Mary River turtle. He did not belong on the Eumundi Kenilworth Road so I had to put him back where he belonged.

I support the amendment of the definition of ‘waste’ in the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act and the removal of the definition of ‘waste’ from the Environmental Protection Act. Redefining ‘waste’ in the WRR Act strengthens the implementation of the principles of circular economies and better enables environmental protection and product stewardship. If a waste material has the potential for re-use or recycling, it should be considered a resource and not be an exempt form of waste. Waste should mean there is no value, and this bill seeks to generate an end-of-waste code for clean earth so that it can be considered an end-of-waste resource. This amendment supports the Palaszczuk government’s objective of environmental stewardship.

Redefining waste will increase waste diversion from landfill rates and will be consistent with waste reduction targets. These amendments are in line with the objectives of the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 to: promote waste avoidance or reduction and resource recovery; promote the re-use or recycling of waste; minimise the impact of waste disposal; share responsibility and stewardship between government, industry and business; and support national objectives to recover 80 per cent of all waste by 2030.

Driving around the Sunshine Coast, ‘clean fill wanted’ signs are a common sight. Due to current exemptions, 3.9 million tonnes of clean earth were disposed of in landfill that otherwise could have been used within community construction projects, further increasing time delays and prices for sourcing suitable materials, which are decreasing affordability and suitability for the community. This bill will enable waste disposal sites to maintain operational use of clean fill and is not intended to be leviable, which maintains support for business and industry. The removal of the blanket automatic exemption of clean earth is in line with government plans to reduce waste and enable the recovery of resources from waste materials.

The ban on the release of lighter-than-air balloons is consistent with the government’s environmental stewardship objectives by reducing the environmental damage caused by plastic litter. Balloons are in the top three most harmful waste items to wildlife, particularly as helium balloons burst into many small pieces due to a drop in pressure, with large pieces strongly resembling jellyfish. I think the member for Lytton alluded to the fact that it affects marine turtles, as it is a big food source.

The Sunshine Coast Regional Council banned the release of helium balloons in 2011 to protect its state and national matters of environmental significant areas, as well as the internationally significant wetlands and the biospheres to which the Nicklin constituency is connected. Western Australia has no ban on the release of balloons. New South Wales, the ACT and South Australia have banned the release of more than 20 balloons. Tasmania and Victoria have banned balloon releases. The Northern Territory has an outright ban on them. This ban is an opportunity to be one of the leading states in Australia to totally ban the release of balloons and it places Australia in good stead to be the first continent in the world to completely ban balloon releases. It is consistent with the commencement of the banning of single-use plastic items.

I stand in support of the inclusion of the circular economy principles in the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act. The Sunshine Coast is one of Australia’s fastest growing economies, with more than 30,000 small to medium enterprises. Ensuring the inclusion of the circular economy principle in this act is important so that our businesses can consider and accurately prioritise these principles to enable long-term successful operation and to support the sustainable growth of our region.

I stand in support of the amendment that places a time limit for the exemption provided for shelf-ready, single-use plastic items, as the time limit encourages the focus to remain on finding appropriate alternatives. The expiry date of 31 December 2025 is consistent with the national packaging targets of 100 per cent of Australian packaging being re-usable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.

On a local note, I am extremely proud to represent a region that takes this issue seriously—from our Containers for Change, which recycles our bottles and cans, to Earthborn, which are commercial operators involved in organics and soil recovery. Our primary schools and community gardens are all

1550 Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 23 May 2023

heavily invested in closing the food waste loop. It is very encouraging to have legislation that builds on the excellent work of our community as we keep our environment clean and ensure nothing is wasted. As such, I commend the bill to the House.

Mr McDONALD (Lockyer—LNP) (6.54 pm): I rise to speak on the Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. For those in the House who do not know, prior to being elected to the state parliament I spent 16 years in local government. From 2008 to 2017 I was actually the environmental portfolio holder for the Lockyer Valley Regional Council and we were able to achieve some really great things in the resource recovery space. My colleague the member for Scenic Rim commented on the conservative values that we have on the LNP side: ‘waste not, want not’. That is something that is dear within our conservative ideals, and we certainly make sure we get the best out of every opportunity.

Many of the 77 councils across Queensland—and I would actually challenge the government and say ‘all’ of the 77 councils across Queensland—are aghast at this bill, with the lack of consultation by this government and the control the government is trying to put in place over some of the things they do day-to-day in their business, particularly around some of the funding arrangements those local governments are receiving from the waste funds. The shadow minister, the member for Bonney, will move some amendments that will address some of those issues, and I commend him on that. I also commend the members of the Health and Environment Committee for the work they did and I commend our members for their statement of reservation. It was very worthwhile and has contributed to the debate in the House tonight.

I also thank all of the submitters and witnesses who appeared before the inquiry. I bring to the attention of the House the concerns the LGAQ had in regards to the lack of consultation with their councils. An area where I have been successful in life in both politics and outside is talking to stakeholders, bringing partnerships together and understanding what is necessary to produce the best outcomes. It is very disappointing that this government is coming into the House with this bill after a lack of consultation with the major stakeholders—the waste recovery operators, the waste resource operators and the local government. There is an element of cost shifting that has happened by the state government to the local government sector to see the local government collecting fees from their residents for many of the wastes that are going into landfill.

I also have to bring to the attention of the House the fact that this government is not even on track to achieve the targets that it set out across five of the different areas. The target of household waste at 55 per cent had actually not even been met; it was 32 per cent and then it dropped to 27 per cent. In terms of the issue of clean earth, I recognise the exemption that is there, but there are still 3.9 million tonnes annually disposed in landfill. I know that figure has reduced from the large number that it was, but the waste resource operators in local governments that I speak to know the value of that clean earth. In fact, the farmers in the Lockyer Valley add water to that clean earth and it turns into a very circular economy indeed.

There was a lack of consultation with local government on this waste reduction bill, and that is really a flaw of the state government. They are not taking the time to engage with those major stakeholders, and that will be to the detriment of not just the content of the bill already but the way in which it is implemented. After this bill is implemented, the government will have to put a lot of resources into education to be able to assist local governments to implement a lot of these areas.

Before I am brought to a close at seven o’clock, I have to say that it was the LNP that brought to previous elections the banning of single-use plastic bags and a container deposit scheme. We were worried about those issues, as well as solar panels and wind farm blades, and the plan for all of these areas. Many of my constituents and many people across Queensland are writing to us about all of those different concerns.

I think this bill is okay, save for all of the flaws that I have outlined, but it does not go far enough to start to talk about a circular economy around all of those broader issues that are really going to be a detriment to Queensland when these products reach the end of their life.

I must say again that it is disappointing that this government has not been able to achieve its targets across a wide range. The draft review that was released recently showed only two of the nine milestones were actually met. I must say to the government: talk to local government. They are your major stakeholders. They are the operators of these places in most cases and they will give you some guidance about what is able to be achieved in the waste recovery space.

Debate, on motion of Mr McDonald, adjourned.

23 May 2023 Adjournment 1551

ADJOURNMENT

Coomera Connector Mr CRISAFULLI (Broadwater—LNP) (Leader of the Opposition) (7.00 pm): The Coomera

Connector is a vital piece of infrastructure for the northern Gold Coast and the Broadwater community I represent. Sadly, it was supposed to start in 2021. It is now $600 million over budget and it was to be six lanes but is now four. We are getting less for more and it is taking longer to deliver.

Right now there is another issue, though, for the residents that I represent and that is their real concerns about the construction and the impacts on their dwelling during construction. Residents do not trust Minister Bailey when it comes to listening to their concerns. They have seen his inability to listen and reflect and be able to do the right thing by communities. I want to quote Gayle who says, ‘We are concerned that, like exit 49, the Pimpama roadworks noise barriers have still not been installed and we will experience the same if we do not act now.’

Noise barriers is something that the member for Theodore has taken up the fight on time and time again. It is time the government listens. This is serious. People have built their homes, they have invested, it is their way of life—it matters. They deserve the right to know that the government is listening so that they do not have to listen to traffic noise and have their amenities spoiled. Work has finally begun. Trees have been removed and residents are reporting to me that noise and dust is reaching levels the likes of which they are very uncomfortable with.

Three things could happen which would prove that the government is listening to the residents of the suburbs that both the member for Theodore and myself represent, starting with the beautiful area in Monterey Keys. One: the builder must step up dust mitigation measures like water spraying, sweeping and covering soil stockpiles. Two: residents in places like Monterey Keys are asking that noise barriers be installed now to stop construction noise and enable dust suppression. I will quote from Rachel when she says, ‘We love where we live, and to have to come home to the dust, the noise, the destruction is heartbreaking. Please, can this be made a priority?’ Three: the final design must be world-class; it must be large, it must be thick and it must be done in a way that improves the amenity and ensures that these residents do not have to live with the nightmare on their back fence.

We all want this Coomera Connector. It would have been great if it was on time and on budget, but right now these residents justifiably want to know that their investment and their way of life is protected, and it is important that the minister starts listening to them.

Bundaberg Electorate, Health Care Mr SMITH (Bundaberg—ALP) (7.03 pm): Last month in this House I rose to speak about the

importance of greater investment into our primary health care. Primary health care means the prevention, early intervention, treatment of acute medical conditions and also the management of long-term health conditions.

In the Bundaberg region and the greater Wide Bay region, we of course do have many ongoing health conditions. We have higher rates of diabetes than the rest of the state and the country. We have higher rates of asthma and lung conditions. We have more people with ongoing long-term health conditions than not, right across the Wide Bay region.

After I spoke in this House, the following day I spoke with Dr Brad Murphy who is a GP in Bundaberg at the Ashfield Country Practice. We spoke about the need for the federal budget to put in greater incentives for GPs to ensure that our primary healthcare systems could get back on track after a decade of waste by the coalition government. I was very glad to see that we had that triple incentive in the budget for bulk-billing. I am very glad to say that last week Dr Brad Murphy and I stood up again and this time we were joined by Senator Anthony Chisholm as we spoke about the tripling of the incentive for bulk-billing for GPs in the federal budget. Some would say it is just what the doctor ordered.

Of course, we know that we need more when it comes to this space. In the Bundaberg regions, we have blackspots where it is hard for some of our people to access telehealth, and that means we need greater investment in connectivity. Whilst we welcome the investment by the federal government into health care and primary health care into the region, we will of course push for more to support our GPs and support our primary health care moving forward.

On that note, I say a big congratulations to Dr Ayo Adeniji who opened up his new GP clinic at the Northway Plaza which is now the only GP clinic in the Bundaberg North suburb. It is important that the Bundaberg North suburb now has its very own GP clinic because it means that workers, families

1552 Adjournment 23 May 2023

and pensioners do not have to go up to Moore Park or cross the bridge into the Bundaberg CBD. It means they can do all of their shopping, buy their lottery ticket at the Northway Plaza as well if they are inclined, and also get their GP referrals and visits over and done with at the same time. A big thankyou to Dr Ayo and all of his team.

I also want to say how good it is to see that mental health has a title in portfolio now. That is a very big step moving forward. It is something that the Palaszczuk Labor government has been progressing for a number of years now. I want to give a big shout out to Dave Facer and his team at Brave Brothers who are a local charity that has been set up. It is not only about supporting men’s mental health but also about prevention of domestic and family violence. This is a great local charity that is taking on the responsibility of making sure that men are talking to men about the future and healthy lifestyles.

Toowoomba South Electorate, Charities Mr JANETZKI (Toowoomba South—LNP) (7.06 pm): I would like to talk about a couple of key

charities in our city which provide so much support to so many. I want to start by talking about Protea Place which provides a safe space for women living and surviving domestic violence in our city. I recently met with Amanda who is the founder and CEO of this important charity in our city which has been supported by so many wonderful charities and philanthropic organisations in what they are doing. I want to praise Amanda and her team for the work they are doing supporting women in extraordinarily vulnerable situations, and the difficult cases they take on that many other service providers do not.

I want to acknowledge a couple of key supporters of Protea Place, including the Toowoomba Bears Rugby Club which has a big fundraising event coming up. I also want to acknowledge Blooming Gorgeous who have done an amazing job of helping out Protea Place. Tracy and David have recently taken over the business after Sally had done an amazing job for 15 to 20 years. They also have the best jingle on Darling Downs radio—

Mr O’Connor: How does it go?

Mr JANETZKI: I won’t sing it here tonight, thank you. I want to give a shout-out to Dave Russell, the Protea Place Community Champion of the Year, who is not only the dealer for Wippells Autos but also is a well-respected figure in our community who supports a vast number of charities.

I also want to give a shout-out to Nat Spary and Tiff who today launched Homeless for a Week again. I acknowledge the member for Toowoomba North. He and I have both slept out over the years in support of this charity. Nat sleeps out for seven days in the middle of a Toowoomba winter. When we hear from QCOSS that homelessness has risen in Queensland by 22 per cent since 2017, we know the importance of homelessness charities. I encourage everyone to get behind the fundraising effort of Nat, Tiff and the entire team. They want to raise $150,000 this year. At the launch today, Nat set out their task and that goal, and I encourage everyone in the community to get behind them.

I also want to give a shout-out to the Toowoomba Mountaineers and Armstrong Auto Group, who got behind BASE Services, which Nat and Tiff run who were recently broken into. They have suffered from the effects of crime in our community. The Mountaineers and Armstrong Auto got behind them and helped BASE Services get back on their feet.

Crime in our community continues to be a problem and the member for Toowoomba North and I will not stop talking about it. We still need more police resources. We cannot have a situation where real numbers of police do not match up with the approved numbers. We need people on the ground. We need stronger laws and the best early intervention possible. There is so much more work that needs to be done and we will continue to hold the government to account for it.

Recreational Fishing Mr O’ROURKE (Rockhampton—ALP) (7.09 pm): In the Sunday Mail a few weeks back there was

a story written by Greg Stolz under the headline ‘Barra-nanza on a whole new scale’. It is interesting that anglers in Rockhampton, Mackay and Cairns have been hooking huge barramundi and king threadfin salmon in what has been a boom since the gillnets were removed. In 2015 the Labor government removed the gillnets from the Fitzroy River and it has made a significant difference to the fishing experience.

23 May 2023 Adjournment 1553

The report also spoke about the size of the barramundi being caught now in Cairns. The size has jumped by 30 per cent to 73.7 centimetres, and those reeled in at Rockhampton and Mackay have jumped in size by almost 25 per cent and 13 per cent respectively. Meanwhile, more than 60 per cent of the prized king threadfin salmon caught in Rockhampton’s Fitzroy River are now exceeding a metre in length compared to just two per cent of the catch before the ban. We have some of the best fishing competitions such as the Fitzroy River $10,000 Thready Competition as well as the Frenchville Sports Club’s Barra Bash. I am very pleased to say that the Palaszczuk government contributes funding towards this great event.

Prior to 2015 commercial fishing took approximately 86 tonnes of barramundi and 56 tonnes of threadfin each year from the Fitzroy, leaving very little behind for recreational fishers. Prior to the nets’ closure almost all barramundi caught by the recreational fisherman were undersize. It was actually very difficult to catch any sort of fish to be honest. Now it is a completely different story. Last year at the Barra Bash catch and release competition, which was limited to 100 teams, they caught 164 barramundi and 69 threadfin salmon. A total of 12 barramundi across the three days were over the magic metre. The biggest barramundi of the competition was 128 centimetres and the biggest threadfin salmon measured 147 centimetres—a monster of a fish.

We have seen recreational fishing on the improve in Rockhampton, Mackay and Cairns and we in Rocky have seen tourism grow. People can fly into Rocky from Brisbane, just an hour’s flight, and stay in a five-star hotel. They can almost cast a fishing line off the balcony into the Fitzroy River. They can catch barramundi and threadfin salmon right in the middle of town as the Fitzroy divides North and South Rocky. It is great to see how good it is for our local community.

Royal Flying Doctor Service, Dental Service Mr LAST (Burdekin—LNP) (7.12 pm): In 2013 the QCoal Foundation partnered with the Royal

Flying Doctor Service to address the chronic lack of oral health care in regional and remote communities. From this partnership a mobile dental service was born. It comprised two state-of-the-art dental surgeries in a purpose-built semitrailer. During the initial four-year trial the service treated over 8,000 patients and collected vital clinical and operational data to support the model of mobile oral health delivery as an effective, flexible and cost-efficient solution to address the lack of oral care and subsequent broader health impacts in remote communities.

With the support of the Commonwealth, the RFDS Dental Service is now a sustainable mobile health service that continues to deliver the highest standards of care to communities across Queensland. To address the chronic lack of oral health care in regional Queensland, the service delivers dental care from a state-of-the-art semitrailer that includes dental surgeries as well as an OPG facility that allows the dental team to take full mouth X-rays on board. The inclusion of the OPG sets this service apart from others and brings world-class technology to remote communities.

Between 2013 and 2019 the RFDS Dental Service visited 24 rural and remote communities in Queensland and provided over 15,000 patient visits. During these visits, over 76,000 dental treatments and procedures were provided. During that period the service produced $15 million of economic and social benefits to patients.

A 2021 BDO report found that for every $1 in funding provided to the RFDS Dental Service, $1.80 of economic and social benefit was returned to the community. The report supported our long-held view that this model of mobile dentistry is the most effective approach in a rural and remote setting. The data further quantified the longer term benefit to the broader health system of $800,000 in economic benefit from avoided GP and hospitalisation costs alone.

A 2023 study by BDO found that the regular scheduled visitation by the RFDS Dental Service directly into communities has overcome key barriers for regional and remote communities; that is, mobile service delivery overcomes accessibility, government and philanthropic support overcomes affordability and the reputation of the service for quality care ensures continued high rates of community uptake and overcomes any emotional barriers to visiting the dentist. This study reinforces the true value of the dentist service model.

The 10-year anniversary will be celebrated with the Collinsville community on 13 June this year and with other stakeholders during the year. I commend this service for the work they do in our rural and regional communities. I also say that there are plenty of examples where they have actually saved people’s lives because of the diagnosis performed in those semitrailers.

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South Ripley Satellite Hospital; Ipswich Show Mr McCALLUM (Bundamba—ALP) (7.15 pm): Yesterday I was very proud to welcome the

Premier and the health minister to inspect the progress of our brand new South Ripley satellite hospital at Barrams Road. This new satellite hospital will include a minor injury and illness clinic, mental health specialists, consultation rooms for up to 800 appointments per week, oral health services, BreastScreen services, and medical imaging and diagnostic services.

In addition, we are also delivering a new 90-bed subacute non-urgent facility next door to the satellite hospital. This facility is going to provide additional health care like rehabilitation, aged care, palliative care and interim care. It is an absolutely fantastic addition to our local healthcare network, just like up the road where we are building a brand new $11 million ambulance station right in the Ripley Valley. This is going to be a purpose-built base for our local West Moreton District office and 17 Queensland Ambulance Service officers as well as the officer in charge.

These new services and the facilities are going to be brilliant additions to our local healthcare network, which is also going to be boosted by a $710 million expansion of the Ipswich Hospital, which is going to add another 200 beds as part of the stage 2 expansion. It was wonderful to hear the Premier today announce the awarding of the contract for that expansion of the Ipswich Hospital. It is going to include a new purpose-built acute clinical service building, a new emergency department—an improved emergency department—six additional operating theatres, satellite medical imaging services and a new central sterilisation service. It is absolutely brilliant. It is clear that our rapidly growing local community can rely on the Palaszczuk Labor government to deliver the services that our growing community needs.

I would like to say thank you to everyone who supported our 150th Ipswich Show last weekend. That includes the Premier, the Deputy Prime Minister and, of course, my fellow Ipswich MPs. I was very proud to be at the show for all three days chatting to locals about our booming Bundamba community and all that it has to offer. It was great to catch up with a host of businesses, schools, community groups and not-for-profits that included Goodna State School, Wounded Heroes, Imbibis Craft Distillery and the Ipswich Historical Society.

Public Service Delivery Ms BOLTON (Noosa—Ind) (7.18 pm): Efficient and effective systems are vital in preventing and

resolving some of greatest issues. A constituent received a text message from the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service to ascertain whether they wished to remain on the waiting list for a broken foot, some 15 months after being placed there. This may be an effective way to analyse who is still in need; however, why was it not done after six months or sooner, to ensure data is current as part of improving service delivery and planning?

This inability to stay abreast of what is needed I have raised in relation to housing, dangerous heavy haulage, years of unsustainable visitor numbers to our Cooloola Recreation Area and our turtles being run over. All were preventable. Instead we see responses that are delayed and reactionary versus precautionary and proactive. These responses generate plenty of activity over the years—meetings, consultations, recommendations and reports. By the time we get to act upon them, the problems are bigger and more expensive and the solutions are outdated. Malcolm Sparrow, lecturer at the Australian & New Zealand School of Government, has a simple approach to public administration: pick important problems and fix them. Do not get bogged down in budgets and rules and meetings. Figure out how to address the underlying issue and fix it. This is an approach we need here to be responsive to our communities and fix issues before they become a crisis.

Recently the Coaldrake and Fault lines reports highlighted in relation to our Public Service the need for accountability and transparency, warning of the loss of capacity and a culture of short-term thinking. In addition, it was identified there was a lack of consideration regarding impacts to our most vulnerable during COVID. Regardless of requests as to what provisions will be made to rectify these shortcomings before the next public health emergency, there has yet to be a response from government.

The Public Service Commission is responsible for strategy, leadership and performance across the Queensland public sector and for ensuring it develops the capabilities needed to be responsive and forward-looking. The commission conducts Queensland Public Service reviews when requested to do so by the Queensland government. I call on government to develop a term of reference, via a bipartisan committee inquiry, for the commission to review what is required to develop the capabilities it needs to be effective and efficient, to address our failings and prevent the crises we are seeing in multiple realms

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from ever occurring again. The appointment of a new commissioner provides opportunity to bring our public service sector into a new era, to lead the world instead of sitting where it is currently—down the various ranking tables behind comparable countries.

Ipswich Show Ms HOWARD (Ipswich—ALP) (7.21 pm): The past weekend marked a very special occasion for

Ipswich as we celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Ipswich Show. Since 1873 the Ipswich Show has been a source of excitement, fun, entertainment and joy to thousands of visitors young and old. One hundred and fifty years is a pretty big achievement. It was made possible by successive Ipswich show societies over the years. I would like to give a shout-out to the current president, Darren Zanow, who has done an amazing job leading the show society over the last few years. All of his team, all of the volunteers and the participants do an incredible job behind the scenes to make sure the show goes on.

A highlight of the show this year was the visit by the Premier. It made the day a very special one. I know that the Premier has fond memories of the Ipswich Show when she attended high school in Ipswich—as do so many people across the Ipswich region. Many Ipswich families have made it a tradition to attend the show every year, generation after generation. As the Premier mentioned in one of her Facebook posts over the weekend, if you look around at the Ipswich Show you will see everything that makes Queensland great. It certainly is a great event for showing off our region’s arts and crafts, local produce, food, performers and community services.

I have been setting up a stall at the Ipswich Show ever since I was elected in 2015. Some of the best things about being at the show are meeting all of the people who come to visit, meeting the other stallholders, meeting competition participants and seeing the excitement on kids’ faces as they wander around the show with their families. There is a really wonderful sense of community that the Ipswich Show fosters over the three days. It is really special to be a part of that.

Over its 150 years the Ipswich Show has grown bigger and better. It started out with six categories in 1873: horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, agriculture and miscellaneous. Since then it has grown to have 27 categories. The Ipswich Show is a major drawcard event for Ipswich, both socially and economically. It boosts our local economy by an estimated $1 million and brings in thousands of visitors. One of the people I spoke to at the show had come from Adelaide. There were others who had come from the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba. It draws people from far and wide. It did not hurt that the weather was so perfect over the weekend.

The Queensland government has recognised the important contribution of our show through its investment of $136,000 over the past five years to support the show’s operating costs and all of the costs associated with new infrastructure or upgrades and maintenance. It is made possible through the Show Societies Grants Program, which distributes around $2 million each year to various shows across Queensland to make sure they can keep running into the future.

I want to pay tribute to the show society for the work it has done. It is to be commended for its dedication. I was just texting the show president to find out if they had final numbers of attendees. He told me that around 35,000 people had gone through the show over the last three days. It is a huge event and a great achievement.

Kimball Family Mr PURDIE (Ninderry—LNP) (7.24 pm): It was on the afternoon of 9 June last year when Annette

Kimball last saw her 16-year-old son Ryan alive. When he left home he told his mum he would not be out long and said, ‘I love you, Mum.’ Not long after, Annette received a call from another mum saying that Ryan had been in a crash. She asked if he was alive and was told, ‘I don’t know.’ On arrival at the scene at Bli Bli she quickly learned that he was not. The vehicle Ryan was a rear-seat passenger in had hit a telephone pole at speeds estimated to be between 160 and 180 kilometres an hour. At that moment Annette’s life—along with those of Ryan’s father, Graeme, and his brother, Tyson—was destroyed.

Despite pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing death, driving as a learner without supervision, driving without L-plates and using a mobile phone while driving, on 28 April the driver, who was 17 years old at the time of the crash, walked free from the Childrens Court with a wholly suspended sentence, with no conviction recorded. The Kimball family were hoping that the sentence would finally give them some closure—a chance to try to move on with their lives, to close that chapter and start writing a new one. They had spent the previous 11 months in agonising silence as they put their faith in our justice system. Now they rightly feel betrayed.

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Graeme and Annette know that nothing will bring Ryan back. They were not hoping for a harsh penalty—just something that would acknowledge their loss, something that might act as a deterrent to other young drivers, something that might prevent another family from experiencing the unfathomable nightmare they are living—at the very least a conviction recorded.

The irony of this appalling situation is that it was the Attorney-General herself who on 15 September 2016 proudly introduced the youth justice amendment bill, which increased the age of who is a child for the purpose of the Youth Justice Act from 16 to 17 years as part of the government’s implementation of their soft-on-crime regime. As a direct result, seven years on we are seeing the horrific toll being inflicted on our communities as young, inexperienced drivers charged with life-endangering traffic offences routinely get a slap on the wrist from the Childrens Court. As our state’s road toll skyrockets and more and more innocent lives are lost at the hands of 17-year-old offenders, we are now seeing the dire consequences of the legislative reform the Attorney-General so proudly introduced.

This sentence is manifestly inadequate. It does not meet community expectations and it does not send a clear deterrent message to other young drivers. I again call on the Attorney-General to urgently appeal this decision before the appeal period lapses on Friday so that Graeme, Annette and Tyson may finally find some peace in the senseless loss of their beloved son and brother, Ryan.

State Schools, Infrastructure Mr WHITING (Bancroft—ALP) (7.27 pm): Tonight I rise to talk about something that is happening

within our schools. The health and wellbeing professionals being introduced into Queensland schools remind me of what a great job the Palaszczuk government is doing in building a better education system in Queensland. I firstly want to thank the Palaszczuk government for bringing in a GP and a psychologist into Deception Bay State High School under this program. Everyone at the school—the principal, the staff and the students—are so effusive in their praise for what we have delivered into this school because we all know that it makes such a difference to the lives of individuals and the life of the school as a whole.

I am reminded that this is exactly what our schools need—that is, social infrastructure as well as physical infrastructure. I am so pleased that once again the Palaszczuk government is investing in the social infrastructure of our schools. In fact, we are investing $106 million over three years for our student wellbeing package in state schools. This will ensure that every student in every primary and secondary state school in Queensland has access to a health and wellbeing professional at their school. That means that students will get direct support for their wellbeing and their mental health from a range of professionals including social workers, guidance officers and youth workers.

The health and wellbeing program is only one part of the improvements that we are delivering to the state school system, and I will talk about the physical infrastructure as well. Let me say it again: every single classroom, library and staffroom in Queensland state schools is now air conditioned. That is around 10,000 spaces in 649 schools around Queensland. They are powered by an extra 80,000 solar panels on the roofs of our state schools.

Under the Palaszczuk government, our education and training budget is nearly $20 billion, and that means funding for about 675 teachers and 200 more teacher aides. In fact, we spend $1.2 billion each year on new schools and new and upgraded infrastructure. Our government has opened 21 new schools, at last count, since 2015 which means that we are opening five to six new schools every two years. In terms of physical infrastructure, Deception Bay State School—the oldest and smallest state school in my patch—is getting a brand new community hall. I want to thank the minister for that. As I said, it is the smallest and oldest school but it really needs that investment and I know that that will build the confidence of the staff and the students at that school.

The House adjourned at 7.30 pm.

ATTENDANCE Andrew, Bailey, Bates, Bennett, Bleijie, Bolton, Boothman, Boyd, Brown, Butcher, Camm,

Crandon, Crawford, Crisafulli, D’Ath, Dametto, de Brenni, Dick, Enoch, Farmer, Fentiman, Frecklington, Furner, Gilbert, Grace, Harper, Hart, Head, Healy, Hinchliffe, Howard, Hunt, Janetzki, Katter, Kelly, King A, King S, Knuth, Krause, Langbroek, Last, Leahy, Linard, Lister, Lui, MacMahon, Madden, Mander, Martin, McCallum, McDonald, McMahon, McMillan, Mellish, Mickelberg, Miles, Minnikin, Molhoek, Mullen, Nicholls, O’Connor, O’Rourke, Palaszczuk, Pease, Perrett, Powell, Power, Pugh, Purdie, Richards, Robinson, Rowan, Russo, Ryan, Saunders, Scanlon, Simpson, Skelton, Smith, Stevens, Stewart, Sullivan, Tantari, Walker, Watts, Whiting