RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS - Queensland Parliament ...

2312 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 31 Oct 2012
my calculations show that the non-government members, comprising one-quarter of the committee,
asked approximately double the number of questions asked by members of the government, and the
majority of the non-government questions were asked by members of the Labor Party. So on that basis
I do not think the member for South Brisbane’s contention of unfair treatment has any basis or credibility.
Several of the issues which were investigated by the committee are of particular relevance to the
Maryborough electorate. Maryborough is the headquarters for Hyne timber, which is the second largest
timber-milling company in Australia. In addition, there are numbers of small timber millers and the
supporting industries for the logging and carting of the timber. To Maryborough, the timber industry is
highly significant. It was therefore pleasing to be advised by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and
Forestry that the LNP government is working on a timber industry plan. The focus of the timber industry
plan is to deal with current challenges and to develop a long-term plan to ensure the sustainability and
viability of the timber industry. Nationally the timber industry is struggling with such issues as a high
Australian dollar and low demand for timber product.
The minister also advised that the department is currently working to reopen previously logged
state forest that had been locked up by the former government. These forests had been sustainably
logged for very extensive periods of time, yet timber is still available. I commend the timber industry plan
and other supporting programs, including the First Home Owner Construction Grant and the removal of
red tape in the Sustainable Planning Act and the appropriation of funding to support these programs.
Agricultural primary production is one of the four pillars of the economy that the LNP is working to
increase. Under the previous Labor government our robust state forests had been locked up to
productive activities such as beekeeping and grazing and timber harvesting, as mentioned. In addition,
activities such as quarrying and recreational uses can be carried out in an environmentally sustainable
way while adding value to the economy. I have had both beekeepers and graziers approach me seeking
to again access state forest to support their industries. As pointed out by Minister McVeigh, state forest
areas of high conservation value will be maintained by the LNP government.
One other area addressed by the committee related to the commitment by the LNP government
to support grassroots environmental activities with a program called Everyone’s Environment grants.
The Maryborough electorate has a number of very active environmental groups with a major focus on
the Mary River and surrounding catchments. These groups include the Tiaro and District Landcare
Group, the Greater Mary Association and the Burnett Mary Regional Group and they continue to work to
stabilise the banks of the Mary River, to remove pests and weeds, to establish a koala corridor and to
carry out research on the very unique Mary River turtle. The support of government grants of $3 million
in this first year and $12 million over a three-year period shows just how committed this LNP
government is to caring for the environment and to supporting the volunteers who carry out this valuable
work. I know that at least one application has been made for a grant under this program and I am hoping
that of the 200-plus applications received it will be one of the successful applicants. While the matters I
have addressed are only a small portion of the matters considered by the committee, I believe it shows
that the appropriation legislation as presented by the LNP government achieves the aims of fiscal
responsibility while working to grow the economy and at the same time looking after the environment. I
commend the bills to the House.
Mrs MILLER (Bundamba—ALP) (8.50 pm): I rise to speak to the estimates committee report in
relation to Natural Resources and Mines because I am the shadow minister for mines on behalf of the
Australian Labor Party in this parliament. I want to talk briefly about a couple of issues, one of which
relates to untreated water in mines going into the river systems, an issue which has been flagged in
numerous media reports throughout Queensland, and also the fact that many people, particularly those
in Central Queensland, believe that a deal was done between this government and the mining
companies with regard to discharging water into waterways in relation to royalties. It was very sad that
the minister dodged all of these questions in this regard. In fact, in August this year the Rockhampton
Regional Council raised the issue in relation to untreated water in mines. It is a very serious issue. It is a
very serious issue for mining companies, it is a very serious issue for the environment movement and it
is a very serious issue for local councils as well. It is my view that we were treated with absolute
contempt during that estimates committee hearing.
Mr Powell interjected.
Mrs MILLER: I take the interjection from the environment minister. All we had on that day was
ping-pong: it was ping-pong between the Minister for Mines and the Minister for Environment. That was
what it was. It was ministerial ping-pong between you and neither of you took any responsibility. Neither
of you took any responsibility at all.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Ruthenberg): Order! Member for Bundamba, please address your
comments through the chair.
Mrs MILLER: Thank you very much, and I think the same should go for them. In relation to—
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Bundamba—