RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS - Queensland Parliament ...

31 Oct 2012 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2329
The Minister for Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services, Minister Davis, outlined a
number of programs her department will be delivering, with two notable initiatives that had great appeal.
One was to further enhance the safety of our children—
(Time expired)
Mrs SCOTT (Woodridge—ALP) (10.26 pm): As I rise to report on the questioning of the Minister
for Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services, I do so with a great deal of concern for the lack of
detail received. In fact, the minister seemed totally unprepared and out of her depth. Similarly, the lack of
detail to many of the answers to questions on notice was quite unsatisfactory. However, for me the most
upsetting aspect of this budget has been the complete focus on the economic bottom line, with little
thought about the many thousands of people now being removed from their positions, the programs
being axed with a similar loss of staff and then the stress of those who remain. Then at the bottom of the
chain are those who are losing services and having to manage as best they can.
These portfolio matters were scheduled at the end of a long day, skewed to allow only 30 minutes
to question over job cuts, and this certainly did not allow proper scrutiny of the portfolio. Within the vital
Child Safety portfolio, Mr Bruce Marshall was highlighted as an example of the axing of a position which
is absolutely vital to the community at Aurukun. Mr Marshall, whose designated position is service
development and integration officer, is due to end his role on 31 December 2012. However, he is the
first port of call for anyone arriving in the community. He coordinates government services, has
increased security at the women’s shelter, sets up and trains the crew for the Volunteer Marine Rescue
and organises community events. His qualifications include certificate IV in workplace training and
assessment and occupational health and safety, a coxswain certification and a commercial pilots
licence. It will be of huge detriment to that community to lose his services. Similar positions will be axed
in Hope Vale, Kowanyama and Yarrabah and I plead with the minister and Premier to continue to fund
these most important positions for the future welfare of these Indigenous communities.
When asked about the Taxi Subsidy Scheme, the minister admitted that she was unable to
confirm whether she had any discussions with the Minister for Transport before he announced the cap
of $400 annually. It appears that there is little consultation between ministers across portfolios where
decisions such as this have a major negative impact. This single announcement has the potential to
have a devastating effect on thousands of people with a disability whose mobility is vital to their
wellbeing.
The minister was indignant when questioned about the sacking of 600 staff, claiming that there
had been no sackings. However, in confirming that employees were phoned and offered referral to the
employee assistance program, it was enough said. It was again highlighted that this government has
failed to fund a trial for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, with the minister’s retort—
I did not see any money in the forward estimates from your government for any NDIS trial.
This was obviously not possible as the announcement of a trial came from the federal
government in April this year, with funding of $1 billion announced in the May federal budget. The
callousness of this government is demonstrated by the fact that not only has it failed to fund a trial but
also it has failed in its own self-directed trial and has no new money.
The dejection and sheer disbelief at the viciousness of funding cuts and looking to the bleak years
ahead for our community services sector can be witnessed by visiting any community throughout the
entire state. In both answers to questions on notice and in the committee hearing the minister failed to
detail the extent of the groups affected by the $259.7 million in cuts and the impact on our community
groups. When further questioned on how the cuts to her budget will be received, she responded—
I am sorry, I was not listening.
She failed to answer the question and referred the question to her chief financial officer.
(Time expired)
Mr TROUT (Barron River—LNP) (10.31 pm): I rise to speak to the report of the Health and
Community Services Committee estimates hearing. Most importantly, I would like to thank the Minister
for National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing; the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
and Multicultural Affairs; the Minister for Health; the Minister for Communities, Child Safety and
Disability Services; Mr Peter Dowling, the member for Redlands and chair of the committee; the
departmental officers; and each and every member of the committee for facilitating the process involved
in arriving at this point.
Above all, I would like to convey my utmost respect and admiration for the Minister for Health, the
Hon. Lawrence Springborg, whose achievement today will be etched in our memories and preserved in
the chronicles of history. Through stalwart resolve and despite obstacles and opposition in all senses of
the word, our minister has taught us that persistence is the key to success. The Labor orchestrated