RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS - Queensland Parliament ...

2330 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 31 Oct 2012
Health payroll bungle will be documented as the worst case of government mismanagement and the
very saddest example of total incompetence, denial and deceit the state has ever had the misfortune to
wear and bear. We owe it to our fellow Queenslanders to reveal the truth behind this total botch-up,
which has cost this state $1.2 billion. Today, the persistence of our health minister and this committee
has enabled a gigantic step to be taken through the production of records documenting this catastrophic
blunder.
There are a number of initiatives outlined in the budget that will have a positive effect on my
constituents. Firstly, I welcome the facilitation of access to national parks. What purpose do parks serve
if, through being inaccessible and badly managed, they merely serve to become havens for feral and
weed pests? I agree wholeheartedly that we must safeguard our parks to preserve natural habitats for
flora and fauna. This is achieved through sound management, consideration for each park’s unique
biodiversity and an adherence to conservation legislation, not through closure and isolation.
This government displays its commitment to health by, among other things, providing multiple
opportunities for sport and recreation. In the Barron River electorate, we have already received
numerous requests and opportunities to take advantage of the Get in the Game initiative—ranging from
requests from small sporting clubs to community organisations encouraging Indigenous youth to
participate in diversionary team sporting activities. I thank the Minister for National Parks, Recreation,
Sport and Racing for these very welcome initiatives. I also thank the minister for those initiatives relating
to the racing industry, which plays and has always played a huge role in the lives of the people in North
Queensland and in the economy of North Queensland, which has suffered a downturn in recent years
under a Labor government. Additional prize money will provide a very welcome boost to a flagging
industry that has had a significant effect on the Cairns economy throughout our history.
I embrace the Your Life Your Choice trial as it provides an opportunity for empowerment for the
many disabled constituents of my electorate and their carers. This trial has been well received. I also
welcome the funding allocation for aids and equipment for people with a disability under 65 years and
for Indigenous people with a disability under 50 years. During the hearing I made an inquiry of the
Minister for Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services regarding trials pertaining to the support
of vulnerable children and families. As a consequence I learned of the First Response project, a joint
venture between Child Safety and the UnitingCare Community. As the father of four daughters, I have a
great empathy and concern for children less fortunate than my own. In that regard I am very interested
in the outcome of this trial and intend to maintain close contact with UCC.
In terms of Health funding, I particularly welcome those initiatives relating to the expansion of
health facilities and improved access to emergency and specialist care. Although Cairns Base Hospital
is not physically situated in my electorate, it is the area’s main regional health facility. That hospital
services the needs of all of my constituents and it has benefited tremendously from the Newman
government’s commitment to restore local health boards and empower them to run their services. As a
result, we have seen significant improvements in service provision, increased confidence and additional
funding to achieve tier 1 status for the Cairns Base Hospital. Access to specialist health care is a priority
throughout my electorate, with constituents hitherto being forced to travel to Brisbane to receive care. I
commend this government’s pledge to provide our local health service with funding to the tune of
$15 million over four years.
(Time expired)
Mr HATHAWAY (Townsville—LNP) (10.36 pm): As a member of the Health and Community
Services Committee I rise to speak in support of our report No. 12. I also would like to thank the
Treasurer and the relevant portfolio ministers for the opportunity to review the Appropriation Bill and
their insight into their relevant expenditure and strategy for their department across the estimates.
I must admit to having some apprehension on my first budget review and estimates process.
Indeed, I was daunted by the prospect of trying to understand the complexities of the budget set against
the fiscal constraints that face this government owing to Labor’s legacy of addiction to debt and deficit. It
is disappointing—although not unsurprising—that we were unable as a committee to produce a
unanimous report without a statement of reservation. Here was an opportunity for the opposition
committee members to right their copybook and provide non-partisan input into a once-in-a-generation
change for Queensland—a change that Queenslanders gave a mandate for in March of this year. All
opposition member attendees to the estimates committee bar one were former members and/or cabinet
ministers of the previous administration. I note with regret that, by their questions, they reaffirmed their
support for the legacy left by an absent Bligh and her ‘Boy Wonder’ Treasurer. In doing so they should
be forever indelibly marked in the records of this House by the pox that was their terminal gift to
Queensland.
Despite my disappointment at this lost opportunity, the estimates hearing process confirmed my
trust in the executive for the redirection of Queensland’s economy and its fiscal repair to get our state
back on track and back in the black. It also gave me an insight into the complexity of government,
particularly when trying to stabilise debt, arrest interest payments, live within your means and yet still
deliver the necessary services that Queenslanders expect and deserve.