RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS - Queensland Parliament ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

2252 Petitions 31 Oct 2012 effectively repeated by the member for Morayfield, the member for Kallangur, the member for Ferny Grove, the member for Sunnybank, the member for Springwood and the member for Townsville. The alleged misleading statements occurred on 13 or 14 September 2012. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition argues that the primary statements by the Treasurer suggested or alleged that the former government was targeting approximately 41,000 people to take redundancies under the VSP, whereas the figure of approximately 41,000 was instead the pool of public servants that had expressed interest in the VSP. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition argues that the former government only ever targeted up to 5,000 positions, with 4,212 actually accepting offers. Similarly, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition argues that the statements made by the Minister for Health suggested or alleged that 4,000 public servants in the Health portfolio were being targeted for VSPs where the number actually offered was 1,245, with 847 separating. I have looked closely at both the documents provided and the Record of Proceedings from both sitting days. I am not convinced that any misleading statements were in fact made. For example, the Treasurer stated— It was in fact 41,000 people identified for potential separation from the Public Service. And later the Treasurer stated— They were looking at potentially 41,000 people to take redundancies and had, at the conclusion of the process, identified 10,000 people who were all ready to go. These statements are not inconsistent with the tabled document which identified an expressionof-interest pool of 41,753, with 9,622 who submitted expressions of interest. Each person in the pool was arguably identified for potential separation. The actual statements by the Treasurer did not in fact say that the former government had an intention to separate with 41,000 positions. In relation to the allegation against the Minister for Health, the full context of the minister’s statement must be considered. At page 1912, the same page on which the alleged offending statement derives, the minister outlined in considerable detail the number of expressions of interest, the number of responses and the final number of VSPs. The actual statements by the Minister for Health did not in fact say that the former government had an intention to separate with all 4,000 positions in Queensland Health. In respect of the other members who are the subject of complaint, their comments also have to be looked at in context. That context includes arguments from members of both sides of the House as to the meaning to be attributed. I am not convinced that there is any evidence of intention to mislead the Assembly. I refer to my comments made earlier. We must do all we can to ensure that deliberately misleading statements are not made in the Assembly and that false evidence is not tendered in the Assembly’s committees. I also understand that the Assembly is a debating chamber, with off-the-cuff contributions which, when considered in context as opposed to in isolation, are clear in their meaning. I will not be referring any of these matters to the Ethics Committee. PRIVILEGE Speaker’s Ruling, Referral to Ethics Committee Madam SPEAKER: I inform the House that yesterday I received correspondence from the Leader of the Opposition concerning correspondence from a legal firm. The Leader of the Opposition has complained that the correspondence seeks to intimidate or threaten her in her role as a member. After reading Members’ Ethics and Privileges Committee Report No. 82 and the material in this matter, I have referred the matter to the Ethics Committee. I draw to the attention of members that, as this matter is now before the committee, standing order 271 applies and the matter should not be referred to in the Assembly. PETITIONS The Clerk presented the following paper petitions, lodged by the honourable members indicated— Water Fluoridation Mr Bennett, from 116 petitioners, requesting the House to reverse the requirement that the Bundaberg Regional Council add fluoride to potable water supplies [1427]. Maryborough, Mary River Boat Ramp Mrs Maddern, from 400 petitioners, requesting the House to take all necessary steps to have the Beaver Rock Road boat ramp located on the Mary River at Maryborough extended and modified to make it safe [1428].
31 Oct 2012 Tabled Papers 2253 Surveillance Laws Mr Cox, from 32 petitioners, requesting the House to review all laws on what is personal surveillance or spying on your neighbour [1429]. Antonis Crossing, Upgrade Mr Malone, from 426 petitioners, requesting the House to look at the options of raising the height and lengthening of Antonis Crossing on Kinchant Dam Road (Eton North) to address concerns of flooding caused by the releasing of water from Kinchant Dam and natural rain fall [1430]. Old Gympie Road and Peachester Road, Intersection Hon McArdle, from 467 petitioners, requesting the House to review the intersection at the corner of Beerwah State School, Old Gympie Road and Peachester Road and immediately install traffic signals, a school pedestrian crossing and upgrade the intersection to cater for increased traffic [1431]. Townsville Biosecurity Unit Mr Knuth, from 3,109 petitioners, requesting the House to retain the Townsville Biosecurity Unit (Tropical and Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory) and continue these services at premises suitable to the requirements of this vital work [1432]. The Clerk presented the following paper petition, sponsored by the Clerk in accordance with Standing Order 119(3)— National Parks, Access 1,229 petitioners, requesting the House to review the road, 4WD track and access road closures in the State’s national parks and forests, reopen closed and regenerated roads, 4WD tracks and trails and provide a sustainable environment for the continuation of such recreational activities [1433]. The Clerk presented the following e-petition, sponsored by the Clerk in accordance with Standing Order 119(4)— Toowoomba Biosecurity Laboratory 1,381 petitioners, requesting the House to retain the Toowoomba Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Animal Disease Surveillance Laboratory and continue these services at the existing premises with facilities suitable to the requirements of this vital work [1434]. Petitions received. TABLED PAPERS MINISTERIAL PAPERS TABLED BY THE CLERK The following ministerial papers were tabled by the Clerk— Minister for Natural Resources and Mines (Mr Cripps)— 1435 Department of Natural Resources and Mines—Annual Report 2011-12 Minister for Police and Community Safety (Mr Dempsey)— 1436 Prostitution Licensing Authority—Annual Report 2011-12 Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting the Premier (Mr Elmes)— 1437 Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs—Annual Report 2011-12 1438 Family Responsibilities Commission—Annual Report 2011-12 Acting Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts (Mr Langbroek)— 1439 Queensland Museum—Annual Report 2011-12 1440 Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts—Annual Report 2011-12 1441 Queensland State Archives—Annual Report 2011-12 1442 Queensland Art Gallery Board of Trustees—Annual Report 2011-12 1443 Queensland Performing Arts Centre—Annual Report 2011-12 1444 Library Board of Queensland—Annual Report 2011-12 Minister for Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services (Ms Davis)— 1445 Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services—Annual Report 2011-12 Minister for Local Government (Mr Crisafulli)— 1446 Department of Local Government—Annual Report 2011-12 Treasurer and Minister for Trade (Mr Nicholls)— 1447 Queensland Treasury and Trade—Annual Report 2011-12 MEMBERS’ PAPERS TABLED BY THE CLERK The following members’ papers were tabled by the Clerk— Member for Maryborough (Ms Maddern)— 1448 Non-conforming petition regarding the Maryborough Base Hospital Pathology Department Member for Mulgrave (Mr Pitt)— 1449 Non-conforming petition regarding Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council Member for Toowoomba North (Mr Watts)— 1450 Non-conforming petition regarding a proposed strip club in Toowoomba
Page 1 and 2: PROOF ISSN 1322-0330 RECORD OF PROC
Page 3 and 4: Table of Contents — Wednesday, 31
Page 5 and 6: 31 Oct 2012 Legislative Assembly 22
Page 7: 31 Oct 2012 Privilege 2251 Madam SP
Page 11 and 12: 31 Oct 2012 Questions Without Notic
Page 23 and 24: 31 Oct 2012 Appropriation (Parliame
Page 53 and 54: 31 Oct 2012 Classification of Compu
Page 55 and 56: 31 Oct 2012 South East Qld Water (R
Page 57 and 58: 31 Oct 2012 Weapons and Other Legis
Page 59 and 60:
31 Oct 2012 Appropriation (Parliame
Page 61 and 62:
Page 63 and 64:
Page 65 and 66:
Page 67 and 68:
Page 69 and 70:
Page 71 and 72:
Page 73 and 74:
Page 75 and 76:
Page 77 and 78:
Page 79 and 80:
Page 81 and 82:
Page 83 and 84:
Page 85 and 86:
Page 87 and 88:
Page 89 and 90:
Page 91 and 92:
Page 93 and 94:
Page 95 and 96:
Page 97 and 98:
Page 99 and 100:
Page 101 and 102:
Page 103 and 104:
31 Oct 2012 Adjournment 2347 Early
Page 105 and 106:
31 Oct 2012 Adjournment 2349 School
Page 107 and 108:
31 Oct 2012 Adjournment 2351 During
show all

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS - Queensland Parliament ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?