weekly hansard - Queensland Parliament - Queensland Government

2548 Ministerial Statement 23 Aug 2005
The Beattie government is committed to, and is delivering, 350 extra paramedics who now have a
jointly run Queensland Ambulance Service/Queensland University of Technology degree program
available to them, ensuring all paramedics have the best science based tertiary education anywhere in
the country. The Ambulance Service is also releasing its paramedics from cumbersome paperwork to
concentrate on patient care with the introduction of electronic ambulance report forms. In the near
future, these computers will be linked via wireless networks to access patient records and send patient
conditions instantly to the hospital of destination.
The service is about to roll out the use of 12-lead electrocardiogram machines for all advanced
care paramedics. The service is also looking at a new computer aided dispatch system for the entire
state. Paramedics in Queensland are getting more patients in better shape to Queensland’s emergency
departments than ever before. As a member of the local Balmoral Ambulance Committee for many
years and now the minister in charge of this progressive organisation, I can say that I am extremely
proud of the Queensland Ambulance Service’s achievements. I was at two functions on Sunday
where ambulances had to be called for a couple of seniors. They were there very promptly—within the
five minutes—and did a very professional job. I stood back and watched them. I was very proud to
watch them, and those patients were in the best of care..
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
Invasion of Privacy Act, Photographic Images
Hon. LD LAVARCH (Kurwongbah—ALP) (Minister for Justice and Attorney-General) (10.04 am):
I have recently become aware of a gap in the law in Queensland regarding the secret filming or taking of
photographs of adults engaged in private activities. Under current Queensland law, there is no
prohibition on the use of various forms of surveillance, except the use of listening devices. The Invasion
of Privacy Act 1971 regulates the use of listening devices only, not photographic images. Currently,
there is nothing to prevent a person secretly videorecording the activities of another adult in situations
where that adult would expect to have their privacy or indeed have their modesty protected—for
example, in changing rooms, toilets and other private spaces.
This is clearly an area of the law that needs strengthening. That is why I am pleased to announce
today that the Beattie government intends to close this loophole. As soon as I became aware of this
issue, I asked my department to provide advice on ways to protect Queenslanders in situations where
they would and could expect to have their privacy or modesty protected. I want to put proposals for
reform to the Queensland cabinet as soon as practicable so the law can be changed without delay to
protect Queenslanders’ privacy. Likely options may involve amendments to the Invasion of Privacy Act
1971 or an amendment to the Criminal Code.
In Queensland, children are already protected from being photographed in a sexual or offensive
manner under the Criminal Code (Child Pornography and Abuse) Amendment Act 2005. Also, earlier
this month I called for public submissions on options to tackle the problem of unauthorised photographs
being published on the internet. Submissions on the proposed changes close on 14 October. Rapidly
evolving new technologies such as digital cameras, mobile phones and the internet are challenging us
and authorities around the world. We need to protect the privacy of all Queenslanders.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
Queensland on Stage—Asia 2005
Hon. MM KEECH (Albert—ALP) (Minister for Tourism, Fair Trading and Wine Industry
Development) (10.06 am): The Beattie government rolls out the red carpet for top level Asian tourism
buyers this week in yet another first for Queensland. Queensland will be on show to our major Asian
markets in an exciting new initiative that I am sure will produce impressive results and be expanded to
take in other regions in Queensland. We will be hosting 180 influential buyers—the biggest delegation of
Asian buyers to visit Queensland outside the Australian Tourism Exchange. They are here from
tomorrow for Queensland on Stage—Asia 2005, a seven-day expose of our holiday destinations. They
will visit south-east Queensland, the tropical north and Fraser Island. We hope to expand the program in
future years to include other regions.
Asian markets are vital to our tourism industry, and we need to constantly build and rebuild
knowledge of our destinations with the people who buy our tourism product. Queensland on Stage
targets buyers from China and Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Korea and
the Philippines. We will offer participants information, resources and experiences that will boost their
understanding of Queensland’s many top destinations and attractions. The more that buyers know
about Queensland’s tourism product and experiences, the better they can sell it to their customers in